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WEEK OF DECEMBER 7, 2023

VOLUME 97 | ISSUE 1

Denver to ‘Light the World’ Deciding with donations for fifth annual year property tax The 2023 Giving Machines reform’s fate will be in Cherry Creek Task force looking for property tax solution won’t include people behind 2024 ballot measures

North

BY ELICIA HESSELGRAVE SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

The Giving Machines are back in Denver again this year to “Light the World.” Craig McIlroy, team lead for the Denver Giving Machines, said his favorite part about the machines is watching the faces of people as they give. “And seeing the excitement in the eyes of children and parents as they select what they want to (donate),” McIlroy said. The Giving Machines are part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints’ annual Light the World holiday initiative. They offer a tangible way to give that benefits people locally and globally. This year, the machines will be in a new location at 2nd Avenue and Fillmore Street as part of Cherry Creek North’s Winter Wanderland. The machines’ Grand Unwrapping event took place in November, and donations can be made until Dec. 24. They work like a vending machine, but every purchase benefits a charity. People visit the Giving Machines and select an item they wish to purchase. Upon selection, the donor is given a card-like, tax-deductible receipt of their purchase. One hundred percent of every dollar contributed goes directly to the participating charities, and all overhead is covered through other sources, McIlroy said. “Everything you look at is going to have a significant impact on the life of someone who needs help,” McIlroy said. SEE DONATIONS, P8

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

A person selects an item to donate from the Giving Machines during the Grand Unwrapping event, which took place on Nov. 16. The machines this year are located at COURTESY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Cherry Creek North.

CALENDAR: 9 | VOICES: 10 | LIFE: 12

The task force charged with finding a long-term solution to Coloradans’ rising property tax bills after the failure of Proposition HH in the November election won’t include a key set of power players: people who are pursuing or already have measures on the 2024 ballot that would change the state’s property tax code. The legislation forming the task force, passed by the Democratic majority at the Colorado Capitol during the special legislative session that wrapped up just before Thanksgiving, bars anyone who is a “designated representative” of a 2024 property tax ballot measure or who is a member of an issue committee that supports or opposes such an initiative from being one of the 19 appointees to the panel. That includes activists and business leaders like Michael Fields, who runs Advance Colorado, the conservative political nonprofit behind a measure on the 2024 ballot that would cap annual property tax increases at 4%; Scott Wasserman, president of the Bell Policy Center, the liberal political nonprofit pursuing two ballot initiatives for next year that would counteract Fields’ proposal in part by raising property tax rates on more expensive homes; and Mike Kopp, the CEO of Colorado Concern, a nonprofit representing SEE PROPERTY TAX, P2

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How homes lit for Christmas began in Denver P12

2 Denver Herald

December 7, 2023

PROPERTY TAX FROM PAGE 1

business leaders that wants to ask voters to roll back property valuations to their early pandemic levels and then limit future value increases. “We didn’t want the commission to turn into a place where commissioners were just trying to advocate for their own ballot measure,” said Sen. Kyle Mullica, a Thornton Democrat and one of the prime sponsors of the task force bill. But the decision to exclude people like Fields, Wasserman and Kopp from the task force, whose members will be bipartisan and represent different interests and different parts of the state, may make it harder to persuade voters in 2024 to adopt a change with longevity. If there are multiple, seemingly competing initiatives on next year’s ballot, they all run the risk of being rejected or, in a policy nightmare, passing in some wacky combination and upending state and local budgets. Part of the reason Proposition HH, which would have offered at least 10 years of property tax relief, was rejected Nov. 7 was because it confused voters, proponents and opponents of the measure agree. The initiative’s failure forced Gov. Jared Polis to call the special session, during which lawmakers passed property tax relief for the 2023 tax year only. If a longerterm fix isn’t adopted, homeowners’ property tax bills will shoot up in 2024 and beyond. The task force will have its hands full when it starts meeting next week. A long-term solution to property taxes has proven elusive since 2020, when voters repealed the Gallagher Amendment, which prevented property tax bills from rising too quickly but caused government budget

New homes built in the Railyard Neighborhood in Leadville, Aug. 7. 2023

headaches. That’s because property taxes are so complicated and politically fraught. Property taxes fund schools and local governments, including districts that operate everything from fire departments and water infrastructure to libraries and parks. Even slight tweaks to the statewide property tax code can have big and disparate funding effects on state and local budgets. The fact that housing prices differ from region to region across Colorado make the problem ever more complex. Wasserman, for one, thinks the provision governing who can be on

the task force is “a fair parameter,” because anyone with a preconceived notion of what the property tax code should look like probably isn’t right for such a commission. That being said, he still thinks the task force’s work will be informed by the proposals offered by his group and others. “I have to believe there will be cross-pollination,” he said. But Fields said he doesn’t “have a whole lot of faith” in the task force. He thinks members of the panel will come to the work with ready-made ideas and are unlikely to budge from their positions. Schools and local districts, for instance, won’t want to see

PHOTO BY HUGH CAREY / THE COLORADO SUN

revenue reductions, while Republicans won’t want to cut into the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights surplus, which funds state taxpayer refunds, to offset the effect of the cuts on local governments. “I think it’s unrealistic that you’re going to have people in there who are going to be swayed by conversation,” he said. The reality is that the proposals offered by Wasserman, Fields and Kopp are meant as much to shape the property tax conversation as they are to be real solutions. SEE PROPERTY TAX, P3

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PROPERTY TAX FROM PAGE 2

Fields has told The Colorado Sun he would pull his measure, Initiative 50, off the 2024 ballot if the legislature comes up with what he thinks is a suitable alternative. He said that would have to include some sort of a cap on annual property tax increases, which may be a nonstarter for Democrats. Kopp, who didn’t respond to text messages seeking comment, has also suggested that Colorado Concern would back down if the legislature comes up with something else the nonprofit feels is adequate. “Our filing today represents the

beginning, not the end of the process,“ Kopp said earlier this month in a news release rolling out Colorado Concern’s proposal. “We look forward to working with leaders in the state Capitol and, more importantly, civic and business leaders outside of the legislative arena, to implement a plan that protects the taxpayers of this state.” Initiative 50 is the only property tax ballot measure so far to qualify for the 2024 ballot. The supporters of the other proposals must collect roughly 125,000 voter signatures to make the ballot. If their measure seeks to change the state constitution, the signatures must represent include at least 2% of voters in each of Colorado’s 35 state Senate districts to qualify.

Measures changing the state constitution must be approved by at least 55% of voters to pass. Appointments to the task force will be made by Dec. 4 and the commission will start meeting the next day. Meetings will continue at least twice a month through at least mid-March, when it must present its findings to the governor and the legislature. The legislature set aside $121,000 to fund the task force’s work, including for nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff to pay a research analyst and economist to assist the commission. The money will also pay for a thirdparty facilitator for the task force. The task force is specifically charged with identifying, considering and evaluating “legislative options for a permanent and sustain-

able property tax structure for the state,” including potentially a question to go before voters on the November 2024 ballot. Any proposal the commission comes up with must be “sustainable for local governments and public schools,” and the task force must take into consideration long-term impacts to property owners and housing affordability, including for renters and people with low incomes. The legislature reconvenes for its regular lawmaking term in January. The General Assembly will then be in session through early May. This story was printed through a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver that covers the state.

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4 Denver Herald

December 7, 2023

Kernza, the climate-friendly grain enticing craft brewers in Colorado BY RAE SOLOMON KUNC

In a cool, dark cellar down a flight of stairs at the Denver Distillery on South Broadway, a small batch of whiskey is slowly aging. According to a note scrawled in marker on the barrel’s end, it’s been there since April. On a recent afternoon, General Manager Chris Anderson-Tarver wielded a hammer to knock the cork out of the top and dipped what looked like an oversized turkey baster – a device he called a barrel thief - inside to siphon some of the pale amber liquid into his snifter. “This great aroma,” he said, pointing out some of the unique qualities wafting out of the glass. “There’s a little bit of a fruit note, a little bit of nuttiness, a little bit of an earthiness. There’s also this nice kind of buttery profile.” An alluring profile is to be expected. As one of the very first batches of Kernza-based whiskey ever made

in Colorado, this barrel was very different from the usual wheat- or ryebased whiskey the Denver Distillery usually puts out. Kernza is a new grain that shows promise as an environmentally sustainable crop, and Anderson-Tarver has been experimenting with it to develop an innovative, climate-friendly spirit. The brew in the barrel was only a few months old—quite immature by whiskey standards—but Anderson Tarver has been sampling it every few weeks to check on its progress, which is how he already knew that Kernza wasn’t just an environmentally sustainable gimmick; it also added a striking flavor. “Oh yeah, this is going to be so good,” he said, taking a sip. “What I’m tasting right now is a young whiskey, but there’s these incredible Fig Newton, almost raisin flavors coming through.” SEE BREWERS, P5

Join St. Martin’s Chamber Choir for Dickens A CHRISTMAS CAROL Charles Dickens’ beloved A Christmas Carol is told by guest narrator Kabin Thomas, with CPR Classical, as the choir accompanies the tale with incidental music based on Christmas carols that would have been familiar to Dickens and his Victorian-era characters. American composer and two-tim Grammy nominee Benedict Sheehan has composed a dramatic and warm accompaniment to the favorite Christmas classic.

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Chris Anderson-Tarver tries a sample of Kernza whiskey directly from the barrel. The batch is only a few months old and isn’t yet done aging, but Anderson Tarver can PHOTO BY RAE SOLOMON taste the unique flavor of Kernza coming through.

Denver Herald 5

December 7, 2023

BREWERS FROM PAGE 4

According to his knowledgeable palate, this batch would probably need to continue aging for a while longer, but he didn’t really know when it would be done because, for all his experience as a distiller, Kernza whiskey was completely novel to him. “I don’t have any data. Is it going to take two years? Is it going to take three years? Is it going to take four?” he said, shrugging. “It’s what the barrel tells us.” But while it could be quite a long time before this small, experimental batch of Kernza whiskey emerges from the dusty obscurity of the distillery basement, it already has allies in the federal government who are invested and eager to learn from it. Anderson-Tarver’s trial is part of a United States Department of Agriculture study on Kernza. The USDA is overseeing a nationwide effort to understand the grain,from its performance in the field to its performance in the marketplace. The results of that study could help transform millions of acres of future crop production and usher in a new era of perennial, regenerative agriculture. Intermediate wheatgrass, or IWG, is a perennial prairie grass native to western Asia that was introduced in the United States in the 1930’s. It now grows wild, inconspicuous among the mix of prairies grasses waving in fields throughout the American West. In the early 1980s plant scientists looking for an alternative to modern, soil-depleting annual crops noted its promise for development into a perennial grain crop. Researchers at the Land Institute, a non-profit research organization in Salina, Kansas, started breeding IWG shortly afterwards, working to increase grain size and make it more attractive as a commodity crop. The name “intermediate wheatgrass” lacked market appeal, so the Land Institute came up with a sexier term for their efforts, christening the resulting grain “Kernza.” The researchers who domesticated Kernza did so with regenerative agriculture in mind, making sure it retained some key advantages over conventional commodity crops like its cousin wheat. For instance, Kernza

is drought resistant, with roots that grow deep—ten feet or more beneath the surface. Rather than exhausting soils, it improves them and prevents erosion. Importantly, Kernza is also perennial—meaning farmers don’t have to replant it every year, which saves labor and diesel and obviates tillage, the soil-depleting practice of tearing up the soil each year when new seeds are sown. “It’s a huge shift in paradigm,” said Hana Fancher, market stewardship specialist with the Land Institute. “So much of our agriculture is dependent on an annual system that’s pretty extractive, and the whole idea of … having a grain that is perennial, that requires less inputs, and you don’t have to plant it every year, you don’t have to till every year. That’s really huge.” But Kernza has only recently become commercially available, and farmers have been slow to adopt it. According to the Land Institute, about 4,000 acres of Kernza are currently being grown nationwide. It has more of a foothold in the Midwest, but farmers in arid Colorado are only now just starting to take a look at it. Farmer and maltster Todd Olander is a bit of a pioneer in these very early days for Kernza in Colorado. Last spring, Olander set aside a small field on his 2,000-acre farm in Loveland to experiment with growing Kernza. “I mean, it’s 11 acres out of 2,000. It’s worth a trial,” he said. Olander was unable to harvest any grains this fall because he planted too late in the year. But the initial growth was encouraging, with tufts of broad, green Kernza blades covering the soil throughout the field. “By the time next spring rolls around, it’ll get a nice early start and we’ll have a pretty good grain production, next year,” he said. Olander is one of just five independent farmers not involved in a formal scientific study who have collectively planted a few dozen acres statewide, according to information the Land Institute, which tracks Kernza growers. If Kernza is slow to gain momentum outside of the research world, that’s because from a grower’s perspective, it poses a big risk: the yield is much lower than traditional wheat and the grains are very small, making them very hard to clean and process. It’s also expensive – Kernza can cost sev-

eral times as much as wheat and there isn’t yet an established market for it. On top of that, some important scientific questions about the environmental benefits of Kernza have yet to be answered, like the plant’s capacity to sequester carbon in the soil, but Fancher says things look promising on that front, as well. Kernza looks promising enough that it’s caught the attention of United States Department of Agriculture. Last year researchers at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Colorado helped launch a longterm, nationwide Kernza study to fill in some of the remaining gaps in the knowledge base. Peter Kleinman, Research Leader for the USDA ARS Soil Management Sugar Beet Research Unit, who heads

the Colorado portion of the study, said the objectives of the project are broad because there are still many unknowns. “It’s early. This is the Wild West for Kernza,” he said. “Almost everything we do is the first time.” The team in Colorado now has six acres of Kernza growing in research plots at the USDA ARS station. The study is starting small, but the ambitions are vast. According to USDA Research Agronomist Grace Miner, the work is driven by an understanding that the continued security of the nation’s food system will depend on finding viable alternatives to conventional agriculture, which is not sustainable in the long-term. SEE BREWERS, P11

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6 Denver Herald

December 7, 2023

Outdoor recreation economy tops $1.1 trillion, fueling efforts for legislative support BY JASON BLEVINS THE COLORADO SUN

Outdoor recreation has a new tagline: a trillion-dollar industry. The new measurement of the outdoor recreation economy by the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows outdoor businesses in 2022 earning $563.7 billion, accounting for 2.2% of the nation’s gross domestic product and employing 5 million workers. Spending on outdoor recreation — defined by the bureau as gross output — reached $1.1 trillion, a 19% jump from 2021. This is the sixth year the federal government has analyzed outdoor recreation. And the numbers continue to reveal an economic juggernaut that drives urban and rural communities across the country. Outdoor recreation now is bigger than the country’s mining, agriculture and technology industries. The new easy-to-trumpet trillion-dollar impact arrives as federal lawmakers weigh the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023, a package of legislation that would, among, many things, champion recreation in federal land management plans, encourage private partnerships on federal campgrounds, support outdoor businesses and help rural communities manage the impacts of recreation. The legislation, sponsored by Democrats and Republicans, has passed out of the U.S. Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Com-

Breck Epic mountain bikers push their bikes on the Wheeler trail during the race, Aug. 17, 2023, near Breckenridge. The 6-day annual race brings in hundreds of riders around the world for approximately 240 miles with 40,000 feet of elevation gain PHOTO BY HUGH CAREY / THE COLORADO SUN around Summit County.

mittee and is expected to be heard by a U.S. House committee soon.

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“These numbers help us make the case for outdoor recreation priorities,” said Chris Perkins, the vice president of programs for the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, a coalition representing 110,000 outdoor businesses, nonprofits and associations. “This gives the industry a seat at the table supporting the

most comprehensive package of outdoor recreation bills in a generation.” The Bureau of Economic Analysis measures the industry in three categories: “conventional” outdoor recreation, “other” outdoor recreation and “supporting” industries. The conventional category includes cycling, paddling, fishing, climbing, hunting, motorized recreation, RVing and skiing. Other recreation categories include going to amusement parks, concerts and sporting events, playing field sports, taking guided tours and gardening. Supporting industries include construction and travel. Using the BEA yardstick, travel is the largest contributor to the outdoor recreation economy, accounting for more than $339 million — or roughly 40% — of the outdoor economy. The industries supporting outdoor recreation are up 28% compared with 2021, while the economic activity in the core outdoor recreation categories is up 12%. But since 2018, when the bureau first began studying the outdoor economy, the economic impact of core activities are up 36%. That’s understandable considering the spectacular growth and appeal of outdoor recreation in 2020 and 2021 as the pandemic pushed more people outside. Now, as other industries, like travel, rebound from the pandemic downturn, it’s understandable to see stronger growth in those peripheral, supporting economies, Perkins said. Kent Ebersole, the head of the Boulder-based Outdoor Industries Association, said the $1.1 trillion mark “proves that the outdoor recreation industry is an economic force.” SEE RECREATION, P19

Denver Herald 7

December 7, 2023

A roundup of festive things to do in Denver during the 2023 holidays STAFF REPORT

Denver boasts a myiad of holiday events this December. While it would be nearly impossible to mention everything going on this season, we rounded up a list of picks from our writers at Colorado Community Media that are sure to provide a fun and festive time for all. From a brunch with Father Christmas to Hanukkahin story and song, there’s plenty to do and see. Bright lights

Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens: 4:309 p.m. through Jan. 7. $25 for adults with discounts for seniors, children, military and students. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. botanicgardens.org. Denver Zoo Lights: Entry tickets are available beginning at 5 p.m. every night from Dec. 2-Jan. 7. $25-$28 for adults and $18-$21 for children. Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St. denverzoo.org. The Mile High Tree: 5-10 p.m. daily until Dec. 31 with a special ball drop-style countdown at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Free. Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave., Denver. denver.org/milehighholidays/mile-high-tree. Santa sightings

Breakfast with Santa at the aquarium: Seating begins at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 9-10,

Dec. 16-17 and Dec. 2324. $15.99 for children age 3-10 and $20.99 for adults. Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St., Denver. aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumdenver. Brunch with Father Christmas at Four Mile: Reservations available for 9 a.m. and noon on Dec. 9. $35 for children and $45 for adults. Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St., Denver. fourmilepark.org. Santa at the Station downtown: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4, 11, 18. Free for nonreserved visits. A St. Nick Express Pass is available for purchase in advance. Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St. denverunionstation.com. Performances to enjoy

‘A Christmas Carol’ with Denver Center for Performing Arts: Performances take place on many dates and various times through Dec. 24. $40-$150 depending on performance date, time and desired section in the venue. Wolf Theatre in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex, approximately Speer and Arapahoe in Denver. (Near the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1385 Curtis St.). denvercenter.org. ‘Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum’ with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble: 2 p.m. on Dec. 10-11, 17-18 and 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 10, 15-17. $45 for adults with discounts for children, students, seniors and wheelchair-accessible seats. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, 119 Park Ave. W., Denver. cleoparkerdance.org. ‘The Nutcracker’ with Colorado Ballet: Performances take place on many dates and various times through Dec. 24. $40-$195 depending on performance date, time and desired section in the venue. Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1385 Curtis St. coloradoballet.org. Hanukkah shines

Chanukah Wonderland with Chabad of Cherry Creek (celebration and menorah lighting): 5-7 p.m. Dec. 10. Cherry Creek North, 250 Fillmore St., Denver. jewishcherrycreek.com/ chanukah. Light the Night at Temple Sinai: 4-6 p.m. Dec. 10. Free, RSVP required. Temple Sinai, 3509 S. Glencoe St., Denver. sinaidenver.org. Festive concerts

‘Holiday Carillon Concert’ with University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music/University Carillonist Joey Brink): 3-4 p.m. Dec. 10. Free. Ritchie Center Lawn on the University of Denver campus. The Ritchie Center is located at 2240 Buchtel Blvd. S. in

Denver. liberalarts.du.edu/ node/37060. ‘Holiday Cheer!’ with the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra and Colorado Chorale: 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 16. $27 for adults with discounts for seniors and students, and free for children 12 and younger. Antonia Brico Stage at Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St., Denver. Denverphilharmonic.org. Holiday markets

Cherry Creek Holiday Market: Open daily through Dec. 24. Market hours vary by day. Part of Cherry Creek North’s Winter Wanderland, which offers free admission. Located in Denver’s Cherry Creek North Fillmore Plaza, which is just north of 1st Avenue. cherrycreeknorth. com. Christkindlmarket: Open daily through Dec. 23. Market hours vary by day. Free admission. Located in Denver’s Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave. christkindlmarketdenver.com. New Year’s Eve celebrations

Downtown Fireworks: Two eight-minute fireworks shows will be presented at 9 p.m. and midnight on New Year’s Eve. Best viewing spots are near the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, 1550 Court Place, and within the vicinity of Curtis

It’s expensive to go to concerts in Colorado. Let’s dig into why. BY PARKER YAMASAKI THE COLORADO SUN

Street. denver.org/milehighholidays. Noon Year’s Eve at the Children’s Museum: Ball drops will occur at the top of every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 31. Included with museum admission, which is $16-$18 per person. Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive. mychildsmuseum.org.

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Call first: c/o The Colorado Sun Buell Public Media Center 2101 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO 80205 Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: DenverHerald.net To subscribe call 303-566-4100 LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Independent. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline Tues. for the following week’s paper.

The first concert Jonathan Kahn ever attended at Red Rocks Amphitheatre was Loggins & Messina in July 1976. Nearly 50 years later, Kahn is parked in the lower south lot of the iconic outdoor venue, sitting in the doorway of his Sprinter van with a Snarf ’s sandwich, waiting for a storm to blow through before he heads inside to hear Hiatus Kaiyote and Masego. Kahn said he had been to five Red Rocks shows this year, shaking his head slightly — that number used to be a lot higher. Kahn isn’t the only one who has slimmed down his annual concert intake. Overall attendance at cultural institutions across the state is down, according to the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts. SEE CONCERTS, P10

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December 7, 2023

DONATIONS

To learn more about the Denver Giving Machines, givingmachinesdenver.org.

FROM PAGE 1

Items this year range in cost from $5 to $175, and there are about 30 items to choose from. Some examples include a $5 bus pass, a hot meal for a first responder or shelter guest for $10, a recital costume for a performer with Down syndrome for $40, measles and rubella vaccines for children worldwide for $50, apartment essentials for a newly-housed person or family for $100, and a bicycle for $175. Each year, the Giving Machines feature a mix of local and global charities. They are selected by a committee composed of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s Faith Council and the Giving Machines’ Organizing Committee. “We try to choose charities that are people-oriented, those that support people and individuals to help them become more self-sufficient and healthy,” said McIlroy. This year, the five local charities are: Colorado Hosting Asylum Network, which aids asylum seekers fleeing physical and political persecution; The Delores Project, which assists

The Giving Machines concept began in 2017 in Salt Lake City and the machines will be in 61 cities this year, including 13 international cities. Denver will remain as Colorado’s only Giving Machine location as expansion grows to areas in the U.S. that have yet to receive their first machine. A soft spot for those who are less fortunate

Representatives from the Colorado Hosting Asylum Network gather for a photo in front of this year’s Giving Machines. Colorado Hosting Asylum Network is one of five local charities that people can donate to through the machines. COURTESY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

disabled women with emergency and supportive housing; Global Down Syndrome Foundation, which offers classes and training for people with Down syndrome; The Salvation Army Intermountain Division, which helps individuals with food insecurity and transitional housing; and Volunteers

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of America-Camp POSTCARD, which provides local children with a firsttime mountain summer camp experience. The two international charities are Church World Service, which helps people around the world become selfsufficient with food and a safe home; and American Red Cross, which alleviates human suffering during times of emergencies. Denver gives big

This is the fifth year the Giving Machines have come to Denver, and since their implementation in 2019, the Denver machines have raised more than $1.6 million in donations. Last year, Denverites raised about $350,000, ranking fifth nationally when compared to other cities where Giving Machines are located.

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The Watabe family of Highlands Ranch — which consists of mother Michelle; father Nate; Harrison, 19; Lizzy, 16; Johnny, 13; and Annie, 10 – has been donating to the Denver Giving Machines since 2019. It started as a youth activity with their church and they continued the tradition each year. “Knowing my kids’ hearts, they have a desire to help and this is one of the ways they are able to do it,” said Michelle Watabe. “Even if you are a little child using your allowance, you can get something for $5.” Last year, when Michelle asked her son, Johnny, what he would like for Christmas, he said he wanted to donate his entire $100 Christmas budget to the Giving Machines. “Since I couldn’t think of anything I wanted, I knew (donating to the Giving Machines) was the best way to spend the money,” Johnny said. He added he has a soft spot for those who are less fortunate and is always thinking about the ways he can help. “If everybody helps each other out, we would have a better life,” Johnny said. “With kindness, whatever you put in comes back out.”

Denver Herald 9

December 7, 2023

Thu 12/14 Stanley House Holiday Show featuring Reed Foehl

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Handels Messiah @ 2:30pm Boettcher Hall, 1000 14th Street, Denver

Justin Hawkes: The Church Denver, CO @ 10pm The Church Denver, 1720 S Alcott St, Denver

@ 8pm Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Denver

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A100 Christmas Party! @ 8pm / $15 The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues, 1624 Market St, Denver

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@ 8pm Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver Calendar information is provided by event organiz‐ ers. All events are subject to change or cancella‐ tion. This publication is not responsible for the ac‐ curacy of the information contained in this calendar.

10 Denver Herald

LOCAL

VOICES

December 7, 2023

A time to give

hile trying to kill time in between hockey games with my children last weekend, we went into a few stores in Colorado Springs. It did not take long for them to start telling me what they wanted me to buy for them. Frustrated, I had to make a rule that we were only there to buy gifts for others and not ourselves. I am not going to lie — there was some clear disappointment on their faces. When I was a kid, one of my favorite Christmas traditions was my dad taking my brothers and me out to the stores to buy gifts for each other and, especially, for my mom. She stayed home and we shopped. It was always a one-time thing.

I can’t say we always got my mom stuff she wanted or needed. As a mom myself, I now get it. My son bought me a wedding and engagement ring last year from a clearance rack. He made it clear it was big, so he knew I’d love it. It Thelma Grimes still makes me smile. Now that I have children in a world where it seems they always want and forget to give — teaching this lesson can be tough. I want them to understand the importance of giving to others. I want them to understand it’s not always about

EDITOR’S COLUMN

them. I can tell you it’s an uphill battle with my 10-year-old who was upset that I would not go upstairs in the sports store to look at the $250 hockey stick that he swears will make him play better. All of this led to one of my children asking me who I give to. I told them I give in many ways, including through my work at Colorado Community Media, where we are collecting food and toys this year to distribute throughout the organizations in our community doing good, important work. We are also one of those organizations asking for help this year. You see, it’s not cheap to provide news to our communities. Print costs are always high and paying our staff a living

wage seems harder and harder every year. In the season about giving, I hope those who regularly read my column might consider giving to our company this year. It has been a rough year in the journalism industry, as tens of thousands of writers who you rely on to tell you what’s happening in communities across the nation have been let go in 2023. From now until Dec. 31, your gift of up to $1,000 will be doubled, and it will make a huge difference to Colorado Community Media and the communities we serve. The link to make a quick and easy contribution is coloradocommunitymedia.com/ give-to-ccm.

Embracing what’s next in life

o as far as you can see; when

you get there, you’ll be able to see farther.” - J.P. Morgan We have all probably lived in that moment of asking ourselves what’s next in life. Whether we are riding the wave of success and are looking toward a future goal, or just wondering if there is something bigger in store for us, we need to look beyond where we are today to see even further. In speaking with a young and successful salesperson who had already reached 200% of his quota, I asked him about his expectations for the last two months of the year, and what next year would look like. He shared two things with me. He was certain he would bring in at least one or two more deals this year, and that no matter what the quota assigned to him, he will look further and hold himself accountable to reaching an even higher quota. When life feels mundane, challenges loom large, or dreams seem out of reach, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of discouragement. We lose sight of the bigger picture. But there is always something greater in store for each of us, if we open our eyes to see it. The universe has grand plans that

CONCERTS FROM PAGE 7

In a survey of 285 cultural institutions, attendance between 2019 and 2022 decreased by 15% in metro Denver and 22% in Colorado outside of metro Denver. Some of that dip is due to the fact that some people still don’t — and may never — feel comfortable attending events with large crowds after the pandemic. But more of that dip is attributed to the fact that entertainment is “a want not a need,” said Brian Kitts, Denver Arts and Venues spokesman. People adjust their spending according to what they feel they can afford. And when the cost of living is up in every other

our limited human perspective cannot yet imagine. There are possibilities, adventures, and joys waiting around the corner that will dwarf current struggles. The next chapter contains wonder that we cannot possibly fathom. Michael Norton Breakthroughs often follow breakdowns. In times of deep uncertainty, when we are tested most severely, we gain strength, wisdom and resilience that equip us for the journey ahead. Hardships transform us. And progress is rarely linear. Sometimes we must move sideways or circle back before we can move forward. But each step leads somewhere. There are gifts hidden in every challenge. The beauty is always there, though some days we notice it more than others. Love finds a way even through the darkest of nights. The sun rises again no matter how fierce the storm. You were created for more than you know. There is something bigger in store for you. Keep walking, even when the way is un-

clear. Have faith that the universe is on your side. Your next triumph is already in motion. The allure of the open road speaks to our deep human longing for adventure, exploration and new horizons. When we reach milestones or transitions in life, that yearning for “what’s next?” revs its engines. Though the unknown can feel daunting, embracing that open road mindset unlocks our potential. After achieving a long-soughtafter goal, the question naturally arises — now what? We must rekindle our curiosity and set our sights on a new quest. Complacency is the enemy of growth. There are always new skills to build, contributions to make, and parts of ourselves yet unrealized. When a relationship ends, a job loss occurs, or the nest empties, it can feel like we’ve hit a dead end. But these openings are actually onramps to different routes. We regain the freedom to reinvent and redirect. Changing course realigns us with our soul’s true north. On the open road of life, there will be detours and breakdowns. Plans sometimes unravel in spectacular fashion. But with resilience and optimism, we leverage obstacles

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.

aspect of life, the amount that people are willing to spend on tickets to concerts, plays and museums goes down. In 2018, the share of a person’s overall expenditures on arts and entertainment was 6.1% in metro Denver, significantly higher than the national average of 5.1%. In 2022, that percentage was 4.9%, lower than the national average of 5%. In dollars, this equates to roughly $500 per person per year less in spending. Some experts anticipated a postCOVID price jump that artists and promoters would use to offset lost revenue from the pandemic. That was true in 2021, when ticket prices increased about 15% at Red Rocks and nearly 45% at the Denver Coliseum. But this year the average price decreased from 2022’s averag-

es, indicating a leveling-off of ticket prices. Still, the increase in the average ticket price over the past five years is significantly higher than year-overyear inflation rates. For instance, the average price of a ticket to a Red Rocks concert has grown 31% since 2018, while inflation for metro Denver is about 24% over that same period. The most dramatic change to ticket prices comes from the introduction of service fees. Prior to the 1980s, when Ticketmaster launched, venues paid the ticketing servicer. But Ticketmaster flipped that model, paying venues in exchange for being hired to handle ticketing and then passed the costs on to customers in the form of service fees.

Since these fees are somewhat arbitrary — hashed out in negotiations between the ticketing service, the concert promoter and the venue — service fees as a whole have generated a new rising cost for concertgoers independent of inflation or post-pandemic economics. The opaque charges add to the frustration of spectators upset that outside forces are gouging their entertainment budgets. This story was printed through a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver that covers the state. This story is also part of the Sun’s ongoing series talking to Coloradans about their challenges, their fears and their solutions to the rising costs of living. More at www. ColoradoSun.com

WINNING WORDS

to propel ourselves forward. In the rearview mirror, setbacks become signposts guiding us toward our purpose. At every age and stage, embracing the unknown with an open road mindset liberates us to evolve. We uncover capacities we didn’t know we possessed. Each new horizon expands our perspective. There is always adventure awaiting around the next bend. The journey holds more than you can imagine. Lean into the mystery. Accelerate into what’s next. The open road of life promises surprise, joy, and the thrill of chasing dreams yet dreamt. How about you? Is there something bigger in store for you? Are you ready to travel on the open road of what’s next in life? As always, I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can look beyond our current state and look further down the road and the opportunities still ahead, it really will be a better than good life.

Denver Herald 11

December 7, 2023

BREWERS

tillers Marni Wahlquist, Head Brewer at the Odell Brewing Company’s Sloan’s Lake Brewhouse, initially became interested in Kernza after watching a documentary film highlighting its environmental benefits. “I am in general interested in anything new that I can play around with in the brewhouse. I’m very adventurous,” she said. “But with something sustainable— grass that’s perennial—I was very excited.” It took a few years, but she finally got her chance to put Kernza to the test when the USDA researchers sent her a bag of the grains last spring. Her first project was a small batch Kernza hazy IPA. A few months later, she collaborated with Patagonia Provisions to create her second Kernza brew, a Kernza lager. At the Denver Distillery, Chris Anderson-Tarver had a similar fascination with the environmental promise of Kernza. “We like to play around with unusual ingredients. But as a distillery, we actually really, really care how our grain is grown,” he said. Denver Distillery is committed to using only local, sustainable grains. “Kernza fit the bill for us in that not only did it have really interesting problems it was trying to tackle but also we have a sense that it will be probably successfully grown in Colorado,” Anderson-Tarver said. Of course, beer has the advantage of a shorter turnover time than aged whiskey—it takes just a few weeks to finish a brew cycle—so whereas Anderson-Tarver must be patient, Wahlquist has been able to test her Kernza experiments in the marketplace. The Kernza lager and hazy IPA have been on tap intermittently at the bre-

FROM PAGE 5

“Wheat-fallow has been the traditional business as norm, but it has also come with a large degree of soil loss and erosion,” Miner said. “Perennial crops - if they can provide continual soil cover and can still provide an economic return for the farmer - give that chance for the land to rebuild and rest.” They hope their work will eventually have a broad impact on the country’s agricultural system. But a transformed agricultural system requires a transformed marketplace. Demand for Kernza needs to be built from the ground up. In a white paper on the study, USDA researchers identified the brewing and distilling industry as a potential “high value market for Kernza, driving interest and awareness of its contribution to sustainable production systems.” To test out that theory, the research team shipped a few hundred pounds of Kernza to two craft beverage houses in Colorado, Odell Brewing and the Denver Distillery,and asked them to experiment with the grain and provide feedback. “We’re taking a gamble by reaching out to the brewing industry and distillers,” Kleinman said. “It’s not because that’s the ultimate end, right? The ultimate end is that millions of acres of a crop like this are planted and that it’s brought into human nutrition, not just in the form of beer and bourbon, but in our breakfast cereals, in our breads in the meat that we eat.” Interest from craft brewers and dis-

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going to be a market,” he said. Anderson-Tarver of the Denver Distillery would almost certainly make up part of the market for Olander’s Kernza. He was impressed enough with the preliminary samples from his pilot batch of Kernza whiskey from the USDA collaboration that he hoped someday to include Kernza in the regular distilling rotation. “It’s just a fascinating grain just because it has some really cool properties,” he said. “The flavor, though, is really what’s going to keep us coming back.” But he said he would wait until locally grown Kernza is more widely available, and the price of the grain comes down. This story via The Associated Press’ Storyshare, of which Colorado Community Media is a member.

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whouse. When they’re available, the menu features a short blurb on the benefits of Kernza. Both brews have been popular with customers, but not necessarily because of their climate bonafides. “People don’t read a lot the descriptions of the beers,” Wahlquist said adding that her customers care more about the type of beer they’re drinking than its backstory. “Hazies generally sell very well. People like the sweet hoppy flavors.” Olander, who also runs a malthouse and sells most of his crops to the local craft beverage industry is bullish about finding buyers for his future Kernza crop among his regular clientele, even though the grains are too small for his malting equipment. “With the network of breweries that we work with and distilleries, there’s

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12 Denver Herald

December 7, 2023

LOCAL

LIFE

Sturgeon Electric’s founder simply wanted to bring Christmas cheer to his ailing son and invented outdoor Christmas lights in the process BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

round Christmastime

in 1914, David Dwight Sturgeon’s son fell ill and became bedridden. Sturgeon, an electrician who would go on to start the Sturgeon Electric Company, devised a plan to dip light bulbs in red and green paint and string them on a tree outside the family’s home on 34th in Denver. The elder Sturgeon strung the lights up around the tree so that his son, David, could see them from his bedroom window. Though he may not have known it at the time, Sturgeon’s efforts would change the way that people celebrate Christmas the world over. Though Sturgeon did not invent indoor Christmas lights — that designation goes to Thomas Edison, who did so in the 1800s, according to Sturgeon Electric’s Marketing Director Erin Stromberg — his innovation spread like wild-

Sturgeon Electric honors its founder’s legacy of inventing outdoor Christmas lights — which D.D. Sturgeon did to bring Christmas cheer to his ailing son — by partnering with Colorado Children’s Hospital to decorate homes of patients with Christmas COURTESY OF STURGEON ELECTRIC lights.

fire throughout early 20th-century Denver. “People went past the house and saw it and liked the look of it,” Jason Hansen, History Colorado’s director of interpretation and re-

search said. “And we then as now knew that they had to keep up with their neighbors. “And so, the next year, there were a few more houses with Christmas lights, (and) after that even more

houses had Christmas lights, and it spread really rapidly throughout Denver,” Hansen continued. SEE CHRISTMAS, P13

Denver Herald 13

December 7, 2023

The City and County Building as seen from Civic Center Park around 1950.

ACCESSION #PCCLI5791. COURTESY OF HISTORY COLORADO

CHRISTMAS FROM PAGE 12

As the outdoor lights became more widespread, an intrepid reporter from the Denver Post took note. Francis “Pinky” Wayne picked up the story and wrote several articles on Sturgeon’s invention, according to local freelance writer and historian Rosemary Fetter. The idea’s popularity spurred Wayne to organize the first outdoor Christmas lighting contest — which drew hundreds of participants. Soon after, the tradition had gained a foothold across the front range. By 1938, Denver had begun to display Christmas lights on the City and County Building and Civic Center, and soon dubbed itself the ‘Christmas City,’ according to Hansen. City Electrician John Malpiede oversaw the decoration of city buildings for over 30 years. Around the same time, the city began urging visitors from all over to come and see the festivities, which soon begat another local tradition: leaving Christmas lights up until the conclusion of the Stock Show. “That’s really where the tradition that most of us still observe today, of leaving our lights up until the end of the Stock Show, because so many people were coming to Denver, both for the Christmas season and for the Stock Show,” Hansen said. “It was an act of hospitality to leave the lights up so that everybody can enjoy them.” In 1945, NBC did a broadcast tribute to Denver and the Sturgeon family for having originated the tra-

For the past six years, Sturgeon Electric has partnered with Children’s Hospital of Colorado to provide outdoor lights on the COURTESY OF STURGEON ELECTRIC homes of children impacted by illness.

dition, according to Stromberg. Now, Sturgeon Electric — still in business after all these years — celebrates its Christmastime roots by partnering with Colorado Children’s Hospital to hang lights on the homes of kids who are ailing during the holidays. “This will be the sixth year in a row that Sturgeon Electric gives back to our community by putting lights on the homes of a child who is currently at Children’s Hospital,” Stromberg said. “We’re glad to be

able to give back to our community and carry that tradition forward.” This year, for History Colorado’s Zoom In exhibit — which examines the Centennial State’s history in 100 artifacts — Hansen’s research team looked into the claim that Sturgeon invented outdoor Christmas lights to see if they could verify what many Denverites know as a piece of local mythology. “It’s one of those stories where it may just be urban legend,” Hansen said. “And so, we went in and

looked into it. I had a team of researchers that were working on that exhibition, and we dug into it trying to disprove it. And we couldn’t. It’s one of those enduring traditions, which is why we wanted to include it in the 100 objects exhibition.” Thus, there is a strand of Christmas lights on display at the Zoom In exhibit at History Colorado’s Denver museum. To learn more about History Colorado, visit Historycolorado. org.

14 Denver Herald

December 7, 2023

Solution

TRIVIA 1. MOVIES: Which Disney animated movie features the song “Whistle While You Work”? 2. GEOGRAPHY: Which two oceans are on Russia’s shores? 3. PSYCHOLOGY: What is the fear represented in the condition called euphobia? 4. TELEVISION: What is “The Simpsons” home address? 5. GAMES: How many dimples are on a golf ball? 6. ASTRONOMY: Earth’s place in the solar system is how many planets from the Sun? 7. LANGUAGE: What is the only country in South America whose official language is Dutch? 8. FOOD & DRINK: What is a sweetbread? 9. LITERATURE: In which century was “The Canterbury Tales” written? 10. SCIENCE: Who is considered the father of modern astronomy?

Answers 1. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” 2. Arctic and Pacific. 3. Fear of good news. 4. 742 Evergreen Terrace. 5. Generally between 300-500. 6. Third. 7. Suriname. 8. Internal organs of a young animal. 9. Late 14th century. 10. Copernicus. (c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Denver Herald 17

December 7, 2023

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call 303-566-4123

THOMAS R. RIPP Plaintiff,

paid amounts to him. The amount claimed by the Plaintiff is 18% of the gross sales price of the real property known as 1135 S. Harrison Street, Denver, Colorado.” That price has not yet been established. Subtracted from that sales price prior to payment to the Plaintiff shall be the amounts of the two deeds of trust paid by Defendant Maldonado that were in existence at the time that Defendant Maldonado extended his credit to the Defendant Human. Maldonado shall then be entitled to the remaining balance up to the amounts recited in his Human Deed of Trust and Promissory Note.

vs.

Dated: October 25, 2023

PATRICIA AMBER HUMAN, aka AMBER HUMAN, GUSTAVO MALDONADO, the PUBLIC TRUSTEE OF DENVER, and ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN 1135 S. Harrison St., Denver, Colorado Defendants

/s/ Thomas R. Ripp Plaintiff Pursuant to Rule 121 Original Signature on file

Legals Misc. Private Legals Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, COUNTY OF DENVER, STATE OF COLORADO Court Address: 1437 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80202

Case Number: 2023CV31033 Division/Courtroom: 414 Thomas R. Ripp 13079 Boatright, Ripp & Lusk, LLC 4315 Wadsworth Boulevard. Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033 Telephone: 303-423-7131 Facsimile: 303-423-7131 Email: tomripp@brlattorneys.com SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT(S):

Legal Notice No. DHD155 First Publication: November 9, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, DENVER COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO Court Address: Denver County District Court 1437 Bannock St Denver, CO 80202 Plaintiff: WINDSOR GARDENS ASSOCIATION, a Colorado nonprofit corporation v. Defendants: WG APARTMENT ONEA LLC; VECTRA BANK COLORADO, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; DENVER COUNTY PUBLIC TRUSTEE

You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the complaint filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to file your answer or other response within 35* days after the service of this summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.

Case No.: 2023CV031014 Division: 203

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the complaint in writing within 35* days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the complaint without further notice.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS:

This is an action involving a claim for an ownership interest in real property and a request that the Court order that the real property be sold and that the Plaintiff be

Attorneys for Plaintiff: Orten Cavanagh Holmes & Hunt, LLC Hal R. Kyles, #23891 1445 Market Street, Suite 350 Denver, CO 80202 Phone Number: (720) 221-9780 Matter ID #1031.0561 SUMMONS [BY PUBLICATION]

legals2@coloradocommunitymedia.com

of this Summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court. If you fail to file your answer or other response to the complaint in writing within 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the complaint without further notice. This is an action of foreclosure pursuant to Rule 105, C.R.C.P. to the real property situate in Denver, Colorado more particularly described as Block Eighteen, Windsor Gardens East, Filing No. 2, City and County of Denver, State of Colorado. Dated: November 3, 2023. ORTEN CAVANAGH HOLMES & HUNT, LLC By: /s/Hal R. Kyles Hal R. Kyles, #23891 This Summons is issued pursuant to Rule 4(g), Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure. Legal Notice No. DHD162 First Publication: November 16, 2023 Last Publication: December 14, 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. 2002 Nissan Xterra Silver 572816 Legal Notice No. DHD180 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Notice to Creditors Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of James Howell Parker III, AKA James Howell Parker, AKA James Howell Parker Jr, AKA Howell Parker, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31206 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 30, 2024, or the claims may be

forever barred. Thomas C. Neira Personal Representative 8290 S. County Rd. 149 Bennett, CO 80102 Legal Notice No. DHD173 First Publication: November 30, 2023 Last Publication: December 14, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Delores Trujillo, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 031340

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 April 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. NADYA VECCHIET-LAMBERT, ESQ. On behalf of Christopher M. Solano, Personal Representative 6855 South Havana Street, Suite #370 Centennial, CO 80112 (303) 734-7131 Legal Notice No. DHD182 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of KRISTIN ANN PETRI, a/k/a KRISTIN PETRI and KRISTIN A. PETRI, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31044

Denver Herald Dispatch December 7, 2023 * 1

18 Denver Herald

December 7, 2023

Public Notices Case Number: 2023 PR 31181

Grace Burgdof Nelson Personal Representative 18623 East Powers Lane Aurora, Colorado, 80015

Legal Notice No. DHD175 First Publication: November 30, 2023 Last Publication: December 14, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of RAHMATOLLAH GHAMARI, a/k/a RAHMAT GHAMARI a/k/a RAY GHAMARI, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31382

Paymon Ghamari Personal Representative c/o Arlene S. Barringer, Esq. Glatstein & O’Brien LLP 2696 S. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 350 Denver, Colorado 80222

Legal Notice No. DHD184 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of RUSSELL JAY SASAKURA, a.k.a. RUSSELL J. SASAKURA, a.k.a. RUSSELL SASAKURA, a.k.a. RUSS SASAKURA, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31392

GRETCHEN SASAKURA Personal Representative 1278 Clermont Street Denver, Colorado 80220

Legal Notice No. DHD187 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Joshua Lee Romero, also known as Joshua L. Romero,

also known as Joshua Romero, also known as Josh Romero,, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31311

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 23, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Terry Marie Romero Personal Representative 2204 S. Stuart St. Denver, CO 80219 Legal Notice No. DHD172 First Publication: November 23, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of BETTY I. JACOBSEN a/k/a BETTY JACOBSEN and BETTY IMOGENE JACOBSEN, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31186 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 23, 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 Phone No: 303-394-2358 Legal Notice No. DHD171 First Publication: November 23, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Lawrence Litvak a/k/a Larry Litvak, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31351 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 April 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Ronald Dale Litvak Personal Representative 2250 Stuart Street Denver, CO 80212 Legal Notice No. DHD179 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Evelyn L. Whisman, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31282 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 30, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Ronald K. Whisman Co-Personal Representative 183 Lo Meadow Lane Bailey, CO 80421 AND Donald J. Whisman Co-Personal Representative 3283 Shadow Ridge Ct. Clifton, CO 81520 Legal Notice No. DHD174 First Publication: November 30, 2023 Last Publication: December 14, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Justena V. Dryden, aka Justena Von Dryden, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31169 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 April 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Stephanie D. Dryden Personal Representative c/o Daniel R. Klein 8310 S. Valley Highway, Suite 300 Englewood, CO 80112 Legal Notice No. DHD178 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of WILLIAM MARK SCHAEFER a/k/a WILLIAM M. SCHAEFER a/k/a BILL SCHAEFER, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 61691 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 April 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Frederick Walker Schaefer Personal Representative c/o Arlene S. Barringer, Esq. Glatstein & O’Brien, LLP 2696 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 350 Denver, Colorado 80222 Legal Notice No. DHD188 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ANDREW W. DAVIS, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31321 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 April 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Christopher P. Seerveld, Atty for Personal Representative 8400 E. Prentice Ave., Suite 1040 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Legal Notice No. DHD189 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of KENNETH JAMES HAMMOND a/k/a KENNETH J. HAMMOND a/k/a KENNETH HAMMOND a/k/a KEN HAMMOND, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 30975 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 23, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Josephine R. Hammond Personal Representative 137 North Downing Street Denver, CO 80218 Legal Notice No. DHD169 First Publication: November 23, 2023 Last Publication: December 7, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of FRANK X. KUENZ, II aka FRANK KUENZ, II aka FRANK X. KUENZ aka FRANK KUENZ, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31292 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 April 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Theodore B. Kuenz Co-Personal Representative c/o Katz, Look & Onorato, P.C. 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 1100 Denver, Colorado 80203 Legal Notice No. DHD186 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023

Denver Herald Dispatch December 7, 2023 * 2

Denver Herald 19

December 7, 2023

RECREATION FROM PAGE 6

He said his group was “especially proud” to see the growth in core activities since 2019, with more than 55% of Americans getting outside for recreation. The BEA is still compiling specific state data, but Colorado ranks sixth among states with the fastest growing outdoor recreation economies. Outdoor recreation employment in Colorado rose 9.2% in 2022, compared with a national average of 7.4%. A big part of the 2022 growth in

Colorado can be credited to snowsports. Nationally, the economic impact of all snow activity — skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and other winter sports — grew 39%, with spending reaching $13.2 billion. Skiing and snowboarding accounted for $7 billion of that. Colorado contributed $1.4 billion to that winter sports impact, more than twice any other state. That jibes with ski industry numbers showing both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 ski seasons as the busiest ever for the nation’s resorts. And Colorado ski areas reported highs of 14 million visits in 2021-22 and 14.8 million in 2022-23. Colorado typically accounts for 20% to 25% of

the nation’s ski resort business. Luis Benitez, the first director of Colorado’s outdoor recreation office who now works as the chief impact officer at the Trust for Public Lands said the trillion-dollar mark should sway the federal government to form a federal office of recreation. “Name another trillion-dollar economy that does not have a deep, well-constructed overwatch,” he said. “The time is now.” The new federal office inside the Department of Commerce would direct the Biden Administration’s revived Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation. It would support natural resource protec-

tion. It would wade into public health and trade policies and promote higher education programs to better hone industry leaders, Benitez said. As the race for the 2024 presidency begins, Benitez wants to see all candidates discussing how they will support and protect the nation’s newest trillion-dollar industry. “The ’t’ really shifts the conversation,” he said. “The ’t’ changes things.” This story runs via a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver that covers the state.

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Public Notices Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Troy Ann Robertson a/k/a Troy A. Robertson a/k/a Ann Robertson, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 031303 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 April 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. David E. Robertson Personal Representative 4685 W. Temple Place Denver, CO 80236 Legal Notice No. DHD183 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Leslie Nichols Crispelle, Jr., a/k/a Leslie N. Crispelle, Jr., a/k/a Leslie N. Crispelle, a/k/a Leslie Crispelle Jr., a/k/a Leslie Crispelle, a/k/a Les Crispelle, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31273 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 April 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Gary M. Clexton Personal Representative Patrick R. Thiessen (40185) FRIE, ARNDT, DANBORN & THIESSEN P.C. 7400 Wadsworth Blvd, Ste. 201 Arvada, CO 80003 Legal Notice No. DHD177 First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Adele J. Dyer, also known as Adele Dyer and Adele Jane Dyer, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31258 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 April 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. Kevin L. Dyer Personal Representative 9308 Surface Hill Rd. Mint Hill, NC 28227 Legal Notice No. DHD181

First Publication: December 7, 2023 Last Publication: December 21, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of RODNEY R. WOODHAM, a/k/a RODNEY ROOSEVELT WOODHAM, a/k/a RODNEY WOODHAM, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31309 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 21, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred. David Barton Woodham Personal Representative 3355 Longwood Avenue Boulder, CO 80305 Legal Notice No. DHD176 First Publication: November 30, 2023 Last Publication: December 14, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of LLOYD STEPHEN HAGOOD a/k/a L. STEPHEN HAGOOD a/k/a STEPHEN HAGOOD a/k/a STEVE HAGOOD, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31360

“Trust Us!” Without public notices, the government wouldn’t have to say anything else.

Public notices are a community’s window into the government. From zoning regulations to local budgets, governments have used local newspapers to inform citizens of its actions as an essential part of your right to know. You know where to look, when to look and what to look for to be involved as a citizen. Local newspapers provide you with the information you need to get involved.

Notices are meant to be noticed. Read your public notices and get involved!

Denver Herald Dispatch December 7, 2023 * 3

20 Denver Herald

December 7, 2023

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