December 23, 2021
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
DouglasCountyNewsPress.net
VOLUME 120 | ISSUE 7
Colo. flu season mild so far, but that could change Flu vaccinations are running behind last year’s pace BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN
Last year, Colorado’s flu season was virtually nonexistent. Only 34 people were hospitalized for the flu during the entire 8-month season in 2020 and 2021. There were zero reported flu deaths among kids. This year, the flu season is, well, existent. There have been at least 36 flu hospitalizations as of Dec. 14, a number that started the month at around half that sum then doubled in a single week. “It’s not a huge number but the fact that it doubled over the last week is concerning,” said Heather Roth, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Immunization Branch chief. Flu vaccination rates are down compared to last year, as well. So Roth is remaining vigilant. It would not be unprecedented for SEE FLU, P19
Too many unresolved issues mean Jan. 3 deadline won’t be met BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Commissioner Lora Thomas. “We hear from our citizens that they want to be safe. They want to keep their money, they’re willing to pay taxes but they want to pay just what they have to. And they want government to stay out of their lives.” The commissioner’s “core priorities,” which include community input and fiscally conservative
With a number of outstanding issues and unresolved problems, the Parker Water Board voted to delay a voter-approved measure to bring Castle Pines residents into the Parker Water District by Jan. 3. In a presentation to the board, Parker Water District Manager Ron Redd said with so many issues, he felt it could be a liablity to current water customers in Parker if the inclusion plan continued on the initial timelime. With board approval, Redd stressed that Parker Water is still interested in bringing Castle Pines customers into the district, but said it will likely be later in 2022 that it can happen. The decision directly impacts 12,000 Castle Pines residents in the Castle Pines North Metro District living west of Interstate 25. In total, it equates to about 3,500 customer accounts for Paker Water. Voters approved the inclusion plan that was negotiated by Parker Water and the metro district in May. In explaining his decision to bring his concerns before the board, Redd said it is all about protecting current water customers in Parker and making sure outstanding issues are
SEE BUDGET, P21
SEE WATER, P10
Dylan Scully of Lakewood receives a kids’ influenza vaccination from Kaiser Permanente registered nurse Amy Roscoe, right, while visiting a Kaiser Permanente outdoor flu vaccination center in Ken Caryl with his mother, Jennifer Scully, left, on Sept. 18, PHOTO BY ANDY COLWELL 2020.
County approves 2022 budget Operating costs to increase by 7% BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
During a Dec. 14 public hearing, the Douglas County Commissioners approved a $511 million budget for 2022. The budget includes nearly $14
Parker Water delays inclusion of Castle Pines residents
million, a 7% increase, in the operating budget and a 1.25 temporary mill reduction for property taxes. “We gauge our growth in the operating budget based on the state’s TABOR calculation,” said budget director Martha Marshall. The county also plans to pay off its final portion of debt in 2022. “The budget for 2022 really reflects the board’s values - fiscal responsibility while funding public safety and transportation,” said
Dream Big Dreams...
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | SPORTS: PAGE 18
Special CD Rate
.65%
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120 S. Wilcox, Castle Rock (303) 660-4001
APY * 11 Month Term
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 12 month CD with current rate at renewal. *The Annual Percentage Yield is current as of December 8, 2021.