Douglas County High School has announced last-minute adjustments to its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024.

After originally planning to hold its ceremony at the Air Force Academy, the Castle Rock-based school announced Wednesday that it is moving graduation to EchoPark Stadium in Parker, where it has been held in previous years. 

In a letter sent out DCHS graduates, families and friends, Principal Tony Kappas explained that the decision to change locations from the outdoor stadium to the academy’s indoor Clune Arena was to avoid any potential inclement weather that had affected ceremonies in prior years.

“Unfortunately, there has been increased scrutiny by some in our community, as well as members of the media, regarding the location of our graduation ceremony,” he wrote. 

It was reported earlier this week that concerns were raised over the change in location due to the Air Force Academy’s requirements to enter the base. These requirements include either a driver’s license, military ID, passport or special clearance for non-U.S. citizens by the academy’s Pass and Registration Office. 

Under these guidelines, undocumented seniors and their families would be denied access to the academy’s grounds and unable to attend the ceremony. 

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Kappa did not mention this concern specifically in his message, but did state that he and the school had worked with students, families and AFA representatives “to ensure our community understood the security requirements at the academy and that everyone who wished to attend the commencement ceremony would be able to do so.”

He added that the decision to change locations was made to avoid “stress and traffic delays” for students and their families. 

“We want to ensure all family members, friends and loved ones are able to attend this milestone celebration and can arrive on time,” Kappa wrote. 

The commencement at Clune Arena would have marked the first year that DCHS held it at that venue, according to Air Force Academy spokesman Dean Miller.

With the change in location, the distance in location from DCHS goes from over 31 miles to just under 12 miles.

According to the Douglas County School District’s website, DCHS would have been the only school in the district to hold its commencement at the base.

The school now joins six other district schools holding ceremonies at EchoPark. 

Through formal agreements, the academy permits local high schools to host their commencement ceremonies at Clune Arena. For decades, Academy School District 20 has used the venue for the majority of its high schools with Pine Creek, Rampart, Air Academy, Liberty, Discovery Canyon, Village and Aspen Valley all scheduled to host their ceremonies there May 14-16.

According to a D-20 spokesperson, similar concerns have not been raised at any of the district’s high schools regarding their commencement ceremonies.

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Douglas County High School’s commencement ceremony is at 3 p.m., May 22.