AUGUST 18, 2017
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BRINGING THE HEAT: Future chefs get hands-on experience with pros P16
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
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Entertainment, media campus could create 4,000 jobs Redbarre plans to bring facility to Parker by 2020 BY TOM SKELLEY TSKELLEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
WELCOME BACK: Summer break is
over for students in Douglas County P15 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: This week, we take a look at softball, cross country and boys golf P28, 29
GROUP SEEKS ANSWERS: Sen. Cory Gardner responds to some residents’ claims he is not accessible to constituents P8
A big player in the world of entertainment and digital media plans to bring 4,000 jobs and a 70-acre campus to Parker by 2020. At an Aug. 11 press conference at the state Capitol in Denver, Gov. John Hickenlooper, Parker officials and Redbarre executives announced plans to create the Redbarre Digital Media & Technology Campus in the Compark area just north of E-470. The 1.9 million-square-foot, mixed-use development will focus on feature film, television and digital media production. “Something like that can be transformational,” said Dennis Houston, CEO of the Parker Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s life changing, what it could mean for the town and for the region.” The company has yet to submit a site plan application, but according to Parker Business Recruitment Manager Matt Carlson, a portion of the property is under contract and the remainder of the required property is under contract with a right of first refusal, meaning the land is available to Redbarre first if needed for the development. Carlson cautioned that nothing is official yet and that the project is still in its infancy, but added that the fact the governor endorsed the project means that all signs are promising. Carlson added that ancillary businesses generated by the studio would have a significant impact on the entire south metro region. SEE REDBARRE, P11
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‘The school board needs to act as a stable and functioning unit, providing a positive example and strong leadership for the The Golden Chamber of Commerce presents the 27th annual Golden Fine Arts Festival community.’ Anthony Graziano, school board candidate | Page 4 INSIDE
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