Evergreen celebrates the life of John Ellis
A standing-room only crowd of people who loved John Ellis gathered April 9 at the Evergreen Lake House to honor Evergreen’s uno cial mayor. e celebration of life was also a reunion for Evergreen’s most long-standing and prominent residents, characterized by deep hugs, laughter, tears and shared memories of the man all called their friend.
“He would’ve been so proud of this,” Barbie Alderfer said to the crowd. “Wouldn’t he have loved this? He would have had such a good time.”
e lifelong Evergreen resident died March 19 at 77 of congestive heart failure.
Ellis worked as director of community relations at Evergreen National Bank and as a Blue Quill Angler shing guide. Among his volunteer positions, he served as a board member for the Evergreen Metropolitan
District and the Evergreen Park & Recreation District, and as an Evergreen Chamber of Commerce ambassador.
An extroverted, philanthropic man who his brother said understood, even as a child, how to give back and make others feel good, Ellis served on multiple Evergreen boards and as an events volunteer but was also known for small, individual acts of kindness.
“Mr. Happy,” friend Nancy Grant said of him. “We will al-
ways miss John.”
e formal portion of the three-hour gathering started with Evergreen optometrist Dr. Dan Hock playing bagpipe. Hock walked from the back of the room to the front, and back again, playing “Amazing Grace” and other songs.
Longtime friend Rich Reynolds spoke about their 32 years of friendship, which he said he“will cherish forever.”
BY JANE REUTER
In a unanimous vote and with no discussion, Je erson County Commissioners denied an appeal April 8 against Elk Creek Fire Protection District’s uni cation efforts, allowing the district’s merger with Conifer Fire to proceed.
While the motion was a partial victory for Elk Creek Fire, the battle isn’t over. Appellants Chuck Newby and Neil Whitehead III said they will appeal the issue to Je erson County District Court, and that could mean uni cation remains stalled.
“ is is sort of what we expected,” Newby said after the hearing. “But these are matters of law and procedure they didn’t get right and still haven’t gotten right, so we will ght on. We will appeal.” Newby, an Elk Creek board member, and Whitehead, an Elk
EPRD president Betsy Hays addresses a standing-room only crowd at the Evergreen Lakehouse during an April 9 celebration of life for John Ellis.
PHOTO BY JANE REUTER
Alderfer/Three Sisters’ west trailhead to close for nine months for upgrades
Je co Open Space plans
series of upgrades to the popular park and its trails
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e west trailhead and parking lot at Alderfer/ ree Sisters Park will be closed from May through January 2026 while Je erson County Open Space makes a series of trailhead and trail improvements.
e east trailhead and its parking lot will be open, and parking will also be available at Wilmot Elementary School during non-school hours.
Je co plans to expand the west trailhead parking lot, replace and upgrade the existing restroom and kiosk, add picnic shelters and improve Bluebird Meadow and Wild Iris trails.
“Alderfer/ ree Sisters is a very popular park in the Je co Open Space system and typically sees higher parking demand than available parking capacity,” said Chris Barker, communications supervisor for Je co Open Space. “Our main goal in this improvement project is to increase parking capacity to accommodate existing visitation.”
County workers plan to tie the redesign in with the local landscape.
“We’re hoping to pay homage to the rural character of the area by using earth-tone concrete and highlighting the aesthetics of the existing historic barn in the design of the new restrooms and picnic shelters,” Barker said. “ e trailhead surface will include pervious pavers, which will help us meet our goals related to sustainability and environmental health.”
Barker said hikers and other park users might want to consider nearby parks while the construction is ongoing at Alderfer/ ree Sister.
“We acknowledge that this closure may result in short-term parking congestion at Alderfer/ ree Sisters,” he said. “Many other parks in the Evergreen area provide really great recreational opportunities similar to Alderfer/ ree Sisters, such as Flying J Park, Meyer Ranch Park, and Lair O’ the Bear Park.”
e area around the west trailhead was once the home of ranchers EJ and Arleta Aldridge, and later that of their son Hank and his wife, Barbie.
In the mid-1980s, Hank arranged the sale of his family’s property — now part of the larger Alderfer/ ree Sisters — to Je erson County Open Space, ensuring it would remain undeveloped and open for public access.
Hank and Barbie Alderfer, both known for their many years of community service, now live near Pine.
Conifer High students receive journalism leadership award
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Sixteen Conifer High School students each received the Leadership Award in Scholastic Journalism from e National Scholastic Press Association April 4. e nation’s largest association serving scholastic media, gave the award to about 1,500 high school journalists throughout the country.
e CHS students who received awards were Bella Alley, Layla Beightel, Libby Bellotti, Hailey Bergman, Ellie Chase,
Payden Devaney, Liv Henderson, Amelia Hobgood, Nicholas Marcin, Sophia Masciangelo, Jolie Pinsonneault, Eren Schuh, Hailey Scott, Allie Silvernale, Jack Tal and Brynna Wambeke.
“NSPA is pleased to honor such a distinguished group of student-journalists,” associate director Gary Lundgren said. “ e leadership demonstrated by these students during their two years working on high school media will serve them well for careers in journalism or any future endeavors.”
To earn the NSPA Leadership Award in
Student Journalism, a high school student must serve with distinction for at least two years on the sta of an NSPA-member high school broadcast, literary arts magazine, newspaper/newsmagazine, specialty magazine, website or yearbook by the end of the current school year. Students are nominated by their advisers and must be in good academic standing and demonstrate journalistic excellence and sta leadership while maintaining the high ethical standards outlined in the NSPA Model Code of Ethics.
Highway 73 construction to begin soon
Contractor expects to start work in late April or early May
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Construction on a critical section of County Highway 73 through Evergreen is set to begin late this month or early May, according to Je erson County, and is expected to wrap up in November.
e original project covered a busy, quarter-mile segment between Plettner Lane — near the base of the Evergreen Dam — to just past the highway’s intersection with Little Cub Creek Road. Currently, about 18,000 vehicles use that section of the highway daily.
Contractor FNF Construction will replace the aging bridge at Cub Creek Road with a reinforced concrete box culvert. ey’ll also install a retaining wall along Cub Creek between Little Cub Creek Road intersection and Evergreen Fire Rescue Station #1. is wall will allow them to improve the left turn lane at the Little Cub Creek Road intersection and make space for a 6-foot-wide paved shoulder on the east side of Highway 73. ey’ll also build two public parking lots across from Evergreen Fire Station #1 and south of the intersection of Little Cub Creek Road.
e paved shoulder will provide a walkway from the two lots to the sidewalk near the Denver Parks dam parking lot and downtown Evergreen.
County sta said two-way tra c will continue to ow through the construction area during peak morning and evening hours.
e stretch of road is also now home to Evergreen Fire/Rescue’s Station 1, but plans call for that station to be demolished and moved to the site of the former Evergreen Mountain Market. e new station will combine EFR’s Stations 1 and 4 and is expected to be operational by 2027.
e project is funded largely by a federal grant from the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), with the county supplying 20% of the cost
Rules for private equity funded child care dead
BY ANN SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT
Child care chains backed by private equity investment rms won’t be subject to new limits intended to protect parents or workers, after a Colorado bill died in the state Senate April 8.
Senators initially passed House Bill 251011 on April 7, after rejecting a major change made last week in a legislative committee. But by the next day, some lawmakers had defected and the bill failed in an 18-16 vote.
Sen. Cathy Kipp, a Democrat from northern Colorado and one of the bill’s sponsors, said, “We were just unable to convince people between second and third reading that they should stick with us.”
e two readings are the initial and nal votes on legislation in the full House or Senate.
e legislation represented the rst time Colorado lawmakers have considered po-
tential problems posed by private equity rms that buy or invest in child care centers. Experts say private equity backing can hurt child care quality, raise prices for families, and send public dollars meant for classrooms into the pockets of wealthy investors. But leaders of large chains backed by private equity rms say they provide many desperately needed child care seats and that new guardrails would chill investment in Colorado’s child care industry.
About 15% of child care seats for young children in Colorado are housed in centers with private equity backing or ownership, according to a Chalkbeat analysis. ese include well-known chains like KinderCare, Primrose Schools, Goddard Schools, e Learning Experience, and brands owned by the Learning Care Group.
Other states, including Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey, have passed laws aimed at such chains in recent years.
Kipp said she’ll meet with the other sponsors after the legislative session to
“see if there is potentially a path forward, whether that be next year or the year after.”
e legislation would have required child care chains owned or backed by private equity or venture capital investors to post their tuition and fees online. It also would have required such chains to give families and employees 60 days notice after purchasing a child care center before laying o sta or making enrollment changes. e original version of the bill also would have prevented a common real estate practice in the private equity world, but that provision on “sale-leasebacks” was stripped out in the House. Experts say sale-leasebacks, which force acquired companies to sell their property and then lease it back from the new owner, can harm companies nancially by forcing them to shoulder a new expense.
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.
A road construction project that starts soon will soften curves, add a turn lane, bike lane and parking along a short section of County Highway 73 near downtown Evergreen. PHOTO BY JANE REUTER
Drop in Consumer Confidence & Concerns About Trade War Are Not Yet Reflected in Real Estate Statistics
Last Friday, CNN reported on a survey by the University of Michigan about consumer confidence, which showed a significant decline — 30% since December 2024.
“This decline was, like the last month’s, pervasive and unanimous across age, income, education, geographic region and political affiliation,” Joanne Hsu, the survey’s director, said in a release.
According to CNN, “the Federal Reserve and Wall Street are watching closely how souring sentiment translates into consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the US economy, and whether Americans lose faith that inflation will return to normal in the coming years.”
Sales are continuing to rise, and an increasing number of sellers are putting their homes on the MLS. Here are statistics for the previ-
can vary significantly. Here’s that chart:
measure of both seller hopes versus what the market will bear.
ous seven days (as of last Friday):
New listings — 1,425
That decline is consumer sentiment is not yet reflected in real estate statistics which I researched on REcolorado, Denver’s MLS. The charts shown in this report are for the 13 months from March 2024 through March 2025, so that you can see both year-over-year and month-over-month changes.
Coming soon — 90
Price reductions — 1,466
Under contract — 932
Withdrawn from MLS — 95
Back on Market — 198
Expired without selling — 153
Closed — 589
This is not an easy time to list and sell a home, and I would describe it as a “buyer’s market.” Even in a buyer’s market, however, keep in mind that a home which is priced correctly and has appealing qualities can sell quickly and even be in a bidding war.
How fast? Here’s the change in months of inventory and median days on the MLS:
The blue line is the asking price per square foot, and the green line is the sold price per square foot. In December, that price was bid up, but since then it has fallen, which is a
April statistics will be available in time for my column on May 8th. Since the greatest political and economic disruption is happening this month, it will be interesting to see how this month’s real estate activity is affected by current “externalities.” If you’re interested in my thoughts about those, you’ll want to check out my political blog, which is at http://TalkingTurkey.substack.com
Redfin Report Highlights Increasing Cost of Buying vs. Renting
The financial gap between purchasing a home and renting a home or apartment has grown significantly, making the dream of homeownership more distant, according to a report released by Redfin last Thursday.
According to the report, the typical American now needs to earn over $116,600 annually to afford a median-priced home in the U.S., compared to just $64,160 needed to afford an average apartment. That’s an 81.1 percent income gap — the widest it has been in recent years.
Homes are still being put on the MLS and are still selling. I limited my analysis to an 18-mile radius of downtown Denver, as shown in the map at right, not the “metro area” defined by county boundaries, as preferred by the Market Trends Committee of REcolorado.
First I looked at the count of active versus closed listing by month:
At the current rate of sales, it would take 3 months to sell the number of currently active listings, but the median days on market fell from over 40 in January to 17 in March.
Meanwhile, the average and median sold prices have remained steady. Average is always higher because of the number of million dollar homes sold.
I like to look at the change in price per finished square foot, since the size of homes
Those are national statistics, however. Here in the Denver metro area, the differential is much higher — 131.7 percent — according to Redfin. It takes an income of $155,717 to afford a median-priced home ($580,719) and $67,200 to afford a medianpriced apartment ($1,680 per month). That’s a year-over-year income increase of 4% for buying and a 1.1% decrease for renting. That reflects the national pattern of increased differential between the affordability of buying versus the affordability of renting.
The income needed to afford the typical home is calculated using the prevailing median home sale price and average mortgageinterest rate over rolling three-month periods, and assumes a 15% down payment. The typical housing payments noted in Redfin’s report include the mortgage principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners’ insurance and mortgage insurance.
Charities Which
The income needed to afford the typical apartment is calculated using the prevailing median asking rent over rolling three-month periods. Median asking rent figures cover newly listed units in apartment buildings with five or more units. Asking rents reflect the current costs of new leases during each time period. In other words, the amount shown as the median asking rent is not the median of what all renters are paying, but the median asking price of apartments that were available for new renters during the report period.
Redfin considers a home affordable if a buyer spends no more than 30% of their income on their housing payment. They use the same threshold for rental affordability.
The San Francisco Bay Area had the highest income differentials in the Redfin study. In San Jose, someone needs an annual income of $408,557 to afford the typical home for sale. That’s 218% more than they need to afford the typical apartment for rent—the biggest premium among the metro areas which Redfin analyzed. Next came San Francisco (176%), Seattle (145%), Austin (143%) and Los Angeles (141%).
Cincinnati saw the biggest drop in the homebuying premium. There someone needs an annual income of $80,752 to afford the typical home for sale. That’s 38.9% more than they need to afford the typical rental. A year ago they would have needed to earn 47.7% more to buy versus rent.
Used Our Free Box Truck Miss It. Our GoFundMe Campaign Is Off to a Good Start.
Back in February, I announced that our truck needed a new engine and other repairs and that we decided to retire it instead. This was a big loss to such non-profits as Operation Feed the Troops, Family Promise, BGoldN, Christian Action Guild, Buffalo Bill Days, and the International Rescue Committee, among others, which used the truck more often than our clients!
The truck is off the road but still available to be repaired. So far, we’ve received about $1,500 in donations. If you’d like to contribute, visit www.BringItBack.info. Thanks!
Schools fear retaliation for inclusion program
Hundreds of millions for schools at risk amid Trump DEI threats
BY MELANIE ASMAR CHALKBEAT
About $800 million dollars in federal funding, or roughly 10% of Colorado’s K-12 education budget this year, could be at risk related to the latest demand from the Trump administration.
e U.S. Department of Education on April 3 gave state education agencies 10 days to certify that their schools do not engage in practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. ose that don’t, the department said, will not receive any federal funding.
At issue is Title VI, a provision of federal civil rights law that bars discrimination on the basis of race or shared ancestry.
e Trump administration’s interpretation is controversial. Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement that “too many schools” use “DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans to favor another based on identity characteristics in clear violation of Title VI.”
Schools must also certify that they comply with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which banned the use of race in college admissions decisions but which the Trump administration has interpreted more broadly.
Colorado Department of Education Commissioner Susana Córdova sent a brief
letter to the state’s school district superintendents ursday that said the department is “conferring with our legal counsel” to understand the new federal requirement.
“We will let you know the next steps; please do not take any actions until we provide you with further guidance,” Córdova wrote in the letter, which the state education department provided to Chalkbeat.
“We understand that you may be receiving questions about the impact of this; as soon as we have more information, we will reach out to you all.”
All federal funding appears to be at risk if states don’t comply, though the Trump administration’s letter speci cally names Title I funding that supports high-poverty schools.
Colorado received about $168 million in federal Title I funding this year that it then distributed to school districts, according to the state education department.
One other Democrat-controlled state has already responded to the Trump admin-
Colorado received about $800 million in federal funding this school year that could be at risk.
instate a federal policy that treated schools as “sensitive locations” for the purposes of immigration enforcement.
Denver Public Schools is a diverse district. About three-quarters of its 90,000 students are students of color. About 38% of Denver students are English language learners, and 63% qualify for subsidized lunches, a measure of poverty. Nearly 15% are students with disabilities.
Equity is one of the Denver district’s core values, and its school board and superintendent have passed policies and created internal departments that aim to close academic gaps between white students and Black and Latino students.
istration’s demands. On April 4, the New York State Education Department said it will not comply.
Denver Public Schools, Colorado’s largest school district, received the most Title I funding in the state: about $35 million, according to state data. In total, Denver Public Schools expects to receive $96 million in federal funding this school year, according to district budget documents. Federal funding makes up about 6.7% of the Denver district’s budget.
Denver Public Schools has already found itself in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. In January, the U.S. Department of Education O ce for Civil Rights announced it was investigating DPS for converting a girls’ restroom at East High School into an all-gender restroom.
In February, Denver Public Schools sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in an e ort to keep immigration enforcement away from schools. A federal judge sided with the Trump administration in March, rejecting the district’s attempt to re-
SENIOR LINE DANCING SENIOR LINE DANCING
Other e orts include advisory groups for families and community members, such as a Latine Education Advisory Committee and a Black Family Advisory Committee. e webpage for the Black Family Advisory Committee says, “You do not need to be Black to participate, just need to be focused on the needs of Black students and their families in DPS.”
It’s unclear whether the education department’s edict would a ect such programs.
Denver Public Schools spokesperson Scott Pribble said in a statement that, “We are assessing the situation, but DPS is already in compliance with Title VI.”
“It is too early to determine the exact impacts this could have on Denver Public Schools,” Pribble said. But he noted that the $96 million in federal funding that the district expects to receive this school year “are funds that support students and teachers.”
“Without these funds, we would need to reduce services or look for other local funding sources,” he said.
Reporter Jason Gonzales contributed to this story.
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.
ELK CREEK FIRE
Creek resident, have 30 days to le. If uni cation moves forward, the district court would need to approve it and is unlikely to do so if an unresolved legal question surrounds the merger.
“It’s not our intent to tie up the process, but we have o ered to stay this entire proceeding if the district would just take it to the voters,” Newby said.
“Elk Creek said ‘no’ to that,” Whitehead said. “We feel the citizens deserve to weigh in and determine their own destiny. Democracy has been denied.” Uni cation is a process outlined under state statute that does not require an election.
Chief Jacob Ware, supported by 18 Elk Creek re ghters who attended the hearing, was relieved by the commissioners’ decision.
“It’s exciting and it’s kind of surreal,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming.
“We’re excited to have a unanimous decision and the fact that there was no discussion I think goes to show we had the law on our side. We did everything appropriately.”
Newby has been a longtime opponent to e orts to consolidate the three Conifer-area re districts. He campaigned against consolidating before a November 2023 vote in which the issue narrowly lost in Elk Creek, passing among North Fork and Inter-Canyon voters.
In late 2024, the three re chiefs announced they would unify. All three re boards passed motions in favor of uni -
cation, but Newby and Whitehead led an appeal. ey said the uni cation process violates state statute, subverts the voters’ wishes and could result in higher taxes without voter approval.
With Elk Creek Fire in legal limbo, North Fork and Inter-Canyon merged in late 2024 as the Conifer Fire Protection District.
During the April 8 hearing, County Commission Lesley Dahlkemper emphasized the board could only consider whether the Elk Creek board followed proper procedure during a Nov. 21, 2024 meeting in which they approved the exclusion resolution.
While she said commissioners had received “numerous” messages in supporting and opposing uni cation, the board also didn’t take those into account because they weren’t part of the Nov. 21 meeting record.
Both sides got 10 minutes to present their case to the commissioners.
Despite Dahlkemper’s emphasis that the hearing would only focus on the Nov. 21 meeting, Whitehead argued that unication subverted the voters’ ability to weigh in on the issue and that taxes may increase with a merger.
But he also argued that the Nov. 21 meeting didn’t follow provisions within Title 32, which outlines procedures for special districts.
“ e statutory provision requires the Elk Creek board conduct a hearing that makes ndings with respect to each and every one of 10 speci c evaluation criteria,” Whitehead said. “ e board held a meeting that consisted of a public comment period, Followed by a brief discussion by board members. e duty to con-
sider and make factual ndings on the speci cally designated evaluation criteria was not ful lled.”
at included the ability of North Fork (now Conifer Fire) to provide su cient service to Elk Creek property owners, potential changes to homeowners’ re insurance coverage and ratings “given their re and emergency resources would be stretched” to cover new areas and a lack of discussion on any other economically feasible alternative to unication.
Speaking for Elk Creek Fire, Chief Jacob Ware told commissioners consolidating the three agencies is not a new idea, characterizing it as “a responsibility Elk Creek has to meet the needs of the district.”
“ is has been talked about since the ‘90s,” he said. “It’s happened all across the country, and it’s happened in Je erson County.”
Ware emphasized uni cation would result in a half-mill decrease for Elk Creek residents, slightly lowering taxes. And in contrast to Whitehead’s concern that resources would be diluted, he said the uni ed district would be better able to protect the area.
“By combining resources, the uni ed district will have 35 to40 volunteers, 35 professionals, two sta ed stations will increased service for all three districts in an area of 400 square miles,” he said. “We’ve heard from sta , both volunteer and career, that this is the correct path.”
Attorney John Chmil, representing Elk Creek Fire, argued against Whitehead’s assertion.
“ e statute does not require any kind of speci c presentation or receipt of evi-
dence,” he said. “What we have here is a very engaged populace, a board with a history of this topic, and an acknowledgement of what’s going on and what’s best for the community as far as emergency services.
“ e statute requires a public hearing and then for the board to consider those factors in making a determination of whether or not to grant or deny the exclusion.”
Chmil said written notice of the hearing was sent to all the district’s residents, several of whom spoke at the hearing. “ ey had all the substance they needed to consider each factor, make a nding and then determine whether to grant or deny the exclusion,” Chmil said. “And they absolutely did that.”
e commissioners will include a formal resolution on the decision at their next meeting.
Chmil said the next two weeks will determine Elk Creek’s next steps.
“ at’s the same district court we would le with (to approve adding Elk Creek to Conifer Fire),” he said. “We feel there’s likely an ability for us to get in front of the court now and try to advance the issue. Ultimately, I think there is an ability to proceed.”
Elk Creek board president Greg Pixley, who was also at the commissioners’ hearing, said the decision was “exciting” for the district.
“We have one more set,” he said. “I have con dence the outcome will be in our favor (of Elk Creek) so we can better provide safety and protection to our community, their families and the businesses within Conifer Fire Protection District.”
YOUR OTE
IT MATTERS.
One Depar tm One Dir ect
Candidates for Evergreen Fire Protection District (EFPD) May 6th Election
STACEY BALLINGER Board President
Our bold vision and decisive action have strengthened community safety and uplifted our volunteer firefighters with better resources and support progress we’ll build upon to keep moving forward in a positive direction.
Attracting & keeping dedicated volunteers
• Listened to our volunteers’ needs and concerns, made targeted leadership changes, and brought in top-notch, dynamic personnel — increasing our fully trained, volunteer core by 8.33%, and increasing retention by 33.3% from 2022 to 2024 All volunteer categories, including academy trainees, when from 52 to 81 in the same time period, a 56%increase!
• Encouraged volunteer participation at all levels — boosting morale and giving them a voice in shaping the department’s future.
• Improved teamwork between volunteers, paid firefighters, and staff — easing strain on volunteers and enhancing community safety through more efficient emergency responses, stronger collaboration, and a shared commitment to protecting lives and property.
Protecting our community from wildfire risks
• Attracted top Wildland fire experts to join our expanded Wildfire Division improving ability to respond to wildfires, enhancing community preparedness and provide wildland training for volunteers and paid firefighters.
• Activated fire department mitigation efforts to improve community safety — securing over $1 million in grant funding and workforce projects to remove hazardous fuels from public and private lands, mitigated critical evacuation routes like highway 73, highway 103, Witter Gulch and this season High Drive, with ramped up efforts over the next 5 years.
• Updated the Community Wildland Protection Plan — implementing community mitigation programs, including free home assessments, chipping services, as well as enhancing the Neighborhood Ambassador program to educate residents on wildfire preparedness.
Strengthening our fire department to protect our community
• Optimized resources to support higher emergency call volume — significantly improving fire emergency response times from our main station by an average of almost 5 minutes, from an average of 8.20 minutes in 2022, to just 3.44 minutes the beginning of 2025.
• Created a community-focused fire department —completing a Master Plan and currently developing a Strategic Plan which are long-term roadmaps to direct growth, operations and resources.
• Diligently managed budget —ensuring community funds are allocated wisely to maximize service and support, delivering essential resources and programs while maintaining fiscal responsibility for the benefit of all residents.
We’ve listened to everyone’s concerns, tackled challenges with smart solutions, and tightened financial and management oversight to make our fire department stronger because your safety depends on it.
We’re committed to continuing positive momentum with the current direction, maintaining operational stability, supporting our essential volunteers and staff —ensuring we deliver exceptional service standards to meet today ’s demands, with the flexibility to adapt to tomorrow’s evolving needs.
Third measles case shows up in Wolf Creek Ski Area
People who visited slopes late March are urged to monitor for symptoms
BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado’s struggle to keep the nation’s widening measles outbreaks from breaching its borders took another hit April 8, as o cials announced the third new case in nine days.
e new infection was reported in a person in Archuleta County, and the person who was infected did not report having recently traveled outside Colorado. at likely means, for what would be the rst time in years, Colorado has seen a con rmed instance of local transmission of measles.
Dr. Rachel Herlihy, the state epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said the case is not believed to be connected to two other recently reported cases, one in Pueblo and another in Denver.
“ e individual did not travel outside of Colorado, which leaves open the possibility of community transmission,” she said in a statement.
O cials have identi ed three places where the infected person went while likely contagious, meaning people there may have been exposed to the virus:
• Wolf Creek Ski Area, all day on the dates of Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30.
• e Pagosa Medical Group clinic in Pagosa Springs, between 9:05 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on Monday, March 31, and again between the hours of 3:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2.
• e City Market in Pagosa Springs between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. on Monday, March 31.
People who were at those locations during those times should monitor them-
selves for symptoms for 21 days and consider avoiding public gatherings during that time. If people do develop symptoms — measles typically starts with a cough, fever, runny nose and/or red eyes, then progresses to the telltale rash that starts on the face and moves downward — they should call their doctor or call a clinic.
Health o cials say people who think they may have measles should always call ahead so that medical providers can make plans to keep other patients at the clinic from being exposed.
CDPHE did not immediately provide information on how the infected person in Archuleta County is doing, though it said the person’s window for contagiousness ended on April 3. e person’s vaccination status is unclear.
Measles is considered a preventable disease because two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% e ective against the measles virus. e disease had once been considered eliminated in the United States, and it has been at least a decade since Colorado last saw three or more cases of measles in a year.
But, with vaccination rates against measles dipping across the country, the U.S. has seen more than 600 cases of measles this year, with more 500 of those in Texas. Ski resort communities in southwestern Colorado, which see a lot of visitors from Texas, had been worried that spring break travel could bring measles to their towns.
With measles outbreaks currently ongoing not only in Texas but in the surrounding states of New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas — and with the summer travel season approaching — state health o cials have been urging people who are unvaccinated or who may need a booster to consider getting the shot.
is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.
Je co voices help shape Colorado’s conversation on AI in the classroom
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In celebration of National AI Literacy Day in March, the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado Education Initiative hosted a virtual summit that brought educators, students and industry leaders together to explore how arti cial intelligence is changing teaching, learning and leadership in Colorado schools.
e day opened with a session on the state’s roadmap for AI in K-12 education and continued with panels that o ered real-world examples of how schools are using AI to support teaching, personalize learning and grapple with big questions around equity and ethics. at roadmap, released in August, was the product of a seven-month statewide process involving more than 100 educators, students, industry leaders and policymakers.
Two voices from Je co Public Schools helped spotlight how the state’s second-largest district is grappling with the promise and challenges of integrating AI into daily teaching and learning practices.
Andrew Gitner, Je co’s Ed Tech Specialist and Tam Nguyen, a student at Columbine High School, shared their perspectives on how arti cial intelligence shapes teaching and learning.
Gitner led a session focused on helping educators implement AI tools thoughtfully and e ectively in the classroom, while Nguyen presented his senior capstone project on the implications of AI bias in education.
Bringing AI into the classroom
Gitner, a former English teacher turned K-12 instructional technology leader, presented a session aimed at demystifying classroom AI tools for educators. With a mix of humor and practicality, he focused on showing how teachers can integrate generative AI into everyday work ows without giving up control.
“I kind of teach teachers how to talk to robots,” Gitner said.
Gitner shared that during his teaching days, grading essays or giving detailed feedback often meant sacri cing evenings and weekends.
“AI tools can speed that up, letting teachers spend more time where it really matters, in instruction and relationship-building,” he said. Gitner also underscored the need for educators to stay in control of how AI is used in the classroom.
“ e computer should never make a management decision because it can’t be held accountable,” he said. “ at’s still the teacher’s
job.”
explore tools like MagicSchool, SchoolAI and Di t, o ering guidance on how to experiment safely and ethically. Gitner said he’s excited about how AI can free up time for more creative, human-centered instruction and how it may evolve to help teachers better understand student needs.
“We’re just scratching the surface,” he said. “Eventually, AI could help us tailor learning in ways we haven’t even imagined yet.”
While Gitner’s work centers on helping educators use AI e ectively, he also emphasized its role in promoting equity for students with learning di erences such as dyslexia or dysgraphia.
“ ese tools can remove barriers,” he said. “But equitable access is key. We can’t a ord to
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Je co students carve their path with winning snowboard designs
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When CJ Walter, a senior in Je co’s graphic design program at Warren Tech, stepped on stage and saw their design, “Beyond the Horizon,” printed on a fullsize snowboard for the rst time, they couldn’t stop smiling.
“I’m so incredibly proud of everything I’ve accomplished with it,” Walter said.
Walter’s board was among 10 selected in the annual snowboard design contest hosted by Warren Tech Central and Denver-based Never Summer Industries. Now in its 12th year, the contest invites students to create original snowboard graphics for a semester-long design challenge.
e winning designs are printed on snowboards produced by Never Summer and awarded to students during a spring ceremony.
e contest began in 2013 after Pete Cunis, one of Warren Tech’s graphic design instructors, brought a group of students to tour Never Summer’s factory. During the visit, he reconnected with former colleague Vince Sanders, Never Summer’s chairman, and proposed an idea that quickly became one of the school’s most celebrated collaborations.
“We had this moment where we thought, what if we gave students the opportunity to design a real snowboard?”
Cunis said. “And Never Summer was totally on board.”
From sketches to snowboards
Since then, the partnership has grown into a comprehensive, year-long design project that begins each fall with a classroom visit from Never Summer sta .
Students learn what the company looks for in board graphics, from mood boards to production specs, and begin sketching concepts as early as October. In November, they visit the Denver factory to see rsthand how snowboards are made, gaining insight into the materials, printing techniques and technical requirements that inform their nal designs.
Students then spend months re ning their artwork, incorporating feedback from instructors and peers. In February, the top 20 nalists present their designs
team, explaining their inspiration and how their artwork connects to the company’s brand.
From those 20 students, 10 winners are chosen and announced at a schoolwide ceremony in April, where each receives a full-size snowboard featuring their design.
“ is is more than a class project. is is industry-level work,” said Scot Odendahl, who co-teaches the program with Cunis.
“From pitching their concept to receiving design feedback to making their les print-ready, students experience the full creative process.”
Career preparation through creativity
At this year’s ceremony, industry guests and district leaders, including Superintendent Tracy Dorland, praised the partnership as a model for career and technical education.
“ is is what it looks like when education and industry come together to create meaningful opportunities for students,” Dorland said. “It’s one of the most inspiring events of the year.”
Warren Tech’s graphic design program doesn’t stop at snowboard graphics. Students graduate with Adobe certi cations, professional portfolios and experience working with real clients.
According to Odendahl, one of the program’s key strengths is simulating the pressures and expectations of a creative workplace.
“We structure our projects to re ect real-world scenarios, where deadlines, presentation and revisions matter,” he said.
“It’s not just about making something cool; it’s about communicating an idea
From left, Superintendent Tracy Dorland, Kira White, Adam Kirwin, Jack Alicia, CJ Walter, Clara Ohlsen, Samara Howlett, Enji Jensen, Polly Fagan, Adelyn Westfall, Basil Lai-Payne and school board member Mary Parker.
e ectively to a client.” ey create everything from book fair illustrations for Scholastic to signage for local businesses, often working directly with stakeholders to gather input and present their work.
Cunis said students leave the program with practical skills they can take into the workforce or college.
“By the time they leave here, they’ve gone through critiques, client meetings and public showcases,” Cunis said. “ at’s a huge con dence boost and a real resume-builder.”
Students also participate in mock interviews and industry showcases, preparing them for college and careers. Odendhal said many graduates go on to work in design, attend art schools or start freelance businesses.
While the snowboard contest is just one project in a larger curriculum, it remains a favorite for its creative freedom, tangible outcome and industry connection.
“Some of our students have said this was the highlight of their high school experience,” Odendahl said. “And honestly, it is for us too.”
Designs that tell a story is year’s winning designs included dreamy landscapes, cyberpunk cities, hand-carved linoleum prints and personal tributes to nature, childhood memories and emotional storytelling.
Students stood before their peers, teachers and families as they received their custom boards, many describing the hundreds of hours spent drawing, revising and preparing their nal presentations.
Adam Kerwin, whose board “Astro
Tune” was selected as the factory favorite, told the crowd he had fun letting his imagination run wild.
“Ninety percent of it was, what can I do for the fun of it? Whatever popped into my head, whatever spilled out, I threw onto the board and colored it with whatever color seemed necessary,” Kerwin said. “I had so much fun. ank you guys.”
Kyra White, who won the popular vote with her design “Dark Room Bloom,” explained that the concept drew from years of experience in analog photography.
“My board is based o of darkroom photography I have been in for years and years... it’s de nitely something that I hold close to my heart,” White said. “It is another to see it come to life and know that people believed in it.”
Cunis and Odendahl emphasized that the project teaches students not just how to make good art but how to meet deadlines, accept criticism and design for a client’s needs. It also shows students that their creativity has value beyond the classroom.
“It’s a really unique opportunity,” said Cunis. “You get to see your work go from an idea to something you can hold in your hands.”
The community impact
Each year, Never Summer also produces a small number of boards for sale, with proceeds going back into Warren Tech’s graphic design program. ese sales help fund equipment, materials and expanded opportunities for future students.
“ is program is one of the best examples I’ve seen of how a school can connect with a business to give students a taste of professional life,” said Matt Walsh, executive director of Career and Technical Education at Je co Public Schools. “ e students walk away not only with a product, but with a real sense of pride and purpose.”
Vince Sanders, chairman of Never Summer, said the company looks forward to the project every year.
“ ese students blow us away with their creativity,” Sanders said. “We see new ideas, fresh approaches and so much talent. It’s a privilege to be a part of their journey.”
PHOTO BY SUZIE GLASSMAN
ergreen Park & Recreation District inv ites y ou to E erg
Evergreen Park and Recreation District will hold a regular election on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 to fill three (3) vacancies on its Board of Directors. The polls will be open at Buchanan Park Recreation Center from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM on May 6th.
For more information
Date: Tuesday, May 6th
Time: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location: Buchanan Park Rec Center
32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen, CO 80439
https://www.evergreenrecreation.com/2025-election-information
Even man’s best friend understands value of friendship
We have two dogs that are best friends. ree-year-old Skye and one-year-old Bear are Coltrievers, part Golden Retriever and part Border Collie. Technically, they are aunt and nephew; Bear’s mother was born in the same litter as Skye.
As soon as 9-week-old Bear joined our family, Skye started trying to get him to play with her; so incredibly happy to have a playmate. What began as a fullgrown dog trying to coax a timid weeksold puppy into doing a little bit of running around has evolved into full-on races inside and outside of the house where you will often hear Beth or I exclaim, “Hey, now that’s too rough.”
e games of these two best friends are a joy to watch. ey might start with Skye squeaking a toy four or ve times or Bear patting the ground and pretending to jump forward.
e language of these two is amazing to watch in action. e invitation to playtime is followed by a mix of wagging tails, panting tongues, playful growling, lots of running and un ltered joy. eir rumpus room friendship has this dear, quiet side, too. Last week, I was sitting at the table doing some work, and these two best friends lay on top of my feet with their heads touching each other. As I watched that sweet, tender moment, I could not help but think about the role friends play in our lives. e collective power of friendship is astounding. In the history of humankind friendship has altered the course of en-
tire nations, been the foundation for business empires, and the impetus for lifechanging discoveries and inventions.
Friendships make our individual days richer and provide us with avenues for laughter and lifetime memories. ey present us opportunities to share our deepest secrets and a shoulder to cry on in times of greatest need. Friendships are one of our world’s most precious resources. Nurturing a friendship reaps amazing rewards for each of us.
When a friend faces challenging life events, it can leave us searching for the perfect way to help. We know how much that friendship adds to our lives, and we want to be that same type of support for our friend. We see their pain and their need, and we want to be the di erence makers. Most of us will, at some point, face questions about how to support our friends in their moment of need.
Here is what I have learned so far about those moments when you want to help but don’t know how:
• Be consistent, a force of positivity they can trust will be present.
• Listen so you understand the needs of the person struggling.
• Give help on the timeline of the person needing help.
• Be authentically yourself, lean into your strengths when you are trying to gure out how to help.
• Distance, being 5 minutes or 5,000 miles apart, is not a barrier friends feel. Act when your friend needs it. is week I hope you will celebrate the friends you have. ey are incredible encouragers, some of your greatest treasures and they deserve your best. I would love to hear about the friendships that have made a di erence in your life.
The happy days of U.S. manufacturing are gone
After World War II, Americans came home and began building one of the world’s best economies.
Our soldiers took advantage of the GI Bill which helped pay for education and housing. ey married their sweethearts and moved into the new homes that were being built. As U.S. car production resumed, they bought a car and took one of the many new jobs being created by the wildly expanding American economy. As the wartime economy transformed into a peacetime one you might call it the Golden Age of American Capitalism.
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.
If minds be so
e Golden Age continued into the ‘50’s as America’s GNP more than doubled between 1945 and 1960. One of our economy’s successes were the thousands of small manufacturers serving both consumer and industrial needs. By 1954 there were approximately 344,000 manufacturing establishments in the U.S. One of those in my hometown was a small company that made thermometers. It employed between 100 and 150 employees. My father was a sales and marketing executive for this company. In our town of about 75,000 there were a dozen or so similar sized companies making a variety of products or machine parts. ese small manufacturers were scattered around the country and were especially common in the Midwest. My dad’s company, like the others, treated employees well in terms of pay and bene ts. I well remember when I was about to go o to college, my dad was given a
raise to cover the annual cost of college. e companies were loyal to their employers and the employees returned the loyalty with hard work.
In the seventies things began to change. Owners who were now of retirement age looked for a business sale opportunity to fund their retirement. As ownership changed from founding families to competitors or larger companies in companion businesses, the smaller business was often shut down. As this happened again and again, thousands of jobs were lost.
At the same time, larger manufacturers began to utilize robotics and other labor-saving strategies. Over 3.5 million industrial robots are currently operating in factories worldwide (according to the International Federation of Robotics). e United States has some of the highest labor costs globally, particularly in the manufacturing sector. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2016, the average hourly compensation cost in U.S. manufacturing was $39.03. is gure is higher than in many other industrialized countries, such as the United Kingdom ($26.96), Japan ($25.37), and Korea ($15.58).
As the U.S. has navigated through the changing business realities, the products o ered have changed from manufacturing to services like, banking, insurance,
legal and many others. We will likely not be well positioned to see the manufacturing sector rise to the happy days of the 50’s.
As of the latest data, manufacturing employment in the United States comprises approximately 8.3% of the total workforce. is re ects a signicant decline from previous decades; for instance, in 1990, manufacturing accounted for about 16.3% of total U.S. employment. Despite this decrease, the manufacturing sector remains a crucial component of the U.S. economy, contributing $2.93 trillion to the economy, which is 10.0% of U.S. GDP as of the third quarter of 2024.
e current idea of using tari s to bring back manufacturing to America seems unlikely to succeed. We are part of a world economy, and we must compete to succeed. In its nal days, the small thermometer company lacked the know how to produce digital thermometers. Each time I spy a round dial thermometer, I strain to see if it is an Ohio ermometer, If so, a tear comes to my eye. Mr. President, thanks for trying to bring back the happy days. If you could, I would gladly trade for my computer and phone.
Jim Rohrer of Evergreen is a business consultant and author of the books “Improve Your Bottom Line … Develop MVPs Today” and “Never Lose Your Job … Become a More Valuable Player.” Jim’s belief is that common sense is becoming less common. More about Jim at www.theloyaltypartners.com.
The Revolutionary War began in April 1775 at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. After the Shot Heard Round the World, there could be no compromise. e American rebellion either had to be crushed, or it had to succeed. Twenty months into the war, omas Paine wrote it was a time that tried men’s souls. e situation was grim. e Continental Army was back on its heels, but that didn’t deter those ghting for their rights. ey sti ened their resolve and remained resolute.
Today, many Americans are back on their heels. e country is in a period of disrepair with anxiety enveloping the nation. Faith and trust in major institutions has declined. Algorithms of tech giants, like Meta, condition users’ brains to salivate like Pavlov’s dogs when hearing a bell. Predatory private equity groups drive costs up for consumers by sucking the blood from upstarts and small businesses. e wealth gap is inexorably widening. e top 10% control 69% of American wealth and the bottom fty percent a mere six percent. Many work multiple jobs trying to make ends meet.
JERRY FABYANIC
Columnist
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Jim Roome
GUEST COLUMN
Jim Rohrer
Three-year-old Skye and one-year-old Bear are Coltrievers, part Golden Retriever and part Border Collie. COURTESY OF JIM ROOME
FABYANIC
ose dependent upon Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans’ bene ts are terri ed as the Grim Reaper wields his scythe.
ere are those who say we haven’t been through a time like this one. But we’ve been at the brink before. Nonetheless, I get it. is era seems like a mutant pathogen compared to our previous turbulent periods. It’s seriously worrisome no matter what one’s political persuasion is.
Citing examples from our past, however, doesn’t assuage the fear that we’re currently facing extreme threats and crises. Far from it. It just gives evidence that we’re never completely safe and that our wellbeing and rights cannot be taken for granted. It takes ongoing vigilance and work to protect and ensure them. at begins with not self-sabotaging and ceding personal power. But many continue to do just that and then feel hapless and helpless when doo-doo hits the fan. I fear that we’re evolving into automatons. We’re being so conditioned, anesthetized even, by the fast-and-easy MO of modern life — think fast food, Facebook, and cell phones—that we’re becoming mechanistic. e result is that cynicism has become a social mindset. ere’s more than one problem with that beginning with cynicism being antithetical to the human condition. A primary tenet of cynicism is an I-cando-it-alone mentality, but we’re a social, co-dependent species. It’s bad enough to lose faith and trust in institutions; it’s quite another to lose them in each other, our fellow citizens. If that happens, it will lead not only to personal and societal dysfunction but also be injurious to, even lethal for, our democracy.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow memorialized the Battle of Lexington and
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Concord in his epic poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride.” I smilingly recall reading the poem aloud with my eighth graders. e poem is loosely accurate with details, but it isn’t about facts. It’s about feelings. Afterward, I’d give them time to sketch their thoughts and feelings. ey got it. eir artwork expressed it vividly. I fear, though, that some if not many of them have lost that “loving feeling” now that they’re middle aged, the time when disillusionment can set in.
I admit to experiencing disconsolate moods, which I’ve shared with a few. It helps to vent, but it doesn’t help if what is being vented becomes gelled into a mindset. If I feel that happening, I give myself a good shake. Because that’s not who I am or wish to be.
Every good leader knows if you go into a fray feeling defeated, you’ll assuredly lose. But if you set your jaw, understanding the battle could be a protracted slog, you’ll have more than a chance. You will win.
Saturday, April 19, 2025, will be the semiquincentennia l—250th — anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. It’ll be a perfect day to commemorate, celebrate, and muse upon what our ancestors did to allow us the privilege of being a free, feisty people. I encourage you to pull up and slowly read Longfellow’s poem aloud. And especially take to heart the poem’s last two stanzas.
Before the Battle of Agincourt, the king in “Henry V” states, “All things be ready if our minds be so.” By that he’s saying although his army is militarily girded for battle, victory will depend on its mental and emotional state. at’s true today. If everyday Americans follow their ancestors’ lead and act with resolve and resolution, they can change the nation’s socio-economic trajectory to ensure equity and opportunity not for those for whom enough is never enough but for themselves, the heart, brain, brawn, and soul of America. ey can, that is, if their minds be so.
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EATON
OBITUARIES
Patricia Gail “Patty” Eaton
June 1, 1951 - March 25, 2025
Patricia Gail Eaton, a pillar of grace and a beacon of love, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 25, 2025. She was living in Conifer, Colorado for more than two decades. Patty was born in Denver, Colorado on June 1, 1951. She was adopted with her older brother to Jackie and Pete Eaton as a young child. Patty was a successful business owner through “Helping Hands Services” and provided house sitting, cleaning, cooking, running errands, and more. She had a Doctorate in eology and was a Reverend visiting and teaching the Holy Bible in prisons. She also performed wedding services, baby dedications, and memorial services. She is survived by her older
HERMAN
brother Robert Eaton, her niece Stacy, nephew Rob, and great niece alia. Patty was also a friend and neighbor to countless others. Patty had a passion to help other and was a kind spirit. She loved Jesus, her family, her cats and dogs, and shopping, but it was her love for her family and friends that she treasured most of all. Patty should be remembered for her strength, courage, passion, honor, humor, and love. She had a unique, beautiful spirit, and the outpouring of love and support by those people whose lives she touched is a testament to her never-ending presence in the world. She will be missed by all of us. Please forward any donations to your local pet shelters.
Dean Leroy Herman
November 2, 1937 - March 25, 2025
Dean Leroy Herman, age 87, of Evergreen, Colorado, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025. Dean was married to his beloved wife, Charlene, for 62 years, living together in Evergreen for 57 years. Dean is survived by Charlene, children Dean Jr. and Keri (Mike Schmid), grandchildren Gunner and Gabbi Ensminger.
Nancy Ann (Coombe) Sohrweid
August 13, 1940 - March 20, 2025
Nancy Ann Sohrweid, 84, passed away in McKinney, Texas, on March 20, 2025. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 13 to Cecil and Francis Coombe, Nancy was a dedicated educator and active community member. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas and a Master of Education degree from the University of Missouri.
Nancy met Gary Sohrweid at Evergreen High School, where she worked as a counselor. ey were married on July 27, 1967, at Evergreen Lutheran Church, where they remained devoted members until relocating to Texas in 2023. Nancy proudly served as the congregation’s rst female president.
After dedicating 20 years to education, primarily as a history teacher and department head at, what was then called, Evergreen Junior High School, Nancy retired in 1996. Her passion for teaching
RAFFILL
and her commitment to helping others left a lasting impact on all who knew her. Nancy was the ultimate role model, a strong leader, and a sel ess individual. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched.
Nancy is survived by her husband of 57 years, Gary Sohrweid; daughters Ti any Nayar (Reggie) and Michele O’Dell (Mitchell); and grandchildren Tia (Cory), Spencer, Alyssa, Alexandra, and Aidan. Nancy is preceded in death by her younger sister Carol Lee Coombe.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on April 26 at Evergreen Lutheran Church. In lieu of owers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Nancy Sohrweid and mailed to Gary Sohrweid at 4261 E University Drive, P.O. Box 30115, Prosper, TX 75078, to bene t organizations Nancy supported.
Raffill May 25, 1967 - January 31, 2025
Daniel “Dano” Ra ll, age 57, passed away at his home in Evergreen, CO on Friday, January 31, 2025. He was born in Madison, WI the son of Dennis and Cindy Ra ll.
Dano graduated from Madison West High School in 1985. He was a lifelong carpenter. In 1994 Dano moved to Colorado where he continued his career with many building companies. He loved playing softball, darts, golf, cornhole, and spending time with family and friends. Dano was a genuinely nice guy, very respectful to everyone he encountered, and very likeable.
Montague; best friend in CO, Adam “Buck” Beers; ex-wife, Kathy Furset; many friends in Evergreen, CO. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bob and Jane Way and Art and Peg Ra ll; aunt, Nancy Johnson; uncle Jim’s partner, Kat Pettit; and his beloved dog, Graybrow.
A celebration of life will be held in CO in the future. Memorials may be made in Dano’s name to the charity of the donor’s choice.
A special thank you to all of the builders in Colorado who employed Dano, to all of Dano’s neighbors in CO for the last 30 years, and to all of the Colorado softball buddies.
Dano is survived by his parents; sister, Debbie (John) Hanson; uncles, Jim Way and Bill (Lori Freitag) Way; aunt, Sarah Ra ll; special cousins, Jennifer (Mark) Kalish and their sons, David and Adam, Shannon (Eric Fjelstad) Way, and Hank and Karen Cuccia; God parents, Kent and Lois
Please share your memories of Dano by posting in his Guestbook at: www.CressFuneralService.com. Cress Funeral Services of Madison, WI is assisting the family, 608-238-3434.
SOHRWEID
Daniel
Lawmakers slam Early Intervention program
Growing caseload for child therapy program creates $4 million funding shortfall
BY ANN SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT
In late winter, Je Bridges got word that state-funded therapy for his 1-year-old son, who was born prematurely, would be slashed by half starting in July.
Bridges was upset. But he had a better reason than most parents to be caught o guard.
at’s because the Arapahoe County Democrat is the head of a powerful legislative committee that makes key decisions about state spending. Members of that committee had repeatedly promised to protect funding for Colorado’s $87 million Early Intervention program. e program provides therapy and related services to babies and toddlers with developmental delays — including Bridges’ son.
Bridges shared the story in a recent Joint Budget Committee hearing where he and other members, both Democrats and Republicans, slammed the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, which administers the program, for poor communication and planning.
“ is is one of those places where, if we could punish the department without hurting kids, man oh man, would I be on board with that,” he said.
e committee members’ sharp words that March day raised questions about the early childhood department’s leadership and capacity, with lawmakers expressing concern that the state’s youngest and most vulnerable residents could
su er because of internal problems at the department.
For now, no signi cant cuts to Early Intervention are planned, either this spring or for the new scal year, which starts in July. at’s sure to be a relief to the tens of thousands of Colorado families whose children get free therapies through the program. In addition, Joint Budget Committee members have demanded better communication from the department, and department o cials have signaled they’ll comply.
O cials from the Department of Early Childhood, which was created in 2022 and is headed by Lisa Roy, declined an interview request from Chalkbeat.
ey sent a statement on April 3, saying, in part, “ e Department is set to present an update to the [Joint Budget Committee] in the rst weeks of June with recommendations for the nancial sustainability of the program, incorporating feedback from families and providers. Current early intervention services will continue unchanged as a result of the JBC’s action to identify additional funding for the program.”
Families surprised by planned service cuts e uproar over Early Intervention began in late February when the Department of Early Childhood made an abrupt announcement. Starting in March, a $4 million funding shortfall meant therapies would be capped at four hours a month, a fraction of what many children were re-
ceiving.
State o cials said the shortfall was partly caused by a growing caseload in Early Intervention, which serves about 11,000 children a month. e expiration of federal COVID stimulus funds and the fact that fewer children are eligible for Medicaid, a federal health insurance program that helps pay for the therapies, also contributed to budget problems. Department o cials, in the statement sent April 3, said they had di culty accu-
rately projecting Early Intervention caseload increases because eligibility rules for the program changed in 2020 and 2023, and because far more children have been screened for delays in the last two years. After the late February announcement about impending cuts, parents and Early Intervention providers were outraged and tearful, with many contacting lawmakers and the media to describe the damage the
State Sen. Je Bridges, a Greenwood Village Democrat and chair of the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee, in the Colorado Senate on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Denver, Colorado.
PHOTO BY JESSE PAUL / THE COLORADO SUN
INTERVENTION
cuts would do.
e Joint Budget Committee acted quickly to stave o the cuts this spring. At the same time, committee members chastised department o cials for not letting them know about the potential shortfall sooner.
“Why didn’t somebody come over here and say, ‘We got a perfect storm. We need your help?‘” Republican Rep. Rick Taggart asked a department o cial at a Feb. 27 committee meeting.
“Nothing, crickets. And yet, we’ve got to nd out about it through the press and through our constituents and providers that could be devastated,” he said. “ is is just unbelievable to me.”
e committee meeting ended on a calmer note, with Bridges urging department o cials to keep committee members in the loop.
“We are six human beings that folks can talk to, and we desire information, and want to make sure that things like this don’t happen when we can avoid it,” he said.
Even bigger problems emerge
A couple weeks after the February budget committee meeting, the Early Intervention issue blew up again — this time, prompting even more wrath from committee members.
On March 14, the committee heard from a legislative analyst that the program would need more than $16 million to pre-
vent cuts for the 2025-26 scal year.
“Awesome,” said Bridges sarcastically. Ten minutes later, he recounted learning
During that meeting, committee members unanimously approved more than $16 million to plug the program’s looming funding hole for 2025-26. ey also thanked the legislative analyst for trying to forecast how the Early Intervention caseload would grow in the coming year, but expressed irritation that early childhood department sta hadn’t done it
Democratic Rep. Emily Sirota, who called the Early Intervention saga “this whole disaster,” noted that worried families were still contacting her, fearful their kids would lose important therapies.
“Hopefully today, we can make people feel a little bit more at ease that their littlest ones will continue to get the services that they need,” she said. “But the communication and the lack of work and transparency with us has been disappointing, to say the least.”
Bridges noted he’d spoken to Roy, the department’s director, that day.
He said, “I do feel … the department recognizes the massive failures” that prompted the last-minute xes by the budget committee.
In recent weeks, the department has held feedback sessions with parents and Early Intervention providers and promised to improve its caseload forecasting with help from other state agencies.
In June, the department is scheduled to report back to the Joint Budget Committee.
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.
about potential Early Intervention cuts planned for July from his son’s physical therapist.
Discover tips for a fresh start from local experts
BY ISABEL GUZMAN ISABEL@COTLN.ORG
As the days grow longer and da odils bloom, the arrival of spring brings more than just warmer weather. Pollen levels rise and dust bunnies hop around long after Easter.
Consequently, people emerge from winter hibernation to declutter closets and scrub oorboards with the start of the new season, marking the start of spring cleaning season.
While it is currently spring only in the northern hemisphere, multiple cultures across the globe are linked to spring cleaning.
One of the earliest references of the practice is generally acknowledged in the Jewish observance of Passover, which typically occurs in March or April, and lasts for about a week.
During this time, homes are cleaned to remove chametz — leavened grains like wheat or barley — symbolizing their swift departure from Egypt, when they couldn’t wait for the bread to nish baking.
In preparation for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Catholic churches undergo thorough cleanings on Maundy ursday, exhibiting puri cation and readiness for the sacred days ahead.
Celebrated in March, Nowruz, which means “new day” in Persian, includes kh ne-tak n or “shaking the house,” where families deep-clean their homes to
sweep away the past and welcome new beginnings. In ailand, Songkran, which is a two-day festival in April, marks the ai New Year with the cleaning of homes and public spaces. Water plays a central role as people splash it on each other and Buddha statues to cleanse bad luck and invite blessings.
Known as “death cleaning,” Sweden’s philosophy, Döstädning, involves decluttering possessions to simplify life and ease burdens — a practical approach that conveys letting go of things that are no longer needed. Döstädning isn’t limited to a certain time of the year, but is rather instilled as a lifestyle.
Spring cleaning has remained a tradition for many, and local experts around the Denver metro area are weighing in with tips and tricks to tidy a home inside and out.
Health benefits
Spring cleaning isn’t just about aesthetics — it also o ers tangible health bene ts:
• Reduces allergens like pollen, mold and dust mites.
• Eliminates bacteria and viruses that can cause illness.
• Improves indoor air quality by removing pollutants.
• Decreases stress by creating a clean, organized environment.
• Enhances safety by reducing clutter that could cause trips or falls.
Tree pollen is a signi cant allergen during Colorado’s springtime, with elm, cottonwood, oak and maple trees being common culprits, according to Wyndly, an allergy-based healthcare company.
Pollen counts tend to be highest midday and evening, leaving the morning as the only time when outdoor allergens are at their lowest counts and the best time to ventilate homes, said Ryan Buckley, a doctor at Colorado Allergy & Asthma Centers.
For the indoors, Buckley recommends cleaning with products that are free of dyes and fragrances and using the minimum amount possible.
“Some over-the-counter cleaning products can irritate the airways,” he said. “If you are particularly sensitive to cleaning products, ventilate the area while cleaning.”
Buckley warned that making at-home cleaning solutions should be done cautiously, and advised against mixing vinegar and bleach as it can produce a hazardous chlorine gas.
Buckley also emphasized the importance of installing the correct air lter grade in central HVAC systems to trap allergens e ectively.
“If appropriate, consider running the system on ventilation mode periodically — for example, 15 minutes every one hour — to help move air through the lter and facilitate allergen removal, (and) replace lters as recommended by the manufacturer,” he said.
SPRING CLEANING
Buckley recommends placing a dehumidi er in bathrooms or basements that tend to be high in humidity levels, which can contribute to mold growth. He said indoor humidity levels should ideally be 40 to 50%, and added that anything lower can be too drying and aggravate allergy symptoms.
“If despite e ective cleaning e orts, you continue to have allergy symptoms, it is a good idea to undergo an allergy evaluation by a board-certi ed allergist,” Buckley said. “ ere are a variety of treatment options from over-the-counter medications to prescription therapies, including allergen immunotherapy. If needed, allergy testing can help identify potential triggers and better guide therapy to help you remain symptom-free.”
Organization strategies
Dedicating a whole day to this season’s deep cleaning is how some decide to tackle the tasks, while others prefer to break it up over multiple days.
MaidPro, a cleaning company that has locally owned and operated businesses around Denver’s metro area, says on its website that breaking it up “is perfect for homeowners with busy schedules who can’t commit to an entire day of cleaning” but adds that “you must stay committed and ensure you don’t slack o toward the end of your spring cleaning.”
Many say that organization is key to e cient spring cleaning. ey include Cody Galloway, co-
founder of TULA, a service that helps “create more balance in life.”
By completing clients’ to-do lists — such as laundry, grocery shopping, meal planning and home organization — TULA came out of necessity to help clients who are inundated by life’s tasks, Galloway said.
“You stare at your endless to-do list while being stretched very thin at both work and at home and think, ‘there has to be a better way,’” she said. “So, we made one.”
TULA was founded in 2020 in Denver and has since spread its services to Boulder and Aspen, in addition to out-of-state locations, including Texas, Virginia, Arizona, Montana and North Carolina.
Galloway said TULA has a clientele that consists of busy parents and professionals, and anyone who just needs an extra set of hands.
Prioritizing deep-cleaning and decluttering tasks can be di cult, so Galloway recommends starting with the most overwhelming areas rst.
“If looking at your closet makes you break out in a cold sweat, that’s the place to start,” she said. “Tackle one category at a time — clothes, then shoes, then accessories — so you don’t end up sitting on the oor reminiscing over an old concert T-shirt or your painting overalls for two hours.”
Galloway recommends that spring cleaners invest in label makers and clear bins to organize the home.
“If you can’t see what’s inside, you’ll forget it exists,” she said.
While organizing, Galloway said implementing the “one-year rule” mindset is essential: “If you haven’t used it in a year, it’s time to part ways,” she said.
“ONE-YEAR RULE. IF YOU HAVEN’T
USED IT IN A YEAR, IT’S TIME TO PART WAYS.”
Cody Galloway, co-founder of TULA
Clothing donations
Clothing, accessories and other donations can be made to local Goodwills and Arc rift Stores, and family-owned stores such as 2nd Time Around rift in Aurora. e thrift store opened in 2020 and continues to be family-operated, focusing on providing high-quality items for low costs.
Local H&M stores collect unwanted garments and sort them for rewear as secondhand clothing, reused to make other products such as a cleaning cloth, or recycled and shredded to be remade into other materials. ose who donate clothes or textiles to the store also receive a coupon to use on their next H&M purchase, according to its website, hm.com. e success of a spring cleaning project is “when you walk into your space and breathe easier,” Galloway said. “When you can nd your favorite sweater in under 10 seconds. When your kitchen counter isn’t a dumping ground for mail and mystery items. And, most importantly, when you don’t immediately start adding things back to your to-do list because for once, it’s already handled. And if you can actually park in your garage again? at’s a big win.”
TULA takes on the tasks that their clients need to cross o their to-do lists. TAMARA MCTAVISH PHOTOGRAPHY
Maintaining a clean and organized environment can reduce stress. TAMARA MCTAVISH PHOTOGRAPHY
“When John said, ‘How ya’ doin’?’, he really meant that,” said Reynolds, who was a fellow Trout Unlimited member with Ellis. “He’d follow up with really speci c, moving questions that got to the core of a person’s soul. You could tell from the tone in John’s voice that he really meant what he said at those times.”
Reynolds’ wife suddenly died 18 years ago, and he recalled how Ellis helped him through the loss.
“I became a vegetable,” he said. “A few people in this room reached out and helped me through those times, and
John was one of them. John’s reaching out went on for weeks and then months thereafter. He would call me out of the clear blue and say, ‘How ya doin’?’ Did you get the counseling you needed? How about a day on the river?’ I never forgot the support John gave me in those times.”
Reynolds also spoke of Ellis’ love for kids and the work he did with them through Trout Unlimited. at included a special outing for children who’d recently lost a loved one.
“ ese kids were at the worst points of their lives,” Reynolds said. “Some in tears. Nobody smiling, until John got ahold of them. He’d get them a sh or two, and shortly after, all those kids would be laughing and having a good
EASTER Worship
Mountain Community Church April 20, 10:00 am, 1036 El Rancho Road, in Evergreen www.lomcc.org
time.
“He was just one incredible person. I will sorely and deeply miss my time with John.”
Ellis’ three siblings, all of whom live outside Colorado, came for the event and spoke about their brother.
Shawn Ellis said his brother, who met his wife, Sherry, in junior high, was a star football, baseball and basketball player at Evergreen High School.
“ ere wasn’t anything he wasn’t in at school,” he said. “He ran all the di erent meetings.”
Shawn Ellis said “uno cial mayor of Evergreen” was the perfect moniker for his brother.
“He didn’t have an agenda,” he said. “He wasn’t a politician. Everyone was
his next door neighbor. Everybody was someone he could help. He just wanted to get stu done. He turned this community into a big heart.”
Shawn Ellis described Sherry Ellis as his “partner in crime.”
“Johnny was the CFO — the chief fun o cer,” he said. “Sherry was the CEOJ — the chief enabler of John.”
“Beside every great man is a great woman. at would be Sherry.”
EPRD board president Betsy Hays spoke of Ellis’ love of kids. She also read a statement from INSPIRE supervisor Maren Schreiber, who couldn’t attend the celebration.
“We feel a deep sense of loss but a
SEE ELLIS, P17
deep sense of appreciation,” Schreiber wrote. “John had an unparalleled ability to bring people together. His leadership and vision helped us to achieve more than we ever thought possible.”
John Steinle remembered Ellis’ cando spirit, and a seemingly impossible feat he accomplished for an Evergreen
Rodeo parade. Ellis, who also worked as ad director at the Canyon Courier, took on the challenge of refurbishing an antique printing press with the idea of printing items live during the parade.
“He said, ‘Give me a couple days,’ and within a few days, John had lined up a huge flatbed truck,” Steinle said. “He lined up all the people from the Canyon Courier when rodeo parade day came. They picked up this 1,000-pound antique printing press, hauled it up and put it on the flatbed and drove the
length of the rodeo parade, printing stuff off as they went. There’s a typical John Ellis story.”
Ellis was also remembered for his love of costumes.
“I can’t get the picture of John in the duck suit with the two rodeo queens on either arm, like wings on him, out of my mind,” said Liz Cohen, EPRD grant manager. “What I’ll always think about John is lifting all of us up, not taking ourselves all that seriously, finding a path together that would be brighter
Deer Park United Methodist Church (UMC) is a vibrant and growing Christian church, located just south of Pine Junction and just o Route 285 on 966 Rimrock Road in Bailey. We would love to have you join us on Good Friday, April 18th at 6pm and Easter Sunday service, April 20th at 10pm. You will nd that we are a warm and welcoming community.
At Deer Park UMC, we put our Christian faith into action. We open our hearts, minds, and doors to the experience of giving to and receiving from others, as we seek the Kingdom of God, where love reigns supreme!
and frankly just more fun.”
Whitney Mitchell thanked the audience for their tribute to her dad and urged them to take action based on the way he lived his life.
“Please honor dad’s legacy by doing just a little or way too much,” she said. “Maybe consider becoming active in another group. Maybe take on a bigger role. Run for office. Sit on a board. Maybe chatting with a stranger, whether or not they seem interested. You know, like Johnny would have done.”
MaundyThursday,April17at6:30pm th EasterVigil,Saturday,April19at4pm th EasterSundayServicesat8amand10:30am Don’tmissourEggHuntandBrunchbetweenservices!
Matthew 28:6
WORSHIP DIRECTORY
BERGEN PARK CHURCH
Bergen Park Church is a group of regular people who strive to improve ourselves and our community by studying the Bible and sharing our lives with each other.
On Sunday mornings you can expect contemporary live music, Children’s Ministry that seeks to love and care for your kids, teaching from the Bible, and a community of real people who are imperfect, but seek to honor God in their lives. We hope to welcome you soon to either our 9:00AM or 10:30AM Sunday service.
Search Bergen Park Church on YouTube for Livestream service at 9:00am 31919 Rocky Village Dr. 303-674-5484 info@bergenparkchurch.org / www.BergenParkChurch.org
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH SERVICES
28244 Harebell Lane
Sunday Service & Sunday School: 10 a.m.
Wednesday evening: 7p.m: (Zoom only Nov.1st-Mar. 31st.)
Visit: www.christianscienceevergreen.com for more information and ZOOM link Reading Room: 4602 Plettner Lane 303-674-5296 OPEN: TUES-SAT 12 p.m.-3 p.m.
CHURCH OF THE HILLS PRESBYTERIAN (USA)
Serving the mountain community from the heart of Evergreen Worship 10:00 a.m.
Reverend Richard Aylor
O ce Hours: Tu-Thur 9:00 - 4:00; Fri 9:00 - noon Bu alo Park Road and Hwy 73 www.churchofthehills.com
CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION EPISCOPAL
In-Church: Sunday Communion Quiet Service 8:00 am & with Music 10:15 am 10:15 am only Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86017266569
In-Meadow: 2nd Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m. --June through September— 27640 Highway 74 – ¼ mile east of downtown Evergreen at the Historic Bell Tower www.transfigurationevergreen.org
CONGREGATION BETH EVERGREEN (SYNAGOGUE)
Reconstructionist Synagogue Rabbi Jamie Arnold www.BethEvergreen.org / (303) 670-4294 2981 Bergen Peak Drive (behind Life Care)
DEER PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Reverend Dr. Knut Heim, pastor, Sunday Worship 10 AM
Located one mile west of Pine Junction just o Rt. 285 966 Rim Rock Road, Bailey (303) 838-6759 deerparkumc.org
All are welcome to our open/inclusive congregation!
EVERGREEN LUTHERAN CHURCH
5980 Highway 73 + 303-674-4654
Rev. Terry Schjang
Join us for worship in person or on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/EvergreenLutheranChurch
Sunday Worship held at 9am. www.evergreenlutheran.org + All Are Welcome!
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH – EPC
1036 El Rancho Rd, Evergreen – (303) 526-9287 www.lomcc.org – o ce@lomcc.org Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m., with communion every Sunday “Real Church In An UnReal World” A community empowered by the Holy Spirit which seeks authentic relationships with God and others to share the good news of Jesus with Evergreen, the Front Range and the world. Come as you are, all are welcome!
PLATTE CANYON COMMUNITY CHURCH
Located: 4954 County Road 64 in Bailey. O ce hours MWF 8am-1pm 303-838-4409, Worship & Children’s Church at 10am Small group studies for all ages at 9am Transitional Pastor: Mark Chadwick Youth Pastor: Jay Vonesh
Other activities: Youth groups, Men’s/Women’s ministries, Bible studies, VBS, MOPS, Cub/Boy Scouts.
ROCKLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH
“Connecting all generations to Jesus”
Please check our website, www.Rockland.church, for updated service times ¼ mile north of I-70 at exit 254 17 S Mt. Vernon Country Club Rd., Golden, CO 80401 303-526-0668
SHEPHERD OF THE ROCKIES LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod. 106 Rosalie Road, Bailey, CO 303-838-2161 Pastor John Graham Sunday Worship Service; 9 a.m., Fellowship Time; 10:15 a.m., Sunday School & Bible Class; 10:45 a.m. www.shepherdoftherockies.org
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF EVERGREEN Rev. Sarah Clark • 303.674.4810 • www.evergreenumc.org 3757 Ponderosa Dr. across Hwy 74 from Safeway in Evergreen Join us in person every Sunday at 10:00am for worship “Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds”
1. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What do you call a person who has lived to the age of 100 years?
2. HISTORY: When were cigarette commercials banned from American television?
3. MOVIES: Whose life is depicted in the movie “Raging Bull”?
4. U.S. STATES: In which state are the Catskill Mountains located?
5. TELEVISION: Which long-running TV drama was set in Cabot Cove, Maine?
6. MEASUREMENTS: How long is the ancient measurement called a cubit?
7. FOOD & DRINK: What is a dish called Cullen Skink?
8. CHEMISTRY: A diamond is composed of which single element?
9. GEOGRAPHY: What country is home to the Ba n, Victoria and Ellesmere islands?
TrIVIa
10. ANATOMY: What is another name for the condition called “piloerection”?
Answers
1. A centenarian.
2. Jan. 2, 1971.
3. Jake LaMotta (played by Robert De Niro).
4. New York.
5. “Murder, She Wrote.”
6. 1.5 feet.
7. Scottish soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions.
8. Carbon.
9. Canada.
10. Goosebumps.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
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let a student’s opportunity be determined by which teacher they happen to have.”
A student’s perspective on AI bias
Nguyen’s research examined the accuracy and equity of AI detectors, tools used by teachers and administrators to ag potentially AI-generated student work.
He said he was initially curious about how these tools work but became concerned when discovering patterns that could disproportionately a ect certain students.
“Simpler writing was more likely to be agged as AI,” Nguyen explained. “ at’s a problem for students learning English or students with di erent writing styles.”
To test this, Nguyen submitted a variety of writing samples to di erent detectors and found that essays written by students with more basic sentence structure were agged more often. His ndings suggest that AI detectors could unintentionally penalize students still developing their writing skills or using translation software to help express themselves.
“ ese detectors should never be the only tool,” he said. “Teachers need to look at the full process of student work, not just the nal product.”
Nguyen’s presentation sparked meaningful discussion during the summit
PUBLIC NOTICES
in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 6, 2025, is hereby cancelled.
The following candidates are declared elected:
Curtis: Two-Year Term to 2027
Two-Year Term to 2027
TIMBERS ESTATES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: /s/ Sarah H. Luetjen Designated Election Official
NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF REGULAR ELECTION AND CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS BY THE DESIGNATED ELECTION OFFICIAL SADDLEBACK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Sections 1-13.5-513(6) and 32-1-104(1), C.R.S., by the Saddleback Metropolitan District (the “District”) of Clear Creek County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the regular election to be held on May 6, 2025, is hereby canceled and the following candidates are hereby declared elected:
George Petricich to a 4-year term (2025-2029)
Vacancy 4-year term (2025-2029)
Vacancy 4-year term (2025-2029) Vacancy 2-year term (2025-2027) Vacancy 2-year term (2025-2027)
Contact Person for the District: Tom George 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 2000, Denver, CO 80203
about how schools de ne academic integrity in an AI world and how students can be part of shaping those de nitions.
“It’s important that we’re included in these conversations,” Nguyen said. “We’re the ones being a ected by the decisions
educators and tech companies are making.”
In addition to his AI work, Nguyen is passionate about computer science and plans to study at the Colorado School of Mines. He hopes to eventually work on ethical AI development and ensure that future technologies serve all users, not just those who created them.
“It’s exciting, and a little scary, but if we learn how to use it right, it can help us learn better, faster and more deeply,” he said.
Gitner also acknowledged that some students fear AI, particularly when it’s introduced as a tool for surveillance or academic policing rather than empowerment. He said others worry they might become too dependent on it.
“Some students are afraid they’ll stop thinking for themselves,” he said. “ at’s why it’s so important that we model how to use it responsibly — as a support, not a substitute.
“If the rst thing a student hears about AI is that it’s going to catch them cheating, of course, they’re going to be afraid of it,” Gitner added. “But if we lead with curiosity and show them how it can help them learn, that changes the conversation.”
website, www.evergreenrecreation.com
Evergreen Park & Recreation District (EPRD) invites qualified Construction Management/General Contractor firms (“Respondents”) to submit their qualifications to perform pre-construction services and manage the construction scope of work associated with the Buchanan Park Recreation Center Aquatics Expansion project, within established budgets. EPRD intends to use a Construction Manager/ General Contractor (“CM/GC”) procurement or delivery method for the Project, pursuant to the Integrated Delivery Method as authorized by the Special District Public Improvements Act, Sections 32-1-1801, et seq., C.R.S. A copy of the full RFQ can be found on EPRD”s
Evergreen, CO 80439, bschmitz@eprdco.gov.
The Colorado Education Initiative and Colorado Department of Education cohosted a virtual Colorado AI Summit to celebrate National AI Literacy Day on March 28, 2025. SHUTTERSTOCK
