NORTON

FROM PAGE ally. And I include myself among the elite when it comes to making mistakes, I am pretty sure I am close to the top, if not at the top, when it comes to screwing up. Are society and the world at large teetering on the precipice of total chaos and anarchy? OK, maybe that is a little dramatic, but then again maybe not. Are there people whose actions and words are driving us crazy? Absolutely. Do we sit stunned as we read or watch the news, wondering,

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munity, I was drawn to SafeHouse’s mission, so I’ve been volunteering with them ever since.

SafeHouse holds an annual food tasting fundraiser, called Sampling for Hope, to support the Extended Stay Program and raise awareness. As a member of the planning committee since 2019, I’m looking forward to this year’s event. It takes place on June 8 at Mile High Station, 2027 W. Colfax Ave. in Denver. Please join us for delicious food, a silent auction and a missionbased program — all to support survivors, who deserve to know that they can feel safe from harm and know that they’re valuable to the world. Tickets can be purchased at https:// p2p.onecause.com/samplingforhope2023. We hope to see you there!

Misty Schlabaugh Denver

Kelly Brough is all in for Denver

As many Denver residents know, the runoff election for Denver mayor is just days away.

“What idiot thought that was a good idea?” Or maybe we just let the anger and resentment fester inside of us until it reaches a boiling point or creates an ulcer. And then we share our outrage with anyone who will listen. And even if there is no one to listen, we go on a rant on social media, posting our anger and frustration, continuing to carrying the weight of what’s wrong with the world on our shoulders.

A return to grace means that instead of playing the blame game, we play the love and forgiveness game. I know, I know, I have heard it before that this is not a realistic approach in dealing with the nonsense and idiotic decisions being made and the ridiculous actions of those who we do not agree with. And everyone is entitled to their own opinions. My opinion and position are that I would rather live under the spirit of love and forgiveness as opposed to harboring anger, resentment, and frustration relative to the things that I have absolutely no control over. And if you still disagree with me, or think I am a bit too naïve, then maybe this can be your first attempt at offering me some grace.

This is a pivotal time for the Mile High City. Nearly every neighborhood meeting or community conversation shines a light on the big issues of the day. Homelessness continues to rise. Affordable housing remains out of reach for so many. And neighborhood safety remains a top concern. As with any municipality, there are more localized concerns as well, ranging from economic development in the Central Business District to pedestrian safety in Central Park.

So, in the context of this mayoral election, job preparedness and a track record of getting important work done are two qualities I seek in Denver’s next mayor. Without question, Kelly Brough brings these and other essential characteristics to the table. She’s held several roles within the city, most recently as the chief of staff for then-mayor John Hickenlooper. Brough has led large organizations, like the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, during economic recessions and other challenging times.

Will society ever be perfect? No. Will people ever be without fault? No. Will the world ever get back

We need measured, steady leadership at the City and County Building — especially in times of crisis. Brough is a creative, solutions-oriented thinker, and I know that if elected mayor, she will swiftly assemble the team she needs to get important work done and on day one. Brough is all in for Denver, and is ready to take on this role. That is why a wide range of community leaders and organizations support her candidacy. I encourage you to do the same.

It is our time to weigh in on Denver’s next chapter. Ballots have been mailed, and voter centers across the city opened on May 30. All ballots must be returned by 7pm on June 6. This is arguably the most consequential municipal election in 40 years, and it’s not a time to sit on the sidelines. Join me in supporting Kelly Brough for Denver mayor.

Travis Leiker

Central Park resident, senior higher education director, neigh borhood leader, and community advocate to what the majority of us would call normal? Maybe, maybe not. But wouldn’t it be a better place if we all figured how to offer love and forgiveness instead of spite and hostility? As always, I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can truly make that leap towards a return to grace, 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.

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BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Spring is in full swing, bringing many folks around Colorado out of the doldrums of winter with the promise of outdoor recreation.

For folks who aren’t fans of “traditional sports” — think baseball, basketball, football, soccer — there are plenty of unique, exciting alternatives throughout the Centennial State. From roller skating to parkour, there is no shortage of variety in Colorado’s recreation options.

Roller skating, roller hockey and roller derby

Roller sports are alive and well in Colorado. Folks have quite a few options for activities revolving around wheeled feet; from roller skating to roller hockey to roller derby, there is no shortage of options.

Roller skating lovers have a plethora of skate parks in the metro area and can get all of their gear — and some lessons — from the newlyopened Denver Skates Shop in Arvada. e store provides ttings and skating lessons for folks ranging from novices to experienced park skaters.

Brina Wyss, a sales associate and coach at Denver Skates Shop, said that roller sports experienced a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic that’s since died down, but has nonetheless roughly doubled the community’s size.

“I think there was a big surge in interest in wheels and skating during the pandemic, but it was a trend” Wyss said. “I people had a lot of spare time and were looking for something active to do. e community has de nitely grown at least twice as much during the pandemic.”

Wyss participates in roller derby, which is played at the professional and recreational level in Colorado. Wyss said the competitive nature and team atmosphere of roller derby came to be a replacement for volleyball, which she played competitively growing up.

“A lot of people do (skating) for joy and exercise,” Wyss said. “I do it as a way to escape, and it’s also a great way of community meeting.”

Denver Roller Derby operates a large number of recreational and traveling teams and has opportunities for new players.

Folks looking for a non-contact alternative to ice hockey might nd roller hockey appealing — Skate City operates rinks in Arvada, Westminster and Littleton that o er roller skating and hockey, while Rocky Mountain Roller Hockey operates youth and adult leagues out of the Foothills Fieldhouse in Lakewood, and the Parker Fieldhouse also hosts youth and adult roller hockey.

Ultimate frisbee/ disc golf

Frisbee sports have come into favor in Colorado recently — a semiprofessional ultimate frisbee team kicked o their inaugural season in Golden this month — with two main ways to play.

Ultimate frisbee resembles American football in that teams must complete passes in an end zone to score points. As the name suggests, disc golf resembles “traditional” golf, but is played with a disk instead of a ball. e Denver Summer Ultimate League is the oldest ultimate frisbee competition in the state, and just nished registration for its 2023 season.

Disc golf fans may nd more frequent playing options. In Arvada, the Johnny Roberts Disc Golf

Course and Birds Nest Disc Golf Course both operate at city parks.

Colorado Christian University operates a disc golf course in Lakewood, and Foothills Parks and Recreation operates the Fehringer Ranch Disc Golf Course in Morrison. For those looking for a more secluded experience, the Wondervu Disc Golf Course in Golden is considered to be one of the most scenic — and challenging — courses around.

Parkour

According to gym owner Lorin Ball, the de nition of parkour is simple: “Using environment to get from point A to point B in the most e cient way possible.”

Ball is the owner of Flow Vault, a parkour and ninja warrior — yes, American Ninja Warrior — training gym in ornton. Flow Vault opened in 2008 and o ers classes to people ages 5 and up. His gym has even graduated some ninja warriors to the popular NBC show.

“It’s a full curriculum, similar to that of gymnastics, where you have di erent levels of progressions,” Ball said. “We’re training people to be more intentional with their movement and apply that to other sports or physical activities that they do.”

Other parkour gyms in the area include APEX Denver, Path Movement in Littleton and Ninja Intensity in Parker.

Aerial Adventures

Finally, Colorado has no shortage of arial adventure options. Ropes courses and adventure parks are plentiful in the Centennial State and are often and family-friendly way to recreate uniquely.

e Colorado Adventure Center is based in Idaho Springs, e EDGE Ziplines and Adventures is in Castle Rock, and the Treehouse Adventure Park is based in Bailey.