GREAT OUTDOORS
May 5, 2016 VO LUM E 29 | IS S U E 24 | FREE
Camping can be a real treat in Colorado. Learn how to make the most of your next trip on PAGE 12.
HighlandsRanchHerald.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
FUN IN THE SUN
METRO DISTRICT
Incumbents re-elected to board Preliminary results show Starkey, Smith, Anderson, Worley keep their seats By Alex DeWind adewind@colorado@colorado communitymedia.com
After a wet weekend, Civic Green Park, near James H. LaRue Library, is full of life on May 3 with families, sunshine and temperatures in the 60s. Photo by Alex DeWind
Cleaning up after spring snowstorm By Alex DeWind adewind@colorado communitymedia.com
The severe spring snowstorm that hit April 15-17 brought about 20 inches of snow to Highlands Ranch. Here’s a look at the impact on area trees: What happened? The snow was heavier than usual — resembling slush — and weighed down many of the community’s trees. Some were irrecoverable; others lost many of their limbs. Following the storm, the Highlands Ranch Metro District’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space staff teamed up to address the large number of damaged trees in parks, along parkways, and in open space areas, said Sherry Eppers, community relations manager.
Four incumbents were re-elected to seats on the seven-member Highlands Ranch Metro District board of directors, according to preliminary voting results the night of May 3. Victoria Starkey of the north central region received 937 votes, Nancy Smith of the northeast region received 942 votes and Renee Anderson of the southwest region Anderson received 585 votes. The three incumbents will serve four-year terms. Neal Christensen, who challenged Anderson in the southwest region, received 455 votes. Incumbent Jim Worley of the northwest region ran unopposed for a Smith two-year term and received 943 votes. Starkey is the director of facilities, fleet and emergency Starkey Worley Election continues on Page 4
Following the severe snowstorm April 15-17, the Highlands Ranch Metro District has worked on more than 500 trees and hauled remains to the tree limb recycling site, at 3270 Redstone Park Circle. Photo by Alex DeWind How much damage? The Metro District staff has worked on more than 500 trees since the storm. Ornamental pear, crabapple and pine trees had the most damage, said Eppers. Staff members don’t have the total cost of damage. The staff has been hauling broken limbs to a tree limb-recycling site at the Metro District’s Parks, Recreation & Open Space Service Center, at 3280 Redstone Park Circle.
What’s next? The Metro District offered a free tree limb recycling April 17 through May 1, expanding what was originally a one-day recycling event, Eppers said. Because of the high volume of users and the amount of branches, the Metro District had staff on site.The Metro District plans to rent an Oxford Recycling tub grinder — a mechanical structure used to recycle wood waste — to turn collected limbs into mulch. Redstone Park’s growing tree limb pile is scheduled to be ground on May 4, and residents may take the mulch for free, said Forestry Supervisor Dennis Donovan. Tree cleanup will continue over the next couple of weeks, staff members said. “Trees will be evaluated and replaced as needed,” Donovan said. “We will be putting resources into this project for several months.”
ON THE DIAMOND
Rock Canyon senior Trevor Howard leads the Continental League in hitting. PAGE 20
Buy Three Areas of CoolSculpting
Get One Free
Buy Two Areas of Smartlipo or Kybella and
303-945-2080 Laura Carlsen RN
Get One Area Free
See page 9 for more information about Body Sculpting