Elbert County News 112422

Elbert Christmas Bazaar is success Club raises money for Russell Gates Mercantile Co. building

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

The 56th Annual Elbert Christmas Bazaar was a roaring success as thousands of people descended upon the Town of Elbert to shop for the holiday and get a taste of the Elbert Woman’s Club famous apple dumplings.

Food banks ready for holiday season

Groups work to help kids and families in need

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

As the holiday season ramps up, the Elbert County community comes together to provide food for those families in need. From food banks to drives organized by local organizations, Elbert County citizens make sure that no one needs to go hungry this holiday season.

As is common in Elbert County, local organizations are stepping up to provide for families in need this year. Both the Elbert County Coalition for Outreach (ECCO) and the Dads of Elbert County are holding drives and programs and taking donations for families and children in need.

ECCO is holding their yearly Christmas for Kids program, designed to provide toys for children and families. ECCO will place several Christmas trees covered with tags around the county. Each tag will have a desired toy for an anonymous child written on it. Community members can then remove the tags and buy the toy for the child. On Dec. 17, the toys are distributed to the kids during an event in Kiowa.

SEE BAZAAR, Barbara Mathern with her craft booth at the Elbert Christmas Bazaar.

The Russell Gates Mercantile Co. building, bustling with attendees.

PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

Two arrested in suspected counterfeiting operation

The vehicle used in the original incident at Murphy’s Express was located and impounded as evidence. A suspected drug lab was also located and processed by assisting agencies.

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

Two men have been detained in connection with a counterfeiting operation, the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office announced.

The sheriff’s office began an investigation into counterfeit money on Oct. 24 after responding to the Murphy’s Express gas station located at 2336 Legacy Circle in Elizabeth. Responding deputies were able to obtain suspect information as well as information on a vehicle.

On Nov. 10, the sheriff’s office received additional information into the counterfeit money operation and on the morning of Nov. 11, a search warrant was executed at the home at 2395 County Road 142 in Elizabeth by members of the Elbert County SWAT team. At that time, two men were detained and taken to the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office pending further investigation.

Sheriff’s investigators conducted a thorough search of the residence and located thousands of dollars in suspected counterfeit money, numerous pieces of counterfeiting equipment, and numerous guns including a defaced firearm and short barrel rifle, a press release said.

The suspects were identified as 43-year-old Nicholas Shawn Mauth and 44-year-old Ryan Tapia Landry, both of Elizabeth. Both suspects were booked into the Elbert County Jail and are facing multiple felony charges.

Records show Mauth received two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for nearly $21,000 apiece last year in the roofing and new multifamily housing construction categories for his OnPoint LLC operation at the County Road 142 address. Both loans were forgiven, records show.

In a Nov. 14 phone interview with Elbert County Sheriff Tim Norton, the sheriff said the suspected drugs in question are yet to be identified and are at a lab for testing. The Elbert County Sheriff’s Office also reached out for assistance from Douglas County and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for technical expertise.

“Since I’ve been in office, we haven’t had any issues like this in Elbert County,” Norton said. “There’s not really been any change in crime and nothing serious going on. Traffic mostly.”

For more information, follow the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook at facebook.com/profile. php?id=100064810510085.

Ryan Tapia

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ELBERT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Nicholas Mauth

Investigation began when bogus money turned up at Elizabeth store

BAZAAR

FROM PAGE 1

The event was held on Nov. 12 at both the Russell Gates Mercantile Co. building and the Elbert School gym. The two buildings were filled to the brim with vendors selling handmade crafts including fiber arts, photography prints, pottery, metalwork, woodwork and Christmas decorations. Some vendors also sold homemade jams, jarred foods and sweet, sugary treats. This year there were 75 vendors from across the Denver metro area.

Douglas County offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25 in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Many county services are available at DoItOnlineDouglas.com

Need help with home heating costs?

Eligible low-income households in Douglas County may apply for energy assistance through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) now through April 30, 2023. For more information or an application, please visit douglas.co.us and search for LEAP or email LEAPHELP@discovermygoodwill.org

Funds available to veterans

Emergency assistance is available for veterans struggling with housing (mortgage/rent), transportation, employment, healthcare or other emergency needs. To apply for the veteran assistance funds, visit douglasveterans.org or call 303-663-6200

Skip the trip - motor vehicle services just a click away

Renew your driver license or motor vehicle registration and more from the convenience of your smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop. You can also renew vehicle registrations at MVExpress kiosks. Find information at DouglasDrives.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

December 6 is Colorado Gives Day

With more than 300 organizations serving Douglas County, there are plenty of choices for your Colorado Gives Day donation. No matter the size, your financial gift will help make a difference in our community. Visit dccf.org/givesday and donate to a local cause that matters to you.

Event attendees

the Russell Gates Mercantile Co. building for the Elbert Christmas Bazaar.

PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

Beverly Gresham, 87, is one of the founders of the Elbert Christmas Bazaar.

“I’ve been coming to this event for the past 10 years with my neighbors. We drive in from Larkspur. I love the ladies group that runs the event and the apple dumplings too,” said Barbara Mathern, vendor and seller of crocheted, felted and wood-burned crafts. “This is my second year selling. It is a really great crowd and a good place to sell. I really love this cool oldfashioned building.”

The Elbert Woman’s Club sold 1,125 apple dumplings this year. They also served a menu of soups, hot dogs and sloppy joes out of their kitchen at the back of the Russell Gates Mercantile Co. building. All sales go toward the renovations of the building that serves as a community center for the Town of Elbert.

Due to the growing social media presence of the Elbert Woman’s Club, news of the yearly Elbert Christmas Bazaar has been reaching people outside of Elbert County. This year the farthest traveling vendor came from Golden, with others driving in from Aurora, Castle Rock and Larkspur to sell their crafts.

One woman drove in from Centennial to attend the event and try the famous apple dumplings. “It feels good to be able to support local crafters and enjoy

SEE

PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

Members of the Elbert Woman’s Club prepare to serve warm apple dumplings to the patrons of the Elbert Christmas

great space that the

vated Russell Gates building provides,” said Laura Jakos of Centennial. “The apple dumplings were definitely the star of the bazaar, and it is lovely to see the community of women

While attending the bazaar, the Elbert County News caught up with event founder Beverly Gresham. The 87-year-old Gresham started the event in the 1960s with her mother and several other ladies from the nowdefunct Elbert chapter of The Grange organization. Gresham and many younger members of her family maintain a booth from year to year at the front of the main hall of the Russell Gates Mercantile Co. building. Together they sell sewing and leather crafts, woodwork and homemade cinnamon rolls.

“When the event first started, we had booths that took up the whole corner. The event was just family and there were only a few people who came. It just built up more and more every year,” said Gresham. “Seeing all the people gives me joy. I don’t care if I sell anything, as long as I see the people.”

To keep up with future events, including the 2023 Elbert Christmas Bazaar, follow the Elbert Woman’s Club on Facebook at facebook.com/TownofElbert.

The apple dumpling booth at the Russell Gates Mercantile Co. building was busy throughout the day.

The apple dumpling booth at the Elbert School location. PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

Concessions were sold at Elbert School as part of the bazaar.

A family looks over a metalwork booth.

“Our community is amazing. I can’t even tell you how many toys we get every year,” said Erica Johnson, director of ECCO and organizer for the Christmas for Kids program. “We try to help where human services can’t.”

ECCO is also partnering with Coats for Kids in Kiowa, a program to provide gently used coats and other outwear (hats, gloves, boots, etc.) for students in need.

This year, the Dads of Elbert County (DoEC) group is helping provide food items for several families to create a complete Thanksgiving dinner. Their goal is to provide meals for 20 families. The meal includes a 14-pound turkey, stuffi ng, green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. The DoEC will also be helping a few families in need for Christmas.

“The holidays can be a rough time for a lot of people. Some fi nd it diffi cult to express how diffi cult it can be,” said Clint Decker, president of the DoEC nonprofi t group. “If there is any way that our group can help ease the burden during this time, we would love it. Sometimes it just takes one simple gesture to completely change the feel of moving forward.”

In addition to the nonprofi t organizations working to help the families of Elbert County, several food banks are available:

Elizabeth

1. Elizabeth Presbyterian Church 381 S. Banner St. 303-646-4825

Hours of operation: Fridays, 12:30-3 p.m. Saturdays, 9-11:30 a.m. elizabethpc.org/food-bank

2. Harvest Bible Church 826 S. Elbert St. 303-646-3699

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9-11 a.m. go-harvest.org/resources

Kiowa

1. Kiowa Creek Community Church/Kiowa Creek Food Bank 231 Cheyenne St. 303-621-2376

Hours of operation: Mondays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, 3-6 p.m. Second Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. kiowacreek.org/foodbank

Simla

1. Simla Family Thrift Store 303 Caribou St. 719-541-5544

Bread donation

Lastly, much like the Little Free Libraries throughout the country, there is a small food donation box located at the corner of Main Street and Broadway in downtown Elizabeth. As a part of the Colorado Blessing Box Project, people can anonymously leave non-perishable foods and others can take what they need.

Christmas for Kids applications are now being accepted. They must be returned to ECCO by 4

p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9. For questions about the application process, please contact Director Erica Johnson at 303-621-2599. Christmas trees can be found at ECCO in Kiowa, the Elizabeth Fire Station and Elbert County Sheriff’s Offi ce. For more information on ECCO,

visit eccoinkiowa.com.

To request assistance from the Dads of Elbert County nonprofi t organization, contact them through their website or fi nd a local DoEC member for more information. The website is dadsofelbertcounty.com.

Elizabeth Presbyterian Church Food Bank.

PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

Thu 12/01

ARTS: Holiday Youth Ceramics @ Cook @ 12am Dec 1st - Nov 30th

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

Denver Pioneers Hockey vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Hockey @ 7pm

Magness Arena, 2201 E. Asbury Ave., Denver

Sat 12/03

Sons of the Pioneers

@ 7:30pm

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree

ARTS: Cookie Making @ Cook @ 11pm

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

Fri 12/02

Blitzen's Ball Dance & Gift Train for friends with special needs!

@ 6:30pm / Free

Cornerstone Church, 9941 Lone Tree Parkway, Lone Tree. scott@all starsclub.org

Ninety Percent 90s @ 7pm

Pindustry, 7939 E Arapahoe Rd, Centen‐nial

The Boy Band Project @ 7:30pm

Town of Parker, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker Keith Hicks @ 8pm Private, Castle Pines Phat Daddy @ 8:30pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Gateway Classic Cars of Denver - Holiday Party @ 10am

Gateway Classic Cars of Denver, 14150 Grasslands Drive, Centen‐nial. marketing@gatewayclassic cars.com, 866-662-1874

Denver Pioneers Hockey vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Hockey @ 6pm

Magness Arena, 2201 E. Asbury Ave., Den‐ver

A Winter's Eve Concert with David Arkenstone & Friends @ 7:30pm

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

Sun 12/04

Mon 12/05

Modern Swing Mondays @ 6:30pm / $10

Stampede, 2430 South Havana,

Tue 12/06

Jenny Shawhan @ 7pm

The Barn at Raccoon Creek, 7301 W Bowles Ave, Littleton

Marty NIghtengale @ 7pm

Earls Kitchen + Bar, 8335 Park Meadows Center Dr, Lone Tree

Agresivos De La Sierra - Los Caudales Del Norte - Del Rancho Al Norte @ 9pm / $20

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Alex Seeley: Encounter Church Sunday Services @ 9am

Encounter Church Denver, 6825 S Galena St, Centennial Keith Hicks @ 10am Inverness Hotel Jazz Brunch, Englewood

Wed 12/07

Thu 12/08

powered by

The analysis begins EDITOR’S

The elections are over. I may have shed a little tear of happiness knowing the ads on television, in print and invading my mailbox will now stop.

COLUMN

Now, it’s time to overanalyze why the results are what they are. In Douglas County, results are not too big of a shock, but is there starting to be a bit of a blue ripple in Highlands Ranch? After all, as current counts stand, Democrat Bob Marshall looks to be heading to represent District 43 in the state House of Representatives.

Is a Democratic invasion coming? Or, is it just a blip and all order will be restored in 2024?

In Littleton, will housing become a struggle with every new proposal? Judging by the results, tensions are high, and they may remain so in the near future.

Throughout each county and community, getting new taxes approved surely looks to be a tough sell at every level. Schools do not just get a yes vote anymore. Lodging taxes even failed in Centennial.

In looking at local, metro races, there is one message that is clear — people want open space and will pass whatever you ask them to in order to preserve it.

Now, looking beyond our metro communities, I am fascinated by the impact unaffiliated voters are starting to have on elections in Colorado and nationwide. I look at unaffiliated voters as those who no longer want to be affiliated with either party.

As an unaffiliated voter myself, I am disgusted with both parties and will not align with either one. I originally switched years ago because I am a journalist who started covering politics. However, I am so glad I did change years ago because I love being in the middle.

Looking at Colorado election numbers provided by the Secretary of State’s Office, of the more than 3.8 million registered voters in the state, just over 45% of them are unaffiliated.

According to a Colorado Sun report in July, unaffiliated voters had a big impact on primary election outcomes. According to the article, more than 231,000 unaffiliated voters cast Republican primary ballots this year, about 100,000 more than chose to vote in the GOP primary in 2020 and 130,000 more than voted in the 2018 GOP primary.

The strategy in the primary was obvious – get out the candidates who are over-the-top. Tina Peters is a great example. The primary results paved the way for Pam Anderson, who was sensible and a good candidate to run for the state’s election office.

According to numbers from the general election, 2.4 million Colorado residents cast ballots in the recent election. Of those, 983,477 are unaffiliated, 742,429 are Democrat and 687,433 are Republican.

As future elections come into view, strategists are no longer going to be able to just cater to one side or the other. If Colorado continues to follow the path of 2022, the unaffiliated voter is going to require reason, solutions, and better engagement from candidates.

I hope the trends continue at the national level because at some point the two-party bickering and arguing has to stop. That also means maybe more unaffiliated candidates may have a chance in running for office.

VOICES

A

LINDA

WINNING

More than just attitude of gratitude

She worked hard on her presentation and had practiced several times before she had to stand in front of a large audience and share her thoughts and insights. She even woke up extra early to be at the venue hours before she would be speaking. She had asked the audio/video technician to meet with her to make sure everything would be perfect before she took the stage. Before she left, she took the time to sincerely thank the technician for coming in early to meet with her. As the technician received her gratitude, he smiled and nodded in

His smile wasn’t just any smile, and his nod just not any nod, there was something heartfelt in his body language. So, she asked him if he was OK. He looked at her and said that he has been an audio/video technician for many years, and he has worked behind the scenes for many speakers including some very big and well-known names. He also shared that he loved the work that he did as it brought him great joy to know he was responsible for people receiving a powerful message, training or motivation. But he also shared that very few, hardly any, even took the time to thank him in such a sincere way as she had. After her presentation she went backstage to remove the microphone and collect her things. As she turned to leave, she found the technician and said, “Thank you again, the videos

LINDSAY

ERIN

AUDREY

ERIN

I shared were flawless and the sound levels were just perfect. You helped make sure that everything I said and shared were received, and hopefully a few people walked out having learned something.” His eyes glistened as he smiled warmly, nodding with appreciation while patting his hand gently against his heart.

Two words, “Thank you,” make all the difference, don’t they? Is the story I shared above our story? Do we say thank you enough? How many times do we simply take for granted that it is someone’s job to serve us or help us, and we forget to tell them how important they are and just how grateful we are for their service? If we thought about it, probably too many.

I learned the concept of the attitude of gratitude from my mentor and boss Zig Ziglar. One of Zig’s many famous quotes is this, “It’s your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.” And we all know he was the master motivator, the greatest provider of hope and encouragement, and just an allaround amazing man. For Zig, it was always more than just the words he spoke or that he wrote in his books, it was more than just having a positive mental attitude, it was about living out that attitude of gratitude.

As we go through these times of change in our country, economy and in business, and as we try and hold on to the talented people on our team, so they do not wish to leave, allow me to share a lesson that I learned from Zig Ziglar when it came to appreciating the people in the company. When Zig wasn’t traveling,

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News.

We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.

ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100)

A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110.

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

Thelma Grimes

Change Makers helps older adults explore what’s next

Most people think of college as a place to go at the beginning of your career.

The University of Colorado-Denver is reimagining higher education as a place for people at the end of their primary working years as well.

A new CU-Denver program called Change Makers, launching in January, will bring experienced professionals who are approaching or already in retirement back to college for a semester to explore possibilities, retool and renew their purpose.

Midlife is fi lled with transitions, not all of them easy. The good news is that at this stage of life, people’s experience, skills and wisdom have never been greater — or more needed in the world.

New options for a new life stage

Longer lifespans due to health advances in the last century have

NORTON

FROM PAGE 8

he would come to the office, and he would walk around and check on all of us. And I will always remember that he would stop by someone’s cubicle or office and say, “Thank you for all you do for our company, I appreciate you so very much. With your skills and talents, you could have gone to work for anyone else,

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GUEST

COLUMN

Michelle Marks

led sociologists to defi ne a whole new life stage — an average extra 30 years after the family-raising, profession-building years. Yet careers are often still expected to end when people are in their 60s, with ripple effects on those in their 50s.

Choices at this stage have traditionally been full-time work or full-time leisure. But many people are now looking at retirement differently than previous generations did. They want something in between.

Some need to continue earning a salary to support longer lifespans. Others are interested in staying engaged, and in giving back to their communities. Surveys indicate a strong desire among people over 50 for continued meaningful engagement. This represents a

I am so very grateful you chose to work here.” I can share that employee turnover was minimal.

As we go through this Thanksgiving week, there is no better time to do a self-assessment when it comes to our own attitude of gratitude. And more than just having an attitude of gratitude, recognizing how we are demonstrating our appreciation for others in our lives. I would love to hear your gratitude story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we remember to always give a sin-

huge untapped resource for our community.

Here is where higher education is beginning to step in. The CUDenver Change Makers program is based on the success of similar programs in other states. Unlike traditional programs for older adults that focus on learning new work skills or dabbling in a topic of intellectual interest, these programs are focused specifically on helping older adults transition well from one life stage to a new one that includes purpose and impact.

First class starts in January Change Makers’ inaugural class will begin in January and continue through April. The four-month program will be held in a hybrid in-person/online format, meeting twice each week. The instructor, who has decades of experience leading programs for older adults in transition, will lead discus-

cere, “Thank you,” it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach,

sions on navigating transition and thinking differently about the next stage. In a tailored seminar series, participants will hear from experts on issues relating to aging and retirement. And with opportunities to audit CU-Denver classes and an optional applied internship in a nonprofi t or social enterprise, fellows will explore areas of interest and growth and develop a plan for using their wisdom in a new, fulling context.

The goal of Change Makers is to make change — in the participants themselves and in their communities.

Universities do this with younger students all the time. Why not later in life as well?

Michelle Marks is the chancellor of the University of ColoradoDenver. Find more information on the Change Makers program at ucdenver.edu/change-makers.

consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

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TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE

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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.

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Traditionally, playing with food has a bad reputation, but the rising popularity of charcuterie boards is changing that by encouraging diners to get creative with endless mix-and-match options.

Part art project, part meal prep, charcuterie is typically a combination of cheeses, meats and crackers or bread, arranged on a shared plate, Chad Halbrook, general manager for Postino Winecafe on Broadway in Denver, said.

However, the growing love for charcuterie has also led to an expanded take on the term, with all sorts of spins offering a variety of finger foods and pairings, he noted.

Halbrook said charcuterie gained a lot of fans during the pandemic when restaurants were reduced to take-out and more people were cooking at home because it’s an option that’s quick, versatile and requires few kitchen skills.

“People wanted to spice up what they were snacking on at home, make it look good and not necessarily spend a lot of time cooking,” Halbrook said.

He said that charcuterie’s popularity also spikes during the holiday season for those same reasons.

“When we dine with friends, it’s a communal experience and there’s something that brings people together in conversation over a charcuterie board as opposed to individual entrees,” he said.

The demand for charcuterie resulted in the option popping up on restaurant menus all over the area, including several at Postino’s, as well as spawning classes on building boards and whole businesses dedicated to selling premade charcuterie for those not inclined to make their own.

Postino Winecafe, which has four locations in Denver and Highlands Ranch, o ers a variety of board appetizers that can be ordered for take out. Chad Halbrook, assistant manager for the Postino on Broadway, said the communal nature of charcuterie makes it a common choice for groups and parties.

COURTESY OF POSTINO WINECAFE

Charcuterie is a popular choice for holiday events because it can be a quick and versatile option for any size group, whether as an appetizer or meal, Melissa Clement said.

COURTESY OF MELISSA CLEMENT

In Castle Rock, one such business is Farmgirl Foods, a market that features local products, including charcuterie, and offers DIY classes. Owner Melissa Clement said she thinks the charcuterie boards and classes are so popular because it’s a fun and social activity, whether you’re making a spread or just eating it.

“People will get so excited when they learn how to make a prosciutto rose or taste something, whether it’s a combination of flavors or one particular product, that opens up their palate,” she said.

When Clement is putting together her charcuterie, she typically starts with opposing textures and flavors, like a savory creamy brie and candied walnuts. She likes to include a hard cheese, a soft cheese and a crumbly cheese alongside some dried or smoked meats, like salami, prosciutto or chorizo, as well as crackers, bread and toppings.

Toppings can range from fruits, veggies, nuts or chocolate to spreads like honey, jam, hummus or mustard, she said.

“You want all the flavors to play with each other,” Clement said. “I always like to do something smoky or spicy together with something sweet.”

Halbrook also noted that swapping out meat for more cheese or adding more alternative options makes charcuterie easy to alter for a variety of diets and allergies. Similarly, Halbrook suggested making seasonal changes, such as adding in herbs, cranberries and oranges for winter spreads.

“It doesn’t always have to be meat and cheese,” he said. “You can do all sorts of things to please every person attending your holiday event or party. You can do veggie board for your vegan friends, which allows you to really splash more color on the board.”

Both Halbrook and Clement recommend splurging on the cheese, since it’s the star of the spread, but noted charcuterie doesn’t have to be pricey. Clement suggests cutting down on the accouterments or using what’s already on hand.

For proportions, Clement said she plans around two ounces of each cheese and meat per person if serving as an appetizer, or up to 6 ounces of each food per person if it’s the main meal.

Halbrook added there’s no harm in starting with smaller amounts.

“There’s no shame in refilling or having a backup item,” he said.

As for styling the charcuterie in an Instagram-worthy way, Clement said she will start by laying out the bigger items so that she can design around them. One of her favorite tips is to top the board by sprinkling dried fruit or edible flowers on top.

Ultimately though, she said there are no set rules, and that’s what makes it fun.

“A lot of times I won’t do a flat board, I’ll do a tiered tray,” Clement said of the possibilities. “The No. 1 thing to remember is you can’t do it wrong, you really can’t.”

Still, for those that don’t want to spend the time to prep and build charcuterie, there are several businesses in the Denver metro area that offer pre-made charcuterie, including both Farmgirl Foods and Postino, which also has locations in Highlands Ranch, LoHi and at 9th and Colorado.

| Ages: 5-12

Stop-Motion | Ages: 5-11

Holiday Robotics & Winter Ornament Make-and-Take

Students work together to build winter holiday-inspired robotic models! We'll end the festive week by building winter ornaments to take home and keep.

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Melissa Clement, owner of Farmgirl Foods, a market in Castle Rock that o ers charcuterie boards and classes, said the finger food has been gaining fans thanks to the mix of creativity and socialization involved in eating or building one. At its basic level, charcuterie is a variety of cheeses, cured meats, bread or crackers and toppings.

COURTESY OF MELISSA CLEMENT

‘It doesn’t always have to be meat and cheese. You can do all sorts of things to please every person attending your holiday event or party. You can do veggie board for your vegan friends, which allows you to really splash more color on the board.’

Chad Halbrook, general manager for Postino Winecafe

RSV cases filling ERs, ICU beds

beds, according to state health department officials who joined Children’s Hospital for a news conference.

BY BY JENNIFER BROWN THE COLORADO SUN

An alarming number of Colorado children with the respiratory virus called RSV are filling emergency rooms and intensive care beds as the state experiences an “early and intense” start to the flu season, state health officials and Children’s Hos pital Colorado warned on Nov. 9.

“It’s truly like nothing we’ve ever seen before at Children’s Hospital Colorado,” said Dr. Kevin Carney, a pediatric emergency physician and Children’s associate chief medical officer.

The hospital’s in-patient and ICU beds across the state are operating at or above maximum capacity, and emergency room and urgent care visits for respiratory illness are 30% higher than the busiest days of a normal flu season, which typically runs January through March.

Children’s is now postponing surgeries and other procedures in order to have the staff and space to treat children with RSV, the flu and COVID-19, he said.

Statewide, there’s a shortage of available pediatric intensive care

Children’s Hospital and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment held the news conference to warn parents and urge vaccinations after watching levels, especially for RSV, spike in recent weeks.

“What’s different this year is how early and severe this reference respiratory season has been for the children in our community,” Carney said. “Our emergency departments are seeing a record volume of patients.”

While RSV, which stands for respiratory syncytial virus, causes mild symptoms in most people, it can cause severe illness or even death in young children and older adults. As of Nov. 9, of the 554 people who had been hospitalized in the Denver area in the preceding few weeks, 95% were children. Health officials had counted 144 outbreaks statewide at schools and child care centers.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. Used by permission. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com.

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Help Wanted Now hiring Local Sales and Sponsorship Position

Colorado Community Media is hiring an events – sponsorship- digitalnative sales professional seeking to build their career with the largest local media company in Colorado. We continue to invest in innovation and people, developing new businesses and state-of-the art tools that support new products that produce superior ROIs for clients. We believe that a creative, learning environment staffed with talented people who want to grow and utilize the newest and best tools will result in a dynamic and successful culture that has a positive impact on our clients business and our community. Our brand is one of the most trusted in our community. We’ve built this reputation by providing award-winning news coverage and by being engaged in our community at all levels. As a true marketer, we want you to bring your experience and expertise to develop the best advertising and audience programs for local advertisers needing to engage with the community to grow their business. We value teamwork. We embrace opinions, perspectives, cultures and backgrounds that energizes the company and fuels our passion to do what’s right for our readers, our advertisers and our employees. If you’ve got the drive and the passion, together we can take your career farther than you’ve ever imagined. We are building a sales team that will be the face of the changing media landscape. We are looking for people who are excited to represent our emerging brands and our trusted, traditional ones too. Join our team, working a mix in our Englewood, Evergreen or Brighton offices and remote. If you’re as passionate as we are about our mission to grow and engage our community, please apply. CCM offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision and paid holiday, vacation, sick and personal time. As an added bonus, you’ll office less than 90 minutes from the best Colorado has to offer in outdoor recreation.

PETITIONS

Any interested party who wishes to participate formally must file a written petition with the Com mission no later than the deadline provided above. Please see Commission Rule 507 at https:// cogcc.state.co.us, under “Regulation,” then select “Rules.” Please note that, under Commission Rule 510.l, the deadline for petitions may only be continued for good cause, even if the hearing is continued beyond the date that is stated above. Pursuant to Commission Rule 507, if you do not file a proper petition, the Hearing Officer will not know that you wish to formally participate in this matter and the date and time of the hearing may change without additional notice to you. Parties wishing to file a petition must register online at https://oitco.hylandcloud.com/DNRCOGExterna lAccess/Account/Login.aspx and select “Request Access to Site.” Please refer to our “eFiling Users Guidance Book” at https://cogcc.state.co.us/ documents/reg/Hearings/External_Efiling_Sys tem_Users_Guidebook_20201109.pdf for more information. Under Commission Rule 508, if no petition is filed, the Application may be approved administratively without a formal hearing.

Any Affected Person who files a petition must be able to participate in a prehearing conference dur

ing

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information, you may review the Ap plication, which was sent to you with this Notice. You may also contact the Applicant at the phone number or email address listed below.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if any party requires special accommoda tions as a result of a disability for this hearing, please contact Margaret Humecki at Cogcc. Hearings_Unit@state.co.us, prior to the hearing and arrangements will be made.

OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

By: Mimi Larsen, Commission Secretary

Dated: November 10, 2022 GMT Exploration Company LLC c/o Jamie L. Jost Kelsey H. Wasylenky Jost Energy Law, P.C. 3511 Ringsby Court, Unit 103 Denver, CO 80216 720-446-5620 jjost@jostenergylaw.com kwasylenky@jostenergylaw.com Legal Notice No. 24916 First Publication: November 24, 2022 Last Publication: November 24, 2022 Publisher: Elbert County

the week of January 2, 2023, if a prehearing conference is requested by the Applicant or by any person who has filed a petition.