Name: Kevin Bracken
Profession: I am a healthcare cost savings expert. I manage a team of consultants, I consult with hospitals regarding cost savings that amount to millions of dollars annually in savings in the areas of clinical and non-clinical cost improvement.
Biography: I have lived in Colorado for the majority of my life. I currently serve as the elected District 3 Castle Rock Councilman as well as being the current Mayor Pro Tem. In addition, I act as one of the Castle View HS Football & Wrestling Coaches, and am still active as a US Olympic Training Center Coach and a US Olympian in the sport of Wrestling. Being a healthcare professional, I was appointed by Douglas County to a newly formed Board of Health Department. I was the Chairman of the Health Advisory Board, a 15 person committee that made the recommendations that led to the inception of the current Health Department that is now 80% to completion. I serve on the Water Resource Committee to secure future water for Castle Rock. I've raised my family in Castle Rock with both my son and daughter having attended Clear Sky and Castle View. My son is now in school at Fort Collins. I love Castle Rock, and this is our lifelong home.
Why are you running for council?
I want to continue my success on Town Council by telling the truth about the issues facing our Town and by impacting our community positively. I have been able to accomplish some of the things that made me run for Town Council the first time four years ago, and I want to continue the fight for my district and all of Castle Rock on some of the issues that we have facing us in the next four years.
What is your approach to governing growth?
I will not let Castle Rock become as radical as Boulder like my opponent is planning. I discuss the impact on growth & water in detail at www.kevinbrackencastlerocktowncouncil.com. Accomplishments: Downzoning of Dawson Trails by 2050 homes, added 975 acres of open space, commercial space down by 16,000,000SF (was zoned in 1980 for 20MSF). Personally, I passed a large buffer and setback to protect your home from new builds. I worked to restrict developers with new home builds to xeriscape with penalties. This will save millions of gallons of water every year and help to protect water for your family.
What are your top priorities and how will they be addressed?
Safety – Supporting police and fire: My father is a retired fireman; I am 100% behind keeping you safe and working with both departments. Homelessness & water. I approved waterwise landscaping requirement on any new home construction with restrictions to the developers. This will save millions of gallons of water year over year. Being involved on the water resource commission, I am working to secure water for residents today and into the future.
Metro issues are starting to impact Castle Rock and Douglas County as a whole - How would you address homelessness in Castle Rock?
I led the charge to stop the Homeless Pods from going into the County property in Castle Rock. Town Council (voted 5-2) opposing a shelter in Castle Rock. Tim Dietz (who supports my opponent) is advocating for a shelter in Castle Rock. The video is on my webpage. In addition, I will not support rezoning for a homeless shelter in Castle Rock. The solution is complex. The issue must be addressed with compassion while protecting the rights and providing safety to the residents of Castle Rock. I have been continuously working with CRPD on how we can resolve this issue. CRPD is using drones to monitor camps. Also, all long-term homeless have been contacted by CRPD to access services, none have taken the offer.
What are the biggest challenges facing the town?
Keeping homeless shelters out of Castle Rock. Keeping you safe is a priority. We added 9 new first responders. We added a dedicated police officer assigned to homelessness. I am working with the Town Lawyer concerning panhandling, “camping” restrictions and how we can protect our waterways and “camping”, all from the legal perspective. We implemented a letter that property owners can sign permission for trespassers to be removed from their land. If you are having trespassing issues on your private property, contact our non-emergency number. With your permission CRPD can help.
What are the biggest opportunities and good things happening in Castle Rock now?
I’m proud of the success of Castle Rock. We are voted an award-winning community just about every year. Town Council Members from Parker and Castle Pines have contacted me to understand how they can be more successful. The events that I sponsor in our Town keeps our community together, Star Lighting, horse and carriage rides, lights over Wilcox, Oktoberfest, Concerts, and more. This is key for Castle Rock to keep a Small Town feel and keep our community connected. I’m also proud of our award-winning parks and recreation department. The requirements for trail connectivity and open space are amazing. We need to continue to build on our successes to make Castle Rock a great place to live, that is why I need your vote.
Crime is also a regional issue impacting the Denver metro area - What is Castle Rock doing right to address the issues? Where can Castle Rock improve?
Castle Rock has become a well-known affluent community along the Front Range. Mostly, criminals aren’t from here, and have taken advantage of our success. Recognizing that, the CRPD have technology to identify stolen cars as they enter our community. This has increased the number of criminals being caught before they can commit crimes in our residential and business areas. Increased presence of police and continuing to have the latest technological tools have seemed to work best to help CRPD. We have added 9 first responders. The money comes from sales tax dollars, not your property tax dollars. I support and fund the police.
Castle Rock asked voters to approve four tax measures in 2021 - The measures were aimed at improving public safety and addressing growing traffic concerns. As the population grows - What do you think Castle Rock should be doing to be proactive and stay on top of roads and infrastructure and the growing need for more firemen, officers and stations?
We are on the path to resolve some of these issues with the downzoning of Dawson Trails. This is the type of approach we need of downzoning future developments when the property owner allows. I am happy to downzone all future projects when it is legal to do so. Approved restricted water, with penalties to the developer will save millions of gallons of water for our town. The new Crystal Valley interchange will alleviate traffic at the currently failing Plum Creek interchange and improve traffic at that exit. I know construction stinks, and it’s hard to get around. Not fixing our roads, the alternative, would be worse and cost more money over time.
