Clear Creek Courant December 7, 2023

VOLUME 52 | ISSUE 26

WEEK OF DECEMBER 7, 2023

Holiday season lights up Idaho Springs P4

$2

Idaho Springs holiday lights sparked at the tree lighting ceremony Nov. 25. PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL

VOICES: 8 | LIFE: 10 | CURRENTS: 12 | SPORTS: 14

CLEARCREEKCOURANT.COM • A PUBLICATION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Idaho Springs Historical Society Gala!

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2 Clear Creek Courant

December 7, 2023De

Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado Week of 20 November 2013

A local National Weather Service volunteer observer makes temperature and precipitation observations each day at about 8 a.m. at the Georgetown Weather Station.

Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado Wind observations are made at Georgetown Lake. “Max” and “Min” temperatures are from digital displays of a “MMTS” (“Maximum/Minimum Temperature System”); “Mean Week of 20 November 2023 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 A local Weather Service volunteerTobserver makesof temperature and precipitation each day at about 8 a.m. wind during theNational preceding 24 hours. = Trace precipitation.

NRobservations = Not Reported.

“Peak at the Georgetown Weather Station. Wind observations are made at Georgetown Lake. “Max” and “Min” temperatures are from gust digital at Georgetown Lake” is the velocity in miles per hour andtemperature the time ofcalculated the maximum displays of a “MMTS” (“Maximum/Minimum Temperature System”); “Mean daily” is the average the max and min.

“Total Precipitation” inches24 of rainfall melted snow. “Snowfall” is inches of snow that accumulated windofgust that occurred duringisthe hourspluspreceding the observation time.

Historic during the preceding 24 hours. T = Trace of precipitation. NR = Not Reported. “Peak wind gust at Georgetown Lake” is the data velocity are based theand period oftherecord have beenthecompiled in miles on per hour the time of maximumfor windwhich gust that statistical occurred duringdata the 24 hours preceding observation time.54 Historic datawithin are based on theperiod period of record for which statistical have been records compiled (about 54 years within the on a (about years the 1893-2022).

Anydata weather noted are based period 1893-2022). Any weather records noted are based on a comparison of the observed value with the historical data set. comparison of the observed value with the historical data set.

Day and date of observation (2023)

Summary

Monday, 11/20 Tuesday, 11/21 Wednesday,11/22 Thursday, 11/23 Friday, 11/24 Saturday, 11/25 Sunday, 11/26 Week’s avg max, min, mean daily T; sum of TP, SF Historic week’s avg max, min, mean daily T; avg sum of TP, SF

Temperature (T) Precipitation (P) Peak wind gust at (degrees F) (inches) Georgetown Lake Max Min Mean Total Snowfall Velocity Time daily (TP) (SF) (mph) (24 hr) During the 24 hours prior to 8 a.m. (x)

(x)

(x.x)

(x.xx)

(x.x)

36.4

14.9

25.6

0.14

2.8

43.7

21.4

32.6

0.13

2.3

40 32 46 57 32 21 27

26 15 16 22 11 7 7

33.0 23.5 31.0 39.5 21.5 14.0 17.0

0.04 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.02 T 0.00

0.5 1.3 0.0 0.0 1.0 T 0.0

(x) 20 18 18 32 18 14 47

(xxxx) 1625 0325 0655 1240 1440 1320 2155

National fentanyl crisis takes its toll in Idaho Springs with death of a local Fentanyl took the life of well-known Idaho Springs resident Garrett Chandler

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A constant and consistent smile and laugh is what residents and tourists to Idaho Springs remember about Garrett Chandler as he greeted customers in the Idaho Springs Safeway.

Chandler, 26, made it to work for every shift despite what his mother, Cindy Chandler, described as a never-ending struggle with his debilitating condition, Friedreich’s Ataxia.

“His muscles would constantly spasm, so he was in a lot of pain,” Chandler said.

His smile masked the pain, but the pain never went away.

“I just want people to remember his laugh and his smile. He was such a goofy personality,” his mother said. “You don’t miss all that until it’s gone.”

Garrett Chandler died Sept. 24 from what the Clear Creek County coroner determined was a fentanyl overdose, one in nearly 1,300 overdose deaths in Colorado this year.

But each death is more than just a statistic, and police did not dismiss Garrett Chandler’s death as a “routine overdose,” according to Idaho Springs Police Chief Nathan Buseck. Instead, the department launched a weeks-long investigation resulting in the arrest of 60-year-old Marvin Eddings, also from Idaho Springs.

Manslaughter, crimes against an at-risk person, unlawful distribution, and manufacturing of a controlled substance are among the charges SEE OVERDOSE, P3

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December 7, 2023 million in settlements, which are being distributed through a joint framework with local governments across Colorado for treatment, recovery, prevention and education programs.

“So, I am hoping as there is more honesty, more recognition of the actual people who suffer and the losses that happen, that’s going to

l

er ch er til

serve as the call to action we need,” Weiser added.

Garrett Chandler’s death, Weiser said, is Clear Creek County’s “call to action.”

Meanwhile, his mother is left with only the memories of her son’s smile and laugh.

“He was a good kid trying to get through a day,” Chandler said.

Call for Winter Specials

24 ty yl 00 is

an ot as to an nt on Idaho Springs resident Garrett Chandler. ld ho

OVERDOSE

an n, FROM PAGE 2 ed esEddings is facing, according to charges filed in the Fifth Judicial District of Colorado.

In larger cities, it’s rare for police to know the alleged victim of a crime.

In this case, most officers knew Garrett Chandler from their routine stops at the Safeway, Buseck said.

“And there’s this young man with a big smile on his face and so that’s hard, but that also drives us to find justice, so it’s a motivator itself,” Buseck said. “You know, the people that are distributing these drugs, it’s killing people.”

During an unrelated, recent arrest in Idaho Springs, officers found 783 grams of fentanyl, $1,577 in cash and a stolen firearm in a suspect’s vehicle, Buseck said.

The suspect, 43-year old Shawn Burket, is now charged on the federal level with possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of a stolen firearm by a felon, according to charging documents.

Statewide, drug overdose deaths peaked at 1,881 in 2021 and fell to 1,799 in 2022, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Overall, there were 5,157 overdose deaths due to drugs (of any kind) in Colorado from 2020-2022, according to CDPHE. Clear Creek County accounted for only six of those deaths, according to CDPHE.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CINDY CHANDLER

However, each of those deaths take its toll.

A call to action

“Let’s face it, I-70 through our city (Idaho Springs) is a corridor for drugs,” Buseck said. “We do what we can.”

What happened to Garrett can happen to anybody, said Colorado Attorney General and well-known advocate against the fentanyl epidemic Phil Weiser.

“Garrett is not a statistic, rather, he is the face of an epidemic that, yes, is prevalent in our small towns and often dismissed as weakness,” Weiser said.

“Part of the problem is stigma,” Weiser told the Clear Creek Courant.

“For a long time when someone died of an opioid overdose, there was a reluctance to be honest about what happened. There was often a culture of silence. I am saddened that there was a culture of silence for so long.”

The Colorado Attorney General’s office recently launched a campaign aimed at breaking that silence.

“The Connect Effect” campaign demonstrates the power of connection to protect teens, according to the AG’s office. It highlights how youth can look out for each other and parents and other trusted adults can talk to teens about the risks of fentanyl-laced pills and powdered drugs.

In addition, Weiser’s office sued pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors that created and fueled the opioid crisis. Weiser said the state has secured over $700

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December 7, 2023De

Five-year-old Inga Duenow of Golden pets local reindeer “Dancer” at Idaho Springs PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL tree lighting ceremony Nov. 25.

Idaho Springs Mayor Chuck Harmon reads: “The Night Before Christmas” to crowd at Civic Center Park Nov. 25.

Holiday season lights up Idaho Springs Springs. alive,” Santa (James Nowakowski) look forward to the Christmas tree Santa and local reindeer Idaho “The stockings were hung by the said. lighting,” Harmon said. chimney with care in the hopes The Laughing Valley Ranch in night was a celebration of help to usher in the season Saint Nicholas would soon be there,” Idaho Springs provided “Dancer” theTheseason.

Free hot chocolate, read Idaho Springs Mayor Chuck the reindeer ahead of her big night candy and snacks provided by local Harmon from “The Night Before on Dec. 24. business owners kept the crowd as with a tree lighting in Christmas,” sitting next to Santa Santa said he keeps in regular warm as it could be. with a captivated audience of contact with the elves up north to However, it seemed the downtown Idaho Springs Claus children and parents. make sure they have the materials community willing to come out in

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Frigid temperatures didn’t deter dozens of parents and kids from coming out Nov. 25 to watch the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in

This is Christmas in a small mountain town.

“I’ve been to major cities across the world. They have their own magic, but the small towns are the ones that bring that heartwarming feeling to you. Christmas is still very

and lists to keep them busy in anticipation of the big day.

“You see a lot of locals here, and this has been a tradition for many, many years and some of these families have been coming for a decade or more and they really

the freezing temperatures provided the real warmth.

“You know this is a real sense of community in the way that people turn out for things like this,” said Harmon. “I mean it, you can’t get any more homegrown than that.”

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Clear Creek Courant 5

December 7, 2023

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6 Clear Creek Courant

December 7, 2023De

LEAP provides energy assistance

to lower home heating costs.

LEAP proporciona asistencia de energìa para bajar los gastos de calefaccòn.

LEAP helps eligible Coloradans pay a portion of their winter home heating costs.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

LEAP ayuda a los residentes elegibles de Colorado a pagar una parte de sus gastos de calefacciòn de invierno.

ACEPTANDO SOLICTUDES

NOVEMBER 1 - APRIL 30 1 NOVIEMBRE - 30 ABRIL

For applications & support, contact Lisa Schell at the Health & Wellness Center, 303-670-7550 1969 Miner Street, Idaho Springs OR Tracy Troia at the Courthouse, 303-679-2364 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown

Clear Creek Courant 7

December 7, 2023

A publication of

Contact Us: 1630 Miner St., Idaho Springs, CO 80452 - 303-566-4100 Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: ClearCreekCourant.com To subscribe call 303-566-4100

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President of Clear Creek Center for Arts & Education Mary Jane Loevlie discuses plans for Tower Arts Project in Idaho Springs. PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL

Dozens get first look at Tower Arts Complex in Idaho Springs Located on the fourth floor of Building 103, the arts complex is still under construction but will include a 300-seat main stage, according to city plans

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Architects, engineers and artists gathered Nov. 28 to walk through the fourth floor of Building 103 in Idaho Springs where plans call for a mainstage theater, a 175-seat cabaretstyle theater, an 80-seat black-box stage and additional meeting and performing spaces.

Clear Creek Center for Arts & Education President Mary Jane Loevlie led the tour into still dark and dusty empty spaces with a vision for the near future.

“It’s our first time to get in the building since they’ve done the abatement,” Loevlie said. “We are bringing high-quality world-class performing arts here.”

Expected to open in the fall of 2024, the Tower Arts Complex has already received a $1.5 million grant from Colorado Creative Industries in support of phase one of the renovation.

When complete, the complex will be a community-focused performing and visual arts center. In the summer months, it will be home to a professional repertory theater company, according to CCCAE. In collaboration with the Clear Creek School District, curriculumbased educational programs will cater to K-12 students during the school year and summers in the form of after-school programs, performance opportunities and educational classes, according to CCCAE. “It’s community arts that will bring the heart back into the community,” Loevie said.

Building 103 will also become the

new elementary school in Clear Creek County as Carlson is expected to close permanently at the end of the 2024 school year.

At this point, the asbestos and other contaminants have been removed from the entirety of Building 103 which is set to become a replacement of Carlson Elementary, according to Mike Gass, interim Clear Creek County Superintendent.

“We’re looking at substantial completion by the end of July,” Glass said. “If we’re on schedule, we’ll be able to move our Carlson things and stuff over here.”

On target with plans Carlson Elementary students will begin the 2024 school year at Building 103 in August.

The shared space between education and arts is hoped to be a symbiotic relationship promoting both and giving students an opportunity to thrive, Gass said.

“I think I’m happy (about) where we’re at,” he added. “We’re on schedule, on time and (on) budget,” Gass said.

TOM FILDEY Production Manager tfildey@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the 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 Tues. for the following week’s paper.

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POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Clear Creek Courant, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

8 Clear Creek Courant

LOCAL

December 7, 2023De

VOICES Special Session on property taxes

C

olorado Gov. Jared Polis recently called the legislature back for a special session to address property taxes. After meeting for four days, we passed several bills that will help reduce the increase in property taxes and set up a process to find a bipartisan long-term solution to the rise in property taxes in Colorado.

Special sessions in Colorado are very rare — they have only occurred three times in the past seven years — and are confined solely to the specifics of the governor’s “call.”

This special session was called almost immediately following the failure of Proposition HH during the November 2023 election because the deadline to finalize metrics for everyone’s property tax bill is in early December.

Property taxes are fundamentally a local tax, as these tax collections go exclusively to local services. The schools we send our kids to, the fire and EMS departments that keep us safe, and the hospitals, libraries, parks and recreation districts, sanitation departments, water providers and county governments we rely on (and often many others) all are primarily funded by property taxes.

Thus, any reduction to property tax revenue impacts these important and necessary local services.

However, with the massive increase in housing prices — especially in mountain and rural communities like ours — homeowners are rightfully frustrated with the

GUEST COLUMN

corresponding increase in property taxes that far outpaces inflation.

What passed and what it means for you

Despite some comments in the media, what was Dylan Roberts passed was not the same as Proposition HH. Most importantly, the bills do not decrease TABOR refunds for everyone as Proposition HH proposed (and in fact, they increase them for most Coloradans). Further, the bills apply only to the 2023 tax year while Proposition HH would have made changes that lasted for 10 years. Finally, while the property tax reduction bill we passed this special session does include backfill for local school districts, fire districts, ambulance districts and other local government entities, that is not paid for by any new TABOR surplus as Proposition HH proposed.

SB23B-001 - Property Tax Reductions for 2023 Tax Year: Reduces the residential assessment rate to 6.7% (down from 6.765%) and increases the exemption on a home’s value from $15,000 to $55,000, which, when combined with savings from a 2022 bill that takes effect at the same time, the statewide average residential property tax bill for the 2023 tax year will be reduced by about $430 for a

$300K home, $500 for a $500K home, and $700 for a $1m home. Provides 100% backfill (from existing state funds) to schools, fire districts, ambulance/EMS districts, and rural hospital districts, and a tiered backfill to other local districts based on local home value growth. Keeps the senior homestead and disabled veteran homestead exemption in place. Still allows local governments to reduce their mill levies to give further relief (see below).

HB23B-1003 - Property Tax Commission: Creates a 19-person commission charged with meeting between December 2023 and March 2024 to make recommendations to the legislature on long-term policy changes regarding property taxes (i.e. a “replacement” to the Gallagher Amendment that was repealed by voters in 2020). Made up almost entirely of officials from local government, business, education, and real estate.

Democrats and Republicans will both have appointments.

HB23B-1001 - Emergency Rental Assistance: Allocates an additional $30 million to provide financial assistance for Colorado renters to avoid evictions, pay landlords, and keep working individuals and families housed.

HB23B-1002 - Earned Income Tax Credit Expansion: In 2023, Colorado will increase the state EITC from 25% to 50% to help lowto-middle income working families handle increased cost of living.

Finally, a bipartisan bill I co-

sponsored during our regular 2023 session that could lower your property taxes even more is already law. While the state legislature can make changes regarding the assessment rate and provide some discounts on value like we just did, local taxing entities set taxing rates and have the power to reduce property taxes as well. Their work accounts for the increase in real estate values, particularly here in the mountains. SB23-108 empowers local taxing entities (special districts, counties, etc.) to temporarily lower their mills and give people property tax relief during these times of high valuations. We are hopeful that many local districts across the state will use this tool to add more relief to your property tax bill.

While not perfect, I believe the special session delivered responsible results that will alleviate some property tax burden for homeowners, help renters and working families, and protect important local services including schools, fire and EMS districts, and hospitals. Now, we must do more and find a long-term solution for the years ahead and I look forward to that work. As always, I welcome your feedback at SenatorDylanRoberts@ gmail.com or cell: (970) 846-3054.

Dylan Roberts is the State Senator for Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, and Summit Counties.

OLDS: This week in the Clear Creek Courant…

50 years of Courant headlines not to be confused with news

BY TEDDY JACOBSEN SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Tree-lighting rings in season – Dec. 4, 2013

Georgetown residents and visitors

kicked off the holiday season with the festive annual tree-lighting ceremony downtown. Officials said warm temperatures brought out more people than usual. “This is about as nice as it gets the weekend after Thanksgiving around here, so thanks for whatever you’ve done over the last 11 months to deserve such nice weather,” Mayor Craig Abrahamson told the crowd.

Telecommunications company takes beating at meeting – Dec. 8, 1993

U.S. West Communications took quite a beating from more than 40 upset residents at a Public Utilities Commission meeting in Idaho Springs. County Commissioner Nelson Fugate said the company has “not provided an adequate level of service to our community.”

Springs and convert the paidcirculation newspaper to free circulation. A general manager for the chain said the move is in response to “less than optimum economic conditions” in the county.

Newspaper chain retrenches – Dec. 8, 1982

Clear Creek County ski-area operators were up in arms about a Colorado government proposal to

Johnson Newspaper Inc. planned to move the Front Range Journal office to smaller quarters in Idaho

Proposal to stop charter bus to ski areas – Dec. 7, 1973

SEE OLDS, P9

Clear Creek Courant 9

December 7, 2023

CURRENTS We’d like to know about events or activities of interest to the community. Visit www. clearcreekcourant.com/ calendar/ and post your event online for free. Email dbrobst@ coloradocommunitymedia.com to get items in the print version of the paper. Items will appear in print on a space-available basis.

Salvation Army bell ringing: The Clear Creek County unit of the Salvation Army is looking for bell-ringers through Dec. 24. Sign up for one- or two-hour shifts. For interest ringing bells in Georgetown contact: Lynette Kelsey at 303-569-2909 or 303332-3194. For interest ringing bells in Idaho Springs contact: Tracy Troia @ 720-210-3573. Or email us at: im.clearcreekse@usw. salvationarmy.org.

Christmas Market: The 63rd annual Georgetown Christmas Market will be Dec. 9-10 in downtown Georgetown. Shop, listen to Christmas music and see the Santa Lucia children’s procession at noon each day.

Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance: Join the Clear Creek County Veterans Coalition for a Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance ceremony at 7 a.m.

Dec. 7 at the 23rd Street Bridge in Idaho Springs.

Ugly Sweater Holiday Trivia: Cabin Creek Brewing in Georgetown will host an ugly sweater and holiday trivia contests from 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12.

There will be prizes for the top trivia masters and the best ugly sweaters, all while raising funds for the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District Youth Scholarship Fund.

Cabin Creek Brewing is donating 10% of all sales from the night to the scholarship fund.

Free legal clinic: A free legal clinic will be from 2-5 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 14, at both the John Tomay Library in Georgetown and the Idaho Springs Library.

Volunteer attorneys will answer questions and explain the process and procedure for all civil issues, including family law, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law, small claims, veterans issues, and civil protection orders. Call your local library to be added to the sign-up sheet. Idaho Springs Library 303567-2020 or Georgetown Library 303-569-2620.

Wreaths Across America: The Clear Creek County Veterans Coalition will host the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16, beginning at 10 a.m. at the United Center, 1140 Colorado Blvd. in Idaho Springs. Immediately following the ceremony, everyone is invited to go to any of the Clear Creek cemeteries to help place wreaths on local veterans’ graves.

ONGOING

Clear Creek Democrats: The Clear Creek Democrats meet from 5-7 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at the Vintage Moose in Idaho Springs. Join them for great conversation and social time.

Blue Spruce Habitat volunteers needed: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers.

A variety of opportunities and flexible schedules are available on new construction sites as well as for exterior minor home repairs. No previous construction experience needed.

Contact volunteer@bluesprucehabitat.org for information.

Walk-in vaccine clinics: Walkin vaccine clinics for adults and children needing flu and other SEE CURRENTS, P12

OLDS FROM PAGE 8

ban charter bus services as a fuelsaving measure. Manager of the Loveland Basin Ski Area Otto Werlin said it would impact around 20% of skiers in the area. “They’re trying to eliminate an entire industry,” Werlin

said.

The Clear Creek Courant was created in August of 1973. These items come from Courant’s historic archives. As it turns out, previous Courant writers had the same idea for the paper’s 25th anniversary.

Their section was dubbed, “Olds: Not to be confused with news.” It lives on for an entire year to celebrate the paper’s 50th birthday.

Memory In Loving

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

10 Clear Creek Courant

December 7, 2023D

LOCAL

LIFE

Board games are rising in popularity, and local shop owners say the games mean a lot to people

BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

W

hen game shop owners throughout the metro area talk about the reasons they got into the business, they all use the same word: Community.

Games stores are more than just a center for play or a place to buy games. They serve as social hubs, something shop owners say is increasingly hard to find and ever more valued in today’s society.

While church attendance continues to plummet, politics becomes ever more divisive, and tech devices are a growing part of our daily lives, the human need for physical connection remains. Sitting across a table from others and playing games, while temporarily setting aside worries that today often range from personal to global, is one way to fill that void.

“It really fosters an alternative for people who are not interested in religion or some other types of traditional community. And ours is a lot more welcoming in ways, too,” said Shannon Mills, who co-owns Littleton’s Mythic Games with her husband Mike Agnew. “We know everybody here, and we’re all here for the same kinds of reasons.”

In fact, a recently opened Thornton game shop took its name from that philosophy.

“We were kicking around what to call it, and a friend said, ‘Call yourself what you’re trying to do. You’re trying to build a community, to do good,’” said Jessica Willman, co-owner of Thornton’s Do Gooder Games.

“Gaming is almost entirely about the community aspect,” said Jeff Kokx, co-owner of Enchanted Grounds, which has stores in both Highlands Ranch and Littleton. “I don’t think any game store owner is actually in it to make a mint. I think we do it because we enjoy it. We like the people that come in. We like community.”

Whatever the reason, board gaming is hot. In fact, the Washington Post recently described now as the golden age of board games, and there are no signs of its slowing. The global board games market is expected to double

The Golden Game Guild’s chalkboard calendar, on display in the shop, is packed with events. Most game shops host regular events, often dedicated to specific PHOTO BY JANE REUTER board games.

in the next several years, growing from about $13 billion in 2023 to $26 billion by 2030.

Board games promote sportsmanship, family, teamwork and competitiveness, and studies show they increase self-confidence.

For kids who today spend hours each day interacting with technology, playing board games gives them time away from the screen, directly interacting with others.

“I think the value of in-person communication and collaboration is

very important,” said Gabby Mann, who co-owns the Golden Game Guild with her husband Ryun Valdez.

“Hopefully that doesn’t get lost in this wild world we live in now. I’m glad we have opportunities for that here, especially for kids.”

“Our society is losing places to meet in person,” Valdez said. “There needs to be places besides just bars, especially for families, where people can go.”

SEE BOARD GAMES, P11

Clear Creek Courant 11

December 7, 2023

BOARD GAMES FROM PAGE 10

Having a sense of community is also key to a successful game store’s business model.

“Building community is building value,” Do Gooder Games’ partner Dan William said. “Once you’ve built the community, then revenue follows.”

Mythic Games’ Agnew agrees. With ever-growing competition from other game shops and online shopping, brick-and-mortar stores have to distinguish themselves.

“We never want to win customers on having the lowest prices,” he said.

“That generates a very cheap and temporary loyalty. They’re not loyal to you; they’re loyal to the price.

“There’s no competing with Amazon,” his wife Shannon said. “So we have to provide interest in different ways. We keep our space super clean, fun and open, and are always adding different events. It’s all about bringing people together.”

Pandemic and game innovation fuels growth

The game shop formula is a winning one, particularly in recent years — a fact business analysts attribute to increased innovation in board game creation and the rise of game shops.

The pandemic likely helped fuel that growth, as many people not only rediscovered board games while in lockdown but emerged from months of isolation craving social interaction and mental stimulation.

“In the end, I think COVID(-19) was good for business,” Shannon Mills said. “People were so starved for human interaction. You can only play so many video games before you want to see somebody face-to-face.”

Much of the industry’s growth is fueled by Gen Z. About 40% of game

Husband and wife Ryun Valdez and Gabby Mann co-own the Golden Game Guild in downtown Golden, which draws students from the Colorado Schools of Mines, kids PHOTO BY JANE REUTER and families.

board players were born between 1997 and 2012, and forecasts suggest they’ll continue to be the industry’s most significant consumers. But it’s kids who dominate the industry.

Players aged 5 to 12 are the global market’s biggest consumers.

To meet all that demand, the industry produces more than 3,000 new games each year. And for those who haven’t played in a while, they’ve come a long way from Battleship and Aggravation. On today’s board game menu, there is literally something for everyone.

“People will come in and say, ‘I don’t like games,’” said Mann, of Golden Game Guild. And we say, ‘You haven’t played the right game yet.’”

Consider games like Wingspan, a card-based game about birds. Using hand-painted cards, players control a piece of land, on which they’re tasked with populating a bird preserve.

Many describe playing Wingspan as a soothing, Zen-like experience.

It’s clearly struck a chord. Since its 2019 release, Wingspan has sold 1.7 million copies and won numerous awards.

Or Pandemic, a game in which plays are disease-fighting specialists battling the spread of several global plagues. Each player has a unique role, and must strategize, racing the clock with their fellow players to

conquer the diseases. This highly rated, award-winning game is not simple, but players love it for both its complexity and emphasis on teamwork.

The tabletop role playing game Dungeons & Dragons, once a niche and secretive pastime played in basements and private rooms, is a feature act at almost any modern game shop. Almost all set aside one night for D&D, which often draws complete strangers together to craft their own fictional characters, worlds, and adventures. Created in the 1970s, the game is today at an all-time popularity peak.

Fans also flock to game shops to play “Magic: The Gathering,” the oldest known trading card game. It casts players as wizards who get their powers from a universe of cards that are bought, sold and traded.

And among the younger set, Pokémon trading cards remain a strong seller.

Boosting the industry, celebrities are onboard with D&D and other games.

“The stigma that once surrounded D&D has been removed,” Kokx said.

“There are people who are very much in the limelight that play this D&D publicly — Vin Diesel, Jason Momoa, Joe Manganiello, Wil Wheaton … many have created podcasts and YouTube channels to promote the

game.

“A lot of that is because our generation grew up with these games in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Now we’re older with disposable income, and introducing our kids to it. And it’s significantly more accepted.”

In an effort to accommodate the growing interest in in-person gaming and the vast library of available games, shops are growing. Enchanted Grounds opened a second location.

Mythic recently expanded to a whopping 6,300 square feet, giving them more space for games but more pockets within the store in which groups can play specific games together.

And while many game shops cater specifically to the gaming community, offering sandwiches, snacks, soda, tea, and even limited alcohol sales, they’ve also broadened their focus to draw more customers.

Do Gooder Games and Enchanted Grounds specialize in high-end, local coffee, and Do Gooder Games sells sandwiches, even drawing employees from local businesses for lunch. That’s not just good for the customer base, it’s almost vital for gamers.

“Some of these games take 4-6 hours to play,” said Do Gooder’s Jessica Willman. “Sitting down and playing a six-hour game without any food or breaks is hard.”

With its emphasis on quality coffee, Enchanted Grounds draws a broad range of customers. A Navy veterans group regularly meets there to talk and drink coffee. Women’s groups gather for mahjong and canasta.

Remote workers in neighboring homes and apartments stop by to work for a few hours. All are part of the game shop community.

Do Gooder Games includes a room that can be used to record podcasts, space for community meetings and an employee who teaches newcomers to the business how to play games.

“Success to me will be defined by who successful the community is a the end of the day,” Dan Willman said. “We are thinking how to work with our community, and also how to help but also disrupt the industry.

To break down the barriers and the stereotypes of (game shop customers) being white and male-dominated, you need to cater to new people.”

And just maybe, those new customers will find a game they love.

“There’s a game for everybody, and it’s almost never Monopoly,” Mythic Games’ Shannon Mills said. “Gaming is like a walk-in closet; it’s way bigger than you thought it would be.”

12 Clear Creek Courant

CURRENTS FROM PAGE 9

vaccines are available from 10 a.m.4 p.m. Wednesdays at the Clear Creek Health and Wellness Center, 1969 Miner St., Idaho Springs. No appointments required for the vaccines, though you can preregister by calling 303-670-7528.

Resilience1220 counseling: Young people 12 to 20 can get free

December 7, 2023De counseling through an Evergreenbased organization called Resilience1220. Comprised of licensed therapists, Resilience1220 serves individuals and groups in the foothills including Clear Creek County. They also facilitate school and community groups to build life skills in wellness and resilience among youth. For more information or to schedule a counseling session, visit R1220. org, email Resilience1220@gmail. com or call 720-282-1164.

Dental clinics: Cleanings, X-rays, dentures, tooth extractions and more. Most insurances are accepted including Medicaid.

Sliding scale/low-cost options are also available. No appointment

necessary. This is a mobile dentist that comes once a month. Call program manager Lauralee at 720205-4449 for questions.

Clear Creek Rotary 2000 meetings: Clear Creek Rotary 2000 meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Marion’s of the Rockies. 2805 Colorado Blvd., Idaho Springs.

For more information, email loeffler806@comcast.net.

Support After Suicide Loss: A safe place to share and learn after losing a loved one to suicide.

This group meets every fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. via zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 office. For ages 14 and up.

Suggested donation for this group is $15. Register at resilience1220. org/groups.

Storytime with Miss Honeybun: Storytime with Miss Honeybun is at 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays at the Idaho Springs Public Library and at 11:15 a.m. Thursdays at the John Tomay Memorial Library in Georgetown.

Sensitive Collection: Resilience1220 strives to inform and support highly sensitive people to live healthy and empowered lives. It meets the third Wednesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 office. Register at resilience1220.org/groups.

December 7, 2023

Clear Creek Courant 13

14 Clear Creek Courant

LOCAL

SPORTS

December 7, 2023De

Matt Schippers, an assistant coach this season for the Golddiggers, runs through a drill with his players at practice. Schippers was a graduate and former player at PHOTO BY JOHN RENFROW ThunderRidge High School.

Clear Creek girls basketball to rely on quality over quantity in 2023 Shorthanded Golddiggers hope to inch back to 2018 success

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Securing numbers for the girls basketball team at Clear Creek High School hasn’t been easy. So the school has brought in a decorated coaching staff for reinforcements.

The Golddiggers have won just 21 games in the last five years. That makes the Class 2A state championship of 2018, in which Clear Creek finished as

runner-up, feel miles away. That team finished 24-3 that year and dominated the 3A/2A Frontier League 12-0.

With the team lagging since then, first-year head coach Doug Maier is determined to turn the ship around, but it’s a tall task considering the Golddiggers are shorthanded on the bench.

To help, he’s added two locals to his staff — Matt Schippers and Heather Harmon. Both played stints at ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch.

“I think I have nine kids on the team, and that’s variable day-to-day,” Maier said. “I think in general, we need to improve the work ethic and raise interest level and all that good

stuff. But I’ve got some returning seniors and one really compelling newcomer.”

The goal, Maier said, is to “employ a quick-score, quick-shot offense with a lot of pressing.”

Maier has operated as the head basketball coach and director of player development at the Colorado Basketball Academy in the Highlands Ranch/Castle Rock area for nearly two decades.

He’s coached thousands of players, including his daughter, Mack Maier, a Chaparral High School graduate and senior for the Demon Deacons at Wake Forest University in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

As a high school coach of over 20

years, Maier enjoyed stints at Prairie View in Henderson, Platte Canyon in Bailey, and Mullen in Denver, where he was a part of the 2006 state championship boys team. He’s also a USA Basketball Gold Licensed coach.

He said this year’s team will be the epitome of an “if-then” team, meaning no matter what they see from opposing teams, the Golddiggers will have an answer.

“We’ve got plenty of tools in the toolbox, I just don’t know what our expectation level will be,” Maier said.

“I just think if we can press and force the issue, we can keep a couple of games close.”

SEE BASKETBALL, P15

Clear Creek Courant 15

December 7, 2023

BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 14

The Golddiggers are coming off one of the worst seasons in recent memory if not program history. In 2022, the team finished 1-17 and 0-10 in the 3A/2A/1A Mile High League.

The team suffered consistent blowout losses, and the sole victory came from a forfeit by the opposing team.

But the future looks promising, Maier said, even if it won’t bring immediate, world-beating results.

“The more important thing to me is we’ve got a decent group of sixth- and seventh-graders coming up that we’ll need to have interest in the program,” Maier said. “They need to be able to see that we’re trying to win games and Coach Doug Maier is stepping in to coach Clear Creek girls basketball in 2023. Maier has been the head basketball coach and director of player development at the PHOTO BY JOHN RENFROW Colorado Basketball Academy for over 20 years.

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we’re trying to be competitive so that they’ll want to come be with us.”

Establishing a solid feeder program is essential for high school success, Maier explained.

He’s seen how well schools like Evergreen continue to reload their teams, and he hopes Clear Creek can lean into a similar tradition.

“Come on over. We’ve got jerseys available,” Maier said. “I want to see us grow in number on the bench. If I start the season at nine players, if I can get to 12 by the end of the year, that’s a good thing. I respect the heck out of what (Clear Creek) did in 2018 because that’s when my daughter was in high school. Kids don’t like to see teams get blown off the floor. If we’re doing our job, hopefully, us keeping games close erases that stigma of the pain of the past couple of years.”

16 Clear Creek Courant

December 7, 2023De

Miners Alley triples down on holiday theater for 2023

T

he holidays have always been a special time at Golden’s Miners Alley Playhouse.

Typically, an offering for children and one that adults can enjoy means the theater has made a name for itself as one of the goto places to get a healthy dose of seasonal cheer.

And now with the opening of Miners’ new location, the company is taking the special opportunity to offer three shows this year.

“A Christmas Story” — 1224 Washington Ave. This show, based on the hilarious 1983 film, will be the final show hosted in Miners’ Washington Avenue space. If you’re (somehow) not familiar, the story follows young Ralphie’s efforts to secure himself an “Official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range

model air rifle” some warm holiday memories. statement. “It’s an incredibly fun COMING Christmas. Performances will be at 11 a.m. on and festive time as we revisit the ATTRACTIONS for Audiences can Saturdays through Dec. 30. quirky residents of Armadillo Acres

laugh along with the story while enjoying a hot cocoa and apple cider.

Performances will be Dec. 6-9, 13-16, 20-23 and 27-30 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. Clarke Reader 10, 17 and 31 at 2 p.m.

“The Story of The Nutcracker” — 1224 Washington Ave. An interactive, hour-long long holiday show for young audiences, this take on the classic Nutcracker story provides viewers with the story behind the classic ballet. It’s the perfect way to introduce young people to the theater and create

“The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” — 1103 Arapahoe St. This adults-only musical will be the company’s first show in its brandnew space on Arapahoe Street. The hilarious show shines a spotlight on the residents of Armadillo Acres, who were last seen on stage in January in “The Great American Trailer Park.” The sequel brings audiences back to the Florida trailer park community for laughs, Keg Nog and much more. “’The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical’ is the perfect show to open the new Miners Alley Performing Arts Center,” said Len Matheo, Miners Alley Producing Artistic Director, in a provided

with just as much crazy as the original musical.”

Performances will be Dec. 2-31 at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

No matter how you want to celebrate the season, Miners Alley has something for you.

Information and tickets for all shows can be found at https:// minersalley.com/.

No ‘FoMo’ this holiday season at the Benchmark Theatre

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18 Clear Creek Courant

December 7, 2023De

READER FROM PAGE 16

ccm cares FOOD AND TOY DRIVE We are seeking food and toy donations to help families during the holiday season. If you would like to contribute any non-perishable food items or unwrapped toys please visit one of our offices:

they may not expect. Which makes their holiday show, Frankie Lee’s “FoMo: Formerly Mormon,” perfectly in line with their mission.

Featuring guest direction by Rebecca Gholson, the show runs from Friday, Dec. 8 through Saturday, Dec. 23 at the theater, 1560 Teller St. in Lakewood. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Written by and starring Lee, the show is the story of a young man discovering his queer identity while finding a role in the Mormon church.

The result is at times heartbreaking, hilarious and always achingly human.

Get tickets and information at www.benchmarktheatre.com.

Ballet Ariel takes audiences on a dance through a magical wardrobe

It’s always nice when a cultural institution shakes things up for the holiday season, which makes Ballet Ariel’s production of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” such a fun development. Based on C.S. Lewis’ classic story, the show follows four siblings who escape the war in London only to find themselves in something even grander in the mystical kingdom of Narnia.

The ballet runs at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8

and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. on the 9th and Sunday, Dec. 10, and at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22 and Saturday, Dec. 23 and 7 p.m. on the 22 at the Parsons Theatre in Northglenn, 1 East Memorial Parkway.

Get tickets and all the details at balletariel.org.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Menzingers at Mission Ballroom

The Menzingers make punk rock that has more in common with legendary groups like Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band than it does with the Sex Pistols, and to my mind, that’s all to the good.

Over their more than 15-year career, the group’s sound has evolved to be as anthemic as the biggest arena rock band while sacrificing none of its working-man ethos. Their latest album, “Some of It Was True,” continues in this vein, offering some of their sharpest songwriting paired with some truly rocking tunes.

In celebration of the album, the group is joining with a top-notch group of indie rock stalwarts for a special performance at the Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver, at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13. They’ll be joined by Microwave, Cloud Nothings and Rodeo Boys for anything but a quiet night.

Get tickets at www.ticketmaster. com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.

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20 Clear Creek Courant

December 7, 2023De

It’s expensive to go to concerts in Colorado. Let’s dig into why.

BY PARKER YAMASAKI THE COLORADO SUN

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The first concert Jonathan Kahn ever attended at Red Rocks Amphitheatre was Loggins & Messina in July 1976. Nearly 50 years later, Kahn is parked in the lower south lot of the iconic outdoor venue, sitting in the doorway of his Sprinter van with a Snarf’s sandwich, waiting for a storm to blow through before he heads inside to hear Hiatus Kaiyote and Masego.

Kahn said he had been to five Red Rocks shows this year, shaking his head slightly — that number used to be a lot higher.

Kahn isn’t the only one who has slimmed down his annual concert intake. Overall attendance at cultural institutions across the state is down, according to the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts.

In a survey of 285 cultural institutions, attendance between 2019 and 2022 decreased by 15% in metro Denver and 22% in Colorado outside of metro Denver.

Some of that dip is due to the fact that some people still don’t — and may never — feel comfortable attending events with large crowds after the pandemic. But more of that dip is attributed to the fact that entertainment is “a want not a need,” said Brian Kitts, Denver Arts and Venues spokesman. People adjust their spending according to what they feel they can afford. And when the cost of living is up in every other aspect of life, the amount that people are willing to spend on tickets to concerts, plays and museums goes down.

In 2018, the share of a person’s overall expenditures on arts and entertainment was 6.1% in metro Denver, significantly higher than the national average of 5.1%. In 2022, that percentage was 4.9%, lower than the national average of 5%. In dollars, this equates to roughly $500 per person per year less in spending.

Some experts anticipated a postCOVID price jump that artists and promoters would use to offset lost revenue from the pandemic.

That was true in 2021, when ticket prices increased about 15% at Red Rocks and nearly 45% at the

A concert at Red Rocks.

COURTESY OF RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE

Denver Coliseum. But this year the average price decreased from 2022’s averages, indicating a leveling-off of ticket prices.

Still, the increase in the average ticket price over the past five years is significantly higher than year-overyear inflation rates. For instance, the average price of a ticket to a Red Rocks concert has grown 31% since 2018, while inflation for metro Denver is about 24% over that same period.

The most dramatic change to ticket prices comes from the introduction of service fees. Prior to the 1980s, when Ticketmaster launched, venues paid the ticketing servicer.

But Ticketmaster flipped that model, paying venues in exchange for being hired to handle ticketing and then passed the costs on to customers in the form of service fees.

Since these fees are somewhat arbitrary — hashed out in negotiations between the ticketing service, the concert promoter and the venue — service fees as a whole have generated a new rising cost for concert-goers independent of inflation or post-pandemic economics. The opaque charges add to the frustration of spectators upset that outside forces are gouging their entertainment budgets.

This story was printed through a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver that covers the state. This story is also part of the Sun’s ongoing series talking to Coloradans about their challenges, their fears and their solutions to the rising costs of living. More at www.

ColoradoSun.com

Clear Creek Courant 21

December 7, 2023

Outdoor recreation economy tops $1.1 trillion, fueling efforts for legislative support

BY JASON BLEVINS THE COLORADO SUN

Outdoor recreation has a new tagline: a trillion-dollar industry.

The new measurement of the outdoor recreation economy by the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows outdoor businesses in 2022 earning $563.7 billion, accounting for 2.2% of the nation’s gross domestic product and employing 5 million workers.

Spending on outdoor recreation — defined by the bureau as gross output — reached $1.1 trillion, a 19% jump from 2021.

This is the sixth year the federal government has analyzed outdoor recreation. And the numbers continue to reveal an economic juggernaut that drives urban and rural communities across the country. Outdoor recreation now is bigger than the country’s mining, agriculture and technology industries.

The new easy-to-trumpet trillion-dollar impact arrives as federal lawmakers weigh the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023, a package of legislation that would, among, many things, champion recreation in federal land management plans, encourage private partnerships on federal campgrounds, support outdoor businesses and help rural communities manage the impacts of recreation.

The legislation, sponsored by Democrats and Republicans, has passed out of the U.S. Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee and is expected to be heard by a U.S. House committee soon.

“These numbers help us make the case for outdoor recreation priorities,” said Chris Perkins, the vice president of programs for the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, a coalition representing 110,000

Breck Epic mountain bikers push their bikes on the Wheeler trail during the race, Aug. 17, 2023, near Breckenridge.

The 6-day annual race brings in hundreds of riders around the world for approximately 240 miles with 40,000 feet of elevation gain around Summit PHOTO BY HUGH CAREY / THE COLORADO SUN County.

outdoor businesses, nonprofits and associations. “This gives the industry a seat at the table supporting the most comprehensive package of outdoor recreation bills in a generation.”

The Bureau of Economic Analysis measures the industry in three categories: “conventional” outdoor recreation, “other” outdoor recreation and “supporting” industries.

The conventional category includes cycling, paddling, fishing, climbing, hunting, motorized recreation, RVing and skiing. Other recreation categories include going to amusement parks, concerts and sporting events, playing field sports, taking guided tours and gardening. Supporting industries include construction and travel.

Using the BEA yardstick, travel is the largest contributor to the outdoor recreation economy, accounting for more than $339 million — or roughly 40% — of the outdoor economy. The industries supporting outdoor recreation are up 28% compared with 2021, while the economic activity in the core outdoor recreation categories is up 12%.

But since 2018, when the bureau first began studying the outdoor economy, the economic impact of core activities are up 36%.

That’s understandable considering the spectacular growth and appeal of outdoor recreation in 2020 and 2021 as the pandemic pushed more people outside. Now, as other industries, like travel, rebound from the pandemic downturn, it’s understandable to see stronger growth in those peripheral, supporting economies, Perkins said.

Kent Ebersole, the head of the Boulder-based Outdoor Industries Association, said the $1.1 trillion mark “proves that the outdoor recreation industry is an economic force.” He said his group was “especially proud” to see the growth in core activities since 2019, with more than 55% of Americans getting outside for recreation.

The BEA is still compiling specific state data, but Colorado ranks sixth among states with the fastest growing outdoor recreation economies. Outdoor recreation employment in Colorado rose 9.2% in 2022, compared with a national average of 7.4%.

A big part of the 2022 growth in Colorado can be credited to snowsports. Nationally, the economic impact of all snow activity — skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and other winter sports — grew 39%, with spending reaching $13.2 billion. Skiing and snowboarding accounted for $7 billion of that. Colorado contributed $1.4 billion to that winter sports impact, more than twice any other

state.

That jibes with ski industry numbers showing both the 202122 and 2022-23 ski seasons as the busiest ever for the nation’s resorts.

And Colorado ski areas reported highs of 14 million visits in 202122 and 14.8 million in 2022-23.

Colorado typically accounts for 20% to 25% of the nation’s ski resort business.

Luis Benitez, the first director of Colorado’s outdoor recreation office who now works as the chief impact officer at the Trust for Public Lands said the trillion-dollar mark should sway the federal government to form a federal office of recreation.

“Name another trillion-dollar economy that does not have a deep, well-constructed overwatch,” he said. “The time is now.”

The new federal office inside the Department of Commerce would direct the Biden Administration’s revived Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation. It would support natural resource protection.

It would wade into public health and trade policies and promote higher education programs to better hone industry leaders, Benitez said.

As the race for the 2024 presidency begins, Benitez wants to see all candidates discussing how they will support and protect the nation’s newest trillion-dollar industry.

“The ’t’ really shifts the conversation,” he said. “The ’t’ changes things.”

This story runs via a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver that covers the state.

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December 7, 2023De

The average hamburger in Colorado now costs $15

BY TAMARA CHUANG THE COLORADO SUN

Over at a Denver-area Red Robin restaurant, the Keep It Simple burger costs $13.49, or nearly $15 with tax.

That’s up 31% in a little more than three years, based on old menus posted at restaurant review site, Yelp. com, showing the same no-frills burger at $10.29 in May 2020.

It’s not just Red Robin. A lot of burger joints are getting unwanted attention because of their higher

prices, with some consumers sharing their shock on social media. It’s also not just burgers. The cost of eating out at a restaurant in Colorado has increased 28.2% since January 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index.

Menu prices have gone up at most Colorado eateries, and restaurant owners don’t really like to talk about it.

But one can still find a solid burger at a full-service restaurant for under $15. The Cricket Burger at The Cherry

Cricket in Denver is $11.50, up 30% since 2021, the restaurant confirmed.

Fries are still $4 but now there are two sizes: a half order and full size, which is $6.

“Continuing to provide a delicious product to our guests at a value is paramount to us at the Cherry Cricket. We’re always very hesitant to increase our prices,” Calley McCue, president and chief financial officer for Cherry Cricket’s parent company, Breckenridge-Wynkoop, said in an email.

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The Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation gets a lot more specific. Earlier this year, the industry group, which has 4,900 member restaurants, put together its own guide to why the price of an

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Clear Creek Courant 23

December 7, 2023

BURGER FROM PAGE 22

average burger has increased to $15.

Restaurants have seen an increase of 54% in the cost of labor, 55% for utilities and 20% for equipment and maintenance. The price of beef? Up 43%. Cheese? Up 79%. And lettuce?

Up 85%.

For restaurants to make the same margin on burgers that they did in 2020, they’d have to charge $22.

“Inflation has had a huge impact on menu prices across Colorado, as has the annual increase of the minimum wage,” said Denise Mickelsen, a spokeswoman for the industry association. “The cost of running a restaurant continues to skyrocket, and with typical industry profit margins sitting at a slim 3% to 5%,

PHOTO BY HUGH CAREY AND ILLUSTRATION BY DANIKA WORTHINGTON /

operators don’t have a lot of wiggle room when food, alcohol, energy,

labor, taxes and more continue to climb. It all leads to higher menu

prices, streamlined menu offerings, limited hours of operation and operator burnout.”

In October, the restaurant association polled its members about prices. Based on the responses, customers can expect prices to continue to increase next year. About 86% of members who responded said they planned to increase menu prices when the minimum wage goes up 5.6% to $14.42 an hour on Jan. 1. Six out of 10 said they’ll have to cut hours or shifts for their teams.

This story was printed through a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver that covers the state. This story is also part of the Sun’s ongoing series talking to Coloradans about their challenges, their fears and their solutions to the rising costs of living. More at www.

ColoradoSun.com

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GEORGETOWN 812 Taos St., Georgetown • 303-569-2360 Serving the community since 1874.

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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF IDAHO SPRINGS 100 Colorado Blvd., P.O. Box 840, Idaho Springs, CO 80452 Family worship Sundays at 10 a.m.

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THE UNITED CHURCH OF IDAHO SPRINGS AND CLEAR CREEK COUNTY 1410 Colorado Blvd., Idaho Springs (303) 567-2057 Sunday Worship Service – 10:00 AM

WORSHIP DIRECTORY Join Our Worship Directory!

Call Ruth at 303-566-4113

24 Clear Creek Courant

December 7, 2023De

© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

Solution

TRIVIA 1. MOVIES: Which Disney animated movie features the song “Whistle While You Work”?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Which two oceans are on Russia’s shores?

3. PSYCHOLOGY: What is the fear represented in the condition called euphobia?

4. TELEVISION: What is “The Simpsons” home address?

5. GAMES: How many dimples are on a golf ball?

6. ASTRONOMY: Earth’s place in the solar system is how many planets from the Sun? 7. LANGUAGE: What is the only country in South America whose official language is Dutch?

8. FOOD & DRINK: What is a sweetbread?

9. LITERATURE: In which century was “The Canterbury Tales” written?

10. SCIENCE: Who is considered the father of modern astronomy?

Answers 1. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

2. Arctic and Pacific.

3. Fear of good news.

4. 742 Evergreen Terrace.

5. Generally between 300-500.

6. Third.

7. Suriname.

8. Internal organs of a young animal.

9. Late 14th century.

10. Copernicus. (c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Crossword Solution

Clear Creek Courant 25

December 7, 2023

NOW HERE’S A TIP * Zip-top bags are essential when our family packs for holiday visiting.

We use gallon-size bags for the kids’ outfits -- top, bottoms, underclothes, etc. -- and each bag holds one complete set. There is no suitcase chaos, as the bag comes out, and yesterday’s clothing goes in, ready for laundry day when we get home. Happy traveling. -- JoAnn * After Christmas sales are a great time to buy not only gift wrap (look for solid colors that you can use all year long), holiday cards and decoration, but also next season’s winter wear. Things like scarves and gloves can be great bargains. And even coats can go on sale. Take advantage -- especially if you have kids -- and buy up. * Here is a wonderful shopping tip that’s especially useful during holiday shopping but is something we do all year round: Spend your first hour or so browsing only. Nothing goes in the shopping cart or your bag, and no purchases. If, after you are ready to buy, you still remember the things you “had to have,” go back and make the purchases.

1. Name the last song released by Patience and Prudence.

2. Who released “The More I See You” in 1966?

3. Which group released “Get Back”?

4. Who were the Jordanaires?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “You’re looking kinda lonely girl, Would you like someone new to talk to?”

Answers

FLASHBACK

1. “Tonight You Belong to Me,” in 1964. The two sisters did well reviving a 1927 song that has since been widely used, including in a 2018 Google commercial and an episode of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

2. Chris Montez. The song was originally released in 1945 and has been covered by several others over the years, including Ella Fitzgerald and Andy Williams.

3. The Beatles with Billy Preston on electric piano, in 1969. An edited version was used in the concert film of

-- M.M. in Arizona * A great storage container for fancy ornaments is a liquor box, which you can get for free outside of package stores. They have cardboard separators that make it easy to store glass bulbs. -- W.F. in New Mexico * I try to buy the same amount of presents for each of my grandchildren. I set a budget for each, and that carries me throughout the year, as I like to shop early for sales. One thing I do, though, is to take into account the value of the item if I get a super great deal. I think it makes it more fair for the rest of them. I haven’t had any complaints!

-- Grandma, via email Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

the same name with Paul McCartney on his 1989-1990 tour.

4. The vocal quartet served as backup to Elvis Presley from 1956 to 1970 as well as backup for Patsy Cline from 1960 to 1963.

5. “Sharing the Night Together,” by Dr. Hook in 1976. The song was first released by Lenny LeBlanc and others, but it was Hook’s version that rose on the charts. (c) 2023 King Features Syndicate

26 Clear Creek Courant

December 7, 2023De .com/Classifieds

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Clear Creek Courant 27

December 7, 2023

MARKETPLACE Miscellaneous

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28 Clear Creek Courant

December 7, 2023De

SERVICE DIRECTORY Home Improvement

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Clear Creek Courant 29

December 7, 2023

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES

legals2@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Public Notices call 303-566-4123 Legals City and County Public Notice TOWN OF GEORGETOWN PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL USE PERMIT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Planning Commission for the Town of Georgetown will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, to consider an application for a special use permit. The hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 404 6th Street, Georgetown, Colorado. The meeting may also be joined Virtually at: www.zoom.us Webinar ID: 830 7663 5154 and/or dial in: 1-346-248-7799 Proposed Special Use: Special Use Permit for a Private Medical Clinic specializing in the treatment of trauma

Zoom meeting info: www.silverplumetown.com THE PUBLIC IS INVITED & ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THESE MEETINGS & GIVE THEIR INPUT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE . . . this notice posted at Town Hall & the Silver Plume Post Office.

PLACE: SILVER PLUME TOWN HALL, 710 MAIN STREET, SILVER PLUME, CO with public participation via Zoom meeting (see above) William Stephens Town Clerk 303-569-2363 clerk@silverplumetown.com Town Hall Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.and 1pm-3pm Closed Fridays THE TOWN OF SILVER PLUME IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER & EMPLOYER! Legal Notice No. CCC742 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant Public Notice

Applicant(s): Wellness Property LLC Location: 1414 Argentine St. Georgetown, CO Zoning: Gateway Commercial A copy of the complete application is available for inspection at Town Hall, 404 6th Street, Georgetown, Colorado, during normal business hours. Interested parties are encouraged to attend the public hearing and make their opinions known. Written comments may be submitted to the Commission at Box 426, Georgetown, CO 80444 any time before the hearing. For further information, call 303-569-2555 ext. 2.

Given and posted at the Georgetown Town Hall this 27th day of November, 2023.

Posted at the subject property on 12-4-2023, per Code 17.08.130(a) Jennifer Yobski Town Clerk Legal Notice No. CCC744 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant Public Notice Town of Silver Plume Drawer F Silver Plume, CO 80476 (303)569-2363 www.silverplumetown.com NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE OF BUDGET TOWN OF SILVER PLUME, COLORADO Notice is hereby given that the Town of Silver Plume draft 2023 Budget will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for consideration during a Public Hearing scheduled for December 11, 2023 at 7:00 pm Public Hearing will allow for comments on the proposed budget. The proposed budget will also be on file at Silver Plume Town Hall, 710 Main Street, & can be reviewed during regular business hours listed below.

Future work sessions will be scheduled by the Town Board of Trustees to refine the proposed budget & prepare a final budget for adoption.

A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF THIS BUDGET AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 at 7:00 PM

City of Idaho Springs Check Register 11/1/2023 - 11/30/2023 Check Invoice Issue Date Amount 38089 11/13/2023 38464 11/02/2023 38465 11/13/2023 38466 11/13/2023 38467 11/13/2023 38468 11/13/2023 38469 11/13/2023 38470 11/13/2023 38471 11/13/2023 38472 11/13/2023 38474 11/13/2023 38475 11/13/2023 38476 11/13/2023 38477 11/13/2023 38478 11/13/2023 38479 11/13/2023 38480 11/13/2023 38482 11/13/2023 38483 11/13/2023 38484 11/13/2023 38485 11/13/2023 38486 11/13/2023 38487 11/13/2023 38488 11/13/2023 38490 11/13/2023

Payee

Salt Lake Wholesale Sports 54.83Postmaster A.D. Miller Services

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217.83

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1,000.00

CenturyLink

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38491 11/13/2023 38492 11/13/2023 38494 11/13/2023 38495 11/13/2023 38496 11/13/2023 38497 11/13/2023 38499 11/13/2023 38500 11/13/2023 38501 11/13/2023 38502 11/13/2023 38503 11/13/2023 38505 11/13/2023 38506 11/13/2023 38508 11/13/2023 38509 11/13/2023 38510 11/13/2023 38511 11/13/2023 38512 11/13/2023 38513 11/13/2023 38515 11/27/2023 38516 11/27/2023 38517 11/27/2023 38518 11/27/2023 38519 11/27/2023 38520 11/27/2023 38521 11/27/2023 38522 11/27/2023 38523 11/27/2023 38524 11/27/2023 38525 11/27/2023 38526 11/27/2023 38527 11/27/2023 38528 11/27/2023 38529 11/27/2023 38530 11/27/2023 38531 11/27/2023 38532 11/27/2023 38533 11/27/2023 38534 11/27/2023 38535 11/27/2023 38536 11/27/2023 38537 11/27/2023 38538 11/27/2023 38539 11/27/2023 38540 11/13/2023

Colorado Mountain Bike Associati 9,200.00

38541 11/13/2023 38542 11/13/2023 38543 11/13/2023 38544 11/13/2023 38545 11/13/2023 38546 11/13/2023 38547 11/13/2023 11132301 11/13/2023 11132302 11/13/2023 11132303 11/13/2023 11132304 11/13/2023 11132305 11/13/2023 11132306 11/13/2023 11132307 11/13/2023 11132308 11/13/2023 11132309 11/13/2023 11132310 11/13/2023 11132311 11/13/2023 11132312 11/13/2023 11132313 11/13/2023 11272301 11/27/2023 11272302 11/27/2023 11272303 11/27/2023 11272304 11/27/2023 11272305 11/27/2023 11272306 11/27/2023 11272307 11/27/2023 11272308 11/27/2023 11272309 11/27/2023 11272310 11/27/2023 11272311 11/27/2023 11272312 11/27/2023

Comcast

253.46

Dated:

32,430.00

Mayor:

Highland Ranch Law Enforcemen 440.00 Hoehn Architects P.C.

1,889.07

JVA Incorporated

160.00

Language Line Services

35.26

Law Firm Of Suzanne Rogers PC 1,557.25 Magic Rob Entertainment 750.00 Michael Goodbee

1,600.00

Murray Dahl Beery & Renaud 12,486.80 Peak Performance Imaging Soluti 221.80 Professional Management Solutio 1,920.00 Rocky Mountain Recreation 10,310.00 SAFEbuilt, LLC Lockbox #88135 3,342.89 Staples Business Advantage

340.94

Terracon Consultants, INC. 5,437.03 The Compliance Alliance 130.00 The Home Depot Pro

795.29

USA Blue Book

782.69

Utility Notification Center of Color Williford LLC

77.40

37,710.33

AC Transmission Center 5,920.35 A-Fast Patch Inc

64,200.00

A-OK Auto Clinic

82.95

AutoSport Collision Repair 7,063.13 Blackwell Oil

126.33

Browns Hill Engineering & Cont 90.68 CenturyLink

348.67

CIRSA

2,000.00

City of Idaho Springs 1,000,000.00 CivicPlus LLC

3,118.00

Colorado Analytical Lab

449.11

Colorado Community Media 115.32

D&B Construction

Colorado Community Media 98.49 Hayes Poznanovic Korver LLC 146.78 Home Depot Credit Services 1,190.48 McDonald Farms

130.00

Salt Lake Wholesale Sports

254.83

T Mobile

382.67

Alsco - Denver Linen

149.20

Amerigas

283.50

Amerigas

3,133.37

BOKF NA

441,756.25

Brannan Aggregates

60.00

Liberty Communications

576.68

Pitney Bowes

189.24

Timberline Disposal

403.38

WALMART COMMUNITY/RFCSL 49.97 WEX BANK

218.60

Xcel Energy

13,691.14

Deep Rock

46.46

Pitney Bowes

313.96

Timberline Disposal

82.49

VISA

509.88

VISA

3,933.31

Xcel Energy

3,401.07

Xcel Energy

17.84

Xcel Energy

462.32

Xcel Energy

20.73

Xcel Energy

45.26

Xcel Energy

15.51

Xcel Energy

5,470.62

City Council:

Galls

534.55

City Recorder:

299.99

Peak Performance Imaging Soluti 595.41 T Mobile

487.37

Teens, INC.

12,000.00

Treatment Technology

3,520.15

USA Blue Book

106.06

Williford LLC

15,286.30

City of Idaho Springs

18,517.29

272.42

Core & Main LP

130.00

Mountain Tool and Feed

4,688.00

Comcast

Dash Medical Gloves

HRS Water Consultants 1,776.00

5,446.00

Saela Pest Control

Legal Notice No. CCC749 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant Public Notice Paid Bills Oct 2023 Fund 01 General A & E Tire Inc Supplies A-1 Transmission & Gear Services AAAC Wildlife Removal Supplies Air-O-Pure Portables Services Allied Towing Services Alpinaire Healthcare Inc Services Amazon Supplies

$3,388.07 $6,098.18 $425.00 $550.00 $3,769.01 $348.66 $2,354.55

American Family Life Fees $950.94 Andrew Heine Services $435.00 Aspen Smart Networks Services $1,640.00 AT&T Mobility Services $5,444.00 Auto-chlor System Of Denver Supplies $198.28 Axiom Group Services $53,906.00 Bear Electric Inc. Services $898.00 BFI - Foothills Landfill Services $10,323.45 Blackwell Oil Company Inc Supplies $2,256.49 Bob Barker Company Supplies $506.83 Boulder County Services $375.00 C Worx Training Services $6,467.50 Carol Ann Fortune Services $1,250.00 Castle Tire Disposal & Recycling, LLC Services $2,772.17 Central Clear Creek Sanitation Services $173.00 Century Link Services $15,230.04 Chris Hegmann Supplies $111.87 Christopher Herskovits Services $3,863.00 City Of Idaho Springs Services $408.00 Clear Creek Economic Dev. Corp. Services $5,499.99 Clear Creek Metropolitan Recre Supplies $2,070.00 Clear Creek Supply Co Supplies $160.12 ClearStar Inc. Services $672.80 CML Security, LLC Supplies $908.33 CO Division of Fire Prevention & Control Services $4,009.24 Colorado Bureau Of Investigation Services $393.00 Colorado Standby LLC Services $55,024.41 Colorado Support Registry Fees $3,057.66 Columbia Electric Inc Services $5,099.52 Columbine Paper & Maintenance Supplies $1,387.50 Comcast Cable Supplies $97.00 Companion Veterinary Health Services LLC Services $177.10 CORE Electric Cooperative Services $318.24 Craig Keith Services $2,300.00 Curtis Blue Line Supplies $1,028.90 Cynthia C. Neely Services $583.75 Cynthia J Mosch Services $1,666.72 David L. Christiansen, Psy.D Services $1,800.00 David Mosch Services $2,661.96 Debbie Wright Services $493.50 Delta Dental Plan Of Colorado Fees $1,092.00 Denver Health Services $970.30 Denver Health & Hospitals Services $960.77 DiNatale Water Consultants Services $3,108.75 Doyle Disposal Services $2,161.97 E-470 Public Highway Authority Services $37.50 Economy Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Services $720.00 Eldorado Artesian Springs, Inc. Services $37.45 Evergreen National Bank 10/06 Fica $41,709.52 Evergreen National Bank 10/06 Retire $22,455.82 Evergreen National Bank 10/11 Fica $63.62 Evergreen National Bank 10/20 Fica $42,290.72 Evergreen National Bank 10/20 Retire $23,012.08 Evergreen National Bank 10/23 Fica $18.39 Evergreen National Bank 10/23 Retire $9.61 Farmer Bros Co Supplies $1,559.11 First Veterinary Supply Supplies $580.95 Front Range Occupational Medicine, LLC Services $215.00 Garrett Akie Services $2,486.25 George Douvas DDS Services $456.00 Georgetown Town Of Services $12,531.50 Goliath Tech, LLC Supplies $132.50 Good Rain Therapy, LLC Services $376.70 Goodyear Auto Service Center Supplies $2,170.84 Government Leasing and Finance, Inc Leases $19,632.77 GovOS, Inc. Services $833.33 Grainger Inc Supplies $465.33 Hurricane Electric LLC Services $9.95 Iconergy Ltd Services $80,046.00 Idexx Distribution Inc Supplies $168.24 IHS Pharmacy Supplies $4,011.63 IntelliChoice, Inc. Services $21,748.45 Ireland Stapelton Pryor & Poscoe, PC Services $1,015.50 Jamie Bradley Services $1,232.00 Jane Myers Services $685.00 Jefferson Center For Mental He Services $49,736.99 JobTarget Services $2,648.00 Joshua Spinner Services $2,250.00 JP Morgan Operating Expense $20,392.67 Justice Benefits, Inc Services $1,244.32 Katherine Staller Services $1,125.00 Katie Danner Services $1,694.00 Keefe Commissary Network Supplies $715.43 Kenneth Schrock Services $750.00 Kevin Harris Services $450.00 Keystone Policy Center Services $13,194.44 Kurt Bierkan Services $2,482.50 Leds LLC Services $1,205.85 Legal Shield Fees $752.25 Lexipol LLC Services $1,545.00

Clear Creek Courant December 7, 2023 * 1

30 Clear Creek Courant

December 7, 2023De

Public Notices

LexisNexis / Accurint Supplies $56.00 Lisa Nicole Weary Services $2,000.00 Lori Anne Meyerer Services $750.00 Majestic Massage LLC Supplies $840.00 Marshall & Swift Services $674.20 McKesson Medical-Surgical Supplies $696.15 Melissa Pierce Services $1,770.00 Michael Ruby Services $3,350.00 Michael Sowder Services $1,250.00 Mill Creek Builders Supplies $1,089.42 Milo’s Speed Shop Services $2,111.37 Minnesota Elevator, Inc Services $1,432.32 Mountain Lock & Key Services $374.40 Multicard Services $500.00 Nichol Nelson Supplies $107.42 NMS Labs Services $318.00 Office Depot Supplies $3,504.16 Peak Motor Coach Services $2,312.00 Peak Performance Copier & Supp Services $1,989.74 Penny-Wise Supplies $73.80 Proforce Law Enforcement Supplies $20,055.00 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated Services $840.64 Red Rocks Community College Services $9,231.32 Robert Judge Services $982.00 Rocky Mountain Air Solutions Supplies $48.24 Rocky Mountain Water Supplies $67.09 Runbeck Election Services Supplies $323.00 Ryan Raynes Services $2,500.00 Sally Rush Services $392.58 SCL Physicians Services $1,419.30 Shamrock Foods Co Supplies $24,458.29 SHR Car Wash Colorado, LLC Services $1,187.36 Snorri Gudmundsson Services $10.00 State of Colorado Supplies $1,781.96 Stevinson Chevrolet Services $4,333.83 Summit Pathology Services $120.10 Susan Kiefer Services $1,666.72 Talion Defense Corp Services $7,000.00 tcag Supplies $765.59 The Compliance Alliance Inc Services $260.00 Trilogy Medwaste West Region Supplies $107.20 Turn Key Health Clinics, LLC Services $9,652.10 U S Bank Services $6,552.48 U S Imaging Supplies $27.00 Ulla-Carin Johnson Services $1,587.97 United States Treasury Supplies $1,800.00 VertiGIS North America Ltd Services $9,960.00 Vision Service Plan Fees $1,722.90 Visionary Communications, Inc Services $180.00 Vranesh & Raisch Services $1,854.00 Wage Works Services $334.95 WEX Bank Supplies $540.82 Williford, LLC Services $5,258.00 Wiretap Telecom, LLC Services $244.13 Xcel Energy Services $15,417.62 ZOOM Video Communications Services $11.93 Total Fund 01 $763,137.88 Fund 02 Road and Bridge ADS- Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc Supplies $4,691.31 Albert Frei & Sons Inc Supplies $316.26 Amazon Supplies $164.65 AT&T Mobility Services $1,186.80 Atlas Technical Consultants Capital $1,198.20 ATTP - All Truck & Trailer Par Supplies $2,365.98 Bank of America, National Assoc Leases $9,901.91 Blackwell Oil Company Inc Supplies $30,755.09 Casey Downare Construction Capital $5,260.00 Cintas Services $513.98 ClearStar Inc. Services $121.00 Colorado Dept of Public Safety Intergovernmental $10,431.91 Colorado Natural Gas Inc Services $255.05 Colorado School of Mines Services $5,000.00 Columbia Sanitary Service Inc Services $176.00 CORE Electric Cooperative Services $214.11 Doyle Disposal Services $300.00 Elite Surface Infrastructure Fees $33,568.25 Envirotech Services Inc Services $16,010.89 Evergreen Metro District Supplies $898.20 gWorks Services $3,715.00 Honnen Equipment Services $802.62 Independent Propane Company Services $320.02 Jason Wiggins Services $120.00 JP Morgan Operating Expense $4,075.01 Kubat Equipment & Service Services $3,500.42 Larry H Miller Ford Lakewood Services $66.90 Martin Marietta Materials Supplies $8,251.96 OJ Watson Company, Inc Supplies $377.80 Oxford Recycling, Inc. Supplies $11,264.19 Pavement Repair & Supplies Inc Supplies $1,996.00 Peak Performance Copier & Supp Services $280.02 RockSol Consulting Group, Inc. Capital $1,635.49 Safety Kleen Corporation Services $329.86 Senergy Petroleum Supplies $5,595.99 Staples Business Advantage Supplies $69.83 Steve Denbow Services $120.00 Stevinson Chevrolet Services $393.66 The Compliance Alliance Inc Services $65.00 Tom Calabrese Trucking Services $10,012.56 Wagner Rents Services $3,248.00 Xcel Energy Services $844.11 Total Fund 02 $180,414.03 Fund 04 Emergency Telephone Colorado Standby LLC Services Polar Gas Services

$1,737.68 $969.02

Power Systems West Services Total Fund 04

$912.00 $3,618.70

Fund 08 Open Space Amazon Supplies Doyle Disposal Services JP Morgan Operating Expense Martha Tableman Services Xcel Energy Services Total Fund 08

$382.99 $1,230.00 $1,828.80 $31.28 $140.02 $3,613.09

Fund 11 Lodging Tax Clear Creek County Tourism Board Services $522.82 Total Fund 11 $522.82

Public Notice Public Hearing December 12th, 2023 at 6:30 PM Empire Town Hall 30 E. Park Ave Empire, CO 80438 The 2024 proposed budget, as amended through the review process, will be considered for adoption.

Jeannette Piel Empire Town Clerk

Fund 12 Ambulance Airgas USA, LLC Supplies $58.51 Alpinaire Healthcare Inc Services $1,812.50 Amazon Supplies $325.84 AT&T Mobility Services $631.96 Black Diamond Equipment Supplies $797.69 Bound Tree Medical LLC Supplies $7,781.37 Centura Health Supplies $1,376.25 City Of Idaho Springs Services $242.74 Clear Creek County Advocates Supplies $1,500.00 ClearStar Inc. Services $51.00 Colorado Standby LLC Services $15,195.00 Denver Athletic Supplies $82.00 Doyle Disposal Services $430.00 ESO Solutions, Inc. Services $165.17 JP Morgan Operating Expense $4,963.23 Julota Services $11,855.00 McDonald Toyota Supplies $43,789.00 MedPro ABS Services $14,867.29 NarcBox, EMS Logik Supplies $1,700.00 Peak Performance Copier & Supp Services $20.44 Rocky Mountain Water Supplies $144.74 Teleflex LLC Supplies $1,050.50 Trilogy Medwaste West Region Supplies $214.40 West Metro Fire Protection Dis Services $1,248.01 Xcel Energy Services $465.40 Zep Sales & Service Supplies $200.49 Total Fund 12 $110,968.53

Legal Notice No. CCC747 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Fund 16 Housing Grand County Housing Authority Services $4,014.00 Total Fund 16 $4,014.00

Randall Wheelock, Chairman Board of County Commissioners

Fund 19 Capital Iconergy Ltd Services Total Fund 19

($4,002.30) ($4,002.30)

Fund 20 Human Services Amazon Supplies $23.87 AT&T Mobility Services $510.68 Evelyn Chacon Services $565.50 HCCC Services $276.00 Irma Palacios Services $218.25 JP Morgan Operating Expense $2,618.24 Koy Dingboom, LLC Services $3,779.95 Language Link Services $146.67 Peak Performance Copier & Supp Services $173.76 Robert Sette Translations Services $125.00 Rocky Mountain Water Supplies $37.19 The Goddard School Services $1,808.00 Truth to Purpose, LLC Services $750.00 Total Fund 20 $11,033.11

Public Notice CLEAR CREEK COUNTY COLORADO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT REVISIONS TO THE CLEAR CREEK COUNTY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ROAD SYSTEM Notice is hereby given that a public hearing to adopt revisions to the Clear Creek County Primary and Secondary Road System has been set by the Clear Creek Board of County Commissioners to be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at the Clear Creek County Courthouse, 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, Colorado, where and when all interested parties may appear and comment upon the proposal.

To view the proposed revisions to the County Road System please visit: https://clearcreekcounty.us/128/Roads-andBridge-Department

Legal Notice No. CCC743 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 14, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Metro Districts Budget Hearings Public Notice CORRECTED NOTICE CONCERNING PROPOSED 2024 BUDGET OF EVERGREEN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

Fund 21 Public Health Amazon Supplies $50.66 AT&T Mobility Services $461.61 ClearStar Inc. Services $39.60 Colorado Dept. Of Public Health License/Permits $100.00 CureMD.com, Inc. Supplies $648.00 Desert Mountain Medicine Services $2,145.00 Doyle Disposal Services $76.03 Emily Kuper Services $194.10 Emily Roderick Services $63.01 JP Morgan Operating Expense $7,052.18 Language Link Services $15.62 Leigh Dye Services $975.00 McKesson Medical-Surgical Supplies $12,343.79 Office Depot Supplies $189.99 Outbound Mountain Gear Services $9,405.00 Peak Performance Copier & Supp Services $198.90 Rocky Mountain Water Supplies $37.20 Xcel Energy Services $78.88 Total Fund 21 $34,074.57

NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of Evergreen Metropolitan District (“District”) for the ensuing year of 2024; that a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the District at 30920 Stagecoach Boulevard, Evergreen, Colorado, where the same is open for public inspection; and that such proposed budget will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held at 30920 Stagecoach Boulevard, Evergreen, Colorado, on December 20, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, inspect the budget and file or register any objections thereto. Please note that this is a corrected posting date.

Fund 25 Clinic City Of Idaho Springs Services Minnesota Elevator, Inc Services Xcel Energy Services Total Fund 25

Legal Notice No. CCC1234 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Grand Total

$75.00 $300.00 $1,614.23 $1,989.23 $1,109,383.66

Legal Notice No. CCC748 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

EVERGREEN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT By: /s/ James Viellenave, Secretary

Bids and Settlements Public Notice NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT SCS Construction Inc. CCEMS Station 1A Improvement Project NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with the notice provisions contained in 38-26107, C.R.S. Final payment of the retainer will

be paid to SCS Inc. This notice will remain in effect for ten days after publication. Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, sustenance, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or his or her subcontractor in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplied laborers, rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractor or subcontractor, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for work contracted to be done, may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the Clear Creek Board of County Commissioners, Clear Creek County, P O Box 2000, 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, Colorado, 80444-2000. Failure to file such verified statement or claim prior to final settlement will release the County and its employees and agents from any and all liability for such claim and for making final payment to said contractor.

laborers, rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractor or subcontractor, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for work contracted to be done, may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the Clear Creek Board of County Commissioners, Clear Creek County, P O Box 2000, 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, Colorado, 80444-2000. Failure to file such verified statement or claim prior to final settlement will release the County and its employees and agents from any and all liability for such claim and for making final payment to said contractor.

Randall Wheelock, Chairman Board of County Commissioners Legal Notice No. CCC740 First Publication: November 30, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Randall Wheelock, Chairman Board of County Commissioners

Misc. Private Legals

Legal Notice No. CCC745 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, COLORADO Clear Creek County Courthouse 405 Argentine P.O. Box 367 Georgetown, Colorado 80444

Public Notice NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT ELITE SURFACING INFRASTRUCTURE COUNTY ROAD # 170 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PW22-04 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with the notice provisions contained in 38-26107, C.R.S., the CLEAR CREEK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS has established Tuesday, December 19th, 2023, 10:00 am, at the Board of County Commissioners hearing room, located at 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, Colorado, as the date, time and place of final settlement with RME Ltd., LLC d/b/a/ Elite Surfacing Infrastructure for Clear Creek County Road & Bridge Department’s County Road # 170 Improvement Project – PW22-04, County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado. Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, sustenance, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or his or her subcontractor in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplied laborers, rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractor or subcontractor, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for work contracted to be done, may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the Clear Creek Board of County Commissioners, Clear Creek County, P O Box 2000, 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, Colorado, 80444-2000. Failure to file such verified statement or claim prior to final settlement will release the County and its employees and agents from any and all liability for such claim and for making final payment to said contractor.

Randall Wheelock, Chairman Board of County Commissioners Legal Notice No. CCC739 First Publication: November 30, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant Public Notice NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT APC CONSTRUCTION CO JONES PASS ROAD (CR 202) IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PW23-05 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with the notice provisions contained in 38-26-107, C.R.S., the CLEAR CREEK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS has established Tuesday, December 19th, 2023, 10:00 am, at the Board of County Commissioners hearing room, located at 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, Colorado, as the date, time and place of final settlement with APC Construction Company for Clear Creek County Road & Bridge Department’s Jones Pass Road Improvement Project – PW23-05, County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado. Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, sustenance, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or his or her subcontractor in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplied

Plaintiff: CAC Real Estate LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company, v.

Defendants: J. Winston Morrison, Marjorie M. Flannigan, Marilyn M. Harris, Paula M. Montague, Michael E. Morrison, Charles R. Morrison III, Ann M. Montalvo, Nancy Townsley, Marilyn M. Harris Trust, Paula M. Montague Trust, Michael E. Morrison Trust, Charles R. Morrison III Trust, Ann M. Montalvo Trust, The Morrison Real Estate Trust, Larry E. Romine, Laura D. Romine, Dale R. Benson, Karen F. Benson, The Larry E. Romine Trust, Dated November 1, 1989, The Laura D. Romine Trust, Dated November 1, 1989, Highside Adventure Tours, Inc, A Colorado Corporation, and Clear Creek Land Company, LLC, A Colorado Limited Liability Company, and all unknown persons who claim any interest in the subject matter of this action.

Case Number: 22CV30031 Courtroom/Division: C Keith M. Edwards, No. 42666 Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC 921 Walnut Street, Suite 200 Boulder, CO 80302 Phone: (303) 442-6514 keith.edwards@hbcboulder.com Attorneys for Plaintiff SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE BELOW-NAMED DEFENDANTS(S): J Winston Morrison, Marjorie M. Flanagan, Nancy Townsley, Paula M. Montague, Marilyn M. Harris Trust, Paula M. Montague Trust, Michael E. Morrison Trust, Charles R. Morrison III Trust, Ann M. Montalvo Trust, The Morrison Real Estate Trust, Britney Patin, Dana Rudzitis, Jeri Ann Grant, and all unknown persons who claim any interest in the subject matter of this action.

You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the first amended complaint filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after the service of this summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the first amended complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the complaint in writing within 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the first amended complaint without further notice.

This is an action to quiet the title of the Plaintiff in

Clear Creek Courant December 7, 2023 * 2

Clear Creek Courant 31

December 7, 2023

Public Notices

and to the real property situated in Clear Creek County, Colorado, more particularly described on Exhibit A, attached hereto and by this reference made a part hereof.

Dated:November 8, 2023.

HUTCHINSON BLACK AND COOK, LLC By: /s Keith M. Edwards Keith M. Edwards ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF Exhibit A – Legal Description

0.006 ACRES OUT OF THE NW 1/4 OF SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT (28) TOWNSHIP THREE (3) SOUTH RANGE SEVENTY-THREE (73) WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., BEING ALL OF THE LANDS LYING BETWEEN PARCEL 1 AND PARCEL 2 GRANTED TO CLEAR CREEK LAND COMPANY, LLC, A COLORADO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, RECORDED IN SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED IN DEED BOOK 865, PAGE 784 OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, COLORADO RECORDS, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

BEGINNING AT A FOUND 5/8 INCH REBAR WITH CAP (#25353) ON THE NORTHERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF COUNTY ROAD NO. 312, SAID POINT BEING THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE N 18°21’59” W A DISTANCE OF 131.36 FEET TO A CALCULATED POINT; THENCE N 30°47’18” E A DISTANCE OF 1.94 FEET TO A CALCULATED POINT; THENCE S 18°38’35” E A DISTANCE OF 137.48 FEET TO A CALCULATED POINT ON THE NORTHERLY RIGHT OF WAY OF COUNTY ROAD NO. 312; THENCE N 42°03’17” W A DISTANCE OF 5.30 FEET RETURNING TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. CONTAINING 241.05 SQUARE FEET OR 0.006 ACRES, MORE OR LESS.

UNDER MY DIRECT SUPERVISION ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 28, 2023 AND MEETS OR EXCEEDS THE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PROPERTY BOUNDARY SURVEYS. BEARINGS ARE BASED UPON THE SOUTHWESTERYLY LINE OF A PLAT RECORDED UNDER RECEPTION NO. 151787, BETWEEN AN ALUMINUM CAP #25737 AND AN ALUMINUM CAP #25737 FOUND ON SAID SOUTHWESTERLY LINE AND IS N 69°55’28” W 342.78 FEET. ALL DISTANCES ARE U.S. SURVEY FEET. SURVEYOR: C. ED GRAY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 0033187 STATE OF REGISTRATION: COLORADO CURRENT ADDRESS: 502 E. CENTERTON BLVD, APT 1917 CENTERTON, AR 72719 Legal Notice No. CCC711 First Publication: November 16, 2023 Last Publication: December 14, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Notice to Creditors PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Susan Denise Lance, aka Susie D. Lance, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 30031 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 April 7, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Danielle Leigh Garcia-Lance Personal Representative 32186 Castle Court, Ste. 301 Evergreen, CO, 80439 Legal Notice No. CCC741 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

I, C. ED GRAY, PLS #0033187, HEREBY DO CERTIFY THAT THIS DISCRIPTION IS BASED ON A SURVEY THAT WAS CONDUCTED

###

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City & County Public Notice

CITY OF IDAHO SPRINGS Clear Creek County, Colorado

(2) Schools, public parks and playgrounds may erect open-mesh fences to any height on the lot.

(3) The height of walls, fences and retaining walls shall be determined by measurement from the ground level at the lowest grade level on either side of such. When used in any combination, the total height shall not exceed the maximum allowable height.

Ordinance No. 12, Series 2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 21-210 OF THE IDAHO SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING PERMISSIBLE FENCE HEIGHT WHEREAS, pursuant to C.R.S. § 31-23-301 et seq., the City of Idaho Springs (“City”), acting by and through the Idaho Springs City Council (“City Council”), possesses the authority to adopt laws regulating the use of land within the City and the location and construct of structures thereon, including fences; and WHEREAS, pursuant to this authority, the City Council previously enacted Section 21-210 of the Idaho Springs Municipal Code (“Code”), which addresses fences, walls and retaining walls; and WHEREAS, the maximum permissible fence height in all zone districts in the City has historically matched the maximum permissible fence height that may be constructed without a building permit under the International Building Code (IBC), which the City has adopted by reference; and

(4) No fence of barbed wire construction shall be allowed, except in the I-1 zone.

(B) Additional construction requirements for fencing and walls are as indicated in the Idaho Springs Standards and Specifications for Design and Construction.

Section 2. Severability. Should any one or more sections or provisions of this Ordinance or of any of the primary or secondary codes adopted by reference be judicially determined invalid or unenforceable, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remaining provisions of this Ordinance or the codes adopted by reference hereby, the intention being that the various sections and provisions are severable.

WHEREAS, the IBC currently in place within the City allows fences to be constructed without a building permit to a maximum height of seven feet (7’); and

Section 3. Repeal. Any and all ordinances or codes or parts thereof in conflict or inconsistent herewith are, to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency, hereby repealed; provided, however, that the repeal of any such ordinance or code or part thereof shall not revive any other section or part of any ordinance or code heretofore repealed or superseded and this repeal shall not affect or prevent the prosecution or punishment of any person for any act done or committed in violation of any ordinance hereby repealed prior to the effective date of this Ordinance.

WHEREAS, the City Council finds that allowing fences to a maximum height of seven feet (7’), instead of the current maximum height of six feet (6’), would serve the intent of having the zoning regulations and building regulations align, where possible; and

INTRODUCED, READ AND ORDERED PUBLISHED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Idaho Springs, Colorado, held on the 27th day of November, 2023.

WHEREAS, the City Council further finds that allowing seven foot fences in the side and rear yards of properties would not compromise the public health, safety and welfare because no fence may be constructed in a manner that obstructs the sight triangles necessary for the safety of pedestrians and drivers of vehicles; and WHEREAS, the City Council therefore wishes to amend Code Section 21-210 to increase the maximum permissible fence height from six feet to seven feet, as further set forth herein.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Section 21-210 of the Idaho Springs Municipal Code, concerning fences, walls and retaining walls, is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 21-210. - Fences; walls; retaining walls.

Chuck Harmon, Mayor ATTESTED AND CERTIFIED:

Diane Breece, City Clerk PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED, after public hearing and after publication, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Idaho Springs, Colorado, held on the ___ day of _______________ , 2023.

(A) Fences, walls and retaining walls not exceeding forty-eight (48) inches in height may be erected on any part of the lot including within the front setback and, on any other part of the lot, may be erected to a height not to exceed seventy-two (72) inches seven feet (7’); provided, however, that:

Chuck Harmon, Mayor ATTESTED AND CERTIFIED:

(1) Retaining walls abutting public rights-of-way or other lot lines may be built to any height, provided that the vision of a motor vehicle operator is not impaired; and Legal Notice No.: CCC746 First Publication: December 7, 2023

Public Notices

Diane Breece, City Clerk Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

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303-566-4088 Clear Creek Courant December 7, 2023 * 3

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December 7, 2023De

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