April 22, 2016 VO LUM E 1 5 | IS S U E 22 | FREE
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Keeping eyes, and minds, on the road CDOT highlights growing problem of distracted driving By Tom Skelley tskelley@colorado communitymedia.com Nicolle Dowling of Centennial knows her distracted driving is a problem.
“I’m aware of it, but I need to do a better job of not doing it,” Dowling said. “Having the phone in my hand, whether it be for texting, talking, using navigation apps, getting information or just thinking I need to get information” — those are the things she sometimes does behind the wheel other than watching the road.
Dowling, 38, isn’t alone. A 2015 Colorado Department of Transportation survey shows one in four drivers admitted to reading a text message while behind the wheel during the previous week. The numbers are even higher for other forms of distraction, including eating.
Texting is among the many ways motorists become distracted. Shutterstock image
Distracted continues on Page 5
Beckman cites her record in GOP race Ex-Arapahoe commissioner seeking seat in state House says she’s tackled red tape By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com Former District 1 Arapahoe County Commissioner Susan Beckman says all the legislation she saw as a state employee led to her decision to run for a seat in the state House. “With 500 pieces of legislation a year, all of it has a cost, all of it impacts somewhere down the line,” the Littleton resident said. Beckman, who is married to Littleton Mayor Bruce Beckman, Beckman jumped into the House District 38 race late, but still managed to pick up 56.7 percent of the delegate vote at the Arapahoe County Republican assembly in March.
Mike Davies, who assists former Navy SEAL Jimmy Graham with Active Shooter Response Training, demonstrates a physical defense portion of the five-day course. The Active Shooter Response Training Center officially opened April 15 at Centennial Gun Club, 11800 E. Peakview Ave. Photos by Alex DeWind
Active-shooter training center opens Five-day program is the first of its kind in Colorado By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com After the Paris terrorist attacks that left at least 130 dead and hundreds wounded last November, Centennial Gun Club’s general manager, Dick Abramson, was prompted to act. “I got calls from people saying, `Wow, this could happen in my business — what do I do?’” Abramson partnered with veteran U.S. Navy SEAL Jimmy Graham in opening the new Active Former Navy SEAL Jimmy Graham, front right, Shooter Response Training Center demonstrates a training exercise in which particiat the Centennial Gun Club, 11800 pants are put in a simulated attack situation. “When E. Peakview Ave., on April 15. The you’re being attacked, it’s the last possible time you five-day training program teaches defense skills and tactics, including want to fall down,” Graham said.
de-escalation, physical contact and lethal force. Graham, of Castle Rock, earned the rank of chief petty officer (E7) during his 15 years as a Navy SEAL. He’s a certified federal firearms instructor and has trained law enforcement officers, corporate personnel and citizens across the nation, according to a news release. Graham, director and lead instructor of the center, trains participants in how to protect themselves from a terrorist threat, active shooter and other aggressive encounters. Participants learn how to react quickly in dangerous scenarios through simulated experience and role playing. The hands-on training program is open to everybody, Abramson said, but primary contacts are from corporations, schools and churches.
Beckman continues on Page 7
LOCAL SPORTS Arapahoe and Heritage take their rivalry to the lacrosse field. PAGE 24
Training continues on Page 7
Grand Opening Party This Weekend! ColoradoSkinAndVein.com See page 7 for an invitation to our grand opening celebration
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