1-Color
May 1, 2014
Free Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 12, Issue 5 A publication of
castlerocknewspress.net
Anderson re-enters sheriff race Castle Rock police commander asks voters to write him in By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Franktown resident Dr. Earl Voight, 76, and his grandson, Jeremiah Watson, 21, hike through Lincoln Mountain Open Space in southeastern Douglas County April 21. At the age of 10 Watson became the youngest American to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Photos by Chris Michlewicz
The Mountain Men
Franktown resident shows grandson the ropes, world By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com Earl Voight is a man who sets his course and goes. He was only 13 years old when he decided to one day become an optometrist and move to Colorado. Sixty-three years later, he’s still making plans, but these days, they don’t revolve around his distinguished career. Instead, he plots other paths, ones that take him above the clouds. Voight’s grandson, Jeremiah Watson, 21, usually isn’t far behind when Voight tackles the world’s most challenging
Franktown resident Dr. Earl Voight, 76, hikes with his grandson, Jeremiah Watson. Voight, who began climbing at the age of 40, bides his time hiking up some of the world’s most challenging peaks.
Mountain continues on Page 14
A view from on high Lincoln Mountain Open Space a perch for hikers, equestrians By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com The beauty of Douglas County unfolds with each step toward the top of the Lincoln Mountain Open Space. Hikers, bikers and equestrians who reach the apex of the main bluff are treated to a 360-degree panoramic view of southern Douglas County and northern El Paso County. Pikes Peak, in all its glory, serves as the
southwestern backdrop. The rolling hills and forest near the Palmer Divide adorn the southeastern landscape. Greenland Ranch and Spruce Mountain are noted nearby features. At an expansive 876 acres, Lincoln Mountain Open Space is the latest addition to the parks and trails system. It opened on Labor Day weekend 2013, and through word of mouth, has gained a faithful collection of regulars. In spite of a soft opening, “people found out about it,” said Cheryl Matthews, director of open space for Douglas County. Counters on the trails showed that 3,300 people were using the trail each month by the time the winter months hit. Lincoln continues on Page 14
A horse rider hits the trail at the Lincoln Mountain Open Space, an 876-acre spread of public land near Highway 83 and Jones Road in southeastern Douglas County.
Castle Rock Police Cmdr. John Anderson isn’t going to let the outcome of the Douglas County GOP Assembly stop him. Anderson, who fell 20 votes shy of making the Republican primary ballot in what had been a three-person race for the party nomination, is officially back in the running for sheriff, and is asking voters to consider writing him in as the county’s top law officer in June when the Republican primary rolls around. Heading into the March 22 county assembly, AnAnderson derson, Coroner Lora Thomas and Undersheriff Tony Spurlock all were seeking the Republican nod. Yet after Spurlock garnered the support of 50.4 percent of the 460 delegates who voted and neither Thomas (24.8 percent) nor Anderson (24.6 percent) got the required 30 percent to make it on to the ballot, Spurlock became the only one of three to get on. That didn’t sit well with Anderson, who is frustrated, not just with the caucus process, which he calls “corrupt,” but also with the current regime that has been in control of Douglas County since Sheriff Steve Zotos took office in 1983. Zotos was succeeded by his Capt. Mike Acree, who after his resignation as sheriff supported the county commissioners in appointing his undersheriff, current termlimited Sheriff David Weaver, to the office in 2005. Spurlock is Weaver’s undersheriff. “When you get an establishment in there for 30-some years, it becomes a machine,” Anderson said. “And I think that this machine self-serves itself and steps away from what the public really needs, which is improved public safety.” Anderson pointed to the 2011 election in which Douglas County voters shot down ballot measure 1A by a margin of 60.4 percent to 39.6 percent. Had 1A passed, it would have allowed for the county to extend the sheriff term limits from two to three. If Spurlock is elected to the office, he said, “the status quo will continue,” adding that if Weaver also becomes the newest Douglas County commissioner “it stays the exact same, and (the regime becomes) even more powerful.” “Right now what I need to do is remind the public that they asked for change in the sheriff’s office by voting out the possibility of a third term. “I’m running to give them that other choice.” Anderson continues on Page 14
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