Clear Creek Courant 022323

75 couples say “I do” at Loveland Ski Area

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In true Colorado fashion, couples skied down the mountain at Loveland to get to their marriage ceremony, only accessible by ski or board.

On Feb. 14, 12 couples got married and 63 renewed their vows at the 32nd annual Mountaintop Matrimony mass wedding ceremony at Loveland Ski Area, hosted in the Forest Meadow run area.

Couples attending the ceremony came dressed to the nines, in top hats, veils, wedding dresses and

Home fire safety important this time of year

Ash and chimney fires are preventable

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Area re departments hope residents will be wiser this winter by taking care of their wood-burning replaces, woodstoves and chimneys, and by properly disposing of ashes.

In recent weeks, the departments have responded to calls for ashes that ignited and chimney res, one in Pine that substantially damaged the home, and more. ese incidents are preventable when residents follow some guidelines.

“It sounds funny to say it, but re is dangerous,” Einar Jensen, spokesman for Evergreen Fire/Rescue, said. “We need to remember we can help control whether heat and fuel come together. If we allow it, that’s when we get re.”

Disposing of ashes

Fireplace and woodstove ashes cannot simply be thrown into the trash, re department personnel said. It is essential to make sure the ashes are cold before disposal.

“Put replace ashes in a noncombustible container and place them outside on a noncombustible surface away from the house,” Jensen said.

Fire ghters tell stories about people putting ashes, which turned

SEE FIRE SAFETY, P2

Barbie and Ken Leach have been married for 50 years in July.

PHOTOS BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE

Couples said “I do” and shared a special moment together on the mountain. SEE I DO, P4

Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado

Week of February 13, 2023

Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado

Week of February 13, 2023

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” and “Min” temperatures are from digital displays of a “MMTS” (“Maximum/Minimum Temperature System”); “Mean daily” temperature is the calculated average of the max and min. “Total Precipitation” is inches of rainfall plus melted snow. “Snowfall” is inches of snow that accumulated during the preceding 24 hours. T = Trace of precipitation. NR = Not Reported. “Peak wind gust at Georgetown Lake” is the velocity in miles per hour and the time of the maximum wind gust that occurred during the 24 hours preceding the observation time. Historic data are based on the period of record for which statistical data have been compiled (about 54 years within the period 1893-2022). Any weather records noted are based on a comparison of the observed value with the historical data set.

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” and “Min” temperatures are from digital displays of a “MMTS” (“Maximum/Minimum Temperature System”); “Mean daily” temperature is the calculated average of the max and min. “Total Precipitation” is inches of rainfall plus melted snow. “Snowfall” is inches of snow that accumulated during the preceding 24 hours. T = Trace of precipitation. NR = Not Reported. “Peak wind gust at Georgetown Lake” is the velocity in miles per hour and the time of the maximum wind gust that occurred during the 24 hours preceding the observation time. Historic data are based on the period of record for which statistical data have been compiled (about 54 years within the period 1893-2022). Any weather records noted are based on a comparison of the observed value with the historical data set.

FIRE SAFETY

out to be smoldering, in plastic bags, plastic buckets or trash bins. All of those led to res that re departments had to extinguish.

Dear Davis Schilken,

I just recently proposed to my girlfriend (now fiancée) and now her parents insist the two of us sign a prenup before we get married. How can I appease my in-laws while still protecting my rights?

Sincerely, Perplexed by a Prenup

Dear Perplexed by a Prenup,

First off, let us congratulate your fiancée and you on your pending marriage. We hope your wedding day is as amazing as your life together will be!! Now, let’s get down to the business of nuptial agreements, which can either be done prior to or after marriage.

Marital agreements, both prenuptial and postnuptial, are a written contract executed between a couple to specify what will happen to the couple’s assets in the event of divorce or death.

Even if you build a happy, healthy marriage, one spouse will likely outlive the other. Marital agreements can give partners peace of mind about the financial future.

When you’re about to get married, divorce is the last thing on your mind. However, the reality is that between 40 and 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce. If you bring significant assets to your marriage or if your fiancée has significant debts, a pre-nuptial agreement is an important way to protect yourself financially. The attorneys at Davis Schilken, PC can draft a prenuptial agreement that details the assets and debts of both parties to be married and explain how property will be divided and support handled in the event of death or divorce. The agreement can encompass children’s and grandparents’ rights, if desired.

There are a few requirements that a nuptial agreement must meet before it becomes valid. These include the following conditions -

• The nuptial agreement must be written, signed, and notarized.

• The agreement must include valid disclosure of assets and financial obligations between both parties.

• Threats, force, or emotional duress must not have influenced the creation of the agreement.

• Terms of the agreement must not appear unethical or lacking fairness.

If nuptial agreements aren’t drafted correctly, they may do nothing but complicate things further. Unfortunately, just because you have created an agreement in writing doesn’t mean that it is presumed to be valid or enforceable. Therefore, it’s crucial that you have a nuptial agreement reviewed by a qualified lawyer to ensure everything is executed properly.

Contact the Davis Schilken, PC team with any of your Estate Planning needs (303) 670-9855.

We offer no obligation in person or virtual meetings. We make estate planning simple!

Visit our comprehensive website for more tools

www.dslawcolorado.com

“Even if you can’t feel heat radiating o of the ashes, it’s still possible there are hot coals deep underneath the ash,” said Dan Hatlestad, battalion chief at Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District. “Ash acts as an insulator for the coals, helping them stay warm without burning themselves out. ese latent coals can be hot enough to ignite paper, wood or vegetation, and easily melt through plastics.”

Hatlestad also suggested removing ashes regularly from replaces and woodstoves because the ashes will cool more quickly. Putting water on the ashes essential, he noted.

“ en, just like you would with a camp re, ensure the entire pile of ash is cool and remains wet before disposing of it,” he said.

Another concern, Jensen said, is residents who set hot ashes next to a house and/or right on a wood deck. e hot ashes can eventually

burn down to the deck, starting it on re, and that re moves to the house.

Chimney cleaning

Fire ghters advise that chimneys should be clean once a year by a licensed contractor.

“For me, when it comes to my safety and my family’s safety, I want to do it right with a licensed inspector,” Jensen said. “I want the work done by someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Chimneys lled with creosote can ignite, moving sometimes undetected to other parts of the house, and by the time people see smoke and ames, it’s too late.

Paying for a chimney cleaning and inspection will cost much less than the costs and hassles of dealing with the aftermath of a house re.

Other tips:

• Space heaters should have 3 feet of space around them while they are running.

• Blow out candles before you leave a room.

• Never use extension cords with heat-producing items such as space heaters. Plug them directly into the wall.

Evergreen firefighters check to make sure they have put out a chimney fire in Kittredge in early February. COURTESY PHOTO

Hearts up: Wellness tips as American Heart Month comes to a close

Take charge of your heart health every month

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As February comes to a close, so does American Heart Month, but doctors want to remind everyone that every month is important for monitoring your heart health.

Clear Creek County Public Health Director for Clear Creek County Dr. Timothy Ryan explained that the Clear Creek Health and Wellness Center o ers free appointments for tests to make sure your heart health is on track.

“We o er them free blood pressure screening, cholesterol screening, hemoglobin and A1C, weight and BMI,” he said.

Tests like these can be early indicators for heart disease and other medical problems, said Ryan, adding that they can tell your doctor how well your heart is functioning.

Dr. Greg Katz is a cardiologist at New York University. He said one of the most important things for people to know is that heart disease and heart attacks don’t always present with the classic symptoms.

He said while many might think of the classic symptoms like chest pain radiating to the neck/left arm or the ‘elephant on your chest,’ you could also experience symptoms like jaw pain or nausea.

“At the end of the day, listening to your body….is really, really impor-

tant,” Katz stressed.

If you experience any symptom that gets worse when walking and improves when resting, this is a sign of cardiac distress and warrants a trip to the emergency room, Katz said. He added that sweating or having symptoms worsening after a meal or going out in the cold are also warning signs that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Luckily, taking charge of your heart health starts at home, Katz

said. Making small changes such as adding in exercise, lowering your sodium intake, getting good sleep, reducing stress and quitting smoking can make a big impact on your health, according to Katz.

Katz stressed that nding out you have high blood pressure or another elevated test doesn’t have to seal your fate. Lifestyle changes can go a long way in preventing heart disease, he explained.

“Patient empowerment, people

having the understanding that you’re not condemned to a bad cardiac outcome based on your genes or your current health status, a lot of these things are changeable,” he said.

To schedule a free appointment at the Health and Wellness Center, visit its website at https://www. clearcreekcounty.us/1370/Healthand-Wellness-Center or call 303670-7528.

February is American Heart Month.

PHOTO BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY

I DO

kilts, with bouquets in hand.

Barbie and Ken Leach spend winters in Dillion and are celebrating their 50-year wedding anniversary in July. e couple came to renew their vows for what they said was the fourth or fth time at Loveland.

Barbie and Ken have been skiing

together for 55 years and show no signs of slowing down. ey are season pass holders at Loveland.

“We think it’s a really wonderful event,” Barbie said. “Everybody is so happy.”

Lena and John Benisch came to the ceremony to renew their vows as well. e couple has been married for 20 years, but this is their rst time at the Loveland wedding.

“It’s epic,” Lena said.  e couple met years ago in an

exercise class, where they both immediately noticed each other and John asked Lena on a date. Skiing has always been a hallmark of their relationship.

“John taught me to telemark ski on our rst date,” Lena said. (Telemark skiing is a technique that uses toeonly bindings and combines elements of Alpine and Nordic skiing.)

After sta at Loveland facilitated a dance party with all the couples in Forest Meadow, the short and

sweet ceremony was carried out. Some couples brought rings, others brought candy rings, and some just exchanged promises and kisses with their partner.

After the 75 couples said “I do” and sealed their love with a kiss, they donned their skis and boards and took to the mountain. An aprés ski party was waiting at the base of the mountain for the newlyweds and

The crowd was excited for the ceremony to begin on the mountain. PHOTOS BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE Many couples donned their finest wedding attire for the event.

At the party, sta at Loveland made individual wedding cakes for all the couples and had treats and sparkling cider to snack on.

Daisy Warner works at the deli and bakery at Loveland. is is her rst season working at Loveland, and her rst time taking part in putting together the wedding.

Warner worked with a team to prepare the wedding cakes and treats for the special day.

“Each piece is like its own work of art, she has spent hours getting everything ready for today and a lot of

love goes into it,” Warner said of her coworker who did the baking.

After enjoying some treats and music, the couples lined up and showed o their wedding day out ts, with applause deciding who was best dressed.

e best-dressed couple was Barbie and Ken Leach, a popular couple all day. Barbie had donned her original wedding dress from 50 years ago, made for her by her mother. Ken had on a blazer, and the duo had matching red ower lapels.

e Leach couple won a honeymoon getaway in Georgetown, with a stay at Rose Street Bed and Breakfast and dinner at Coopers on the Creek, and their surprise and elation at the win was enough to warm the chilliest air on the mountain.

to turn it around. By unlocking the

Loveland made special wedding cakes for all the couples. PHOTO BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE

‘Trying to end the fallacy of being paid in powder:’

Loveland Ski Patrol take steps toward unionization

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Ski patrollers and paramedics at Loveland Ski Area submitted a petition on Feb. 14 for a representative election to vote on unionizing as the Loveland Ski Patrol Professional Union under CWA 7781, the Professional Ski Patrols of America.

Ski patrollers at the ski area have said they face dangerous working conditions every day, but according

elegibles

are year-round employees who are eligible for health insurance through work.

Most of the employees are like Michael Earles, a seasonal employee who earns an hourly wage. He works

Earles is currently in his second season at Loveland, but said he’s someone the rookies are looking to for answers simply because the team can’t retain many patrollers for longer than a few years.

“I’m a second year, I shouldn’t be the guy with all the answers,” Earles said. “I want to see us be able to retain our experienced patrollers.”  Potter grew up in Idaho Springs and now lives in Silver Plume. He

Michael Earles and a team member on patrol at Loveland Ski Area.

PROVIDED BY MICHAEL EARLES

UNION

said retaining patrollers will make for a safer mountain, and the highly trained team should be compensated fairly.

“Our job is pretty dangerous and stressful, and we’re just trying to end that fallacy of us being paid in powder,” Potter said.

Potter has been on Ski Patrol at Loveland for six years. He makes $24.75/hour, with Emergency Medical Training and Outdoor Emergency Care certi cations.

“My realm of specialization is in the avalanche side of things, and that honestly takes a lifetime to learn some of those skills,” Potter explained.

Potter leads avalanche mitigation e orts with explosives and ski guiding in Dry Gulch, and specializes in avalanche forecasting. Still, he faces the stigma that all ski patrollers do, that they are “ski bums” doing unskilled labor.

“I would argue that we are highly skilled, as EMTs, that’s no light duty right there,” he explained.

Not to mention the safe transport of patients o expert terrain in unfavorable weather conditions.

As a second-year member of the patrol, Earles makes $21.25/ hour with EMT certi cation. He said he knows of some lift operators who come away with a higher hourly wage than he and other patrollers.

“ ey aren’t expected to put their physical and mental health on the line every day,” Earles said.

e patrollers stressed that their e orts towards organizing aren’t about greed, but earning a livable wage and being fairly compensated for a dangerous job.

“We’re not doing this out of malice, we have so much love for the mountain, Loveland, our team,” Potter said.

e petition was submitted with 70% support from members of the patrol and paramedics at Loveland. e next steps will include discussions with management at Loveland as to when an election could take place.

Loveland Ski Area received the noti cation of the petition late Feb. 14 and did not have a comment at the time of publication.

Pet Adoptions Meet DIANE!

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Our mission is to lower energy costs and provide the healthiest quality air possible. For anyone, business or residential, we will increase e ciency of your system by using the very latest techniques, the latest technologies and top of the line products. 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.

Anthony Potter is a six year member of the patrol team. PROVIDED BY ANTHONY POTTER

Antlers or horns: Need some pointers?

Soon, all of our elk and deer will start to look like females! Only a close inspection from a super-powered camera or a peek out of the living room window will reveal whether an animal is male by the presence of pedicles, the base of growth for the antlers.

ese will initially have the appearance of round wounds on the animal’s head and will heal before the antler growth process begins again. While some animals await antler buds, the horned wildlife can continue to hold their heads high on muscled necks because their head gear will not be detaching.

Although both antlers and horns consist of bone that grows from the skull, the structure of the horn has two layers. Covering the bony part of the horn is a  keratin sheath. e sheath and bone stay in place and in some species continue to grow during the life of the animal. Females also have horns but of a smaller size. Local horned wildlife include bison, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats.

Members of the deer family such as elk, mule deer and moose grow antlers which are shed annually. A male-only club, bulls and bucks use antlers for protection from predators, to portray dominant status and to impress the ladies. As it turns out, their antlers impress everyone! But males pay a price for their proud displays. Bull elk have half the lifespan of female elk  due to reduced overall health resulting from the demands of antler growth.

Age, genetics, nutrition and overall

INSIDE THE OUTDOORS

Six people have died in avalanches in the United States since the snow started to y this fall. Every year, an average of 27 people —skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, snowshoers — die this way.

For people who don’t venture into the backcountry in winter, the thought of potentially dying in an avalanche seems crazy. Why put your life on the line for a few minutes of fun? But most of us who ride fresh powder don’t look at it that way: We don’t consider backcountry skiing a death-defying activity.

A couple of years ago, my friend Jenna Malone, who is an avalanche educator and physician assistant in Salt Lake City, told me, “I don’t know

Christie Greene

health in uence the size of antlers. Size matters, but there are more important considerations for breeding. Broken or misshapen antlers can be a sign of genetic weakness, injury or serious illness. For these reasons, elk cows have more interest in antler symmetry over size. Antler ornaments like holiday decorations or hammocks?

Only the elk know if such décor adds to a bull’s appeal!

e antler growth cycle beings in the spring, triggered by increasing daylight and subsequent testosterone production. As they grow, antlers are covered by velvet which brings blood vessels and nerves to the underlying bone.

After the antlers have reached their full size, the velvet begins to dry. is process is called hardening o . Once the velvet dies, the animal rubs his head against trees or other surfaces. e velvet will come o in strings during which time the bull is “in tatters.” e antlers are then fully grown and ready to be brandished for mating and territorial displays.

As the hours of daylight shorten, testosterone production lessens which causes the connection between the antler and the skull to weaken. e antlers eventually break away from the pedicle after the rut season concludes.

Antler castings have a role to play besides being fashioned into furniture or cut into dog chews. Dozens of species nibble on shed antlers to gain calcium and other nutrients. Deer will occasionally eat antlers to gain the minerals they lost during the growth of their own antlers.

Find a shed antler?  Be sure to check the calendar before taking it home. In 2018, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to protect winter habitat for wildlife by forbidding antler or horn collection found west of I-25 between Jan. 1 and April 30 each year.

When you see velvet antlers this spring, you can understand the toll it takes on bulls and bucks. Even though their antlers look soft and touchable, keep in mind that hard

bone is just under the surface, a fact which elk will be happy to show you if you get too close!

Backcountry adventurers know they’re taking chances

WRITERS ON

anyone who’s stood on the top of a slope and thought, ‘Well, this is going to kill me, but it’s going to be epic powder

“We believe that with training, plansion-making, and a solid ski partner who calls us on our blind spots, we can make it safer,” she added.

In 2009, Bruce Jamieson, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Calgary in Albert, Canada, took accident data collected

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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in North America and Switzerland to come up with a risk-comparison chart. e data was presented in “millimorts,” or one death per million. One millimort is the chance an average 20-year-old male has of dying from any cause on any day.

Himalayan climbing turned out to be the riskiest activity Jamieson considered, with a one in 40 chance of dying on an 8,000-meter peak, or 12,000 millimorts. Riding a motorcycle eight hours a day earned 605 millimorts, while backcountry skiing in Canada, using usual risk-reduction practices, came in at four.

Of course, not all skiers try to minimize risk. Recently, I saw a group of ve riders swooping down a steep gully, hooting and hollering as they

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OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE Community Editor olove@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ew by. e avalanche hazard that day was moderate. Still, ve people skiing a  slope like that at one time is outside normal risk-reduction practices and could have easily ended in tragedy.

Jamieson’s data is now more than a decade old, but the likelihood of being killed in an avalanche probably hasn’t changed much. It may have even lessened, considering the growing number of backcountry users in avalanche terrain that are sharing the risk.

When I started skiing in the backcountry decades ago, we would see only a handful of other people. Today, SnowSports Industries America

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions 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.

Email letters to kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.

CHRISTIE GREENE

Radon: the leading cause of cancer in people who don’t smoke

Being a lifelong health enthusiast, health educator and tness trainer — and married to a primary care physician — my family and I were blindsided by my Stage 3A lung cancer diagnosis in October of 2018. We were shocked as I had no respiratory symptoms and I have never smoked. My cancer was found incidentally while investigating what later turned out to be a benign ovarian cyst.

It wasn’t until my son, an environmental engineer, asked me if I had ever tested our home for radon when I learned that virtually anyone with lungs can get lung cancer and that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It is the rst leading cause of lung cancer in people who don’t have a history of smoking.

Considering the risk for lung cancer is high, why aren’t people exposed to high radon levels eligible for lung cancer screening? e United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends people ages 50-80 with a 20-pack year history of smoking, or have quit in the past 15 years, get a low dose CT scan, which is painless and takes only a few minutes.

Based on the conversation with our son, we tested our home using methods recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency and discovered that the radon levels in our home were elevated above the threshold of 4 pico curies (pCi/L).

e EPA strongly advises that any radon level at or above 4 pCi/L should be reduced through a radon mitigation system. Radon mitigation needs to be done by professionally accredited operators and most health departments — including the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment — post lists of accredited mitigators.

ABSOLON

estimates that there are more than six million backcountry riders in the United States, which puts the American avalanche death rate at less than 0.5 per 100,000. Your risk of dying in an automobile accident is one in 107.

ese statistics may be why we don’t feel like we are gambling with our lives every time we head out to ski. And in general, backcountry users consider themselves responsible risk takers.

We take avalanche courses to learn how to identify dangerous snow conditions. Most of us carry safety equipment: avalanche transceivers, shovels, probes, and in some cases airbags to help improve our odds of survival in a slide. We consult the daily avalanche forecast for our area. We choose our partners carefully.  Still, people die. You can argue that statistically the odds are in our favor, but that doesn’t lessen the tragedy that occurs when a glorious day of powder skiing turns into a nightmare.

Two of this year’s fatalities involved fathers triggering slides that

Heidi Nafman Onda

Radon is an invisible and odorless radioactive gas that can be found in many homes. It comes from the decomposition of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. When inhaled, radon can cause serious health problems including lung cancer. About half of all homes in Colorado have radon levels above the recommended limit of 4 pCi/L.

While there is no way for me to know with certainty if radon caused my lung cancer, I want people to know it is one risk factor that can be tested for and reduced to safe levels very easily. I also want people to know that smoking and exposure to radon are not the only risk factors for lung cancer and that many people develop lung cancer despite having no known risk factors. Exposure to secondhand smoke, family history of lung cancer and air pollution are risk factors for lung cancer. Report any persistent symptoms you have to your doctor. Being young and having no known history of tobacco use does not make you immune to lung cancer, even if the risk is low.

Despite the well-known risks of radon, it concerns me that there isn’t more public health messaging about radon, especially given its high prevalence in Colorado and many other states. e EPA estimates that radon kills approximately 21,000 people in the U.S. every year and about 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. ese numbers may be a low estimate, as I know my doctor never asked me

buried and killed their sons. It’s hard to imagine anything more painful for a family.

Avalanches have been called “wicked-learning environments,” a label popularized by psychologist Robin Hogarth in 2015. A wickedlearning environment is one where the rules are unclear and feedback is often inaccurate or nonexistent. at means you can’t learn, or may learn the wrong thing from your experiences. Mistakes in a wicked-learning environment can be fatal.

Venturing into winter backcountry is a classic wicked-learning environment. You can arm yourself with all the appropriate safety gear, do lots of prep work on snow conditions and terrain, and keep your eyes open for clues. Ultimately, though, most of the information about snow stability is hidden.

Every time you ski a slope without it avalanching, you are likely to believe you made a smart decision, when in reality you may have just been lucky. Most of us have been lucky.

Molly Absolon is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonpro t dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She writes in Idaho.

Bad news: Inflation continues in Denver metro area

Good news: It’s slowing

BY SARAH MULHOLLAND COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO

ere is a little bit of good news for consumers who’ve watched prices for just about everything tick up dramatically — prices are now rising more slowly in Denver as federal regulators try to keep in ation in check.

An index that measures prices for everything from gasoline and groceries to airplane tickets and housing increased by 6.4 percent in January compared to 2022, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. at’s down from an annual increase of 6.9 percent in November, the last time the rate was calculated. At this time last year, prices were surging more than 9 percent in Denver.  e trajectory mirrors the national trend, with U.S. prices up 6.5 percent

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

in January. at’s good news for consumers that have watched the bills for everyday items grow unabated for more than a year. But still, in ation is stuck far higher than the government’s target rate of between 2 percent and 3 percent.

In the Denver region — which includes Adams, Arapahoe, Broomeld, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, Je erson and Park counties — prices for a lot of things remain stubbornly high, even if they’re not rising as fast as a year ago. For instance, fruits and vegetables cost almost 13 percent more than they did at the same time last year. And household energy bills are up more than 13 percent. On the ip side, used car prices have fallen more than 10 percent.

Since November, prices for food broadly speaking are up 2 percent

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules:

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if I knew the radon level of my home when I was diagnosed. In fact, only a small number of family physicians transmit radon information to their patients. Please consider testing your home for radon at least every two years as recommended by the EPA because levels can change due

to movement of soil, or new cracks in the foundation. Even if you have a mitigation system, testing is still recommended. A mitigation system is like any other appliance, and it can malfunction or stop working. Learn more about radon and radon mitigation from the EPA and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Heidi Nafman Onda is a cancer survivor and health educator

and used car prices are down about 4 percent.

Newly released data on spending in the U.S. shows that retail sales jumped in January, meaning people remain largely undeterred by how expensive things are. While that’s good news for the overall economy, it’s not great news when it comes to putting the brakes on in ation.

e persistent price increases mean the Federal Reserve is likely to

keep raising interest rates, making it more expensive to borrow money and slowing demand for large purchases that many people take out loans to buy. e central bank’s efforts have already slowed demand in the housing market. Home prices in Denver, Colorado’s largest housing market, are down about 1 percent since last year, after a record-setting run of double-digit gains during the pandemic.

is story is from CPR News, a nonpro t news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.

Speed dating events in metro Denver o er alternatives to swiping

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

On a ursday night in late January, dozens of people walked past displays of tarot cards and crystals towards a dim room at the back of Full Moon Books in Lakewood. A man at the room’s entrance asked them each to remove their shoes. e smell of burnt sage lled the air.

For a while, people mingled. e event was not to start until 7 p.m., and stragglers arrived until moments before the doors closed. When it was time, a woman wearing a pink velvet robe asked everyone to sit in a circle.

“For all the new people, this is where we’re all going to get naked,” the woman joked. Everyone laughed, and she continued, “ ere will be none of that. is is just a really fun, safe event.”

Danny Neifert, a facilitator of an event called Tantra Speed Date, was playing with the stereotypical understanding of the word “tantra.” For many people, the term brings sex to mind. Although tantra is a spiritual practice that includes sexuality, Neifert said it has more to do with connection.

“Tonight, for the sake of simplicity, we’re just going to swap out the word ‘tantra’ with ‘connection,’” she said to the group. “It’s about connecting to yourself, connecting to the person that’s standing in front of you, connecting to the room, connecting to the building, the soil, the snow, the stars — you ll in the blank in a way that makes sense to you.”

For the next several hours, the attendees took turns rotating from person to person, doing mindful activities with a new partner at each station. At one, a partner mirrored the others’ physical actions. Next, strangers gave each other back massages. Some stations involved speaking — about gratitude, letting go or joy — and at others, people danced.

is event is one of several forms of speed dating in the metro Denver area, where singles are stepping out of their comfort zones to nd hope,

chemistry — and maybe even love — beyond the screens and swiping of modern dating.

Paying attention

Guy Shahar is a founder of e Tantra Institute, a New York-based company that aims to help people become “better lovers” through sacred sexuality. e company teaches courses about sexuality, tantra and relationship skills, in addition to hosting events like Tantra Speed Date.

Since 2017, Tantra Speed Date has hosted over 550 events in 40 cities for attendees of all ages.

“Most of the stations are really just about (giving) people instructions that show them how to put their attention on each other,” Shahar said about the speed dating event.

In his eyes, lack of attention is the number one challenge people face in modern dating, partly because of technology and partly because of the number of potential partners.

“A hundred years ago, who could you date? e people from your neighborhood, the people around you,” he said. “Now you can date anybody in the world… You open up any of those dating apps and you could be swiping on a di erent person in less than a second.”

His speed dating event, he said, is designed to put people in situations where they must focus on each other.

“Like a mirroring exercise, right?” he said. “I’m watching you, and I’m responding to what you’re doing… My attention is on you… Getting people to bring their attentions to each other is a really beautiful way to fool them into connection and intimacy.”

Once people surrender to paying full attention, Shahar said it’s easier to tell if there is chemistry between them.

After the initial connection, Shahar said other things become important as a relationship continues.

“ at connection isn’t necessarily compatibility,” he said. “You might have an amazing connection, or let’s say amazing chemistry… but their habits might be totally not compatible with yours. If you want a sustaining relationship, then you need to nd some points of compatibility or you need to be able to work with habits.”

at being said, Shahar thinks having the opportunity to initially sense a

connection is a powerful way to see if there’s any potential with a person.

“(To) just start your relationship o with that kind of intimacy and connection just seems like a really great, really beautiful way to get yourself o on the right foot,” he said.

Is a few minutes enough?

For speed dating skeptics, it may seem improbable that a person could have any sense of real connection after an encounter that lasts only a matter of minutes.

Dr. Randi Smith, a practicing psychologist and psychology professor at Metro State University Denver, said a few minutes might not be enough to tell a lot about a potential partner –but it can show some things.

“ ere’s some really recent research that suggests that we’re able to pick up on somebody’s relationship anxiety, their attachment anxiety, in a very brief interaction,” she said. “So can we predict whether this relationship will have legs, whether it will have a future? Probably not, but we might be able to weed out some people whose anxiety might prevent them from

having a good relationship with us.”

In addition, Smith said quick interactions can give people a sense of physical attraction and even immediate emotional attraction based on how it feels to talk to a potential partner.

On a deeper psychological level, she said people at speed dating events are probably thinking about reciprocity of liking. is idea is that people tend to like those who like them.

“Speed dating is very strategic, right?” she said. “You have little time, you’ve got to gure out how to make these choices, and so our brains are going into high strategic, albeit

Rosenblum’s company co-hosted a speed dating event at Brewability Lab in Englewood on Feb. 2.

PHOTO BY HAN LOYD; HEPCAT PHOTOGRAPHY

SPEED DATING

unconscious, responses. And it doesn’t make a lot of sense for a person to invest energy and interest into somebody who’s not going to reciprocate that energy and interest.”

Alex Zaborenko, who attended the January Tantra Speed Date event, said reciprocity is important to him in terms of relationship goals as well, not only attraction. As someone who is looking for non-monogamous relationships, he said online dating pro les and open communication help him nd people who have the same goals in mind.

“I don’t want or need just one magic person to connect with me on every level that I might connect with a partner,” he said. “Once I reached the conclusion, then it just felt much better that I can communicate what I’m looking for honestly and they can choose what they want to do with that information.”

Are you worth my (client’s) time?

For Abby Rosenblum, investing time and energy in the right people is part of her business model.

Rosenblum is the founder and head matchmaker at e Social: Modern Matchmaking, a Colorado-based service that also hosts speed dating events.

Rosenblum’s services focus not only on helping her clients nd potential partners, but also on building their con dence and making dating enjoyable.

“ e sad part is I think we’re almost taught that dating should be di cult, should be frustrating and should be some kind of just negative thing in your life,” she said. “So a lot of the work I do is trying to teach people that dating can actually be fun, which is a crazy concept to almost everyone.”

When setting up dates, Rosenblum looks for people with values and physical appearances that t with what her clients are looking for.

“And then the other thing I look for too (is) like, is this person ready to date?” she said. “Are they in a good place? … Because you can meet the greatest person ever tomorrow, but if they’re like, ‘I just got red from my job and I hate everything,’ you might not connect with them in as good of a way.”

Rosenblum works mainly with singles in stable careers who are looking for serious, committed and monogamous relationships. As a matchmaker, she helps lter out potential partners who do not align with her clients’ stages of life so she can ensure they are investing their time and energy in relationships that could have a future.

Rosenblum, who works mainly with heterosexual clients, often collaborates with the head matchmaker at Denver’s Cupid, a matchmaking service that works with LGBTQ+ singles.

Like Smith, she doesn’t think speed dating events are a silver bullet for knowing if a relationship will work, but she said they can still be bene cial. Her company hosts speed dating at its events, including a single mingle that happened the rst week of February in Englewood.

In Rosenblum’s speed dating games, participants receive conversation prompts to help people learn something about their partners, from travel dreams to relationship goals.

“It’s like, ‘OK, am I curious to get to know them more?’ she said. “ at’s really the only thing you need to know after that ve minutes, because it’s hard to know anything else… What’s the harm in meeting again?”

A new hope for dating

Andrea Cunningham has been dating on and o for the past 10 years. She decided to attend the January Tantra Speed Date event when her housemate invited her because she thought it would introduce her to spiritually open minded people.

“He actually said, ‘Do you want to go to a woo-woo speed dating event?’ and my thought was ‘Oh, yeah, that might be my kind of people,’ because I’m not nding a lot of woo-woo folks on OkCupid,” she said.

At 58 years old, Cunningham is looking for someone who is compassionate, exible and open to “more heart-centered ideas,” she said.

Going into the speed dating event, Cunningham was feeling skeptical, she said. Mainly, she thought speed dating would be intimidating, but it wasn’t.

“I think maybe my whole idea about speed dating was wrong,” she said. “Maybe you’re not just awkwardly trying to talk with people 10 times in a row for ve minutes. Maybe there’s more to it than that… at was welldesigned.”

After her experience (and several dates that arose from the event), she said speed dating might be giving her new hope after taking a pause from dating for a while.

“I was trying to do a little online, I wasn’t getting anywhere, I stopped,” she said. “ en this came up — it may kick me into gear again.”

Renewing excitement about dating and personal connection is a goal of many speed dating events, especially in a world where fewer and fewer people feel connected to each other.

In Shahar’s speed dating events, re-connecting is the greatest bene t and goal.

“If you are tired of feeling disconnected from the world, and you want to have a moment of connection, this is a really great way to step into that,” he said. “Is it for everyone? No, I don’t think it’s for everyone. But it is for people that are like, ‘Hey, I want to create something magical within my relationship life and my dating life.’”

Danny Neifert and her demonstration partner show an activity where partners mirror each others’ actions at Tantra Speed Date.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

Attendees chat at the Single Mingle event, co-hosted by The Social: Modern Matchmaking at Brewability Lab in Englewood on Feb. 2.

PHOTO BY HAN LOYD; HEPCAT PHOTOGRAPHY

Full Moon Books is Lakewood is one of the Tantra Speed Date venues in Colorado.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

Libraries keep closing for meth

Should they solve the problem?

BY OLIVIA PRENTZEL AND JENNIFER BROWN THE COLORADO SUN

Librarians will tell you the role of public libraries hasn’t changed — they’ve always been a community space open to all, with a mission to educate and serve.

What changes is the world outside, and whatever is going on in society, will go on in the library. e rise in homelessness, untreated mental illness and drug use have forced libraries to adapt, from extensive sta training in how to de-escalate outbursts to hiring social workers and security guards.

is winter, though, libraries across suburban Denver were hit with a new challenge. One by one, they tested for methamphetamine residue in their bathrooms and air vents, fearful that sta and the public were in danger from the toxic contamination left behind by patrons smoking drugs in the bathrooms.

In an extraordinary domino e ect, four libraries, some of the last public spaces welcome to everyone, closed. Some libraries hoped the public would see the closures as a wake-up call, opening eyes to what they deal with every day, according to emails of library directors obtained by e Sun through public records laws. Other libraries emailed to nd out

whether the rst libraries to close had overreacted or if they should test, too. All were concerned upon hearing the test results about the health of their employees.

Boulder Public Library tested in December, after the library director worried about the health of his

two-person cleaning team repeatedly sent into the bathroom after reports of putrid smoke. Englewood Public Library, also plagued by meth clouds, discovered in mid-January that its bathrooms were contaminated. Littleton, “in the interest of being proactive,” was next, also nding

levels of meth residue exceeding the state health department’s legal limit. Arvada followed last week.

Pikes Peak Public Library District said Jan. 19 it would remain open as samples are taken from all 15

The front doors of the Bemis Public Library in Littleton on Jan. 19, after the city closed it due to methamphetamine contamination.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

SEE METH, P15

locations in Colorado Springs as a “proactive action” though there was no known meth exposure. It later scaled back, deciding to test only the bathrooms at three of the most popular branches.

e meth closures in Colorado made national news, from People magazine to e New York Times. Public reaction vacillated between accusing the libraries of causing hysteria to wondering how far society has sunk.

Of the four libraries that closed, only Boulder has reopened, though the bathrooms are sealed o by a temporary wall and plastic until they are cleaned by a professional meth lab remediation company. e Boulder library was closed for three weeks. Englewood has been shut down for nearly a month, and Littleton for two and a half weeks. Arvada closed more than a week ago.

Boulder library director David Farnan doesn’t regret closing the doors, even though he said he learned from local and state health o cials within a few days of the closure that no one’s health was ever at risk.

After 14 incidences of drug use in about three weeks, he’d already had a policy in place to shut down the bathrooms and not let anyone — even the cleaning crew — enter if there were fumes in the air.

But just because no one’s health was at risk, that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable, he said.

“We have to do everything we can to prevent this from ever happening

again,” Farnan said. “We can’t have a public library and have meth use going on in the bathroom. at’s just a no-brainer.”

So the library will again nd a way to adapt. e plan is to keep the restrooms closed to the public, except for children accompanied by their parents and people who have a medical condition. It’s the best way Farnan sees to preserve the library’s mission to serve all, whether they are parents and kids coming to story time, seniors using the internet or people who sleep outside.

“It’s one of the few places where anyone can go, everyone is treated with decency and you don’t have to buy anything,” he said. “ at’s rare. e value of having a public place is extraordinary.”

Colorado’s standard for meth contamination isn’t based on public settings

Here is how many reports of patrons a ected by meth contamination the libraries received: Zero.

Two Boulder library employees reported feeling “dizzy” after walking into a smoke- lled room in late November and were checked out by paramedics, but both had normal vital signs and no evident symptoms of narcotics exposure.

And for public health experts who have studied meth exposure, that doesn’t come as a surprise.

“I think the health risks when we nd that amount — by design — are negligible,” said Mike Van Dyke, whose research on meth exposure helped establish the state’s decontamination procedures and sam-

SEE METH, P23

1-877-328-1512

CROWSS UP DRO ELZZ

1. TELEVISION: Which cable TV series features a character named Don Draper?

2. MOVIES: What subject does Professor Minerva McGonagall teach at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?

3. HISTORY: Where was civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated?

4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president had a sign on his desk that read, “ e Buck Stops Here”?

5. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the world’s largest desert?

6. LITERATURE: What is the real name of the author Lemony Snicket?

7. FOOD & DRINK: What is the fruit that gives the liqueur creme de cassis its avor?

8. MUSIC: What inspired the Beatles’ song “Blackbird”?

9. CELEBRITIES: What is singer/ actress Judy Garland’s birth name?

10. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What are squirrels’ nests called?

Answers

1. “Mad Men.”

2. Trans guration.

3. Memphis, Tennessee.

4. Harry Truman.

5. Antarctica.

6. Daniel Handler.

7. Black currants.

8. Civil rights unrest in Little Rock, Arkansas, according to Paul McCartney.

9. Frances Ethel Gumm.

10. Dreys.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

NOW HERE’S A TIP

* “Revive the look of indoor plant leaves by rubbing the leaves with mineral oil on a soft cloth. Just wipe nicely, and it makes a big di erence. rough the years, I have used this tip for both my real plants and plastic plants.” -- J.D. in Alabama

* Lime juice and vinegar both make good meat tenderizers. You can purchase tougher cuts of meat, season with spices and lime/vinegar and marinate for 10-15 minutes before cooking. It is a great way to ease your meat budget. Steaks are getting expensive!

* “To make onion rings easier to cut (less stinging eyes) and to have the layers separate better when making onion rings, I put my onions in the freezer for about 10 minutes before peeling. ey don’t freeze, but they do get nice and cold.” -- O.F. in Florida

* Looking for a more natural way to clean? Here’s two for

the bathroom: Clean chrome with baking soda on a soft, damp cloth. Follow up with vinegar for some shine. Spray lightly and wipe away with a clean cloth.

* “Men: Make your own after-shave. in a bottle of baby lotion with a little rubbing alcohol. Put in a hand lotion bottle, and use half a squirt. No sting, and soft, smooth skin.” -- T.G. in Illinois

* Add a single teaspoon of rice to the saltshaker in order to keep too many grains of salt from coming out at a time. Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

FLASHBACK

1. Which artist released the album titled “All ings Must Pass”?

2. Who was the rst to release “Blue Bayou”?

3. Which group released “Tears of a Clown”?

4. Who released “Venus in Blue Jeans”?

5. Name the song that contains these lyrics: “ ere goes my baby with someone new, She sure looks happy, I sure am blue.”

Answers

1. George Harrison, in 1970, right after the Beatles broke up. It was a triple album: two records of songs and one of jams with other musicians. It went to No. 1 in most places around the globe. e 50th Anniversary box set (2021) did not do nearly as well.

2. e song’s writer Roy Orbison, in 1961.

Linda Ronstadt released her cover of the song in 1977, and it became her signature song.

3. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, in 1970. Robinson had been about to leave the group until he saw how well the song charted. He stayed two additional years.

4. Jimmy Clanton, in 1962.

5. “Bye Bye Love,” by e Everly Brothers in 1957. While e Everly Brothers’ release is the best-known version, others gave it a try over the years, including George Harrison (who changed the lyrics after his wife left him).

(c) 2023 King Features Syndicate

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Book: 634 Page: 330

Original Principal Amount $199,285.00

Outstanding Principal Balance $107,156.89

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

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

LOTS 9 AND 10, BLOCK 6, BLUE VALLEY ACRES- UNIT 1, COMBINED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED SEPTEMBER 6, 1989, IN BOOK 470, PAGE 631, COUNTY OF CLEAR CREEK, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known by street and number as: 1645 LITTLE BEAR CREEK RD, IDAHO SPRINGS, CO 80452.

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

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, 03/23/2023, at The Clear Creek County Public Trustee’s Office, 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, 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. CCC500

First Publication 1/26/2023

Last Publication 2/23/2023

Name of Publication The 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 ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;

DATE: 11/23/2022

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:

David R. Doughty #40042 Janeway Law Firm, P.C. 9800 S. Meridian Blvd., Suite 400, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 706-9990

Attorney File # 18-019428

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.

City and County

at

City Hall,

of application:

The application is available for inspection during normal business hours in the office of the City Clerk. Interested persons may appear at the hearing and voice their opinion in favor of or in opposition to the applications.

Muller Engineering Company Services $788.40

Total Fund 19 $10,388.40

Fund 20 Human Services Amazon Supplies $327.23

AT&T Mobility Supplies $764.43

Blackwell Oil Company Inc Supplies $40.00

Brigette Tyrrell Supplies $247.79

Charleen Bell Supplies $360.63

Emilie Warr Supplies $78.50

Evelyn Chacon Services $1,828.14

Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office Services $50.00

HCCC Services $345.00 Integrated Systems Services $544.32

Jamie Walker Services $16.51

JP Morgan Operating Expense $1,648.81

Kayli Walsh Supplies $114.85

Koy Dingboom, LLC Services $7,834.20

Lauren Courtney Supplies $51.25

Melody Magalei Services $4,000.00

Milo’s Speed Shop Services $110.98

Peak Performance Copier & Supp Services

$8.78

Rocky Mountain Water Supplies $25.55

Sarah Gillingham Services $89.30

The Goddard School Services $1,556.00

Total Fund 20 $20,042.27

Fund 21 Public Health

AlphaGraphics Supplies $18.86

Amazon Supplies $76.75

AT&T Mobility Supplies $265.93

Benjamin Shay Services $75.00

Brandie Hunter-Grinbank Services $162.50

CALPHO - Colorado Assn Local Pub Services

$767.00

City Of Idaho Springs Services $166.66

Colorado Dept. Of Public Health License/Permits $100.00

Doyle Disposal Services $76.00

Emily Kuper Services $107.95

JP Morgan Operating Expense $3,236.39

McKesson Medical-Sergical Supplies $805.89

Mort Escaped Design Co Services $3,055.00

Peak Performance Copier & Supp Services

$13.08

Rocky Mountain Water Supplies $25.54

Xcel Energy Services $412.30

Total Fund 21 $9,364.85

Fund 25 Hlth Clinic Debt

AGNC Services $501.00

City Of Idaho Springs Services $524.98

JP Morgan Operating Expense $300.00

Xcel Energy Services $2,905.11

Total Fund 25 $4,231.09

Grand Total $2,870,980.14

Legal

water. This report will not be mailed to customers except upon request. Please contact City Administrator Andrew Marsh at admin@idahospringsco. com or 303-567-4421 with any questions or for public participation opportunities that may affect water quality.

General Information

All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or by visiting epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV-AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk of infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, or to receive a copy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and microbiological contaminants call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (1-800-426-4791). The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

•Microbial contaminants: viruses and bacteria that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

•Inorganic contaminants: salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

•Pesticides and herbicides: may come from a variety of sources, such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses. •Radioactive contaminants: can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

•Organic chemical contaminants: including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and also may come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment prescribes regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.

Lead in Drinking Water

Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. We are responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk. Before drinking tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. You can also use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact City Administrator Andrew Marsh at admin@idahospringsco.com or 303-567-4421. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP)

Esta

We are pleased to present to you this year’s water quality report. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment may have provided us with a Source Water Assessment Report for our water supply. For general information or to obtain a copy of the report please visit wqcdcompliance.com/ccr. The report is located under “Guidance: Source Water Assessment Reports”. Search the table using our system name or ID, or by contacting City Administrator Andrew Marsh at admin@idahospringsco.com or 303-567-4421. The Source Water Assessment Report provides a screening-level evaluation of potential contamination that could occur. It does not mean that the contamination has or will occur. We can use this information to evaluate the need to improve our current water treatment capabilities and prepare for future contamination threats.

Public Notices

can help us ensure that quality finished water is delivered to your homes. In addition, the source water assessment results provide a starting point for developing a source water protection plan. Potential sources of contamination in our source water area are listed on the next page.

Please contact us to learn more about what you can do to help protect your drinking water sources, any questions about the Drinking Water Quality Report, to learn more about our system, or to attend scheduled public meetings. We want you, our valued customers, to be informed about the services we provide and the quality water we deliver to you every day.

Our Water Sources

Sources (Water Type - Source Type)

DEVILS CANYON (Surface Water-Intake) CHICAGO CREEK INTAKE (Surface Water-Intake)

Potential Source(s) of Contamination

EPA Superfund Sites, EPA Hazardous Waste Generators, EPA Chemical Inventory/Storage

Sites, Aboveground, Underground and Leaking Storage Tank Sites, Solid Waste Sites, Existing/ Abandoned Mine Sites, Other Facilities, Commercial/Industrial/Transportation, Low Intensity

Residential, Deciduous Forest, Evergreen Forest, Mixed Forest, Septic Systems, Road Miles

Terms and Abbreviations

• Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) − The highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water.

• Treatment Technique (TT) − A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Health-Based − A violation of either a MCL or TT.

• Non-Health-Based − A violation that is not a MCL or TT.

Action Level (AL) − The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment and other regulatory requirements.

• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) − The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)

− The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) − The level of a drinking water disinfectant, below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

• Violation (No Abbreviation) − Failure to meet a Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulation.

Formal Enforcement Action (No Abbreviation) − Escalated action taken by the State (due to the risk to public health, or number or severity of violations) to bring a non-compliant water system back into compliance.

• Variance and Exemptions (V/E) − Department permission not to meet a MCL or treatment technique under certain conditions.

Gross Alpha (No Abbreviation) − Gross alpha particle activity compliance value. It includes radium-226, but excludes radon 222, and uranium.

• Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) − Measure of the radioactivity in water.

• Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) − Measure of the clarity or cloudiness of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the typical person.

• Compliance Value (No Abbreviation) –Single or calculated value used to determine if regulatory contaminant level (e.g. MCL) is met. Examples of calculated values are the 90th Percentile, Running Annual Average (RAA) and Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA).

• Average (x-bar) − Typical value. Range (R) − Lowest value to the highest value.

• Sample Size (n) − Number or count of values (i.e. number of water samples collected).

• Parts per million = Milligrams per liter (ppm = mg/L) − One part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.

• Parts per billion = Micrograms per liter (ppb = ug/L) − One part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000.

• Not Applicable (N/A) – Does not apply or not available.

Level 1 Assessment – A study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system.

Level 2 Assessment – A very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions.

Detected Contaminants

IDAHO SPRINGS CITY OF routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. The following table(s) show all detections found in the period of January

1 to December 31, 2022 unless otherwise noted.

The State of Colorado requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year, or the system is not considered vulnerable to this type of contamination. Therefore, some of our data, though representative, may be more than one-year-old. Violations and Formal Enforcement Actions, if any, are reported in the next section of this report.

Note: Only detected contaminants sampled within the last 5 years appear in this report. If no tables appear in this section, then no contaminants were detected in the last round of monitoring.

The City of Idaho Springs has done well on Lead and Copper testing and has been placed on reduced monitoring (every 3 years). The next sampling occurs in 2024. These results are for 2021.

in the

Metropolitan Districts

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and, particularly, to the electors of the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District of Clear Creek County, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election will be held on the 2nd day of May, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, three (3) directors will be elected to serve 4-year terms.

Eligible electors of the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District interested in serving on the board of directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District Designated Election Official (DEO): Cameron Marlin Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District 98 12th Avenue, Idaho Springs, CO 80452 303.567.4822

The Office of the DEO is open on the following days: Monday - Friday from 6:30am to 7:45pm and Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

The deadline to submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance is close of business on February 24, 2023 (not less than 67 days before the election).

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 27, 2023 (the sixty-fourth day before the election).

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 25, 2023.

Legal Notice No. CCC546

First Publication: February 16, 2023

erosion of natural deposits

Arsenic: while your drinking water meets the EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. The EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. The EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.

Nitrate: Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should ask advice from your health care provider.

Fluoride: This is an alert about your drinking water and a cosmetic dental problem that might affect children under nine years of age. At low levels, fluoride can help prevent cavities, but children drinking water containing more than 2 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride may develop cosmetic discoloration of their permanent teeth (dental fluorosis). The drinking water provided by your community water system has a fluoride concentration above 2 parts per million (ppm), but below 4 parts per million (ppm). Dental fluorosis, in its moderate or severe forms, may result in a brown staining and/or pitting of the permanent teeth. This problem occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt from the gums. Children under nine years of age should be provided with alternative sources of drinking water or water that has been treated to remove the fluoride to avoid the possibility of staining and pitting of their permanent teeth. You may also want to contact your dentist about proper use by young children of fluoride-containing products. Older children and adults may safely drink the water.

Drinking water containing more than 4 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride (the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s drinking water standard) can increase your risk of developing bone disease. Your drinking water does not contain more than 4 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride, but we’re required to notify you when we discover that the fluoride levels in your drinking water exceed 2 parts per million (ppm) because of this cosmetic dental problem. For more information, please contact us. Some home water treatment units are also available to remove fluoride from drinking water. To learn more about available home water treatment units, you may call NSF International at (1-877-8-NSFHELP).

Secondary Contaminants**

**Secondary standards are non-enforceable guidelines for contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects (such as skin, or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) in drinking water.

ground referencing at the appropriate time;

11. Developing and coordinating a final selection process with the County Manager, including interviews with County Manager and staff, County tours, and interaction with employees and community members;

12. Conducting all background and reference checks on the final candidate(s); and,

13. Providing timely notification and any necessary follow up and feedback to all candidates not selected for the position.

To review the entire Request-for-Bid conditions and requirements, please visit our County website: •http://www.co.clear-creek.co.us/bids.aspx

Please address questions and submittals in writing to:

Brian Bosshardt County Manager’s Office 405 Argentine Street P.O. Box 2000 Georgetown, CO 80444 (303) 679-2490 bbosshardt@clearcreekcounty.us

The deadline for submittal is 12:00 p.m. local time, March 6, 2023.

Legal Notice No. CCC559

First Publication: February 23, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Summons and Sheriff Sale

Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, COLORADO 405 Argentine, PO Box 367 Georgetown CO 80444 303-569-0820

Plaintiff(s): LEL ENTERPRISES, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company

Defendant(s): ROBERT E ALMON; LEONA C ALMON; THE LOBO OIL COMPANY; WILLARD NICOLL; RAYMOND NICOLL; RACHEL UTTERBACK; EVA E. ROBINSON; LEONARD E. DEROECK, SR.; FLORENCE E. DEROECK; ROBERT HARRIS; and all unknown persons who claim any interest in the subject matter of this action

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice 2023 REQUEST FOR BID

CREEK COUNTY EXECUTIVE SEARCH & RECRUITMENT –CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

Clear Creek County is seeking competitive bids from qualified executive search and recruitment firms to conduct a national search leading to the selection of a new Chief Information Officer.

The Chief Information Officer (CIO), under general direction of the County Manager, optimizes the use of technology in the County in order to fulfill the Board of County Commissioners’ (BoCC) priorities and goals. The CIO is responsible for the planning, organizing, and directing of information technology operations and implementing the County’s applicable policies and directives. The position evaluates and advises the County Manager and the BoCC on long range technology needs and opportunities and provides clear, succinct and accurate data for related fiscal decision making. The CIO ensures technology-related compliance with state and federal laws, establishes and maintains internal controls, and coordinates and manages the Information Technology budget process. The position currently provides leadership and direction to 2.0 budgeted FTE positions in the Division.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The contractor shall perform all Services described in this section and all obligations set forth in the professional services agreement, attached to this RFB as Exhibit A.

The contractor will conduct a national recruitment (including attracting, interviewing, and hiring) of a Chief Information Officer and assist the County Manager in selecting a qualified candidate, including the following services:

1. Working with the County Manager and Leadership Team to develop characteristics and attributes of the successful candidate, selection criteria, and recruitment process;

2. Developing recruitment strategies and timelines for approval by the County;

3. Developing an accurate and enticing job profile and a custom brochure describing the Chief Information Officer position, the County organization and the community, for approval by the County;

4. Conducting targeted recruitment of qualified and experienced individuals;

5. Marketing the position on a local, regional and national basis (including social media, online job listings, and other appropriate resources);

6. Receiving and processing application materials;

7. Providing initial screening of all applications against the qualifications required in the job description and recommending potential semifinalists and documenting the reasons for not selecting applications;

8. Assisting the County Manager in the selection of semifinalists and finalists;

9. Comply with nondiscrimination provisions established by the EEOC;

10. Conducting credential verification and back-

Case Number:2022CV030021 Div. C Ctrm:

Attorney for Plaintiff: Noah Klug, Atty No. 39163

THE KLUG LAW FIRM, LLC PO Box 6683 Breckenridge CO 80424-6683 Telephone: 970-468-4953 noah@thekluglawfirm.com

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS

You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the Complaint filed 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 summons upon you. Service of this 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 the 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 involving real property located in the County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado, described as follows:

Lot 4, Block 150, Town of Georgetown, County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado, as it lies Easterly of the East right-of-way line of the existing county road (formerly U.S. Highway 6 and known as Argentine Street)

Also known as: 1416 Argentine Street, Georgetown Colorado, together with all its appurtenances.

Date: February 9, 2023

Original Signature on file

THE KLUG LAW FIRM LLC

/s/Noah Klug Noah Klug

Attorney for Plaintiff

Legal Notice No. CCC552

First Publication: February 23, 2023

Last Publication March 16, 2023

Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Notice to Creditors

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of MARJORIE PARR SCANLON, aka MARJORIE P. SCANLON,, deceased

Case Number: 2023PR030004

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to District Court of Clear Creek County, Colorado on or before June 09, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Julie H. Shero

Personal Representative 32186 Castle Court, 301 Evergreen, Colorado 80439

Legal Notice No. CCC541

First publication: February 09, 2023

Last publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

pling requirements.

In Colorado, a space is considered contaminated if meth residue is detected at levels above 0.5 micrograms per 15.5 square inches. e threshold is based on a child being exposed for a long period inside a home.

“It was really established for the worst-case exposure, which would be a toddler living 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in a contaminated home crawling over carpets, putting their hands in their mouth, doing all of those things,” said Van Dyke, now a professor at Colorado School of Public Health.

But public restrooms are a far different setting than one’s living room.

Nonporous tiled oors and countertops make it easy to wipe o meth residue, which is very water soluble. People don’t spend much time in a public restroom and typically try to avoid touching surfaces to limit the spread of germs.

“So let’s say you touch a surface, you wash your hands before you leave. You’ve generally washed the vast majority of meth o of yourself even if you were exposed,” he said.

“ ere’s really low opportunity for exposure.”

Even so, libraries are being held to an “inappropriate” standard not designed to measure meth exposure in public settings.

“ e only standard they have is one that’s inappropriate, and from a risk-management perspective, their only real recourse is to clean it up to that one standard that exists,” Van Dyke said.

At the libraries in Boulder, Littleton and Englewood, meth residue that exceeded the state’s threshold was detected in the exhaust ducts in the bathrooms and on bathroom surfaces. Cleanup will cost tens of thousands. Englewood received an estimate of $38,000 to $45,000 for state contractors to decontaminate the library, according to an email sent to its sta . Boulder’s bill is tallying $105,000 so far, with an additional $68,000 in cleaning costs expected.

resholds requiring a space to decontaminate detected meth residue vary per state, with some states having much higher limits than Colorado. In Wyoming, for example, the threshold requiring decontamination is set at 1.5 micrograms, according to a 2019 review by e International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. But few, if any, have standards set for public spaces.

Colorado’s threshold is used for all spaces where meth is detected, but it was designed around longer exposure times, speci cally where someone is exposed to that level of meth for 24 hours, then reduced by 25 as a safeguard for toddlers, said Dr. Karin Pacheco, an allergist and occupational medicine expert at National Jewish Health.

“And that’s the case for most of these government levels — there is a protection factor built in to account for the more vulnerable people who may be exposed,” Pacheco said. “We need to look at where it’s being used and make sure that that usage is reduced, but the actual exposure itself, it’s unlikely to be harmful.”

Symptoms after being exposed to meth for a short period of time can include irritability, jitteriness and a

Public Notices

fast heart rate. For kids, symptoms will likely be more severe.

Tests are limited in what they reveal — meth contamination could be present for long periods of time before it’s ever detected. Like in air ducts, for example.

“Exhaust vents really show what’s been in the air for a week, two weeks,” Pacheco said. “It doesn’t tell you the time of the exposure.”

Libraries found needles, white rocks, bag of meth ere’s no state regulation that requires public spaces to be tested regularly for meth, so testing won’t happen unless there is reason to believe meth is being used in a speci c area.

At Boulder Public Library, the rst to close for cleanup, sta suspected drugs were being used inside the restrooms at the main branch downtown for months.

Incident reports e Sun obtained under the Colorado Open Records Act show that 19 people were banned from the library for 364 days under drug-related suspensions last year — with most of them in November and December with seven suspensions respectively.

Burned aluminum foil was found in the stall Dec. 1. On six separate occasions that month, sta complained of a strong chemical smell coming from a stall where someone was inside. Library workers heard people discussing drugs in the bathroom stalls.

Last January, police found a woman inside a bathroom stall with a needle in her arm and three other syringes with meth in them, reports from the library show. Six months later, a patron told the library’s security that they needed help and turned in a bag of meth.

In September, someone reported that drugs were being used in the second- oor men’s bathroom and guards said they started experiencing symptoms from the smoke and fumes. Sta closed the restrooms, but the person left the library before employees could issue a suspension.

Similar problems were reported in Englewood, where last July, workers and patrons saw a man using a small, white tube to snort a white powdery substance o a table in the back of the computer lab. In September, the city’s library sta found a pile of burned tin foil, a capped syringe and a plastic capsule of saline inside a handicap bathroom stall. Sta also found a backpack with needles and drugs inside the lobby, where security footage showed a man and a woman using the drugs minutes earlier.

More than once, patrons slipped sta notes saying that they believed drugs were being used in the men’s bathroom.

Less than a month before shutting down, a patron said he found what he thought was “a cooking kit.” Inside the small, black zippered case, there were several blades, a small plastic tube and a few small white rocks.

Days later, a nurse visiting the library advised workers to shut down the bathrooms because two people had been smoking fentanyl in the men’s room and the smoke was at dangerous levels.

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

Elkstraction: Evergreen firefighters perform an ice-water rescue for a cow elk

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Ice rescues in Evergreen are not common, but they do happen, even to help an elk that has fallen through the ice.

On Feb. 17, Evergreen Fire/Rescue received a call about a cow elk who fell through the ice in a pond in Timbervale behind Hiwan Homestead Museum, and members of the department’s dive team successfully pulled her out unscathed.

e pond has an aeration system, and re ghters surmise that the elk wanted to drink some water. She walked out onto some thin ice and fell through.

“We’re skilled at this,” said EFR spokeswoman Stacee Martin. “ is is not our rst wild-animal rescue. We have rescued deer and elk before.”

Fire ghters Doug Matheny and Chris Pace donned water rescue suits and cut a channel through the ice so the elk could move as close to the shore as possible. But the elk was tired and cold, so she needed help getting out.

Matheny and Pace grabbed her front legs and dragged her onto the ice. After a few minutes, she got up and turned to look at the re ght-

ers, seemingly thanking them before wandering o .

“ is is one of those situations where everyone is happy that we rescued the elk, but with a wild animal, you never know what will happen,” Martin said.

Martin called Matheny the depart-

ment’s animal-rescue hero since he rescued a deer who fell into Evergreen Lake and helped rescue a sleeping bear from under a deck in downtown Evergreen.

She said anyone who sees an animal, whether wild or domestic, fall through the ice should call 911 and

leave the rescue to the professionals, who are trained and skilled in icewater rescues.

“We are on that edge where the ice is going to get thinner and thinner,” she said. “Please don’t try to rescue the animal yourself. Call us. We are glad to come out.”

Evergreen Fire/Rescue firefighters Chris Pace, left, and Doug Matheny work to get a cow elk out of a pond in Timbervale on Feb. 17.

PHOTO COURTESY OF EVERGREEN FIRE/RESCUE