September 22, 2016
SERVE AND PROTECT
VO LUM E 29 | IS S U E 44 | FREE
Chaplains provide support for those on the front lines of law enforcement. 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
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C-470 project gears up But group suing over expansion of highway asks to postpone work until lawsuit is settled By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com
ThunderRidge’s Zeke Johnson makes a cut to avoid a Mountain Vista defender. The Grizzlies won the game at Shea Stadium 35-13 on Sept. 15. Photos by Paul DiSalvo
Grizzlies ground Golden Eagles ThunderRidge notches 35-13 win over Mountain Vista By Jim Benton jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia.com ThunderRidge found a way to contain Mountain Vista senior quarterback Judd Erickson as the Grizzlies won their first game of the season, 35-13, over their backyard rival in a non-league game Sept. 15 at Shea Stadium. Erickson entered the game with 907 passing yards in two victories, but the ThunderRidge defensive game plan was solid with a good pass rush and effective coverage. ThunderRidge controlled the time of possession and kept the Vista offense on the sidelines with strong running that was complemented by a few accurate passes. The Grizzlies finished with 510 yards in total offense, with 403 yards coming via the rushing attack.
“Judd Erickson is one of the best quarterbacks in the state,” said ThunderRidge senior running back Zack Johnson. “We knew our offense had to come out and run the ball. Our defense came to play and our offensive line came to play.” Key moments Mountain Vista trimmed ThunderRidge’s lead to 28-13 with 7:14 remaining in the fourth period, but the Grizzlies moved 55 yards following the Golden Eagles’ unsuccessful onside kick to score the clinching touchdown. The scoring drive used nine plays, all rushes, and wiped 4:16 off the clock. Key players/statistics Erickson was held to more pedestrian passing figures of 11-of-26 for 248 yards and one touchdown, a 70-yard strike to Aaron Albrechtsen. Football continues on Page 28
While work on an expansion of C-470 between I-25 and Kipling Parkway is set to start early next month, a group of Highlands Ranch residents that has sued over the project wants construction to halt until the lawsuit is settled. The Highlands Ranch Neighborhood Coalition filed suit against the Colorado Department of Transportation in federal court in May, also naming CDOT Executive Director Shailen Bhat and Federal Highway Administration Colorado Division Administrator John Cater as defendants, alleging that flawed traffic noise data was used in the project’s approval process. The coalition alleges that CDOT and the FHWA violated the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as well as federal noise regulations and filed a motion last month asking the court to postpone work until after the lawsuit is heard because any change to the traffic conditions along the corridor will make it impossible to collect proper noise data. Coalition President Carter Sales, who lives along the south side of C-470 in between University and Colorado boulevards, said he and his neighbors want sound walls between the freeway and their homes, something CDOT and FHWA determined was unnecessary. Sales says CDOT did not collect the required number of long-term noise samples during the public comment period last year. He said that he filed the suit after being rebuffed by the agency when he filed administrative complaints last year. C-470 continues on Page 8
Mountain Vista receiver John Krysa, right, goes up for a sideline catch against ThunderRidge defender Trevor Levign.
DOUBLE OVERTIME
Beers and cheers, food and fun Oktoberfest showcases German traditions
By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Hundreds of residents gather at Town Center North for the annual dachshund races at Oktoberfest on Sept. 17. The races were sponsored by Daxterboo, an online shop for all things cats and dogs. Photo by Alex DeWind
Heidi Clark, originally from Sindelfingen, Germany, attended this year’s Oktoberfest in Highlands Ranch wearing a traditional Bavarian dirndl dress. The ensemble included a green-and-white-checkered, knee-length dress, an apron and pigtails. Her family, who was also sporting German attire, accompanied her. They look forward to the event each year. “It’s about the harvest and having fun,” Clark said, “sitting with friends, prosting, singing and dancing.” Festival continues on Page 8
Highlands Ranch Falcons go well beyond the fourth quarter in game against Chaparral. PAGE 24