Count the pink ribbons in this week’s paper!
We found the first one for you!
October 21, 2016 VO LUM E 1 5 | IS S U E 48 | FREE
Enter your guess online at CentennialCitizen.net for a chance to win weekly prizes! 2016 Exclusive Sponsor: See ad inside for details. Winner will be announced in next week’s paper.
CentennialCitizen.net A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Coffman, Carroll grapple for seat
Challenger tries to use Trump against incumbent, who says he won’t vote for the GOP presidential nominee By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com While Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman has sought to distance his race for reelection in Congressional District 6 from
the GOP presidential race, challenger Morgan Carroll has largely campaigned on tying the incumbent Aurora Republican to his party’s controversial nominee. Coffman, 61, seeking Carroll his fifth term, wants to focus on keeping the House of Representatives in Republican hands rather than discussing Donald Trump. “I think the impact of this race is not
who is in the White House,” he said. “The race I’m focused on is my own.” The race with Carroll, 44, also from Aurora and a two-term state senator first elected to District 29 in 2008, is being described as Coffman a toss-up by the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, political prediction website 270towin. com and The Cook Political Report. Money has poured into both campaigns, with
PUMPKINS GALORE
Coffman outraising Carroll $2.99 million to $2.17 million, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Coffman won his re-election in 2014 by nine points. But Carroll believes he is more vulnerable this year, pointing to Trump’s top-of-the-ticket unpopularity among establishment Republicans, an ever-diversifying district and statewide trends that show Democrats have the edge in voter registration. Congress continues on Page 4
City manager announces resignation Centennial to conduct a national search for its next leader Staff report
Brooklyn Stege, 16 months, of Denver, picks up a wee-sized pumpkin at the annual Pumpkin Patch of Centennial, held at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 8545 E. Dry Creek Road. The pumpkin patch is open daily until dusk on Halloween, and all proceeds benefit the homeless and hungry of Arapahoe and Douglas counties. Photos by Alex DeWind
Annual pumpkin patch raises money for homeless and hungry By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunity Green and yellow gourds, ginormous and peewee-sized pumpkins, red wagons and haystacks — it’s the annual Pumpkin Patch of Centennial. “Once you buy one, you look around and think, ‘Oh wait, that one is better,’ ” said Marta Ives, who oversees the patch on Fridays. The patch not only makes for a fun fall activity, it is also a fundraising event for Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. Proceeds go towards several organizations that serve the hungry and homeless Pumpkin continues on Page 6
After 4 1/2 years, John Danielson has announced his resignation as Centennial’s city manager. “I’ve been working in local government for 30 years and am ready for a break. The city will be embarking on some big, long-term projects soon and continuity of leadership would be nice,” said Danielson, whose last day Danielson at the city was Oct. 14. “My wife and I are looking forward to seeing both of our children get married in the coming months and are also excited to continue traveling and completing our bucket list.” Danielson led the city through several key projects, including the reconstruction of Arapahoe Road between Waco and Himalaya, the complete renovation of the city’s Civic Center building, the acquisition of a public works facility, the expansion of the city’s award-winning Centennial Center Park, and a grant for Centennial’s “I-Team,” one of 12 Bloomberg Philanthropies innovation teams across the country. “During John’s tenure, Centennial grew up as a city,” Mayor Cathy Noon said in a media release. “We are known Manager continues on Page 4
Pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors fill the yard of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church for the annual Pumpkin Patch of Centennial, open daily from 10 a.m. to dusk until Oct. 31.
Cherry Creek wins another state crown Bruins capture sixth straight state boys tennis team title
By Tom Munds tmunds@colorado communitymedia.com For the sixth consecutive year and the 42nd time in 45 years, Cherry Creek claimed the state boys team title.
Going into the final day of the tournament on Oct. 15, the title race was tight with four teams — the Bruins, Denver East, Regis and Fairview — in contention for the championship. But the Bruins pulled ahead of the field to stay with wins at No. 1 singles and the third-place finish at No. 1 doubles with a win over the Denver East team.
Cherry Creek staked its claim to the gold trophy early as Ethan Hillis defeated Dawid Kijak of Overland in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, in a match that took about 45 minutes. Hillis said he was looking forward to the state championship match because he finished second at state as a sophoTennis continues on Page 6
ELECTION DAY IS ON THE WAY And we’ve got the rundown on all the races you need to know about as part of our election guide on PAGES 17-24.