Clear Creek Courant 092922

Clear Creek community holds vigil to Christian Glass

$100 million awarded to Floyd Hill I-70 project

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

CDOT has been awarded $100 million from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America INFRA competitive grant program.

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The grant was received on Sept. 9. In May, U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper wrote to the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in support of CDOT’s grant proposal. Buttigieg visited Floyd Hill in February.

“Using funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are able to support more excellent community-led projects this year than ever before,” said Buttigieg in a statement released on

Money received from the INFRA grant will go toward fixing the bottleneck problem on I-70 near Floyd Hill

SEE FLOYD HILL, P6

Members Community remembered Christian Glass at a candlelight vigil on Sept. 20 at Citizens Park in Idaho Springs. Glass, 22, was killed by police in

Sally Glass,center, mother of 22-year-old Christian Glass, who was shot by police after calling 911 for help, is flanked by his sisters Katie, left, and Anna, right as they attend a candlelight vigil in Idaho Springs on Sept. 20.

PHOTOS BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY

Close to 80 community members gathered Sept. 20 in Citizens Park in Idaho Springs to remember the life of Christian Glass, the young man who was shot by police after calling 911 for assistance after his car got stuck on a rural road in neighboring Silver Plume.

Judge rules in favor of Idaho Springs investors

BY JASON BLEVINS THE COLORADO SUN

A U.S. district judge has awarded a group of Idaho Springs investors $8.7 million after a title company failed to respond in court to allegations that it stole $4.5 million from the investors and distributed the cash to personal accounts.

The 35-investor Mighty Argo Cable Car Group deposited the $4.5 million into an escrow account with Virginia-based First Title Inc. in August 2020 as part of an equity deposit on a $34 million construction loan to build a gondola-anchored resort village in Idaho Springs.

The investors sued the owners of First Title in April 2021, arguing Sandra Bacon and Chrisheena McGee stole the deposit and distributed it to personal accounts while sharing fake documents to hide their theft. The women, according to the Argo group, emailed the group bank documents where they added a “7,1” to statements, so a bank account with $20,803.89” read as $7,120,803.89.

When the Argo group sued and filed requests for paperwork for their agreement, the owners of First Title responded by pleading for protection against self-incrimination provided by the U.S. Constitution’s Fifth Amendment. U.S. District Judge Regina M. Rodriguez in January ordered the two women and First Title to respond, because cor-

porations do not have rights under the Fifth Amendment.

No one has heard anything from Bacon, McGee or First Title since. Derek Deyon, the Houston-based attorney who the Argo group says received $200,000 of their money from Bacon and McGee to serve as the women’s counsel, declined to comment on the judgment, saying “we really didn’t mount a defense

PHOTO BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE

and we didn’t respond to discovery.”

But … why not?

“No comment,” Deyon said.

On Aug. 30, Rodriguez awarded the Argo group $4.36 million in actual damages and another $4.36 million in punitive damages.

“The defendants here not only purposefully defrauded the plaintiff out of millions of dollars, they also took numerous steps to try to cover

up their fraud,” Rodriguez ruled in the civil case. The investors are hoping the ruling will prod law enforcement officials to look into the case and pursue criminal charges.

It’s hard to imagine Bacon and McGee writing a check to pay the settlement considering they never bothered to respond to the allegations they stole $4.5 million. But the Argo group has been moving its project forward, despite the costly

The group of friends from Idaho Springs estimates construction costs for their project have climbed by more than $2 million in the past two years. The group had hoped to be well underway by now, with land acquisition, installation of an $8.3 million gondola climbing 1.2 miles from the banks of Clear Creek to a $2.3 million mountain-top plaza and construction of a $4.7 million threestory parking garage in the city.

The development is the planned first phase of a redevelopment of the Argo Mill and Tunnel, where miners carved a 5-mile tunnel to harvest and mill $1 trillion worth of gold in the 1800s. The gondola was the first step in plans for a hotel, convention center, homes and a village surrounding the historic mill in Idaho Springs.

The group still has an outstanding claim against Dallas-based Trivecta Lending and its owner Jay Matthiesen, who organized the $34 million construction loan deal. The Argo

Argo

SEE

McCloskey keeps Georgetown Loop on the rails

from mines. Today, the railroad is a tourist destination where visitors can ride in the cars and get views of the mountains.

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Silver Plume Mayor Sam McCloskey’s past, present and future is on the rails at the Georgetown Loop Railroad.

McCloskey’s great great grandfather worked on the Georgetown Railroad in the 1900s. Back in those days, the steam engines chugged along from Denver to Clear Creek Canyon, hauling passengers and ore

While he hasn’t always been a “train guy,” McCloskey has an interest in steam powered engines. Over the last six years, he has worked at the Georgetown Loop, repairing trains, being a conductor and training new hires.

Before working at the Georgetown Loop, McCloskey was a volunteer at a railroad in Oregon, and he worked on steam powered tractors.

The family tradition continues, as McCloskey’s daughter, Jenn, also

works at the yard, serving as one of only a few female steam engine engineers in the country. McCloskey estimated there are 10 female engineers nationwide.

McCloskey said his 9-year-old grandson is also interested in the railroad, as he already has eyes on taking over his grandpa’s job.

When McCloskey was young, he grew up on a ranch in Elbert. He grew up with two brothers and two sisters, and his family raised cattle and grew wheat on the farm.

“I learned a strong work ethic from my dad,” McCloskey said. “He was a hard working man.”

Growing up as a farmhand led to one of McCloskey’s earlier careers as a bull rider. He spent eight years as a professional rider, attending rodeos in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, and wherever he could hop on a bull.

“I made a living at it for a while,” McCloskey said.

Ultimately, the injurious nature of the sport led to his retirement, but McCloskey remembers the feeling of getting on a bull.

“It’s an adrenaline rush for sure,” he said.

Before he started on the railroad,

SEE MCCLOSKEY, 5

McCloskey looks at some of the leaves starting to change along the tracks.

PHOTOS BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE on career, family and service

McCloskey owned a company that moved oil rigs. After growing tired with that line of work, McCloskey decided to pursue a career with steam engines, something that had previously only been a hobby.

“I enjoyed what I was doing at the railroad in Oregon, so I started looking for something similar here,” he said.

Years ago, when he was working in North Dakota in the oil fields, McCloskey passed out in sub-zero temperatures due to low blood sugar. His trusty dog, Mack, kept him alive.

“Mack laid there with me for five hours to keep me from freezing to death,” he said.

Both of them made it out OK. Now you can find Mack wandering around the train depot with McClo-

The past six years McCloskey has lived in Silver Plume and worked on the railroad with his wife and daughter. For more than two years, he has served as mayor of Silver Plume.

“I got talked into it,” he laughed, recalling what made him run for office.

In a town of 175 residents as of 2020, being mayor is not as easy as some might think. McCloskey came on right as COVID began closing down businesses, and it was difficult to navigate as the leader of a small town.

In his job on the railroad, McCloskey said no day is ever boring. He wears almost all the hats at the train depot, and enjoys the changing environment. He said one of his favorite parts of the job is watching children see trains for the first time.

“We spend a lot of time helping

Machinist Corey creates steam to power the train.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE

Sept. 15.

The award will help improve approximately 8 miles of the I-70 Mountain Corridor, from west of Evergreen to eastern Idaho Springs.

The project plans to add a third westbound travel lane, construct a frontage road connection, add a new ramp from US 6 to eastbound I-70, and improve design speed and sight distance on horizontal curves.

Improvements will be made to the Clear Creek Greenway multimodal trail and environmental mitigation efforts. The project includes installing wildlife crossings and fencing

and restoring nearby creek and wetland areas.

The project also plans to install electric vehicle infrastructure and shuttle parking to encourage transit options, an idea that has been underway in Clear Creek County already.

The project has been highly anticipated in Clear Creek County. County Commissioner George Marlin looks forward to its progress.

“I’m grateful to Congressman Neguse, Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and President Biden for making this investment possible. I look forward to the day when the residents of Floyd Hill are not placed in the middle of a traffic jam every weekend and people can rely on a safer and better drive into Clear Creek County,” Marlin said.

NOTICE OF IDAHO SPRINGS COUNCIL VACANCY

Interested in serving on the Idaho Springs City Council? Lisa Manifold has announced her resignation from her Ward 2 City Council seat effective September 30th, 2022 due to her plans to move out of her represented Ward. Subsequently, City Council declared by resolution a Ward 2 vacancy to exist as of October 1st, 2022 and has chosen to fill the impending vacancy by appointment until the next regular election of Idaho Springs in November 2023. Interested candidates must have lived in Ward 2 for at least the past 12 months, be a registered voter in Idaho Springs, and be at least 18 years of age. Ward 2 is generally the eastern half of the City comprising the area east of 17th Avenue to Placer Street, east of Virginia Canyon Road, and east of Soda Creek Road. Please submit your letter of interest to the Deputy City Clerk by 5:00 p.m. on October 5, 2022 at City Hall, 1711 Miner St., PO BOX 907, Idaho Springs, CO 80452 or via email at cityclerk@idahospringsco.com. Qualified candidates who have submitted a letter by the deadline will be invited to interview with the City Council at its work session on October 10, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Please call with any questions at 303.567.4421, ext. 111.

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

PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

Pride without the arrogance

Whenever he finished an amazing run, resulting in a touchdown, and having weaved his way through the defense and even running over a defender or slipping past another with some lightningquick footwork, he never carried on, didn’t even spike the football, he just glided over to the referee and handed him the ball. The NFL Hall of Famer and icon I am speaking about is Barry Sanders.

When Barry Sander retired, he had played in 159 games, had 110 touchdowns, 3032 receiving yards, and 15,655 rushing yards, for a total of 18,805 yards. Known as one of the fiercest and hardest-to-tackle running backs to ever play the game, but also recognized as one of the classiest players to ever take the field. Plenty of accomplishments with zero arrogance.

We all have completed something in our life where we had that tremendous sense of accomplishment. Maybe it was something in our personal life where we achieved a health, fitness, or financial goal. Or perhaps we completed a small project or much bigger endeavor where we took pride in the work we have completed. At work, we may have been promoted, received an award, or we were recognized for contributing to the growth of the organization. Again, it feels good, and whether we are recognized or not, we know in our hearts that we got the job done.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New School Design: Will they Listen ?

And as we accomplish our goals or contribute to success, people have an even greater appreciation and respect when we walk humbly regardless of what we have achieved.

There are times where the accomplishment or achievement is so amazing that we cannot help but jump for joy and let out a shout or two. Celebrating is much different than arrogance. Especially when it’s a big win, or it’s been a long-term goal that was met or exceeded. Yes, for sure, party it up and celebrate while we enjoy those moments in time. Arrogance is when we change our demeanor, look down on others, walk with a new sense of entitlement, sharing and boasting of incredible deeds. The impact of arrogance can wreak havoc on relationships and even when making first impressions.

Recently I had an opportunity to spend a weekend with my in-laws. My brotherin-law and his wife, as well as her parents, had hosted his parents and my wife and I for the weekend at their summer home in Ocean City, Maryland. They had only bought the home recently, so it was our first time visiting them in their new summer home. When we arrived, the first thing on the agenda was to go for a tour on the boat. My brother-in-law took us around the bay and pointed out all the things and places they were excited about. We stopped at a couple of places for some drinks and food, and then made our way home.

What stood out to me as I watched my brother-in-law was his sense of accomplishment in life. He is only 38 years old, and I have watched him grow personally and professionally. He has risen through the ranks at work and now leads a team. His team walks with the same sense of achievement, but no arrogance, they are there to get the job done. He works out and keeps himself in top physical condition. He practices his golf game and gets better all the time. When he gets a par or birdie, he is excited, but knows the next hole needs his focus. And now he is a part owner of a summer home with his in-laws. As I watched him last weekend, I was truly happy for him and his wife, they showed pride, but more than that they showed growth, appreciation, and joy, no arrogance.

We should take pride and experience joy when we achieve our goals, big or small, we should celebrate and let ourselves feel that true sense of accomplishment. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can enjoy pride of accomplishment without the arrogance, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

The meeting at Carlson Elementary about the New Elementary School on Highway 103 appeared okay on the surface but will the school district really listen? The attendance was not big because I hear many Clear Creek citizens think the decisions have already been made.Many of the attendees were there to lobby for a new Daycare Center and the school only really needs about half of the building.

There are three basic issues with the existing building:

First, it is built into the hill and lacks windows so it has a lot of dark spaces. So the right rooms need to be on the right side of the hill. RTA Architects got most of that right, but for instance the cafeteria is on the wrong side of the building with no windows.

Second, the “Partner” areas that the school will share with the Day Care Center on the main level and Performing Arts area on the top fourth floor, which already has an auditorium and art spaces, needs to be separated from the school area for security. In their design the public must go through the school area to get to the Performing Arts area violating security so they should have their own separate entrances.

Third, the site has limited amount of flat areas for playfields and parking. Playfields shown at only10,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet are not enough forreal athletic playfields. Their Bus Barn location on the track hill contributes to that lack of flat area and the Performing Arts parking will have to shuttle people from off- site. It is a few million dollars over budget because they are forcing a bad solution in the mountains and whenever you don’t work with Mother Nature she will punish you so the Bus Barn, which doesn’t really fit the site, will have expensive extras like retaining walls. Members of the community have presented better alternatives but the School will just circumvent the voters for more money with a deal “par-

tially funded through a lease /purchase agreement (loan),” said Superintendant Karen Quanbeck.

If the School Board’s management of the Bus Barn fiasco foreshadows the management of the New Elementary School then the Clear Creek Community will be thrown under the Bus Barn. All because the School Board won’t listen, learn and be fully accountable like they should teach their students to do by example.

Mike Caistor, Idaho Springs

Our elected Board of Education is doing a great job!

Our elected school board for Clear Creek Schools is effectively exercising their fiduciary responsibility and representing our community voices as evidenced in the recent public work session focused on the taxpayer funded renovation to the previous middle school building on Highway 103. These unpaid folks dedicate countless hours preparing for meetings, so that the important questions can be asked and answered. At the most recent work session, a matrix was developed to assist them in making the final decision on the use of this space.

Instead of choosing which community partner to support, can a both/ and approach be taken by asking the architects to return to their ‘drawing board’ to find the space to satisfy everyone’s needs?

A final Board vote will be taken on the masterplan for the building later in September. Our electorate can indeed be proud of the insightful work being done by the Board in support of our entire community.

Laurie Beckel, Pamela Marsh, Carla Pokrywka Cole, Caitlin Morris and Margie Marlin

Expanding Early Care and Learning in Clear Creek County Board Members

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist are not necessarily those of the Courant.

We welcome letters to the editor. Please Include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

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Email letters to kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Michael Norton

September Wildlife Photo Page: Deer

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In honor of Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s 125th anniversary this year, the Clear Creek Courant and the Canyon Courier will have a monthly photo page celebrating the state’s amazing wildlife and parks. Each page will celebrate a different local animal or group of animals, including fun facts provided by CPW. For September, the mountain newspapers are celebrating deer.

DEER FUN FACTS:

• Colorado is home to two species of deer — mule deer and white-tail deer. The former have rope-like tails, evenly forked antlers and extravagant ears; while the latter has smaller ears, antlers with a single main bear bearing smaller tines, and broad white tails. Mule deer bound with stiff-legged gait and the tail held down; meanwhile, whitetails move with a graceful lope, the flag-like tail held erect.

• Mule deer are abundant throughout Colorado, including “edge” habitat in suburban areas. Whitetails are increasingly common in the eastern plains.

• Both species are four- to six feet long and at least three feet high at the shoulder. A buck can weigh more than 400 pounds; while a doe’s about half that size.

• Bucks start growing antlers in spring, use them to fight for dominance and breeding rights in au-

tumn, and then shed them in winter.

• Deer breed from October to December and give birth after sixand-a-half months. Does usually give birth to twin fawns, which have white spots when they’re young.

• Deer are browsers, feeding mostly on woody vegetation like twigs and leaves. They also forage on crops, especially corn. Because they eat little grass, they usually don’t compete with livestock or elk.

• The deer population has fluctuated throughout Colorado’s history, but Colorado Parks & Wildlife estimated there were about 436,000 deer in 2015. Biologists take an annual inventory of the state’s wildlife, and use multiple sources to inform population models for deer and other species. CPW has been inventorying deer populations from the air for more than 50 years, creating a ratio of bucks and fawns for every 100 does. Using this data, CPW then sets wildlife population goals and determines the number of hunting licenses it can offer each year.

GOT WILDLIFE PHOTOS?

The October wildlife photo page will celebrate Colorado’s foxes. To contribute to the Oct. 27 page, email photos to cwesteman@coloradocommunitymedia.com before Oct. 17. Include the photographer’s name, and the date and location the photo was taken. The photo can be of wildlife anywhere in Colorado and doesn’t have to be recent.

A doe and fawn visit Evergreen Highlands.

COURTESY OF CATHY SHELTON

A buck visits the wooded areas along Conifer’s Shadow Mountain.

COURTESY OF DEBBIE FORD

A deer walks through the snow in Evergreen Highlands.

COURTESY OF CATHY SHELTON

A buck rests in the grass in Morrison in November 2021.

COURTESY OF RICH MINER

A deer visits Conifer’s Shadow Mountain.

COURTESY OF DEBBIE FORD

A buck jumps over a fence in Morrison in February 2021.

COURTESY OF RICH MINER

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investors argue Matthiesen “fraudu lently induced” the Argo group to work the deal with First Title to line up funding for his company and worked with Bacon and McGee as part of the scheme to defraud the investors. The Argo group argues Matthiesen never had money to lend for the construction loan and took $150,000 from the two women and filtered it through different holding companies before it ended up with Matthiesen’s wife, Carrie Matthie sen, for renovations of the couple’s home.

“Matthiesen was part of the fraudulent scheme by misrepre senting, concealing and failing to disclose material facts,” reads the group’s amended complaint adding Matthiesen earlier this year.

Matthiesen, in a response filed in the case in May, said he was unable to close the construction loan deal because First Title never trans ferred the $4.5 million in escrow. He denied any fraudulent conduct involving the escrow payment. He admits taking $150,000 from First Title and spending that money, but “denies that he knew the funds were Mighty Argo’s funds,” his May

We will provide the highest quality of work possible. Our professional sta will assure a high level of professionalism that cannot be matched in our industry. We guarantee our products and services. 303-567-9200 AUCTION

response reads.

Mary Jane Loevlie, the Idaho Springs entrepreneur leading the Argo project and village develop ment, said her group was pleased with the judgment.

“It’s definitely a win,” she said, acknowledging the challenge of collecting from people who never responded to the allegations of theft.

Since the two women stole their money, the Argo investors have found a new lender and more inves tors to keep the project moving. The city extended the development time line and investors remain “steadfast and stalwart,” Loevlie said. This fall crews plan to bury power lines to support the gondola. Crowds have been thick in Idaho Springs this summer and tours of the group’s Argo Mill have been selling out, she said.

“Idaho Springs is becoming this cool and vibrant place that we al ways knew it was and now everyone is realizing,” Loevlie said. “We are confident this project is going to be built.”

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

Sale Date: 10/19/22

Sale Time: 11:00 a.m.

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Mail in bids are not accepted For more info visit our website at www.irsauctions.gov

Contact: Kelila Callahan @ 925-260-4087

GOVERNOR

Heidi Ganahl,

founder of the nation’s largest pet care franchise, Camp Bow Wow, is running against Jared Polis next month to be Governor of Colorado. Heidi is a mom of four beautiful young children and a mom on a mission to restore common sense in Colorado. As a CU Regent for the past six years, Heidi has been a champion for students, free speech, school safety, and affordability.

Under Jared Polis, Colorado’s crime and drug use epidemic has risen to Under Colorado’s use epidemic unprecedented levels. Colorado has the second highest drug addiction rate and the sixth highest suicide rate amongst kids in the country; 60% of Colorado children cannot read, write, or do math at grade level. “Our kids are in a crisis!” is often heard at large rallies around the state, in support of Heidi Ganahl for Governor.

Colorado’s schools are in rapid decline, with the most affected being schools are rapid those in the major Colorado metro areas (Jefferson County, Denver County, Arapahoe County, El Paso County, etc). Including parents in what happens in the classroom and school-choice is a top priority for Ganahl. Teachers and other public servants have been hamstrung by spending on high-level administrators.

When Heidi defeats Jared Polis on November 8th, she will become the Heidi 8th, first mom to occupy the highest office in the state!

To learn more about Heidi Ganahl and her candidacy for Governor, visit www.heidiforgov.com.

Legislators face inflationary budget crunch

Risk of recession grows

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Inflation and rising interest rates aimed at reining in rising consumer costs are causing Colorado’s economy to slow and stagnate, according to two economic and tax revenue forecasts presented Sept. 22 to the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee.

The governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting warned the risk of a recession in the next 18 months has risen since June to 50%. And nonpartisan Colorado Legislative Council Staff said there are a host of economic risks, including fallout from the war in Ukraine and the effects of the Federal Reserve tightening monetary policy even further.

“A recession could be a real possibility that you could be faced with,” said David Hansen, senior economist with Legislative Council Staff. “We don’t want to shy away from saying that.”

The upside is that the state’s job market remains strong, with unemployment hovering around 3% and two job openings available for every unemployed person in Colorado from March to July. And the governor’s office forecasts that the state’s economy is “expected to rebound by the end of 2023 and return to historical growth in 2024” as inflation eases.

“We do think that the monetary policy circumstances that we’re currently under will lessen the amount of labor demand,” said Bryce Cooke, the chief economist with OSPB,

who said he expects the unemployment rate to hit 3.9% in 2023. “But we don’t think it will get to the point where it’s a one-to-one ratio (of unemployed people and open jobs).”

Despite the headwinds, tax revenues are still forecast to increase by hundreds of millions of dollars

The annual process to discuss and approve a budget for Castle Rock is o cially underway.

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

BUDGET

over the next several fiscal years.

“Colorado’s economy is strong and will continue to grow in the months ahead,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a written statement. He is expected to unveil his 2023-24 fiscal year budget, which will take effect July 1, 2023, in the next several weeks.

But the reality for state budget writers on the JBC is that while they are expected to have $1 billion more to spend for the 2023-24 fiscal year, according to Legislative Council Staff, about 90% of that increase is expected to be consumed by the General Assembly’s existing funding plans.

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In other words, state lawmakers will have just $85 million to allocate to new initiatives when they convene in January after two years of unprecedented spending fueled by a stronger-than-expected economy and billions of dollars in federal aid. The news caused some jaws to drop — literally — Thursday among the six members of JBC.

That’s not fully accounting for the effects of inflation on the cost of governing, which could effectively mean the budget will have to shrink.

“I think we’re in the red before we even start the race,” said state Sen. Chris Hansen, a Denver Democrat and the incoming chair of the JBC.

State Sen. Bob Rankin, a Carbondale Republican who sits on the

JBC, is anxious about the prospect of not being able to raise the pay of state employees as a result.

The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, the 1992 constitutional amendment passed by Colorado voters, limits increases in government growth and spending each year to the rates of inflation and population growth. But the inflation rate used to determine the cap comes from the previous calendar year, or six months before the start of each fiscal year.

Given high inflation rates, some JBC members have complained that the TABOR cap is lagging and thus constraining the budget, a problem that compounds over time as inflation keeps rising.

The TABOR cap for the 2022-23 fiscal year, which began July 1, was set using a 3.5% inflation rate when the inflation rate in the 2021 calendar year in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area is more like 8%. While the 2023-24 fiscal year TABOR cap will reflect that higher rate, it only builds off the TABOR cap set using the 3.5% rate.

And because of inflation, the state is expected to collect billions of dollars in tax revenue above the TABOR cap over the next three fiscal years, according to both economic forecasts presented to the JBC on Thursday. That money will have to be refunded to taxpayers, however, so it can’t be used to combat the effects of inflation on governing.

Legislative Council Staff forecast revenue above the TABOR cap to be $3.63 billion in the current 2022-23 fiscal year, $2.28 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year and $1.9 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The forecast from the governor’s

Office of State Planning and Budgeting was far less rosy. The Polis administration forecast the revenue cap to be exceeded by $1.9 billion in the current 2022-23 fiscal year, $685 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year and $742 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

“On the surface, things looks great,” said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat who sits on the JBC. “We have to deal with the stuff that is under the surface.”

Complicating the situation further are two measures on the November ballot that could reduce the TABOR cap excess by hundreds of millions of dollars in future fiscal years, if not eliminate the excess entirely.

Proposition 121 would cut Colorado’s income tax rate to 4.4% from 4.55%, a reduction estimated to slash state tax revenue by $412.6 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Proposition 123 would set aside up to 0.1% of taxable income each year for affordable housing, which is estimated to shrink revenue by $145 million in the current fiscal year and $290 million in the 2023-24 and subsequent fiscal years.

Under the OSPB tax revenue forecasts, the TABOR cap excess would effectively be eliminated by the passage of Propositions 121 and 123. Should there be a mild recession and tax revenue be lower than what’s forecast by OSPB, Propositions 121 and 123, should they pass, could go beyond eliminating the TABOR excess and force the legislature to reduce the size of its budget.

More TABOR refunds coming

The majority of Colorado taxpayers already have received TABOR refund checks — $750 for single filers

and $1,500 for joint filers — for the previous fiscal year. But they can expect even more money in April.

The amount of money taxpayers will receive is based on their income level and is expected to range from $160 for the lowest earners (people who make up to $48,000) who are single filers to $506 for the highest earners (people making more than $266,000) who are single filers. The refund range jumps to $1,012 from $320 for joint filers based on their income levels.

Greg Sobetski, chief economist with Colorado Legislative Council, said the amounts will be finalized in the coming weeks as the state finishes its accounting for the 2021-22 fiscal year, which ended June 30.

Coloradans who filed their 2021 tax returns before June 30 have already received their $750 or $1,500 checks or will receive them by Sept. 30. Late filers who submit their returns before Oct. 16 will receive their checks by Jan. 31.

More information on the refund checks can be found at https://tax. colorado.gov/cash-back.

It’s unclear whether Coloradans will get TABOR refund checks in future years given the uncertainty around the economy and the passage of Propositions 121 and 123.

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

June after calling for help when his car got stuck in the town of Silver Plume. Recently released body cam footage of the incident has sparked public cries for police accountability.

A crowd of nearly 80 community members and friends and family of Glass gathered in the park to remember Glass, light candles in his honor and call for fundamental change.

“As a mom, I know this could’ve been my son, and that’s why I’m here tonight,” said community

member Lisa Stamm. “This behavior by our sheriff’s department is unacceptable.”

Stamm’s remarks were supported by the emotional crowd.

Autumn Brooks, one of the organizers of the vigil, remembers her child calling with car trouble in Clear Creek County in the past, but he got sent a tow truck instead of deputies.

“No more pain should be brought by our law enforcement,” she said.

Idaho Springs has seen firsthand the pain the police can inflict.

In 2019, ISPD was involved in an incident using a stun gun on a 24-year-old deaf man. The man, Brady Mistic, who spent 4 months in jail for charges that were ulti-

mately dropped, has since filed a suit against the city. This altercation involved Officer Nicholas Hanning, who went on to tase an elderly man in 2021.

The pain brought on by law enforcement in Clear Creek is something that Cynthia Flageolle, who attended the vigil, is still dealing with. Her father, Michael Clark, was the victim of a stun gun deployed by ISPD Officer Hanning in 2021 that left him with lifelong deficits.

Ultimately, Hanning received house arrest and probation for his involvement in the assault of Clark and gave up his ability to serve in law enforcement. Residents of Clear Creek are looking for more accountability from the police, calling for

police to “serve and protect, not hurt and neglect,” as many of their signs said.

“We’re not going to stop until we make changes,” Flageolle said at the vigil, after sharing her father’s experience with ISPD.

Christian’s mother, Sally Glass, and her two daughters, sisters of Christian Glass, attended the Sept. 20 vigil. Sally shared memories of Christian and thanked the community for coming together. She remembered her son’s kind soul, and that he always wanted to be an artist when he grew up.

The community shared memories and embraces at the vigil, hoping to come together to enact change through this tragedy.

Members of the community organized a candlelight vigil to honor 22-year-old Christian Glass, who was shot by police on a rural road in Silver Plume. Along with honoring the young man’s memory, community members vowed to seek justice on behalf of his family. PHOTOS BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY

Drawing comfort from the community, Sally Glass remembers her son, 22-year-old Christian Glass, during a Sept. 20 candlelight vigil in Idaho Springs. Christian was shot June 11 by police in the neighboring town of Silver Plume after he had called 911 for assistance when his vehicle got stuck on a rural road.

TRIVIA

1. U.S. STATES: Which state’s official animal is a panther?

2. LITERATURE: What was the color of the man’s hat in the George” book series?

3. TELEVISION: Chuck Woolery was the original host which TV game show?

4. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: was the location of the White Castle

5. COMICS: What’s the name of the where Clark works?

6. MOVIES: Which 1980s movie a character named Aurora Greenway?

7. PSYCHOLOGY: What fear is represented in the phobia eisoptrophobia?

8. GEOGRAPHY: How many African countries have Portuguese as their official language?

9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: On average, cats sleep how many hours a

10. HISTORY: The ancient city of Rome was built on how many hills?

Answers Florida. Yellow. “Wheel of Fortune.” Wichita, Kansas. The Daily Planet. “Terms of Endearment.” A fear of mirrors. Six. About 15 hours. Seven. King Features

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PURPORTED COMMON ADDRESS: 6 SILVER LAKES DRIVE, DUMONT CO 80436-0000 Also known by street and number as: 6 Silver Lakes Drive, Dumont, CO 80436-0000.

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

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, 10/27/2022, at The Clear Creek County Public Trustee’s Office, 405 Argentine Street, George town, Colorado, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

Legal Notice No. CCC417

First Publication9/15/2022

Last Publication10/13/2022

Name of Publication Clear Creek Courant

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES EN TITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;

DATE: 06/27/2022

Carol Lee, Public Trustee in and for the County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado

By: Carol Lee, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: Lynn M. Janeway #15592 Janeway Law Firm, P.C. 9800 S. Meridian Blvd., Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 706-9990

Attorney File # 20-024377

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

Proposals must be submitted electronically to: townadmin@townofgeorgetown.us, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022.

The Town may conduct interviews of the topranking firms to make a final selection.

Any questions related to this solicitation may be directed to Town Administrator Rick Keuroglian, townadmin@townofgeorgetown.us.

The Request for Proposals may be viewed at Town Hall, 404 W. 6th St., Georgetown, CO, or online at http://www.townofgeorgetown.us.

Acceptance of any proposal submitted pursuant to this solicitation shall not constitute any implied intent to enter into an agreement for services. The Town reserves the right to reject all proposals.

This project is funded, in part, with federal funds and must comply with FHWA and CDOT regula tions and design requirement standards.

Dated: Friday, September 16, 2022

Legal Notice No. CCC444

First Publication: September 29, 2022

Last Publication: September 29, 2022

Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Misc. Private Legals

Public Notice

NOTICE OF INTENT TO MODIFY WEATHER

Notice is hereby given that North American Weather Consultants, Inc. (“NAWC”), is filing with the Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board an application for a Permit to conduct a weather modification program within the State of Colorado. NAWC shall conduct this program for the St Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District.

The initial Target Area for the five-year Weather Modification Permit is defined as: The St. Vrain Watershed including primary tributaries located at or above 6,500 ft in elevation. The primary focus of this program is to seed the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, and besides the St. Vrain Wa tershed, seeding may occur in Larimer, Boulder, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Park, Jefferson, Douglas, and Teller counties at or above 6,500 ft. Counties that may be affected by seeding operations on the western slope are Jackson, Grand, Summit, Lake, Chaffee, and Fremont counties.

Section 36-20-112 CRS requires that this notice be published in counties adjacent to the Target area, this includes the following: Jackson, Grand, Summit, Lake, Chaffee, Fremont, El Paso, Elbert, Arapahoe, Denver, Adams, Broomfield and Weld Counties.

The expected duration of operations is November 1st, 2022 through April 15th, 2023 for the first year of operations and November 1st through April 15th for the subsequent four years.

The intended effect of the weather modification operations is to increase snow pack on the east slope of the Rocky Mountain Range as a mean of increasing spring runoff in designated water

networks.

Complete details of the operations are available upon request from: North American Weather Consultants, Inc. 8180 So. Highland Dr., Ste. B-2, Sandy, UT, 84093 or from Andrew Rickert, Colo rado Water Conservation Board, 1313 Sherman St. Room 718, Denver, CO 80203.

A public hearing on this application for a permit to conduct this weather modification program will be held on September 30th, beginning at 1:00pm. This meeting is open to the public and can be joined remotely via zoom. Contact Andrew Rickert at andrew.rickert@state.co.us to gain Zoom ac cess information.

NORTH AMERICAN WEATHER CONSULTANTS, INC.

Legal Notice No. CCC440

First Publication: September 22, 2022

Last Publication: September 29, 2022

Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Notice to Creditors

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Constance “Connie” Faye Hediger aka “Nidy” nea Schaller, Deceased

Case Number: 2022 PR 7

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Clear Creek County, Colorado on or before Janu ary 30, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Ranee J Weldy-DuBrava

Personal Representative P.O Box 744 Idaho Springs, CO 80452

Legal Notice No. CCC443

First Publication: September 29, 2022

Last Publication: October 13, 2022 Clear Creek Courant

PUBLIC

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of BEVERLY KARLEN GUNST, A/K/A BEVERLY A. GUNST, A/K/A BEVERLY ANN GUNST, A/K/A BEVERLY GUNST, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 30018

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Clear Creek County, Colorado on or before Janu ary 16, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Gordon Karlen Gunst

Personal Representative C/O Harvey J. Williamson, Esq. 4450 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite 100 Boulder, Colorado 80303 303-716-9666

Legal Notice No. CCC438

First Publication: September 15, 2022 Publication: September