Community comes together to clean up Highlands Ranch after tornado

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Following an unusual tornado touching down in Highlands Ranch on June 22, Douglas County Commissioner Lora omas and community leaders immediately got to work with local volunteers to assess and clear the damage.

In a video released by Douglas County on June 26, a community hard at work was shown as residents, neighbors and leaders rolled up their sleeves and cleared debris, branches and damage.

omas, who represents Highland Ranch, said while she is glad there were no injuries, she is also proud to see how much people came out to help each other.

In a video provided by Douglas County, Je Whipple, president of the Church of Latter Day Saints in Highlands Ranch, said more than 2,000 volunteers came out to help on Saturday, June 24.

omas said after learning there were no injuries, and no buildings were lost, the story became good deeds and community support.

“I have heard stories of strangers o ering to help remove trees, accepting only a hamburger as payment,” omas said. “Highlands Ranch is going to come out of this better and stronger because we know each other even better than before.” e video also showed makeshift command centers where community leaders from the Highlands Ranch Metro District, Douglas County, Highlands Ranch Community Association and others were coming together to coordinate e orts.

With 4th of July celebrations still set to be held, omas said there is a lot to celebrate this year in Highlands Ranch.

One of those command centers at Eastridge Rec Center, omas said, is being operated by Team Rubicon, a veteran-led response organization that unites the skills and experience of military veterans with rst responders. omas said this group jumped in and started to help remove trees quickly.

As residents continue to clean up the community, the metro district has set up tree limb drop o sites, and is working with residents to assess and address damage.

According to the National Weather has been classi ed as an EF-1. e National Weather Service ranks tornados with ratings between 0-5, basing a lot on wind speed. An EF-1 designation means wind speeds were measured between 86110 mph. e district also encourages residents to use the website to report damage seen on Highlands Ranch Metro District parks, trails and open space. e district asks residents to be as speci c as possible regarding the location and condition, warning with the high volume of calls it could be tough getting to all of them. e metro district continues to offer free tree limb recycling drop-o locations: one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset

In a post made on the metro district website after the storm, sta said they are grateful for reports of damage and encourage residents to use the district’s report a concern feature to submit feedback and photo at www.highlandsranch.org/ resources/report-a-concern.

“It is a resource because that helps them to report the things, they can be the eyes and ears of the community,” said Sherry Eppers, community relations manager for the Highlands Ranch Metro District.

• South of Halftime Help Stadium at Redstone Park located at 3280 Redstone Park Cr. from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• A third location was opened Monday, June 26 at a Grigs Road site near Grigs Road and McArthur Ranch Road.

Maps of the drop o locations are provided on the Highlands Ranch Metro District website at www.highlandsranch.org/resources/stormdamage.

According to the metro district, tree limbs less than 12 inches in diameter and woody plant material will be accepted. ey cannot accept non-woody material, bagged or loose leaves, nished lumber, grass clippings and sod. Root balls can be taken to the Grigs location.

For those who have limbs or branches and trees that are too large to transport, residents will need to contact a private tree service to have it picked up, said Eppers.

“I would suggest that they vet those tree services thoroughly,” said Eppers. “We do suggest too that if people, if private property owners have experienced any damage to their property that they certainly reach out to their homeowners insurance.”

On June 25, the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce put out a warning for residents to watch for scams, especially with tree and tree-limb removal.

Local authorities said they are already receiving reports of people training to take advantage of homeowners impacted by the tornado.

To report a potential scam, the sheri ’s o ce asks residents to call the non-emergency line at 303-660-

According to the United Way, some

• One-day-only discounts

• Aggressive sales pitches

• Requirement of upfront payment

• Residents have never heard of the company and it does not have a physical address

• ey cannot produce a business license or written information about the company

• ey don’t have references, but o er vague endorsements from neighbors a few streets over from the street.

Residents are also encouraged never to hire a contractor on the spot or give money up front. e metro district also encourages residents who have experienced large tree damage and are unable to cut up the tree to contact the Crisis Home Cleanup Hotline at 720-2060627 to set up an appointment.

In addition, Douglas County will be coordinating residential pick up this week for those who are unable to transport debris in the hardest hit areas.

Douglas County and metro district crews have been working to remove downed trees, fences and other debris that may be posing a danger or blocking access for people.

Follow the Highlands Ranch Metro District on Twitter and Facebook for updates as well as their website.

In a press release on June 23, Douglas County issued a disaster declaration in the wake of the tornado. is declaration opens the door for more state aid.

Following the unforeseen event, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Division of Insurance o ers tips for dealing with storm damage and insurance.