People waiting to close on homes with no water in development
BY JANE REUTER
As another 90-degree July day begins, a watering truck makes its way slowly around the Red Rocks Ranch neighborhood, a crew of three stopping to water each young tree.
e grass around the trees, owers and landscaping on nearby banks has long since browned and withered, and the crew’s only hope is to save the saplings, they said.
In the nearby park, a cherry red water slide, the centerpiece of a children’s splash
pad and playground, is fenced o and silent, with no water to serve it.
And around the Denver metro area and beyond, a reported 30 prospective Red Rocks Ranch homeowners are living in hotels, Airbnbs and with family members, waiting to close on new homes that have no water taps to serve them.
Confused buyers, who say they are getting minimal information about the delay,
Colorado considers challenging ‘energy emergency’
BY DAVID O. WILLIAMS COLORADO NEWSLINE
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser’s o ce will consider joining a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s declaration in January of a national energy emergency, he told Newsline in an exclusive interview. e Trump administration’s Bureau of Land Management invoked the emergency declaration to complete accelerated environmental review of a permit to expand a loading facility near Price, Utah for oil coming out of the nearby Uinta Basin. e expansion could increase oil capacity on the main rail line through Colorado by up to 80,000 barrels a day.
It’s anticipated that the expansion of what’s known as the Wildcat Loadout facility — located on publicly owned federal lands — and other nearby facilities will allow the trucking and transfer to rail of up to 75% of the oil proposed for transport in the Uinta Basin Railway project. Eagle County and state ofcials have long opposed increased oil trains along the Colorado River.
are exchanging theories on a private Facebook page and pointing ngers in every direction — including at the Town of Morrison, the Mount Carbon Metro District and builder Lennar Homes.
“I’ve been continually told when I talk to Lennar that it’ll be another two weeks,” said Mary Ann Mcshan, who signed a contract to purchase a Red
SEE WATER, P4
In a June 27 letter to Jerry Davis, acting Utah state director for the BLM, Weiser wrote that an expedited environmental assessment for the proposed Wildcat right-of-way expansion would be a “violation of applicable laws and regulations” that would block proper public input and “subject Colorado communities to signi cant economic, environmental, and health and safety risks.”
Weiser argued there is no national energy emergency given the United States
A Red Rocks Ranch monument sign stands next to the completed children’s playground and splash pad. With no water available, the area is double fenced and unavailable to use.
JANE REUTER
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A legal newspaper of general circulation in Evergreen, Colorado, Canyon Courier is published weekly on Thursday by The Colorado Trust for Local News, 3540 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen, CO 80439.
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Evergreen’s 4th celebrates yesterday and today
Back-to-back events honored community’s history and small-town spirit
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A July 3 evening storm put the kibosh on plans for a hot air balloon glow to commemorate Evergreen’s 150th anniversary, but the rest of the community’s holiday events — both held at the Buchanan ball elds — went o without a hitch. e back-to-back celebrations captured the small-town spirit of Evergreen, said Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce President Nancy Judge.
“My favorite part of Friday was just seeing the kids running around without a care in the world, enjoying the games, the face painting and all the other activities,” she said. “We’re very fortunate to have this little piece of Americana.”
e long weekend began with “Illuminate the Past,” a tribute to Evergreen’s history that included booths from local historical and other organizations, turn-of-the-century music, vintage cars, kids’ games and pony rides. e evening’s planned hot air balloon glow did not happen, but balloon operators returned on the morning of July 4 for tethered balloon rides.
Still, Judge said the event was well received.
“Even without the glow, someone told us they’d learned something at every one of the organizations they stopped by,” she said. “ at was really the goal. We all learned just a little bit more about the place we call home.”
Judge said this year’s July 4 turnout was signi cantly larger than in 2024.
“We don’t have o cial numbers yet, but just standing up on the stage looking out, it was much, much fuller — 20-30% more than last,” she said.
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Colorado Trust for Local News asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.
Email scott@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
Quadra-Fire
Cheyenne Lyman and her son Walker, 4, of Highlands Ranch, create their own dance moves at Buchanan ballfields while the band ‘Float Like a Bu alo’ plays. PHOTOS BY JANE REUTER
From left, Allison Burzio-Aagard, Patti McLaughlin and Ryan McLaughlin relax at Buchanan ballfields listening to ‘Float Like a Bu alo.’
The Front Range-based band ‘Float like a Bu alo,’ with lead singer Cory Pearman, rocked Buchanan ballfields with its mix of funk and roc
Jessica Robertson, visiting from Omaha, tries her hand at the logroll as Kevin Wilks holds onto one end.
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‘Golden Real Estate’ Is Now ‘Century 21 Golden Real Estate’ — What It Means to You (and Me)
Notice the logo at the bottom right corner of this ad. It’s unchanged except for the addition of the “CENTURY 21®” branding. Last week, I finalized an “asset purchase agreement” with the owner of several other Century 21 franchise branches in Colorado, headquartered at Century 21 Elevated Real Estate in Grand Junction.
They also purchased the Century 21 branch across the street from us in downtown Golden, and will be closing that office, inviting its agents to affiliate with our office.
quickly attracted some broker associates, which made the enterprise more viable.
my continuation of this column by contacting me if you’d like to buy or list a home. If I can’t serve you myself, I’ll refer you to the
broker associate who I believe will serve you with the same professionalism as I would. Thanks for your support!
This is a big change for me, of course. I started Golden Real Estate, Inc., the same month that Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007.
At the time, I had been a RE/MAX Alliance broker associate for four years. I was purchasing a building on South Golden Road (currently the Golden Outpost), and RE/MAX wouldn’t allow it to be a RE/MAX office, because there were already three franchise offices (including my own) within a few miles. My solution was to start a new brokerage, which I was able to do, having attained licensure as an “employing broker” the year before. My vision had been to create a new RE/MAX franchise with the name “RE/MAX Sustainable Living.”
A big reason (for me) to purchase that building was its frontage on South Golden Road, where I could park the box truck which I was providing free to buyers and sellers. At the RE/MAX office, the truck was parked out of sight behind their office building. On South Golden Road it would stand as a billboard promoting me.
So, Golden Real Estate, Inc. was born, and I
I followed through on my sustainability values by adding 5kW of rooftop solar panels and, later on, another 15kW of ground-mounted solar panels to power not only the office and its heat pump HVAC system, but also my electric vehicles, those of my broker associates, and even those of the general public. It was a good life. Toward the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, a storefront became available next to the Ace Hi Tavern, and I moved Golden Real Estate into it, renting out the building on South Golden Road, but continuing to park our box truck there. Finally, I sold the building to Joe & Stacy Fowler of the Golden Hayride, who have done an amazing job of converting it into a venue called the Golden Outpost. I’m so impressed with their improvement of the site.
So what does this change to a Century 21 branch mean to you, my readers and clients? Not much, really. All our broker associates have signed on with the new owners, and I’m committing to staying as managing broker for another 12 months, after which I may stay or choose to retire. Since I’ll be 78 years old, probably the latter.
One difference you’ll notice is that this advertising becomes my sole expense, not the company’s, so I’ll continue it as long as it brings me clients. I will continue to promote our broker associates’ listings, as you see below with Greg Kraft’s new listing in Belmar, and get a small referral fee from them when I refer a reader who contacts me about listing or buying a home. In other words, please support
What’s In and What’s Out With Kitchen Improvements
The National Kitchen & Bath Association recently published a report on the changes in kitchen design. Fortunately, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) summarized the report, which would cost you $2,995 to purchase. Here are some of what was written. (Find a link to the full NAR article at http:// RealEstateToday.substack.com.)
“Kitchens in 2025 are becoming about self -expression, combined with playful sophistication. As such, the colors and materials homeowners choose are becoming important—and they’re moving beyond just white,” says the NAR article.
“Color is leading the charge. Seventy-one percent of design respondents say their clients prefer colorful kitchens that reflect personali-
ty. Whether subtly or boldly, color is entering the kitchen, with pops of color being brought in through backsplashes, kitchen islands, wallpapers and even accent walls,” says the article.
The top trending kitchen colors? Green, blue, and brown — in that order. All-white and all-gray kitchens are giving way to earth tones.
These Past ‘Real Estate Today’ Columns May Interest You
Clickable links for each column can be found at www.JimSmithColumns.com
May 29, 2025 — Divorcing Couples With a Home Need a Realtor With Specialized Training
May 22, 2025 — Home Sharing Helps Single Seniors Deal With Finance and Loneliness, Allowing Them to Age in Place
April 24, 2025 — Lennar to Build 1,500 Geothermal Homes; My Review of the Mustang Mach E
April 17, 2025 — Redfin Report Highlights the Increasing Cost of Buying versus Renting a Home
posted on our Real Estate Today Substack blog. Scan the QR code at left to open and subscribe to it — free of course. Each article and listing is there, often with additional content and graphics, plus useful hyperlinks.
My other Substack is Talking Turkey, a left-of-center political blog. It is not in print anywhere. Click on the QR code at right if you would like to see what I have to say.
Just Listed: 1-Bedroom Condo in Heart of Belmar
$419,900
April 10, 2025 — The Typical Wood-Frame, SiteBuilt Home So Common Since the ’90s May Soon Be a Thing of the Past
Mar. 27, 2025 — Here’s How Money Is Handled at a Real Estate Closing
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Mar. 6, 2025 — 62% of Americans Think a 20% Down Payment Is Required, But It’s the #1 Myth
This penthouse condo at 7130 W. Alaska Dr. #D offers incredible views and natural light with floor to ceiling windows on the north and south facing walls. Hardwood floors throughout except for the main bedroom and office, which are carpeted. A wall mounted 65" flatscreen TV is in the living room and there is an electric fireplace. There is a second electric fireplace in the bedroom. The kitchen is completely equipped with GE stainless steel appliances and there are granite countertops for easy cleaning. The stacked washer/dryer is located in a closet along the hallway and in an adjacent closet is the Climate Master Water Source Heat Pump which was installed in March 2020 at a cost of $8,000. This unit provides superior and reliable heating and cooling throughout the year. There is a deeded parking space and storage area (#6) on the 2nd floor of the adjacent parking structure. A flexible non-conforming bonus room offers space for an office or other needs. Located in the heart of Belmar, shopping, restaurants and other amenities are only footsteps from the front door. Come enjoy the convenience of this great condo. See listing agent Greg Kraft’s narrated video tour at www. GRElistings.com, or call him at 720-353-1922 to see it.
Feb. 27, 2025 — As Society Deals With Homelessness and Affordability, Expect a Greater Focus on Manufactured Homes
Feb. 20, 2025 — We Have a Tool to Help You Find the ‘Perfect’ Home That’s Not on the MLS
Dec. 26, 2024 — As Pro-Tenant Laws Expand, Some Small Landlords Are Considering Cashing Out
Dec. 19, 2024 — What Are the Costs of Buying or Selling a Home in Colorado?
Nov. 7, 2024 — We Need to Take Seriously the Pollutants Emitted When Cooking With Gas
Oct. 31, 2024 — Cooperative Living Presents an Attractive Alternative for Downsizing Seniors
Sept. 26, 2024 — Some Thoughts on Keeping Your Death From Becoming an Undue Burden on Your Heirs
Sept. 5, 2024 — What Knowledge and Skills Should You Expect Your Real Estate Agent to Have?
Aug. 8, 2024 — Seniors Over 70 Might Consider Downsizing Into a Rental, Not a Smaller Home
$250,000
Rarely does one find a condo complex that is so well managed and provides so many amenities for the monthly dues. Heat and hot water are included. This unit at 3460 S. Poplar St. #307 in the Morningside complex has been nicely updated except for the kitchen, with new flooring and an enclosed balcony. The building's laundry room serves only as backup, since you have a spacious laundry room in the unit. When visiting, there's a keycard so you can visit the community center across the street at 7100 S Poplar. You'll be so impressed at the condition of the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, the separate spas for men & women, each including a steam room, sauna and fitness equipment. Included is one reserved space in the secure garden-level garage. A storage locker is also included. Take my narrated video tour of both the condo and the fitness center at www.GRElistings.com, then call me at 303-525-1851 to arrange a private showing. You’ll agree with me, this is one of the best condo communities ever!
July 25, 2024 — Many Homeowners Don’t Understand Title Issues, Which Could Lead to Big Problems Later On
June 6, 2024 — Here Are Some Simple Steps to Take to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises After Closing
Mar. 21, 2024 — What’s Behind the Buzz About ‘Indoor Air Quality’ and ‘Sick Building Syndrome’?
Feb. 22, 2024 — Most Sellers Don’t Know How to Interview a Listing Agent. Here’s Some Guidance.
Dec. 21, 2023 — D.R. Horton Inks Deal to Build Homes With OSB Made From Grass Instead of Wood
Nov. 23, 2023 — Scamming Has Become An Industry, and We’re All Prospective Victims
Sept. 28, 2023 — Insurance Companies Are Pulling Out of California. Is That in Our Future?
Aug. 10, 2023 — What Are Some Common Mistakes That Homeowners Make When Selling?
June 15, 2023 — Don’t Let Capital Gains Tax Deter You From Cashing Out on an Investment Property
May 11, 2023 — Do Agents Inflate the Cost of Buying or Selling Your Home with ‘Junk Fees’?
Apr. 20, 2023 — What Are Some Affordable Ways to Make Your Home More Attractive to Buyers?
Mar. 16, 2023 — Here Are Some Ways to Make Your Home More Accommodating to Seniors Feb. 9, 2023 — Understanding Indoor Air Quality and How It’s Managed in Super-Insulated Homes
Oct. 27, 2022 — Sales Taxes May Be Lower, But Property Taxes Are Higher in Unincorporated Areas
Oct. 6, 2022 — How to Make Sure That the House You Buy Will Not Be a ‘Money Pit’
Sept. 22, 2022 — What Steps Can You Take to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?
July 28, 2022 — Aging in Place vs. Moving to a 55+ Community: Here Are Some Considerations
May 26, 2022 — Reflections on Selling Our Home and Moving Into a 55+ Rental Community
Jan. 6, 2022 — Marshall Fire Is a Wake-up Call for Building More Fire-Resistant Homes
Dec. 2, 2021 — My Favorite Home Improvements When Purchasing a New-to-Me Home
Retro is in. “Design elements of the 1950s and 1970s are showing up in kitchens today,” the article says. That’s good news for a listing I have coming up next month in Golden’s Beverly Heights. It has a wood cooking stove that is only avail-able for purchase outside of closing. 47% of kitchen professionals also tout minimalism in cabinetry and hardware. 2-BR Condo in Denver’s Morningside Complex
Oct. 14, 2021 — Court Rules That Sending an Email Can Bind You, Even Without Signing It Oct. 7, 2021 — What Are the Most Common Foundation Issues You Might Encounter in a Home?
WATER
Rocks Ranch home in March. “ ey say the town of Morrison is going to vote, and then they say, ‘Well, they didn’t approve it. It’ll be another two weeks.’”
Information is scarce
Red Rocks Ranch is not part of incorporated Morrison, but the small town of less than 400 residents is the source of water and wastewater for what will someday be a community more than four times its size. Mount Carbon agreed to build the town infrastructure required to meet the development’s needs, but hasn’t yet completed all that work or nished a required update to its intergovernmental agreement with Morrison.
Despite the information Mcshan says she was given, the town has not posted any recent agenda items on the IGA, or scheduled any special meetings on the issue. Morrison’s attorney is, however, meeting regularly with Mount Carbon’s legal counsel on the issue.
“I don’t understand why it’s so secretive,” Mcshan said. “ e homeowners are su ering and the parties involved don’t seem to care that much. ey’re not communicating with us, and homes are still being sold.
“I could probably get out of my contract but that’s not necessarily what I want. I love the home. I just want information.”
It’s the second time in less than a year that prospective Red Rocks Ranch homeowners have been left in limbo as the metro district continues negotiating for water with Morrison.
Holding firm
But this time, the town is holding rm
“You don’t make promises about wa-
A team from Golden’s Environmental Landworks, hired to water Red Rocks Ranch’s landscaping, waters young trees near the development’s entrance July 9. JANE REUTER
Wild Aware urges drivers to watch out, slow down
Stats show 180 wild animals died on Evergreen’s Highway 74 in four-year period
BY JANE REUTER JANE@COTLN.ORG
In four years, about 180 wild animals lost their lives on Highway 74 near Evergreen, among them 86 elk and 69 deer. And those only include the bodies reported between 2020 and 2024 by or to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
“It’s common that for every road kill animal, there are another one to ve not reported,” said Christie Greene, president of Wild Aware, a group dedicated to mitigating such collisions in the Evergreen area. “Because Evergreen Parkway is so visible, I would bet our ratio is more like one to one.”
Most of the area’s animals are struck by vehicles along the stretch of Highway 74 between Interstate 70 and Evergreen Lake. e numbers do not include livestock or pets.
Colorado State Patrol crash data, which is kept separately from the Colorado Department of Transportation’s data, recorded 646 wildlife-vehicle collisions on Je erson County roads between 2015-2019. at made Je co the county with the second-highest number of wildlife-vehicle collisions. It trails only Douglas County.
30 seconds of open highway
WATER
ter if you don’t have the infrastructure to deliver it,” he said. “I will be pressing the other members of my board to vote ‘no’ for future water taps if we don’t have the infrastructure to deliver it.”
Wearing thin
But Mcshan said Lennar told her a different story.
“ e salesperson I worked with said there were ve remaining water meters, and if I went under contract that week, I’d get one of those,” she said. “I had the impression I’d be able to close by midMay. I’ve since learned, it sounds like those ve meters were temporary, and
Colorado 74 is particularly tough for animals because of the high level of tra c and lack of wildlife crossings.
“We cannot have a wildlife overpass or underpass on Highway 74 because of land use and ownership,” Greene said.
“ ere is no public land. ere’s county open space, Denver Mountain Parks and Je erson County open space. On either side of any of that are homes and businesses.”
Making it even tougher, an animal
used for testing.”
McShan, who sold a home in Denver and is living in her Winter Park condo as she waits to close, said the lack of information is wearing on her and the other prospective homeowners. She also said she and other homeowners are not being compensated for the cost of their temporary living quarters.
“I want to be informed, and to know I’m not making a mistake,” she said. “I feel as someone who’s about to spend a very large amount of money on a home, the homeowners are not the ones who should be caught in the middle of this.”
While Sutton — the trustee who warned Red Rocks Ranch in public about the issuance of future water taps — recently left the board, the town remains committed to ensuring the IGA is in place before it agrees to issue more taps.
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needs 30 seconds of open highway to safely cross.
“If the average daily tra c is 10,000 cars, it acts as a complete barrier for them,” Greene said. “ e average daily tra c at Lewis Ridge is 22,000 to 23,000 cars. at’s twice as many cars as is considered a physical barrier for an animal.”
Greene said early summer is the most potentially deadly time of year for area wildlife, and when drivers should be
“ e original IGA dates back to 2008 and limits the issuance of taps based on MCMD completing infrastructure improvements,” wrote Nassau, adding those improvements include ensuring the “town’s water and wastewater systems would be adequately upgraded prior to serving end users.
“We are committed to providing water and sewer to Red Rocks Ranch, noting that this requires MCMD to meet their infrastructure obligations, so we may safely and reliably provide the service to all users.”
David O’Leary, an attorney for Mount Carbon, said in October 2024 that he believed the new IGA would be ready in about a month.
Nine months later, it remains un nished and unapproved.
And the conversation about its irriga-
particularly attentive.
“June and July are tough up here because of calving season,” she said. “You’ve got bands of elk cows and calves going back and forth across the road.”
Wild Aware recently partnered with the Colorado State Patrol for wildlife/ vehicle collision month. CSP has focused its social media on the message, ‘Give us a brake,’ which urges drivers not to honk at wildlife, but to instead ash your high beams, turn on your hazard lights and wait.
“Animals are unpredictable, so you don’t know what honking is going to make an animal do,” Greene said. “By ashing your lights, you’re warning people that something is ahead. If you come up on animals, use your best judgment. You may need to pull over on the shoulder and wait.” at can require time and patience.
“Because they go in little groups, they can take 20-30 minutes to cross,” Greene said. “You could go between little groups very, very slowly.”
Greene said animals that are struck by vehicles and killed are not always accounted for, in part because people may not make a report, the animal may run or walk o the road and die elsewhere and because some drivers may take the carcass home.
“You can count road kill, but miss counting animals who were picked up by people who want to bring them home or eat them,” she said.
It’s legal but requires a permit from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
For more information on their e orts to protect wildlife, visit Wild Aware.
tion meters to residential taps has left Red Rocks Ranch with no water for its landscaping or splash pad.
Lennar’s Red Rocks Ranch website says it is “actively selling” and o ering “incredible deals.”
A representative of homebuilder Lennar Homes, who identi ed himself only as “Aaron,” could not explain why Lennar continues to sell homes despite its awareness of the ongoing water problems. He said only that they are “caught in the middle,” and hoping for a swift resolution.
None of the Mount Carbon Metro District’s board members returned requests for comment.
“I don’t know who’s at fault,” Mcshan said. “But I do wonder, what was the situation with the IGA? What did they know while contracts were being signed?”
HAPPENINGS
We’d like to know about events or activities of interest to the community. Visit www.canyoncourier.com/ calendar/ and post your event online for free. Email jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com to get items in the newspaper. Items will appear in print on a space-available basis.
UPCOMING
Evergreen Players drama camp: One week July 17 & 24. With camps for ages 5-16. Costs vary. Details: evergreenplayers.org
Evergreen Audubon Birding Walk: 7:30 a.m. July 18, with MALT at Sacramento Creek Ranch, 2234 Busch Run, Fairplay. For children 5 years and under with an adult. 80440. Free, registration required. evergreenaudubon. org
Seniors4Wellness Friday Cafe: 11:30 a.m. July 18, Christ the King Catholic Church, 4291 Evergreen Parkway. 720-835-8776
45th Annual Summerfest: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 19 & 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 20, Buchanan Field, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. $5 at the door, kids 10 and under free Hosted by the Center for the Arts Evergreen with proceeds supporting year-round arts programs. evergreenarts.org..
quested: savetheland.org/events
Mountain Music Fest: Noon to 9 p.m. Aug. 16.Buchanan Park, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. Music and community event to support the mountain community school system. Featuring Sam Grisman Project with The Leslies, Flobots, and Christie Huff, YAN YEZ, Hand Turkey Band, and Non-Prophet. mountainmusicfest.org.
CAE’s Back Porch Concert Series featuring Crystal Visions: 7 p.m. Aug 22. Outdoor seating starts at 6 p.m. General admission $20, kids 10 and under free. 31880 Rocky Village Drive, Evergreen. evergreenarts.org.
EPRD Summer Concert series: 4 p.m. July 23, Buchanan Park field, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. The Wrecklunds. Free. evergreenrecreation.com.
Elevation Celebration: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 27 and 28, Conifer. Street fair, live music, local artists and vendors, 5K. mountainwomeninbusiness.com
MALT Stewardship Day: 9 a.m. July 31, Beaver Brook Road/Floyd Hill Meadow (I-70 westbound Exit 248). Join MALT for a stewardship day through weed mitigation and trash removal, learn techniques for invasive weed removal without pesticides. Parking available Homestead Road and Hyland Drive. Free. Registration requested: savetheland.org/events
CAE’s Back Porch Concert Series featuring The 3eatles: 7 p.m. Sept 12. Outdoor seating starts at 6 p.m. General admission $20, kids 10 and under free. 31880 Rocky Village Drive, Evergreen. evergreenarts.org.
ONGOING
Evergreen Park & Recreation District camps: Now through Aug. 8. For youth starting age 3. Includes preschool, summer adventure, outdoor climbing, gymnastics, science and technology, sports, INSPIRE (Special Needs), Lake House, chess, and Challenger soccer. evergreenrecreation. com.
Evergreen Farmer’s Market: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday through Sept. 23, Center for the Arts Evergreen, 31880 Rocky Village Drive, Evergreen.
Movies in the Park & Family Campout with “Shrek”: 4 p.m. Aug. 1, Buchanan Park field, 32003 Ellingwood Lane, Evergreen. Inflatables, food truck, ice cream, yard games. evergreenrecreation.com
31st annual Community Grove Sale: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 2, Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 Hwy 73, Evergreen. Donations of gently used items accepted 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28 - July 30. Questions: 920-840-8158
EPRD Summer Concert series: 4 p.m. Aug. 6, Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road. Steve Knight. Free. evergreenrecreation. com
Trail hike with Mountain Area Land Trust: 9 a.m. Aug. 7, Flying J Ranch Trailhead, 9661 County Highway 73, Conifer. Discover the history of the original Flying J Ranch homestead and MALT’s conservation work in the region.Free. Registration re-
Dress to explore the outdoors. evergreenaudubon.org
Evergreen Nature Center Monthly Family Program: 11 a.m. every last Saturday, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. evergreenaudubon.org
The American Legion Evergreen Post 2001: Meets 4 p.m. every fourth Tuesday, Evergreen Church of the Transfiguration, Douglas Hall, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. Serving all military Veterans in the foothills. Email evergreenpost2001@gmail.com.
Evergreen Camera Club: Meets every second Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Evergreen Fire/Rescue auditorium, 1802 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. Club is for people who share a passion for all photography, from beginners to professionals. Attend in person or via ZOOM.
Evergreen Cars & Coffee: 9 a.m. to noon first Saturdays through Sept. 6. 29340 Industrial Way, Evergreen.
Alzheimer’s Memory Cafe: 10:30 a.m. every first Friday. No Memory Cafe on July 4, Evergreen Library, 5000 County Hwy 73, Evergreen. Program providing a gathering place and planned activities for adults with dementia and their caregivers. Info: 303.235.5275
Mountain Women Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): 9 a.m. every Saturday in person and on Zoom , Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 CR-73, Evergreen. Mountain Women also meet via Zoom on Wednesdays at noon. evergreenaa.com/
Wild Aware is actively recruiting volunteers for their Last Friday Coffee. The monthly event is at 9 a.m., the last Friday morning of every month. Evergreen Bread and Cocktail Lounge, 1260 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen.
Evergreen Area Republican Club: The Evergreen Area Republican Club meets at 6 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at the Evergreen Fire/ Rescue Administration Building, 1802 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. The May 7 speaker is 23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler. Information at evergreenarearepublicanclub.org
Mountain Area Democrats: Mountain Area Democrats meet at 9 a.m. the fourth Saturday of the month January through April at the United Methodist Church of Evergreen, 3757 Ponderosa Drive, Evergreen. For more information, e-mail mtnareademocrats@gmail.com
Conifer Chamber of Commerce member meeting: 7:30 a.m. on second Thursdays, Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, 9444 Eagle Cliff Road, Conifer. Free for members, $10 for non-members.
Al-Anon: Mountain Awakenings Family Group: 7 p.m. Thursdays, Evergreen United Methodist Church, 3757 Ponderosa Drive, Evergreen.
Evergreen Nature Center Weekly Preschool Adventures Program: 9 a.m. every Thursday, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. Free & no registration required. Programs designed for children ages 2-5 years old. All children must have an adult in attendance.
Evergreen Nature Center: Evergreen Nature Center is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays next to Church of the Transfiguration. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.EvergreenAudubon. org .
The Bear Creek Cemetery Association board of directors volunteers needed: Members needed to help with operations of the local cemetery on Highway 74, Evergreen. Contact board president, evergreenbearcreekcemetery@gmail.com
Blue Spruce Habitat volunteers needed: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers. A variety of opportunities and flexible schedules are available on new construction sites as well as for exterior minor home repairs. No previous construction experience needed. Contact volunteer@bluesprucehabitat.org for information.
EChO needs volunteers: The Evergreen Christian Outreach ReSale Store and food pantry need volunteers. Proceeds from the EChO ReSale Store support the food pantry and programs and services provided by EChO. Many volunteer options available. For more information, call Mary at 720-6734369 or email mary@evergreenchristianoutreach.org.
ESA EverGREEN Refill Station: EverGREEN Refill Station (refill your laundry detergent, lotions, soaps and more. We have many sustainable products available). The Refill Station is open Wednesdays and Fridays from
Evergreen Chorale performs at Carnegie Hall
Members of local group joined with choirs from cross the country
BY JANE REUTER JANE@COTLN.ORG
Fifty- ve members of the Evergreen Chorale achieved the moment of a lifetime this summer, performing in New York City’s Carnegie Hall. e local group, ranging in age from 15 to 90, joined their voices June 29 with another 145 singers from across the United States. Together, they sang Elaine Hagenberg’s masterwork Illuminare and Sherry Blevins’ Tipping Point: A Choral Suite on Climate Change, accompanied by the New England Symphonic Ensemble. “It was very exciting to sing in that beautiful hall in those perfect acoustics
HAPPENINGS
10 a.m.-5 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 1-4 p.m. in the Habitat Restore, 1232 Bergen Parkway.
Support After Suicide Loss: A safe place to share and learn after losing a loved one to suicide. This group meets every fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 office. For ages 14 and up. Suggested donation
with a fabulous orchestra,” said Christine Gaudreau, the Evergreen Chorale’s artistic director. “We just loved it.”
Carnegie Hall, which opened in 1891, has set an international standard for musical excellence and is the aspirational destination for the world’s nest artists.
Designated a National Historic Landmark, is famous for its stunning acoustics and beauty. Its smooth interior, halfdomes, and dome ceiling were designed to optimize sound quality.
It wasn’t the Evergreen Chorale’s rst time singing Illuminare, composed in 2021 and described as taking listeners “through a season of beauty and goodness that has been disrupted by darkness and confusion.” And Gaudreau thinks the group’s initial performance may have been the key to the Carnegie Hall invitation.
“In fall 2023, we worked with Elaine Hagenberg and collaborated on this project with choirs from Colorado Chris-
for this group is $15. Register at resilience1220.org/groups.
Caregiver support group: Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice offers a monthly group to provide emotional support services for caregivers helping ill, disabled or elderly loved ones. An in-person support group meets every third Wednesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 3081 Bergen Peak Road, Evergreen. For more information, visit mtevans.org/services/emotional-support/.
Grieving the Death of a Spouse/Partner Support Group: 3 to 4 p.m. every
tian University, fellow church and high school choirs to perform her larger piece together with the orchestra,” she said. “We had just a wonderful time working with her.
“Last summer, I received an invitation from Carnegie Hall to travel there to perform Illuminare. It seemed a wonderful opportunity to revisit that piece.”
Sampling the Big Apple
Evergreen Chorale members spent several days in New York City, visiting museums, seeing shows and exploring the city when they weren’t rehearsing. Several family members ew for the performance.
“After the concert, there was a midnight cruise around the Statue of Liberty, and quite a bit of celebration and joy,” Gaudreau said.
e Evergreen Chorale prides itself on drawing a multi-generational group of singers from both the foothills and the
second Thursday. This group explores issues unique to those who have lost a life partner. Offered in-person and virtually. Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice, 3081 Bergen Peak Road, Evergreen. For more information, visit mtevans.org/services/emotional-support/.
Parkinson’s disease support group: A Parkinson’s disease support group meets the first Friday of the month from 1-3 p.m. at Evergreen Christian Church, 27772 Iris Drive, Evergreen. For more information, email esears@parkinsonrockies.org.
metro area.
“People drive far to sing with us,” she said. “ ey like what our choir o ers. We are a large choral group — 80 to 90 on average per concert — and we sing a wide variety of music. We’re very dedicated to excellence in choral music, and I think people also appreciate how many good singers we have. e talent level is quite high.”
Upcoming Evergreen Chorale performances are planned at Evergreen Lutheran Church, Rockland Community Church, Armstrong Hall at Colorado Christian University and Denver’s Welshire Presbyterian among others.
Rehearsals are held at Beth Evergreen and Lakewood.
Evergreen Chorale welcomes new members. While an audition is required, Gaudreau said it is not di cult.
For more information on auditions, contact production manager Alex Woosley at alex@ovationwest.org
Mountain Foothills Rotary meetings: Mountain Foothills Rotary meets at 6 p.m. Wednesdays both in person at Mount Vernon Canyon Club, 24933 Club House Circle, Genesee, and via Zoom. Information at 346-248-7799.
Beyond the Rainbow: Resilience1220 offers Beyond the Rainbow, which is two support groups that meet the second Tuesday of the month. One is a safe group for those 12-20 and the other is a group for parents and caregivers wanting support for raising an LGBTQ+ child. For group location and to RSVP, email heather@resilience1220.org.
Funding freeze threatens Je co student services
Superintendent warns of impact from frozen federal education grants
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG
ousands of Je co students could lose access to language support, counseling and community-based services this school year after the U.S. Department of Education froze key federal funding streams with little warning.
e decision puts approximately $3 million in planned programming at risk, district leaders said.
Superintendent Tracy Dorland and the Je erson County school board called the move “late and unexpected,” warning that the district had already budgeted the funds for professional development, English learner support, student engagement and family outreach.
“Failure to release these funds creates signi cant impacts on our student programming at a time when Je co is already drawing on reserves and preparing for substantial reductions in FY 27,” a district spokesperson said.
Because of federal supplanting rules, the district is legally barred from using its general fund to ll the gap, even if the federal funding is restored later.
A district already under strain
Even before the freeze, the district was grappling with a $60 million structural de cit heading into the 2025–26 school
In Je co, federal funding cuts threaten programs that support English learners, student engagement, and family outreach.
year. Despite closing 21 schools and making $20 million in cuts since 2021, the district still faces mounting cost pressures tied to in ation, compensation increases and growing special education needs.
Enrollment declines are expected to further impact funding, with a projected loss of 800 students per year in both 2026–27 and 2027–28. Because Colorado ties K–12 funding to student count, that drop will lead to additional revenue loss and potential sta ng reductions.
Colorado ranks 43rd in the nation for per-pupil education funding, a reality that leaves districts like Je co especially vulnerable to sudden shifts in federal support.
Core student supports now at risk e programs impacted by the freeze
Mount Evans brings love
are central to Je co’s e orts to support its diverse and increasingly high-needs student population.
In an internal message to sta obtained by the Colorado Trust for Local News, Dorland said the now-frozen funding had been budgeted to cover educator coaching, English as a Second Language and newcomer services, dropout prevention, truancy interventions and community outreach programs.
Dorland called the situation “deeply challenging,” noting in the email that the frozen funds had been budgeted for “essential student services and educator support.”
“If the funds are not released in the next month, we will be forced to reduce or eliminate some programming that was budgeted and planned for this year,” she said.
Je co currently serves more than 4,700 English learners, about 6.4% of its total enrollment, according to data from the Colorado Department of Education.
Dorland noted that the district is seeing an increase in newcomer students, many of whom face language barriers and require both academic and emotional support to thrive.
e Title III funds now frozen are intended to help districts meet those needs.
Title I funding, which is used to support schools with high poverty rates, is not affected by the freeze.
But the complementary services funded through Titles II, III, and IV are now in jeopardy, which undermines Je co’s capacity to provide wraparound supports that help keep students in school and engaged.
“We are also seeking community partners to help ll critical service gaps, especially for the students and families who rely most on these important services,” Dorland said.
Advocacy and uncertainty
In her message to sta , Dorland described the funding freeze as “a deeply challenging situation that we did not create and cannot fully control,” but said Jeffco was taking action on multiple fronts. e district is actively advocating for the immediate release of the funds.
Dorland and the board of education added their names to the Joint Statement From Colorado Education Stakeholders on Withholding of Federal Funds, calling on the U.S. Department of Education to immediately release these congressionally appropriated funds and provide clear, public guidance to state and local education systems.
At the same time, district leaders are reviewing 2025 carryover funds and evaluating the feasibility of continuing some programs temporarily.
Sta ng decisions will follow established collective bargaining agreements, with impacted employees prioritized for reassignment wherever possible.
“Above all, we remain focused on protecting the student experience and minimizing disruption wherever possible,” Dorland said.
With the school year weeks away and no clear federal guidance, Je co faces tough choices, district leaders said. ey are urging families and community partners to stay informed and, where possible, help advocate for the release of the frozen funds.
SHUTTERSTOCK
Governor vows to fight for school funds
Trump administration abruptly withheld millions
BY DELILAH BRUMER COLORADO NEWLINE
As Colorado school districts wait to hear about the fate of $80 million in federal funds that the Trump administration unexpectedly put on hold, school ocials are reluctant to lay o sta or cancel programs. But with the start of the new school year only six weeks away, time is running out.
e funds, which school o cials had expected to receive on July 1, were set to be used for after-school programs, teacher training, migrant education and English-language learning, among other initiatives. States learned the funds would be withheld with just one day of notice, leaving districts scrambling to fund programs they were already committed to o ering and pay sta whom they had already hired.
Gov. Jared Polis led a roundtable with superintendents, teachers and education nonpro t leaders at West High School in Denver, where he blasted the withholding of funds as “harmful and opaque.” “ ese are very di cult decisions that districts now have to make, and it has to happen in the next couple of weeks,” Polis said.
e federal Department of Education has not provided a timeline on the funds, which in a notice to states it said are under review. e funds $6.8 billion nationwide were already approved by Congress. Colorado’s share of that withheld money was originally estimated at $70 million, but Polis said an updated estimate is $80 million.
If the federal funds are not restored, Jefferson County Public Schools will lose out on $3.3 million it had already allocated. at would result in cuts to sta and programs meant for coaching new teachers, supporting English language learners, lowering truancy rates and conducting family outreach.
One of the district’s services that would need to be scaled back is a program that sends sta across Je erson County in a
refurbished bus to meet with parents, hand out resource yers and sign up kids who are recent immigrants for support services.
“We’re very worried about how to run our programs without that funding,” said Tracy Dorland, Je erson County Public Schools superintendent. “ is has an impact not only on our students, which is the most important impact, but also on our workforce.”
With potential layo s looming, Melissa Gibson, the executive director of the Colorado Association of School Executives, said superintendents and principals are having to make tough choices in the coming weeks.
“Every district leader is approaching this with students at the center and trying to mitigate the damage as much as possible,” Gibson said. “Every school community invests in them in di erent ways, but this is challenging.”
Both of Colorado’s U.S. senators, along with the state’s four Democrats in the House, sent a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon “demanding answers on the stalled education funds,” according to a Tuesday announcement.
“School districts throughout Colorado are depending on these funds to deliver critical services to students across the state,” the letter said. “ e delay and un-
certainty around the distribution of this funding have made it incredibly di cult for school districts to plan and hire sta for the next school year.”
During the roundtable, Polis declined to specify if Colorado plans to sue over the withheld funds, but he said the state is “exploring all available options” to get the funding restored.
“We are being very aggressive, to ght for these funds and for the schools,” Polis said.
is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.
Gov. Jared Polis gestures to the gallery while delivering an address at the Colorado Capitol.
FILE PHOTO
American culture has many virtues. Near the top is society’s languid, easy-going, unhurried pace. It borders on torpor. It’s uplifting to observe strangers smiling and o ering greetings when they pass and so many rolling with punches, not getting into ti s over trivial slights. And you can’t beat the civility, comity, and respect with which Americans treat each other, even those with whom they strongly disagree. But what warms the heart’s cockles most is the populace’s appreciation for good-natured ribbing, chuckle-causing humor, which can only be attributed to Americans being one big happy family.
Okay, back to Earth. What was your reaction while reading that? Were you ba ed, scratching your head? Did you smile, catching the irony? Did it induce some other reaction, perhaps causing you to have an eye-popping, jaw-tightening, teeth-grinding sensation? Or was it between or a blend of light-heartedness and intensity?
American culture has an array of virtues, but, of course, none of those listed above. And therein lies our problem. We’re a frenetic people, which MerriamWebster de nes as “marked by fast and energetic, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity.”
My intention here isn’t to deliberate on American virtues but to ascertain why
VOICES
We the People: The Soul of America
JERRY FABYANIC
we’re not only a hurrying people but also why it’s a prime cause of our fragmentation. It comes down a four-letter word: T-I-M-E. We’ve been subjugated by it and blithely march in accordance with its directive.
Our language reinforces that. ink about why we call the time piece many wear on their wrist a “watch.” ink of verbs associated with time like spend or earn, gain or lose, use or waste. Each treats time as a commodity, an object, something tangible. at’s disconcerting enough, but there’s a more sinister aspect of time today: It’s been monetized. Time is money! And as the old maxim goes, waste not, want not. Except that time isn’t like other items you can waste then later replenish, assuming you’re afuent. Unlike other commodities, you can’t restock time. It keeps ticking no matter if you spend yours dawdling or working feverishly.
Ticking. ink of how that correlates to time. Ticking of a clock, although nowadays clocks rarely tick. ey used to beginning with the invention of the mechanized time piece. Before that, people referenced a sun dial, which worked, of course, only on sunny days. But before
Keep dreaming and moving forward
My MS symptoms have been more acute this week. It is not that they are getting worse; it is just that things have been harder to do these past few days. Walking takes more energy than I would like, getting in and out of the car is more di cult, things like that.
either of them, time as we know it didn’t exist. Nature ruled.
Modern time isn’t just a commodity that can be measured, apportioned, or spent, however. We moderns have developed a psychological and emotional relationship with it. For example, it can drag on or y by. Paradoxically though, they generally cause the opposite impact of what our behavior yearns for. Time drags when we’re bored, impatient, or in a hurry. It ies when we’re engaged in something meaningful like working on a craft, reading a book, or hiking a trail. Or watching the sun rise or set.
In her short book “Time,” Polish-born Eva Ho man dissects Americans’ relation to time. Having grown up under communist rule in post-WWII Eastern Europe, she has the advantage of perspective on a number of angles. ere, she says, time crawled, but here time is everything, particularly money. And they’re intricately interwoven.
In America, wealth as a barometer of standing—success—increasingly has noxious consequences at the personal level. Ho man posits the pressure for upward mobility with its accompanying characteristics including extreme competition and shame for not making it big with salaries, promotions, houses—the list goes on—is a serious stress inducer. Her point resonated with me because of a conversation I had with someone
that’s etched in my memory. He said he was “driven” when it came to his lifestyle choices and career success.
“Really,” I replied. “Driven is passive voice, which means something must be driving you. What is it?” at exchange happened when he was in his thirties, but now in middle age, he’s happily questioning that.
But the problem with commoditizing time doesn’t reside solely at the personal level. It carries over to cultural, ethnic, and racial attitudes that foster stereotypical assumptions and assertions about di erent groups’ practices and work ethic. And those are injurious and can be lethal for a democratic society.
Ho man cites Romanian poet Carmen Firan, who likewise grew up in the gray communist world. Firan posits in America it’s sold everywhere and is even included in our throwaway parting line— Have a nice day—used to get a customer to hurry along. “ e Soul,” Firan suggests, “is lying lonely somewhere on a shrink’s chair, in front a computer screen or in a cell phone.” She wrote that in 2008, which adds an ironic twist to the old saw that says the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Jerry Fabyanic is a former Clear Creek Courant columnist and author of “Sisyphus Wins” and “Food for ought: Essays on Mind and Spirit.”
Halftime adjustments
WINNING WORDS
IAs I have navigated through this week, I have been thinking a lot about dreams and goals. I have wondered if I have set ridiculous or unattainable goals for myself. And gone as far as to grapple with the question, “Are dreams for the future a good thing, not particularly helpful but not a bad thing, or in some way detrimental to our view of reality?” While mulling over these questions, I realized we all, at some point, struggle with this kind of question. So, I want to share a window into my thought process, hoping you will nd encouragement in the ideas I put forth.
For me, physically, I dream of completing a 5K. My rst choice would be to do it at a jog, but honestly, just being able to cover that distance, even if it were with the aid of a walking stick, would be very exciting. is dream is why, when on a particularly bad day, I nd myself counter sur ng to just move around a room, I wonder if visions of a 5K help or hinder me?
After looking at it from many di erent sides, I have concluded that dreams and goals are not only good for me, but they are the best thing I can do. Dreams set standards for me beyond my immediate. ey give me something to work toward. More than that, they keep me from boxing myself in or limiting my world. My dreams keep me doing my exercises, and slowly, I am watching my strength return.
ere are dangers in dreams and goals. Dreams that come with inaction are little more than the equivalent of our mind’s behavior as a couch potato. We watch reels of what we can imagine, but never strive to reach that place. We can become complacent and satis ed simply by imagining a better world for ourselves, doing nothing to achieve that vision.
On the other hand, dreams that are accompanied by us mentally berating ourselves, because we are not reaching a goal as quickly as we think we should, are equally detrimental. Our self-critics are the most brutal naysayers we will ever face, and they are often the voice stopping us.
e sweet spot in dreams and goals comes in the combination of imagination and action. It is in that zone where we both celebrate advances and recognize areas where improvement is needed that dreams can change our world.
My hope for you is that in your struggle, whatever it is, you will dream big, take steps toward your dream, and celebrate every motion forward.
n sports, halftime is more than a breather; it’s a recalibration. It’s a chance for coaches and players to analyze what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change to win. Even with hours of prep and lm study, surprises happen. e opposing team may roll out a new strategy. Injuries change the game. Momentum swings. And regardless of the scoreboard, teams don’t coast. Even when they’re up by 20, great teams use halftime to regroup and refocus. Because one good half doesn’t win the game.
So here we are, our own halftime. Six months into the year. e locker room of life. What’s our score? Are we winning, losing, or tied?
Some of us may be riding high, crushing goals, building relationships, and running on momentum. If that’s you, celebrate the wins, but don’t take your foot o the gas. What got you here may not get you through the next six months. Double down on what’s working and stay humble. Great teams don’t assume the second half will be just like the rst.
Others might nd themselves breaking even. You’re in the game, but not ahead. Like a team tied at the half, you’ve got options: you can settle, or you can surge. e second half is wide open, and a clear shift in strategy, attitude, or energy could create that breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.
And then there are those of us who feel like the rst half hit like a blitz. e losses weren’t just on paper; they were personal. Maybe you lost a job, a deal, a relationship, or even someone you loved. Maybe
the hits were emotional, nancial, or physical. And no amount of preparation could’ve stopped the storm that came. If that’s your halftime story, hear this: the second half is not cancelled. is is where I want to o er real encouragement. I’ve seen too many people write o the rest of the year when the rst half goes sideways. ey call it a “lost season” and start counting down to January 1. at mindset will keep you down. As the saying goes, ghters don’t lose because they get knocked down. ey lose because they stay knocked down.
It’s time to get back up.
Zig Ziglar said, “If we don’t like who we are, what we are, and where we are, we can change who we are, what we are, and where we are by changing what we put into our mind.” at’s not theory. at’s truth. Our mindset is the control center of our outcomes. And what we feed it matters: positivity, scripture, wise counsel, hope. And if we’ve been brought to our knees in the rst half, maybe our second half starts right there, on our knees in prayer. Surrender doesn’t mean defeat. It means you’re no longer trying to ght every battle alone. God has been with you every step of the way. He’s not leaving you now. In fact, He’s waiting for you to lean in. Whether it’s prayer, community, or trusted advisors, tap into your sources and resources. is is not the time to isolate. I’ve lived through my share of rough rst halves. Seasons where the light at the end of the tunnel seemed far o . But I’ve also lived to see how everything can change in a matter of months. If we choose to shift. If we choose to believe. If we choose to act.
Columnist
Jim Roome
Michael Norton
Soap and change
SOUTH JEFFCO – e manager of the coin-operated car wash called JCSO in a lather, complaining of faults with his vaults.
According to the manager’s report, he’d arrived that morning to nd the thick metal handles ripped from the coin vaults on wash-bays No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6, although their doors remained otherwise secure. e sturdy steel door of the coin vault in No. 4 was also closed fast, but its corners had been pried up with considerable force. e real trouble was in bays 1 and 2, where the heavy door had been torn o of the coin vault completely and left leaning against the wall beneath the ri ed depository.
Of suspects, the manager had none, but said that about a week before somebody had broken into one of the vacuum coin boxes, a crime he hadn’t reported. O cers proposed that a gander at his surveillance tapes might be pro table. e manager agreed that it probably would be if the surveillance camera actually worked. Deputies scheduled extra night patrols of the location.
Fast feud
CONIFER – A nervous bystander called JCSO on the evening of June 2 to report a pair of burger joint customers having a beef in the parking lot.
Ronald told deputies that he’d been pulling into the drive-through lane when Wendy, traveling the wrong way in a oneway aisle, zipped in front of him. Cheesed o , Ronald got out of his car and presented himself at Wendy’s window.
“ at was a real slick move,” Ronald told Wendy.
“I’ve got a kid in the car and you need to leave,” Wendy told Ronald.
door, saying a certain neighbor has been making noise about his sewer system. Homeowner assured them his system was sound and provided photographs detailing the lawful disposition of his discharge. Reviewing department call logs, o cers noted that Certain Neighbor had in recent times provided JCSO with numerous “tips” covering a variety of perceived neighborhood misdeeds.
As the current accusation didn’t pass the smell test, deputies dumped it.
Frisbee fiasco BUFFALO CREEK – Looking to make the most of a beautiful afternoon, Wally Wham-O decided a round of disc golf was just the ticket. Driving into the disc golf course through the open gate, Wally wrote down the facility’s prominently displayed phone number and played a very satisfactory 18.
“Was your kid’s junior bacon cheeseburger worth the bad driving?” Ronald asked Wendy.
In answer, Wendy rolled up her window, ending the interrogation. After satisfying themselves that no crime had been committed, deputies ended the investigation.
Making a stink
PINE – An anonymous tip received June 4 sent deputies to South Elk Creek Road in search of illegal dumping.
e tipster said a certain homeowner has been dumping his household wastewater into Elk Creek. Homeowner was not surprised to see the o cers at his
Learning of an unannounced enthusiast on her links, Dotty Disque closed and locked the gate, trapping Wally inside. His platter-pitching escapade completed, Wally call the provided phone number but got no answer. He next tried to pay in person, but found the pro shop deserted.
Figuring he’d call again later, Wally found his exit inhibited by the locked gate. Unwilling to spend the night in the disc golf course, he cut the chain using “a saw nearby” and went on his way.
Discovering the severed chain the following morning, Dotty asked JCSO to charge Wally with vandalism, theft of services, or any other charge they thought would stick. O cers determined that, because Wally entered through an open gate and was not contacted by sta , and because he made a good-faith e ort to settle up, and because cutting the chain was reasonable under the circumstances, charges were not appropriate. ey further advised Dotty that reimbursement for the broken chain was a civil matter, not a criminal one. Previously determined to hold Wally on her course inde nitely, Dotty asked deputies to ban him from it “inde nitely.”
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A lack of civility on local roads
Sheri Calls is a weekly column that considers stories from local police logs gathered by the pseudonymous Stavros Koroneos and provided for the readers’ amusement and edi cation. Comments, questions and clever anecdotes should be directed to Stavros, in care of the newspaper. All individuals, even unnamed individuals, are innocent until proven guilty.
HAMILTON
Shira Elizabeth (Ray) Hamilton June 11, 1953 - June 22, 2025
Shira Elizabeth (Ray) Hamilton, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on June 22, 2025. She was born in May eld, Kentucky, the youngest daughter of Jack P. Ray and Hilda M. Ray. Shira later ventured to Big Sandy, Texas, to attend Ambassador College. It was there that she met Rodney (Rod) Hamilton, her husband of nearly 51 years.
After college, Shira and Rod moved to Rod’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they had two daughters, Daphne and Brianne.
ENDERS
eir journey took them to various cities across the region, including Santa Fe, NM; Amarillo, TX; Gunnison, CO; Evergreen, CO; and Kona, HI. It was in Evergreen that Shira and her family would settle for more than 30 years, and where they were blessed with the addition of their son, Ryan. Shira lived a life of service, joy, and compassion. She was always seeking ways to improve her surroundings and the lives of those around her. She is deeply loved and fondly remembered by all those she touched throughout her life.
Robert Bundy Enders
December 2, 1934 - July 7, 2025
Robert Bundy Enders of Evergreen, transitioned to a better place on July 7, 2025. He was born on December 2, 1934 in Chamberlain, South Dakota, where the closest hospital to his hometown of Kadoka was located at the time. Bob graduated from University of South Dakota with a degree in accounting. He was president of his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta. While serving as a lieutenant in the Army in Monterey, California, he met his wife of 61 years, Genie Enders. Bob went on to build a successful career as a JC Penney store manager that spanned over four states: California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington. After retirement, he and Genie enjoyed ve years in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida before returning to Colorado. Everyone
who knew Bob commented about his neverending smile. He always thought of others before himself. Among the many who hope to be reunited with him are his three children: Laurie MacArthur, Lance Enders, and Todd Enders; son-in-law, Tim MacArthur; grandchildren: Marlena Hinchli e and Mitch MacArthur; grandchildren-in-laws: Tucker Hinchli e and Katie MacArthur; and two great grandchildren: Hunter Ro Hinchli e and Hope Hinchli e. e family gratefully declines owers, but donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation are very much appreciated. Well done, my good and faithful servant ~ Matthew 25:21 May the souls of the dearly departed rest in peace and rise in glory ~ Book of Common Prayer
David Decker October 30, 1985 - March 25, 2025
Tyler David Decker, born October 30, 1985, in Grand Junction, CO died unexpectedly on March 25, 2025 in Columbia Falls, MT.
Tyler will be greatly missed by the hearts and minds he touched. His infectious spirit, curiosity, and genuine compassion were true gifts to the world and brought light to so many. He came to every interaction with love and kindness
Tyler was predeceased by his father, David Decker, and his grandparents. He is survived and missed by his loving mother, Candy Decker, caring sister, Whitney Decker, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends across the globe.
Chinook, to Australia, lands he (re) explored for nearly a year. As an adult, he pursued life’s great adventures through his passions for skiing, mountaineering, and biking in Montana.
For the last 13 years, Tyler considered Glacier National Park to be his home, his o ce, and his personal playground, always considering stewardship of the land he loved. He often found solace there - whether that be with friends, alone, or with his dog, Wilbur.
A Celebration of Life is planned for August 31, 2025, from 4-7PM at Chief Hosa Lodge in Golden, CO. In lieu of owers, the family kindly requests donations to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or Glacier National Park Conservancy.
Tyler’s love, compassion, and empathy for those in his life will ensure that his spirit will continue to live forever in his friends and family.
NORTON
Now is the time to regroup, recharge, and realign. Let’s make the adjustments. Let’s take the lessons from the rst half and apply them with re to the second. Let’s not just play the second half. Let’s win it. Let’s go.
Where are you halfway through 2025? What is your second-half strategy? If you would like to know more about my faith
In the last year, there has been an increase in serious accidents. Slow down, focus on staying alive and leave your rage elsewhere. Kay Hames, Evergreen
Rude Drivers. Who would have thought so many would be right here in Evergreen? ere has truly been a loss of civility and respect for the law by what I call the “get out of my way” people. People who become enraged if you go the speed limit or tailgate you in an e ort to make you go faster.
or why I rely on it so much, or if you just want to share your story, I would love to hear it at gotonorton@gmail.com. And whether we are maintaining our lead or building our comeback strategy, when we play both halves with passion and purpose, it really will be a better-thangood life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
Upon graduation from Evergreen High School in 2004, Tyler continued his education by earning a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy from e University of Colorado. After losing his father in 2010, he embarked on an adventure across the South Paci c to deliver the family sailboat,
May Tyler rest in Paradise.
DECKER
Tyler
Bread often feels less like a food and more like an elemental fact of life. Practically every culture has their own form of bread and along with water, it’s treated as one of the basic elements of life.
All the meanings of bread are explored in the Bell Projects’, 2822 E. 17th Ave. in Denver, second e Bread Show, which is on display through Sunday, Aug. 3. e biennial exhibition features 25 artists working in a range of styles, from sculpture, painting, ber, and photography to collage, installation and mixed media, all exploring the power of the food. “ ere’s something so simple about bread, but when you think about it, it has so much cultural and family signicance,” said Lindsey Bell, curatorial director at Bell Projects. “ e artists went really deep with the idea of bread — they just took it and ran with it.” is year’s participating artists come from Denver and beyond and include Miguel Aguilar, Tramaine Gardner, Christy Pyle and Brandon Vargas. e show was originally launched in 2023 and nd artists re ecting on themes as diverse as “sustenance, family rituals, food politics, labor, nostalgia, and joy,” according to provided information. “It’s wonderful to see so many di erent interpretations on display. e exhibit moves from more serious interpretations
Break Bread at Bell Projects
COMING ATTRACTIONS
to fun puns and plays on words,” Bell said. “Bread can mean so many things, including money, so there’s a lot of creative freedom. e artists took a lot of care to create something meaningful.”
Bell added that some of the works on display get particularly powerful, tackling contemporary concerns like the politics of consumption, communal rituals and the layered symbolism bread carries across cultures.
No matter what your personal feelings are about bread, the hope is visitors come away thinking di erently about the food and what it means to their lives.
“We hope that when people leave, they’re will be something new on their mind when they next interact with bread. It’s something so simple, but it’s also a universal connector that binds us all together,” Bell said. “ is is my favorite show we do and it’s a real treat to put on an exhibition like this.”
More information is available at www. bell-projects.com
Take a Vacation from Life at Walker Fine Art
To say we’re living in stressful times
would be the biggest of understatements. Add that to the fact that the summer is so busy and hot, and we could all use a little calm and quiet.
Denver’s Walker Fine Art Gallery, 300 West 11th Ave. No. A, has just the reprieve you need with Untethered. It features the work of Sabin Aell, Derrick Breidenthal, eresa Clowes, George Kozmon and Sara Sanderson, all of whom provide an oasis with works “inspired by wide-open landscapes, elemental textures and organic rhythms,” according to provided information.
If you’re looking for a bit of a mini vacation, this is your exhibit. And don’t miss the opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 18.
Details are available at https://www. walker neart.com/.
Make the Trip to Oz at Littleton Town Hall Arts Center
People are never going to tire of the story of “ e Wizard of Oz,” and there are all kinds of versions of the tale to cater to every audience. e Littleton Town Hall Arts Center is bringing a youth perspective to the fairytale with “ e Wizard of Oz Jr.” e show runs at the Center, 2450 Main St. in Littleton, from Friday, July 18 through Saturday, the 26th. Performances are at 7 p.m. on the 18th and 26th and
11 a.m. Monday through Friday. Presented by the Teen Intensive eater Program, the story of Dorothy, Toto, Tinman, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion comes to delightful life as they journey down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. Get tickets at https:// townhallartscenter.org/event/wizard-ofoz-jr-performances/.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Alabama Shakes at Red Rocks e Alabama Shakes only released two albums in the 2010s, but still managed to make an enormous impact on the alt-rock world. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Brittany Howard, the band wonderfully blended classic rock, blues and soul, and the end result was both familiar and new. e group has been on hiatus since 2018 but they’re working on new music and are getting back on the road. e Alabama Shakes are coming to Red Rocks, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. ey’ll be joined by Lee Fields, a fantastic R&B singer. is is a concert many people have been eagerly awaiting, so don’t miss out. Get tickets at www.axs.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
Clarke Reader
Golden Musicians
Golden targets amplified music downtown
Golden is planning to restrict amplified music, like what is portrayed here, throughout downtown. Musicians can still perform acoustically.
Public hearing scheduled for July 22 council meeting
BY CORINNE WATERMAN CORINNE@COTLN.ORG
Downtown Golden may soon be a little quieter, as city o cials are considering an ordinance that would restrict ampli ed music.
e draft ordinance would only apply to public right of way, such as streets, sidewalks and alleyways, within the Downtown Development Authority boundaries. It wouldn’t a ect special events or private properties, including commercial businesses that host outdoor musical performances.
Acoustic music would still be allowed. Megaphones would also be allowed as long as they weren’t being used to amplify music, including singing, Golden sta members have clari ed.
e City Council has scheduled an ordinance second reading and public hearing about the issue at its July 22 meeting. Anyone wishing to submit written or verbal comments may do so at that time.
If passed at the July 22 meeting, city sta said the ordinance would take e ect on or around July 30.
“ is is not about banning street musicians,” City Councilor Patty Evans said at a June 10 work session. “ … ey have some really great talent; it just needs to be quieter.”
‘The amplification has gotten out of control’ Evans and other councilors said they’ve received numerous complaints about street musicians — sometimes called buskers — playing so loudly that downtown employees can’t hear their customers if the business’ doors are open.
In city documents and meetings, City Manager Scott Vargo and Police Chief Joe Harvey have described how the city’s
current ordinance can be di cult to enforce, as outdoor music is required to be 65 decibels or less.
City employees are trained to use measurement devices, but wind, crowd noise and tra c can interfere with the readings.
However, Vargo and Harvey said the bigger problems is that, when a city employee contacts someone using an amplication device and asks them to turn it, they will only do so temporarily — until the city employee has left the immediate area. us, the problems persist.
“It’s not that we don’t try to enforce existing regulations,” Vargo said at the June 10 work session. “It’s just a much more di cult enforcement technique that we have to go through.”
us, City Councilors and Downtown Development Authority members have been discussing this issue, considering various iterations of an ordinance. e current iteration only tackles ampli ed music in the public right of way, but city o cials may revisit similar issues later in the year, they said.
e councilors at the June 10 work session were generally in favor of restricting ampli ed music, with Councilor Lisa Vitry saying she’s heard from local businesses that “the ampli cation has gotten out of control.”
Evans even said she’d be in favor of expanding the ordinance beyond the DDA boundaries, so it could bene t other nearby areas too.
Councilor Don Cameron, who’s been working on this ordinance with Councilor Bill Fisher for several months, added that some other municipalities have similar restrictions. He said Boulder has a decades-old ordinance that doesn’t allow any ampli ed music on the Pearl Street walking mall. Additionally, those who play acoustic music are required to move every 30 minutes.
With speakers and the like restricted in downtown Golden, Vargo and Harvey believed this would be easier and more e cient to enforce versus the current
65-decibel noise limit.
Any music at special events or commercial venues would still be subject to
it, though, along with other existing city ordinances, they clari ed.
FILE PHOTO
Dressy Bessy performs for a crowd in Parfet Park Sept. 6 at the City of Golden’s Movies & Music in the Park event. Amplified music at special events like this would still be permitted under new city restrictions.
CORINNE WESTEMAN
A YEAR OF SERVICE, FELLOWSHIP, AND IMPACT: ROTARY CLUB OF EVERGREEN REFLECTS ON 2024–2025
Rotarians don’t just build projects — we build community. Through hands-on service, shared vision, and a commitment to making the world a better place, we come together to create lasting change. Whether it’s cleaning up trash along our local roads, supporting youth programs here at home, funding clean water projects across the globe, or spending time together to build relationships, the heart of Rotary is people working together with purpose. Every project is a re ection of our values: service, compassion, and connection — and a reminder that we’re stronger when we lift each other up, both locally and internationally.
We are open and welcoming to anyone who wants to learn more about our Club, our Programs or our Members. Join us to see how Rotary can change your life as you help us change the world! EvergreenRotary.org
We planted Rotary Peace Poles, monuments displaying the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in various languages, serving as a symbol of hope and a reminder of Rotary’s commitment to peacebuilding. We were proud to provide funding for two AED units that the Evergreen Fire Department placed in two of their trucks to provide faster, lifesaving medical services.
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
Left: The Imagination Library program provides free, high-quality books each month to children from birth to age ve, fostering a love of reading and early literacy skills.
Our club has more than 100 members from all walks of life. We like to have fun and we organize social functions throughout the year.
• We meet once a week on Fridays at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast. There is no meeting commitment – attend as many or as few as you like.
• Our meetings, events, location details and speaker schedules can be found at EvergreenRotary.org, along with details about our local and international committees and projects.
• Our membership is open to all people of all ages and all backgrounds. More info at EvergreenRotary.org
I partner with clients to discover “What’s possible from here?” during times of
We are inspired to learn and grow through our diverse and exciting weekly speakers.
Top Left to Right: We raised money and volunteered for many local, national and international organizations.
Right: Gathering for social time to build community.
Top Left to Right: Our Highway Trash Clean Up and annual Recycle Day kept our community clean and keep tons of materials out of land lls.
Rotary Wild re Ready is a communitybased project designed to increase wild re awareness and education, and to help make our communities safer from the threat of wild re.
Golden agrees to buy DeLong Park sidewalk
Design company is giving the city $80,000 to buy the impacted land
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CORINNE@COTLN.ORG
Since Golden’s DeLong Park opened in June 2022, people have pushed their strollers, walked their dogs and jogged with friends along the park’s sidewalks. But, unbeknownst to many of them, one of those sidewalks was mistakenly built in a neighboring yard. And now, three years later, the City of Golden and the construction company are xing it.
e Golden City Council approved buying about 2,700 square feet of land at 400 24th St. at its July 8 meeting. at’s where the sidewalk was built and the city will use money from design company IMEG, LLC to do so, city sta con rmed. e Pallagi family, the current property owners, will receive $80,000 for the sidewalk-impacted land and $7,000 for fence installation.
e parties will close on the land purchase later this summer.
‘We don’t know why it happened’
In 2017, the City of Golden bought a 1-acre residential property o 23rd Street from the DeLong family. e long-term plan was to turn it into a park. e project was in the planning, design and construction process for about ve years, according to previous Transcript coverage, and about 80 city o cials and residents hosted a ribbon-cutting cer-
emony for it on June 7, 2022.
Assistant to the City Manager Steve Glueck con rmed how DeLong Park was designed in 2019, which included a completed property survey. e design included using city right of way for Vernon Street — which had never been built out as a street — to put a sidewalk between 23rd and 24th streets, Glueck explained.
“In the preparation of nal construction plans, the sidewalk connection was erroneously shifted down the hill to a location closer to the corridor for the abandoned Welch Ditch,” he stated in
a council memo. “ e connection was subsequently constructed in that location, encroaching on and e ectively cutting o part of the property at 400 24th Street.”
Joseph David Pallagi and his family have owned 400 24th St. since 1988. Pallagi reportedly tried to tell project representatives about the encroachment during construction in 2021, and again in fall 2024, according to Glueck’s memo.
After the July 8 meeting, Glueck said it’s unclear exactly whom Pallagi tried to tell, whether it was city employees or elected
o cials, or someone from the construction company. Pallagi then had health problems and didn’t pursue it further, until he ran into a Golden Public Works employee last fall.
At that time, he brought the issue up again, and the city looked into it. Glueck said that once the mistake was veri ed, the city sought a resolution with the Pallagi family and IMEG.
After several weeks of meetings and negotiations and after agreeing it would be too di cult to move the sidewalk, all three parties found a resolution, Glueck said.
Now that the City Council has approved it, the parties plan to close on the land transaction in late July or early August, Glueck said.
Glueck wrote to City Council that IMEG, which did the park’s nal construction plans, believed there was likely a miscommunication among the park design team. However, “accountability for the error lies with them,” Glueck wrote.
On July 8, he added: “We can document what happened, but we don’t know why it happened.”
us, the company is paying Golden $87,000 so the city can buy the impacted land and pay the Pallagi family to install a fence. is includes the 6-foot-wide sidewalk, the square footage between the sidewalk and the park boundary, and a 3-foot-wide bu er on the other side, Glueck described.
In the council memo, he also stated how IMEG is covering all the city’s direct costs, including some legal reimbursements. e only exceptions are the “minimal” closing costs and the insurance policy, which the city is paying.
DeLong Park, seen at its June 7, 2022 ribbon-cutting ceremony. PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
Hickenlooper renews call to repeal Comstock Act
States have used 1873 act to limit medical abortions
BY SARA WILSON COLORADO NEWSLINE
U.S. Sen John Hickenlooper is renewing a call to repeal part of a 19th-century law that conservative activists have used to restrict medication abortion access in cities across the country.
“ ese extreme Republicans and dustcovered laws from 1873 should not be directing a women’s right to make her own health care decisions,” the Colorado Democrat said during a virtual panel with Colorado OB-GYNs and reproductive health leaders.
Hickenlooper is a sponsor of the Stop Comstock Act, which would repeal the Comstock Act of 1873, a measure that outlaws the mailing of “lewd” and “indecent” material. Anti-abortion activists have sought enforcement of the dormant law to essentially enact bans on many abortions, including medication abortions where patients receive mifepristone and other drugs in the mail after consulting with a doctor. Mifepristone is also used in many miscarriage treatments.
e federal tax break and spending cut bill signed into law by President Donald Trump last week cuts Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood — though that provision was temporarily blocked by a judge — and advocates worry that it could add strain to an already under-attack reproductive health system.
“We know that many of those people (on Medicaid) will not be able to seek care
and other institutions or other avenues, and we know that places that are able to continue providing sexual health care are going to face increased demand and increased weight,” said Dr. Rebecca Cohen, a Colorado OB-GYN.
Pueblo City Council has voted twice since 2022 to oppose a proposed city ordinance that would have used the Comstock Act to restrict abortion access in the city. In October 2024, the council voted 4-3 to kill the ordinance before it moved to a nal vote. If it had passed
in Pueblo, it almost certainly would have been struck down due to Colorado’s Reproductive Health Equity Act.
“Abortion opponents have seized on the idea that the Comstock Act could be misused to ban the mailing of mifepristone and other drugs used in medication abortions,” Cobalt President Karen Middleton said.
Backers of the so-called “Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn” project have helped over 20 local governments, mostly in Texas, pass ordinances to ban abortion by
enforcing the federal law, most recently Big Sandy in Texas with a population of about 1,300.
Hickenlooper called the legislative effort a “marathon.” Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate and a 220-212 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“ e issue with this circumstance, like every circumstance, is there are a number of reasonable, moderate Republicans that have been pushed to the corner, and they are threatened with primaries with tens of billions of dollars against them if they violate anything that the White House is trying to push,” he said. “At some point, when we have a breakthrough election, this will be the kind of thing — all the debris that is accumulated from the Trump years — we’ll be able to clean it out.”
Melisa Hidalgo-Cuellar, the chair of the Cobalt Abortion Fund, said the organization has seen a nearly 1,200% increase in funding for people accessing care at telehealth-only clinics that mail abortion medication to patients. It can be di cult to travel to a brick-and-mortar clinic for people without reliable transportation, who don’t have child care or who live far from a physical clinic.
“You really see that people are opting for this because it’s a more convenient and a ordable option for a lot of abortion seekers,” Hidalgo-Cuellar said.
Hickenlooper’s bill was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee when it was introduced.
is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.
Sen. John Hickenlooper, shown here touring an orphaned oil well in Adams County in 2023, is renewing a call to repeal part of a 19th-century law that conservative activists have used to restrict medication abortion access.
Fireworks shows, Military Appreciation headline a weekend of baseball
BY JOHN RENFROW JOHN@COTLN.ORG
To cap an extravagant Fourth of July weekend on the diamond, the Colorado Rockies went all out to celebrate local veterans and military members with a parade on July 6.
It was the nale of a packed weekend of promotions, including back-to-back reworks shows following the rst two games against the Chicago White Sox on July 4 and 5.
Despite losing the rst two series games by a combined score of 13-5, the Rockies rallied on Sunday to win 6-4 in front of the home crowd. In the face of a brutal season, Colorado fans arrived in droves to root on their local team and enjoy some holiday festivities.
Plus, the weather cooperated to make for a beautiful long weekend.
e Military Appreciation game on Sunday was opened by a parade around the out eld honoring past and present military members. Players shook hands with veterans in gratitude and reverence as everyone took a momentary step back from sports.
ere was also a pregame salute from
SPORTS
Rockies fans reminded, baseball is more than winning
multiple military branches, a national anthem performance by a veteran in uniform and an on- eld presentation of an enormous American ag.
Master Sergeant Christopher Nemeir was honored as the Hero of the Game.
In a back-and-forth game full of explosive innings, home runs from Michael Toglia and Mickey Moniak helped push Colorado over the edge to end the homestand with a win. Moniak also had a triple and an RBI double in the game, carrying the Rockies to a victory.
Catcher Hunter Goodman was also announced as a 2025 MLB All-Star, as fans celebrated the news on the jumbotron during the game.
ough the Rockies are a lowly 21-70 (as of July 8), Colorado fans knew there was no place they’d rather be on the Fourth of July than Coors Field.
A near-sold-out crowd celebrates the Fourth of July at Coors Field with a fireworks show after the game. Despite the loss on July 5 to Chicago, Rockies fans packed the house and stayed for the show.
TAYLOR WRIGHT
A massive on-field display of the American flag opened the Military Appreciation Game before the Colorado Rockies took on the Chicago White Sox on July 6. Colorado won 6-4. JOHN RENFROW
Mines teams win RMAC awards for academic excellence
Men’s XC, indoor track & field teams honored at conference banquet
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CORINNE@COTLN.ORG
e national title-winning Colorado School of Mines men’s cross-country runners aren’t just at the top of the podium. ey’re at the top of the classroom, too.
e Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference recently announced the 2024-25 Brechler Award winners, recognizing the top-performing academic teams across the conference’s 22 sponsored sports.
e Mines men’s cross country and men’s indoor track & eld teams were among the winners.
Regis and Colorado Mesa led the member universities, with four recipient teams each. Chadron State followed with three, and Mines tied Black Hills State and Westminster with two each.
e Mines men’s cross country team’s win is the program’s rst since the award was established in 2012-13, the Orediggers con rmed in a recent press release.
e two Mines teams and the other the Brechler Award-winning teams were scheduled to be recognized at the July 10 RMAC awards banquet in Colorado Springs. is year’s Brechler Awards, named after former RMAC Commissioner Paul W. Brechler, was based on the highest team GPA from the 2024-25 academic year, the RMAC described in its press release.
e team GPA includes all student-athletes who were on the institution’s NCAA
BERGEN PARK CHURCH
eligibility list, and is calculated by dividing the total quality points for each semester by the total number of credits.
e Mines men’s cross country team produced a 3.595 GPA, Mines Athletics con rmed, while the men’s indoor track & eld team had a 3.563 GPA — winning its second-straight Brechler Award and fth overall.
Several Orediggers compete on both teams, as well as on the outdoor track & eld team.
In fall 2024, the Mines men’s cross country team went undefeated on the race course.
e Orediggers swept the RMAC and NCAA Regional titles and eventually won their
fourth NCAA Division II championship in 10 years.
en, for the indoor track & eld season, the Orediggers had their best-ever nish at the NCAA Division II championships with six individual podium nishes and a thirdplace team trophy.
Right now, the Mines runners are on summer break, but o cial practices resume next month. en, both the men’s and women’s cross country teams kick o their 2025 competition schedule Sept. 20 at Denver’s Washington Park.
For more information, including Colorado School of Mines’ 2025-26 athletic calendar, visit MinesAthletics.com.
WORSHIP DIRECTORY
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
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
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
On Nov. 23, members of the Colorado School of Mines men’s cross country team celebrate winning the NCAA Division II national championship. They won their second national title in three years, and fourth in 10 years. PHOTO BY SAM BOENDER MINES ATHLETICS
The Colorado School of Mines men’s track & field team celebrates taking third place at the NCAA Division II indoor championships March 13-15 in Indianapolis. This is the bestever finish for a Mines track & field team at a national event. PHOTOS BY TIM FLYNN
Colorado School of Mines runner Loic Scomparin, center, competes in the men’s 3K race at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships March 13-15 in Indianapolis. Scomparin, who took the silver medal in both the men’s 3K and 5K races took second in the event, will try to build on his successes at the outdoor national meet.
PHOTO BY TIM FLYNN/MINES ATHLETICS
ENERGY
produced more oil last year than any nation in history, and he urged the BLM to follow standard, legally required procedures in reviewing the project. An attorney for Eagle County and an environmental group that successfully sued the federal government to delay the rail project, also sent letters.
However, the BLM issued its approval, nding “no signi cant impact” related to the expansion, which Colorado opposes due to increased derailment, wild re and oil-spill risks, and the agency directly cited its authority under Trump’s January executive order declaring a national energy emergency, allowing for the fast-tracking of fossil fuel projects.
Before a recent fundraiser here for his 2026 gubernatorial campaign, Weiser said he had not heard about the expedited approval of the Wildcat Loadout or had time to debrief the ruling.
“I am sorry to hear that. I’m not shocked, but it’s a sign of the times we’re in — the lack of stewardship to protect our land, air, and water is appalling,” Weiser said. “We’re going to have to be creative to nd every way we can to make sure that these decisions aren’t being made hastily with longterm, harmful consequences.”
In May, 15 states — led by the attorneys general in Washington and California — led a lawsuit challenging the legality of Trump’s energy emergency executive order. Calling it a “fake” emergency designed to line the pockets of Big Oil, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown pointed to the order’s exclusion of clean energy projects as it strips away vital environmental protections.
ration of a national energy emergency is a violation of the National Emergencies Act itself, which is designed to prevent frivolous or partisan declarations.
“We don’t think it is a real emergency,” Weiser said Saturday. “Up until now, this national energy emergency order hasn’t a ected Colorado. But given these dynamics (of the expedited BLM approval), we’re going to be looking at that to make sure that we can do all we can to protect Colorado.”
Brown and California Attorney General Rob Bonta cited what they deemed illegal fast-tracking of environmental reviews by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in violation of the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, among other key environmental laws.
“ e only ‘emergency’ is that the president disagrees with policies to address climate change in Washington state and elsewhere,” Brown wrote in May. “He is illegally using emergency authorities to keep the nation reliant on energy sources like coal, oil and gas.”
Weiser has previously said he will keep all of his options open in opposing the Uinta Basin oil expansion as it seeks to vastly expand oil-train tra c along the headwaters of the endangered Colorado River, which supplies water to more than 40 million people. e BLM approval in a two-week window now has him questioning Trump’s national energy emergency rules.
“So we didn’t have an ability to make this case [back in May], but we at the time said that we would be looking closely at whether and when it would a ect Colorado and we’d be ready to le,” Weiser said Saturday. “And with this, now we have to look at it.”
e May lawsuit claims Trump’s decla-
is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.
CROWSSUPDRO ELZZ
1. TELEVISION: In the show “Ted Lasso,” what does the sign over the locker room doorway say?
2. ANIMAL KINGDOM: How many words are dogs believed to understand, on average?
3. U.S. STATES: Which two states don’t observe Daylight Savings Time?
4. LITERATURE: In the “Harry Potter” book series, how many balls are used in a Quidditch match?
5. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which company owns car makers Porsche and Audi?
6. GEOGRAPHY: Which country is home to Lake Como?
7. MOVIES: What are the names of Cinderella’s stepsisters?
8. ACRONYMS: What does the computer acronym DOS stand for?
9. MEDICAL: What is the condition called
TrIVIa
solar erythema?
10. PSYCHOLOGY: Someone su ering from alektorophobia is terri ed by what?
Answers
1. “Believe.”
2. Dogs generally know an average of 89 words and phrases, but the number can range from 15 to 215.
3. Hawaii and Arizona.
4. Four balls of three di erent types (the Qua e, two Bludgers and the Golden Snitch).
