PONDEROSA

would like to do more with an upgrade,” said Diaz.

One area where students have learned how to problem solve is the sound system.

In addition to balancing sound, students have to gure out the speaker system from the booth, which is behind glass. rough some upgrades, they would like to change the booth itself to allow the sound crew to hear better and create more of a spot for them to be during shows.

Kristin Grayner, president of the 2022-2023 Ponderosa eatre Parents Board, has been putting together the auction.

“ e entire school uses the theater for functions, not just the drama department,” said Grayner.

With casual attire, the event will include light appetizers, dessert, co ee, tea and water as well as a cash bar for additional beverages. ere at’s been done when the type of property was changed from a nonresidential use to an all-residential use or an almost-all-residential use, he said. e landowners wanted to change it to this retirement residential community,” which was a change so substantial that it went to a full rezoning, Koster said.

One example sits in the Highlands Ranch area, where the community known as Wind Crest used to be in the Highlands Ranch planned development.

“It was an industrial planning area.

Polis proposal not a factor, sta says Douglas County’s zoning language change proposal, while unrelated to Polis and the Democrats’ broader proposed changes in housing density across the state, has met backlash from local residents who fear the county is moving in a direction of higher density.

“Polis, for instance, he wants renters — he (doesn’t want) homeownership,” Zur said at the meeting.

Koster noted that county o cials started the process of the proposed edits last fall, before any state legislature bill on land use arose.

“We weren’t factoring any of that into that process,” Koster said.

County sta didn’t have a particular reason for the timing of the proposed zoning language edits, Koster said.

“As sta , we’re tasked to always be reviewing, looking at our regulations, making sure they’re e cient, making sure that they’re clear,” said Koster, noting that these rules sections were also amended about eight years ago.

“As you apply regulations, work with regulations over time, you learn things about them … and then you see ways to say, ‘ is could be worded better,’” he said. e board of county commissioners ultimately decides whether to approve the proposed edits.

Asked whether there are any recent proposed changes to planned developments in Douglas County whose approval or denial hinged on the wording that would be modi ed by the proposed language edits, Koster said: “I can’t think of any developments where these (provisions) has been the lynchpin in any decisions on the development.” will be live performances throughout the evening by Ponderosa’s varsity comedy troupe and other theater students. e array of items being auctioned o will include vacation stays, spa experiences and gift cards. A sentimental item will also be auctioned o .

When the curtains were replaced about seven years ago, the fabric from the old curtains were used to make stu ed animals in the shape of a bunny and named after Ponderosa’s theater ghost, Harvey. is year, the Harvey Bunnies will be making a comeback.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.ponderosatheatre.com/ptp for $20 each. Diaz and the booster would like to sell at least 100 tickets.

“We’re all getting together to support theater students, but also support anybody who uses the theater in getting some big upgrades that are going to make their experience better and safer and really sort of bring Ponderosa’s theater into this decade,” said Diaz.

Need help with rising heat costs?

Rising heating costs may be hard to budget for this year, but help is available to Douglas County residents who are struggling. If you or someone you know needs assistance, apply now through April 30, 2023, for energy assistance through the State of Colorado’s LowIncome Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). For more information, visit douglas.co.us and search LEAP or email LEAPHELP@discovermygoodwill.org

Spring cleaning is at your curbside

Do you have hazardous waste from a painting project, old oil from your car’s maintenance, or other waste from your recent DIY project? This curbside service is available to Douglas County residents for $30. For details call 1-800-4497587 or visit douglas.co.us and search Household Waste Management

Do you own property in Douglas County?

Per Colorado law, Notices of Valuation are mailed to all property owners on May 1. Watch your mailbox for a postcard. Questions? Visit douglas.co.us/assessor

Need flood zone information?

If you live in unincorporated Douglas County, Flood Insurance Rate Maps and zone information are available by request. Visit douglas.co.us and search for Flood Plain Information. A form may also be requested by calling 303-660-7490 or visiting Public Works, 100 Third St. in Castle Rock.