A big shoutout to all of our residents who came out to the Living the Dream opening last Friday! Living the Dream has ten different brews on tap, as well as cocktail hard seltzers. Their beer is top-notch, and their staff has a high level of expertise with a 'high beer IQ.' They're committed to providing exceptional customer service, too. Be sure to tell everyone you know about Living the Dream - it's definitely worth a visit!

2024 NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW

The National Western Stock Show, which is now in its 118th year, is set to start tomorrow, January 6, and will run through Sunday, January 21, at the National Western Complex in Denver. This Colorado tradition celebrates our Western lifestyle by offering one of the world's finest regular-season professional rodeos, one of the country’s largest horse shows, and Colorado’s largest agricultural trade show. The Stock Show also features a variety of exhibits, family-friendly activities, performances, and vendors that cater to visitors of all ages. It is an event that attracts over 700,000 visitors from all over the globe. To learn more about the Stock Show and to purchase tickets, visit the National Western Stock Show website. 

The Resident Advisory Committee has been looking at renovating the existing 20’ x 20’ splash pad area at the Overlook Clubhouse and wants your opinion. 

The Committee is looking at three options: install a wading pool, install a hot tub, and install a new, upgraded splash pad. All of these options require the existing area to be torn out and new pump equipment to be installed. 

• A wading pool in this area would be between 1’ 6” to 2’ deep. A hot tub would be in the ground to accommodate up to 12 people, given the size and area we have available. 
• A hot tub would only be available during the regular pool hours and pool season due to its location within the larger pool area. 
• A new, upgraded splash pad would incorporate interactive water toys, like water guns, waterfalls, jets that shoot up from the floor, etc. 

The committee will be taking into consideration the size of the area, budget, and the poll response as they continue to work with the designer.  Please vote below!

Tomorrow, January 6, marks the celebration of Three Kings Day, also known as Dia de Reyes. It officially concludes the Twelve Days of Christmas, the period between Christmas Day and Three Kings Day. According to the tradition, Three Kings Day is when the Three Wise Men brought their gifts to the Christ child. In many countries and especially in Latino cultures, it is as important as Christmas and is celebrated with many festivals, parades, and celebrations.

On January 6, families and friends gather together to exchange gifts and enjoy a festive dinner. One of the day's highlights is the presentation of a decorated cake, or bread called ‘Roscón de Reyes,’ which is round like a king’s crown with fruit on top of it, symbolizing the jewels on the crown. A tiny king or queen figure is hidden inside the cake, and the lucky diner who finds it in their slice of cake receives special attention.

So, let's all celebrate and honor the Latino culture and our Latino residents by saying, "Happy Three Kings Day to everyone!"

It’s 2024, and you don’t have to go all in on the ‘new year, new you’ concept. But as we start the new year, there’s a renewed sense of wanting to live our best lives, eat well, move our bodies, and improve our habits. Here’s a sneak peek of the new year health and wellness trends predicted to take 2024 by storm.

Digital Detoxes

2024 is the year of the digital detox – one of the most-predicted trends. The average person in the US spends an average of 10 hours and 39 minutes on a screen daily. Your version of detoxing from devices can look however you want it to. You could start by giving up social media for a day or go all in by doing a total digital fest for days or even weeks. Dialing back your screen time will help you feel better in your mind and body.

Non-Processed Food

Ultra-processed food may be the food term of the year, as everyone who cares about what they eat realizes they need to cut down on industrially produced foods with industrially extracted ingredients designed to replace natural foods and are ‘addictive.’ Evidence associates these foods with obesity-related chronic diseases and overall mortality.

Low-Intensity Workouts

Take a break from our screens and return to basics - take a nice walk outside. It’s a friendly reminder that exercise needn’t be punishment. This year’s trend is doing more Pilates, walking, lower-intensity steady workouts, and wanting to feel better rather than just getting fitter; plus, it’s better for your heart.

Spirit of Moderation

Over the last few years, we’ve seen the rise of alcohol-free drinks and clubs, as well as the increase in people pivoting the way they drink to be more mindful of their alcohol consumption. This year, we’ll see the growth of low-alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Check out the new hard seltzer options at the ‘Living the Dream’ brewery at the Sterling Center.

Goodbye Caffeine

As well as changing what we drink on a night out, our mornings could see a different start with the resurgence of matcha, more decaf coffee options, and a mix of caffeinated and non-caffeinated coffee. Experts predict a 7% growth in decaf consumption - one in five will swap morning beverage options.

Well-rounded and Plant-Based Diets

Specific and rigorous diets, like keto and intermittent fasting, are out, while experts predict increased popularity in more healthy, flexible eating plans like the Mediterranean Diet. It emphasizes the importance of eating fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains, extra-virgin olive oil, lean meats, fish, and red wine in moderation. It also encourages limiting red meat, processed foods, dairy, and sweets. Plant-based food is also making a comeback with new emerging protein-forward products with mushrooms, walnuts, tempeh, and legumes instead of complex meat alternatives. 

Don't haul your tree to the curb! Douglas County Christmas tree recycling locations are open now until January 31, 2024, at the following sites:

• Bayou Gulch, 4815 Fox Sparrow Road, Parker
• Challenger Regional Park, 17299 E. Lincoln Avenue, Parker
• Fairgrounds Regional Park, 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock
• Founders Park, 4671 Enderud Boulevard, Castle Rock
• Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec Street, Highlands Ranch

Before bringing your tree to one of the County's recycling sites, please remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, garland, plastic wrap, tree stands, wire, rope, nails, etc. Also, please note that live trees with artificial snow sprayed on the branches cannot be mulched and will not be accepted. For more information, please contact Douglas County Parks and Trails at 720-733-6990 or visit the website. Mulch is available on-site while supplies last.

You may have seen the earthmoving equipment being staged just off of Roxborough Park Road near Waterton Road. This week, grading operations began the next phase of development in Sterling Ranch for Legends Village. The over-excavation and grading will be very similar to the grading that has happened in other filings and is the first step in laying the groundwork for wet and dry utilities, roads and streets, and finally, construction. During this phase, there will be increased construction traffic on Roxborough Park Road and Waterton Road. This is an exciting new development as Sterling Ranch grows and continues to be the #1 selling community in all of Colorado.

Meeting dates, times, and locations are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on meetings, see the Community Calendar.

• Sterling Ranch Metro District No. 2 Special Board Meeting, Monday January 8, 5:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Sterling Ranch Metro District No. 3 Special Board Meeting, Monday January 8, 5:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Design Advisory Committee, Tuesday, January 9, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Construction Committee, Wednesday, January 10, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Remote
• New Homeowners Orientation, Wednesday, January 10, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Finance Committee, Thursday, January 11, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Remote
• Resident Advisory Committee Special Meeting, Wednesday, January 17, 5:30 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Design Advisory Committee, Tuesday, January 23, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Sterling Ranch Metro Districts Nos. 4 - 7, and Subdistricts 7A - 7C, Special Board Meeting, Wednesday, January 24, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Sterling Ranch CAB Special Board Meeting, Wednesday, January 24, 1:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse
• Sterling Ranch Metro District No. 2 Meeting, Wednesday, January 24, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Overlook Clubhouse

TASK FORCE NOTIFICATION

Notification Re: House Bill 23-1105 – Concerning the Creation of Task Forces to Examine Issues Concerning HOAs and Metropolitan Districts.

This past summer, HB 23-1105 was signed into law. This bill created a "Task Force" within the Department of Regulatory Agencies to examine issues affecting property owners in Metropolitan Districts in Colorado, including 1) tax levying authority and practices 2) foreclosure practices 3) communications with homeowners regarding metropolitan district processes and homeowner rights and responsibilities; governance policies including voting and election policies.

The Task Force was appointed on November 1, 2023, and is currently holding meetings to examine these issues. They shall issue a report by June 15, 2024.

A full link to the adopted bill and legislative history can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb23-1105. The next Metro Task Force Meeting is this Monday, January 8 at 2:00 pm. Register or join the meeting here.

Check out this week's activities and events in our Ranch Life e-newsletter.

January Food Truck Schedule

• U.S. 85 Highway Project: Upgrades to the Santa Fe Drive and C-470 project are about halfway complete. Intersections at Highlands Ranch Parkway, Town Center Drive, Blakeland Drive, and the C-470 and County Line Road interchange ramps are expected to see improvements. Read about current updates, along with trail and bus impacts here. 
• Douglas County’s CodeRED System: Residents can sign up for the free program and be alerted by phone call, text message, and email in the case of an emergency. The alerts will provide instructions or precautions to take to remain safe. Learn more here.

 Colorado Community Media



• Northwest Douglas County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation (NWDCO): Sterling Ranch is a proud member of NWDCO. We partner with the Chamber to connect us with local businesses, provide advocacy support, and keep us at the forefront of business development. Check out the Chamber's website and event calendar.

January 7 - 13 Construction Updates

Daily impacts:

• Single lane closures on northbound and southbound US 85 and on the C-470 ramps at US 85 from Monday, January 8 through Saturday, January 13, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily, throughout the corridor.
• No access to northbound US 85 from eastbound Midway Drive through February. See closure details. 

 Help keep the construction zone safe:

• Please pay extra attention and follow all posted signage throughout the construction zone.
• Expect increased enforcement to ensure the safety of crews and motorists.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists are not permitted in the work zone. Please use signed and signaled intersections to cross US 85.

For more detailed information, please visit the Douglas County Public Works Department website. Please give yourself extra time and pay attention to posted speed limits and signage. Avoid road closure frustrations and plan your drive in advance by signing up for US 85 construction alerts using this link.