Brighton Standard Blade 122922

HONORS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Group A strep causing concerns in Denver metro area Complicates trifecta of viruses

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With a trifecta of illnesses already hitting the Front Range hard with spikes in COVID, RSV and the u, state health o cials are now concerned with the increasing number of group A strep cases in children.

Brian Spencer, with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, said the state health department is closely monitoring the increase in pediatric hospitalizations caused by group A strep.

Group A strep is a bacteria that can cause many di erent infections. Group A strep infections most commonly cause sore throat, a mild and common condition that doctors say can be easily treated. While rare, group A strep infections may be severe and cause diseases like pneumonia, sepsis, toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis.

“We are working with hospital partners in a coordinating role to ensure resources are available for those who need them,” Spencer said in the Dec. 15 news release.

Small drop unlikely to reverse skyrocketing home prices

Sellers, buyers play waiting game

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Danielle and Stephan Storinsky “saw the writing on the wall.” It foretold how the housing market might change. So, earlier this year, the married couple sold their Arvada townhome.

ey timed it just right. ey capitalized before concerns about in ation took center stage. ey sold their home when the metro

area was gripped by historically high housing prices.

ey bought their townhome about ve years ago for $285,000. ey sold for $521,000.

“ at part’s pretty nice because now we have a decent amount of money to put down on something,” Stephan Storinsky said.

But now, on the other side of cashing in, they nd themselves playing a waiting game. Even with the tidy pro t they hauled in, they are struggling to nd a home at a good value.

Houses on the market today “are just not worth the price that people are asking,” said Stephan

Storinsky.

e couple are living with parents, constantly keeping their eyes open for a good deal. e couple isn’t alone. While the number of available metro area houses shot upward in a year, so has the number of days those homes are sitting on the market until they sell, according to the latest report by the Colorado Association of Realtors. One sign of the cooling real estate market are For Sale signs outside homes, an indication realtors are no longer overwhelmed

According to the state health department, two school-age children with group A strep died in the Denver metro since Nov. 1.

e total number of invasive group A strep cases reported in Colorado among pediatric patients since Nov. 1 is now 11. Typically, Spencer said there are one or two cases reported per month in patients under 18 years old.

Local health o cials are concerned because kids and adults can get strep along with other viral respiratory illnesses like COVID, u and RSV at the same time.

While strep is a common infection kids get each year, Dr. Sam Dominguez, an infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, said 2022 has seen a higher number of “invasive” cases of bacterial infections.

“It is common and easy to treat,” he said. “ e invasive cases are relatively rare to see.”

For health o cials at local hospitals and clinics, this is another complication to an already stressed system dealing with higher-

The City of Brighton Veterans Memorial at Elmwood cemetery decorated with wreaths for Christmas, a part of the national Wreaths Across America e ort. See more on page 3. BELEN WARD

by prospective clients.

e shift comes as mortgage rates — the amount of interest people pay on their home loans — ticked steadily upwards in recent months, making housing that’s been rising in price for the better part of a decade even costlier. e only light at the end of the tunnel lately could be a slight drop in interest rates. But a drop in home prices might not be in the cards, one metro-area realtor says.

“I think it’ll be a small increase throughout the rst half of the year and then potentially a small decrease the last half of the year,” said Andrew Abrams, a real-estate broker in Denver who has rental properties in Je erson County.

But, overall, home prices are expected to keep going up, Abrams said.

As it is, the market is stagnating. Not only are there buyers like the Storinskys playing a waiting game, but many prospective sellers don’t want to leave behind the cheaper mortgage payments they clinched before, likely on mortgage loans with lower interest rates.

“Sellers are hesitant to sell at a lower price than their neighbors from last spring and leave their low interest rate behind, and buyers are afraid what the future will bring in terms of interest rates and home prices,” opined Kelly Moye, a Realtor in the Boulder and Broom eld area, in a statement.

A short break in price hikes

A deeper dive into the data shows that the median, or typical, price of a Denver area single-family home has seen a seven-month decline.

e price sat at $587,500 in November — still eye-catchingly high, but just a 1.3% increase from a year earlier, according to the Realtor association’s December report.

By contrast, in December 2021, the change in median home price was up a whopping 18.3% from a year earlier.

Something to keep in mind is that fall months typically see a slowdown in price growth and home sales each year. But the degree of the slowdown since March “has been more dramatic than normal seasonality, and I think that is dictated by interest rates,” Abrams said.

It’s a calculation that means big changes for families looking to buy homes. Take, for example, a $600,000 home with a 20% down payment.

If the mortgage interest rate sits at 6.5%, the family’s monthly mortgage payment would be about $3,700, Abrams said. On the other hand, at the 3.5% rate locked in by buyers in years past, the mortgage monthly payment would be $2,800.

Feeling priced out

And so the Storinskys’ strategy to cash out while the market was at a high has come with a down side. ey were “originally looking at around $650,000, but interest rates the way they are, we’re probably down into the max $600,000. But probably, more realistically, $550,000 to $575,000 is where we’ll end up,” Stephan Storinsky said.

e Storinskys are scouring the north and west metro area for a home – Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge and part of Westminster.

Danielle Storinsky, 31, a legal assistant, and Stephan Storinsky, 35, a utilities technician, said they’ve been more fortunate than many people in the market.

But the homes he and his wife have seen don’t seem worth it. e listed pictures of a place may “look great,” but in person leave something to be desired, he said.

“I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve seen what houses have sold for,” Stephan Storinsky said. “So for me, it’s just not worth it.”

“It’s hard to compete with people from out of state who come from California” and bring large sums of cash, he added. “Seems like you’re pricing the locals out of market.”

e Colorado Association of Realtors de nes the seven-county Denver metro area as Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broom eld, Denver, Douglas and Je erson counties. e

association’s latest report is based on November data.

Long-term price drop unlikely, Realtor says

Abrams takes issue with predictions that raise the specter of a housing market crash.

“I disagree pretty strongly, and I think the practices that were done before the Great Recession are dramatically di erent than the market today,” Abrams said, adding that “the lending practices back then were just not nearly as strong.”

Before the Great Recession, banks

were giving loans to people they knew couldn’t keep up with them, Abrams said.

Another di erence: Fewer houses are on the market today, Abrams said.

In metro Denver, there were about 7,300 homes on the market as of Nov. 1, but in 2006, there were about 3 1/2 times more homes available, Abrams said.

ough it’s tough to predict the market amid concerns over in ation and interest rates, the metro Denver housing market could behave in a more stabilized way in 2023.

Dec. 5 in southeast Denver. PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

PHOTO FROM ELBERT COUNTY WEBSITE

Wreaths across the nation honor fallen veterans

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Brighton volunteers joined with a national effort Dec. 17 to mark every grave of every veteran in the city with a holiday wreath. Wreaths are placed annually every December in every cem-

Community feedback prompts 27J to prioritize increasing sta pay

STAFF REPORT

Teachers and support staff will get salary increases, thanks to November’s mill rate increase.

27J Schools Superintendent Chris Fiedler said in written statement

etery across our nation to honor fallen military members. The City of Brighton, Elmwood, and Fairview cemeteries join the Wreath Across America, placing wreaths on veterans’ graves at their cemeteries.

This year, the effort started on Dec. 17 and continues through

Jan. 15, 2023. Sponsorships cost $15 per wreath and are matched with Wreaths Across America for Wreaths Across Day 2023. To sponsor a wreath, visit https:// www.brightonco.gov/1066/ WREATHS-across-AMERICA. The deadline for matched sponsorship is January 15, 2023.

Teacher pay to rise in 27J

prioritized this action based on feedback from voters in a postelection survey.

“We listened to our community when it told us its first priority was to keep our talented staff and improve our ability to recruit high-quality candidates. We acted quickly because we care about our staff and we want people to know we’re doing our part to support them,” Fiedler said.

Representatives from the teachers association and the district

agreed to increase all areas of the teachers’ salary schedule by $4,900 effective July 1, 2023.

This increase now creates a new teacher salary schedule which will be used in the spring as the starting point in the traditional negotiations process which includes compensation for length of service and advanced education attainment.

All support staff will receive a pay increase of 2.6 percent which will boost all portions of the support staff salary schedule beginning

Volunteers help lay wreaths at the cemeteries on the graves. If interested in participating as a volunteer, contact the cemetery office. If you have questions, contact Rhiannon Natali at rnatali@ brightonco.gov or 303-655-2090 or Julie Meketuk at jmeketuk@ brightonco.gov.

July 1, 2023. Like the teachers, this increase will serve as the starting point for additional negotiations with support staff starting in March.

“We’re thrilled to make this long overdue announcement about salary increases for our teachers and support staff. Thanks to our voters who approved a mill levy override last month, we’re making good on our promise to our community that we improve staff compensation,” Fiedler said.

Anythink nature library plans to preview Visitors

STAFF REPORT

Residents and library users can get a glimpse of Anythink Library’s plans for a new outdoor branchand the chance to in uence those plans.

Anythink Libraries and the City of ornton have entered an agreement to build a nature library on the current Aylor Open Lands property at 136th Avenue and Quebec Street in ornton.

Now Anythink has launched Dream & Design: Exploring Nature and Architecture, an immersive experience at Anythink Wright Farms where visitors can learn about and contribute ideas for the future Anythink Nature Library. e Wright Farms branch is located at 5877

120th Blvd. in ornton.

People of all ages are invited to create a diorama using natural materials, guided by a prompt related to one of the library’s ve focus areas: boundless, wellbeing, environmental stewardship, heritage and create beauty. Every two weeks, visitors are invited to respond to a new prompt, so the space will evolve over time.

e Anythink Nature Library architects and design team will use these ideas to inform the new library’s design.

e ornton City Council and the Anythink Board of Trustees signed an intergovernmental agreement in June 2022 that would lease 15 acres to the district, with plans to build a 35,000-square- foot nature library.

e other 140 acres of open lands will be programmed by the Anythink team, and reserved for nature learning and exploration. Construction will tentatively begin third quarter 2023, with an anticipated open date in 2025.

“ is library belongs to our

You Can Help Families Stay Warm This Winter

Energy insecurity a ects more than 1 million Coloradans.

By supporting Energy Outreach Colorado with a gift today, more of our neighbors in need will have a place to turn for help.

You can give the gift of warmth at www.energyoutreach.org/donate

community, and so we believe it’s crucial for our community to be represented in the design process,” says Anythink Nature Library manager Maria Mayo. “We look forward to seeing what members of our community dream up as they design spaces and experiences inspired by nature.”

Design phase of the library project is currently underway, with ve main areas of focus: creating a space that is boundless, where nature education is seamlessly provided within the library; wellbeing, focusing on the health and wellness of the community; environmental stewardship, expanding individual responsibility to the earth; heritage, celebrating the history and culture of the people, animals, ora and fauna of the West; and beauty, creating a space that is designed to inspire. ese areas of focus are part of the prompts that guide visitors as they create their dioramas in the immersive space.

“Dream & Design invites the

community to participate in the architectural design process in a completely di erent way,” Anythink Director of Strategic Partnerships Stacie Ledden said. “By engaging all the senses, the space inspires people to contemplate naturewhether that’s the Aylor property or a place in nature meaningful to them. Already the shelves are lled with hundreds of ideas, and we’re excited to see how those ideas grow and evolve over the coming weeks.” e Anythink Nature Library will be designed to support the wellbeing of the ornton community through spaces, experiences and collections. e library will act as a natural extension of the Aylor Open Lands and will encourage people of all ages to spend time outdoors learning about stars, water, wildlife and seasonal changes to help build a culture of environmental stewardship. is natural experience is intended to spark imagination and creativity, while providing a place to practice being human.

Flu cases, hospitalizations on the rise

O cials push for vaccinations

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Flu cases are on the rise, and according to state health officials, hospitalizations are higher this year than they have been in the past 10 years. The surge has a variety of causes, including people not getting the flu shot as consistently as in past years.

Dr. Ben Usatch, UCHealth ER director at Highlands Ranch Hospital, said COVID vaccinations brought on this onslaught of “mixed emotions” that resulted in other annual shots being affected — flu shots being one of them.

“The bottom line is flu vaccines are the best protection to get through the season,” Usatch said. “They do not hit the target right on the head, but they make a big difference.”

In reality, said Dr. Reginald Washington, HealthOne chief medical officer for Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Hospital and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, with all the flu strains, the vaccine’s effectiveness is between 50% and 70%.

But even with those odds, people fare better through the season with the shot that has nothing to do with COVID.

“Flu vaccines are not 100% effective,” Washington said, “they never have been. This year, it is 70% effective. People are just tired of being told to get a vaccine. But it does need to be updated every year.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Prevention (CDC), recent studies show that getting a flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu illness between 40% and 60% during flu season.

Even with the vaccination burnout, Colorado residents have

VIRUSES

FROM

than-usual cases of RSV in children along with u and COVID cases increasing.

In November, Children’s Hospital sounded alarms about the unseasonably high rate of RSV cases, noting that hospital beds were in short supply because of the severity of the respiratory virus.

Dr. Ben Usatch, the UCHealth ER director at the Highlands Ranch hospital, said his doctors and sta have treated more younger patients this year than they are accustomed to.

With the Children’s Hospital south campus just across the street, Usatch said as they have lled up beds, the Highlands Ranch hospital is receiving an over ow of young patients.

“We will de nitely take them, happy to do it,” he said. “With adults and kids, we are seeing the

already exceeded last year’s flushot numbers, according to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, with 1.68 million getting the flu shot. Last year at the same time, 1.66 million were vaccinated. Still hospitalizations are increasing and health officials say people are not getting the shot at rates they did before the COVID pandemic.

Brian Spencer, with the state health department, provided data showing that pre-pandemic numbers had higher rates of vaccinations in Colorado. During the 2018-19 flu season, 1.9 million got the flu shot. In 2019-20 just over 2.1 million got the annual shot.

“In some states, flu cases and hospitalizations are at their highest marks since the H1N1 flu pandemic back in 2009,” said Dr. Eric France, chief medical officer of the state health department. “Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. Flu vaccines are

the best way to prevent spreading the flu to people who are most at risk, including older adults, young children, people who are pregnant, and people with certain chronic health conditions.”

According to the state health department, it can take up to two weeks for the shot to be fully effective, which means during holiday gatherings this month, the unvaccinated can spread the flu faster.

On a national level, the CDC reported at least 13 million have had the flu already this year, with 120,000 hospitalized. There are more than 7,300 deaths reported.

According to state health data, cases in Colorado include:

• There were 306 people hospitalized with influenza during the week ending Dec. 3, for a total of 952 people hospitalized with flu since Oct. 2.

• There have been 1,700 RSVassociated hospitalizations in the five-county Denver metro area, which includes Adams, Arapahoe,

HealthOne Chief Medical O cer Reginald Washington said he has seen the e ects of the current season at both the adult and children’s level.

Washington, who serves adults at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s and children at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, said hospitals experience the trifecta of illnesses every year. is year, he said, is raising more concern as cases and hospitalizations are higher.

A strep cases along the Front Range.

big three — COVID, RSV and u cases are running rampant. With young patients, management is di erent and you have to make different decisions.”

Currently, Usatch said the hospital is lucky if they do not see more than 18 respiratory cases in the emergency department per day.

Washington said while treatable, u, COVID and RSV have similar symptoms to strep, which means kids and adults could have strep along with another virus.

With u and RSV season starting earlier than usual, local health ocials said it is important for parents to be cognizant of a child’s symptoms and if anything is suspected, get them tested.

Washington said there is a speci c test to diagnose all current viruses spreading across the Front Range. While there are not as many treatments for respiratory viruses, Wash-

Douglas, Jefferson and Douglas counties, since Oct 1.

The state health department recommends:

• Adults 65 years and older should get one of three specific flu vaccine types. If one of these three products is not available, people aged 65 years and older can get any other age-appropriate influenza vaccine. People can talk to their doctors about which vaccine is best for them.

• Children younger than 9 years old who are either getting the flu vaccine for the first time or have only previously received one dose of the vaccine should get two doses of the vaccine. The second dose should be given at least 28 days after the first dose.

• Pregnant women have more serious complications if they get the flu. The flu vaccine can be given in any trimester of pregnancy.

Medicare, Medicaid, CHP+, and most private health insurers cover the full cost of the flu vaccine. Coloradans without health insurance can still get the flu vaccine for free at certain health care providers. Call ahead or schedule online with your local pharmacy or health care clinic to make an appointment for the flu vaccine.

With the trifecta of COVID, RSV and flu cases increasing, Dr. Sam Dominguez, the infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, said children should not only get updated flu vaccinations but should also have the COVID and chickenpox vaccinations.

With RSV and group A strep cases increasing, Dominguez advised parents that being fully vaccinated and keeping kids home when sick will help decrease illness this season.

Washington said besides vaccinations, practicing good hygiene in washing hands and getting tested for COVID, RSV and the flu when symptoms are persistent is important.

ington said the sooner a patient is diagnosed with strep the better, because the disease is treatable and requires antibiotics.

Local health o cials said there are some unusual circumstances that could be causing the increased rate of illness this year. ose circumstances are three years in the making as the pandemic pushed society to wear masks to decrease the spread of COVID.

Now, masks are o and some kids are being exposed to viruses and infections for the rst time and their immune systems are not used to it.

While there is no vaccine to prevent group A strep, the state health department said there are steps that parents, guardians and caregivers (including child care facilities) in Colorado can take to help protect children and families.

Washington and Dominguez said children should be up to date with COVID-19, u, and chickenpox vaccines, as getting these infections can increase risk for acquiring a group A strep infection.

Flu vaccinations still have not gone back to

pre-pandemic numbers and cases and hospitalizations are increasing. SHUTTERSTOCK

Besides RSV, COVID and the flu- Health o cials are now concerned with the increase in group

SHUTTERSTOCK

Thu 12/29

Basketball "Warm Up" Camp - EP

@ 3:30pm

Dec 29th - Dec 30th

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 East Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

DJI Robomaster: An Introduction

@ 4pm

Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 East 120th Avenue, Thornton. mhibben @anythinklibraries.org, 303-4053200

Sarah Slaton: Writers Round: A Youth On Record Bene�t Show @ 6pm

Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver

Justus and the Limits @ 6pm

New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden

KGNU Presents: WhiteWater Ramble @ Nissi's @ 6:30pm

Nissi's Entertainment Venue & Event Cen‐ter, 1455 Coal Creek Dr unit t, Lafayette Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings @ 7pm / $84-$999 Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

Elf: The Musical @ 7pm / $10-$25

The Unitiive Theatre previously The LoCol Theatre, 800 South Hover Road, Longmont

Fri 12/30

Book Bingo - December

@ 12am

Dec 30th - Dec 29th

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 East Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760 Crafty Corner @ Eagle Pointe Candle Making (12/30) @ 5pm Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 East Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Noon Year's Eve Celebration @ 10:30am

Anythink Brighton, 327 East Bridge Street, Brighton. rbowman @anythinklibraries.org, 303-4053200

Colorado Avalanche vs. Toronto Maple Leafs @ 5pm / $94-$999 Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

Colorado

Discovery Kids- Ice and Snow @ 9pm

Jan 3rd - Jan 26th

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

SoccerTykes - Tigers - 4 to 5 years old

@ 9:30pm Jan 3rd - Feb 21st

Boulder Indoor Soccer, 3203 Pearl St, Boulder. 303-440-0809

Sports Conditioning Jan. @ 10pm

Jan 3rd - Jan 26th

Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200

Wed 1/04

Keith Oxman

@ 6:30pm

Dazzle Denver, 1512 Curtis St, Denver

World Class Train Series- The Royal Canadian Paci�c (1/4) @ 8pm

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Thu 1/05

Family Makerspace @ 1am

Jan 5th - Jan 4th

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Parent/Tot - Lets Learn the Alphabet (Bilingual) @ 4pm

Jan 5th - Jan 26th

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

JumpBunch- Fitness Fun for Tots @ 5pm

Jan 5th - Jan 26th

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers @ 8pm / $12-$3410

Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

VOICES

Last chance this year to make a di erence

Iwould bet that everyone likes to help others, and no one likes to pay taxes. Well now is your chance to do both. ere are only a few more days left to leave an impact of those in need and reduce your income tax liability for 2022.

Picking out your favorite charity is the easy part. Now you get to determine how best to bene t from choosing the right amount, asset and process.

In a perfect world, we would donate regardless of a tax deduction, but it may also be helpful to be aware of what savings you can create as a result of your philanthropy.

First, identify what type of donation is best for you. e charity will bene t regardless of whether you donate cash, stocks, mutual funds, or a car. e charity can turn anything into cash tax free. erefore, if you have an appreci-

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

ated asset, such as shares of a stock or mutual fund, it is best to donate the shares rather than sell rst. is way you can avoid paying capital gains tax on the investment.

e charity does not have to pay capital gains tax.

Next, determine whether you are eligible to take a tax deduction for your donation. If you can itemize, perhaps due to high medical expenses, mortgage interest and property tax, then your charitable deduction can be added to your itemized deductions. Unfortunately, the $300 per person deduction without itemizing ended in 2021 and is no longer available. If you don’t exceed the standard

deduction, then work with your advisor to consider bunching deductions. is is where you double up on charitable gifts in one year and then take a year o donating and use the standard deduction in those alternate years.

e standard deduction for 2022 is $12,950 for single lers ($13,850 in 2023) and $25,900 for joint lers ($27,700 in 2023). If you can’t exceed these amounts on your Schedule A, you will need to beef up your charitable contributions in certain years in order to itemize.

You may also consider contributing to a donor-advised fund (DAF), where you can contribute appreciated shares of a business or investment without paying tax on the gain. Once this asset resides in the DAF, you have the rest of your life to distribute to your favorite charities as you wish. erefore, if you have a large asset you would like to

donate and take the deduction all in one year, this strategy could be a good t for you.

Retirees over age 70 1/2 are eligible to take up to $100,000 out of their pre-tax retirement plan or IRA and gift directly to a charity through a quali ed charitable distribution (QCD) and still not have to itemize.

ere may be other year-end strategies you can bene t from, such as tax-loss harvesting, maximizing your retirement contributions, or converting some of your pre-tax IRA or 401(k) to a Roth. Consider meeting with your advisor early in 2023 to start planning for next year as well.

Patricia Kummer has been a Certi ed Financial Planner professional and a duciary for over 35 years and is Managing Director for Mariner Wealth Advisors.

Behind every door is opportunity for change

La st week I was speaking with the CEO of one of our customers and he shared with me that although he has been in his role for almost two years, he feels like every door he opens presents itself with an opportunity for improvement. And although he was referring to the areas of his business, it made we wonder if the rest of us maybe looked for doors to open where we could also make improvements personally or professionally.

This time of year, I have often written about goal setting and goal achievement in the past as New Year’s Eve in all its New Year’s resolution splendor calls for us to think about what we may want to change, do differently, do better, or improve. Some take this time very seriously and have a well thought out and balanced plan for how they are going to enter the year, start strong and finish even stronger. Others take a more casual approach, maybe even waiting right up unto the clock strikes midnight before declaring their resolution.

And then there are those of us

TANDARD BLADE S

A publication of

Contact us: 143 S. Second Pl., Brighton, CO 80401 - 303-566-4100

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

LINDA

MICHAEL

WINNING

who simply do not believe in the nonsense of New Year’s resolutions — if we are going to make changes and improvements, we just get it done on our time and when we are good and ready.

Let’s revisit what my customer shared about opening doors and finding opportunities to improve. What would it look like if we put some intentionality behind this year’s game plan for our lives, goal setting, or business planning? Looking at all doors, every area of our personal and professional life, to identify areas that if we made some level of improvement, that it would bring us greater joy, success, wealth, vitality, or help to get us in better shape physically, mentally, or spiritually.

Maybe we start by looking to open those doors that we haven’t opened in a long time. As a matter of fact, these doors have remained locked for so long that we must give them a firm tug to

pry them open. These are those doors to opportunities that we have always known we should have opened long ago, but we made the decision to focus on those other areas of our lives to make changes to instead. Or our desire to change gave way to laziness, and then laziness gave way to procrastination, and procrastination eventually led to defeat.

Next, we can start with those doors of opportunities for change that we opened last year, last month, last week, or even yesterday and then for whatever reason we closed them. We had an inspiring or motivating moment, we opened the door, saw an area of life or work that we wanted to improve, and we may have even started before closing the door again. These are the easiest doors to open and re-explore as they once had our attention and intention to want to change. Something we wanted to start doing or maybe even something we wanted to stop doing, and those feelings are probably still in our hearts and top of mind.

The first doors were those hard ones, the second doors were the easy ones, and now here are the

most intriguing doors. These are the doors of opportunity we have yet to think about. Behind these doors lie untapped potential, new and creative ideas, bold steps, and big goals. By opening these doors, we become energized with new direction, inspired by what we see, and motivated by what we might become along the route of this journey.

Are there doors that are rusted shut, needing to be pried open? Are there doors that could be opened quite easily getting you back on track? Are there doors waiting for you to open, those doors of opportunity that could lead you to bigger and brighter goals and change? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can place intentionality behind seeking opportunity behind all these doors, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

STEVE SMITH Sports Editor

ssmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TERESA ALEXIS

Marketing Consultant Classified Sales talexis@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists

& Guest Commentaries

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

Email letters to staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper. To opt in or out of delivery please email us at circulation@ coloradocommunitymedia.com

Brighton Standard Blade (USPS 65180)

A legal newspaper of general circulation in Brighton, Colorado, Brighton Standard Blade is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton CO 80601. .

PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT Brighton and additional mailing o ces.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Brighton Standard Blade, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

BRIEFS

27J school board

e 27J Schools board of education moved its regular meeting days from Tuesdays to Wednesdays. Meetings are stsill in the Lois Lesser Board and Conference Room, 1850 E. Egbert St., and begin at 7 p.m.

e Board of Education also changed its monthly business meeting dates. Instead of meeting on Tuesday nights, those will now be shifted to Wednesday nights. ey will still be conducted at the Lois Lesser Board and Conference Room, 1850 Egbert St., Brighton, and will continue to start at 7 p.m.

Other special meetings, planning meetings and study meetings that aren’t scheduled in tandem with our regular Board meetings, may be held on a di erent day of the week. All of the Board of Education meetings are regularly posted to our website at https://www.sd27j.org/Page/279.

e dates, times and meeting materials are always posted here.

Reflections

e most recent edition of Brighton High School’s yearbook, Re ections, is a crown nalist in a program by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for outstanding highschool yearbooks.

Last year’s leadership team in-

cluded editors Zoey Stanley, Jenaya Ripko, Rose Weidemann and Elise Aho. e current editors are Ellie Rolfs and Brie Pollard, and the faculty advisor is Justin Daigle.

DA Academy e 17th Judicial District Attorney’s O ce is o ering a free, eightweek program to explain the workings of the o ce and the criminal justice system.

It starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the DA’s o ce, 1000 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton. e registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 1. Info? Email chopper@da17.state.co.us.

‘Holiday Splendor’

e city of Brighton’s community art show ARTfest will be presenting the “Holiday Splendor” exhibit through Jan. 18 at e Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong St. Show sponsors include the Brighton Cultural Arts Commission and e Armory Performing Arts Center. Partial funding is provided by the Scienti c and Cultural Facilities District.

Contact Sandie Mackenzie at 303659-5400 or David Gallegos at 303655-2176. To con rm viewing hours at e Armory, call 303-655-2026.

ONGOING

‘Taking No Chances’

e 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Orrice and e Link, a community resource and assessment center in ornton, are o ering free, 10-week programs to famkilies of Adams county teenagers to help develop person, interpsonal and drug-resistrance skills.

Sessions are from 5:30 to 6;30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 720-292-2811.

Brighton adds new ChargePoint stations

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

e rst hour of charging is free at each location. e locations have two stalls and two charging stations each that operate much like a parking meter, with a $2-per-hour charging rate after the rst 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 projectbased duties.

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

Water audit program

The city of Brighton and Resource Central teamed up to provide a free water audit for businesses and homeowner associations. The program aims to help residents and cities increase water use efficiencies and reach conservation goals.

Call 303-999-3824 or visit https:// www.brightonco.gov/589/WaterAudit-Program

Legal self-help clinic

The Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month. The program is for customers who don’t have legal representation and need help navigating through legal issues.

Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss such topics as family law, civil litigation, property and probate law.

Call 303-405-3298 and ask for Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours in advance.

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

William Matthes Steele was born October 26, 1931, and died December 12, 2022. He was raised in Idaho by a tight- sted father and a loving, warm mother. We gure someone did something right (most likely his mother) because William grew up to be a man who loved unconditionally, forgave easily, and loved heartily.

Bill, as he was known to most everyone, became a pilot for Continental Airlines and traveled the world where he learned countless shortcuts to almost everywhere. e straight road was never taken because that left turn meant he could most likely miss a few stop signs or at least a school zone. An avid golfer, he let his children and grandchildren drive the carts and drink unlimited amounts of soda. He single-handedly supported the supply chain for Dr. Pepper in the state of Texas for the last half of the previous century until his healthcare providers begged him to stop.

He was a handsome, tall man and Bill found lasting love with Anne Steele in 1978. Bill’s children from his rst marriage, George Steele, Robert Steele, and Lisa Leeser were in attendance along with Anne’s children Daphne Lowe and Jane Steele. eir marriage was full of ne friends, fabulous dinners, and amazing adventures for 44 years. He leaves us with 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He also dearly loved his

ex-son-in-law Oscar Leeser and his other son-in-law Michael Heitz was also sometimes liked.

Bill loved football, favoring the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. He read the paper every morning in bed and watched the news every night. If he couldn’t watch PBS’s News Hour it was a bad day. But no one ever knew when Bill had bad days. He rarely, if ever complained, instead adopting trademark phrases like, “ e alternative is much worse” or “Well there you go” which many of his family found frustrating, but indeed he was frustratingly always right. If advice from Bill was given, 98% of the time it was correct.

William Steele walked tall, golfed fairly, and cared immensely. He cared about children, the environment, his family, the democratic party, his car, his beloved Kindle (thanks Amazon), growing and eating fresh tomatoes and most importantly, fairness. at simple concept was really how he lived his life to the fullest. If someone failed or disappointed him, he didn’t berate them or belittle them.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 am, ursday, December 22 at Sunset Funeral Homes West. 480 North Resler, El Paso, TX.

In lieu of owers, the family asks that a donation be made in his honor to PBS El Paso…and Bill would like to ask PBS to stop the damned pledge drives, please.

STEELE William Steele October 26, 1931 - December 12, 2022

Loveland Ski Area partnered with the Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project to get fifth-graders onto the ski

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Coloradans can always look to the west and see the mountains in the distance, but for some who live in the inner cities of Colorado, actually getting to the mountains can be a bigger task. irty- ve fth-graders hit the slopes in Loveland for the rst time on Dec. 13, some even experiencing the mountains for the rst time.

Students from Laredo Elementary School in Aurora came to Loveland Ski Area to ski with professional skier and Snow Sports Hall of Fame inductee Chris Anthony.

Anthony has been working with kids for many years and has hosted his youth program at Loveland for the past three.

e Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project works to improve the lives of kids through educational enrichment. One of the ways the foundation does this is by busing classes of fth-graders out to Loveland ski area to spend a day learning to ski.

Anthony’s foundation pays for the bus, winter clothes, ski rentals and passes for the children to come experience the slopes. Most kids who come have never skied, and some have never spent time in the mountains despite living in Colorado.

Peter Zola is the teacher for the fth-graders at Laredo Elementary School.

“Every year we have at least two or three kids who have spent most of their life out on the plains in sight of the mountains but never in the mountains,” Zola said.

Zola has been taking his class to ski for eight years and said he always sees great behavior out of his students during this trip. He attributes that success to the active learning the kids get to see and experience on the mountain.

Anthony sees kids get o the bus with a wide range of emotions, from excitement to nervousness for the day. After a day on the slopes, he sees a common thread between all of them.

“No matter what, at the end of the day, all of them, you can see a bright light ignited in the process,” Anthony said.

Some of the kids were star-struck upon seeing Anthony, one even asking the hall of famer to sign his lunchbox.

After donning their coats and dancing out the

morning jitters, the fth-graders were ready to go get tted for skis.

irty- ve fth-graders getting tted for boots, skis and helmets all at the same time was a bit chaotic, but the sta ers at Loveland have done this before. e kids buzzed with excitement and quickly learned about the cumbersome feeling of ski boots.

After getting their skis ready to go, the kids

Loveland saw flurries all day while the kids skied.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE

FROM

headed out to the snow with the instructors. ey learned how to put on their skis and quickly learned how to get up after they inevitably fell down.

Dan Huston is the director of the ski and ride school at Loveland. He said one of the biggest barriers for people being able to ski is location/ transportation.

“ e mountains and ski areas usually aren’t very close to urban population centers. We’re unique in that we are 56 miles from Denver,” he said.

After working with the program for a few years, Huston knows the impact it has on kids.

“ ey’re gonna remember this for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Mailene Hernandez, one of the fth-graders on the trip, had a lot to say about the day. She said the bus ride to the ski area was full of mixed emotions, but mostly excitement.

“It was a little bit chaotic, but it was good,” Hernandez said. “I was

kinda feeling excited and nervous at the same time.”

Hernandez took to the sport easily and said the process of getting into her skis was pretty natural.

“While I was putting them on I guess I felt a little wobbly, but it was pretty easy,” she said.

Hernandez also had some advice for other kids who might be learning to ski for the rst time.

“It’s really a fun experience, but I do recommend having some ski clothes because of how cold it is, and because you’re going to fall,” she said.

She also went on to say how much of a blessing Chris Anthony was to her class and how happy she was that they even got the opportunity to come.

After lunch, the kids got their skis back on and some of them graduated from the Magic Carpet over to the ski lift. Skiing down the hill was a good opportunity to work on turns and pizza wedges for the fthgraders.

Anthony himself skied along with the kids throughout the day, helping to pick them up when they fell. His presence made the day even more

exciting for the kids, with high- ves all around.

Hernandez and other students

agreed that if they had the opportunity to ski again, they would denitely take it.

Recommendations for the next great book read

BY COLORADO SUN STAFF THE COLORADO SUN

Each week as part of SunLit — e Colorado Sun’s literature section — sta recommendations from book stores across Colorado are provided. is week, sta from BookBar in Denver recommend “ e Last Chairlift,” “Home Is Where the Eggs Are,” “Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties” and “ e Complete Brambly Hedge.”

The Last Chairlift

By John Irving Simon and Schuster $38

From the publisher: In Aspen, Colorado, in 1941, Rachel Brewster is a slalom skier at the National Downhill and Slalom Championships. Little Ray, as she is called, nishes nowhere near the podium, but she manages to get pregnant. Back home, in New England, Little Ray becomes a ski instructor. Her son, Adam, grows up in a family that de es conventions and evades questions concerning the eventful past. Years later, looking for answers, Adam will go to Aspen. In the Hotel Jerome, where he was conceived, Adam will meet some ghosts. ey aren’t the rst or the last ghosts he sees.

From Marilyn Robbins, Children’s Program Coordinator: ere is nothing as satisfying as reading a long novel that you can really delve into and feel as though you’ve become part of the story. “ e Last Chairlift” is just such a story and is truly another Irving masterpiece. It’s lled with unconventional characters that might challenge you until you come to accept the life choices each character makes. It is a story of family, of love, of acceptance. e setting of Aspen, Colorado is an added bonus.

Home Is Where the Eggs Are

By Molly Yeh HarperCollins

$32.50

From the publisher: is is a beautiful, intimate book full of food that’s best enjoyed in the comfort of sweatpants and third-day hair, by a beloved Food Network host and new mom living on a sugar beet farm in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Molly Yeh’s cooking is built to t into life with her baby and the nap times, diaper changes, and wiggle time that come with having a young child, making them a breeze to t into any sort of schedule, no matter how busy.

ey’re low-maintenance dishes that are satisfying to make for weeknight meals to celebrate empty to-do lists after long work days, cozy Sunday soups to simmer during the rst (or seventh!) snowfall of the year, and desserts that will keep happily under the cake dome for long enough that you will never feel pressure to share.

From Becky LeJeune, Event Buyer/ O ce Manager: I adore Molly Yeh! Her optimism and overall happy demeanor carry over into her dishes and are something I aspire to in my everyday life. And I think if I cook out of this book constantly, I might be able to make that happen! Cozy and comforting is rule of thumb in this book. And ease as well. Whether you’re making a hot dish or a halvaor tahini-tinged baked item or pasta, everything I’ve tried so far is amazing. is is de nitely another favorite and one that’ll be getting heavy use in my house!

Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties

By Kellye Crocker Albert Whitman & Company $17.99

From the publisher: Anxiety has always made Ava avoid the slightest risk, but plunging head rst into danger might be just what she needs. Dad hasn’t even been dating his new girlfriend that long, so Ava is sure that nothing has to change in her life. at is, until the day after sixth grade

ends, when Dad whisks her away on vacation to meet e Girlfriend and her daughter in terrifying Colorado, where even the squirrels can kill you! Managing her anxiety, avoiding altitude sickness, and surviving the mountains might take all of Ava’s strength, but at least this trip will only last two weeks. Right?

From Marilyn Robbins, Children’s Program Coordinator: I waited all year for my favorite middle grade novel, and this is it! “Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties” is the gem you’ve been looking for, perfect for the middle grade reader in your life (or you … it’s that good). You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, you’ll cheer, and you will de nitely fall in love with Ava as she navigates her trip to Colorado to meet Dad’s new girlfriend. is book is delightful and full of heart.

The Complete Brambly Hedge

By Jill Barklem HarperCollins Publishers $24.99

From the publisher: e mice of Brambly Hedge made their rst appearance in 1980 when the four seasonal stories were published. Ever since, readers have loved exploring

the miniature world of the hedgerow and meeting the families that live there. In this collection the mice have many adventures, but they always have time for fun and relaxation, too. Whatever the season, and whether they are by the sea, in the High Hills, or simply at home by the re, there is always someone ready to lend a helping hand.

From Moira Brownwolfe, Backlist Bookbuyer: e classic British children’s series is complete in this one volume. If you grew up with Redwall but your kids aren’t quite old enough for it, try this adorable slice of life about mice living in fully furnished tree homes. Packed with lovely illustrations, this collection is the perfect gift for a cozy holiday season. And if you like the books, also check out the delightful stop-motion television adaptations from 1996.

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

Chris Anthony rode the lift with the kids up the hill.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE

Referee protection, pay scale on CHSAA’s agenda

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e decision-making arm of the Colorado High School Activities Association will take up protection of and payment for game o cials next month. e legislative council meeting is set for Jan. 24 at the DTC Marriott.

e proposed bylaw change applies to verbal assaults or threats to game o cials. If approved, the commissioners will work with school administrators to take necessary actions that could include banning individuals from school and CHSAA events.

Referee pay is also on the minds of CHSAA’s budget committee. Its proposal is to freeze membership and participation dues to promote an increased o cials’ fee proposal, something CHSAANow.com calls a “substantial” increase in fees across all sports over the next three years.

If approved, most o cials’ pay would increase $10 per game between now and the 2024 school year. An exception is a two-man crew for soccer. ose fees would increase $20 per game.

ere’s also a proposal to increase the mileage reimbursement for o cials to 50 cents per mile for travel more than 20 miles away for 2023. at rate would increase to 55 cents a mile in the 2024 school year and 60 cents a mile in the 2025 school year.

ere are proposals to change the Sunday no-contact rule, courtesy of the CHSAA board of directors and the Continental League. e board wants to allow high-school coaches who also coach club ball to have contact with their highschool students during the o season. e league’s idea would allow all high-school coaches to coach their students on Sundays outside of the competitive season.

If approved, CHSAANow.com said, it would be the largest change to the no-contact rule.

Another hot-button item for CHSAA is the transfer rule for athletes. At present, students who transfer to schools where their club coaches are coaching can play on non-varsity teams for all sports they played during the last 365 years. Four leagues would like to change that to apply to nonvarsity teams that the club coach was associated with, not all sports.

CHSAA’s football committee wants to bring back the so-called “zero” week (starting the season one week early) with certain criteria. Wrestling teams may get an extra two tournament dates during the regular season.

E AGLE VIEW A DULT C ENTER

1150 Prairie Center Parkway • Brighton, CO 80601 • 303-655-2075 • www.brightonco.gov

Eagle View Adult Center Update – Dec 28, 2022 – Jan 4, 2023

Eagle View Adult Center is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 303-655-2075 for more information. e November & December Newsletter is available. Eagle View will be closed Monday, Jan 2 for the New Year Holiday.

Cards, Games and Pool

If 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.

VOA Lunch

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

Billiards Tournament

Join us in the pool room for a friendly pool tournament. Rules will be clearly listed. Prizes are dictated by the size of the tournament. 10:00 a.m. Wed. Dec 28 $5 Deadline: Tues. Dec 27

Readers eatre Performance

e Readers eatre performances are always a lot of fun and only last about 20 minutes. Drop in for the free show and support our hard-working acting troupe! Play is done in time to take advantage of the VOA lunch a erwards. RSVP necessary for lunch two days in advance to 303-655-2271. ursdays 11:00 a.m. urs. Dec 29 Free

Friends Meeting New Friends Are you living in the Brighton area and don’t have any family in the area? You are not alone. is is your chance to meet others that are in the same situation. Perhaps you can nd a new friend! 1:00 p.m. Fri. Jan 6

The logo for the Colorado High School Activities Association. The group’s legislative council is set to meet Jan. 24.

Referee Bob Pace of Colorado Springs conducts the coin toss before a 5A playo game between Mountain Vista and Legacy at Five Star North Stadium Nov. 6. FILE PHOTOS

Careers

Help Wanted

Office position with computer and accounting knowledge. Full time, 4 to 5 days. Contact Jim or Deron, 303-857-2750. Send resume to jim@houseofsmokeinc.com.

Market Place

Merchandise

Health & Beauty

DENTAL INSURANCE -

Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurancenot a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258.

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS!

50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol

Medical

Attention oxygen therapy users!

Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-929-9587

Miscellaneous

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800245-0398

Attention Homeowners! If you have water damage and need cleanup services, call us! We’ll get in & work with your insurance agency to get your home repaired and your life back to normal ASAP! 855-7677031

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

!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!!

GIBSON, FENDER, MARTIN, etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. TOP DOLLAR PAID.

CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-433-8277

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

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

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author`s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

If you’ve got the drive and the passion, together we can take your career farther than you’ve ever imagined. We are building a sales team that will be the face of the changing media landscape. We are looking for people who are excited to represent our emerging brands and our trusted, traditional ones too. Join our team, working a mix in our Englewood, Evergreen or Brighton offices and remote. If you’re as passionate as we are about our mission to grow and engage our community, please apply. CCM offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision and paid holiday, vacation, sick and personal time. As an added bonus, you’ll office less than 90 minutes from the best Colorado has to offer in outdoor recreation.

Visit ccmcorporate.com for more information.

Please apply by sending your letter of interest and resume to Erin Addenbrooke eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Miscellaneous

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.

Beltone Hearing Aids. Voted #1 hearing Care retailer. Rechargeable, weather & sweatproof. Easily connect music, audio & calls to your hearing aids. Starting at $799. Call today & get 25% off plus a free cleaning kit with purchase. Expires 3/31/2023. Call 1-866-625-4985

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

FREE $20 Cash App Everyone! Yes It’s Real. Very Limited supply until we run out! Go to Free20Now. com

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service.

Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-4171306

Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom! 1-833-758-3892

Miscellaneous

Caring for an aging loved one? Wondering about options like seniorliving communities and in-home care? Caring.com’s Family Advisors help take the guesswork out of senior care for your family. Free, noobligation consult: 1-855-759-1407

The Generac PWRcell solar plus battery storage system. Save money, reduce reliance on grid, prepare for outages & power your home. Full installation services. $0 down financing option. Request free no obligation quote. 1-877-539-0299

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

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call

Legals

City and County

Public Notice

BRIGHTON HOUSING AUTHORITY

ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

January 5, 2023, 4:00 P.M.

A Public Hearing is scheduled for the review of the Brighton Housing Authority’s revised Administrative Plan for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. Public input is encouraged and welcome.

303-566-4123

office at 303-655-2160 for alternative methods of reviewing the proposed plan. This plan will include the Moving to Work (MTW) amendments.

If you are a person with disabilities and are in need of a reasonable accommodation to access this information or public hearing, please call BHA offices at 303-655-2160.

If you have limited English proficiency and are seeking language assistance to access this public hearing, please call the office at 303-655-2160.

Due to COVID-19, this will be a virtual event.

NOTICE OF ADOPTED BUDGET

Virtual Public Hearing Time and Access Details:

www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 884 5167 9606

Passcode: Prior to the public hearing, please call 303-655-2160 for code

Legal Notice No. BSB1997

First Publication: December 1, 2022

Last Publication: January 5, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice

DISTRICT COURT, COUNTY OF ADAMS, STATE OF COLORADO

ADAMS COUNTY COMBINED COURT

legals2@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Legal Notice No. BSB2046

First Publication: December 29, 2022

Last Publication: December 29, 2022

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

NOTICE PRE-QUALIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS/GENERAL CONTRACTORS TO BID ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT

please see a brochure on the Commission’s website here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14QaK0JG6G35g vqwq5pp5t1psF0fDil0M/view

APPLICATION LANDS

Township 3 South, Range 65 West, 6th P.M. Section 25:All

Court Address: 1100 Judicial Center Drive Brighton, CO 80601

CONSOLIDATED NOTICE OF PUBLICATION – DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

NOTICE

The Administrative Plan will be available for public inspection during regular office hours, Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, in the Brighton Housing Authority office, prior to the Public Hearing. If you are unable to appear at BHA Offices located at 22. S, 4th Avenue, Suite 202, Brighton, CO 80601, please call the

EXHIBIT A

Passcode: Prior to the public hearing, please call 303-655-2160 for code

If joining by phone, please call: 1-346-248-7799 Meeting ID: 884 5167 9606

Budget Summary - All Funds For the Calendar Year - 2023

A brief summary of the proposed budget is attached as Exhibit A.

Notice is hereby given that in the following proceedings filed in the Court under the Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Court has found that due diligence has been used to obtain personal service of process within the State of Colorado or that efforts to obtain the same would have been to no avail.

Pursuant to C.R.S. 14-10-107(4)(a), one publication of the following shall be published once during the month of December 2022. A copy of the Petition and Summons may be obtained from the Clerk of the Combined Court. Default judgment may be entered against you if you fail to appear or file a response within 35 days of this publication.

Case Number Names of Parties

2022DR1323 TERESA DE JESUS VAZQUEZ VALADEZ VS ALVARO DIAZ HERMOSILLO

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Greater Brighton Fire Protection District (“District”), a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, is soliciting construction manager/general contractor (“CM/GC”) applications for pre-qualification to bid on the new Greater Brighton Fire Protection District Training Building with a construction cost of approximately 8 million dollars. Only CM/GCs that have been approved through this pre-qualification process will be eligible to bid on the Project.

Beginning 11:00 a.m. (MST) on December 29, 2022, the pre-qualification application (“Application”) may be obtained either in-person at the District’s administrative office located at 500 South 4th Avenue – 3rd Floor, Brighton, Colorado 80601 or by requesting a copy of the Application by email to Sharlene Ujcich at the following email address: SUjcich@brightonfire.org. The subject line for the email must state: “Request for Prequalification Application – New Training Building”.

Township 3 South, Range 64 West, 6th P.M. Section 29:All Section 30:All

DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF HEARING (Subject to change)

The assigned Hearing Officer will hold a hearing only on the above referenced docket number at the following date, time, and location:

Date:March 1, 2023

Time:9:00 a.m.

Place: Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

The Chancery Building 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801 Denver, CO 80203

PETITIONS

DEADLINE FOR PETITIONS BY AFFECTED

PERSONS: January 30, 2023

Estimated

EXHIBIT A Budget Summary - All Funds For the Calendar Year - 2023 Estimated Total

2022DR30759 JOSE ROBERTO QUINTANA SALDANA VS MARIA DE LURDES SANCHEZ

2022DR30701 TERESA VAZQUEZ VS ISIDORO HERNANDEZ

BUDGET

Beginning Total Available Total Ending Fund BalanceRevenuesResources Appropriations Balance

General 5,181,700 $ 1,985,535 $ 7,167,235 $ 7,081,626 $ 85,609 $ Enterprise 344,215 500 344,715 - 344,715 Debt Service 5,452,489 2,067,989 7,520,478 1,203,700 6,316,778 Totals 10,978,404 $ 4,054,024 $ 15,032,428 $ 8,285,326 $ 6,747,102 $

Dated the 15th day of November, 2022

Dated the 15th day of November, 2022

By: Randy Ray - Executive Director

Legal Notice No.: BSB2043

First Publication: December 29, 2022

Last Publication: December 29, 2022 Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

By Randy Ray- Executive Director

NOTICE is hereby given that the budget for 2023 has been adopted by the Ground Water Management Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Board of Directors on November 15, 2022. The adopted budget is on file in the office for public inspection. A brief summary of the proposed budget is attached as Exhibit A.

EXHIBIT A Budget Summary - All Funds For the Calendar Year - 2023

2022DR30553 COURTNEY SHAYNE LEE VS JARMAL QUINCY LEE

2022DR1319 MONICA J VARGAS VS CHRISTOPHER D VARGAS

2022DR761 KARLA ISABEL CORREA VS JORGE LUIS CORREA HERNANDEZ

2022DR1469 MELISSA PACHECO VS WALTER ALEXANDER RAMIREZ SORTO

2022DR1613 ISMAR MARBAN VS DANIEL RENDON PAZ

2022DR30849 AXEL CHRISTIAN METSCHIES VS YOLANDE DOROTHY METSCHIES

2022DR30764 SARA MARIE HOVELSON VS ADAM JON HOVELSON

2022DR1292 INMACULADA MARTIN HERNANDEZ VS ESTEBAN RAICES ALANA PERCY Clerk of the Combined Court

Date: December 20, 2022

By: Madeline Scholl Deputy Clerk

Completed Applications must be received by the District on or before 4:00 p.m. (MST) on January 17, 2023 (“Submission Deadline”) either in-person at its administrative office located at 500 South 4th Avenue – 3rd Floor, Brighton, Colorado 80601 or by email to Sharlene Ujcich at the following email address: SUjcich@brightonfire.org. The subject line for the email must state: “Prequalification Application Submission – New Training Building”.. Applications received after the Submission Deadline will not be considered.

CM/GCs are solely responsible for ensuring that their emailed Applications have been received by the District. The District will not search for emailed Applications that are not delivered or are delivered to “spam” or “junk” folders. CM/GCs may contact Sharlene Ujcich at (303) 654-8015 to confirm that their emailed Application has been received.

Any interested party who wishes to participate formally must file a written petition with the Commission no later than the deadline provided above. Please see Commission Rule 507 at https:// cogcc.state.co.us, under “Regulation,” then select “Rules.” Please note that, under Commission Rule 510.l, the deadline for petitions may only be continued for good cause, even if the hearing is continued beyond the date that is stated above. Pursuant to Commission Rule 507, if you do not file a proper petition, the Hearing Officer will not know that you wish to formally participate in this matter and the date and time of the hearing may change without additional notice to you. Parties wishing to file a petition must register online at https://oitco. hylandcloud.com/DNRCOGExternalAccess/Account/Login.aspx and select “Request Access to Site.” Please refer to our “eFiling Users Guidance Book” at https://cogcc.state.co.us/documents/reg/

Hearings/External_Efiling_System_Users_Guidebook_20201109.pdf for more information. Under Commission Rule 508, if no petition is filed, the Application may be approved administratively without a formal hearing.

Any Affected Person who files a petition must be able to participate in a prehearing conference during the week of January 30, 2023, if a prehearing conference is requested by the Applicant or by any person who has filed a petition.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information, you may review the Application, which was sent to you with this Notice. You may also contact the Applicant at the phone number or email address listed below.

Total Dated the 15th day of November, 2022 By: Randy Ray - Executive Director

NOTICE OF ADOPTED BUDGET (Pursuant to 29-1-106, C.R.S.)

Legal Notice No. BSB2045

First Publication: December 29, 2022

Last Publication: December 29, 2022 Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Public Notice DISTRICT

NOTICE is hereby given that the budget for 2023 has been adopted by the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Board of Directors on November 15, 2022. The adopted budget is on file in the office for public inspection.

A brief summary of the proposed budget is attached as Exhibit A.

Public Notice

NOTICE OF ADOPTED BUDGET (Pursuant to 29-1-106, C.R.S.)

NOTICE is hereby given that the budget for 2023 has been adopted by the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Board of Directors on November 15, 2022. The adopted budget is on file in the office for public inspection. A brief summary of the proposed budget is attached as Exhibit A.

Total

Beginning Total Available Total Ending Fund BalanceRevenuesResources Appropriations Balance

General 6,908,763 $ 3,407,090 $ 10,315,853 $ 10,104,500 $ 211,353 $

439,954 4,169,844 1,062,300

Notice is hereby given that in the following proceedings filed in the Court under the Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Court has found that due diligence has been used to obtain personal service of process within the State of Colorado or that efforts to obtain the same would have been to no avail.

Pursuant to C.R.S. 14-10-107(4)(a), one publication of the following shall be published once during the month of December 2022. A copy of the Petition and Summons may be obtained from the Clerk of the Combined Court. Default judgment may be entered against you if you fail to appear or file a response within 35 days of this publication.

Case Number Names of Parties

2022DR30851 AKEILA NIAEL GIFFORD VS JESSIE TAYLOR TUNSON HARRINGTON JR 2022DR1607 SHYELYNNE DAWN STEARNS

VS JESSIE DAVIS JESSE

ALANA PERCY Clerk of the Combined Court

Date: December 20, 2022

By: Madeline Scholl Deputy Clerk

Each Application must conform and be responsive to the standard application provided by the District. Any deviation from the standard application form or failure to provide the required information may be considered nonresponsive and grounds for disqualification and rejection of the Application in the District’s sole discretion. The District has the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any or all Applications and to waive any irregularities in any Application received. The District also has the right to modify or terminate this selection process or the project any time in its sole discretion. Submitted Applications become the District’s property and will be considered public records within the meaning of the Colorado Open Records Act, unless the CM/ GG conspicuously labels the portion(s) of its Application that it deems confidential and proprietary as “Confidential and Proprietary”, and separates such materials from the rest of the Application. The CM/GC is solely responsible for all costs incurred in preparing and submitting an Application.

The selected CM/GC and the District will enter into a modified AIA A133 Owner-CM/GC Agreement (2019) and associated modified AIA A201 General Conditions (2017). At the completion of the preconstruction services, the District and CM/GC will enter into good faith negotiations to mutually agree to a Guaranteed Maximum Price (“GMP”) Amendment for the construction phase of the Project. If the District and the CM/GC are unable to reach agreement on the GMP Amendment, the District may terminate the contract and determine, in its sole discretion, how it wishes to proceed.

Legal Notice No. BSB2039

First

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if any party requires special accommodations as a result of a disability for this hearing, please contact Margaret Humecki at Cogcc. Hearings_Unit@state.co.us, prior to the hearing and arrangements will be made.

OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO By Mimi Larsen, Commission Secretary

NOTICE is hereby given that the budget for 2023 has been adopted by the Well Augmentation Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Board of Directors on November 15, 2022. The adopted budget is on file in the office for public inspection.

is hereby given that the budget for 2023 has been adopted by the Well Augmentation Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Board of Directors on November 15, 2022. The adopted budget is on file in the office for public inspection.

A brief summary of the proposed budget is attached as Exhibit A.

State looks at how ballot measures impact budget

BY JESSE PAUL AND ELLIOTT WENZLER THE COLORADO SUN

Two ballot measures approved by voters in November will reduce the amount of money the legislature has to spend by about $750 million in each of the next three years, but two economic and tax revenue forecasts presented to state lawmakers Tuesday predicted the reduction won’t cut into Colorado’s budget.  e forecasts also indicate Coloradans can continue to expect tax refunds — albeit smaller ones than they would have received had the two ballot measures failed.

Proposition 121, which reduced the income tax rate to 4.4% from 4.55%, is expected to reduce state tax revenues by $620 million in the current scal year — which ends June 30, 2023 — and by some $400 million in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 scal years. Proposition 123 sets aside up to 0.1% of taxable income each year for a ordable housing programs, which is estimated to be about $150 million in the current scal year and roughly $300 million in the 2023-24 and subsequent scal years.

Should there be a deep recession, however, nonpartisan Legislative Council Sta and the Governor’s O ce of State Planning and Budgeting warned budget cuts may be possible and taxpayer refunds would be erased. And both agencies said the risk of an economic downturn remains high.

“Amidst this rapid monetary policy tightening, the housing correction and declining household balance sheets, we believe that risks to the forecast remain elevated and

weighted toward the downside,” Je Stupak, a monetary policy and in ation analyst for Legislative Council Sta , told the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee, which writes Colorado’s budget.

Greg Sobetski, chief economist for Legislative Council Sta , said “we think a recession is very possible.”

e legislature isn’t allowed to spend all of the money the state collects in tax revenue because of Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights cap on government growth and spending, which is calculated by annual in ation and population rates. Any money collected by the state in excess of the cap must be refunded to taxpayers. Refunds are expected in each of the next three scal years.  Legislative Council Sta forecast that tax revenue will be above the cap by $2.5 billion in the current scal year, $1.5 billion in the 202324 scal year and $1.4 billion in the 2024-25 scal year.

e tax revenue forecast from the governor’s o ce was less rosy. It predicted $2.4 billion in revenue above the TABOR cap in the current scal year, $469 million in the 202324 scal year and $736 million in the 2024-25 scal year.

Lauren Larson, who leads OSBP, said the reason for the discrepancy has to do with the agency’s expectation that there will be “a slight downturn for a couple of quarters in late 2023.”

After $225 million in TABOR excess is refunded as property tax relief in the current scal year, thanks to a bill passed in 2022, the legislature is still expected by nonpartisan legislative sta and the governor’s o ce to have more than $2 billion to refund.  e money can be refunded in a variety of ways. Earlier this year, the scal year 2021-22 TABOR excess

Public Notices

Legal

Number: 2022 PR 30918

was sent back to Coloradans via checks of $750 or $1,500 depending on whether they led their taxes individually or jointly.

e legislature will decide during the 2023 legislative session, which begins Jan. 9, how to refund the TABOR cap excess.

Digging into the numbers Colorado’s job market remains strong, both OSPB and Legislative Council Sta told the JBC. ere are roughly two jobs available for every unemployed person in the state and Colorado’s unemployment rate was 3.5% in November.

“ e majority of sectors we’ve recovered all the jobs lost in the recession,” Supak said.

ere were exceptions in the mining, government, food services and real estate sectors. However, labor demands across the board continue to outpace supply, according to OSPB.

Both OSPB and Legislative Council Sta said in ation continues to put pressure on Coloradans. And while the overall in ation rate in Denver is lower than the national rate, Denver’s housing in ation rate is 10% compared with the 7.1% national average.

Housing prices have caused the most signi cant contributors to ination across the U.S., according to Legislative Council Sta . However, those costs are falling nationally and in Denver as the market cools. Denver home prices are down 4.5% from their peak, though housing demand is still outpacing supply and rental prices are climbing.

Additionally, rising interest rates caused by the Federal Reserve’s hopes of cooling in ation have caused signi cant decreases in purchasing power for home buyers.

Stupak said that someone who could a ord a $550,000 home with a 20% down payment in 2021 had a monthly mortgage payment of $1,900.

“ at same person, if they wanted to keep the same down payment and monthly payment, they would have gone down from being able to afford a $550,000 home to a $413,500 home. So about a 25% decrease in their purchasing power,” he said. e housing market uncertainty is part of the reason state economists are warning of a recession. Another indicator of a possible economic downturn are trends in consumer spending, which make up 70% of economic activity, according to the Legislative Council Sta .

“We’ve seen a falling savings rate, falling household balance sheets and kind of declining expectations from consumers for the economy in the future,” Stupak said.

e OSPB projects slow consumer demand and economic growth in the second half of 2023. “ e labor market and consumer spending are currently outpacing previous expectations for this year, but slower consumer demand and economic growth are expected in the second half of 2023,” said Bryce Cook, chief economist at OSPB.

Legislative Council Sta expects the annual in ation rate in Colorado to drop to about 4% in 2023 after hovering around 8% in 2022.

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

First Publication: December 15, 2022

Last Publication: December 29, 2022

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of BILLIE CONSTANCE LANDECK, a/k/a BILLIE C. LANDECK, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 30984

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before April 17, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

All persons having claims against

All

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before April 17, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before April 17, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Peter M. Murphy, II, #50726 11080 Circle Point Drive, Suite 140 Westminster, CO 80020

Legal Notice No. BSB2018

First Publication: December 15, 2022

Last Publication: December 29, 2022

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Mildred I Vogt A/K/A Mildred Vogt

Millie Vogt

Mil Vogt, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 420

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before April 17, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Bradley Vogt

Personal Representative 2884 E. 162nd Drive Thornton, CO 80602

Legal Notice No. BSB2020

James M. Landeck

Personal Representative 3565 Hottman Street Brighton, CO 80601

Legal Notice No. NTS2027

First Publication: December 15, 2022

Last Publication: December 29, 2022

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Carolyn Gallegos a/k/a Carolyn Heber, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 30781

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before April 17, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Achieve Law Group 146 W. 11th Ave Denver, Colorado, 80204

Legal Notice No. BSB2022

First Publication: December 15, 2022

Last Publication: December 29, 2022

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Judith Ann Jester, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 421

NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION

TO: JOHN DOE, Parent You are hereby notified that the above-named Petitioner has filed, in this Court, a verified Petition seeking to adopt the child named above. The Petition alleges you have abandoned said child for a period of one year or more and/or have failed, without cause, to provide reasonable support for said child for one year or more. You are further notified that said Petition is set for hearing on JANUARY 23, 2023 at 10:30 AM in Division T1, (IN PERSON), Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601.

You are further notified that if you fail to appear for said hearing, the Court may terminate your parental rights and grant the adoption as sought by the Petitioner(s).

Dated: November 23, 2022

Deputy Clerk, Legal Notice No. BSB2007

First Publication: December 8, 2022

Last Publication: January 5, 2023

Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade

Community colleges double graduation rates

Schools find success by meeting student needs

BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

Colorado’s community colleges more than doubled their graduation rates from 2015 to 2020 by focusing on student support in and out of the classroom, according to a study released Tuesday. e Colorado Community College System’s graduation rates rose to 31% from 15% ve years earlier, according to the report by Complete College America that details four- and two-year college graduation rates at states, systems, and jurisdictions that are members of the organization. e nonpro t organization advocates for states and college systems to focus on improving graduation rates; the report cites the challenges schools face to graduate more students.

Graduation rates improved among students from all backgrounds, including Black and Hispanic students who graduate at lower rates than their peers.

Meanwhile, at four-year colleges, Colorado’s schools improved graduation rates to 35% during the same time period — up from 33%.

Complete College America leaders attribute increases at two-year colleges to the state changing how it o ers remedial education, a better focus on supporting students who face life challenges, and more academic advising.

“Colorado really went all in as much as possible,” said Charles Ansell, vice president for research, policy, and advocacy at Complete College of America

Joe Garcia, Colorado Community College System chancellor, said the shift began in the last decade because the state focused less on enrolling students and more on getting them to graduate.

Associate degrees earned at two-year community colleges give students the necessary skills for jobs in internet technology, healthcare, or energy production. Some students also transfer to four-year colleges and continue their education.

e state reformed remedial education programs so students could do college-level coursework without paying extra for classes that don’t get them credit toward graduation. Instead, students now learn college algebra or English skills through tutoring or additional class time while they’re in a class that leads to credit.

Ansell said the practice is good for students because it ends up reinforcing lessons. And it doesn’t damage student morale by making them take a class that doesn’t earn them credit. at keeps students enrolled, Ansell said.

Remedial classes “end up being a real downer because you’re told you’re college material and then the rst thing that you’re told is you have to take the classes that you just took in high school,” Ansell said.

e college system has also emphasized ensuring students have basic needs met. More community colleges have food pantries or step in when students face housing insecurity.

And the community college system has ramped up advising over the years so students can see a path toward a degree, Garcia said. e system has streamlined course catalogs, which Garcia said were overly confusing and caused students to take classes that didn’t connect to their eventual career goals.

e state has more work to do, Garcia said. In the last two years, community college leaders have expanded degree programs that allow community college students to easily enroll in four-year colleges. One example is a recent engineering partnership with the Colorado School of Mines.

Ansell said the state will also need to increase support for basic needs or other challenges

students are facing by placing more funding into those programs, especially because the pandemic has changed whether students decide to go to college.

More students of color are choosing not to enroll in college, Garcia said. Since the pandemic, more students are choosing to work or don’t enroll because they worry about college costs. at’s contributed to a dip in community college enrollment that hasn’t recovered since the start of the pandemic. And fewer students are taking classes full time and instead opting to go to school part time, Garcia said.

e Complete College of America report shows students who don’t take classes full time have a tougher time graduating.

“What all of us in higher education are worried about right now is losing ground we fought so hard to gain over the last 10 years,” Garcia said.

is story is from Chalkbeat Colorado, a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools. Used by permission. For more, and to support Chalkbeat, visit co.chalkbeat.org.

Students listen in during an English class at Arapahoe Community College.

FILE PHOTO BY ROBERT TANN