Fort Lupton Press 121521

FORT LUPTON PRESS S E RV I N G T H E C O M M U N I T Y S I N C E 19 0 6

VOLUME 118

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ISSUE 51

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021

NEVER FEAR, SANTA’S HERE

Weld Re-8 turns back Critical Race theory ban

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 , 2020

VOLUME 117

ISSUE 48

THE SEASON FOR SHARING

Infighting sparks fly about critical race theory debate

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Weld County Re-8 board of education voted down an attempt to ban critical race theory curriculum in the district.

Cody LeBlanc and Jaime Sierra, the co-presenters of the resolution, were the only ones to vote in support during a Dec. 9 business meeting.

Discussion Comments took an hour and 20 minutes. They started with Re-8 board President Susan K. Browne, who read several letters into the record. Hometowns of some authors Santa Clause left his sleigh to ride in the Fort Lupton Fire Protection District fire truck for the city’s Parade of Lights on Dec. 10. were not released. Others were, such PHOTO BY BELEN WARD For more photos from the parade, see page 5. as one from Fort Collins who had extended family in the district.

LeBlanc came in for criticism more than once. One speaker said he and fellow co-author Jaime Sierra had no experience in educational instruction or curriculum issues.

Browne read a letter from Stella Adame, in which she said LeBlanc posted a Facebook message in supBY STEVE SMITH port of Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenSSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM ager recently acquitted of murder charges in Wisconsin. The post came Fort Lupton City Council welcomed three new faces at the same time as two recent school and re-welcomed two others during a swearing-in Steiber Fitzgerald Hanes Barron shootings in Aurora. ceremony Dec. 7 in council chambers. with me 12 years ago,” and Stieber also thanked forThe three new members are former city adminis“Now, he’s proposing this resolumer mayor pro tem Shannon Rhoda. trator Claud Hanes, Valerie Blackston and Carlos tion against teaching CRT. Enough “You have seen the city through countless crises,” Barron. Voters re-elected Bruce Fitzgerald and said,” she said. “It’s evident that Mayor Zo Stieber, who also took their oaths of office, Cody LeBlanc should not be sitting Stieber said of Rhoda. “You’ve been invaluable to the Before the swearing-in program, Stieber took a few on the Re-8 board. I’m not sure he’s city and its citizens.” minutes to thank departing council members. reflective of the diversity of a dis“I served with Shannon and Tommy,” city adminis“No one who hasn’t sat on council understands the trict like Fort Lupton’s.” trator Chris Cross said. “I appreciated their insight energy, the time, the sweat and, sometimes, the sleep- into what we’ve forgotten. I’m excited we have some Others were more focused on CRT less nights that are part of serving our community,” new ideas to bring forward to the community. I’m exand the resolution.

Stieber said. “I can say, with confidence, that only the cited to have new staff, but it’s sad to lose old faces.”

“It’s not right for the school distruly dedicated come back again and again. We have “Tommy was here when I was appointed city trict to teach this absurdity to our Every year before Thanksgiving, First United Methodist Church in Fort Lupton and the Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank provide community a couple of members who have dedicated a number children,” said comments from Ann finance director,” Hanes said. “I’m looking forward to members with food boxes.

This will be the program’s 10th consecutive year.

Above, Joe Hubert, left China Garcia and Hubert with to Change 4 Change, of years to our city.”

Bradbury of Larimer County. the challenge and Sue the opportunity serve the comShe commended former councilman Michael munity.”

Heather Frank, whothat has family another organization helps with the food drive.

See more on Page 2.

Sanchez “for his innovative ideas. She thanked “my Council also named Chris Ceretto as the new mayor friend, Tommy Holton, who embarked on this quest SEE SCHOOLS, P4 pro team and Fitzgerald as the city treasurer.

Enter and swear in, please

New faces join Fort Lupton City Council

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December 15, 2021

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24-Hour Phone Lines 303-654-0112 • 303-857-2290 Brighton: 75 S. 13th Avenue Obituaries, Arrangements and Resources Online at

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RITCHEY

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David Wesley Ritchey

December 31, 1961 - December 3, 2021

David Wesley Ritchey went home to be with the Lord on December 3, 2021. He was born on December 31, 1961 to Clinton and Elaine Ritchey in Greeley, Colorado. He grew up in the Hudson and Fort Lupton areas, where he enjoyed riding his bike to the pool, helping with the farming and ranching activities, and spending time with his older brother, Joel, younger sisters, Brenda and Kim, and cousins. It was during this time that he also discovered his love for rodeo, and he soon found himself riding on the back of anything that would stand still long enough.

David graduated from Weld Central High School in 1980. During his time there, he excelled in wrestling and FFA. He got his love of working with cattle from his dad and spent his life in the agriculture industry.

Rodeo remained an integral part of his life; he gained his pro card in bareback riding and later went on to judge. He was awarded Mountain States Circuit Rookie of the Year in the mid 80s and CSRA Judge of the Year in 1989. This passion was shared by his brother, cousins, and several of his friends. They spent many hours on the road together throughout high school and beyond as they travelled to rodeos around the region.

In 1990, Kim introduced David to one of her coworkers, Stacie Ruyle, at the Greeley Stampede. This introduction was the beginning of a true love story, and David and Stacie were married in Wiggins 6 months later on January 11, 1991. They made their first home near Clinton’s house in Hudson, where they welcomed their daughter, Morgen, in September 1993 and son, Corey, in January 1996. Later that year, they moved south of Wiggins, where they worked together on the farm and ranch. David became an active member of the community, serving on the Wiggins School Board for 8 years and on the Southeast Weld and Morgan County fair boards. He also enjoyed line judging the home volleyball games and refereed wrestling tournaments around the

Northeastern portion of the state. He was honored to be chosen to ref at the 2011 CHSAA State Championship wrestling tournament.

David’s greatest joy was watching his children grow and find their niche in life. He loved helping them in their various activities, including their years of showing livestock in 4-H and participating in sports. This extended to his nieces, nephews, and children of his friends as well. David was thrilled to gain the title of “Papa’’ with the birth of his first grandchild, Penelope Rose, to Morgen and her husband, Bryson Grennan, in May 2021.

David was an active member of Harvest Fellowship Church in Brighton for almost 30 years. He formed a close relationship with his pastor, Steve Blackwell, and his wife Debbie and their family during this time. His faith grew throughout his life and remained strong until his passing. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched, but we find great joy in knowing that he is in Heaven and we will see him again.

Memory In Loving

David was preceded in death by his dad, Clinton, in 2002, and mom, Elaine, in 2019. Left to mourn him are his wife Stacie, children Morgen (Bryson) Grennan, and Corey, granddaughter Penelope, brother Joel (Angie), sisters Brenda (Ed) Haffner and Kim (Dave) Wolf, his beloved dogs Sophie and Charlotte, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Place an Obituary for Your Loved One.

A Funeral Service honoring David was held on Monday, December 13, 2021 at 10 AM in the Wiggins High School Event Center, with a graveside service to follow at the Hoyt Cemetery. A reception followed at the Wiggins School. The service was livestreamed on David’s Facebook page.

303-566-4100 obituaries@coloradocommunitymedia.com Self placement available online at thebrightonblade.com

Memorial donations can be sent to Harvest Fellowship Church, 11401 E. 160th Ave., Brighton, CO 80602.

Tabor Funeral Home, Brighton, CO handled arrangements.

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December 15, 2021

Donations go a long way It was a good year for Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank had a good year in 2021, helping communities with food and clothing. It also received a donation of 10, $25 dollar gift certificates from Paula Fenn, owner of Halo Branded Solutions, through an organization called the Fort Lupton DJ Basin Safety Council.

“I have a place in my

heart and know what’s it’s like to grow up hungry,” said Fenn. “My husband and I, before we moved here from Indiana, we started a food pantry there in Indiana and has expanded since then.”

Fenn also sits on the board with the DJ Basin Safety Council, which does safety presentations for companies such as OHSA. “The donations come from the oil and gas companies, as well as other organizations. Every year, we raise money to help those in need. We also bought numerous gift cards and went to WalMart and handed them out randomly to people, “ said

Fenn.

In 2021, the food & clothing bank helped almost 7.900 people with food and clothing. It also sent 321 senior boxes of food to Columbine Court, a senior, low-income housing apartment, and 324 pounds of food to the Weld Re-8 schools. The food & clothing bank also partnered with Project Protect Food System Workers to take food to the migrant farmworkers in the Fort Lupton and Brighton areas, sending 252 boxes of food. Almost 300 veterans received food assistance from the food and clothing bank, Fort Lupton’s food bank

serves all of south Western Weld County and Brighton. Two food pantries closed because of the pandemic. Also, the food bank clocked in volunteer hours of people working at the food bank.

Mary Ellen Leblanc who is the president on the board of directors for the food bank said, nearly 11,000 hours of volunteers time.

To support the mission and sponsorship information, visit FLFCB.org/ Sponsor or call 303-8571096. The email is Hello@ FLFCB.org.

Drop off donations between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 421 Denver Ave.

Cody LeBlanc volunteered last year during the pandemic to hand out boxes of food as people drove up to the Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank tent.

FILE PHOTO

Council OKs insurance costs hikes

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton City Council brought out the checkbook during its Dec. 7 meeting.

It unanimously approved cost increases for city insurance plans to cover city computers from cyber attacks, workers’ compensation and the boiler and machinery units. The outlay is about $184,000.

Council also approved a $10,000 request for a new dump trailer for Coyote Creek Golf Course. General Manager Tyler Tarpley said the new equipment would be able to carry about four times as much material as the one he wanted to replace. Turf Time submitted the lowest of three potential bids.

Council also approved a $12,750

request for a retention bonus for the public works department. Director Roy Vestal said turnover has been extensive – 11 employees have left in the past two years – in his department.

“We haven’t been fully staffed,” he told council. “The proposal comes from salaries we couldn’t pay because we didn’t have a full staff.”

Vestal said two employees have 15 years’ service time. One has four years’ time, and two are in their second year of employment. Five have been on the job less than one year.

Appointments Council also made a bath of appointments Dec. 7. Geri Holton has a new term on the Fort Lupton Public & School Library that ends Dec. 31, 2025. Bushrod White has a threeyear term on the city’s planning

Re-8 offers good news for taxpayers

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Weld Re-8 School District’s director of finance and business services had an early Christmas present for taxpayers Dec. 9.

Jessica Holbrook told the Re-8 school board property tax rates in the district would decrease slightly next year, even though the total assessed value in the district dropped $300 million this year. Residential and commercial tax rates increased this year, too.

The mill levy in the district sits at 19.782 mills (about $21.6 million), as compared with a levy of 20.643 mills for 2021. Holbrook said one mill equals $7 per $100,000 of assessed home value each month.

“It’s a slight decline,” Holbrook told the board. “We’re cognizant of the impact of oil and gas while still being true to the district goal of being in a good position for our bond.”

The reason for the decline in assessed value is oil-and-gas operations in the county that took a hit

because of the pandemic. Holbrook said mill levy figures work the same way as a piece of pie.

“If I start taking pieces out of that, then I have to pay more. It has a negative impact on taxpayers,” she said. “Weld County is not expecting as big a drop in 2022. But the county is large, and we are just a small portion. Our oil wells are older, and production in older wells drops dramatically. I hope it stays stagnant. I want it to stay nice and even.”

The levy stays in place for the last half of fiscal year 2021 and the first half of fiscal year 2022. Financially, the district operates on a July to June calendar.

In other business The school board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the continued use of remote learning for the balance of the school year. The district statement includes a provision that students participating in remote learning will receive the same instruction and services as those who are physically in school.

commission that ends Dec. 15, 2024.

Fort Lupton Police Department Lt. David Hempel is on the Weld County Communications Advisory Committee and the county’s E-911 board. Cristian Gonzales-Torres is the city’s representative on the Fort Lupton Urban Renewal Authority.

His term expires Dec. 7, 2026.

Online access

Fort Lupton will change its online access to council meetings next year.

The new platform is Go To Meetings, according to City Clerk Mari Pena.

Fort Lupton – like many other cities and government agencies – offers online access for its council meetings in light of the pandemic.

In-person attendance is available, too.

4 Fort Lupton Press

December 15, 2021

Kulmann aims for Washington

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Thornton’s mayor and former city councilor, Jan Kulmann, threw her hat in the 8th Congressional District Republican Primary Dec. 7.

“I think we were given an incredible opportunity with this new congressional seat to have representation of Adams County and Weld County together,” she said.

Kulmann spent 22 years in the oil and gas industry. Mixing that experience with local government roles, she said the combination gives her tools to represent the district well. She hopes to bring local community voices to the Capitol floor.

“As the mayor, the Kulmann things that we deal with every single day in our community, whether it’s the economy or feeling safe at home, or making sure that we are focused on our quality of life, are the things that Congress needs to hear about, and it’s time that somebody that works at the local level can bring that to Washington,” she said.

One issue she points to is the

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members enrolled at Homyak PK-6 School, said CRT judges people based

Thornton Shopping Center. She notes the environmental regulations and obstacles from the federal level caused trouble in moving forward with the project. With direct experience in a local government position, she can explain those obstacles to Congress.

“I think as a congressperson, I could take those lessons I’ve learned as mayor and apply them to Washington,” she said.

The move to run for Congress doesn’t come as a surprise.

“I believe that most people who know Kulmann would not be surprised that she has ambitions,” Thornton City Councilor Kathryn Henson said.

The announcement came after a tense city council meeting. Normally, members vote for mayor pro tem vote by written ballot, but Councilor Karen Bigelow called for the vote to be public. Councilors Henson, Jacque Phillips and Julia Marvin also approved of a public vote. They lost 5-4.

“I believe that Councilmember (Adam) Matkowsky, participating over Zoom for a written vote, tells you that that vote was extremely important,” Henson said.

Councilor Jessica Sandgren won the mayor pro tem seat. If Mayor Kulmann goes off to Congress, Sandgren will become mayor.

on their skin color.

“History brings to light slavery and Jim Crow. CRT teaches that the founding principles are evil,” Frank said.

“Let’s get back to learning things that will make a difference in the

world,” said Cindy Green, whose hometown wasn’t available.

Public comment followed. One teacher decried the resolution as unnecessary and a case of interference with critical thinking in schools.

“The schools’ job should be to teach history, not to indoctrinate,” said parent Isaac Rodriguez. “The last thing people of color need is another example of how white people can succeed.”

Fort Lupton Education Association member Bekah Richards and a second-grade teacher at Butler Elementary School, called the resolution “a solution in search of a problem.”

“Students should get an education that equips them to work toward a better future,” she told the board.

“Don’t waste critical time and resources on this.”

Twombly Elementary School art teacher Mitchell Wilcox said there are existing anti-racism policies in the district.

“This (resolution) doesn’t solve any future problems,” he said. “It may create some in the future.”

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Success in fossil fuels Touting a successful career in the fossil fuel industry, Kulmann presents proof to show for it. The Denver Business Journal awarded her the Trailblazer Award for climbing the ranks in the male-dominated industry.

Kulmann’s political history in Thornton is not squeaky clean, though. As a city councilor, Kulmann was recalled in 2016 and survived.

During her tenure as mayor, The Denver Post reported Kulmann used taxpayer money to fund a trip to the White House for an event organized

by Melania Trump without telling the council or the public. The Post also covered a lawsuit from antifracking activists who sued her for blocking them on social media channels.

The 8th District is Colorado’s newest, an addition that came out of the 2020 Census and the state’s recent population growth. The district is spread across Adams, Weld and Larimer counties. Adams County has

Pregame discussion The board’s workshop discussion on CRT was quite lively. Weld Re-8 school board member Michelle Bettger lashed out at LeBlanc and Sierra.

It’s not a part of the curriculum, either locally or at the state level.

Educationweek.org defined critical race theory as “race is a social construct, and that racism is not merely the product of individual bias or prejudice, but also something embedded in legal systems and policies.”

One of the key campaign topics in the recent Virginia governor’s race was to keep CRT out of that state’s public schools.

LeBlanc said there was sufficient interest in the community to warrant a discussion.

“People in the community are asking me about this,” Leblanc told the board. “That’s why I decided to bring it forward.”

the largest share of the population in the district at 456,000, followed by Weld at 248,000 and Larimer at 17,000.

Thornton is the city with the largest population in the 8th District at 141,000, followed by Greeley at 108,000. Then there’s Westminster, at 71,000, Commerce City, 62,000, Brighton, at 39,000, and Northglenn at 38,000.

It runs from the Northglenn, Thornton and parts of Broomfield along U.S. Highway 85 into Greeley.

It includes much of Adams and Weld counties and has the largest percentage of Hispanic people of any of Colorado’s U.S. House districts.

The general election race could be a toss-up, as the district has no clear leaning. Forty-four percent of its active voters are registered as unaffiliated, 28 percent as Democrats and 25 percent as Republicans.

Other candidates in the primary include Weld County Commissioner Lori Saine, state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, Giuliana “Jewels” Gray, a wedding photographer and Ryan Gonzalez.

If Kulmann wins the primary June 28, she will be the Republican name on the Nov. 8 ticket for the general election.

Bettger, who has been on the board four years, and Browne, who has been on the board six years, said this matter had not come up until now.

“I’m frustrated with you carrying this forward and saying the community is asking you to do something without at least checking with the other members before creating chaos in our community,” Bettger said. “We are receiving emails from people who are not even in our community.”

Bettger wasn’t finished.

“You are creating chaos when we have bigger fish to fry in our schools and in our community,” she said.

“This isn’t one of them. I’d appreciate it if the two of you would bring up other things. I’m extremely frustrated.”

After the audience’s applause died down, LeBlanc said he appreciated Bettger’s thoughts and said the rest of the board could support it or not as the members chose.

“People do care,” he said. “It’s obvious by the number of people who came out tonight. I’m not sad I brought it forward. I want to fight for the education of the students in our district. That’s what all of us want. We don’t want to be indoctrinated.”

“Michelle is correct. I’ve been on the board six years, and this is the first time anybody has used that,” Browne said.

In conclusion One by one, board members thanked the speakers for their participation.

“This resolution is to spark a conversation,” LeBlanc said. “The point of the education system is to promote critical thinking. The fact that we had this conversation speaks volumes about our community.

“To those who agree, thanks for coming. To those who disagree, thanks for coming. To those who don’t care,, thanks for coming,” he concluded.

Fort Lupton Press 5

December 15, 2021

Fort Lupton Parade of Lights

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It was a chilly night but families came out for hot chocolate to see Santa and the gorgeous lit-up floats at the annual Fort Lupton Parade of Lights on Friday, Dec. 10.

Fort Lupton Mayor Zo Stieber greets the crowd during the city’s Parade of Lights Dec. 10.

The Weld Re-8 School District lit up the streets with its decorated school bus.

United Power used on it’s lighting power to create the reindeer truck.

The grinch made his appearance to try to ruin Christmas.

PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD

The Fort Lupton Blue Devils marching band playing an ensemble of Christmas music.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays From your friends at

FORT LUPTON 111 S. Rollie Ave., 303.857.3400 bankofcolorado.com

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December 15, 2021

LOCAL

VOICES

It’s goodbye, again, and I have a favor to ask

’m not exactly sure what you’re supposed to do when you retire.

I hear that often it involves hikes and beers with friends and reading the FROM great books and THEEDITOR binge-watching Marvel movies.

Those all sound rewarding. But I’m not sure that’s going to hold me for long.

So for now at least, I’m staying away from using the word “retire” Mark Harden in referring to what’s happening to me this week.

I’ll just call it a transition from one state of being to another.

After Dec.16, I am stepping down as editor of Colorado Community Media, the publisher of 24 weekly newspapers, of which this is one, across eight counties.

I’m a lucky guy to have been working full time for newspapers for almost all of the last 40 years.

Every stop on my professional train ride has been fulfilling and, for the most part, big fun. And I feel like I’ve played a small role in a great endeavor serving a vital public need: Providing honest news and

T

information.

Actually, I first exited this job last fall – I called it “semi-retiring” at the time — as I approached 65. I settled into freelance writing and reporting for various outlets along with contract editing for The Colorado Sun. Then, early this year, The Sun became co-owner of Colorado Community Media as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. Not long after that, Larry Ryckman, editor and co-founder of The Sun, asked if I would step back in for a few months while the hunt was underway for a new CCM publisher and permanent editor.

I’m grateful to Larry for the chance to work once again with our talented and enthusiastic crew of journalists. I’m also thankful that our new owners hired Linda Shapley, my former Denver Post colleague, as our publisher. She has worked tirelessly to bolster our business and to steer our company toward quality journalism and community service.

And come January, my role as CCM editor will be filled by Lisa Schlichtman, a veteran Colorado editor and a resourceful newsroom leader. I wish her great success.

The talented Thelma Grimes, who has been helping us cover Douglas

County communities, has already assumed my other role, as the regional editor overseeing our weekly newspapers in Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Elbert counties, with help from copy editor Scott Gilbert.

Thelma joins our regional editing team of Kristen Fiore (Jefferson and Clear Creek counties), Scott Taylor (Adams and Weld counties) and Christy Steadman (Denver neighborhood monthlies). Thanks to all of them for their efforts.

As you know, it’s been a tumultuous year amid the pandemic, with debates over masks, schools grappling with COVID-19 and race education, packed hospitals, contentious elections and businesses struggling to thrive again. Our reporters have shown dedication, creativity and courage in keeping you informed, in many cases covering stories that no one else is covering.

As I step away, I have a favor to ask. It’s expensive to bring you the news you need. So I’m hoping you will help CCM continue as an honest, independent, locally-focused information source with a contribution.

Consider it an investment in democracy.

Through an initiative called #newsCOneeds, in collaboration

with the Colorado Media Project, if you contribute to CCM from now until Dec. 31, your money will be doubled, up to $1,000, for a total of $5,000 in matching funds.

For information on how to support us, go online to coloradocommunitymedia.com/readers-care, or call 303-566-4100.

If you’re a business, you can help underwrite our community journalism by advertising. Visit ccmengage. com for information. If you’re a reader, please patronize businesses that advertise in this newspaper and thank them for their support.

CCM is headed to a bright future under Linda and Lisa’s leadership and with ownership committed to the best in community news. I will be watching closely from the sidelines and cheering on CCM’s successes. And I will be unfolding my hometown Centennial Citizen each week and clicking on ColoradoCommunityMedia.com to keep current.

It’s been a pleasure helping to bring you news. Thank you for reading, now and always. I wish you joyful holidays and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

After Dec. 16, reach Mark at mhardenpro@gmail.com.

On Twitter: @MarkHardenNews

BAAMING our way into 2022

here was no one else in the hotel gym that morning. The music playing in her earbuds was upbeat, fast-paced and loud. Almost WINNING loud enough to drown out her WORDS heavy breathing as she neared the end of a highintensity workout.

There was no one else around, she was spent, and she could have easily ended her Michael Norton workout in that moment without anyone else knowing it. But she would know it, and that’s all that mattered.

Not only did she complete her last few sets, but she also added another minute of cardio and one extra set of push-ups, BAAM. The workday was coming to an end. It had been a brutal day of calling prospects and customers.

He was coming up on the end of his sales year and he needed at least

three more sales to reach his annual quota. His colleagues were getting ready to pack it in for the day. Laptops were closing, headsets being laid on desks, and plans being made to meet up for a drink after work. Instead of shutting down, he resolved to make at least 10 more calls before he left. Those 10 calls went fast as no one answered.

As he was about to stand up and go join his teammates, he dialed one more number. The person answered.

The call took 45 minutes, and he made the sale, BAAM. Christmas was coming up quickly.

Ever since they were married, they were a dual-income household, raising three children. This past year had been rough as they both had to find new employment opportunities.

Although it wasn’t ideal, they were also both working second jobs to cover their bills, including a tuition payment that was due, and provide a decent Christmas for the family.

They were tired, exhausted really, and although they knew they just needed to stick it out for another few weeks, for their own personal health

and well-being they were going to quit their part-time jobs.

Over coffee the next morning they rallied and encouraged one another to make it through one more week.

They did, and then one more week, and then the final week too, BAAM. So, what is this whole BAAM thing anyway. BAAM stands for “Block and a Mailbox.” When the great motivational speaker Zig Ziglar set a goal to get into better shape, he needed to start running. The first day he ran only a block. The second day, he ran a block and a mailbox.

The third day he ran a block and two mailboxes. Each day he just went a little further than he did the day before. Each day he gave just a little more, worked a little harder, and didn’t give in. That became one of the hallmarks of his life, BAAM. Known as one of the greatest motivational speakers and encouragers in the last century, not only did Ziglar follow his own BAAM guidance in everything that he did, but he also taught all of us who studied his works and heard him speak how to do the same thing. Do

a little more, reach a little higher, go further than you think you can, live more, love harder, laugh often, and learn as much as we possibly can. To this day, when I feel like I have had enough or reached my limit, I ask myself if I can get to the next “mailbox” in front of me, and I BAAM it.

It has been a tiring past 21 months.

There is so much going on and on many different fronts. Until now, it could have been easy to fall into the trap of giving up and giving in. But now we know better, and you may love me or hate me for this, because now all we have to do is look at what is just a little further ahead of us and go for it. I would love to hear your BAAM story at mnorton@ tramazing.com, and when we do just a little bit more to reach our goals and dreams, it really will be a better than good year.

the following week’s newspaper.

• Include your full name, address and phone number. We will publish only your name and city or town of residence, but all of the information requested is needed for us to verify you are who you say you are.

• Letters will be considered only from people living in Colorado Community Media’s circulation area in Adams, Arapahoe, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson and Weld counties.

• We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length.

• Not all letters are published at our discretion. Letters are published as space is available.

• Letters must be no longer than 250 words.

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• Keep it polite: No name calling or “mudslinging.”

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including quotes, that cannot easily be verified.

• We do not publish speculation about other people’s motives or thoughts. Please keep your comments to a person’s actions or statements.

• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for office. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent.

Michael Norton is the grateful CEO of Tramazing.com, a personal and professional coach, and a consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator to businesses of all sizes.

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep in mind the following rules: • Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.

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

• Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in

Fort Lupton Press 7

December 15, 2021

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Thu 12/16 Twilight Dinner

@ 12:30am tDec 16th - Dec 15th Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐ partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton.

303-857-4200

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night .Sweats

@ 1pm Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop Street, dDenver

Sat 12/18

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Try'N Escape @ 1am Dec 18th - Dec 17th Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

Chair Volleyball 12/21 @ 5pm Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Featured

Max Wellman: A Charlie Brown Christmas

@ 6pm / $12 Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

Dave Mensch at Floodstage Ale Works - Brighton, CO

Fri 12/17 Standley Lake Bird walk @ 8am Standley Lake Regional Park & Wildlife Refuge, Simms St & W 100th Ave, Westminster. standley lake@cityofwestminster.us, 303425-1097 Ballet Ariel's Nutcracker

Butter�y �avilion's Living Lights Festival @ 5:40pm / $20 Dec 17th - Jan 2nd Butter�y Pavilion, 6252 West 104th Avenue, Westminster. Visi torservices@butter�ies.org, 303469-5441

@ 2pm / $38 Dec 18th - Dec 19th Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 South Alli‐ son Parkway, Lakewood. balletariel@com cast.net, 303-945-4388

@ 8pm Flood Stage Ale Works, 170 S Main St, Brighton @ 9pm / $15-$18 The Denver Comedy Lounge, 3559 Larimer Street, Denver

Christmas in Color - Water World @ 5:30pm Christmas in Color - Water World, Water World, Federal Heights

Wed 12/22 Featured

Sun 12/19 Featured

Featured Gift Wrapping Extravaganza

Elexa Dawson @ 6:30pm Longtucky Spirits, 350 Terry St Suite #120, Longmont

@ 2:05pm / $67-$445 Empower Field At Mile High, 1701 Bryant St., Denver

"12 Dates of Christmas"

Featured

@ 5:30pm Dazzle Jazz, 930 Lincoln St, Denver

Saturday Night Stand-Up

Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals

@ 7:30pm / $17 Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton Street, Au‐ rora

@ 11:30pm Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐ partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton.

303-857-4200

Tue 12/21

Colorado Hardcore Toy Drive

Featured

Christmas In Color Lights

Mon 12/20 Winter Wonders Holiday Trail & Chili Cook-off

@ 5pm Anythink Brighton, 327 East Bridge Street, Brighton. rbowman @anythinklibraries.org, 303-4053230

Thu 12/23 The Steve Manshel Band

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@ 6pm Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Pica‐ dilly Road, Brighton. Dnr_bar rlake.Naturecenter@state.co.us, 303-659-6005

@ 6pm Bootstrap Brewing, 142 Pratt St, Long‐ mont

A Winter's Eve - Reed Foehl, Megan Burtt, and Sturtz @ 6:30pm eTown Hall, 1535 Spruce St, Boulder

Featured

Featured Cookies and Hot Chocolate @ 3pm Anythink Brighton, 327 East Bridge Street, Brighton. rbowman @anythinklibraries.org, 303-4053230

Dirty Side Down Band: Dirty Side Down @ Cheers

Tubing Together @ 4:30pm Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

@ 8pm @ Cheers, 11964 Washington St, Northglenn

AlunaGeorge: Aluna's DiskoTek Tour (DJ set) @ 9:30pm Meow Wolf, 1338 1st St, Denver

Keith Hicks

Christmas in Color - Water World

@ 6pm Mother Tucker Brewery, 2360 E 120th Ave, Thornton

@ 5:30pm Christmas in Color - Water World, Water World, Federal Heights

The best place to promote your events online and in print. Visit us @ https://westminsterwindow.com/calendar

Improv for a Claus at Bug Theatre @ 7:30pm / $20 The Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo Street, Denver. parkerplayersim prov@gmail.com

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8 Fort Lupton Press

December 15, 2021

’Tis the season for injuries Local ERs see increase in holiday-related cases

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Dr. Ben Usatch said while the holidays are all about joy and bringing good cheer, no member of the family is immune to accidents that can result in an unplanned visit to the local ER. Usatch, an emergency medicine physician and medical director for UCHealth Hospital Highlands Ranch, said holiday injuries start early with the cold weather and continue with holiday decoration hanging through to Christmas, when presents are opened and can cause unexpected injuries.

Dr. Eric Hill, a HealthOne emergency room physician at the Medical Center of Aurora, said the holiday season is the start of winter, which means more ER visits with people who have slipped and fallen on icy, slippery surfaces.

While the Front Range has not had a lot of snowfall and cold weather so far this autumn, Hall said as more snowstorms and cold weather come in early 2022, doctors always anticipate an uptick in urgent care visits.

Besides cold weather bringing winter injuries, holiday-related injuries ramp up around Thanksgiving, which is the start of the holiday season, Usatch said. This is the time when families start putting out holiday decorations, hanging lights and signs.

Usatch said it is common for family members to venture into hanging lights and signs without someone serving as a spotter under the ladder.

Common injuries associated with decoration hanging includes bruises, lacerations and broken bones.

“Just be safe and ask someone to serve as a spotter,” Usatch said. “It is easier to have the help there than to fall and break something, get a concussion or have lacerations.”

Hill said as Christmas celebrations are held and gifts are given throughout the season, hospitals see a variety of toy-related injuries and issues.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2020 there were 198,000 toy-related

Each year nearly 200,000 ER visits due to toy-related injuries according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

injuries that required a visit to a U.S. hospital. Of those, males accounted for 57% of those injured and 75% of the total injured people were under age 14.

Hill said one of his biggest concerns around the holidays is with babies and toddlers who regularly stick something in their mouth, ear or nose.

“Kids tend to put the small pieces from toys in various places,” Hill said. “Kids will start complaining about pain and problems. When they come to us, we find the pieces in the nose, ears or throat. These cases need special tools to fish them out.”

In situations where the child swallows a toy, Hill said the customary response from doctors is to wait.

Doctors wait to see if the child can pass it naturally through a bowel movement.

In situations where a child swallows a magnet, such as the popular ball magnet toys, or a button battery, Hill said there is more concern.

“The button batteries cause more concern because their makeup can cause burning and pain inside the stomach,” Hill said. “The magnetic balls can attach and pinch the inside the intestine, causing bowel perforation. This can require surgery to fix.”

Usatch and Hill said hospitals also

see patients who are not used to the new toys and gadgets they get for Christmas. Without being used to a new bike, electric scooter, hover board or other riding toys, kids often fall and get hurt. Common injuries associated with riding toys can start with minor cuts and bruises or lead to more serious concerns with concussions and broken bones.

Usatch said a common rule of thumb for parents to follow with any riding toy is to make the helmet an accompanying gift.

Hill said he is always surprised with the older patients that come in on Christmas. It’s not just kids playing on the riding toys, he said.

“We have seen cases where grandparents will be out having fun and trying to ride the toys too,” Hill said.

“This leads to them falling and getting hurt.”

Hill said in one case he managed, a 72-year-old grandmother tried to ride a hover board and ended up falling

SHUTTERSTOCK

and breaking her hip.

Both Usatch and Hill said parents should read consumer studies on toys and gadgets, making sure they are age-appropriate and understanding the common injuries that are reported with each item.

Over the last few years, drones and flying toys have become a popular item. Either flying them inside or outside, Usatch and Hill said, inexperienced users can mismanage them and either hurt themselves or others in the process. Eye injuries are common with some of the flying toys, Usatch said.

This year, due to supply-chain issues, Hill said parents might be trying to find whatever they can, which means buying more generic, knockoff items that may be more unsafe than the name-brand options.

In this case, Hill stressed parents should pay attention to the consumer reports because generic versions could be more dangerous.

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Fort Lupton Press 9

December 15, 2021

There’s something for you at Aims.

Build new skills, work toward a degree or certificate, or take a class for fun.

Spring semester starts Jan. 18, 2022 Register now at

aims.edu GREEELEY FORT LUPTON LOVELAND WINDSOR ONLINE

10 Fort Lupton Press

December 15, 2021

Help Identify Baby John Doe The case of a baby left under a bush in 2002 unsolved

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Weld County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Unit is asking for help from the communities to identify a baby John Doe found deceased in 2002 outside of L & M Auto Repair in Brighton, according to a press release.

The case is one of four unsolved cases. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is also helping with three of the cases. This year, the Weld County Sheriff’s office is partnering with Othram Inc. from Woodlands, Texas, which specializes in forensic DNA evidence, to identify baby John Doe and living relatives by extraction and analysis.

Othram Inc. and is also the world’s first private DNA laboratory, according to officials.

“It is essential to address what the National Institute of Justice calls the ‘silent mass disaster’ of the tens of thousands of unidentified persons in our country,” said Othram CEO David Mittelman. “However, many of these cases do not have sufficient funding support, and it is an honor to be able to financially assist some of these investigations through our DNASolves platform.”

According to officials, employees of L & M Auto Repair arrived to start work in September 2002 when a staff member the body under a bush. Only one clue found. The baby was wrapped in a blue blanket with the graphic “Skate Bear.”

The investigator guessed the ancestry could be white, Latino, or Italian with dark hair, weighing about 7 pounds. The child was 21 inches long at the time of his death. According to the pathologist, the baby was born healthy between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. but was unable to determine the cause of death.

Othram started a genealogical profile for the baby at a cost of $5,000

The baby John Doe found deceased under a bush in 2002 outside the L & M Auto Repair in Brighton.

The clues found the baby was wrapped in a blue blanket with the graphic COURTESY IMAGES “Skate Bear”.

for DNA testing and genealogical research. The Weld County Sheriffs Office contributed a portion of the cost but needs help to raise funds for its remaining case work cost. A DNASoves.com crowdfunding account has been established to raise funds to fund the case.

To donate, visit DNASolves.com/ articles/weld_baby_doe. Any persons with information about baby John Doe contact cold case Detective Byron Kastilahn at 970-356-4015 and reference case number WC02-4535.

The case is logged under NamUs as UP10386.

to remember the less fortunate in our community.”

Call 303-857-3983.

80621.

BRIEFS Marijuana applications The deadline to submit an application for regulated marijuana is Tuesday, Dec. 28.

Visit https://www.fortluptonco. gov/962/Marijuana-Licensing?fbc lid=IwAR1miQKbc48FoWkUPsjgr B0cOZyZMnvebsSMIXb2ZWQjBB4z32EpBczIH4.

Governor forum Nine Republican candidates for governor .. Greg Lopez, Heidi Ganahl, Danielle Neuschwanger, Jack Dillender, Darryl Gibbs, Jeff Fry, Jason Lopez. Jim Rundberg and Jon Gray-Ginsberg .. are due to appear at a candidate forum at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave. The Republican Wlomen of Weld is the sponsor. There’s a 90-minute meet-and-greet/dinner before the forum begins.

Call Tammy Klein at 720-290-3289.

Growing grads The next installment of Brighton’s Growing Grads program is at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at Anythink Library, 567 E. Bridge St.

Brighton Youth Services provides this annual college and career readiness event for high-school juniors and seniors and anyone interested in pursuing higher education.

Students and families will be able to chat with colleges, trade schools and apprentice programs, view financial aid presentations in both English and Spanish and check out local scholarships. Call 303-565-2000.

ONGOING Toys for Tots Tony Merritt, the local Edward Jones financial advisor, is supporting the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program by using his office as a drop-off location for this year’s toy drive, according to a press statement.

Local residents may help needy children in the area by bringing in a new, unwrapped toy to the office, 150 Main St., Suite 1, during regular business hours through Dec. 3.

“With the holiday season around the corner, we are all getting ready for the festivities,” Merritt said in the statement. “And as this is the season of giving, now is a great time

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Donation time The Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank is asking for donations of canneed fruit and N, variety of dry pasta and pasta dinners, peanut butter and canned meat such as tuna (including the pouches), to help out local schools that just reopened after a year of remote learning.

Other potential donations could include chicken, Vienna sausages, spam and salmon. The bank also needs personal items, such as toiletries and baby needs.

Drop off donations at the food and clothing bank’s back door, 421 Denver Ave., weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Call 303-857-1096.

Teen hangout Teens can stop by the Fort Lupton Pubic & School Library Wednesdays to play crafts, video games and hang out with friends after school.

Walk with a doc Platte Valley Medical Center’s cardiac rehab team and Walk With A Doc will host monthly walks with Dr. Christopher Cannon, an interventional cardiologist at Brighton Heart and Vascular Institute.

This is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. After a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from the doctor, spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and a fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active and enjoy all the benefits that come from walking.

Blessings in a Bag Fort Lupton’s Backpack Program helps school children in need with a backpack of healthy food. It’s an all-volunteer program and is in need of volunteers. If interested in volunteering or donating, call 303718-4440. Mail donations to Blessings in a Bag, 306 Park Ave., Fort Lupton

Drop-in child care The Fort Lupton Recreation Center offers drop-in child care from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Call 303-857-4200.

Committee openings Fort Lupton has openings for several of its citizen advisory committees. Visit https://www.fortluptonco. gov/966/I-Want-To-Apply-for-aCommittee.

Boards/committees’ openings The city of Fort Lupton is looking for volunteers for its historic preservation board, the Fort Lupton Urban Renewal Authority, FLURA business representative (a five-year term), FLURA alternate member (term expires March 5, 2023) and library board trustee (term expires December 2024).

Call Alyssa Knutson at 720-4666128.

Chess tournament The Fort Lupton Public & School Library put together a chess tournament that’s ideal for beginning players.

Visit https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/1UFPA1ENiETkHnJjaHh_ E3hUAOEWSRKUXpU7utzYab-U/ viewform?fbclid=IwAR1M9cUK4b p7cJyH9phmivtIV6gmeXqd3kNra 5q_L113Py-IhRIHDjMHRd4&edit_ requested=true

Fort Lupton senior lunches Senior lunches are available at noon Mondays at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave. Sign up by noon the previous Thursday. Call 303-857-4200, ext. 6166.

Coffee group Fort Lupton’s weekly coffee group sessions are at 8 a.m. Wednesdays.

Call 303-857-4200.

SEE BRIEFS, P11

Fort Lupton Press 11 March 18, 2021

December 15, 2021 14

FORT LUPTON POLICE BLOTTER

Here are the police reports for Nov. 27 to Dec. 3 to the Fort Lupton Police Department. Not every call made to the police is not listed on this report.

Nov. 27 Police arrested a Fort Lupton man, 24, in the 400 block of Fulton Avenue on a Jefferson County warrant for identity theft, forgery and possession of scheduled drugs.

He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Nov. 28 Police took a Denver female, 47, into custody on Grand Avenue on e

two warrants out of Jefferson County for failure to appear on a traffic offense for driving while her license was under restraint. She was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Nov. 29 A Lakewood man, 25, reported the theft of his license plate in the 800 block of Hoover Avenue. The case is under investigation.

Police issued a summons to a Lone Tree woman, 21, for causing a traffic accident by following too close at U.S. Highway 85 and Weld County Road 15.5.

A Fort Lupton woman, 26, was issued a summons for causing a careless driving accident at Fourth Street and Denver Avenue.

Nov. 30 Police arrested a Brighton man, 20, for DUI, possession/consumption of marijuana by an underage person, driving while license was under restraint, speeding and weaving in

the 1200 block of Denver Avenue.

A 14-year old Fort Lupton boy was issued a summons for possession of marijuana by a minor in the 500 block of Reynolds Street.

Police issued a summons to a Fort Lupton man, 37, in the 1800 block of Gold Pan Drive for unlawful possession of a Schedule II drug. He was released.

Police issued a summons to a Fort Lupton teen for possession of marijuana in the 500 block of Reynolds Street.

Police took a Fort Lupton man, 40 into custody, for DUI at U.S. Highway 85 and mile marker 246. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton woman,45, was arrested for domestic violence, thirddegree assault, harassment, false imprisonment and obstruction of telephone services. She was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Dec. 1

BRIEFS

and Thursdays at thke Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave. Call 303-857-4200.

S. Harrison Ave.) are available. Call 303-857-4200, ext. 6166 with questions.

Silver Sneakers Silver Sneaker Yoga is available Fridays from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Fort Lupton recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave.

Pen pals Fort Lupton’s senior pen pal program through Twombly Elementary School is looking for participants.

Learn more at: https://www.fortluptonco.gov/950/Senior-Pen-PalProgram

Water aerobics The city’s water aerobics class meets from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays

Craft classes Monthly craft classes through the Fort Lupton Recreation Center (203

Free short-term radon test kits Weld County residents can receive a free radon test kit (one per household, while supplies last). Test kits can be requested online at www. drhomeair.com/weld, according to a statement.

Call the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment at (970) 400-2226 or visit: www.weldgov.com/go/radon.

FROM PAGE 10

Police issued a summons to a Fort Lupton woman, 66, for a dog running at large creating danger in the 400 block of Harrison Avenue.

Police arrested a Fort Lupton man, 66, in the 1300 block of Dexter Street on a traffic offense after causing an accident. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton man, 70, reported the theft of a $4,500 fraudulent check in the 200 block of Appel Court. The case was under investigation.

Dec. 2 Police arrested a Fort Lupton man, 37, for violating a protection order in the 1800 block of Gold Pan Drive. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail Dec. 3 A Fort Lupton man, 32, was taken into custody for criminal trespass in the 800 block of Dexter Street.

He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Warm Line up and running Community Reach Center is offering a Warm Line (303-280-6602) for those who want to talk to mentalhealth professionals about anxiety, lack of sleep and strained relationships, among other topics. The professionals can facilitate referrals to other programs for assistance.

The line is not for crisis intervention.

Those feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services (1-844-4938255) or text 38255 or visit the Behavioral Urgent Care Center, 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.

H O L I D AY WORSHIP Join us Christmas Eve for a beautiful candlelight service in the historic St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church.

We will sing carols at 6:30 p.m. followed by worship with Holy Eucharist at 7:00 p.m.

Everyone is welcome in the Episcopal Church.

Anyone who is baptized may partake of the communion bread and wine.

St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church

76 South 3rd Avenue | Downtown Brighton at 3rd and Bush 720-263-6394 | www.stelizabethsco.org | SaintElizabethsCO@gmail.com

The Reverend Deborah Hill presiding

12 Fort Lupton Press

December 15, 2021

In Colo. schools, scenes of disruption, destruction Kids are acting out in class while struggling to cope

BY ERICA BREUNLIN AND JENNIFER BROWN THE COLORADO SUN

Veronica Bell’s classroom devolved into a place of destruction this school year, with kids snapping pencils out of frustration, tearing up decorations and bulletin boards, and ripping math books to shreds.

“Then they would say, ‘Oh, I don’t have a math book anymore,’” said Bell, who left her teaching post at KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary in Denver at the end of October.

The chaos escalated into violence at times, including the day a child grabbed two other students and dug his nails into their arms until they bled, leaving scratch marks on their wrists. The fight was over a stolen pencil. In a different incident, a student threatened to stab other kids and staff with scissors.

They’re in third grade.

As teachers returned to the classroom this year, determined to help catch kids up on academics, they were met with another challenge: students with more severe behavioral problems than many had seen before.

Teachers interviewed by The Colorado Sun said there are more outbursts and more cussing in class. Kids are set off by schoolwork that feels overwhelming, and sometimes bolt from the classroom.

More than a year of pandemic uncertainty, and less structured time spent learning at home, have taken a toll on kids’ emotional wellbeing — and it shows in students’ lack of ability to interact with classmates, respect school staff and avoid succumbing to peers who are stirring up trouble.

The state Department of Education tracks the number of suspensions and expulsions in districts but won’t collect that data for this school year until the end of the year.

The classroom chaos comes as the state tries to offer more kids better access to mental health support, with a $9 million effort to connect kids in distress with three free mental health sessions.

All the volatility among young learners shouldn’t come as a shock, said Rebecca Holmes, president and CEO of the Colorado Education Initiative, which focuses on improving Colorado’s public education system and creating greater equity.

Prolonged school closures, adults clashing over political debates and families suffering job loss or the death of a loved one have all contributed to students misbehaving in school, said Holmes, whose nonprofit has worked with 35 districts this fall.

“Before we pathologize the behaviors of young people, let’s be honest about the state of the adults around them,” she said. “Modern humans aren’t great at managing the stress of prolonged uncertainty. In many cases, workplaces have changed policies and practices to

accommodate our current realities. But we put young people back into schools, applied the old norms and schedules and ways of being, and are surprised that it appears to not be serving them.”

Rather than blame students, Holmes emphasizes the need for schools to reflect on the disciplinary systems they have in place and assess whether they’re effective for kids who have experienced 19 months of a pandemic.

Teresa Haynes, clinical director of a nonprofit that provides mental health support to 15 schools in Eagle County, is hearing from teachers about “some of the most extreme acting-out behaviors that they’ve ever seen in their careers.”

Kids have thrown things, hidden under tables and destroyed property, she said.

The mental health pressures are manifesting as destruction and outbursts in the younger grades, and as a quieter, more subtle uptick in depression and suicidal thoughts in the older grades, she said.

Haynes, clinical director of Hope Center of Eagle River Valley, oversees a team of therapists who work inside schools as well as a mobile, 24/7 crisis unit that is regularly dispatched to school campuses.

This school year, not quite half over, is on track to surpass last year’s record in terms of the number of students who received support and the number of interactions between students and Hope Center clinicians.

Already this school year, the nonprofit has connected with 485 students and logged 4,551 interactions, she said.

Many of those have been suiciderisk assessments for middle and high schoolers, but also for children as young as 6 and 7, Haynes said.

Coronavirus conflict wearing on kids Behavioral problems at school have been escalating for years, but the “prolonged period of stress on families” during the pandemic has made things worse, Haynes said. “I think it’s trickling down to younger kids,” she said.

Children are struggling because families are in stress — financial hardship, difficulty in paying mortgages and rent, and in some cases, more fighting at home. On top of that, kids who spent less time in the classroom last year and more time in Zoom or Google Meet are behind on social skills, including making friends and dealing with other kids they might find difficult.

“Some day, there will be some fascinating research,” Haynes said.

“There is a lot of division in our country about vaccination status. Political division. It impacts families and it trickles down to kids. Sometimes, people don’t seem as nice to each other as they used to be. And I continue to hear, ‘I can’t take another thing’ and ‘Now there’s another variant.’ It seems never-ending.”

Don’t think those big-world conflicts aren’t affecting young people, said Sorin Thomas, founder of Queer Asterisk, a nonprofit that

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

provides counseling for queer and transgender youth and adults in Denver, Boulder, Longmont and Fort Collins.

Too often, people are arguing about the effects on kids from masks or the virtual school year but avoiding the bigger picture, Thomas said. Psychologists know how fighting and stress within a family affect a child’s mental health — now put that on the scale of the country, where national and local leaders are frightened and arguing about how best to stop a deadly virus.

It’s the macrocosm of a dysfunctional family, said Thomas, who uses they/them pronouns.

“It’s quite frightening,” they said. “The pandemic in and of itself is scary, and then the way that leaders and adults have handled it, that’s scary. These are things that are impacting young people.”

And while trying to grapple with their fear, kids have largely been robbed of the coping strategies they depend on to preserve their mental wellbeing — such as spending time with family members and friends, said Jenna Glover, a child clinical psychologist and the director of psychology training at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Many kids have also lost a sense of hope as they’ve been deprived of coming-of-age moments like school dances, graduations, continuation ceremonies and first-dayof-kindergarten pictures, Glover said.

“There’s a grief that comes with that,” Glover said, noting that people often thrive when they have something to look forward to.

“Kids’ lives are really marked in huge milestones year by year in a way that when you enter adulthood are not, and that is hugely disruptive for their wellbeing when they miss these traditions and huge rites of passage,” she said.

Children also need routine and predictability to excel, she added.

“Life is never fully predictable, but over the last two years life has been unpredictable in a way that has caused so much stress in kids’ lives that it’s causing mental health problems,” Glover said.

But those mental health problems aren’t always easily identifiable. When teenagers and tweens are angry or irritable or lash out, that’s typically indicative of depression, Glover said.

Similarly, when children erupt in a temper tantrum, they’re trying to communicate their stress and find a way to cope. Kids may scream or tear something up because they feel so overwhelmed and they’re attempting to soothe themselves, she said, particularly as they lack the emotional maturity or vocabulary to fully express how they feel.

She recommends parents reintroduce routines into their kids’ lives, with a consistent bedtime, adequate meals and safe social interactions, like socially distanced playdates.

“It’s a really small thing but the foundation of physical and mental health,” Glover said.

Reteaching kids how to think about others In Bell’s classroom at KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary, she picked up on behaviors from kids “trying to avoid work” and others seeking attention. She recalls one student who would lean far back in his chair, jump off swings or injure himself with a pencil to draw attention from the two teachers in the room. She also found students’ interactions became more aggressive, with a lot of roughhousing, and observed students missing some social cues.

“I think kids have been isolated for so long that they really haven’t had to think about other people in that way,” she said.

Bell realized the social emotional skills of her third grade students, who she also taught in first and second grade, had grown rusty and spent more time on those lessons.

“They’re still lagging because they haven’t had time to practice those skills,” she said.

About half the students in Bell’s class — 28 total — had a specialized learning plan or behavior plan and, even with a second teacher helping her, she struggled to give them all the support they needed.

Bell and her co-teacher did what they could to create a better classroom environment for students, rearranging their classroom schedule so that kids were tackling harder subjects, like math, when they were fresh in the day.

But by the end of October, she was still overwhelmed and feeling like she needed more support from her administrators. Suffering scalp pain and tension in her neck and SEE DISRUPTIONS, P13

Fort Lupton Press 13

December 15, 2021

‘I’m hoping it saves lives’ Planned Parenthood rolling out mental health screening statewide

BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A mental health screening program that has been piloted at the Planned Parenthood Littleton Health Center this past year is set to be expanded to locations across Colorado after the health provider said it found success in identifying patients with depression.

The organization partnered with Colorado Access, a nonprofit that contracts with the state government to provide health care plans through Medicaid, to screen thousands of patients for mental health concerns, something that can oftentimes be overlooked in patients seeking primary care.

“There’s some stigma around mental health,” said Rob Bremer, vice president of network strategy for Colorado Access. “But if your provider is asking about it, it begins to normalize that conversation.”

While it is not uncommon for healthcare providers to ask questions about a patient’s mental health, it’s less likely that providers will do so in a routine fashion, Bremer said. He likened the program, which he called a behavioral health screening, to the standard practices of a doctor’s appointment.

“You would be concerned if you went into a primary care provider and they didn’t take your blood pressure,” Bremer said, adding that it should be the same when it comes to checking a patient’s mental health.

Care providers at the Littleton Planned Parenthood were trained

by Colorado Access to ask a set of questions, known as Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), to all patients who walked through their door to

DISRUPTIONS FROM PAGE 12

back, she made the hard decision to leave teaching. The elevated behavioral issues, along with the lack of support from school leaders, contributed to her health issues, which ultimately propelled her decision to quit.

Gerardo Muñoz, a social studies teacher at the Denver Center for International Studies at Baker, pins part of students’ behavioral challenges this year on their struggle to adjust to classroom expectations. Many students have experienced more freedom in their learning environment amid the pandemic, working on assignments from their bed and getting up to grab a snack without asking.

“Now we’re asking them to come back as if the whole year and a half didn’t happen, as if they just know how to be in school,” said Muñoz, who is Colorado’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.

He urges schools to reflect on

The Planned Parenthood center in Littleton piloted a mental health screening pracPHOTO BY ROBERT TANN tice that is set to be expanded to locations across Colorado.

identify if they were at risk for, or currently had, depression.

They found that of 2,150 patients screened between May 17 and Oct. 20, 160 showed symptoms of depression. Of those 160, a follow-up questionnaire, known as the PHQ-9, was given to identify patients who may have depressive disorder so that they could be connected with a therapist through the Colorado Access and Planned Parenthood networks.

It was a first-of-its kind program for Planned Parenthood locations in Colorado, according to the organization’s chief experience officer, Adrienne Mansanares.

Before working with Colorado Access, Mansanares said staff did not have the training or resources to identify the mental health needs of patients.

“For a healthcare provider whose sole career is based in helping people, it’s such a feeling of powerlessness to have someone who is clearly struggling and not have the resources to help them,” she said.

The pilot program provides a roadmap to a more comprehensive and uniform approach to addressing mental health especially for those who may not know they need help.

“Nobody is going to fall through the cracks,” Mansanares said.

The practice comes at a crucial time for mental health awareness, with 23% of Coloradans meeting the criteria for major depressive disorder following the onset of COVID-19, according to an April 2020 survey from the Colorado School of Public Health.

“The anxiety that we’re living with, a heightened level of stress and anxiety, we’ve seen the need and demand for behavioral health services just increase and increase,” Bremer said.

Following the success in Littleton, the screening has been expanded to Planned Parenthood’s Aurora, Denver Central, Park Hill, Arvada, Fort Collins and Boulder health centers. It plans to bring the service to all 17 of its locations by the end of the year.

Bremer said it brings hope for better mental health care across Colorado.

“We’re going to be recognizing depression earlier and it’s going to be easier to treat,” he said.

And the practice will reach Planned Parenthood patients outside of Colorado, said Mansanares, with plans to bring the service to locations in New Mexico and Nevada.

For her, it’s about making mental health a priority.

“I’m hoping it saves lives,” she said.

how much they’re listening to students amid the pandemic.

Madison Stockton, who teaches third grade literacy at Southmoor Elementary School in Denver, hasn’t experienced much chaos at school, but she recognizes that kids need a reminder of how to be respectful of adults and consider other people’s feelings. They’re not trying to be malicious, she said, but are “out of practice.”

“Those are just skills that now need to be explicitly taught because we can’t really trust that they’re getting these skills elsewhere since we’re still in this kind of apocalyptic pandemic world,” Stockton said.

Students’ emotions have grown more intense amid the pandemic, she said, and while they’re able to better name their feelings this year, they’re having a harder time managing them.

She’s shifted her approach with students, starting the day with an exercise in which kids write down something kind someone did for them the day before and having kids rate themselves and the

whole class on how they conducted themselves during recess. She also awards students for good behavior with raffle tickets they can use to enter a class lottery and win prizes, and she gives the entire class points that they can use to earn class spirit days or extra recess time.

Those strategies have all helped.

But they can’t solve one problem still hanging over Stockton and her colleagues: a growing list of work responsibilities that cut into teachers’ time to thoroughly address behavior management.

“If we’re not given that time and given that space to really focus on classroom community,” she said, “then the kids are not going to feel safe and they’re going to act out.”

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

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December 15, 2021

Denver Hospice provides ‘a group hug’ Chaplain Keith Swingle is celebrated for 25 years of service

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Denver Hospice Chaplain Keith Swingle said he attended seminary school because he knew he wanted to serve in ministry in some capacity.

He had a friend who did an internship with hospice care, but Swingle didn’t figure that end-of-life care was for him.

But upon finishing seminary school, Swingle realized he was cut out to be a hospice chaplain.

“It is everything I wanted, in terms of one-on-one — meeting with families on their own turf during a vulnerable and helpful time,” Swingle said, adding it gives him “a chance to make a real difference.”

And more than a quarter of a century later, Swingle is still making a difference in peoples’ lives when they need it the most.

25 years with Denver Hospice Swingle has been serving people and families as a hospice chaplain for 28 years this October. Twentyfive of those years have been spent with The Denver Hospice.

“His commitment to patients and families goes above and beyond, with how he supports, listens and cares for our patients and their families,” said Melinda Egging, president of the nonprofit provider of hospice and palliative care. “Keith can be counted on for his smile and his sense of humor - yes, sense of humor during hospice care. Finding grace and humor is important as we walk this journey.”

Egging added that Swingle was the chaplain for her family when her mother-in-law was in hospice.

“He was so gracious and kind. He connected with our family and was a great support,” Egging said. “I know first-hand the important role chaplains like Keith contribute during this important time.”

Swingle, 54, was born and raised in Ohio. He spent 2-1/2 years serving as a hospice chaplain in Ohio before moving to Colorado. He had friends moving to Colorado, and found the job with The Denver Hospice before making the move.

Swingle now lives on Lookout Mountain near Golden. He is married and raising a 14-year-old.

With The Denver Hospice, Swingle serves the north metro area out of The Denver Hospice’s Westminster location.

The Denver Hospice was established in 1978. As a nonprofit, nobody who needs hospice care will be turned away, Swingle said.

The agency serves the entire metro area, with its Inpatient Care Center located at 8299 E. Lowry Blvd. in Denver’s Lowry Field neighborhood.

A minister without a church A chaplain is a “minister without a church,” someone who doesn’t represent a specific denomination or

The Denver Hospice Chaplain Keith Swingle, right, holds the phone up for David Newman, a 34-year-old Army veteran with termiPHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN nal brain cancer, during a video-chat call in September with Newman’s wife, Alissa.

particular church, Swingle said.

What chaplains do is help people cope with losses, Swingle said.

In addition to the loss of a loved one, losses can include a person’s independence, control and role — or, purpose and meaning of life, Swingle said.

“Sometimes, the immediate family can’t, or doesn’t know how to, talk about it with their loved one,” Swingle said.

That’s where a chaplain can help.

Swingle’s visits to patients run the gamut, but the underlying role is to provide a comforting presence.

Sometimes, visits are a friendly check-in just to see how the patient doing. Other times, it’s to pray with them. Or, if needed, Swingle will also help with arranging memorial services or connecting a person or their loved ones to a rabbi or Catholic priest.

No matter the reason for Swingle’s visit to a particular patient, it’s always a meaningful visit, he said.

His goal: to ensure that all hospice patients “feel well-supported, cared for and that we always have time for them.”

When people are at end-of-life, they need to feel that they have someone to talk to, said LeRoy Baker, administrator of Broomfield Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

“When people are transitioning, spiritual needs are just as important as physical needs,” Baker added.

Hospice care is a team effort, Swingle said. He works in a team setting with Registered Nurse (RN) case workers, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), social workers and others.

“Keith has always been someone we look up to,” said Rachel Phillips, an RN case manager with The Denver Hospice. “He’s genuine and caring. That’s comforting for the families, but also for us. It’s very calming to have him here.”

‘He does way more than expected’ During the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, Villagio Senior Living — a memory care community in Broomfield — worked with The Denver Hospice to have a dedicated team provide hospice care for its patients.

“They acted as if they were our own in-house staff,” said Carisa Brown, the community’s executive director. “The Denver Hospice has been vital to our success.”

In addition to tending to patients’ needs, Swingle was sometimes called on to support staff who were struggling or otherwise having a hard time coping, Brown said.

But he also helped in ways well beyond the typical roles of a chaplain.

A while back, a patient who was in clinical isolation at Villagio received a new bed. It was a hospital bed, with all the gadgets, said Tia Abeyta, the wellness director for Villagio.

“This was during the period of time (of the pandemic) when only nurses and CNAs were allowed in,” Abeyta said. “So the equipment company couldn’t come in to assemble it.”

Swingle happened to be there that day, so he geared up in full personal protective equipment to help Abeyta assemble the bed, and they were able to get it put together for the patient.

“He does way more than expected,” Abeyta said.

‘Our dog approved’ David and Alissa Newman of Lakewood had a large Husky dog named Dazbog when David, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in August 2017, started hospice care.

While friendly, the dog was never into cuddling. But, on Swingle’s first home visit with the couple, Dazbog went right up to Swingle and greeted him.

And the next thing you knew, David said, Swingle had a 70-pound dog sitting on his lap.

“That’s how we knew we liked Keith,” Alissa said. “Our dog approved.”

David Newman is a 34-year-old Army veteran. He enlisted in October 2005, and did two tours in Afghanistan. He grew up in the Lakewood area, and upon return from the Army, he decided to study engineering at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

He and Alissa met at a CrossFit gym while she was also attending CSU. David’s original prognosis was 14 months, “so we’ve had much more time,” Alissa said, adding they take every day one at a time. David emphasized how fortunate he feels to have Alissa as his wife.

Alissa cared for her husband at home until the recent COVID-19 restrictions on visitations to care facilities eased.

“It’s been different than getting to see him every day,” she said.

But the two video-chat frequently, and Alissa visits in-person as often as she can, between work and her graduate studies. “Dave and I are fortunate to have support groups.”

However, while grateful for it, with all that support comes something that has been particularly challenging for Alissa — the management of everyone who has offered to help, she said.

The Denver Hospice treats people like people, not patients, Alissa said.

David’s care team relieves her from what she calls the “mental gymnastics” of managing all of her husband’s needs.

“It’s such a resource to have someone to talk with about spiritual stuff, (and) a hospice team taking care of him,” Alissa said. “It’s like a group hug. I felt, and continue to feel, so supported.”

Fort Lupton Press 15

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16 Fort Lupton Press

December 15, 2021

Q&A: Cary Johnson, expert on shopping safe this holiday season Crime prevention specialist has fraud prevention tips for seniors during holidays

BY RYAN DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Cary Johnson doesn’t want to alarm anyone. He does, however, want to keep older adults safe from identity theft and credit card fraud this holiday season — a time of year when crooks are on high alert, he said.

Johnson has spent the last 20 years working as a crime prevention specialist — the last 15 of which have been with the First Judicial District Attorney’s office, where Johnson serves as the director of crime prevention.

Each month, Johnson gives a presentation on crime prevention to a group of around 70-75 seniors as part of the JeffCo TRIAD program, which aims to build community between senior community members and the DA’s office.

Johnson said he wants to make sure folks are safe from being victimized by fraudsters, especially this time of year.

“The holidays are supposed to be happy, and (when) someone finds out there’s $5,000 on their credit card, it kind of puts a damper on things,” Johnson said.

Johnson added that he doesn’t want older adults to panic, but does want them aware that they need to be extra cautious when shopping around the holidays.

“I don’t want people to be paranoid, I don’t want them to think there’s a crook under every rock, but I want to heighten vigilance, especially during the holiday season, because crooks really are out there and active at this time,” he said.

To learn more about how older adults can stay safe this holiday season, the Arvada Press sat down with Johnson to find out what threats folks should be on the lookout for and what to do if they find themselves on the receiving end of a scam.

Their conversation has been edited slightly for clarity.

Cary Johnson, Director of Crime Prevention for the First Judicial Attorney’s Office.

COURTESY PHOTO

What are the biggest threats that seniors should be aware of when shopping this holiday season?

I think there are a couple of things. First of all, seniors have a target on their backs, there’s no doubt about that. They’re the ones that the ID thieves are really focusing on.

One of the real concerns is older adults wandering around the parking lot with packages, with purses, without a sense of what’s going on around them.

Because oftentimes, for crooks, (the parking lot is) the best place for them to hang out.

Probably the number one thing that happens to (older adults) is that they’re just used to giving out their credit card, and these crooks have a little palm skimmer that only takes them one slide to get all the information off a credit card. And so, if they can find some means, some method of handling their credit card for even a short time, they can use this palm skimmer, slide the card through and either make a duplicate card or start using it online.

The most popular places to do that are restaurants, and older adults don’t even think twice about handing their credit card off for 15-20 minutes to a stranger, but sometimes when it’s busiest at the holiday season it can be a clerk that brings their credit

card to another check out station because it’s busy where they’re working.

If they get home, find out there are fraudulent charges, but they still have their credit card, that is a sure sign that their card has been skimmed.

thieves.

When they get in their cars, they need to lock the doors, and I don’t care who comes up saying `Hey I need directions,’ they cannot roll their window down or they’ll reach through and grab the purse and be gone.

What can older adults do to avoid being the victim of fraud or theft?

They’ve got to stop writing checks. All a crook needs is a routing number, their account number once. They buy blank check stock, they make their own checks, they make a fake license, and empty out the older person’s bank account and they think they’re perfectly fine. They need to know that checks are an obsolete financial tool in today’s world.

People should carry a minimum amount of personal financial information with them. I like to see that being a neck wallet hanging around their neck, for pocket wallets it’s critical that they put it in their front pocket, and at most driver’s license, one credit card, one check. I’d like to see them carrying nothing more than that in the financial arena.

What effect do you think that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on holiday shopping?

This is just my opinion, but here’s what I expect; we’ve been shut off for the last two years.

Everyone I’ve talked to when I’m going out presenting can’t wait to get to the mall for the holidays. I mean, they want to be back in the groove of things, they want to go out and have a nice lunch and see decorations and hear music.

Consequently, I think (older adults) are going to be out in greater mass than we have seen certainly in two years and I think because they’ve been deprived, the ID thieves are going to be out in greater mass than we’ve seen in two years.

How can older adults stay safe going to and from their cars at the mall?

If ladies are going to put their purse in the trunk, they need to do that before they leave home.

They cannot arrive in a shopping area, in the parking lot, pop the trunk, bend over, put something in it and shut the trunk because these ID thieves can be in their car in 30 seconds, pop the trunk and they’ve got their purse. It’s definitely critical that they don’t do that in the parking lot.

A few tips: Park as close to an entrance as they can.

If they’re going to be there after dark, they’ve got to park under lights. Take the time, drive around a little bit longer and find a parking place.

They have got to take note of where they park. They cannot leave the mall loaded down with packages and be wandering around like they’re lost, because that kind of behavior is going to make them easy prey for ID

For older adults who shop online, what kinds of things can they do to avoid internet scams?

(Seniors should) make sure they’re going to the actual site of whoever they want to shop from.

So, they can’t click on a pop-up, they can’t click on something else that might come via an email.

I strongly encourage the use of a new search engine called DuckDuckGo because it hides your IP address, it encrypts all your activity and it blocks pop-ups, so there’s no chance of going to a site that a crook has set up that is just meant to capture credit card or bank account numbers.

And then they need to be really aware of these emails that come in unannounced, unexpected; `Hey, your Amazon account is overdue,’ or `Hey, we see an anomaly with your account, and we need you to contact us right away.’ Of course, the contact email or phone number will be from a crook, not Amazon.

They’ll never get a follow-up from an online order asking for additional information.

SEE SENIORS, P17

Fort Lupton Press 17

December 15, 2021

A second life for lost luggage at DIA Airport donates forgotten bags to Denver Rescue Mission

BY AMANDA HORVATH ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Denver International Airport handles a massive amount of luggage every year. In 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic, 69 million passengers traveled through the airport with bags in tow. Some of those travelers left their empty bags behind.

Sometimes people will throw away their luggage because they want to consolidate their things to save on baggage fees. Or, maybe a wheel or zipper breaks and they leave a suitcase at the airport. DIA collects whatever is left behind.

“Once we find that luggage that is clearly being abandoned — being set next to a trash can — we don’t want that just to be thrown away in a central landfill, especially when there is ... a higher and better purpose that it can go to,” said Scott Morrissey, vice president of sustainability for DIA. Enter Denver Rescue Mission.

The nonprofit organization works to create change in the lives of people experiencing homelessness in Denver. Part of its mission includes the Ministry Outreach Center, located in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood.

“One part is the warehouse, the home of all of our supplies. Any non-cash donation comes through the warehouse and is received here, stored here, sorted out, and then distributed from here,” said Jesse Ludema, the director of the Ministry Outreach Center.

At the center, the abandoned pieces of luggage get a new purpose.

About every month or so, Denver Rescue Mission picks up a batch of empty suitcases and bags from DIA to distribute to the unhoused community it serves.

“For many people in the homeless community they have very few belongings,” said Ludema. “And so if you’re walking around and trying to get back on your feet, having something to store your possessions in is really important.”

This particular partnership with a focus on luggage donations between

SENIORS FROM PAGE 16

What regular habits should folks be in to watch out for fraud?

First of all, they need to be diligent about checking both their bank account - and I encourage doing it online - and their credit card account. They’ve just got to begin doing that at least once a week to check for anomalies.

What steps do you recommend taking if a theft or fraud occurs?

The thing they need to do is cut off all access. If your bank account’s compromised, get that thing closed. Banks don’t like people to close their accounts be-

Piles of lost luggage sit waiting, stored on a shelf at Denver International Airport. Now, the airport plans to begin donating that luggage to the Denver Rescue Mission . COURTESY OF DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

DIA and Denver Rescue Mission started about three years ago. In 2018, Morrissey said the airport donated 835 pieces of luggage, and in 2019, it gave 719 pieces.

Morrissey does say in 2020, that number was much lower, likely because the number of passengers who went through DIA dropped significantly due to COVID-19.

“Not a huge amount in the context of 69 million passengers. But they are bags that can go and have a second life and support the clients of the Denver Rescue Mission,” said Morrissey.

So far in 2021 donations are still lower than at the start of the partnership, again with passenger numbers not quite at where they were pre-pandemic. But any donation can make a big difference in a person’s life. “[It is] a need that we don’t often think of. We think of food, clothing, the essentials, but something to carry that in is critically important.

So it is a need that is expressed often,” said Ludema.

And that need has grown even more in just the last year. The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative conducts a “Point in Time Count” to determine how many people are experiencing homelessness in the Denver area. This year’s count found the number of people experiencing homelessness for the first time doubled from 2020 to 2021.

“I think anyone who has worked with the homeless community here

in Denver has seen the need increase for more resources, for more items just overall,” said Ludema. “It seems like we need to find a better way to help our homeless brothers and sisters in need.”

It seems now more than ever nonprofits like Denver Rescue Mission could use the help. Thankfully, Ludema says this luggage donation partnership is just one of many beneficial partnerships. Most major grocery store chains in Colorado donate leftover food, several food banks help out regularly, and different individuals or companies often come to Denver Rescue Mission with donations.

“There’s just probably hundreds of companies that may do drives every single year or twice a year, and may say, ‘Hey, we want to get our company together and collect coats, or we want to collect hygiene products, or what is it that you need us to collect?’” said Ludema, “I’m really blown away by people’s generosity to help.”

And that’s exactly how the relationship with DIA started. At first, it was donations of unused food from the airline flight kitchens as well as some food and beverage concessions. Then it grew into this new baggage partnership.

“You can have those conversations in real time to say, you know, `We have this product, is it something that can be beneficial to people?’

And they [Denver Rescue Mission] understand what those needs are,”

cause it’s a hassle and a bother to them. (Older adults) need to close the account, pure and simple.

And they need to remember that they’re the customer asking for a service from the bank.

With their credit card, obviously need to stop the credit card as quickly as possible. The number to call and stop your credit card is on the back on your credit card. I usually encourage people to put the number on the back of their credit card into their smart phone if the credit card goes physically missing.

Every older adult should put a security freeze on with the credit reporting agencies. We’re talking about a population that are not going to put on a lot more credit, if any. So, they need to just lock that

thing down and be done with it.

What can folks do after the holidays to check if they were scammed?

They need to be vigilant about checking their statements in January. With all this activity going on, they might not get to them, and of course nobody wants to look at their statement in January because you spent too much money. But they need to make sure they check both banking statement and credit card statements in January.

TRIAD meetings are open to the public and held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 1:30 at the District Attorney’s office, located at 500 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden.

said Morrissey. “It’s really important for us to find those opportunities to positively contribute to the community.”

“Just all across America in our world, there’s so many problems,” said Ludema. “And so to experience generosity firsthand, and to see people really are willing to give and help is certainly very encouraging.”

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

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18 Fort Lupton Press

December 15, 2021

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20 Fort Lupton Press

LIFE

December 15, 2021

The New York Broadway costume shop Parsons-Meares, Ltd. paid special attention to the details in the new Colorado Ballet “Nutcracker” costumes they made, like these compass buttons sewn on the vest of the Drosselmeyer character.

Colorado Ballet wardrobe manager Shirin Lankarani hangs part of a brand new costume at the Colorado Ballet Academy building in Denver on Nov. 16, 2021, where work was underway on the wardrobe for the 2021 production of PHOTO BY KATHRYN SCOTT “The Nutcracker.”

The pandemic posed both a challenge and an opportunity

BY MARK JAFFE SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

W

hen Holly Hynes, the internationally renowned costume designer, sat in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House watching the Colorado Ballet’s “Nutcracker” she thought that it looked “pretty gorgeous” – then she got a closer look at the wardrobe backstage.

The 33-year-old costumes – hand-me-downs from the San Francisco Ballet – were definitely showing their age. “They were worn … patched,” Hynes said. “The capes were so heavy.”

It was time for new “Nutcracker” duds and Hynes, who has created tutus and tights for the New York City Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, London’s Royal Ballet and La Scala in Milan, was commissioned to design them.

It was part of a $1.5 million revamp of the company’s production with all new sets and 177 new costumes. But not long after Hynes saw “The Nutcracker” in Denver, the plans were almost upended, as were so many things, by the pandemic.

As theaters closed and new productions were postponed, all the shops that depend on supporting plays and dance saw their work evaporate.

“I had 17 projects that came to a screeching halt,” Hynes said. “It was great that the Colorado Ballet decided to go ahead. It made a huge difference to 18 shops in this project. Many of them would have folded if they hadn’t had the Colorado Ballet.”

In effect, the Colorado Ballet created its own stimulus package for costume designers and makers in the depths of the pandemic.

“We started talking to the shops in New York and

here in Colorado and they were very anxious to do the work, because they had none,” Gil Boggs, the Colorado Ballet’s artistic director, said. “We got some benefit on price and we weren’t rushed.”

And the shops poured more effort into the project, Hynes said. “The work that came out of them was three times what we would have gotten if they had other projects.”

One of the workshops that was thrown a lifeline was Parson-Meares, in Long Island City, New York.

In its four decades, the shop has made the costumes for a legion of Broadway shows, including “Phantom of the Opera,” “The Lion King,” “Cats” and “Hamilton.”

But in early 2020 it had no work and its 58 employees were furloughed. Then the Colorado Ballet came knocking.

“The Colorado Ballet gave us work at a time when we would have had none,” said Sally Ann Parsons, owner of the workshop. The contract enabled Parsons to bring back 35 employees, split up into three shifts so there would never be too many people in the studio.

Among the costumes Parsons-Meares was asked to make were the tutu for the Sugar Plum Fairy, the mice – very important in the “Nutcracker,” for those not versed in it – the toy soldiers and the jester-like polichinelles, who spill from under Mother Ginger’s huge skirt.

Then the difficult part of crafting and fitting the costumes began. Normally the designer is very hands-on with the workshops and the ballet company and the costumes are fit to the dancers who will wear them.

But now everyone was isolated. Hynes’ assistant drove into New York City and came back with loads of swatches and trim and over five days she selected the fabrics while sitting on her back porch. “There was a sense of urgency because we were worried whether we’d be able to get everything, whether there would be supply-chain

issues,” she said.

Designs and cloth were distributed to the workshops and they began sewing. But the dancers who would be wearing them were back in Colorado.

Measurements for each dancer had been sent along.

“We did fittings on dancers we knew, or Holly knew” that were about the same size, Parsons said.

Hynes borrowed neighborhood kids for the children’s costumes. Her assistant had a camera so she could view the fittings remotely. “Holly didn’t see costumes close up until last spring,” Parsons said.

And while the new costumes may not last another three decades, they were built to stand up to time.

“The costumes in a ballet like ‘Nutcracker’ are used for years and years, so you need to think about how you can make them adjustable,” Parsons said. There is extra material in the side seams and extra material in the bodices.

“Stretch is our friend so we want to incorporate it into jackets, bodices,” Hynes said. “The good thing about ‘The Nutcracker’ is that it fills the seats. The bad thing is it always needs to be continually upgraded and refurbished. It is neverending.”

Boggs wanted to keep the ballet in its Victorian setting, as it was in the original production – no modern adaptation, he said. “I am a little anxious to see the audience’s reaction to changing something that was working well.”

For Hynes the costumes are, in the spirit of ballet, an exercise of theme and variation. “The first act is a period piece and in the second act you can let your imagination go wild,” she said.

“We try to carry something from the party scene that has stuck in Clara’s brain that carries over to the Land of Sweets,” Hynes said. One of those is her mother’s plum-colored dress transformed into the Sugar Plum Fairy’s tutu.

Another is a fabric print on a couch in the party scene that becomes the massive tent-like dress of Mother Ginger in the second act. “I don’t know if the audience will catch it, but it is fun for us,” Hynes said.

One ballet tradition is that the dancer who first dances in a costume has his or her name sewn into it. When the Colorado Ballet would rent costumes from a big company, like American Ballet Theater, Ramos said he’d sometimes find the names of great dancers, like Mikhail Baryshnikov or Angel Corella, in his costume.

“It is very rare to have a costume made on you,” Ramos said. “It is so special to have your name in a costume. We are the first.”

Colorado Ballet’s “Nutcracker” runs through Dec. 24 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. For information and tickets, visit coloradoballet.org/The-Nutcracker. You’ll also find special COVID safety rules.

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

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22 Fort Lupton Press

December 15, 2021

Brighton native Wins Top Award

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Dancing Flame sculpture that won the Brighton People’s Choice Award. It’s on display at Brighton’s Carmichael Park. Left, artist Jerry Jaramillo and his son Jay COURTESY OF JAY MICHAEL JARAMILLO Michael Jaramillo who helped with the design.

The people of Brighton voted, and the People’s Choice award went to the “Dancing Flame” sculpture in Carmichael Park, sculpted by artist Jerry Jaramillo.

“I was hoping to get it- but you have to think positive. When (Brighton Arts and Culture Coordinator) David Gallegos called me, I was excited to get the People’s Choice award and chosen first place,” said Jaramillo.

Jaramillo started creating mixed media art when he was in fifth grade before he even knew what was mixed media, 2D and 3D art were.

His first piece of art was when the school was having a contest drawing firemen and fire trucks. The winner got the opportunity to ride on the fire truck.

“I was using a technique by putting the colors down and using an eraser blending the colors. Then I got Popsicle sticks, burned them and glued them into the background of my drawing,” said Jaramillo. “At that time, I wanted to be a fireman. I thought I could be a fireman if I did this good,” he said humorously.

Jaramillo created the drawing into 2D and also 3D and won the contest and rode on top of the firetruck.

When Jaramillo was in sixth grade, he learned sculpting. His neighbor gave him a shot put from the junior high school. As his little brother was playing with his Tonka Toys and his Army men, Jaramillo

started to throw the shot put at his toys.

“My mom got home early from work and saw me throwing the shot put at my brother’s toys, and she said, ‘That’s it. I’m not going to buy you no more toys ‘cause you will break them,’” said Jaramillo. “She said, ‘I have to make my toys like my uncle Frank.’ He would find stuff in the alleys and make toys.”

Jaramillo said in those days, people threw junk in the alleys. People couldn’t pick the stuff from the yard but could from the alleys.

“So I started making art out of different things and can make bikes look real nice,” he said.

Jaramillo’s friend had a collection of model cars. They took the model cars across the street to the elementary school and used Black Cat firecrackers to blow the tops off of them, then build the cars back together with both Chevy and Ford model car parts.

“We would add an Oldsmobile top on a ‘57 Chevy and glued it together.

We did it with all the other cars.

This guy from the body shop gave us a little bit of Bondo. It made them real seamless because the glue made them look bad. We made some nicelooking cars. I don’t destroy things anymore. I create things now,” Jaramillo said jokingly.

Jaramillo was born in Brighton and graduated from Brighton High School in 1970. He went to the University of Colorado-Boulder SEE ARTIST, P23

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Fort Lupton Press 23

December 15, 2021

Collecting art is a ‘fabulous journey’ Denver artist O’Hagan talks painting, collecting

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“Art is the soul of a home.”

This phrase struck Desmond O’Hagan the first time he heard it.

“In a time when many things are mass-produced,” O’Hagan said, having art in one’s home “is the opportunity to own something that is one of a kind.”

O’Hagan, of Denver’s Wellshire neighborhood, is an artist with a primary focus on using oils and pastels. He is naturally curious, he said, enjoys visiting art galleries and museums, and loves to travel.

He describes his art as a combination of representational and abstract elements that include, and are inspired by, urban scenes, landscapes, interiors, architecture, figurative and capturing a moment.

Influencers of his paintings include places across the U.S. and Europe, but Denver has always been a favorite of his, O’Hagan said.

“Our downtown has so much character,” he said. “Since much of my art concentrates on urban and interior views, I’ve always appreciated how Denver has renovated the older buildings and warehouses, which gives the city such unique and historical contexts.”

O’Hagan, 62, moved to Denver in 1980 to study at the former Art Institute of Colorado. After graduating, he landed a career in advertising doing graphic design, but decided to pursue a career in the fine arts — with much support from his wife — in 1986.

Today, his art is in public-andprivate collections and museums in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Japan and

ARTIST FROM PAGE 22

working as an artist in resident at the university for four years until he graduated. It’s a program that fosters creative and professional growth for emerging and established artists.

“My first commission was in 1974 for the city of Brighton. It was a mural at Brighton’s Montoya Park.

It’s been painted over since then,” said Jaramillo.

He is has created art with more than 25 years of experience in mixed media, jewelry, sculptor and painting. He also creates large murals and paints small paintings. He works in 2D and 3D and uses acrylics for outdoor murals.

Jaramillo has done mixed media works for private and public interest in Colorado, Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, Washington and Mexico.

The “Dancing Flame” sculpture was made with

Desmond O’Hagan is a fine arts artist of Denver’s Wellshire neighborhood. Denver inspires much of his paintings, but he also enjoys painting scenes from other places COURTESY PHOTO in the U.S. and Europe.

“September Rain, Denver” by Desmond O’Hagan.

China. In Denver, these include the Denver Public Library, Robert and Judi Newman Collection and Ballard Spahr LLP, among others.

O’Hagan said he loves the idea that he creates something that will stand the test of time. But he realizes that the fine arts won’t survive without new and young collectors.

He suggests that new collectors start locally — learning about local artists through the internet and local media, attending First Friday events and hearing about local artists through word-of-mouth from friends, colleagues and other acquaintances.

“In my experience, and working with collectors of my art, they enjoy the uniqueness of acquiring a oneof-a-kind piece of art, that they connect with for a variety of reasons,” O’Hagan said.

He added that it’s hard work to collect art.

“Collecting art is a growing process,” O’Hagan said. “But it’s a

fabulous journey.”

O’Hagan is inviting the community to an open studio from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12 at his studio in Denver. Contact O’Hagan at desmond@desmondohagan.com for more information.

To learn more about O’Hagan and his art, visit desmondohagan.com.

Here’s a Q&A with O’Hagan: In what ways does Denver inspire you as an artist?

Denver is a great place to live for an artist. You have an energized downtown and some of the best mountain and country views. Artists need that kind of positive visual stimulation to grow, regardless of what style or media you work in.

I do believe the Denver community values art. There are many artists in Denver working at perfecting their craft, and the local community attends First Fridays and open studio walks. But there is also plenty of room for more participation.

What do you hope that your art

steel rods formed into more than 300 little triangles.

“I had leftover steel rods from a previous sculpture in Commerce Cit. So my son, Jay Michael, says, ‘Since we have been bending these others rods, let’s see what we come up with,’” said Jaramillo. “Then we went to a scrap metal place and bought about 300 little triangles about 4 inches, different sizes.”

“I have been his apprentice my whole life,” said Jay Michael Jaramillo.

The bottom of the sculpture is a drum of a big truck that Jaramillo found eight years ago that just happened to be in his yard.

The gathering of the different metals was the inspiration for the dancing flame.

The Dancing Flame sculpture is on loan to the city of Brighton and is part of the city’s Eye for Art Program established in 2011. It offers opportunities for sculpture artists to exhibit their larger-scale artwork in a park setting for one year on display for public sale.

Its project features up to

six professional artists at Carmichael Park’s outdoor galley. The winning artists receive a $1,000 cash award.

Every year Brighton citizens vote for their favorite sculpture in the People’s Choice Award contest. The piece selected will become part of the city of Brighton’s permanent art collection and will be relocated to a permanent location within the city for public display.

For the future Jaramillo will continue to work in different mixed media. He also has friends that are welders to help with some of his sculptures.

“I’m not a welder, but I could do some tack work in places. These guys are professionals. I’m trying to get other people involved, along with my son. Eric Lopez is a young guy who is another one of my apprentices and is a welder,” said Jaramillo.

To view Jerry Jaramillo’s work visit: http://jerryjaramillo.net/ or go to Carmichael Park and visit “Dancing Flame.”

inspires in people?

I hope the scene captures their attention as it did mine. It’s very rewarding when artist and viewer connect through a painting.

What do you enjoy most about hosting people in your studio?

That one-on-one connection is very important in showing my art to explain my interests and motivations in creating a specific piece.

Face-to-face interaction is more satisfying for both the artist and collector.

Much of it has to do with developing a rapport with the collector while discovering what paintings interest them most among a wide variety of my inventory.

If you were able to provide only one piece of advice to aspiring artists, what would it be?

Stay true to the motivations that initially inspired you to enter this profession. Always paint what interests you most, and seek out the appropriate marketplace.

The Jaramillos also created art that was commissioned by RTD on the N-Line. “Transportation Across the Eras” Jerry Jaramillo & Jay Michael Jaramillo, Vinyl Wrap of Mixed Media Painting at Northglenn’s COURTESY OF JAY MICHAEL JARAMILLO RTD N-Line 112th & York completed in 2020.

24 Fort Lupton Press

December 15, 2021

2022 Beautiful Paws calendar available for purchase Calendar sales benefit pets at Denver shelter

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Not only is Bandit the “biggest cuddle bug in the world,” according to his owner Kaylee Riggi of Washington Park, the 3-year-old border collie is a calendar model.

Bandit is one of 13 metro-area pets featured in the Denver Animal Shelter’s 2022 Beautiful Paws calendar, a fundraiser for the Denver Animal Shelter.

Shelter pets are sometimes undervalued, Riggi said. But they’re lovable and “cute, and deserving of being in a calendar.”

Between July 31 and Aug. 28 this summer, people voted on their favorite pet photo, which were submitted by local pet ownersfor a contest fee. A total of 83 pets were entered into the contest — many of them were adopted from a shelter, like Bandit, and are now in loving homes.

Each vote cost $1, and the contest garnered 10,504 votes. Combining the proceeds from the votes and contest entry fees, $8,658.78 went to supporting the Denver Animal Shelter.

“This calendar goes a long way to raising dollars that help us care for the more than 12,000 animals that find their way to our shelter each year,” said Tammy Vigil, spokesperson for the Denver Animal Shelter. “Without these additional dollars, we could not

provide the extra care and attention that these often-frightened and homeless animals deserve.”

The 13 pets with the highest number of votes won a professional photo shoot with Gaelle Pet Photography, to be featured in the 2022 calendar.

The calendar is now available for purchase. Cost is $20 or $26, depending on the wall calendar size preferred.

Proceeds from the calendar sales also benefit the Denver Animal Shelter.

“There’s hundreds and hundreds of homeless animals in Denver,” Riggi said, who formerly worked and volunteered at the shelter. She heard about the contest through a friend and decided to enter Bandit. “The Denver Animal Shelter does so much good for these animals.”

The Denver Animal Shelter is an arm of Denver Animal Protection, which is a division of the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment. It is an open-admission shelter, meaning no animal will be turned away, and is dedicated to reuniting lost pets with their owners and adopting pets to loving homes, among other services to serve as a community resource.

“Every single calendar that someone buys means they are giving an abandoned animal a chance to find a home, a chance to know love and a chance to live a life of meaning and security — some for the first time ever,” Vigil said.

To purchase the Denver Animal Shelter’s 2022 Beautiful Paws calendar, visit tinyurl.com/2022BeautifulPaws. It is recommended to order the calendar by Dec. 17 for it to arrive by Dec. 24 with standard shipping.

Smokey is one of the 13 local pets featured in the Denver Animal Shelter’s 2022 Beautiful Paws calendar. Proceeds from calendar sales benefit the DenPHOTO COURTESY OF GAELLE PET PHOTOGRAPHY ver Animal Shelter.

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Fort Lupton Press 25

December 15, 2021

Breaking the ice with art Denver man shares his maze pieces to combat racial division

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Warren Stokes loves his neighborhood.

He enjoys his daily six-block walk from his home to Washington Park, where he goes to create his art.

But he has noticed that other pedestrians will often cross the street or step into the alley until he passes.

“It’s not everybody,” Stokes said, “but it’s consistently enough (to notice) — on a daily basis.”

Stokes believes it’s more than keeping a physical distance because of the virus. He believes people may be avoiding him because they might fear him.

Stokes, who is Black, is a Colorado native, born and raised in Colorado Springs. He moved to Denver in 1997 for a job, after graduating from Colorado State University.

He lived mostly in Denver’s eastside neighborhoods until February, when he moved to the Washington Park area.

“I believe that Black men carry every Black man that’s ever been seen on their shoulders. Whatever they (people) have seen in the media is what they see in me. However, you’ve got to push those stereotypes,” Stokes said. “So, I could be a Michael Jordan who can ball, possibly. But they probably see more criminals in the news, so they think I’m a threat.”

What Stokes feels is not uncommon, said Apryl Alexander, an associate professor at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology.

In fact, “a lot of Black people feel this way,” Alexander said. Black men being depicted as violent is embedded in some people’s cognitive thoughts, she added.

And “there’s nothing to debunk that if (a person) does not have a lot of experience with Black men,” Alexander said.

There are days when Stokes is able to not think about the issue, he said.

But it happens on such a scale that he started sharing his art in postcard form to “break the ice,” he said.

Stokes, 45, is an artrepreneur/ mazeologist, a father of three and a teacher.

Stokes’ forte is his maze art. He describes his creative process as “drawing a way out” of life’s difficulties. But along with using art as a healing mechanism, Stokes also uses his art to teach and for activism.

Man of many mazes Stokes began creating his maze art in 2008, and in 2012, he challenged himself to draw a piece every day for a year. As of now, Stokes has created about 1,300 mazes.

Each of Stokes’ maze art pieces is unique and varies in size. Being a dumpster diver, Stokes uses discarded materials — a broken-up dresser drawer or shelf, for example — as his canvas.

“I’m unforgivingly going to be me,” Stokes said. “But what does that mean? That means sharing my art.”

Stokes added that people’s fear of him could be because there aren’t many people of color in his neighborhood.

According to the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2019, the estimated population of the 80209 zip code, which includes most of the Washington Park neighborhood, was 25,367. Of that, 1.3% identified as Black or African American. For comparison, Denver’s estimated population in 2019 was 727,211, with 9.2% identifying as Black or African American.

There are still many places where there’s not a lot of racial diversity, Alexander said.

Leadership roles in corporate institutions are one example. In February, Fortune magazine reported that in the history of the Fortune 500 list — first published in 1955 — there have only been 19 Black CEOs, of the 1,800 total.

Alexander added that only a few of her students had a Black teacher or professor in their K-12 education or higher-ed studies prior to taking her class.

More institutions and organizations are incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their policies. But Alexander urges people to consider what they are doing as individuals in their day-to-day life to stand up for Black people.

People can put up Black Lives Matters yard signs, but, Alexander asked, are they valuing their Black coworkers’ thoughts and ideas as much as those that come from their white colleagues?

“It’s not just police brutality that we’re highlighting in discussing racial injustice,” Alexander said. “It’s the everyday occurrences of Black people.”

She points to a December incident in a New York hotel during which a 22-year-old white woman falsely accused a Black 14-year-old of stealing her phone. Her phone was found soon after in a ride-share vehicle.

However, the woman reportedly lunged and yelled at the teen during the confrontation. She has since been indicted on hate crime charges.

Incidents like this transcend across neighborhoods, Alexander said.

“Everybody should feel welcome,” she said. But, “how are white people communicating that to marginalized groups?”

Deeper meaning Stokes likes to think of his mazes as a metaphor for life.

“The maze is beautiful as a whole, but it’s created from several different pieces that form a journey,” Stokes said. “A journey similar to life is full of obstacles and dead ends, but contains a solution.”

Stokes has held a variety of different jobs since moving to Denver, ranging from sales and telemarketing to substitute-teaching for Denver Public Schools. He has written many children’s books and coached various athletics.

Teaching is a skill that he has, Stokes said, but art is a passion.

Warren Stokes of Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood stands with one of his maze art pieces called “Ivory vs Enamel.” Stokes uses his art as a healing mechanism, PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN in his profession as a teacher and for activism.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Stokes started a subscription service business for daycare and assisted living facilities to purchase his mazes. He refers to them as brain gyms, inspired by his late grandmothers, who suffered from dementia.

Stokes now teaches on the online platform Outschool. His classes are geared toward preschoolers, and he uses his mazes to teach the alphabet.

For example, solving a maze that is created inside the letter helps children with hand-eye coordination, all the while keeping the letter in mind and, thus, learning the letters of the alphabet, he said.

“My goal is to be an example of what I want America to be,” Stokes said. “I’m going to show you that through my art, my stories, through the way that I treat you, through the way I walk through this neighbor-

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hood and represent.”

Alexander added that “we all have biases.” They come from experiences, or commonly, the lack of experiences, with people who are different than us, Alexander said.

Though it sounds easy to do, it’s hard for people to challenge those biases. Alexander encourages people to think about how they can be a better ally to those who are different from them.

“What are you doing in your everyday environment to challenge your biases?” she said.

Stokes uses his art.

And he wants people to not feel fear when passing him.

“Maybe a story like this can help make everyone feel better and safer,” Stokes said. “I value our community and want to make this neighborhood as open and accepting as possible.”

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26 Fort Lupton Press

December 15, 2021

LOCAL

SPORTS

Warriors start new season with faster tempo

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Frederick’s Gabby Jima heads for the basket against Mountain Range’s McKayla PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH Wygant Dec. 7 at Centaurus High School.

Frederick girls basketball coach Jake Hansen started the new season with a goal in mind: To run faster than last year.

Things seemed to be in order after the first game of the Warriors’ Classic at Centaurus School on Dec. 7. Frederick’s Warriors ran past Mountain Range 80-34.

“We’re trying to play a lot faster than in years past,” he said. “We worked a ton on shooting this offseason, and it’s already paid off.”

“We’re shooting the ball much better. That always helps,” Hansen added. “We spent the majority of our time in practice working on our defense. We want to play a strong man-to-man, put a lot of pressure on the ball, force everyone to their off-hand. We want to simplify our man-to-man defense.”

Frederick’s roster includes seniors Hannah Zink, Ali Davis, Jadyn Glasgow and Emily HoffSEE FREDERICK, P27

Frederick’s Savanna Staff heads toward a layup against Mountain Range’s Alyanna Apodaca-Davis Dec. 7 at Centaurus High School.

Barron comes through in Fort Lupton tournament win

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A year ago, Fort Lupton guard Omar Barron divided his time between the junior-varsity and varsity programs.

“I didn’t get that much playing time last year,” said the Fort Lupton senior. “It’s more fast-paced, more hyped. There are more fans. It’s a little more aggressive than at the JV level. It’s intimidating, you really can’t think about it, or you’re not going to play well. You just play how you play.”

Barron approved of the way he’s handled the switch.

“I don’t think about how scared I am. I just play the game,” Barron said. “I’m not scared.”

This year, Barron is a full-fledged member of the varsity fraternity, and he showed why he might want

to stay on the “big” team Dec. 7 against Stargate School.

Barron sank the game-winning basket with 53 seconds left in overtime to give FLHS a come-frombehind, 57-56 win over Stargate School in the opening round of the Santiago’s Shootout.

“It was a set play,” he said. “It was a motion-stop. So we pass the ball you cut, then wait right there for a second. I was open in the middle. I was wide open. I took the shot, and it went in.”

His 3-pointer gave the Bluedevils a short-lived, five-point lead with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter. But two FLHS turnovers allowed Stargate’s Dylan Perkins and Bo LaPenna to tie the score and force the extra period.

Bryce Andrews converted a free SEE FORT LUPTON, P27

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Maddax Farrer of the Bluedevils (10) gets the pass away against the defense of StarPHOTO BY HECTOR LOPEZ gate’s Hunter Roark Dec. 7 in Fort Lupton.

Fort Lupton Press 27

December 15, 2021

FREDERICK FROM PAGE 26

mann. It also includes freshmen Kaylee Garder and Zoe Wittler, plus sophomores Peyton Pack, Josie Stanton and Lily Hansen.

“We have a good mix of juniors.

We’ve got a freshman who’s getting a lot of playing time,” Coach Hansen said. “Our juniors now are in their third year starting, so they have a lot of experience.”

FORT LUPTON FROM PAGE 26

throw half way through the overtime to give Fort Lupton a one-point lead. Stargate’s Nathaniel Roling made a basket to give the Eagles a one-point lead with a minute to play.

That set the stage for Barron’s gamewinner with 53 seconds left.

“It’s a good win,” said FLHS coach Jim Roedel. “We need to get over the hump and win a tight game. It’s always fun to do it early .. make mistakes and be able to come out on top?

It’s always good early in the season.”

Barron led the Bluedevils in scoring with 17 points. Connor Moll had 14, and Diego Medina added 10. The Eagles’ top scorers were Roling and David Thumma, who poured in 14 points. LaPenna added 11.

“Our guys did everything we asked them to do,” said Stargate coach Jason Gray. “You’re going to win some like that, and you’re going to lose some like that. We did everything we could. These guys, regardless of wins or losses, show up and put in

The coach said guard play was a strength this season.

“We’ve got six strong guards, to take nothing away from our post,” Coach Hansen said. “The posts work harder than anyone else I’ve seen so far. Our posts have shut down our opponents in the first two games. Our shooting is not where I want it to be yet. We have our ups and downs with it. It seems like we get in a run, and it’s contagious with everyone on the team.”

The combination of tough, pressing defense and fast-break chances

from that defense allowed Frederick to take control of proceedings early against the Mustangs.

The length of the roster allows for more in-practice competition.

“We’ve got No. 1 through 14 and 15 compete with each other in practice every single day,” the coach said. “There’s not much of a dropoff, which is great. We’re pushing each other every day, far more than we did last year. We’ve got girls pushing to get varsity time. There are going to be a few girls who will be left out, but they are working

as hard as everyone else. The girls see that everyone is competing for playing time. It’s a nice problem to have.”

George Washington beat the Warriors 72-32 in the championship semifinals Dec. 9.

FHS closes out the pre-holiday part of the schedule with a road game at Skyline Thursday, Dec. 16.

Tip time is 5:30 p.m.

“When we do our stuff and not worry about everyone else, we’re going to be tough to beat,” Jake Hansen said.

the work. I expect the same out of them tomorrow as I did today.”

The effort down the stretch pleased Roedel.

“We played together late,” Roedel said. “It’s growth. If you watched our first three games, we’ve gotten a little bit better, and you hope you’re peaking at the right time.”

FLHS beat bennett 57-44 in the tournament semifinals Dec. 10 but lost 50-42 in the finals to Lutheran High School.

FLHS has nine seniors on the roster this season.

“I’ve got a lot of good athletes,” Roedel said. “They love the game of basketball, and they care about it. The weaknesses right now are we have to learn to play within our offensive and defensive philosophies are and rebound the basketball.

We can play fast. We can play slow.

We’ve got to be able to do both. We can’t play in between. You have to pick one or the other. It’s all about tempo.”

The Bluedevils return to the home court at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, Fort Lupton Joey Gallegos takes the ball toward the basket as Stargate’s Dylan against Erie.

PHOTO BY HECTOR LOPEZ Perkins applies the defensive effort Dec. 7 in Fort Lupton.

S P O R T S SCORECARD Fort Lupton High School Girls basketball Fort Lupton opened up play in the Santiago’s Shootout with a 23-16 over Stargate School Dec. 8. No stats were available.

FLHS beat Jefferson in the tournament semifinals Dec. 10. No stats or game score was available. Skyview beat the Bluedevils in the championship game Dec. 11. No stats were available.

Wrestling Pueblo East downed the Bluedevils 30-21 in Pueblo Dec. 10. On-mat winners for the Bluedevils were Alex Mata (182 pounds), D’mitri Garza-Alarcon (138), Danny Rodriguez (145) and Will Alvarado (152).

Frederick High School Girls swimming Eaton downed Frederick 113-67 in the Warriors’ season-opening meet Dec. 7.

Yahdira Carrazco won the 500yard freestyle for Frederick. She posted a time of 7:01.39. Kyla Mares was second in the 50- freestyle, where her time was 30.01 seconds.

She also finished second in the 100freestyle in a time of 1:10.02.

Sarah Allred was second in the 100- breast stroke, fashioning a time of 1:27.96. Kennedy Rhodes was second in the 200- individual medley in a time of 3:03.49.

FHS’ 200- freestyle relay team (Jenna Camblin, Kylie Dionysius, Riley Kilmartin and Kabie

SPORTS BRIEFS Basketball Frederick High School’s boys basketball tea,m is expected to play Green Mountain High School as part of a prep-pro doubleheader at Ball Arena at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23.

The goal is for this to be an annual event. Tickets range from $35 to $109 and includes admission to the Denver Nuggets game against Charlotte.

Call 720-951-2616 with questions.

Coaching honors The Weld Re-8 board of education honored Kyle Reddy and Cindy

Seiler during a workshop meeting Dec. 9.

Seiler was the Colorado League’s coach of the year in volleyball, and Reddy won his second streaight coach of the year honor for the Colorado League’s soccer tea\ms.

The Bluedevils’ soccer team reached the quarterfinals of the state playoffs this fall.

Football Frederick High School football coach Travis Peeples is the new football coach at Wellington High School.

Zink) finished second in a time of 2:17.49. The Warriors’ Elsa Burgesser, Carrazco, Mares and Sarah Allred was second in a time of 2:25.2.

Wrestling Riverdale Ridge beat Frederick 47-18 as part of a triangular meet in Thornton Dec. 9. Frederick’s on-mat winners were Alex Carrillo (132), Wyatt Schust (138) and Jaedyn

Rivera (195).

The Warriors came out on the short end of a 48-36 score to Berthoud in that triangular meet.

Nikolas Carrillo (1067), Tristan Dean (113), Santana Leson (120), Alex Carrillo, Schust and Elijah Teaupa (285) won their matches.

Boys basketball Frederick slipped past Longmont 53-51 on the Trojans’ floor Dec. 10.

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28 Fort Lupton Press

December 15, 2021

C R O S SWO R D P U Z Z L E

© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

Solution

TRIVIA 1. SCIENCE: How long does it take for light to travel from the Sun to Earth?

2. TELEVISION: Which comedian used the catchphrase “one ringie dingie, two ringie dingies” in a TV character sketch?

3. MEASUREMENTS: How many centimeters are equivalent to 100 inches?

4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who is the only president to serve nonconsecutive terms?

5. LANGUAGE: How many languages are spoken in the world today?

6. GOVERNMENT: Which branch of U.S. government is responsible for making laws?

7. SPORTS: Which famous baseball pitcher’s nickname is “The Chairman of the Board”?

8. FOOD & DRINK: What type of food do the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles love?

9. GEOGRAPHY: Which ocean does Bermuda lie in?

10. MATH: What is a prime number?

Answers 1. Eight minutes, 20 seconds 2. Lily Tomlin, as telephone operator Ernestine 3. 254 4. Grover Cleveland 5. More than 7,000 6. The legislative branch -- U.S. House and Senate 7. Whitey Ford 8. Pizza 9. Atlantic 10. A number that is only divisible by itself and 1 (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.

Crossword Solution

Fort Lupton Press 29

December 15, 2021

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES

legals2@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Public Notices call Marley 303-566-4123 Legals

is hereinabove set forth: AND WHEREAS, the City finds that said Dedication is desirable and necessary;

City of Ft. Lupton

THIS RIGHT OF WAY IS CREATED AND GRANTED THIS 7th DAY OF DECEMBER 2021.

Public Notice

INTRODUCED, READ, AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 7th Day of December 2021.

Schedule Public Hearing Notice is hereby given to the residents and taxpayers of the City of Fort Lupton that the Fort Lupton Council/Utility Enterprise Board will consider amending the water and sewer rates effective January 1, 2022 at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Fort Lupton City Council/ Utility Enterprise Board on Tuesday, December 21, 2022 and Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 7:00pm. The public hearing will take place at the city administration building, 130 South McKinley, Fort Lupton Colorado. Any citizen may appear at the public hearing and will be given the opportunity to comment on said water and sewer amendment if they so desire.

Legal Notice No. FLP486 First Publication: December 15, 2021 Last Publication: December 15, 2021 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice ORDINANCE NO. 2021-1133 INTRODUCED BY: BRUCE FITZGERALD AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO AMENDING CHAPTER 18 BUILDING REGULATIONS OF THE FORT LUPTON MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, 2018 EDITION; THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE OF THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA), CURRENT STATE ADOPTED EDITION; INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, 2018 EDITION; INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, 2018 EDITION; INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, 2018 EDITION; INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, 2018 EDITION; INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, 2018 EDITION; INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, 2018 EDITION; INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, 2018 EDITION; INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, 2018 EDITION, AND ENACTING A NEW SECTION CHAPTER 18 ARTICLE XVI KNOWN AS THE INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE, 2018 EDITION INTRODUCED, READ, AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this 2nd day of November 2021.

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the 10th day of November 2021.

FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY this 7th day of December 2021.

PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY the 15th day of December 2021.

EFFECTIVE (after publication) the 14th day of January 2021 City of Fort Lupton, Colorado Zo Stieber, Mayor Attest: Maricela Peña, City Clerk Approved as to form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney Legal Notice No. FLP485 First Publication: December 15, 2021 Last Publication: December 15, 2021 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice ORDINANCE NO. 2021-1134 INTRODUCED BY: CHRIS CERETTO AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF FORT LUPTON ACCEPTING THE BEEN MSD PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY DEDICATION FOR CR 19 LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 16, TOWNSHIP 1 NORTH, RANGE 67 WEST OF THE SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that City Council hereby accepts said Dedication, and orders that the Instrument of Dedication be recorded in the Recorder’s Office of the County of Weld, State of Colorado, and said described real estate is hereby declared open and dedicated pursuant to C.R.S. § 24- 68-101, et seq..

WHEREAS, Sheryl A. Been, has this day filed with the City of Fort Lupton, Colorado (the “City”), its dedication of certain real estate, which Dedication

PUBLISHED in the Fort Lupton Press the 15th day of December 2021.

FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY this day of 2021.

PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY the day of 2021.

EFFECTIVE (after publication) the day of 2021.

CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO Zo Stieber, Mayor ATTEST: Maricela Peña, City Clerk Approved as to form: Andy Ausmus, City Attorney Legal Notice No. FLP484 First Publication: December 15, 2021 Last Publication: December 15, 2021 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice NOTICE OF BUDGET NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Fort Lupton Urban Renewal Authority for the ensuing year of 2022, a copy of such proposed budget has been filed at the City of Fort Lupton City Hall, 130 S. McKinley Ave., where the same is open for public inspection; such proposed budget will be considered at a regular meeting of the Fort Lupton Urban Renewal Authority to be held at City Hall, 130 S. McKinley Ave., on December 16, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

In the event that City Hall is closed to the public at the time of the hearing due to COVID-19, the public hearing will be held remotely, accessible to the public by phone and internet. Information on how to attend the hearing will be provided in the agenda as posted on the City of Fort Lupton’s website, www.fortluptonco.gov. Any interested elector of the City of Fort Lupton may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget.

Legal Notice No. FLP406 First Publication: December 8, 2021 Last Publication: December 15, 2021 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Summons and Sheriff Sale Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO 901 9th Avenue Greeley, CO 80631 Case No.: 2021CV30645 Plaintiff: JAMES E. FERRARO, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Anna Mae Sieg, Deceased v.

Defendants: JOHN R. LEFEBVRE, Jr., solely in his official capacity as WELD COUNTY TREASURER; BRENDA DONES, solely in her official capacity as WELD COUNTY ASSESSOR; BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO; UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY; PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO; COMMUNITY DITCH AND RESERVOIR COMPANY; UNITED POWER, INC. f/k/a UNION RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC.; WESTERN SLOPE GAS COMPANY; COORS ENERGY COMPANY; FRONT RANGE LANDFILL, INC. f/k/a SANIFILL OF COLORADO, INC.; and ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS WHO MAY CLAIM ANY INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS ACTION Attorney for Plaintiff Karsh Gabler Call PC Ivan M. Call, #30178 Fred Gabler, #8978 1658 Cole Blvd, Bldg. 6, Suite G10 Lakewood, CO 80401 Phone: 303.759.9669 E-mail: icall@karshgabler.com fgabler@karshgabler.com SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS WHO MAY CLAIM ANY INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS ACTION. You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the complaint [petition] filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to file your answer or other response within thirty-five (35) days after the service of this summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.

Metropolitan Districts

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the complaint [petition] in writing within thirty-five (35) days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the complaint [petition] without further notice.

Public Notice

This is an action to quiet title to the following described real property:

NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT NOTICE is hereby given that Wyndham Hill Metropolitan District No. 1 of Weld County, Colorado, will make final payment at 2500 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite 220, Boulder, Colorado, on December 30, 2021, at the hour of 12:00 p.m. to the following Contractors: Powell Restoration Inc. of Commerce City, Colorado, Lawson Construction of Longmont, Colorado and Asphalt Specialties of Henderson, Colorado for all work done by said contractor in construction of work on the Wyndham Hill Metro District Filing 9 Phase 1 and Phase 2 Projects located in the County of Weld, State of Colorado.

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractors or their subcontractors, in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplies rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, and whose claim therefor has not been paid by the contractors or their subcontractors, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid, and an account of such claim, to Wyndham Hill Metropolitan District No. 1 at the above address on or before the date and time hereinabove shown for final payment. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release Wyndham Hill Metropolitan District No. 1, its directors, officers, agents, and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WYNDHAM HILL METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1 By:Jon R. Lee President of the Board Legal Notice No. FLP483 First Publication: December 15, 2021 Last Publication: December 22, 2021 Publisher: Brighton Standard Blade Commerce City Sentinel Express Fort Lupton Press

A parcel of land located in the Northeast ¼ of Section 33, Township 1 North, Range 68 West of the 6th P.M., County of Weld, State of Colorado, described as follows: Considering the West line of the North ½ of the Northeast ¼ of said Section 33 to bear South 00°30’26” East, being monumented on the North end by a 2 ½” pipe with 3 ¼” aluminum cap, PLS 4846, and on the South end by a ¾” rebar with 2 ½” aluminum cap, PLS 37971, and with all bearings contained herein relative thereto; Beginning at the North ¼ corner of said Section 33; thence South 00°30’26” East, coincident with the West line of the North ½ of the Northeast ¼ of said section 33, a distance of 1303.10 feet to the Northwest corner of that parcel of land described in Quiet Title order recorded July 7, 2009 as Reception No. 7421046 in the records of the Clerk and Recorder for Weld County, Colorado; thence North 89°36’34” East, coincident with the North line of said parcel, a distance of 122.63 feet to the Northeast corner of said parcel; thence North 01°14’34” West, a distance of 1304.23 feet to the North line of the Northeast ¼ of said Section 33; thence South 89°04’29” West, coincident with said North line, a distance of 105.89 feet to the True Point of Beginning.

County of Weld, State of Colorado.

Dated: November 9, 2021.

Karsh Gabler Call PC /s/ Ivan M. Call Ivan M. Call, 30178 Attorney for Plaintiff (This summons is issued pursuant to Rule 4(g), Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure. This form should not be used where personal service is desired.)

(TO THE CLERK: When this summons is issued by the clerk of the court, the signature block for the clerk or deputy should be provided by stamp, or typewriter, in the space to the left of the attorney’s name.) *Rule 12(a), C.R.C.P., allows -35 days for answer or response where service of process is by pub-

lication. However, under various statutes, a different response time is set forth; e.g., §38-6-104, C.R.S. (eminent domain); §38-36-121, C.R.S. (Torrens registration).

Legal Notice No. FLP467 First Publication: November 17, 2021 Last Publication: December 15, 2021 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Notice to Creditors Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of EDWARD ALAN LEE A/K/A EDWARD A. LEE A/K/A EDWARD LEE, Deceased Case Number: 2021PR030661

C.R.S. § 19-5-103.5 in order to make the child available for adoption.

Placing a child for adoption requires termination of the birth mother and alleged birth father(s) parentchild legal relationships. Termination of parental rights means that pursuant to a court order, all rights powers, privileges, immunities, duties and obligations existing between a parent and a child are permanently severed, except for inheritance rights, which will be severed at the time of the final decree of adoption. Upon termination of parental rights, a parent shall: (a) no longer have the right to custody of, or parenting time with the child; (b) no longer have the right to any information concerning the whereabouts, activities, health, or well-being of the child; and (c) have no say in any further decisions concerning said child.

3. A birth parent of a child has the right to contest the termination of parental rights.

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Weld County, Colorado on or before April 15, 2022, or the claims may be forever barred.

4. Failure to declare intent to contest the termination of parental rights may likely result in a termination of parental rights to the child. In order to contest the termination of the parent-child legal relationship, YOU MUST:

Mary Goolsby, Personal Representative 126 Greenwood Road Decatur, TX 76234

• Request and then return a “Reply Form to Notice of Anticipated Expedited Relinquishment” to Hope’s Promise at the above addresses or to Grob & Eirich, LLC, 12596 W. Bayaud Ave., Suite 390, Lakewood, CO 80228 by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, no later than twenty-one (21) days after the date of this notice or before the birth mother’s relinquishment petition is filed with the court, whichever occurs later. The date of notice shall be considered the date of the first day of publication in the newspaper.

Legal Notice No. FLP481 First Publication: December 15, 2021 Last Publication: December 29, 2021 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of James Eugune Sena, also known as James E. Sena, also known as Jim E. Sena, Deceased Case Number: 2021 PR 30376 All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Weld County, Colorado on or before April 8, 2022, or the claims may be forever barred.

Nickolas Sena, Personal Representative 2672 Cherry Circle Brighton, Colorado, 80601 Legal Notice No. FLP479 First Publication: December 8, 2021 Last Publication: December 22, 2021 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of HARRY DENNIS HARGRAVE, aka DENNIS HARGRAVE, aka HARRY D. HARGRAVE, aka H. DENNIS HARGRAVE, Deceased Case Number: 2021PR30630 All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Weld County, Colorado or on or before April 8, 2022, or the claims may be forever barred.

Jeffrey A. Hargrave Personal Representative c/o WARREN, CARLSON & MOORE, LLP PO Box 610 Niwot, CO 80544-0610

OR • Request and return a “Reply Form to Notice of Anticipated Expedited Relinquishment” in person to Hope’s Promise, at the address indicated above, no later than twenty-one (21) days after the date of this notice or before the birth mother’s relinquishment petition is filed with the court, whichever occurs later. The date of notice shall be considered the date of the first day of publication in the newspaper. You should bring photo identification with you for in-person submission.

YOU MUST ALSO: • File a claim of paternity pursuant to Article 4 of Title 19, Colorado Revised Statutes and notify Hope’s Promise pursuant to C.R.S. § 19-4-105.5.

This claim of paternity must be filed no later than twenty-one (21) days after the date of this notice or before the birth mother’s relinquishment petition is filed with the court, whichever occurs later. The date of notice shall be considered the date of the first day of publication in the newspaper.

5. You may also waive your right to contest the termination of parental rights and doing so will likely result in a termination of any parental rights you may have to the child. If you do not believe that you are the father of this child, please check the appropriate box on the reply form which will be provided to you by the agency upon request.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED THAT IF YOU FAIL TO PROPERLY REPLY TO THIS NOTICE IN A MANNER DESCRIBED ABOVE, YOU ALSO WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO ANY FURTHER NOTICE RELATED TO THE ANTICIPATED EXPEDITED RELINQUISHMENT PROCEEDINGS AND YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS, IF ANY, WILL LIKELY BE TERMINATED BY THE COURT. Thank you for your cooperation.

Legal Notice No. FLP480 First Publication: December 8, 2021 Last Publication: December 22, 2021 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Sincerely, Kathryn Stafford Attorney for Hope’s Promise

Children Services (Adoption/Guardian/Other) Public Notice Hope’s Promise 1585 S. Perry St. Suite E Castle Rock, CO 80104 (303)660-0277

“Trust Us!”

Legal Notice No. FLP482 First Publication: December 15, 2021 Last Publication: December 15, 2021 Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Without public notices, the government wouldn’t have to say anything else.

Kathryn Stafford, Esq. Attorney for Hope’s Promise Grob & Eirich, LLC 12596 W. Bayaud Ave., Suite 390 Lakewood, CO 80228 (303) 679-8266 NOTICE OF ANTICIPATED EXPEDITED RELINQUISHMENT OF THE PARENT-CHILD LEGAL RELATIONSHIP TO: MO (LAST NAME UNKNOWN) YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, PURSUANT TO C.R.S. § 19-5-103.7, AS FOLLOWS: 1. You have been identified by Sheryle Ann Lee as the birth father of her child who is expected to be born on or about December 24, 2021 in Colorado.

2. Ms. Lee plans to relinquish her parental rights to the child on an expedited basis in the Douglas County District Court, State of Colorado, where the adoption agency has an office, pursuant to

Public notices are a community’s window into the government. From zoning regulations to local budgets, governments have used local newspapers to inform citizens of its actions as an essential part of your right to know. You know where to look, when to look and what to look for to be involved as a citizen. Local newspapers provide you with the information you need to get involved.

Notices are meant to be noticed.

Read your public notices and get involved!

Fort Lupton Legals 12.15.21 * 1

30 Fort Lupton Press

CLASSIFIEDS

December 15, 2021

COLORADO COMMUNIT Y MEDIA

CAREERS

MARKETPLACE

REAL ESTATE

Careers

SERVICE DIRECTORY

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DEADLINES CLASSIFIED LINE ADS: MONDAY, 10 A.M. SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY, 5 P.M. LEGALS: THURSDAY, 3 P.M.

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Contact Teresa, 303-566-4125 talexis@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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by Spring Valley Gas, Inc., family owned; 20 year old company, seeking local propane delivery driver with customer service experience.

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Shipping and Receiving Clerk, possible driving.

House of Smoke Inquire at 825 Denver Ave. Ft. Lupton or call 303-857-2750.

Software Developer Code & oversee SDLC for specific proj./tasks. Enforce their execution & timely delivery. Participate & able to animate parts of AGILE ceremonies (daily standup, sprint retro, backlog grooming w/ product mgmt./QA team & stakeholders). Take on & maint. existing key pieces of conferencing audio & video apps. Participate in improvement of internal devel. processes. Participate in design, creation & building of new products/ features in conferencing field. Req. Master’s deg. 4 yrs.+ java or .NET devel. / preferably both req’d. 4 yrs.+ DB exp. incl. AWS good knowl. req’d. Exp. in Web audio & video conf & mobile video sys. (Android preferred) req’d. w/ orientation towards Customer Management Systems. Familiar w/ cloud providers offerings & APIs for AWS EC2, S3, RDS & VPC. Knowl. of ColdFusion & exp. in migrations to Java webpages & Web Services using SOAP, WSDL req’d. Exp. w/ VOIP / SIP &/or some telecomm. knowl. is a plus. Knowl. of software design patterns incl. MVC variations & N-Tier Architecture.

Send resume: MeetingOne.com Corp., 501 S. Cherry St., Ste. 500, Denver, CO 80246.

Land & Water Conservation Director Mountain Area Land Trust Evergreen CO Seeking a director with 3-5+ years experience negotiating, writing and closing Conservation Easements.

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We’re looking for compassionate health care professionals to join our amazing care team serving the mountain communities of Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, and Park Counties.

Clinical Supervisor of Nursing Services IT Services Manager

For all your diesel repair needs Offering a full service fuel shop specializing in:

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Merchandise Antiques & Collectibles Set of Beer Steines before Berlin wall came down. Pewter. Art pieces from 1883 signed and dated.

Few Chinese artwork from before WWII. Serious inquiries and by appointment only.

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Miscellaneous PROFESSIONAL WATER JET BACK MASSAGE TABLE: Reconditioned. Chiropractors and therapists use Sidmar tables to loosen patients’ muscles and ease pain. $1250 obo 303 688-9171 Stop worrying! SilverBills eliminates the stress & hassle of bill pmts.

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Tree Service

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Fort Lupton Press 31

December 15, 2021

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32 Fort Lupton Press

December 15, 2021

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Find out more at T-Mobile.com Contact us before cancelling service to continue remaining bill credits, or credits stop & balance on required finance agreement is due (128GB: $999.99). Tax on pre-credit price due at sale. Limited-time offer; subject to change. Qualifying credit, new line, & Magenta MAX, Magenta Plus, One Plus, Business Unlimited Ultimate, Sprint Unlimited Premium, or Sprint Unlimited Plus service required. If you have cancelled lines in past 90 days, you may need to reactivate them first. In stores & on customer service calls, $30 assisted or upgrade support charge may be required. Up to $999.99 via bill credits; must be active and in good standing to receive credits; allow 2 bill cycles. Max 4/account. May not be combinable with some offers or discounts. See Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at www.T-Mobile.com for additional information. T-Mobile, the T logo, Magenta and the magenta color are registered trademarks of Deutsche Telekom AG. © 2021 T-Mobile USA, Inc.