Denver Herald November 2, 2023

Serving the community since 1926

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2, 2023

VOLUME 96 | ISSUE 48

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Addressing veterans’ challenges through agriculture

Health insurance rates set to rise BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN

other mental health conditions because of their experience in combat or working in life-threatening situations. Returning to civilian life can lead to a sense of isolation and difficulty reintegrating into their community. These factors lead to veterans having an average rate of 16 suicides per day, 57% higher than non-veterans in the United States, according to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Fortunately, there are effective ways to address these issues.

Health insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on their own are set to increase by nearly 10% next year. But that is slightly lower than insurers had initially requested, and the Polis administration found other reasons to cheer in the numbers it released. Nearly one-third of Colorado Option plans sold in the individual market and 80% of Colorado Option plans offered in the small-group market — where small employers buy plans for their workers — are expected to hit the state-set price targets. Those numbers are far better than what it appeared they would be when insurers earlier this year filed their rate requests and raised questions about the sustainability of the Colorado Option, which aims to offer better coverage at less-expensive prices. The program is one of Gov. Jared Polis’ signature health care policies. “The division continues to hammer away at health care costs, working to limit rising costs and save people money on health care,” Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway said in a statement. “As it does every year, our team dug deep into what the companies filed to push down on what they wanted to charge.” Others were not as enthusiastic. Saskia Young, the executive director of the Colorado Association of Health Plans, an insurer trade group that often spars with Conway,

SEE CHALLENGES, P3

SEE RATES, P2

A couple of veterans work with crops at the Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms.

Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms Veteran Farm Program offers hands-on experiences BY ROYCE HALE

When you hear the word “veteran,” what do you think of? For most people, it conjures feelings of gratitude, pride and respect. They appreciate the sacrifices veterans have

made in service to their country and hold them in high regard. Veterans are seen as representing the nation’s commitment to defending its values and freedoms. What is often not considered are the challenges and difficulties that military veterans may face after they have completed their service in the armed forces and are transitioning back to civilian life. Some veterans may have physical disabilities or injuries resulting from combat or training. Many veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and

VOICES: 8 | LIFE: 10 | CALENDAR: 13

PHOTO BY ROYCE HALE

DENVERHERALD.NET • A PUBLICATION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

IMPORTANCE OF PUMPKINS How a simple gourd became a seasonal icon P10

2 Denver Herald

November 2, 2023

RATES FROM PAGE 1

noted that fewer overall plans will be offered next year and said the increasing premium prices are due in part to new coverage requirements that the Division of Insurance has championed. “The DOI is couching its legal obligation to ensure premium rates are not ‘excessive, inadequate, or discriminatory’ as a newfound win for Colorado consumers, when in fact it is the same premium filing process that occurs every year,” Young said in a statement. The rates announced in mid-October apply only to a subset of consumers. About half of Coloradans get their health insurance through work — but most of those are covered by large-group or self-funded plans. Only about 7% of Coloradans, meanwhile, purchase insurance in the individual market, where consumers buy plans without help from an employer. But, because the individual market is the most transparent health insurance market — and the most subject to regulatory oversight — it often receives the most attention and serves as a bellwether for the rest of the insurance market. One unique feature of the individual market is that the federal and state governments provide subsidies to help some people purchase the plans, which are often more expensive than what employees pay for coverage through their jobs. The Polis administration announced that the state will be able to offer additional subsidies next year to people with lower incomes. The subsidies are available as one result of the decision by the federal

The website for Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s health insurance exchange, PHOTO BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN photographed on July 26, 2023.

government to provide the state with more than $200 million in “pass-through funding” for 2024 — money given in recognition of Colorado programs that have lowered how much the federal government spends on premium subsidies for the state. The new subsidies will be available on silver-level plans to people and families making up to 250% of the federal poverty line — that’s $36,450 per year for an individual and $75,000 per year for a family of four. The state estimates that about 20,000 people will be eligible for the new subsidies. The most powerful of the price-reducing programs continues to be reinsurance, in which the state helps insurers pay their most expensive

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claims, allowing those companies to reduce premiums for everyone. The Division of Insurance estimates that reinsurance will save consumers $411 million in 2024. Without the program, the state says premium prices for 2024 would be nearly 25% higher. “I am thrilled to announce that Coloradans will save $411 million on health insurance premiums next year as a result of the bipartisan reinsurance program,” Polis said in a statement. “I am committed to looking at every solution to save people money on health care to ensure that Coloradans can access quality care when they need it most.” The 9.7% that individual market insurance plans will increase, on average, next year is only a shade below the average rate increase of 10% that insurers had initially requested. But most insurers saw state regulators reduce their requested premium increases by more than that. The state’s insistence that one insurer, Denver Health Medical Plan, significantly raise its rates offset much of the savings from the reduction in other insurers’ prices. Rates increased last year by 10.4%. The Division of Insurance said that if people not currently enrolled

in a Colorado Option plan were to switch into the lowest-cost one available to them next year, they would be able to limit their price increases to 7%. (To be sure, though, a Colorado Option plan may not be the lowest-cost plan available to people, meaning even more savings might be available and which is why the Division of Insurance typically encourages people to actively shop each year and not let their existing plan auto-renew.) To Conway, this represents a significant victory for the Colorado Option program, even if most plans in the individual market won’t meet the price targets of being 10% below 2021 rates after adjusted for inflation. He credits the public hearing process for Colorado Option plans — though the public hearings, themselves, fizzled out. Conway said the threat of public hearings caused insurers and hospitals to lower 73 different contracts to the maximum extent allowed under the law, thus dropping rates for many Colorado Option plans lower than what was originally requested. “The Colorado Option hearing process did something that is nearly unprecedented in health care in the U.S.,” Conway said in a statement. “The Colorado Option actually bent the cost curve and reduced health care costs, and in turn brought down premiums.” Young, the Colorado Association of Health Plans leader, reiterated concerns that Colorado Option requirements are unsustainable. “The Colorado Option program requires additional coverages at lower prices which is not how insurance nor any other industry works,” she said. Open enrollment for the individual market starts on Nov. 1. People who want coverage that starts on Jan. 1, 2024, will need to select a plan by Dec. 15. The open enrollment window closes for everyone on Jan. 15, 2024. 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.

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Denver Herald 3

November 2, 2023

CHALLENGES FROM PAGE 1

For the past 10 years, Denver Botanic Gardens and Veterans To Farmers have collaborated to provide unique opportunities for veterans that address the challenges they face through three programs: Market Farming, Controlled Environment Agriculture and a Business Planning Course for entrepreneurs. Veterans learn new skills and become connected with a community of other veterans who are involved in farming and feeding their respective communities. Veterans get hands-on experience working

in agricultural settings as they learn the complex details of growing and selling vegetables. Farming requires a wide range of skills and knowledge, including crop cultivation, pest management, soil health, irrigation and business management. Learning and mastering these skills takes time and experience, but veterans tap into skills they developed in the military, such as hard work, attention to detail and service before self. Another aspect of agriculture that is not so obvious is self-care. We often say, “If you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of your crops.” The therapeutic benefits of farming help address conditions like PTSD and traumatic brain in-

juries. The veteran programs facilitate wellness practices that are as simple as taking a deep breath, or recognizing when you need to stop and drink some water. Although the programs do not provide therapy, it is important to be sensitive, patient and have a deep understanding of trauma-informed approaches. In order to foster a positive and transformative experience for veterans, the focus is on creating a supportive environment that respects a veteran’s experiences and promotes opportunities for healing and their overall well-being. Graduates from these veteran programs have gone on to start their own businesses, pursue degrees in agriculture, and even be-

come executive directors of food focused nonprofits. Despite these successes, the impact is limited to a handful of participants each year. The interest level is high, with a waitlist of hundreds of veterans, but participation is limited by funding. Each veteran participating in the market farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture programs is paid an hourly stipend. Veterans in the business planning class participate in a pitch competition to earn grant money, generously donated by American Ag Credit, to support their new business. Royce Hale is the farm education coordinator for the Denver Botanic Gardens.

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November 2, 2023

St. Mary’s Glacier near Idaho Spring and others around Mountain West dripping away “Smaller glaciers don’t do as well, don’t add as much water,” he said. “As glaciers shrink, these streams then become more and more susceptible to drought, as well as the surrounding riparian areas and adjacent landscapes, which changes the ecology in these high alpine areas.” One solution could be artificial glaciers made by underground pipes that spray like fountains and freeze into a cone shape, which slows the melting. Another is glacier covers, usually made of plastics and fleece, to help insulate a glacier and block the sun. Fountain said that these “stop-gap measure[s]” are “not going to be of practical value” for the West. Instead, he wants people to focus on getting rid of the carbon dioxide to help slow global warming. Despite this, there’s good news. Some glaciers have endured due to their positioning away from the sun and extra shade coming from the shadow of nearby mountains – and if they get more snow than expected, that’s even better. Andrews Glacier in Colorado came to mind as an example. “Those glaciers in those nice little basins having additional snow either by wind drift, travel, entering, sort of become climate insensitive because these other effects are kind of keeping that glacier intact,” he said. “All of the glaciers, I think, in the front range should be gone by now, except these additional processes that keep them alive.” For his next research project, Fountain is trying to quantify how much water and ice has been lost. This story via the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, KUNC in Colorado and KANW in New Mexico, with support from affiliate stations across the region. Funding for the Mountain West News Bureau is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

BY EMMA VANDENEINDE KUNC

A new study from Portland State University suggests that some of the Mountain West’s most famous glaciers do not qualify as glaciers anymore. This study defines a glacier as being present for more than 20 years, having an area of at least two football fields (or 0.01 square kilometers), and showing signs of movement. Without these, it’s just a perennial snowpack or a pile of rocks. “If we saw crevasses, then we knew it was moving because cracks develop when the ice stresses and strains, said Andrew Fountain, professor emeritus at the university and one of the study’s authors. “Even though the glaciers might have snow, the one that doesn’t move is a snow patch or an ice patch, and the other with crevasses is by definition a glacier.” Researchers looked at U.S. Department of Agriculture aerial photos taken from 2013 to 2020 of about 4,000 areas, according to Fountain. They were only able to classify around 1,300 areas as glaciers and 1,200 areas as perennial snowpacks. St. Mary’s Glacier near Idaho Springs in Clear Creek County, Colorado, is too small and does not meet the 0.01 square kilometer threshold. Taylor Glacier in Rocky Mountain

According to new research, St. Mary’s Glacier in Colorado is too small and does not meet the 0.01 square kilometer threshold to be classified as a glacier. PHOTO BY EMMA VANDENEINDE KUNC

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West were Petersen Glacier in Wyoming and the Grasshopper Glacier in Montana. They don’t believe Idaho has any glaciers. Their findings were published in Earth System Science Data last month. Before this study, several paper topographical maps categorized areas as glaciers, but modern satellites and aerial photography hadn’t been used to track changes to them. Some of these maps were more than 30 years old. “Glaciers in the western U.S. never had really been properly inventoried,” Fountain said. “As we know, glaciers have changed a lot since then (in 30 years).” Researchers believe these glaciers are shrinking due to global warming – and possibly wildfires. Additionally, caverns in the glacier created by streamflow underneath can let sunlight in and melt the glacier.

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Denver Herald 5

November 2, 2023

Oil wells in Adams release more pollution than state average BY MARK JAFFE THE COLORADO SUN

The plugs in old oil and gas wells across Colorado are doing their job, preventing methane from escaping into the atmosphere — except in Adams County, which is home to several super-emitting wells, according to a Colorado State University study. Adams County had three wells with massive emissions, the largest emitting 75 kilograms or 165 pounds of methane per hour, 142% more than the average for unplugged wells in the state. “The CSU study is alarming,” Adams County Commissioner Eva

Henry said in an email. “It is very apparent the health and safety of our community and the children in Adams County is in danger.” The average methane emissions for the county were 1,240 grams per hour compared with an average for the rest of the counties surveyed of 32.5 grams per hour. By way of comparison one dairy cow, which belches methane, emits about 40 grams an hour. Between August 2022 and April 2023 CSU researchers measured methane emissions from 108 plugged wells and 226 unplugged, abandoned wells in 17 counties and 63 oil and gas fields in Colorado.

There were zero emissions from the 108 plugged wells. “We didn’t see one plugged well that was emitting,” Stuart Riddick, a researcher at CSU’s Energy Institute, told the state Energy and Carbon Management Commission at an Oct. 16 meeting to review the results. The ECMC regulates oil and gas activities. The CSU team went back after a few months and measured 36 of the wells again and the results were the same. The plugs were effective in both wells recently closed and those extending as far back as the 1960s. “Plugging in Colorado is effective,” Riddick said. The biggest emissions appeared to

come from wells where production had stopped and the valves were closed, so-called shut-in wells. “Shut-in wells are a potentially big risk, for they aren’t plugged and they aren’t serviced,” Riddick said. “If you leave anything outside for two years in Colorado it is going to corrode.” “The biggest emitting wells were the newer recently abandoned wells,” Riddick said. “In some cases, these wells were not abandoned because they were played out, but because the owner ran into operating problems or went bankrupt.” SEE OIL, P9

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6 Denver Herald

November 2, 2023

School board contests have turned contentious with an influx of candidates, money in many Colorado races BY ERICA BREUNLIN AND SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

As a first-time candidate for school board in Colorado Springs, longtime teacher Jill Haffley says she wants “political agendas” out of schools. In her view, that means teachers should choose which pronouns to use with students; that transgender female students be banned from girls sports; that sex education be abstinence-based; and that students learn the U.S. “is not systemically and fundamentally racist,” according to her responses in a voter guide from Transform Colorado, a group that says it “unites Christian leaders to restore biblical values in the public square.” Those hot-button issues have defined an increasingly contentious race in Colorado Springs School District 11, where 10 candidates are battling for four seats, including opposing slates of candidates that generally break down along partisan lines. School board races in Colorado and across the country — particularly during off-year elections — have for many years been among the quietest. Struggles even finding candidates to run in some communities coupled with low voter turnout made contests almost an afterthought in many parts of the state. But a surge of school board candidates in many Colorado districts this year, together with a flood of spending on races, have put school board elections into hot contention, often fueled by hyperpartisan battles over lesson plans, library offerings and how schools address gender and race. This year, nearly 600 school board candidates have filed with the Secretary of State’s Office, compared with only about 100 four years ago. A Colorado Sun analysis identified nearly $2 million in candidate fundraising statewide through Oct. 11, slightly less than the $2.2 million raised during a similar period two years ago. But this is the first year candidates cannot take unlimited

donations. A 2022 law limits individuals to $2,500 donations to candidates and small donor groups to $25,000 per candidate. The buzz around school board elections in many districts coincides with a sense of national political division that has trickled down to the local level and seeped into many school board rooms, with tensions between board members and parents erupting into loud shouting matches and igniting protests. The disputes have increasingly taken on a partisan tone, beginning with sharp political divides over how schools handled students’ health and safety during the pandemic, with Republicans overwhelmingly opposing mask mandates and school closures and Democrats broadly supporting them. Disagreements over mask mandates and extensions of remote learning in particular drove a wedge between communities, setting the stage for broader fights once pandemic restrictions eased. The fissures have only deepened amid clashes over how schools should address gender identity and race. Across the country, “people with very strong ideological and partisan attachments are finding the school board meeting space and the school board election space as a place to mobilize,” Jonathan Collins, assistant professor of political science, public policy and education at Brown University, said last week during a virtual panel hosted by The Colorado Sun and Chalkbeat Colorado. “The biggest thing now is that these partisan cleavages, these ideological cleavages — whether you’re a liberal or conservative, a Democrat or Republican — that matters in a way that it hadn’t mattered before.” Politically charged disputes among adults are having far-reaching impacts on classrooms, Collins added, pointing to “massive learning loss” with kids falling months behind and droves of teachers, administrators and school board members stepping down throughout the pandemic and contentious politics.

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“Good people are leaving our schools, and really good, promising kids are being left behind in our schools,” he said. Among the Colorado districts facing political divisions is Colorado Springs School District 11, where a group of conservative candidates took over the board during the 2021 election, Colorado Public Radio reported. Over the past two years, the board has made controversial decisions, with the new conservative majority forcing out Superintendent Michael Thomas and closing the district’s department of equity and inclusion, according to reporting by The Gazette and The Colorado Springs Business Journal. Four conservative-leaning candidates among the 10 who are running this year say they are united on “shared values,” primarily academic outcomes, said first-time candidate Thomas Carey, an unaffiliated voter. The group also includes Haffley, a Republican who describes herself as “a constitutional conservative,” as well as incumbents Parth Melpakam, also an unaffiliated voter, and Jason Jorgenson, a Republican. The four are backed by $100,000 in digital ad spending by Springs Opportunity Fund, a conservative local super PAC linked to a dark-money group. All four candidates indicated in a school board voter guide by Transform Colorado that they believe teachers should decide what pronouns to use with students, transgender girls should not be allowed on girls’ sports teams, sex education should focus on abstinence and that students should not be “taught that people are automatically privileged or oppressed based on their race or skin color.” Transform Colorado is a Christian group funded by the Truth and Liberty Coalition, a part of Andrew Wommack Ministries, which is based in Woodland Park and brought in more than $49 million in 2020, according to tax filings. Haffley, who blames teachers for injecting “personal agendas” and biases into the classroom, says she wants to put parents in the driver’s seat of their child’s education — echoing language used by other conservatives mounting runs for office. The retired teacher, who spent 30 years in classrooms, said she has personally seen “teachers put forth their own choices for who they were

voting for” during election years. “I think people try to insert political agendas where they can in just their general life, and I really want to keep politics out of education as much as possible,” said Haffley, who taught history and government in D11. “We’re there to teach reading, writing, math, English, science, history, vocational education, the arts, music, those things. And I don’t think political agendas have any business being in a public school.” Meanwhile, the Colorado Education Association is endorsing a competing group of D11 candidates: Darleen Daniels, Shay Dabney, Rachel Paul — all registered Democrats — and Kate Singh, an unaffiliated voter. A super PAC affiliated with the Colorado Education Association is airing TV ads on their behalf. Those candidates either did not respond or refused to answer questions in Transform Colorado’s school board voter guide. Daniels, an incumbent candidate, has been part of a transition in board dynamics. Before 2021, when the board flipped, she said board matters were considered “boring,” with run-of-the-mill agenda items devoted to the district budget and technology. In a phone interview, Daniels called politically fueled decisions “distractions” that drive the school board from its main purpose to serve kids. “The community wants the politics out of the schools,” she said. “They want to get back to the basics of educating their kids … and making sure that they’re safe and have stable learning environments.” Cherry Creek School District has also been a lightning rod for political confrontations in recent years. Earlier this month, activists falsely accused the metro Denver district of including pornographic books in its library collection for elementary schoolers, which sparked a threat against several district schools, according to reporting by Colorado Community Media. This year’s race features five candidates among three seats, including Scott Graves and Steve McKenna, who are running together in a slate. Both men are registered Republicans, but they say their united campaigns don’t include a partisan element. SEE ELECTIONS, P7

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Denver Herald 7

November 2, 2023

A sign supports Cherry Creek school board candidates Oct. 19, 2023, in Aurora.

ELECTIONS FROM PAGE 6

Still, Graves is concerned about politics influencing what and how students learn, as well as teachers’ instruction time being pinched by other duties, such as addressing students’ mental health and emotional needs. “Social and emotional wellness is really, really important to a child’s education,” said Graves, a former educator and a father of five sons, four of whom struggle with mental health challenges. “A child cannot be successful if they’re feeling massive anxiety. Having said that, to ask teachers, specifically classroom teachers, to track that, to try to measure that, to be involved in that, it’s just out of their wheelhouse.” Ruthie Knowles, an uncontested board candidate in Cherry Creek and a registered Democrat, noted that all five board candidates in her school district have political affiliations, with two Republicans and three Democrats. Knowles has received some support and campaign mentoring from Arapahoe County Democrats. “Everyone’s just trying to mobilize and help where they can,” she said, “and if you find people with shared values, then you’re sort of like, sure, let’s connect on this journey to get elected.” Conservative and progressive community organizations are also energizing school board races, rallying people to run for seats and training them for board roles, said Carrie Sampson, an associate professor in the Division of Educational Leadership and Innovation at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. “There’s certainly a conservative playbook to target local districts,” Sampson said. “And at the same time, I think progressive, liberal organizations are seeing this playbook and trying to create their own type of playbook.” Conservative nonprofit Moms for Liberty has amplified its involvement in Colorado school board races this election cycle, mostly through endorsements and organizing. The organization, which has canvassed and called voters and held neighborhood meetand-greets for candidates and residents, has been a vocal proponent of giving parents more control over what happens in schools — a major priority underpinning their support of Colorado candidates. “The children are not (schools’) property to deal with and to raise from 4 years old until 18 years old,” said Christina Galloway, chapter chair in Larimer County, one of six Colorado chapters.

Scott Graves, Cherry Creek School Board candidate, Oct. 19, 2023, at Trails West Elementary in Centennial. The Cherry Creek School District will elect three Board of Education directors PHOTOS BY OLIVIA SUN THE COLORADO SUN VIA REPORT FOR AMERICA on November 7, 2023.

“That is the parent’s responsibility.” Galloway, who teaches Spanish at a Fort Collins charter school, Colorado Early Colleges, said she has been fed up with public schools tackling topics that she believes fall under the purview of parents, including teaching about gender, race and social-emotional skills. Galloway added that Moms for Liberty has been particularly troubled by current school board members “shutting out parents,” holding meetings at inconvenient times of the day for parents and limiting parents to 30 seconds of public comment. That’s why the nonprofit is actively behind candidates who want to reinsert parents into their child’s education, Galloway said. The Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, another conservative statewide group, is encouraging more people to consider running for school boards “so that more voices can have a seat at the table,” said co-founder and executive director Lori Gimelshteyn. “We know that current incumbents that are serving on school boards across the state have not actively worked to get our students back to being at grade-level proficiency, that they’re not being transparent with the parents and communities they serve,” Gimelshteyn said. She denies that politics are shaping school boards and their decisions, saying the educational issues at the center of debates are not partisan and that “we need to move away from labels.” However, the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network earlier this month collaborated with a religious arm of the conservative grassroots nonprofit Turning Point USA as part of the group of activists who falsely accused Cherry Creek School District of making titles including “Gender Queer” and “All Boys Aren’t Blue” available to elementary school kids. Groups opposing the conservative candidates are also active. The Colorado Education Association has a list of endorsements for candidates it says are “pro-public-education school board candidates who are committed to the success of students and educators.” And the Colorado Democratic Party launched a get-out-the-vote campaign targeting 100,000 voters who don’t often participate in off-year elections, including school board races in Woodland Park, and Garfield and Douglas counties. “The far right has a huge majority of school boards, a huge majority of municipal seats,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Shad Murib. “I see local races that are nonpartisan or the partisan county races as critically important to scale up to doing things like reelecting your (U.S. Rep.) Yadira Caraveo or defeating (U.S. Rep.) Lauren Boebert.”

The Colorado GOP hasn’t announced any similar efforts. Former Colorado Senate Majority Leader, state treasurer and Burlington School District RE-6J school board member Mark Hillman can’t pinpoint why a flurry of new school board candidates has jumped onto the local ballot. Hillman recalls school board elections repeatedly drawing no more than one candidate per seat. During one election year, he said the board had to appoint a member because there simply weren’t enough candidates. This fall, 11 candidates are vying for four seats in the eastern Colorado district, which last year had 762 students. The political infighting over school curriculum and standards has not found its way into Burlington, Hillman noted. And even with an influx of board candidates this year, the race remains “a very typical small town election” where “you hope that people think enough of you to vote for you,” he said. He hasn’t seen any candidates plant campaign signs in local yards. And none of the candidates report raising any money. Brandi Baquera, an incumbent candidate in Burlington, is happy to see more people interested in joining the school board. She said the board has largely side-stepped some of the politically charged issues that have roiled board members and parents in other districts, including gender roles and critical race theory. However, the board did recently approve a social-emotional learning curriculum for middle schoolers. “We trust our administrators and our teachers to do what’s best for our children,” Baquera said. “What we’re focusing on is just giving kids the tools that they need to be able to get through life and deal with anxiety and deal with emotions and deal with depression and different things like that.” In Holyoke, 14 people are running for six seats in district Re-1J and nine are running for five seats on the Re-2J board in Haxtun. That’s unusual, said Beth Zilla, who has worked in the Phillips County clerk’s office since 1999, serving as the elected clerk and recorder since 2003. The county of 4,500 people where Holyoke and Haxtun are located is in northeastern Colorado bordering Nebraska. “There’s never been many” candidates, Zilla said. “Maybe like four different candidates for two positions.” Mitchell Kleve, a libertarian candidate for school board in Holyoke, said his community has “slept on” the board during the past few years and he’s glad to see more people willing to run for a seat and serve local kids. SEE ELECTIONS, P19

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8 Denver Herald

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LOCAL

November 2, 2023

VOICES University program helps older adults navigate transitions in work and life

hen his company restructured him out of a job in his 60s, my dad retired badly. After a successful 35-year career, his GUEST world shrunk, he lost his purpose, COLUMN and he began to decline — mentally and physically. When I began nearing the age he was when he retired, I started reading about how much longer my generation is likely Anne Button to live. Sociologists are defining a whole new life stage – an average of an extra 30 years after the family-raising, career-building years. Traditionally, choices at this stage have been full-time work or full-time leisure (of the kind my dad fell into), but many people now want something in between. A new program at the University of Colorado-Denver is designed to address this need. Back to campus, ready for change

Created for experienced profes-

sionals who are nearing or at the end of their primary careers and are navigating transitions in work and life, CU Denver’s Change Makers program offers older adults the opportunity to come to CU Denver for a semester to explore possibilities, reset and renew their purpose. This fall, 23 Change Makers fellows who had honed a range of skills and talents — from urban planning to engineering and teaching — came to campus ready for a change, to use that hard-earned expertise in new ways, for new jobs or meaningful volunteering. Drawing on readings, group discussions and guest-speaker presentations in twice-per-week meetings, they’re now looking at what’s worked and hasn’t in their lives, what’s made the encore years meaningful for others, and the pathways, obstacles, and opportunities they face in designing a meaningful next chapter. Many say that part of the power of the program is the collective connections that participants offer each other. Fellows engage with guest speakers on topics such as change and transition at this life stage, discern-

ing and pursuing purpose in the next chapter, thinking differently about work possibilities, and making an impact in their community. Those who are also auditing academic classes – from modernist art to human-centered design – are inspired by interesting professors and the diversity of thought that comes from learning with a mixedage group. The program, which is accepting applications for the spring semester through Dec. 1, is helping the older students spark ideas and new ways of thinking about their next chapter. Says one, “The consistent messaging that wanting a career change is not a crisis but an opportunity, and that there’s no ‘right answer’ that you have to find in order to correct a course you’ve messed up has been really valuable to me.” Part of growing trend

Change Makers is one among a handful of university programs in the country designed explicitly for this life stage, sometimes called the encore years. “Forbes” describes a national (global, even) trend of

university programs “designed with change at their core, and a recognition that change at midlife requires the time, space and resources to explore new selves and life options.” In an August 2023 “Atlantic” article titled “The New Old Age,” David Brooks writes, “The human hunger for meaning and fulfillment is strong. And yet America today is too awash in workism and too short on purpose. We shouldn’t have to wait until we’re 65 to learn how to transform our lives. Maybe the people reinventing themselves now in these Encore programs can show the rest of us the way.” This new life stage is uncharted territory. But one thing we do know: it offers more than the leisure-driven retirement that my dad’s generation experienced. It might offer more work. But it definitely offers more from work (or from volunteering, or from life): more flexibility, more opportunity, and more chances to make an impact. Anne Button is the founding director of the CU Denver Change Makers program. Learn more at ucdenver.edu/change-makers.

Goal-oriented and results-focused

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ife can often feel like a disorganized mess of to-do lists, distractions, and looming deadlines. It’s easy to lose sight of what really WINNING matters most to us. WORDS That’s why developing a goal-oriented, results-focused mindset is so important. When we get crystal clear on our biggest goals and take purposeful action to achieve them, we gain momentum Michael Norton and make meaningful progress. So building upon the previous four columns beginning with the importance of our healthy self-image, developing and maintaining a positive attitude, building winning relationships at home and at work, and using hope as a catalyst for change, I will conclude this series with not only the importance of goal setting, but also the results that we will receive as we meet and exceed our goals and objectives, and pursue our biggest and wildest dreams. Zig Ziglar calls this the blueprint for success, being well rounded in all of the key areas of life. Zig referred to each one of these areas as

key success factors when building and living a balanced life. And as he looked through the lens of each of the five areas, healthy self-image, positive attitude, winning relationships, hope, and goal setting, he connected them to the seven pillars of life which are family, mental, spiritual, physical, financial, career, and personal. Being goal oriented means having a compelling vision for our future and breaking that down into specific, measurable objectives. Like a roadmap, well-defined goals give direction and help us allocate our time and energy wisely. They provide motivation on days when we feel like giving up. Goals also stretch us to grow beyond our comfort zone. Equally vital is being results focused — keeping our eye on tangible outcomes rather than just effort. Results reveal if our strategies are working or need revising. They build confidence and excitement as we check off milestones. Staying focused on results guards against busy work that yields little real reward. Powerful goal setting requires audaciously dreaming big while simultaneously having the discipline to chunk goals down into daily, bitesized wins. Each small win builds

our capabilities and belief, strengthening our resolve to see our goals through to completion. With consistent action over time, these small steps compound into phenomenal results. When it comes to goal setting and putting plans in place to realize our dreams, it’s also a great idea to make sure we not only chunk our goals down daily, but to also include near-term, mid-range, and longterm goals. We need the near-term wins to keep us going and to propel us into the achievement of our midrange goals and long-term goals. Being goal-oriented and resultsfocused is a lifelong practice requiring self-awareness, strategic planning, unshakable perseverance, and the ability to enjoy the journey. It may mean sacrificing short-term pleasures for long-term payoff. When done right, it leads to a deeply fulfilling sense of purpose and achievement. Can you think of a goal that you have set where maybe you didn’t make the sacrifices necessary to achieve those goals? Can you think of a time where you had a dream or a goal, and the lack of perseverance hampered your attempts of reaching that goal or achieving that dream? The answer to those last two ques-

tions will be yes for all of us. No matter who we are, at some point we let something derail us in the pursuit of something we wanted, but at the time, maybe we didn’t want it bad enough. What would your life look like if you ruthlessly focused on your most inspiring goals and only chased activities that moved you toward those goals? You have limitless potential to create the reality you desire. With clear goals and a results-focused approach, you can live with intention and make your biggest dreams come true. As we get ready to close out the last few months of 2023, where are you in relation to your goal achievement and have you already started to plan for your 2024 goals? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can be intentional about our goals, and hold ourselves accountable for the results, 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.

Denver Herald 9

November 2, 2023

Living life to the fullest

gitive methane emissions one of the criteria for ranking orphan wells for plugging and abandonment, Mimi Larsen, an ECMC deputy director, told the commission at the Oct. 16 session. The CSU data will be incorporated into the state’s orphan well program and used along with measurements the ECMC is taking itself. “It is our goal again to get those wells with larger emissions that have been measured plugged and abandoned as soon as possible,” Larsen said. Starting this year, a well emitting 100 grams of methane an hour or more would receive the highest score for emission, giving them plugging priority. There are 18 wells in the orphan well program venting 100 grams or more per hour, Larsen said. Eight of the wells are in Adams County, with four already having been plugged and four scheduled to be plugged. There are three wells in La Plata County and two each in Mesa and Rio Blanco counties. Logan, Weld and Moffat counties had one each. All the wells have been or are scheduled to be plugged and abandoned, Larsen said. The next highest priority group are wells leaking 10 to 99 grams of methane per hour. There are 39 wells in this category, with 25 in Adams County. Not all unplugged wells present

a problem. For example, the CSU study found five unplugged wells in Elbert County that had no methane emissions. Until this year ECMC field staff had to rely on detecting methane emissions by their smell, sight or hearing (the sound of gas escaping from the well). An infrared camera could also be used to detect leaks. As part of federal funding for orphan wells, the ECMC has been able to equip inspectors with more sophisticated methane monitoring equipment. “We started using these technologies most recently with the grant monies from a well program from the Department of Interior,” Larsen said.

These included a microportable greenhouse gas analyzer. “It is very frustrating to know that the gas and oil industry has made their fortune and left behind a very dangerous mess for the taxpayer to clean it up,” Henry said. “I hope with the partnership of the state and the Interior Department we will be able to address this problem.” 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.

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The orphan wells that were recently in production averaged 3,640 grams of methane per hour compared with 3.6 grams per hour for the remainder of the non-producing, orphan wells. “This is a new type of orphan well,” Riddick said. The acute situation in Adams County was precipitated by Anadarko Petroleum shutting down its Third Creek gathering system, a network of small pipelines that collected natural gas from wells in Adams, Arapahoe, Elbert and Denver counties. Anadarko, which was acquired by the Occidental Petroleum Corp., closed the aging pipeline system after a broken gathering line at a well in Firestone caused an explosion that leveled a home and killed two people in 2017. Most of the wells in the Third Creek system were stripper wells — producing no more than the equivalent of 15 barrels of oil a day — operated by small companies. This led to wells being shut-in or abandoned to the state’s orphan well program. There are 298 orphan wells in Adams County and three-quarters are on the Third Creek network, the county’s Henry said. The state has made the level of fu-

the muddle. For me, that includes hiking, skiing, gardening, reading, writing, and getting with friends. When reading about or listening to another’s personal tale, I am far more interested in the stories within a person’s story along with their whys and wherefores rather than a this-and-that litany of their deeds. Imagine Woodrow and Augustus writing their memoirs. In all likelihood, Woodrow’s would read like a laundry list of things he did and accomplished, places he went to, and names of important people he met along the way. Augustus’s tale would be much different in style and content: It would be an engaging if not gripping tale of exploits and interesting characters who were his companions during those adventures. Think about which tale would put you to sleep and which keep your rapt attention. Then consider how you’d like your life story be told when you’re six feet under or ashes to the wind.

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FROM PAGE 5

of character to echo Gus’s last sentiment with a smile: “It’s been a hell of a party.” But what did Gus mean by that? Was his life filled with partying or was his life a party? Of course, it’s the latter, which forces us to reconsider and eschew our general definition of party. For Gus, a party wasn’t a shortterm, narrowly focused occasion for frivolity and celebration. Instead, it was living a life that held that every moment was one to celebrate. In “Lonesome Dove,” there were plenty of sad, sober, even tragic scenes that were hardly celebratory. But sadness and tragedy are part of life. Still, that reality doesn’t—shouldn’t—negate the idea that life ought to be celebrated. That includes times when that extra heaping of doo-doo is piled upon your plate, so much so that it topples over. When that happens, it ought to simply tell you that you have quite a mess to clean up. Of course, that’s easier said than done. There’s no “Mucking through the Dung for Dummies” guidebook to reference nor a magic wand to make the tough times go better. Rather, we need to find or devise ways to help ourselves through

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ture, set in the Old West that is now fodder for lore and legend, the two primary characters serve as models — archetypes — for men to this day. For my part, men like Woodrow drive me nuts with their rigidly uptight focus on moral strictures and life’s practical side. Guys like Augustus — Gus — are far more appealing to hang with due to their elan, their spirit of life. Their philosophy is that life is not only to be lived but to be enjoyed and celebrated. I have aspired and tried to live my life the Gus way, albeit with serious lapses. Looking back on the periods during which I dawdled, even struggled, I realize I wasted a lot of time. That’s not to say time spent feeling down, blue, or melancholy isn’t justified or needed. But opting to stay in such times for prolonged stretches not only drains the spirit, it also wastes the most important human resources: Time and Attention. With the grains of sand in my hourglass of life now dwindled to a precious few, I’ve decided I’ve no time to waste. My intention hereon is to push pell-mell into Augustus territory. If my fate is to look down at my toes at my last breath, I hope that I have the strength

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rare stories that played well both in its original novel form and in film, in this case, a TV series. The success of JERRY the latter was due in large part to the brilFABYANIC liant acting by Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones. They perfectly captured and portrayed the essential character of the protagonists, complementing and contrasting the other in the way author Columnist Larry McMurtry created them. Both men were noble, pure in spirit and serious about life, facing it head-on but with totally opposite natures. Augustus McCrae (Duvall) celebrated life and would not allow challenges, disappointments, and even tragedy to de-sway him from his live-life-to-the-fullest attitude. Woodrow Call (Jones), on the other hand, was deadly serious, task-directed and taciturn to a fault. A smile would have cracked if not shattered his visage. Beyond the scope of that adven-

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10 Denver Herald

November 2, 2023

LOCAL

LIFE

PRIMARILY PUMPKIN

PERCEPTI The orange gourd has moved from inauspicious beginnings to being an autumn staple BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Y

ou could call pumpkins an important

symbol of autumn. The minute September rolls around, pumpkin appears in every food imaginable from pumpkin-spice lattes to soups to pumpkin cereal. Huge cartons of pumpkins arrive in stores as we prepare for fall holidays. But what do we know about pumpkins? How long have they been growing? Do they have other uses than decorations and pie? Why are some pumpkins different from the orange pumpkins we carved as children? Here’s your chance to learn more about the orange — and sometimes white and even teal — gourds. Bitter beginnings

The pumpkin began as a tiny fruit — yes, pumpkins are fruits — as long as 7,500 to 10,000 years ago in Mexico and Central America, according to Jennifer Ackerfield, head curator of natural history collections at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The original fruit from the Cucurbita family, which is Latin for gourd, was tiny, hard and round, nothing like today’s pumpkins, and the plants were stinky. Historians hypothesize that the fruits were eaten by woolly mammoths, Ackerfield said, and there were six indigenous species, with one species growing now in the Denver Botanic Gardens’ York Street location. While the plant was gross, as Ackerfield put it, the seeds were tasty. The hard fruit was scraped out to use for bowls and cups. Through years of seed cultivation and seed trading, pumpkins became larger and oranger, and then other modifications were bred into them.

Current pumpkins

Halloween pumpkins are specifically bred for size, shape and the pumpkin-wall thickness, so they make better jack-o’-lanterns, according to Eric Hammond, CSU Extension director for Adams County. “Recently there has been a lot more interest in unique shapes, sizes and textures, even those with warty textures,” Hammond said. “Interestingly, the funky varieties are oldtime varieties. We wouldn’t call them heirloom pumpkins, but it’s in a similar vein.” He said pumpkins, like many fruits and vegetables, have a wide genetic diversity, and some plant breeders look for that. “Sometimes they find wild varieties that are attractive, and they cross-breed them to get desirable traits,” Hammond said. He said nowadays, people are looking for unusual-looking pumpkins, and growers are happy to take advantage of the demand for them. “Unusual-looking pumpkins have always been there,” he said. “It’s just there wasn’t a demand for them until recently.” If you want your pumpkins to last a lot longer and you are not carving them into jacko’-lanterns, wipe them with a diluted bleach solution, which kills microbes, and the pumpkins will last a lot longer, Hammond said. He advised people to compost their pumpkins after they have outlived their decorative purpose rather than throwing them away, so they don’t add to landfill waste. Who knew?

• The largest pumpkin ever grown in Colorado weighed 1,729 pounds, and earlier this month, a pumpkin named Michael Jordan was crowned at the 50th World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in California as the largest pumpkin ever grown, weighing 2,749 pounds. • The Pumpkin Capital of the World is Morton, Illinois, which is the home of Libby’s pumpkin industry. About 12,300 acres of pumpkins are grown yearly in Illinois, the most of any state, and more than 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are grown yearly in the United States, according to the Farmers’ Al-

NS

manac. • Pumpkins were once considered a remedy for freckles and snakebites, the almanac said, and settlers cut the flesh into strips, dried them and used them to weave mats. • Native Americans grew and ate pumpkins and their seeds long before the Pilgrims

Jennifer Ackerfield, head curator of natural history collections at the Denver Botanic Gardens, holds the pressed pumpkin plant that grew in Mexico thousands of years ago. The round portion with seeds toward the bottom right is what the original pumpPHOTO BY DEB HURLEY BROBST kins looked like.

reached North America. Pilgrims learned how to grow and prepare pumpkins from the Native Americans. Pumpkin was most likely served at the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621, the almanac said. • The earliest pumpkin pie made in America was different from today’s pumpkin pie. SEE PUMPKINS, P11

Denver Herald 11

November 2, 2023

Pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors are available for sale at a local Safeway.

PHOTOS BY DEB HURLEY BROBST

PUMPKINS FROM PAGE 10

Pilgrims and early settlers made pumpkin pie by hollowing out a pumpkin, filling the shell with milk, honey and spices, and baking it, the almanac said. • Each pumpkin has about 500 seeds, and there are 45 varieties of pumpkins, according to Good Housekeeping magazine. • The first jack-o’-lanterns weren’t made from pumpkins. Instead, the Irish carved faces in turnips, and Ackerfield called them very scary looking. When Irish immigrants moved to America, they found pumpkins more suitable. • Christopher Columbus brought pumpkin seeds, along with corn and potatoes, back to Europe, the almanac said. World’s record pumpkins

Traditional pumpkins of all shapes and sizes await selection by jack-o’-lantern carvers at the Conifer Fall Festival.

Guinness World Records lists 73 pumpkin records. Here are a few: • The largest pumpkin pie weighing 3,699 pounds was made by New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in New Bremen, Ohio, in 2010. The diameter of the pie was 20 feet. The crust was made of 440 sheets of dough. • Steve Clarke is the world’s fastest pumpkin carver. The teacher in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, holds the record for fastest pumpkin carving at just over 16 seconds. • Trevor Hunt holds the record for most pumpkins carved in an hour. He carved 109 pumpkins in 60 minutes or 33 seconds per pumpkin.

12 Denver Herald

November 2, 2023

Annual Denver Film Festival includes a lineup of ‘must-see’ movies Turning to Donahue’s film. “I will say the generation coming up is so much more enlightened on the topic (of gun control), (and) has so much more on the history,” he said. “They are so smart and are being so vocal about it.” His film was also shot in Colorado. He had his crew follow people such as Dudley Brown of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners; Lesley Hollywood with Rally For Our Rights; Eileen McCarron of Colorado Cease Fire; and Tony Spurlock, former sheriff of Douglas County. Spurlock’s department lost Deputy Zackari Parrish, who was shot to death in the line of duty, which the film opens with. The documentary focuses on the subculture of gun violence in the U.S., focusing on Colorado’s recent history – Columbine, the Aurora theater shooting, the shooting at the King Soopers in Boulder and more.

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Gun control is a hot topic and two of the movies being shown at the 46th annual Denver Film Festival focus on the intractable nationwide problem of creating and implementing safer gun control. In “The Great Divide,” Director Tom Donahue followed Colorado state legislators around as they fought hard to pass newer and stronger red flag laws. Director Nicki Micheaux’s “Summer of Violence” is based in summer 1993, when gun violence and crime rose in Denver. This year’s Denver Film Festival runs Nov. 3-12 at venues across Denver, including the Sie FilmCenter, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater. It boasts a robust lineup of feature length films, documentaries and shorts, as well as immersive programming such as filmmaker conversations, panels, parties and industry guests. In “Summer of Violence,” college grad Naomi has a tumultuous summer, turning down law school to pursue poetry, which angers her parents. Later, she has to cope with tragedy when people close to Naomi die from gang activity. “It was based on the events of that summer – the gang violence and the way it impacted the community,” said Micheaux. “But it’s not about something specific. A young woman trying to find her voice in the middle of this turbulent time. With shooting so rampant in this country, it’s one woman’s story about being caught up in that storm.” Micheaux shot footage in Denver’s Five Points and Capitol Hill neighborhoods, and in Boulder, among other places. “A lot of former gang members came out to the set to be extras in the film,” she said. “They just wanted to be part of it. It was a welcom-

Other not-to-miss films at this year’s festival

“Summer of Violence” directed by Nicki Micheaux is one of the many films showing at this year’s Denver Film Festival, which takes place Nov. 3-12. PHOTO COURTESY OF FESTIVAL FORMULA.

ing atmosphere and a great place to shoot.” Micheaux summed up the art of filmmaking. “I couldn’t do anything more diffi-

cult,” she said. “Making an independent film is like pushing a boulder up a hill all day. But I still choose to do it, and I love it because of the impact.”

Matt Campbell, the festival’s artistic director, programmed the lineup of films. His recommendations of “must-sees” this year include “I.S.S.,” “The Boy and the Heron,” and “Smoking Tigers.” “I.S.S.” was directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite of Denver, who focuses on documentaries and narrative fiction. This film is a thriller in which all the action occurs inside the International Space Station. “We’re incredibly proud of our DFF46 lineup and the opportunity to bring some groundbreaking films to our Denver-area audiences,” Campbell said in a statement. “This is a robust international lineup of independent films, including the Oscar submissions from more than a dozen countries, that allows us to share, explore and celebrate the work of many of the industry’s most respected and awarded directors.” To see a full lineup of this year’s films, or to purchase tickets, visit denverfilm.org.

Denver’s PlatteForum has more youth internships, will pay them more PlatteForum plans to increase the number of youth it can serve through its ArtLab program. It will go from 40 to 50 interns thanks to a grant from the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation. PlatteForum’s ArtLab is an arts-education internship program for high school teens. It encourages them to engage with social issues and to use their voices to create change. Interns get the chance to work with experienced professional artists on projects that hone their technical, social/emotional, creative, professional and academic

skills. Additional resources available to each intern include private therapy, tutoring, groceries, case management and access to technology. The grant will also allow the interns’ hourly stipend to increase from $10 an hour to $11 an hour. PlatteForum is a Denverbased nonprofit that, in addition to its ArtLab, has an artist residency program. Its art exhibits, performances and special events are always free and open to the public. Learn more at platteforum.org.

A group of PlatteForum’s ArtLab interns gather for a photo during a previous ArtLab session. COURTESY OF PLATTEFORUM

Denver Herald 13

November 2, 2023

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Mary Jane Dunphe

Jenny Shawhan @ 4:30pm Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver, 1717 Champa St, Denver

Mon 11/13

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@ 6pm Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

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church �re The Hipocrats & Amy Martin & The Cross-Eyed Possum @ Roxy on Broadway Devil Master @ 7:30pm Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

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@ 9pm Roxy Broadway, 554 S Broadway, Denver

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@ 8pm Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

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saturdays at your place @ 7pm The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver

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Chris Lane

Electric Whiskey Experiment

@ 8pm Grizzly Rose, 5450 N Valley Hwy, Denver

@ 3pm Revival Denver Public House, 630 E 17th Ave, Denver

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Koastle @ 8pm Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver

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Deadnasty

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@ 8pm Your Mom's House, 608 E 13th Ave., Den‐ ver

@ 8pm Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver

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November 2, 2023

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Solution

TRIVIA 1. SCIENCE: What was Joseph Lister’s main contribution to science? 2. HISTORY: Which pro football team won the very first Super Bowl? 3. MUSIC: What is the title of the Rolling Stones’ 2023 album? 4. MOVIES: Who played the monster in Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein”? 5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: How much of the popular vote did Abraham Lincoln receive when he was elected president in 1860? 6. GEOGRAPHY: In which country is the ancient city of Petra located? 7. AD SLOGANS: What product was advertised by a man who kept saying, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing”? 8. FOOD & DRINK: What is often called the national dish of Canada? 9. LANGUAGE: What does an oologist study? 10. TELEVISION: What does SVU stand for in “Law & Order: SVU”?

Answers 1. Antiseptic surgery. 2. Green Bay Packers. 3. “Hackney Diamonds.” 4. Peter Boyle. 5. Less than 40%. 6. Jordan. 7. Alka-Seltzer. 8. Poutine: potato fries, cheese curds and gravy. 9. Eggs. 10. Special Victims Unit. (c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Crossword Solution

CLASSIFIEDS

November 2, 2023

Denver Herald 15

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16 Denver Herald

November 2, 2023

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Denver Herald 17

November 2, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call 303-566-4123 Legals Misc. Private Legals Public Notice COUNTY COURT, DENVER COUNTY, COLORADO Court Address: 1437 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80202 720/865-7840 Case No.:2012C58235 Div.:186 LEGAL COLLECTION CO Plaintiff Vs. Saubia Thomas Defendant REVIVER BY PUBLICATION NOTICE TO DEFENDANT/JUDGMENT DEBTOR THIS MATTER coming on before the Court upon the motion of the Plaintiff styled “Motion for Revivor of Judgment,” and the Court having read said motion and now being duly apprised in the premises, NOW THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY ORDERED the Clerk of this Court shall, and is ordered and directed to, issue to Defendant, Saubia Thomas, the “Notice to Show Cause Pursuant to CRCP 354(h)” requiring said Defendant to show cause within 14 (fourteen) days from the service of such Notice, pursuant to CRCP 354(h), if any he/she has, why the Judgment heretofore entered in this matter on May 14, 2012 shall not be revived with like force and effect. WHEREAS, Plaintiff has moved this Court pursuant to CRCP 354(h) to revive the Judgment entered in the instant matter on, May 14, 2012 NOW THEREFORE

Last Publication: November 2, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice TO: OSCAR SANTANA: 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 2022CV031577 entitled: SIGNS BY TOMORROW-DENVER, d/b/a SIGNS BY TOMORROW v. OSCAR SANTANA, a/k/a OSCAR CASTREJON SANTANA, a/k/a OSCAR C. SANTANA, d/b/a FUSIONS $2,583.90 garnished at Chase Bank, 5800 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80015 Legal Notice No. DHD 1001 First Publication: November 2, 2023 Last Publication: November 30, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Storage Liens/Vehicle Titles Public Notice Broncos Towing, 303-722-3555 ( Office ) will be applying for title to the following vehicles, Abandoned. 2006 Hummer H3 black V:325827 1993 Saturn white V: 234840 Legal Notice No. DHD142 First Publication: October 26, 2023 Last Publication: November 16, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Notice to Creditors Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Mario Joseph Migliore a/k/a Mario J. Migliore a/k/a Mario Migliore, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31133

IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED, that Plaintiff, LEGAL COLLECTION CO, shall have and take of defendant, Saubia Thomas Judgment in the instant matter on this date with like force and effect as on the date the Judgment was entered heretofore on May 14, 2012, revived January 5, 2018.

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 February 19, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Defendant shall show cause within fourteen (14) days from the service of this “Notice to Show Cause Pursuant to CRCP 354(h)”, if any the Defendant has, why the Judgment heretofore entered should not be revived with like force and effect.

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

Attorney for Plaintiff

Legal Notice No. DHD129 First Publication: October 19, 2023 Last Publication: November 2, 2023

Legal Notice No. DHD115 First Publication: October 5, 2023

legals2@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of CRAIG DAVID BARMORE a/k/a CRAIG D. BARMORE a/k/a CRAIG BARMORE, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 460 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 February 19, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Baysore & Christian Fiduciary Services, LLC By: Jennifer Elizabeth Tauer 7000 E. Belleview Ave., Ste. 150 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Legal Notice No. DHD130 First Publication: October 19, 2023 Last Publication: November 2, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Jack Lee Howery, also known as Jack L. Howery, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31032 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 February 19, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Melinda J. Lamb Personal Representative c/o Pearman Law Firm 4195 Wadsworth Blvd Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 Legal Notice No. DHD135 First Publication: October 19, 2023 Last Publication: November 2, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ROBERT C. DICKINSON, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31904 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 February 19, 2024, or the claims may be

forever barred. Andrew J. Saxon Personal Representative P.O. Box 222 Rice, Texas 75155 Legal Notice No. DHD127 First Publication: October 19, 2023 Last Publication: November 2, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of WILLIE WARD HOWARD aka WARD HOWARD aka WILLIE HOWARD aka WILLIE W HOWARD, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 501

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 March 2, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. HELEN R ROBINSON Personal Representative 1541 MARION STREET #18097 DENVER, CO 80218 Legal Notice No. DHD147 First Publication: November 2, 2023 Last Publication: November 16, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of LARRY D. WALKER, aka LARRY DOUGLAS WALKER, aka LARRY WALKER, aka LARRY DOUGLASS WALKER, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 031182

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 February 26, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Tammie Armeni Personal Representative 2299 N. Daisy Dr. Florence, AZ 85132 Legal Notice No. DHD141 First Publication: October 26, 2023 Last Publication: November 9, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

Denver Herald Dispatch November 2, 2023 * 1

18 Denver Herald

November 2, 2023

Public Notices

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of DANIEL ALEXANDER WILLIS, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31106

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 February 19, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Karen A. Morrissey Personal Representative c/o The Law Office of Jennifer S. Gormley, P.C. 6060 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Suite 300 Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111 Legal Notice No. DHD137 First Publication: October 19, 2023 Last Publication: November 2, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Jeffrey Carl Verretta, a/k/a Jeffrey C. Verretta, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 30939 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 February 19, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Stephanie F. Dahl, Atty for Personal Representative 4725 S. Monaco St., Suite 320 Denver, CO 80237 Legal Notice No. DHD131 First Publication: October 19, 2023 Last Publication: November 2, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ARTHUR MARTINEZ A/K/A ART MARTINEZ, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31126 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 February 26, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Corina Wilson Personal Representative Wilson c/o Robinson & Henry PC Katherine Fontentot 7555 E Hampden Ave #600, Denver CO 80231 Legal Notice No. DHD139 First Publication: October 26, 2023 Last Publication: November 9, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ROBERT JOHN BROWN, SR., a/k/a ROBERT JOHN BROWN, a/k/a ROBERT J. BROWN, a/k/a ROBERT BROWN, a/k/a BOB BROWN, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 031205

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 March 2, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Timothy R. Brown and Robert J. Brown, Jr. Co-Personal Representative c/o Katz, Look & Onorato, P.C. 1120 Lincoln St., #1100 Denver, CO 80203 Legal Notice No. DHD144 First Publication: November 2, 2023 Last Publication: November 16, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of KENNETH MICHAEL HAMBIDGE, a/k/a K. MICHAEL HAMBIDGE, a/k/a MICHAEL HAMBIDGE, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31189 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 March 2, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Carolyn Hambidge Personal Representative c/o Carl H. Hutchins, Esq. HUTCHINS & ASSOCIATES LLC 1999 Broadway, Suite 1400 Denver, Colorado 80202 Legal Notice No. DHD151 First Publication: November 2, 2023 Last Publication: November 16, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of SHERRIE A. INGLE a/k/a SHERRIE ANN INGLE and SHERRIE INGLE, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31102 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 February 19, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Carolyn Moller Duncan, Atty. No. 33766 Attorney for Personal Representative Duncan Legal, PC 6436 S. Racine Circle, Suite 227 Centennial, Colorado 80111 Legal Notice No. DHD133

First Publication: October 19, 2023 Last Publication: November 2, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Frances Arlene Jacobs, aka Frances A. Jacobs, aka Frances Jacobs, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31023 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 March 2, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Jeanette Goodwin, Special Administrator P.O. Box 200850 Denver, CO 80220 Legal Notice No. DHD145 First Publication: November 2, 2023 Last Publication: November 16, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Vivian Heggie, also known as Vivian J. Heggie, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31222 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 March 2, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Phyllis Jensen Personal Representative c/o Warren, Carlson & Moore, LLP PO Box 610 Niwot, Colorado 80544-0610 Legal Notice No. DHD149 First Publication: November 2, 2023 Last Publication: November 16, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ANISSA D. CUELLAR, also known as ANNISSA CUELLAR, ANISSA DANIELLE CUELLAR SCHERRER, ANISSA SCHERRER, ANISSA DANIELLE SCHERRER CUELLAR, ANISSA D. SCHERRER, ANISSA CUELLAR, ANISSA CUELLAR-SCHERRER and ANISSA D. CUELLAR-SCHERRER, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31179 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 March 2, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Aunjene Erica Scherrer Personal Representative 3775 W. 25th St. #F204 Greeley, CO 80634 Legal Notice No. DHD152 First Publication: November 2, 2023 Last Publication: November 16, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Joseph Arnold Wollan a/k/a Joseph A. Wollan a/k/a Joseph Wollan a/k/a Joe Wollan, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31139

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 February 26, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Brady McFarland & Lord, LLC 6870 W. 52nd Ave., Suite #103 Arvada, CO 80002 Legal Notice No. DHD140 First Publication: October 26, 2023 Last Publication: November 9, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of SADIE M. BLACK aka SADIE BLACK, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31158

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 February 19, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Jason Black Personal Representative 600 17th St., Ste 2800 S Denver, CO 80202 Legal Notice No. DHD136 First Publication: October 19, 2023 Last Publication: November 2, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Cheryl A. Loveless, a/k/a Cheryl Loveless, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31231

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 March 4, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Patrick R. Thiessen Attorney for Personal Representative Joe V. Loveless Frie Arndt Danbom & Thiessen, P.C.

Denver Herald Dispatch November 2, 2023 * 2

Denver Herald 19

November 2, 2023

ELECTIONS FROM PAGE 7

The first-time board candidate said he is keeping his personal politics out of his campaigning. However, some of his top priorities for the school district, such as school safety, tie directly to politically motivated issues that have inflamed many parts of the state and country. Kleve, a Holyoke graduate, believes the district should seriously consider arming teachers in classrooms if they are willing and trained. “We don’t want to make our schools seem like a prison with metal detectors and everything like that,” he said, “but at the same time we want everyone to feel safe.” But the candidates in the crowded Phillips County contests have spent less than $800 total thus far. That isn’t the case in other contests. Candidates in 42 districts have raised nearly $2 million through Oct.

11, with 15 districts accounting for 85% of that money. Nearly a dozen super PACs have spent almost $1.2 million according to reports filed as of deadline in midOctober. Unlike two years ago, only a fraction of the money — about $324,000 — is aimed at Denver Public Schools contests. Colorado Springs 11 and Woodland Park are among the top targets thus far. And outside spenders have plenty of time left to try to influence voters before the Nov. 7 election. Students Deserve Better, a committee backed by $400,000 from a nonprofit affiliated with the Colorado Education Association, is spending $77,000 on TV ads supporting Daniels, Dabney, Paul and Singh. Springs Opportunity Fund is spending $100,000 on digital ads supporting conservatives Carey, Haffley, Jorgenson and Melpakam. That super PAC received $250,000 from Colorado Dawn, a conservative dark-money nonprofit that doesn’t disclose its donors. Colorado Dawn

Public Notices 7400 Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 201 Arvada, CO 80003 Legal Notice No. DHD148 First Publication: November 2, 2023 Last Publication: November 16, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

First Publication: November 2, 2023 Last Publication: November 16, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Donald Robert Wynn a/k/a Donald R. Wynn, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31146

Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ELIZABETH A. DUNFEE, A.K.A. ELIZABETH ANNE DUNFEE, A.K.A. ELIZABETH ANN DUNFEE, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31129 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 March 2, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Shari Elaine Bradley and Marjorie Peterson Co-Personal Representatives % Werth Law LLC, P.O. Box 808 Brighton, Colorado 80601

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 March 2, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Jennifer Ravenell Personal Representative 755 Polk Drive #2G Arlington. Texas 76011 Legal Notice No. DHD150 First Publication: November 2, 2023 Last Publication: November 16, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch ###

Legal Notice No. DHD153

has spent nearly $2.6 million since May 2022 supporting Republican super PACs and issue committees. Woodland Park, a town of about 8,000 in the mountains west of Colorado Springs, is also drawing plenty of attention — and money. More than 80 teachers and staff banded together this fall with a public letter criticizing sweeping changes approved by the conservative board and raising concerns about a mass exodus of teachers and a “culture of fear and silence.” Three incumbents and three challengers are vying for three seats. Students Deserve Better and Better Schools for a Stronger Colorado have spent nearly $28,000 supporting Woodland Park challengers Keegan Barkley, Seth Bryant and Mike Knott. Better Schools is funded by Oklahoma philanthropist Lynn Schusterman and Stand for Children, a national nonprofit funded by a variety of foundations and other nonprofits. Citizens for a Vibrant Woodland

Park has spent nearly $14,000 opposing those three and supporting incumbents David Illingworth, Cassie Kimbrell and Mick Bates. The group has received nearly $33,000 from Western Prosperity Alliance, a Centennial-based nonprofit created in June. The group originally had the same Colorado Springs address as political consultant Patrick Davis and its documents were filed by former Secretary of State Scott Gessler, a Republican. The address and registered agent were later changed. Thus far in Cherry Creek, Inspiring Excellence has spent $63,000 to support incumbents Egan and Garland and oppose McKenna and Graves. 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.

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Notices are meant to be noticed. Read your public notices and get involved! Denver Herald Dispatch November 2, 2023 * 3

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