Arvada Press 1008

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October 8, 2020

JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | CALENDAR: PAGE 14 | SPORTS: PAGE 30

VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 19

Elevated Jeffco COVID-19 case numbers keeping restrictions in place Officials urging community to get flu vaccine as season approaches

BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Samantha Schultz, right, with a guide on a tourism board trip in St. Lucia. The collapse of tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted Schultz’s business.

COURTESY PHOTO

Home-based business denied COVID-19 grant assistance

BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its seventh month, it’s no secret that all sorts of businesses are struggling.

But while many of those struggles are easy to see in the loss of SEE GRANT, P9

GRANT ASSISTANCE Information about the business grant programs and other services currently offered by Jeffco cities can be found at the following websites.

Lakewood: www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Economic-Development/COVID-19-Lakewood-BusinessRelief-and-Recovery-Grant-Program

Golden: www.cityofgolden.net/live/ covid-19-economic-assistance/businesseconomic-assistance/ Arvada: arvada.org/business/tools-forbusiness/arvada-emergency-businessrecovery-initiative Wheat Ridge: www.ci.wheatridge. co.us/1770/Business-Continuity-Support

Bringing help and humanity to the isolated Lakewood nonprofit helps feed 151 households this week

BY BOB WOOLEY BWOOLEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Volunteers bring food to those at highest COVID-19 risk. Just a short distance off West Colfax avenue in Lakewood — an area not always thought of for charity, kindness

and the spirit of goodwill.

The small but growing group of volunteers has been hard at work feeding metro-area residents that have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. They are working with Benefits in Action, a nonprofit, in partnership with the State of Colorado to help those in need navigate health care benefits like Medicare, Medicare and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for the past five years. In March, the Lakewoodbased nonprofit launched a no-con-

tact food delivery program to serve those in need who are homebound, or have a high degree of vulnerability to the virus.

According to the numbers provided by Jane Barnes, one of the founders of BIA, the need is definitely there.

“In March, we started calling the folks that we serve, and saying “how are you— is there anything you need? And people said, “we need food,” so that’s how it got

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Jeffco has continued to be elevated from recent lows for the third straight week, leaving the county farther away from a potential loosening of restrictions.

In his last public health update to the county commissioners, retiring Jefferson County Public Health Executive Director Mark B. Johnson told them on Sept. 29 that Jeffco has slipped from having about 300 cases in a two-week period to well over 600.

“It’s rather disappointing,” said Johnson who noted the county’s numbers are approaching where they were during the county’s last case spike in mid-July.

“We believe that reopening the schools did have an impact but I believe that as we look at the numbers it has more to do with our lack of discipline around the Labor Day period where I think we again had people traveling and going to parties and barbecues where they tend to take down their guard a bit and take down their masks a little more and get closer to loved ones,” he added.

Johnson also said that while cases are up, the county is also seeing a rise in positive test rates. There also seems to be spikes in hospitalizations and deaths, although Johnson noted that those spikes so far seem to be controlled.

Another source of good news is that there has not appeared to be much COVID-19 transmission in the county schools, with county contact tracers finding the majority of identifiable transmissions to have occurred at home.

Although, Johnson said the county was not able to definitively identify the source of more than half of student cases so far.

Johnson warned that overall, the county is moving in the wrong direction as it aims to get cases down to move into the next stage of the state’s reopening plan. The county’s current two-week case rate was

SEE BIA, P8

Find Colorado Community Media’s voter guide on pages 15-26.

SEE COVID, P9

2 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020O

Jeffco adjusting to trickle of COVID-19 cases Two schools shut down by quarantines

BY GLENN WALLACE GWALLACE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After the first five weeks of in-person learning across Jeffco Public Schools, 56 schools of the district’s 155 schools have had at least one confirmed COVID-19 case among either a student or staffer.

That information is according to the district’s new COVID-19 informational dashboard (Oct. 5), available on the district website.

District spokesperson Cameron Bell said that Jeffco’s Health Services Department was working closely with the county’s public health department and school administrators to confirm positive virus cases, and determining when quarantines are appropriate.

“We are working diligently to contact the appropriate people of any positive case,” Bell said. She added that the dashboard was assembled by the district to give parents one more source of trusted information, during the pandemic.

The dashboard is searchable by school, and articulation area. It also indicates how many test-positive individuals are also now cleared to exit quarantine.

Not all positive cases trigger schoolwide notifications, or school quarantines, according to Bell.

“We’ve had staffers or students who are remote-only test positive for instance,” she said.

Also, the district had several confirmed cases before in-person learning began on Sept. 8.

There have been enough cases in at least two school locations to lead to school-wide quarantines though. Jefferson High has seen four positive cases, three of which are still active, leading that school to go remote-only through Sept.

28. Deane Elementary saw an outbreak of 13 confirmed cases, leading that school to go remote-only early in the month, lasting until Sept. 22.

A confirmed case of a staff employee at a bus barn also forced the district to cancel bus services to several mountain area schools for two weeks.

Most affected schools have only one or two confirmed cases so far, resulting in limited school body quarantines.

Bell said the district will continue to do what it can to keep schools open, while maintaining safety measures to minimize COVID-19 spread among the district’s 84,500 students.

“We know most parents

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A screenshot of Jeffco Schools new COVID-19 case tracking dashboard, available on the district website.

SCREENSHOT

want their children in school,” Bell said, citing a district survey that found 70% of district parents who responded said they wanted in-person learning.

Roughly 20% of the district’s students have opted for

remote learning this semester.

About 25% of the district’s staff has also chosen to work remotely.

Bell said that as of Sept.

25, she was not aware of any district student or staffer who had died of COVID-19

THE DASHBOARD The district dashboard, which shows positive COVID-19 cases among staff and teachers is viewable at www.jeffcopublicschools.org/restart_jeffco/covid_19_dashboard

Arvada Press 3

0October 8, 2020

Colorado loosens school quarantine guidelines for some areas Some can send home ‘close contacts’ of COVID cases instead of entire cohorts, classrooms

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With thousands of students sent home from in-person classes or told to quarantine in the first several weeks of the school year in metro Denver districts, the state public-health department released relaxed guidelines outlining that in some cases, entire classes or larger groups of students no longer need to quarantine in response to a positive COVID-19 case.

In schools in counties operating under the strictest level of Colorado’s safer-at-home social distancing order — where the coronavirus’s spread remains relatively high — classes or cohorts of students would still be quarantined in response to a positive case under the new guidance, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

To minimize exposure when COVID-19 cases occur, students this year generally attend school in groups, or “cohorts,” of varying sizes. For example, Cherry Creek School District uses a plan for grades six through 12 that splits the student population in half.

On the other hand, in counties where the virus’s spread is milder, some schools can undergo more targeted quarantines of “close

contacts” of an infected student instead of the student’s full class or cohort, according to the department. The new guidance was to take effect Oct. 5.

Quarantines and related dismissals of students from in-person classes have resulted in entire grade levels and schools moved temporarily to online classes in metro Denver school districts.

Some school district leaders had raised complaints about the state public-health department’s policy.

“CDPHE has put out overburdensome guidance,” Superintendent Scott Siegfried said at a Cherry Creek School District school board meeting.

Siegfried took issue with classmates needing to quarantine regardless of how close they were to the student who tested positive.

“It’s becoming difficult to find substitutes” for classes whose teachers have been quarantined, Siegfried said at the board’s Sept.

14 meeting.

Littleton Public Schools Superintendent Brian Ewert recently called the quarantines “somewhat overreaching” and also called for narrower criteria for who should be sent home.

New quarantine rules don’t always apply It appears superintendents received what they asked for, although the new guidance can still be difficult to follow.

Under the new CDPHE guidance, when one student — or one teacher or staff member — is confirmed SEE SCHOOLS, P6

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UBS Report Names the Cities Most at Risk of a Housing Crash. No, Denver Isn’t One of Them With the crazy seller’s market we’re experiencing now, it’s common for people to ask whether we’re in a “bubble” which could burst at any time.

Well, last Wednesday UBS Group released its annual Real Estate Bubble Index, and while it listed three U.S. cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York) as “overvalued,” none of the seven cities listed as “bubble risks” were in the U.S. Those seven cities with the highest “bubble risk” included Toronto (#3) and Hong Kong (#4), but the rest were all in Europe — Munich (#1), Frankfurt (#2), Paris (#5), Amsterdam (#6), and Zurich (#7).

Boston squeaked into the “Fair Valued” group, and Chicago narrowly made it into the “Undervalued” category.

I was surprised at this analysis until I read the UBS report myself instead of just the coverage of it on a real estate news service to which I subscribe.

The answer as to why more American cities weren’t on the list turns out to be very simple — the group only studied “25 major cities around the world,” and the U.S. cities I mentioned above were the only cities analyzed each year in the report! Twelve of the 25 cities studied for this report are in Europe, with the rest divided between North America, the Middle East and Asia/Australia.

I have put a link to the full report on our blog, www.GoldenREblog.com.

Despite the limited number of U.S. cities included in the UBS analysis, there

are some useful observations in the report, such as this one: “Overall, the drop of mortgage rates to historically low levels supports house prices in the U.S. But price changes in the analyzed cities trail the nationwide average. Inner-city demand growth has slowed down as citizens move out to the suburbs as a result of affordability issues and the impacts of COVID-19. Continued migration to lower-cost and more tax-, business-, and regulatory-friendly states has accelerated this trend.”

Claudio Saputelli, Head of Real Estate at UBS Global Wealth Management’s Chief Investment Office, added the fol-

lowing: “The rise of the home office calls into question the need to live close to city centers. Pressure on household incomes cause many people to move to more affordable suburban areas. Moreover, already debt-ridden or economically weaker cities will have to respond to this economic crisis with tax increases or public spending cuts, neither of which bode well for property prices. Taken together, these factors amplify some longer-term uncertainties surrounding urban housing demand.”

Doing my own statistical analysis on REcolorado, Denver’s MLS, I see this trend described above. While the number of active listings and days on market are at nearly all-time lows in Jefferson County, they are near all-time highs in the Lodo/Downtown Denver market.

This is not a good time to sell a condo in any city center (except small cities like Golden), but it is sure a good time to sell a single-family detached home — or a condo — in Jefferson County, as I have reported in previous columns.

The last time Realtor Magazine even dealt with the question of a real estate bubble was in November 2018. The consensus of real estate economists is that we as a country are not in a real estate bubble, but it’s hard not to worry about it as one looks at the increased rate

of appreciation in home prices.

With no end in sight to the low mortgage interest rates and with the rich getting richer under the latest tax cuts, it’s understandable that the real estate market is performing as it is, but such appreciation cannot be sustainable long-term.

Only time will tell, and our crystal balls will at least clear up a little after the current election season ends. A Biden victory is sure to bring rollbacks of the Trump tax cuts which benefited the rich (defined as those having taxable incomes over $400,000 per year) and the super rich, which will reduce some of the upward pressure on home prices, but those rollbacks are critical to address the widening wealth gap in America and the exploding national deficit — something that used to be an important issue among Republicans!

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October 8, 2020O

Paid parking could be coming to the Olde Town transit hub garage A look at current and potential future changes for the Arvada garage

BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Some big changes could be coming to the parking garage inside Arvada’s Olde Town

G LINE

184,000

Approximate number of rides taken on the G line in August 2019, the highest month for ridership

141,000

Approximate number of rides taken on the G line in February 2020 (the last month completed before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

10.2%

more rides were taken in July of 2020 over April of 2020

transit hub, including the eventual introduction of paid parking once the garage begins again regularly reaching certain capacity limits.

Earlier this month, the Arvada city council entered into a new intergovernmental agreement with RTD outlining how the garage will be managed going forward. That IGA comes after the expiration of an 18-month period in which the What’s staying the same for now?

All users of the garage must continue to register their vehicle either via the free Passport Parking app or by using one of three kiosks located in the garage.

Light rail and bus users are given the option of 12-hour commuter sessions or 24-hour DIA sessions when traveling to DIA and can park for up to 30 days if they update their registration in the app each day. Non-public transit users are limited to fourhour sessions.

city analyzed demand trends inside the garage outlines several changes that will be made to the operation of the garage, including the elimination of requirements that certain spaces be reserved specifically for RTD users.

Here is a look at what changes and could be coming and how they will impact the garage’s users and the overall parking situation around Olde Town.

What’s already changing?

There are no more “RTD Parking Only” and “Public Parking Only” signs and spots.

When the G light rail line opened in 2019, the garage adopted a segregated parking system with 400 spots assigned to light rail users and 200 dedicated for use by those parking in the garage for reasons other than riding the light rail or busses.

But starting on Oct. 1, those assigned spots were eliminated in favor of an open system allowing any user to park in any space in the garage. Vehicles that are parked beyond those time limits may be impounded and their owners cited.

“The reason is the garage has capacity to support additional parkers and as such we can take some of the confusion about who those parkers are and just let them park in any space in the garage,” said Andrew Vidor, the director planning for Walker Consultants, the city’s parking consultant.

“We want to be able to allow public parkers to utilize those RTD spaces outside the traditional peak daytime hours so in the evening if you want to park on the ground floor in the evening you can because those spaces are largely unoccupied.”

The Olde Town transit hub in Arvada.

PHOTO BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO

Olde Town transit hub

63%

Average parking space occupancy during peak demand on weekdays August-December 2019

20%

Average parking space occupancy during peak demand on weekends August-December 2019 SEE GARAGE, P5

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GARAGE FROM PAGE 4

When will drivers have to pay to park in the garage?

The IGA calls for the city to start charging for parking in the garage once it is routinely being filled to 85% of its capacity, which is considered the point when drivers begin to consider a garage full and might begin searching for parking elsewhere creating added pressure on surrounding Olde Town streets. According to RTD rules, paid parking could be used in the following way: Transit users would be able to park in the garage for up to 24 hours for free.

However, users could then be charge $2 a day if they live in Arvada’s RTD district or $4 a day if they live outside it, to park in the garage for up to 30 days. The city would also be able to increase the cost of daily parking in 50 cent increments up to $5 a day if capacity stays above 85% and decrease it in 50-cent increments if demand decreases to encourage more parking.

A view of the second level of the Olde Town transit hub parking garage in Arvada. The city recently removed signs stipulating whether users of public transit or other users could park in certain spots.

PHOTO BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO

How is space currently being used in the garage?

From August to December of 2019, an average of 375 spaces were used during the peak of demand on a weekday. Of those, 342 were RTD spaces and 34 were public parking spaces, meaning that the garage was at 85 percent capacity for the RTD spaces.

Demand was lower at the peak of the weekdays, with an average of 119 spaces used (92 RTD spaces and 27 public parking spaces).

However, demand has dropped significant since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have not analyzed that data but anecdotally yes, the reality is that garage is probably pretty empty right now,” said Vidor. “We are tracking as a firm those trends and the rebounds of that. Transit use is likely to be one of those uses that is going to take some time to recover until people have the confidence to get in those enclosed spaces.”

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Gates to be installed in the garage?

Not anytime soon. According to a memo addressed to the city council, consultants hired by the city determined that while adopting an entry system involving gates and an attendant would lead to higher user compliance, there would not be enough of a difference to justify the change.

“The user compliance rate with the virtual garage is successful enough that changes are not financially justified especially since the purpose of the Transit Hub is not to generate revenue,” read the memo.

What will the revenues be used for?

According to the memo, revenue generated from the transit hub would be restricted to being used for maintenance of the hub and the implementation of tools that could help curb parking demand once spaces are maxed out. Arvada spent $415,000 in 2019 for the operation and maintenance of the Transit Hub. The IGA allows for parking feeds to generate up to $430,000 in revenue to cover operational and maintenance costs of the garage.

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October 8, 2020O

SCHOOLS

staff member in the class who has COVID-19 or is symptomatic; • There is a plan in place to track and respond to illness-related absences in the school; • Every class attended by the affected student or staff member has a seating chart; • Students remain in their seats enough to make seating charts applicable; • There is a plan in place to perform contact tracing in conjunction with local public health officials; and • Screening is completed for each student and staff member each day.

If a school meets those criteria, it should quarantine students who were within six feet of the individual for 15 minutes or longer when both parties were masked — or those who were within 12 feet of the individual for 15 minutes or longer when either party was unmasked indoors.

For schools that don’t meet the criteria, guidance says to quarantine students that same way — along with students who were in a classroom with the individual for 40 minutes or greater.

Taken together, that means in schools in counties operating under the most restrictive saferat-home level, classes or cohorts would be quarantined if there is a positive case, the statement said. In large cohorts, students might not be in the same class as an infected person for 40 minutes or longer, but they still may make contact during mealtime, class breaks and so on, a follow-up statement from the center explained.

But the center didn’t immediately clarify why the guidance would mean entire cohorts would be quarantined.

necessary to consider contacts beyond the traditional 6-foot, 15-minute definition in schools.”

In schools with small cohorts — where students and staff are together for more than one class period — the cohort should be quarantined if a student tests positive, the center said in its statement. Likewise, if the sick student or staffer was not wearing a mask consistently, or a class doesn’t have a consistent seating plan, the new, targeted quarantine strategy would not apply, the statement said.

“For these reasons, targeted quarantine is likely not a feasible strategy for elementary school classes,” the statement said. It added: “In younger classrooms, there is likely much more movement in the classroom and children are less likely to stay in their seats and maintain consistent physical distancing.”

When considering whether a school can use the new, targeted quarantine guidelines, the department’s guidance lists, among other items, the following criteria: • A school’s county is under Colorado’s “protect our neighbors” or safer-at-home levels 1 or 2, reflecting relatively low or moderate virus spread; • There is only one student or

FROM PAGE 3

to have COVID-19, schools should tell those who had contact with that person to quarantine. Depending on the situation, COVID-19 symptoms can also trigger a quarantine.

The earlier guidance from August said that if a student or staffer tests positive, a school should “dismiss classmates, (the) cohort and other in-school contacts.”

But state officials emphasized that broader quarantines shouldn’t entirely be discarded in light of the new guidance.

“Quarantining close contacts instead of an entire classroom is now an option in the guidance for schools that meet certain criteria but is not meant to be the new standard,” said a statement from the Colorado State Joint Information Center, which takes questions for the state public-health department. “In many situations, it is likely safer and more effective to continue to use the existing strategy of quarantining an entire classroom or cohort.”

The statement also said: “Due to prolonged periods spent in the same indoor classroom, it is often

Many ways to come in contact The state’s school guidance also says a close contact is a person who: • Came within six feet of someone who has COVID-19, even if

Join Y today. today.

Jointhe the Y

they did not have symptoms, for at least 15 minutes total; • Provided care for someone who has COVID-19; • Was a household contact of someone who has COVID-19; • Had direct physical contact with someone who has COVID-19; • Shared eating or drinking utensils with someone who has COVID-19; • Was exposed to respiratory droplets from someone who has COVID-19 through sneezing, coughing, shouting and so on.

The department recommends creating small cohorts, which it says will minimize disruption to in-person classes and limit the spread of COVID-19 if someone in the cohort tests positive.

School guidance depends on restrictions in county The vast majority of Colorado counties still operate under the state’s safer-at-home phase of social distancing, which came after the statewide stay-at-home order this spring and allowed numerous types of businesses to reopen.

The state’s recently updated framework for social distancing policy, referred to as a “dial,” indicates when counties should operate under different shades of Colorado’s safer-at-home phase as well as when they should follow stayat-home rules or the state’s third and loosest phase, called “protect our neighbors,” which essentially allows for all activities at 50% of pre-pandemic capacity with up to 500 people in one setting.

The state public-health department’s new framework breaks the safer-at-home phase itself into three levels that counties are placed under based on local COVID-19 spread, according to the final version of the rules, which went into effect Sept. 15.

The “protect our neighbors” phase, reserved for counties with notably low coronavirus spread, is likely months away for metro Denver localities.

Local News , it makes a difference.

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Arvada Press 7

0October 8, 2020

All the flavors to entice kids.

All the nicotine to keep them hooked.

E-cigarette makers and vape shops are enticing kids with flavors like cotton candy, gummy bear and bubble gum. And nationally, over 5 million kids are using these flavored e-cigarettes.

Vape shops and tobacco companies say their products aren’t ending up in kids’ hands, but that’s just not true. Many retailers still sell to minors, and many of them in Denver even illegally sold products during the COVID-19 shutdown violating emergency orders.

Let’s stop pretending vape shops and the industry care about public health or the health of our children. It’s time to stop the sale of flavored tobacco products to protect our kids.

Take action now by visiting FlavorsHookKidsDenver.org to tell City Council Members Jolon Clark and Paul Kashmann to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

Paid for by Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund

8 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020O

BIA FROM PAGE 1

started” said Barnes. “In the middle of March, we delivered no food. Today we have over 800 households on our list.”

Oct. 3 the group hosted an event called “A Day of Food Delivery” to distribute boxes of food to 151 households with the help of more than 100 volunteers in 46 cars. According to Barnes, each household received enough food to last about a week.

When asked why she was lending a hand, one of Saturday’s volunteers, Laura Boggs didn’t miss a beat.

“Here’s the honest truth,” Boggs said.

“One in three Coloradans right now, is hungry.” In collaboration with local food banks and community partners, BIA has been able to deliver food to more than 300 households per week since ramping up during the COVID-19 crisis.

Reg Cox volunteers on behalf of one of those community partners, the Lakewood Faith Coalition. It partners with several like-minded organizations to work on the hunger problem in Jefferson County.

“The Coalition to End Hunger in Lakewood benefits from volunteers and the service energy of the faith community, so that’s where I step in.”

Cox said. “Covid caused everyone to pivot, so there was a gap based on food need, and Jane’s organization, Benefits in Action stepped in to fill that gap. We’ve built partnerships with the faith community, service clubs, colleges and universities, so Benefits in Action is just an example of stepping into the gap of a need and responding to it.”

Stephanie Purcell and Steven Benoy volunteer to deliver food to households deemed at risk to COVID-19 in Lakewood.

PHOTOS BY BOB WOOLEY

David Kaye, a health educator who also trains people on diabetes prevention is another volunteer. He said as soon as the pandemic hit in March, he knew feeding people was going to be a problem, so he started looking around for organizations who could use his help. In April, he started volunteering with BIA. He said the best part of the gig is simply looking people in the eye and making their day with some food.

“Just knowing that you’ve helped someone and making that connection is fulfilling,” Kaye said. He also noted

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that although he’s seeing some people who’ve become more food insecure because of COVID-19 and the unexpected loss of a job, he thinks that the fallout from the virus is shining a light on a problem that’s been untreated for far too long.

Kaye said that a general lack of resources contributes to many of the health conditions that lead people to higher-risk category when it comes to COVID-19.

“This (virus) has exposed this impoverished underclass in our society, and it also has brought to the forefront, the health disparities,” Kaye said. “I’m hoping that coming out of this, we can sustain this momentum to begin to attack those underlying factors.”

Although BIA is able to offer its benefits navigation program throughout the state, right now, it only has the capabilities to provide food delivery

MORE INFO People who are unable to get to a traditional food bank, but need food assistance can sign up at www.biaction.org For more information about becoming a volunteer, Barnes recommends visiting the group’s main site at www.benefitsinaction. org to Adams, Arapahoe, Denver and Jefferson counties. In addition to its food delivery initiative, BIA has recently launched a new “Connectedness” program, which trains volunteers to make weekly phone calls to people who live alone, with the goal of making them feel a bit less lonely. The organization is also offering online peer support groups, led by a licensed therapist, and a new music therapy group, all in an attempt to make life better for underserved residents of our communities.

Jane Barnes and David Kaye are pictured after working at the Benefits in Action Day of Food Delivery event on Oct. 3.

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Arvada Press 9

0October 8, 2020

GRANT FROM PAGE 1

a favorite restaurant or an increasing preponderance of vacant spaces around town, some Jeffco residents say the worry the struggles faced by their businesses are going both unseen and unacknowledged by the cities they call home, particularly when it comes to the disbursement of grants and other aid funds to businesses looking for help to stay afloat.

In the last few weeks, the cities of Arvada, Golden and Lakewood have all launched new rounds of their programs that provide community businesses the opportunity to apply for grants that will cover losses of revenue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, only Lakewood has allowed home-based businesses to apply for the grants (provided they had revenues of at least $75,000 in 2019), while Arvada and Golden have specifically excluded them.

That’s a source of frustration for Arvada resident Samantha Schultz, who owns a travel agency called Plan Your Perfect Vacation that she runs out of her home.

COVID FROM PAGE 1

105 cases per 100,000 residents and Johnson said the county would need to get that number down to 75 cases per 100,000 to move into the next phase.

“We really have to get these cases down so that we can get back to something more like normal although there is a lot of question now about whether

Just prior to the pandemic, Plan Your Perfect Vacation was operating at its peak with Schultz saying she was on track to do about a million dollars in business in 2020. However, the pandemic has meant that all of that business has pretty much disappeared in a continuing bevy of trip cancellations and postponements that Schultz said is particularly hard on travel agents because they don’t get paid their commission until the trip actually occurs.

Given that she has gone several months without income and will likely continue to largely do so until the travel agency recovers (which is something she does not expect to happen until midway next year), Schultz said she thinks Arvada should consider making the grants available to her and other businesses that are struggling for one reason or another.

“I think the city is very supportive of small business but I also feel like the majority of the help is going toward certain industries when we need a more holistic look at what other business types need that support and aren’t getting the same amount of attention,” said Schultz. “I think we all are getting attention but maybe not in the same way.”

Ryan Stachelski, the community and economic director for the city of Arvada, said the city had strongly considered allowing home-based businesses to apply for the grants but ultimately decided not to for me two main reasons.

First, the city determined that storefront businesses tend to employ more workers than home-based businesses.

“That’s not always the case but we felt that the employment of more people was important when it comes to using these limited resources,” he said.

The second reason is that the city had heard that Jefferson County is in the process of launching a grant program that would be open to homebased businesses. The details of that program have not been announced but Jeffco Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper confirmed that the county is in the process of developing such a program.

Stachelski said the city is also hoping Adams County will launch a similar program.

“Honestly, we just didn’t want to duplicate the efforts,” said Stachelski.

“We want the limited funding that we have through CARES Act funding to go as a far as possible and not create a competition amongst ourselves and

the county for businesses.”

we will ever get back to normal,” said Johnson. “I think we will always be looking at social interactions a bit differently.”

Health officials at JCPH and throughout the country are also concerned about the impending flu season creating increased strain on resources as the fight against COVID-19 continues.

However, he said flu outbreaks in the southern hemisphere, where the annual flu that usually comes to the US originates, have been very light

so far as a result of social distancing, masking and other COVID-19 prevention measures, which is leading officials to anticipate that flu will be less prevalent this year.

But Margaret Huffman, the director of JCPH’s community health services division, said that everyone in the county should still get a flu shot to keep those numbers low, particularly since flu can be unpredictable and sometimes spike later in the winter.

“You don’t ever want to be hospitalized for influenza or COVID,” said

Huffman. “And there could be some competition for resources that could put some added stress on the hospital system as a whole with flu.”

Huffman said the county is in the process of planning flu clinics in October, November and early December but has not finalized dates for them.

Flu shots are also already available at JCPH’s Lakewood clinic as well as at local pharmacies and medical offices.

“Now is the time,” Huffman said of getting the vaccine.

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New homebase But while some home-based businesses are struggling, new ones are being launched with strategies that are intended to provide new services people want during the pandemic.

That’s the case for Feeding Francis, a new salt and seasoning company that Golden resident Katie McLaughlin started out her home in May. But while demand for her products has been high, Katie and her husband, Francis, have still found themselves contending with challenges ranging from a shortage of containers to hold their product as a result of container companies switching to make containers for cleaning and sanitizing products to the inability to offer samples at farmer’s markets.

While Francis said those challenges have hurt the business and its sales, he remains optimistic about the future.

“We’re going to keep trucking along,” said Francis. “What I’ve told people is COVID-19 stops certain people but other people and companies have to adapt and keep moving on. And we’ve adapted by putting our products in bags instead of containers.”

10 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020O

LOCAL

VOICES A coming-to-terms moment on my birthday

ALCHEMY

Andrea Doray

T

his is my birthday week, and, as usual, birthdays prompt reflection … although it’s not a milestone birthday, and I don’t need a date on the calendar for such contemplation anyway. But this year, I’m a bit unwilling to entertain what’s going on in my head – a coming-to-terms moment with what I’ll delicately call my “limitations.”

What’s uncomfortably rolling around in my brain is a dawning realization that many dreams, adventures or accomplishments I

have hoped to achieve – or relive – could now be slip-slidin’ away (as Paul Simon would say).

For example, I’m pretty darn sure that I will never mountain bike Horsethief Bench again … eight sweltering miles of grueling single track, with its micro-thin overhangs, boulder-strewn ups and downs, and slippery slabs high above the Colorado River near Fruita on the Western Slope. Now, maybe it’s a loop around Cherry Creek State Park, or, if I’m feeling really bold, Matthews Winters out

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor’s note: Per our letter guidelines, we will no longer be accepting candidate-specific letters to the editor between now and Election Day. Issue and political party letters are still acceptable. The following candidate letters were received before the cutoff date.

Gardner’s got to go Our Senator Cory Gardner was the “key vote” to ram President Trump’s U.S. Supreme Court nominee “across the finish line.” Gardner is eager to jam through a SCOTUS nominee, but he has failed to act on another COVID relief bill. We are still in a pandemic and Gardner is prioritizing partisan political power ahead of the needs of Coloradans.

Gardner’s decision gets Trump just enough votes to rush through a justice who could repeal the ACA — as it is slated to be heard before the court the week after the election — putting protections for people with preexisting conditions on the chopping block. He has been a rubber stamp on Trump’s judicial picks, voting for 98% of them, even when deemed “not qualified” by the American Bar Association.

Rob Eadie, Lakewood

Durkin for DA To quote Matt Durkin, candidate for district attorney for Jefferson and Gilpin counties, “Everyone has a right to be safe and free from violence in their homes, neighborhoods, and community. I will put public safety over politics as the next District Attorney for the 1st Judicial District.”

Felony filings have increased in Jefferson County and in Gilpin County.

Matt Durkin has the experience and compassion to seek justice in every case and provide true reform by implementing mental health and drug treatment so convicted criminals do not commit further crimes upon their release from jail. He has vowed to work closely with the community to reduce crime and decrease the number of repeat offenders.

Please elect Matt Durkin to the position of District Attorney for the 1st Judicial District.

Sue Bradley,

A publication of

Call first: 14143 Denver West Pkwy., Suite 100, Golden 80401, 303-566-4100 Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: ArvadaPress.com To subscribe call 303-566-4100

Arvada Tracy Kraft-Tharp for Jeffco Vote Tracy Kraft-Tharp to be our county commissioner. She has the experience to examine and assess problems. Your vote decides elected officials, your vote decides issues.

County Commissioners in Jefferson County act as the governing body of the county. They adopt ordinances or local laws that affect citizens living in unincorporated Jefferson County.

They adopt the county budget. Jeffco has an enormous budget issue to solve.

Tracy was a State Representative for four consecutive terms. Her value to her constituents was exhibited through her re-elections to the State House. Tracy gets things done by being collaborative. Jefferson County needs her proven leadership, someone to take management seriously.

If you are looking for an elected official that is accessible to the citizens of Jefferson County, transparent to the people, and moves policy forward, then Tracy is your county commissioner. I confidently show my support. I will be voting for Tracy.

Please join me in voting for Tracy Kraft-Tharp for Jeffco Commissioner District 1.

Cathy Futch, Arvada Yes on Amendment B When the Gallagher Amendment was passed, it seemed fair to balance the property tax rates between residential and commercial property to keep residential taxes in check.

TABOR put a wrench in that though.

Rates could still go down, but they could only go up if passed in a vote by the people.This has ratcheted down the rates over the years and they have not been able to go up.It has been difficult to get the voters of Colorado to vote to increase their taxes, but let’s take a moment to think about what the result has been.

We have the third lowest property taxes in the nation.What do property taxes pay for? Our public schools.The places where we send our children to learn how to function in society and SEE LETTERS, P30

by Red Rocks.

Along with mountain biking as a favorite sport is rock climbing … those multi-pitch challenges where my job was to “clean” our protection. As the second climber, I removed the hardware the lead climber had jammed into the rock to keep both of us on the rope and off the ground. Post-Covid, I plan to be back at the climbing gym, but I won’t ever learn to set the protection myself or – and SEE DORAY, P27

A randomly brilliant idea

D

o you ever wonder whether we’re asking the right questions about the problems we face?

Or, are you more like me, and are absolutely certain HITTING the we are NOT asking the right HOME questions.

Malcolm Gladwell, in his “Revisionist History” podcast, relates a story about a visit with the head of the grant-awarding department of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Michael Alcorn They were discussing the process the NIH goes through to award the billions of dollars it awards annually to scientists who want to research various questions.

As you might guess, it involves several rounds, many committees, and a thoroughly objective process — or, so they tell themselves.

The reality is that after a complicated vetting process for these grant applications, this thorough process results in somewhat less than astonishing success. That is, by the standards that they have established — “success” means the results of a granted study are frequently cited in other scientific works — their success rate with their awards is about the same as the Rockies’ clutch hitting batting average the past two years.

Gladwell uses this statistic to support what he calls “Cronkrite’s Third Law,” named for Adam Cronkrite, the man with a revolutionary electoral process, which I will get to later.

The 3rd Law is this: Nobody Knows Anything.

This idea took hold in the scientific community; in fact, it caught fire to the extent that two highly-qualified scientists — microbiologists, it turns out (Ferric Fang and Arturo Casadevall) — wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal saying “winning a government grant is a crap shoot; making it official by running a lottery

would be an improvement.”

What they advocated was a process that started the same way — all of the grant applications going through the first round of the old process, so that the experts could eliminate the applications that obviously do not meet NIH muster. But then, after that, the remaining applications should go in a hat and be chosen by lottery.

So, back to Cronkrite. Adam Cronkrite began taking a version of this process to various schools — starting in Bolivia — to change their process for choosing student councils. What he had found is that several different things change when the election process becomes randomized. One, many more people want to actually *do* the job than want to *ask people to vote for them* to do the job. Secondly, when people who are untraditional get selected to do the job, it changes what the job is. For instance, instead of student governments in Bolivia planning dances and parades, these ones hold fundraisers to help combat human trafficking and sponsor community festivals. And three, even the most experienced, expert people on the scene (that is, teachers and school leadership in those schools) are often surprised and/or wrong about how effective or ineffective different people are in the job once they get it. The traditional view of what makes a great school leader — poise, communication skills, charisma — doesn’t always correlate to being a great team player, to be willing to do thankless jobs, and to look beyond one’s personal experience to pick important things to work on.

Now, obviously, we can’t apply this process to choosing our President.

The Constitution lays out the process for that, and I am loath to blithely advocate for discarding the Constitution just because it has left us in this current state of affairs.

But, can it possibly be any more obvious that we are not asking the right questions any more when it comes to

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Arvada Press 11

0October 8, 2020

OpEd: Jason Glass was a disaster for Jeffco GUEST COLUMN

Editor’s Note: The Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education was contacted in hopes of garnering a counterpoint editorial to run alongside this one. The board declined.

A

fter three years as Jeffco’s Superintendent of Schools, Jason Glass has ended his contract five years early to become Kentucky’s Commissioner of Education. Good riddance. Academically and financially, he has been a disaster.

His “Jeffco Generations” vision document was an unambitious and confusing mix of buzzwords and unprioritized goals that ignored both resource constraints and critical uncertainties.

Glass later announced 26 initiatives to achieve his goals, despite the advice by Deliver-Ed (a consulting firm he hired) that Jeffco should only focus on three.

Having done corporate turnarounds, I noted then that these initiatives lacked both rigorous metrics and cost estimates, and that 26 of them would quickly overwhelm Jeffco’s organizational implementation capacity.

I also criticized Glass’ refusal to pilot his “Deeper Learning” initiative before imposing it on 84,000 kids, many of who still weren’t reading or doing math at grade level.

I predicted all these initiatives would fail to deliver even the modest improvements Glass promised, just as a similar approach had failed when he was superintendent of Eagle County Schools.

That’s just what happened. Jeffco’s MAP, CMAS, and SAT scores have all declined.

In our educated, affluent district, 44% of third grade students NOT eligible for free/reduced lunch failed to meet state reading standards on the 2019 CMAS. And 55% of sixth grade students failed to meet state math standards. And 53% of eighth grade students failed to meet state science standards. Predictive results from the Winter 2019/20 MAP assessment forecasted further declines in 2020 had CMAS not been cancelled.

This year’s district Unified Improvement Plan bleakly noted that, “Jeffco students generally are performing lower on the CMAS items that require more critical thinking and problemsolving (writing, modeling and reasoning).” That’s no way to prepare our kids for the 21st century economy.

The results for the 30% of Jeffco students who are eligible for free/

Tom Coyne

reduced lunch are far worse, despite Glass and the board’s alleged support for “equity.”

Tragically, few Jeffco kids who have fallen behind will ever catch up to academic proficiency; under Glass, the district’s annual student achievement growth is now BELOW the state

average.

Jeffco receives over a billion tax dollars each year, and its financial management is also a mess.

While both achievement results and the number of students in district run schools have been falling, since Glass arrived Jeffco has added 338 head office staff, and increased head office costs by $48 million, to $267 million in the proposed 2020/21 budget (about $3,700/student, or $92,500 per 25 student classroom).

Teachers’ use of personal and sick days is also at a record under Glass.

In 2017/18 (the last data I could obtain from the district) it reached 41,300 days (equivalent to 223 no-show teachers, based on 185 contract work days/year). Moreover, the most recent federal data shows that 1,130 Jeffco teachers (22%) are chronically absent (using 10 or more sick and personal days each year) with a significant negative impact on student achievement. How much do your kids learn from a sub?

Jeffco’s capital program also appears to be out of control (and I say this as the former CEO of a process engineering company that built large projects).

The materials the district showed voters during the 2018 5B bond campaign said the $705 million capital plan would have a backstop program contingency of $85 million to absorb cost overruns, on top of a 10% contingency on each school project.

Although the capital program is still far from complete, thus far about $100 million of program contingency has already been used on top of all the project contingency funds.

Yet commercial construction costs in Denver have only risen by about 3% per year since the bond was passed — it boggles the mind to see cost overruns of this magnitude (e.g., 77% on the Alameda High School project, despite a substantial reduction in the size of the school).

The excess cost overruns above the

budgeted $85 million program contingency have been covered by using $50 million in bond premium (additional money raised because interest rates were lower than anticipated). However, the Jeffco board never voted to use the premium for this purpose (instead of, say, replacing or making further improvements to older schools with large populations of at-risk and minority students). So who approved adding $50 million to the program contingency? Jason’s approval authority is only $500,000.

Even worse, program contingency funds have also been used for projects that were never disclosed to the public, like new artificial turf athletic fields for West Jefferson Middle School.

This also suggests that the governance committees charged with oversight of Jeffco’s internal controls (the Financial Oversight and Audit Committees) and its capital program (the Capital Asset Advisory Committee, as specified in the 5B ballot language) have either been misled by district management or derelict in performing their duties. They need to explain their failures to the public.

Does all this make you angry? It should.

Ultimately, responsibility for Jeffco’s terrible academic and financial

performance lies on the heads of the district’s senior management team: former superintendent Glass, Interim Superintendent Kristopher Schuh, Chief Academic Officer Matt Flores, Chief Operating Officer Steve Bell, Chief Strategy Officer Tom McDermott, and former Chief Financial Officer Kathleen Askelson.

All of them need to go, not just Glass and Askelson, who just announced her retirement. It’s time to clean house.

Jeffco has some very talented team members, and we give them a billion tax dollars every year. But for far too long, the district’s potential has been undermined by poor management, weak governance, and a dysfunctional culture.

For the sake of our children’s future in what will likely be a very challenging economy, I hope the next superintendent will have the courage and public support needed to make long overdue changes and return Jeffco to the high performing district it was in the 1970s and 1980s.

Tom Coyne is a business executive and former member of the Jeffco District Accountability Committee. His wife, Susan Miller, was elected to the Jeffco Board of Education last November.

These are solely his views.

In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One.

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To advertise your place of worship in this section, call Erin at 303-566-4074 or email eaddenbrooke@ ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Private 303-566-4100 Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Funeral Homes Visit: www.memoriams.com

12 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020O

LOCAL

LIFE

‘Hecho en Colorado’ tells stories of people T

E b p

History Colorado, Latino Cultural Arts Center team up for revealing artworks

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

T

he artwork featured in the Hecho en Colorado exhibit is a reflection of the artists, their community and their heritage.

“Most were born in Colorado, but not all of them,” said the exhibit’s curator, Adrianna Abarca. “But all call

Ana Marina Sanchez Ana Marina Sanchez believes that when a piece of jewelry is one-of-akind, it creates a strong connection between it and its owner.

“It becomes more than just a piece of jewelry,” she said. “It becomes a treasure.”

Called Mexica Warrior Priestess, Sanchez’s piece in the Hecho en Colorado exhibit is a carved pendant made of mixed metals and stone.

In pre-Columbian beliefs, there are different legends and stories about who went where after death, Sanchez said. Warriors who died during battle became in charge of the sunrise, and women who died during childbirth became in charge of the sunset. These are the two stories reflected in Sanchez’s piece.

“My art speaks about who I am and where I come from,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez, 35, was born and raised in Mexico City. She immigrated to

Colorado home.”

Hecho en Colorado — Spanish for Made in Colorado — is an art exhibit at the History Colorado Center that highlights the history, culture and heritage of the Chicano/a and Mexicano/a people of Colorado. It is presented in collaboration with the Latino Cultural Arts Center (LCAC) of Colorado in Denver.

“Until recently, these stories were sometimes excluded, denied or omitted,” said Abarca, who founded the LCAC and currently serves as its board’s chair. “These stories come from the people of this region. All these artists have a strong connection to community and created their

Los Angeles with her parents and her brother in the early 2000s, and lived there for 18 years.

Sanchez met her husband Adan, a California native, while living in Los Angeles. It was his job as a health coach for people living with Type II diabetes that brought the couple to Denver. A city girl at heart, Sanchez fell in love with Denver right away, she said.

In L.A., Sanchez attended California State University with dreams of becoming a teacher. Being undocumented at the time of her graduation, however, prevented Sanchez from being able to fulfill some postgraduation requirements to become an educator. So, she decided to take a year off and pursue something she always enjoyed — creating jewelry.

“It gives me so much joy,” Sanchez said, “being able to bring ideas to life.”

Her early days of jewelry-making — roughly 10 years ago — started out as getting together with friends

art with community present in their minds.”

The exhibit boasts the artwork of about 40 artists representing different regions of Colorado and includes a variety of formats — paintings, sculptures, textiles, writings and more. The exhibit “depicts and draws from both urban and rural traditions” and reflects “both ancient and contemporary Indigenous and European heritages,” states a news release.

From zoot suits and high fashion, Frida Kahlo and Quetzalcoatl, to Casa Bonita and St. Cajetan’s Church, the collection is a vast array of artwork, “representational of our experiences, history, icons and culture,” Abarca said.

and doing the craft together. Sanchez considers that she stepped into the professional world as a silversmith about three years ago, selling her jewelry at fairs, galleries and cultural events. After spending a number of years simultaneously exploring a variety of jobs — namely, working as a barista and freelance gigs in television production — Sanchez decided to pursue a career in jewelry-making fulltime near the end of last year. She launched her website, anamarinastudio.com, during the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There are so many great Mexican jewelers,” Sanchez said, adding they have “elevated Mexican design in history.”

Though Sanchez is thankful to now be able to make a living creating jewelry, she said she feels “very young” in her career.

“I’m still learning and exploring my voice as an artist,” Sanchez said.

“But that’s also exciting.”

MORE EVENTS

IF YOU GO

Here are a couple other events going on in Denver to celebrate and learn more about the city’s rich Hispanic culture and heritage.

The Hecho en Colorado exhibit is on display in the Ballantine Gallery at the History Colorado Center, 1200 N. Broadway in Denver, until Jan. 10, 2021.

For the duration of the Hecho en Colorado exhibit, History Colorado is offering a special series called Cafecitos, which is a guided tour of the exhibit by Adrianna Abarca, founder of the Latino Cultural Arts Center and curator of the Hecho en Colorado exhibit. Cafecitos attendees have an opportunity to try biscochitos de anis, which is a traditional Hispano cookie from northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, and piñon-flavored coffee. Cafecitos is offered every Friday at 9 a.m. for up to 10 people.

Small groups and individuals may register for Cafecitos.

History Colorado is offering admission with a limited capacity, and a timed ticket purchased in advance is required for entry. Entry will be timed in 30-minute blocks. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone. No tickets will be available for purchase onsite.

On Mondays through Dec. 31, the History

What: Events for Hispanic Heritage Month, and the Rhythm & Ritual: Music of the Ancient Americas exhibit Where: Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Drive, Denver Details: Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The museum is offering a variety of events. A calendar of events is on the museum’s website.

The Rhythm & Ritual: Music of the Ancient Americas exhibit takes place through Oct. 17. This exhibit is in collaboration with the Denver Art Museum. It explores music of the ancient Americas, and features about 80 instruments dating from 1000 BCE to 1530 CE. When: Museum hours are noon to 6 p.m.

Tuesdays through Fridays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Cost: General admission is $8 for adults; and $5 for students, seniors and military.

Admission is free for members and children age 12 and younger.

How to purchase tickets: Timed tickets for a two-hour block can be purchased online.

Learn more/purchase tickets: https:// museo.org/

What: Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection Where: Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway Details: This traveling exhibit focuses on the post-Mexican Revolution artworks of internationally celebrated artists, including Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Lola and Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Gunther Gerzso, María Izquierdo and Carlos Mérida. It features more than 150 artworks — more than 20 of them being by Frida Kahlo. This is the first time this exhibit has come to Denver.

When: Oct. 25 to Jan. 24. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week.

Cost: Adult tickets cost $26 for non-members and start at $20 for members. Youth tickets cost $5 for ages 6-18. Tickets for children age 5 and younger are free.

How to purchase tickets: Tickets will be for timed entry and must be purchased in advance. They will be available for purchase in two blocks. The first block, for dates between Oct. 25 to Nov. 30, will go on sale on Oct. 12. The second block, for dates between Dec. 1 to Jan. 24, will go on sale Nov. 23.

Learn more/purchase tickets: www. denverartmuseum.org or 720-913-0130.

Along with demonstrating the contributions that Colorado’s Mexicanos/as and Chicanos/as have made to the community through history, Abarca was also inspired to honor the anniversary of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, which took place largely in the southwestern United States, primarily in the late 1960s and `70s.

“The Mexican/Chicano/Native people have been in this region from the very beginning of the modern history of Colorado. We have been an integral part of every aspect of Colorado’s history,” Abarca said. “And we continue to be major contributors in all industries, including the arts.”

Ana Marina Sanchez has had a passion for jewelry her whole life, and today, she is a professional silversmith and jewelry designer.

COURTESY PHOTOS SEE HECHO, P28

This piece by Abi Rosales is one of many works of art that is part of the Hecho en Colorado exhibit at the History Colorado Center in Denver. The exhibit is presented in collaboration with the Latino Cultural Arts Center (LCAC) of Colorado.

Colorado Center is open exclusively to members. The museum is open for general admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. TuesdaySunday.

To purchase tickets to History Colorado Center and the Hecho en Colorado exhibit, or to register for Cafecitos, visit www.historycolorado.org or call 303-866-2394.

LEARN MORE The Latino Cultural Arts Center (LCAC) of Colorado is a cultural campus in west Denver with a mission “to elevate and advance the artistic and intellectual contributions of Latinos in Denver to national and international levels,” states its website. To learn more, visit www. lcac-denver.org.

Arvada Press 13

0October 8, 2020

Lakewood Symphony brings music to senior communities Editor’s Note: This columnist has been a member of the Lakewood Symphony board for two years.

T

he Lakewood Symphony, like many local musical groups, had to cancel the latter half of its 2019-2020 season as a result of the COCOMING VID-19 restrictions, ATTRACTIONS and is still sorting out when to start its new season. But some symphony members found a different way to keep the music going this summer and autumn, and provided much needed entertainClarke Reader ment to residents of senior homes.

“COVID restrictions of isolation and social distancing, as well as the effect on humans, was the impetus to figure out a way to bring musicians wanting to perform live music to the senior settings where there are limited visitors, stimulation, and the emotional journey that is achieved with music,” explained Barb Moritzky, a member of the symphony’s board. “It seemed figuring out a way that musicians could perform to senior citizens would be a win-win.”

Members of the symphony began performing at outside of the Village of Belmar in July and recently added performances at the nonprofit Eaton Senior Communities - both communities have residents who

have been longtime supporters of the symphony. The aim is to continue to perform at these locations through the end of October, as long as the weather holds.

“The residents of Eaton were overjoyed that the Lakewood Symphony was coming to play,” said Alie Mitisek, director of Life Enrichment at Eaton. “Music is a powerful way to brighten even the darkest of days.

This music provides a sense of community when it is deeply needed.”

The most recent performances featured a variety of tunes from principal harpist Rebecca Moritzky and music from the symphony brass quartet, Jeff Emanuel, Steve Pollock, Bill Skully and Christopher Chalfant. Past performers have been combinations of various instruments and group sizes.

“Audience members would tap or clap to the music, some would sing, a couple of times there was some dancing and laughing, as if they were coming back to life,” Moritzky said. “In one case, one of the performers was playing the marimba and mid-song I overheard him say, `I’m playing live music… I haven’t played to an audience in 3 months… this feels great.’”

The performances have been a great way for the symphony to connect with the community, particularly those who could use some extra attention during this challenging time.

“The pandemic has had a profound effect on our residents’ well-being.

They are used to a full schedule of activities and community engage-

ment,” Mitisek said. “The outdoors, socially-distanced concerts are a wonderful and safe way for residents to share in an experience with neighbors.”

For information on supporting and learning more about Eaton, contact kwest@eatonsenior.org.

To learn more about the Lakewood Symphony, visit www.lakewoodsymphony.org.

Same zoo, new Boo The Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., will still be offering an option to get children out and exploring the 84acre campus this Halloween season.

Hosted through Saturday, Oct. 31, Boo at the Zoo: Storybook Safari is a new take on the familiar event, featuring classic animal stories and fairy tales brought to life thanks to costumed characters, animal experiences and much more. In addition, Nature Connects®, Art with LEGO® Bricks will also be up through the 31st, with about 15 nature-inspired sculptures by artist Sean Kenney.

All the details can be found at www.denverzoo.org/events/boo-atthe-zoo/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week - Band of Horses perform ‘Cease to Begin’ In 2007 Band of Horses released one of the great indie-rock albums of the aughts with their sophomore release, “Cease to Begin,” featuring classic tracks like “No One’s Gonna Love You” and “Is There a Ghost.”

The album is celebrating its thirteenth birthday on Oct. 9 and lead vocalist, guitarist and founder Ben

Bridwell and keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist Ryan Monroe will be marking the occasion with a livestream performance of the full album and other favorites.

The show will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, and tickets can be purchased for the “front row” - which means you’ll appear on Bridwell and Monroe’s screen as they perform - or the “balcony.” Get yours at https:// bandofhorses.topeka.live/.

Streaming style - ‘Once Upon a River’ There’s an art to creating a riveting character-driven film, and director Haroula Rose’s debut, “Once Upon a River,” shows she already has the knack. I came across the film at the 2019 Vail Film Festival and was rocked back, not only by Rose’s assured direction, but also by leadactor Kenadi Delacerna’s hypnotic performance - also her first.

Based on the novel by Bonnie Jo Campbell, Delacerna plays Margo Crane, a young woman in the late 1970s Michigan grappling with who she is and where she fits in a world that doesn’t seem to care. John Ashton also deserves recognition for the gruff warmth he brings to the character of Smoke.

This is a film for the seekers — which is all of us, really. Don’t miss it at virtual cinemas by visiting www.filmmovement.com/onceupon-a-river.

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

Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers The Colorado Public Utilities Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $26.50 per month and business services are $37.00 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.

CenturyLink participates in a government benefit program (Lifeline) to make residential telephone or broadband service more affordable to eligible low-income individuals and families. Eligible customers are those that meet eligibility standards as defined by the FCC and state commissions. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or broadband service per household, which can be on either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be 20 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload or faster to qualify.

A household is defined for the purposes of the Lifeline program as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Lifeline service is not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in the program.

Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain Lifeline telephone or broadband service can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from the program.

If you live in a CenturyLink service area, please call 1-855-9546546 or visit centurylink.com/lifeline with questions or to request an application for the Lifeline program.

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14 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020O

powered by

Thu 10/08

Featured

Featured

Golden Virtual Game Night: Trivia, Charades, and Drawing over Video @ 7pm / Free 1110 Washington Ave, 1110 Washington Avenue, Golden

Rolling Hills Junior Fall Indoor Classic @ 12am Oct 8th - Oct 10th The Club at Rolling Hills, 15707 W 26th Ave, Golden

Tue 10/13 Featured

Action Center Tour @ 4:30pm / Free 8755 W 14th Ave, 8755 West 14th Avenue, Lakewood

Featured Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) Meeting “Of Dreams, Trees, and Threes” – Christine O’Dea @ 12pm / Free Core New Art Space, 6851 West Colfax Avenue, Denver

Golden Virtual Game Night: Trivia, Charades, and Drawing over Video @ 7pm / Free 1110 Washington Ave, 1110 Wash‐ ington Avenue, Golden

Fri 10/09

Sun 10/11 Trunk or Treat at ADIO Chiropractic

Featured

@ 7:30am / Free Lutheran Medical Center-2nd Floor, Learning Room 8, 8300 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge Golden Virtual Game Night: Trivia, Charades, and Drawing over Video @ 7pm / Free 1110 Washington Ave, 1110 Washington Avenue, Golden

Wed 10/14

@ 6pm / Free 17120 W Colfax Ave, 17120 West Colfax Avenue, Golden

Editor's Pick Trauma Sensitive Yoga at The Community Farm

Featured

@ 9am / $20 15000 W 72nd Ave, 15000 West 72nd Av‐ enue, Arvada

Sat 10/10 Editor's Pick Goat Yoga - October 10th(Skål Farm)

Featured

@ 9am / $5-$30 Skål Farm, 13590 W Colfax Ave., Golden

Gym Open House & Free Strength Evaluation at Starting Strength Denver

Rise & Grind Friday Workout @ 6:30am / $12.50 Anderson Park, 4355 Field Street, Wheat Ridge

“Of Dreams, Trees, and Threes” – Christine O’Dea @ 5pm / Free Core New Art Space, 6851 West Colfax Avenue, Denver

Synchronicity: an acausal connection of meaning @ 5pm / Free Core New Art Space, 6851 West Colfax Avenue, Denver

Golden Virtual Game Night: Trivia, Charades, and Drawing over Video @ 7pm / Free 1110 Washington Ave, 1110 Washington Avenue, Golden

@ 10am / Free Starting Strength Denver, 6583 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood

Editor's Pick

West Colfax Farmers Market @ 8am / Free Lamar Station Plaza, 6575 W. Col‐ fax, Lakewood Golden Virtual Game Night: Trivia, Charades, and Drawing over Video @ 7pm / Free 1110 Washington Ave, 1110 Washington Avenue, Golden

Sunset Goat Yoga - October 14th (Skål Farm) @ 6pm / $30 Skål Farm, 13590 W Colfax Ave., Golden

Not-So-Spooky Nature Painting @ 10:30am / $15 Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garri‐ son St., Arvada. 720-898-7405

Mon 10/12

Featured

Featured TABLE RESERVATION - Shawn Nelson 6-8pm @ 6pm / Free CODA Brewing Co., 15965 South Golden Road, #c2, Golden

Music Bingo at Discovery Tap House- Wheat Ridge, CO

Golden Virtual Game Night: Trivia, Charades, and Drawing over Video @ 7pm / Free 1110 Washington Ave, 1110 Washington Avenue, Golden

@ 7pm / Free Discovery Tap House, 4990 Kipling Street, #suite 7, Wheat Ridge

Place and Identity in Contem‐ porary Indigenous Literature

Golden Virtual Game Night: Trivia, Charades, and Drawing over Video

@ 6pm / Free-$10 Golden History Museum, 923 10th Street, Golden

@ 7pm / Free 1110 Washington Ave, 1110 Washington Avenue, Golden

The best place to promote your events online and in print. Visit us @ https://jeffcotranscript.com/calendar

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Arvada Press 15

0October 8, 2020

Election 2020 Voter Guide

Inside: Q&As with candidates for county commissioner, U.S. Senate, state House and more

Q&A with John Hickenlooper, candidate for U.S. Senate Party: Democratic Residence: Denver Campaign website: hickenlooper. com What makes you the best choice for this office?

As a former governor and mayor, I know what it takes to unite people and lead through crises.

When I became governor during the Great Recession, we were 40th Hickenlooper in job creation, and we worked with local officials and leaders across the state to make Colorado the top economy in the nation. I have a record of bringing folks together across the aisle to make progress on what really matters, from groundbreaking anti-pollution measures to expanding health care to (more) Coloradans. As senator, I’ll do what I did in Colorado: work to unite people … and build back better after COVID-19.

If you’re elected, what single issue will be at the top of your agenda?

My No. 1 priority in the Senate will be helping Coloradans weather the COVID-19 crisis and emerge stronger on the other side. First and foremost, we’ll deliver urgent aid to families and the smallest small businesses.

At the same time, we’ll kickstart long-term growth by ending corporate giveaways and investing instead in workers, skills training and the industries of the future. If we roll up our sleeves and come together, we can not only survive this crisis but build an even stronger economy that works for every Coloradan.

If you’re elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?

We must protect Coloradans’ health care coverage, including for those with preexisting conditions. We must take action to bring down the cost of health care, including lower prescription drug prices. And we must act urgently to combat the threat of climate change. I know that it takes unity to overcome crises. As a brewpub owner, I understand what small

businesses need to recover and thrive post-COVID-19 … as a Coloradan, I feel the frustration of having leadership in Washington that would rather argue than get things done for us ...

We’ll only succeed by doing things differently.

Colorado lags behind other states in education spending, with more than 30 states, including many in the West, spending more per pupil, according to U.S. Census data. What should Colorado’s senators do to ensure states such as Colorado can spend more to support students?

Education is the best investment we can make in our kids and our future — but right now, we’re not investing enough. We must invest in every aspect … from educators to electives, with an emphasis on underserved students through the Title I program.

We must do what I did as mayor of Denver and work toward universal preschool. And we must increase college affordability and expand pathways to skills training. Alongside groups of dedicated educators like Colorado Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers — whose endorsements I’m honored to have received — we’ll build thriving, equitable public schools.

As Colorado housing prices continue to climb, how can senators increase the supply of affordable housing, or ensure that more of the current housing stock is affordable?

Affordable housing is a fundamental necessity, and it should be within reach for every Colorado family. If elected, I will push for inclusion of affordable housing in any major infrastructure package we consider, ensure all new federal housing units meet accessibility guidelines for individuals with disabilities, and hold lenders accountable for discrimination and predatory housing loans.

I’ll also work to end disparities due to decades of racist, segregationist housing policy by expanding the low-income housing tax credit and ensuring compliance with the 1968 Fair Housing Act. These steps can ensure every family has a place to call home.

Q&A with Cory Gardner, candidate for U.S. Senate Party: Republican Residence: Yuma Campaign website: www.cory gardnerforsenate.com What makes you the best choice for this office?

I’m the best candidate for the job because I get things done. I’m the thirdmost bipartisan senator and have Gardner been named the most effective member of the Colorado delegation. Since 2015, I’ve had 11 bipartisan bills signed into law, including legislation which secured funding for Aurora’s VA hospital and the most historic conservation bill to become law in 50 years. I work across party lines because the people of Colorado demand independent and focused leadership. I’ll continue to work tirelessly for all four corners of the Centennial State, regardless of ZIP code.

If you’re elected, what single issue will be at the top of your agenda?

We’re experiencing an economic crisis as a result of the coronavirus. Keeping people safe and getting Americans back to work must be our No. 1 priority. Prior to COVID-19, Colorado’s economy saw record job growth, wage increases, its (historically low unemployment rate), and an outdoor recreation economy that employed 229,000 workers and added $11 billion to the economy annually. Working together, we can return to that economic climate and ensure that every Coloradan is safe and healthy.

If you’re elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?

In the past six years, I’ve helped move the Bureau of Land Management headquarters to Colorado, got funding for the Arkansas Valley Conduit to ensure 50,000 Coloradans have access to clean drinking water, secured millions to repair Interstate 25 and Interstate 70, and passed

the most sweeping conservation legislation to protect our national parks in the last 50 years. I’m going to build on these accomplishments over the next six years and continue to find common-sense solutions that drive Colorado’s economy, protect Colorado’s public lands and rebuild our crumbling infrastructure.

Colorado lags behind others in education spending, with more than 30 states, including many in the West, spending more per pupil, according to U.S. Census data. What should senators do to ensure states such as Colorado can spend more to support students?

I believe that quality education stems from the state rather than the federal government, because local school boards, communities and parents best understand the needs of their students and are therefore better equipped to make decisions that will lead to excellence in education. As a Coloradan still paying off his student loans, I understand the hardship that comes with a college education and know the federal government must do more to help.

I’ve introduced a number of bipartisan bills in the Senate that would increase minority access in STEM education and help students of all backgrounds pay off their loans.

As Colorado housing prices continue to climb, how can senators increase the supply of affordable housing, or ensure that more of the current housing stock is affordable?

I’ve worked hard to identify and address the root cause of the lack of affordable housing and subsequently worked to secure millions of dollars from the federal government to ensure affordable housing and assistance for those experiencing homelessness in Colorado. Moving forward, we can guarantee more affordable housing by expanding the low-income housing tax credit, preserving existing affordable housing, and making the housing credit better serve extremely low-income families and families in rural areas and Native American communities.

16 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020O

PAGE 2B

U.S. House, 7th District Ken Biles Profession: Entrepreneur Residence: Unincorporated Adams County near Westminster Party: Libertarian Contact: ken4colorado.com/

What makes you the best choice for this office?

The short answer is, I am in this race to help the people, not myself or my Party, unlike the current Rep.

If elected, what would your top issue be?

Term limits. Followed closely by economic growth and health care.

» Casper Stockham Profession: Gulf War Veteran 14 years USAF; business owner, trainer, HR consultant, Author, Speaker, Radio Host, Inner City Youth Trainer and Coach, Christian Marriage Coach Residence: Aurora but planning to move to CD7

Ed Perlmutter Profession : Attorney Residence: Arvada Party: Democrat Contact: www.perlmutterforcolorado. com

State Board of Education District 7 Karla Esser Profession: Retired Educator Residence: Lakewood Party: Democrat Contact: www.karlaesser.com/

I’m running for Congress on a Values-based platform to empower the Family, Finances and the Future of Colorado. My opponent is missing in action and follows his party line. He has little to show for 14 years in Congress. It’s time for a change. I stand for law and order, safety and security, quality education and better solutions for health care. I’m for free markets, fair trade, the 2nd Amendment and initiatives that go after actual bad guys with guns, not law-abiding citizens. This election is about the promise of America – you and me; challenges and heartbreaks; hopes and dreams.

My top issue will be to ensure that our communities, neighborhoods and cities are safe for our citizens, including justice and equality for all, . Second is quality education.

Education is the closest thing to magic that we have in America today. Choice, transportation allowances, and freedom for parents to have a say in what their children are taught.

I’m running to continue working on behalf of the hardworking folks of Adams and Jefferson Counties to fight this pandemic and ensure every person has the chance to succeed. This includes supporting affordable and accessible health care, public education, access to good jobs and the skills needed to get those jobs, and protecting our beautiful outdoors. I work hard to stay accessible to the people of the 7th district and find common ground to help our communities.

My top priority is keeping our communities safe from COVID-19 and helping our economy recover from this pandemic. This means significant state and local investments, which includes our schools, in rebuilding our infrastructure, raising the minimum wage, expanding access to skills training and apprenticeships, increasing the ability of workers to collectively bargain, paid family leave, pay equity, overtime protections and much more. We need to renew our promise to our seniors by protecting Social Security and Medicare for generations to come.

What makes you the best choice for this office?

Voters in the district deserve a board member who thoroughly knows and understands the issues facing our public schools. I have equal amounts of experience in the German school system and the Colorado system. My entire career has been serving students, families, and educators in public schools. I have an extensive background in public education having worked as a teacher, school administrator, assistant superintendent, and university professor and director at Regis University.

If elected, what would your top issue be?

Provide parents and students ease of mind to focus on success. School safety is complex, and requires a multifaceted approach. COVID-19 has added a brand new area of safety.

Colorado has the highest growth rate in teen suicide in the nation. Schools should provide the mental health services needed to support all students. The latest protests have shown how important it is to attend to the needs of our students of color and break the school to prison pipeline that is still prevalent.

Our goal must always be to serve the changing needs of students so learning is equitable.

» Nancy Pallozzi Profession: Housewife and Mom Residence: Lakewood Party: Republican Contact: www.nancyforkids.com

My main priority is to put our children’s education first.

Implementing the Read Act. This was passed in 2012 and then revised last year, 2019, by our legislatures with a bipartisan unanimous vote. This program allows extra funding for continuing education for K-3 teachers. The Read Act emphasizes the importance of evidence-based instructional practices and has been proven to work for our children in literacy.

Arvada Press 17

0October 8, 2020

PAGE 3B With so many bipartisan House bills passed but ignored in the Senate this year, what is the best way for you to be effective in such an environment?

The majority of ballots cast for you will be mail-in. What is your view of pushing for more mail-in vote access across the country?

Getting elected would be the first success, but I believe I can show America how to really get affordable health care.

There were no “bipartisan” House bills. That’s the problem.

The Republicans and Democrats won’t even talk to each other. I can talk to both.

Honestly, I would prefer voting on the Blockchain. Technology now allows us to have absolute control and absolute anonymity for voting. No more voter fraud.

The enactment of my Citizens Empowerment Act, Incorporating a transportation allowance in school voucher programs, and the preservation of freedom of speech not freedom from speech or cancel culture.

I bring people together. That is my nature and has been the case all my life. The caustic entrenchment and refusal to find common ground is unacceptable. I don’t toe the line when I see something unjust or unfair. Rather I challenge convention and will never be afraid to do that in the U.S. House of Representatives. I also have tremendous working relationships with current Republican House members and current Senate members. Communication and getting of your high horse in the interests of the American people is what I’m about.

I think that unless voters realize that they need to demand accountability from election commissions about the chain of possession and progression — from the time a vote is mailed or placed in a ballot box to the time it is received and counted — mail-in will not work. Voters also must be responsible for ensuring that their ballots arrive on or before election day. Not 3 days after, not a week after, but ON TIME. We’re adults, we can at least be that responsible.

Success to me would be providing hardworking folks relief during the pandemic and getting folks back to work as quickly as possible in order to help our communities recover, taking on climate change and passing into law the SAFE Banking Act. Critical to being successful is also listening and being accessible to our community. I’ll continue to work tirelessly to remain accessible in a responsible way like I’ve done hosting numerous virtual town halls during this pandemic and hosting virtual office hours to listen to the people of the 7th District.

It’s been extremely frustrating seeing the Senate refuse to consider bills to address the challenges we face like increasing access to quality, affordable health care, increasing wages, reforming our broken immigration system, campaign finance reform, and common sense gun safety legislation.

Even with these challenges, I’ve been able to get things done like helping firefighters determine the health risks of exposure to PFAS chemicals, ensuring Rocky Flats workers get the care and compensation they deserve, and assisting the people of the 7th District get the benefits they’re owed.

Colorado’s vote by mail system has been a monumental success with one of the highest turnout rates in the country leading to safe, secure, and accessible elections. I strongly believe that every other state should adopt our voting system to increase participation in our Democracy.

If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

With CMAS school testing canceled last spring, how best do you think the state should proceed in terms of trying to gauge student learning in the COVID-19 era?

If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

Districts, teachers and families are scrambling to adapt to multiple challenges right now.

What’s one way the state board can help?

The SBE has a six-year term. It is good to remember that the main issues the SBE tackles are teacher licensure, accountability, and overseeing the Commissioner of the CDE. In order to get anything accomplished, we need to work tirelessly on getting the schools the funding for a world class education.

We are 51st in competitive salaries according to an article in Chalkbeat, so nowhere to go but up. More money is needed for mental health services. Finally, SBE should address the opportunity gap that always leads to the achievement gap we have seen since the invention of standardized testing.

Unfortunately, we have relied on for-profit corporate publishing companies, such as Pearson Inc., MAPS, and ETS to determine how well our students are faring in comparatively healthy times. The accountability measures become the entirety of school and we have many organizations demanding ever more testing, all of which comes with a cost of time and money. With absolutely no way to compare which students are missing in-school classes due to COVID quarantining, and which students are experiencing a lack of digital access when school is remote, CMAS will be far too unreliable as a measure.

The SBE needs to make sure to resist any pressure to maintain business as usual, when our community right now is anything but. I would plead for a moratorium on further requirements until this frightening pandemic is over. How attendance is counted will need flexibility until we have further data on when schools are closing and moving back to virtual learning. Our schools, students, and families ping ponging from in-person to virtual learning will require understanding and grace.

Changing the literacy in our state so that all students by the 3rd grade will be able to read. I would also find it an accomplishment if the board had the Mental Health Services revised. Its last revision was in June 2007 and many things have happened in mental health since 13 years ago. Counselors, pychologists, social workers and nurses should not be the only ones monitoring students mental health. It is a team effort by all school staff, especially for teachers. There needs to more emphasis on mental health, especially now with COVID-19, and its possible side effects for our children.

There could be smaller tests given, for example a quiz format, where they can ask specific questions.

Make sure there is enough funding for electronics/computers and access to the internet, so that every child is able to study at home.

PARTY REGISTRATION BY COUNTY

The following is a look at the active-voter registration figures in some Denver metro area counties and in Colorado as of Sept. 1: COUNTY

DEMOCRATIC PARTY

REPUBLICAN PARTY

LIBERTARIAN PARTY

GREEN PARTY

AMERICAN CONSTITUTION

UNAFFILIATED

TOTAL

ADAMS

89,313

59,374

2,634

538

989

114,664

267,964

ARAPAHOE

126,865

93,582

3,848

797

1,016

157,077

383,726

DENVER

203,105

48,925

3,959

1,125

1,012

171,123

429,877

DOUGLAS

48,585

93,595

2,488

306

396

96,214

241,703

ELBERT

2,202

10,339

194

22

58

7,152

19,972

JEFFERSON

120,264

103,663

4,296

833

851

169,674

399,932

STATE

1,067,541

973,545

36,364

7,934

10,185

1,441,872

3,541,334

Source: www.sos.state.co.us

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Jefferson County Commissioner District 1 Tracy Kraft-Tharp Profession: State Legislator Residence: Arvada Party: Democrat Contact: TracyForJeffco@gmail.com

What makes you the best choice for this office?

There are three values I hold that describe who I am and differentiate me from my opponents: I’m accessible through town meetings, newsletters, community meetings, social media. 2).

I work to bring people together by finding common ground and 3) I get things done, I don’t talk talk talk.

If elected, what would your top issue be?

The trifecta of priorities is COVID 19, economic recovery and racial equity.

» Hans Romer Profession: Sales, lending, real estate investment Residence: Arvada Party: Libertarian Contact: Lpcolorado.org/

Libby Szabo Occupation: Jefferson County Commissioner City: Arvada Party: Republican Contact: libbyszabo.org

Jefferson County Commissioner District 2 Joni Inman Profession: Business Consultant Residence: Golden Party: Republican Contact: JoniforJeffco.com

The 50 +years of partisan politics that have constantly put the county into red spending, and making the entire county much too top/supervisory/bureaucracy heavy. ALSO, my distinct desire to NOT be in politics. Unlike my opponents, I neither desire nor want to be in this position. If possible, I would cut my own pay in half.

Two major issues- first, working with the police, and DA offices in all cities to end NO KNOCK warrants, unless a persons life is in danger. #2 Eliminating county positions within my scope, that are outdated, and only consuming taxpayer funds.

Jeffco needs a commissioner with experience and expertise in leading the county. My experience serving in the State Legislature and the last five and a half years serving as your County Commissioner is unmatched. I have always been a strong advocate for the people I represent; the people who are my top priority for all decisions I make. I am the best choice because it is going to take tenacity and experience to tackle our budget issues and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. I have already demonstrated that I can be a bold leader in stormy times.

My top issue is the health and safety of Jefferson County residents. We need to make sure science and facts are used to make COVID-19 decisions and that these responses ensure the balance between public health and economic vitality. In addition, our county’s residents should know they are safe and that laws will be enforced. Nothing is more important than keeping our residents safe.

What makes you the best choice for this office?

I have been part of the tapestry of this community for many years, personally and professionally. I’ve lived, worked, and done business throughout the entire county and bring a rare understanding of the issues in both the urban and mountain areas. I am a small business owner and business consultant with years of management experience in both the public and private sector. I believe that my management experience, combined with love of, and involvement in Jefferson County makes me the most qualified candidate for this office. Experience matters.

If elected, what would your top issue be?

Responsible, competent management of our taxpayer dollars.

The County faces more budget cuts going into 2021. Commissioners make the determination of how General Fund dollars are allocated to the various service departments. Across the board allocations, or cuts don’t work. We have to be willing to prioritize the core values of the community. Community safety is my top priority — getting and keeping bad guys off the street, making sure those streets are plowed and well maintained, and addressing homelessness, substance abuse and unemployment — issues of desperation that have been proven to seed crime.

» Andy Kerr Profession: Teacher Residence: Lakewood Party: Democrat Contact: kerrforjeffco.com

I’m running to make sure Jefferson County remains one of Colorado’s best places to live, work, play, and raise a family. My experiences as a teacher at one of Jeffco’s alternative schools and serving twelve years in the state legislature have provided me with the unique knowledge and leadership skills that are needed to fight for our environment, small businesses, and working families in Jeffco. We have a large population of hard working people spread across our mountain and metro communities, and they deserve Commissioners who care about all of their constituents, not just wealthy and powerful interests.

Having seen the impact of fires in Colorado and the lack of State and Federal resources for adequate fire mitigation in the Jefferson County foothills, we need to tackle climate change head on. If elected, I will lead our Jeffco community in doing our part in this global crisis.

TRACK YOUR BALLOT IN JEFFERSON COUNTY Once you have sent your ballot in the mail, or placed it in a drop box, you can ensure that your vote makes it to the Clerk and Recorder’s office and is properly counted.

Just go to www.jeffco.us/3313/Track-Your-Ballot There you can follow your ballot through the process. If there is a problem with counting your ballot, such as the ballot signature not quite matching the one the county has on file for you, or some ambiguity over how you marked the ballot, the county will contact you, or you can see the issue on the Track-your-ballot website.

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PAGE 5B If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

Even before COVID-19 the county looked to be in a rough financial position. What is one county expense you think could be cut, and why?

Would you support trying to bring more revenue into the county, through a new tax or another attempt at TABOR relief?

People feel heard.

As County Commissioner, it would be important that I spend time with the Budget Team. At this point I would want to examine administrative overhead items such as office remodels and car allowances. In addition, I would want to examine opportunities to centralize and reduce duplication in areas such as IT, Human Resources and county auto maintenance.

The ballot initiative brought to the people was to “debruce.” I would encourage long term community conversations about “debrucing”: what is it, how does it effect people to debruce, and what are other budget options.

If the county goes into the black, and can actually begin the process of reduction in size, scope and intrusion into citizens lives.

Police, investigations and incarcaration. If we could bring drugs into a position of “persons needing help,” rather than “criminals needing punishment,” the cities and county law enforcement could focus more on crimes on citizens, and less on victimless crimes.

No. absolutely not. Government at all levels is bloated, and over reaching. Gary Johnson was governor of New Mexico for 2 terms, and reduced govt incredibly. It is totally possible to do the same thing with something as small as a county. It needs to be done and sooner than later. We’ve had a major financial shock with COVID, and the government needs to adjust to a 30% loss, same as most citizens ... NOT demand more, from those already hurt.

Success would be leaving Jeffco a better place than when I was first elected. My top priority has been to make Jeffco the ideal place for people to live their American dream, whatever that may look like. Every person should have a safe environment where they can enjoy the great outdoors we cherish here in Colorado, without an undue tax burden that imposes high taxes on individuals trying to make a living. County government should enhance individual’s lives, not make it burdensome.

To maintain a balanced budget, we can ensure our staff is the appropriate size by watching natural staff attrition and ensuring position efficiency. About 25% of our employees are going to be of retirement age in the next five years. This presents an opportunity to make sure we are efficiently using technology and restructuring responsibilities to be competitive with the private sector in regard to efficacy.

It is imperative that as elected officials, we listen to the citizens we serve. Last year they gave a resounding NO to the 1-A Taxpayer Bills of Rights (TABOR) county ballot question. The outcome of the vote told me taxpayers want the county government to run more efficiently. It is my job as a Commissioner to find budget efficiencies. With COVID-19 hurting so many families and businesses, now is not the time to impose more taxes on our already struggling community.

If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

Even before COVID-19 the county looked to be in a rough financial position. What is one county expense you think could be cut, and why?

Would you support trying to bring more revenue into the county, through a new tax or another attempt at TABOR relief?

We are providing high quality services to the people of Jefferson County and we’re doing it within the budgeted revenue entrusted to us by taxpayers. Equally important, we are known for open, respectful and engaging community conversations that transcend political rhetoric.

Counties provide services. Those services are provided by people so the largest portion of any government budget goes to personnel. While I don’t have a specific area in mind, I would want to look at number of positions, whether those positions are properly allocated, and if there are any areas of overstaffing that could be considered for reductions through attrition.

No. The voters spoke loud and clear and I will honor their decision and will work to provide the best services possible within the revenue we have available to us.

To consider my first term a success, I would like to hear stories of teachers, nurses, and firefighters of all backgrounds who are now able to live, work, play, and retire right here in their Jefferson County community. Additionally, I would consider my term a success if Jeffco is seen as a model for our county in the fight for a more just, equitable, and inclusive society.

Jefferson County is one the last remaining taxpayer funded entities involved in the decades-long planning of the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority. Until an inclusive stakeholder process is brought back to the table, we should shift our limited resources toward more viable and immediate transportation solutions.

The impact of the current pandemic has shown how swiftly outside influences can force our County to cut $16 million from its budget, mostly due to the inability of the County to relieve itself of arbitrary budgetary constraints and build an adequate reserve fund. I would support a de-brucing measure, like the one that was unanimously proposed by the current County Commissioners. In addition, we should also be relieving our home owners and businesses from unpredictable taxes by repealing the Gallagher Amendment on the ballot this November.

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First Judicial District Matthew Durkin Profession: Chief Deputy District Attorney Residence: Littleton Party: Republican Contact: DurkinforDA.com

What makes you the best choice for this office?

For nearly 25 years, I have protected our community as a prosecutor in the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office where I’m currently a Chief Deputy District Attorney. I have prosecuted major homicides, physical and sexual abuse against children, and drug trafficking organizations. As the former Deputy Attorney General at the Colorado AG’s Office I managed a $10 million budget, 70 employees, and legislators from both parties on reform. The Denver Post endorsed me because I am “extremely qualified to now step into the role as District Attorney … We urge voters to support him and his vision for the office.”

If elected, what would your top issue be?

At nearly 50%, Colorado has one of the worst recidivism rates in the country, which means that nearly half of offenders return to prison within three years of being released. Simultaneously, there is a crime wave in Colorado that has been fueled by a drug addiction crisis. For the first time in decades, as national crime statistics have declined, Colorado crime has continued to increase. Murders, violent crime and property crime have steadily increased since 2013. In that time, Jefferson County has 15 – 20% more felonies, and Gilpin County felonies have gone up by as much as 50%.

» Alexis King Profession: Attorney Residence: Golden Party: Democrat Contact: www.alexisforda.com/

Senate District 19 Lynn Gerber Profession: Grandmother Residence: Arvada Party: Republican Contact: Lynngerberforsd19.com/

I am the only candidate who has fought for survivors in the courtroom and brought reform to this community. During my decade of service as a Deputy DA here, I designed programs to keep kids out of the system and addressed human trafficking through prosecution and policy. Unlike my opponent, I have seen the system from more than one angle, as a magistrate judge working on bail bond reform, to a victim rights attorney with the preeminent nonprofit in Colorado. I have a track record of transformative and collaborative leadership that stretches far beyond the bounds of the courthouse.

What makes you the best choice for this office?

I never set out to be a politician, this is my first run for office. My experience at the Capitol finally made me realize I had to take action. A few women from our community and I were trying to get a simple piece of legislation passed to protect our pets.

Despite assurances from our legislators, nothing got done. It opened my eyes to how our elected officials are only concerned about what their party and lobbyists tell them to be -- not what’s happening in our community. That’s when I realized I had to do something.

My top issue will be keeping our community safe by ensuring we are prioritizing the ethical and effective prosecution of violent people who are a substantial risk to our community. This prioritization goes hand in hand with expanding our diversionary options for low-risk, low-level folks who can stabilize in our community without criminalization. It also means, ensuring our jail has the capacity to house people who are too dangerous for our streets, and increase transparency and accountability in our DA’s Office so we can dialogue with our community about inequities in our system and how we can improve our practices.

If elected, what would your top issue be?

When I was born, I was given up for adoption. A wonderful family of educators adopted me. Still, I struggled in school.

Luckily, my school had a vocational and technical program.

Once I enrolled in this program and took control of my education, I thrived. After school, I went on to a long and successful career. I never forgot how important my education was to my success. Now, I’m running to end the myth that kids who don’t go to school are failures and to ensure that every child has access to the same opportunities that I did.

» Rachel Zenzinger Rachel Zenzinger, incumbent candidate for Senate District 19 Profession: Teacher Residence: Arvada Party: Democrat Contact: www.rachelforcolorado.com

House District 23 Chris Kennedy Profession: State Legislator (formerly a structural engineer) Residence: Lakewood Contact: www.kennedy4co.com

The best quality I bring to the state legislature is my ability to collaborate. I have a 100% bipartisan record on all the legislation I passed last session. I make a point of working across the aisle to ensure everyone in our politically diverse district is represented. I am also an effective legislator, passing 47 bipartisan bills last session. And as a member of the Joint Budget Committee, I balanced the state’s budget, even in the midst of a pandemic. Lastly, I am highly accessible to my constituents, regardless of their positions. In sum: Bipartisan, Effective, and Accessible.

My top issue will reflect the highest priority of our community, whatever that may be. After speaking with thousands of constituents at their doors, the most pressing concern that I’ve heard are the challenges we face as a result of the coronavirus.

People are concerned about joblessness, housing, economic security, small business, their children’s education, and their overall health. The impact of this pandemic has left no aspect of our lives untouched. My top issue will be to work on legislation that will meet the needs of this moment and help our community recover from COVID-19.

What makes you the best choice for this office?

If elected, what would your top issue be?

As a structural engineer, I learned how to solve tough problems.

Over my last four years as your representative, I’ve applied those same skills to working on some of Colorado’s thorniest public policy problems. Through perseverance, I’ve found common ground with the other side of the aisle and work together to achieve common goals. I’ve been accessible by phone, email, Facebook, and at regular town hall meetings. I feel incredibly lucky to have a job in which I get to help people every day, and I’ll keep working hard to make life better for all hard-working Coloradans.

When the state is facing a crisis, we must all make that crisis our top priority. I’m proud of Colorado’s response to this unprecedented global pandemic, and I’m proud of what we’ve done to provide relief to struggling people and businesses.

But we’re not out of the woods yet, and we’re going to need to keep providing that kind of relief while also dealing with a major budget shortfall. As we begin to recover from the pandemic and recession, I intend to resume focusing on one of my top priorities, reducing the high cost of health care.

House District 23 candidates Doug Anderson and Fred Clifford both did not respond to our request to fill out a candidate questinnaire.

Candidates that respond after our print deadline may be added to our online election coverage.

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PAGE 7B If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

With budget cuts and COVID-19 straining the county jail, how best can the DA’s office respond?

How would you ensure racial bias would not affect how the DA’s office conducts its work?

As a community, we must address recidivism by implementing effective drug addiction treatment for those involved in the criminal justice system. We can learn from our Diversion Program, which is based upon accountability and responsibility, and has a success rate greater than 70%. Community collaboration with the courts, defense, the business community and faith based community to implement effective drug treatment so that we can prevent offenders from coming back to the system for their benefit, the benefit of future victims, and the safety of the community.

The budget for the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office has been significantly cut in the last two years. Unlike other departments, 87% of the budget is personnel including Deputy District Attorneys, investigators, paralegals, victim witness specialists, and other support staff. Regardless of budget issues, the unwavering mission of every member of the District Attorney’s Office is to pursue justice in each case and to protect public safety. To maintain high prosecutorial standards the DA’s Office must maximize its efficiencies. At the same time, we can encourage the counties to prioritize public safety.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said that “law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress.” Without law and order, there can be no justice, and justice can only be achieved within the fundamental institutions of law and order. It is the District Attorney’s responsibility to pursue justice in each case based upon thorough and impartial investigations, regardless of who the suspect may be.

Through strong leadership, recruitment, and relentless training, we can fulfill that solemn responsibility.

Under my leadership, we will elevate Jeffco & Gilpin to the forefront of government transparency, accountability, and community engagement. Building on my track record of reform, we will take on old problems and develop new solutions through collaborative leadership, particularly for young people and those dealing with issues of poverty, mental illness, and addiction. For those who put our community at risk, we will prosecute violent crimes with the utmost ethical standards. With these changes, we will work to recruit a more diverse staff who are focused on improving safety for everyone in our community without relying on the status quo.

Jeffco must commit to evidence-based and fiscally responsible bond reform. Over incarcerating low-level and low-risk folks destabilizes them and increases recidivism. The DA’s Office should not be in the business of increasing crime with archaic bond practices. Having already led bond reform as a magistrate judge, I will ensure that the jail is for dangerous people, not folks who can be stabilized in the community.

Further, by expanding our diversion model, people can engage in treatment and restorative justice without the jail.

Local law enforcement is already leading this effort, it’s time for the DA’s Office to lead too.

Since I began this campaign, before George Floyd’s murder, I was championing data collection and transparency to address systemic racism. The DA is a powerful public servant who is obligated to answer tough questions including whether people are treated differently because of their identity. Once answered, we must dialogue with our community, including police, about moving forward together with solutions to address systemic inequity and public safety. Under my leadership, we have an opportunity to raise the bar in government transparency. The integrity of the justice system is earned and we will do so through accountability to those we serve.

If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

Your view on TABOR reform efforts?

The Red Flag law went into effect this year.

Has it been a good law, and would you change anything?

I’m running to ensure that every kid in Colorado can access the same vocational and technical education opportunities that I had. If I can get that done at any point in my term I will consider the whole thing a success.

TABOR “reform” efforts are all based on the same idea — that it’s wrong to allow voters to vote on tax increases. It’s the job of our elected leaders to make the tough choices to allocate resources. Instead of doing the job, legislators have thrown in the towel and declared “We can’t choose. We can’t do the job.” Reasonable people can disagree about what our priorities should be, but the refusal to have any priorities or to own the priorities they’ve funded is just cowardice on the part of legislators.

I think the Red Flag law has been mostly successful. However, as soon as it was implemented we saw the very abuse that proponents assured us couldn’t happen when an inmate initiated a complaint against the Weld County sheriff. Given this, I think the law would benefit from changes to narrow the group of people who can bring a complaint against a fellow citizen.

In addition to the items that I have mentioned here, including legislation to help the community recover from COVID-19, I would like to spend the next four years solving some of the huge problems facing our public schools, including the lack of adequate funding and the shortage of teachers. I would also like to help untangle the issues connected to our efforts to fund improvements in transportation. And when I leave the office after another four years, I would feel most satisfied knowing that the environment inside the halls of the Capitol is more generally collaborative because of my presence.

As a member of the Joint Budget Committee, I see both pros and cons. I agree with voter approval to raise taxes. I also favor the prohibition on the budgeting that the Federal government uses in which they go into debt. We can only spend what we have, which is good. Other elements of TABOR don’t work as well. It prohibits us from investing in vital services during financial boons. The biggest problem is the “population + inflation” formula that caps revenues and prevents us from funding critical items such as investment in economic aids or a rainy day fund.

So far, the law is working. According to data in August, 73 cases have been filed allowing a temporary seizure of firearms from people deemed a significant risk. The majority of cases were submitted by law enforcement. Eleven petitions for temporary seizure were denied; and in six instances of temporary seizure, extensions were denied.

These denials demonstrate the law is not being abused.

In 71 out of the 73 cases, the individuals admitted needing help and surrendered their weapons without objection. The law was challenged in court and its Constitutionality was upheld. I see no need for changes.

If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

By the end of 2022, I hope to see Colorado fully recovered from the pandemic and recession. In addition to getting people back to work, this means restoring funding to K-12 and higher education, which have taken the brunt of the cuts. I am also hopeful that we’ll be able to take steps forward on health care reform, mental health access, fighting climate change, transportation funding, and affordable housing.

Your view on TABOR reform efforts?

I believe that TABOR is the reason that Colorado’s education funding is among the very lowest in the country. Even with reforms like Referendum C and the Hospital Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise, Colorado lawmakers’ hands are tied such that we cannot recover as quickly from economic downturns. I believe we must pay teachers more and reduce college tuition, but we can’t do that until we have a tax code in which the wealthiest among us pay their fair share.

The Red Flag law went into effect this year.

Has it been a good law, and would you change anything?

The Red Flag law, which allows law enforcement officers or family members to request a court order to temporarily remove firearms from a person likely to cause harm to themselves or others, is a good law and has very likely been responsible for saving many lives already. While all laws need review and adjustment, I don’t see any major reforms needed at present.

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House District 22 Margot Herzl Profession: “Domestic Engineer” i.e., Professional Mother of Four Residence: Unincorporated Littleton Party: Libertarian Contact: Margotherzl.com

What makes you the best choice for this office?

When you elect a Libertarian, you get a person, not a party. I know my number one job as your representative is to fight for your liberty, and I have absolute fidelity to that job. I will not be swayed by partisan interests, special interests, or social pressure, but will adhere to principle in all things.

If elected, what would your top issue be?

Restoring civility to the political conversation. So long as we can talk to one another and regard each other as partners in the truth-seeking enterprise that politics should be, we will be able to find common ground.

» Mary Parker Profession: Retired Residence: Littleton Party: Democrat Contact: www.ParkerforColorado.com

Colin Larson Profession: Small Businessman, Legislator Residence: Ken Caryl Party: Republican Contact: www.colinforcolorado.com

House District 27 Vicki Pyne Profession: Program Director of CASA of Jefferson & Gilpin Counties, small business owner Residence: Arvada Party: Republican Contact: vickipyneforhd27.com

My experience as a small business owner and as a Systems Engineer for Hewlett-Packard gives me good insight into the difficult decisions that must be made to protect workers without unduly burdening employers. In addition, as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the past 13 years, I’ve worked with struggling families and children who are at-risk.

My top issue would be dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the current Representative, I have a proven track record of working across the aisle on important issues and serving as an independent voice for the district putting people before politics.

The impact of COVID-19 on our economy and education system has created unprecedented challenges for our community. I will focus my second term on ensuring businesses and families are able to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

What makes you the best choice for this office?

I will bring balance to the legislature. I am a wife, small business owner, mother of five RVHS graduates, President of Apex Board of Directors, and Program Director for CASA of Jeffco/Gilpin, advocating for children who have been abused and neglected. I have lived in Arvada for 25 years as an active volunteer and community member. In my many conversations, I have heard the concern for healthcare, education, community safety, and the economy. I share these concerns and want to be part of the solutions. To learn more about my stance on the issues, visit my website at vickipyneforhd27.com.

If elected, what would your top issue be?

There will be multiple issues sharing a spot at the top: healthcare, education, safety, and the economy. As I talk to constituents, I hear concerns about school closures and COVID-19, about economic recovery and what that looks like as we navigate the pandemic, and about transparency in healthcare.

These are unprecedented times where strong, stable leadership is needed to balance the competing needs of all these issues.

» Corey Schaeffer Profession: Engineer Residence: Arvada Party: Libertarian Contact: coryforcohd27.com

Brianna Titone Profession: Scientist, Software Developer Residence: Arvada Party: Democrat Contact: briannaforcolorado.com

I am the only non-partisan, independent candidate in this race, leaving me free to represent all of the people of the district.

I will seek to reduce the scope and influence of state-level government to return decision making closer to the homes those decisions impact.

I have proven to the people of the district that I care. We spoke to thousands of people in both 2018 and 2020 to learn what the people wanted. In office I worked hard to deliver on what was asked of me, and by solving problems brought to me by constituents. I never turn away anyone with a reasonable request. I communicate with constituents in a transparent and authentic way. While some may not share my opinions or points of view, I give everyone the chance to have a conversation. This is the people’s district, and I always listen.

My top issues are the top issues I hear about from constituents. We’ve found that this year, the top tissue in the district is education funding, which I will work to keep strong. I also intend to continue to work on mental health access and suicide prevention.

Arvada Press 23

0October 8, 2020

PAGE 9B If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

Your view on TABOR reform efforts?

The Red Flag law went into effect this year.

Has it been a good law, and would you change anything?

I will have been a success if we have established a rainy day fund in the Colorado Constitution by the end of my term, and if there are fewer regulations on the books upon my leaving the seat than there were when I entered. If we could decrease year-on-year State spending, that would be a bonus.

TABOR is an essential taxpayer protection. If we had TABOR at the Federal level, we would be in much better shape as a country. It is is about the consent of the governed. Government can ignore any of its limitations IF they get voter consent. Sometimes they do! Often they don’t. So they want to get rid of TABOR so they don’t have to listen to us anymore. Both parties say we can’t have savings unless we repeal TABOR. This is a lie. We can achieve a rainy day fund with a simple constitutional amendment.

It is a poorly written law. I have yet to meet a Red Flag law that I like, but ours has some particularly egregious elements — for example, even someone against whom you have a restraining order can have your guns taken away without due process. It’s guilty-until-proven-innocent, and you do not have the right to face your accuser. I understand there are efforts now to improve the Red Flag law — we will see what they come up with.

If I could help the state recover from the healthcare, economic, and financial crises that have resulted from the COVID-19 virus, I would consider the term to be a success.

I support TABOR reform efforts and believe that we must eliminate the onerous constraints TABOR places on the amount of revenue the state is allowed to bring in and retain.

The Red Flag law has proven to be a good law. I would support any improvements that might be identified by a review and analysis of the instances it has been used.

In my first term, I was able to pass more than a dozen bipartisan bills dealing with increasing access to career and technical education, lowering prescription drug costs, addressing teen vape and nicotine use, helping restaurants recover from COVID-19 and more. I hope to continue to work to find commonsense solutions to issues facing our community and state.

After serving in the legislature for the past term, it is very clear that there is a fundamental lack of understanding over budgeting and economics. Efforts to undermine the protections offered to ordinary citizens seem to be largely driven by an unwillingness by some in the legislature to prioritize spending. Instead, serious reforms to the budgeting process such as zero-based-budgeting and accountability in state spending should be implemented.

The red flag law, which was passed in 2019 on a party line vote, lacks due process protections and legally similar laws across the country have been opposed by organizations such as the ACLU. Furthermore, there is no evidence the law has been successful in stopping any incidents and it has been abused in several high profile cases across the state. I take the issues of violence and suicide seriously, which is why I have been an active proponent of legislation to expand access to and de-stigmatize mental health care in this state and I will continue to do so in my next term.

If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

Your view on TABOR reform efforts?

The Red Flag law went into effect this year.

Has it been a good law, and would you change anything?

I will measure myself on my ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with my constituents and my fellow legislators. As a small business owner, I have felt the impact of regulations imposed by the 2020 legislature in order to close “corporate loopholes”. I would like to see those actions amended or repealed to allow our small business owners a chance to succeed and thrive, especially given the difficult financial pressures they are all facing during the pandemic.

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) protects taxpayer dollars by requiring voters to approve new taxes. I trust the voters to make these decisions. This process creates conversations between elected officials and their constituents and helps to prioritize spending. With this year’s budget climate, I realize there is great concern about cuts at the state level.

I believe citizens have felt the pinch as well and should be consulted on how the government recovers the losses caused by the economic shutdown.

I, along with many Jeffco residents, was concerned about due process and potential abuse when this legislation went into effect. Fortunately, we have seen judges properly throw out unjust claims when people have attempted to abuse this law. There is still potential for innocent citizens to be abused by this law as it is currently written.

To re-establish true representative government that serves as a voice of the people, and not the party dominated political interests of Team Red or Team Blue.

Passage of TABOR was a clear signal from the voters that they wanted a direct voice in taxation. Any effort to legislatively undermine TABOR runs counter to that signal and does not have my support.

The spirit of the Red Flag law is noble, however the implementation is flawed in that it heavily favors the accuser and does not recognize the rights of the accused to present their side. A fairer, more balanced law that allows both parties to be fully heard is necessary.

My goal has always been to create an environment in which the citizens of Jefferson County and Colorado as a whole have the best chance to succeed in their goals. I want to be able to truly say that my constituents’ lives are better as a result of my efforts.

The efforts to reform TABOR are necessary if we are to remain prosperous. The deficits of funding in education and transportation will have negative effects on our livelihoods if we continue to neglect these things. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us that under TABOR, we don’t have the ability to be nimble in an emergency. We need to have the flexibility to react to problems we face. There’s a reason that we are the only state to have such a law- it’s because nobody else wants it.

I think that the small number of times it’s been used means that it is a valid and measured way to keep people safe without overstepping the government’s authority. We have a serious issue with suicide and also domestic abuse.

We want to see less victims, and the evidence shows that the red flag law helps us achieve that.

24 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020O

PAGE 10B

House District 24 Monica Duran Profession: State Legislator Residence: Wheat Ridge Party: Democrat Contact: monicaduran.com

What makes you the best choice for this office?

My experience in local government taught me how to bring people together to solve problems on tough issues. I’ve brought that knowledge with me to the State Capital and have reached across the isle to pass good legislation. And I understand the challenges facing working Coloradans and their families. I have dedicated my service to fighting for our values in the Colorado State House.

If elected, what would your top issue be?

Domestic Violence, Gun Safety, Animal Welfare.

» Laurel Imer Profession: Clinic manager Residence: Golden Party: Republican Contact: www.laurelimer.com

House District 25 Lisa Cutter Profession: Legislator Residence: Unincorporated Littleton Party: Democrat Contact: www.cutterforcolorado.com

Donald Rosier Profession: Professional Civil Engineer Residence: Unincorporated Jefferson County Party: Republican Contact: www.DonaldRosier.com

House District 28 Amara Hildebrand Profession: Civil Engineer and Small Business Owner Residence: Lakewood Party: Libertarian

I believe it is time to have an elected official in the Colorado State Legislature that is one of the people of the community, not beholden to corporations, unions, or lobbyists. I am funded solely by the people whose interest I will represent. I believe in Freedom. I refuse to put people into political boxes, that are designed to divide us as Americans. We are all part of the Human race. I will not participate in cancel culture.

What makes you the best choice for this office?

School choice and parental rights for all Colorado families is my top priority. I believe school choice is the civil rights issue of our time. Parents have the right to choose what is best for their children , period.

If elected, what would your top issue be?

I’ve worked hard over my first term to be accessible and work across the aisle. The vast majority of the legislation we passed in 2020 was bipartisan. I’ve listened to people with other perspectives, and worked to address their specific concerns. During my first term, I participated in 57 town halls, responded to thousands of constituents, attended 116 meetings or tours with constituents and community groups, and sent 53 newsletters out. I’ve championed significant policies to protect 1st amendment rights, increase access to mental health, protect public schools, support small businesses, address wildfire and protect the environment.

My top issue is to ensure our state gets back on track for recovery from COVID. This means supporting policies that help our environment while putting people back to work, provide resources and support for our desperately hurting schools, increase access to mental health services, put our small businesses on a path to recovery and set up Coloradans to succeed in the future. I cannot best represent my diverse constituents by caring about and prioritizing only one issue. The best way to help our state is to learn from the weaknesses exposed by the pandemic and work together to rebuild.

My background as a professional civil engineer and a 2-term Jefferson County Commissioner has provided me the professional experience to best represent the constituents of HD25.

My proven leadership to address the wildfires, floods, financial shortfalls, and transportation needs in Jefferson County during my term as commissioner is exactly what we need from our next HD25 representative. I am that representative who listens to both sides or an argument and is willing to build coalitions for the betterment of the community.

When elected I will focus my first term efforts on the health, safety, and economic well-being of HD25, Jefferson County and the State of Colorado due to the COVID pandemic.

We need to work with all stakeholders to safely get employees back to work, to safely allow businesses to re-open, to stop the excessive fee and regulation increases, make budgetary plans that address current and future emergencies, and to prioritize our failing infrastructure.

What makes you the best choice for this office?

»

If elected, what would your top issue be?

I am a doer who is more concerned with effecting change than focusing on partisan politics.

Teaching American history in our schools.

Very much a product of my parents (my mother is a biologist from Costa Rica and my Irish-American father was a veteran, Jeffco teacher, and small business owner), I know I reflect a lot of Lakewood’s diverse values. As your state representative, I’ve relied on my experience as an attorney practicing in the areas of civil rights, consumer protection, immigration law, and health care to pass criminal justice reform, consumer protection, and health care legislation. By the time you read this, I will be welcoming our first child, something that I’m realizing has already made me a better legislator.

Given the COVID-19 reality we now live in and the economic strain we are seeing, getting (and keeping) people and businesses safely back on their feet is the top priority for next session. Among other things, this includes drawing down more federal funds for rental and mortgage assistance, supporting local and state level economic drivers, investing in job training and retraining programs, and reinforcing critical government services that our most vulnerable Coloradans rely on.

» Kerry Tipper Profession: Attorney Residence: Lakewood Party: Democrat Contact: www.kerrytipper.com

Arvada Press 25

0October 8, 2020

PAGE 11B If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

Your view on TABOR reform efforts?

The Red Flag law went into effect this year.

Has it been a good law, and would you change anything?

In the last two years that I have served as the State Representative for House District 24 I have sponsored legislation around economic justice, health care costs and access, housing, environmental/racial justice, reproductive freedoms, closing domestic violence loopholes, animal welfare protections. and much more. I would want to continue my work on all these issues.

I support Tabor reform. Because of Tabor limits Colorado is missing out on opportunities to invest in our kids, families, infrastructure, and much more. Our economy and times have changed in the last 20 years and Coloradans deserve to have the chains of Tabor removed.

Data shows that that the Red Flag Law is working as it was intended, protecting our most vulnerable.

I would like to earn the respect of others in the House and those in the state, as a proven and successful leader. I would like to honor the wishes of those who elect me, by addressing the issues and concerns they have brought forth during my time on the campaign trail. I would like to change the stigma of “being a typical politician”. I want to embrace the “Promises Made, Promises Kept” model of President Trump at the state level.

I fully support TABOR. I believe it is important for the voters to have a voice in revenue increases. I support restraining the growth of government.

I do not support the Red Flag Law. I support the right of Colorado’s citizens to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment of Constitution of the United States of America. I believe it should be repealed. Mental health is a real issue. Using a back door gun grab as an attempt to fix mental health is a disservice to the people of Colorado. We can do better and should focus on real ideas to help address the mental health crisis in Colorado.

If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

Your view on TABOR reform efforts?

The Red Flag law went into effect this year.

Has it been a good law, and would you change anything?

I would be happy if we could find better funding for our schools (we currently rank near the bottom in the US in school funding), made more inroads to address climate change, wildfire mitigation policy and transportation issues, and most importantly have stabilized the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. We — as a state — prioritize issues by the funding we are willing to put behind them. I think most people will agree that our priorities are not being reflected. We are near the bottom in school funding spending in the entire US, and teachers are not paid adequately nor given the resources they need to succeed for our children.

I have lived in Colorado all of my life, and I’ve seen our schools and roads/infrastructure steadily decline. Roads and infrastructure are important and pressing needs in Colorado, and directly impact the economy. Our schools are embarrassingly underfunded. TABOR has caused the state’s general fund to shrink over time because it doesn’t factor in the ups and downs of the economy. It is also based on inflation, and government spending doesn’t track the same way as consumer spending. Our needs are growing faster than the TABOR cap allows. If TABOR was effective, other states would have adopted it.

I believe the Extreme Risk Protection Order was necessary and well-conceived. It does not remove guns from people without reasonable cause as defined by a judge; there is an objective criteria that a court must reference before authorizing removal of guns. The defendant is provided with legal counsel, and there are extensive due process protections. Defendants are also provided with behavioral health treatment resources. I believe this law will help protect not only the friends and family reporting mentally unstable individuals but also police officers from potentially life-threatening confrontations.

I feel that to be successful as a representative you must listen to your constituents, talk to everyone on the issues, do the required work and research, and be approachable by community stakeholders.

I support TABOR, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, and feel that we as a state are better off for this constitutional amendment. TABOR is a tool that continues to keep government spending in check.

I have numerous concerns over the Red Flag Bill. The due process provisions, the constitutionality of the law, and the overall reporting provision that can be falsely applied are just a few of the issues I have with the bill.

If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

Your view on TABOR reform efforts?

The Red Flag law went into effect this year.

Has it been a good law, and would you change anything?

Success for me would be to identify exactly where we can eliminate wasteful spending in our government and develop accountability measures for our elected officials.

I do not support the TABOR reform efforts that have been introduced to date. I am supportive of less government and believe that we can find the much needed funds for education and transportation by reducing wasteful government spending. I am in support of Proposition 117.

I believe that the Red Flag law is a good theory, but it does not reduce crime in reality. Instead, I would focus on providing mental health screening and support services.

I’ve tried hard to be an accessible and responsive legislator and believe that is imperative to any success at the capitol.

I know you earn trust by telling people the truth — not just what they want to hear — and I will continue to do that knowing that I will disappoint a portion of my constituents.

However, if constituents disagree with me on a particular issue, but can still appreciate and understand why I vote the way I do, I will consider that a success.

I support TABOR reform. Look no further than our underfunded schools and busted roads to understand why. We have consistently underfunded critical government services like K-12, Higher Ed, Health care, our Courts, etc. I don’t believe investments in these core government services are wasteful endeavors. TABOR really hamstrings our state’s ability to make these investments. It’s like “saving money” by never changing the oil in your car and then being surprised when the engine seizes and you’re suddenly stuck with a broken car and a huge bill to get the thing up and running again.

Yes, I believe it is a good, common-sense piece of legislation. It has already saved lives and has given families and law enforcement a critical tool for stopping folks who are a threat to themselves or others. The testimony in committee in support of this bill was moving. For example, we heard from parents who knew their child was a danger to themselves or others, but who were unable to stop them from killing themselves or others because there was no legal mechanism in place to temporarily withhold the firearm and get them help. That’s no longer the case

26 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020O

PAGE 12B

Voting in Jeffco: What you need to know

BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Get ready to vote Across the nation, it’s shaping up to be an election day unlike any other as both governments and voters adjust to holding an election amidst a pandemic.

But here in Jeffco and throughout Colorado, it will be business as usual as voters will once again be using the mail voting system Colorado has utilized since 2013.

Ballots are set to start being mailed to all registered voters in Jeffco on Friday, Oct. 9, which is also the day the county’s ballot drop boxes will open.

The deadline to register to vote and still receive a ballot in the mail is Oct. 26. However, Jeffco residents can register to vote until 7 p.m. on election day (Nov. 3).

Jeffco residents may register to vote and check or update their registration online at sos.state.co.us or in-person at the DMV, Army recruitment offices or polling centers. County Clerk George Stern recommends checking the site to confirm your address and registration information is accurate.

Stern also said it takes time for ballots to be received and that ballots are not sent out in order of address which means that two people living at the same address may not receive their ballot on the same day.

However, any registered voters who have not received a ballot by Oct. 16 should call the Clerk and Recorder’s office at 303-271-8111.

Instructions for filling out the ballot are located at the top of the ballot. Voters must fill out their ballot in blue or black ink. There are instructions for addressing errors but voters can also call 303-2718111 for a replacement ballot. After filling out the ballot, voters should remove the tab at the top of the ballot, place the ballot in the envelope and sign the ballot. Signatures are used to validate ballots.

What’s missing?

Voters can return their ballot at one of the county’s 24/7 drop boxes (listed below), at one of the county’s in-person vote centers or through the mail. However, Stern said those choosing to mail their ballot should do so by Oct. 26 to ensure that the ballot is received by Election Day, not just postmarked before then. Stern is also encouraging voters to use the drop boxes, which he says are the most secure and swift way to turn in a ballot.

Ballots in drop boxes are under 24/7 surveillance and ballots are picked up once a day by bipartisan teams and placed into sealed bags, to only be opened by those teams at the county’s vote counting facility.

Ballots must be placed into a drop box by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

If the county identifies an issue with a ballot such as a signature not matching the one on file at the county, the county will send them a letter notifying them they have eight days to get in touch with the county to fix or “cure” their ballot, in order for their vote to be counted.

Residents can sign up to track

their ballot and confirm it has been counted using the county’s ballottrax system at www.jeffco.us/3313/ Track-Your-Ballot.

Jeffco residents can also vote in-person at several voting centers, starting on Oct. 19. A list of those centers and their hours and days of operation can be found at www. jeffco.us/3907/Find-Voting-Locations.

The county starts counting ballots as they are received, beginning about two weeks ahead of election day. However, no results will be posted until 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. The first results will be posted just after 7 p.m. with additional updates being posted at least every two hours. Election night results do not mean the end of counting however.

Counting last-minute provisional ballots, oversea and mail ballots and cured ballots, as well as a mandatory audit of the county’s votecounty system means the results of the election will not be certified until about three weeks after Election Day. “If you want results sooner, vote sooner,” Stern said.

Drop Off Locations Here is a list of ballot drop off locations in Littleton. Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Arvada and Westminster: Littleton Columbine Library 7706 W. Bowles Ave. Lilley Gulch Recreation Center 6147 S Holland Way Ridge Recreation Center 6613 S Ward St. South Jeffco Service Center 11139 Bradford Road Lakewood Belmar Library 55 S. Allison Parkway Carmody Recreation Center 2200 S. Kipling St. Foothills Fieldhouse 3606 S. Independence St. Green Mountain Recreation Center

13198 W. Green Mountain Drive Jeffco Public Health 645 Parfet St. Lakewood City Hall 480 S Allison Parkway Lakewood Library 10200 W. 20th Ave. Lakewood Link Recreation Center 1295 S. Reed St. Red Rocks Community College Environmental Tech Building 13302 Fox Run Wheat Ridge Anderson Park 9110 W. 44th Ave. Wheat Ridge City Hall 7500 W. 29th Ave. Golden Colorado School of Mines 1400 Illinois St. Golden City Hall 911 10th St. Jeffco Courts and Admin Building (northeast side) 100 Jefferson County Parkway Jeffco Elections Division 3500 Illinois St Arvada Apex Recreation Center 13150 W 72nd Ave. Arvada City Hall 8001 Ralston Road Arvada City Hall 8101 Ralston Road Arvada Motor Vehicle 6510 Wadsworth Boulevard#320 Jeffco Public Health 5150 Allison St. Standley Lake Library 8485 Kipling St. West Woods Community Station 6644 Kendrick Drive Whisper Creek Community Station 14360 W. 89th Drive Westminster City Park Recreation Center 10455 Sheridan Boulevard West View Recreation Center 10747 W. 108th Ave. Westminster Sports Center 6051 W. 95th Ave.

COLORADO’S SEVEN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Arvada Press 27

0October 8, 2020

DORAY FROM PAGE 10

how much I want to do this! – bivouac overnight on the face of a rock.

And, of course, this is not just about the physical limitations many of us will face. For example, it positively wilts me to even consider that I truly, actually will never be fluent in French or Italian or conversational Spanish, even though I have a gift for languages and an ear for pronuncia-

ALCORN FROM PAGE 10

the leadership of our country?

I admire anyone, on any level, who is willing to step into the ring and engage

tion. I have unopened Rosetta Stone, Pimler and In Flight language programs sitting on my shelf, and this one hurts.

Plus, like most of us, I play the “what if ” game. What if I had attempted a law degree – which I might have loved – instead of English, which I do love. What if I had found a way to explore and live and work in Europe during my 20s … and learned French, Italian and Spanish along the way.

What if I had become a foreign news correspondent (think Richard

Engle). Or a sports analyst (at which I’m really good … ask anyone). Or an astronaut … except that women weren’t welcome at the Air Force Academy when it was my turn to try.

And, despite my overwhelming desire, it has become distressingly clear that I’ll never have the financial means to leave my job to help refugees on the border, to build houses after a hurricane, to bring clean water to villages or provide relief to the oppressed … although I do hold these thoughts for when I am able to retire.

I am beginning to comprehend that,

yes, I am who I am, and I am where I am, right now. That’s why I’m taking time to reflect this week … to appreciate what I already do well, to inspire myself to keep trying (not Horsethief Bench, but maybe the new Palisade Plunge?), as well as to facilitate finding fulfillment in the present.

Now, that’s something to contemplate.

in the battle of ideas. But anybody who watched the debate or who has had to view the endless Senate campaign commercials has to know that we no longer have a battle of ideas at the top level — we have a clash of personalities and budgets and strategies, almost completely bereft of ideas.

Can a lottery really do any worse?

on’s Blade,” is available at Amazon. com, on Kindle, or through MichaelJAlcorn.com.” His opinions are not necessarily those of Colorado Community Media.

Michael Alcorn is a teacher and writer who lives in Arvada with his wife and three children. His new novel, “Char-

Andrea Doray is a writer who, even as a civilian, sincerely wants to go to Mars.

Seriously … ask anyone. Or contact Andrea at a.doray@andreadoray.com.

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28 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020O

Norbeto Mojardin, a fashion designer, sews 900 masks, which were donated to hospitals during the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COURTESY PHOTOS

HECHO FROM PAGE 12

Norbeto Mojardin Norbeto Mojardin is an artist that can do it all.

He is a fashion designer, dancer, hair stylist, painter with a current focus on acrylics and creates with paper mâché — to name a few of his talents.

“Art invokes positivity,” Mojardin said. “By doing art, any type of art, I can express myself.”

Mojardin’s work in the Hecho en Colorado exhibit is an elaborate evening gown with intricate designs of white birds and a colorful flora pattern on a black background.

“Artists need to be involved in

their community,” Mojardin said.

“It’s inspirational when people can experience different types of art.”

Mojardin, 46, has been an artist all his life. He was born in Sonora, Mexico, and grew up in Arizona. As a survivor of abuse, he relocated to Colorado about 25 years ago to start a new life and “create a new world” for himself, he said.

One reason he chose Colorado was because he loved the landscape, Mojardin said.

When he was a teen and young adult, Mojardin was involved in dance, namely folk and ballet.

He discovered Denver when he performed for Pope John Paul II during his 1993 visit for World Youth Day. “For me, Colorado is such a special place,” Mojardin said. “I will always feel that.”

Mojardin has been doing hair for nearly two decades — his passion for it stemming from the enjoyment of “helping women feel comfortable and happy with their identity,” Mojardin said. His salon, Beto’s Hair Studio, is located at 5940 E. Colfax Ave., which is near the border of Denver’s Montclair and South Park Hill neighborhoods.

Mojardin believes that everyone is an artist of sorts.

“All of us were born with a gift,” Mojardin said, adding that his hope is that his art will inspire positivity in others. His art something that he will leave behind for people to appreciate for many generations to come, he said. “I’m one who was lucky enough to have found this gift.”

Victor Escobedo’s Mayan heritage is prominent in some of his artwork, but he also incorporates influences from all over the world.

Victor Escobedo As a child, Victor Escobedo was the one who was always doodling on the desks in school classrooms.

“I’ve always been interested in art,” the now 35-year-old said.

“But I don’t subscribe to one thing.”

As an artist, Escobedo has formal training as an illustrator, but enjoys working with a variety of media.

His work in the Hecho en Colorado exhibit is a painting of a jaguar called Rey de la Selva, which translates to King of the Jungle in English.

“The symbolism reflects my Mayan roots, paired with hip-hop

culture,” Escobedo said of the painting, adding that the jaguar is the apex predator of the Mayan region.

The piece is a smaller re-creation of a 10 foot-by-10 foot mural that Escobedo had been working on in collaboration with Denver artists Emanuel Martínez and David Ocelotl García — who also have works in the Hecho en Colorado exhibit — for the Chicano/a Murals of Colorado Project.

Hailing from artisans from Yucatán, Mexico, Escobedo is the first generation in his family born in the United States.

“I grew up in a hub of culture,” Escobedo said of his upbringing in Los Angeles.

Joining his mother who had relocated to Colorado to live in a place that, at the time, was economically more viable, Escobedo moved to Denver in 2006 shortly after graduating high school.

He went on to earn a degree in 2011 from the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design in Lakewood.

Art is not currently his primary income — Escobedo makes a living doing odd jobs such as in the construction industry. He has also done some teaching/art instruction for middle-and-highschoolers.

“It’s the youth culture that informs everyone else,” Escobedo said.

While his Mayan heritage is prominent in some of his work, Escobedo also incorporates influences from all over the world in his art, he said.

To him, “art is me being able to be real.”

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LETTERS FROM PAGE 10

carry on our legacy, our future.That in itself should be enough for people to realize that if we do not properly fund public education, we fail our children and our future.If Amendment B passes, yes, the assessment rate will freeze, and if the value of your home goes up, you will pay more in property taxes. Since that is what funds our public schools, isn’t it our obligation as members of society to take on that burden? Over $11 billion has been robbed from public education funding in the last ten years, isn’t it about time to put an end to us robbing our future of a quality public education?Vote YES on Amendment B. Lori Goldstein, Westminster Three-party system Fortunate to have been born in the United States, I’ve been proud of my country. We’ve make mistakes like wars, invasions, but all countries have issues.

In 2016 I was surprised to hear “Make America Great Again” because I thought we were doing quite well.

How the past 4 years have turned out: We have the highest number of Covid 19 cases in the World, per population. For several days, we had the worst air pollution in the world because of fires caused by drought and exacerbated by climate change. We have the highest health care costs, one of the highest infant mortality rates.

Rampant racism is now encouraged and promoted. Babies have been torn from their parent’s arms and put them into cages. (Give me your tired, your

poor and your huddled masses...)

We haven’t honored our commitments to our allies and have withdrawn from treaties. Women’s rights are being trampled.

Scientists are denigrated for their work. The poor’s protections such as the ACA are being taken away.

National Parks are targeted for oil and gas drilling, soon to be obsolete sources of energy.

Teachers are poorly paid and the top education administrator knows nothing about public education.

Our balanced system of Government, Judicial, Executive, and Legislative, has been ignored.

One positive thing that will please those who have advocated for a threeparty political system, is that we now have one: Democrats, Republicans, and Trumpers.

Kathleen Flynn, Arvada

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Following Hitler playbook Whether it’s anti-abortion, antiimmigration, anti-environment, antihealth-care, anti-taxes or just anti-big government, the GOP uses these issues to fire up its primary base. This is a cohort of people whose lives have been seriously impacted by modern technology and whose jobs have been moved offshore by a 21st Century global economy. This is a cohort of people who were trained with skills for the 20th Century, now unable to find good paying jobs in the 21st.

Today’s GOP offers a message that tries to take this cohort back to better days. They use a propaganda playbook similar to what Adolf Hitler used 100 years ago. In Hitler’s case German people were downtrodden by the loss of the war and general world depression. He fired up his base with a propaganda machine, created by

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep in mind the following rules: • Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail.

• Submit your letter in a Word document or in the body of an email. No PDFs, please.

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• Letters will be considered only from people living in Colorado Community Media’s circulation area in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, Elbert and Jefferson counties.

• We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length.

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Joseph Goebbels, denigrating and dehumanizing Jewish people. Goebbels motivated the people to take violent action against the Jews: Kristallnacht, November 9 – 10, 1938. The result was the vigilante style destruction of entire Jewish neighborhoods.

It appears to me that the GOP’s propaganda machine, Fox News and other right wingers, was ready-made to poison followers thinking about immigrants, environmentalist, promoters of women’s rights, big government, and scientific thought in general. The

result is a cohort of US citizens, many of whom are now willing to accept whatever the party tells them without question.

Recent news stories about “Proud Boys” suggest that White Supremacists could be considering an updated version of Kristallnacht.

I yearn to live where all people are respected and welcomed. You can help to make this happen at the polls on Nov. 3. Please vote.

Bob Hoffmann, Arvada

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Arvada Press 33

LOCAL

October 8, 2020

SPORTS

Top runners shine at Class 5A Jeffco League XC Championships

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Pomona sophomore Emma Stutzman (666) leads the field near the 1-mile marker during the girls race at the Class 5A Jeffco League Cross Country Championships on Oct. 2 in Arvada. Stutzman grabbed the individual title with a time of 18 minutes, 57.7 seconds.

PHOTO BY DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ARVADA — Pomona sophomore Emma Stutzman added to her growing resume Oct. 2 during the Class 5A Jeffco League Cross Country Championships.

Stutzman easily cruised to the girls individual title with a time of 18 minutes, 57.7 seconds on the grounds of the Standley Lake Basketball Barn near Stoney Creek Golf Course in north Arvada.

“It means a lot because last year I came in third and blew the finish a little bit,” said Stutzman, who broke the school cross country record at Pomona earlier this season. “It feels really good to be able to win this one.”

The sophomore didn’t mind the several surface changes and uneven ground of the new course that hosted the 4A Jeffco League championships the day before.

“It was good. It’s a nice course. It was kind of lonely, but you just got to work with you got,” said Stutzman, who’s time was nearly 40 seconds faster that second-place. “It hits home a little bit. I train a lot in the mountains. It was nice to have a similar surface and not have a concrete course.”

Chatfield grabbed the team title with 55 points. Freshmen Reese Tucker (2nd) and Aspen Webb (4th) led the Chargers to the team victory.

Now it’s onto regionals next week.

Stutzman and the Panthers will head to Monarch High School for the 5A Region 3 meet on Thursday, Oct. 8.

“It’s definitely to win regionals,” Stutzman said of her goal next week.

On the boys side, Dakota Ridge senior Jacob White continued his winning ways. The three-time state placer grabbed his first individual conference title with a time of 15:52.1.

“I just ran,” said White, who was all by himself for the majority of the race defeating the rest of the field by nearly a minute. “I feel ready for regionals.”

Dakota Ridge grabbed it third straight 5A Jeffco team title with four runners — White, Ethan Straub, Chance Heisler and Silas Thompson — all finishing in the Top-10. Ralston Valley boys finished second with seniors James Ramey (2nd) and Jack Donze (4th) leading the way for the Mustangs.

White is looking forward the facing some tough competition at the 5A Region 1 meet Friday, Oct. 9, at Clement Park. Mountain Vista senior Harrison Witt will give White a good gage of where he is at heading into state.

“It will be so much fun. I can’t wait for next week,” White said. “It will truly be something.”

Dennis Pleuss is the Sports Information Director for Jeffco Public Schools.

For more coverage go to CHSAANow. com/Jeffco.

D’Evelyn softball finishes regular season with 15-1 record

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CONIFER — D’Evelyn softball closed out its regular season in style Sept. 30.

The Jaguars — No. 2 seed for the in the Class 4A state tournament — jumped out to an early double-digit lead on the road against No. 8-seeded Conifer.

“We knew how good Conifer is and how good Cheyenne is,” D’Evelyn coach Dan Porreco said of facing the Lobos and their junior ace Cheyenne Prieto, who sported a 1.68 ERA heading into the game. “That first inning kind of set the tone. I think it shocked them a little bit.”

D’Evelyn (15-1, 7-1 in 4A Jeffco League) put up four runs in the top of the first inning and eventually finished with an 11-4 victory in the Jaguars’ conference finale.

Freshman Peyton Marvel set the table reaching on a bunt single to start the game.

Junior Avery Garbarek drove in Marvel with an RBI single and senior Savannah Robberson added a 2-run single later in the inning.

“She (Prieto) is a great pitcher,” said Garbarek, who went 2-for-4 from the plate with 3 RBIs and a 2-run home run in the fourth inning.

“I just told my team to get contact. See ball. Hit ball. We all contributed with the little things.”

Marvel scored again in the top of the second inning after a single. The freshman reached base four of her five at-bats, scoring three times.

“It’s really big. It’s my first year and I really want to win,” said Marvel, who in following in the footsteps of her two older sisters that played softball for the Jaguars.

D’Evelyn stretched its lead to 10-0 through four innings with a 5-run fourth inning.

Senior Eve Dalla had a 2-run double before Garbarek belted her 2-run home run. The Jaguars managed 14 hits off Prieto.

“We faced Izzy (Chatfield pitcher Izzy DiNapoli) and she was probably a little faster,” Marvel said. “I feel like we are better against faster pitchers.”

Garbarek pitched four shutout innings for the Jaguars, but the junior did have her struggles at times. She struck out 11 batters, but also walked nine.

“We were not at ease the whole game because of the walks,” Porreco said. “We left her in there. She (Garbarek) gutted it out and got it done.”

Conifer got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning with a 2-run home run by sophomore Regan Pell.

Prieto crushed a 2-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to make it an 11-4 final.

“It was frustrating,” Garbarek said of the walks. “I

just had to adjust. I feel like I figured it out in the end.”

Conifer (13-3, 6-2) concluded its regular season with a big conference win. The Lobos defeated Bear Creek in extra innings which would actually knock Bear Creek (12-4, 6-2) out of the 16-team state tournament field.

Jeffco League champion Wheat Ridge (15-1, 7-1) grabbed the No. 1 seed for the state tournament. The Farmers could host league rival Conifer in the second round on Thursday, Oct. 8.

D’Evelyn was awarded the No. 2 seed where the Jaguars were scheduled to host No. 15 Air Academy on either Oct. 6 or 7.

CHSAA did make a significant announcement concerning softball last week. First, rosters were expanded from 12 to 15 immediately due to a variance granted by the Governor’s COVID Response Team.

Also, there was a change in the state tournament format that includes first-round (Oct. 6 or Oct. 7) and quarterfinal (Oct. 8) games being hosted by the higher seed. Semifinals and finals will be played Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Aurora Sports Complex.

“I’m so glad. I really like it,” Porreco said of the changes in the state tournament that originally was set as a one-day state tournament with the winner having to win four games in one day. “These

D’Evelyn junior Mia Riebe slides back into second base ahead of a tag by Conifer sophomore Regan Pell during the Class 4A Jeffco League game Sept. 30 in Conifer. The Jaguars won 11-4 to finish the regular season with a 15-1 record. D’Evelyn was awarded with the No. 2 seed for the 4A state tournament that ends Oct. 10 at Aurora Sports Park.

PHOTOS BY DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS D’Evelyn freshman Peyton Marvel races down the line during a bunt single during the Jaguars’ 4-run first inning against Conifer on Sept.

30. D’Evelyn took an 11-4 road victory in its regularseason finale. great athletes can’t play four games in one day. It’s nice.”

Dennis Pleuss is the Sports

Information Director for Jeffco Public Schools. For more coverage go to CHSAANow. com/Jeffco.

34 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020O

C R O S SWO R D P U Z Z L E

Golden sophomore Lily Mourer finished second to help the Demons to the girls Class 4A Jeffco League team title.

PHOTOS BY DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Green Mountain senior Graham Tuohy-Gaydos pulls off three-peat

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ARVADA — Green Mountain senior Grahm Tuohy-Gaydos and Evergreen senior Sarah Allen have made the most of their opportunities so far this cross country season.

Tuohy-Gaydos and Allen claimed the individual titles at the Class 4A Jeffco League Cross Country Championships held Oct. 1 at Standley Lake Basketball Barn in Arvada.

Tuohy-Gaydos continued his extremely successful prep running career at Green Mountain. He will go down as one of the most decorated boys runners in 4A Jeffco history. He finished Top-10 at the league championships as a freshman before winning three straight individual conference titles.

“It’s really rare and I’m really lucky to be able to do that,” Tuohy-Gaydos said of his three-peat.

Tuohy-Gaydos has won every race he has entered this Fall and continued his streak on Thursday. However, the senior is more focused on the team goals for the Rams.

“Really when it comes to these races it’s not really about getting a time.

It’s about helping the team,” TuohyGaydos said after his time of 15:59.7

Green Mountain senior Grahm TuohyGaydos won his third straight Class 4A Jeffco League individual title with a sub16 minute time Oct. 1 in Arvada. claimed the 4A Jeffco boys individual championship. “My time was sub-16 which on a course like this with a lot of surface changes and hills, I’m pretty happy with it.”

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Arvada Press 37

0October 8, 2020

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38 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020O

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Arvada Press 39

0October 8, 2020

After season nearly postponed, local teams gear up for fall football

BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“Helmets off, masks on” yelled Golden High School football coach Jared Yannacito as the team got set to begin their stretches at the start of their second practice of the season on Sept. 25.

It’s not a phrase one would expect to hear at a football practice, except in the year 2020 where it will become commonplace as Yannacito and coaches across Jeffco attempt to navigate playing a football season in the midst of a pandemic that nearly moved the season to the spring.

“It feels awesome, its so exciting to be back out here,” said Yannacito. “Every single day we are out here it is a gift and I am approaching that way.”

Jefferson County Public Schools’ high schools recently joined what the Denver Post reported on Sept. 22 was a total of 218 teams in making the decision to play this fall after the Colorado High School Activities Association announced it was reversing course on the decision to postpone the season.

Jim Thyfault, the executive director of athletics and activities for the district, said it was a combination of factors, including test positivity rates being in the 2% rate at the time the decision was made and the success the district has had with starting other fall sports, including softball and tennis,

SCHEDULE INFO The six-game season will start on Oct. 8 with games being played on Thursdays and Friday nights and Saturday afternoons.

It will wrap up on Saturday, Nov. 14 with the top eight teams in each classification advancing to the playoffs.

The full schedule can be found on www.jeffcopublicschools.org/ under the programs pull-down menu for athletics.

Individual school schedules are available at www.jeffcok12events.org that CHSAA approved to begin on time that led the district to move forward with participating in fall football.

“We determined that the fall would probably be best just in the sense that we are being given the opportunity to play now and we should probably take the opportunity because we don’t know what spring might bring,” Thyfault said.

“If we opted to play in spring and got to March and there was a shutdown like last year and we passed up the opportunity to play in the fall we felt like there wouldn’t be very many happy people.”

But while the season is now going ahead, this will not be a season as Jeffco’s teams and fans have come to know it. For one, it will be shorter at six games as opposed to the usual 10. For another, it is not yet known how many fans will be to attend games—or whether anyone might be able to at all.

LEAGUE FROM PAGE 34

Green Mountain was just edged out by Conifer for the team title. The Lobos were paced by seniors Zack Gacnik, Topi Alahuhta and junior Isaac Vanwestrienen. The Conifer trio all placed in the Top-5 to give the Lobos 38 team points. Green Mountain finished with 42.

“Our team goal this year is to qualify for state,” Grahm Tuohy-Gaydos said. “For me, my individual goals are all intertwined with that. Whatever I can do to help my team qualify for state and win races is my goal.”

Junior wide receiver and linebacker Eddie O’Sullivan throws a pass during practice at Bell Middle School on Sept. 25.

PHOTO BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO Thyfault said it will be up to Jeffco Public Health to make that decision, which is not expected until the week prior to the start of games on Oct. 8. It will also ultimately be up to Jeffco Public Health to determine whether the season needs to be postponed or canceled if it determines that cases have increased to a point that it no longer makes sense for football to continue.

However, Thyfault said he is feeling confident that won’t happen and cited the lack of issues with the fall sports like

It has been a tough prep career for Allen. She didn’t make varsity her freshman year and then came down with bronchitis her sophomore year.

Last year, she suffered stress fractures that prevented her from running for a second straight season.

“This is the first time of making it to this point,” Allen said, who has won all seven cross country races she has entered this season. “I’m really proud of it. Running is my favorite thing.

Getting to this point feels so rewarding.”

Allen was able to pull away from Mourer and Standley Lake senior Sophia Abernethey — both returning first-time all-conference runners — to keep momentum heading into region-

softball and tennis that have already started playing, as well as the team’s commitment to safety. He described the coaches as being very in tune with guidelines that have been established for football and said he has directed all teams to assign an assistant coach to be the COVID coach responsible for making sure guidelines and expectations are followed.

“We’re very much sure that we’re following the protocol, and doing things the right way, because we don’t want to jeopardize, you know, not hav-

als next week.

“I really want to keep up with the faster girls,” Allen said of moving into regionals for the Cougars on Thursday, Oct. 8, in Gypsum. “The girls at regionals are really good.”

Golden’s girls just edged D’Evelyn by two points to win the team title.

Mourer and junior Meredith Overton finished in the Top-5 to pace the Demons.

The Jeffco League Cross Country Championships did look different with 4A teams competing Thursday and 5A teams running the same course coming up Friday afternoon.

Normally both 5A and 4A run on the same day, but due to COVID guidelines the championships had to be

ing the opportunity to play,” he said.

For Golden High School quarterback Joey Mancuso, the chance to get to compete is an exciting, if bittersweet, one.

“It is a little disappointing that we won’t have all the normal fun parts of football season like homecoming games and a ton of fans, packed stadiums and things like that,” he said. “But we understand why we can’t have those things and are excited to be out here practicing with the team.”

split into two days.

Tuohy-Gaydos is extremely grateful of the cross country season during the current pandemic.

“I’m really appreciate CHSAA for one, allowing us to race. That is first and foremost,” Tuohy-Gaydos said. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to run this year as a senior. It makes me feel happy that people are following mask rules. I’m somebody who has family members that are high risk. I appreciate for what everyone is doing.”

Dennis Pleuss is the Sports Information Director for Jeffco Public Schools.

For more coverage go to CHSAANow. com/Jeffco.

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES October 5, 2020:

Public Notice

form go to

CB 20-027

you wish to view. The full text version is also available in printed form in the City Clerk’s office.

Contact 720.898.7550 if you have questions.

CB 20-028 An Ordinance Appropriating Funds for Fiscal Year 2021

An Ordinance Certifying the City of

www.arvada.org/legalnotices, click on Current LeArvada Mill Levy for 2020 for the Board of County Legals Public Notices callOrdinance Sheree 303.566.4088 legals@coloradocommunitymedia.com Commissioners for Jefferson and Adams Counties. #4742 An Ordinance Authorizing an NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING gal Notices, then click on the title of the ordinance

City and County PUBLIC NOTICE The following ordinances were adopted by the City Council of the City of Arvada on second reading following the public hearing held on

Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Arvada and State of Colorado to Allow the Use of the Department of Revenue’s Sales and Use Tax Software (“SUTS”) System.

Legal Notice No. 408336 First Publication: October 8, 2020 Last Publication: October 8, 2020 Publisher: Jeffco Transcript

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT at the meeting of the Arvada City Council to be held on MONDAY, October 19, 2020, at 6:15 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada CO, City Council will hold a public hearing on the following proposed ordinances and thereafter will consider them for final passage and adoption. Members of the public may join virtually by emailing broome@ arvada.org. The email must mention this meeting date. For the full text version in electronic

CB 20-026 An Ordinance Repealing and Reenacting Section 74-31, Land-Use Fees, of Article II, Community Development Department Service Fees, of Chapter 74, Planning and Development, of the Arvada City Code.

Legal Notice No. 408335 First Publication: October 8, 2020 Last Publication: October 8, 2020 Publisher: Jeffco Transcript

###

Arvada Legals 10.8.20 * 1

40 Arvada Press

October 8, 2020

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