Arvada Police tries unique solution to auto thefts: Apple AirTag
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Arvada Center to host first annual Arvada Powwow on June 7
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Colorado is home to a number of long-running powwows — this year’s Denver March Powwow marked the 49th edition of that event — and Arvada is poised to get in on the festivities.
e Arvada Center will host the rst annual Arvada Powwow from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 7 in the Arvada Center Sculpture Garden. e free event, which is put on in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce and Tatanka Ska Ventures, will feature native music, art, food and storytelling.
One of the highlights of any powwow is the competition — a display of dancing, singing and drumming that is scored by a panel of judges — and the Arvada Powwow will showcase Indigenous dancers of all ages competing in a number of di erent dance categories including jingle, fancy, grass and chicken dance.
Arvada Center President and CEO Philip Sneed said the powwow is an e ort to recognize people who have historically lived on the land that is now Arvada.
“We’re honored to host the Indian Chamber’s new powwow — this is one small way in which we can pay our respects to the original caretakers of the land on which we work,” Sneed said.
A recent auto theft was foiled when members of the Arvada Police Department’s Auto eft Reduction and Recovery Program traced a recently installed Apple AirTag tracking device to a residential garage where the car was allegedly slated to be disassembled and sold for parts, according to APD Detective Breann Bellio. anks to the tracker — which had been installed at a free event put on by the Arvada Police using a $3,271 grant from the Colorado Auto eft Prevention Authority (CATPA) — the police were able to intervene before the vehicle was tampered with further.
APD Public Information O cer Chase Amos said Colorado “continues to rank among the top states for motor vehicle theft” and said Arvada is no exception to that trend. Amos said that APD has used AirTags to retrieve seven stolen cars in the last year.
“Our city has seen an upward trend in reported thefts, with 475 in 2022, 559 in 2023,
and 159 from January to June in 2024 (we ended 2024 with 459 total reported MVTs),” Amos said. “To help combat this issue, we applied for the CATPA grant to provide vehicle GPS tracking devices to community members and support o cer-led events for device installation.”
e department has hosted three installation events — which are free to the public for anyone who lives or works in Arvada, owns one of the 10 most-frequently stolen cars in Colorado or has been the victim of auto theft in the last year — since January, installing devices in about 170 vehicles.
e process is straightforward: after making an appointment, the vehicle owner simply goes to the Arvada Fleet Maintenance complex, pulls their car into one of the garage areas and APD sta help to pair the AirTag with their phone and install it in the car. APD cannot view the location of the AirTag after it’s paired with the vehicle owner’s phone. e whole process takes about 10 minutes from start to nish.
Desmond Bruguier, the board chair of the Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce, said he was looking forward to sharing Native American Culture with the Arvada Community.
“ e rst annual Arvada Powwow Art and Community Festival is both a celebration of the past and a cultural endowment for the future,” Bruguier said. “We are honored to forge a partnership with the city of Arvada and the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities in order to bring this incredible event to the people. It is our responsibility as leaders to demonstrate that the concept of community consists of more than humans sharing physical re-
ARVADA RABIES CASE OF YEAR FOUND IN BAT P5
Arvada Police Public Information O cer Dave Snelling (left) with a resident getting a tracker installed. COURTESY OF ARVADA POLICE
Arvada American Legion, VFW host Memorial Day Parade
Tradition dating back to 1925 honoring fallen soldiers continues
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Arvada has been hosting Memorial Day parades since about 1925, and the tradition is still going strong in its 100th year, as the local chapters of the American Legion (Post 161) and Veterans of Foreign Wars 4331 held their annual spectacle on May 26.
While the parade route wasn’t particularly long — it ran from the American
Legion at 60th Ave and Lamar St to the VFW just down the road at 5340 Marshall St — lled with tributes to fallen soldiers, courtesy of community groups including the Arvada Fire Protection District, the Arvada Police Department, the local faith community and delegations from the VFW and American Legion.
Arvada Mayor Lauren Simpson kicked o the parade, riding in a red convertible with American Flags billowing in the wind. Denver Fire ghters Pipes and
Drums followed with a bagpipe performance accompanied by a kick drum. e American Legion’s Adjutant (secretary) Rick Cody said that occasion is an opportunity to honor veterans who have passed.
“It’s all about just honoring veterans that passed in war,” Cody said. “To remember all the veterans that served and passed in war time.”
While the event is now hosted in partnership with the two veterans organiza-
tions, with hosting duties switching o each year, the Arvada Memorial Day Festival dates back to the early 20th century. In the early days, the event was hosted by the American Legion, which got its start in 1928, and the Women’s Relief Corps. e VFW post was chartered in 1945. In 2001, the event was o cially recognized as the Glenn D. Close Memorial Day Parade by Arvada’s city council in honor of one of the rst organizers of the parade.
Arvada joins cities in lawsuit against Colorado housing bills
Half a dozen home rule
municipalities dispute two recently signed land use bills
e city of Arvada has joined ve other home rule municipalities — Greenwood Village, Aurora, Glendale, Lafayette and Westminster — in suing the State of Colorado, Governor Jared Polis and other stakeholders over the state’s housing policies.
Filed on May 19, the suit alleges that House Bills 24-1313 and 24-1304, along with a recently signed executive order predicating state grant funding on municipalities follow the stipulations of those bills, “displace(s) local authority” that the cities should retain as home-rule municipalities.
Polis also signed an executive order on May 16 that withholds certain state transportation and energy from municipalities that don’t comply with the bills.
City of Arvada Director of Communications Rachael Kuroiwa said the policies violate home rule rights.
“ e suit speci cally calls into question two land use bills signed into law in 2024 - House Bill 24-1313 and House Bill 24-1304 - which eliminate public input on critical local land use decisions regarding parking minimums and housing density,” Kuroiwa said.”
“Arvada is one of more than 100 Home Rule municipalities in Colorado, established under Article XX, Section 6 of the State Constitution,” Kuroiwa continued.
“Home Rule gives cities and towns the right to establish their own rules on issues of local concern – such as zoning codes –with the help of public input.”
Arvada City Councilmember Brad Rupert called the state’s policies into question.
HB 24-1313 states that cities should build higher density developments near transit lines, with a stated goal of 40 units per acre. HB 24-1304 does away with parking minimum requirements near transit hubs.
“Over the past several years, Colorado’s Home Rule rights have been eroded by the Legislature, who want to impose onesize- ts-all centralized rules for land use in Colorado,” Rupert said. “ is would silence local voices on some of the most impactful decisions a community can make about its character, identity and future.
“ is is not about dismissing the need for a ordable housing,” Rupert continued. “It is about ensuring that municipalities can continue to address this critical need in a way that is appropriate to their local communities, according to the right to Home Rule enshrined by the Constitution.”
e suit mentions Olde Town as an area in Arvada that would be negatively impacted if the city were to follow state housing mandates.
“Especially in Arvada’s Olde Town area, despite having dedicated garage and lot parking, Arvada continues to struggle with parking availability and often faces shortages,” the lawsuit states. “H.B. 241304 would exacerbate the already dicult parking situation in Olde Town.
“Furthermore, in order for Arvada
to require a parking minimum of one space per dwelling on any twenty-unit or more multi-family development or affordable housing development, Arvada would have to publish written ndings that demonstrate that not imposing or enforcing a minimum parking requirement would have substantial negative impacts,” the suit continues.
Not all Arvadans seem to be in favor of the lawsuit.
A group called YIMBY Arvada (Yes in My Backyard) has started a petition asking the city to withdraw from the lawsuit, stating that “ is is a counterproductive lawsuit that will only waste everyone’s time and money arguing about something we already know — that we need more housing, and we need it fast.”
In the group’s newsletter, it calls for residents to speak out against the lawsuit at the June 3 city council meeting.
“In short, this lawsuit will waste Arvada taxpayer money and make it harder to construct new housing while we’re in the middle of a state housing crisis,” the newsletter reads. “ is is where your voice can help.”
The Arvada Memorial Parade is a nearly 100-year-old tradition.
The parade runs from the Arvada VFW Post to the Arvada American Legion. PHOTOS
Part 2: Why Aren’t More Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Being Built?
This is the second installment of my monthly series about one of the hottest topics in real estate: Accessory Dwelling Units. ADUs have gotten a lot of attention recently as a housing option. My thanks to John Phillips of Verdant Living for helping on the research for it.
ADUs – accessory or additional dwelling units, also called granny flats — are a wonderful idea. They use an existing piece of residential real estate and create a separate living space. They are often used for intergenerational housing (aging parents, adult children just starting out, etc.) and have long-term value as rental property and add to the value of your real estate. But very few have been built in Colorado. The experience in the City of Denver is instructive. I have been told that since June 2015 the city has issued 528 ADU permits, of which 418 have received Certificates of Occupancy. There are thousands of possible sites. There are no easily attainable totals for areas outside Denver, but there are a few ADUs scattered around the suburbs, and there must be tens of thousands of possible sites.
the preferred option. But times have changed.
quickly baffles the typical homeowner.
Now, land in urban areas is scarce (thus more expensive), homes are more expensive to build and aren’t as available, and smaller living spaces in closer proximity to others is more acceptable, often preferred. Zoning was a big hurdle. In Denver, applications for variance were rarely denied, but the variance process could take months and was expensive.
However, that is not the problem it once was. Laws have been passed that override local zoning regulations; Colorado did that last year, and that law takes effect this July.
That has opened the door, but there is a long way to go. Most homeowners have never even heard of ADUs, much less thought of how building an ADU might address their needs. This series is a small attempt to address that education gap.
Other impediments:
Other local regulations and rules
Cost. The amount of money needed, even for the least expensive ADUs, is not trivial for most homeowners. It exceeds the purchase of a car or the cost of a tiny home, and many don’t understand why.
Finance. Beyond the raw cost, financing an ADU can be a challenge. Most lenders (but not our Wendy Renee, below) are not yet comfortable with the dynamics, and there are few lenders actively doing it. Call Wendy!
Time. The time between signing a contract to build an ADU and receiving a certificate of occupancy could be a year (and often longer). Before you get to the contract phase, investigation of options and selecting a vendor takes even more time. Sometimes a homeowner who wants an ADU has an immediate need, and the timelines may not match.
Alert! Kol Peterson, a recognized authority on ADUs, is holding an ADU Academy in Denver on June 13 Visit https://www.aduspecialist.org/ aduacademy for more information.
works against widespread adoption. They are “gentle density,” one here, one there. They are rarely installed at multiple residences close to each other. The impact, such as traffic, on a particular neighborhood is minimal. They don’t change the character of the neighborhood, but individual homeowners must have the need and desire.
Most have little experience with a construction project, understand how to research the options, are willing to turn their backyard into a construction site, and, especially for homeowners of moderate means, able to take on the risk and responsibility of a second mortgage (or make the necessary decisions). The whole thing is not part of their perspective.
So, one might ask, why aren’t more ADUs being built?
For many years, they were discouraged by the restrictive zoning regulations of local governments. That made a lot of sense when land was relatively inexpensive, housing was generally affordable, and single-family residences were
Some of these are hangovers from the anti-ADU sentiment, but many are necessary to ensure the quality and safety of the dwelling as well as it being an acceptable addition to the community. These range from soil testing, setbacks, size limitations, parking, utility fees, construction inspections, and more. These sorts of things are dealt with as a matter of course by builders of multi-family buildings and main residences, but the complexity
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Not only did Jim Smith do a superb job in the marketing and sale of our home, he provided his company's moving truck and long time handyman Mark to move our belongings to our new home in Broomfield. When a problem occurred, he hired an outside moving company to help complete the move in one day instead of two! We are so pleased that Jim helped us through the process of selling our home and moving us into our new home.
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proactive and highly professional. Chuck was great at identifying potential properties that met our criteria, he moved very quickly to show us potential properties and his analysis of property values was on point and very thorough. Chuck was extremely proactive and responsive in his communications with us. Chuck went above and beyond our expectations. My wife and I have done six real estate transactions and we think Chuck is the best Realtor ever. We would highly recommend Chuck to other home buyers. — S. Diamond I was helping my mom and her husband sell the house. David Dlugasch was very accommodating to this dynamic. He arranged for all the paperwork to be done at the nursing home for the ease of my mom. David and I worked together to get the very full and dated house ready to go on the market. He went above and beyond by going to the paint store and hardware store etc. He was always available via text for any question I had along the way. He had a lot of resources. The best one was Mark, the handyman. I could always count on Mark. Mark was very meticulous and could do anything. What a great team! I could not have taken on this monumental task without them!!
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Jim Swanson was kind and patient while listening to my questions. He helped me to translate the real estate language and manage the sale process. He connected the dots, allowing me to make good decisions, maintain my personal integrity and profit from the sale when a great offer came to the forefront. Jim, Thank you for putting communication and community first. — Name Withheld
Market awareness. As mentioned above, most potential purchasers of ADUs are unaware of the opportunity. That education is happening, slowly.
Vendors. In Colorado the cottage industry of ADU vendors and other service providers is only now developing. It exists but is small, hard to find (and vet), and doesn’t have a broad community presence.
All these factors are self reinforcing and limit the development of ADUs. And there is another factor at work. The very nature of ADUs which makes them such a terrific addition to the housing stock,
To help with these issues Verdant Living has published a buyer’s guide, BuyersGuideColoradoADUs.com. A good place to begin is the Verdant Living website, VerdantLiving.us, or just contact John Phillips at 303-717-1962
I want to thank John and the following people for their input: Gary Fleisher, Modular Home Source; Kol Peterson, Accessory Dwelling Strategies, Renee Martinez-Stone, Denver Housing Authority and West Denver Renaissance Collaborative, and Eric Scott, TinyMod. Next month: Financing an ADU
View All our Active & Pending Listings on a Single Website
Instead of having a different website for each listing, we now link them to a single site, www. GRElistings.com. The QR code at right will open that site up on your smartphone.
We pride ourselves on the thoroughness of our listings. We complete all the data fields in the MLS, not just the mandatory ones, so you’ll find measurements and descriptions for each room, as well as narrated video tours which simulate an actual showing.
Room dimensions and descriptions are not required, and you’d be amazed how few
agents bother to enter that information on their MLS listings. Of course, narrated video tours are not required either, and most “video tours” you see on other brokerages’ listings are really just slide shows with a music track. We have sold many of our own listings, including one that closes next week, to buyers who haven’t seen the home in person until they fly in for the inspection. The video tour gives them enough of a sense of what the listing is like to ask me or their agent write up an offer and go under contract for it.
Price Reduced on Townhome-Style
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Dyslexia screening the law of the land in Colorado
Screenings to begin in 202728 school year
BY ANNE SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT
Surrounded by smiling supporters and curious fourth graders, Gov. Jared Polis on Friday signed a bill into law that will require universal dyslexia screenings in Colorado schools starting in the 2027-28 school year.
e sunny signing ceremony outside the front doors of Lukas Elementary School in Westminster was a momentous occasion. For students, it was the only thing besides lunch separating them from the start of summer break.
For advocates of children with dyslexia, it was the culmination of a dogged e ort to ensure students with the most common learning disability are agged early so they can get the help they need. e dyslexia bill, one of three education bills signed into law at the ceremony, was especially personal to some lawmakers.
Rep. Matt Soper, a Republican representing western Colorado and one of the bill sponsors, has dyslexia and talked about his reading struggles growing up. Polis noted that both his father and his fthgrade daughter have dyslexia.
Sen. Kyle Mullica, a Democrat representing parts of Adams County and one of the bill sponsors, choked up as he talked about the mental health toll dyslexia once took on his daughter, who’s now a sixth grader.
“I’m going to go home and tell my daughter that we did something for her
today,” he said. “I’m going to tell all those students who are falling through the cracks that we’ve done something for them.”
No funding with bill
Dyslexia is a common learning disability that makes it hard to decode and spell words, but with the right instruction, students with dyslexia can do as well as their peers in school. About 15% to 20% of the population has dyslexia, according to the Colorado Department of Education.
Arvada man charged with kidnapping, assault for attacking Rock Rest server
Montano scheduled for June 18 preliminary hearing
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
CORINNE@COTLN.ORG
e First Judicial District Attorney’s O ce has charged an Arvada man with kidnapping, assault and ve other counts after he reportedly attacked a server, choked her and threatened her with a gun on May 21 at the Golden-area Rock Rest Lodge.
According to the Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce, the server didn’t sustain any major injuries during the May 21 incident.
Meanwhile, 30-year-old Brandon Montano was arrested at the Rock Rest that afternoon and has been held at the Je co
jail on a $100,000 cash bond since then.
Montano appeared via livestream for his May 29 court hearing, where the prosecutors con rmed the DA’s O ce was ling seven charges against Montano. ey are: Second-degree kidnapping, a Class 3 felony; Second-degree assault, a Class 4 felony; Menacing, a Class 5 felony; Prohibited use of a weapon, a misdemeanor; ird-degree assault, a misdemeanor; False imprisonment, a misdemeanor; and Crime of violence, a sentence enhancer. With formal charges led in the case, the judge scheduled Montano for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. on June 18 at the Je co courthouse.
Generally, preliminary hearings are when prosecutors must prove there is probable cause for a felony case to continue through the judicial system. ey typically proceed like small-scale trials where he prosecution calls witnesses to
present testimony or describe evidence, and the defense can cross-examine the witnesses.
In general, if the judge rules there is probable cause, the case would proceed to an arraignment hearing where the defendant may enter a plea. If not, the charges would be dismissed.
The May 21 incident
According to the arrest a davit, around 1:45 p.m. May 21, Montano walked into the Rock Rest Lodge, sat down and ordered a beer.
He told the female server he had been at the Rock Rest previously, and asked if he could check the women’s restroom for an item his girlfriend or wife might’ve left in there. e server went into restroom to look for it and saw that Montano had followed her inside.
e server told authorities that she started to ght back, and at one point, the magazine fell out of the handgun. Believing the gun would only have one round in it, she fought against Montano and tried to point the gun at the ground and pull the trigger. She did, but the handgun didn’t re.
She successfully removed the gun from Montano, ran out of the restroom and alerted her coworkers. Two of them were able to subdue Montano until law enforcement o cers arrived. He was taken into custody without further incident, JCSO con rmed, adding that the incident was still under investigation as of May 22.
According to the a davit, Montano then pushed the server into a restroom stall and started choking her in a headlock-type maneuver. He also pulled out a handgun from his front waistband and pointed it at her head.
First Je co rabies case of 2025 found in Arvada bat
County saw five rabies cases in animals last year
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e rst rabies case in Je erson County of 2025 has been detected, as a bat in the Westlake neighborhood of Arvada tested positive for the disease, according to a release from Je erson County Public Health on May 29.
While the bat is the rst case of rabies reported in Je co so far this year, there were ve animals that tested positive for the disease last year.
SCREENING
While the new law, which comes with no funding, won’t immediately require schools to screen kindergarten through third-grade students for signs of dyslexia, it marks another milestone in the state’s ongoing campaign to boost reading pro ciency among Colorado students. Over the last seven years, state leaders have cracked down on debunked reading curriculum, required more training for elementary teachers and principals, and held teacher prep programs to higher standards for how they train future elementary educators to teach reading.
About a dozen Colorado school districts currently screen all students in certain elementary grades for dyslexia. Two more — Je co and Douglas County — will start next year and by 2027-28, more than 160 other districts are expected to join the club.
Reprinted with permission from Chalkbeat, a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.
Rachel Reichardt, JCPH’s environmental health specialist and zoonosis lead, said that locals should check their pets vaccination status and report any strange animal activity to local authorities.
“ is is a good reminder that rabies remains a risk in our community, especially during the warmer months when wild animals are more active,” Reichardt said. “Residents should avoid contact with wildlife, ensure pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, and report any animal acting strangely to your local animal control agency.”
e department gave the following tips for residents about how to avoid rabies:
• Keep pets and livestock
up to date on rabies vaccines.
• Avoid contact with any wild animals, especially those that are behaving strangely.
• Teach children to stay away from all wild animals, stray pets or dead animals, and to tell an adult if they are scratched or bitten.
• Keep pets close where you can keep an eye on them while they are outside.
• If someone has been in contact with a wild animal or was bitten by a stray pet, seek medical attention immediately and notify your local animal control agency.
Je erson County Animal Control can be reached at 303-271-5070.
bat is a species in Northern Colorado. (This is not the bat infected with rabies found in Arvada).
RTD ends ‘slow zones’ as a crew of 100 completes a year of repairs
Since last spring, the agency’s trains had traveled at just 10 mph for stretches of some
BY ANDREW KENNEY DENVERITE
e slog days are over.
After close to a year of repairs, the Regional Transportation District on Tuesday lifted the last of its “slow zones,” ending a debacle that devastated ridership and turned some train commutes into slowmotion torture. “ ere are no speed restrictions currently in e ect,” the agency’s website declared.
Since last spring, the agency’s trains have traveled at just 10 mph for stretches of some routes — slower than some of the Mile High City’s more enthusiastic joggers.
In all, the agency completed repairs in 31 zones on the D, E, H and R lines. Crews replaced more than two miles of track, often
working overnight while overhead wires were powered down. e repair crew of more than 100 sta also took grinders to smooth more than 50 miles of rail, leveled the rock ballast beneath tracks and more.
RTD started the repair program after new, more intensive inspections revealed issues with the tracks. e agency carried out more repairs in a single year than it had in the previous 20 years combined.
e nal slow zone was between the Yale and Southmoor stations.
e Colorado Public Utilities Commission had ordered RTD to improve its light rail maintenance after the agency reported in 2022 that its track at 19th and Stout streets had disintegrated to the point that trains could only travel at 3 mph until it was replaced
In October 2023, RTD told the commission it would adopt track standards set by the American Public Transportation Association, which led to the discovery of structural issues throughout the aging system.
“Everything is structurally ne,” Dave
Jensen, the agency’s assistant general manager for rail operations, said last year. “But absent any kind of intervention, those spots in the rail will turn into cracks. And those cracks will turn into breaks … We’re taking a proactive approach as opposed to a reactive approach in the way that we’re managing the railroad.”
RTD’s new routine includes a yearly ultrasonic inspection, with crews using high-frequency sound waves to look for structural issues with the rail. RTD sta also walk the entire system on a 90-day basis and a “hi-rail” vehicle is used to review all of the track twice a week. RTD has 120 miles of light-rail track.
e agency plans to expand its track maintenance team from 14 employees to 18 in the near future.
Still, the agency warned, more issues will surface — and slow zones will return when they’re needed.
is story is from Denverite, a nonpro t Denver news source a liated with CPR News. Used by permission. For more, and to support Denverite, visit denverite.com.
The Big Brown
COURTESY COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Je co teachers union delivers vote
in Superintendent Dorland
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COTLN.ORG
In a rare and highly public rebuke, the Je erson County Education Association delivered a vote of no con dence in Superintendent Tracy Dorland during the May 29 school board meeting, accusing her of “undermining trust,” excluding educators from decision-making and destabilizing schools through top-down leadership.
e vote represents a signi cant escalation in tensions between district leadership and its employee union, which represents more than 5,000 educators and licensed sta in the state’s second-largest district.
A vote of no con dence is a formal expression of disapproval, typically used to signal that a governing body or leadership team has lost the support of the employees or stakeholders it serves. While symbolic and non-binding, it can carry signi cant political and public weight.
Union cites breakdown in collaboration and trust
e union’s operational board and representative council voted unanimously to issue the declaration, citing what they described as a pattern of exclusion, topdown decision-making and lack of transparency under Dorland’s leadership.
“ is decision was not taken lightly,” the union stated in a letter delivered to the board prior to the meeting. “It is a re ection of the overall direction of the district under Superintendent Dorland’s leadership which has created a disconnect between the central administration and the educators, families and communities we serve.”
e 2,000-word letter outlines a series of grievances spanning the last several school years, including sta turnover, changes to alternative education campuses, lack of stakeholder input in curriculum and scheduling decisions, and failures to adequately address safety and equity concerns.
It speci cally referenced the closure of Je erson Jr./Sr. High School, despite community opposition, persistent safety concerns at Mitchell Elementary, where sta have reported repeated injuries and a delayed emergency response to a student medical crisis at Ralston Valley High School.
ese examples, the union said, highlight ongoing failures to provide safe and supportive school environments.
ese concerns are not new. Over the past year, educators and parents have raised similar
concerns in public comments and community meetings, particularly regarding the frequent introduction of new curricula, the use of third-party vendors and reductions to central support roles, such as instructional coaches and social-emotional learning specialists.
Dorland responds
Dorland sent a response to the Colorado Trust for Local News and Times Media Group the day following the board’s announcement of its vote of no con dence.
“I acknowledge the concerns raised by the JCEA Operational Board and Representative Council. I have read the letter and I am re ecting on the feedback. I acknowledge the need to build trust with the teacher’s association,” Dorland stated.
“I also want to be clear that I stand by the signi cant progress we’ve made over the past four years — including increased educator compensation and the implementation of a bold strategic plan grounded in instructional excellence and extraordinary student experiences,” Dorland continued. “We’ve delivered results for Je co students through improved academic outcomes and student experiences. We’ve implemented high-quality curriculum districtwide, increased student achievement, and reduced discipline incidents through a more consistent and equity-focused approach to behavior and support.”
Dorland said she understands that trust is built through “authentic engagement and consistent action.”
“I am listening — and I will continue listening — to all our educators, families, students and community members. As superintendent, I represent the entire Je co community, and it is my duty to weigh multiple perspectives and make decisions in service to all students,” Dorland stated. “ at often means making hard choices, but I have and will always lead with students at the center.
“Our students need brave, courageous leaders, who are willing to work across our diverse community to actualize improvements to our students’ experiences; I am that leader,” Dorland concluded.
Educators highlight systemic issues
Also among the union’s stated concerns were health care proposals presented to the board before consulting the district’s Bene ts Advisory Committee, major program changes announced without stakeholder input, delays in bargaining and the removal of books and gender inclusion guidance without community involvement.
“While we acknowledge that some decisions a ecting schools, sta ng, and student services must be made quickly and some
are the purview of the Superintendent’s O ce, too often decisions in Je erson County Public Schools have been made behind closed doors without explanation,” the union said.
Union leadership also cited reported refusals to allow emergency medical care and a lack of response to serious behavioral incidents in schools.
JCEA accused Dorland’s administration of fostering instability at the district level, saying frequent turnover among central o ce leaders has undermined continuity and support in schools.
publication of
“Instead of partnering with educators to nd solutions, Superintendent Dorland has dismissed or delayed action, allowing morale, retention and student outcomes to su er,” the union said.
e educator’s concerns also include the lack of communication with the Je co community regarding how schools would respond to inquiries or visits by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. is concern was compounded, they said, when Superintendent Dorland rejected a boardapproved resolution designed to establish safe school protocols for managing such situations, further deepening mistrust among educators and families.
Contract controversy added fuel to the fire
While not referenced in the union’s letter, Dorland’s request to renegotiate her contract nearly two years ahead of its expiration also sparked backlash.
Her 2024–25 salary of $300,770, a 15% increase from her starting pay, plus bene ts including full health coverage, a car and technology allowance and a generous retirement package, drew criticism amid looming budget cuts and concerns about educator pay.
JCEA organized a letter-writing campaign late last year questioning the timing and transparency of the negotiations, especially as state budget forecasts worsened and Je co considered asking voters to approve new taxes in 2026.
“I think choosing not to ask for a raise now, as a leader, would allow her to gain her employees’ and the community’s respect,”
JCEA President Brooke Williams said at the time.
Board members defended the contract discussions as standard practice, with Mary Parker emphasizing that executive sessions were used appropriately and that no nal decisions had been made.
ere have been no further discussions about Dorland’s contract. However, the board met with Dorland in an executive session before today’s meeting to “discuss a personnel matter, speci cally the Superin-
tendent check-in.”
High-profile incidents bring political pressure
State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Republican representing Colorado Senate District 23 and a Je co graduate, posted a public letter to Board President Mary Parker on May 28 calling for new district leadership.
“From the tragic high pro le case of the Chief of Schools — whose misconduct was allowed to continue until his death — to a series of incidents where individuals accused of wrongdoing were permitted to resign quietly or be transferred rather than held accountable, this district has repeatedly chosen to protect itself instead of protecting students,” Kirkmeyer wrote.
She also criticized Dorland’s request to renegotiate her contract while the district faced public trust issues and an ongoing scandal.
“ at decision alone demonstrates a staggering lack of awareness, accountability, and respect for the community she serves,” she said.
Kirkmeyer concluded her letter with a call to action: “ e public trust has been shattered. A culture that allows misconduct to be ignored, minimized, or hidden must be dismantled. at starts with new leadership.”
It is unclear whether Kirkmeyer was aware of the union’s letter to the school board or the planned vote of no con dence when she issued her statement.
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It’s an honor to introduce myself to you as the new publisher of Colorado Community Media. ese newspapers (21 in total) serve some of the most vibrant and historical communities in the Denver metro area, and I consider it a privilege to now be responsible for their sustainability and future. is is more than a business transaction to me, it’s personal. I was born in Colorado and have spent a great deal of time here throughout my life. My family immigrated to the Huerfano County area as ranchers and coal miners in the late 1800s; we own a ranch near the Spanish Peaks that has been in our family for generations.
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Colorado’s culture, values and communities have always been close to my heart, and to now play a role in ensuring that trusted, locally produced journalism continues here is, in many ways, a dream come true.
At Times Media Group, our parent company, our mission has always been clear: to amplify local voices, support local businesses and to foster community connections. We believe deeply in the role of community news, not just as chroniclers of events, but as stewards
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at’s not a slogan — it’s our North Star. In every market we serve, we work to be a reliable source of local news people can trust. at may sound oldfashioned in today’s media landscape. Much of the industry is moving in the opposite direction toward consolidation, centralization and increasingly disconnected coverage. We believe that local stories matter, that communities deserve to see themselves re ected in the pages of their newspapers, and that good journalism starts on the ground, in the neighborhoods and cities where people live and work.
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our dedicated readers. We never take that trust for granted.
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To the readers of Colorado Community Media: thank you for your support and loyalty. Your engagement, whether through picking up a paper, subscribing
We the People: American Pie
hose of a certain age likely recall Don McLean’s 1972 megahit song, “American Pie.”
ough an easily sung, melodic tune, the song is a stream of forlorn allusions that when woven together become an elegy, a melancholy paean to a time past, a pop rendition of John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”
“American Pie” came on the heels of a tumultuous decade, one that had followed a super cially placid, bland one. Some critics rank it among the great pop songs. Although its place in music legend is a matter of debate, what isn’t debatable is that McLean captured the essence of a substantially changing America.
It’s no accident that McLean references pie in his lyrics. Apple pie has become an iconic symbol for Americana and remains part of our cultural mythology. Recall the tale of Johnny “Appleseed” Chapman, who planted apple trees from the Allegheny Valley of Western Pennsylvania to the Midwest.
In addition to being a scrumptious dessert and a symbol, pie serves another purpose due to it being a circle. Statisticians, demographers and economists use it regularly to depict the microscopic sliver of the percent of America’s wealth that’s yours, which I’m assuming is considerably less than the square root of the square root of Pi.
Historians love to categorize stretches of time into ages or eras, e.g., the Age of Reason, the Industrial Period, the Progressive Era. Interestingly, there’s never been an Age of Innocence. It’s been tumultuous from the get-go. Vibrant, healthy democracies tend to be that way. Nevertheless, underneath the turbulence lies a nostalgia, a yearning for a past time even if you hadn’t lived during it or for something of the past that elicits a roman-
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ere is important work ahead. Together, with shared purpose and deep roots in the communities we serve, I believe we can not only preserve the legacy of these community news platforms but elevate them. at’s our commitment, and we’re just getting started.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Promises thrown in the garbage pail
tic feeling. One for me is captured in Arlo Guthrie’s “City of New Orleans,” his tribute to the train, which helped shape, connect and mold the ethos of America.
John Koenig coined a word for that sense: “anemoia,” which he de nes in his “Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” as a “nostalgia for a time you never experienced.” It’s imbued in pining for “good old days.”
But there never were good old days, at least in a collective sense. While a certain stretch might’ve been halcyon for you, undoubtedly others found it to be a personal or social hellscape.
If we dig deep into our psyches, we might discover what we’re reaching back for is a time when things were safer, simpler, less of a whirlwind. But like the good old days, times weren’t simpler in days of yore. ey had their own sort of complexity.
Yes, your great-grandparents didn’t need to worry about their identity being stolen or malware infecting their computers. But brewing a quick cup of co ee, grabbing a fast bite on the run or luxuriating in a hot shower on demand weren’t options. Outside of musing, for me it’s a futile exercise. e bottom line is that we’re not there but here, which leads to our quandary: What are we going to do about it?
How often have you heard some politico go on about what the American people want or expect? Whenever I hear that I think, “Really? How do you know what the collective body of Americans thinks?”
And on a darker note, how many times have we heard someone pro-
claim, “ at’s not who we are,” when the hard truth might be that’s exactly who we are? Or become.
America is struggling with an identity crisis. Who are we as a people? What does America mean today? What is our purpose?
Are we like those who founded this country, who pushed the frontier west, who through ingenuity, hard work, and some admittedly shady manipulation and inhumane exploitation built the most prosperous and powerful nation in history?
Do we have the same moxie as those that saved the world from Nazi domination, put an American on the moon, and defeated the heavily favored Russians—aka Soviets—in the 1980 Miracle on Ice?
Have we evolved into a new American, an alien species compared to those who wrote our founding documents and to those who bled profusely to set and keep the land free? Are there vestiges of their DNA in ours?
In the early nineteenth century, Alexis de Tocqueville did a deep dive into our edgling republic and recorded his ndings in his classic tome, “Democracy in America.” I recall reading it as part of my college studies, but other than excerpts, I haven’t read it since then. Nevertheless, I believe what de Tocqueville ultimately described, in addition to the intricacies of American democracy, was the character of Americans of that day.
In future essays, I plan to explore America today in a “We the People” series. I invite you to accompany me as I go spelunking down a rabbit hole in search for America 2025.
Jerry Fabyanic is the author of “Sisyphus Wins” and “Food for ought: Essays on Mind and Spirit.” He lives in Georgetown.
Trump made many promises to the electorate to win this election. He promised to not tax Social Security, to not count as income tips and to bring down the price of gas.
He promised to bring down the cost of groceries, and to end the con ict in Gaza and the war in Ukraine. He promised a new age of prosperity for America. Every economist disagrees with his tari s.
e American public has heard nothing out of his mouth to help the consumer since he was elected. Instead, he has been gallivanting around the world, trying to make himself look like a big deal maker. How about making some deals that bene t the American public?
His tax plan would give the biggest breaks to millionaires and billionaires. e middle class is left out of these tax breaks. Trump is nothing but a con man and you, the American public bought his con. He has taken a chainsaw instead of a scalpel to cut federal spending. Programs that bene t the poor have been cut. Medicare has been cut and I’m sure many of you who voted for him are on Medicare. He is only in it to bene t the multinational corporations.
He does not care about the average American. I will say this, he is a very good man to have convinced millions of Americans to vote for him. He has a Republican Congress who have lost their backbone and are afraid to challenge him. He has de ed court orders, and many believe, including myself, that mentally he is not up to the task of running this country.
And my ire goes out especially to those who consider themselves Christians. is man models none of the behaviors of the Savior, which Christians are supposed to hold close to their hearts. He shows no mercy, no truth, no justice, no respect. e secretaries of departments that he has chosen, instead of giving allegiance to the constitution, have pledged allegiance to him. He has even said that he does not need to follow the constitution which has been the guiding force of our democracy. e American public has gotten a raw deal, and those of you who voted for him can show your unhappiness with his lies by calling your congressman and congresswoman and senators and tell them you’ve had enough of this insanity sitting in the White House. Jay Gubersky, Arvada
JERRY FABYANIC
Columnist
Lessons from a NASA astronaut’s perseverance
This week, I came across the most amazing story from Michael Massimino. Massimino was a NASA astronaut for more than a decade. For ve years, he worked with a very close friend, Drew Feustel, another astronaut, to prepare to x the Hubble telescope.
e plan for the repair job was that Massimino would do the work in space while Feustel would walk him through every step of the task while inside the shuttle. eir teamwork was critical for the plan to work, and the success of the mission was so important that they were even given replicas of the telescope to work on in their free time.
After ve years of preparation, in May 2009, Massimino was on the spacewalk looking to x the Hubble telescope. For many hours, everything that could possibly go wrong did, and it looked like he would be unsuccessful in xing the telescope.
In that moment, Massimino felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was sure that he would be identi ed as the failure point for not being able to x the Hubble telescope. Embarrassment, defeat, and utter loneliness rushed over him as he made his way to gather the tools he needed to try one last thing to x the telescope.
ose feelings were so all-encompassing, in fact, that he could not look at his friend Feustel, who was giving him an encouraging thumbs-up sign as he passed the window of the shuttle.
ankfully, the last-ditch e ort worked, and Massimino repaired the telescope. After returning to Earth, while driving home with his wife, she told him how, while listening to NASA communication during his spacewalk, she could hear the despair and loneliness in his voice during his struggle. Massimino agreed, still haunted by the feelings of isolation he felt before xing the telescope.
e memory of that self-generated feeling of isolation started to fade as they turned onto their street, and Massimino saw how his neighbors had decorated his home in honor of his ight and spacewalk. It faded more as neighbor after neighbor talked with him, telling him about how he had been on their minds during his entire trip.
If that was not enough, the next day at the NASA debrief, Massimino learned of all the things that hundreds of ground crew had been doing to support him as
ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
he tried to solve the issues that came up.
Massimino nished his story by explaining how o -base he was in feeling utterly alone as he struggled in space, and he acknowledged the hundreds of people rooting for and helping him in his moment of struggle. One of them was literally on the opposite side of a shuttle window. But Massimino was so inside his own head that he could not see something right in front of him.
In our struggles, we often feel and act exactly like Massimino.
Utterly weighed down by the heaviness of our struggle, we cannot see the support surrounding us. e rst three years of my battle with MS, I felt angry, sad, and very alone. I was wrong, many people were working to support me, to encourage me, to love me.
I just was not seeing them. When I came to the realization of the size of the group pulling for and supporting me, it changed everything. Impassable hurdles became bumps in the road when traversed with the loving support of others. I know your struggle is di cult, but you are not alone. Take the time to see the amazing things around you and the wonderful people there to support you. Our struggles are exponentially easier when we take them on, knowing that others are by our side.
You have got this.
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. You can reach me at jim. roome@gmail.com.
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.
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Jim Roome
BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORAODOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Antique shops across the Denver metro are more than places to buy old things — they’re spaces where history meets creativity.
Across the metro area, vintage lovers and curious newcomers alike are fueling a growing scene rooted in nostalgia, community and the thrill of discovery.
Colorado Antique Gallery
Standing at 52,000 square feet and advertised as “Denver’s largest antique mall,” Colorado Antique Gallery in Littleton is lled to the brim with unique vintage items for all types of people.
Colorado Antique Gallery is operated by President Chris Rodriguez who took ownership of the business in 2012. It is located at 5501 S. Broadway, Unit 135.
“I have 275 vendors and we rent space to them on a monthly basis, and then I take a commission of all their sales,” Rodriguez said. “So most of the merchandise in the store is not ours.”
Rodriguez said the store has been operating since 1992. He decided to purchase the store after initially taking a business interest in it.
For Rodriguez, he said the best aspect of operating an antique store is the unknown of daily life.
“Every day is di erent. Every day is new,” Rodriguez said. “You’re going to run into di erent people and this is the type of business that brings out eccentric people — and it brings out just people who you may
not see on a normal day, maybe, if you were shopping in a mall.”
From Native American jewelry to speci c crystal canoes, Rodriguez said people are looking for all sorts of items and every day “is not going to be boring.”
“What also is nice is we keep all this stu from going into the land ll and we give everything a second home so they can use it again,” Rodriguez said. “We like saving stu .”
Rodriguez said he would describe Colorado Antique Gallery as “large, di erent and fun,” adding that the store has evolved over the last three decades.
Heirloom Antiques Mall
Tucked in a quiet shopping mall in Aurora that includes an adult bingo venue and a hobby shop lies Heirloom Antiques Mall. Filled with various items including toys, art and more, the shop stands two stories tall.
Behind the counter, owner and operator Scott Davenport often greets his customers by asking if they’ve been in the shop, and explains the business to rsttime visitors.
e way Davenport described the store is simple but heartfelt.
“It’s just a fun place,” he said, glancing around at the eclectic mix of vintage furniture, old signage and toy collections tucked in every corner.
His business model is shaped by inclusivity and a sense of community.
“I try to o er something for everyone and I want it to be family friendly … We try to have stu that they can see and interact with,” Davenport said.
Davenport hadn’t always owned the store. His jour-
ney began as a vendor at a di erent antique shop.
“I was a dealer at another antique store for eight years. And I came in and I took a spot here. And when I brought my wife back, I stepped on the bottom stair, and I looked at her, and said, ‘I’m going to buy this store.’ And one year to the month, not to the day, I bought it,” he said.
It was a decision that would change his life.
“It’ll be 10 years in August,” he said.
What keeps him in it isn’t just the love of antiques — it’s the people.
“I like the interaction with the customers, you know — you get to know them and their families. We have so many regulars,” Davenport said.
Currently there are over 100 vendors in the shop, and Davenport said he also recently added more space to the business.
And he isn’t done yet.
“I just hope for continued growth,” Davenport said when asked what the future held.
e antique scene in the Denver metro area, according to Davenport, has seen a shift.
“I think it’s gone more vintage and more clothing. It’s better now. e younger generation has found … a greater interest in repurposing and recycling,” Davenport said.
Overkill Thrift & Consign
Overkill rift & Consign in Englewood opened its doors last year and o ers a blend of what Davenport describes as what “the younger generation” has found, including vintage clothing in various styles
Overkill Thrift & Consign is located at 3041 S. Broadway in Englewood and is owned and operated by 26-year-old Megan Hartberger. PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY
something for everyone. It’s two stories with about
THRIFTING
and some antiques.
“While Overkill primarily deals in modern second-hand clothing, we very frequently receive vintage and antique pieces from our consignors with ages ranging anywhere from 1960s to the early 2000s,” owner Megan Hartberger said. “We try to carry all the small staples that an antique store might o er, such as vintage Playboy magazines, antique knick knacks like wooden kaleidoscopes, vintage movie memorabilia items and cassette tapes.”
Located at 3041 S. Broadway, Overkill is a small but bustling purple building where Hartberger seeks to provide curated, unique fashions at reasonable prices.
Hartberger maintains a “punk rock” style herself, but like Davenport, strives to have “a bit of everything” for vintage seekers who cross the threshold of her store.
“No matter what your style is, I want you to be able to come in and nd anything,” Hartberger said. “So, you know, goth, grunge, grandma, gearhead. We’ve got it all.”
Hartberger said Overkill is partially a thrift store because it has various items under $5, including $2 bins, and much of those pieces are actually from her own personal collection.
“We (also) have consign, which means you can come in and sell your clothes with us,” she said.
“ ose are going to be our slightly higher-priced items but I still like to have a good deal.”
Overkill used to be operated under the name Inner Me with a di erent owner, and Hartberger said it had a strong customer base that she has maintained since taking over the space in May last year.
“I wanted to make something for myself to put my name on, and this place worked out,” she said.
“It’s a great location, the landlord is really awesome, and there were just a bunch of great ways to get started.”
For the fashion collector, one of the best elements of the shop is chatting with the people who travel in and peruse her bins and racks.
“My favorite aspect is just looking at clothes all day, but I have loved getting to know people who have similar style to me or just really appreciate the pieces I’ve brought in,” she said.
Overkill is also a place where Hartberger encourages people to take the quirky or eclectic and make it their own.
“Put it on. If it looks good, keep it,” Hartberger said. “Let yourself be yourself.”
Hartberger describes the thrift and antiquing scene in Denver as “thriving.”
“Broadway especially is bustling with thrift and vintage stores alike, while several antique malls can be found throughout the area as well,” Hartberger said. “ ere’s something for every budget, whether you’re looking for records, comic books, clothes or antique home decor. rift stores have these items at lower prices but require more e ort to dig for, while dedicated vintage and antique stores will be more curated at the cost of higher pricing.”
Heirloom Antique Mall in Aurora has
106 di erent vendors.
PHOTOS BY ELISABETH SLAY
Owner of Heirloom Antique Mall in Aurora, Scott Davenport, restocks a case in his shop located at 1947 S. Havana St.
Divided into di erent style sections, Overkill Thrift & Consign o ers curated fashions that don’t “break the bank.” Owner Megan Hartberger provides vintage clothing at thrift store prices.
Colorado Antique Gallery is located in Littleton and o ers many unique and vintage items.
Animal rights group wants to ban foie gras in Denver this year
After a failed slaughterhouse ban, activists have new target: force-feeding birds.
BY PAOLO ZIALCITA DENVERITE
e animal rights group that tried to shut down a slaughterhouse in Denver has a new target: banning foie gras.
Pro-Animal Colorado, formerly known as Pro-Animal Future, submitted a proposed ballot initiative earlier this month that would ban the sale in Denver of foie gras, which is produced by force-feeding birds. e proposal would also ban force-feeding poultry in the city.
e proposed initiative is only in the beginning stage, so the details may change. Denver city sta hosted a public review of the proposal Tuesday, providing feedback for potential revisions.
A previous draft of the proposal included a ban on additional products like pâté and duck fat, but Pro-Animal Colorado said those products were removed because they don’t require force-feeding.
Animal rights activists say this is an ‘urgent ethical concern.’
e practice of force-feeding poultry is typically done to make the luxury food foie gras, a French delicacy that is made from the liver of a duck or goose. Often, feeding tubes are repeatedly forced down the throats of ducks and geese. e excess food causes the liver to balloon, creating the trademark buttery texture of the nal product.
e practice is controversial. Several countries, like Brazil, the United Kingdom and Germany, ban either forcefeeding or the production of foie gras. California lawmakers passed a bill to ban force-feeding and foie gras in 2004, which has constantly been challenged in courts.
Olivia Hammond, the spokesperson for Pro-Animal Colorado, said banning the practice and its products would improve animal welfare without impacting the daily lives of Denverites.
“I just think we can all agree that animals should be able to live natural and healthy lives,” Hammond said. “I really think this measure addresses an urgent ethical concern without impacting the average consumer.”
Pro-Animal Colorado’s last ballot measure attempted to ban meatpacking facilities from Denver city limits.While that measure was handily defeated in the November election, Hammond said a poll by Pro-Animal Colorado showed wide support of banning force-feeding animals.
Hammond said there are no factories or farms in Denver that force-feed birds, but the proposal’s language would ban any facilities from opening in the future.
Meanwhile, she said, up to 15 restaurants in Denver serve products derived from force-feeding, depending on the season.
Several restaurants, both in Denver and nationwide, have been targeted by animal rights protests urging owners to take foie gras o the menu.
Many restaurateurs and chefs have continued to defend the practice, argu-
ing that some producers take a more humane approach to force-feeding and would be penalized by an umbrella ban. But many animal rights advocates see no humane way to forcibly feed an animal.
If the proposal passes, it won’t necessarily mean the disappearance of the French delicacy in the Mile High City.
For starters, the ban would only apply to Denver, meaning neighboring cities and their restaurants could continue to serve it.
But also, the proposal includes exceptions.
Making foie gras without force-feeding a bird is possible, but di cult and expensive.
A Spanish farm utilizes a technique from the 1400s to fatten up their birds without the use of force-feeding, but only slaughters birds once a year.
Some skip the fattening up entirely and rely on the wonders of science. Earlier this year, a German food physicist invented a process to break down duck fat
“I just think we can all agree that animals should be able to live natural and healthy lives.”
Olivia
Hammond, the spokesperson for Pro-Animal Colorado
and mix it with normal duck liver to create a comparable product.
Hammond said restaurants that want to continue serving foie gras could, in theory, avoid the ban on force-fed products by sourcing foie gras from sustainable farms or labs.
What’s next for the proposed ballot initiative?
Pro-Animal Colorado needs to submit a nal proposed ordinance to the Elections Division. After a few more steps, proponents would need to gather about 9,500 valid signatures from Denver voters to get the initiative o cially approved and sent to the ballot.
e ban on foie gras could be one of several community ballot initiatives in the November election.
A conservative organization has submitted four ballot measuresthat would reshape how Denver handles immigration and crime.
One other ballot measure campaign, to strike down the city’s ban on sales of avored nicotine products, has already submitted signatures.
is story is from Denverite, a nonpro t Denver news source a liated with CPR News. Used by permission. For more, and to support Denverite, visit denverite.com.
Ducks go for a morning swim in the South Platte River.
PHOTO BY KEVIN J. BEATY/DENVERITE
Thu 6/05
Kotrax @ 8:30pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver
Fri 6/06
Taylor Leonhardt
Sat 6/07
Sun 6/08
Tangerine Sky Market ARVADA
@ 6:30pm Star Acres Flower Farm, 10140 W 73rd Pl, Arvada
So�a Nehama @ 1pm Skyline Park, Denver
Ren Q. Dawe: Humour Haus @ 7pm Stella's Coffee, 1476 S Pearl St, Den‐ver
Tony Medina Music: Live at The Arvada Elks Lodge @ 6:30pm Elks Lodge, 5700 Yukon St, Arvada
Float Like A Buffalo
@ 7:30pm
Little Bear Live, 28075 CO-74, Ever‐green
@ 10am / Free 7490 W 52nd Ave, 7490 West 52nd Av‐enue, Arvada. events@coloradomar kets.com, 303-505-1856
LATMUN @ 2pm Club Vinyl, 1082 N Broadway, Denver
Kyle Walker, RUZE, Latmun @ 2pm Club Vinyl, Denver
Ryan Hutchens at Culinary Dropout @ 6pm Culinary Dropout, 4141 E 9th Ave, Denver Snacks @ 7pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver N2N @ 7pm
Meow Wolf Denver | Convergence Station, 1338 1st St, Denver
Mon 6/09
Lola Kirke (21+ Event) @ 7pm
Hi-Dive Denver, 7 South Broadway, Denver
Chloe Kimes: Hi-Dive w/Lola Kirke @ 7pm
David J + The Milk Blossoms + Gogo Germaine + MC Shon Cobbs @ 8pm HQ, 60 S Broadway, Denver
Wed 6/11
Shakedown Street @ 6:30pm Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S Forest St, Denver
Broadway Rave @ 8pm Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Den‐ver
INTL Night ft. TBA @ 10pm Club Vinyl, Denver
Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver
Tue 6/10
Tommy Tutone @ 7pm The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver
Natalia Lafourcade @ 8pm
Paramount Theatre Denver, 1621 Glenarm, Den‐ver
Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore w/ Taylor Scott Band @ 7pm The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver
Black Oxygen Live @ 7pm
Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side, 2637 Welton St, Denver
WhiskeyDick @ 7pm Lions' Lair, 3200 E 23rd Ave, Denver
Dead Posey @ 7pm HQ, 60 S Broadway, Denver
safekeeper @ 7pm Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver
The Guilty Ones @ 8pm The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver
How to enjoy the worst team of all time
Some suggestions for resilient Rockies fans
BY JOHN RENFROW JOHN@COTLN.ORG
Dismayed Colorado fans still turn up at Coors Field to support their spiraling Rockies, with yells of “Sell the team!” ringing out behind hot dog bites and swigs of beer. But it’s the results on the eld that are often di cult to stomach. e old adage in baseball is that before the season even begins, you get 40 wins and 40 losses, and what your team does between them will determine the course of the season.
But it’s not even June, and the Rockies just lost their 40th game on Tuesday. But at least tickets were only $5 that day, and will likely remain in the single digits for the remainder of the season. ere will be price hikes when teams like the Yankees and Dodgers come to town, but the organization knows it’s getting increasingly di cult to put butts in seats.
Colorado is on pace to be even worse than the 2024 Chicago White Sox, a team that nished 41-121 last season, the worst since the 1962 New York Mets, who were 40-120.
According to an article from ESPN on May 13, the Rockies’ record through 40 games puts them on pace to nish 28134. Let that sink in.
So anyway, here are some ways to better enjoy the possible worst team ever.
Arrive early for cheap beers
If you arrive two hours before the game’s rst pitch, you might see fans double- sting 12-ounce beers as they make their way to their seats.
at’s because fans can enjoy $3 Coors
Lights (yes, $3 for 12 ounces) and $6 craft beers (16 ounces) before the game starts. Or you can wait until the drinks are literally $10 more expensive than that after the national anthem. at way, you don’t feel bad leaving in the seventh inning when the team is down a gross number of runs (like the 21-0 loss to the San Diego Padres on May 10, the third-biggest shutout margin in the major leagues since 1901).
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Pin the promotional schedule to the fridge
Whether it’s buy-one-get-one hot dog night, bobblehead night or enjoying reworks after the game, promos are always a good excuse to get to the ballpark.
Plus, summer in Colorado makes for a picture-perfect night for baseball, if you can stomach the score of the game.
For example, catch a star-studded night when the Los Angeles Dodgers come to town on June 25. e rst 10,000
fans through the door receive a Rockies cowboy hat. Or show up for other fan favorite nights like Star Wars or Grateful Dead night.
Put some cheddar on the games
Of course, be sure to gamble responsibly. But if you truly can’t bear to watch the team continue to struggle, consider a prop bet or two to add a little seasoning to your experience.
Bet on a player to get a hit, hammer a home run or the Rockies to only lose by three runs or less.
Or, if you get really cynical, bet on the other team. at way, at least the loss results in something positive for your night
For the most diehard of fans, bet on the Rockies to win. Your passion for the game will soar with each at-bat, and the odds will reward you if the team pulls it o . Imagine beating the Yankees and going home with a fatter pocket.
‘Enhance’ your game experience
It’s Colorado. Enough said?
You might nd you care less and less about the team’s record if you enjoy a nice night of weather after some homegrown Colorado enhancements, like a gummy or a chocolate bar.
Just make sure you nd a cozy seat away from other people, especially rowdy fans of the other team. With fewer people ocking to the stadium, it shouldn’t be di cult to nd a nice solitary spot with a pretty view. But be careful throwing those cheap beers into the mix.
As always, plan for a ride or use public transportation, and never drive under the in uence.
Only so much can be done to alleviate the pain of watching your team suck at a historic level. But as always, Go Rockies forever.
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To advertise your place of worship in this section, call Erin at 303-566-4074 or email eaddenbrooke@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com
Coors Field shines on a beautiful May evening as the Colorado Rockies play the Philadelphia Phillies on May 20. The Phillies won 7-4 to give Colorado its 40th loss of the season. JOHN RENFROW
Neighbors
39th Annual
Community
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Neighbors
39th Annual
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FUN!
Parents warned about the dangers of chatbots
Consumer alert urges conversations at home about AI tools, content
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued a consumer alert warning parents about the growing risks posed by social AI chatbots. Chatbots are tools designed to mimic human conversation, which, in some cases, can lead young users into harmful interactions.
“ ese chatbots interact with people as if they were another person,” Weiser said. “ ey can take on personas like a celebrity, ctional character or even a trusted adult, and the conversation can turn inappropriate or dangerous quickly, especially when it comes to sexual content, self-harm or substance use.”
e alert, released May 21, comes amid a sharp rise in reports of children engaging with AI bots in ways that have resulted in mental health crises and unsafe behaviors. Weiser’s o ce warns that children and teens may not realize they’re interacting with an AI rather than a real person, making them more vulnerable to manipulation.
Realistic, relatable and risky
Social AI chatbots are increasingly common on popular platforms. Some are embedded in social media sites, while others exist as standalone apps. ey’re often marketed as friends, men-
POWWOW
tors or entertainers.
According to HealthyChildren.org, children and teens are turning to chatbots not just for quick answers but also for entertainment or companionship, which can be risky as these programs are not designed with kids in mind and may expose them to false, harmful or inappropriate content.
“What you thought might be benign can turn quite harmful,” Weiser said. “Parents need to be mindful of what their kids are doing.”
e alert outlines several dangers, including chatbots generating age-inappropriate content, encouraging disordered behavior, or providing false and biased information. In some cases, children have shared private details with these bots, raising concerns about how that data may be used or stored.
Legal tools, limited reach
Weiser said his o ce is watching closely for violations of Colorado’s consumer protection laws, particularly those related to deceptive or unfair trade practices. He pointed to the state’s ongoing lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, which alleges harm to children through manipulative design and lack of safeguards.
“If these platforms are crossing the line, whatever we can do in enforcement, we will,” he said.
Still, Weiser acknowledged that regulation alone can’t keep pace with the fast-moving world of AI. He called for a broader federal conversation and urged technology companies to act more responsibly.
“Yes, we share this land,” Bruguier continued. “Now let us share experiences that foster a sense of belonging, understanding, and pride in the history of this continent’s cultural wealth. Let us share a knowledge of, and through it, a love for Native American culture. How wonderful to celebrate the bounty of the arts and humanities while supporting small business and building genuine inter-human connection and a deeper sense of community.”
e event will also feature a vendor and art market featuring wares of local artisans such as jewelry, pottery, clothing and more. Special guests from the Colorado Mammoth and Denver Nuggets are slated to appear as well.
What parents can do
e most e ective protection, Weiser said, begins at home.
“Monitor their use. Be engaged,” he said. “Ask your kids what they’re doing online. If they say they’re talking to someone, make sure they understand who or what that really is.”
e alert recommends using parental controls, ltering tools and built-in age restrictions. But more importantly, Weiser said, families should normalize regular conversations about digital habits and online experiences.
“Teach your kids that these chatbots are not human,” he said. “ ey’re designed to seem human but they’re not.
Don’t wait to talk to your kids.”
Looking ahead
Weiser said he’s not ruling out the need for new state legislation but believes current laws provide a strong foundation for accountability. For now, raising awareness remains a top priority.
To help parents get started, his o ce has created a one-page tip sheet with safety advice and conversation starters, available at stopfraudcolorado.gov.
“Arti cial intelligence is evolving rapidly, and many parents may not even be aware of social AI chatbots and their potential to harm children,” Weiser said. “ at needs to change.”
AI chatbots that mimic friendly conversation may pose hidden risks for kids, Colorado’s attorney general warns. SHUITTERSTOCK
The Arvada Powwow is set for June 7. COURTESY PHOTO
CROWSSUPDRO ELZZ
1. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What are male bees called?
2. TELEVISION: Which TV streaming network plans to host a new series based on the “Harry Potter” books?
3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: How many months have 31 days?
4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the rst president to appear on television?
5. MATH: What is the Roman numeral MMXXV in Arabic numbers?
6. MOVIES: What is the name of the spaceship in the movie “Alien”?
7. LITERATURE: “Nicholas Nickleby” is a novel written by which author?
8. AD SLOGANS: Which airline uses the slogan “Fly the Friendly Skies”?
9. ACRONYMS: What phrase does the real estate acronym DTI stand for?
10. FOOD & DRINK: What are the seeds of a pomegranate called?
TrIVIa
Answers
1. Drones.
2. HBO Max.
3. Seven: January, March, May, July, August, October and December.
4. Franklin D. Roosevelt.
5. 2025.
6. Nostromo.
7. Charles Dickens.
8. United Airlines.
9. Debt-to-income ratio.
10. Arils.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
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Amos said that in addition to helping to foil auto thefts after they happen, the events are designed to boost awareness of auto thefts and boost community engagement between the department and residents.
“ e primary goal of our auto theft tracker program is to reduce vehicle thefts by providing GPS trackers and warning decals as both a deterrent and a recovery tool,” Amos said. “We aim to support community members who have been victims of auto theft or own high-risk vehicles by equip-
ping them with tracking devices.
“ rough community installation events, our o cers will not only assist with device setup but also engage directly with residents, o ering education on theft prevention strategies,” Amos continued. “Our broader objective is to raise awareness about auto theft and encourage proactive measures among all residents, ultimately helping to reduce the risk of vehicle theft citywide.”
Amos added that while the program is currently on pause because the grant funding has been used, APD is looking to possibly continue it in the future.
“We’ll continue to seek opportunities for additional funding and hope to o er more community events in the future,” Amos said.
