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ISPD sees drop in calls, increase in property crimes Hiring, training and outreach among 2022 goals BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

ver’s Park Hill area, and Amy said she couldn’t have done it during the last two years with anyone else. “He’s the only person I’d be in business with,” she said. Ali and Dave Meyers, who both teach at Evergreen High School, said they appreciate having someone who understands stories about work and can offer professional advice. “I’m very happy with my life, and I’m very happy with my wife,” Dave said.

While 2021 was a challenging year for the Idaho Springs Police Department, Chief Nate Buseck said the department is moving in a good direction. ISPD was in the national spotlight for a use-of-force incident when former officer Nicholas Hanning deployed a Taser on unarmed 75-yearold Michael Clark. The department also lost a few officers and has struggled to hire replacements. To help with recruiting and retention, the Idaho Springs City Council increased officers’ base pay to $60,000. It also approved $10,000 for ISPD to sponsor someone through the law enforcement academy. Overall, ISPD had fewer calls for service in 2021 than it did the previous four years, but property crimes are up significantly, Buseck said at a Jan. 31 City Council work session. The department’s 2021 annual report states stolen vehicles and burglaries doubled from 2020 to 2021. Thefts, DUIs and harassments also were up from 2020. “I’m not sure if it’s a lack of manpower, or the human condition during a pandemic,” Buseck said of the rise in property crimes, encour-

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Tyler and Justin Fukae prepare a package for customers Jan. 28. The two typically work at their Georgetown store, Sabel, on MonPHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN days, but said they’ll likely take off Valentine’s Day to go on a day trip and have a nice dinner.

Local couples reflect on joys, challenges of working together BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Quality time is described as one of the five love languages, but couples must figure out how much time is best. For couples who work together, that can be challenging. Oftentimes, work dominates

conversation and decision making at home. Disagreements from home linger at work, or vice versa. The couple coordinates work schedules around children or other responsibilities, while also trying to find time for date nights. Then again, who better to work alongside than someone who has the same values, goals, interests, motivations and work ethic? “Sometimes, it’s fun working together,” Dustin Barrett said. “Sometimes, it’s not.” Dustin and Amy Barrett own and operate Tables, a restaurant in Den-

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February 10, 2022

OBITUARIES CULTER

John “Colt” Culter

February 24, 1945 – January 28,2022

John “Colt” Culter grew up in Idaho Springs and graduated from Idaho Springs High School in 1963. He lived and worked all over the West, first as a ski patrolman and later an aspiring cowboy. In recent years he lived in the Grand Lake area. He was preceded in death by his parents, Doug and Mary, and is survived by three sons and four grandchildren.

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Clear Creek Courant 3

February 10, 2022

REPORT FROM PAGE 1

The Idaho Springs Police Department had fewer calls for service in 2021 than it did in any of the previous four years. The agency still averaged 19 calls a day. COURTESY OF ISPD

Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado Week of January 31, 2022, and Month of January 2022 A local National Weather Service volunteer observer makes temperature and precipitation observations each day at about 8 a.m. at the Georgetown Weather Station. Wind observations are made at Georgetown Lake. “Max” “Min” temperatures are from digital displays of a “MMTS” (“Maximum/ Minimum Temperature System”); “Mean daily” temperature is the average of the max and min. “Total Precipitation” is inches of rainfall Weather Observations for Georgetown, plus melted snow. “Snowfall” is inches of snow thatColorado accumulated during the preceding 24 hours. T = Trace of precipitation. NR = Not Reported. Week of January 31, 2022, and Month of January 2022 “Peak wind gust at Georgetown Lake” is the velocity in miles per hour A local National Weather Service volunteer observer makes temperature and precipitation observations each day at and about the 8time of the maximum wind thatareoccurred during a.m. at the Georgetown Weather Station. Windgust observations made at Georgetown Lake. the “Max” “Min” temperatures are from digital displays of a “MMTS” (“Maximum/Minimum Temperature System”); “Mean daily” calendar day preceding of“Total observation. data based temperature is the average of thethe max date and min. Precipitation” is Historic inches of rainfall plusare melted snow. on “Snowfall” is inches of snow that accumulated during the preceding 24 hours. T = Trace of precipitation. NR = Not the period of record which statistical have been compiled (about Reported. “Peak wind gust atfor Georgetown Lake” is the velocity indata miles per hour and the time of the maximum wind gust that occurred during the calendar day preceding the date of observation. Historic data are based on the period of 53 years within the period 1893-2021). Any weather noted are based record for which statistical data have been compiled (about 53 years within therecords period 1893-2021). Any weather records noted are based on a comparison of the observed value with the historical data set. on a comparison of the observed value with the historical data set. Day and date of observation (2022)

Summary

Month

Week

Monday, 01/31 Tuesday, 2/01 Wednesday, 2/02 Thursday, 2/03 Friday, 2/04 Saturday, 2/05 Sunday, 2/06

Week’s avg max, min, mean daily T; sum of TP. SF Historic week’s avg max, min, mean daily T; avg sum of TP, SF January 2022 : T: Avg max/high max, avg min/low min, avg mean daily. P: Sum of TP, SF

Historic January:

T: Avg max/high max, avg min/low min, avg mean daily. P: Avg sum of TP, SF

Temperature (T) (degrees F) Max Min Mean daily 49 47 22 9 23 39 36 32.1

During the 14 14 -1 -11 -10 * 4 11 3.0

36.7

15.6

38.1

14.4

-2

36.6

15.7

-26

Precipitation (P) (inches) Total Snowfall (TP) (SF)

24 hours prior to 8 a.m. 31.5 0.00 0.0 30.5 0.00 0.0 10.5 0.18 2.9 -1.0 T T 6.5 T T 21.5 0.00 0.0 23.5 T T 17.6 0.18 2.9 26.1

0.16

2.2

26.3

0.92

16.5

26.2

0.66

10.2

Peak wind gust at Georgetown Lake Velocity Time (mph) (24 hr) During the previous calendar day NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR * Record low minimum temperature; was -1˚ in 2016.

aging people to keep their homes and vehicles secure. On the flip side, ISPD took fewer calls about abandoned vehicles, animal-related incidents, ordinance violations, civil issues, and trespassing than it did in 2020. The department’s citations also were down, which Buseck said is because of lower staffing levels. Looking at the breakdown of 2021 calls by days of the week, Thursdays and Fridays were ISPD’s busiest while Mondays were the slowest. Likewise, 3 p.m. and 11 a.m. were the busiest times, and 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. were the slowest. Examining use of force ISPD recorded 34 incidents in 2021, which Buseck said is similar to its 2020 and 2019 numbers. Use of force is applied to any incident where officers use anything beyond standard handcuffing. This includes restraining arms and legs, pointing a firearm, or deploying a Taser. In 2021, ISPD recorded: • 12 incidents of restraining hands and feet; • 20 pointed firearms; • Three Taser deployments; and • Two control holds. Sometimes multiple methods were used in the same call, Buseck clarified, but were recorded on the breakdown separately. Because of the national conversation about police brutality, especially against people of color, Buseck shared that 89% of suspects in ISPD’s use-of-force incidents were white and 11% were people of color. He said this aligns with the city’s 2021 population demographics, which was estimated at 86% white and 14% people of color. Buseck said use of force is something his department will monitor, and it will handle any violations of

use-of-force as it did with Hanning’s last May. The incident was turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution, and Hanning was terminated from the department. He recently was sentenced to four months’ house arrest and two years of supervised probation. 2022 goals For the department’s 2022 goals, Buseck listed hiring and retention; training and equipment upgrades; and community outreach. Regarding the latter, Buseck said he’s asked Mountain Youth Network students to do artwork for the police headquarters. He wants it to reflect his employees’ pride in the community and in being officers. As part of the training goal, Code Enforcement Officer Steven Zacharias recently attended a traffic investigation school and can now help with minor traffic investigations. Buseck said Zacharias will do this alongside his code enforcement duties, and ultimately will take on a broader job title — community service officer. Depending on budget and workload, Buseck said ISPD might hire someone part-time in 2023 to help Zacharias. Council Member Jim Clark wondered whether a part-time officer would only handle code enforcement, and Buseck stated they could be trained in traffic investigation as well, along with animal-related calls and other issues Zacharias currently handles. Council Member Kate Collier shared residents’ concerns about code violations regarding garbage and parking, and wanted to ensure ISPD is still addressing those issues as Zacharias takes on more duties. Buseck responded, “I don’t want to stretch (Zacharias) too thin, but I would say he’s capable of doing it all.” To read the full 2021 ISPD Annual Report, visit cityofidahosprings. colorado.gov/departments/idahosprings-police-department.

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February 10, 2022

CLEAR CREEK NEWS BRIEFS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Idaho Springs City Council fills vacant seat The Idaho Springs City Council approved 6-0 to have Lisa Manifold fill the vacant Ward II seat. Manifold, who was sworn in at the Jan. 31 meeting, will serve until the next City Council election in Nov. 2023. The vacancy was created when Ward II Council Member Chuck Harmon took over as mayor. Manifold has lived in Idaho Springs for nine years. She formerly owned her own massage therapist business, but has since become a self-employed author. She’s also served on the city’s Historic Preservation Review Commission for the past year-and-a-half. During a Jan. 18 work session, Manifold recalled how Idaho Springs was more in an economic depression when she moved here. There weren’t very many tourists, and many storefronts were vacant. Now, with more economic success and improved infrastructure, Idaho Springs is in a transition period, she said. While change isn’t always a bad thing, she said, “I think it can be a tough thing.” She said that being on City Council will require weighing things based on individual merit and how it impacts residents, employees and visitors. She and her HPRC colleagues have sometimes tackled contentious

issues, but Manifold said public service is about doing the best for those she serves and those she serves with. “I think it takes a team effort to make (change) work better for the people who live and work here, and I’d like to be a part of that,” Manifold said. EMS purchasing AEDs for law enforcement vehicles Clear Creek EMS and its partners are hoping to save lives with accessible, high-quality AEDs or automated external defibrillators. Clear Creek EMS is buying 45 new AEDs to replace existing ones in public areas throughout the county and to install in local law enforcement vehicles. That way, if an officer arrives to a cardiac arrest first, they could revive the person before EMS gets there. The AEDs are scheduled to arrive in March, but EMS staff believes it’ll likely be closer to June because of supply-chain issues. During the Feb. 1 county commissioners meeting, EMS Capt. Alec Giroir described how Georgetown Marshal Randy Williams used his AED to revive someone last fall. Giroir said he believes these new ones will be a huge help for Clear Creek visitors and residents. While the $73,000 expense wasn’t budgeted for 2022, Director Bryon Monseu said EMS should have a sales-tax surplus and some projects budgeted for 2022 have fallen through. “I’m 90% sure that we have enough money in overage and sur-

SHUTTERSTOCK

plus, and this is as important as it gets as far as life-saving mechanism in the county,” Monseu told the commissioners. “One way or another, we’ll have the funding for it.” Giroir and Monseu said EMS will be training law enforcement, county staff members and eventually the broader public on using AEDs alongside CPR. The key is continuous CPR and defibrillating as soon as possible. The new AEDs are the same brand Clear Creek has in its ambulances, Monseu said later, and the devices can share data when they’re in proximity. The new ones also self-monitor and alert EMS when it needs new pads and so forth. “The last thing you want in an emergency is to pull that (AED) out and find the pads are dry,” Monseu said. Victims in fatal I-70 crash identified Authorities have named those

involved in the Feb. 2 fatal crash on Interstate 70 near Idaho Springs. Leora Ezoory, the 33-year-old passenger, of Los Angeles was pronounced dead at the scene after the Jeep she was riding in crashed into a semi-truck, according to a Feb. 3 press release from the Idaho Springs Police Department. The 34-year-old male driver, Joel Ezoory of Los Angeles, was injured and transported to a Denver-area hospital. His condition is unknown. The Ezoorys were traveling on eastbound I-70 around 5:30 p.m. when their 2020 Jeep Compass Trailhawk struck a semi-truck that was broken down on the shoulder. The semi-truck driver was in the cab at the time of the accident and was uninjured. ISPD and Colorado State Patrol are investigating the accident, including cause, but have found no indications of driver impairment.

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February 10, 2022

Evergreen’s Dave and Ali Meyers met teaching biology at Evergreen High School 18 years ago, and have been married for 12 years with two children. The two will be teaching on Valentine’s Day and don’t really celebrate the holiday, but Ali said the two recently went rock climbing for a date night. Along with teaching biology, the two also enjoy sports and outdoor activities, saying that shared interests and values are imporPHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN tant for couples.

PARTNERS FROM PAGE 1

Justin and Tyler Fukae have been working shoulder to shoulder lately at their Georgetown store, Sabel. Tyler recently left his full-time job, and since then, he and Justin have been prioritizing Sabel and quality time as a couple. They’ve found their personalities and backgrounds perfectly complement each other. Justin focuses more on customer interaction and merchandise curation, and Tyler handles the store’s bookkeeping and management. “It’s like, `Look at what we created together,’” Justin said. “We see both of ourselves in it. I don’t think the store could run without both of us.” Amanda and Ryan Cooper, who run Cooper’s on the Creek in Georgetown, said they try not to let work impact their home life and vice versa. But, they acknowledged, the two are ultimately one and the same. “I think strong partners in life make strong business partners,” Ryan said. “Both kinds disagree, but you get through it because you have come to a consensus.” Running Tables Amy and Dustin Barrett’s wedding registry included items they wanted for their restaurant, Tables. The two opened the chic American eatery at 2267 Kearney St. in 2005 and were married a few months later. The two met while working at Denver’s Strings restaurant, where Amy hired Dustin. When they initially opened Tables, the two were in the kitchen together, but Amy moved to more front-of-house duties when they had their daughter. The Barretts, who live a few blocks away from Tables, said every evening at the restaurant is unique. There’s an adrenaline rush to the business, Amy explained, as variables evolve throughout the night. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent employment and supply chain crunches have been some of the toughest challenges they’ve ever faced in their working lives. Amy said it’s been even more difficult than when Tables first opened, and it’s required a lot of problem solving, Dustin added. Still, they’d rather work together

than work for anyone else, the Barretts said. They understand each other’s decisions, and there’s an existing level of trust between them, Amy said. While Dustin said he’s seen other couples’ relationships suffer from working together, he and Amy have accepted that their work lives and home lives are intertwined. “This place is part of us,” Dustin said of Tables. Chemistry in biology class Evergreen’s Ali and Dave Meyers say they have more in common than just biology. They’re both former college athletes, and they both love outdoor activities. The two met 18 years ago while working at Evergreen High School. Ali, who’s an EHS alumna, described how they were initially friends until Dave asked her out. Now, they’ve been married 12 years and have two children. And though they work at the same school, the two don’t really work together. He and Ali work with their respective students and have minimal interaction throughout the school day. Still, the biggest hurdle has been scheduling, they said. Dave, who teaches honors and AP biology, described how they’ll have parent-teacher conferences at the same time and need to find someone to watch their children. However, having the same work schedule also

Ryan and Amanda Cooper will be working at their restaurant, Cooper’s on the Creek in Georgetown, on Valentine’s Day. Amanda said the two don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day, as it’s more fun to work.

means they have the same days off. Ali, a former biology teacher who’s now an intervention specialist, said being in the same profession means she and Dave have the same values. They’ve ultimately helped each other become better teachers. “My life is here; it doesn’t feel like a job,” she said. “My friends and family are here. My community is here.” Feeling like home After being busy with work, school and military service, Lakewood’s Justin and Tyler Fukae wanted to start a business together. The two met almost five years ago in New Orleans. Justin moved frequently for military service, but once he was discharged, the two started Sabel last year. The store at 507 Taos St. in Georgetown offers sustainable yet practical wares, and the Fukaes are opening a second location on Denver’s South Pearl Street. Before leaving his job last month, Tyler worked on Sabel in his spare time. Now, they’re enjoying working side by side in Georgetown and wonder how the second location will impact that dynamic. Tyler said he’s enjoyed seeing a side of Justin he usually doesn’t — in his element at Sabel. For anyone looking to start a business with their significant other, Justin recommended: “It’s about knowing your talents, about respecting them, and trusting that they’ll

do their part.”

Stars align over Clear Creek If someone had asked Georgetown’s Amanda and Ryan Cooper 15 years ago if they could work together, they would’ve said “no.” But, as Amanda said, “It’s different when it’s your livelihood and something you build together.” The Coopers have worked in the service and hospitality industry their entire careers and met 19 years ago while working at a San Diego restaurant. They married 12 years ago and moved to Denver, where Amanda is from. In September 2015, they were asked to consult for someone opening a restaurant in Georgetown and were eventually invited to run it. They decided they would do it if everything fell into place, and it did. The building’s major renovations were completed, the funding came through and Cooper’s on the Creek opened in July 2016. Amanda serves as the general manager, while Ryan makes Colorado-inspired American fare as the executive chef. With two kids, Amanda’s worked from home as needed, so she and Ryan aren’t always at work simultaneously. She said operating the restaurant together, though, requires constant support, reciprocal respect and compromise. “We’re lucky,” Ryan said. “Not everybody can work together like this.”

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February 10, 2022

Clear Creek ends mask mandate for everywhere except schools BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Clear Creek has rescinded its public health order requiring masks in all indoor places open to the public, effective immediately. Masks are still required at local schools, however, as they fall under a separate public health order. The county commissioners, acting as the board of health, unanimously voted on Feb. 3 to rescind the order, which has been in place since Dec. 7. County staff had previously discussed leaving in place language that requires businesses to cooperate with contact-tracing efforts. However, on Feb. 3, staff clarified

that this is already covered under a state mandate, and thus recommended the board of health rescind the county mask order in its entirety. Other Denver area counties’ mandates also ended last week. Summit and Gilpin counties had rescinded theirs before Feb. 2. Tim Ryan, Clear Creek County’s public health director, stated he would be more comfortable requiring masks for a bit longer, but also understood the need to align with neighboring counties and not burden businesses with enforcement anymore. Ryan and the commissioners all recommended that people continue

to wear masks in public, and Ryan said businesses should continue to have their employees wear masks at work to prevent spread among staff. County Attorney Peter Lichtman clarified that masks will still be required in schools, which is a separate public health order. The commissioners asked to revisit it at their regular Feb. 15 meeting. Two county residents spoke during public comment, saying they felt testing at the schools was ineffective because results take too long. They were also against students being required to wear masks, saying it should be optional. “It seems weird to unmask the entire population, except for the

healthiest population in the county,” Georgetown’s Justin Scott said. They added that while the local school board makes its own decisions, it’s also greatly influenced by the county’s actions and recommendations. The commissioners asked county staff to bring them a list of options on how to address the order requiring masks and testing at the schools, saying they’d like to have the option to vote on Feb. 15, depending on what they decide. “We know that some other (school) districts are dropping their mandates right now, and we can learn from their experience,” Commissioner George Marlin said.

Clear Creek High School December Teen of the Month Nominee BY STAFF REPORT

Zach Pitts, son of Shane and Jill Pitts, has been nominated as December Teen of the Month for the Idaho Springs Elks Lodge #607 Teen Scholarship Fund. Pitts is a senior at Clear Creek High School. He’s played football and baseball for three years, and has run track and cross country for two. He also plays in the school band. Pitts has volunteered in the Georgetown Half-Marathon and Kidz Korner in Idaho Springs. His hobbies include music,helping his grandparents and completing puzzles.

In April, Pitts and five other Teen of the Month nominees from CCHS will be up for the Teen of the Year Scholarship Award. All Clear Creek County students graduating in spring 2022 can apply for Elks scholarship money. Applications for the C.L. Mackey and Lyle F. Wohlers Scholarships can be picked up in the Clear Creek High School counselors’ office. Applications must be submitted to the Idaho Springs Elks Lodge before April 1, 2022. For more information contact Mary Broyles, the lodge’s scholarship chair, at 303-908-1852.

Zach Pitts COURTESY PHOTO

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Clear Creek Courant 7

February 10, 2022

There’s snow time like January After dry fall, Clear Creek sees very snowy January BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

If Clear Creek residents thought January was wetter and snowier than normal, they’re not wrong. While the county experienced a severely dry fall, the minute New Year’s rolled around, Mother Nature decided to switch up her look for 2022. The National Weather ServiceBoulder confirmed Georgetown saw 16.5 inches of snow in Jan. 2022. The average is 12.5 inches. And that was just Georgetown. NWS meteorologist Zach Hiris said some lower elevations in the county recorded 200% or 300% of their January averages. “It was a good start to 2022,” Hiris said on Feb. 4, remarking how the Dec. 31-Jan. 1 snowstorm flipped the Front Range back to a wetter pattern. Clear Creek’s fall and early winter was dangerously dry. In October, most of the county saw 50% or less of its normal precipitation. In Georgetown, observers recorded a half-inch of liquid precipitation and almost no snow. The average is 1.25 inches of liquid and 7.5 inches of snow, Hiris explained. November was slightly worse. Outside of peaks in northwest Clear Creek, the county saw about 25% of its normal precipitation. Georgetown saw 0.19 inches of liquid and 1 inch of snow; the average is 0.89 inches and 11.1 inches, respectively. December saw some relief, but recordings were still below average. Georgetown saw 7 inches of snow, while the average is 14.4 inches, he stated. While the NWS’ climate prediction center anticipates a drier and warmer spring for the Front Range, Hiris remarked that “it only takes one good storm” to change its precipitation pattern. That’s exactly what happened with last year’s March 13-14 storm that dumped approximately 2 feet of snow across the greater Denver area, he explained. “If you get one good, moistureladen storm, you can make up a lot of moisture,” Hiris said. “But, (the outlook) is generally favoring a warmer, drier spring.”

Snow covers the trees and homes on Floyd Hill during the Jan. 25 storm.

PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

Surrounded by snow, a person ice-fishes Jan. 28 on Georgetown Lake.

Clouds swirl over Santa Fe Mountain, background, and snowshoe tracks at the upper Beaver Brook Trailhead, foregound, on Jan. 29.

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8 Clear Creek Courant

LOCAL

VOICES

February 10, 2022

School district to create communication plan COLUMN BY SANDI SCHUESSLER

There is a popular quote by Damian Barr that is often accompanied by an illustration of boats in a storm at sea. The quote says, “We are not all in the same boat. We are all in the same storm. Some of us are on super-yachts. Some have just the one oar.” The illustration has a boat on each wave peak of the storm, ranging from a canoe to an aircraft carrier. When it comes to educating our children in Clear Creek, it often feels like we are in the same storm, especially over the past few years as we have been learning to live with a pandemic all while navigating the “next normal.” The current Board of Education met in December for a mini-retreat and made a commitment to create a communication plan for Clear Creek School District. I have to admit that I can be very content rowing around in a canoe without any cell service,

minding only the clouds in the sky. But, being in a canoe during a storm gives me anxiety. GUEST And I am not alone. We all worry COLUMN about the future. Creating a way to communicate and build authentic relationships is fundamental in the education of our children. During the retreat, the board decided to Sandi Schuessler use the guidelines the National School Public Relations Association has suggested in developing a communication plan. We recognize citizens have a right to know what is happening in their school district. We also recognize that we need to improve our twoway communication. We value communicating in-person and are looking at alternative ways to do this in pandemic times.

As your school board president, my plan for increasing opportunities for two-way communication is to set up virtual coffee hours on a bi-weekly basis until the weather improves to allow for more frequent outdoor opportunities to meet. So, as we continue floating along in the storm of the pandemic, the journey of your child’s education and in growing a visionary school district, we want you to know that we value your voice in helping us interpret the needs and values of our community. The annual Winter Survey is one form of communication that we use to ask for your feedback on topics such as school district spending priorities, welcoming environments, communication, student climate/ bullying and parents’ perspective on their children’s mental health. Every February we send out this survey, and this year you can expect to find it in an email, weekly district newsletter, at the parent/teacher

conferences and in shout points (such as an email or robo-call). In addition to the Winter Survey, you also can find the emails for all members of the Board of Education on the district website. All of the members of the board are adept at using different methods of communication. My preferred method of communicating is one I learned last summer on how to saddle two canoes together while on the water so you can float along while you eat lunch or talk logistics. I wish this method worked for all types of boats, but it doesn’t, and that, my friends, is why communication is fundamental in weathering a storm. If you are interested in participating on the Communications Plan Committee, contact board member Jessica North at jessica.north@ ccsdre1.org. Sandi Schuessler is president of the Clear Creek school board.

Black History Month: remembering Edna and John Mosley

s we celebrate Black History Month this February, let me introduce you to two giants in Colorado history, Edna and John Mosley. Edna Mosley was the first African American to be elected in Aurora when she won a City Council seat in 1991. She had been involved with a variety of community activities and was victorious for an at-large seat as a Black woman. I first met her when I was part of a team chosen to provide Federal lobbying services for Aurora in 1994. The primary reason Aurora needed a lobbyist was to oppose closer of the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center and then to advocate for its redevelopment when it was clear it would no longer be an Army hospital. As an integral part of the military community and a city councilwoman, Edna was one of the leaders

in our efforts. The first time we went to Washington together, she mentioned that she’d GREG need some time ROMBERG to herself to visit her niece. It wasn’t until we had gotten home that she let it slip that her niece was California Congresswoman Maxine Waters. The fact that her niece was one of the most Columnist powerful members of Congress wasn’t as important as that being in Washington was an opportunity to see her. And that was Edna Mosley in a nutshell. She was a lady in every sense of the word. She was among the most gracious people I’ve ever known, but in her own quiet way,

also among the toughest. She was smart, driven, strategic and always motivated to make things better for others. She was a founder of the Woman’s Bank and has been inducted into both the Colorado Black Hall of Fame and Aurora Women’s Hall of Fame. When I first met John, he just told me he was Edna’s husband, but as I got to know him, he (somewhat reluctantly) gave me more insights. He was a Tuskegee Airman and a pilot in World War II who had retired as a Lt. Colonel. He had been a National Merit Scholar. In college at what was then Colorado A&M, he was the first Black football letterman, was on the wrestling team and was later inducted into the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame. I was there when he was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. Since their deaths, Edna in 2014

and John in 2015, their contributions continue to be remembered. A P-8 school in Aurora bears their names and is a daily inspiration to children to achieve things and provide service like John and Edna. An outpatient clinic at Fitzsimons is named for John. When the Stapleton neighborhood in northeast Denver was renamed, one of the final names considered was Mosley. Colorado is a better place because of Edna and John Mosley and their accomplishments. As we celebrate Black History Month, we should remember them and their service to our state and country. Greg Romberg had a long career in state and local government and in government relations. He represented corporate, government and trade association clients before federal, state and local governments. He lives in Evergreen with his wife, Laurie.

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep in mind the following rules: • Email your letter to kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line. • Letters must be no longer than 250words. • Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere. • We will edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length and write headlines (titles) at our discretion. • Submit your letter in a Word document or in the body of an email. No PDFs or Google Docs, please. • Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in the following week’s newspaper. • Include your full name, address and phone number. We will publish only your name and city or town of residence, but all of the information requested is needed for us to verify you are who you say you are.

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Clear Creek Courant 9

February 10, 2022

CURRENTS rado.org/find-our-sites.

We’d like to know about events or activities of interest to the community. Visit www.clearcreekcourant. com/calendar/ and post your event online for free. Email dbrobst@ coloradocommunitymedia.com to get items in the print version of the paper. Items will appear in print on a space-available basis. FEB. 12 The Town of Georgetown is hosting the first Winterfest, Featuring a Night of Ice & Fire on Feb. 12. The event will include food trucks, vendors in Strousse Park, live music on the library stage, a scavenger hunt from Guanella Pass Brewing and winter-themed activities in the historic downtown area from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival also will feature a hockey tournament on the ice rink in Werlin Park from 1-4 p.m. To register for the hockey tournament, visit bookwhen.com/programs. Evening festivities will be from 4-8 p.m. at Werlin Park, including skating to DJ-provided music, fire pits, heaters, and coffee, tea, cocoa and beer for purchase, as well as s’mores and additional food vendors. Skates will be available to rent for $5. FEB. 16 Resilience1220 will offer a workshop on the impacts of chronic ailments on lifespan and development from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 16 via Zoom. Speaker Art Ginley will discuss the skills, perspectives and approaches necessary in working with the vast array of symptoms that come up with chronic illness. Lear more and register at r1220.org. FEB. 25 Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice will host its benefit gala — a Hawaiian luau — at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at Mount Vernon Canyon Club in Genesee. Individual tickets for the costume party are $100, a table of eight is $1,000 and a table of 10 $1,200. Purchase tickets at mtevans. org/support-mount-evans/gala/. THROUGH APRIL 15 AARP is sponsoring a free tax

VOA TRANSPORTATION is available on Fridays to the Idaho Springs Safeway and the post office. The van leaves at 12:30 p.m. from 1402 Miner St., Idaho Springs.

COURTESY GRAPHIC

program at the Evergreen Library on Tuesday afternoons and every other Saturday afternoon starting on Feb. 1. Call 303-235-5275 to make an appointment. Pick up the intake forms before your appointment. All taxpayers are welcome. Appointments are required this year, and all clients will need to wear a mask inside the library. ONGOING RESILIENCE120 HAS STARTED a support group called College Age Community that meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. For information and the Zoom link, email lior@wisetreewellness.com. WELLNESS CHECK TUESDAYS are the last Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for free blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol screenings at the Clear Creek Health and Wellness Center, 1969 Miner St., Idaho Springs. For more information, additional help or a ride to the clinic, call 303-670-7528. MOUNT EVANS HOME HEALTH CARE & HOSPICE offers two monthly groups to provide emotional support services for caregivers helping ill, disabled or elderly loved ones. An in-person support group meets every third Monday from 4-6 p.m. at 3081 Ber-

POLICE BLOTTER

Crime Calls from Jan. 17-30 Tuesday, Jan. 18 — Idaho Springs’ SWAT officer assisted the Clear Creek Sheriff’s SWAT team with a call in Evergreen. A male fugitive had reportedly trespassed into a residence, and the team was able to apprehend him and take him into custody without incident. Tuesday, Jan. 18 — An Idaho Springs officer responded to the 600 block of Miner Street for reports of an unwanted person. A couple was disputing over a civil property issue. The officer defused the situation, and one person left the residence and agreed to solve the matter in civil court. Wednesday, Jan. 19 — An Idaho Springs officer was patrolling eastbound Interstate 70 near exit 241 when he observed a driver pass his patrol vehicle at 91 mph. The vehicle also entered the closed express lane. During the traffic stop, the officer also reportedly found the driver under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested on suspicion of

gen Peak Road, Evergreen, and a virtual support group meets every first Tuesday from 10 a.m.-noon via Zoom. Call 303-674-6400 to learn how to connect to the group virtual call. For more information visit mtevans. org/services/emotional-support/. THE PROJECT SUPPORT SENIOR CENTER offers Sit `n’ Stretch at 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday at the center, 1402 Miner St., Idaho Springs. COVID-19 TESTING is available from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays in the dirt lot by Mount Buzz near the corner of Argentine and 11th Street in Georgetown, and from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Clear Creek Health and Wellness Center, 1969 Miner St., Idaho Springs. Appointments are recommended by visiting covidcheckcolo-

COVID-19 VACCINES for adults and children 5-17, flu vaccines and other children’s vaccines are available from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays at the Clear Creek Health and Wellness Center, 1969 Miner St., Idaho Springs. Appointments are encouraged for COVID vaccines and boosters at comassvax.org/clinic/ search, enter CLEAR CREEK in the Location Box, and there is no need to add any other information. No appointments required for flu and childhood vaccines. THE PROJECT SUPPORT SENIOR CENTER offers free bingo from 12:30-2 p.m. the first and third Tuesday and a monthly birthday celebration at noon the second Tuesday of the month. YOUNG PEOPLE 12 TO 20 can get free counseling through an Evergreen-based organization called Resilience1220. Comprised of licensed therapists, Resilience1220 serves individuals and groups in the foothills including Clear Creek County. They also facilitate school and community groups to build life skills in wellness and resilience among youth. For more information or to schedule a counseling session, visit www.Resilience1220.org, email Resilience1220@gmail.com or call 720-282-1164.

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drunken driving and reckless driving. Wednesday, Jan. 19 — Idaho Springs officers responded to reports of a theft along 12th Avenue. The reporting party stated his personal belongings had been stolen while he was using the rec center. He was able to track his cell phone to a residence in the county. The belongings were returned to the owner, who declined to press charges. Saturday, Jan. 22 — Empire police responded to a motor vehicle accident along U.S. Highway 40. Empire police took a report, and Colorado State Patrol responded to investigate. Monday, Jan. 24 — Idaho Springs officers responded to an assault-inprogress report in the 2400 block of Colorado Boulevard. One party was arrested on suspicion of harassment and domestic violence. Wednesday, Jan. 26 — Georgetown police conducted a traffic stop for a minor traffic infraction. During contact, police discovered the driver had a warrant for a parole violation on a previous homicide conviction. The driver was taken into custody.

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10 Clear Creek Courant

February 10, 2022

Skate park moving forward in Idaho Springs School district, rec district boards chiefly concerned about safety BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A skate park on the north end of the former middle school property in Idaho Springs is a step closer to reality. The Clear Creek school board and the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District are on draft four of an inter-governmental agreement that would allow the rec district to oversee a skate park at that location. “We are so excited about this,” Superintendent Karen Quanbeck told the school board on Jan. 18. However, both the school board and the rec district board want to ensure that the skate park is a safe place, and officials will gather input and ideas from 15 other Colorado schools who have skate parks next door. “We get one chance to do this right,” school board member Kelly Flenniken said. “I am struggling with idea of safety and supervision. I would like to figure out collectively how we resolve the problem before

The Clear Creek School District and the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District are working together to create a skate park north of Building 103, which is the former middle school. COURTESY OF JUSTIN WATANABE

the problem happens. I would like to figure out how to prevent issues.” Cameron Marlin, the rec district’s general manager, said the rec dis-

trict board felt strongly about being proactive around safety, including creating a skate park oversight committee made up of students, community members and representatives of the rec district and school district. “This committee would receive incident reports, and events of misconduct and vandalism,” Marlin said. “They would work to respond to that. If there are consequences or cleanup, the committee would work to reduce recurrences and to ensure it’s the safest place possible. We are all on board to do whatever we can.” She said lighting, cameras, the skatepark’s design and the committee’s partnerships with law enforcement would be crucial. A skate park has support from the community. A survey of families in the county, including those who live near the site, was answered by 154 respondents, according to Becca Bernal with Mountain Youth Network, which is a partner in the project, and the positive responses were overwhelming. “Out of 154 responses, 150 were in favor of this,” Bernal said, noting that 60% said they were happy the skate park would be youth focused. Respondents wanted the best possible space including lighting, supervision and maintenance, plus

they hoped the school district would convince CDOT to build a pedestrian bridge over Interstate-70 to provide easier access to the skate park. The Clear Creek school board on Nov. 11 directed Quanbeck to begin working with the rec district on the intergovernmental agreement. The rec district is submitting a Great Outdoors Colorado grant application to help fund the skate park, and once funding is found, the rec district has pledged to be responsible for maintenance. A group of skateboard enthusiasts including Clear Creek High School students has formed the Skate Board, which is instrumental in driving the skate park proposal. Skate Board representatives at the October school board meeting explained that there weren’t many things for teens to do in Idaho Springs, and a skate park would give them a new activity. Idaho Springs no longer has a skate park, and skaters — the term for someone who rides a skateboard — get kicked out of other places. They called the former middle the perfect place for a skate park because it’s centrally located, easy to get to and not near many homes, so it wouldn’t disturb neighbors.

Not ready to commit School board wrestles with request for early child care in Building 103 BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

While the Clear Creek school board says it understands the need for infant/toddler care in the county, it is not ready to commit to allowing an early child-care center in Building 103. Board members agreed at the study session on Jan. 13 that the new Carlson Elementary School needed to be the No. 1 priority before they consider allowing tenants in the building, even an infant/tod-

dler care program that is so needed in the county. A team that includes Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District, Clear Creek County and the school district has been meeting over the last year to find a way to bring early care for infants and toddlers to Clear Creek. The team has asked the school district for 4,600 square feet of space plus space for a playground, and it would need parking and drop-off space in Building 103, known as the former middle school. The team has been asked to apply for an $800,000 grant, but it needs an address to use for a facility, and general designs for the space and a playground. The team and a new nonprofit called Expanding Early Care and Learning in Clear Creek County continue to move forward

with site possibilities, also considering the former LDS church property in Dumont and the former resource center in Idaho Springs. A survey funded by the county, the Clear Creek Economic Development Corp. and a grant from the Henderson Mine found that child care was needed in the county, and parents are making do with nannies, neighbors, friends and family members, with some watching their children themselves because they can’t afford child care. It suggested that the county should consider options for expanding center-based child care in the region and evaluate the potential for financial support. The new Carlson Elementary School is expected to open in August 2024, paid for by most of a $33 mil-

lion bond that voters approved last year. Bond money cannot be used for tenants in the building. “Our priority as a Board of Education needs to be an elementary school,” board member Kelly Flenniken said. “I’m uncomfortable making a decision (on whether to allow an early child care facility). I can’t say with confidence that we can do this. The need is profound. I’m in support, but it feels like this cart is very far ahead of the horse. We are committed to partnering and helping, but we can’t commit to this path yet.” Superintendent Karen Quanbeck added: “I think there would be a way to fit an elementary school with infant/toddler care, but I don’t know that because we have not hired an b i architect yet.” a

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Clear Creek Courant 11

LOCAL

SPORTS Making the last shot count

Clear Creek small forward Christian Watts, 23, grabs a rebound during the Jan. 31 home PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN game against Front Range Christian.

Clear Creek seniors making most of final basketball season BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

w On Feb. 18, the Clear Creek boys basketball team will try to send its six seniors out on a high note against Longmont Christian. Because they don’t play any spring sports, seniors Jaylen McLemore and Christian Watts are hoping to finish the season and their high school athletic careers strong. They’d like to win their last three or four games, take the W on senior night and advance as far as possible in the playoffs.

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“The young guys are trying to help and make it worthwhile for all of us (seniors),” Watts said. McLemore said he took things too seriously in previous seasons, so now, he’s focusing on having fun and enjoying these last few games with his teammates, especially his fellow seniors. McLemore and Watts, who play point guard and small forward, respectively, have been on varsity all four years. Coach Scott Haebe said he was proud of the players and the people they’ve become. “They’ve been with me for four years, so they know what the expectations are,” Haebe said. “They’re solid and they bring stability to the program. They know their roles.” SEE BASKETBALL, P12 ON AVERAGE, AARP MEMBERS ENJOY

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After passing the ball, Clear Creek point guard Jaylen McLemore, right, is guarded by Front Range Christian’s Aiden Porier during the Jan. 31 game at Clear Creek.

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12 Clear Creek Courant

February 10, 2022

Clear Creek small forward Christian Watts, right, tries to block out Front Range ChrisPHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN tian’s Noah Dunnigan during the Jan. 31 game at Clear Creek.

Clear Creek point guard Jaylen McLemore warms up for the Jan. 31 home game against Front Range Christian.

Clear Creek point guard Jaylen McLemore, 30, is recognized during the team’s starting lineup announcement before the Jan. 31 home game against Front Range Christian.

Clear Creek’s Jaylen McLemore, left, and Christian Watts said their senior basketball season has been fun so far. The two don’t play spring sports, so they’re trying to have as much fun as possible before their high school athletic careers conclude.

BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 11

Sophomore Colin Hendrickson described McLemore and Watts as highly skilled and hardworking. They’re always giving advice and setting a good example for the younger players, he said. Hendrickson said the two have taught him and his fellow underclassmen not to beat themselves up, how to stay positive and to have a healthy mindset. But, the most im-

portant thing he learned from them was work ethic. “You give it 110%, always,” he continued. McLemore and Watts both felt that the future of Clear Creek’s basketball program is bright, thanks to young players like Hendrickson. After heartbreaking losses, like the Jan. 31 one against Front Range Christian, they emphasized how important it is to set an example of mentally starting over. “We can let the tough losses get to us, because it’ll impact the younger guys, too,” Watts said.

McLemore was proud of how much the team has improved, especially on offense, since the season started. He and Watts said it’s a matter of staying patient going into the fourth quarter, and not letting games get away from them. The two credited their four fellow seniors for their leadership and hardwork, especially Jett Baker, who’s injured but provides a lot of energy on the bench. McLemore and Watts were really excited for the playoffs, saying it always generates high-intensity games. They two recalled the 2019

win at Byers, describing it as one of the highlights of their basketball careers thus far. “It always creates great memories,” Watts said of the playoffs. He and McLemore are looking forward to creating more memories this postseason, hopefully happy ones. But first, they’ll have to tackle senior night and its trademark bittersweetness. “I see senior night as a microcosm of life as a whole,” McLemore said. “It represents the end of our high school basketball career, (and) that we’re about to graduate.”

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Clear Creek Courant 13

February 10, 2022

Children’s Hospital Colorado takes on mental health crisis Child psychiatrist appointed Mental Health-in-Chief BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In the wake of declaring a state of emergency for pediatric mental health in May 2021, Children’s Hospital Colorado — CHC — continues to invest more resources to better support children, youth and families in along the Front Range. To help oversee this challenge, CHC appointed Dr. K. Ron-Li Liaw, a child psychiatrist practicing at the hospital’s Anschutz Campus location, as the inaugural Mental Health-in-Chief. Liaw will help shape and oversee child mental health vision and strategy, operations, quality, safety and workforce development system-wide for CHC. CHC has 15 locations statewide, including campuses in Highlands Ranch, Aurora, Denver and Broomfield in the Denver metro area. Last year, Children’s Hospital Colorado stepped up, calling the mental health crisis impacting young patients unacceptable. Officials labeled it a crisis, calling on state lawmakers to step up and start making changes to truly address the growing problems. After another roundtable discussion in the fall, CHC continued to press, saying some work had been done since they first raised concerns last May, but stressed it has not been enough. Administrators at CHC have focused on the fact that fixing the mental health problems for youths, teens and young adults in Colorado is not a short-term issue, committing to a long-term fight to find solutions. Appointing Liaw is the latest step for CHC in making the commitment to find answers to the growing problem that is happening not just in Colorado but nationwide. “Now is the time for Colorado to design and build an integrated system of care for the kids and families of this dynamic and beautiful state,” said Liaw. “I am impressed with the mission, vision, footprint

RESOURCES TO GET HELP FOR CHILDREN Help a child cope with COVID-19 — bit.ly/3GT72jg Talk to a child about grief or loss — bit.ly/3qNHtKS For more information: childrenscolorado.org To make a gift in support of pediatric mental health or to learn more about how you can invest in Children’s Hospital Colorado as it addresses the mental health crisis, visit www.pmhi.org.

Children’s Hospital Colorado has multiple hospitals and clinics across the Front PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK Range.

Dr. K. Ron-Li Liaw

and the depth of humble expertise I’ve found at Children’s Hospital Colorado, along with tremendous partners who are all driving a movement of change for children’s health. We want Colorado to be an innovative and effective model, and I’m excited to be part of the momentum and part of the team that’s going to get us there.” Liaw also serves as the chair of the Pediatric Mental Health Institute at CHC, where she holds the Cannon Y. & Lyndia Harvey Chair in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. “We’re clearly seeing at Children’s Hospital Colorado the disastrous downstream impacts of an already-broken pediatric mental health system that’s been further strained by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said President and CEO Jena Hausmann. “We will continue

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to do all we can to provide highquality mental health services to those children in need while also continuing to advocate with our community partners for systemic change at every level — local, state and federal — to help solve the youth mental health crisis.” According to CHC administrators who have spoken out over the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the youth mental health crisis and further exposed the lack of a wrap-around mental health system in Colorado. Doctors and pediatricians say children and families are experiencing tremendous stress driven by disruptions in daily routine, social isolation, financial insecurity and grief. The lack of screening, preventive services, mental health providers, training programs, and psychiatric beds and residential treatment facilities for young people in crisis leads to a continued cycle of trauma. According to data provided by CHC, the inpatient psychiatric unit has been full for well over a year

and the inpatient medical units and ICUs continue to admit multiple patients with suicidal ideation. From January through mid-October 2021, 70% more children came to CHC emergency departments due to a mental health crisis, compared to the same time period before the pandemic in 2019. In 2021, CHC saw more than 6,500 emergency department behavioral health visits of children in crisis, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Huasmann said Children’s Hospital Colorado is pleased to welcome Liaw because of her vision, energy and leadership, as the healthcare provider works to reimagine its response to crisis care and expand mental health inpatient, outpatient and day treatment services across the system. Liaw will be representing Children’s Hospital Colorado as a 202122 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow and joining a national network of leaders to transform the trajectory of children and families across the country.

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14 Clear Creek Courant

February 10, 2022

Doctors speculate on what flu season will look like Omicron hinders data-gathering process for influenza

SYMPTOMS OF THE FLU VS. COVID

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With talk of COVID around the clock, winter is still a time for other illness and viruses, including influenza, which has reemerged this year after being nearly non-existent in 2020-2021. Doctors across the Front Range said hospitals and clinics started seeing the flu pop up in October and November. Flu season generally lasts through midApril, leaving doctors along the Denver metro area to say they are not quite sure what to expect as flu season moves into full swing. At Children’s Hospital Colorado, Dr. Suchitra Rao, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, said they started treating young patients with the flu dating back to October. Rao said the number of cases doctors are seeing at various Children’s Hospital clinics in Douglas, Jefferson and Arapahoe counties are on par with what the levels used to be pre-pandemic. As of Jan. 27, Rao said Children’s Hospital has had 400 confirmed influenza cases, with 100 of them needing hospitalization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while states like Texas and New Mexico have “very high” numbers of flu cases, Colorado is still in the “minimal” stage, meaning not many cases are currently being recorded. Rao said flu cases started dropping again when the omicron variant of COVID-19 sparked up. As cases of omicron increased, for some reason, flu cases again decreased, she said. When asked what would cause the change, Rao said doctors are looking at a variety of reasons. “The reasons why are not clear,” Rao said. “Could be people started wearing more masks with more restrictive policies in place. There are some other theories too.” Rao said one theory that cannot yet be confirmed is that omicron ran “viral interference” to influenza. “The theory is that one respiratory virus takes over and others go away,” she said. Dr. Eric Hill, a HealthOne emergency room physician at the Medical Center of Aurora, said the HealthOne network saw cases drop off as omicron came into

While symptoms of the flu are similar to COVID, the flu can cause high temperatures SHUTTERSTOCK and more body aches.

After being nonexistent last year, the flu season is back with cases present along the Front Range in December. SHUTTERSTOCK

view. However, Hill said some of that might be because hospitals are stressed and testing for COVID is a priority, which means labs were testing less for the influenza. “The need of resource to battle omicron skyrocketed, putting a massive drain on the testing labs,” he said. “Unless it was a must-have, the flu tests were not done. COVID really has drained the system.” Dr. Ben Usatch, an emergency medicine physician and medical director for UCHealth Hospital Highlands Ranch, said he would argue without proof that omicron was just so much more contagious that it spread throughout the region much faster and with more force

than influenza can. Like Children’s Hospital, Hill said that before omicron, adult flu cases were comparative to the days before the COVID pandemic. However, now, doctors are not sure what to expect for the remainder of the flu season, Hill said. “With the expectation that omicron cases are going to start to drop, whether that means influenza has a chance to grab hold again — we don’t know,” Hill said. Usatch said after a nonexistent flu season last year, it’s hard to even consider what to expect in the coming months. To truly protect the community, Usatch said, getting the flu vaccine and COVID vaccine should be a priority.

Flu symptoms Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: • Fever or feeling feverish/chills • Cough • Sore throat • Runny or stuffy nose • Muscle or body aches • Headaches • Fatigue (tiredness) • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. COVID symptoms People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported — ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: • Fever or chills • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches • Headache • New loss of taste or smell • Sore throat • Congestion or runny nose • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea

“Getting these shots not only protects you, but it provides protection to your family and the community,” he said. “A virus is a virus. Some flus are more concerning than others because of the pneumonia factor. The flu season is still young and getting protected is important.” Rao and Hill said it is not too late to get the flu shot this season, adding that it is better late than never. Doctors say flu and COVID symptoms are similar. Anyone with symptoms, Rao said, should first be tested for COVID. After that, other diagnosis options can be explored. Hill said a big difference between COVID and the flu is the high fever. COVID presents with a lower-level fever, while the flu causes much higher temperatures, he said. While the flu can primarily be treated with fluid and over-the-counter medications, Usatch said anyone struggling to breathe should get to a doctor immediately.

WORSHIP DIRECTORY

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GEORGETOWN 812 Taos St., Georgetown • 303-569-2360 Serving the community since 1874. Sunday worship 10:00 am. Please join us!

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF IDAHO SPRINGS 100 Colorado Blvd., PO Box 840, Idaho Springs, CO 80452

ALL ARE WELCOME! Come, join us for live worship on Sundays at 10:00 AM!

THE UNITED CHURCH OF IDAHO SPRINGS AND CLEAR CREEK COUNTY 1410 Colorado Blvd., Idaho Springs (303) 567-2057 Sunday Worship Service – 10:00 AM PASTOR BILL ROBERTSON Taste and See Tuesdays - 5:30-7:00pm Good food and good conversation - Building community by bringing hope and encouragement to our town and county. Moly Room in the Clear Creek Rec Center in Idaho Springs

Join Our Worship Directory! Call Donna at 303-566-4114

Clear Creek Courant 15

February 10, 2022

C R O S SWO R D P U Z Z L E

Solution

TRIVIA 1. MYTHOLOGY: In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of love. What’s the name of the Greek god of love? 2. MOVIES: Which movie series features a character named Inspector Clouseau?

9. LANGUAGE: In British English, what is a windcheater? 10. ANATOMY: What part of the human brain controls hunger?

3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the basic currency used in Greenland?

Answers

4. HISTORY: What was the first toy to be advertised on U.S. television?

2. “The Pink Panther”

5. MEASUREMENTS: What is the unit of measurement used to gauge the speed and direction of a computer mouse?

4. Mr. Potato Head

6. GEOGRAPHY: Which U.S. territory’s unofficial slogan is “Where America’s Day Begins”? 7. TELEVISION: What is the longest running scripted TV series? 8. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president campaigned for election with the slogan “Happy Days Are Here Again”?

1. Eros 3. Danish krone 5. Mickeys per second 6. Guam, whose location is near the International Date Line 7. “The Simpsons” 8. Franklin Roosevelt (1932) 9. A windbreaker 10. Hypothalamus (c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

Crossword Solution

16 Clear Creek Courant

February 10, 2022

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Clear Creek Courant 17

February 10, 2022

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Public Notice City of Idaho Springs Check Register for the Newspaper Check Issue Dates: 1/1/2022 - 1/31/2022 Check Issue Date / Payee / Invoice Amount 36764 01/10/2022 36765 01/10/2022 36766 01/10/2022 36767 01/10/2022 36768 01/10/2022 36769 01/10/2022 36770 01/10/2022 36771 01/10/2022 36772 01/10/2022 36773 01/10/2022 36774 01/10/2022 36775 01/10/2022 36776 01/10/2022 36777 01/10/2022 36778 01/10/2022 36779 01/10/2022 36780 01/10/2022 36781 01/10/2022 36782 01/10/2022 36783 01/10/2022 36784 01/10/2022 36785 01/10/2022 36786 01/10/2022 36787 01/10/2022 36788 01/10/2022 36789 01/10/2022 36790 01/10/2022 36791 01/10/2022 36792 01/10/2022 36793 01/10/2022 36794 01/10/2022 36795 01/10/2022 36796 01/24/2022 36797 01/24/2022 36798 01/24/2022 36799 01/24/2022 36800 01/24/2022 36801 01/24/2022 36802 01/24/2022 36803 01/24/2022

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Legal Notice No. CCC292 First Publication: February 10, 2022 Last Publication: February 10, 2022 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Metropolitan Districts Public Notice

500,000.00

1,000.00

Clear Creek County Clerk & Rec

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR SODA CREEK HIGHLANDS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2

The Office of the DEO is open on the following days: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Soda Creek Highlands Metropolitan District No. 2 of Clear Creek County, Colorado.

The deadline to submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form is close of business on Friday, February 25, 2022.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, three (3) directors will be elected to serve a three-year term. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Sarah H. Luetjen, the Designated Election Official for the District, at email: sluetjen@ cegrlaw.com. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above email address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 25, 2022). NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above address during normal business hours, until the close of business on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election (Tuesday, April 26, 2022). All absentee ballots must be returned to the Designated Election Official by 7:00 p.m. on election day. SODA CREEK HIGHLANDS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2 By:/s/ Sarah H. Luetjen Designated Election Official Legal Notice No. CCC282 First Publication: February 10, 2022 Last Publication: February 10, 2022 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant Public Notice CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR SODA CREEK HIGHLANDS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Soda Creek Highlands Metropolitan District No. 1 of Clear Creek County, Colorado. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, three (3) directors will be elected to serve a three-year term. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Sarah H. Luetjen, the Designated Election Official for the District, at email: sluetjen@ cegrlaw.com. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above email address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 25, 2022). NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above address during normal business hours, until the close of business on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election (Tuesday, April 26, 2022). All absentee ballots must be returned to the Designated Election Official by 7:00 p.m. on election day. SODA CREEK HIGHLANDS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1 By:/s/ Sarah H. Luetjen Designated Election Official Legal Notice No. CCC281 First Publication: February 10, 2022 Last Publication: February 10, 2022 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant Public Notice A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly, to the electors of the Chicago Creek Sanitation District of Clear Creek 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, 3 directors will be elected to serve 3-year terms. Eligible electors of the Chicago Creek Sanitation District interested in serving on the board of directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District Designated Election Official (DEO): Sheri Karner, ccsd_103@yahoo.com, 303-567-2855

Affidavit of Intent To Be a Write-In-Candidate forms must be submitted to the office of the designated election official by the close of business on Monday, February 28, 2022. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, an application for an absentee ballot shall be filed with the designated election official no later than the close of business on Tuesday preceding the election, April 26, 2022. Sheri Karner /s/ Designated Election Official Legal Notice No. CCC291 First Publication: February 10, 2022 Last Publication: February 10, 2022 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Summons and Sheriff Sale Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO 405 Argentine St., Georgetown, CO 80444 Case Number: 2021CV30044 Div.: C Plaintiff(s): WEST FIRMS REAL ESTATE, LLC, a Georgia Limited Liability Company, v. Defendant(s): DENNIS C. GENEVA and ERROL C. CURLEE; LELAND JAMES and GOLDIE JAMES; HEIRS OF SYBIL G. WASSON (deceased); MARATHON INVESTMENT CORPORATION, a Georgia Corporation; PUBLIC TRUSTEE OF THE COUNTY OF CLEAR CREEK; BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY; and all unknown persons who may claim any interest in the subject matter of this action. Attorneys for Plaintiff: John D. Coaty, Atty. # 24513 Anita L. Marchant, Atty. #43987 Dylan Woods, Atty. #46731 Natalie R. Norcutt, Atty. #55095 Coaty Marchant Woods, P.C. 1202 Bergen Parkway, Suite 110 Evergreen, CO 80439 Phone: 303-674-0800 Fax: 303-674-8492 Email: jcoaty@cmw-evergreen.law; amarchant@cmw-evergreen.law ; dwoods@cmw-evergreen.law ; nnorcutt@cmw-evergreen.law SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT(S): Dennis C Geneva, Goldie James, Leland James, Heirs of Sybil G Wasson, Evelyn C. McClendon and Mildred A. Campbell, and All Unknown Persons Who Claim Any Interest In The Subject Matter of This Action. You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the amended complaint filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after the service of this amended summons upon you. Service of this amended summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court. If you fail to file your answer or other response to the complaint in writing within 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the complaint without further notice. This is an action to quiet the title of the Plaintiff in and to the real property situated in Clear Creek County, Colorado, more particularly described in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein, County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado. Dated: February 1, 2022 Dylan Woods, Attorney for Plaintiff Legal Description: The West Commonwealth Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mineral Survey No. 4624, as described in U.S. Patent dated June 19, 1890 and recorded October 19, 2021, in Book 1018, Page 584, Excepting therefrom any portion embraced in Survey Nos. 158 and 2931, as excepted in said

Patent A tract of land located in Section 30, Township 3 South, Range 73 West of the 6th P.M. more particularly described as follows: Beginning at the intersection of Line 2-1 of said West Commonwealth Lode with Line 3-4 of the Fanny D. Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mineral Survey No. 15386A; thence Southwesterly along said Line 3-4 to the point of intersection with the Western most Section line of said Section 30; thence Northerly along said Section line to the point of intersection with Line 2-1 of the said West Commonwealth lode; thence Southeasterly along Line 2-1 of the said West Commonwealth Lode to the point of intersection with Line 3-2 of said Fanny D. Lode, the Point of Beginning, A tract of land located in Section 30, Township 3 South, Range 73 West of the 6th P.M., more particularly described as follows: Beginning at the point of intersection with line 2-1 of said West Commonwealth Lode with line 1-3 of the Agnes Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mineral Survey No. 15386A; thence Southeasterly along Line 2-1 of said West Commonwealth Lode to the point of intersection with Line 5-6 of the Legal Tender Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mineral Survey 158; thence Northwesterly along Lone 5-6 of said legal Tender Lode to the point of intersection withe Line 1-4 of said Agnes Lode; thence Northwesterly along Line 1-4 of said Agnes Lode to a point of intersection with Line 2-1 of said West Commonwealth Lode, the Point of Beginning, A tract of land located in Section 30, Township 3 South, Range 73 West of the 6th P.M. more particularly described as follows: Beginning at Corner No. 1 of the Maud S. Reynolds Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mining Survey No. 15386A; thence Southeasterly along Line 1-2 of said Maud S. Reynolds Lode to the point of intersection with Line 3-4 of said Fanny D. Lode; thence Southwesterly along said Line 3-4 of said Fanny D. Lode to the point of intersection with Line 4-3 of said West Commonwealth Lode; thence Northwesterly along Line 4-3 of said West Commonwealth Lode to the point of intersection withe Line 1-2 of the Lady Jane Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mineral Survey No. 15386A; thence Northeasterly along Line 1-2 of said Lady Jane Lode to a point of intersection with Corner No. 1 of said Maud S. Reynolds Lode, the point of Beginning, A tract of land located in Section 30, Township 3 South, Range 73 West of the 6th P.M., more particularly described as follows: Beginning at the point of intersection with Line 1-2 of said Fanny D. Lode with Line 1-2 of Maud S. Reynolds Lode; thence Southeasterly along Line 1-2 of said Maud S. Reynolds Lode to the point of intersection with Line 1-2 of the Sierra Nevada Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mineral Survey No. 15386A; thence Southwesterly along Line 1-2 of said Sierra Nevada Lode to the point of Intersection with Line 4-3 of said West Commonwealth Lode; thence Northwesterly along Line 4-3 of said West Commonwealth Lode to a point of intersection with Line 1-2 of said Maud S. Reynolds Lode, the Point of Beginning. Combined by Agreement recorded March 14, 2001, in Book 610, Page 947, County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado. The Ohio Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mineral Survey No. 502, as described in U.S. Patent dated September 23, 1876 and recorded July 6, 2021, in Book 1011, Page 509, And a tract of land located in Section 30, Township 3 South, Range 73 West of the 6th P.M., more particularly described as follows: Beginning at Corner No. 6 of the Bradford Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mineral Survey No. 15386A; thence Northerly along line 6-5 of said Bradford Lode to the point of intersection with line 1-2 of the R.A.D. Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mineral Survey No. 15386; thence Northeasterly along line 1-2 of said R.A.D. lode to the point of intersection with line 3-4 of the Ohio Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mineral Survey No. 502; thence Southwesterly along line 3-4 of said Ohio Lode to the point of intersection of line 5-6 of the Cora Lewis Lode Mining Claim, U.S. Mineral Survey No. 15386A; thence Northwesterly along line 5-6 of said Cora Lewis Lode to the point of intersection with line 1-2 of the said R.A.D. Lode; thence Northeasterly line 1-2 of said R.A.D. Lode to the point of intersection with line 2-1 of the said Bradford Lode; thence Southerly along line 2-1 of said Bradford Lode to Corner No. 1 of said Bradford Lode; thence Southeasterly along line 1-6 of said Bradford Lode to Corner No. 6 of said Bradford Lode, the Point of Beginning, Combined by Agreement recorded February 12, 2001, in Book 609, Page 138, County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado. Legal Notice No. CCC293 First Publication: February 10, 2022 Last Publication: March 10, 2022 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Clear Creek Legals 2.10.22 * 1

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER Clear Creek Legals 2.10.22 * 1

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18 Clear Creek Courant

February 10, 2022

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To apply, visit:

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Painting

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Merchandise

Miscellaneous

$17.00 per hour

A & H DRYWALL, LLC

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Please Recycle this Publication when Finished

Clear Creek Courant 19

February 10, 2022

Careers

Miscellaneous

Idaho Springs

Police Department is Hiring! Nestled in Clear Creek County surrounded by beautiful mountains (25 miles west of Denver), the city of Idaho Springs is the first stop for outdoor and skiing enthusiasts. Idaho Springs has approximately 1,800 residents and hosts tens of thousands of visitors each year. •Seeking POST certified officers OR non-certified individuals to attend an academy •$60,000/yr. starting pay (lateral officers may qualify for higher pay depending on experience) •Outstanding retirement through Fire Police Pension of Colorado (vested in 5 years) •Take home vehicle if residing within 25 miles •Free Recreation Center membership •Includes exceptional medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage •Paid time off Check out our website at https://cityofidahosprings.colorado.gov/ departments/idaho-springs-police-department or contact Corporal Ryan Frost directly (rfrost@idahospringsco.com , 303-956-5064) Our creed… “Commitment to Integrity and Safety through constitutional Policing and Dedication to our community.”

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Custodians / FT / Benefits / Mostly Evenings / Carlson Elem & King Murphy Elem Head Custodian / FT / Benefits / CCHS Head Cook / Benefits / CCHS Cooks / PT / King Murphy Bus Driver / FT / Benefits Coach / MS Track Guest Teachers Visit our Website to View All Open Positions Apply at: www.ccsdre1.org Clear Creek School District RE1, does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, marital status, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs or activities. Inquiries may be referred to the Director of Human Resources, Robin Payne, robin.payne@ccsdre1.org 303-567-3851

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Wanted to Buy Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box 13557 Denver, Co. 80201

LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB? CLEAR CREEK COUNTY WANTS YOU!!!

• • • • • •

Raft & Zipline Guides Management Kitchen Staff Mechanics Guest Service/Retail Drivers

Regional Class A CDL Driver • $33.03 - $28.00 per hour • Paid Layover • Paid Orientation • Full Benefit Package

Call 940-726-5454 for details EOE M/W/V/D

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY is accepting applications for the following jobs: • Child Protection Caseworker I/II/III: Hiring wage is $47,091.20 - $55,440 annually DOQ • Control Tech: Hiring wage is $20.14 - $22.15/hr DOQ • Deputy Sheriff - Patrol: Hiring wage is $33.94 - $34.96/hr DOQ • Detentions Deputy: Hiring wage is $29.23 - $30.11/hr DOQ • Dispatcher: Hiring wage is $24.62 - $25.35/hr DOQ • Equipment Operator I for the Transfer Station: CDL; Hiring wage is $18.00 $19.80/hr DOQ • Equipment Operator II for Road and Bridge: CDL; Hiring wage is $21.00 $23.10/hr DOQ • Kitchen Manager: Hiring wage is $22.40 - $24.64/hr DOQ • Mechanic - Senior: Hiring wage is $23.10 - $25.41/hr DOQ • Nurse Confinement: Hiring wage is $77,200 - $84,920 annually DOQ • Public Health Nurse (PRN & Temp.): Hiring wage is $36.06 - $39.66/hr DOQ • Recreation Facilities Manager: Hiring wage is $29.66 - $32.63/hr DOQ • Senior Accountant: Hiring wage is $65,000 - $75,000 annually DOQ • Shop Foreman: Hiring wage is $27.31 - $30.04/hr DOQ • Trails Supervisor (Seasonal): Hiring wage is $25.24 - $27.76/hr DOQ • Transit Supervisor: Hiring wage is $50,400 - $55,440 annually DOQ Taking applications until positions are filled. See benefits, full job descriptions and applications at: https://www.clearcreekcounty.us Under “I Want to…” in the left-hand column of the drop down, click on “Jobs in Clear Creek County”. This will take you to the job posting site where you can complete an application. Clear Creek County is an ADAAA/EEO employer.

Pets Dogs

Doodle Puppies

Golden Doodles and Bernedoodles Home-Raised Heath Tested and Guaranteed Standard and Mini Size available Schedule a visit today! (970)215-6860 www.puppylovedoodles.com

Transportation Wanted

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

DINE LOCAL Support Neighborhood Restaurants

20 Clear Creek Courant

February 10, 2022

Portraits of strangers showcase humanity and spread love Finding purpose through the American Quilt Project BY ALEXIS KIKOEN ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

On an unseasonably warm, 60 degrees Fahrenheit January day, Andy Lurie heads from his south Denver apartment to Red Rocks Amphitheater, cell phone in hand. When he arrives, he immediately starts scouting the area, looking for faces to photograph. “I’m really drawn to hats, beards, big smiles,” Lurie says, looking around. He’s here to take portraits for The American Quilt Project. “The American Quilt Project is basically a metaphorical quilt of humanity,” Lurie explains. “It’s essentially a lot of portrait photographs of all kinds of people who I’ve come across…and it’s all together on Instagram.” Lurie began the project five or six years ago, after a second suicide attempt. He woke up in the hospital days later, thankful to be alive. “I decided I needed something to do, I needed a purpose,” says Lurie. “I wanted to do something that showed love and connection.” Lurie originally took landscape photographs, but soon found he was more drawn to people. He started approaching people at a festival in Morrison, asking them if he could take their picture.

Back at his apartment, Lurie’s picture wall features dozens of portraits including ones from the early days of the project. He points to one young man, sporting a huge grin across his face. “He was one of my very first pictures, and I remember pointing my camera and having him beam this huge smile at me,” Lurie remembers fondly. “I think that’s all it took, I was hooked at that point.” Now, he frequents places like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver’s 16th Street Mall, farmers’ markets, festivals — anywhere that people gather. Since starting this project in 2017, Lurie has amassed over five thousand portraits, all displayed on his Instagram page. “It would take you all day to go from the top to the bottom of my Instagram page,” Lurie laughs. While he’s not quite sure what the end goal of his project looks like, Lurie does know he wants to make a difference, no matter how small. “I want people to feel uplifted, like they belong to this human race as well,” Lurie says. “I hope the pictures emanate a kind of a love, and that people feel connected to that.” You can follow along with the American Quilt Project here. This story is from Rocky Mountain PBS. Used by permission. For more information, visit https:// www.rmpbs.org/.

Andy Lurie takes a portrait at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS