DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. Officials in Douglas County know wildfire season is a year-round threat, but lately, the warm temperatures and dry conditions have made fire risk very high.

During a press conference Wednesday, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, along with the Douglas County Office of Emergency Management, showcased a new hi-lo siren system that will alert community members of emergency evacuations.

LISTEN TO THE NEW SIREN SYSTEM IN THE PLAYER BELOW

Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said the system is installed in 180 cars and designed for worst-case scenarios such as wildland fires, flash floods, major law enforcement incidents and other critical events.

"That sound is intentionally unique," said Weekly. "It is not a standard emergency response siren. It is meant to signal one thing: evacuate now."

Weekly pointed out that wildfire risk is already real, with flames breaking out twice in Douglas County last week.

South Metro Fire Rescue Chief John Curtis said this wildfire season could be "very challenging" as conditions are dry, and a small ignition could spread quickly.

"For the fire service, one of the biggest challenges during fast-moving incidents is reaching people quickly," said Curtis. "That is where tools like the [hi-lo] siren become incredibly valuable. When law enforcement vehicles move through your neighborhood using the hi-lo siren, listen and act swiftly to remove yourself and your families to a safe area."

Weekly explained that Douglas County uses multiple alert systems to tell residents of emergency evacuations, including DougCoAlert, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, social media updates and door-to-door notifications by deputy sheriffs. When a power shut-off happens, these systems can fail, but the hi-lo siren will be able to notify people when technology is compromised.

"When we had the tornado in Highlands Ranch, and people were questioning whether or not, 'why don't we hear tornado sirens?' That's exactly the scenario where this type of emergency notification would be utilized, and we just found, quite frankly, if you got a patrol car on your street with this siren, you know it's a potentially deadly situation," Weekly said.

Besides the hi-lo siren system, the county is adopting standardized emergency terminology to help improve communication and clarity during disasters. Mike Alexander, the director of the Office of Emergency Management for Douglas County, explained that the three evacuation terms will be evacuation order, evacuation warning and shelter in place.

"Hi-lo sirens are one part of a layered system," Alexander said. "Clear terminology ensures that when residents receive a message, whether digitally or in person, or over a high-level siren, they immediately understand what to do. Our goal is clarity, consistency and reliability when it matters most."

Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon explained 32% of the county budget is dedicated to public safety, which includes law enforcement, fire protection and wildfire mitigation. Last week, Denver7 covered the $1.5 million investment for year-round aerial firefighting support, highlighting the county's investment in fighting fires "hard, heavy and fast."

For Laydon, the new hi-lo system is more than just a new sound; it's another tool to keep the community safe.

"We in Douglas County will continue to evaluate emerging risks, including adopting AI technology to see wildfires before they even begin, but we'll continue to strengthen partnerships and will continue to invest in the people and infrastructure that keep Douglas County safe," said Laydon. "Because preparedness brings peace of mind, and that is exactly what we're committed to providing for every resident in Douglas County."

Last week, Douglas County Commissioners announced they are ending general public comment at their business meetings, which are generally held the first and third Tuesday of each month.

Afterward, Denver7 heard from Douglas County residents, including a Parker woman who feels the move hinders productive conversations around local issues and is merely a way for the commissioners to dodge criticism and accountability.

Denver7 brought those concerns straight to DougCo Board of Commissioners Chair George Teal, who made the call to end general public comment. He said the change comes from years of hearing from some who felt like the period was no longer valuable public discourse, becoming too off-topic and theatrical.

Teal recalled one time a public commenter advocated for euthanizing those experiencing homelessness a few years ago. He said others want to discuss personal problems at the meetings.

My motivations have entirely been the feedback I've received from residents here in the county, who want us to end Open Mic at the Comedy Show, Teal said.

When Denver7 asked if hearing some off-topic comments is part of the job of local government, Teal said it just became too unproductive.

I feel like it implies that I have a problem with what people say in public comment. I dont, he said. I never know when the next good idea is going to come from. The biggest thing is, we weren't hearing new ideas. We were hearing rehashing of what's going on at the federal level. We were hearing rehashing of what's going on at the state level, that actually is outside of our purview as county commissioners.

When pressed to explain how the change is not as some believe a way to avoid criticism, Teal said voters still hold the county commissioners accountable.

We are all still subject to recall, if indeed it has to come to that, the public has that capability, he said. "I have to be accountable to the people of Douglas County no matter what, and when I issue a vote and give my opinion, I know the words I say are going to be, you know, held into account.

Teal said those who still disagree with the decision should reach out to him via his personal cell phone, 303-819-5936, or email him at gteal@douglas.co.us.

Its the 21st century, he said. I mean, I get people who comment to me on Facebook and send me messages on Facebook. We still have all those avenues available. It's not the 18th century where the only way to speak to your elected representative is to come to a formal meeting and speak your mind.

As of Wednesday, Douglas Countys government social media accounts have turned off comments on Facebook, X and Instagram.

A crash on northbound Interstate 25 at Plum Creek Parkway caused a nearly two-hour backup Wednesday morning, Denver7 Traffic Expert Jayson Luber reported.

Luber saw the crash reported around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, first shutting down a couple of lanes of northbound I-25, quickly progressing to all lanes.

Colorado State Patrol (CSP) said the initial crash investigation found a Ram pickup truck and a semitruck collided, sending the driver of the Ram truck to a nearby hospital.

No traffic could get through for nearly two hours, according to Luber, backing up to the Tomah Road exit.

Luber said while southbound I-25 was open, he advised drivers on the northbound side to exit at Tomah Road and take the frontage road to Castle Rock.

All lanes of northbound I-25 reopened nearly two hours later around 6:15 a.m. Wednesday. Luber estimated it would take 15 to 20 minutes for the bottleneck to ease.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call CSP dispatch at 303-239-4501, reference case number 1C260283, leave your contact information for an investigator to contact you at a later time.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo.  The family of the 23-year-old Black man fatally shot by a Douglas County deputy outside the Main Event entertainment center in Highlands Ranch last year filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

The Epitome of Black Excellence announced during a Tuesday press conference that the estate of Jalin DAngelo Seabron Sr., on behalf of his minor child, filed the complaint in Douglas County Court, alleging the Feb. 8, 2025, shooting was excessive and unreasonable use of deadly force.

Nicholas Moore, the Douglas County deputy who shot Seabron, was listed as the sole defendant in the complaint. He was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by the 23rd Judicial District several months after the shooting.

Moore was responding to a call about shots fired inside Main Event, 64 Centennial Boulevard, when Seabron was shot. The deputy arrived just minutes after the first call and found an armed Seabron in the parking lot.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office said Seabron refused multiple commands by Deputy Moore to drop his weapon and was shot by Moore, killing the 23-year-old. Seabron was not involved in the shooting inside the center.

The initial 911 calls for service to the Main Event came in just before midnight, with callers reporting a possible active shooter inside the center. However, the situation turned out to be an altercation that escalated into a shooting inside a bathroom at the Highlands Ranch venue.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office said 24-year-old Nevaeha Crowley-Sanders shot a woman in the chest following a physical fight in the bathroom. The victim was transported to the hospital and survived her injuries.

Deputies arrested Crowley-Sanders that night, and an additional six other suspects were arrested days later in connection with the shooting. It is alleged that Seabron was trying to help the 24-year-old shooting suspect escape from the scene.

On April 8, 2025, 23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler announced that after a review of the case, Moore's use of deadly force was justified under Colorado law. Brauchler acknowledged the tragedy of Seabrons death, but said Moores actions were reasonable, considering the information he had at the time.

The question that I have to answer is, in that moment, was his belief objectively reasonable that if he did not take the action that he took, his life, or most likely, others, would be in danger? And given what he observed, given what he had heard, given what he had read, I think it was objectively reasonable, Brauchler said during an April 2025 press conference.

But despite these findings, Seabrons family claims in the complaint that the 23-year-old was trying to protect his pregnant girlfriend and friends when Moore arrived. The complaint further alleges that Moore fired within seconds of exiting his vehicle without properly assessing the scene, claiming that Seabrons weapon was pointed down and posed no threat.

Seabrons family, represented by attorney Tyrone Glover, described the response by the Douglas County Sheriffs Office as reckless and emblematic of systemic failures that disproportionately endanger Black lives.

Hopefully this gets the attention of not only the community, but city officials, leadership, the deputy sheriff, Glover said. There are a lot of things that we can do to make sure that this does not happen to someone else's loved one, to where there is not another young baby who has to grow without a father.

The lawsuit seeks economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees and costs.

Denver7 reached out to the Douglas County Sheriffs Office, but a spokesperson declined to comment, explaining the office does not publicly discuss pending lawsuits.

At least 13 gas stations across the Denver metro area received contaminated unleaded fuel from a third-party supplier and it is likely that number of impacted stations will increase, said Colorados Department of Labor and Employment in a news briefing Friday.

A delivery from a supplier of regular unleaded fuel to select retailers in the Denver metro was contaminated with diesel fuel. The division became aware of this through consumer complaints, said Cher Haavind, Deputy Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE)

As of Friday afternoon, the CDLE has received just over 200 complaints.

Haavind said consumers have reported various engine issues.

Could be that an engine just completely stopped working or performing or just gradually stalled out.

Haavind said reports first came into the CDLE on Thursday and an inspector took a sample at a Denver metro gas station and was able to identify through visual inspection that in fact it was a diesel contamination and that is because of the color of the fuel.

Castle Pines resident MeiLon Dizmang said her husband filled up at the King Soopers gas station on Lagae Rd. on Thursday morning around 7 AM, only to have his truck stall shortly after.

He was driving into work down the highway, got about 15 miles away, and that's when it started to slow down. And he was trying to accelerate, she said, it just became really sluggish and then completely died.

A few miles south in Castle Rock, Marie Gorman had a nearly identical experience.

I got gas about a quarter till 10 in the morning, and filled up my tank. It was about empty, and I drove it about, I would say, about 10 miles to my next appointment, she recalled, when I came back from that appointment, I started my car, and it just shook a lot, and then it died.

Both took their vehicles to dealerships, where they quickly discovered they weren't alone multiple drivers were dealing with stalled vehicles after filling up at certain gas stations.

While the CDLE at this point believes the fuel contamination is contained to Denver metro gas stations, the Division of Oil and Public Safety alerted 3,000 gas station owners across the state notifying them that we are aware of the contamination and outlining the steps to date, added Haavind.

Inspectors have been out collecting further samples to determine the scope of the contamination.

I think the common question right now is where did all this fuel go what locations were working with Sinclair, the origin of this fuel, to get that list published, said Zach Hope, Manager of the Petroleum Storage Tank Program in Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS). Look forward to more details on that and their investigation into what happened to cause this fuel mix-up at their terminal location.

If drivers suspect they purchased contaminated fuel they are urged to first reach out to the gas station.

For consumers, if you purchased regular unleaded gasoline in Colorado after Wednesday afternoon it would be wise to determine where you bought that especially if youre having any engine or car-related issues get in touch with that point-of-sale at the gas station. That gas station will be the place consumers go to seek claims for the damages, added Hope.

He said that is the established process for consumers to handle a claim around a fuel quality concern.

I talked to my insurance company today. They will have to go to the dealership and do their own fuel testing. They said that could take up to three weeks for them to get there to do that, said Gorman.

Denver7 reached out to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association and asked if those affected by the gas mix up should file a claim with their insurance company.

They told us insurance might pay for a tow, but insurance doesnt cover mechanical issues.

I just hope that these big companies are, you know, paying attention to us consumers that you know, don't have the funds to pay off our cars or to get these cars fixed, added Gorman.

While 200 consumer reports have been received, the scope of the contamination is still unclear and Haavind added: Somewhere between 24 and 36 hours from now we believe all the contamination at the fuel pumps should be remediated.

Phil Long Ford of Denver told Denver7 that customers are bringing vehicles into its service department with the contaminated fuel. Service director Stephen Martindale warned drivers to avoid using their car if they think they got contaminated fuel and have the vehicle towed to a trusted mechanic.

While King Soopers is the only company so far to return Denver7's request for comment, it is suspected other gas stations were also impacted. The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety verified it started receiving complaints about "bad gas" on Thursday, January 8, from King Soopers, Costco and Murphy Express locations.

The division took a sample from a Costco gas station at River Pointe in Sheridan, which confirmed the contamination there.

"This is an issue for several fuel retailers, so I hope you are reaching out to them as well," King Soopers said in a statement to Denver7. "As soon as we became aware of the issue, we took immediate action by shutting down the impacted fuel lines and dispatching teams to perform thorough diagnostics."

The company said customers who believe they may have been impacted should contact the King Soopers where they filled up for assistance. King Soopers identified the following locations as contaminated:

The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety said preliminary investigation shows regular, unleaded gas contaminated with diesel fuel was distributed to gas stations across the Denver metro area between 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, and 6 a.m. on Thursday, January 8.

The division sourced it back to fuel loaded from the HF Sinclair terminal in Henderson, Colorado.

"The Division will continue to work with station owners to test fuel samples and identify impacted retailers. Station owners are working quickly to stop sales of the contaminated gasoline and have it replaced with the right fuel," the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety said in a statement.

The above list of impacted gas stations only includes King Soopers locations and Hope said it was expected that Sinclair would soon release a full list of stations suspected of having contaminated fuel.

I think the number is greater than 19, said Hope.

The OPS released the below timeline Friday.

Customers who were impacted can submit a complaint to the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety online here or call 303-866-4967 if they want state assistance.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. Shoppers flooding the Outlets at Castle Rock the day following Christmas were there to hunt for bargains, cash in gift cards, and make post-holiday returns.

Spring merchandise will be hitting the store soon, so theyre clearing out their winter and holiday inventories, and youre going to get great deals starting today, said Jen Petersen, senior director of marketing for the outlet mall.

She said many clearance items are priced to move and that the best selection may last only about a week.

Some retailers at the center were surprised by the amount of traffic, even if it didnt quite hit the levels of a Black Friday crowd.

I was shocked. I drove in, I saw the cars in the parking lot, and I was like, Wow, far better than I expected, said Jim Fuller, store manager at Mammut, a Swiss maker of high-end outdoor apparel. There's a lot of people who come in looking to get the gift they didn't get during the holidays.

The post-Christmas rush is driven in part by returns and exchanges and by shoppers redeeming gift cards. According to Adobe Commerce, one out of every eight returns last holiday season occurred in the week following Christmas.

The Outlets at Castle Rock sells special gift cards at customer services that work at any store or restaurant in the mall. Petersen noted that those cards do not expire, so there is no urgency to redeem them, unless shoppers are after specific clearance deals.

People are using them all the time, and actually we're kind of excited to see that because the outlets are a bigger draw than one little Swiss store in the outlet, so we get a lot of business out of that, said Fuller.

A Franktown house fire is closing portions of Deerpath Road, impacting E. State Highway 86 traffic, according to Elizabeth Fire Rescue.

There were no injuries, according to the Franktown Fire Protection District. The fire did burn part of the main residence, but there's no threat to any neighboring homes.

Crews are worried about heat, smoke and a collapsed attic space, so they have transitioned to attacking the flames threatening the garage.

Elizabeth Fire Rescue, Castle Rock Fire and South Metro Fire Rescue all responded to the fire to assist Franktown Fire.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo.  A Parker man has been convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting several women he met on dating apps over nearly 10 years, the 23rd Judicial District Attorneys Office announced on Wednesday.

The jury found David Kats, 56, guilty of 17 counts related to the crimes. At least 12 of those counts were for sexual assault.

The four victims testified they lost consciousness after drinking beverages served by Kats and later discovered they had been sexually assaulted. Police found substances at Kats home believed to be used to incapacitate victims.

Prosecutors said the women discovered one another through posts on the Are We Dating the Same Guy Facebook group. After connecting, they compared their experiences and, shortly thereafter, contacted the Parker Police Department, which led to the investigation.

Nicholle Shupe told Denver7 she made the post in the Facebook group.

My question was, if you were with this person, is there ever a time you recall waking up the next morning and not remembering what happened?" Shupe said. "I made the post because I think I was figuring out what he had done to me and my mission, I guess is what you would call it all along has just been to stop him from doing to others what he did to me.

That post immediately captured the attention of Sherry Salazar, who recounted a time when Kats brought her a bottle of wine. According to Salazar, she did not remember anything after drinking some of the wine.

If that Facebook, if that group was not there, it would still keep going and going. So, she was really brave and very brave, so I always thank her for that," Salazar said about Shupe.

The two survivors consider the guilty verdict to be a miracle, and could not thank the jury enough for their time during the trial.

"I can't even explain it. I feel justified," Shupe said about Kats' conviction. We're coming forward because we want other women to feel like they can do the same thing, and it's not an easy thing to do.

The announcement from the 23rd Judicial District Attorneys Office said that "during the trial, Kats claimed the sexual encounters were consensual and denied any wrongdoing, despite several text messages from the victims confronting him and expressing concern they had been drugged."

Kats will be sentenced April 23 and faces anywhere from life in prison to probation as punishment.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo.  As high fire danger and strong winds are expected along the Front Range on Wednesday, a critical resource used to alert Douglas County residents to emergencies, such as fire evacuations, is in the midst of a transition.

Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said his office signed a new contract to provide emergency alerts through Rave Alert, an emergency alert system owned by Motorola. In November, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) terminated its contract with CodeRED, an emergency alert system, after the company experienced outages following a cyberattack.

Crisis24, the company that owns the CodeRED platform, confirmed that data, including names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and passwords of users signed up for alerts, may have been leaked to hackers.

In November, Sheriff Weekly told Denver7 he was frustrated with the company's lack of transparency about the outage. He said his office was not contacted by Crisis24 until deputies tried to send out a CodeRED alert to residents about a prescribed burn south of Larkspur.

"It didn't work. Nobody told us that the system was down. And not only was it down for Douglas County, but it also was down for the state of Colorado, and it was down across the country," said Sheriff Weekly. "Had we had a major event, a criminal event, like an active shooter situation, a wildfire, whatever, we would not have had, and we still don't have the ability to reach out to our citizens to let them know what's going on."

This week, as high winds could increase fire risk, Sheriff Weekly said the Rave Alert system is not fully operational. He said it could take a few weeks before residents can receive emergency alerts. In the meantime, he said the sheriff's office will post emergency updates on its social media platforms, while deputies will go "old-school" and knock on doors during fire evacuations.

"We are ready for whatever comes our way to keep our residents safe, but they should know that we don't take any of this lightly, and we're ready, and we're prepared," said Sheriff Weekly.

He said his office can use the federal Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) in the event of major emergencies, but it's not as quick as local alert systems. That's because sending out an IPAWS alert requires approval by the state's Office of Emergency Management, according to the sheriff.

"There's just a level of bureaucracy in there that we're not comfortable with. We'll do it if we have to. But this could potentially take 15, 20, or 30 minutes to get an IPAWS activated. That may be 15, 20, 30 minutes that we can't afford to lose," said Sheriff Weekly.

After the CodeRED data breach, several other Colorado agencies said they were reevaluating their contract with the company. In a news release on Tuesday, Weld County said it will continue to use CodeRED alerts, but is continuing its discussions about potentially switching platforms. Thornton Police told Denver7 it will also use CodeRED alerts for now, but is still evaluating other options for emergency alerts.

Nate Treusch, Emergency Communications Manager with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, said the county switched from CodeRED alerts to Rave Alert earlier this year before the data breach.

"We switched from CodeRED because it wasn't as user-friendly. There were some lags in loading for us, so it took us a little bit longer to send out emergency notifications than it should have, in our opinion," said Treusch.

He said the Rave Alert system can also notify more people about emergencies, even if they don't opt in.

"They ingest some other information to automatically load some people into our system," he said. "It gave us a much broader range of people that we could alert right away, versus waiting for people to opt in and trying to do that outreach."

Denver7 reached out to Crisis24 for updates on the cyberattack that caused outages for the company. We are still waiting to hear back.

Castle Rock is set to build a new fire station on the northeast side of town to address the area's rapid growth and improve emergency response times for residents.

The $21 million facility will be built along Pleasant View Drive and will serve as both a fire station and a logistics center.

Fire Chief Norris Croom said the department has been monitoring the area's growth since 2012 and has seen call volumes continue to increase.

"We're going to put a station right in the middle of that zone, said Croom. That's going to cut those response times from about 13 minutes to at max, about 6 minutes.

The northeast area of Castle Rock has undergone significant transformation in recent years. Keri White, who moved to the area nine years ago, has witnessed the changes firsthand.

"When we first moved here, it was almost like you were driving out pretty close to the country," White said.

The area now includes the Terrain and Cobblestone Ranch neighborhoods, creating a need for closer emergency services.

With 66% of the fire department's calls for medical emergencies, the reduced response time could be life-saving, according to Croom.

"If you think about cardiac arrest, which is, of course, the most severe medical case, for every minute that a person is without oxygen, that's a 10% chance that they're not going to survive," Croom said.

The new station will also better position firefighters to respond to wildland fires in the area's parks and open spaces.

"So it's not only a resource just for the northeast part of town, but it's a resource for the entire town of Castle Rock," Croom said.

The project will be funded through money from the town's TABOR timeout in 2020, impact fees, and certificates of participation.

Design for the facility is complete. Croom told Denver7 the goal is to start construction in the new year.

White said she believes the new station is necessary, given the area's continued development.

"I do think it's needed, especially if it cuts down on response time," White said.

Castle Rock has also identified needs for additional fire stations in the Crystal Valley Interchange area and near the new Brickyard development on the town's west side.

There is a grandmother in Castle Rock hard at work right now, putting together a very special cookbook.

Colorado's Alzheimer's Association first told Denver7 about this story and introduced us to Kathy Gross.

She has created "A Life Well Fed" in honor of people currently living with Alzheimer's or those who died with the disease. Both her parents were diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

"My mother suffered for 13 years and my father was the last three years," Gross said.

She started collecting the recipes that reminded her of her parents. Then she wanted to take it to the next level and see if celebrities with similar family stories would help out. She started with Emeril Lagasse.

"I finally had the nerve to hit send, and in 15 minutes, a response was in my inbox," Gross told Denver7. "And I thought, well, this is some automated we'll get back to you. And it said Chef Emerald would be happy to participate. And I said, wow, maybe this is an idea. Maybe this could work."

It definitely did. The book now has Lagasse's crab cake recipe, and a cookie recipe from Jim Nantz in honor of his dad. She even heard back from Ina Garten. Then friends and others started contributing recipes as well.

"I had friends from college, from where I grew up, from places I've lived in the country, who called up and said, I lost my mother to Alzheimer's, and so I have a lot of recipes from just people. Every recipe tells a story," Gross said.

Gross said she is a grandma of 11 and trying her best to publish as fast as can she can.

She said if you order now, it could come by Christmas or by January, which could make for a post-holiday surprise. The proceeds go to the Alzheimer's Association.

Find more details here.

Two hundred steps how hard could that be? Well, you might be surprised when those 200 steps are actually 200 stairs going up the hillside in Castle Rock.

Officially called the Philip S. Miller Park Challenge Hill, you will definitely feel the challenge going up those 200 steps. And if youre wondering how many steps youve done, or how many you have left, there's a number every 10 steps.

Even the sign at the trailhead warns, This is an extreme trail. Use at your own risk.

The sign goes on to say: Hikers and athletes, do not be fooled. This is not a traditional staircase. This is a challenging outdoor obstacle which requires strength, balance and aerobic fitness.

You may feel like it starts pretty easy, but even the sign warns it gets harder as it gets higher.

The good news: When you arrive at the top, there are two benches where you can sit and enjoy the views of the park, nearby foothills and the town of Castle Rock.

Or you can use the benches for push ups, tricep dips and other exercises. Yes, I saw people doing all of that.

After a break, its time to decide: Will you go back down the stairs? Or will you take the trail back down? The Blue Trail winds down the hillside. Several switchbacks make going down the trail easier than the stairs.

The total loop is 6/10 of a mile with about 200 feet of gain.

At the bottom, its decision time. Do you want to take the normal trails farther into the park, or head back to the start of the stairs and do the Challenge Hill again?

NOTES: No dogs are allowed on Challenge Hill. If you go in the morning, the stairs will be in the shade until the sun gets over the top of the hill. That's good in the summer and chilly in the winter.

DETAILS: The hike up and down the stairs is less than 2/10 of a mile with about 190 of gain. The Challenge Hill combined with the Blue Loop Trail back, is 6/10 of a mile with 200 feet of gain.

DIRECTIONS: You can get to the park several ways, but the closest exit on I-25 is Plum Creek Parkway. Turn west and drive one mile until you see the park. Turn into the park and go left to find Challenge Hill on the south side of the park.

HikingDebbie@gmail.com

Facebook.com/DenverHikingExaminer

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. A small plane crash north of Cedar Hill Cemetery temporarily shut down traffic in Castle Rock Monday evening, according to officers with the Castle Rock Police Department.

No one was injured in the crash and there were no additional hazards in the area after the aircraft, which appeared to be a Piper fixed wing, single-engine plane, crashed just before 6:15 p.m. near the intersection of Wolfensberger Road and Prairie Hawk Drive.

The aircraft was towed, and the roads were reopened by 8:30 p.m.

Castle Rock Fire Chief Norris Croom told Denver7 the plane had three passengers. It took off from Colorado Springs, per FlightAware data, and was communicating with air traffic control at Centennial Airport before the crash.

According to the pilot, Croom said, the plane lost power after takeoff and the pilot realized he could not make it back to Colorado Springs. The pilot then saw a mostly clear street and landed the plane on Prairie Hawk Drive.

Croom said the plane hit the back of a car on the street, causing some damage. But the two car passengers did not need medical attention and were able to drive away from the scene, he added.

The plane crash landed between a residential neighborhood on one side of the street and a power station on the other.

"Normally what we see out of the movies... is a much worse situation," Croom said. "And tonight, we're very fortunate."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were notified of the crash and were expected to investigate the circumstances that lead to the downed plane in the coming days.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo Inside the Douglas County Commissioners hearing room Monday morning, the message against opioid misuse came straight from the teens themselves.

We believe that the best individuals to speak to other young people are young people, said Commissioner Abe Laydon, co-chair of the Douglas County Opioid Council.

The event marked the launch of Our Unfiltered Voices, a new youth-focused awareness campaign developed by the Douglas County Opioid Council and the Douglas County School District.

According to the 2023 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 94% of Douglas County teens have never misused pills. The campaign celebrates that majority, while also sharing stories of recovery to reach the other 6%.

Among those featured are 15-year-old Vivian Rogers, a sophomore at Arapahoe High School who is two years sober.

A lot of people make being in recovery and being sober this really dull and bland thing, Rogers said. But honestly, my life has become so much cooler getting sober.

Rogers found help through the nonprofit FullCircle, a peer-based recovery program for teens and young adults. She says it taught her that life in recovery can still be joyful and connected.

Full Circle is like AA for younger people, she explained. We have meetings and just hang out, learning about ourselves and how we can grow.

Samuel Larson, 20, also shared his experience, saying he began using at 17 and now has been sober for 20 months, thanks to the same peer-support program.

There are so many cool things happening around me, Larson said. For the first time, I feel like everythings going to be okay.

Commissioner Laydon says the Unfiltered Voices campaign embodies a new approach to prevention, one built on authenticity and lived experience.

Kids can smell phonies a million miles away, he said. Hearing that message from their peers is critically important.

Funded through Colorados opioid-settlement dollars, Douglas County leaders say they plan to continue investing in youth-led solutions that support both prevention and recovery.

Young people are not defined by their mistakes, Laydon said. We want to highlight their ability to overcome challenging circumstances because thats the greatest measure of success.

To watch the campaign videos and learn more, you can head to the Our Unfiltered Voices website.

I really hope a lot of people get to see these videos and have hope and courage, Rogers said.

One person was killed in a single-car crash on northbound Interstate 25 at RidgeGate Parkway Tuesday morning, according to the Lone Tree Police Department.

A woman and child were inside the vehicle at the time of the wreck. The woman driving was the one killed. There were no injuries to the child who was a passenger.

The northbound Interstate 25 exit to RidgeGate Parkway closed as a result of the crash, slowing traffic from Castle Rock and Castle Pines. The delay reached nearly an hour by 6:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Only two lanes of the highway were open past the crash blocking the right lane with heavy first responder presence.

Denver7 Traffic Expert Jayson Luber advised drivers to expect delays for the rest of the morning. Use Crowfoot Valley Road to get into Parker Road, if you're in Castle Rock, Luber said. You can use Monarch Boulevard getting in through Castle Pines, or use Santa Fe Drive, according to Luber.

The section of roadway has since reopened. The Lone Tree Police Department said the crash is under investigation.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. A pregnancy brings a lot of joy and expectation, but for one woman, it came at the same time as a heartbreaking diagnosis.

"I was thinking, 'Why me, why me?'" remembered Stacia Bailey, who was only 30 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022.

Not long after, her treatment became even more challenging.

"You have to do a test because you're having surgery. The nurse came in and she's like, 'So, you're pregnant,'" Bailey said, "Needless to say, surgery did not happen. That day I was going to get my lumpectomy. That did not happen."

It is rare for pregnant women to be diagnosed with breast cancer. The treatments for pregnant patients and patients who are not pregnant are very different.

"Some of the chemo medications aren't as safe, and also hormone blockers those types of things (you) can't really do when you're pregnant," said Dr. Kristen Boylan, Ob/Gyn for AdventHealth Medical Group Ridgegate at Castle Rock.

Bailey and her husband had to decide what to do next.

"Are we going to have to make a really impossible choice? It's like, are we going to have to make a choice about (the) baby to protect me? Are we going to have to make a choice about me?" Bailey remembered.

She made the choice to battle cancer with her baby. Certain treatments were off the table and options like surgeries and chemotherapy were delayed. But in the end, she was able to hold her healthy baby girl to celebrate being cancer-free.

"She's a little titan, she did this too. So it was really important to me that she was there to ring the bell not that she could ring it," Bailey said of her newborn at the time. "It was super special."

Since Bailey's case, Dr. Boylan has changed her practice management to more easily spot a key genetic indicator that a woman could be at high risk for breast cancer.

"[Bailey] was diagnosed with the BRCA gene. She's very young, so I think if we had known ahead of time that she had the BRCA gene, we would have been doing more frequent surveillance ahead of time," said Dr. Boylan. "That gene is a mutation that basically, if you're positive for it, there's BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, makes you more susceptible for women for breast and ovarian cancer."

Having accurate information about your family health history is helpful. A BRCA gene can be inherited from either parent.

"Now, I talk to women who maybe were adopted or don't know their family history for one reason or another, about genetic testing and offering that," said Dr. Boylan.

Bailey wants other expectant mothers who have received a breast cancer diagnosis to know that it is possible to save both lives.

"Even though it's tough and it's scary, lean on your people. Lean on the Lord, if you're of faith, but that's how you get through it," she said.

Early detection is extremely helpful.

"I've had a lot of patients find their own breast cancer with their self breast exams," said Dr. Boylan. "Feeling for something hard and fixed, like a frozen pea or a marble and something that's not going away with their cycle."

She said the earlier something is detected, the earlier treatment can start and outcomes can improve.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. A Castle Rock woman was convicted of voter fraud for casting ballots for her dead ex-husband as well as her son during the 2022 General Election, a spokesperson with the 23rd Judicial District Attorneys Office said Wednesday.

Elizabeth Ann Davis, 61, was found guilty on two counts of forgery and one count of personating an elector by a Douglas County Jury after prosecutors presented evidence that she submitted ballots that were not her own.

The 23rd Judicial District Attorneys Office spokesperson said Davis has an extensive criminal record, including prior convictions for forgery, theft, drug offenses, and prostitution in both Florida and/or Colorado.

There are layers of security built into the election process here in Colorado, and this case shows they are working, said Douglas County Clerk and Recorder Sheri Davis, who praised the outcome by the grand jury.

This latest case of voter fraud comes seven months after another woman, also from Castle Rock, was sentenced to 20 days in jail for casting her dead landlords ballot in Colorados presidential primary election last year.

Davis will be sentenced Jan. 9, 2025. She faces penalties ranging from probation to three years in prison, according to the DA spokesperson.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. The Castle Rock Police Department is expanding its drone program and will send drones to check out crime scenes before officers arrive.

It's an innovation piece that's going to continue to help us keep our community safe, said Castle Rock Police Chief Jack Cauley.

The police department will use the drones to respond to emergency incidents and calls for service throughout the Town of Castle Rock. The drones are also equipped with thermal and infrared sensors and can assist in missing persons and school safety calls.  

If our officers are tied up on calls and they can't get somewhere, we can have the drone there in no time, and then provide that feed back to our real-time crime center, said Cauley.

Denver7 has reported on several law enforcement agencies and their drone programs. Read our previous coverage below:

The drones, which unofficially launched over the summer, have already aided in stopping retail thefts throughout the region.

The Flock Drone as First Responder program is an expansion of CRPDs current drone program, which launched in 2021. The drones work in conjunction with Flock license plate readers, which were first implemented in the Town of Castle Rock in 2021.  

Since then, CRPD told Denver7 it's seen a 14 percent decrease in overall crime and a 41 percent reduction in auto thefts.

Weve heard from many viewers about privacy and safety concerns with this technology. Keith Kauffman, Flock's senior director of the Drones as First Responders program, addressed those concerns on Thursday. 

What we're really focused on responsible for is building a platform that has great transparency in it, Kauffman said.

The Castle Rock Police Department said it'll soon launch a transparency portal, where residents can access flight logs and a list of calls for service. Chief Cauley acknowledged its a work in progress while emphasizing the programs value.  

Just to be clear, we don't just fly the drone for the heck of it. I mean, it's done for purpose," Chief Cauley said. "We have a call for service, a reason to be there, a reason to help the community."

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. A Douglas County judge is under fire for granting probation in two separate cases within a week, including one involving a convicted stalker and assailant.

District Attorney for the 23rd Judicial District George Brauchler told Denver7 that he's disappointed by the ruling, but he never specifically identified the judge.

I dont think judges exist in this jurisdiction to do what the DA says. That doesnt make sense. I dont think that [ruling] protects defendants appropriately either, Brauchler said. My respect for the bench doesnt mean that I like all of their decisions, and in this particular case, I think this one is too risky for the public, and I dont think it honors what took place with the victim.

Denver7 confirmed through court records that Brauchler was talking about Victoria Klingensmithher most recent probation decision involved 31-year-old Taylor Burrows.

Burrows was found guilty in court of stalking and assault of his ex-fiance, Aubrey Cadwell.

There's no way that we are looking at this man with this type of history, this type of danger, and saying that he's okay to walk among us, Cadwell said.

Brauchler said probation officers have classified Burrows as a maximum risk to re-offend and said both Jefferson and Arapahoe Counties have denied him from their community corrections, which are designed as an alternative to incarceration.

Even so, Burrows was not given a prison sentence. Hes out on probation, and Cadwell is scared.

Theres so much to this, and it is so disturbing, and he gets to walk among us, she said. How? How are we possibly going to let him get away with this? What is the turning point? To let him re-offend? Is that what were waiting for?

One of Brauchlers concerns with the case is what message it sends to survivors like Cadwell.

There are a lot more victims out there who do not come forward. One of the reasons they don't come forward is that they think the system can't protect them. This case reinforces that belief, Brauchler said.

Denver7 did reach out to Klingensmith to get answers on why she felt probation was the best option, and if she believes the community is safe. At the time of this publication, we have not heard back.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. After receiving community feedback in Douglas County, commissioners announced "once-in-a-generation investments" in parks and recreation across the county.

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners made the announcement on Tuesday. It marks the most significant investment in parks and open space in the county's history, said Commissioner Abe Laydon.

This is not just funding; it is a generational commitment to our people and our land," Laydon continued. "From neighborhood playgrounds to the transformational Zebulon complex, these investments will shape the daily lives of families, athletes, and adventurers for decades to come. We are building not just parks, but monuments to quality of life, health, and community. The choices we make today will echo for generations and Douglas County is choosing to lead, boldly, into a future where our parks and open spaces stand as a living legacy of who we are and what we believe.

Millions of dollars will go toward projects in Lone Tree, Parker and Castle Rock, as well as the Zebulon Regional Sports Complex in northwest Douglas County.

The construction of these new sports fields and facilities is supported by the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources and Open Space Fund, which is a 0.17% sales and use tax that was approved by county voters in 1994 to preserve parks, trails and open spaces in the community. The fund is broken up so each aspect of it parks, historic resources, open space, etc. is awarded a specific percentage of the overall total. In 2022, more than 87% of county voters approved to extend the sales tax, according to the county. It is expected to generate $330 million over 15 years.

Douglas County asked residents to take a survey in 2024 so officials could gain a better understanding of the community's priorities with this fund. Thousands partook in it. Those results were presented to the Board of Douglas County Commissioners in September 2024.

You can go through the extensive findings from the study in the PDF below.

After combing through the survey results, the board identified the community's top priorities:

On Tuesday, the board announced that three of the above parks will be awarded a $7.5 million investment each: High Note Regional Park will get two new multipurpose fields; Salisbury Park will get new softball and baseball fields, soccer fields and other facilities; and funds will support a new fieldhouse at Gold Crown.

Denver7 reached out to the county to ask if the fund will support Zebulon.

"Zebulon will likely receive funding, but were working with designers/engineers/partners on a final cost to know how much," said Caroline Frizell, director of communication and public affairs for Douglas County.

Denver7's Claire Lavezzorio, who regularly reports on Douglas County news, learned more about Zebulon earlier this year, and heard concerns from residents about the project's location and amenities. Some residents mentioned how far it is from parts of the community and others wondered why it didn't include pools for competitive swimming.

We also asked about Wildcat Regional Park, the lone amenity left off the priority list.

"Wildcat will be coming up within the next month," Frizell explained, noting that it is actually an open space, despite its name. "There may be funding from the Open Space portion of the fund."

A community celebration is planned for 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 2. A location has not yet been announced.

Just 30 miles south of Denver, Castle Rock is grappling with an unusual problem in today's commercial real estate market: A severe shortage of available office space.

The town's office vacancy rate sits at 4.7%, according to CoStar Realty Information Inc., a stark contrast to Denver's struggling office market, where vacancy rates hit 35% during the first quarter of this year, according to global real estate firm CBRE.

"Well, first of all, it's a great challenge to have," said Frank Gray, CEO of Castle Rock Economic Development Council.

The lack of available inventory has forced Gray and real estate experts to get creative when helping clients find suitable workspace.

"To find a block of space today that's north of 4,000 square feet is pretty much impossible at the moment," said Matt Call, founding principal at NavPoint Real Estate Group.

Gray explained that small co-working spaces are often snatched up immediately from the market. He believes companies are drawn to Castle Rock's vibrant community culture.

"They're like...'Oh, this is a cool, thriving, fun downtown.' They've got jazz on Wednesday nights in the park. They have great community events happening around here. There's an amphitheater I can go to see some cool concerts," Gray said.

Both Gray and Call often find themselves having difficult conversations with prospective tenants about the limited supply of available units.

"We'll have that conversation. And then they go, 'Okay, well, we like it. We understand what's going on. We're excited about coming to Castle Rock. Can we look at space?' And we go, 'Well, if you're looking for anything over you know, 5,000 square feet, it doesn't exist," Gray said.

Both experts suggested that the solution may involve building more space from the ground up, but that comes with its own challenges.

"I don't know what the solution would be. And yes, that's probably it," Gray said when asked about building new space.

But Gray acknowledged the economic hurdles facing new construction projects.

"So you have a high interest rate, you have a really high cost of goods, and then the cost of construction and labor, right? These are all challenges in the market," Gray said.

Despite the challenges, industry experts believe that market pressure will eventually lead to new developments emerging.

"We're going to get to a tipping point in the near-term, and I think you'll see some office product get built down here, just as a function of the demand we're seeing and the lack of available space," Call said.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. A man suspected of stealing expensive tools at a store in Castle Rock was arrested by police thanks to the help of the departments drone.

Police said officers were alerted to a theft of high-dollar tools over the Labor Day weekend and using the suspect and vehicle descriptions, police made use of their Drones for First Responders unmanned aircraft, which helped locate the suspect at a nearby retail center.

What could have been a hairy situation ended in an arrest without incident, a police spokesperson said in a cheeky social media post. While combing through the stolen merchandise, officers were able to recover nearly $1,500 worth of tools.

The suspect was booked into the Douglas County Jail well, minus the blond wig he was wearing when he committed the theft, the spokesperson said. The suspect is facing organized retail theft charges, they added.

Overall, a bad (hair) day for this subject!

On one Friday night each month, Renew Respite a nonprofit led by founder Joyel Chambers provides free care for children with special needs and their siblings. The program gives parents a rare and valuable opportunity a night to themselves.

The only way that we can ever get a date night or a break is if we hire a nurse, Chloe Burton, whose family has relied on the program for years, said. Being able to come here once a month means that we actually get a break. And its free, we dont pay a penny.

Inside, children are matched one-on-one with volunteers. A nurse is always on site to assist with medical needs. Activities range from crafts and board games to time on the churchs indoor playground.

For kids like Timothy Burton, its a night of fun and freedom.

Really great. Its the best ever, Timothy said with a smile.

His older brother William Burton, a teen volunteer, sees it as a way to give back.

I thought Id just kind of help, join, serve. Help the community grow a little, Williams said.

Chambers, a mother of three, knows firsthand how difficult it can be to find childcare for a child with special needs. Years ago, she attended a program in Littleton called Night Lights and was struck by the impact it had.

I was just blown away by what they did, Chambers said. After attending a few months, I asked the director if they ever wanted to start one in Castle Rock. A few months later, we launched it.

In 2014, Chambers launched the program in Castle Rock under the name of Night Lights. In 2017, Renew Respite became its own independent nonprofit. Since then, it has served countless families in Castle Rock.

For parents, Renew Respite offers them more than just a chance for a date night. According to Psychology Today, surveys have shown that families raising children with disabilities face divorce rates as high as 87%. Chambers said Renew Respite helps ease the burden for families, even if its for a few hours.

Most parents, when they bring their kids here, havent gone out together since their child with special needs was born, Chambers said.

Renew Respite Assistant Director Lisa Stauffer said Chambers heart for families sets her apart.

She just loves the kids, loves the program, Stauffer said. "She has a heart for people and for serving people.

Registered Nurse Jackie Schutte, who nominated Chambers for this recognition, said her commitment hasnt wavered.

Her son aged out of the program over eight years ago, yet she still continues to focus on the program because she knows firsthand the benefits and importance for caregivers and families, Schutte said.

Denver7 and Levine Law recognizes Chambers as a Denver7 Everyday Hero for her more than a decade of service to families in her community.

Thank you. Wow, thanks, Chambers said at the surprise award presentation. I know its such a need for the community to have a place where kids with special needs are welcomed and wanted, as well as their siblings to feel special.

For Chambers, its not about recognition. Its about giving kids a safe space and parents a chance to reconnect.

I just keep showing up every month, and so does everyone else, she said. Im just very grateful.

Renew Respite is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs on Chambers dedication and donations from the community. If you would like to donate to help Renew Respite's mission, you can do so on their website via Zelle or Venmo.

Denver7 features a different Everyday Hero each week. To nominate a hero in your life, click here.

From purchasing a building in November of 2024, to housing victims of domestic violence right now, it took less than a year for Douglas County to get a safe house up and running.

Their official ribbon cutting was on Tuesday, but the building opened last Monday, and there are already residents staying there.

It's location is not being shared for victim's' safety.

Jason Kennedy, Douglas County Undersheriff, said last year alone, his office saw hundreds of domestic violence cases. Now, this new safehouse isn't just helping women and children fleeing a dangerous situation, but it's also helping to give them wrap around services to help bring their abuser to justice.

County Commissioners said the building has 36 rooms and 54 beds for victims to stay for up to seven weeks.

It has a secured gate entry, cameras everywhere and legal social and mental health services, according to Commissioner Abe Laydon.

The county is partnering with TESSA, a non-profit, to manage the safe house.

CEO Anne Markley said the building got up and running in record time.

"What I think has been so beautiful about this partnership between government and non profit is the speed at which we were able to do this. And I think it just shows how dedicated Douglas County was to getting this running, that we were able to do all of this in such a quick manner because it was such a needed service," she said.

Right now, it's not considered a family justice center, like ones we've seen pop up over the last decade in places like Denver, Adams and Jefferson Counties. However, Markley said growth is in their future.

"We will be expanding beyond a safe house. But for right now, it's starting as that, with the ability to help people over the safeline, too. And then looking at where we can co locate in the community in a place that the public can come to, that's not the safe house, to be able to provide those other services as well," Markley said.

If you need help, call the hotline at 303-535-3917.

One person was taken to the hospital Friday morning after a rollover crash on southbound Interstate 25 at Castle Rock Parkway, Colorado State Patrol said.

Traffic was reduced from four lanes to one on southbound Interstate 25 past the wreck, creating a half an hour delay from Castle Pines.

The crash first happened at 6:25 a.m. Friday, according to Colorado State Patrol (CSP). The driver was conscious and breathing when first responders arrived, CSP said. However, the driver complained of chest pain and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Friday morning commuters used the Castle Rock Parkway roundabout to get back onto southbound I-25 without going by the Outlets at Castle Rock. Denver7 Traffic Expert Jayson said that was the easiest way to get around the wreck.

Luber advised drivers against using Happy Canyon Road as an alternative route to southbound I-25. Luber said the drive took longer on Happy Canyon than on I-25.

Santa Fe got the brunt of traffic from the crash backup, according to Luber.

All lanes of southbound I-25 reopened into Castle Rock at 7:37 a.m. Friday, about an hour after the crash first happened.

Shannon from Castle Rock writes,

Attached to this story is a picture of the crazy sign that Shannon is talking about, courtesy of Castle Rock resident Jim Flores. To me the sign looks either like traffic trying to find other ways to get around Interstate 25 traffic or like Medusa with snakes coming from her head.

The short answer Shannon is no, this sign is not real. It is just a fun sign that comes from the mind of Castle Rock Parks and Open Space Supervisor John Jorgensen who has been with the town for nearly 40 years. People who work with John says he has a tremendous sense of humor and likes to keep the town entertained.

When I went searching for the sign on the East Plum Creek Trail, I saw that the crazy arrow sign was already gone, replaced with one stating that this is now a monkey crossing area. The new sign is the latest in a series of artistic signs put up every year.

The fun trail signs came about from the rotating sculpture program called Douglas County Art Encounters. A few years ago, The Castle Rock Public Art Commission, which guides their public art installations, decided to feature a mirror polished stainless steel stop sign that says Soar across the middle. It was placed along the trail about of a mile north of Crystal Valley Parkway in a segment that had just opened to the public. The original sculpture was created by California artist Scott Froschauer.

We really had to think about where to install this piece because it is mirror polished stainless steel making it very reflective, so you have to pick a spot where the background and foreground are nice because of the reflection, Froschauer told me.

MORE: Read more traffic issues driving people crazy

Scott says the Soar sign is part of an art series he calls Word on the Street. He told me his signs mainly end up on trails even though they are the same specifications any DOT would use along the roads.

The Soar sign was well received by the public. However, the town had a problem. The Art Encounters sculptures are changed annually and rotate out upon completion, which left the town with an empty signpost.

One of our Parks Operations staff decided to continue the spirit of the original installation by selecting a new sign to feature each year, around the same time that we install the new Art Encounters sculptures, Carrie Mahan Groce, Senior Communications Specialist with the Town of Castle Rock told me. Its a great surprise for staff and trail users, and it simply continues as a fun tradition.

The next sign to show up in place of Soar was a yellow diamond sign that read BREATHE.

The next sign John featured on the trail was an image of a Sasquatch looking like he was crossing the trail. Following that was the crazy Medusa arrows sign that has since been replaced this past spring with this years Monkey Crossing sign.

Soon after a sign gets changed out, we see an uptick in questions on our social media posts about trails, sometimes via email or as random posts on social media sites, Mahan Groce said. The Medusa sign prompted a lively discussion about what it meant; whereas the monkey crossing has caused more of a sarcastic joking comment trend asking things like, 'Are there monkeys in Castle Rock?' Thats what Im remembering the Sasquatch response being as well. Honestly though, these last two have been the ones to pique peoples interest.

I asked if any of the old signs were still hanging around the shop. I was told no, the old signs are generally reused for other signs if they are still in good shape. I also made a request to see more funny traffic related signs in future years. John said hes not taking special requests but told me we can rest assured there will be future signs.

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CASTLE ROCK, Colo. A 23-year-old man was arrested Thursday in connection with a July shooting at a Castle Rock apartment complex.

According to the Castle Rock Police Department, officers were dispatched to a complex in the area of Castle Rock Parkway and Castlegate Drive North around 3:30 a.m. on July 19 for reports of a shooting. Witnesses told investigators that shots were fired after a fight broke out in the parking lot.

One person was shot and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and were transported to the hospital.

The suspect took off before officers arrived.

Following a weeks-long investigation, officers arrested a 23-year-old man in Denver on Thursday in connection with the shooting. Castle Rock PD did not release the man's identity.

The man was booked into the Douglas County Jail for investigation of attempted murder in the first degree, assault in the first degree and menacing.

In a statement, Castle Rock Police Chief Jack Cauley said, If you commit crimes in Castle Rock, especially violent offenses, CRPD will leverage our advanced investigative tools and crimefighting resources to gather evidence, track you down, apprehend you and ensure you are brought to justice."

The investigation into the shooting is active. Anyone with information is asked to contact Castle Rock PD at 720-733-3517 or CrimeTips@CRgov.com.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. Parking in downtown Castle Rock has become a growing concern for residents, business owners, and visitors. On any given afternoon, you can find motorists circling the area in search of available parking spots.

We first heard about this problem back in March when Denver7 | Your Voice traveled to Castle Rock. Now, the Town of Castle Rock wants residents and visitors to fill out a survey so officials can implement solutions.

Denver7's Colin Riley spoke with a business owner, a resident, and a visitor to learn more about their parking struggles.

I mean, to get the residents' opinions is always good because then you know what you can do to expand and just to make it a little easier for people to come down, said Castle Rock resident April Feike.

Feikes father-in-law, Bob Feike, a first-time visitor to the area, said he caught a break when searching for a handicap parking spot.

You've got to get lucky to find a parking space," Bob told Denver7. "We just got lucky. We saw a space, and my wife made a U-turn to get into that space."

The issue affects local businesses, as well. Bree Megas, co-owner of Miss M's Tea Parlor, said limited parking means customers are sometimes late for their appointments.

"We experience it, but when you're actually hearing it from customers, that really hits home a lot more than just dealing with it yourself," she said.

Megas said she has heard from neighboring businesses that customers who can't find parking will end up leaving the area.

To address these concerns, Castle Rock officials are gathering feedback from the community through a questionnaire aimed at improving parking solutions.

I feel like it brings the community together to find a solution," Megas said.

While Megas appreciates that the town is seeking input from its residents and business owners, she recognizes how difficult it will be to find a solution that makes everyone happy.

"It's not an easy solution to find," she admitted. Whatever they do will affect different people differently. There won't be a one-size-fits-all solution."

Castle Rock officials have yet to finalize any solutions but are eager to hear from the community to craft a plan that accommodates everyone. You can make your voice heard by filling out a survey on their website.

Denver7 | Your Voice

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. A Trinidad man will spend more than a decade in prison after ramming a stolen vehicle at police cars during a high-speed chase in Castle Rock in early 2022, a spokesperson with the 23rd Judicial District Attorneys Office said Tuesday.

Roy Allen Elliott-Casaus, 33, pleaded guilty several charges, including assault on a peace officer, aggravated motor vehicle theft and vehicular eluding for the January 2022 crash, which began after Castle Rock FLOCK cameras identified a stolen vehicle out of Englewood.

Using drone technology, Castle Rock police found the vehicle at the Castle Rock Outlets. Officers then waited until Elliott-Casaus entered the drivers seat before attempting to pin the stolen vehicle, according to a news release.

Dashcam video obtained by Denver7 showed how, moments later, Elliott-Casaus rammed the officers and attempted to flee at a high rate of speed. The video showed the suspect driving through a median before he was finally stopped when an officer used his patrol vehicle to crash headfirst into the stolen vehicle.

Elliott-Casaus was arrested after a short foot chase, the DA spokesperson said.

Thirteen years isnt just punishment its protection for the community, said Deputy DA Joe Ratner in a statement. This defendant treated a shopping center like a racetrack. Now hes off the streets.

Elliott-Casaus will also serve a six-year consecutive sentence for an unrelated crime in Las Animas County, the spokesperson said.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. A newly launched coffee cart is providing employment opportunities to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The coffee cart was created by Wellspring Community, a nonprofit located in Castle Rock. Denver7 | Your Voice learned about Wellspring Community during our trip to Castle Rock in March.

Jon Steffey, director of work opportunities at Wellspring Community, said the nonprofit offers a variety of employment opportunities, from a commercial bakery to a print shop and art studio. It also operates The Castle Rock Collective with the support of World Orphans.

"[The coffee cart is] an offshoot of the Castle Rock Collective, of our coffee shop," Steffey explained. "So basically we're able to take our coffee shop (Wellspring & Co Coffee) into the community and integrate further with other organizations and businesses outside of Castle Rock."

The coffee cart is different compared to most traditional coffee shops. When customers place an order, they fill out a sticker detailing what type of drink they would like. That sticker is then placed on the cup for baristas to follow.

"A lot of our folks and a lot of folks in general with [intellectual or developmental disabilities] can integrate and get jobs elsewhere, but then they're forced to acclimate to the way that that business operates," Steffey told Denver7. "We did it backwards. We built our business to be functional and adaptable to the way that our individuals operate."

The sticker ordering system is helpful to Jadanne Rose Wilson, who is one of the baristas on the team. At 26 years old, Wilson was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis and "had no idea" that she had a brain tumor. Luckily, she was able to shrink her tumors through medication and can "think a lot more clearer and quicker."

Before the coffee cart was launched, Wilson was on the wait list for the Castle Rock Collective and was left wondering how long it would take to get a job. Now, she is excited to be making drinks and connecting with her customers.

"To come here and have this be a new thing to look forward to, I think it's wonderful," Wilson said. "It's going to make it easier to know what we're supposed to make without memorizing it in our brains and trying to figure out what they ask for and trying to remember their names, even."

Denver7 has previously reported on the challenges adults with disabilities face in finding employment and the waitlists at the businesses that do offer employment.

Steffey said the coffee cart operations will start slowly, going out in the community once a month. However, once business picks up and the team feels more comfortable, it could turn into a once-a-week occurrence.

"Just with the launch of the coffee bar, we were able to hire four baristas, so that added four additional opportunities for folks," Steffey said. "And as we go out more, we'll be able to hire more folks."

As exciting as this new job opportunity is, Steffey hopes other organizations can look at their model and recognize the need for more jobs. For those interested in booking the cart, details can be found online.

Denver7 | Your Voice