Week of April 21, 2022
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ParkerChronicle.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 21
Parker gets first look at possible Mainstreet developments Projects include Pine Curve, area in front of PACE Center BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Parker’s Urban Renewal Authority heard proposals for the first time
from the company that may develop several plots of land along the town’s Mainstreet, including Pine Curve, during an April 11 meeting. Confluence Companies, which has previously developed portions of downtown Castle Rock and Golden, pitched a variety of mixeduse developments including added restaurants, retail space, plazas and residential units for the downtown corridor.
“There is a lot of opportunity so we’re excited about all the things something like this can provide,” said Tony De Simone with Confluence Companies “It’s not going to help all the businesses going in here but all the adjacent businesses that are already in place.” The company’s proposal would take up to 10 years and would be a commitment of about $300 million of development for the downtown
Douglas County expands wildfire support as experts warn of warm, dry year BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County will expand its use of aviation support for wildfires this year amid predictions of a summer season “warmer and drier” than average. In past seasons, the county has secured exclusive contracts for aerial wildfire support for two 45-day periods of the year with a break during monsoon season. This year, however, the office of emergency management requested 153 consecutive days. “Fire seasons are getting longer, drier. Monsoons are weaker. Drought has been pervasive, and we recognize that the risk doesn’t necessarily go away,” he said. “The fires we see these days do tend to be more destructive and create greater risk.” Douglas County will add the 60 additional days of exclusive-use aviation support for wildfires from June 1 through Oct. 31 after the contract was approved in an April 12 meeting. During his presentation,
area. The Urban Renewal Authority, or P3, entered into a 90-day exclusive negotiation agreement with Confluence Companies in January and will now extend the agreement another 90 days. The My Mainstreet project, which began in 2018, has the goal to “catalyze redevelopment or development” SEE MAINSTREET, P2
Wise breaks silence, files complaint against DCSD Legal complaint alleges discrimination, retaliation and illegal firing BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A plane drops fire retardant on the Chatridge 2 wildfire in Douglas County in 2020.
SEE WILDFIRE, P4
PHOTO BY TIM TONGE
Corey Wise has broken his silence — and the ousted superintendent has made a legal complaint against his former employers alleging retaliation, discrimination and that his infamous firing was illegal. The former Douglas County School District superintendent filed a “complaint of discrimination” on April 13 with the Colorado Civil Rights Division and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission — the agencies that can give formal approval for Wise SEE WISE, P6
SAYING THANK YOU
Students recognize teachers who made an impact P3
Dog trainer suggests calm teaching for COVID canines PAGE 14