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MARCH 23, 2017
BUSINESS SAVVY:
Couples demonstrate how to work together P16 DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ON THE RISE: A 150-foot communication tower will soon be part of the local landscape P4 Afternoon traffic starts building up as early as 3:30 p.m. on a weekday at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Quebec Street, next to the Highlands Ranch post office. The intersection is one of the busiest in Highlands Ranch, Douglas County officials say. ALEX DEWIND
Traffic drives complaints, quest for solutions
FRUSTRATION BEHIND THE WHEEL PART 1 OF 3
ABOUT THIS SERIES: This is the first in a three-part series that explores how increasing traffic is affecting the Highlands Ranch community. The series starts today with a look at why traffic has grown and where major congestion occurs. The second installment, on March 30, addresses the rising number of traffic accidents, and the last part, which will run on April 6, looks at worsening congestion in school zones.
INSIDE
A look at roadway patterns and what the county is doing to help BY ALEX DEWIND ADEWIND@COLORADOCOMMUNITY
Jackie Bradley moved to Highlands Ranch 25 years ago when there was little development south of Highlands Ranch Parkway, and University Boulevard and County Line Road were two-lane streets. “I’ve seen a lot of changes,” said Bradley, whose home backs up to Highlands Ranch High School near University Boulevard. “The biggest is that it can be gridlocked through here from 4 to 6 in the afternoon.” Highlands Ranch, a master-
VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 21 | SPORTS: PAGE 23
planned community that broke ground in 1980, has nearly reached build-out of roughly 100,000 residents. The population growth and commercial development of remaining open spaces have also spurred a significant increase in traffic. “Traffic is the number one complaint in every community in the Front Range,” said Duane Cleere, Douglas County’s traffic operations manager. “And Highlands Ranch is no exception.” The surge in traffic congestion, influenced by an influx of people to the Denver metro area, is one of the state’s most critical issues, and lawmakers are seeking solutions. Recently introduced by the Democratic speaker of the SEE TRAFFIC, P7
PROBE YIELDS ARRESTS: Officials say a marijuana-trafficking ring took pot from metro area across state lines P5
AIR SUPPORT: Meet the men behind a wildfire-battling helicopter P11
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VOLUME 30 | ISSUE 16