The cause of the brush fire that burned more than 130 acres along Highway 85 near Louviers on July 13 – being called the “Airport Fire” – has been determined to have been caused by activity associated with a passing train. 

Via a social media post, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office made an announcement on July 16 that investigators with the South Metro Fire Rescue Fire Marshall’s Office identified ignition indicators along train tracks.

The post states that investigators have video evidence along the rail line “consistent with passing train operations,” and that “no other ignition sources were found in the area, and the area of the origin aligned with the train’s path at the time of the fire.” 

Brush crews with South Metro Fire Rescue first responded to multiple vegetation fires near Highway 85 just after 2 p.m. on July 13. According to South Metro Fire Chief John Curtis, crews responded to the area of Highlands Ranch Parkway and Highway 85, along Titan Court and the southern corridor along Santa Fe that extends towards Louviers. 

“During that time, Douglas County air resources were launched on the initial call and helped visualize some of the southernmost spot fires that were immediately identified,” Curtis said during a press conference on July 14. 

Shortly after the initial call, the fire had been upgraded to a 2nd Alarm Wildland Urban Interface fire with multiple fires along the train tracks which were spreading into open space, with one structure threatened. 

Due to the fire’s close proximity to homes in Louivers, evacuations were issued for the town, east of Waterton Road. A shelter was established at the Douglas County Fairgrounds for the nearly 40 homes that were evacuated, according to Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly. 

Those evacuation orders were lifted at about 7:30 p.m. on July 13. 

During the July 14 press conference, Curtis stated that there were no reports concerning structural damage or injuries to community members or first responders. 

Counting both on-ground and in-the-air responders, more than 140 personnel were on the scene, said Weekly. This included the Douglas County Helitack team, South Metro Fire Rescue, West Metro Fire Rescue, Castle Rock Fire, Franktown Fire, West Douglas Fire and others. 

In addition to multiple dozers in the area creating fire lines, two helicopters assisted in dropping water. 

The Douglas County Helitack team was in the air within 10 minutes of the fire breaking out and was able to make 300-gallon water drops about every five minutes. 

On July 13, the Douglas County helicopter dropped about 260,400 gallons of water, Weekly said.

“Had we not had that fire Helitack team in the air within 10 minutes, this fire would have been far worse than it was,” Weekly said. 

By mid-morning on July 14, the fire was 90% contained and as of 2:15 p.m. on July 16, the sheriff’s office said fire crews are continuing to make progress in fully containing the fire.

The post ‘Airport Fire’ in Douglas County determined to be caused by train activity appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

The proposed development of Salisbury Regional Park has been contemplated for more than a decade. 

But now, the site plan has been approved by the Parker Town Council to move forward with new development adjacent and north to the Salisbury Equestrian Park and Sports Complex. 

An original Salisbury Park Master Plan was approved by city council in May of 2000, and the first phase of the park was constructed in 2001. After acquiring land next to the park, an additional master plan was established in 2014. 

Located on the east side of Motsenbocker Road and the newly-opened Dransfeldt Road, the 91-acre land is zoned for public facilities. This allows for a wide range of uses, including parks, recreation and open space. 

The full development of the property, known as Salisbury Park North, will be constructed in phases and is anticipated to take about five years to complete due to funding. 

“Everything depends on how much the individual phase costs,” said Bret Collins, project administrator. “If (cost comes) in higher, then we’ll have to phase the phases at that point … if they come in lower, we may be able to do more in each phase and get it done quicker.”

Although town staff did not state when the project is anticipated to begin, it does have the phases mapped out. 

The first phase of the development of the park looks to add an additional 44.8 acres of developed park land, which would include the construction of two lighted, synthetic turf multi-use fields. 

Currently, there are no lighted turf fields in the town.

The phase will also include the addition of four lighted natural grass baseball and softball fields. 

“(We) will have the only eight-field complex in the south metro area – once those four new fields are built – with our four existing fields,” said Collins. “Which is something pretty unique to this area.”

He added that some of the fields may be able to be used by the end of 2026. 

The first phase will also include a pedestrian promenade, restrooms and parking for food trucks, along with other landscaping, visitor parking and site amenities.

According to the Parker Parks and Recreation website, the second phase is slated for 2026 and will involve the construction of a 17-court lighted pickleball complex, two tennis courts with striping for four more pickleball courts. 

“Which will allow the town to hold tournaments,” Collins said. 

The third phase – which will include a community hub pavilion, an outdoor fitness area and a playground – is anticipated to be constructed in 2028. 

The fourth phase, to be expected in 2029, will include a bike park and overlook pavilions. 

The finished park will also include two basketball courts, a decorative garden, public art displays and a connection to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail.

Stacey Nerger, senior planner for the town said that in addition to the already-established access to the park, another vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle access will be provided along Motsenbocker Road. 

Because there are several buildings part of the project – including restrooms, storage and concessions in the park – there will need to be a water and sanitary sewer line constructed. According to town documents, the town will construct the line and Parker Water & Sanitation District will provide the ongoing maintenance. 

While all councilmembers expressed excitement for the project, Councilmember Anne Barrington said that this “is the type of investment the town wants and needs.”

The post Parker Town Council approves site plan for Salisbury Park North development appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

Fire crews and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to work on containing a nearly 130-acre fire that broke out near Titan Court and Highway 85, now being referred to as the Airport Fire. 

As of 11 a.m. on July 14, the fire was 90% contained. 

“Today’s objective is to work on 100% containment,” Brian Willie, South Metro Fire Rescue’s public information officer, said on July 14. 

Just after 2 p.m. on July 13, South Metro Fire Rescue responded to multiple vegetation fires near the highway. According to South Metro Fire Chief John Curtis, brush fire crews responded to the area of Highlands Ranch Parkway and Highway 85, along Titan Court and the southern corridor along Santa Fe that extends towards Louviers. 

“During that time, Douglas County air resources were launched on the initial call and helped visualize some of the southernmost spot fires that were immediately identified,” Curtis said during a press conference on July 14.

Shortly after, the fire had been upgraded to an 2nd Alarm Wildland Urban Interface fire with multiple fires along the train tracks and spreading into open space, with one structure threatened. 

Shelter was established at the Douglas County Fairgrounds as evacuations were issued for the town of Louviers east of Waterton Road. Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said about 39 homes were evacuated. 

Those evacuation orders were then lifted at about 7:30 p.m. 

Curtis stated that no structural damage or injuries to community members or first responders were reported. 

“We did place orders for both federal and state hand crews to which they are unavailable due to other incidents occurring in the state of Colorado,” Curtis said.  

Including the Douglas County Helitack team, South Metro Fire Rescue, West Metro Fire Rescue, Castle Rock Fire, Franktown Fire, West Douglas Fire and more, there were more than 140 personnel on scene, both on the ground and in the air. 

Two helicopters assisted in dropping water. The Douglas County Helitack team was in the air within 10 minutes of the fire breaking out and was able to make 300-gallon water drops about every five minutes. 

On July 13, the Douglas County helicopter dropped about 26,400 gallons of water, Weekly said.

“Had we not had that fire Helitack team in the air within 10 minutes, this fire would have been far worse than it was,” Weekly said. 

Additionally, multiple dozers were in the area helping to create fire lines. 

Although there was a train in the area around the time of the fire and multiple spot fires along tracks, Willie and Weekly stated that the cause of the fire is undetermined and there is an active investigation underway. 

Overnight, multiple crews worked to build containment and over the next few days, crews will continue mitigation work. 

The post Cause of ‘Airport Fire’ near Highway 85 in Douglas County under investigation appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

South Metro Fire Rescue has stated that it is facing a budget shortfall in 2026, so the board of directors is seeking the public’s input on whether to cut services – or, if the agency were to put a tax increase question on the November ballot, what would it look like. 

Mike Dell’Orfano, the chief government affairs officer with South Metro Fire Rescue, said that due to a combination of costs and legislation, there will be a $16 million shortfall by 2026 and nearly $270 million over the next decade. 

“It’s kind of a story of increasing demand, increasing costs and decreasing revenue,” said Dell’Orfano. 

On top of the shortfall, South Metro Fire Rescue is needing an additional $34 million annually to maintain its level of service to communities and retain staff.   

Renee Anderson, vice chair of the South Metro Fire Rescue Board, said that the board’s goal is to maintain the agency’s efficient response time and adequate staffing, but without additional revenue, it will not be able to maintain the high-quality fire and emergency services it strives to provide.  

However, according to community survey results from January and February, which reached more than 2,000 registered voters in the fire district’s service area, about 41% believe that South Metro Fire Rescue has the financial resources to provide an acceptable level of fire protection, ambulance and emergency services in their given community. About 34% were unsure and 25% did not believe the district has the financial resources it needs. 

Where is the need coming from?

South Metro Fire Rescue is a full-service fire and emergency medical provider with 30 stations located across parts of Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties, which includes 12 municipalities that are home to some major businesses such as Lockheed Martin and the Centennial Airport, serving more than 571,000 people. 

Over the past six years, Dell’Orfano said there has been about a 25% increase in the agency’s call volume, with EMS being the most-needed service. 

“As we increase demand, that puts more demand on stations,” said Dell’Orfano. He added that the agency may “need to consider different crews or types of services to handle the changing needs of the community.”

More than half of the above-mentioned survey participants agreed that the need for medical services has increased in the last five years. 

Anderson added that the agency – across the various municipalities – is an entire system that responds when something is happening within its boundaries. 

“As the population grows to the south, we will be pulling resources from Centennial, Cherry Hills and the Aurora area,” Anderson said. 

The agency has also been experiencing a 40% to 79% increase in costs for gear and apparatuses. 

Additionally, every firefighter requires two sets of bunker gear, which includes a helmet, jacket, protective pants, a pair of boots and gloves. They are required to have two sets due to the different types of carcinogens that get on the gear while responding to calls. And, they must be replaced every five years. 

According to the agency, the cost to purchase a new fire engine increased from about $725,000 in 2019 to $1.3 million today, and a 100-foot hose increased from about $660 to about $930.

Within the past six years, one set of bunker gear has increased in price from about $3,660 to $5,120, according to South Metro Fire Rescue. 

“That’s a 40% increase just to keep our firemen and women safe and able to do their job,” Anderson said. 

Anderson said another reason for the shortfall was partially due to House Bill 24B-1001. 

Anderson said while the bill aimed to reduce property taxes statewide, it unintentionally slashed funding for fire districts. She added that even if this legislation didn’t pass, South Metro Fire Rescue would still be reaching out to the community concerning revenue problems, just in a few years. 

What South Metro entails

South Metro Fire Rescue is more than just a fire department, the agency includes multiple special operations. 

There are five response teams, which are aircraft rescue and firefighting, water rescue, hazardous materials, technical rescue, and wildland firefighting and mitigation. 

There are also four deployment teams and three operational support teams, which are extrication, research and development, and self-contained breathing apparatus.

In terms of emergency medical services, the agency has nearly 30 advanced life support paramedic vehicles and 19 basic life support vehicles. 

As part of its community risk reduction efforts, South Metro Fire Rescue also offers education programs. Its Public Health Program, which provides in-home care, medical resource connection and supports long-term health solutions for people, reached more than 1,200 patients in 2024.

Potential solutions to the budget shortfall

According to South Metro Fire Rescue, one solution for its budget shortfall would be to cut essential services. 

If services were cut, a smaller firefighting crew could potentially compromise safety during emergencies and impact patient care. The cuts could also reduce wildfire response and that of other specialty units. 

The second option is to increase property taxes by raising the mill levy from 9.25 – which has been in place since 2004 – to 12.25. 

“South Metro has the lowest mill levy tax rate of any sort of similar career fire protection district that offers all services throughout the front range,” Dell’Orfano said. 

A mill is $1 for every $1,000 of an assessed value. This potential rise would cost the average homeowner with a $750,000 home about $11.72 more per month. Homeowners can learn what the increase would look like for them with South Metro’s  property tax calculator found at tinyurl.com/property-tax-calculator. 

If voters chose this option, it would generate about $50 million each year for South Metro Fire Rescue, according to the agency’s website. 

The third option would be to collect a new 0.5% sales tax. This would be $0.50 for every $100 spent, generating about $50 million per year. 

According to the community survey from the beginning of the year, 68% of participants said they would support a modest tax increase to create additional funding being placed on the November ballot. 

If they had to choose between the two tax increase options, 49% chose a sales tax, 15% chose property tax, 18% chose neither and 18% were unsure. 

An alternative ballot measure option would have voters approve or reject a 1.6 mill levy property tax increase specifically dedicated to the agency’s capital needs. Survey results regarding this question showed that about 51% said they would reject it, 25% were unsure and 24% said they would approve it. 

Despite what measure voters decide on and if it passes, Anderson said the funds will only go to South Metro Fire Rescue. 

“It’s South Metro’s question, it’s South Metro’s revenue,” Anderson said. 
Community members can provide feedback at engagesouthmetro.org/funding-solutions.

The post South Metro Fire Rescue talks future budget shortfall, potential ballot measure appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

Seth Hoffman, the City of Lone Tree’s city manager, has been elected to serve as president of the Colorado Municipal League’s executive board. 

“Being elected president gives me the chance to highlight the exciting things happening in Lone Tree,” Hoffman said. 

Established in the early 1920s, the Colorado Municipal League is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that represents about 270 cities and towns across the state. 

The league lobbies at the state Capitol for the interests of municipalities, aiming to further develop and improve municipal governance. 

Through policy discussions, the league’s representatives learn about various topics – such as public works, policing and education – then compare other cities and towns to see what policies work and look for solutions to certain problems.  

At an annual business meeting, the representatives work to establish policy directions, in which the executive board plays a vital role. 

The executive board is made up of 21 municipal elected officials and staff members who are responsible for the overall finances, management and policy direction of the league. The members must also stay up-to-date on trends in civic, state and national affairs that may have an impact on a member municipality. 

Hoffman has been a member of the Colorado Municipal League for more than 20 years – serving three of those on the executive board. He has also served in the league’s municipal caucus and as a board member for the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance. 

“(I) have learned a lot from them,” said Hoffman. “So this is a great opportunity to give back.”

As president of the executive board, Hoffman will be representing the board’s medium-population category, which is 8,000 to 59,999 people. He will also work with the league’s executive director and represent the league to the National League of Cities. 

His term is set to expire in June 2026, after which, he will continue to serve as the league’s immediate past president through June 2027. 

Hoffman has had years of experience in city development during his time with Lone Tree. 

Before he became the city manager in 2013, he served as the deputy city manager and the economic development director. During that time, he conducted several expansion, retention and relocation negotiations on multiple high-profile projects. 

These included Charles Schwab, Kiewit Corporation and retailers like Cabela’s. 

As city manager, he is involved in every part of the city, as he provides leadership to the Lone Tree Police Department, finance, economic development, administrative services, public works, the arts center and more. 

Looking forward to the upcoming year serving his new role with the municipal league, Hoffman told Colorado Community Media that he aims to advocate for local decision-making. He added that the State Legislature has created several new laws that attempt to override local zoning and land use laws, despite being protected by the Colorado Constitution. 

“We are going to continue to preserve the ability of cities like Lone Tree to govern locally,” said Hoffman. “State mandates shouldn’t drown out community voices.”

The post Lone Tree city manager elected president of the Colorado Municipal League’s executive board appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

In the past 15 years, residents in and around Parker have come to know the Parker Arts and Cultural Event Center – the PACE Center – as a hub for entertainment. 

Before the PACE center was built, residents were accustomed to having to go to downtown Denver for exciting entertainment, but today, those same quality shows are available right in people’s backyard – and they don’t have to pay for parking, said Carrie Glassburn, cultural director at Parker Arts which oversees the PACE Center..  

“People can come here and bring their family, still go out to eat and not break the bank like they might have for other entertainment,” Glassburn said. 

With a 534-seat theater, Glassburn said that the intimate setting allows for performers and artists to really connect with the audience. 

She added that the PACE Center continues to bring new people into the theater, averaging about 30-40% new attendees each show. 

“When they get here and they see that we’re affordable and we’ve got quality shows that are really convenient, it’s everything that they love,” Glassburn said. 

This season, there is even more to love. From magic to fashion to dinosaurs, the entertainment lineup for the 2025-2026 season has something for everybody. 

“We’ve got even more variety this year,” Glassburn said. “We try to find some things for people who have never been to the theater before, especially young children, all the way up to our aging adults.”

In addition to returning musical performances by the Parker Symphony Orchestra and the Parker Chorale, several Friday nights will feature the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra which offers a mix of salsa, swing, jazz manouche and more. 

The PACE Center will host numerous noteworthy live concerts – Devon Allman’s Blues Summit country artist Chris Cagle; Grammy nominated pianist Jim Brickman; and Celtic music with Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy and the Celtic All-Stars. 

The music doesn’t end there, as there are musical theater performances that will bring fairytale fun and take audiences through the decades. 

Shows include “Shrek the Musical,” “BritBeat: The Immersive Beatles Tribute Experience,” “Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Electric Avenue: The 80s Movie Soundtrack Night.”

There are shows for the younger generation as well, including “Dinosaur World Live,” a theatrical adaptation of “Goodnight Moon” and the Family Discovery Series. 

If you’re looking for a good laugh, there are comedy performances by national stand-up comedians like Adam Ferrara, Ryan Hamilton and the 2015 winner of “America’s Got Talent,” ventriloquist Paul Zerdin. 

The season also includes performances by psychic medium Matt Fraser, comedic clairvoyant Peter Antoniou, the Magic of Rob Lake and and thrillers like the 360 ALLSTARS, which is a high-octane urban circus that blends breakdancing, basketball, BMX and beatboxing. 

The holiday classics will return, along with new events such as Reel Stories: AANHPI Voices in Film – a one-day film festival celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander narratives.  

Tickets for the season are on sale to Parker Arts members now. They go on sale to the public on July 22. 

Find more information at ParkerArts.org or call 303-805-6800. 

The post Parker’s PACE Center celebrates 15 years with new acts, events slated for upcoming season appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

Highlands Ranch Water has been celebrating Smart Irrigation Month this July by offering efficient watering techniques and programs. Although the month is about halfover, homeowners can still save money by watering their landscapes in a more efficient way.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, up to 50% of water used outdoors for irrigation purposes is lost due to wind, evaporation during the hottest part of the day and runoff. 

Additionally, a household with an automatic irrigation system that is not properly maintained and operated can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water annually. 

This is why Highlands Ranch Water – which serves Highlands Ranch and the Solstice communities – encourages residents to water in multiple, short cycles either before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m., allowing the water to soak into the soil before it runs off onto sidewalks or streets. 

The water district also recommends residents water no more than two times each week during normal, mild weather conditions from April through the second week of October. Landscapes can be watered three times during extreme heat. 

One of the ways Highlands Ranch Water is combating inefficient water use is through a partnership with Rachio technology. 

Rachio is an innovative technology company that aims to provide customers with optimal watering year-round through sprinkler controllers and hose timers controlled on an app. 

Through this partnership, Highlands Ranch Water customers can receive a discount on the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controllers at various times of the year. 

The smart sprinkler controller uses local weather data to determine irrigation needs for individual landscapes and automatically adjusts. The controller also creates custom watering schedules based on the homeowner’s soil, plants and sun exposure; updates seasonally without manual reprogramming; and monitors how much water is being used and saved. 

However, if needed, customers can make adjustments to the controller on their smartphone by using the Rachio app. 

Highlands Ranch Water estimates this device can save an average single-family household about 15,000 gallons of water per irrigation season. 

“The discount is only for 8-zone and 16-zone controllers,” said Lauren Appleby, Highlands Ranch Water digital communications specialist. “And it is a maximum of one controller per customer.”

Zones refer to the number of specific areas of a landscape that are watered by a single vale on an irrigation system and are often used to ensure certain areas are receiving the appropriate amounts of water. 

Customers must fill out a form at rachio.com/redeem to purchase a controller,  and select Highlands Ranch Water as their utility. 

After customers purchase a Rachio Smart Controller, Appleby said they can apply for a smart controller rebate on the Highlands Ranch Water website to get up to an additional $75 reimbursement. 

“We require a receipt of purchase when applying for a smart controller rebate, and those applications must be submitted within 90 days of purchase,” Appleby said. 

Other rebates and programs

One of the most effective and water-efficient systems for Colorado shrubs, perennial plants and trees is the drip irrigation rebate. 

Within the Highlands Ranch Water boundary, drip irrigations are exempt from the district’s daytime watering restrictions and Stage 1 drought restrictions. 

According to the Highlands Ranch Water website, those who convert their overhead spray irrigation system to a drip irrigation system may be eligible for a rebate of $50 per zone. 

Another option is the turf replacement program, which encourages customers to convert water-thirsty plant materials into a water-efficient landscape. This saves the average participant about 25,000 gallons of water annually. 

All landscape conversions must first be approved by the Highlands Ranch Community Association or the Solstice Architectural Control Committee. The water district states that funding for this program is limited, and therefore, is on a first-come first-served basis. 

Applications are accepted through Oct. 1. 

Homeowners can also participate in the High Efficiency Nozzle Replacement Program.

Through this program, customers can receive a rebate of $4 for every nozzle they replace with a more high efficient nozzle, such as the  Hunter MP Rotator, Rain Bird Rotary nozzles, Toro Precision Rotary Nozzles, K-Rain Rotary Nozzles. 

Applications for this program must be submitted within 90 days of purchase.

Other rebates worth mentioning are those for  a rain sensor, a soil test – which reveals nutrients and pH levels – and a Garden in a Box. 

All rebates, programs and applications can be found at highlandsranchwater.org/rebates-and-incentives.

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As kids grab their scooters and bikes to embark on summertime adventures, bike instructors with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office are providing an opportunity for youth to not only improve their biking skills, but gain a better understanding of the rules of the road. 

The sheriff’s office has partnered with the Douglas County School District to host the county’s first Eye-Five Transportation and Road safety event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 19 at Mountain Vista High School, located at 10585 Mountain Vista Ridge, in Highlands Ranch. 

It doesn’t matter if a child is learning how to ride a bike for the first time or looking to improve their skills, the free event is open to children of all ages. They just need to bring their helmet, bike, ebike, scooter, electric scooter or whatever they use to get around. 

The event will include “bumps and jumps and all that fun stuff,” said Deputy Jeffrey Cislo. “But what we’re trying to really get them to do is understand crosswalks and sidewalks.”

Cislo, who is the school resource officer for Mountain Vista High School, is one of four bike instructors with the sheriff’s office. The event will be led by a number of school resource officers who are also certified by the International Police Mountain Bike Association. 

The event will include a variety of food trucks, and information booths set up by South Metro Fire Rescue, the Highlands Ranch Park Rangers and local bike shops to provide more information on trail and road safety. 

Another partner is Gary Robinson, co-founder of Avid Cyclists, which is an online resource for cyclists. Robinson has partnered with the sheriff’s office at multiple community events over the past year advocating for stronger relationships between motorists and cyclists after he was hit by a vehicle and nearly lost his life on Founders Parkway in Castle Rock last year. 

The need for this event

Following the death of Alex Mackiewicz, a 13-year-old who was on his way to school when he was struck by a vehicle while crossing Venneford Ranch at Highlands Ranch Parkway, Cislo and Deputy Mark Adams began having conversations on starting a safety program. 

Other intersections of concern include Wildcat Reserve Parkway and Monarch Bouelvard, Broadway and Highlands Ranch Parkway, Lincoln Avenue and South Quebec Street. 

“I mean, any intersection in Highlands Ranch,” Cislo said. 

Cislo said there have been too many close calls concerning safety, especially with the growing popularity of electric-powered scooters and bikes. 

“I think we’ve kind of failed as a community in educating the kids on bike safety,” said Cislo. “Kids that have really no sense of road safety are driving higher-speed bikes and scooters now.”

While looking for ways to push the program forward, Cislo and Adams came across Colorado Safe Routes to Schools, a program administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation. The program aims to make walking and biking to school safer and more accessible by working with school districts and community members. 

It was by chance that the Douglas County School District was also having conversations with Colorado Safe Routes to Schools, so the school district and sheriff’s office decided to come together to put on the Eye-Five event. 

“Essentially, it’s a virtual high five,” said Cislo. “You get to a crosswalk, you’re making eye contact with drivers and hopefully those drivers are making eye contact with you.”

Learning valuable skills

In addition to learning to always wear a properly-fit helmet, ride in the same direction as traffic and other basic skills, children will be able to learn the rules of the road by navigating various courses. 

For younger children, Adams, who is the school resource officer at Chaparral High School in Parker, said it will be about understanding balance and how to maneuver their bikes by using strider bikes, which have no pedals. 

There will also be beginner and intermediate courses for pedal bikes that include obstacles like ramps and curbs. 

“Kids tend to get a little brave and want to jump off curbs … but we’re going to try to show them some safer ways to either ascend or descend curbs,” Adams said. 

However, the main focus will be on crosswalks and the importance of using both sight and sound to be aware of traffic. 

One of the stations will include a speed demonstration. A cop car will go past a stop sign going 20 miles per hour, then 30, then 40  to show what the varying levels of speed look and sound like. They will also demonstrate what a complete stop looks like. 

Using a handful of big toy control cars and Jeeps that remote control  for cross traffic and crosswalk signs built by Colorado Road and Bridge, there will be an example intersection where the children can learn when it is safe to cross. 

“Just because that little walking guy (on the crosswalk signal) turned white, you still have to take a second, look both ways, then go,” said Cislo. “Make sure cars aren’t blowing (through) the stop lights.”

Cislo and Adams hope to host this event twice a year – once when school gets out for summer break and another when children go back to school. They also hope to expand the course and concepts to high school students for when they begin to drive. 

“The main thing is, just be safe, be cognizant, don’t get distracted with any kind of mobile device and just pay attention to who else you are sharing the road with,” Adams said. 

Register for the event at dcsheriff.net/eye-five-event/. 

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Although summer is already underway, there are still ways to reduce irrigation use on your landscape and save both water and money. 

With July and August reaching the highest temperatures of the year, it’s a time when residents’ landscapes need the most water. But, Heather Johnson, a water efficiency specialist at Parker Water and Sanitation District, said the summer also has the highest potential to conserve water. 

“If we can learn how to irrigate efficiently without leaks, without broken heads or just wasting water, we can save a lot of water for homes,” said Johnson. “It also affects our pocketbooks.” 

While the water district encourages conservation efforts, there is a difference between water efficiency efforts and conservation. 

Conservation refers to measures that provide verifiable, permanent water savings or a reduction in the amount consumed. Efficiency focuses on reducing the amount of water waste and only using the minimum amount needed to accomplish a task. 

Therefore, the Parker and Water Sanitation District, which serves customers within the Town of Parker and surrounding communities, offer programs and rebates for purchasing and installing irrigation products that use less water. 

“These rebates are applied to your water bill,” Johnson said. 

Customers can receive rebates for installing EPA WaterSense approved smart irrigation devices. One is a rotary nozzle head. Customers can receive a rebate of $5 per head, up to $100. 

They can also receive a rebate of $50 for purchasing a rain sensor. The sensor is a controller that attaches to your house and connects to the irrigation box. When it rains, if a certain amount of rain is collected, it will send a signal to the irrigation controller to have it skip a cycle. 

There is another $50 rebate for customers who purchase a smart irrigation controller. This controller is connected to weather data and adjusts the homeowner’s irrigation schedule based on real-time conditions. 

“Depending on how you set it up, it will reduce your water use if it’s raining or if we’ve had low temperatures, and increases when we have extra high temperatures,” Johnson said. 

Funds for these devices are given on a first-come-first-served basis, Johnson said, and the offer will close when the funds have been used for the calendar year.  

Customers can sign up for the Irrigation Efficiency Rebate program at tinyurl.com/parker-irrigation-efficiency. 

Additional water use programs

The water district has also partnered with Resource Central – a nonprofit based in Boulder that aims to save water, conserve energy and reduce waste – to offer discounts. 

Customers can purchase a Garden in a Box at a $25 discount. These kits include designed gardens with drought-tolerant plants, trees, flowers and shrubs that thrive in Colorado’s environment and use less water. 

“Resource Central does a really good job about planning the gardens out, so they take into account how the plants will look at different times of the season and what plants will look good together,” Johnson said. 

Customers can also apply for the turf replacement program to remove a certain amount of grass from their landscape. However, to qualify, the grass must be healthy and has to be of high water use, such as Kentucky Bluegrass. 

Johnson said one of the most beneficial programs is the free irrigation audits. A professional irrigation auditor will look at a customer’s irrigation system to see where and how water is coming out, how much is coming out and identify broken or misaligned nozzle heads. 

In addition to telling the customer how to fix the problem, the auditors will  give them a customized irrigation schedule based on how much water the irrigation head is producing. 

“If you can find what’s wrong with your irrigation system and fix a leak, you’ll save a lot of water in the long run,” Johnson said. 

To avoid runoff, the water district encourages customers to water in multiple, short cycles, and to only water before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. instead of during the hottest part of the day. 

“If you’re irrigating during that period of time, most of the water is lost to evaporation and it doesn’t actually soak into the ground,” Johnson said. 

Learn about the different programs and rebate offers at pwsd.org/3367/Rebates. 

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Whether they are flying through the sky, jumping from flower to flower or skimming through the grass, Highlands Ranch is just as much a home to wildlife as it is to the human residents.  

“Not every community enjoys the advantage of having open space and wildlife just outside your back door,” said Sandy Holcomb, an urban park ranger coordinator with the Highland Ranch Metro District. “We’re trying to make sure everyone’s good stewards of that.”

Both humans and wildlife like to take advantage of the outdoors throughout Highlands Ranch and enjoy the scenic views. Therefore, Holcomb encourages people to stay on the trails because it poses a danger to wildlife when people go off trail.

“When we create bare ground and social trails, that actually damages the plant-life balance,” Holcomb said. 

She added that while enjoying the nature that comes with the summertime, sometimes people forget that they still need to be alert and know what’s around them. 

Holcomb often speaks to preschool and elementary school students about how well the wildlife in Highlands Ranch can camouflage themselves. 

“Sometimes you don’t see wildlife because they blend in there so well,” said Holcomb. “They’re watching you – maybe more than we’re watching them.”

Knowing your neighbors

Highlands Ranch is home to deer, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, snakes and more, so it’s important to “take time to notice things and make sure you’re not in a rush,” Holcomb said. 

By this time of year, coyotes have already had their cubs, said Holcomb, so consequently, the adults might be more territorial and the juveniles might be more curious as they are learning how to hunt. 

Additionally, Colorado Parks and Wildlife states that coyotes have adapted to human environments and have evolved to thrive in urban settings. Therefore, the best defense for a coyote encounter is to wave your arms and make a lot of noise, rather than run away. 

Big movements and loud noises are also recommended if encountering a bear. However, Holcomb said that they have not seen too many bears in the community this year. 

Bears often make their way down to more urban areas because of the plant life producing a good food source. 

Holcomb said there were some bears in backyards last summer but Colorado Parks and Wildlife were able to get them back up into the foothills. Some tips to avoid bears wandering into your yard include securing trash containers, cleaning outdoor grills regularly and storing food properly, including pet food. 

One of the most common calls for park rangers is a snake sighting or encounter. Residents often see garter, bull and rattlesnakes on trails and near their homes – and there have already been numerous calls this year regarding snakes. 

The bull snake and rattlesnake both make a rattling sound, however, the bull snake is just imitating the rattlesnake to appear more dangerous than it is. The rattlesnake is likely the most venomous snake in Highlands Ranch. 

“It can be a little startling when you are going up a trail and you hear rattles, so it’s good to be aware,” Holcomb said. 

There are some defining differences between the two. The bull snake has an oval-shaped head and round pupils, whereas the rattlesnake has a triangular head, vertical or elliptical pupils and is darker in color. 

Snakes typically come out and are most active when the temperature is between 50 and 80 degrees. Snakes are also good at camouflage, which is why Holcomb encourages people to watch where they are walking and be careful of picking up large rocks. 

To help protect yourself from snakes, Holcomb suggests carrying a walking stick on trails to help create distance, and stomping your feet helps snakes understand there’s a predator nearby. Also, keep dogs on a leash. For homes, seal entrances to crawl spaces and basements. 

If you or your pet gets bitten, seek medical attention immediately. 

When to call a park ranger

Park rangers with the Metro District are responsible for educating residents about the community’s wildlife, monitoring interactions among wildlife and reporting encounters to the appropriate agencies like Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 

Residents can also call a park ranger if they need help identifying a critter in their backyard or need a yard audit. 

“If people are worried about wildlife coming into their backyard, we can go look in the area,” said Holcomb. “Maybe you have some food sources that you don’t know that you have or maybe some coverings that hide some wildlife that you would rather not have.”

Park rangers can also give advice on when there should be human intervention with animals, like when handling birds. They often give residents tips such as not feeding wildlife or attempting to get close to wild animals to take a photo. 

These tips can help improve the harmony between wildlife and human habitation. Holcomb said park rangers would rather help residents “keep wildlife wild.” 

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