If you drive on C-470, you’ll notice some changes this week. As our community honors Kendrick Castillo’s sacrifice and courage, the remaining overhead signs on the former Lucent Boulevard are being replaced to reflect the roadway’s new name: Kendrick Castillo Way.
As part of the ongoing mission to memorialize Kendrick, the Kendrick Castillo Memorial Oversight Committee requested a street name change, which the Board of Douglas County Commissioners approved last year.
“As founder and chairman of the Kendrick Castillo Memorial Committee, I believed it was very important for our community to turn tragedy into triumph and elevate the name of one of our greatest heroes, Kendrick Castillo, as a beacon of courage and heroism to all who come to Douglas County,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon. “Kendrick Castillo Way is more than a street sign; it is a way of life. Running into the danger and the unknown to save others, sacrificing your life to save someone else – that’s the highest expression of who we can be as humans and as Coloradans.”
In December 2024, Kendrick’s parents, John and Maria Castillo, led a heartfelt celebration of their son’s impact, as part of a formal renaming ceremony. The Castillo’s were surrounded by family, friends, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, Gov. Jared Polis, Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly, and other state and local representatives. The gathering served as a tribute to Kendrick’s selfless act after the high school senior lost his life to save fellow students amid a school shooting May 7, 2019.
The process of changing signs has been underway since late 2024 with the final signs being installed this week through Friday, Feb. 21. Drivers can expect some nighttime lane closures in place from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. while work is completed.
Now, Kendrick’s name and legacy of service, sacrifice and kindness will be a fixture in the community. The renaming honors not only Kendrick’s heroism but also the strength and resilience of his family, who have worked tirelessly to ensure his legacy lives on.