March 19, 2021
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ParkerChronicle.net
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | SPORTS: PAGE 17
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 18
Traffic expected to increase on Crowfoot Valley Road Castle Rock, Douglas County, Parker set plans to prepare for added growth, traffic BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County Commissioner George Teal, right, speaks to attendees of a March 9 rally in Castle Rock.
PHOTO BY ELLIOTT WENZLER
Dozens rally in Douglas County as commissioners ask governor for reopening Many residents spoke in support of resolution BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Following a March 9 rally that gathered a crowd of at least 100 people, Douglas County commissioners approved a resolution asking the governor of Colorado to fully reopen the county. Specifically, the unanimously approved resolution asked the state for a framework outlining how and when the county can fully reopen.
“The commissioners ... believe that in the current state of recovery and prolonged lack of severity of the ongoing pandemic, the restrictions can no longer be considered reasonable or rationally related to the risk most individuals face,” according to the resolution. As of March 11, the county was in level yellow, the third most lenient level, along with Adams, Arapahoe and Denver counties. Businesses approved by the county’s COVID Best Practices Certified Business Program were also able to operate at level blue, the second most lenient level. In response to the county’s
request, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provided a statement. “The state shares the goal of keeping things open and increasing capacity. As more Coloradans receive the lifesaving vaccine, especially our seniors 70 and older who represent 78% of COVID deaths in our state and do not yet have full immunity, we will be able to relax restrictions,” according to the emailed statement. “We will continue the work to devolve more authority to local government as we make data-driven decisions that SEE RALLY, P9
Crowfoot Valley Road is a unique stretch of asphalt. The 5.5-mile roadway serves as a connection point between Castle Rock and Parker, falls under the jurisdiction of three municipalities, and, with a lot of surrounding open space, is primed for development and growth. Because growth appears to be inevitable along the roadway, Douglas County and the towns of Parker and Castle Rock have started long-term planning to widen the road from two to four lanes and improve intersections with either roundabouts or new traffic lights to accommodate the expected traffic increases. Castle Rock Public Works Director Dan Sailer said the town routinely reviews roadways and prepares five- and 10-year plans to address transportation needs as the town continues to grow. Sailer said the town forecasts current and future traffic counts using the Denver Regional Council SEE CROWFOOT, P10
APOLOGIES Due to the recent heavy snowfall, delivery of this week’s paper may have been delayed.