Highlands Ranch community has chosen to honor the legacy of Kendrick Castillo, who became a local hero after losing his life while protecting his classmates during a school shooting on May 7, 2019. The tribute comes through the formal renaming of Lucent Boulevard to Kendrick Castillo Way, a change led by Kendrick's parents, John and Maria Castillo, according to Douglas County.
At the celebration, John Castillo shared, "Kendrick was a vibrant and caring young man. He had friends everywhere and deeply cared about his community and people he never met." The Board of Douglas County Commissioners, alongside Gov. Jared Polis and Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly, endorsed the renaming initiated by the Kendrick Castillo Memorial Oversight Committee, which the Commissioners approved earlier in 2024. Commissioner Abe Laydon stated, "Kendrick Castillo Way is more than a street sign; it is a way of life," emphasizing Kendrick's selfless actions as a model to be emulated, as detailed by Douglas County.
As reported by Douglas County, Gov. Polis acknowledged the efforts of the community in making this tribute a reality, noting, "These signs are a permanent way to memorialize the heroic acts as well as the life of Kendrick Castillo." Furthermore, Sheriff Darren Weekly honored Kendrick's bravery, acknowledging the ongoing grief the loss continues to impart on both the Castillo family and the Douglas County community.
Support extends beyond a street name. The Kendrick Castillo Memorial Fund, established in 2022, has raised about $98,000 for various commemorative efforts. The fund has aided in the naming of a robotics lab, creating a memorial in Civic Green Park, and starting a scholarship fund in Kendrick's honor. Those interested in contributing can donate through the Douglas County Community Foundation.
