Elbert County News 122321

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December 23, 2021

ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

ElbertCountyNews.net

VOLUME 126 | ISSUE 45

Parents want Parton’s Imagination Library Elbert County residents express interest, while Pines & Plains offers early literacy program now

Small Town Mini Donuts opens for business in old Elizabeth Hotel

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

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has made its way to Colorado. Parton’s program launched in 1995 and gifts one book per month to children from birth through 5 years old regardless of economic status. So far, 170,824,458 books have been gifted to the 1,899,903 kids registered for the program.

On Nov. 30, Gov. Jared Polis released a video announcing the Colorado expansion of Parton’s Imagination Library.

“One of my goals is to make Colorado the very best state for children and families,” said Polis. “We know the most important factor in a child’s success is early introduction to books, and we’re proud to start connecting more children to books with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that embodies our commitment to making sure that every family and child thrives.”

SEE LIBRARY, P6

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

Aly Thompson has created a book wall for her twins, and is hoping to add books from COURTESY OF ALY THOMPSON Parton’s Imagination Library in the near future.

Flu season mild so far, but could change Vaccinations are running behind last year

BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN

Last year, Colorado’s flu season was virtually nonexistent.

Only 34 people were hospital-

Warm, sweet, and hard to beat

ized for the flu during the entire 8-month season in 2020 and 2021.

There were zero reported flu deaths among kids.

This year, the flu season is, well, existent. There have been at least 36 flu hospitalizations as of Dec. 14, a number that started the month at around half that sum then doubled in a single week.

“It’s not a huge number but the

INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 9 | VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 11

fact that it doubled over the last week is concerning,” said Heather Roth, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Immunization Branch chief.

Flu vaccination rates are down compared to last year, as well.

So Roth is remaining vigilant. It would not be unprecedented for SEE FLU, P2

It was an exciting first week for the Contreras family of Small Town Mini Donuts, the newest local business to pop up in Elizabeth.

Small Town Mini Donuts is located on Main Street in the historic Elizabeth Hotel building. With high vaulted ceilings and wide skylights, the space is a perfect location for locals to sit and enjoy freshly cooked doughnuts and sip locally-brewed coffee.

The Contreras family is new to the doughnut business but have had the dream of opening their own shop for three years.

“Doughnuts make people happy,” said Adrienne Contreras. “I have always had a dream of owning my own doughnut shop and dreamt of the hot mini donuts I would enjoy as a child at Wyoming county fairs.

It just made sense to explore that dream further.”

Since their official opening day on Dec. 6, business at the tiny doughnut shop has been booming. “We’ve had lines out the door,” said Dan Contreras. “People are super excited to have doughnuts in Elizabeth.”

Raymond Yruegas, Elizabeth resident and recent patron of Small Town Mini Donuts, is particularly excited for the new business to open.

“Having the doughnut shop come to Elizabeth was a great idea for the town,” said Yruegas. “I hope it brings more life to downtown.”

Small Town Mini Donuts isn’t like SEE DONUTS, P7

REIMAGINING ‘NUTCRACKER’ Colorado Ballet’s production gets new garb

P11

2 Elbert County News

December 23, 2021

FLU FROM PAGE 1

a flu season that starts out calm to roar to life after the New Year.

But there are also reasons for optimism. No kids had died from the flu as of mid-December. During the most recent pre-pandemic flu season, the 2019-20 season, nearly 200 people had already been hospitalized with the flu by this time — five times as many people as we’ve seen this year.

Though vaccination rates are behind last year’s record highs, they are in line with previous years’ numbers. And Roth said vaccinations also appear to be picking up.

As of the week of Dec. 6, the state had administered about 1.6 million doses of flu vaccine. In the previous year, it had already administered 1.8 million doses by this time. But the number of flu vaccinations administered weekly has begun to outpace last year’s weekly trends.

“It could be people are just waiting a little bit longer and all-told we’ll measure up pretty well to last year,” Roth said.

Last flu season, amid waves of stay-at-home orders and other social-distancing measures meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the U.S. saw one of the weakest flu seasons on record. Months went by with relatively few people showing up in hospitals or doctors’ offices with cases of the flu.

This year is worse — but still not exactly bad. About 3% of people currently seeking treatment at Kaiser Permanente offices have influenza-like illness, well below the baseline of 5%.

It’s worth noting that the flu season officially begins in October each year and typically peaks in January or February. But, in some years, it doesn’t peak until March.

That’s why the calm start to this season could be a good sign — or it could be deceptive.

The 2015-16 season also started out slow. Then it took off around the end of February.

To Roth, this shows that, despite the good start this year, it’s not time for Colorado to get cocky.

Getting vaccinated against the flu is still important, as is practicing good hand-washing and staying home when sick.

“I think there’s definitely the potential for things to get bad,” she said.

Dylan Scully of Lakewood receives a kids’ influenza vaccination from Kaiser Permanente registered nurse Amy Roscoe, right, while visiting a Kaiser Permanente outdoor flu vaccination center in Ken Caryl with his mother, Jennifer Scully, left, on Sept. 18, 2020.

PHOTO BY ANDY COLWELL

RSV a worry for kids Kids and older adults typically bear the brunt of the flu season.

That’s true this year, too. Among the small number of hospitalizations so far, those 65 and older and those 5 and younger have the highest rates.

But flu isn’t the most significant respiratory virus stalking children right now in Colorado — nor is it the second-most significant.

Estimates of hospitalization rates for RSV — respiratory syncytial virus — were 82 times higher than those for flu in November.

Pediatric hospitalization rates for COVID-19 were also significantly higher.

There really is no comparison between the flu and COVID. Hospitalization rates for the coronavirus have far exceeded flu hospitalization rates for all recent years.

In November, the hospitalization rate among all age groups for COVID was 188 times higher than the hospitalization rate for flu.

But, Roth said, this is all the more reason to take the flu seriously. Even though the risk of hospitalization is lower, now is not a good time to take that gamble.

Hospitals remain crowded places. Even though COVID hospitalizations have fallen in recent weeks, more than 1,300 people are currently hospitalized with the coronavirus in Colorado. The state’s hospital intensive-care units are 95% full and, according to federal data, nearly 38% of people in the ICU in Colorado are there with COVID. Getting vaccinated against both the flu and COVID will help reduce the strain on hospitals and also reduce the likelihood that you will end up in the hospital with either, Roth said. A flu vaccine can also limit the risk of passing the virus to someone who is vulnerable.

The COVID and flu vaccines can be administered at the same

time — just in different arms or, at least, 1 inch apart from one another in the same arm.

About 56% of Coloradans 65 and older have gotten a flu vaccine this year, Roth said. But only about 18% of those ages 20 to 39 have.

“I think sometimes people think they may have missed the window on flu vaccination because we start hammering them pretty hard in October,” Roth said.

“There’s this belief that you need it before Halloween, and that’s not true. You really should be getting your vaccine as long as the virus is circulating.”

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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4 Elbert County News

December 23, 2021

Beekeeping chef has residents buzzing ‘It’s been an adventure, I’ll tell you’

BY RACHEL LORENZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Chef Greg Strickland hosts “Sip and Savor,” a wine and food pairing event, for resiCOURTESY OF VI AT HIGHLANDS RANCH dents of Vi at Highlands Ranch.

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When Greg Strickland realized four years ago that the lackluster gardens at the Vi at Highlands Ranch senior-living community might need more pollinators, he jumped into beekeeping with both feet.

The executive chef, who’s been with Vi since it opened in 2008, started with one and now maintains six rooftop hives at the upscale community off of South University Boulevard.

“It’s been an adventure, I’ll tell you,” said Strickland, who incorporates the honey into Vi’s menu items. The sweet liquid is also put into jars and sold at Vi’s annual farmers market.

Strickland, who’s been cooking for over 30 years, said he’s always striving to improve Vi’s culinary program. When he can, he offers specials that utilize the community’s produce such as pesto from the kitchen garden’s abundance of basil or salads that use their homegrown cherry tomatoes. But his efforts go beyond enticing the palate.

“Chefs should all strive to be more connected to their food and more connected to their residents and their guests,” Strickland said.

His bees fit into Vi’s “living well” approach to life, which focuses on the minds, bodies and spirits of residents, said Angela Owens, lifestyle director at Vi. In addition to helping people eat healthily, residents have enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the bees.

Strickland gives lectures about the winged insects’ role and their struggles in our modern environment. Sensitive to certain chemicals and subject to colony collapse syndrome, they are canaries in the coal mine, he says, and he is happy to talk about them with residents.

“There’s always a buzz around the bees,” Owens said. “Residents are really excited about the bees, and it adds value to our community.”

In addition to Strickland’s culinary garden, some residents care for their own garden plots at Vi. Others peruse the facility’s communal

Greg Strickland’s miso and honey glazed salmon uses honey collected from the chef’s rooftop beehives at Vi at Highlands Ranch.

memory garden. All the gardens — and the residents who enjoy them — have benefited from the bees, Owens said.

Strickland not only creates breakfast, lunch and dinner options for Vi’s 300 residents, he also provides fun food events outside of mealtime. The activities offered by the chef are some of Vi’s best attended programs, Owens said. Over 75 residents, for example, recently attended a wine and food pairing event he hosted.

The chef’s newest plan involves opening a nanobrewery at Vi next year that uses the community’s honey and possibly their own hops.

Over a dozen residents, many of them former homebrewers, have expressed an interest in working on the project with him.

“Our residents bring a lot to the table,” Strickland said. “They were very creative people before they came here and, of course, that didn’t end there. They’re very creative, and they like to get involved with what we’re doing.”

When it comes to bees, involvement can go beyond Vi as far as Strickland’s concerned. He’d love to see everybody who has the opportunity to give beekeeping a try.

While bees are more work than a cat, they’re less work than a dog, he said, and they don’t take a lot of space. During the peak season, Strickland spends about three hours a week on the six hives at Vi. He also keeps a hive in his own backyard in Highlands Ranch.

“These little creatures are very much responsible for a lot of the lifestyle that we have, the availability of food that we have,” Strickland said. “... They’re facing a lot more challenges than they were even 10 to 20 years ago. It’s definitely something to pay attention to.”

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Elbert County News 5

December 23, 2021

Isolation and loneliness carry health risks for older Americans

W

e’re heading into the holiday season, which is often embraced as a time to get together with friends and GUEST family to celebrate traditional COLUMN holidays. However, what can be a joyous time for some, may be difficult for older adults who are more vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness.

Dr. Todd Wisser Particularly during the holiday season. In fact, a recent report showed that nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are socially isolated.

Loneliness and social isolation are serious health risks, particularly to at-risk individuals, such as older adults. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that social isolation presents a major risk for premature mortality, comparable to other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking or obesity. In addition, poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) were associated with a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease and a 32 percent increased risk of stroke. Perhaps most concerning is the fact that a person’s risk of premature death from all causes is significantly increased by social isolation, a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity and physical inactivity.

As a general demographic, seniors can be more at risk for social isolation and loneliness.

There are many tell-tale signs that you or someone you know is at risk for experiencing loneliness or social isolation. Risk factors can include but are not limited to disability or lack of mobility, worsening vision or hearing problems, separation from friends or family, illness or

death of a loved one and lack of access to transportation.

Luckily, there are steps we can take to help combat the loneliness epidemic. All humans need social connection and interaction as part of their survival.

But often as adults age, they begin to spend more time alone making them more vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness. Engaging in activities that are meaningful can boost mood and give people a sense of purpose. In addition to living longer, research demonstrates that productive people seem to improve cognitive function and are better able to maintain their well-being.

Some tips for staying connected include: • Learn something new – sign up for a class in your community •Reignite your passions with something you love — begin an old hobby • Explore volunteer opportunities with your local community that allow you to help others • Make sure you stay connected with your friends and family in-person or through phone calls, email, video chats or social media • Stay physically active and consider group exercise, such a walking club or working out with a friend • Find a faith-based or spiritual organization where you can engage with others in a meaningful way • If you are able, adopt a pet.

Animals can be a source of comfort and may also lower blood pressure and reduce stress.

By employing some of these tips, we can do our part to help combat loneliness and support the social and emotional needs of the older adults we care about this holiday season.

Dr. Todd Wisser is an Internal Medicine Physician with New West Physicians, part of Optum.

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6 Elbert County News

December 23, 2021

LIBRARY FROM PAGE 1

Polis continued by praising Parton’s work. “I want to thank American icon Dolly Parton, who made such a powerful dream a reality and who has changed the lives of countless children for the better across the nation and now more kids right here in Colorado.”

Currently, the Imagination Library program is not available in many counties throughout Colorado. The goal of Imagination Library of Colorado and the State of Colorado, however, is to have one affiliate in each of Colorado’s 64 counties so that all children in Colorado have access to enroll in the program.

Elizabeth residents have expressed their interest in Parton’s Imagination Library and hope that it makes its way to Elbert County very soon.

Aly Thompson of Elizabeth, a mother of twins due to be born around the new year, shared her excitement for the program.

“I’d love to sign up for something like this!” said Thompson.

“Books are really important, and this seems like a great way to get more books in the house and a way to connect and help teach our kiddos. I also think the program would benefit Elbert County, helping kids learn about different cultures and ideas.”

Roxanne Aviles, another Elizabeth local and a kindergarten

teacher with Aurora Public Schools, is also thrilled with the news, explaining the benefits of early literacy.

“As a kindergarten teacher and mother of six, I was ecstatic to hear that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is expanding in state of Colorado. I can’t wait until children across Elbert County are able to take part in this amazing program,” said Aviles. “Placing books in the hands of children is so important. Not only does reading allow children to tap into their imaginations, but it helps build a robust vocabulary and provides them with the opportunity to begin exploring letters and sounds at an early age.”

Though Parton’s Imagination Library expansion to Elbert County is something to look forward to, other programs are available through the Pines & Plain Libraries system to provide books to children and encourage reading.

Paid for by the Growing Readers Together grant, the Pines & Plains Libraries 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program helps children work toward meeting a reading goal before they begin school.

Every child enrolled in the program receives a notebook where parents can log the book that the child reads, a free book to get started with, and list of great books to read before kindergarten. Rewards and awards are given for reaching book-reading milestones.

The program is meant to teach narrative skills, phonological

y d c I C t f C 1 b o a

l o t f n M

s s s The Pines & Plains Libraries 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program provides C children with books and helpful tools to begin their reading journey.

COURTESY OF WENDY WALP / PINES & PLAINS LIBRARIES n s imaginationlibrarycolorado.org. T awareness, print motivation, For more information on Parvocabulary, print awareness, and o ton’s Imagination Library, visit letter knowledge, ultimately preimaginationlibrary.com. paring children for kindergartena To watch Polis’ announcement T level literacy. of the Colorado Imagination To learn more about the 1,000 a Library expansion, visit tinyurl. a Books Before Kindergarten with the Pines & Plains Libraries, visit com/PolisImagLibrary. w If you are interested in working w pplibraries.org/03a-child-activitoward bringing the Imagination a ties or visit your local library.

Library to Elbert County, visit To learn more about the s imaginationlibrarycolorado.org/ P Colorado division of Parton’s new-affiliate.

Imagination Library, visit C

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Elbert County News 7

December 23, 2021

DONUTS

own unique toppings.

In addition to mini doughnuts, the doughnut shop also serves hot and cold beverages including locally-brewed Crowfoot Valley Coffee based out of Castle Rock. The Contreras family has a goal to keep their business as local as possible.

In addition to their local focus, the Contreras family have a very customer-service centered approach to their doughnut business.

“We think customer service is lacking in the food industry and we wanted to create a space and a product that would bring joy to people, especially after the pandemic,” said Adrienne Contreras. “We want our business to maintain its small town feel. We want to get to know the local people and build relationships.”

“They have the best customer service,” said Yruegas. “It’s like ordering doughnuts from family because of how nice they are to you.”

As of press time, Small Town Mini Donuts was hiring for its morning shift from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. “We have been extremely busy,” said Dan Contreras. “We need to hire somebody immediately.”

For more information or to apply, visit the website at smalltownminidonuts.com.

FROM PAGE 1

your typical grab-and-go doughnut shop with a large case of pre-cooked donuts.

Instead, members of the Contreras family hand-fry the donuts in small batches for each individual order.

Customers can choose from 12 variations of toppings or build their own. Each batch of doughnuts is served warm and ready to eat.

The Contreras family put a lot of thought into the names of their doughnuts. Wanting to focus on community and family, two doughnuts are named after their children, McKenzie and Kennedy.

“I really love apple fritters, so I thought my doughnut should have apples in it,” said 12 year-old Kennedy Contreras. “The Kennedy donuts are covered in powdered sugar and a vanilla glaze.

Then we put apple pie filling on top.”

Many others are named after local places and events.

The Stampede donuts, for example, come covered in a caramel and chocolate drizzle with coconut flakes on top, while the Main Street donuts are covered in cinnamon and sugar. Others include Pikes Peak, Schoolhouse, and County Fair, all with their

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8 Elbert County News

December 23, 2021

In rare move, 2 statewide GOP candidates to cap spending That means Ganahl, Anderson can sidestep donation limits

BY SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

Two Republican candidates running for statewide office in Colorado next year have agreed to limit their campaign spending, a rare move that allows them to accept up to twice as much money from their donors.

Heidi Ganahl, a University of Colorado regent running for governor, and Pam Anderson, a former Jefferson County clerk running for secretary of state, both agreed to the voluntary spending constraints.

The candidates can now accept up to $2,500 from individual donors, up to $27,000 from small-donor committees and up to $271,550 from the state Republican Party.

“We can spend less time fundraising, more time talking to voters and talking about the hyper-partisan nature of that office right now,” said Anderson, who is a former executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association.

Asked about the decision, Ganahl’s campaign did not address their strategy. But a spokeswoman said that “governorships cannot be bought at an auction.”

Voters approved Amendment 27, a constitutional campaign finance

overhaul, in 2002. It included limits on how much money candidates could accept from donors. But the amendment also included a loophole to those limits for candidates who agreed to keep their spending below a certain threshold.

A candidate for statewide office, legislature and a few other offices may agree to the voluntary spending limits when they first declare their candidacy. For candidates running in 2022, the limits range from $88,225 for state House candidates to $3,395,275 for candidates running for governor.

Candidates can’t raise more than the traditional limit right away, however. They must wait until an opponent raises 10% of the spending limit.

So, in the governor’s race, Ganahl could not start accepting larger donations until Gov. Jared Polis raised about $340,000. (Polis has raised $626,000 for his reelection campaign so far.)

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, has already raised about $1.3 million, far more than 10% of the voluntary spending limit.

Ganahl raised about $135,000 in the three weeks after announcing her candidacy. About 10% of her 300-plus donations during that time exceeded the $1,250 individual donation limit for other statewide candidates.

Anderson didn’t announce her candidacy until after the last quarterly fundraising reporting dead-

Heidi Ganahl announces her run for governor on Sept. 14, 2021, at Rosie’s Diner in PHOTO BY OLIVIA SUN / THE COLORADO SUN Monument.

line, so her donor information isn’t yet public.

Candidates who accept the voluntary spending limits have an out.

Every time a new candidate enters their contest and doesn’t accept the voluntary spending limits, candidates who have accepted the constraints receive a letter from the secretary of state letting them know

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*$100 ADT Visa Reward Card: Requires 36-month monitoring contract starting at $28.99/mo. (24-month monitoring contract in California, total fees from $695.76), and enrollment in ADT EasyPay. Requires minimum purchase price of $449. One (1) Visa Reward Card valued at $100 is redeemable seven (7) days after system is installed, wherein an email is sent to the customer’s email address associated with their account with a promo code. The customer must validate the promo code on the website provided in the email and a physical card will be sent in the mail.

Installation must occur within 60 days of offer expiration date to receive card. Applicable to new and resale sale types only. Card is issued by MetaBank®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for up to 6 months; unused funds will forfeit after the valid thru date. Card terms and conditions apply.

Interactive Services: ADT Command Interactive Solutions Services (“ADT Command”) helps you manage your home environment and family lifestyle. Requires purchase of an ADT alarm system with 36-month monitoring contract ranging from $45.99-$59.99/mo. with QSP (24-month monitoring contract in California, total fees ranging $1,103.76-$1,439.76), enrollment in ADT EasyPay, and a compatible device with Internet and email access. These interactive services do not cover the operation or maintenance of any household equipment/systems that are connected to the ADT Command equipment. All ADT Command services are not available with all interactive service levels. All ADT Command services may not be available in all geographic areas. You may be required to pay additional charges to purchase equipment required to utilize the interactive service features you desire.

General: Additional charges may apply in areas that require guard response service for municipal alarm verification. System remains property of ADT. Local permit fees may be required. Prices and offers subject to change and may vary by market. Additional taxes and fees may apply.

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10 Elbert County News

LOCAL

December 23, 2021

VOICES

Preoccupied with being preoccupied this holiday season

W

henever I am together with a group of family and friends and I notice people preoccupied with their phones, I ask them, “Are you texting me?” Or, if I happen to have everyone’s cell phone number, I will send them all a group text, “Are you texting me?” Both usually get a chuckle and now, if I happen to get caught doing something on my phone, someone invariably sends me that same text or just asks me if I am texting them.

Maybe a little truth in humor?

My example is a simple scenario and one that is unfortunately played out in more homes and at work than any of us cares to admit. Did the pandemic make it worse as we became bored and went in search of ways to entertain ourselves? And now that we are back to work or in some kind of hybrid work environment, is our preoccupation more of a habit that gets under the skin of those around us? Or are others too preoccupied as well, lost in whatever is happening on their own devices?

Maybe a little truth in reality?

Our kids will basically give us

an “Oh dad” or “C’mon mom.”

Our friends might just say, “Dude, I am just checking the score” or “You gotta see this TikTok.” Although, whenever someone invites me to look at a TikTok, I really have no Michael Norton idea what that’s all about and I am not that interested in finding out either. I am sure next year there will be something that replaces it and will be so much cooler, something cool enough for a supercool guy like me to want to check out.

Maybe a little truth in lack of generational awareness?

During a recent dinner out with our associates I couldn’t help but notice at the table next to us was a couple. They appeared to be married and I would guess somewhere in their 40s. They sat across from one another looking at their phones. No conversation.

I thought that they might just be looking at the online menu. But after the server came and took their order, they remained glued

WINNING WORDS

to their phones. Perhaps their favorite mode of communication is texting one another, and that was what they could have been doing.

As dinner came out, they placed their phones on the table next to their dishes and continued to scroll as they ate.

Maybe a little truth in my preoccupation with others being preoccupied?

Here we are, at the end of the year. The holiday season provides us with incredible opportunities to connect, really connect with our family and friends. Thanksgiving set the table for our attitude of gratitude, for the sharing of love and appreciation, and for remembering those who are so very important to us. And as we roll into December, with its celebrations of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, it has given us even more time and opportunities to remember the true reason for this season, share family stories, exaggerate the myths and legends of friendship experiences that only get better with time, and just “be” with one another. We can talk about life and our future goals and dreams.

We can remember loved ones who

are no longer with us but whose memories fill the room with laughter and joy.

Maybe we can all become a little more occupied with not being so preoccupied?

What if we were intentional about being present in the present? What if we tried only using our phone to take pictures and wait until later to post them on social media? What if we used our phones and devices to only make calls and virtually see our family and friends who we could not be with us this holiday season? What if we took baby steps and just called for an hour of being technology-free this holiday season? I would love to hear your preoccupation story at mnorton@ tramazing.com, and when we can focus on those who are right in front of us with greater intentionality, 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.

Some tax planning ideas for year’s end

A

nother year is in the review mirror and what a year it has been! The stock market is up (and down), inflation is rising, and interest rates remain low. You may be under or over employed, working from home, or commuting.

This year’s challenges may create opportunities for last-minute tax savings, so it is always good to have a plan.

There are still some last-minute tax planning ideas you can do even with just a few days left. With significant unknowns around potential tax law in 2022, it may be best to take advantage of what you can for 2021.

1. Review your investments for gains if you want to trim profits and utilize the current long-term capital gains rates. You can also harvest losses if you are in the camp of looking for deductions yet this year.

2. Determine if this year is the perfect time to convert some of

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

your pre-tax money to a Roth IRA. Low current tax rates, along with low income if your job was eliminated this year, could provide you with a long-term, tax-free benefit.

3. Contribute to a SEP, IRA, or Solo Patricia Kummer 401(k) or max out your last paycheck on 401(k) contributions.

4. Consider paying your estimated state income taxes in December instead of January. There may still be a chance that the deduction limit for state and local tax (SALT) may be increased before year-end.

5. If the Build Back Better legislation does pass with the increased SALT limit, consider paying your property tax in December instead of next April to take a bigger deduction this year. Then next year, you would have no property

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

tax due, but you can still take the standard deduction.

6. Consider charitable donations, especially if you are able to itemize. If you have a large income tax bill, you can even open and fund a donor-advised fund before yearend. This allows you to take the full tax deduction this year, while providing plenty of time in the future to plan out which charities receive donations.

7. Don’t forget to take your required minimum distribution (RMD) if you are age 72 or older.

You did not need to take one last year due to COVID, so it may not be on your radar. However, there is a 50% penalty for not taking the correct amount. Also, don’t forget you can send all or part of your RMD to charity, up to $100,000, even without itemizing your taxes.

8. Review your qualified business interest deductions if you own a small business. You may be eligible to fully deduct up to 20% of your business income. This

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gives you an instant benefit if you are eligible.

9. You may want to make a large purchase for your business as this year’s Section 179 is higher than it has ever been, up to $1,050,000.

This allows you to write off an eligible business expense instead of depreciating it over time.

Now it is time to enjoy the holidays and get ready for next year.

The retirement plan contributions will increase by $1,000 for 401(k)s to $20,500 plus the $6,000 catch up for those over age 50. IRA and Roth IRA limits remain unchanged at $6,000 plus a $1,000 catch- up contribution. Make sure you are eligible to deduct your IRA based on your income and employer retirement plans.

Patricia Kummer has been a Certified Financial Planner professional and a fiduciary for over 35 years and is Managing Director for Mariner Wealth Advisors, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser.

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.

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

December 23, 2021

Elbert County News 11

LIFE

Colorado Ballet wardrobe manager Shirin Lankarani hangs part of a brand new costume at the Colorado Ballet Academy building in Denver on Nov. 16, where work was PHOTOS BY KATHRYN SCOTT underway on the wardrobe for the 2021 production of “The Nutcracker.”

The pandemic posed both a challenge and an opportunity

BY MARK JAFFE SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

When Holly Hynes, the internationally renowned costume designer, sat in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House watching the Colorado Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” she thought that it looked “pretty gorgeous.” Then she got a closer look at the wardrobe backstage.

The 33-year-old costumes — hand-me-downs from the San Francisco Ballet — were definitely showing their age. “They were worn … patched,” Hynes said.

“The capes were so heavy.”

It was time for new “Nutcracker” duds and Hynes, who has created tutus and tights for the New York City Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, London’s Royal Ballet and La Scala in Milan, was commissioned to design them.

It was part of a $1.5 million revamp of the company’s production with all new sets and 177 new costumes. But not long after Hynes saw “The Nutcracker” in Denver, the plans were almost upended, as were so many things, by the pandemic.

As theaters closed and new productions were postponed, all the shops that depend on supporting plays and dance saw their work evaporate.

“I had 17 projects that came to a screeching halt,” Hynes said. “It was great that the Colorado Ballet decided to go ahead. It made a huge difference to 18 shops in this project. Many of them would have folded if they hadn’t had the Colorado Ballet.”

In effect, the Colorado Ballet

created its own stimulus package for costume designers and makers in the depths of the pandemic.

“We started talking to the shops in New York and here in Colorado and they were very anxious to do the work, because they had none,” Gil Boggs, the Colorado Ballet’s artistic director, said. “We got some benefit on price and we weren’t rushed.”

And the shops poured more effort into the project, Hynes said.

“The work that came out of them was three times what we would have gotten if they had other projects.”

One of the workshops that was thrown a lifeline was ParsonMeares, in Long Island City, New York. In its four decades, the shop has made the costumes for a legion of Broadway shows, including “Phantom of the Opera,” “The Lion King,” “Cats” and “Hamilton.”

But in early 2020 it had no work and its 58 employees were furloughed. Then the Colorado Ballet came knocking.

“The Colorado Ballet gave us work at a time when we would have had none,” said Sally Ann Parsons, owner of the workshop.

The contract enabled Parsons to bring back 35 employees, split up into three shifts so there would never be too many people in the studio.

Among the costumes ParsonsMeares was asked to make were the tutu for the Sugar Plum Fairy, the mice – very important in the “Nutcracker,” for those not versed in it – the toy soldiers and the jester-like polichinelles, who spill from under Mother Ginger’s huge skirt.

Then the difficult part of crafting and fitting the costumes began. Normally the designer SEE NUTCRACKER, P15

OBITUARIES KOCERHA

Brian Kocerha

January 28, 1957 - December 8, 2021

Lifelong Colorado resident, Brian Allen Kocerha passed away on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at the Parker Adventist Hospital at the age of 64.

Brian was born on January 28, 1957 in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Clarence Kocerha and Frances Vernon. He lived in Calhan for 3 years after he was born, was a resident of Elbert for 51 years before settling in Kiowa for the last 10 years.

and was active in 4-H. “papa” loved family and absolutely adored his grandchildren; they were his pride and joy. He could never get enough visiting time in, it didn’t matter who you were, he always had a story to share, a joke to tell, words of wisdom, and a listening ear.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Clarence and Frances and his grandparents; John and Mary.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife Nancy of Kiowa, Colorado, his children; Keith Anderson of Burlington, Wisconsin, Kendra Anderson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Veronica Anderson of Brian had a love for polka and country Elbert, Colorado, Kelli (Kocerha) Myers of music, loved to dance, and met his wife Clarksville, Tennessee, Michael (Audrey) Nancy of 35 years, dancing at Cowboys.

Kocerha of Lochbuie, Colorado. His They married on May 6, 1988 in Honolulu, grandchildren: Ricky Reynolds, Lucia and Hawaii.

Tralina Rocha, Roy and Cami Jo Anderson, He was a lifelong farmer and rancher; never Penelope “PJ” Anderson, and Eric Kocerha. quite able to give up even while working His siblings: Glenna (Kenneth) Eldringhoff full-time for HEI Civil the last 17 years. Brian of Elbert, Colorado, Richard (Judy) Kocerha of Calhan, Colorado, Mary (Charlie) Taylor was active in his community throughout his of Poynette, Wisconsin, Janet (Ted) Ellis of life, having served as a volunteer firefighter Crown Point, Indiana, and Terry Kocerha of for Elbert, President of Elbert Fire Board, Castle Rock, Colorado. Also surviving him President of the Pikes Peak Co-op, and are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and President of the Elbert Alumni Association. friends.

He coached pee wee basketball at Elbert He attended Northeastern Junior College after high school obtaining his degree in Agriculture.

Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. 303-566-4100 obituaries@coloradocommunitymedia.com Self placement available online at elbertcountynews.net

12 Elbert County News

T

December 23, 2021

Symphony concert to welcome 2022

he Littleton Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Jurgen de Lemos, will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a concert at SONYA’S 6:30 p.m. on Dec. SAMPLER 31 at Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 S. Datura St., Littleton. Ticket sales will be limited, due to COVID precautions. Masks and proof of vaccination are required Sonya Ellingboe for attendance.

Tickets cost $40 and include a dessert reception.

Waltzes, polkas, marches and more

by Schubert, Brahms, Lehar will be featured in de Lemos’ final concert with the orchestra he has led for many years. A brief tribute to de Lemos will follow the concert.

Visit littletonsymphony.org for a link to Eventbrite or call 303-9336824.

Newman Center Presents At the University of Denver’s Newman Center, “The Unauthorized Harry Experience” will run at various times Jan. 4-9; the Kronos Quartet performs Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m.; the Dance Theatre of Harlem will appear Jan. 14-15 at 7:30 p.m; Compagnie Herve Koubi is set for Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. — and that’s just a start in the new year! Masks and proof of

vaccination required. newmancenterpresents.com, 303-871-7720.

Clyfford Still Museum The Clyfford Still Museum is asking its community to vote on favorites by this Abstract Expressionist painter for a show later in 2022 called “You Select: A CommunityCurated Exhibition,” which will run Aug. 12, 2022 to Feb. 12, 2023. Votes

by Dec. 31. See clyffordstillmuseum. org/youselect.

Arts Guild workshop Heritage Fine Arts Guild will hold a soft pastel workshop, led by Kathy Beekman, on Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon via Zoom. She will include pastel techniques for distant hills, foreground grasses, bushes and more. She is known for her barnscapes and advocates using the fingers generously. Register and pay through the guild’s website: heritage-guild.com.

Benchmark Theatre “Our American Cousin: America Divided” is a new play developed

by Benchmark Theatre in a world premiere Jan. 6 to Feb. 5, directed by Neil Truglio. Benchmark Theatre is at 1560 Teller St., just north of Colfax Ave. in Lakewood. benchmarktheatre.com, 303-519-9059.

Denver Botanic Garden The York Street location will feature a new exhibit: “CrossPollination: The Moth Migration

Project,” Jan. 15 to April 3, 2022 in the Freyer-Newman Center’s Bonfils-Stanton Gallery. The immersive installation will be created

by Hilary Lorenz and celebrates moths both as cross-pollinators and as a metaphor for the cross pollination of ideas through global human relationships. Works are created by artists of varying skill levels and sent to Lorenz, who explores the intersection of nature, community building and printmaking. botanicgardens.org.

Cowboy Gathering On Jan. 15 and 16, the annual Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering will be held at the Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St., Golden, featuring Colorado cowboy poets and musicians. The event has run annually for 30-plus years and will have a food truck available. Ticket prices vary for different performances, including a Super Ticket weekend pass for $99! See coloradocowboygathering. com.

Denver Art Museum “Disruption: Works From the Vicki and Kent Logan Collection” opens Jan. 16, 2022 at the Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, and runs throughout 2022. It will include about 50 works, including several never before displayed at the museum. Works by North American and international contemporary artists. Included in general museum admission. Free 18 and under.

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Jurgen de Lemos will conduct the Littleton Symphony Orchestra in his final concert with the group on Dec. 31 at Littleton United Methodist Church.

COURTESY OF LITTLETON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Performance Now “Nunsense” will be performed Jan. 7-23 by the Highlands Ranchbased Performance Now Theatre Company at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood. PerformanceNow.org or box office, 303-987-7845. Tickets are a fine gift idea for this of other upcoming performances!

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, public events frequently are canceled or rescheduled. Check with organizers before you go.

Elbert County News 13

December 23, 2021

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December 23, 2021

WORSHIP TIMES: Christmas Eve 12/24/2021

• 3pm (Family Christmas with Praise Music) • 5pm and 7pm (Traditional Candlelight with Special Music)

Christmas Day 12/25/2021 • 10am

The Epiphany of our Lord 1/6/2022 • 7pm

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Celebrate His birthday with us!

Christmas Eve, December 24th 4 p.m. Family Service 7 p.m. Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion

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*These services will require an online reservation to attend in person, and all 5 services will be live streamed.

Reservations will open on Monday, Dec. 20 at 10:00am.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Christmas Eve Worship

­

You are invited! We are having a special family service at 2 pm and family friendly services at 4 & 6 pm, plus a special condensed outdoor service at 8 pm. All services will have candlelight!

At 3pm check out the Christmas workshop in the Fellowship Hall.

It’s full of crafts and is a place for kids to be kids.

Elbert County News 15

December 23, 2021

A member of the wardrobe staff, Kathy Scoggins, places finishing touches on one of the new “Nutcracker” costumes inside the costume department at the Colorado Ballet Academy building in PHOTOS BY KATHRYN SCOTT Denver on Nov. 16.

NUTCRACKER FROM PAGE 11

is very hands-on with the workshops and the ballet company and the costumes are fit to the dancers who will wear them.

But now everyone was isolated.

Hynes’ assistant drove into New York City and came back with loads of swatches and trim and over five days she selected the fabrics while sitting on her back porch. “There was a sense of urgency because we were worried whether we’d be able to get everything, whether there would be supply-chain issues,” she said.

Designs and cloth were distributed to the workshops and they began sewing. But the dancers who would be wearing them were back in Colorado. Measurements for each dancer had been sent along.

The New York Broadway costume shop Parsons-Meares, Ltd. paid special attention to the details in the new Colorado Ballet “Nutcracker” costumes they made, like these compass buttons that are sewn on the vest of the Drosselmeyer character.

“We did fittings on dancers we knew, or Holly knew” that were about the same size, Parsons said.

Hynes borrowed neighborhood kids for the children’s costumes. Her assistant had a camera so she could view the fittings remotely. “Holly didn’t see costumes close up until last spring,” Parsons said.

And while the new costumes may not last another three decades, they were built to stand up to time.

“The costumes in a ballet like ‘Nutcracker’ are used for years and years, so you need to think about how you can make them adjustable,” Parsons said. There is extra material in the side seams and extra material in the bodices.

“Stretch is our friend so we want to incorporate it into jackets, bodices,” Hynes said. “The good thing about ‘The Nutcracker’ is that it fills the seats. The bad thing is it always needs to be continually upgraded and refurbished. It is

A new military hat rests on storage bins that contain elements of “Nutcracker” costumes.

never-ending.”

Boggs wanted to keep the ballet in its Victorian setting, as it was in the original production – no modern adaptation, he said. “I am a little anxious to see the audience’s reaction to changing something that was working well.”

For Hynes the costumes are, in the spirit of ballet, an exercise of theme and variation. “The first act is a period piece and in the second act you can let your imagination go wild,” she said.

“We try to carry something from the party scene that has stuck in Clara’s brain that carries over to the Land of Sweets,” Hynes said.

One of those is her mother’s plumcolored dress transformed into the Sugar Plum Fairy’s tutu.

Another is a fabric print on a couch in the party scene that becomes the massive tent-like dress of Mother Ginger in the second act.

“I don’t know if the audience will

catch it, but it is fun for us,” Hynes said.

One ballet tradition is that the dancer who first dances in a costume has his or her name sewn into it. When the Colorado Ballet would rent costumes from a big company, like American Ballet Theater, Ramos said he’d sometimes find the names of great dancers, like Mikhail Baryshnikov or Angel Corella, in his costume.

“It is very rare to have a costume made on you,” Ramos said. “It is so special to have your name in a costume. We are the first.”

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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16 Elbert County News

December 23, 2021

C R O S S W O R D SPENDING P U Z Z L E FROM PAGE 8

Anderson said she has no intention of revoking the spending limits if other candidates get in the race, but sees the spending pledge as central to her campaign for secretary of state.

Ganahl’s campaign didn’t respond about whether it would reconsider the spending limits at some point.

The Colorado Sun reviewed campaign accounts for primary candidates for governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer in 2014 and 2018 and found none accepted the voluntary spending limits.

Brad Levin, a Democrat who competed for attorney general but failed to make the primary ballot, originally accepted the limits. But David Fine, his attorney, wrote to the Secretary of State’s Office that the acceptance was an error by Fine in filling out forms.

Legislative candidates more often accept the limits, but, like in Levin’s case, some have done so in error.

State Rep. Tom Sullivan, a Centennial Democrat, initially accepted the limits for his 2018 campaign in error.

He was able to withdraw from the limits when another candidate filed to run for the House seat.

Sullivan is running for a state Senate seat in 2022, but isn’t accepting the voluntary limits.

“I’ll never do that again,” he said.

“It doesn’t do you any good if you’re the only one trying to fight the righteous fight.”

Suzanne Taheri, a Republican and former deputy secretary of state, accepted the limits when she ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2020.

But she never raised money over the contribution limits.

“I never asked people for (more money) or advertised that I did it,” she said. “Part of it is, just a lot of people don’t understand what voluntary limits are. Most consultants will tell you not to take them.

They’re focused on how much money you’re going to raise, so they’re trying to get you to not limit yourself.”

Successful candidates, who did not accept the spending limits, often outspent them, a Colorado Sun analysis found.

In 2010, former Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, spent $3.9 million on his campaign, when the voluntary cap was about $2.7 million. Two candidates who didn’t make the general election ballot that year, former Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat who opted not to run, and former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, a Republican who lost the primary, each spent $2 million.

In 2014, Hickenlooper spent nearly $5.5 million on his gubernatorial reelection campaign, while his Republican opponent Bob Beauprez spent $2.9 million, about the same amount as that year’s voluntary limit.

In 2018, GOP gubernatorial candidate Walker Stapleton spent about $4 million on his campaign, well over the $3.1 million voluntary limit.

Victor Mitchell, one of Stapleton’s three unsuccessful primary opponents, spent $5 million, most of it his own money.

The Polis campaign spent $23.8 million, almost all of it the candidate’s own money, to win in 2018.

He’s already given $438,000 from his personal fortune into his 2022 campaign.

Polis limits his individual campaign contributions to $200, but his personal wealth means he’s got millions to spend on next year’s campaign.

Taheri said she thinks it makes sense for Ganahl and Anderson to accept the voluntary spending limits.

“I think it makes sense in the governor’s race and the secretary of state’s race,” Taheri said. “You can’t raise that much money. It’s hard to raise $3.4 million. Then you don’t have to spend as much time fundraising if your donor base has the capacity to give you bigger donations.”

And outside groups often spend more than candidates in statewide contests. In the 2018 gubernatorial contest, for instance, Republican outside groups spent $14.5 million while Democratic groups spent $10.5 million.

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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Elbert County News 19

December 23, 2021

Doctors urge: Don’t neglect other issues during pandemic Local physicians’ panel focuses on whole-body health

BY MOLLY ARMBRISTER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

While COVID-19 continues to sweep Colorado, now with the added threat of the omicron variant, Douglas County doctors urged the importance of balancing COVID prevention and vaccination with overall health and wellness during a virtual panel hosted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 8.

“Your Health and You in 2022,” a panel discussion held in conjunction with Centura Health’s Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, marks the second annual health-centric panel hosted by the chamber, with the first held in November 2020 as the number of COVID-19 cases experienced its most dramatic ramp-up since the pandemic began.

This year, with the proliferation of vaccines and the emergence of new variants playing tug-of-war over the state’s case count, the panel focused on the intersection of COVID-19 and the general well-being of the population.

According to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment data presented during the panel, 1,419 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Colorado. Of those, 84% were unvaccinated.

Daily hospital admission rates are lower than they were around this time last year, but Colorado hospitals have been busy, said Dr. Devin Bateman, chief medical officer for Castle Rock Adventist and Parker Adventists hospitals and the panel’s moderator. Rather than a sharp spike in new cases, the data reflect a more sustained rate of hospitalizations.

“Patients are really consistently being admitted with

this wave that began several months ago,” Bateman said.

And COVID patients stack up day after day, the rest of the hospital feels the impact, he said.

But COVID-19 is only part of the picture for health care providers and patients alike, with more than 20 months of strain on health systems and postponed preventative and maintenance care coalescing to reach even those who have remained physically untouched by COVID, according to the panelists.

Beginning in the spring of 2020 with the first wave of COVID, many people put off regular medical care like screenings that can detect cancer, high blood pressure or diabetes, and vaccinations against things like influenza, shingles and tetanus, said Dr. Widian Jubair, a primary care physician at Castle Rock Internal Medicine.

In the very early days of the pandemic, non-emergent medical facilities were closed in most cases, which meant that patients had to postpone these kinds of procedures, but even after these clinics were allowed to reopen and patients could visit relatively safely with precautions, patients hesitated, Jubair said.

More than a year later, this trend has resulted in an increase in the number of preventative and manageable conditions Jubair and her partners see in their practice.

The tertiary impacts of COVID-19 aren’t limited to primary care clinics.

Dr. Jesse Loar, an emergency room physician at Castle Rock Adventist, sees the effects as well.

In the two weeks preceding the panel, Loar estimated that COVID patients made up 15 to 20% of daily volumes in the emergency department at his facility. Some come in at the beginning of their illness, experiencing symptoms and needing a test to confirm their suspicions. Others

have been sick for seven to 10 days and seek more serious treatment. And still a third group come into the emergency department for another reason, like an injury, and happen to have COVID as well.

Regardless of what brings these patients to the hospital, Loar said, the supportive care they require, including intravenous fluids, medications, and breathing therapies, creates a trickle-down effect for the rest of the emergency department.

“There are indirect effects on our ability to take care of the community the way we’d like to because of the severity of this disease,” Loar said.

The pandemic’s impact on mental health is another indirect, if better documented, effect, as people across the world deal with increased levels of anxiety, depression and attention disorders stemming from isolation, uncertainty, life changes and even sickness and death of a loved one.

“Mental health is a huge, huge concern for our population,” said Anna Jones, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Centura Health Physician Group and Castle Rock Adventist.

Pregnancy always adds a layer of wariness about the world, and carrying a baby through a pandemic is particularly stressful, Jones said. At first, uncertainty swirled about the safety of COVID vaccines for pregnant women, as they are not generally included in clinical testing groups. Some women chose to be inoculated, while others resisted.

“The pregnant population continues to be the leastvaccinated group of people in our nation,” Jones said.

But in the months since the vaccine rollout began in the U.S., respected groups such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine have recommended the vaccine for pregnant

Castle Rock Adventist Hospital.

women, with studies demonstrating its safety and effectiveness for mother and child alike, Jones said.

But mental health struggles aren’t limited to pregnant women, Jones said. Overall, she has seen increasing rates of depressions or anxiety, which in turn can lead to substance abuse.

She noted one silver lining, however. Many patients in her practice have taken the opportunity presented by the pandemic to reinvent themselves in ways they otherwise wouldn’t have. Whether that means taking steps to improve their health, leaving bad relationships or making a career change that better aligns with their values, some women are making significant changes for the better, according to Jones.

But while this is hopeful news for some women, the pandemic continues to generate uncertainty and fear for children, some of whom are so young that they don’t remember life before the pandemic.

Children are struggling with emotional balance, socialization, keeping up in school and an array of other challenges as the pandemic drags on, said Dr. Ann Engel, a physician at Centura’s Healthfit Family Medicine.

“You could go on and on about the effects this pandemic has had on our kids,” Engel said. But she hopes

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that broadening vaccine-eligible populations will help reign in the virus, easing these effects.

“The more people we can vaccinate and protect, the less disease we’ll see in the community at large” Engel said.

Both Engel and Jones encouraged the use of things like therapy and counseling when possible, even if that means virtual visits or other online resources. Primarycare doctors can sometimes offer services that their patients may not have known about.

Jubair pressed the importance of keeping up with regular health care tasks, including physicals, screenings and vaccinations, including an annual flu vaccine.

Colorado’s flu season was incredibly mild last winter, according to Loar, the result of COVID-related masking, sanitizing and isolation, but the medical community in Colorado does not expect a repeat this winter.

The doctors agreed: It will be as important as ever to take care of oneself this cold and flu season and beyond.

“Preventative medicine and primary care are not elective, they’re essential.

To fight any infection, we have to have a healthy immune system,” Jubair said.

“Getting your shots, getting your screenings, they’re the first steps toward staying healthy.”

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December 23, 2021

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