Fact or Fiction - Development - General Questions

1. What is annexation and how does the process work?

Annexation is the process by which a property becomes incorporated into the Town of Castle Rock's jurisdiction. With that annexation, the area benefits from services the Town provides, such as public safety, snow removal, street maintenance, park maintenance and more. It also means taxable units or sales tax from that property help pay for those services. All annexation proposals must follow a State-mandated process, which includes public hearings. As part of that process, Town Council must make three decisions:

• Substantial Compliance: Does the annexation petition comply with State Code?
• Eligibility: Is the property eligible to be annexed in accordance with State Code?
• Annexation: Should the property be annexed?

The Town has several proposals under consideration. Learn more and view the annexation proposals.

Fact or Fiction - Finance

1. If the grocery tax was eliminated, would the Town have less resources for transportation needs?

Yes. Part of the Town's sales tax revenue is allocated to the Transportation Fund. That fund provides for maintenance of streets - including snow removal - as well as for capital projects. Elimination of the grocery tax would impact the resources available annually for street maintenance and construction.

2. Is the Town responsible for all public services within Town boundaries?

No. The Town is a full-service municipality, offering police, fire and rescue, parks and recreation, water, building/planning/zoning, and roads/public works services to the community. However, other public entities work within Castle Rock, too. For example, Douglas County provides social, correctional and other services; Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) maintains traffic signals on and near state highways; and the Douglas County School District is responsible for oversight of local schools. There's even a separate cemetery district. Waste removal, meanwhile, generally is handled privately, or by a homeowners' association.

Fact or Fiction - General Questions

1. Does Castle Rock have a paper, glass, aluminum, plastic, and tin recycling program?

The Town does not provide trash removal or recycling services. Neighborhoods with homeowners associations may provide trash removal through the HOA. Those in areas without an HOA must obtain individual service. There is a community recycling center that operates 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays at 701 Prairie Hawk Drive. Visit the Community Recycling Center website for additional information.

Fact or Fiction - Parks and Recreation

1. Are there plans for a year-round simulated snow park at Philip S. Miller Park?

This project was proposed as a public/private partnership in 2015 between the Town of Castle Rock and Snowsports 365. At this time, the Town has not received a request from Snowsports 365 to move forward with development of facility, which is dependent on a private investment. The potential for this project still exists, but we do not have a timeframe for development.

Fact or Fiction - Water

1. What is the source of the water in Sellars Gulch? It flows year-round through Festival Park but seems to disappear just a few miles upstream.

Sellars Gulch is a surface stream that flows into East Plum Creek. The stream has natural flows that come from rain and snow, sprinkler systems, and natural surface springs. Surface streams, like Sellars Gulch, are a dynamic system that lose and gain water as they travel downstream. Sellars Gulch is wet around Festival Park, but then dips below ground. The water spreads among the sand and gravel underground, but then can be extracted as a drinking water supply downstream. Water that exists in the sand and gravel adjacent to a surface stream below ground is called an alluvial aquifer.

Updated Jan. 29, 2021

2. Is our water bill among the highest in the nation?

No, but our rates are a result of the local challenges related to water supply in our semi-arid region. Like most South Metro communities, Castle Rock is transitioning from a deep groundwater, nonrenewable supply to a renewable supply which comes from snow and rain. This will ensure a sustainable water source for the future. Castle Rock Water rates are mid-range compared to Front Range providers. See how one study compares water and sewer rates nationally. Keep in mind that comparing water bills is not easy, as every water provider is different. For instance, one reason a water bill from Denver Water is less than Castle Rock Water is that it is for drinking water service only. Separate bills (or property taxes imposed) are required for wastewater and stormwater in some other communities while, in Castle Rock, it is all on one bill. Castle Rock Water rates and fees are analyzed and adjusted annually, and this plan is reviewed by a resident-driven, open-meeting Water Commission.

Updated Jan. 29, 2021

Snow

1. What are residents responsible for clearing?

Town Code requires all businesses and residential property owners and/or tenants to remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 48 hours of each snow event, with 2 inches or more of accumulation. If you live on a corner, snow removal is required on both sidewalks - in the front and on the side of your property. Residents should also keep curbs and gutters free of ice, to allow drainage and prevent buildup. 

Reviewed Nov. 18, 2022.

2. Why don't plow drivers specifically clear to the north side of the street?

For safety and efficiency, plow drivers cannot change plow directions based on the street. The Town's policy is to plow residential roads from the center outward, providing a passable lane in each direction, placing snow along the side. This prevents favoring one side over another and is time efficient. Most roads are usually crowned (sloped) so they can drain to the gutters; this allows for the travel lanes to dry more quickly, preventing melt from refreezing over the road. 

Reviewed Nov. 18, 2022.

3. Why do plow drivers dump snow on freshly-cleared driveways or sidewalks?

Snow is never intentionally dumped onto cleared driveways and sidewalks; however, it will happen as plows move quickly. To help with the issue, pile snow onto the grass rather than the street, and continue to clear driveways as plows visit your neighborhood. Snow that is piled on the street will likely be pushed back into your driveway by a plow. 

Reviewed Nov. 18, 2022.

4. Who can I reach out to if I need help removing snow?

Senior citizens and persons with disabilities who are unable to clear snow from their sidewalks may receive assistance from the following organizations:

• Aging Resources of Douglas County: A free assistance and referral program for qualified seniors needing help with light maintenance and chores – donations are accepted. To learn more, call 303-814-4300 or email the Aging Resources of Douglas County team to ask about their assistance program.
• To the Rescue: A program that provides a range of services offered to all community members, with specialized services for seniors and persons with disabilities. To learn more about their services, email the To the Rescue team or call 720-851-2100. 

Updated Nov. 18, 2022.

5. What does the Town do with snow Downtown?

Downtown has its own plow route. Plow drivers will clear a lane in each direction, with snow pushed to the middle. If a significant storm occurs, trucks and a snow blower will haul away snow. More often, plow drivers will slush out the snow, moving it back and forth across the road to help it melt. It is recommended that businesses choose one parking stall on each block to pile snow into, so the rest remain available for use.  

From Dec. 1 through March 31, there will be no parking on portions of Third and Fourth streets from midnight and 7 a.m. Signs have been placed marking these areas so plows can clear snow in hard-to-clear sections.

Updated Nov. 18, 2022.

6. What kind of deicer does the Town use?

The Town only uses one type of salt treatment on the roads: ice slicer. This material is effective down to zero degrees, whereas most salt mixtures stop working at 15 degrees. When temperatures are expected to remain lower than zero degrees, the Town will use a gravel mix to maintain traction. Treating roads before a storm helps prevent icing, especially on elevated roadways and bridge decks. Cold, dry conditions are best for pretreatment, as precipitation washes the mixture away.

To lower environmental impacts and preserve the Town’s stormwater system, the snow team optimize the amount of products used to get the job done.

Updated Nov. 18, 2022.

7. How many snowplows does Castle Rock have?

The Town has 17 plow trucks, two of which are scheduled for auction in 2023. We also have 10 4x4 trucks with front plows, four front-end loaders, a snow blower and a motor grader. All of these vehicles work together depending on the significance of the storm. 

Updated Jan. 5, 2023.

Stormwater

1. Can I store landscape materials in the street for my house project?

Temporary storage of landscape and construction material is not permitted in the street, nor on the sidewalk. Landscaping materials left in the street will be washed away with the next rain or snowstorm, clogging drains, impairing waterways and impeding emergency access routes. Store materials on private property away from the path of drainage.

Water - Water Budget Adjustment

1. What does Castle Rock Water recommend I do to stay within my adjusted water budget?

1. Water between midnight. and 8 am, on your designated watering day. Watering in the evening when temperatures, sun exposure and wind are lower, and humidity is higher, greatly reduces water waste to evaporation. Daytime evaporation can waste up to 50% of irrigation.
2. Adjust your sprinkler run times according to plant type. Your past budget was based on Kentucky Bluegrass, a high-water use plant. Often irrigation timers are set for a large volume of water to ensure a green landscape. However, overwatering is not only wasteful but the primary cause of poor plant health. Kentucky Bluegrass is no longer allowed in non-residential areas, and as of 2018, no longer allowed on new residential lots. There are turf alternatives that require less water than Kentucky Bluegrass, and most shrubs and trees require even less. Naturalized (native) areas only need an occasional water during dry, hot periods, and not every week. Irrigation times should reflect plant needs.
3. Ensure irrigation equipment matches the plant type. Only turf should have sprinklers, while trees and plants should be on a more efficient drip system. Turf areas that are less than 10-feet wide shall not have overhead sprinklers due to excessive water waste.
4. Adjust your irrigation controller for weather conditions. Turf and plants need less water in the spring and fall than they do during the hottest time of the summer, and watering schedules should reflect that. Consider installing a smart controller that makes automatic adjustments for weather conditions. Check that rain sensors are in working order to eliminate watering during rain events.
5. Avoid overwatering to fix problems. If dry spots appear in turf areas, don't crank up the controller. Instead do a cup test to ensure sprinkler coverage is even. Brown spots usually are a result of ineffective or broken irrigation equipment. Sprinkler heads should all be the same type, and height in a single zone. Misaligned sprinkler heads hit by mowers or people, as well as obstructions such as trees and fences could be causing lack of water to that area. Finally, pests and disease can also cause brown spots.
6. Use Cycle and Soak method of watering. Break up the total irrigation schedule into shorter cycles. For instance, if an area takes 45 minutes to water, consider breaking up the irrigation schedule into three 15-minute cycles with at least 30 minutes in between. This will allow the water to fully soak into the root zone before adding the next shot of water, creating healthier plants that are more tolerant of dry conditions.
7. Inspect your irrigation system for leaks, broken sprinkler heads, and over-spray, regularly. Though irrigation takes place at night, it is still critical to continually monitor for a properly functioning system that is devoid of leaks, equipment breaks and overspray. Broken sprinklers, misaligned heads, lack of head to head coverage, and too much pressure are all common conditions that contribute to overwatering and water waste.
8. Hold your landscape professional accountable. If you have hired a landscape maintenance company to manage your irrigated area, show the landscape professional your water budget and express the need to stay within that budget.
9. Hire a Water Manager to look at irrigation efficiency. This landscape professional will look at and adjust your irrigation processes according to specific plant and space needs. The cost of hiring this professional could pay for itself in water savings
10. Use CRconserve.com as a resource. Though geared for residential use, this conservation website has been developed specifically for Castle Rock, with a run-time calculator for irrigation controllers, recommended plant materials, and tips on conservation and irrigation methods. Castle Rock Water provides rebates for efficient rotary sprinkler nozzles, smart controllers and removal of high-water-use plant material.
11. Apply for a rebate. Castle Rock Water provides several rebates for water efficient irrigation products including smart controllers and rotary nozzles. Additionally, we offer rebates for renovating high-water-use plant material into low- or no-water-use material.
12. Check indoor water usage. Tier 1 is indoor usage and begins the tiered structure on your budget. If you have excessive use indoors, this could push Tier 2 consumption into Tier 3-Excessive Use rates.
13. Decipher spikes in usage. If you see a spike in usage, this could indicate a leak. Check the Castle Rock Water Conservation website to identify how to determine if the leak is indoors or out. Create a schedule to periodically check for leaks or abnormally high consumption instead of waiting to see the spike on the bill.