Elbert County News 100622

Rodeo returns after delay

Community event normally held in May was postponed by freak storm

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

The Elizabeth Stampede Community Rodeo returned on Saturday, Sept. 24 after being postponed four months due to a late May snowstorm.

“We felt it was in the best interest of all the athletes, both livestock and human, as well as our volunteers, to postpone the Elizabeth Stampede Community Rodeo to a later date,” Elizabeth Stampede

STAMPEDE,

Elizabeth hosts tour to share town history

Historic Walk & Talk draws most attendees ever

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

The Town of Elizabeth and its Historic Advisory Board hosted their sixth annual Historic Walk & Talk event on Saturday, Sept. 24, drawing in nearly 150 people, a roughly 650% increase from previous years. In the past, the events have hosted 15 to 20 people on average.

The event drew a variety of people including families with small children, retirees and couples. Several organizations also used the event to hold social meetups including the popular group Ladies of Elizabeth and Elbert County, which had seven member in attendance.

The event began at the Gesin’s lot at the corner of Main Street and Kiowa Avenue. Attendees gathered around tour guide Jeff Lehman as he outlined the history of the lot and some of the nearby buildings.

The tour group worked their way southward on Main Street, stopping at several of Elizabeth’s historic buildings along the way. At many of the stops, shop owners came outside to speak with the crowd and to share the history of their buildings.

Kate Blackburn, owner of Antelope Alpacas and Fiber Arts Center, shared the background of her building, including the vibrant history of the people who once lived there. In an interview after her presentation,

festivals abound across Front

Riders and handlers take a seat during the Elizabeth Stampede Community Rodeo.

PHOTO BY CODY KLEIN; TK210 PHOTOGRAPHY

Hannah Thomas, the 2022 Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo attendant, rides through the arena carrying the American flag.

PHOTO BY CODY KLEIN; TK210 PHOTOGRAPHY

Project aims to identify unmarked graves

History can include dark episodes

3rd Colorado Cavalry.

However, not all of the research showed a fl attering history for Brackett’s time in the military. The 3rd Colorado Cavalry actually has a troubling history in Colo-

According to a 1961 article in Colorado Magazine by professor Raymond G. Carey, in late summer 1864, the government of Colorado recruited the unit for the purpose of fi ghting American Indians. Volunteers would serve for 100 days. A recruitment poster advertised that those who signed up would be “entitled to all horses and other plunder taken from the Indians.”

In September, Brackett joined the regiment’s Company M. He was 52 years old, but reported his age as 47 so he could serve.

What follows was determined by a congressional investigation into what would be called the Sand Creek Massacre. The night before Nov. 29, 1864, Cmdr. John Chivington marched the unit to a Cheyenne and Arapahoe camp at Sand Creek. The chiefs of this camp were friendly to the U.S. and had been directed by a U.S. offi cer to camp at Sand Creek. Chivington knew this. He ordered an attack anyway, and instructed his men not to take prisoners.

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like WikiTree, until she can fi nd enough evidence to prove where someone is buried. Then she can get them a headstone.

To date, Taylor has identifi ed 46 people in unmarked graves in Franktown Cemetery.

In identifying Brackett’s grave, Taylor said she learned he also had several family members in the cemetery. However, Taylor said a person wouldn’t know it because so many of them are unmarked.

“We know people are buried here because of the indentation. (Brackett) got a daughter-in-law in the next set of trees,” Taylor said as she walked through the cemetary.

According to the history, Ozro Brackett brought the Brackett surname to Colorado. He was born in 1812 or 1813 in Vermont, later moving to Wisconsin and Nebraska before ending up in Franktown by 1864. He fi rst married in 1849 and had two sons before his wife died. He remarried in 1855, and he and his wife Lucy had 14 children. Of Brackett’s 16 children, fi ve died young, lost to bullets, disease and drowning. Four of the children are in Franktown Cemetery with their father. Taylor is working to get headstones for them.

As research showed, in late 1864, Brackett served in the Army. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a headstone at government expense for any soldier who can be proven to have served, and who was not dishonorably discharged. Taylor applied for a headstone for Brackett and received approval.

Taylor has continued working on applications for members of the Colorado military units from the Civil War era, including other members of Brackett’s unit, the

The regiment opened fi re on the camp at dawn. Some at the camp tried to surrender and were shot. The unit’s discipline dissolved into a frenzy of violence. Cheyenne and Arapahoe men fought back desperately, while women and children fl ed or pleaded for their lives. U.S. soldiers killed them indiscriminately and mutilated their bodies, according to the investigation.

According to a National Park Service history, the death toll among the Cheyenne and Arapahoe was over 200, and was “mostly ... women, children, and the elderly.”

Testimony to Congress shows Brackett’s Company M was involved in close-range violence at Sand Creek. In the absence of proof as to whether Brackett participated, Taylor said “we can only assume” he was there.

The congressional report on the massacre, issued in 1865, concluded, “measures should be at once taken to remove from offi ce those who have thus disgraced the government by whom they are employed, and to punish, as their crimes deserve, those who have been guilty of these brutal and cowardly acts.”

The men of the 3rd had already gone home when their 100 days was up in December 1864. According to the National Park Service, Chivington had already left the Army. No one was prosecuted.

Taylor defended honoring the men of the unit with veterans’ headstones, saying “they had to follow orders.”

“Anybody that serves their country, no matter what their reasons besides protecting their country ... we need to show them we honor them,” Taylor said. “It’s our history. ... Good, bad, or ugly — it’s still our history and maybe we can learn something from it.”

Ozro Brackett’s headstone in Franktown Cemetery. His name is misspelled as Orzo; a replacement is on the way.

PHOTO BY MITCHELL DAVIS

ELIZABETH STAMPEDE

FROM PAGE 1

President Traci McClain wrote in an online correspondence on May 23. “With that much snow on the ground, the footing might not have remained as consistent as we had liked, and we didn’t want to risk any humans or animals getting injured.”

With the return of the event, the Elizabeth Stampede Board of Directors wanted to make sure that the 2022 Community Rodeo was one of the best yet, filled with a day’s worth of exciting Western events, many of which were new

this year.

The Community Rodeo included three major events, “Penning in the Pines,” Horseshoe Rodeo, and the main rodeo events. “Penning in the Pines” took place in the morning and included team arena sorting, team penning, and Calcutta auction. The Horseshoe Rodeo included a double elimination tournament with 64 teams competing for $600 in prize money. Lastly, the main rodeo events began at 4 p.m. with mutton bustin’ followed by bull riding, mini broncs and women’s bronc riding at 6 p.m.

“I think we had a successful community rodeo this year. We did our first penning and sort with 25 teams that came out and our very first horse-

shoe tournament to raise money for the Elizabeth Stampede Foundation,” said EJ Widner-Massey, Community Rodeo chair, in a phone interview from Sept. 28. “We had a lot of spectators. It was great to see a lot of people in the stands showing up for the final hurrah of the year. We were also able to utilize our incoming royalty, which we’ve never been able to do before.”

The snowstorm was not the only weather event to greatly impact the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Arena. Two utility poles were downed due to high winds on May 12, one of which fell into the rodeo arena, making it impossible to hold events. One

SEE ELIZABETH STAMPEDE, P5

Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Royalty attend the Community Rodeo: from left, 2023 Attendant in Waiting Isabelle Piche, 2022 Attendant Hannah Thomas and 2023 Queen in Waiting Kyra Doud.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ELIZABETH STAMPEDE RODEO ROYALTY

The rodeo clown talks to the Elizabeth Stampede Community Rodeo crowd.

PHOTO BY CODY KLEIN; TK210 PHOTOGRAPHY

ELIZABETH STAMPEDE

of the downed poles also provided necessary lighting for the bucking chutes.

Due to economic supply chain issues, the Elizabeth Stampede Board of Directors were worried the poles might not be replaced in time for the Community Rodeo and the Elizabeth Stampede. The board was prepared for a less than desirable and noisy solution of placing a generator light near the northwest stands to illuminate the bucking chutes.

“We called CORE Electric immediately to see what options we had with such short notice. CORE was extremely responsive despite being stretched thin and on high alert due to the high winds across the area. With luck the new light fixtures arrived 8 a.m. on Wednesday May 31st and CORE was on site at 10 a.m. that same day with their boom truck to install the new light fixtures,” said Kevin Whitacre, Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Treasurer. “It was a huge relief for the rodeo team to know this last-minute curveball would be resolved in time.”

Due to the failure of the two utility poles, the Elizabeth Park and Recreation District and the Elizabeth Stampede were concerned about the integrity of the remaining poles throughout the arena. The remaining poles were tested on Aug. 1 and there is a plan to replace several other poles. The replacement has not yet been scheduled by Elizabeth Park & Recreation District.

“The success of this year’s Elizabeth Stampede would not have been possible without CORE Electric’s community focused service and quick response,” commented Whitacre. “This is one of many examples of how CORE Electric has partnered and helped the Elizabeth Stampede over the years.”

Connect with voters in your local area with a candidate profile. Basic profiles are o ered free of charge. UPGRADE your profile for $50 to include links to your campaign website and social media.

Erin Addenbrooke at 303-566-4074.

Rodeo Royalty talk with the kids who competed in Mutton Bustin’ at the Elizabeth Stampede Community Rodeo.

A bull rider prepares for competition at the Elizabeth Stampede Community Rodeo. PHOTO BY CODY KLEIN; TK210 PHOTOGRAPHY

Newly replaced lights illuminate the bucking chutes at the Community Rodeo. COURTESY OF THE ELIZABETH STAMPEDE

Political ads are costly during Broncos games

Big viewership requires equally big spending

BY SANDRA FISH AND JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Candidates and super PACs shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars to reach voters during Denver Broncos games in election years, hoping to parlay big viewership into a touchdown on Election Day.

And 2022 is no exception.

A Broncos game is typically the most expensive ad time available in Colorado’s three TV advertising markets — Denver, Colorado Springs and Grand Junction. It’s easy to tell why: nearly 20 million people watched the Broncos lose Sept. 12 to the Seattle Seahawks. And TV ads are often a statewide or congressional candidate’s best shot at influencing voters.

The TV ad air-time rates are most expensive in Denver and least expensive in Grand Junction, though they vary among stations in a single market. And super PACs pay far more than candidates as part of requirements under federal campaign finance law.

The cost of a Denver Broncos ad varied on the Sept. 25 game on NBC depending on when the ad aired and whether it was purchased by a candidate or super PAC. From top, the price for American Policy Fund in the U.S. Senate contest, 8th Congressional District Republican candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer and Democratic Gov. Jared Polis.

The Colorado Sun examined ad contracts for the Broncos’ 11-10 win Sept. 25 over the San Francisco 49ers, as well as the Broncos’ Oct. 2 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The American Policy Fund, a federal super PAC aligned with Republicans, spent $75,000 on an ad attacking Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet during Sunday’s game on KUSA-TV, also known as 9News. But Bennet and Democratic Gov. Jared Polis each spent only $30,000 for 30-second spots on the same sta-

tion during the game.

And 8th Congressional District Republican candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer’s campaign spent $60,000 on a 30-second spot during the same game. Kirkmeyer’s ad was more costly because it aired in the middle of the game instead of before the start or after the game ended.

The Polis campaign spent $7,000 to air two ads during the Sept. 25 game on KOAA-TV in Colorado Springs, the NBC affiliate in southern Colorado. State-level Democratic super PAC Strong Colorado for All spent $11,250 to air an ad on the station opposing Republican gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl.

In Grand Junction, Polis spent $1,100 for two ads during the Sept. 25 game on NBC affiliate KKCO-TV.

For the Broncos’ Oct. 2 game, American Policy Fund was to pay KCNC-TV, also known as CBS4, $150,000 to air its anti-Bennet ad. That appears to be the most costly single ad in recent years, according to The Sun’s records.

Polis and Kirkmeyer were each scheduled to spend $70,000 for 30 seconds of air time during that game.

Strong Colorado for All is spending $15,000 for a pre-game ad on KCNC.

In the Colorado Springs market, Polis had two ads booked on KKTVTV, the CBS affiliate in southern Colorado, for the Oct. 2 game, one at a cost of $4,875 and the other for $3,900. The less expensive ad runs 15 seconds rather than 30.

Strong Colorado for All is spending $12,500 for a pre-game ad in Colorado Springs.

The Polis campaign was also paying $1,500 to KREX-TV in Grand Junction, the CBS affiliate in western Colorado, to air an ad during the Oct. 2 game.

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.

The Denver Broncos Training Camp is visible from Dove Valley Regional Park, located at 7900 S. Potomac St.

PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW

Free legal clinic to be held at library

Assistance is o ered on second Tuesday of each month

STAFF REPORT

The monthly Lawyers at the Library free legal clinic will be held at the Elizabeth Library, 651 W. Beverly St., on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

The clinic is for people without an attorney. The clinic is staffed by volunteer attorneys and all parties will be helped individually. It is sponsored by the 18th Judicial District Access to Justice Committee and is held the second Tuesday of each month.

From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. will be a telephone clinic, in which an at-

torney will call the party seeking help. People wanting to take part should call the Elizabeth Library at 303-646-3416 to be added to the signup sheet.

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. will be a walk-in clinic, held on a firstcome, first-served basis.

Patrons are encouraged to bring their laptops, tablets or smartphones.

One-click access to all forms, instructions and flowcharts is available at checkerboard.co.

At the clinic, the volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help fill out forms, and explain the process and procedure for civil legal issues. The program cautions patrons that getting help from a volunteer attorney does not mean the attorney represents them.

COLORADO EYE CONSULTANTS NOW OFFERS

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Murder suspect pleads not guilty

Casey Devol is accused of killing two near Franktown

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The man accused of killing his sister and her boyfriend earlier this year in rural Douglas County pleaded not guilty to the crime on Sept. 23.

Casey Devol, 30, appeared in a packed courtroom to enter his plea through public defender Ara Ohanian.

Devol remains in jail as he awaits trial.

The victims in the case, Jessica Mitchell, 32, and Bryan Todd Gray, 34, were discovered on Feb. 8 in a garage adjacent to a house they lived in on Russellville Road near Franktown. Mitchell was Devol’s sister.

The next hearing in the case will be Dec. 8 at 9:30 a.m. for the judge to hear motions. There will then be a pre-trial hearing Jan. 5 at 9 a.m. followed by a trial beginning Jan. 23. The trial is set to last three weeks.

Loved ones and community members from the area at the border of

Douglas and Elbert counties have come to hearings, filling the courtroom. When Devol’s arrest was first announced, comments poured in from residents, many of whom said they knew the victims and Devol for years.

A coworker of Gray’s discovered him and Mitchell in the Russellville Road garage at about 1:30 p.m. Feb. 8.

A man who police identified as Devol had been seen on security cameras entering the garage “carrying multiple handguns and a long gun.” Devol’s vehicle was also scanned by a traffic camera in Castle Rock at about 7 a.m.

When found, Mitchell appeared to have been shot in the stomach and had a “pry bar” on top of her. Gray was found with a plate of food on him “as if he was getting ready to eat.” He had been shot in the head.

Investigators reported the rear door was left open and the residence appeared ransacked, according to the affidavit. In February, Sheriff Tony Spulock said there was not yet a clear motive in the case. A motive has not been announced since then.

After he was identified, the sheriff’s office asked for the public’s help in finding Devol, calling him “armed and dangerous.” A few hours later, Devol was found in Salina, Kansas.

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 nonpartisan 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.

General Election Nov. 8, 2022

Douglas County is Election-Ready - Are You?

Visit DouglasVotes.com to:

Register to vote

Update your voter registration

Learn about election security

Find a ballot drop box near you Registered voters in Douglas County, watch your mailbox for your ballot the week of Oct. 17.

Learn more at DouglasVotes.com or 303-660-7444

Interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child?

Information nights are free and open to anyone interested in learning about foster care and adoption. Join the meeting via Zoom on Oct. 10 or Oct. 24 from6-7:30 p.m. Call 303-636-1KID for more information, or register online, visit collaborativefostercare.com

Voting open for Art Encounters outdoor sculptures

26 sculptures are showcased throughout Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker and Roxborough. You’re invited to visit the sculpture locations and nominate your favorite for a People’s Choice Award by Jan. 31, 2023. For art locations, voting online and more, visit artencounters.douglas.co.us

Clean up and reduce wildfire risk

Now is the time to clean up tree limbs, shrubs and brush from your property and reduce your wildfire risk. Dispose of them at the County’s slash-mulch site, 1400 Caprice Drive in Castle Rock. Open Saturdays-only from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through October. For more information, visit douglas.co.us and search for Slash

Flu season is ahead!

The Castle Pines Vaccine Center is now open. Located in the old Safeway building near I-25 and Castle Pines Parkway, the vaccine clinic is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are recommended. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available. For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for Vaccines

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.

EPA says no way out of reformulated gas

Colorado threatens to sue in 2024

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

The Environmental Protection Agency can’t let Colorado off the hook for imposing more expensive reformulated gas to fight ozone pollution beginning in 2024, the agency said in a reply to Gov. Jared Polis’ objections and threats to sue.

The gas, which produces fewer ozone-contributing fumes, should cost about 3 cents a gallon more than normal gas formulations, according to an EPA review.

The EPA’s Washington headquarters told Polis that the Clean Air Act dating to the 1990s requires all penalized areas, like the nine counties of the northern Front Range, to switch to reformulated gas when the agency declares them in “severe” nonattainment for lung-damaging ozone.

The change in classification also requires Colorado’s Air Pollution Control Division to lower the threshold for stationary sources that must apply for permits to 25 tons of pollutants from the current 50 tons. Air pollution control officials have said that will add at least 400 new permits to an already backlogged system.

“The Clean Air Act provisions requiring the sale of (reformulated gas) in areas reclassified as Severe and the timing of those requirements are clear,” national EPA Administrator Michael Regan wrote to Polis. Regan did say the EPA will try to work with Colorado on implementation, and noted the state has “20 months of lead time to prepare.”

The Polis administration did not back down from its

objections after hearing from the EPA.

“Gov. Polis has been clear that he will pursue all legal strategies to avoid this outdated and ineffective requirement for reformulated gasoline,” spokesman Conor Cahill said. “It’s clear that this outdated policy would negatively impact Colorado’s most vulnerable, rewind environmental justice efforts and raise costs on people when they need their money most.”

The Polis objection letter said the reformulated gas mandate has “the potential to exacerbate long-standing historic environmental injustices in communities near regional refineries. The mandate raises serious environmental justice questions, again particularly given the lack of realized benefits that accompany it.”

Suncor is the only major refinery in Colorado, and likely the one that would supply reformulated gas.

While environmental groups and community leaders have asked the Polis administration to phase out Suncor’s Commerce City location altogether, air

pollution regulators have recently required more stringent air monitoring at Suncor’s fence line and put new conditions on longdelayed permit renewals.

Polis’ letter said new construction required to supply reformulated gas and higher production levels could hamper air quality progress in those neighborhoods.

While environmental groups do not believe reformulated gas will do much to solve the northern Front Range ozone problems, because current everyday formulations are much cleaner than when the 1990s law was passed, they also dismiss the Polis objections as “reelection-year theater.”

“There’s no way out of it. It’s going to happen,” said Jeremy Nichols of WildEarth Guardians. Colorado knew the ozone downgrade was coming for years, and Nichols likened the state’s reaction to a high school senior failing all their classes and then complaining they couldn’t graduate.

“If Gov. Polis truly cared about clean air and avoiding RFG, he’d direct the air divi-

sion to everything in their power to clean up ozone in the region and either avoid a severe classification or at least get out of it as quickly as possible,” Nichols said. “Instead, the air division has offered up an ozone cleanup plan that it admits will fail.”

The advocates and allies among metro area elected officials want the state to speed up the transition to lower-emission vehicles, pause air pollution permitting, and put more restrictions on Front Range oil and gas drilling as keys to reducing ozone faster. The state’s proposals so far do not include those extras or others recommended by clean air coalitions.

“Pollution is now bad enough that more federal environmental protections are kicking in, which is exactly why the Clean Air Act exists in the first place,” said Jacob Smith of Colorado Communities for Climate Action, a coalition of 40 local governments. “Trying to avoid the rules will mean it takes longer, costs more and leaves more people sick. The quickest path to not

needing federal air quality protections is for Colorado to actually clean up the air we breathe.”

The new State Implementation Plan for ozone attainment that Polis highlighted in his original letter to the EPA acknowledges up front that Colorado can’t meet tighter 2015 standards by a 2024 deadline, noted Katherine Goff, a Northglenn City Council member and vice president of the communities coalition.

“There are enormous emissions sources that Colorado could clean up right now that would make a huge difference, but the proposed plan largely ignores them,” she said.

Suncor said on Sept. 28 it is working on a $36 million project to be ready to produce reformulated gas by the 2024 summer driving season, and that they have state health department approval. The Regional Air Quality Council estimates the new gas will reduce ozone-contributing emissions by 200 tons a year, Suncor said.

What the price differential will be is not clear, Suncor added, since much of it depends on how many other suppliers bring reformulated gas into the Front Range market. Suncor said it currently produces about one third of Colorado’s gasoline, half of the state’s diesel fuel, and 30% of the jet fuel for Denver International Airport.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalistowned 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.

IRS AUCTION PRECIOUS METALS

Sale Date: 10/19/22

Sale Time: 11:00 a.m.

Registration and Viewing at 9:00-11:00a.m.

Inventory includes:

7- Gold Bars 10oz. each; 150 South African American Krugerrands, 1 oz. each, 80- Buffalo Silver rounds, 80- other Silver rounds 1 oz. each.

Minimum Bid: for unidentifiable will be set for 80% and 95% of the spot price per troy ounce as of the day preceding the sale for identifiable coins.

Mail in bids are not accepted

For more info visit our website at www.irsauctions.gov

Contact: Kelila Callahan @ 925-260-4087

Emissions and air quality remains an issue in Colorado.

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Thu 10/13

ARTS: Mini Picasso @ Cook Park

@ 3pm

Oct 13th - Nov 10th

Cook Park Recreation Center, 7100 E. Cherry Creek South Dr., Denver. 720-9130654

Zombi

@ 6pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

NIKI

@ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Sat 10/15

OM Band

@ 7pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Fri 10/14

SOC: Out of School Day @ Eisenhower @ 1pm

Eisenhower Recreation Center, 4300 E. Dartmouth Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

Fall Craft Fair

@ 2pm

Oct 14th - Oct 15th

Heather Gardens Clubhouse, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way, Aurora

Marty NIghtengale

@ 5pm

Black Bear Golf Club, 11400 Canterberry Pkwy,, Parker

Matisyahu | Fall 2022 Tour VIP Package | Englewood, CO 10/15/22

@ 3pm 3263 S Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113, USA, Englewood

Art: Color Theory: Cracking the Code (16+yrs)

@ 6:30pm

Oct 15th - Nov 19th

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Baking Soda Volcano

@ 6pm

Ecclesia Market, 221 Perry St, Castle Rock

Phat Daddy

@ 6pm

Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia

Zacarias Ferreira

@ 9pm

Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Live Music

Castle Rock Museum

@ 4pm / $50

Fraternal Order of Eagles,

MATISYAHU

@ 7pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Niko Is @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Lupillo Rivera

@ 7:30pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Sun 10/16

SUGAR SKULL! A Dia de Muertos Musical Adventure @ 12:30pm

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree

Meet Me At The Altar

@ 6pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Mon 10/17

Camp: Jedi Masters (5-12yrs)

@ 2pm

Oct 17th - Oct 21st

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Camp: Movie Magic (6-14yrs)

@ 2pm Oct 17th - Oct 21st

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Camp: Camp Shoot! (8-12yrs)

@ 6pm Oct 17th - Oct 21st

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Camp: WHODUNIT? Mystery Theater (9-14yrs)

@ 6pm Oct 17th - Oct 21st

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker

Tue 10/18

Ocean Alley

@ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, En‐glewood

Le Shiv @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Wed 10/19

AOA: Intermediate Pickleball Workshop @ Eisenhower

@ 2pm Eisenhower Recreation Center, 4300 E. Dartmouth Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

Ladies Night

@ 5pm / $5 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

West Presents:

@ 6:30pm

United Methodist Church,

Datura Street, Little‐ton.

Friends of Chamber Music Denver: Friends of Chamber Music presents Pianist Sir András Schiff

@ 3pm

Newman Center for the Perform‐ing Arts, 2344 E Iliff Ave, Denver

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo at 'Bout Time Pub & Grub @ 7pm Bout Time Pub & Grub, 3580 S Platte River Dr A, Sheridan

Thu 10/20

The Bridge City Sinners

@ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

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VOICES

NyQuil chicken — no thanks

Iam often fascinated at things people worldwide will do based on something they saw online. The latest attention to the problem was an FDA warning that NyQuil chicken is not something people should consume. I’m sure I do not have to state the obvious, but I will. Who in the world would event want to try such a recipe?

Apparently, the NyQuil chicken concept came from a cooking challenge in a video that actually went viral more than a year ago. However, with the FDA just now coming out with the warning, the subject has again become much more popular.

FROM THE EDITOR

Like many online challenges, the NyQuil chicken started as a joke that some decided to actually try.

While I have no inclination to try NyQuil chicken — I do not like NyQuil ever — I was curious why the FDA was warning against it.

Turns out, the warning said, “boiling a medication can make it much more concentrated and change its properties in other ways. Even if you don’t eat the chicken, inhaling the medication’s vapors while cooking could cause high levels of the drugs to enter your body. It could also hurt your lungs.”

Thelma Grimes

I think that’s clear enough to make me not want to even attempt to cook NyQuil.

However, this is not the first-time warnings have had to come out because of some nonsensical viral challenge on TikTok or another social media platform.

In June, the FDA had to warn people against keeping avocados fresh by placing them in water. Apparently, the video was popular several years ago, but as government often does, it has to catch up with warnings.

I have to admit while I have never stored an avocado in water, it is interesting to note that the FDA warns that doing so can encourage bacteria growth and lead to foodborne illness.

Then, you have one of the most popular/ridiculous challenges deriving from social media — the Tide Pod challenge. Starting as a joke in 2017, the challenge made its way to YouTube, pushing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to get involved and put out warnings against eating them.

Admittedly, this is one of the most head-shaking instances of social media nonsense for me. I cannot figure out how in the world anyone saw this and thought it was a good idea.

There is a question thrown out on occasion — “What would we do without the internet?”

In some of these cases, I guess we would not be eating Tide Pods.

But wait, there is more.

In France, there have been warnings put out telling people to stop getting out of their cars and dancing in traffic.

In all of these instances, the governments in various jurisdictions and countries are usually behind because a posting or challenge like these can go viral in within hours or a couple of days.

Once the governing body does try to put the warnings out — they are late and it is not always clear if they are even reaching the demographic who are willing to take on such challenges.

When it comes to teenagers, challenges are always a growing trend and many of them are dangerous. From holding their breath to dangerous levels, inhaling whipped-cream propellant and more — the internet may provide valuable education at times — it also can be a source for teaching something very dangerous.

What is the answer? I really do not know. I would say make sure to educate and watch over your children, but the problem is adults are sometimes doing what seems cool online.

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

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Finding balance when we seem out of balance

He had spent a career serving others. He was passionate about his work and his role in caring for and developing those on his team. His career spanned more than 49 years before he finally agreed to retire. Retire that is from his full-time job, but at 74 years old, he still went out and took a part-time job because he believed that he wasn’t done serving others in his community. And lastly, in addition to his part-time job, he is a volunteer for the community center in his neighborhood, and very active in his local church.

I only know these details because I received an email from his wife, who shared that they both look forward to my column each week, and she thought I might be interested in her husband’s story. For me it was a no-brainer, as I love to hear about a fantastic work ethic, people who love to build up others, and stories about people who live to serve others. She certainly got my attention.

When I reached out and asked if I could interview them both, they immediately agreed. Wow, was I in for a great discussion from a very spry and young 75-year-old couple. As I listened to their story, I was truly amazed to their commitment to serve. His job didn’t create wealth, but it did give them security and provided a beautiful life for them in Colorado where they raised their children. When I asked how they balanced work, family, church, and volunteering, Tom

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WINNING

answered the question with one word, “balance.”

As I asked him to share more about that he told me that throughout his life, particularly toward the end of his career and part-time work, that he heard all this “noise” about work-life balance. And as people shared self-help books and columns about how to find worklife balance, it amused him. He said it amused him because the answer was in the question. It’s balance. His belief being that if we balance all our responsibilities to our family, our friends, our church and our community, we will find all the balance we need, and in turn create a beautiful life for our family and those we serve.

This couple became instant heroes of mine, a great big hug and shout-out to you both.

I think that Tom was on to something. Many of us fall into the trap of the rush and crush of life, becoming so preoccupied by what we think we want, yet we miss everything else in life that balances us out. We spread ourselves so thin running from thing to thing, event to event, trying to fill our calendars and impress people, that we often miss what gives us the greatest plea-

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Demographics and stagflation

The world is aging, and our economy is shrinking. This is not a good combination.

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

Let’s start with demographics. The five largest economies, U.S., China, Japan, Germany, and the U.K., have an average of 24.4% of their population that are age 65 or older.¹

This age group is typically referred to as non-productive, or of retirement age. A strong economy needs a strong labor force and currently we are heading toward one-fourth of the population potentially creating a drag on resources.

Now let’s look at the economic backdrop to this aging population. Growth has eluded the United States the last two quarters, reporting negative GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Typically, that could meet the definition of

NORTON

FROM PAGE 12

sure. If we are in search of worklife balance, or just a sense of balance in our life, what is keeping us from finding it? Identifying those things that send us reeling out of balance, and having the courage to say “No,” more often so that we can keep ourselves in balance may be one of the best things that we can ever do for ourselves.

Here’s an idea for you to explore. Balance doesn’t come from placing more things, people, and events on both sides of the scale. Balance comes when we put the right things on each side of the scale.

Take a lesson from my new

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules:

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

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a recession, however we continue to have low unemployment. When you add back in persistent inflation, we experience stagflation, or high inflation with low growth.

The formula of an aging population plus a stagnant economy equals a cloudy outlook under historical standards. But these are unusual times.

The largest five countries with growing populations over age 65 also have economic challenges. There is always the question of how to support retirees through a social program such as Social Security, and the cost associated with that. Bill Greiner, Mariner Wealth Advisors’ chief economist, recently stated: “Going forward, this load will do nothing but get heavier. The size of this less-productive, more financially needy group is going to continue growing more rapidly than the population in general in all five countries noted.”

The labor force is shrinking by those downsizing their careers or retiring fully. The remaining three-fourths of the population is

friend Tom and his wife who focus on family, friends, church and the community and you will have all the balance that you will ever need. Are you or your company out of balance? Do you need to focus more on what is on each side of the scale instead of how much you are trying to squeeze onto the scale? I would love to hear your story of balance at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can find our balance again, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

paying into Social Security, but with low unemployment, many jobs remained unfilled, and this creates lost revenue.

The best medicine could be economic growth and lower inflation. Growth can be fueled by technology and low unemployment. Trade with underdeveloped countries with younger demographics and higher growth can also help keep prices low.

The Federal Reserve Board is very vocal now on their efforts to fight inflation. A recent press release from Fed Chair Jerome Powell states they want to remain “vigilant” on fighting inflation, which now call for Fed funds rates to rise to 3.5 percent early next year and possibly peak around 3.7 percent by December 2023.

This transparency may eventually calm the markets as we see if a soft landing (rising rates without triggering a recession) is achievable.

Meanwhile investors also need to remain vigilant and stay the course in their financial plan

designed to help them meet their goals. You don’t want to be one of those retirees who did not plan well for your less-productive years. Having the resources to support yourself despite economic turmoil is the key. The other factor, however, is we are living longer, and your money needs to last more years.

The life expectancy in the U.S. has almost doubled since 1875 when age 39 was considered an average lifetime. The current expectancy is 79.05 and has been increasing. It is expected to reach age 80 by 2029 and age 85 by 2064.2 Therefore longevity should be a major consideration in your retirement planning during all economic cycles.

1. Capitalism-The Best Game in Town by William Greiner, CFA

2. United Nation Macrotrends

Patricia Kummer has been in the financial services industry for over 35 years. She is a Certified Financial Planner professional and a Managing Director with Mariner Wealth Advisors.

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

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• 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.

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Bonita (Bonnie) Jane Wintersteen, 83, passed away on September 17, 2022 at her farm in Elizabeth, Colorado with her family by her side.

Bonnie was born on December 10, 1938 in Gratz, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Dottie (Smith) Schminky. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers John and Joseph (Little Joe).

Bonnie is survived by her loving husband Bob of 67 years of marriage, sisters Carol Klinger and Joy McCray, daughter Amber Nordahl with husband Allen, sons Joe with wife Susan and Je with wife Loran. In addition she leaves behind ve grandchildren:

Zachary Nordahl (wife Hannah), Eben Nordahl (wife Kendra), Kara Perez (husband Nat), Robert Wintersteen (wife Anna), and Flynn Wintersteen. Bonnie also leaves her cherished great grandchildren: Beau, Elle, Jane, Ayla, Avery, Ally, Ezran, and Ruth.

A memorial service in honor of Bonnie will be held Saturday, October 8 at 11am at the Wintersteen Farm, 35747 County Road 17, Elizabeth. Main dish and beverages will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Dress is casual.

In lieu of owers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

In Loving Memory

WINTERSTEEN

Bonita Jane “Bonnie” (Schminky) Wintersteen December 10, 1938 - September 17, 2022

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Dustin Smith and his wife grew up spending time at their grandparents’ farms, but many years later, the Smiths’ kids weren’t getting that same experience.

So the Smiths opened The Patch, a farm in Elbert County that puts on fall festivities and provides a chance for kids to throw horseshoes, learn about tractors and pick up crafting skills, such as how to spin wool.

“We really like the generational aspect of what we do,” said Smith, whose farm has offered the event since 2017.

The Patch features a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and the chance to meet “farm critters,” according to its website. Also part of the fun: a hay wagon ride, apple cannons, roping and corn hole.

Dustin Smith’s dad — affectionately called “grandpa Smith” — often comes out from Kansas to help at the farm, and when he was at a Subway restaurant back in Wichita, somebody recognized his shirt and asked whether he was part of The Patch.

“They had said that grandpa Smith had played with their

grandson from Castle Rock, and on their way home, their grandson asked where he could ‘buy a grandpa Smith’ because he had so much fun,” Dustin said. He added: “Even as far as Wichita, it just shows that people love to connect.”

People come to the farm from all over — roughly from as far north as Broomfield, as far west as Conifer, as far south as Colorado Springs and as far east as Burlington, along with some attendees from out of state, Smith said. The farm sits in the Elizabeth area, east of Douglas County.

The event has become a staple for some who say they’ve come every year, Dustin said.

“It’s the memories that they’re going to have for the rest of their lives. This is how the grandparents are going to remember their grandkids, how the grandkids are going to remember their grandparents,” Dustin said. “Just family time together.”

The public can go online to thepatch.farm for tickets or call 720-446-6001 with questions. The farm sits at 39980 Fox Trot Circle, several miles north of state Highway 86.

The Patch opened for the season Sept. 17 and is open 10 a.m.-

6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

‘Annual tradition’ in Weld

Up north in Weld County, a longtime fall event arose out of a deep agricultural history.

“My grandpa and his brother bought the property in 1958,” said Rachelle Wegele, the operations manager for Anderson Farms in the Erie area.

The location was “really a tenant farm for my family from the 1950s up until the pumpkin patch (started) in 1997,” Wegele said. Tenant farming is a system where landowners contribute their land while tenants contribute their labor.

“We actually farmed closer to Mead, and that’s where I grew up,” Wegele said, referring to a town farther north.

Her father started the pumpkin patch event because some friends in another state were holding pumpkin patches and telling him how fun it was, Wegele said.

Today, the farm’s Fall Festival includes a corn maze, wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, a “pumpkin cannon,” farm animals and many other attractions, according to its website.

“A lot of families have made

it an annual tradition,” Wegele said. “It’s something that the whole family can do, from little kids up to grandparents. Families just look forward to it every year.”

The festival is running through Oct. 31, and it’s open every day except Tuesdays. Call 303-828-5210 for questions or see andersonfarms.com for tickets and hours, which vary.

The farm is limiting the number of tickets available per day, so people should buy tickets ahead of time to make sure they can get in this season, Wegele said. The farm sits at 6728 County Road 3 1/4, west of Fort Lupton and west of Interstate 25.

Suburbs meet rural feel

Started in 2001, Maize in the City provides a rural fall atmosphere near the edge of Thornton.

The event features a 20-acre corn maze, a mini maze, and a variety of locally grown pumpkins, gourds and “other fall decor,” its website says. It also offers many other attractions, including sand art, a corn launcher, “5-minute escape rooms” and pony rides, according to its website.

The event takes place at 104th

402-426-5022 712-600-2410

920-889-0960

608-988-6338

Avenue and McKay Road, a short drive east of Colorado Boulevard. It opened for the season Sept. 24. See maizeinthecity.com for tickets and other details.

New event down south

In Douglas County, the relatively new fall festivities at Lone Creek Farms include a large array of activities.

Among them are “pumpkin jump pads,” tire swings, a large pedal-kart race track, panning for gemstones, a corn maze and hay wagon rides, according to the farm’s website. And, of course, there are pumpkins for sale.

“Since 2018, we have strived to create a fun, family-friendly environment for the fall season. We are a family-owned business, and from our family to yours, we hope to create memories that will last from year to year,” the website says.

Lone Creek Farms is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays through October.

For tickets, see lonecreekfarms.com. The location has a Franktown address of 3879 N. State Highway 83 and sits in the east Castle Rock area, north of state Highway 86.

Chatfield-area event

Southwest of Littleton in unincorporated Jefferson County, the Pumpkin Festival at Chatfi eld Farms offers a pumpkin patch and corn maze, an antique tractor exhibit by Front Range Antique Power Association, hayrides and an obstacle course, according to the festival’s webpage.

See tinyurl.com/Chatfi eldFarmsFestival for tickets or call

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A steady stream of families came to pick pumpkins Oct. 31, 2020, at Smoky Hill United Methodist Church in east Centennial.

FILE PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Pumpkins sit at The Patch, a farm in Elbert County that puts on fall festivities.

COURTESY PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

People take a ride at The Patch, a farm in Elbert County that puts on fall festivities. The farm sits near the Town of Elizabeth.

COURTESY PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

Historic Walk & Talk attendees walk along South Main Street in Elizabeth.

Historic Walk & Talk tour guide Je Lehman giving an introduction to the crowd.

Those needing mobility assistance were towed along with the Historic Walk & Talk tour.

Brook Briddle of Powder River Hat Company speaks about the history of his Elizabeth business, one that has become a nationwide sensation.

Kate Blackburn of Antelope Alpacas and Fiber Arts Center gives the history of her store at the Historic Walk & Talk event.

WALK & TALK

Others, in contrast, think that the increasing population gives more opportunity to share the rich history of the town.

“We’ve had such a good turnout. It’s the best we’ve ever had because of all the new developments,” said Cecilia Farin, Town of Elizabeth Historic Advisory Board vice chair. “I think it is really good that the newcomers are showing interest. It’s also really great for local businesses.”

The Sixth annual Historic Walk & Talk concluded with a short Q&A session followed by lunch at American Legion Post 82.

For more information on the Town of

The owner of Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Co. in Elizabeth gives a presentation on the history of the building.

PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

Je Lehman and the Historic Walk & Talk crowd stand in front of Elizabeth’s historic pomegranate house.

Elizabeth Historic Advisory Board Vice Chair Cecilia Farin wore elaborate hats throughout the Historic Walk & Talk tour, each of which she bought from local shops. Farin wore this hat in front of Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Co.

O cial state fish makes second comeback

Colorado succeeds in reintroduction

BY KEVIN SIMPSON AND MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

For decades, experts feared Colorado’s greenback cutthroat trout to be extinct, a casualty of mining pollution, anglers and more competitive species. So when biologists made the improbable discovery of a naturally reproducing population in a short stretch of Bear Creek west of Colorado Springs 10 years ago, they clung to the hope that the near-miracle could be replicated.

On Sept. 23, Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed that the Bear Creek greenbacks now have company. Reintroduction efforts in Herman Gulch, the popular hiking destination just off Interstate 70 near the Loveland ski area, have yielded fish that are reproducing on their own — and sparking renewed optimism that other greenback stocking projects will soon follow suit.

State natural resources officials said the news affirmed their “bedrock mission” to support wildlife across the state and reflected years of collaborative effort among agencies. The stocking in Herman Gulch started in 2016, and now includes its first population of greenback cutthroats — the official state fish — old enough to reproduce .

“It’s kind of a waiting game for those fish to mature and reproduce,” said Josh Nehring, assistant aquatic section manager for CPW.

“So we’re just super excited and hoping to get a lot more populations out on the landscape.

“In a typical system, when we’re trying to start a population, we will often stock three-year classes — so stock fry (young fish) for three years in a row,” Nehring added. “And typically in three years they become sexually mature. And so hopefully after three years of stocking or four, we should have adults in the population to where they can start reproducing on their own.”

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

Colorado Trout Unlimited lauded the announcement as great news for the state’s watersheds, and a reward to the nonprofit’s volunteers who lugged water tanks bearing greenback fry up Herman Gulch multiple years in a row.

“For everybody who helped in some way getting fish into Herman Gulch, it’s a great first step toward that long-term conservation goal,” executive director David Nickum said. Wildlife advocates will be watching to see if reproduction is sustainable for such places in Colorado, he said.

That greenback cutthroat trout have managed to reproduce in the Herman Gulch high country is the

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latest development in a complicated, decadelong effort to reintroduce the threatened fish to its native streams. Like many species in the West, the greenback cutthroat used to be native and thriving in multiple streams in Colorado’s South Platte River drainage, which stretches from the foothills and canyons of the Front Range to high mountain waters near the Continental Divide.

A Colorado Parks and Wildlife project for years has kept the public away from stretches of Bear Creek in a canyon west of Colorado Springs, where a reproducing population of the fish was discovered in 2012 following on and off speculation the species might be extinct.

CPW teams electroshock small pools in Bear Creek to extract eggs (known as roe) and sperm (known as milt) from the fish before returning them to the creek.

Some of the reproductive material is taken to state and federal hatcheries to develop genetically diverse broodstock. Teams have then taken fingerlings from the hatchery in water-filled backpacks to various promising habitats in the high country — Herman Gulch, Dry Gulch, the west fork of Clear Creek and Williams Gulch. Placing the fish in multiple habitats reduces the likelihood that events ranging from sediment to wildfire to disease pose an existential threat to the species.

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Greenback cutthroat trout

UP DRO ELZZ

TROUT

FROM

But until now, the Bear Creek greenbacks have been closely guarded as the only self-sustain ing population. CPW aquatic biologist Cory Noble led a team last spring that strapped on elec trofishing backpacks and battled thick underbrush as they worked their way up the creek collecting fish for the project.

Seeing the results of that ongoing effort proved especially gratifying.

“It’s definitely highly reward ing to see that we’re making a difference now and that we have more than one population that we’re actually making headway in restoring that species out on the landscape,” Noble said. “It is kind of my life’s work, and this makes it seem all worthwhile.”

Although Bear Creek no longer holds the distinction of harboring the only self-sustaining popula tion of greenback cutthroat trout, Noble said he does not expect any changes in the management of the drainage that might loosen restrictions for hikers or bikers.

“We’re still quite a number of years off from having fully restored greenback cutthroat trout populations throughout the state,” he said. “So I think that Bear Creek does remain critical for the recovery of the species.”

Workers at the Mount Shavano State Fish Hatchery in Salida and the Leadville National Fish Hatch ery also celebrated the Herman Gulch discovery after spending years on the often difficult work of nurturing the broodstock — a smaller population raised in opti mal conditions for breeding and eventual dispersal. Genetic mate rial extracted from cutthroat in Bear Creek makes quite a journey before its fingerlings find their way to waterways that might be conducive to their survival.

Generally, Bear Creek yields few eggs, but the milt from the males gets transported to Salida, where workers relay it to Leadville, where it’s introduced to eggs, which then return to the Salida hatchery to grow. The survival

rate is notoriously low — about 10%, said Bryan Johnson, man ager of the Salida hatchery.

“We spend a lot of time counting eggs,” said Johnson, leader of the seven-person crew at the hatchery. “It’s a yearlong process to produce the fish that actually go back into our broodstock. It takes about a (full time equivalent) every year to work on these cutthroats. A lot of times, it hasn’t always been re warding. Now to see this, it makes everybody happy to see the goal come to fruition after all these years.”

Thriving trout are an indicator of a healthy watershed, while loss of trout is an early warning sign of a declining stream, Nickum said. Declines of fish and flies for their food on the Colorado River near Granby prompted years of work resulting in the recent groundbreaking for reconnec tion of the river at the Windy Gap dam, which had disrupted natural water flows.

More habitat for the greenback cutthroats broadcast from Bear Creek origins is on the way in Lost Creek Wilderness, once state officials make sure a stream there that is part of the South Platte River drainage is free of whirl ing disease, Nickum said. Other greenback cutthroat projects sup ported by Trout Unlimited are at various stages at the headwaters of the Cache la Poudre River in northern Colorado, where CPW has developed additional brood stock.

Joe Bushyhead, an endangered species attorney with WildEarth Guardians, called news that the greenback cutthroats have begun to reproduce in Herman Gulch heartening. But he said the work to restore the state fish is not done. “These native fish have a long path to recovery in the wild, and news of a reproducing popu lation marks progress.”

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news out let based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit colora dosun.com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

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Nonprofit co ee truck brews opportunities

who you want to hang out with, and it’s really fun to explore the world out here to find people that you can hang out with,” Paige said.

BY DANA KNOWLES, JULIO SANDOVAL ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Even though 26-year-old Paige Gray was born with special needs, her mother Karen says Paige and her friends are special in so many other ways.

Karen said Paige and others with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) “have the biggest hearts and in society today.”

“They’re open minded. They care,” Karen said.

Paige is one of several ambassadors for Tall Tales Ranch in Centennial, a nonprofit that supports people with autism, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I feel like it’s important to make new friends because out in the world, you never know who wants to be your friend or

The main goal of Tall Tales Ranch is to start a community in Lone Tree where people with IDD can live with those who don’t have disabilities. While the community is being built, the organization is helping the ambassadors with on-the-job training by teaching them how to manage and operate a coffee truck that will eventually travel around the Denver metro area.

“It feels so good. This is my first time making coffee,” Paige added with a laugh. “It feels good to be involved and helping out.”

“We’ve learned so much about our ambassadors — our friends living with special needs — how capable they are and how much they want to be part of the community,” explained Susan Mooney, one of the founders of Tall Tales Ranch.

“They want to be productive;

They want to have jobs. And it’s very difficult to find employment for them in a space that’s willing to make accommodations,” Mooney continued, adding that adults with special needs have unique skills and talents that need to be recognized and utilized.

Studies show that less than 40% of people with IDD have paid employment and many of those workers are underpaid. However, several companies around Colorado employ workers with IDD, like DIRT Coffee in Littleton, Pizzability in Englewood, Jack’s/ Steamers in Arvada and Festive Cup Coffee in Highlands Ranch.

Mooney and her husband, Pat, started Tall Tales Ranch eight years ago after their son Ross was diagnosed with a genetic condition called adrenoleukodystrophy at the age of 14. Ross received a bone marrow transplant to stop the progression and afterwards his parents wanted to find more ways for Ross to engage with the outside world,

make friends, work a job and live as normal of a life as possible. That’s how Tall Tales Ranch was born.

To now see it come to fruition and see it change people’s lives makes me so happy,” Mooney said. “And I love being able to give them the opportunity … If given the opportunity, they will just shine.”

Sammi Somers is also an ambassador for Tall Tales Ranch. Sommers said the best part of the experience is working with her friends.

“We want to be like the regular community and have jobs, and I’m super happy and can’t wait to get this started,” Sommer said. “Let’s rock Tall Tales Ranch!”

This story is from Rocky Mountain PBS, a nonprofit public broadcaster providing community stories across Colorado over the air and online. Used by permission. For more, and to support Rocky Mountain PBS, visit rmpbs.org.

Legals

Metro Districts Budget Hearings

Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET

BUDGET AMENDMENTS

DEER CREEK WATER DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the BLUE LAKE WATER DISTRICT (the “District”) County of Elbert, State of Colorado, will hold a special meeting (the “Meeting”) at 6:30 PM on October 13, 2022

The District requests that members of the public join and participate by telephone conference. The telephone conference may be joined by dial ing 720-707-2699, Meeting ID: 837 3933 4486, Passcode: 307766.

FURTHER, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed budget has been submitted to the District for the ensuing year of 2023. A copy of the proposed budget has been filed in the office of Community Resource Services of Colorado, 7995 East Prentice Avenue, Ste 103E, Greenwood Village, CO, where the same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be consid ered at the meeting of the District to be held at 6:30 PM on October 13, 2022. Any interested elector within the District may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2023 budget.

FURTHER, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed amended budget has been submitted to the District for the fiscal years of 2021 and 2022. A copy of the proposed amended budgets has been filed in the office of Community Resource Services of Colorado, where the same is open for public inspection. Such proposed amended budgets will be considered at the meeting of the District to be held at 6:30 PM on October 13, 2022. Any interested elector within the District may inspect the proposed budgets and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adop tion of the 2021 and 2022 budget amendments.

Dated: Wednesday, September 28, 2022.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DEER CREEK WATER DISTRICT /s/ COMMUNITY RESOURCE SERVICES OF COLORADO, L.L.C.

Legal Notice No. 24889

First Publication: October 6, 2022

Last Publication: October 6, 2022

Publisher: Elbert County News

Notice to Creditors

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Susan C. McAndrew, aka Susan Charlotte McAndrew, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR30035

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 or on or before January 23, 2023, or the claims may be

Danielle S.M. Andrews

Personal Representative 3222 Crvstal Peak Drive

CO 80138

Legal Notice No. 24884

First Publication: September 22, 2022

Last Publication: October 6, 2022

Publisher: Elbert County News

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of John Isador Pokraka, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR30029

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before January 23, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Jennifer Pokraka, Personal Representative 9317 Plymouth Avenue Littleton, Colorado 80128

Legal Notice No. 24886

First Publication: September 22, 2022

Last Publication: October 6, 2022

Publisher: Elbert County

303-362-3749

Stephanie.Exner.Law@gmail.com

1

NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Hearing regarding ALICIA VALENCIA is set for October 20, 2022 at 11:00 AM in Division 1 at the Elbert County District Court, 751 Ute Avenue, Kiowa, Colorado 80117. You have the right to be represented by an attorney during these proceed ings; if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. In the event you fail to appear for said hearing at the date and time indicated, the Petitioners, the People of the State of Colorado and the Elbert County Department of Human Services, will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children's Code.

This hearing may be conducted electronically or by telephonically as follows:

https://judicial.webex.com/join/Judge. Gary.M.Kramer Dial (720) 650-7664 (local Denver area) or (415) 655-0001 (U.S.)

Enter Meeting Code:927-598-250 #

Respectfully submitted this 26th day of September, 2022.

/s/ Stephanie L. Exner

Exner, #42535

Special