Sheri ’s o ce looking for a sexual predator at Flying J

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce continues to look for an unarmed sexual predator targeting female hikers in Flying J Ranch Park in Conifer.

Anyone who was hiking in the park in the last month who saw anything unusual or suspicious should contact the sheri ’s o ce at 303-2710211, according to spokeswoman Karlyn Tilley. As of July 31, the person had not been apprehended.

“Even something they think might be nothing,” Tilley said. “If they got an uncomfortable feeling and remember seeing someone who ts the description in the park, we would like to know the day and time they saw this person.” e suspect is described as a white male, 20-30 years old, t/athletic build with dark-colored hair. He has carried a dark-colored backpack in some cases. In each incident, the suspect has run o into the woods, avoiding capture.

Tilley said the department knows that discussions have cropped up on social media, and investigators want to hear from those people, too, especially since the man’s behavior has become more aggressive.

Deputies have taken seven reports so far, with six incidents in Flying J and one at Alderfer ree Sisters Park. e rst report involving this suspect occurred on April 3, when a naked man approached a female hiker and touched her buttocks, according to a press release. He ed the area and was not located by law enforcement.

On June 13, a naked man confronted a female victim and began masturbating. He contacted three women on July 18 in which he fondled two victims, masturbated and engaged in sexual conversation. On July 24, the man confronted a female hiker while masturbating, and then grabbed the victim and tried to rip o her clothing.

Tilley said extra patrols are in the area, and signs have been erected at trailheads to warn hikers about the potential danger.

“We are trying to do everything we can to keep our community safe,” Tilley said. “We want people to understand that it’s still happening, and he’s still at large.” e Sheri ’s O ce suggests hiking with a friend or family member, not walking o trail, taking a phone with you, being aware of those around you and reporting anything suspicious immediately.

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Momentum for new skate park at decision is expected to be made at a special meeting on Sept. 5.

Skateboarding enthusiasts have asked the Evergreen Park & Recreation District board to put funding for a new skate park into Step 1 projects in the strategic plan.

Step 1 projects are those the board believes can be funded in the next ve to 10 years if voters approve extending a property tax set to expire in 2025. e board is in the nal stages of completing a strategic plan that will include lists of Step 1 and Step 2 projects.

Step 2 projects are those that could be completed if voters in 2024 or later approve additional money in a bond. e board has not o cially decided whether to ask voters to extend the property tax in November.

Matt Buzas, who has been spearheading the e ort to create a new skate park in Evergreen, told the EPRD board on July 25 that a skate park would be between 10,000 and 12,000 square feet, and cost between $500,000 and $900,000. Skaters — the term for those who ride skateboards — would prefer the park to be located in Buchanan Park.

Evergreen has a skate park behind the Wulf Recreation Center, which is outdated, secluded and not conducive to being a gathering place for skaters, according to the Evergreen Skatepark Coalition, the organization Buzas and his family created.

“We don’t want (a new skate park) to be an eyesore,” Buzas said. “ is would not be a skate park just for us skaters but something where the community can gather. We believe it would integrate into the overall community.”

He said the Skatepark Coalition would help with fundraising and designing the facility.

“We would like to see it as a Step 1 priority,” Buzas said, “I know a big focus is repairing and maintenance of rec district facilities. I think another big focus is having parks that are highly visible and community gathering spaces where kids and adults can play. We ask for your support in making this a priority for the community.”

Buchanan Rec Center to close for maintenance e Buchanan Park Recreation Center will be closed Aug. 14-16 for maintenance, cleaning and repairs. e Buchanan pool will remain closed through Aug. 20. Wulf Recreation Center including

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WHISKY

CLANS/GENEALOGY

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BRITISH DOGS its pool will continue operating at normal hours. If you have questions, contact Bob Schmitz, facility operations manager, at bschmitz@eprd.co or 720-880-1113.

POLO MATCH (SAT.)

BRITISH CARS (SUN.)

Lake House revenue increasing Revenue at the Evergreen Lake House is exceeding both last year’s revenue and 2023 budget projections.

Lake House Manager Krista Emrich said both ice skating revenues for the 2022-23 season and Lake House rentals in 2023 are up 40% this year compared with last year, and now that the weather has become more summer-like, boating revenues are beginning to increase, too.

Emrich told the Evergreen Park & Recreation District board on July 25 that ice skating revenue was $342,000 when $307,000 was budgeted. e board reminded the public that Evergreen residents cannot be given discounts to skate or participate in any lake activities because the Evergreen Lake property is owned by Denver.

Emrich said EPRD will have access to the entire warming hut in the 2023-24 skating season, which will mean more space for skaters to leave their shoes and other items, plus more inside seating. Last year, skat- ers had access to half of the building.

In addition, the Lake House will be open Monday through ursday when an event is not scheduled to provide more space for people to warm up. ey won’t be able to wear skates in the Lake House.

Lake House rental revenue was $253,000 between January and June, when $182,000 was budgeted. Emrich said Saturdays between May and October 2024 already are booked.

To balance rentals with community events, EPRD has added bridge, senior disco, comedy nights, community boating, teen nights and more. e summer concerts have been well attended, and attendees have seemed to like the local talent performing this year, she said.

Emrich said boating has kicked into high gear thanks to better weather. Revenue in the rst two weeks of July was more than May and June combined, and boating was open only 10 full days in June because of the rainy weather. Night boating will be available on Fridays until school starts, she said.

War memorial e Daughters of the American e organizations will pay for the 24-inch by 24-inch plaque and to have it installed.

Revolution and American Legion Post 2001 want to place a plaque commemorating those who died in the Revolutionary War at the war memorial in Buchanan Park.

Evergreen Park & Recreation District board members will check out the location for the plaque and its size to ensure that it is compatible with the existing plaques commemorating those whose lives were lost in other wars. Assuming it is compatible, the EPRD board endorsed its installation.