Week of April 7, 2022
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
CastlePinesNewsPress.net
VOLUME 9 | ISSUE 33
Lawsuit looms over cost of Tri-County Health breakup Court case for $50 million highlights a Douglas County agreement BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Out of all the political controversy the coronavirus has caused in Colorado, the pullout of Douglas County from the Tri-County Health Department — and the domino effect it had
on Adams and Arapahoe counties — may be the action that ends up having the biggest consequences on some metro Denver governments. The costs of Arapahoe and Adams counties pulling away from TriCounty Health could be in the millions. And the situation could get a whole lot more expensive — possibly for all three counties — depending on what a court has to say about an alleged $50 million fee Tri-County Health and the counties may owe to another government body if counties continue to pull out.
At issue is a payment that the health agency may eventually owe to the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association, or PERA, which provides retirement and other benefits to employees of government agencies and public entities in Colorado. Members of PERA include public school teachers, many university and college employees, judges, state troopers, and other types of public employees. If Tri-County Health is “allowed to withdraw from PERA without
Kane steps into new role under spotlight DCSD superintendent brings both background and baggage BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Erin Kane sat down at her desk on her last day of work at American Academy and looked around the room. Dozens of photos from her career, framed diplomas on the wall, a stack of books about state education law, all sat untouched. The packing hadn’t begun yet. It was March 30 and Kane was poised to sign a contract that day to become Douglas County Schools’ next superintendent. The deal included a three-year term, $250,000 annual salary and a proposed start date of March 31. Morning bled into the afternoon, and despite being happy with the school board’s final offer, Kane had not signed yet. Her day was instead filled with goodbyes and mentally preparing to box up her things to leave the charter school she helped found more than 15 years ago. Most formative for Kane dur-
paying the withdrawal liability, all PERA members and employers will be negatively impacted,” a complaint in a lawsuit filed by the retirement association said. PERA filed the complaint in the lawsuit on Feb. 1 against Tri-County Health and Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties. Adams and Arapahoe are still members of Tri-County Health, but Douglas County has already formally exited Tri-County and formed its SEE LAWSUIT, P10
Douglas County to see millions in road construction this year Biggest project is widening of stretch of Highway 85 BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Erin Kane helped found Douglas County charter school American Academy in 2005 PHOTO BY JESSICA GIBBS and has been its executive director for nearly 14 years.
ing her time running the DCSD charter school, comprising three campuses and serving nearly 3,000 preschool through eighth-grade students, she said, was the chance to lead both American Academy and the district as an interim superintendent.
“I have seen through the lens of a charter leader, and I have also seen through the lens of a school district,” she said. “I sort of have this 360-degree view.” SEE KANE, P12
Dream Big Dreams...
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 26
SEE CONSTRUCTION, P5
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Douglas County commissioners received an update on March 29 on a number of road projects happening in the area to address growth. Of the millions of dollars in construction planned, this year’s biggest project is widening Colorado Highway 85 from four lanes to six lanes from Highlands Ranch Parkway to C-470, which is expected to total around $105 million. The cost of the project will be heavily shouldered by Douglas County, though the Denver Regional
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Percentage Yield Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and interest rate for Certificate of Deposit (CD) may change after account opening. Fees could reduce earnings on the CD. A*Annual penalty may be imposed for early(APY) and interest rate for Certificate of Deposit (CD) may change after account opening. Fees withdrawal. *To open the CD, $1,000 minimum opening deposit is required. The CD is automatically renewed into a Standard 12 month CD with current rate at renewal. **To open the CD, couldYield reduce earnings on the CD. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. The CD is automatically renewed into $1,000 minimum opening deposit is required. The CD is automatically renewed into a Standard 24 month CD with current rate at renewal. The Annual Percentage is current as of 11/22/018. a Standard 9 month CD with current rate at renewal. *The Annual Percentage Yield is current as of March 17, 2022.