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Week of May 26, 2022
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 127 | ISSUE 15
Police offer safe site for transactions Elizabeth department aims to accommodate people transferring money, goods BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
A large mural depicting Native Americans on horseback covers the west wall of the Kiowa Schools gym.
PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON
Kiowa Schools will keep Indians mascot
District prevails in year-long battle to meet standards of state law, gain commission approval BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The Kiowa School District won its year-long battle to keep its Indians mascot on May 19, when the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs voted to allow the district to keep the Indians name and imagery. The Kiowa School District had gone through multiple procedures to meet the standards outlined in
Colorado Senate Bill 21-116 — the law generally banning Native American mascots — including reaching a formal agreement with the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma approving the mascot and implementing Native American history courses in elementary and high school. At the May 19 Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs meeting, Colorado Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera and CCIA commissioners voted on Kiowa’s request to be removed from the list of schools considered to be out of compliance with the law, and the school district prevailed in each round — for the elementary school, the middle school and the high school. All voted to approve Kiowa’s request to be taken off the list while
INSIDE: LIFE: PAGE 8 | CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12
keeping its mascot except for Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Chairman Manuel Heart, who abstained. Since SB 21-116 was signed in June 2021, the Elbert County School District C-2 School Board (Kiowa Schools) began working on meeting the standards for an exception from the ban on Native American mascots. “We appreciate the recognition of our efforts to comply with SB 21-116 by the CCIA. The district is excited that as a school we have the honor of helping to preserve the history of the Kiowa Indians,” Kiowa School Board Treasurer Danielle Ullom, who had been instrumental in the district’s efforts, said following the CCIA vote. “Our SEE MASCOT, P4
The Elizabeth Police Department unveiled its new Community Safe Trade e-commerce transaction site on May 24 at the Elizabeth Board of Trustees meeting. The site is the only of its kind in Elbert County and is meant to create a safe transaction space for members of the community. The site consists of two designated spots in the EPD parking lot, a trade box, and a monitored space to sign and transfer documents and money. The site is outlined with thick yellow and black lines. It is equipped with seven cameras that run 24/7 and hold footage for seven days. Those who utilize the site can request footage of their transaction. The station also has a backup surveillance system in the unlikely event that the first fails. With people buying, selling and trading on the internet more than ever, the Community Safe Trade space allows for a safe location to carry out transactions that residents make online. “It gives the community more assurance that they have a safe place to trade,” said Sgt. Kurt Hulce. “With the community growing, residents need more reassurance that law enforcement is here and ready to help and support.” Hulce has worked over the course SEE POLICE, P6
THE LURE OF FLY FISHING
South Platte a great spot for anglers P8