Castle Rock proposes $410.8 million 2027 budget for roads, water and public safety

Castle Rock is proposing a $410.8 million budget for 2027, including $105.2 million in capital improvements, $18.6 million for pavement maintenance and 10 new police and fire positions. The Town Council is scheduled to hold its first budget reading Oct. 6.

The proposal, submitted Sept. 15 by Town Manager David Corliss, would use $62.3 million in capital reserves for one-time expenses. The town expects $348.5 million in total revenue. Its General Fund is projected to collect $106.7 million and spend $103.1 million in ongoing expenditures, leaving an estimated $3.6 million operating surplus.

The town’s 2027 budget message says the General Fund would end the year with about $32.3 million in unobligated funds after required reserves. The proposal retains the town’s 0.92-mill property-tax rate, which is expected to generate about $1.6 million.

Water and infrastructure lead the five-year capital plan

Castle Rock’s accompanying 2027-2031 capital improvement plan totals $291.3 million. Water-related infrastructure accounts for nearly $147 million, including $75.6 million for long-term water projects, $46.2 million for the water system, $18.4 million for wastewater and $6.7 million for stormwater.

The budget-in-brief identifies priorities including an expansion of the Plum Creek Water Purification Facility, new water and wastewater pipelines and continued work toward securing 75% renewable water by 2050. The plan identifies Douglas County American Rescue Plan Act funds for a U.S. 85 sewer project and customer and county funding for the Sedalia gravity sewer.

The largest specifically priced transportation project is a $20.6 million widening of Wolfensberger Road. Phase 2 of Fifth Street widening is listed at $15.2 million in the budget-in-brief and $15.3 million in the budget message. Other transportation allocations include $4.5 million for a congestion project, $4.2 million for intersection traffic-control improvements and $4 million for a roundabout at an unspecified location.

The 2027 plan also calls for completing the Crystal Valley Parkway interchange, beginning a Crystal Valley Parkway-West Loop Road roundabout and carrying out the $18.6 million pavement program focused on southern Castle Rock. A town Public Works report says interchange completion is targeted for early 2027.

The budget includes construction of the Castle Rock Sports Center. The 145,000-square-foot facility is projected to open in summer 2027, according to a Parks and Recreation report.