February 25, 2016
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HighlandsRanchHerald.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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AGING IN HIGHLANDS RANCH
Mountain Vista’s Trenton Schultz reacts after winning the 195-pound state wrestling championship Feb. 20 at the Pepsi Center. Photo by Jim Benton
‘Douglas County isn’t prepared for us’
Wrestler’s hard work pays off with title
Highlands Ranch’s booming senior population looks for resources to age well
By Jim Benton jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia.com
From left, Sue Frommelt, 64, Ronald Levenson, 75, and Marilyn Levenson, 71, enjoy small talk over a game of Chinese mahjong at the Southridge Recreation Center. “We didn’t want to move from this area,” Marilyn Levenson said of her relocation to Lone Tree. Photo by Alex DeWind
MORE INSIDE The rapid growth in the country’s aging population has been described as “a silver tsunami,” washing over communities trying to plan for ways to help their citizens live and age well.
By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com Ronald and Marilyn Levenson, both in their 70s, wanted to retire in Highlands Ranch, where they had lived for 10 years with their three children, now grown. But when it came time to downsize, the couple couldn’t find a place in their price range. They ended up with a condo in nearby Lone Tree, where prices for homes are typically higher than in Highlands Ranch, but more options in types of housing exist. In Highlands Ranch, homes tend to be geared toward families. “There aren’t enough affordable condos that you can buy in Highlands Ranch — that’s the biggest mistake,” Marilyn, 71, said. “We didn’t want to move from this area.” The Levensons represent a rapidly growing demographic in Highlands Ranch — the baby boomer and aging adult population who want to stay in
Highlands Ranch, an unincorporated community in a county with the nation’s fastest-growing population of people 65 years and older, is one of them. It has a handful of organizations that provide social interaction for those considered to be seniors. But residents say the community lacks resources such as affordable and accessible transportation, a senior center to nurture friendships, and affordable and varied housing that would allow them to live independently for as long as possible. Alex DeWind, who covers Highlands Ranch for Colorado Community Media, explored the issue, interviewing residents, and community and county officials to give readers an in-depth look at what Highlands Ranch needs to support its aging citizens. A home for all: A countywide survey shows seniors want more housing that is affordable to households with low and
medium incomes, along with housing that allows seniors to live in their homes for as long as possible. But one option, the smaller, assisted-living group homes that provide a family-like setting, have some neighbors worried about safety, property values and traffic. Page 6 Getting around: For seniors who can no longer drive, easy and accessible transportation can be difficult to find — they sometimes depend on the generosity of friends to get to doctors’ and other appointments. The key is to develop a variety of options that would not only benefit older citizens, one resident said, but also younger ones. Page 7 A place to call their own: Although the community provides space in a recreation center for senior organizations to meet, seniors want a center dedicated specifically to them where friendships can be developed and nurtured. Page 7 Songs, cards and education: Several organizations provide activities and programs where seniors can meet, share talents and interests, and learn how to live better as they age. Pages 6 and 7
Trenton Schultz captures school’s first wrestling crown
Trenton Schultz always finds it difficult to stop his workouts, so there was always a bucket close to him. Schultz, a junior at Mountain Vista, won the school’s first individual wrestling state title with an 8-3 win over Legacy’s Nolan Funk in the 195-pound finals Feb. 20 during the Colorado state high school wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center. Hard work was one of the reasons Schultz was on the top of the podium during the awards ceremony. “They bring a puke bucket over my way until I stop doing reps,” he explained. “I’m doing jumping jacks and I’m throwing up. Little things like that add up. It feels good to win. It was worth all the effort.” Schultz, whose younger brother Cohl goes to Ponderosa and won the 220-pound state title, didn’t lack Wrestling continues on Page 5
Seniors continues on Page 7
STEM School expansion request denied Highlands Ranch facility failed to address traffic concerns
By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com Concerns over traffic congestion and student safety have halted the proposed expansion of STEM School and Academy. Several neighboring business owners spoke out against the expansion, which would have included adding kindergarten
through fourth grades, during a Feb. 16 public hearing with Douglas County and the county’s board of education. The newly added grades at the Highlands Ranch charter school, 8773 S. Ridgeline Blvd., were scheduled to begin classes in the 2016-17 school year. STEM had already accepted 260 commitment letters from new students. The present enrollment of the school is 1,280 students in grades 5-12. School officials are not ready to give up on the expansion.
“...STEM School and Academy are confident that we can continue to work with the school district and the county to resolve all pending issues prior to the 2016-2017 school year,” STEM executive director Penny Eucker said in an emailed statement. During the hearing, there was a proposed motion to allow STEM additional time to gather information and present its case, but a vote of Douglas County School Board STEM continues on Page 5
ON THE ICE
Elite players pursue careers, opportunities through the club route. PAGE 23