Elbert County News 012623

Spelling bee winner wins again

Luci Samaco achieves two-year streak in Elizabeth School District contest

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

Elizabeth Middle School sixthgrader Luci Samaco racked up her second straight win in the Elizabeth School District’s annual spelling bee on Jan. 11.

Eleven spellers vied for a place in the statewide competition. Top spellers from Singing Hills Elemen-

tary, Running Creek Elementary, Elizabeth Middle School and Legacy Academy were present at the competition.

e Elizabeth district spelling bee, held at Elizabeth Middle School, also hosted three local judges and a pronouncer. e judges were Dr. William Dallas, the district’s interim/ assistant superintendent; Allison Ritter, Town of Elizabeth accounting clerk, and Shellie Scobee, the school district’s student data management specialist. School board member Craig Blackham served as the o cial pronouncer.

After 18 rounds of spelling, Samaco won the rst-place trophy. is is

her second year in a row winning the district spelling bee. Her nal championship word was “commendable.”

“It feels really good to win for the second year in a row. I am really proud of myself. I was scared though,” commented Samaco. “I do feel a little bad for the other people because they wanted to win too.”

Samaco will go on to compete in the 83rd Annual Denver Post Colorado State Spelling Bee on March 11 at the University of Denver, where the state’s top spellers will compete for the title of Colorado State Spelling Bee Champion.

Groups plan valentine fundraiser

Last such event was held at end of 19th century

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

Instead of watching teams toss around the pigskin on Super Bowl Sunday, some Elbert County residents are choosing to attend the Town of Elbert Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance on Feb. 12.

e event will take place at the Russell Gates Mercantile Co. building, the informal community center for the Town of Elbert. e Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance will be hosted by three organizations crucial to the functionality of the Town of Elbert: e Elbert Fire Protection District, e Elbert Town Committee, and the Elbert Woman’s Club.

“All three organizations strive to bring our community together with these events,” said Elbert Town Committee President Lacey Catterton in an interview from Jan 16. “We want provide events for the citizens where they can take their families for holidays or just for fun and not have to drive miles away for things to do.”

e event will include a twohour Italian dinner, complete with spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and dessert. e food will be provided by volunteers from the three hosting organizations. e dinner will last from 5-7 p.m. Dancing will take place immediately after dinner from 7-8 p.m.

e suggested donations for the event are $10 per adult and $5 per child. All proceeds from the event will go toward the upkeep of the Russell Gates Mercantile Co. Building.

FOR THE KIDS

Enrollment begins for universal preschool

Elizabeth Middle School sixth-grader Luci Samaco spells her first word of the competition at the Jan. 11 district spelling bee. Samaco went on to win for the second straight year.

PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

A flyer for the Town of Elbert 2023 Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance.

COURTESY OF THE ELBERT TOWN COMMITTEE

FUNDRAISER

FROM PAGE 1

“All of the organizations decided to donate the proceeds to the Elbert Woman’s Club,” said Catterton. “Since the restoration and the upkeep of the mercantile is taken care of by the Woman’s Club, we determined the funds from the dinner would go to the place where most community events are hosted.”

e Russell Gates Mercantile Co. building will also be decorated oor to ceiling with Valentine’s Day decor for the event. A wide array of music will be played, and attendees can also make music requests throughout the evening.

e last recorded Town of Elbert Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance was held in 1899. In an article from the

Elbert County Tribune, the “Grand Social Ball” was held on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 1899. Tickets were sold at H.H. Beckman’s and E. Barkley’s Barber Shop in Elbert for $1.50. is second Valentine’s Day event is to be held only a short 124 years later.

e Russell Gates Mercantile Co. Building is located at 24223 Eccles St. in Elbert.

For more information on the event, visit the Elbert, CO Facebook page at facebook.com/elberttownco or the Elbert Town Committee website at tinyurl.com/ETCVal.

e Town of Elbert now has a new Instagram pro le. ere you can keep up with news about the town and upcoming events like the Valentine’s Dinner & Dance. You can also see photos from around town and from points in Elbert’s history. Follow them @elbert_co.

PHOTO

LENNAR, SNOWMASS MODEL

LENNAR, PINNACLE MODEL

LENNAR, TABOR MODEL

“I am really nervous for the state spelling bee,” said Samaco. “It’s really weird. It’s like a big vocab test.”

Samaco’s mother chimed in, expressing her excitement for Luci’s win. “We’re very proud of her,” she said. “Luci has her own system. We helped her study, but she de nitely has her own system of how to study and prepare.”

Of the other spellers, Khiya Phillips, a sixth-grader at Elizabeth Middle School, nished in second place, and Cooper Tobler, a fth-grader from Singing Hills Elementary, nished

Elizabeth School District spelling bee organizer Jason Hackett meets with spellers prior to the competition on Jan. 11. PHOTOS BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

Cooper Tobler, a fifth-grader at Singing Hills Elementary, spells a word at the Elizabeth School District spelling bee. Cooper took home the third-place trophy at the Jan. 11 competition.

Strive to Thrive o ers hot meal and assistance

The Strive to Thrive Resource Fair will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 4-6 p.m. at the Calvary Chapel, 1100 Caprice Drive in Castle Rock. Enjoy a free hot meal and access valuable resources from more than 20 different organizations. Individuals and families are welcome to attend. For more information, visit douglas.co.us and search for Strive to Thrive.

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

Business Personal Property Tax Declarations due by April 15

Business Personal Property Tax Declarations may be filed online at DouglasFilesOnline.org Business owners who own or lease business personal property with a total market value of greater than $52,000 must report the property to the County Assessor. For more information, visit douglas.co.us/assessor

Are you a Douglas County property owner?

Visit douglascotax.com to view parcel details, prior year payment history, pay taxes and more. Still have questions? Visit douglas.co.us/treasurer for additional information.

Find new employment opportunities in 2023

Whether you’re a young person looking for career guidance, have recently been separated from a job or are considering a new career path, Arapahoe/Douglas Works! provides a variety of no-cost employment assistance services. For more information and to get started, visit adworks.org

Interested in becoming a foster parent?

Information nights are open to anyone interested in learning about foster care. Information nights are free and via Zoom on Feb. 6 and Feb. 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. For information, call 303.636.1KID or register online at collaborativefostercare.com and select Information Night.

Douglas County Health Department

Need a birth or death certificate?

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

Visit douglas.co.us

The judges and left, Dr. William

Khiya Phillips, an Elizabeth Middle School sixth-grader, spells for the judges at the Elizabeth School District spelling bee. Khiya took second place at the competition.

Universal preschool enrollment starts

BY THERESA HO ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

e Polis administration announced that enrollment for the Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado program opened on Jan. 17 for families to register their kids for preschool this fall.

“We are bringing highquality preschool to Colorado kids, saving families thousands of dollars, and making sure Colorado students get a strong start in school,” Gov. Jared Polis said.

e program will provide 15 hours of free, voluntary preschool per week for Colorado 4-year-olds starting in 2023. ree-year-old children with qualifying factors are eligible

for 10 hours of preschool programming.

Starting Jan. 17, families of children in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, and qualifying 3-year-olds, can visit the Colorado Department of Early Childhood’s UPK Colorado site and login to begin the enrollment process, which will be open on a rolling basis. Children will begin being matched to providers in mid-February.

According to a press release, over 850 providers have signed up to participate in the statefunded, voluntary delivery preschool program to every Colorado child in the year before they are eligible to enter kindergarten.

“It’s incredible to see hun-

dreds of school districts and preschools registering to be a part of Colorado’s e ort to prepare our kids for the future,” said Lisa Roy, the executive director of Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood. “ e enthusiasm is palpable with over 29,000 openings already available for kids in Universal Preschool Colorado.”

Roy expects the number of seats to grow before the state opens up registration to families on Jan. 17.

All providers that are licensed to support preschoolaged children are able to participate in UPK Colorado. To begin the process, providers can sign up at provider.upk. colorado.gov/welcome and contact their Local Coordinat-

ing Organization for additional support in signing up.

Colorado program, you can go cdec.colorado.gov/coloradouniversal-preschool/familyFAQ for answers to frequently asked questions.

Limited time o er. *APY = Annual Percentage Yield. e minimum balance to open the 7-month, 17-month, or 27-month certi cate and earn the advertised APY is $500. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawals. At maturity, the 7-month CD will convert to Premier Member’s 6-month regular, the 17-month CD will convert to Premier Member’s 12-month regular, and the 27-month CD will convert to Premier Member’s 24-month regular, xed rate CD and will earn the prevailing interest rate in e ect at time of renewal. is special rate o er is not available for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Rates apply to personal and business accounts only. Membership eligibility required.

community stories across Colo-

Used by permission. For more, tain PBS, visit rmpbs.org.

Preschoolers at King-Murphy Elementary in Evergreen enjoy new classrooms.

PROVIDED BY HEIDI LUPINACCI

Thu 2/02

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Denver Parks and Recreation (ATH), 2680 W Mexico Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

John Hodgman

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Gothic

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Cherry Creek High School, 9300 E Union Ave, Greenwood Village. 253-973-8170

Fleming Mansion Walkthrough (for permit holders only) @ 6pm

Fleming Mansion, 1510 S. Grant St., Den‐ver. 720-913-0654

6 Million Dollar Band @ 8pm Wild Goose Saloon, Parker SECRETTO @ 8:30pm / $60 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Douglas County Garden Club Meeting - February 7 in Castle Rock

@ 1pm

Douglas County Libraries, 100 South Wilcox Street, Castle Rock. douglascountygardenclub@out look.com

Wed 2/08

Parent Guide to ADHD: ADHD in the Classroom (18+ yrs) @ 1:15am Feb 8th - Feb 7th

Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker

Ladies Night @ 6pm / $5 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

RJD2 @ 9pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

John Brewster Music: Songwriter Showcase at Herman's Hideaway (Solo) @ 7pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo at 'Bout Time Pub & Grub @ 8pm

Bout Time Pub & Grub, 3580 S Platte River Dr A, Sheridan

Thu 2/09

RMRR Trophy Series, February 5th 2023 - 7 Mile and 5K Race at Reynolds Landing in Littleton

@ 9am / $10-$10 6745 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton

Kids’ Zone: Community Helpers (37 yrs) W/S23

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Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker

YS: 3-4 Sports Experience @ Harvey Park @ 8pm

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Harvey Park Recreation Center, 2120 S. Tennyson Way, Denver. 720-913-0654

Kids' Zone: Very,

Vanimal Kingdom Duo at Lincoln Station @ 6pm

Lincoln Station Coffee/Pizza/Mu‐sic, 9360 Station St, Lone Tree

Larry & Joe: WORKSHOP: Venezuelan Strings @ 6pm Swallow Hill Music, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver Outta Nowhere @ 7pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

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LOCAL VOICES

Enough already

Ea rlier this month the news dropped that President Joe Biden was not so perfect in handling classi ed documents. Same as his predecessor Donald Trump.

EDITOR’S COLUMN

As the story unfolded throughout the week, it became clear that our president has indeed done the same thing he chastised Trump for.

For me, I have a number of issues with the entire situation. First, it’s frustration. How does this issue continue to come up? Hillary and her server. en, Trump and his barrage of documents at Mar-aLago. And, now, Biden. How are the leaders we elected so stupid that understanding the point and importance of classi ed documents is too damn hard?

Thelma Grimes

Second, I have issues with the responses from both sides of the aisle. When Hillary was questioned about her server it was the media and Republicans picking on her. When Trump’s issues came — it was Democrats and the Department of Justice ganging up.

Now, with Biden, interestingly, it’s the same old thing. Democrats have an excuse saying it’s not as bad as Trump. Republicans calling for raids and answers, saying Biden should be treated no di erently than Trump.

At the end of the day, our behavior toward picking one side or the other has created this ongoing mess. Neither side has to respect policy or rules because they will get a pass from their own.

e lack of accountability is a problem. Both sides of the aisle need to start standing up and saying wrong is wrong and stop nding excuses to allow something to continue happening. Trump is in the wrong for having the documents. Biden is wrong for having the documents. Both are wrong and it should not matter which side of the political aisle they serve.

In reality, we look ridiculous as a country. Our leaders can’t leave classi ed documents where they should be. Our law enforcement agencies can’t seem to manage a situation fairly and professionally.

In the end, we have classi ed materials thrown throughout the country and no leadership stepping in to do the obvious. e obvious being review the ongoing issue and create policy and measures to stop it from happening anymore.

Why isn’t that happening? Because leadership would have to stop bickering, pointing ngers and nally say there’s a problem and an answer is required to prevent future issues.

A continued e ort to treat classi ed documents as just another piece of paper is going to get worse and at some point, the materials being taken for granted and treated carelessly might be way too important and get in the wrong hands.

is isn’t a story to spin, ignore or avoid — steps must be taken to tell all politicians the rules matter when it comes to protecting our classi ed documents and information and should be respected. If our leaders have lost perspective so much that they do not understand what classi ed materials are — maybe a Top Secret 101 class is in order.

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

Sell the sizzle and buy the sizzle

WINNING

Recently I went back and reread the book “Sizzlemanship” by Elmer Wheeler. Elmer Wheeler is credited with being one of the original pioneers of sales skills training and motivation industry. It’s classic stu and de nitely worth the read. e point, as you can guess by the title, is to sell what your product or service does, not what it is, meaning sell the sizzle and not the

In today’s world we think about the sizzle as the KPIs, Key Performance Indicators, or the results that the company or the person purchasing the product or service might experience. For businesses and sellers, it’s making sure that we are focusing on that old radio station that buyers tune into, WIIFM, standing for “What’s in it for me.” Making sure that we know exactly how our product or service will contribute to the achievement of their goals and success.

Elmer Wheeler was way ahead of his time as we think about how business owners, entrepreneurs and salespeople think and sell. When we put the customer’s interests and results ahead of corporate pro t or commission checks, we will undoubtedly sell more of our products and services. Changing the station from WIIFM to tuning into WIIFT, “What’s in it for them.”

Now, walk with me through the transition from sales to our everyday lives. How many

times are we trying to sell someone on an idea, or to help out, volunteer, join an organization, or anything else where we are seeking to have our family or friends get involved with something or buy into our idea? Most times we focus on the help we need instead of what they might be able to experience by participating. If you have ever been in the role of a leader in any not-for-pro t organization, committee, or other function at your children’s school or at the house of worship that you attend, you probably know exactly what I am talking about.

Companies looking to get better in any area of business might consider thinking about the sizzle as looking at increasing revenues or increasing their average sales price. Maybe they are focused on improving margins, win/ loss ratios, or sales behaviors. ey may look to expand through upselling and gaining more market share. Or they may be interested in reducing sales cycle time or customer attrition.

But we as individuals also have values and things that we might consider our sizzle when deciding what is in it for us, or why we may choose to get involved. When we are thinking about getting better in an area of our lives we may look at increasing prosperity, strength, or endurance. We may have a desire to improve our health, happiness, or relationships. What gets us excited may be our pursuit of expanding our knowledge, our network, or our security as we think about retirement. And maybe for some of us it’s about reducing or eliminat-

SEE NORTON, P9

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.

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Housing options for older adults

ing is an option that appeals to many for various reasons.

LIVING AND AGING WELL

New housing opportunities planned for older adults, reverse mortgages, and other housing strategies will be discussed at the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County meeting on ursday, March 2 from 10-11:30 a.m. Artie Lehl, deputy director of the Douglas County Housing Partnership, will talk about these important topics. Older adults as well as the general public are invited to this free presentation at the Philip S. Miller Building, 100 ird Street, Castle Rock.

New housing as well as established older adult housing will be described by Lehl, whose organization is located in Lone Tree. Senior hous-

NORTON

FROM PAGE 8

ing something in our life such as dropping weight, easing our stress, or getting rid of bad habits.

We don’t buy a gym membership, treadmill, Peloton, Tonal or home gym equipment because of what it is or the brand, we make that investment because we have a desire to look di erent and feel di erent, the sizzle. We don’t give of our time to

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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

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Information on how to obtain in-depth, free, one-on-one counseling will be presented. ere are options available to older adults to help obtain suitable housing Lehl will provide an overview of reverse mortgage lending including the pros and cons of using this type of loan. Reverse mortgages can be used to create additional retirement funds and to eliminate mortgage payments.

Some older adults wish to age in place and some want to explore a di erent lifestyle, whether in a ordable senior housing or a multigen-

support a charity because we feel a sense of obligation or we have to, we give of our time because we realize that as much as we give, we receive tenfold in return from a sense of grati cation as we see the results of our e orts in the smiles of those who we help, and that’s our sizzle. Whether you run a business, lead a sales team, are a salesperson yourself, or if you are part of a notfor-pro t organization, a committee, or in some way tasked with seeking volunteers, remember to sell the sizzle and not the steak.

erational community. It is good to have options!

e Douglas County Housing Partnership (DCHP), a multijurisdictional housing authority, was formed in 2003 as a cooperative e ort between businesses and local and county government. e DCHP operates with nancial support from the jurisdictions of the City of Lone Tree, the Town of Castle Rock, the Town of Parker, the City of Castle Pines, and Douglas County as a political subdivision and public corporation of the State of Colorado. Information is available at https:// douglascountyhousingpartnership. org.

This column is hosted by the Senior’ Council of Douglas County. The

When you are making the decision to buy something or get involved in supporting a great cause, do you make the purchase or decision on what it is or on how it can impact you personally? I would love to hear your sizzle story at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can remember to tune into WIIFT, it really

group’s motto is Living Well/Aging Well. Meetings are generally the first Thursday of the month at various locations in Douglas County and are open to the public at no charge. Is there a topic you’d like addressed in the future? Please get in touch. Seniors’ Council invites older adults to get involved and to keep learning.

For more information and program updates, visit www.douglas. co.us/community-services, email DCSeniorLife@douglas.co.us, or call 303-663-7681. Some meetings are available virtually. Please check the website for current information and links. You may request our electronic newsletter First Friday Update by email. Connect on Facebook at facebook.com/MyDougCoSeniorLife.

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.

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Lehl

3 lawmakers seek ban on ‘assault weapons’

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

ree Democratic state lawmakers are preparing to introduce legislation banning so-called assault weapons in Colorado in response to the mass shootings that have plagued the state.

But to get the bill into law they’ll need the signature of Gov. Jared Polis, who is already signaling that he’s not keen on the idea.

Polis refused on Jan. 17 to directly answer questions from e Colorado Sun about his views on the proposal. e Democrat said he is focused on strengthening the state’s red ag law, which lets judges order the temporary seizure of guns from people deemed a signicant risk to themselves and others, and creating policy around “ghost guns,” which are home-manufactured rearms without serial numbers.

“We’re happy to discuss other ideas from Republicans and Democrats about how we can improve gun safety in Colorado and honor our Second Amendment rights as citizens of the United States of America,” he said.

Democrats in the legislature, who have historic majorities in the Senate and House, are planning to debate a number of gun control measures this year, including bills increasing the age at which someone can purchase a shotgun or ri e to 21 and enacting a waiting period between when someone purchases a rearm and can access the weapon.

e 2023 lawmaking term could be the most consequential in Colorado history when it comes to tightening the state’s gun regulations. And the changes could come despite the promise of a backlash from gun advocates. In 2013, Democratic lawmakers were punished after passing a slate of gun laws in the wake of the Aurora shooting. Voters successfully recalled two Democratic state senators, and a Democratic senator resigned to avoid being voted out of o ce.

It wasn’t until 2019 that Democrats began pursuing and passing gun control legislation again in Colorado.

With the political ghost

of 2013 still looming, albeit not as large, over the Capitol, it’s unclear — beyond Polis — how much support there is among Democratic state lawmakers for a ban on what they call assault weapons. e idea has been swirling around the legislature for years but a bill has never been introduced because there hasn’t been the political will to pass such a measure Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, said during e Sun’s legislative preview event in the week of Jan. 8 that he would vote “yes” on a bill banning so-called assault weapons if given the chance. But he also said it isn’t the top gun control priority and that he worries it may “(make) us lose the message and maybe lose the argument around what e ective gun violence prevention can be in Colorado.”

“Our job is to pass policy, not just support an idea or not,” he said. “I think there are some complications with exactly how to make that policy e ective. Whatever we do in one state is not going to change what somebody does right across the border. Is it at the very top of the list of what I think is the most e ective policy we can pass to save lives? Probably not. But with that said, again, I support it.”

ere are three Democrats working on the bill: Reps. Andrew Boesenecker of Fort Collins and Elisabeth Epps of Denver and Sen. Rhonda Fields of Aurora. e measure will be introduced in the coming days or weeks.

Boesenecker told e Sun the week of Jan. 8 that he wasn’t ready to talk about the bill because the sponsors are still working on the policy. He said that a draft version of the legislation posted on Twitter by Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, a hard-line gun rights group, did not re ect changes that have been made to the measure.

Boesnecker explained that one key challenge in drafting Colorado’s policy compared with what has been done in other states is that the Colorado legislation can’t list speci c makes and models of rearms that would be outlawed. e legislature has a policy against naming companies in legislation. Instead, he explained, the Colorado bill must describe rearm features to de ne the types of weapons that are and are not allowed.

Fields con rmed she will be a lead sponsor on the

bill and said “we are still making adjustments.”

a Sun reporter who tried to talk with her last week, saying she didn’t have time for a conversation then or in the near future. She also didn’t respond to two text messages Jan. 18 seeking an interview. Epps, however, recently tweeted a video of lawmakers in the Illinois legislature celebrating the passage of an assault weapons ban. “You love to see it,” was her caption.

According to Gi ords, a group that advocates for tighter gun regulations, there are fewer than a dozen states with so-called assault weapons bans. ey include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

Gun rights groups and Republicans are already lining up against the Colorado measure.

“Contact your Colorado lawmakers and urge them to VOTE NO!” Rocky Mountain Gun Owners said in their tweet leaking the draft version of the bill. e post called Boesenecker, Epps and Fields “tyrants.”

e Colorado State Shooting Association said in an email to supporters that they plan to le a lawsuit to invalidate the legislation should it be signed into law. e group said the legislation “only disarms and removes rights from

them guidance as to how to create laws that pass constitutional muster.”)

Democrats have large majorities in the House and Senate, and so they don’t need the GOP’s help to pass a ban on so-called assault weapons. Republicans only really have one tool to try to stop the measure: libustering.

Ultimately, the fate of the legislation lies with Democrats.

In his State of the State address Jan. 17, Polis said he is joining bipartisan calls for “cracking down on ghost guns, which are completely untraceable and increasingly being used to carry out violent crimes.”

9News reported in November that the alleged Club Q shooter used ghost guns in the deadly attack that left ve dead and at least 17 wounded.

As for the red ag law, Polis said in his speech that he wants to expand who can ask a judge to order a gun seizure. Right now, it’s limited to law enforcement and family members and others close to the person whose guns would be seizures, like roommates.

“Why not expand this to include additional petitioners, like district attor-

neys?” Polis said during his

counselors — in the mental health and education elds

mention in his address was a ban on so-called assault weapons. “I haven’t seen anything like that,” Polis told e Sun when asked about the forthcoming bill, a draft of which was posted online.

In February 2018, when Polis was a member of Congress, he was a cosponsor of a bill that would have banned so-called assault weapons.

Asked Jan. 17 whether he thinks Polis will be an ally in his push to ban so-called assault weapons in Colorado, Boesenecker wouldn’t say.

“We haven’t had detailed conversations with him about the policy,” Boesnecker said, “so I’d hate to speculate on where (he’s) at.”

Colorado Sun sta writer Elliott Wenzler contributed to this report.

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

Governor Jared Polis speaks about housing and transportation at the 2023 Legislative Breakfast.

PHOTO BY LUKE ZARZECKI

Polis does not seem to be on board with plan

School closures coming as enrollment dips again

The school system is the first institution to feel the ripple effects of fewer children being born, Eschbacher said.

BY ERICA BREUNLIN COLORADO SUN

Enrollment in Colorado public schools took another dip this school year, setting up reduced funding for districts across the state and raising the threat of further school closures.

The problems — which many districts have seen coming — stem from years of declining birth rates that have driven down the per-pupil funding districts rely on as fewer students enrolled in schools.

The state saw a 0.37% decrease in enrollment last fall compared with 2021 as total enrollment decreased by 3,253 to 883,264 students, according to data released Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Education. The drop adds to waning enrollment since 2020, when the state recorded a decline of nearly 30,000 students — the first enrollment downturn in more than 30 years. Last year, Colorado counted about 1,200 fewer K-12 students, but the state also saw an uptick in preschool and kindergarten enrollments.

Declines this year, captured in the state’s annual October count, affected more than half of the state’s 178 school districts. Ninety-four districts along with seven Boards of Cooperative Educational Services, which provide resources and support to multiple districts that cannot afford them on their own, are facing enrollment drops this school year. They include six of Colorado’s 10 largest districts: Denver Public Schools, Jeffco Public Schools, Douglas County School District, Cherry Creek School District, Adams 12 Five Star Schools and Boulder Valley School District. Meanwhile, 85 districts and BOCES have seen their enrollment increase, according to CDE’s data, including Aurora Public Schools, St. Vrain Valley School District, Poudre School District and Academy School District 20.

“We have such a diversity in school districts that there’s not a one-size sort of environment or experience among school districts,” said Jennifer Okes, chief operating officer of the state education department.

The sharpest enrollment declines hit kindergarten and middle schools. Colorado tallied 4,506 fewer middle schoolers this year than last year, a decrease of more than 2%, according to state data. The number of kindergarteners in the state dropped by 2,373 kids, nearly 4% — evidence pointing to the toll that fewer births are taking on schools, said Brian Eschbacher, a Denverbased independent education consultant who previously served as executive director of planning and enrollment for Denver Public Schools.

Considering lower birth rates stretching back to 2017, he said, “it is likely that kindergarten enrollment will continue to decline, which will then put additional pressure on the overall K-12 system in future years as fewer students are entering and matriculating through schools.”

Colorado’s declining birth rate — which flattened in 2022 — is “hands down” shaping enrollment drops, said state demographer Elizabeth Garner.

About 62,400 Colorado kids were born in 2022, slightly up from 61,976 births in 2021. The birth rate, however, has remained flat, Garner said, even as the state has continued to see an increase in women of childbearing age.

The state hit its peak with births in 2007, when 70,777 children were born, and Garner predicts the state’s birth rate could rebound but not until 2034 at the earliest.

“I think this decade we will see a slowdown in enrollment in almost every area,” she said. “After this decade, we may start to see an increase.”

Eschbacher anticipates that the declines in student enrollment across the state could lead to more school closures — similar to recent decisions in Jeffco Public Schools to close 16 elementary schools at the end of the school year.

“Districts are going to have to analyze how changing enrollment patterns combined with changing funding structures from the federal and state level may impact the number of schools and programs that they are able to offer in the future,” he said.

The first step districts must take as they grapple with lower student counts: “understanding the new normal for what enrollment might look like in their area,” Eschbacher said.

Districts also must collaborate with their communities to grasp what fewer students will mean for their schools and the kinds of adjustments they need to make.

“We need to acknowledge that these dynamics are bigger than COVID,” he said, “and we need to start having tough conversations with our communities about it.”

Enrollment also fell among white students and students of color, families opting to homeschool their children and students pursuing online learning. The state reported the biggest change among white students, with schools educating 7,673 fewer white students this school year than in 2021. American Indian or Alaska native students experienced the largest percentage drop in public school enrollment, with the state recording close to 5% fewer students this past fall than the year before.

Meanwhile, the number of students engaged in homeschooling decreased by more than 1,800 from last year — down to 8,674

kids total, according to state figures. About 30,800 students enrolled in online educational programs this school year, close to 600 students less than the prior year.

“We knew this was coming”

Denver Public Schools — Colorado’s largest school district — shrunk by just over 1,000 students this school year, dropping to an enrollment of 87,864 students in preschool through 12th grade, state data shows.

The district’s projections anticipated the decline, so it wasn’t a surprise to DPS, said Liz Mendez, executive director of enrollment and campus planning for the district.

“We knew this was coming, and it has been for the last six years,” Mendez said.

Kindergarten enrollment has consistently dwindled in DPS, she added, with the district hitting its peak enrollment in preschool through 12th grade in 2019. Since then, enrollment has continued to decline.

“It is not due to the pandemic,” Mendez said. “The pandemic accelerated our declines for a year, but we have been seeing elementary school totals decline since 2014.”

That was the district’s peak year for elementary school enrollment, which has dropped steadily in the years since, she said. As smaller kindergarten classes moved through the school system, they began to hit middle school in 2020. DPS recorded its largest enrollment for middle school students in 2019, and enrollment began to wane afterward.

Mendez anticipates that the enrollment dips will continue in the foreseeable future, with a variety of factors influencing student counts besides lower birth rates. She pointed to changing demographics, with more young couples and young, single people moving into Denver, pricing families out. Meanwhile, the housing market is also influencing enrollment figures as more people, in-

cluding retirees, are remaining in their homes and “aging in place.” Whereas older residents might traditionally consider downsizing, the mortgage rate and availability of homes deters them from moving, so they stay put.

The changes to DPS enrollment will likely trigger some adjustments to staffing — both at individual schools and the district’s central office, which already eliminated dozens of positions last year, Chalkbeat Colorado reported.

The district’s budget and school budgets will also be affected by the decrease in students, she noted, while schools may have to re-evaluate the number and kinds of extracurriculars and programs they can offer for students.

“It is probably mostly at the individual school level where schools are having to make adjustments as their enrollment declines because as we know, there are many schools in DPS that have struggled with significantly declining enrollment,” Mendez said.

They include not just districtmanaged schools but also charter schools and innovation schools, which are district-operated schools that can skirt certain components of the tenure law and teachers union contract.

Other DPS schools aren’t feeling the blow of fewer students, Mendez added.

“The declines are not hitting every school equally nor every region equally, so there are some schools that are not experiencing declining enrollment, particularly in areas where we’ve seen more housing development,” she said, citing Central Park and Green Valley Ranch.

State lawmakers will also have their own considerations to make in light of decreasing enrollment, said Tracie Rainey, executive director of the Colorado School Finance Project.

“They’re going to have to determine how they’re going to address the overall shortfall in

Colorado’s declining birth rates lead to lower funding from state

Students in the Cherry Creek School District show o their sensory hallway. Colorado’s birth rates have declined, and school closures around the state could be on the horizon. COURTESY PHOTO

SCHOOLS

funding for K-12 and determine. Do they want to increase investment in funding even during a time of declining enrollment?” Rainey said.

Much of the funding shortfall stems from the budget stabilization factor — a growing debt the state has owed to schools since the Great Recession hit in 2009. e total of that debt is more than $10 billion, Rainey said, and this school year alone, school funding was cut short by $321 million.

Paying down the budget stabilization factor won’t solve school funding de cits, she noted. To remain competitive with other states, pay teachers more and curb districts’ struggles to attract and retain teachers, lawmakers must pump more money into education so per-pupil funding in Colorado is closer to the national average, Rainey said.

“ ose issues don’t go away unless there’s sustainable new revenue that can go into the system,” she said.

Legislators could decide to keep all the money they’ve allocated into K-12 schools from last year’s budget and divert it to paying down

the budget stabilization factor, Rainey said. In that case, districts facing declining enrollments would receive less per-pupil funding since much of their funding total is determined by the number of kids they educate. However, some of the funding loss would be o set by the state paying down the budget stabilization factor and pouring more money into the K-12 system, she said.

In another scenario, lawmakers could pull back K-12 funding in light of enrollment being down, which would have a direct impact on districts, Rainey said.

A ve-year averaging provision, which calculates funding for a district based on average enrollment over ve years, would soften the nancial cuts.

“As long as they keep that veyear averaging in place,” Rainey said, “then districts know how to plan for that.”

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

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BY OLIVIA PRENTZEL THE COLORADO SUN

A new leadership model and “senior leadership intervention” is needed at Colorado’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in order to build trust and e ective communication, a third-party consulting agency said in an assessment report, after receiving consistent feedback from employees describing the leadership in charge of the state’s response to natural and public health disasters as “dysfunc-

tional.”

e 29-page assessment, completed Jan. 19 by Denver-based consulting agency Investigation Law Group, revealed concerns about the division’s three directors and made several recommendations to improve workplace culture, communication and address concerns about leadership accountability.

e consultants recommended the division overhaul its leadership model and hire a deputy director to oversee the three o ces and communicate the structure to its employees, citing employee confusion about work responsibilities. ey also suggested an independent party work with the senior leadership team, for six months to one year, to develop a plan for the division, but immediate steps should be taken to improve ac-

countability.

e state hired the consulting agency in August after allegations arose of aggressive and inappropriate behavior from one of its directors, Mike Willis. An internal investigation later revealed “concerning statements” about equity, diversity and inclusion within the state’s division that responds to all types of disaster in Colorado.

e report did not identify any director or employee by name.

A majority of the employees interviewed (70%) said they were overall satis ed with working for the department, feel respected by their manager and peers, and are proud to tell others that they work for the department, according to the assessment.

But the division was consistently described as “siloed” and employees

described a lack of understanding of roles and responsibilities. Employees described the executive leadership team as “dysfunctional,” which they said trickled down the ranks and created distrust and eroded communication, the assessment said.

e consulting agency found that employees had little faith that the director had adequately addressed these concerns and were concerned about workplace culture further deteriorating.

In a statement ursday, director Stan Hilkey said the assessment will help clarify areas that need improvement, calling the state’s Department of Public Safety a “learning organization” with “a culture of continuous improvement.”

“Strengthening workplace culture, harmony and satisfaction depends on the unity of e ort from all of us, and I’m con dent that together we can further align these values with the excellent and critical work that you are known for,” Hilkey said.

In the assessment, employees identi ed good communication with their direct managers, good collaboration with their colleagues and exibility with their remote work environment.

Top concerns listed in the survey included the need for training opportunities for advancement, lack of leadership accountability, poor communication and a toxic work environment. Some employees also identi ed concerns about sexism, di erent treatment based on race and behaviors that are counter to an inclusive environment, according to the assessment.

As part of the assessment, the consulting agency conducted site visits and selected 26 employees and leaders to interview, while seven others volunteered to participate, according to the assessment. About 83% of the department’s employees participated in an online survey.

e state paid $40,000 to Investigations Law Group to evaluate the culture, structure and e ectiveness of the division, according to the state’s online database of vendors.

O cials sought an independent review after a Denver Post investigation documented allegations against Willis during his ve years at the helm of Colorado’s response to natural and public health disasters. Willis has been suspended twice in the past two years for his behavior that included intimidating workers, throwing objects in rage and berating female employees, the Post reported.

In previous statements to e Colorado Sun, Hilkey said actions

have been taken to address employee concerns and Willis’ workplace behavior, and Willis said he took responsibility for his “missteps at DHSEM” and that some events described in e Denver Post article “simply did not happen.”

During the state’s subsequent internal investigation, several employees complained about discrimination, harassment, retaliation and other alleged workplace violations during interviews, state documents show. e worker who lodged the

complaint accused the division’s leadership of creating a toxic work environment and failing to provide leadership and enforce policies.

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

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for

NOTICE

ELIZABETH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

By: Taylor Clark, Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. 24938

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Deer Trail Rural Fire Protection District of Adams, Arapahoe and Elbert Counties, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, two (2) directors will be elected to serve a four-year term and one director will be elected to serve a two-year term.

Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Peggy Rupp, the Designated Election Official, at c/o Collins Cole Flynn Winn & Ulmer, PLLC, 165 S. Union Boulevard, Suite 785, Lakewood, Colorado, or email request to prupp@ cogovlaw.com. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above email address

Elbert

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