INSIDE THIS ISSUE
BIG DAY
A recap of Elbert Day P2
SHORTAGE WORRIES
Teachers are needed P3
TINY THINGS
Miniature furniture and more P14
e annual Elbert Day Festival was held on July 8 in the historic town of Elbert, Colorado. It was a sunny, fun- lled day full of food, music, vendors and activities for the whole family, all backdropped by the iconic Russell Gates Mercantile Co. building.
e event started out with breakfast provided by the Elbert Woman’s Club and followed up with an exciting air show with local pilots doing stunts overhead.
e crowd favorite parade was a big hit this year. Classic cars, rodeo royalty and rst responder vehicles made their way down North Elbert Road. A new addition to the festival this year was the Gold Canyon Gun ghters based out of Colorado Springs. e “Olde West reenactment group” made their way along the parade route acting out classic shoot-’em-up scenes for the crowd.
e event was packed with funlled events including the all-ages pancake race, foam party, egg toss, watermelon seed spitting contest,
tractor pull and stick horse rodeo.
e festival also had several food vendors, a beer garden and two live bands. With all of the new events and the live entertainment, the 2023 Elbert Day Festival was bigger and busier than ever before.
“I absolutely love the Elbert Day
Festival. I don’t even live here and I come every year,” said Jim Bukner of Parker. “I feel like Elbert is the quintessential American small town. Like something from a movie. It is a really fun place.”
Nine-year-old Bella McElroy of Elbert was at the festival selling handmade cozies and lemonade as part of her new business, “Love in A Cup.” She sells what she calls “cozy cups,” large Mason jars with her handmade cozies wrapped around. She also sold homemade lemonade and snacks.
At the time of the festival, she had been in business for only two weeks but had already been successful in raising some money to achieve her one big goal: to buy a Maine coon cat. When asked what inspired her to start her business, Bella explained her want for a u y feline companion.
“I heard about this cat breed called
a Maine coon and I really want one,” said Bella. “ ey are really expensive though, so to raise money to buy one, I started `Love in A Cup.’”
Once word got around the festival about Bella’s goal, more and more people stopped by her lemonade stand to support her. She plans to bring “Love in A Cup” to the Elbert County Fair later this month.
“She’s been preparing to sell her cozy cups for over a year now,” said Jesie McElroy, mom of Bella. “She is so creative and so friendly. It’s the perfect t for her.”
To donate to Bella and her dream of owning a Maine coon cat, you can donate to her Venmo at @loveinacup1614
To keep up to date with future events in the Town of Elbert, please visit elberttowncommittee.com.
To learn more about the Gold Canyon Gun ghters, visit facebook. com/GoldCanyonGun ghters.
BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
e Elizabeth School District is encouraging residents of the district and nearby areas to step up and enter the classroom for the 2023-2024
school year. e district is currently struggling to hire teachers and sta , leaving many gaps to be lled in and outside of the classroom.
As of July 11, there are still eight classroom teacher positions available. Six of these positions are in special education.
To help alleviate this gap, the Elizabeth School District is holding a job fair on July 25 from 4-6 p.m. at Elizabeth High School. e job fair
will provide residents a chance to look at any job open in the district, even those outside of the classroom.
Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with district administration and ask questions.
“As an educator of 37 years, being a teacher is one of the most impactful careers one can choose. It’s not an easy job, but few can say they have a hand in shaping the future of our community, our state and
our nation,” said Superintendent Dan Snowberger in an interview from July 11. “Teachers do just that by helping to teach children the essentials to be successful at whatever path they choose in life.”
e Elizabeth School District is partnering with the Public Education & Business Coalition (PEBC) to help get teachers into the class-
Picking up after your dog goes further than making your neighbors happy. When you are out walking your dog, it is your duty to collect their waste. Often, the trails and parks we enjoy with our dogs are adjacent to creeks and reservoirs. Dog waste that is not collected gets carried away during rainstorms to nearby waterways and can be a significant source of pollution. Unlike one might think, dog waste is not a fertilizer. Rather, it carries harmful bacteria like E. coli, which poses serious health risks if allowed to come in contact with water.
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 STORMWATER MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY
room for the 2023-2024 school year. PEBC is a Denver-based nonpro t organization that collaborates with teachers, schools and districts to help educate teachers and create an uplifting classroom environment for students. PEBC o ers teacher preparation programs for those holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.
PEBC o ers two pathways to certi cation for those interested in entering the eld of education.
1. Teacher residency pathway
e PEBC teacher residency program prepares future educators for an exceptional career as an early childhood, elementary, or secondary teacher through a hands-on licensure program.
is program is for those who have little to no experience in the classroom but are interested in entering the eld of education.
As a PEBC teacher resident, future educators will be trained over the course of one year and be supported by expert instructors and coaches who are committed to success. Residents will not be the sole teacher in the classroom and can learn about the eld over the course of the program.
eir residency experiences are o ered in public, private and charter schools in rural, urban and
suburban schools across Colorado.
ey welcome culturally diverse candidates including multilingual learners.
“ e teacher residency program is unique,” said John Kearny, PEBC senior director of residency, growth and innovation, in an interview from July 11. “ e best way to learn a new craft is to embed yourself in it. With the residency program, future educators can take on more
responsibility as the year goes on.” e only out-of-pocket cost for the program is a $500 deposit. Residents also receive a stipend with the school district for around $30,000. On top of that stipend, teacher residents are eligible for an additional $20,750 depending on nancial need. ese stipends largely come from State of Colorado grants.
e Elizabeth School District is
currently working to provide health bene ts to candidates in partnership with their health care insurance broker. is will be con rmed in the coming weeks.
“Not everyone feels like they can enter the classroom tomorrow and start teaching,” said Snowberger. “Residency is something I’m trying to promote here in Elbert County.”
“People are worried that with the teacher shortage we will put anyone in the classroom,” commented Snowberger. “We want to make sure teachers have the training and skills to succeed in the classroom. PEBC is a great program to help with that.”
2. Teacher of record pathway is pathway is for those people who already have signi cant experience working with students in an educational setting. ey will serve as the sole teacher in the classroom with support from a mentor teacher in the building. Teachers of record and hired and paid by the school district rather than compensated through grants.
Along with teaching in the classroom, PEBC will help candidates maneuver through the teacher certi cation process. Like the teacher residency pathway, this program lasts one year.
e Elizabeth School District will hold an information session for interested PEBC candidates at their July 25 job fair. e session will begin at 5 p.m.
Looking for unique food options, starstudded country music and vintage cars all in the same place this summer?
Visit the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo from July 28 to Aug. 6. To purchase tickets and view the schedule, visit FairandRodeoFun.com
Roads are a necessity and they have to be maintained. Here’s where you’ll find everything you need to know about them all. Visit DouglasRoadWork.com to find out what’s going on in your neighborhood.
“We see fewer and fewer young people choosing to become teachers today. e PEBC residency program is a great opportunity for those who have pursued di erent degrees and now wish to serve their community to do so,” explained Snowberger. “As a resident, one works with a master teacher for the year alongside them in the classroom learning the craft of teaching. ey earn their alternative licensure and can accept a full-time position with con dence and training.”
PEBC is still accepting applications for their teacher preparation programs. e Elizabeth School District hopes for applicants to apply ahead of the rst day of school, but they may apply through mid-
September.
“We are unique in that we are a nonpro t organization that focuses in three di erent areas: teacher preparation, professional learning, and policy that advocates for the needs of teachers and administrators at the state level,” said Kearny.
“We are the only alternative teacher prep program that puts such an emphasis on teacher wellness. It is the most rewarding profession out there, but also one of the most dicult. Teachers need explicit wellness support. All of our residents have the support from their larger cohorts and are involved in professional learning communities.”
For more information about the Public Education & Business Coalition, visit pebc.org
To see all available positions with the Elizabeth School District, please visit elizabethschooldistrict.org/ Page/997.
Resource & Service Fair Tuesday, July 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cherry Hills Community Church, 3900 Grace Blvd. in Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Douglas County families who are struggling financially can receive backto-school items for the kids, a hot meal and access resources from more than 20 different organizations. Attendees in need of school supplies must preregister at https://tinyurl.com/4jafend For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for Strive to Thrive
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
you can take today to reduce the risk to your family and property by visiting douglas.co.us and searching ProtectYour Home. And sign up for free emergency notifications at DouglasCountyCodered.com to ensure you are aware if a wildfire or other emergency is happening near you. Visit
James Harvey remembers when there were two Air Forces.
“One comprised us, and the other was for the whites,” explained the soon-to-be centenarian from his home in Lakewood, Colorado.
Harvey knows this as fact because he’s one of just a handful of remaining Tuskegee Airmen, a group of Black military pilots and airmen who fought not only against enemy aircraft but against overt racism in the same Air Force they pledged to serve.
Born July 13, 1923, in Montclair, New Jersey, James H. Harvey III was the oldest of four children born to James and Cornelia Harvey. He attended high school in Pennsylvania, where he was an outstanding student, the captain of the basketball team, class president, and graduated as valedictorian.
Harvey said he never encountered much racism until he raised his right
hand, swore an oath to serve and protect his country — and entered the segregated U.S. Army.
Drafted in 1943, he was soon reassigned to the Army Air Corps., the predecessor of today’s modern U.S. Air Force.
Harvey will tell you in great detail that things in the military were different back then.
Very di erent — especially if you were a Black man.
“You just go with the ow,” said Harvey of how he coped. “You just go with the ow or something happens — something mysteriously happens. So, I just went with the ow.”
When asked why he did, he replied, “Because I wanted to live.”
Harvey settled into military service, classi ed as an engineer. As the war in the Paci c raged, engineers were needed to build and maintain the many makeshift jungle runways used by American forces. But Harvey was more interested in ying planes than building places for them to
land. So, he applied to the Aviation Cadet Training Program in hopes of being accepted into the Tuskegee Flight Training Program in Alabama, a separate school designated for Black pilots.
In 1925 the U.S. Army War College released a report called “ e Use of Negro Manpower in War.” Many say this report “set the overall tone” for how the military viewed Black men. e report stated they “lacked intelligence and were cowardly under combat conditions” and lacked the “ability to operate complex machinery.”
To prove this, the U.S. Army set up an “experiment” in 1941 to prove the ndings of the War College report. Tuskegee was an experiment that was designed to fail—to prove that Black men didn’t have the capacity
to y.
But instead, the program produced some of the nation’s most pro cient ghter pilots.
“I applied. I was accepted,” said Harvey. “However, I had to take an examination rst, and there were 10 of us that reported to Bolling Field to take this test — nine whites and myself.”
Both Black and white candidates took the same preliminary tests to get into the Aviation Cadet Program. Black pilots, however, would be trained at a segregated eld in Alabama.
Testing for this program was known among servicemembers to be notoriously rigorous and particularly unforgiving.
“Well, we took the examination, did everything they wanted us to do, and when the dust cleared, there were only two of us standing — this white guy and myself,” Harvey said.
Long were the hours and challenging were the tasks for Harvey, a self-described perfectionist.
“If everything is perfect, there’s no challenge after that,” he said. “I never dreamed or thought about
washing out in ying school. I knew I was gonna make it because I did everything right.”
Because, as a Black man, he had to.
“You only had so many hours or days to learn something and if you didn’t, you were out. It’s that simple,” Harvey said. “You only had a certain amount of time to learn something and if you exceeded that time, you were gone.”
When asked if he’s still a perfectionist, he grins.
“Well, I’m back at it,” he laughs. “I got married, so that was kind of the
Colorado Eye Consultants is dedicated to the preservation of sight and providing patients with the quality of life they deserve.
Our patients receive personalized care by knowledgeable and experienced board-certified ophthalmologists to ensure the clarity needed to see the most important things in their world. Your vision is our utmost priority and we offer same day appointments to ensure you get the care you deserve!
end of the perfectionism, but my wife passed, so I’m back at it again.”
Perfectionism.
“I’ve always been that way,” Harvey said. “Like Disney, when I was growing up … the Disney characters, I’d sit down and draw them — they were better than what Disney put out!”
His favorite?
“Mickey Mouse, of course … I don’t think Minnie was on the scene yet.”
So, what should we call you?
Harvey earned his wings at Tuske-
gee Army Air Field on Oct. 16, 1944, near the end of the war. A graduate of Class 44-4, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and began his career as a ghter pilot.
While many Tuskegee Airmen were already ying in Europe, protecting heavy bomber aircraft on their way to strategic targets, Harvey did not get that opportunity.
“ at’s because Hitler knew I was coming and he gave up the following month,” he joked. “I was supposed to ship in April 1945. And I
To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at (303) 730-0404. 1501 West Mineral Ave. Ste. 100 | Littleton, CO 80120
had my bags packed, ready to catch the train, and I got a message the war was over and they expected the wind-up of the whole European theater.”
On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, creating the President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services and banning segregation in the Armed Forces.
Harvey says the order was a step in the right direction, but it also meant his unit would be disbanded and its personnel integrated into other units that would “have” them.
Harvey explains how that became complicated for Black pilots.
Prior to his departure, he, and another Tuskegee Airman, Eddie Drummond, were to be transferred from Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio to a base in Japan. However, before they arrived, their personnel les — which included their o cial photos — were forwarded to the gaining military unit.
“So, you see, the wing commander had our picture,” Harvey said. “So, Eddie and I report to Misawa, Japan, and before we got there, he had all the pilots report to the base theater and he told them, ‘We have these two Negro pilots coming in and they will be assigned to one of the squadrons.’ e pilots said, ‘No way are we going to y with them. No way.’”
Harvey said he and Drummond
were told about the meeting by the pilots themselves.
Regardless of the sentiment, Harvey and Drummond were there to stay and were assigned to a unit ying the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star.
As they wrapped up their initial meeting, Harvey said the man who would be their new wing commander casually asked, “So, what do you want us to call you?”
An uncomfortable moment of silence ensued.
“I said, ‘Well, I’m a rst lieutenant and Eddie Drummond is a second lieutenant … how about lieutenants Harvey and Drummond?’”
First ‘Top Gun’
In January 1949, the newlyrecognized Air Force, thanks to the National Security Act of 1947, issued a directive to all ghter squadrons about an intramural weapons competition.
Each unit was to select its top three pilots to represent their ghter group at the rst-ever aerial gunnery meet to be held at Las Vegas Air Force Base, Nevada.
It was o cially called the United States Continental Gunnery Meet, which would later evolve into the USAF William Tell Competition. Other derivatives would include Gunsmoke and Red Flag.
Harvey’s unit, the 332nd Fighter Group, selected 1st Lt. Harvey III, 1st Lt. Harry Stewart Jr., and Capt. Alva Temple. ey were all Black pilots, including the alternate pilot, 1st Lt. Halbert Alexander.
“We met with Col. Davis (Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.), prior to leaving for the competition,” Harvey said. “We chit-chatted, and his nal remark was, ‘If you don’t win, don’t come back.’ And with those words of encouragement, o we went.”
It was May 1949.
e competition for “Top Gun” would prove formidable in the conventional piston category, ying the North American P-51 Mustang and the North American F-82 Twin Mustang.
ese were some of the best pilots and aircraft maintenance teams in the country ying some of the most advanced aircraft in inventory.
“And we’re ying the obsolete P-47 underbolt,” Harvey said “It was big, clumsy — and heavy.”
e lineup consisted of two missions of aerial gunnery at 12,000 feet, two missions of aerial gunnery at 20,000 feet, two dive-bombing missions, three skip-bombing missions, and a panel-stra ng mission.
“Well, we won the meet,” said Harvey. “Our closest competitor was the P-51 out t … they were only 515,000 points behind us.”
They were the winners, but …
Each year, the Air Force Association publishes an almanac citing overall force strength, statistics and such — including all winners of the weapons meet from 1949 through the present day.
“But, each year when that almanac came out, the winner of the 1949 weapons meet was mysteriously listed as ‘unknown,’” Harvey points out. “We didn’t nd out, we, meaning us, the Tuskegee Airmen, didn’t nd out about this magazine until 1995.”
It was only by chance that Harvey’s group commander stumbled across an almanac and noticed the winner of the 1949 U.S. Air Force Weapons Meet was “unknown.”
e almanac was corrected in April 1995 to show the 332nd Fighter Group as the o cial winners of the 1949 weapons meet.
ough the records were xed, one more mystery would remain.
‘That trophy will never be on display’
As winners of the rst Air Force “Top Gun” competition in the piston-engine division, Harvey and his team were brought into a hotel ballroom where the almost 3-foottall stainless steel victory cup sat on a table.
at was in 1949.
ey had a photo made with the trophy and it was the last day any of them would see it until more than half a century later.
In 1999, Zellie Rainey-Orr got involved with the Tuskegee Airmen as the result of a Tuskegee Airman pilot from her Mississippi hometown who died in combat — 1st Lt.
Quitman Walker.
Rainey-Orr confesses, until that day, she never knew much about the Tuskegee Airmen.
She was about to get a rsthand lesson from the men who were there.
“I thought I was just gonna go and put a ower on the grave of Quitman Walker,” she said. “I assumed he was buried here in Indianola, Mississippi and that’s when I would learn that no one knew where he was buried.”
Rainey-Orr reached out to the Walker family in an attempt to help locate the airman’s remains. rough her quest to help, she would eventually meet Alva Temple, the captain of the 1949 “Top Gun” team, at a 2004 event to award Walker’s medals posthumously at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.
It was there that she learned of the missing trophy.
“I just felt a connection,” RaineyOrr said.
Unable to resist, she began a quest to locate it.
Not knowing what the trophy looked like, and with Temple, at that time, in failing health, she reached out to the family in hopes of nding more details.
Someone in Temple’s family mentioned that there was a newspaper story covering the event, dated May 12, 1949, on a bedroom dresser. at clipping provided RaineyOrr with enough information to start contacting military bases and museums.
Within a week, she received a response from the National Museum of the United States Air Force, in Dayton, Ohio.
“ ey said they had the trophy and attached a photo,” she said.
Rainey-Orr called Temple’s family on Sunday, Aug. 29 to share the good news, but was told Temple had passed the day before.
SEE TOP GUN, P10
“It was almost like his spirit guided me,” she said. “I didn’t know the story or the impact. I was just looking for a trophy.”
Oddly, while it took Rainey-Orr less than a week to locate a trophy that had been missing for more than 50 years, it would take her much longer to get the U.S. Air Force to agree to bring it out of mothballs.
“I was talking to the historian at the Air Force Museum, the one who sent the photo, and I said I’d love to come see it,” she recalled. “And he (the historian) said, ‘It’s not on display — and it will never be on display.’”
Rainey-Orr was confused.
She thought that this was an important piece of Air Force history. It was the rst nationwide gunnery competition since the end of the war and it was the rst time that Black pilots had participated.
Why wouldn’t they want the trophy displayed?
After a lot of back-and-forth negotiations, the Air Force agreed to let the trophy be shown.
In December of the same year, Air Force Museum representatives took the trophy out of storage and delivered it to Detroit, Michigan, the home of another Tuskegee Top Gun, Harry Stewart, for its rst unveiling at the National Museum of the Tuskegee Airmen’s annual banquet.
After the banquet, the trophy was returned to the museum where it went on permanent display in early 2006.
Harvey was unable to attend the 2004 banquet in Detroit, but RaineyOrr, who is now an author and Tuskegee Airman historian, prompted him to make the journey to Ohio in 2006. When asked how he felt upon seeing the trophy on display, Harvey smiled and said, “Feels good. Feels very good — very, very good. Mission accomplished.”
About that 100th birthday
Harvey plans to celebrate his 100th
birthday with true ghter pilot air. He says close to 270 friends, family and guests from around the country, many of them “military brass,” will join him for a private gala celebration in Centennial, Colorado.
ere will be three birthday cakes, one fashioned into the shape of a Convair F-102 Delta Dagger — “made of gluten-free marble and cappuccino,” of course. What does one hope for after blowing out all of those candles?
“Continued good health,” he said. “Continued excellent health.”
And what does 100 years feel like?
Harvey will tell you.
“It doesn’t feel any di erent than the rst year,” he joked. “ Actually, I don’t remember the rst year, but I do remember the second — that’s when I got measles.”
His secret to longevity?
“I try to be a nice person to everybody — until they prove otherwise,” he said. “Just be nice to people. My motto has always been, ‘Do unto others as you have them do unto you.’ I live by that one and it works.”
Rainey-Orr agrees, and describes Harvey, whom she rst met in 2005 as “caring and compassionate.”
“I just like to say he is a real example of what we sow, we get to reap,” she said. “He is a rst in many areas, including becoming the rst Black pilot to y jets in Korea — and often unless he told the stories, they were forgotten.”
While saddened that she’ll miss Harvey’s birthday bash, Rainey-Orr is happy for her friend.
“I’m just so happy he got to live long enough to see the day, and to understand that people really do appreciate his sacri ces in the service of our country,” she said, “because he had comrades who did not. ey survived the war, but didn’t get to see the respect.”
But the big question is, what does the rst “Top Gun” think of the new “Top Gun: Maverick” movie?
“I liked the rst one better,” Harvey said.
Thu 7/27
Featured
Eric Golden @ 3pm
Park Meadows, 8401 Park Mead‐ows Center Dr, Lone Tree
Advanced Wind, Women, & Water Clinic | Intro to Racing
@ 4:30pm / $55
Cherry Creek Reservoir, 4800 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 303-757-7718
Running 101 Clinic @ 5:30pm / $17
Bear Creek Greenbelt, 2800 South Estes Street, Lakewood. outdoorbeginner@ gmail.com, 240-994-2970
6 Million Dollar Band: Discovery Park Summer Concert Series
@ 5:30pm
Discovery Park, 20115 Mainstreet, Parker
Summer Salt
@ 6pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Randy Houser @ 6pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd, Castle Rock
Halfway There Bon Jovi Tribute: Halfway There Rocks a Free Show at Brother's Lone Tree
@ 8pm
Brothers Bar & Grill, 7407 Park Meadows Dr, Lone Tree
Sat 7/29
Red Moon Rounder @ 6pm
Little Man Ice Cream, 3455 S University Blvd, Englewood
Inline Hockey: Youth Iron Man Tournament 17U @ 11:30pm
Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker
Sun 7/30
Douglas County Farm To Table Lunch @ 10am / $70
Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fair‐grounds Dr, Castle Rock
Summer Salt
@ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, Englewood
Addison Grace
@ 7pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Fri 7/28
Denver Broncos
@ 9am
Centura Health Training Center, 13655 E. Broncos Pkwy., Englewood
Tim Montana @ 6pm Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia
TRYathlon 2023 @ 5:30am / $25
Cook Creek Pool, 8711 Lone Tree Parkway, Lone Tree. SarahN@ ssprd.org
Sugar Britches duo @ Grist @ 11:30am
Grist Brewing Company, 8155 Piney River Ave, Littleton
Thu 8/03
Rodeo @ 6pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd, Castle Rock
Backpack Giveaway at Veri‐zon-Cellular Plus in Littleton @ 9am
Verizon Authorized Retailer - Cellu‐lar Plus, 40 West Littleton Boule‐vard, Littleton. marketing@cellu larplus.com, 720-456-7501
Jenny Shawhan @ 5pm
Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood, 10008 Commons St Ste 100, Lone Tree
ARTS: Urban Homestead @ Harvard Gulch @ 10:30pm
Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654
The best place to promote your events online and in print. Visit us @ https://littletonindependent.net/calendar powered by
Since the Colorado General Assembly wrapped up the 2023 session with a bang, I’m still feeling uninformed.
By bang, I am referring to the Democrats passing the bill that will put Proposition HH on the ballot for us to decide in November.
For one — the majority party released this important piece of legislation seemingly at the last minute. OK, it was literally. It takes three days to pass a bill — they did it just in the nick of time. Hard to believe they did not have it planned until three days before.
Nonetheless, what’s done is done. Now, it’s up to voters to decide on whether to pass this proposition that we are being told will help homeowners deal with the major property tax increases.
Before getting too deep into the measure — I will agree that Colorado does have some of the lower property taxes in the nation. However, given the cost of living and struggles families are going through — we did not deserve to play catch-up on the national level all in one year.
Instead, we are seeing 30%, 40%, and, in some areas, 60% increases. While I have not yet seen the numbers, this is just a guess, but I doubt that many of the tens of thousands of property valuation appeals are going to make a big di erence.
So, that leaves us with Proposition HH, where we are being told to approve it and we will get some property tax relief. However, in reading multiple stories about the measure and trying to understand it — I, as a property owner, am just not seeing how this is going to help me and my family.
I do, however, see how it is going to help the state get more money. After all, lawmakers have been trying to nd a way around TABOR for quite some time.
Again, not making the connection on how I am going to see a true bene t by voting yes.
I wouldn’t say I am against the measure completely. I’d just like to really understand why I should vote yes.
Several articles recently came out about how families could get higher TABOR refunds this year.
at sounds good, since I am about to be paying a lot more in property taxes.
Tell me now — if I say go ahead and keep those TABOR funds — how do I come out ahead? e math is not adding up here.
As information trickles in about what happens with the proposition, especially if the Colorado Supreme Court rejects current challenges, there is still no answer.
In one article, I read that if voters do indeed vote on the measure in November, property owners will not have an idea of what they will pay in property taxes until long after the election. Given the state is asking me to vote yes on the measure — I’d like a rm answer before I vote.
To complicate the issue further, local government and taxing districts that rely on property taxes are also playing a guessing game for what it means to them. Will sta cuts be needed? Commissioner Lora omas in Douglas County says it’s a possibility.
Larimer County imposed a hiring freeze due to the unknown.
To conclude — the question remains — how is giving you my TABOR refund going to result in a property tax break for me? How will this bene t our school district and our counties where this is the primary source of revenue?
elma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.
LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher
lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com
During a conversation with a couple of friends and colleagues in the personal and professional development industry, we found our way into the topic of how we got started in the business and who some the early heroes were who inspired and motivated us to be
As we thought about those legendary speakers and authors, we also talked about how their teachings have withstood the test of time. Although they all began their own journey many decades ago, the principles that each one built their body of work upon are all still relevant today. e greatest compliment paid to them is that we can nd iterations of their work in the published books, blogs and columns of today’s thought leaders.
Although we agreed on a few names, each of us had our top three or four. For me, the authors and experts who had a signi cant impact on my success included Zig Ziglar, Tom Hopkins, Denis Waitley and David Sandler.
Looking at Zig Ziglar’s career, many will refer to him as the master motivator, or remember him as the salesman’s
LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com
ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com
salesman. With more than 30 books to his name, Zig taught us all so much about life, not just sales, leadership, or business, his teachings went far beyond those topics. Zig was all about building up the person as his mission was to help as many people as possible with their personal, professional and spiritual lives so that he could have a positive impact on the world. I thank Zig for all that he taught me and for being an incredible role model of consistency, guiding me to being a “meaningful speci c,” instead of a “wandering generality.” If you haven’t read “See You at the Top” I highly recommend it.
As a student of Tom Hopkins and having read every book he has written and having attended dozens of his seminars, I credit Tom with helping me become a top performer throughout my career. Even in leadership roles, his teachings were so impactful. In sales, we hear the word “no” a whole lot more often than we hear “yes.” Tom Hopkin’s Champion Creed instilled in me the speci c mindset I needed to push through the losses and bad days and work towards the overwhelmingly successful days.
e Champion Creed says this, “I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed. And the number of times I succeed is in Columnists
ELBERT
750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110
Phone: 303-566-4100
Web: ElbertCountyNews.net
To subscribe call 303-566-4100
THELMA GRIMES South Metro Editor tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com
SCOTT GILBERT Editor sgilbert@coloradocommunitymedia.com
AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com
ERIN FRANKS Production Manager efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com
the best number to reach you by telephone.
Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.
BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e wet weather this season means nature lovers should be on the lookout for ticks as they enjoy Colorado’s mountains, woods, parks and trails. “ ere does seem to be a lot more ticks this year,” said Chris Roundy, a medical entomologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “ ey do like wet weather, so our wet spring has certainly created ideal environments for them.”
Types of ticks and diseases
e two most common ticks in Colorado are the Rocky Mountain wood tick and the American dog tick, which can both carry diseases, Roundy said. e likeliness of getting a disease from a tick bite in Colorado, however, is relatively low.
“ ough we are seeing an increase in ticks, that doesn’t necessarily mean an increase in tick-borne diseases,” Roundy said. “If you are bitten by a tick, there’s still a very slim chance that they will transmit anything.”
Luckily, ticks in Colorado do not carry Lyme disease, a sometimes serious and long-lasting disease carried by ticks in other parts of the country, according to the Colorado State University Extension o ce.
ey can instead carry Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever or tularemia, depending on the type of tick.
e seriousness of these diseases can range from having u-like symptoms to life-threatening conditions, Roundy said, but the latter is very rare.
If a person is bitten by a tick in Colorado, Roundy said they should watch for a headache, fever or rash and seek
medical attention if they develop any of these symptoms.
Several of the diseases can be treated with antibiotics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prevention and tick collection
To prevent ticks, Roundy said people should wear long pants tucked into socks, use insect repellent with DEET and consider treating their clothes with an insecticide called Permethrin if they will be outside for days at a time.
“If you’ve been spending signi cant time outside — always a good idea to check for ticks,” he added. “ ey like to hang out in areas where they’ve got something helping them hold on. is might be in our armpits, waistband, back of the knee, in your hair.”
If someone nds a tick on themselves, a pet or outside, they can double-bag it and send it to the state health department to contribute to the Colorado Citizen Science Tick Surveillance Program.
In this program, Roundy determines the species of all submitted ticks and uses the data to better understand what types of ticks are found in Colorado and where they live.
“I have received upwards of 250 ticks so far this season in our surveillance program, which is great,” he said. “ e more submissions we get, the better understanding we have of the ticks in Colorado.”
Tick submissions have roughly mulitiplied by ve since last year, but Roundy said it’s di cult to accurately compare these numbers of because of the state health department’s increased messaging about the program this year. Roundy contributes the in-
crease in tick submissions to both the expanded awareness of the program and the wet weather.
If a person nds a tick outside, Roundy said he does not recommend trying to capture it if it will put the person at risk of being bitten.
e Centers for Disease Control also warns people not to squeeze or remove a tick with their ngers. Instead, the CDC o ers the following tips:
1. Use clean, ne-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. ...
3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
4. Never crush a tick with your ngers.
direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep trying.” If you are in sales, Tom’s book “How to Master the Art of Selling” is a mustread.
Back in 1999 I had the opportunity to meet Denis Waitley in person. From that day on we enjoyed both a personal and professional relationship. Denis taught me so much about the attitude of winning and de ning success. He was a terri c encourager, and I would leave every conversation with him having learned so much more each time. His book and program, “ e Psychology of Winning,” and now “ e New Psychology of Winning,” will inspire you and teach you how to create your own blueprint for success.
Last, and certainly not least, David Sandler was so far ahead of his time with his revolutionary sales process. David’s approach is a simple one, disarming honesty. He developed a sales process that favored the buyer
and the seller so that the interaction was based on both parties being willing to have an open and honest adult-to-adult truth-based conversation. No manipulation, just a conversation where there is no mysti cation about what is happening or what will happen next. His book, “You Can’t Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar,” will change the way you sell.
ere have been so many others who have shaped my career and the careers of millions of others, and I thank them all for their impact on my personal and professional life. Who are some of your favorite authors and experts? I would love to hear all about them at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can learn and apply the wisdom of those who are willing to teach us, 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.
Several years ago, someone walking into Barbara Pontarelli’s home for the rst time may have gotten the feeling that they’d become a giant.
Hanging on the walls of her kitchen, small scenes exhibited the culinary décor of di erent eras. In one display box, tiny countertops of a retro 1950s kitchen popped with color. In another, little stainless steel appliances lled the space.
Miniature tables and chairs were laid out in parlor scenes in the house’s living room, and Pontarelli’s bathrooms were dentist-themed. Since her husband was a dentist, she honored his career with small recliners and minuscule toothbrushes on display.
“When I didn’t have enough space to display stu , I would empty closets,” said the Wheat Ridge resident, who now lives part-time in California.
Of the countless miniature scenes on display in her home, Pontarelli collected about a quarter of them.
e rest, she made herself.
“It’s, you know, how I express my artistic side,” she said. “I can’t explain the draw, but it’s de nitely a passion … I just nd this so satisfying — to produce something small to be as close as it can be to its full-size counterpart.”
Pontarelli is part of a passionate community of miniaturists, or people who enjoy the art, hobby or collection of miniature objects.
In the metro Denver area, it doesn’t take a magnifying glass to see that the miniaturist community is thriving — from meetup groups to classes, to a museum, the love of tiny things is big in the hearts of many.
A museum of tiny things
Pontarelli is a board member at the institution at the epicenter of the Denver metro miniaturist community: the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys. In addition to its miniature collection, the museum displays and teaches visitors about antique toys and special dolls from over the decades.
e museum recently moved to 830 Kipling St. in Lakewood after spending almost 40 years in Denver’s City Park West neighborhood.
In its new location, Executive Director Wendy Littlepage said the museum welcomes about 5,000 visitors per year,
“( e museum) is so many di erent things to di erent people,” she said. “We have people that come in that love just the exactitude of the small scale, and then we have people that love the
whimsy of the small scale. We have a lot of people that come for nostalgia … And then I think some people just like that it’s a bit of a mental break.”
One of her favorite things about miniatures is that they are for everyone. Some people come into the museum thinking that the collection, which includes several intricate dollhouses and other cases of miniature objects and artwork, is mainly for kids.
But the houses are full of detailed — and sometimes even functional — replicas of what one would see in a normal house, including cupboards, dressers, paintings, beds, sinks, animals and food.
Considering the familiarity and intricacies of the pieces, Littlepage said some of the collection’s biggest fans tend to be craftsmen.
“We had a nish carpenter come through, and he just said over and over, ‘ is is all insane! How did they get that nish?’” she said. “ ere’s one house where the plumbing is really exposed – and it’s not functional plumbing – but we had a plumber come through and he was just like, ‘ at’s what every house needs.’”
In one display case, tiny handmade food is almost microscopically detailed — including an orange that can be peeled to show the segments underneath and an onion with all of its layers. Other displays show miniature artwork by Indigenous artists that represent Indigenous homes.
For many miniature items, artists use the materials that the regular-sized objects would be made of, like wood and fabric. Paintings are painted, embroidered things are embroidered and knit clothing is knit with small thread.
But for other mini details, artists get more creative, using paper to make owers and polymer clay to construct food items.
While many miniatures are created by hobbyists and artisan creators, others are mass-produced. Just like with real furniture, Wendy said, collectors will determine which types to buy based on their speci c needs.
High-end artisan miniature pieces can sell for thousands of dollars, Littlepage said. e miniature art gallery in the museum was appraised at $18,000 about 15 years ago, so it’s likely worth even more now, she added.
Crafting classes
For those who like to make miniatures, there are clubs and classes to teach di erent skills. For a long time, Pontarelli was the president of one of these clubs, called Wee Wonders of Arvada.
e longstanding miniature group meets monthly at the museum to work on projects together or teach and learn new skills from each other, like how to make stained glass windows or create stucco.
“We have people at every level,” Pontarelli said. “I love getting together with these people and hearing what they’ve gured out and what they’re doing and always learning something new.”
In addition to crafting by hand, miniaturists also use new tools and technologies to create their artwork.
“I’ve noticed a change in the level of expertise over the years,” Pontarelli said. “Before, we used mini scroll saws and mini table saws and Dremel tools — we still use the Dremel quite a bit — but now that we can get laser-cut wood or 3D-printed items, it’s sort of changing the face of the miniature world.”
e museum also hosts classes for kids.
“ ere’s a whole in ux of young people into the hobby and for those of us who are in it, that’s kind of exciting, because, you know, we don’t want to
see it disappear,” Pontarelli said.
For her, miniatures are a great way for kids to explore their creativity.
“We’re just trying to nd any avenue to trigger their creativity, that’s really what it’s all about,” she said. “In this tech world, we need to foster any outside creativity activities that we can, because it’s really important that these kids exercise that part of their brain.”
To learn and wonder e dedication and ambition within the community of miniaturists is special, Littlepage said.
“My favorite thing about the miniature community is they’re such learners,” she said. “Like I have one of my volunteers who has been retired for a while … and she bought a laser cutter and has taught herself to program it.”
She said that problem-solving attitude, plus the childlike wonder of enjoying cute things, make miniaturists special.
Littlepage encouraged people to take a break from their busy lives to check out the museum, where tickets for adults are $5 and children and seniors are $4.
“It’s a great space because you have to slow down,” she said. “You come in fast, you miss a lot. So being able to come in, take a few breaths and just sort of nd the most ridiculous tiny thing you can nd.”
For those who have their interest piqued in the world of miniatures, Pontarelli said it’s never too late to start. Creating and collecting can be for anyone at any time and any age, she said.
And for those who don’t know where to begin, just remember — it’s OK to start small.
Curtis Center for the Arts, at 2349 E. Orchard Road in Greenwood Village, held the opening reception for its annual All Colorado Art Show on July 15. e juror for this exhibit was Danya Bryant, gallery director for the David B. Smith Gallery in Denver. (We will announce her choices of winners next week, since we must le this prior to that date.)
e exhibit includes entries created in many media, with a great variety of styles and techniques.
Lighting at Curtis is always good and this is a nice show for nearby residents, who may want to bring summer visitors in with them ... e gallery is open long hours.
We step inside and are happy to note a red “Sold” sticker on Stacy Roberts’ pastel, “Moonage Daydream,” near the entrance. Roberts lives in Morrison. All works are for sale and may be just right for a bare spot on the wall — or a wedding or graduation gift.
ere are 67 works displayed, selected by Bryant from a number
of entries. e variety illustrates the many ways artists see their worlds ... and the assorted worlds they create! Included: “Brain Scramble,” an oil painting on canvas by Karen Shaw, Centennial.
A contrast to the many works in color is “Pride of Trees,” a black and white work, executed in graphite on paper by Barbara Barnhart of Denver.
“Dance rough Time” is an acrylic and acrylic ink painting on canvas by Pamela Gilmore Hake, measuring about 30” x 36”.
Michael Toussaint’s digital photograph, “Dream Portrait,” is of a man’s head with water owing over it. Looks cool and relaxed on a warm summer day!
Near the entrance is “Landlines,” by Kalliopi Monoylos of Denver, a sculpture created with telephone and stereo wires and white tape ...
Also close to the entrance is a handsome “Saggar Vase Form” by ceramist Bob Smith, who teaches at Arapahoe Community College.
“Mt. Princeton # 2,” by Stephen Austin of Lakewood, is an oil painting on canvas.
Chet Vioma has a more abstract oil painting called “Purple Gardens,” with linear abstracted plants and lines — and intense color that calls out to a visitor.
Conn Ryder of Wheat Ridge shows
his sense of humor in naming his bright abstract painting “Well, Yellow ere.” It’s located in a central, squared-o space, which includes a nice assortment of small works surrounding the visitor. One wants to linger there ...
Linda Blalock of Castle Rock entered a small, delicate painting, “Feather,” that shows her technical skill with watercolor, pencils and graphite, while Leo Compliment, Evergreen, hangs “Bouquet,” executed with acrylic and mixed medium.
“Sifting rough the Ash So I Can Remember” by Sophia Ericksen, Denver, tells a story with watercolor, ink and photography combined ... It made me think about a trip to Oregon on the day that Mount St. Helens blew its top — the morning my son graduated from Reed.
At the entrance is an elongated print showing a lone nest on a branch broken o from a tree ... hurricane, perhaps? Sad note there. Photographers are certainly storytellers, as are most of these artists.
Curtis Center for the Arts is located at 2349 E. Orchard Road (the intersection with South University Boulevard) in Greenwood Village. It is open from 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Free admission and parking. 303-7971779.
Reptile Logic: A Corporate Dismemberment” by Matt Wexler will be produced
July 28 to Aug. 13 at Vintage eatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. e production is o ered by director/producer
Mike Langworthy, writer/producer
Wexler, producer
KQ and production stage manager/ assistant director
Rachel Lessard.
Cast includes Colin Martin, Corrine Landy and Gin Walker. 303-856-7830, vintagetheatre.org.
Colorado art show
“ is is Colorado” an annual art show, will be held Aug. 29 to Sept. 21 at Arapahoe Community College Colorado Gallery of the Arts, presented by the Heritage Fine Arts Guild. Entry forms for artists are found at: arapahoe.edu/2022this-is-Colorado-registration. More information: heritage-guild. com/2023-this-is-colorado-entry. html. Opening reception and awards ceremony to be at 5-7 p.m. Aug. 31.
Littleton music
Little Jam Concert Series at Sterne Park in Littleton. Free live music, with two more to enjoy: Aug. 12, e Petty Nicks Experience; Sept. 16, Deja Blu. Littletongov.org.
Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf, 1338 1st St., Denver, announces a session of “Dance-
portation” Monstercat Takeover on Sept. 23 — an all-night dance party with acts: Infected Mushroom, Koven, Godlands, Eemia, Ossuary and Numina. Tickets: 866-636-9969, meowwolf.com/visit/denver. Doors: 9:30, music, 10:30. 21 and over.
Rodeos, carnival rides, live music, barbecue and more are in store for families this summer as two jampacked fairs approach in the south metro region.
Arapahoe County Fair
e Arapahoe County Fair is returning for its 117th year, boasting a schedule of many long-time favorite events.
“It’s fun for the whole family,” said county spokesperson Anders Nelson. “Whatever you can imagine, the fair has this year.”
e event will run from July 27 to July 30 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, located at 25690 E. Quincy Ave. in Aurora.
Tickets, which cost $25 per day, include unlimited carnival rides, stunt dog shows, live music on the main stage, reworks, rodeos, tractor pulls, a petting farm, 4-H shows, art exhibitions and more.
Admission is free for children under three feet tall.
In addition to the shows and rides, there will be hands-on activities and demonstrations about western history at “Heritage Hall.” Families can learn about bee keeping, meet alpacas, weave baskets and more. ere will also be contests, including a “longest potato peel” and jigsaw puzzle competitions.
New to the fair this year, a ying acrobatics show called Cirque Adventure will have performances throughout the weekend, Nelson said.
Yoga in the Park
e mutton busting event, in which children ride sheep, is free to watch and costs $15 to participate in.
On ursday, the Arapahoe County Commissioners will kick o the weekend with a Western dinner full of food, music and networking, called “Boots Not Suits.” Tickets will be $50 per person and include general fair admission for ursday.
On Friday, adults can enjoy craft beer samples at the Pours on the Plains event from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., which will also include axe throwing, lawn games and live music. is event is not included in fair admission.
Saturday and Sunday will feature Colorado Pro Rodeo Association events, which will be included in general admission. Tickets include free parking. e fair will happen rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable.
Douglas
Join RidgeGate and South Suburban Parks and Recreation for free community yoga classes on the grass at the south end of Belvedere Park, at the corner of RidgeGate Circle and Belvedere Lane. Please bring your own mat, water bottle and towel to all classes. In case of heavy rain or lightning, class will be cancelled.
Tuesday, July 25th, 6:30-7:30pm
Tuesday, August 29th, 6:30-7:30pm
Guided Nature Hikes
Each year, RidgeGate teams up with the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District to provide free, guided nature hikes. These hikes are led by professional naturalists from the district, and offer insight and education into the natural ecosystems within the open space at RidgeGate. Registration is required and available at RidgeGate.com
Friday, July 21st, 6-7:30pm – Urban Coyotes
Saturday, August 5th, 9-10:30am – Reflecting on Women in Nature
Thursday, August 24th, 6-7:30pm – Leave No Trace
Summer Beats Concerts
Enjoy these summertime concerts out on the grass with free live music, food trucks and activities for kids. It’s all happening in Prairie Sky Park, just west of the Lone Tree Recreation Center, courtesy of the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District.
Thursday, July 20th, 6-8pm – 6 Million Dollar Band
Tunes on the Terrace at the Lone Tree Arts Center
RidgeGate is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Lone Tree Arts Center’s ‘Tunes on the Terrace’—an outdoor evening concert series that will bring your summer nights to life. Check out the full schedule and buy tickets at LoneTreeArtsCenter.org
Friday, July 21st, 8pm – Pink Martini Featuring China Forbes
Friday, August 4th, 8pm – FACE Vocal Band
The restoration of the 38-acre historic Schweiger Ranch, led by the Schweiger Ranch Foundation, gives us a glimpse into settlers’ lives. Today, the ranch is open to the public for self-guided visits and a variety of events throughout the year. Register for or learn more about these events online at SchweigerRanch.org
Saturday, August 19th, 10-11am – Guided Public Tour
Saturday, August 19th, 6-7:30pm – Campfire Storytelling Series (Ranger Trey)
A more natural approach to urbanism.
ridgegate.com
Wednesday, August 30th, 7-8:30pm – Natural Heritage Walking Tours with SSPRD (Blue Moon & Bats)
All events are held within the RidgeGate community, just south of Lincoln Avenue, on both sides of I-25.
Further south, the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo will start just a day after its neighboring fair begins, with events running from July 28 until Aug. 6.
e series of events will take place at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, located at 500 Fairgrounds Drive in Castle Rock.
Ticket prices vary based on speci c events, with general fair admissions at $16 on Aug. 4 and 5, the days with the most events.
During other days, admissions to the grounds are free and hours and events vary. A full schedule is available at https://www.douglascountyfairandrodeo.com/p/schedule/ schedule1.
Highlights include rodeo events from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association on Aug. 4, 5, and 6, as well as a free hometown rodeo with local contestants of all ages on July 29.
e 2023 county fair and rodeo royalty will also be crowned at the hometown rodeo event.
Llamas, dogs, horses, pigs and poultry will show o their skills and beauty at various livestock and other animal shows over the course of the fair.
Other competitions will also take place, including quilting, baking, agriculture and oriculture, 4-H and more.
On July 28, Randy Houser and Chase Bryant will perform at the outdoor arena, with general admission tickets costing $25.
On July 30, the Farm to Table event will o er a lunch bu et with locally and organically sourced ingredients and the opportunity to meet the chef and local farmers. e event is ticketed separately and will cost $70 for general tickets and $35 for kids ages two to 10.
ere will also be a carnival, petting zoo, a car show, mutton busting and a parade.
Animal calendar
e Dumb Friends League announces its Calendar Photo Contest: Five cats, ve dogs, one horse and one small pet will decorate the DFL’s next calendar. Entry fee $30, guarantees every pet a place. Each entrant will receive a 2024 calendar. gogophotocontest.com/dumbfriendsleague.
Fraud protection seminar
Douglas County Libraries pairs with Bellco Cedit Union to present free seminars in August and September at Douglas County Libraries: Aug. 8: “Protecting Yourself From Fraud”: Lone Tree location, 10055 Library Way, and Aug. 29: Highlands Ranch, 19292 S. Ridgeline Blvd. In September, the topic will be “Wills and Trusts.”
Lakewood exhibit
CORE Art Space, 6501 West Colfax Ave., Lakewood, will host an exhibit Aug. 4-20 of works by members
SheRa Kelley, “Eyes Wide Open,”; Barbara Veatch: “Swept Away”; and Tierra Lalk: “Wonderment.” Opening reception: August 4, 5-10 p.m. Gallery hours: ursday: noon to 5 p.m.; Friday: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: noon to 5 p.m. See coreartspace.com.
‘My Son the Waiter’ “My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy” will be performed Aug. 3-20 at Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood. It is on a national tour. Tickets: $45$65. 303-987-7845, mysonthewaiter. com.
Parade of Homes
Denver Parade of Homes will be held Aug. 10-27 presented by the Aurora Highlands. ParadeofHomesDenver.com. ursdays through Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.
Museum of Outdoor Arts
MOA events: Comedy Night July 28. Design and Build Summer Internship Installation: “Good Vibrations’ — Aug. 5; Colorado Mambo Orchestra: Aug. 18. See moaonline. org.
Central City Opera
Central City Opera continues through Aug. 6 — rotating with “Romeo and Juliet,” “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Othello.” 303-292-6700, centralcityopera.org.
Arvada Center
Arvada Center announces: “Beautiful: e Carole King Musical” Sept. 8 to Oct. 15. Tickets start at $56. ASL performances: Sept. 21 at 6 .m.; Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. See arvadacenter. org.
Jmlandservices8@gmail.com
Lawn/Garden Services
Landscape & Garden
Sod, Rock, Mulch, Retaining Walls, Sprinklers, Sprinkler Repair, Flagstone, Fence Repair, Power Rake, Fertilize, Aeration, Yard Clean-Ups, Shrub Trimming/Removal, Rock Removal, Weed Control, Trash Hauling and Much More!
720-982-9155
lawnservice9155@gmail.com
Alpine Landscape Management
Weekly Mowing, Power Raking, Aerate, Fertilize, Spring Clean-up, Trim Bushes & Small Trees, Senior Discounts 720-329-9732
Tile
ANYTHINGTILE
● Marble ● Repairs
● GraniteCounterTops
Remodelingismyspecialty! Callnowforfreeestimate (303)646-0140
Tree Service
Stump grinding specialist
Most stumps $75.00 and up $55 Minimum. Free estimates.
Call or Text
Licensed & Insured. 41 years experience.
10% off when coupon presented
A father and son team!
Terry 303-424-7357 Corey 720-949-8373
Speech Language Aide and/or Occupational Therapy Aides
East Central BOCES is seeking a Speech Language Aide and/or Occupational Therapy Aides for the 2023-24 School Year!
Duties include picking up students from class, monitoring students during virtual instruction, and returning them to class. Training will be provided. The salary range is $15 - $18 per hour, depending on experience. 32 hours per week. Mileage reimbursed for travel between schools. Location of schools TBA. Questions, please contact Tracy at 719-775-2342 ext. 101 or tracyg@ecboces.org. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Opening for Maternity Leave CoverageFull/Part-Time opening located in the Limon and surrounding schools. Starting August 7th and ending November 10th. The salary range $13,530 to $16,302 for 62 days of work dependent on experience. Itinerant position working in the preschool setting providing direct and indirect services to students. CDE Licensed ECSE preferred but may accept CDE substitute license. Mileage is reimbursed. Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101 or email tracyg@ecboces.org. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE
Educational Audiologist East Central BOCES is looking for a part-time Educational Audiologist for the 2023-24 school year
• CDE Special Services and Colorado Audiologist licensure required; CCC’s or AAA certificate; knowledge of current technologies in Audiology including HAT systems and cochlear implants preferred.
• Experience with children 0-21 preferred.
• Complete evaluations, provide direct services, and consultation services, manage hearing equipment and oversee hearing screening program.
• Benefits include: a signing bonus, mileage reimbursement
• Flexible scheduling with some opportunity to work from home.
• May be eligible for a loan forgiveness program.
• Ph.D. Salary $51,450-$60,550.
• For Questions, please contact Tracy at tracyg@ecboces.org or 719775-2342 ext. 101.
• To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE
only $99 shipping included!
USAServicesOnline.com call now 888-203-0881
Miscellaneous
Inflation is at 40 year highs
Interest rates are way up. Credit Cards. Medical Bills. Car Loans. Do you have $10k or more in debt? Call National Debt Relief to find out how to pay off your debt for significantly less than what you owe! Free quote: 1-877-592-3616
My Caring Plan has helped thousands of families find senior living. Our trusted, local advisors help find solutions to your unique needs at no cost to you. Call 866511-1799
Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author`s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads
MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888489-3936
Miscellaneous
Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service.
Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time!
Financing available. 1-855-4171306
Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855-948-6176
Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on vet bills? Physicians Mutual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-844-774-0206 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow. com/ads
Scrap Metal, Batteries, Appliances, Wiring, Scrap Plumbing/Heating, Cars/Parts, Clean out Garages/Yards, Rake, Yard work done w/chainsaw, Certified Auto Mechanical / Body Work & paint available Also can do inside or outside cleaning 303-647-2475 / 720-323-2173
Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom! 1-833-758-3892
Diagnosed with lung cancer & 65+?
You may qualify for a substantial cash award. No obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help! Call 24/7 1-877-707-5707
Public Notice
DISTRICT COURT, WATER DIVISION 1, COLORADO
JUNE 2023 WATER RESUME PUBLICATION
TO: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN WATER APPLICATIONS IN WATER DIV. 1
Pursuant to C.R.S. 37-92-302, you are notified that the following is a resume of all water right applications, and certain amendments filed in the Office of the Water Clerk during the month of JUNE 2023 for each County affected.
2023CW3063 ANNE R. YOUNGLUND, MAR-
SHAL A. YOUNGLUND, 6101 County Road 166, Elizabeth, Colorado 80107; (303) 6460767, younglundam@gmail.com; Attorneys: Michael A. Kopp, Esq., Lucas O’Brien, Esq., Trout Raley, 1120 Lincoln St., Suite 1600, Denver, CO, 80203, mkopp@troutlaw.com and lobrien@troutlaw.com. APPLICATION FOR UNDERGROUND WATER RIGHTS FROM NONTRIBUTARY AND NOT-NONTRIBUTARY SOURCES IN THE NONTRIBUTARY DAWSON, DENVER, ARAPAHOE, AND LARAMIE-FOX HILLS AQUIFERS AND THE NOT-NONTRIBUTARY DAWSON AQUIFER IN ELBERT, COUNTY.
2. Subject Property: Applicants are the owners of two noncontiguous parcels totaling approximately 1,550 acres located generally in Section 34, Township 6 South, Range 64 W. 6th P.M., and Section 3 and Section 11, in Township 7 South, Range 64 W. 6th P.M. (the “Subject Property”). The legal description of the parcels is more particularly described on Exhibit A hereto, and the location of the parcels are shown on Exhibit B hereto. Applicants are the sole owners of the Subject Property and therefore no notice is required pursuant to C.R.S. § 37-92-302(2).
3. Well Permits: There are currently two Denver Aquifer wells on the Subject property operating under Well Permit Nos. 296826 and 252607 and one Dawson Aquifer well operating under Well Permit No. 289315. These wells will continue to operate under their existing permits. Additional well permits will be applied for prior to construction of wells to withdraw the groundwater which is the subject of this application. Additionally, should Applicants construct a new well to pump not-nontributary water from the Dawson aquifer, an augmentation plan will be applied for if needed to replace surface depletions attributable to that pumping. 4. Well Permit Application: It was discovered during preparation of this application that there is an unregistered existing well on Applicants’ property that has been used for stock watering. Applicants have filed with the Colorado Division of Water Resources a Residential Well Permit Application for use of the existing well simultaneously with the filing of this application. The existing well will operate under the permit issued by the Division of Water Resources and shall not withdraw the groundwater which is the subject of this application. 5. Source of Water Rights: The Denver, Laramie-Fox Hills, Arapahoe, and a portion of the Dawson aquifers underlying the Subject Property are nontributary as defined in C.R.S. § 37-90-103(10.5), and a portion of the Lower Dawson aquifer underlying the Subject Property is not-nontributary as defined in C.R.S. § 37-90-103(10.7). 6. Well Fields: Applicants request that this Court determine that Applicants have the right to withdraw all the legally available groundwater lying below their respective lands, through any additional wells which may be completed in the future, as Applicants’ well fields, subject to Rule 11.B of the Statewide Nontributary
Ground Water Rules 2 C.C.R. 402-7. 7. Estimated
Amounts: Applicants estimate that the following annual amounts may be available for withdrawal based on a 100-year withdrawal period: Aquifer
Annual Amount (acre-feet) Dawson (NNT) 132.61 Dawson (NT) 150.41 Denver (NT) 892.31 Arapahoe (NT) 685.43 Laramie-Fox Hills (NT) 402.62
8. Proposed Uses: The groundwater will be used, reused, and successively used for domestic, irrigation (indoor and outdoor), agricultural, commercial, industrial, stock watering, fire suppression, fish and wildlife, storage, and augmentation purposes.
9. Jurisdiction: The Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this application pursuant to C.R.S. §§ 37-90-137(6), 37-92-302(2), 37-92203(1). 10. Remarks: 10.1 Applicants claim the right to withdraw more than the average annual amounts estimated in Paragraph 6 above pursuant to Rule 8A of the Statewide Rules, 2 C.C.R. 402-7. 10.2 Applicants request the right to revise the estimates upward or downward, based on better or revised data, without the necessity of amending this application or republishing the same. Applicants request that this Court approve the above-described underground water rights,
find that Applicants have complied with C.R.S. § 37-90-137(4) and water is legally available for withdrawal, find there will be no material injury to the owners of or persons entitled to use water under any vested water right or decreed conditional water right, and grant such other and further relief as is appropriate. Page numbers: 6 pages.
THE WATER RIGHTS CLAIMED BY THESE APPLICATIONS MAY AFFECT IN PRIORITY ANY WATER RIGHTS CLAIMED OR HERETOFORE ADJUDICATED WITHIN THIS DIVISION AND OWNERS OF AFFECTED RIGHTS MUST APPEAR TO OBJECT WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY STATUTE OR BE FOREVER BARRED.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that any party who wishes to oppose an application, or an amended application, may file with the Water Clerk, P. O. Box 2038, Greeley, CO 80632, a verified Statement of Opposition, setting forth facts as to why the application should not be granted, or why it should be granted only in part or on certain conditions. Such Statement of Opposition must be filed by the last day of AUGUST 2023 (forms available on www. courts.state.co.us or in the Clerk’s office), and must be filed as an Original and include $192.00 filing fee. A copy of each Statement of Opposition must also be served upon the Applicant or Applicant’s Attorney and an affidavit or certificate of such service of mailing shall be filed with the Water Clerk.
Legal Notice No. 25021
First Publication: July 20, 2023
Last Publication: July 20, 2023
Publisher: Elbert County News
Public Notice
DISTRICT COURT, WATER DIVISION 1, COLORADO
JUNE 2023 WATER RESUME PUBLICA-
TION TO: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN WATER APPLICATIONS IN WATER DIV. 1
Pursuant to C.R.S. 37-92-302, you are notified that the following is a resume of all water right applications, and certain amendments filed in the Office of the Water Clerk during the month of JUNE 2023 for each County affected.
2023CW3075 EAST CHERRY CREEK VALLEY
WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT, c/o Dave Kaunisto, 6201 S. Gun Club Road, Aurora, Colorado 80016, Telephone: (303) 693-3800.
APPLICATION FOR FINDING OF REASONABLE
DILIGENCE AND TO MAKE AMOUNT ABSOLUTE IN ADAMS, ARAPAHOE, DENVER, DOUGLAS, ELBERT, MORGAN, AND WELD COUNTIES. All correspondence and communications should be addressed to: Brian M. Nazarenus, Esq., Sheela S. Stack, Esq., William D. Wombacher, Esq., Stacy L. Brownhill, Esq., Nazarenus Stack & Wombacher LLC, 5299 DTC Blvd., Suite 610, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, Telephone: (720) 647-5661, (Attorneys for ECCV). 2. Original Decree. The original decree was entered by the Water Court, Water Division 1, on June 20, 2017, in Case No 13CW3172 (“3172 Decree”). In Case No. 16CW3196, ECCV added uses to the conditional 70 Ranch Reservoir water storage right (“3196 Decree”).
3. Description of the Water Storage Right (“Subject Water Right”).
3.1. Name of Structure. 70 Ranch Reservoir. 3.2. Legal Description and Location. 70 Ranch Reservoir is a lined off-channel reservoir located in the S1/2 of Section
3, Township 4 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado, and a portion of the NE1/4 of Section 10, Township 4 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado. A map showing the location of 70 Ranch Reservoir is attached as Exhibit 1. 3.3. Surface Area. The as-built maximum surface area is 167.3 acres. 3.4. Maximum Diversion Rate. 100 cfs. 3.5. Capacity. The as-built maximum capacity is 5,990.8 acrefeet.
3.6. Storage Depth. The as-built maximum storage depth is 49 feet.
3.7. Legal Description of Point of Diversion Filling the Structure and Outlets. 70 Ranch Reservoir is filled and makes releases through a bi-directional pipeline, which point of diversion/release is located on the South Platte River, in the NW1/4 of the SE1/4 of Section 34, Township 5 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., approximately 1,596 feet from the East section line and 1,675 feet from the South section line of said Section 34 in Weld County, Colorado. Releases from the bi-directional pipeline may also be made to the South Platte River through a separate outlet located within 500 feet of a point in the SE1/4 of the SE1/4 of Section 34, Township 5 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., approximately 690 feet from the East section line and 270 feet from the South section line of said Section 34 in Weld County, Colorado.
3.8. Source. South Platte River.
3.9. Date of Appropriation. December 30, 2013.
3.10. Decreed Amount. 3,000 acre feet, conditional, with one refill in the amount of 3,000 acrefeet per year, conditional, for a total amount of 6,000 acre-feet that
used as follows:
3.11.1. Replacement of Return Flow Obligations. The decrees entered in Case Nos. 02CW403, 11CW151 (“151 Decree”), 12CW73, and 13CW3026 all require that ECCV replace its historical return flow obligations in time, place, and amount, as more fully described in each of those decrees. ECCV may meet those return flow obligations using the Subject Water Right.
3.11.2. Use in ECCV’s Augmentation Plans. ECCV will use the Subject Water Right as a source of replacement water in the ECCV Augmentation Plans decreed in Case Nos. 02CW403 and 02CW404/442, as amended by the decrees entered in Case Nos. 10CW306 (“306 Decree”) and 13CW3026. ECCV will also use the Subject Water Right in its future plans for augmentation if such use is approved in a separate Water Court decree or Substitute Water Supply Plan (“SWSP”) approved by the State Engineer pursuant to C.R.S. § 37-92-308(4) or successor statute. 3.11.3. Source for Recharge. ECCV may deliver the Subject Water Right to the recharge facilities located in the Beebe Draw and on 70 Ranch subject to the terms and conditions in the 02CW404/442 Decree, as amended by the 10CW306 Decree, for subsequent use, and the terms of the decree entered in this case. ECCV may deliver the Subject Water Right to the recharge sites described in the 3196 Decree and any existing or future recharge facility in which ECCV is legally permitted to recharge water. 3.11.4. Source of Substitute Supply in Exchanges. ECCV may use the Subject Water Right as sources of substitute supply in the exchanges decreed in Case No. 11CW285 and 16CW 3196, and any future exchange operated or decreed by ECCV. 3.11.5. Places of Storage. ECCV may store the Subject Water Right in the following surface storage structures for use as a source of augmentation, replacement, recharge, or substitute supply: 3.11.5.1. 70 Ranch Reservoir, a lined off-channel reservoir to be located in the S1/2 of Section 3, Township 4 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado, and a portion of the NE1/4 of Section 10, Township 4 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado. 3.11.5.2. Milliken Reservoir (a/k/a “Gilcrest Reservoir”), a lined off-channel reservoir located within a part of Section 2, Township 3 North, Range 67 West and Sections 23, 26, 34, and 35, Township 4 North, Range 67 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado. 3.11.5.3. United Reservoir No. 3, an off-channel reservoir located on the East side of the South Platte River, in the S1/2 of Section 26 and the N1/2 of Section 35, Township 1 South, Range 67 West of the 6th P.M., Adams County, Colorado. 3.11.5.4. Barr Lake, an off-channel reservoir located in Sections 15, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, and 33, Township 1 South, Range 66 West of the 6th P.M., Adams County, Colorado. 3.11.5.5. Binder Reservoir, an off-channel reservoir located in the N1/2 of Section 15, Township 1 North, Range 66 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado. 3.11.5.6. Serfer Pit, an off-channel reservoir located in the NE1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 24, Township 6 North, Range 68 West of the 6th P.M., Larimer County, Colorado. 3.11.5.7. Holton Lake, an off-channel reservoir located in portions of the SE1/4 of the SW1/4, the SW1/4 of the SW1/4, and the SW1/4 of the SE1/4 of Section 6, and the NE1/4 of the NW1/4, the NW1/4 of the NW1/4, and the NW1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 7, Township 1 North, Range 66 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado. 3.11.5.8. Other Storage Facilities. Any future storage facility in which ECCV is legally permitted to store water. 3.11.6. Use by Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority (“ACWWA”). ECCV may lease and/or trade water attributable to the Subject Water Right to ACWWA for use in ACWWA’s augmentation plans and delivery to recharge projects and exchanges, and use to replace return flow obligations. This water may also be used by ACWWA, by lease or trade with ECCV, pursuant to any subsequent Water Court decree, so long as the Subject Water Right is listed as sources of supply or replacement water in that decree. 3.11.7. Place of Use. The Subject Water Right shall only be used within ECCV’s present and future service areas or by ECCV at other locations as necessary to operate its augmentation plans, recharge projects, and exchanges described above. 3.11.8. All Municipal Uses. ECCV may use the Subject Water Right via delivery by a pipeline to ECCV’s surface water treatment plant for treatment and subsequent direct delivery for all municipal uses, including, but not limited to, domestic, mechanical, manufacturing, commercial, and industrial, within ECCV’s present and future service areas. ECCV may also make the foregoing uses by exchange.
3.11.9. Rights of Reuse and Successive Use. ECCV has the right after first use to reuse and successively use to extinction, to the extent applicable following initial use, all water diverted under the Subject Water Right for the uses described above.
4. Detailed Outline of Work Done for the Completion of the Conditional Appropriation for Reasonable Diligence. ECCV’s unified, integrated system for the diversion, accretion, collection, storage, transmission, and treatment of water rights (the “Water Supply Project”) was originally designed to provide ECCV with a long-term, sustainable municipal water supply for its present
and future service areas. The conditional water rights decreed herein are part of the Water Supply Project, which will provide water within ECCV’s present and future service areas. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 37-92-301(4)(b), for purposes of demonstrating diligence, work on one feature of the project or system shall be considered in finding that reasonable diligence has been shown in the development of all water rights conditionally decreed herein and shall constitute diligence toward the development of each of the conditional water rights decreed herein. During the diligence period ECCV has done, at a minimum, the following work towards completion or for completion of the appropriations and application of water to a beneficial use as conditionally decreed:
4.1. Construction of 70 Ranch Reservoir. During the diligence period, 70 Ranch Reservoir was constructed; ECCV began storing water in 70 Ranch Reservoir in 2019.
4.2. Legal Fees. Legal fees in excess of $4,500,000.00 were expended during the diligence period in ECCV’s adjudicatory proceedings for the appropriation of new water rights, changes to existing water rights for ECCV’s Water Supply Project, and water rights protection and opposition.
4.3. Engineering Costs. Engineering costs in excess of $1,500,000.00 were expended during the diligence period in connection with ECCV’s Water Supply Project to perform water rights modeling, exchange potential modeling, appropriate new water rights, change existing water rights, for water rights protection and opposition, and for water rights accounting. 4.4. Additional Replacement Supplies. ECCV has filed applications and obtained decrees in the cases listed below to increase the replacement supplies available under its augmentation plans and facilitate increased diversions in the ACWWA/ECCV Well Field, to add storage facilities and recharge locations, and to add exchanges to aid in moving its replacement water to its places of beneficial use: 4.4.1. Case No. 11CW151, original application filed August 31, 2011; decree entered November 26, 2018. 4.4.2. Case No. 13CW3026, original application filed April 26, 2013; decree entered October 31, 2017.
4.4.3. Case No. 16CW3196, application filed December 29, 2016; decree entered October 20, 2021. 4.4.4. Case No. 16CW3200, application filed December 29, 2016; decree entered March 28, 2021. 4.4.5. Case No. 19CW3075, application filed April 27, 2019; decree entered September 27, 2021. 4.4.6. Case No. 19CW3084, application filed May 15, 2019; decree entered May 10, 2021.
4.4.7. Case No. 20CW3096, application filed July 13, 2020; decree entered April 20, 2023. 4.4.8. Case No. 20CW3117, application filed August 21, 2020; case currently pending. 4.4.9. Case No. 20CW3147, application filed September 30, 2020; decree entered December 11, 2022. 4.4.10. Case No. 20CW3161, application filed October 30, 2020; decree entered November 23, 2022. 4.4.11. Case No. 21CW3094, application filed June 29, 2021; decree entered March 21, 2023. 4.4.12. Case No. 22CW3205, application filed December 21, 2022; case currently pending. 4.4.13. Case No. 22CW3209, application filed December 27, 2022; case currently pending. 4.5. Water System Development. During the diligence period, United Water and Sanitation District, on behalf of ECCV, has developed and acquired infrastructure for Phase II of the Water Supply Project (“Phase II”), including but not limited to mining United Reservoir No. 3; completing construction of 70 Ranch Reservoir in July 2019; completing construction of Holton Reservoir in June 2021; and securing easement deeds and agreements for structures necessary to deliver water to ECCV. During this diligence period ECCV has been working on Phase II, which will allow ECCV to deliver up to 14.75 million gallons of renewable water to customers each day, whereby reducing dependency on non-renewable wells. Phase II also included designing expansion of the RO Plant and North and South Booster Pump Station (2017), construction of Deep Injection Well II (2018), and expansion of the plant and pump station (2020). The estimated cost of the Phase II infrastructure is $84.8 million. 4.6. Substitute Water Supply Plans. During this diligence period, ECCV has filed joint substitute SWSPs with ACWWA in order to use additional replacement supplies to replace out-of-priority depletions from the ACWWA/ECCV Well Field to facilitate the efficient operation of the Water Supply Project. SWSPs were filed annually from 2017-2022.
4.7. Protection of Water Rights. ECCV has regularly monitored the filings of other water users. It has filed Statements of Opposition and incurred legal and engineering costs in connection with numerous cases to protect its water rights.
4.8. Opposition of Detrimental Legislation. ECCV has been actively involved in opposing Colorado State legislation that would negatively impact the operation of its augmentation plans and exchanges. 4.9. ECCV continues to rely upon and develop the conditional water rights described herein and has no intent to abandon it. 5. Claim to Make Absolute. During this diligence period, in Water Year 2021, ECCV stored 1,596.9 acre-feet of the first fill of the 3,000 acre-feet conditional water right decreed to the Subject Water Right. Those portions of the Subject Water Right not made absolute, including the refill right for the
Subject Water Right, remain conditional. Of the 100 cfs diversion rate decreed for the Subject Water Right, 51.85 cfs has been made absolute based on diversions on June 9, 2023, and the remainder remains conditional. 6. Names and Addresses of Owners of the Land Upon Which the Structures are or will be Located, Upon Which Water is or will be Stored, or Upon Which Water is or will be Placed to Beneficial Use. 6.1. 70 Ranch Reservoir is located on land owned by 70 Ranch LLC, 8301 E. Prentice Ave., Suite 100, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. WHEREFORE, Applicants respectfully request that this Court enter an order finding that: (1) 1,596.9 acre-feet of the first fill and 51.85 cfs of the diversion rate are made absolute; and (2) reasonable diligence has been exercised in the development of the Subject Water Right and that the portions of the Subject Water Right not made absolute be continued as conditional. (9 pages, 1 exhibit).
THE WATER RIGHTS CLAIMED BY THESE APPLICATIONS MAY AFFECT IN PRIORITY ANY WATER RIGHTS CLAIMED OR HERETOFORE ADJUDICATED WITHIN THIS DIVISION AND OWNERS OF AFFECTED RIGHTS MUST APPEAR TO OBJECT WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY STATUTE OR BE FOREVER BARRED.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that any party who wishes to oppose an application, or an amended application, may file with the Water Clerk, P. O. Box 2038, Greeley, CO 80632, a verified Statement of Opposition, setting forth facts as to why the application should not be granted, or why it should be granted only in part or on certain conditions. Such Statement of Opposition must be filed by the last day of AUGUST 2023 (forms available on www. courts.state.co.us or in the Clerk’s office), and must be filed as an Original and include $192.00 filing fee. A copy of each Statement of Opposition must also be served upon the Applicant or Applicant’s Attorney and an affidavit or certificate of such service of mailing shall be filed with the Water Clerk.
Legal Notice No. 25023
First Publication: July 20, 2023
Last Publication: July 20, 2023
Publisher: Elbert County New Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, WATER DIVISION 1, COLORADO JUNE 2023 WATER RESUME PUBLICATION
TO: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN WATER APPLICATIONS IN WATER DIV. 1
Pursuant to C.R.S. 37-92-302, you are notified that the following is a resume of all water right applications, and certain amendments filed in the Office of the Water Clerk during the month of JUNE 2023 for each County affected.
2023CW3074 ARAPAHOE COUNTY WATER AND WASTEWATER AUTHORITY (“ACWWA”), c/o Steve Witter, 13031 East Caley Avenue, Centennial, Colorado 80111, Telephone: (303) 790-4830. APPLICATION FOR FINDING OF REASONABLE DILIGENCE AND TO MAKE AMOUNT ABSOLUTE in ADAMS, ARAPAHOE, DENVER, DOUGLAS, ELBERT, MORGAN, AND WELD COUNTIES. All correspondence and communications should be addressed to: Brian M. Nazarenus, Esq., Sheela S. Stack, Esq., William D. Wombacher, Esq., Stacy L. Brownhill, Esq., Nazarenus Stack & Wombacher LLC, 5299 DTC Blvd., Suite 610, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, Telephone: (720) 647-5661, (Attorneys for ACWWA). 2. Original Decree. The original decree was entered by the Water Court, Water Division 1, on June 20, 2017, in Case No. 13CW3171 (“3171 Decree”). In Case No. 16CW3195, ACWWA changed the uses associated with the conditional 70 Ranch Reservoir water storage right (“3195 Decree”). 3. Description of the Water Storage Right (“Subject Water Right”). 3.1. Name of Structure. 70 Ranch Reservoir. 3.2. Legal Description and Location. 70 Ranch Reservoir is a lined offchannel reservoir located in the S1/2 of Section 3, Township 4 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado, and a portion of the NE1/4 of Section 10, Township 4 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado. A map showing the location of 70 Ranch Reservoir is attached as Exhibit 1. 3.3. Surface Area. The as-built maximum surface area is 167.3 acres. 3.4. Maximum Diversion Rate. 100 cfs. 3.5. Capacity. The as-built maximum capacity is 5,990.8 acrefeet. 3.6. Storage Depth. The as-built maximum storage depth is 49 feet. 3.7. Legal Description of Point of Diversion Filling the Structure and Outlets. 70 Ranch Reservoir is filled and makes releases through a bi-directional pipeline, which point of diversion/release is on the South Platte River, in the NW1/4 of the SE1/4 of Section 34, Township 5 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., approximately 1,596 feet from the East section line and 1,675 feet from the South section line of said
Section 34 in Weld County, Colorado. Releases from the bi-directional pipeline may also be made to the South Platte River through a separate outlet located within 500 feet of a point in the SE1/4 of the SE1/4 of Section 34, Township 5 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., approximately 690 feet from the East section line and 270 feet from the South section line of said Section 34 in Weld County, Colorado. 3.8. Source. South Platte River. 3.9. Date of Appropriation. December 30, 2013. 3.10. Decreed Amount. 3,000 acre feet, conditional, with one refill in the amount of 3,000 acre-feet per year, conditional, for a total amount of 6,000 acre-feet that can be stored in one water year. 3.11. Uses. The Subject Water Right can be used as follows: 3.11.1. Replacement of Return Flow Obligations. The decrees entered in Case Nos. 10CW313, 12CW73, 13CW3026, and 11CW151 all require that ACWWA replace its historical return flow obligations in time, place, and amount, as more fully described in each of those decrees. ACWWA may meet those return flow obligations using the Subject Water Right. 3.11.2.
Use in ACWWA’s Augmentation Plans. The Subject Water Right may be used as a source of replacement water in the ACWWA Augmentation Plans decreed in Case Nos. 10CW306 (“306 Decree”) and 13CW3026 to replace depletions resulting from the pumping of water from the ACWWA/East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District (“ECCV”) Well Field for delivery to ACWWA’s present and future service areas. ACWWA will also use the Subject Water Right as a source of replacement water pursuant to ACWWA’s 70 Ranch Augmentation Plan approved in the 306 Decree. ACWWA will also use the Subject Water Right in its future augmentation plans if such use is approved in a future Water Court decree or substitute water supply plan (“SWSP”) approved by the State Engineer pursuant to C.R.S. § 37-92-308(4) or successor statute.
3.11.3. Source for Recharge. ACWWA may deliver the Subject Water Right to the recharge facilities located in the Beebe Draw and on 70 Ranch subject to the terms and conditions in paragraphs 22-25 and 37-41, respectively, of the 306 Decree for subsequent use, and the terms of the decree entered in this case. ACWWA may deliver the Subject Water Right to the recharge sites described in the 3195 Decree and any existing or future recharge facility in which ACWWA is legally permitted to recharge water. 3.11.4. Sources of Substitute Supply in Exchanges. ACWWA may use the Subject Water Right as sources of substitute supply in the exchanges decreed in Case Nos. 09CW283 and 16CW3195, and any future exchange operated or decreed by ACWWA.
3.11.5. Places of Storage. ACWWA may store the Subject Water Right in the following surface storage structures for use as a source of augmentation, replacement, recharge, or substitute supply:
3.11.5.1. 70 Ranch Reservoir, a lined off-channel reservoir to be located in the S1/2 of Section 3, Township 4 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado, and a portion of the NE1/4 of Section 10, Township 4 North, Range 63 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado. 3.11.5.2. Milliken Reservoir (a/k/a Gilcrest Reservoir), a lined off-channel reservoir located within a part of Section 2, Township 3 North, Range 67 West and Sections 23, 26, 34, and 35, Township 4 North, Range 67 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado. 3.11.5.3. United Reservoir No. 3, an off-channel reservoir located on the East side of the South Platte River, in the S1/2 of Section 26 and the N1/2 of Section 35, Township 1 South, Range 67 West of the 6th P.M., Adams County, Colorado. 3.11.5.4. Barr Lake, an off-channel
reservoir located in Sections 15, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, and 33, Township 1 South, Range 66 West of the 6th P.M., Adams County, Colorado. 3.11.5.5.
Binder Reservoir, an off-channel reservoir located in the N1/2 of Section 15, Township 1 North, Range 66 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado.
3.11.5.6. Serfer Pit, an off-channel reservoir located in the NE1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 24, Township 6 North, Range 68 West of the 6th P.M., Larimer County, Colorado. 3.11.5.7. Holton Lake, an off-channel reservoir located in portions of the SE1/4 of the SW1/4, the SW1/4 of the SW1/4, and the SW1/4 of the SE1/4 of Section 6, and the NE1/4 of the NW1/4, the NW1/4 of the NW1/4, and the NW1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 7, Township 1 North, Range 66 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado. 3.11.5.8. Other Storage Facilities. Any future storage facility in which ACWWA is legally permitted to store water.
3.11.6. Use by ECCV. ACWWA may lease and/or trade water attributable to the Subject Water Right to ECCV for use in ECCV’s augmentation plans and delivery to recharge projects and exchanges, and use to replace return flow obligations. This water may also be used by ECCV, by lease or trade with ACWWA, pursuant to a subsequent Water Court decree, so long as the Subject Water Right is listed as a source of supply or replacement water in that decree.
gence period in ACWWA’s adjudicatory proceedings for the appropriation of new water rights, changes to existing water rights for ACWWA’s Flow Project, and water rights protection and opposition.
4.3. Engineering Costs. Engineering costs in excess of $2,500,000.00 were expended during the diligence period in connection with ACWWA’s Flow Project to perform water rights modeling, exchange potential modeling, appropriate new water rights, change existing water rights, for water rights protection and opposition, and for water rights accounting.
4.4. Additional Replacement Water. ACWWA has filed applications and obtained decrees in the cases listed below to increase the replacement supplies available under its augmentation plans and facilitate increased diversions in the ACWWA/ECCV Well Field, to add storage facilities and recharge locations, and to add exchanges to aid in moving its replacement water to it places of beneficial use: 4.4.1. Case No. 11CW151, original application filed August 31, 2011; decree entered November 26, 2018. 4.4.2.
Case No. 13CW3026, original application filed April 26, 2013; decree entered October 31, 2017.
has purchased an additional 3 million gallons of capacity from these facilities, totaling about $18 million in capital expenditure.
4.6. Substitute Water Supply Plans. During this diligence period, ACWWA has filed joint SWSPs with ECCV in order to use additional replacement supplies to replace out-of-priority depletions from the ACWWA/ECCV
Well Field to facilitate the efficient operation of the Water Supply Project. SWSPs were filed annually from 2017-2022.
4.7. Protection of Water Rights. ACWWA has regularly monitored the filings of other water users. It has filed Statements of Opposition and incurred legal and engineering costs in connection with numerous cases to protect its water rights.
4.8. Opposition of Detrimental Legislation. ACWWA has been actively involved in opposing Colorado State legislation that would negatively impact the operation of its augmentation plans and exchanges.
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Terry Jay Oesch, Deceased
Case Number: 2023PR13
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before November 7, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.
Terri Jean Sugden, Personal Representative 1041 Impala Trail Bailey, CO 80421
Legal Notice No. 25016
First Publication: July 6, 2023
Last Publication: July 20, 2023
Publisher: Elbert County News
3.11.8. All Municipal
3.11.7. Place of Use. The Subject Water Right shall only be used within ACWWA’s present and future service areas or by ACWWA at other locations as necessary to operate its augmentation plans, recharge projects, and exchanges described above.
Uses. ACWWA may use the Subject Water Right via delivery by a pipeline to ECCV’s surface water treatment plant for treatment and subsequent direct delivery for all municipal uses, including, but not limited to, domestic, mechanical, manufacturing, commercial, and industrial, within ACWWA’s service areas in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, as it now exists or may exist in the future. ACWWA may also make the foregoing uses by exchange.
3.11.9. Rights of Reuse and Successive Use. ACWWA has the right, after first use, to reuse and successively use to extinction, to the extent applicable following initial use, all water diverted under the Subject Water Right for the uses described above.
4. Detailed Outline of Work Done for the Completion of the Conditional Appropriation for Reasonable Diligence. ACWWA’s unified, integrated system for the diversion, accretion, collection, storage, transmission, and treatment of water rights (the “Water Supply Project” or “Flow Project”) was originally designed to provide ACWWA with a long-term, sustainable municipal water supply for its present and future service areas. The conditional water rights described above are part of the Water Supply Project, which will provide water within ACWWA’s present and future service areas. Pursuant to C.R.S. §37-92-301(4)(b), for purposes of demonstrating diligence, work on one feature of the project or system shall be considered in finding that reasonable diligence has been shown in the development of all water rights conditionally decreed herein and shall constitute diligence toward the development of each of the conditional water rights decreed herein. During the diligence period ACWWA has done, at a minimum, the following work towards completion or for completion of the appropriations and application of water to a beneficial use as conditionally decreed:
4.1. Construction of 70 Ranch Reservoir. During the diligence period, 70 Ranch Reservoir was constructed; ACWWA began storing water in 70 Ranch Reservoir in 2019.
4.2. Legal Fees. Legal fees in excess of $3,500,000.00 were expended during the dili-
4.4.3. Case No. 16CW3195, application filed December 29, 2016; decree entered October 21, 2021. 4.4.4. Case No. 16CW3200, application filed December 29, 2016; decree entered March 28, 2021. 4.4.5. Case No. 19CW3074, application filed April 27, 2019; decree entered September 27, 2021. 4.4.6. Case No. 19CW3084, application filed May 15, 2019; decree entered May 10, 2021.
4.4.7. Case No. 20CW3117, application filed August 21, 2020; case currently pending. 4.4.8. Case No. 20CW3142, application filed September 30, 2020; case currently pending. 4.4.9. Case No. 20CW3146, application filed September 30, 2020; decree entered October 11, 2022. 4.4.10. Case No. 20CW3160, application filed October 30, 2020; decree entered November 23, 2022. 4.4.11. Case No. 20CW3188, application filed on November 30, 2020; decree entered December 8, 2022.
4.4.12. Case No. 21CW3094, application filed on June 29, 2021; decree entered March 21, 2023.
4.4.13. Case No. 21CW3234, application filed on December 30, 2021; case currently pending.
4.4.14. Case No. 22CW3010, application filed on January 31, 2022; decree entered June 23, 2022.
4.4.15. Case No. 22CW3039, application filed March 31, 2022; case currently pending. 4.4.16. Case No. 22CW3208, application filed December 27, 2022; case currently pending. 4.4.17. Case No. 23CW3012, application filed January 31, 2023; case currently pending. 4.5. Water System Development. During the diligence period, United Water and Sanitation District, on behalf of ACWWA, developed and acquired infrastructure for Phase II of the Water Supply Project (“Phase II”) including, but not limited to, mining United Reservoir No. 3; completing construction of 70 Ranch Reservoir in July 2019; completing construction of Holton Reservoir in June 2021; and securing easement deeds and agreements for structures necessary to deliver water to ACWWA. During this diligence period ACWWA has been working on Phase II, which will allow ACWWA to deliver up to 5.25 million gallons of renewable water to customers each day, thereby reducing dependency on non-renewable wells. Phase II also included expansion of the Northern Water Treatment RO Plant (2018-2020) and the North and South Booster Pump Stations (2018-2019), and construction of Deep Injection Well II (2018). The total estimated cost of the Phase II infrastructure is $60 million for an additional 10 million gallons of pumping and treatment capacity. The Booster Pump Stations are approximately $25 million and the NWTP Expansion is approximately $35 million. ACWWA
4.9. ACWWA continues to rely upon and develop the conditional water right described herein and has no intent to abandon it. 5. Claim to Make Absolute. During this diligence period, in Water Year 2021, ACWWA stored 1,597.3 acre-feet of the first fill of the 3,000 acre-feet conditional water right decreed to the Subject Water Right. Those portions of the Subject Water Right not made absolute, including the refill right for the Subject Water Right, remain conditional. Of the 100 cfs diversion rate decreed for the Subject Water Right, 51.90 cfs has been made absolute based on diversions on June 10, 2023, and the remainder remains conditional.
6. Names and Addresses of Owners of the Land Upon Which the Structures are or will be Located, Upon Which Water is or will be Stored, and Upon Which Water is or will be Placed to Beneficial Use.
6.1. 70 Ranch Reservoir is located on land owned by 70 Ranch LLC, 8301 E. Prentice Ave., Suite 100, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. WHEREFORE, Applicants respectfully request that this Court enter an order finding that: (1) 1,597.3 acre-feet of the first fill and 51.90 cfs of the diversion rate are made absolute; and (2) reasonable diligence has been exercised in the development of the Subject Water Right and that the portions of the Subject Water Right not made absolute be continued as conditional. (9 pages, 1 exhibit).
THE WATER RIGHTS CLAIMED BY THESE APPLICATIONS MAY AFFECT IN PRIORITY
ANY WATER RIGHTS CLAIMED OR HERETOFORE ADJUDICATED WITHIN THIS DIVISION AND OWNERS OF AFFECTED RIGHTS MUST APPEAR TO OBJECT WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY STATUTE OR BE FOREVER BARRED.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that any party who wishes to oppose an application, or an amended application, may file with the Water Clerk, P. O. Box 2038, Greeley, CO 80632, a verified Statement of Opposition, setting forth facts as to why the application should not be granted, or why it should be granted only in part or on certain conditions. Such Statement of Opposition must be filed by the last day of AUGUST 2023 (forms available on www.courts.state.co.us or in the Clerk’s office), and must be filed as an Original and include $192.00 filing fee. A copy of each Statement of Opposition must also be served upon the Applicant or Applicant’s Attorney and an affidavit or certificate of such service of mailing shall be filed with the Water Clerk.
Legal Notice No. 25022
First Publication: July 20, 2023
Last Publication: July 20, 2023
Publisher: Elbert County New
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of William Dale Nelson, a/k/a William D. Nelson, Deceased Case Number: 2023PR30029
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before October 19, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.
Zoey Tanner, Attorney for Personal Representative 24 South Weber Street, Suite 205 Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Legal Notice No. 25019
First Publication: July 13, 2023
Last Publication: July 27, 2023
Publisher: Elbert County News
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name
Public notice is given on June 9, 2023, that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Elbert County Court.
The
