Centennial Citizen 1015

October 15, 2020

$1.00

An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of

VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 44

Much hinges on LPS tax vote Ballot Issue 4C could determine trajectory of high-ranking district

BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Patrons eating outdoors are seen through water falling from The Streets at SouthGlenn’s fountain, where small numbers of people also gathered.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

SouthGlenn to bet on more housing With gym shuttered, theater temporarily closed, redevelopment plan to move forward soon

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Centennial’s flagship shopping development, one that faces big potential changes in coming years, already has a storied past.

The land where The Streets at SouthGlenn outdoor mall sits was originally home to the large, indoor Southglenn Mall built in the 1970s.

The Macy’s and former Sears at SouthGlenn were components of

that mall.

The Streets at SouthGlenn’s outdoor shopping center layout replaced the former mall in 2009. The City of Centennial has used buzzwords such as “successful lifestyle center” and “main street elements” to describe the mammoth development, a gathering place that serves as the closest approximation to a downtown that Centennial boasts.

The mall at South University Boulevard and East Arapahoe Road is a top source of tax revenue for the city, but it’s pulling in a smaller proportion of funds than it used to.

The loss of the decades-old Sears near the end of 2018 put the spotlight on what’s next for the outdoor mall, which wants to adapt to survive amid SEE MALL, P8

TO GIVE INPUT ON THE PLAN The Centennial City Council’s vote on the SouthGlenn redevelopment proposal is still likely months away. See the criteria on which the council must base its decision at tinyurl.com/CentennialSouthGlennFAQ. To view the study on how the redevelopment would impact traffic on surrounding streets, scroll halfway down the page at tinyurl.com/SouthGlennTraffic.

To ask questions or submit comments about the redevelopment, email southglenn@centennialco.gov. Questions and comments will be shared with the developers and city staff and will be used to help update the city’s “frequently asked questions” section online about the project at the first link above, according to the city’s website.

With ballots out and Election Day looming, volunteers are going all-out for Ballot Issue 4C, which would raise property taxes in a bid to stave off major cuts to Littleton Public Schools.

“We need every vote,” said Erin Weaver, a parent of two LPS students who is co-chairing the citizens’ committee drumming up support for 4C. “If this doesn’t pass, it’s going to affect every single student.”

4C calls for a mill levy override that aims to raise $12 million in its first year, hoping to offset slashed state funding and increased expenses largely related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If the measure fails, advocates and district officials say cuts could be wide-ranging.

“Everything is on the table,” said Superintendent Brian Ewert. “Cutting $12 million from our budget will require some pain. It won’t just be one thing.”

‘The most depressing committee’ Weaver and her fellow co-chair Erin Christensen, also a parent of two LPS students, also sit on the district’s financial advisory committee, and SEE LPS, P10

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 31

IN THE GAME Esports continues to grow as a competitive outlet for area teens

P16

2 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

Race for 18th Judicial District Attorney hits boiling point Allegations of racism, lies and political ambushes swirl amid election

BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Tensions in the hotly contested race for 18th Judicial District Attorney have hit a boiling point amid allegations of racism, lies and political ambushes.

A heated confrontation unfolded Oct. 5 during a candidate debate held by the Public Safety Advisory Committee, a nonpartisan citizen group that advises the DougPadden las County sheriff, at the Corner Bakery in Highlands Ranch.

Republican John Kellner and Democrat Amy Padden are running to succeed term-limited George Brauchler. Kellner attended the event, which was changed to Kellner a Q&A interview with him. Padden said she had a scheduling conflict and did not attend.

Padden’s campaign manager, Kat Traylor, posted a tear-stricken video to her Facebook profile following the debate saying she was kicked out by organizers. The post was reacted to more than 500 times, shared more than 600 times and received more

than 600 comments as of Oct. 8.

The video shows Traylor speaking from her vehicle in a dark parking lot outside the venue. She said she arrived at the restaurant before closing and ordered a meal while waiting for the debate event, which was closed to the general public and held after 7 p.m., when the restaurant closed to patrons.

Traylor said she was still eating shortly after closing time, as the event’s 7:30 p.m. start approached.

That’s when Traylor said Kory Nelson, chairman of the Public Safety Advisory Committee, confronted her and “demanded that I leave right away.”

In her video, Traylor recalled saying, “I’m a paying customer, I’m going to finish my food Traylor

that I paid for.”

Traylor, who is Black, said another committee member then told her to sit in the back of the restaurant to eat her food if she would not take it to go.

Nelson “I was being told to take my food and sit in the back of the (expletive) restaurant like some dog,” she said in the video as she broke into tears. “I’ve never been so humiliated in my life. I’ve never been asked to sit in the back of a restaurant ever.”

Nelson said the committee’s secretary, Jeri Lockwood, had joined his conversation with Traylor in an

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attempt to be helpful.

Lockwood offered the compromise of allowing Traylor to finish her meal away from where committee members were setting up the debate area and then being escorted out the back of the restaurant when finished, Nelson said.

“I said, ‘Are you seriously telling a Black woman to go in the back of the restaurant to finish her meal?’”

Traylor said. “And she doubled down and said, ‘Yes.’ I didn’t know how to respond.”

Lockwood could not be reached for comment for this article.

Traylor found the incident eerily reminiscent of systemic racism from the 1940s and 1950s — when Jim Crow laws and segregation ruled daily life.

“There was a time where Black people were asked to sit in the back of the restaurant and get their food to go in the back of a restaurant because we weren’t good enough to be inside the restaurant,” Traylor said in the video. “I can’t really articulate what this feels like right now.”

Traylor said in an Oct. 6 interview with Colorado Community Media that the moment felt like an out-of-body experience. She and her husband felt powerless to protect themselves, she said.

Traylor’s husband, vice president of the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education Kevin Cox, attended the event with her in hopes of serving as a surrogate for Padden.

Cox had already introduced the couple as Padden’s representatives to Nelson before the confrontation, both Traylor and Nelson confirmed.

Nelson said he told Cox that surrogates were against debate rules and had later asked the couple to leave because of COVID-19 attendance restrictions. Traylor disputed that debate attendees were closely following pandemic precuations and did not believe that was the true reason she was asked to leave.

Instructions sent to each candidate said campaign staff would not be allowed inside, only the candidates and committee members, although Kellner’s campaign manager was present with him throughout the event, Kellner said.

Kellner said he arrived to the debate expecting Padden to be there and did not know Padden’s campaign declined the invitation.

“If she had said, ‘I am the campaign manager,’ maybe we could have had a different conversation,” Nelson said. “I know we are talking about nuances.”

Deputy arrives Cox eventually suggested that he and Traylor leave, and the couple joined five friends standing outside the building. The group waited there discussing what to do next, Traylor said.

That’s when a Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office deputy arrived.

Dispatch records show a caller asked for increased patrol for the debate at approximately 7:50 p.m., saying there was a group of protesters outside the building.

The caller’s identity is redacted and their voice was removed from a recording of the call provided to Colorado Community Media through a public records request, and a verbatim transcript does not exist, a records custodian said.

The deputy’s body camera footage shows him walking up to a group of

four people and speaking with Cox. Traylor is not present and does not interact with the deputy.

The deputy spends several minutes talking to the group, including asking a woman why she is recording the interaction and if she planned to post the video on YouTube. The deputy said he was “very media averse.

I don’t want to be on anything. I just want to do my job.”

“I’m always going to give you a hard time holding up a camera,” he said.

The deputy spoke briefly with two other people as he left and checked on a neighboring business before leaving the area, finding no criminal activity.

Nelson said he did not ask anyone to call law enforcement and he did not have firsthand knowledge of who did.

“I’m sorry that (Traylor) perceived the offer of a compromise as somehow being insensitive,” Nelson said.

“Her race had nothing to do with this as far as we are concerned, as far as the objective facts are concerned.”

He called the incident with Traylor a setup and politically motivated.

“Amy Padden should be embarrassed and fire her as far as I’m concerned,” Nelson said.

Nelson said he had not watched all of Traylor’s video posted to Facebook and called her allegations “a sideshow,” urging people to watch the debate video instead.

“I don’t really care,” he said. “I don’t particularly care to empower her or give her any credence whatsoever.”

Debating the debate Traylor said she spoke to Nelson by phone in September, informing him Padden’s campaign was declining to participate in the debate. The committee then proceeded to promote the debate, she said, forcing the Padden campaign’s hand.

“We did not agree to this debate, and they kept advertising it as if we had because they wanted to pull this political stunt,” Padden said.

Padden said she was “outraged at the way (Traylor) was treated.”

She originally declined to participate for several reasons, but also because Nelson has expressed support for her opponent and has openly criticized her on social media, she said.

Traylor said she feared a political ambush when declining the invitation and made unsuccessful attempts at getting the committee to stop promoting the event.

Padden, a prosecutor in the 11th Judicial District, declined to come for the final time the day of the debate because of a court scheduling conflict, she said.

“Because they wouldn’t take (the social media posts) down, I didn’t want them to say, ‘Amy didn’t show up,’ so I sent surrogates,” Padden said.

Nelson told a different story.

Traylor left their conversation open-ended, he said, telling him she would talk to Padden about attending and get back to him. Nelson said he did not hear from the campaign from that point.

“Never would have done that.

We would have converted it to an interview,” he said. “This Kat person is lying, and I think Amy should be SEE ATTORNEY, P26

Centennial Citizen 3

0October 15, 2020

Most Cherry Creek district staff not using free COVID testing Officials to alternate test site between east and west sides; kids can also get tested

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Cherry Creek School District offers free COVID-19 testing for all staff, but the district’s number of staff members tested may have been less than 40% in September and early October, according to district data.

In the four weeks before Oct. 5, district staff took about 3,700 tests to detect COVID-19, according to data presented at the district’s board of education meeting that night. The district includes roughly 6,000 staff members who work directly with students, and another 3,200 are labeled support staff.

The district recommends testing every two weeks for those who work with students and once a month for all other staff, according to an August news release. The testing is not mandatory.

The total number of tests in that time period represents about 41% of the district’s number of staff, but it’s unclear how many staff members underwent testing more than once and would be counted multiple times in that total. Abbe Smith, district spokeswoman, said she does not have the number of individuals tested.

“Any student or staff member who feels sick or shows any symptoms of COVID must stay home from work or school,” Smith said. “In that case, we (also) encourage people to get tested.”

MORE THAN 1,100 STUDENTS TOLD TO QUARANTINE

As of Oct. 5, Cherry Creek School District has seen 1,119 students told to quarantine since mid-August, according to data presented at the district board of education’s meeting that night. That amounts to about 2% of the student population.

Students have been told to quarantine from more than a dozen schools across the district.

In that time, 78 district students, or less than 1% of all students, were listed as COVID-19 cases.

A total of 125 staff members, or 1.4% of the staff population, were told to quarantine in that time. The district listed 28 staff members as COVID-19 cases.

The rate of staff testing came into district officials’ spotlight as the district decided to include COVID-19 cases among staff as part of the daily metrics it uses to determine whether in-person classes should continue.

On Oct. 5, the district added active cases among both staff and students to its metrics. The list of data already included Arapahoe County’s percentage of COVID-19 tests that show as positive, the county’s number of hospitalizations and the county’s overall number of added cases over time.

The district considered adding the rate of positive staff tests, rather than the raw number of staff cases, to its metric. But it had outlined a plan that 7,600 tests per month — 50% of the tests that would be used if all “direct” staff underwent two tests and all support staff took one — would be needed for the test rate to be a valid measure.

SEE TESTING, P13

Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas counties at risk of tighter restrictions

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

On the heels of their first notably sustained increases in rates of new COVID-19 cases since July, Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties must slow the spread or face tighter restrictions, a news release from Tri-County Health Department announced.

The three counties each stand at risk of moving to a more restrictive level on what officials call Colorado’s COVID-19 “dial,” the framework that lays out which level of social distancing policy a county must operate under.

A tighter level could mean reduced capacity for businesses, places of worship and gatherings — and earlier last-call times for bars and restaurants, Tri-County’s release said.

Colorado’s dial framework has five levels: The stay-at-home policy is the most restrictive, and the loosest is the “protect our neighbors” phase that only a handful of counties have qualified for so far. That phase is likely months away for Denver metro counties.

The vast majority of the state operates under the updated safer-at-home policy, which the state broke into three levels in September and makes up the

middle three notches in the dial. As of Oct. 8, Arapahoe and Douglas are listed under the least restrictive saferat-home level, and Adams falls under the middle level.

Since early September, Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties have seen the first notably sustained increase in their rates of new cases since July, according to data from Tri-County Health, the public health agency for those counties. The change has been most pronounced in Adams, less so in Arapahoe and milder in Douglas.

Arapahoe County’s rate of new cases per 100,000 over a two-week period was 121.7 as of Oct. 2. That’s up from 76.2 as of Sept. 17.

Between Sept. 24 and Oct. 7, according to Tri-County, the following increases occurred: • About 1,400 new cases and 52 new hospitalizations were reported in Adams County; • About 890 new cases and 39 new hospitalizations were reported in Arapahoe; • In Douglas, 400 new cases and eight new hospitalizations were reported.

If trends don’t change, tighter restrictions could take effect around late SEE AT RISK, P15

Rise in COVID cases A recent increase in Arapahoe County’s COVID incidence rates has forced the County to implement its mitigation plan for controlling the spread of the virus.

Visit arapahoegov.com You are in for a treat!

Come on out to the Arapahoe County Scaregrounds for a safe day of trick-ortreating and FREE family fun on Saturday, Oct. 24. Tickets are limited and registration is required.

Visit arapahoecountyfair.com Telephone Town Hall – Schools Update Join us on Thursday, Oct. 15 @ 6 p.m. for a discussion about how County school districts are handling COVID-affected reopening efforts so far.

Get details at arapahoegov.com/townhall

C NVERSATIONS Join Commissioner Jeff Baker on Wednesday, Oct. 14 @ 7 p.m. Get updates on recent and upcoming projects and initiatives that affect our diverse communities.

Get details at arapahoegov.com/townhall

Ballots are on their way!

Ballots begin mailing Oct.9, keep an eye out for yours.

Go to govotecolorado.gov today to verify or update your address.

Be safe. Be confident. Be heard.

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4 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

Mural of Kendrick Castillo unveiled in downtown Denver Teen was killed in May 7, 2019 STEM School shooting

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A mural of Kendrick Castillo, the 18-year-old student killed in the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting, has been unveiled in downtown Denver.

The mural, showing Kendrick in a suit and tie, is surrounded by three other murals of people who were victims of violence or abuse. The wall is located in a parking lot at 21st Street and Lawrence Street in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood.

John Castillo, Kendrick’s dad, spoke about his son at the Oct. 4 unveiling.

He said he thought the location, only a few blocks from Samaritan House Homeless Shelter, was the perfect place for a mural of him.

“That was really something Kendrick was passionate about, taking care of people and spreading his love,” said John Castillo. “I hope that when ... people are struggling, I just hope that they look over and Kendrick’s looking down and providing comfort to them in some way.”

John spoke about who Kendrick was and what his aspirations for the future were before his death.

“He was a conservative, a patriot,” John said. “I ask people to be like Kendrick. Be strong like him.”

Kendrick was fatally shot and eight others were injured in the May 7, 2019

Artists Adam Clark, left, and Ksenia Poteraj unveil their mural of Kendrick Castillo, the 18-year-old STEM School student who was killed in a May 7, 2019 shooting at the school. attack. One of the teens accused of the shooting has been convicted and the other is awaiting trial.

The event, organized by community member Donna Vander Baan, was attended by about 30 members of the public.

District Attorney George Brauchler, the prosecutor for both cases, spoke at the event.

“There are family members, some of whom are here, who thank God for Kendrick Castillo because they don’t have to have a son or a daughter on a mural somewhere,” Brauchler said.

STEM student Lucy Sarkissian, 15, spoke in front of the mural about her

John and Maria Castillo speak at the unveiling of a mural of their son Kendrick. The mural, in downtown Denver near Coors Field, was unveiled Oct. 4.

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Sarkissian started selling the cupcakes after the shooting and donates all proceeds to various organizations supporting victims of gun violence and other forms of violence, she said.

“Give a cupcake, it can make a world of difference,” she said. “I want to help other students and prevent other atrocities.”

The muralists, Adam Clark and Kse-

Moving cargo

nia Poteraj, unveiled the painting at the beginning of the event. While the pair didn’t paint the other portraits on the wall, they curated them, they said.

The artists are part of Colorado Street Art, an organization with the mission of expanding public art in Colorado.

“It was suggested to us ... and we jumped right on it,” Clark said. “We were really inspired by the story.”

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0October 15, 2020

Big trucks and big thanks Fire trucks, muscle cars parade in gratitude to first responders

BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

O

lder people’s faces lit up with childlike glee on Oct. 4 as dozens of fire trucks and hot rods rolled through the Wind Crest senior living community in Highlands Ranch.

From there, the vintage trucks and muscle cars made their way past the hospitals and police stations of Highlands Ranch and Littleton, paying tribute to the first responders on the front lines through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s our way of saying thanks to the people who do so much to keep us safe,” said Kevin Seveeney, who heads Mile High Hook and Ladder, a group of vintage fire truck enthusiasts.

In most years, the group’s big annual bash is the Fire Muster, a fire truck parade and rally in downtown Littleton. But after the pandemic put the kibosh on the event, the group looked for other ways to spread happiness.

When they came up with the first responder rally, Seveeney said numerous local car clubs jumped on board too — and may just become regular fixtures of future Fire Musters.

“This is a wonderful replacement,” said Paula Wiens, a key Fire Muster organizer for many years, as she waved from the back of a truck. “I’m just glad we were able to do something this year. We’re hoping the Fire Muster will be back and better than ever next year.”

Luke Ouellette, his wife Jennifer and daughter Sophia cruise through Highlands Ranch on the back of a fire truck.

Vintage fire trucks assemble ahead of the first responder rally.

The rally makes its way to the Wind Crest senior community with sirens whooping.

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6 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

Food bank breaks down barriers to assistance Come one, come all — IFCS ends residency restrictions, hardship proof

BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Step right up, don’t be shy.

One of the Denver metro area’s largest food banks, Integrated Family Community Services, says it has done all it can to remove barriers to receiving food and other assistance.

“All you need to do is show up,” said Todd McPherson, the director of outreach for the nonprofit located between Sheridan and southwest Denver.

Gone from the old days are residency restrictions, sign-up sheets, limits

on visits or proof of hardship.

“The only way we could make it easier is if we delivered the food to you,” McPherson said.

Word is getting out — IFCS is now receiving clients from as far away as Colorado Springs and Weld County.

As many as 3,800 people are receiving weekly food — that’s an increase of 500% over the busiest period last year, McPherson said — with twothirds of them coming from outside the traditional IFCS service area in the southwest metro area.

Many of them are there for the first time, and quite a few have told staff they never expected to be in this position.

“Lots of them were in stable positions before COVID hit, but they’ve had the rug pulled out from under them,” McPherson said. “People don’t bounce right back from being

HUNGRY FOR HELP Integrated Family Community Services is at 3370 S. Irving St., just northwest of Federal Boulevard and Highway 285.

For a schedule of food pickup times and other assistance services, visit IFCS.org or call 303-789-0501. laid off.”

Even people who are holding steady are welcome, he said. The idea is to lighten people’s grocery bill so they can put money toward other needs, like car repairs, utilities or saving up for holiday gifts for loved ones — though IFCS can sometimes help with those too.

“Have a conversation with us and we’ll figure out what we can do for you,” McPherson said.

But the vast majority of clients are there for food, and IFCS boasts

a wide range of items not always found at neighborhood food pantries, including dairy and produce. Clients can even collect multiple boxes of food to take home to neighbors who can’t make it themselves.

IFCS has also boosted its capabilities in recent months with the addition of a conveyor belt system that allows contactless pickup.

Though the organization’s fundraising has sometimes struggled to keep up with demand, McPherson said IFCS is doing well at the moment, thanks to a wide variety of COVID-related grants and generous donors.

“Whether we’ll be able to stay at this level long-term is the question,” McPherson said. “Sometimes when crisis hits, we get a lot of help, but then it starts to dwindle. We’re trying to stay in this for the long haul.”

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Whenever you are outside and you notice a piece of trash, please stop and dispose of it properly. What isn’t collected today is picked up in the next rainstorm and sent directly to the nearest creek. From the moment this small piece of trash enters our waterways, it is responsible for a tremendous amount of damage. By developing habits such as securing loads in open vehicles and keeping lids closed on trash bins, you help minimize litter scattered by wind and rain.

Local stormwater agencies are teaming together to bring you this message. We take this so seriously that we posted this ad rather than send you more garbage in the mail. One thing is clear: our creeks, rivers and lakes depend on you.

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Visit onethingisclear.org to: • Report accidental and illegal dumping to your local agency • Search local volunteer events • Find more helpful tips Litter clogs up storm drains and poses a threat to fish and wildlife. Pick up one piece of litter every day and recycle when you can.

Colorado Community Media agrees: please recycle this newspaper responsibly and partner with our communities for a better tomorrow.

Ad campaign creative donated by Castle Rock Water, Stormwater Division.

0October 15, 2020

Centennial Citizen 7

8 Centennial Citizen

MALL FROM PAGE 1

tough headwinds for traditional retail.

Developers want to add apartments at the former Sears property and put apartments and office space, and possibly retail and entertainment establishments, where Macy’s stands. Developers expect that the Macy’s store could close in coming years.

“The culling of the herd has been going on for a really long time,” Darrin Duber-Smith, an expert on marketing at Metropolitan State University of Denver, said about retail businesses.

Amid changing consumer preferences and a pandemic compounding the challenges, shopping centers must adjust to compete — or, Duber-Smith said, they risk the fate of Cinderella City in Englewood, Westminster Mall and Crossroads Mall in Boulder, developments that closed in recent decades along with the original Southglenn Mall.

“If you have empty space, as we learned with Sports Authority, that begets empty space,” said Duber-Smith, a senior lecturer at MSU Denver. He added: “When anchors leave, the small tenants tend to leave, too.”

Back in the street The Streets at SouthGlenn is about 15% vacant, according to Donald Provost of Alberta Development Partners, the company that controls

October 15, 2020O most of SouthGlenn. Centennial’s current retail vacancy rate is 9.5%, according to Neil Marciniak, Centennial’s economic development director.

“It’s difficult to say what’s typical during a pandemic, but large vacancies such as Sears can skew the vacancy numbers for an individual center,” Marciniak said.

On a cool evening Oct. 9, cars were parked beside the walkways throughout SouthGlenn’s core, with dozens of patrons gathered at outdoor seating at restaurants that have adjusted to the pandemic. Children, teenagers and adults walked through the mall’s common area — a wholly different sight compared to last spring during government-mandated business shutdowns.

Numerous shops at SouthGlenn that had been temporarily closed this spring appeared to be operational Oct. 9, but a couple businesses have closed at SouthGlenn since COVID-19 was detected in Colorado in early March, Provost said.

The Regal movie theater company — which runs SouthGlenn’s theater — closed, reopened and is temporarily closed again, Provost said. All Regal theaters across the country were to shut their doors from Oct. 9 until further notice, according to the company’s website.

The national gym chain 24 Hour Fitness filed for bankruptcy and announced in June that it would close more than 100 locations, including its SouthGlenn location and

What could change

several others in the Denver metro area.

“We expect the theater business to recover and reopen across the country in 2021,” Provost said. He added: “We have some exciting things we are working on to reopen the gym!”

Noted Marciniak: “Malls and other retail centers have vacancies from time to time that can be attributed in part to individual retailer performance (and) challenges facing retailers before and during the pandemic including online shopping, changing consumer

preferences” and so on.

Alberta provided rent support to several tenants during the pandemic, particularly for the period of time tenants were mandated to be closed, Provost said.

“Overall, the sales and traffic at SouthGlenn has recovered very well,” Provost added.

‘Healthy retailers’ Mixed-use developments such as SouthGlenn — with its bevy of restaurants, retailers, existing apartments and office space — are not new

concepts. The idea came to prominence in the 1990s, Duber-Smith said.

Although developers’ plans to add 1,071 new residential units have drawn ire from area residents who have voiced concerns about the potential for more traffic, Duber-Smith said more apartments may fill a gap.

“My understanding is that we still don’t have enough residential space for our residents (in metro Denver), so if that is still true,” the apartments might be needed, Duber-Smith said. “And people like walkability. The question is: Will retailers be able to do enough business to stay afloat?”

A key to survival is “healthy retailers” — relevant brands rather than the traditional idea of anchor stores such as Sears and JCPenney, DuberSmith said.

Places such as Olde Town Arvada and other “walkable shopping districts — those are the places that are going to survive,” Duber-Smith said.

Malls have to become more “experiential,” said DuberSmith, using a common retail development term that refers to business the internet can’t easily replicate. Malls are adding features such as aquariums, miniature golf and arcades, Duber-Smith said.

“They’re going to have to be a little more like amusement parks,” he added.

Entertainment — something like Lucky Strike Bowling — could ultimately pop up where Macy’s stands within a few years, Alberta has said.

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10 Centennial Citizen

LPS FROM PAGE 1

say the group is looking at a long list of possible cuts.

Cutting 10 days from the school year could net $6 million in savings. The list of other possible cuts to get to $12 million is long.

Laying off staff. Cutting teacher pay.

Slashing funding for Options High School, which serves students who don’t do well in traditional schools.

Scaling back the Voyager program, which provides concurrent enrollment in Arapahoe Community College. Requiring families to pay for bus transportation. Eliminating subsidies that cover costs for student athletes.

The committee won’t make its final recommendations to the school board until December, Weaver said, once the outcome of the 4C vote is known.

“It’s the most depressing committee in the district,” she said.

Rising costs, rising cuts The effects of the pandemic on the district have been wide-ranging, Ewert said.

The state legislature made $3.3 billion in statewide spending cuts in May as the pandemic wreaked havoc on state revenue, which trickled down into $18.5 million in cuts to LPS — cuts that are $9.4 million larger than last year’s state funding shortfall under the so-called “negative factor” that has shortchanged LPS to the tune of $157 million since 2009.

The district, which serves roughly 15,000 students and has a total general fund budget for the current school year of $177.8 million, was able to offset some of the cuts with a one-time infusion of $6.6 million in federal funds earmarked for pandemic-related expenses.

October 15, 2020O The gap between the state cuts and the federal funds this year is exacerbated by a further $4.2 million in cuts already approved by the LPS school board last fall, caused by rising costs and stagnant state funding, spurring the district to eliminate 17 positions.

The district is facing a wide range of rising costs, including the cost of running the TOPS program, a fullyonline alternative to in-person learning that will run at least through the end of this school year and could top $5 million in expenses.

Meanwhile, per-pupil funding is falling, as district enrollment is down from initial projections this year by about 700 students, as many families have pulled preschoolers from the district and others switch to homeschooling.

The district will likely dig into its reserve funds this year, Ewert said.

Marijuana tax revenue has done little for the district, he said, and currently funds just one position: a substance abuse counselor.

a maximum of 11. The 6-mill increase would be $42.58 per year per $100,000 of home value.

That means on a home valued at $500,000, the measure would increase the annual taxes paid toward LPS from $2,118.75 to $2,331.65.

District voters have a long history of stepping up for school funding, Ewert said, approving every mill levy override and bond issue in recent history.

people for more money just because we can.”

In his write-up for the blue book, Weber said while the negative factor — the shortfall in funding below that called for by Amendment 23 — has cut $157 million from the district since 2009, a local mill levy override around the same time has raised more than $220 million in the same period.

‘This is what it’s going to take’ A tougher sell Ewert, the superintendent, said 4C, however, could be a tougher while he is grateful for the prior mill sell. Though a pre-pandemic public levy override, its benefit has been opinion poll found 58% of respondents slowly consumed by rising personnel supported the idea of a mill levy overcosts. ride, the number dipped to 52% in a Weber also said that LPS enjoys followup poll in July. among the highest teacher salaries Christensen, the co-chair of the citiin the state, and could stand to make zens’ committee, said she has heard further pay cuts. people in the community say the “Sure, the state doesn’t have the midst of a pandemic that has caused money, but that doesn’t mean local a spike in unemployment and other taxpayers do either,” Weber said. “Evhardships is a bad time to ask for a tax eryone’s making painful cuts to get increase. through this.”

“They’re right, it’s not a good time,” Littleton’s teacher pay is among the she said. “But this is a public school highest in the state because the disLPS is facing anso ongoing $12 million budg district, and we have to ask the public By the numbers trict has many long-term teachers, for their input. Do you want to pony The district cannot expect the state said Amanda Crosby , the head of the shortfall caused by the COVID-19 economi up extra taxes right now, or see the im- district’s teacher’s union. to solve its budget woes, Ewert said, pact on families and property values especially after recent failures of sevstarting pay not at the top downturn “Our and the State ofisColorado’s if the district doesn’t stay strong?” eral statewide measures that sought by any stretch,” Crosby said. LPS Among those skeptical of the chronic inability in part to boost education funding. In starting pay for teachers is a little to adequately fund itsover measure is Kirk Weber, who wrote the fact, he said, there’s also no guarantee $41,000 a year. “If you stick around, public schools. has well, shortchange the state won’t deepen the cuts further. counterpoint statement to the meaLittletonColorado pays relatively and sure in the county’s blue book voter District voters approved a record that’s among the reasons we retain LPS more than $156 million overstaff. the We past guide. $298 million bond for school construcsuch high-quality teaching Passing 4C will provide funds to help maintain Weber, who retired this year asdecade, a tion in 2018, though Ewert stressed don’t want to lose people mid-career which has placed tremendous and the very things our community technical adviser for financial acthat money by law cannot beschools used for and who decide they could do better elsecounting for the Colorado Department any other purpose. where.” values: increasing pressure on the district’s budge of Education, said 4C is overwrought.

Currently, district residents pay a Ewert said 4C will determine the • of Excellent teachers “It’s too much, too soon,” Weber mill levy rate 59.266 toward LPS, or district’s trajectory for a long time to No statecome. solutions are in sight. If local said. “We’re jumping the gun here. $423.75 per year per $100,000 of home • Variety of quality programs students Theyfor don’t even have a final count value. us to maintain solutions “If areyou notwant found, people andas we ages of student enrollment this year, and If approved,of 4Call would raise the are, if you want us to continue to there could be more federal stimumill levy on homes in the district by 6 have the best brightest programs – the veryand parts of ourteachers,” schools Physical safety lus money to come. Let’s see where mills in its• first year, with the option Ewert said, “this is what it’s going to LPS community values most – wil this pandemic is going before wethat ask the take.” to increase• by Mental one mill health per year,supports up to

face drastic cuts for the 2021–2022 schoo Expanding career, technology, and skilled Passing 4C willthat provide to with help maintain things our schools trades classes providefunds students yearthe andvery beyond.

The Board began explorin and community values: real world job skills local solutions last January, and made $4.

•

• Excellent teachers

Potential changes if 4C does not pass include: • Variety of quality programs for students of all ages

million in cuts for the 2020–2021 school

year. These cuts included eliminating 17 Physical safety • • Program reductions to specials/electives, central office positions, reduced employee tech, alternative education, and • career Mental health supports programs, among others • preschool Expanding career, technology, and skilled trades classes that provide students with real world job skills pay, increasing fees for preschool, reducin •

Increased class size by changing the

subsidies for high school athletic and Potential changes 4C does not pass include: staffing formula andifreducing staff

• Littleton Public Schools is one of the top-ranked school districts in Colorado. With looming state funding cuts, LPS will be forced to make severe cuts to programs impacting every student. There are no other options without passage of additional funding.

We understand that this is not the most ideal time, economically and otherwise, to ask for help from our community, but a quality education is what we have come to expect from LPS and we want to ensure that continues. More than ever, we need to come together as a community in support of 4C and keep our schools strong.

Please join us—the campaign steering committee and concerned parents and citizens—in passing 4C. Angela Christensen | Erin Weaver Lucie Stanish | Jen Harrison

activity funds, and canceling selected • Program reductions to specials/electives, career tech, alternative education, and preschool programs, Increased fees for athletics and activities among others

software subscriptions.

• • Reductions in transportation services Increased class size by changing the staffing formula and reducing staff Increased fees for athletics and activities • • Reductions in employee compensation • Reductions in transportation services • Reductions in employee compensation

Littleton Public Schools is one of the top-ranked school districts in Colorado. With looming state fundi cuts, LPS will be forced to make severe cuts to programs impacting every student. There are no other LPS is facing an ongoing $12 million budget shortfall caused by the COVID-19 economic options without passage of additional funding. downturn and the State of Colorado’s chronic inability to adequately fund its public schools.

Colorado has shortchanged LPS more than $156 million over the past decade, which has placed We understand that this is not the most ideal time, economically and otherwise, to ask for help from ou tremendous and increasing pressure on the district’s budget. community, but a quality education is what we have come to expect from LPS and we want to ensure that No state solutions are in sight. If local solutions are not found, people and programs – the very continues. More than ever, we need to come together as a community in support of 4C and keep o schools strong. parts of our schools that the LPS community values most – will face drastic cuts for the 2021– 2022 school year and beyond. The Board began exploring local solutions last January, and made Please join us—the campaign steering committee and concerned parents and citizens—in passing 4C. $4.2 million in cuts for the 2020–2021 school year. These cuts included eliminating 17 central office positions, reduced employee pay, increasing fees for preschool, reducing subsidies for Angela Christensen | Erin Weaver | Lucie Stanish | Jen Harrison high school athletic and activity funds, and canceling selected software subscriptions.

www.citizensforlps.org @citizensforlps

Citizens for Littleton Public Schools @citizensforlps

Our Kids, Our Schools, Our Community PAID FOR BY CITIZENS FOR LITTLETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LUCIE STANISH, TREASURER

PAID FOR BY CITIZENS FOR LITTLETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LUCIE STANISH, TREASURER

0October 15, 2020

Centennial Citizen 11

12 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

MY NAME IS

CHESNEY MIDCAP

sure, as I haven’t tried to survey it, but I am mindful that it probably happens and it makes me extra thankful for those who do see me as fit to capture their biggest moments.

I love being able to learn about people’s lives and cultures. I always make a point to capture that as it’s important because it’s part of their story!

South Jeffco mother, photographer who protested in Centennial on racial issues

Talking about race My kids are 10, 6 and 4. We chat about some current events — ageappropriate of course. I let them know that they are beautiful and that if they see someone doing or saying something wrong, they need to stand up against it.

Capturing people’s best moments I am 31 and live in the west Littleton area (south Jefferson County). 2012 is when I began my photography business, Chesney Louie Photography.

My path began when I realized that I had a gift in capturing people and candid, in-between moments. I started out by taking photos of my kids, which built into friends and finally into families and weddings. The journey of always learning is my motto. Photography is ever-changing. I was a hospicecertified nursing assistant before I went full-time in photography. That was one of my favorite jobs ever, and I still miss it even now. I care deeply about people, and I’ve switched gears from caring for them in their last moments to capturing their best moments.

Artist at heart I love the art of (photography). It’s fun creating something with people who never knew they were as photogenic as they are! Humans are beautiful.

I decided to take it seriously when I realized that I had a gift in creating what was in my head.

Living Black in Denver suburbs I know that I stand out. I get sideglances often, and I’m at the point now

Progress to be made We may have come a long way from Jim Crow laws, but we still have a long way to go. It’s going to be a painful transition, but I believe that it’s possible for our country to be changed for the next generation — my kids’ generation.

Chesney Midcap marched at a demonstration about racial issues in June at Willow Creek Park in Centennial.

COURTESY PHOTO where I’m used to it. There’s very few of us (Black and African-Americans) in the middle of suburbia, so a little extra kindness goes a long way!

Working as a woman, Black business owner I would say that the biggest thing is

that I know that there is a possibility that people will not choose me solely because of the color of my skin. It could be because they feel awkward but love my work but can’t overcome the anxiety of working with a Black person, or they don’t see me as qualified as my white peers at all. I’m not

Lived through car injury I was hit by a car back in 2003! I knew from then that I had a purpose and that God had big plans for me.

It was a wild experience for sure, and I still have memory issues from hitting my head on the windshield.

I’m OK and luckily only had a bad concussion and some scarring from scrapes I got.

If you would like to suggest someone for My Name Is …, or if you would like to be featured in the segment, contact Ellis Arnold at earnold@coloradocommunitymedia.com or 303-566-4109.

Centennial Citizen 13

0October 15, 2020

TESTING FROM PAGE 3

In hopes of boosting the number of staff who get tested, officials plan to move Cherry Creek’s testing site from its current location near the Stutler Bowl at Cherry Creek High School — on the district’s west side in Greenwood Village — to near Thunder Ridge Middle School in the east Centennial area.

It’ll sit at a building called the Instructional Support Facility, Siegfried said. The district plans to move the location back and forth between its east and west sides starting after fall break, which is the week of Oct. 12. “I’m anxious to see the result,�

Siegfried told Colorado Community Media on Oct. 6. He added: “We will continue to push it.�

The district offers testing regardless of symptoms, according to Siegfried’s July announcement.

For more information on the test-

ing site’s location in a given week, contact the district at 303-773-1184.

Its Health Services Office number is 720-554-4274.

The testing comes through a partnership between the district and COVIDCheck Colorado, a program of Gary Community Investments, a company that invests in for-profit and philanthropic efforts in Colorado.

District employees can schedule a test at primarybio.com/a/cherry.

While employees will be asked to provide insurance information, the testing is free and there will be no copay, regardless of whether the employee is covered through district insurance or another provider, according to the district’s August news release.

Some students, if their parents are not able to find a free test, can be tested through the district’s program, Siegfried said. Parents who are interested in getting a test that way for their child should contact their child’s school nurse, Smith said.

How district decides if in-person class continues Cherry Creek School District tracks several kinds of data about the coronavirus’s spread in determining whether to continue in-person classes or move entirely to online classes.

Those data have included Arapahoe County’s percentage of COVID-19 tests that show as positive, the county’s number of hospitalizations and the county’s number of added cases over time.

On Oct. 5, the district added two new metrics: active cases among staff and active cases among students. Those metrics reflect only students and staff “currently being isolated for COVID positivity test,� the district’s website says.

The district records a rating on a 12-point scale based on the data. If the rating is seven to 12, in-person classes continue. If it’s zero to five, the district shifts entirely to online classes.

If the rating is six, the district should discuss with Tri-County Health De-

partment — the public health agency for Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties — about a possible transition to all-online classes.

The rating for Oct. 8 was nine based on relatively strong numbers in most of the data, but Arapahoe County’s rate of new cases earned a zero score, reflecting a concerning trend. The county saw sustained growth in that rate in September.

This school year, the district offers in-person class five days per week for pre-kindergarten up to fifth grade and a “blended� model for grades six through 12 that puts half of students in school Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the other half attending Thursday and Friday.

Families had the option to put their students in the district’s online program instead, and as of July 29, more than 9,400 students had registered for fully online school. The district includes more than 55,000 students. — Ellis Arnold

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14 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

LOCAL

VOICES

Do-it-yourself plumbing is a pipe dream

I

ndoor plumbing.

The world’s population was able to do without indoor plumbing for centuries and still evolve.

There are those around the world QUIET who do not have DESPERATION indoor plumbing to this day.

Others, like campers, find a way to rinse, wash and toilet.

Indoor plumbing is a great convenience.

Generally, indoor plumbing repair is not.

Craig Marshall Attempting doSmith it-yourself indoor plumbing repairs is directly related to the age of the homeowner. The older the homeowner is the less likely he or

she wants to contort under a sink.

Plumbing technologies, according to the kids on “This Old House” have seen significant advancements.

However, one thing has not gotten any better; in fact, it’s become worse.

I refer to access.

First things first. An overtightened valve part next to a toilet was the difference between a relatively minor and inexpensive do-it-myself project and calling a professional with the Magic Tools.

Without the Magic Tools, I would have compounded the problem. When I was younger, I compounded the problem a number of times.

An affable 38-year-old named “Dustin” was dispatched who never showed his face because he wore a mask through the entire operation.

He also wore booties.

As kitchen and bathroom designs

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 4C is needed for future How much is a child’s life, future, hopes and dreams worth? As a mental health professional at Options High School, one of multiple alternative programs on the proposed “chopping block” if 4C doesn’t pass, and as an LPS parent, I urge you to support 4C. At risk for dropping out, Options students come with various challenges, ranging from significant trauma, mental health struggles, and suicidal ideation, to being bullied, having different learning styles, and feeling lost in the larger schools. At Options, students tell us repeatedly, they finally feel seen, accepted, loved, and hopeful for the future. Day by day, through special relationships and unique educational opportunities, Options students learn they have the strength, skills and abilities to strive for a brighter future.

Without the passage of 4C, Options and other alternative programs within LPS may be eliminated, and funding may be cut district-wide for safety, security and social/emotional services.

Without these programs and services, we could see a high school dropout crisis in LPS, as well as a youth mental health crisis.

Those who don’t complete high school are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed, have poorer physical and mental health, and are at higher risk for homelessness, addiction and incarceration. The cost of these outcomes far outweighs the monetary request of voters, and even more devastating would be the loss of hope by these children. Our alternative students have beautiful gifts to offer our community; please give them that chance by voting yes for 4C. Erica Hermann Littleton Support 4C for education My family recently moved to Littleton from a premier school district in Texas and sought out Littleton Public Schools based on rankings, word of mouth, and location. I thought schools were underfunded in Texas. They are palaces compared to what districts in Colorado have to work with. We have been surprised that we’re expected to pay for textbooks, that the district outsources nurses/ aides, and that facilities, while clean, are shabby, dated, and not practical for today’s education.

I’m sure LPS competes favorably with similar Colorado districts.

However, I have seen the impact of appropriate funding on a community. I believe Colorado must maintain today’s funding to better equip today’s students as tomorrow’s workforce.

Our family was infuriated to learn that our student’s coach and vice-principal jockey for gym space for school groups against pee-wee sports leagues that can throw rent money at the district.

SEE LETTERS, P15

I N D E P E N D E N T An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of

A publication of

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: CentennialCitizen.net To subscribe call 303-566-4100

and furnishings have become more refined and elegant the mechanics have been relegated to nooks and crannies in order to keep them out of sight.

Who wants to see a shut off valve right next to a beautiful sink?

Me. Wherever there is water in the home there is the possibility of trouble.

This goes for dishwashers, washing machines, even aquariums.

The builder’s grade dishwasher that came with the house and sat on a wood floor exploded.

The builder’s grade sump pump that came with the house exploded and flooded the basement.

Dustin said there were openings in the plumbing profession because it’s not seen as an attractive pursuit by young people looking for a career.

“I’d like you to meet my fiancé. He’s a plumber.”

“Oh, that’s too bad.”

If I had a family, I’d welcome a plumber.

If your son is an art major, like I was, don’t count on him to fix your leak.

If I had it to do all over again, I might have gone into plumbing instead and tried to find a way to standardize and simplify and make it possible for almost anyone to repair or replace plumbing.

This does not include running pipes from the basement to the bathroom or doing in-wall work.

But I should have been able to solve my recent problem without too much trouble or becoming a contortionist.

The part that had to be replaced was poorly made and doomed to begin with.

SEE SMITH, P15

It’s all about perspective as we move forward

T

here is a guiding principle that I am sure many of you are familiar with and may have put into practice in your daily communications. It’s the principle that Stephen Covey shared in his bestselling book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” — “Seek first to understand, and then to be understood.”

This is a terrific WINNING concept that sounds WORDS awesome, and one that could easily add value to the conversations we are having and to the relationships we are building.

If this is true, why isn’t this something that we practice more often? Is it because we want to be the one doing most of the talking? Is it because we Michael Norton are so convicted in our belief or position on a particular subject that we don’t want to give voice to a different way of thinking?

A couple of the core tenets of critical thinking, including gathering information and exploring other points of view, may help here. When we take the time to gather the information and take into consideration other points of view, it starts to help us gain a new and maybe different perspective. And by seeking first to understand the other person and what their perspective might be and why we are giving them the same respect and courtesy that we expect them to offer us as we both try and understand one another.

A lack of understanding causes confusion and confusion leads to frustration.

Frustration leads to a breakdown in communication. And a breakdown in communication leads to the erosion of trust.

And the erosion of trust puts us at risk in

all our personal and professional relationships.

There are times when we are faced with having to have difficult conversations in life. Maybe it is a situation or subject where we are the ones who must initiate that conversation. And perhaps someone else may need to talk to us about a difficult topic. In either case, no matter how challenging the discussion might be, it would be so much easier and remove all the angst for both parties if we could take the time to gain insights, perspective, and the “why” behind the “what” so that we can better understand one another.

When we can begin to understand the “why” behind the “what,” it gives us new perspective. Where absence of perspective and understanding causes us unnecessary stress in all areas of our daily lives; Parent and child; Teacher and student; Wife and husband; Friend and friend; Employer and employee; Coach and athlete; Client and salesperson, just to name a few.

This idea of seeking first to understand and then be understood may not bring resolution to every conflict, but my experience tells me that it leads to creating an environment where people with different points of view can amicably agree to disagree.

What do we have to gain by trying this?

Peace of mind. Higher quality conversations. Deeper relationships based on open and honest communication. Greater opportunities to advance in our career. What might happen if we do not try to understand others first? People stop coming to us when there is something to talk about.

We create a breeding ground for resentment. We build walls instead of bridges.

And sooner or later we become the only one who listens to the opinions and ideas

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

SEE NORTON, P15

JERRY HEALEY President

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant

jhealey@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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CHRIS ROTAR Interim Editor

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager

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abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Citizen. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

ELLIS ARNOLD Community Editor

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Centennial Citizen 15

0October 15, 2020

LETTERS FROM PAGE 14

My high school student shouldn’t be forced to practice in an elementary cafeteria because her gym is booked for outside basketball.

Colorado has long underfunded schools. LPS teachers and administrators are holding them together with duct tape and prayer. I have great respect for what they’ve been able to accomplish with so little. You truly get what you pay for. If you’ve ever grumbled that a young person is missing XYZ skillset, I wager that they missed a program that was cut. Forcing the district to downsize further jeopardizes the mission of public schooling.

If you value quality education in Littleton’s district, vote yes for 4C. Melinda Wedding Littleton Senators should step up In reference to the Centennial Citizen’s recent article, “Rise in rate of new COVID-19 cases triggers Arapahoe County mitigation plan,” I am concerned about the increase of COVID-19 cases in both the TriCounty area and across the country, as well as the resulting effects of the pandemic on our country’s poorest families. According to data from Arapahoe County, approximately 7% of the 651,215 households in Arapahoe County receive food stamps and/or SNAP benefits.

With reduced incomes and reduced, if even existent, savings, our nation’s poorest are struggling to pay rents and feed themselves, much less handle other essentials. In order to mitigate this situation, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, which includes $600 weekly in unemployment benefits, an increase to the maximum food-stamp benefit by 15%, and $59.1 billion allocated for rent relief and other housing services. These initiatives will help people pay their

NORTON

FROM PAGE 14

that we have to share, no matter how brilliant they may be.

We have some very pressing issues facing our communities and our nation. We all have our position or may have planted our stake in the ground relative to our beliefs. My encouragement here is to apply some critical thinking by gathering as much information as possible, exploring other points of view, and seeking first to

SMITH FROM PAGE 14

Dustin said many of his repairs stem from homeowners who have watched a YouTube video and think they know what they’re doing and want to avoid the high costs of a professional.

Dustin attributed costs to the equipment and the associated overhead involved, something I understood. He

rents and feed themselves and their families.

I am calling on Sens. Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet to work to pass the HEROES act, hence assisting Coloradans to stay fed and housed during this crisis.

Alec Rodriguez Denver Vote yes on 4A and 4B We purchased our home in Centennial because of the Cherry Creek School District’s reputation for excellence. In the eight years since, we have learned that the reputation is well-deserved and teachers are the heart of the CCSD. Teachers are educators. They are mentors. They are coaches. They challenge, innovate, and differentiate. They care, nurture, and inspire.

They prepare our children for success.

They do it in a society that does not prioritize education as it should.

They do it in the face of chronic underfunding. They do it in a global pandemic.

Over the past decade, CCSD has been shorted a half billion dollars by the state of Colorado. With a new $25 million cut from the state this year, the district now faces a budget deficit of $60 million over the next two years. CCSD will have to make catastrophic cuts to teachers and staff to fill that hole, causing larger class sizes and reducing programming in schools. This will have a devastating effect on our children.

As a community that values our kids and their education, we can’t let this happen. It is up to us to preserve excellence for Cherry Creek Schools. 4A will help retain and recruit excellent teachers and maintain small class sizes. 4B will fund unsurpassed safety measures and an expansion of mental health services.

Voting “YES” on both of these measures will help support the true heroes of our community, our educators.

Elizabeth Campos Centennial

understand before trying so hard to be understood.

How about you? Is it more important for you to be understood? Or do you make the effort to truly understand other points of view? I would love to hear your story at mnorton@tramazing.com and when we can remember that it’s all about perspective, it really will be a better than good week.

Michael Norton is the grateful CEO of Tramazing.com, a personal and professional coach, and a consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator to businesses of all sizes.

goes from job to job to job (in a pink truck) and encounters something unique at each one.

“Give me an example,” I asked.

He said he had to army-crawl into a crawl space to swap out kitchen disposal pipes that had leaked garbage that provided nourishment for the frogs he met along the way.

Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net.

AT RISK FROM PAGE 3

October for Arapahoe and Douglas counties and early November for Adams, according to John Douglas, Tri-County’s executive director.

Officials must pivot to strategies Tri-County and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are working with the three counties on individual mitigation plans to help reduce the number of new cases, the news release said.

For example, Arapahoe’s mitigation plan has included steps such as producing a public information campaign to increase awareness of the county’s COVID-19 statistics and conducting business roundtables with public health experts to address industry- and site-specific questions. Arapahoe’s plan may see modifications, though, according to Tri-County.

“We all need to step up our prevention measures to reduce transmission and keep our counties open,” Douglas, the executive director, said in the news release. “That means we need to limit the number of activities we participate in. You’re more likely to get COVID-19 from someone you know and spend time with than a stranger.”

The state public-health depart-

ment monitors the rate of new cases, COVID-19 test positivity rates and hospitalization trends to determine if a county moves toward more restrictive or less restrictive levels on the state’s policy dial. Such changes also affect the level of restrictions for outdoor and indoor events and personal gatherings.

The public can view the restrictions for different events, activities and types of businesses at tinyurl. com/ColoradoSaferatHomeFramework on page 6.

Gatherings may be to blame Tri-County’s contact-tracing process shows that a large number of positive cases may be connected to public and private social gatherings, according to the news release.

“When gathering — whether it is indoors or outside, or at a private party or public event — everyone should be sure to wear face coverings, maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing from others outside of their household and wash their hands frequently,” Douglas said in the release.

The limit on personal gatherings is 25 people in the level Arapahoe and Douglas were under as of Oct. 8, while the limit is 10 people under Adams’ level.

For information on how to gather safely, the public can see TCHD’s small-gathering guidance at tinyurl. com/Tri-CountyGuidance.

In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. Private 303-566-4100 Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Funeral Homes Visit: www.memoriams.com

16 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

LOCAL

LIFE

Virtual sports move closer to reality

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

CHSAA considers sanctioning esports as second pilot season starts

BY NICK PUCKETT NPUCKETT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

C

olorado high school sports coaches and administrators have adjusted practices, games and meets to satisfy public health requirements amid the COVID-19 pandemic in hopes of returning to high school sports this fall.

While sports like cross-country were more easily able to manage social distancing and symptom regulation, team sports had more hoops to jump through — crowded buses, pep rallies, student sections are a thing of the past. Meanwhile, schools continue to experiment with virtual learning, having mixed results.

The scramble to bring back high school sports has opened a new door for a sport without the inherent intermingling issues other sports have: esports.

The Colorado High School Activities Association is considering making esports an official high school sport.

The CHSAA esports pilot program begins its second regular season Oct. 15.

By season’s end, CHSAA could decide whether to make esports a sanctioned sport.

“These are kids who are not typically involved in their high school community and experience outside of the classroom,” CHSAA Spokesperson Ryan Casey said. “By and large, this is a population which is not involved currently in sports or activities, so we see this as a way to get them more involved with the community aspect of a school.”

The regular season includes eight games and four rounds of playoffs, with the championship scheduled for Dec. 11. A varsity team for “Rocket League” has three players, and a team for “League of Legends” has five. Most schools participating have at least a varsity and junior varsity team.

‘Level one’ Matt Flori moved to Colorado in 2017 to teach science at Gateway High School in Aurora. One year later, Flori heard rumblings of people organizing esports matches at the high school level.

Bouts of “League of Legends” and “Rocket League” took place in classrooms as clubs and developed a popular following. Dozens of Denverarea schools formed their own teams.

Flori stepped in to organize the first high school esports tournaments as Gateway’s first coach.

“When I was growing up, not every single student played video games,” Flori said. “It wasn’t the cool thing to do. Nowadays, every student — male or female — plays video games.”

Flori was hired at Castle View High School in Castle Rock this year, and has yet to meet his new esports team face-to-face. Coaching his players virtually is a challenge, he said, but students have been able to remain connected through playing.

“There are a lot of clubs and sports that are just not playing or meeting right now,” Flori said. “The fact we can do this at home, from the comfort of our couch, to comfort each other and talk to each other — it’s really helpful for the students to keep up with that social engagement.”

Flori said he believes competitive gaming will play a larger role at the high school level as the sport continues to gain popularity.

“The difference between esports and every other sport is in the amount of students who already do this,” Flori

said. “Esports isn’t new for students.

It’s new for adults, but it’s not new for students. They already play these video games, whether they’re professional or not.”

More colleges are beginning their own esports programs and several offer scholarships. The top gamers can make a living off esports. In 2019, esports viewership through apps like Twitch and YouTube totaled 454 million, according to Business Insider.

The industry surpassed $1 billion, according to a 2019 report from Newzoo, a games and esports analytics group.

Breaking into the professional realm of esports can be daunting, which is where high school coaches can come into play, Flori said.

“A lot of amateur teams and collegiate teams are looking for the next big thing and next big student,” Flori said. “This will start to open up those avenues for the kids.”

‘More than a fad’ Chandler Farnsworth has been competitive his whole life.

The 17-year-old from Highlands Ranch grew up in a “golf family,” he said, and attributes his hours spent on the links to his fiery “Fortnite” play. A student at SkyView Academy, Farnsworth started gaming his freshman year. Now, as a senior, he feels can safely say he can beat anyone at his school in any video game.

“It’s a hobby for me,” Farnsworth said, “and I really wanted to do it for more than just for fun outside of school.”

Though “Fortnite” is not a CHSAA esports game title, students can still play exhibition matches with other titles during practices. The pilot program only includes “League of Legends,” a five-on-five battle-arena game, and “Rocket League,” a two-ontwo game akin to soccer, for now.

Farnsworth helped start the first esports team at SkyView this year.

“We had more interest in esports than we did golf,” Farnsworth said.

To coach the team, the school hired Chris Curtis, a former esports pro and current program director for South Suburban Parks and Recreation’s esports department. Curtis has organized tournaments across the Front Range and is an advocate for the sport.

“Everybody is starting to realize this is a bit more than a fad,” Curtis said. “Schools are learning how to incorporate this more … You’re seeing students who wouldn’t enter in a physical sport enter this and it becomes the driving factor in increasing their grades.”

Curtis added that esports players are subject to academic requirements set by CHSAA similarly to other sports, adding a layer of academic motivation for interested players.

Farnsworth believes esports will continue its rise in popularity and will eventually help debunk the stereotype of the isolated, antisocial gamer.

“If you’re good at the game, people will find you eventually and you will get a community around you,” Farnsworth said.

And earning that CHSAA seal of approval could be crucial to the sport’s attempt at establishing credibility.

There are 17 states nationwide that have esports as a sanctioned activity.

“More often than not, there is a big spike in participation once a sport is sanctioned,” CHSAA spokesperson Ryan Casey said.

Flori and Curtis agree esports will continue to surge in popularity. Flori said some teams are working on adding a “unified” team for students with special needs.

“I think it starts at high school and leads into college,” Curtis said. “I would not be surprised if within the next five to seven years you’re seeing a handful of high schools offering esports as a competitive offering with any other sport.”

Centennial Citizen 17

0October 15, 2020

Yearly juried exhibit moves to new venue ‘This is Colorado’ relocation marks start of collaboration

IF YOU GO

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“This is Colorado,” an annual juried exhibit for members of the longrunning Littleton Fine Arts Guild, appears in a new venue this season: Town Hall Arts Center’s Stanton Gallery, where it marks the start of an ongoing collaboration between the two local organizations.

Littleton Fine Arts Guild will curate future exhibits for Stanton Gallery, as well as at their Depot Art Gallery and exhibit spots at Smokin’ Fins in Downtown Littleton, Vita, Arapahoe County Justice Center and Nixon’s Coffee in Englewood.

The present exhibit runs through Oct. 31 and includes oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings, as well as several stained glass pieces by Sally Vander Kamp.

Since the opening Town Hall program is “off-campus” at Hudson Gardens, art lovers will want to check in to the 2450 W. Main Street gallery from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (free admission).

T

If you go: Stanton Art Gallery is located in Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St. Littleton. Open now from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday to Friday. When Town Hall performances begin again — probably in the holiday season — art exhibits will become part of that experience as well. 303-794 2787, townhallartscenter.org.

It’s tempting to think about where the photographer was standing to capture many of the images. Perhaps some readers have been at that location this summer? Or, will wish they had been — hence a weekend plan forms!

This annual juried exhibit ties in with Town Hall’s season-opening musical: “Almost Heaven,” a tribute to the late John Denver, which has played to sold-out audiences at Hudson Gardens. One can almost hear “Rocky Mountain High” ringing out while enjoying the art, which varies in subject from rushing mountain streams to lush valleys, to a charming pair of owls: “You Had Us At Hello,” by photographer Carl Paulson.

Visual artists are fortunate to live in a state that invites interpretation of its images from almost any place one stands to look around.

Near the entrance is David George’s

Town Hall Arts Center in downtown Littleton is the venue for the Littleton Fine Arts Guild’s “This is Colorado” juried exhibition of visual artworks.

PHOTO BY SCOTT GILBERT “Ten Mile Creek,” which almost overflows its frame. Seasonal images include snow-scenes, gardens and Kathy Meyer’s intriguing “Bubbles at the Gardens,” a “photography-infused aluminum print.” Readers may remember the recent season when blown glass bubbles floated in the Denver Botanic Gardens pond ... Here’s a close-up image.

Nationally recognized painter Dean

Buhler was juror for this exhibit — his “Warrior” demands a closer look when one spots it ... It’s a can’t-miss image that jumps out at the visitor.

Main Street strollers, as well as focused art lovers, are invited to visit this current Littleton Fine Arts Guild exhibit. They’ve been just off Main Street for many years — it seems good to welcome them to the center of our lovely Downtown!

Signature artists of Mexico in spotlight

ickets are now on sale at the Denver Art Museum for “Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Mexican Modernism,” which opens Oct. 25. The first block, on sale now, are for SONYA’S Oct. 25 to Nov. 30.

The second block, SAMPLER on sale Nov. 23, will sell tickets to see the exhibit in its final eight weeks, beginning Dec. 1. Visitors must purchase in advance a dated, timed ticket. denverartmuseum.org, 720-913-0130.

Sonya Ellingboe Victorian Horrors The Molly Brown House puts on its spooky face Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30 from 6-9 p.m. Entry every 30 minutes. Tickets: $16-$18 (at home experience: $8). Visit Molly-

Brown.org.

Hudson Gardens photo contest Contest runs through Oct. 24 . Entry fee is $5 per photo. Encourage family and friends to vote for your entry. Go to www.gogophotocontest.com/hudsongardens2020.

PACE Center Wonderbound ballet company presents “Wicked Bayou” Oct. 16 to 22 at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker. Choreography by Garrett Ammon. Tickets: 303-805-6800. (Described as a “supernatural zombie ballet!”) Also: “Kenny Moten: From Blues to Broadway” at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28.

Cherry Creek Theatre The 10th anniversary of the Cherry Creek Theatre Company will be celebrated with a virtual concert on Oct. 25 ($20 donation is suggested). The group looks forward to a 2021 musi-

cal, they say. See cherrycreektheatre. org.

Demos-Brown, featuring Jada Susan Dixon. Visit curioustheatre.org.

Denver Arts Weekend Due to COVID-19, Denver Arts Week become Denver Arts Weekend Nov. 6-8. Museum of Outdoor Arts in Englewood will offer advance sales of tickets to its Robert Rauschenberg exhibit. (None available at the door on those days. The exhibit runs through March 20-21, 2021.)

Vintage Theatre Vintage Theatre Co., 1468 Dayton St., Aurora, presents “Murderers”

by Jeffrey Hatcher through Nov. 8. Performances; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Stories are about Gerald, Lucy and Minka, who are all murderers. Scene: the Riddle Key Luxury Retirement Community. vintagetheatre.org, 303-856-7830.

Curious Theatre Co. Curious Theatre Company is livestreaming “Hillary and Clinton”

by Lucas Hnath on demand through Oct. 24. . Curious will reopen live theater May 1 to June 5, 2021 with a world premiere developed by Curious: “Refuge,” co-created by Satya Jnani Chavez and Andrew Rosendorf: transcreation by Marialuisa Burgos, May 1 to June 5. Summer will feature “American Son” by Christopher

Mizel festival The JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center begins its 2020-2021 season with the 13th Annual JAAMM Festival, starting Oct. 25, with a series of lectures and film. Visit jccdenver.org.

‘Wildfire’ warbler Michael Martin Murphey appears at Lone Tree Arts Center at 8 p.m., Nov. 13 and 14. lonetreeartscenter.org.

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18 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

Frightful nights still on at Haunted Mansion Reservations required, but spooky fun continues at longtime Halloween staple

BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Sure, a lot of traditions are on hold this year, but fortunately the Reinke Bros. Haunted Mansion isn’t one of them.

The epic haunted house is one of just a handful operating

in the Denver metro area this year, thanks to a hefty helping of disease prevention practices like temperature screenings, keeping the actors behind Plexiglas, keeping groups small and spacing out visitors with a reservation system.

But that doesn’t mean the experience is any less scary.

Spread over 34 spooky rooms, the haunted house provides loads of frights, jumps, gross-outs and freak-outs.

“We still came up with plenty of ways to scare the pants off you,” said Greg Reinke, who owns the combination haunted house

and emporium of costumes and magic. “The plus side is, with the groups spaced out like this, you’re pretty much on your own in there. It’s a great experience.”

The Haunted Mansion is at 5663 S. Prince St. in Littleton, and runs through Nov. 1.

Tickets are $19 per person Sunday through Thursday and $22 per person on Friday and Saturday. A special lights-on tour is available for younger kids on Saturday and Sunday and costs $10 per person.

Reservations are required, and can be made at reinkebrothers. com.

The Haunted Mansion may have a fair amount of health measures in place, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less scary.

PHOTOS BY DAVID GILBERT

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Centennial Citizen 19

0October 15, 2020

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20 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

SAT remains popular despite declining relevance

BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT.ORG

Despite state school board members deeming the SAT voluntary this year for Colorado high school students, the state education department ordered more than 30,000 test books for about 400 schools to administer it for free in September.

Although the Colorado Department of Education could not say how many students took the college readiness test last month, clearly many students still view the exam as important to their path to college.

James Yepez, a Palmer High School counselor in Colorado Springs, said his students are convinced they need to take the test to get into the school of their choice. College-bound students still believe SAT scores will help their admission chances, he said.

In Colorado, at least for the foreseeable future, the privately administered SAT isn’t going anywhere.

The state uses the test to rate school performance. Students also can use the test to demonstrate proficiency in English and math to meet new graduation requirements that apply to the Class of 2021. Much is also tied to the test, including the determination of merit scholarships — a requirement that’s been placed on pause for 2021 graduates by Colorado public universities, according to the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

Nationwide, more than 1,550 colleges have made the test optional for admissions, increasing about 50% this year, according to Akil Bello of the National Organization for Fair and Open Testing, which opposes how

standardized tests are used in admissions. That’s about two-thirds of all four-year degree granting accredited colleges nationwide, Bello said.

Many schools decided either just before or right after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, said Bello, who is senior director of advocacy and advancement.

He said the unusual circumstances this year can allow Colorado’s college leaders and policy makers an opportunity to reflect on the use of the test, especially for admissions.

Polis OKs provision In response to the pandemic, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed into law a provision that allows public colleges and universities to go test-optional.

The University of Colorado-Boulder and Colorado State University decided to go test-optional for one year.

Other Colorado colleges and universities also hit pause on using the SAT for admissions.

The testing companies argue research shows the tests are solid predictors of college success, especially in the first year. And the research also describes how the tests create a more complete picture of student abilities.

The SAT allows schools to sort thousands of applications, said Alejandra Dominguez, a success coach at AdvanceEDU, which provides underrepresented students support in accessing college.

But Dominguez, who has counseled students in the Denver area, said the tests don’t let students showcase their complexities, especially those who are low-income, have a disability, or are from underrepresented groups.

“The tests represent kind of a fixed mindset about students,” Dominguez said. “To think that we can look at a student’s score as a representation of what they can accomplish is just flatout wrong.”

Bello of Fair Test said success on the SAT or ACT can often be boiled down to whether families have the means to pay for preparation tools.

Often, low-income students don’t have access to those tools.

Given the mission of public schools, Bello said, “perpetuating wealth inequality” is not in the public good.

Bello said the tests only provide a small look into whether students can be successful in college. Numerous studies suggest grade-point averages are a better predictor of student success in college. And a slew of research shows students from low-income and underrepresented populations don’t test as well as their white, higherincome peers.

Report urges change A recent National Association for College Admission Counseling report examined the inequities associated with standardized testing for collegegoing students. The report calls for change to the admission process.

The report’s authors said 2020 is the year to reexamine the “appropriate uses, and potential misuses, of standardized tests.”

Colorado College in Colorado Springs made the SAT and ACT optional for applicants last year.

“I don’t think it put any of our decisions at risk,” said Admissions Director Matt Bonser. Before then, the school didn’t heavily weigh the

test. “We were focusing on those areas where students have spent most of their time over those prior 3 to 3 1/2 years,” he said. The change has been over a decade in the making, he said.

The college now reviews applicants’ academic work, grades, and interaction with their communities.

Bonser said he hopes the pandemic allows schools and families time to reflect on what they prioritize. Students shouldn’t have to stress over taking the test multiple times to get the best score, he said.

Yepez of Palmer High said it’s incredibly difficult to advise his students what to do about the test this year.

The differences in admissions requirements mean Yepez must tailor his advice to each college or university.

Yepez said he can’t advise students against taking the test, but tries his best to give them information to attain their goals and consider their individual circumstances. About half of Palmer High School’s student population is low-income and relies on scholarships to access college. Many of those awards require SAT scores.

“It kind of boils down to this sorting factor that indicates, in some way, the belief that because the students scored better on the SAT for three hours they somehow know more than the kids sitting next to them,” Yepez said. “I think that is a gross misunderstanding of what those tests really are showing about our students.”

This story is from Chalkbeat Colorado, a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

Used by permission. For more, and to support Chalkbeat, visit co.chalkbeat. org.

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Centennial Citizen 21

0October 15, 2020

RTD IN CRISIS!

It’s Time To Elect New RTD LEADERSHIP!

RTD has missed the bus for longer than 50 years Denver Post September 4, 2020

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22 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

Littleton to vote on retail pot

BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Littleton’s three medical marijuana dispensaries could begin selling their products to recreational users, if voters approve a citizen-initiated ballot measure this fall.

Listed as Ballot Question 300 on this fall’s ballots, the measure’s language is short: “Shall existing medical marijuana center licensees in the City of Littleton be permitted to sell retail marijuana on and after January 1, 2021?”

Littleton is home to three medical marijuana dispensaries: Silver Stem Fine Cannabis on Littleton Boulevard, The Hemp Center on Datura Street, and Ascend Cannabis Co. on Santa Fe Drive.

A fourth medical dispensary on Prince Street shut down several years ago.

If approved, the measure would allow all three dispensaries to begin sales of cannabis products to anyone over 21 without a doctor’s recommendation.

‘It’s time Littleton embraces it’ The measure was spearheaded by Stanislav Zislis, the cofounder of Silver Stem, which operates seven locations in Colorado and one in Oregon, and Scott Embree, co-owner of Ascend, which has four locations in Colorado. Embree, who lives in south Jefferson County, is funding a similar campaign seeking recreational marijuana sales in Lakewood this fall.

The effort is organized under an LLC called Residents for a Stronger Littleton.

Zislis, who lives in Englewood, called the measure an idea whose time has come, saying citizens want the option and the city could use the tax revenue.

“Colorado’s so-called marijuana

experiment has not resulted in dire consequences,” Zislis said. “It’s made things better for the state and for our communities, and it’s time Littleton embraces it.”

A study published on the group’s website estimates retail marijuana sales could generate between $935,000 and $1.5 million a year in tax revenue for the city.

The group also cites a poll of 400 Littleton voters conducted by Keating Research that showed 64% of respondents supported the measure, though showing a strong partisan divide, with 85% of Democrats supporting it compared to 62% of unaffiliated voters and 45% of Republicans.

“There’s already retail cannabis in Littleton, it’s just coming from Denver and Englewood,” Zislis said. “That tax revenue is taking a detour around Littleton. Right now we have COVID in the background, and the city is cutting its budget. This could help keep some services in place.”

Several nearby cities, including Denver, Englewood and Sheridan, already allow retail marijuana sales. Such sales are not allowed in communities that include Highlands Ranch and Centennial.

‘Not the face I want for Littleton’ Littleton City Council first banned retail marijuana sales in 2014, after Colorado voters passed Amendment 64. That statewide measure, which got the backing of a majority of Littleton voters, established a constitutional right to possess marijuana for personal use, but allowed municipalities to regulate whether sales were allowed.

City council reaffirmed the ban in May 2016, after Zislis and others pushed council to overturn it. More than 50

people on both sides of the issue turned out for a passionate public hearing at that meeting. Council voted 5-1 against allowing retail marijuana.

Littleton Mayor Jerry Valdes, who voted against retail sales in 2016, said he remains opposed to the idea.

“I recognize it can bring in tax revenue, but that’s not the face I want for Littleton,” Valdes said. “If you want it, you can take a short drive and go get it.”

Valdes said the existing medical marijuana dispensaries have been good neighbors and have not caused headaches for the city, but said allowing retail sales changes a community’s image.

“Medical sales serve a purpose, for people’s health,” he said. “Retail is just about getting messed up.”

Valdes said he is concerned voters will pass the measure, in part because he feels Colorado is trending more leftleaning politically.

“We have people moving here because they want to get away from the environment where they were, but then they want to change it into the environment they left,” he said. “As goes Colorado, so goes Littleton.”

Currently, the location of medical marijuana centers is strictly delineated by city code, requiring a distance of 500 feet from day cares and 1,000 feet from schools, parks, halfway houses or other medical marijuana centers. Littleton currently has licenses for four medical marijuana centers, of which three are active. Only the three active operations would be affected by the outcome of the ballot measure.

City council could choose to alter those location restrictions or issue more licenses, said City Attorney Reid

Betzing, though Valdes said he is not interested in doing so.

‘Pretty far removed from the plant’ Perhaps the most vocal opposition to the measure has come from Nate Thompson, who heads Littleton Public Schools’ department of Social, Emotional and Behavioral Health Services.

Though Thompson asserted the district is not taking an official stance on the measure, he said he has seen negative impacts on young people from the proliferation of high-potency THC products, and feels legalizing retail sales in Littleton would send the wrong message.

“We’re not talking about the stuff people were smoking in the ‘60s and ‘70s,” Thompson said. “THC products today can be extremely high-potency. They’re pretty far removed from the plant.”

Thompson, who has been in the social work field for 23 years, said he has seen high-potency THC products cause hallucinations, heart problems, seizures and severe gastrointestinal problems in young people.

Thompson also cited statistics from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment showing that THC is the most common drug in the system of teenagers who die by suicide.

“To me, this is about the message Littleton wants to send to kids,” Thompson said. “I have nothing against the owners of the medical dispensaries in Littleton, and yes it’s already getting into kids’ hands in other ways, but it’s helpful for us to be able to say look, the city already bans recreational sales. We have been working really hard to battle this, and this ballot measure works against our efforts.”

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24 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

Tax question on ballot could be far-reaching While amount would be minuscule for each person, overall total would ding state budget

BY JOHN FRANK THE COLORADO SUN

A measure on the 2020 ballot in Colorado proposes a permanent cut to the state’s income tax rate that would give the average taxpayer a $37 break annually.

The limited-government conservatives and Republican lawmakers backing Proposition 116 say the tax relief comes at a crucial moment amid the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus. The measure would reduce the current 4.63% income tax rate on individuals and corporations to 4.55%.

“The simple truth is, Proposition 116 is a mild but much-needed tax cut for all taxpayers at a time when Coloradans could use the boost wherever they can get it,” said Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, a Republican from Sterling and author of the measure.

But the measure’s opponents say the timing is a major reason to forgo the modest tax break — because it would reduce state tax revenues by more than $150 million at the same time Colorado lawmakers are cutting billions from the state budget.

“We need more flexibility and

creativity for our state budget, not something that will constrain the state budget even further — our students deserve better,” said Amie BacaOehlert, the president of the state’s teachers union, expressing opposition to Proposition 116 and Proposition 117 limiting government fees.

The competing arguments about the benefits for individuals and corporations and the costs at the collective level define the debate on Proposition 116 ahead of the November election.

What you need to know Here’s how income taxes work in Colorado and how they are spent: Colorado is one of 43 states that levy individual income taxes and one of nine with a flat tax, according to the Tax Foundation. The state taxes 4.63% of federal taxable income, which ranks among the lowest income tax rates in the nation.

When it comes to overall individual local and state tax burden, the foundation’s analysis finds Colorado ranks 15th in the nation. The study found that businesses fare much better with one of the nation’s lower tax burdens.

(For the 2019 tax year, due in 2020, the state’s rate was temporarily lowered to 4.5% because the state exceeded the revenue limits set by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights in the 2018-19 fiscal year. But for the 2020 tax year it will return to the standard 4.63% rate — unless Proposition 116 is approved.)

Income tax accounts for the bulk of the discretionary spending in the state budget and goes into what’s known as

the general fund. In fiscal year 2018-19 the state collected $9.2 billion, according to a legislative analysis.

Colorado lawmakers apportion the general fund spending each year in the state budget process with health care and other safety net programs and education consuming the bulk of discretionary spending. For the current 2020-21 fiscal year, the two areas consumed 74% of the general fund budget.

What an income tax cut would mean For individuals and corporations, the amount of the break from the 1.7% reduction in the state’s income tax rate depends on income levels.

On average, individuals would pay $37 less in income taxes, according to legislative analysts. The savings for someone with $25,000 in taxable income would be about $20 while those with taxable income of $1 million would save $800.

What lower income taxes would mean The reduction in the income tax rate would reduce revenue into the general fund by 1.2%. That amounts to $154 million less for state lawmakers to spend in its first full year, official estimates show. The annual financial impact of a lower income tax rate would increase as the state’s economy and workforce grows.

The opponents say that’s no small sum, particularly when Colorado lawmakers were forced to cut $3 billion in discretionary spending earlier this year as the coronavirus pinched state revenues in the prior and current fiscal years. The state may need to cut as much as $1.6 billion in the next year and $2.2 billion the following year as demands for state services increase, even though state economists are predicting a touch better fiscal outlook.

If the measure is successful, the reductions in spending would most likely come from human services and education because they are the bulk of the general fund spending.

Who’s supporting Proposition 116 The measure initially was considered as an alternative to an initiative that envisioned an overhaul of the state’s tax system but the latter failed to make the ballot.

Sonnenberg ran a similar bill in the 2020 legislative session to reduce the income tax rate to 4.49%, but it was defeated by the Democratic-controlled state Senate. He paired with the limited-government Independent Institute’s Jon Caldara to push the ballot

question.

Supporters argue that the recent increase in the size of the state budget — driven by a strong economy and population growth — is reason enough to use a tax cut to slow spending.

Moreover, they point to recent fee increases and Democratic-led legislation approved this year that removed four tax breaks to generate an additional $100 million in state tax revenue for the current fiscal year.

“It only brings back a little of what has already been taken,” Caldara argued at a recent debate on the measure hosted by PBS12 and The Colorado Sun. “We have paid for this tax cut, this tiny tax cut, time and time again.”

Breaking from his party, Gov. Jared Polis has long supported a reduction in the state’s income tax, but he wanted to keep it revenue-neutral by removing certain tax breaks. The offsets between the tax bill he signed into law and the ballot measures are not even, but Polis recently expressed support for the intent of the ballot measure.

“We’ve long sought an income tax decrease,” Polis told The Colorado Sun. “We obviously preferred that it was revenue neutral. But particularly in this challenging time, I think Coloradans certainly need tax relief.”

Who opposes Proposition 116 The opposition to the measure is broad-based and includes Democratic state lawmakers, the teachers union and health care advocates, and rural civic organizations such as Club 20 in Grand Junction.

The shared sentiment among them is that the state can’t afford a tax cut now. “What you’ll get with $37 (average tax break) is school cuts, broken infrastructure and an underfunded state,” Bell Policy Center President Scott Wasserman said during the ballot debate.

In addition, liberal advocacy organizations that are eyeing broader changes in the future to create a tiered tax structure and increase income taxes on the wealthy believe this moves the state in the wrong direction.

“At the end of the day,” Wasserman said, “cutting $160 million more from this budget … is going to make life in this state much more unequal and much more expensive for Coloradans.”

This story is from Colorado Politics, a statewide political and public policy news journal. Used by permission. For more, visit coloradopolitics.com.

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Centennial Citizen 25

0October 15, 2020

Parker teen’s first novel only the beginning

BY NICK PUCKETT NPUCKETT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

To those who know Annabelle Healy, this moment was only a matter of time.

A line of more than two dozen people, adults, kids and teenagers, waited patiently in the Parker Lutheran High School gymnasium Oct. 9 to receive a signed copy of Healy’s first novel, “Far Below Human Eyes.”

Healy’s first novel is a culmination of her high school writing career that began her sophomore year, when she won her first Scholastic writing award. She received an honorable mention for three other submissions, including “Far Below Human Eyes,” in the nationwide competition as well.

Healy contracted with Morgan

James Publishing this year and the novel will be available for purchase April 27, 2021. The book is available for preorder on Amazon.com.

“Far Below Human Eyes” is a novel about a teenager named Harold who lives in a miniature world and must capture a dragonfly. When he fails, things spiral out of control for Harold and he finds out he’s not like everybody else. The novel is the first in a series, Healy said.

Healy was inspired by memories of playing in the pond of her childhood home and trying to catch dragonflies.

“That was a setting that I knew to a tee. I just decided to make it the setting of my book. I loved little things as a kid,” Healy said.

The 17-year-old Lutheran High

School student had a knack for writing and storytelling since she was young. Healy’s father, also a writer, recalled moments when she would act out entire character dialogues when she was a child, speaking for both parts of a hypothetical conversation.

English teacher Diane Hollenbeck called Healy her “sister wordsmith” and “sister lover-of-literature,” a testament to a relationship not often found between teacher and student.

“I think that Annabelle sees the working of words differently than perhaps other students do, and she can see how they can be manipulated and chiseled and combed to make somebody feel what she’s feeling and make someone see what’s in her head,” Hollenbeck said. “That’s a gift.”

The day before Healy’s book signing event, Healy was baptized in Christ.

Now, Hollenbeck added, they are also sisters in Christ.

Hollenbeck said Healy is not only an inspiration to her peers in the Lutheran High writing club — which Hollenbeck said is one reason the club has grown in recent years — but to everyone, including herself.

Healy’s advice to her fellow authors: put in the work.

“There were a couple of years where I woke up at 5:30 in the morning and wrote for a half-hour or 45 minutes before school or just cut out certain times during the day,” Healy said.

“A lot of people have the desire and inspiration of writing a book, but the actual doing it is so hard.”

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26 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

C R O S S W O R D ATTORNEY P U Z Z L E

ra and Kellner expressed disappointment that Padden did not attend.

Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock did not attend the debate and FROM PAGE 2 emphasized that the committee is a separate organization, saying the embarrassed as (expletive) as to how sheriff ’s office has no authority over she’s acting.” the group and vice versa.

Padden and Traylor said they were “They do advise me, but I don’t disappointed the restaurant owner have any control over them,” he allowed a customer to be treated said. “It is an independent group of the way Traylor was; they hope the citizens.” sheriff will address the committee’s The committee began under a difconduct; and they criticized Kellferent name as a group of citizens ner for remaining silent during the advising the sheriff ’s office on a tax incident. initiative but formally formed as the “You watched this happen and you Public Safety said nothing,” Advisory ComTraylor said of mittee in 2007.

Kellner.

The committee Political season has since adKellner said vised sheriffs on committee memmyriad issues. bers also asked The group is not him to wait near funded by the the rear of the sheriff ’s office, restaurant while Spurlock said. they set up for Regarding the the event. He sat debate incident, away from the Spurlock said debate area lookmost of the ing at his notes he Tony Spurlock, information when committee knew came from Douglas County sheriff, on the Facebook, and members asked Traylor to leave.

Public Safety Advisory Committee he had no com“I don’t know ment on Traywhat was said to lor’s account of Amy’s campaign the evening. He manager by the did review body folks at PSAC because from where camera footage from the deputy who I was sitting, I couldn’t hear any of responded. that,” he said. “I know I had been Spurlock said calls for increased asked to kind of sit in the back.” patrol are routine at the office, addKellner said he felt bad about the ing “we literally get hundreds of incident and that discriminatory those” and the deputy left soon after behavior is “not consistent with who speaking with a group standing outI have been as a prosecutor.” side the restaurant.

“If I’m asked to go sit in the back,” “He saw there was no need for Kellner said, “I recognize that for any law enforcement interaction,” me that doesn’t make me feel like Spurlock said. “It was an uneventful I’m being discriminated against in contact.” any way, and what I don’t know is, I Spurlock said he called Nelson and don’t know her campaign manager. I asked for a debriefing on the matter don’t know Kat’s life experience and after it took off on social media the I don’t know if being asked that, you following morning. He also called know, how that makes her feel.”

Kellner, whom he has formally Kellner said he hopes the comendorsed, and he spoke to Traylor by mittee and Padden’s campaign can email. Kellner told Spurlock he did communicate better in the future. not hear the exchange between the Nelson said the committee is willing committee members and Padden’s to hold an interview with Padden campaign staff, Spurlock said. in the same format as Kellner’s at a “I think we all just need to rememlater date. ber that during political season, evIn Padden’s absence, the debate eryone has an opinion, and everyone moderator, KNUS radio station host has the right to have an opinion,” he Deborah Flora, conducted a Q&A said, “but we should use caution on a conversation with Kellner. Both Florush to judgment on things.”

‘They do advise me, but I don’t have any control over them. It is an independent group of citizens.’

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Centennial Citizen 27

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Centennial Citizen 29

0October 15, 2020 Property Management

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30 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020O

P L A C E A D S O N L I N E 2 4 / 7 AT

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Please Recycle this Publication when Finished

Miscellaneous

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TO ADVERTISE CALL 303-566-4100

Centennial Citizen 31

LOCAL

0October 15, 2020

SPORTS

Valor wins boys state golf championship Arapahoe takes close second with just two strokes’ difference in total

BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Valor Christian boys golf coach Justen Byler wasn’t surprised that his team won the Class 5A state championship on Oct. 6 at the Club at Rolling Hills.

However, Valor senior Lucas Schulte didn’t know he had captured the individual state title until after he sank an eagle putt on the 18th green, which secured the team championship for Valor and made him a state champion.

Valor, which was fourth in the 5A Jefferson County League, finished with a tworound, four-player total of 452 to edge Arapahoe, which was second for the second straight season with 454 total strokes.

Regis Jesuit was third (458) while Rock Canyon came in fifth (462), Cherry Creek seventh (468) and Castle View ninth (474).

“I don’t think this was a surprise,” said Byler. “I’ve shared with a couple other people that we played in such a difficult league this year.

Jeffco has five of the top 10 teams in the state and we felt like we’d played in these situations before and we were playing better coming into the tournament than we had all year. So we believed we had an opportunity. You hope you are

State champion Lucas Schultze of Valor Christian, holding the trophy, eagled the 18th hole, which clinched the state title for the Eagles and gave Schultze the individual title.

PHOTO BY JIM BENTON playing good at the right time.

“The moment Lucas walked off the 18th green, he said: `We did it.’ You win an individual state title and that’s your first phrase, that’s the way this team is.”

Schulte bogeyed the 17th hole but hit a 320-yard drive to start his final hole of the day on the 18th and followed with an accurate 8-iron shot to the green.

“I had about 180 in,” said Schulte `I had been spinning the ball so much. I wanted to put in past the hole. I didn’t know but getting over the hill

and seeing it was within six feet I started shaking hard.

My heart was racing. Coach was trying to calm me down.

“I honest didn’t know about the team. I knew we were in a tight battle. The kid ahead of me was also on our team. I didn’t know he birdied. So if he had parred, it would have been a different story. I didn’t know how I set individually.”

Byler was confident about Schulte’s clutch putt.

“I had a feeling he was going to hit three quality shots on that hole,” he said. “I said: `Just try to be yourself. You’ve

been practicing this shot all year.’”

Schulte admits he wasn’t special during the regular season.

“I started playing golf when I was in eighth grade and it has always been a dream of mine to win state,” he said. “I spent hours and hours working on golf. I progressed but this was the first year I was capable of winning something big.

“I didn’t know if was going to come down to the last hole.

I made a swing change going into regionals and I was two-

under. My swing felt really good. I was super confident.

It’s really cool to win. The individual is good but the team is one of the special things.

We were fourth in our league so nobody could see this coming except for our players.”

Other members of the Valor team were sophomore Colin Young, who chipped out from under a tree on 18 and made a birdie to give him a round of 75 and 153 total. Jack Armstrong started early and came in with a 74 (155) and Langdon Bradley had a 79 (158).

“Armstrong was the most consistent all year,” added Byler. “He posted a 74 early.

Having that score in the clubhouse was a really big thing for us. It gave us a chance to be a little more aggressive and see what happens late. It wasn’t a surprise. We’ve been playing team golf all year long.

“I’m super proud of the guys for having that team culture. Let me say this. It may have been the best high school finish I’ve ever seen.”

The two best rounds of the final day were from Ralston Valley’s Troy Kirschner and Ryan Occhionero of Regis Jesuit who tied for third at 147.

Kirschner had a 2-under-par 69 and Occhionero a 1-under 70.

Arapahoe’s Graham Dzengelewski, who led most of the tournament, was 3-over par on the 16th and 17th honors but finished with a birdie for a 75 and tied him for fourth place with a 148 total.

Cherry Creek’s Charlie Flaxbeard tied for seventh (151) and Nick Fallin of Rock Canyon was 11th (152).

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088 Legals Public Trustees COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0183-2020 To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust: On July 28, 2020, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.

Original Grantor(s) ROBERT M. WILLIAMS Original Beneficiary(ies) DONNA J SNYDER Current Holder of Evidence of Debt 249 E HIGHLINE NOTE LLC Date of Deed of Trust

December 31, 2014 County of Recording Arapahoe Recording Date of Deed of Trust January 02, 2015 Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.) D5000321 Re-Recording Date of Deed of Trust January 05, 2015 Re-Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.) D5001095 Original Principal Amount $64,500.00 Outstanding Principal Balance $50,225.14 Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

legals@coloradocommunitymedia.com

CONDOMINIUM UNIT NO. 249307, HIGHLINE MEADOWS CONDOMINIUMS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECLARATION RECORDED OCTOBER 25, 1978, IN BOOK 2873 AT PAGE 367, AND CONDOMINIUM MAP RECORDED ON OCTOBER 25, 1978, AS RECEPTION NO. 1786266, BOOK 36 AT PAGES 31 AND 32 OF THE COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE RECORDS, TOGETHER WITH THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE THE FOLLOWING COMMON ELEMENTS: PARKING SPACE 590, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO. Also known by street and number as: 249 E HIGHLINE CIR UNIT 307, CENTENNIAL, CO 80122.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST. NOTICE OF SALE The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as pro-

vided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 11/25/2020, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 10/1/2020 Last Publication: 10/29/2020 Name of Publication: Littleton Independent IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED; DATE: 07/28/2020 Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the

County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: Carol M. Conley #21390 Gantenbein Law Firm 1760 Gaylord Street, Denver, CO 80206 (720) 441-3625 Attorney File # Robert Williams The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose. ©Public Trustees’ Association of Colorado Revised 1/2015 Legal Notice NO. 0183-2020 First Publication: 10/1/2020 Last Publication: 10/29/2020 Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

###

Centennial Legals 10.15.20 * 1

32 Centennial Citizen

October 15, 2020

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