Fall 2022 Messenger

#playhighlandsranch

REGISTRATION FOR SPRING PROGRAMS

AS EARLY AS JANUARY 2023

Youth flag football league & clinic

Youth cheerleading

Adult pickleball leagues & clinics

Adult softball leagues

Adult bocce ball league & clinic

Youth lacrosse camps

Skateboarding camps

Skyhawks sports camps

Horseback riding lessons

And even more to come during our summer and fall seasons, including youth baseball, softball & T-ball!

ONLINE REGISTRATION AND PROGRAM DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE AT HIGHLANDSRANCH.ORG/SIGNMEUP

RANCH METRO DISTRICT

CELEBRATION

Front covEr:

Located in the center of our community, the Highlands Ranch Mansion is open to the public for community and private events, historic tours and cultural programs. Learn more at highlandsranchmansion.com

Partnership celebrates 20 years

Synergy. Collaboration. Success. These are some of the key words recently used by fellow local elected officials to describe their experiences with the Partnership of Douglas County Governments.

The year 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the Partnership. The group was recently honored by the state legislature, which recognized its positive impact on Douglas County citizens. Partnership members include Douglas County, the Towns of Castle Rock, Larkspur and Parker, the Cities of Castle Pines and Lone Tree, the Douglas County School District, Douglas County Libraries and the H ighlands Ranch Metro District.

Problems and challenges arise that local governments are best equipped to solve, but sometimes these problems develop in more than one jurisdiction. The Partnership fosters communication among these local governments and provides a framework to create solutions There are also regular meetings among staff of each governmental body, as well as their respective political leaders. Douglas County acts as a senior partner to help as needed. By developing relationships among local governmental bodies, better solutions are crafted to the common problems we all face.

The strength of the Partnership benefits our community. Over the last two decades, the group has collaborated on economic development, housing, senior and youth initiatives, as well as the acquisition of land to expand Toepfer Park. The Douglas County School Board had property they no longer needed, and the Metro District wanted the property to expand the park. After investigating selling the property to developers, the school board agreed to sell the property to Douglas County, who, in turn, deeded the property to the Metro District. This is one of the Partnership’s many successes, which has a lot to do with why Douglas County continues to be one of the best places to live in the United States.

Mark Dickerson Chair, Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors

Planning for the future

Metro District staff annually use a collaborative process to prepare an operations and capital budget with a focus on the upcoming year while planning for the future. This process began in August with a proposed budget available for review by Saturday, Oct. 15.

Staff evaluate programs and services and identify areas for improvement and innovation to best serve the community. Some of the new and exciting opportunities for the Metro District in the upcoming years include:

• A new and easier online tool for citizens to report a concern and improve response time for resolution

• An expanded Active Adults program with the construction of the new Highlands R anch Senior Center

• Planning for the expansion of recreational opportunities with the 2024 addition of pick leball courts

• Planning for new facilities, including expansion of Toepfer Park and the Highlands Ranch H istoric Park

The goal of the budget process is to provide a guide to the community and staff on how the Metro District intends to spend resources wisely to meet the priorities set forth by the board of directors. The board and staff welcome and appreciate resident input on the proposed budget. You can provide feedback via email at info@highlandsranch.org, or in person at the public hearing during the Metro District Board Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Hendrick O ffice Building, 62 Plaza Drive.

If you have questions on this or other topics, please contact me at sstanley@highlandsranch.org.

Stephanie Stanley Acting General Manager, Highlands Ranch Metro District

on

web highlandsranch.org

When you visit highlandsranch.org, you will find valuable information about the programs, services and activities of the Highlands Ranch Metro District.

You’ll also find links to fellow service providers in the community. New features continue to be added, so visit often.

Understanding special districts — a unique & effective form of government

Special districts, like the Highlands Ranch Metro District, are local units of government. A metro district is a specific type of special district that funds public infrastructure for new development. Debt is repaid by taxes and/or fees levied only within the new district’s boundaries without burdening the existing taxpayers of that city or county. Public infrastructure can include streets, water, sewer, storm drainage, parks and other similar improvements.

The Metro District first issued debt in the early 1980s to fund infrastructure in advance of collecting system development fees from the community’s developers. The Metro District’s continual challenge was to incur debt necessary to fund the infrastructure essential for a rapidly growing community, while always limiting that spending to keep taxes low and balance debt with revenues. In 2006, the four existing Metro Districts consolidated into one and the Metro District Board of Directors set a priority to retire the debt early. In 2021, the Metro District retired all outstanding debt four years early.

Metro District Contacts:

Highlands Ranch Metro District 62 Plaza Drive

Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Phone: 303-791-0430

Email: info@highlandsranch.org

Metro District Parks, Recreation & Open Space Service Center 3280 Redstone Park Circle

Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Phone: 303-791-2710

Email: info@highlandsranch.org

Recreation Contact:

Metro District Recreation Services

Phone: 303-791-2710

Fax: 303-470-9516

Email: recreationinfo@highlandsranch.org

At the Metro District’s inception, a Facility Plan was created to provide a detailed cost estimate of the entire base infrastructure necessary to serve Highlands Ranch throughout its build-out. The $185 million Facility Plan included construction of arterial roads and parkway landscaping, trails, parks, traffic signals, stormwater channels and two fire stations. The primary funding source for the infrastructure was system development fees paid by the developer at the time of construction of new residential and commercial properties.

Learn more about the Metro District at highlandsranch.org, and about special districts in general, at metrodistricteducation.com/faq/ Look for more information explaining the role of special districts in upcoming issues of the Messenger

Citizens

Highlands ranch citizens academy, established two years ago by the Highlands ranch metro district,

kick off new sessions in January 2023 the program aims

build the civic capacity of Highlands ranch residents this seven-session course

Editor: Sherry Eppers, Community Relations Manager

contributing Writers:

Beau Bressler, Recreation Coordinator

Emily Johnson, Community Relations Coordinator

Courtney Kuhlen, Community Relations Specialist

Kari Larese, Community Relations Manager, Centennial Water & Sanitation District

Jodie McCann, AAPS Coordinator

Pam Moisey, Reservations Specialist

Rasika Mukkamala, Community Relations Intern

Dave Parks, CPRP, Recreation Supervisor

Carolyn Peters, CPRP, Recreation Manager

Luke Ruter, CYSA, Recreation Coordinator

Brenda Willcutt, Recreation Assistant

©2022 Highlands Ranch Metro District

topics

issues

introduces

Project updates around the Ranch

Learn about the following projects and more at highlandsranch.org/projectupdates

Outdoor Fitness Court at Central Park

The Metro District, UCHealth and National Fitness Campaign are bringing new options for outdoor fitness with the installation of a Fitness Court at Central Park, 1367 Park Central Dr. It is expected to open to users in October, weather dependent. The Fitness Court is an outdoor bodyweight circuit-training system featuring a series of full-body exercises that accommodates a variety of skill levels and abilities. Users can download the accompanying app, which delivers new workouts and challenges on a regular basis. Funding for this project was provided by UCHealth and from an NFC grant. Challenge yourself, your friends and your community to get outside and get active.

Playground replacement at Spring Gulch Park

Brand-new playground equipment is coming this fall to Spring Gulch Park, 10404 Hollyhock Ct. Construction is currently under way, and the playground is anticipated to reopen in November, weather dependent. The new equipment will provide a physically challenging and mentally stimulating inclusive play space that promotes social interaction. It will feature poured-in-place rubber sur facing instead of wood chips, shade, climbing elements, overhead elements, an accessible swing, a variety of slides and many other fun play elements.

Parkway landscape conversion

Bluegrass in several areas of our parkways was recently removed and reseeded with alternative or native grasses as part of the Metro District’s Parkway Landscape Conversion Program. The current projects are in the vicinity of University Boulevard and Cresthill Lane, on the south-facing slope near Highlands Ranch High School, and at the intersection of Lucent Boulevard and C-470, on the southeast and southwest corners near the business park entries. The new grass will require less water and maintenance once established. As the areas establish, weed control treatments will be necessary, but they will decrease over the years as the areas fill in and crowd out unwanted plants. The goals of the conversion program are to reduce overall water and maintenance, maintain and enhance the existing look of the parkways, educate the community about the value of landscape conversions and create a realistic phasing plan that prioritizes areas for conversion.

Reflections on growing up in Highlands Ranch

By Rasika Mukkamala

For the past 21 years, I have been lucky enough to call Highlands Ranch my hometown. I spent my childhood riding my scooter at Foothills Park, attending the Ice Cream Social at Civic Green Park with my family, sledding at Toepfer Park and even took my senior photos at the Highlands Ranch Mansion.

The summer before I was a freshman in high school, I decided to get a head start on the 20hour community service graduation requirement for Douglas County School District students. I signed up to work the Metro District booth at K idFest. What started as a requirement quickly turned into events that I looked forward to attending as a volunteer. My interactions with the staff and the community members led me to continue to volunteer at the Ice Cream Social, Holiday Celebration, and any other events the Metro District needed help with. When I left for college in 2018, I looked back at the community that I was leaving, and I was grateful for my time spent with the people I met through my volunteer experiences.

Knowing that I was going to be home for the summer of 2022, I applied to work at the Metro District as a Community Relations Intern. I spent the summer helping develop and execute the events that I had gone to when I was a kid. H ighlands Ranch has changed in the last 21 years, but the people are what truly make the community special. No matter where I go, I will always call Highlands Ranch my home.

Senior Center celebrated at groundbreaking

The Metro District recently held

groundbreaking ceremony for the future Highlands Ranch Senior Center. More than 150 people attended to celebrate this historic milestone. Representatives from the Metro District Board of Directors, Douglas County, OZ Architecture, Waner Construction and Calibre Engineering participated in the ceremony.

Around the Ranch

Landmark Lecture to highlight the odd & unusual

Landmark Lectures at the Highlands Ranch Mansion offer visitors a unique window into the past and opportunity to learn from area exper ts. On Monday, Nov. 14, esteemed Colorado historian Tom “Dr. Colorado” Noel will share stories of “Color-Oddities: Strangest Things about the Highest State”.

Noel will explore all things strange and odd about Colorado, from dinosaurs to DIA, with special attention on explorers, gold rushes, railroads, saloons, cemeteries, and the most bizarre and interesting people that make up our historical past.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the presentation begins at 7 p.m. The evening includes self-guided tours of the Mansion and a cash bar with beer, wine and a specialty cocktail. Tickets are on sale now for $20 and include appetizers. Learn more and purchase tickets at highlandsranchmansion.com

fall break fun for all ages

make the most of your fall break this year and register for one of our upcoming nature Edventures programs these nature-centric sessions offer fun, educational opportunities for all ages discover the great outdoors through hands-on activities with our park rangers .

Visit these upcoming events

The Metro District is a presenter or partner on these upcoming events:

Spirits with the Spirits

Each Wednesday in October from 6:30 - 9 p.m. at the Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9950 E. Gateway Drive, Ages 21+, tickets are required

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Highlands Ranch Substation, 9250 Zotos Dr. and King Soopers, 4000 Red Cedar Drive

Last Stop at the Mansion

Monday, Oct. 31, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

outdoors at the Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9950 E. Gateway Dr.

Adult Health & Information Fair

Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. - noon at the Recreation Center at Eastridge, 9568 S. University Blvd.

Fall Tree Limb Recycling

Sunday, Nov. 6, 9 a.m. -1 p.m. in the Redstone Park parking lot near Halftime Help Stadium, 3270 Redstone Park Circle

Veterans Day

Friday, Nov. 11, 6:30 p.m.

at the Douglas County Library at Highlands Ranch, 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd.

The Buzzzz

About Honey

Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 10-11:30 a.m. did you know it takes two million flowers to make one pound of honey? Join our resident beekeeper for an engaging program about honeybees, how they make honey and how they do their important job of pollinating flowers We’ll taste honey from different areas and observe live bees

introduction to Geocaching

Thursday, Oct. 20 from 2-4 p.m. geocaching is a popular, modern take on treasure hunts and is perfect for outdoor explorers in the making . bring your smartphone to search for hidden caches and have fun discovering our local parks, trails and open space along the way

advance registration is required at highlandsranch.org/nature Fees: resident: $10 nonresident $12 nature Edventures programs are offered throughout the year and help foster responsible stewardship of the environment and our community nature programs may also be requested for scout or school groups and can be tailored to specific needs to learn more about schedule availability and fees for special request programs, please contact park ranger Sandy Holcomb at sholcomb@highlandsranch.org .

Holiday Celebration at the Mansion

Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9950 E. Gateway Drive

Santa Visits

Saturday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-noon at Santa’s little red house on the corner of Broadway and Plaza near the Hendrick Office Building, 62 Plaza Drive

Cookies with the fire crew

decorate a fire service themed cookie, tour the firehouse and meet your neighborhood South metro Fire rescue firefighters at Fire Station 20

during a fun open house celebration Saturday, oct 8 from 1 to 3 p m Fire Station 20 is located at 1801 E Wildcat reser ve Pkwy . Parking for this public event is available across the street at mountain vista High School

What’s your water budget?

Every customer has a unique water budget; an amount of water you can use during your two-month billing cycle. Progressively higher tiered rates applied to water used over the allotted water budget serve to encourage conservation.

To find your water budget, simply look at your water bill You can find out what your water budget is for the current billing cycle and for the next billing cycle as well. Becoming familiar with your water budget is a great tool to use to help you understand your water use.

Outdoor water budgets gradually increase from early spring to midsummer, and decrease at the end of summer into early fall. Outdoor water budgets end annually on October 15.

How is your water budget calculated?

Residential customers are allocated 27 inches of water over the irrigation season, per square foot of irrigable sod, which is estimated to be 45% of the property. Additionally, residential customers receive 12,000 gallons of water per bimonthly billing period for indoor use.

The outdoor water budget for commercial customers is based on actual irrigated area.

Find your water bill online:

1. Go to the online bill pay website centennialwater.org/billpay

2. Log in to your account.

3. Click View Transactions under My Bill in the left column.

4. Click the most recent Transaction Date

5. A new window will pop up displaying your most recent statement.

6. Click Reprint This Bill you will find this in the top left corner, under Bill Detail

Peter Bong named Director of Water & Wastewater Operations for Centennial Water

Centennial Water & Sanitation District has named Peter Bong as its new Director of Water & Wastewater Operations Peter previously served as Water and Wastewater Superintendent for Centennial Water.

“Peter is a great leader who cares deeply about the mission of Centennial Water and the community that he serves. He brings abundant management and water engineering expertise to the team. He will continue to be a tremendous asset to our District as he serves in his new role,” said Centennial Water General Manager Sam Calkins.

Bong is a nine year veteran at Centennial Water and has more than 18 years of experience in the water industry. He holds level A- certifications in Water and Wastewater Treatment and a level 1 certification in Distribution. He received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Illinois and is a licensed Engineer in Training in the state of Illinois.

“I am excited to take on this new challenge,” said Bong. “ There is always something new and exciting going on at Centennial Water. We also have the best people working here, which makes coming to work a pleasure each day.”

Wintry weather info for residents

this fall and winter, make sure you know who is responsible for snow removal on streets, trails, parkway sidewalks and residential sidewalks metro district staff clears snow from trails and arterial sidewalks learn more at highlandsranch.org/snowremoval

Plaza Drive

Ranch, CO 80129

Metro

Metro District board meetings are held at 6 p .m the last tuesday of each month (with rare exceptions due to holiday schedules) at the John d . Hendrick office building, 62 Plaza drive . board study sessions are held the Wednesday prior to board meetings at 6 p .m . at the same location visit highlandsranch.org/agendas for a meeting schedule meetings are currently being held both via Zoom and in person the public is encouraged to attend

Centennial Water and Sanitation District board meetings are held at 6:30 p m the last monday of each month (with rare exceptions due to holiday schedules) at the John d Hendrick office building, 62 Plaza drive monthly board study sessions are held the tuesday prior to the board meeting at 7:30 a m in the same location visit centennialwater.org to view a meeting schedule meetings are currently being held both via Zoom and in person

See the Active Adult program insert inside.

Messenger

Santa fe widening project begins

Metro District

Douglas County is working on a project to widen and reconstruct approximately 2.5 miles of US 85 between Highlands Ranch Parkway and Dad Clark Gulch, located approximately 1,200 feet north of County Line Road. More information about the proposed improvements are available at us85douglascounty.com

A new intersection concept is proposed at three US 85 intersections:

• Highlands Ranch Parkway

• Town Center Drive

• Northbound US 85 to westbound C-470 traffic movement Additionally, on the project website listed above, is a video explaining how a Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) operates.

Would you like to know more about preventing conflicts with wildlife, how the Metro District manages open space in our community or how to better live with nature as your neighbor? Visit the Metro District’s online Open Space Information Center at highlandsranch.org/OSIC for helpful resources about these and many more topics.

Fall is here and that means the leaves are falling from trees. While this is a special time of year for many, falling leaves have the potential to significantly impact stormwater runoff quality. A study by the USGS has shown removing leaves from the street can significantly reduce phosphorous levels in stormwater runoff. While phosphorous is an essential ingredient for plant growth, increased phosphorous levels in stormwater can contribute to harmful algal blooms in lakes and reservoirs, as reported in recent news stories. As residents, we can do our part by sweeping leaves from sidewalks and streets before runoff from rain or snowstorms can transport them to creeks, lakes and reservoirs and into our water systems.

falling leaves impact water quality

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