DHPO Annual Meeting & Board Elections on 2/19/2026
Note: You must be an Active Member to attend the Annual Meeting and to vote.
Annual/Election Meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026 – 6:30pm at Franktown Fire Station
We have not received candidates for the position of Secretary - this is a great opportunity to get involved in your Deerfield community!
Formal notice and call for nominations went out to Active Members on 1/3/2026. Formal notice of candidates was sent to active members and non-active property owners on 1/20/2026. Proxy forms will be sent prior to the meeting.
The Nominating Committee submitted the below names of the self-nominees received according to DHPO, Inc. By-Law – Article VI – ELECTIONS, Sections 1-3.
Office/Position – Candidates
President – Ron VanZandt (Deerfield Rd.)
Vice President – Lash Russell (Fawn Circle)
Treasurer – Rachel Gubbels (Deerfield Rd.)
Secretary – No Candidate(s) Received
Board Members at Large – (3 Positions Total)
David Jacobs (Grey Squirrel Way)
Tim Korf (Deerfield Rd.)
Scott Silverthorn (Deerfield Rd.)
Under Section 4 of the aforementioned DHPO, Inc. By-Laws, after February 12th, additional nominations may be made by written petition, if signed by at least three (3) members in good standing (Active Members), and filed with the Secretary at least one week prior to the annual meeting. No candidate shall be announced for nomination unless their consent has been secured. Such petitioners shall immediately announce the additional candidates to the entire membership by written notice or by posting on the website. Elections shall be held at the annual meeting by written ballot. The Secretary will then verify, maintain, and record the number of written ballots and the result.
Anyone with questions may contact the Nominating Committee via email to administration@deerfieldexpress.org.
Nominating Committee
DHPO Board of Directors
DHPO Board of Directors and Officer Candidates
Annual/Election Meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026 – 6:30pm at Franktown Fire Station
Formal notice and call for nominations went out to Active Members on 1/3/2026. We have not received candidates for the position of Secretary - this is a great opportunity to get involved in your Deerfield community! Note: You must be an Active Member to attend the Annual Meeting and to vote. Proxy forms will be sent prior to the meeting.
The Nominating Committee submits the below names of the self-nominees received according to DHPO, Inc. By-Law – Article VI – ELECTIONS, Sections 1-3.
Office/Position – Candidates
President – Ron VanZandt (Deerfield Rd.)
Vice President – Lash Russell (Fawn Circle)
Treasurer – Rachel Gubbels (Deerfield Rd.)
Secretary – No Candidate(s) Received
Board Members at Large – (3 Positions Total)
David Jacobs (Grey Squirrel Way)
Tim Korf (Deerfield Rd.)
Scott Silverthorn (Deerfield Rd.)
Under Section 4 of the aforementioned DHPO, Inc. By-Laws, after February 12th, additional nominations may be made by written petition, if signed by at least three (3) members in good standing (Active Members), and filed with the Secretary at least one week prior to the annual meeting. No candidate shall be announced for nomination unless their consent has been secured. Such petitioners shall immediately announce the additional candidates to the entire membership by written notice or by posting on the website. Elections shall be held at the annual meeting by written ballot. The Secretary will then verify, maintain, and record the number of written ballots and the result.
Anyone with questions may contact the Nominating Committee via email to administration@deerfieldexpress.org.
Nominating Committee
DHPO Board of Directors
NEWS: IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM DOUGLAS COUNTY (included here to reduce number of emails sent to the community)
DougCo Alert (via Smart 911):
DougCo utilized the CodeRED emergency alert system until it was hacked last year. If you are on DougCo’s mailing list you should have received a message a few days ago letting us know that their new DougCO Alert system using the Smart911 system is now online. I signed up last night and thought it would be a good service to publicize to all of Deerfield. When minutes and seconds count I believe this is an important safety service for all. Here is the link to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Newsroom announcement:
https://dcsheriff.net/dougco-alert-is-here/
There is a Smart911 app for folks’ devices in the App Store and Google Play.
Watch Duty:
There is another service available via an app called Watch Duty that also provides users with alerts about wildfires across the U.S. You can customize the app to notify you of a fire within the perimeter you select. Although this is a no-cost service you can donate to help with the cost of running this service. The app is available from the App Store, Google Play and on your Web Browser. I believe this is another valuable service for all of Deerfield that could provide near-realtime emergency fire alerts. For more information here is their web address: https://www.watchduty.org/
DHPO Annual Meeting Notification & Call for Board Candidates (Elections)
Our Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 6:30 to 9pm, at the Franktown Fire Station.
The primary purpose of the meeting is to hold elections for all DHPO Board of Directors which include the following positions:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Three (3) Member At-Large Directors
Deerfield Community Needs YOU!!!
Ø Active Member Candidates are needed for Board of Direct positions.
Ø Take an active part in keeping Deerfield’s pristine surroundings beautiful.
Ø Your support is required in maintaining our environment and lifestyle.
Ø Deerfield needs ECC Member Volunteers as well.
A nominating committee for the election of new DHPO Board position candidates has been formed in accordance with the By-Laws. Active members who wish to assist on the nominating committee should advise the Board. Please send your interest to the administration@deerfieldexpress.org email address.
Those active members who are willing to serve as a Board Member, can send in their expression of interest to the nominating committee at the above email address. Active members who have an interest in serving on the ECC should express their interest to any current Board member or via the administration@deerfieldexpress.org so those names may be compiled and passed on to the newly elected Board for consideration.
In accordance with the By-Laws, Article VI, the following election dates/deadlines are required to compile candidate names/positions, and to notify membership:
· Now until January 15, 2026 – Open Candidate Submission(s) to Nominating committee
· January 16, 2026 - Nominating Committee submission to Secretary of Candidate Names
· January 20, 2026 - Notification & Posting of Candidates to Membership
· February 12, 2026 – Deadline for petition of Additional Candidate(s)
· February 13, 2026 – Final Candidates Posting to Membership
· February 19, 2026 - Annual Membership Meeting & Elections of new Board of Directors
Please consider service to our community and fellow residents by becoming active as a Board or ECC member.
All correspondences should be sent via email to administration@deerfieldexpress.org
Best Wishes for us all in the New Year 2026!
DHPO Board of Directors
Sept 2025 Semi-Annual Membership Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 22025
Time: 6:30 – 9:00 pm
29 property owners in attendance
Meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. and quorum was established. Board of Directors present: Dave Jacobs (President), Glen Roat (Treasurer), Lauren Fulton (Vice President), Shauna Smith (Secretary). Members at Large present: Cheryl Gerger, Tim Korf, Lash Russell. ECC Members present: Rich Love, Tom Niedergerke, Ron VanZandt and Fred Pax.
Welcome and Introductions – Dave Jacobs
Board members identified and callout given to Members at Large and ECC members.
Colorado State Forest Service Fire Mitigation Results – Lash Russell
After nearly 3 years, the fire mitigation project is complete.
77 properties were assessed with 62 of those proceeding with mitigation.
310 acres were mitigated and $478,000 was reimbursed to property owners.
Survey will be taken of all that were assessed for mitigation work for feedback.
Guest Speaker: Fire Mitigation and Trends in Underwriting Rules
Casey Burgess, Operations Manager, Steve Dow Agency, Allstate Insurance
Home ignition zone = from the house out 100’
Home out 5’ – no mulch, no planters, no trees, no dead vegetation, no grass taller than 6”, flashing at wood-to-wood transitions, mesh under deck less than 4’, no wood piles, no branches overhanging roof.
Home out 5’ – 30’ – no dead vegetation, no grass taller than 6”, trees pruned up to 6’ or 1/3 of tree height, canopy spacing 3 or fewer trees in cluster, 10’ between each canopy.
Home out 30’-100’ – roughly same as above.
Goal is to mitigate risk, not eliminate it.
Fire risk can be determined multiple ways including geocoding which identifies pockets within zip codes that are more mitigated, use of town classification – proximity to fire station and fire hydrants, year-round accessibility to the home, and evaluation with drone and onsite visits.
Firewise standard are nationwide.
Secretary’s Report – Shauna Smith
Current member count is 86 (4 members paid at meeting). The membership count was 79
this time last year.
Ask that members encourage nonmember neighbors and friends to become members.
Directories will be distributed via email in October. Hard copies available upon request.
Treasurer’s Report – Glen Roat
Account balances up $18,000 over last year, with roughly $80,000 in accounts.
Expenses have increased by 10%, largely due to increase in insurance cost and legal expenses.
Electronic payment option through Clover at Wells Fargo has been a success with 28 of current members using it.
Handout provided with detailed expense information for dumpster day, 4th of July Parade and the holiday party.
Environmental Control Committee (ECC) Report – Ron VanZandt
33 plan reviews year to date with another 4 in process
1 request was rescinded by owner and 1 request was denied due to lack of detailed information.
ECC request trends include project related to hardening against fires – changing to non-wood products, and clean up of trees and vegetation.
Activities
Holiday party – 12/13/25 at the Grange. Volunteers needed for set up, take down and decorations.
Annual Membership Meeting 2/19/26 at Franktown Fire Station
Board of Director elections
Call for nominations go out 1/8/26
Spring dumpster day – date TBD.
4th of July parade
Other Business
Mullein handout from CSU provided by Ginny Regan
Rich Love – Metro Districts – encouraged attendance and upcoming meetings
Volunteer Douglas County Planning Meeting – 9/22/25 at 6:00 pm
Board of County Commissioners meeting to approve or disapprove Metro District – 9/23/25 at 2:30 pm
Additional information available at Franktown Citizen Coalition 2
Meeting was adjourned at 8:17 pm.
Save the Date - DHPO Semi-Annual Membership Meeting - September 16th
Please mark your calendars for the DHPO Semi-Annual Membership Meeting on September 16th. The meeting will be held at the Franktown Fire District Station beginning at 6:30pm and ending at 9:00pm. Early check-in at 6:00pm.
Get an update on topics important to our community. Have a voice on areas of interest to you. This meeting is open to Active DHPO Members only. You may become a member prior to the meeting or join at the meeting.
Agenda and proxy forms will be provided in advance.
We look forward to seeing you on September 16th.
Sincerely
DHPO Board of Directors and ECC