Trail areas in Douglas County being repaired after rainfall damage

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County wants outdoor recreators to be aware of damage to several trail spots that are under repair after heavy rainfall in June.

Hidden Mesa Trail and Open Space — along state Highway 83 in the Franktown area — saw damage after water washed out parts of the trail amid heavy rainfall. Repairs are underway, the county said in a July 3 news release.

“For safety, the trailhead at Hidden Mesa is closed, starting Saturday, June 24,” the county’s website says, adding: “As crews work on repairs, the trail will remain closed until further notice.”

See the county’s website at tinyurl.com/HiddenMesa for current closure information.

Spots along the Cherry Creek from Castlewood Canyon to the area just south of the Town of Parker have also seen heavy weather impacts, according to the news release.

“Recent heavy rainfall has destroyed all bridge crossings over Cherry Creek in Castlewood Canyon State Park,” a June 27 news release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. Castlewood Canyon State Park sits in the Franktown area in rural eastern Douglas County. e state parks agency warned visitors that “there is no path to cross the creek in the park at this time.”

“Hikers should consider any loop trails to be out-and-backs. Creek

Bottom Trail also su ered signicant damage,” the agency’s news release said.

Bridge repair work will take weeks and may not be complete before August. Park staff cannot begin construction until water levels recede.

Along Cherry Creek Trail to the north of Castlewood Canyon — on portions of the trail maintained by Douglas County — several intersections are also closed intermittently due to water damage, according to the county.

From state Highway 86 north to Scott Avenue, the county advised traveling with caution along the trail.

“Standing water and erosion have been found on the trail under Highway 86, at Bayou Gulch Open Space Trail, just south of Scott Avenue and under Scott Avenue,” the county’s release said. “Crews are working to repair and maintain this trail and advise you to turn around if you encounter standing water.” e impact of recent rainfall has been stark at Castlewood Canyon. Castlewood Canyon has received 14.01 inches of rain since Jan. 1, according to the National Weather Service, as cited by the state parks agency’s June 27 news release. “Creek levels are two feet above normal operating levels. e high level mark was recorded last ursday at 9.5 feet, with normal creek levels considered to be between two to three feet,” the agency’s June 27 release said. nancial burden that seems to be getting bigger by the day. Your mountain could be a problem with your business or your team. If you are in sales and you are now halfway through the year and your numbers are way o , the chasm between your quota and where you currently are regarding your year-to-date sales seem like a much higher climb than you can conceivably make up in the next six months.

Updates on construction and trail conditions at Castlewood Canyon will be posted to the park’s Facebook page at facebook.com/CastlewoodCanyonPark and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Northeast Region Twitter account at twitter.com/ CPW_NE.

Whatever your mountain is, get closer to it. Stop looking at it from miles away. Find a guide, a coach, a family member, or a friend who you trust to help you build your trail map. Get to the base of the mountain, identify the trailhead and execute your plan. e mountain isn’t going

Letters To The Editor

Brandi Bradley spawns hatred

State Rep. Brandi Bradley chose to post a meme depicting the American ag stating, “ is is my pride ag.” In her Facebook post she states, “Our veterans and our military DESERVE a month of celebration, not naked grown men grooming our children.” Also, accompanied is a link to IG video of Matthewdarkshow. Posted on the 3rd. She states that she treats all with respect.

I take opposition to the post by a state representative for a day of celebration when the country should be coming together and not be further divided. I also do not nd this to be respectful to anyone. I am a married father of ve who formerly served in the Naval branch of our military and I happen to be gay. Why can’t I be proud of all aspects of my life without being labeled a to climb itself, nor is it going to fall into the ocean and go away. You have more courage than you think, there is grit deep inside of you that needs to be surfaced to start the climb, and never underestimate your endurance to see it all through.

Is it time for you to get closer to the base of the mountain instead of imaging how di cult the climb might be from afar? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can realize that what seems completely unmanageable from a distance can seem completely manageable the closer we get, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

Lydia ‘Lee’ Rose Blum, 74, of Parker, Colorado, passed away on July 2nd, 2023. e memorial service was held on the 12th of July at Bethany Lutheran Church o ciated by Pastor Gary Sandberg.

Lee was born in Bobingen, Germany on October 7th, 1948. She graduated from high school in Cleveland, Ohio and continued on to receive a Bachelor degree from Ohio University and her teaching quali cation in the States of Ohio and Colorado.

Lee was married to Edward omas Blum on August 30, 1969; they were married 54 wonderful years.

Lee worked as an Early Childhood Education Director for Steele Co-op Preschool, Joy Lutheran Preschool, and managed multiple childcare centers for the Denver Rescue Mission. She retired from the Association

“groomer” let alone visualized by others as a “naked grown man”?

Am I not a welcomed member in her society? Am I not welcomed because of the branch I served in, the family I am raising, or the man that I love and have spent the last 22 years with and have married?

I can’t look at her “pride ag” without feeling hated. Should our government o cials not be held to a higher standard of conduct and trying to build our community as opposed to dividing it?

What is the goal of Republican Rep. Brandi Bradley? She states in addressing as comment, that she was elected to protect and ght for her religious beliefs and that being gay is sin.

Chad Cox Castle Rock

of General Contractors of Colorado as their Education Director and during her time there founded Construction Career Days to introduce Colorado Highschoolers to careers in the construction industry. She was given a commendation from Governor Bill Ritter for the impact this initiative had on the young people of Colorado.

She was a talented seamstress, hostess, cook, baker, and swimmer. She was a head o cial for United States Swimming, owned her own sewing company, and was also actively involved at her church. She was a doting mother and grandmother.

Lee is survived by her husband, Ed, her two children, Jennifer and Tim, and her six grandchildren, Natalie, Olivia, omas, Eleanor, Penelope, and Antigone. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and her infectious smile and warmth.