Fort Lupton Press 110322

‘The nation’s report card’ shows big declines in math in Colorado

BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

Colorado students posted the lowest scores in more than a decade on the test known as “the nation’s report card,” with the steepest declines in middle school math and with Hispanic students losing the most ground. And while Colorado students posted better reading

scores than did students in 27 other states, that was largely because other states lost even more ground.

The learning loss from 2019 to 2022 on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as NAEP, points to the devastating impact the pandemic has had on the education of children in almost every pocket of Colorado and the nation.

While research has already shown that academic progress reversed, NAEP results released Monday provide the most detailed and authoritative accounting yet, with data coming from a representative set of students nationwide and allowing for comparisons across states and some cities.

“The results are appalling and unacceptable,” U.S. Secretary of

FOLLOW HIM TO THE CANDY

Education Miguel Cardona said. “This is a moment of truth. How we respond will determine our standing in the world.”

This year’s results reaffirm what Colorado education leaders and teachers already knew thanks to statewide assessments: Students fell behind.

Police, teachers weigh in school shooting discussion

Weld RE8 discussing letting teachers carry arms

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

On Sept. 11, 1992, a student at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas brought a gun into the building. He opened fi re after a pep rally, shooting and wounding six other students.

Steve Reams, a survivor of this shooting, now serves as the Weld County sheriff. In refl ecting on the experience, he wondered if the situation could have turned out better had teachers been armed.

“I remember teachers trying to fi gure out how to shield students and trying to fi gure out how to subdue or take on the suspect without any tools to do so,” he said. “I watched what happened and I can defi nitely see… if all those teachers had been armed, how that would have probably turned out much differently.”

Reams is not the only person considering the idea of armed school staff. As the national community wrestles with the pros and cons of the idea, the Weld RE-8 school district has joined the conversation – with a diverse array of opinions coming from community members.

Fort Lupton approves liquor license for El Reparo

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton’s city council, acting as the liquor licensing authority, approved a hotel and restaurant license for El Reparo Mexican & Grill Inc. during a regular meeting Oct. 18. The vote was unanimous.

The business is at 815 Seventh St.

As was the case with an off-premise liquor license hearing earlier in the forum, the authority’s main interest was in proper training for the restaurant’s employees, something the state requires.

Owner Maria Soto-Murillo said through interpreter Selene Nestor, the CEO of the Hispanic Restaurant Association, she planned to use the service available through Alcohol Beverage Training.

“I want them to take the class,” Soto-Murillo said. “I’ve taken the class myself.”

The classes were scheduled for the week of Oct. 24.

This is Soto-Murillo’s first restaurant. She promised to hire enough employees to staff the business when she was not working.

“I want the economy to grow,” the

owner said. “I want more employees. I want to grow my business even more.”

She wasn’t alone in that sentiment.

“We’ve worked with this team since before they submitted their application,” Nestor said. “We hold them dear to our hearts. They will bring a lot of new economy to Fort Lupton.”

Employee insurance Council also ratified a new employee insurance plan for 2023 by unanimous vote. Human

Resources Director Laura Howe said most of the $1.2 million cost is for the insurance plan through United Health Care. The total cost amounts to a 4.8 percent increase over 2022 figures. The average employee will pay $58 more per month.

Historic preservation board

Council also approved the appointment of Emma Thiria as a professional member of the city’s historic preservation board. Her three-year term expires Oct. 18, 2025.

Fort Lupton resident awarded for her service to the community

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton’s Sue Hubert spent her life creating a better place in the world for her community, family, friends, and animals.

To her surprise, she was honored on October 22 with the Community Catalyst award by the organization Friends of a Woman’s Place for her years of service giving back to the community of Fort Lupton.

“For the decades I’ve known Aunt Sue, she’s always been a giver, mostly working in the background. Being in Greeley to see Sue recognized for her countless hours, weeks, years of service to others was a pleasure beyond expectation,” Fort Lupton Mayor Zo Stieber-Hubbard.

Eight women were awarded in

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Young people in foster care exposed to traumatic events can benefit from adults knowledgeable in therapeutic care, according to the Weld County Department of Human Services.

Adults with specific capabilities and a mindset of understanding can help

Weld County for their work in communities by the Friends of a Woman’s Place. It’s an annual event gala in its 29th year celebrating women’s achievements.

purchased from a church in Denver every year.

event gala in its 29th

Community Catalyst fits Hubert’s character, speakers said. Thirteen years ago, she started Blessings in a Bag, a program filling backpacks with food to help underprivileged children eat on weekends, and its program continues today.

When Fort Lupton was experiencing a rise in homelessness, she helped found Hope at Miracle House, a homeless shelter for families. In addition, Hubert coordinated Turkey Boxes with dinners

With Hubert’s experience writing grants, she got funds to purchase food items and ask for donations from the Weld County Food Bank and the communities of Fort Lupton. Fort Lupton has donated 250 Thanksgiving boxes for families in need for several years.

When she is not helping people, Hubert is involved with several committees and boards. She is the chairperson of the Mission Committee, a member of the Scholarship and Endowment committee, and the church historian and lay speaker for the United Methodist church.

Hubert often sings solo as a member of the Praise Team and choir. She is the chairwoman of the

annual turkey dinner, supports the youth mission trip, and is a board member of the Blessings Day Care Center. She was a former North Range Behavioral Health board member, a hospice, and a Bright Beginning volunteer.

Her hobbies include sewing blankets for Warm Hearts and Warm Babies, a program that creates dog and cat beds for animal rescue. Hubert serves meals to seniors and is a member and docent at the Platte Valley Historical Society. Hubert also loves entertaining people as a member of the Fort Lupton Town Clowns and enjoys dressing up in costumes for Halloween.

“Nobody deserves kudos more! She’s worked on other relief efforts beyond our city limit and even other states,” Stieber-Hubbard said.

County seeks more foster parents

heal foster kids, said Kristy DeAnda, the county’s foster care recruiter.

The human services department is looking for foster families with experience in nursing, social work, counseling, teaching, special needs education and similar fields.

Foster parents can help young people grappling with past trauma.

“Sometimes, when people hear the

word ‘therapeutic,’ they think it refers to medical foster care,” DeAnda said. “While some of the children in therapeutic care may have medical needs, typically, the kids in these types of homes have significant emotional and behavioral challenges.”

Young people in group homes or residential treatment facilities receive behavior support for trauma. Even

though it’s a helpful environment, research indicates that a secure familylike environment, clinical support and therapy can result in healing, helping children as they seek placement in a forever home.

For more information about foster care in Weld County, visit weldgov. com/Government/Departments/ Human-Services/Foster-Care.

Some local businesses hope liquor license ballot measure fails

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Mollie Stephans walked into Westminster’s Pecos Liquors for the first time to pitch Loveland Aleworks’ newest beer. The answer she got was promising.

“We’ll be in touch,” said Jazz Singh, the owner of the store since 2018.

Stephans is one of the small brewery’s 10 employees. She makes sales calls to local liquor stores up and down the Front Range, asking that they put Aleworks’ beer on shelves.

The personal touch is what makes the company unique, she said. But the owners the Aleworks said that may need to change if voters approve Proposition 124 in the upcoming election.

The ballot initiative will increase the number of retail liquor store licenses an individual may own. The current maximum is three. The number would rise to eight by 2026, 13 by 2031, 20 by 2036 and be unlimited by 2037.

With the increase, large retail stores like King Soopers, Safeway and Total Beverage would be able to sell alcohol in more locations. Opponents of the measure argue that will funnel business away from the local and neighborhood stores.

“It’s hard to tell ahead of time, but we will almost have to change the way that we sell our beer and change the things we pride ourselves on,” Stephans said. “One big thing for us is we want to keep

Colorado as local as possible.”

Most of Loveland Aleworks’ accounts are local liquor stores. That’s because they’re able to meet with owners directly. When they get a green light from a store, it can happen on the spot or shortly after. But getting their product onto the shelves of a big chain is a different matter. It can take about a year to get an approval, if one comes at all.

For liquor store owners like Singh, the proposition changes the liquor store experience and that’s a reason to vote against it, though he understands some people want the convenience of buying alcohol while shopping for groceries.

He also understands hardworking

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the same from other local store owners, including one in Commerce City that lost two-thirds of its revenues almost overnight.

Who’s for it?

According to the Colorado Secretary of State’s website, Colorado Fine Wines & Spirits LLC, addressed in Bethesda, Maryland, donated over $11.5 million to the issue committee supporting the initiative.

It’s the same address as Total Wine & More, which is owned by U.S. Rep. David Trone from Maryland. Total Wine & More, according to reporting done by the Colorado Sun, spent over $2 million supporting the measure.

PHOTO BY LUKE ZARZECKI

owners’ motives to expand and open new locations. He said he works 15-16 hours every day of the week and hopes to expand his business, but emphasizes how smaller stores are more responsive to customer choices than big chains.

A decent selection of microbrews isn’t always easy to find in big chain stores, he said.

For his store, those less-wellknown beers sell well and the relationship between the local brewers and local shops is vital to the region’s economy.

Singh pointed to 2019 when the legislature gave grocery stores the OK to sell beer. He lost business due to increased competition and heard

A spokesperson for Total Wine & More said it would be “correcting a gross imbalance in current law.”

The Colorado Chamber of Commerce also supports the measure. In a news release, they wrote Proposition 124 would allow liquor stores to open more locations.

“Colorado has been long overdue to rethink the way we approach liquor licensing,” said Colorado Chamber president and CEO Loren Furman in a release. “This is about helping some of our hardest-hit businesses recover from ongoing economic challenges while also giving consumers more options when it comes to how and where they choose to purchase alcohol. Together, these common-sense ballot initiatives will help bring Colorado’s alcohol regulatory environment into the 21st century.”

Together you fought. Together we honor.

At Bank of Colorado, we honor those who came before us, those who touched our lives, those who made a difference. Thank you for your bravery, your dedication and the sacrifices you have made to keep America free.

Jazz Singh, owner of Pecos Liquors, is a well-known liquor store owner in Westminster.

Re8 adjust rules for bare midri s, hats at FLHS

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As of Oct. 28, students at Fort Lupton High School are permitted to wear hats indoors and expose two inches of midriff, due to recent changes in the Weld RE-8 dress code policy.

The modifications come after two Fort Lupton High School students presented their desired changes to the RE-8 Board of Education on Sept. 22.

The students, Anisty Hernandez and Victoria Ingino, asked for hats to be allowed indoors and for students to be allowed to show three inches of midriff.

The board granted these changes to the high school only and decided to permit two inches of midriff instead of the three the students asked for.

The motion passed in a 4-3 vote, with board members Matthew

SCHOOLS

FASTER Colorado

Colorado law allows school districts and charter schools to designate a policy of armed school staff.

Although the state does not specify training requirements for staff members who will carry a firearm, school district insurance

Adame, Michelle Bettger, Cristian González and Jaime Sierra in favor of the dress code changes.

Earlier in the meeting, Fort Lupton High School Principal Doug Gordon spoke about why his administration team supported the dress code adjustments for his students.

“Approving this request will have an exponential positive impact on our students, validating that they are heard, that (we) are responsive to their needs and we are invested in making their learning environment the best it can be for them,” he said.

Gordon said the midriff rule, something he called a “mild modification,” would not objectify the young women at FLHS, but instead would empower them to be leaders and use their voices.

Gordon’s support of the changes was the main reason Bettger voted in favor.

providers such as the Colorado School Districts Self Insurance Pool, which covers Weld RE-8, often have requirements for training.

Laura Carno is the executive director of FASTER Colorado, a provider of armed staff training for schools. She presented her program to the Weld RE-8 Board of Education at a Sept. 8 work session.

FASTER Colorado is a project of the Independence Institute, a Denver-based think tank that has

“If we don’t approve it, then we’re saying we know more and we know better than Doug, who is in the building every day,” she said. “We sit behind this table and we make decisions all the time that affect those buildings that we’re not in every day. And we don’t know those kids. And we don’t know how our decisions affect their everyday school life.”

Before the group voted, Bettger suggested that the board adjust the district policy even more to allow school administrators to change dress code rules wherever they see fit for their buildings.

LeBlanc said he was in favor of Bettger’s idea even though he did not support the specific modifications the students proposed. He said he did not want “school-specific” changes to be made for the whole district, but he liked the idea of giving principals more leeway to adjust dress codes as needed for

received funding from the National Rifle Association, as reported by the Denver Post.

In the program’s three-day level one course, class members learn tactical emergency casualty care, participate in scenario-based training and simulations, learn advanced handgun basics, spend time on the range to work on marksmanship and tactical skills and complete the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training qualification in handgun proficiency test, according to the website.

School staff in a district where it is authorized would choose to be armed on a volunteer basis, Carno said. School boards have the power to determine specific vetting processes to decide which staff members can participate in the program, she added.

Carno said having an armed response to mass shootings would lead to lower death counts and would discourage school shooters in the long run.

“Once it’s known in society that you can’t go… unchecked – you can’t try and kill children on a campus where they’re innocent and they’re there to learn – when that stops happening because they’re stopped in their tracks, the killers will stop going to schools,” Carno said.

their students.

“I think that the building principals know best how to manage their students and push for the best learning environments,” he said.

Bovee expressed concern about making the policy more subjective.

“We’re already having kids dresscoded based on very clear rules. If we don’t have very clear bullet points… are we going to have more kids being dress coded?” he asked.

“Are they going to push the boundaries more?”

He also said he didn’t want to vote on a new policy unless it was specific.

“If we’re gonna vote on a new policy, it needs to be a total redlined something-we-can-read-and-voteon-100% — not an idea,” he said.

After approving the changes for the high school, the board agreed to discuss possible further restructuring of the dress code policy at the next workshop on Nov. 10.

“You can’t take a bullet back”

But not everyone agrees. During a Weld RE-8 work session on Oct. 12, district instructional coach and former Fort Lupton High School teacher Judy Callaway expressed concern about arming teachers in the district.

“I think it puts kids at greater risk,” she said.

Callaway, who grew up in a family that hunted, emphasized the seriousness of firearms.

“Growing up, if you messed around with the guns, you didn’t get dinner,” she said. “You gotta be really confident if you’re gonna handle a firearm, I feel. Really confident. You can’t take a bullet back, so you gotta make sure it’s going where you want it to go.”

Fort Lupton Police Chief John Fryar also commented on the weight of responsibility that arming teachers would place on them.

“I look at what training our officers go through to prepare them, and there’s a fair amount,” he said. “Then they have to be able to justify exactly what they did, why they did it, and then the outcome. And you know, that’s part of our job every day. But it’s not part of a teacher’s job.”

Carno said the FASTER program recognizes that there are risks involved in arming staff and it trains

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people

be as prepared as possible

staff

This includes

weapon reten

protocols for keeping their concealed weapon on their body.

But at the end of the day, she said the biggest risk is that of an unop posed school shooter.

“I know that (people who oppose armed teachers) are hoping fewer guns means less death,” she said. “But if the only gun on that campus is the killer, having no response to that is not okay. It’s a unilateral gunfight.”

Emergency response concerns

According to Carno, arming school staff would give them the opportu nity to act while they are waiting for law enforcement officers to arrive on the scene, just like someone would react during a fire.

“If there’s a kitchen fire, I dial 911 because I want… the experts to get here,” she said. “But I also have a fire extinguisher and I’m not going to stand around while things could get worse. I’m going to stop the fire.”

According to Fryar, the Fort Lupton Police Department’s average re sponse time for critical emergencies is three minutes and 38 seconds. Al though several RE-8 schools are just down the block from the station, he said his officers could be anywhere in the city during a potential active shooter situation.

Reams, whose department would be part of the response chain for an active shooter situation in Fort Lup ton, said his team’s average response time for high-priority emergencies is seven minutes or less because they respond to calls across the entire county.

Fryar said he sees both pros and cons to arming teachers. For him, the primary benefit would be the ability to divert a shooter more immediately.

“The sooner a shooter is confront ed, the more likely that shooter is to stop,” he said. “A teacher or admin istrator being able to do that before we get there may improve the odds of the situation turning out better.”

Friendly fire

When officers arrive to the scene, however, some people worry that a dangerous situation could occur. In the study session, Superintendent Alan Kaylor said he had heard the concern that a “good guy” intend ing to help could be shot by a police officer.

“The most dangerous part of this whole thing aside from confronting an active killer is that link-up with law enforcement,” Carno acknowl edged.

She said in addition to training for the transition, a technology called LifeSpot can help address the risk of accidentally shooting an armed staff member. The application displays a live virtual map of where authorized armed individuals are in the building so officers can identify who the threat is.

Fryar said the risk of confusion is still a concern for him, even with the availability of risk-reducing tools.

“You get that call and your set of priorities start running in one direc tion. Where’s the shooter? Where do I go?” he said. “Your mind really isn’t

going to say, ‘I need to look at that da tabase and see where the guns are.’ It sounds like a great idea, but when the stress is on, I’m concerned about the ability to manage that successfully.”

For Reams, confusion about which armed person is the threat would still be better than the alternative.

“As a law enforcement officer, I would much rather be faced with (that scenario) than showing up to a school where everyone is just set to be a victim,” he said.

“Those that it immediately affects”

As the conversation about armed staff begins in Weld RE-8, the board of education members have repeat edly emphasized the importance of including the community in the conversation.

“We can go very far with school safety,” board member Matthew Bo vee said. “We have to find out where that line is and what’s right for Weld 8. And in order to do that we need to get feedback from staff and we need to get feedback from the community. I’m in favor of what the community and staff would like to see.”

Fryar also said the community’s perspectives are important in mak ing this decision.

“There’s good parts to it, and there’s bad parts to it,” he said. “And I think the weighing those out needs to be done by those that it immediately affects.”

The school board members will speak to the principals at their re spective schools in the coming weeks to gauge interest in the program and gather opinions. At the RE-8 study session on Nov. 10, the board will dis cuss the next steps for how to involve the community in the conversation.

Avoid becoming ‘burden’ on grown children

Some 72% of retirees say one of their biggest fears is becoming a burden on their families, according to a 2021 survey by Age Wave and Edward Jones. What steps can you take to avoid burdening your loved ones in the future?

Here are a few suggestions:

First, do whatever you can to create your financial independence. Take advantage of your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. You may also want to contribute to an IRA.

Next, make sure you have adequate health insurance to supplement Medicare during retirement. And look for ways to protect yourself from the potentially huge costs of long-term care.

Also, work with your legal professional to create powers of attorney for health care and finances. These documents will enable someone to make decisions for you if you become incapacitated.

Finally, when you’re retired, evaluate your living situation. By downsizing, you could spare your adult children the responsibilities involved in clearing out and selling your home should you become unable to do so yourself.

By taking these measures, you can help put yourself in a place where you won’t burden your grown children. And that’s a good place to be.

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Behind every victim is an advocate

Behind every patient is a doctor, behind every student is a teacher, and behind every victim is an advocate. Despite the chaotic and devastating circumstances of COVID-19, advocates of the Victim Services around Colorado have adapted to social guidelines, solved unfamiliar problems and flourished in efficiency to provide for victims across the state.

Interestingly enough, the Victim Services unit in Greeley, Thornton, Northglenn, Longmont and Littleton limited their on-site service to major crime-related cases (homicide, domestic violence, sexual assult, felony), sending a limited number of trained staff to report in-person. On the other hand, units in Lakewood and Fort Collins responded strictly through phone calls for most of the pandemic, making the interaction between staff and volunteer advo-

cates scarce.

Flipping the system upside-down had both its pros and cons. It opened up the idea that services can be provided virtually, and made victims reaching out to advocates more approachable. According to the Victim Services of Thornton/Northglenn and Lakewood, victims who felt overwhelmed with crowds of people (including advocates) present during the scene were able to find time on their own, after processing the situation, and reach out personally. Surprisingly, as time passed, more victims began to prefer a phone call over an on-site reply.

GUEST COLUMN

However, as reported by victim advocates in Longmont and Gree-

ley, this abrupt change in organization led to a drastic advocate shortage. Masks and physical distance (as well as the subsequent removal of facial expressions and body language) made it difficult for advocates to discern the immediate needs of the victim. The Arvada Victim Services added that grants— initially given to the Victim Services — were shifted to fund other, COVID-related issues, the lack of monetary assistance forcing a change in various departments and volunteer programs. Most fatal of all, the boundaries between “work” and “home” began to blur. Phone calls about traumatic experiences would leak past working hours, and follow-ups about excruciating cases would flood into the private lives of advocates.

But while caring for a single individual is, indeed, demanding, the Victims Services in Broomfield,

Thornton, Northglenn, Arvada (Jefferson County), Longmont, Fort Collins, Lakewood, Littleton and Greeley serve an astounding average of 287 victims monthly. That is hundreds of devastating stories and cries for help that are heard monthly by these people. Sacrifices of time, energy, and mentality are made to save the ones of those who need to hold onto it.

What this service needs the most is education. Education on who they are, what they do and how they do it. People should know what they can offer and why they’re here in the first place. Education on what they need, and what you — the public — can do for it.

Gina Jung is a senior at Stargate High School in Thornton who hopes to pursue studies in sociology and psychology.

Engagement makes all the di erence

After checking in, the couple decided to head to the hotel bar for a nightcap. Luckily two seats opened up just as they walked in. They sat down and the bartender stood with his back turned watching the television as a Thursday Night Football game was being televised. The couple waited and when they saw a second bartender come in their direction, they thought they might finally be able to order a drink. They were disappointed as the second bartender also turned their back to watch the game.

Finally getting their attention, they received their drinks. No engagement with the patrons, just back to watching the game. Having visited more than a bar or two in my day, and having been a bartender earlier in my life, I have a great appreciation for those great bartenders who know that sometimes people come looking for an ear that will listen, a friend to talk to, a therapist to hear their problems, or someone to celebrate with. The couple finished their drinks and left.

Here’s another story that was shared with me by a sales leader. She was on a virtual sales call

WINNING WORDS

Michael Norton

with one of her salespeople. They were using Zoom so they could all turn on their webcam and see each other, almost as if they were face-to-face and in person. The sales leader was invited to the meeting to share specific and new information with the prospect. The salesperson thought it would be better received coming from a senior leader.

As the meeting went on and the sales leader started discussing important data while also gathering great information through relevant questioning, she noticed that her salesperson wasn’t really paying attention. They looked distracted and were probably multi-tasking. Although she noticed it, her hopes were that the prospect wouldn’t really notice. Well into the discussion the salesperson finally started paying attention, but as it turned out, it was a little too little and a little too late. The final straw was when the salesperson brought up

an irrelevant topic and asked an unrelated question. Unfortunately, they did not win the business. How many times have we tuned out those around us only to tune into a game, an app, or something else? If we are being honest, it’s probably happening more often than we care to admit.

Imagine the teacher not being truly engaged with their student, the spouse not tuned in to their better half, the parent not engaging with their child, or a best friend losing interest in something that is important to their friend in that moment. In any one of those situations, I believe the relationship will suffer when we fail to truly engage.

Engagement is so vitally important in any relationship. Combine engagement with intentionality and we have a true winning recipe for a winning relationship to thrive. An example of intentional engagement is when we are watching television and our spouse or child asks us a question or wants to talk and we simply turn off the TV and intentionally engage. A common mistake that sends the wrong message is when we say, “OK, how about at the next commercial or at halftime,

or when the show is over?” When we do that, we are saying that the game or show is more important than our child or spouse.

And if it’s not TV, can we close our computer, put down our phone, or stop what we are doing to actively listen and engage with those around us? Engagement, intentional engagement, really does make all the difference.

How about you? Are you finding yourself distracted and multi-tasking and maybe even disengaged? Have you ever noticed when someone else doesn’t appear to be actively or intentionally engaged with you? How did that feel? And have you ever responded to someone looking for your undivided attention by saying, “After the next commercial or at halftime?” I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can engage with intentionality, it really will be a better than good life?

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

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A high school haunting in Fort Lupton

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

in costumes lined up outside Fort Lupton High School for Trick-orTreat Street on Oct. 26. They turned the halls into haunted house. Teachers joined students dressed in costumes, handing out candy to kids.

75 S. 13th

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Art was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on December 10, 1937, to Harvey and Nelda Samson. He graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1955, and shortly after joined the United States Air Force. During his tour of duty with the Air Force he married his wife of 61 years, Rosemary. Soon after his marriage came his two children, Joseph in 1962, and Jeanne in1963 both born in Wiesbaden, Germany. During his time in the Air Force, Art proudly served a tour in Vietnam. After 20 years of service in the Air Force and retiring with the distinguished rank of Chief Master Sergeant, he rejoined the Department of Defense in the Civil Service capacity. is was a roll he cherished for an additional 20 years. During that time, he decided to move to Brighton, Colorado his permanent home. With a challenging personal schedule, he obtained his bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University and then his master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

Early on in his role in the civil service, Art and a small team of risk-takers became the group who created “Direct Deposit”. Today everyone who receives their paycheck electronically can thank Art for being one of four people who took the chance and created this process.

Art and Rosemary loved world travel, spanning the globe from East to West and North to South. Just a few months ago, Art took a long-awaited cruise to Alaska and Canada. Art visited over 150 countries in the world, sometimes taking a small risk and adventuring into some interesting places.

One of the passions in his life included being part of the Knights of Columbus. He held many titles and positions and received numerous awards for his dedication to the

Knights of Columbus. One of the roles he had was new council startup for the Knights. Just a few years ago, he shared that he had visited every Catholic Church in Colorado. He enjoyed doing many things with the Knights, from Pennies for Heaven to Tootsie Roll drives. He never thought of it as a chore and loved gathering food every anksgiving and Christmas for turkey baskets to give to families who were having challenging times. Just last week he was so focused on helping others, he was check-listing the things that needed to be done. His last e ort was raising money for St. Williams Catholic Church for new stainedglass windows. He never once said “me or I”, he said the Knights of Columbus. He always thought the fraternity of men of the Knights as his family. Every award was the Knights of Columbus award. He loved the Knights.

He was an avid Colorado Avalanche fan. At one time he had attended every single Avalanche game for 10 straight years. When the streak ended, it was because he was attending the State Convention for the Knights of Columbus. He was in attendance for the 2001 Stanley Cup game winner.

Art is survived by his wife, Rosemary; son, Joseph (wife Teresa); daughter, Jeanne; two grandsons, Tyler and Michael; and great grandchildren, Joshua and Abbi. He is preceded in death by both parents, and two brothers, Robert and his twin brother, Donald.

Art will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

Contributions to Honor the Life Art Samson can be made to the Stained Glass Fund for St. Williams Catholic Church 1025 Fulton Ave. Fort Lupton, CO. 80621

Crime scene investigation of what happened to Tanyra Lira in the school hall.

Farm-inspired mini moo Aliza Aragon.

Fort Lupton PD, here is your new recruit Max Turek and he’s ready to serve.

Raven Maggart dressed as a Disney princess enchanting the world.

SAMSON Arthur “Art” Samson December 10, 1937 - October 23, 2022

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

On Sept. 4, Chileans across the world anxiously checked their social media feeds and Whatsapp group chats, wondering about the future of their country. Would Chile adopt a new constitution?

The answer flashed across their phone screens that evening. In an overwhelming referendum result, about 62% of the population of Chile voted to reject what would have been one of the most progressive constitutions in the world.

In Santiago, supporters of the new constitution comforted each other in sadness while those who opposed it waved celebratory flags in the streets.

Meanwhile, Chileans in Colorado mourned and celebrated from over 5,000 miles away.

Pame Bradford, who works in Fort Collins Public Schools, was happy voters rejected the draft. An Aurorabased artist named Adolfo Romero, on the other hand, said the result felt like a deep blow to his heart.

Considering their opposing views on one of the most pivotal referendums in Chile’s democratic history, it may come as a surprise that Romero and Bradford are siblings.

Although they grew up under the same roof, the two Colorado-based Chileans have different opinions on what will cure their country’s ailments going forward.

From Chile to Colorado

When Romero was in high school and Bradford had recently finished, their family moved from Arica, a city in northern Chile, to the capital of Santiago.

Attending high school in Santiago among politically active peers was a formative experience for Romero. Although he does not identify with a particular party, he said his political beliefs are leftleaning.

Bradford, on the other hand, was less

interested in politics. She said she focused on “things with discipline” growing up, such as sports and martial arts.

in

When she was 25 years old, Bradford

moved to the U.S.

“It might be kind of cheesy, but I moved because I felt that I was going to

moved because I felt that I was going to find love here,” she said. “I actually did find it.”

After traveling for a few years, she met her husband and settled down in his home state of Colorado. In 2008, her parents moved to the U.S.

Romero followed suit in 2014 to be near his family.

waved The social explosion metro fare sparked massive demonstraRomero watched from afar. as lido social explosion.” For months,

The social explosion

On Oct. 18, 2019, an increase in the metro fare sparked massive demonstrations in Santiago. Both Bradford and Romero watched from afar. This was the beginning of a nationwide socio-political movement referred to as the “estallido social” or the “social explosion.” For months, protesters demanded changes in economic and social policies that had been in place since the country’s military dictatorship, which ended in 1990.

The estallido was a frightening time for some Chileans. Bradford said she was concerned as protesters burned metro stations and destroyed private property.

“I was really distraught… I mean, we are really connected to the country and when you see bad things happening, it affects you here,” she said. “I know we could have come up with better ways to do it… the reasons might be good, but not the way it was presented.”

Romero, unlike his sister, said he was hopeful when the demonstrations began. After being involved in community movements for most of his life, it felt like his country was finally awakening to its problems.

“One of the conversations that I used to have with my friends was, ‘Damn, when are the people gonna be awake?

Protesters climb a statue in Santiago’s central plaza under the watchful eye of a military jet.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

When are the people gonna react to these conditions in this country?’” he said. “Finally, it happened in 2019.”

Although he wishes political change were achievable through “just talking,” Romero said it’s sometimes necessary for people to take to the streets.

But Chileans who went to the streets were met with excessive force from police, according to the Human Rights Watch. From Oct. 18 to Nov. 20, in 2019 almost 9,000 protesters and bystanders were injured and 26 people died, according to the organization.

For Romero, the police response to the protests was the most tragic part of the situation.

“It was very sad… to see how many people got injured… by the police,” he said. “I felt very powerless.”

The road to referendum

The demonstrations during the social movement of 2019-2020 covered a wide range of issues, including wages, social security, water rights, education, healthcare, environmental concerns, gender inequality, indigenous rights and more.

As the movement continued, protesters started turning their attention toward a document that could address all of these problems at once: the constitution.

“That was the core of everything. That is the core that supports the model, that holds the entire system,” Romero said. “So when (the protestors) chose that point, it to me was finally the right pathway to get a change.”

Chile’s current constitution was written in 1980 under military dictator Augusto Pinochet, who held power from 1973 until 1990. After ousting socialist President Salvador Allende in a U.S.-supported coup d’etat, Pinochet implemented vast neoliberal economic reforms.

Under Pinochet, the availability and affordability of health care, social security, education and even water were largely driven by the free market. The 1980 constitution, despite modern amendments, maintains a role for private sectors for these services.

These neoliberal decisions bolstered Chile’s economy but did so at the expense of extensive human rights abuses during the dictatorship. More than 3,000 people were killed or “disappeared” under Pinochet’s regime and over 27,000 more were victims of torture, according to Chilean commission reports.

Still, some applaud the dictator for the economic growth during his reign. Others condemn his human rights abuses and point to his economic policies as the root of Chile’s devastating inequality.

About a month after the protests began, then-President Sebastián Piñera agreed to hold a nationwide referendum to vote on the possibility of rewriting the dictatorship-era constitution. On Oct. 25, 2020, 78% of voting Chileans approved the decision to rewrite a new charter.

Voters also determined that a convention of elected citizens would draft the new document. In a global first, the constitutional body was required to have gender parity. In addition, 17 seats were reserved for indigenous populations, according to the National Library of Congress of Chile.

In May 2021, voters elected a constitutional convention made up of 67% independent candidates, many of them part of left-leaning movements, according to Universidad de Chile professor Claudia Heiss.

The nontraditional makeup of the body

A woman protests with a sign reading “No more abuse.”

On Oct. 18, 2019, an increase in the metro fare sparked a nation-wide socio-political movement in Chile. Here, protesters in Santiago hit pots and pans in a common form of protest called “cacerolazo.”

PHOTOS BY NINA JOSS

Protestors in Santiago filled the central plaza to call for change. Formerly known as Plaza Italia, the space was renamed “Plaza de la dignidad” or “Dignity Plaza” during the social movement of 2019.

A protester on a lamp post waves the Chilean flag (top) and the Mapuche flag (bottom). The Mapuche are a group of Indigenous people in present-day Chile and Argentina.

Voters also determined that a convention of elected citizens would draft the new document. In a global first, the constitutional body was required to have gender parity. In addition, 17 seats were reserved for indigenous populations, according to the National Library of Congress of Chile.

In May 2021, voters elected a constitutional convention made up of 67% independent candidates, many of them part of left-leaning movements, according to Univer sidad de Chile professor Claudia Heiss.

The nontraditional makeup of the body gave some Chileans hope when the process began, but polls showed a decrease in voter confidence in the convention as time went on.

After one year of the convention’s work, the draft faced its fate in a ref erendum in which all Chileans were required to vote. The earlier votes in the constitutional process had been voluntary.

According to the Chilean Electoral Service, Chileans abroad voted to ap prove the draft but the overall popu lation overwhelmingly rejected it.

Both Bradford and Romero would have had to travel to another state to vote, so neither was able to cast a ballot due to logistics.

The draft

“Chile is a social and democratic state of law,” started the new consti

tutional draft. “It is ‘plurinacional,’ intercultural, regional and ecologi cal.”

The 388-article charter included universal health care and rights to education, housing, pensions and water. Along with vast environ mental protections, it implemented gender parity rules for governing bodies. It also restructured the country’s legislative model and es tablished parallel justice systems for indigenous groups.

Supporters of the document praised its progressive character while opponents stressed the farreaching and unachievable nature of the constitution’s goals. Some opponents wanted to keep the 1980 version. Others said they desired a new constitution, just not this one.

In Bradford’s opinion, the mem bers of the convention tried to take on too many topics.

“I do agree with some changes for the environment and things like that. But I think this proposal was covering way too many things and it became unreliable — people realized that,” she said.

But Bradford’s biggest concern about the new constitution was that it did not address what she sees as Chile’s main issues. Specifically, Bradford said she was concerned about danger and crime in Chile, which she attributed to a lack of con trol over immigration.

“I still have all my extended family members (in Chile) and I hear every day what they’re suffering. And those real issues are not getting ad dressed,” she said.

She also opposed the idea of mak

ing the state “plurinacional,” which means recognizing the coexistence of multiple national groups within a country.

“We are a united country there. I don’t believe that we should start calling each other something differ ent,” she said.

For Romero, identifying the coun try as such was one of the biggest strengths of the draft. He said it was important to recognize indigenous nations.

“When we talk about ‘plurina cionalidad,’ we are talking about the recognition of their territory and their cultural autonomy, and that they are asking for the right to organize themselves in some way,” he said. “For me, that’s good. It’s the minimum that can be offered after years of colonization — the mini mum.”

Romero also applauded the draft’s inclusion of rights to healthcare and education.

“The right to health care exists in various countries, and it works well,” Romero said. “It’s the same with the right to education… The people ignore it because they simply haven’t lived (that) reality.”

Romero added that he thinks many people who voted against the new draft were influenced by misinfor mation campaigns about its con tents. Bradford said she knew people who read the draft itself and still rejected it.

Delightful di erences

For Bradford, the new constitution was not the right move for Chile. But in Romero’s eyes, there is still

hope for a new constitution in the future.

“The process isn’t over in Chile,” he said. “It’s a battle that was lost, but the people are going to continue fighting.”

Despite their differences, Romero and Bradford say they are close. Adding their parents, younger sister and extended family into the mix, they are surrounded by a wide range of political opinions.

“We tease each other, we laugh, but we know we’re not gonna change our views — and we don’t want to change our views,” Bradford said. “We accept each other how we are and we love each other regard less.”

She compared their political dif ferences to other differences she and her siblings have, such as the ways they like to relax and their tastes in music.

“You put priorities in life and fam ily’s the first priority. Love — love for your family,” she said.

According to Romero, his family’s differences represent the diversity that should exist in a healthy society.

“If I expect that all my friends think exactly the same as me, it will be me (who is) the problem,” he said.

Even when an entire new consti tution is on the line, he says differ ences are valuable.

“This is the base of a society, what society should be,” he said. “It’s a plus when you have a difference.”

Editor’s note: Some sections of this story have been translated from Spanish. Parts that remain in Span ish are designated with italics.

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Voting experts note state’s ‘Gold Standard’

BY VIGNESH RAMACHANDRAN COLORADO NEWS COLLABORATIVE

For 102 years, the League Of Women Voters has helped Americans understand how they can cast their vote in elections.

The nonpartisan organization has never en dorsed a political party or candidate, providing a valuable resource for voters of all political persua sions.

The Colorado News Collaborative is speaking with nonpartisan experts to help voters under stand more about the integrity of the vote as unfounded claims of voter fraud continue to run rampant ahead of November’s midterm election.

Beth Hendrix is executive director of the League of Women Voters of Colorado, which educates vot ers about the security and efficacy of Colorado’s election system. The group recently published a whitepaper breaking down the components of the state’s voting system to explain why it often is regarded as leading the nation. It also produced a nonpartisan guide to the 11 state issues on Colo rado’s ballot this year in English and Spanish.

This Q&A has been edited for clarity and length.

Some have said Colorado’s election system is better than those in all other states. Is that true?

Absolutely. We say [it’s the] gold standard. There are a few states that are close behind — Washing ton, Oregon. It’s always the Western states.

Why? Aren’t there aspects to Colorado’s election system that need improvements?

Here in Colorado, we’re doing pretty well. That said, we have people in our legislature that want to get rid of mail-in ballots and want to go back to voting only on Election Day because they feel that’s the only way it can be secure. I disagree. The League disagrees.

Other states are purging voter rolls, making it more difficult to vote, and that’s not happening in

Colorado, yet. We’re going to do everything we can to not allow it to happen.

We’re not resting on our laurels [in Colorado], but we’re good. We have a safe and secure and in novative system that’s ahead of any place else in the nation.

How hard would it be to defraud the vote in Colorado?

I think it would be pretty darn hard [to defraud the vote in Colorado].

I suppose that someone could take their spouse’s ballot and forge a signature, and then hope their spouse didn’t complain. But I don’t think it hap pens.

How can we trust that every vote gets counted in Colorado?

Counties have a small bit of variation, autonomy in how they do it. But generally speaking, a ballot is never alone with only one person. There are always at least two and usually a group of bipar tisan people. The number of safeguards is pretty extraordinary.

The complaint I hear most is that voter registra tion rolls aren’t up to date and that dead people still get ballots and things like that. I’m sure that does happen. But overall, Colorado keeps its voter registration rolls pretty well up-to-date — partner ing with the Postal Service for change of address, social security death index, the Electronic Regis tration Information Center (ERIC) to make sure people aren’t voting in other states.

Then there’s the ballot tracing. You can sign up very easily for ballot tracing. And you get a text when your ballot is opened, when it’s counted. So the process is very transparent, while maintaining security.

What are common misconceptions about Colorado’s election security?

The process is sometimes seen as more partisan than it is — that political parties have a say in the counting. And while the political parties have elec

tion judges there, it is bi-, tri- multi-partisan.

People [also] think that the process of counting ballots is up to just a small handful of people, it’s very secretive and nobody knows what’s going on. It’s just not true.

People don’t understand how easy it is to get involved in poll watching, if they so choose. A lot of people think that it’s a secretive, closed, nontransparent process, and that is not the case.

So, in addition to poll-watching, how can someone who is skeptical of the process better understand it?

Call your county clerk and ask for a tour, but it’s kind of a bad time of year to make that request. They’re getting threatened and harassed like never before. We just had to pass a law to protect election workers.

Are there other concerns you have about our democracy in Colorado?

People not being able to recognize opinion ver sus fact — looking at Tucker Carlson and Rachel Maddow as newscasters as opposed to opinioncasters. We’ve been trying to also put out informa tion about news literacy.

The League has used our volunteers as govern ment watchdogs and observers since our founding 102 years ago. We’re now expanding that to allow those trained observers to bolster local news, where there are news deserts. If there’s just one little newspaper with one reporter down in Cortez, and they can’t get to the city council meetings and the county commission meetings and the meeting of the water board … our observers are going to do that and report out about what happened at that meeting, if sunshine laws are being followed, if be havioral norms are being followed, things like that.

This story is brought to you by COLab, the Colo rado News Collaborative, a nonprofit coalition of more than 170 newsrooms across Colorado working together to better serve the public. Learn more at https://colabnews.co

But parents, teachers, and students are working hard to rebound, said Joyce Zurkowski, Colorado Department of Education chief assessment officer.

“There are some indications that things are on the way back up,” she said. “But there’s work to do.”

What is NAEP?

Mandated by Congress, the national assessment tests math and reading skills in fourth and eighth grades roughly every two years among a random sampling of students — about 450,000 students in 10,000 schools in 2022. The administrators break down scores by state and for select cities that vary with each test.

Denver was one of 26 urban districts that NAEP sampled last winter. Outside of those cities, NAEP does not issue district scores.

Unlike state exams, the NAEP tests are low stakes for students, teachers, and schools. But the NAEP test offers a valuable look at the progress of the nation.

“We knew results would reflect historic disruptions to schools,” said Peggy Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, which organizes the test. “NAEP results should give us all pause. They also remind us how essential schools are for our children and families.”

Colorado dip in math skills

The Colorado Measure of Aca-

demic Success, or CMAS, standardized tests show students recovering ground from 2021 but still below pre-pandemic levels in most cases. Similar to NAEP, the state’s test scores show particularly concerning drops in middle school math scores and draw attention to the impacts on students who transitioned to more complex material in a highly disrupted environment.

NAEP shows fourth grade Colorado math scores declined steeply.

Proficiency dropped by one-quarter, from about 44% of students in 2019 to 36% of students this year.

Eighth grade math proficiency fell by about the same proportion, from 37% of students in 2019 to 28% this year.

Colorado reading skills did not decline as much. On the fourthgrade test, 38% of students tested proficient, down from 40% in 2019.

In eighth grade, 34% of students tested proficient, compared with 38% in 2019.

In Denver, reading scores declined similarly. Fourth-grade proficiency scores fell from 32% to 29%, and eighth-grade scores fell from 29% to 28% — which may not be statisti-

cally significant — from 2019.

Denver fourth-grade math proficiency dipped from 35% of students in 2019 to 28% this year. Eighth grade proficiency also fell, from 29% in 2019 to 22% of students this year.

In both Colorado and Denver, Hispanic students experienced greater declines in most grades and subjects than did other student groups.

The pandemic pummeled Colorado’s Hispanic families, who have suffered higher death rates and more job losses. An estimated twothirds of Colorado children without internet access are Hispanic, and many of them had parents working essential jobs and who could not stay home with them.

Zurkowski said learning gaps among Hispanics remain an area of “significant concern.” The state has some of the largest gaps in the nation between Hispanic and white students.

Students faced many challenges during COVID

The pandemic imposed hardships and barriers to student learning: switches between remote and hybrid classes, quarantines and other disruptions, spotty internet access, and general instability. Students also experienced major stressors, like parents losing jobs and caregivers falling ill and dying.

Melissa Snyder, a Cherry Creek School District fourth grade teacher, said student absenteeism has soared since the start of the pandemic.

“There’s a lot of pieces to the puzzle,” said Snyder, who teaches at Pine Ridge Elementary. “Every-

thing with COVID is so much more complex.”

Lorelei Jackson, a Denver Language School eighth grade math teacher, said teachers had to choose which lessons to teach and students are missing skills they would normally have learned.

“We wanted to make sure that we were focusing on what was going to be the most impactful for students,” she said. And now, “we’re seeing those gaps.”

A Chalkbeat analysis found mixed evidence on the link between remote learning and changes in state test scores, with some correlation in math and fourth-grade reading but none in eighth-grade reading. More granular research has shown that students who experienced more virtual learning tended to fall further behind.

The Colorado education department didn’t require districts to report changes in learning mode, which sometimes varied weekly, but its staff did try to track who was in-person, remote, or hybrid using district websites and Facebook pages. Using state data, the COVID-19 School Data Hub estimates that Colorado students on average spent 28% of their time learning in person during the 202021 school year.

Melanie Asmar, Matt Barnum, and Erica Meltzer contributed to this report.

Jason Gonzales is a reporter covering higher education and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage. Contact Jason at jgonzales@chalkbeat.org.

The state’s standardized tests are being used as a measure to see how students are recovering from the pandemic.

IMAGE

Weld seeks help with cold case murder victim ID

Weld County sheriff’s deputies are looking for help in identifying a woman whose body was found Nov. 19, 1973, near Platteville. The body is part of a cold case murder investigation.

The skeletal remains of the white woman were found a half-mile north of the Highway 66 bridge over the St. Vrain River. The woman was likely between the ages of 23 and 25 when she died and stood roughly 5 feet 2 inches tall. She was discovered wearing a red, short-sleeved sweater and brown slacks with a 31-inch inseam and a 31-inch waist.

Detective Byron Kastilahn is working on the case and can be reached at 970400-2827. People can submit tips on scrimes through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com.

BRIEFS

‘High-Rise High Jinx’

Fort Lupton High School’s drama club will present “HighRise High Jinx,” a series of stories of “complex” comedy at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3, 4 and 5, in the school auditorium. Tickets are $5.

Voting closes rec center gym

The Fort Lupton Recreation Center gym is closed through Wednesday, Nov. 9, because of the midterm elections.

Turkey Trot

Brighton’s 38th annual Turkey Trot takes off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the pavilions outside the Brighton Recreation Center, 555 N. 11th Ave. The 5k run/walk is a Bolder Boulder qulaifier. First-, second- and third-place winners in each age division will receive prizes.

Early bird entry fees are $30 for adults and $20 for youth and seniors. Race day entry fees are $35 for adults and $25 for youth and seniors. Entry fees will include a T-shirt, breakfast, awards, prizes and drawings

Packet and bib pick-up will be Nov. 16 and 17 at the recreation center. Those who have not registered by Nov. 14 will have

to wait and pick up their bib on the day of the race.

To register, call 303-655-2200 or visit brightonco.gov/turkeytrot

Home tour

The Fort Lupton Historic Preservation Board presents its first historic home tour at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at City Hall, 130 S. McKinley Ave.

The tour takes in homes in the first and second Reynolds additions, most of which were built in the first half of the 20th century.

R.S.V.P. by calling 720.466.6111.

Splash for cash

The Fort Lupton rec center, 203 S. Harrison Ave., is hosting a splash for cash from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. It’s designed for fifth- to eighth-graders.

Check out the front desk or call 303-857-4200 for more information.

Copper Kettle clock giveaway

The Copper Kettle, 737 Denver Ave., is having its annual clock giveaway until Thursday, Dec. 22. Customers are entered into the drawing when ordering a meal. The clock is displayed on the wall in the restaurant.

Call 303-857-3981.

with a stunning performance wearing feather headdresses and colorful costumes representing Anahuac’s indigenous people. The ritual dance with repetitive rhythm and movement in a meditative state, communicating energy to god, is a form of prayer.

The Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrated its opening reception featuring a 70-piece art exhibit from local artists at The Armory Performance Arts Center on October 28.

The exhibit included a performance by a group of Aztec Dancers with music entertainment by a DJ and a poetry reading. The reception ended with a performance by Denverbased flamenco guitarist El Javi.

The family-friendly celebration featured face painting and decorating for all ages and tacos and free hot chocolate. Its exhibit is in collaboration with the Chicano Humanities & Art Council with support from the Brighton Arts Commission. The exhibition will be on display through November 16.

Weld County sheri ’s deputies need help in identifying this woman whose bodty was found near Platteville in November 1973. The photograph is a facial reconstruction completed by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation of the woman as she may have looked in 1973.

COURTESY WELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

El Javi from Mexico performing flamenco guitar music.

PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD

Ashley Chavira painted Calavera Skull has rhinestones with elaborate artistry.

Jamie Zerr-Lockwood, with her painting Eupholia, has been painting since she was a little girl. She is a volunteer for Eye on Art in Brighton at city hall. She is also on the Brighton Arts Commission.

Fort Lupton breaks .500 mark, turns back Faith Christian

BY 405948 SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

ARVADA -- It was a night for the Fort Lupton High School football team to celebrate.

Fort Lupton rallied to beat Faith Christian 34-21 on the Eagles’ field Oct. 28. The win was Fort Lupton’s fifth in nine starts, the first time in nine seasons that the Bluedevils posted a record that was better than .,500.,

What’s more, it gave the Bluedevils a chance at the postseason. Pairings are due Sunday, Oct. 30. The last time FLHS made the playoffs was 2013.

Quarterback Wil Alvarado completed 19 of 30 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns. He also scored two rushing touchdowns

and finished with 75 yards on 12 carries.

Anthony Blan-Mendenhall caught two of those scoring passes. He finished with seven catches for 150 yards. Joseph Gallegos caught six balls for 62 yards.

“We came out with a great game plan,” Alvarado said. “We were looking forward to everything. They (Faith Christian) showed pretty much the same looks in film.”

Kaidyn Taylor caught the other TD toss. He finished with two catches for 29 yards.

“The team worked as a unit. It’s something we haven’t been able to do in the past 10 years,” Taylor said. “It has to go to the seniors

Fort Lupton faces familiar foe in playo s

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The question before the board for the Fort Lupton High School soccer program is whether it can get past the second round of the state 3A playoffs.

The Bluedevils advanced to the second round for the third time in as many years Oct. 26 by beating Atlas Prep 6-2 on the Bluedevils’ pitch. Ginacarlo Mendez converted a pair of penalty kicks en route to a hat trick. Juan Hernandez added a pair of goals to the cause.

Two years ago, FLHS and Colorado Academy, this year’s opponent in the second round (the game was Nov. 1, after press time) went into overtime before the Mustangs won. Last year, the Bluedevils made it to the second round but came up short against Jefferson Academy.

The talk after the first-round win was of the win.

“It was an intense game that we

needed to win,” Mendez said. “I got a hat trick, which is amazing. All the goals I score are for my family and my team. But without the team, it wouldn’t have been possible.”

His first goal was a penalty kick and gave the Bluedevils the lead.

The Gryphon’s Noe Pelayo countered with a penalty-kick goal of his own a minute later. FLHS’ Caleb Adam scored on a free kick in the 38th minute, and Mendez lofted a shot over the defense for his second goal ion the 46th minute. Sixteen minutes later, Mendez completed his hat trick.

Pelayo scored on a penalty kick in the 67th minute. The Bluedevils’ Juan Hernandez scored twice in the last 11 minutes of play, including a penalty kick.

“This team has all my best friends that I grew up with,” Mendez said. “the chemistry is so good

Fort Lupton’s Jesse Ceretto goes after Faith Christian quarterback Jack Mauldin as Mauldin’s teammate, Dante Vigil, goes after some yardage during the first half of the teams’ game in Arvada Oct. 28.

PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH

Fort Lupton Giancarlo Mendez (14 ) is determined to get the ball while being defended by Atlas Preparatory School’s Carlos Vargas (11) during the first round of the state 3A playo s Oct. 26 in Fort Lupton. Mendez scored three times in the Bluedevils’ win.

PHOTO BY HECTOR LOPEZ

and the coaches. We were put behind the 8-ball. Coaches taught us some stuff we never knew. The seniors loved us. It’s the best senior class we’ve ever had.”

“These kids bought into our program,” said coach George Ramirez. “They wanted to change the culture. It’s all on the kids. I’m the lucky guy. I get to do Play Station with these kids. I let them have fun. I wanted to sell them what I had back in ‘92. That was the culture of being a winning program. It took all of me, and I think they bought in.”

Coaching carousel

Alvarado, who is a senior, and Taylor, who is a junior, played for three coaches.

“It’s been hard,” he said. “Our first (coach) was strictly run. That was hard. I didn’t get much playing time as a freshman. He was there for two years. Our next coach was decent, but he was strictly run. This offense is fun. This offense is exciting and enjoyable.”

“Every year, I’ve had to learn a new offense and a new defense. Every year,

it’s been in and out,” Taylor said. “This year, we’ve got coaches who live in the community.. We’ve got something that is going to stick.”

Early predictions

Alvarado said this year’s batch of upperclassmen talked about a playoff run this season.

“It’s been hard. I wasn’t supposed to come out because of a torn hamstring,” Alvarado said. “It all worked out. A lot surprised me. A lot of younger classmen stepped up, especially our line. Our line is really young. They really showed off this year.”

There were doubts at the beginning of the season.

The Weld Re-8 board of education singled out the program for potential elimination in the spring.

There was a new coaching staff, too.

“No. I didn’t think we’d get to 5-4,” Ramirez said.

“You don’t know what to expect. I’m a first-year coach, and you don’t know what kind of kids you’ve got. But I thought we could do better than three wins. That’s what we shot for. These kids are really resilient. Being around these kids is a blessing.”

“At the beginning of the season, none of us thought we were going to do so great,” Taylor said. “Play-

ers were debating coming out to play. We bought in. We came out 5-4, and it’s great to see.

“We bought into the

coaches and the mentality that this is for my city,” Taylor added. “This is for the whole city of Fort Lupton. It worked great.”

this year. It helps a lot. It keeps me motivated. It means a lot to me.”

Coach Kyle Reddy said the win lifted a weight off the team’s shoulders.

“We got seeded lower (16th) than we should have been. But we didn’t take care of league,” he said. “That’s the way things go. The boys came out angry. We have to prove to the state that we are a team to be reckoned with. Just because we’re a small 3A school in Fort Lupton doesn’t say anything. We can beat anybody in the state.”

FLHS improved to 11-5 this season.

“I don’t think we’ve seen our best game,” Reddy said. “It’s coming. When that happens, that will be the pinnacle point of our season. They scored a goal. We came back and scored a goal. We owned the game. The team camaraderie and the way we played? The boys are clicking.”

“This team has a lot of love and a lot of teamwork,” Mendez said. “That’s going to push us through.”

Fort Lupton’s Donovan Birmingham tries to haul down Faith Christian’s Sullivan Strange during the first half of the teams’ Oct. 28 game in Arvada.

PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH

Colorado won’t speed up air pollution fixes

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

The Air Quality Control Commission has declined to push for speeding up state plans to attack ozone and greenhouse gas pollution, despite another report from the Environmental Protection Agency that Colorado is falling behind on its own mandates.

Environmental groups and local officials demanded that the governor-appointed commission add new ozone and greenhouse gas regulations to get Colorado back on track. But the commission listened to updates from state agencies last week and avoided reconvening a strategy subcommittee that could recommend faster-acting policies.

“We have a process to get to a plan,” said Commissioner Elise Jones, usually the fiercest critic of the pace of state air pollution policy.

“I feel much better,” Jones said, after hearing state regulators list policy votes planned for 2022 and 2023 and a promise of new models showing the pollution cuts that various rules would deliver.

The AQCC had passed a resolution in 2020 saying that if emissions results showed Colorado getting off track of the goals, it would consider new actions to close the gap. Jones said Monday that new modeling of additional policy proposals’ impacts will allow the AQCC to get tougher actions on the vote calendar for 2023, beyond those already scheduled.

A coalition that had pressed for

faster action blasted what they see as the AQCC’s passive approach.

“No one from the Air Pollution Control Division, the Colorado Energy Office or elsewhere has answered the question of how they might meet 2025 emission reductions required by Colorado law,” said Chandler Green, a spokesperson for the Environmental Defense Fund and the broad coalition. The coalition wants the AQCC to consider new limits on oil and gas drilling and production, strategies for reducing miles driven by fossil fuel-powered vehicles, and an even faster schedule for retiring fossil fuel electricity plants.

The environmental coalition was hoping a new critical report from the EPA might give their arguments momentum at the AQCC’s monthly meeting.

The EPA’s state-by-state assessment of greenhouse emissions last year shows Colorado losing ground, similar to what state regulators reported to the AQCC earlier this year.

Major industrial emitters like power plants, refineries and cement producers in Colorado produced 42 million tons of greenhouse gases in 2021, up 5% from 40 million tons in 2020, the EPA’s tracker reported.

All it took for Colorado to see that setback to its greenhouse gas reduction was for the heavily polluting Comanche Generating Station to come back online.

“The grand champion worst polluter was the Comanche Power Plant near Pueblo at nearly 8 million tons of CO2, way up from its 2020 total

of about 4.5 million tons,” said Ted Zukoski, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity in Denver. “The Craig Power Plant in Moffat County was the second worst CO2 polluter at 7.8 million tons, up slightly from 2020.”

Coal-fired Comanche was offline much of the time in 2020 because of major operating problems, and ran more steadily in 2021.

A resurgence in fossil fuel electricity in 2021 and a boost in vehicle miles traveled also contributed to the state’s own accounting of falling behind on greenhouse gas reductions by 2025 and 2030, dates with mandatory cuts put in place by state lawmakers. State law requires a drop in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 benchmark levels of 26% by 2025 and 50% by 2030.

Yet the state’s latest inventory update showed Colorado will exceed those limits by 11.4 million tons of pollution in 2025, “even under optimistic estimates of what current policies and regulations will deliver,” the environmental coalition told the AQCC. The coalition includes 13 groups, among them Western Resource Advocates, Sierra Club of Colorado, Protegete, 350 Colorado and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

By the state’s count, the electricity generation and transportation sectors of the economy each put out 8 million tons of carbon dioxide above what the state had projected for 2021, the coalition noted. They also note that carbon dioxide emissions

are cumulative, with all the excess between now and 2025 adding to atmospheric totals that have already pushed up average temperatures in Colorado and the West.

A slate of local officials and activists implored the AQCC to act faster on both ozone and greenhouse gases during the public comments preceding the monthly meeting. The commission also heard the annual ozone update from state air pollution regulators concluding that Colorado continued to violate EPA limits on the respiratory toxin and cannot meet stricter regulations by a 2024 deadline.

“While we may not know all the acronyms, we know how our lungs feel; and we know about making the decision between going to work or getting lung damage,” said state Rep. Jennifer Bacon, a Denver Democrat who said she was speaking for the House Black and Latino caucuses.

High levels of lung-attacking ozone have “become a defining feature of Colorado’s Front Range,” said Tonya Briggs of the Lafayette City Council. The state is “putting residents in harm’s way” while waiting for the EPA to force Colorado into compliance, Briggs said. “My residents can’t wait another day.”

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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Colorado health insurance rates set to rise

BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN

Prices for people who buy health insurance on their own are set to increase next year in Colorado — but not quite by as much as initially proposed.

When insurers first filed rates with the state this summer, they requested an 11% increase in premium prices in the individual market, which is the category of the health insur ance market that covers people who buy insurance without help from an employer. In finalized rates released Tuesday, that increase had dropped to 10.4%.

In the small group market, where small companies buy insurance for their employees, premium prices are set to increase by an average of 7.4%. Insurers had originally requested a 9.2% increase.

Regulators at the state’s Division of Insurance must approve premium rates each year for the two markets, after examining whether the pro posed prices are reasonably sup ported by the market circumstances. Most of the time, that results in the final rates being lower than those initially proposed, though sometimes it goes in the other direction if the division finds that the proposed rates are not sustainable.

“The rate review team worked their magic like they do every year,” Mi chael Conway, Colorado’s insurance

commissioner, said in talking about the lower-than-initially-proposed increases in the final rates.

Limiting increases by slimming down profits

One way regulators reduced the proposed increases is by targeting insurers’ profit margins. When com panies file their proposed rates they have to include a breakdown of how they arrived at their figures — how much of the premium goes to paying for prescription drugs, how much for hospital care, how much for admin istrative costs, how much for profits, and so on.

Conway said regulators this year limited insurers to a 2% profit mar gin, which for some insurers brought down their overall increase.

“They worked on the profit mar gin in particular and got the health insurers to agree to reduce their profits,” Conway said, referring to his rate-review team.

How much insurers are increas ing their prices varies pretty widely. Kaiser Permanente, for instance, did not request a rate increase in the in dividual market, and Denver Health Medical Plans is set to drop its rates by 2.6%. But Friday, Health Plans will increase its rates by an average of 25.1%, which is actually more than the 24.2% increase initially proposed for the individual market. Cigna, Anthem and Rocky Mountain Health Plans all have increases that are

lower than what they proposed.

Why some people could end up paying less

For people in the individual mar ket, though, these rates are not neces sarily what they will pay for cover age. People who shop on the state’s health insurance exchange, Connect for Health Colorado, and who qualify for premium subsidies could end up paying a lot less.

The reason has to do with how the subsidies are calculated, Conway said. When premium rates go up, the value of the subsidies also goes up, meaning consumers have more power to effectively buy their pre mium rates down. On top of that, Congress extended the enhanced subsidies first made available in the pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act. That means a lot more people will be eligible for subsidies.

Conway said roughly 80% of the people who shop for individual health insurance on the state’s exchange are eligible for subsidies. And, for subsidy-eligible people in some parts of Colorado, the portion of their premiums that they pay is set to drop. Conway said that people in Summit County who receive subsidies and who auto-renew their existing plans could see what they pay for insurance premiums drop by up to 38%. That’s despite the underlying premiums in Summit County rising by an average of 8%.

As with previous years, Conway and other state officials say that consumers who are just shopping on price will likely be able to find less expensive options than what they currently have.

Did the Colorado Option succeed? It’s a muddle.

Next year also marks the rollout of the Colorado Option, the much-touted initiative backed by Gov. Jared Polis to create a government-designed health insurance plan that is sold by private insurance companies. The standardized Colorado Option plan requires certain basic benefits — like $0 primary care and mental health care visits — while also requiring insurers to sell the plan at progres sively lower prices.

So, did it work?

To Conway, the answer is yes. In a news release, the Division of Insur ance said consumers will be able “to collectively save $14.7 million by shopping and choosing the lowest cost Colorado Option plan in their preferred metal tier (bronze, silver or gold).”

The division also said that consum ers in all but one county will be able to buy Colorado Option plans at the gold, silver and bronze levels that are at or below the average price for plans in those respective tiers. In Jackson County, only the silver level will have a Colorado Option plan at or below average price.

Metro

Budget Hearings

Public Notice

Notice of Budget Hearing for the Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District

Frederick, Colorado - Notice is hereby given that pursuant to 29-1-105 and 106, C.R.S., a Budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District on October 12, 2022 for the ensuing year of 2023. A copy of said budget has been filed in the Carbon Valley Recreation Center, located at 701 5th Street, Frederick, Colorado, where said budget is open for public inspection between the hours of 5:30 AM and 9:00 PM, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, on Saturday, and Sunday 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. A copy of said budget has been filed in the Carbon Valley Gym nastics Center, located at 6615 Frederick Way, Frederick, Colorado, where said budget is open for public inspection between the hours of 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and 9:00 AM through 1:00 PM on Saturday. A copy of said budget has been filed in the Carbon Valley Active Adult Center, located at 6615 Frederick Way, Frederick, Colorado, where said budget is open for public inspection between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The budget will also be available for inspection on the District website at http://www.cvprd.com/2181/Budget.

The Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District’s Board of Directors will consider the adoption of the 2023 Budget during a Public Hearing at their Regu lar Board

on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, to be held at the Carbon Valley Active Adult Center, located at 6615 Frederick Way.

ested elector within the Carbon Valley Parks

Recreation District

the

VINCENT

METROPOLITAN

NOTICE is hereby given to all interested parties that (1) the necessity has arisen to amend the District’s 2022 Budget; (2) that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the District for the ensuing year of 2023; (3) that cop ies of such 2022 amended budget and proposed 2023 budget have been filed in the office of the District’s accountant at Simmons & Wheeler, P.C., 304 Inverness Way South, Suite 490, Englewood, Colorado, where the same are open for public inspection; and (4) that approval of a Resolution to Amend the 2022 Budget and approval of a Resolution to Adopt Budget and Appropriate Funds for 2023 will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89167159037; Webinar ID: 891 6715 9037; or join by phone (719) 359 4580, on November, 9, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Any eligible elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final approval of the Resolution to Amend the 2022 Budget and the approval of the Resolution to Adopt Budget for 2023, inspect the budgets and file or register any objections thereto.

VINCENT VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By:/s/ O. Karl Kasch President

Last Publication: November 3, 2022 Publisher:

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT

NOTICE is hereby given that Morgan Hill Metro politan District No. 3 of Weld County, Colorado, will make final payment at 2500 Arapahoe Av enue, Suite 220, Boulder, Colorado, on Monday, November 21, 2022, at the hour of 12:00 p.m. to the following Contractors:

Lawson Construction of Longmont, Colorado, Hirschfeld Backhoe & Pipeline of Frederick, Colo rado, Asphalt Specialties of Henderson, Colorado for all work done by said contractors in construc tion or work on the Morgan Hill Filing 2 District Onsites, Morgan Hill Filing 2 Irrigation Ditch and the Morgan Hill Filing 2 County Road 3 projects located in the County of Weld, State of Colorado. Any person, co-partnership, association of per sons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provi sions, provender, or other supplies used or con sumed 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 Morgan Hill Metropolitan District No. 3 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 state ment of claim prior to such final settlement will release Morgan Hill Metropolitan District No. 3, its directors, officers, agents, and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MORGAN HILL METROPOLITAN

By: Jon R. Lee President of the Board

Fort Lupton

Private Legals

Commencing on October 27, 2022, and con tinuing through April 30, 2023, UNITED POWER, INC. (hereafter “United Power” or “the cooperative”), will make a final attempt to pay the unclaimed retirements of capital credits to its former members who were served by the cooperative prior to and through December 31, 2018. This notice does not apply to current United Power members. Representatives for the estates of deceased former members may also apply for unclaimed retired capital credits on behalf of the former member. Former members, or their repre sentatives, who may be eligible to receive these unclaimed retired capital credits can access a list of eligible accounts at the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.com, or in person at United Power’s headquarters office located at 500 Coop erative Way in Brighton, Colorado.

Former members or their representatives who may be eligible to receive a payment of unclaimed retired capital credits must complete and submit an Unclaimed Retired Capital Credits Refund Request form (available at www.unitedpower.com) and verify all necessary information to ensure their eligibility for payment. A copy of the Unclaimed Retired Capital Credits Refund Request form may also be requested by emailing capitalcredits@ unitedpower.com or by calling United Power’s Member Services line at 303-637-1300.

Submitting an Unclaimed Retired Capital Credits Refund Request form does not guarantee a disbursement will be made; proper documenta tion and valid proof of membership during the applicable time period is required. No refund checks will be issued for unclaimed retirement

amounts below $5.00. Unclaimed retired capital credit refunds can be donated to the United Power Round Up Foundation, which provides assistance to community organizations within the coopera tive’s service territory. After the notification period closes on April 28, 2023, all unclaimed retired capital credits for the applicable time period will be considered an assignment and contribution of capital to United Power.

Additional questions about this notice and unclaimed retired capital credit refunds should be directed to United Power Member Services at 303-637-1300 or by email to capitalcredits@ unitedpower.com

UNITED POWER, INC.

By: /s/Mark A. Gabriel President & CEO

Legal Notice No. FLP720

First Publication: October 27, 2022

Last Publication: November 3, 2022

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Notice to Creditors

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Virginia L. Olson. a/k/a Virginia Louise Olson a/k/a Virginia Olson , Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 30579

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 March 3, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Steven H. Olson and Jill O. Glaser Personal Representatives 1897 Oak Creek Drive Greenwood Village, CO 80121

Legal Notice No. FLP736

First Publication: November 3, 2022

Last Publication: November 17, 2022

Fort Lupton Press