Castle Rock’s recent community survey boasts greater numbers of residents participating with mostly higher ratings for the town’s services and small-town feel.
The survey found that 62 of 77 evaluation items, or 81 percent, showed improvement compared with 2011 findings. The survey results are from 1,335 respondents — 1,056 residents and 279 businesses.
Residents gave Castle Rock high marks as a place to live and a place to raise children. The lower-rated aspects of Castle Rock living were the town having a sense of community or cohesiveness and Castle Rock being a good place to retire.
Availability of a healthy lifestyle and the reputation of the town were two of the highest-rated aspects to living in Castle Rock, while the lower-rated aspect of employability was up from 2011, mirroring a recovering economy in the town.
As is typical, the ratings for costs of water and applications with the building division were rated lower.
“We’re constantly examining our needs and making sure they are appropriate for different areas,” Mayor Paul Donahue said. “That includes looking at the costs of water and business and enterprise, and making sure we’re able to cover those costs.”
Donahue said when compared to other municipalities, the town’s water rates are comparable. That being said, long-term renewable water continued to be at the top of residents’ minds when it came to the town council’s priorities.
There were some residents who complained the town has not done enough to maintain its small-town character. Donahue said that is difficult as the town continues to grow and undergoes a housing boom.
“If we can have those events available and make it available for families to come down and enjoy them, that is one of those characteristics that maintains small-town charm,” Donahue said.
To view the survey results, go to
Clayton Woullard: 303-954-2671, cwoullard@denverpost.com or twitter.com/yhclayton
