News-Press DCCR 6-20-13
Castle Rock
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 13
June 20, 2013
Free
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcastlerocknews.com
Castle Pines bans commercial pot Council unanimously votes to bar facilities By Virginia Grantier
vgrantier@ourcoloradonews.com He’s always looking for a way to increase city revenues, but never this way, Castle Pines Councilmember Marc Town said after the council voted unanimously on second
reading June 11 to ban commercial marijuana operations in the city. “You never want to bring in revenue that’s going to negatively impact your community,” he said. The city’s new ordinance prohibits marijuana cultivation facilities, testing and product manufacturing facilities, and retail marijuana stores. Towne said in a recent interview that residents understand there are tax dollars in marijuana sales, but Castle Pines, like many
other Douglas County communities, “is a very conservative community, very family oriented.” Marijuana being a drug, Castle Pines doesn’t see commercial marijuana businesses “being conducive to the family and community environment that has been in place for many years,” Towne said. Towne said in communities such as Colorado Springs, which he visits often, there are quite a few marijuana dispensaries. “The folks that are in front of those dis-
pensaries are not Castle Pines clientele,” he said. “You see a lot of folks that are obviously abusing. ... Those are the folks that are taking advantage.” Towne said Castle Pines may have residents who seek marijuana for medical treatment. The council is “sensitive to their needs,” but what they need can be bought outside of Castle Pines, Towne said. Colorado’s Amendment 64, which voters passed last year legalizing recreational mar Pot continues on Page 17
Castle Rock enacts burn restrictions Staff report
The Castle Rock Fire Department held a ceremony unveling its new “quint” truck on June 8 at Castle Rock Fire Station 155. Within 10 minutes, the custom-built $826,000 truck was leaving the station on its first call. Photos by Ryan Boldrey
New fire truck rolls into town Custom-made ‘quint’ replaces 19-year-old rig in Castle Rock By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com It wasn’t 10 minutes after the Castle Rock Fire Department ceremoniously backed its new, $826,000, 2012 custom-built “quint” truck into the garage at Fire Station No. 155 before it was pulling out of the station for its first call. It happened so quickly that some of the firefighters on board didn’t even have time to eat their celebratory cake or finish showing Castle Rock citizens some of the rig’s shiny new features during the June 8 ceremony. The new rig, which was built to CRFD specs by industry leader KME out of Pennsylvania, replaces “Christine,” a 1994 quint that up until 2003 was the only ladder truck in all of Castle Rock. Like all quints, the new ride has five functions, including a pump, a water tank, fire hose, an aerial ladder and ground ladders. “The truck was designed to be as safe, number one, and as user-friendly, number two, as possible,” said Lt. Oren BersagelBriese. The truck features the strongest aerial
From left, Elizabeth Riedel, 9, Jack Riedel, 6, and Ela Riedel, 3, stand beside an old Chevrolet fire truck on June 8 behind Castle Rock Fire Station 155 on Crowfoot Valley Road, after the department unveiled its newest “quint” truck. ladder on the market, can withstand up to 100,000 pounds of pressure on the cab if it rolls, was designed specifically for Castle Rock’s hilly terrain and is the first fire truck in the department to feature air bags. Complete with a 475-horsepower diesel
engine, the new rig boasts six ladders, compared with Christine’s five, with increased length and decreased weight to provide more flexibility for firefighters. It is also equipped with advanced life Truck continues on Page 17
Castle Rock implemented fire restrictions last week that target fireworks and open burning, although the town still permits residents to have fires on private property. According to a news release, violators could face a $1,000 fine, 180 days in jail, or both. Castle Rock Fire Chief Art Morales said very warm weather and an increase in vegetation, which acts a fire fuel, led to the restrictions. “These fire restrictions are a proactive approach to safety in our community,” Morales said. “With the high heat and limited rain we have had, conditions are prime to support rapidly growing wildfires.” The restrictions prohibit open burning of any kind in public open spaces or parks, and the use and sale of fireworks are prohibited. Fires are allowed in developed or residential areas on private property. Also still allowed are fires in constructed, permanent fire pits, fire grates and chimineas, and in charcoal and gas grills. At this point, the town is still planning its July 4 fireworks display. However, this event depends on fire dangers and restrictions. The town will update the status of this event online at CRgov. com/July42013. Since weather conditions can change rapidly, the town could increase restrictions in the future. Check CRgov.com/firebans for any updates regarding the current restriction level. “We need the help of our community to do everything possible to minimize the potential for human-caused fires in our town,” Morales said. For many area residents, a major wildfire got a little too close for comfort last week. To the southeast of Castle Rock, the Black Forest Fire grew quickly amid hot, dry and windy conditions. The blaze, which was 65 percent contained by June 16, burned more than 14,000 acres, destroying nearly 500 homes and killing two people. Residents in southeastern Douglas County were placed on pre-evacuation notice, but that was lifted by the afternoon of June 14.