Controversy about plans for a new highway link between The Meadows subdivision in Castle Rock and Interstate 25 has intensified since residents of Castle Pines Village dangled $6 million for the project if Douglas County closes Happy Canyon Road.
The Meadows subdivision is growing, and planners say extending Meadows Boulevard to a spot north of the Founders Parkway interchange is needed to ease traffic congestion in western Douglas County.
But some residents, including some from the Happy Canyon subdivision, say the 2-mile stretch of Happy Canyon Road between I-25 and U.S. 85 is a key access that should not be sold out.
Three of the access plans will be presented at an open house today from 5 to 7 p.m. at Castle View High School, 5254 N. Meadows Drive.
“Our group wants to see Happy Canyon Road remain open, and we don’t want to see a new interchange built on I-25,” said Les Lilly, president of the Happy Canyon Homeowners Association, one of several neighborhoods fighting the plan.
The Castle Pines Village Homes Association did not return phone calls for comment.
But the association has said that adding an I-25 interchange will push more traffic onto Happy Canyon, a two-lane road near Castle Pines Golf Club heavily used by folks driving to the highway from Sedalia and Louviers.
Village residents would like to gate both ends of Happy Canyon Road.
“We thought all that traffic would go through Happy Canyon Road and bisect Castle Pines Village,” Jerry Raskins, former president of the Castle Pines Village Homes Association, told The Denver Post recently.
For years, residents of Castle Pines Village have wanted to restrict access on Happy Canyon Road, once even considering incorporating as a town, in part, so they could do just that.
The controversy has been difficult for businesses near Happy Canyon Road and U.S 85. On one hand, they do not want to see the road close because it would mean less business. On the other, they don’t want to alienate their many customers from Castle Pines Village.
Steve Wright, owner of Village Fitness, said closing Happy Canyon Road could be “catastrophic” to the businesses at The Village at Castle Pines shopping center.
“I want the road to stay open,” he said. “This is a major artery to the north.”
Officials estimate it would cost about $50 million to $60 million to extend Meadows Boulevard and build a new intersection at the interstate.
Should Castle Pines Village residents decide to pitch in, it would mean the project would get done sooner. That money would probably come from a tax or bond package Village residents would have to approve.
With or without the cash plum, the new road will be built.
“Ultimately, we still have a project we are focusing on,” said Maria Hagen, assistant director for public works for Castle Rock.
The decision to close Happy Canyon Road will be made by Douglas County, and only after “significant public input,” county spokeswoman Wendy Holmes said.
“We understand the concern. We respect the concern,” she said. “Yet, it’s important for the community to understand we have not received a proposal to restrict public access to Happy Canyon Road.”
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
