Elbert County News 070722

$1.00

Week of July 7, 2022

ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

ElbertCountyNews.net

VOLUME 127 | ISSUE 21

County scores high for health Shifting demographics help boost numbers in national ranking

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

Dads of Elbert County members work to fix a broken air conditioning unit on the home of a resident in need.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRUCE HICKS

Spotlight on Dads of Elbert County Community group wants to bring positive changes

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

A local men’s organization, Dads of Elbert County (DoEC), has been making significant strides toward their goal of bringing positive change to the community. Aiming to replicate Dads of Douglas County, the organization’s primary goal is to help better the lives of people living in the county by providing support directly to individuals and families in need.

DoEC was founded by Clint Decker in December 2020 and currently has over 300 members, about 10% of whom are regularly active. The SEE DADS, P2

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | CALENDAR: PAGE 9

Elbert County was recently ranked as the 99th healthiest community in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. The study ranking was published on June 22 and evaluated 3,000 communities based on 89 metrics in 10 health and health-related categories to determine the top 500 healthiest.

The 10 categories were determined by 12 population health experts and took into consideration socioeconomic factors in addition to population health and access to health care.

Each category was weighted based on its importance to overall community health. The 10 categories include population health (14.2%), equity (12.23%), education (12.15%), economy (11.1%), housing (9.5%), food and nutrition (8.8%), environment (8.6%), public safety (8.5%), community vitality (7.6%), and infrastructure (7.5%).

Within the top 100 communities, Elbert County was ranked among several other Colorado communities including Douglas County (#3), Broomfield County (#9), Pitkin County (#30), Boulder County (#51), Routt County (#53), and San Miguel County (#90). Slightly behind Elbert County are Jefferson County (#109) and Larimer County (#110).

Though Elbert County fell in the ranking from its place at #24 in 2021, the community has shown

Willie Colby of Dads of Elbert County works on top of a damaged building.

Evergreen Jazz Festival Big Talent! Small Venues!

Great Setting!

Dancers Welcome!

Free Parking!

EvergreenJazz.org 303-697-5467

SEE HEALTH, P8

July 29, 30 & 31

2 Elbert County News

July 7, 2022

DADS FROM PAGE 1

Dads of Elbert County members gathered and transported food to the American Red Cross to help fire victims.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DADS OF ELBERT COUNTY

Considering rooftop solar?

Contact CORE first.

As your trusted energy adviser, we will provide important info essential for your decision.

Call (800) 332-9540, Ext. 5302, visit www.CORE.coop or email us at interconnections@core.coop.

Dads of Elbert County members gather at Catalina’s Diner in Elizabeth each month for breakfast.

majority of members are between the ages of 30-50, though there are members of all ages. The organization draws members from all around Elbert County, creating a rough 50-50 split between rural and suburban men. DoEC is an inclusive group, welcoming people of any political affiliation, religion, race, etc.

Decker says DoEC is unique in that its members vary widely and come with a diverse array of skill sets. “We have a lot of blue-collar guys out here and experts in any field you could ask for,” said Decker, president of DoEC. “That’s what separates us from the Douglas County group.”

Decker, an Elizabeth local, hopes the organization can bring back the “neighbors-helpingneighbors” community feel of his childhood.

“When I was a kid, you could knock on your neighbor’s door and ask for help. I want that back. I want to bring back that compassion.

I want my kids to know what I knew.”

Contrary to its name, Dads of Elbert County is not comprised of exclusively dads. While many members of the group are dads, there are also many active members who do not have children. Any man, regardless of age, marital status, or if they have children or not, are welcome to join.

“We’re hoping new members of the community, people who move into town, would want to be involved,” said Bruce Hicks, one of the 13 group administrators.

“It’s a way to get to know SEE DADS, P3

WILDFIRE SEASON IS HERE. ARE YOU READY? Contact us for your wildfire mitigation needs.

Experts in Defensible Space & Forest Restoration.

10% off on proposals accepted by 7/30/2022 *Some restrictions apply.

Call 720-556-4922 www.acetreecareservices.com

y p

t d o t t f t C

s m c t p t t t c h

w i u o t e h

b r s f l p t m 1

p l o c n s p t F W l

Elbert County News 3

July 7, 2022

July 29 - Aug. 7 It’s time for some old-fashioned family fun at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo. Buy your tickets today! Join your friends and neighbors July 29 to Aug. 7 for old-fashioned family fun. Visit Discovery Ranch and become a farmer for the day! Join in the stick-horse rodeo or pie-eating contest.

Enjoy live music, classic fair food, and new attractions which include a farm to table brunch and ax throwing. For more information, a schedule of events or to purchase tickets online visit FairandRodeoFun.com or call 720-733-6941.

DADS FROM PAGE 2

your community, to get to know people, and to help others.”

Decker and the administration team plan to apply for 501(c)(3) designation soon and hope to be an official nonprofit organization by the end of 2022. With this designation, the organization could apply for outside funding, allowing them to help more people of the Elbert County community.

DoEC has already worked on several projects that have helped members of the community. Recently, members worked together toward bringing a Kiowa resident’s property up to code, allowing them to keep their home. Combining the efforts of 15 members, a few of their wives, and some of their teen children, DoEC worked for eight hours to save the property.

Their most extensive project was helping an injured rancher in Elbert. The man in his 80s was unable to take care of his 20 head of cattle. Five members of DoEC took care of the rancher’s cows every day for seven months while he recovered.

“We’re currently working toward building a handicap ramp for a resident and to rebuild indoor stairs for handicap accessibility for another,” said Decker. “It’s in a lot of men’s nature to want to help people. We want to facilitate that to help the community. One guy may not be able to do it alone, but 10 can.”

“We are always looking for support, especially to help provide labor on a project, deliver meals on Thanksgiving, help collect clothing and goods for those in need, or just give qualified advice,” said Hicks. “We also always need people to help check IDs at events that we support, like the Summer Friday Night Market in Elizabeth.

Whether someone’s schedule allows them to participate twice a

‘It’s in a lot of men’s nature to want to help people.’

Clint Decker, founder of Dads of Douglas County

month or twice a year, we’d love to have them.”

DoEC meets several times a month for projects, drinks, and breakfast.

Meetings are held on the first Monday of every month at Elizabeth Brewing Company from 6-8 p.m. Their “Breakfast with the Boys” family events are held on the third Saturday of every month at Catalina’s Diner from 8:30-10:30 a.m.

To request help from the group, members of the Elbert County community can post their request to the DoEC Outreach Facebook Page at facebook.com/groups/ doecco or reach out through their website at dadsofelbertcounty.com.

DoEC can also be reached on Nextdoor at nextdoor.com/g/ fz74u34yq.

If you do not want to reach out for help on a public forum, DoEC can be reached at dadsofelbertcounty@gmail.com or by phone at 720-500-3043.

To join the organization, you can contact DoEC through their website above or at facebook.com/ groups/1194421197642037.

Access a free mental health assessment and free couseling for your child at ImatterColorado.org. For additional resources in and around Douglas County, visit douglas.co.us and search Mental Health Resources.

STRIVE

TO

A group photo shows Dads of Elbert County members who helped repair damaged COURTESY OF DADS OF ELBERT COUNTY storage structures at True Value in Elizabeth.

Mental health is part of your child’s overall health.

THRIVE

Resource & Service Fair Tuesday, July 26 from 4 - 6 p.m.

Southeast Christian Church 9650 Jordan Road Parker

Douglas County families who are struggling financially can receive back-to-school items for the kids, a hot meal and access resources from more than 20 different organizations. Attendees in need of school supplies must preregister at https://tinyurl.com/29xcccpk For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for Strive to Thrive.

Do you need a copy of a birth or death certificate?

Records can be obtained in-person by visiting the Douglas County Health Department at 410 S Wilcox St. No appointments are necessary. Or, visit douglas.co.us and search for Vital Records for ways to obtain records online, by mail or by email.

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, participate in-person or remotely, or watch select meetings via live stream visit douglas.co.us and search for Business Meetings / Public Hearings.

Get Emergency Notifications It only takes one spark to change your life forever. Thankfully, it takes only seconds to sign up for free emergency notifications ensuring that you will be in the know if a wildfire is happening near you. Sign up today at douglas.co.us/CodeRed

4 Elbert County News

July 7, 2022

Ambitious seasons coming to area venues Museums, theaters offer plenty for lovers of culture

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Renowned New Mexico painter Georgia O’Keeffe also worked in photography, and an COURTESY PHOTO exhibit of her photos is on display at the Denver Art Museum.

Return to the Magic & Mystique!

Eight Magical Weekends!

Open Now thru August 7th

Celtic Festival

July This nd 9 e & k Wee Featuring Celtic Legacy & The Pikes Peak Highlanders 10 and Returning this Year; The Craic Show, fresh, high energy blend of World Medieval Music Entertainment, Food and Fun • Medieval Amusement Park Music & Comedy • Over 200 Master Artisans Jousting, Delicious Food & Drink • Games, Rides and More!

FREE Parking & Shuttle • Open Rain or Shine • No Pets Please

Discount Tickets available at King Soopers or ColoradoRenaissance.com PEPSI_H1_3PMS_SM (FOR USE .25” 1.5" )

PANTONE PANTONE PANTONE 300 2945 185

PEPSI_H1_3PMS_MED (FOR USE 1.5" TO 4") PANTONE PANTONE PANTONE

Summer has just started and there are weeks ahead to enjoy arts outdoors as well as inside our favorite venues. But, after a really difficult stretch, organizations are sending in notices of a future year’s plans and we are so pleased to share a sampler with readers — we’ll remind about specific dates as we progress, but this past week’s mail has been pretty exciting.

The Denver Art Museum just opened “Georgia O’Keeffe, Photographer,” nearly 100 images she shot parallel to her career as a painter. The collection, organized by Lisa Volpe, associate curator of photography at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, will be shown with a selection of her paintings and drawings, through Dec. 6 in the Gallagher Family Gallery in the Hamilton Building, included in general admission. (Members and all visitors 18 and under, free.)

Also coming to the DAM’s Hamilton Building: on Oct. 16 through Jan. 22, 2023, is the Belgium-based Phoebus Foundation’s “Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools: 300 years of Flemish Artwork,” works by 15th- to 17th-century Flemish artists. And, “Who Tells a Tail Adds a Tail: Latin America and Contemporary Art” (July 31-March 5, 2022).

We just enjoyed the final performance of “The Wedding Singer” at Town Hall Arts Center in Littleton and anticipate a next season that will include: “Xanadu,” “Disney’s Newsies,” “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” “La Cage Aux Folles” and “Memphis” as well as a new program of children’s classes.

In addition to its ongoing Broadway tours and musical events, the Denver Center presents a series on smaller-venue plays in a distinct season, starting Sept. 9: “The Chinese Lady,” by Lloyd Suh; “Much Ado About Nothing,” by William Shakespeare; “Laughs in Spanish” by Alexis Scheer; “Hotter Than Egypt”

by Yussef El Guindi; “The Color

Purple,” based on Alice Walker’s novel and the motion picture, with book by Marshe Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray; “The 39 Steps” by Patrick Barlow from the movie by Alfred Hitchcock. New from DCPA: “Theatre of the Mind,” an immersive experience at the York Street Yards Aug. 31-Dec. 18.

Newman Center at the University of Denver begins a season with Orquesta Ahokan, on Oct. 3, Cuban Mambo, and continues with music and dance programming and some lectures, through May 19, 2023.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree, begins a multi-faceted season on Sept. with “Mountain Heart, with special guest Jeremy Garrett,” followed by all sorts of musical entertainment and dance, as well as three of the “National Geographic Live” programs.

Boulder Dinner Theatre is now playing “The Sponge Bob Musical” through Sept. 3, then will switch to “Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story,” through Jan. 26, 2023; “Something Rotten” Feb. 12 to May 13, 2023; and finally, the all-time favorite, “Sound of Music,” June 10 to Sept. 2, 2023.

Vintage Theatre Company, at 1468 Dayton St. in Aurora, which presents “Gypsy” July 1 to 31 this summer to wrap the last season, presents “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Sept. 2 to Oct. 9, in the Nickelson Auditorium and “The Piano Teacher” by Julia Cho in the Bond Trimble Theatre (regional premiere); “Dot” by Colman Domingo Nov. 11 to Dec. 18 in the Bond Trimble Theatre; TBA Nov. 4-Dec. 11 in the Nickelson; “The Roommate” by Jen Silverman Jan 13-Feb. 19, 2023 in the Bond Trimble (Denver premiere); “Sophisticated Ladies” (Ellington music) Jan. 27-March 5, 2023; “Tick, Tick ... Boom!” by Jonathan Larson March 17 to April 23, 2023; “The Inheritance, Parts 1 and 2” by Matthew Lopez (regional premiere, 2020 Tony Best Play) April 7 to May 14, 2023; “Driving Miss Daisy” by Alfred Uhry May 19-June 25, 2023; “In the Heights”

by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes, May 19-June 25, 2023.

More as we receive notices, plus casting information, but it’s so wonderful that our friends can plan ahead again that we wanted to share ...

50

Save now with

Get the most out of your lawn this summer.

% OFF*

Your First Application

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

1-855-723-9333 *Requires purchase of annual plan. Special price is for first Lawn application only. Requires purchase of annual plan, for new residential EasyPay or PrePay customers only. Valid at participating TruGreen locations. Availability of services may vary by geography. Not to be combined with or used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Additional restrictions may apply. Consumer responsible for all sales tax. †Purchase of annual lawn plan required for Healthy Lawn Analysis, which is performed at the first visit. ◆Guarantee applies to annual plan customers only. BBB accredited since 07/01/2012. ©2022 TruGreen Limited Partnership. All rights reserved. In Connecticut, B-0153, B-1380, B-0127, B-0200, B-0151.

Elbert County News 5

July 7, 2022

In heated real estate market, is it better to be a renter?

BY BRAMMHI BALARAJAN AND MARVIS GUTIERREZ THE COLORADO SUN

Feel like there’s no chance you can buy a house? You may be better off renting anyway. With national average mortgage payments of $2,576.39, that’s above average rent of $1,589 in Colorado, according to ApartmentList. Owning a home now costs $987 more per month than renting.

And while it’s overall better to rent right now with rising mortgage rates, some cities’ average rental prices are way above the rest. Superior, Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock are among the most expensive cities to live in for renters, with the average rent in Superior through May at $2,399, perhaps because many homes were burned or damaged by smoke in the Marshall fire.

That’s $810 above Colorado’s average and $1,056 above the national average.

In contrast, Greeley, Englewood and Colorado Springs are among the cities with the lowest rent prices.

If you’re a renter in Denver, you might want to stay that way. Despite being one of the state’s hottest real estate markets, Denver is one of the least expensive cities in Colorado in terms of rent pricing. The city has an average monthly rent of $1,572, below Colorado’s average.

In comparison, Denver’s median housing listing price is $695,000 and the average monthly mortgage payment is $2,540 as of January. Being a homeowner costs $968 more monthly than living as a renter in Denver.

But … evictions?

As we approach a year since

the eviction moratorium expired, eviction filings — for the most part — have stayed below pre-pandemic numbers. Although we’ve seen a gradual climb in evictions since early 2021, eviction numbers have stayed below the 2019 numbers, prepandemic numbers and the 20-year average.

March was the sole month, which saw a jump in eviction filings, with 3,667, in a return to pre-pandemic numbers.

While evictions have been steadily increasing since the moratorium expired July 31, evictions declined in April and May, both in the Denver area and Colorado as a whole.

Henry Eisler from the Colorado Apartment Association expressed confidence in the strength of the housing market, noting Coloradans have been able to make rent at high rates.

“The uptick in March didn’t reflect a dramatic increase — just a return to the pre-pandemic, statewide average, as Colorado’s rental market recovered from the pandemic and 14-month moratorium,” Eisler said. “The subsequent decline in eviction filings during April and May is a strong positive indicator for the health of Colorado’s multifamily housing market.”

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.

Air Duct Cleaning Summer Specials

Breathe Easy & Relax!

SINUS PROBLEMS? ALLERGIES? ASTHMA? DUST PROBLEM? HEADACHES? HIGH POWER BILLS? IF IT’S IN YOUR DUCTS, IT’S IN YOUR LUNGS Our mission is to lower energy costs and provide the healthiest quality air possible. For anyone, business or residential, we will increase efficiency of your system by using the very latest techniques, the latest technologies and top of the line products.

We will provide the highest quality of work possible. Our professional staff will assure a high level of professionalism that cannot be matched in our industry. We guarantee our products and services.

We Will Beat Any Price With Superior Quality 100% Guarantee

TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself.

In this way, The Sun contributes to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado.

The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and non-partisan journalism. It covers everything from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and

education.

Now, The Colorado Sun co-owns this and other Colorado Community Media newspapers as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. The Sun is CCM’s partner for statewide news.

For Colorado Sun stories, opinions and more, and to support The Sun’s misssion as a member or subscriber, visit coloradosun. com.

native american arrowheads

Wanted Point Type: Clovis, Firstview, Yuma & Eden Must be old, authentic & unbroken.

Absolute TOP DOLLAR Up to 5 figures for one point.

I am a very serious high-end collector.

Call 979-218-3351

$49

CLEAN OUT SPECIAL 10 Vents, 1 Return, & 1 Main.

FREE system analysis/inspection.

Call for details. Additional vents priced separately. We service all areas.

Offer expires 8/6/22.

FREE 50% DRYER OFF VENT

CLEANING

WITH ANY COMPLETE AIR DUCT SYSTEM CLEANING. Call for details.

Offer expires 8/6/22.

HOSPITAL GRADE SANITIZER

HELPS WITH GERMS & BACTERIA With purchase of complete ductwork cleaning. Offer expires 8/6/22.

Call or visit us online today to schedule an appointment!

(303) 747-6781

theapexcleanair.com

6 Elbert County News

July 7, 2022

Median home values haven’t fallen in Colorado But list prices for a new house have

BY TAMARA CHUANG, BRAMMHI BALARAJAN, AND MARVIS GUTIERREZ THE COLORADO SUN

As average 30-year fixed mortgage rates continue to hover around 6%, there’s an expectation that prices of homes for sale will fall. It’s only been a few weeks since the Fed increased interest rates so it’s too soon to see the impact.

A hike in mortgage interest rates has not brought down prices of existing homes yet.

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

Or is it?

There’s still job news below, so scroll down if local housing costs aren’t a concern. See below for … robot jobs!

On June 27, the average list price for a house for sale in Denver was $742,773. Three days later it dropped 2.9% to $721,517, according to multiple listing data provided by Opendoor. Meanwhile, during the same three days, the median closing price fell $26,000, or 4%, to $619,000.

But pay close attention homeowners: The $619,000 price tag in June is still 13.6% higher than median closing prices a year ago in June. And, added a spokesperson for Opendoor, “It’s important to note that the median price hasn’t changed.”

Things are moving so quickly, said Nicole Bachaud, a senior economist at housing site Zillow.

“We had this huge acceleration,

SHOP LOCAL Local ads, coupons & deals are just one click away!

CHECK IT OUT AT:

WARBIRD INVASION

Sunday, July 10, 2022 8:00 to 10:00 $

JULY 9TH

110: 0:00 00 A AM M -- 2: 2:00 00 PM PM Join Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight for a Saturday full of iconic warbirds, vintage cars and fun!

ExplorationOfFlight.org/Events

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Community Pancake Breakfast

SHOWCASE

13005 Wings Way, Englewood, CO 80112 South side of Centennial Airport

Benefit

F

this huge boost in spring of 2020 that continued into 2021 that was h the strongest year for housing that t we’ve really ever seen,” Bachaud s said. “Now we’re coming to this o period where things are going to d cool down really fast as well. And m that’s going to look like whiplash S for a lot of buyers and sellers in the l market.”

However, she added, “the markets r J are not going to crash, we’re not going to see this huge drop in home J c values across the board. But it’s d gonna look very different than it w did in December of 2021.”

And why is that? There’s still l demand from consumers to buy s a house. Also the number of new homes getting started has dropped b off. “What we really need in order B f to curb this home-price growth f is more homes,” she said. “And (would-be) sellers are feeling locked i into their current interest rate. If d you refinanced at 3%, selling and a buying at a 6% rate doesn’t seem 6 like such a good deal right now.”

Price cuts in for-sale houses have h been happening for weeks, months and even years in Colorado, accord- 1 ing to Zillow data. Even when sales w were the strongest last year, there w were still houses that cut their pricet d for one reason or another, likely because they were asking too much. p Zillow data for the Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins o markets do show that there’s been e a sharp increase in the number of t w SEE HOMES, P7

ONLY

10.00

This dine-in event includes 3 pancakes, 3 sausages, orange juice, butter, syrup

Delicious home-made pancakes hot off the grill!

Parker Senior Center located at 10675 Longs Way

Elbert County News 7

July 7, 2022

HOMES FROM PAGE 6

houses that cut the list price within the past month. The chart below shows that in early June, 9.17% of the homes for sale in Denver dropped their price in the past month, while 9.1% did in Colorado Springs and 3.37% did in Fort Collins: Those price discounts in Denver rose to a median of $19,000 in early June, nearly double the amount in January. Colorado Springs price cuts weren’t as sharp and had dropped to $11,050 in early June, while Fort Collins hit $19,201.

Consider it an interest rate silver lining for house hunters forced to save their money after getting outbid on every house in the past year.

But it’s not like house prices are falling. They’re just not growing as fast as last year and the real estate industry already expects that the days of multiple offers on a house are over for now.

6%? Bah! Interest rates have been higher “My first house mortgage was at 14%,” Craig Aberle, a reader who wrote this week in response to last week’s story that renting is cheaper than buying. “It was still a good deal financially.”

Aberle, who lives in Denver, pointed out the many benefits of owning a house today even as interest rates rise. There are tax deductions, equity and loan refinancing when rates do fall, as they did last

year when they dipped below 3%.

“Rates at 5% or 6% are modest,” he said.

This isn’t the first time in recent history that mortgage rates hit 6%.

A notable period for mortgage rates were the 1980s, when rates were super high — in the teens, according to the Federal Reserve economic data. The peak of 16.64% in 1981 makes today’s 6% a bargain.

For people who bought homes in 2018 or earlier, current interest rates are just a return to earlier times.

However, new budgets and increasing housing prices make buying homes for new homeowners nonetheless inaccessible. Housing prices have gone way up in the past five decades.

“Homes were a lot cheaper back then. So a 16% interest rate was maybe the difference of tens or hundreds of dollars a month, and not thousands of dollars a month,” Bachaud said. “A home is a very different type of purchase than it was decades ago.”

The typical Colorado home value of $126,900 in the 1980s is drastically different from the typical home value of $604,065 reported in May Zillow data. That’s a 376% increase.

After running it through a quick inflation calculator, that $126,900 home would be roughly $408,057 now considering recent inflation — a relative steal in a housing market seeing prices upward of $700,000.

Historic developments in homeownership add another dimension to the story. In the years after the hike in interest rates in the 80s, homeownership rates in Colorado

dipped to a historic low of 58.6%.

That’s little more than half of tracked Colorodans living and owning a home according to U.S. Census data.

The most recent data show homeownership rates slowly rising to a rate 64.9% in 2020. With how volatile the housing market has been recently, and as many communities are unable to catch up with zooming home prices, we’ll see how homeownership rates change in coming months.

The benefits of owning are certainly more than what the monthly mortgage payment is. But buyers may not see those for several years, said Bachaud, with Zillow.

“If you’re going to buy something or rent something for two years, the cost of purchasing and selling real estate is pretty high. You’re dealing with transfer taxes, real estate taxes, closing costs and buyer and seller commissions. All of those things make it really expensive,” she said. “For the short term, renting is cheaper.”

Workers are being priced out of their homes, according to a recent report by the Regional Economic Development Institute at Colorado State University, which measured workers’ abilities to afford twobedroom apartments without becoming rent burdened. That’s when individuals need to spend more than a third of their income to pay for rent. Thanks to Kendall Stephenson, one of the authors of the report, for sending this along!

Workers in Fort Collins, a city with a population of around 170,000, have become increasingly rent

burdened over the past decade. In 2010, 36% of all occupations could not afford fair market rent. Now, as of 2020, it’s 52%.

In particular, food preparation and serving occupations face one of the greatest disparities in keeping up with fair market rent. Waiters and waitresses in Fort Collins have a median hourly wage of $12.01. If they wanted to afford rent at fair market prices, they’d need to make almost double their current wages, or $23.92 per hour. Conversely, in 2010 waiters and waitresses would have needed only an hourly increase of about $2 to afford fair market rent.

Health care support occupations are another group that saw a hit at housing affordability. Not only that, but women are disproportionately impacted. Over 70% of people within these jobs are female, and employees would need to see raises of about 50% to be able to afford fair market rent in Fort Collins.

Fort Collins workers’ wages are not keeping up with the increase in fair market rent, and as a result many low-wage earners are forced to commute into Fort Collins for work, the REDI report showed. Although workers are able to save on housing, skyrocketing fuel prices take a toll on their expenses.

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.

Does the current economy have you concerned?

Are you utilizing your best options?

Find out how a reverse mortgage* might help! (*Must be at least 55 years old)

.... give me a call for a confidential, free, in-home review of this retirement changing product.

Corbin Swift Vice President | Reverse Mortgage Specialist NMLS #1883942 Colorado Lic #100514955

Cell (720)812-2071 Corbin@RMofCO.com 6530 S Yosemite St#310 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 “Helping those in my community with their mortgage needs for over 36 years.”

All applications are subject to underwriting guidelines and approval. Not all programs available in all areas. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Licensed and regulated by the Division of Real Estate. Cl Partners LLC dba Reverse Mortgages of Colorado, NMLS# 1846034, licensed in CO, MT License # 1846034, and TX. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. Not all applicants will qualify.

8 Elbert County News

July 7, 2022

HEALTH FROM PAGE 1

that it can hold its own among more developed communities with higher population density.

Elbert County’s high overall health ranking comes in a context of an overall demographic shift during past five to 10 years. New neighborhoods like Gold Creek and Spring Valley Ranch in Elizabeth provide increased housing (affecting affordability, capacity and quality). With those new homes comes higher household income (an economic factor). Increased household income also tends to correlate to higher levels of education and overall health (access to care, health behaviors, mental health and health outcomes). With more communities being built in the Elizabeth area, Elbert County’s ranking in the housing, education, and population health categories could be expected to increase over the next few years.

New businesses that make their way to Elbert County help to boost the economic factor with employment opportunities. These impact community vitality (stability and social capital) as well

as infrastructure. Given the current plans for the newly developed West Elizabeth area in the coming years, Elbert County’s ranking in the economic category is also likely to increase in the future.

“We’re proud to rank so highly as one of the nation’s healthiest counties,” Elbert County Public Health Director Dwayne Smith wrote to the Elbert County News. “The work that everyone across the county does, including our Public Health staff, to promote health and wellbeing across Elbert County benefits all residents.”

He added: “Our health and well-being is dependent on many factors, and it takes the entire county working together to create both a healthy environment in which we live and the capacity to provide, access and utilize resources necessary for us to thrive.”

To view the USA Today article, visit usnews. com/news/healthiestcommunities/rankings To see the ranking methodology, visit usnews. com/news/healthiestcommunities/articles/ methodology For Elbert County census information and statistics, visit census. gov/quickfacts/fact/table/ elbertcountycolorado/ PST045221

Elbert County statistics that illustrate shifts over the course of a 5- to 11-year period (Source: US Census Bureau) FACTOR

2010

2021

TOTAL POPULATION

23,086

27,128

FACTOR

2010

2020/2021

HOUSING UNITS

6,084

10,174

$351,200

$429,300

MEDIAN MORTGAGE COST

$2,113

$2,226

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

$89,806

$104,231

FACTOR

2010

2020/2021

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE OR HIGHER (25 YEARS OLD+)

96.1%

96.4%

BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER (25 YEARS OLD+)

29.2%

34.1%

2015

2020/2021

~10.4%

7.1%

Not Recorded

$9,914,000

HOUSING AND INCOME

MEDIAN HOME VALUE

EDUCATION

HEALTH

FACTOR UNDER 65 WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE RECEIPTS ECONOMY

$11,036,000

TOTAL ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICE SALES (2017):

$140,355,000

TOTAL RETAIL SALES (2017):

Silver Reverse Mortgage YourLeaf Financial Assistance

Colorado’s premiere 100% local reverse mortgage lender, since 2015.

Your Financial Assistance Your Financial Assistance

by Matt Witt

by Witt Matt Witt

by Matt Things toayou know about re you homeowner 62 62 or or older? a homeowner older? reHave youreayou homeowner 62yourself or older? ever found HaveMortgage: you ever found yourself Silver Leaf Have you found yourself having toever choose between buying having to choose between buying having to choose between buying •Weor close loans inHow 21about days food or medicine? having food medicine?

How about having toto food or medicine?

How about having todue put off a medical or dental procedure due put off a medical or dental procedure start to finish. put off a medical or dental procedure due to limited funds?

If you have been faced to limited funds? If you have been faced doesn’t work. are have confident Even if you have bad had withhave havingnot make a tough financial towith limited funds?

Iftoyou been faced •If you closed your Even if you have We badcredit, credit, have had having to make a have tough financial a bankruptcy, or a foreclosure, you are decision of any kind stop reading and call Even if you have bad credit, have had with having to make a tough financial in our loan offerings and take a bankruptcy, or a foreclosure, you are decision ofmortgage any kindtostop reading andreverse call reverse loan with not disqualified. most cases there is a 720-458-4034 speak to the localcall a not bankruptcy, or aInforeclosure, you are decision of any kind stop reading and disqualified.

In most cases there is a 720-458-4034 to speak the localMortgage reverse that remedy foraway past credit problems.

So, don’t risk from you. mortgage experts attoto Silver Leaf another lender by 21 days, you not disqualified.

In most cases there is a 720-458-4034 to speak the local reverse remedy forcan’t pastgetcredit problems. mortgage think you the help you need.So, don’t rightexperts now. at Silver Leaf Mortgage remedy for past credit So, don’t mortgage experts your at Silver Leafto Mortgage cannow. transfer loan us, and •No think you can’t get theproblems. help you need.

Origination Fees. right Let Loan us help you navigate theseyou difficult Did you know the proceeds from a reverse think you can’t get the help need. right now. weyou can close 7 days.

Some financial times, your local experts Let us help youcall navigate these difficult mortgage are tax-free money that may be •Some Did know thein proceeds from a reverse lenders charge between Letatus help youMortgage navigate these Did you know the proceeds from a reverse Silver Leaf today atdifficult in any way you choose?

For some times, call your local experts localused and national lenders are mortgage are tax-free money that may beit’s financial financial times, call local experts 720-458-4034 to seeyour if a Reverse $3,000 and $6,000 in loan mortgage are tax-free money that may be the instant, lifesaving help needed today. at Silver Leaf Mortgage today at used in any way you choose?

For some it’s taking 2way months to five months Mortgage is right at720-458-4034 Silver Leaf Mortgage at it’s the safety net yourit’s used inFor anyothers, you choose?

Forfor some tofor seeyou. aa Reverse origination fees asiftoday way to the instant, lifesaving help needed today. future or the unplanned life events like 720-458-4034 to see if a Reverse to close loans. the lifesaving helpnet needed today.

Mortgage is right for you.

Forinstant, others, it’s the safety for your make more revenue on the Silver Leaf Mortgage, Colorado’s #1 medical emergencies that may arise.

Mortgage is right for you.

For others, it’s unplanned the safety net your future or pay the lifefor events like •Don’t for an appraisal Reverse Mortgage Broker.

Qualifying for a reverse mortgage, future or the unplanned lifemay events likeit’s loan. require you to#1 Silver We Leafdon’t Mortgage, Colorado’s medical emergencies that arise.

MattLeaf Witt,Mortgage, NMLS #1638881, simple and easy.that Qualification is based upfront.

Silver Colorado’s medical emergencies may arise.

Reverse Mortgage Broker. pay loan fees. #1 President atoriginations Silver Leaf Mortgage on these Qualifying forimportant a reversefactors: mortgage, it’s Reverse Mortgage Broker.

Qualifying for reverse mortgage, it’syou •Be wary ofa lenders wanting in Centennial.

Matt Witt, NMLS #1638881, simple easy.

Qualification is based • and You (the borrower) must own the home. •Take 5 minutes to get the Matt Witt, NMLS #1638881, simple and easy.

Qualification is based President at Silver Leaf Mortgage on these important factors: Contact me at: 720-458-4034, to pay for the appraisal upfront. must befactors: 62+. (A non-borrowing President atmortgage Silver Leafat:Mortgage on these• You important reverse information orCentennial. you can email me spouse may be under 62.)

• Some You (the borrower) must own theto home. ininCentennial. lenders that ask you MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com • You (the borrower) must own the home. you areme looking for.

Contact at: 720-458-4034, The home must your primary upfront may given • pay You •must be 62+.

(Abehave non-borrowing Contact me at: 720-458-4034, * The homeowner is still responsible or you can email me at: for applicable • You must be 62+.

(Alive non-borrowing residence there at least six spouse may be(you under 62.) property and and homeowner’s as well •We are local we insurance, answer or you cantaxes email me at: you an unrealistic loan offering/ one 62.) day per year).

MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com spouse months may beand under as maintaining the property.

MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com • home The home mustleaving be your primary the phones Monday through you out • The homevalue, must primary * The homeowner is still responsible for applicable residence (you be liveyour there at least six property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, as well * Sunday.

The homeowner is still responsible for applicable that money when the loan residence (you live there at least six months and one day per year).in The Streets as maintaining thehomeowner’s property. insurance, as well property taxes and Located at SouthGlenn months and one day per year). as maintaining the property.

6972 South Vine Street | Suite 366 | Centennial, CO 80122

AA A

720-458-4034

720-458-4034 720-REV-ERSE 720-458-4034

10906-1207 SLM CCM Weekly Ad-Matt Witt 1-1-21 Code 0101CCM.indd 1

635

TOTAL EMPLOYER ESTABLISHMENTS (2020):

Located The Streets at SouthGlenn 2154 E.in Commons Avenue, Suite 342 Located in The |Streets at SouthGlenn | Centennial, CO 80122 6972 South Vine Street Suite 366 Centennial, CO 80122 6972 South Vine Street | Suite 366 | Centennial, CO 80122

Co

C l Co lender The Silver Leaf Reverse Mortgage loorr##11oRloorrad Mo #1MM atgd R the evaed o’s that you’ve known for years R*Boeasredoes rtgalso a e o v dteg ’ g v o a s o following loans in Colorado: ge rna scl g e errse’s

Bro eienet scBBrsoe ke enarrioo kker •Investment property, r er

•Conventional •Fannie Mae •Freddie Mac •FHA •VA •Self- Employed •Jumbo Loans from $647,200 to $25,000,000

1-4 units •Fix and Flip •Bank Statement Loans, 12or 24 mo •Interest rate buydowns •HELOCS, 2nd Mortgages •Private party capital

21 Day

Mortgage Company Reverse Mortgage Company Mortgage Company Mortgage Agent Company Mortgage Reverse * Mortgage Company

Closings Guaranteed ReverseMortgage MortgageAgent Company

Call within the next 30 days and Mortgage Agent choose one of these great30 offers: Call within theprogram next days and This week’s special highlight.

• A Free Appraisal • A Free Home Inspection

Call within daysoffers: and choose onethe of next these30 great choose one of these great offers:

For Home Buyer’s not underCosts contract, Get a 30 yr • $1,000 Paid Towards Closing fixed interest rate a full 1% or 2% below current • A Free Appraisal • A Free Home Inspection Offer Code 0101CCM • •market A$1,000 Freeinterest Appraisal •A Free Home Inspection rates.

Loans below 647,200, and Paid Towards Closing Costs • Jumbo $1,000 Paidfrom Towards Closing Costs Matt Witt loans 647,200 to $5,000,000.

Offer Code 0101CCM NMLS Offer#1638881 Code 0101CCM Reverse Mortgage Specialist

Matt Witt Matt Witt Matt Witt 720-458-4034 NMLS President#1638881 and Sr. Lending Officer NMLS #1638881

Reverse Mortgage Silver Leaf Mortgage, Inc. Specialist MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com Reverse Mortgage Specialist

Matt Witt: Reve Mortgage Experse rt!

720-458-4034 720-458-4034 MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com

Listen2154 to: The Mortgage ShowSuite Hosted342

by Matt Witt E.Reverse Commons Avenue, Legends 810 and 94.3FM, 670 KLTT, 100.7FM KLZ and 560 KLZ or see us live on Centennial, CO 80122 Matt Witt: Reve rse Colorado’s Best KWGN CW2 & Fox-31, or Colorado & Company KUSAM9News

Office 720-738-3773 • Fax 303-362-7812 MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com

M attorW tgitt ag: Re e Ex vepe rsrt! e

Mor SLM NMLS #1394377 is an Equal Housing Lender.

Credit and Show collateral are subject toby approval.

Listen to: The Reverse Mortgage Hosted MattTerms Witt tgage Expert! and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are Listen to: The Reverse Mortgage Show Hosted by Matt Witt 810notice. andRegulated 94.3FM, KLTT, 100.7FM subjectLegends to change without by the670 Department of Real Estate. KLZ and 560 KLZ or see us live on

Cell Phone 303-888-4531

Legends 810Best and 94.3FM, 670 KLTT, 100.7FM KLZ and&560 KLZ or see us live on Colorado’s KWGN CW2 & Fox-31, or Colorado Company KUSA 9News mattw@silverleafmortgage.com • www.SilverLeafMortgage.com Colorado’s Best KWGN CW2 & Fox-31, or Colorado & Company KUSA 9News 2:22 PM SLM NMLS #1394377 is an Equal Housing Lender. Credit and collateral are subject12/17/20 to approval.

Terms andNMLS conditions apply.is This is notHousing a commitment to lend. termstoand conditions SLM #1394377 an Equal Lender. Credit andPrograms, collateral rates, are subject approval.

Termsare subject to change by the Department of Real and conditions apply.without This isnotice. not a Regulated commitment to lend.

Programs, rates,Estate. terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Regulated by the Department of Real Estate.

Elbert County News 9

July 7, 2022

powered by

Thu 7/14

Sat 7/16

Featured

Featured

Featured

Mon 7/18 Mountain Biking 2nd-4th #HR071822-1WDC @ 8am / $636 Jul 18th - Jul 22nd CO - Highlands Ranch, Connections Church, 2121 Dad Clark Drive, Littleton.

720-249-2412

Camp: Sound Formation Piano (512yrs) @ 2pm Jul 18th - Jul 22nd PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker

Mandy Moore @ 6pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

YS: 3-4 Sports Experience: T-ball @ Eisenhower

Scott Slay @ 11am Breckenridge Brewery, 2920 Brewery Ln, Littleton

Featured

@ 8pm Jul 14th - Aug 4th Denver Parks and Recreation (EIS), 4300 E Dartmouth Ave, Denver. 720-913-0654

High 'N' Dry: A Tribute to Def Leppard with Poison'd (Poison), and Hooligans Holiday (Motley Crue) @ 6pm Wild Goose Saloon, Parker

Sun 7/17 Featured

Camp: Star Wars Camp: Arts, Science, Water FUN! (5-12yrs) @ 2pm Jul 18th - Jul 22nd PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker

Free Adaptive Sailing Clinic | Age 8+ | Cherry Creek @ 4pm / Free Cherry Creek Reservoir, 4800 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 303-757-7718

Tue 7/19 James Taylor & His All-Star Band @ 1pm Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Vil‐ lage

Fri 7/15 Featured

Adult Basic Keelboat Clinic @ 4pm / $35 Cherry Creek Reservoir, 4800 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 303-757-7718

Wed 7/20

Jenny Shawhan: Glenmoor Country Club @ 3pm Glenmoor Country Club, 110 Glen‐ moor Dr, Englewood

Featured Beau Thomas: Viewhouse Littleton (SOLO)

Scarface Farewell Tour

Dave Mensch - Stagecoach Saloon - Franktown, CO @ 12pm Stagecoach Saloon, 2077 CO-83,, Franktown

@ 1pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐ wood

Featured

Featured

@ 5pm ViewHouse Littleton, 2680 Main St, Littleton

Scott Fowler Music: Scott Fowler @ 2 Penguins Tap & Grill @ 5pm 2 Penguins Tap and Grill, 13065 E Briar‐ wood Ave, Centennial

Featured

Danny Masters Band: Evermore

Neil Z @ 6pm Earls Kitchen + Bar, 8335 Park Meadows Center Dr, Lone Tree Phat Daddy @ 6pm Pindustry, 7939 E Arapahoe Rd, Centen‐ nial

Uprooted ft. Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root @ 6pm / $29.50-$59.50 The Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock

Michael Rault @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐ wood

Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts: Ryan Chrys Acoustic @ 1pm 105 West Brewing Company, 1043 Park St, Castle Rock

@ 6:30pm Cherry Creek State Park, 4201 S Parker Rd, Aurora MYD: Splash & Bash Ages 13-18 @ 9pm Denver Parks and Recreation (COP POOL), 1655 S. Oneida St., Denver. 720913-0654

The Martin Gilmore Band - Honky Tonk & Americana - At the Breckenridge Brewery

Thu 7/21

@ 3pm Breckenridge Brewery, 2920 Brewery Ln, Littleton

@ 5:30pm Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

The best place to promote your events online and in print. Visit us @ https://littletonindependent.net/calendar

Twenty Hands High

powered by

10 Elbert County News

LOCAL

July 7, 2022

VOICES

Times that matter

A

s a child, I grew to hate road trips. My parents did not like flying anywhere, which meant any family trip was by car. I hated it.

I’m talking about trips that would make the original “National Lampoon’s FROM THE Family Vacation” look functional.

Three older brothers, parents and EDITOR long trips to go visit our version of Cousin Eddie.

That led to me hating the thought of road trips as an adult. If I can fly, I will be willing to go. Someone says drive — and I’m out.

Then, we get to this summer.

With the economy being what it is and being short of time because, Thelma Grimes let’s face it, parenting seems to revolve around running a kids’ taxi service, I have had to reconsider my hatred of long car rides.

Most summers we will visit an aunt in Orlando and brother in Pennsylvania and my daughter’s biological sister in Oregon. This year, flight costs being what they are, that’s just not feasible.

That led to me looking at what else we could do. My parents said they liked the idea of taking a trip with my children and me to South Dakota.

After looking at calendars and trying to figure it out, we went on a spur-of-the-moment-type trip to the Black Hills. Getting up early to pack in a family of eight — my children, my parents and a nephew and niece.

At 5:30 a.m. with everyone inside the Expedition, I fixed the rearview mirror, seeing all the faces staring up front. The memories of childhood car trips came flooding back. I dreaded putting that car in reverse and starting the trek.

Fast forward six hours of actual quiet driving and we made it to the city where the famous Mount Rushmore sits.

The trip was fantastic. My kids love farms. We went to the little farm in nearby Keystone three times, letting my kids hold baby goats, feed orphaned calves and run from the older goats wanting food.

We saw the mountain. I will tell you my 5-year-old was not overly impressed. The farm was his thing.

We saw all the sights and had a blast.

Driving home, again in a quiet car, I realized a few things. Today’s kids have tablets and phones and keep their heads down most of the trip. Separating the kids who fight the most was also good planning on my part.

The family time I got with my mom, dad, kids and brother’s children was worth every minute. In our busy lives, we tend to forget the value of taking some time to relax at something as simple as what I would call a very large petting zoo.

We forget the value of walking with your kids down a tourist town’s main street to look at a variety of items, joke, eat ice cream and have quality time together without talking about schedules, chores and all that day-to-day home stuff.

Will I go on another road trip? I won’t say I loved the gas and food prices on the trip (although still lower than plane tickets).

However, I will say six hours in a car with family is no longer going to be a phobia. I can see me doing it again, and instead of dread as I hit reverse, there will likely be a lot more optimism.

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

A publication of

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

Friends who are like family, and family who become friends

E

ach morning I participate in a daily devotional with a friend of mine who has become more like family as he and I have been friends for the past 27 years.

He is very much my brother.

WINNING And I have been blessed to count many other friends WORDS who over a lifetime have also become more like brothers to me as well. This past week the devotional that we participated in examined this phenomenon, where friends become like family, and family members turn out to also become our best friends.

Our friends who have beMichael Norton come part of our family have stayed with us through the good times and the bad times, they have mourned our losses and celebrated our victories. They have stood by our side when others walked away, and with expectation or question, we always have their back too. There is a bond forged by going through years, sometimes decades of doing life together.

I consider myself fortunate to have both men and women who have been friends for many years, people who I love and respect and who I would do anything for when needed or asked.

Friends who I consider sisters, and friends I consider brothers. In some cases, we talk, meet, or call regularly, if not daily. And in other cases, weeks or months could go by, but when we reconnect, it is like we have never missed a beat, we pick up right from where we left off. And when we do, it feels so good to get caught up.

My siblings and I are now at that age where we have endured much, laughed plenty, fought miserably, loved unconditionally, mourned our losses, and celebrated new life. I love when we do get together, and when we do, take that spe-

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager

lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LISA SCHLICHTMAN Editor-in-Chief

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant

lschlichtman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

THELMA GRIMES South Metro Editor

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager

tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SCOTT GILBERT Editor

ERIN FRANKS Production Manager

sgilbert@coloradocommunitymedia.com

efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

cial picture of the four of us.

I am sharing this with you because having participated in the devotional I mentioned earlier and reaching out to others to see what they thought, I heard something that made me a little sad. Some people shared that they too enjoyed friendships that were certainly like family, and family who were best friends. However, some shared that the younger generations were not as loyal to friendship as the past generations. One comment I received was rather disturbing as they noted that their children saw their friendships as disposable, here today and gone tomorrow. And there was no worry, as they would just find other people to “hang out with.”

Hanging out with people could mean friendship, or it could just mean companionship.

Whether that companion will be around in a few years is yet to be determined, let alone for many years or decades. When I did some more digging, asking other friends and neighbors what they were seeing, they echoed a similar feeling of “temporary friendships.” For me the question became, “Why?” So, I am going to do further research and have more discussions around this to better understand the difference between generations when it comes to longlasting and loving friendships vs. temporary or disposable relationships.

My hope is that those of us who have been blessed with such relationships will share the many benefits of having friends who are like family and family who have become our best friends. There is so much I am learning from the younger generations each and every day as I am given plenty of opportunity to work with people across multiple generations. And now it could be our turn to teach and share the meaning of having such powerful relationships.

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.

SEE NORTON, P11 ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday

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

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

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

Elbert County News 11

July 7, 2022

Early summer best time to be outdoors

OUTDOOR LIVING

Ron Hellbusch

B

e it habit or family history, as fall approaches, we are reminded to not miss an opportunity to tour, hike, ski, camp or (in some mode) to venture into the midst of our Rocky Mountains, so conveniently close.

In Colorado, with the backdrop of the state’s Front Range Rockies, that suggestion is promoted typically, following a busy season of mid-year summer: A period when warming weather fluctuations produce blooming and growth One cannot argue the quiet and continual evolution of summer change amid nature both in plant and animal. One’s timing cannot be wrong if that adventure moment surfaces during the greening month of July, or the golden cover spread out in September.

But let me suggest we too often ignore the early spring in our plans for that first high-country venture into the midst of nature. There are powerful and differing forces at work in nature’s spring seasons.

It is in both the warming of the earth and completion of reproduction cycles when many of the most amazing new cycles of life materialize and freshness dominate what we see, hear, and feel outdoors in nature’s incubators.

I have the good fortune and opportunity to visit and enjoy Rocky Mountain National Park on frequent occasions. As

NORTON FROM PAGE 10

It doesn’t matter if it is even one friend who is like family or many friends, the point is you are there for each other, available and unconditionally.

How about you? Are you someone who has enjoyed having your friends become like brothers and

a result, I witness frequent and timely change in that natural environment, both good and bad. And equally important, the role natural forces play in the repair and rehabilitation of damaged forests and its inhabitants.

Some observations identified in this column have been witnessed over the almost two years since the damaging East Troublesome Creek Fire swept through and over these beautiful high altitude mountain ranges and lush green valleys.

Let us examine some of nature’s new and fresh products of a spring season with products you will not see, feel or hear in the fall.

• Warming temperatures that slowly replace the cold air of winter and trigger so many other changes. Temperatures influence wildlife movement as well as plant growth.

• Out of bank tributary stream flows not visible later in the year. The quiet water flows carry fresh melting snow replacing the accumulation of deep wind drifts that fill valleys, lakes and reservoirs. The once shallow and near dry tributaries of the Colorado River basin and its multitude of beaver ponds and marshlands becomes a wide mass of slow-moving clear water.

Early spring is a time for camera, not fly rod.

• Small colorful buds emerge almost

sisters? Have your family members become like best friends? I would love to hear your story at mnorton@xinnix.com, and when we can build long-lasting and loving relationships with friends and family, it really will be a better than good life.

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

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules: • Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.

• Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in the following week’s newspaper.

• Letters must be no longer than 400 words.

• Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not be submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.

• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for office. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published later than 12 days before an election.

• Publication of any given letter is at our discretion. Letters are published as space is available.

• We will edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length and write headlines (titles) for letters at our discretion.

• Please don’t send us more than one letter per month. First priority for publication will be given to writers who have not submitted letters to us recently.

• Submit your letter in a Word document or in the body of an email. No PDFs or Google Docs, please.

• Include your full name, address and phone number. We will publish only your name and city or town of residence, but all of the information requested is needed for us to verify you are who you say you are.

• Letters will be considered only from people living in Colorado Community Media’s circulation area in Adams, Arapahoe, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson and Weld counties.

• Do not use all caps, italics or bold text.

• Keep it polite: No name calling or “mudslinging.”

• Include a source — and a link to that source — for any information that is not common knowledge. We will not publish information, including quotes, that cannot easily be verified.

• We do not publish speculation about other people’s motives or thoughts. Please keep your comments to a person’s actions or statements.

• Generally we will not publish multiple letters that make the same point in a given week. Only submit ideas and opinions that are your own — and in your own words. We will not publish any letter that appears to be part of a letter-writing campaign or that copies text from an outside source, such as a website.

• We do not publish letters promoting a business, product or commercial service.

unnoticed from plants and trees that will develop leaves, seeds and cones for next spring’s new growth.

• The new birth and presence of a variety of small ground mammals and larger elk, mule deer and moose calves emerging from cover, adding new population. Wildlife sightings are common as newborn emerge with adults and offer camera ready visitors new nature opportunities.

• The presence of small birds spread musical conversation as they construct nests after long migration travels from southern winter homes and lastly, • A tremendously welcomed natural repair and rehabilitation process surfaces following numerous forests fires the past few years.

In RMNP the October 2020 fire damaged thousands of acres of forests. Nature’s repair this spring presented the most optimistic scene with fresh sprouting meadow grass covering the black ash of burnt timber and bush.

These “spring” scenes are very evident, just anxious for new eyes and cameras.

The adventure is close. The mountain scenes will display views one has not seen before.

Outdoorsman and Westminster resident Ron Hellbusch can be reached at Ron-Hellbusch Comcast.net

OBITUARIES PIDGEON

Darrell Wilson Pidgeon April 21, 1939 - June 24, 2022

Long-time Elbert County resident, Darrell Pidgeon, 83, died June 24, at Denver Hospice.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m., July 9, at United Church of Christ Parker Hilltop. Friends and relatives are invited for brunch and celebration of Darrell’s life at the Pidgeon home following the service. Born in Wilmington, Ohio, he graduated with a BS in Dairy Science from The Ohio State University and MS in Dairy Genetics from the University of Missouri. Darrell parlayed two heifers he purchased as a 4-H boy into a lifetime career in the dairy business. As owner

of the Pidgeon Cattle Company, he exported more than 24,000 dairy animals around the world. Darrell is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ann, daughter Marla and her partner Amy Hagerman, son Andrew and his wife Kelly and their sons Graham10 and Brady 7, a sister-in-law Janie Pidgeon and nephew Kyle of Wilmington, and his live-in caregiver Georgina Moreno. Memorial donations in Darrell’s name can be made to The National Dairy Shrine, United Church of Christ Parker Hilltop, the Junior Dairy Show at the Colorado State Fair, or The Denver Hospice.

In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One.

303-566-4100 obituaries@coloradocommunitymedia.com Self placement available online at elbertcountynews.net

12 Elbert County News

July 7, 2022

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

The average life expectancy for Colorado residents fell to 78 years in 2021. That’s slightly lower than 2020, the first year of the pandemic, when it was 78.4 years.

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

State sees drop in life expectancy for second year Decline is driven

by COVID, deaths from drug overdoses

BY JOHN DALEY COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO

Life expectancy dropped in Colorado for the second straight year in 2021. It’s the kind of decline,

driven by the pandemic, not seen in decades, data from the state health department show.

The average life expectancy for Colorado residents fell to 78 years in 2021. That’s slightly lower than 2020, the first year of the pandemic when it was 78.4 years, but the slide represents a persistent and significant drop of nearly three years compared to 2019.

SEE EXPECTANCY, P15

Weekly Carrier Routes Available

Castle Rock, Parker & Highlands Ranch Area

Ask about our sign on bonus!

• Part-time hours • Adaptable route sizes • No suit & tie required!

Previous carrier experience encouraged; reliable vehicle and email access, required. no telephone inquiries - but

email us at:

circulation@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Answers

THANKS for

PLAYING!

© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

Solution

CLASSIFIEDS

Elbert County News 13

July 7, 2022

COLORADO COMMUNIT Y MEDIA

CAREERS

MARKETPLACE

REAL ESTATE

Market Place

DEADLINES CLASSIFIED LINE ADS: MONDAY, 11 A.M. SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY, 5 P.M. LEGALS: THURSDAY, 3 P.M.

303-566-4100 classifieds@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS

Contact Erin, 303-566-4074 eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Construction

Merchandise

Painting

Jimmy J’s Construction Interior Finishing Specialists

Firewood

Split & Delivered $350 a cord Delivery $50. Stacking $50 Call 303-647-2475 or 720-323-2173

SERVICE DIRECTORY

CLASSIFIED AD SALES

Interior Painting

Painting Exterior Painting Trim Trim Carpentry Carpentry Electrical Electrical Drywall/Texturing Drywall/Texturing

Tiling

TilingBasement Remodels Remodels Basement Framing Framing Plumbing Plumbing

720.838.6851 jimmyj71168@yahoo.com

• Benjamin Moore Paints • Labor and Materials Warranty • Free Estimates • Color Consultation Included • Kind/Highly Communicative Staff Helpful Ace Hardware Pro Painters is a residential painting company which specializes in exterior and interior painting. Our core values are honesty, integrity, service, quality and beauty and our focus is on delivering an outstanding customer experience. We currently include a full color consult, test pints and a detailed walkthrough with all of our paint jobs.

Give us a call to set up a free estimate! (720) 432-6125

Fully Insured

helpfulacehardwarepropainters.com Roofing

Flooring

Miscellaneous Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855417-1306 Aloe Care Health medical alert system. Most advanced medical alert product on the market. Voiceactivated! No wi-fi needed! Special offer w/code CARE20 for $20 off Mobile Companion. 1-855-341-5862 Discount air travel. Call Flight Services for best pricing on domestic & international flights inside & from the US. Serving United, Delta, American & Southwest & many more. Free quote! Have travel dates ready! 844-951-2014 Scrap Metal, Batteries, Appliances, Wiring, Scrap Plumbing/Heating, Cars/Parts, Clean out Garages/Yards, Rake, Yard work done w/chainsaw, Certified Auto Mechanical / Body Work & paint available Also can do inside or outside cleaning 303-647-2475 / 720-323-2173

CALL (303) 667-6909 Service Directory

Concrete/Paving Tree Services

Carpet/Flooring HARDWOOD

WILDFIRE SEASON IS HERE. ARE YOU READY?

..

. ,

TILE BACKSPLASHES & LAMINATES

FOOTPRINTS

Great F1oors.

Great Impressions.

floors

Call today for a free estimate!

720-344-0939

Driveways Tear Outs & Replace

Contact us for your wildfire mitigation needs.

• patios • sidewalks • garage floors • • porches • stamped/colored • exposed agregate • lic.& ins. free estimates

Experts in Defensible Space & Forest Restoration.

10% off on proposals accepted by 7/30/2022

720-218-8849 www.delsolconcrete.com

WWW FOOTPRINTSFLOORS COM

Pets

Carpet

Dogs

Solutions

• CARPET REPAIRS •RE-STRETCHING • PET DAMAGE Doodle Puppies

Golden Doodles and Bernedoodles Home-Raised Heath Tested and Guaranteed Standard and Mini Size available Schedule a visit today!

(970)215-6860 www.puppylovedoodles.com

n:

Call Ke

720-244-3623

Concrete/Paving

Transportation

Motorcycles/ATV’s 2005 Yamaha Midnight 1700 Too many extras, please call for details.

Asking $7,000. Andy 303-279-0888

Concrete All types of Concrete Work

·

Driveways

·

Patios

·

Foundations

·

Walkways

*Some restrictions apply.

Call 720-556-4922 www.acetreecareservices.com

Lawn/Garden Services

Tree Service

Alpine Landscape Management

A-1 Stump Removal

Weekly Mowing, Aerate, Fertilize, Spring Clean-up, Trim Bushes & Small Trees, Senior Discounts

720-329-9732

720.363.6004 DanielOrdonezOTL@gmail.com Colorado, USA

•All Concrete •Tear Out •Patios •Driveways

•Curb & Gutter •Walls •Anything Concrete

303-888-7595

TLLC Concrete Ty Barrett

303-646-2355 Specialize in barn floors, Driveways, Remove and replacement Any job over 400 SF give us a call!

Stump grinding specialist

Most stumps $75.00 and up $55 Minimum.

Free estimates. Call or Licensed & Insured. Text 41 years experience.

10% off when coupon presented

Daniel Ordonez

Boats and Water Sports 1973 14’ Mirrocraft Too many extras, please call for details. Asking $2,000. Andy 303279-0888

On The Level

Tile

ANYTHING TILE

● Marble ● Repairs ● Granite Counter Tops Remodeling is my specialty!

Call now for free estimate

(303) 646-0140

A father and son team!

Terry 303-424-7357 Corey 720-949-8373

Advertise your business here Call us at 303-566-4100

14 Elbert County News

CLASSIFIEDS

July 7, 2022

COLORADO COMMUNIT Y MEDIA

CAREERS

MARKETPLACE

REAL ESTATE

Careers Help Wanted SPEECH LANGUAGE AIDES East Central BOCES is seeking parttime Speech Language Aides to work in Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, and Deer Trail School Districts. Duties would be supporting students with accessing their Speech services.

Perfect job for a parent, retired adult, or college student taking online courses. The salary range is $15 - $17 per hour. Questions, please contact Tracy at 719-775-2342 ext.

101 or tracyg@ecboces.org. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE

Work Wanted HANDYMAN Repairs Install Fixtures, Appliances Plumbing, Electrical Expert Tile Kitchen/ Bath Remodel Decks 35 yrs. experience Licensed, Insured References.

Contact info: Wes 970-326-3308

Advertising support makes it possible for us to deliver the news to you...

Support our advertisers...

SHOP LOCALLY

R

I

G

H

T

O

N

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1903

75cI

SENTINEL EXPRESS C O M M E R C E

C

COURIER A

N

Y

www.canyoncourier.com

est. 1958

O

N

303-566-4100 classifieds@coloradocommunitymedia.com

DENVER Since 1926

C I T Y

D D

50cI

II

S S

P P

A A

T T

C C

H H

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS

Contact Erin, 303-566-4074 eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

DEADLINES CLASSIFIED LINE ADS: MONDAY, 11 A.M. SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY, 5 P.M. LEGALS: THURSDAY, 3 P.M.

H RING? It’s easy to place your ad online.

Rates are very reasonable with self-placement.

It will run in print and on all 20 of our newspaper websites.

classifieds.yourquickads.com/ccm/

Need to get the word out?

Advertise with us to find your next great hire!

Classifieds

TO ADVERTISE CALL 303-566-4100

STANDARD BLADE B

SERVICE DIRECTORY

CLASSIFIED AD SALES

Call us at 303.566.4100

Your Local News Source

FORT LUPTON PRESS S E RV I N G T H E C O M M U N I T Y S I N C E 19 0 6

75cI

Jeffco

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Elbert County News 15

July 7, 2022

EXPECTANCY

‘Colorado, I feel like, is creating change to make it so that

FROM PAGE 12

“The last time life expectancy dropped like this was in 1943, which was the most fatal year of World War II, for the nation,” said Dr. Eric France, the state’s chief medical officer. “It is tragic that we see life expectancy drop. Death rates increased by 20 percent.”

Key drivers for the decline were COVID-19 and overdose deaths.

The data vary by demographic group. COVID-19 was the leading cause of death among Hispanics, as well as non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders and American Indian/Native Alaskans, the data show.

Dr. Lilia Cervantes, an associate professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said she wasn’t surprised by the new numbers.

“The Latino community makes up the majority of the essential workforce,” said Cervantes, who is a member of the Colorado Vaccine Equity Taskforce. “During COVID, they’ve been the least protected.

They’ve not been able to avoid public transportation. They’ve had to continue working sometimes even while ill and are the least likely to have healthcare coverage.”

Vaccination rates for Hispanics, the term used in state and federal health studies, lag other groups, both in Colorado and nationally.

The data mirror national trends.

American Indians and Alaska Natives faced similar population-level health challenges. Both communities entered the pandemic with “longstanding pre-existing health disparities that made them especially vulnerable to more severe COVID illness and death,” said Michelle Sarche, a licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor in the Centers for American Indian & Alaska Native Health and Department of Community & Behavioral Health at the Colorado School of Public Health.

She noted many tribal com-

No Clipping Required.

The AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford.1

FREE duffel

bag when you request your free quote!3

access to healthcare coverage depends less on immigration status and socioeconomic status.’

Dr. Lilia Cervantes, professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine

munities face underlying health challenges, including “inadequate access to healthcare, education, affordable and sufficient housing, and economic opportunity, all of which are treaty rights and trust obligations that the United States, in its own analysis, has failed to uphold.”

As troubling as these data are, though, it’s important to tell the whole story,” one of resilience, resistance and survival,’’ said Sarche, a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of the Ojibwe tribe.

American Indian and Alaska Native communities “instituted some of the most successful vaccine campaigns,” she said. “They marshaled enormous resources to protect their communities, and the most vulnerable among them — including elders,” bearers of native language and culture for younger generations.

Cervantes also stressed the resilience of Hispanic communities during the pandemic and spotlighted changes that could help down the road.

She said countries with similar wealth as the U.S. provide more comprehensive social services and guarantee health care. She thinks a recent push to cover all Coloradans

ON AVERAGE, AARP MEMBERS ENJOY

$5072

SAVINGS

make up the remainder of the leading causes of death.

“The biggest driver of the increases in drug overdose deaths in the past few years has indeed been fentanyl,” said Kirk Bol, the state’s Vital Statistics Program manager.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid similar to morphine but 50 to 100 times more potent. It’s increasingly being found in other drugs laced with fentanyl, causing users to overdose accidentally.

In 2017, the state recorded 81 fentanyl deaths. In 2021, the number rose to 912, half of all overdose deaths. Bol called it a “shocking increase.”

In 2021, there were 1,881 total drug overdose deaths among Colorado residents — an increase compared to the 1,477 deaths recorded in 2020. The highest increase involved fentanyl, which soared from 540 in 2020 to 912. Increases were also observed in overdose deaths involving methamphetamine and cocaine, while small declines were seen in overdose deaths involving heroin.

This story is from Colorado Public Radio, a nonprofit news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support CPR News, visit cpr.org.

Prepare for power outages today

ON AUTO INSURANCE

when they switch from companies like

GEICO, State Farm and Allstate Your savings could be even more!

and make healthcare more affordable could help.

“Colorado, I feel like, is creating change to make it so that access to healthcare coverage depends less on immigration status and socioeconomic status,” she said.

The overall life expectancy among Colorado residents was 78.4 years in 2020 (81.0 years for females, 76.0 years for males) and 78.0 years in 2021 (80.9 years for females and 75.2 years for males), according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. That’s based on final death certificate data for 2020 and 2021, and improved population estimates for both years.

COVID-19 remained the third leading cause of death among Colorado residents in 2021, as it was in 2020, the health department found.

Among non-Hispanic Black/African Americans, Asians, and whites, COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death.

Unintentional injuries, which include all accidental drug overdoses, motor vehicle accidents, and falls, remained the fourth leading cause of death among Colorado residents in 2021, while suicide remained the eighth leading cause, and homicide moved from 17th to 16th leading cause. Chronic diseases continue to

Call The Hartford 1-833-498-1989

WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR

Call The Hartford now to request a FREE money-saving quote.

$0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS

1-833-498-1989

A $695 Value!

Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions

No coupon necessary.

Not an AARP member? If you’re 50 or over, request a FREE quote and more information today!

AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states.

The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA by Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company; in WA, by Hartford Casualty Insurance Company; in MN, by Sentinel Insurance Company; and in MA, MI and PA, by Trumbull Insurance Company.

Auto is currently unavailable in Canada and U.S. Territories or possessions. Specific features, credits and discounts may vary and may not be available in all states in accordance with state filings and applicable law.

Applicants are individually underwritten and some may not qualify.

1 In Texas, the Auto Program is underwritten by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company through Hartford of the Southeast General Agency, Inc. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company.

2 Average savings amounts based on information reported by customers who switched to The Hartford from other carriers between 1/1/20 and 12/31/20. Your savings may vary. 3Gift is a limited time offer and not available in all states. Email address required in most states. Allow 4-7 weeks for delivery. Bottle not included. *Based on customer experience reviews shared online at www.thehartford.com/aarp as of October 2021.

006131

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE

CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE

(866) 977-2602

*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088

FREE

7-Year Extended Warranty*

legals@coloradocommunitymedia.com Elbert Legals July 7, 2022 * 1

Legals Name Changes PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name

Public notice is given on May 23, 2022, that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Elbert County Court.

The Petition requests that the name of Jenine Elizabeth Johnson be changed to Jenine Elizabeth Hopkins Case No.: 22C27 By: Jafeen Jenkins, Clerk of Court / Deputy Clerk Legal Notice No. 24855 First Publication: June 30, 2022 Last Publication: July 14, 2022 Publisher: Elbert County News

16 Elbert County News

July 7, 2022

$65,000 ROLL YOUR LUCK

GIVEAWAY FRIDAYS JULY 8, 15, 22 & 29 • 8P - 10P

All mychoice members receive one free entry. For more entries, play July 4 - July 29.

Every 10 tier points = 1 entry.

Play on multiplier days and bonus entry days to maximize your entries!

Visit on promotional Fridays for your chance to roll the dice and multiply your winning number by $100 for a prize in Free SlotPlay.

Must be present to win.

Visit ameristarblackhawk.com to learn more.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.