Denver Herald 011923

‘If the calendar was open, I always said yes’

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Back in May, longtime CBS Colorado — KCNC-TV, Channel 4 — news anchor Jim Benemann announced his retirement, bringing a close to his 44 years in TV news, including 36 years in the Denver market.

Denver’s Benemann has served as the face of CBS Colorado’s evening news since 2002, anchoring the program alongside Karen Leigh since 2008.

KCNC sports anchor Michael Spencer, who began working at CBS

Colorado in June 2016, will replace Benemann as anchor of the CBS Colorado news at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

In December, Gary Shapiro, who began anchoring 9NEWS Mornings in 1989, retired. He intends to stay on part-time, and will occasionally be seen on the air for some stories and specials, 9NEWS reported.

In his retirement, Benemann is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Karen, their eight children and ve grandchildren, and also traveling at a more leisurely pace than reporting the news demands. With only about three months left before he retires, Colorado Community Media visited with Benemann to learn more about his career and retirement plans.

Q&A with Jim Benemann

What will retirement look like for you?

Like a full-time move up to the mountains. We have a little place in Eagle that we really enjoy. We’ll be spending a lot of time up there.

But also, we have some kids here in Denver … we’ll be visiting.

We have not done an awful lot of travel. It’d be nice to go places where you can be free and easy.

One place we want to get to is New Zealand. You need three weeks to discover (everything there). And Slovenia is an undiscovered gem.

What are you most proud of as you review your television career?

I would say the No. 1

Voters may be asked to forgo future TABOR refunds

Bill to be introduced

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

e Colorado legislature will debate a bill this year that would ask voters in November to waive their future Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights refunds and earmark the money, potentially billions of dollars each year, to public education.

e forthcoming measure, sponsored by state Rep. Cathy Kipp, a Fort Collins Democrat and former Poudre School District board member, and state Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat who has worked as a teacher, is sure to face pushback from Republicans, who are erce defenders of TABOR refunds. ere could also possibly be opposition from some fellow Democrats, including Gov. Jared Polis, who would like to see the money spent elsewhere.

“We need to pay our teachers,” Kipp said. “We need to fund our schools. We do not fund our public schools adequately. TABOR is a part of that.”

TABOR requires voter approval for all tax increases in Colorado and it also caps government growth and spending, mandating that tax revenue collected in excess of the cap be refunded to taxpayers. In the case of state government, the legislature decides how the refunds are distributed. Last year, Coloradans

Michael Spencer, right, will be moving into the CBS Colorado’s news anchor spot being vacated by Jim Benemann, left, who is retiring this March. COURTESY OF CBS COLORADO

CBS4’s Jim Benemann reflects on career, retirement

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FROM

were mailed checks of $750 or $1,500 after the state collected more than $3 billion over what the cap allowed.

But TABOR also lets local governments and the state ask taxpayers to eliminate the cap so that they can keep the excess revenue. In 2019, voters rejected Proposition CC, which would have let the state keep TABOR surplus. e measure failed by 8 percentage points.

Since TABOR surplus can vary from year to year — in some years there may be no surplus at all — Kipp calls her bill a Band-Aid until Colorado comes up with a dedicated funding source for schools, which would likely be through a tax increase.

“ is is not long-term sustainable funding,” Kipp said. “But I joined the legislature so we could gure out how to properly fund our public schools. I am looking for solutions. And this is one of them — potentially.”

Zenzinger said the idea stems from a proposal from Great Education Colorado, a group that advocates for more funding for schools.

Kipp said that if a long-term, sustainable funding source for schools is identi ed, the legislature could vote in the future to repeal the TABOR surplus school funding mechanism.

e legislature is supposed to increase annual per pupil funding at the rate of in ation under Amendment 23, a measure passed by vot-

ers in 2000. But in the wake of the Great Recession, state lawmakers in 2010 adopted the budget stabilization factor — sometimes also referred to as the negative factor — which allows the General Assembly to allocate to schools each year less than what they are owed. e I.O.U. persists today.

Additionally, teacher pay has been a persistent area of complaint in Colorado, with districts recently struggling to attract and retain educators.

Republicans and conservative groups are already lining up against Kipp’s proposal.

State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Brighton Republican, said the legislature should shift its funding priorities and send more money to schools rather than ask voters to waive their TABOR refunds.

“I think we should follow the Constitution and fund it like we’re supposed to,” she said, “not with TABOR refund dollars.”

Michael Fields, a conservative scal activist with the political nonpro t Advance Colorado Institute, said the legislature has already invested more money in schools.

of that money is going to teacher pay. We need better outcomes and more accountability with the billions of dollars we are already spending on education,” he said. “With the cost of living higher than ever, Colorado families want their TABOR refund checks.”

Meanwhile, Polis said in November that he wants a TABOR surplus to be used to drive down Colorado’s income tax rate. He supported Proposition CC in 2019, but since then hasn’t publicly advocated for the state to ask voters again to keep TABOR surplus. Since Kipp’s bill would be a referred measure, Polis’ signature on the measure wouldn’t be needed and thus he couldn’t veto it. It would only need a simple majority to pass, and Democrats control both the House and Senate by wide margins.

Kipp and other Democrats who support the legislation, which is expected to be introduced as soon as this week, will also likely be called hypocrites since they celebrated TABOR refunds last year ahead of the November election. Polis held multiple news conferences during which he enthusiastically publicized the checks Colorado sent to taxpayers.

Kipp even voted for a bill the legislature passed in 2022 facilitating the refunds and making them a at rate as opposed to being tied to income levels as prescribed in law. e bill also prompted the state to pay out the checks in August and September rather than in April 2023, which is when they would normally be distributed.

“ at was a one-time, equitable distribution of the refund,” she said, highlighting how TABOR refund checks have generally been much smaller if they even happen at all. “People generally get very small amounts of money back. And what could we do with all that money if we put it together? We could do a lot of good things for public education. at’s what we’re trying to do.”

Kipp’s bill wouldn’t a ect the TABOR surplus used to reimburse local governments for any property tax exemptions claimed by local seniors and disabled veterans. It also wouldn’t touch the roughly $300 million in TABOR surplus set aside each year for a ordable housing by Proposition 123, which voters approved on Nov. 8.

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“ e problem is that not enough

The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself.

In this way, The Sun contributes to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado.

The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and non-partisan journalism. It covers everything from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and

education.

Now, The Colorado Sun co-owns this and other Colorado Community Media newspapers as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. The Sun is CCM’s partner for statewide news.

For Colorado Sun stories, opinions and more, and to support The Sun’s misssion as a member or subscriber, visit coloradosun. com.

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Colorado’s high school graduation rate jumped in 2022

But so did the dropout rate

BY ERICA BREUNLIN THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado’s four-year high school graduation rate for the class of 2022 ticked up to 82.3%, jumping 0.6 percentage points from the previous year, according to data released by the Colorado Department of Education.

e increase marks a turnaround from 2021, when the state’s high school graduate rate dropped for the rst time in more than a decade, dipping from 81.9% for the graduating class of 2020 to 81.7%.

However, the state’s dropout rate also increased 0.4 percentage points from 2021 to 2.2% — the rst time the dropout rate went up since 2015, according to a news release from the state education department. Across the state, 10,524 students in grades 7-12 dropped out during the last school year while nearly half of all 178 school districts saw a year-overyear increase to their dropout rates.

e most recent boost in the state’s graduation rate adds to a trend of improvements since 2010, when Colorado changed how data is reported. e four-year graduation rate has increased by 9.9 percentage points in that time period, according to the release.

Last year, 56,284 students completed high school in four years — an increase of 442 students from

2021, according to the Department of Education.

“I’m so excited that last year more kids than ever graduated from Colorado public schools, with increased

graduation expectations and despite the challenges of the pandemic,” Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes said in a statement. is is the rst year Colorado ex-

panded ways that students can earn enough credits to graduate. Individual school districts can use a “menu” provided by the state that allows students to demonstrate their readiness for their next step, including through standardized assessments like the SAT and ACT, an extensive capstone project or completion of courses that earn them college credit while they’re still in high school.

Additionally, the state’s graduation rates for students who earned a diploma over six and seven years also increased, according to the media

Students of color also made notable strides in graduating. e four-year graduation rate for students of color in 2022 was 76.8% — 0.7 percentage points more than the previous year. Black students saw an increase of 1.4 percentage points from 2021, with a graduation rate of 77.4% while Hispanic students’ graduation rate was 75.1%, 0.9 percentage points higher than the previous year. Still, achievement and opportunity gaps persist between students of color and their white peers, whose 2022 graduation rate was 87.3%.

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

Dry January: giving up drinks for a month

social media, explaining their reasons for going sober all year long, and saying the social landscape in society doesn’t exactly make it easy.

Indrehus thinks now however, he’s starting to see a shift.

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Chances are if you’re on social media, you’ve heard of “Dry January,” the trend of giving up alcohol for the first month of the year. According to some Colorado residents, the challenge isn’t new, but it is worth a try.

Kara Rowland, a 39-year-old Denver resident, is on her third year of the challenge. She has family at home in D.C. taking on the challenge with her, but as far as her local Colorado group goes, she’s doing it alone.

“Out here it really is a solo effort,” Rowland said. “You can’t go a block here, especially in downtown Denver, without hitting a brewery.”

It’s not just the city that experiences the alcohol-heavy social culture. Steve Indrehus is the director of brewing operations at Tommyknocker Brewery in Idaho Springs. He said alcohol was a big part of older generations, like his.

Others continue to sound off on

“The younger generations aren’t leaning on alcohol as hard for social interaction,” he said.

“Dry January” is a phenomenon Indrehus has seen grow over the years, even beyond the month.

“The non-alcoholic category is entering our culture and becoming a stable part of our culture,” he said.

Tommyknockers has ventured into the category, offering a NA version of its most popular beer, the Blood Orange IPA.

Indrehus himself is participating in “Dry January,” explaining that he can already see a difference in his focus and sleep. He said he also likes the aspect of leaving his comfort zone.

“I like uncomfortable, challenging things,” he said.

Indrehus said there are some misconceptions about NA beer, mainly in that people expect it to be cheaper. He explained that it’s actually the opposite.

Kile Studer celebrated his graduation with family and coworkers at the McDonald’s where he works on Sept. 20. COURTESY OF JENNY STEVENSON

People all over Colorado are spending the month of January sober; here’s why

accomplishment was working hard enough — and (being) dedicated enough — so people in Colorado trusted what I was reporting on and felt I had journalistic integrity. Someone who could be trusted with the information, and (when) they tuned in, got it straight down the middle. (Being) someone the audience could trust (to) get information fairly presented and professionally gathered.

What were some of your favorite assignments?

One of the most rewarding was the 40th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. My dad was a tank sergeant in World War II. He went into Normandy on June 8, led a tank crew all the way to Czechoslovakia. Many of the GIs who were there during the war returned (for the anniversary). A big contingent went to battle elds, cemeteries and the small towns they had fought their way to get to. Seeing how the locals had this tremendous love and admiration for what the GIs had done over there was really moving.

When I was covering Washington, D.C., I was only 26 (or) 27, and sitting down with people like Sen. Gary Hart. I was working for all the Gannett-owned stations. We had some clout. What a tremendous opportunity to meet some of these people.

And when I was at Channel 9, I covered the Sydney Olympics.

Let’s say you’d like to take a mulligan on something in your career. What would it be?

For my last week, the station

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Michael Spencer said it has been tough containing his excitement for his new role.

Come March, Spencer will be moving into the CBS Colorado’s news anchor spot being vacated by Jim Benemann.

“I’ve known for a long time and couldn’t say anything,” said Spencer, who has been serving as CBS Colorado’s sports anchor since June 2016. “I am very much looking forward to working with Karen Leigh and serving the community in a di erent role. It’s a fantastic opportunity.”

Spencer, 34, started his career at the University of Missouri and has worked for KMID-TV in Midland, Texas; KAMR-TV in Amarillo,

Texas and WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee before joining CBS Colorado.

Spencer’s rst assignment in Denver was covering the Broncos’ win over the New England Patriots to advance to Super Bowl 50, which the Broncos also won.

Spencer said Benemann has been a great mentor and friend, and that assuming his role will “be some big shoes to ll.”

“I’m delighted Michael will be taking over the anchoring duties that I’ve been honored to have over the years,” Benemann said in a news release. “He’s smart, dedicated to getting things right and a great guy to be around. I know our viewers who’ve followed Michael’s sports reporting will enjoy watching him in his new role.”

probably has been saving up all the bloopers that they’ll roll out again.

What are some of the changes you’ve seen come to Denver?

The explosive population growth and the issues it presents. When my wife and I first moved here after college in 1980, it was so much sleepier than it is today. Denver’s gone from a big, manageable city to a really big

metropolis with a lot of pressing issues.

What was rewarding about being involved with the community?

It could be reading Dr. Seuss to some kids, black-tie fundraisers, Kiwanis lunches. If the calendar was open, I always said yes. I met some of the most generous and cool people, whether at a luncheon or a big gala, … who make Colorado what it is.

Quilt exhibit is sew spectacular

Curtis Center for the Arts hosts `Wild!’ show

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“Wild!” is the title of a beautiful new exhibit at Curtis Center for the Arts in Greenwood Village. Studio Art Quilt Associates of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah put out a call to its members for entries in a traveling exhibit that opened last June in Brigham City, Utah and is at Curtis until Feb. 25, when it will continue its journey to Gunnison, Grand Junction and Golden (October 2024).

Artists were given the topic and encouraged to explore the limits of the theme, according to the catalog. Wildlands, wild spirit, wildlife, free, uninhibited ... all these ideas and more are exhibited

Jurors Alana Blumenthal, Petra Fallaux and Dolores Miller reviewed more than 100 entries to choose the 30 works included here.

“From the entries, we could have selected a menagerie of wild animals; we could have set re to the exhibit by picking images of wild res only and dousing none; we could have had an homage to wild owers; we could have had a landscape show losing ourselves in wilderness; or we could have gone for a walk among all the trees entering wild woods. It turned out the `Wild!’ theme was especially resonant because of its multitudes of associations in the natural world, wrote juror Petra Fallaux.

She and Miller sought a balanced selection, with Fallaux especially drawn to abstracted wildness. Miller write in the catalog that the Merriam Webster Dictionary o ers seven main de nitions of the word “wild” as an adjective, with many subcategories ...

Miller said three themes surfaced: Wild res repeatedly showed up, with a strong e ect on area artists. Interpretations range from highly abstract to realistic. Wild animals appeared frequently, as did “untamed, uncultivated nature.”

Wild and garden plants are treated to varied interpretations.

We nd a ram with erce horns by Deb F. ShultzGrimes of Pinedale, Wyoming and a cuddly blue koala bear by Idaho Falls’ Leah Virginia Street; an intense wolf — “ e Eyes Have It,” by Rhonda S. Denney of Emporia, Kansas and a highly decorative grasshopper in Durango quilter Amanda Preston Araujo’s back yard.

IF YOU GO

“Rudbeckia” by Phillipa K. Lack of Cheyenne, Wyoming, is in the “Wild” exhibit by the Studio Art Quilt Associates. COURTESY PHOTO

The Studio Art Quilt Associates’ “Wild” exhibit features “Wolf: The Eyes Have It” by Rhonda S. Denney of Emporia, Kansas. COURTESY PHOTO

“The Untamed Wind” by Jeannie Schoennagel of Dillon, Colorado, is in the Studio Art Quilts Association’s “Wild” exhibit. COURTESY PHOTO

Curtis Center for the Arts is located in a historic red brick schoolhouse at 2349 E. Orchard Rd., Greenwood Village. Open Monday through Saturday. Admission is free.

Drought has eased in Colorado

BY JOSHUA PERRY THE COLORADO SUN

Recent increases in precipitation have brought much of Colorado out of drought and led to a solid start for winter snowpack in the mountains. Meteorologists are hopeful this could lead to a successful wet season, and even ease drought conditions this summer — but they aren’t making any calls just yet.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report indicated that 40% of Colorado was officially droughtfree, a significant improvement from 0% this time last year. 9News meteorologist Chris Bianchi said the improvement was more than welcome.

“We’re not looking at just a blip in terms of drought impact,” Bianchi said. “This is a substantial improvement.”

Heavy snow, mostly west of the Continental Divide, has helped in recent weeks, Bianchi said, but the entire state hasn’t been covered by snow. Still, Colorado is in a much better position overall, he said.

At the end of December, drought conditions were logged in about 86% of the state. The week of Jan. 3, most of the eastern plains still was dry, with severe or extreme conditions recorded along the state border.

As of Wednesday, statewide snowpack is at 127% of the median level and well above average in all river basins except the Arkansas and Upper Rio Grande, according to the Natural Resources and Conservation Service’s weekly Snow Survey. Colorado State Climatologist Russ Schumacher said these conditions have him cautiously optimistic.

“The mountain snowpack in the winter is critical, because that’s our big natural reservoir of water serving both Colorado and the downstream states,” Schumacher said. “At least at this point in the snow accumulation, the numbers all look really good.”

There’s also reason to be hopeful for good runoff from the mountains in the spring, he said. After a wet summer in 2022, especially in the high country, Colorado entered the winter with better-hydrated soil than the past several years, according to Schumacher. This means that more snowmelt will make it to the rivers instead of being absorbed by the ground.

Schumacher is still waiting to see what the rest of winter has in store. When it comes to predicting drought conditions later in the year, precipitation levels this early aren’t the best indicators, he said. Experts will know much more by April, when total snowpack accumulation is clearer and they can predict water levels in the rivers more accurately. For now, he said, the winter is at least off to a promising start.

Bianchi is also waiting to see what the coming months bring. The heart of Colorado’s wet season, from late February to the start of spring, will have a much greater impact on drought conditions and wildfire risk for the rest of the year, he said. These early-season precipitation levels are not a definitive sign, especially not for communities on the Front Range, he said.

“This would be like the Broncos being at 14-nothing at halftime,” Bianchi said. “A great start, zero qualms about it. The problem is, it’s still only halftime.”

Dr. Benjamin Hatchett, a hydrometeorologist with the Nevadabased Desert Research Institute, said it was very encouraging to see areas with more severe drought classification improve on the Drought Monitor, even if they didn’t lose classification entirely. He’s also glad to see the Rocky Mountains with less drought, since their runoff sustains so many downstream communities in the western U.S.

However, for a drought-stricken state like Colorado to recover substantially and replenish local reservoirs, consistent improvement in precipitation over the long term has to happen, Hatchett said. Otherwise, in the big picture, nothing will change.

“To get out of those problems, we’re going to really need not just one year, but back-to-back, probably three or four years of really good winters,” he said.

The likelihood of consistently exceptional precipitation over the long term is low, he admitted. In

the short term, though, this weather certainly isn’t bad news. Coloradans can expect storms to continue feeding the snowpack over the next 10 days or so, according to Hatchett. Then things look like they may dry out a bit. And for the rest of the winter, he said, forecasting models are much less accurate — in other words, only time will tell.

But Colorado is in a good spot. Even if things dry out more than expected in the coming months, Hatchett said, the state’s head start on snowpack accumulation will be an important advantage.

“We’ve built up a bit of a buffer right now. That’s good,” he said. “We’ve got some snow in the bank.”

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

Thick snowfall o County Road 166 in northwestern Elbert County shows part of the moisture that is helping to ease Colorado’s drought. PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

Polis calls for more property tax relief

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Gov. Jared Polis wants state lawmakers to deliver an additional $200 million in property tax relief over the next two years, bringing the total respite o ered by the legislature over that period to $900 million, as Democrats and Republicans debate a long-term solution to rising tax bills resulting from skyrocketing property values across Colorado.

If the legislature, which begins its 2023 lawmaking term Monday, approves the expanded relief, it will mark the third time in as many years state lawmakers slap a Band-Aid on the problem that is Colorado’s property tax situation, which has big rami cations for schools and local government entities funded by property tax revenue.

A long-term solution palatable to many people and groups involved in the discussions, however, remains elusive, which is why Polis and the General Assembly keep o ering temporary xes.

Polis made the additional relief request in his supplemental budget request last week. He didn’t say how the relief should be o ered, however, explaining that he will mostly leave that to the legislature.

If the legislature approves Polis’ request — and that’s a big “if” — it will be the second time in two years

state lawmakers will have limited the increase in Coloradans’ property tax bills for 2023 and 2024 in anticipation of a jump in property tax assessments. e General Assembly in 2022 cut $700 million from Coloradans’ expected property tax bills for those years.

“Assessments had a greater increase than any of us thought — 26.5%,” Polis said last week during a news conference. “We’re happy with the relief we provided. Assessments came in higher, so it warrants additional relief.”

e governor wants the legislature to use $200 million of its discretionary general fund money to back ll tax revenue lost to school districts and other local government entities. State lawmakers may be reticent to hand over the cash, however, given the in ationary budget crunch they face this year.

Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, told e Colorado Sun he thinks lawmakers “are open to doing general fund investments” to blunt the impact of rising assessment rates.

“I think it will happen, though, simultaneously with a longer-term (property tax) solution rather than having to do this every year,” Fenberg said. “I think the bigger question is what ways can we solve the structural problem and get property taxes on the more sustainable path for residences as well as for commercial properties.”

Fenberg was referencing a replace-

ment for the Gallagher Amendment, which Colorado voters stripped from the state constitution in 2020. Gallagher prevented residential property tax bills from quickly rising by shifting the tax burden to commercial property owners through assessment rates, which help determine how much property owners pay in taxes. But Gallagher collided with another constitutional amendment, the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, in a way that hamstrung the government entities that rely on property tax revenue.

“In my opinion, and I’ve been watching this from the outside for the last number of years, when the good voters of the state of Colorado decided to repeal the Gallagher Amendment there were a couple of things they didn’t realize,” said incoming state Rep. Lisa Frizell, a Castle Rock Republican and a former Douglas County assessor. “One was that they laid the establishment of assessment rates solely (at the feet of) the legislature, which was a bit concerning.”

Frizell said the legislature keeps kicking the property tax problem down the road, but she admits it’s di cult to come up with a permanent x.

“I don’t have a slam-dunk solution,” she said, adding that she expects home values to increase at a much larger clip than the 26.5% rate cited by Polis.

Polis agrees that a long-term replacement to Gallagher is needed.

But neither he nor Democrats in the legislature have publicly o ered any concrete solutions, and both chafed last year at ideas o ered by conservatives, including permanent rate reductions and caps on property tax increases.

“We need some mechanism to prevent runaway property tax rates and also to address some of the injustices that Gallagher created, namely a commercial property rate that is several times higher than many other states,” Polis said. “What are we looking for? Some reductions in commercial property taxes — bene ting our small businesses, making our state more competitive, creating jobs — and then a mechanism to protect homeowners from being priced out of their homes.”

e legislature can — and may — punt on a long-term replacement for Gallagher until the 2024 lawmaking term since the relief it has passed lasts through next year.

Last year’s property tax ght was feisty and it ended with something akin to a hostage exchange in the basement of the Colorado Capitol as interest groups backed o their plans to ask voters to make broad changes to the property tax system.

ere was also a property tax debate at the Capitol in 2021.

Michael Fields, a conservative scal activist with the political nonpro t Advance Colorado Action, has been a key player in state property

Thu 1/26

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Love, support and sports

About two weeks ago I was thinking about writing a column about organized sports and our youth. en, I watched the NFL game between the Bu alo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals and decided it was a good idea with a little more power to it.

EDITOR’S COLUMN

Sometimes sports gets a bad rap. No, not everyone is made to be an athlete. But no matter where my sons end up going in their futures, I do not doubt for a second the skills, abilities and interactions will help shape whatever they do.

Before getting to my son’s own experiences, I want to start with what happened in Cincinnati when Buffalo’s defensive back Damar Hamlin su ered a freak accident while tackling receiver Tee Higgins. I am a major football fan so I rarely miss a game. Not surprisingly, I was watching the game live. I watched Hamlin pop up right after the tackle and then fall to the ground.

Based on player reactions and tears I knew it was far more than the concussion our minds usually go to. What came after the life-saving measures on the eld were why I still believe in humanity and organized sports.

You had two teams know they could not go on and play a game because a player’s life was more important. You had a nation, love or hate football, rooting for this man to survive. You had well wishes, strong support and a toy drive receive millions in donations in Hamlin’s name.

When you play sports, you get another family. ey become part of your everyday lives and you play for and support each other.

My 9-year-old started playing his rst year of competitive hockey this year. He loves the sport and shows a lot of passion for learning the game and getting better.

When he rst started, his team, in the 10-and-under Arapahoe Warriors league, was hard to watch. ey are learning the sport and we were losing a lot. We as parents were in the stands every game being supportive but worried when we were losing by six or more goals.

Fast forward a few months and this team is now winning regularly. ey are supporting each other, pushing each other and I see the improvement in my son’s play and that of others on the team. He is proud of what they are doing every week.

Having him also be proud of himself is nice to see. He is making friends, he is learning from a wonderful coaching sta , and he is gaining principles and skills that will carry him beyond hockey in the future.

As much of a bad rap as sports teams can get — I can never replace the friendships my son is earning. I can’t beat the support and friendships I am making with the parents in the stands. I know all of them care about my son and cheer him on in each game.

With sports, too, comes emotion. Hamlin is a great example. On Jan. 8, every team in the NFL wore shirts in support of Hamlin. ey showed vulnerability in talking about the rare incident that caused him to go into cardiac arrest suddenly.

Love, support and growth are what we all want to have in our lives. For Hamlin, NFL athletes and my son as he takes this journey forward — I do love the often overlooked positives of joining a sports program.

elma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher

lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

THELMA

WINNING

Our focus controls our balance

As a part of his workout, he included time standing on in atable balance discs in between sets of weightlifting. His goal was to maintain his balance on the disc for 45 seconds while standing on each leg. Sometimes he stayed in balance for more than 45 seconds, and other times he lost his balance quickly. As I watched his routine, I became curious. When we both nished our workout, I approached him to ask about his workout and goals for the balance disc.

He shared with me that he was using the balance disc for several reasons. He wanted to make sure he was working on the little muscles around his ankles and knees. And he also felt like it improved his balance when walking, hiking, gol ng and skiing. en I asked him about why he was able to remain standing on one leg on the balance disc sometimes for a minute or more, and other times he lost his balance early or in just 10 or 15 seconds.

His response didn’t shock me. He shared that when he was able to maintain his focus on staying in balance on the disc, he could stay on for longer periods of time. He always stood in front of a mirror in the gym and would center his eyes on his chest in the re ection. e times when he achieved

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the greatest success were when he remained focused on his position. However, he said that when he lost his balance early it was because he allowed his mind to drift onto other things going on in his life.

How many of us lose our balance in life when we allow ourselves to become distracted? We all want balance, yet too often we wind up being our own worst enemy as we spread ourselves too thin. When we do this, we invite distraction into our lives, knocking us o balance and out of harmony. And when we nd ourselves feeling like we have lost it and balance is nowhere to be found, we should remember the lesson from my friend in the gym and reacquire our focus.

e rst thing we need to do is to understand our priorities and where we want balance and harmony in our lives. Once we are completely aware of what is truly important to us, then we can align our expectations and boundaries so that we don’t give way to the distractions that pop up. And most importantly, after establishing our priorities and setting our boundaries, is that we remain focused on the people, activities and things in life that bring us the greatest joy and satisfaction.

Let’s face it, distractions come at us all day long, life happens. ey come in the form of calls, texts, emails, news, social media, unexpected circumstances and situations. We can never completely avoid being sidetracked,

NORTON,

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Thelma Grimes

A new year, a clean slate

As we usher in 2023, we say “good riddance” to the market mayhem of 2022.

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

“A year to forget” is how one of our research partners dubbed 2022. Despite a modest rebound for many asset classes during the fourth quarter, 2022 turned out to be one of the worst years on record for multi-asset portfolios. ere were very few investment categories that posted positive returns for the full year. According to Ned Davis Research, it was the rst time on record that both the S&P 500 Index and the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index lost more than 10 percent in a

NORTON

FROM PAGE 12

but we can minimize our chances of being distracted by knowing and owning our priorities and remaining focused on those.

Not taking the time to think through and commit to what is most im-

calendar year. is means there was nowhere to hide. Both conservative and aggressive investors likely lost money. Some bond funds, normally considered the safer haven in a portfolio, were down double digits for the year as interest rates pushed higher. e good news is you might be earning a little more on your bond or money market yields.

Brett Lapierre, CFA cites stubbornly high in ation and aggressive rate hikes from most of the world’s central banks as two main reasons for the di cult year and weak performance across the nancial markets. e Russia/Ukraine con ict also added to the volatility, although it helped energy-related assets post positive results for the quarter and year. China shutting down for much of the year hurt exports and supply chains.

portant to us is like trying to drive somewhere that we have never been without GPS or a map. And as the old quote by Lewis Carroll goes, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”

Where are we missing our balance? Is it at home? At work? In our relationships? If we could improve the harmony in our lives, where would it create the greatest impact? For me,

“ e U.S. economy showed more signs of slowing despite rebounding during the third quarter and likely seeing positive gains for the fourth quarter. e labor market remained one of the bright spots in the U.S. economy as the year ended, but the risk of a recession unfolding over the next 12 months remains elevated in my view,” says Lapierre.

During the fourth quarter, markets got a little reprieve with in ation data further improving and the Federal Reserve slowing down its rate hiking campaign. But the Fed has not quite nished raising rates yet. Nevertheless, interest rates were a little steadier during the fourth quarter than earlier in the year with the 2-year U.S. Treasury yield nishing at 4.41%, up 19 basis points on the quarter, while the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield nished at 3.88%, up 5 basis points on the quarter. For the

my balance comes when I remain focused on the ve Fs in life: my faith, family, friends, tness and nances, and in that order. And now thanks to my new friend from the gym, I can add the sixth F, focus.

Are you nding balance in the most important areas of your life? Would a little more focus and less distractions help you nd your balance? I would love to hear your story at gotonor-

Plant lore

Lore is de ned as the knowledge gained through tradition or anecdote passed down through the ages, generation to generation. e lore of plants has long been an integral part of humanity in uencing our religion, medicinal remedies, the food we eat and even our behaviors.

Our relationship with plants is primal. Our pre-scienti c intuitions, suspicions, hopes, fears and desires involve plants as tools to ensure survival and good fortune.

Can you recall lore passed down to you by an older family member or trusted teacher like, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” or “knock on wood?” e rst referring to a good health practice, and the second to a superstition.

Speaking of wood, elderberry (Sambucus spp.) lore stories describe this woody plant as having properties of protection from witches. Early European stories describe cutting the wood of elderberry plants or crafting an infant’s crib made from its wood as unlucky. Ac-

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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

• Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.

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year, yields were up 363 basis points and 225 basis points, respectively. is is signi cant movement in the xed income world where many retirees are invested. Designing custom portfolios this year will be crucial for investors, especially if you were able to tax-loss harvest last year. You have a clean slate to begin a new strategy in a new year that ts with your nancial plan. Don’t wait to get in front of your advisor while the year is young.

Brett Lapierre, CFA, is Senior Investment Strategist for Mariner Wealth Advisors

Patricia Kummer has been a certied nancial planner professional and a duciary for over 35 years and is Managing Director for Mariner Wealth Advisors, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser.

ton@gmail.com and when we can maximize balance by minimizing distractions, it really will be a better than good life.

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

GUEST

COLUMN Bridget Blomquist

cording to Brothers Grimm fairy tales, it is wise to keep a bouquet of elderowers picked in midsummer on hand in case a devil wanders by.

Burdock (Saponaria o cinalis) — sometimes called soaproot — was a favorite herb of Venus and, therefore, useful in love matters. A love charm prescribes to pick a burr o a burdock plant and name it after the one you love or fancy. en, throw it against your clothing and if it sticks, the object of your a ection feels the same as you. If it does not stick, the person does not share your a ection.

Mullein (Verbascum spp.) is a commonly found plant in Denver that comes from the Greek word ego, meaning `set on re.’ Accounts of the plant describe it as used as a wick to put into lamps to burn for light — the leaves were rolled and dried and used as wicks for oil lamps and

ted to Colorado Community Media and should not submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.

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Goldenrod

COURTESY OF DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For the past 20 years, talk of addressing mental health issues within the health care industry circled around without much emphasis. at’s beginning to change, and it’s starting with the ne arts.

At the Colorado Resiliency Arts Lab at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, a team of doctors, therapists and literary scholars are doing just that: exploring how the ne arts can help nurses, doctors, surgeons and other healthcare workers heal from trauma.

The numbers

e team found that creative arts therapy not only decreases anxiety, feelings of burnout and depression, but also helps keep medical workers in their eld.

e study, published in the American Journal of Medicine in 2022 found that anxiety, depression, total PTSD and emotional exhaustion measurement scores decreased by 27.8%, 35.5%, 25.8% and 11.6%, respectively.

Katherine Reed, an art therapist for the program, said that 12% saw a reduction in the desire to leave the profession.

“It’s amazing in how basic it really is, and yet it’s creating these incredible results,” Reed said.

The program

Dr. Marc Moss, a doctor who is part of the CORAL team, said the program received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2019 to prove the value of the ne arts, after the National Endowment for the Arts requested proposals to show Congress that art was worth the money spent.

“It’s easy to say, ‘Wow, it’s great having a symphony’ or ‘It’s great having parks and etc.,’ but what’s the value of that?’” Moss said.

“ ey wanted to have more scienti c evidence.”

From the results of the study, CORAL did just

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that. e program o ers group art therapy cohorts to healthcare workers to help them process their day-to-day lives.

It’s a 12-week program with weekly 90-minute sessions with between eight to 15 participants. Each session is guided by a creative arts therapist.

CORAL o ers art, music, dance and writing therapy with hopes to add drama therapy in the near future.

Reed explained that art intrinsically creates community, helps the healing process and connects people. ose characteristics are key to helping people overcome their trauma.

She said a reason burnout remains prevalent is due to the way humans isolate themselves and avoid conversations and expressions about what happened. In the group sessions, participants can show each other they aren’t alone and validate each others’ experiences.

Historically, she said, art was the basis of expression and commu-

nication. Egyptian Hieroglyphics morphed into language.

Over the course of her 20-year career as an art therapist, Reed said she has a front-row seat to the limitations of language on expression, especially in children. Children — and adults — may lack the words or rhetoric to describe their experiences or their feelings, and music, painting, drama and other forms of art can act as a backdoor to expressing those feelings.

“(Children) can show you with sound and music what it feels like in their brain to remember the impact,” Reed said. “It’s a way of communicating that bypasses language. When we talk, we’re constantly ltering our words.”

It deepens the healing and clients don’t need to know how to draw, play an instrument or act out. It’s about interpreting your own symbols, song lyrics and paint color choices to nd meaning.

Common causes

Witnessing trauma like death, injury, illness and medical ethical dilemmas are all themes that come up in the workshops. In medical school, classes don’t necessarily exist to teach students

how to deal with it.

“You get into real-life medicine and suddenly (there are) personalities, narratives, stories and family members you’re not necessarily equipped to manage. You know how to transplant that heart, but do you know how to manage the mother’s panic or the father’s anger?” Reed said.

Another root cause can be the American healthcare system in general. Reed said doctors may need to see 20 patients in one day, which limits the time to actually talk with them since then they need to document those appointments.

at leads to longer hours and less time with loved ones, making it harder to nd a work-life balance.

A lack of emotional learning for healthcare workers also hints at a broader issue at hand in general. Many parallels exist between healthcare workers and students, who may not know how to express or manage their own feelings, Reed said.

rough art therapy and CORAL, healthcare workers can learn to manage those feelings. Not only for their own well-being, but also to be more successful in their day-

to-day job.

Economic value

A lack of those tools can lead to higher rates of turnover, and Moss said it makes the program all the more valuable.

“Turnover is expensive,” Moss said.

at piques interest in hospital administrators. Less burnout and turnover of employees is coste ective. Moss said the COVID-19 pandemic ampli ed the need for mental health resources for hospitals and administrators are looking for ways to do that.

So much so that the Children’s Hospital agreed to start a program outside of the grant. Once the grant from the National Endowment for the Arts nishes its 10year period, not only does Moss think more programs will exist in Colorado, but also all across the country.

He sees a larger multicenter study occurring at multiple different hospitals in di erent cities to expand the evidence on the e ciency.

Healthcare workers engage in visual art making through the CORAL program that o ers art therapy to nurses, doctors and others within the medical profession.

Dance therapy is one form of art therapy the CORAL program provides.

SCREENSHOTS

Big lines from Gov. Jared Polis’ 2023 inaugural

Kicks o second term

BY JESSE PAUL, ELLIOTT WENZLER AND SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

Gov. Jared Polis provided a road map for how he plans to spend his next four years leading Colorado as he was sworn into o ce for his second term.

“When you listen to enough folks, you realize that in many ways people across our state are asking for some of the same things in di erent ways: practical solutions to the rising cost of living in every corner of our state, safe communities, good schools, a ordable access to health care, the opportunity to build a great life for yourself and your family and the freedom to forge your own path without the government telling you how to live your life,” Polis said in a speech delivered on the west steps of the Colorado Capitol.

He added: “I don’t think I’d be standing before you today if we hadn’t shown some real progress on delivering on di erent parts of this vision.”

Here are the top lines from the Democrat’s 2023 inaugural address:

1. “Throughout our first term, we may have crossed some big things o our todo list, but that doesn’t mean the list in front of us today is any shorter than it was four years ago.”

Polis was busy during his rst term. He signed into law bills reimagining Colorado’s oil and gas regulations, providing universal kindergarten access and targeting high health care costs.

e governor is still working out what his agenda will be over the next four years — it wasn’t clear until after the Nov. 8 election that he would continue to have a Democratic legislature to work with — but his line about a long to-do list ahead suggests he plans to be as busy in the next four years as he was during the last four.

We know that a ordable housing, water management and conservation, and economic development are top of mind for Polis.

2. “Anything we can do, we must when it comes to helping you hold onto more of your hard-earned money.”

e governor and Democrats in the legislature started really prioritizing a ordability in Colorado during the 2022 legislative session. ey plan to continue making it a focus this year, though it’s not so clear how.

In 2022, the legislature slashed and paused fees — several of them enacted by Polis and Democrats in prior years — and reshaped the tax code to try to lower Coloradans’nancial burden. e General Assembly isn’t planning to continue the vast majority of the fee relief, instead focusing on what Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, called “structural problems.”

A ordable housing will be a big focus.

“For many people in our state, life is too hard and too expensive,” Polis said. “We’re going to reduce housing costs across Colorado with options

for every budget to a ord to live in communities where people work and want to live.”

e governor also promised “lower taxes, lower transportation costs, lower medical bills, lower business fees and, of course, lower housing costs.” He didn’t outline his detailed plans for accomplishing that hefty list of vows.

3. “We’re going to tackle crime head on, yes by holding criminals accountable, but also by preventing crime before it happens.”

is was one of the most interesting lines of the governor’s speech. ere are many criminal justice activists in the legislature now, including state Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver, who don’t want to see Colorado enact any new criminal penalties. Instead, they want to see more investment in behavioral health and drug treatment.

Polis wants those things, too, but he has also already called for the legislature this year to beef up Colorado’s car theft statutes to combat the rising number of stolen vehicles across the state.

Republicans in the legislature see tougher criminal penalties as the sole solution to Colorado’s rising crime rates. Polis appears to be walking a line between the sides.

4. “We’re going to continue on our bold path toward making Colorado 100% renewable-energy by 2040.” is is a promise Polis made during his rst gubernatorial campaign, in 2018. e governor has said the state has already “locked in” 80% renewable energy by 2030. But what steps the legislature and the Polis administration will take to make the goal a reality remain unclear.

Liberal Democrats and Polis have clashed in recent years over policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas

emissions and mitigating climate change.

Polis also mentioned during his speech that Colorado has an “increasingly scarce water supply,” but he didn’t provide any speci c plans on how to address that fact.

5. “Nobody could have predicted all that these last four years would bring, the trials, the tribulations, the challenges.”

Polis’ rst term was marked by a string of tragedies and hurdles, the biggest of which was undoubtedly the COVID-19 pandemic.  e pandemic began a little over a year after Polis took o ce, forcing him to lead the state through a oncein-a-century global disaster, which is still unfolding. e governor shut down schools and businesses, asked people not to leave their homes and had to abandon at least a year of policy proposals at the legislature as the state prepared for a sharp tax revenue decrease that never materialized.

Polis didn’t directly reference the pandemic and the upheaval it caused during his speech Tuesday, but it was clear that is what he was talking about.

Meanwhile, two tragedies hit close to the governor’s Boulder home during his rst term. In March 2021, 10 people were killed in a shooting at a King Soopers grocery store in the Table Mesa neighborhood. en, in December 2021, the Marshall re destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Superior and Louisville.

Just weeks after his reelection, ve people were killed and at least 17 others were wounded in a mass shooting at Club Q, a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs.

e state has also contended with several other record-breaking wild res over the past few years, including the Cameron Peak, East

Troublesome and Pine

A total of 6,761 wild res burned more than 744,120 acres in Colorado in 2020 alone.

Addressing such emergencies over the past four years often distracted Polis and the legislature from their aspirations. Polis acknowledged Tuesday the future always holds uncertainty.

6. What the governor didn’t mention Abortion and gun control.

Democratic lawmakers this year are expected to introduce legislation tightening Colorado’s gun regulations, including by enacting a waiting period between when someone can purchase a rearm and access that weapon and by raising the age at which someone can purchase a ri e or shotgun to 21.  e legislature is also poised to expand who can petition a judge to order a temporary seizure of someone’s guns under what’s called the red ag law.

Some Democrats, including Epps, want to go even further by banning a host of semi-automatic weapons, a policy proposal the governor is likely to reject.

Democratic leadership in the legislature also plans this year to shore up abortion access in Colorado, indicating reproductive rights will be a major focus of the General Assembly in 2023. e governor, however, did not mention abortion once during his inaugural address despite signing into law last year a measure enshrining nearly unfettered abortion access in Colorado.

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

Gulch res.

Gov. Jared Polis is being sworn in standing next to his husband, Marlon Reis, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver

.

PHOTO BY HUGH CAREY / THE COLORADO SUN

Migrants arriving

BY KEVIN BEATY DENVERITE

It’s another busy day inside a west Denver rec center, where regular exercise has been suspended and a few hundred people have taken up residence on gym oors. A city employee, who would normally be doing some other job, stands over a table of men poring over worksheets. “Trabajo es? Work,” he says. e men repeat it back to him: “Work! Work!”

While nonpro t and faith groups have been helping Denver shelter some 4,000 migrants who’ve arrived here from southern border towns since early December, the city has been doing most of this work by itself since the holidays. e e ort has been made possible by city employees who’ve left their posts elsewhere to lend a hand.

Amelia Iraheta, who usually does emergency management for the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, said her colleagues are really proud of the hours they’ve put into this project.

“Something like this really drives people towards a common mission, and I think it actually tends to be a very bonding experience for people,” she said. “It’s really, really just making me feel more proud than I even normally do of where I work, because so many people are really committed to this work and they’re continuing to do it.”

Iraheta said guests heard about the shelter before they ever arrived in Denver. eir arrivals are testaments to her colleagues’ commitment to the cause.

A lot of the people staying in the shelter are bound for other states. Some have family in places like California and Florida and plan to apply for asylum in order to attempt remaining here with them permanently. Others are just looking for a place to land, nd work and eke out a life. Not everyone plans to stay.

Most made it to the U.S. after enduring extremely dangerous journeys through jungles and deserts.

ey’ve had to be resourceful, and they’ve built networks through message apps and online groups to get this far. Iraheta said guests have told

‘It’s worth it’

her all about this; it’s how a lot of people ended up in the city’s care.

“ ey’re organized amongst themselves, so we’ve seen a lot of people here who are telling us things like, `I texted my cousin, or I’m part of a WhatsApp group that told me to come here,’” she told us. “I do think it speaks to the fact that the sta , that have been working tirelessly for the last month, are doing a really good job of providing the types of support that people are needing.”

Most people staying in rec centers are single men and women. e city has placed families with children in motels, which have been used as shelters since the pandemic lockdowns of 2020.

Lately, Iraheta added, people have also arrived to reunite with people who’ve already left city shelters and found somewhere in the metro to stay.

“Of course, people are going to congregate where there’s already a community that they’re comfortable with,” she said.

Lisa Gibbs, who stepped away from child support services to manage the westside shelter, said she met a handful of men there who left, found jobs and got a place together. It was a moment of pride, she said, because the welcome she helped roll out for them translated to real stability.

“My heart’s 100% in this,” she said. “It’s worth it.”

Destination or not, other forces are reshaping Denver’s role in this national issue

While the 12-hour shifts, early mornings and late nights are points of pride for workers, they’re also reasons why the city needs to transition this project into a new phase. For weeks, o cials have been talking to leaders in churches and nonpro ts to nd a new home for its shelter program, which they expect will need to stay open for months. ey want to re-open rec centers for regular business and get sta ers back to their usual jobs.

Evan Dryer, Mayor Michael Hancock’s deputy chief of sta , said there’s still no concrete plan for a move like this. A future con guration could lean on the Denver Catholic Archdiocese’s Mullen House in west Denver, though an Archdiocese spokesperson said they’ve not reached any deal. Dreyer said the shelter program could continue in city buildings that are less public-

facing, or even cycle through other rec centers.

In the meantime, two things relieved pressure on Denver’s existing emergency shelters.

First, Gov. Jared Polis’ o ce chartered buses over the span of four days last week to take people where they wanted to go, mostly New York, Chicago and Florida, according to a city worker who helped get people on those routes.

State o cials won’t say how many people have been transported, but Polis’ o ce said the assistance was meant to alleviate a backlog of trips out of town that built up after winter storms and air travel delays halted transportation in the region. at ended after New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot sent him a letter “respectfully demanding” he stop. Denver is still helping people get on commercial buses when they ask for assistance.

Also, President Joe Biden announced last week that he was doubling down on policies to bar people from crossing into the U.S. outside a port of entry, and made

rules that will allow up to 30,000 from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela enter the U.S. each month and work legally for up to two years. To qualify, applicants must have anancial sponsor in the U.S. and pass a background check.

One way or another, the city shelters have housed fewer people over the last week, though numbers are still higher than they were a month ago.

Denver employees will keep doing this work for now; they believe it’s the right thing to do

Gibbs, the shelter manager, said she’ll keep this up as long as she’s needed. If the need lasts forever, she said she’d love to switch between her day job and shelters.

“Honestly, every day I’m excited to come here. I was needing a little change in my day-to-day routine at work,” she said. “For most, especially us human service workers, this is where our heart lies. So it was easy for us to just come over and start

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candles. Later Europeans would dip mullein stalks in beef fat and burn them to frighten o evil spirits, assigning a common name of Aaron’s Rod who used a long sta in the Book of Exodus to overcome Pharaoh’s evil sorcerers.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) tales are those of prosperity. Tales of nding goldenrod in the wild is a sign that buried treasure lay beneath. If it were to grow by a house door, then the inhabitants could expect great fortune.

Artemisia species, or mugwort, have been used for its medicinal purposes through the

centuries and all over the world. Herbalists claim that artemisia species were an excellent comfort for the brain. Crushing its leaves and inhaling its aromatic fragrance is said to have a calming e ect.

One of my personal plant lore stories comes from growing up in Ohio exploring the woods with other children. I learned Queens Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) was picked to adorn the hair of women in the “olden days,” made popular by Queen Anne. Women also collected these owers on their wedding day to be sewed onto their dress for extra beauty and embellishment as lace.

Bridget Blomquist is the associate director of horticulture for the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Elderberry

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS

Celia Leal, who usually works for Denver Human Services but has been posted in the city’s second emergency shelter, helps two men who recently arrived from the U.S. southern border arrange transport out of the city.

KEVIN J. BEATY/DENVERITE

from U.S. border find a helping hand from Denver’s city workers

lending the hand into the community.”

She and her colleagues come from all di erent sectors of city work, from public works to human services. Jill Lis, a Denver spokesperson, said this is how emergency operations are supposed to go: each person pulled into something like this has their own skill set, and they’re trained how to use that background in new ways when needed.

She added that Denver’s Emergency Operations Center activated for COVID, the protests in 2020 and the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup parade, so they’ve had a lot of practice lately. She expects they’d be ready for anything at this point. “ e more that you practice, the better you get, and the more that we’re used to how we can all work together collaboratively and get things done,” Lis said. “Everybody is assigned to a speci c position in the EOC, and so they just really do their job perfectly, and it ts like a puzzle and with everybody else.”

Celia Leal, who set aside her normal job with Denver Human Services to help sheltered migrants get on buses, said her contribution to this emergency response aligns with what city work should be.

“Growing up, my vision was to be able to get any step stones to help people, especially in the

Spanish community,” she said. “I grew up really close to here, so this is my community. I’m more than happy to be here assisting.”

It’s a feeling shared by people who don’t work for the city, who’ve stepped up in other ways. Denver’s Jewish community has been handling donations, leaning on their faith as they support “the stranger.” Marcel McClinton, who was handling food preparation at a short-lived shelter run by Denver Community Church, said he’s motivated to show people a di erent side of America.

“ ere is something happening in the country right now, and in our communities, right now where we have dehumanized unhoused people generally, but we have made migrants the enemy,” he said. “What we’ve been doing at the shelter is providing a welcoming, kind and comfortable environment as possible as we can, for folks who have seen and heard the absolute worst from Americans.”

And it’s personal for Iraheta of DDPHE. Her family ed civil war in El Salvador to come to the U.S. She sees them in the people she now works with in the transformed rec centers.

“ ere are a lot of similarities,” she said. “ is kind of work has meant a lot to me.”

is story is from Denverite, a nonpro t Denver news source afliated with CPR News. Used by permission. For more, and to support Denverite, visit denverite.com.

People who’ve arrived from the U.S. southern border hang out on bedrolls on the floor of a Denver rec center, the city’s second emergency shelter. People were originally given cots, but a city spokesperson said they switched to mats to squeeze more people in when they neared capacity in late December.

KEVIN J. BEATY/DENVERITE

Denver native advances to petty o cer first class

BY EDWARD JONES NAVY RECRUITING COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

A rise in rank is an honor and means a lot to service members who tirelessly perform their duties daily to protect and defend.

In recognition of his Naval dedication, Electrician’s Mate Nuclear Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew W. Pluss received authorization to assume the title of and wear the uniform of petty officer first class.

Pluss was pinned by his wife, Marisol Rosado, in the presence of command members of the Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) San Antonio.

NTAG San Antonio’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Stephanie Simoni, accompanied by Command Master Chief Samuel Bernal, wel-

comed and presented the sailor with the well-deserved honor.

Pluss graduated from the Denver Academy in the University Hills neighborhood. He joined the Navy in 2011 and dedicated his Naval achievement to his late friend and shipmate, Brandon Dewey. Additionally, Pluss thanked the command for the recognition along with those who have mentored and supported his Naval career.

Pluss also reflected on his Naval career and life.

“The Navy has shown me a great interest in nuclear power and electrical systems,” said Pluss. “If I could go back in time, I would encourage myself to not give up and to keep learning because it would brighten my future.”

In recognition of his Naval dedication, Electrician’s Mate Nuclear Petty O cer 2nd Class Andrew W. Pluss received authorization to assume the title of and wear the uniform of petty o cer first class. Pluss was pinned by his wife, Marisol Rosado in the presence of command members of the Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) San Antonio.

PHOTO BY EDWARD JONES

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Legals

Summons and Sheriff Sale

Public Notice

DENVER COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, COLORADO

1437 Bannock Street, Room 281 Denver, Colorado 80202

Petitioner: Anthony Kitts and Respondent: Robyn Kitts, n/k/a Robyn Doehring

Counsel for Petitioner

Cory M. Curtis #40549 David Volk, #52112 Curtis Law Firm, LLC 5353 W Dartmouth Ave., Suite 504 Denver, CO 8027 720-263-4600

dvolk@cmcurtislaw.com Case Number: 2022DR31147 Division: 303 Courtroom: 303

SUMMONS FOR REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN DECREE

To the Respondent named above: This Summons serves as a notice to appear or respond in this case.

If you were served in the State of Colorado and if you wish to respond to the Petition, you must file your Response with the clerk of this Court within 21 days after this Summons is served on you.

If you were served outside of the State of Colorado and if you wish to respond to the Petition, you must file your Response with the clerk of this Court within 35 days after this Summons is served on you.

You may be required to pay a filing fee with your Response. The Response form (JDF 1315) can be found at www.courts.state.co.us by clicking on the “Self Help/Forms” tab.

The Petition requests that the Court have jurisdiction over the subject matter and of the person in like manner as if the original suit or action had been commenced in Colorado.

Once the orders, judgments and decrees are entered by this Court, either party may use the jurisdiction of this Court to modify, enforce, or to request new orders.

If you fail to file a Response in this case, the above matter may be decided without further notice to you.

CURTIS LAW FIRM, LLC

Date: 11/28/2022

By: /s/ David Volk David Volk, #52112

Legal Notice No. 81994

First Publication: December 22, 2022 Last Publication: January 19, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

DISTRICT COURT, DENVER COUNTY STATE OF COLORADO

1437 Bannock St., Room 256 Denver, CO 80202

Plaintiff: WBL SPO II, LLC

vs. Defendants: Coming Again, Coming Soon, Inc.; Russell Lee Goodson Jr; CTX Mortgage Company, LLC; Arrow Financial Services; LVNVFunding LLC; City and County of Denver Manager of Public Works; Master HOA for Green Valley Ranch; and All Other Persons who claim any interest in the real property which is the subject of this action

Attorneys for Plaintiff: HELLERSTEIN AND SHORE, P.C.

Address: 5347 S. Valentia Way, Suite 100 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Phone Number: (303) 573-1080

Fax Number: (303) 571-1271 E-mail: dshore@shoreattys.com jelsner@shoreattys.com Atty. Reg. #: 19973 (David A. Shore) 55149 (Jacob B. Elsner) Case Number: 022CV32986

SUMMONS

The People of the State of Colorado

To the Defendants Named Above:

All Other Persons who claim any interest in the real property which is the subject of this action.

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to file with the Clerk of this Court an answer or other response to the attached Complaint. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you within the State of Colorado, you are required to file your answer or other response within 21 days after such service upon you. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you outside of the State of Colorado, you are required

to file your answer or other response within 35 days after such service upon you. Your answer or counterclaim must be accompanied with the applicable filing fee.

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the Complaint in writing within the applicable time period, the Court may enter judgment by default against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint without further notice.

This is an action under C.R.C.P. 105 to foreclose a Deed of Trust encumbering real property located in Arapahoe County, State of Colorado, more particularly described as follows:

LOT 1, BLOCK 11, GREEN VALLEY RANCH FILING NUMBER 20, CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER, STATE OF COLORADO.

The following documents are also served with this summons: Complaint with Exhibits 1-4 and Civil Case Cover Sheet.

DATED at Greenwood Village, Colorado, this 10th day of October, 2022

HELLERSTEIN & SHORE, P.C.

Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 121, 1-26(7), original signature is on file at the offices of Hellerstein and Shore, P.C. and will be made available for inspection upon request

/s/: David A. Shore David A. Shore, Reg. No. 19973

This Summons is issued pursuant to Rule 4, C.R.C.P., as amended. A copy of the Complaint must be served with this Summons. This form should not be used where service by publication is desired.

WARNING: A VALID SUMMONS MAY BE ISSUED BY A LAWYER AND IT NEED NOT CONTAIN A COURT CASE NUMBER, THE SIGNATURE OF A COURT OFFICER, OR A COURT SEAL. THE PLAINTIFF HAS 14 DAYS FROM THE DATE THIS SUMMONS WAS SERVED ON YOU TO FILE THE CASE WITH THE COURT. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTACTING THE COURT TO FIND OUT WHETHER THE CASE HAS BEEN FILED AND OBTAIN THE CASE NUMBER. IF THE PLAINTIFF FILES THE CASE WITHIN THIS TIME, THEN YOU MUST RESPOND AS EXPLAINED IN THIS SUMMONS. IF THE PLAINTIFF FILES MORE THAN 14 DAYS AFTER THE DATE THE SUMMONS WAS SERVED ON YOU, THE CASE MAY BE DISMISSED UPON MOTION AND YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO SEEK ATTORNEY’S FEES FROM THE PLAINTIFF.

TO THE CLERK: If the summons is issued by the clerk of the court, the signature block for the clerk or deputy should be provided by stamp, or typewriter, in the space to the left of the attorney’s name.

Legal Notice No. 82031

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AV/SO AL DEMANDADO): RIVIERA BEVERAGES, LLC,

YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA. DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): ALL BETTER CBD, LLC; Nu Wave Enterprises, LLC; and Jerry Krecick, dba HSW WHOLESALE, NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the Information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral servlce. lf you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the Callfornia Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifomia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su

contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la informacion a continuacion.

Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta par escrito en esta carte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una liamada telefonica no Ia protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formate legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en Ia corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de Califomia (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en Ia bibioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas Cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuote de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corta que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso par incumplimiento y Ia corte le podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomandable que LLame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede LLamar a un servicio de reision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con las requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de Califomia, (www.sucorta.ca.gov) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales, AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los gastos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 o mas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesion de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y direccion de la corte es):

Orange County Superior Court 700 W Civic Center Dr. Santa Ana, CA 92701

CASE Number: 30-2021-01220598-CU-BC-CJC Judge Nancy E Zeltzer

The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiffs attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Gary Kurtz, Law Office of Gary Kurtz, Inc., 30101 Agoura Ct, Ste 118, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 818-884-8400

DATE (Fecha) : 09/13/2021

DAVID H. YAMASAKI, Clerk of the Court Clerk by H. McMaster Hailey Mc Master, Deputy

ADDITIONAL PARTIES ATTACHMENT Attachment to Summons ECCE GLOBAL: ECCE, LLC; ICONIC

Legal Notice No. 82011

First Publication: January 5, 2023 Last Publication: January 19, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Donald Edgar Giseburt, aka Donald E. Giseburt, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR031702

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before 5/12/2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Michael Anderson, Personal Representative 711 S Public Rd Lafayette, CO 80026

Legal Notice No. 82019

First Publication: January 12, 2023 Last Publication: January 26, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Eileen M. Eller, aka Eileen Eller, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 31634

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 12, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Lisa Eller Davis, Personal Representative c/o Katz, Look & Onorato, P.C. 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 1100 Denver, Colorado 80203

Legal Notice No. 82017

First Publication: January 12, 2023 Last Publication: January 26, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of MEGAN LEE KINSMAN, A/K/A MEGAN L. KINSMAN, AND MEGAN KINSMAN, Deceased Case Number: 22 PR 31535

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the PROBATE COURT OF CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER, COLORADO, on or before May 5, 2023 or the claims may be forever barred.

Jon Christopher Kinsman, a/k/a Chris Kinsman Personal Representative 1550 17th Street, Suite 500 Denver, CO 80202

Legal Notice No. 82012

First Publication: January 5, 2023 Last Publication: January 19, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Jeffrey Scott Roberts, a/k/a Jeffrey S. Roberts, and Jeffrey Roberts, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 31667

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative, or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado, on or before May 12, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

John Roberts, Personal Representative c/o Poskus, Caton & Klein, P.C. 303 East 17th Avenue, Suite 900 Denver, Colorado 80203

Legal Notice No. 82022

First Publication: January 12, 2023

Last Publication: January 26, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of EDGAR JOSIAH HARPER, II, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31685

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 19, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Frances M. Mukaikubo

Personal REpresentative

7373 East Iowa Avenue, Unit 1072 Denver, Colorado 80231

Legal Notice No. 82035

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 2, 2023

Pamela S. Lindsay Personal Representative c/o 6060 Greenwood Plaza Blvd #200 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

2022PR31619

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 19, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Person Giving Notice: Larry T. Weddle, Jr., Personal Representative 2913 Umatilla St. Denver, CO 80211

Legal Notice No. 82032

First Publication: January 19, 2023 Last Publication: February 2, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Nicholas Aristos Peros, a/k/a Nicholas A. Peros, a/k/a Nicholas Peros, a/k/a Nick Peros, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 31445

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 19, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Helen M. Peros, Personal Representative C/O Joyner & Fewson, P.C. 3100 Arapahoe Ave. Ste. 410 Boulder, CO 80303

Legal Notice No. 82033 First Publication: January 19, 2023 Last Publication: February 2, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Mary Ann Merrill, Deceased Case Number 2022PR31440

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 19, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Keith D. Tooley, Esq., Personal Representative WELBORN SULLIVAN MECK & TOOLEY, P.C. 1401 Lawrence St., Suite 1800 Denver, CO 80202

Legal Notice No. 82029

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 2, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of CARL ALFONZA GIBBONS; aka CARL A. GIBBONS; aka CARL GIBBONS, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR031691

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 19, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Josie Gibbons, Personal Representative 4591 Abilene St., Denver, CO 80239

Legal Notice No. 82030

First Publication: January 19, 2023 Last Publication: February 2, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Charlie Franklin Smith, aka Charlie F. Smith, aka Charlie Smith, Deceased September 7, 2022 Case Number 2022PR31501

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 20, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Linda Jones, Personal Representative 16337 County Road 94 Elbert CO 80106

Legal Notice No. 82037

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 2, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Charlene Rae Lewis, Deceased Case Number: 22PR656

All persons having claims against the above-

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Kimberly D. Danzer, a/k/a Kimberly Dawn Danzer, Deceased Case Number:

TAX RELIEF

islature increase home values last determined in 2021 by 5%, giving lawmakers time to come up with a long-term property tax solution before 2025, when home values are set to be evaluated by assessors once again.

value of a commercial property is waived as long as doing so doesn’t cause the assessed property value to fall below $1,000.

$700 million property tax relief target for the 2023 and 2024 property tax years.)

Scott Wasserman, who leads the Bell Policy Center, a liberal fiscal policy nonprofit, is another key player in the property tax policy debate. He said he is working on proposals.

“This is just not a sustainable way to solve the problem,” he said of the year-after-year relief measures debated in the legislature. “It’s $200 million this year. How much is it going to be next year?”

Frizell is planning to introduce a bill this year that would prevent home values from being changed by county assessors in 2023, as planned, to prevent a big jump in Coloradans’ property tax bills. Instead, she proposes the state leg -

“I don’t think throwing money at it is always the solution,” Frizell said.

Additionally, Republicans plan to ask the legislature this year to approve the creation of a property tax task force to come up with a long-term fix.

Here’s what the legislature did in 2022 through the passage of Senate Bill 238 to reduce Coloradans’ rising property tax tab:

The residential assessment rate used to calculate how much a residential homeowner owes in property taxes in 2023 is reduced to 6.765% from 7.15%. Additionally, the first $15,000 in actual value of a residential property is waived as long as doing so doesn’t cause the assessed property value to fall below $1,000.

For commercial properties, the assessment rate in 2023 is reduced to 27.9% from 29%. Additionally, the first $30,000 in actual

beer but then take the alcohol out, which takes more time, labor and money.

Assessment rates are important because they are used to calculate how much someone owes in taxes. The rate is multiplied by a home’s market value, which is determined by a county assessor. What a property owner pays is then determined by the mill levy rate. A mill is a $1 payment on every $1,000 of assessed value. The 2023 reduction will mean that a residential property owner who owns a home worth $300,000 with a mill levy of 100 will pay about $1,900 versus $2,145. (The state has a good explainer on this here.)

In 2024, the rates will go up slightly. For single-family residential property owners, the assessment rate will be approximately 6.95%, down from 7.15%. For multifamily residential property, the rate will be 6.8%.

(Why approximately, you ask? The single-family residential property assessment rate will be set in 2024 at a level to be determined by the state property tax administrator to ensure that the state hits its

For those who own commercial property used for agriculture and/ or to produce renewable energy, the 2024 assessment rate will be 26.4%, down from 29%.

The 2024 rates match a reduction approved for the 2021 and 2022 tax years under a measure passed by the legislature in 2021.

Finally, the legislature extended a change allowing senior citizens to defer all of the increases in their property taxes until they sell their homes while allowing everyone else to defer any increases over 4%.

It’s likely that if more property tax relief is approved by the legislature in 2023, as Polis hopes, it will simply be made by expanding the breaks offered by Senate Bill 238.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun. com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media. PAGE 10

perspective of her drinking habits, Rowland said she’s also seen positive effects on her body.

FROM PAGE

4

“Most people would think NA beer would be less expensive because it doesn’t have alcohol, but it’s actually more expensive,” he said.

Essentially, brewers like the team at Tommyknockers have to go through the process of making

Rowland, a self-proclaimed craft beer enthusiast, has been exploring NA options during the month.

“I went to dinner with a friend last Saturday and the restaurant had some NA options,” she said. “There’s some, if I gave it to you, you would not know it’s a NA beer.”

Besides taking the month to get

Public Notices

named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 19, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Kristin C. Hewett

Personal Representative

107 Blackwood Court Vacaville, CA 95688

Legal Notice No. 82028

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 2, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Anthony James DiManna, A/K/A Anthony J. DiManna, A/K/A Anthony DiManna, A/K/A Tony DiManna Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31617

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 12, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

David Charles Staves

Personal Representative

4904 Wagontrail Court Parker, CO 80134

Legal Notice No. 82020

First Publication: January 12, 2023

Last Publication: January 26, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of James R. Wade, a/k/a James Robert Wade, Deceased Case No. 2022PR31710

Swank

Sarah

Notice No. 82039 First Publication: January 19, 2023 Last Publication: February 2, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

Estate of Earl Leroy Buckingham, aka Earl L Buckingham, aka Earl Buckingham, aka E Leroy Buckingham, aka Earl Buckingham, aka Earl Leroy Buckingham, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR031582

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before 5/12/2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Shanti Brown, Personal Representative 3576 S Depew St #102, Denver CO 80235

Legal Notice No. 82016

First Publication: January 12, 2023

Last Publication: January 26, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Michael Lawrence Covillo, a/k/a Michael L. Covillo, a/k/a Michael Covillo, a/k/a Mike Covillo, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31562

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate

“I think having zero alcohol improves your sleep,” she said.

She also noticed a renewed glow in her complexion.

“Maybe it’s a placebo effect, but I look in the mirror and I swear my skin looks a little better,” she said.

Dr. Manan Shah, ENT and Chief Medical Officer at Wyndly, said the improvements in sleep are

just one real side effect of “Dry January.” He explained that better sleep is one of the biggest benefits he sees from giving up alcohol.

“Alcohol affects your sleep, even if you only have one or two drinks, your sleep will markedly improve if you drop alcohol,” he said.

Shah added that dropping the drink can also help decrease your risk of cancer, improve sex drive, help weight loss and support a healthy immune system.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 12, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Brady McFarland & Lord LLC

Attorney to the Personal Representative 6870 W. 52nd Ave, Suite 103 Arvada, CO 80003

Legal Notice No. 82023

First Publication: January 12, 2023

Last Publication: January 26, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Patsy Joan Meredith, a/k/a Patsy Meredith, a/k/a Patsy J. Meredith, Deceased Case Number 2022PR31612

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 19, 2023 or the claims may be forever barred.

Evan Scott Meredith

Personal Representative

10821 Trotwood Way Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Legal Notice No. 82034

First Publication: January 19, 2023 Last Publication: February 2, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of JAMES E. SIMMONS, aka JAMES EDWARD SIMMONS, aka JAMES SIMMONS, Deceased Case No. 2022PR31630

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 19, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Melissa Baer, Personal Representative

9555 W. Wagon Trail Dr. Littleton, CO 80123

Legal Notice No. 82025

First Publication: January 12, 2023

Last Publication: January 26, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Nancy L. Packard, Case Number: 2022 PR 31625

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 22, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Timothy A. Jacobs, Personal Representative 722 S. Wildhorse Dr. New Castle, CO 81647

Legal Notice No. 82027

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 2, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Russell Leon Haughey, a/k/a Russell L. Haughey, a/k/a Russell Haughey, a/k/a Russ Haughey, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31628

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 19, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Edward Peterson, Personal Representative 845 S. Carr Street Lakewood, CO 80226

Legal Notice No. 82040

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 2, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of GARY LEE BAGBY, Deceased Case Number: 22 PR 31701

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 26, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

The Gasper Law Group Attn: Probate 128 S. Tejon Street, Suite 100 Colorado Springs, CO 80913

Legal Notice No. 82041

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 2, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of LeRoy B. Schoenberger, a/k/a LeRoy Schoenberger, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31648

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to tje Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before May 19, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

LeRoy A Schoenberger Personal Representative c/o Davis Schilken, PC 7887 E. Belleview Ave., Suite 820 Denver, CO 80111

Legal Notice No. 82036

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 2, 2023

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