August 18, 2016 VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 42 | 75¢
LET THERE BE BEARDS There’s more to facial-hair fashion than meets the eye. PAGE 12
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WINNING AT MARKET
Stricter marijuana ordinance a ‘smart move’ New county law, among the strongest in state, aims to eliminate illegal grows By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Natalie Holschuh, 8, shows off her second-place ribbon for the class one market goat division at the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo. By the time of show, her goat, Zoe, outweighed her by 22 pounds. The 4-H animal raising journeys of the Holschuh sisters and the Coggins sisters continue with part two of a photo essay on pages 20 and 21. Photo by Shanna Fortier
Outlook for future looks bright — and wet Updated master plan says shift to renewable water is working
Ordinance continues on Page 22
FAST FACTS As of July, Colorado had 102,620 active medical marijuana patients. Doctors had issued a recommendation of 50 marijuana plants or more for 8,200 patients, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported. According to the governor’s office, from 2014 to 2016, the number of medical marijuana patients with physician recommendations for an extended plant count of 50 or more plants increased by 54 percent.
By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com Steve Tarr moved to Parker 15 years ago, and it didn’t take him long to learn that perhaps no other topic stokes as much controversy and concern in Colorado as water. “I’m from Michigan originally, so we have a lot more water than Colorado does,” Tarr said. “Yeah, water’s a very important issue.” Speaking from the edge of the pool at the Parker Recreation Center, Tarr said he, his wife and two children take conservation seriously. Tarr said their lawn is xeriscaped and they are careful about watering the grass they do have. “I have restrictions of my own,” Tarr said. “I only water certain parts of the day, I only water three or four times a week, there are a couple areas of our yard I don’t water at all.” Efforts like his appear to be paying off. The South Metro Water Supply Authority released its 2016 Master Plan update last week, and it shows a combination of conservation, improved
Thanks to the recently passed county law that sharply reduces the number of marijuana plants that can be grown in a home, a Highlands Ranch family is looking forward to a return to normalcy in their neighborhood. “It’ll be nice for my daughter to be able to go outside and start playing again,” said James, who asked that his last name not be used because he said he fears for his family’s safety. “We won’t have to worry about the smell anymore and the traffic at night.” James was referring to a nearby rental home on Bentwood Circle in the community’s Bentley Hills subdivision, which the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office reported to have 66 legal medical marijuana plants growing inside.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which regulates medical marijuana, reports that severe pain is the documented condition for 93 percent of medical marijuana patients, 22 percent of whom are between the ages of 21 and 30.
Graphic by South Metro Water Supply Authority efficiency and increased surface-water sources are putting the region ahead of schedule toward achieving a renewable and sustainable water supply. As of 2005, nonrenewable aquifers
provided 57 percent of the area’s water. This dependence on a finite source, officials say, threatened property values, Water continues on Page 5
SETTING UP SHOP Whether short or tall, volleyball setters rely on skill to get the job done. Check out this story and others as we continue our fall sports previews on PAGE 25.
DOUGLAS COUNTY NEWS-PRESS (ISSN 1067-425X) (USPS 567-060) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Douglas County, Colorado, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 4 p.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.