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February 5, 2015 VOLU M E 2 8 | I S S UE 1 1
HighlandsRanchHerald.net A publication of
D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
County shines in economic numbers
JAM SESSION
Unemployment figures hit lowest level since 2008 By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando @coloradocommunitymedia.com
ThunderRidge junior Austin Mueller soars for the dunk in the 61-51 ThunderRidge victory over Rock Canyon. Mueller finished with 7 points on the night. For more on the game, turn to Page 18. Photo by Paul DiSalvo
When it comes to the economy, it’s a good time to be in Douglas County. The unemployment rate in the county fell to 3.2 percent in December — a 1.5 percentage-point drop from the same time the previous year — according to data released Jan. 27 by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, The dip below 4 percent in recent months marks the first time the county has seen such healthy employment figures since 2008. Meanwhile, sales prices for single-family homes jumped throughout the county in 2014. And, according to data compiled in September by Sentier Research, Douglas County has the sixth highest median household income in the nation at $99,767. That’s nearly twice the national average of $52,300. “I think we have done our best to create an environment where people want to come and do business,” Douglas County Commissioner Jill Repella said. “That is one of our long-term goals for the county.” Repella pointed to a climate of less red tape and more streamlined regulation for things like licensing and building permits, as well as the use of a business personal property tax exemption to invite and stimulate economic growth. Under the tax exemption, the first $100,000 of actual value is exempted for Economy continues on Page 10
Getting things moving Mansion Dancin’ series begins with Salsa Night
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By Christy Steadman
csteadman @coloradocommunitymedia.com About 100 people wiggled about the dance floor Jan. 29 at Salsa Night, the first night of the Mansion Dancin’ series. Two more opportunities for people to dance the night away at the Highlands Ranch Mansion will be offered this year: Classic Ballroom Dance Night on Feb. 26 and Country-Rock Dance Night on March 26. Live music will be performed each night. This is the second year for the Mansion to put on the series, said the Mansion’s manager, Maggie Glass. “The dance series fits really well for the colder months,” she said. “We’re trying to use the Mansion in a way where everybody can come and have a fun night out.” Last year, the series only had salsa and country nights, Glass said, but they both produced a large turnout, so the third
dance night, ballroom, was added this year. Each night features dance instructors Princess Wallace and Spencer DeJaynes, said the mansion’s administrative assistant, Rebecca Salyers. Some experienced dancers come, she said, but since there are instructors, others come because it sparks their interest and they simply want to try it. The Mansion Dancin’ series takes place from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9950 E. Gateway Drive. Tickets are $20, and can be purchased at www. highlandsranchmansion.com. Entry and one drink voucher is included in the price. All dance nights are 21-and-older events. Usually people would need to go downtown to find this caliber of entertainment, Glass said. But for two more nights, she said, they don’t have to. “It’s here, right in your own backyard.”
Lyn and Paul Simmons of Highlands Ranch strut their stuff at the Mansion Dancin’ Salsa Night Jan. 29 at the Highlands Ranch Mansion. Photo by Christy Steadman