CAB MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | MAY 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS
SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!
The school year is ending, the weather is getting warmer - so get excited about all the summer fun we have scheduled so far!

Sign up for event email notifications!
The CAB website's community calendar hosts all the latest and greatest event information and registration links. Be sure to sign up for notifications when new events get posted so you can be the first to know and register!

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
BACKYARD TO TABLE
Nothing tastes quite so good as vegetables are grown in your own garden. Studies show that veggies grown fresh contain more vitamins and minerals compared to their counterparts in the grocery aisles. Raised garden beds and containers are two great ways to grow a backyard garden.

Raised Garden Beds
  • Build your bed three to four feet wide by a minimum of 12 inches deep so plants can easily be reached from all sides
  • Pick a location in the yard that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day
  • Use equal amounts of garden soil, organic matter, and porous material (vermiculite or perlite)
  • Do not forget to include a barrier between the garden box and the ground so that critters do not burrow up and eat your harvest
  • Encourage vertical growth to create more space by using a trellis or stakes

Container Gardens
  • A great alternative for smaller yards
  • Almost any vegetable that will grow in a garden will also do well as a container-plant
  • Roots need space to grow, so the larger the pot the better
  • Add drainage holes and an inch of coarse gravel in the bottom of the container to allow drainage
  • Use a soilless potting mix that is quick-draining and lightweight
  • Choose smaller or dwarf variety vegetables that will be compact

In both raised beds and containers make sure to feed your plants often with organic soil amendments for good plant growth. Try not to grow the same crops in the same beds or containers for more than a couple of years. Keeping the same crops in the same location for too long can cause a pest build and affect the success of your crop.

Maybe homegrown tastes better because of the energy invested in the digging, planting, weeding, and watering. Whatever the reason, you cannot get any fresher or healthier than vegetables are grown in the backyard.
NATURE IS AT YOUR DOORSTEP
From state, regional, and pocket parks to open space and more, there is so much to explore when you call this amazing community home! Sterling Ranch is just minutes away from two of Colorado's 42 state parks.

Just to the north, Chatfield State Park sits at the base of the foothills and is full of outdoor recreation opportunities for the whole family. Boaters of all types, hikers, and bicyclists enjoy scenic views of the foothills and the Platte River Valley. Reserve one of the 197 campsites to experience a night under the stars, rent a paddleboard or canoe to get out on the water, ride a horse along the trails, or get the fishing poles out to experience a relaxing afternoon. The great outdoors is right at your fingertips - even your furry friends are welcome!

Roxborough State Park, just to the west, is home to beautiful views of dramatic red rock formations, scenic hiking trails ranging in experience levels, and a variety of wildlife and plant life. Visitors often enjoy one of the many events hosted by the volunteer naturalists including bird walks, guided hiking tours, and educational programs. The park even has space to rent for weddings and events!

In addition to the two local state parks, you can visit the other 40 parks throughout the state using your household's state parks pass! There are various resources available to learn more including the online Park Finder, CPW E-Newsletters, and Your Guide to the 42 CO State Parks.

Pack up the car, and start exploring today!
CodeRED EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS
CodeRED is an emergency notification system used by Douglas County to alert residents and businesses of emergencies that may require action. Updates will be sent to you via telephone, text message, or email with details, instructions, or precautions that will enable you to make well-informed decisions to keep you safe. The system will notify you about police activity, lost children, wildfires, and other potential emergencies that may be nearby.

Registering to receive CodeRED alerts is free. Please visit www.douglascountycodered.com to sign up. You can also text DRCC to 99411 to receive a direct link to enroll on your mobile device.

For more information about the CodeRED system please use the link below:
HEALTH & WELLNESS
ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE?
Are you as excited as we are to welcome warm weather? Have you been dreaming of spending hours outside enjoying the fresh air and sunshine? If you answered yes, then join us at The Overlook Clubhouse pool on May 28, 2021, for the season opener! We know the last year has been a bit challenging and we continue to learn how to navigate this new way of life. We hope that the opening of the pool will help Sterling Ranch feel a bit more normal. Here are some FAQs to keep you up to date before you dip your toes in the 82-degree water:

Are reservations required?
No. On April 16, Douglas County opted out of the Tri-County Health public order, thus allowing all businesses to operate at 100% capacity. A maximum of 130 people will be permitted at the pool at one time, according to the building fire code.

What are the hours of operation?
  • Monday-Friday:
  • 5:00-7:00am Lap Swim
  • 7:00-9:00am: Pool CLOSED for cleaning, maintenance, and swim programming
  • 9:00am-9:00pm: Open Swim (Lifeguards on duty 11:00am-9:00pm)
  • Saturday:
  • 9:00am-8:00pm (Lifeguards on duty 11:00am-8:00pm)
  • Sunday:
  • 9:00am-5:00pm (Lifeguards on duty 11:00am-5:00pm)

Will swim lessons be offered?
Yes! The clubhouse lifeguard vendor will offer four sessions of group swim lessons throughout the Summer. Each session will run Monday-Thursday, with Friday as a make-up day in case of inclement weather. Swim lesson sign-ups will available two weeks before each session begins, on a first-come-first-serve basis. Visit www.sterlingranchcab.com for more information!

Can I bring a guest to the pool?
Yes! Each household receives 25 guest passes each calendar year. Guest passes are to be used for each guest per day, and each household is limited to using 2 guest passes per day. Additional guest passes are available for purchase at the front desk for the calendar year.

Can my nanny/caregiver/babysitter take my kids to the pool?
You can purchase a caregiver pass for $300.00 for the calendar year, listing up to three names to use the caregiver pass. ID will be required to use the pass and the individual must be with those they are giving care for. Only one person can use the caregiver pass at a time.

Can I reserve the pool for a party?
Unfortunately, the pool is not available for rental. There are other great spaces at the Overlook to reserve for private parties!

What is the capacity of the pool?
130 individuals are permitted at one time!

Will lap swim be available?
Yes, each morning from 5:00am-7:00am is reserved for lap swim. We will also have at least one lap lane available during open swim times.

Is there anything else I need to know?
  • Swim diapers MUST be worn by those that are incontinent.
  • Children 13 and under are to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
  • No glass!
  • No running on the pool deck.
  • The pool will not open when the outdoor temperature is 65 degrees or lower.
  • You must check-in at the front desk. NO side gate entrance.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
TRUNK SHOW BROUGHT TO YOU BY VISIONAIRE!
Visionaire at Sterling Ranch is putting on the first-ever glasses and sunglasses trunk show at the Sterling Center! This is an event you don't want to miss!

Make sure to stop by and say hi to the Visionaire team to grab some individually packaged snacks and a drink ticket to get your first drink FREE!
Frame Brands Include:
  • Maui Jim
  • Carrera
  • Smith
  • Jimmy Choo
  • Missoni
  • Rebecca Minkoff
  • Kate Spade
  • Fossil

Door Prizes Include:
  • Pair of Sunglasses
  • Maui Jim Hydroflask
  • Maui Jim Beach towels (2)
  • Insulated/travel coffee tumblers
IT'S TIME TO CLEAN THOSE DIRTY DRYER DUCTS
For many of us, spring cleaning begins in earnest in April. Targeting clutter in the garage and closets makes sense after a long winter and our global pandemic.It’s also a great time to target fire hazards.

When was the last time you cleaned the lint screen in your clothes dryer? Most people clean the screen after every load. That’s the best practice, especially if your clothes shed as much as mine.

When was the last time you cleaned the duct work that vents air from your dryer? Lint, hair, and dust that collect in that ductwork is flammable. Worse, it collects along a channel for superheated air.

Remember, only three components are needed for a fire: oxygen, heat, and fuel. The fuel absorbs heat. Initially that heat causes any water content to evaporate, and then it causes solid fuels to disintegrate into their gaseous form. With adequate heat, those gaseous particles can ignite.

The ductwork from your dryer isn’t strong enough to prevent flames from escaping into walls. Fires in dirty duct work can grow into the dryer and laundry room, ignite the exterior wall, and spread fire within wall spaces.

A duct full of lint, such as the one in the photograph, also reduces the efficiency of your dryer, which means you spend more money on energy.

This spring, save money and prevent fires by cleaning the lint from inside and outside your dryer.
For information on other safety issues, visit www.southmetro.org or contact us at ReducingRisk@southmetro.org

By Einar Jensen, Risk Reduction Specialist
South Metro Fire Rescue
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
CONTACT THE CAB
Resident Resource Center:
8220 Piney River Avenue
Operating Hours #: 720.661.9694

Information Center:
8155 Piney River Avenue
Operating Hours #: 303.882.7603

Overlook Clubhouse:
7853 Piney River Avenue
Operating Hours #: 720.728.7257

After Hours Emergency #: 800.274.3165