Town of Castle Rock

?? Sunday, March 30, is National Doctors Day! It’s a time to recognize the dedication, skill and unwavering commitment of physicians who provide high-quality care to individuals and communities worldwide. How can you celebrate? Just say thanks! Or better yet, go see your doctor and schedule that checkup. Regular visits help catch problems before they start, giving you a better chance at treatment and cure, if needed. The Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department works alongside medical professionals every day to keep our community safe and healthy. Let’s show our appreciation for those who make a difference, take the initiative, prioritize your health and make sure you're on the right track to feeling your best!

Volunteers are needed to help restore riparian habitat at two locations along the McMurdo Gulch Trail portion of the Colorado Front Range Trail. These efforts also help keep the creek water clean and healthy. For more than a decade, volunteers have helped the Town of Castle Rock celebrate Earth Day by restoring disturbed areas along waterways. This year, from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, teams of volunteers will plant willows and other vegetation for the Earth Day conservation project. Join in as volunteers harvest cuttings from established willow plants and plant them at two creek crossings along the McMurdo Gulch Trail. The banks at these crossings require restoration following the construction of the Colorado Front Range Trail extension. Bring gloves and cutting shears if you have them. If you don’t, some will be provided along with water, snacks, safety vests, tools and instructions. Please note that weather can be variable this time of year, so a rain date of April 26 has been set for the event. Volunteers can register as a group, family or individual, and registration is required. Visit CRgov.com/EarthDay for more information and a link to sign up for Site A off of Castle Oaks Drive or Site B at Sage Canyon Elementary School. The Willow Conservation project is a great opportunity for scout groups working on their conservation badges or students needing community service hours. Learn more about the project and register at CRgov.com/EarthDay.

??8???? The results are in, and Castle Rock has once again been named one of the State's safest cities! Earlier this week, SafeWise released its 10 Safest Cities in Colorado 2025 report, and the Town of Castle Rock ranked No. 8! For the second straight year, Castle Rock had the largest population of anyone in the Top 10 and was the only Denver Metro area city to make the list. Earlier this month, CRPD released its year-end crime stats for 2024. Because of our People, Innovation and Community, we saw a 14% decline in total criminal offenses in 2024 from 2023. That included a 19% decrease in total property crimes, including a 37% decrease in motor vehicle thefts and a 41% decrease in car break-ins. “Like we said back in 2021 to 2022, when we were at the height of fighting auto thefts, we strongly believe the vast majority of the stolen vehicles that come into Castle Rock are used to commit other crimes,” said Cauley. “Through the incredible work of our officers, dispatchers and professional staff, coupled with our innovative use of technology and our real-time crime center, we’re catching these criminals before they have a chance to victimize others. I think the message is getting out that Castle Rock is not a place you want to commit a crime.” Castle Rock, we celebrate this honor with you! Learn more about CRPD's decrease in overall crime in 2024 by visiting https://lnkd.in/ggkR77vg. The SafeWise Top 10 Colorado list can be found at https://lnkd.in/g645drY.

An agreement with Douglas County School District for sharing school resource officer costs was approved at Town Council’s March 18 meeting. ? Here is a closer look: https://conta.cc/4kB0pqd

Each year, an estimated 75,000 children under the age of 5 end up in hospital emergency departments from unintentional poisoning. Approximately 90% of these take place in the home, where medicines and harmful chemicals are stored. This week is Poison Prevention Week, and the Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department wants to share some tips to help prevent poisoning if you have children in your home: 1. Talk to your child. If they are old enough to understand, have a conversation about certain items in the home being off-limits and why. 2. Take a look. Check for hazardous materials around your home that may not be securely stored away from children's reach. These are things that may look like juice or sports drinks (washer fluid or glass cleaner), candy (laundry or detergent pods) or items small enough to swallow easily (button batteries). In this photo, our CRFD members show how chemicals can look just like your favorite sports drink. 3. Lock it up. Anything potentially hazardous to a child, including medications, should be behind a locked door or cabinet. 4. Properly dispose of unused medications and household waste. The Douglas County Health Department has extensive information and resources on how to do this properly, including safe medication disposal options. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gnBAtqC6 Remember, taking time to talk to your child and putting hazardous items out of reach could be life-saving. For more tips, go to https://lnkd.in/gfDijkfX

Meet Rocket — the Castle Rock Police Department’s therapy dog and an invaluable part of our community support team. For the past 2.5 years, Rocket has provided comfort and companionship at Mesa Middle School, helping students navigate their day with a little extra joy. His work strengthens connections, reduces stress and creates a welcoming environment — proving that sometimes, the best support comes with four paws and a wagging tail. When he’s not working, Rocket enjoys strolling through Festival Park, taking in the local art and the happy energy of the community. Whether he's at school or strolling Downtown, #WeWorkForYou — one tail wag at a time.

An agreement with Douglas County School District for sharing school resource officer costs tops Town Council’s March 18 agenda. ? Here is a closer look: https://conta.cc/4bU6YA9

The Crystal Valley interchange team is hard at work laying the foundation for a solid future — literally. Building a bridge over I-25 isn’t an everyday project, so we appreciate our residents meeting us halfway and bearing the load with patience during this week’s interstate closures. Ever wonder just how heavy the workload is? We’re spanning the stats with a look at the materials that help support the project and keep progress on track. Here’s a breakdown of the numbers that are driving concrete progress. Nightly I-25 closures are expected to continue through tomorrow, Thursday, March 13. For more information or to sign up for project update emails, go to CRgov.com/CVI.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. ?? Did you know? According to Safe Kids Worldwide, a properly fitted helmet can reduce the risk of head injuries by at least 45%! Yet, less than half of children 14 and under wear a bike helmet. No matter your age, wearing helmets for sports and recreation is a must. Properly worn helmets absorb much of the impact energy from a fall or collision while protecting the skull and brain from severe injury. Castle Rock’s firefighters know a thing or two about helmets! From battling fires to water rescues and high-angle emergencies, the right gear keeps them safe on the job! So, whether you are biking or participating in various sporting activities, Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department encourages you to always wear a helmet, too! For more tips, go to https://lnkd.in/gDygT-gv ??

??Castle Rock residents - we want to hear from you! Every other year, we ask for your feedback on a variety of Town services - parks and recreation amenities, public safety services, and more. Your input helps shape the future of our community. How to participate: ??Check your mailbox - postcards with a QR code to complete the survey were recently sent. ??Starting soon, email and text invitations will be sent. Texts will come from numbers with the 303 area code, and calls should display the ID "Castle Rock." You are encouraged to answer the call to participate. Survey results will be published in June at CRgov.com/2025survey.