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Week of March 3, 2022
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 127 | ISSUE 3
Property valuations for taxes released Assessment rates change for some property types BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
New homes are being built on the north side of the Independence subdivision in northwestern Elbert County. The developers are proposing changes to the site’s Planned Urban Development and will meet with residents to discuss the plan at 5:30 p.m. on March 9 at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa. PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON
Independence seeks change in plans Developer will meet with community members at fairgrounds March 9 BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The Independence neighborhood, located off Hilltop Road north of Elizabeth, has announced proposed updates to its Planned Urban Development (PUD). A planned urban development is a real estate development that integrates residential or commercial buildings with open spaces in a single project. The announcement is the first step in a long process that would require a series of approvals by county officials, with the county commissioners being the final entity for the PUD changes to be allowed. SEE DEVELOPMENT, P4
Recently sold residential/agricultural property off Spring Valley Ranch Road.
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 7 | VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 10
Elbert County’s 2021 biyearly property tax valuations have been announced, leaving some residents outraged by the increase. Residents are also concerned that the recent explosion of growth in Elbert County will continue to impact property tax revaluations for years and decades to come. What Elbert County residents will pay in property taxes in 2022 was determined by the bi-annual revaluation in 2021 and at a rate set by the State of Colorado. This year, residents will pay a tax assessment rate of 7.15% of their property’s actual value while commercial property, agricultural land and agricultural outbuildings are set to 29%. While revalues take place bi-yearly, the state-approved assessment rate can change every year. The assessment rate has changed for most types of properties while some remain the same. Here is a breakdown by property type: • Residential: 2021 assessment rate, 7.15%; 2022 assessment rate, 6.95%. SEE TAXES, P12
LET IT ROLL
Exploring the nomadic world of van life P10
2 Elbert County News
March 3, 2022
Adults joining more music classes Castle Rock Music touts laid-back vibes BY RACHEL LORENZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
In addition to instructing, Castle Rock Music’s owner Jason Bower plays the trumpet. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CASTLE ROCK MUSIC
Jason Bower knew his business had come full circle when University of Colorado, Denver graduate Dylan Kobar joined Castle Rock Music as an instructor. Kobar started learning guitar at the music store when he was just a tween. “Now he teaches in the same studio that he took lessons in,” said Bower, the store owner. In addition to selling and repairing instruments, which accounts for about half the business, Castle Rock Music teaches piano, violin, drums, brass, woodwinds and singing to children and adults. In fact, the number of adults they teach has increased. They’re having “smell the roses” moments — and using music to step out of the busyness of their lives and do something for themselves, Bower said. Bower estimates adults make up 35% of their students these days. A lesson at the shop runs between $30 and $35 and Castle Rock Music does not have registration fees, contracts or memberships. “We really want people to have the opportunity to try an instrument and if it’s not for them — easy in, easy out,” Bower said. Shaping the environment in which you work is one of the perks of running a small business, said Bower, citing the store’s loose, laid-back vibe. “You can make the culture what you want with it,” Bower said. “So we have a lot of fun with our customers here in the shop.” After nearly three decades in the music world, the 42-year-old has seen a few changes come about. While the store’s recording studio still gets use from folks making college audition tapes, it’s not as busy as it was 20 years ago. Improvements in computers and other technology make recording at home less expensive and easier than it used to
Former student Dylan Kobar now gives lessons at Castle Rock Music.
be, Bower said. Technology also makes the sale of sheet music in the store a bit superfluous as well since it can easily be found and downloaded from the internet. However, Castle Rock Music maintains a free sheet music library for those who want to thumb through pages and enjoy the nostalgia. Of course, technology’s not all bad. The internet makes it easier for potential customers to find Castle Rock Music. Social media gives the business an opportunity to show people “what’s going on inside the walls” of the shop on Wilcox Street as well as another avenue to communicate with people, Bower said. However, he would never trade a brick-and-mortar store for an internet business, even though the day-to-day of running a shop can be trying at times. “I want to know people,” Bower said. “I want to be able to talk. That was what was so hard about COVID.” That desire to connect in person with community — whether with students, professional musicians or other businesses in the area — is driving Bower’s search for more spring and summer performance opportunities for his students and instructors. Recitals, concerts and festivals are where Castle Rock Music, and the community, gets to see the results of everyone’s efforts. “It makes all the hard work and all the frustrations worth it,” Bower said.
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Elbert County News 3
March 3, 2022
Colleges help support businesses with work training grants ACC is part of longstanding program offering $1,400 per employee to hone skills
Non-profit -- 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 – organizations serving Douglas County residents can apply for the annual Philip S. Miller Grant program. The deadline is March 18. Visit douglas. co.us and search Miller Grant.
BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For over three decades, Colorado’s community colleges have worked with the state government to offer a grant-based jobs training program for businesses. At Arapahoe Community College (ACC), based in Littleton with campuses in Parker and Castle Rock, businesses can apply to be reimbursed $1,400 per employee for training programs that are tailored to their needs. Funded through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the program, Skill Advance Colorado, is administered by 18 community college campuses across Colorado that, combined, can support $4.5 million in grants per year. The goal, according to ACC Workforce Business and Development Coordinator Emily Martini, is to “ensure that Colorado has a robust workforce so that business that is here, or considering locating here, has opportunity.” “If we have a business here whose growth is stifled because they do not have training for those employees they need, they’re going to be going somewhere else,” Martini said. Amid a volatile job market, where businesses are seeing fewer and fewer applications and more resignations, Martini said the college’s program is an essential way to keep businesses stable. While the program offers money for training for existing employees who’ve worked for more than a year, it also allows businesses to train for new employees, something that Martini said can be crucial for retention. “I have heard from many employers that I’ve talked with that hiring for that right fit is imperative right now,” Martini said. Oftentimes, the training helps
Philip S. Miller Grant deadline March 18
Arapahoe Community College is one of 18 community colleges across Colorado that offers reimbursement grants to businesses looking to train employees. FILE PHOTO
bridge the gap between what a person learns in the classroom and the skills they need for a given job. And training differs depending on the employers’ needs. One grantee of Martini’s that she is currently working with is an auto repair shop that is looking to train its five employees in upholstery, an often under-taught and incredibly specialized skill. Another in the past has been a credit union looking to improve its critical thinking practices among staff. Sometimes the college will provide money for the company to train from within, while other times it may outsource to a third party for training. In other cases, it may even tap some trainees from its own college-run programs, according to Martini. Last year the college awarded grants to 10 employers. This year, it has so far awarded nine, according to Martini. While the college can award grants to any business in Colorado, as well as businesses looking to locate in Colorado, Martini urged local Littleton-based employers to take advantage of the program. “I would love to see more small businesses applying to the program,” she said. “We really are here to serve that community.” If you’re an employer who is interested in applying, you can do so by going to tinyurl.com/skilladvance or by calling 303-797-5722.
Need help with home heating costs? Eligible low-income households in Douglas County may apply for energy assistance through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for LEAP or email LEAPHELP@discovermygoodwill.org
Skip the trip - motor vehicle services just a click away. Renew your driver license or motor vehicle registration and more from the convenience of your smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop. You can also renew vehicle registrations at MVExpress kiosks. Find information at DouglasDrives.com
What’s happening with your County government? Our commitment to open and transparent government includes online posting of information about public meetings at which the business of government is conducted. To view public meeting agendas and to participate in-person or remotely visit douglas.co.us and search for Meetings and Agendas.
Funds available to veterans Emergency assistance is available for veterans struggling with housing (mortgage/rent), transportation, employment, healthcare or other emergency needs. To apply for the veteran assistance funds visit douglasveterans.org or call 303-663-6200.
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4 Elbert County News
March 3, 2022
DEVELOPMENT FROM PAGE 1
Higher-density developments remain contested in Elbert County, with many long-term residents wanting to maintain the county’s rural way of life. The proposed PUD amendment aims to alleviate some of the concern residents have about the Independence neighborhood. Developer Tim Craft and his team have broken down their plan into five categories: smart rural planning, additional amenities, increased open space, road/traffic improvements, and water conservation. Below is a breakdown of the proposed amendments, or the rationale behind them, by Craft and his team.
The entrance to the Independence development.
Smart rural planning • Growth is inevitable, and smart growth in Elbert County is crucial. As development pressures increase in Elbert County, it is essential to identify the right location for new homes. Independence is uniquely positioned to accommodate growth because of its proximity to Douglas County and Parker, its limited impact on Elbert County road infrastructure, and its availability of groundwater resources. • We submitted the PUD Amendment application to increase the number of homes within Independence by adding neighborhoods and open space to a portion of land set aside in the northwest corner. • This is a natural progression of keeping pace with our growing community — this land has always been a part of Independence — and has been carefully evaluated and designed to create more opportunity for families to join our community. • These additional homes will bring increased benefits to the entire county, including road improvements, water conservation
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measures, and the addition of useful amenities. Additional amenities • By adding additional homes, we will be able to provide an increased number of amenities and needed services, including neighborhood retail, a school site, additional parks, and trail improvements. Increased open space • The PUD amendment will increase community open space from 42% to 50%. This is achieved by adding additional open space (along with additional homes) in the northwest corner of the community. Road/traffic improvements • The PUD amendment will enable major road and traffic improvements for Elbert County, including: o Delbert Road (CR 1) connection to CR 158 (Hilltop Road), which will significantly reduce traffic coming into the main entrance of the community on Hancock Way. o The connection will also provide emergency vehicles with access to CR 166 (Singing Hills) and Parker ON AVERAGE, AARP MEMBERS ENJOY
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PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON
A sign gives notice of the community meeting for the Independence PUD proposed amendment.
going north, reducing response times by one half — a major benefit for all Elbert County residents. o This connection will also decrease commute times and traffic for all Elbert County residents by creating a more direct and third route to Denver/I-25. Water conservation • The community’s 300-year water supply - which meets the stringent requirements of the county and has been verified and approved by the state of Colorado — has been designed to support the additional
proposed homes and retail. • The overall indoor and outdoor water usage at Independence is significantly less than traditional communities, which helps to protect the long-term viability of the aquifer. • Independence’s state-of-the-art, redundant water conservation system offers the highest level of water recycling available in Colorado. A community meeting will be held on March 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Elbert County Fairgrounds for those interested in learning more about the amendment.
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Elbert County News 5
March 3, 2022
More students attend Colorado charter schools
TAKE OUT
However, access is not equal BY ERICA MELTZER CHALKBEAT COLORADO
More Colorado students than ever are enrolled in charter schools, and those students posted higher test scores than those of students in district-run schools during a pandemic-disrupted school year. At the same time, Colorado charter schools continue to enroll students with disabilities at some of the lowest rates in the nation, and many parents don’t think charter schools will accommodate kids with specialized education plans related to disabilities. Two recent report point to the potential promise of charter schools and changes that still need to happen for them to function like truly public schools, open to all students. More than 15% of all Colorado students now attend charter schools, putting the state third behind only Arizona and Washington, D.C., for proportion of charter school enrollment, according to a report from the Keystone Policy Center, a nonprofit that works on a wide range of policy issues. Charter school enrollment rose during the pandemic even as enrollment in traditional districtrun schools declined. The analysis excluded online charter schools, which also attracted more students during the
Charter school enrollment continues to rise according to recent data.
pandemic. “Enrollment didn’t drop in the charters, and it actually grew, which suggests something about how the schools were interacting with their communities,” Senior Policy Director Van Schoales said. Colorado did not closely track whether schools offered remote or in-person learning in the 202021 school year, and many charter schools followed the COVID practices of the district in which they were located, so it’s hard to say how remote learning shaped parent choices. General frustration with pandemic schooling may have prompted more families to exercise school choice. Families that wanted fewer COVID restrictions as well as those who wanted more safety precautions might have found options among charter schools, said Alex Medler, executive director of the Colorado Association of Charter School Authorizers, who was not involved in the Keystone report.
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
“Everything has been massively disrupted, so parents who might not have thought to exercise choice have become more motivated to do so,” he said. The Keystone Policy Center also found that charter schools on average had higher participation in state standardized tests than did district-run schools and their students performed better. And while test scores are often strongly tied to students’ race and socioeconomic background, that was less true at charter schools, the report found. At the same time, there was considerable variation among charter schools, with some posting dramatically worse results than those of district-run schools. “It’s easier when you have freedom and flexibility to either do really well or fail really hard,” Schoales said. This story was originally published by Chalkbeat Colorado. More at chalkbeat.org.
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6 Elbert County News
March 3, 2022
Lawmakers reviewing laws regarding penalties for fentanyl posssession BEST OF THE BEST
House Bill 1263 made possession of up to 4 grams almost all drugs a misdemeanor in 2019 BY JESSES PAUL THE COLORADO SUN
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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and state lawmakers are rethinking a 2019 law that made possession of thousands of lethal doses of fentanyl a misdemeanor as overdoses from the potent opioid continue to rise. The law is getting even more attention after five adults died from a suspected fentanyl overdose Sunday in Commerce City. Last year, 803 people died from fentanyl across Colorado, up from 520 in 2020, the latest data from the state health department show. Officials say last year’s total could be even higher, citing a threemonth reporting delay. House Bill 1263, which had both Democratic and Republican sponsors, passed three years ago with broad bipartisan support. It made possession of up to 4 grams of almost all drugs for personal use a misdemeanor, with exceptions for “date-rape drugs,” such as ketamine and gamma-hydroxybutyrate, also known as GHB, which remain a felony to possess in any amount. Critics have complained that allowing people to possess 4 grams of fentanyl is ludicrous since that could amount to as many as 2,000 fatal doses of the drug. Fentanyl, which is fatal at about 2 or 3 milligrams, is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. The 2019 measure still allows prosecutors to pursue felony drug distribution charges against people who possess any amount of illicit drugs, but prosecutors warned in 2019 — and continue to warn today — that isn’t enough. “The only people (who) can fix this are the governor and those elected to the Colorado legislature,” El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen, a Republican, wrote in an open letter Tuesday. There are signs that Polis and lawmakers are planning to heed that call. Polis, a Democrat, last week told The Unaffiliated, The Colorado Sun’s politics and policy newsletter, that the 2019 bill, which he signed into law, “got some things wrong.” “When somebody has enough fentanyl to kill 1,000 people or 2,000 people, absolutely we need additional criminal sanctions to make sure that they can be detained and prevented from harming Coloradans,” Polis said. The governor said he’s hopeful bills will be passed this year that allow “for additional criminal penalties around fentanyl.” That’s something Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, also a Democrat, has called for as well. “We all know that criminal penalties don’t solve an issue,” he said. “Having that ability can be
As fentanyl cases are going up in the state, lawmakers will consider revising a bill SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE passed in 2019 that made possession a misdemeanor.
helpful in reducing deaths from fentanyl. But, sadly, no matter what the laws are across the 50 states, fentanyl deaths have increased. And to get at that not only includes increased criminal sanctions, but also includes education, prevention efforts.” House Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver, said Tuesday that he is working with public health officials and law enforcement to get the policy right. He thinks a bill may be introduced within a week, but wouldn’t share specifics. “We’re trying to find the right total policy solution,” he said. “Is 4 grams of fentanyl a lot of fentanyl? Yes. Will it kill a lot of people? Yes. Does putting addicts in jail solve the problem? No. We’re working with all the stakeholders involved to arrive at the right place. I believe that we will get there.” Garnett warned, however, that he thinks the situation with fentanyl in Colorado is “going to get worse before it gets better.” The 2019 bill was aimed at treating drug addiction as a public health issue as opposed to trying to use jails and prisons to address the problem. The idea was to save the harshest penalties only for dealers. State Rep. Leslie Herod, a Denver Democrat who sponsored the 2019 measure, warned back then that keeping fentanyl possession as a felony would be unfair because people may have substances mixed with fentanyl and not realize it. The five people who died in Commerce City on Sunday are suspected of having ingested what they thought was cocaine but what really was fentanyl. But lawmakers also now believe that fentanyl may require a different approach because it is so potent. Sen. Pete Lee, a Colorado Springs Democrat who was also a prime sponsor of the 2019 bill, said he’s amenable to changing the policy. “I am open to considering modifying the bill,” he said Tuesday. Rep. Shane Sandridge, a Colorado Springs Republican who was one of two GOP prime sponsors of House Bill 1263, said making drug possession a felony doesn’t deter people from taking drugs. But he’s drafted legislation, which hasn’t been introduced yet, that would make having any amount of
fentanyl a felony because of how potent it is. Sandridge, a former police officer, also wants to implement a 25-year minimum prison sentence for people who deal fentanyl and make it a crime to expose people to the drug. He even wants to classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction in state law. He said the slate of legislation he’s proposed constitutes “an all-out war on fentanyl” and would make Colorado’s fentanyl laws among the most stringent in the nation. Republicans on the 2022 campaign trail have attacked Democrats over the 2019 bill. Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Brighton Republican, blasted the reforms during a speech Tuesday on the Senate floor. She is running for Congress this year in the 8th Congressional District, which includes Commerce City. “There are times when the legislature just gets it wrong,” said Kirkmeyer, who wasn’t a state lawmaker in 2019. “It’s time to put party affiliation aside, break through the oneparty grip in this legislature, and admit that well-intentioned reforms sometimes bring about disastrous consequences.” Garnett said the attacks are immensely frustrating since the 2019 measure passed with much GOP support. The bill cleared the Senate by a 20-15 vote. It advanced out of the House 40-25. A handful of Republicans in both chambers backed the bill. (Democrats have controlled the legislature and the governor’s office since 2019). The speaker even chastised a reporter Tuesday who said during a news conference that House Bill 1263 was passed by Democrats. “You should go back and make sure you look at the bill,” he said. “You gotta make sure you frame this right.” (Editor’s Note: Colorado Sun staff writer Olivia Prentzel contributed to this report.)
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.
Elbert County News 7
March 3, 2022
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8 Elbert County News
LOCAL
March 3, 2022
VOICES
More words. More letters.
W
ith the start of March we are changing our letters policy, giving readers more opportunity to express their concerns and viewpoints through more words. Instead of 250 words, FROM THE which I think is just enough for our letter writers to scratch the EDITOR surface, we are increasing the letter limit to 400 words. While still short (we still have limited space), it will give you all more of an opportunity to express your concerns, debate and talk about the issues in our communities, counties, state and nation. In recent weeks, as I have come Thelma Grimes full swing into the editor position, we have had some thoughtful emails sent my way expressing concerns about the letters we print. I want to stress to all our letter writers and readers that I do not pick and choose viewpoints that only fit mine. I would rather print a wide variety of discussion in any particular topic because that is the best way to see what those in our community are thinking. As long as the submitted letters follow our policies, we will print them. My opinion, when it comes to your letters, does not matter. I respect that you all have opinions and have just as much right as I do to get space in our community publications. In recent weeks, I have also received a few emails wondering if I am liberal, asking if I take a stance against the right. As I told one area reader, I have no problem sharing my political views or where I stand. However, I stressed to him it may not be as exciting as some think. As editor, I look to you all to be honest and up front with me as we tell your stories. That means, I am fine with being honest and up front with you all. I am currently an unaffiliated voter. Many, many years ago I changed my official political affiliation for a variety of reasons. In Arizona, when I started covering more politics, I was not comfortable being on one side or the other. I worked hard to stay in the middle. Prior to becoming unaffiliated, I registered as a Republican when I was 18. I was raised in a small, conservative town. And, while I changed my affiliation and have changed some of my political views over the years, I am proud of where I grew up and the morals and ethics I was raised with. However, I will say my super conservative father and myself have engaged in some lively debate over areas in which I have changed my stance over the years. I still value his opinion, but just like those days as a teenager, I do not always agree with where he is coming from when it comes to the direction of this country. On the same token, I often have lively debate and completely disagree regularly with my more liberal father-in-law. As a side note, we keep politics off the table when the grandfathers are together for family gatherings.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 35 years of Parker Task Force It is with gratitude that I pay tribute to the community-minded individuals that came together 35 years ago to form the Parker Task Force for Human Services. Parker Task Force was created in February 1987 as an all-volunteer nonprofit organization and remains so to this day. While the organization has grown and added programs and services, the nucleus is the food bank serving the communities of Parker, Franktown and Elizabeth. I commend the many volunteers, past and present, who have generously volunteered to serve their neighbors in need. Their commitment enables the organization to operate effectively and efficiently with a spirit of caring. The giving nature of the Parker area community is amazing. Community food drives are still the primary way that the shelves of the food bank are stocked. The Town of Parker continues to be supportive and provided the floor space in various town buildings for the first 27 years of Parker Task Force operations. Thank you to everyone who has helped the Parker Task Force to carry out its mission of providing food and limited financial assistance to those in need in our community. Together we make a difference. Steve Budnack Parker Volunteer chairman Ban flavored tobacco products My son is 2, and he loves gummy bears. This should not be a path towards a lifelong, dangerous addiction to tobacco products — but flavors are hooking our kids in Colorado. The data is clear: More than 80% of teen tobacco users start with flavored products and Colorado teens are vaping at 25.9%, more than twice the national average.
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In a state that prides itself on healthy living, the fact that more than one in four teens are using tobacco is an unnecessary disgrace. Nicotine changes the way connections are formed in developing brains, impairing brain development, increasing anxiety, and risking future addiction to other substances. State legislators and Governor Polis have continually stepped up as champions for early childhood education. Addiction to tobacco undermines child success. They should support state bill HB22-1064 and eliminate the sale of flavored tobacco products. The flavor of gummy bears should not be a path to a deadly addiction. Alexandra Simon Denver Petulant political pundit Political pundit George Brauchler would have us believe that requesting the names of Douglas County Schools teachers who called out on February 3rd so that parents could confront (his word) them is a benign gesture. We know the subliminal and literal meaning of that word implies intimidation when used in a person-toperson context. With recent threats of violence against local school boards and education leaders, we have seen how intimidation leads to threats of violence. Thus, this gesture becomes reckless and injudicious. Now that there has been deserved pushback on social media toward Mr. Brauchler about his initial statement on why those names should be released, he is lashing out at the people who reported and commented on it. Backpedaling, making excuses, and blaming others for our actions are things we teach our children not to do. Call it what you will, but doxxing, by any other name, would smell as sour. Kathryn Holland Littleton
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
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March 3, 2022
Looking at ways to live with heart failure Frightening diagnosis can be followed with effective treatments BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
About 6.2 million adults in the U.S.s are living with heart failure and there are almost 900,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The course of treatment and patient prognosis can vary greatly by individual. With February being American Heart Month, Colorado Community Media caught up with Miriam Halazon, a nurse practitioner with The Medical Center of Aurora’s Heart Failure Clinic. Below are answers to questions involving heart failure. Does heart failure mean my heart has stopped working or may stop working? For many the diagnosis of heart failure is terrifying, as the word “failure” instills fear of imminent death. While heart failure is a serious chronic condition, and it does require medical management, there are therapies that improve outcomes, including longevity and quality of life. Heart failure means the heart has become weak and is not able to pump blood the way it should. A healthy heart is a strong muscle that pumps blood continuously through the circulatory system, beating in an organized way, supplying oxygen-rich blood to the body’s cells. When you have heart failure, the heart is unable to keep up with the workload. It keeps working but can’t pump enough blood to the body to meet its needs for nutrients and oxygen. Heart failure can worsen over time and requires watchful care and treatment. Many people with heart failure lead normal, active lives because they take care of themselves by improving their lifestyle including eating healthy, exercising, showing up for appointments with a heart failure provider, and taking medications correctly. Once a patient with heart failure is perscribed medication, are they good to go? Medication is an important cornerstone of heart failure management. Evidence-based research has provided clinical data which shows improvement in outcomes when patients are managed appropriately with medical therapy. Through the use of clinical data, standardized medical treatment guidelines have been developed and are recommended through organizations such as American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and Heart Failure Society of America. Medication management is dependent upon your type of heart failure. For many patients, this may include between four and six different medications. With each medication there is an optimal recommended dose. These medications work to
improve heart muscle function. Unfortunately, starting all the recommended medications at their optimal dosing is not well tolerated. When starting these medications there is an art to the medicine – starting the medications and increasing dosing is a collaborative practice between patient and physician which occurs over several weeks to months. It is important for patients to be active participants in their care, noting how they feel on their medications and with each dose increase (side effects), monitoring their blood pressures, and communicating concerns with their provider. In our practice we plan to see patients every week while we are working to get their medications started and titrated up to optimal dosing. There is a real partnership between doctor and patients. The goal is to help patients move from novice to expert in the understanding and management of their heart failure diagnosis. It is often difficult in other health-care settings to be able to see patients this frequently – but this is the benefit of a specialized heart failure clinic.
The Heart Failure Clinic at The Medical Center of Aurora/Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates include Dr. Richard Jantz, at left, NP Miriam Halazon, and Nurse Alicia COURTESY PHOTO Chapman.
5. Stick to medication plan – Medications can’t work if you do not take them as you should. Never stop taking medication without discussing with a doctor first. Dis-
cuss all side effects with physician. (Editor’s Note: The answers in this story were only changed for length, clarity and grammar.)
Once heart failure improves, can a patient stop taking medications? No, not at this time. Clinical evidence at this time suggests that we should continue effective treatments indefinitely. One trial, the TRED-HF trial, was a randomized study in which patients who had improved heart muscle function back to normal were taken off of their medications over a 16-week period. The study had a 44% drop in their heart muscle function within just eight weeks. This trial had limitations, but clearly suggests that we should not discontinue medical treatment once heart muscle function has improved. What are lifestyle changes that can improve quality of life and outcomes? 1. Diet - limit sodium intake and monitor fluid intake. This should be discussed with guidances provided by a physician as it can change based on heart failure symptoms and severity. 2. Exercise – Exercise helps your heart and it is recommended to get at least 30 minutes per day most days of the week. But again … talk with a health care provider before beginning to exercise to set goals. Sometimes your provider may order cardiac rehab. Cardiac rehab helps patients in a monitored setting with medical support to regain strength and stamina, achieve nutrition and exercise guidance, track progress, and encourages self-management and independence. 3. Weigh yourself daily – By weighing yourself daily, you can spot changes in weight, which could signal an increase in fluid and exacerbation of heart failure. Early notification to provider of weight changes can improve management. 4. Avoid alcohol – Alcohol damages cells, including heart cells, and can further weaken already weak heart muscles.
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10 Elbert County News
LOCAL
March 3, 2022
LIFE BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
W
hen he was a teacher, Matt Felser built his first van in the parking lot of Vail Mountain School, much to the chagrin of staff. “I was a very good teacher but a very poor builder,” said Felser, who, through the help of friends and thousands of hours on YouTube, converted a used Ram ProMaster into a new home on wheels. Van life, once a niche experience for die-hard nomads, has taken root in communities across Colorado and the U.S. as people look for ways to combine more travel with environmental sustainability and affordable living. In 2019, the first year Felser began living in his van full time, the U.S. Census Bureau counted 140,000 vans, RVs or boats as housing units, up from 102,000 in 2016. As van life communities grow, it’s hard to paint them with a single brushstroke. While the rise of #VanLife on social media has given some a window into the world, for most people, the reality of van life differs from its portrayal on Instagram. “The misperceptions are put into these extremes … it’s either for the ultra-wealthy … or for the outcasts of society and those pushed to the fringes,” Felser said. “The reality is it’s somewhere in between … it encapsulates so many different lifestyles.”
Exploring the stories, realities and misconceptions of van life
Matt Felser, who did what he could to retrofit his van while on a teacher’s salary, said he wanted to make van life more accessible and affordable through his shop.
PRESENTS
COURTESY OF DAVE AND MATT VANS
A business takes hold Felser, who had taught seventhand eighth-grade Spanish and coachedhigh school lacrosse and soccer, left his job in spring 2019 after he reconnected with Dave Ramsey, an old college friend. Ramsey had been living in an RV for three years, and Felser had begun living in his ProMaster in order to afford a down payment for a house he bought in the Vail Valley, which he was renting out. The two both saw a need in the market for more affordable vans and decided to open their own business, Dave & Matt Vans, which they run out of Gypsum. With a team of 11 who all live in vans full time, the shop orders in “empty tin can” ProMasters that can be built out with livable
amenities for a below-market rate. Costs for outfitted vans range from $65,000 to $90,000, according to Felser, who said his shop offers an alternative to vans, RVs and trailers that can cost between $100,000 and $200,000. “Van life changed our lives, and we wanted to give people that ability and option,” Felser said. Over the past three years, the shop has seen about 350 clients, Felser said. Much of their business came after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Felser said, with May 2020 seeing 10 times the amount of inquiries than the shop typically received. Felser attributes the boom to a desire for escape felt among the millions who were forced to work from home and socially isolate. For the first time in many people’s careers, they now have the opportunity to work from wherever they want. “That change and shift in paradigm have allowed people to pursue this lifestyle,” he said. Along with the pandemic, Colorado’s continued affordable housing crisis has pushed many to look for alternative means of housing that won’t break the bank. Felser said he’s worked with many clients who have turned to vans rather than renting or buying a home, which in Colorado is averaged to cost over $500,000. While Felser now lives in his Vail townhouse, he still takes off in his van whenever he finds the free time. “I go on week- and month-long adventures whenever I can,” he said. “The van is both my car and my vacation home.” ‘My whole life in one place’ Since August, Austin Abelkis has lived in his ProMaster, which he purchased for about $60,000, with his girlfriend Alice Fors and their two dogs. There were several reasons why Abelkis, who is 26 and grew up in Boulder County, said he was ready for the change. He was paying $1,000 in rent each month for an apartment he barely stayed at. He loved taking advantage of Colorado’s outdoor offerings, from climbing to hiking. And he had a job with an outdoor footwear company that required
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VAN FROM PAGE 10
him to travel around the country for events. “I was just ready to minimize, have my whole life in one place,” Abelkis said. “It feels like a much smaller footprint you’re putting out into the environment.” With a 20-gallon water tank that lasts the couple a week and solar panels on the van’s roof, the two feel they are making a difference in terms of conservation. “It’s just realizing that you don’t need so much and you can live with a lot less than you think,” Abelkis said. The couple has enjoyed various -trips through the country including along the West Coast and in the Southwest. For Abelkis, the freedom to move your home to wherever you want it to be is one of the biggest rewards of van living. “Stop off for the night, light some candles, make some dinner, wake up and you’re at the Grand Canyon or you’re at the redwoods,” he said. But it’s not always easy. At about 80 inches wide and 236 inches long, managing life for two in such a space can have its challenges. “Our kitchen is next to our bed, so sometimes, tomato sauce gets in our sheets,” Abelkis said. And when utilities go awry, such as a light that’s out or a clogged drain, there are few opportunities to call someone when on the road, forcing Austin to be his own electrician and plumber.
And having two dogs — one a pug and the other a pointer mix — only adds to the minimal space. “It has its up and downs for sure … the small space can be very challenging for us,” Fors said. But Abelkis and Fors said they wouldn’t have it any other way. “That feeling of waking up in nature is just amazing,” Fors said. Before COVID, many people centered their lives around their work, but now, more people are realizing there are new opportunities to consider, Austin said. “(Van life) is breaking out of that cycle,” he said. “I can live my life and explore the world — life is short.” Chasing adventure and asking for understanding For Juanca La Ross, adventure is what drives him in his van life. “I have this constant journey to keep traveling,” La Ross said. Born in Lima, Peru, La Ross spent his later teen years and early 20s in Florida. But after graduating from college, he yearned for a landscape of nearby mountains reminiscent of the ones he grew up in. Colorado seemed an obvious choice. In August 2020, La Ross joined Felser’s company, working to build vans like his for others who wanted to experience the lifestyle. “As I started building them, it became clear that I could live in one of them and would be happy living in one of them,” said La Ross, who began living in a ProMaster he purchased from work in July of last year. Now he spends his free time rock climbing, hiking, snowboarding
and exploring the country’s Southwest. “I can continue to do the activities I love without having to sacrifice too much time commuting or too much freedom,” he said. Josh Ness, 33, also an employee of Dave & Matt Vans, said his choice to live more nomadically gave him a “more fulfilling lifestyle.” Ness is an avid hiker and has climbed 47 of Colorado’s 58 14,000-foot-high mountains, also known as 14ers. “When it’s not freezing outside, you’ll find me on a mountain hiking,” he said. Still, for all its opportunities, van life comes with a misperception many are still trying to shake off. For Ness, he has had to deal with suspicious looks and the occasional
questioning by police, even when he parks legally during appropriate hours. “We’re normal people just like everybody else, enjoying our life, living our lives as best we can,” Ness said. Abelkis said van life is often glorified through social media. “The Instagram ideal of it is not even remotely what it is at all,” he said. For Felser, van life is not a onesize-fits-all identity, but a way of living that brings together a myriad of people. “Van life means something different to everyone — that’s the beauty of it,” he said. “To me, that’s an adventure — to go to the places I want to go and do the things I want to do.”
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March 3, 2022
C R O S SWO R D P U Z Z L E
TAXES FROM PAGE 1
• Multi-family dwellings: 2021 assessment rate, 7.15%; 2022 assessment rate, 6.8%. • Agricultural land/buildings: 2021 assessment rate, 29.0%; 2022 assessment rate, 26.4%. • Renewable energy: 2021 assessment rate, 29.0%; 2022 assessment rate, 26.4%. • Commercial: 2021 assessment rate, 29.0%; 2022 assessment rate, 29.0%. • Vacant, non-agricultural land: 2021 assessment rate, 29.0%; 2022 assessment rate, 29.0%. Some residents have shown concern about their property tax payments for this year while others were pleasantly surprised. “Mine went up,” said Matthias Parenti of Kiowa. “But I was able to successfully argue the assessed value and brought it down a bit.” Ashley Ross of Elizabeth, however, was happy to see that hers had gone down from the years prior. In a phone interview from Feb. 22, former Elbert County Agricultural Assessor Jane Penley offered further caution to residents. “Even though the assessed rate is
going down, property values are still going up,” said Penley. “This is mostly a result from growth and development in Elbert County. Properties have been selling for so much more.” In an interview from 2021, Penley shared her concerns for the future of Elbert County residents and property owners. “We’ll see the biggest impact in the 2023 revaluation,” said Penley. “People within the town of Elizabeth that are living in homes that are 20-25 years old, their value is going to be extremely impacted.” The Elbert County Assessor’s Office, run by Assessor Susan Murphy, outsources the bi-yearly valuation to Michael Akana, the deputy appraiser for Teller County. Akana is responsible for determining the actual value of local property. Murphy of Elbert County currently holds the State Appraisal License of Ad Valorem. She, along with members of her staff, are not licensed to carry out property revaluations. For information on the Elbert County assessor, go online to elbertcounty-co.gov/264/Assessor. To find information on your property, go online to services. elbertcounty-co.gov/assessor/ web.
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Careers Help Wanted School Psychologist East Central BOCES is seeking a Full-Time School Psychologist or Intern to join our dynamic, multidisciplinary team of professionals for the 2022-23 school year. Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), Colorado certified. Provide PreK-12 intervention including assessment, development of IEP’s & consultation services. Competitive salaries: ED.S $51,450-60,550 & Intern $47,600$52,500, both commensurate upon experience. excellent benefits including dental, vision, and medical insurance. May be eligible for loan forgiveness. Flexible schedule. Use of a car or mileage reimbursement. 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 Special Education Teacher For a significant needs program located at the Strasburg Elementary School. Current Colorado Special Education Teacher license required. BA salary range $34,650-$40,950 & MA salary range $39,900$46,200, based on experience. Excellent benefits. Collaborative work environment with lots of free continuing education opportunities available. May be eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness. Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101 or tracyg@ecboces. org. Please complete a Certified application located at the bottom of the “Jobs” page on ecboces.org or email tracyg@ecboces.org. Equal Opportunity Employer. h0 Speech-Language Pathologist or SLPA Positions Full-Time & Part-Time SpeechLanguage Pathologist or SLPA Positions. Open to School Internships. Able to provide supervision for CFY hours. Join our dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of professionals for the 2022-23 school year. Administer assessments, provide direct, indirect & consultation services for students PreK-12th grades. Competitive salaries: SLP $42,000-$53,900 & SLPA- $33,000$44,200, both commensurate upon experience. May be eligible for loan forgiveness. Excellent benefits, including full health benefits & mileage reimbursement. Flexible schedule. Questions contact Tracy at (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
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22 years of drought in Colorado Study says climate change made the current mega-drought worse BY CHRIS OUTCALT THE COLORADO SUN
The hot and dry conditions that have gripped the southwestern United States since 2000 account for the driest 22-year period on record stretching back 1,200 years, according to a study published Feb. 14 in the journal Nature Climate Change. What’s more, this new research finds that although there would have been a drought anyway, climate change made it considerably worse. Previous research indicated the current drought was the driest stretch since the 1500s. The new study, however, incorporated data from 2021, a particularly dry year, which led the current 22-year period to exceed the intense drought in the 1500s, researchers who studied tree ring data found. The hotter and drier climate noted by researchers has fueled wildfires, caused problems for farmers and ranchers whose livelihood depends on water for irrigation, and resulted in lower flows on the Colorado River — as well as other rivers and streams
— which provides drinking water to more than 36 million people. “What’s super intriguing is the headline finding that this is the driest 22-year period since at least 800,” Brad Udall, a senior water and climate research scientist at Colorado State University’s Colorado Water Institute, said. “That’s stunning.” Udall was part of the peer-review team for the current study, which used a bank of tree ring data to reconstruct soil moisture conditions for June, July, and August during the past 1,200 years. The database, maintained by NOAA, contains information about both dead and live trees. There’s a good correlation, Udall said, between tree ring widths and soil moisture; wider rings indicate years that received more precipitation. “This is one of the first papers that ties soil moisture to the impacts of this drought,” Udall said. Although snowpack on April 1 was either at or slightly below 100 percent of average in each of the past two years, Udall said, the spring runoff was significantly lower than expected. “Increasingly, these really warm June, July, August periods have been draining soil moisture,” Udall said. “This explains how serious the current conditions are and why we’ve been getting
such terrible runoff out of reasonably good snowpack.” Spring runoff is critical to irrigated agriculture, domestic water supplies, and the recreation industry in Colorado and across the West. Flows in the Colorado River basin, an area that includes the Colorado River and all the rivers and streams that feed into it, have been hard hit. In 2000, the reservoir system in the basin was 95% full; as of fall 2021, the reservoirs were at 39% capacity, the lowest levels on record, according to the Department of Interior. “It makes it a little easier to believe that we’ve got a real problem with soil moisture here,” Udall said. “And it’s likely we’re going to continue to see these crummy years of runoff even if we have OK snowpack.” “The dramatic trend of hotter and drier conditions across the southwest means we have to work harder and faster on solutions that meet the moment,” said Bart Miller, healthy rivers program director at the nonprofit Western Resource Advocates. “It’s urgent that we ramp up conservation and more flexible water management to protect our rivers and our communities.” The new study estimated that climate change driven by human causes increased the severity of the drought conditions from 2000 to 2021 by 42%. In fact, without
the impacts of climate change, according to the study, “20002021 would not even be classified as a single extended drought event.” The drought is also likely to continue, according to the study. When factoring in climate change, the current drought lasted through a 30th year in 75% of the soil moisture simulations the researchers conducted. Udall said drought might not be the right term anymore. “We’ve been calling it a drought,” he said, “but a number of scientists have been saying this is something else.” Udall has pitched aridification as a new way to categorize the hot and dry conditions impacting the Colorado River basin and rest of the southwest. “What it really means is the long-term warming and drying of the American West. Not every year is warmer and drier but the overall trend is in that direction,” Udall said. “My sense is that this drought is here to stay; it seems very clear to me we’re on that path.” 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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