Parker Chronicle 030223

Thomas removed from serving on county boards

Teal, Laydon vote for removal

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e two-member majority of Douglas County’s elected leaders has removed the third commissioner from several boards that oversee community organizations, a move she called “personal political retribution.”

“For nearly two years now, (Abe) Laydon and (George) Teal have conspired and collaborated to silence my voice and prohibit me from executing my duciary duty to act in the interests of the resi-

dents of Douglas County, including the almost 129,000 voters who re-elected me in November 2020 by an 18-point margin,” Commissioner Lora omas wrote in a February newsletter.

e removals come amid what omas called “constant personal attacks and antagonism, including being investigated twice with absolutely no ndings of any wrongdoing,” she wrote in another recent newsletter. e changes in power raise issues for her ability to represent her area of Douglas County, the newsletter argued. County commissioner District III is the only district with a lack of city- or town-level elected o cials to represent their interests, such as overseeing property development

or other roles, the newsletter argued. at’s omas’ area, largely made up of Highlands Ranch.

Laydon, the commissioner for District I, or northeast Douglas County, said the concerns are “wildly inaccurate,” noting the commissioners are all elected at large.

In Douglas County, the commissioners are required to reside in di erent districts, but voters throughout the entire county cast ballots for each seat.

“Each of us represents the entire county, and each of us is intimately familiar through decades of living and working here with the needs of our local boards,” Laydon said.

In-N-Out Burger is coming to Parker Road

Commercial growth continues

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Parker Town Council approved the rst amendment of the Parker and Pine Mixed Use Plan De-

velopment, which will allow an In-n-Out Burger to be built on the southwest corner of Parker Road and Pine Lane.

By approving this development, the council will allow proposed revisions to eliminate the provision precluding drive-thrus within a 300-foot radius of Parker Road and Pine Lane.

In addition, this unique plan de-

velopment has its own additional design standards to add stucco and stone as a permitted material and Bone China and Sandcastle to the allowed color palette to the town wide criteria.

e planned development is located within the central district of Parker’s master plan, which

DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO

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Residents sue county to halt apartments near Parker

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e ongoing battle in the Denver suburbs against new apartment complexes has reached the Parker area again, but this time, residents took the ght to court.

More than 100 area residents led a lawsuit against Douglas County’s elected leaders for allowing a development to move forward that would put about 200 housing units just south of the Town of Parker near state Highway 83.

Residents of e Pinery, an area that sits between Parker and Castle Rock’s northeast edge, brought the lawsuit, arguing the proposed development does not meet the county’s approval requirements and that it is “incompatible with the existing character” of the area. ey also cited concerns of increased tra c.

e Pinery, a relatively remote set of neighborhoods along a major state highway, consists of low-density, single-family homes, according to the lawsuit complaint. (“Density” is a term for how many people or housing units occupy an area.)

“Plainti s will experience actual, immediate, and irreparable harm from (the county’s) approval of the development,” the lawsuit complaint says.

e proposal highlights friction between the desires of suburban homeowners and the business community, whose need for workers can lead to support for new housing.

“Many of the major employers in Parker are struggling with personnel due to the low inventory of workforce housing options in the town,” T.J. Sullivan, president of the Parker Chamber of Commerce, wrote in a letter to county sta in support of the development.

“( ousands of) individuals commute to Parker each day from outside the town — especially from the south Aurora area where there are more options,” Sullivan wrote.

e Douglas County commissioners voted 2-1 on Jan. 10 to allow the development to move forward. e lawsuit, led in February, asked a court to reverse the county’s decision and stop the development.

‘Urban area’

Part of the county’s process for approving a development in the area south of Parker centers on e Pinery’s status

ParkerChronicle.net

Commissioners George Teal, left, and Abe Laydon have removed colleague Lora Thomas from several boards.

PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES

as a “separated urban area,” a label that goes back decades. It relates to zoning, a local government’s rules for what can be built where.

Douglas County’s 1986 Master Plan recognized previously zoned, isolated, urban developments called separated urban areas. ose areas include Roxborough, Castle Pines Village and e Pinery.

“ ese developments … were previously zoned for urban development as early as the 1970s,” Douglas County’s newer comprehensive master plan says.

e county’s comprehensive master plan lays out a broad vision for how and where property development should occur. It’s a focal point of the lawsuit, which argues that the proposed development at e Pinery fails to provide a “compelling public bene t” as required by the plan.

Before the proposal reached the county’s elected leaders in January, it rst faced votes from the county Planning Commission, a body of citizens who are appointed to provide recommendations on property development decisions.

e planning commission in March last year voted in favor of including the site of the proposed development into e Pinery Separated Urban Area’s boundaries, a move that paved the way for the proposal to move forward. ( e land was previously located in what the county considered a non‐urban area.)

e county’s comprehensive master plan states that expansion

of a separated urban area — as the planning commission voted to OK — is only supported if a “compelling public bene t is provided that outweighs potential impacts,” according to a county sta report.

e lawsuit complaint argues that the comprehensive plan “de nes a ‘compelling public bene t’ as including ‘supporting the scal health of special (government) districts and lowering overall indebtedness and tax rates for residents,’ as well as ‘enhancement of community-separation bu ers or the elimination of inappropriate zoning.’ ”

But county sta described the plan di erently.

“ ere is not a set formula or list for determining a compelling public bene t,” county sta wrote in a January 2022 sta report. “It requires (a developer) to consider what would be a bene t in the area for the County.”

“In this case, the (developer) is offering workforce housing to provide an a ordable option for residents living and working in the area,” sta wrote.

Sta also wrote: “In sta ’s assessment, the proposal for workforce housing is supported by goals and policies of the” comprehensive plan.

After voting to include the site of the proposed development into e Pinery’s boundaries, the planning commission expressed disapproval of the housing proposal, voting against rezoning the land — another step in the development process — by an 8-0 vote on Dec. 19.

“Ulysses (the developer) purchased the property the following day for approximately $3.6 million,” the lawsuit complaint says.

Looking at character

County commissioners voted 2-1 to let the proposal move forward in January, with Commissioner Abe Laydon voting no.

County sta had noted that a “rezoning application for urban uses and density” on the land “could be supported” under the comprehensive plan’s policies.

e lawsuit complaint asked the Douglas County District Court to reverse the county commissioners’ decision that approved the rezoning.

e complaint argues that the county’s zoning rules required the county commissioners to assess “whether there has been a substantial change in the character of the neighborhood, since the land was last zoned.”

(Comprehensive plans and land-use standards can sometimes be di cult to pin down: e county comprehensive plan’s introductory section, the section on urban areas and the glossary all do not appear to include a de nition of the term “character.”

e county zoning rules section that lists de nitions also does not de ne “character.”)

e lawsuit zeroed in on the type of homes in the area.

e Pinery’s “character is de ned as comprised … of low-density, single-family homes. ere is no other multi-family or high-density housing within e Pinery SUA. e Development would stand in stark contrast to the character of e Pinery SUA in violation” of county zoning rules, the lawsuit complaint says.

A letter to the county from e Pinery Homeowners’ Association says: “ e multi-family housing existing within e Pinery, consist of 88 privately owned town homes. e remaining 3,000 plus dwelling units throughout e Pinery SUA are single family units and compatible with the character of the original Pinery.”

County sta wrote that the character of the neighborhood has changed since the property in question was last zoned in 1955.

“ e Pinery Planned Development, generally north and south of the site and directly across SH 83 to the east … was zoned in 1972. e Pinery PD allows for commercial, o ce, residential, and open space uses,” a Dec. 29 county sta report says. “ e Stone Creek Ranch PD to the immediate south was approved by the County in 2014 for 329 single-family residential units, most of which have been constructed.”

A couple of emails to the county from nearby residents noted that no commercial areas sit in the immediate area.

‘Unquestionable impact’

ough an RTD park-and-ride bus stop sits at Highway 83 and North Pinery Parkway — about a half mile from the proposed development — adding so many housing units is sure to increase tra c to some degree in the area. e development would sit along the edge of e Pinery.

It is anticipated that the developer will be responsible for a “fair share contribution” to road improvements, county sta wrote. e development has committed to contributing to changes, including:

• A “pro-rata” share of the required tra c signal improvements to the intersection of Scott Avenue and state Highway 83, and 50% of the tra c signal cost for the intersection of Pinery Center Boulevard and Scott Avenue to be secured by the county via an improvements agreement.

• Design and construction of the

full width extension of Pinery Center Boulevard to Scott Avenue.

As far as height of the apartment complex, a letter from the developer’s team to county sta says: “Because the property is located below the elevation of (state Highway 83) and surrounding properties, multi-story structures developed on the property will be no higher or more visible than surrounding single-family developments.”

e lawsuit alleges that the developer’s representatives stated the buildings would be only three stories high yet requested buildings be built 45 feet tall, which would amount to a fourstory building, the lawsuit says.

“As proposed, the development has only a 1,000-foot setback from the Stone Creek Ranch neighborhood and will unquestionably impact the value of the neighborhood and the views of the residents of the neighborhood,” the lawsuit complaint says.

‘The county’s needs’

e proposal documents label the apartment complex as “workforce housing units,” a term that can vary depending on who is using it.

Given the location in Douglas County, it’s unclear whether the apartments would be considered cheap relative to the Denver metro-area market as a whole.

Units would only be available to individuals and families making no greater than 60% of the area’s median income, as that gure is calculated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to a Sept. 16 letter from the developer’s team to county sta .

As of April 2022, local households making no greater than 60% of the AMI, and thus eligible for a unit, typically earn between $40,000 to $80,000 per year, the letter says.

“Households with incomes in this range may include employees of Douglas County government, Douglas County School District, local businesses, including e Shops at Castle Rock and other local retailers and restaurants, and critical services, including the Parker Adventist Hospital system and other emergency and essential service organizations,” the letter says.

e letter adds: “Understanding the county’s acute need for workforce housing, Ulysses intends to institute a marketing strategy and leasing preference plan o ering leasing priority to current employees of Douglas County government and businesses, existing County residents, and veterans, in order to directly serve the County’s needs.”

e lawsuit complaint, referring to apartments in Parker, Castle Rock and Castle Pines, claimed that “many (are available) at the same or lower rental rates as those proposed by Ulysses for the Development.”

A leader at Parker Adventist Hospital wrote in support of the proposal, noting that “housing continues to be one of the top issues for our associates.”

“ e care we provide our communities is incumbent upon our ability to attract and retain our workforce,”

Michael Goebel, CEO of Parker Adventist Hospital, wrote in a letter. “ us, ensuring there are attainable housing options in the area is paramount and we feel this project will be a step in the right direction.”

e land for the proposed development sits in an unincorporated area, meaning it’s not within a city or town. Douglas County government generally oversees property development rules for unincorporated areas.

Chamber creates special veterans council

More groups coming

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As people of Parker have expressed interest, the Parker Chamber of Commerce is inviting chamber veterans to be part of the new Parker Chamber Veterans Council.

According to the President of the Chamber of Commerce, T.J. Sullivan, over the next several years, the chamber of commerce plans to add various councils for community

issues.

“

ese councils will be groups organized to address the needs of niche groups within the chamber membership,” said Sullivan.

While there are many groups that honor veterans, the Parker Chamber Veterans Council aims to connect veteran business owners to programs and resources that will support their entrepreneurial endeavors.

e new council is a group to support veterans business owners, prospective owners and other professionals and gives members a way to contribute in a meaningful way.

“ e chamber bene ts from better engaged members as well as sponsorship dollars from businesses that sponsor the councils,” said Sullivan.

e rst organizational meeting will be held at the Parker Library on Monday March 13 at 4:00 p.m. at the Parker Library.

e meeting plans to discuss what the council can do for the town and nd their why.

“Discussing if we can actively help veteran entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals in Parker achieve their goals,” said Sullivan.

“Can veterans and their advocates

in the chamber community move the needle for this population in a meaningful way. If the answer is yes, then we’ll gure out the how.”

As the council is in the early stages of development, Sullivan expects there to be about a dozen people that make up the council but it depends on how much interest there is in the council.

e time and date of the e Parker Chamber Veterans Council is to be determined.

If interested in joining the Parker Chamber of Commerce council, email Chamber CEO T.J. Sullivan.

Political funder aims to change primaries

Kent Thiry has poured millions into ballot measures

BY JESSE PAUL AND SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

Kent iry, who has poured millions of dollars into democracy-related initiatives in Colorado intended to boost the power of moderate voters and make political contests more competitive, is advocating for major changes to the state’s primary election process to address what he calls gaps and inequities.

e former CEO of the dialysis

giant DaVita’s next political act is backing an e ort to do away with Colorado’s caucus and assembly process through which candidates can make the primary ballot. He also wants the legislature to nd a way to prevent Coloradans from throwing away their votes by casting primary ballots for presidential candidates who later drop out of the race.

If successful, the changes could be iry’s most transformative work yet.

“I’m passionate about democracy,” he told e Colorado Sun in a recent interview. “And it takes work to keep a democracy working.”

iry, who is registered as an unafliated voter, was acquitted in April of federal criminal charges alleging

that he worked with business competitors to prevent the hiring of each other’s employees. He is pushing the legislature to alter Colorado’s primary processes, but indicated he’s willing to pursue ballot measures if the General Assembly doesn’t act.

“We look every cycle at where we can add the most value,” he said.

In recent years, iry has personally bankrolled e orts to let una liated voters participate in Colorado’s primaries and reimagine the state’s once-in-a-decade redistricting process. Kaiser Health News reported that iry has given at least $5.9 million to Colorado ballot measures since 2011, and all of the initiatives he has supported have passed.

Right now, iry is “extremely

supportive” of Senate Bill 101, which would end Colorado’s caucus and assembly process of selecting primary candidates and make signature gathering the only way to make the ballot. e legislation would also let una liated voters sign partisan candidate petitions.

iry called the caucus-assembly nominating system “blatantly unfair and blatantly inequitable.”

“It’s unfair because a small group of party insiders control all the management around it and it’s inequitable because there’s lots of voters who can’t, on a weeknight or a weekend, leave work or leave their kids or leave their military base to go

PRIMARIES

participate,” he said.

e measure, sponsored by Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton, and Rep. Mary Brad eld, R-Colorado Springs, is up for its rst hearing ursday in the Senate State, Military and Veterans Committee. And it’s likely to be quickly rejected despite recent polling commissioned by a group associated with iry showing that the proposed changes are popular with Coloradans. Opponents of the measure argue it would make it hard for anyone but those who can a ord to collect signatures to run for o ce.

Candidates for U.S. Senate and governor in Colorado must collect 1,500 voter signatures in each of the state’s eight congressional districts. ey can’t reasonably collect all of those on their own, so campaigns pay rms tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to collect signatures on their behalf.

Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat who sits on the Senate State, Military and Veterans Committee, said she will vote “no” on the measure.

“Both of these processes reward the people who do the work,” Gonzales said, noting that she went through both the caucus and assembly as well as the signature gathering process to make the ballot in her rst legislative election.

Senate President Steve Fenberg, DBoulder, said Senate Bill 101 would mean “you have to pay to get on the ballot.”

“I’m not comfortable with a process that says the way to get on the ballot essentially is by paying to get there,” he said. “Caucus has its aws, for sure. But I think it’s an important option to have. I don’t know why we would remove options. Instead we should talk about expanding options for voters and candidates.”

e Colorado Democratic Party and America Votes, a liberal national nonpro t, both oppose the bill. Grassroots Republicans and the Colorado Libertarian Party are also encouraging supporters to voice opposition to the legislation.

COUNTY

FROM PAGE 1

Several leadership seats change

In the early February newsletter, omas pointed to “the fourth time in just a few weeks that I have been replaced on boards” on which she says she has long served.

Laydon and Teal recently voted to remove her from leadership on entities including the following, Laydon told Colorado Community Media.

•  e Northwest Douglas County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, a group that represents the local business community;

•  e Mile High Flood District, which oversees matters such as ood management, stream mitigation and stormwater around the Denver region;

• And the 18th Judicial District Forfeiture Board. (“Forfeiture” relates to property involved in a

Voters First Colorado, part of the national, nonpartisan group Unite America, supports Senate Bill 101.

Unite America was a proponent of Alaska’s switch to an open primary where both Democratic and Republican candidates are on the same ballot and voters’ top four choices advance to the general election. Voters then use ranked-choice voting — in which they order their preferred candidates — to select the winner.

Nevada voters approved a similar system last year.

Kirkmeyer said she’s open to amending her bill to lower the signature requirements for candidates to make the ballot, but she thinks her bill is a reasonable way to make ballot access more equitable.

Right now, she argues, it’s too easy for third-party candidates to get on the ballot. Kirkmeyer lost a 2022 congressional bid by less than 1 percentage point in a race where the Libertarian candidate picked up 4% of the vote. And she said it’s unfair that una liated voters, who make up the largest voting bloc in Colorado, aren’t allowed to sign partisan candidates’ ballot-access petitions.

“For those people who say, ‘now you’re making people pay-to-play,’ my response to that is if a 63-yearold woman can get volunteers and go get her signatures — me — without having to pay for them, I think anyone can do it,” she said.

(Kirkmeyer had to collect 1,500 signatures to make the ballot in the 8th Congressional District last year.)

Barbara Kirkmeyer talks to a District 8 voter with election 2022 banners behind her.

Kirkmeyer’s position is notable because some in the Colorado GOP want to ban candidates from gathering petition signatures to make the primary ballot. A right-wing contingent in the party is pushing for a rules change because they view candidates who make the ballot by gathering signatures as less ideologically pure than those who go through the caucus and assembly process.

iry is also pushing for alterations to Colorado’s presidential primary elections after votes cast for Democratic candidates such as Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar,

SEE PRIMARIES, P24

criminal or legal matter, according to an explainer on the U.S. Treasury Department website.)

e Douglas County commissioners collectively sit on about 40 boards, according to Laydon.

Usually in January each year, the county commissioners decide which of their colleagues to appoint to boards that oversee outside entities, Laydon said.

“I was … removed from the Northwest Douglas County EDC, which is wholly within my Commissioner District,” omas wrote in a newsletter. “Teal will also take my place on this board despite the fact that he does not live nor work in NW Douglas County.”

Teal has not responded to Colorado Community Media callss for comments asking why he vote in favor of removing omas from serving on boards.

For more speci cs about the investigations omas is referring to, see Colorado Community Media’s previous story at tinyurl.com/legaldisputes.

Reading program at elementary school to expand

Will go districtwide

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Stone Mountain Elementary teacher Brooke Vincent said her third graders have become more con dent and engaged with reading and writing over the past two years as the school has piloted a new literacy curriculum.

With the program’s success, the writing program is now being implemented in elementary schools across the Douglas County School District.

Vincent’s observations are backed by recent data from her school and two others that also piloted new literacy curricula that shows more students reading at or above grade level than in previous years.

In 2022, 82% of Stone Mountain Elementary students were reading at or above grade level, which is up from 76% in 2019, before the pandemic and the implementation of the new curriculum named Wonders. Statewide, 2022 Colorado Measures of Academic Success scores show 41% of students met or exceeded grade level expectations.

“(Wonders has) taken literacy from this is reading time and this is writing time to this is literacy time,” Vincent told Colorado Community Media. “It’s been helping (students) nd their own love of reading too because they’re engaged in

the text sets that we’re reading.” Similarly, Sage Canyon and Cherokee Trail elementaries piloted the Benchmark Workshop and Benchmark Advanced curricula, respectively, seeing improvements in students’ reading levels. In 2022, 67% of Sage Canyon students and 62% of Cherokee Trail students were reading at or above grade level, compared to 51% and 56% in 2019.

“ ey came in from kindergarten came knowing things that we’ve never had rst graders know before and that has sent us up for real success,” Sage Canyon Elementary rst grade teacher Sara Lang told the Board of Education on Jan. 10.  With the success at the pilots schools, the district is in the process of rolling out the new curricula to all of its elementary schools this year, as well as training teachers on

the science of reading.  e district is investing in the change due to a 2019 law that requires kindergarten through third grade reading curricula to be science and evidence based.  Previously, districts were able to pick any reading curriculum and they weren’t required to have one. Vincent said that resulted in teach-

Cherokee Trail Elementary School teacher Leighanne Brown uses new literacy curriculum to teach her students the science of reading. The Douglas County School District is in the process of implementing three science-based reading programs at all elementary schools this year. COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

IN-N-OUT

encompasses the commercial core of the town.

“Due to its central location with access to Parker Road, Dransfeldt Road and 20 Mile Road, growth in this area should focus on core retail, services, o ces, lodging, restaurants, entertainment and to a lesser extent higher density residential,” said Community Development Associate Planner Julia Duncan.

After market research and site investigation, Councilmember Laura Hefta said the parcel of land is the correct site for this development as it is next to Slim Chickens, making it convenient for those coming o E470. “ ere have been signi cant changes in the area to warrant a zone change,” said Hefta. “As Parker Road corridor continues to expand, our population continues to grow and again, its proximity to E470.”

Regarding the traffic concern around In-N-Out Burger, “We meet with the city staff, public works,

READING

ers and schools on di ering pages, sometimes resulting in confused students and unsure teachers. She doesn’t have that problem with Wonders.

“We know without a doubt that we’re doing what we should be doing to help our kids reach those Colorado Academic Standards,” Vincent said. “When our kids take CMAS a lot of those questions will be seamless for them … so it’s not as nerve wracking for our kids because they’ve already been exposed to that level of instruction.”

Some of the other positive highlights of Wonders is that it o ers better alignment across grades

engineering to go over traffic plans,” said Katie Sanchez, a development manager for the hamburger chain.

Councilmember Brandi Wilks encouraged sta to do everything they can to get lines moving and direct cars o Parker Road during the grand opening, which is to be determined.

According to Duncan, the internal tra c ow will be determined during the platting and site plan process.

In other business

To help serve the community and other businesses, the town council approved the second amendment of the Westcreek Planned Development.   As the character of the community has changed over the last couple of decades, the update to the Westcreek Plan Development Guide will help initiate development of retail along Parker Road completed.

Among various ordinance approvals, the council also approved a partial waiver to extend Chamber Road and the annexation, zoning and replat of Meridian Tract Q and a section of the Newlin Gulch Regional Trail as open space.

so it’s easier for students to build on what they learned in previous years, as well as multiple options for students across reading capabilities, Vincent said.

“So you’re taking the same concepts but then adjusting them to where kids are at in terms of their reading level and that has been a really big game changer for my two opposite ends of the spectrum,” she said.

At the Jan. 10 school board meeting, member Mike Peterson got teary while praising the work of the pilot schools and talking about district-wide implementation.

“I could not be happier with the focus of the district and looking at some of those charts, where we are coming out of the learning loss we had during covid is just exemplary,” Peterson said.

We're more than just a great rate

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March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Douglas County celebrates the diverse contributions, capacity and value of our residents with developmental disabilities. Thank you for what you bring to our community. This month, the Board of County Commissioners is formally recognizing these residents’ contributions and commending the community organizations, agencies and programs that support them throughout the year. For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for Developmental Disabilities

Nominate a special teenager for a 2023 Youth Initiative Award

Do you know a Douglas County teenager, between the ages of 13 and 19, who has overcome adversity and created positive change in their lives, as well as the lives of others? Nominate them for a 2023 Douglas County Outstanding Youth Award by March 3. Visit douglas.co.us and search Youth Awards

What’s happening with your County government?

Our commitment to open and transparent government includes online posting of information about public meetings at which the business of government is conducted. To view public meeting agendas, participate in-person or remotely, or watch select meetings via live stream, visit douglas.co.us and search for Business Meetings

/

Public Hearings.

Downtown Parker SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

Castle Rock to get more senior housing

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Two new senior housing options are coming to Castle Rock, including a luxury home neighborhood and income-restricted apartments.

e Castle Rock Town Council approved a development plan on Feb. 21 for the Meadowmark multi-family project, which will bring 200 a ordable rental units to North Meadows Drive and Timber Mill Parkway. Additionally, the Hillside at Castle Rock neighborhood near Wolfensberger and Coachline Roads will begin construction this spring on 120 for-sale homes.

Both developments will be restricted to residents age 55 and older.

Meadowmark

e Meadowmark project, developed by Ulysses Development Company, will be a four-story, 183,000 square foot building on 5.4 acres with 200 one and two bedroom apartments near the Meadows Town Center.

e units will be income restricted for residents making up to 70% Area Median Income, which is $57,470 for a single person in Douglas County in 2022, according to the Colorado Housing and Finance Association. Rents will be set annually by the Colorado Housing Finance Authority based on income level and the size of the unit.

Amenities include two outdoor gathering spaces, a wild ower gar-

den, a tness room and a community room and craft room. e project also includes 255 parking spaces.

e project is being done in partnership with the Douglas County Housing Authority.

Castle Rock Director of Development Services Tara Vargish said the total cost of the project is expected to be around $58.4 million and will receive some funding from LowIncome Housing Tax Credits and the Colorado Division of Housing.   Developers for Meadowmark requested a $500,000 partial fee waiver of town development fees, which totaled $4.1 million. e council agreed

to grant the developers’ waiver request, bringing the total fees down to $3.6 million.

“It’s good to have seniors in our community and it’s good to incentivize our seniors,” Mayor Jason Gray said. “I appreciate what (the project) will do in our community and this is a worthwhile action we’re going to do for our town and Meadowmark.”

Hillside

For Hillside at Castle Rock, developers BVLD Builders envision an active adult neighborhood of 120 attached and detached homes ranging from 1,900 square feet to 2,400

square feet with prices starting in the $600,000s.

Homes will come in multiple oor-plans, but all will include a full basement and a two-car garage. Neighborhood amenities will include pickleball courts, a covered pavilion with repit and open spaces with walking paths.

“Home buyers will appreciate this collection of stunning, low-maintenance homes that provide plenty of time for you to enjoy the charm and vibrancy of Castle Rock and the active Colorado lifestyle that active-adults seek,” Aaron Foy, owner of BLVD Builders, said in a press release.

A rendering shows the Meadowmark a ordable apartments for seniors, which will be located on North Meadows Drive in Castle Rock. COURTESY OF TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK

Where to turn for help when temps drop

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Life-threatening temperatures rolled into the Denver metro area again in late February, prompting local authorities and community organizations to open their doors for people without homes.

Programs for overnight shelter during cold weather vary across the Denver area, and some have di erent criteria for when they open.

At least 263 unhoused individuals died in the Denver metro area from Nov. 1, 2021, to Oct. 31, 2022, according to a report by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Some died of “environmental exposure,” and many of the deaths occurred outdoors.

Here’s a look at the shelter programs in Denver and nearby counties. Many of these resources are ongoing.

For shelter elsewhere in Colorado, contact your local city or county human services department and ask about any available shelter and other resources in your area.

Je erson and west Arapahoe counties

Lakewood has opened its own emergency over ow shelter for the unhoused needing a warm place — a program the city says is new. Whitlock Recreation Center was to be open overnight two days, Feb. 22 and Feb. 23. It’s located at 1555 N. Dover St., just north of Colfax Avenue and several blocks west of Wadsworth Boulevard.

Also serving Je erson County — and the Englewood-Littleton area — is the Severe Weather Shelter Network, which requires registration. See swshelternetwork.com/get-help or contact 720-515-9313 or connect@ swshelternetwork.com.

e network operates Oct. 1-April 30 when it is 20 degrees or below and dry — or 32 degrees and below when rain or snowfall is predicted during overnight hours.

Giving Heart Englewood, a homeless-resource center, o ers a warm environment for people to wait for transportation to the overnight shelter in life-threatening weather. It operates as a “warming site” on severe weather nights at 6 p.m.

Giving Heart also o ers computer

use; clothing and hygiene items; help with getting IDs, driver licenses, and birth or death certi cates; and help with Medicaid health care. You can also use its address to receive mail, applications or bene ts. For non-severe-weather services, Giving Heart is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays and ursdays.

It sits at 4358 S. Broadway, about eight blocks south of Hampden Avenue and just south of Quincy Avenue. Call 720-460-0953, see givingheartenglewood.com or email givingheartenglewood@gmail.com for more info.

Evergreen

In the Evergreen area of Je co, the EChO overnight emergency shelter operates from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. October to May. For more information and to register, call 303-670-1796.

Individuals needing shelter when EChO is closed should call the sheri non-emergency line at 303-277-0211 or call the shelter hotline at 720-5982653 and leave a message, according to Evergreen Christian Outreach’s website. A shelter representative will call you back, according to the site. See more info at tinyurl.com/EvergreenShelter.

Adams County

e Adams County Severe Weather Activation Program takes e ect when the temperature drops lower than 33 degrees with rain or snow — or 21 degrees and dry, according to the county’s website.

e program’s assessment process may include referral to shelter, a hotel or motel stay, or severe weather supplies.

When the program is active, people seeking services should visit Crossroads Community Center at 10451 N. Huron St. in Northglenn — at 104th Avenue a few blocks west of Interstate 25 — from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., or visit almosthomeonline.org/swap, contact SWAP@almosthomeonline.org or call 720-409-8988.

Douglas County

Hotel vouchers are provided to people experiencing homelessness in Douglas County through nonpro t partners throughout the year, according to county spokesperson Wendy

Holmes.

For Douglas County women and children speci cally, the Winter Shelter Network of churches provides shelter after registration, every night during winter months regardless of weather conditions. See wintershelternetwork.org/get-assistance for more information.

Douglas County’s homelessness response team refers people to those partners for assistance. Call the county’s Homeless Engagement, Assistance and Resource Team, or HEART, at 303-660-7301 if you need assistance.

Aurora

e Aurora Day Resource Center is a 24/7 shelter during certain times of winter. “No one will be turned away,” the website says.

e center activates overnight shelter when it’s below 20 degrees, generally with some kind of precipitation, according to a worker who identi ed as a “care navigator.”

e location was o ering overnight shelter Feb. 23, the navigator conrmed.

e center sits at 13387 E. 19th Place, a few blocks north of Colfax and a couple blocks west of Interstate 225 — north of Children’s Hospital. Call 303-343-7808, text WARMUP to 313131 or see comitiscrisiscenter.org/ aurora-day-resource-center for more info.

An organization called Aurora Warms the Night also provides coldweather shelter for people experiencing homelessness, its website says. Contact 303-343-0537 or info@ awtnco.org, or see aurorawarmsthenight.org for more info.

e organization has “o ce hours” 6-9 p.m. Mondays and ursdays and 2-6 p.m. Sundays, according to its website. Its address is 9360 E. Colfax Ave., several blocks east of Yosemite Street, in Aurora.

Denver

e City of Denver opened Rude Recreation Center — at 2855 W. Holden Place, just east of Federal Boulevard and a bit south of Colfax — for overnight shelter Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.

People who need shelter can also visit what the city calls “front door”

facilities, which o er walk-up access and can refer — and sometimes transport — people to other shelters. What the city calls “walk up only” centers do not refer people to other facilities.

For individual men, one front door location is Lawrence Street Community Center at Lawrence Street and Park Avenue West in the downtown area. It’s open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, but the city suggests arriving before 6 p.m. for transportation to other locations. Call 303-294-0157 for more info.

For individual women, a front door location is Samaritan House at 2301 Lawrence St., near that same intersection, open from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily. e city suggests arriving between 4 and 4:30 p.m. for shelter or transportation to other locations. Call 303-294-0241 for more info.

For resources for others — youth ages 15-20, families with minor children, people experiencing domestic violence, or transgender individuals — see the city’s webpage for more info at tinyurl.com/DenverShelterList.

Denver had opened other emergency shelter earlier this winter, including the McNichols Civic Center Building at 144 W. Colfax Ave., near North Broadway, which operated as a “24/7 warming shelter” for a period in January.

On Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, all currently operating Denver recreation centers and Denver public libraries were to be available during regular operating hours for anyone who needed a place to stay warm during the day.

Other options

In the “seven-county” metro area — including around the Denver area but also the Boulder and Broom eld communities — dial 211 for a multilingual and con dential service that can connect you to shelter, food, rent assistance, child care and more resources in your area. Or text your ZIP code to 898-211 or scroll down to “live chat” at unitedwaydenver.org/ community-programs/2-1-1.

In general, if you’re in extreme cold and can’t nd shelter through the above resources, call 911. (Or, in Denver speci cally, the police nonemergency number is 720-913-2000.)

Farmhouse style in Castle Rock

Life at Home opened in November

BY RACHEL LORENZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Heidi Mossman loves the little building that houses her new business in Castle Rock.

“It has so much charm and character to it,” the owner of Life at Home, a home decor and gift boutique, told Colorado Community Media.

Mossman opened the store in a small two-story white barn with red trim o of Fourth Street in November, just days before anksgiving, after being on the hunt for the perfect place since July. e structure’s hardwood oors and rafters, built-in shelves and natural light provide a tting backdrop for the Colorado farmhouse style of goods Mossman curates. Cozy throw blankets, decorative pillows, inspirational plaques, candles, wall art and knickknacks galore ll the 720-square-foot space.

While the building has the personality Mossman was hoping for, it’s not without its challenges. Set back from the road and nestled behind another business, Life at Home is easy for passersby to miss. Plus, its diminutive size and minimal wall space limit the amount of accent furniture and large pieces of art that Mossman can carry. But overall, she’s thrilled with the property and its reception in Castle Rock.

Life at Home was in uenced in

part by Mossman’s special times shopping with family. Originally from Minnesota and North Dakota, Mossman moved to Colorado after getting her accounting degree in the ‘90s. Visits back to the Midwest often included trips with her mom and grandma to antique stores situated in buildings that had previously been schoolhouses or private homes.

“We just created amazing memories,” Mossman said.  While it doesn’t carry antiques, Life at Home may still evoke sentimental feelings akin to nostalgia for shoppers. Mossman said she likes it when items in her store “tug at people’s heartstrings” or spark their imagination.

An entrepreneur with a strong creative streak, Mossman discovered her passion for home decor

several years ago while pursuing photography. e Colorado Springs resident takes photographs professionally and has been in that business for over a decade. Six years ago, she started selling her landscape photographs at a furniture store in Chapel Hills Mall. Surrounded by decorators and designers, Mossman said she learned how to choose and display items to enhance her photographs which eventually led to her new business, Life at Home.

Now, with two businesses and a family to care for, Mossman is well-acquainted with how busy life can feel. But, for her, making time to connect with people remains as valuable as ever.

“It’s so important for our souls and for our well-being to be surrounded by people,” Mossman said.

IF YOU GO

Life at Home is at 109 Fourth St. in Castle Rock. It’s open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

With that in mind, Mossman and her employees at Life at Home strive to create an uplifting experience not only through the items they sell but also by greeting and conversing with shoppers.

“ e whole purpose of the business is to … really lighten people’s spirits,” she said. “Bring smiles to their face, bring connection, re ection of relationships, and just make them feel good about themselves.”

Heidi Mossman, second from right, and her Life at Home team pose for a group photo.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LIFE AT HOME

We are traumatized FROM THE EDITOR

On Feb. 22, as calls came into local police departments that our schools were under attack, one thing became apparent — We are very traumatized in society.

ankfully, the reports to 911 that active shooters were inside schools across Colorado were untrue and proved to be false as o cers responded. However, the trauma that goes with these calls was very apparent. For me, as a mother and journalist, I immediately stressed out. I watched other journalists on Twitter make comments putting into words just how I was feeling. Many said as soon as the calls come in, we start worrying about what could be happening in our communities.

As more than a dozen schools were impacted throughout the day, Englewood made the list, and then Littleton High School. Littleton Police headed to the school and students were locked inside, leaving parents wondering if they were indeed OK.

e thing is, while other schools were cleared and quickly, Littleton felt like it took forever. is is not judge to Littleton schools or police, it just felt like forever for me and a reporter waiting for word.

I started scanning Twitter, where the trauma we are experiencing as a society became very apparent: From students tweeting that they were still inside a classroom hunkered down without any knowledge of what is happening on the outside.

From parents saying they have elementary school children without a cell phone, and they were worried because they had no way of knowing what was happening inside.

Tweet after tweet, parents said they heard from their child but still had no clear answers of what was happening.

As the minutes continued, the Littleton Police Department would tweet that “still no injuries” had been found. While good news, it was still stressful because it wasn’t the “all clear” tweet parents and students were waiting for.

For students, this wasn’t just a drill to go through what to do if this actually happened. While found to be a hoax, for our communities, this was essentially the real thing until police ruled it wasn’t.

Earlier in the week, my own children went through a lockdown drill with their school. Afterward, my 6-year-old asked some pointed questions on why they did it. I was honest with him. In reality, we just do not live in a world right now where we can lie to our children about the evil that can be lingering outside of our schools, public arenas ands elsewhere.

A threat or call about a shooting is never discounted anymore. All calls, all threats are treated as if they are real.

For those responsible, there is no excuse for the level of cruelty you imposed on teachers, students, parents, law enforcement and our communities.

While thankfully, no one was hurt, in the end, this day shows us that something has to be done to get the increasing numbers of mass shootings under control. We are past the time of bickering about which political party is right and which is wrong.

We are a traumatized society that deserves debate, compromise and true action that leads to healing and safety.

elma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

The gift of island time and mountain time

Th e circular bar was busy but not too busy. ere were two bartenders working the bar. Our view was of the beautiful snow-covered mountains as the restaurant was at the top of a ski resort. As the bartenders chatted us all up, we all took in the amazing view of the slopes, the mountain range backdrop and a gorgeous blue-sky day. No rush, service was casual without being too slow. As we enjoyed our break we noticed a man had walked in and stood at the bar looking for a beverage himself. His accent gave him away as being from New York and his body language betrayed his not so good mood. As the bartender approached the man and asked what he would like to drink, the man blurted out, “Two bloody Marys.”

As the bartender started making the drinks, the man started assertively tapping his credit card on the counter, shaking his head and clearly losing his patience as the bartender worked on his

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

drinks. I would have to say, the bartender makes an awesome bloody Mary, and he takes the time to make sure it’s perfect. As the man’s impatience grew, the bartender picked up on the vibe, and without speeding up, he quickly and brilliantly defused the situation, asking the man one question, “I’ll bet it’s nice for you to be on vacation, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and to be up here taking in the snow, the sun and this incredible view.”

e man’s demeanor immediately changed. He knew what the bartender had just done, and smiling he said, “ ank you for that, and it’s wonderful to be up here and on mountain time.” I watched as the man took the two drinks back to his table and wife, and as he sat down, taking in a deep breath and gazing out at the magni cence and majesty of his surroundings.

If you have ever spent any time in the islands or in the mountains, you can immediately connect with the headline and message of this column. When we can spend time on a beautiful tropical island

SEE NORTON, P13

Call first: 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: 303-566-4100

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To subscribe call 303-566-4100

THELMA GRIMES South Metro Editor tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Chronicle. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper. To opt in or out of delivery please email us at circulation@ coloradocommunitymedia.com

Thelma Grimes

Time isn’t money. Trust is money.

that you liked so much? How are you liking that hybrid vehicle?

e topic of trust-building was on the minds of attendees at a chamber conference I attended last month.

GUEST

If I’ve learned one thing from years of chamber leadership, it’s this. People do business with people they like and trust. We throw thousands of dollars at marketing e orts to get our businesses known, but at the end of the day, positive word of mouth brings success. at’s why people network at chamber events, building trusted relationships and referrals. at’s why a grateful client will always beat an ad on a bus bench.

When they trust you, the word spreads.

Who did you use to build your deck? Do you know a good roofing company that won’t rip me o ? What’s the restaurant you went to

NORTON

or in the majesty of the mountains, sometimes things just move a little slower. And that’s a good thing.

It amazes me that some people miss the opportunity to slow down, to ease the pace of the race when they are on vacation. We work so hard to save our money so that we can take a break, get away from the rush and crush of life, and bring ourselves and our family to a tropical paradise or winter wonderland, only to lose our patience, getting upset because the shuttle was ve minutes behind, or the line at the co ee shop wasn’t moving as quickly as we would like. And instead of letting go of the stress we left behind, we bring it with us and get worked up over the silliest and

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Justin Patton, author of Your Road to Yes!, reminded us that “trust is your greatest competitive advantage.”

As a Parker business owner or professional, think about how you build trust with your customers and clients.

Do what you said you would do.  If you said you were going to do the thing on Monday, then do the thing on Monday. If you’re consistently having to apologize and reschedule the thing, then you need to stop over-promising and start setting honest expectations. Do what you have to do so that you deliver service when you said you would, and in a quality manner.

Constantly solicit feedback and improvement. Most people don’t

slightest delays. is is not about making the excuse for poor or extremely slow service, as that is never acceptable. is is just a gentle nudge and reminder to stop and see the mountains or the vastness of a blue ocean. Not just look at them, but really see them. And maybe as we stop long enough we might just realize that we are actually seeing them for the very rst time.

Getting on island time or mountain time, or wherever else we go to relax and take a break, helps us to unwind and let the stressors of life go. If we are lucky enough to live in such an area full time, we understand what island time and mountain time means, and recognize it’s one of the reasons we chose to live there.

Is it time to leave the anxiety, stress, and impatience behind? Can we get ourselves comfortable

• Publication of any given letter is at our discretion. Letters are published as space is available.

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expect perfection, but they appreciate your highest-quality e ort and your willingness to do a job right.

If you’ve dealt with them honestly, they will give you valuable feedback that helps you improve. Get better wherever and whenever you can.

Listen, and show empathy. We appreciate when people take time to listen to our challenges, our worries, and our goals. Don’t begin an interaction assuming you already know what others need. Ask smart questions that encourage them to share.

“Listen to understand,” Patton says.

Communicate with transparency. Tell the truth, explain your plan, and let your customer know how they can partner with you to get the best result. A valuable service experience never includes pricey or inconvenient surprises.

O er safety. In nearly every transaction, there is a degree of fear. “What if this person takes advantage

with a slightly slower pace? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can embrace island time and mountain time for the gift that they truly are, it really will be a better than good life.

of me?” or “What if it doesn’t turn out to be what I wanted?” Let your customer be part of the process. Check in regularly. Commit to quality control throughout the process. Make your investment in their happiness very personal. Guarantee satisfaction on those things you can decisively control.

Show up at your best. Have you ever dealt with someone who dumped their lousy mood on you?

An airline employee who really needed a good nap or a day o ?  A store clerk who couldn’t even make eye contact? Taking care of yourself – physically, mentally, and emotionally – helps you serve others better. If you’re not showing up at your best for your clients lately, gure out why and x it.

T.J. Sullivan is the CEO of the Parker Chamber of Commerce. Find him on Instagram at @ParkerChamberCEO

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

Scott Lindsay Cooper was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, October 15, 1962 son of Raymond F. and Regina E. Cooper and passed away January 22, 2023.

A talented mechanic and technician, Scott worked in the cable industry during the early years and then later installing security systems with ADT.

Scott enjoyed working on his own cars, skiing the black diamond slopes with his mother and camping and shing throughout Colorado with his family. He was an avid sports fan, supporting the Broncos, the Avalanche and a passion for NASCAR.

Scott had a very close relationship with his

son Collin and called him daily just to chat since they were separated by so many miles. He will be remembered by his outgoing, friendly personality and his animated sense of humor.

Scott was preceded in death by his mother, Regina Cooper and is survived by his father Raymond, age 98, his sister Julie (Ted) Woodrow, his son Collin (Kate) Cooper and his three grandchildren Liam, Daryl and Riley Cooper as well as his sweet tuxedo cat “Buddy”.

In lieu of a formal service, the family asks that you remember Scott by lighting a candle in prayer and sharing a fond memory.

COOPER

Scott Lindsay Cooper October 15, 1962 - January 22, 2023

Scientists are studying the health of the South Platte’s aquatic life

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

There might be plenty of sh in the sea, but in the section of the South Platte River from the Denver Metro Water facility down to Fort Lupton, they’ve all but disappeared.  rough testing, Metro Water Recovery scientists discovered that aquatic life was not present in this part of the South Platte River due to low dissolved oxygen levels. Metro Water Recovery, in an agreement with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado Health Department will address the issue.

Dissolved oxygen levels mean the river is too low for aquatic life. When they did the study, the scientists found that the South Platte River from the Denver Metro Water facility down to Fort Lupton had no sh habitat.

ey started a six-phase project on the South Platte River from 88th & Colorado Boulevard to Fort Lupton in 2018 to improve aquatic life that was disappearing from low dissolved oxygen.

“Many factors cause dissolved oxygen in a river, such as runo , nutrients and how highly managed the river is and owing slowly in some locations. In addition, algae grow when the river slows down and eats up oxygen at night,” said Senior Quality Manager for Metro Water Jim Dorsch.

“A number of factors were involved and since Metro Water created the river, it made sense for us to take the lead on trying to correct it,” Dorsch said.

Scientists are working daily on the South

Platte River collecting aquatic macroinvertebrates, which are bugs. Many of these types of organisms and microhabitats live in the river, under rocks or in woody debris in the river, Dorsch said, adding that they can also live inside rocks or live in boulders.

“ e objective is to sample the macroinvertebrate that lives at the bottom of the river to assess the invertebrate which is species without a backbone to test their diversity and abundance within the river channel and determine overall aquatic life health,” said Jordan Harman, a senior water quality scientist with Metro Water.

Harman said the macroinvertebrate data is used in Colorado as the primary indicator of aquatic life health in streams and rivers. ey collect samples in the fall, and the macroinvertebrates are picked out with tweezers and placed into collection jars

lled with isopropyl alcohol for preservation.

“We then send these preserved specimen samples to a taxonomic expert and they identify and count the macroinvertebrates and send the identi cation enumeration data back to us. is is simply identi cation of preserved specimens, they are not looking at live specimens,” Harman said. e scientists could get a general sense of overall water quality based on the type of invertebrates. Certain macroinvertebrates are sensitive to pollution, such as may ies, caddis ies and more. Bugs that are relatively tolerant of pollution include aquatic worms, midge larvae and more, according to Harman and Dorsch.

“When we observe a diverse group of

These are the macroinvertebrates, the tiniest species that tell scientists about the water quality and how many are present in the river. PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

The damselfly Jordan Harman captured to be seen under the microscope. PHOTO BY METRO WATER RECOVERY

Jordan Harman gathers the macroinvertebrates from the South Platte River for testing the water quality PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

macroinvertebrates, including sensitive species, this indicates good water quality. Dissolved oxygen is just one important aspect of overall water quality,” Harman said.

Harman said these macroinvertebrates tell them what they do and a lot about water quality. If certain kinds of bugs are present, the water quality can sustain these macroinvertebrates, and they’re also an essential part of the food chain for the sh that consume these bugs.

“We amended that agreement and since then we built four di erent drop structure locations along the river to improve habitat and will select a fth spot to construct by fall. en when complete, we will go into phase six and continue ongoing monitoring of aquatic life forever at all these locations,” Dorsch said.

Dorsch said to improve the water quality, stirring it and building miniature waterfalls to put the oxygen back in the river over time, so it starts to get better. In addition, they will place large rocks that will provide protective cover for sh, create pools close to the bank of the fast-moving water—trees will be plants and shrubs for aquatic shade and creates a riparian zone, which is a vegetation area between land and river.

e Metro Water Recovery scientists will stock the river with Colorado native species, primarily minnows, they said.

“ ey are not very big, but we love our native species and want to protect them every chance we can,” Dorsch said. “We also target Johnny Darters and Iowa Darter which are the most sensitive species of minnows in the South Platte River.”

While Metro is working on the Platte River project, Dorsch said shing will still be allowed even when constructing ri es which are fast-moving sections of stream and other habitat improvements farther down the river. e scientist will continue to monitor the water quality daily and how much sediment is released during construction e orts.

“We don’t want that sediment going downstream and impacting aquatic life. My sta and I are out here every day checking on what’s going on and what’s gone wrong. If there are problems, we will correct it,” Dorsch.

e Metro Water Recovery scientists’ work didn’t go unnoticed in saving the aquatic life on the river — they received the National Environmental Achievement Award from the National Associations of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) for the South Platte River Aquatic Life Habitat Improvements Projects, according to a news release.

is fall, the honorees will be recognized at the NACWA’s winter conference in Sonoma, CA.

“We love getting awards, (but) like most biologists — we come in do our job,” Dorsch said.

“It’s nice to get the award,” Harman added. “People aren’t aware of the work we do, so it’s kind of nice to get some recognition and people realize we’re out here in the river.”

Jordan Harman measures a white sucker fish.

PHOTO BY METRO WATER RECOVERY

Jordan Harman returns to shore to detach a container where the macroinvertebrates are captured.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Birds on wing hint at spring

Spring news from the Audubon Center: A ock of Bohemian waxwings was seen en route towards its warm-weather quarters to the north — a happy sign that spring may actually “spring” one of these days ... ese handsome crested birds travel north in ocks, showing splashes of white, yellow and a wee bit of red on wings, among the mostly gray feathers. Watch in yards and parks for other migrating birds. Keep the binoculars and eld guide at hand so a movement in that shrub can be checked!

Town Hall Arts Center

e musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” on stage through March 19 at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St. in Littleton, pokes fun at the trials of dating, parenting and more. Next in line: “La Cage Aux Folles” by Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman plays April 7-30. townhallartscenter.org.

Opera competition

e Denver Lyric Opera Guild’s Annual Competition for singers o ers several events for opera lovers at Calvary Baptist Church, 6500 E. Girard Ave. in Denver. Free. Matthew Plenk, artistic director of the Lamont Opera eatre and associate professor of voice at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, o ered a master class on Feb. 18. Preliminaries are on March 4 and singers will compete for 15 nalist positions by performing operatic arias for a panel

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of three professional judges. Final competition will be on March 18 from 1 to 5 p.m. (Open to the public, free.) Opera lovers can access these events from home by going to the Denver Lyric Opera Guild website and clicking on the YouTube link: denverlyricoperaguild. org/2023-competition. e Guild has supported young singers via grants that total more than $850,000. Grants are given to programs at Colorado State University, University of Denver, Metro State University, University of Northern Colorado, University of Colorado and young artist apprentices at Central City Opera, Opera Colorado, Opera Fort Collins and Opera eatre of the Rockies in Colorado Springs.

High Line Canal

e Canal Collaborative consists of 13 partners who provide leadership and planning and funding for the High Line Canal Plan, reimagining it into a 71-mile park. e partners are: Arapahoe County Open Spaces, City of Aurora, City of Cherry Hills Village, City and County of Denver, Denver Water, Douglas County, City of Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch Metro District, High Line Canal Conservancy, City of Littleton, Mile High Flood District, Southeast Metro Stormwater

Authority and South Suburban Parks and Recreation District.

Paul Taylor Dance

e University of Denver’s Newman Center presents the Paul Taylor Dance Company at 7:30 p.m. on March 27 at Gates Auditorium. Tickets: newmancenterpresents.com. 303-871-7720.

Art at ACC Cherry Creek School District High School Excellence in Art Showcase is at the Colorado Gallery of the Arts, Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday- ursday through March 9; and Saturday, March 4, noon to 3 p.m.

Curtis takes part in Month of Photography

p.m. on March 21 by Renluka Maharaj.

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Several years ago, someone decided a Month of Photography — all at once — would be a healthy idea for Denver area galleries to pursue, instead of sporadic camera-related events hither and yon though the year — and it took hold and has grown!

Look it up online before sallying forth in search of ne camera work — you may want to ne-tune your search a bit. ere are numerous options.

Curtis Center for the Arts, 2349 E. Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, will host the exhibit that includes Ron Cooper’s “Varanasi” image showing a joyous character that one might want to meet for a co ee or a beer.

e exhibit is called “Inside and Out” and will run April 8 to May 6 at Curtis.

e exhibit also includes works by Dr. Jaime Belkind-Gerson and the artists will speak at Koelbel Library, 5955 S. Holly St., on March 30, from 6-8 p.m. e doctor creates his work with objects that surround him daily: X-rays, CT scans, MRIs ...

Look at Month of Photography listings online at denvermop.org before you head out — the selection is dazzling and could ll up several week-

ends or more.

e Colorado Photographic Arts Center at 1070 N. Bannock St. in Denver (where this all began some years ago) hosts “World of Inkjet Printing,” while the nearby Denver Art Museum o ers “a special MOP lecture” at 6-7

EDGE Gallery, 6501 E. Colfax, will o er Peer Critiques from 7-9 p.m. on March 16. History Colorado Center, 1200 N. Broadway, Denver, o ers an artist’s talk by Todd Pierson: “Return of the Corn Mothers,” from 11 a.m. to noon on March 18.

e Curtis Hotel, 1405 Curtis St., will o er a full day of reviewing photographic portfolios on March 17 and to the south, Parker’s PACE Center will o er “Photography by Alternate Means” on March 24.

Michael Warren Contemporary Gallery, 760 N. Santa Fe Drive, Denver, will host “Sun to Earth,” with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. March 16, with works by Brenda Biondo and Angela Faris Belt. Belt was with Arapahoe Community College’s art department in the past and now teaches at Art Institute of Colorado.

Lone Tree Arts Center hosts a Commissioners’ Choice Photography Show.

Look at the Month of Photography website and make a few selections that interest you, paying close attention to what’s where ... when!

It can be a stimulating month ahead.

And, discovering new galleries will give a reader additional options during the year ahead, as each o ers other new and di erent artwork.

Here’s hoping the weather will cooperate so readers can visit galleries across the metro area ...

A Bohemian waxwing like the ones seen in the metro area flying north recently. SHUTTERSTOCK

“Varanasi” by Ron Cooper will be part of the “Inside and Out” photo exhibit at Curtis Center for the Arts in Greenwood Village. COURTESY PHOTO

Greenwood Village gallery hosts exhibition called ‘Inside and Out’

Thu 3/09

Flag Football: Kinder - Ages 4 to 6Spring 2023 @ 12:30am

Mar 9th - May 6th

Auburn Hills Community Park, 11682 Brad‐bury Ranch Rd., Parker

Soccer: Kinder - Ages 4 to 6Spring 2023

@ 12:30am

Mar 9th - May 6th

Auburn Hills Community Park, 11682 Brad‐bury Ranch Rd., Parker

Fri 3/10

Soup @ 5pm

Coronado Elementary School, 7922 S Carr St, Littleton

Donny Benet @ 8pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Sun 3/12

Mon 3/13

Camp: Creature Creator Robotics (5-12yrs) @ 2pm

Mar 13th - Mar 17th

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Modern Swing Mondays @ 5pm / $10

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Tue 3/14

Full of Hell @ 6pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

The Acacia Strain w/ Fit for an Autopsy @ 6pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, En‐glewood

Wed 3/15

Ladies Night @ 5pm / $10

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

The King Stan Band in Paradise

@ 7pm Paradise Tavern, 9239 Park Mead‐ows Dr, Lone Tree

Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ 6pm

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree

Dave Mensch - Tailgate Tavern - Parker, CO @ 11am

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Paolo Nutini @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, Englewood

Thu 3/16

Teague Starbuck @ 5pm

The Pint Room, 2620 W Belleview Ave, Lit‐tleton

Trouble Bound: Trouble Returns

@ 8pm

The Alley, 2420 W Main St, Little‐ton

Dirty Side Down Band: Dirty Side

Down @ Green�elds @ 8pm Green�elds Pool & Sports Bar, 3355 S Yarrow St E101, Lakewood

Ninety Percent 90s @ 8pm Studio@Mainstreet, 19604 Mainstreet, Parker

Sat 3/11

Scott Fowler Music: Scott Fowler @

2 Penguins Tap & Grill @ 6pm

2 Penguins Tap and Grill, 13065 E Briar‐wood Ave, Centennial

Grif�n House @ 7:30pm

The Schoolhouse at Mainstreet, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker

Kaia Kater @ 8pm

Swallow Hill, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Jake Blount & Kaia Kater at Swallow Hill Music Association @ 8pm

Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Patrulla 81 @ 8:30pm

Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo - Tailgate Tavern & Grill @ 7pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

CALIGARIS EN CONCIERTO @ 7pm / $40

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Moab Photography Trip @ 11pm / $375

Mar 12th - Mar 16th

Valor Christian High School - Academic Building, 3775 Grace Blvd., Highlands Ranch. 303-471-3000

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band @ 7pm Swallow Hill, 71 E Yale Ave, Den‐ver

Cousin Curtiss @ 7pm Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

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Sammy Project encourages mental health discussion

Art show at local libraries

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In the aftermath of her son’s death, Whitney Yeager went back to her roots as a professional photographer to create an exhibit to honor her son and destigmatize mental health.

Society often sees mental illness as something that needs to be hidden. People might think it’s a weakness or feel ashamed of it.

Yeager aims to challenge the stigma around mental illness with her traveling exhibition, e Sammy Project.

On April 3, 2021, Whitney’s son, Samuel - who Whitney calls Sammy - was shot and killed by Douglas County Police during a psychotic episode triggered by THC.

“Losing my rstborn child, and only son, has been the greatest heartbreak of my life,” said Yeager. “ ere will never be a deeper pain to compare it to. At the same time, it has been the most transformative experience I’ve ever had.”

To honor her son, Yeager began to destigmatize mental illness through personal portraits and stories.

“People should feel comfortable being vulnerable,” said Yeager. “People should feel comfortable talking about depression or any kind of mental health struggle the same way that we talked about diabetes and high blood pressure or any other physical ailment.”

Sponsored by the mental health nonpro t, NAMI Colorado Springs, Yeager revealed her portrait series at the Katy Tartako photography gallery in downtown Denver on the one year anniversary of her son’s death.

NAMI, e National Alliance on Mental Illness, o ers free resources, weekly meetings for family members who are struggling with loved ones who have mental illness, along with parent support groups and group therapy.

NAMI is also the sponsor of the exhibit’s current run in Douglas County Libraries.

e exhibit begins with Sammy’s story.

struggle and a personal statement,” said Yeager.

Most of the people who are in the portraits knew Sam, were friends with the family or were people within the community.

Accompanying each image is a short biography written by the participant. ey talk about their interests and occupations, but also about their struggles with mental health.

“I think people were motivated to participate in the project because it helps them take agency over their struggles,” said Yeager. “And that was de nitely a motivating factor for everyone, regardless of whether or not they knew Sammy.”

Completing its time at the Castle Rock Library, e Sammy Project will move to the Highlands Ranch Library in March, the Parker Library in April and the Lone Tree Library in May, according to Douglas County Libraries.

“I’ll never stop missing him or

“get over” him, but it has taught me to appreciate every conversation, every interaction with other people, especially my two daughters,” said Yeager.

e mission of the project is to help people feel more comfortable talking about their problems and asking for help. Yeager says that she

believes her son would be alive if he felt comfortable asking for help.

“ e Sammy Project has helped heal my heart and it has helped many people around the country and even as far as Sweden,” said Yeager. “I want Sam’s death to make a positive di erence in the lives of people who struggle with mental health.”

An innovative DCSD public school, grades 9-12, opening Fall 2023 preparing students for postsecondary pathways and empowering them to be competitive in our dynamic global economy

Samuel Boone Yeager, the son of Whitney Yeager.

Samuel and Whitey Yeager on a hike with their dog. PHOTOS COURTESY OF WHITNEY YEAGER

Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival celebrates AAPI stories

roving the power of storytelling has been part of the Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival since its inception and this year it is taking the time to celebrate all the voices that share their stories.

“Our theme this year is ‘Celebrating Our Stories,’ which follows last year’s theme of `Celebrating Resilience,’” explained Sara Moore, Colorado Dragon Boat executive director. “ e stories we’re sharing may not usually be heard or seen, which means projecting them on the big screen provides awesome potential for connection.”

e 8th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival, hosted by Colorado Dragon Boat and Denver Film, opens ursday, March 9 and runs through Sunday, the 12th at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave., and the Freyer - Newman Center at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1085 York St. in Denver.

e festival includes 11 lms, all of which honor the experiences of Asian Americans and Paci c Islanders (AAPI) communities. Highlights include the opening night lm, “Arnold is a Model Student,” which is described in provided information as “a satirical coming-of-age story examining contemporary ai culture through the lens of the country’s youth.”

Another important lm screening is “Reclaiming Denver’s Chinatown,” a documentary about the racism Chinese residents faced in the Mile High City. And, for the rst time, the festival will wrap up at the Denver

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Botanic Gardens, with a screening of “I Am What I Am,” an animated lm about a teenage boy who wants to learn the art of traditional Chinese lion danc-

As is so often the case with lm festivals, some of the most exciting events are the extracurricular activities that enhance the movies. Of note are two community conversations the festival is hosting: at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, “Celebrating the Stories of Our LGBTQ+ Asian American Paci c Islander Community,” will be held and at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 12, audiences can participate in “Celebrating the Stories of our Multiracial AAPI Community.”

“ ese topics come from listening to the community, which provides us with so many options,” Moore said. “Over the last three years we’ve seen huge increases in hate, racism and intolerance and we’re trying to ght this in many ways. Community conversations are great ways to help, because they give people the opportunity to hear stories and make these issues less unknown.”

In addition to live Q&As with lmmakers following some screenings, there will also be an Asian marketplace and culinary experience available to those who attend with an appetite. No matter how audiences want to engage with the

festival, Moore hopes they’ll come with questions and a willingness to learn.

“ e beauty of the event is bringing people together every year to show that the stories we all share have so many similarities,” she said. “People can come together and feel a real sense of warmth and acceptance, and that’s really my goal for the festival.”

For information, individual tickets and passes, visit www.cd lm.org. Find space for Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson at the Paramount

Even those who don’t really nd space all that interesting (I’m told that’s a thing) can nd something fascinating about exploration of the unknown when Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson speaks about it.

Tyson will be stopping by the Paramount eatre, 1621 Glenarm Place in Denver, at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8. e topic for the evening’s discussion will be Cosmic Collisions, which has all kinds of potential to be properly mind blowing.

Purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.

Watch the Oscars with fellow film lovers at Sie FilmCenter

e Oscars are back to honor some of the year’s best lms (though I am personally outraged that “Babylon” didn’t receive a best picture nomination). As has become tradition, Denver Film is celebrating the year in movies with a big party (just like the one in “Babylon”).

e Brightest Night in Hollywood begins at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 12 at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. Attendees are encouraged to either get fully decked out or come in their com est pajamas and enjoy a live screening on all three of the center’s screens, with drink specials at the bar and food specials also available. e event is free, so visit https:// denver lm.eventive.org/ lms to RSVP for a spot.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Nathaniel Rateli plays Nilsson with the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall

Singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson is one of those musicians who doesn’t receive the recognition they so rightly deserve. His music has been the inspiration for so many legendary artists, including Denver’s Nathaniel Rateli . To mark the 50th anniversary of “A Little Touch of Schmilsson,” Nilsson’s tribute to the Great American Songbook, Rateli is teaming up with the Colorado Symphony to tackle the seminal album.

Nathaniel Rateli plays Nilsson with the Colorado Symphony will be held at the Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St., No. 15, in Denver, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4. Visit https:// coloradosymphony.org/ for tickets and information.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.

•

Clarke Reader

Law makes it di cult to sue the gun industry

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Sandy and Lonnie Phillips wanted to hold the companies that sold ammunition, tear gas and body armor to their 24-year-old daughter’s murderer accountable. e couple ended up having to le for bankruptcy instead.

at’s because a Colorado law passed about a year after the 1999 Columbine High School massacre makes it very di cult, and nancially perilous, to bring lawsuits against gun and ammunition manufacturers and suppliers. But the Phillipses say they didn’t fully understand the risks when two years after their daughter, Jessica Ghawi, was killed in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting, they sued four businesses patronized by the gunman.

When the case was dismissed in 2015, state law required a judge to order the Phillipses to pay the defendants’ attorneys fees: more than $200,000. It was a bill the couple couldn’t a ord, so they ended up ling for bankruptcy protection in January 2017.

“We lost three years of our life,” Lonnie said, explaining that the situation was like being revictimized.

Colorado Democrats this year are poised to roll back the state’s extra protections for gun and ammunition manufacturers and sellers against lawsuits through a soon-to-be introduced bill. e state law shielding the rearm industry is among the toughest in the country because it requires plainti s to pay defendants’ attorneys’ fees in dismissed cases, a legal bene t that gun violence-prevention attorneys say isn’t available to other types of businesses. Only a handful of other states have a similar fee-switching rule.

While the proposal may not be getting as much attention as other gun control measures being contemplated at the Capitol this year — including a potential ban on the sale of so-called assault weapons, raising the age to purchase ri es and shotguns, and mandating waiting period between when someone buys a gun and can access it — the policy change may be the most important alteration to Colorado’s rearm regulations made this year.

Without the change, proponents argue, any other shifts in Colorado’s gun laws wouldn’t really be enforce-

able through the civil court system.

“ e bill that I’m introducing would not punish gun violence victims if they want to go to civil court,” said Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a Boulder County Democrat. “It evens the playing eld so that (the gun) industry, those businesses, will just be put on the same playing eld as every other business.”

Sen. Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, is another prime sponsor of the measure, as is Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver.

Colorado’s law around suing the gun industry, passed in 2000 by the Republican-controlled legislature and signed by the GOP governor, says people can only bring a “product liability action against a rearms or ammunition manufacturer, importer or dealer.” Lawsuits “arising from physical or emotional injury, physical damage, or death caused by the discharge of a rearm or ammunition” are not allowed, and gun businesses cannot be “held liable as a third party for the actions of another person.”

en-state Sen. Ron Teck, a Grand Junction Republican, was quoted in e Denver Post in March 2000 as saying “we should make it clear that these suits should not be brought.”

In 2005, Congress also passed a federal law — Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act — o ering the gun industry immunity against many lawsuits. Some states, including Wyoming and New Mexico, don’t have state laws speci cally governing lawsuits against rearms businesses.

e gun industry is already threatening lawsuits should the Colorado bill be introduced, passed and signed into law.

“ e current law in Colorado says that if you make a product that is lawfully made without defect and someone misuses that product, then the person who causes the damage is the one who can be held responsible,” said Mark Oliva, a spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a gun industry trade association. “We don’t go back and sue Budweiser and Ford for someone drunk driving and slamming into a family of six and killing somebody.

at’s not Ford or Budweiser’s responsibility. at is the responsibility of the person who criminally misused their products.”

Oliva, who argues there are already criminal laws that hold the gun

industry accountable, hasn’t seen a draft of the prospective Colorado bill. But he said his organization has sued to block the rollback of gun industry legal protections in other states and hinted that it’s likely it would do the same in Colorado.

“ ey can write this law,” Oliva said. “Could that law be challenged? Sure it could. New York is facing a challenge from us on their law. New Jersey’s law has already been stayed.”

ey can write this law. Could that law be challenged? Sure it could.

Mark Oliva, a spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a gun industry trade association

Republicans in Colorado’s legislature are likely to ght the measure, too, but their numbers at the Capitol are few, which means the GOP has little chance of stopping the proposal.

Jaquez Lewis, Kolker and other proponents of changing Colorado’s statutes around suing the gun industry argue that the only way to truly hold rearm manufacturers and sellers accountable is to make them more liable.

“Our civil justice system helps promote responsible behavior,” said Ari Freilich, state policy director for the Gi ords Law Center, a gun regulation think tank linked to Gi ords, a group that pushes for tighter gun laws. “People in the pharmaceutical industry don’t want to contribute to harm, but the reason we have childproof medicine bottles, in part, is because they don’t want to be sued every time a child ingests medicines.”

Freilich argues the gun industry doesn’t have that same nancial incentive because of the combination of Colorado’s law and federal law.

“ e intersection of the two means that victims of gun violence in Colorado have fewer paths to have their day in court than the residents of almost any of Colorado’s neighbors,” he said. “Victims of any other industry can have a day in court. Colorado, in particular, has singled out gun violence victims for speci cally harsh, and I think unfair and disrespectful, treatment that has compounded their pain and contributed to real harm.”

Gi ords, which is named after former U.S. Rep. Gabby Gi ords, an Arizona Democrat who was gravely wounded in a mass shooting, helped write the forthcoming bill changing

Colorado law. Freilich said in addition to rolling back the requirement that plainti s in lawsuits against the gun industry pay defendants’ attorneys fees in cases that are dismissed, the measure would:

— Broaden when the gun industry can be sued to match the liability other businesses face

— Create a rearm industry standard of responsible conduct that would let people sue the industry when it knowingly violates the standard Freilich said the standard is based on laws enacted in other states, and requires firearm businesses to comply with false advertising and consumer protection laws, take reasonable precautions to prevent harms from their products, and work to prevent guns from being modified into illegal products or sold to minors and other people who can’t legally possess firearms.

Additionally, the law change would let Colorado’s attorney general bring lawsuits against the gun industry.

Colorado, in particular, has singled out gun violence victims for specically harsh, and I think unfair and disrespectful, treatment

Ari Freilich, state policy director for the Gi ords Law Center, a gun regulation think tank e industry wouldn’t be liable for all deaths caused by rearms. “It’s whether there’s an additional failure to take reasonable precautions to prevent the public (from harm),” Freilich said.

Sandy and Lonnie Phillips have for years been pushing state lawmakers to change Colorado’s laws around what lawsuits can be led against the gun industry. ey hope 2023 is the year that they are nally successful. e measure is likely to clear the legislature along party lines. Jaquez Lewis, the Democratic senator sponsoring the legislation, said Gov. Jared Polis’ o ce is reviewing the bill. Polis will ultimately decide whether the legislation becomes law.

“To have fee switching like that, where you can’t take the risk of going to court to do the right thing — the morally right thing — that’s not right,” Sandy Phillips said. “So we’ve been trying to get it changed, and I think this year we might have a really good shot at having that happen.”

SEE GUNS, P31

6A boys hoops playo s underway

Seedings appear correct so far

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

It seems like the seedings for the Class 6A boys state basketball playo s have been right so far.

Top-seeded Mountain Vista and No. 2 Rock Canyon won Sweet 16 games on Feb. 25 to advance into the quarter nals.

Senior Caden Stevens had 36 points and 10 rebounds in the Golden Eagles’ 69-55 victory over Ralston Valley. Gavin Hershberger led Rock Canyon to a 61-51 win over Fountain Fort Carson. Hershberger had 27 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

No. 8 Valor Christian also got a Sweet 16 win with a 63-40 triumph over Vista Ridge.

All three teams will play Great Eight games on March 4 at the Denver Coliseum.

Vista (23-2) and Valor Christian (18-7) will play at 5:30 p.m. while the Rock Canyon (23-2)-Regis Jesuit (19-6) game will be at 8:30 p.m.

It will be the second game this season for the teams. Vista beat Valor Christian 75-66 on Jan. 1, while Rock Canyon edged Regis 59-57 on Jan. 20.

First round games were played Feb. 22 and Stevens scored 17 points as Vista defeated Bear Creek 59-49.

Senior Jeremy Jacob had 27 points to lead Highlands Ranch to a 75-68 victory over Broomeld. Red-hot Rock Canyon shot 60% from the eld and routed Rangeview 61-27 as Hershberger scored 19 points and Aidan Peck 18. Sophomore Cole Scherer scored 24 points and Valor Christian had four players nish in double gures as the Eagles whipped Monarch, 102-53.

Ralston Valley eliminated Cherry Creek 55-52 and Denver East got past Arapahoe 72-47. Andrew Crawford had 18 points and Charlie Spann 17 but two-time defending state champions underRidge dropped a 75-56 contest to Eaglecrest as the Grizzlies’ 10-game postseason win streak was snapped.

Legacy notched a 65-38 victory over Douglas County to advance into the Sweet 16 round.

Lutheran was down by a point at halftime but outscored Je erson Academy 50-21 in the second half for a 64-36 Class 4A rst round win. e Lions (17-8) beat D’Evelyn 6355 in a Sweet 16 game and will face Alamosa (21-3) in a Great Eight contest March 9 at 1:10 p.m. in the Denver Coliseum.

In the Class 5A state playo s, Ponderosa beat ompson Valley 83-74 in the rst round but then lost a 69-57 encounter to Mead to end its season.

Arapahoe girls outlast ThunderRidge

38-29 win relied on Warriors’ defense

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

It was a game of scoring droughts but underRidge’s was really costly.

e Arapahoe girls notched a 38-29 victory over the Grizzlies in a Sweet 16 playo game on Feb. 24. underRidge went close to 10 minutes without scoring, which proved to be devastating for the Grizzlies in the quarter nal contest. Arapahoe coach Jerry Knafelc credited his team’s good defense for the decisive turn in the game.

“Our kids played really good defense,” said Knafelc. “Our kids can really defend.”

Arapahoe actually trailed 9-4 with 3:30 left in the rst period when the Grizzlies started shooting blanks. underRidge went 9:55 without a point until Kyrah Daniels hit a free throw with 2:35 left in the second period.

e Warriors ended the rst half with a 21-1 run, which gave Arapahoe a 25-10 lead at halftime.

SEE BASKETBALL, P23

Metro hockey playo updates

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Top-seeded Valor Christian, Cherry Creek and Chaparral advanced into the quarter nals of the Class 5A state hockey playo s.

Valor drew a first round bye. Cherry Creek nipped Resurrection Christian 6-5 and Chaparral shut out Fort Collins 4-0. In the quarter nals, Valor (17-1) faced Standley Lake (13-5-2) on Feb. 28 while Ralston Valley (13-4-2) and Cherry Creek (12-7-1) played on

March 1, the same date that Chaparral (14-4-1) clashed with defending state champion Denver East (14-4-2). Semi nal games are scheduled for March 4 at the Broadmoor World Arena and the nals will be March 7 at Magness Arena.

The Arapahoe girls basketball team celebrates itshard-fought 38-29 victory over ThunderRidge in the Sweet 16 round on Feb. 24 at Araphaoe. PHOTOS BY PAUL DISALVO

Arapahoe’s Emily Thomas (21) draws the double-team as ThunderRidge defenders CC baker (4) and Isa Winton (1) surround her. Thomas’ Warriors ended up on top 38-29 and head to the Great 8 on March 4 vs. Valor Christian.

However, in the second half, it was Arapahoe that didn’t shoot well as underRidge stormed back to make it a close nish.

“We didn’t do enough to separate ourselves and they did enough to keep it close,” pointed out Knafelc. “It was really on us for missing shots in the third quarter. We were playing good enough defense but we missed some shots.”

underRidge pulled to within 29-23 with 7:05 left in the game when Gianna Smith scored four straight points for Arapahoe to swell its lead to 10 points.

“She’s a tough player,” said Knafelc. “She is a great sophomore. She’s going to be unbelievable. She’s pretty unbelievable already.” e closest underRidge (17-8) could get the rest of the game was within ve points with 1:29 to play.

“We just played good defense,” emphasized Knafelc. “White was just outstanding at the line and Emily omas did a great job on handling the pressure.”

Smith nished with 12 points including two 3-point baskets in the rst half. Senior Sydney White had 10 points and made four free throws in the nal 1:13 of the game.

Besides eighth-seeded Arapahoe, other south metro teams to advance to the Elite Eight were top-seeded Valor Christian, No. 2 Cherry Creek and No. 3 Highlands Ranch.

Arapahoe (19-6) will face Valor (22-2), Cherry Creek goes against Doherty (19-6) and Highlands Ranch (22-3) must play Grandview (16-9). e Elite Eight games will be held March 4 at the Denver Coliseum.

Macey Huard had 29 points and Quinn Vansickle had 15 as Valor romped to s 60-37 Sweet 16 win over Legend on Feb. 22. Cherry Creek eliminated Pine Creek 57-40 while Highlands Ranch beat Eaglecrest 54-34.

“We’ve got to get ready for Valor,” said Knafelc. “We played them early in the season. It was a big game and they won (57-44). ey are a really good team.”

In rst round 6A games played Feb. 21, Valor used 19 points from Vansickle and a double double from Huard of 17 points and 11 rebounds to eliminate Mountain

Vista 79-30.

still edged Arvada West 31-29 and underRidge got past Columbine 46-26.

Sophomore Braelynn Barnett had 15 points in Cherry Creek’s 50-29 victory over Chat eld. Highlands Ranch used a big second half to down Westminster 52-39 as Tori Baker and Ezra Simonich each had

57-27.

Littleton opened the 5A playo s with a 44-32 win over Greeley Central as Dalana Jakovljevic had 14 points and 14 rebounds. Air Academy defeated the Lions, 53-42 in the second round despite 21 points from Littleton’s Jacy Chandler.

In the Class 4A playoffs, Lutheran lyn Kelly and Berkley Schneider each scored 17 points. The Lions, seeded fourth, downed Resurrection Christian, 57-37, in a Sweet 16 game. The Lions (22-3) will face Berthoud (15-10) in an Elite Eight game on March 3 at the Denver Coliseum.

Arapahoe’s Emily Thomas (21) goes to the floor after a collision with ThunderRidge’s Kyrah Daniels (21). Arapahoe won 38-29.

PHOTO BY PAUL DISALVO

who dropped out of the contest between when ballots were mailed to voters and Election Day, ended up being meaningless.

“ e Secretary of State and the legislature should x this problem, and we think there are a number of ways to do that,” iry told e Sun. “We’re very much hoping that they will pick one.”

iry declined to endorse a speci c solution.

“If we suddenly started advocating for one, that would distract attention from the fact that what needs to be solved is the problem,” he said.

ere’s interest in, at a minimum, requiring the disclosure of how many votes are cast in presidential primary elections for candidates who are no longer in the race. at information wasn’t shared in 2020. Another idea that has been discussed among lawmakers is moving Colorado toward Alaska’s election model.

Sen. Je Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, is leading the push on the presidential primary front.

“I’m working on a way to make sure that Coloradans’ voices are heard in the presidential primary,” he said. “Last election, more than 150,000 votes were just thrown away. at’s unacceptable and we’ve got to x it.” He said speci c policy proposals were still in the works.

Finally, iry is interested in campaign nance changes.

“I think Colorado’s contribution limits are too low and actually hurt our democracy,” he said.

Candidates for four state-level,

statewide o ces in 2022 could raise up to $1,250 from individual donors and state lawmakers were allowed to collect up to $400. ose limits are set to rise for the next two election cycles to re ect in ation. iry said he’s also concerned about undisclosed political spending by political nonpro ts, which don’t have to disclose their donors.

e Sun refers to those organizations as dark-money groups.

“I think anybody who’s spending money on a campaign ought to have to disclose what they’re doing with their money,” iry said. e legislative session runs through early May. e earliest a measure changing Colorado’s primary process could go before voters is November 2024.

is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun. com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

A voter drops o a ballot the morning of the Nov. 8 election. PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

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Requirements: Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), Colorado certified. Provide PreK-12 intervention including assessment, development of IEP’s & consultation services. Competitive salaries: ED.S $57,800-$66,200 & Intern $53,590$59,550, both commensurate upon experience. Excellent benefits including dental, vision, and medical insurance. Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home. May also be eligible for loan forgiveness. Use of a car or mileage reimbursement. Questions contact Tracy (719) 775-2342, ext. 101. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE

Registered Occupational Therapist/ COTA

Full-Time and part-time Registered Occupational Therapist/COTA for 2023-24 School Year! OTR must have, or be eligible for appropriate Colorado licensure. Provide Pre-12 intervention, assessment, direct & indirect services just east of Denver on I-70, Bennett, Strasburg Byers & Kiowa areas COTA Needed for Limon & Surrounding Areas Support from an experienced COTA is available for OT. Full Time Salary range: MA $50,450$56,050 PhD $55,700 -$61,300. Part-Time Salary prorated based on the number of days employed. COTA Salary range BA $41,222$46,600. Excellent Benefits. Access to a company vehicle or mileage reimbursement. May be eligible for a loan forgiveness program! Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101 or email tracyg@ ecboces.org.

LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME

No Sales, no Investment, No Risk, Free training, Free website. Contact Susan at 303-646-4171 or fill out form at www.wisechoice4u.com

Help Wanted

SRE Engineer

(FT; Multiple Openings)

Job Location: Centennial, CO

Requirements: MS or equiv. in CE, Commun. Eng., EE, etc. + 2 yrs. exp. or BS + 5 yrs. exp. req’d. Exp. w/ UCaaS, VoIP, Python, AWS, GCP, Hashicorp Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, Bash, Powershell, Linux, Jenkins, GitLab & CI/CD req’d.

Salary: 121,000 year

Mail Resume: RingCentral, Inc.

Attn: HR Dept. 20 Davis Drive Belmont, CA 94002

Visa Technology & Operations

LLC, a Visa Inc. company, currently needs a Staff Database Engineer (multiple openings) (REF56996V) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Job duties include: Responsible for the architecture, engineering, deployment and support of Oracle & PostgreSQL database. Support Database Platform Engineering in the architecture, development and deployment of Oracle and PostgreSQL Databases on LUW in high SLA environments. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $120,016.00

USD to $177,800.00 USD per year.; Senior Software Test Engineer (multiple openings) (REF57470O) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Job duties include: Work with the team in developing testing strategy for the project and determining the appropriate balance of manual and automated tests. Create manual test plans, test cases, and test scripts. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $110,355.00 USD to $132,300.00

USD. All positions report to the Visa Highlands Ranch, Colorado office and may allow for partial telecommuting. Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for an annual bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position is eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Program, FSH/ HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time off and Wellness Programs. Qualified applicants should apply by emailing resume to careersus@visa.com. Must reference job code.

CDL DRIVERS

HBS Trash is looking for CDL drivers in Kiowa, Elizabeth, and surrounding areas. Call 720-9231872 to learn more

Help Wanted

DRIVER

Class B CDL propane delivery truck driver for Spring Valley Gas, Elizabeth.

P/T & F/T positions; responsible for propane delivery and customer service.

HazMat/Tanker endorsement. Propane certification a plus. Insurance age requirement 26 with clean MVR. SVG is building a team, not just a job! Starting salary based on experience & qualifications. Call 303-660-8810.

Speech Language Pathologist or SLPA Positions

FT & PT Speech-Language Pathologist or SLPA Positions

Available for 2023-24 School Year! Open to School Internships. Able to provide supervision for CFY hours. Join our dynamic, multidisciplinary team of professionals for the 2023-24 school year. Administer assessments, provide direct, indirect & consultation services for students PreK-12th grades. Competitive salaries: SLP - $50,450-$56,050 & SLPA- BA $41,000- $46,600, both commensurate upon experience. May also be eligible for loan forgiveness! Excellent benefits, including full health benefits & mileage reimbursement. Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE. Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101 or email tracyg@ ecboces.org

Visa Technology & Operations LLC, a Visa Inc. company, currently is hiring Sr. Systems Analyst (multiple openings) (REF55587P) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Job duties include: Develop and automate Enterprise Scale BI dashboards and reports. Conduct white boarding sessions with consumers to gather and refine requirements. Position reports to the Highlands Ranch, Colorado office and may allow for partial telecommuting. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $100,700.00 USD to $161,100.00 USD. Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for an annual bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position is eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Program, FSH/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time off and Wellness Programs. Qualified applicants should apply by emailing resume to careersus@visa.com. Must reference job code: REF55587P.

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COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

CLASSIFIEDS

Helpful Ace Hardware Pro Painters is a residential painting company which specializes in exterior and interior painting. Our core values are honesty, integrity,

FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property:

LOT 26, CARRIAGE CLUB ESTATES FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of:

10408 Carriage Club Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 3/2/2023

Last Publication: 3/30/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 1/6/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

ILENE DELL'ACQUA

Colorado Registration #: 31755

7700 E. ARAPAHOE ROAD, SUITE 230 , CENTENNIAL, COLORADO 80112

Phone #: (877) 369-6122

Fax #:

Attorney File #: CO-22-950723-LL

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2023-0008

First Publication: 3/2/2023

Last Publication: 3/30/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Unclaimed Property, Douglas County Public Trustee

To Whom It May Concern: On November 9, 2022, the real property owned by REXFORD D. EVANS located at 8404 PIONEER TRAIL, PARKER, CO 80134, was sold at the foreclosure sale conducted by the Douglas County Public Trustee.

The sale number is 2022-0113. The amount the property sold for exceeded the total amount owed to the lender, MIDFIRST BANK, by $341,918.33.

This amount is now owed to REXFORD D. EVANS less the cost of this publication notice.

The legal description of the property is THE SOUTH 1/2 OF THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF THE

NORTHWEST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 6 SOUTH RANGE 65 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

To claim the funds, contact the Douglas County Public Trustee, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Co 80104, 303-660-7417. If the funds are not claimed by the owner entitled thereto before June 23, 2023, the funds will be transferred to the Colorado State Treasurer as part of the “Unclaimed Property Act”.

PM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: JERRI ANNE STYES AND ANTHONY WARREN STYES

Original Beneficiary: NATIONWIDE LENDING CORPORATION

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SOUNDVIEW HOME LOAN TRUST 2006-OPT5, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-OPT5

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 3/1/2006

Recording Date of DOT: 3/16/2006

Reception No. of DOT: 2006021697

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$253,300.00

Pursuant

hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Borrower's failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property:

Which has the address of:

11850 High Desert Road, Parker, CO 80134

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

No. 2022-0191

Whom It May Concern: On 12/14/2022 12:44:00 PM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County. Original Grantor: JERRY W. MAES

Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR AMERICAN FINANCING CORPORATION

Holder of Evidence of Debt: PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC

of Deed of Trust (DOT): 7/20/2018

Date of DOT: 7/27/2018

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 120, COTTONWOOD SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 3, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 8476 Wheatgrass Cir, Parker, CO 80134

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 2/9/2023

Last Publication: 3/9/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 12/14/2022

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

RYAN BOURGEOIS Colorado Registration #: 51088 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700 , DENVER, COLORADO 80204

Phone #: (303) 350-3711

Fax #: Attorney File #: 00000009587684

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2022-0191

First Publication: 2/9/2023

Last Publication: 3/9/2023 Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $210,438.14

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property:

ALL THE REAL PROPERTY TOGETHER WITH IMPROVEMENTS, IF ANY, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: LOT 15, BLOCK 3, RAMPART STATION FILING NO. 1, AMENDMENT NO. 2, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of:

11614 Wilson Circle, Parker, CO 80134 NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 3/2/2023

Last Publication: 3/30/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 1/6/2023

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

RYAN BOURGEOIS Colorado Registration #: 51088 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700 , DENVER, COLORADO 80204 Phone #: (303) 350-3711 Fax #: Attorney File #: 00000009417395

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2023-0007

First Publication: 3/2/2023

LOT 175, COTTONWOOD SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO. Which has the address of: 8745 Aspen Cir, Parker, CO 80134

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 3/2/2023

Last Publication: 3/30/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 12/30/2022

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

DAVID R DOUGHTY Colorado Registration #: 40042 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112

Phone #: (303) 706-9990

Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 22-029131

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https://www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2022-0199

First Publication: 3/2/2023

Last Publication: 3/30/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Parker NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0004

To Whom It May Concern: On 1/5/2023 1:02:00

PM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: JOSEPH K ROTRUCK

Original Beneficiary:

MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR DHI MORTGAGE COMPANY LTD, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 11/9/2006

Recording Date of DOT: 12/5/2006

Reception No. of DOT: 2006104225

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $74,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $56,993.69

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: failure to make full payment of all principal, interest and other charges at the maturity date as required by the Deed of Trust.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust. Legal Description of Real

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 3/2/2023

Last Publication: 3/30/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 1/5/2023

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

N. APRIL WINECKI

Colorado Registration #: 34861 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112

Phone #: (303) 706-9990

Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 22-029056

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2023-0004

First Publication: 3/2/2023

Last Publication: 3/30/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #003-23 ARBORIST SERVICES for PARKS, TRAILS & BUILDING GROUNDS

The Parks, Trails & Building Grounds Division of Douglas County Government, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible and highly-qualified companies for the provision of Arborist Services to include, but not limited to, spraying, fertilization, pruning, tree removal, stump grinding, and winter tree watering at buildings, parks, and trailheads throughout Douglas County.

The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com.

IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses.

Bid responses shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 003-23, Arborist Services for Parks, Trails & Building Grounds” and mailed or hand-carried to the address shown below prior to the due date and time. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 3:00pm on Monday, March 20, 2023 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened.

Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder.

Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303-6607434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Legal Notice No. 945015

First Publication: March 2, 2023

Last Publication: March 2, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

Denver area inflation falls to 6.4%

Gasoline prices return to $4 level

BY TAMARA CHUANG THE COLORADO SUN

Price relief at home? Not quite yet, according to the latest Consumer Price Index for the Denver area.

e one-year change in CPI, aka in ation, slowed its pace to 6.4% in January, which happened to be the same as the U.S. at’s lower than the 6.9% in November for Denver and 7.1% in the U.S. But that 6.4% means consumer prices are not only still growing, in ation is still at a 40-year high.

Nearly everything that contributes to the index was more expensive in January than it was a year earlier in Denver. Nonalcoholic beverages?

Up 16.7%. Breakfast cereal? Up 14%. Fruits and vegetables? Up 12.9%. Household energy? Up 13.4%.

Add in the in ation from the prior year and the double-digit increases likely match what consumers have been feeling for the past couple of years — or at least some consum-

GUNS

FROM PAGE 20

The Phillipses’ 2014 lawsuit, which was brought in conjunction with and at the urging of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, didn’t seek monetary damages against the four companies they sued. The couple wanted a court to require the businesses to take steps to prevent their products from being purchased by people who would use them in mass shootings. The Phillipses said they trusted the Brady Center to have their

FREEDOM. TO BE YOU.

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ers. While government relief helped many people and businesses get through the pandemic, the severe disruptions resulted in job losses, aggravated supply chain issues and changed consumer demand. e higher prices are being felt unequally, especially if someone is a homeowner or a renter, works remotely or in person, or hasn’t seen their paycheck increase at the same rate.

“Earnings are going up about 5% roughly in the United States. But that means we’ve lost ground. We basically have had negative income for the last couple of years. And that’s hard,” said Stephan Weiler, an economics professor and codirector of the Regional Economic Development Institute at Colorado State University. “I mean people get excited about a 3% raise or 5% raise. Unfortunately, it’s not even keeping up with in ation. And that doesn’t go away. ese prices stay higher. It’s fairly rare that prices come down.”

One item did drop in the past year: Used car prices, down 10.6% from a year earlier. But if you recall, a shortage of vehicles pushed used car prices up 43.4% by Janu-

back in the lawsuit, but weren’t fully made aware of the financial consequences they faced before ultimately being forced to shoulder the defendants’ legal costs themselves.

The judge overseeing the case apparently expected Brady to help the Phillipses, too. “It may be presumed that whatever hardship is imposed on the individual plaintiffs by these awards against them may be ameliorated by the sponsors of this action in their name,”

Judge Richard P. Matsch wrote in a motion.

Mike Stankiewicz, a spokesperson for Brady, said it is the organi -

ary 2022. e auto industry is still recovering. Here’s how in ation affected di erent types of purchases for the past two years.

As a reminder, the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t track inflation by state. It doesn’t have the resources, we’ve been told. The change in CPI is recorded nationwide and in nine Census divisions and certain metro areas, including Denver.

Rising the fastest since November was the cost of apparel and recreation, which were so much higher than other categories that the BLS pointed them out.

Apparel costs had ratcheted up by double-digit increases for several months in 2021 as people headed back to work at the o ce or just got dressed to go out in public. However, the 8.5% higher cost for apparel in January was actually slower than the rate a year ago.

As for why Coloradans are spending more on recreation, that’s likely seasonal, said Julie Percival, a BLS regional economist. ere are above-normal levels of snow in the mountains and this is, afterall, Colorado “with a lot of people taking advantage of going out to recre-

zation’s “practice to always inform clients of the risks involved in the cases they file.”

“More importantly, it is egregious that Colorado’s gun industry special protection law requires victims who bring about these lawsuits to pay for attorney and other fees when unsuccessful, which has a chilling effect on victims who attempt to seek justice,” Stankiewicz said.

One of the ammunition providers the Phillipses sued in 2014 was Lucky Gunner. The company recently settled a lawsuit filed by victims of the 2018 mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas,

ation facilities at this point in time,” she said. Recreation costs increased 4.7% since November and 7.7% in the past year.

And then there are gas prices. e cost of gasoline is typically less in Colorado than in other states, thanks to lower fuel taxes. And until late 2022, the Front Range bene ted from an oil re nery in Denver’s backyard that produced 98,000 barrels of gasoline and petroleum products a day. Since Suncor’s re nery in Commerce City temporarily closed in December after a re damaged equipment, gas prices have shot up. Without the extra supply, Denver-area gas prices reached $4.08 this week, up nearly $1 a gallon since before Christmas, according to AAA Colorado. Nationwide, a gallon of regular averaged $3.42.

is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun. com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

where a 17-year-old shooter killed 10 people and wounded 13 others. “We sued for them to change their business practices,” Sandy said. “Had we been successful, the shooting that happened at Santa Fe High School in Texas wouldn’t have happened.”

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun. com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Public Notices

The Douglas County Department of Public Works, on behalf of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible and qualified individuals/companies for services related to carcass removal from roadways within unincorporated Douglas County.

The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com.

IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website.

While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses.

Bid responses shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 007-23, Carcass Removal Services” and mailed or hand-carried to

the address shown below prior to the due date and time. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 2:00pm on Friday, March 17, 2023 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened.

Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder.

Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303-6607434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Legal Notice No. 945016

First Publication: March 2, 2023

Last Publication: March 2, 2023 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #011-23 PURCHASE and APPLICATION of DUST SUPPRESSANT

The Department of Public Works Operations of Douglas County Government, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible qualified companies for the provision of the Purchase and Application of Dust Suppressant, as specified.

The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at

www.rockymountainbidsystem.com.

IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website.

While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses.

Bid responses shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 011-23, Purchase and Application of Dust Suppressant” and mailed or hand-carried to the address shown below prior to the due date and time. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 2:00pm on Monday, March 20, 2023 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened.

Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder. Please direct any