MetroWest Advertiser 110322

HIM TO THE CANDY

Some local businesses hope liquor license ballot measure fails

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Mollie Stephans walked into Westminster’s Pecos Liquors for the first time to pitch Loveland Aleworks’ newest beer. The answer she got was promising.

“We’ll be in touch,” said Jazz Singh, the owner of the store since 2018.

Stephans is one of the small brewery’s 10 employees. She makes sales calls to local liquor stores up and down the Front Range, asking that they put Aleworks’ beer on shelves.

The personal touch is what makes the company unique, she said. But the owners the Aleworks said that may need to change if voters approve Proposition 124 in the upcoming election.

The ballot initiative will increase the number of retail liquor store licenses an individual may own. The current maximum is three. The number would rise to eight by 2026, 13 by 2031, 20 by 2036 and be unlimited by 2037.

Police, teachers weigh in school shooting discussion

Weld RE8 discussing letting teachers carry arms

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

On Sept. 11, 1992, a student at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas brought a gun into the building. He opened fire after a pep rally, shooting and wounding six other students.

Steve Reams, a survivor of this shooting, now serves as the Weld County sheriff. In reflecting on the experience, he wondered if the situation could have turned out better had teachers been armed.

“I remember teachers trying to figure out how to shield students and trying to figure out how to subdue or take on the suspect without any tools to do so,” he said. “I watched what happened and I can definitely see… if all those teachers had been armed,

how that would have probably turned out much differently.”

Reams is not the only person considering the idea of armed school staff. As the national community wrestles with the pros and cons of the idea, the Weld RE-8 school district has joined the conversation – with a diverse array of opinions coming from community members.

With the increase, large retail stores like King Soopers, Safeway and Total Beverage would be able to sell alcohol in more locations. Opponents of the measure argue that will funnel business away from the local and neighborhood stores.

“It’s hard to tell ahead of time, but we will almost have to change the way that we sell our beer and change the things we pride ourselves on,” Stephans said. “One big thing for us is we want to keep Colorado as local as possible.”

Most of Loveland Aleworks’ accounts are local liquor stores. That’s because they’re able to meet with owners directly. When they get a green light from a store, it can happen on the spot or shortly after.

Jovani Ortiz is riding

his

dinosaur. Jovani was one of the many kiddos

at Fort Lupton High School Oct.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Brighton celebrates Dia de los Muertos

The Grupo Azteca Huitzilopochtli from Mexico opened Brighton’s Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration with a stunning performance wearing feather headdresses and colorful costumes representing Anahuac’s indigenous people. The ritual dance with repetitive rhythm and movement in a meditative state, communicating energy to god, is a form of prayer.

The Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrated its opening reception featuring a 70-piece art exhibit from local artists at The Armory Performance Arts Center on October 28.

The exhibit included a performance by a group of Aztec Dancers with music entertainment by a DJ and a poetry reading. The reception ended with a performance by Denver-based flamenco guitarist El Javi.

The family-friendly celebration featured face painting and decorating for all ages and tacos and free hot chocolate. Its exhibit is in collaboration with the Chicano Humanities & Art Council with support from the Brighton Arts Commission. The exhibition will be on display through November 16.

Fine Wines & Spirits LLC, addressed in Bethesda, Maryland, donated over $11.5 million to the issue committee supporting the

But getting their product onto the shelves of a big chain is a different matter. It can take about a year to get an approval, if one comes at all.

For liquor store owners like Singh, the proposition changes the liquor store experience and that’s a reason to vote against it, though he understands some people want the convenience of buying alcohol while shopping for groceries.

He also understands hardworking owners’ motives to expand and open new locations. He said he works 15-16 hours every day of the week and hopes to expand his business, but emphasizes how smaller stores are more responsive to customer choices than big chains.

A decent selection of microbrews isn’t always easy to find in big chain stores, he said.

For his store, those less-wellknown beers sell well and the relationship between the local brewers and local shops is vital to the region’s economy.

Singh pointed to 2019 when the legislature gave grocery stores the OK to sell beer. He lost business due to increased competition and heard the same from other local store own-

ers, including one in Commerce City that lost two-thirds of its revenues almost overnight.

Who’s for it?

According to the Colorado Secretary of State’s website, Colorado

It’s the same address as Total Wine & More, which is owned by U.S. Rep. David Trone from Maryland. Total Wine & More, according to reporting done by the Colorado Sun, spent over $2 million supporting the measure.

A spokesperson for Total Wine & More said it would be “correcting a gross imbalance in current law.”

The Colorado Chamber of Commerce also supports the measure. In a news release, they wrote Proposition 124 would allow liquor stores to open more loca-

“Colorado has been long overdue to rethink the way we approach liquor licensing,” said Colorado Chamber president and CEO Loren Furman in a release. “This is about helping some of our hardest-hit businesses recover from ongoing economic challenges while also giving consumers more options when it comes to how and where they choose to purchase alcohol. Together, these commonsense ballot initiatives will help bring Colorado’s alcohol regulatory environment into the 21st century.”

El Javi from Mexico performing flamenco guitar music.

The Grupo Ritual Azteca Huitzilopochtli from Mexico teaches the indigenous Aztec culture and traditions with dance. The dancers form a circle that represents the symbolism of life.

PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD

Jazz Singh, owner of Pecos Liquors in Westminster, stands in front of his storefront. He will be voting no on Proposition 124.

PHOTO BY LUKE ZARZECKI

Fort Lupton approves liquor license for El Reparo

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton’s city council, acting as the liquor licensing authority, approved a hotel and restaurant license for El Reparo Mexican & Grill Inc. during a regular meeting Oct. 18. The vote was unanimous.

The business is at 815 Seventh St. As was the case with an off-premise liquor license hearing earlier in the forum, the authority’s main interest was in proper training for the restaurant’s employees, something the state

requires.

Owner Maria Soto-Murillo said through interpreter Selene Nestor, the CEO of the Hispanic Restaurant Association, she planned to use the service available through Alcohol Beverage Training.

“I want them to take the class,” Soto-Murillo said. “I’ve taken the class myself.”

The classes were scheduled for the week of Oct. 24.

This is Soto-Murillo’s first restaurant. She promised to hire enough employees to staff the business when

she was not working.

“I want the economy to grow,” the owner said. “I want more employees. I want to grow my business even more.”

She wasn’t alone in that sentiment.

“We’ve worked with this team since before they submitted their application,” Nestor said. “We hold them dear to our hearts. They will bring a lot of new economy to Fort Lupton.”

Employee insurance Council also ratified a new employee insurance plan for 2023 by

unanimous vote. Human Resources Director Laura Howe said most of the $1.2 million cost is for the insurance plan through United Health Care. The total cost amounts to a 4.8 percent increase over 2022 figures. The average employee will pay $58 more per month.

Historic preservation board

Council also approved the appointment of Emma Thiria as a professional member of the city’s historic preservation board. Her three-year term expires Oct. 18, 2025.

County seeks more foster parents

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Young people in foster care exposed to traumatic events can benefit from adults knowledgeable in therapeutic care, according to the Weld County Department of Human Services.

Adults with specific capabilities and a mindset of understanding can

help heal foster kids, said Kristy DeAnda, the county’s foster care recruiter.

The human services department is looking for foster families with experience in nursing, social work, counseling, teaching, special needs education and similar fields.

Foster parents can help young people grappling with past trauma.

“Sometimes, when people hear the

word ‘therapeutic,’ they think it refers to medical foster care,” DeAnda said. “While some of the children in therapeutic care may have medical needs, typically, the kids in these types of homes have significant emotional and behavioral challenges.”

Young people in group homes or residential treatment facilities receive behavior support for trauma.

Even though it’s a helpful environment, research indicates that a secure family-like environment, clinical support and therapy can result in healing, helping children as they seek placement in a forever home.

For more information about foster care in Weld County, visit weldgov. com/Government/Departments/ Human-Services/Foster-Care.

Re8 adjust rules for bare midri s, hats at FLHS

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As of Oct. 28, students at Fort Lupton High School are permitted

Grocer donates 250 food bags for needy kids

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

King Soopers has donated food to a handful of non-profits that help families in need, including Food for Hope, a Thornton non-profit.

The grocer said in a press release that the effort was meant to help feed 250 hungry children in Adams County and 2,500 kids across the state. The donation was part of the grocer’s Zero Hunger/Zero Waste mission, where food is donated before it perishes and has to be thrown away.

The food is meant to help kids who qualify to receive free lunches at schools, which might be their only meal of the day. The food bags will provide food for the kids on the weekends, King Soopers and City Market said in a press release.

The bags include canned vegetables, fruit cups, cookies and granola bars.

“A donation like this from King Soopers has a huge positive impact on our organization because we can turn around and distribute this food to families that visit our food banks all across Adams County,” said Emily Stromquist, executive director of Food for Hope.

to wear hats indoors and expose two inches of midriff, due to recent changes in the Weld RE-8 dress code policy.

The modifications come after two

Fort Lupton High School students presented their desired changes to the RE-8 Board of Education on Sept. 22.

The students, Anisty Hernan-

AGLE VIEW A DULT C ENTER

9,

dez and Victoria Ingino, asked for hats to be allowed indoors and for students to be allowed to show three

Avoid becoming ‘burden’ on grown children

Games and Pool

8:00 a.m.

4:00 p.m.

for more information. e November & December Newsletter is available.

you like to play games like bridge, pinochle, dominos, scrabble and pool… Eagle View is the place to get connected. Check out the newsletter for playing times.

A

nutritious lunch is provided by Volunteers of America, Mondays and ursdays at 11:30 a.m.

reserve your VOA meal in advance: For Mondays reserve the ursday before, for ursdays reserve the Monday before.! Call Eleanor at 303-655-2271 between 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Mon. & urs. Daily meal donations are appreciated. $2.50 Donation per meal if age 60+ $8.50 Mandatory charge if under 60 Cra Fair Eagle View has one of the best cra fairs in town! Shop for unique holiday gi s made by local artists. Homemade breakfast burritos and chili are for sale throughout the day. Buy a sweet treat at the best bake sale around! Food sales bene t Eagle View. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sat. Nov

Protect Yourself

Protect Yourself is a fraud prevention program presented by the Adams and Broom eld County District Attorney’s o ce. It

Some 72% of retirees say one of their biggest fears is becoming a burden on their families, according to a 2021 survey by Age Wave and Edward Jones. What steps can you take to avoid burdening your loved ones in the future?

Here are a few suggestions:

First, do whatever you can to create your financial independence. Take advantage of your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. You may also want to contribute to an IRA.

Next, make sure you have adequate health insurance to supplement Medicare during retirement. And look for ways to protect yourself from the potentially huge costs of long-term care.

Also, work with your legal professional to create powers of attorney for health care and finances. These documents will enable someone to make decisions for you if you become incapacitated.

provide

Get up-to-date

on how not to

to crimes that could cause you to lose thousands

“investments” in crypto-currency

nancial

that may include

phishing or

. 1:00 p.m.

Fall Prevention

Free

Nov 4

Join Justin Rice, Clinic Director at CACC Physical erapy as he discusses contributing factors to falls and unsteadiness and gives preventative tips for maintaining balance and independence. 1:00 p.m. Wed. Nov 9 Free Deadline: Mon. Nov 7

To Schedule a Virtual Tour or for more info call Nellie at:

303-659-4148

Finally, when you’re retired, evaluate your living situation. By downsizing, you could spare your adult children the responsibilities involved in clearing out and selling your home should you become unable to do so yourself.

By taking these measures, you can help put yourself in a place where you won’t burden your grown children. And that’s a good place to be.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Our mission

techniques,

latest

We will provide the

DRESS CODE

inches of midriff.

The board granted these changes to the high school only and decided to permit two inches of midriff instead of the three the students asked for.

in a 4-3 vote, with board members Matthew Adame, Michelle Bettger, Cristian González and Jaime Sierra in favor of the dress code changes.

in the meeting, Fort Lupton High School Principal Doug Gordon spoke about why his administration team supported the dress code adjustments for his students.

this request will have an exponential positive impact on our students, validating that they are heard, that (we) are responsive to their needs and we are invested in making their learning environment the best it can be for them,” he said.

Gordon said the midriff rule, something he called a “mild modification,” would not objectify the young women at FLHS, but instead would empower them to be leaders and use their voices.

Gordon’s support of the changes was the main reason Bettger voted in favor.

And we don’t know those kids. And we don’t know how our decisions affect their everyday school life.”

Before the group voted, Bettger suggested that the board adjust the district policy even more to allow school administrators to change dress code rules wherever they see fit for their buildings.

LeBlanc said he was in favor of Bettger’s idea even though he did not support the specific modifications the students proposed. He said he did not want “school-specific” changes to be made for the whole district, but he liked the idea of giving principals more leeway to adjust dress codes as needed for their students.

“I think that the building principals know best how to manage their students and push for the best learning environments,” he said.

Bovee expressed concern about making the policy more subjective.

“We’re already having kids dresscoded based on very clear rules.

If we don’t have very clear bullet points… are we going to have more kids being dress coded?” he asked.

“Are they going to push the boundaries more?”

He also said he didn’t want to vote on a new policy unless it was specific.

professional sta will assure a

professionalism that cannot be matched in our industry.

and

guarantee

“If we don’t approve it, then we’re saying we know more and we know better than Doug, who is in the building every day,” she said. “We sit behind this table and we make decisions all the time that affect those buildings that we’re not in every day.

“If we’re gonna vote on a new policy, it needs to be a total redlined something-we-can-read-and-voteon-100% — not an idea,” he said.

After approving the changes for the high school, the board agreed to discuss possible further restructuring of the dress code policy at the next workshop on Nov. 10.

FASTER Colorado

Colorado law allows school districts and charter schools to designate a policy of armed school staff.

Although the state does not specify training requirements for staff members who will carry a firearm, school district insurance providers such as the Colorado School Districts Self Insurance Pool, which covers Weld RE-8, often have requirements for training.

Laura Carno is the executive director of FASTER Colorado, a provider of armed staff training for schools. She presented her program to the Weld RE-8 Board of Education at a Sept. 8 work session.

FASTER Colorado is a project of the Independence Institute, a Denver-based think tank that has received funding from the National Rifle Association, as reported by the Denver Post.

In the program’s three-day level one course, class members learn tactical emergency casualty care, participate in scenario-based training and simulations, learn advanced handgun basics, spend time on the range to work on marksmanship and tactical skills and complete the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training qualification in handgun proficiency test, according to the website.

School staff in a district where it is authorized would choose to

be armed on a volunteer basis, Carno said. School boards have the power to determine specific vetting processes to decide which staff members can participate in the program, she added.

Carno said having an armed response to mass shootings would lead to lower death counts and would discourage school shooters in the long run.

“Once it’s known in society that you can’t go… unchecked – you can’t try and kill children on a campus where they’re innocent and they’re there to learn – when that stops happening because they’re stopped in their tracks, the killers will stop going to schools,” Carno said.

“You can’t take a bullet back”

But not everyone agrees. During a Weld RE-8 work session on Oct. 12, district instructional coach and former Fort Lupton High School teacher Judy Callaway expressed concern about arming teachers in the district.

“I think it puts kids at greater risk,” she said.

Callaway, who grew up in a family that hunted, emphasized the seriousness of firearms.

“Growing up, if you messed around with the guns, you didn’t get dinner,” she said. “You gotta be really confident if you’re gonna handle a firearm, I feel. Really confident. You can’t take a bullet back, so you gotta make sure it’s going where you want it to go.”

Fort Lupton Police Chief John Fryar also commented on the weight of responsibility that arm-

ing teachers would place on them.

“I look at what training our officers go through to prepare them, and there’s a fair amount,” he said. “Then they have to be able to justify exactly what they did, why they did it, and then the outcome. And you know, that’s part of our job every day. But it’s not part of a teacher’s job.”

Carno said the FASTER program recognizes that there are risks involved in arming staff and it trains people to be as prepared as possible to mitigate those risks. This includes teaching staff proper weapon retention techniques and safety protocols for keeping their concealed weapon on their body.

But at the end of the day, she said the biggest risk is that of an unopposed school shooter.

“I know that (people who oppose armed teachers) are hoping fewer guns means less death,” she said. “But if the only gun on that campus is the killer, having no response to that is not okay. It’s a unilateral gunfight.”

Emergency response concerns

According to Carno, arming school staff would give them the opportunity to act while they are waiting for law enforcement officers to arrive on the scene, just like someone would react during a fire.

“If there’s a kitchen fire, I dial 911 because I want… the experts to get here,” she said. “But I also have a fire extinguisher and I’m not going to stand around while things could get worse. I’m going to stop

the fire.”

According to Fryar, the Fort Lupton Police Department’s average response time for critical emergencies is three minutes and 38 seconds. Although several RE-8 schools are just down the block from the station, he said his officers could be anywhere in the city during a potential active shooter situation.

Reams, whose department would be part of the response chain for an active shooter situation in Fort Lupton, said his team’s average response time for high-priority emergencies is seven minutes or less because they respond to calls across the entire county.

Fryar said he sees both pros and cons to arming teachers. For him, the primary benefit would be the ability to divert a shooter more immediately.

“The sooner a shooter is confronted, the more likely that shooter is to stop,” he said. “A teacher or administrator being able to do that before we get there may improve the odds of the situation turning out better.”

Friendly fire

When officers arrive to the scene, however, some people worry that a dangerous situation could occur. In the study session, Superintendent Alan Kaylor said he had heard the concern that a “good guy” intending to help could be shot by a police officer.

“The most dangerous part of this whole thing aside from

Adams

confronting an active killer is that link-up with law enforcement,” Carno acknowledged.

She said in addition to training for the transition, a technology called LifeSpot can help address the risk of accidentally shooting an armed staff member. The application displays a live virtual map of where authorized armed individuals are in the building so officers can identify who the threat is.

Fryar said the risk of confusion is still a concern for him,

even with the availability of risk-reducing tools.

“You get that call and your set of priorities start running in one direction. Where’s the shooter? Where do I go?” he said. “Your mind really isn’t going to say, ‘I need to look at that database and see where the guns are.’ It sounds like a great idea, but when the stress is on, I’m concerned about the ability to manage that successfully.”

For Reams, confusion about which armed person is the threat would still be better than the alternative.

“As a law enforcement officer, I would much rather be faced with (that scenario) than show-

ing up to a school where everyone is just set to be a victim,” he said.

“Those that it immediately affects”

As the conversation about armed staff begins in Weld RE-8, the board of education members have repeatedly emphasized the importance of including the community in the conversation.

“We can go very far with school safety,” board member Matthew Bovee said. “We have to find out where that line is and what’s right for Weld 8. And in order to do that we need to get feedback from staff and we need to get feedback from the community. I’m in favor of what the

community and staff would like to see.”

Fryar also said the community’s perspectives are important in making this decision.

“There’s good parts to it, and there’s bad parts to it,” he said. “And I think the weighing those out needs to be done by those that it immediately affects.”

The school board members will speak to the principals at their respective schools in the coming weeks to gauge interest in the program and gather opinions. At the RE-8 study session on Nov. 10, the board will discuss the next steps for how to involve the community in the conversation.

November 14th at 10:00

Drew Mellick will share information on planning for the future and answer any questions afterward. Free event for the public. Light refreshments. RSVP by Friday November 11th by 4:00PM by calling Nellie at 303-659-4148 This will be at Inglenook at Brighton 2195 E. Egbert St. Brighton CO 80601

A high school haunting in Fort Lupton

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Kids in costumes lined up outside Fort Lupton High School for Trickor-Treat Street on Oct. 26. They turned the halls into haunted house. Teachers joined students dressed in costumes, handing out candy to kids.

Our Family Helping Your Family 24-Hour Phone Lines 303-654-0112 • 303-857-2290 Brighton: 75 S. 13th Avenue Obituaries, Arrangements and Resources Online at taborfuneralhome.com

Art was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on December 10, 1937, to Harvey and Nelda Samson. He graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1955, and shortly after joined the United States Air Force. During his tour of duty with the Air Force he married his wife of 61 years, Rosemary. Soon after his marriage came his two children, Joseph in 1962, and Jeanne in1963 both born in Wiesbaden, Germany. During his time in the Air Force, Art proudly served a tour in Vietnam. After 20 years of service in the Air Force and retiring with the distinguished rank of Chief Master Sergeant, he rejoined the Department of Defense in the Civil Service capacity. is was a roll he cherished for an additional 20 years. During that time, he decided to move to Brighton, Colorado his permanent home. With a challenging personal schedule, he obtained his bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University and then his master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

Early on in his role in the civil service, Art and a small team of risk-takers became the group who created “Direct Deposit”. Today everyone who receives their paycheck electronically can thank Art for being one of four people who took the chance and created this process.

Art and Rosemary loved world travel, spanning the globe from East to West and North to South. Just a few months ago, Art took a long-awaited cruise to Alaska and Canada. Art visited over 150 countries in the world, sometimes taking a small risk and adventuring into some interesting places.

One of the passions in his life included being part of the Knights of Columbus. He held many titles and positions and received numerous awards for his dedication to the

Knights of Columbus. One of the roles he had was new council startup for the Knights. Just a few years ago, he shared that he had visited every Catholic Church in Colorado. He enjoyed doing many things with the Knights, from Pennies for Heaven to Tootsie Roll drives. He never thought of it as a chore and loved gathering food every anksgiving and Christmas for turkey baskets to give to families who were having challenging times. Just last week he was so focused on helping others, he was check-listing the things that needed to be done. His last e ort was raising money for St. Williams Catholic Church for new stainedglass windows. He never once said “me or I”, he said the Knights of Columbus. He always thought the fraternity of men of the Knights as his family. Every award was the Knights of Columbus award. He loved the Knights.

He was an avid Colorado Avalanche fan. At one time he had attended every single Avalanche game for 10 straight years. When the streak ended, it was because he was attending the State Convention for the Knights of Columbus. He was in attendance for the 2001 Stanley Cup game winner.

Art is survived by his wife, Rosemary; son, Joseph (wife Teresa); daughter, Jeanne; two grandsons, Tyler and Michael; and great grandchildren, Joshua and Abbi. He is preceded in death by both parents, and two brothers, Robert and his twin brother, Donald.

Art will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

Contributions to Honor the Life Art Samson can be made to the Stained Glass Fund for St. Williams Catholic Church 1025 Fulton Ave. Fort Lupton, CO. 80621

allieventcenter.com

Crime scene investigation of what happened to Tanyra Lira in the school hall.

PHOTOS BY BELEN WARDFarm-inspired mini moo Aliza Aragon.

Fort Lupton PD, here is your new recruit Max Turek and he’s ready to serve.

Raven Maggart dressed as a Disney princess enchanting the world.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

SAMSON Arthur “Art” Samson December 10, 1937 - October 23, 2022

Voting experts note state’s ‘Gold Standard’

BY VIGNESH RAMACHANDRAN COLORADO NEWS COLLABORATIVE

For 102 years, the League Of Women Voters has helped Americans under stand how they can cast their vote in elections.

The nonpartisan organization has never endorsed a political party or can didate, providing a valuable resource for voters of all political persuasions.

The Colorado News Collaborative is speaking with nonpartisan experts to help voters understand more about the integrity of the vote as unfounded claims of voter fraud continue to run rampant ahead of November’s mid term election.

Beth Hendrix is executive director of the League of Women Voters of Colorado, which educates voters about the security and efficacy of Colorado’s election system. The group recently published a whitepaper breaking down the components of the state’s voting system to explain why it often is regarded as leading the nation. It also produced a nonpartisan guide to the 11 state issues on Colorado’s ballot this year in English and Spanish.

This Q&A has been edited for clarity and length.

Some have said Colorado’s election system is better than those in all other states. Is that true?

Absolutely. We say [it’s the] gold stan dard. There are a few states that are close behind — Washington, Oregon. It’s always the Western states.

Why? Aren’t there aspects to Colorado’s election system that need improvements?

Here in Colorado, we’re doing pretty well. That said, we have people in our legislature that want to get rid of mailin ballots and want to go back to voting only on Election Day because they feel that’s the only way it can be secure. I disagree. The League disagrees.

Other states are purging voter rolls, making it more difficult to vote, and that’s not happening in Colorado, yet. We’re going to do everything we can to not allow it to happen.

We’re not resting on our laurels [in Colorado], but we’re good. We have a safe and secure and innovative system that’s ahead of any place else in the nation.

How hard would it be to defraud the vote in Colorado?

I think it would be pretty darn hard [to defraud the vote in Colorado].

I suppose that someone could take their spouse’s ballot and forge a signa ture, and then hope their spouse didn’t complain. But I don’t think it happens.

How can we trust that every vote gets counted in Colorado?

Counties have a small bit of varia tion, autonomy in how they do it. But generally speaking, a ballot is never alone with only one person. There are always at least two and usually a group of bipartisan people. The number of safeguards is pretty extraordinary.

The complaint I hear most is that voter registration rolls aren’t up to date and that dead people still get bal

lots and things like that. I’m sure that does happen. But overall, Colorado keeps its voter registration rolls pretty well up-to-date — partnering with the Postal Service for change of ad dress, social security death index, the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) to make sure people aren’t voting in other states.

Then there’s the ballot tracing. You can sign up very easily for ballot tracing. And you get a text when your ballot is opened, when it’s counted. So the process is very transparent, while maintaining security.

What are common misconceptions about Colorado’s election security?

The process is sometimes seen as more partisan than it is — that politi cal parties have a say in the counting. And while the political parties have election judges there, it is bi-, tri- multipartisan.

People [also] think that the process of counting ballots is up to just a small handful of people, it’s very secretive and nobody knows what’s going on. It’s just not true.

People don’t understand how easy it is to get involved in poll watching, if they so choose. A lot of people think that it’s a secretive, closed, non-trans parent process, and that is not the case.

So, in addition to poll-watching, how can someone who is skeptical of the process better understand it?

Call your county clerk and ask for a tour, but it’s kind of a bad time of year to make that request.

They’re getting threatened and harassed like never before. We just had to pass a law to protect elec tion workers.

Are there other concerns you have about our democracy in Colorado?

People not being able to recog nize opinion versus fact — looking at Tucker Carlson and Rachel Mad dow as newscasters as opposed to opinion-casters. We’ve been trying to also put out information about news literacy.

The League has used our volun teers as government watchdogs and observers since our founding 102 years ago. We’re now expand ing that to allow those trained observers to bolster local news, where there are news deserts. If there’s just one little newspaper with one reporter down in Cor tez, and they can’t get to the city council meetings and the county commission meetings and the meeting of the water board … our observers are going to do that and report out about what happened at that meeting, if sunshine laws are being followed, if behavioral norms are being followed, things like that.

This story is brought to you by COLab, the Colorado News Col laborative, a nonprofit coalition of more than 170 newsrooms across Colorado working together to bet ter serve the public. Learn more at https://colabnews.co

Together you fought. Together we honor.

Worried about rising energy costs?

Energy Outreach Colorado due energy bills and lower your yearly energy costs. Visit energyoutreach.org/programs or call 1-866-432-8435 to get help today.

At Bank of Colorado, we honor those who came before us, those who touched our lives, those who made a difference. Thank you for your bravery, your dedication and the sacrifices you have made to keep America free.

Arts commission seeks nominations for arts awards

The Brighton Cultural Arts Commission is seeking nominations for its 2022 Excellence in Arts Awards presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at Eagle View Adult Center, 1150 Prairie Center Parkway.

The commission asks for nominations for masters in the visual arts, performing arts, literary arts and cultural arts in education. The group is also taking nominations for visionaries for leaders in the Brighton cultural arts scene and for outstanding arts volunteers. There is a Beyond Brighton category for individuals, groups or businesses from outside Brighton who have strengthened our community’s cultural arts.

Reception for new Eye for Art exhibit

Brighton City Hall, 500 S. Fourth Ave., will be the scene for an opening reception for the newest Eye for Art exhibit. It runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4.

More than 30 artists and 100 pieces of art will be featured in the new exhibit, with artwork ranging in medium from oil, acrylic, watercolor and computer paintings to graphite drawings, photography, fused glass, pottery, mixed media, jewelry and various sculptures. Refreshments will be provided. Reservations are not required.

The exhibit will be open to the public through Feb. 4 throughout the floors of City Hall. Artwork is available for purchase (excluding art labeled NFS).

Contact David Gallegos, arts and

culture coordinator, at dgallegos@ brightonco.gov or 303-655-2176.

Eagle View craft fair

Eagle View Adult Center’s annual craft fair runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at 1150 Prairie Center Parkway.

Almost 50 vendors will be on hand to sell homemade crafts. Bake sale goods, breakfast burritos and lunch items will be available. United power donated $1,000 to help with event expenses. Proceeds go toward the center’s operating costs.

Call 303-655-2075.

Dia de los Muertos art sought for The Armory

The Art at The Armory annual Dia de los Muertos exhibit seeks local artists to join a show that runs through Nov. 16 at The Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong St.

This exhibit is a collaboration with the Chicano Humanities & Arts Council with support from the Brighton Cultural Arts Commission. The Armory will host a reception Friday, Oct. 28, featuring entertainment and refreshments. If you have questions, contact Armory House Coordinator Marcus Garcia at 303-655-2140.

Get inspired at Eagle View’s Annual Craft Fair

See the work of dozens of local artisans at Eagle View Adult Center’s Annual Craft Fair Saturday, Nov.5, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1150 Prairie Center Parkway.

Forty-nine vendors will be present to sell homemade crafts to event attendees. The annual craft fair has been a favorite community event,

featuring local artisans and bringing Brighton citizens together to appreciate the creative talent and get an early start on holiday shopping. Bake sale goods, breakfast burritos and lunch items will be available for purchase.

For the fourth year, Brighton-based United Power donated $1,000 to help with event expenses. All proceeds will go toward Eagle View Adult Center’s operating costs.For more information, contact the Eagle View at 303-655-2075.

Armory Performing Arts concerts

Brighton’s lineup for concerts at the Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong St. continues through November.

Nov. 18: The Long Run, performs its “Alter Eagles” set at 8 p.m.

Nov. 19: The Long Run, Colorado’s tribute to the Eagles, at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available at brightonarmory.org. Contact Gary Montoya, events and downtown initiative manager, at gmontoya@brightonco.gov.

Snowplow naming contest

The city of Brighton announced its second annual Name that Snowplow contest. Elementary school students in Brighton can submit their best and most creative name ideas for the city’s nine snowplows for the 20222023 snow season.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade can submit nominations through Friday, Nov. 11, at brightonco.gov/snowplowcontest. Winners will have an opportunity to take a photo with the snowplow they named

and be recognized at a city council meeting.

Additionally, the contest winners will have an opportunity to ride alongside the snowplow they named during the city’s annual Festival of Lights parade Saturday, Dec. 10, weather permitting.

Winners will be notified by Nov. 22. To read the rules of the contest and submit a name, visit brightonco.gov/ snowplowcontest.

Turkey Trot

Brighton’s 38th annual Turkey Trot takes off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the pavilions outside the Brighton Recreation Center, 555 N. 11th Ave. The 5k run/walk is a Bolder Boulder qulaifier. First-, second- and third-place winners in each age division will receive prizes.

Early bird entry fees are $30 for adults and $20 for youth and seniors. Race day entry fees are $35 for adults and $25 for youth and seniors. Entry fees will include a T-shirt, breakfast, awards, prizes and drawings. .

Packet and bib pick-up will be Nov. 16 and 17 at the recreation center. Those who have not registered by Nov. 14 will have to wait and pick up their bib on the day of the race.

To register, call 303-655-2200 or visit brightonco.gov/turkeytrot

Winter market needs artists, crafters

The city of Brighton is seeking unique artists, crafters, and artisan food vendors to participate in a winter market during the city’s annual

tree lighting ceremony.

The arts and crafts “Winter Market” will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, on South Main Street near the city’s Founders Plaza.

No resale, wholesale or direct sales are allowed. Seasonal arts and crafts are preferred. Vendor applications will be accepted until Nov. 25. The fee for a vendor space is $25. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis as space is limited. Vendors must pro

vide their own tent as well as tables and chairs if needed.

To learn more and to apply, visit www.brightonco.gov/459/ Tree-Lighting-Winter-Market. For more information, contact Susie O’Connor at soconnor@brightonco. gov.

DA Academy

The 17th Juidicial District Attorney’s Office is offering a free, eight-week program to explain the workings of the office and the criminal justice system.

It starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the DA’s office, 1000 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton. The registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 1.

Info? Email chopper@da17.state. co.us.

ONGOING

Brighton adds new ChargePoint stations

The city of Brighton announced it was opening three new charging stations for electric vehicles.

The stations are at the Brighton Recreation Center at 555 N. 11th Ave. Eagle View Adult Center at 1150 Prairie Center Parkway. and Platte Valley Medical Center at 1610 Prairie Center Parkway.

The first hour of charging is free at each location. The locations have two stalls and two charging sta-

tions each that operate much like a parking meter, with a $2-per-hour charging rate after the first hour.

For other ChargePoint station locations, visit https:// uk.chargepoint.com/charge_point. For more information, please contact Assistant Director of Public Works Chris Montoya at cmontoya@brightonco.gov.

Museum volunteers

The Brighton City Museum needs volunteers to help with visitors, research and collection project-based duties.

Call Bill Armstrong, museum specialist, at 303-655-2288.

1.

TRIVIA

10. U.S. STATES: Which state

2.

Where is the Dunder Mifflin

in “The

3. LITERATURE: Which

the

Before his

What

Which

Saltwater crocodile.

Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Direction.

Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author`s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

Put on your TV Ears & hear TV w/ unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original - originally $129.95 - now w/this special offer only $59.95 w/code MCB59! 1-888-805-0840

DISH TV $64.99 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR included, Free Voice remote. Some Restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866-479-1516.

Paying top cash for men’s sportwatches! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 833-603-3236

MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888489-3936

Miscellaneous

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855-948-6176

HughesNet– Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

Switch and save up to $250/yr on talk, text & data. No contract or hidden fees. Unlimited talk & text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time get $50 off any new account. Use code GIFT50. 1-855-903-3048

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-6101936

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Discount air

We

in innovation and people, developing new businesses

that produce

believe that a creative, learning environment

people who want to grow and utilize the newest

result in a dynamic and successful culture that has a

impact on our clients business and our community.

Join our team, working from our Englewood offices and remote. If you’re

passionate as we are about our mission to grow and engage our

please apply. This position offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life,

paid holiday, vacation, sick and personal time. As an added bonus,

minutes from the best Colorado has to offer in