Protect Our Forest From the IPS and Mountain Pine Beetles
It’s extremely important to have eight inch in diameter or greater trees on your property sprayed for IPS Pine and Mountain Pine Beetles by a licensed tree service company, preferably in mid April to June. Spraying does not kill the beetle but protects trees from being attacked by both types of beetle. The Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) is the more aggressive beetle and has a one year life cycle. It attacks the tree by boring into the bark during July – September; eggs are laid; larvae are hatched, and it spends the winter under the bark. Adult beetles emerge in July – September to attack nearby trees.
You should exam your trees for: discoloration: e.g. yellowish to reddish, throughout the tree crown, and for pitch tubes: a popcorn shape of resin usually brown or pinkish, and sawdust material around the trunk of the tree. If you find any of these call your tree service company or CPHA Landscape Technician Dave Cooper at 303-814-1345. Dave will inspect the tree and if it appears the tree is infested, he will have a professional tree arborist inspect the tree.
The arborist will peel a small portion of the bark off to see if there is a blue/grey stain. If there is, then he will place a red ribbon around the trunk and the tree must be taken down before July and removed from the Village by the homeowner. Also, to sustain and/or improve the health of your trees, it is important to water them during dry periods of the winter. Remove broken limbs, snow damaged trees, and volunteer growth around the base of your “main” tree too. A healthy tree can resist beetle attack. Once the MPB infests the tree, nothing can be done to save it. Trees are one of our most valuable assets. We must protect them.
Gate 2 Update
On February 15, 2012 the CPHA hosted a community open house to gather input from residents about a potential staffed gate house at Gate 2. Conceptual drawings of the gate house were presented for review and comment. Al Dugan, President CPHA Board of Directors, presented data on current gate utilization. It is projected that traffic through Gate 2 would increase by 20% to 25% if Gate 2 were staffed. It was also noted that construction traffic for the proposed R-47/49 parcels would be routed through Gate 2.
A staffed gate house at Gate 2 would provide better access for guests, provide a similar look as all the other gates, relieve Gate 4 of some traffic, and some suggest, protect property values. Traffic would increase through Gate 2 and construction costs were estimated to be $225,000 for the new gate house. Operating expenses are estimated to be $116,700 per year. This represents a cost of $5 per month for each household.
Residents expressed safety concerns related to increased traffic volume including the need for speed mitigation, presence of blind corners, and the need for a walking trail. Others were concerned about increased trash along the roadway. Residents urged the CPHA to review less costly options including improving the aesthetics and making QuickPass more functional. It was noted the national trend is toward using technology rather than staffed gates.
Comments from this meeting were presented to the CPHA Board at their February meeting. Several current issues and projects must be completed before the Board can make a final decision which will likely be in June.
Tennis Activities for 2012
The Village Tennis Activities Group (TAG) has adopted the following plan for 2012:
MIXED DOUBLES SOCIALS – Fridays June 8, July 13, August 17 at 530pm and Saturday September 15 at 300pm
Youth/Adult Clinics and Lessons during June and July (Contact Rocky Mountain Tennis Academy at “ROCKYMOUNTAINTENNIS.COM” on April 1
Competitive Team Tennis (April – September) Women’s, Men’s, Mixed, Seniors, Super Seniors – Contact Jerry Eddy at Jerry@Hallack.com
First Village Tennis Tournament (July 20 - 22)
Watch for Tennis e-mails with more specific information regarding each of the planned activities. If you are not already on the TENNIS E-MAIL LIST, please contact Larry Bundy at lnbundy@msn.com. We look forward to seeing you on the courts this Spring.
Apollo Aquatics Swim Lessons!
Apollo Aquatics, contracted by the CPHA to manage all of the Village pools for the summer season, will be offering swim lessons for kids from 6 months on up. private, semi-private and group lessons are available. All lessons will be held at the Summit Club pool. Pick up a registration form at the CPHA office or download the REGISTRATION FORM which includes a list of class dates for group sessions and the class levels that will be offered for that session. Parents must select from the “level descriptions/checklist” a level for their child based upon their swimming skill. If the majority of requirements for a level can be done by the child, the child should be moved to the next level. For more information contact Apollo Aquatics Swim Lesson Coordinator at 303-337-3316.
Metro District Implements New Rebate Program for 2012
Metro is implementing a new Water Conservation Rebate Program in 2012. Rebate programs offered in previous years will not be offered in 2012. If customers would like to participate in the rebate program, they must meet with Metro’s Water Conservation Coordinator, Ms. Coll, prior to upgrading or retrofitting irrigation systems in order to be eligible. Please contact Ms. Coll for more information, (303) 688-8330, ecoll@castlepinesmetro.com or visit Metro's website, http://www.castlepinesmetro.com/water-conservation.
What To Do with Landscape & Construction Waste
Landscape materials that are put out as trash for Waste Management may only be placed on the curb on the day of pickup and no earlier than 5am. You may place these items next to your house until pickup day, but you may receive a notice of violation and fine if you put them out on the curb before then. Please note that WM will pick up a maximum of 10 bags per home at one time. Please contact WM at 303.797.1600 if you need to request a special pickup. Visit the CPV website for more information about WM’s trash service in the Village. Thank you for helping us to keep our community beautiful!
Notice from the Wildlife Committee: Rodents
Wildlife officials have confirmed an increase in rodent populations. We have wood rats (packrats), Norway rats, voles and mice in the Village. Damage prevention and control methods include: exclusion by sealing openings, removing vines from fences and buildings, cutting back shrubs and eliminating weeds, snap traps, live traps and glue boards. Ultrasonic devices have not been proven effective.
Lost & Found
Did you lose something at one of the Village facilities such as the Fitness Center, the Tennis Courts, the Summit Club or the Canyon Club? ES has accumulated quite a few items. Stop by the Emergency Services window in the CPHA building to provide a description of your item.
Wildlife Enthusiasts: Pictures Wanted
The Wildlife Committee (WC) is collecting photos featuring the varied wildlife in our community. All photos will be used for resident viewing purposes only: to include photo displays at special Homes Association events, a slideshow on this website, and a framed collage at the media center within the CPHA office. Photos will become the property of the CPHA, but will not be used for commercial purposes. Photos will be accepted throughout the year. Send JPEG photos to admin@castlepinesvillage.org . High resolution files preferred and CD disks can be dropped off to the CPHA office in c/o of the Administrator, Lisa Goodwin. Questions? Contact the Wildlife Committee at 303.952.0932
Starting to Plan Your Spring Landscaping Project?
The new Castle Pines Village Landscape Standards and the CPV Approved Plant list are now available. All exterior modifications to your property, including landscaping, must first be reviewed and approved by the Design Review Committee. The DRC is available to assist you in planning your project and there are 2 on-staff landscape technicians to help walk you through the entire approval process. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the DRC at 303-814-1345 or email drc@castlepinesvillage.org
Dogs Off Leash
The Village Rules and Regulations concerning pets are to help ensure that your pets are good citizens of the Village. When not on your property your dog must be on leash at all times, and this includes all open space areas. Animal waste that is left behind can pose health hazards to people and other pets so please remember to clean up after your pet. “Mutt Mitt” stations are located around the Village for your convenience. Please feel free to take as many of these handy bags as you need for future walks. Note that these bags are to go with the user and not be left behind at the dispenser station. Emergency Services Officers will periodically monitor the open space areas to ensure that dogs are on-leash.
Feeding Wildlife
With the exception of feeding birds (seeds, suet, and hummingbird nectar), feeding or baiting wildlife on Castle Pines Village properties is prohibited. Regardless of how benevolent a person’s intentions, feeding hurts wildlife. Feeding creates an unnatural behavior that disrupts the natural balance. It also attracts prey species and predators to your home where they can create a safety risk to your family and pets. In the end, it is the animals that usually suffer. For expanded discussions on the hazards that feeding wildlife can create, please review the sections on black bears and mountain lions. Article: Living with nature in Castle Pines Village
Approved Utility Box Paint
If your utility pedestals/boxes are in need of painting, please download the color formula HERE that you can use at any paint store. Do not paint mailboxes or posts: they are to stay natural and weathered. Questions? Call Bill Holwell, our DRC landscape technician at 303-814-1345.
Free Mosquito Control Tablets
Standing water and water features are prime breeding territory for mosquitoes. The Homes Association is offering to all residents two free larvicidal mosquito tablets that can be placed in your water feature, or anywhere you have standing water, to prevent mosquitoes from breeding near your home. Each tablet is bio-degradable, natural, environmentally safe, covers up to a 100 sq. ft. area and will work for up to 30 days. Directions for use are included. Quantities are limited so come by the CPHA office soon!