Castle Rock Town Council Meeting – June 2, 2026

The Castle Rock Town Council met on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered routine consent items, public comments on trails and concrete work, adoption of updated building codes on emergency second reading, approval of 2026-2027 Art and Culture Grant Program awards, a first reading on election code revisions, a 50-year prepaid lease with Verizon Wireless for a communication tower, additional Chatfield Reservoir storage purchase, design services for the Young American infrastructure project, and a purchase/sale agreement and associated eminent domain ordinance for the Sedalia Force Main project. All votes were 7-0 unless noted otherwise.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance 2026-018 (Second Reading): Amended Section 13.15.080 of the Municipal Code to prohibit common interest communities from enforcing watering requirements for landscaping during drought conditions. Approved 7-0.
• Resolutions 2026-062 through 2026-066: Approved on-call concrete paving agreements for sidewalk repair (CMH Concrete Pumping Inc., KRM Concrete LLC, Sabell’s Civil and Landscape LLC); sole-source equipment purchase for Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course from L.L. Johnson Distributing; 2026 water lease agreements with Riverview Farms and Sublette, Inc.; and a third amendment with Burns & McDonnell for water infrastructure projects. Also approved minutes of the May 19, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Lontai (resident): Urged the town to build more single-track trails, citing over 50 academic studies showing trails pay for themselves in 2–3 years. He advocated for a public-private partnership with COMBA (Colorado Mountain Bike Association) to design and build trails, noting that current trail capacity at the MAC (Philip S. Miller Park) is crowded and that new developments like Brickyard and Miller’s Landing (1,500 new residents) lack trail plans. He provided handouts and emphasized economic benefits, including increased home values and sales tax revenue.
• Bryce Thouss (resident, concrete contractor): Raised concerns about improper concrete curing, finishing, and pouring in the rain on public works projects, causing surface defects and damage to adjacent stone. He stated that the town should require the concrete to be replaced at no cost to taxpayers and that specifications should be enforced equally between development and public works. He noted that Public Works Director Aaron Monks had contacted him.
• Mark Neal (owner of Castle Rock Bike & Ski, non-resident business owner): Supported John Lontai’s trail initiative and urged the town to have the Parks Department maintain soft-surface trails rather than relying exclusively on volunteers. He noted that trail development has not kept pace with population growth, and that soft-surface trails are a fraction of the cost of concrete paths.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2026-017 – Building Code Updates (Second Reading, Emergency Adoption): Tara Vargish and Building Official Jon White presented the adoption of the 2024 International Codes and Colorado-specific codes as primary codes, with amendments. The ordinance was adopted on emergency second reading so it would take effect June 30, 2026. Councilmember Hollingshead thanked Jon White for his work. No public comment. Motion by Mayor Gray, seconded by Councilmember Davis, passed 7-0.
• Discussion/Direction on 2026-2027 Art and Culture Grant Program (Item 14): Maia Yates (Parks and Recreation) presented staff recommendations totaling $58,190 for 14 grants (three educator, eight project, three program) from an $85,000 available fund. Council discussion focused on transparency and the mix of public benefit vs. private business benefit. Councilmember Brooks asked for clear transparency guidelines. Mayor Gray recused himself from voting on a grant to Dessert Jewel (located in a building where he has his business). Mayor Pro Tem Cavey moved to amend the police K9 sculpture grant to $10,000 instead of $5,000, and to separate the Dessert Jewel vote. The amended motion passed 7-0. Then a motion to approve the Dessert Jewel grant passed 6-0 (Mayor Gray abstained).
  • Approved Educator Grants: Castle Rock Christian Academy ($790 for Apple Pencils; $1,000 for Chomp saws); Renaissance Secondary School ($1,000 for Japanese taiko drum).
  • Approved Project Grants ($5,000 each unless noted): Ben Henry (mural at Lost Coffee); Kat Thomas/Kat Pro Studio (mural); Andrew Wasson/Wild Blue Yonder (wing sculpture); Heidi Mossman/Life at Home (wing mural); Samantha Sobas/Coff33 (metal sculpture); Castle Rock Police K9 Association (bronze sculpture, originally recommended at $5,000 but increased to $10,000 per amendment); Melanie Schambach (art supply library and community chalkboard).
  • Approved Program Grants: Castle Rock Band ($4,900); Castle Rock Orchestra ($500); Tri Arts Project (TAP) ($10,000).
• Ordinance 2026-019 – Election Code Revision (First Reading): Town Clerk Lisa Anderson presented a comprehensive rewrite of Chapter 2.01, standardizing petition processes (recall, initiative, referendum, charter amendments) and adopting state election statutes by reference. The town retains home rule powers and reporting requirements for issue committees (now $5,000 threshold). No public comment. Motion by Councilmember Dietz, seconded by Councilmember Davis, passed 7-0.
• Resolution 2026-067 – Verizon Wireless 50-Year Lease: Mark Marlowe explained converting a monthly lease on a water tank (in place since 1998) to a one-time $1.125 million upfront payment for a 50-year lease. This amount is less than the estimated $1.6 million over 50 years but provides immediate capital and reduces administrative burden. The lease is prepaid, and Verizon assumes all risk. Mayor Pro Tem Cavey recused herself due to employment with Verizon. No public comment. Motion by Councilmember Brooks, seconded by Councilmember Hollingshead, passed 6-0 (Cavey abstained).
• Resolution 2026-068 – Chatfield Storage Reallocation Amendment No. 7: Mark Marlowe presented the purchase of an additional 1,152 acre-feet of storage in Chatfield Reservoir from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The town has used all five deferments and now has nine years to pay the remaining $6.89 million. The water is high-quality (low total dissolved solids) and will help blend down salt buildup in Plum Creek. The project also supports water trades with Denver Water. No public comment. Motion by Councilmember Davis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cavey, passed 7-0.
• Resolution 2026-069 – Young American Infrastructure Improvements Design: Mark Marlowe presented a $94,000 design contract with Dewberry Engineers Inc. for water and road improvements in the Young American neighborhood (north of South Street, west of Valley Drive, east of Gilbert Street). The total project is estimated at $9 million for water infrastructure and $7 million for road work (overall design cost ~$607,000). The pipes are 4- and 6-inch from the 1970s; replacement will improve fire protection. Councilmember Brooks asked if this is the oldest infrastructure; Mark confirmed. Councilmember Dietz noted the project will disrupt neighborhoods. Mayor Pro Tem Cavey emphasized strong communication with residents about ADA sidewalk requirements, noting past complaints. David Corliss added that the town has improved notices to explain ADA compliance and liability. Motion by Councilmember Bracken, seconded by Councilmember Brooks, passed 7-0.
• Resolution 2026-070 and Ordinance 2026-020 – Sedalia Force Main Purchase and Eminent Domain: Mark Marlowe presented the purchase of a 2.5-acre site (from Ice Tong Land & Cattle Co. LLC) for the lift station and force main to Plum Creek Water Reclamation Authority. The purchase price and easements total within a $1.38 million budget. Construction has already started. Of the 14 properties needed, only three remain unsettled; final offers were sent with a June 8 deadline. The related ordinance amends previous eminent domain authorization to include proper legal descriptions. No public comment. Resolution 2026-070 approved 7-0 (motion by Councilmember Brooks, seconded by Councilmember Bracken). Ordinance 2026-020 approved on emergency first and final reading 7-0 (motion by Councilmember Hollingshead, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cavey). The final decisions on the three remaining properties are scheduled for June 16.

Key Outcomes

• Building codes updated to 2024 standards, effective June 30, 2026, via emergency adoption.
• 2026-2027 Art and Culture Grant Program approved with 14 awards totaling $58,190; the K9 sculpture grant was increased to $10,000, and the Dessert Jewel mural grant approved separately (Mayor Gray abstained).
• Election code approved on first reading; second reading scheduled for a future meeting.
• Verizon 50-year prepaid lease accepted – $1.125 million upfront.
• Chatfield Reservoir storage amendment approved, securing additional capacity for high-quality water.
• Young American infrastructure design contract awarded to Dewberry Engineers Inc. ($94,000); project to be bid late 2026, constructed in 2027.
• Sedalia Force Main property purchase approved; eminent domain ordinance amended; final negotiations due by June 8, with a hearing on June 16 if needed.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM.