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December 18, 2014 VOLU M E 2 8 | I S S UE 5
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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
Justices hear voucher arguments State’s top court could take up to nine months for decision By Jane Reuter
jreuter @coloradocommunitymedia.com Colorado Supreme Court justices asked pointed questions about the potential impact of voucher programs on public schools, among other issues, during the long-awaited oral arguments surrounding the Douglas County School District’s choice scholarship program. The court could take up to nine months to issue its decision, though it has ruled in as little as a month on some cases. The rul-
ing will apply to all other courts in the state. The chambers were packed Dec. 10, with requests for seats exceeding the room’s 195seat capacity. The demand prompted the court to livestream the proceedings. Among those with a front-row seat for the arguments were John Carson, who was president of the DCSD board when the program was implemented in 2011, former board member Justin Williams, current board president Kevin Larsen and board member Rich Robbins. Justices hit both sides with questions during the hour-long session, which included 30 minutes of argument each from attorneys for DCSD and plaintiffs Taxpayers for Public Education. Voucher continues on Page 10
Michael McCarthy, center, an attorney representing Taxpayers for Public Education, argues their case against the Douglas County School District’s voucher program during a packed Dec. 11 hearing at the Colorado Supreme Court. Pool photo/RJ Sangosti, Denver Post
SMILE, IT’S SANTA
Leaders get experience of lifetime Coalition had ‘robust business agenda’ in nation’s capital By Christy Steadman
csteadman @coloradocommunitymedia.com
Benjamin and Charlie Dykstra, ages 3 and 1, visit with Santa at the Highlands Ranch Metro District Dec. 13. Saint Nicholas stayed busy checking those lists twice as children of all ages dropped in to visit during the four hours he was in town. Each child posed for a picture, told Santa what was on their Christmas list and received a candy cane that was specially made by the elves in the North Pole for the kids in Highlands Ranch. Turn to page 15 to see the many sides of Santa this season. Photo by Christy Steadman
Worley joins metro district board New director has lived in Highlands Ranch for almost 30 years By Christy Steadman
csteadman @coloradocommunitymedia.com The newest member of the Highlands Ranch Metro District board of directors remembers the exact day he moved to Highlands Ranch. It was Aug. 7, 1985 — two days before his wedding anniversary. “The house was our anniversary present to each other,” Jim Worley said, referring to his wife of 40 years, Melanie. And the two have been involved in the Highlands Ranch community ever since. Worley was elected to the board in November, and took his oath of office at the Dec. 10 board meeting. This is the third time for him to hold the seat — he previously served as a board member from 1999 Worley continues on Page 10
Highlands Ranch Metro District board members look on as general manager Terry Nolan, right, administers the oath of office to Jim Worley, left, the organization’s new board of directors member at the Dec. 10 meeting. Courtesy photo
It was a bustling three days in the nation’s capital — people were protesting the Keystone XL pipeline project and the World Health Organization was having a function on Ebola. Amid it all was a group of south metro Denver’s elected officials, educators and two graduate students, chamber of commerce members and business leaders. The trip to Washington, D.C., was very successful, said Jeff Wasden, president of the Colorado Business Roundtable, because there was something for everybody. “It was a once-in-alifetime experience for those who had never gone before,” he said, “and the veterans to D.C. got to experience something new.” The 24 attendees visited Washington for three days Nov. 18-20. The main purposes included build- Wasden ing relationships, increasing visibility locally and nationally, gaining knowledge and providing input to national leaders. “An understanding of the issues critical to our representatives at the federal level, and how those can end up affecting us locally, is key,” said Josh Martin, Parker mayor pro tem. The group had a full itinerary with a “very robust business agenda,” Wasden said, which included meetings with the National Business Roundtable, the White House Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The trip was also significant because the local participants had opportunities to network with each other, said Wasden, a Highlands Ranch resident. “All the lunches and dinners are my favorite part,” said Katia de Orbegoso, president of the Roxborough Business Association. “The unstructured environment was the perfect time to get to know each other, share ideas and comment on the different briefings.” And there was some time for fun, Wasden said. The group went bowling at the Harry S. Truman Bowling Alley, and they enjoyed DC trip continues on Page 10