STRESSES

a ordable housing need is, I think, unrealistic and unlikely to address the needs of the people who have the lowest incomes,” Freemark said.

Ron roupe, associate professor of real estate at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, said “it’s inevitable” that government must provide the needed funding to bolster the supply side of the housing market.

“We do things (on) the supply side, but it’s not enough,” roupe said. “And you can’t expect a developer to build something and lose money.”

Spending from higher levels of government could bene t in particular the suburbs, which are struggling with housing a ordability but have less political appetite to tackle the problem themselves, Freemark said.

“Ultimately, the most exclusionary

Fabyan Watrous, Doug’s wife, managed Jack Pine mining until her death in 2017. She served as a Clear Creek County Commissioner for many years and was also an important facet in the community, according to Fabyan Watrous’s daughter, Debbie Rutzebeck, who sold the town the land.

Doug acquired multiple mining claims from his father in Clear Creek County, but Mendota Mine in Silver Plume was always his “pride and joy,” Rutzebeck said.

“ e family believes he would be happy to see its heritage preserved,” places, which are often suburbs, have no incentive to invest in a ordable housing” because “they don’t see affordable housing as (needed) by their residents,” Freemark said. at said, creating housing a ordability for key workers like teachers, police and re ghters is an important part of the puzzle for communities, roupe said.

“You lose your teachers, and then you lose the quality of your schools, and it hurts the area. Same with police and re,” roupe said.

In the larger business community, housing plays a crucial role too, Polis said.

“Coloradans have to be able to afford to live in our communities where they can earn a good living, and companies need to be able to nd the workers they need to thrive,” he said in the speech.

‘We are not California’ e governor’s one-liner when speaking about housing — “We are not California. We are Colorado” — e area is also home to a bighorn sheep herd, which the land purchase will protect by designating the area as open space.

“It’s near and dear to me because I had several of my ancestors who worked these mines,” he said.

McCloskey likened the land purchase to a 200-acre museum, due to all the historical signi cance the area holds.

Cynthia Neely was the project manager helping to facilitate the land purchase. She explained the area is part of the Georgetown-Silver Plume National Landmark District, which has the purpose of preserving raises the question of where the state could be headed if it doesn’t change course.

Net migration, the di erence between the number of people coming into and the number of people leaving an area, has long been positive in Colorado. In 2015, net migration was about 69,000 people, according to the State Demography O ce. Although the number reached a recent prepandemic low in 2019 with about 34,000, newcomers are still owing in.

“ ere are (home) buyers moving in from out of state, and many of them come from higher-priced areas, so they don’t have sticker shocks,” roupe said, speaking to the sustained high demand and high prices in metro Denver.

Looking to the future, roupe doesn’t think the metro Denver housing market is on a similar trajectory that large metro areas such as New York City and San Francisco have experienced in terms of high housing prices.

Not only does this 200-acre land purchase include the iconic Mendota Mine, but the sites of an estimated 20 mines that saw active operation in the 19th century, according to Neely.

Neely hoped that beyond the preservation of the cultural remnants of the mines and the protection of nature, the area could become a space for people to learn about the rich history of Silver Plume.

“We want to share a story,” she said.

Now, the town waits for the completion of the conservation easement of the area, which will likely take a few more months due to weather.

“New York is a coastal city and a nancial center — same with (several) California (cities), San Francisco. We’ll never be that. We’re our own animal,” roupe said.

“ e choice between those cities and Denver pricing-wise has been extreme; it’ll tighten up. It’ll never be their prices, but it’ll tighten up,” roupe added.

Freemark noted that geographically, Denver has less of a physical barrier to new construction than in places like San Francisco — and that New York City is largely surrounded by water.

Rogers, the teaching assistant professor in the program for environmental design at CU Boulder, described the metro Denver housing market’s future in terms of uncertainty.

“I think that we are in a place we’ve never been before, so I can’t extrapolate the future from that,” Rogers said. “I feel like we’re in unknown waters.”

Educational Achievements e following area students were named to the honor roll at Oregon State University. Students named to the honor roll have a 3.5 or greater GPA. ey are: Gabrielle Fuentes, of Bailey, a freshman majoring in university exploratory studies; Jenna M. Stricker, of Conifer, a freshman majoring in general engineering; Cyrus Bickell, of Evergreen, a freshman majoring in electrical and computer engineering; Kari L. Hoy, of Evergreen, a sophomore majoring in political science; Sydney Van Der Zee, of Evergreen, a sophomore majoring in microbiology; Erica Dietz, of Indian Hills, a senior majoring in agricultural sciences; Carl J. Benton, of Morrison, a freshman majoring in kinesiology; Avery J. Myers, of Morrison, a freshman majoring in environmental sciences; Abby J. Simmons, of Morrison, a freshman majoring in Marine studies; and Chloe H. Petitpas, of Pine, a sophomore majoring in computer science.

Samantha Swenby, of Evergreen, has been named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven in Pennsylvania. Students named to the dean’s list have a 3.5 or better GPA.

Alexa Weakley, of Evergreen, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. ose named to the dean’s list are in the top 20% in their division. Weakley is earning a bachelor of science degree in nursing. ree students from Evergreen were named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. ey are freshman Sarah Jermano, who is majoring in nursing; senior Daniel Matthew, who is majoring in mechanical engineering; and sophomore Kira Semmens, who is majoring in English and creative writing. ree area students were named to the fall 2022 president’s list at Southern New Hampshire University. Students on the president’s list have a 3.7 or better GPA. ey are: Austin Barnes and Carine Frye, both of Evergreen, and Kevin Rhyden, of Morrison.

Kayleigh Milligan, of Morrison, was named to the fall 2022 president’s list at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. ose named to the president’s list are in the top 3% in their division. Milligan is earning a bachelor of arts degree in English literature.

Katherine Hood, from Evergreen, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. Students named to the dean’s list have a 3.0 or better GPA. Hood is majoring in molecular genetics.

Avery Wilson, of Evergreen, and Ava Gardner, of Morrison, have earned the highest honors on the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire.

Isabella Namaksy, of Conifer, has been named to the Plymouth State University president’s list for the fall 2022 semester. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a GPA of 3.7 or better. Namaksy is an adventure education major.

Madeline Seiberlich, of Evergreen, was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. Seiberlich is a student in SDSU’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Conner Brook, from Morrison, and Alexis Goldman, from Evergreen, have been awarded the Dean’s Award with Distinction to the spring 2022 semester at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. Students with 3.6 or higher GPAs earn the award.

Vivian Levine, from Evergreen, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s dean’s list for the 2022 fall quarter. Students named to the dean’s list have a 3.2 or higher GPA. Levine is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in architectural engineering.

Stephen Douglas was recently named to the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester at Albion College in Albion, Michigan. Dean’s list honors are given to students who achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Douglas is majoring in sports communication. He is the son of Scott Douglas of Conifer and Janet Douglas of Tucson, Arizona, and is a graduate of Conifer High School.

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We’d like to know about events or activities of interest to the community. Visit www.canyoncourier.com/calendar/ and post your event online for free. Email dbrobst@coloradocommunitymedia.com to get items in the print version of the paper. Items will appear in print on a space-available basis.

WEDNESDAY or visiting https://tinyurl.com/ ykzs2ej7. and Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen. ese programs are for kids who love being outdoors and learning about nature and science. For more information and to register, visit www.EvergreenAudubon. org and click on Events.

Conifer Area Council Town Hall meeting: e Conifer Area Council Town Hall meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at West Je erson Middle School. Among the topics to be discussed are the Conifer library, a Je co sheri update and the 285 corridor re department survey results.

ONGOING

LGBTQ+ teen book club: Resilience1220 is o ering a LGBTQ+ teen book club that meets from 4-6 p.m. the fourth Monday at the Resilience1220 o ce next to the Buchanan Park Recreation Center. e group’s rst book is “Hell Followed With Us.” For more information and to register, visit R1220.org.

THURSDAY

Evergreen chamber mixer: e Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce will host a mixer from 5-7 p.m. ursday, Feb. 9, at the Design Showroom, 3045 Whitman Drive, Evergreen. In conjunction the showroom will have an open house, where the community can meet designers and tour the showroom.

SATURDAY

Snowshoe hikes: Explore the beauty of Colorado’s winter wonderland on a guided snowshoe hike in Georgetown. Kimberly Knox of Georgetown Outdoor Discovery and Evergreen Audubon’s Emma Vasicek will lead hikes on Feb. 11, March 4 and April 1. For more information and to register, visit www.evergreenaudubon.org/events/snowshoehike-with-georgetown-outdoordiscovery-january-2023.

Upcoming

New Year, New You: Resilience1220 is o ering a workshop that meets for ve days for teens to learn how food they eat changes their day, to nd a word for the year through movement, to show selflove and to create vision boards to embrace their identities. e workshop will meet from 4-5 p.m. Feb. 13-16 and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 17 at Clear Creek High School on Floyd Hills. For more information and to register, visit R1220.org.

Free legal clinic: A free legal clinic for people with no attorney will be from 2 to 5 p.m. ursday, March 2. By telephone or video, volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help ll out forms, and explain the process and procedure for all areas of civil litigation. Pre-registration for individual 15-minute appointments is available by calling 303-235-5275

“Spirit of Love” show: Shadow Mountain Gallery in downtown Evergreen will have its “Spirit of Love” Valentine’s show and sale through March 4. All items are made by local artists e gallery, which is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, is next to Beau Jo’s Pizza.

Young Writers’ Conference: e Young Writers’ Conference will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ursday, March 30, at Marshdale Elementary School. Register by Feb. 28. For registration and event questions, email kirstin. pulio @je co.k12.co.us.

Evergreen Audubon Explore More: Registration is now open for Evergreen Audubon’s Explore More after-school programs starting the last week of March at Marshdale and Wilmot elementary schools

Hiwan Museum winter hours: Hiwan Museum has shortened winter hours for tours, open ursday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and weekends from noon to 4:30 p.m. Private tours of large groups may be accommodated when the museum is closed by calling Erica Duvic at Hiwan Museum at 720-4977653.

Community Bible Study: Several community Bible study groups are available — women (in person and online), co-ed young adults, school age, preschool & babies. is year’s study covers six books of the Bible: Philemon 1, 2, 3, John, Jude and Revelation. In-person classes are ursday morning at Rockland Community Church in Genesee, Tuesday night at Bergan Park Church in Evergreen

SEE HAPPENINGS, P25 and Wednesday morning at Conifer Community Church in Conifer. More information is available at cbsclass. org/evergreengolden.

ESA EverGREEN Re ll Station: EverGREEN Re ll Station (re ll your laundry detergent, lotions, soaps and more. We have many sustainable products available). e Re ll Station is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. It is located upstairs in the Habitat Restore in Bergen Park, 1232 Bergen Parkway.

Support After Suicide Loss: Heartbeat and Resilience1220 o er Support After Suicide Loss from

5:30-7 p.m. the fourth ursday of the month for ages 14 and older. Join in-person or online. Suggest donation is $15. For location, visit R1220. org.

History Happy Hour: e Evergreen Mountain Area Historical Society will host a History Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30 p.m. the second Friday of each month at Hiwan Museum. Join us in a round table discussion on any and all aspects of history with topics driven by the attendees.

Sensitive Collection: Resilience1220 o ers a monthly workshop for highly sensitive people to help them live healthy and empowered lives from 3:30-4:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month via Zoom. Visit R1220.org for more information.

Caregiver support groups: Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice o ers two monthly groups to provide emotional support services for caregivers helping ill, disabled or elderly loved ones. An in-person support group meets every third Monday from 4-6 p.m. at 3081 Bergen Peak Road, Evergreen, and a virtual support group meets every rst Tuesday from 10 a.m.-noon via Zoom. Call 303-674-6400 to learn how to connect to the group virtual call. For more information visit mtevans.org/ services/emotional-support/.

Parkinson’s disease support group: A Parkinson’s disease support group meets the rst Friday of the month from 1-3 p.m. at Evergreen Christian Church, 27772 Iris Drive, Evergreen. For more information, email esears@parkinsonrockies.org.