March 10, 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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More than one side to fence program Protocols, lack of uniformity irritate some Ranch residents
By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com The back yard of Melody Benschoter’s home, which backs up to Venneford Ranch Road, consists of two materials — a 60-foot span of composite Trex and 15 feet of wood. The Trex, installed by Highlands Ranch Metro District in 2008, still “looks great,” she said. But the cost to replace the part of her fence that runs along her residential street with the same material was too high. “All of our quotes to have it replaced with Trex were over $1,500 — the materials cost was most of that,” she said. “We ended up going with wood.”
The Trex fences are the result of Highlands Ranch Metro District’s Fence Replacement Program, established in 2007 to replace 20-year-old fencing along arterial roads with two, four and six lanes. This year, that includes both sides of South Broadway from Northridge Recreation Center to Mary Gulch Trail. The Metro District evaluates existing fences annually based on age, appearance and strength, and then plans replacement areas for the following year. When the program expires in 2032 — 25 years after its start — the Metro District will have spent $12.9 million to replace 42 miles of fences. Fences along side streets and in residential neighborhoods — such as Benschoter’s — are considered part of a homeowner’s property and are not included in the replacement program, Ward said.
Split Rail Fence Company replaces existing wood fences with Trex. The Highlands Ranch Metro District bids out contracts for the fence program each year. Photo by Alex DeWind
Fence continues on Page 9
WHAT’S INSIDE
Democracy in action: Democrats and Republicans participate in caucuses. See Pages 4 and 5
Kira Amels is a senior at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch. She will compete in the state Poetry Out Loud slam in Lakewood on March 15. Photos by Mike DiFerdinando
‘What could be different?’
Kit Miller is a junior at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch. She wrote and published her first book, “Sailor Uncovered,” in 2015.
Junior Kit Miller prefers to write what she observes. “I find human behavior fascinating,” Miller said. “I like watching people and then writing what I see.” Amels, Johnson and Miller were among By Mike DiFerdinando the eight students who participated in the mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com Feb. 29 Poetry Out Loud slam contest at the Highlands Ranch school. The contest is part When Mountain Vista High School seof a national program that encourages high nior Kira Amels writes poetry, it school students to learn about is often about change. poetry through memorization, The first thing she asks performance and competition. INSIDE herself when she starts writing During the contest, students is what makes her angry. She Mountain Vista recited and performed two thinks: “What could be differsets a record poems each. They were judged ent?” for Wish Week on accuracy of the recital as well fundraising. “I write things that I can as showmanship. Page 11 speak out about,” Amels said. The students worked on For sophomore Alexia perfecting their performances Johnson, love is the theme that for weeks and agreed that confinds its way most often into her fidence is the most important aspect of a writing. good slam rendition. “Mine tend to be more about family or Poetry continues on Page 11 love or friendship,” Johnson said.
Grounds for concern?: Machines that use pods to brew coffee create waste that can be difficult to recycle. See Page 12
Change, love, human behavior inspire students in poetry slam contest
Aiming high: Teams face off in the final rounds of the state playoff tournament. See Page 25