Centennial Citizen 072723

Centennial leaders zero in on pickleball noise amid moratorium

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Amid a moratorium on pickleball, ofcials in Centennial are narrowing down ways to lessen the impacts of the sport’s noise before giving the green light to game play near homes. One factor in their decision could be what a sound expert dubs “impulsive sounds” -- sudden noises that are distracting enough to make it di cult for people to relax and may even result in long-term psychological issues.

“ e reason that we’re taking a look at pickleball noise is the long-term impacts of it,” said Neil Marciniak, the city’s director of community and economic development.

Community celebrates 4-acre expansion of Centennial Center Park

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Following months of construction, Centennial leaders and residents celebrated the completion

of the Centennial Center Park’s 4-acre expansion project with live music, face painting, food trucks, yard games and local vendors.   e celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the park expan-

sion coincided with the Centennial District 3 Summer Social on July 19, which was this year’s nal district summer social.

In March, the city council passed a sixmonth moratorium on new applications or approvals for outdoor pickleball courts within 500 feet of residential uses.  is month, noise consultant Lance Willis, the principal acoustical engineer of Spendiarian & Willis Acoustics and Noise Control, turned in a study on the issue to the city:  “Pickleball Noise Impact Assessment and Abatement Planning.” e study found the main concern for residents who live close to pickleball courts is the “popping” sound the hard plastic ball makes when it is struck by paddles. ose random, persistent sounds, described as “impulsive,” can create annoyance because they are “similar to sounds that contain important information about our environment such as footsteps, a door opening, a tap at the window, or speech,” the study said.

SEE PICKLEBALL, P5

Centennial leaders and community members celebrated the expansion of Centennial Center Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 19. COURTESY OF CITY OF CENTENNIAL SEE PARK, P11

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Two weekends left for 2023 Colorado Renaissance Festival

Signature event in Larkspur wrapping up 46th season

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When patrons cross the threshold of the Colorado Renaissance Festival castle gate they are transported to a world where knights ght to the death, royalty glide down the village streets, fairies utter about and witches eat children.

Kristy Ekiss, operations manager and Queen Anne of the festival, said the 16th-century medieval amusement park is about to complete its 46th season of operation. Patrons can visit the park for the last times this year on July 29-30 and Aug. 6-7.

Ekiss said this season has been wonderful and, like previous years, has had a great response from people. With around 100 cast members, the Colorado Renaissance Festival is unique in that it’s very interactive with visitors, Ekiss said.

“We try very hard to achieve a fully immersive experience where everywhere you look, you’re being pulled into the scene and you’re being made part of the village rather than just walking through and experiencing it,” she said. “I think we try very hard to make everyone apart of the show.”

She said there is something for everyone in the permanent village structure that sits on 80-plus acres of land.

“We have over 10 stages of nonstop entertainment.

ere is always a show going on at every single one of those stages and we have over 180 artisans that we hand select from all around the country that create everything from blacksmithing to swords to elaborate court costumes to anything you can think of,” Ekiss said.

Ekiss said the same family

has owned the park since its opening in 1977.

Ekiss, who lives in Colorado Springs and grew up going to Renaissance fairs, has been on sta and in the cast for 17 years. For her, the best aspect of being a part of the festival is performing for children.

Eric Mindykowski, who performs as eodore Wenglewick, the Duke of Larkspur, acts as the casting director and has been a part of the theme park since 2002, feels the same way.

“Seeing that wonder in

kids’ eyes, that’s one of my favorite things,” he said.

Mindykowski said he feels the Colorado Renaissance Festival is di erent from others because everyone from the cast to the crew is extremely kind to patrons.

“Everybody says our festival is the friendliest and I really pride ourselves as management that we instill that in everybody,” he said.

e duke said while the festival can cause tra c in Larkspur, it’s bene cial to the town’s economy and brings new people to the

community every year.

David Seeley, who originally worked for a merchant, has worked at the festival since 2001 and took on the role of King George six years ago.

“ is one of the few places where people come just to have a good time. My favorite aspect of this season is just the renewal of the cast,” he said. “People visit from all over the country, and they commonly comment about it’s so di erent here because we’re just a big family and it’s just a big heart that we have.”

Colorado natives, high school sweethearts and married couple John and Pinkie Stepp, also known as omas and Elizabeth Howard, the Duke and Duchess of Norford, rst came to the fair in 1979, became consistent patrons in 1996 and joined the cast 15 years ago.

Based on real people in history, John and Pinkie love bringing the 16th century alive for people through their characters.

“One of the things I love most is, as we walk around and entertain, people ask questions and I can share historical things like how we’re dressed and what’s important,” Pinkie said.

For John, there is nowhere greater to be than the Colorado Renaissance Festival.

“With all due respect I think Mr. Disney was wrong. is is in fact the happiest place on Earth,” John said. For more information, visit coloradorenaissance.com

From left to right, John and Pinkie Stepp, also known as Thomas and Elizabeth Howard, the Duke and Duchess of Norford; King George and Queen Anne, also known as David Seeley and Kristy Ekiss; and Eric Mindykowski, also known as Theodore Wenglewick, the Duke of Larkspur, at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.

PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY

“Continuous false alarms such as the popping sound created by pickleball paddle impacts make it di cult to relax, concentrate, or sleep soundly without disturbance as each time a pop is heard it draws the attention, creating distraction,” the study said.

e study noted that lower-amplitude sound can have “adverse long term physiological e ects.”

e most important factor to consider when selecting a site for pickleball courts is the distance to adjacent residential areas, according to the study.

Typically, pickleball courts located within 350 feet of residential properties require noise abatement and those that a are closer, within 150 feet, require “extensive” noise dampening, the study said. ose within 100 feet are not recommended and have “proven to be problematic,” leading to lawsuits, strict limitations on usage and court closures.

Pickleball courts within 500 feet to 600 feet of “noise sensitive areas” should be reviewed by an acoustical engineer in the site selection phase of the project, the study said.

“Sta is looking to take a straightforward approach to … pickleball noise abatement by using an appropriate setback distance, limiting hours of operation and monitoring

lighting,” Jessica Lacambra, a Centennial city planner, said.

Lacambra said if newly proposed outdoor, permanent courts could not meet these standards, then the setbacks might be reduced with additional measures and a required noise study from a quali ed acoustical engineer.

Physical noise barriers, hours of operation, lighting rules, the directional orientation of the courts, and the number of courts all are considerations, she added.

Another way to reduce pickleball noise is requiring di erent equipment, such as a foam ball rather than the typical plastic one. However, regulating the type of pickleball equipment people use would be difcult to enforce, Lacambra said.

“Another di cult standard to enforce would be speech, whether that be volume or content,” she said.

Neil Marciniak with the city said there’s lots of details still to consider before the city has a plan.

“What … sta is gonna have to

settle on and council will have to agree to is: What is that sound level that gives us the most comfort, gives our residents the most protection, and ultimately, hopefully arrives at the fewest noise complaints?” Marciniak said.

Councilmember Candace Moon said the city needs to be “very careful and equitable in how we craft this ordinance.”

“ ere’s a lot of choices that can be made as far as how we choose to have an ordinance,” she added.

City sta is expected to seek additional input from community stakeholders, such as neighborhood groups, parks and recreation districts, and homeowners associations.  e city previously collected public input through its website, asking for feedback on what level of government regulation of outdoor pickleball courts residents would like to see. Residents can see the comments people shared by visiting: bit.ly/ cenpickleball.

City sta will also assess likely pickleball court locations to evaluate potential noise risks and applicability of the potential regulations.

According to the city’s website, the public hearings and consideration of regulations is expected to occur around August/September.

If residents have questions or concerns, the city said it is available via email at centennialplanning@ centennialco.gov. ose interested in learning more can visit bit.ly/ cenpick.

During its July 18 meeting, the Centennial City Council discussed potential regulations it may consider implementing to address noise concerns regarding outdoor pickleball courts.

PHOTO BY BY TAYLER SHAW

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Colorado poll sees concern about cost of living

Housing a ordability also worries state’s residents

BY PARKER YAMASAKI THE COLORADO SUN

Cost of living and housing affordability are the top concerns of Coloradans this year, according to a poll released by the Colorado Health Foundation.

In an open-ended question asking participants what they thought the most important issue facing Colorado is right now, 16% answered cost of living and 15% answered housing affordability. Other issues in the top five were government and politics, public safety and crime, and homelessness.

About 10% of respondents said that homelessness was their top concern for Colorado, with 79% calling the problem “extremely serious” or “very serious.” The results from the 4th annual survey arrived as Denver’s new mayor,

Mike Johnston, declared a state of emergency around homelessness, during his first full day in office.

Polling is conducted over one month through phone, email and text invitations, in English and Spanish. This year’s data includes 2,639 respondents across all ages, races and income brackets, with oversamples of Black/ African American, Native American/Indigenous, Asian American and Pueblo County residents.

One of the cornerstones of CHF is to serve folks with historically less power or privilege, according to Austin Montoya, senior officer for policy advocacy communications, which is why the foundation takes larger samples of specific populations. Montoya said that by sampling larger numbers of smaller populations, they are able to more accurately reflect the experiences of those populations. The data is later weighted to reflect Colorado’s population.

SEE POLL, P7

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Eighty-two percent of respondents to the annual Pulse poll said that the cost of housing is an “extremely” or “very” serious problem in Colorado. The highest levels of concern came from respondents in the Denver metro region.

PHOTO BY KATHRYN SCOTT, SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

POLL

Since the poll’s inception in 2020, the biggest drop in respondents’ top concern was, unsurprisingly, COVID-19, which was top of mind for 26% of Coloradans in 2020, compared with 0% in 2023.

The second- and third-largest decreases in concern were political division, down 6 percentage points, and jobs and the economy, down 5. In the past year, Colorado’s job openings and unemployment reached something near equilibrium, so it tracks that anxiety over jobs has fallen since the 2020 polling, when uncertainty was rampant.

Homelessness had the largest increase as a top concern since last year, up 3 percentage points, while crime had the largest increase as a top concern over the past four years, up 8 percentage points. Both issues were a major focus for Denver’s mayoral election this year.

While most concerns associated with costs — such as rising costs of living, cost of housing and jobs — tended to decline in importance as income levels rose, the percentage of respondents most concerned by homelessness was consistent across income levels. The difference between the lowest and highest income earners concerned with homelessness was only 3 percentage points.

Having a home is one major concern; staying in it is another. At the time of polling, renters were significantly more worried about not being able to make rent payments than homeowners were worried about their mortgages — at a rate of 49% compared with 19% of respondents. However, that number may flip as property owners come to terms with their new, exponentially high valuations, which were issued after the Pulse poll was conducted.

Respondents who identified as Native American/Indigenous showed the most concern over losing their homes, with 49% answering that they were worried in this year’s poll, while the Black/ African American respondents

had the largest increase in those worried, up 16 percentage points, to 47% from 31% last year.

Almost every household with an income below $150,000 was worried about their children being able to afford a home in Colorado.

Montoya wants the information gleaned from these polls to help inform policymakers’ priorities. He said the foundation’s primary audience is local lawmakers and legislators.

When presented with a number of policy solutions, respondents thought that the most effective ways to mitigate housing cost challenges are to reduce property taxes for homeowners with low or fixed incomes, and to ensure that landlords cannot raise rents on tenants too quickly.

The biggest divisions around effective policy solutions were between Republicans and Democrats in the state, with Independents falling squarely between the parties for every proposed solution. The largest differences between what the parties viewed as effective solutions were requiring developers to build lowincome housing — 86% of Democrats thought this would be an effective solution, while only 49% of Republicans agreed — and increasing government investments in programs that prevent people from becoming homeless — 87% of Democrats believed in its effectiveness, while 46% of Republicans agreed.

The takeaway from this year’s data, Montoya said, was that it hasn’t changed much since last year. Montoya believes that Coloradans’ major concerns “skyrocketed” around COVID, and have continued to stay high ever since.

“The majority of these worries have increased since 2020, but there hasn’t been much of a decline in any of them. There is really just a plateau,” he said. “And a majority of folks are feeling concerned.”

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

‘The majority of these worries have increased since 2020, but there hasn’t been much of a decline in any of them.’

Austin Montoya, senior o cer for policy advocacy communications

Human Services probe finds no systemic issues

Investigation came after criminal charges were filed against caseworker

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

An investigation into the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services did not nd pervasive agency-wide issues that indicate systemic errors to protect children or serve families, the county announced in a news release.

e yearlong investigation came after a former Arapahoe County Department of Human Services social caseworker was criminally charged in May 2022 with felony attempt to in uence a public servant and misdemeanor false reporting of child abuse, according to the evaluation report.

As reported by the Sentinel, the former employee, Robin Niceta, was accused of falsely reporting that Aurora City Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky sexually abused her toddler son.

Jurinsky thinks the false accusations were made in retaliation for her criticism of Vanessa Wilson, the former Aurora police chief, per the Sentinel. Niceta is an ex-partner of Wilson.

During an August 2022 news conference, Jurinsky raised concerns that what happened to her “was not an isolated incident” and announced a class action lawsuit against the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services, the Sentinel reported.

After Niceta was charged with attempting to in uence a public servant and false reporting of child abuse, Arapahoe County requested

a formal review by the Colorado Department of Human Services, according to the county’s news release.

“ e result was a multi-faceted independent evaluation of the caseworker’s activities during her employment with the county,” Arapahoe County said in the release.

In September 2022, the Colorado Department of Human Services published an audit summary of its evalution into whether other activities of the caseworker were fraudulent.

According to the audit report, the Colorado Department of Human Services did not identify any additional unresolved child safety concerns.

However, the department did nd practice concerns by the caseworker, such as minimal or no recorded e orts to contact a non-custodial parent or the alleged person responsible for abuse or neglect.

“We did nd and discuss with ACDHS (Arapahoe County Department of Human Services) our concerns related to the conduct and practices performed by the social caseworker, as well as the supervision and oversight of the social caseworker’s performance,” the audit stated.

Due to the urgency of that evaluation, the Colorado Department of Human Services’ review was “limited in scope,” according to the July 2023 report.

“Because of this, and because of the complexity of the allegations against the social caseworker and concerns that arose about supervision and oversight based on the review of practice to date, CDHS determined that an additional layer of external review of county practice was necessary to more broadly and deeply assess case practice and su-

pervision related to intake practices in child welfare,” the report stated.

According to the report, Colorado Department of Human Services sta directed the review/audit into child welfare practice but supplemented with outside, contracted evaluation consultants to review work, provide input and assist in developing a summary of ndings and recommendations.

“ is comprehensive third-party evaluation including an assessment review, outcome analyses, sta interviews, and document review found no pervasive agencywide practice issues that indicate systemic lapses to protect children or serve families,” the report stated.

No evidence was found of systemic concerns of falsi cation of contacts, according to the report.  e report did note that one caseworker was terminated for the falsi cation of information, adding that this was reported by the county to the Colorado Department of Human Services and is in the process of criminal proceedings.

e report said a record of Colorado Department of Human Services activity with the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services over the past four years was reviewed and “revealed no major safety concerns related to casework, supervision, or sta ng.”

“ e ndings demonstrate that ACDHS is actively working to address identi ed intake challenges through supervisory strategies aligned with the best practice literature,” the report stated.

In its news release, Arapahoe County noted ways it is addressing concerns with the intake process of new clients, such as hiring new caseworkers and supervisors, developing new policies to improve coordination with law enforce-

ment, and raising expectations and accountability of supervisors and administrators.

“We are a learning organization and constantly look for ways we can improve service to our residents. We are collaborating with the State Department of Human Services and with our legislative delegation to sharpen our approaches and ensure we’re meeting the needs of our community,” Carrie WarrenGully, chair of the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners, said in the release.

e evaluation report noted that in the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services, there has been an upward trend in timeliness of initial response, assessment closure and safety assessment completion during the past year.

“Most notably, the division has accomplished these improvements in the aftermath of a major leadership change, the COVID pandemic, social unrest in Aurora, and sustained media scrutiny,” the report stated.

e report included recommendations on how to improve the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services, such as implementing the move back to group supervision and case consultations as a way to help maximize the sharing of expertise and oversight between intake sta .

“We never take lightly the critical role our human services employees play in protecting children and vulnerable adults,” Warren-Gully said in the release. “We’re grateful to the Colorado Department of Human Services for the professional, thorough and sensitive review of our intake systems and we are grati ed in the knowledge that the system works and continues to improve every day.”

O cials update neighbors on house tied to explosives

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Representatives from the City of Englewood and the Englewood Police Department held a meeting July 20 for citizens who feel the city “is not what it used to be,” with the purpose of addressing concerns regarding the home at 4945 S. Delaware St.

Neighbors living near the property expressed their fears and frustration about the residence, including a suspected bomb-making operation, allegations of drug activities and extreme hoarding.

e gathering was held on the street in front of the home.

One neighbor said he’s disheartened that history is repeating itself.

“It’s like a joke. Everybody keeps referring to this house in Englewood. It doesn’t matter who I speak to, if it’s a city council member, if it’s a police o cer, they all know about this property,” he said. “We’ve been told what to do, write down plates, get cameras, do all these things, and it’s at a point in time where it gets frustrating calling all the time because things don’t get done.”

e owner of 4945 S. Delaware St., Michael Steven Lubotsky, 50, and another man, Brian Gessing, 51, were formally charged by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s O ce July 6 for allegedly making explosives on the property, which they were arrested for June 29.

eir arrests came just one day after the city issued a condemnation notice because the property was deemed “un t for human occupancy,” documents state.

According to Englewood Police Division Chief Tracy Jones, Lubotsky is facing a charge of possession of an explosive device and Jones said EPD believes he is staying with a friend in Littleton.

“ e case is in district court right

now. I think he has been advised of everything,” Jones said.

According to Eric Ross media relations director at the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s O ce, Lubotsky’s bond was $5000 cash or surety which he posted. Ross explained a judge set a  $5000 bond cash or surety for Gessing on June 29, then changed it to a $1000 bond cash or surety on July 3 and then changed it to a $5000 personal recognizance bond on July 6.

Gessing is also facing a charge of possession of an explosive device and a drug paraphernalia possession charge.

Both men are scheduled to appear in court for preliminary hearings July 31, with Gessing at 9 a.m. and Lubotsky at 10 a.m. at the Arapahoe County Justice Center.

Jones said EPD and other agencies found apparent bomb-making materials, cut PVC pipe, and explosive ingredients including potassium nitrate at the house.

He said various materials taken from the home are being analyzed. At the meeting, the o cer stated EPD is hoping the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or the FBI will take over the case.

“If the ATF, DEA, whoever decides the case is worthy for them to take and they can prosecute it, then they will go through the forfeiture procedure and they can take the house,”

Jones said.

He said this is one of the ways the city could recover taxpayer funds used to clean up the house, which the city is doing after issuing an emergency abatement order on July 7.

According to City Manager Shawn Lewis, the abatement prevents Lubotsky and any unauthorized people from entering the property for now.

“Right now, the city is bearing all the cost of the boarding, the securing

5.00%

the fences, the removal of all the materials from outside and the removal of all the materials from inside the house, all of that is on the taxpayer dime on the City of Englewood,” he said.

e city manager explained to ensure the city is reimbursed, it will add up all the costs plus an administrative fee and put a lien on the property which stays with it and is led with the county.

“When the county assessor sends the tax bill in 2024, [Lubotsky] will have to pay that or [he] will be delinquent in taxes and until [he] gets that paid, [he’s] in danger of having the city foreclose on [the] lien,” Shawn Lewis said.

He said the Arapahoe County Health Department is involved with aspects of the property including suspected meth contamination and potential issues with vermin, which residents mentioned were becoming a problem.

“Now that we have preliminary positive meth reports, that goes to Arapahoe County Public Health to basically determine the abatement and mitigationplan for that,” Shawn Lewis said.

During the meeting, Code Enforcement Division Manager Dave Lewis Jr. said Lubotsky must comply with the Arapahoe County Health Department and the city before he will be granted access to his house.

However, Shawn Lewis said if Lubotsky does comply with all entities and he pays o the lien then he can return to the property.

Many residents at the July 20 meeting asked whether the city could prevent Lubostky from returning to the residence, describing the property as a problem for many years.

According to EPD call logs from the last ve years, o cers have responded to various complaints at or near the property. e records show the

calls included welfare checks, verbal disturbances, domestic violence complaints, noise complaints, assaults and more.

Additionally, documents show Lubotsky was convicted of possession of meth precursors in a case stemming from 2007 and was convicted of obstruction in connection with a 2012 drug investigation.

When asked about past code enforcement issues at the meeting, city o cials said at times Lubotsky complied to address issues the city brought forward.

Shawn Lewis said despite the homeowner’s past the city can’t simply take away his property.

“I am not aware of a path for the city to permanently keep the owner from returning to the property,” he said. “In terms of levels of government, the city has less authority than the other levels of government at the state and federal level.”

He also said that since the property is in a remediation abatement status, that grants Lubotsky the opportunity to “cure” issues with his property.

During the meeting, Shawn Lewis told the crowd he understands their frustrations and assured them that the city is trying to take an aggressive approach to resolve the issues with this property.

Other city o cials in attendance, including Police Chief Sam Watson and District 4 Councilmember Steve Ward, encouraged residents to remain engaged by reporting any activity around the property to the EPD non-emergency number, 303-7617410, calling their councilmembers with any issues, registering for the Engle x app to le complaints and appointing a spokesperson for the neighborhood to voice concerns at future court proceedings or meetings involving the property.

City o cals said they will continue montoring the property.

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Remembering Andrew Graham

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

He was the kind of person you don’t often meet.

At 8 years old, Andrew Gelston Graham earned a black belt in taekwondo. During a tournament, he received a rst-place medal. But instead of keeping it, he turned around and gave it to his opponent, whom Andrew felt was the true winner because he had sharper skills and Andrew had won on a technicality.

When he was 6, his younger sister hurt herself, and in the emergency room, Andrew would not leave his sister’s side. Medical personnel had to allow him to sit outside the curtain until they nished caring for her.

In his college years, Andrew would buy sandwiches and give them to homeless people as he passed through Union Station in Denver.   at’s what Andrew likely did the night he was later murdered in 2009, according to his mother.

She never knew about his generosity to the unhoused — she only later heard about it from police and his friends.

“But that was part of his charm. He didn’t boast,” Cyndi Gelston Graham said. “He didn’t self-aggrandize. ere was none of that. He just did kind things and didn’t expect any recognition.”

Andrew, a 23-year-old University of Colorado Boulder graduate who had plans for grad school, was found shot to death about 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2009, in the front yard of a home in the Willow Creek neighborhood of Centennial near County Line Road and Yosemite Street. After nearly 14 years, the nal person accused in Andrew’s killing was acquitted in a trial ending in June.

ough Andrew wasn’t one to seek praise, his death spurred an outpouring of words of respect and admiration

from friends and academics.

“Sometimes people are praised in death for a character greater than they possessed but not in Andrew’s case,” one of his friends wrote in a tribute to Andrew. “He truly was one of the most caring, humble, intelligent people. His gentle in uence on his peers made those around him better people. His absence is a loss to society.”

Standing out

Now 68, his mother fondly remembers how Andrew’s character shone through even as a small child.

When his young sister broke eggs on the oor at home, Andrew looked at his mother’s face, took his sister by the hand and hid her upstairs until their mom was no longer upset.

And as a young man, Andrew — who played ultimate Frisbee at CU Boulder and earned the nickname “Stitches” — had the respect of the young women around him.

“ e girls would watch the Frisbee team. ey would play a game, ‘marry, date or dump.’ Someone would pick out three men and everyone would have to answer who they would marry, date or dump. It became a tradition that we never even put Stitches into the game because he was an ‘automatic marry,’” a friend wrote, according to Andrew’s mother.

‘It was always about others’

Andrew was born in Mississippi after his mother met his father in nurses’ ight school for the Air Force.

After lots of moves, the family settled in Colorado in 1998, and Andrew got involved in math club and played the trumpet. A student in the Cherry Creek School District, Andrew played lacrosse, ran on the track team and excelled in school.

“But he was always rather quiet and shy,” his mother said. “It wasn’t until he got into college that he really blossomed in terms of his personality.”

His intellect led him to pursue engineering, a path where he made a name for himself in CU Boulder’s civil, environmental and architectural engineering department.

“Andrew was an outstanding student,” CU said in a 2013 news release, adding: “He was one of the rst students to follow the department’s rigorous Engineering Science track curriculum. He did independent research on water quality as an undergraduate.”

In his honor, the department renamed a funding program: e Andrew Gelston Graham Graduate Fellowship provides support to outstanding students in the department, including tuition and stipends. Andrew was planning to start graduate school in civil engineering at CU Boulder at the time of his death.

He had lived in Alaska for eight months after nishing undergraduate school, working in the oil elds.

“And they worked 16-hour days six days a week, three weeks at a time, and then they’d get (some time) o ,” his mother said. “But it was brutal.

“And the thing was, he was really good, and they wanted to promote him out of the eld and into the o ce, and he didn’t want any part of a suit,” she laughed. “ at’s why he decided to come home and go to grad school.”

Never ashy, Andrew wanted to “ nd someone nice and settle down and start a family and nd a job — all the normal things,” his mother said. “He was very quiet. He didn’t talk about himself a lot to anybody. It was always about others.”

“He just was a good egg, he really was. And just so fun. And I just, I totally trusted him and knew that in my old age, he’d be there,” his mother said.

Keeping a legacy alive

Years later, his mother remembers the little things: how he liked Carlos Santana and the Eagles. How he’d strum on the guitar and wake his sister up. How he’d “just give her one of his lopsided smiles.”

ough the suspects arrested in his killing received varying outcomes in court, Andrew’s mother felt that for her family, “all of us have received life sentences” in losing Andrew. e relationships he wove brought unlikely support into his mother’s life. CU Boulder’s men’s club ultimate Frisbee team, called Mamabird, has been “at my side through this entire thing,” his mother said.

Team members keep in touch by email and send her Mother’s Day wishes. She gets a call from a couple of them on Nov. 6 every year to catch up.

“ ey’re kind of like my adopted sons,” she said.

Although faces on the team have come and gone through the years, the members of Mamabird wear Andrew’s uniform number, 55, on the sleeves of their uniforms in his memory. At the Centex ultimate Frisbee tournament in Texas each year, the CU team members wear mustaches because Andrew started the team’s tradition of sporting the facial hair to that event, his mother said.

His mother set up a GoFundMe fundraising page online to help support the scholarship that CU named in his honor and the ultimate Frisbee team on which he played.

She hopes the page will help others and “keep Andrew’s legacy alive” — though she doesn’t think he would have given thought to what his legacy would be.

“He would (probably) be very embarrassed by all the accolades,” she said, adding: “But he’s the kind of person you don’t forget just because of how he was … he had a presence.”

One person who wrote a tribute to Andrew — one of the many written statements his mother has kept — recounted how Andrew carried himself through the challenges of his sport:

“He had his own style. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, he just didn’t seem to be a ected. And I admired that about him. He was an individual. He was unique.”

Andrew Graham COURTESY PHOTO

Opened in 2012, Centennial Center Park, located at 13050 E. Peakview Ave., is Centennial’s rst city-owned park that features an interactive splash pad, playgrounds and an amphitheater.

e expansion project cost roughly $4 million, according to the city’s winter 2022 newsletter. New park features include a gazebo and gathering space, landscaped walking paths, a picnic grove and expanded parking.

e 4-acre expansion was funded, in part, with a $500,000 Arapahoe County Open Spaces Grant as well as through the “Arapahoe County shareback tax,” per the city’s website.

According to Arapahoe County’s website, the county’s open space sales and use tax is equivalent to 25 cents per every $100 spent. About 50% of revenues from the tax are distributed to 12 municipalities including Centennial.

In 2022, Arapahoe County distributed $19 million through the shareback program, according to the county.

Centennial said on its website that the park expansion project delivers on the city’s priority “to be a desirable and inclusive community with a lasting built environment, memorable places and experiences that bring people together through intentional planning and community investment.”

ose interested in learning more about Centennial Center Park and its recent expansion can visit centennialco. gov/centerpark.

The park expansion celebration coincided with the Centennial District 3 Summer Social on July 19 at Centennial Center Park. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CITY OF CENTENNIAL

The Centennial District 3 Summer Social on July 19 at Centennial Center Park featured a variety of attractions including mounted patrol.

Members of the Centennial City Council smile at the July 19 summer social celebration at Centennial Center Park.

Something must give

Ihave debated writing this column for some time. I understand the subject is controversial, but I feel in my heart that sometimes we must write something tough because it is the right thing to do.

children are mature enough for a drag show, but I get to be the one to decide. I do not want some town council, county, state or federal government telling me yea or nay.

e books some are ghting in the library — I ask why. Just don’t let your children read them.

To those boycotting Bud Light — I understand the argument. If you want to protest through your pocketbook — whether I agree or disagree with your reasoning — I say go for it as long as you do not have some law passed to force it on me.

e louder the opponents have gotten — the more the other side has been pushing back.

However, like many, I am growing tired of the controversies and what feels like contrived battles over the LGBTQ community.

We are nearly a year removed from the unfortunate event at PrideFest in Castle Rock that has been dubbed a “wardrobe malfunction.” Let’s just say it — a drag queen’s breast plate was exposed.

It feels like those angered by this incident have taken the ght to councils, the county and more. It just hasn’t stopped.

I continue to be saddened by the local and national rhetoric targeting the LGBTQ community. I am saddened that people are vulnerable because of the increase in violent incidents and hate.

Two of my dearest friends in the world are a gay couple living in Palm Springs. eir friendship means so much to me. When I hear the hate being spewed out there — I often think of them and know they are such amazing people that I can’t in good conscience just keep standing by watching.

Regarding the drag queen show drama — to those protesting — you are often the same people saying we need less government in our lives. I often agree. I agree on this issue too.

Hear me out. What right do we have to say that an age restriction should be placed on a show like this in Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, or Arapahoe County? Shouldn’t that be up to the parents? Shouldn’t it be completely up to the adults buying tickets?

In all honesty, I don’t think my

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As someone trying to skate the slippery slope known as the middle, and others like me, I am tired of it all. I am tired of the petty back and forth ghting.

I am absolutely no fan whatsoever of casting a large net of hate on an entire group. Why be so angry and hateful? And, before we talk about the idiot in Canada who said, “they are coming for your children” during a parade, please remember that is not a re ection of everyone.

I have gotten to know someone who transitioned from a man to a woman over the last few years. She is a beautiful soul whom I believe is a courageous human being. She has more courage than I could ever have. She is someone who has carried herself with great dignity in the face of a very critical society.

I do not believe she is someone who will hurt or negatively a ect my children. In fact, I have explained to my own children what she did. Because I did not make it a big deal, but just let them know to respect someone else’s choice — they treat her like everyone else and I am proud of that.

We may not agree or understand but somehow, some way — we must get back to a much more accepting place in our world. We need to be civil because this all comes down to human beings who are hurt by what’s happening every day. Another’s choices and decisions cannot become about making laws to stop them.

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

Handling the turbulence of life

With over 2 million miles own, I have experienced a lot of turbulence during those ights. Last month my wife and I were on a ight and for the most part it was a fairly smooth ight. However, during our descent the plane was violently rocked and had we not had our seatbelts on, we would have been tossed from our seats. In all my years of ying that was de nitely the toughest turbulence that I had ever experienced.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to sit next to many captains and pilots. As we would y through the turbulence, they would provide calming assurances that the planes are built to handle the turbulence and the pilots are trained to y us through safely. at has given me such great comfort over the years, a comfort that I tried passing along to some of the nervous yers I have had sitting next to me.

On one such ight as we were ying from Denver to Albuquerque, the turbulence was bad the entire ight as the pilot couldn’t nd an altitude where the air was smooth. e woman sitting next to me literally squeezed my forearm the entire

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ight, and I had never met her before. I didn’t mind and tried to assure her of the safety by sharing the stories pilots have shared with me, but she still held on for dear life.

Just last week I was ying on a Dreamliner, a massive airplane and super comfortable. e ight was full, and as we went through our ascent, the plane hit a pocket of turbulence and gave us a fairly good bounce up and down. ere were a few quick screams and gasps, but there was another sound I heard, children laughing. e plane went through a little more bumpiness before nding smoother air and with each bump and drop of the plane, the children continued to squeal as if they were on an amusement park ride. I believe their laughter and relaxed attitude served to calm the nerves of others who didn’t nd the turbulence so amusing.

Life is full of turbulence, isn’t it? It just seems that every single day we are at odds with one another over something. e turbulence of politics, of cancel culture, of societal pressures, and just overall discontent and disagreements brewing everywhere. Sometimes the turbulence is frightening as it escalates and becomes erce. And sometimes the turbulence is slight, but still enough to cause us some fear, worry, and doubt.

It has been said that our character

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

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Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.

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Littleton Independent (USPS 315-780)

A legal newspaper of general circulation in Littleton, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

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In this space that I have the privilege to ll each week, I try so hard to be in the middle on most controversies.

I may lean right on some subjects, but I do try to understand and give both sides a chance.

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

Thelma Grimes

Seniors’ Council to host educational event

The Seniors’ Council of Douglas County, in collaboration with Aging Resources of Douglas County and Douglas County government, is cohosting a daylong educational event entitled Vintage & Vibrant 2023: Exploring the Latest Trends in Living Well & Aging Well. Our signature event will be held on ursday, Sept. 28 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Parker Arts, Culture and Events (PACE) Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave in Parker.

Vintage & Vibrant 2023 is specically designed to entertain, inform and intrigue an older adult audience. Our program will include two engaging keynote speakers, multiple informative breakout sessions, three interactive activities, numerous event partners, morning refreshments, lunch, guest bags and door prizes.

Your $10 registration fee covers it all, with scholarships available if needed.

We begin the day with a continental breakfast and our morning keynote speaker Jeanne Nott, 2022 Ms. Colorado Senior America. Jeanne’s philosophy of life is “… have a sense of humor and enthusiasm! It will add years to your life and life to your years.” Her positivity will energize us and set the stage for the rest of the day.

During lunch our keynote speaker is Dr. Carson Bruns, associate professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He will share his fascinating research on converging nanotechnology and biomedical engineering on the skin to create a new wave of “tattoos” that strive to keep us healthier. You’ll de nitely be intrigued!

Vintage & Vibrant 2023 would not be possible without the support of our cohosting organizations Ag-

ing Resources of Douglas County (ARDC), a local nonpro t organization providing a wide variety of services to our older population, and Douglas County government, currently conducting a comprehensive Older Adult Initiative, as well as our event partners.

And now meet our Platinum event partners: Visiting Angels - Littleton, Seven Stones Botanical Garden Cemetery, Centura Health, the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) and Bridgewater Castle Rock. Each of these partners focuses on enhancing the lives of older adults in their own special way. Be sure to visit their tables at the event to learn more about their fabulous organizations.

To review our complete Vintage & Vibrant program, meet the rest of our event partners and register to attend, please visit www.douglas.co.us and search for Vintage & Vibrant.

Online attendee registration begins Aug. 1, but seating is limited so register soon!

Our regular general meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 10-11:30 am will feature Jayla Sanchez-Warren, director of the Area Agency on Aging. She will speak about the results from the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults. Learn how the survey results might impact the services and opportunities available for older adults. The meeting site is the Douglas County Miller Building, Conference Rooms A and B, 100 Third St. in Castle Rock. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Seniors’ Council of Douglas County aims to educate and engage older adults. For up-to-date information about Seniors’ Council visit Facebook and our website at www.douglas. co.us and look for Seniors’ Council.

FROM PAGE 12

isn’t de ned by what happens to us, it is de ned by how we handle what happens to us. e turbulence happening in the world doesn’t de ne who we are, how we respond to the turbulence is a much better barometer of who we are. Sometimes we have to just buckle up, fastening our seatbelts and riding out the turbulence as it will eventually smooth out. Other times we may need to hold onto one another, supporting and encouraging each other as we ght our way through the turbulence. And then maybe we can look at the silliest things that feel like turbulence and like the children on the airplane, laugh our way through it.

ere are plenty of real-world problems that we face as a society, and we should pay attention to those and become as informed

as possible, focusing on the facts instead of opinions and rants of others. It just seems like there is much more noise and turbulence around the silliest and smallest things that get us so worked up. For me, in these situations, my go-to response is laughter, as it really keeps me focused on the more important things in life.

How do you handle the turbulence? Do you buckle up and ride it out? Do you hold on to others? Or do you decide that the best response is to smile and laugh it o ? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can decide to respond instead of react to all that the world has to throw at us, 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.

Jeanne Nott

Dr. Carson Bruns

selection. ese moments never fail to make her smile.

“It brings me just a ton of joy to see people enjoying it and enjoying the space,” Monson said. “I think it’s also enriched my kids’ love and appreciation for literature because they get so excited about nishing a book and passing it on.”

Monson built her library in 2017 and registered it with Little Free Library, a Minnesota-based nonpro t that aims to increase access to literature by providing blueprints and guides to build community libraries, as well as mapping registered libraries across the country.

Hundreds of little free libraries have popped up across the Denver metro area as their popularity proliferates. Monson said she was inspired to build her library after visiting others with her 11-year-old twins Tommy and Luci, who are avid readers.

“I really believe in the importance of building community and connection for wellness, so I thought it was a great way to build community shortly after we moved to Golden,” she said. “So it was their love of reading and my want to build community that made it happen.”

Since the library is on a bike and walking path, it’s not accessible by car, so Monson took advantage of the unique environment by adding a bench, a slide and fairy gardens around the library to make it an inviting spot for visitors.

BUILDING BOOKISH COMMUNITIES

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

LOCAL

One of the more recent little free libraries in the metro area is the one at Castle View High School, which was built as a memorial to student Brooke Adams, who died in April. Adams loved to read, so her school book club worked with others to build the library in her honor.

Golden resident Sam Monson poses with her little free library on the Tucker Gulch Trail. Monson said the library has brought joy to her and those who visit.

COURTESY SAM MONSON

SEE FREE LIBRARY, P15

FROM TOP PHOTO:

FREE LIBRARY

“We wanted to create a space for people to pause and enjoy the green belt that we’re on and the bike path is on,” she said. “Especially through covid, it was a way that I felt like we could put wellness out in the world with something as healthy as reading that creates a mindful, peaceful experience, but also gets them outside and active.”

Monson said the library quickly became self-sustaining once it opened and has since become a xture in the community.

“People often comment to thank us or leave notes,” she said. “It’s like an identity of our family, which we love.”

On top of being a way to build community, little free libraries improve access to literature. Unite for Literacy, a publishing company that tracks book deserts, estimates only a third of Colorado homes have more than 100 books.

Amber DeBerry, Director of Community Engagement for Douglas County Libraries, said improving access to reading materials, whether that’s books, magazines, journals or comics, is important because reading bene ts everyone.

“If you have access to books prior to the age of ve, your success rates in school drastically increase,” DeBerry said. “For people who don’t have the opportunity or ability to purchase books, libraries are an incredible community asset.”

In Dianne Shantz’s neighborhood in Adams County, she noticed there weren’t nearly as many little free libraries as more a uent areas of Denver, so Shantz built one in 2021.

Shantz used a thrifted co ee table and an old kitchen counter with a repurposed replace door to create a weatherproof library and food pantry near her community’s shared mailbox, which provides steady foot tra c.

“I’m proud to say (the library) is self-sustaining because it shows that there was a need there, and that’s true of the pantry too,” she said.

Shantz said she enjoys having opportunities to share her love of reading and tries to stock the library with books she knows her visitors will read.

“Being new to the neighborhood, it’s given me a chance to meet my neighbors,” she said. “A lot of Hispanic people live in the area, so I try to include Spanish books. One lady likes Danielle Steel, so I put those in when I can.”

For Kate Garland, a graduate of Castle View High School in Castle Rock, building a little free library was a way to memorialize her friend and fellow student Brooke Adams, who died in April.

Garland met Adams through the school book club she started and they bonded over reading.

“Brooke and I both loved the ‘ e Summer I Turned Pretty’ series by Jenny Han and somebody donated the entire set so we made sure that those were in there,” Garland said. “Some of Brooke’s other friends also picked booked they thought she would like.”

When Adams died, Garland worked with Adams’ family, school o cials, the school’s Technology Students Association and book club members to build the library and host a book drive to ll it. Materials for the library were donated by the local Ace Hardware and community members donated more than 1,000 books during the drive.

“ e community support around it and the continuing book donations have been really rewarding for me and the book club and the TSA members who helped,” she said.

As Garland heads to Arapahoe Community College, the stewardship of the library will pass on to other students in the book club.

“We wanted to make sure it would keep going, even after I’m gone,” she said.

To nd these little free libraries and more, go to littlefreelibrary.org.

At Dianne Schantz’s library in Adams County, she added a free pantry to help serve her community’s needs. Schantz said both the library and pantry are self-sustaining.

COURTESY DIANNE SCHANTZ

Talk will highlight rural summer theater

The talk “Life Upon the Wicked Stage” will entertain the Highlands Ranch Historical Society on Aug. 21, when Veda Rogers will talk about her 16 seasons with a summer theater in a rural Kansas country barn: the Vassar Playhouse in Osage County, Kansas. A $3 donation at the door is suggested. e program will be presented from 7-8:30 p.m. at Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch. To register: thehrhs.org/ event/program-life-upon-the-wicked-stage. Guests are welcome, as are new members.

Art in the library

Littleton Fine Arts Guild members will exhibit artwork created with various mediums at Bemis Public Library, 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton, from Aug. 1 to 31. Open during library hours.

Andy Marquez photos

Littleton area photographer Andy Marquez, who once ran a Littleton Main Street gallery, has published a new book, “Sacred Seasons,” that collects images from his earlier works throughout the Southwest. It is soft cover and costs $24.95. ($10 shipping.) 303-594-9452. andymarquez.com.

Lone Tree exhibition

e Lone Tree Arts Commissioners’ Choice Exhibition brings together two art forms: “Women Artists and Poets: A Collaboration.” Curated

by Colorado artist Carlene Frances, names of artists and poets were paired through drawing of names. e poet was given an opportunity to visit the artist’s studio and learn about the creative process. Finally, the poet selects a painting the artist plans to display and creates a related poem, which is shown next to the painting. Exhibit dates: July 19 to Oct. 1, with an opening reception planned for July 22, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Poetry reading begins at 6:30 p.m. e event will be at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., lonetreeartscenter.org, 720-509-1000.

‘Colorado Women to Watch’ e CVA, Center for Visual Arts, the gallery of the Metropolitan State University Art Department, will present “Colorado Women to Watch” from Aug. 18 to Oct. 21. Artists included: Kim Dickey, ceramic sculpture; Ana Marie Hernando, textiles; Maia Ruth Lee works with cast-o bits of metal pulling from her three di erent cultures: South Korea, Nepali, North American; Suchitra Mattai, Guyana, South America; Senga Negundi, b. Chicago — performing art. More on this when open — mark your calendar. msudenver.edu/cva.

“It’s Good to be Bad” will be presented by Adriane Leigh and Marco Robinson in Aurora Fox’s Studio Theater, featuring the best villain songs in musical theater and Disney film history. Tickets: $25. Family-friendly. July 29, 7:30 p.m. and July 30, 2 p.m. 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora; 303-739-1970, aurorafoxartscenter.org.

Yarn items on display

Items made from yarn, that are donated for use in the community, will be exhibited at St. Andrew Methodist Church, 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch from July 28 through Sept. 6, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reception on July 30 from 10 a.m. to noon to meet the artists.

Tickets for Colorado Ballet’s new season are available singly now. “Swan Lake” will run Oct. 6 to 15. “The Nutcracker will run Nov. 25 to Dec. 24; Caniparoli’s “Jekyll and Hyde” runs Feb. 2-11 2024; “Coppelia” runs March 8-17; “Ballet Masterworks” runs April 12-21. Ticket prices range from $40 to $175. 303-339-1637, coloradoballet.org.

Douglas Land Conservancy

Douglas Land Conservancy invites you to the 15th Annual JA Ranch Sunset BBQ from 4-8 p.m. on Aug. 19 in Larkspur. Tickets on sale Aug. 24$150 per person. douglaslandconservancy.org.

Theater season

Performance Now eatre Company announces its 2023/24 season of productions at the Lakewood Cultural Center: “Seussical,” “Newsies,” “ e Music Man,” “Pirates of Penzance.” performancenow.org.

The Vassar Playhouse, housed in a barn in Osage County, Kansas, is where Veda Rogers spent 16 seasons in summer theater. She will present “Life Upon the Wicked Stage” to Highlands Ranch Historical Society members on Aug. 21. COURTESY PHOTO

SONYA’S SAMPLER

Thu 8/03

Sat 8/05

Denver Broncos

@ 9am

Centura Health Training Center, 13655 E. Broncos Pkwy., Englewood

Lions on the Links Golf Tournament (LHS Athletics Fundraiser Event) @ 1pm / $175

Arrowhead Golf Course, 10850 Sundown Trail, Littleton. mtoner@ lps.k12.co.us

Cooking with Elle @ 3pm

Aug 3rd - Aug 31st

Heather Gardens Clubhouse, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way, Aurora

Douglas County Bulls, Broncs and Bares - Rough Stock

PRCA Rodeo

@ 6pm / $5-$30

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Dr, Castle Rock

Fri 8/04

Featured Featured Featured

The King Stan Band in Paradise

@ 6pm

Paradise Tavern, 9239 Park Mead‐ows Dr, Lone Tree

Madeline Hawthorne Music: Bands in the Beer Garden @ Breckenridge Brewery

Littleton @ 3pm

Breckenridge Brewery, 2920 Brewery Ln, Littleton

Featured Featured

Tunisia: The Canyons Concert @ 5:30pm

The Canyons (Info Center), 1415 Westbridge Dr, Castle Pines

Sun 8/06

Korey Foss: Rock Candy Sunday Funday @ 12pm Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia

Uncle Kracker @ 5:30pm

Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Village

Wed 8/09

Vamonos Pest/Mobro:

Vamonos Pest plays Brewabil‐ity to celebrate Englewood

H.S. Class of 1983 Reunion @ 4:30pm

Brewability Lab, 3445 S Broadway, Englewood

Visible Planets @ 6pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

6 Million Dollar Band: Private Event @ 6:30pm

Cherry Hills Village Community Develop‐ment, 2450 E Quincy Ave, Englewood

Sean Kelly Of The Samples: TBA @ 7pm TBA, Parker

Deb Seymour Music: House Concert- Littleton, CO @ 1pm

House Concert - Littleton, CO, Lit‐tleton

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden

Bingo - Tailgate Tavern & Grill @ 7pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Mon 8/07

Advanced Double-Handed Sailing Camp | Week 10 @ 8am / $467

Aug 7th - Aug 11th

Cherry Creek Reservoir, 4800 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 303-757-7718

ZZ Top @ 5:30pm

Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Village

Anne Luna: The Hard Road Trio in Highlands Ranch @ 3pm House Concert, Highlands Ranch

Ladies Night @ 5pm / $10 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Thu 8/10

Chris Janson with special guest Shane Pro�tt @ 6pm / $50-$70

The Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock

powered by

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Littleton Fine Arts Guild members called on skilled local painter Valorie Snyder to be juror for the new exhibit, “Being Human,” which is open through Aug. 5 at the Depot Art Gallery, 2069 W. Powers Ave. in downtown Littleton.

“Connections,” a mixed media painting by S. Williams, was Snyder’s choice for Best of Show. “ e painting is a winner on several levels: the use of light, contrast, the illusion of depth and perspective. e use of subtle colors in the background support, but don’t compete with, the people in the foreground. e red

bus ... one solitary gure in black. Is everyone (wearing masks?) I can’t quite tell … is painting is masterfully done, weaving a story as the viewer is drawn in.”

Fine Arts Guild members meet and plan a yearlong list of exhibits for the Depot and for the Stanton Gallery at Town Hall Arts Center.

ey also exhibit works at several local venues, with a particular member overseeing each location and others helping with hanging each show. Next at the Depot will be the Best of Colorado, opening on Aug. 8 and running through Sept. 10. It is open to non-members and is an annual Western Welcome Week event.

Also featured this summer will be a Bega Park Art Show on Aug. 12, with many members setting up tents and exhibiting art outside

“Well Aged” by Brian Ser is Snyder’s choice for second place in the “Being Human” exhibit. She noted that “watercolor is a particularly difcult medium for portraiture. e clothing is loosely rendered with soft colors that set o the details in this man’s face and dress ... Where is he from? What is the story of his life? We are given clues, but left to wonder ...”

ird place was awarded to “ e Spell,” in soft pastels by Stacy Roberts. “Movement is the compositional tool that drew me into this piece,” Snyder said. “Primarily a complementary color scheme, this painting is a colorful mix of blues and oranges, with added colors to keep it interesting ...”

Best use of the theme, “Being Human: e Human Condition” is created of leather, berglass and metal

gure. is sculpture summarizes the theme of the show.” Honorable Mentions were awarded to four artists: “Little Stinker” by Teresa Malone is “an engaging classic portrait in oils”; “Faith and Hope,” glass by Sally Vander Camp; “Being of One Mind,” photograph by Carl Paulson; and “Meditation,” a digital print by Jacqueline Shuler. e bright red Depot Art Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays , with lots of free parking, free admission and more art in an old caboose placed next to it. Volunteer Fine Arts Guild members operate this charming gallery and are happy to talk about the artwork on display-and to help with sales!

What could be better than an original work of art for a recent graduate or a soon to be married friend?

One wall at Depot Art Gallery, with the “Being Human” exhibit.

PHOTO BY PEGGY DIETZ

Local painter

Valorie Snyder is juror for Depot show

Casey Devol pleads guilty in Franktown double murder

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After initially pleading not guilty to killing his sister and her boyfriend in rural Douglas County, Casey Devol reversed course and pleaded guilty weeks before his trial was set to begin.

Devol had pleaded not guilty in September and was set to see trial starting Aug. 7, according to the state judicial branch website.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of second-degree murder on July 19, according to online court records. As a result, his two charges of rstdegree murder were dismissed.

Devol also pleaded guilty to a charge related to cruelty to animals. Authorities say Devol also killed a dog in the incident.

He’s set for a sentencing hearing Aug. 7.

A recording captured audio of the incident where Devol allegedly committed the murders, according to prosecutors.

“What we have are recorded statements of the murder itself which were made by one of the victims,” Andrew Steers, a chief deputy district attorney, has said.

e existence of the recorder was not known, Steers said, until the autopsy in the case that left Jessica Mitchell, 32, and Bryan Todd Gray,

34, dead in the Franktown area. ey were discovered in February 2022 in a garage adjacent to a house they lived in on Russellville Road. Mitchell was Devol’s sister.

Authorities don’t know why some-

one chose to record the interaction, Steers said during a March 22 hearing in Douglas County District Court.

e recording captured the events leading up to the killings: ree

people appeared to be having a dinner and at one point talked about a birthday gift, Steers said. At some point, the man authorities say is Devol leaves and returns and kills the other two people and a dog.

Mitchell was found with a “digital recorder device,” according to her autopsy report.

A coworker of Gray’s discovered him and Mitchell in the Russellville Road garage about 1:30 p.m. Feb. 8, Devol was found and arrested at a hotel in Salina, Kansas, on Feb. 9, 2022. He complied when o cers attempted to place him in custody, according to testimony at the hearing. Autopsy results show the victims had bruising and shallow injuries and had been shot by two di erent e report, released by the Douglas County Coroner’s O ce, shows both victims also had meth, alcohol and marijuana in their systems. In addition to the toxicology reports, notes were made in both autopsies that each had a history of methamphetamine use.

Deputies discovered security footage for the home that showed someone entering the garage carrying “multiple handguns and a long gun.” After a tip from a friend of the family, investigators alleged that Devol is the person in the video.

Casey Devol was arrested last year on charges of killing two people. FILE PHOTO

Why blind historian tells the stories of the blind

Peggy Chong describes what motivates her

BY TEDDY JACOBSEN TJACOBSEN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It only takes an introduction and a few minutes of talking with historian Peggy Chong to learn something new.

Chong, also known as e Blind History Lady, can easily rattle o countless names and stories of blind people throughout history. For instance, you may know Stevie Wonder but you probably don’t know Gov. Elias Ammons. Chong has researched the stories of the blind for over three decades. She excitedly shares their biographies with anyone willing to listen, primarily through a monthly email list.

“People often nd the stories hard to believe, that there’s something special about these blind people,” Chong said. “If you read on, you do nd that there was something special about them because they just never quit.”

Chong, who lives in Aurora, was born blind into a family that understood her struggles. ree of her four sisters and her mother were also born blind. Chong said the support and connection she received from her family is rare for the majority of blind people.

“Everything you do feels like you’re reinventing the wheel,” Chong said. “And you may not have a community around you to help you not feel that way.”

Almost 8% of the U.S. population are visually impaired in some way, according to Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute.

Just over 4 million Americans aged 16 to 64 have a visual disability and another 3 million people 65-yearsold and older have one, according to the National Federation of the Blind.

Chong said most people go blind later in life due to health issues or injuries. She said it is easy for people to lose faith in their abili-

ties because of a stigma about what blind people can do.

“Too often we’re told that a blind person can’t do that, but blind people throughout the years have accomplished so much in their work,” Chong said. e main stories she tells involve the jobs and work that blind people have had over the years.

Over 70% of potentially employable adults with a visual disability in the United States do not have full-time jobs, according to Cornell University’s U.S. Disability Statistics.

Chong said sharing stories of blind people inspires people today to work the jobs that they want to do, in spite of the adversary.

For example, Chong said most Coloradans don’t know the state had a blind governor. Elias Ammons

was the 19th governor of the state, serving from 1913 to 1915. Although he had some vision, Chong said, it was not enough to read or recognize people across the room.

“ e irony of some of the discrimination is unbelievable when you nd out what these blind people accomplished later in their lives,” she said.

Chong moved to the state ve years ago, where she almost immediately started searching through records in the Colorado Center for the Blind basement. She said she discovered records dating back more than 100 years.

She led the e ort to digitize and transcribe the pages for blind people to read through optical character recognition, which is a system that scans printed text so it can be

spoken in synthetic speech or saved to a computer le.

e project started four years ago, and Chong said she is almost done putting the les on the Colorado Virtual Library website.

President of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Jessica Beecham said Chong’s work is vital for showing other blind people their rich history is out there and worth

“As a blind person, I never knew our history,” Beecham said in a press release. “I thought we as blind people were always the rst to do or try anything. at is so lonely. But, through her research, I, and thousands more are learning that we have broad shoulders of our blind ancestors to stand on, inspiring us to climb higher and reach farther.”

Chong won the Jacob Bolotin Award at the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Houston, Texas earlier this month. e award comes with $5,000 to help her advance her research into the history of the blind of the United States.

e Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards honor individuals and organizations that are a positive force in the lives of blind people. e namesake of the award, Bolotin (1888-1924), is hailed as the world’s rst physician who was blind from birth.

Each year the National Federation of the blind presents the awards at its annual convention. is is the second time she received this award for her work, the rst coming in 2018.

Her new project will take her to the Library of Congress archives in Washington D.C. where she will research and tell the history of an awards program through the Harmon Foundation from 1928-1932.

“ is award means a lot to me,” Chong stated. “It represents the validation by my peers that my work to uncover the lost history of our blind ancestors is important.”

To join Chong’s monthly email list, send an email to theblindhistorylady@gmail.com.

Castle Rock

Peggy Chong with the Jacob Bolotin Award at the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Houston earlier this month. COURTESY PHOTO

Unhoused Coloradans turn to methamphetamine as a form of protection

BY ALISON BERG AND ZACH BEN-AMOTS

Stephen Copeland hardly knows life outside of prison.

He has spent 24 of his 65 years of life rotating through correctional facilities in the state. He can count them all and recite how long he stayed in each, and for what offense.

Most recently, Copeland did 24 years in the Limon Correctional Facility for arson.

Now living on the street in Colorado Springs, Copeland does his best to stay out of trouble by cleaning up after himself, not using drugs in front of too many people and avoiding ghts. But life inside could have been worse, Copeland said. He spent his days lifting weights, socializing and trying to forget the grim realities of living inside a locked box with little to look forward to on the outside.

Other prisoners could be brutal, he said. Fights were frequent and Copeland said inmates often had to make rash decisions to protect themselves or others.

He survived as a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, a white supremacist gang. He was a member of Aryan Brotherhood long before prison, though Copeland said people have two choices when they’re incarcerated: join a gang or fall victim to a gang.

“I got more respect in prison than I did out here, by far,” Copeland said. “I knew all the fellows in the joint and they all knew me.”

Copeland was introduced to white supremacy as a teenager in Colorado Springs, where he grew up. He said the Aryan Brotherhood and its beliefs aren’t uncommon in Colorado’s second-largest city. On its surface, Colorado Springs is known for its proximity to Pikes Peak, mili-

tary presence and its evangelical base. But the city has a dark underbelly, Copeland said. One of white supremacy, violence and heavy drug usage.

Around the same time he was introduced to violent racism, Copeland also found methamphetamine. He snorted and ingested the drug for decades, then began smoking it after his most recent exit from prison, six years ago.

Copeland is part of a growing number of people experiencing homelessness who use methamphetimine to stay awake longer and protect their belongings. While opioids used to be responsible for the majority of overdose deaths, El Paso County data show meth is now

to blame for the majority share of overdoses in the Colorado Springs area.

In the early years of his usage, sobriety was a nice idea, Copeland said. ough it may never have been a real possibility, it was always a goal in the distant background.

At 65, all of Copeland’s family members are dead, he has no close friends, and his days revolve around evading police and staying awake long enough to guard his belongings from other unhoused people who are seeking replacements after police take their belongings. Copeland also has Crohn’s disease, a digestive disease that makes eating di cult and often painful. He described the disease are-ups as “you’re starving but you can’t eat because you’ll get sick.”

Denim shorts that stop just above his kneecaps reveal sores up and down Copeland’s legs. ey are symptoms of the disease. He doesn’t wear a shirt, exposing more sores and bones on the upper half of his body covered by thin layers of skin.

On an April morning, he smokes a cigarette next to a group of other unhoused folks on a torn-up couch at the corner of Uintah and 19th Streets, just outside a shopping plaza with a grocery store, car wash and thrift store. e group discusses a path forward after police took an acquaintance’s sleeping bag, tent and clothing. Copeland’s belongings survived the raid. He’s not sure how, but he’s grateful.

e day is standard for Copeland: try and force himself to eat some of what he bought with his monthly $60 in food stamps, cross his ngers that the police don’t target his belongings and smoke enough meth to make life a little more bearable.

For Copeland, life without meth sounds far worse than one with it.

“Right now, reality sucks and meth is an escape from reality,” Copeland said. “I used to have pretty good control over my use, but now I don’t care anymore.”

Steven Copeland holds up his pipe to show his primary method of using meth. Copeland says he uses more meth now than ever before, calling it an e ective painkiller for chronic health issues and also an escape from the challenges of homelessness.

“Meth: you can’t get away from it” ough Copeland has few people he considers “friends,” he says he knows most unhoused people in Colorado Springs, at least those within two miles of him.

“Pretty much all of them do meth,” Copeland said of others living outside. “ is is probably the meth capital of the United States. It’s everywhere. You can’t get away from it.”

Copeland said he has a few friends with indoor housing, and he occasionally exchanges drugs for a few-night’s stay. A gram of meth and an eighth of weed can buy him three nights, a few home-cooked meals and a shower. While living on the streets and forcing himself to eat dry noodles, a meal and shower are luxurious for Copeland. e 2022 Point-in-Time Count, a survey administered annually in El Paso County measuring the county’s houseless population and factors contributing to homelessness, found 14% of unhoused people in Colorado Springs cite Substance use disorder as a reason for their homelessness.

PJ Higgins, the opioid prevention project manager for the Community Health Partnership, a Colorado Springs nonpro t that works on health equity issues, said that number doesn’t represent everyone who has substance use disorder. Most who have the disorder are not homeless, and many who are experiencing homelessness use substances but don’t cite their usage as a reason for their circumstances.

“Certainly, there’s a strong interaction between people who are homeless and substance use disorder,” Higgins said. “Substance Use Disorder does become a signi cant barrier to exiting homelessness.”

Homeless shelters do not allow drugs inside their facilities, and many pathways to long-term housing require sobriety as a prerequisite. ose who are ready to get sober immediately can choose rehabilitation facilities, but those are often expensive. And for many, sobriety is an ultimate goal, but the harsh realities of living outside make it feel impossible.

“When people don’t have access to care, often what happens is they

Steven Copeland has used meth for most of his life. He is part of a growing number of people experiencing homelessness in Colorado Springs who use methamphetimine to stay awake longer and protect their belongings.

PHOTO COURTESY ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

turn to a substance in order to help navigate or self-medicate the condition they’re dealing with,” Higgins added. “ inking about Substance Use Disorder not as a series of bad choices but as the result of a need to manage trauma and its impacts on mental health and state of mind and ability to navigate the ups and downs in life in a way that’s healthy is a key component of understanding.”

Melissa Chizmar is the prevention services manager at Southern Colorado Health Network, where she oversees the safe needle and supplies exchange program.

Melissa Chizmar, prevention services manager at the Southern Colorado Health Network, said of the unhoused folks she works with, more than half use methamphetamine.

“Meth, because it’s a stimulant, is going to keep people awake,” Chizmar said. “I think that’s important when you think about how cold winter nights can be and the thefts you see during that time because of exposure, which can certainly be a reason why some people might use meth, to ensure they survive the night.”

Meth and heroin are the most used substances reported among the unhoused community, Chizmar said. Meth is the most common.

Many unhoused people, Chizmar explained, turn to meth and other substances to cope with trauma –either pre-existing trauma or trauma made worse by surviving harsh winters, encampment sweeps, and general hostility, realities that come alongside homelessness.

“We de nitely see here in Colorado Springs that addiction and homelessness often overlap,” Chizmar said. “Addiction doesn’t occur

in a vacuum. It’s often a result of the environment.”

Death in small doses

Until about ve years ago, opioids accounted for the majority of drug overdoses, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

But according to data from the El Paso County Coroner’s O ce, methamphetamine accounted for 48 of the county’s 216 drug overdoses in 2022. A combination of meth and fentanyl came just behind with 42 deaths. Fentanyl alone accounted for 36 deaths.

Data provided by the El Paso County Coroner’s O ce

Drug-related accidental deaths also jumped by 55% between 2021 and 2022, according to the coroner’s data.

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid used in hospitals as a pain reliever. But the drug – which is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine – is found in much of the drug supply on the streets, often unbeknownst to the people buying and using illicit drugs. Because fentanyl is so potent, two milligrams is considered a lethal dose, according to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

Chizmar said many who died via fentanyl overdose often had no idea they were using the potent opioid to begin with. Many thought they were using meth alone without knowing their stimulant was laced with fentanyl. Chizmar described this scenario as extremely common.

“We know that so much supply is contaminated with fentanyl that it’s essentially turning people into poly-substance users, even if that isn’t something they wanted,” Chizmar said.

ough Chizmar and Higgins said fentanyl is di cult to avoid if a person is using illicit drugs, some

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Legals

Public Trustees

COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION

CRS §38-38-103

FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0237-2023

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

On May 23, 2023, 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)

REGINA BALAGUL

Original Beneficiary(ies)

MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION

SYSTEMS, INC. ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR NORTHPOINTE BANK

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC

Date of Deed of Trust

December 11, 2020

County of Recording

Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust

December 11, 2020

Recording Information

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

E1074447

Original Principal Amount

$240,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance

$232,270.47

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 of the terms thereof

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

LOT 5, BLOCK 5, SOUTHWIND SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known by street and number as:

7232 S SHERMAN ST, CENTENNIAL, CO 80122-1158.

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, 09/20/2023, 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: 7/27/2023

Last Publication: 8/24/2023

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: 05/23/2023

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

By:

Michael Westerberg, Public

Trustee

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

Anna Johnston #51978

Randall M. Chin #31149

David W. Drake #43315

Ryan Bourgeois #51088

Joseph D. DeGiorgio #45557 Barrett, Frappier & Weisserman, LLP 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700,

Denver, CO 80204 (303) 350-3711

Attorney File # 00000009804766

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

Legal Notice NO. 0237-2023

First Publication: 7/27/2023

Last Publication: 8/24/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103

FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0208-2023

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

On May 9, 2023, 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) Miguel Casillas Guevara

Original Beneficiary(ies) MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR CITYWIDE HOME LOANS, LLC, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt COLORADO HOUSING AND FINANCE AUTHORITY

of Deed of Trust

16, 2020

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 12 AND 13, BLOCK 15, TOWN OF SHERIDAN, TOGETHER WITH THAT PORTION OF VACATED PARK PLACE, AS A RESULT OF VACATION, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known by street and number as: 3332 S Clay 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, 09/06/2023, 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: 7/13/2023

Last Publication: 8/10/2023

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: 05/09/2023 Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee

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

resenting the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Alison L Berry #34531

N. April Winecki #34861

David R. Doughty #40042

Nicholas H. Santarelli #46592

Lynn M. Janeway #15592

Janeway Law Firm, P.C. 9540 Maroon Circle, Suite 320, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 706-9990

Attorney File # 22-026877

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

Legal Notice NO. 0208-2023

First Publication: 7/13/2023

Last Publication: 8/10/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0202-2023

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

On May 9, 2023, 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)

Choice Property Investments LLC, a Colorado Limited Liability Company

Original Beneficiary(ies)

Merchants Mortgage & Trust Corporation

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt

Toorak Capital Partners, LLC

Date of Deed of Trust

March 21, 2022

County of Recording

Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust

April 08, 2022

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

E2039861

Original Principal Amount

$450,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance

$450,000.00

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 make timely payments required under said Deed of Trust and the Evidence of Debt secured thereby

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

LOT 17 AND 18, BLOCK 20, JACKSON'S

BROADWAY HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO

Also known by street and number as: 4166 South Delaware 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, 09/06/2023, 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

County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee

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

Erin Croke #46557

Steven Bellanti #48306

Holly Shilliday #24423

Ilene Dell'Acqua #31755

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

Attorney File # CO-23-955469-LL

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

©Public Trustees' Association of Colorado Revised 1/2015

Legal Notice NO. 0202-2023

First Publication: 7/13/2023

Last Publication: 8/10/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION

CRS §38-38-103

FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0222-2023

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

On May 16, 2023, 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)

Brenda Stokes

Original Beneficiary(ies)

Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as Beneficiary, as nominee for Nations Lending Corporation, it successors and assigns

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt Nations Lending Corporation

Date of Deed of Trust

April 16, 2021

County of Recording Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust

April 22, 2021

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

E1066103

Original Principal Amount

$480,260.00

Outstanding Principal Balance

$468,991.12

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 36 AND 37, BLOCK 5, RESUBDIVISION OF BLOCK 1, 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 15 AND 16 OF WINDERMERE GALLUP'S SUBURBAN HOME, SUBDIVISION, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known by street and number as: 5949 S Bemis St, Littleton, CO 80120.

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

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 09/13/2023, 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.

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

DATE: 05/16/2023

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

By: Michael Westerberg, 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 # CO21434

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

Legal Notice NO. 0222-2023

First Publication: 7/20/2023

Last Publication: 8/17/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0199-2023

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

On May 5, 2023, 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)

Earl T Brotten, Jr.

Original Beneficiary(ies)

CANVAS CREDIT UNION

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt

CANVAS CREDIT UNION

Date of Deed of Trust

February 18, 2022

County of Recording

Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust

February 24, 2022

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

E2021989

Original Principal Amount $405,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance $400,066.34

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

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

LOT 44, HOMESTEAD IN THE WILLOWS FILING NO. 3, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

APN #: 207529204027

Also known by street and number as: 6703 South Locust Court, Centennial, CO 80112.

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, 09/06/2023, 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 Publication7/13/2023

Last Publication8/10/2023

FROM PAGE 23 METH

unhoused folks said the powerful, often lethal opioid is banned from their communities.

“If anybody caught you with it over here, you could get beat up on sight,” said Skittles, a houseless man living on the west side of Colorado Springs. “ ere’s a certain look with heroin and a certain look with fentanyl. I can tell the di erence and fentanyl isn’t allowed.”

Skittles has lived on the streets, o and on, since he was about 12 years old. ere aren’t many drugs he hasn’t tried. ough fentanyl and heroin can look similar, Skittles said he can di erentiate easily from his decades of personal drug usage. He’s lost friends to fentanyl overdoses and recently revived a friend experiencing an overdose using naloxone, an overdose-reversing nasal spray.

“It was very scary because he didn’t even turn blue for a while. No warning, and by the time he turned blue, I’m sure he would have been dead and there would be no bringing him back if I didn’t know what to do,” Skittles said. “It doesn’t take much of that fentanyl sh— to kill somebody.”

Name of PublicationLittleton 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: 05/05/2023

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

By: Michael Westerberg, 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 #40042

Nicholas H. Santarelli #46592

Lynn M. Janeway #15592

Janeway Law Firm, P.C. 9540 Maroon Circle, Suite 320, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 706-9990

Attorney File # 23-029786

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.

Legal Notice No. 0199-2023

First Publication: July 13, 2023

Last Publication: August 10, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent

COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION

CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE

SALE NO. 0192-2023

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

On May 2, 2023, 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)

MASOUD MORADI AND JOSEPH KONON

Original Beneficiary(ies)

MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR FAMILY

FIRST FUNDING, LLC

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt

Great Lake Funding I Trust

Date of Deed of Trust

March 11, 2019

County of Recording

Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust

March 26, 2019

e worst part, Skittles said, was the friend had no idea he was using fentanyl.

“It’s like playing Russian Roulette with ve bullets,” Skittles said. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

After the friend was revived, Skittles told his friend that he needs to get fentanyl testing strips — available at most pharmacies and community health centers — as well as start carrying naloxone.

Along with clean supplies for drug use, Southern Colorado Health network provides a variety of health and hygiene products, as well as emergency supplies like naloxone in case of overdoses.

“I was like, look, dude, you’re gonna die if this happens again,” Skittles recalled, clenching a feast and staring straight ahead. “ is s–is very, very bad.”

Skittles was an alcoholic for 20 years. He spends most days chasing benzodiazepines with a bottle of Kentucky Deluxe Whiskey. e combination helped him sleep through frosty winter nights and took his mind away from ashbacks of an abusive childhood.

He had enough one day.

“I just got tired of it, honestly,” Skittles said. “Just kind of happened.”

Losing friends to fentanyl and COVID-19 is common for those

Book/Page No.)

D9025671

outside, added Jimbo, another unhoused person and one of Skittles’ friends.

“Being out here is backward,” Jimbo said. “Right is wrong and wrong is right. All your friends are dying o and you just have to keep going.”

Now, Skittles drinks alcohol on occasion and smokes cannabis to make it through his days.

He keeps a sandwich bag of weed in a jar of peanut butter. A halfripped-o label reveals the crystalized green nuggets. He points to cannabis as a lifesaver for him and those around him.

“I’ve seen a lot of hard s— and I know what it can do, and it isn’t good,” Skittles said.

“But these days, all I want to do is hurt a cheeseburger,” he adds, cracking a half-smile and nodding his head. “Loving and hurting a cheeseburger. at’s it for me.”

Approaching solutions

Higgins and Chizmar said the waron-drugs methods of criminalizing addiction are ine ective and often cause more harm than good, as they drive people to use illicit substances without knowing what is actually in their supply.

“We know that recovery, over the long-term, is something that’s oriented around building community and connection and nding some

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: 05/02/2023

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

By: Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee

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

Anna Johnston #51978

Randall M. Chin #31149

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

THE REAL PROPERTY, TOGETHER WITH IMPROVEMENTS, IF ANY, IN THE COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

TRACT 20, PLAT OF RESUBDIVISION OF TRACTS 19 (PARTLY), 20, 21, 22, 23, COUNTRY HOMES, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known by street and number as: 49 SUNSET DRIVE, 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, 08/30/2023, 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 Publication7/6/2023

Last Publication8/3/2023

Name of PublicationLittleton Independent

way to feel ful lled and have direction,” Higgins said. “It’s di cult to do that in prison.”

Higgins said Colorado Springs needs more non-criminalization resources across the spectrum of usage, from sober living facilities, detoxi cation centers and simple harm reduction methods like naloxone and fentanyl test trip accessibility.

“I think there’s a lot more to treatment in terms of how we meet people where they are at,” Higgins said. “Mandated treatment tends to not be as successful as treatment that participated in on a voluntary basis.”

ough such programs have been criticized as “enabling” illicit drug usage, research does not support this. Chizmar also said clean needle access and places to safely dispose of needles is vital. Such access helps prevent the spread of diseases which can often be terminal.

“ is has been an incredibly important intervention because it’s extremely e ective and there’s over 30 years of research that demonstrates that,” Chizmar said. “It’s primarily a disease prevention model.”

David W. Drake #43315

Ryan Bourgeois #51088

Joseph D. DeGiorgio #45557 Barrett, Frappier & Weisserman, LLP 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80204 (303) 350-3711 Attorney File # 00000009230798

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.

Legal Notice No. 0192-2023

First Publication: July 6, 2023

Last Publication: August 3, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103

FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0224-2023

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

On May 16, 2023, 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)

Brian C Reseigh

Original Beneficiary(ies)

Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as beneficiary, as nominee for Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc.

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt

PennyMac Loan Services, LLC Date of Deed of Trust

December 11, 2020 County of Recording Arapahoe Recording Date of Deed of Trust

December 15, 2020

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

E0175481

Original Principal Amount $259,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance $251,159.26

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

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

See Attached Legal Description Also known by street and number as: 9079 E. Panorama Circle #217, Englewood, CO 80112.

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, 09/13/2023, 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: 7/20/2023

Last Publication: 8/17/2023

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: 05/16/2023

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

By: Michael

Westerberg, Public Trustee

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

Alexis R. Abercrombie #56722

Scott D. Toebben #19011

Aricyn J. Dall #51467

David W Drake #43315

Randall S. Miller & Associates PC 216 16th Street, Suite 1210, Denver, CO 80202 (720) 259-6710

Attorney File # 23CO00112-1

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

Legal Description 0224-2023

The land referred to herein is situated in the state of Colorado, County of Arapahoe described as follows:

Building A, Condominium Unit 217, Dry Creek Crossing Condominiums, according to the Condominium Map for Dry Creek Crossing Condominiums and as described in the Declaration of Condominium and of Easements, Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions of Dry Creek Crossing, recorded on September 1, 2006, in the office of the Clerk & Recorder of Arapahoe County, State of Colorado, at Reception No. B6126819 and Condominium Map for Dry Creek Crossing Condominiums recorded September 1, 2006 at Reception No. B6126818, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado.

Building A, Garage Unit 51, Dry Creek Crossing Condominiums, according to the Condominium Map for Dry Creek Crossing Condominiums and as described in the Declaration of Condominium and of Easements, Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions of Dry Creek Crossing, recorded on September 1, 2006, in the office of the Clerk & Recorder of Arapahoe County, State of Colorado, at Reception No. B6126819 and Condominium Map for Dry Creek Crossing Condominiums recorded September 1, 2006 at Reception No. B6126818, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado.

Legal Notice NO. 0224-2023

First Publication: 7/20/2023

Last Publication: 8/17/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent ###

Centennial Legals July 27, 2023 * 2