Elbert County News 07-22-21

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July 22, 2021

ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

ElbertCountyNews.net

VOLUME 126 | ISSUE 23

Sheriff’s sergeant won’t be charged in shooting Elizabeth man convicted in stabbing death

Kiowa Industrial Park incident led to discharge of duty weapon

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

Christopher Leary, 21, will spend life in prison

Sgt. Mike Skalisky of the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office will not face criminal charges for shooting an unarmed man on March 18 in an apparent accidental discharge of his duty weapon, prosecutors say.

The incident — as described in an official letter from the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office announcing the decision not to file charges — occurred at the Kiowa Industrial Park on Highway 86 after Deputy Eli Jarrett attempted to stop the driver for speeding. The man was driving a white Ford F350 without license plates and was clocked driving 67 mph in a 50 mph zone, the DA’s office said.

The driver immediately turned in at the Kiowa Industrial Park and fled on foot. Deputies began searching multiple nearby structures, SEE SHOOTING, P18

STAFF REPORT

their fellow students and school.

Scholarships for graduating seniors are awarded to students who are passionate about learning and caring for their family, school and community. They are focused on their current and continuing education, have received letters of recommendation, and have completed an essay.

An Elizabeth man is heading to life in prison without parole after being convicted of murdering his fiancee’s mother.

Christopher Leary, 21, was convicted on July 14 in the murder of June Anderson, who was 56 when she was killed on Halloween 2018.

The jury deliberated about three hours after a six-day trial in Elbert County District Court, and the first-degree murder conviction Anderson brings a mandatory penalty of life without parole. Sentencing is set for Oct. 13.

“This is a young man who made the decision to stab to death another human being, and he calmly carried out that action,” said John Kellner, the district attorney for Colorado’s 18th Judicial District.

In 2018, Leary was living in Anderson’s home with his girlfriend and their newborn son. On Oct. 31, there was an argument over a mess in the kitchen, prosecutors said. Leary went for a walk to cool off.

“Tonight was the final straw,” Leary later told an investigator that night. “I didn’t want her to start up again, but of course, she did. I wasn’t going to have it at all. If she

SEE STUDENTS, P15

SEE CONVICTED, P19

The demo truck box where the unarmed man was found.

COURTESY OF 18TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S

Students win awards, scholarships Elizabeth Education Foundation honors more than 50 local youths

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

The Elizabeth Education Foundation (EEF) is pleased to announce

the 2021 scholarship winners and STARS award recipients.

The STARS awards (Students Taking Accountability and Responsibility Seriously) are given to students nominated by their teachers for modeling responsible behavior, making good choices, spending time involved with clubs and organizations in school and the community, and being committed to learning, caring and helping

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | CALENDAR: PAGE 9

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2 Elbert County News

July 22, 2021

Colorado wildfires are year-round danger Hotter, drier climate influences how and when fires ignite

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

State climate experts and local fire officials along the Front Range say wildfire season no longer has an end as heat, low moisture and other factors have created a year-round problem.

Russ Schumacher, the Colorado state climatologist, and director of the Colorado Climate Center, said 2020 was the worst year on record for wildfires, rewriting record books on what kind of fires can happen and when.

In the past, wildfire season was generally contained to the hottest part of summer in July and into August. Now, Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District Chief Daniel Hatlestad said, wildfires are a 12-month priority. The Inter-Canyon Fire District covers 52 square miles in Jefferson County.

“We are seeing these fires spread, and spread quickly every month of the year,” Hatlestad said. “The fuel load across the Front Range has created more intense, frequent and longer-burning fires. There is no longer a change of approach to prepare for wildfire season because there is no season.”

South Metro Fire Rescue firefighters, Wes Polk, left, Travis McConnell, Todd Bramer and John Peterson left for a 14-day stint in California last week. Crews regularly help neighCOURTESY PHOTO boring states fighting major wildfires throughout the year.

Schumacher said it is not just Colorado, Western states have had year-round fire problems since 2002 as average temperatures have crept up and annual precipitation levels have decreased.

Schumacher said the increased

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“In the mountains and western Colorado, the increasing temperatures puts more stress on vegetation and soil,” he said. “When the air is hotter, it is thirstier for water. The atmosphere then wants to pull the moisture out of the soils and crops.

Even if you have a normal amount of precipitation, it does not go as far.”

Along the Front Range, Schumacher said, 2021 has been a good year for snowfall and precipitation, but the effects of 2020 carry over.

In years like 2020, Schumacher said, the exceedingly hot temperatures with a lower-than-average level of snow and rainfall become the perfect setting for wildfires.

In 2020, an estimated 700,000 acres burned in the state as the Cameron Peak Fire, East Troublesome Fire and the Pine Gulch Fire blazed through Colorado lands.

So far in 2021, the incident information system, InciWeb, estimates more than 25,000 acres have burned in seven different wildfires reported throughout the state.

Daniel Beveridge, a wildfire mitigation specialist for the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), said climate change has created a new reality as officials manage state forest lands.

“With it being warmer and drier, it only intensifies fires, allowing them to burn faster,” he said. “The most important thing for people using public lands is to follow guidelines set by local jurisdictions. These warnings are not just created on a whim. They are not taken lightly, and they are important.”

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, about 90% of wildfires are human caused, with the other 10% coming from nature such as lightning strikes. It is important that people take responsibility and realize that an overheated car parked in dry weeds can spark a major fire, Beveridge said.

Evergreen Fire Rescue Chief Mike Weege said covering more than 120 square miles of land in parts of Jefferson, Park and Clear Creek counties presents a lot of challenges.

Besides climate issues, Weege said the current state of some of the state’s forest lands provides added fuel that allows a wildfire to get big fast. Dead, dry trees covering the forest floor have been a factor over the last few years, he said.

“We have continued to see this unhealthy overgrowth in forests,” he said. “Add that to the increased heat we are dealing with, and you have more fires.”

Last year, Weege said, fire crews fought the Elephant Butte Fire in the middle of a populated area.

While the fire was contained after 54 acres, Weege said it could have been a lot worse.

Einar Jensen, South Metro Fire Rescue risk reduction specialist, said the “wildfire season” label is creating a false sense of security.

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A photo taken by firefighters on the scene of the Cameron Peak Fire near Fort Collins COURTESY OF ARVADA FIRE in 2020.

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July 22, 2021

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4 Elbert County News

July 22, 2021

Local support keeps Parker eatery thriving Indochine Cuisine going strong after getting through pandemic year

BY JULIO SANDOVAL AND BRITTANY FREEMAN ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Yume Tran says she’s made thousands of friends by serving food in Parker since 2003, and her bond to the community feels even stronger since COVID-19 hit.

Tran and her husband run Indochine Cuisine, a Thai and Vietnamese restaurant that attracts loyal customers to Parker’s Mainstreet.

Talking about those customers brings tears to Tran’s eyes as she describes how her restaurant has thrived despite a pandemic that has forced so many other businesses to shut down.

“It’s amazing. I don’t know why I’m so emotional about it, but we could never survive, actually, without their support,” she said.

Staff members said they feared the restaurant wouldn’t make it when COVID-19 restrictions blocked in-person dining early in the pandemic.

“It was pretty scary. At first I thought I might lose my job because a lot of people were losing their jobs in the industry,” said lead cook Brian Mehdinia.

“Miss Yume definitely knew how to pivot in such a way that kept our

VIDEO Watch a Rocky Mountain PBS video of this story by going online to tinyurl.com/ ccmparkerrestaurant. customers coming back,” said Danny Tran, the acting front-of-house manager. “We definitely have a lot of loyal customers ... but it’s half loyal customers, half marketing.”

Yume Tran posted videos on Facebook teaching customers how to cook Indochine Cuisine’s dishes at home, and the restaurant capitalized on its social media popularity to offer discounts and multi-course meal specials for takeout.

“I think the customers definitely saw that we were trying our best to help them attain some sort of a regular day-to-day life,” Danny Tran said.

“You’re getting a full-course meal at home from a restaurant. It was just a good experience, basically.”

“We were super busy and just grateful for everything,” Mehdinia added.

“We’ve never had to close. ... We didn’t have to lay off anybody,” Yume Tran said.

The restaurant did cut its hours, which Yume Tran said was a step intended to protect the staff’s health.

But she also said that strong community support meant Indochine Cuisine could offer its employees raises. She said the restaurant provided raises every six or seven months pre-pandemic and contin-

Inside the kitchen at Indochine Cuisine, a Thai and Vietnamese restaurant on Parker’s PHOTO BY JULIO SANDOVAL/ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS Mainstreet.

ued doing so after COVID-19 hit.

“We want to make sure that they know we want them here, that we appreciate them working for us,” she said.

“I was one of the lucky ones that still had a job, still had hours, still had pay,” Danny Tran said. “It was nice knowing that I was being cared for.”

Yume Tran said the restaurant has long been “unconventional” for the industry by offering its established kitchen staff salaried pay rather than hourly, along with paid time off and a fixed schedule.

“I think that has paid off for us.

We don’t have a staff shortage,” she said.

“It’s a really hard business,” she said. “For each individual employee, any chance I can get to make a little bit of difference in their life ... that’s what makes the job worth it. Because it’s a really hard way to make a living.”

This story is from Rocky Mountain PBS, a nonprofit public broadcaster providing community stories across Colorado over the air and online.

Used by permission. For more, and to support Rocky Mountain PBS, visit rmpbs.org.

Elbert County News 5

July 22, 2021

District takes first steps in overhaul of educator pay

BY LIAM ADAMS LADAMS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Douglas County School District has a short-term and longterm plan to improve educator compensation.

The district is ending furlough days and boosting employees’ base salaries this upcoming school year to make up for losses from the COVID-19 pandemic and make salaries slightly more competitive. However, a potential overhaul of compensation methodology won’t happen until after the 2021-22 school year.

District staff presented their ideas throughout several board of education meetings and study sessions in May and June. Board directors, who almost all agree that the system for paying educators needs work, welcomed the multistep process laid before them.

“I have seen huge progress in adjust this horrible range (of salaries) that we had before when we first inherited this mess,” said Director Kevin Leung at a study session on May 25.

From 2012 through 2016, the district kept switching to different methods for paying teachers, from market-based pay to salary bands to salary ranges, explained Amanda Thompson, chief human resources officer, at the May 25

study session.

The district took its first steps toward the current compensation methodology, also called a “salary schedule” — which divides licensed staff into different categories, general, hard to hire and specialist, who are paid differently based on years of experience and credentials — in 2017.

Still, salary ranges weren’t ideal, so the district asked voters to approve a mill levy override in 2018 to generate additional property tax revenue to benefit educators’ salaries. The measure was successful. Despite all the progress, the district had to shrink its budget during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coming out of the pandemic, the district first needed to make up for losses. Staff received one-time payments in June to offset income lost to furlough days during the 2020-21 school year. No furlough days are planned in the upcoming school year.

Also, the 2021-22 school year budget, which the board adopted June 22, set aside a $15.7 million compensation pool to give every licensed staff member a 4% pay boost. The boost brings all staff at or above a new base salary of $43,000 for general licensed staff.

“We believed it was important to make progress in terms of adjust-

ing our current ranges because $39,000 is just not an acceptable starting salary,” said Thompson, referring to last year’s base salary, at the May 25 study session.

These are just temporary fixes, though, as the district eyes a change in the way it determines people’s pay.

Chief Financial Officer Kate Kataska explained to the board at the May 25 study session, “While employee pay has increased over time, the underlying ranges or the salary schedule has not always followed suit. So, in some cases we have pay schedules that have not been updated in as many as six years.”

So, the district needs to go back and review employees’ years of experience and credentials to determine new salary ranges. Kataska said the goal is to complete that review by the end of the 2021-22 school year, so the new salary schedules can take effect in the 2022-23 school year.

Thompson said, “We will propose something even further so that we can continue to be as competitive as our surrounding districts.”

The changes in the upcoming school year will help the district reach its final destination, but, Thompson said, “we do have a long way to go.”

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July 22, 2021

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The Douglas County Fair & Rodeo is ready to ride! Join us for the Parade!

The 2021 Douglas County Fair & Rodeo kicks off July 31 with the Fair and Rodeo Parade in downtown Castle Rock at 9:30 a.m.

Join your friends and neighbors July 31 - Aug. 8 for old-fashioned family fun. Visit Discovery Ranch and become a farmer for the day! Join in the stick-horse rodeo or pie-eating contest. Enjoy live music, classic fair food, as well as – a foodie’s favorite – food trucks. For more information, a schedule of events or to purchase tickets online visit FairandRodeoFun.com or call 720-733-6941.

Celebrate the completion of the East/West Regional Trail The final section of the East/West Regional Trail is opening Saturday, July 24 at 9 a.m. and you are invited to join us near the Rueter-Hess Incline in Parker for an inaugural walk, run or ride to celebrate. Visit douglas. co.us/event/east-west-trail for details.

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parts of Jefferson, Arapahoe and Douglas counties.

“It does not matter if it is in the hotter, drier part of the summer or in the winter, if the fuel for the fire is ready to go, it’s ready to go,” Jensen said.

In Castle Rock, Fire Chief Norris Croom said preparedness is not about time of year, but about being ready all the time. That includes coordinating with other fire departments to create a regional approach for the moment smoke is sighted.

In 2020, the Chatridge 2 Fire burned more than 460 acres near Highlands Ranch. Croom said if it were not for the coordinated effort between Castle Rock and South Metro Fire Rescue, more land and homes would have been destroyed.

In total, Castle Rock Fire and Rescue covers more than 66 square miles of land, including 34 square miles of the incorporated town, and 32 square miles of unincorporated land surrounding the town.

Hatlestad said when a report of smoke or fire sightings comes in, all departments along then entire Front Range are on edge.

“Fire sees no political boundaries,” he said. “A wildfire crosses town and county boundaries in minutes. All fires start small, but in today’s climate, they can become massive quickly.”

In 2020, the wind, heat and dry air created the perfect environment for

Firefighters from South Metro Fire Rescue Brush 33, based in Centennial, push back against the Cameron Peak Fire in the Arapahoe and Roosevelt national forests in northern Colorado on Aug. 24.

COURTESY PHOTO

the East Toublesome Fire to cover 100,000 acres in less than 24 hours, Hatlestad said.

Weege said Evergreen relies heavily on state assistance if a fire breaks out in the forest areas. Once a fire gets into the trees, Weege said it not only spreads quickly, but requires the state’s air assistance to fight it from above.

In the more suburban communities, Thornton Fire Lt. Perry Otero said the department does not have a lot of calls for wildfires, but they believe in a coordinated, cooperative approach for the good of the Front Range.

Otero said Thornton fire crews are trained to handle wildland fires and are able to send help to other counties and districts as needed.

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A meeting by Elbert County Citizens For Elbert County Citizens Do you like the direction your county is going?

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American Legion Hall in Elizabeth, 228 Banner St. ZOOM @ https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87290982982 Meeting ID: 872 9098 2982 This is NOT a county government meeting

July 22, 2021

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Elbert County News 7

8 Elbert County News

July 22, 2021

Kent Thiry, DaVita indicted by federal grand jury Prosecutors allege conspiracy among competitors to avoid hiring away certain employees

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Denver-based DaVita Inc. and the dialysis giant’s former CEO Kent Thiry have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that they conspired with competing employers not to try to hire certain workers.

DaVita and Thiry are specifically accused of two counts of violating the Sherman Act, which deals with antitrust law, and are due in court July 20 for their initial appearance.

“Those who conspire to deprive workers of free-market opportunities and mobility are committing serious crimes that we will prosecute to the full extent of the law,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Richard A. Powers of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division said in a written statement on July 15. “We are grateful for our partnership with the FBI and our shared commitment to rooting out illegal collusion targeting labor markets.”

If convicted, DaVita faces a maximum penalty of a $100 million fine per count. Thiry faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a

Kent Thiry, former CEO of the dialysis giant DaVita.

$1 million fine per count, according to federal prosecutors.

Thiry, through a spokeswoman, strongly denied the accusations and alleged that federal prosecutors had manufactured a legal theory through which to pursue charges in the case.

“These allegations are false and rely on a radical legal theory about senior executive recruitment without precedent in U.S. history,” said Karen Crummy, a spokeswoman for Thiry. “The government took steps to ignore — and even hide — key evidence. The facts bear it out decisively: No antitrust violations

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occurred, these companies hired DaVita executives for years, and the companies are not competitors.”

Thiry’s team said the situation was more akin to a human resources dispute than a violation of federal antitrust law.

“Kent Thiry has worked for decades to provide affordable, lifesaving health care to millions of Americans,” Crummy said. “He has dedicated the last 10 years to making Colorado a better place for everyone, and he has done it the right way: ethically, lawfully and with integrity.”

Federal prosecutors allege that DaVita and Thiry participated in two separate conspiracies to suppress competition around the hiring of certain employees. The first count alleges DaVita and Thiry conspired with Surgical Care Affiliates LLC — also known as SCA — to agree not to solicit each other’s senior-level employees from as early as February 2012 to as recently as July 2017.

The second count alleges DaVita and Thiry conspired with another, unnamed health care company from April 2017 through June 2019 to not solicit DaVita’s employees.

The 10-page indictment includes emails between Thiry and people at the other companies.

“Someone called me to suggest

they reach out to your senior biz dev guy for our corresponding spot,” Thiry emailed the CEO of SCA in October 2014, according to the indictment. “I explained I do not do proactive recruiting into your ranks.”

The CEO of the unnamed health care company wrote to Thiry: “I’m going to make sure everyone on my team knows to steer clear of anyone at DVA.” DVA is DaVita’s stock symbol.

Prosecutors claim Thiry and DaVita’s actions “substantially affected interstate trade and commerce.”

SCA was indicted in January on similar charges.

Thiry announced he was stepping down as DaVita’s CEO in April 2019, but would continue serving as executive chairman of the company’s board. He stepped down from that executive chairman role in 2020.

Thiry has become a political force in Colorado in recent years, giving at least $5.9 million to support ballot measures, including Amendments Y and Z in 2018, which reshaped the state’s legislative and congressional redistricting processes.

The unaffiliated voter also spent heavily last year to ensure passage last year of a ballot question overturning the Gallagher Amendment, a complicated law that drove down property taxes but in the process starved local governments of funding.

The multimillionaire has also been rumored to be interested in running for public office.

Thiry and DaVita have been embroiled in controversy before. The company was sued over kickback allegations, paying the federal government and several states about $400 million in 2014 to settle the case.

The Justice Department says federal prosecutors and the FBI are continuing to investigate the case.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com.

The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

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10 Elbert County News

LOCAL

July 22, 2021

VOICES

When life gives you clichés, make clichéade

I

t’s eleven o’clock. Do you know where your cliché is?

For Pete’s sake, clichés drive me up the wall. They rattle my cage. At the end of the day, clichés push my buttons.

QUIET Lately I have been feeling comDESPERATION fortable in my own skin. I think it’s because whatever doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.

I hear that every week at my AA meeting.

Wayne Gretzky: “You miss one Craig Marshall hundred percent of the shots you never Smith take.”

When one door opens, another one closes. Or maybe it’s the other way around.

The way I see it, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

Life is too short to get all bent out of shape.

Harry agrees. His bark is bigger

than his bite. Like he always says, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

After all: time heels all hounds.

Harry and I take it one game at a time. He’s one in a million.

You know what? We’re not laughing with you, we’re laughing at you.

Like Harry always says, “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

Steven Wright: “A fool and his money are soon partying.”

Eddie Murphy: “I wish people would stop making fun of fat people. They have enough on their plates.”

Lightning doesn’t knock twice.

People who live in stone houses shouldn’t throw glasses.

There’s no “i” in ego.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery and today is a gift.

That’s why we call it the present.”

“Cut twice, measure once.”

When I was doing my homework last night, I was so hungry I could have eaten a course.

We often rely on clichés for two reasons. Either because we’re lazy

minded or we’re lazy minded.

You know who uses a lot of them? Motivational speakers.

They will tell you, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

(So is listening to Aaron Copland.)

Keep your sunny side up. Tomorrow is another day. The early bird get the worm. The second mouse gets the cheese.

Harry is as complicated as an onion. You have to appeal to him one layer at a time.

If we are all in this together, I hope you don’t snore.

If we are all in this together, I hope you won’t expect me to go to “Hamilton” with you.

You’re never fully dressed without a simile.

As Chef Boyardee said in divorce court, “You can’t judge a cook by his lover.”

The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago.

Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing.

When it rains, it pours. The rest is history. Have a nice day. Have a nice night. Hang by your thumbs and write if you get work.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Life is a bowl of cherries.

“Beulah, peel me a grape.”

Jack Handey: “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you will be a mile away and have their shoes.”

William Lyon Phelps, “If at first you don’t succeed find out if the loser gets anything.”

Steven Wright: “If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.”

Marcelene Cox: “If at first you don’t succeed, blame your parents.”

Charles de Gaulle: “He who laughs last didn’t get the joke.”

Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net.

What I wouldn’t give for just 5 more minutes

H

ow many times have we thought, “If I could only do that over again?” Whatever that is, there is always at least one thing, maybe several things we wish we could take another WINNING shot at. There are WORDS conversations where we wish we could have said something differently or take back the words we spoke in haste or in an unprepared moment.

Oftentimes the Michael Norton do-over we want has more to do with our desire to do something better while seeking another attempt at fixing any mistake or regretful moment where we may have erred. We seek improvement so that the next time we are faced with the same opportunity or conversation, we handle it better.

Second chances are awesome, third chances are terrific, and fourth chances are tremendously amazing. And for a guy who has

A publication of

750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: ElbertCountyNews.net To subscribe call 303-566-4100

had way too many do-overs in life, I am grateful for those multiple chances to get it right.

As life goes on and people come and go in our lives, personally and professionally, and as we lose those we have loved, if we are not careful we may find ourselves saying something like, “What I wouldn’t give for one more day or even to have just five more minutes with that person.” Those are always tough moments as we wish that we would have made more of an effort to see them, spent a few extra minutes each week on the phone with them, or invested the time to listen and learn from them.

There may still be opportunities to reconnect with those who have moved away, regardless of how far.

Technology allows us to reconnect virtually and maybe even pick up right where had left off. The heartache of missing someone who has passed away is difficult. And there are moments where we really do wish we could have just five more minutes with them. But here is the question, are there people in our life, should they suddenly be

removed from our lives for whatever reason, whom we would wish that we could have spoken to them one more time?

We all have someone or maybe a few people who would be missed dearly. The good news is that they are still with us, they are a walk, drive, email, call or text away. So instead of realizing one day that we wish we had one more chance to be with or talk to someone, how about we do something about it today to make sure we are not looking back with regret and instead enjoying each moment we have to create beautiful memories today.

Here’s my plan to make sure I am making contact with those who are important to me. Please feel free to use some or all of this plan so you stay connected too.

1. Each day make one extra call to a friend, family member or loved one.

2. Each week, send a handwritten letter, card or note to someone expressing my gratitude.

3. Three times a day, morning, noon and night, send an email to a colleague, coach, or mentor.

4. Each morning send a text to

JERRY HEALEY Board Member

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant

jhealey@coloradocommunitymedia.com

eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MARK HARDEN Interim Editor

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager

mharden@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager

ERIN FRANKS Production Manager

lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

my children letting them know how much I love them and say something special to them.

5. I walk my neighborhood each day as I walk my dog or walk into town. And I intentionally try hard to find one of my neighbors or someone in the community to say hi to and to ask them how they are doing.

6. Spend time in prayer, remembering those whom I have loved and lost.

Are there one or more people that you really want to stay connected to? Are there things you could do and should do to stay more connected? Are there people you miss, and just wish you could have had just five more minutes of time with? I would love to hear your story at mnorton@tramazing.com and when we can find a way to have more time with those we love and cherish, it really will be a better than good year.

Michael Norton is the grateful CEO of Tramazing.com, a personal and professional coach, and a consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator to businesses of all sizes.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News.

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

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.

ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday

by Colorado Community Media, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110.

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Elbert County News, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

Elbert County News 11

July 22, 2021

Parker live-music venue takes flight Wild Goose Saloon’s capacity is more than 700 people

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Parker’s newest music venue and restaurant, Wild Goose Saloon, celebrated its grand opening July 9.

The newly-constructed venue will feature live music from multiple genres every Wednesday through Sunday. For now, its hours are from 2 p.m. until close, but in the coming weeks the restaurant expects to expand them to serve lunch, said owner Dale Trujillo.

“We want to be a little bit of everything to everybody,” Trujillo said.

A line of guests wrapped around the building for the grand opening event. Trujillo said that while some at the opening may have experienced long wait times, the bar is working on improving both its technical and operational systems to improve that experience.

“Just be patient with us. We’re going to make some mistakes; we’re going to have some growing pains,” Trujillo said.

The bar hosted two bands during the event, which drew about 700 people total throughout the evening, Trujillo estimates.

“That did my heart well to see people enjoying themselves,” Trujillo said.

Steve Johnston, a musician from Centennial, said he drove down to Parker for the event because there isn’t much else in the area like the venue, especially at its size.

“The money that went into the stage and venue and getting national bands is pretty cool for this area because there’s not much live music in this area,” he said.

While the building has a capacity of 450 people inside and 300 outside, Trujillo said he won’t ever let it get that full.

“I don’t want to be a packed bar with people shoulder to shoulder and people can’t get drinks,” he said.

Going forward, Trujillo, a Colorado native, wants to further expand his 50-person staff. But like many in the industry, he said he’s having a hard time finding applicants. He

Colorado-based musician Hazel Miller performed during the Wild Goose Saloon grand opening July 9.

also plans to continuously change the menu items to find what people like best.

Trujillo’s dream is for his bar to work with other local businesses to keep people in Parker, he said.

“That was a vision that I had and I hope it can get to that at some point,” he said.

Trujillo, who also owns the Blu Note Bar & Grille in Parker, sees a lot of difference between the two venues.

“Blu Note is a Parker bar,” he said.

“The Wild Goose is a bar that will reach out beyond Parker. … We’ve embraced that.”

While it’s called a saloon, the Wild Goose will have many types of music outside of country, Trujillo said.

“We want musicians of Denver to have a real stage to come to,” he said. “We want to have different types of music in here.”

Murals inside the bar show a variety of famous musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Freddie Mercury, B.B. King, Prince and others.

“Everyone that’s on our walls means something to the music business,” Trujillo said.

PHOTO BY RORY YOUNG

In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. Private 303-566-4100 Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Funeral Homes Visit: www.memoriams.com

Patrons of the Wild Goose Saloon in Parker sit on the back patio of the restaurant durPHOTO BY ELLIOTT WENZLER ing its grand opening event July 9.

12 Elbert County News

LOCAL

July 22, 2021

LIFE

Simon Glasser riding Fiona with help from volunteers Steva Gay, left, and Clark Bennett. The training is up to 45 minutes which includes the indoor arena.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Loveland-based horse program offers unique program for kids, vets and others

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

H

orseback riding offers a great way to get fresh air and exercise for some folks.

Others love it because they love the animals themselves.

But Noah Montgomery and Simon Glasser come to Loveland’s Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center as a regular part of their therapy. Riding horses, caregivers say, helps them physically and helps improve their quality of life.

Montgomery is 6 years old with

cerebral palsy ataxia and has been riding since he was 3.

Glasser is 5, diagnosed with a disease called Duchenne muscular dystrophy, who has been riding since preschool.

Ashley Montgomery, Noah’s mom, said it’s something he looks forward to.

“He loves riding Xellie and is probably one of the highlights of his week. It’s awesome they have a program for people like Noah.”

Justine Mathis, who babysits for Glasser, agreed.

SEE HORSES, P13

Elbert County News 13

July 22, 2021

HORSES FROM PAGE 12

“This program makes him feel good and helps with some of the strain,” she said.

Hearts & Horses is a therapeutic riding facility established in 1997. It was founded by a group of volunteers who were working at a previous therapeutic riding center after it closed.

“A group of volunteers got together and decided there’s still a need for this and got something started.

We were founded and ran by volunteers for many years, and it’s a nonprofit registered 501(c)(3),” said Summer Alameel, development and communications manager of Hearts & Horses.

Hearts & Horses helps an estimated 1,000 participants per year. With a quarter of a century of experience with special-needs riders, the center provides a special kind of therapy for people from ages 3 to 99.

“The services we provide for are for post-traumatic stress disorder, cerebral palsy, autism and dementia. The participants are paired with horses in a structured therapeutic setting,” said Alameel.

Groundbreaking research Alameel pointed to the Man O’ War Project at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center, the first university-led research trial to establish guidelines for the application of equine-assisted therapy, or EAT, for treating veterans with PTSD and to examine the effectiveness of the new treatment for veterans.

Hearts & Horses is part of that trial and Alameel said veterans in northern Colorado can gain access to this unique treatment option at no cost by working with Hearts & Horses.

“This groundbreaking research project will provide the first clinical evidence of the effectiveness of (equine-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder) for treating veterans who suffer from PTSD,” Alameel said.

Therapy trainer Rachel Karneffel has been teaching therapeutic riding for 20 years and has been with Hearts & Horses for more than six.

Noah Montgomery riding Xellie with volunteer David Erbeck, left, helping him with his therapy ride along with volunteer Jordan Pollema. The training is about 45 minutes which includes an indoor training PHOTO BY BELEN WARD in the arena.

She is certified with the International Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship.

“Therapeutic riding or adaptive riding has been something that people have known for a very long time that works,” Karneffel said.

“We are doing autism studies here with our research at Colorado State University at the Temple Grandin Equine Center,” Karneffel said. “It proves what we already know, which is that horses are incredibly healing.”

Karneffel said the one therapeutic feature about horses is how their body moves with their rider’s body, much like walking. That steady, swaying movement of the horse comes from all angles and directions. How that movement differs between horses makes them better for certain riders and more useful for certain therapies.

“We try to match riders with a horse that has the movement closest to what they need, as well as the temperament,” she said.

Simon Glasser, the boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has some muscle weakness. The way the horses moved hurt his legs at first, making just sitting on the horse difficult. Eventually, however, it helped him.

“The movement of the horse from side to side is moving his core to keep balanced, and moving his legs in a way that is similar to how he would be moving naturally,” said Karneffel.

‘Something incredible’ Hearts & Horses has one of the

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largest volunteer programs in Larimer County. Their numbers declined in 2020 due to COVID, but the group continued to have more than 200 active volunteers throughout the year. In any given year it could go up from 700 to 1,000 volunteers.

David Erbeck is a Hearts & Horses volunteer and a retired firefighter for nearly 30 years.

“It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done. I got to be a part of something incredible, such as saving lives and rescues. I never cried in 30 years as a firefighter. It brings tears to my eyes — we’re saving people here and it’s amazing,” Erbeck said.

There are 26 horses and a handful of them are therapy horses in training. There is extensive training involved for therapeutic riding and an animal’s temperament is key. As a therapy program, it’s important to have a horse that does not spook easily.

There are other accommodations that must be made. Some of the riders use wheelchairs for mobility, so volunteers built a lift ramp to help riders get on and off the horse. In the outside area is a trail, called the “Trail of Discovery,” which they use for outdoor classes.

It’s designed as a sensory trail for participants who have sensory issues such as autism spectrum disorder.

For Montgomery, riding has taught him the process of doing something physical while also teaching him the benefit of having patience — something necessary to ride a horse.

“If you can control 1,000-pound animals and get them to do what you want in a kind, assertive, calm, relaxed way, you can do anything in your life. The magic of our students is to take those skills and bring them outside whether it’s physical, emotional, mental, and socially,” said Karneffel.

Community support Hearts & Horses receives donations from the community and also has one large annual event, the “Lucky Hearts” annual gala in October at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, which also includes a casino night.

“We are currently looking for sponsors, corporate sponsors, family foundations and anyone who is looking to sponsor the event,” said Alameel. “It’s our primary source of funding for the year. We also have a lot of corporate support from individual donors giving $5 a month.”

An average lesson is $95. Hearts & Horses recognizes that some riders cannot afford that, so the group fundraises for every lesson, up to $60, to offset the cost. Even with a reduced fee of $35, it’s a lesson some families cannot afford. So, an additional 56% is needed in financial support for some of the riders in a form of a scholarship.

“We fundraise all of the money to make sure that we never turn a rider away because they can’t pay,” said Alameel.

Hearts & Horses is at 163 N. CR 29, Loveland. For more information call 970-663-4200, ext. 307 or visit HeartsAndHorses.org.

14 Elbert County News

July 22, 2021

Tobacco-tax boost generates millions Proposition EE was passed

by Colorado voters last November

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

The cigarette and vaping display at a convenience store in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood in 2019.

Tax-collection data for June won’t be available until later in July.

Proposition EE was pitched as a way to fund preschool slots in Colorado, but money from the ballot initiative won’t start going to that cause until the 2023-24 fiscal year.

In the first three fiscal years, the revenue from the new and increased taxes will be split between the state’s K-12 education fund, rural schools and housing assistance.

Health advocates see the ballot measure as a way to reduce tobacco and nicotine use, citing studies that show how higher prices can reduce consumption.

The next tax increase under Proposition EE will come in January, when taxes on the manufacturer’s list price for nicotine products rise to 35% from 30%. Before the ballot measure, Colorado had no tax on nicotine products, like vaping fuel and e-cigarettes.

Proposition EE also enacts a socalled minimum-price provision mandating that a pack of cigarettes

PHOTO BY ERIC LUBBERS/THE COLORADO SUN

be sold for no less than $7 and a carton for no less than $70.

The discount cigarette company Liggett Vector Brands Inc. filed lawsuits in federal and state court challenging the ballot measure, claiming the minimum-price provision violates competitiveness laws.

The legal actions are still pending.

The Colorado Sun obtained emails showing that Gov. Jared Polis’ office was asked to meet several conditions insisted upon by Altria in exchange for the tobacco giant, which owns Marlboro, agreeing not to fight legislation that put Proposition EE on the November 2020 ballot. Altria and Liggett Vector Brands are competitors.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com.

The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

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“It’s possible that this increase in December 2020 revenue is causing the cigarette revenue in the first few months of 2021 to be lower than expected,” said Daniel Carr, a spokesman for the revenue department.

TH

A new nicotine tax and an increased tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products in Colorado generated more than $34 million in their first five months, according to a data analysis by The Colorado Sun. Proposition EE, which was passed by voters in November, went into effect in January, raising the taxes on a pack of cigarettes to $1.94 from 84 cents. The ballot measure will continue to increase nicotine, tobacco and cigarette taxes in Colorado through 2027, when they level out.

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Elbert County News 15

July 22, 2021

2021 Education Awards Support Healthcare Students and Workers On August 25th, join us in recognizing excellence and dedication in healthcare pathways. register at:

ccahec.org/awards 8/25, 4pm (via zoom)

Grace Richardson received a scholarship from the Elizabeth PHOTOS COURTESY OF KRISTEN CROOKSHANKS Education Foundation.

STUDENTS FROM PAGE 1

The EEF is a self-funded organization. Income is generated by encouraging neighbors to shop with Amazon Smile, King Soopers loyalty cards, American Furniture Warehouse and Premium Auto-Glass. A portion of the purchases are then given to EEF as the shoppers’ designated charity. In addition, support can be given by purchasing Safeway cards, participating in monthly fundraising events and donating directly to the foundation.

More information on the Elizabeth Education Foundation can be found

Isabella McCarty is a recipient of the Elizabeth Education Foundation scholarship.

on the website at elizabethef.org, by emailing ElizabethEducationFoundation@outlook.com or by calling 303-646-6761.

The Elizabeth High School scholarship recipients are Isabella McCarty and Grace Richardson.

Elizabeth High School STARS recipients are Sophie Antinora, Ava Archer, Isabella Arciniaga, Jake Burdick, Breanna Dickman, Luke Franklin, Samantha Guthrie, Oliver Hansen, Jackson Hicks, Samuel Johnson, Isabella McCarty, Olivia O’Neal, Faith Paquette, Jace Perez, Olivia Reiber, Sadie Schmidt, Nevaeh Schmitz, Jamie Sikroski, Zoe Sockriter, Gianna Spangler, Jolie Sprouse, Jacob Stephens, Taylor Swisher, Jessie Thompson and McKenzie Tucker.

Elizabeth Middle School STARS recipients are Taelynn Berglund, Luke Ferland, Charlie Heffernan, Devon Johnson, Ann Jones, Imogene Mott, Katie Owens, Seraphina Perrault, Colten Phillips, Patrick Rock, Zackary Snow and Titan Toupin.

Legacy Academy STARS recipients are Keira Brauer, Kylie Fonte, Riley Fusco, Claire Haselhorst, Katelyn Jobes and Ella Riedel.

Running Creek Elementary School STARS recipients are Molleigh Daggett, Charli Kugler and Tristan McMurrin.

Singing Hills Elementary School STARS recipients are Kennedy Curo, Victoria Howell and Genevieve Khoury.

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Sponsor the event or donate toward a student’s tuition at the link above.

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16 Elbert County News

July 22, 2021

C R O S SWO R D P U Z Z L E

Q&A: Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series Outdoor movies became popular during the pandemic, continue in 2021

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Highlands Ranch Community Association has created a unique way to see movies and spend quality time with the family. The Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series is now under way, with weekly showings.

We caught up with Lindsey McKissick, coordinator of Backcountry Wilderness Area Outreach, to get the details of the summer program.

When do you start doing Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series?

The Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series was born out of a community need for a safe way to get outside during the summer of 2020. We started with six films in 2020. It was such a hit last summer that we are hosting 28 movie nights through

Sept. 4. All films are open to the public. No pets allowed.

Why did you start providing movie options to residents?

There is nothing better than enjoying a summer evening outdoors, except a night under the stars watching your favorite movies on a big screen. We want the community to come out and enjoy Backcountry Base Camp, an outdoor gem just minutes south of Highlands Ranch Parkway.

What makes this experience unique?

All the proceeds of the Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series benefit the Backcountry Conservation & Education Fund. Our mission of local wildlife habitat conservation and environmental education directly benefits when people join us for the Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series.

We also have a lot of community sponsors that by donating make every dollar in ticket sales go directly toward our conservation and education missions.

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July 22, 2021

Elbert County News 17

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Excellent benefits, including full health benefits & mileage reimbursement or use of a car. Questions contact Tracy (719) 775-2342, ext. 101. To apply for this position, please complete the Certified Application for Employment available on the East Central BOCES website www.ecboces.org under “Jobs”. EOE

Public Works Operator

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Part time doing repairs, minor plumbing, minor electrical, gardeing, snow removal etc. Hourly rate depending on experience. Robin 303-567-4285 Maintenance Technician II - Fleet

Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Airport is currently accepting applications for a dependable full-time Maintenance Technician II for Fleet Maintenance to perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled labor duties associated with operating and maintaining Airport vehicles, equipment, and property. Must be fluent in both written and spoken English and be able to communicate via radio transmissions; have the flexibility to be on-call during inclement weather and to work alternate shifts including weekends for snow removal, mowing and other special projects that may arise. Typical work schedule: 7 am – 3:30 pm, Monday – Friday. A valid Colorado Driver’s license and HS diploma or GED required plus 6 months vocational training in automotive or diesel repair plus one-year vehicle maintenance experience including heavy equipment operation or equivalent combination of experience and training. Hourly hiring range is $25.00 to $27.00 depending on experience level. Excellent benefits after 60 days. Apply in person to the Airport Authority at 7565 S. Peoria St., D-9, Englewood, CO 80112 or obtain an application at www.centennialairport.com. EOE

The Town of Elizabeth Public Works Department is seeking an individual who is organized and self-motivated for an entry-level full-time position.

The preferred applicant should have at least one (1) year of experience in, but not limited to: assisting in park mowing, trimming, building maintenance, light and heavy equipment operation, equipment maintenance and repair, water meter reading, sewer and water mainline repairs, minor water and wastewater plant repair and maintenance, minor landscape type equipment repairs, and general labor for the department.

Preferred applicant to be considered is to be within 30 minutes of the Town of Elizabeth, CDL Class B (or able to obtain a CDL Class B within 1 year of accepted hire/training provided by the Town) and to be available if needed to work during weekends and Holidays along with any needed overtime. A background check and references will determine final eligibility. Please inquire with the Public Works Director for more detailed information at 303913-6453. Valid Driver’s license required. Hourly salary starting at $19.23 per hour DOQ and includes current Town benefits EOE/M/FV. Applications will be accepted until the job is filled. Send resume and completed town application to Town of Elizabeth/Public Works Director Mike DeVol. Town of Elizabeth PO Box 159/151 Banner St. Elizabeth, CO 80107, Fax to 303-646-9434 or Email to mdevol@townofelizabeth. org

Registered Occupational Therapist 4 Day Per Week Registered Occupational Therapist. OTR must have, or be eligible for appropriate Colorado licensure. Provide Pre-12 intervention, assessment, direct & indirect services just east of Denver on I-70, Bennett, Strasburg Byers & Kiowa areas. Support from an experienced COTA is available.

Salary range for PhD: $47,000$60,300. Excellent benefits. Access to company vehicle or mileage reimbursement. To apply for this position, please complete the Certified Application for Employment available on the East Central BOCES website www.ecboces.org under “Jobs” on our website ecboces.org.

EOE Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101 or email tracyg@ecboces.org

Classic/Antique Cars Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Airport is currently accepting applications for a dependable full-time Maintenance Technician I to perform a variety unskilled and semi-skilled general labor tasks associated with the maintenance and operation of the Airport’s property and light to heavy equipment. Must be fluent in written and spoken English and be able to communicate via radio transmissions; flexibility to be on-call during inclement weather and to work alternate shifts including weekends for snow removal, mowing and other special projects that may arise. Typical work schedule: 7 am – 3:30 pm, Monday – Friday. A valid Colorado Driver’s license and HS diploma or GED required. Experience in building or construction maintenance including heavy equipment operation a plus. Hourly hiring range is $21.00 - $23.00. Excellent benefits after 60 days. Apply in person to the Airport Authority at 7565 S. Peoria St., D-9,

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18 Elbert County News

July 22, 2021

SHOOTING FROM PAGE 1

including shipping containers, freight boxes, sheds and portable toilets around the businesses in the industrial park, prosecutors said.

Skalisky responded to a call for assistance. While searching for the man, Skalisky looked under a tarp in a dog-kennel-sized demonstration model of a truck box, a space that appeared to be too small to conceal a person, and was startled to find the driver there curled into the fetal position, the DA’s office said.

Skalisky told investigators that the surprise of a sudden movement upon finding the driver in the small space caused him to jump back, at which time his duty weapon discharged.

A single round from Skalisky’s 9mm Glock 34 passed through the hiding man’s abdomen and then entered his thigh, causing what a physician described as a noncritical flesh wound because it hit no vital organs, the DA’s office said. The man underwent exploratory surgery at Parker Adventist Hospital and was released the next day.

The letter from the district attorney’s office described Skalinsky’s explanation of the incident by saying that “he did not intend to shoot Mr. H, and he explained the discharge as an involuntary or ‘sympathetic discharge’ resulting from simultaneously clench-

The Kiowa Industrial Park, location of the shooting.

ing and pulling the tarp with his left hand while holding his duty weapon in his right hand.”

“The question here is not so much the appropriate voluntary use of force but the criminal ramifications of an unintended, accidental discharge of a firearm,” the DA’s letter said. “In light of the insufficient evidence for a likelihood of conviction beyond a reasonable doubt, and the inability to prove that this shooting was the product a conscious voluntary act or even to establish the least culpable of mental states, charges are not warranted based on the evidence.”

The DA’s office therefore determined: “There is not a reasonable likelihood of success at trial and, therefore, no criminal charges are recommended.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF 18TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

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Elbert County News 19

July 22, 2021

CONVICTED FROM PAGE 1

Over the summer, residents can enjoy the outdoors and classic movie favorites with the Backcountry Outdoor Movie COURTESY PHOTO Nights.

SERIES FROM PAGE 16

And if you love seeing movies out at Base Camp, you can host your own Private Movie Night for birthday parties, block parties, work retreats, or family get-togethers.

What can participants expect?

What are the fees?

Most of the films are general

admission at $25 a car. Guests can park their cars and walk a short distance to the movie area to enjoy the evening on camp chairs and blankets. Gates open one hour before the movie starts so that families can enjoy a bring-your-own dinner and the sunset before settling in. There are two, adults-only evenings left this summer, ‘Bridesmaids’ on July 31 and ‘Deadpool’ on Aug. 21. It is a perfect date night for $20 a person, which includes the movie ticket and two beers from

Living the Dream Brewing Co. included.

When/Where/Time When: Friday and Saturday evenings through Sept. 4 Time: Gates open at 7:15 p.m.

(July), 6:15 p.m. (August/September) Where: Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail How to buy tickets Lineup/Details/Tickets: www. hrcaonline.org/bwamovieseries

says a thing, I am going to go out there and take care of this.”

According to prosecutors, Leary returned to the house, where Anderson made a negative comment about her daughter, and Leary attacked Anderson. He kicked down her bedroom door and beat her, prosecutors said.

“I have already gone too far,” he thought to himself, he later told the investigator.

Leary “If I am going to go to jail or prison, I might as well do it for something that is worth it.”

Leary left Anderson on the floor, retrieved a knife from his bedroom and stabbed her in the throat, according to prosecutors.

“No matter what the victim said, she did not deserve to die,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Doug Bechtel told the jury during closing arguments. “Her words did not warrant the defendant’s actions.”

Bechtel tried the case with Chief Deputy District Attorney Ann Tomsic.

“This is not a case of provocation,” Tomsic said. “He’d already decided to end it that day. This was murder.”

Judge Gary Kramer set sentencing for Oct. 13. The mandatory sentence for a Class 1 felony is life in prison without possibility of parole.

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ROOM, 215 COMANCHE STREET, KIOWA, COLORADO, AT 1 P.M., OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of DEBRA SUE RAGAN, Deceased Case Number: 2021PR30022

City and County

CONTACT ELBERT COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR MORE INFORMATION: 303-621-3136

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before 11/15/2021, or the claims may be forever barred.

Public Notice NO TICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR BURNCO - Concrete Batch Plant CASE NUMBER: EDZ-20-0077 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8750 ALAN RIDGE DR. SHALL BE CONSIDERED FOR AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE/CONCRETE BATCH PLANT, PURSUANT TO ELBERT COUNTY REGULATIONS. THE HEARING IS TO BE HELD BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON 28TH DAY OF JULY, 2021, IN THE ELBERT COUNTY BUILDING, COMMISSIONERS BOARD ROOM, 215 COMANCHE STREET, KIOWA, COLORADO, AT 1:00PM, OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE. CONTACT ELBERT COUNTY COMMUNITY & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR MORE INFORMATION: 303-621-3185 Parcel 5 of the Prairie View Industrial Park, Section 13, Township 8 South, Range 64 West Legal Notice No. 24649 First Publication: July 15, 2021 Last Publication: July 22, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR JOHNSON MAJOR VARIANCE CASE NUMBERS: VA-21-0043 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE 273 SUMMIT VIEW CIRCLE, PARKER, CO, PROPERTY SHALL BE CONSIDERED FOR A MAJOR VARIANCE, PURSUANT TO ELBERT COUNTY REGULATIONS. THE HEARING IS TO BE HELD BEFORE THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS ON THE 11TH DAY OF AUGUST 2021, IN THE ELBERT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, BOCC BOARD

LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: LOT 3, SUMMIT VIEW SUBDIVISION, COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO. Legal Notice No. 24664 First Publication: July 22, 2021 Last Publication: July 22, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News

Storage Liens/Vehicle Titles Public Notice Notice of Sale Contents unknown belonging to: * Kevin Breitkreutz whose last known address is 215 Lewis St Castle Rock Co 80104 and stored in Unit #86 * Oly Pino whose last known address is P.O. Box 703 Franktown Co 80116 and stored in Units #72 and #103 * Becky Clark whose last known address is 1923 Wakonda Way Monument Co 80132 and stored in Units #19 and Unit # 28 * Deana Jiminez whose last known address is 363 Inverness Pkwy 7-1143 Englewood Co 80112 and stored in Unit # 84 * Jake Porter whose last known address is 377 Amanda Ct Elizabeth Co 80107 and stored in Unit #22 Elizabeth Storage LLC 5229 Hwy 86, Elizabeth Co 80107 will be sold at auction or otherwise disposed of at this location after August 1st, 2021.

Legal Notice No. 24663 First Publication: July 22, 2021 Last Publication: July 29, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News

Notice to Creditors Public Notice

Amanda Kotila, Personal Representative 399 Lionel Lane Elizabeth, CO 80107 Legal Notice No. 24660 First Publication: July 15, 2021 Last Publication: July 29, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Jacqueline Joanne Buffington-Shaw, Deceased Case Number: 2021PR 000009 All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before November 15, 2021, or the claims may be forever barred.

Michael Newsic, Personal Representative 36797 county road 5 Elizabeth, Colorado 80107 Legal Notice No. 24648 First publication: July 15, 2021 Last publication: July 29, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News

Name Changes PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name Public notice is given on June 20, 2021 that a Petition for a Change of Name of a minor child has been filed with the Elbert County Court.

The Petition requests that the name of Carston Garrett Mahoney be changed to Carston Garrett Chavez-Mahoney

Case No.: 2012 DR 129 IV-D Case No: 20-903037-44-6A

Children Services

By: Clerk of Court / Deputy Clerk Legal Notice No. 24643 First Publication: July 8, 2021 Last Publication: July 22, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News

(Adoption/Guardian/Other) Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name Public notice is given on June 20, 2021 that a Petition for a Change of Name of a minor child has been filed with the Elbert County Court.

The Petition requests that the name of Cayden Michael Mahoney be changed to Cayden Michael Chavez-Mahoney Case No.: 2012 DR 129 IV-D Case No: 20-903037-44-6A By: Clerk of Court / Deputy Clerk Legal Notice No. 24645 First Publication: July 8, 2021 Last Publication: July 22, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News PUBLIC NOTICE

Public notice is given on June 20, 2021 that a Petition for a Change of Name of a minor child has been filed with the Elbert County Court.

By: Clerk of Court / Deputy Clerk Legal Notice No. 24644 First Publication: July 8, 2021 Last Publication: July 22, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News

In re the Interest of: Fila Sofia Proctor Attorney for Petitioners: Chris Radeff, #26228 Radeff & Hart, P.C. 350 Indiana St. Suite 200 Golden, Colorado 80401 Telephone: (303) 985.8787 Telecopier: (303) 989.7235 Email: home@rhfamlaw.com Case Number: 21PR30021 Division 1 NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION PURSUANT TO § 15-10-401, C.R.S.

Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name

The Petition requests that the name of Chase Robert Mahoney be changed to Chase Robert Chavez-Mahoney Case No.: 2012 DR 129 IV-D Case No: 20-903037-44-6A

DISTRICT COURT, ELBERT COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO Court Address: 751 Ute Ave., P.O. Box 232 Kiowa, Colorado 80117

To: Hawley Proctor and Pedro Aparicio Justo Last Known Address, if any: 100 Ogier Ave. Parkway Lakes Morgan Hill RV Park Lot #68, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 A hearing on the Petition for Substitute Appointment for Co-Guardian and Petition for Appointment of Guardian for the appointment of Co-Guardians for the minor will be held at the following time and location or at a later date to which the hearing may be continued: Date: October 15, 2021 Time: 1:00 pm Courtroom or Division: 1 Address: 751 Ute Ave., Kiowa, Colorado 80117 The hearing will take approximately 1 hour.

Legal Notice No. 24647 First Publication: July 15, 2021 Last Publication: July 29, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News

Elbert County Legals 7.22.21 * 1

20 Elbert County News

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Holiday Craft Show & Mini-Market

July 22, 2021

Third Annual

Saturday Dec. 11 8am - 4pm

Sunday Dec. 12

8am - 2pm

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Douglas County Fairgrounds 500 Fairgrounds Dv. Castle Rock, CO.

Come shop for unique gifts and special items during the annual Colorado Community Media Holiday Craft Show and MiniMarket; With more than 100 exhibitors filling the Douglas County Fairgrounds, this is the best place to find that special, personal gift for friends and family. The show will feature handmade crafts in all areas from metal and leather, to flowers, baskets, ceramics, and so much more.

Vendor applications being accepted now.

Apply Today Contact Event Producer Thelma Grimes at tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com All applications must be approved to participate