Week of August 11, 2022
$1.00
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
DouglasCountyNewsPress.net
VOLUME 120 | ISSUE 40
Colorado supply of homes rises, prices still climb Ripple effects of inflation bring changes BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
From June 2021 to June this year, the number of active listings for single-family homes in the Denver
metro area jumped up by about 52%. Statewide, the number saw about a 43% uptick. But despite the larger pool of options, home prices continue to climb. The median sales price rose 11% statewide in that same time, and it increased by about 11% in the Denver metro area, where the median sales price sat at a staggering $647,500 as of June.
The good news? The 11% price bump represents a notably smaller year-over-year increase than Colorado had endured each month over the past year, according to a Colorado Association of Realtors report. The jump in the supply of available homes means buyers now have a better chance of purchasing a house, but prices in metro Denver and Colorado at large remain notori-
ously expensive. “The story here, just to be frank, is not that all the sudden the market has drastically changed — it’s that it mellowed out compared to 2021 and 2020,” said Matthew Leprino, a Realtor based in metro Denver. “The current state of Colorado’s housing market is not that different from SEE HOUSING, P10
Douglas County schools welcome students back Commissioners
Teal, Laydon vote to investigate Thomas again
Superintendent is focused on educational outcomes BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County School District is gearing up for the start of classes, with the upcoming year expected to be similar to last year in terms of educational priorities and preparing students for their futures. Superintendent Erin Kane said she most looks forward to getting to have school buildings filled with students again after the summer break. Her focus is improving educational outcomes for all students. “We’re really excited to welcome the kids back to school, it’s our favorite time of the year,” Kane said. “We’re so optimistic to move forward and focus on what all of us went into this business to focus on, which is the kids.” Curriculum goals center around advancing literacy, developing essential skills and setting students up to be successful in college or the workforce. Kane noted there are not currently plans for curriculum changes and any proposals would
First report cost $17,000 BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Two of Douglas County’s commissioners are conducting another investigation into their fellow commissioner just a few days after their previous investigation concluded. This time, Commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal asked their staff to look into whether Commissioner Lora Thomas publicly released results from their previous investigation to a media outlet. The county paid $17,000 over the past few months to outside legal counsel to research allegations Teal and Laydon made against Thomas. Last week, they announced the investigation was complete but said
Erin Kane, right, the superintendent for Douglas County School District, shook hands with the Ponderosa High School graduates as they received their diplomas May 17.
SEE CLASSES, P5
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17
PHOTO BY ELLIOTT WENZLER
SEE INVESTIGATE, P9
Special CD Rate
2.24% APY* 7 Month Term
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and interest rate of Certificate of Deposit (CD) may change after account opening. Fees could reduce earnings on the CD. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. *The CD is automatically renewed into a Standard 6 month CD with current rate at renewal. *The Annual Percentage Yield is current as of August 8, 2022.
