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December 4, 2014 VOLU M E 2 8 | I S S UE 3
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
Residents will pay more for utilities
SO CLOSE TO SIX
Centennial Water budgets for a nearly 4 percent hike in 2015 By Christy Steadman
csteadman @coloradocommunitymedia.com Utility rates in Highlands Ranch will increase in 2015 by an estimated 3.7 percent. Although the exact amount depends on customer usage, a typical single-family home will see about a 2.9 percent increase in the water and wastewater portion of the utilities fee. Centennial Water and Sanitation District’s total budget for 2015 is $69.4 million. Total operatpercent — ing costs, which Increase a typical include personfamily will see in nel and expenses water and wasterelating to water water portion of delivery to cusutilities fee. tomers and processing waste— water, are $23.3 Amount a typical million. family will pay on The wastetheir wastewater water increase is bill in 2015. necessary to pay million — for upgrades to Projected total operplants, mainteating costs for Cennance of aging tennial Water and systems and inflaSanitation in 2015. tion of the chemical costs used to treat the water. The typical single-family wastewater charge is based on a wintertime usage of 9,000 gallons bimonthly. When combined with the wastewater fixed charge, the typical single-family wastewater bill will increase from an annual cost of $229.50 to $239.22. The main reason for the base water rate increase is for water acquisition, said Stephanie Stanley, financial reporting analyst for the Highlands Ranch Metro District and Centennial Water and Sanitation District. The base water portion will increase for a typical single-family home by 2.3 percent. The $387,760 funds two significant projects: the Chatfield Reallocation Project and the Water, Infrastructure and Supply Efficiency project. WISE is a partnership between 10 south metro members, Denver Water and Aurora Water to share water supply and infrastructure. Included in the 3.7 percent total utility rate increase is the streetlight fee, which reflects a higher energy-related rate being charged by Xcel Energy. On average, utility rates go up about 2 percent to 3 percent every year, which keeps pace with the Consumer Price Index, Stanley said. “For this community, it’s pretty typical,” she said. The Centennial Water and Sanitation District maintains affordable rates and remains in a position where it can supply water for future customers, Stanley said. Of the Highlands Ranch Metro District’s budget total of $74 million, $32 million is passed to the Centennial Water and Sanitation District as the generated revenue from the water and wastewater. The Metro District provides water and wastewater service through a contract with Centennial Water and Sanitation.
BY THE NUMBERS
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Valor Christian’s Sam Saddoris pulls down Cherry Creek quarterback Joe Caplis for a sack in the Nov. 29 Class 5A state championship game. Creek went on to defeat Valor 25-24, ending the Eagles’ run of state titles at five. For more coverage, turn to page 27. Photo by Paul DiSalvo
Demand prompts Wind Crest to expand Senior-living community to surpass 1,000 residents
$23.3
By Christy Steadman
csteadman @coloradocommunitymedia.com With all the amenities and services offered, it’s like living on a land-locked cruise ship, said one resident of Wind Crest, a retirement community of more than 850 people. By the end of 2015, the community located near C-470 and Santa Fe Drive in Highlands Ranch is expected to be home to at least 1,000 people, said Jason Atwell, Wind Crest’s senior director of sales, following the completion of a $59.4 million expansion. “We found we needed to accommodate the increasing demand for Wind Crest’s lifestyle,” he said. Wind Crest opened the first of its new residential buildings in mid-November. McHenry’s Crossing boasts 102 new apartment homes. It is 90 percent sold, and 10 families have already moved in. In March 2015, Wind Crest will open Parry Landing, another residential building that will feature 75 apartment homes. It is already 63 percent sold. Both buildings also have community living areas within the structures, and offer apartments ranging in size from one bedroom, starting at 750 square feet, to 2,000-square-foot luxury apartments. McHenry’s Crossing and Parry Landing are located across the Highline Canal and Trail from the original Wind Crest neighborhood. A 440-foot sky bridge, which is climate-controlled to allow all-season access, connects the new and original neighborhoods. Contributing to Wind Crest’s lifestyle, Atwell said, is a new community clubhouse slated to be complete in August 2015. The clubhouse will feature a 230-seat arts and enrichment center, which can serve as an auditorium for theater, meetings and other community gatherings. The clubhouse will also offer a steakhouse, a catering room
$239.22
Wind Crest will complete a $59.4 million expansion in 2015. The retirement community in Highlands Ranch will be home to 1,000 people by completion of the expansion. Courtesy photo and a terrace with views of downtown Denver and the mountains. “Our beautiful Highlands Ranch locale amid the Rocky Mountains is especially appealing,” Atwell said. In 2013, 39 percent of Highlands Ranch’s Wind Crest residents came from out of state, he said. “It’s the quality of life in this area.” The expansion will boost the local economy, as well, Atwell said. More people, the residents and their guests and visitors, will be frequenting local businesses.
More jobs will also be brought to the area. Wind Crest currently employs a little more than 400 people, Atwell said, and that number will soon increase by about 100. In addition, Wind Crest residents often involve themselves in the community — they volunteer and do a lot of philanthropic work, Atwell said. “They are contributing to the greater community of Douglas County,” Atwell said. “(And) when seniors have a way to Wind Crest continues on Page 15
Budget continues on Page 15