Denver Herald Dispatch December 28, 2023

Serving the community since 1926

WEEK OF DECEMBER 28, 2023

VOLUME 97 | ISSUE 4

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More than politics

State mulls foster child tracking system Colorado could copy Texas program that tracks runaway foster kids

BY JENNIFER BROWN THE COLORADO SUN

A previous year’s mock legislation. Generally, the students get to hold their mock legislation inside the Capitol Building, but PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE YMCA OF METRO DENVER this year, they had to relocate because of the special session occurring at the same time.

Teens build life skills in the YMCA’s Youth in Government program

BY BRYN WEBSTER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

In late November, about 90 high schoolers from seven schools across Colorado gathered in Denver to lobby for and pass their own mock legislation.

“Because of Youth in Government, not only has my knowledge of civics and the government system grown, but I have learned about how much more there is to our government than just politics,” said Dathan Montera, a particpant

in the program.

The YMCA of Metro Denver’s Youth in Government program reveals the real inner workings of the government, teaches key public speaking and advocacy skills and launches many participants into political- or law-related careers.

The YMCA of Metro Denver has been building strong, thriving and equitable communities since 1875 and provides a wide variety of programs and resources for Denver families. It is a nonprofit organization positioned to help young adults rise through middle and high school with mentoring programs in a safe space where they can connect with fellow students.

Its Youth in Government program is nearly 70 years old and has impacted generations of Colo-

CALENDAR: 9 | VOICES: 10 | LIFE: 12

radans. It is modeled after the national YMCA Youth & Government program, and one of several programs the Denver Metro YMCA offers to engage teens and help them navigate their formative years.

“The YIG program encourages students to share their thoughts and opinions on key topics like women’s rights and gender discussions at school in a space where they can debate on neutral ground,” said the YMCA Youth in Government State Director Marlana Krulish. “It gives them an opportunity to open up their thoughts and minds to new topics or things they may not have been aware of — the diversity of participating schools is a strength.”

SEE YOUTH, P4

The girl who ran away from foster care took off without her diabetes medication, adding an extra layer of concern for the investigators responsible for tracking her down.

The teenager in a Texas foster placement went from Austin to Houston to Dallas and across the state line to Oklahoma as investigators worried about potential medical complications and whether she would get lost in a sextrafficking ring. Still, thanks to pinging cell phone signals and a team of investigators responsible for finding foster kids who run, the girl was found within two days.

“She was sent to the hospital immediately because her sugar levels were significantly high and she would have died,” said Damaris Nicholson, part of the special investigations unit at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. “We all know what happens when a youth in our care dies: the scrutiny, and the challenges and the ‘what could we have done.’”

Finding the girl is one of the success stories of a 300-investigator unit in Texas responsible for finding children and teens who run away from foster homes, residential treatment centers and child welfare caseworkers trying to visit their homes.

Colorado has no such unit.

But an Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman task force charged with finding out why so many kids are running away from out-of-home placements is looking at Texas for a possible solution.

SEE RUNAWAYS, P2

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GLOBAL REALISM

Brighton artist born to paint in oil P12

2 Denver Herald

December 28, 2023

RUNAWAYS FROM PAGE 1

Texas’ child welfare division created its program in 2005 and it’s grown to include 300 investigators, many of them former law enforcement officers, responsible for finding kids across 254 counties.

The Colorado task force was created by the state legislature after a joint investigation by The Colorado Sun and 9News in 2021 into the number of runaways from youth residential treatment centers. The investigation, which involved the news agencies suing the state over the failure to release abuse and neglect information, found that two boys, 12-year-old Timothy Montoya and 15-year-old Andrew Potter, died after leaving Denver-area centers and getting hit by cars. The group will make final recommendations to the state legislature in October 2024.

The Texas absconder unit includes investigators who used to work as state troopers, homicide detectives, undercover narcotics officers and detectives who specialized in crimes against children, said Greg Eakens, the Texas department’s director of special investigations, as he answered questions from Colorado’s task force.

“You need to look for these kids like they’re your kids,” said Eakens, who was a police officer for 24 years before joining the child welfare division a decade ago. Or, “look for them like you’re looking for somebody that owes you money.”

“The children that run, they’re either running to something or from something, and I like to think that they’re running away from a good environment to something that’s not so great, so we need to find them and we need to get them back into care.”

Not all of the former law officers know how to connect with kids, but the ones who can are better at their jobs, he said. Willingness to work at night and on weekends is also a plus.

“Who is willing to answer their

A playground at Tennyson Center for Children in Denver, which provides treatment and therapy for foster youth and kids with ERIC LUBBERS THE COLORADO SUN severe mental health needs.

phone after 5? That’s a big deal. Some of the kiddos that I’m actually most fond of gave me a lot of headaches — 11 p.m. phone calls. ‘Greg, I told you I was going to check in and I didn’t want you to be mad at me. I’m OK. I’m safe. I’ll call you in the morning.’”

When children are found, investigators attempt to conduct “recovery interviews,” trying to find out why they ran and whether any investigation into a foster home or a residential center is needed. “If they identify something that’s happened at the treatment center or foster home, that’s a great opportunity for us to pursue that,” he said, adding that his unit would involve law enforcement or child welfare caseworkers, depending on the allegations.

“We can’t make the children talk to us, so if we go in there and they’re still coming down if they’re on substances or just anxiety or whatever, and they tell us where to go, we do.

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But then we’re coming back and trying to re-engage them for that conversation,” Eakens said. He will tell them, “I’m probably gonna be back in a day or two. You want me to bring you anything?”

“Sometimes that’s as simple as a Dr. Pepper.”

The Texas unit is responsible for finding kids who are in the state’s custody, including in foster placements, but the unit will also look for children who run away because child welfare caseworkers are coming to the door of their biological parents’ home. In those cases, the children are often younger than those who run away from group homes and residential centers.

Some members of the Colorado task force questioned whether such a unit should exist as part of the Colorado Department of Human Services, which includes child welfare, or if it should act as a law enforcement unit housed elsewhere in state government.

Dennis Desparrois, with the state child welfare division, said department leadership is “skeptical” about creating an absconder unit. He questioned whether such a unit would have prevented the deaths of the two boys who ran away from Denver-area residential centers and were struck by vehicles.

“This thing would have not helped Timothy Montoya and it wouldn’t have helped the other youth that ran,” he said. “A huge chunk of our runaways are very short-term runaways, so this team wouldn’t be able to intervene fast enough. A majority of our runaways … are back at the facility before you could even implement this team.”

A small percentage of the children and teens in foster care are generating the majority of the runaway reports, Desparrois said. “It’s repeat runs,” he said. “They often look like running to the 7-Eleven and asking people for cigarettes and stuff like that and then they come back.”

He suggested the group consider a more narrow approach, such as launching an investigative unit only after young people in foster care had been gone for at least a couple of

days. Exceptions could include kids with medical needs and those who are suicidal, he said.

Colorado had about 30 young people in the past year whose child welfare cases were closed because they ran away and were not found, according to Department of Human Services data. But task force members say the data is incomplete and the state is failing to keep track of how long kids are missing and why they ran away.

In Texas, 1,334 children went missing from foster placements last year.

Of those, 1,219 were recovered. Texas data shows that 131 were victimized in some way while they were missing from care, including 56 who were sex trafficked.

Colorado has about 3,500 children living in foster families, residential treatment centers and other placements. Instead of an absconder unit, the state has in the past hired private investigators to track down young people who’ve gone missing from the juvenile corrections system.

Task force member Brian Cotter, a Denver police sergeant, said law enforcement should lead the absconder unit if Colorado creates one. To succeed, the child welfare division would need to share data with law officers, he said. “I don’t think you can credibly say that there’s a downside to dedicating resources to these kids that are fleeing,” he said. “If there is a downside, I think it might be that there’s a perception of ‘the runaway police are coming after me.’”

Timothy Montoya’s mother, a member of the task force, suggested that if Colorado creates a search team, it should look similar to a crisis response team, including a law enforcement officer and a mental health professional. “Where we’ve got somebody that is law enforcement and can help in locating the kid, but also someone that can immediately intervene and start doing assessments,” Elizabeth Montoya said.

This story was printed through a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonprofit based in Denver that covers the state.

Denver Herald 3

December 28, 2023

Brighton state rep Sharbini steps down Another Dem resigns from Colorado legislature, citing low pay and ‘vitriol’

BY BRIAN EASON AND SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado state Rep. Said Sharbini announced he will resign from the House of Representatives at the end of the year, saying his family could “no longer endure” the financial strain of serving in the state legislature.

Sharbini, a first-term Democrat from Brighton, wrote in a letter to the chief clerk of the House that he would resign his seat effective Dec. 31.

“This is a common Sharbini problem for many legislators and creates a prohibitive environment for voices to be heard,” wrote Sharbini, who is a lawyer.

“Representation is held by those with the means to sustain themselves, and that has quickly become something I can no longer do.”

Colorado lawmakers are paid less

than $44,000 a year. Sharbini is a former public defender who now works in private practice.

He’s the second first-year House member to resign this month. State Rep. Ruby Dickson, D-Greenwood Village, quit effective Dec. 11 citing the “sensationalistic and vitriolic nature of the current political environment.” Sharbini and Dickson were among 30 new House members who took office in January who had never served in the legislature before.

Like Dickson, Sharbini said a vitriolic environment at the Capitol contributed to his resignation, which was first reported by Colora-

do Politics. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“The polarized and contentious atmosphere has hindered constructive dialogue,” Sharbini wrote. “I truly hope those that continue on with this work take notice and begin to have more open and honest dialogue about future legislation and decorum in the chamber.”

In a statement, House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, called Sharbini a “champion” for his district who “always stayed true to his values.”

SEE SHARBINI, P19

ADVERTISEMENT

Some Thoughts About the Future of the MLS in Light of Commission Lawsuits

Sellers, buyers and real estate professionals are all contemplating the future of real estate following the blockbuster verdict (and pending litigation) against the National Association of Realtors and several highprofile real estate franchises, such as RE/MAX. The multi-billion-dollar verdict was in favor of home sellers who questioned why they should be required to compensate agents who represent the buyers of their properties. Shouldn’t buyers pay for their own representation?

The verdict seemed to ignore one crucial fact — that the buyers’ agents are not compensated by the seller but by the seller’s agent who agreed to share his commission with any MLS member who procured and represented the buyer.

It’s such a crucial aspect of selling real estate. What seller in his right mind would list his or her home with “little old me” if I couldn’t enlist the services of 25,000 other brokers by listing each home on a common database and offering to split my listing commission with them if they brought the buyer?

I’ve written about this before. It’s called “cooperation and compensation.”

Each member of the multiple listing service (MLS) agrees to cooperate with every other member, and includes in his MLS listing the amount of his commission that he’s willing to give another member who produces the buyer.

It’s a good deal for the buyer.

Why hire me as your agent if I don’t have the opportunity to get paid for the listing you fall in love with?

The litigants in the NAR lawsuit would like to see buyers sign an agreement to pay me a certain dollar amount if I get them to the closing table on a home they want to buy. Currently, brokers who bring a buyer can expect between 2 and 3 percent of the sale price as compensation. That comes from sharing a 4- to 6percent listing commission earned by the other agent for taking their home to market.

It’s much easier to choose the best listing agent based on the services he or she will perform in getting one’s home seen in the best possible light by the greatest number of potential buyers, than it is to choose the best buyer’s agent who is going to do little more than initiate an MLS alert for active listings

which match the buyer’s search criteria, then providing physical access to the listings which that buyer wants to see.

The graphic at the bottom of this page describes the multitude of services offered to sellers by Golden Real Estate.

Although we provide equally important services to buyers, they are more intangible, such as negotiating for the best price, helping win bidding wars on competitive listings, negotiating inspection resolution, etc. It’s easy to show how well we marketed and sold listings; we can’t show how well we served buyers.

The verdict won against NAR and the big brokerage companies may be a “blockbuster,” but it’s hard to envision much changing from how our Denver MLS does business, or how the Colorado Real Estate Commission might modify the seller and buyer listing agreements we’re required to use in our transactions.

Let’s start with the state-mandated listing agreement for sellers. For as long as I’ve been a Realtor, it has contained a fields for entering the amount of commission charged by the listing agent and the amount of that commission the agent will offer to brokers who bring the buyer. There’s no pre-filled percentage or dollar amount, and we’re instructed by licensing law and Realtor ethics that there is no standard or customary number to enter in each of those fields.

Meanwhile, the MLS has always allowed the listing agent to enter any per-

centage or dollar amount (even $1) as the amount of compensation he or she will offer to other MLS members. So no change is needed there. (Recently, however, the MLS has allowed us to enter $0 instead of $1 in that field.)

Meanwhile, on the state-mandated buyer agency agreement, there have always been (as far back as I remember in my two decades of service) fields for entering the amount that the buyer will pay his agent (if anything), and whether he will seek compensation from the seller’s agent, and, failing that, whether or not the buyer will make up the difference of a specific amount of compensation to his or her agent. So, no changes are needed to that form.

There may be some disruption in other markets, but not here. Even if sellers are told they don’t have to pay buyers’ agents for their work, I picture every seller wanting to pay their listing agent enough commission to allow the offer of compensation, because failing to do so runs the risk of getting fewer showings and offers.

I’m Now Publishing on Substack

Everything you read in this ad each week — and more — is published at http://RealEstateToday.Substack.com and comes to you automatically each Wednesday. I also write a political column you might like. You can find it at http://TalkingTurkey.Substack.com.

It’s ‘Bucket-List Time’ for Rita and Me

Jim Smith on Title Insurance:

Like any seasoned listing agent, I have my preferred title companies based on years of experience working with them. I have found the escrow officers of some firms more attentive and better at handling issues that may arise, so I definitely recommend one for my seller to use.

I admit that I should remind them it’s their decision and point them to Garry’s website, but a choice based on it would be based solely on price. Then we could talk.

Where I think agents go wrong is when they have an in-house title company and they get spiffed for “capturing” a seller for that title company and probably don’t suggest their client shop other companies.

Perhaps you, like me, have yearned to travel the world — the whole world. I remember seeing “Around the World in 80 Days” when it came out, and it made me want to go for it.

Thanks to Golden Real Estate’s excellent broker associates, and thanks to modern internet and cellular connectivity, Rita and I are taking the plunge, so-to-speak, and will embark next week on a 122-day world cruise on the Viking Sky (above).

We leave from Los Angeles on Jan. 6th and return from London on May 6th. I will not only continue to perform most of my real estate duties (except in-person tasks), including writing this column each week, I will

also publish a daily travelogue which you’re invited to receive by email. I’ll be receiving and responding to voicemail, only answering the phone when I’m ashore, where I can also return calls. I’ll continue to receive all the usual real estate information by email and have access to our MLS, so I will be sufficiently upto-date on the topics I like to write about in this space. Feel free to call or email me about selling or buying a home while I’m away, so I can refer you to the broker associate who I feel best suits you and your needs.

I’ll be composing the ads for each listing.

You can subscribe to my daily travelogue at http://WhereAreJimandRita.substack.com.

Jim Smith

Broker/Owner, 303-525-1851 Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com 1214 Washington Ave., Golden 80401 Broker Associates: JIM SWANSON, 303-929-2727 CHUCK BROWN, 303-885-7855 DAVID DLUGASCH, 303-908-4835 GREG KRAFT, 720-353-1922 AUSTIN POTTORFF, 970-281-9071 KATHY JONKE, 303-990-7428 “I cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good I can do.” —Jana Stanfield

4 Denver Herald

December 28, 2023

YOUTH FROM PAGE 1

For several months this fall, the student delegates worked to draft mock legislation on topics of their choice through their school’s local program delegation and under the oversight of a local teacher or advisor. Then, for three days during the week of Thanksgiving, they participated in a model government experience.

Students were assigned various roles as senators, representatives, judges, lobbyists and members of the media.

On the first day, they considered their fellow delegates’ draft bills in smaller committees, while the lobbyist and media delegates persuaded and interviewed key representatives. The second day, bills that passed committee continued to full review and voting by the combined senate, house and judicial branches. The evening of the second day, delegates enjoyed their own Governor’s Ball and campaigned for the Youth in Government program’s eight presiding offices, including Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader, where those elected will serve the following year.

Finally, bills passed on the second day were signed by the youth governor on the program’s last day.

The delegates generally get to hold their second day inside the Capitol Building. But since Gov. Jared Polis called a special session this year during Thanksgiving week, the students met instead at nearby Baptist Church of Denver and the State Services Building.

The program demystifies the political process and teaches young people how to advocate for the changes they want to see. It also de-

velops public speaking, leadership and advocacy skills.

“It gets you comfortable with speaking out and speaking on things you believe – giving you a confidence boost to do better in school,” Montera said. “Youth in Government showed me the purpose for all the rest of the things I was learning.”

The program also opens the door to additional opportunities and career paths. Many participants have gone on to participate in national law and government-related programs, including the Conference on National Affairs.

“The Conference on National Affairs was the greatest experience.

It provided me with so many skills that I never would have developed so fast,” Montera said. “You have to develop leadership skills.”

Many former participants have also pursued careers that make a positive political impact.

“All of those at my school who joined (my) year have gone into professional roles that involve working with the public or grassroots campaigning or law,” said former participant Ryan Tseng, who is now about to pass the bar exam and enter a career in constructionrelated litigation. “For those who are looking for something to help them far beyond their time in high school and are looking for ways to effect change, I think this is a great program.”

Editor’s note: Bryn Webster represents the YMCA of Metro Denver in communications and media relations.

To learn more about the YMCA of Metro Denver’s Youth in Government and other teen programs, visit denverymca.org/teen-programs.

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Dathan Montera, a participant in the YMCA of Metro Denver’s Youth in Government program, stands next to a Colorado flag during this year’s mock legislation event.

Students with the YMCA of Metro Denver’s Youth in Government program during this PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE YMCA OF METRO DENVER year’s mock legislature event in Denver.

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Denver Herald 5

December 28, 2023

Words matter Clean Speech Colorado campaign has a lasting impact

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Keep a civil tongue, no matter the topic at hand. Compliment others so that they feel better about themselves. Ignore the bully who seeks to provoke you into a loud argument. Be respectful to those who have earned it – and if they haven’t, give them a chance to do so.

Follow these guidelines – many of which come from the Torah - and you’ll make Rabbi Raphael Leban happy.

“Each and every one of us is precious, special and filled with greatness,” said Leban, executive director of The Jewish Experience in Denver.

“Be worthy of respect – self-respect, as well as the respect of others.

When we speak to one another, the words we exchange should reflect that greatness.”

Clean Speech Colorado is an education and awareness campaign that pushes for more civility by using mindful speech and improving the dynamics of human relationships. The Jewish Experience, which is based in Denver, drives the campaign. Clean Speech Colorado got its start in 2019.

Since then, the campaign’s growth has been impressive. It has grown to thousands of people participating annually each November and more than 200 organizations – 70 in Colorado alone – have participated.

Clean Speech Colorado education-

Rabbi Raphael Leban makes his way around the city in the Clean Speech Colorado COURTESY PHOTO Cruiser.

al videos, which teach how to act in a positive manner, have generated more than 100,000 views.

Though the campaign only takes place for 30 days annually, its impacts are everlasting.

“The world is reeling from a breakdown in communication skills and

civility, and our ability to utilize language to maintain healthy relationships socially, personally and communally is important,” Leban said.

What others say

Howard Wedgle, who participates

in the program, said the rabbi’s tenacity on the subject of not speaking ill of others resonates with his core values.

“Besides, it’s a commandment in the Torah,” Wedgle said. “The takeaway is that words matter. We can use words to help somebody and lift somebody, or speak kindly of somebody or to somebody.”

Elisa Robyn is board chair for the Shalom Park senior living facility in Aurora and is active with Clean Speech Colorado. She has a particular focus on treating the facility’s 135 residents with respect.

“We honor our elders,” Robyn said. They’re “somebody who can give back to the community, somebody that can still learn and still has something to give.”

Kara Larkin is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Colorado who teaches courses in anatomy and physiology, microbiology and science.

From Clean Speech Colorado, she has learned to be careful with her speech.

“The program reminds me to find kindness for others and (be mindful of ) the tone of my voice even if my students can’t see me,” Larkin said. “(And) bring my best self into the conversation even if I’m frustrated with somebody.”

Keeping the general idea of being respectful with our words is something Larkin discusses with her husband and 13-year-old daughter, Scout, at least once a week.

Scout perhaps summarized the value of the campaign best: “It means to me, like, not speaking gossip and stuff like that. I think it reminds me that everyone is trying as hard as they can.”

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6 Denver Herald

December 28, 2023

Weather, insects ravage Colorado trees tering weekly or every two weeks during the summer, Smith suggests.

During the winter months — November through April — that don’t receive at least an inch of precipitation as rain or snow, water trees an average of 10 gallons for every 2 inches of diameter. Or use a garden hose with a fountainhead sprinkler, set a timer to 20 minutes and slowly soak every tree on two sides, Smith said.

Don’t water trees when air temperatures hit freezing — it could kill them — but do water them when temperatures are above 30 or 40 degrees, said King, who, like some other arborists, will water your trees for you. Among the more than 3,000 clients his company serves annually, he estimates about 100 ask for help watering their trees during the crucial winter months.

BY JENNIFER FORKER THE COLORADO SUN

Years of roller coaster weather in Colorado is taking a toll on our trees.

Besides frequent drought, the state experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, with day-to-night temperatures often varying by 30 degrees or more. Recall Dec. 21, 2022, when a 51-degree high was followed by a -10-degree low in the Denver area. (Take a stroll down a chilling memory lane with this National Weather Service review of the greatest fluctuations in temperature changes since 1872.)

“It’s tough being a tree in Colorado,” says Whitney Cranshaw, Ph.D., emeritus professor of Entomology at Colorado State University.

According to CSU Extension, 2018 and 2020 were two of Colorado’s driest years on record, and we’ve experienced many other hot, dry years. Recent summers have been brutal, and last summer was one of the worst, with last August registering worldwide as the hottest on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In the Denver area, the average temperature in August was above normal — with 15 days at or above 90 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Those are the background facts for this: While humans have intermittently frozen and sweltered, so have Colorado’s trees. And stressed trees become hosts for deadly pests and disease, primarily an ips beetle (there are 11 known species in Colorado) or pine wilt disease.

“All insects are advantageous, just like cancer is advantageous,” says arborist Troy King, owner of American Tree preservation service, based in Golden. “Don’t give them the advantage.”

Keeping trees healthy requires mulching, watering and fertilizing not only pine and spruce trees, but

Fertilizing

Arborist Davis Glover of American Tree cuts down branches of a spruce tree that were infested by ips beetles Nov. 21, 2023, in northeast Denver. American Tree, based in Golden, estimates they have cut down hundreds of trees since 2021 due to the insects.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA SUN / THE COLORADO SUN VIA REPORT FOR AMERICA

all trees, from the ash, which are at severe and imminent risk of emerald ash borers, and red maples to birch, linden and the many ornamental and fruit trees.

Mulch

“Mulch is a wonderful thing,” says arborist Toni Smith, the Rocky Mountain territory manager for Rainbow Ecoscience, which provides chemical products and equipment to tree and lawn care compa-

nies.

Mulch helps retain moisture and keeps the soil temperatures cooler around a tree. It provides a sturdy barrier against weeds (better than landscape fabrics, which Smith discourages using). As good-quality mulch degrades, it adds nutrients into the soil around a tree.

Smith recommends using arborist wood chips, which includes any part of a tree that’s passed through a wood chipper. (See if you can obtain the material free via ChipDrop.) The next-best thing? Small bark mulch.

Watering

Oftentimes, the difference between a living tree and a dead one is watering. Because of the years of drought and our sizzling summers, trees need to be watered yearround.

On a late November afternoon, King pointed out the dead and dying trees in Arvada and Wheat Ridge neighborhoods. Behind a line of six tall, dead spruce trees on 42nd Avenue in Arvada stood the same variety, but healthy and living. What was the difference? Water.

Trees are dying from thirst and they’re dying from the opportunistic pests and diseases that prey on stressed trees, King says.

The ips is a bark beetle that infests pine and spruce trees, according to CSU. An infested tree dies from the top down. Avoid this — and pine wilt disease — with ample watering.

“The ips’ ability to attack a tree is greatly affected by the hydration of the tree,” Cranshaw says. “The tree’s primary defense is a good pitch (or resin) flow that drowns out the (pest).”

Give trees a slow, thorough wa-

Visit a reputable garden center for advice on fertilizer, Smith said, and avoid concentrations that lean heavily into nitrogens, which encourage growth. Instead, look for fertilizers with organic materials such as friendly bacteria and humic acids, which help trees absorb nutrients.

“I’m not a big nitrogen fan,” Smith said. “Nitrogen has its place, but it pushes the tree. It makes the tree push quite a bit of new growth. If it’s not able to support that below ground (in its root system), you’re setting yourself up for failure.”

She also recommends using a fertilizer with little or no phosphorus because of its overuse in the agricultural industry. Fertilizers high in nitrogen and phosphorus wash into storm drains, eventually reaching — and de-oxygenating — nearby lakes and streams, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

One more critical detail: Do not fertilize newly planted or stressed trees.

“It’s like giving a sick person a shot of adrenaline,” Smith warned.

If all else fails …

It’s time to call the professionals.

If a pine or spruce looks under duress, call a tree care company. But know that insecticides are preventative, according to CSU Extension fact sheets for ips beetles and pine wilt disease. They cannot save a tree that’s already been infected by either.

“The first sign of pine wilt is death,” King says matter-of-factly.

Death can occur within three weeks of infection with the nematode, according to CSU research.

Still, King will sometimes battle for a tree’s life.

“I have the technology to save a tree, but I cannot save every tree,” he says. “I’m a preservationist.

That’s what I do. I save trees. But if you don’t water your trees, even if you spray them (with insecticides), you’re probably going to end up with dead trees. You’ve got to water your trees.”

This story was printed through a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonprofit based in Denver that covers the state.

Denver Herald 7

December 28, 2023

Fixes considered for free Colorado preschool pay, is another example of the tension between Colorado’s promise of high-quality preschool-for-all and the reality of limited funding. Although universal preschool’s $322 million price tag sounds like a hefty sum, preschool providers, school districts, and lawmakers have questioned whether it’s enough to support the program Colorado leaders envisioned.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

BY ANN SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT COLORADO

With its new universal preschool program, Colorado joins a small but growing group of states that offer tuition-free preschool to all 4-year-olds.

So far, the program is popular with families, but there have been lots of bumps in the road, including three lawsuits against the state and the threat of a fourth. Some of the hiccups and headaches are usual new-program fare while others stem from the program’s rushed rollout by a new state agency.

Despite the problems, the $322 million program is a big deal. Funded partly with a nicotine tax that Colorado voters passed easily, it’s cutting preschool tuition costs for thousands of families and helping more Colorado children get ready for kindergarten. Nearly 50,000 preschoolers are enrolled this year, more than double the number served in the state’s previous smaller preschool program.

Universal preschool has long been one of Gov. Jared Polis’ signature initiatives and its launch last August represents the second and harder half of the governor’s ambitious early childhood agenda. Free full-day kindergarten, which kicked off in 2019, was the other major component.

Here’s a closer look at four key issues that have cropped up during the preschool program’s first six months.

A surge in demand led to tough decisions — and could again

More than 38,000 4-yearolds — 60% of that age group in the state — are enrolled in universal preschool this year. That’s about 8,000 more 4-year-olds than the state expected. In addition, the program includes more than 10,000 3-year-olds with risk factors.

The surge in demand meant state officials had to spread the money more thinly than planned. Last summer, just weeks before preschool was set to start, they told thousands of families that their children wouldn’t get free full-day preschool, only half-day, because there wasn’t enough funding.

Some of the students who lost out — low-income students and English language learners — are those who stand to benefit the most from extra preschool.

The state has already taken steps to remedy this problem for about 3,000 children next year, specifically those living in poverty. A proposed rule would prioritize those 4-year-olds for full-day

A publication of

Students play during the first day of universal preschool at King Baptist Child Development Center & ANN SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT Preschool in Denver on Sept. 5, 2023.

classes. At the same time, the state expects even more 4-year-olds — as much as 64% of that group — to enroll in universal preschool next year. With next year’s state budget not yet set, the possibility of another surge in demand, and a slew of new rules under consideration, it’s unclear how far the money will go.

State leaders promised highquality preschool but it will take years

One of the casualties in the race to stand up the new preschool program were rules governing program quality.

State officials ran out of time to craft those rules, so they told participating preschools last spring to “keep doing what you’re doing.”

That means preschools are required to meet only basic health and safety standards this year, not other benchmarks of quality, such as small class sizes, highly trained teachers, and strong curriculum. Some participating preschools already embrace high-quality practices, but not all do. That leaves the current universal preschool landscape a mishmash of superior programs, mediocre programs, and everything in between.

Experts say quality standards matter because when preschool is done well, it can have short- and longterm benefits for children — boosting academic skills, increasing the likelihood of graduating from high school, and even improving adult job and health outcomes.

Colorado officials are planning to adopt some quality rules for the 2024-25 school year and a separate set of rules on preschool staff credentials for the 2025-26 school year. But with some

likely to be phased in over time, four or more classes of universal preschoolers may graduate from the program before a binding set of quality requirements take hold.

Colorado faces lawsuits as church-state legal landscape changes

Although faith-based preschools make up a tiny fraction of Colorado’s universal preschool providers, they’ve played an outsize role in recent legal challenges over the program’s policies.

Two of three lawsuits the state is facing over universal preschool revolve around a non-discrimination agreement state officials asked participating preschools to sign. The agreement bans discrimination based on various factors, including religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity, but a Christian preschool in Chaffee County and two Catholic preschools in metro Denver sued over the provision last summer.

In October, a federal judge blocked Colorado from withholding universal preschool funds or disciplining the Chaffee County preschool even though its policies on employee hiring and bathroom and pronoun use appear to violate the non-discrimination clause.

The lawsuit by the Catholic preschools, which is set to go to trial in early January, is broader. Like the Chaffee County case, it takes issue with the possibility of hiring staff who don’t reflect the schools’ religious tenets, but it also challenges the state’s mandate to accept all children and families regardless of religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

The schools argue that enrolling all children conflicts

with their religious beliefs and mission to provide a Catholic education.

There’s likely another battle over religion on the horizon. That’s because of a proposal to ban religious instruction during universal preschool classes starting next fall. The state intended to put that ban into place from the outset, but didn’t follow through — allowing participating faith-based preschools to incorporate religion however they see fit this year. That omission, set Colorado up for a conspicuous mid-stream flip-flop.

The conservative group Advance Colorado has already threatened to sue if the state goes through with the proposed ban, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing public funding for religious education.

Class size debate is another symptom of funding challenges

This year, universal preschool classes can have up to 24 4-year-olds. That’s higher than most early childhood experts recommend, so the state has proposed capping the number at 20 starting next fall. A related rule would require one staff member for every 10 children, down from one per 12 this year.

But some participating preschools literally banked on having 24 students per class and 12 students per staff member. (The state pays about $6,000 per child for half-day preschool.) If the proposed changes are adopted, these providers stand to lose tens of thousands of dollars next year and some have said they would pull out of the program altogether.

The class size dilemma, especially in a field known for razor-thin margins and low

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December 28, 2023

New tricks, contests headed for Buttermilk Winter X Games will see changes in lineup, layout for January event in Aspen

BY KAYA WILLIAMS ASPEN PUBLIC RADIO

This winter will be one of historic firsts for the X Games in Aspen — and not just because athletes are landing new tricks at Buttermilk Mountain.

The lineup for Jan. 26-28 includes the debut of a women’s “knuckle huck,” alongside the men’s event, offered for both skiers and snowboarders on the “knuckle” or rollover of a larger jump. It’s a milestone in gender and discipline parity at the Winter X Games, where both male and female athletes will also compete in the usual slopestyle, “big air,” and “SuperPipe” events.

“This is the first year it is exactly Spectators cheer for a skier at the base of the SuperPipe at Buttermilk Mountain during the Winter X Games in Aspen in 2023. For one to one,” said Valerie Ryan, the the 2024 iteration of the event, people will have to pay to access the corrals at the bottom of the course and a free area will be set vice president of fan experience and further back from the action.

ASPEN PUBLIC RADIO hospitality for the X Games.

But to get close to the action, access to the base of the big air and lines and hope that they could get map submitted to Pitkin County as people will need to pony up. The slopestyle courses.) into the crowds,” Ryan said in a part of the special event permit prospectator corrals at the base of the Those areas were previously free Zoom interview earlier this month. cess indicates that those free areas courses will require tickets, ranging — and jam-packed. The decision to “Now they’ll actually be able to may have some obstructed view of from about $25 to $70 for a single charge for access was partly spurred guarantee a spot to get into the cor- the big air, knuckle huck and slopedaypart. (Rates are higher for night- by a desire for crowd control, Ryan ral.” style courses, and sightlines will be time events than they are for day- said.

Ryan said there will still be a free extremely limited for the SuperPipe. time ones, and access to the base “The big driving factor for that viewing area, but it will be set further of the SuperPipe costs more than is fans used to have to wait in long back from the course. An X Games SEE BUTTERMILK, P19

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December 28, 2023

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American Aquarium Lauren Frihauf @ 8pm Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side, 2637 Welton St, Denver

Sat 1/06 MY Blue Sky with special guests Lies Or Lullabies @ 7pm The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver The Salesmen @ 8:30pm Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

Finn O'Sullivan: Children of Divorce at The Mercury Cafe @ 8pm Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St, Denver

Nolan Taylor: The Oriental Theater (supporting Tanner Usrey) @ 8pm The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver

@ 8pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver The Droptines @ 8pm Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St, Denver

Mon 1/08 ODR: Learn to Ski and Ride Washington Park @ 1:45pm Denver Parks and Recreation (ODR), 4601 W. 46th Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

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10 Denver Herald

I

LOCAL

December 28, 2023

VOICES Heading to 45

t’s my birthday month. My

birthday is on the very last day of the year. Many celebrate it under the guise of it being New Year’s Eve. I know for many, turning 50 is the big mile marker year, but for some reason this year, 44 going into 45 has been a year full of reflection.

I am a busy mother with young children. There are drawbacks to waiting to have children when you’re older. As a nearly 45-year-old, I have to say when the 7-year-old is asking you for another game of 1v1 basketball you say no while trying to catch your breath after losing the first game.

So, as a parent, I reflected a lot this year on being better in many ways and also being more accepting.

That’s a hard thing for a control freak like me. My teenage daughter and I have a much better relationship after I reevaluated the standards I hold her to while realizing they can’t be the standards I would set for myself.

I also looked at boundaries a lot more heading into year 45. How many boundaries should I set at

FROM THE EDITOR

work? What boundaries do I set with elected leaders who call or text on weekends or evenings?

Believe me, with all the local elections this year — I had to evaluate when I took calls from candidates and the time I gave them Thelma Grimes outside of work hours.

It is hard as an editor when you interrupt a game or conversation with your kids because you must “take this call.”

I would say it was a victory in several of those categories. I have established more boundaries. I have been more present with kids. However, I still think I have room for improvement.

I also spoke up a lot more this year.

That came with both negative and positive outcomes. Me being more outspoken at home where I take care of my parents and am responsible for a lot has been good and

bad. In my professional life — same outcome. In some ways, me speaking up more is good. In some ways, I could have done better in how I did it.

Heading to 45, I also looked at myself a lot. Early last year, I even wrote a column about how my New Year’s resolution was to cut myself a break.

In some areas I did. I allowed myself to understand I can’t do everything. Nor should I. I can’t control everything. That is an impossible goal. It’s OK to not expect to be in charge of everything.

However, I can’t stress enough that cutting yourself a break as a mother is probably where I did not meet the goal. Man, do I worry that it’s my fault the 7-year-old is not at the reading level he should be. A bit of disagreement with the hockey coach did not make my 10-year-old son happy even if I was saying something in his best interest.

I constantly worry about my kids’ mental and physical health and rarely cut myself a break in those regards.

Then, there is self-improvement.

Heading into 45 I have vowed to work on myself.

I started seeing a therapist and talking about my feelings. For a bit, it was helpful. However, like most moms, I could not justify the cost, insurance does not pay for it, and the hour sessions ended up being me talking about how to care for my parents, family and deal with work.

Not so much about me and my actual feelings.

Now, I look at 45. How can I take more steps to help myself? I am hoping some change of scenery will help that. I am hoping to get into the natural therapy we have around us in the coming year. Hiking, road trips and more should help me become healthier mentally and physically as I look at the next five years heading into 50.

For those who know me, the fact that I am creating a five-year plan heading into 50 would not surprise any of them.

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

Looking back at 2023, the stories of 12 wonderful Denverites

D

ecember is here, New Year’s

Eve is on the horizon and before 2024 arrives, we want to take a look back at some of the stories that inspired us. This past year brought some wonderful stories about your neighbors. Here is a look back at 12 of their stories, beginning with last December and wrapping up with November this year. To read the stories in full, visit us online: coloradocommunitymedia.com/denver-herald-dispatch.

December 2022

Two Warren Village residents shared their personal journeys of becoming new citizens of the United States. Rachel fled abuse in the Democratic Republic of Congo and eventually came to the U.S. in 2017.

Kim Duby is a widow, originally from Vietnam. Her late husband was from Denver, so this is where Duby has chosen to raise her son.

January

Xinyi “Katya” Zhou, a doctoral student at Colorado State University, filled us in on how her family in Beijing celebrates the Chinese New Year. Potstickers, decorations, friends and family are big parts of the tradition. “Grandma, my mom, and sometimes my aunt, would actually make the potstickers. I would help as well, especially as I got older.”

February

Denver photographer Robert Weinberg, who documented Denver in the 1980s and 1990s, discussed

FROM THE EDITOR

Christy Steadman

the History Colorado exhibit of his work. He’s been legally blind since the 1990s, but uses the latest technology to make the most of the little vision he has remaining to take photos, to get around on his own and to help other people learn how to live with blindness.

March

New Denverite Natalia Roberts talked about her Visiting Artist of Color Residency at the Art Students League of Denver. “Natalia was chosen for her mastery of dance and photography, as well as her excitement around building artistic community as a new Denverite,” said Tessa Crisman, communications manager at the league.

April

Tocabe co-owner Ben Jacobs told of his “seed to soul” mission and the launch of the Direct-to-Tribe Ready Meal program, which helps feed the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota. “Our work is not about, how do we solve for tomorrow, but, how do we solve for years from now,” Jacobs said. “If we can all inspire each other, we can live in a much better world.”

May

We met an important out-of-state

visitor: a Holocaust survivor named Paul Galan came to Denver to give a presentation to RiseUp Community High School’s history students. “I spent my whole life recalling terrible things,” Galan said. “But I put it into perspective, with the rest of my life, that I wanted to do something useful. I decided I was going to teach young people.”

June

Small business owner Kaitlin Christenson Austin told how she uses flower therapy to overcome grief. “We laugh, cry and share memories knowing it’s OK to not be OK,” Austin said. “We tend to be really harsh critics of ourselves, but flowers don’t judge us. They just ask that we take care of them and appreciate their beauty.”

July

We learned about 97-year-old Polly Coleman’s dedication to Denver’s Saint Joseph Hospital. She is the first of three generations involved with the hospital. Her daughter, Dianne Montanari, is also a longtime volunteer, and her granddaughter, Sarah Owen, serves as the hospital’s director of service excellence.

August

Jacob Lemanski introduced us to his world of psychedelic ant farms.

It all started when he built an illuminated ant farm after he returned from a cycling adventure during which he circled the globe twice. Today, Lemanski runs an events venue

in downtown Denver and welcomes anyone to experience his artform.

September

Theater artists Christina Roberts and Bussy Gower told us of their latest endeavor: a nonprofit called Mile High Youth Theatre, which aims to provide access to the theater arts to all children. “So many kids have ideas and want to produce work but don’t have a platform or anyone to support them through it,” Roberts said. “We want to bridge that gap.”

October

Dancers with the Colorado Ballet discussed the art form as they prepared for the production of “Swan Lake.” “The connection you have with the audience is truly fantastic,” said ballerina Jennifer Grace, who played the dual role of Odette/Odile.

“When you’re on stage, you can’t see the audience but you can feel them.”

November

Another profound visitor made his way to Denver: Mexican artistSpaik traveled from the Yucatán Peninsula to create the “Unidos” mural on the Auraria Campus. The mural commemorates the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States, marks the 130th year of the establishment of the General Consulate of Mexico in Denver, and honors the rich history of the Mexican American families who were pushed from their homes to make way for the Auraria Campus.

Denver Herald 11

December 28, 2023

Peace amidst chaos and confusion

W

hen swirling storms of stress crash around us, peace feels impossible to grasp. Yet even in life’s most frenzied seasons, we can cultivate an inner stillness that the world cannot shake. By intentionally withdrawing to sacred spaces of solitude and silence, we regain emotional balance and clarity.

The noise of constant demands drains our reserves. Media headlines breed anxiety. The frenetic pace leaves us breathless. And trying to keep up the pace in that race is exhausting and disrupts our peace. Seeking temporary refuge is not weakness but wisdom — an acknowledgement of our human limits.

Begin by carving out small pockets of peace in your daily routine. Pause each morning before the day storms in. Brew a cup of coffee or tea, then sit quietly as dawn’s rosy glow fills your window. Breathe deeply and invite calming thoughts in and to help order your steps.

Unplug regularly too — both from devices and people. Go for long meandering walks without an agenda. Let nature’s quiet rhythms still your spinning thoughts. Play soothing music and get lost in the notes.

When facing major decisions or dizzying uncertainty, plan an extended retreat.

Book a weekend at a campground cabin with nothing but your family, books, journal and hiking trails. Pull away to gain proper perspective. There is one particular area Michael Norton of aspen and pine trees that I like to ski through in Beaver Creek, Colorado.

And within that area, there is a place that hardly anyone else ever goes. I especially love skiing into that area on a snowy day as the only sound I can hear is the snow as it falls gently on my head and shoulders. And every time, I stop, pause and pray, and that brings me tremendous peace.

Again, life often feels like a turbulent ocean, tossing us about in its waves.

Stress, uncertainty, and struggles frequently disturb our peace. Yet even amid raging storms, we can nurture an abiding inner peace that smooths restless waters. The key is differentiating between peace of mind and peace of heart.

Peace of mind comes from orga-

nizing practical details of life, so they don’t weigh heavily on our thoughts.

We plan ahead, create efficient systems, and check tasks off lists so our mind feels clear to rest. But even with orderly affairs, anxieties can still lurk underneath, stealing peace.

Lasting peace emerges from a settled heart rooted in God, not orchestrated circumstances. Even when unexpected storms come, we stand unshaken, confident of God’s love. This soul-deep peace rises above external chaos. Our mind and emotions may still feel turbulent, but our spirit remains still.

We cultivate peace of heart through spiritual disciplines that transform us from the inside out — habits like prayer, scripture meditation, solitude, worship and service to others. Immersing ourselves in God realigns our heart to what matters most. Our focus shifts from transient worries to eternal truth.

As we prioritize these soul-care practices, our hurried pace naturally slows. We release tight grasps on control. We stop chasing fleeting pleasures that never satisfy. We let holiness heal and shape us. Though chaos still swirls around us, His perfect peace guards our hearts and minds. Even when pounding waves threaten to sink us,

we stand serene, anchored in calmness. We feel the peace that transcends circumstance.

In chaos, our instinct is to worry and overanalyze. But peace flows most freely when we surrender control. Declutter your frenzied mind so God’s gentle whisper can get through.

No matter the external noise, once grounded, we can once again find ourselves in that perfect peace. We simply must continually retreat into His presence — our shelter from the raging storms.

Last week I wrote about hope, this week is about peace, next week will be about joy, and then the final column in this four-part series will finish with a column about love. These follow the season of Advent. I hope you enjoy them and that you will find peace today. I would love to hear your story of peace at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can find peace in our hearts and peace of mind, it really will be a better than good life.

But right now, eviction stories including lack of proper notice, discrimination and violation of lease agreements plague our state. Colorado renters, including many of our members at 9to5 Colorado, can be kicked out of their homes in a moment’s notice. They are forced to scramble to find another house or apartment, pay an entirely new deposit and first month’s rent. They are torn from their neighbors, and for some, their family members and

the place they’ve called home for generations.

Year after year, greedy corporate landlords hike rents, block access to loans, buy properties, overdevelop and displace families in order to maximize profits with no regard for our communities.

As For Cause Eviction returns to the 2024 legislature, 9to5 Colorado and our partners return even stronger to support this commonsense policy. For years, our organizers

and members have fought for better housing protections, and we will not stop fighting until all Coloradans have access to safe and stable housing. We refuse to let predatory corporations destroy our communities.

State legislators should pass For Cause Eviction legislation to protect tenants across Colorado from unjust evictions and help keep Colorado families in their homes. Join us to help build and sustain our homes,

WINNING WORDS

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.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR We need safe and stable housing for ALL! Pass For Cause Eviction legislation

Think about the warmth of your home, the neighbors you wave to, the close friend down the hall who babysits your kids. You have built a community. We all search for this kind of support and love from the people who surround us, and more importantly, we all deserve it. We all deserve safe and stable housing to ensure our communities flourish.

State takes over radioactive mine cleanup State works to keep radioactivity out of Denver, Arvada water supplies

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

The company charged with keeping uranium-tainted water out of Denver and Arvada’s drinking supply is walking away from cleaning up Jefferson County’s shuttered Schwartzwalder mine, and state officials are taking over a $7.3 million surety bond they say will continue to fund treatment.

Without water treatment and other uranium reclamation, the Schwartzwalder mine above Ralston Creek and Ralston Reservoir has leaked tainted water into key city supplies, state reclamation officials said in their stipulated agreement with Colorado Legacy Land. The company’s water treatment plant at the mine has been running May to October in recent years, and the state said the

previously posted bond will allow work to continue in 2024.

Colorado officials won’t know until the end of next year’s treatment season how many years the surety bond will last in running the plant, said Michael Cunningham, acting division director for Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Colorado could invest the surety bond and use proceeds to continue treatment, but the state may also have recourse to seek more funding from Colorado Legacy Land, Cunningham said.

The state revoked Colorado Legacy Land’s permit to run mine or cleanup operations at Schwartzwalder as part of the stipulation agreement.

The stipulation agreement says no civil fines will be issued as part of the revocation and transition to state control. The latest surety bond agreement was for $7.6 million, but the state is moving to take over about $7.3 million left in the fund.

Community activists who have tried to track the uranium cleanups in both Jefferson County and Cañon City said they were not surprised about CLL’s surrender of the Golden

efforts.

The promises were “never going to be enough for the best cleanup possible,” said Carol Dunn, co-chair of Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste. “I could not guess where CLL got the highly optimistic idea that there was ‘easy money’ to be made.”

Reporters in the past have not received responses to inquiries at Colorado Legacy Land. A message left with Colorado Legacy Land representative Jim Harrington was not returned by deadline.

The walkaway agreement signed last week is the latest in a series of failed cleanup sagas for two major Colorado uranium sites once controlled by Colorado Legacy Land, which in turn had taken over the two sites from Cotter Corp.

Schwartzwalder, about 7 miles northwest of Golden, has not produced uranium since 2000, state officials said, and is in the final stages of rock and dirt reclamation. Water treatment at the Jeffco site must go on for years, according to regulators at the reclamation division and the state health department.

Colorado Legacy Land had also taken over and later walked away from the Cotter Mill cleanup, an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site at Cañon City. Colorado Legacy Land surprised Cañon City residents in February with an insolvency and news it was giving up its share of cleanups at both Cotter Mill and Schwartzwalder.

State action at Schwartzwalder dates at least to 2010, when reclamation officials demanded action from then-owner Cotter Corp. over discharges into surface water. The state’s stipulation agreement last week says that without proper summer water treatment, tainted mine water builds up and then overflows into Ralston Creek, which feeds Ralston Reservoir.

Unless the treatment equipment is turned on again in spring of 2024, the pool of tainted water would begin overflowing in June, state officials said in the stipulation agreement approved by the mining reclamation board earlier this month.

SEE CLEANUP, P19

12 Denver Herald

December 28, 2023

LOCAL

LIFE

Brighton artist paints fantastic realism

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

J

udith Dickinson was born to be an artist.

When she was 8, numerous artists saw her talent and offered to teach her.

“I’ve been fortunate to continue my art education through the years working under some top artists, most recently Craig Tennant, Anthony Ryder and Michael Shane Neal,” Dickinson said.

Dickinson naturally developed the talent to oil paint portraits in accurate detail, depicting nature and contemporary life.

Southwest Art Magazine, Art Collector Magazine and Art of the West Magazine have also featured Dickinson’s work.

Dickinson said she didn’t go to college for art, where the lessons were on abstract art. She preferred painting realism, so she got her degree in education in Philadelphia at Cairn University but continued to paint when she could.

Dickinson brings the emotions and character of a real-life figure or scene to her paintings. She primarily paints portraits of clients and people around the world.

Dickinson said she had painted portraits of famous people such as Judge Judy and Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as paintings of many Christian leaders.

She also did portraits for former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and his wife.

“Portrait commissions are what pays the most,” she said. “Portraits are very hard to do because each person is so different and you’ve got to be right on.”

Move to Colorado

Dickinson grew up in New Jersey on 700 acres of wooded countryside with lakes. She moved to Colorado in 1996.

“I do miss the trees, but I love Colorado for the sunshine every day,” Dickinson said.

Dickinson moved to Brighton in 2007, and her art career expanded.

“When we drove into Brighton, it was a small town, and many places were boarded up with Christmas

TOP MIDDLE: The Rwandan moms of the Pygmy tribe live in poverty.

Judith Dickerson painted their story using fabric in many ways.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Judith Dickinson with two horse portraits she painted.

PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD

decorations that were still up in March,” she said.

Dickinson found an 1888 historic home for sale and decorated it with antiques from New Jersey.

“The home was owned by the first sheriff of Brighton, J.P. Higgins, who later became the third mayor. We love the house,” Dickinson said.

Dickinson said the city of Brighton offered them the former empty police station to turn into Main Street Gallery to help revitalize downtown.

Its gallery houses Colorado artists, also called the Main Street Creatives, offering art classes and hosting receptions. It also has ten studio spaces.

SEE PAINTING MASTERS, P13

Denver Herald 13

December 28, 2023

PAINTING MASTER FROM PAGE 12

“We have great teachers teaching 16 to 20 artists, running studios and showing in the gallery. …It’s wonderful that the city enables us to do that, “Dickinson said.

Dickinson Art Studio is in the old jail of the police building.

“I come to jail every day to do my art,” she said with a laugh.

“I come to my studio six days a week because I love it.”

Work in Africa

Dickinson and her husband’s lives changed when they went to work in Africa to start an orphanage in Uganda and work with the pygmy tribes in Rwanda.

What inspired Judith and Gary Dickinson to open an orphanage in Uganda? Gary was a professor at a New Jersey University with several African students, and one of them was like a brother to them.

“We were sending money for special projects,” Judith said.

Judith said Gary traveled to Uganda, and a person he helped invited him to come to a remote village to thank him.

When he arrived, he found many kids running around.

“This guy was trying to take these children in, they were living off the land and barely went to school. Gary said we can’t do everything, but this is one thing we can focus on, so it’s when he started the orphanage,” Judith said.

Judith continued her passion for painting art and making a living to help sponsor the kids.

Judith said her painting sales went toward her work in Africa, and they continue to work there today. Gary goes three to four times a year, and she goes occasionally.

“A friend told us about a pygmy tribe that lives in poverty, so we went to work with two other tribes that had never learned to read or write,” Judith said.

Dickinson said the kids have been in school for eight years now, and they rebuilt their huts. They are being taught how to farm and are receiving clean water and medical care.

Dickinson said they took their grandchildren, three sons and their wives to Africa in June.

“They got to see how the other side of the world lives,” she said.

To see Dickinson’s work and find local galleries where her work is displayed, visit judithdickinson.com.

TOP LEFT: A painting of a young lady sitting at a barn at the Brighton, Colorado Bromley Farms.

TOP RIGHT: Judith Dickinson’s painting of Crazy Horse.

BOTTOM RIGHT The children of Uganda who live in an orphanage, that the Dickinson’s started. Painted

by Judith Dickinson.

PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD

14 Denver Herald

December 28, 2023

© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

Solution

TRIVIA 1. TELEVISION: How many noble houses are mentioned in “Game of Thrones”?

2. MOVIES: What is the name of the high school in the musical film “Grease”?

3. GEOGRAPHY: Which southeast Asian country’s monetary unit is the ringgit?

4. MUSIC: The song “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” is from which musical?

5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the first president to be impeached?

6. ANATOMY: What is considered the “master gland” of the human body?

7. PHYSICS: What does a newton measure?

8. HISTORY: Which founding father wanted the turkey to be the national symbol of America rather than the eagle?

9. SCIENCE: What is studied in mycology?

10. U.S. STATES: What is Alaska’s state animal?

Answers 1. Nine.

2. Rydell High School.

3. Malaysia.

4. “Oklahoma!”

5. Andrew Johnson, 1868.

6. Pituitary gland.

7. Force.

8. Benjamin Franklin.

9. Fungi.

10. The moose. (c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Crossword Solution

CLASSIFIEDS

Denver Herald 15

December 28, 2023

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Classifieds Continues Next Page

Real Estate Brokers

16 Denver Herald

December 28, 2023

MARKETPLACE Classifieds

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Denver Herald 17

December 28, 2023

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call 303-566-4123 Legals Misc. Private Legals 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: December 14, 2023 Last Publication: January 11, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE OF INTENT TO CREATE BINDING USE RESTRICTIONS ON 29X Apartments at 4900 W 29th Ave, Denver, CO, 80212

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 28, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Notice to Creditors Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Deborah Treseder, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 547 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 22, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

29x Landco LLC and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) provide notice of their intention to impose binding environmental use restrictions (EURs) on the 29x Apartments located at 4900 W 29th Ave, Denver, CO 80212. The EURs restrict the apartment to its current use unless approved otherwise, and no subterranean groundwork can be done without approval also. Pursuant to § 25-15-318.5, C.R.S., once the EURs have been finalized, they are binding on all current and future owners of the land and any persons possessing an interest in the land. CDPHE is accepting public comments on the draft EURs. Copies of the proposed EURs and a legal description of the affected property are available by contacting Fonda Apostodopoulos at 303-692-3411 and fonda.apostolopoulos@state.co.us.

All comments must be submitted to fonda. apostolopoulos@state.co.us by January 16th, 2023.

Benjamin Treseder Personal Representative 995 Kendall St Lakewood, CO 80214

Legal Notice No. DHD190 First Publication: December 14, 2023 Last Publication: January 11, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Lisa Tolbert Personal Representative c/o Nicole Andrzejewski 5347 S. Valentia Way, Ste. 335 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

We are community.

Your Community Connector to Boundless Rewards

Legal Notice No. DHD196 First Publication: December 21, 2023 Last Publication: January 4, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of DONICIO MADRID, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31306 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 22, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Legal Notice No. DHD198 First Publication: December 21, 2023 Last Publication: January 4, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

legals2@coloradocommunitymedia.com Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of JOAN MARIE SIEMANN, also known as Joan M. Siemann, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31350 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 14, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

John W. Siemann Personal Representative 324 Blake Circle Hampton, VA 23669 Legal Notice No. DHD193 First Publication: December 14, 2023 Last Publication: December 28, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of John Daniel Chavez, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31353 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 22, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Jane M. Roberson Attorney for Personal Representative PO Box 1077 Denver, CO 80201-1077 Legal Notice No. DHD206 First Publication: December 21, 2023 Last Publication: January 4, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of George Roman Nadolny, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 031365 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 22, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Anna L. Burr, Esq. 2851 South Parker Road, Suite 230 Aurora, Colorado 80014

Legal Notice No. DHD195 First Publication: December 21, 2023 Last Publication: January 4, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of JUDITH RUTH FERGUSON AKA JUDI FERGUSON, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31506

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 29, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Royall E. S. Charsley, esq.

9565 S. Kingston Court, Suite 100 Englewood, CO 80112 Legal Notice No. DHD212 First Publication: December 28, 2023 Last Publication: January 11, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of PAULA JEAN KONIGSBERG, also known as PAULA J. KONIGSBERG, PAULA KONIGSBERG and PJ KONIGSBERG, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31299

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 22, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Allan C. Gordon Personal Representative 726 Garfield St. Denver, CO 80206 Legal Notice No. DHD203 First Publication: December 21, 2023 Last Publication: January 4, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ALAN P. PRICE, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31505

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

Denver Herald Dispatch December 28, 2023 * 1

18 Denver Herald

December 28, 2023

Public Notices

before April 28, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

before April 29, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

James J. Moynihan Personal Representative 1346 St. Paul Street Denver, CO 80206

David Soderquist Personal Representative 7763 South Jackson Circle Centennial, CO 80122

Legal Notice No. DHD210 First Publication: December 28, 2023 Last Publication: January 11, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Legal Notice No. DHD209 First Publication: December 28, 2023 Last Publication: January 11, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of NEIL DENNIS JOB, also known as NEIL D. JOB, also known as NEIL JOB, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 031323

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Luvern Wafford Nettles, also known as Luvern W. Nettles, also known as Luvern Nettles, also known as Luvern Wafford, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31438

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 22, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Patricia J. Job, also known as Patricia Jean Job, Personal Representative c/o Illumine Legal LLC 8055 East Tufts Avenue, Suite 1350 Denver, Colorado 80237 Legal Notice No. DHD200 First Publication: December 21, 2023 Last Publication: January 4, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

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 22, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Ralonda Thompson Personal Representative 45143 W. Desert Cedars Ln. Maricopa, AZ 85139 Legal Notice No. DHD202 First Publication: December 21, 2023 Last Publication: January 4, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Public Notice

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of REX MARTINEZ, a/k/a TONY GURLAY, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 472

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Mindy S. Quiat, a/k/a Mindy Susan Quiat, Deceased Case Number: 2023PR31370

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 21, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before April 14, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Charmaine M. Shaw Personal Representative 1125 S. Irving Street

Person Giving Notice: Laurin D. Quiat 1021 S. Elizabeth Street Denver, CO 80209

Denver, CO 80219

Legal Notice No. Den 1234 First Publication: December 14, 2023 Last Publication: December 28, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch

Legal Notice No. DHD205 First Publication: December 21, 2023 Last Publication: January 4, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of JOHN ARLEY SODERQUIST a/k/a JOHN A. SODERQUIST a/k/a JOHN SODERQUIST, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 031482 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

Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Thomas Schaefer, a/k/a Tom Schaefer, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31356 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 15, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Mary Jane Schaefer Personal Representative 501 West Drive St. Louis, MO 63130 Legal Notice No. DHD191 First Publication: December 14, 2023 Last Publication: December 28, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Jean Lajeune (a.k.a. Jean Wills Lajeune), Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31437 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 29, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

LEONA HAUSCHILD, Esq. Attorney for Personal Representative 1801 California Street, Suite 2400 Denver, CO 80202 Legal Notice No. DHD208 First Publication: December 28, 2023 Last Publication: January 11, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of THOMAS LOUIS LOHR, aka THOMAS L. LOHR, aka THOMAS LOHR , Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31441 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 22, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Brenda Allen or Michael Lohr Co- Personal Representative c/o Katz, Look & Onorato, PC 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 1100 Denver, CO 80203 Legal Notice No. DHD201 First Publication: December 21, 2023 Last Publication: January 4, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Diane J. Gallogly, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 031335 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 15, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Lucas Crawford Personal Representative 730 Alma Flourney Rd. NE Ludowici, GA 31316

Legal Notice No. DHD194 First Publication: December 14, 2023 Last Publication: December 28, 2023 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Mary C. Quinn a/k/a Mary Quinn, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31457

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 29, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Kevin G. Quinn Personal Representative c/o Keith L. Davis, Esq. Davis Schilken, PC 1658 Cole Blvd. Building 6, Ste. #200 Lakewood, CO 80401 Legal Notice No. DHD207 First Publication: December 28, 2023 Last Publication: January 11, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Virginia Alice Schlenz, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 30937

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 22, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Joseph Schlenz Personal Representative c/o Franks Law, PC 355 S Teller Street, Ste. 200 Lakewood, CO 80226 Legal Notice No. DHD197 First Publication: December 21, 2023 Last Publication: January 4, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ALLAN E. LACKNER, a/k/a ALLAN EDELSTEIN LACKNER, a/k/a ALLAN LACKNER, a/k/a AL E. LACKNER, a/k/a AL LACKNER, Deceased Case Number: 2023 PR 31412

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 22, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.

Susan R. Lackner Personal Representative c/o H. Michael Miller

Denver Herald Dispatch December 28, 2023 * 2

Denver Herald 19

December 28, 2023

CLEANUP FROM PAGE 11

The land portion of the reclamation has a finite end and will be completed under the surety bond, the state’s Cunningham said. Rock waste is being moved above any water contact on the valley floor, and will be capped with soil to be covered in vegetation, he said.

“The division is going to have a much clearer idea of how long that water can be treated utilizing the financial warranty once we get to the end of the 2024 season,” he said “The system that’s in place there

BUTTERMILK FROM PAGE 8

Paid access to the spectator corrals is separate from existing “SuperFan” tickets to stand on the side of the SuperPipe; those seeking a more luxury experience will have “XIP” and “VIP Chalet” options.

Other changes to the X Games lineup and layout will impact extracurricular offerings at the event.

There will be no live slopeside concerts at Buttermilk, but there will be DJs playing music throughout the day. Ryan said organizers wanted the focus to be on the competition instead.

And the Special Olympics races that have become a Winter X Games tradition over the past decade will

SHARBINI FROM PAGE 3

House Majority Leader Monica Duran said she was grateful for his “kindness of character.”

“Representative Sharbini understood how tough our work could be, and his good humor made many days better,” Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, said in a statement. “I’ll miss his pres-

will ensure that the water that is discharged into Ralston Creek meets water quality standards,” Cunningham said. “This is what Colorado Legacy Land has been doing themselves since taking over this permit. And they’ve been successful in meeting water quality standards up there.”

Arvada water officials said they have been monitoring the discussions about Schwartzwalder and have been advocating “for the protection of Ralston Creek.”

“At this time, we have no concerns about risk to water supply or water quality in Arvada,” said Arvada infrastructure communications manager Katie Patterson. “We

are confident that the state and the Mined Land Reclamation Board are committed to continuing to run the water treatment plant in the year ahead and to determining a path for long term management of the site.

The city will continue to monitor, support, and engage with the state in the future management of the site to ensure the protection of Ralston Creek.”

Denver Water officials have said in the past that their own water treatment systems for Ralston Reservoir water also keep uranium or other contaminants out of city supplies.

Denver Water officials said they are “monitoring the situation at the mine and appreciate the leadership

of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety in its work to ensure water treatment continues at the site.”

Cunningham said the state has known since early this year that Colorado Legacy Land would be leaving the site. “CLL stated and confirmed it does not presently have the financial capacity to perform its obligations under the permit,” the stipulation says, in part.

“We feel well positioned to take the site over,” Cunningham said.

This story was printed through a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonprofit based in Denver that covers the state.

not be part of the event this coming year. Ryan said that was due to timing and planning constraints.

“We weren’t able to make it happen in the amount of time that we had, once we kind of greenlit what we were doing for Aspen,” Ryan said. “But hopefully, we’ll bring them back again.”

Other community programs are in effect, however, including a partnership with the Buddy Program to welcome local youth the night before the X Games officially begin, Ryan said. According to the special event permit paperwork filed with Pitkin County, organizers also plan to offer discounts to local students and valley residents who wish to purchase a corral ticket.

This January will mark the 23rd consecutive Winter X Games in Aspen, but the future of the event

at Buttermilk Mountain is still unclear.

ESPN sold a majority stake in the event to a private equity firm, MSP Sports Capital, last year. And a contract with the Aspen Skiing Company to host the Winter X Games here ends in 2024.

Ryan said officials are still talking about what happens next.

“We’re still in conversations to try to plan our future locations, and whether that’s in Aspen or whether that goes someplace else, we’re still figuring that out,” Ryan said. “But I will say that Aspen is, and has been, the best location we’ve ever worked with for an X Games event.”

The X Games special event permit application with Pitkin County indicates other elements, like parking, transportation and security, are largely the same as previous years.

There will be no spectator parking at Buttermilk, but there will be spaces at the Brush Creek Park and Ride, as well as frequent shuttle service. And a security agency, hired by the X Games, will work hand in hand with local law enforcement to ensure safety at the event.

The athlete lineups will likely look familiar as well. Organizers have invited athletes like Aspen freeskier Alex Ferreira, a six-time X Games medalist, and Basalt freeskier Hanna Faulhaber, who won bronze in her debut X Games two years ago.

X Games has not announced which athletes have accepted their invitations yet, however. The final athlete list could be confirmed in early January, Ryan said.

This story via The Associated Press’ Storyshare, of which Colorado Community Media is a member.

ence very much.”

Sharbini was unopposed in his 2022 primary and won 59% of the vote in the general election in his heavily Democratic Adams County district.

Dickson’s replacement will be selected at a Jan. 3 vacancy committee meeting, with four candidates vying for the seat thus far. Sharbini’s replacement in House District 31 will be the 29th lawmaker in the 100-member General Assembly who at some

point was appointed to a position in the Capitol by a vacancy committee.

Vacancy committees have been criticized because they let only a few dozen party activists select lawmakers who will represent tens of thousands of Coloradans. In 2022, the legislature enacted a law to make the committees include more participants. It was sponsored by former state lawmaker and now Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams.

A 2024 ballot measure being pur-

sued by Kent Thiry, the wealthy former CEO of the Denver-based dialysis giant DaVita, would eliminate legislative vacancy committees starting in 2026 and require that special elections be called to replace state lawmakers who resign, are expelled or die in the middle of their terms.

This story was printed through a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonprofit based in Denver that covers the state.

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