Residents, Parker oppose developer's 800-acre flagpole annexation of Crowsnest

VT Crowfoot Valley Landco, LLC filed a petition seeking to annex nearly 800 acres known as Crowsnest into the City of Castle Pines using a flagpole annexation that would connect the site to the city along Crowfoot Valley Road. Castle Pines City Council approved a resolution finding the property eligible for annexation late last month, and a formal vote on the annexation itself is not expected until late April.

The parcel sits in unincorporated Douglas County east of The Canyons, straddling Crowfoot Valley Road between Macanta Boulevard and Pradera Parkway, and the petition was filed on behalf of nine private landowners. CBS Colorado reported the project is sponsored by Ventana Capital and that the developer says the master-planned community could bring 1,200 new jobs to Castle Pines; the Denver Post described the plan as a 3,650-home project while Denver7 characterized it as thousands of homes, apartments and retail.

Neighbors in Parker and Castle Pines have raised immediate concerns about wildlife, infrastructure and traffic. Trails of Crowfoot resident Molly Barnwell pointed to land behind her home and said, "The bald eagles are right behind those trees," adding, "We're just growing at a rate that the wildlife can't safely relocate," and, "When I think Castle Pines, I think, you know, it's way over that way." Parker resident Irene Bonham told Denver7, "A lot of that infrastructure immediately will fall on the burden of Parker, and that feels, as a Parker resident, a little bit unfair," and, "It's not that we're opposed to development, we just want it to be done in a smart way with the community." Castle Pines resident Barrett Rothe said, "So you would be driving south in Parker, and you would see a welcome to Castle Pines sign. And that's ridiculous."

Elected leaders outside Castle Pines have also weighed in. Castle Rock Mayor Jason Gray wrote to Castle Pines Mayor Tracy Engerman, "I write to express substantial concerns with the proposed development along Crowfoot Valley Road," and said his primary concern is "that this proposed development will generate substantial traffic seeking I-25 access." Parker Mayor Joshua Rivero has raised questions about impacts on nearby residents, and the Town issued a statement saying, "The Town has been and continues to be open and willing to engage in discussions with Castle Pines, the developer, and other stakeholders to find a resolution acceptable to all impacted parties, while minimizing detrimental impacts to our infrastructure and the amenities enjoyed by neighboring communities."

The developer framed the flagpole approach in a February news release quoted by the Denver Post as "a well-established path in Colorado law," but recent regional precedent has shown resistance: Colorado Springs voters rejected a flagpole annexation tied to a proposed 6,500-home project over water-supply concerns last year, and a Palmer Lake flagpole bid tied to a Buc-ee's was withdrawn after vocal opposition last month. Castle Pines Mayor Tracy Engerman told Denver7 "the city will consider all comments" as the council moves toward its eligibility hearing and the anticipated late-April vote.