Taste of Arvada
One of Arvada’s favorite events is set to return, as Taste of Arvada — the annual showcase of the city’s best bites
As usual, the event — which sees dozens of local restaurants, breweries, distilleries, co ee shops and bakeries o er samples to folks — is hosted by the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce and will be held at the Apex Center from 6 to 8 p.m., though VIP attendees can get in at 5 p.m. and will
Some newcomers are going to be at Taste for the rst time this year, including Freedom Street Social tenants Miss Amie’s Pizza and R!ot Grille, in addition to other local establishments like Heaven Creamery, Jackrabbit’s Co ee, Road Dips Mini Pancakes and Olde Town’s favorite taco spot, Cochino Taco, will be at Taste for the rst
“ e best thing about Taste is that you may have been to the event before, but it’s always going to be something new and di erent based on new vendors,” said Samantha Geerdes, the Chamber’s vice president of events
Geerdes also mentioned that while the bites and sips might be little, they’re abundant in quantity, so no
“It’s important to note that the price of admission gets you all of the samples of food and drinks that you could want,” Geerdes said. “So once you’re in the door, you’re not paying for anything. We promise you will not leave hungry or thirsty. ere’s lots of di erent things to try, both food and drinkwise.”
First-ever Arvada Powwow draws thousands of attendees
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Arvada’s rst-ever Powwow was such a success that the Arvada Center is already looking to make the celebra-
tion of Indigenous culture an annual xture. ousands of people ocked to the Arvada Center Sculpture Garden on June 7 for the free event, which was hosted in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce. e event was highlighted by the Grand Entry, which saw dancers from all of the nations present enter the arena in procession, accompanied by sponsors and other esteemed guests, including
Arvada Mayor Lauren Simpson.
“ e Grand Entry dancers were accompanied by all nine drums present, meaning drum circles, including the drummers and singers,” Arvada Center Communications and Public Relations Specialist Leslie Simon said. “Another highlight was the traditional Gourd Dance, and the honoring of the Head Gourd Dancer, who in turn
Tickets usually sell out in advance of the event and are not available at the door, so folks must buy in advance. Geerdes said that VIP tickets typically sell out by the end of June. e event will also feature a competition portion, which will see attendees vote on their favorite samples in a number of categories, including Best Overall Bites, Best Savory Bite, Best Sweet Treat and Favorite Cocktail.
Live music at the event will be provided by the student band from Deeply Rooted Music School and headliners Wichita Run.
Geerdes also said there are volunteer opportunities available for folks who want to help with checking IDs, stamping tickets and helping clean up.
Tickets for Taste of Arvada can be purchased at arvadachamber.org/ taste.
Thousands of people attended the first Arvada Powwow. COURTESY PHOTO
New Image Brewing moving into former Mangiami’s space in Olde Town
Popular partnership with Arty’s Express prompts longtime Arvada brewery to move into new digs
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
It’s been a busy year for New Image Brewing.
Months after shuttering its farm-totable concept Table in favor of a more casual burger-focused menu courtesy of Arty’s Express, the Arvada-based beer maker has outgrown its Yukon Street digs and will be moving across the Olde Town pedestrian walkway into the old Mangiami’s location at 5614 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard.
To kick o the transition, New Image and Arty’s held a pop-up in their new space on June 14 and 15 — about a month later, on July 12, the brewery and restaurant will host a grand opening and be completely moved out of their 5622 Yukon St. location, which will remain open in the interim.
New Image’s General Manager Butch Gregg said that the demand ushered in by Arty’s — a spino of Little Arthur’s Hoagies which was the subject of a viral internet meme that helped draw folks — made staying on Yukon Street unrealistic. e new location will have table service, whereas the old spot had folks order at the counter.
“We’re really excited to get in there, have our grand opening and expand the
menu a little bit,” Gregg said. “We’re going to bring some salads and some fun stu on the food side, and all the same New Image stu . So, still doing really good cocktails with fresh-squeezed juice and all local Colorado spirits.
“We’re just excited to bring more. I think the big thing for me is just the service aspect. We’re going to more table service. e demand has just been astronomical, and I think the service, in the way that we had set it up, was kind of lacking a little bit. When you have 12-person lines on a Friday night, it doesn’t really feel great. So, we’re excited to get people what they want much more quickly and at a better pace.”
Gregg said the move will also preempt New Image and Arty’s to formalize their partnership. Both brands are on the door,
Sell Practical marketing solutions to local businesses.
Sales territories currently available in various communities.
and Gregg said one side of the restaurant will be more food-focused while the other half will be more beer-oriented.
“Now that we feel con dent in the future of this partnership, the rst thing we wanted was a bigger kitchen,” Gregg said. “ e second thing we want is to be able to be in a better spot. When (New Image Founder) Brandon (Capps) was rst starting the business 10 years ago, he wanted to be on Olde Wadsworth.
“When Mangiami’s opened up, we had a meeting with the landlord, and it was just super seamless and easy,” Gregg continued. “It’s never easy to move a restaurant, but it’s way easier when it’s only a block away. We’re just able to do so much more there, and there’s just so much more walk-through tra c. So, we’re really excited to have a little bit of a tailwind behind us, rather than a headwind.”
Mangiami’s closed after being seized twice by the city of Arvada for unpaid
taxes. e restaurant was the brainchild of the team behind the former Olde Town vegan eatery Urban Beets.
Olde Town Business Improvement District Executive Director Joe Hengstler said he is looking forward to New Image moving into its new digs.
“New Image has become synonymous with great, quality beer,” Hengstler said. “Not only were they one of the rst in the state to dive into hazy IPAs, they have also really expanded their o erings over the years with di erent styles and collaborations with some of the state’s most respected breweries.
“It has been awesome to watch them expand over the years,” Hengstler continued. “ e addition of Arty’s and a new food menu has made them a destination not only for beer, but also amazing food. We are so glad that they have made the decision to stay in Olde Town and continue to grow.”
Carjacking suspect arrested after vehicle belonging to Arvada mom stolen
Man arrested after stealing a car while 3-year-old was present
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A man has been arrested on suspicion of carjacking after a mom was pulled out of her 2020 black Subaru while her child was in it. While the mom was able to get her 3-year-old out of the car, the man
absconded with the vehicle, which was eventually tracked down by authorities. At 10:42 a.m. on June 10, Arvada Police O cers were dispatched to 5101 Kipling St. on a report of aggravated robbery. e investigation revealed that a male — described as a white man of average height with a slim build, in his 50s, wearing shorts and a T-shirt — approached the female victim, claiming that she was in danger.
“Somebody is chasing me; they are going to kill me,” the man allegedly said. e victim began screaming for help and tried to get her 3-year-old child out of the car before the man could get away with the car, which she was able to do successfully, though both the victim and her child sustained minor injuries.
A witness said the victim was “trying to ght a guy o , and the guy was telling her, they are going to kill me.”
e stolen vehicle was tracked to the area of 2nd Street and Ford Street in Golden.
O cers from APD, Golden Police Department, the Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce and the auto theft task force responded to the area, and a suspect, later identi ed as Clifton William White, was arrested as he was reportedly agging down cars on Highway 58 and Highway 6. White, 55, is being held in the Je erson County Jail on $50,000 bond for the charge of aggravated robbery.
New Image Brewing and Arty’s are moving a block over to Olde Wadsworth. COURTESY PHOTO
The mural at the new location of New Image/Arty’s. COURTESY PHOTO
Sellers Are Putting Homes on the MLS, But Buyers Are Playing Hard to Get
In this article, I’m going to provide a market analysis that you won’t find anywhere else. Using my access to the Denver MLS, I will show you what is happening among listings within a 25-mile radius of downtown Denver that are active, pending and sold between $550,000 and $650,000.
I chose the price range because $600,000 is the median sold price in our market, unchanged from a year ago. I chose the 25-mile radius because that defines the metro area in my opinion. Every other statistical report you’ll read analyzes listings in 7 to 10 metro area counties, some of which extend many miles into the mountains (Park county) or out onto the plains (Adams, Arapahoe and Elbert counties). If you live in the Denver metro area as most people define it, my statistics are going to more accurately reflect the reality of our metro market.
Currently, as I write this on Tuesday, there are 1,543 active single family homes listed in that price range and in that 25-mile radius on REcolorado. Only 180 of them have been on the market 7 days or less, so 88.3% of them have been on the MLS over a week without selling
dian listing sold for its listing price, but 20 sold for between 5 and 14 percent below the listing price.
Median days on the MLS is 38
738 listings are “pending,” and 219 of them went under contract within 7 days, so 70.3% of them lingered on the market over a week before selling. Median days on market for the pending listings is 11
Now let’s look at the 561 listings which closed in the last 30 days, not the month of May. Ten of them sold before they were entered on the MLS, and another 224 went under contract in 7 days or less. So, 57.9% of those closed listings lingered on the MLS over a week. Median days on the MLS before going under contract was 11. The me-
Denver Leads the Nation in Increase of Unsold Listings
Compare those percentages, which I have put in bold for easy spotting. There’s over a 30% difference between the percentage of sold and active listings that have lingered unsold on the MLS for over a week.
Also compare the days on MLS. The median pending and closed listings went under contract in 11 days, but the active listings have a median days on MLS of 38. Any real estate professional will tell you it’s pricing. Many active listings may now be at a price that would have sold quickly, but they were overpriced in the beginning and now fail to get buyers’ attention.
979 days on the MLS — 95 have reduced their prices, but not enough to go under contract yet. Some of those price reductions are pretty dramatic, too. Nine of them have reduced their prices by $100,000 or more, and one by $250,000 — and they still haven’t gone under contract! As mentioned above, I would wager that if those listings had started out at their current price as new listings, they would have sold quickly and possibly above their current listing price, but they remain active today as stale listings, which are harder to sell at any price.
The bottom line of this analysis should be clear by now. If a home is not priced right in the beginning, it runs the risk of lingering on the market. Price reductions should be considered within a week if there are few showings and no offers. Don’t wait a month or longer to reduce the price.
The above article first appeared on the real estate page of last Saturday’s Denver Post.
Decline in First-Time Homebuyers
The chart from realtor.com displayed below shows the wide disparity in the increase of active listings compared to before the pandemic. The darker the red, the greater the increase over pre-pandemic levels, and Denver is the darkest at a 100% increase, or double the number of pre-pandemic listings. Coming in second was Austin with 69% increase, then Seattle with 60.9% increase.
Of course, many of those active listings which haven’t sold will either be withdrawn from the MLS or will expire without selling. Indeed, there are already 87 listings in that price range in that area that were “withdrawn” from the MLS in the last 30 days. That means they are still subject to a listing agreement but have been withdrawn from the MLS for one reason or another. The median days on the MLS before being withdrawn was 41.
The cities in blue still don’t have as many active listings as they did prior to the pandemic. Worst cases are Hartford at minus 77.7%, Chicago at minus 59.3%, and Virginia Beach at minus 56.7%.
See http://RealEstateToday.substack.com for additional analysis.
Check Out My Two Blogs
Everything you read in this ad (and more) is posted on our Real Estate Today Substack blog. Scan the QR code at left to open and subscribe to it — free of course. Each article and listing is there, often with additional content and graphics, plus useful hyperlinks.
My other Substack is Talking Turkey, a left-of-center political blog. It is not in print anywhere. Click on the QR code at right if you would like to see what I have to say.
There are 760 listings in that price range and area which “expired” without selling in the last 30 days, with a median days on the MLS of 70. Of them, 51 expired despite price reductions of up to $125,000.
Of the 100 oldest sold listings (between 68 and 339 days on the MLS) that went under contract in that price range and in that area, all but 9 of them only sold after reducing their listing price at least once. The average price reduction was $39,000, with the highest being $251,000.
Among the 100 oldest listings that are still active on REcolorado — ranging from 152 to
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports only 24% of housing sales last year were by first-time homebuyers, down from 50% in 2010. The typical purchaser is also older than in the past, with an average age of 38, or about 10 years above historical norms.
Roughly 20% of listed homes in March were affordable for households with $75,000 in annual income, according to a NAR analysis of property listings. Today, a household with annual income of $50,000 can only afford 8.7% of listings, down from 9.4% a year ago, according to the data.
These are national figures, however. The NAR report (for which you’ll find a hyperlink at http;// RealEstateToday.substack.com) does not provide separate figures for our market, which is probably even more severe in this regard.
These Past “Real Estate Today” Columns May Interest You
Clickable links for each column can be found at www.JimSmithColumns.com
Feb. 20, 2025 — We Have a Tool to Help You Find the ‘Perfect’ Home That’s Not on the MLS
Dec. 26, 2024 — As Pro-Tenant Laws Expand, Some Small Landlords Are Considering Cashing Out
Dec. 19, 2024 — What Are the Costs of Buying or Selling a Home in Colorado?
Nov. 7, 2024 — We Need to Take Seriously the Pollutants Emitted When Cooking With Gas
Oct. 31, 2024 — Cooperative Living Presents an Attractive Alternative for Downsizing Seniors
Sept. 26, 2024 — Some Thoughts on Keeping Your Death From Becoming an Undue Burden on Your Heirs
Sept. 5, 2024 — What Knowledge and Skills Should You Expect Your Real Estate Agent to Have?
Aug. 8, 2024 — Seniors Over 70 Might Consider Downsizing Into a Rental, Not a Smaller Home
July 25, 2024 — Many Homeowners Don’t Understand Title Issues, Which Could Lead to Big Problems Later On
June 6, 2024 — Here Are Some Simple Steps to Take to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises After Closing
Mar. 21, 2024 — What’s Behind the Buzz About ‘Indoor Air Quality’ and ‘Sick Building Syndrome’?
Feb. 22, 2024 — Most Sellers Don’t Know How to Interview a Listing Agent. Here’s Some Guidance.
Dec. 21, 2023 — D.R. Horton Inks Deal to Build Homes With OSB Made From Grass Instead of Wood
Nov. 23, 2023 — Scamming Has Become Its Own Industry, and We’re All Prospective Victims
Sept. 28, 2023 — Insurance Companies Are Pulling Out of California. Is That in Our Future?
Aug. 10, 2023 — What Are Some Common Mistakes That Homeowners Make When Selling?
June 15, 2023 — Don’t Let Capital Gains Tax Deter You From Cashing Out on an Investment Property
May 11, 2023 — Do Agents Inflate the Cost of Buying or Selling Your Home with ‘Junk Fees’?
Apr. 20, 2023 — What Are Some Affordable Ways to Make Your Home More Attractive to Buyers?
Mar. 16, 2023 — Here Are Some Ways to Make Your Home More Accommodating to Seniors
Feb. 9, 2023 — Understanding Indoor Air Quality and How It’s Managed in Super-Insulated Homes
Oct. 27, 2022 — Sales Taxes May Be Lower, But Property Taxes Are Higher in Unincorporated Areas
Oct. 6, 2022 — How to Make Sure That the House You Buy Will Not Be a ‘Money Pit’
Sept. 22, 2022 — What Steps Can You Take to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?
July 28, 2022 — Aging in Place vs. Moving to a 55+ Community: Here Are Some Considerations
May 26, 2022 — Reflections on Selling Our Home and Moving Into a 55+ Rental Community
Jan. 6, 2022 — Marshall Fire Is a Wake-up Call for Building More Fire-Resistant Homes
Dec. 2, 2021 — My Favorite Home Improvements When Purchasing a New-to-Me Home
Oct. 14, 2021 — Court Rules That Sending an Email Can Bind You, Even Without Signing It
Oct. 7, 2021 — What Are the Most Common Foundation Issues You Might Encounter in a Home?
Sheri closes Weiss investigation
No victims found in child pornography investigation
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG
e Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce has closed its investigation into former Je co Public Schools Chief of Schools David Weiss, nding no evidence that he had direct contact with minors, either in person or online, according to a June 11 press release.
Weiss
e case began in late 2024 after a cyber tip from a nancial brokerage indicated Weiss used bitcoin to purchase child pornography. Investigators executed a search warrant at his Morrison home on Dec. 19 and seized multiple electronic devices.
Weiss was red the same day. Less than two weeks later, the sheri ’s o ce was noti ed that he had died by suicide in Maryland.
Despite his death, the investigation continued.
Forensic experts at the Rocky Mountain Regional Computer Forensic Lab con rmed Weiss had purchased child pornography but found no indication of contact with juveniles or locally produced material, the sheri ’s o ce said.
Weiss joined the district as an administrator in 2012 and became Chief of Schools in 2022. Following his death, Superintendent Tracy Dorland and school board president Mary Parker emphasized the district’s commitment to student safety and said internal systems were not believed to have been involved.
e case is now closed.
Inaugural Arvada Summerfest kicks o seasonal festivities
After merging two summer staples, Arvada Festivals Commission debuts new event
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Arvada Festivals Commission shook up its summer slate of festivities this year, merging the former seasonal staples Arvada on Tap and Arvada Days into a new festival: Arvada Summerfest.
Judging by the rst edition of Summerfest, the change might be here to stay, as the June 7 event saw a strong turnout thanks to good weather, good music and a few well-received activi-
ties.
Sean Star, Arvada’s communication director for Vibrant Community and Neighborhoods, said that he hopes the rst Summerfest is “the start of a new yearly tradition in Arvada.”
“Attendees especially enjoyed the fact it was a free event, as well as the community and family-friendly atmosphere,” Star said. “Highlights included the pet swimsuit competition and a live music lineup featuring local musicians Mighty Holler, Earl Nelson & the Company, and e Barlow.
“ e Kids Zone was another crowd favorite, o ering free face painting, in atable obstacle courses, bouncy houses, and a ninja course provided by Apex Park and Recreation District,” Star continued.
Beer sales at Summerfest raised about $3,000 for community service organizations, including the Arvada Je erson Kiwanis Club, Arvada Sunrise Rotary and the Arvada Vitality Alliance.
Adelle Burton, Arvada’s special events coordinator, said the inaugural summerfest was a triumph.
“We’re so thrilled with the turnout for the very rst Arvada Summerfest,” Burton said. “Our goal was to create a fun, inclusive event that celebrates everything we love about this community. Based on the smiles we saw all day, we think we’re o to a great start. We’re incredibly grateful to our volunteers, partners, and attendees for making it such a success.”
David
Dogs and humans both had plenty of activities at Summerfest. PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF ARVADA The first-ever Arvada Summerfest was held on June 7.
Arvada-based band The Barlow rocked the stage at Summerfest.
Renaissance Festival returns for 48th season
BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Step beyond the castle gates and into a world of kings and queens, knights and jousts, jesters, witches and wandering minstrels as the Colorado Renaissance Festival returns to Larkspur for its 48th season. e festival opened on June 14 and will remain open until Aug. 3.
Nestled within towering castle walls, this beloved summer tradition transforms a forested hillside into a bustling village, where the clang of swords, the scent of roasted turkey legs and the melodies of lute music ll the air.
is year’s event promises both beloved traditions and exciting new additions. Kristy Ekiss, operations manager and performer, said among the headliners is Adam Crack, a Guinness World Record-holding whip artist, who will perform during the festival’s rst three weekends.
New artists will also join the bustling artisan marketplace, including a stained glass creator, a permanent jewelry booth and talented graphic artists.
“I think people enjoy getting away from digital entertainment and stepping into a 360 theatrical experience,” Ekiss said.
Additionally, she said the Colorado Renaissance Festival is known for its fully immer-
sive environment, where every visitor becomes part of the show. e cast is a highlight for many, renowned for being one of the most interactive festivals around.
“We are known for having one of the friendliest and most interactive casts in the country. Look for them throughout the day in the lanes and enjoy the small one-on-one interactions just as much as the big, impressive stage shows,” Ekiss said.
Tens of thousands of attendees are expected to visit the festival throughout the summer, drawn by the mix of entertainment, shopping, food and fantasy.
“I also play the Queen on the weekends, and my favorite part is meeting the children and making them smile — especially at Royal Teatime,” Ekiss said. “I think the little moments can be just as magical as the big ones.”
As the Colorado Renaissance Festival celebrates nearly ve decades as part of the state’s summer traditions, organizers are excited to welcome back returning guests and rst-timers alike.
“We are honored to be celebrating 48 seasons as a part of the Colorado community and can’t wait to see everyone,” Ekiss said.
For details on tickets, themed weekends and special performances, visit coloradorenaissance.com/.
REVERSE MORTGAGES
Two soldiers joust on the field at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, which runs until Aug. 3 this year.
COURTESY OF DUSTIN LIANG
Young patrons dance with ladies of the court at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, which runs until Aug. 3 this year. COURTESY OF BRITT JONES
Support for Medicaid cuts low in Colorado
Just 21% favor decreased Medicaid spending
BY DELILAH BRUMER NEWSLINE
Just 21% of Colorado voters want Congress to decrease Medicaid spending, according to a recently-released poll.
Concerns about gutted health care access come as U.S. Senate Republican leaders work to push through a tax and spending bill that would cut Medicaid by an estimated $625 billion over the next decade.
e poll zeroed in on the 8th Congressional District, which includes the northern Denver metro area and parts of Weld County. In the district, where 1 in 4 residents receive Medicaid bene ts, 63% of voters said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who voted to cut Medicaid.
e 8th District is represented by Republican Gabe Evans, who voted in favor of the plan that would reduce federal Medicaid spending when it was brought to the U.S. House of Representatives in May.
A spokesperson for Evans defended the vote, saying a proposed provision to institute part-time work requirements for some people to retain Medicaid eligibility would make “the program more e cient by cutting out fraud, waste, and abuse.”
“Congressman Gabe Evans has been steadfast in his support of protecting Medicaid for the vulnerable populations it was created to serve — pregnant women, kids, and disabled people,” said spokesperson Delanie Bomar in a statement.
Evans, who was elected to the House last year, represents one of the country’s few congressional swing districts. According to the poll, 42% of voters in the district want to see increased federal Medicaid spending, 20% want it to stay about the same and 28% want it to decrease.
Medicaid, the state-federal health care program for lower-income people and some with disabilities, serves more than 70 million U.S. residents.
e poll of 675 registered Colorado voters was conducted by Broom eld-based rm Magellan Strategies on behalf of the nonpro t Healthier Colorado. It has a margin of error of 3.7%.
“Politicians are saying that they want to cut Medicaid to make it better, but the poll shows clearly that voters aren’t buying what they’re selling,” said Jake Williams, CEO of Healthier Colorado. “It shows that there’s real political peril for any candidate who votes to cut Medicaid.”
Bomar pointed to the poll’s ndings that many respondents, especially those who are Republicans or una liated, said
Medicaid “should only be for U.S. citizens or legal residents, with some calling for stricter eligibility enforcement.”
Immigrants who are in the U.S. unlawfully are not eligible for federal Medicaid bene ts, but Colorado and 13 other states provide some state-funded coverage to immigrants lacking permanent legal status. Under the proposed federal cuts, an estimated 7.8 million people, most of them citizens or lawful residents, would lose access to Medicaid, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Ofce.
Some of the main reasons cited in the
poll by respondents who said they have favorable opinions of Medicaid are the bene ts it provides to low-income Coloradans, seniors, children, people with disabilities and single parents.
“ e poll shows that Medicaid cuts would have devastating e ects for both our health and economy here in Colorado,” Williams said. “I also think it shows that Colorado voters aren’t dummies.” is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.
Testing shows PFAS in many mountain water systems
State o ers testing, help for private well owners who meet requirements
BY JANE REUTER JANE@COTLN.ORG
Conifer resident Ralf Topper was taken aback earlier this year when he saw a noti cation at his doctor’s o ce warning of chemical contamination of the domestic water supply.
In a random state test conducted in April 2024, Conifer Medical Center tested positive for PFOA or per uorooctanoic acid, part of a larger group of manmade chemicals known as PFAS or forever chemicals.
Topper has since learned the center is among many places in the area with systems containing PFAS.
“When I went on the (state) website and looked at where they had positive results, I was very surprised to see how ubiquitous this contamination was,” he said. “ is is not point sourced. is is now throughout our environment, and that’s really scary.”
Conifer High School also tested positive for the chemical, along with 26 water systems identi ed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in 2024 as exceeding the new federal standards.
Treatment systems
PFAs are human-made chemicals that resist oils, stains, water, and heat. e chemicals are common in non-stick coatings on cookware, coatings for carpets and fabrics, paper and cardboard food packaging, re ghting foams, ski wax and other products.
ey don’t break down easily and can stay in the environment and in the human body for a long time. In fact, the American Cancer Society says studies have found PFAS worldwide at very low levels in just about everyone’s blood.
Both the Conifer Medical Center and the high school, which volunteered for the testing, have since implemented treatment systems to mitigate exposure.
“No one is serving water in the area with PFAS above maximum containment levels,” said David Dani, emerging contaminants coordinator for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “ ey did detect levels about the EPA’s national containment levels.”
e EPA announced strict new maximum levels in April 2024, prompting the round of testing. At the same time, the federal government also tagged more than $10 billion to help communities test and treat drinking water — money intended for rural or disproportionately impacted areas.
While studies are ongoing, they suggest links between several health factors and PFAS exposure.
“If you don’t treat it and people are exposed to these chemicals for a long time, they may be at higher risk for certain health e ects,”
Dani said. “ e risk of health effects depends on how much of it you’re exposed to, how often and for how long.
“ e reason we are concerned is that there is strong evidence some PFAS can a ect the immune system, decrease infant birth rate, increase cholesterol, and increase the risk of kidney cancer.”
Bottled water and filters
Conifer Medical Center has taken steps to protect its clients.
“We did test positive, and they told us to post signs that no one should drink the water,” said practice administrator Denise Stuart. “Our patients are given bottled water, and our employees have a reverse osmosis system that lters the PFOA.”
Conifer High School did not return calls requesting comment, but Dani said it uses water- lling stations and carbon lters.
“One of the solutions for schools is to put in some of these treatment units that remove the PFAS and have students and faculty ll their bottles and get drinking water from those locations,” he said. “With water used for consumption for cooking, there are carbon units you can install that’ll remove the PFAS from the water.”
Help for private testing
e state provides free testing, Dani said.
“We launched a PFAS testing and assistance system to support residents with private wells to test their water,” Dani said, adding that results are inconsistent within small areas. “We may nd it in one well and a neighboring well may not detect PFAS. at’s why we encourage everyone to test and take advantage of our program.
“If they do nd PFAS in their well, we help explain what the results mean. And if they have PFAS levels above EPA drinking water standards, we have support to help certain people with water lters. ere are a lot of solutions out there.”
e lters are available to those with speci c PFAS levels who meet income eligibility requirements.
Topper, a retired senior hydrogeologist with the Colorado Division of Water Resources, wants his neighbors to know about the possible contaminants in their water. Despite his knowledge of groundwater, he said he knew woefully little about PFAS.
“I thought of PFAS or any contaminant as emanating from some sort of point source,” he said. “ e one you hear most often is re ghting foam, which is not a common use in the mountain communities. So I might expect areas around a re station could have some contamination because they certainly train with it.
“But there are a lot of sources, including cookware and clothes.
Arvada press A legal newspaper of general circulation in Je erson County, Colorado, the Arvada Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 3540 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen, CO 80439.
POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Arvada Press, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
Call first: 3540 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreeen, CO, 80439
Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110
Phone: 303-566-4100
Web: ArvadaPress.com
To subscribe call 303-566-4100 or Scan this QR Code
Maybe it washed out in the laundry or dishwasher and ends up in our septic, which of course recharges our groundwater. And we pull it up through our well and recycle it again.”
He wants his neighbors to be aware and take action if they discover it’s an issue in their home. Private wells, common in the mountains, are not regulated by maximum containment levels, so owners must test their water themselves to find out if it’s an issue in their home.
“What really bothered me is that the only way I happened to stumble on this is because of a piece of paper posted on the door of my medical office,” Topper said. “The problem is, while they’ve identified some health effects of it – and clearly the EPA thinks it’s a very serious matter – it’s relatively new. We don’t have medical data for decades to show what this stuff is doing.
“The upside is you can treat the water. It can be filtered out, and it’s not that expensive,” he added.
Finding PFAS everywhere
Topper had his home water
tested, but said he’d prefer not to share the results. But he wonders if others, including area restaurants, are doing the same.
Dani, who spoke about PFAS at the April Conifer Area Council Town Hall, said the issue isn’t limited to the foothills.
“This isn’t just an isolated area where we’re detecting PFAS,” he said. “We’re finding PFAS above the EPA’s maximum containment levels in different areas statewide.”
Topper believes far more should be done to address the problem than testing and filtering out PFAS.
“We as a society need to take some action here and sue these manufacturers,” he said. “The fact that manufacturers are still making products with these chemicals in products is unacceptable. Let’s shut that down.”
For more information on PFAS, including the state’s testing and assistance, and grants program, visit this page dedicated specifically to the issue.
CDPHE also has a map on its website that map that shows PFAS-positive areas and their levels throughout Colorado.
STEVE T STRICKBINE President steve@timeslocalmedia.com
NADINE JOHNSON Director of Operations nadine@timeslocalmedia.com
NICK OLIVERI Director of Sales nick@timeslocalmedia.com
COURTNEY OLDHAM Production and Design Director production@timelocalmedia.com
DYLAN LOTTS Editorial Supervisor dlotts@coloradocommunitymedia.com
RYLEE DUNN Community Editor rdunn@coloradocommunitymedia.com
ERIN ADAMS Marketing Consultant eadams@coloradocommunitymedia.com
LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Columnists & Guest Commentaries
Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Press. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline Tues. for the following week’s paper.
CORRECTIONS
Colorado Community Media asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.
Email sgilbert@coloradocommunitymedia.com if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
This map created by the Colorado Department of Health shows where PFAS has been found in the state’s public water systems. COURTESY IMAGE
Water in Conifer High School tested positve for PFAS, so-called Forever Chemicals. JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS
When we, as Americans, see the word “freedom,” our minds move quickly to the political nuances of the idea.
We celebrate our constitutional freedoms of speech, press, assembly and a host of other things. We are so steeped in appreciation of these precious political freedoms that sometimes we forget about the myriads of freedoms we experience in other ways in our lives.
For school-age youth, summer brings a celebration of freedom from the perceived grind of school. At 16 years old, I distinctly remember the freedom I felt holding my driver’s license in one hand and keys to a car in the other.
at feeling grew when my father sent me to the local grocery store to get things for dinner, and I chose a di erent route to the business than he would have taken. Young adults living on their own for the rst time experience the freedom of deciding when to go to bed or clean their space and what to eat for dinner. As a parent, I still smile thinking about the freedom that came with the end of diapers and car seats over 25 years ago.
At some point in our lives, we encounter freedom-stealers, things that rob us of spontaneity and impact us physically.
For me, my MS diagnosis in 2009 initiated a progression of freedom-stealers. It started slowly. I did not have the freedom to run up and down the basketball court as I had. e heat of summer days began to drain my energy.
Eventually holding my wife’s hand on walks was stolen because my gate was too unsteady, and I was forced to navigate my foot drop. In the last 18 months, walking downstairs without a railing has not been possible. For my mother-in-law who lives with us, walking with a walker and sometimes needing a wheelchair has been her freedom-stealer.
Losing those subtle freedoms means adjusting my perspectives and nding ways to be resilient. It Is why I write this column; it is why I started Voices We Miss which captures the stories of our elders. As my physical freedom has declined, I have dedicated more of my time to demonstrating the expanse of freedom that we give ourselves by being resilient.
While I work diligently to remain resilient, the fact is that freedom stealers are exhausting. For example, at our home, I had been reduced to one way in and one way out. Our rail-less front and back doorsteps made it impossible for me to use those doors. Going to the front yard or our beautiful backyard meant going through the garage, the only way I could safely navigate in and out. ese cumbersome actions were
SVOICES
The meaning of freedom in the eyes of Americans
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
ummer is o cially here, which means Colorado truly shows itself as a place with cultural options for every interest and activity. e days are lovely and long, so you’ll want to take advantage of all there is on o er.
I’ve gathered a range of activities to celebrate the start of the season — nd something you like and head outside.
Take an Artistic Rest at SeeSaw Art Gallery ere are few things summer is better
ans Day remind us of the service work so many did to secure our political freedoms.
Last ursday, the Home Builders Foundation and a volunteer team from Berkeley Homes gifted us with freedoms of a much di erent kind.
In six hours, this team sel essly, joyously, built a ramp that allows us to open our front door and walk into our front yard. ey added a railing to the steps to the back yard to make it more accessible and redid the steps into the garage to facilitate safer access. ese changes are transformational.
To those who have the freedom of moving up and downstairs without issue, this will seem minor, as it always did to me before. Now it feels like they have opened the world. ey have given us the freedom to walk out our front door. ey have given me the opportunity to age in this house in a way that would have been impossible without their support. ey have restored an element of freedom to our lives.
I don’t have the words to describe how incredibly thankful I am to those who have given of their time to expand our freedom. ose special people include:
• Luis Carrero, the By the Brush contractor, who saw how I struggled to enter the house, suggested that I reach out to someone he knew could help.
• Michael Solano, a disabled American veteran, the person Luis knew who provided me a temporary ramp for entering the house and put me in contact with the service organization Home Builders Foundation (HBF).
• HBF the service organization who has helped so many by providing experts, supplies, and volunteers to create home modi cations for people with disabilities. • Berkley Homes and their incredible team who volunteered their time and expertise to transform our home.
I am over owing in appreciation for what they have given us.
Beyond the freedom we gained, there was for me a lesson about my perspectives of service. I have dedicated my life to serv-
ing others. I spent 34 years in public school education, a job steeped in service to others.
I cherish my years of service and the joy I was able to bring to those around me. But there was an arrogance in my attitude about service that spoke to the idea that I serve, I do not receive the gift of service. I only saw service as what I did for others thinking I did not need help from anyone. Today, I wake up and see receiving service in brand new ways. I understand now that to accept the service of others requires being vulnerable, open to sharing the way your freedoms have been stolen and having a willingness to accept gifts.
I have seen the impacts of service from both sides now. What I learned was thar one does not exist without the other. I also learned that both take courage, both take
openness, and both are beautiful. I hope my words encourage you and that you will share them with those who need support. ank you to everyone who has shared their stories with me so far; I truly appreciate hearing about the valuable ideas you nd in these columns and how you use them to uplift those around you.
Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife, Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one-two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences. Contact him at jim.roome@gmail.com.
A Collection of Summer Artistic Activities
for than getting some relaxation time, something that SeeSaw Art Gallery, 5 W. Radcli Ave. in Englewood, is celebrating with its new exhibition,Rest Awhile It’s on display until
COMING ATTRACTIONS Clarke
Reader
e rst solo show from artist Amanda K. Snyder, Rest Awhile “re ects on how often-
times it’s the carefree moments in life that are relished most; the instances when there’s permission to relax, let go and re ect,” according to provided information. ey become cherished memories and moments we aspire to return to. e exhibit features “rediscovered” mid-century paintings that capture familiar places of leisure.
Find more information at www.seesawgallery.com.
Thornton Pride Throws a Retro Beach Party
e City of ornton is celebrating Pride Month in the perfect summer way — with aRetro Beach Party e free event is held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 at the ornton Arts and Culture Center and Lu Murray Park, 9209 Dorothy Blvd. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the beach and have fun putting together an out t.
At the Culture Center, visitors will en-
P9
Jim Roome
joy live entertainment and more, while at Lu Marray Park, visitors can dance to music from a DJ and other live performers. ey can also dine at food trucks and participate in a range of activities, including arts and crafts, cornhole, limbo, face-painting, beach ball volleyball and more.
is is a great way to blend all the fun of summer with the important recognition of the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. All the details are available at www. thorntonco.gov/community-culture/ festivals-events/2025-thornton-pride.
Plenty of Music and Tasty Food at Edgewater Music Festival
Delicious barbeque and killer blues music just seem to go together, which is one of the reasons that people ock to Edgewater every year for the annual Edgewater Music Festival.
e 28th iteration is from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 at Citizen’s Park, 5401 W. 22nd Ave. All the proceeds from the event bene t Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver and other a ordable housing programs.
Some new features this year include a Harley-Davidson ra e and two stages of live music, including performers like Hand Turkey, Wild Love Tigress and Chris Daniels and the Kings.
Attendees will get to peruse the wares of a fun and eclectic range of vendors, like Puppet Me is, e Metaphysical Shop and Skultin Wire Works. And don’t forget the food—it’s a critical and ngerlicking component to the proceedings.
For more information and tickets, visit www.edgewatercomusicfestival.com.
Work Up a Sweat at Lakewood’s Family Fun Day
Summer is the time when you want to be outside and getting really active, so the City of Lakewood is throwing an event to let families do just that.
Lakewood’s Family Fun Day is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 atCarmody Park, 2200 S. Kipling St. e aim of the free event is to celebrate tness for all ages and features a variety of ways to get going.
Some of the events people can participate in are a color run, scooter obstacle course and sports and tness demos, including Zumba, hip-hop and pickleball. ere also will be water games, parachute play and a gymnastics course. Fun prizes will be available for some of the winners.
Attendees can bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the park and then get a cold treat from Kona Ice to cap things o .
More information is available a twww. Lakewood.org/FamilyFunDay.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Tash Sultana at Red Rocks
Australia’s Tash Sultana is one of those musicians that once you catch wind of, you wonder where they’ve been your whole life. e singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist writes tunes that can get under your skin, with immaculate grooves and a sly wit. ere’s elements of pop, blues, R&B and even hiphop in their music. Plus, Sultana is a top-tier guitarist but can play just about anything — and often does.
Sultana is coming to Red Rocks, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 20. It’ll be a great evening of music under the stars, so get tickets at www.axs.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
Advertise Your Place of Worship HERE that
Proclaiming Christ from the Mountains to the Plains
www.StJoanArvada.org
12735 W 58th Ave · 80002 · 303-420-1232
Daily Masses: 8:30am, Mon-Sat
Confessions: 8am Tue-Fri; 7:30am & 4:00pm Sat
Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00pm
Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9:00, 11:30am, 5:30pm
“Find Connection…Discover Faith” All Are Welcome
Sunday Worship 10:00AM
Green Mountain Presbyterian Church 12900 W Alameda Pkwy Lakewood, CO 80228
303-985-8733 www.gmpc.net
Join us in person: 1st & 3rd Sundays
7401 W. 59 Ave, Arvada
Other Sundays on Zoom 10:30 am Live Music
Livingwaterunity.org Livingwaterspiritualcommunity@gmail.com 720-576-9193
All Are Welcome
To advertise your place of worship in this section, call Erin at 303-566-4074 or email eadams@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Lora
and Adam
Wedding Announcement for Lora Frost and Adam Siller
unexpectedly at
did
know that this chance encounter would lead to a love story for the ages. ey are delighted to announce their marriage, which took place on June 21st in an intimate ceremony at Georgetown City Park.
e bride is the owner of Dahlias & Granite Interior Design, specializing in historic renovations and residential interiors. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, she now resides in Arvada, Colorado.
e groom is a seasoned tower crane operator—expert in picking things up and putting them down—originally from Glendale, Arizona, and now also living in Arvada.
e couple celebrated their union with a small gathering of close family and friends. ey plan to honeymoon on planet Earth, unless trips to the moon become more a ordable. ey are excited to begin this new chapter together, surrounded by love, laughter, and community.
Frost
Siller met
a Meetup for an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party in Denver. Little
they
BY RYLEE DUNN
For many, the feeling is all too familiar: hands awkwardly gripping the fretboard, the sharp bite of the strings digging into ngertips, an out-of-pitch buzz emitting from the soundhole — the early days of learning to play guitar can dissuade even the most persistent student from the pursuit.
Yet those who persist often discover the hard-earned spoils of guitar playing. Camp res become enlivened with sound, impromptu jam sessions serendipitously come together and in some cases, bands and long-standing musical careers are formed.
While many guitarists learn the instrument when they’re children, others come by it later in life – and the instrument has plenty to o er folks no matter when they pick it up. David Gilbert, a father of two from Englewood, began playing recently because he wanted to expose his young children to the magic of live music.
“I’m pushing 40,” Gilbert said. “At this point, the likelihood that I’m going to end up some guitar virtuoso is pretty slim, but what I recognize is that I can get to a point where I can subject my family to some camp re songs.
“And I think that kind of speaks to the essence of guitar — kind of as this common man’s instrument that doesn’t take too much to get to a point where you can play
some simple sing-along songs with kids, or get to a point where you can just make a fun sound or a little tune,” he continued. “So at this point, that’s my goal; to learn enough chords that I can play some music.”
Gilbert, like many other later–life guitar learners, has turned to a common source of information in the modern age for instruction: YouTube.
e widely utilized social media site is sought out by both novices and seasoned professionals alike.
Warren Rubin is a lifelong guitarist who began playing at an early age and now plays bass guitar in the Arvada-based band, Dive Bar Diva. Rubin works as a soundman for artists such as Hazel Miller and operates an ampli er repair shop out of his garage. He is sometimes known as the “Amp Whisperer.”
Rubin says that there are more resources out there for aspiring guitarists now than there have ever been.
“You don’t have to take classes every week or every month; as much as you need to just pursue interesting ideas,” Rubin said. “Watch other people who have other approaches to the instrument. We live in a golden age for this sort of thing, because you can turn to YouTube and there are people who are just absolutely brilliant guitarists showing you what they do and how they do it.”
Guitarist Kevin Pounds has played in a number of Colorado bands, including We Are Not A Glum Lot (pictured). PHOTO BY MACHKNE RUDNICKI
GUITAR
FROM PAGE 10
Some of the YouTube channels Rubin and Gilbert recommend are Rick Beato, Justin Guitar, Paul Davids, Andy Guitar, and Wings of Pegasus.
While Rubin acknowledges the utility of something like YouTube, he also continues to take in-person lessons at the Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor in Arvada, despite having played the instrument for over six decades.
“All of the best guitar players I know — including my teacher, who has a master’s degree in jazz — continue to take classes,” Rubin said. “If you can a ord it, take lessons, not because it’s the only way to learn the instrument, but it gives you a strong set of fundamentals.”
e Denver metro area is awash with music schools that o er guitar lessons. Arvada’s Pickin’ Parlor, Denver’s Swallow Hill Music, Englewood’s Denver Music Institute and the Littleton School of Music all o er lessons for a variety of di erent styles and skill levels.
While many continue to take lessons long after rst picking up the instrument, other players eschew them altogether. Kevin Pounds — a Colorado Springsbased musician who records under the name Kevin Lbs. and has played in bands including We Are Not A Glum Lot and e Short-TERM — is completely self-taught and learned the instrument by ear.
“I spent my rst year playing, probably hours a day, sounding out Nirvana songs by ear,” Pounds said. “Just dragging my ngers up the strings until I heard some semblance of what was coming out of the speaker across from me. I became a bit more literate with time. I started to realize that certain chords that I was learning matched individual notes on my fretboard.”
Pounds echoed Rubin’s sentiment about trying to learn from others.
“Try not to compare yourself to others,” Pounds said. “It can be very discouraging. But on that note, don’t be afraid to steal their tricks or techniques. You’re always going to put your own scent on it anyway.” Gilbert said the main hurdles he’s dealt with as a newer player are developing the muscle memory to be able to quickly change chords and nding time to practice.
“It reminds me, actually, somewhat of where I started to feel a little stumped with learning a foreign language,” Gilbert said. “Doing rapid chord changes is still something I’m training my ngers to do. “ e other big challenge for me right now is just time,” Gilbert continued. “You know, I’ve got a full-time job and I’ve got kids, so, if I’m lucky, I’ve got half an hour in the evening to sit down with a YouTube tutorial and mess around with guitar. But that’s sort of the bene t of the YouTube thing. I don’t have to build lessons into my schedule. I can t them in where it works.”
Rubin said that instead of seeking out mastery, one should play simply for the enjoyment of the instrument.
“If it brings you joy, you already play well enough,” Rubin said. “And you know, what brings you joy? Is it just playing three chords and being able to sing some of your favorite songs? Is it being able to sit in your chair and noodle a little bit while you watch television? Do it. It’s never too late to start.
“You don’t need to become a virtuoso,” Rubin continued. “I’m not going to live long enough to be a virtuoso, but you don’t need to be a virtuoso for playing to bring you joy.”
Guitarist Kevin Pounds learned the instrument by figuring out songs by ear, demonstrating one of the many paths one can take on their way to learning to play.
PHOTO BY MACHKNE RUDNICKI
Folks of any age can learn to play guitar, and there are lots of methods available by which to do so.
PHOTO BY DAVID GILBERT
Though Warren Rubin has been playing most of his life, he advocates for players to continue with lessons and keep sharpening their skills. COURTESY PHOTO
Six athletes named Hall of Fame honors Class of 2025
BY JOHN RENFROW JOHN@CTLN.ORG
The 39th Jefferson County Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony featured a star-studded roster for the Class of 2025.
It’s a rich end-of-school-year tradition each summer as past and present Jeffco athletes are honored for their impact on and off the field.
Six athletes representing five schools were honored. Read about this year’s class below.
Jenn Bradley - Arvada West
Bradley was a multi-sport athlete for Arcada West, earning 13 varsity letters in basketball (four), softball (three), soccer (three) and golf (three).
Her dominant sport was basketball, where she averaged 17.2 points and 3.8 assists per game during her senior season. Bradley was a four-year All-Jefferson County league selection and made All-State as a junior and senior.
Heather Martin - Standley Lake
Martin enjoyed a decorated spring in 2025. She was named the Class 4A Assistant Coach of the Year just days before learning she was inducted into the Jeffco Athletic Hall of Fame.
Martin is currently an assistant track coach in the high jump category at Standley Lake.
spent nearly three decades coaching at Wheat Ridge. He split his time coaching four sports. Dowd was an assistant coach for the Farmers’ football team when they won the Class 4A state championship in 2006 and 2008, according to ColoradoPreps.com.
Wheat Ridge named its basketball court ‘Tommy Dowd Court’ last year, a few seasons after his son, Vince Dowd,
Sauer, now Durham, made history in wrestling in 2006 when she was the first female wrestler to qualify for the boys state tournament.
Girls wrestling has now exploded largely due to her influence on the mat.
A legend for Golden baseball, Melancon led Golden High School to its first He went on to enjoy a 14-season career in Major League Baseball and was a four-time All-Star. Fittingly, Golden baseball won its second state championship this season.
The Je co Athletics Class of 2025 poses for a photo. From left to right: Jenn Bradley (Arvada West), Heather Martin (Standley Lake), Tommy Dowd (Wheat Ridge), Catherine West (Columbine), Brooke Sauer Durham (Golden) and Mark Melancon (Golden).
Thu 6/19
The Jauntee @ 6pm
Sat 6/21
New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden
High Lonesome @ 7pm BurnDown Denver, 476 S Broadway, Denver
Fri 6/20
Christine Rose Curry, Eric Havelock-Bailie, EDGE Satellite Members Show @ 6pm
Morgan Starner - Live Music at Lakewood Farmers Market @ 10am Mile Hi Church, 9077 W Alameda Ave, Lakewood
Eric Martinez Band @ 5pm
Lot 46 Music Bar, 5302 W 25th Ave, Edgewater
Boldy James @ 7pm Marquis, Denver
Geordie Kieffer: Live in Denver @ 8pm Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Den‐ver
Wed 6/25
Mark Brut: Highland Street Fair @ 1pm
Edge Gallery, 6501 West Colfax Av‐enue, Lakewood. edgethegallery@ gmail.com, 303-477-7173
The Copper Children @ 7pm
Highlands Street Fair, W 32nd Ave., Denver
Tue 6/24
Billy Brown: Private Party - Colorado Convention Center @ 12pm
Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Den‐ver
Daniella Katzir Music: Denver Botanic Gardens Duo with Peter Sheridan @ 5:30pm
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver
Vampires Everywhere! Live in Denver at HQ @ 6pm HQ, 60 S Broadway, Denver
Walt Disco @ 7pm Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver
Brad Goode @ 7pm
Wild Love Tigress: Summer Concert Series @ 5pm
Bon�ls Stanton Park, 6800 W �entucky Ave, Lakewood
Rhiannon Roze @ 11pm TATT-TUNES, Denver
Sun 6/22
Little Bear Live, 28075 CO-74, Ever‐green
Kruelty @ 7pm
The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver
Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Denver
Cultus Black @ 7pm HQ, 60 S Broadway, Denver
Teague Starbuck @ 5pm
Beau Jo's Arvada, 7525 W 53rd Ave, Arvada
Live @ The Rose - Country Line
A Brother's Fountain: ABF at Quaranina Backyard Concerts @ 4pm Quarantina, Golden
Pub Choir - Something To Do Tour @ 8pm Bluebird Theater, 3317 E Colfax Av, Denver
Dancing Night with Jeff Goodwin And The Front Range Cowboys @ 6pm / $10
Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Avenue, Golden. information@buffalorose.net
DJ Minx @ 7pm Tracks, 3500 Walnut St, Denver
Baby Weight @ 7pm Tracks, 3500 Walnut St, Denver
Mary Chapin Carpenter & Brandy Clark @ 7pm
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver
Tyler Dial at Lost Lake @ 7pm Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver
CROWSSUPDRO ELZZ
1. MOVIES: What is the title of the rst James Bond lm?
2. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the color of the “black box” that records an airplane’s performance?
3. TELEVISION: What is the theme song for the long-running sitcom “All in the Family”?
4. LITERATURE: What is the name of Ron Weasley’s family home in the “Harry Potter” series?
5. GAMES: How many dice are used in a game of Yahtzee?
6. SCIENCE: What does a mole measure in chemistry?
7. MYTHOLOGY: What is the Greek god of darkness called?
8. FOOD & DRINK: Which type of liquor is traditionally used in a gimlet?
9. ASTRONOMY: How many moons does Saturn have?
TrIVIa
10. CHEMISTRY: What is the chemical symbol for gold?
Answers
1. “Dr. No.”
2. Orange.
3. “ ose Were the Days.”
4. e Burrow.
5. Five.
6. e amount of chemical substance.
7. Erebus.
8. Gin.
9. 274.
10. Au.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
MARKETPLACE
Miscellaneous
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70¢/ day! 1-844-591-7951
Become a published author We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author`s guide 1-877-7294998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ ads
www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258
Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. 833-308-1971
Miscellaneous
Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833-399-3595
Water damage cleanup & restoration: A small amount of water can lead to major damage in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home’s value! Call 24/7: 1-833887-0117. Have zip code of service location ready when you call!
DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/ Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866859-0405
MobileHelp America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call 1-888-489-3936
Miscellaneous
Replace your roof w/the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install (military, health & 1st responders.) 1-833-370-1234
AGING ROOF? NEW
HOMEOWNER? STORM
DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-878-9091
Have zip code of property ready when calling!
We buy houses for cash as is! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer & get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-844-877-5833
Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waving all installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 6/30/25. 1-844-5013208
Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800245-0398
ONE AFFORDABLE MONTHLY PAYMENT PROGRAM
We work with you to set up a monthly payment that fits within your budget.
BECOME DEBT FREE IN AS LITTLE AS 24-48 MONTHS
Do you owe more than $10,000 in credit card bills, medical bills or other unsecured debt? National Debt Relief can help! Our Certified Debt Advocates have helped over 500,000 people nationwide resolve their debt for a fraction of what they owe.
NO UPFRONT FEES
You won’t pay a penny until your debt is resolved.
GUARANTEE
RESOLVE YOUR DEBT IN 24–48 MONTHS We’ll resolve your debt as quickly as possible so you can finally start living the life you want.
I am so happy with National Debt Relief. They just resolved one account and saved me over $11,000. They keep me in the loop and work with me to get the most savings. —Cheryl (Trustpilot review)
New rules for 2025-26 high school basketball season
Goaltending, bench decorum among main focuses
BY STEVE SMITH
SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO TRUST FOR LOCAL NEWS
We’re still a year away from Colorado adopting a shot clock for high school basketball. e rule kicks in for the 202627 season, with a 35-second timer for all classi cations. However, some changes are coming ahead of the 2025-26 season also.
e National Federation of High Schools adopted new rules and procedures changes for the coming highschool basketball season.
Goaltending/basket interference
A main focus is on dealing with goaltending and basket interference. e goaltending rule says a ball is on its downward arc toward the basket once the shot hits the backboard. If a defender touches the ball after it hits the backboard, it’s two/three points for the shooter’s team.
Before this rule change, it was up to ofcials to determine whether the ball was still climbing toward the goal before any potential goaltending call.
“By establishing that a ball is considered to be on its downward ight upon contacting the backboard, this rule change introduces a clear and objective standard,” said Monica Maxwell, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee, in a statement
posted to CHSAANow.com. “It signicantly reduces the need for o cials to make subjective judgments regarding the trajectory of a shot, thereby enhancing consistency and accuracy in goaltending calls.”
e rule regarding basket interference
has also changed.
Now, only a defensive player can commit goaltending. e NFHS statement said the rule change disposes of the need to determine whether the ball in ight is a eld-goal attempt or a pass.
“Any alliteration of a shot attempt with
nity to celebrate the cultures of those who lived on the lands of Colorado and Arvada long before they held those names.
honored others with gifts of blankets and other traditional items.”
“I was truly honored to be part of Arvada’s very rst Powwow,” Simpson said. “ e energy, turnout, and sense of community were incredible. It was a beautiful celebration of Native American culture and tradition — and a meaningful reminder of how much we grow and learn when we come together, embrace one another, and make space for everyone’s story.”
Simon added that thanks to the support the event garnered in its inaugural year, the Arvada Powwow will continue on an annual basis. Simon said she looks forward to seeing the event grow in the coming years as it becomes more established.
Simon said the Powwow o ered an opportu-
“It’s so important to celebrate the many diverse cultures and communities in Colorado and the American West — now more than ever,” Simon said. e culture and traditions we all saw and enjoyed at the Powwow are among the oldest in the Americas — we were privileged to be able to witness and participate in a culture that goes back thousands of years on this very land. We who trace our ancestry to Northern Europe have so much to learn from these original caretakers of this land.
“Secondarily, there’s a huge economic bene t to an event that draws thousands of people from throughout the West to Arvada — this bene ts the business community, which in turn creates and maintains jobs and generates a tax base that is so necessary for maintaining our infrastructure,” Simon continued.
contact to the basket or backboard by an o ensive player would be considered basket interference,” the statement said. Also, intentionally slapping or striking the backboard during a eld-goal try becomes basket interference and not a technical foul.
Also, incidents in which players who intentionally delay returning to the court after being out of bounds and then become the rst to touch the ball will result in an infraction and not a technical foul.
Bench rules
e NFHS also changed a rule related to time-outs.
Players on the oor when o cials call for a timeout are now “bench personnel.” e NFHS statement said the switch “ensures consistent enforcement of penalties for unsporting conduct by allowing o cials to issue technical fouls to bench personnel during time-outs.”
Before the change, game o cials had to determine whether a player who warranted a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct was actually on the oor or the bench at the time.
“One of the points of emphasis this year will be bench decorum,” said Billy Strickland, executive director of the Alaska School Activities Association and chair of the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee, in the NFHS statement. “How can we help coaches and o cials know that communication is a two-way street? It just needs to be done in a proper manner.”
Keep up with all rule changes and sports at CHSAANow.com.
Prairie View’s Lani Waterhouse lets the shot go against John F. Kennedy’s Keana Venegas-Alvarez during the first round of the Nate Howard Memorial Girls Basketball Tournament at Prairie View High School on Nov. 30. STEVE SMITH
The first Arvada Powwow was a celebration of indigenous culture. COURTESY PHOTO
