September 24, 2020
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
CastlePinesNewsPress.net
VOLUME 8 | ISSUE 7
Elementary students to head back to campus Full, in-person transition planned for mid-October but could happen sooner Commissioners Roger Partridge, Abe Laydon and Lora Thomas sign their names in a storm drain in the newly opened Sandstone Ranch Sept. 18. PHOTOS BY ELLIOTT WENZLER
‘This is the gem of the county’ Sandstone Ranch paths can be used for hiking, cycling, horseback riding
IF YOU GO
BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A more than 2,000-acre property in southern Douglas County that was once destined for residential development is now open to the public with 12 miles of trails for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Sandstone Ranch, which was purchased by the county in January 2018, sits in the foothills between Denver and Colorado Springs. The property, adjacent to Pike National Forest, features mountain views, red rock formations, wildlife and a historic ranching operation. SEE SANDSTONE, P7
An informational board sits at a viewpoint in Sandstone Ranch.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | SPORTS: PAGE 20
To get to the trailhead at Sandstone Ranch, drivers coming from Castle Rock can get off I-25 at exit 182, turn west on Wolfensberger Road, then continue until it dead ends at Highway 105. After turning left, drivers will eventually see the trailhead — about 0.6 mile from the intersection with Perry Park Avenue. The open space property will be open from an hour before sunrise until an hour after sunset.
BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Amid pressure from district families but fearful pushback from some educators, the Douglas County School District has announced plans to get its youngest learners back to full inperson learning, five days a week as early as next month. The board unanimously passed a motion on Sept. 15 that aims to bring elementary students back to school for 100% in-person learning by Oct. 19. Full online learning will remain an option for students as well. “I think we have to be the bold ones tonight and we have to accept the responsibility and we need to stop deflecting it on to our staff,” school board President David Ray said. “We are the elected officials. We do need to take action.” Public comment in recent weeks has told a tale of two districts — one where many families are eager to see children back to in-person learning or even angered by the hybrid model, but also one where teachers are concerned for their safety, petrified by the thought of bringing students back full time. School board directors said COVID-19 data is driving the decision. SEE STUDENTS, P11