OBITUARIES

by nearly the opposite, with 55% voting in favor.

The measure statewide finished ahead by more than 28,000 votes, far outside the margin at which a recount would be triggered. The split was 50.6% in favor, 49.4% against out of 2.43 million votes.

Jack Llewellyn, CEO of the Durango Chamber of Commerce, urged members to consider Proposition 125 in terms of the local impact on local liquor stores. Employees and owners are often the experts who can suggest the perfect wine for every occasion. He fears many local stores will go out of business.

“In metropolitan areas, you have so many options and choices. The convenience becomes the most important thing and not thinking about a small business owner,” Llewellyn said. “Things that are decided for our state are decided because the population is in Denver.”

Proposition 125 opposition felt there was still hope that it could turn around with thousands of votes remaining last week, even if not all were in metropolitan areas, said Chris Fine, executive director of the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association, which represents small liquor retailers and opposed all three alcohol measures.

“We know it hasn’t been trending in our direction and obviously that’s due to metro Denver, Arapahoe and El Paso and the big counties that have been on the other side of us,” Fine said.

With Proposition 125, there will still be rules for alcohol sales. Grocery stores can sell wine, but not through self-checkout. The measure also doesn’t change any other existing rules, such as the prohibition of sales between midnight and 8 a.m., and no alcohol sales to anyone under 21.

Two other alcohol-related measures failed this election. Proposition 124, which failed in all 64 counties, would have let a liquor retailer operate eight locations, up from the current three, and then allow companies to have an unlimited number operating by 2037. Colorado’s existing law still allows expansion, but much more slowly. Liquor stores can add up to four locations starting in 2027.

And the defeat of Proposition 126, which lost 48.9% to 51.1%, ended plans for alcohol delivery by third parties like DoorDash and Instacart. While advocates had hoped third parties would help small liquor stores expand into delivery if they hadn’t yet because they couldn’t spare employees, liquor stores can currently deliver alcohol under existing state statute. They just have to use their own staff and own or lease their own vehicles. The campaign to approve the measure was largely funded by DoorDash and Instacart.

“At the same time, we are disappointed that thousands of Colorado small businesses will miss out on vital economic opportunities that third-party alcohol delivery would have provided,” said Reiter, who represented the Yes on 125 and 126 campaigns.

The loss of Proposition 126 also dashed the hope of anyone hoping to keep to-go cocktails flowing. The menu item was an allowance made in the pandemic to help restaurants recover revenues. It ends in July 2025.

“It’s widely known that restaurants have been one of the most devastated industries over the past two years and it’s disheartening to see that voters are not willing to support these businesses in serving their guests in a responsible way,” Colorado Restaurant Association President and CEO Sonia Riggs said in a statement. “Without Proposition 126, alcohol to go is set to expire in summer 2025, and that crucial revenue lifeline will be stripped from restaurants when they need it most. It will impact customer service, revenue, and the convenience that consumers have come to expect.”

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

BEST

Other co-ops may leave altogether. United Power, which serves outlying areas north of Denver, represents more than 20% of Tri-State’s total demand. The co-op insists it will be gone from Tri-State by May 2024 once officials at a federal agency rule on how much it must pay Tri-State to leave the remaining members whole.

Tri-State has enormous value in its transmission lines. Its coal plants, though, appear to represent a liability. It has about $3.26 billion in short- and long-term debt.

Will Tri-State by 2030 look somewhat the same, only sleeker and even more agile? Or will it have a new business model altogether?

Allen Best publishes Big Pivots, an e-journal, which is focused on the energy and water transitions in Colorado and beyond. See more at bigpivots.com.

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LUCERO

James “Jim” Lucero

May 25, 1952 - November 17, 2022 James (Jim) Lucero was born on May 25, 1952 in Brighton, Colorado and passed suddenly on November 17, 2022 in ornton, Colorado. He was predeceased by his parents, Rafael and Tomasita Lucero of Brighton and brothers, David Lucero, Guadalupe (Lupe) Lucero, Billy Lucero and sisters, Mary Montoya, Irene Torres and Sally Garrett. He is survived by siblings, Henry Lucero, Ralph Lucero, Manuel Lucero and Senida Sena. He is also survived by a daughter, Shauna Bokn, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jim grew up in Brighton and attended Brighton schools. He was well known in Brighton and the surrounding area. He played guitar and loved music. Jim loved to watch his Pittsburgh Steeleers and NASCAR. He is loved by his extended family and his friends. He will be missed by all. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Brighton Knights of Columbus Hall on December 7, 2022 at 2:00 PM

KNODEL Geraldine Marie “Gerry” (Kreitzer) Knodel

August 14, 1939 - November 12, 2022 Geraldine Marie Knodel, 83, of Brighton, CO passed away on November 12, 2022. She was born in Brighton to John and Clara Kreitzer, the youngest of 4 children. She attended schools in Brighton, and after graduating from Brighton High School in 1957 took a job as an administrative assistant in Denver, CO. She married Larry Knodel in 1960. e couple had 3 children, Nadine, Kenneth and Timothy. Geraldine was a stay at home Mom for several years. Eventually the couple divorced. She worked as a cook with her cousin eresa at a local restaurant. After the restaurant closed, she worked at a nursing facility. en she worked at an egg plant in Brighton. Lastly, she worked at Samsonite Luggage Corporation in Denver, CO where she retired after 22 years of service. She was a lifelong member of St Augustine Catholic Church. She loved her family, Christmas, polka dancing, reading, ower gardening, crossword puzzles, watching movies, cooking wonderful recipes handed down from her Mother, animals, shopping for clothes, going to mass on Sunday’s, then out to breakfast, and going for long daily walks with her constant canine companion, beloved Schnauzer, “Hannah”. Geraldine was quite ornery, yet she truly had a heart of gold. She will be sorely missed. Survivors include her children, sister Marie Scepurek, aunt Peggy Dinkel and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceding her in death are her parents, (infant) sister Vonita Mae Kreitzer, and brother Joseph John Kreitzer. A Celebration of Life service was held on November 29, 2022 at St Augustine Catholic Church. Interment was at Elmwood Cemetery. Tabor-Rice Funeral Home, Inc took care of the arrangements. DEVER Nadine Marie (Brown) Dever

August 18, 1935 - November 25, 2022 Nadine Marie Dever (Brown), 87, of Platteville passed away on November 25, 2022, at Avamere Nursing Home in Brighton, CO, while surrounded by family. She was born August 18, 1935, in Rural Weld County, Ft Lupton CO., to Clinton and Marie (King) Brown. She graduated from Ft. Lupton High School. Nadine married Delmer Dever in Greeley on February 19, 1954. She and Delmer lived in Platteville since 1954. Nadine was a homemaker, worked as a bookkeeper for her husband’s hay stacking business for over 30 years. She also worked at the Ft. Lupton Canning Company and as a crew leader at Kitayama Greenhouse in Brighton, CO. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the UMW. Nadine liked to crochet afghans and doilies. She enjoyed a HOT cup of co ee, HOT hashbrowns from McDonalds and Butter nger Blizzards from Dairy Queen. She would help Delmer stack hay in the summer, go camping and to farm sales. Nadine enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, the holidays, and annual Dever family reunions where family could reconnect. She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Delmer of 66 years, two brothers Bill and Steve Brown and one sister Helen Nelson. ankful to have shared her life are her children: Darrel and Jill Dever of Fort Lupton, Ron and Merlynn Dever of Greeley. Five grandchildren: Darren and Lauren Dever of Keenesburg, Benjamin and Melissa Dever of Sterling, Ryan and Lori Dever of Wellington, Jennifer and John Jones of Greeley, Elizabeth and Shay Holmes of Windsor. Ten great grandchildren: Dawson, Olivia, Linley; Otis, Zoey; Ashlyn, AJ; Jordyn, Jazmyn; Zeke. Visitation will be 2:00pm – 4:00pm Monday December 5, 2022 at Adamson Life Celebration Home. Life Celebration will be 11:00 am Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at First United Methodist Church, 316 Elizabeth Ave., Platteville. Interment to follow at Mizpah Cemetery, Platteville, with a reception to follow at the Platteville Community Center, 508 Reynolds Ave. In lieu of owers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or your favorite charity in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 47 Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.