About

Mountain Shadows Metropolitan District

For official district information (board members, contact info, etc), see Community Pages on the navigation bar above

For official district documents (meeting minutes, budgets, etc), click here

The Mountain Shadows Metropolitan District (MSMD) was formed in 2004 to support public infrastructure development and the maintenance of public common areas in and around the Whisper Creek residential housing community.

MSMD is run by a 5-seat board of directors composed of volunteer Whisper Creek residents/homeowners. Directors are elected to 4-year terms.

Click here

MSMD is funded primarily through the assessment and collection of property taxes assessed each year by MSMD. Based on the proposed budget for the upcoming year, the District will set the mill levy for that year which determines how much property taxes MSMD will collect in the upcoming year to fund the services it provides and to service its outstanding debt. In addition to property taxes, a small portion of MSMD revenue comes from Arvada Urban Renewal Authority increment taxes and specific ownership taxes remitted to MSMD by Jefferson County in vehicle registration fees collected by the County.

Additionally, the MSMD board of directors retains legal counsel, a community manager, and a financial accounting firm to assist in its day-to-day affairs.

Legal Counsel:
Trish Harris
White Bear Ankele Tanaka & Waldron

Community Manager:
Dave Pettigrew
MSI

Accountant:
Alonso Rodriguez
CliftonLarsonAllen

MSMD Interactive Community Map

Please see this interactive map showing the community areas maintained by MSMD. You can show/hide different layers for views of the various services provided by MSMD.

MSMD General Responsibilities

MSMD performs two main functions for the Whisper Creek Community. Each of these functions are funded and accounted for separately by the revenues received by the District.

1. Public Infrastructure

MSMD took on debt to fund the construction of public infrastructure projects (road/sewer construction) and community public improvements (landscaping, parks, playgrounds, etc.)

MSMD pays down its outstanding debt through the collection of property taxes to fund the MSMD “Debt Services Fund”. A vast majority of revenue received by MSMD goes to the Debt Services Fund and the subsequent payment on our debt.

2. On-going Community Maintenance and Services.

MSMD performs regular maintenance and up-keep for all of the public common area spaces in and around the Whisper Creek Community owned by MSMD, as well as certain City of Arvada parks and open space, pursuant to an agreement with the City, which expires in 2035.

MSMD collects revenue from property taxes and other sources to fund the “General Fund” which is used exclusively for these maintenance and operation duties. At the end of each year, the Board sets the mill levy for property taxes to be collected in the following year based on the proposed budget for operation/maintenance duties to be conducted. This budget can fluctuate from year-to-year based on the specific community needs for maintenance in the upcoming year.

Maintenance/Operation duties/expenses include:

  • Professional Services
  • Legal Services
  • Accounting Services
  • Property Management Services
  • All grass/tree/landscaping maintenance for common areas in and City of Arvada parks and open space in the Whisper Creek Community.
  • Mowing/Trimming Grass areas
  • Flower/Bush/Tree pruning and planting
  • Weed remediation
  • Fertilization
  • Irrigation and irrigation system maintenance
  • Native grasses maintenance
  • “Beauty Band” mowing of native grasses adjacent to neighborhood sidewalks
  • Mowing of other native grasses as per City of Arvada Fire Department recommendations
  • Retention Pond Maintenance (4 ponds)
  • Treatments to prevent excessive algae growth
  • Removal of trees and other growth around and within the ponds to ensure necessary water storage volume
  • Dog Waste Stations (NOTE: Due to the November 2024 election results of Proposition 6E, MSMD funding was dramatically reduced. As of January 2025, dog waste station servicing has been suspended. If MSMD funding were to increase as a result of future elections, the MSMD board would reconsider resuming this service)
  • Maintenance and emptying of ten (10) dog waste bins and replenishing of dog waste bags at each location
  • Trail Maintenance
  • Weed removal and other maintenance of dirt gravel trails within the community
  • Snow Removal
  • Sidewalk snow removal for all non-resident sidewalks within the District property boundaries
  • Whisper Creek Park and Panorama Park (City of Arvada parks)
  • Maintenance of baseball fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and playground equipment
  • Drinking fountains and winterization
  • All landscaping (mulch, grass, etc)
  • Whisper Creek Park Arboretum and Amphitheater
  • Maintenance/Replacement of community border fencing

MSMD does not perform maintenance/operation related to these community areas (managed by the Whisper Creek HOA):

  • Whisper Creek Clubhouse (and landscaping maintenance in the immediate surrounding areas)
  • Whisper Creek Clubhouse Parking Lot
  • Whisper Creek Swimming Pool

Technology Accessibility Statement

The District is committed to providing equitable access to our services to all Coloradans. Our ongoing accessibility effort works towards being in line with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, level AA criteria. These guidelines not only help make technology accessible to users with sensory, cognitive and mobility disabilities, but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability.

Implementation of Accessibility

The District has developed systems and processes to ensure digital content meets technical standards through accessibility assurances in contracts and conducting regular testing of digital content for accessibility and through the use of third-party tools.

Feedback and Support

We welcome comments on how to improve our technology’s accessibility for users with disabilities and for requests for accommodations to any district services. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers or need assistance with our online services.

All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and the District will do its best to reply to all communications within three (3) business days. Reasonable accommodations or modifications are provided at no cost. Please note accommodation requests that would impose an undue financial, technical or administrative burden to the District may not be fulfilled as requested. Requests can be made to:

Phone: (720) 974-4202
E-mail: dpettigrew@msihoa.com
Address: Mountain Shadows Metropolitan District
c/o MSI
Attn: Compliance Officer
11002 Benton Street
Westminster, CO 80020

This Technology Accessibility Statement was last updated on: July 31, 2025.

Click here for 2025-08-14 Townhall Notice

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