The Castle Rock Town Council met on March 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a broad range of topics including a proposed Douglas County on-demand shuttle service, several annexations and rezonings, approval of a $22 million construction contract for Fire Station 156, adoption of the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, updates to water conservation programs, and amendments to the solicitors ordinance. All votes were unanimous (7-0) with one councilmember absent for a single item. No public testimony was provided on any agenda item.
Douglas County On-Demand Shuttle Service Proposal (DIR 2026-006): Douglas County Commissioners George Teal and Abe Laydon, along with Rand Clark, presented the Link on Demand program, a free ride-share service similar to Uber. The program would be a one-year pilot with an 80/20 cost split: 80% from county, state, and federal funds, and 20% ($400,000) from Castle Rock. The service would operate within Castle Rock and connect to light rail in Lone Tree, with hours M-Th 7a-7p, F 7a-10p, Sa 10a-10p, and no Sunday service. It would supplement the Senior Center's transportation and replace the taxi voucher program. Council discussion included concerns about return on investment, taxpayer burdens, and the logistics of transfers between zones. Councilmember Hollingshead supported it as a win for seniors and disabled residents, emphasizing quality of life. Councilmember Bracken favored partnering with the County and ensuring legal review. Councilmember Davis noted the previous Clean Air Shuttle saw low usage and questioned the transfer model. Councilmember Dietz called it worth a trial. Councilmember Brooks highlighted data collection and pending rideshare legislation. Mayor Gray asked about ROI and senior usage percentages. Mayor Pro Tem Cavey questioned the $400,000 investment and whether a clear ROI could be tracked. Town Manager David Corliss stated surveys and destination data could provide indicators. Council voted 7-0 to direct staff to work with the County to develop an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA).
Quasi-Judicial Hearings:
Fire Station 156 and Logistics Center Construction (RES 2026-031): Fire Chief Norris Croom presented the $22 million project for a new fire station and logistics center at Castle Oaks Drive. The station is needed to improve response times (currently 12%-40% compliance in the northeast area) and to centralize equipment storage. Funding includes a $6M TABOR loan, impact fees, a $6M general fund loan, $8.3M in COPs, and $800,000 from Castle Rock Water for sewer upgrades. Construction is expected to start in spring 2026 and finish by spring/summer 2027. Staffing of 12 personnel ($2.5M/year) will be covered by the general fund. Approved 7-0.
2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (ORD 2026-009): Adoption of the state-mandated wildfire resiliency code for new construction and major renovations. The code requires structural hardening (e.g., class A roofs, non-combustible decks, ember-resistant vents) and defensible space, with requirements varying by fire hazard zones (low, moderate, high). Existing homes are largely unaffected unless making changes over 25% of siding, roof, or deck. The state requires adoption by April 1, 2026, and enforcement by July 1, 2026. Councilmember Dietz asked about insurance rate reductions; Chief Croom said it depends on individual insurers. Approved 7-0.
Landscape and Irrigation Criteria Manual, Water Conservation Rebate Program, and Water Use Management Plan (ORD 2026-010, RES 2026-032, RES 2026-033): Annual updates to water conservation programs. Key changes include updated irrigation efficiency requirements, ultrasonic flow sensors for non-residential, and removal of whole-home water monitoring rebates. The per capita water use has decreased from 137 gallons/day in 2007 to 111 in 2025. The water use management plan maintains the same watering schedule and fees, with clarifications for repeat offenders. Councilmember Brooks noted an increase in violations in 2025 due to lower precipitation compared to 2023-2024. All three items approved 7-0.
Canvassers and Solicitors Ordinance (ORD 2026-011): Amendment to remove the requirement for a no-knock list, instead relying on the existing no-knock stickers or signs. The town will still provide stickers and communicate the change. No public comment. Approved 7-0.
Good evening. First, I want to thank everyone for being here, whether it's online or in person. And we'll open with the invitation. Heavenly Father, we ask for 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 give us this task. Help us engage in meaningful discussion, give us clarity and strength to use our best judgment and skills. Bless this community, its residents, businesses, and visitors, and help us continue doing good work in your name. Amen. Call to order, please. Councilmember Hans had here. Councilmember Brackett. Present. Councilmember Davis. Here. Councilmember Brexit. Present. Councilmember Deeds? Here. Mayor for Tim KB. Yes. Mayor Gray. Here. Holly President. Thank you. Please join me for the case. And it's one nation. I'll go ahead and start with Council Comments. I don't have a lot, but I want to, you know, there's been a lot about water. Even though we're getting water right this second, I know it's not helping much. And so hopefully we'll get a lot more water in the near future, whether it's um in the form of snow or rain or both. But one of the things I want to talk about a little bit is just be careful out there. We've had uh five fires in the Cass Rock area over the last couple of weeks, uh, one over eleven hundred acres. Um that that's a that's a lot of fires in two weeks that it could could awfully be awfully dangerous. So keep be vigilant if you see smoke, call the appropriate numbers. If you see fire, call appropriate numbers and uh be careful. And know that that uh that uh there's a lot of wildfires out there that hopefully we can we can uh mitigate by by doing a good job with our our mitigation in our in our homes and not homes but around our houses and uh in our area and also just being vigilant. With that, Councilmember Holland's head. No comment tonight, thanks. Councilmember Bracken. Thank you, Mayor. No comment. Councilmember Davis. Yeah, I'd like to talk about the uh new stop sign at Lake Gulch and Chrysopelli Parkway. Um I know this is all new for everybody over there. Uh I think this is a great idea. Thanks to Tim and the commissioners and all of us for uh approving that. Um I do see I as soon as they put it in. Uh I did see a car accident like right after that. So people are still running that thing, so please be careful out there.