by Lane Roberts

The CPN Master Association and the Citizens for the Preservation of CPN Committee has received numerous questions related to the proposed incorporation. Answers to the most frequently asked questions have been provided below. Send questions or comments to .

Why did we negotiate with Castle Pines Village (VILLAGE)?

From the beginning of the incorporation process last December, the CPN Preservation Committee has strived to reach an amicable and workable solution that would benefit CPN and protect area businesses. The goal of the Committee, which has been announced in various public meetings, was to reach a compromise with our neighbors. In addition, CPN could face an ongoing, costly legal battle with the VILLAGE had a compromise agreement not been reached.

What happens to the Revenue Sharing and Settlement Agreement if either of the two communities does NOT vote to incoporate?

If one community fails to vote in favor of incorporation, the successful community will be entitled to include the entire commercial area along Castle Pines Parkway without sharing any gross sales and use tax revenues.

If incorporation fails in CPN, will the VILLAGE gain control of the entire business district along Castle Pines Parkway?

As a result of the Revenue Sharing and Settlement Agreement, the VILLAGE had to refile their petition to incorporate with the court excluding the commercial district along Castle Pines Parkway. Thus, if incorporation failed in CPN, and succeeded in the VILLAGE their community would then vote on annexing the business district. If annexation is successful, the VILLAGE would have control of the business district, as well as any sales tax revenues generated from those businesses. All sales tax revenues would then benefit the VILLAGE.

How much sales tax revenue is currently generated by the business district area along Castle Pines Parkway?

The more than 65 area businesses produce approximately $1.2 million in sales tax revenue.

Who sets the sales tax for the businesses if CPN chooses to incorporate?

If CPN residents vote to incorporate, residents would then vote in a TABOR election to determine the sales tax rate for local businesses. While the VILLAGE would share a percentage of that revenue, they would not set the tax rate.

Were the negotiation percentages factored into the final economic feasibility study that is being prepared by CH2M HILL OMI?

Yes. CH2M HILL OMI needed the results of the Revenue Sharing and Settlement Agreement in order to prepare the final economic feasibility information for the CPN community.

Can we really incorporate with only 80 percent of the tax revenue from the business district?

During the negotiation process, Preservation Committee leaders ensured that the final agreement reached would be sufficient for the possible incorporation. CH2M HILL OMI will present the final numbers of the economic feasibility study to CPN residents in August. (See article on page 15 for dates and locations.)

Will CPN face new property taxes if we vote to incorporate?

No. Members of the Preservation Committee (who are also CPN homeowner volunteers) have worked closely with CH2M HILL OMI to ensure that there is no increase in property tax rates. According to CH2M HILL OMI’s economic feasibility study, incorporation will include no new taxes.

Will the incorporation of CPN result in a higher cost for fire and police protection?

No. Negotiations with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and South Metro Fire Rescue are already underway and residents of CPN would be able to receive the same services for the same costs. (Note: The DCSO plans to have a Mill Levy increase on the ballot in November. See article on page 2.) Preservation Committee leaders have already met with the DCSO and they have agreed to contract police services for CPN at no increase, should the residents vote to incorporate.

What about road maintenance and snow removal? If we incorporate, how can we afford these services?

Snow removal and road maintenance would not cost CPN residents anymore if CPN incorporates. Residents already pay Douglas County for these services. If CPN incorporates, the funds would be paid to the new city. CPN would then contract with Douglas County Public Works for road maintenance and snow removal. Residents of CPN would have more control over the allocation of thoses resources.

What will happen to HOAs if CPN votes to incorporate?

If CPN residents vote to incorporate, HOAs would continue to govern and own property in their existing neighborhoods. HOAs would maintain their autonomy. Many of the services HOAs currently provide (i.e. landscaping and trash removal) could be consolidated to provide more efficient services at a cost savings to residents. Again, members of the Preservation Committee are volunteer homeowners who also do not want HOAs to change.

Will the individual HOA pools be open to the entire community if CPN incorporates?

Pools, clubhouses and other areas are independently owned by neighborhood HOAs and there is no reason or benefit for a new city to assume control of these properties.

What about the future developments on Lagae Ranch and CC-20? Are they part of the settlement with the VILLAGE?

No. The only businesses affected by the settlement agreement are the overlapping businesses that were included in the boundary maps in both petitions to incorporate. No other commercial areas (present or future) are subject to the terms of the agreement.

Why wasn’t the business district on Happy Canyon part of this agreement?

This area was never in the proposed boundaries of CPN’s petition to incorporate. The business district outside the VILLAGE was not one of the overlapping businesses in the petition to incorporate. Only the overlapping, conflicting areas were included in the settlement agreement.

Who gave the Preservation Committee the authority to negotiate and reach an agreement with the Village?

Residents have elected representatives that sit on the Master Association Board of Directors to serve as an advocate for the community on key issues of concern. These volunteer board members are elected by neighborhood delegates to the Master Association. Each delegate casts votes for their entire neighborhood to elect board members at the November annual meeting.

Because CPN is not a city with an established government, it is the responsibility of the Master Association to ensure that CPN is represented and protected in this process. As a result, the Preservation Committee was established by the Master Association in November 2006 to explore the possibility of incorporation of CPN.

If CPN chooses to incorporate, will we have elected city officials?

Yes, and they will be voted on by residents of the new city.

Now that negotiations are final, when will CPN residents vote on incorporation?

As of press time, the election commission was waiting for a ruling from the Douglas County District Court to give approval for our election to proceed. Watch for specific election details at www.cpnpc.org.

When will the VILLAGE vote on their proposed incorporation?

The VILLAGE must first re-file their petition to incorporate with a new boundary map excluding the businesses in CPN. While no date has been set, representatives from the VILLAGE have indicated they hope for a November election to coincide with their TABOR election.

Who is eligible to vote in the CPN incorporation election?

Only registered Douglas County voters who reside in the boundaries of the proposed City of CPN are eligible to vote in the election.

What percentage of votes is necessary for incorporation to pass?

Fifty percent plus one vote.

Will we have a voting place or can we vote via mail-in or absentee ballot?

The volunteer election commissioners running this election for CPN will make that decision soon. It is likely the election will be a mail-in ballot vote.

How can residents get more information before casting their votes?
E-mail questions or comments to or visit www.cpnpc.org for more details.