January 22, 2016
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D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Property values on rise, along with taxes County residents will see statements in mail this week By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Dozens of families stopped by the retention pond where Patric Lantz died to pay their respects Jan. 15. Photos by Chris Michlewicz
Teen dies after falling through ice Community mourns Patric Lantz, rallies behind teen still in the hospital
By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com A Parker teen died after falling through thin ice in Hidden River. Patric Lantz was one of three teen boys to fall through ice covering a retention pond Jan. 14 near Tallman Drive and Meadowood Lane, across from Iron Horse Elementary. The three Legend High School students were pulled from the water by first responders and then rushed to the hospital. Lantz, 16, was a sophomore at Legend. His loss has hit the school hard, said Jason Jacob, principal at Legend. “I had the opportunity, reached out to all of the families to offer my support to them as they Lantz go through this difficult time and let them know that we are here for them because we’re a strong family here,” Jacob said during a press conference. Lantz was part of Distributive Education Clubs of America — or DECA — and involved in an engineering program at Legend. The second teen pulled from the water, Max Gantnier, is at Children’s Hospital. Authorities have not released his condition, but friends and a GoFundMe account for Gantnier say he is in critical condition. “I’m praying for him and hoping the best… for him and his family,” said Legend senior Kasie Gilfert, who stopped by the pond Jan. 15 with her boyfriend, Kyle Slavik, to pay her respects to Lantz. School was not in session the day after the incident, but grief counselors were available to students. Even a parent sought treatment, Jacob said. Counselors were available when students return to school Jan. 19 after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Gilfert, whose ceramics class Lantz would visit because he had friends there,
Legend High School Principal Jason Jacob is mic’d up before a press conference on the drowning of Patric Lantz. Jacob said the Legend family is supporting one another after the tragic loss. said she was surprised to learn that it was a classmate who died. “You never expect something like this could happen,” Gilfert said. What happened The Parker Police Department said the first officer to arrive on scene saw one teen in the water hanging on to a chunk of ice. “He waded waist deep into the water and used a tree branch to pull the teen to safety,” the department said. When South Metro Fire Rescue arrived on the scene, they quickly located Gantnier, who was pulled from the water and transported to an area hospital. Gantnier was later airlifted to Children’s Hospital. Gantnier The South Metro Fire Rescue Dive Team searched for Lantz, who was not visible from the surface. There was zero vis-
MORE INFORMATION • A GoFundMe account created for Gantnier had raised more than $10,700 as of Jan. 20. A memorial account on the same site was established for Lantz and had raised $13,200 to help his family. To contribute, go to GoFundMe.com and type in their names.
Tax statements are being mailed to Douglas County residents the week of Jan. 18, and many will notice a hike in their property taxes due to an increase in propWHEN YOU PAY erty values. Per state Property taxes can be law, homes in paid in two installments, Colorado are by the end of February reappraised and by June 15, or in full every other by April 30. The county year in odddistributes collections to numbered the taxing authorities on years. The or before the 10th of the most recent month that follows when appraisal was payments are received. in 2015, and the tax notices going out this week will be the first time homeowners see the changes. The countywide market saw a 15.5 percent jump in 2015, according to Douglas County Assessor Lisa Frizell. Entry level housing, such as townhomes and condos, saw the greatest increases, 25 percent to 40 percent in value. What the county defines as the Highlands Ranch area, which includes Lone Tree, was the region with the largest increase in property value, with a 19.29 percent increase from 2014 to 2015. Castle Rock was next in line with an 18.11 percent increase. “It’s similar to the late ’90s, early 2000s,” Frizell said. “That’s the last time we saw this kind of increase in Douglas County.” To reappraise a home, the assessor’s office uses the market approach, which studies home sales in each specific area. The 2015 reappraisals used sales from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2014. “It’s important to note that we don’t value property in Highlands Ranch the same as in Castle Rock — they are two different Taxes continues on Page 5
PREPARING FOR STATE
• Those who need crisis counseling should call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-TALK or go to coloradocrisisservices.org.
ibility in the retention pond, which was more than 10 feet deep in spots. Approximately 35 minutes after arriving on scene, the dive team located Lantz. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital where he died. Jacob said he does not know why the Ice continues on Page 5
Senior Kaylee Gassen led the Chaparral swim team as it competed at the Smoky Hill Invitational. PAGE 21