HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — A road is being renamed after Kendrick Castillo, who was killed in the 2019 shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch. Douglas County announced Wednesday that Lucent Boulevard will become Kendrick Castillo Way as part of an ongoing mission to memorialize the senior who was killed while rushing the shooter to protect his classmates.

County commissioners formally approved the request during a public hearing on Tuesday, changing the name of the road between County Line Road and South Broadway. The name change was requested by the Kendrick Castillo Memorial Oversight Committee . “As the days go on, it’s tough, and it gets tougher all the time,” Kendrick’s father, John Castillo, said during the hearing.

“We’re very honored that it has come to light to rename Lucent Boulevard, a street I drive every day. It’s good that we remember our heroes, who sacrificed their lives, and that we think of the events, so we can improve resources for mental health, and..

.fund our police and give them the resources they need.” In 2020, a portion of C-470 in Highlands Ranch that connects to the soon-to-be former Lucent Boulevard was also renamed after Castillo.

The Kendrick Castillo Memorial Fund has also organized the naming of a robotics lab after Castillo, a memorial in Civic Green Park and a scholarship in his name. The fund was the recipient of Next with Kyle Clark's ongoing Word of Thanks campaign in February. Credit: Family friend Kendrick Castillo RELA.