Denver Herald 020923

Our in-depth look at the housing crisis

High home prices, lack of supply sever metro residents from communities

summer, he felt like he’d won the lottery. After more than a decade of chasing the cheapest rent across the metro area, the Littleton bartender nally has a house to call his own.

middle-income people live where they work. But as cities and towns contend with historically high home costs and a lack of supply, residents like Laney have struggled to live in their communities.

VOLUME 96 | ISSUE 12

State of education report finds teachers in need of more support

BY ALISON BERG ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Survey results conducted by the largest educator’s union in Colorado paint a bleak picture of how most educators feel in their jobs.

e Colorado Education Association recently surveyed around 1,600 public educators in the state and found their main concerns were lack of investment in the education system, disrespecting their professional experience and feeling unsafe at work. ose issues were more pronounced for LGBTQ+ educators, who said they felt particularly unsafe existing authentically at work.  Education association leadership members presented the report in a press conference last week they called “State of Education,” mimicking the nationwide “State of the Union,” address.

“Respecting our educators as experts means centering our voices in legislation that a ects our work,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, a high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association. “We need to be asking our educators who do the job every day what is needed.”

Baca-Oehlert said the COVID-19 pandemic, skyrocketing costs of living with wages that haven’t kept up, an increase in school shootings and politicization of the classroom have all pushed teachers out of the profession.

BY ROBERT TANN COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

When Chris Laney moved into his new three-bedroom home last

INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 7 | VOICES: PAGE 8

“I almost feel guilty that I have it,” said Laney, 49.

Laney is one of a handful of residents who have secured housing through a subsidized program aimed at helping lower- and

“I’ve always felt like I was just passing through instead of living somewhere, putting down roots,” said Laney. He has worked

Most survey respondents pointed to low pay as their primary reason for leaving the profession. An average teacher’s salary in Colorado is

Low- and middle-income people struggle to live where they work

about $60,000, the report states, which is 35% less than comparablyeducated adults. e National Education Association also reported Colorado ranks 49th in the country for paying its teachers a liveable wage.

Dave Lockley, educator and president of the District 12 Educator Association, said his district in Westminster currently has 40 vacant paraprofessional and educator positions, meaning teachers are stretched even thinner trying to ful ll roles outside their job description without pay matching the extra work.

“Every time we’re missing one of these key cogs in the larger machine of education, it means our students don’t get the education they deserve,” Lockley said. “We’re asking our educators to sometimes do double the amount of workload that they’re doing and they’re falling o and leaving at an unprecedented rate.”

Twenty-one percent of survey respondents said they considered leaving education due to politicallymotivated attacks on their curriculum or themselves.

“Especially as social studies teachers and across the board with educators, we try to present a variety of perspectives for kids so they can learn, be e ective problem solvers and be critical thinkers,” said Kevin Vick, vice president of the Colorado Education Association and a teacher in Colorado Springs. “What we’re seeing on an increasing basis is educators getting harassed over and over again for not supporting one particular viewpoint in the classroom.”

Teachers in the LGBTQ+ community reported higher levels of concern than their cisgender, heterosexual peers. According to the survey report, 85% of LGBTQ+ educators reported not being “out,” at school, and 80% reported working in a school without gender-neutral restrooms.

Additionally, 40% of LGBTQ+ educators said they had witnessed or heard about students being harassed or discriminated against, and 45% said if their school engages in equity work, they are not asked to be involved in such work.

Several education association leadership members said LGBTQ+ teachers being mistreated is an issue both for the teacher and for LGBTQ+ students, as students gain a perception of the “real world,” at school.

“It’s important to understand that these statistics of how welcome or unwelcome our LGBTQ educators feel at their schools provide a mirror of how our LGBTQ students feel at their

school as well,” Baca-Oehlert said.  e 2022 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey also told a dismal story for LGBTQ+ children: around 20% of gay, bisexual and lesbian youth reportedly attempted suicide in the last year. e number was higher for transgender students at 26%.

“I think it also sends a message to the students in that building that if the educator isn’t accepted, what does that mean for me, as a student,” said Kasey Ellis, counselor and president of the Cherry Creek Education Association.

As American public spaces are plagued by gun violence, 67% of respondents reported feeling “very” or “somewhat” worried about a mass shooting at their school. While some politicians have proposed increasing school security and arming teachers with guns, most respondents said carrying guns would make them feel even less safe. What would help increase feelings of security, 39% of respondents said, is increased access to mental health resources.

While the state legislature convenes over the next several months, education association members said they hope legislators prioritize a ordable housing, higher teacher’s salaries, education licensing, educator working conditions and mental health for both students and teachers.

“ ough Coloradans often pride themselves on being progressive and championing inclusion, our state’s budget on education tells a di erent story,” Baca-Oehlert concluded.

is story is from Rocky Mountain PBS, a nonpro t public broadcaster providing community stories across Colorado over the air and online. Used by permission. For more, and to support Rocky Mountain PBS, visit rmpbs.org.

Conifer High School chemistry teacher Brian Bunnell performs a titration demonstration for his chemistry class during the 2021-22 school year. Bunnell emphasized hands-on learning in his classes. PHOTO BY COREY NEUMEIER

at Jake’s Brew Bar in Littleton since 2012.

“ is is where I want to be,” Laney said. “My friends and family are Jake’s.”

In numerous counties, residents — spanning a range of employment from the service industry to teaching — have faced the brunt of what many o cials are calling a housing crisis.

e median price of a singlefamily home in the metro area has roughly tripled since 2010, according to an August 2022 report by the Colorado Association of Realtors. Back in 2010, the median price was about $200,000.

And wages have not kept up with home costs. Between 2000 and 2019, median rents rose at a faster rate than household incomes “in every Colorado county and city with 50,000+ residents,” according to a November 2021 report from Denverbased consulting rm Root Policy Research. e report also said that, as of June 2021, Colorado’s overall housing inventory was 13% of what is needed for a functioning sales market.

“Quite honestly, we just don’t have enough housing, whether it’s a ordable or otherwise,” said Kelly Milliman, city council member for Littleton’s District 4 and a member of the city’s housing task force. “It’s really vitally important to the overall health of our community going forward.”

e sentiment is similar for leaders in the neighboring cities of Englewood and Sheridan. ere, o cials said a ordable home options used to be more common.

“For the people that can afford it, they have lots of choices in the metro area,” said Brad Power, Englewood’s director of community development. “But we’re starting to see more gaps with people who are on the other side of the income spectrum.”

Devin Granberry, city manager for Sheridan, said higher home costs have driven workers out of what he described as a historically bluecollar area.

“It leads to a very transient pipeline of citizenry and workforce,” he said. “ ere’s no sense of belonging, there’s no sense of ownership, and all of those are negative impacts on a community, the well-being of a community.”

Searching for a home

After leaving the house he owned near Houston, Texas, more than a decade ago, Laney knew buying a home in Denver would be a nearimpossible feat.

He was making good money at a

medical diagnostics company and had been able to purchase a brandnew home in a Houston suburb for less than $150,000. But his mental health was su ering and he knew he needed a change. With friends living in Colorado at the time, Laney decided to move more than 1,000 miles north to Denver.

With his fresh start came the opportunity to dive into a longtime passion: wine. He took classes to become a sommelier — a trained wine professional. He sold wine to businesses across the metro area, worked part-time at a cozy wine bar and restaurant in the heart of Littleton’s historic downtown, and eventually landed a full-time job at Jake’s.

Laney settled on wherever he could nd the most a ordable apartment — something hovering around $1,000 per month, in places around Denver. e ones he found in Littleton were too run-down. As rents around the region rose, Laney moved ve times in six years.

“During this whole process I knew I wanted a house,” Laney said. “I wanted something that was my own, and it’s hard to build a home in an apartment, especially when you keep moving.”

Laney’s experiences came as Littleton residents expressed less con dence that their city was a ordable. From 2012 to 2022, residents who cited a ordable cost of living as a reason for living in Littleton declined from 30% to 14%, according to biennial city-issued surveys of hundreds of residents. Over those same years, residents who said affordable housing and rental rates were a reason for living in the city went from 20% to 9%.

Laney said he worked, saved and kept his spending habits to a minimum during those years, staying laser-focused on his ultimate prize. Credit-card debt from college “really destroyed a lot of opportunities,” he said, but he kept “working, working, working.”

Even though Laney estimates he was making about $48,000 yearly, he says he was far short of what he needed for a down payment on even the least expensive of homes in Littleton.

He wasn’t alone. A 2020 analysis from Denver-based contractor Root Policy showed that individuals who earned $29,000 to $95,000 yearly in the metro area could not a ord the average price of a home, which was nearly $420,000 that year.

“It’s a pretty serious situation,” said Corey Reitz, executive director of Littleton’s housing authority, South Metro Housing Options. “ e list of folks who can’t continue to live here continues to grow.”

at list, according to Root’s analysis, includes workers in health

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Essential workers risk being priced out

Staffers at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood say the housing problem also affects them. They blame the shortage of essential hospital workers they’re contending with, in part, on the cost of housing.

“Absolutely the rising cost of housing here in Colorado is a topic,” said Dena Schmaedecke, the hospital’s vice president of human resources. “Colleagues are often bringing up those stresses.”

That housing-cost factor has caused hospital leaders to offer a $10,000 housing stipend to incentivize new employees, Schmaedecke said.

In Brighton, northeast of Denver, Michael Clow, chief human resources officer for 27J Schools, said the cost of housing has impacted the district’s ability to maintain and support staff.

“We hear from candidates and from our new hires that the cost of housing and their ability to find housing is a real problem,”

Clow said. “ We recently had two math teachers (husband and wife) join us. They were excited to live their dream and move to Colorado. After just one year and realizing they could not afford to

raise a family here, they moved back to their home state.”

Clow said the crisis has restricted the district’s pool of applicants graduating with teaching degrees, creating intense competition for staff and teachers.

“The cost of housing is becoming a serious obstacle for us to maintain service levels and serve our mission,” he said.

Farther north, in Fort Lupton, the Weld R-8 School District has faced similar pressures. Superintendent Alan Kaylor said the annual salary for a first-year teacher in the district is about $41,000.

Kaylor bought his home in 1995 for $72,000. He said a home across the street from his was recently listed at $685,000. The price of that house across the street rose more than four times faster than the pace of inflation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inflation calculator.

“How can any family afford that?” he asked. “Something has to give. After a while, you have to wonder how long people will tolerate living on teachers’ wages.”

Even for some residents making a larger income, housing remains elusive.

West of Denver, in Evergreen, husband and wife Bill and Charm Connelly bring in a combined six-figure salary.

Bill Connelly is an insurance agent and blackjack dealer for a Black Hawk casino. Charm is the front-house general manager for Cactus Jack’s, a bar and restaurant in Evergreen. The two rent a three-bedroom home and are

struggling to save for a house. Even downsizing to something smaller, they said, would likely increase their spending by roughly $400 a month. The two currently pay $2,200 per month on rent.

“I feel like a failure. I finally get a good full-time job making great money, and eight years ago, 10 years ago, we could easily have gotten something,” Bill Connelly said.

“Between the two of us, I see what we make,” Charm said. “We are making decent money, but I want to be able to save money and not blow it all on rent.”

For Adam Galbraith, a Cactus Jack’s bartender, the only way to keep his rent affordable is to live with others.

“The only reason I’m able to save money is because it’s a 1,100-square-foot place and we crammed four people in it,” Galbraith said, adding monthly rent is about $1,500. “If you’ve got roommates, that’s the only way you’re going to save money.”

A housing ‘limbo’

Near the end of 2019, Laney, the Littleton bartender, was beginning to feel more confident about reaching his goal for a down payment. He’d paid off his car and credit-card debt and said he “worked hard to keep it that way.”

His savings account was beginning to bulk up. Then came COVID-19.

Years of careful saving and unyielding restraint on spending evaporated in months. Laney was

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forced to drain his savings account during the beginning of the pandemic amid lockdowns. He received nothing from the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, though he would gain $3,200 from stimulus checks in the months to come. Still, he was hanging on.

It was “the community around Jake’s, our regulars, who kept us alive,” Laney said.

“I was there every single day, for damn near a year,” he said, with the bar able to do curbside orders even as its indoors remained shuttered.

Before the pandemic, Laney estimates he brought in about $4,000 each month before taxes. By the end of the month, after paying for rent, utilities, groceries and gas, he would be left with just $200 to $300, which usually went into his savings.

Living that way was “terrifying,” said Laney, who always felt he could be on the edge of losing his housing should he have a bad month. The pandemic only exacerbated the uncertainty.

As his savings depleted, Laney’s dream of owning a home never seemed further away.

But his resolve didn’t waver and he used what federal relief he had to rebuild his savings because, as he put it, “I had a goal: I wanted a house. When I came out of the tunnel I knew what I wanted.”

By 2021, he started looking again. A townhome might come up on the market — far from perfect, but within Laney’s means

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— and he would ready himself to put down an offer. It never was enough.

“Someone comes in and puts 20k cash on the offer, or 30k or 40k,” Laney said. “I went through about a year and a half of that and I knew in my head I was not going to be able to get a house.”

A real-estate agent who came into his bar told Laney to apply for a $300,000 bank loan. He had good credit, the agent told him, and would be a shoo-in for the money.

“Three hundred thousand dollars does not get you a townhome,” Laney thought to himself.

He was frustrated. More than frustrated. He felt depressed.

“I’d done everything right, everything I was supposed to do and it still didn’t matter,” he said. “I’m just stuck, like the hundreds of thousands of other people, in limbo.”

Laney’s luck began to turn near the end of 2021 when he heard there were about to be dozens of single-family homes for sale in Littleton for less than $300,000. He thought it was too good to be true.

‘We can’t all win the lottery’

That year, South Metro Housing Options, which manages affordable properties throughout Littleton, sold 59 of its single-

family homes to Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, which pledged to renovate the units and sell them at a below-market price.

Laney’s hourly wage had slightly increased since the pandemic from $8 to $10, though 90% of his income still came from tips, he said. Still, Laney believed he met the financial requirements for a Habitat home, which would only sell to people who earn no more than 80% of the area’s median income.

But when Laney applied to be on a waitlist at the beginning of 2022, he was quickly denied. He was told his income, roughly $56,000 when he applied, exceeded the cap by less than $1,000.

Laney said he was actually making less than that, about $54,000, but because Habitat counted his “unrealized interest gains,” such as money held in stocks, Laney was over the threshold.

Habitat was also only looking at the income of recent months, Laney said, rather than his income over the past year. This made it look like he made more than he did because his monthto-month income would fluctuate dramatically based on tips.

He applied again and was denied again, this time for making just $300 more than the cutoff. But, a slow month at work turned out to be a good thing. His income dipped just enough that by the third time he applied he made it on the waitlist.

That did not come with the

guarantee of a home. Laney was in a line of people just like him and demand far outweighed supply. Number 10 was his position. Who knew how many more were behind him, he thought.

Then it happened. Laney was made an offer, a 1,275-squarefoot detached home near Ketring Park in central Littleton valued at $285,000, roughly a third of what similar properties sold for.

“I can’t even express how happy I was,” Laney said. “I’ve been living and serving this community for 10 years and I want to live here.”

Still, the program has some drawbacks compared to traditional homeownership. Laney cannot build as much equity as many of his neighbors because he does not own the property the home sits on. Instead, it is owned by something called a land trust — a collection of entities.

“The beauty of the land trust is it removes the cost of the land from the equation from the cost of the home,” said Kate Hilberg, director of real estate development for Habitat for Humanity. “It allows the homeowners to pay on that mortgage for that home and improvements to that home but not the land.”

Land trusts are crucial tools organizations like Habitat use to lock in the affordability of homes even as property values rise elsewhere. The owners of these units will see some equity from their homes, Hilberg said, about 2% each year. But it won’t be enough to match the likes

of homeowners who have used their growing property values to build decades of generational wealth.

“A lot of families use this as a starter home option and they do gain enough equity and stability to turn that into a down payment on a home in the open market,” Hilberg said of homes under land trusts.

But fathoming a concept like equity is a luxury for those who still can’t buy a house on the market, Laney said.

While he’s thankful for what Habitat did for him, he fears the few dozen homes it manages in Littleton can only go so far to meet the demand of hundreds, if not thousands, of residents who have struggled as he has.

“There isn’t enough incomebased housing for people … the people who live and work in this community can’t afford a house,” Laney said. “We can’t all win the lottery.”

Colorado Community Reporters Andrew Fraieli, Steve Smith, Tayler Shaw and Ellis Arnold contributed reporting to this story. To

Lawmakers attempt to tackle auto theft

Penalties could increase

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down on the scourge of vehicle theft in the state by decoupling the cost of a stolen car from the criminal penalty a thief faces and by increasing penalties for repeat auto theft o enders.

Senate Bill 97 would make stealing any vehicle a Class 5 felony, which is generally punishable by one to three years in prison or a ne between $1,000 to $100,000, or both.

Right now, the penalty level for an auto thief depends on the value of the vehicle they steal. e lowest level o ense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail, for stealing a car worth up to $2,000 if it’s a rst or second auto theft.

e highest level o ense is a Class 3 felony, punishable by up to 12 years in prison, for stealing a car valued at $100,000 or more.

Under the new measure, a person who steals a car could be charged with Class 4 felony based on aggravating circumstances, such as should a thief keep the vehicle for more than a day, use the vehicle during the commission of another crime or take steps to alter or disguise the vehicle. Class 4 felonies are punishable by up to six years in prison.

e legislation, brought at politi-

cians face pressure to deal with an increasing number of car thefts across the state, would also make a third or subsequent auto theft conviction a Class 3 felony, which are generally punishable by four to 12 years in prison and nes of $3,000 to $750,000 or both.

Tim Lane, with the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council, said the legislation creates a tiered auto theft penalty system that aims to send a message that no matter the value of a vehicle, stealing an automobile is a serious o ense. Lane said the legislation likely wouldn’t change the maximum penalty for a juvenile auto thief.

“ is is one thing to help with auto theft,” he said, “but it’s by no means the entire solution.”

Lane spoke at a news conference with Democratic and Republican state lawmakers. Also attending the event were Denver-area mayors and police chiefs, as well as local prosecutors and key members of Gov. Jared Polis’ administration.

“Imagine waking up one morning to nd your only way of getting to work, of getting your kids to school or day care is gone,” said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat and prime sponsor of the bill, at Monday’s news conference. “Picture heading to the parking lot after a long day of work to nd your way home has been taken. Imagine the terror of being held up at gunpoint and forced to leave your vehicle in a carjacking. Too many of our neighbors don’t need to imagine what this

feels like because they have lived it rsthand.”

e other lead sponsors of the bill are Republican Sen. Bob Gardner of Colorado Springs and Reps. Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Shannon Bird, D-Westminster.

Polis, in a written statement, endorsed the measure.

“To achieve our shared goal of making Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the next ve years, it is critical we address rising auto theft crimes in our state,” he said. “Coloradans are counting on us. A vehicle’s monetary value does not represent the value to the owner and the impacts a stolen vehicle has on a person or family’s daily life. Criminals should be held accountable for the crimes they commit and charged in a

consistent, just, and rational way.”

e new legislation also includes a “joy-ride” provision that would make it a Class 1 misdemeanor to use a vehicle without the owner’s permission as long as the car is returned within 24 hours without damage and only minor tra c offenses were committed. A second and subsequent conviction for the joy-ride o ense would be a Class 5 felony, however.

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.

Cars parked along Littleton’s Main Street.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

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Average is OK

Being average is OK. I will say that again. Being average is OK.

EDITOR’S COLUMN

I recently started listening to the book “ e Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#@@.” I have to admit my husband recommended it a couple of years ago. However, the vulgar title turned me o a bit. en, recently, my brother recommended it after I was complaining about something that bugged me. He said I let too much bother me and this book might help get some perspective.

I started listening to it — and was impressed with how the author, Mark Manson, really pegs our society, our struggles and the unrealistic expectations we put on ourselves and each other.

But, as he teaches me how to maybe set realistic expectations and not care about so much that really does not matter in the big picture — the book is also great at putting in perspective how being average is OK because, frankly, the majority of us are just average.

As parents we want our children to be great at everything, have all the opportunities and succeed at everything they do. In reality, we are all good at what we are good at. We are all not great at everything we try.

I may be good at writing, but I am de nitely below average when it comes to trying to solve math problems when I help kids with homework. In college, getting a C in math was a blessing, really.

According to Manson, “Being ‘average’ has become the new standard of failure. e worst thing you can be is in the middle of the pack, the middle of the bell curve. When a culture’s standard of success is to “be extraordinary,” it then becomes better to be at the extreme low end of the bell curve than to be in the middle, because at least there you’re still special and deserve attention.”

When the expectations are set so high — How can anyone live up to them? at’s become part of society’s problem and probably a contributing factor to mental illness and depression rates skyrocketing. When we set these high expectations that we really cannot reach — We feel like failures.

When we see on Facebook and other social media how friends and family are living these amazing lives — We judge our own as failures. Never mind that in reality, people are only sharing their best days, their best moments on these social outlets. at does not matter. It only means we do not measure up.

As a society, imagine what would happen if we started being realistic in our goals and expectations. My son loves hockey. He’s not the best at it — he’s average. For me, that is OK.

My daughter is never going to be great at school. She is average. at is OK.

I am the poster child for setting too many expectations for myself. With each thing I fail at — I only work harder, set more goals and try more.

For my children, however, I have started working toward setting realistic goals. Play hockey if you love it. Who cares if you are great at it as long as you are doing your best and trying?

Try out for the school play. Who knows, you may be great at it, but just have fun.

If, as a society, we start realizing the majority of us are average — We might start feeling a lot more OK with ourselves and the world around us.

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 GRIMES South Metro Editor tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Show some love to freelancers this month

Fe bruary is the month we acknowledge our loves and friendships, but there is another special group of people we must show gratitude to this month — freelancers.

According to the National Today website, Freelance Writers Appreciation Week is celebrated the second week of February each year.

I have some talented freelancers who certainly deserve some recognition this month. Every month, in fact.

While I may be the backbone of the paper as editor, the freelancers I work with certainly can be considered the rib cage. Without them, many of the wonderful stories you read would not be in publication.

I have a sentimental story for how each of them became acquainted with me and/or the newspaper. As a journalist, it has been instilled in me since Day 1 of Jschool to always report without bias. But I will admit, I am biased when it comes to my freelancers — nobody can tell a story like they do.

My freelancers are such a bright and

talented group of people. Each have their own style in their writing talent and it is a lot of fun to work with each of them to develop it — them learning from me, and me learning from them.

I do assign stories to them sometimes, but I particularly enjoy working with them on their unique story ideas. Some of these begin with a simple something they observed in Denver and want to explore further or a casual introduction to someone they find particularly interesting. It is my freelancers’ intrigue that make the papers shine.

My freelancers work hard, and are so dedicated to storytelling and ensuring their written word is the best that it can be for every story they write, every month. They spend hours interviewing sources, researching information or news tips, gathering photos and in some cases, attending events.

So every time you see “Special to Colorado Community Media” on one of the stories, remember that it is the tireless work of one of my freelancers who brought that story to you.

Christy Steadman is the editor of the Life on Capitol Hill and Washington Park Pro le monthly publications, and the Denver Herald.

CHRISTY STEADMAN

Editor csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Herald-Dispatch.

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

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.

Thelma Grimes

EDITOR’S COLUMN

Christy Steadman

Ensemble to display their skill at University of Denver

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

O the west coast of Japan lies the island of Sado, home to luscious green forests, steep oceanside cli s and the most renowned taiko drummers in the world.

Early mornings on the island, residents are greeted with the deep, thumping sound of drumming as they make their way to work and school. e radiating sound of a gong can be heard for miles as the performers practice throughout the day to perfect their ancient craft. e drumming of the KODO Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble has been the soundtrack to the lives many Sado people as they go about their days for more than four decades.

Sado Island is home to the Kodo Apprentice Center, the home for new hopefuls to complete a two-year apprenticeship program before becoming members of the o cial ensemble. Kodo apprentices live communally at the center, where they learn taiko, dance, song, bamboo ute and other traditional Japanese arts. ey live a very minimalist lifestyle, rid of distractions so they can concentrate on their rigorous training. Cell phones, computers and dating are strictly prohibited for apprentices while living on Sado.

ough the ensemble performs with various instruments during its shows, the taiko are at the forefront of a Kodo performance. Taiko drums were introduced to Japan in the sixth century CE through Korean and Chinese cultural in uence along the Silk Road, a panEurasian trade system that lasted for nearly two millennia. Contemporarily

used as traditional performance instruments, taiko have been used throughout Japanese history — during wartimes to organize troops, at royal processions, throughout religious rituals and sometimes as personal instruments. Performance taiko drumming evolved in the mid-20th century, becoming popular at Japanese festivals to entertain laypeople. Later in the 1980s, taiko performance would become popularized worldwide with traveling ensembles like Kodo.

e Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble will be performing at the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver on Feb. 18 and 19. Kodo will perform its One Earth Tour entitled “Tsuzumi.”

e performance will be a highlight of Kodo’s home on Sado Island, sharing the tale of its ancient history and tranquil landscape.

“Kodo One Earth Tour: Tsuzumi is the rst production in a series of commemorative works we created for Kodo’s 40th anniversary celebrations in 2021,” said Director Yuichiro Funabashi in a news release. “ e theme of this work is our home base, Sado Island. With its lush nature and distinct history, this special place has been the starting point for Kodo’s diverse local and international activities for the past four decades. Conjured and honed on Sado, Kodo’s sound is like no other. I sincerely hope you’ll enjoy this performance and the visceral sound of Kodo’s taiko.”

JAPANESE DRUMMING COMES TO DENVER

Kodo member plays a set of taiko drums during a performance.

features three of Kodo’s 10 female performers.

The Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble will be performing at the University of Denver on Feb. 18 and Feb. 19.

The Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble is performing at the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver, 2344 E. Ili Ave. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 19. Tickets start at $39. To purchase tickets, visit newmancenterpresents.com.

The most vulnerable of the housing crisis The Long Way Home

BY MICHAEL DE YOANNA MICHAEL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Our monthlong series exploring the affordability and accessibility of housing in the Denver area takes a turn to one of the most perplexing issues facing our communities: the lives of those who have no homes. Point-in-time counts in Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties find 2,000 people living unsheltered and 3,000 in emergency shelters. Most of those people were found in Denver but many live in our communities and neighborhoods.

While panhandlers and tent cities are visible across the metro area, many of the unhoused are unseen and may not even be included in the numbers because they are sleeping on a friend’s couch or a family that’s living in a relative’s extra room. e federal government includes this status in its de nition of homelessness, along with those who are at imminent risk of losing a roof over their heads.

Homelessness has long

been a problem in the metro area and the soaring housing costs that we’ve tracked in our series certainly don’t help. Typically, a family shouldn’t spend more than 30% of their wages on rent and utilities. Elsewhere in our series, we’ve found that many people across the metro area are living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to afford a place to live. Minimum wage earners might spend upward of 60% of their paychecks on rent.

Across the Front Range, rising housing costs are worsening the problem. In Littleton, south of Denver, the price of single-family homes has jumped roughly $300,000 since 2017. Lone Tree saw increases in excess of $473,000. In Brighton, $225,000.

Apartment rents have followed in recent years, part of a trend spanning the last two decades where median prices rose faster than median household incomes “in every Colorado county and city with 50,000+ residents,” according to Denver-based Root Policy Research, which analyzes housing affordability issues.

Some of the most needy in our communities find homes through federal funding, like vouchers. But the system, reporter Nina Joss finds, is based on lotteries, where people in need of housing may wait for years before winning. Others wind up roughing it on the streets, as reporters Andrew Fraieli and Olivia Love discovered in an interview of a man who lost his legs sleeping under a highway bridge during a horrific snowstorm. There are consequences to it all, like how the mentally ill are especially vulnerable to homelessness and highly likely to find themselves in the criminal-justice system — meaning a record of police contacts for crimes connected to their situation, such as trespassing, becomes a barrier that prevents them from turning their lives around. There are costs associated with this to taxpayers, like those associated with providing more policing and beds in jails. Trends like those will be on the radar of Colorado Community Media’s newsroom in the months ahead.

Contributors to the project include:

Homelessness is a series of trapdoors and obstacles

BY ANDREW FRAIELI AND OLIVIA LOVE COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Jonathan Townshend Garner spent nine sleepless nights in 2017 covered in snow staring up at the bottom of a frozen overpass in Aurora. Just a few short months before, the 35-year-old was planning to purchase a condo with his girlfriend.  He never expected that a breakup would send him down a series of increasingly di cult trapdoors — without housing or insurance, each door became harder to climb through. Because of those cold nights in 2017, Garner even lost his

What led Garner to homelessness is not unique. As homeless rates continue to climb in this country for people in many di erent situations, the causes can range from one lost paycheck to addiction or mental health issues with no money to support treatment.

In Garner’s case, he was in a stable housing situation that was reliant on two incomes. e loss of a girlfriend meant the loss of a second, necessary paycheck.

“I’m all of a sudden in a situation where I’ve lost half my income in regards to what’s going towards payments,” Garner said.

Homelessness a ects many types of people. It also comes in all forms from living on the streets to couch sur ng or sleeping in a car. Common among all situations that have forced someone into homelessness is the world around them not being designed to help.

According to HUD fair market rent data, rent for a studio apartment in the metro area has increased by more than $300 per month since 2019, but minimum wages have only increased by about $2.50 an hour — increasing the percent of wages needed to be put towards housing from 54 to almost 60%.

e National Low Income Housing Coalition — a nonpro t that aims to end the a ordable housing crisis through policy and data research — deems housing costing more than 30% of wages spent on rent and utilities as una ordable, placing workers at risk for homelessness. is lack of a ordable housing acts doubly as a factor for becoming homeless and a barrier from escaping it.

Unable to deal with the breakup and loss of income, Garner said it triggered a dormant alcohol addiction.

Jonathan Townshend Garner hosts an open mic night at Cactus Jack’s Saloon in Evergreen where he also performs. PHOTO BY ANDREW FRAIELI

“As soon as she left, I started drinking again too, which was probably one of the worst decisions that I made,” he said. “And I’m a hell of a drinker. It took me no time before I was drinking before work every day.”

His addiction became another trapdoor. He was evicted from his home as his costly addiction grew, losing his job within a few months, and he continued falling until he landed on the streets.

In 2017, he found himself buried by snowdrifts, numbed to the elements by frostbite and an empty bottle.

Over the next three and a half months, he was in an ICU burn unit, where his legs were amputated for frostbite. What happened to land him there remains a blur, with Garner saying he was just lost in a blizzard of snow and substance abuse.

Garner had not looked for a shelter because he felt he deserved what he was experiencing on the street, his addiction giving him too much bluster to ask for help.

“And so when things have gotten so bad for me, I was like, ‘I guess that’s where you go when you’re at this place,’” Garner said.

But from Aurora to Lakewood, many who look for shelter have a hard time nding it — especially in winter.

The stick and carrot of winter shelter

“Police show up to tell you to leave, but don’t have an answer as to where we can go,” said Marshall Moody, who experienced homelessness in Lakewood over the summer.

He wasn’t hunting for winter shelter, but acknowledging how there were no shelter options in Lakewood, and describing how he felt harassed by police telling him to move along.

In Aurora, one of the only overnight shelter spaces is the Comitis Crisis Center.

“Comitis has, what, 30 beds? I’m sure there’s easily 200 homeless people in Aurora. Easily,” said Jason, 40, who declined to give his last name, pointing out the lack of shelter options.

Jason has been homeless since 2019, falling on hard times after breaking his back and not having the ability to a ord medical care.

Anna Miller, director of business development and public relations at Mile High Behavioral Healthcare — which Comitis Crisis Center falls under — has said before that the center has an outreach team that goes out every day working with the city and police department to inform people on the streets about available resources. e organization was supportive of Aurora’s camping ban passed last summer.

But like the ban, these opinions are from the summer.

During the winter, many more people experiencing homelessness look for indoor shelter due to low temperatures, snow, rain and windchills causing regular, local shelters to ll up fast.

is is where short-term emergency weather shelters come in.

For much of the metro area, the “extreme weather” needed to open these emergency shelters — which

vary from the Severe Weather Shelter Network across Je erson County that uses a network of churches, to opening some day-only centers for overnight stays — requires the temperature to be freezing or below with moisture, and 20 degrees or below without moisture.

In Denver, the required cuto is 10 degrees or six inches of snow — though, according to Sabrina Allie, the communications and engagement director for the Department of Housing Stability — or HOST — in Denver, the city council has asked the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, which created the cuto , to revisit these regulations.

e issue is that cold-weather injuries like frostbite and hypothermia can set in as high as 45 degrees depending on wind and moisture. is is according to doctors from Denver Health and the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, which sent a joint letter to HOST and DDPHE asking the city to raise their cuto .

“Hypothermia and frostbite may develop in minutes and often occur in the setting of risk factors for heat loss or decreased heat production including pre-existing medical conditions, exhaustion, dehydration, substance use and malnutrition, all of which are common among people experiencing homelessness,” doctors said in the letter.

Some see winter shelter as a carrotand-stick situation though, requiring the cuto to not be too comfortable for those experiencing homelessness.

“We do not want to enable, we want to empower,” said Lynn Ann Huizingh, executive director of development at Je erson County’s Severe Weather Shelter Network. “We do the best we can to provide some good relational development, but we also want to encourage people to pursue answers that would lead them o the street, and if they get too comfortable, they just don’t have any reason to try and pursue anything else.”

However, at all times, the goal is to keep people from freezing to death, Huizingh added.

Aurora’s policy, according to Emma Knight, manager of homelessness for the city’s Division of Housing and Community Services, is to open emergency cold-weather shelters at 32 degrees during wet weather, and 20 degrees otherwise.

In Garner’s case, freezing to death almost became a reality. Instead, he left the hospital as a double amputee — disabled, homeless, and penniless.

“And I wish I could have said that that was my rock bottom as well. But it wasn’t,” Garner said.

Police interactions and laws against homelessness

Over the next nine months, Garner continued drinking and using drugs while trying to condition himself to his surroundings.

“ ere isn’t a rock bottom, there isn’t some stable ground that you hit. It is a series of trapdoors that gets progressively lower on to in nity,” Garner said.

Some of these trapdoors take the shape of police interactions and the possibility of jail time due to criminalization of homelessness. In

the summer of 2022, Aurora passed a camping ban, following in the footsteps of Denver, which passed a similar measure a decade ago.

“Can’t camp, but you have only one shelter in the city of Aurora,” Jason said, referring to the Comitis Crisis Center. “ e camping ban doesn’t mean we can’t be outside — that’s really the main point — the camping ban means we can’t be safe outside.”

Terese Howard, homeless advocate and founder of Housekeys Action Network Denver, said these bans just push people around, possibly into more dangerous and secluded areas if they don’t just move a block away from where they were before.

Police harassment often comes out of these laws as well, Howard said. O cers will tell people experiencing homelessness to “move along” without o ering alternatives, according to Howard.

Denver’s camping ban speci es “shelter” to include “blankets, or any form of cover or protection from the elements other than clothing.”

“ ere’s this illusion that you need this stick to connect people to services,” Howard said. “ at’s a lie, it doesn’t work. You can just look back at the last 10 years of Denver to see the reality of that lie. It’s meant, rst and foremost, to push people out of sight, out of mind.”

According to one national study from 2013, criminalization can create a cycle of incarceration that perpetuates itself.

Noting a loop of jail time and homelessness, the report says: “Incarceration has been noted to increase the risk of homelessness” as it can weaken community ties, limit employment opportunities and make it more di cult to get public housing.

“ is bidirectional association between homelessness and incarceration may result in a certain amount of cycling between public psychiatric hospitals, jails and prisons, and homeless shelters or the street,” the report concludes.

A homeless count across the metro area

Nationwide, at the start of every year, a count is taken to try and estimate the unsheltered homeless population.

At the same time, a count is made of people who have stayed in a participating shelter at some point across the country. ese counts are run by HUD through volunteering shelters and local governments.

In the 2022 point-in-time count across Je erson, Broom eld, Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas and Denver counties, there were nearly 2,000 people living unsheltered, and just over 3,000 in emergency shelters.

According to the data, most of the homeless population is in Denver.

HUD’s de nition of homelessness

includes those who are in imminent risk of losing their housing. However, the annual report does not include that data or consider people who are couch sur ng, or temporarily living at a friend or family member’s home.

Jason had been working, but with a broken back, he could no longer work or a ord needed medical care.

Like Garner, Jason requires a wheelchair to get around, which creates another level of di culties for those experiencing homelessness.

The cost of a disability

One day in the spring of 2018, Garner’s wheelchair got caught in some weeds in a eld. He spent hours there, yelling for help, until a couple happened upon him.

e couple befriended Garner, brought him some basic necessities, and got him into a detox facility. After a few stints, Garner has now been sober for more than four years.

“But the patience that these strangers showed me was something that was unbelievable to me,” Garner said. “I will never forget before they took me in the third time telling them: ‘Well, what if I just do this again? You know, what if I, what if you take me to this detox, you come pick me up, and I just start drinking again?’”

Garner said the couple told him they would keep trying. Services like detox are di cult to use for people with addictions and mental health issues, as they often have no support system to encourage them to go, as well as there often being little state support.

In 2019, a study showed that about 20% of all Americans were a ected by mental illness in the past year. According to e National Coalition for Homelessness the general e ects of various mental illnesses “disrupt people’s ability to carry out essential aspects of daily life,” as well as make social bonds.

“ is often results in pushing away caregivers, family, and friends who may be the force keeping that person from becoming homeless,” the report elaborated.

But the couple that helped Garner in that eld became his support, hosting him until they fell on hard times and divorced.

Eventually, Garner’s friend helped him get a studio apartment in Evergreen, helping to pay rent for the rst three months.

“So I stayed those rst three months and realized I didn’t want to leave,” Garner said.

Garner said without his friend helping with rst and last month’s rent and more in those rst three months, he wouldn’t have been able to a ord it. After the rst three months, Garner continued to stay

SEE HOMELESS, P12

FROM PAGE 11

in the apartment, getting help from friends. He got what he needed, he said, but it wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t how he wanted to live.

“I come from the salt of the earth, blue collar, working folk, you know, and really, at the bottom line, I’m just trying to work in any way I can,” he said. “All I’m trying to do is provide for myself.”

The housing and wage gap

Part of this di culty, especially in Evergreen, is the gap between wages and housing costs.  is lack of a ordable housing acts doubly as a factor for becoming homeless and a barrier from escaping it.

Adam Galbraith works as a bartender at Cactus Jack’s in Evergreen. He said the only reason he can save money at all is because his 1,100-square-foot apartment has four people in it.

“If you’ve got roommates, that’s the only way you’re going to save money,” he said. It’s also the only reason he can live in Evergreen, along with his landlord keeping rent lower than it could be at $1,500, “so locals would rent it.” Oth-

ers he knows have seen their landlord sell the property and give them two months to get out — he’s had it happen to himself twice.

Evergreen isn’t really the place to perform hip hop on the corner, but Garner had a background in performance and music — participating in rap battles and the underground scene in his younger years under his stage name, LaKryth. After practicing, studying and preparing, he took to the streets with his guitar, not in his wheelchair, but instead standing on prosthetic legs.

“I’m a pretty damn good musician, you know, and I can sing pretty damn good too, but I’m not going to pretend like I’m oblivious to the fact that my disability and my prosthetics aren’t a contributing factor to the response that I’ve made in the community,” Garner said.

After getting attention on social media, he began to book more gigs, participate in rap battles, and through participating in Colorado Community Media’s housing series panel discussion, met the owner of Cactus Jack’s Saloon, where he is now host of the weekly open-mic night.

He said he can’t work a job “on paper,” and he still faces struggles with his health and well-being. Garner has a roof over his head and food to eat. He says that’s all he can ask for.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088

Legals

Summons and Sheriff Sale

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

CITY & COUNTY OF DENVER, DISTRICT COURT COLORADO CIVIL COURT Denver City & County Bldg. 1437 Bannock St., Rm. 256 Denver, CO 80202

Plaintiff: Cenco Building Services, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company,

Defendants: H+L Development, LLC, a Colorado limited

liability company and Bryant W. Long, an individual Case Number: 22CV30744 Div. Ctrm. 280

NOTICE OF LEVY OR SEIZURE

Sheriff Sale No. 22004964 STATE OF COLORADO )ss COUNTY OF DENVER TO THE JUDGMENT DEBTOR BRYANT W. LONG:

Notice is hereby given that on May 9, 2022, a judgment against Bryant W. Long from the District Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado, entered in favor of CENCO BUILDING SERVICES, LLC, in the original amount of $36,522.62, and that on December 2, 2022 the Clerk of the DENVER County Court issued a Writ of Execution commanding the Sheriff of DENVER County to levy, seize and take into possession the following real estate, to wit:

LOT 22 AND SOUTH ONE-HALF OF LOT 23, BLOCK 31, MCCULLOUGHS ADDITION 3RD FILING TO DENVER, CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER, STATE OF COLORADO.

Otherwise identified or referred to as 2127 High Street, Denver, CO 80205 (the "Property").

You have legal rights that may prevent all or part of your money or property from being taken. That part of the money or property that may not be taken is called "exempt property." Notwithstanding your right to claim the property as "exempt," no exemption other than the exemptions set forth in C.R.S. Section 13-54-104(3), may be claimed for a Writ. The purpose of this Notice of Levy is to tell you about these rights.

If the money or property which is being withheld from you includes any "exempt property," you must file within 14 days of receiving this Notice of Levy a written claim of exemption with the Clerk of the Court, describing what money or property you think is "exempt property" and the reason that it is exempt.

You must act quickly to protect your rights. Remember, you only have 14 days after receiving this Notice of Levy to file your claim of exemption with the Clerk of Court. Your failure to file a claim of exemption with 14 days is a waiver of your right to file.

Now therefore, you BRYANT W. LONG take notice that within fourteen (14) days from the date of service hereof, if served within the state, or if served by publication, within fourteen ( 14) dates after service hereof, exclusive of the day of service, you may file with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court, a written claim of exemption which you may have under the statutes of the State of Colorado; and in case of your failure to make and file such written claim of exemption with the Clerk of said Court you shall be deemed to have waived your right of exemption under the statutes of this state.

Elias Diggins, Sheriff City and County of Denver, Colorado

By: /s/ Deputy Sheriff Sergeant Line

CERTIFICATE OF LEVY

I, Elias Diggins, Sheriff of Denver County, State of Colorado, do hereby certify that by virtue of a certain Writ of Execution to me directed, from the Denver County District Court, State of Colorado, in favor of Cenco Building Services, LLC, and against Bryant W. Long and H+L Development, LLC, jointly and severally, Defendants, dated December 2nd, 2022, I did on this 5111 day of January, 2023, levy upon the following real estate, to wit:

LOT 22 AND SOUTH ONE-HALF OF LOT 23, BLOCK 31, MCCULLOUGHS ADDITION 3RD FILING TO DENVER, CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER, ST A TE OF COLORADO.

Otherwise identified or referred to as 2127 High Street, Denver, CO 80205 (the "Property"). Situate in the City and County of Denver, Colorado.

Elias Diggins, Sheriff City and County of Denver, Colorado

By: /s/ Deputy Sheriff Sergeant Line

DISTRICT COURT, DENVER COUNTY, COLORADO Court Address; Denver City and County Building 1437 Bannock St Rm 2

Case Number: 22CV-030744 Div.: 280

Plaintiff: CENCO BLDG SERV LLC, Defendant: HAND L DEV LLC, et al WRIT OF EXECUTION Original Judgment

Misc. Private Legals

Public Notice

TO: LAVON SMITH:

You are notified that you have 10 days after publication for this notice of levy to file your claim of exemption with the District Court of Denver County, 1437 Bannock, Room 256, Denver, CO 80202 in Case 2021CV031425 entitled: TIDEWATER FINANCE COMPANY, d/b/a TIDEWATER MOTOR CREDIT, d/b/a TIDEWATER CREDIT SERVICES v. LAVON SMITH, a/k/a LAVON DONNAILL SMITH, a/k/a LAVON DONNAIL SMITH, a/k/a LAVON D. SMITH $2,402.45 garnished at FirstBank, 2850 Quebec St., Denver, CO 80207.

Legal Notice No.82048

First Publication: January 26, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Notice to Creditors

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of MARY D. HADDON, AKA MARY DENISE HADDON, AND MARY HADDON, Deceased Case Number: 23 PR 30018

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 June 15, 2023 or the claims may be forever barred.

Timothy John Haddon

Personal Representative 1201 N. Williams Street #18A Denver, CO 80218

Legal Notice No. 82061

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Mary K. Lafontise, a/k/a Mary Kathryn Lafontise, a/k/a Kay M. Lafontise, and Kay Lafontise, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31601

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to: Denver Probate Court City and County of Denver, Colorado 1437 Bannock St., #230 Denver, CO 80202 on or before May 26, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Brandon Cauthon, Personal Representative c/o Law Office of Byron K. Hammond, LLC 4500 Cherry Creek Drive South, Suite 960 Denver, CO 80246

Legal Notice No.82044

First Publication: January 26, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Julie Ann Lewis, AKA Julie A. Lewis, AKA Julie Lewis, Deceased Case Number: 2023PR30043

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 26, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Jacquelyn Sue Connelly

Personal Representative c/o Mollie B. Hawes, Miller and Steiert, P.C. 1901 W. Littleton Blvd. Littleton, CO 80120

Legal Notice No. 82043

First Publication: January 26, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher:Denver Herald-Dispatch

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Noelle Felice Arrangoiz, aka Noelle F. Arrangoiz, aka Noelle Arrangoiz, deceased Case Number: 2022PR615

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to District Court of Denver County, Colorado on or before June 02, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Clark David FitzSimmons Personal Representative

St Denver, CO 80211

Legal Notice No. 82054

First publication: February 02, 2023

Last publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Ronald Edward Rico, a/k/a Ron Rico, a/k/a Ronald Edward Sedillo, a/k/a Ronald Edward Sedillo Rico, Deceased, Case No.: 2022PR31235

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the the Probate Court, City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before June 16, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Doreen Steffes, Personal Representative

c/o Siffring Law, P.C. 2049 Wadsworth Blvd., Suite K-157 Lakewood, CO 80214

Legal Notice No. 82057

First Publication: February 2, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Bonny Lee Michaelson, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31574

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 June 2, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Phil N. Michaelson, Personal Representative c/o 11479 S. Pine Dr. Parker, CO 80134

Legal Notice No. 82055

First Publication: February 2, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Brent Thomas Walker, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR031614

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 June 02, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Amy Walker, Personal Representative 3453 South Bellaire Street Denver, Colorado 80222

Legal Notice No. 82059

First publication: February 02, 2023

Last publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Gloriajo Fox, a/k/a Gloria Jo Fox, a/k/a Gloria J. Fox, a/k/a Gloria Fox, a/k/a Jo Fox, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR031387

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 June 1, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Deborah Hall, Personal Representative c/o Davis Schilken, PC 7887 E. Belleview Ave., Suite 820 Denver, CO 80111

Legal Notice No. 82056

First Publication: February 2, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of PAUL M. RAY, aka PAUL MUNCY RAY, aka PAUL RAY, Deceased Case No. 2023PR30042

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 June 3, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Ruth Ann Curtis, Co-Personal Representative 1796 S. Cole St. Lakewood, CO 80228

Gregory Ray Co-Personal Representative 495 Powerhouse Road Lewistown, MT 59457

Legal

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 June 9, 2023 or the claims may be forever barred.

Rose E. Ruffino

Personal Representative

Patrick R. Thiessen (40185) FRIE, ARNDT, DANBORN & THIESSEN P.C. 7400 Wadsworth Blvd, Ste. 201 Arvada, CO 80003 Phone Number: 303-420-1234 Attorney for Rose E. Ruffino

Personal Representative

Legal Notice No. 82060

First Publication: February 9, 2023 Last Publication: February 23, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Marilyn H. Shaw, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31463

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 June 9, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Benjamin G. Shaw, Personal Representative 3219 Folsom St. San Francisco, CA 94110

Legal Notice No. 82062

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of GILBERT A. MUELLER, a/k/a GILBERT MUELLER, a/k/a GILBERT ANTON MUELLER, AND TONY MUELLER, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31645

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 26, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Christopher Mueller, Personal Representative 434 35th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122

Legal Notice No. 82045

First Publication: January 26, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of JANE MARIE CARLSTROM, also known as JANE M. CARLSTROM, and JANE CARLSTROM, Deceased Case Number: 2023PR30029

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 June 9, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Mary C. Rutherford-Birkey, Personal Representative 200 Rampart Way, #410 Denver, CO 80230

Legal Notice No. 82063

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Randy Leroy Willmarth, deceased Case Number: 23PR27

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 June 02, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Mandi Ann Garrett Personal Representative 3412 S. Patton Way Denver, Colorado 80236 Denver, Colorado 80236

Legal Notice No. 82053

First publication: February 02, 2023

Last publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald Dispatch

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Vicki Lynn Powell, deceased Case Number: 22PR664

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 26, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Traci Sanchez, Personal Representative 3071 S. Quince Way Denver, CO 80231

Legal Notice No.82046

First publication: January 26, 2023

Last publication: February 09, 2023

Publisher: Denver Herald Dispatch ###