The 2-lane section of Castle Pines Parkway from I-25 through the new commercial areas is being widened to 4 lanes. The commercial developers are contributing funds toward this project.

Two new intersections will be built with a stoplight to provide access to the new commercial development - one just east of the Total station (for access to the Safeway center and the BP Amoco), and the other west of the Village Square center (for access to the King Soopers center).

The road widening and the new intersections, and the traffic signals for these intersections, is expected to be completed by late 2001/ early 2002.

Someday, the bridge over I-25 will be widened to 4 lanes, but there is currently no schedule or funds committed for that project.

Gas Stations Update: BP Amoco has submitted revised plans for us to look at. Our Development Review committee is working on the review now, we'll submit our suggestions to the County next week.

Road construction: That cone-zone that you're now navigating along Castle Pines Parkway near I-25 is the first step toward widening of the Parkway to 4 lanes.

Douglas County's traffic engineers had previously told us to expect CPN's new traffic lights would be operational by August. Well it's almost the end of the month and no lights yet. They're now projecting September or October.

Here's what's happening:

• We should see activity (poles and other equipment being delivered) by the end of August. Installation should take 4-5 weeks.
• It is anticipated that the stoplights at Charter Oaks intersection and CP Parkway will be turned on first. Lights will be turned on a week or two later at CP Pkwy and Monarch.
• Two additional lights are planned on the Parkway for the new roads that will be built to access the new Safeway and King Soopers stores.

The County is working with the LaGae family to determine the route of a new road that will connect to Castle Pines Parkway at about the location of the King Soopers sign, and travel south to Happy Canyon Road near the I-25 interchange.

The road will NOT be located immediately behind the homes in Royal Hill. There are NO PLANS at this time to connect Monarch to the LaGae Road, although that could happen someday, depending on what happens with future proposals to develop the LaGae Ranch. The new NorthEast Gate to Castle Pines Village will connect to the LaGae road.

Currently, Daniels Park Road is paved for the first mile north of Highway 85. Starting in August 2001, the County will extend the paving about 1½ miles further north, ending before the hill south of Castle Pines Parkway. The road will remain a 2-lane road.

The County has made several changes to the paving project to accommodate concerns of area residents (read more about the community discussion) including designing the road for slower speeds and retaining a "rustic" atmosphere.

What about the rest of Daniels Park Road? Someday there will be a 2-lane paved "country road" that will extend north into Highlands Ranch, but it is likely to be several years, and the road may take a different alignment than what exists today.

What needs to be reviewed? Douglas County will need to do engineering work to see how they could handle the steep "hill" south of Castle Pines Parkway, and will need to reach agreement with the City and County of Denver (Daniels Park is one of Denver's Mountain Parks) on issues such as an alignment that will have the least impact on the park, as part of a larger "vision" of what the future of this area should become (the area will remain open, as part of Denver's Daniel's Park or Highlands Ranch Open Space … but will we see more public access such as interpretative trails, etc?)

What about the future of Daniels Park Road? There are many challenges to planning the future of this road, recognizing that a road must continue to exist north into Highlands Ranch, but also recognizing that it must be done in a way that preserves the character of this special area that we are so lucky to live next to.

What's this about a trail? There is also discussion that now is the time to also build a trail along the road. The county has plans for a future trail that is separated from the road. They haven't allocated any funds to that project yet but we may have an opportunity to make something happen if we can get residents to volunteer to help.

An easement exists for most of the trail from Highway 85 to Castle Pines Parkway, and the County has had discussions with Denver about having the trail continue through Daniels Park and connecting to the future trail system that will go north of CPN, through the Highlands Ranch Open Space, and will connect to Chatfield and the Cherry Creek trail systems.

Interested in working on the future of Daniels Park Road? Take a minute and fill out the opinion poll about the Road.

Send an email to DanielsParkRoad@cpnhoa.org. For the paving project that is scheduled to begin later this summer, the County sponsored a field review on July 10. Interested parties walked the road with the engineering drawings.

There will also be opportunities for citizens to participate in the longer-term vision of the future of the road as it continues north into Highlands Ranch.

The 2-lane section of Castle Pines Parkway from I-25 through the new commercial areas will be widened to 4 lanes. The commercial developers are contributing funds toward this project.

Two new intersections will be built with a stoplight to provide access to the new commercial development - one just east of the Total station (for access to the Safeway center and the BP Amoco), and the other west of the Village Square center (for access to the King Soopers center).

The road widening and the new intersections, and the traffic signals for these intersections, is expected to be completed by late 2001/ early 2002. Someday, the bridge over I-25 will be widened to 4 lanes, but there is currently no schedule or funds committed for that project.

By the end of summer 2001, we will have two stoplights on Castle Pines Parkway:

• one at the intersection with Monarch
• one at Charter Oaks and the entrance to the Village Square commercial area.

We may begin to see some installation activity around the first part of July and then it will take 30 to 40 days to activate the lights. The customized pieces, poles and supports, etc., were ordered some time ago. Most other supplies to complete the installations are in stock (with the vendor). The County is waiting for the vendor to price the lights before issuing a purchase order for the lights.

Other items affecting the completion of the installation are timing and availability of signal heads, power and permits from IREA, "pulling the wires," and schedule of County contractor who installs the lights (that contractor is heavily committed right now to the road widening on County Line between Quebec and Colorado).

CPN's Traffic Safety Committee is working with the County's Traffic Engineering staff on a variety of items related to traffic safety.

A "school bus loading" traffic warning sign will be installed on Monarch at the Glen Oaks bus stop.

The County is researching a variety of other issues:

• blind intersections and curves,
• potential to create some left-turn lanes on Monarch,
• adding some pedestrian crosswalks

They are also looking at traffic changes related to the future elementary school and the new Coyote Ridge Park under construction east of Monarch on Hidden Pointe Blvd.

To join the Traffic Safety Committee, send an email to traffic@cpnhoa.org

June 22, 2001

REPORT FROM: Royann Cygan (Hamlet resident and rep to Master Association)

SUBJECT: Follow-up, CPN traffic/pedestrian safety meeting of May 10, 2001.

I spoke to Larry Corcoran (Manager, Traffic Engineering, County Public Works Dept., phone: 303-660-7490) on June 22. Larry gave the following update on some of the issues discussed at the meeting:

(1) Stoplights on Castle Pines Parkway (intersections at Monarch and at the commercial area and Charter Oaks entrance). We may begin to see some installation activity around the first part of July and then it will take 30 to 40 days to activate the lights. The customized pieces, poles and supports, etc., were ordered some time ago. Most other supplies to complete the installations are in stock (with the vendor). County is waiting for the vendor to price the lights before issuing a p.o. for the lights. Other items affecting the completion of the installation are timing and availability of signal heads, power and permits from IREA, "pulling the wires," and schedule of County contractor who installs the lights (that contractor is heavily committed right now to the road widening on County Line between Quebec and Colorado).

(2) School bus loading zone at Glen Oaks and Monarch. Larry said a work order was issued after our May 10 meeting to install a "school bus loading" traffic warning sign. He will check on the status of that work order.

(3) Several items concerning Monarch, i.e., curves, blind intersections, pedestrian crosswalks and "Ped x-ing" signs:

• Monarch and Yorkshire, and the request for a pedestrian crosswalk. Larry did not have any update.
• Monarch north of CP Parkway (area under new development). Per Larry, the County is still doing analyses; he discussed this with County Engineer Fred Cook. No new information for us at this time. The possibilities we discussed on May 10 were left-turn lanes on Monarch, pedestrian crosswalks and "Ped x-ing" signs. Analyses includes looking at the walkways along Monarch that have been built on one side of the road requiring walkers to cross Monarch to access the sidewalks. Larry noted that the County does not like to install "mid-block" pedestrian crossings.
• New Coyote Ridge Park under construction east of Monarch on Hidden Pointe Blvd. - County will review in analyses.
• Alerted Larry to the potential new grade school at the same intersection; he said he would check the files to see if they had received anything on the school.

CPN residents have adamantly opposed a plan to have Castle Pines Village traffic - including construction traffic - come through Castle Pines Parkway via a "North Gate" that would have connected via Forest Park Drive. We have been successful in negotiating an alternative. The new plan includes sending construction traffic from Castle Pines Village south to US 85 via Daniels Park Road.

The EPA is requiring that dirt roads in the northern portion of Douglas County be paved, because of the dust we contribute to Denver's infamous brown cloud. The chemical that is currently being used to reduce the dust is damaging trees along the route and is also a fire hazard. So paving will happen eventually; the only question is "when". The county will do it in multiple "phases" over a period of years, so that they can carefully design the road to reduce impacts.

Paving this southern section of Daniels Park Road was already on the county's plans and it has become essential to do the paving of this section of the road this fall, to be able to handle the construction traffic.

Regardless of whether the road surface is dirt or paved, the open land that you see is protected by being part of the Cherokee Ranch, Daniels Park, and the Highlands Ranch Open Space conservation areas. Part of the work for the Daniels Park Road project is to look at alternate routes and design changes that could actually reduce the impact of the road on these open spaces.

CPN residents have adamantly opposed a plan to have Castle Pines Village traffic - including construction traffic - come through Castle Pines Parkway via a "North Gate" that would have connected via Forest Park Drive. We have been successful in negotiating an alternative. The new plan includes sending construction traffic from Castle Pines Village south to US 85 via Daniels Park Road.

The EPA is requiring that dirt roads in the northern portion of Douglas County be paved, because of the dust we contribute to Denver's infamous brown cloud. The chemical that is currently being used to reduce the dust is damaging trees along the route and is also a fire hazard. So paving will happen eventually; the only question is "when". The county will do it in multiple "phases" over a period of years, so that they can carefully design the road to reduce impacts.

Paving this southern section of Daniels Park Road was already on the county's plans and it has become essential to do the paving of this section of the road this fall, to be able to handle the construction traffic.

Regardless of whether the road surface is dirt or paved, the open land that you see is protected by being part of the Cherokee Ranch, Daniels Park, and the Highlands Ranch Open Space conservation areas. Part of the work for the Daniels Park Road project is to look at alternate routes and design changes that could actually reduce the impact of the road on these open spaces.

We had our first "Traffic & Safety" Action Committee meeting this month. For those of you who attended -- thanks. If you have previously volunteered for this committee, we have you on the list and will invite you to the next meeting. If you haven't already volunteered but would like to, send an email to [traffic@cpnhoa.org] or call (303) 265-9306.

How do we want to pursue (literally!) this issue?

We can use neighborhood speed-watch programs or patrols monitored by the county.

Please give your feedback to the Traffic Committee.

Douglas County is beginning the work to install two traffic lights on Castle Pines Parkway, expecting to be completed by early summer. There is a huge lead time involved in this process in getting the signal poles ordered.

• one at Charter Oaks (across from the Village Square commercial center) The grocery store developers say they will have this installed by the time their store(s) open.
• one at Monarch Blvd.

This is a several month process, the County is projecting completion by summer 2001.

The County has said that traffic lights would be installed prior to any of the grocery stores opening.

We will want to take a "big picture" look at the traffic signals and signage that make sense throughout CPN and work with the Country to get this done.

The need to expand the 2-lane section of CPN (from the commercial area east, and across I-25:

The County says they are planning to expand CPN to 4 lanes prior to opening any grocery stores (funding coming from developers).

There are no current plans for the bridge or interchange to I-25. Want to help on this one?

There are some neighborhood residents working on a Speedwatch program in CPN. If you are interested in volunteering, send an email to traffic@cpnhoa.org.

In other traffic news, the County is out looking at areas that need traffic signals. Join our Action Committee to work with the County on signals, speeding and other traffice and pedestrian issues

Planning has begun for what additional transportaion improvements would be needed to meet traffic needs over the next 20 years, (Linda Nuzum has been participating on the study committee).

Discussions of I-25 needs by the Year 2020 include adding another lane, so that there would be 8 lanes total between Lincoln and Meadows/Founders (the current construction project is being designed with this possibility in mind). Also under consideration is to at least preserve the right-of-way for future transit (light rail or buses; park-and-ride facilities that include one immediately to the east of the CPN exit).

Even if all these improvements are made by the Year 2020, Douglas County population is expected to grow to the point that I-25 congestion will remain a problem — with these current times looking like the good old days. It becomes imperative to look at having alternate routes.

Highlights from the committees that include government agencies, county residents and interest groupd begun in 1999 (including our representative Linda Nuzum) include the following visions. There are still many steps before finalizing plans including public comments, environmental clearance and funding. But here goes:

Highways:
I-25: Eight lanes, C-470 to Castle Rock
U.S. 85: Four lanes, Highlands Ranch Parkway to Castle Rock
Relocate the southern end of US 85 to join I-25 south of Castle Rock rather than north of it
Interchange improvements
Various "management" measures, such as improving response times for clearing accidents.

Transit:
Ultimately, Light Rail from the future southeast corridor transit station near C-470 and I-25 to downtown Castle Rock. Political realities mean this would come later than 2020.
Possibly a Front Range rail system that would go from Northern Colorado to Colorado Springs or further south - this would use trains that could follow the path of US 85 from Castle Rock into Denver.
Bus Service as a "demonstration" of transit usage and as a "feeder" to other transit lines.
In the interim, preserve the right-of-way for future rail options.

Douglas County would need to resolve the issue of responsibility and funding for transit; most of the county does not belong to the Regional Transportation District.

Park-and-Ride:
Park-and-ride lots along I-25, including one east of the Castle Pines Parkway/I-25 interchange.
A park-and-ride for U.S. 85 at Highlands Ranch Parkway.

Other Planning Considerations include:
Considerations for sound impact on residential areas near the highways.
A "wildlife friendly design" for all improvements, particularly in the areas west of U.S. 85.

Bus Service has been suggested as a "demonstration" of transit usage and as a "feeder" to other transit lines. The Regional Transportion District plans to start bus service from Highlands Ranch Parkway to Mineral Avenue to work with the Sante Fe light-rail service.

Douglas County would need to resolve the issue of responsibility and funding for transit; most of the county does not belong to the Regional Transportation District.

Last year's proposal to utilize Forest Park Drive for a Castle Pines Village "north gate" are tentatively resolved. Many CPN residents recall the proposal for new homes in the northern section of Castle Pines Village (Filings 27 and 28) to use Forest Park Drive as an access to the Village.

The developer has now submitted a revised proposal which DOES NOT include the Forest Park connection. Instead, they will design the development to eventually create a North Gate from Castle Pines Village that would exit to the Legae Ranch (details of which are not yet worked out)

There are no immediate plans to pave the length of Daniels Park Road. Douglas county expects that some of the traffic currently using Daniels Park Road will shift to Monarch-to-Quebec once that segment is contructed and they will delay any plans for paving until the need is determined and issues are resolved.

The northern-most mile or so of Daniels Park Road (near its current intersection with Wildcat Reserve Parkway, just north of McArthur Ranch Road) will end up being paved as homes are constructed in that area. The road will be re-aligned so the access from the north will be changed (once again). This is expected to happen in 2000.

The area between the south end of Highlands Ranch and the eventual north end of CPN (near the power lines that cross the road) is a large stretch of Open Space — there will never be homes or commercial building, but there will be some public and recreational uses (such as parks and schools). At some point, this section will probably be paved.

Just south of the power lines, the Road goes through the park, crosses Castle Pines Parkway and continues south to US 85. There are a number of political, environmental, and engineering challenges associated with any plans to pave this remaining section of the road.

Using Daniels Park Road
The County is planning on using road alignments and signage to discourage use of the road through Daniels Park. Travelers coming from Highlands Ranch would be guided toward the road through Romar West and travelers coming north from US 85 would be guided toward Castle Pines Parkway.

We are going to hold two "workshops" to discuss the comments that we will make on new developments near CPN (Filings 27 and 28 - aka the "Vickers Project"). This workshop concerns a proposal for new homes in Castle Pines Village.

The County would require that emergency vehicles be able to get to the homes in the northern section via the "service road" that currently exists near Monarch and Oxford. this road is now used by CPN Metro District trucks to get to the CPN Water Treatment Plant and it is also on our plans to be a part of the community trail system. (The CPN Metro District owns the road itself; there are no plans for this road to be used for any type of regular traffic and it is not an option for the "North Gate" access. In our comments on this project, we will want to be very specific that there would be adequate physical barriers so that traffic could not circumvent the security gate for the Village and that there would be very tight legal protections that this road would only be used for authorized emergency vehicles.

The developer (Vickers) is now proposing that a preferred alternate route for a "North Gate" would be via the Lagae Rance (east of CPN), however, approval from the Legae Ranch owners is not imminent and therefore the developer is asking:

• to proceed with the 400 homes in total in the entire section of Castle Pines Village (zoning would allow 850)
• to not build any North Gate at this time but to reserve space to put in a future North Gate via the Legae Ranch. (This would obviate access from Forest Park).

There are several issues with this proposal that could cause the Forest Park route to bubble to the surface again. Also there are a variety of other questions about this project, including water, wildlife corridors, and schools. Attend the workship and particpate in our feedback.

The Castle Pines Parkway is the major east-west thoroughfare in our community. One ongoing community concern is high-speed traffic.

Another relates to traffic lights, which will be installed as traffic warrants, most likely at Monarch Blvd. and near the new Village Square commercial area. The County is monitoring traffic levels.

Conversation tied to the I-25 interchange and Castle Pines Parkway include improved interchange lighting and the possible widening of the remaining 2 lane stretch of the Parkway to 4 lanes.

A study is underway to determine the longer-term improvements that should be make in both the I-25 and Us 85 corridors. Options being considered include more lanes (taking I-25 to 8 lanes total, and US 85 to 4 lanes total) and using rail or bus transit.

Improving the Titan Road intersection -
This project constructs a grade-separated intersection between Titan Road and the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad. This project is currently under conceptual design.

Along with the widening and reconstruction of I-25, there are also several projects to modify interchanges and overpasses.

The biggest change is the expansion of I-25 from 2 lanes in each direction (4 lanes total) to 3 lanes in each direction (6 lanes total) between Lincoln and Castle Rock. Along with the expansion, the pavement will be reconstructed for better traction in poor weather, and the new highway will have wider shoulders to better handle emergency stops. There will also be some type of sound mitigation barriers.

CDOT calls the additional lanes "climbing lanes" which will allow slow moving vehicles (such as trucks) to negotiate the steep grades on this section of I-25, and avoid the safety hazard of vehicles moving at significantly different speeds. Despite the climbing lane terminology, there will be no special design or restrictions on use for the new lanes; all 6 lanes will be used as regular highway lanes, with the expectation that slow-moving vehicles should be using the right lane.

Several projects have already been approved by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to improve safety and provide some relief to the congestion that we all experience on I-25 and US 85.

These projects are classified by CDOT as "Early Action Projects". This is CDOT lingo that means that the projects are underway and are in different stages of the process - ranging from construction, to still being designed and awaiting approval for construction funding.

The projects were on the priority list for "early start" under the funding approach approved by Referendum A in the November2, 1999 election.

Castle Pines North Homeowners Association
Copyright © 2001-2002 Castle Pines North Homeowners Association
All rights reserved.

Telephone and Fax:
303-482-3078

Address:
CPN Association, Inc.
7402 Yorkshire Drive
Castle Rock, Colorado 80104

Contact the Castle Pines North Homeowners Association (CPNHOA) by e-mail.