Issuu

WEEK OF JANUARY 18, 2024

VOLUME 36 | ISSUE 3

Adelante Celebrates Dia de los Reyes Charter school

group facing legal challenge Group fires management that helped launch schools in Brighton, Lone Tree BY ERICA BREUNLIN THE COLORADO SUN

Mothers Susana Montellano and Jhoana Garcia pose for a picture outside of Salon Madrid with their kids as they leave Adelante’s Dia de Reyes 2024 event on Jan. 6, 2024 in Commerce City, CO. Pictured from left to right: (back) Susana Montellano and Derek JAQUELINE RAMIREZ Montellano (front) Delaney Montellano, Jhoana Garcia, and Karen Garci BY JACKIE RAMIREZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

• Vestas to lay off 200 employees •27J Schools moves online-only Dec. 1

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BUSINESS

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LOCAL OBITUARIES LEGALS CLASSIFIED

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Twelve days after Christmas, Mexicans all over the world get together to celebrate children and family through Dia de los Reyes (Day of the Kings), a day that celebrates the three kings who visited baby Jesus bearing gifts. Now Commerce City-based nonprofit Adelante is helping to reintroduce the holiday in Colorado. Dia de los Reyes is the designated day in Mexican tradition for gift-giving, while Christmas celebrations emphasize the birth of Jesus. For those living in the United States, Mexicans end up celebrating and giving gifts on Christmas Day, moving away from the traditional Dia de los Reyes celebration. Adelante celebrated Dia de los Reyes with the Commerce City community at Salon Madrid to reunite parents with the traditions that they grew up with and to teach newer generations about the holiday. The celebration had a dual purpose, helping Adelante celebrate its tenth year as an organization serving Latinx families and entrepreneurs.

“We want to see the kids happy, to celebrate without worry and to celebrate this wonderful moment in communities,” said Maria Gonzales, CEO and founder of Adelante. “If there’s an opportunity to celebrate our customs and traditions, then we should bring our community together and celebrate and come forward together.” Very personal holiday

Adelante has regularly celebrated Dia de los Reyes. The non-profit began by giving away 75 gifts on Dia de los Reyes. This year, the group gave away 1,500 gifts. With the help of other nonprofit organizations and members of the community such as Folklorico dancers, face painters, and volunteers, Adelante created a celebration that gave children a chance to spend time with their families and friends. “El Dia de los Reyes is a holiday that is very personal to me,” Gonzales said. “I arrived in the United States on Jan. 6, 1985 on Dia de Reyes. The first moment that I was able to give back to the community, I remembered the day that I arrived here and how a lot of people opened doors for me and offered me resources and accompani-

ment so that I could have a better life.” Gonzales said the cultural impact of Dia de Reyes as its not only a holiday of giving back to community and family, but a way to keep people united forever. Mothers at the event Susana Montellano and Jhoana Garcia, each brought their kids to celebrate Dia de Reyes. Both hope that Adelante continues celebrating this holiday to keep the children happy and to pass down the holiday that comes with delicious roscas, a bagel-like bread popular in Spain, Portugal and Mexico, and other colorful treats. “I’m happy to be with my family today with this event because everyone’s busy and we don’t get to spend time with each other all the time,” shared Delaney Montellano. Delaney’s brother, Derek, said it was his first time celebrating Dia De Reyes and he was impressed at how fastpaced Adelante’s event was with all the gifts and festivities. Kids walked out of the event happily with new toys and the joy of being able to spend time with their families at Adelante’s event. Many are excited to return again next year.

BRIEFS: PAGE 2 | OBITUARIES: PAGE 4 | CLASSIFIEDS: PAGE 9 | LEGAL: PAGE 11

A Colorado charter school network in December fired the management group that helped it launch four schools across the state, triggering a chaotic series of events that included the dismissal of more than 300 employees, swift action to rehire all staff under a new management group and, now, a potential lawsuit. Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools — the governing board over charter schools serving nearly 2,000 students in Lone Tree, Brighton, Windsor and Grand Junction — terminated its contract early with management organization Ascent Classical Academies, which is a Golden-based nonprofit with a similar name that establishes and operates charter schools. Both the governing board and parents say the schools have faced multiple challenges with ACA over the past six years since their first school began operating in Lone Tree, including high turnover among school leaders and teachers and debates over what curriculum to use. The board in September unanimously voted to end its contract with ACA on June 30, 2024, “contingent upon continued cooperation by ACA,” minutes from a Sept. 26 board meeting show. Rob Williams, the charter school network’s temporary president who has long served as the board chair and treasurer, told The Colorado Sun that the board decided to sever ties sooner. SEE LAWSUIT, P5

COMMERCECITYSENTINEL.COM • A PUBLICATION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

BACK ON THE MAP Brighton cautious about Aerotropolis P4

2 Commerce City Sentinel Express

January 18, 2024

BRIEFS Buc-ee’s hiring for Johnstown truck stop

Johnstown’s newest truck stop Buc-ee’s will host a hiring event Jan. 23 through 27 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Hotel Conference Center, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland. The company is looking to fill 250 jobs with benefits and hourly pay ranging from $18 to $21. Applications must be submitted online prior to the event. Apply at www.buc-ees.com/careers. Online applications will be reviewed, and phone screens will be conducted. Candidates who advance to the next level will be extended an invitation to interview. Due to the large volume and need for pre-scheduled interview times, walk-ins are not encouraged and may be turned away. Submit names for new park

Commerce City is accepting recommendations for the official name of Oasis Park, one of two new parks. Based on these recommendations, city staff will compile the list of names, and the Parks, Recreation, and Golf Advisory Board will recommend them to the City Council. The Oasis Park site is located within the natural setting of Second Creek Open space, just west of the Buffalo Highlands neighborhood on the south side of E. 96th Avenue. The park has open space for informal recreation, relaxation, and community gatherings; a children’s playground with shade structures, public restrooms, an embankment slide, and an overlook plaza. To learn more and submit your recommendation visit c3gov.com/ SCFOasis. Commerce City seeking Snow Guardians

Commerce City Code Enforcement is introducing the new Snow Guardians program to help residents be good neighbors by offering free snow removal services to residents who qualify. Snow Guardians assist residents

who are not able to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice to comply with the municipal code due to age, disability, or some other condition. Commerce City municipal code requires property owners are responsible for clearing public sidewalks adjacent to their property of snow and ice within 24 hours of the last snowfall. Contact Code Enforcement to apply to keep you in compliance with the code and help keep our sidewalks safe! To qualify, you must be a resident with limited financial resources and be unable to shovel due to age, disability, or other conditions. Learn more about the program and apply at c3gov.com/CodeEnforcement. Adams County internships available

Are you interested in learning more about working for local government? Adams County currently has paid internships available. Opportunities include a cook ($16.48/hour) and classroom aide ($15.62/hour) for Head Start, an IT intern ($17/hour) for the Sheriff ’s Office, and a Healthy Farmers Market intern ($17/hour). These opportunities are available through the Workforce & Business Center. Those interested should work with their Business Center case manager or call 720.523.6898 to get established with a case manager. CCPD Introduces Online Crime Reporting Form

The Commerce City Police Department has a new online reporting tool allowing the public to report some non-emergency crimes and receive a police report immediately without speaking to a police officer. Community members can now conveniently report incidents that do not require immediate officer intervention, such as fraud, identity theft, lost property, theft/shoplifting (less than $2,000), and vandalism. The new form is online now in English and Spanish at c3gov.com/ ReportACrime. Residents should al-

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Platte Valley Medical Center’s cardiac rehab team and Walk With A Doc will host monthly walks with Dr. Christopher Cannon, an interventional cardiologist at Brighton Heart and Vascular Institute. This is a walking program for everyone interested in 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 a fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active, and enjoy all the benefits of walking. ‘Taking No Chances’

Commerce City has openings for several 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 /70316b05422c448492c51da0f0e0 fd86/ to sign up. Legal self-help clinic

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from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month. The program is for those without legal representation and needing help navigating through legal issues. Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss family law, civil litigation, property, and probate law. Call 303405-3298 and ask for the Legal SelfHelp Clinic at least 24 hours before. Help for vets

Qualified Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has many power chairs, 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, provide handyperson services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries, and veterans to be trained to become qualified listeners. Call 720600-0860. Mental health

Community Reach Center offers in-person intake assessments from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays at the Brighton Learning and Resource Campus, 1850 E. Egbert St. in Brighton. Call the 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 flu-like symptoms before entering the center to ensure safety and wellness for everyone. Anyone feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255, text 38255, or visit the Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) Center at 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.

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Commerce City Sentinel Express 3

January 18, 2024

Pinter picked as Adams County Commission chair The Adams County Commissioners selected member Emma Pinter as the board chair for 2024. Commissioners traditionally select one of their five members in January to lead meetings and act as a representative for the rest of the year. Pinter replaces Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio in the role. Pinter first took office to represent District 4 as commissioner in 2019 and won re-election in 2022. District 4 covers the southwestern portion of Adams County and includes Westminster up to Sheridan Boulevard. “I am deeply honored to assume the role of chair and lead this

board with a heightened focus on the fact that we, as a county, are so deeply layered,” Pinter said in a written statement. “Our diverse voices, experiences, and backgrounds give us strength. Let’s protect our civil liberties and tap into the power that inclusion and equity can provide.” Pinter was elected to Westminster City Council in 2013. She also served on the boards of the Youth Initiative of Adams County, Adams County Economic Development, and the Mile High Connects Advisory Board. She was selected as the “Woman of Metro North” in 2018 by the Metro North Cham-

ber and the Colorado Women’s Chamber. Commissioners also picked Eva Henry as vice-chair for the year. Henry has served on the Board of County Commissioners since 2013 and is serving her third and final term “As I embark on my third and final term, I remain dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of the people we serve,” Henry said in the written statement. “Let us continue this journey of progress and inclusivity, working hand in hand with the community The Adams County Board of Commissioners for a brighter future for Adams selected District 3 Commissioner Emma Pinter FILE PHOTO County.” as Board Chair for 2024.

Here’s a Statistical Review of the Denver Metro Real Estate Market in 2023

Now that 2023 is in the books, I have done some statistical analysis of the year and how it compared to the other three “Covid years.” The result of that research is reflected in the various charts on this page. In addition to the “Covid years,” of course, we have the “interest rate surge” years, which had the opposite effect. Covid unexpectedly super-charged the real estate market, while the interest rate surge put a wet blanket on it. The effects of each are clearly visible in the charts. One way to do an apples-to-apples comparison of the years is to look at the price per finished square foot, which is independent of the price of the home. In this first chart, you can see how the value of homes using that criterion surged during 2020 and 2021 but dropped quickly in 2022 and has more or less leveled off since:

Looking at the both the median and average sold prices of homes, you see the same trend. I like to look at the median rather than the average when studying the market, because a few multimillion-dollar home sales can have a big effect on the average price of sold homes but has no effect on the median price.

market but because listings go under contract so quickly. However, when interest rates surge as much as they did in 2022-2023, homeowners will refrain from moving up (or downsizing) because of “rate lock.” They don’t want to sell their home with a sub-3% mortgage only to buy a replacement home at double that rate (or more). You can see that in this chart of active vs. sold listings:

In mid-2022 as interest rates began to rise, the sale of homes began to plummet and sellers took or kept their homes off the market at a rate higher than usual. The initial surge in active listings at that time was because fewer listings already on the market were going under contract as buyers waited in hopes that interest rates would decline again. By January 2023 it was evident that rates were staying high, and the pent-up demand of buyers to buy and sellers to sell kicked in. So, how slow did the market become? The following charts are good measures of that. As the pandemic took effect in March 2020, buyers flooded the market (as reflected above) buying homes further from their places of work and/or with more room for home offices now that work-at-home became a thing. This depleted the supply of homes for sale (again as reflected above), and caused the median days on market to plunge to 5 or 6 days. Because there are always overpriced homes which languish on the market, the average days in MLS (DIM)

However, the fact that the average sold price is consistently higher than the median price shows how active the market in million-dollar homes is. In a seller’s market, the number of active listings drops, not because homeowners aren’t putting their homes on the

We proudly provide free use of this moving truck to our sellers and buyers, along with free moving boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper. Non-profits and community organizations also put lots of free miles on it!

remained over 20 until finally sellers saw the writing on the wall and lowered their prices enough to sell, hence the low average DIM by mid-2023. By November 2022, new listings had dropped to a record low, but that was matched last month as shown in the next chart. Expired listings are another meas-

ure of the market’s health — and of how many sellers overprice their homes. That, too, hit a peak in late 2022 and again at the end of 2023. One of my favorite measurements of the seller’s market during Covid was the average ratio of sold price to listing price, indicating how much the average home benefited from a bidding war. In early 2021 and 2022, as shown in the following chart, it reached a record of

about 6% over asking price. Prior to 2020 it was typical for homes, on average, to sell slightly below asking price. As this last chart shows, homes aren’t now selling for above their original

How I Define Metro Denver

Every real estate statistician I know defines the metro area using county boundaries. The statistics I have gathered for this week’s column are derived from REcolorado’s listings within an 18-mile radius of downtown Denver, as shown above.

price but are selling for about their current listing price once that price had been lowered enough. As I’ve said so many times in the past (see the archive of my columns online at www.JimSmithColumns.com), pricing your home at or slightly below the market will typically net you more than if you list it for a wished-for price and then chase the market downhill. Also, just like politics, all real estate is local. Even within my hometown of Golden, I have watched homes languish on the market in one neighborhood while they trigger bidding wars a mile or two away. Bottom line, always hire an experienced Realtor like those of us at Golden Real Estate if you want to price your home right and get the highest price.

Rita and I Are on Vacation — Sort of...

As you read this, I’m in the second week of my 122day world cruise on the Viking Sky with my wife, Rita. You can subscribe free to my daily travel-blog at http:// WhereAreJimandRita.Substack.com. Because of the excellent internet connectivity on the ship, I’ll continue to do “business as usual,” except that my broker associates will be my “boots on the ground.” If you are on WhatsApp, you can call me, even at sea, using the same number as my cell phone. And you certainly can still email me. If you want to list or buy a home, I’ll refer you to the broker associate I feel best fits your needs.

Jim Smith

Broker/Owner, 303-525-1851 Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com 1214 Washington Ave., Golden 80401 Broker Associates: JIM SWANSON, 303-929-2727 CHUCK BROWN, 303-885-7855 DAVID DLUGASCH, 303-908-4835 GREG KRAFT, 720-353-1922 AUSTIN POTTORFF, 970-281-9071 KATHY JONKE, 303-990-7428 “I cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good I can do.” —Jana Stanfield

4 Commerce City Sentinel Express

January 18, 2024

Brighton cautious as Aerotropolis remerges Plans for Denver International Airport development back after COVID

member six years ago we had this exact same discussion. I can go back into my notes and look but if I remember correctly, the current status was about the same back then.”

BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Economic engine

Renewed plans for a Denver International Airport-centered economic development left fallow for six years drew some skepticism from behind the Brighton City Council dias. Brighton City Manager Michael Martinez told councilors at their Jan. 9 study session that work on Aerotropolis is ramping up, with a new website expected within the next few months, updated marketing and a launch event set for February. “Those who have been on council for a while, you’ve probably heard of Aerotropolis in one way, shape or form,” Martinez said. “But it’s been stagnant for some time. In fact, since before COVID, it had really taken a dive in terms of progress. But it’s picked back up now.” But City Councilor Matt Johnston said it was the same thing he heard in 2018. “I’m pretty apprehensive about putting any time or money into this at this point,” Johnston said. “I re-

Our Family Helping Your Family

Denver’s Aerotropolis is a scheme to take advantage of the vacant land surrounding the airport, developing it to bring in up to 74,000 new jobs over the next 20 years. Partners in the project include Adams County, the City and County of Denver and Commerce City, Aurora and Brighton. “It really goes back to 1988, when the original intergovernmental agreement was signed by Adams County and Denver,” Martinez said. That agreement allowed Denver to begin work that eventually led to building Denver International Airport some 20 miles to the east, in unincorporated Adams County. “It wasn’t really contemplated about what to do with the land outside of the airport, the land that was not specific to airport uses,” Martinez said. Denver began considering developing an airport city around the Denver International Airport in 2014. Voters in 2015 approved an agreement allowing the airport

to develop those non-airport uses on 1,5000 acres around the airport. Those could include hotels, restaurants and entertainment. “They would receive the revenue from leases and all the other things, but there would be a sales tax share back,” he said. “Half would go to Denver and half would go to the Adams County communities.” Denver, Adams County and the cities of Aurora, Brighton and Commerce City would share that revenue and they formed a regional committee to market the area under the Aerotropolis name. The area runs from north of Colorado Highway 7 — Brighton’s Bridge Street —to the western limits of Thornton and south to about Colfax Avenue. It continues east to about Bennett, covering about 54 square miles. “As you are all firmly aware, the airport is the largest economic development driver in Colorado,” Martinez said. “So the idea is to capture that economic development engine and make it larger for all of us in and around the airport.” Work began analyzing other similar developments, studying the demand and target audience. That work, considered the first phase of the project, wrapped up in 2019, Martinez said. It included a study

that said that property values would rise around $30 billion by 2040 and additional tax revenue in the area would increase by up to $630 million. “Phase one was really figuring out what we wanted to accomplish,” he said. “In phase two, we wanted to start putting it into action. But as COVID hit, it kind of died out on everyone’s radar and we didn’t pick back up until late in 2022 or early in 2023.” Brighton Economic Development Project Manager Aaron Herrera said the Aerotropolis Regional Committee, which includes Brighton officials, said a new website explaining the effort is expected to go live within the next couple of months. “The thing we are waiting on is a video that will highlight each member of the Aerotropolis committee, and once that’s done, they should launch the website,” Herrera said. Low investment, big benefit

Johnston said his priority is working to develop some form of mass transit between Brighton and the airport, making the jobs there more easily accessible for Brighton residents. SEE UPDATE, P4

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Elida Rayann “Lilly/LuLu” (Diaz) Diaz January 14, 1999 - January 1, 2024

Elida Rayann Diaz, 24, transitioned into the spiritual realm on January 1st, 2024 two weeks shy of her 25th birthday.

Memory In Loving

Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. 303-566-4100 obituaries@coloradocommunitymedia.com Self placement available online at thebrightonblade.com

She was a payroll professional at H and R Block, a poet, beloved daughter, mother, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend to many. She enjoyed music, anything to do with hair, makeup, and glam. She was at her best when spending time with her two young sons. Elida was a free spirit and it wasn’t uncommon that once you were close to her you would be sure to laugh. Her humor paired with her passion made her unique and anytime spent with her would be an adventure to say the least. She is survived by her sons Malachi David “Pooch”, and Jason Yae “Bean”, Father

Johnny Diaz (Brighton), Mother- Nicole Moore-Abeyta (Denver), Bonus Father Joshua Abeyta (Denver), SiblingsDeMarcus Martinez (Denver), Fallon Chavez-Bravo, Juanito Diaz (Brighton), Josiah Diaz (Brighton). Aunts and Uncles Pricilla Diaz, Cecelia and Rick Vogltanz, Frank Diaz, Arian Diaz, Jennica Escamilla, Robert and Nancy Diaz, and Anthony Diaz (Brighton). Grandparents Lyle and Doreen Talbot (Brighton), Grandmother Natividad Diaz (Brighton), Grandfather Sidney Moore (Illinois), Great-grandparents, Lyle Sr. & Inez Talbot (Illinois). Services will be held at Saint Williams Church in Ft Lupton, Colorado January 12th, 2024 1025 Fulton Ave, Ft Lupton Colorado 80621 at 10am with reception to follow in adjacent hall.

Commerce City Sentinel Express 5

January 18, 2024

LAWSUIT FROM PAGE 1

“We sped that up,” Williams said. “We didn’t feel like we were going to make it to the end of the year because they weren’t cooperating.” When the governing board in November decided to pull funding from ACA beginning in January, the management organization “was left with no choice but to layoff its school level staff mid-year,” Derec Shuler, executive director of the organization, wrote in an email to The Colorado Sun. That meant that 313 employees across the four campuses — which educate more than 1,950 students in grades K-12 along with nearly 230 additional students in a home school enrichment program — were out of a job at the end of December. “Our desire from the beginning was to ensure any terminations would have minimal impact on students, which is why we planned transitions take place in the summer,” Shuler wrote. “This unnecessary and untimely mid-year transition will have impacts on students that we hope are handled to provide for the best experience for families.” But Williams, who has a daughter at the Lone Tree campus, says neither students nor teachers are feeling any effects since the governing board hired Minga Education Group to take on some of the responsibilities formerly held by ACA. Minga Education Group rehired all school staff members and many of the home office employees within the charter school network so there was no disruption to their employment, according to Wil-

liams. The board also circulated a letter to parents and staff in November explaining its plan to transition to Minga Education Group starting in January. That letter reiterated the board’s plan to move all employees over to the new management group. “This should be invisible to families and the students especially,” said Kim Gilmartin, a co-founder of the schools who previously worked for ACA and left last June and is now consulting the governing board. “The curriculum will stay the same. They will continue to get the same level and quality of education that they always had.” ACA alleges that the governing board breached its contract with the company, including by deciding to stop paying them in January without a formal board vote or notice to terminate their agreement earlier than June 30, Shuler wrote. ACA said it would file a lawsuit this week against the governing board, likely in federal court. Williams maintains there was no breach. “We have followed the contract with them,” Williams said, declining to comment further because of “threatened litigation.” He also declined to cite specific reasons for the board’s decision to cut ties with ACA because of potential litigation. Shuler questioned how the governing board selected Minga Education Group as its new partner, saying he was aware that the board was going to issue a request for proposal and invite ACA to participate. He said he never saw the board go through with a public process and added that the Colorado charter schools will lose their

UPDATE FROM PAGE 4

“I hope we can figure out a way to make that happen,” Johnston said. “Let’s talk first about the infrastructure of transit for our city. Because right now, it’s hard to get an Uber to the airport sometimes, let alone the idea of light rail or a bus.” But Councilor Peter Padilla, one of Brighton’s representatives to the committee, said Brighton’s share of the costs are relatively small but the benefits could be very big. It’s important that the city stays involved. “My concern is that it’s Aurora’s economic development department that implementing most of this,” Padilla said. “So, there is heavy engagement in the 56th Avenue and Chambers part of this and not as much up past 104th and Tower Road. So that’s my goal, to make sure there is as much emphasis on the airport’s north exit as there is on the south exit.”

licenses to the Ascent name due to the alleged contract breaches. Williams responded that the board did not issue a formal request for proposal but asked groups including ACA to submit proposals and interviewed multiple organizations. He said the Colorado charter schools will continue to use the Ascent name, citing the board’s contract with ACA. The contract held between Ascent Classical Academy of Douglas County and ACA states that “the name ‘Ascent Classical Academy of Douglas County’ shall be a trade name of the school, and the school shall have the right to use the (name) after termination of this agreement without additional compensation to Ascent.’” Charter schools are public schools managed by outside nonprofit operators that establish a performance contract with an authorizer — a school district, or in Colorado, the Colorado Charter School Institute. The contract gives charter schools more flexibility than traditional public schools over how they educate kids, but they are still subject to the same standards and assessments as traditional public schools. Not all charter schools rely on a third-party management organization with more charter schools in Colorado running on their own rather than with outside help, according to Terry Croy Lewis, executive director of the Colorado Charter School Institute. The statewide charter school authorizer acts as an independent agency under the state education department. Charter schools that opt to bring on a management or-

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ganization in some cases delegate back office responsibilities like human resources, hiring employees, managing payroll, bookkeeping and budgeting, Croy Lewis said. A management organization has no authority over charter schools, Croy Lewis noted. The authorizer, which holds a contract with the governing board, oversees the schools’ operations, academics and finances, evaluating schools each year and lending different levels of support in areas like school finance, student programs and data submissions, she said. Meanwhile, the governing board acts as the school board for the charter schools, setting benchmarks for academics, enrollment, finances and spending and holding each school accountable for hitting expectations, Williams said. The Colorado Charter School Institute has supported Ascent Classical Academy schools and the governing board throughout its transition to a new management organization, making sure the schools had what they needed to submit enrollment numbers to the state education department during Colorado’s annual count of students in October. The governing board has the right to select which management company best fits its needs and to switch companies if a particular company is not aligned with the direction of the schools, Croy Lewis said. “We’ve really stressed strongly that the board needs to have strong oversight of any education management organization they work with, that they need to hold them accountable and they need VOLU ME D IS C OU N TS! 5 0 0+

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SCOTT TAYLOR Metro North Editor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

BELEN WARD Community Editor

bward@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TERESA ALEXIS Marketing Consultant Classified Sales talexis@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Standard Blade.

Gallon

L imited Off er Prices are su bject to chan

LEAP provides energy assistance to lower home heating costs. LEAP proporciona asistencia de energía para bajar los gastos de calefacción.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

NOVEMBER 1 - APRIL 30 ACEPTANDO SOLICITUDES

1 NOVIEMBRE - 30 ABRIL Do you need help paying your utilities this winter? Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) may be for you. LEAP helps Colorado families, individuals, older adults and those with a disability to pay a part of their winter home heating costs.

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 Tues. for the following week’s paper.

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

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to evaluate them on a yearto-year basis to ensure they are getting the services that they have spelled out in the contract,” she said. The governing board of Ascent Classical Academy schools has worked with ACA to create cost efficiencies across the four schools, Williams said, with the management organization handling day-to-day operations of schools, helping hire staff as well as making sure that employees get paid, that the schools are compliant with HR policies and that the schools are meeting requirements detailed in their charter with the Colorado Charter School Institute, for example.

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6 Commerce City Sentinel Express

January 18, 2024

Hernandez, Adams City grad, heads east for next stop BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Adams City HIgh School graduate Miguel Hernandez decided to take his non-anticipated visit to college and even less-anticipated time in college football to the state of Kentucky. Hernandez, who spent the last two seasons at Feather River Community College, northwest of Reno, Nevada, chose to enroll at the University of Pikeville in eastern Kentucky. “I chose the University of Pikeville because it sounded and looked like a great place to call home,” he said. “And it’s a great environment to play some ball in front of a decent amount of people that come watch them play.” When he left Adams City in

2022, he said college wasn’t on the radar, nor was it even a pipe dream. But he found football, put the work in and, “I got more motivation. I just went for it,” he said at the time.” During his time at Feather River, he played in eight games, caught 14 passes and gained 203 yards. HIs longest reception covered 42 yards. “ The last two years at FRC helped me a lot. I met a lot of amazing people, and I saw a lot of different talent every time we played,” he said. “It also helped me to learn how to save and handle myself better when it comes to financial issues, and it helped me learn how to live by myself.” As a high-school senior, he was 8-for-17 for 138 and two scores. He also caught 10 passes for 45 yards and five touchdowns. Defen-

sively, he made 60 tackles, 45 of which were solo efforts. Hernandez drew some interest from Doane University in Crete, Nebraska, and New Mexico Highlands University. He’s studying sports management but isn’t sure what he wants to do afterwards. “Once school is wrapped up, I still plan on playing ball,” Hernandez said. “It doesn’t matter where. I’m still gonna keep playing.” On top of that, he’s raring for the next chapter. “I’m not nervous or scared. I’m really amped up to get on the field and play some ball and meet my new teammates,” Hernandez said. “I want to say to the young athletes who are going into high school or already in high school and playing sports is to always bet on yourself no matter what.”

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January 18, 2024

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This material is not from HUD or FHA and has not been approved by HUD or any government agency. The reverse mortgage borrower must meet all loan obligations, including living in the property as the principal residence and paying property charges, including property taxes, fees, hazard insurance. The borrower must maintain the home. If the borrower does not meet these loan obligations, then the loan will need to be repaid.

8 Commerce City Sentinel Express

January 18, 2024

Solution

TRIVIA 1. MOVIES: What state is the setting for the 1990s movie “Twister”? 2. GEOGRAPHY: Lake Okeechobee is in which U.S. state? 3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president adopted the expression, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”? 4. MUSIC: Actor/singer Jared Leto also is the front man for which rock music band? 5. HISTORY: The U.S. Civil War ended in 1865 when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union forces in which Virginia town? 6. SCIENCE: Which element has the symbol Pb? 7. GAMES: What is the destination in the board game Candy Land? 8. TELEVISON: Who was the longrunning host of “American Bandstand”? 9. U.S. STATES: What is the capital of Alaska?

10. LITERATURE: Who is the author of the autobiographical work “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”? Answers 1. Oklahoma. 2. Florida. 3. Theodore Roosevelt. 4. Thirty Seconds to Mars. 5. Appomattox. 6. Lead. 7. Candy Castle. 8. Dick Clark. 9. Juneau. 10. Maya Angelou. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Crossword Solution

Commerce City Sentinel Express 9

January 18, 2024

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DEADLINES:

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10 Commerce City Sentinel Express

January 18, 2024

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Commerce City Sentinel Express 11

January 18, 2024

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www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES Legals Bids and Settlements Public Notice FINAL SETTLEMENT

Project Title: Porteos – Phase 6 & 8 Landscaping Project Owners: Velocity Metropolitan District No. 1 Project Location: City of Aurora, Colorado The Velocity Metropolitan District plans to accept the above titled project as substantially complete and for Final Settlement to Hall Landscape Contractors after February 19, 2024. In accordance with the Contract Documents, the Velocity Metropolitan District No. 1 may withhold a portion of the remaining payment to be made to Hall Landscape Contractors, as necessary, to protect the Velocity Metropolitan District No. 1 from loss on account of claims filed and failure of Hall Landscape Contractors to make payments properly to subcontractors or suppliers. Project suppliers and subcontractors of Hall Landscape Contractors are hereby notified that unresolved outstanding claims must be certified and forwarded to: Contact Person: Barney Fix, P.E. Address: 5970 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. Greenwood Village, CO 80111

as soon as possible, but no later than February 12, 2024. Legal Notice No. CCX1276 First Publication: January 18, 2024 Last Publication: February 1, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express Non-Consecutive Publications Public Notice INVITATION TO BID Wyndham Hill Metropolitan District No. 4 (District) is requesting sealed bids for furnishing of all labor, material, and equipment necessary to complete the following District improvement projects: Wyndham Hill 30” Irrigation Line (District Improvement Areas). Work may include grading, excavation, pumping, shoring, fine grading, erosion control, utility crossing, traffic control, concrete, and asphalt paving improvements, etc. The Owner will provide geotechnical engineering and project surveying. District projects are tax exempt. Construction bid documents and forms can be obtained electronically from Wyndham Hill Metropolitan District No. 4 starting on Friday January 12, 2024. Bid documents can be requested via e-mail to travis@cdgcolorado.com. Questions are due in writing by Tuesday January 23rd, 2024 at 5:00 PM to travis@ cdgcolorado.com . Bids are due by 12:00 NOON on Friday, January 26th, 2024 to Wyndham Hill Metropolitan District No. 4 2500 Arapahoe

legals2@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Avenue, Suite 220, Boulder, CO 80302 or submit via email to travis@cdgcolorado. com. The Owner has sole discretion in selection of the bid and may reject any bid and waive any informalities in the Bid. Bids will not be read aloud. Legal Notice No. CCX1274 First Publication: January 11, 2024 Last Publication: January 18, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Notice to Creditors PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Frederick Otto Schlemeyer, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 0454 All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before May 4, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Cynthia Schlemeye Personal Representative 1646 Genoa St. Aurora, CO 80011 Legal Notice No. CCX1271 First Publication: January 4, 2024 Last Publication: January 18, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express ###

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call 303-566-4123

It’s your right to know what the city and county governments are changing and proposing. ~~~ See the ordinances on these legal pages. ~~~ Read the public notices and be informed!

Commerce City Sentinel Express January 18, 20234* 1

12 Commerce City Sentinel Express

January 18, 2024

Post-high school certificates good business BY ERIC GALATAS PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE

Coloradans who graduate from college or trade schools are ready to join the labor market equipped with high-demand, highly competitive skills needed to thrive in their chosen career path - according to the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s latest Return on Investment Report. Angie Paccione, Ph.D - the department’s executive director - said there are significant benefits to getting any education or training beyond high school. “When you attain higher educa-

tion, you get higher earnings, better health outcomes,” said Paccione. “You get less unemployment. Typically, debt goes down.” Nine out of ten employers in the state say they have jobs to fill but can’t find skilled workers. Colorado ranks second nationally with more than 60% of its residents with some postsecondary education, including large numbers of people who move to the state with a degree in hand. But just 25% of Black adults have a degree or credential, according to Justice for Black Coloradans. Paccione pointed to the success of the Colorado Opportunity Scholar-

ship Initiative, which has shown that it’s possible to bridge that attainment gap. But she said more funding is needed to scale up and reach more students. “It was designed for low-income students, first-generation students and students of color to get both the scholarships and the wrap-around support services,” said Paccione. “These students will change the trajectories of their families, and of themselves, of course.” Each new postsecondary graduate in Colorado contributes more than $132,000 to the state’s GDP. Colorado workers without a degree

or credential earn on average less than $1,000 per week, compared with $1,500 per week for those with bachelor’s degrees, and more than $2,000 per week for those with advanced degrees. Paccione said the state has taken steps to remove cost as a barrier. “We have about 12 occupations that students in Colorado can pursue at zero cost for tuition and fees,” said Paccione. “The construction trades, firefighting, elementary and earlychildhood education, forest management, certified nursing assistants.” This story via The Associated Press’ Storyshare, of which Colorado Community Media is a member.

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