November 19, 2015
THIS WEEK IN
VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 43
LIFE
LOCAL
There’s more to Thanksgiving than just turkey and stuffing
Page 12
LoneTreeVoice.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
Before growing tall, city started small By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com When Sharon Van Ramshorst moved to what is now Lone Tree in November 1982, she was one of the first nine residents of the largely rural area in northern Douglas County. Incorporation as a city was still 13 years in the future. “It was all pastures,” said Van Ramshorst, who would serve on city council from 2004-12. “We had these Lone Tree stickers we would put on our car. The roads weren’t great, and in the winter you could get stuck and there might not be anyone to help you. If someone saw that you had a sticker they would stop and give you a ride home or help you out.”
LONE TREE AT 20 As Lone Tree marks the 20th anniversary of its incorporation, the Voice brings you a three-part series on the past, present and future of the city. Part 1, this week: Planting the seeds Part 2, Nov. 26: Coming of age Part 3, Dec. 3: What’s ahead?
Lone Tree covered roughly one square mile and had a population of 3,000 when it incorporated in 1995. The original boundary of the city largely followed that of the
Park Meadows Metropolitan District. It was outlined by County Line Road, Lincoln Avenue, Yosemite Street and the border with Highlands Ranch. As the city marks the 20th anniversary of its incorporation this month, it spreads across 9.6 square miles and has a population of 12,779. Lone Tree has grown into a hub of commerce, home to the likes of Park Meadows mall and Charles Schwab. It has come a long way in two decades, and its population and promise are set to surge in the next 20 years. Few could have seen this coming — but some did, or at least envisioned similar possibilities. One of those people was former Mayor
HOMELESS IN DOUGLAS COUNTY
Jack O’Boyle. He arrived in December 1994 from San Diego after being transferred to the area for his job with Martin Marietta. He still lives in the Lone Tree townhome he purchased. “The HOA president called us up and said, hey, there are some people who are talking about forming a new city and they are havO’Boyle ing an information session in our neighborhood,” O’Boyle said. “I thought it would be a great way to meet the neighbors.” O’Boyle went to the meeting and soon Lone Tree continues on Page 4
WHAT’S INSIDE
Epilepsy: Eighth-grader on mission to educate people about neurological disorder. See Page 2
Before moving into their Highlands Ranch apartment, Michelle McCarty and her son, William, lived in their car for almost two months upon moving to Douglas County. For that time, William was among the more than 600 students classified as homeless in the Douglas County School District. More than 24,000 students in Colorado fall into that same category. Photo by Shanna Fortier
‘Our car was our bed’ By Shanna Fortier sfortier@colroadocommunitymedia.com
Michelle McCarty, 46, and her 14-year-old son, William, slept in their 2003 Volkswagen Jetta wagon for almost two months when they first moved to Douglas County. Each night they moved the ice chest and suitcases to the front seat, laid out sleeping bags and pillows in the back, then stretched out next to each other. “Part of what people think when you say you’re living in your car is that you’re using your car as your house,” William said. “But, really, our car was not our house — our car was our bed.” For a short while this year, William was one of hundreds of Douglas County students considered homeless. Unlike many homeless youths in urban areas, they don’t necessarily live on the street. But, like William, they don’t have a permanent place to call home. Instead, they sleep on friends’ and relatives’ couches. Or in
Family affair: Denver Art Museum highlights the works of Andrew and Jamie Wyeth. See Page 20
THE ISSUE
In 2014-15, 637 students in Douglas County schools were classified as homeless. Living in one of the nation’s wealthiest counties, they are an invisible population. But their numbers are growing — lack of affordable housing and financial hardships are among the reasons. During National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 14-22, Colorado Community Media tells the story of a mother and her teenage son, and on Pages 6 and 7 explores the issue and highlights an organization that is trying to help. hotels. Or cars, when options have run out. “I remember looking over at William sleeping and just crying because I felt like I was putting him through this,” McCarty Homeless continues on Page 7
Volleyball: Rock Canyon Jaguars compete in state tournament. See Page 25