Elbert County News 102022

Plan for homes angers residents

than 75 people were in attendance.

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

Residents and developer representatives met for a community meeting on Oct. 3 to discuss the newly announced proposal for 1,193 homes to be built in the Spring Valley Ranch area within the next few years. The meeting took place at the Spring Valley Golf Club and more

The new development would be north of the current Spring Valley Ranch subdivisions, situated between County Roads 21 and 29, and north of County Road 174. It would include stand-alone single-family homes and duplexes. In addition to homes, there is one zone designated commercial and two zones designated commercial/mixed-use.

“We’re proposing a 150-foot buffer around the entire perimeter of the residential areas. Then we’re proposing larger five-acre home sites on the east and on the west sides of the communities and then some larger lots on the north,” said John

Prestwich, president of the Denverbased design firm PCS Group. “All of those lots will meet current Elbert County zoning requirements. We understand that this is early, and things will continue to evolve.”

The meeting began with a short presentation by Prestwich, followed by a lengthy Q&A session. Though not stated at the beginning, the purpose of the meeting was for the developer representatives and the current residents to brainstorm how to make the community successful. The purpose of the meeting was not thoroughly explained until

EPD hires third woman o cer

Elizabeth department prides itself on principles of diversity, inclusion

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

The Elizabeth Police Department recently hired its third female officer, achieving the highest number of women in departmental history. Leadership within the Town of Elizabeth and the EPD pride themselves on diversity and inclusion, working to give representation to all people of Elizabeth.

“We have never had this many female staff in the history of the department,” said EPD Chief Melvin Berghahn in an email exchange from Sept. 28. “We have a lot of diversity alongside the female element too.”

Thirty-six-year-old Daisy Tucker joined EPD in August after spending much of her career as an EMT in El Paso County. She is also a Navy veteran. Tucker, from Fountain, received her training from the Pikes Peak Regional Law Enforcement Academy at Pikes Peak State College in May 2021. She now serves as a patrol officer and her duties include responding to calls for service, patrolling the Town of Elizabeth, and various other duties like traffic enforcement. Tucker joins Stephanie Gherbaz and Lyndi Burnley as the three women of EPD. Tucker fielded question from the Elbert County News on Oct. 1, sharing details of her life, background, and what it is like to be a woman in law enforcement.

program

Afghan

This

meeting

residents of the Spring Valley Ranch area. It shows the plan for

of

Spring Valley Ranch subdivisions.

PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

POLICE

Why did you decide to become a law enforcement o cer?

After going back to school and completing my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, I realized how little I knew about the criminal justice system and more specifically, policing. I became fascinated by the job and learning about what exactly being a police officer entails, and after working in EMS alongside police officers, I decided that I would make a good police officer. I applied to and successfully completed the academy and now here I am.

What do you like so far about working with the EPD?

I like the small town feel of working with EPD. I also am really enjoying my coworkers who have made me feel right at home.

What are your career goals?

I would like to stay with the agency I started with for as long as they will have me. I can see myself in a leadership

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to spend time with family and friends for fun. I like to watch the Denver Broncos and go to video music bingo when I get the chance. I also read books and do puzzles in my spare time.

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Daisy Tucker receives her badge as an Elizabeth police o cer.

Daisy Tucker being sworn into the Elizabeth Police Department.

Some members of the Elizabeth Police Department.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELIZABETH POLICE DEPARTMENT

102-year-old WWII vet in Colorado shares stories

“Things were a little bit different then, but we have a good Air Force.”

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BY KYLE COOKE AND BRIAN WILLIE ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Leo Lewis is glad that his army jacket still fits.

When Rocky Mountain PBS visited the 102-year-old Lewis in his Lakewood home, the former master sergeant sat on a recliner with a blanket on his lap, proudly pointing at the stripes on his left arm.

“I had a lot of fun with these guys,” Lewis said, flipping through a photo album of his time spent overseas. He said that when you’ve been out of the military as long as he has, “it’s difficult to remember so many of the names of the guys that served under you.”

Lewis was born on June 9, 1920 in the small town of Butte, Nebraska. One of six children, he experienced tragedy at a young age — when he was 12 years old, his mother died in a house fire and Lewis was subsequently put in foster care.

After graduating from high school in Alliance, Nebraska, Lewis earned a football scholarship at the University of Nebraska. But in the winter of his sophomore year, on Dec. 20, 1941, Leo enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a private.

Lewis worked his way up the ranks and on July 15, 1942, he was deployed.

“And nobody would tell us where that assignment was,” Lewis recalled. Two weeks later, Lewis and his group arrived in Karachi, India. This was before Pakistan gained its independence from British India.

Lewis was a field director for the China-Burma-India Air Service Command. Two of his brothers also served during World War II, one in the Army and another in the Navy.

“I actually enjoyed serving my country in 1941,” Lewis said.

After the war, Lewis returned to Nebraska and got married. He then moved to Colorado to attend the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he played football once again.

Lewis had two children and started a business selling and repairing televisions in Denver, but once televisions no longer relied on vacuum tubes for operation, Lewis closed the business and transitioned to construction, where he had great success. His current home in Lakewood is one that he built.

Today, Lewis has four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. One of his granddaughters, Dawnette, told Rocky Mountain PBS that Lewis “set a great example of working hard to get the things you want, and most importantly be grateful for your family and country.”

As for the next generation of service men and women, Lewis’ advice is simple. “When you join the service, concentrate on your basic training and you’ll be happy that you did, because you’ll be able to advance your rank in the military if you do that.”

More than 16 million Americans served in World War II. Today, fewer than 170,000 are still alive. And according to the National World War II Museum, close to 200 World War II veterans pass away each day.

This is why for Lewis, it’s important that he remembers his time overseas and that he shares stories with his family. Looking through his photo albums, Lewis said, “sometimes, I don’t really comprehend how far back that really was.”

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.

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Leo Lewis was master sergeant in Army Air Corps

Leo Lewis, of Lakewood, talks life, family and service.

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HOMES

20 minutes into the Q&A session, frustrating many attendees.

“You people come in here and we tell you we don’t want it, and nothing comes of these meetings,” one woman commented. “No one ever listens to us. Our lives are changing, and we don’t want it.”

Most current residents in attendance believed that the meeting was a time to share their frustrations with development in the area and the associated consequences of building. The developer representatives were unable to give informed responses on many topics (e.g., water rights, schooling, traffic con-

cerns, etc.).

“We didn’t come here to be confrontational,” said one of the developer representatives. “We’re here to put a face to the developers, to listen to you. We’re following the process and we’re not trying to break any laws. We’ve followed what we’ve been told to follow.”

One issue that persisted throughout the meeting was a concern about potential increases in crime due to the perceived lower-income residents moving into the area. In response to Prestwich arguing that the new community will give opportunities to people who cannot afford $2 million ranches, one woman in attendance said, “well then they shouldn’t move here,” while another

Spring Valley Ranch residents look at the conceptual designs of the new development proposed for their area.

Spring Valley Ranch residents crowd around the conceptual designs for a proposed 1,193-home development.

HOMES

“they need to stay downtown then.”

explained that in compliance

Elbert County regulations, providing a wide range of housing options is

“It offers potential residents a range of housing options to choose from,” said Prestwich. “It is actually a requirement of the Elbert County Housing Master Plan when you have a larger community to provide multiple types of housing options.”

Halfway through the meeting, one woman in attendance asked if there was anything that the residents could do to keep the development from being built. One developer representative said no.

“What, to just leave it farmland? Honestly, no,” said the developer representative. “We’re going to move forward with something and work with the community. That’s why we’re here.”

Several in attendance spoke up, arguing that the only way to keep development out of Elbert County was to vote out the current commissioners and elect people who are more anti-development.

“People, there is an election coming up,” said one woman in attendance. “Elect officials that are not for development. That is our best move.”

The Nov. 8 election has only one candidate running for commissioner. Current county Clerk and Recorder Dallas Schroeder is unopposed for the District 2 commissioner seat.

Currently, the proposed timeframe for the development is lengthy. The developers are close to making a submittal to the county, which will be followed by hearings and zoning. The representatives believe development will break ground in 22-24 months.

More than 75 people were in attendance at the community meeting at Spring Valley Golf Club.

PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

Land developer representatives field questions and take notes at the Spring Valley Ranch community meeting.

John Prestwich, President of PCS Group, leads the community meeting at Spring Valley Golf Club.

Chef celebrates Día de los Muertos with recipes

BY JULIO SANDOVAL AND SONIA GUTIERREZ ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

During Día de los Muertos, Oscar Padilla honors his grandmother Gloria.

“She showed me the basics to celebrate and incorporate all these components and food to receive and welcome our family after they pass away,” said Padilla.

Padilla is originally from Los Ange les, California, but said at one point in his life he went to live with his grandmother in Mexico City. “This changed my life,” he said. “It gave me the opportunity to discover my blood, my family in Mexico and all the traditions they have at that amazing country.”

Padilla is now the executive chef at Toro, a Cherry Creek restaurant that features a ceviche bar, small plates

and family-style entrees. Toro shares authentic Latin ingredients, interna tional flavors and artful dishes.

While in Mexico, Padilla was first introduced to a career in the kitchen. His first teacher? Gloria.

“She showed me the traditional techniques to make molcajete salsa, moles — traditional dishes to cele brate the specific parties or traditions that Mexico has,” he explained.

Those recipes, Padilla said, have been passed down in his family from generation to generation. “These traditions are to celebrate them but it’s also to celebrate us too,” added Padilla.

Prior to his role as executive chef at Toro, Padilla was a culinary trainer for Richard Sandoval Hospitability. He helped open more than 15 new restaurants in the United States, Dubai, Qatar, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

Padilla also has a passion for training aspiring chefs, never forgetting his Mexican roots and traditions.

“A lot of people are so scared of death,” he said, “but in Mexico, we celebrate with the dead. It’s to cele brate and share and be happy because at some point you are in communion again. You remember your family and you’re there on that day.”

Día de los Muertos is celebrated November 1-2 every year primarily in Mexico, but also by others around the world including some in the United States. The holiday is rooted in Aztec culture, where the dead are the guests of honor. The ceremony is like a fam ily reunion that helps people remem ber the deceased and celebrate their memory.

Through the years, people have developed different combinations of the fundamental traditions,

which most often include setting up a candlelit altar so spirits can find their way back to their relatives.

The altar includes food and items that were important to the one who passed. Families then often gather in the graveyard for a big party that includes a huge feast, cleaning the tombstones, singing songs and talk ing to their ancestors.

“It’s something we need to respect, and we want to share it not only with the people in Mexico, but we want to share it with everybody around the world,” said Padilla.

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.

At one time, great taste.

over-filling.

Whenever you are outside and you notice a piece of trash, please stop and dispose of it properly. What isn’t collected today is picked up in the next rainstorm and sent directly to the nearest creek. From the moment this small piece of trash enters our waterways, it is responsible for a tremendous amount of damage. By developing habits such as securing loads in open vehicles and keeping lids closed on trash bins, you help minimize litter scattered by wind and rain.

Local stormwater agencies are teaming together to bring you this message. We take this so seriously that we posted this ad rather than send you more garbage in the mail. One thing is clear: our creeks, rivers and lakes depend on you.

‘This is Colorado’ returns to ACC

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“This is Colorado,” an annual statewide exhibit in its 46th year presented by the Heritage Fine Arts Guild, is at the Colorado Gallery of the Arts at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton through Oct. 28.

The exhibit, open to Colorado artists, was juried by painter Carlene Frances, who awarded the Best of Show to artist Suszanne Bernat Droney for her soft and subtle “Resting Luthier Amanda,” created with colored pencil and pastel.

The exhibit will be at the gallery through Oct. 28 and offers a variety of works, ranging from abstract works to Droney’s pleasing portrait and a number of landscapes, including the precise and well-executed “Distant Thunder” by Karen Storm, which won First Place. It’s a stunning sunset ...

Second Place went to “Under Siege,” by Patty Nash. Third Place was awarded to Dan Woodard’s “Aspen Gold,” carved from wood.

Honorable Mentions were awarded to “Play Time” by Barbara Williams, “Storm Front” by Janet Ford, “Random Design” by Phil Gustafson and “Airplane Graveyard” by James Mascolo.

A look at Suszanne Bernat Droney’s website leads one to a number of strong figurative works, including one I think I remember from last year’s exhibit — or I’ve seen it elsewhere ... She says she wants to create art that is “representational, without being photo-re-

The oil painting “Distant Thunder” by Karen Storm won First Place in the “This is Colorado” exhibit on the Arapahoe Community College campus in Littleton.

alistic.” She surely succeeds — her Amanda is subtle and beautiful.

Not subtle, but altogether engaging, is “My Friend” by Scott Swauger, a larger oil painting of a husky bull moose, chewing on grass and looking right at a viewer — and about to say something! Possibly something rude! The details around this creature are skillfully painted — leaves, melting snow ...

Most of the paintings in this exhibit are for sale at reasonable prices and would make great gifts, as we perhaps begin to think about holiday shopping. The variety of styles and techniques is pleasing and stimulating.

Next exhibit at the Colorado Gallery of the Arts will be “Shared Visions,” a yearly collaborative collection of tactile works from the Colorado Center for the Blind and ACC art students. It will be in the gallery from Nov. 7 to Dec. 6, with a reception on Nov. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m.

(The gallery will be closed from Nov. 21 to 25.)

Slash mulch site closing for the season on Oct. 29

Time is running out 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 Oct. 29. For more information, visit douglas.co.us and search for Slash

Online Tax Lien Sale Nov. 3

The annual Tax Lien Sale will be held via internet auction on Nov. 3. For guidelines and to register, visit zeusauction.com The statutory interest for the 2022 Tax Lien Sale is 12%. More information is available at douglas.co.us/treasurer or by calling 303-660-7455

Drive US 85?

Construction to widen the road between Highlands Ranch Parkway and C-470 is underway. Please expect delays and watch for crews. Sign up for updates so you know what to expect. Visit douglas.co.us and search for Subscribe Now and choose US 85 construction.

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.

Are you looking for a mental health check-up for your child?

Check out ImatterColorado.org and take a brief assessment to find out if your child is eligible for free counseling.

For additional resources in and around Douglas County, visit: douglas.co.us and search for mental health resources

If you need immediate support, call Colorado Crisis Services at 1.844.493.TALK(8255) or text TALK to 38255. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Online program helps neurodiverse kids

Children’s Hospital Colorado researchers created resource

BY DANA KNOWLES, LINDSEY FORD ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Leo Krause, 10, can’t help but smile while snuggling with one of his two family dogs, Louie, a mini Australian Labradoodle. It’s one of the many strategies he uses to calm himself after being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD when he was 7 years old.

“It feels like it’s hard for me to focus sometimes. I just want to move around all the time, and it’s hard for me to sit still,” Krause explained.

He received help with his ADHD through a program that’s now free and online called“Unstuck and On Target.” It was developed by researchers through Children’s Hos pital Colorado to improve the execu tive functioning of elementary-aged school children with ADHD and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Navigating ADHD

Executive functions come from the frontal lobe of the brain and involve things like paying attention, problem-solving, emotional regu lation, planning, impulse control and setting goals. When left unad

dressed, challenges with these traits can create barriers to success for many children.

Leo’s mom, Jodi Krause, says the program has been a game changer for their entire family.

“Having a child who struggles with attention and having a child who struggles with anxiety can create obstacles that you want to be able to get ahead of, but as parents, we kind of react in the moment.

So that’s really challenging,” she added, saying that the strategies taught in the Unstuck and on Target curriculum continue to help Leo function like any other 10-yearold boy. “A change in Leo from the program that I’ve noticed is that he’s way more willing to put into words the things that his body is feeling.”

Laura Anthony, Ph.D., is a psy chologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, a professor of psychol ogy at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and one of the researchers who developed the online curriculum for the program. It can be done in school with educa tors and at home with kids and their parents and/or caregivers

“We want all kids as they’re grow ing to be at their most optimum developmental trajectory. We want them to do and be their best,” she explained, adding that free access is the key. “From the beginning, we wanted to create a community-based program that would reach all the

kids and families who needed it.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, between the years of 2016 and 2019, 6 million chil dren from the ages of 3 to 17 were diagnosed with ADHD, while one in 44 childrenare diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. “Kids with either Autism or ADHD have particular difficulties with executive functioning skills and [that’s why] we designed this intervention for them,” added Anthony.

Free to be himself

Leo told Rocky Mountain PBS some of the strategies he’s learned in the program include walking away from tense situations, taking deep breaths and thinking happy thoughts. His favorite coping mecha nism? Squeezing a lemon when he’s feeling anxious.

“I feel a lot different. I’m able to calm myself down more,” he explained.

Jodi says these days Leo can be fully himself; a boy who’s compas sionate and empathetic. A boy who loves his dogs, his family, friends, playing soccer, mountain biking and skiing.

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.

HolidayContest

Homelessness on rise in Denver area

night, getting to a place where we have comprehensive, real-time data regionally is the ultimate goal,” said Jamie Rife, the director of MDHI.

BY AMANDA HORVATH ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Nearly 800 more people in the Denver-metro area were experienc ing homelessness on a single night than that same night two years ago. The Metro Denver Homeless Initia tive (MDHI) has recently released its full data of its annual Point-inTime count.

The organization creates an annual effort in January to count the number of those experiencing homelessness to understand the scope and demographics of the homeless population. This year’s count took place on Jan. 24 and included people in shelters and living outdoors in seven coun ties—Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson.

The count found 6,884 people were experiencing homelessness on that night. The year before, the PIT didn’t include those living outdoors because of COVID-19 con cerns. In 2020, the count found 6,104 people living unhoused. That’s a 12.8% increase over two years.

“While this count can help us un derstand homelessness on a single

Each year when this count takes place, trained volunteers and staff are dispatched around the metro area to survey anyone they find who are unhoused using a standard set of questions. Over the course of several months, that data is com piled into this report.

Looking further into where people were found, the majority — 70% —were in shelters, according to the report. A number that re mained nearly the same from 2020. While the number of unsheltered homelessness increased by nearly 500 people from pre-pandemic lev els to 2,078 people. The majority of those found in this count were also found within the county of Denver at 4,794 individuals.

MDHI admits there are number of factors could affect the count in cluding weather, how well the vol unteers are engaged and how well the subjects of the survey interact with the staff and volunteers.

The encouraging news from the point in time count is the number of veterans experiencing homeless ness did drop by 31% in the last two years.

“The region’s emphasis on reduc ing Veteran homelessness is yield ing results,” said Rife.

Veterans are typically overrepre

sented among the homeless popu lation and typically represent 9% of the total unhoused population. This year’s PIT count found only 432 veterans, which is less than 1% of the total unhoused population.

Also, within the data on the metro-area homelessness is a break down of race, showing an over representation of people of color among the unhoused. About 20% in the count identify as Black, African American or African while only making up about 6% of the population in these seven counties. A similar difference can also be found among those who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native or Indigenous with 6% among this PIT count and only make up 1.4% of the census for the area.

“The overrepresentation of peo ple of color, specifically Black and Native Americans, among those ex periencing homelessness is critical to the response,” Rife explained. “Homelessness is an issue of race and must be approached through this lens,” she added.

The harsh racial realities of homelessness stem from longstanding historical and structural racism that has not improved over time. This includes but isn’t limited to segregation, housing dis crimination and access to quality health care.

Part of the recommendations from the National Alliance to End Homelessness to help improve

these disparities is to first collect and assess more accurate data. This is something MDHI is work ing toward beyond these PIT data collections.

Providers, cities and others in Colorado are working together to improve participation with the region’s Homeless Management Information System to make data accessible each day on those expe riencing homelessness.

“This data highlights the dy namic nature of homelessness and the importance of real-time data to allow the region to coordinate effectively and allocate resources efficiently,” said Rife

This summer, Boulder became the first community in the area to reach Quality Data for all singles, which means accounting for every single adult experiencing home lessness by name, in real-time.

The data from this PIT survey will also be used by MDHI to release its annual State of Home lessness report next January. Estimates show that with these numbers close to 31,000 people in this seven-county region experi ence homelessness in one year.

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.

Republicans hope to take back U.S. House

Prevailing in November could bring changes for Colorado members

BY CAITLYN KIM COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO

With a possible change of leader ship for the U.S. House of Represen tatives would likely come a change of positions for some Colorado mem bers of Congress.

If Republicans take control of the chamber after the November elec tion, as is largely expected, a couple of Colorado Republicans could be picking up subcommittee gavels, while Democratic members will give up their seats as chair to become, in some cases, ranking members.

While he’s not measuring any drapes, GOP Rep. Doug Lamborn said he would seek the chairmanship of the Strategic Forces subcommit tee of the House Armed Services committee. He was named the rank ing member of that committee in January.

The delegation’s longest serving Republican, Lamborn, who also cur rently sits on the House Natural Re sources committee, said the commit tee handles issues that are important for Colorado, and the whole country.

“It deals with issues that are really strategic and vital to our national defense,” Lamborn said, pointing

to space systems, missile defense, and hypersonics, as some examples.

“Those are all things that… have a strong Colorado presence, but they’re also vital for our national defense.”

GOP Rep. Ken Buck said much “depends on how big of a majority [Republicans] have and it depends on where the priorities are.” Buck is currently the ranking member of the Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law subcommittee on the House Judiciary committee, where he’s worked with a bipartisan group to tackle the growing power of Big Tech.

“Certainly I would enjoy continu ing to work on anti-trust issues,” Buck said. He added he’d try to keep encouraging his fellow Republicans to see anti-trust as a tool to deal with

the largest tech companies.

Buck also has seniority on Judi ciary’s Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee. His other committee is the House Foreign Affairs commit tee.

The ranking member usually has the inside track to chair when control of the House flips. But both parties have their own process for selecting leaders within committees.

Democrats and Republicans each have standing committees that nomi nate members for committees and chair assignments, which are then voted on by the full caucus. When it comes to subcommittee chairs, Democrats usually bid, in order of seniority, and it then has to be approved by the committee caucus. Republicans usually let the commit tee chair determine the procedure for subcommittee chair selection.

As for freshman GOP Rep. Lau ren Boebert, who sits on the House Natural Resources and Budget com mittees and has the highest national profile in the delegation, she said she’s not planning on running for any leadership positions. She noted she’s communications chair of the Freedom Caucus “and that’s the cau cus that matters the most to me.”

Instead of looking at who is or isn’t jockeying for positions, Boebert said the media should be “more interested on inflation, the southern border, jobs, getting control back of our country, rather than meaningless leadership positions here in Wash ington, D.C.”

GOP Rep. Doug Lamborn

Still, subcommittee leaderships can be important perches for over sight and moving bills.

Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette, as chair of the oversight and investiga tions subcommittee on Energy and Commerce, has held hearings on ev erything from the price of oil to the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep. Joe Neguse, chair of the House Natural Resources Committee’s subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public lands, was able to move lots of legislation through. Meanwhile, his fellow second term Congressman Jason Crow is chair of the Small Business Committee’s subcommittee on Innovation, Entre preneurship and Workforce Develop ment.

If control of the chamber moves to Republicans, all three will be hand ing over those positions to members of the other party.

Regardless of party affiliation, Colorado will get two additional freshman lawmakers next Congress to throw into the committee mix — the representative from CO-7, who will replace retiring Democrat Ed Perlmutter and the representative from the new CO-8. While some first term lawmakers are named ranking members, it would be unusual for one to be appointed to a subcommit tee chair spot.

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

‘It deals with issues that are really strategic and vital to our national defense. Those are all things that… have a strong Colorado presence, but they’re also vital for our national defense.’

Thu 10/27

HERO Fantastic 6 Sports

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Oct 27th - Dec 8th

Trailmark Kindercare, 9743 S Carr Way, Littleton. 720-593-8409

Jacob Larson Band Funk & Soul: Jacob Larson BandAlbum Release Show @ 5:30pm

Events @ Piney Creek, 15352 E Ida Dr, Centennial

Halloween with Polka Folka @ 5pm

Haunted Englewood, Englewood

Wed 11/02

Kids’ Zone: Gym Jam (3-6 yrs) Nov @ 4pm

Nov 2nd - Nov 16th

Parker Recreation Center, 17301

Night

Rae & The Friends

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden

Thu 11/03

Jade Catta-Preta Headlines

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Comedy Works South, 5345 Land‐mark Pl, Greenwood Village

Fri 10/28

Fitness: HIGH Fitness Blacklight Party (13+ yrs) Oct 27 @ 12:20am

Oct 28th - Oct 27th

Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker

Big Richard Band: Big Richard at GOTHIC THEATRE @ 7pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood Phat Daddy @ 7:30pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Friday Movie - Where the Crawdads Sing @ 8pm

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

Ramon Ayala @ 8pm

Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Se soltaron los caballos tour! Bronco y Ramón Ayala @ 8pm / $70 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Sat 10/29

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Mission Hills Church Littleton Campus, 620 Southpark Dr, Little‐ton

Lila Downs - Volver Tour en Denver, USA

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Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E Iliff Ave, Denver

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VOICES

Distracted distractions

Recently, it came out that the governor’s race has started talking about “furries” and supposed issues in our schools. I read a story, printed by our west partners, and listened to a radio interview regarding the supposed problems with kids dressing like cats and dogs or barking and meowing in classrooms.

In a local radio show interview last week, Lindsay Datko of the supposedly private Facebook group Jeffco Kids First was interviewed, talking about how kids dressed as “furries” are disrupting classes. How parents need to be worried, and intervention is needed.

She also talked about how they have received the support of GOP candidate for governor Heidi Ganahl. Apparently, Ganahl agrees that the distractions these issues are causing in schools is a problem.

I have to admit, Datko hit all the right pressure points for me as a parent. I started nodding in agreement as she said our kids deserve to learn, need a place without distractions and should be in a safe environment. I came away wondering if issues are facing my children in their school district.

I assigned our Douglas County reporter to check into it.

However, as with everything, its just not that simple. As I did more research, talking to our reporters and read more stories — I can honestly say this is not a distraction parents need right now.

Datko was absolutely right when she pointed to our children and teens going through a full-on mental health crisis. They absolutely are. However, encouraging people to take pictures of children who behave or dress differently is nothing but a form of bullying that no kid deserves.

As a parent, I teach my children to be accepting and understanding. Sure, they may think something is different or strange, but it is not for them or me to judge. Our job is to be kind, good people and avoid creating more distractions because another student may be acting differently.

Kids can be mean enough without some parent group encouraging them to take pictures and post them on social media.

I am also disappointed that Ganahl ventured into this nonsense. That means incumbent Gov. Jared Polis also had to comment on it. The leader of our state should not be creating more distractions involving our children who are still trying to get back on track after the pandemic.

Here’s the bottom line, Datko is right — Our kids are going to school to learn. They deserve an environment as free of distractions as possible and the ability to retain and grow as people as much as possible.

However, creating more drama for our teachers and administrators to deal with, developing more scare tactics in the name of politics just does not work for me. The distractions from distractions is not responsible for parent groups or politicians.

Let the students grow, let the teachers teach and let school districts address issues as needed. Creating more distractions for all of them is just needless noise.

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

LINDA

THELMA

SCOTT

Can we handle the truth?

She vacillated for months. Her boss was micromanaging everything that she and her team were doing. Never satisfied with anything that was produced by anyone on the team, her boss felt compelled to change even the smallest of details. It was a blind spot for the leader for sure, and unfortunately demoralizing to the entire team.

When she found what she thought was the right opportunity to discuss this blind spot with her boss, hoping it would make a change, she unfortunately found herself on the receiving end of even tighter scrutiny and micromanagement, eventually ending in her termination. He was experiencing some erosion of trust with his friend. The friend began acting and behaving in a way that was outside their normal behavior. As the behavior became increasingly amplified, he began wondering what the truth was and what were lies any time that his friend shared a story. He invited his friend to meet for breakfast one morning to talk about it.

Defensiveness was their shield. His friend took offense at what was being shared, so much so that they got up and left. As he sat their wondering if he had made the right call to bring this change in behavior to his friend of more than 20 years, his first feeling was regret. That feeling quickly gave way to relief

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as he knew the conversation had to happen. To this day they have not spoken, and the hopes are that his friend has made some changes in their life, wherever they may be today.

There was a deep family secret. Something that was held onto for a very long time. So many opportunities to get the skeleton out of the closet, yet too many excuses about why it was never the right time. Then one day the truth was shared, the skeleton set free from its chains. Thinking that finally the air would be cleared, knowing it might take time for the family and friends to understand, they believed all would eventually be OK and the sins of the past forgiven. It was not to be, not yet anyway. The truth and pain were too much. Those secrets hidden for so long brought too much current-day pain.

The truth will set us free. For those of us hearing the truth, I guess sometimes it depends on if we are ready to handle the truth. For those delivering the truth, it truly is freedom.

How often have we wished we could say exactly what is on our mind? Probably more than we can count on our fingers and toes. We remain quiet, but why? Political correctness? Maybe we don’t want to hurt a family member, friend, peer or employer. The issue could be so white-hot that anything we say will possibly be misconstrued and the tables turned on us. We might stay quiet because we fear being canceled, shut out, unfriended

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FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

Business exit planning crucial

The way we conduct business after COVID has changed forever. Business owners continue to struggle to find good employees and customers in this new “flex” work world. One of the biggest challenges continues to be consolidation and business closures.

However, few are prepared for these changes.

Maybe you were a fan of Banana Republic downtown, or Echo Lake Gift Shop and Lodge Restaurant. Perhaps you purchased a car from Rocky’s Autos or furniture from Larrabee’s over the last 40 years. There are hundreds of well-known, longstanding businesses shuttering. It could be a COVID hangover, or higher rents and a labor shortage. Or you could be part of the mass of baby boomers wanting to retire and transition their business.

This is why the State of Colorado Office of Economic Development

NORTON

or blocked on social media.

Here’s the real question, as the examples above were about real people who shared their stories and experienced negative repercussions. The question is, the title of this column, can we handle the truth? We live in a world of chaos, corruption, and lies. Chaos, corruption, and lies that companies, politicians, television, social media and people will justify because they believe it is for our greater good. Is it? Is it really? We cannot manage what we do not know. Maybe it’s not our place to manage it anyway. But we all want the truth. Can we

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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and International Trade, and the Exit Planning Institute launched a Business Owner Readiness Survey to help business owners determine how to exit from their business. This survey indicated that 70% of respondents would like to sell in 10 years, referred to as the “Silver Tsunami.”

It is always better to plan and be prepared then find out in a lurch that your lease is not being renewed or your talent pool has gone off to find themselves. Entrepreneurs are a different breed. They eat, sleep, and breathe their business 24/7. It is a life choice but also a life cycle that eventually comes to an end.

“Having a plan to transition prior to an exit enables the owner to unlock the wealth of the business and create the future and legacy a business owner envisioned,” Robert Lee, CFP explained. Lee is involved with the Exit Planning Institute where they help businesses prepare an exit strategy. The recent survey results from the Business Owner Readiness Survey state that:

Seventy percent of companies put on the market today fail. Six in 10 respondents indicated that they had no exit planning advice or educa-

handle it?

Who is the arbiter of truth? For me, I find it through my faith, as it is the way, the truth, and the life. Even for my many, many sins of the past, by the way probably the record holder of sins, I know that the truth comes from one source, our God. I would love to hear your story of handling the truth at gotonorton@gmail. com, and when we can get to a place where we can handle the truth, no matter how hard it is, 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.

• 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.

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

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tion. And 68% were either unsure or didn’t know of the transition options available to them. Lee further stated, “When business owners connect the concept that an exit strategy is a business strategy, they are more likely to embrace their decision to transition.”

Business owners find it challenging to be personally ready to transition. Owners often struggle to envision life after the business while focusing on growing their business. When asked in the survey “how ready the owner considered themselves personally for a major transition of their company,” 84% of the respondents said they were below average, or they were not ready at all for their personal transition from their company.

It is crucial for business owners to integrate business planning with personal and financial planning to increase the likelihood that their exit will be successful.

The Exit Planning Institute encourages business owners to take a holistic and focused approach to align the critical elements necessary to prepare for transition. Steps can include:

• Learn about the options on how to transition a business.

• Obtain a business valuation.

• Envision the next phase of your life.

• Establish an advisory team with your CPA, attorney, and financial advisor.

There is usually a better success rate and smooth succession when you have time to plan, choose your advisors and develop your successors. No one likes an emergency exit. Planning ahead will help in your day-to-day operations as well as give you a roadmap to guide you through the next steps.

There are resources to help you improve your readiness and advisors to help with financial reviews and valuations. Now is the time to prepare for your own future, even if it is many years away. You don’t want to be caught off-guard, and not be able to protect your legacy, family, and employees.

Patricia Kummer has been a Certified Financial Planner professional and a fiduciary for over 35 years and is Managing Director for Mariner Wealth Advisors.

FARMING GROUP HELPS AFGHAN REFUGEES FEEL MORE AT HOME IN DENVER

BY DANA KNOWLES, LINDSEY FORD ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

We don’t have cars. We don’t have transportation. This is our only outing,” explained Mahmude, one of three Afghan refugee women who spoke with Rocky Mountain PBS about their new lives in Colorado.

The women left Afghanistan when the United States completed its military withdrawal last year. None of them wanted to use their last names and all of them spoke

with the help of an interpreter who translated Dari, an Afghan dialect of Farsi, into English.

Mahmude has been in the U.S. for eight months and says Monday is now her favorite day of the week. “This is the highlight of my life, coming here every Monday.

I’m happy to be here in the United States as my home country isn’t safe.”

The women come to Ekar Farm, an urban farm next to Denver Academy of Torah that started 14 years ago mainly serving the Jewish community.

In 2020, the pandemic forced

Ekar Farm shift toward doing outreach across the city by collaborating with various nonprofits like Denver’s Metro Caring, an antihunger organization. All the produce that Ekar grows is donated to people in the metro area who are experiencing food insecurity, including these Afghan women and their children. Metro Caring and Ekar are partnering with Denver’s International Rescue Committee to transport them back and forth to the farm.

“What seems like a simple opportunity to grow food carries a lot of dimensions. The program

allows the women to be around other people from their home country,” said Mireille Bakhos, who works with International Rescue Committee in Denver. “The media often highlights the war and challenges in Afghanistan but [these] programs are about resilience and the endless possibilities of human connections. It is about the power of people to heal and nurture positive change from the ground up, literally.”

The program runs from May through October due to weather.

The women cultivate a small section of land and use the produce to cook fresh meals for their families at home in Denver.

Razye came from Afghanistan to the United States more than three years ago and says she grew up farming in her home country.

“I was a rancher. I had my own animals and I had big farm back in Afghanistan, so when I come to this farm, I feel so excited,” she

said, explaining how the tomatoes and potatoes are her favorites to take home and cook. “We make food that reminds me of my country back home, and that’s the happiest I’ve been.”

Anywhere from 70,000 to 80,000 Afghan refugees are now living in the United States. According to the Colorado Refugee Program, Colorado has welcomed around 2,500 refugees since July of 2022. The United Nations Refugee Agency says that Afghans are one of the largest refugee populations in the world with an estimated 2.6 million registered across the globe in coun-

tries like Pakistan and Iran.

For Monira, who has been in Colorado for almost a year, the opportunity to connect and socialize with other women from her country is just as important as bringing home fruit and vegetables.

“First, we come here and we say ‘hello’ and we have a quick chat, and talk, and after that we harvest” she said, adding that being around people come from the same country make it easier to live in a new and unfamiliar place. “This is a country that’s unknown and new for us, so coming here to see people who speak the same language, and we

became fast friends, and we talk.”

Monira hopes her work on the farm can help her life evolve into something new.

“My wish is to be able to start working and repay what people in Colorado have done for us, and find a job to contribute to this country, and this state,” she said.

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.

Afghanistan refugees, including a group of women and children, have found something they love through helping Ekar Farms in Denver each week.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

‘MY WISH IS TO BE ABLE TO START WORKING AND REPAY WHAT PEOPLE IN COLORADO HAVE DONE FOR US, AND FIND A JOB TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS COUNTRY, AND THIS STATE.’

Monira, Afghan refugee

Secretary of state candidates debate

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER AND SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, is running for reelection this year against Pam Anderson, a Republican who used to be Jefferson County’s clerk and recorder.

The winner of the race will oversee Colorado’s elections for the next four years, as well as enforce the state’s campaign fi nance laws and oversee business registration, notaries and the regulation of charities.

The two candidates clashed at a debate on Oct. 12 hosted by The Colorado Sun, the University of Denver’s Center for American Politics and CBS4.

Here’s what you need to know about the candidates and where they stand on the issues:

The candidates’ background Griswold, 38, was elected secretary of state in 2018. She is a lawyer who worked in the Obama administration and directed then-Gov. John Hickenlooper’s Washington, D.C., offi ce. She is currently chairwoman of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State.

Anderson, 52, served as Jefferson County’s clerk and recorder

for eight years from 2007 to 2015 and is also the former executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, where she worked on legislative issues at the Colorado Capitol. She has also worked with national organizations on elections and voting policy.

Should Colorado’s secretary of state be elected? And should it be a partisan office?

Both Griswold and Anderson agreed that the secretary of state in Colorado should be elected as opposed to appointed, which is how the position is fi lled in some other states.

“I think it’s important the secretary of state be accountable to the people,” Griswold said.

Making the secretary of state an appointed position wouldn’t dispel the politics of the position, Anderson said. “It really enforces that we have responsiveness to our electorate if we are elected.”

Anderson said, however, that Colorado should consider making the secretary of state a nonpartisan position similar to city council and school board seats.

Should the secretary of state dive into issues beyond the secretary of state’s role?

Anderson said she would try to keep the offi ce “above the political fray” by never endorsing a candidate or advocating on behalf of issues outside of the secretary

of state’s role because of how those actions could be perceived by the public.

“Even though I’m a person of political conscience, I am a prochoice woman, it’s not a central position for the offi ce of the secretary of state,” Anderson said. “Even if the perception is that you are putting your thumb on the scale … that creates doubt for the process.”

Griswold disagrees, saying she would use her position to stand up for abortion access and the right for same-sex couples to marry.

“That’s not partisan, that’s American,” Griswold said.

Politicizing the Secretary of State’s Office

Anderson isn’t among the Colorado Republicans who’ve gone along with former President Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, but during The Sun’s debate she criticized Griswold for invoking election deniers, including indicted Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, as fodder for national television appearances and fundraising emails.

“I will not put fuel on the fi re with hyperpartisan and polarizing and divisive rhetoric to fuel my political campaign,” Anderson said.

Griswold, meanwhile, attacked Anderson for appearing at campaign events with Republican

candidates who have questioned the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. She specifi cally mentioned 7th Congressional District candidate Erik Aadland, who said the election was “rigged,” and Danny Moore, the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor who was removed from his role as chairman of Colorado’s Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission in 2021 after social media posts surfaced in which he questioned the outcome of the 2020 election.

“I think it’s inappropriate to campaign with election deniers spreading the big lie,” Griswold said, challenging Anderson to stop appearing with the Aadland and Moore.

While Anderson didn’t directly respond to the challenge, she noted that she’s objected to Aadland’s statement and other Republican election deniers. “I will continue to push back on candidates, even in my own party, about the big lie,” she said.

Anderson also repeatedly criticized Griswold during The Sun’s debate for spending more than $1 million in federal election assistance money on TV ads cautioning voters against disinformation. The ads featured Griswold and former Secretary of State Wayne Williams, a Republican Griswold defeated in 2018 and who this year has endorsed Anderson.

SEE DEBATE, P18

Tina Peters

been

In August 2021, Griswold an nounced she was investigating Peters after images of passwords to Mesa County’s voting equip ment were posted on a conserva tive website. A grand jury indicted Peters in March on 10 counts, including charges of attempting to influence a public servant and criminal impersonation. Peters is scheduled for a trial in early March.

Anderson defeated Peters, who also ran for secretary of state this year, by a 14 percentage point margin in the Republican primary in June.

Anderson said that while she agreed with the investigation of Peters — “I supported you on that,” Anderson said to Griswold — she said Griswold crossed a

line when she raised money based on the active investigation of the Mesa County clerk.

“We need to make sure that we take the politics out, take the fun draising out of the scenario, and maintain that fairness as a fair referee for the entire process,” An derson said. “It’s not appropriate to do that for your political career and it denigrates the office.”

Griswold touted her work on and support for a law passed by Colo rado’s legislature following the investigation of Peters that made it a felony to allow unauthorized access to voting equipment.

“I was the first secretary of state in the country to actually have to deal with an insider threat,” Gris wold said. “I acted quickly and decisively.”

Making Colorado’s elections more secure

Responding to a question about how to improve the security of Colorado’s elections, Griswold said that while there is room for innovation, pointing to her work around automatic voter registra tion, Colorado’s elections are

already safe and secure.

Anderson said she would im prove audits for voter lists and sig nature verification. She has also recommended improving regula tion around “ballot harvesting,” referring to Coloradans’ ability to return up to 10 ballots for them selves and other voters.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, back, follows Republican candidate for Colorado secretary of state Pam Anderson on to a stage for a candi date debate Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, on the campus of the University of Denver in southeast Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Some worry that allowing Colo radans to return so many ballots for others could result in fraud.

Griswold said there’s no evi dence fraudulent ballot harvest ing has occurred in Colorado. She accused Anderson of pandering to the far right by voicing concerns about the practice.

“Ballot harvesting is a conspira cy theory made popular by Donald Trump,” Griswold said.

Anderson said she supported the law allowing Coloradans to turn in

up to 10 ballots, and “I also sup port enforcing the law if there’s a complaint.”

“Let’s make sure that we can enforce the law and provide all the access and security we can,” Anderson said.

Postcards to noncitizens

For the second election cycle in a row, Griswold’s office this year mistakenly sent postcards urg ing noncitizens to register to vote even though they are ineligible.

This year’s postcards went to some 30,000 ineligible people.

“There was a data error,” Gris wold said. “Anybody with a non citizen ID would be blocked from registering. No one has attempted to register from that list who is ineligible.”

Griswold noted during The Sun’s debate that Anderson made a simi lar error when she was Jefferson County clerk, sending postcards to 22,000 voters saying they’d failed to vote when they actually had.

Anderson said making the mis take twice is an issue.

SEE DEBATE, P20

Source

DEBATE

“I think making the same error again points to a management prob lem, points to a lack of leadership,” Anderson said.

Anderson noted that turnover in the Secretary of State’s Office has been high, potentially resulting in the mistake.

Griswold defended her actions.

“I’m very proud of my office’s response to this,” she said. “If we re ally want to get into the minutiae of a blame game, that’s not something I’m willing to do. You have not seen me blame anybody within my staff. You’ve seen me take responsibility and that’s what I do as secretary of state.”

Managing the 2024 presidential election

Griswold and Anderson were asked what they would do if Trump should run for reelection in 2024 and ask them to change the results of the presidential contest, as he did in 2020 in Georgia. Both candidates said they would stand up to Trump.

“I would say ‘absolutely not’ and my first call would be to the attorney general,” Anderson said.

When asked a follow-up question about whether she would vote for Trump, Anderson didn’t answer, saying she has never revealed which candidates she supports and won’t

take sides in elections.

Griswold said she would never sup port “someone who is using the office for their posture, to destabilize this country, to try to destroy democracy for their own political benefit.”

Why should you vote for them?

If elected, Anderson said she would work to restore professionalism to the Secretary of State’s Office by focusing on bipartisan leadership.

Anderson noted that she has been endorsed by former Boulder County Clerk Hillary Hall, a Democrat, and current clerks Tiffany Lee, of La Plata County, and Michelle Nauer, of Ouray County, who are both unaffili ated.

In a closing statement, Griswold emphasized her role in expanding voter access during the pandemic and creating a new process for busi nesses to fight identity theft.

“In a new term, I will continue to protect the right to vote for every Coloradan and make this the best state in the nation to open a busi ness,” she said.

Colorado Sun staff writer Jesse Paul contributed to this report.

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

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Gov. Polis is top campaign donor

BY SANDRA FISH THE COLORADO SUN

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis pulled ahead of the other top Colorado campaign 2022 donor in recent weeks, putting another $2 million into his reelection bid and bringing his self-funding total this cycle to $11.1 million.

That exceeds the $11 million Steve Wells, a Weld County rancher and oil and gas booster, has donated to Deep Colorado Wells, his super PAC opposing Polis and other Democrats.

But national groups and small donor committees also continue to pour money into candidate committees and super PACs.

The Colorado Sun took a look at the top 2022 donors based on campaign finance filings this week that cover fundraising and spending through Sept. 28. The next filing date for state candidates and committees is Oct. 17.

Steve Wells and national groups top super PAC donors

State independent spending and 527 committees, also known as super PACs, raised nearly $59 million through Sept. 28. And 15 top donors accounted for more than half that cash.

Many of those groups are national political organizations, also common in past years.

But this year, the top super PAC donor is Wells Ranch, which donated $11 million to Deep Colorado Wells.

Ranch owner Steve Wells created the super PAC and is funding it using money he made leasing out his large Weld County ranch for oil and gas drilling. The group is posting billboards and airing TV and radio ads attacking Polis and Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser.

In many instances, one super PAC donates to another, which may even donate to a third to super PAC. Nearly

$10 million of the total raised by statelevel super PACS in recent weeks was money transferred from one super PAC to another.

For example, the Democratic Governors Association, a national group, donated more than $3 million to Strong Colorado for All. That group donated $1.5 million to Colorado Information Network, which aired TC ads in Colorado’s Republican gubernatorial primary.

Now, Strong Colorado for All is airing TV ads opposing GOP gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl.

Strong Colorado for All has also received money from national nonprofit Education Reform Now Advocacy, the third top donor at close to $3 million, which gave to several Democratic super PACs.

National nonprofit Sixteen Thirty Fund, typically a top Colorado donor in recent years, gave about $2.1 million to various Democratic super PACs through Sept. 28.

On the Republican side, the national GOPAC Election Fund gave nearly $2.1 million to the Senate Majority Fund, which is airing TV ads, sending mailers and more in an effort to wrest control of the state Senate from Democrats. State-level conservative nonprofit Advance Colorado Action donated nearly $1.3 million to two GOP super PACs working on legislative contests.

Gubernatorial candidates are biggest donors to statewide candidate campaigns

Polis accounts for 47% of the nearly $24 million raised by candidates for the top four state-level statewide offices. His most recent donation was $2 million on Sept. 21, filings show.

In 2018, Polis spent more than $23 million to win the governor’s contest.

Polis’ Republican opponent this year, Ganahl, was the second high-

more than $850,000, including $400,000 on Sept. 22.

The Colorado Democratic Party has donated more than $276,000 to the four Democratic candidates running for the top state-level jobs. But the Colorado Republican Party hasn’t donated to its candidates for statewide office, even though political parties may donate up to $679,000 to gubernatorial candidates and up to almost $136,000 for candidates for attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer.

Joe Jackson, executive director of the Colorado Republican Party, said the party will be involved in coming weeks.

“Instead of making direct contributions we are spending coordinated dollars on their behalf,” Jackson said. “Most of that will be dropped in the next few weeks.”

Here’s a look at statewide candidate fundraising and spending through Sept. 28:

Small-donor committees give to lawmakers

mittees representing business and union issues are also giving to those running for the state legislature.

Small-donor committees that raise a maximum of $50 from individual donors may give $5,350 to candidates for the state House or Senate, considerably more than the $400 an individual may donate. Those committees are often business-related.

Small-donor committees with ties to the real estate industry are the top donors to state Senate candidates after the Democratic Party, typically giving more to Republican candidates than to Democrats.

Union small-donor committees are giving more to Democratic candidates for state House.

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

comprehensive child identification system con sistent with Part B of IDEA and ensures that each Local Education Agency (LEA), in collaboration with a variety of community

assumes the leadership role in establishing and maintaining a process in their community

the purpose of locating, identifying and evaluating all children, 3 through 21 years, who may have a disability and may be eligible for special education services under Part B of IDEA.

Ages 3 through 5 year-old concerns should be directed to the following:

•Cheyenne County (Cheyenne Wells and Kit Carson Schools)

•Lincoln County (Genoa-Hugo School)

•Yuma County (Idalia

Carson County

County

Republican challenger Heidi Ganahl debates incumbent Gov. Jared Polis. CPR IMAGE

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