Castle Rock Town Council Meeting – February 17, 2026
Castle Rock Town Council Meeting – February 17, 2026
The Castle Rock Town Council met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. Five members were present (Mayor Gray, Mayor Pro Tem Cavey, Councilmembers Hollingshead, Bracken, Dietz); Councilmembers Davis and Brooks were absent at the start (Brooks joined later). The meeting included an invocation, pledge, council comments, a public art commission appointment, town manager updates, a consent calendar, and several discussion items on development, massage facility licensing, solicitation regulations, and the potential relocation of the Douglas County School District headquarters.
Council Comments & Appointments
- Mayor Gray spoke on leadership, emphasizing the importance of compassion and self-reflection.
- Councilmember Dietz expressed strong opposition to Senate Bill 26-097, which would decriminalize commercial sexual activity in Colorado, calling it harmful to community morality. Mayor Pro Tem Cavey concurred, noting the bill would charge fees and licenses to prostitutes. Mayor Gray doubted the bill would pass.
- Appointment APPT 2026-003: The council unanimously appointed Adam Thornton to the Public Art Commission for a partial term ending May 31, 2027, following the resignation of Samuel Colston.
Consent Calendar
- ORD 2026-005: Second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 2.16 of the Castle Rock Municipal Code regarding the Planning Commission (approved 6-0 on first reading Feb 3).
- RES 2026-014: Resolution approving the Castle Rock Water Commission Attendance Policy.
- RES 2026-015: Resolution waiving formal bidding and approving a sole-source purchase of up to 3,200 tons of Ice Slicer from EnviroTech Services, LLC.
- RES 2026-016: Resolution approving a construction contract with Hydro Resources - Rocky Mountain, Inc. for the 2026 Denver Basin Aquifer Wells Rehabilitation, Pumping Equipment Replacement, and Well Abandonment Project (five wells in Meadows, Founders, Castle Oaks, and Terrain subdivisions).
- MIN 2026-005: Approval of the February 3, 2026 Town Council meeting minutes.
The consent calendar was approved unanimously (5-0).
Town Manager’s Report & Updates
- Calendar Reminders: A topping-off ceremony for the Sports Center is tentatively set for March 25 at 5 PM; a groundbreaking for Fire Station 156 is tentatively set for April 8.
- Legislative Update (Kristin Read): Staff recommended opposing several new bills, including unfunded mandates on building permits (not yet introduced) and Senate Bill 93 (workers’ comp background checks). Senate Bill 97 (decriminalizing prostitution) was already cited. House Bill 1001 (YIGBY) passed the House and moves to the Senate. On supported bills, a social media search warrant cooperation bill passed second reading in the Senate. Council affirmed staff’s recommended positions and directed staff to communicate them (motion passed 5-0). Mayor Pro Tem Cavey noted Colorado ranks 6th most regulated, 48th for housing affordability, 4th for homeowners insurance, and 47th for cost of living.
- America 250 / Colorado 150 Initiatives: Encouraged council to read the packet.
- Monthly Department Reports / 2025 Service Contract Year-end Reports: Encouraged review of accomplishments.
- Castle Rock Water Briefing (Mark Marlowe):
- Drought Update: Snowpack statewide at record lows (South Platte at 54% of normal). Lake Powell and Dillon Reservoir are critically low. A 14-day outlook is slightly better, but seasonal outlook remains poor. Castle Rock Reservoir 2 is full; Reservoir 1 is filling. The water supply index is currently 2.04 (above the 1.1 threshold). Water restrictions likely begin in May, potentially coordinated with other front-range providers. Mayor Pro Tem Cavey asked about the index; Marlowe explained it’s a 10-day running average updated daily.
- Water Quality Maintenance: Completed transition from chloramine to chlorine disinfection on February 7. Staff flushed nearly 500 fire hydrants and took 308 water quality samples. Approximately 150 inquiries were received, some citing odor (described as “swimming pool”). Marlowe confirmed the smell will dissipate over time as the system cleans and chlorine levels are lowered (currently 2.5 mg/L, well below the 4.0 mg/L upper limit). Staff will sample water at homes upon request.
- Douglas County Water Plan: Draft released; projects countywide water use will grow from ~73,000 acre-feet to ~102,000 acre-feet. The consultant found 36% more non-renewable groundwater than previously estimated. Castle Rock provided comments recommending against duplicative regulations and emphasizing existing provider partnerships.
- Development Services / Quasi-Judicial Projects: Referred to packet.
Discussion Items
DIR 2026-003 – Castle Pines Crowsnest Development Referral Response
Town Manager David Corliss presented a proposed letter to the City of Castle Pines regarding the Crowsnest development (~795 acres, nearly 4,000 dwelling units) proposed for annexation via a “flagpole” adjacent to Crowfoot Valley Road. Staff expressed three concerns: (1) lack of a water supply agreement with Parker Water, which could impact Castle Rock’s groundwater stewardship; (2) traffic impacts on Crowfoot Valley Road and Founders Parkway (Castle Rock is already widening Crowfoot); and (3) wildlife impacts. The letter urges Castle Pines to require a road connection (Canyonside Boulevard) before development proceeds to route traffic away from Castle Rock. Mayor Gray noted the council rarely comments on other municipalities’ decisions, but this exception was warranted due to direct impacts. Councilmember Dietz remarked the development “smells like desperation.” The motion to authorize the mayor to sign the letter passed 5-0.
RES 2026-017 – Intergovernmental Agreement for Massage Facility Licensing
Town Attorney Mike Hyman and Douglas County representatives (Scott Weeks, Valerie Brewster) presented an IGA allowing Douglas County to serve as the licensing authority for massage facilities within Castle Rock, as authorized by state law (C.R.S. 30-15-401.4). The county will conduct background checks, fingerprinting, and collect fees ($100 initial transfer, $25 renewal). Castle Rock Police will handle criminal complaints (e.g., human trafficking). Approximately 30 massage businesses in town will be subject to the requirements; licensed massage therapists (DORA-regulated) are exempt. Mayor Pro Tem Cavey expressed concern about adding regulations on small businesses, noting the irony of state mandates. Councilmember Hollingshead supported the IGA as a tool against human trafficking. Councilmember Bracken clarified that unlicensed therapists working from home would need to register. No public comment. The resolution passed 5-0 (Brooks not present for vote).
DIR 2026-004 – Amending Chapter 5.04 (Canvassers, Solicitors, Flyers)
Town Clerk Lisa Anderson recommended removing the requirement for a “no-knock list” because it has become obsolete: over 11,000 homes are on the list, but no one has ever requested removal, and solicitors rely more on stickers. Staff proposed to continue providing a “no-knock” sticker and maintain a solicitor registration and background check process (CBI checks, vehicle ID, criminal history). Canvassers (political, religious, charitable) are not required to register but may do so. Council agreed to remove the no-knock list but keep the sticker. The motion passed 5-0 (Brooks joined and voted yes after the motion was made).
DIR 2026-005 – Town Response on Douglas County School District Headquarters Relocation
Town Manager Corliss reported the school district is considering relocating its Wilcox Street headquarters from Castle Rock. Staff proposed sending a letter to the school board expressing the town’s strong desire to retain the district and asking if the town can financially participate in rehabilitating the building. Mayor Gray emphasized the importance of keeping the district in Castle Rock as the county seat. Councilmember Brooks noted the value of showing citizens the town is working to retain them. Councilmember Hollingshead recused himself as a DCSD employee. The motion to direct staff to prepare a letter for the mayor’s signature passed 5-0 (Hollingshead recused).
Executive Session
Council recessed at 7:30 PM into executive session (EXEC 2026-003) to receive legal advice and discuss strategy regarding Douglas County School District property within Castle Rock. They reconvened at 8:00 PM, and Mayor Gray provided a report that no substantial discussion outside the authorized topics occurred.
Key Outcomes
- Public Art Commission: Adam Thornton appointed unanimously.
- Legislative Positions: Staff’s recommended positions on state legislation affirmed; directed to communicate to delegation, CML, and others (5-0).
- Crowsnest Development: Council authorized the mayor to send a referral response letter to Castle Pines expressing concerns about water, traffic, and wildlife (5-0).
- Massage Facility Licensing: Approved IGA with Douglas County to enforce licensure; county will handle licensing, background checks, and fees; Castle Rock Police handle criminal conduct (5-0).
- Solicitor Ordinance: Directed staff to prepare an ordinance removing the no-knock list requirement but retaining the no-knock sticker and solicitor registration/background check process (5-0).
- DCSD Headquarters Relocation: Directed staff to send a letter from the mayor to the Douglas County School District expressing the town’s interest in retaining the headquarters and exploring financial participation (5-0, Hollingshead recused).
- Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
- Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Let's open with invocation. Heavenly Father, we ask your guidance, wisdom, and support as we begin this meeting. We gather here today intent on doing good work. We seek to represent fairly and well those who have given this task. Help us engage in meaningful discussion. Give us clarity and strength to her best judges, judgment and skills, bless this community, its residents, its businesses, and its visitors. Help us to do continue continue to do good work in your name. Amen. Councilmember Hollingshead. Here. Councilmember Bracken. Councilmember Davis is absent. Councilmember Brooks is absent. Councilmember Deeds. Here. Mayor Pro Tem KB. Yes. Mayor Gray. Here. Please rise, please. Pledge allegiance to be the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic. Indivisible. Liberty and Justice for all. Before I start the council comments, I just want to thank everyone for being here, whether it's in person or online. And uh let's go ahead and start over. I have a few things. One I wanted to um just uh give a comment for our safety for our own fire and rescue who are out that are fighting helping helping fight a fire um near Lyman and hopefully they can get control of it along with all the other agencies out there and uh more importantly hope uh hopefully we don't have any uh any serious injuries uh from the citizens or from our fire departments. Uh second, um one thing I wanted to talk about a little bit was um just some things I got I've gone over here and there with with stuff is uh lately I think it's because I'm in my last year of being mayor, I've been asked to go on a lot of panels and discussions and that kind of stuff. And uh one of the things I was talking about, my gosh, it was it was right around November, but I I've been trying to figure out how to how to talk about a little bit was one of the per person that up that I was talking to asked me about what was one of the more important things about leadership. And uh one of the things that I try to lean on uh for my own leadership is uh passion and compassion. Um the follow-up question on that was was what's more important compassion or passion. And I my my my take on that is you you can't really have great passion if you don't have even better compassion. Um that I think the compassion is probably the most important thing. Um but you also want to have passion for what you're doing, whether it's um uh the town of Castle Rock or the state or your job in general, uh you want to have passion, but if you lose sight of the compassion part, I think that that that can be kind of dangerous. Uh and the second thing is is uh when we're talking about those different group, um and it doesn't have to do with exactly for leadership, but just in general is self-reflection. Um I think it's important to have self-reflection and be able to look yourself in the mirror and and understand the mistakes that you're making on a daily basis. Um you know we all that the royal we, all of us in this in in the in this uh room, but not only in in this uh in this town, but in this country and this world, we all mistakes make mistakes every single day. And most of them are minor. You know, if you don't brush for five minutes, you brush for four, or you know, or or you you know, do you get a speeding ticket or something like that? But it's in some are major. Um but being able to self-reflect and understand that we're all fallible, we all have mistakes, and on top of that, uh be even being able to tell your friends, your neighbors, your relatives um that you've made mistakes with, whether you've um that said something hurtful or or something that you made a mistake on or you were wrong about something, and it doesn't matter again if it's if it's tiny or if or if it's big, but if it's tiny and it's about yourself, self-reflect and and you should think about how I can be better. If it's with other people and you're making mistakes or you're or you're you know hurting other people, um, get out there and apologize and get out there and and and uh make amends. Um there's a lot of people out there who are unwilling or unable to uh to make amends and figure out where they're where they're making mistakes. And um I I I think that one of the best qualities I see in people overall is is being able to make to uh admit when you screwed up, admit when you make a mistake. Um apologize, but also when somebody apologizes to you, forgive. And with that, Councilmember Hollinshead. Uh well said, Mayor, no comment tonight. Thanks.
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