by Terri Wiebold
and information provided by Parker-South Metro Fire Authority

It began with a community meeting in May of 2004 to gain support for a South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) special district mill levy increase.  Now, more than four years later, residents are still recounting promises of a new fire station in Castle Pines North (CPN) and the newly-formed Parker-South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (PSMFRA) is continuing to work toward better service for the community.

Below is a timeline of events that led to the PSMFRA’s re-evaluation of a new station in CPN, and its recommendation to move the existing station 36 at Castle Pines Parkway and I-25 to the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard:

April 15, 2004 – SMFR representatives present at Master Association meeting, requesting support for Mill Levy increase.

May 4, 2004 – Fire District Mil Levy passes

2005 – 2.75 Mill levy increase in effect ($43.78 per $200,000 home)

2006 – Proposed Station 43 included in SMFR budget

January 2006 – Metcom becomes operational

April 2006 – SMFR Chief Rinne retires

October 2006 – Resolution of Necessity is a notice of intent by SMFR to purchase land for station 43 (MD)

November 2006 – SMFR states “No funds available for staffing new station 43.”

January 2007 – Condemnation hearing scheduled for February 5 – anticipate possession by end of February (MD)

February 2007 – Order signed giving SMFR possession of 1.5 acres at Hidden Pointe and Monarch.  Douglas County requested amendment to zoning (estimated six month process)

May 2007 – Independent Consulting Firm (ESCi) Report and recommendations.

June 2007 – SMFR sent letter to Master Association indicating “significant changes to response times to CPN.”  SMFR Board approved max of $122,000 for design of station 43.

July 2007 – Medic reassigned to station 36.

September 2007 – Consolidation with Parker Fire considered

March 2008 – Consolidation Feasibility Study Results

May 2008 – Parker-South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (PSMFRA) formed

June 2008 – PSMFRA presentation of conclusions of 10-month study of CPN station analysis to city council

July 2008 – PSMFRA presentation to city council – Three Options presented

August 2008 – PSMFRA presentation to community recommending relocation of existing station 36 to CC-20.  Community survey in the works for additional input from residents.