Centennial Citizen 101322

Council opposes county pot amendments

Alternative proposed

Centennial City Council is working to prevent a location from being near city limits.

through a public review process, according to the county’s website.

If approved, an existing commercial marijuana store could relocate

rated Arapahoe County if the new location is zoned for commercial or industrial uses and is located west

Watkins Road, the website states.

Those wanting to relocate would also have to go through a public hearing process with the county commissioners, as well as follow all state and county requirements for commercial and marijuana uses and facilities.

Council members express support of rooftop greenhouses

Part of ‘The District’

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Rooftop greenhouses spanning across approximately two acres may become one of several new developments at “The District” in Centennial, a mixed-use district along the Interstate 25 corridor near the Dry Creek Light Rail Station.

Better housing policy is centerpiece of meeting on homelessness

work

BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The need for improved housing policies was a centerpiece during the most recent discussion between south metro officials on how best to curb their cities’ rise in homelessness.

With a coalition of the cities of

Littleton, Englewood and Sheridan in its fifth year and the implementation of their Tri-Cities Homeless Action Plan in its first year, at least 11 people have been known to be housed from the efforts, according to Mike Sandgren, Arapahoe County’s coordinator for homelessness services, during an Oct. 6 meeting.

The metro area’s homeless population was estimated to have grown by 12.8% this year compared to 2021, totaling at least 6,888 people,

according to preliminary data from the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative point-in-time survey. Sandgren said as more partnerships take off, such as with Bridge House — a workforce training and housing program for single adults — he expects that number will soon increase. But it comes as the three cities have already shelled out a slew of funding for homelessness

During a presentation to Centennial City Council on Oct. 3, multiple council members expressed support for the greenhouses, which would be part of a building encompassing a proposed nine-story hotel, two-story recreation center, ground floor retail and restaurants.

“‘The District’ is a planned, mixeduse community that spans 36 acres and will offer 2.5 million square feet of office space, a 150-room hotel, 1,800 residential units and more than 30,000 square feet of retail,” said Jenna Campbell, a senior planner with the city.

The area was formerly known as “The Jones District,” Campbell

Littleton City Manager Jim Becklenberg, left, and Mayor Kyle Schlachter discuss policies aimed at curbing homelessness with other south metro city leaders.

PHOTO BY ROBERT TANN

Centennial’s Susan Hill heads to Washington

Susan Hill, a local Volunteer Leader with Save The Children Action Network (SCAN)– the political advocacy arm of Save the Children from Centennial was invited to speak and attend Communities in Action: Building a Better Coloradoat the White House on Oct. 7.

Communities in Action: Building a Better Coloradois part of a new series that will feature local elected officials and community leaders working on behalf of their communities to create opportunities and improve people’s everyday lives.

Briefly In Centennial

Phone scam warnings for local residents

The phone scammers are at it again. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens about a scam involving fraudulent callers who are impersonating our deputies. They will call you and pretend to be one of our sergeants, lieutenants or captains. They will tell you there is a warrant out for your arrest and give you a reason. The scammer will ask for payment to ‘clear it up.’ do not send money. A legitimate law enforcement officer will never do this. Please be wary of phone calls from numbers you don’t recognize and always call us to confirm at 303-795-4711.

Howdy Homemade Ice Cream opens near Centennial

A new Howdy’s ice cream franchise is set to open on Saturday, Oct. 15. A grand opening celebration will be held from noon to 9 p.m. at the new location at 6340 S. Parker Rd.

The festivities will kick off at noon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Aurora Mayor, Mike Coffman, along with Howdy Homemade Founder, Tom Landis and local franchise owners, Troy and Kayle Knuckles. “Howdy Homemade Ice Cream is very proud to be opening our latest franchise location in Aurora, Colorado. This new location will create at least 15 new jobs for amazing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” We could not be more excited about the positive impact that our team here in Colorado will make in the local IDD community,” said Founder Tom Landis.

has also established a partnership with Vera Bradley across several of their locations, include the one here in Aurora. Vera Bradley has graciously provided aprons in several Vera Bradley patterns for Howdy’s ice cream servers, who they refer to as Heroes, to wear while working. Additionally, Howdy will be making and serving a special Ice Cream flavor call Vera Bradley Very Berry.

Whiskey Warmer event on Oct. 22 This 2nd annual event is back by popular demand. Bring your friends to enjoy crisp fall weather, play yard games and enjoy tastings from Colorado distilleries! Admission is free and open to all ages (must be 21 and older to partake in tastings).

Tickets for tastings are now on sale. Tickets are $20 (+small processing fee) for eight, 1/2-ounce alcohol samples. Splitting the ticket with a friend is allowed! Must be 21+ to sample alcohol.

To purchase a Whiskey Warmer ticket, visit https://bit.ly/3yfAjCr.

Find ballot content and voting information

As the election grows closer, residents can learn more about what’s on the ballot, important

dates to remember and more by visiting arapahoevotes.gov. The General Election is Nov. 8 with Colorado sending mail ballots out statewide starting on Oct. 17.

Howdy Homemade Ice Cream

Cyber attacks hit multiple communities

State of Colorado sees homepage taken down by foreign entity

BY PAOLO ZIALCITA AND MATT MORET COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO

After ransomware disrupted the government services of multiple Colorado communities earlier this year, state officials warned that cybercrime is on the rise. That alert rang true on Oct. 5 when a cyberattack from a foreign entity took down Colorado.gov, the homepage for the state’s online services.

The attack seems to be limited to the main directory page, with state services still available through their individual websites. There’s currently no timeline for the homepage’s restoration.

A Russian-speaking group known as Killnet claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s website outages in a post on Telegram, an instant messaging service that’s grown in popularity outside the United States. The “hacktivist” group ramped up its activity in NATO countries after Russia invaded Ukraine. This latest attack also took down government websites in other states, including Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky and Mississippi. Some of those pages are now back online.

A spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Information Technology declined to comment on the attack Thursday due to the ongoing criminal investigation. It’s unclear whether the attack came with a ransom demand.

That would put the state in a situation familiar to several local governments in Colorado that have faced multimillion-dollar extortion attempts in order to restore their systems.

Both Fremont County and the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge were recently hit by “BlackCat” ransomware attacks, which allow hackers to block access to a computer system or function until their target pays up or rebuilds their framework. Neither of the two communities targeted paid their ransoms, leaving some government services and internal functions down for a period of time.

“It’s like going back to the 1980s for our staff, where they are working around the clock and so hard to make sure that that impact is minimal,” Wheat Ridge spokesperson Amanda Harrison said. “But that means they have to resort to some really outdated ways of doing that. We don’t have all of our servers turned back on yet because we are ensuring that they are safe and secure.”

Harrison said the attack mainly impacted city employees, not members of the public. Fremont County wasn’t as lucky.

Many of the county’s offices were closed for over a month after it was targeted in mid-August. Despite rejecting the hackers’ demands, both

Cyber attacks are becoming more common as the state was a recent target.

communities had to spend money to rebuild and bring services back online with new security measures.

Ray Yepes, Colorado’s Chief Information Security Officer, said the two attacks on Fremont County and Wheat Ridge are unrelated and came from two different groups who want money.

Yepes said that’s bad news, because it means future attacks are likely. He stressed that local governments need to be prepared for that possibility.

Because Colorado has historically relied on a decentralized approach to cybersecurity, smaller cities and counties often lack resources to deter hackers and quickly respond to outages. State lawmakers decided in 2021 to adopt a “whole of state” approach to cybersecurity, which allowed Yepes and his team to act as roaming support staff for communities in need.

“Any government entity’s problem is our problem and we’re here to help them. We have more resources than they have,” Yepes said. “When you look at the whole of a state approach it’s an idea, it’s a model. Local, federal, every resource that you can find, you bring them together, you combine your expertise, the resources, your main power to be able to fight cybercrime together.”

Yepes said the threat of cybercrime should be taken seriously. In addition to bringing down vital government services, they can sometimes reveal sensitive information, like social security codes and bank account information.

“We are all driven by technology,” Yepes said. “The water system can be affected by cyberattacks, transit can be affected by cyberattacks. Anything that we do nowadays in our life depends on technology.”

Colorado has learned costly lessons from previous cyberattacks. The state paid $1.7 million in overtime, meals and equipment to restore the Colorado Department of Transportation’s servers in 2018. Earlier this month, Boulder County mistakenly sent $238,000 to a fraudulent account after a cyberattack allowed hackers to pose as vendors the county owed.

This story is from CPR News, a nonprofit news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.

Ballots are on

Arapahoe County Commission District 2 candidates

These

have been

takeaway is that Democrats — by and large — have prioritized making government work for the people of Arapahoe County and have better addressed the challenges we’re facing. From addressing our housing affordability crisis and protecting renters to reforming health care, protecting our reproductive rights, reforming our gun laws and keeping us safe, mobilizing resources for mental and behavioral health, protecting our environment, and protecting our democracy — it’s been Democrats from Arapahoe County leading the way. It’s been an honor to help elect some of those leaders, partner with them, and help pass some of those policies in the legislature.

Gotto: I feel the Unaffiliated voter is what is causing shifts in recent elections. These are voters that speak with their vote. If they feel the County is heading in the wrong direction they will vocalize that at the voting booth. Party does not matter to them. Helping their quality of

Community Media.

life does. This election will be no different. The candidates that have the best ideas on how to improve the County where it is the ultimate place to work, live, and play will win.

How will you support the county’s new health department set to be operational Jan. 1?

Gotto: That is one of the main reasons I am running. I want to use my City Council experience along with my Executive experience to help support them in making good decisions for our children and businesses. Funding their initiatives will be key! I will also make it a priority to work and meet with board continuously to see how the Board of Commissioners can help them succeed.

Campbell-Swanson: Since the incoming board of commissioners will be responsible for appointing the permanent board of public health, the first thing we can do to support our new health department is set it up for success by appointing public health experts dedicated to

data-driven, science-based, equityfocused policy with administrative experience, a history of getting results, and a broad, intersectional and/or multidisciplinary perspec tive. After that, I will be as engaged as I can to ensure our new health de partment has the funding and struc ture needed to ensure a smooth, equitable, and reliable delivery of services.

What are your priorities for spending funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and bipartisan infrastructure law in Arapahoe County?

Campbell-Swanson: ARPA funds: We need to continue responding to pain points and helping our most vulnerable populations. The ending of eviction moratoriums have left many housing-insecure as housing costs continue to rise. We need to continue to fund emergency rental assistance to keep people housed and prevent homelessness from increasing. We also need to continue supporting our small businesses and increasing mental health re sources. For infrastructure: Catch up on deferred maintenance where possible, reduce carbon emissions by increasing climate-friendly infra structure like charging stations for EVs and increasing infrastructure to make Arapahoe more bikeable, walkable, and accessible via public

transportation.

Gotto: I want to enhance the Childhood Education center. I want to invest heavily into Retrain Arapa hoe. A priority will be the Aurora Shelter/Safe Housing Options. I want to invest more into Pretrial mental health programs. A huge fo cus will using the funding for Water and sewer infrastructure.

What would you do regarding housing, development and growth in Arapahoe County?

Gotto: The key will be having someone with experience in manag ing growth while keeping in mind roadways/infrastructure. The I70 growth in Aurora and in Unincor porated Arapahoe County is coming fast and furious. This will be a very good thing. It might cause several issues if the new development can’t be accommodated with accurate transportation studies and accurate roads for access. I will also use my legislative experience to continue to improve the construction defect laws. Developers need the freedom to develop Condos and Town Homes so residents can afford to purchase affordable places to live near where they work. It breaks my heart that residents need to commute an hour to work because they can not afford to live in Arapahoe County.

Campbell-Swanson: We must be proactive and intentional about how we manage our growth as we are expected to grow from 650k people in Arapahoe now to 875k by 2040. We must increase our housing op

tions and ensure they are affordable across all income brackets and ages. And we must do this in a way that increases bikeability, walkability, and access to public transportation or traffic will become untenable. In so doing, we can also reduce further harm to our environment by reduc ing water usage and carbon emis sions as we set up healthy commu nities with close access to grocers, parks, and schools.

A ordable housing is a problem across the entire Denver metro area - what can be done at the county level to address the issues?

Campbell-Swanson: In unincor porated Arapahoe, where we have zoning jurisdiction, we can work with nonprofits and developers to ensure new developments include housing options affordable across all income levels.

2. In unincorporated Arapahoe, we can loosen zoning restrictions on accessory dwelling units and other land use restrictions.

3. We can incentivize sellers to sell their homes to individual buyers.

4. We can work with our municipal partners to support programs in creasing housing stock with options affordable across all income levels.

5. We can connect with developers about getting creative about repur posing empty buildings.

Gotto: I will continue to support initiatives around working with developers in the County. Cur rently we will purchase units in new builds to help homeless and lower

income residents. I will use my experience with the development community for more opportunities like these. Pay for units. Look for opportunities to partner.

What e orts would you support to address homelessness in Arapahoe County?

Gotto: I will support purchas ing vouchers to hotels so there are places for residents on the streets to live. I will analyze the budget to find improvements in the $23,060,000 we spend on our Homelessness Pro gram Initiatives. We currently have a $10,000,000 Affordable Housing Grant program that I will use my experience to see how we can maxi mize that funding.

Campbell-Swanson: I support efforts that (a) prevent folks from entering homelessness through rental assistance, eviction assis tance, increasing housing options affordable across income brackets, workforce development, and sup porting higher wages; (b) get people out of homelessness by getting our unhoused neighbors access to housing to stabilize, health care to heal, and workforce development to obtain employment; (c) keep our parks and neighborhoods clear of health hazards; and (d) get govern ing bodies out of silos and working together like the Countywide Home lessness Coordinating Committee, launched this year, and the $50 mil lion grant for local governments to create a metro Denver homelessness navigation campus.

Arapahoe County Commission District 4 candidates

These answers have been edited for clarity by Colorado Community Media.

What are your takeaways from the county’s shift toward voting Democratic in recent elections?

: These trends are cyclical, and the Democrats have been successful lately. I think it is generally associated with people growing tired of one-party control. I believe we are going to see another swing this year.

: It is clear that the people of Arapahoe County are not happy with the direction things were going. Now we Democrats need to continue to earn that support through finding root cause solutions to county issues and addressing them.

How will you support the county’s new health department set to be operational Jan. 1?

Public-Health-Survey. As we move forward with our new health department it is most important to ensure that we have the infrastructure in place to serve those most vulnerable. I am not a public health expert and therefore will rely on hearing from those on the ground, who are most impacted to help make decisions to best serve Arapahoe County.

Roth: I have been attending the Study Session meetings where this topic has been discussed, so I believe I am ready to step in and contribute on day one. The Board of County Commissioners needs to keep themselves informed on the dayto-day of this department and provide the resources necessary for success. I know the Chair well, and also the Executive Director.

Democrat Leslie Summey Republican Bob Roth

: Much work has already been done to make sure we are ready on January 1, including surveying current residents that you can participate in here: arapahoegov.com/2227/

Arapahoe County assessor candidates

What is your approach to bringing fairness to the tax system in Arapahoe County?

Andrews: Experience! I have been appraising real estate, fulltime, for the past 25 years. My opponents have never appraised a property. It is important a manager understands the technical aspect of his subordinates. Using my 25 years’ experience I have full understanding of both the process of valuing properties as well as the differences in markets.

Kaiser: The transparency and accountability at all levels of assessor office have brought fairness to the Arapahoe County property owners. We have brought more properties into taxable net than any previous assessors. We are following new constructions and addition/deletion permits very swiftly and record the percentage completed into our books. The statistically methodology we use for mass appraisal is technical tested and we follow the full guidelines of Division of Property Taxation in the state department of local affairs. Our mass appraisal is edited every year by the stated appointed editors and last in four years our statistical models and results are ratified by the edit company without any additional action.

Lallament: Start by assessing one-dollar property taxes across the board and go from there or as people are, willing and able. By reducing and phasing out property taxes, we will allow county services that have grown dependent on the taxes to go through a transition. Phasing out the taxes will open free market innovation, competition, and choices. Those services that are still in need of a county-controlled monopoly

How would you approach valuation protests by property owners?

Lallament: The county government should have no say or charge of evaluating the value of any property or land. The current system of assessing and multiplying rates leads to corruption of valuing property artificially higher for the sole purpose of trying to generate more revenue for government bureaucracy and monopolized services. Real estate agencies, the owners of property in Arapahoe, prospective buyers, and the free market are the best and most appropriate proprietors for setting the value of Arapahoe land, and property.

Andrews: Protesting property taxes are the right of property owners. I like to be proactive versus reactive; meaning it is important to assess properties fairly and accurately from the beginning to reduce protest requests. It is important that regard-

less of the outcome of the protest, the property owner has complete understanding of the tax process. As a former educator, I would make sure my staff educates the tax payer exercising exceptional Customer Service. If the tax payer is still not satisfied with the findings of the appraiser or Deputy Assessor, I have the knowledge, experience and willingness to meet with the property owner. The last options would be the Board of Equalization and possibly the District Court State Board of Assessment Appeals.

Kaiser: The Arapahoe County Assessor Office is the leader in Colorado for bringing innovation, process improvement, training and adapting changes. We have introduced the scannable code on all notices of values. The property owners can scan the QR code and can go directly on to their property. We have made all residential appeals online so people can appeal their values from anywhere. We have also installed the drop boxes in front of all major county buildings so appeals and any other documents for assessor can be dropped off 24/7 in those boxes.

During the protest period we also made mobile assessor units and set up remote camps and provided opportunities for the people to appeal/ protest their values at their door-

What sets you apart from other candidates in this race?

Kaiser: I am the best educated candidate in the state of Colorado running for assessor. I have MBA in Finance, MS in Accounting, MS Ag. Economics and currently working on my Ph.D. in Economics. I have worked for various federal, state, and local governments like USPS, Colorado Department of Revenue, Department of Corrections, City & County of Denver, Community College of Aurora, etc. I have strong grip on technology (I am member of county IT steering committee from last four years), statistics, and mass appraisal methodology. I am keeping up my knowledge and skills up to the industry standards through continue education, seminars, conferences, webinars, and presentations at various levels.

Lallament: At the end of the day, taxation destroys and punishes prosperity. Just as how income taxes destroys, and punishes production. Property taxes destroys and punishes ownership. Property taxes make it harder for young, and migrating people to achieve and prosper as well as continued punishment of the long-standing citizens of Arapahoe.

Andrews: The Assessor manages a real estate appraisal office. I am the only candidate that has actually written an appraisal report; thousands of reports. In addition, I pledge to report to work every day and all day.

PK Kaiser Bob Andrews Joshua Lallement

Arapahoe County clerk & recorder candidates

How can the clerk’s o ce improve its perception to voters who feel they can’t trust the current system?

Cornell: Balancing election security and voting accessibility is key. My promise is to check partisan politics at the door, while improving transparency in elections. I’ve learned that when people don’t know how something works and aren’t getting answers, they become skeptical. When they hear partisan rhetoric on top of that, there is bound to be mistrust. Rebuilding public confidence starts with elected officials choosing to turn down partisan rhetoric and work toward common ground. As a nonprofit leader, I’ve led diverse teams to collaborate on hot button issues uniting members around shared goals. I’ll leverage these experiences in the clerk’s office.

Lopez: We make sure the voter is informed of our pro-

tions tours and information. We want the public to know that we have safe and secure elections. We also live stream every Logic and Accuracy test, Risk Limiting Audit and our Certified Canvass. These processes show every step of our election and help voters understand the process.

What would be your approach to increasing voter turnout and accessibility?

Lopez: We have already been setting all time highs for voter turnout. We will continue to bring more access to the table. This is a no brainer. In the past it was harder to vote. We will continue to make voting a way of life. We will continue to increase the number of translated language instructions on how to

vote. Arapahoe County now has six different translated instructions on how to register, how to track your ballot and how to change your address and receive a ballot after you have moved. We will continue to include, educate and inform our citizens.

Cornell: As a civics geek with a poli-sci degree, I have long believed that everyone who can vote, should vote. Many don’t because they feel their vote won’t matter. They haven’t connected voting with how you are heard. Elections give people a chance to have a say in policies that impact our lives – are things working well or is it time for a change. I believe in solving root causes. As Clerk, I plan to create a civic engagement program to boost understanding about why voting matters and how the elections process works while deemphasizing partisan issues that turn people off.

How could you depoliticize the role of clerk and recorder?

Lopez: In today’s political climate I’m not sure it’s possible. On the other hand I want every legal eligible voter to vote.

Cornell: Ask any parent, and you’ll hear attitude is half the battle. People naturally gravitate to a commonsense advocate who rejects extremes on both sides and seeks common ground. Every interaction affords an opportunity to deescalate our politicized environment. Citizens want a responsive clerk who manages the staff effectively and serves the businesses and public efficiently. A clerk who can speak with confidence about election processes, protecting accessibility while safeguarding election security is important. A clerk with the skills to deliver on all these points will naturally depoliticize the role.

Arapahoe County treasurer candidates

What resources for taxpayers do you want to highlight and support?

Berzins: I support the state Senior and Veteran PropertyTax Programs. The Senior tax deferral program and military personnel called into active service allow tax deferral of property taxes. There is also a Senior and Disabled Veterans property tax exemption program that I support.

Westerberg: The Treasurer’s Office needs to expand their public communications effort and ensure that every taxpayer is aware of every County Program they could qualify for. As treasurer, I will make sure that opportunities are well advertised and equitably distributed.

Are there any ways you would

funds). Because Arapahoe County spans multiple fire districts, metro districts, school districts, and cities, the tax process will always have many different facets. : My first goal is to get the information about the deferral and exemption pro-

grams out to our taxpayers. I want to speak with people to hear their concerns. Communication is key for the taxpayers. I will use email and social media where possible. Drop boxes should be utilized more. My office will be open for walk-ins and someone will answer the phone.

In your view, what are some of the most important functions of the Treasurer’s o ce that some may not know about?

Berzins: The Treasurer’s office collects property taxes and distributes the revenue to 9 schools, 13 cities and towns, tax increment districts and special districts. It manages non-risky investments remembering that this is taxpayer money.

Westerberg: Investments.

In order for Arapahoe County to pay for much needed services for residents, we need to increase our rate of returns on investments. What is your biggest priority for treasurer?

Westerberg: My biggest priority will be increasing revenue for Arapahoe County without raising taxes by exploring public enterprises.

Berzins: My biggest priority is working with the taxpayer and keeping their dollars safe. I will be a friend to the taxpayer to watch carefully that their dollars will be transparently spent and invested. The Treasurer must follow state statutes and the Constitution.

Arapahoe County coroner candidates

Democrat Kelly Lear Republican Ron Bouchard

(Editor’s note: Coroner candidates Ron Bouchard and Kat Martin did not respond to multiple reminders to answer the questions posed to every candidate.)

What do you believe the coroner’s o ce can do about the fentanyl crisis?

Lear: Our role is to collect accurate information and data about fentanyl overdose

accurate death reporting in order to identify emerging trends.

What are your views on the continuing COVID pandemic and how would your o ce continue to record those deaths?

Lear: Our office must investigate unexpected and unattended deaths, and deaths at home from undiagnosed COVID infections fall under that umbrella. In persons dying with symptoms but without scientific diagnosis, we will continue to perform COVID and other infectious disease testing combined with postmortem examinations to evaluate for all possible causes of death

in order to ensure accurate diagnosis of COVID. I rely on my training as a medical doctor to determine the actual cause of death whether that be from COVID or another cause.

What is your specific medical experience and how are you qualified for the role of coroner?

Lear: I am a medical doctor with board certification in forensic pathology, 27 years of experience in the Arapahoe Coroner’s Office, including 18 years as a fulltime forensic pathologist

performing autopsies, overseeing death investigations, and certifying death certificates. I have performed over 5,000 autopsies, testified as an expert witness in over 150 criminal and civil trials, have numerous peer-reviewed publications in the field of forensics, and am nationally recognized as an expert in forensic pathology. An autopsy is the practice of medicine, and by statute forensic autopsies must be performed by a board-certified forensic pathologist.

Marsha BerzinsMichael Roger Westerberg

Joan Lopez Caroline Cornell

Libertarian Kat Martin

Kelly Lear

What sets you apart from the other candidate in this race?

Cornell: I’m an energetic leader with a customer-focused approach. As a community leader, I am known for the ability to generate success ful outcomes in complex situa tions. I excel at problem solving, developing consensus, and building teams. My business career includes administering multi-million dol lar budgets, overseeing complex projects, people management, and process improvement. I’ve led numerous non-profit boards and currently serve as board chair for

TREASURER

What are the biggest policy di erence between you and your opponent?

Westerberg: The biggest policy difference between my opponent and I is that I believe that the Treasurer’s Office should be a proactive office that works with the State to increase services. As treasurer, I will be a proactive member of the County and work to increase revenue to ensure we continue to provide and expand services to our residents.

a well-known statewide non-profit. As Clerk, I’ll be a common-sense advocate for the people of Arapahoe County. I’ll use my real world skills to improve services and deliver accessible, secure elections for ALL Arapahoe’s citizens.

Lopez: I have worked for the clerks office for twenty one years. I’ve watched three clerks come and go. I’ve seen what works and what didn’t. Experience sets me apart. In Malcolm Gladwell’s book he states that it takes 10,000 hours to become an “expert”. I have around 58,000 hours. This is my career. My quest when I ran for office and won was to make it better for the voters, the employees and our customers. I have done that and there is more to do.

Berzins : I have day to day experience in owning and run ning a business. I have always been a public servant and have problem solving experience. My 12 years on Aurora City Council overseeing a $1B budget and my personal business experience is a huge difference between us. I was also the Director of Human Resources in another job. I have always been involved in busi nesses since graduating with a business degree. I care about people and helping them be the best they can be. I have taught my 5 children the same prin ciples.

Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $28.50 per month and business services are $41.00 per month. Speci c rates will be provided upon request.

CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which makes residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible lowincome individuals and families. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline discounts of $5.25/month for voice or bundled voice service or $9.25/month for qualifying broadband or broadband bundles. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal bene ts if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to qualify. CenturyLink also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service. The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

For both programs, a household is de ned as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Services are not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in these programs. Consumers who willfully make false statements to obtain these discounts can be punished by ne or imprisonment and can be barred from these programs.

If you live in a CenturyLink service area, visit https://www.centurylink.com/ aboutus/community/community-development/lifeline.html for additional information about applying for these programs or call 1-800-201-4099 with questions.

DISTRICT 4

What are your priorities for spending funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and bipartisan infrastructure law in Arapahoe County?

Roth: The most pressing infra structure issue facing the county right now is the jail. It is falling apart and needs serious attention. With my construction back ground, I think I am uniquely po sitioned to dive in and make good policy decisions regarding this issue. As with most governmental entities, road, bridges and inter sections need attention as well.

Summey: Our small businesses and residents are still working towards recovery from COVID-19. Any funds that are still unspoken for need to go towards ensuring that doors stay open, food is on the table, and roofs stay over our residents’ heads.

What would you do regarding hous ing, development and growth in Arapahoe County?

Summey: Arapahoe County has been driven by developers for too long. Individual metro districts are creating a lack of continuity of our neighborhoods. On top of that our rising housing and food costs are putting everyday fami lies at risk of losing their homes, and our unhoused community has grown exponentially. Further more we can’t talk about housing and development without con sidering the impacts of climate change. So as we move forward we need to incentivize sustain able and affordable solutions that center the needs of the most impacted first.

Roth: Work with developers as they make plans in Arapahoe County for smart growth. We have to encourage the state legislature to correct the construction defects

issue that is hampering attached for-sale housing product.

A ordable housing is a problem across the entire Denver metro areawhat can be done at the county level to address the issues?

Roth: I don’t believe it can be addressed county by county. I think we need a regional approach to the conversation that engages all stake holder. And again, work with developers to find good solu tions- whether that is tiny homes, pallet homes, land trusts or many other creative solutions.

Summey: We need to address the systemic issues that keep our residents from being able to buy a home or frankly, at this point to even comfortably rent a home. We have more and more people who are not able to live anywhere close to where they work. A place we could start is looking at is the abundance of out-of-town corpo rations buying up our housing inventory and keeping everyday families out of the market.

What e orts would you support to address homelessness in Arapahoe County?

Summey: We should invest in long-term proven solutions, not Band-Aids. We need to increase the county’s investment in a housing-first policy that prioritiz es wraparound services, including mental health. We know the up front investment results not only in better outcomes but also saves the county money in the long run and plus increases revenue through increased self-sufficiency.

Roth: This is closely linked to the last two answers. We need to continue to work on short term solutions such as cold weather shelters and group home options where life skills and work eth ics is fostered. But if we have to work with developers to build up the stock of affordable housing options.

Source

Arapahoe County sheri candidates

Amid national conversations of police reform, what changes do you think are needed in policing in Arapahoe County?

Brown: The men and women of the Arapahoe county sheriffs office do an amazing job providing law enforcement services to our citizens. We are a CALEA Accredited law enforcement, which means we open our policies and procedures to outside review annually and participate in an on-site review every four years. We are the only sheriffs office in the nations history to attain triple crown accreditation under four different sheriffs. We continually strive to be on the cutting edge of procedures and technology to meet the needs of our citizens.

Edling: It starts at the top. We should expect professional behavior from elected officials and hold them accountable. Denver District Attorney Beth McCann called Sheriff Brown’s behavior, “irresponsible and unprofessional” after he started a fight at Pindustry and was reportedly publicly intoxicated. His captain made numerous inappropriate comments to female coworkers. His lieutenant was paid $30,000 to separate after posing naked and engaging in sexual acts online. We must elect and hire experienced, respectful leaders and deputies who hold themselves to the highest professional standards. I will not tolerate unprofessional or unethical behavior and will improve morale and bring back pride in the agency.

Liva iff’s office needs to form partnerships with law abiding citizens in order to form a strong network to identify and eliminate criminal activity.

What are your solutions for bringing crime rates down?

Edling under this sheriff and people are not feeling safe. Auto thefts are up 139% in Arapahoe County and people are demanding relief from this crime tsunami. We must return to being a proactive law enforcement agency instead of reactive. People are tired of the extreme right and left and they want to get back to common sense. I will empower our deputies to hold criminals accountable for their actions and bring them to justice. I will work collaboratively with the other law

enforcement agencies in and nearby Arapahoe County to make this one of the safest counties in the state.

: Law abiding citizens of Arapahoe County need to be empowered to act in concert with law enforcement.

: During my time as Sheriff we’ve created a special investigations unit which is responsible for taking over 75,000 tabs of illegal fentanyl off the street. I will continue to work with legislators and the governors office to ensure that we have the proper tools equipment and statutes to make Colorado one of the safest states in the nation.

We have also created a special response team whose job is to work with patrol teams and community partners to address specific areas of the county which are experiencing criminal activity.

How would you combat the ongoing fentanyl crisis?

Brown: As I mentioned before we’ve created a special investigations unit to attack the fentanyl crisis head on. This unit of highly trained investigators is going after the source and distributors of this poison. I will also continue to work with legislators to push them to have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the possession of fentanyl. Due to the increase in overdoses we’ve made it mandatory that every deputy carry two doses of Narcan with them to assist individuals who have overdosed. we also have a very robust medicated assisted treatment program at the Arapahoe County detention facility which is used on a regular basis to assist people who are in custody with getting off opiates.

Edling: Colorado is now second in the nation for fentanyl use resulting in death, an increase of 382% the last two years. The lax laws related to fentanyl aren’t working. Fentanyl continues to infiltrate our community through counterfeit pills and other street drugs.

I will not be a quiet sheriff who sits by and watches this happen. I will advocate for our children and work with our legislators to demand action and stronger penalties. Also, I will partner with our federal law enforcement agencies to bring the maximum amount of resources to combat this

Kevin Edling Kevin Alan Liva

Tyler Brown

crisis and arrest drug dealers who profit off killing our residents with this deadly drug.

Liva: Increasing public education and awareness is the only tool left for local law enforcement in the fentanyl crisis.

What are your plans for enforcing Red Flag laws?

Edling: As a police command officer with over 30 years of experience I have never had to utilize a Red Flag law to bring a criminal to justice or to place a mentally ill person on a 72-hour mental health hold at the hospital. There is typically an underlying crime that has been committed that results in the person being arrested and separated from their weapons or a mental health crisis that results in being hospitalized for evaluation. I take our constitutional rights seriously and I believe

in protecting them. The Red Flag law should only be utilized in the most egregious of situations.

Liva: Red Flag laws are unconstitutional. The only action I will take is to contact the person of concern by phone and inform them of available social services and I will listen to their side of the story.

Brown: I will continue to enforce red flag orders or extreme risk protection orders in conjunction with the due process of court proceedings. This tool allows law enforcement officers to work in conjunction with the courts to afford people due process and also make sure individuals who are experiencing mental health issues aren’t in possession of firearms. Since the passing of this bill the sheriffs office has rarely had to intervene in any situation.

How would you address the threat of school shootings and mass public shootings?

Brown: We’ve expanded our school resource officer program it’s not only

adding more deputies but utilizing new tools such as therapy dogs to allow students to create positive relationships with deputies. These positive relationships break down barriers and allow for communication from staff students and family members to deputies which allow us to address situations before they become violent. We also offer community base training for businesses to be able to recognize signs and to allow deputies to have early intervention into situations therefore reducing the risk of violent encounters.

Liva: I will encourage all law abiding citizens to obtain a concealed carry permit.

Edling: It has been more than 23 years since the horrific massacre at Columbine High School that was perpetrated by pure evil and yet we continue to have tragedy after tragedy in mass shootings throughout our country. As sheriff, I will make sure my deputies will be equipped and welltrained to address any threat to our

public safety and they will not hesitate to combat evil. I will expand the school resource officer program to protect our children.

I will also implement a random antiviolence measure program that will provide an extra layer of protection for our schools in Arapahoe County by dispatching deputies to our schools on a random basis during school hours. We’ve expanded our school resource officer program it’s not only adding more deputies but utilizing new tools such as therapy dogs to allow students to create positive relationships with deputies. These positive relationships break down barriers and allow for communication from staff students and family members to deputies which allow us to address situations before they become violent. We also offer community base training for businesses to be able to recognize signs and to allow deputies to have early intervention into situations therefore reducing the risk of violent encounters.

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orto schedule aconsultation,

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and housing-related projects, with the action plan alone expected to cost more than $700,000 over three years.

“We’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars so far. How many people have we actually housed?” said Littleton District 2 Councilmember Jerry Valdes.

Current action plan items underway include new partnerships with workforce training programs, metrics and data collection for homeless populations in the region and beginning street outreach that can “make contact with them, build relationships and ultimately make service referrals,” Sandgren said.

But the rise in unhoused populations is further escalating urgency for local officials to find more widescale solutions — one being more investment in affordable housing.

“The key is housing and the idea of housing first,” said Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter. “That allows them to be successful in the work and the other services.”

Englewood City Councilmember At-Large Rita Russell disagreed and said “housing first isn’t really the solution, it’s work fist.” Russell speculated that some unhoused residents would fail to keep hous-

GREENHOUSE

FROM PAGE 1

said. According to the staff report, it is regulated by the “Jones District Regulating Plan” and the “Urban Center zone district.”

The land has been split into parcels, several of which are under construction or site plan review for future development, according to the staff report.

The proposed building including the hotel, recreation center and ground floor retail is planned for “Parcel 3,” according to the staff report, and the applicant proposed building commercial agriculture greenhouses on the approximately two-acre roof of the building.

According to a letter of intent — sent by Brian Erickson, a principal

ing because of mental health and substance abuse issues and stressed those as areas that may need more focus.

A study published in October 2020 by the University of Denver Center for Housing and Homelessness Research found the top five reasons why individuals in the tri-cities area reported being homeless were all economic. Of 121 people surveyed, 51% said they lost a job, 43% were unable to pay rent, 43% had a change in employment, 35% had an unaffordable expense and 34% sited rising housing costs.

Russell also took issue with what she said was Englewood taking on more homeless resources than Littleton or Sheridan — pointing to the city as the only one of the three with a severe weather shelter, housed at a local church.

“When people come into Englewood, you see them all over … if Englewood is going to share the brunt of that, that’s problematic to me,” Russel said, adding that “we have a limited amount of taxpayer dollars that we can spend, and we need to make sure we can afford this.”

Sandgren said homelessness remains “an issue nationwide, it’s not just a Front Range or metro challenge,” and emphasized collaboration between the three cities was at the heart of their action plan.

Though Englewood alone has

at Davis Partnership Architects — the greenhouses will be used for growing, processing and packaging leafy lettuce.

The operation would be almost fully automated, Erickson said in the letter. Staff will load the seeds into the hopper, and then an automated growth system will take over.

“Most of them operate on a hydroponic growth system that uses running water instead of soil to nourish the roots of the plants and allows for greater efficiency of space, and also allows for year-round growing,” Campbell said about these types of greenhouses.

Once the lettuce is ready, the automated system cuts, washes and packages the lettuce, Erickson said in the letter. Staff will then load the packaged lettuce onto trucks for delivery, and the lettuce will be sold through grocery retailers in Centennial and

stood up funding for CrossPurpose — a career-coaching organization aimed at finding work for people in poverty — and paid the most between the three cities to renovate a south Englewood building to house another workforce program, Littleton and Sheridan have made investments in the action plan.

That includes a three-way split to fund the coordinator position held by Sandgren — to the tune of $110,000 per year for three years — and support for a navigation center where homeless residents in the tricities region can access a slew of resources. That is in addition to other policies and projects made over the past year that, while mainly specific to each city, could support homeless and low-income populations across the region.

That includes the largest Habitat for Humanity development in Colorado, which sits in Sheridan Square — located at the intersection of Hampden Avenue and Federal Boulevard — and is estimated to house about 355 people.

“I think it has really revitalized that area of our city,” said Sheridan Mayor Tara Beiter-Fluhr.

One major policy that garnered attention during the meeting was an affordable housing mandate, set to be introduced to Littleton’s city council as an inclusionary housing ordinance within weeks. Under that proposal, developers would be

surrounding metropolitan areas.

In total, the operation would create 12 to 15 jobs, according to the letter.

City staff found that the greenhouses would best fit under the city’s definition of agriculture use, Campbell said. However, agriculture is currently not a permitted use in the “Urban Center zone district” nor in the “Jones District Regulating Plan,” she said.

“And so, in order to move forward with the proposed greenhouses, we would need to amend the land development code and ‘Jones District Regulating Plan,’” Campbell said.

Staff recommended permitting agriculture as a limited use in the “Urban Center zone district” — a small amendment to the land development code, she said. Limited use standards would be created as part of the amendment, as well, to mitigate potential impacts.

“For limited uses, you’re only allowed to establish that use if you meet certain criteria, like distance from residential, additional lot size — whatever standards you want to write in,” Campbell said.

Following the presentation, council directed staff to prepare an ordinance to amend the land development code to allow rooftop agriculture as a limited use in the “Urban Center zone district.”

If you don’t have a K-Lawn Dealer in your area, we are looking to add a few quality dealers to our 10-state network. Key benefits include:

both compelled and incentivized to build more affordable units in housing projects aimed at residents making between 60% and 80% of the area median income, or AMI.

According to Arapahoe County AMI data for 2021, that would represent a spectrum of people making between $42,000 and $56,000 per year in Littleton. For a family of four, it would be between $60,000 and $80,000 per year.

Englewood Mayor Othoniel Sierra showed interest and support in his city council adopting a similar measure and Sheridan City Manager Devin Granberry said such a policy is “on our to-do list.”

And with the potential success of Proposition 123 in the upcoming Nov. 8 election, Colorado may have a new fund to provide hundreds of millions in affordable housing aid to local governments, should voters approve allowing the state to siphon a small slice of state income tax for such a fund.

Ultimately, Schlachter said, these policies must be aimed at addressing the core or homelessness: needing a home. Through that, he believes more residents can then work on addressing issues like addiction and mental health.

“People that have shelter are much more likely to get the help and seek the help that they need,” he said.

the staff report.

“For the past several years, there’s been a lot of progress that has been made in ‘The District,’ starting with building out the public infrastructure that includes roads, temporary sidewalk, underground utilities — and that really sets up all those parcels for future development,” Campbell said. “That infrastructure was completed last year in 2021.”

Currently under review are plans for proposed five-story and 12-story office buildings in “Parcel

2,” five-story and eight-story office buildings in the fourth and fifth parcels, 36 single-family attached townhomes in the sixth and seventh parcels, as well as a proposed pedestrian plaza and promenade, featuring a cycle track, in “Parcel 12.”

Development is under construction in the sixth and seventh parcels, with an approved four-to-five-story multi-family residential building and structured parking. “Parcel 8” is approved for a six-story multifamily residential building and is also under construction.

Campbell said the ordinance will be presented at a public hearing before the planning and zoning commission and then for a first and second reading before city council tentatively within the next few months.

“I really like the idea of the rooftop garden — greenhouse,” Councilmember Candace Moon said. “I think it is very innovative.”

What else is being built?

A variety of other developments are under review or under construction in “The District,” according to

“I’ve heard from several council people that they were under the impression that things would be coming back to us, for site plans and stuff. And that’s not how this works,” Mayor Stephanie Piko said, explaining city council will not be reviewing site plans.

City Manager Matt Sturgeon said a review process was built into the regulating plan for “The District.”

“Basically, council was making a decision when they approved the regulating plan on the zoning. And once that zoning was approved, understanding the form and density and land use-type of this area, it would all be administrative at that point as the developer sold lots and it was developed out,” he said.

“I will say, it’s quite impressive how fast this is coming together,” Piko said.

MARIJUANA

These proposed changes do not increase the total allowable number of stores, as the website states, “only four commercial marijuana store locations are allowed in unincorporated Arapahoe County.”

For a store to relocate, the company would have to close the original location. The new store cannot exceed 5,000 square feet in size, according to proposed guidelines.

Other uses such as marijuana testing and grow or cultivation facilities would continue to be prohibited.

Arapahoe County submitted a

request to the City of Centennial for comment on the proposed changes, according to a city staff report.

Michael Gradis, a principal planner for the city, presented to city council on Oct. 3, demonstrating the range of locations which these marijuana stores could potentially relocate to.

“A lot of these locations are located along city key gateways or city key corridors, or are frankly in the path of what could hypothetically be future annexations that the city makes adjacent to and surrounding the airport,” Gradis said.

If the city were to annex land that contained a marijuana store, it would put the city at a disadvantage since the city “does not have any

regulations related to marijuana,” Gradis said.

To help reduce the chances of a marijuana store relocating to an area near the city or on land that could be potentially annexed in the future, city staff proposed an alternative that would restrict any store relocations from occurring within a polygon-shaped area.

The polygon-shaped area is bounded by East Arapahoe Road to the north, South Parker Road to the east, the Arapahoe/Douglas County line to the south and Interstate 25 to the west. It excludes areas under Arapahoe County ownership or control, according to the staff report.

“I think it’s very easy for individuals to understand,” Gradis said. “We

believe this is very easy for staff to communicate to potential businesses before they’re going to relocate.”

The council unanimously voted to approve a resolution asking the Arapahoe County Commissioners to prohibit retail marijuana uses located within the proposed polygonshaped area.

“I do like the resolution as it was written, especially since it highlights out that in 2012, that the citizens of Centennial opposed statewide legalization of marijuana, but then also that our city council has considered it and has not supported it as well,” Mayor Stephanie Piko said. “Hopefully they’ll take it under consideration and advisement.”

Image of proposed prohibited area for retail marijuana locations, as shown in the resolution approved by Centennial City Council on

COURTESY OF CITY OF CENTENNIAL

Michael Gradis, a principal planner for the city, presented to the city council on Oct.

PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW

VOICES

Distracted distractions

Recently, it came out that the governor’s race has started talking about “furries” and supposed issues in our schools. I read a story, printed by our west partners, and listened to a radio interview regarding the supposed problems with kids dressing like cats and dogs or barking and meowing in classrooms.

In a local radio show interview last week, Lindsay Datko of the supposedly private Facebook group Jeffco Kids First was interviewed, talking about how kids dressed as “furries” are disrupting classes. How parents need to be worried, and intervention is needed.

She also talked about how they have received the support of GOP candidate for governor Heidi Ganahl. Apparently, Ganahl agrees that the distractions these issues are causing in schools is a problem.

I have to admit, Datko hit all the right pressure points for me as a parent. I started nodding in agreement as she said our kids deserve to learn, need a place without distractions and should be in a safe environment. I came away wondering if issues are facing my children in their school district.

I assigned our Douglas County reporter to check into it.

However, as with everything, its just not that simple. As I did more research, talking to our reporters and read more stories — I can honestly say this is not a distraction parents need right now.

Datko was absolutely right when she pointed to our children and teens going through a full-on mental health crisis. They absolutely are. However, encouraging people to take pictures of children who behave or dress differently is nothing but a form of bullying that no kid deserves.

As a parent, I teach my children to be accepting and understanding. Sure, they may think something is different or strange, but it is not for them or me to judge. Our job is to be kind, good people and avoid creating more distractions because another student may be acting differently.

Kids can be mean enough without some parent group encouraging them to take pictures and post them on social media.

I am also disappointed that Ganahl ventured into this nonsense. That means incumbent Gov. Jared Polis also had to comment on it. The leader of our state should not be creating more distractions involving our children who are still trying to get back on track after the pandemic.

Here’s the bottom line, Datko is right — Our kids are going to school to learn. They deserve an environment as free of distractions as possible and the ability to retain and grow as people as much as possible.

However, creating more drama for our teachers and administrators to deal with, developing more scare tactics in the name of politics just does not work for me. The distractions from distractions is not responsible for parent groups or politicians.

Let the students grow, let the teachers teach and let school districts address issues as needed. Creating more distractions for all of them is just needless noise.

Thelma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.

LINDA SHAPLEY

THELMA

A publication of

TAYLER

Give them something to smile about

WINNING WORDS

Agood friend of mine, Sanya, likes to go on a run each morning, or at least most mornings. And as she passes others running, walking or biking in the opposite direction, she greets them with a smile. And she counts how many smiles she gets back along the way. Sometimes she gets many, and sometimes only a few. Sanya is always smiling anyway as her husband and my good friend, Jeff, keeps her and all of us smiling and laughing all the time.

Although that interaction left me feeling a bit down, as I returned to my truck and opened my door, the person in the car parked next to me rolled down the window and said, “Thank you for the smile today, I was caught up in some negative thoughts and your smile brought me back to reality.” Boom, back in the smile business.

Michael Norton

I have a habit of doing that as well. Although I am someone who prefers long walks or hikes, it still gives me the opportunity to greet everyone I pass with a smile. As I went for a big walk the other day, I passed at least 40 people, and out of the 40 people I smiled at, about 30 people smiled back. As I turned around and began my walk back, I once again passed someone who chose not to smile at me, so I smiled again and said good morning. Their response was rough as they just kept walking by me saying, “I’m trying to find something to smile about.”

As I turned to try and connect, they wanted no part and just kept walking, this time with their head down.

ERIN ADDENBROOKE

AUDREY BROOKS

ERIN FRANKS

LINDSAY NICOLETTI

Zig Ziglar said this, “Do you know what you do when you see someone without a smile? You give them one of yours.” Simple yet so powerful. If you have never tried it, give it a shot, I have found that even when I am thinking about a difficult or serious situation, that if I look over at someone and smile, I usually begin to feel a little less burdened. Here is what I think about when I think about a simple yet powerful smile, I turn the word smile into an acronym; Simple. Motion. In. Loving. Everyone. Let’s break it down.

• Simple, for most of us the turning up of our lips really doesn’t require much effort, showing a smile to others is such an easy and uncomplicated way of acknowledging others in a warm and welcoming way.

• Motion, we blink unconsciously up to 19,000 times a day. Imagine the impact we could have on our own state of mind as well as others who we may greet with just a

NORTON

dozen or more smiles each day.

• In, when I see or hear the word “In,” automatically my head and heart go to being, “All in.” Are we “In it to win it?” When we can invite others into our positive state of mind and involve them with the simple motion of a smile, we have

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Don’t vote without checking Don’t vote for any elected official, be it for your municipality, town, city, county or state, who does not want better gun control laws. Yes, our Constitution says we have the right to bear arms. But our Founding Fathers (in 1776) only knew of knives, axes, swords and single-shot pistols. The wannabe elected officials will tell you I’ll do this, this and this. When they have been doing the opposite.

Politicians have taken over the control of a woman’s body, men — we are next! Who knows when the politicians will tell us men that we have fathered one child, so now we have to get the snip, snip done. You snicker to yourself, but that day might come. Do you want control over your body or the government?

We the people need to have an amendment to our state and/or national Constitution. Planned Parenthood should be every woman’s and man’s choice from past, present and any future medical devices/information. I’m pro-choice for almost everything, and I don’t need a political party to tell me how to vote. Remember — the politicians are elected by the people for the people and on things that matter to you.

I’m an unaffiliated voter (I make my choices, not a political party).

Ronald Nigh Highlands Ranch

Ortiz will protect rights

I am a physician in Rep. David Ortiz’s state House district, and I am strongly supporting him for re-election because he believes in keeping government out of the doctor-patient relationship when it comes to reproductive rights. Rep Ortiz was a strong advocate for Colorado’s Reproductive Health Equity Act, signed into law this spring.

This law put protection for abortion access and reproductive health care into Colorado statute, something that became even more important when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade at the end of June.

RHEA modernized Colorado statutes to protect reproductive rights as fundamental rights. Having access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care including contraception and abortion helps ensure that people can control their own bodies, lives, and futures. RHEA established that every individual has the fundamental right to choose or refuse contraception; every individual who becomes pregnant has a fundamental right to choose to continue a pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion; and

an opportunity to turn someone’s day around.

• Loving, right now the world could use a little more love wouldn’t you agree? We can maybe help take the edge off for ourselves and others through some loving and genuine smiles.

• Everyone, may it be so. Everyone we pass, all those we have the chance to engage or interact with, let’s give them a smile. Whether it is over the phone, on a virtual

that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights under the laws of the state. In other words, none of that “personhood” nonsense.

As a voter and as a doctor, I am proud that state lawmakers like Rep. Ortiz led on reproductive rights and backed RHEA. We need Rep Ortiz’s continued leadership on this critical issue in the General Assembly.

Please join me in voting for the people who helped protect our rights here in Colorado.

Paul A. Nutting, MD, MSPH Centennial

Support the CORE Act

I am writing today to thank Senator Bennet, Senator Hickenlooper, Representative Neguse and Governor Polis for their support of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act (S. 173) and the strategic push to pursue administrative actions from President Biden that would safeguard these cherished landscapes. An act of Congress would be wonderful, but pressure on these areas calls for expediency. That is why I am joining fellow veterans, our elected officials, and other Coloradans in calling on President Biden to designate a Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument and use administrative actions to protect the Thompson Divide and San Juan Mountains. I’ve lived in Colorado for over fifty years and came here to live the Colorado lifestyle, much of that in the areas of the state relevant to the CORE Act, especially Camp Hale and the Tenmile Range.

As a Vietnam veteran, I have been to the Camp Hale site many times, including on a throughhike of the Colorado Trail. Most of my friends, family, or students who accompanied me knew little or nothing about Camp Hale, the 10th Mountain Division, nor the connection to the Colorado ski industry. However, discussions about them continued long after we drove away. As a former teacher I know that experiences creating that amount of thought and consideration are significant, and worth protecting in perpetuity.

The Tenmile Recreation Management Areas and Wilderness are personally significant because I have owned property in Breckenridge for 32 years, first skied Breck in 1967, and have had a Vail Resorts Epic Veterans Pass since they were created. Summit County is now a world-class, yearround resort area. The public lands that surround the developed areas must be protected and managed wisely so that others can enjoy them for at least as long as

call, in person, walking, running, shopping, even through texts and emails, we can send everyone miles of smiles.

Here’s the thing we should maybe be asking ourselves, “Has a random smile from a stranger ever lifted our spirits?” “Has a timely smile from a teacher, coach, or employer ever encouraged us? Has a warm and loving smile from a family member or close friend ever made us feel loved?” If so, I

I have.

Thank you again to our elected officials for all you have done for people like me who love Colorado as much as you do. Keep up the pressure on President Biden.

Roger Pool Littleton

Vote yes on B3

Ballot issue B3 — Yes for Littleton — on the Nov. 8 ballot will be a win-win for our whole community.

The question, which was unanimously forwarded to the voters by the city council, would establish a 5% lodger’s tax on people staying in Littleton hotels or B&Bs for fewer than 28 days. The tax would be paid completely by people from

would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can give others something to smile about, 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.

outside of Littleton and would provide almost $1 million per year for arts, culture and tourism in our community.

A percentage each year would be for the Town Hall Arts Center, Bemis Public Library, Littleton Museum and Hudson Gardens — big venues that help draw visitors to Littleton. Another percentage would support the many smaller arts groups in the community, while another percentage would go to the promotion of tourism, which brings in sales tax dollars as tourists shop and eat in our historic downtown.

I strongly recommend a yes vote on ballot issue B3!

Susan Thornton Littleton

Kevin Wright of Centennial, Colorado, died in his home on Friday, September 23, 2022. He was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on May 4th, 1955, to Douglas Laverne Wright and Margaret Jean Wright. He worked hard as a precision machinist for over 30 years, then owned a machining business to care for and support his family.

Kevin enjoyed everything in the great outdoors, including camping, hiking, caving, backpacking, hunting, and more. Kevin was honored with the best grandpa award in 2019 and again in 2021. Kevin was known for his excellent unconventional problem-solving skills; he was a real-life MacGyver. He led a whole life as a son, brother, father, and grandfather.

In Loving Memory

WRIGHT Kevin Douglas Wright May 4, 1955 - September 23, 2022

FARMING GROUP HELPS AFGHAN REFUGEES FEEL MORE AT HOME IN DENVER

BY DANA KNOWLES, LINDSEY FORD ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

We don’t have cars. We don’t have transportation. This is our only outing,” explained Mahmude, one of three Afghan refugee women who spoke with Rocky Mountain PBS about their new lives in Colorado.

The women left Afghanistan when the United States completed its military withdrawal last year. None of them wanted to use their last names and all of them spoke

with the help of an interpreter who translated Dari, an Afghan dialect of Farsi, into English.

Mahmude has been in the U.S. for eight months and says Monday is now her favorite day of the week. “This is the highlight of my life, coming here every Monday.

I’m happy to be here in the United States as my home country isn’t safe.”

The women come to Ekar Farm, an urban farm next to Denver Academy of Torah that started 14 years ago mainly serving the Jewish community.

In 2020, the pandemic forced

Ekar Farm shift toward doing outreach across the city by collaborating with various nonprofits like Denver’s Metro Caring, an antihunger organization. All the produce that Ekar grows is donated to people in the metro area who are experiencing food insecurity, including these Afghan women and their children. Metro Caring and Ekar are partnering with Denver’s International Rescue Committee to transport them back and forth to the farm.

“What seems like a simple opportunity to grow food carries a lot of dimensions. The program

allows the women to be around other people from their home country,” said Mireille Bakhos, who works with International Rescue Committee in Denver. “The media often highlights the war and challenges in Afghanistan but [these] programs are about resilience and the endless possibilities of human connections. It is about the power of people to heal and nurture positive change from the ground up, literally.”

The program runs from May through October due to weather.

REFUGEES

The women cultivate a small section of land and use the produce to cook fresh meals for their families at home in Denver.

Razye came from Afghanistan to the United States more than three years ago and says she grew up farming in her home country.

“I was a rancher. I had my own animals and I had big farm back in Afghanistan, so when I come to this farm, I feel so excited,” she

said, explaining how the tomatoes and potatoes are her favorites to take home and cook. “We make food that reminds me of my country back home, and that’s the happiest I’ve been.”

Anywhere from 70,000 to 80,000 Afghan refugees are now living in the United States. According to the Colorado Refugee Program, Colorado has welcomed around 2,500 refugees since July of 2022. The United Nations Refugee Agency says that Afghans are one of the largest refugee populations in the world with an estimated 2.6 million registered across the globe in coun-

tries like Pakistan and Iran.

For Monira, who has been in Colorado for almost a year, the opportunity to connect and socialize with other women from her country is just as important as bringing home fruit and vegetables.

“First, we come here and we say ‘hello’ and we have a quick chat, and talk, and after that we harvest” she said, adding that being around people come from the same country make it easier to live in a new and unfamiliar place. “This is a country that’s unknown and new for us, so coming here to see people who speak the same language, and we

became fast friends, and we talk.”

Monira hopes her work on the farm can help her life evolve into something new.

“My wish is to be able to start working and repay what people in Colorado have done for us, and find a job to contribute to this country, and this state,” she said.

This story is from Rocky Mountain PBS, a nonprofit public broadcaster providing community stories across Colorado over the air and online. Used by permission. For more, and to support Rocky Mountain PBS, visit rmpbs.org.

SONYA’S SAMPLER

Poet to give reading at college

Arapahoe Community College alumna and Aurora Poet Laureate Ahja Fox will read poetry beginning at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in the ACC Library and Learning Commons. She also will share her story about how she blossomed from a first-year student with a GED to becoming a highly successful writer in Denver’s literary community.

Hudson magic

“Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns” will light up Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, at 7 p.m. on Oct. 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. Tickets start at $14.99. Hudsongardens.org.

Rox gallery

Littleton painter/teacher Valorie Snyder is the featured artist at the Rox Gallery at Aspen Grove shopping center this month. The gallery is in Unit 330, 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive.

Stories on Stage

Stories on Stage presents “Stone Animals” with actors Jessica Roblee and Chip Persons reading stories at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Nomad Playhouse, 1410 Quince Ave., in Boulder and at 2 p.m. Oct. 16 at Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive, Denver. Virtual performance at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 and will be available for viewing by ticket holders after that time. (Link will be sent.) Tickets, $24: storiesonstage.org, 303494-0523.

Lone Tree concert

Music in Parker

Parker Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Rene Knetsch, will perform on Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker. The program will be called “Czech Please!” and will include symphonic works by Antonin Dvorak, Julius Fucik and Bedrich Smetana. Tickets: $24-$29, 303-805-6800, parkerarts.org.

Fiber arts sale

Reminder: Rocky Mountain Weavers Guild Annual Fiber Arts Sale will be at the Malley Recreation Center, 3380 S. Lincoln St., Englewood. Admission is free. (Another great place for holiday shopping!) Oct. 13, 4-8 p.m.; Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Watermedia show

The Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibit runs through Oct. 29 at the Center for the Arts Evergreen, 31880 Rocky Village Drive, Evergreen.

The Arapahoe Philharmonic will perform a concert, “The Haunting Concert Hall,” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree. Tickets: $37 adults, $34 seniors, $19 students, $12 children 12 and under, arapahoe-phil.org. Program: “Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini”; “Symphonie Fantastique”; “Psycho Suite” (Bernard Herman); “Suite From Jaws” (John Williams); “Tubular Bells” from “The Exorcist” by Mike Oldfield; “Beetlejuice Suite” by Danny Elfman.

Wonderbound

“Penny’s Dreadful” by Garrett Ammons will be featured by the Wonderbound Dance Company Oct 20-30 at 3824 Dahlia Street. See wonderbound. com.

Englewood Public Library

Englewood Public Library Children’s Department presents: Messy Process Art: Painting With Cars from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Oct. 17; Halloween Jamboree from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 29.

Ahja Fox , an Arapahoe Community College alumna and Aurora’s poet laureate, will give a reading at her alma mater at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 19.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, opens a new exhibit: “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon” on Oct. 21, with more than 100 artifacts from the U.S. Space Center’s archives. Visitors can make footprints on a virtual moon and climb aboard a Lunar Rover model. The giant screen theater is being renovated and will reopen this winter. Laser Fantasy shows at 4:15 daily and most Friday nights at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. Gates Planetarium shows “Dark Universe,” narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Check on times. 303-370-6000, dmns.org.

COURTESY PHOTO/PHILIP B. POSTON/SENTINEL COLORADO

‘This is Colorado’ returns to ACC

Statewide exhibit is hosted by Heritage Fine Arts Guild

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“This is Colorado,” an annual statewide exhibit in its 46th year presented by the Heritage Fine Arts Guild, is at the Colorado Gallery of the Arts at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton through Oct. 28.

The exhibit, open to Colorado artists, was juried by painter Carlene Frances, who awarded the Best of Show to artist Suszanne Bernat Droney for her soft and subtle “Resting Luthier Amanda,” created with colored pencil and pastel.

The exhibit will be at the gallery through Oct. 28 and offers a variety of works, ranging from abstract works to Droney’s pleasing portrait and a number of landscapes, including the precise and well-executed “Distant Thunder” by Karen Storm, which won First Place. It’s a stunning sunset ...

Second Place went to “Under Siege,” by Patty Nash. Third Place was awarded to Dan Woodard’s “Aspen Gold,” carved from wood.

Honorable Mentions were awarded to “Play Time” by Barbara Williams, “Storm Front” by Janet Ford, “Random Design” by Phil Gustafson and “Airplane Graveyard” by James Mascolo.

A look at Suszanne Bernat Droney’s website leads one to a number of strong figurative works, including one I think I remember from last year’s exhibit — or I’ve seen it elsewhere ... She says she wants to create art that is “representational, without being photo-realistic.” She surely succeeds — her Amanda is subtle and beautiful.

Not subtle, but altogether engaging, is “My Friend” by Scott Swauger, a larger oil painting of a husky bull moose, chewing on grass and looking right at a viewer — and about to say something! Possibly something rude! The details around this creature are skillfully painted — leaves, melting snow ...

Most of the paintings in this exhibit are for sale at reasonable prices and would make great gifts, as we perhaps begin to think about holiday shopping. The variety of styles and techniques is pleasing and stimulating.

Next exhibit at the Colorado Gallery of the Arts will be “Shared Visions,” a yearly collaborative collection of tactile works from the Colorado Center for the Blind and ACC art students. It will be in the gallery from Nov. 7 to Dec. 6, with a reception on Nov. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. (The gallery will be closed from Nov. 21 to 25.)

IF YOU GO Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. Open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Colorado Gallery of the Arts is at Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. Free parking. 303-797-5649. View the gallery webpage: arapahoe. edu/campuscommunity/ art-galleries.

“Resting Luthier Amanda,” a colored pencil and pastel work by Suszanne Bernat Droney, was named Best of Show in the “This is Colorado” exhibit, which is running through Oct. 27 at Arapahoe Community College’s Colorado Gallery of the Arts.

The oil painting “Distant Thunder” by Karen Storm won First Place in the “This is Colorado” exhibit on the Arapahoe Community College campus in Littleton. COURTESY PHOTOS

Visit Stars Hollow on Gilmore Girls Day

Gilmore Girls” is one of the best shows for those who appreciate sharply drawn characters, lightning-fast dialogue and small towns with a personality that just can’t be replicated. That’s probably why it’s become such a beloved world for so many to get lost in over the years.

Arvada’s LUKI Brewery, 14715 W. 64th Ave., Units A and B, is honoring the residents of Stars Hollow with Gilmore Girls Day on Sunday, Oct. 16. The brewery will be transformed into an interactive tribute to the show and will feature trivia (hosted by Geeks Who Drink), themed costume contest, raffle prizes, and other surprises for fans. “With one daughter currently experiencing her freshman year in college and the other striving to be the next valedictorian of her high school, the mother-daughter bond that Lorelei and Rory have is reminiscent of the everyday joy and struggles in the Smith household,” said Cammy Smith, LUKI co-owner, in a provided statement. “We have watched, and re-watched, many episodes over the years and feel we have grown up right along with the Gilmore family.”

Part of the event includes specialty releases in a commemorative mug: Coffee, Coffee, Coffee!, a light blonde ale that blends a shot of Boxcar Coffee Roasters in Boulder with their Layer Cake blend, with notes of chocolate, blueberry, and hazelnut; and Oy with the Pastry

Already, a chocolate-eclair stout.

“At LUKI, we have always appreciated events that are unique and create a memorable experience for all to attend,” Smith said. “This event brings the perfect combination of being different and being together into one.”

Explore the world of scary stories at Molly Brown House

Spooky season means folks all over the metro area will be looking for surefire ways to get a shiver up their spine. Why not visit a spot that many believe to be an actual haunted house?

The Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St. in Denver, is hosting its annual Victorian Horrors environmental theater event for the 29th year. It is running every 15 minutes from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 14 through 29.

This event features gothic horror tales from your favorite long-dead authors (think H.G. Wells, Edgar Allan Poe and the local spirit of Mary Coyle Chase) portrayed by wonderful area actors like David and Julia Payne, Jim Hunt, Trina Magness, Josh Hartwell, John Wittbrodt and Ronan Viard. The museum partners with The Learned Lemur and

Atomic Folk Art to add an authentic atmosphere of the odd.

For those who prefer staying at home, Molly Brown House also offers a video option with the same actors.

Visit https://mollybrown.org/ victorian-horrors/ for all the information you need.

Northglenn celebrates an artistic Día de Los Muertos

Northglenn Arts has installed its latest art exhibit, Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which is hosted in partnership with the Chicano Humanities & Arts Council (CHAC).

The gallery is set up at the Northglenn Recreation Center, 1 E. Memorial Parkway, and the free exhibit can be viewed during regular box office hours and when the Parsons Theatre is open for evening shows and events through Wednesday, Dec. 21.

Artists in this exhibit include Angela Ramirez, Chris Duran, Jay Jaramillo, Jerry Jaramillo, Shantel Lucero, Juanita Molinar, Natalie Pacheco, Rebecca Rozales, and Sandra Ruiz. Curators: Lucille Rivera and Angela Ramirez.

For those unfamiliar, Día de Los Muertos is a celebration from Mexico and Latin America when families gather to honor the memory of deceased loved ones on Nov. 1 and 2.

According to provided information, spirits are guided home to enjoy offerings left for them on meticu-

lously crafted altars. The roots of Día de Los Muertos are a fusion of traditions found in Europe and Mesoamerica, particularly the ancient Aztec empire.

For more information, visit https://northglennarts.org/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Who at Ball Arena

The Who are a good band. I know, I know — where do I find the courage? They’re behind seminal albums like “Quadrophenia,” “Who’s Next,” “Live at Leeds,” and immortal songs like “My Generation,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Magic Bus.” I mean, their song “Baba O’Riley,” is the basis for one of the best comedy bits in recent memory — just YouTube “Joe Pera Reads You the Church Announcements” and prepare to be delighted.

And guess what? In the year 2022 The Who are still touring. They’ll be bringing their The Who Hits Back Tour to Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle in Denver, at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17. As someone who has seen this seminal rock band numerous times, I can confidently report you don’t want to miss the opportunity to see them one more time.

Visit www.ticketmaster.com so you don’t miss them.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.

Inside Je co Kids First, and Ganahl’s furor over students

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Over the summer, the members of a Facebook group called Jeffco Kids First began shifting their concern away from pandemic policies in schools to identities it deemed disruptive to learning. A leading voice in the group told parents to empower their children to find “furries,” kids who dress up in animal accessories, and to record them.

“If any of your kids would be willing to record anonymous audio of their experiences with furries hissing, barking, clawing, chasing, and how it affects their school day, please send to me or let me know ASAP!” Jeffco Kids First creator Lindsay Datko, a parent in Jefferson County Public Schools, posted.

Details like these have not been widely publicized because the Facebook group is private, meaning only members can see what is posted.

After being denied entry to the group, Colorado Community Media gained access through a member who wanted the group’s content to be public.

School officials say the group’s activities can be disruptive and harmful to kids. But it has some strong backers, including Heidi Ganahl, the Republican Party’s nominee in this fall’s Colorado gubernatorial race. She’s also a member of the group.

“Boy, Jeffco Kids First has been such an impactful and amazing community, and I’ve gotten to know a lot of you over the past couple of years,” Ganahl said in a post in Jeffco Kids First. “You are warriors fighting for our kids every day in the classroom and in school. I want to be a voice for all of you.”

Ganahl has used the issue to spark furor during press interviews.

“Not many people know that we have furries in Colorado schools,” Ganahl said in a Sept. 24 KNUS radio interview.“Have you heard about this? Yeah, kids identifying as cats. It sounds absolutely ridiculous, but it’s happening all over Colorado and schools are tolerating it. It’s insane.”

Ganahl pointed to Jefferson County Schools in the interview.

While principals can act to minimize distractions at schools, like placing restrictions on disruptive attire, the tactics of Jeffco Kids First amount to an attack on children, School Board President Stephanie Schooley told Colorado Community Media.

“What I want is for people to stop demonizing our kids,” Schooley said. “That’s what I feel like has been happening, that in objecting to and playing some of these identity politics, our kids hear this language … and they don’t understand why people hate them for who they are, for how they were born and who they’ve become. They don’t understand and that is, psychologically, so very damaging. It makes my heart hurt.”

Inside Je co Kids First

Neither Datko nor Ganahl responded to Colorado Community Media’s requests for interviews about the Facebook group’s activities.

Last month, Datko urged the nearly 6,000 members of Jeffco Kids First to have their kids secretly record their classmates.

“The media is trying to spin this,” Datko wrote in the post.

A member of the group posted an additional suggestion: “go on tiktok and use the keywords furries and Colorado school.”

A Colorado Community Media search of TikTok found numerous posts where purported students in the state recorded videos of classmates, who seemed unaware they were being filmed dressed in costumes and accessories. Some posts contained threats against the students being filmed.

One post of a student apparently filmed without their knowledge contained the hashtag “#killfurrys.” Other posts harshly mocked the students.

Other TikTok posts showed kids who described being bullied for wearing furry costumes or being associated with furries. Some of them complained that they were targeted.

Several middle-school-aged students at one Jefferson County school who were interviewed for this story said “between 10 and 20” students occasionally dressed up in animal accessories at their school. The students said kids were wearing animal-themed accessories, such as headbands or tails.

The students said the accessories were not disruptive to their learning, as the students who dress up were not allowed to wear the accessories in a classroom setting.

The students added that few students wear such items to school and do it only occasionally. Moreover, the frequency had declined dramatically after their principal cautioned students against it, the students interviewed said. The students also described feeling stressed and fearful of other bullying, especially online.

“I think we need to decipher between what is a furry and a kid wearing cat ears,” one Jeffco parent told Colorado Community Media.

“Is a furry a kid wearing cat ears or what I see adults in Olde Town Arvada wearing sometimes? A (sports) mascot could be considered a furry by this group’s definition.”

Every student and parent interviewed for this story asked to be anonymous because they fear retaliation. They asked that their school not be identified in the story for the same reasons.

Even members of Jeffco Kids First seem caught in the crosshairs. One posted an account of their own child’s experience of dressing up.

“So, my daughter wanted to be a furry,” the Oct. 7 post said. “I didn’t give my opinion and just observed.

She is shy and quiet. Her and her friend liked the movie, ‘Wonder’ because of the ability to hide. Their choice of animal was a raptor … They decorated it with fur and made it girly.

“When the boy next door heard my daughter was a ‘furry,’ he was disgusted,” the post continued. “I asked him why, and he said he doesn’t have time for that nonsense with all his sports … Well, my daughter now is moving away from furries because of the bad rap … My current view is that furries are still on the low here. I could be wrong.”

In response, one Jeffco Kids First group member wrote: “I appreciate the courage it took to post this.”

Is Je co Kids First anti-LGBTQ+?

The controversy swirling around “furries” has at times been linked to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, particularly gender identity issues, like the pronouns students use to identify themselves.

But observers of Jeffco Kids First, like Schooley, who is not a member of the group, are hesitant to call the group anti-LGBTQ+.

“Their group is large,” Schooley said. “I am always hesitant to put blanket statements out about large groups of people. What they put out as an organization, there’s nothing objectionable when you look at their graphic that says what they’re for, what they’re against.”

The graphic Schooley points to says Jeffco Kids First advocates for “parental consent, classroom transparency, parental choice and respect, greater communication with teachers and schools, consideration of sensitive topics and student backgrounds’’ and “unity.”

The graphic says the group opposes “hate, division, veering from state standards and approved curriculum, removal of rights, removal of

Screenshot of Datko’s post in Je co Kids First asking parents to have their children record classmates.

diversity, removal of resources and supports for students.”

Yet the group has questioned practices pertaining to transgender students. Founder Lindsay Datko posted a graphic: “Ask my child their name, not their pronouns,” and has cited Jefferson County Schools’ policy on controversial/ sensitive issues, arguing that gender identity falls into that category, claiming that students are being forced to share pronouns against their will.

“Let’s think about something: Is asking every child their pronouns productive to the transgender community?” Datko posted on Sept. 26. “Students are forced in nearly every (if not every) secondary school.”

Schooley doesn’t consider gender identity something that falls under the controversial topics policy, which was last updated in 2013. It allows for students or parents to request alternative programming if they take issue with parts of the curriculum that represent ‘differing underlying values, beliefs, and interests’ from those of a parent or student.

“For me, the controversial topics policy is really to provide parents with the opportunity to understand what their kids are learning and content, and if that content is not something that they appreciate for their child, to provide a process to have an alternative,” Schooley said.

“I do not support, in any way, shape

Je co Kids First logo.

FACEBOOK SCREENSHOTS

How did animal costumes become a talking point in the gubernatorial race? The answer lies in Lindsay Datko’s private Facebook group

Graphic shared by Datko in Je co Kids First.

or form, having the identities of our students, their families or our staff be anywhere near the controversial issues policy.”

Jeffco Schools Board Treasurer Danielle Varda agrees.

“Some people have invoked the controversial topics policy in regards to concerns about asking kids about their preferred pronouns,” Varda said. “However, the policy only covers sensitive topics that may be covered in instruction and by the curriculum.”

Schooley added that, to her knowledge, no child in the Jeffco district is mandated to share pronouns and explained how making pronoun disclosure optional also protects LGBTQ+ students.

“If a student didn’t feel comfortable — and it’s not just students who object, who think it’s silly to use pronouns, because I know there are people that prefer not to even consider them — and we also have students who are struggling with their gender identity and don’t want to declare ‘I’m this or that,’ because they don’t know yet,” Schooley said. “We want to be able to honor all of that spectrum, and we do that by making it optional. There are teachers that will ask. Students have no obligation.”

Schooley said some of the messaging from Jeffco Kids First has sparked some anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments from group members.

“My experience has been people writing me letters who are represen-

tatives of that group, not at the very top, but members of that group, and it is pretty harsh rhetoric in a lot of those letters,” Schooley said. “I would say that with that, it’s pretty clearly uncomfortable with having LGBTQIA+, having the letters put in that order and talked about with children.

“To me, is it anti-LGBTQ+? The letters I’ve received were,” Schooley continued. “I’m not calling the entire group that. That’s not fair at all, but the letters I’ve received, some of them were specifically very hard to read.”

Colorado Community Media intends to file a Colorado Open Records Act request for the letters.

Jeffco Schools Executive Director of Communications Kimberly Eloe said that the district did not promise to review or change any district policy after meeting with representatives of Jeffco Kids First, despite posts in the group claiming otherwise.

When Colorado Community Media asked Jeffco Schools Superintendent Tracy Dorland for a comment on this story, a statement from the district’s communications department was issued without attribution to Dorland or the opportunity to interview her.

“Jeffco Public Schools has district policy around appropriate dress code,” it states. “If clothing is disruptive, district policy gives the principal power to place restrictions on it, this would include students dressing in costume. We do not have litter boxes in schools.”

Lindsay Datko, in her own words

Datko did not respond to interview

requests from Colorado Community Media. However, in audio obtained from an Oct. 4 forum hosted by Datko for Republican political candidates, Datko explains the proliferation and evolution of Jeffco Kids First.

Datko said that the group began in 2020 in response to COVID-19 policies and lobbied the school district and the county health department to relax restrictions on students in the early months of the pandemic.

She claimed that other issues, including what she calls parental transparency, had come to her attention during this time, but she waited to shift the focus of Jeffco Kids First out of fear of losing members.

“We kept pushing it off and pushing it off because we had such a clear mission to fulfill at that time during the pandemic,” Datko said of parental transparency. She said she warned group members, “’We know we might lose you; we’re going to turn to these issues and that will be sad, but if you’ll stay, we’d love your perspective and you’ve been such a value.’”

Datko then called Jeffco’s curriculum “appalling” and defined parental choice in her own words.

“Books and literature that are presented, curriculum that’s used … it’s appalling,” Datko said. “It’s shocking. It’s very important that we push for parental choice in every regard. Parental choice consists of being able to move schools, to have a say in controversial topics and what’s asked of our students on survey, that policy is followed, that policy keeps order, that policy keeps families safe and secure. And it’s being broken right and left.”

Varda, the school board treasurer and a Jeffco parent, said her experience differs from Datko’s.

“I’m proud to be a parent in a District that has overwhelming support for these values and beliefs, and although some groups will say otherwise and try to cast doubt, my experience has been one of transparency and support for the unique needs and identities of my kids,” Varda said.

Schooley said the district has a duty to be clear about its policies and practices, but the engagement from members of Jeffco Kids First isn’t always conducive to discussion.

“I think it’s regrettable that sometimes it feels like in this call for more transparency, greater parent engagement and their pillars, it does feel like there’s not a whole lot of room for conversation,” Schooley said. “That if the district is doing something that parents don’t like, it becomes a very immediate offensive act, a nefarious thing. There’s automatically an illintent that’s assigned to it, and I find that challenging because I don’t know where to go with that.”

Schooley also said she is open to conversations and has conversed with “anyone who has asked.”

On Oct. 4, Datko maintained that Jeffco Kids First is a bipartisan group and declared that she would continue to pursue her version of parental transparency.

“Hopefully they can see though that we don’t always agree, we are united behind choice, and we can honor the choices of everybody and fight for that,” Datko said. “And that’s what we’re doing. That’s our new mission.”

A look at Proposition GG on ballot

Measure targeting TABOR referred by Democrats

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Proposition GG is a ballot measure about ballot measures.

It represents Colorado’s latest battleground over the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights as Democrats seek to work around the 1992 constitutional amendment, known as TABOR, and Republicans battle to prevent any changes. The initiative, if passed, would require the state to more prominently display detailed information about how citizeninitiated ballot measures changing the income tax rate would affect Coloradans.

Proposition GG was referred to the ballot by Democrats in the Colorado legislature this year through the passage of Senate Bill 222, a measure that Republicans universally opposed

Here’s what you need to know about Proposition GG:

What it would do

When an initiative changing Colorado’s income tax rate makes the statewide ballot, a table outlining how the change would affect people at different income levels is shared in the state ballot information booklet — also known as the blue book — that’s sent to every voter.

The table includes the average income tax owed by people at different income levels, as well as how much higher or lower their taxes would be if the rate were changed.

Proposition 121 on the November ballot is a great example of this. It would change Colorado’s income tax rate to 4.4% from 4.55%, and on page 24 of your (English-language) blue book this year you can see a table explaining how it would affect people at different income levels.

Proposition GG would require that the table — with some slight modifications — also be included in petitions used to gather signatures to get income tax changes on the ballot, as well as on ballots.

The slight modifications include

only specifying eight income tax categories and more specific information about how income tax changes would affect individual taxpayers.

Note: Proposition GG only applies to citizen-initiated ballot measures. If the legislature were to refer a measure changing the income tax rate to the ballot it wouldn’t apply.

The arguments for

The proponents of Proposition GG say it is a tax-transparency measure aimed at ensuring Coloradans have a full picture of how changes to the state’s income tax rate would affect them.

Some people do not open the blue book, people who support the measure say, so Proposition GG is a way to ensure they can’t miss information about potential changes to the state’s income tax.

“I honestly think it’s pretty simple,” said state Rep. Chris Kennedy, a Lakewood Democrat and prime sponsor of Senate Bill 222. “It’s about giving voters more information about how income tax changes affect them personally.”

Kennedy said the current information on the ballot isn’t sufficient.

The arguments against Conservatives argue Proposition GG is unnecessary since detailed information on how income tax rate changes would affect Coloradans is already in the blue book. Adding more information to the ballot would also increase printing costs.

the policy had a major roadblock in Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who was wary of the change and appeared poised to veto any legislation aiming to alter ballot language.

“Gov. Polis believes that voters should decide how issues are presented on the people’s ballot because it is their ballot, not the state legislature’s ballot,” Kara Powell, a spokeswoman for the governor, told The Colorado Sun earlier this year.

“That includes whether or not to approve requiring a table in the fiscal summary for any ballot initiative that would increase or decrease the tax rate.”

That’s why lawmakers went around the governor and referred Proposition GG to the November ballot through Senate Bill 222. (The governor’s signature isn’t required on bills referring questions to the ballot.)

One more thing you should know: Proposition GG comes as Colorado Democrats are trying to find ways to work on tax policy within the confines of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.

Proposition GG is an extension of legislation passed by Democratic lawmakers in 2021 requiring that ballot measures cutting taxes include an explanation of how much revenue would be slashed and what programs would be most affected.

The 2021 bill also now requires that ballot initiatives raising taxes explain how the new revenue would be spent.

In fact, the 2021 bill is the reason why there is a table in the blue book explaining how people in different income brackets would be affected by income tax rate changes.

EARLIER: Democrats avoid Jared Polis in quest to ensure Coloradans get the full picture on income tax changes

The players and the money

Coloradans for Ballot Transparency is the issue committee supporting Proposition GG.

Denverite Merle Chambers, a longtime Democratic donor and former oil and gas executive, gave $100,000 to the group in May.

New totax prep?

“I hear from a lot of people that our ballot language is already way too long and too complicated,” said Michael Fields, a conservative fiscal policy activist. “This legislature should spend more time on increasing public safety and lowering the cost of living — and less on meddling in the citizens’ initiative process.”

Jesse Mallory, who leads the Colorado branch of Americans For Prosperity, an organization that fiercely defends TABOR, said “nothing screams ‘our friends have a tax increase coming’ quite like (this bill).”

One big thing you should know

Since Proposition GG asks voters to approve a statutory change, state lawmakers could have tried to make the alterations on their own by passing a bill and asking the governor to sign it into law.

But the Democratic proponents of

The committee raised $600,000 in August, $500,000 of which came from the national Democratic nonprofit Sixteen Thirty Fund. The Sun refers to the nonprofit as a darkmoney group because it is a political group that does not have to disclose its donors.

The Rose Community Foundation donated $50,000 to the committee Sept. 12. And the National Education Association gave Coloradans for Ballot Transparency $250,000 on Sept. 21.

Coloradans for Ballot Transparency spent $400,000 in mid-September to advertise about the ballot measure.

So far, no organized opposition to the measure has emerged.

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

Proposition GG will ask voters to allow a change in state statute.

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

Choosing right weather words for an ‘alerta’

said Joseph Trujillo-Falcón, lead author from NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations in Oklahoma.

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

For all of us who have ever weighed a tornado “watch” versus a tornado “warning,” it’s no surprise that a growing number of researchers say distinguishing between Spanish words like “aviso” and “alerta” in weather bulletins can be a life or death choice.

If a twister sprouts east of Pueblo, or a climate-driven wildfire threatens Jefferson County, or more hurricanes pummel Florida, Spanish-speaking communities need weather warnings to meet the moment. More and more meteorological and social science research shows they’re failing.

As Hurricane Ian bore down on the west coast of Florida, weather service parent agency the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was talking about its new research suggesting Spanish translations need to bump up in urgency. NOAA and the weather service — as well as FEMA — mean to say “warning” when it comes to tornadoes and hurricanes and other hazards, but the Spanish word they have been using, “aviso,” is not taken as seriously by Spanish speakers.

Researchers asked more than 1,000 Spanish speakers to rank advisory words. The researchers were told that the words they’d been using as strong, “aviso” and “vigilancia,” were not heard as forcefully as the more urgent Spanish words “emergencia,” “amenaza” and “alerta.”

The author of NOAA’s study, which was published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, said the study backs up other recent work comparing signals from English words versus signals from Spanish.

“Aviso” is a literal translation of “warning,” but aviso is “more like advice you might get from a parent,” and doesn’t come across as an urgent official warning to act,

The difference can literally mean life and death, as Florida officials struggled to convey the dangers of Ian’s intense ocean surge to evacuation stragglers around Tampa. How Spanish speakers accept the words is also key in tornado-prone spots with large Hispanic populations, from Colorado to Texas. As climate change makes emergency weather events more frequent, language and communication matter all the more, researchers say.

“It’s just so important to get people the right information at the right level of urgency,” said Ben Hatchett, assistant research professor for atmospheric science at Reno’s Desert Research Institute.

In tornado advisories, for example, the word “watch” means conditions are ripe for a tornado and residents should be alert. “Warning” means a tornado has been spotted or is imminent and residents should take shelter. The study notes that “66% of the English speakers correctly identified the meaning of a tornado watch as an early notice of possible severe weather,” but “only 38% of the Spanish speakers chose this definition.”

“Our data supports using the Spanish word ‘vigilancia’ for a tornado watch and the Spanish word ‘alerta’ for a tornado warning,” Trujillo-Falcón said.

9News meteorologist Chris Bianchi, who often handles the regular Spanish-language weather casts for the station, agrees with the research and is writing about it at 9News.com. He commented on the studies just before leaving for Florida, where he joined the hurricane coverage.

“This is absolutely critical,” Bianchi wrote from DIA, as he waited for his Tampa flight. “There has long been a huge, discernible gap between English and Spanish forecasting and terminology.”

Hatchett also does research from his base in Santa Rosa, California, on whether English-speaking com-

munities are hearing bad-weather warnings with the urgency forecasters and safety officials intend. It’s crucial, he said, to study local dialect and geography, and which communicators are the trusted sources of information.

In Reno, Hatchett said, weather listeners don’t pay enough attention to warnings of “up to 6 inches of snow in the area.” They assume that means up on the mountains in the Tahoe area, not so much in the lower-lying Truckee Meadows.

“But if you say, ‘It’s going to snow 6 inches down here,’ everyone’s like, ‘Oh, it’s gonna snow down here in the valley in downtown Reno. OK, got it. Got to think about how I’m going to get to work tomorrow,’” Hatchett said.

Climate and weather researchers are also trying to use high temperature ranges rather than one number when expressing growing dangers from urban heat waves, Hatchett said. Instead of saying just, “It’s likely to hit 106 degrees tomorrow,” they use probability forecasting: “It’s very likely going to be above 95 and could hit 100.”

How then, Hatchett said, to best present that range visually or verbally, to enclaves of different speakers and listeners, from San Diego to the San Luis Valley? Will

they be concerned enough to think about staying home from an outdoors job, or keeping kids out of an unairconditioned school?

It’s “super important,” he said, to use translation from native speakers familiar with a community to find the words “through the lens of the local person who you’re trying to convince to make a decision.”

Meteorologists appear to welcome the flurry of social scientists researching how to sharpen communication in their field.

“We often forget how young meteorology is,” Bianchi said, adding that 100 years ago weather warnings were coming primarily from priests on the hurricane frontlines in Cuba. He’s worked on some of the NOAA research panels, and he sees the impact of words while talking with the 9News audience.

“Translating and accounting for regional dialects and slang can be very difficult,” he said.

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

TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE

The Colorado Sun is a journalistowned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself.

In this way, The Sun contributes to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado.

The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and nonpartisan journalism. It covers everything

from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and education.

Now, The Colorado Sun co-owns this and other Colorado Community Media newspapers as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. The Sun is CCM’s partner for statewide news.

For Colorado Sun stories, opinions and more, and to support The Sun’s misssion as a member or subscriber, visit coloradosun.com.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Mountain Vista takes 40-36 win over Rock Canyon

whip Fountain Fort Carson, 43-24. Lawrence gained 137 yards on seven carries and scored three times

BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Mountain Vista handed Rock Canyon its first loss of the season to highlight football games played by south metro school between Oct. 6-8

The Golden Eagles (5-2, 1-1) scored 26 points in the fourth quarter and went on to down the Jaguars (6-1, 1-1) in the Class 5A League 6 conference opening game for a 40-36 final

Vista quarterback Austyn Modrzewski was the standout in the game as he completed 27 of 42 passes for 460 yards and six touchdowns. Vista averaged 17 yards per pass comple-

Junior Asher Weiner had a big night for Valor Christian (5-2, 2-0) in the Eagles’ 45-17 victory over Highlands Ranch (2-5, 0-2). He completed 10 of 12 passes for 140 yards and two touchdown and ran for 113 yards

ThunderRidge (7-0, 2-0) downed Castle View (1-6, 0-2), as quarterback Cooper Kier hit on 20 of 28 passes for 262 yards and threw three scoring passes in the 35-6 victory.

Arapahoe (4-3, 2-0) jumped to a big halftime lead and held on for a 28-21 Centennial League win over Grandview. Quarterback Michael Moynihan was 16 of 18 for 185 yards passing and connected for three touchdown passes.

Legend (5-2, 2-0) used the running of sophomore Jaden Lawrence to

Top-ranked Cherry Creek (6-1, 2-0) rolled to a 43-0 conquest of Smoky Hill. Freshman Brady Vodicka completed 12 of 15 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns. Ismael Cisse caught three TD passes from Vodicka and finished with five catches for 116 yards.

Freshman Tevin Stokes completed 17 of 30 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown which went to senior Brayden Munroe for one of his eight receptions as Chaparral (1-6, 1-1) got past Douglas County, 44-31. Douglas County saw its record dip to 3-5, 0-2.

Noah Shoen threw three touchdown passes in a 42-0 shutout for Heritage (5-2, 2-0) over Adams City. The Eagles defense came up with 5.5 quarterback sacks in the game.

Lutheran (4-2, 1-0) beat Holy Family, 35-13, as Ryken Daugaard and Ryan Kenny sparked the win. Daugaard was 23 of 31 passing for 251 yards and two TDs. Kenny gained 174 yards on 26 rushing carries and scored once.

Ponderosa (5-2, 1-1) rebounded from two straight Class 4A losses and frolicked to a 35-6 win over Vista Peak. Zach Stryker passed for 174 yards and two touchdowns in addition to rushing for 104 yards.

Littleton (5-1, 1-0) outscored Skyview, 46-26.

Englewood (4-2, 1-1) beat Alameda, 40-14, as sophomore Carson Campbell passed for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Isaiah Segoviano rushed for three TDs for the Pirates.

South metro boys rank high in golf

(436), ThunderRidge seventh (437), defending state champion Arapahoe

eighth (438), Mountain Vista ninth (443) and Castle View 10th (444).

BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Aiden Krusoe of Highlands Ranch had high expectations going into the Class 5A state golf tournament and he met them.

The same can be said for the Rock Canyon team.

Krusoe, a senior, posted the low round of the second day of the tourney at the City Park golf course with a 4-under-par 66 and wound up tied for fourth place in the individual standings with a 139 (66-73) two round total.

Rock Canyon qualified only three golfers but the Jaguars’ threesome finished second in the team competition with a 425 two-day score. Fossil Ridge was the team champion, finishing two strokes in front of Rock Canyon with a 423 stroke total.

Highlands Ranch was third at 427. Other south metro teams in the top 10 found Cherry Creek tied for fifth

Krusoe had six birdies and a double bogey during his second round of the tournament.

“Going into this tournament, I wanted to be top 10ten and I achieved my goal,” said Krusoe. “Everything was working. I felt confident hitting the ball. My putter was great. I left strokes out there but I was happy with the round. I was putting myself in good position to make the putts.

“The first round, it was my nerves. I played a little more free today. I just went out and tried to go low.”

Monarch’s Caleb Michaels was the tournament’s medalist with a 139 total.

Other top individual finishers from South Metro schools included Rock Canyon’s Charlie Tucker (68-72, 140) in eighth place. Tied for 11th place were Mountain Vista’s Connor Scheich (72-69, 141), Legend’s Spencer Schlagel (70-71, 141) and Vista’s Brayden Scheich (70-71, 141).

ThunderRidge defender Caleb Keith (4) wraps up Mountain Vista QB Austyn Modrzewski (13) for the tackle. The big Highlands Ranch area rivalry did not disappoint as it took the Grizzlies 2 OT’s to get the 34-31 victory, on Sept 30. at Halftime Help Stadium.

PHOTO BY PAUL DISALVO

Creek trounces Smoky Hill to end football game 43-0

Rock Canyon’s three players finished second in the Class 5A state golf tournament. The threesome from left to right Mason Conrad, Charlie Tucker and Trey Kahro .

PHOTO BY JIM BENTON

well at state

GOLF

Three players tied for 14th place. They were Rock Canyon’sTrey Kahroff (71-71, 142), Billy Verstraate of Highlands Ranch (73-69, 142), Castle View’s Luke Cushman (72-70, 142) and Gavin Crowley of Heritage (7072, 142).

Tucker, Kahroff and Mason Conrad, who was 18th with a 143 total, were the three Rock Canyon junior golfers who qualified for the state tournament after the regional tournament.

“Our expectation was that they play well so they met the expectation,” said Rock Canyon co-head coach Ron Saul. “They battled. And they are all coming back next year. We had no seniors. Look out world. Rock Canyon is coming for everybody next year.

“We only had three guys. Every stroke of every guy had to count both days. We didn’t have anybody to throw in. It’s tough with just three

Most teams that qualify via regional tournaments send four players to state. Scores of three players at state count in the team standings but the score of the fourth player can be subbed to have the three best rounds for each day added to the team total.

That’s what Fossil Ridge did in the final round as one player’s score from the first day which was a 71, fired an 80 in the final round, but his score was replaced by a 75 on the second day shot by the fourth golfer.

That’s a five-shot swing and Fossil Ridge won the state crown by two strokes over Rock Canyon.

“You always want to take first but we’re proud of the boys,” said Jaguars’ co-head coach Dave Vahling.

In the Class 4A state tourney held at Pelican Lakes, in Windsor, Ponderosa senior Zane Aiken tied for first with three other golfers and carding back-to-back 72s for a 144 total.

A scoring mistake on Aiken’s card forced a playoff and Bradley Weinmaster of Riverdale Ridge won the state title with a par 4 on the tiebreaking 18th hole.

CROWSS UP DRO ELZZ

Answers

Solution

THANKS

Prairie View’s Payton Crawford begins the first of his two rounds at the state 5A golf tournament Oct. 3 at City Park Golf Course in Denver. COURTESY CHRIS LOPEZ/PVHS

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Public

Legals

Public Trustees

COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION

CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0377-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:

On July 19, 2022, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relat ing to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.

Original Grantor(s)

Brian K McHugh and Melissa A McHugh

Original Beneficiary(ies)

National City Bank

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt Citizens Bank, National Association Date of Deed of Trust October 13, 2005

County of Recording Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust October 25, 2005 Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.) B5160218

Original Principal Amount $65,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance $50,823.56

Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations thereof

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

LOT 6, BLOCK 5, FOUR LAKES SUBDIVISION

FILING NO. 6, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known by street and number as: 1732 East Phillips Avenue, Centennial, CO 80122.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 11/16/2022, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 9/22/2022

Last Publication: 10/20/2022

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;

DATE: 07/19/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar

of the attorney(s) rep resenting the legal holder of the

Date of Deed of Trust

January 09, 2017

County of Recording Arapahoe Recording Date of Deed of Trust January 17, 2017

Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.) D7005665

Original Principal Amount $435,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance $162,473.87

Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

LOT 69, THE KNOLLS WEST - FILING NO. 2 AMENDED, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known by street and number as: 2683 E Fremont Place, Centennial, CO 80122.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 11/16/2022, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 9/22/2022

Last Publication: 10/20/2022

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES EN TITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED; DATE: 07/19/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) rep resenting the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Alison L Berry #34531

N. April Norton #34861 David R. Doughty #40042 Nicholas H. Santarelli #46592

Lynn M. Janeway #15592

Janeway Law Firm, P.C. 9800 S. Meridian Blvd., Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 706-9990 Attorney File # 22-027929

The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.

©Public Trustees' Association of Colorado Re vised 1/2015

Legal Notice NO. 0378-2022

First Publication: 9/22/2022

Last Publication: 10/20/2022

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION

CRS §38-38-103

FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0397-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust: On July 29, 2022, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relat ing to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.

Original Grantor(s)

BY THAT DEED DATED 07/06/2006 AND RE CORDED 07/11/2006 IN INSTRUMENT NUM BER: B6100565 IN THE ARAPAHOE COUNTY RECORDS. PARCEL ID(S): 2077-34-2-09-004

Also known by street and number as: 730 WEST JAMISON CIRCLE, LITTLETON, CO 80120-4261.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 11/30/2022, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 10/6/2022

Last Publication: 11/3/2022

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;

DATE: 07/29/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) rep resenting the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Alison L Berry #34531 N. April Norton #34861

David R. Doughty #40042

Nicholas H. Santarelli #46592

Lynn M. Janeway #15592

Janeway Law Firm, P.C. 9800 S. Meridian Blvd., Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 706-9990

Attorney File # 22-028057

The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.

©Public Trustees' Association of Colorado Re vised 1/2015

Legal Notice NO. 0397-2022

First Publication: 10/6/2022

Last Publication: 11/3/2022

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION

CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0410-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust: On August 2, 2022, the undersigned Public Trust ee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.

Original Grantor(s)

Scott A. Teuber and Susan A. Teuber

Original Beneficiary(ies)

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt NewRez LLC f/k/a New Penn Financial, LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Date of Deed of Trust August 18, 2010

County of Recording Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust August 26, 2010 Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.) D0083023

Original Principal Amount $213,184.00 Outstanding Principal Balance $162,059.28

Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 10/6/2022

Last Publication: 11/3/2022

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED; DATE: 08/02/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) rep resenting the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Erin Croke #46557

Steven Bellanti #48306

Holly Shilliday #24423

Ilene Dell'Acqua #31755

McCarthy & Holthus LLP

7700 E Arapahoe Road, Suite 230, Centennial, CO 80112 (877) 369-6122

Attorney File # CO-22-940753-LL

The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.

©Public Trustees' Association of Colorado Re vised 1/2015

Legal Notice No. 0410-2022

First Publication: 10/6/2022

Last Publication: 11/3/2022

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION

CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0414-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:

On August 2, 2022, the undersigned Public Trust ee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.

Original Grantor(s)

Margaret J Gutierrez Original Beneficiary(ies)

MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR CASTLE & COOKE MORTGAGE, LLC, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt COLORADO HOUSING AND FINANCE AUTHORITY Date of Deed of Trust May 21, 2018 County of Recording Arapahoe Recording Date of Deed of Trust May 22, 2018 Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.) D8049799

Original Principal Amount $179,450.00

Outstanding Principal Balance $188,777.13

Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

SEE ATTACHED LEGAL DESCRIPTION

Also known by street and number as: 5250 S. Huron Way #11-208, Littleton, CO 80120.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.

resenting the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Alison L Berry #34531

N. April Norton #34861

David R. Doughty #40042

Nicholas H. Santarelli #46592

Lynn M. Janeway #15592

Janeway Law Firm, P.C. 9800 S. Meridian Blvd., Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 706-9990

Attorney File # 22-028119

The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.

©Public Trustees' Association of Colorado Re vised 1/2015

EXHIBIT “A” LEGAL DESCRIPTION 0414-2022

CONDOMINIUM UNIT 208, IN CONDOMINIUM BUILDING 11, HICKORY PLACE CONDOMINIUM, ACCORDING TO THE CON DOMINIUM MAP THEREOF RECORDED MARCH 5, 1984 AT RECEPTION NO. 2383162, AND THE FIRST SUPPLEMENT RECORDED MARCH 5, 1984 AT RECEPTION NO. 2383163, IN THE RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK AND RECORDER OF THE COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, COLORADO, AND AS DE FINED AND DESCRIBED IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION RECORDED MAY 10, 2002 AT RECEPTION NO. B2087742 AND RECORDED AUGUST 13, 2012 AT RE CEPTION NO. D2089293 AND AMENDMENT RECORDED AUGUST 31, 2015 AT RECEPTION NO. D5098524, IN SAID RECORDS, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO,

Legal Notice NO. 0414-2022

First Publication: 10/6/2022

Last Publication: 11/3/2022

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103

FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0362-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:

On July 8, 2022, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.

Original Grantor(s)

Stephanie Brabec

Original Beneficiary(ies)

Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.

("MERS") as nominee of Guaranteed Rate, Inc., Its Successors and Assigns

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt

NewRez LLC, F/K/A New Penn Financial, LLC, D/B/A Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Date of Deed of Trust

November 25, 2014

County of Recording Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust December 04, 2014 Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.) D4113854

Original Principal Amount $135,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance $119,107.82

Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations thereof

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

SEE ATTACHED EXHIBIT A

Also known by street and number as: 6001 South Yosemite St #A-206, Greenwood Village, CO 80111.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

Holthus

The Attorney above is acting as a

and is attempting to collect a

be used for

John M. Strader AND Natsue Strader

Original Beneficiary(ies)

MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR NEW DAY FINANCIAL, LLC, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION Date of Deed of Trust March 17, 2018 County of Recording Arapahoe Recording Date of Deed of Trust March 23, 2018 Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.) D8028055

Original Principal Amount $169,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance $154,295.17

Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

LOT 91 SOUTHBRIDGE SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 7, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO. BEING THE SAME PROPERTY AS CONVEYED TO JOHN M. STRADER AND NATSUE STRADER FROM MARY V. STRADER

Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations thereof

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

LOT 3, BLOCK 3, BEL-VUE HEIGHTS AND

BEING MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN DEED RECEPTION #A8067097, DATED 04/30/1998, RECORDED 05/06/1998 IN THE COUNTY RE CORDER OF COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known by street and number as: 706 W Easter Ave, Littleton, CO 80120.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 11/30/2022, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street,

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 11/30/2022, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 10/6/2022

Last Publication: 11/3/2022

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;

DATE: 08/02/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) rep

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 11/09/2022, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 9/15/2022

Last Publication: 10/13/2022

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;

DATE: 07/08/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) rep resenting the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

‘All the crazy, weird, sometimes awkward and phenomenal experiences of being a kid’

Datko has this year been touted as one of the Ganahl Gals, a women’s group that aims to help Ganahl beat Democrat Jared Polis in the November election.

Ganahl’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Varda, a mother of three and a tenured professor at the University of Colorado-Denver, said the furry issue is much ado about nothing. She emphasized that students are young and exploring their lives in creative ways and it is important for their long-term mental health to be open and authentic, according to her research.

“I am certain that when we give kids not only the academic tools they need to achieve but also meet their social and economic barriers with resources, support, assurances of belonging and love, we will see accelerated learning, improved outcomes and long-term opportunities for success,” Varda said.

Schooley said that while the efforts of Jeffco Kids First have garnered signifi cant media attention and sidetracked district employees, far more letters from the community came in to bolster support for students.

“Once there was an awareness that this group was initiating this letter-writing campaign, we did start getting a lot of letters from parents, community members, students — there were a lot of students that wrote in — alums of Jeffco schools, very, very grateful and protective of things like Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in schools, over safe spaces and trusted adults in schools that students can talk to that are LGBTQ friendly, around policies that provide supports and some protections for students,” Schooley said.

“It was pretty overwhelming, that response,” Schooley continued. “It was signifi cantly more emails (that) came in in support of affi rming practices than otherwise. Which was great, to me, that’s my value set. I think people mobilized around that out of concern that the district would only hear one perspective and it would be not good for kids.”

The board is in the process of reviewing legal advice pertaining to the policy on controversial topics. If enough board members feel it should be reworked, there could be public hearings.

Schooley said students need support to be themselves.

“There are a whole lot more people in their corner who are ready to provide support,” Schooley said. “It’s like Parasol Patrol, I will be your umbrella; there are lots of us who want to provide a barrier so you can be a kid and you can go through all the crazy, weird, sometimes awkward and phenomenal experiences of being a kid and umbrellas are open to protect you from those things because there is

zero reason why our children should be hearing that about themselves. To me, it’s pretty unconscionable.”

Editor’s note: Lindsay Datko contacted Colorado Community Media after online publication of this story to seek a retraction, stating that she sought “anonymous verbal statements from children.” Datko disagreed with the article’s sentence, “Datko urged the nearly 6,000 members of Jeffco Kids First to have their kids secretly record their classmates.” Screenshots from the group show she made that request. Datko confi rmed to Colorado Community Media that she received pictures of students but indicated to the group that she has not used them.

NOTICE OF SALE

at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 11/09/2022, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase,

‘What I want is for people to stop demonizing our kids. That’s what I feel like has been happening, that in objecting to and playing some of these identity politics, our kids hear this language … and they don’t understand why people hate them for who they are, for how they were born and who they’ve become. They don’t understand and that is, psychologically, so very damaging. It makes my heart hurt.’

Stephanie Schooley, Je erson County School Board president

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