[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6344011,"mediaKeyId","2251254-afafc0ed56e5d0816693efe17384f475","parentId",2251254,"title","Castle Rock staff proposes AI listening pilot on hydrants to find hidden water leaks","audioSeconds",67,"startMs",8340000,"endMs",8407000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251254-afafc0ed56e5d0816693efe17384f475&start=8340&end=8407","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251254-afafc0ed56e5d0816693efe17384f475/thumbnail_8340000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6344011/Castle-Rock/Douglas-County/Colorado/Castle-Rock-staff-proposes-AI-listening-pilot-on-hydrants-to-find-hidden-water-leaks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344011-f87e8eea8845b827812f29c1539b5a03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111444&Signature=aivtubNnX~zWYLH-XCJQKNrKcthguA7-BUVDxPdz~OndkD7dvSS-mtpFpbVgzWq0ZsE1cXIArdOiCer8YlHMjfoEthWvpocqWcrUnqk317DU9W25sH4chr-1KMlxkgZmUsL0ZkSuL7wtXMBgNDSAAYxntsbjbyFHI0rzNq6YaiMLLHvl~ZxekgpOMa5fWONbXI7uBsL1U2kCvwqRZ12qx8AzStzS7xLFmW6GuXjLcVAqmkKaI7tESy4mW1EhQeJpFCmKcsDC0etE4oicmb3vi-ftgoDHRBhF8~7E~Vv9wseSHVyKOgp9gPT2rwIQ5Ekc5YMVgkFHCCNVuveRhRK5cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Castle Rock","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","Town staff briefed council Feb. 4 on a proposed pilot program to deploy acoustic leak‑detection devices and analytics on the water distribution system to identify hidden (nonvisible) leaks.

Public Works staff said the town’s water system has historically experienced nonrevenue water losses estimated at roughly 400–700 acre feet per year; at current indoor water rates that represents the equivalent of several hundred thousand dollars in annual revenue and the potential need to procure or replace water supply rights to make up the loss. To address the issue, staff proposed a six‑month pilot in the Cobblestone Ranch neighborhood using devices that attach near hydrants and use artificial‑intelligence algorithms to detect leak signatures in the pipe network.

Estimated costs and benefits: Staff estimated an initial pilot cost of about $90,000. If the pilot proves effective, staff told council a full system rollout could cost roughly $2.5–3 million; staff projected a payback period of five years or less on avoided water supply and revenue losses and identified the pilot as a high‑priority efficiency and conservation tool.

Council direction: The presentation was informational; staff said they plan the six‑month trial and will return with results and a recommendation about systemwide deployment if the pilot identifies leaks that can be repaired and verified.

Staff explained the acoustic approach detects leak noise signatures the human ear cannot hear across the distribution network and that the devices narrow leak locations to a few feet so crews can excavate and repair non‑surface leaks that otherwise go undetected for long periods.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Castle Rock Town Council on 2025-02-04","oneSentenceSummary","Public works staff briefed council on a proposed six‑month pilot to install AI acoustic sensors on hydrants in Cobblestone Ranch to detect hidden distribution leaks; staff estimated a $90,000 pilot cost and systemwide scale cost of roughly $2.5–3 million with a payback of about five years or less if successful.","taxTitle","Castle Rock, Douglas County, Colorado","taxId",8866,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344016,"Council approves \"Rising Star\" scholarship for Castle Rock high‑school seniors",145,8276000,8421000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251254-afafc0ed56e5d0816693efe17384f475&start=8276&end=8421","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251254-afafc0ed56e5d0816693efe17384f475/thumbnail_8276000.jpg","/articles/6344016/Castle-Rock/Douglas-County/Colorado/Council-approves-Rising-Star-scholarship-for-Castle-Rock-highschool-seniors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344016-75b583520c6505966f0c69c73daa9252/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111444&Signature=oP7bbevMrYzdCsHuoY21Z-UCvnIC1HOhtZwjiP7QrsgC9gz-EHfI7GmRGA1moBe8sozhW0stG7H-yJUM83BKldiel24GzvJ3fzyoJG4M80S-HkrUC4UNiWXvOd6Rzz0NXmgkRd6q8YWmlghcyOeOyymCzwpjmmUat5AD0E-tQYn55sPanclr62k3mu3R9EPeFcL21IQB6PgN8Bi4-b2yqFWwhMZEcWSg7KWofiMew6zfi1hmr-zEY9-RMqet82Y4Iq7eJG0od6geB-fitgayFmQ1qa8SmDHB5QFs4JHvIU3xhUCjZ4PTd~6XE~9gIPtB94ZfHD8KVNL8TOXTayFAUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town council on Feb. 4 directed staff to implement a new local scholarship—called the Rising Star scholarship—designed to recognize graduating Castle Rock high‑school seniors for community service and local leadership.

The program will award up to two $1,000 scholarships each year; the initial awards will be paid from the Youth Commission’s FY2025 budget allocation (staff said the commission budget is $8,000 for the year). Applicants must be high‑school seniors who live in Castle Rock or attend a Castle Rock school; homeschool students living in town may also apply. The application will require a personal statement, a letter of support and supporting documentation; staff proposed an application window from Feb. 10 through March 14 and a selection panel of youth‑commission representatives and other community judges. Scholarship winners will be announced at the April 15 council meeting.

Becca Schnorr, the town’s youth leadership coordinator, said the program is modeled on similar awards in neighboring jurisdictions and that the Youth Commission intends to seek sponsorships in future years to sustain the program beyond the initial town allocation.

Council action: Motion to implement the Rising Star scholarship was approved unanimously. Staff will publish application materials and begin outreach to schools and community organizations.","Town council directed staff to implement a new ‘Rising Star’ scholarship run by the soon‑to‑be‑seated Youth Commission: up to two $1,000 awards annually, initially funded from the youth commission’s FY2025 budget and later supplemented by sponsorships.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344021,"Castle Rock council affirms staff positions on two state bills, directs outreach",119,1150000,1269000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251254-afafc0ed56e5d0816693efe17384f475&start=1150&end=1269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251254-afafc0ed56e5d0816693efe17384f475/thumbnail_1150000.jpg","/articles/6344021/Castle-Rock/Douglas-County/Colorado/Castle-Rock-council-affirms-staff-positions-on-two-state-bills-directs-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344021-5e6eb2be880044bb80bf2e3d37d28a7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111444&Signature=AmmRIcX5V2rrdwBkA69nac7sLw6howpRo0vbvjLP6LBdB02cSjJuFkyJIOEOuDJQxGXNvKHX8GO3T3NXSfIzntdIRPTAno9hkzK~q1eS6KWGhcx8XBhzyhDAr6g4CLNzr-eJQn8GoQknoZeKQw0JnYUwXyzhBWSVqMpYOV3NVKSB6KrVIxzdQWfARCQnBMrvCWiQniMPCXTC5nLbLDW1Ty1jUuMzJdfqGaz6HVo7nomNmtaSbB6gaOyoOn8jMKfwcLICLwVNl6iCN4grY3YiNBqDys6xwhV8euaq-ED79UyfdCEpylZtaymr9esydeIdL5gg6vALmKGE8-RQ7NXjkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town of Castle Rock council members voted unanimously Feb. 4 to affirm staff’s recommended positions on recent bills introduced in the Colorado General Assembly.

Kristen (state‑affairs staff) told council she had added two new recommendations since a prior update: oppose House Bill 1093, described in staff materials as a broad land‑use bill perceived to reduce local control; and support House Bill 1112, described as enabling local authorities to enforce vehicle registration requirements. Kristen said the land‑use bill appeared “pretty big and pretty broad” and staff recommended opposing it for that reason; staff recommended supporting the vehicle registration bill because it would enable local enforcement.

Council motion: Councilmember (maker) moved to affirm staff’s recommended positions and to direct staff to communicate those positions to the town’s legislative delegation, the Colorado Municipal League and other partners. The motion passed unanimously on roll call.

What’s next: Staff will send letters to the town’s delegation and to CML and will continue to track and report on bill movement, including items the council previously opposed or supported.","Council voted unanimously to affirm staff recommendations to oppose House Bill 1093 (land‑use preemption) and support House Bill 1112 (local vehicle registration enforcement), and directed staff to communicate the positions to the town’s legislative delegation and Colorado Municipal League.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344026,"Castle Rock delays large‑vehicle parking rule after tow‑truck safety debate",122,4474000,4596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251254-afafc0ed56e5d0816693efe17384f475&start=4474&end=4596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251254-afafc0ed56e5d0816693efe17384f475/thumbnail_4474000.jpg","/articles/6344026/Castle-Rock/Douglas-County/Colorado/Castle-Rock-delays-largevehicle-parking-rule-after-towtruck-safety-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344026-c1105b39d67e91bc8d2c5064937eceaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111444&Signature=QRPTO2XWv49kJYfJ6QATMSq3UehAk~yTZybTQ6vB9BdpR1LRzxCJL~7XidePieiW5Lf0p3yyDeZu3xILZ-lRkFpWjMqqirOx7UESKkBPGG8Ap74Z6jsAXIEy43aZEYm3DY0E6D7kCA0xuR24~z~kGRy7RAJxx9lrLybQ293XZThm5J61YSpA-0Cj-o4C8m16Ac-W~dyx-sOnOxn36iZvWjCW-rloyEEGQg5CHJQLXO-vi0FmIXqO~FbN20lzW~U5SGk9mupKKltOauNAMR~gpUBjQWKBhuMNmOxt6g3GhIYzb5~laBZ5oUgtU6FFJCKyRdo2O8~oSB5I7lBcpxlzBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town of Castle Rock council members decided Feb. 4 to postpone adopting a revised ordinance governing large‑vehicle parking on town streets after an extended public hearing and council discussion about tow‑truck safety, neighborhood impacts and enforcement.

The draft ordinance, which staff brought back for second reading, had included higher penalties for violations (revised in committee to $100 minimum for a first offense, $250 for a second and $500 for three or more offenses within 12 months) and specific language clarifying that tow trucks actively responding to calls in a nearby residential area may be in the right of way while on duty. Council spent the evening hearing testimony from tow‑truck company owners, drivers and several residents about response‑time impacts and neighborhood concerns.

Why it matters: Contracted towing companies told council that drivers routinely park flatbed tow trucks at their residences overnight to keep response times short for emergency and traffic‑clearance calls; company representatives and some residents argued that forcing those trucks to return to yards would increase response times and raise safety risks for motorists and first responders. Other residents and some council members said 26,000‑pound commercial trucks parked in residential streets create safety, visibility and parking‑supply problems.

Public testimony: Lindsey Gray, representing an emergency towing provider, said the contractors serving Castle Rock and Douglas County are inspected and regulated and that “it is absolutely necessary for the safety of first responders and the public to have immediate response times” for incident clearance. Several tow‑truck business owners described multi‑agency contracts, training coordination with police and fire, and examples where faster tow response reduced the risk of secondary collisions.

Council action and next steps: An initial motion to adopt the ordinance was withdrawn; after discussion councilmember Dietz moved, and council voted unanimously, to continue the item and direct staff to return with additional options and possible limited exemptions (for contracted emergency towing providers or other narrowly defined circumstances), and to explore potential town‑owned or third‑party parking alternatives. Staff told council they have not yet studied town‑owned parking sites for that purpose and will evaluate options and draft revised language for a future meeting.

What changed since first reading: Staff said the two principal edits made after first reading were (1) reduced and tiered civil penalties for violations and (2) an explicit clause allowing tow trucks to be in the public right of way when the driver is on duty and actively responding to a call in the immediate area. Council asked staff to bring back clearer language and to work with contracted tow providers on enforceable conditions such as vehicle marking, reflective materials and limits on overnight placement.

Council voted to postpone final action and directed staff to prepare a revised ordinance with options for limited exemptions and implementation safeguards before returning to council.","Council postponed a vote on an amended large‑vehicle parking ordinance after extended public comment from contracted tow companies and residents; members asked staff to return with options and exemptions to balance neighborhood impacts and emergency response needs.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344031,"Castle Rock council approves Brickyard mixed‑use project, clears way for 145,000‑sq‑ft sports center",4945,4398000,9343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251254-afafc0ed56e5d0816693efe17384f475&start=4398&end=9343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251254-afafc0ed56e5d0816693efe17384f475/thumbnail_4398000.jpg","/articles/6344031/Castle-Rock/Douglas-County/Colorado/Castle-Rock-council-approves-Brickyard-mixeduse-project-clears-way-for-145000sqft-sports-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344031-27f5a7d190adb8596ff06355d5d82b67/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111444&Signature=BntCvpRrygnjzXgyJ6dPK75um7ZOK2CUXXxaIEw~dkRkBLHJkSr-WWBgd~WijV6z3QXC2bFQFXmhWcVX9LDSPjMt13fWg4LhsoHz0rsyCaNp3AX-3B9sNBSS-yQiHnbpb6f9RoHO7dGJkO4eKN8LlhANhQtBH-JJscBRpKlez34D6bgNm0ni2P8OiiKpT1yHRkHPluZyr5n2iUm7WtEKsxvlYfQxm6aQfv8A7D-RDdE2mGfc2sKOYSpMqoMYuUAOA1zXFFcT96tZeRKxWoqYAg-qHgPutdhk~fcrvCdG5hrKTs4M5WTaHMCjCuPQuDq04XijoWLfoRl3Fx5q8JWwhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town of Castle Rock council members voted unanimously Feb. 4 to approve a plan‑development zoning ordinance and a related development agreement for the Brickyard, a proposed mixed‑use redevelopment of the former Acme Brick site that includes a proposed 145,000‑square‑foot sports development center.

The approvals let Confluence Companies move the project into site‑development and construction phases. The development agreement and zoning together commit the developer to construct roads, stormwater infrastructure, trails and parking necessary to support the sports center and the mixed‑use neighborhood, and dedicate roughly 10.36 acres of public land for the sports facility.

Why it matters: Council and staff said the site provides road access, utilities and a scale of land that make the sports center financially feasible; the developer and town also structured revenue sharing and financing steps so the facility’s debt service would not rely solely on the town’s general fund.

The sports center concept presented by town recreation staff would contain competition and recreation gyms, a natatorium sized to host meets, a fitness/weight area, group fitness and meeting space and a mezzanine track. Recreation staff said the building footprint is about 145,000 square feet and that estimated hard costs are roughly $68 million with about $4 million in soft costs (furniture, fixtures and equipment), for a total project cost in the low‑to mid‑$70 million range. Staff and the applicant told council the town would finance roughly $62 million of that amount by issuing certificates of participation (a municipal lease‑style financing). Staff projected annual debt service of about $4.2 million, to be paid from a mix of pledged revenue streams tied to the Brickyard site and other parks funding.

Confluence Companies and its design team described the Brickyard as a phased, mixed‑use district on about 31.6 acres. The PD zoning that passed includes (maximums stated in the zoning request) up to 583 residential units (540 multifamily units and up to 43 townhome units), roughly 49,000 square feet of office, about 16,000 square feet of restaurant space and a “Great Hall” building with retail and market uses. The zoning also allows a hotel and conference facility on the southern portion of the site; the developer’s materials show a hotel program and associated pool deck and parking structure.

Tony DeSimone, CEO of Confluence Companies, told council his team and the town negotiated infrastructure responsibilities to allow the sports center and the mixed‑use buildings to be built together. “We would be able to construct it on their site,” he said, describing cooperation with neighboring property owners on a future road alignment and trail connections.

Council and staff emphasized off‑site transportation work the developer agreed to fund and build: reconstruction of the existing northern segment of Prairie Hawk Drive, required turn‑lane and intersection improvements on Wolfensberger Road, and construction of the east side of the planned Praxis Street (a new connector) to Plum Creek Parkway. The development agreement also obligates the developer to upsize a culvert and reimburse the town for previous drainage and sewer upgrades in the area.

Public finance elements include a proposed revenue‑sharing package that would allocate 60 percent of the town’s 4.0 percent sales tax collected on Brickyard commercial activity to the project for 25 years, and creation of an urban renewal plan that would capture incremental property taxes generated on the site to support developer‑funded public improvements. The developer plans a metropolitan district (special district) to provide local services and repay some public improvement costs; the developer also requested credits against town parks and transportation impact fees to reflect onsite park land and publicly‑funded infrastructure delivered as part of the project. Staff’s financial analysis concluded the combination of project revenues, pledged fees and impact‑fee credits makes the sports center financing feasible while leaving funding for other park projects over the medium term.

Council action: Two separate formal actions were required and both passed unanimously. The first was ordinance 2025‑7 (rezoning/plan‑development plan); the second was the development agreement ordinance 2025‑8 (vesting and contractual obligations tied to the project).

What’s next: Site‑development plans, final building architecture and a public‑finance agreement will return to council on later agendas; staff said additional intergovernmental agreements will be required with the school district, county and other taxing entities if the URA is established. The developer said construction would be phased and that public‑facing retail and lodging uses would follow core infrastructure and the sports center.

A number of residents and business leaders spoke in favor during the public hearing; speakers cited unmet recreation demand, new hotel and conference capacity for the community, and new housing choices for older residents.

Officials urged continued review of parking, traffic phasing and trail connections as the project moves into site‑level permitting.","Town council voted unanimously to rezone the former Acme Brick site for a mixed‑use development and approved a development agreement that secures land and public‑infrastructure commitments for a sports development center and adjoining hotel, housing and retail.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Castle Rock staff proposes AI listening pilot on hydrants to find hidden water leaks

Council approves "Rising Star" scholarship for Castle Rock high‑school seniors

Castle Rock council affirms staff positions on two state bills, directs outreach

Castle Rock delays large‑vehicle parking rule after tow‑truck safety debate

Castle Rock council approves Brickyard mixed‑use project, clears way for 145,000‑sq‑ft sports center