Editor's Note: 'Our Colorado' helps us all navigate the challenges related to growth while celebrating life in the state we love. To comment on this or other 360 stories, email us at OurCO@TheDenverChannel.com. See more 'Our Colorado' stories here.
CASTLE PINES, Colo. -- It's a story we see everyday in our Colorado: Growing pains as more and more people come to our state.
Castle Pines just approved another expansion to a massive development known as The Canyons. But now, some residents are worried about traffic, congestion, and their quality of life.
Constructions crews are working overtime in Castle Pines now that the city approved 5,000 homes in The Canyons development on the east side of I-25 from Castle Pines Parkway south to Happy Canyon.
This more than doubles the homes originally proposed for the project ten years ago.
Kent George, who lives in the area already wonders about, the levels of traffic, the infrastructure and some of the other things that are going to come along with adding that many houses."
George lives in the Sapphire Pointe development in Castle Rock. He argued traffic in his neighborhood is already backed up and can't handle an estimated 60,000 additional cars per day.
"I'm very excited to be a native of Colorado and to see the wonderful growth and the things that are happening here," said George. "I just want to make sure it's being done responsibly."
City officials said the goal of the expansion is to add more business to the area.
Castle Pines city manager Michael Perry told Denver7 the development is a home run, "from a commercial, economic, jobs, and retail standpoint."
He also mentioned the project is at least six years away, and residents will have multiple opportunities to weigh in.
But Lyn Jacobs said the city council rushed the process. She bought her home 12 years ago.
"We hear coyote at night, deer come through," she said, adding The Canyons "will move the animals and block her sunrise view."
"It'll still be there but over a house. I am within 300 feet of the new development. I'm not happy about it but I don't believe there's anything we can do," said Jacobs.
"I'm not anti development. I know it's got to come. Growth has got to come, but I think it's rushed," said Ann Marie Jacques-Koski, another resident of the area.