Castle Pines Council Approves 2026 Budget, Raises County Support for Interchange

The Castle Pines City Council finalized its fiscal plan for 2026 and approved a string of contracts and intergovernmental agreements at its December meeting. The actions included adoption of the 2026 budget and a resolution to levy property taxes for the 2025 tax year for the purpose of meeting law enforcement expenses and for parks, recreation, trail, and open space improvements and maintenance for the 2026 budget year. Council members also approved an intergovernmental agreement with Douglas County increasing the County contribution for the Happy Canyon interchange project by an additional $500,000.

Beyond the budget and the interchange funding, the council approved a series of professional services and maintenance agreements to support development review, infrastructure maintenance, and public works for 2026. Jacobs Engineering was retained for on call professional land development review and general engineering services. Alfred Benesch and Company was approved for on call engineering services. Lighthouse Transportation Group LLC was contracted for traffic and pedestrian signal and streetlight maintenance. Broken Arrow Landscape and Design Inc. won the agreement for public works, parks, open space, and stormwater maintenance. The council also formalized an intergovernmental agreement with the Douglas County Sheriff s Office to provide law enforcement and animal control services.

These decisions carry immediate operational and fiscal implications for residents. The $500,000 additional County contribution advances the long delayed Happy Canyon interchange project, which is central to traffic management and future growth along a key corridor. Allocating property tax revenue explicitly for law enforcement and parks ties local revenue directly to public safety and quality of life services in the coming budget year. Contracts for on call engineering, development review, and maintenance set the framework for how quickly the city can process permits, respond to infrastructure wear, and maintain trails and parks.

For residents seeking more detail, the city posted the December meeting agenda and a recording on the City Council Meetings webpage. Reviewing those materials will show the ordinance language and contract terms that define service levels, contract durations, and any fiscal contingencies. The council s actions will shape Castle Pines operations and capital projects throughout 2026, with tangible effects on traffic, public safety, and neighborhood amenities.