SOLTERRA NEWS
Welcome to Solterra-Connect
The site is designed for Solterra residents only, with secure architecture, authentication and verification processes. This is our community and our website. We're relying on your stories, photos and feedback to ensure the site meets your needs and reflects our vibrant and growing community! Share your contributions with [email protected]. Fossil Ridge Metropolitan Districts Nos. 1-3 Election Results
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FRMD DISTRICT 1
2 year terms 1 position open Terrence Larson April Tompkins Malcolm Parks Pete Hendel Gregory James Gould Alana Bissonnette 4 year terms 3 positions open Lloyd Thomas Waterman Michael Bruce Walker David E Wilson Laura A. Paviglianiti |
FRMD DISTRICT 2
4 year term 3 positions open Terrance Larson Kurt Hostetter Gerry Reese April Tompkins Michael Bruce Walker |
FRMD DISTRICT 3
2 year term 1 position open Alana Bissonnette Tom Tancredo 4 year term 3 positions open David E Wilson Laura Paviglianiti Sara "Pepper" Trahan |
FRMD Updates - Pool Season
We are excited the pool season is about to beginning! The pool will be open Saturday May 24th from 10am-8pm daily. Capacity in the pool area is 77 people at any given time. A safety check, per state pool requirements, will occur every 2 hours for 15 minutes. When the safety check is called, please vacate the pool until the lifeguards provide the all clear to reenter the pool.
We will be reutilizing the digital check-in process with our gate monitors similar to last year. NOTE: You will have to submit a new application in 2025 as all 2024 applications have been removed from the system. Access will only be granted once the check in process has been completed. To expedite the waiver process please click the link below. Please note: include everyone in your household who would be using the pool including anyone watching your children, sign the minor release form if applicable and sign off on the liability waiver at the bottom of the application. This information will be verified against our database of home owners and any delinquent district payments will not allow pool access.
https://swimmingpoolpasses.net/solterra/
Please complete this application prior to coming to the pool, or you will have to stand in line to finalize. Your place in line will not be held while you are completing the waiver process.
Also, if the daily temperature does not rise above 65 degrees, the pool will be closed for the day. Floatation devices cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and glass is strictly prohibited. Pool rules are posted onsite as a friendly reminder.
Thank you and we hope you have a wonderful pool season!
We are excited the pool season is about to beginning! The pool will be open Saturday May 24th from 10am-8pm daily. Capacity in the pool area is 77 people at any given time. A safety check, per state pool requirements, will occur every 2 hours for 15 minutes. When the safety check is called, please vacate the pool until the lifeguards provide the all clear to reenter the pool.
We will be reutilizing the digital check-in process with our gate monitors similar to last year. NOTE: You will have to submit a new application in 2025 as all 2024 applications have been removed from the system. Access will only be granted once the check in process has been completed. To expedite the waiver process please click the link below. Please note: include everyone in your household who would be using the pool including anyone watching your children, sign the minor release form if applicable and sign off on the liability waiver at the bottom of the application. This information will be verified against our database of home owners and any delinquent district payments will not allow pool access.
https://swimmingpoolpasses.net/solterra/
Please complete this application prior to coming to the pool, or you will have to stand in line to finalize. Your place in line will not be held while you are completing the waiver process.
Also, if the daily temperature does not rise above 65 degrees, the pool will be closed for the day. Floatation devices cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and glass is strictly prohibited. Pool rules are posted onsite as a friendly reminder.
Thank you and we hope you have a wonderful pool season!
Tennis Court Lock Agreement
The Orchard Park Tennis Court will begin locking its gates on or after April 2, 2025. To obtain the key code, Solterra residents will be required to submit the Tennis Lock Agreement to the Retreat staff during business hours. Please visit the Retreat M-F 10am-4pm to file the form and obtain the key code.
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Solterra Friday Morning Book Club |
Legal Update as of March 25, 2025
The Districts have finalized a settlement agreement with Brookfield that resolves all issues in the pending litigation related to the bonds and maintenance/repair issues. Currently, the bond litigation is stayed pending satisfaction of the settlement agreement requirements. The District is in the process of bonding a total of $25,950,000. $23,500,000 will be issued to Brookfield and the remaining amount will be retained by the Districts for capital projects and to cover the costs of issuing the bonds. After such time as the bonds are issued, the case will be fully and finally dismissed. We anticipate that will be by the end of April.
In regards to Brookfield's plan to resume construction of the remaining residences, Filings 18 & 20 (located near the intersection of Yale and Orchard) are scheduled to begin in the April-May time frame. A date for construction of the remaining townhomes in the Cadence neighborhood (off McIntyre), is yet to be announced.
In regards to Brookfield's plan to resume construction of the remaining residences, Filings 18 & 20 (located near the intersection of Yale and Orchard) are scheduled to begin in the April-May time frame. A date for construction of the remaining townhomes in the Cadence neighborhood (off McIntyre), is yet to be announced.
Details about the invasive Japanese Beetles
On behalf of the landscape committee, the linked report provided by Colorado State University offers details about the invasive Japanese Beetles. Please familiarize yourself about the invasive insect in doing your part to keep them at bay from the community as a whole. Thanks, Solterra Landscape Committee |
City Maintenance
Solterra Residents:
Fossil Ridge Metropolitan District 1 and the City of Lakewood have a mutual maintenance agreement that was established in 2008 that outlined maintenance responsibilities for each entity. Effective January 1, 2025, the city will assume the following maintenance responsibilities. The area concerned is outlined on the attached map.
Residents that create paths in the native areas maintained by the city, can expect a Park Ranger to inspect and potentially levy fines for damages.
Fossil Ridge Metropolitan District 1 and the City of Lakewood have a mutual maintenance agreement that was established in 2008 that outlined maintenance responsibilities for each entity. Effective January 1, 2025, the city will assume the following maintenance responsibilities. The area concerned is outlined on the attached map.
- 8-foot-wide walks will be plowed. Connector walks will continue to be plowed by FRMD.
- Beauty bands (mower width strip) will be mowed in the native area at fence lines and paths. The turf area will continue to be mowed by FRMD.
- City of Lakewood trash containers will replace our existing blue containers.
- FRMD will continue to handle dog waste and the trash container at the Orchard Park Pavilion.
- Weed control will be handled by the city.
- FRMD will continue to be responsible for irrigation.
Residents that create paths in the native areas maintained by the city, can expect a Park Ranger to inspect and potentially levy fines for damages.
Pickleball at Orchard Park Court update
Pickleball has been reinstated by the FRMD boards following their regularly scheduled meeting held on 8/26/2024.
Please note: the reinstated play has a mandatory requirement. Quiet foam balls must be used for play. Foam balls can be purchased here. Regular pickleballs are prohibited.
This decision was not taken lightly and extensive research and consideration was reviewed. If residents do not adhere to this mandatory requirement for usage of the quiet balls, discontinued play will be reinstituted.
Also, the court will undergo mechanical locking gates in the future. The boards are obtaining proposals for gate modifications, and in time, announcements will be made regarding the changes and impacts for usage at the court.
Signage and web updates will be provided as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Retreat Staff
Please note: the reinstated play has a mandatory requirement. Quiet foam balls must be used for play. Foam balls can be purchased here. Regular pickleballs are prohibited.
This decision was not taken lightly and extensive research and consideration was reviewed. If residents do not adhere to this mandatory requirement for usage of the quiet balls, discontinued play will be reinstituted.
Also, the court will undergo mechanical locking gates in the future. The boards are obtaining proposals for gate modifications, and in time, announcements will be made regarding the changes and impacts for usage at the court.
Signage and web updates will be provided as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Retreat Staff
From Your Community Managers:
August 14, 2024
Solterra Community,
We live in one of the top-rated communities in the state with wonderful views, beautiful landscaping, state-of-the-art amenities and quick access to all parts of Colorado. People from all over come to Solterra in hopes of replicating what we’ve created here. Beyond its beauty, Solterra is a magical place to start a family, raise kids, or retire; there is no end to what is offered here.
As managers, we want to partner with you, our residents, in continuing to foster a welcoming and wonderful environment. Today we’d like to ask for your help specifically in how we engage employees and vendors. We have received several complaints that these individuals have been treated in harsh, condescending, belittling and/or rude ways when asked to enforce board-implemented rules. As managers, we have found it far easier to employ our staff for rental events over community/resident groups. Various pool staff have also been mistreated by community members. As we all know, there has been a shortage in staffing hourly positions across Denver, but we’re working our hardest to make sure we can continue to maintain the level of excellence we have held in this community.
While we understand there must be a space to address things, we’re respectfully asking for your partnership in directing your concerns to community managers, Mat Birkeness or Phil Schneider, rather than our support staff. You are also welcome to attend a board meeting and address these concerns during public comment.
As we hope this letter is a fresh start, we want to inform the community that if this continues, we will be forced to take more severe actions like pool use bans or event cancelations. Our collective desire as a community is to create a safe and fun environment so that members may enjoy all that Solterra has to offer. Please join us in pursuing kindness and consideration as staples of our community.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to stop by The Retreat during office hours to speak with the community managers, or send us an email at [email protected].
Thank you,
Fossil Ridge Boards of Directors, Districts 1, 2 and 3
Solterra Community,
We live in one of the top-rated communities in the state with wonderful views, beautiful landscaping, state-of-the-art amenities and quick access to all parts of Colorado. People from all over come to Solterra in hopes of replicating what we’ve created here. Beyond its beauty, Solterra is a magical place to start a family, raise kids, or retire; there is no end to what is offered here.
As managers, we want to partner with you, our residents, in continuing to foster a welcoming and wonderful environment. Today we’d like to ask for your help specifically in how we engage employees and vendors. We have received several complaints that these individuals have been treated in harsh, condescending, belittling and/or rude ways when asked to enforce board-implemented rules. As managers, we have found it far easier to employ our staff for rental events over community/resident groups. Various pool staff have also been mistreated by community members. As we all know, there has been a shortage in staffing hourly positions across Denver, but we’re working our hardest to make sure we can continue to maintain the level of excellence we have held in this community.
While we understand there must be a space to address things, we’re respectfully asking for your partnership in directing your concerns to community managers, Mat Birkeness or Phil Schneider, rather than our support staff. You are also welcome to attend a board meeting and address these concerns during public comment.
As we hope this letter is a fresh start, we want to inform the community that if this continues, we will be forced to take more severe actions like pool use bans or event cancelations. Our collective desire as a community is to create a safe and fun environment so that members may enjoy all that Solterra has to offer. Please join us in pursuing kindness and consideration as staples of our community.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to stop by The Retreat during office hours to speak with the community managers, or send us an email at [email protected].
Thank you,
Fossil Ridge Boards of Directors, Districts 1, 2 and 3
Vandalism at the Pool - July 14

When the lifeguards arrived to open the Retreat pool on Sunday morning, July 14th, they discovered significant vandalism of the pool area had occurred overnight. Video surveillance of the pool and gates shows that two males, probably teenagers, unlawfully entered the pool on July 14th at approximately 1:00 AM.
After swimming and jumping from the pillars between the upper and lower pools, the two perpetrators began throwing the new pool furniture (i.e., loungers, sand chairs, side tables, umbrellas, and umbrella stands) into the pool. Several of these items were destroyed and the pool surface may have potentially been damaged by the impact of the heavy umbrella stands.
Because this was a case of trespassing, vandalism, and damage to community property, not just youthful mischief, the Lakewood Police Department was notified and is in possession of surveillance footage showing the entire incident. Parents are encouraged to speak to their children about the seriousness of such incidents and the fact that the security cameras are in use at the Retreat and pool.
After swimming and jumping from the pillars between the upper and lower pools, the two perpetrators began throwing the new pool furniture (i.e., loungers, sand chairs, side tables, umbrellas, and umbrella stands) into the pool. Several of these items were destroyed and the pool surface may have potentially been damaged by the impact of the heavy umbrella stands.
Because this was a case of trespassing, vandalism, and damage to community property, not just youthful mischief, the Lakewood Police Department was notified and is in possession of surveillance footage showing the entire incident. Parents are encouraged to speak to their children about the seriousness of such incidents and the fact that the security cameras are in use at the Retreat and pool.
EVENTS CALENDAR
5/1 - Mahjong
1:30 pm; Contact Marlene Walker
5/2 - Friday Morning Book Club
11:00 am-12:00 pm at the Retreat; info
5/6 - FRMD Districts 1-3 Election
5/7 - 100 Women of Solterra
6:00 pm at the Retreat; info
5/13 - Solterra Board Meeting
4:00 pm
5/20 - FRMD Regular Meetings Districts 1-3
6:30 pm at the Retreat
5/28 - Trash & Recycling pick-up delayed until May 29th
due to the Memorial Day holiday
6/30 - Summer Blood Drive
at the Retreat
1:30 pm; Contact Marlene Walker
5/2 - Friday Morning Book Club
11:00 am-12:00 pm at the Retreat; info
5/6 - FRMD Districts 1-3 Election
5/7 - 100 Women of Solterra
6:00 pm at the Retreat; info
5/13 - Solterra Board Meeting
4:00 pm
5/20 - FRMD Regular Meetings Districts 1-3
6:30 pm at the Retreat
5/28 - Trash & Recycling pick-up delayed until May 29th
due to the Memorial Day holiday
6/30 - Summer Blood Drive
at the Retreat
Visit the website calendar for more events and details.
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To register for the Solterra HOA Portal and to view your account online please click the button below.
SOLTERRA WILDFIRE RISK
A Wildfire Risk Map created by Colorado State Forest Service, a service and outreach agency of the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, provides the natural fire dangers for the community.
https://coloradoforestatlas.org
https://coloradoforestatlas.org
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
EMERGENCY
Police / Fire / Medical
Call 911
Animal Control
Jeffco Animal Control
303-271-5070
Jefferson County
Jeffco.us
303-279-6511
Electricity/Gas
Excel Energy
1-800-895-1999
Fire Rescue
West Metro Fire Rescue
(Non-emergency)
303-980-7300
Management Company
CRS
303-381-4960
After hours Non-Emergency
Police
Lakewood Police
(Non-emergency)
303-987-7111
Post Office
Lakewood Post Office
800-275-8777
Retreat
Community Clubhouse
303-980-5450
School District
Jeffco Public Schools
303-982-6500
Police / Fire / Medical
Call 911
Animal Control
Jeffco Animal Control
303-271-5070
Jefferson County
Jeffco.us
303-279-6511
Electricity/Gas
Excel Energy
1-800-895-1999
Fire Rescue
West Metro Fire Rescue
(Non-emergency)
303-980-7300
Management Company
CRS
303-381-4960
After hours Non-Emergency
Police
Lakewood Police
(Non-emergency)
303-987-7111
Post Office
Lakewood Post Office
800-275-8777
Retreat
Community Clubhouse
303-980-5450
School District
Jeffco Public Schools
303-982-6500