Centennial Citizen 030223

Porsches stolen in Centennial

Police seek assistance

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Arapahoe County Sheri ’s O ce is asking for help identifying two men who allegedly stole two Porsches and thousands of dollars worth of materials in Centennial, the sheri ’s o ce said in a Feb. 23 news release.

At approximately 12:30 a.m. Feb. 20, two men burglarized a Centennial law rm, another o ce and a maintenance room at the South eld Park Towers, located at 12835 E. Arapahoe Road, according to the release.

e men allegedly stole “thousands of dollars in equipment” such as laptops, electronics, machinery and tools, the sheri ’s o ce said.

Heart and Home Artisan Market brings people, vendors together

BY RACHEL LORENZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

With 70 artists and merchants under her roof and room for 50 — maybe even 75 — more, Kristin Davis is hoping to see a lot of growth in 2023 at Heart and Home Local Artisan Market in Centennial.

“We’re expanding,” Davis told Colorado Community Media. “ is week alone, I have 11 new artists that I’m interviewing.” Davis owns Heart and Home,

a retail store that houses local artists, crafters, designers and vendors that sell a variety of decor, apparel, jewelry and gifts. e store rents booths, giving artisans and entrepreneurs an opportunity to have a brick-and-mortar location without having to buy or lease their own commercial space.

“It’s many stores within a store,” Davis said.

Heart and Home’s new location, which opened in October, is three times larger than its previous spot a mile down the road. Clocking in at 12,000 square feet, the store has

room for additional enterprising artists.

“We’re trying to really back people that want to grow their business,” said Davis, who di erentiates between hobbyists and business-minded craftspeople.

A long-time resident of Colorado, Davis moved to the state with her family when she was in rst grade. She attended Littleton Public School District schools, started her own family in Centennial and now lives in Highlands

e sheri ’s o ce shared a short surveillance video of the two men on its YouTube channel. Surveillance cameras captured the men entering one of the o ces, the sheri ’s o ce said.

“ e men took a small billiard table, among other things. ey then found the keys to two pricey cars and stole them from the parking garage,” the sheri ’s o ce said in the release.

One of the vehicles was a 2005 black Porsche Carrera that is valued at $60,000, per the release. e other vehicle was a 1975 yellow Porsche 911S Coupe worth $100,000.

According to the release, the men face four felony charges including: second degree burglary, second degree aggravated motor vehicle theft, theft from a building and conspiracy to commit a felony.

e sheri ’s o ce said deputies have increased patrols in the area. e agency also asked that residents who think they can identify the men or who may have information about the crimes to call the investigations tip line at 720-874-8477.

Heart and Home Local Artisan Market in Centennial houses local artists, crafters, designers and vendors.

PHOTO BY RACHEL LORENZ

Art competition needs students’ skills

In it’s regular newsletter, Arapahoe County said for the second time will hold a kids’ contest for designing voter stickers

e Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder’s O ce invites all students grades 1 through 12 to submit artwork for two new “I Voted” stickers and one new “Future Voter” sticker, to be used in the 2023 and 2024 elections.

e contest is open to public, private and home school students.

e contest is separated into three categories based on grade level:

• Grades 1-5 will compete to design the “Future Voter” sticker, which are handed out at vote centers and events throughout the year.

• Grades 6-8 will compete to design one of the “I Voted” stickers included in mail ballot packets.

• Grades 9-12 will compete to

design the second “I Voted” stickers included in mail ballot packets.

e Clerk and Recorder’s O ce sent entry information to each of the county’s nine school districts. However, residents are encouraged to share information about the contest with any students they think would be a good candidate. Rules, legal releases and entry forms are available at www. arapahoevotes.gov. Deadline for submitting entries is Friday, March 31. Contact the Clerk and Recorder’s O ce at clerk@arapahoegov.com with questions.

e winning designs from the 2021 contest, designed by Ralph Moody Elementary student Vivian Marchetti and Regis Jesuit High School student Mary Seier, are below.

Photo source – Araphaoe County

A princess send o e Cherry Creek School District celebrated students’ e orts during 2023 Wish Week when Overland High School celebrated a local

Bragging about progress

e City of Centennial took some time to brag on Facebook recently about progress on the new tra c signal being installed at the Mineral and Chester corner.

e post said, “the City of Centennial and our partner contractors, Goodland Construction and Lighthouse Transportation Group, recently began raising the mast arms for the new tra c signal at the Mineral and Chester intersection. We’re excited to share that this milestone for the project marks approximately the halfway point of construction.”

Photo source: City of Centennial Facebook

AWARD-WINNING, INTERACTIVE CHILDREN’S MUSIC

Cherry Creek students recognized by state According to the Cherry Creek School District Facebook page, 15 Cherry Creek School District schools were recognized by the Colorado Department of Education

7-year-old by celebrating her love of princesses with her wish to go to Hawaii.

Photo source: Cherry Creek School District

for academic growth and achievement during the 2021-22 school year. Lear more by visiting the website at bit.ly/3m5FNg8

Photo source: Cherry Creek School District

Bemis Library now open after meth contamination

Safe levels met

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After being closed for almost ve weeks due to methamphetamine contamination, Bemis Public Library reopened on Feb 21.

“We got approval from Arapahoe County Public Health that the remediation that we did brought the levels below state standards and that the risk to the public health was very low,” city spokesperson Kelli Narde said.

Remediation

A contractor called Asbestos Professionals conducted remediation services in the library from Feb. 9 until Feb. 15, after testing found levels of meth contamination above the state threshold in four bathrooms’ vents and a mechanical equipment room connected to the library’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

City o cials said the remediation process involved surface cleaning because the contamination was on HVAC system components and vents,

e library is now open as sta waits for nal test results on previously contaminated areas to ensure completion, city senior media strategist David Gilbert wrote in an email

“If any areas are still above reportable levels, further remediation will be needed, but there’s no indication

of that yet,” he wrote.

e upstairs men’s and women’s restrooms and the downstairs private restroom will remain closed pending nal documentation of remediation completion, according to a city announcement. e other restrooms will be open.

e city has received two invoices from the contractor for remediation, adding up to $31,563.25, Gilbert wrote. He said the city has not yet received a bill from the testing company, Zeal Environmental.

Going forward

In terms of preventative measures for future methamphetamine contamination, the library already has a video camera system that covers most parts of the library as well as a police o cer in the building 20 hours a week, Narde said.

Going forward, the city plans to enhance cleaning of bathroom services and increase security patrols around the restrooms.

“We’re not going to be able to monitor what goes on in a bathroom stall — it’s just impossible to do because of privacy, obviously,” Narde said. “ ey’re looking at getting some air-quality monitoring technology for those bathrooms, but that’s not in place yet.”

Although it’s impossible to completely prevent this situation from happening again, Narde said the city is going to do everything they can.

On the topic of prevention, some community members have ex-

pressed concern that unhoused individuals are the cause of drug contamination in restrooms. Narde said it is impossible to know who is behind the behavior that caused the closure.

“I think it’s easy to point the nger at a person being homeless as the culprit, but there’s no way that we can prove that whoever did this was a homeless person,” she said. “And I think it’s naive to think that every homeless person smokes meth and it’s naive to think that only homeless

people smoke meth.”

She said the city is grateful for the community’s patience and support as they worked to resolve the situation.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we went through this,” she said. “We know it was hard on a lot of people, including our sta , but I think it positions the library a little bit better for the future. We just thank everybody for their support and their patience while we got things cleaned up.”

The front doors of the Bemis Public Library in Littleton on Jan. 19, after the city closed it due to methamphetamine contamination.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

Meet the ‘hope dealers’ behind the Denver Dream Center

BY DANA KNOWLES AND WILL PETERSON ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

For the Denver Dream Center, hope is a commodity that can’t be sold. It’s routinely given away, at no charge.

“I’m a hope dealer,” explained Donny Andrews, who works at the organization. “We go out and rescue people and restore lives and dreams.”

e Denver Dream Center mainly works with formerly incarcerated people who leave prison and end up without a place to live after their release, something Andrews understands personally.

“I was released on May 11th of last year and was connected with the Dream Center and they helped me put my life back together,” explained Andrews, adding that he needed to learn basic life skills.

“It’s rough getting out prison after 33 years of incarceration, and not knowing how to use a phone, and not knowing how to go grocery shopping.”

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, formerly incarcerated people are almost 10 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population.

After spending time in and out of prison for several years, then experiencing homelessness, Tyrone ompkins told Rocky Mountain PBS how excited he is to nally move into his own home soon.

“I’ll be moving into an apartment on the rst of March, the day of my birthday!” he said excitedly, crediting the Denver Dream Center for making it happen.

Now ompkins works for the organization as a part of the street team that does direct outreach with the unhoused in Denver, many of whom were formerly incarcerated

1-877-328-1512

like ompkins.

“It’s time for me to go back out into the community that I was destroying and help,” he said. “It has changed my life and I’m truly blessed.”

Bryan Sederwall moved to Denver 16 years ago and immediately saw the necessity to connect those experiencing homelessness with not only resources, but also hope and

“We say ‘See a need, then meet the need.’ We do everything from helping men and women transition from incarceration, or get out of gangs, and get back to community and reestablish their families,” said

These days, Sederwall is affectionately known as Pastor B.

“People ask me, as a pastor, where’s my church? I tell them to look at the city and that’s our church; it’s the people,” he said.

“It’s not just on Sundays, but we hyper focus on Monday through Saturday by building a commu-

The organization provides continuous support for the unhoused to also address issues including hunger, addiction, and abuse. And according to Pastor B, the best way to do that is by finding people where they are and just starting a simple conversation.

“Someone [will] be embarrassed about their story, or their background, and they’ll share that and someone else will be like ‘yeah me too!’ So, it’s no longer baggage, but it becomes a platform for them to move forward and be successful.”

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.

Members of the Denver Dream Center.

COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Where to turn for help when temps drop

Cold winter continues

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Life-threatening temperatures rolled into the Denver metro area again in late February, prompting local authorities and community organizations to open their doors for people without homes.

Programs for overnight shelter during cold weather vary across the Denver area, and some have di erent criteria for when they open.

At least 263 unhoused individuals died in the Denver metro area from Nov. 1, 2021, to Oct. 31, 2022, according to a report by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Some died of “environmental exposure,” and many of the deaths occurred outdoors.

Here’s a look at the shelter programs in Denver and nearby counties. Many of these resources are ongoing.

For shelter elsewhere in Colorado, contact your local city or county human services department and ask about any available shelter and other resources in your area.

Je erson and west Arapahoe counties

Lakewood has opened its own emergency over ow shelter for the unhoused needing a warm place — a program the city says is new. Whitlock Recreation Center was to be open overnight two days, Feb. 22 and Feb. 23. It’s located at 1555 N. Dover St., just north of Colfax Avenue and several blocks west of Wadsworth Boulevard.

Also serving Je erson County — and the Englewood-Littleton area — is the Severe Weather Shelter Network, which requires registration. See swshelternetwork.com/ get-help or contact 720-515-9313 or connect@swshelternetwork.com.

e network operates Oct. 1-April 30 when it is 20 degrees or below and dry — or 32 degrees and below when rain or snowfall is predicted during overnight hours.

Giving Heart Englewood, a homeless-resource center, o ers a warm environment for people to wait for transportation to the overnight shelter in life-threatening weather.

It operates as a “warming site” on severe weather nights at 6 p.m.

Giving Heart also o ers computer use; clothing and hygiene items; help with getting IDs, driver licenses, and birth or death certi cates; and help with Medicaid health care. You can also use its address to receive mail, applications or bene ts.

For non-severe-weather services, Giving Heart is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays and ursdays.

It sits at 4358 S. Broadway, about eight blocks south of Hampden Avenue and just south of Quincy Avenue. Call 720-460-0953, see givingheartenglewood.com or email givingheartenglewood@gmail.com for more info.

Evergreen

In the Evergreen area of Je co, the EChO overnight emergency shelter operates from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. October to May. For more information and to register, call 303-6701796.

Individuals needing shelter when EChO is closed should call the sheri non-emergency line at 303-277-0211 or call the shelter hotline at 720-598-2653 and leave a message, according to Evergreen Christian Outreach’s website. A shelter representative will call you back, according to the site.

See more info at tinyurl.com/EvergreenShelter.

Adams County

e Adams County Severe Weather Activation Program takes e ect when the temperature drops lower than 33 degrees with rain or snow — or 21 degrees and dry, according to the county’s website. e program’s assessment process may include referral to shelter, a hotel or motel stay, or severe weather supplies.

When the program is active, people seeking services should visit Crossroads Community Center at 10451 N. Huron St. in Northglenn — at 104th Avenue a few blocks west of Interstate 25 — from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., or visit almosthomeonline.org/ swap, contact SWAP@almosthomeonline.org or call 720-409-8988.

Douglas County

Hotel vouchers are provided to people experiencing homelessness in Douglas County through nonpro t partners throughout the year, according to county spokesperson Wendy Holmes.

For Douglas County women and children speci cally, the Winter Shelter Network of churches provides shelter after registration, every night during winter months regardless of weather conditions. See wintershelternetwork.org/getassistance for more information.

Douglas County’s homelessness response team refers people to those partners for assistance. Call the county’s Homeless Engagement, Assistance and Resource Team, or HEART, at 303-660-7301 if you need assistance.

Aurora

e Aurora Day Resource Center is a 24/7 shelter during certain times of winter. “No one will be turned away,” the website says.

e center activates overnight shelter when it’s below 20 degrees, generally with some kind of precipitation, according to a worker who identi ed as a “care navigator.”

e location was o ering overnight shelter Feb. 23, the navigator con rmed.

e center sits at 13387 E. 19th Place, a few blocks north of Colfax and a couple blocks west of Interstate 225 — north of Children’s Hospital. Call 303-343-7808, text

WARMUP to 313131 or see comitiscrisiscenter.org/aurora-day-resource-center for more info.

An organization called Aurora Warms the Night also provides coldweather shelter for people experiencing homelessness, its website says. Contact 303-343-0537 or info@ awtnco.org, or see aurorawarmsthenight.org for more info.

e organization has “o ce hours” 6-9 p.m. Mondays and ursdays and 2-6 p.m. Sundays, according to its website. Its address is 9360 E. Colfax Ave., several blocks east of Yosemite Street, in Aurora.

Denver

e City of Denver opened Rude Recreation Center — at 2855 W. Holden Place, just east of Federal Boulevard and a bit south of Colfax — for overnight shelter Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.

People who need shelter can also visit what the city calls “front door” facilities, which o er walk-up access and can refer — and sometimes transport — people to other shelters. What the city calls “walk up only” centers do not refer people to other facilities.

For individual men, one front door location is Lawrence Street Community Center at Lawrence Street and Park Avenue West in the downtown area. It’s open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, but the city suggests arriving before 6 p.m. for transportation to other locations. Call 303-294-0157 for more info.

For individual women, a front door location is Samaritan House at 2301 Lawrence St., near that same intersection, open from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily. e city suggests arriving between 4 and 4:30 p.m. for shelter or transportation to other locations. Call 303-294-0241 for more info.

For resources for others — youth ages 15-20, families with minor children, people experiencing domestic violence, or transgender individuals — see the city’s webpage for more info at tinyurl.com/ DenverShelterList.

Denver had opened other emergency shelter earlier this winter, including the McNichols Civic Center Building at 144 W. Colfax Ave., near North Broadway, which operated as a “24/7 warming shelter” for a period in January.

On Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, all currently operating Denver recreation centers and Denver public libraries were to be available during regular operating hours for anyone who needed a place to stay warm during the day.

Other options

In the “seven-county” metro area — including around the Denver area but also the Boulder and Broom eld communities — dial 211 for a multilingual and con dential service that can connect you to shelter, food, rent assistance, child care and more resources in your area. Or text your ZIP code to 898-211 or scroll down to “live chat” at unitedwaydenver. org/community-programs/2-1-1.

In general, if you’re in extreme cold and can’t nd shelter through the above resources, call 911. (Or, in Denver speci cally, the police non-emergency number is 720-9132000.)

SHUTTERSTOCK

Cities could allow ‘overdose prevention centers’ under bill

Democrats push measure

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado cities could let “overdose prevention centers,” where people would be allowed to openly use illicit drugs under the supervision of health care workers or other trained sta , operate within their boundaries under a bill introduced in the state legislature by four Democrats. House Bill 1202 is part of a yearslong debate around the centers, also sometimes called safe-use or supervised-injection sites. e centers would be designed to o er sterile drug-consumption paraphernalia and fentanyl test strips, as well as referrals to counseling.

e driving idea behind the measure is to provide a place where people could ingest drugs purchased illegally and be quickly revived if necessary with naloxone, a drug used to reverse opioid overdose.

e measure does not mandate that cities open the centers; it simply gives them the option to open them.

ere is no funding attached to the bill. Denver’s City Council in 2018 voted to allow a pilot safe-use site near the state Capitol, but without backing from the legislature the proposal zzled.

e lead sponsors of the bill are Reps. Elisabeth Epps of Denver and Jenny Willford of Northglenn, as well as Sens. Kevin Priola of Henderson and Julie Gonzales of Denver.

“Preventable drug overdoses are a public health crisis that impact every Colorado community and are a matter of both local and state concern,” says the bill’s preamble, which is much longer than the policy itself. “For far too long, Colorado has disproportionately favored a criminal justice approach to substance use disorders instead of prioritizing public health. … It is in the public interest and would serve Colorado’s goal of saving lives and preventing overdose deaths to a rm that overdose prevention centers are permissible under Colorado law.”

Epps, the top House sponsor of the measure, refuses to speak with e Colorado Sun. Priola is the No. 1 sponsor of the bill in the Senate.

“It will save lives,” Priola said of House Bill 1202. He said the measure will give municipalities a localcontrol option to decide for themselves whether they want to allow the centers.

In 2019, Priola worked on similar draft legislation with then-Sen. Brittany Pettersen, a Lakewood Democrat, but there was erce pushback from Republicans at the Capitol and the bill was never introduced.

Priola was a Republican in 2019. He switched his party a liation to Democrat last year. Pettersen is now a U.S. representative.

Gov. Jared Polis has expressed skepticism about safe-use sites and may veto the measure should it arrive on his desk. It’s unclear if there is even enough political support at

the Capitol to pass House Bill 1202.

e measure already has 26 cosponsors in the House and ve cosponsors in the Senate, all of them Democrats. However the list of cosponsors doesn’t include House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, nor Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder.

ere are 65 representatives in the House and 35 members of the Senate. Republicans, whose numbers are limited at the Capitol, are certain to ght the measure.

Priola said the large number of cosponsors and a better understanding about drug use means the measure is “highly likely” to pass.

e bill was assigned to the House Public and Behavioral Health and

Human Services Committee, but hasn’t been scheduled for its rst hearing.

ere are safe-use sites in New York City and e orts are underway to open similar centers in other parts of the U.S. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, vetoed a measure that would have allowed a trial run of safe-use sites in some of that state’s biggest cities.

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

•

SHUTTERSTOCK

How much money is being spent by chair candidates?

We will never know

BY SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

How much money are the candidates to lead the Colorado GOP and Colorado Democratic Party raising and spending? We don’t know and we won’t nd out.

at’s because there’s no state law or party bylaw that requires candidates for state party chair to report their fundraising and spending, though there are campaign nance disclosure rules for people who run for city council, legislature and Congress.

e candidates are spending money, however, and some are asking others to donate. Several of the contenders have websites, are traveling across the state to visit with local party leaders and activists, and are trying to persuade party central committee members to support their campaigns through texts, robocalls and emails.

Democratic Chairwoman Morgan Carroll and Republican Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown are both stepping aside in the coming weeks, and there are multiple candidates to replace both of them. Whoever wins the contests — Democrats will select their new state chair April 1 while the GOP will select its new leader March 11 — will have a big in uence over the future direction of their respective parties. ey may also be paid tens of thousands a year for their work.

Carroll estimated she spent $5,000 on a website and travel costs in her rst campaign to be party chair in 2015. She was paid about $73,000 in 2022. Burton Brown said she spent about $2,000 of her own money when she ran for the job two years ago, while her opponent, former Secretary of State Scott Gessler, told e Sun he spent less than $25,000 with “a substantial number of supporters who contributed.” Burton Brown was paid about $72,000 in 2022.

is year, Tim Kubik, a party volunteer and education consultant who lives in Larimer County, aims to raise $25,000 to fund his campaign for Democratic Party chair, according to an email obtained by e Sun. A robocall delivered a similar message to prospective donors.

Kubik said he’s spending on campaign consultants and media, raising donations that are averaging $100. “Since all of my donors are family, friends, or volunteer supporters, I’d prefer not to disclose their names, as many have donated expecting anonymity under current state law,” he said in an email.

Current First Vice Chairman Howard Chou is also raising money on his website, but said “It’s not a lot.” He hopes to print yers and send mailers to central committee members.

Casper Stockham, one of the GOP chair candidates, tweeted Monday that the contest “is between We e People and big money.” He’s seeking

donations on his website. So is Erik Aadland, who is running for state party chair after losing his 7th Congressional District bid in November. Aaron Wood, a Highland Ranch activist, isn’t asking for donations on his website as part of his chair bid. Stephen Varela, of Pueblo, doesn’t have a website for his GOP chair campaign.

One state party chair candidate who said he isn’t raising money is Shad Murib, a Democrat who has worked for U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper and Gov. Jared Polis. He said he wasn’t comfortable asking people for money that would go into his bank account with no disclosure of how it’s used. He is, however, allowing a friend to create bandanas for his e ort.

“We’re de nitely putting miles on the truck like never before,” said Murib, whose wife is former state Sen. Kerry Donovan, a Vail Democrat. Murib said he’d support an e ort to change state law to require reporting of donations and expenditures of candidates for state party chair.

Kubik said he wouldn’t oppose requiring such disclosure, while Chou said he didn’t think campaign nance reporting is needed for state party chair contests.

“It’s a private election,” Chou said. “It’s like running for union president or Elks Lodge president.”

Gessler and Burton Brown also said they wouldn’t support requiring candidates for state party chair to report how much money they raise and spend.

“It’s not an election you can buy,” Burton Brown said in a text message.

“It’s a very relationship- and issuebased race.”

Both parties are slated to nish electing county-level o cers on Wednesday, with congressional and multicounty legislative district ofcers elected in coming weeks.

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

e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Save the Date

May 13 & 14, 2023

Spring Wine and Chalk Art Festival–Tickets on sale now! The calendar may read winter but our thoughts are turning to spring and the Chalk Lines & Vines festival. Sample wines from 15+ Colorado wineries, watch chalk artists bring their masterpieces to life, and enjoy live music and entertainment. $10 discount for the first 300 tickets sold!

21+ over only, tickets at arapahoecountyeventcenter.com or scan the QR code with your smartphone.

Breaking down where dollars are being spent by both Democrats and Republicans is a tough venture. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

MARKET

Ranch. Local is her “jam,” and she prides herself on helping area artisans thrive.

With 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising for the telephone industry in addition to her time in retail, Davis has knowledge as well as oor space to o er. For the people that rent from her, she holds workshops on pricing, marketing, taxes and other topics foundational for small business

ful,” she explained.

To help her sell items and run the store, Davis employs one full-time store manager and nine part-time workers including a young woman who just turned 16 years old.

“She’s learning how to sell. She’s learning the aspects of customer interaction,” Davis said. “ at comes easy for me, so I like being able to take what I know and teach and educate other people.”

is year, Heart and Home is hosting regular craft nights for free at the store and all are welcome. Whether

pack up their projects and meet other hands-on, creative types.

“Bring in some yarn and knitting needles and talk to the person across the table from you that may be stamping cards that they made,” Davis said. “You know, it’s just a way to meet and greet and be part of a community.”

Davis and the team at Heart and Home also make an e ort to partner with local nonpro ts. In the fall, the store was a collection point for Coats for Colorado donations. Next, they’ll partner with HopeCycle, an Engle-

IF YOU GO

Heart and Home Local Artisan Market is at 8239 S. Holly St. in Centennial. It’s open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

wood-based group that provides bicycles to people in underserved communities.

“I just think it’s really important to bring people into our store that are community minded and community focused,” Davis said. “Because that’s how we are.”

A variety of home decor, clothing, jewelry and gifts are available at Heart and Home Local Artisan Market.

PHOTOS BY RACHEL LORENZ

An array of Swank longboards from Centennial’s Alex Williams line an artfilled booth.

Denver area inflation falls to 6.4%

Gasoline prices return to $4 level

BY TAMARA CHUANG THE COLORADO SUN

Price relief at home? Not quite yet, according to the latest Consumer Price Index for the Denver area.

e one-year change in CPI, aka in ation, slowed its pace to 6.4% in January, which happened to be the same as the U.S. at’s lower than the 6.9% in November for Denver and 7.1% in the U.S. But that 6.4% means consumer prices are not only still growing, in ation is still at a 40-year high.

Nearly everything that contributes to the index was more expensive in January than it was a year earlier in Denver. Nonalcoholic beverages? Up 16.7%. Breakfast cereal? Up 14%. Fruits and vegetables? Up 12.9%. Household energy? Up 13.4%.

Add in the in ation from the prior year and the double-digit increases likely match what consumers have been feeling for the past couple of years — or at least some consumers. While government relief helped many people and businesses get through the pandemic, the severe disruptions resulted in job losses, aggravated supply chain issues and changed consumer demand. e higher prices are being felt unequally, especially if someone is a homeowner or a renter, works remotely or in person, or hasn’t seen their paycheck increase at the same rate.

“Earnings are going up about 5% roughly in the United States. But that means we’ve lost ground. We basically have had negative income for the last couple of years.

And that’s hard,” said Stephan Weiler, an economics professor and co-director of the Regional Economic Development Institute at Colorado State University. “I mean people get excited about a 3% raise or 5% raise. Unfortunately, it’s not even keeping up with in ation. And that doesn’t go away. ese prices stay higher. It’s fairly rare that prices come down.”

One item did drop in the past year: Used car prices, down 10.6% from a year earlier. But if you recall, a shortage of vehicles pushed used car prices up 43.4% by January 2022. e auto industry is still recovering. Here’s how in ation a ected di erent types of purchases for the past two years.

As a reminder, the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t track ination by state. It doesn’t have the resources, we’ve been told. e change in CPI is recorded nationwide and in nine Census divisions and certain metro areas, including Denver.

Rising the fastest since November was the cost of apparel and recreation, which were so much higher than other categories that the BLS pointed them out.

Apparel costs had ratcheted up by double-digit increases for several months in 2021 as people headed back to work at the o ce or just got dressed to go out in public. However, the 8.5% higher cost for apparel in January was actually slower than the rate a year ago.

As for why Coloradans are spending more on recreation, that’s likely seasonal, said Julie Percival, a BLS regional economist. ere are above-normal levels of snow in the mountains and this is, afterall, Colorado “with a lot of people taking advantage of

Inflation, housing prices and gasoline going back over $4 per gallong are still leading to high inflation issues in the Denver metro area. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

We are traumatized FROM THE EDITOR

On Feb. 22, as calls came into local police departments that our schools were under attack, one thing became apparent — We are very traumatized in society.

ankfully, the reports to 911 that active shooters were inside schools across Colorado were untrue and proved to be false as o cers responded. However, the trauma that goes with these calls was very apparent.

For me, as a mother and journalist, I immediately stressed out. I watched other journalists on Twitter make comments putting into words just how I was feeling. Many said as soon as the calls come in, we start worrying about what could be happening in our communities.

As more than a dozen schools were impacted throughout the day, Englewood made the list, and then Littleton High School. Littleton Police headed to the school and students were locked inside, leaving parents wondering if they were indeed OK.

e thing is, while other schools were cleared and quickly, Littleton felt like it took forever. is is not judge to Littleton schools or police, it just felt like forever for me and a reporter waiting for word.

I started scanning Twitter, where the trauma we are experiencing as a society became very apparent:

From students tweeting that they were still inside a classroom hunkered down without any knowledge of what is happening on the outside.

From parents saying they have elementary school children without a cell phone, and they were worried because they had no way of knowing what was happening inside.

Tweet after tweet, parents said they heard from their child but still had no clear answers of what was happening.

As the minutes continued, the Littleton Police Department would tweet that “still no injuries” had been found. While good news, it was still stressful because it wasn’t the “all clear” tweet parents and students were waiting for.

For students, this wasn’t just a drill to go through what to do if this actually happened. While found to be a hoax, for our communities, this was essentially the real thing until police ruled it wasn’t.

Earlier in the week, my own children went through a lockdown drill with their school. Afterward, my 6-year-old asked some pointed questions on why they did it. I was honest with him. In reality, we just do not live in a world right now where we can lie to our children about the evil that can be lingering outside of our schools, public arenas ands elsewhere.

A threat or call about a shooting is never discounted anymore. All calls, all threats are treated as if they are real.

For those responsible, there is no excuse for the level of cruelty you imposed on teachers, students, parents, law enforcement and our communities.

While thankfully, no one was hurt, in the end, this day shows us that something has to be done to get the increasing numbers of mass shootings under control. We are past the time of bickering about which political party is right and which is wrong.

We are a traumatized society that deserves debate, compromise and true action that leads to healing and safety.

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

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher

lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

THELMA GRIMES South Metro Editor tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TAYLER SHAW Community Editor tshaw@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Th e circular bar was busy but not too busy. ere were two bartenders working the bar. Our view was of the beautiful snow-covered mountains as the restaurant was at the top of a ski resort. As the bartenders chatted us all up, we all took in the amazing view of the slopes, the mountain range backdrop and a gorgeous blue-sky

No rush, service was casual without being too slow. As we enjoyed our break we noticed a man had walked in and stood at the bar looking for a beverage himself. His accent gave him away as being from New York and his body language betrayed his not so good mood. As the bartender approached the man and asked what he would like to drink, the man blurted out, “Two bloody Marys.”

As the bartender started making the drinks, the man started assertively tapping his credit card on the counter, shaking his head and clearly losing his patience as the bartender worked on his drinks. I would have to say, the bartender makes an awesome bloody Mary, and he takes the time to make sure it’s perfect. As the man’s impatience grew, the bartender picked up on the vibe, and without speeding up, he quickly and brilliantly defused the situation, asking the man one question, “I’ll bet it’s nice

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ERIN FRANKS Production Manager efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

for you to be on vacation, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and to be up here taking in the snow, the sun and this incredible view.”

e man’s demeanor immediately changed. He knew what the bartender had just done, and smiling he said, “ ank you for that, and it’s wonderful to be up here and on mountain time.” I watched as the man took the two drinks back to his table and wife, and as he sat down, taking in a deep breath and gazing out at the magni cence and majesty of his surroundings.

If you have ever spent any time in the islands or in the mountains, you can immediately connect with the headline and message of this column. When we can spend time on a beautiful tropical island or in the majesty of the mountains, sometimes things just move a little slower. And that’s a good thing.

It amazes me that some people miss the opportunity to slow down, to ease the pace of the race when they are on vacation. We work so hard to save our money so that we can take a break, get away from the rush and crush of life, and bring ourselves and our family to a tropical paradise or winter wonderland, only to lose our patience, getting upset because the shuttle was ve minutes behind, or the line at the co ee shop wasn’t moving as quickly as we would like. And instead of letting go of the stress we left behind,

SEE NORTON, P13

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

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Thelma Grimes

The gift of island time and mountain time

Parker o cer, K-9 featured in calendar

Part of nonprofit program

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Parker Police Department’s O cer Eric Graham and his K-9, Kato, are Mr. February’s in Vested Interest in K9s 2023 calendar.

Kato, one of the two police dogs at the Parker Police Department, received his ballistic vest from Vested Interest in K9s.

“ ey’re a nationwide nonpro t organization that donates ballistic armor, Narcan and life-saving kits speci cally to police dogs all over the country for no cost to the handler or the agency,” said Graham.

According to Vested Interest in K9s, the organization has donated more than 4,948 K-9 ballistic vests since 2009.

To receive a vest, the dog has to be a current certi ed working police dog, at least 20 months old and they can’t be one year away from retirement, said Graham.

Each year, the organization chooses 12 dogs that they’ve donated a vest to and their handlers to be in the calendar..

NORTON

FROM PAGE 12

we bring it with us and get worked up over the silliest and slightest delays.

is is not about making the excuse for poor or extremely slow service, as that is never acceptable. is is just a gentle nudge and reminder to stop and see the mountains or the vastness of a blue ocean. Not just look at them, but really see them. And maybe as we stop long enough we might just realize that we are actually seeing them for the very rst time. Getting on island time or mountain time, or wherever else we go to relax and take a break, helps us to unwind and let the stressors of life go. If we are lucky enough to

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules:

• Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.

• Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in the following week’s newspaper.

• Letters must be no longer than 400 words.

• Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.

• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for o ce. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 12 days of an election.

“If I can return the favor and help them out and kind of get their business name more out there to public knowledge, then I’m all for it,” said Graham.

Kato is a 7 year old German Shepherd Belgian Malinois mix and has been partners with Graham for over ve years.

Originally from Slovakia, Kato came to California at just over a year old to Gold Coast K9 where he started with drug work obedience training.

Graham got Kato when he was 18 months old.

“I spent a month out in California, training me on how to be a good partner with him,” said Graham.

After initially being certi ed in California, Graham and Kato came back to Colorado where they have continued drug training. According to Graham, they train all the time with at least two days of the month dedicated to training days.

“He, I’m sure, saved my life more times than I’ll ever know,” said Graham.

Kato is also certi ed in human tracking and article searches.

In addition to school and public demonstrations and teaching

live in such an area full time, we understand what island time and mountain time means, and recognize it’s one of the reasons we chose to live there.

Is it time to leave the anxiety, stress, and impatience behind?

Can we get ourselves comfortable with a slightly slower pace?

I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can embrace island time and mountain time for the gift that they truly are, 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.

classes on what K-9 teams do, Kato has served Parker by aiding in drug arrests and nding weapons used in commission of crimes.

“He has helped me make arrests that I would have never been able

to make without him,” said Graham. “Cases getting solved where he has recovered evidence during an article search that probably never would have been solved without him locating evidence.”

• Publication of any given letter is at our discretion. Letters are published as space is available.

• We will edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length and write headlines (titles) for letters at our discretion.

• Please don’t send us more than one letter per month. First priority for publication will be given to writers who have not submitted letters to us recently.

• Submit your letter in a Word document or in the body of an email. No PDFs or Google Docs, please.

• Include your full name, address and phone number. We will publish only your name and city or town of residence, but all of the information requested is needed for us to verify you are who you say you are.

• Letters will be considered only from people living in Colorado Community Media’s circulation area in Adams, Arapahoe, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Je erson and Weld counties.

• Do not use all caps, italics or bold text.

• Keep it polite: No name calling or “mudslinging.”

O cer Eric Graham and K-9 Kato as Mr. February in the Vested Interest in K9s 2023 calendar.

PHOTO BY PARKER POLICE DEPARTMENT

Scientists are studying the health of the South Platte’s aquatic life

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

There might be plenty of sh in the sea, but in the section of the South Platte River from the Denver Metro Water facility down to Fort Lupton, they’ve all but disappeared.

rough testing, Metro Water Recovery scientists discovered that aquatic life was not present in this part of the South Platte River due to low dissolved oxygen levels.

Metro Water Recovery, in an agreement with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado Health Department will address the issue.

Dissolved oxygen levels mean the river is too low for aquatic life. When they did the study, the scientists found that the South Platte River from the Denver Metro Water facility down to Fort Lupton had no sh habitat.

ey started a six-phase project on the South Platte River from 88th & Colorado Boulevard to Fort Lupton in 2018 to improve aquatic life that was disappearing from low dissolved oxygen.

“Many factors cause dissolved oxygen in a river, such as runo , nutrients and how highly managed the river is and owing slowly in some locations. In addition, algae grow when the river slows down and eats up oxygen at night,” said Senior Quality Manager for Metro Water Jim Dorsch.

“A number of factors were involved and since Metro Water created the river, it made sense for us to take the lead on trying to correct it,” Dorsch said.

Scientists are working daily on the South

Platte River collecting aquatic macroinvertebrates, which are bugs. Many of these types of organisms and microhabitats live in the river, under rocks or in woody debris in the river, Dorsch said, adding that they can also live inside rocks or live in boulders.

“ e objective is to sample the macroinvertebrate that lives at the bottom of the river to assess the invertebrate which is species without a backbone to test their diversity and abundance within the river channel and determine overall aquatic life health,” said Jordan Harman, a senior water quality scientist with Metro Water.

Harman said the macroinvertebrate data is used in Colorado as the primary indicator of aquatic life health in streams and rivers. ey collect samples in the fall, and the macroinvertebrates are picked out with tweezers and placed into collection jars lled with isopro-

pyl alcohol for preservation.

“We then send these preserved specimen samples to a taxonomic expert and they identify and count the macroinvertebrates and send the identi cation enumeration data back to us. is is simply identi cation of preserved specimens, they are not looking at live specimens,” Harman said.

e scientists could get a general sense of overall water quality based on the type of invertebrates. Certain macroinvertebrates are sensitive to pollution, such as may ies, caddis ies and more. Bugs that are relatively tolerant of pollution include aquatic worms, midge larvae and more, according to Harman and Dorsch.

“When we observe a diverse group of macroinvertebrates, including sensitive species,

These are the macroinvertebrates, the tiniest species that tell scientists about the water quality and how many are present in the river. PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

The damselfly Jordan Harman captured to be seen under the microscope. PHOTO BY METRO WATER RECOVERY

Jordan Harman gathers the macroinvertebrates from the South Platte River for testing the water quality

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival celebrates AAPI stories

Proving the power of storytelling has been part of the Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival since its inception and this year it is taking the time to celebrate all the voices that share their stories.

“Our theme this year is ‘Celebrating Our Stories,’ which follows last year’s theme of `Celebrating Resilience,’” explained Sara Moore, Colorado Dragon Boat executive director. “ e stories we’re sharing may not usually be heard or seen, which means projecting them on the big screen provides awesome potential for connection.”

e 8th annual Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival, hosted by Colorado Dragon Boat and Denver Film, opens ursday, March 9 and runs through Sunday, the 12th at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave., and the Freyer - Newman Center at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1085 York St. in Denver.

e festival includes 11 lms, all of which honor the experiences of Asian Americans and Paci c Islanders (AAPI) communities. Highlights include the opening night lm, “Arnold is a Model Student,” which is described in provided information as “a satirical coming-of-age story examining contemporary ai culture through the lens of the country’s youth.”

Another important lm screening is “Reclaiming Denver’s Chinatown,” a documentary about the racism Chinese residents faced in the Mile High City. And, for the rst time, the festival will wrap up at the Denver

RIVER

this indicates good water quality. Dissolved oxygen is just one important aspect of overall water quality,” Harman said.

Harman said these macroinvertebrates tell them what they do and a lot about water quality. If certain kinds of bugs are present, the water quality can sustain these macroinvertebrates, and they’re also an essential part of the food chain for the sh that consume these bugs.

“We amended that agreement and since then we built four di erent drop structure locations along the river to improve habitat and will select a fth spot to construct by fall. en when complete, we will go into phase six and continue ongoing monitoring of aquatic life forever at all these locations,” Dorsch said.

Dorsch said to improve the water quality, stirring it and building miniature waterfalls to put the oxygen back in the river over time, so it starts to get better. In addition, they will place large rocks that will provide protective cover for sh, create pools close to the bank of the fast-moving water—trees will be plants and shrubs for aquatic shade and creates a riparian zone, which is a vegetation area between land and river.

e Metro Water Recovery scientists will stock the river with Colorado native species, primarily minnows, they said.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Botanic Gardens, with a screening of “I Am What I Am,” an animated lm about a teenage boy who wants to learn the art of traditional Chinese lion danc-

As is so often the case with lm festivals, some of the most exciting events are the extracurricular activities that enhance the movies. Of note are two community conversations the festival is hosting: at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, “Celebrating the Stories of Our LGBTQ+ Asian American Paci c Islander Community,” will be held and at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 12, audiences can participate in “Celebrating the Stories of our Multiracial AAPI Community.”

“ ese topics come from listening to the community, which provides us with so many options,” Moore said. “Over the last three years we’ve seen huge increases in hate, racism and intolerance and we’re trying to ght this in many ways. Community conversations are great ways to help, because they give people the opportunity to hear stories and make these issues less unknown.”

In addition to live Q&As with lmmakers following some screenings, there will also be an Asian marketplace and culinary experience available to those who attend with an appetite. No matter how audiences want to engage with the

festival, Moore hopes they’ll come with questions and a willingness to learn.

“ e beauty of the event is bringing people together every year to show that the stories we all share have so many similarities,” she said. “People can come together and feel a real sense of warmth and acceptance, and that’s really my goal for the festival.”

For information, individual tickets and passes, visit www.cd lm.org. Find space for Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson at the Paramount

Even those who don’t really nd space all that interesting (I’m told that’s a thing) can nd something fascinating about exploration of the unknown when Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson speaks about it.

Tyson will be stopping by the Paramount eatre, 1621 Glenarm Place in Denver, at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8. e topic for the evening’s discussion will be Cosmic Collisions, which has all kinds of potential to be properly mind blowing.

Purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.

Watch the Oscars with fellow film lovers at Sie FilmCenter e Oscars are back to honor some of the year’s best lms (though I am personally outraged that “Babylon” didn’t receive a best picture nomination). As has become tradition, Denver Film is celebrating the year in movies with a big party (just like the one in “Babylon”).

e Brightest Night in Hollywood begins at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 12 at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. Attendees are encouraged to either get fully decked out or come in their com est pajamas and enjoy a live screening on all three of the center’s screens, with drink specials at the bar and food specials also available. e event is free, so visit https:// denver lm.eventive.org/ lms to RSVP for a spot.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Nathaniel Rateli plays Nilsson with the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall

Singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson is one of those musicians who doesn’t receive the recognition they so rightly deserve. His music has been the inspiration for so many legendary artists, including Denver’s Nathaniel Rateli . To mark the 50th anniversary of “A Little Touch of Schmilsson,” Nilsson’s tribute to the Great American Songbook, Rateli is teaming up with the Colorado Symphony to tackle the seminal album.

Nathaniel Rateli plays Nilsson with the Colorado Symphony will be held at the Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St., No. 15, in Denver, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4. Visit https:// coloradosymphony.org/ for tickets and information.

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

love our native species and want to protect them every chance we can,”

Dorsch said. “We also target Johnny Darters and Iowa Darter which are the most sensitive species of minnows in the South Platte River.”

While Metro is working on the Platte River project, Dorsch said shing will still be allowed even when constructing ri es which are fast-moving sections of stream and other habitat improvements farther down the river. e scientist will continue to monitor the water qual-

going on and what’s gone wrong. If there are problems, we will correct it,” Dorsch.

e Metro Water Recovery scientists’ work didn’t go unnoticed in saving the aquatic life on the river — they received the National Environmental Achievement Award from the National Associations of

Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) for Habitat Improvements Projects, ac-

conference in Sonoma, CA.

“We love getting awards, (but) like most biologists — we come in do our job,” Dorsch said.

“It’s nice to get the award,” Harman added. “People aren’t aware of the work we do, so it’s kind of nice to get some recognition and people realize we’re out here in the river.”

Jordan Harman is measuring the white sucker fish.

PHOTO BY METRO WATER RECOVERY

Clarke Reader

Birds on wing hint at spring

Spring news from the Audubon Center: A ock of Bohemian waxwings was seen en route towards its warm-weather quarters to the north — a happy sign that spring may actually “spring” one of these days ... ese handsome crested birds travel north in ocks, showing splashes of white, yellow and a wee bit of red on wings, among the mostly gray feathers. Watch in yards and parks for other migrating birds. Keep the binoculars and eld guide at hand so a movement in that shrub can be checked!

Town Hall Arts Center

e musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” on stage through March 19 at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St. in Littleton, pokes fun at the trials of dating, parenting and more. Next in line: “La Cage Aux Folles” by Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman plays April 7-30. townhallartscenter.org.

Opera competition

e Denver Lyric Opera Guild’s Annual Competition for singers o ers several events for opera lovers at Calvary Baptist Church, 6500 E. Girard

Ave. in Denver. Free. Matthew Plenk, artistic director of the Lamont Opera eatre and associate professor of voice at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, o ered a master class on Feb. 18. Preliminaries are on March 4 and singers will compete for 15 nalist positions by performing operatic arias for a panel of three professional judges. Final competition will be on March 18 from 1 to 5 p.m. (Open to the public, free.) Opera lovers can access these events

from home by going to the Denver Lyric Opera Guild website and clicking on the YouTube link: denverlyricoperaguild.org/2023-competition.

e Guild has supported young singers via grants that total more than $850,000. Grants are given to programs at Colorado State University, University of Denver, Metro State University, University of Northern Colorado, University of Colorado and young artist apprentices at Central City Opera, Opera Colorado, Opera

Fort Collins and Opera eatre of the Rockies in Colorado Springs.

High Line Canal

e Canal Collaborative consists of 13 partners who provide leadership and planning and funding for the High Line Canal Plan, reimagining it into a 71-mile park. e partners are: Arapahoe County Open Spaces, City of Aurora, City of Cherry Hills Village, City and County of Denver, Denver Water, Douglas County, City of Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch Metro District, High Line Canal Conservancy, City of Littleton, Mile High Flood District, Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority and South Suburban Parks and Recreation District.

Paul Taylor Dance e University of Denver’s Newman Center presents the Paul Taylor Dance Company at 7:30 p.m. on March 27 at Gates Auditorium. Tickets: newmancenterpresents.com. 303-871-7720.

Art at ACC

Cherry Creek School District High School Excellence in Art Showcase is at the Colorado Gallery of the Arts, Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday- ursday through March 9; and Saturday, March 4, noon to 3 p.m.

Curtis takes part in Month of Photography

events hither and yon though the year — and it took hold and has grown!

Look it up online before sallying forth in search of ne camera work

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Several years ago, someone decided a Month of Photography — all at once — would be a healthy idea for Denver area galleries to pursue, instead of sporadic camera-related

— you may want to ne-tune your search a bit. ere are numerous options.

Curtis Center for the Arts, 2349 E. Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, will host the exhibit that includes Ron Cooper’s “Varanasi” image showing a joyous character that one

A Bohemian waxwing like the ones seen in the metro area flying north recently. SHUTTERSTOCK

“Varanasi” by Ron Cooper will be part of the “Inside and Out” photo exhibit at Curtis Center for the Arts in Greenwood Village. COURTESY PHOTO

Thu 3/09

Flag Football: Kinder - Ages 4 to 6Spring 2023 @ 12:30am

Mar 9th - May 6th

Auburn Hills Community Park, 11682 Brad‐bury Ranch Rd., Parker

Soccer: Kinder - Ages 4 to 6Spring 2023 @ 12:30am

Mar 9th - May 6th

Auburn Hills Community Park, 11682 Brad‐bury Ranch Rd., Parker

Fri 3/10

Soup @ 5pm Coronado Elementary School, 7922 S Carr St, Littleton

Donny Benet @ 8pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Sun 3/12

The King Stan Band in Paradise @ 7pm Paradise Tavern, 9239 Park Mead‐ows Dr, Lone Tree

Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ 6pm

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree

Dave Mensch - Tailgate Tavern - Parker, CO @ 11am

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Mon 3/13

Camp: Creature Creator Robotics (5-12yrs) @ 2pm

Mar 13th - Mar 17th

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Modern Swing Mondays @ 5pm / $10

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Tue 3/14

Full of Hell @ 6pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

The Acacia Strain w/ Fit for an Autopsy @ 6pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, En‐glewood

Wed 3/15

Ladies Night @ 5pm / $10

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Paolo Nutini @ 7pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, Englewood

Thu 3/16

Teague Starbuck @ 5pm

The Pint Room, 2620 W Belleview Ave, Lit‐tleton

Trouble Bound: Trouble Returns

@ 8pm

The Alley, 2420 W Main St, Little‐ton

Dirty Side Down Band: Dirty Side Down @ Green�elds @ 8pm Green�elds Pool & Sports Bar, 3355 S Yarrow St E101, Lakewood

Ninety Percent 90s @ 8pm Studio@Mainstreet, 19604 Mainstreet, Parker

Sat 3/11

Scott Fowler Music: Scott Fowler @

2 Penguins Tap & Grill @ 6pm

2 Penguins Tap and Grill, 13065 E Briar‐wood Ave, Centennial

Grif�n House @ 7:30pm

The Schoolhouse at Mainstreet, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker

Kaia Kater @ 8pm

Swallow Hill, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Jake Blount & Kaia Kater at Swallow Hill Music Association @ 8pm

Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Patrulla 81 @ 8:30pm

Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo - Tailgate Tavern & Grill @ 7pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

CALIGARIS EN CONCIERTO @ 7pm / $40

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Moab Photography Trip @ 11pm / $375

Mar 12th - Mar 16th

Valor Christian High School - Academic Building, 3775 Grace Blvd., Highlands Ranch. 303-471-3000

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band @ 7pm Swallow Hill, 71 E Yale Ave, Den‐ver

Cousin Curtiss @ 7pm Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

powered by

Sammy Project encourages mental health discussion

Art show at local libraries

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In the aftermath of her son’s death, Whitney Yeager went back to her roots as a professional photographer to create an exhibit to honor her son and destigmatize mental health.

Society often sees mental illness as something that needs to be hidden. People might think it’s a weakness or feel ashamed of it.

Yeager aims to challenge the stigma around mental illness with her traveling exhibition, e Sammy Project.

On April 3, 2021, Whitney’s son, Samuel - who Whitney calls Sammy - was shot and killed by Douglas County Police during a psychotic episode triggered by THC.

“Losing my rstborn child, and only son, has been the greatest heartbreak of my life,” said Yeager. “ ere will never be a deeper pain to compare it to. At the same time, it has been the most transformative experience I’ve ever had.”

To honor her son, Yeager began to destigmatize mental illness through personal portraits and stories.

“People should feel comfortable being vulnerable,” said Yeager. “People should feel comfortable talking about depression or any kind of mental health struggle the same way that we talked about diabetes and high blood pressure or any other physical ailment.”

Sponsored by the mental health nonpro t, NAMI Colorado Springs, Yeager revealed her portrait series at the Katy Tartako photography gallery in downtown Denver on the one year anniversary of her son’s death.

NAMI, e National Alliance on Mental Illness, o ers free resources, weekly meetings for family members who are struggling with loved ones who have mental illness, along with parent support groups and group therapy.

NAMI is also the sponsor of the exhibit’s current run in Douglas County Libraries.

e exhibit begins with Sammy’s story.

EXHIBITION

might want to meet for a co ee or a beer. e exhibit is called “Inside and Out” and will run April 8 to May 6 at Curtis. e exhibit also includes

struggle and a personal statement,” said Yeager.

Most of the people who are in the portraits knew Sam, were friends with the family or were people within the community.

Accompanying each image is a short biography written by the participant. ey talk about their interests and occupations, but also about their struggles with mental health.

“I think people were motivated to participate in the project because it helps them take agency over their struggles,” said Yeager. “And that was de nitely a motivating factor for everyone, regardless of whether or not they knew Sammy.”

Completing its time at the Castle Rock Library, e Sammy Project will move to the Highlands Ranch Library in March, the Parker Library in April and the Lone Tree Library in May, according to Douglas County Libraries.

“I’ll never stop missing him or

works by Dr. Jaime Belkind-Gerson and the artists will speak at Koelbel Library, 5955 S. Holly St., on March 30, from 6-8 p.m. e doctor creates his work with objects that surround him daily: X-rays, CT scans, MRIs ...

Look at Month of Photography listings online at denvermop.org before you head out — the selection

Prepare for power outages

“get over” him, but it has taught me to appreciate every conversation, every interaction with other people, especially my two daughters,” said Yeager.

e mission of the project is to help people feel more comfortable talking about their problems and asking for help. Yeager says that she

is dazzling and could ll up several weekends or more.

e Colorado Photographic Arts Center at 1070 N. Bannock St. in Denver (where this all began some years ago) hosts “World of Inkjet Printing,” while the nearby Denver Art Museum o ers “a special MOP lecture” at 6-7 p.m. on March 21 by Renluka Maharaj.

EDGE Gallery, 6501 E. Colfax, will o er Peer Critiques from 7-9 p.m. on March 16. History Colorado Center, 1200 N. Broadway, Denver, o ers an artist’s talk by Todd Pierson: “Return of the Corn Mothers,” from 11 a.m. to noon on March 18.

e Curtis Hotel, 1405 Curtis St., will o er a full day of reviewing photographic portfolios on March 17 and to the south, Parker’s PACE Center will o er “Photography by Alternate Means” on March 24.

Michael Warren Contemporary

believes her son would be alive if he felt comfortable asking for help.

“ e Sammy Project has helped heal my heart and it has helped many people around the country and even as far as Sweden,” said Yeager. “I want Sam’s death to make a positive di erence in the lives of people who struggle with mental health.”

Gallery, 760 N. Santa Fe Drive, Denver, will host “Sun to Earth,” with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. March 16, with works by Brenda Biondo and Angela Faris Belt. Belt was with Arapahoe Community College’s art department in the past and now teaches at Art Institute of Colorado.

Lone Tree Arts Center hosts a Commissioners’ Choice Photography Show.

Look at the Month of Photography website and make a few selections that interest you, paying close attention to what’s where ... when!

It can be a stimulating month ahead.

And, discovering new galleries will give a reader additional options during the year ahead, as each o ers other new and di erent artwork.

Here’s hoping the weather will cooperate so readers can visit galleries across the metro area ...

Samuel Boone Yeager, the son of Whitney Yeager.

Samuel and Whitey Yeager on a hike with their dog. PHOTOS COURTESY OF WHITNEY YEAGER

Law makes it di cult to sue the gun industry

Democrats to roll back protections

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Sandy and Lonnie Phillips wanted to hold the companies that sold ammunition, tear gas and body armor to their 24-year-old daughter’s murderer accountable. e couple ended up having to le for bankruptcy instead.

at’s because a Colorado law passed about a year after the 1999 Columbine High School massacre makes it very di cult, and nancially perilous, to bring lawsuits against gun and ammunition manufacturers and suppliers. But the Phillipses say they didn’t fully understand the risks when two years after their daughter, Jessica Ghawi, was killed in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting, they sued four businesses patronized by the gunman.

When the case was dismissed in 2015, state law required a judge to order the Phillipses to pay the defendants’ attorneys fees: more than $200,000. It was a bill the couple couldn’t a ord, so they ended up ling for bankruptcy protection in January 2017.

“We lost three years of our life,” Lonnie said, explaining that the situation was like being revictimized.

Colorado Democrats this year are poised to roll back the state’s extra protections for gun and ammunition

manufacturers and sellers against lawsuits through a soon-to-be introduced bill. e state law shielding the rearm industry is among the toughest in the country because it requires plainti s to pay defendants’ attorneys’ fees in dismissed cases, a legal bene t that gun violence-prevention attorneys say isn’t available to other types of businesses. Only a handful of other states have a similar fee-switching rule.

While the proposal may not be getting as much attention as other gun control measures being contemplated at the Capitol this year — including a potential ban on the sale of so-called assault weapons, raising the age to purchase ri es and shotguns, and mandating waiting period between when someone buys a gun and can access it — the policy change may be the most important alteration to Colorado’s rearm regulations made this year.

Without the change, proponents argue, any other shifts in Colorado’s gun laws wouldn’t really be enforceable through the civil court system.

“ e bill that I’m introducing would not punish gun violence victims if they want to go to civil court,” said Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a Boulder County Democrat. “It evens the playing eld so that (the gun) industry, those businesses, will just be put on the same playing eld as every other business.”

Sen. Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, is another prime sponsor of the measure, as is Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver.

Colorado’s law around suing the gun industry, passed in 2000 by the Republican-controlled legislature and signed by the GOP governor, says people can only bring a “product liability action against a rearms or ammunition manufacturer, importer or dealer.” Lawsuits “arising from physical or emotional injury, physical damage, or death caused by the discharge of a rearm or ammunition” are not allowed, and gun businesses cannot be “held liable as a third party for the actions of another person.”

en-state Sen. Ron Teck, a Grand Junction Republican, was quoted in e Denver Post in March 2000 as saying “we should make it clear that these suits should not be brought.”

In 2005, Congress also passed a federal law — Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act — o ering the gun industry immunity against many lawsuits. Some states, including Wyoming and New Mexico, don’t have state laws speci cally governing lawsuits against rearms businesses.

e gun industry is already threatening lawsuits should the Colorado bill be introduced, passed and signed into law.

“ e current law in Colorado says that if you make a product that is lawfully made without defect and someone misuses that product, then the person who causes the damage is the one who can be held responsible,” said Mark Oliva, a spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a gun industry trade as-

sociation. “We don’t go back and sue Budweiser and Ford for someone drunk driving and slamming into a family of six and killing somebody. at’s not Ford or Budweiser’s responsibility. at is the responsibility of the person who criminally misused their products.”

Oliva, who argues there are already criminal laws that hold the gun industry accountable, hasn’t seen a draft of the prospective Colorado bill. But he said his organization has sued to block the rollback of gun industry legal protections in other states and hinted that it’s likely it would do the same in Colorado.

“ ey can write this law,” Oliva said. “Could that law be challenged? Sure it could. New York is facing a challenge from us on their law. New Jersey’s law has already been stayed.” ey can write this law. Could that law be challenged? Sure it could.

Mark Oliva, a spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a gun industry trade association

Republicans in Colorado’s legislature are likely to ght the measure, too, but their numbers at the Capitol are few, which means the GOP has little chance of stopping the proposal.

Jaquez Lewis, Kolker and other proponents of changing Colorado’s statutes around suing the gun industry argue that the only way to truly hold rearm manufacturers and sellers accountable is to make them more liable.

SEE GUNS, P20

Some Colorado colleges enroll more first-generation students

Should they get funding?

BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

Colorado colleges and universities would get a special designation if they enroll a high number of students who are the rst in their families to go to college, under a bill at the Capitol this year.

e largely symbolic measure has fed a bigger debate about how Colorado funds its public colleges. It also spurred a conversation about what rst-generation students need to be successful.

e rst generation-serving label that House Bill 1114 would create would attach to schools that enroll those students at a higher rate than the state average. It would also require Colorado’s higher education department to track how well students do at those schools.

GUNS

“Our civil justice system helps promote responsible behavior,” said Ari Freilich, state policy director for the Gi ords Law Center, a gun regulation think tank linked to Gi ords, a group that pushes for tighter gun laws. “People in the pharmaceutical industry don’t want to contribute to harm, but the reason we have childproof medicine bottles, in part, is because they don’t want to be sued every time a child ingests medicines.”

Freilich argues the gun industry doesn’t have that same nancial incentive because of the combination of Colorado’s law and federal law.

“ e intersection of the two means that victims of gun violence in Colorado have fewer paths to have their day in court than the residents of almost any of Colorado’s neighbors,” he said. “Victims of any other industry can have a day in court. Colorado, in particular, has singled out gun violence victims for specically harsh, and I think unfair and disrespectful, treatment that has compounded their pain and contributed to real harm.”

Gi ords, which is named after former U.S. Rep. Gabby Gi ords, an Arizona Democrat who was gravely wounded in a mass shooting, helped write the forthcoming bill changing Colorado law. Freilich said in addition to rolling back the requirement that plainti s in lawsuits against the gun industry pay defendants’ attorneys fees in cases that are dismissed, the measure would:

e bill would not require schools to create additional programs to help those students get to and through college. Nor would it o er colleges more money to provide such support.

Money and support make a di erence for students, said Diane Schorr, director of advocacy and initiatives at the Center for First-generation Student Success. She questioned why the state wouldn’t ensure colleges with the new designation get either.

“What I would have liked to have seen is what’s being required of the institution?” Schorr said.

Supporters of the bill — including Metropolitan State University and Colorado Mesa University — would like to prod the state to better fund schools that serve a large share of rst-generation students. ese schools often have lower graduation rates, something that works against them in Colorado’s funding formula. It also costs a lot of money to run the

• Broaden when the gun industry can be sued to match the liability other businesses face

• Create a rearm industry standard of responsible conduct that would let people sue the industry when it knowingly violates the standard

Freilich said the standard is based on laws enacted in other states, and requires rearm businesses to comply with false advertising and consumer protection laws, take reasonable precautions to prevent harms from their products, and work to prevent guns from being modied into illegal products or sold to minors and other people who can’t legally possess rearms.

Additionally, the law change would let Colorado’s attorney general bring lawsuits against the gun industry.

Colorado, in particular, has singled out gun violence victims for specically harsh, and I think unfair and disrespectful, treatment Ari Freilich, state policy director for the Gi ords Law Center, a gun regulation think tank e industry wouldn’t be liable for all deaths caused by rearms. “It’s whether there’s an additional failure to take reasonable precautions to prevent the public (from harm),” Freilich said.

Sandy and Lonnie Phillips have for years been pushing state lawmakers to change Colorado’s laws around what lawsuits can be led against the gun industry. ey hope 2023 is the year that they are nally successful.

e measure is likely to clear the legislature along party lines. Jaquez Lewis, the Democratic senator spon-

programs that help rst-generation students.

Opponents of the bill, including Colorado State University, say that who enrolls the most rst-generation students shouldn’t matter. Instead, they say that state funding should follow those students wherever they

soring the legislation, said Gov. Jared Polis’ o ce is reviewing the bill. Polis will ultimately decide whether the legislation becomes law.

“To have fee switching like that, where you can’t take the risk of going to court to do the right thing — the morally right thing — that’s not right,” Sandy Phillips said. “So we’ve been trying to get it changed, and I think this year we might have a really good shot at having that happen.”

In this July 14, 2015, photo, Sandy Phillips, whose daughter, Jessica Ghawi, was killed in the 2012 Aurora movie theatre massacre, displays a T-shirt memorializing the 12 people killed in the attack outside the Arapahoe County District Court following the day of closing arguments in the trial of the gunman. e victims’ names are, left to right, top to bottom row: Alex Teves, AJ Boik, Alex Sullivan, Gordon Cowden, Jesse Childress, Jessica Ghawi, John Larimer, Jonathan Blunk, Veronica MoserSullivan, Rebecca Wingo, Micayla Medek, and Matt McQuinn. (Brennan Linsley, Associated Press le)

e Phillipses’ 2014 lawsuit, which was brought in conjunction with and at the urging of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, didn’t seek monetary damages against the four companies they sued. e couple wanted a court to require the businesses to take steps to prevent their products from being purchased by people who would use them in mass shootings.

e Phillipses said they trusted the Brady Center to have their back in the lawsuit, but weren’t fully made aware of the nancial consequences they faced before ultimately being forced to shoulder the defendants’

enroll. With limited state funding for higher education, more money for certain institutions can mean less for others.

is story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters

legal costs themselves.

e judge overseeing the case apparently expected Brady to help the Phillipses, too. “It may be presumed that whatever hardship is imposed on the individual plainti s by these awards against them may be ameliorated by the sponsors of this action in their name,” Judge Richard P. Matsch wrote in a motion.

Mike Stankiewicz, a spokesperson for Brady, said it is the organization’s “practice to always inform clients of the risks involved in the cases they le.”

“More importantly, it is egregious that Colorado’s gun industry special protection law requires victims who bring about these lawsuits to pay for attorney and other fees when unsuccessful, which has a chilling e ect on victims who attempt to seek justice,” Stankiewicz said.

One of the ammunition providers the Phillipses sued in 2014 was Lucky Gunner. e company recently settled a lawsuit led by victims of the 2018 mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas, where a 17-year-old shooter killed 10 people and wounded 13 others.

“We sued for them to change their business practices,” Sandy said. “Had we been successful, the shooting that happened at Santa Fe High School in Texas wouldn’t have happened.”

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

Arapahoe Community College’s main Littleton campus.

PHOTO BY ROBERT TANN

6A boys hoops playo s underway

Seedings appear correct so far

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

It seems like the seedings for the Class 6A boys state basketball playo s have been right so far.

Top-seeded Mountain Vista and No. 2 Rock Canyon won Sweet 16 games on Feb. 25 to advance into the quarter nals.

Senior Caden Stevens had 36 points and 10 rebounds in the Golden Eagles’ 69-55 victory over Ralston Valley. Gavin Hershberger led Rock Canyon to a 61-51 win over Fountain Fort Carson. Hershberger had 27 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

No. 8 Valor Christian also got a Sweet 16 win with a 63-40 triumph over Vista Ridge.

All three teams will play Great Eight games on March 4 at the Denver Coliseum.

Vista (23-2) and Valor Christian (18-7) will play at 5:30 p.m. while the Rock Canyon (23-2)-Regis Jesuit (19-6) game will be at 8:30 p.m.

It will be the second game this season for the teams. Vista beat Valor Christian 75-66 on Jan. 1, while Rock Canyon edged Regis 59-57 on Jan. 20.

First round games were played Feb. 22 and Stevens scored 17 points as Vista defeated Bear Creek 59-49.

Senior Jeremy Jacob had 27 points to lead Highlands Ranch to a 75-68 victory over Broomeld. Red-hot Rock Canyon shot 60% from the eld and routed Rangeview 61-27 as Hershberger scored 19 points and Aidan Peck 18. Sophomore Cole Scherer scored 24 points and Valor Christian had four players nish in double gures as the Eagles whipped Monarch, 102-53.

Ralston Valley eliminated Cherry Creek 55-52 and Denver East got past Arapahoe 72-47. Andrew Crawford had 18 points and Charlie Spann 17 but two-time defending state champions underRidge dropped a 75-56 contest to Eaglecrest as the Grizzlies’ 10-game postseason win streak was snapped.

Legacy notched a 65-38 victory over Douglas County to advance into the Sweet 16 round.

Lutheran was down by a point at halftime but outscored Je erson Academy 50-21 in the second half for a 64-36 Class 4A rst round win. e Lions (17-8) beat D’Evelyn 6355 in a Sweet 16 game and will face Alamosa (21-3) in a Great Eight contest March 9 at 1:10 p.m. in the Denver Coliseum.

In the Class 5A state playo s, Ponderosa beat ompson Valley 83-74 in the rst round but then lost a 69-57 encounter to Mead to end its season.

Arapahoe girls outlast ThunderRidge

38-29 win relied on Warriors’ defense

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

It was a game of scoring droughts but underRidge’s was really costly.

e Arapahoe girls notched a 38-29 victory over the Grizzlies in a Sweet 16 playo game on Feb. 24. underRidge went close to 10 minutes without scoring, which proved to be devastating for the Grizzlies in the quarter nal contest. Arapahoe coach Jerry Knafelc credited his team’s good defense for the decisive turn in the game.

“Our kids played really good defense,” said Knafelc. “Our kids can really defend.”

Arapahoe actually trailed 9-4 with 3:30 left in the rst period when the Grizzlies started shooting blanks. underRidge went 9:55 without a point until Kyrah Daniels hit a free throw with 2:35 left in the second period.

e Warriors ended the rst half with a 21-1 run, which gave Arapahoe a 25-10 lead at halftime.

SEE BASKETBALL, P23

Metro hockey playo updates

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Top-seeded Valor Christian, Cherry Creek and Chaparral advanced into the quarter nals of the Class 5A state hockey playo s.

Valor drew a first round bye. Cherry Creek nipped Resurrection Christian 6-5 and Chaparral shut out Fort Collins 4-0. In the quarter nals, Valor (17-1) faced Standley Lake (13-5-2) on Feb. 28 while Ralston Valley (13-4-2) and Cherry Creek (12-7-1) played on

March 1, the same date that Chaparral (14-4-1) clashed with defending state champion Denver East (14-4-2). Semi nal games are scheduled for March 4 at the Broadmoor World Arena and the nals will be March 7 at Magness Arena.

The Arapahoe girls basketball team celebrates itshard-fought 38-29 victory over ThunderRidge in the Sweet 16 round on Feb. 24 at Araphaoe. PHOTOS BY PAUL DISALVO

Arapahoe’s Emily Thomas (21) draws the double-team as ThunderRidge defenders CC Baker (4) and Isa Winton (1) surround her. Thomas’ Warriors ended up on top 38-29 and head to the Great 8 on March 4 vs. Valor Christian.

BASKETBALL

However, in the second half, it was Arapahoe that didn’t shoot well as underRidge stormed back to make it a close nish.

“We didn’t do enough to separate ourselves and they did enough to keep it close,” pointed out Knafelc. “It was really on us for missing shots in the third quarter. We were playing good enough defense but we missed some shots.”

underRidge pulled to within 29-23 with 7:05 left in the game when Gianna Smith scored four straight points for Arapahoe to swell its lead to 10 points.

“She’s a tough player,” said Knafelc. “She is a great sophomore. She’s going to be unbelievable. She’s pretty unbelievable already.”

e closest underRidge (17-8) could get the rest of the game was within ve points with 1:29 to play.

“We just played good defense,” emphasized Knafelc. “White was just outstanding at the line and Emily omas did a great job on handling the pressure.”

Smith nished with 12 points including two 3-point baskets in the rst half. Senior Sydney White had 10 points and made four free throws in the nal 1:13 of the game.

Besides eighth-seeded Arapahoe, other south metro teams to advance to the Elite Eight were top-seeded Valor Christian, No. 2 Cherry Creek and No. 3 Highlands Ranch.

Arapahoe (19-6) will face Valor (22-2), Cherry Creek goes against Doherty (19-6) and Highlands Ranch (22-3) must play Grandview (16-9). e Elite Eight games will be held March 4 at the Denver Coliseum.

Macey Huard had 29 points and Quinn Vansickle had 15 as Valor romped to s 60-37 Sweet 16 win over Legend on Feb. 22. Cherry Creek eliminated Pine Creek 57-40 while Highlands Ranch beat Eaglecrest 54-34.

“We’ve got to get ready for Valor,” said Knafelc. “We played them early in the season. It was a big game and they won (57-44). ey are a really good team.”

In rst round 6A games played Feb. 21, Valor used 19 points from Vansickle and a double double from Huard of 17 points and 11 rebounds to eliminate Mountain

Vista 79-30.

still edged Arvada West 31-29 and underRidge got past Columbine 46-26.

Sophomore Braelynn Barnett had 15 points in Cherry Creek’s 50-29 victory over Chat eld. Highlands Ranch used a big second half to down Westminster 52-39 as Tori Baker and Ezra Simonich each had

57-27.

Littleton opened the 5A playo s with a 44-32 win over Greeley Central as Dalana Jakovljevic had 14 points and 14 rebounds. Air Academy defeated the Lions, 53-42 in the second round despite 21 points from Littleton’s Jacy Chandler.

In the Class 4A playoffs, Lutheran

lyn Kelly and Berkley Schneider each scored 17 points. The Lions, seeded fourth, downed Resurrection Christian, 57-37, in a Sweet 16 game. The Lions (22-3) will face Berthoud (15-10) in an Elite Eight game on March 3 at the Denver Coliseum.

Arapahoe’s Emily Thomas (21) goes to the floor after a collision with ThunderRidge’s Kyrah Daniels (21). Arapahoe won 38-29.

PHOTO BY PAUL DISALVO

CROWSS UP DRO ELZZ

going out to recreation facilities at this point in time,” she said. Recreation costs increased 4.7% since November and 7.7% in the past year.

And then there are gas prices.

e cost of gasoline is typically less in Colorado than in other states, thanks to lower fuel taxes. And until late 2022, the Front Range bene ted from an oil re nery in Denver’s backyard that produced 98,000 barrels of gasoline and petroleum products a day. Since Suncor’s re nery in Commerce City temporarily closed in December after a re damaged equipment, gas prices have shot up. Without the extra supply, Denver-area gas prices reached $4.08 this week, up nearly $1 a gallon since before Christmas, according to AAA Colorado. Nationwide, a gallon of regular averaged $3.42.

It’s still about housing costs

But higher gas prices have less impact on CPI than you’d think, Weiler said. at’s because it’s just a small part of the overall basket of goods that the BLS calculates the change in prices. Gas is about 3%, according to its o cial “weight.”

ose higher egg prices? Onesixteenth of a percent. It’s the larger items, like rent or a mortgage, where small increases can make or break a consumer’s budget. Housing, for example, is one-third of a household’s monthly budget.

“Shelter is a big deal. It’s a fullthird of what the index is composed of,” Weiler said. “It’s just in a nick of time that housing prices are beginning to mellow. Otherwise, with that 33% weight, shelter could have us ahead of the United States in a-

tion rate pretty quickly.”

Home sales have slowed as interest rates added hundreds of dollars to a monthly mortgage payment. at priced many renters out of the market and home prices in Colorado have attened, with the state’s median sales price unchanged from a year ago at $520,000. Median prices in the Denver metro were down 1.4% from a year-ago in January. But Denver’s cost of housing still went up 10% in January overall. at’s because CPI takes into account the new cost of homeownership and buying a house at interest rates that are double what they were a year ago. For existing homeowners, housing costs probably didn’t budge much in the past year. Between the two groups, home owners saw a 9.2% increase in costs. Meanwhile, renters paid even more, or approximately 12.7% compared to a year-ago January. at increase is roughly a third more than what homeowners experienced. In other words, if new homeowners are saddled with a mortgage that is $100 higher than what it would have been a year ago, renters are paying $133 more.

“Rent is pushing up faster than what they call the ‘owners’ equivalent of rent,’” Weiler said. “So, yes, people who don’t own are experiencing faster in ation than people who own homes. And that’s a pretty big di erence — a 33% greater cost basically.”

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

TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE

The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, 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.

CLASSIFIEDS

Help Wanted

School Psychologist

Full-Time School Psychologist or Intern to join our dynamic, multidisciplinary team of professionals for the 2023-24 school year.

Requirements: Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), Colorado certified. Provide PreK-12 intervention including assessment, development of IEP’s & consultation services. Competitive salaries: ED.S $57,800-$66,200 & Intern $53,590$59,550, both commensurate upon experience. Excellent benefits including dental, vision, and medical insurance. Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home. May also be eligible for loan forgiveness. Use of a car or mileage reimbursement. Questions contact Tracy (719) 775-2342, ext. 101. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE

Registered Occupational Therapist/ COTA

Full-Time and part-time Registered Occupational Therapist/COTA for 2023-24 School Year! OTR must have, or be eligible for appropriate Colorado licensure. Provide Pre-12 intervention, assessment, direct & indirect services just east of Denver on I-70, Bennett, Strasburg Byers & Kiowa areas COTA Needed for Limon & Surrounding Areas Support from an experienced COTA is available for OT. Full Time Salary range: MA $50,450$56,050 PhD $55,700 -$61,300. Part-Time Salary prorated based on the number of days employed. COTA Salary range BA $41,222$46,600. Excellent Benefits. Access to a company vehicle or mileage reimbursement. May be eligible for a loan forgiveness program! Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101 or email tracyg@ ecboces.org.

LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME

No Sales, no Investment, No Risk, Free training, Free website. Contact Susan at 303-646-4171 or fill out form at www.wisechoice4u.com

Help Wanted

SRE Engineer

(FT; Multiple Openings)

Job Location: Centennial, CO

Requirements: MS or equiv. in CE, Commun. Eng., EE, etc. + 2 yrs. exp. or BS + 5 yrs. exp. req’d. Exp. w/ UCaaS, VoIP, Python, AWS, GCP, Hashicorp Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, Bash, Powershell, Linux, Jenkins, GitLab & CI/CD req’d.

Salary: 121,000 year

Mail Resume: RingCentral, Inc.

Attn: HR Dept. 20 Davis Drive Belmont, CA 94002

Visa Technology & Operations LLC, a Visa Inc. company, currently needs a Staff Database Engineer (multiple openings) (REF56996V) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Job duties include: Responsible for the architecture, engineering, deployment and support of Oracle & PostgreSQL database. Support Database Platform Engineering in the architecture, development and deployment of Oracle and PostgreSQL Databases on LUW in high SLA environments. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $120,016.00

USD to $177,800.00 USD per year.; Senior Software Test Engineer (multiple openings) (REF57470O) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Job duties include: Work with the team in developing testing strategy for the project and determining the appropriate balance of manual and automated tests. Create manual test plans, test cases, and test scripts. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $110,355.00 USD to $132,300.00

USD. All positions report to the Visa Highlands Ranch, Colorado office and may allow for partial telecommuting. Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for an annual bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position is eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Program, FSH/ HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time off and Wellness Programs. Qualified applicants should apply by emailing resume to careersus@visa.com. Must reference job code.

CDL DRIVERS

HBS Trash is looking for CDL drivers in Kiowa, Elizabeth, and surrounding areas. Call 720-9231872 to learn more

Help Wanted

DRIVER

Class B CDL propane delivery truck driver for Spring Valley Gas, Elizabeth.

P/T & F/T positions; responsible for propane delivery and customer service.

HazMat/Tanker endorsement. Propane certification a plus. Insurance age requirement 26 with clean MVR. SVG is building a team, not just a job! Starting salary based on experience & qualifications. Call 303-660-8810.

Speech Language Pathologist or SLPA Positions

FT & PT Speech-Language Pathologist or SLPA Positions

Available for 2023-24 School Year! Open to School Internships. Able to provide supervision for CFY hours. Join our dynamic, multidisciplinary team of professionals for the 2023-24 school year. Administer assessments, provide direct, indirect & consultation services for students PreK-12th grades. Competitive salaries: SLP - $50,450-$56,050 & SLPA- BA $41,000- $46,600, both commensurate upon experience. May also be eligible for loan forgiveness! Excellent benefits, including full health benefits & mileage reimbursement. Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE. Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101 or email tracyg@ ecboces.org

Visa Technology & Operations LLC, a Visa Inc. company, currently is hiring Sr. Systems Analyst (multiple openings) (REF55587P) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Job duties include: Develop and automate Enterprise Scale BI dashboards and reports. Conduct white boarding sessions with consumers to gather and refine requirements. Position reports to the Highlands Ranch, Colorado office and may allow for partial telecommuting. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $100,700.00 USD to $161,100.00 USD. Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for an annual bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position is eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Program, FSH/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time off and Wellness Programs. Qualified applicants should apply by emailing resume to careersus@visa.com. Must reference job code: REF55587P.

CLASSIFIED AD SALES 303-566-4100 classifieds@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS

Contact Erin, 303-566-4074 eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

CAREERS

DEADLINES

CLASSIFIED LINE ADS: MONDAY, 5 P.M.

SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY, 5 P.M.

LEGALS: THURSDAY, 3 P.M.

•People Person Job!

•Flexible

•No

•Work

•$16.14 - $17.88 Hourly

Denver area plus 65.5¢ per mile driven

CLASSIFIEDS

Market Place

Classifieds

Misc. Notices

WIDOWED MEN AND WOMEN OF AMERICA. A social club offering many exciting activities and life long friendships. Social hours for all areas of Metro Denver. Visit Widowedamerica.org for details In your area!

Merchandise

Antiques & Collectibles

Health & Beauty

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

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS!

50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW!

888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol

Medical

Attention oxygen therapy users!

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

Miscellaneous

Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 833-308-1971 BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months!

Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Old Crows Antiques featuring The Root Beer Bar

An Antique destination in Littleton Colorado Join us on Memory Lane. Something for everyone. Visit us for store info

Instagram: @oldcrowsantiques www.facebook.com/ oldcrowsantiques www.oldcrows antiques.com 303-973-8648

Firewood

Split & Delivered $450 a cord Stacking $50 Call 303-647-2475 or 720-323-2173

HughesNet– Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live.

25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

Scrap Metal, Batteries, Appliances, Wiring, Scrap Plumbing/Heating, Cars/Parts, Clean out Garages/Yards, Rake, Yard work done w/chainsaw, Certified Auto Mechanical / Body Work & paint available Also can do inside or outside cleaning 303-647-2475 / 720-323-2173

DISH TV $64.99 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR included, Free Voice remote. Some Restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-479-1516.

Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on vet bills? Physicians Mutual Insur-ance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-844-774-0206 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow. com/ads

Miscellaneous

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-6101936

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-4171306

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

Inflation is at 40 year highs Interest rates are way up. Credit Cards. Medical Bills. Car Loans. Do you have $10k or more in debt? Call National Debt Relief to find out how to pay off your debt for significantly less than what you owe! Free quote:

1-877-592-3616

Switch and save up to $250/yr on talk, text & data. No contract or hidden fees. Unlimited talk & text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time get $50 off any new account. Use code GIFT50.

1-855-903-3048

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

1-833-758-3892

MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888489-3936

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

Miscellaneous

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage:

1-855-948-6176

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

DEADLINES

CLASSIFIED LINE ADS: MONDAY, 5 P.M.

SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY,

Miscellaneous

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

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

Advertise with us to nd a good home for your favorite Ford

classifieds@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SERVICE

Contact Erin, 303-566-4074

eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ProMaidsInc@yahoo.com

Licensed

Heating/Air Conditioning

Repair, Maintenance and Installation

AllPhasesofFlatWorkby T.M.CONCRETE

AllPhasesofFlatWorkby T.M.CONCRETE

Heating - Air Conditioning - Heat Pumps - IAQ emporiahomeservices.com 303.909.2018

Driveways,Sidewalks,Patios Tear-outs,stamped&colored concrete.Qualitywork,Lic./Ins.

Driveways,Sidewalks,Patios Tear-outs,stamped&colored concrete.Qualitywork,Lic./Ins.

Reasonablerates "SmallJobsOK!"

Reasonablerates "SmallJobsOK!"

303-514-7364 tmconcrete.net

COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

CLASSIFIEDS

Helpful Ace Hardware Pro Painters is a residential painting company which specializes in exterior and interior painting. Our core values are honesty, integrity,

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088

Legals

Public Trustees

COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION

CRS §38-38-103

FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0614-2022

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

On December 16, 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)

William G. Reedy

Original Beneficiary(ies)

Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as Beneficiary, as nominee for First Horizon Home Loan Corporation, its successors and assigns

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt Citibank, N.A., not in its individual capacity but solely as Owner Trustee for New Residential

Mortgage Loan Trust 2018-5

Date of Deed of Trust

January 27, 2005

County of Recording Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust

February 03, 2005

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

B5016575

Original Principal Amount

$154,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance

$121,106.08

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.

ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A"

Also known by street and number as: 4585 South Elati Street, Englewood, CO 80110.

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, 04/19/2023, 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: 2/23/2023

Last Publication: 3/23/2023

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: 12/16/2022

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) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Amanda Ferguson #44893

Heather Deere #28597

Toni M. Owan #30580

Halliday, Watkins & Mann, PC 355 Union Blvd., Ste. 250, Lakewood, CO 80228 (303) 274-0155

Attorney File # CO21123

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 Revised 1/2015

EXHIBIT A 0614-2022

That part of Lot 5, Block 1, Jernberg Subdivision, described as follows: Beginning at a point 135.3 feet North of the Southwest corner of Lot 5; Thence North along the West line of said Lot 5, 60 feet; Thence East 82.48 feet, more or less, to the East line of said Lot 5; Thence South along the East line of said Lot 5, 60 feet; Thence West

82.48 feet, more or less, to the point of beginning; and that part of Block 2, Wollenweber`s Broadway Gardens, adjoining the above described property, described as follows: Beginning at a point

135.3 feet North of the Southeast corner of Lot

5, Block 1, Jernberg Subdivision, which point of beginning is 369.3 feet, more or less, West and

135.3 feet North of the Southeast corner of Block

2, Wollenweber`s Broadway Gardens, the true point of beginning; Thence North 60 feet along the East line of Lot 5, Block 1, Jernberg Subdivision; Thence East 44.43 feet; Thence South 60 feet; Thence West 44.43 feet to the point of beginning, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado.

Legal Notice NO. 0614-2022

First Publication: 2/23/2023

Last Publication: 3/23/2023 Name of Publication: Littleton Independent COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0618-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust: On December 20, 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) Ronald J Southworth Original Beneficiary(ies)

MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR REVERSE

FUNDING LLC, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.

and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.

©Public Trustees' Association of Colorado Revised 1/2015 Legal Notice NO. 0612-2022

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about 3/20/2023 Arapahoe County will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of HOME funds, under title II of the CranstonGonzales National Affordable Housing Act, to undertake the following project:

3/23/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0612-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust: On December 16, 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) Sunil Stephen AND KRISHNAPRIYA DARSHINI SUNIL

Original Beneficiary(ies)

PUBLIC SERVICE CREDIT UNION

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt

CANVAS CREDIT UNION

Date of Deed of Trust

May 22, 2014 County of Recording

Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust September 15, 2014

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

D4085492

Original Principal Amount $30,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance $15,794.23

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.

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.

LOTS 7 AND 8, BLOCK 43, SOUTH BROADWAY HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known by street and number as: 4430 S Sherman Street, Englewood, CO 80113.

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, 04/19/2023, 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: 2/23/2023

Last Publication: 3/23/2023

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-

TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED; DATE: 12/20/2022 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) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: Alison L Berry #34531 N. April Winecki #34861 David R. Doughty

LOT 10, BLOCK 1, WILLOW CREEK FILING NO. 5, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known by street and number as: 7855 South Trenton Street, Centennial, CO 80112.

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

If applicable, a description of any changes to the deed of trust described in the notice of election and demand pursuant to affidavit as allowed by statutes: C.R.S.§ 38-35-109(5) LEGAL CO-GRANTOR'S NAME HAS BEEN CORRECTED BY SCRIVENER'S AFFIDAVIT RECORDED 03/09/2022 AT RECEPTION NO. E2027163 IN THE RECORDS OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY.

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, 04/19/2023, 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: 2/23/2023

Last Publication: 3/23/2023

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: 12/16/2022

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

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

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

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Centennial, Colorado will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. regarding ORDINANCE 2023-O-01, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CENTENNIAL, COLORADO

APPROVING THE 4th AMENDMENT TO THE PEAKVIEW PLACE MASTER DEVELOPMENT

PLAN (PUD-22-00001). The public hearing will be held at the Centennial Civic Center, 13133 E. Arapahoe Road, Council Chambers, Centennial, Colorado 80112. Copies of Ordinance No. 2023O-01 are available for inspection by the public on the City’s website: www.centennialco.gov. Interested parties may file written comments with the City Clerk, at: councilcomments@centennialco. gov or by mailing them to City Clerk, 13133 E. Arapahoe Rd, Centennial, CO 80112 any time prior to March 21, 2023. Any written comments received will be provided to City Council prior to the Public Hearing and made part of the record.

/s/Barbara Setterlind, MMC City Clerk

Legal Notice No. 531100-60100

First Publication: March 2, 2023

Last Publication: March 2, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent and the Centennial Citizen Public Notice

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

SDP22-002 SKY RANCH PLANNING

AREAS A1-A9, C4, D1-D7 / SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

MAJOR AMENDMENT

PROPOSAL: The applicant and property owner, PCY Holdings, LLC, is proposing a major amendment to the approved Sky Ranch Specific Development Plan, case number SDP20-002. This major amendment proposes to change the residential land use development standards matrix for single-family attached housing. If approved, this amendment would reduce the minimum lot frontage in the SF1 and SF2 categories from 20 feet to 17 feet in width. In addition, this amendment proposes to modify the southwest boundary of the Specific Development Plan area to include and create a parcel for a required lift station.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on March 21, 2023, the Arapahoe County Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing at 6:30 P.M., or as soon as possible thereafter at 6954 S Lima St., Arapahoe Room, Centennial, CO 80112; at which, all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the above-described SDP22-002 Sky Ranch Planning Areas A1-A19, C4, D1-D7, SDP22-002 / Specific Development Plan Major Amendment. The agenda will typically be posted by the Friday afternoon preceding the hearing and can be viewed on our website at https://arapahoe.legistar.com/Calendar. You can also listen to, or speak at, the meeting by calling 1-855-436-3656. To join the speaking queue, press *3 on the telephone keypad.

More information about this proposal is available at the offices of the Arapahoe County Public Works and Development Department, Planning Division, 6924 S Lima St., Centennial CO 80112

(please call ahead to schedule an appointment if you plan to walk-in), by calling 720-874-6650, or by emailing planning@arapahoegov.com during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday).

Joan Lopez, Clerk to the Board

Project Title: Jewell Street Apartments

Project: This project will provide 81 new family units affordable for households with incomes ranging from 30% - 80% AMI. The project will utilize Average Income for tax credit purposes and accomplishes an overall average income of 56.05% AMI. Pro forma rents for the 60% - 80% units are forecast below maximum rents to ensure affordability. The project will include 23 1-bedroom units; 44 2-bedroom units; and 14 3-bedroom units.

The building will be a 4-story, internal corridor with elevator access on a concrete foundation with brick, fiber cement lap siding exteriors and faux wood siding on the upper levels, a west facing roof deck and a spacious courtyard, and a flat roof designed to be solar ready. Each unit will have central AC, bay windows, blinds, a mix of carpet and vinyl plank floors, ceiling fan in the bedrooms, coat closet, built‐in island, refrigerator, stove/oven, garbage disposal, dishwasher, microwave and in‐unit W/D. The building will meet the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria for its energy election criteria. The heavily treed and park-like area on the north one-third of the site will be preserved as a nature/recreation area for residents. Phase I development will include the partial construction of Fulton Street on the west side of the site and an accompanying sidewalk between Jewell Avenue and Colorado Avenue to enhance the pedestrian connections in the neighborhood.

Location: 10150 E Colorado Avenue, Aurora, Co, 80247.

Estimated Cost: Roughly up up $1,000,000 in Arapahoe County HOME funds. The total estimated Phase I project cost is $30.3 million. Total funding sources include: $16.7 million in Federal 4%/State LIHTC equity; $500,000 HOME funds from the City of Aurora; $500,000 in Arapahoe County HOME/CDBG funds; $1.2 million in State of Colorado funds; $520,000 in Impact Development Fund funds; $10 million in permanent financing from CHFA; $925,000 in Deferred Developer Fee and $315,059 in CHDA equity to finance the commercial portion of the Project. The construction loan will be approximately $27 million. The construction financing will include approximately $11 million in CHFA Tax Exempt Bonds. Aurora will provide $4.9 million in PAB Bond Cap. Arapahoe County will also provide Bond Cap if available. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Arapahoe County has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the NationalEnvironmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Arapahoe County, Community Resources, 1690 W Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80110; or contact 303-847-8066; Lescott@arapahoegov.com the record is available for review, or requested via phone or email, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8A.M to4:30P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Arapahoe County, Community resources. All comments received by 3/20/2023 will be considered by Arapahoe County prior to authorizing the submission of a request for Release of Funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

Arapahoe County, Katherine Smith, Arapahoe County Director of Community Resources, in his/ her capacity as Official Title consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s State’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Arapahoe County to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD/State will accept objections to its release of funds and Arapahoe County’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer Arapahoe County; (b) Arapahoe County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD/State; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Naomi Girghi, Acting CPD Region VIII Director at CPD_COVID-190EEDEN@hud.gov . Potential

Name and Title of RE Certifying Officer: Arapahoe County, Katherine Smith, Director Community Resources.

More children consuming marijuana products

Colorado

BY HELEN SANTORO KAISER HEALTH NEWS

e number of children — especially very young ones — ingesting marijuana is rising in Colorado despite regulations meant to keep edibles out of kids’ hands, and state leaders said they have no plans to revisit those rules this year.

e number of reports the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety o ce received of kids age 5 or younger exposed to marijuana skyrocketed from 56 in 2017 to 151 in 2021. By 2021, this age group made up nearly half of all marijuana exposures — in which the drug is ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin — reported to the o ce, which is part of the nonpro t Denver Health organization.

In each of those ve years, children were most often accidentally exposed by eating edibles — gummies, cookies, drinks, and other products infused with the psychoactive chemical tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — and not by inhaling smoke or consuming the drug in other forms, like capsules or tinctures. In 2017, 35 children age 5 or younger were unintentionally exposed to marijuana through edibles, compared with 97 in 2021. Exposures don’t necessarily mean the children were poisoned or overdosed, according to the poison and drug safety o ce.

Marijuana exposures among children are increasing nationwide, with Colorado playing a notable role in this trend. However, the federal government has yet to create uniform protocols, and Colorado health o cials haven’t conveyed any plans to revise the regulations meant to prevent children from consuming marijuana.

“Marijuana laws and regulations are regularly evaluated by lawmakers, state agencies, local agencies and the various stakeholders,” Shannon Gray, a spokesperson at the Marijuana Enforcement Division, which regulates the marijuana industry in the state, wrote in an email to KHN. “A top priority is preventing youth access and to the extent we see opportunity in rules to address youth access, we do so.”

Since legalized recreational marijuana sales began in 2014, Colorado has implemented a handful of directives to stop children from mistaking these products for safe, delicious sweets.

Regulations state that:

• No edibles may be manufactured in the shape of a human, an animal, or a fruit.

• All edibles must be sold in childresistant packaging.

• “Candy” or “candies” isn’t allowed on packaging.

• Advertising must not include cartoon characters, or anything else meant to appeal to children.

• e universal THC symbol (! THC) must be on all packaging and stamped on all edible products.

Data from Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety does not distinguish between incidents involving marijuana sold by licensed retailers and those involving marijuana from sources that don’t follow the state’s packaging rules, state health department spokesperson Gabi Johnston told KHN.

When asked whether the mandates are e ective, Gray said the Marijuana Enforcement Division has “observed material compliance with these regulations” among marijuana businesses.

Regulation changes could be considered, including those proposed by state legislators, Gray said. But no forthcoming bills concern edible mandates, according to Jarrett Freedman, spokesperson for the Colorado House of Representatives

Public Notices

Publisher:

majority. Democrats control both houses of the state legislature.

One limitation of regulating marijuana packaging is that most children 5 and younger can’t read, said Dr. Marit Tweet, a medical toxicologist at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. And, she said, many parents don’t know how to store marijuana safely. e state health department has worked to address this knowledge gap through its Retail Marijuana Education program, established in 2014 to teach the public about safe, legal, and responsible cannabis use. One fact sheet advises parents to store marijuana in a locked area, keep products in child-resistant packaging, and avoid using marijuana around children.

Public health o cials also launched a series of marijuana education campaigns in 2018 targeting new parents and adults who in uence kids’ behavior. Between scal years 2015 and 2020, the department spent roughly $22.8 million on those e orts.

It’s hard to say exactly how well marijuana regulations in states like Colorado are working, said Tweet. “It’s possible if those regulations weren’t in place that the numbers would be even higher.”

What’s happening in Colorado is

part of a national trend. In a study published in January, researchers looked at the number of children younger than 6 who ingested marijuana edibles nationwide from 2017 to 2021. ey found 207 reported cases in 2017. In 2021, that number rose to 3,054 cases, according to data from the National Poison Data System. e legalization of cannabis has likely played a signi cant role in the rise of accidental child exposures, said Tweet, a co-author of the study. “It’s more readily available and more of an opportunity for the children to get into.”

Parents may also feel less stigma nowadays in reaching out to poison centers and health clinics, she said.

To understand what factors are driving these numbers, more research is needed into marijuana regulations and the number of child exposures nationwide, said Tweet. KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonpro t organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

Edible products made from marijuana contain the active ingredient THC.

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

issue is driven by edibles that appear to be treats