SENTINEL EXPRESS C O M M E R C E
VOLUME 34 32
C I T Y
WEEK, OF MARCH 3, 2022 TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2020
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ISSUE48 9 ISSUE
New COVID-19 restrictions will prohibitFOUL indoorREACTION dining, personal gatherings Coloradans
worried about water, wildfires and cost of living About 3,500 residents surveyed by Colorado College BY CHRIS OUTCALT THE COLORADO SUN
Eagle Ridge Academy’s James Kyren Allen reacts to a foul call as Denver School of Science/Technology-Green Valley Ranch’s
Public concern about climate Johnson Asamonye prepares to head for the free-throw line. Eagle Ridge controlled play in the semifinal game of the Colorado/ change and challenges involving Confluence League tournament and beat the Raptors 61-47. The win moves the Warriors into the regional playoffs this week. water quantity and quality have PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH increased sharply during the past the concern registered that high, also indicated that they changed where decade, with more than 70% of Colodramatically over the years.” at 76%. and when they recreate outdoors due radans now viewing drought, inadeDuring its first few iterations, the On the question of how to address to crowding or the impacts of climate quate water supplies and low levels in poll sampled residents in Colorado, water quantity challenges, responchange. Those numbers were highest rivers and streams as a serious issue, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and dents overwhelmingly favored using according to new results from a longMontana. The poll has since expanded in Colorado, where 58% of responwater more wisely (81%) as opposed term poll run by Colorado College. to include Idaho, Nevada and Arizona. dents said they made adjustments to diverting water from rivers in less because of crowding and 31% shifted “This is a tool for policymakers and “We definitely see some extreme populated areas toward more densely because of climate change factors. the public to gauge citizen attitudes,” concerns about water,” pollster Lori populated communities (14%). One question that was new to this said Katrina Miller-Stevens, director Weigel of New Bridge Strategy said. “There’s a very clear mandate year’s survey, and also received high of the State of the Rockies Project. “We’re consistently seeing now folks across the Mountain West that they levels of concern, was about the risHeading into an election year, really concerned about droughts and want to focus on conservation,” Weithere’s greater attention on policy, and ing cost of living, which more than reduced snowpack.” gel said. 70% of respondents deemed either Metz said high numbers of RepubliThe telephone and online interview Among Coloradans, 86% supported “extremely” serious or “very” sericans, Democrats and independents polled 3,440 residents of eight Moun“creating new national parks, Nevada. In indicated that a public official’s stance ous in every tain West states. Weigel led the study county is required to follow basednaon the Bystate Ellisexcept Arnold tional monuments, national wildlife Colorado, that figure hit 73%; both on conservation issues will with pollster of Fairbank, A long line ofDave carsMetz outside the city of Brighton’s rapid testing site be at an severity of a county’s local virus spread. Colorado Community Media refuges and tribal protected areas Idaho and Montana topped 80% on important factor in determining who Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates Riverdale Regional Park. The site has had to close early many days in recent this question. Theprotect dial grew out of sites the state’s safer-atto historic or areas for they vote for. “What really stands for Colorado College’s State of the weeks due to high demand. County’s 14-day test rate all As Denverpeople metro counties continue home order — the policy came after outdoor recreation. Andthat 83% of Colo“Younger and more Repub-to out is the degree topositivity which, despite Rockies Project, which aims toAdams enradans supported a national goal inch closer toregister local stay-at-home orders lican voters that as a more the statewide stay-at-home order thisof the in theHealth world,Department. the levels of hance thepercent, public’s as of Nov. 17, according was 15.9 tochange Tri-County “conserving 30% of land andtypes inland serious problem,” Weigel said. “It’s support we’re seeing forhigher most ofthan these understanding of socioeconomic under Colorado’s system of coronavirusspring and allowed numerous of Brighton and Commerce City’s test positivity rates were both waters in America, and 30% of its defi nitely a top-tier concern.” ideas has remained very steady, Metz challenges in the Rocky Mountain related restrictions, the state announced businesses to reopen. 13 percent. Forty-five people in Brighton and 29 in Commerce City have ocean areas by 2030.” Not surprisingly, given that the poll said. West. a newconducted level of rules thatdays prohibits The state recently switched to color died from COVID-19 related health issues.This To limit of86% COVID-19, was in the afterindoor the year,the forspread example, of reIn particular, concern over indining and personal gatherings — a identifiers —is levels and Sun, spondentsthat saidprohibits a politician’s stance on Marshall fire, Coloradans also indiadequate supplies is up This story fromblue, Theyellow Colorado at least 15water counties moved to30tighter restrictions indoor and change that applies to the majority of the cated a high level of concern about the environment was either “impororange rather than numbered levels — to percentage points since the poll was a journalist-owned news outlet based personal gatherings. wildfi res. In Colorado, 76% of respontant” or “very important,” with 41% first conducted in 2011. Alarm about in Denver and covering the state. For Denver metro area and many counties in avoid confusion. Until Nov. 17, level red said they were either “extrememaking up the latter category. In 2016, dents climate change is up 25 percentage more, to supportorder. The Colorado other regions. meantand a stay-at-home Now, level ly” concerned or “very” concerned only 31% of respondents identified points compared to responses from 12 Sun, visit coloradosun.com. The ColoThe state’s COVID-19 dial, which has red — “severe risk” — is the about “uncontrollable wildfires that this issue as “very important.” years ago. “We called it global warmrado Sun is a partner in thesecondColorado Photo by Belen Ward been in effect since September, is the set threaten homes and property.” MonA possible explanation, Metz said, ing in the very first survey,” Weigel News Conservancy, owner of Colorado of different levels ofother restrictions that each Community Media. tana was the only state in which is that a significant number of people said. “This has really inched up quite
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March 3, 2022
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24-Hour Phone Lines 303-654-0112 • 303-857-2290 Brighton: 75 S. 13th Avenue Obituaries, Arrangements and Resources Online at
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Marlys Jean (Einspahr) Harp April 25, 1940 - February 21, 2022
Mrs. Marlys Jean Harp of Brighton, Colorado died peacefully on February 21 at the age of 81, surrounded by friends and family.
Marlys was born April 25, 1940, to Lorenz and Esther (née Meyer) Einspahr at the Einspahr home just north of Holyoke, Colorado. She was baptized May 12, 1940, at Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke and was confirmed there on April 11, 1954. Marlys attended Holyoke public schools and graduated from Phillips County High School with the class of 1958. Her class was small but mighty, and to this day they continue gathering for reunions every five years and reminiscing, a highlight of Marlys’s social calendar that she looked forward to planning and attending. From a very early age Marlys demonstrated a talent and love for music. Marlys first served as a professional musician when she became the organist at Zion in Holyoke, setting her on a lifelong career as a leader of music in the church. She attended Concordia Teacher’s College (now Concordia University) in Seward, Nebraska and graduated in 1964 with a degree in Education. Even before graduation, Marlys began her teaching career, landing a position at Zion Lutheran School in Brighton, Colorado. Marlys taught hundreds of students at Zion in more than 25 years leading music for the school and teaching first grade. Her students remember her strict-butkind teaching style and still fondly recall the elaborate Spring Concerts and Christmas programs that she would organize each year.
choirs and soloists – Marlys loved entertaining her congregation and community, complete with costumes and corny jokes. Even as she was in the hospital, she was jotting down ideas for her next program. Marlys enjoyed hosting meetings of the Brighton Euterpean Society, where she and her musically inclined friends would entertain each other with solos and collaborations followed by coffee and conversation. She also lent her talents to Brighton Music, accompanying and participating in orchestral concerts several times each year. Marlys met and married her husband of 52 years, Robert (Bob) Harp in 1965, falling in love with him even though he “couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.” They were the last couple to be married at the old Zion Lutheran Church on Strong Street before the church moved across town. Together they would raise two sons, Vaughn and David, in whom Marlys instilled her passion for music, bringing them up to play violin, piano and several other instruments. Her home was perpetually filled with music.
Her love of music was surpassed only by her love of family. Marlys relished every opportunity to get together with relatives and was a legendary hostess, known especially for highly competitive card tournaments and game nights. She particularly delighted in seeing her granddaughter Aurelia perform and blossom into a pianist, singer, dancer, and actress. Marlys’s final public appearance on the organ was with Aurelia on Christmas Eve, Marlys loved practicing organ and piano and 2021 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in eventually became the Organist and Director Moorestown, New Jersey where they played a piano/organ duet with hardly a dry eye in the of Music at Zion, a position she would hold for over 50 years until her retirement in 2015. congregation. Marlys was preceded in death by her She briefly served in the same capacity at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Denver, as well and husband Bob and her son, Vaughn. She is survived by her son David (Kristin) Harp; continued playing as a substitute organist for various congregations in the Denver area and granddaughter Aurelia; three siblings: Mrs. northern Colorado even after her retirement. Vivian A. Ruby of Brush, Colorado, Mr. Clyde D. Einspahr and his wife Phyllis Her church was the center of her life, and of Holyoke, Colorado, and Mr. Byron B. she participated in social and community Einspahr of St. Petersburg, Florida; as well as outreach activities of the church outside of music, including several terms as President of numerous nieces and nephews. the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League A celebration of life took place at Zion (LWML). Lutheran Church, 1400 Skeel Street in Marlys established the bell choir program at Zion in the early 1970s and built a highly regarded program that at one time included as many as four bell choirs that performed at bell festivals throughout the area. Her knowledge and dedication to the art of bell ringing led her to serve as the Rocky Mountain Region President of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. Children’s choirs, vocal choirs, bell MORALES
Brighton on Tuesday, March 1 at 10:00 AM. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Brighton. Memorials honoring Marlys may be designated to Zion Lutheran Church Music Fund. To donate online, go to zionbrighton. org click “Give Now” and select “Memorial Fund,” or donate by mail to 1400 Skeel St., Brighton, CO 80601. Tabor Funeral Home, Brighton, CO handled arrangements.
Leo P. Morales
November 16, 1944 - February 19, 2022
Leo P. Morales, 77, of Denver, Colorado passed away peacefully on February 19th, 2022, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born in Brighton Colorado on November 16th, 1944, spent several years in the army and returned to Colorado. Leo will be dearly missed and always remembered. His passions included caring for his family, fishing, football and drinking a cold Coors light. He had a comforting spirit and a smile that would light up any room.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Patricia A. Morales, his daughters Michelle, Dionne and Melissa, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Leo requested a celebration of life to be held in his honor. We request all of Leo’s loved ones to join us in celebrating his beautiful life at Radiance Church at 8301 Rosemary Street in Commerce City on March 3rd, 2022. The memorial service will begin at 10am with a reception to follow from 11am-1pm.
MAGNUSON
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Elsie “Sandy” (Lindner) Magnuson May 25, 1932 - February 21, 2022
Elsie (Sandy) Magnuson passed away on 2/21/22. She was born on 5/25/32 to Louise (Bogert) and Arthur Lindner, the 5th generation of a Keokuk, IA family. She graduated from HS in 1950 and attended University of Northern Iowa. She came to Denver, Colorado on March 1, 1954 and was married to Edward (Pete) Magnuson on November 6, 1954. Both were charter members of Northglenn United Church of Christ and were active in the Youth Group and Girl Scouts. She was HEITSCHMIDT
a Federal employee for 30 years. Her lifelong interests were gardening, art, history, and family. She was preceded in death by her husband and greatgranddaughter Jessica Ridgeway. She is survived by her three daughters, Christine, Gay and Wendy, along with 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. A coffee in her honor will be held from 1-4pm Monday, March 7, 2022, at Westview Recreation Center, 10747 W. 108 th Ave, Westminster, CO
Allen Gene Heitschmidt
October 21, 1941 - February 22, 2022
Allen Gene Heitschmidt was born on October 21,1941 in Great Bend, Kansas to Walter C. & Verna M.A. Heitschmidt. He was the middle of three boys.
in-law Jon (2008) and Andrew (2009) followed by five grandchildren.
In January 1951 the family moved to the farm in Brighton, Colorado. Allen graduated from Brighton High School in 1959. He then went on to the University of Colorado in Boulder. Partway through college he joined the Army and was deployed to Korea. Upon the death of his father, he was honorably discharged to help his mother on the farm. He then returned to Boulder and completed his degree in chemistry. After college he got a job as a quality control engineer for IBM in Boulder. He continued to live and work on the farm as well. He traveled frequently to Japan throughout his career, as well as to France, Germany, and Switzerland. He retired from Lexmark (IBM) in 2001.
He was a dedicated servant of the church, both at Zion and then Mt. Calvary. Allen loved to interact with people, whether he knew them or not. While he could be quite serious, he also had quick and dry sense of humor. In his retirement years he enjoyed gardening, baking, playing cards, wine making, traveling, and spoiling his “perfect” grandchildren. Allen was preceded in death by his father, mother, and older brother, Wayne. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughters, Julie (Jon) Schmidt and Debbie (Andrew) Boernke; five grandchildren; aunt, Mary Louise Behrhorst; brother, Edwin Heitschmidt; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Memory In Loving
In 1973 he met a teacher named Kathy Fink. They were married on February 1, 1975 at Zion Lutheran Church in Brighton. Their family grew with the addition of Julie in 1976 and Debbie in 1979. In 1985 the family moved off the farm and into town. The family grew again with the addition of sons-
Services honoring Allen were on Monday, February 28, 2022, beginning at 2:00 p.m., at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 650 South Park Avenue, in Fort Lupton, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran School, 1400 Skeel Street, Brighton, Colorado 80601 and Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Fort Lupton, Colorado. Tabor Funeral Home, Brighton, CO handled arrangements.
Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. 303-566-4100 obituaries@coloradocommunitymedia.com Self placement available online at thebrightonblade.com
Commerce City Sentinel Express 3
March 3, 2022
Geothermal power planned for United Power Brighton Geothermal is the way for a cleaner environment BYBELENWARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
United Power Brighton signed a letter of intent with the geothermal development company Transitional Energy to bring a clean energy pilot program for oil and gas operations to its service territory, according to a press release by United Power. “Utilizing clean economical geothermal energy to provide local power to be dispatched when needed is a critical component of our growing energy portfolio,” United Power’s Chief Energy Resources Officer Dean Hubbuck said in a written statement. “Geothermal
energy represents a huge untapped renewable resource that can reduce our reliance on power from other traditional sources.” Transitional Energy was founded in Colorado by Salina Derichsweiler and Benjamin Burke. “We have oil and gas workers who have been spent their whole career in the industry, and entire communities are built around oil and gas towns and the schools,” Derichsweiler said. “If we need to shut off oil and gas industries, there are consequences with that decision. We have to think about it from an energy transition (point of view), having that environmental justice and the economic justice, so that the communities that are built around this will have a way to pragmatically transition to a renewable economy with us. “We need their knowledge- we need
their experience to do this- we don’t want to leave people behind. We want them to come with us. It’s one of the other reasons why we’re doing this company,” she said. The geothermal energy program can be used on both operational and abandoned wells to convert geothermal waste to electricity, according to officials. Power plants currently use the Organic Rankine cycle method, the scientific name for using steam heat to turn a turbine to generate electricity. That converts water into steam then the steam expands through a turbine. Transitional Energy ElectraTherma technology does not use steam. “We won’t be using steam, instead we will be transferring the heat from the produced fluids from an oil and gas well to a working fluid with a lower boiling point than water,” said Johanna
Ostrum, chief operating officer and partner for Transitional Energy. The working fluid is a refrigerant that will turn into a vapor and spin a turbine to generate electricity. It will be cooled down by a chiller or liquid loop radiator, Ostrum said. “Think of it as an air conditioner run in reverse,” she said. Oil and gas drilling rigs and other pad equipment normally used traditional electric service as power. With the Transitional Energy partnership, the oil and gas drilling rigs can be fully powered entirely with geothermal energy, increasing efficiency, reducing energy fuel costs, and decreasing their carbon footprint. The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade partially funded the company with a grant.
Making the oil industry environmentally safe Colorado native thinks she has a way to solve the climate crisis BYBELENWARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A fan of geothermal energy who loves her state, Transitional Energy co-founder and CEO Salina Derichsweiler has a simple goal. “I am a native of Colorado and would like our state to lead the way when it comes to geothermal power generation,” said Derichsweiler. Derichsweiler’s passion to solve the climate crisis is behind her efforts to bring her company geo-thermal technology to its first pilot program in Colorado. She has an impressive history in the state. “I was the first Native American in our public schools to graduate and receive a scholarship,” she said. “When I graduated high school, the Denver Post had written an article about my childhood, foster care and the things I’ve overcome. I was off to the (Colorado) School of Mines when the vice president of technology at Marathon Oil tracked me down and offered me an internship. That’s how I got into the oil and gas industry; it kind of fell in my lap.” Derichsweiler grew up in Denver. Upon graduating from Aurora Central High School, she received a Boettcher Scholarship. She graduated valedictorian from Colorado School of Mines with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering and petroleum refining. She went on to receive an MBA in finance from Pepperdine University. Net carbon zero
Her goal is affordable and abundant energy. “When growing up, we were having to choose between ‘Do we pay our electric bill or do we buy food this month?’ “ she said. “The energy costs are critical to many people. I want to make sure it’s affordable and abundant as we transition to renewable energy resources.” Co-founder Benjamin Burke, the company’s chief technology officer, said they started by asking simple questions. “How do you make an oil and gas company net carbon zero? Is it possible, and how would you approach it?” said Derichsweiler. Derichsweiler and Burke convened an executive team with more than 100 years of combined expertise to plan out a transition. Derichsweiler said, “How can we solve this problem and look at a broader view of energy? The solution — why can’t it be both? Why can’t it be more of a hybrid approach to energy? We pragmatically transitioned from one space to the next.” COVID to climate The middle of a pandemic in February 2020 was a difficult time for any business to start a company, So, Transitional Energy had some challenges from the beginning, starting with upside-down prices and skeptical investors. They chose to tackle one problem — carbon pollution from energy generation. “Can we solve the problem at hand, to reduce carbon emissions, because we have the climate crisis to deal with,” Derichsweiler said. “That’s the way we solve it is to reduce carbon emissions. “We agreed upon the goal to solve that problem. It’s an idea about energy from abroad, and combine the specific goal of reducing carbon emissions.”
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Turning turbines Derichsweiler says traditional steampowered turbines — called the Organic Rankin Cycle Technology — have been the most common way of capturing heat waste and it’s been around for more than 100 years. Burning fuels create steam, which turns turbines which creates electricity. Over time, Transitional Energy’s team figured out new ways to use geothermal waste energy from oil and gas wells to turn the turbines more efficiently at lower temperatures.
“Traditional geothermal resources need a temperature that’s greater than 300 degrees Fahrenheit,” she said. “We have the chemistry that allows us to capture or be able to generate power from lower temperatures such as 150 to 300 Fahrenheit.” In Europe, with tougher regulations around oil and gas extraction, there has been a move to find additional uses for wasted heat from wells for several years. “In the U.S., the shale boom was SEE ENERGY, P4
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4 Commerce City Sentinel Express
March 3, 2022
A guide to the Colorado caucus Process began on March 1 BYSANDRAFISH THECOLORADOSUN
Colorado’s grassroots nomination process for this year’s election gets underway for Democratic and Republican party members next week. Precinct caucuses, which lead to county, congressional district and state nominating assemblies, are one way to make the June 28 primary election ballot. Candidates may also gather petition signatures, which are due to the Secretary of State’s Office on March 15. Some candidates may try both methods to get on the ballot. Others stick with the caucus system because paying to collect signatures can be costly, especially for statewide candidates. “It enables us not to have a pay-to-play system,” Colorado Republican Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown said last week in a caucus training session, noting that some states require steep fees to make the ballot. At the caucuses, attendees may discuss candidates and party platforms, while also electing delegates to the county assembly. Those county assembly delegates will nominate county-level candidates while electing people to
ENERGY FROM PAGE 3
happening, so all the capital was going to move to fossil fuels, “ she said. “This
attend congressional assemblies and the state assemblies. Both parties are holding state assemblies to nominate statewide candidates April 9. Here’s what you need to know to participate in the process. You must be registered in the party at your current address It’s too late to switch your party affiliation to attend a caucus. Caucus participants must be registered to the party with their correct address at least 22 days in advance. Unaffiliated voters may not participate in the caucus process, although they may vote in either Democratic or Republican primaries. Caucus times may vary Caucuses will be held March 1-5, as scheduled by each county’s political parties. County assemblies must be held by March 26. When and where is my caucus? Republicans may enter their address online to verify their identity and find their caucus location. Some county Republican parties publish lists of caucus locations. The state Democratic Party has a list of precinct caucus and county assembly locations and dates by county. Some county Democratic parties are holding meetings via Zoom instead of in person. technology is advanced enough that manufacturers have found uses for this equipment in commercial maritime situations and other industrial heatbased applications.” Derichsweiler envisions her company being a bridge between the manufacturers and the people who will
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Worth noting The Republican Party may request a “badge fee” to be a delegate to some assemblies. For instance, Douglas County charges $20 to attend the county assembly. In the past, the fee to attend the state assembly was $50 per delegate. The fees may be waived in some instances. Democrats don’t charge fees to participate. How are the decisions made? Precinct leaders will be elected at caucuses to organize future political activity. Caucus participants also will elect delegates and alternates to county assemblies. Delegates to county assemblies will select countywide candidates for the primary, as well as state legislative candidates in many instances. In state House or Senate districts with multiple counties, county assembly delegates who live in those districts will meet to select candidates. Republicans will hold their state assembly April 9 at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs. Several congressional district assemblies will be the day before that, while others may be held at different times. Democrats, on the other hand, will hold a virtual state assembly.
If a candidate receives at least 30% of the assembly vote in the first round of voting, they make the ballot. That means up to three candidates could be selected for the primary at an assembly. If no candidate receives 30%, a second round of voting takes place. Anyone who receives 30% on that second round makes the primary ballot. But if no one receives that minimum, the top two votegetters will make the ballot.
T
How do we know which candidates are running? The Sun is tracking candidates who file to run for Congress, statewide office and state legislature based on filings with the Federal Election Commission or the Secretary of State’s Office. However, some candidates may decide to run at county, congressional district or state assemblies on the spur of the moment. Typically, candidates make speeches asking delegates for their votes.
How are the candidates selected?
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.
be using this type of equipment. Her company has oil and gas clients that are on board with the environmental goals and focused on the reduction of carbon emissions. Their first demonstration will be in Nevada, and then Transitional Energy will focus the pilot program on
Colorado and work with major oil and gas companies on one side and with Brighton’s United Power to buy up the electricity they generate. “It’s how we commercialize what we call thermal resources so that waste heat generates power and set it up to be a benefit to Colorado,” she said.
Commerce City Sentinel Express 5
LOCAL
March 3, 2022
VOICES Is selling an art or is it science?
T
his is a question that gets asked a lot in the world of professional selling. Thought leaders and subject matter experts have debated it for years, and in the end, we all have come to recognize that it is a little bit of both, selling is an art and a science. Anyone in a professional selling role has probably learned this lesson through trial and error. Trying to learn sales scripts, a sales process, and adhere rigidly to both while selling leaves no room for interpretation, or art, and often times the salesperson comes off sounding a little bit robotic. Too much science and not enough art. And the salesperson who sticks to their own artistic interpretation of how to sell and strays so far away from their sales process also learns that too much art without any science isn’t effective either. The best salespeople take their craft very seriously. They study the sales process or the selling system that they follow, they do their research and gather valuable data and insights, and they leverage that knowledge to be in a better position to help their custom-
ers. And the very best salespeople know that they must learn how to do this in their own voice, with their own personality, and couple their scientific approach to selling with their own artistic nuances and style. Having spent time with thousands of Michael Norton salespeople over the years, I have a great appreciation for superior selling skills coupled with artistic impression. Unfortunately, I have also observed some truly awful attempts at selling where the salesperson didn’t use art or science, they basically defaulted to brute force. When salespeople do not have a system or process to follow, or they weren’t blessed with the personality or gifted with natural sales qualities, they default to brute force. What does “brute force” selling look like? Making as many calls as possible, speaking with as many people as possible, quick to present their products or services, does not ask any questions,
WINNING WORDS
assumes they know it all, tries to force the sale, and forcing their own agenda on their prospects, muscles their way through objections without tact, and generally isn’t very successful. There are always exceptions to every rule, but given my choice, I would take the top performing salespeople who have learned the value and have practiced and apply both art and science when selling. There are other well-known categories of salespeople such as the relationship builder and lone wolf. And there have been many studies and much research conducted relative to which type of salesperson is the most effective. My belief is that there is no one style that is better than the others. I know many lone wolves who excel in sales. I also have worked with many relationship builders who crush their numbers and have established trust with the customers. But I would say this, the very best of the best that I have seen blend a bit of all the styles with their own personality and voice. They are artists, and they are scientists, and they are typically on the higher end of the spectrum when it
comes to income. The one good thing about sellers who default to brute force is this, they are usually motivated and have a good work ethic. Imagine if we just took the time and invested in their development where we can harness the power of their fearlessness and willingness to get the job done with a proven sales process, while teaching them how to turn some of their brute force energy into artful communication and style, how much more effective they could become as professional sellers. What do you think? Is selling an art or a science? Have you enjoyed working with very polished and professional salespeople? Or have you ever been completely turned off by the brute force salesperson? I would love to hear your story at mnorton@xinnix.com, and when we can apply both art and science to everything we do in life, it really will be a better than good year. Michael Norton is the grateful president of XINNIX, a personal and professional coach, and a consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator to businesses of all sizes.
Electricity today is like Colorado’s road network a century ago
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magine life in Colorado before direct flights to ski towns, before the interstate highways or even two-lane paved highways. In 1922, the most expedient way to drive from Denver to Grand Junction was through Buena Vista. In winter, even that was impossible. No Continental Divide crossings were plowed until Berthoud Pass in 1930. Construction of roads came in increments. In the late 1930s, New Deal programs improved a primitive road across Loveland Pass and also replaced a horse trail with the first road over what is now called Vail Pass. The 1970s produced the four lanes of Interstate 70. In electricity, something similar has begun, but the steps promise to be more rapid. Three Colorado utilities, including the state’s largest, Xcel Energy, announced in January they will join something called an energy imbalance market in April 2023. Colorado’s second-largest electrical provider, Tri-State Generation & Transmission, and other utilities had previously joined the same market in 2021. Directly or indirectly, nearly every energy consumer in Colorado is impacted by these first small steps
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toward sharing electricity across broader geographic areas. Details can induce yawns, but the big idea should interest anybody who wants reduced emissions while maintaining reliability and reducing costs. Bryan Hannegan, chief executive of Holy Cross Energy, the cooperative serving Vail, Aspen and other areas along I-70, puts it succinctly. “We have a really ambitious and some would say impossible goal of 100% energy by 2030,” he said at the recent Colorado Solar and Storage Association conference. “A broader regional market is an absolutely critical part of our strategy.” The existing electrical system in Colorado and other western states is best understood as a bunch of semiisolated valleys or islands. By one measure, there are 18 such islands, connected but with little easy flow of electricity between them. Think toll roads. This new energy imbalance market is like a beginner ski slope. It provides some benefits, only the easiest tentative steps. The prize will be an organized market that efficiently matches supplies with
GUEST COLUMN Allen Best
LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
demands across a broad geographic area. A common market mechanism is called a regional transmission organization or RTO. Building new transmission will be expensive and siting difficult. “But if you like clean energy, you have to love transmission,” said Hannegan. Hannegan talked about being able to optimize the value of solar energy produced in the Roaring Fork Valley while also drawing on hydropower from the Pacific Northwest. Others think fondly of solar power in the desert Southwest even as Colorado cranks up production of wind on its eastern plains. Colorado in 2019 ordered a study, now complete, that conservatively found ratepayers will save 4% to 5% if utilities join an RTO. A 2021 law says utilities must join an RTO by 2030 or have a good reason why not. Jeff Baudier, the chief executive of Core Electric, the state’s largest electric cooperative, with 165,000 members in Castle Rock and surrounding areas, wants this wholesale market to happen soon. It will be studied forever if we let the utilities study it forever,” he said. “If you give utilities mandates, they will honor it. They may not like it at first, but we will figure out a way
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to make it work and protect the best interests of our customers.” The chief executive of United Power, the state’s second-largest cooperative, also wants to see Colorado utilities become part of an RTO sooner, not later. “This is a Nike moment,” said Mark Gabriel. “Just do it.” The cooperative serves metro Denver’s fast-growing northern fringe as well as the portions of the Wattenberg oil-and-gas patch. It currently gets wholesale power from Westminster-based Tri-State, but in December announced plans to leave that family to explore the world as a single. Gabriel, the chief executive, likened the utility’s changed status to somebody contemplating divorce who changes his or her relationship status on Facebook from “married” to “it’s complicated.” Complicated is also how almost everybody describes the task of joining or forming an RTO or some other large wholesale market. Gabriel wants a more hurried pace than the Colorado law provides. But there are major questions about which path to take. States have varied interests. Colorado
Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Sentinel Express. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.
SEE BEST, P6 Commerce City Sentinel Express (USPS 3886) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Commerce City, Colorado, Commerce City Sentinel Express is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton CO 80601. PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT Commerce City and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Commerce City Sentinel Express, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
6 Commerce City Sentinel Express
March 3, 2022
BRIEFS Redistricting Commerce City is beginning the process of redistricting, a project that will take up much of the next year. The city is offering a governance surveyr to get resident feedback about the makeup and structure of seats on city council and resdistricting of the city’s wards. The last meeting is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 Parkway Drive. Call 303-289-3600. ONGOING Vaccination clinic Adams County and the Tri-County Health Department are offering free vaccination clinics from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Anythink Commerce City, 7185 Monaco St. Walk with a doc Platte Valley Medical Center’s cardiac rehab team and Walk With A Doc will host monthly walks
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wants no emissions, while Wyoming wants to burn coal. Another issue is governance. One opportunity is California’s CAISO, which oversees the state bulk electrical system. But even if Colorado under Democrats thinks much like California, it won’t want to accept CAISO as it is currently governed.
with Dr. Christopher Cannon, an interventional cardiologist at Brighton Heart and Vascular Institute. This is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. After a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from the doctor, spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active and enjoy all the benefits that come from walking.
hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month. The program is for those who don’t have legal representation and need help navigating through legal issues. Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss such topics as family law, civil litigation, property and probate law. Call 303-405-3298 and ask for the Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours in advance.
Legal self-help clinic The Access to Justice Committee
Help for vets Qualified Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has a number of power chairs, power scooters and electric wheelchairs available. To find the closest facility to you visit www.va.gov/find-locations. Qualified Listeners also need volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, handyman services, help admin-
California must allow the organization independence. How about looking east? Colorado utilities are now dancing with the Arkansas-based Southwest Power Pool’s energy imbalance market. But getting married in an RTO is complicated by an important seam. Colorado and other mountain states are on different grids from Great Plains states, with only a few, narrow portals among them. Why not a third option, a new wholesale market that can still
balance diverse resources and demands across a broad geographic area, asks Alice Jackson, the chief executive of Xcel’s Energy’s Colorado division. Whatever the answer, the owner of the Climax Molybdenum Mine near Leadville, for many decades one of Colorado’s two largest electrical consumers, is ready for utility suppliers to join or create a broad, wholesale market. Failure to efficiently integrate supplies to meet demand represents
Boards/commissions’ openings Commerce City has openings for several of its boards and commissions, including the city’s cultural council, the housing authority and the Derby review board. Visit https://www.c3gov.com/Home/ Components/Form/Form/70316b0 5422c448492c51da0f0e0fd86/ to sign up.
ister veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries and veterans to be trained to become qualified listeners. Call 720-600-0860. COVID-19 testing Here’s where you can receive a test for COVID-19: Brighton Advanced Urgent Care, 2801 Purcell St. Call 303-659-9700 or visit https://advurgent.com/locations/brighton/ Brighton Salud, 1860 Egbert St. Testing is available on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Visit https:// www.saludclinic.org/covid-testing Fort Lupton Salud, 1115 Second St. Testing is available on Tuesday and Thursday. Call 303-697-2583 or visit https://www.saludclinic.org/ covid-testing online. Volunteers needed Qualified Listeners needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from SEE BRIEFS, P7
a market failure, said Johnny Key, the company’s director of energy and power solutions, “and these market failures are just costing us money.” The absence of wholesale markets, he added, is costing everybody money. Allen Best publishes Big Pivots, an e-journal dedicated to climate change and the attendant energy and water transitions in Colorado and beyond. See more at bigpivots. com
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Commerce City Sentinel Express 7
March 3, 2022
BRIEFS
in-person intake assessments from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at the Brighton Learning and Resource Campus, 1850 E. Egbert St. in Brighton. Call Community Reach Center at 303-853-3500. For walk-in intake, bring an ID and insurance information. For those who would prefer to complete the intake forms and schedule an appointment, the intake forms are available online at www. communityreachcenter.org. There will be a short screening for flulike symptoms before the entrance to the center to ensure safety and wellness for everyone. Anyone feeling unsafe or suicidal
FROM PAGE 6
appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries and veterans to be trained to become qualified listeners. Visit qualifiedlisteners.org/volunteerapp and fill out the form or call 720-600-0860. Mental health Community Reach Center offers
No Clipping Required.
Warm Line up and running Community Reach Center is offering a Warm Line (303-2806602) for those who want to talk to mental-health professionals about anxiety, lack of sleep and strained relationships, among other topics. The professionals can facilitate referrals to other programs for assistance. A press statement said the line is not for crisis intervention.
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Those feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services (1-844-493-8255) or text 38255 or visit the Behavioral Urgent Care Center, 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster. Also, the center’s COVID-19 Heroes Program is set up to assist healthcare workers during the pandemic. Those who live or work in Adams County can receive up to six free counseling sessions. Use the Warm Line for support and free counseling. Brighton’s community intake location is at 1850 E. Egbert St., on the second floor. It’s open from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays.
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8 Commerce City Sentinel Express
March 3, 2022
Xcel Energy seeks $18 per month rate hike Public Utilities Commission request meant to recoup $1 billion BY MARK JAFFE THE COLORADO SUN
Xcel Energy is seeking $950 million in natural gas and electricity rate increases that would raise the average residential utility bill by $16.49 by the end of this year with the increase climbing to $18.32 by 2023. Three proposed rate hikes — one for electricity, one for natural gas and one to recoup money from a spike in natural gas prices in the winter of 2021 — are now before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. And that is just the beginning, consumer advocates say. “We are going to see more increases,” said Cindy Schonhaut, director of the state Office of Utility Consumer Advocate. “There are additional increases that have been decided and haven’t been fully implemented.” It is all part of an ongoing trend, Schonhaut said. An analysis by the consumer advocate office, which represents residential and small business customers in rate cases, found that since 2019 the average residential electricity bill is up 27%. This piling on — or pancaking — of rate requests has consumer groups worried about bill shock at a time inflation is pushing all prices higher. “Xcel is asking for the stars, the moon and the sun and they’ll probably just get the moon, but that’s still quite a lot,” said Bill Levis, the former state director of consumer advocacy and now a consultant to AARP, which represents retirees and older citizens. “The commission really has to be concerned because they see the people who can least afford it — the lowincome and elderly — are going to have to pay for it,” Levis said. As a regulated utility, Xcel must gain the approval of the PUC for any investments in new projects or increases in customer rates. Denise Stepto, a spokeswoman for Energy Outreach Colorado, which helps low-income households pay util-
Wind turbines near Matheson are part of Xcel Energy’s 600-megawatt Rush Creek Wind Project on Colorado’s eastern plains. Rush Creek, which became operational in October 2018, uses 300 turbines to generate enough electricity to power 325,000 homes. Xcel estimates the project will cut 1 million tons of carbon emissions each year from its OHN LEYBA/SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN system. J
ity bills, said in an email, “we know that bills will be higher for all customers. For lower income customers this means a higher percentage of their income is going toward keeping up with their energy bill.” And in a protest filed by the Utility Consumer Advocate in Xcel’s gas rate case, the agency questioned whether the proposed increase, along with the impact of other hikes and the COVID pandemic, would affect consumers and small businesses “in an unjust, unreasonable, or discriminatory fashion.” Xcel executives, however, say they are faced with the demands, many embedded in state laws, of transitioning to clean energy and providing electricity and natural gas for a growing economy. “It’s important to note the increases are paying for a more robust, reliable system and helping us meet our climate and clean energy goals — something that will benefit all our customers,” Michelle Aguayo, an Xcel spokeswoman, said in an email. “We understand that families are dealing with cost increases across the economy due to inflation,” Aguayo said. “We remind our customers that if they’re having trouble paying their bill, to contact us as quickly as possible so we can help set up a payment plan.” As to how much of a percentage increase the pending rate requests represent to the average residential customer depends upon which rate FROM $
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case one looks at since Xcel offers different average residential bills in each of the three rate cases it has filed with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. “Xcel does a good job of comparing apples and oranges,” Levis said. “There are so many add-ons to the bills it is not possible for people to know what they are paying for. Part of the problem is that they are not comparing the same things.” One proposed settlement, with parties including the PUC staff and the Colorado Energy Office, would cover the $550 million in extra electric and natural gas costs incurred by Xcel as a result of a severe winter storm in February 2021 — which the utility said led to natural gas prices soaring a hundred-fold. Electric bills would temporarily rise $1.49 and natural gas bills $5.59 under the settlement. The increases would take effect in April and extend through September 2024. In that case it said the average electric bill was $74.55 and the average natural gas bill was $47.55 On Jan. 5, Xcel filed a $182.2 million settlement, which included PUC staff and the consumer advocate office, in its electric rate case that would increase the average bill $5.25. Xcel said this represents a 6.4% increase on the average $81.42 electric bill. Xcel then filed a natural gas rate case on Jan. 24, seeking a net $188.6
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million in new revenue, which would raise rates in three steps over three years for a total increase of $8.14. The first increase, which would go into effect in November, would be $4.16, about a 6.7% increase Xcel said on an average residential gas bill of $62.42. “In our filings, the commission usually requires that we present average customer bills based on the rates that are in effect at the time,” Aguayo said. “That’s why filings made at different times have different average bills. Bills change primarily because fuel prices change.” Less in doubt is the dollar amount that will be added to customer bills. When the second step in natural gas rates would go into effect the additional charge increases to $18.32 before falling to $13.40 when the last extreme weather surcharges expire in September 2024. Based on the latest filings the average gas and electric bill is about $143.84, which would mean the rate hikes would add up to a 12% increase in 2023. The rise in rates, however, will not stop there. The PUC is now reviewing the utility’s $1.7 billion Power Pathways regional transmission project — 560 miles of transmission lines encircling eastern Colorado — designed to bring wind and solar electricity to Front Range population centers from rural areas. Then comes Xcel’s $7 billion electric resource plan with aims to double the amount of renewable electricity generation and storage. A Utility Consumer Advocate’s analysis estimates that just those two projects will boost the amount customers will have to pay by 44% in 2031 compared with what they are paying today. “The energy transition is going to be expensive,” Schonhaut said.
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Commerce City Sentinel Express 9
LOCAL
March 3, 2022
SPORTS From a ThunderHawk to a River Otter
Prairie View’s Buckalew moves on to Ottawa
“I chose Ottawa because it was the greatest decision for me and my family,” he said. “I loved the coaching staff, along with the environment of the program.” His official visit included a chance to meet some of his new teammates “which made me fall in love with the school.” “I was already kinda leaning towards Ottawa University,” he said. “But the visit is really what pushed me towards committing.”
BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Prairie View’s Ashton Buckalew picked a college that has an interesting mascot .. a river otter. But he didn’t pick Ottawa (Kansas) University for the school nickname.
Buckalew led the ThunderHawks with an average of nine tackles per game in 2021. He played in half the team’s games. He drew interest from other schools before making his choice. Buckalew wants to get into the sports management field “...and, hopefully, go to work for a professional sports team.” COVID has made recruiting difficult for many high-school athletes. Playing in a half a season because of
COVID in 2020 didn’t help Buckalew. “It was definitely hard to make film when I was only able to play half a season,” he said. “It was also hard not having the in-person contact with college coaches.” Buckalew isn’t scared or nervous about what’s to come .. “just excited to play football for another four years and go to school.” “Thank you to everyone who helped along the way of my high-school career,” he said.
Boys basketball: Rebels end PVHS’ season LITTLETON -- Columbine High School’s boys basketball team hit six, 3-point baskets in the third quarter, then held off a fourth-quarter Prairie View High School rally to beat the ThunderHawks 84-75 in the opening round of the state 5A boys basketball tournament Feb. 23. Tyson Roberts led PVHS with 30
points. Dominic Marrujo scored 29, and Rashawn-Salinas Johnston had 17. Tyler Casey led the Rebels with 23 points. Ty Afraimi scored 18, Wesley Jones contributed a dozen, and Levi O’Brien scored 11. The Rebels doubled their six-point halftime lead by the end of the third quarter. PVHS cut what was a
20-point lead to four with a minute to play. But CHS sank seven of eight free throws to pull out the win. “We prepared for two of their shooters, No. 11 (Casey) and No. 13 (Afraimi),” PVHS coach Damien Romero said. “All the film we watched, I didn’t see them shoot like that. Our defense? We could
have pressed up a little bit more. It went against our game plan of protecting the paint. But overall, I’m proud of my guys. We didn’t give up, we continued to battle. We showed the perseverance we built all year.” For more on the game, visit www. thebrightonblade.com.
Sports briefs Volleyball Former Prairie View High School volleyball player jocelyn Garcia is an assistant coach at Butler University. She spent the last three seasons at the University of Arkansas-Monticello. “Jocelyn is one of the rising coaches in our profession,” said BU
coach Sharon Clark in a statement. “Her collegiate head coaching experience is exactly what I was looking for in my next assistant. She has done every aspect of coaching and understands what it takes to be a great assistant. Jocelyn is a relentless recruiter, and I cannot wait to see the talent she will find for our program.”
Garcia played Libero/defensive specialist for four seasons as a student-athlete at Concordia University in Nebraska and totaled 1,594 career digs. She will oversee ball control strategy and coaching for the Bulldogs, the statement said. Cheerleading Rhonda Blanford-Green, the outo-
ing commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association, is the new president of the board of directors of USA Cheer. Blanford-Green joined the board in 2008. Before that, she was the board’s secretary. She will step down from the CHSAA post later this spring.
www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices
PUBLIC NOTICES
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Public Notices call Marley 303-566-4123 Legals City and County Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO All interested parties, please take note that a public meeting will occur on Tuesday, March 08, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at the Commerce City Civic Center, 7887 East 60th Avenue, the Board of Adjustment will meet in-person to consider the following: A-1761-U-22: Anders Beverage Co, LLC is requesting the approval of a Use-by-Permit for a distillery in an I-1 district for the property at 6340 E 58th Ave. Unit I and J, zoned I-1 (Light Intensity Industrial District). The Height Exception review criteria can be found in Section 21-3221 of the Land Development Code. The case file and a copy of the Land Development Code of the City are on file in the office of Community Development and are open for inspection. You can find information and instructions to register for testimony via Zoom in the published agenda at https://commerce.legistar.com and http://www. c3gov.com/government/boards-commissions/ zoning-board-of-adjustment or by contacting staff at 303.289.3679 or kmemmer@c3gov.com.
Gene Leffel Chairperson
zoning-board-of-adjustment or by contacting staff at 303.289.3679 or kmemmer@c3gov.com.
Para más información contacte 303.227.8818.
Gene Leffel Chairperson
Legal Notice No. CCX477 First Publication: March 3, 2022 Last Publication: March 3, 2022 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO All interested parties, please take note that a public meeting will occur on Tuesday, March 08, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at the Commerce City Civic Center, 7887 East 60th Avenue, the Board of Adjustment will meet in-person to consider the following: A-1757-U-21: Casa Carrera Real Estate, LLC is requesting the approval of a Use-by-Permit for a religious institution in an R-3 district for the property at 5651 E. 62nd Ave, generally located at the northeast corner of E. 62nd Ave and Holly St. zoned R-3 (Multiple-Family-Residential District). The Height Exception review criteria can be found in Section 21-3221 of the Land Development Code. The case file and a copy of the Land Development Code of the City are on file in the office of Community Development and are open for inspection. You can find information and instructions to register for testimony via Zoom in the published agenda at https://commerce.legistar.com and http://www. c3gov.com/government/boards-commissions/
Para más información contacte 303.227.8818. Legal Notice No. CCX476 First Publication: March 3, 2022 Last Publication: March 3, 2022 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Authority, at the email of the Authority Engineer, barney.fix@merrick.com, beginning March 1, 2022. NO PAYMENT REQURIED.
Industrial Park Water and Sanitation District By: Steve Olson General Manager
Bidders must be licensed Contractors in the State of Colorado.
Legal Notice No. CCX479 First Publication: March 3, 2022 Last Publication: March 3, 2022 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Bids will be received providing unit price for items; however, the price given will be on a maximum not-to-exceed amount, as described in the Bidding Documents.
Bids and Settlements
The Work is expected to be commenced within thirty (30) days after the Date of Contract.
Metropolitan Districts
Public Notice
Public Notice
PAINTED PRAIRIE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY N. Himalaya Road Improvements
NOMINATION NOTICE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the Industrial Park Water and Sanitation District of Adams County, Colorado. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election will be held on the 3rd day of May 2022 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time 2 directors will be elected to each serve a 3-year term. Self Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Industrial Park Water and Sanitation District at 6625. E. 49th Ave., Commerce City, Colorado. Self-Nominations and Acceptance Form or letter are to be returned to the Designated Election Official for Industrial Park Water and Sanitation District no later than February 25, 2022.
Sealed Bids will be received by Painted Prairie Public Improvement Authority, hereinafter referred to as OWNER, at the office of the Authority Engineer, Merrick & Company, 5970 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, until 10:00 AM local time on March 31, 2022 for: N. Himalaya Road Improvements – 56th Ave. to 64th Ave. This Contract provides for the construction of the following: Furnish and install over 150 LF of 8-inch water line with appurtenances, over 2,700 LF of 18-inch to 30-inch storm sewer pipe with appurtenances, and approximately 1 mile of street construction. Copies of the Bidding Documents may be requested from the Painted Prairie Public Improvement
Bid Security in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid in the form specified in the Instructions to Bidders. The Successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond, Labor and Material Payment Bond guaranteeing faithful performance and warranty bond for two-years after Substantial Completion, and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the performance of the Contract. The OWNER reserves the right to award the contract by sections, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein. For further information, please contact Barney Fix at Merrick & Company at 303-751-0741. Legal Notice No. CCX478 First Publication: March 3, 2022 Last Publication: March 10, 2022 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Commerce City Legals 3.3.22 * 1
10 Commerce City Sentinel Express
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12 Commerce City Sentinel Express
March 3, 2022
A Colorado legend: Rattlesnake Kate Long musical running at Denver Center through March 13 BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As lights go up on a large stage covered with weathered wood, a cellist, Neyla Pekarek sits spotlighted in a simple chair and begins to play and sing a song about Western women. She is soon joined by cast members, bringing an audience into the world premiere of a new musical “Rattlesnake Kate,” in the Wolf Theatre at Denver Center for the Performing Arts. It’s the first musical commissioned by DCPA Theatre Company and grew out of a concept album, “Rattlesnake,” which Pekarek created after she learned about the remarkable, independent Kate Slaughterback, born in northern Colorado in 1894. Kate, who was divorced six times and ran her own farm near Greeley, was riding her horse across the prairie in 1925, carrying her young adopted son, when they crossed paths with a migration of 140 rattlers. Legend has it that she shot a number of them and when she ran out of bullets, grabbed a wooden sign and eliminated the rest. Pekarek, a graduate from University of Northern Colorado’s strong musical theater program and for-
merly a member of the well-known band The Lumineers, presented her concept of a musical about Kate Slaughterback to Chris Coleman, DCPA’s artistic director, who saw theatrical potential, commissioned her to develop music and lyrics, with book/script assistance by playwright Karen Hartman, for a production, originally scheduled for January 2021. Songs and story were first presented in concert version during a session of DCPA’s 2019 New Play Summit, then developed into a truly unique work that will run through March 13. Coleman directed the large, strong cast (most are members of Actors Equity) and Christopher Jahnke orchestrated and arranged Pekarek’s music, while Dominique Kelley was choreographer. Described as “a campfire tale,” the production is enhanced by lighting as three different actors present parts of the story as Kate, Katie and Katherine. Perhaps this could have been spelled out a little more clearly, somehow, for an audience unfamiliar with the story, although the reasoning is understandable — this woman had many facets. At the Greeley Historical Museum, one can view a dress Kate wore, created from the skins of many rattlesnakes. Yes, she really did wear it, we are told — and it was part of Pekarek’s initial introduction to Slaughterback’s story. Perhaps “Rattlesnake Kate” runs
The musical “Rattlesnake Kate” is running at Denver Center for the Performing Arts OURTESY OF ANDREWKELLYPHOTOGRAPHY.COM through March 13. C
a little too long, though I have no real suggestion of where it might be trimmed. It’s truly exciting to see a colorful new work in its very first-ever production and especially following a COVID-induced theater drought! “Rattlesnake Kate” is scheduled to run through March 13 at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. See denvercenter.org for tickets or call the box office 303-8934100.
Masks are required here and at other area performance venues. Also scheduled through the season: “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” by Albee, “In the Upper Room,” also new, “Choir Boy” by Tarrell Alvin McCraney and “Quixote Nuevo.” While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, public events frequently are canceled or rescheduled. Check with organizers before you go.
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