Elbert County News 051222

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Week of May 12, 2022

ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

ElbertCountyNews.net

VOLUME 127 | ISSUE 13

Kiowa Schools waiting for decision on mascot Letter, formal agreement, curriculum changes submitted to state panel

BY SCOTT GILBERT SGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Elbert Woman’s Club President Irene Brown, right, talks with shoppers at the Elbert Booster Club Craft Fair and Plant Sale on PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON April 30 in the Russell Gates Mercantile Building in Elbert.

Craft fair, plant sale benefit school Elbert Booster Club’s annual event held in historic building

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

The Elbert School was the beneficiary of funds raised April 30 in the 12th annual Elbert Booster Club event.

The club held a Spring Craft Fair and Plant Sale at the historic mercantile building in downtown Elbert. The event has varied over the years, with many previous years featuring silent auctions.

SEE FAIR, P4

The Elbert Booster Club Craft Fair and Plant Sale was held at the historic Russell Gates Mercantile Building in Elbert.

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

The Kiowa School District will find out May 19 whether its efforts to satisfy the terms of a 2021 state law will allow it to keep its Kiowa Indians mascot and iconography.

The law, Colorado Senate Bill 21-116, generally prohibits the use of Native American mascots by schools, but creates an exemption for schools that reach a satisfactory agreement with a federally recognized tribe.

The school district has submitted a Feb. 16 letter from the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma giving approval to the district’s request to continue using the Kiowa Indians name, followed by a March 27 formal memorandum of understanding in which the tribe gives the same approval. The school district has an elementary curriculum teaching about Native American tribes, and the school board recently voted to create a one-semester high school course on Native American history that would be required to graduate.

However, no decision will be made by the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs until May 19. If the CCIA turns down the school district’s request, the Kiowa School District would be expected to remove all Native American names SEE MASCOT, P14

STAYING WILD

Colorado strives to protect wildlife and land P12

2 Elbert County News

May 12, 2022

Students, police pitch in for town Teens take part in first Big Help Day since onset of pandemic

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

April 27 was Big Help Day for Elizabeth High School, a yearly event designed for students to give back to their community and surrounding areas. There were 597 students who carried out various service projects from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Student Council organizes the EHS Big Help Day each year. According to Summer Katzoff, EHS physical education teacher and faculty Student Council representative, students were volunteering at 36 different locations on Big Help Day. Notable locations included: Elizabeth Cemetery Elizabeth Public Works Elizabeth Park & Rec Elizabeth Animal Hospital Elizabeth Library Elizabeth Police (road cleanup on Highway 86) Jill’s Feed Running Creek Elementary Singing Hills Elementary Gabriel Foundation Elizabeth Presbyterian Church True Value Legacy Academy Elizabeth Middle School Access Gym Chalk Box Local ranches Kiowa Fire Department Town of Castle Rock Goodwill Castlewood Canyon State Park “We do Big Help Day every year, but this is the first year we’ve done it since COVID,” said freshman Molly Smith.

“Everyone in the school goes to a different place to support our community. Some people clean horse stalls,

Elizabeth police officers and Elizabeth High School students work together to pick up trash along Highway 86.

some go volunteer at Goodwill, lots of places.”

The Elbert County News caught up with the Elizabeth Police Department and Elizabeth High School students working to clean up Highway 86 east of Main Street. Of the nearly 600 EHS volunteers, 10 were present at the cleanup with one faculty representative.

Students, police officers and local resident volunteers sported bright yellow reflective vests, huge orange trash bags, wooden pokers and plastic grabbers as they made their way west from County Road 21 toward downtown Elizabeth.

On their trek, the students, officers and volunteers found a variety of trash including countless cigarette butts, beer cans and snack wrappers. One student discovered an intact set of jumper cables while another found a large, wheeled cart.

Remains of several deer were also found scattered along the road.

“Hopefully people notice that there’s some of us in the community that really care about what our roadways look like,” said resident volunteer Patricia Sizemore. “When I moved out here six years ago, there wasn’t trash like this. It’s sad. It’s important that peo-

PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

Police officers and students work together on Elizabeth High School’s Big Help Day.

ple understand that keeping Elizabeth clean is crucial.

I like to help because even little steps matter.”

The Elizabeth Police Department partners with the Colorado Department of Transportation to help clean up Highway 86 from CR 21 to Garland Street several times a year.

“We want to make our town and community presentable,” said EPD officer Jason Rogers. “We do everything we can to make sure we take care of it.”

To volunteer for future EPD cleanup days, call the department at 303-646-4664 for more details.

You can also find updates and announcements on their Facebook page at tinyurl. com/ELBEPD

Students, police officers, and resident volunteers were provided with reflective vests, bright orange trash bags and tools to make the cleanup day safe and effective.

From left, Elizabeth High School students and faculty rep Summer Katzoff, Elisa Roden, Anica Reid and Molly Smith.

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Elbert County News 3

May 12, 2022

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4 Elbert County News

May 12, 2022

Elbert Woman’s Club member Claudia Morgan works one of the many tables of plants at the Elbert PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON Booster Club Craft Fair and Plant Sale.

FAIR FROM PAGE 1

The yearly event is hosted by the Elbert School Booster Club and is one of their largest sources of fundraising for the year. Money raised during the event is used to enhance and expand the academic, social, and athletic programs that are available to each student at Elbert School District #200.

At the Craft Fair and Plant Sale, the Booster Club raised money from vendor

fees and from half of the sale of the plants. The other half of the plant sales went toward the Elbert Woman’s Club. The Booster Club also received money from the sale of homemade breakfast burritos that were sold at the event.

Teachers and organizations within the school can request special funds for things like field trips, hosting speakers, or decorations for prom. The Booster Club meets each month to consider the submitted requests and then funds are dispersed.

In a phone interview from April 29, Elbert School Business Manager and School Board Secretary Bev McGuire shared the function of the Booster Club and how they work to help the school thrive.

“Our boosters are fantastic. They help the school afford to do the kinds of things that teachers cannot pay for, or the budget doesn’t allow for,” said McGuire. “All of their fundraising really helps the school.”

The event was a huge success, according to members

All plants at the Elbert Booster Club Craft Fair and Plant Sale were grown by members of the Elbert Woman’s Club, including a wide variety of vegetable plants and flower seedlings.

of the Booster Club. By 10:30 a.m., only an hour and a half after the start of the event, many of the plants had already been sold. “The plants have been going fast,” said Elbert Booster Club Treasurer Wendy Walp. “About half of them are gone already.”

The Craft Fair and Plant Sale also served as a general community event, bringing together residents of Elbert and nearby towns to socialize. “Things like this are wonderful community events for people to get together,” said Walp. McGuire

shared a similar sentiment with Walp, saying: “A lot of what the Booster Club does really helps give back to the community as well, like providing entertainment or a place to shop.”

The Elbert Woman’s Club will be holding a similar plant sale on May 22 at their monthly breakfast event from 8 a.m. to noon at the Russell Gates Mercantile Building in Elbert.

For more information on the Elbert Booster Club and their future events, visit facebook.com/ theelbertboosterclub

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Elbert County News 5

May 12, 2022

Voters soundly reject park tax Casey Jones Park ballot question loses 72-28

An artist’s rendering shows the front of a fieldhouse / ag building that had been proposed for Elizabeth’s Casey Jones Park, part of a package that voters turned down on May 3. The park district unsuccessfully asked voters to fund a $45 million overhaul of the park with a mill levy increase that would have added about $88 a year to the property-tax bill for a $500,000 home.

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

Voters who live or own property in the Elizabeth Park & Recreation District overwhelmingly rejected a ballot question seeking to raise property taxes to support a proposed $45.3 million overhaul of Casey Jones Park in a May 3 election.

As of 9:26 p.m. on May 3, 4,894 votes had been tallied, for a 37% turnout of active voters in the district. Of those 4,894 total votes, 1,391 people (28.4%) voted “Yes/ For” the tax increase and 3,503 people (71.6%) voted “No/Against.”

The mill levy increase that voters rejected would have doubled the portion of a property owner’s tax that goes to the park district, meaning the owner of a $500,000 home would have seen a hike of about $88 per year.

At the heart of the proposal was a planned recreation center, with overall improvements proposed as: • Community recreation

COURTESY OF ELIZABETH PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT

center — $23.5 million • Rodeo grounds and event center — $9.7 million • Fieldhouse/ag building — $10.9 million • Campground expansion — $450,000 • Artificial turf ballfield — $800,000 • Dog park — $17,000 • Homestead education center — to be determined • Total — roughly $45.3 million Mike Barney, the Elizabeth Park & Recreation District director, released a statement on the district’s failed ballot issue following the May 3 vote: “I know this is a sad day for many residents who supported the recreation center, though ultimately the community has decided that they were unwilling to support the ballot initiative

as proposed,” Barney wrote.

“I do understand that the language of the ballot question itself was a matter of concern for some, and many others just do not believe the community needs a recreation center, so the board will need to reassess their understanding of resident desires and decide if the project will be pursued again on a future ballot. In the meantime, the district will continue to serve the community with existing resources and facilitate further public dialogue to better understand the types of park amenities, programs, and services that the district should be pursuing.”

The language of the ballot question — Elizabeth Park & Recreation District Ballot Issue 6A — was: Shall Elizabeth Park and

Recreation District Taxes be increased $680,000 annually (For collection in calendar year 2023) or by such additional amounts raised annually thereafter by an additional ad valorem property tax mill levy imposed up to 2.466 mills, resulting in a total district mill levy rate not to exceed 4.932 mills (provided that the district’s total mill levy may be adjusted to offset revenue losses from refunds, abatements and changes to the percentage of actual valuation used to determine assessed valuation ) to be used for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, equipping, operating, maintaining and renovating park and recreation properties, improvements and capital facilities, including making annual

lease payments related to the same, and providing ongoing park and recreation services, including by not limited to: • Constructing and equipping a new recreation center, which may include an aquatics center with beach-style entry, lap pool, water slides, hot tub, and lazy river; gymnasium; fitness area; childcare area; restrooms; locker rooms; program/part room and • Improvements identified within the Casey Jones Park Master Plan And shall the district be authorized to collect, retain and spend all tax revenue collected from such total property tax rate as a voter-approved revenue change, offset and exception to the limits which would otherwise apply under tabor (Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution) or any other law and as a waiver of the 5.5% limitation under Section 29-1-301 C.R.S.?

In addition to voting on 6A, district voters approved Kurt D. Pinslow, the sole candidate, for a three-year term as an Elizabeth Park & Recreation District director.

Pinslow received 2,582 votes in the 9:26 p.m. returns.

To see election returns, go to tinyurl.com/parktax

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6 Elbert County News

May 12, 2022

Jared Polis injects another $5.2 million into his campaign Republicans lag Democrats in statewide contests

BY SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, a multimillionaire, poured $5.2 million of his own money into his reelection campaign in the first four months of this year, signaling that he is willing to open his pockets to secure another four years leading Colorado.

Polis used that infusion to schedule $3.4 million worth of TV advertising for September and October.

The two Republicans running in the June 28 primary for a chance to unseat Polis are significantly lagging behind the incumbent, who spent more than $23 million to secure his first term in 2018, in fundraising.

In fact, all of the GOP candidates for statewide office are lagging behind their Democratic opponents when it comes to campaign cash.

Campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State’s Office on May 2 provide the first glimpse of how the June 28 primary election and the Nov. 8 general election are shaping up in terms of candidates’ financial warchests. They cover fundraising and spending from Jan. 1 through April 27.

Polis and three other Democratic incumbents are using their cash advantage already to line up TV ad time in the weeks before the general election. And super PACs are raising money to support Democrats in three of the four statewide contests.

Meanwhile, two leading GOP candidates — Heidi Ganahl, who is running for governor, and Pam Anderson, who is running for secretary of state — spent significant sums in the first four months of the year to collect petition signatures to make the primary ballot. Both face primary opponents who made the ballot at

April’s raucous GOP assembly.

And Republican Tina Peters, the indicted Mesa County Clerk running for secretary of state, had yet to file her campaign finance report as of 9 a.m. May 3. The deadline was 10 p.m. May 2.

Here’s a deeper look at cash in Colorado’s statewide contests.

Two gubernatorial candidates self-fund, one significantly more than the other In the first four months of 2022, Polis brought his total personal campaign contributions to more than $5.9 million, while also raising about $402,000 from donors despite limiting his contributions to $100 a year from individuals.

His campaign had nearly $5 million in cash on April 27, though that doesn’t reflect his spending on TV ad reservations.

Ganahl, a University of Colorado regent and the only remaining statewide elected Republican, put another $150,000 of her own money into her campaign, bringing her total four-month fundraising haul to nearly $377,000. She’s raised $1 million since announcing her candidacy, with $400,000 coming from her own pocket.

Ganahl originally pledged to limit her campaign spending to $3.4 million, allowing her to collect double the $1,250 contribution limit for individual donations to gubernatorial candidates. She backed out of that pledge in late January, but not before she raised $165,000 in larger contributions from 135 donors.

The campaign paid Blitz Canvassing, a signature-gathering firm, more than $212,000 between January and March. The campaign had a little more than $200,000 in the bank heading into May. Lopez’s fundraising lags far behind Ganahl’s. Lopez raised only $36,000 in the first four months of the year, bringing his election-cycle total to less than $106,000. And he had only $16,000 in cash at the end of April.

Gov. Jared Polis addresses the crowd at a Feb. 16 meet-and-greet in Arvada.

PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN

Then there’s Danielle Neuschwanger, who failed to make the Republican ballot at the assembly and instead is running for governor under the American Constitution Party banner. She raised nearly $73,000 in the first four months of the year and loaned her campaign another $33,000, bringing her total personal investment to nearly $69,000. She had $15,000 in cash on April 27.

As the candidates compete, the super PAC Strong Colorado for All, which supports Democrats, was sitting on $467,000 in cash at the end of April, some of it from the Democratic Governors Association. That money presumably will be used to support Polis in the fall.

Dems also lead among other statewide campaigns Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold raised nearly $875,000 between January and April 27, which her campaign says is a record since at least 2000 for a candidate for secretary of state,

attorney general or treasurer in a single filing period.

That brings her election-cycle total to $2.5 million. She had more than $301,000 in cash at the end of April after reserving nearly $1.8 million worth of ad time in the weeks leading up to the election.

Peters, Griswold’s most highprofile GOP opponent and perhaps the most polarizing candidate in Colorado’s 2022 election, failed to file a campaign finance report, triggering an automatic $50 fine for each day the report is late.

A grand jury indicted Peters earlier this year in a security breach of her county’s election system.

And Griswold is asking a judge to remove Peters from overseeing this year’s election, as she did in 2021.

Anderson, a former Jefferson County clerk, raised about $51,000 in the first four months of the year, paying Blitz Canvassing $70,000 over that span for petition signatures.

She had only about $6,000 in the

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Elbert County News 7

May 12, 2022

Memorial Day office closure Douglas County offices will be closed Monday, May 30, 2022.

Many services are available at DoItOnlineDouglas.com Hallways at Calhan High School on March 15, 2022. Calhan High serves upwards of 400 students from preschool to 12th grade.

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

State balks on K-12 school funding Colorado lawmakers say maybe next year

BY ERICA MELTZER CHALKBEAT

Colorado lawmakers this year came closer to fully funding the state’s schools than at any time since the Great Recession. But rattled by rising inflation and the threat of a ballot measure that would slash anticipated growth in property tax revenue legislators stopped short of constitutionally mandated K-12 spending.

Democrats say they’re proud of the $36.4 billion budget signed by Gov. Jared Polis recently. The budget dedicates more than $5 billion in state money to base K-12 spending, a 7.5% increase over this year. Average per-student funding will go up 6% to $9,560. Lawmakers are also putting $80 million more into special education, getting closer to funding a formula established back in 2006.

But despite a reserve in the state education fund that tops $800 million, lawmakers still held back $321 million through a recurring mecha-

GOVERNOR FROM PAGE 6

bank on April 27.

Mike O’Donnell, a former nonprofit executive from the Eastern Plains who also made the GOP primary ballot in the secretary of state’s race via the state assembly, raised only about $3,100 in the first fundraising period of the year, while putting more than $53,000 of his own cash into his campaign. He had about $38,000 in cash on hand to end April.

Once her Republican opponent is set, Griswold likely will get help from Defend Democracy Fund, a super PAC created to support her that raised more than $508,000 in the first four months of the year.

Attorney General Phil Weiser raised $512,000 in the first four months of the year, bringing his election-cycle total to $3.2 million.

He reserved more than $1 million in fall TV ad time, and still had $1.6 million in the bank to begin May. Weiser will face Republican John Kellner, the district attorney in the 18th Judicial District, in November.

Kellner raised $106,000 in the first few months of his campaign, and had about $84,000 in cash on April 27.

Weiser can expect help from the DAGA Colorado People’s Lawyer

nism known as the budget stabilization factor.

Democrats, who control both chambers, said there’s too much uncertainty on the horizon. Higher state spending is only sustainable, they said, if local property taxes rise enough to take over some of the burden in future years.

A few months ago that seemed almost guaranteed, thanks to rising property values and recent tax policy changes. But a combination of dramatic inflation and potential property tax limits would sharply increase the state’s school funding obligations, which lawmakers could struggle to meet in 2023.

The only thing worse than not giving schools enough money, Democratic lawmakers believe, would be giving them more money one year only to roll it back the following year.

“That is not predictable,” said state Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat and Joint Budget Committee member. “That does not help our districts.”

This story was originally published

by Chalkbeat Colorado. More at chalkbeat.org.

Project, a super PAC that raised $193,000 in the first four months of the year. DAGA stands for the Democratic Attorneys General Association. It’s unclear if Republicans have a similar independent spending committee to support Kellner, though in the past the Republican Attorneys General Association has supported GOP candidates in Colorado.

The state treasurer’s contest is more low-key in terms of fundraising than the other three statewide races, but the Democratic incumbent has a similar cash advantage.

Incumbent Democratic Treasurer Dave Young raised nearly $100,000, bringing his total raised during the election cycle to $387,000. After making a $169,000 TV ad reservation, Young had about $94,000 in cash to end April.

His GOP opponent, former state representative and lieutenant governor candidate Lang Sias, raised $51,000. He had about $59,000 in cash left at the end of last month.

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.

Help make our County Fair a success!

Energetic, friendly volunteers age 16 and older are needed during the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo, July 29-Aug. 7. Serve your community, celebrate your County’s history and have fun all at the same time. Visit douglascountyfairandrodeo.com and click on the Get Involved tab, to learn more and sign up.

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Primary Election June 28, 2022 » » » »

Register to vote Check your voter status/affiliation Update your mailing address Find a ballot drop box near you

Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning on June 6.

24-hour Ballot Drop Box locations open. Learn more at DouglasVotes.com or 303.660.7444.

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E-recycling: Saturday, May 21 Douglas County residents may dispose of unwanted electronics free of charge at Techno Rescue, 3251 Lewiston St. in Aurora, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and occasional Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proof of residency is required. For a list of acceptable items, Saturday drop-off dates and more visit douglas.co.us and search electronics recycling

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8 Elbert County News

May 12, 2022

Nonprofit gives $1.5M cash to formerly incarcerated Coloradans A first-of-its-kind cash assistance program gives people a second chance

BY MARGARET FLEMING THE COLORADO SUN

“With a program like this, it gives people some of that stability where they’re not stressed and they’re not anxious and they’re able to stabilize themselves,” said Khalil Halim, executive director at Second Chance. “And they’re not looking at committing PHOTO BY OLIVIA SUN/THE COLORADO SUN VIA REPORT FOR AMERICA crimes to stabilize themselves.”

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Heather Fitzsimmons was working on getting her life back together and staying clean while on probation in Aurora when she noticed what seemed to be an extra deposit in the account where she gets paid.

Fitzsimmons called to alert her employers at the Center for Employment Opportunities in Denver, part of a national organization providing immediate employment for formerly incarcerated people. They explained the nonprofit’s new pilot program — a first-of-its-kind cash assistance initiative giving $24 million to more than 10,000 former inmates across the country.

“It helped me get in a better mental spot to where I feel like it’s actually possible to stay off the street and to maintain a job,” Fitzsimmons said.

“It gave me the boost that I needed to get out.”

Fitzsimmons used the cash to pay part of a deposit on an apartment and get a car to drive to her job.

Before that, she was homeless for six years and without a car for eight years. Now she works to help other people who are homeless and addicted to drugs or alcohol.

The cash assistance program delivered $1.5 million to 623 former inmates in and around Denver.

More than 10,000 people in 28 cities received up to $2,750 nationwide.

All funding from the program has already been distributed with the goal of helping formerly incarcerated people transition back to their communities.

The national stimulus program is privately funded by philanthropic interests including the Justice and Mobility Fund, Agnes Gund Foundation, Art For Justice Fund, George Kaiser Family Foundation and Robin Hood.

The Center for Employment Opportunities partners with the Second Chance Center reentry service in Aurora, where 246 people received cash through the stimulus funding, according to Khalil Halim, the executive director. The assistance will help ease socioeconomic pressures that contribute to crime, he said.

“With a program like this, it gives people some of that stability where they’re not stressed and they’re not anxious and they’re able to stabilize themselves,” Halim said. “And they’re not looking at committing crimes to stabilize themselves.”

“With a program like this, it gives people some of that stability where they’re not stressed and they’re not anxious and they’re able to stabilize themselves,” said Khalil Halim, executive director at Second Chance.

“And they’re not looking at committing crimes to stabilize themselves.”

(Olivia Sun, The Colorado Sun via Report for America) People who received cash through the program have used the extra funds to pay for program fees at halfway houses, clothing, food, shelter and transportation. Some of Halim’s

‘... it had a huge kind of stabilizing impact on people.’

Pam Lachman, senior director of the Center for Employment Opportunities in Denver clients used the stimulus to start their own businesses.

Colorado lawmakers made efforts to support formerly incarcerated people this fall, starting a new reentry initiative to encourage hiring those recently released. The network will formally launch this summer with events to increase the number of fair chance employers, support them with training and connect them with employees.

The program is meant to complement broader policy changes in the justice system, said Pam Lachman, the organization’s senior director.

“But just from what we’ve seen from the interim evaluation and from the stories we’ve heard, it had a huge kind of stabilizing impact on people.”

Lachman said organization leaders noticed the financial crisis for their employees as the pandemic hit, because participants in the program are paid daily. Being unable to work as many hours in-person made it more difficult to get on firm ground after jail or prison.

Carmen Ortega is another stimulus recipient who is now a full-time staffer running the work crew for the nonprofit’s location in Colorado Springs. She was homeless for four straight years and faced 32 years in prison before making a drastic change.

“Those four times that I came out of jail, I came out to nothing,” Ortega said. “I came out with nothing at all. Not even underwear, to be honest.”

After jail, Ortega didn’t have money for food, clothing or housing.

She said getting involved with the organization and receiving funds was a new beginning. Last week was her third anniversary of being clean.

The stimulus money can provide a safety plan by getting people off the street and into a hotel room for the night, Ortega said. She said many people who are homeless in Colorado Springs come out of jail or prison with no money and have trouble securing necessities to rebuild their lives, from medication to a driver’s license.

“It will be a tremendous blessing,” Ortega said. “Because they will have something in hand, something to work with.”

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 9

May 12, 2022

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10 Elbert County News

LOCAL

May 12, 2022

VOICES

Rowing together

I

n 2021, I tuned into a mental health summit where Dr. Robert Werthwein, the former director of the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health, talked about the good things Douglas County is doing on the issue. One of the reasons, he said, is because the county invested the time and money to not only create a FROM THE plan but to recruit other agencies EDITOR and organizations to get on board.

He stressed that in doing this, Douglas County’s mental health program works because everyone is rowing in the same direction.

That means police, government, nonprofits and many others. He stressed that to fix the state’s mental health crisis, a lot of groups and people are going to have to start Thelma Grimes rowing in the same direction.

Using his example, I can’t help but think this thought process applies to many other issues we are facing in the Denver metro area, the state and the nation. Coming to mind right now is the ongoing topics around homelessness.

While some cities and groups are doing great work and holding great discussion, I wouldn’t say there is enough rowing in the same direction to make a difference.

In Arapahoe County the work of many deserves some credit. The cities of Sheridan, Littleton and Englewood are doing some good things. They have created the tri-city partnership that is aimed at addressing homelessness. Centennial is also joining in on the conversations.

In Douglas County, U.S. Rep. Jason Crow is working to create some facilities aimed at helping the homeless population.

Additionally, I was impressed with Littleton’s Bemis Library in taking a stance that accepting the homeless is a lot more beneficial to the community than just rejecting this population of people who still deserve help.

What Arapahoe County is doing is important because they are starting to at least get the boat going the same direction. Now, it’s all about getting the rowers on the same page.

What they are doing means they are not going with the “not in my back yard” mentality. As a note, I hate the NIMBY attitude. Bottom line, the homeless issue is in all of our backyards and trying to ignore it or hope another city has to deal with it does nothing to fix the problem.

The entire Denver metro area has to start looking at this problem and looking at true answers.

Passing camping bans sporadically is not going to suddenly stop the problem. In fact, I doubt it really can be enforced.

With the housing crisis hitting our state, with the continued lasting effects of the pandemic and with inflation soaring, homelessness is prevalent. The problem is front and center.

Communities, just like with mental health, have to start addressing the problem together. They have to start rowing in the same direction.

We have to start rowing in the same direction to create true change and get rid of the NIMBY mentality too many community leaders are taking.

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

A publication of

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Saving energy costs in warm weather

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e know customer bills and energy usage are topics of conversation in the communities we serve. A combination of factors — including the increased cost of the GUEST natural gas we purchase, COLUMN recovery of costs associated with Storm Uri and costs to help cover system investments and improvements — have added to monthly costs.

The common thread is that each of these costs are necessary to provide the safe, reliable natural gas service that our customers depend on.

Amy Fiala We know changes to monthly bills can have an impact on the household budget and we’re here to help. As the weather warms, many families tackle home spring cleaning projects, like deep cleaning or organizing. But did you know there are several spring cleaning actions you can take that could help lower your natural gas bills?

Here are five jobs to tackle to help reduce your energy usage and make your home — and appliances — more energy efficient: 1. Replace filters for your HVAC system.

Check and replace your filters every three months. Dirty filters make your furnace work extra hard to push the air through, using more energy and increasing the wear and tear on your system.

2. Service your furnace. An annual furnace inspection will ensure your heating system is working safely and efficiently.

3. Deep clean your oven. When an oven is

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deep cleaned, it will reach desired cooking temperatures more quickly which reduces energy usage. Heat is also better distributed, so your food is cooked more evenly. Keep in mind that frequently using the self-cleaning feature on your oven can be expensive because it uses a lot of energy, so try to wipe up messes promptly using baking soda and water to keep your oven clean throughout the year.

4. Flush your hot water heater. Doing this annually is not only good for your water heater, but you’ll also become familiar with how the appliance works and better equipped to spot potential issues. Plus, if your unit is in a spot that’s exposed to cold temperatures, consider insulating the unit to help reduce how much energy its using to heat water. See more hot water heater tips here.

5. Conduct a home safety check. Lastly, remember to replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Plus, test the units to make sure they’re still working properly.

Black Hills Energy is committed to keeping you safe, while empowering you to take control of your energy usage. There’s no better time to tackle home efficiency projects than during annual spring cleaning and these five actions can go a long way to helping keep your home running efficiently and energy costs down. For more energy-saving tips, visit www.blackhillsenergy.com/monitorenergy-usage.

Amy Fiala is an energy efficiency coordinator for Black Hills Energy, a utility serving Colorado and seven other states.

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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Elbert County News 11

May 12, 2022

State to spend $28 million to fund free summer trips RTD officials hope bus and train program will form ridership habits

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

If you build it, will they really come?

Or, more specifically, if you make transit free for one month will Coloradans start riding it and then come back when they have to pay?

Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Jared Polis hope the answer is “yes” as they prepare to spend $28 million on a program aimed at easing air pollution in Colorado, particularly during summer months when ozone levels are high.

Senate Bill 180 would allocate the money to let public transportation agencies, primarily the Regional Transportation District in the Denver area, offer free train and bus trips.

RTD plans to use the money to offer free rides in August 2022 and 2023.

The idea, first unveiled by the governor late last year, is to get Coloradans to try out transit in the hopes that they will form a habit.

“We want to increase ridership because we want to increase the use of public transit because that helps our air quality,” said state Rep. Matt Gray, a Broomfield Democrat and prime sponsor of the measure.

But not everyone believes that the adage “if you build it they will come” applies in this case. RTD’s ridership is still recovering from the pandemic and the funding comes without data showing it’s a sure bet.

“Maybe if we would have come up with a bill that said each individual gets a free lunch or a Rockies ticket or a Broncos ticket maybe people would start to ride it more,” said Sen. Ray Scott, a Grand Junction Republican and frequent critic of transit initiatives. “But I think it’s such a false premise to believe just because we keep throwing more money at these issues that it’s going to solve the problem.”

An example in Utah — kind of There’s not a lot of evidence to indicate that the idea behind Senate Bill 180 will work. Proponents of the measure often point to Salt Lake City, where the Utah Transit Authority in February raised money to offer free transit trips.

State Sen. Faith Winter, a Westminster Democrat and another prime sponsor of the measure, called the UTA initiative “highly successful,” but the data is difficult to parse because of how COVID-19 has affected ridership.

The UTA, which serves seven counties in the Salt Lake City area, raised about $2.5 million to offer the free trips and reported surging ridership in February over January on weekdays (up 16.2%), Saturdays (up 58.1%) and Sundays (up 32.5%).

The UTA conducted a survey and found that 22% of riders in February were new, 72% of whom said they were riding because the service was free. Those new riders said they would ride RTA more frequently if it were free. But the survey didn’t ask people if they were more likely to

continue using transit if they had to pay.

Megan Waters, the community engagement manager at UTA, said the agency was pleased with the increased ridership, but she admitted it’s tough to truly gauge how offering free transit trips affected ridership given that passenger numbers still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels, including during free-fare February.

January was also when the omicron coronavirus variant was spreading across the country. By February, the variant’s spread had slowed.

“I think right now we are in a really rough time to compare, with the pandemic changing all the time,” she said.

Waters said that while UTA was interested in seeing how offering free fares in February would affect ridership, the goal of the initiative wasn’t necessarily to build long-term passenger habits, which is why the agency’s poll didn’t ask about riders returning when they had to pay. The main goal was to improve air quality during a particularly bad air season in the Salt Lake City area.

“I did not personally bet on this because of what we saw in Utah,” said state Rep. Jennifer Bacon, a Denver Democrat who is working on the bill.

“But what I bet on is we know that for a certain period of time, it helps us to get more cars off the road. Let’s give it a shot — and that includes the upside of being able to maybe capture new riders.”

Setting up transit agencies for success The original plan for Senate Bill 180 was to offer free fares on ozone alert days, of which there were 65 between May 31, 2021, and Aug. 31, 2021, the highest on record.

But the proponents of the measure decided that wouldn’t necessarily breed success. For instance, RTD, which would receive $11 million in each of the next two years to waive its fares, has been struggling to hire drivers and would want to be prepared for any increase in ridership caused by waiving fares.

Instead of offering free fares on ozone days, RTD and the bill’s sponsors settled on waiving fares for the whole month of August in 2022 and 2023.

Troy Whitmore, who sits on the RTD board of directors, told lawmakers that his agency is concerned about having enough drivers for a free-fare August and whether it can handle the corresponding security needs.

Winter said the important thing is that when people get on an RTD train or bus during free-fare August that they are inclined to come back.

“We want to make sure we’re setting up all the agencies for success,” Winter said. “And so when we’re asking RTD to provide free transit, that’s not just about farebox replacement, that’s about hiring and recruiting drivers. It’s about cleanliness and safety and security. We need this to be a success. We need the experience to be great.”

As for how RTD plans to encourage people to use the free transit, a spokeswoman for the agency said “it’s too early to talk about our plans for fare-free August.”

“RTD is preliminarily preparing

internally how to implement fare-free transit if the bill passes,” spokeswoman Marta Sipeki said.

Proponents of the measure expect RTD to advertise the waived fares.

The $22 million can also be used for that purpose.

In Salt Lake City, the UTA relied on earned media — i.e. stories in local news outlets — and partner organizations to get the word out about its free-fare February. The state’s transportation department posted about the initiative on its digital highway road signs. And, finally, UTA did purchase some billboards to advertise the program.

“I would not say we spent heavily,” said Waters, UTA’s community engagement manager.

Whitmore said RTD will “have a full-fledged PR campaign,” but the details of that campaign appear to still be in the works. He also said RTD isn’t sure how well free-fare August will work out.

“I don’t know that we have a good estimate,” Whitmore said.

What else is in the bill RTD isn’t the only Colorado transit agency that would benefit from Senate Bill 180.

The legislation also sets aside $6 million to allocate $3 million in each of the next two years to other transit agencies — including the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority that serves people in the Aspen and Glenwood Springs area — so that they, too, could offer free fares in the summer.

Agencies would have to apply for grants from the Colorado Energy Office.

“Every transit agency in the state is eligible and I would expect them all to apply,” said Sen. Nick Hinrischsen, a Pueblo Democrat and prime sponsor of the bill.

The measure also would allocate $30 million to the Colorado Department of Transportation to establish a pilot project to expand transit, including through additional bus trips on Interstate 70 and Interstate 25.

Senate Bill 180 is awaiting final approval in the House.

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.

Memory In Loving

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

12 Elbert County News

LOCAL

May 12, 2022

LIFE

Keeping Colorado wild for 125 years and counting A timeline of Colorado Parks & Wildlife history

W

A black-phase Abert’s squirrel sits in a tree in Evergreen in March.

COURTESY OF ALLAN CASEY

a b G

e d t

a e m Two rams nuzzle while trekking through F Waterton Canyon in April 2018.

COURTESY OF KARI DOUGLASS

a

dropping quickly, the state passes t legislation to protect buck deer o until 1918. h 1916 - Colorado imports 50 elk from Wyoming, which were ret leased in Idaho Springs and Pueblo m County’s Greenhorn Mountains, a d to reestablish the state’s dwinm dling herds. In the early 1900s, only 40,000 elk remained in North w American, mostly because of unregulated market hunting. After l s decades of conservation efforts, Colorado is now home to approxi- t mately 280,000, which is the largest e population in the world.

1940 - During this decade, the wildlife agency conducts the first a bighorn sheep transplants between t Georgetown and Silver Plume. As p of 2022, the Georgetown herd is the third-largest in the state. The o agency later completes more than U N 100 bighorn sheep transplants, mostly in the 1970s and 1980s. After O s decades of conservation efforts, Colorado has an estimated popula- d a tion of 7,000 bighorn sheep.

1949 - The first Colorado State C 2 f SEE WILDLIFE, P13

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Overhunting was devastating local deer, elk, pronghorn, bison, bear and bird populations; and water pollution was hurting the state’s fish and other species.

Wanting to preserve Colorado’s natural resources, the state government passed wildlife protection laws and later founded a department of game and fish.

The agency now named Colorado Parks & Wildlife celebrated its 125th anniversary on April 16.

Since their founding, the state’s parks and wildlife divisions have opened 42 state parks and hundreds of other wildlife areas, and helped save several iconic species native to Colorado. While CPW has plenty of ongoing projects and long-term goals, its 125 years of environmental conservation and wildlife protection is a history worth celebrating: April 16, 1897 - Colorado Governor Alva Adams signs House Bill 129, thereby creating the Department of Forestry, Game and Fish. The agency is charged with propagating and distributing game fish, promoting timber culture and passing and enforcing game and fish laws. The total annual budget is $10,500. The forestry portion is eventually dropped to become the Department of Game and Fish.

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Elbert County News 13

May 12, 2022

WILDLIFE FROM PAGE 12

Parks feasibility study suggests establishing Roxborough as one of the first state parks. However, Roxborough wasn’t established as a state park until 1975.

1959 - The governor signs a 25year lease with the Army Corps of Engineers for the Cherry Creek Recreation Area. The new state park welcomes its first official visitor on June 17, and 168,700 people visited it in its first year.

1960 - The state purchases 200 acres in Gilpin County, which later becomes the nucleus for Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

May 1, 1961 - The Colorado General Assembly passes legislation designating the bighorn sheep as the state animal.

1963 - The Colorado State Parks and Recreation Department merges with the Game and Fish Department to form the Colorado Game, Fish and Parks Department.

1965 - Bears are declared a game animal in Colorado.

1970 - Legislature passes mandatory hunter education and blaze orange requirements for big-game hunters.

1972 - Senate Bill 42 separates the Game, Fish and Parks Department into the Division of Wildlife and the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation within the Department of Natural Resources.

1972 - Colorado legally defines wildlife as “wild vertebrates, mollusks and crustaceans.” Nearly 800 species came under the classification of wildlife.

1975 - Chatfield State Park is established.

1977 - After the state acquired a recreational lease for Barr Lake two years earlier, the new state park opens to the public.

1978 - Biologists and wildlife officers transplant 24 moose from Utah and Wyoming to Colorado’s North Park region near Walden.

Over the next three decades, the state releases more than 200 additional moose from Wyoming and Utah across the state. Today, Colorado is home to more than 2,400 moose and boasts one of the fastest-growing moose populations

in the lower 48 states.

1978 - After Eldorado Canyon’s owner threatened to sell the area for a rock quarry, public outcry prompts the state to buy the canyon and create Eldorado Canyon State Park.

1980 - The Colorado Division of Wildlife director encourages hunters to clean up their own sport and, in the 1980-81 budget request, asks for funding to start a new program called Operation Game Thief to help crack down on poaching.

1982 - The Colorado General Assembly approves a new lottery program with certain proceeds to benefit state and local park systems.

1990 - A $5 Colorado waterfowl stamp is required to hunt.

1992 - Colorado voters approve the passage of Amendment 8, the Great Outdoors Colorado Amendment. This directs all state lottery proceeds to parks, open space and wildlife.

1994 - The greenback cutthroat trout is named Colorado’s state fish.

2011 - Colorado State Parks merges with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to form Colorado Parks & Wildlife. The Parks and Wildlife Commission is also established.

May 18, 2013 - Staunton State Park opens to the public. The park, which is in Park and Jefferson counties, was built from a parcel first donated in 1986 by Frances Hornbrook Staunton. Subsequent parcels were acquired in the late 1990s and early 2000s. CPW purchased the final parcel in 2006 to reach the current park’s 3,828-acre land base.

July 2021 - Colorado Parks & Wildlife begins a four-year study of the Front Range’s bald eagle population. The agency has record of more than 90 breeding pairs between Denver and Wyoming. This is an immense population growth since the late 1970s, when there were only three nests in Colorado.

Dec. 27, 2021 - Colorado Parks & Wildlife acquires and establishes the Pals Family State Wildlife area between Empire and Georgetown. After the property owners proposed turning the area into a quarry, local partners partnered with CPW to preserve the land and protect the local bighorn sheep.

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14 Elbert County News

May 12, 2022

o n f c o t e l h c s i n m

M t S v t r u T t

A March 27 memorandum of understanding between the Kiowa School District and the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma formalized the tribe’s approval of the school district’s request to continue using its Kiowa Indians name under the terms of Colorado Senate Bill 21-116.

MASCOT FROM PAGE 1

and imagery by June 1 or incur a $25,000-per-month penalty.

Danielle Ullom, the Kiowa School Board treasurer, has been at the forefront of efforts to keep the Kiowa Indians name. While emphasizing that any pushback against a denial by the CCIA would have to be an action by the full school board, she said the board could be prepared to fight if the CCIA turns down the request.

“They know we’re within the law and they don’t want to approve it,” Ullom said. “The CCIA is not following the law. They’re adding their own stipulations.”

The CCIA considered the Kiowa School District’s request for an exemption at its March 10 meeting, when the Feb. 16 letter from the Kiowa Tribe was in hand, but no commissioner moved to remove the school district from the list of violators of the state law.

One pertinent section of the law, as read aloud by CCIA Exec-

utive Director Kathryn Redhorse at the March 10 meeting, is: “Any such agreement entered into pursuant to this section between a public school and a federally-recognized Indian tribe may allow any American Indian mascot that is culturally affiliated with that federally-recognized Indian tribe as determined at the discretion of the tribe’s governing body. If an agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection (2)(b)(iii) between a federally recognized Indian tribe and a public school is terminated by either party, the public school has one year from the date of termination to discontinue its use of its American Indian mascot before the penalties set forth in subsection (3) of this section apply.”

Meeting attendee Rick Garcia, executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, said, “It would seem that the letter does meet the expectations of an agreement.”

Redhorse then went on to read a second section of the law, which says the prohibition

A Feb. 16 letter from the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, one of the federally recognized Native American tribes with a legacy of occupation in Colorado, states that it approves the Kiowa School Board’s request to continue using its Kiowa Indians name.

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Elbert County News 15

May 12, 2022

MASCOT FROM PAGE 14

on Native American mascots does not apply to “[t]he ability of any federally recognized Indian tribe to create and maintain a relationship or agreement with a public school that fosters goodwill, emphasizes education and supports a curriculum that teaches American Indian history, and encourages a positive cultural exchange. Such relationships and agreements may include important historical figures, names, images, tribal names, and more.”

Ullom said that following the March 10 meeting at which no motion was made to remove the Kiowa School District from the list of law violators, Redhorse told Ullom via telephone that the CCIA would require a formal memorandum of understanding between the Kiowa Tribe and the school district, which the district has provided.

A May 5 request for comment SEE MASCOT, P16

The Kiowa High School sign depicts Native American imagery. The school district is hoping to keep its Indian mascot, with the PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs set to make a decision May 19.

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16 Elbert County News

May 12, 2022

C R O S S W O R D MASCOT P U Z Z L E FROM PAGE 15

from Redhorse by the Elbert County News was unsuccessful, though a spokesperson sent a written statement saying, “The Elbert School District C-2 shared a signed MOU with the Kiowa Tribe and their plan to create a Native American curriculum to be taught in the schools with the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs at a Special Session held on April 15, 2022. The CCIA Commissioners will vote on whether a school is out of compliance with SB21-116 at the May 19th quarterly meeting, as per the implementation guidance and timeline documents that were shared with schools on the SB21-116 noncompliance list.”

Ullom shared her view that the CCIA has been unprepared, with some members apparently not reading the packets distributed to commissioners before the March 10 and April 15 meetings. Both meetings featured CCIA members asking about the content of materials submitted by the Kiowa School District, with Redhorse saying the Kiowa Tribe’s Feb. 16 letter and March 27 memorandum of understanding had been sent by CCIA staff to commissioners in advance of the meetings.

The CCIA is chaired by Colorado

Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, the only elected official on the commission.

Other members are appointed by the governor’s office, many representing Native American tribes, and others come from government agencies.

The exemption being sought by the Kiowa School District is similar to that given to the Arapahoe High School Warriors and Strasburg High School Indians, both of whom had approvals from the Northern Arapaho Tribe prior to the effective date of the 2021 law.

To see general information about the CCIA, including a link to the list of schools still considered as violators of the mascot law, go to tinyurl.com/mainccia To see a list of CCIA meetings and agendas, go to tinyurl.com/ cciameetings To read the text of the state law generally banning the use of Native American mascots and iconography, go to tinyurl.com/mascotlaw To read the memorandum of understanding between the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma and the Kiowa School District, go to tinyurl.com/ kiowamou To view the Kiowa School District portion of the CCIA’s March 10 meeting, watch from 4:21:15 to 4:32:36 at tinyurl.com/march10meet To view the Kiowa School District portion of the CCIA’s April 15 meeting, watch from 34:10 to 49:40 at tinyurl.com/april15meet

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May 12, 2022

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18 Elbert County News

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May 12, 2022

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Night Time Inspection Tech / Part-Time Position inspects all exterior lighting for retail and commercial properties documenting all outages.

• Drive Company vehicle to specific locations and indicate all outages on provided site map •This position is part-time - (3) nights per week averaging 25-30 hours •Night Shift Flexible Schedule - Great second job •Must have clean driving record and must pass drug screening test.

Contact info: Jobs@ coloradolighting.com

School Psychologist or Intern 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 $51,450-60,900 & Intern $47,600$52,400, both commensurate upon experience. excellent benefits including dental, vision, and medical insurance. May be eligible for Sign On Bonus! May also 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.

May be eligible for Sign On Bonus!

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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.

Speech-Language Pathologist or SLPA Positions Full-Time & Part-Time Open to School Internships. Able to provide supervision for CFY hours. Join our dynamic, multidisciplinary team of professionals for the 2022-23 school year. Administer assessments, provide direct, indirect & consultation services for students PreK-12th grades.

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May be eligible for a Sign On Bonus! May also 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 Registered Occupational Therapist Full-Time and part-time Registered Occupational Therapist. OTR must have, or be eligible for appropriate Colorado licensure. Provide Pre-12 intervention, assessment, direct & indirect services just east of Denver on I-70, Bennett, Strasburg Byers & Kiowa areas. Support from an experienced COTA is available.

Full Time Salary range for OTD: $49,350-$60,550. Part-Time Salary prorated based on the number of days employed. Excellent benefits.

Access to a company vehicle or mileage reimbursement. May be eligible for a loan forgiveness program and signing bonus. 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 Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101 or email tracyg@ ecboces.org

Driver CDL HAZMAT DRIVER WANTED

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Full-Time Early Childhood Special Education Teacher and Child Find Coordinator For East Central BOCES for the 2022-2023 school year. Complete assessment & provide direct and indirect services with preschool children in rural school settings.

Requires a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education. Can be hired with a Bachelor’s Degree in a Related Field if willing to enter into a Master’s degree program in Early Childhood Special Education upon hire. Salary Range BA-$34,650 to $42,350 and MA $39,900-$47,600 dependent on experience. Excellent benefits, including full health benefits, and use of a car or mileage reimbursement. May be eligible for loan forgiveness. Financial support may be available through grants if required to enroll in a Master’s degree program. 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 ecboces. org under “Jobs”.

Special Education Paraprofessionals Full & Part-Time Special Education Paraprofessionals needed for our West Area Center-based Learning Program located in Strasburg.

Competitive pay and benefits including individual health insurance . $13-$17 per hour depending on experience. May be eligible for Sign On Bonus! To apply for this position, please complete the Classified Application for Employment available for download on the ecboces.org website under “Jobs” or contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101.

Please fax completed application to 719-771-4001 or email it to tracyg@ ecboces.org Equal Opportunity Employer Drivers

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Help Wanted Teacher of the Visually Impaired/ Orientation and Mobility Specialist East Central BOCES is seeking a Part-Time (3.5 days/wk) Teacher of the Visually Impaired/Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the 202223 school year. This position requires working with multiple administrative units including East Central BOCES, Ft. Morgan, Santa Fe Trails BOCES, South East BOCES, North East BOCES and Sterling. Option to work 1 day a week for East Central BOCES only, if preferred. Requires Colorado Teaching License with an endorsement in Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility Specialist. Responsibilities include completing assessments, providing direct and indirect service & attending IEP meetings as needed.

Opportunity for some services to be provided remotely. Salary: 3.5 days/wk-$31,018-$38,505, 1 day/wk $8,120-$10,080. Excellent Benefits including mileage reimbursement or use of a car. May be eligible for loan forgiveness and sign on bonus.

To apply please complete a Certified Application, located on our website at ecboces.org under “Jobs” at the bottom of the page. Once completed, application can be sent to Tracy at tracyg@ecboces.org,.

Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext.

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Elbert County News 19

May 12, 2022

Miss Colorado competition to stay in Parker

BY ELLLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After three years of holding its event in Parker, the Miss Colorado competition plans to make the town a permanent home for Memorial Day weekends.

The organization, which is a feeder for the Miss America competition, held their event at Parker’s PACE Center in 2019 and 2021 and is set to do so again this year.

The Parker Chamber of Commerce initiated the agreement after hearing interest in the idea from the organization.

“It’s just an easy economic development win because it brings

attention to Parker that week every year,” said T.J. Sullivan, president and CEO of the chamber.

While there is only a contract in progress for this year’s event, the organization’s “intention is to keep it in Parker,” said Mette Castor, co-executive director of Miss Colorado.

PACE Center rates for rentals show the contract will bring in about $11,000 in revenue for the center. The event center can seat up to 500 people per day of the event.

“Hopefully it’s financially beneficial to the town and businesses,” Castor said.

The contest also incorporates the Miss Colorado’s Outstanding

Teen competition during the same weekend. The teen competition is for girls ages 13 to 17 and the Miss Colorado event is for 18- to 26-yearolds.

Both competitions include private interviews with the panel of judges, a talent portion, on stage questions and evening wear. The adult contest also includes a 60-second presentation on a social impact initiative.

“It’s not just a beauty pageant,” Castor said. “Or just a bunch of pretty girls. That’s really not what it is.”

This year’s winner of the Miss Colorado competition will receive a $10,000 cash scholarship. The winner of the teen contest will receive

$2,500 in cash and several options for scholarships, such as a full ride to the University of Alabama.

The organization hopes in future years to offer scholarships to local universities.

“These are really smart women who have identified this as a path to reach their goals,” Castor said.

As part of the deal, the Miss Colorado Scholarship Organization has joined the Parker chamber as a member. The chamber will be the “Local Host Sponsor” for the event.

Miss Colorado became interested in continuing their relationship with the PACE Center and the town after having a positive experience there during past events.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088 Legals Bids and Settlements PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT NOTICE is hereby given that Spring Valley Metropolitan District No. 1 of Elbert County, Colorado, will make final payment at Special District Management Services, Inc., 141 Union Boulevard, Suite 150, Lakewood, Colorado 80228, on May 31, 2022, at the hour of 5:00 p.m. to Sun Valley Electric, Inc. for all work done by said Contractor(s) in construction or work on the Arapahoe Well (A-2) Pump and Denver Well (D-1) Pump.

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractors or their subcontractors, in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplies rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, and whose claim therefor has not been paid by the contractors or their subcontractors, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid, and an account of such claim to David Solin, District Manager, c/o Special District Management Services, Inc., 141 Union Boulevard, Suite 150, Lakewood, Colorado 80228 on behalf of the Spring Valley Metropolitan District No. 1, on or before the date and time hereinabove shown for final payment. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release Spring Valley Metropolitan District No. 1, its directors, officers, agents, and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPRING VALLEY METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1 By:/s/ David Solin, Secretary Legal Notice No. 24836 First Publication: May 12, 2022 Last Publication: May 19, 2022 Publisher: Elbert County News Public Notice NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT NOTICE is hereby given that Spring Valley Metropolitan District No. 1 of Elbert County, Colorado, will make final payment at Special District Management Services, Inc., 141 Union Boulevard, Suite 150, Lakewood, Colorado 80228, on May 31, 2022, at the hour of 5:00 p.m. to Bemas Construction, Inc. for all work done by said Contractor(s) in construction or work on County Roads 174 and 13.

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractors or their subcontractors, in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplies rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, and whose claim therefor has not been paid by the contractors or their subcontractors, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount

due and unpaid, and an account of such claim to David Solin, District Manager, c/o Special District Management Services, Inc., 141 Union Boulevard, Suite 150, Lakewood, Colorado 80228 on behalf of the Spring Valley Metropolitan District No. 1, on or before the date and time hereinabove shown for final payment. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release Spring Valley Metropolitan District No. 1, its directors, officers, agents, and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPRING VALLEY METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1 By:/s/ David Solin, Secretary Legal Notice No. 24837 First Publication: May 12, 2022 Last Publication: May 19, 2022 Publisher: Elbert County News

Summons and Sheriff Sale PUBLIC NOTICE DISTRICT COURT, COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO Case No. 2022CV30018 Plaintiff: Lincoln, LTD Defendants: HGT Enterprises; REB Development RLLLP; REB Investments, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company; and all unknown persons who claim any interest in the subject matter of this action To the Defendants named above: You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the complaint filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after the service of this Summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication.

A copy of the complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.

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

This is an action to quiet title regarding the real property located in Elbert County, Colorado, legally described as follows: PARCEL A: A PARCEL OF PROPERTY LOCATED IN SECTION 25, TOWNSHIP 7 SOUTH, RANGE 63 WEST OF THE 6TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN SHOWN AS "TRACT A" IN AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, EASEMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS FOR SKY VIEW RANCH RECORDED FEBRUARY 20, 2013 IN BOOK 742 AT PAGE 803, ELBERT COUNTY COLORADO, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 25 AND CONSIDERING THE WEST LINE OF SAID NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SAID SECTION 25 TO BEAR SOUTH 00°14'00" EAST WITH ALL BEARINGS CONTAINED HEREIN RELATIVE THERETO; THENCE SOUTH 00°14'00” EAST, ALONG SAID WEST LINE, A DISTANCE OF 2629.35 FEET TO THE WEST 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 25; THENCE SOUTH 00°31'12" EAST, A DISTANCE OF 2629.08 FEET TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 25; THENCE NORTH 88°14'23" EAST, ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 25, A DISTANCE OF 3900.02 FEET TO THE

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SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE EAST 1/2 OF SAID SECTION 25; THENCE NORTH 00°17'55" WEST, ALONG THE EAST LINE OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE EAST 1/2 OF SAID SECTION 25, A DISTANCE OF 4224.00 FEET; THENCE NORTH 78°57'25" WEST, A DISTANCE OF 1145.57 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH 11°02'35" WEST A DISTANCE OF 684.77 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 86°36'33" WEST A DISTANCE OF 880.26 FEET; THENCE NORTH 11°336'22" EAST A DISTANCE OF 182.86 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVE; THENCE ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, HAVING A RADIUS OF 250.00 FEET, A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 13°36'24", AN ARC LENGTH OF 59.37 FEET; THENCE NORTH 25°12'49" EAST, A DISTANCE OF 530.72 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVE; THENCE ALONG THE ARC OF A CURVE TO THE LEFT, HAVING A RADIUS OF 160.00 FEET, A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 09°04'51", AN ARC LENGTH OF 25.36 FEET; THENCE NORTH 16°07'58" EAST A DISTANCE OF 123.54 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 78°57'25" EAST A DISTANCE OF 697.96 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO. ALSO KNOWN AS: OUTLOT 15 ON SKY VIEW RANCH A TO A1 REZONE MAP RECORDED AUGUST 30, 2004 UNDER RECEPTION NO. 201099, AND RECORDED OCTOBER 24, 2005 AT RECEPTION NO. 201155, COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO (the “Property”).

You may receive copies of pleadings filed in the above-referenced matter from the Clerk of the Elbert County, Colorado, District Court or from Plaintiff’s counsel: Troy A. Sandberg, Sandberg Law LLC, 17011 Lincoln Ave., #348, Parker, Colorado 80134, (720) 940-5058.

Legal Notice No. 24832 First Publication: April 28, 2022 Last Publication: May 26, 2022 Publisher: Elbert County News Public Notice District Court , Elbert County, Colorado Court Address: 751 Ute Avenue P.O. Box 232, Kiowa, Colorado 80117 In re the Parental Responsibilities concerning: Matthew Stephen Wood Jr. Petitioner: Janae Nicole Eason and Respondent: Matthew Stephen Wood Jr. Party Without Attorney: Janae Eason 7781 Shenandoah Drive Elizabeth Colorado 80107 Phone Number: 1 720 753 2149 E-mail: janaekiva77@gmail.com Case Number: 21DR54

The Petition requests that the Court enter a Order addressing issues involving the children such as, child support, allocation of parental responsibilities, (decision-making and parenting time), attorney fees, and costs to the extent the Court has jurisdiction.

Notice: Colorado Revised Statutes §14-10-123, provides that upon the filing of a Petition for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities by the Petitioner and Co-Petitioner, or upon personal service of the Petition and Summons on the Respondent, or upon waiver and acceptance of service by the Respondent, an automatic temporary injunction shall be in effect against both parties until the Final Order is entered, or the Petition is dismissed, or until further Order of the Court. Either party may apply to the Court for further temporary orders, an expanded automatic temporary injunction, or modification or revocation under §14-10-125, C.R.S. A request for genetic tests shall not prejudice the requesting party in matters concerning allocation of parental responsibilities pursuant to §14-10124(1.5), C.R.S. If genetic tests are not obtained prior to a legal establishment of paternity and submitted into evidence prior to the entry of the final order, the genetic tests may not be allowed into evidence at a later date.

Automatic Temporary Injunction – By Order of Colorado law, you and the other parties: 1. Are enjoined from molesting or disturbing the peace of the other party; and 2. Are restrained from removing the minor child(ren) from the state without the consent of all parties or an Order of the Court modifying the injunction; and 3. Are restrained, without at least 14 days advance notification and the written consent of all other parties or an Order of the Court, from cancelling, modifying, terminating, or allowing to lapse for nonpayment of premiums, any policy of health insurance or life insurance that provides coverage to the minor child(ren) as a beneficiary of a policy.

If you fail to file a Response in this case, any or all of the matters above, or any related matters which come before this Court, may be decided without further notice to you.

Date: February 18, 2022

Legal Notice No. 24810 First Publication: April 14, 2022 Last Publication: May 12, 2022 Publisher: Elbert County News

Notice to Creditors

To the Respondent named above this Summons serves as a notice to appear in this case.

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of MICHAEL JOHN KING, a/k/a Michael J. King, and Mike King, Deceased Case Number: 22PR30017 All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before September 12 2022, or the claims may be forever barred.

Jenna H. Keller, Esq., Attorney for Personal Representative 584 Yampa Avenue Craig, CO 81625 Legal Notice No. 24838 First publication: May 12, 2022 Last publication: May 26, 2022 Publisher: Elbert County News

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Town of Elizabeth Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission and Board of Trustees shall hold public hearings concerning a site plan application for the project known as Shamrock Investments, L.L.C. located on the north side of Highway 86 and west side of County Road 17, in the Elizabeth Cross Roads Business Park, pursuant to the Town of Elizabeth Land Development Ordinance.

The public hearings are to be held before the Planning Commission on May 3, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. and Board of Trustees on May 24, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon as possible thereafter.

The public hearings shall be held in the Town Hall, 151 South Banner Street, Elizabeth, Colorado, or at such other time or place in the event this hearing is adjourned.

Further information is available through the Town Community Development Department at (303) 646-4166.

/s/ Gary Michael Kramer Signature of the District Court Judge

SUMMONS FOR ALLOCATION OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Notice No. 24828 First Publication: April 28, 2022 Last Publication: May 12, 2022 Publisher: Elbert County News

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS MAY ATTEND.

If you were served in the State of Colorado, you must file your Response with the clerk of this Court within 21 days after this Summons is served on you to participate in this action.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ROBERT EUGENE ROGERS, (aka Robert E. Rogers and Robert Rogers), Deceased Case Number: 22PR30013

If you were served outside of the State of Colorado or you were served by publication, you must file your Response with the clerk of this Court within 35 days after this Summons is served on you to participate in this action.

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before August 29, 2022 or the claims may be forever barred.

You may be required to pay a filing fee with your Response. The Response form (JDF 1420) can be found at www.courts.state.co.us by clicking on the “Self Help/Forms” tab.

Robin D. Rogers (aka Robin Dawn Rogers) Personal Representative C/O Gubbels Law Office, P.C. 402 N. Wilcox Street, Suite 100 Castle Rock, CO 80104

EXHIBIT A (legal description) LOT 3, ELIZABETH CROSS ROADS BUSINESS PARK, TOWN OF ELIZABETH, COUNTY OF ELBERT, STATE OF COLORADO. Legal Notice No. 24839 First Publication: May 12, 2022 Last Publication: May 12, 2022 Publisher: Elbert County News

Elbert County Legals 5.12.22 * 1

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May 12, 2022

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