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www.canyoncourier.com
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OURIE
The mountain area’s newspaper since 1958
est. 1958
WEEK OF AUGUST 25, 2022
N VOLUME 63 ISSUE 42
NOW SERVING EVERGREEN, CONIFER, BAILEY AND PINE
75 CENTS
In the wake of low enrollments and empty classrooms, some Jefferson County Elementary schools are likely to close. BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
School is back in session — potentially for the last time at some Jefferson County elementary schools. As enrollments fall and classrooms stand empty, Jefferson
County Public School District Superintendent Tracy Dorland will make a recommendation to the school board on Aug. 25 suggesting which schools to be closed after the 2022-2023 school year. Jeffco Schools have a capacity for 96,000 students. Currently, the dis-
trict has 69,000 students enrolled. Jeffco Schools Chief of Strategy and Communication Lisa Relou said the district is looking into a number of factors when making the decision on which schools to close, including enrollment and building utilization. According to data provided by
Dam Ducky Derby proceeds go to EAPL BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Evergreen Downtown Business Association has donated $4,000 to the Evergreen Animal Protective League. The money is part of the proceeds from the Dam Ducky Derby earlier in August, and it’s the largest donation the association has made to EAPL. The remaining proceeds will help pay for the downtown Evergreen Holiday Walk in December. EDBA plans to buy even more ducks for next year’s derby, which is the first Saturday in August since it sold the 7,500 ducks it had. Jim Wales, president of the EDBA board, said the organization was excited to continue its trend of supporting local nonprofits through the derby. Bambi Moss, an EAPL board member, told EDBA representatives that everyone in the organization appreciates the support. “This will go a long way,” she said.
the school district, nine Jeffco Schools use 50% or less of their building capacity: Peck Elementary, Swanson Elementary, Thomson Elementary, Emory Elementary, Glennon Heights Elementary, Lasley SEE CLOSURES, P3
Consolidation discussion moving to next level BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Attending the check ceremony were, from left, Chelsea Treinen and Megan Mitchell, members of the Evergreen Downtown Business Association board, Jim Wales, president of the board, the Dam Ducky Derby mascot, Bambi Moss and Patti McLaughlin, board members for the Evergreen Animal Protective League, and Bryan McFarland, an PHOTO BY DEB HURLEY BROBST EDBA board member.
The Elk Creek Fire board agreed to spend up to $30,000 to hire a research firm to create a path forward and inform communities about a proposal to consolidate four fire departments. The $30,000 is Elk Creek’s part of a study as the Elk Creek, InterCanyon, North Fork and Indian Hills fire departments continue discussions about consolidating into one department. After two years of talking, fire chiefs have asked their boards to authorize the expenditure SEE FIRE, P4
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Fire bond Sheriff’s calls
5 EPRD plan 10 Sports
6 Conifer chamber 11 Culture
7 Opinion 14 Wildlife photos
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