by Lane Roberts

The Castle Pines North Election Commission voted this week to coordinate a mail ballot election with Douglas County to elect the first representatives of the new city of Castle Pines North.

On February 12, 2008, CPN residents will vote to elect city officials including a mayor, city clerk, treasurer, and six council members.

Under Colorado statutes, the Election Commission was required to divide CPN into “wards” following certain boundary guidelines and requirements.  The Election Commission has established three wards for the CPN community.  Two council members will be elected to represent each ward.

According to Election Commission Chairman Dick Lichtenheld, the goal was to ensure that neighborhoods remained intact and that the population of each ward was divided equally.  During this interim period, State statutes require Lichtenheld to serve as acting City Clerk. 

Every registered voter in CPN will vote to elect a mayor, treasurer and city clerk.  For the election of council members, residents will only vote for council persons running in their specific ward.  Wards for CPN include:

Ward 1 -                                   

3,469 residents including the neighborhoods of:

Daniel’s Gate (all neighborhoods), Amber Ridge, Esperanza, Winter Berry, Tapestry Hills, Bramble Ridge and Hidden Pointe.

Ward 2 -                                   

3,490 residents including the neighborhoods of:

Forest Park, Castle Pointe, Pine Ridge, Whisper Canyon, Estates at Buffalo Ridge, Glen Oaks, The Hamlet, Bristle Cone (single and patio), Stone Croft, Green Briar, Briar Cliff, and The Crossings (CC-20)

Ward 3 -                                   

3,501 residents including the neighborhoods of:

HOA1 (all neighborhoods), HOA2 (all neighborhoods), The Retreat, Huntington Ridge, Claremont Estates, Lagae Ranch, and The Lodge at Castle Pines (Apartments.)

To view a map of the CPN Wards go to:

http://www.cpnhoa.org/pages/news/articles/2007/qtr4/wardMap.htm

The Election Commission consists of CPN volunteers charged with the task of overseeing and planning elections pertaining to incorporation.  The Commission members were asked to serve by the CPN Preservation Committee last year, and were approved by the Douglas County District Court.  Members of the CPN Election Commission include:  Dick Lichtenheld, chairman, Jeff Huff, vice chairman, Earl Millspaugh, secretary, Keri Brehm, Galen Crowder, Carol Langley-Finnegan, Eva Mitchell, and Sue Zloth.

Other Election Information - -

Who Can Run for an Elected Office?

Any registered voter who has lived in CPN for 12 months is eligible to run for mayor, treasurer, city clerk or city council.  To run for a city council position the candidate must reside within the ward.

What does the Election Process Require?

Interested candidates must obtain and submit a petition in order to run for any of the nine city positions.  Petitions will be available starting December 24, 2007, and can be obtained from Dick Lichtenheld at 7259 Tenby Way in CPN.  Lichtenheld is serving as acting City Clerk during this period. 

Each petition must include a minimum of 25 signatures of registered CPN voters.  Candidates running for a council position must obtain 25 signatures from registered voters in their specific ward.  Completed petitions must be turned in to Dick Lichtenheld at 7259 Tenby Way in CPN by January 11, 2008.

Please e-mail Lichtenheld at for more information.

What other guidelines are required for candidates?

All candidates must register with the Colorado Secretary of State and must comply with the requirements set forth under the Fair Campaign Practices Act.  For more information, go to:  http://www.elections.colorado.gov/DDefault.aspx?tid=85

Are there job descriptions for each position?

Yes. These are being finalized by the legal counsel for CPN and will soon be posted on the website.  Once they are available, residents will be alerted via community e-mail.

Will there be a polling place in CPN on February 12?

No. All of the positions will be elected by mail ballot only.  Ballots are expected to be mailed to all registered CPN voters on January 25, 2008.  All ballots must be RECEIVED (not postmarked) at the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder’s office by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12.  The office is located at 301 N. Wilcox Street in Castle Rock.

Will there be a Ballot Drop Off Location in CPN?

There are NO polling places for the February 12 election.  Ballots may be returned via U.S. mail or dropped off at either of the following locations:

Castle Rock Bank - 506 Castle Pines Parkway, Castle Pines North, CO 

Beginning Monday, January 28 until Monday, February 11 ballots can be dropped off weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Ballots may also be dropped off at Castle Rock Bank on Tuesday, February 12 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ballots may also be dropped off at:

Wilcox Administration Building - 301 N. Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, CO 

Feb. 11 - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Feb. 12 - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

How can we check our Voting Status?

More than 1,500 CPN residents were still listed as “inactive voters” in the last election and did not receive a ballot.  This important election will select nine key community representatives to lead the new city.  To check your voting status, go to: http://apps.douglas.co.us/apps/voterreg/home.do

Where can we get more information? 

As more information on the February 12 election is confirmed, it will be distributed in community e-mail alerts and posted at www.cpnhoa.org or at www.cpnpc.org.  Election related questions can also be e-mailed to .