July 7, 2016 VO LUM E 29 | IS S U E 33 | FREE
BLESSED GIFTS Christian organization provides toys, sports equipment as part of outreach. PAGE 12
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Iconic The rise of Sterling Ranch windmill will be repaired Heavy rainstorm damaged historic cobblestone structure By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Construction begins for the 1.5 million-gallon water tank that will supply about 12,000 homes in Sterling Ranch, the 3,400-acre, mixed-use development west of Santa Fe Drive in northwestern Douglas County. “Our water conservation will be leading in the state,” said founder and managing director Harold Smethills. Photos by Alex DeWind
At buildout, community will have 12,000 homes and 33,000 residents living in neighborhoods with latest in technology By Alex DeWind adewind@colorado communitymedia.com
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bout two years ago, Harold and Diane Smethills and about 20 congregants from Valley View Christian Church walked up a grassy hill in the rolling landscape near Roxborough in northwest Douglas County. They joined hands and began to pray. For the land. For the well-being of
neighboring communities — Roxborough, Littleton, Highlands Ranch. For the residents of Sterling Ranch, the community that would rise from the land around them. “We prayed that it would be a wonderful place to live,” Diane said, “filled with wonderful families.” Sterling Ranch has been the Smethillses’ dream for 12 years: A $4.4 billion multigenerational, eco-conscious Sterling continues on Page 6
An iconic Highlands Ranch landmark was damaged in a June storm and may take months to repair. During a heavy rainstorm on June 24, the Highlands Ranch Windmill, a large cobblestone structure that sits in the grassy hill south of the Highlands Ranch Mansion and north of Mountain Vista High School, was struck by lightning and damaged by high winds. A neighbor informed the Highlands Ranch Metro District, which owns the windmill, that the windmill’s blade had toppled over following the storm. The windmill is about 100 years old and its “vanes and mechanisms have been replaced several times over the Windmill continues on Page 11
Brock Smethills, left, and his parents, Diane and Harold, stand in front of Sterling Ranch plans in their Highlands Ranch office. “In all candor,” Diane said of the development, “we were inspired by our two millennial sons.”
The iconic Highlands Ranch Windmill lost part of its blade in a June 24 rainstorm. The Highlands Ranch Metro District is assessing the damage and planning to secure the part that fell. Photo by Alex DeWind
Commissioners turn down block-grant money Board requests work session to look for alternative funding By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com
PLAYING IT SAFE Dozens of football coaches gather to discuss ways to keep young players safe. PAGE 21
The Douglas County Housing Partnership has used federal Community Development Block Grant funding to offer down-payment assistance for first-time home buyers and help provide affordable
senior housing. In 2015, the multi-jurisdictional housing authority — which connects businesses and local and county government to address the issue of the lack of affordable housing for people who work in the area — received $310,000, the largest individual CDBG grant in the county, for its supportive housing program. With CDBG funding, the partnership has added 10 families per year to the program. But with the Douglas County Board
of Commissioners’ June 28 decision to decline all CDBG funding in 2016, Diane Leavesley, executive director of the partnership, said the program will be severely limited and some aspects are uncertain. “Beyond 2015 funds we will only be able to continue this program with money from when a family repays their loan,” Leavesley said. “No new money will be coming in.” Grant continues on Page 11
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