Fort Lupton Press 122922

Small drop unlikely to reverse skyrocketing home prices

THE SEASON FOR SHARING

Sellers,

buyers play waiting game

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Danielle and Stephan Storinsky “saw the writing on the wall.” It foretold how the housing market might change. So, earlier this year,

the married couple sold their Arvada townhome.

ey timed it just right. ey capitalized before concerns about in ation took center stage. ey sold their home when the metro area was gripped by historically high housing prices.

ey bought their townhome about ve years ago for $285,000. ey sold for $521,000. “ at part’s pretty nice because

now we have a decent amount of money to put down on something,” Stephan Storinsky said. But now, on the other side of cashing in, they nd themselves playing a waiting game. Even with the tidy pro t they hauled in, they are struggling to nd a home at a good value.  Houses on the market today “are just not worth the price that people are asking,” said Stephan Storinsky. e couple are living with parents,

LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT

constantly keeping their eyes open for a good deal.

e couple isn’t alone. While the number of available metro area houses shot upward in a year, so has the number of days those homes are sitting on the market until they sell, according to the latest report by the Colorado Association of Realtors.

Group A strep causing concerns in Denver metro area

Complicates trifecta of viruses

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With a trifecta of illnesses already hitting the Front Range hard with spikes in COVID, RSV and the u, state health o cials are now concerned with the increasing number of group A strep cases in children.

Brian Spencer, with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, said the state health department is closely monitoring the increase in pediatric hospitalizations caused by group A strep.

Businesses, homes honored for Christmas light displays

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Copper Kettle Kitchen took top Christmas decorating honors for its display featuring whimsical

Christmas storybook characters while a Kahil Street home was picked for its light-covered roof in Fort Lupton’s annual Holiday Lighting Contest.

e city and the Fort Lupton

Chamber of Commerce combine in the annual contest that put a grade to the city’s best holiday displays.

Group A strep is a bacteria that can cause many di erent infections. Group A strep infections most commonly cause sore throat, a mild and common condition that doctors say can be easily treated. While rare, group A strep infections may be severe and cause diseases like pneumonia, sepsis, toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis.

“We are working with hospital partners in a coordinating role to ensure resources are available for those who need them,” Spencer said in the Dec. 15 news release.

The residential first-place winner is the house on 442 Kahil St.

COURTESY OF FORT LUPTON CHAMBER

One sign of the cooling real estate market are For Sale signs outside homes, an indication realtors are no longer overwhelmed by prospective clients.

e shift comes as mortgage rates — the amount of interest people pay on their home loans — ticked steadily upwards in recent months, making housing that’s been rising in price for the better part of a decade even costlier. e only light at the end of the tunnel lately could be a slight drop in interest rates. But a drop in home prices might not be in the cards, one metro-area realtor says.

“I think it’ll be a small increase throughout the rst half of the year and then potentially a small decrease the last half of the year,” said Andrew Abrams, a real-estate broker in Denver who has rental properties in Je erson County.

But, overall, home prices are expected to keep going up, Abrams said.

As it is, the market is stagnating. Not only are there buyers like the Storinskys playing a waiting game, but many prospective sellers don’t want to leave behind the cheaper mortgage payments they clinched before, likely on mortgage loans with lower interest rates.

“Sellers are hesitant to sell at a lower price than their neighbors from last spring and leave their low interest rate behind, and buyers are afraid what the future will bring in terms of interest rates and home

Protect financial accounts from “cyberthieves”

Cybercrime is booming. Last year, cybercriminals scammed nearly $7 billion from Americans, according to the FBI. How can you protect yourself from cyberthieves?

Here are a few tips to consider: First of all, watch out for “phishing” attempts in the form of emails that appear to be from a legitimate firm, requesting information your financial institution would never request online — account number, password, and so on.

And speaking of passwords, think about changing them regularly. You can make it easier on yourself by using password management software.

Here’s another suggestion: Try to avoid using public computers or devices that aren’t yours to access your financial accounts. If you do use another computer, clear your browsing history after you log out of your account.

Also, keep a close eye on your account activity and statements. If you see mistakes or unauthorized activity in your account, contact your financial institution immediately.

Advanced technology has brought many benefits, but also many more opportunities for financial crimes. By taking the above steps, and others that may be needed, you can go a long way toward defending yourself against persistent and clever cyberthieves.

prices,” opined Kelly Moye, a Realtor in the Boulder and Broom eld area, in a statement.

A short break in price hikes

A deeper dive into the data shows that the median, or typical, price of a Denver area single-family home has seen a seven-month decline.

e price sat at $587,500 in November — still eye-catchingly high, but just a 1.3% increase from a year earlier, according to the Realtor association’s December report.

By contrast, in December 2021, the change in median home price was up a whopping 18.3% from a year earlier.

Something to keep in mind is that fall months typically see a slowdown in price growth and home sales each year. But the degree of the slowdown since March “has been more dramatic than normal seasonality, and I think that is dictated by interest rates,” Abrams said.

It’s a calculation that means big changes for families looking to buy homes. Take, for example, a $600,000 home with a 20% down payment.

If the mortgage interest rate sits at 6.5%, the family’s monthly mortgage payment would be about $3,700, Abrams said. On the other hand, at the 3.5% rate locked in by buyers in years past, the mortgage monthly payment would be $2,800.

Feeling priced out

And so the Storinskys’ strategy to cash out while the market was at a high has come with a down side. ey were “originally looking at around $650,000, but interest rates the way they are, we’re probably down into the max $600,000. But probably, more realistically, $550,000 to $575,000 is where we’ll end up,” Stephan Storinsky said. e Storinskys are scouring the north and west metro area for a home – Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge and part of Westminster.

Danielle Storinsky, 31, a legal assistant, and Stephan Storinsky, 35, a utilities technician, said they’ve been more fortunate than many people in the market.

But the homes he and his wife have seen don’t seem worth it. e listed pictures of a place may “look great,” but in person leave something to be desired, he said.

“I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve seen what houses have sold for,” Stephan Storinsky said. “So for me, it’s just not worth it.”

“It’s hard to compete with people from out of state who come from California” and bring large sums of cash, he added. “Seems like you’re pricing the locals out of market.”

e Colorado Association of Realtors de nes the seven-county Denver metro area as Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broom eld, Denver, Douglas and Je erson counties. e association’s latest report is based on November data.

Long-term price drop unlikely, Realtor says Abrams takes issue with predictions that raise the specter of a housing market crash.

“I disagree pretty strongly, and I think the practices that were done before the Great Recession are dramatically di erent than the market today,” Abrams said, adding that “the lending practices back then were just not nearly as strong.”

Before the Great Recession, banks

were giving loans to people they knew couldn’t keep up with them, Abrams said.

Another di erence: Fewer houses are on the market today, Abrams said.

In metro Denver, there were about 7,300 homes on the market as of Nov. 1, but in 2006, there were about 3 1/2 times more homes available, Abrams said. ough it’s tough to predict the

over in a-

rates, the metro Denver housing market

way in

market amid concerns

tion and interest

could behave in a more stabilized

2023.

A sign calls attention to a home for sale Dec. 5 in southeast Denver.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

New homes in Elbert County are shown on the county’s website, where a notice is posted seeking a consultant to assess the county’s housing needs.

PHOTO FROM ELBERT COUNTY WEBSITE

‘I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve seen what houses have sold for. So for me, it’s just not worth it.’

Stephan Storinsky

Several houses and businesses participated in lighting up properties with enormous displays.

In past years, the city councilors and mayor have been the judges for the annual contest. For 2022, the chamber took on that role. is year’s judges were chamber members Kristel Acre, Brian Biehm, and Jen Bell.

e Copper Kettle Kitchen took home the rst-place business award with whimsical Christmas storybook characters. Coyote Creek Golf Course lit up the green winning second place business award with a colorful light display.

e residential rst-place honors went to the house on 442 Kahil St., with lights covering the roof with Santa Clauses and the Grinch stealing the show. Second place residential winner is the house at 2235 Coyote Creek Dr., with colorful lights trimming the house, tree, and driveway with frosty snowmen, the Grinch and a reindeer display.

e residential Mayor’s choice award went to the house at 1125 Birch Ave,. lit up with candy canes, Santa on a motorcycle, and trees trimmed with colorful lighting.

SEASONS GREETINGS

Free transportation for the 60-plus Weld residents

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Weld County seniors will have an easier time getting to the grocer, doctor visits and other errands next year as a new transit program debuts, e Board of County Commissioners approved the new public service program that provides free transportation for underserved 60-plus rural Weld County residents. e service is available to seniors living outside Greeley, Longmont, Brighton, and Firestone. e services provided are through the Community Development Block Grant program.

“ is agreement between the county and 60+ Ride marks a vital milestone for this project,” Commissioner Chair Scott James said.

e 60-plus ride provides transportation for Weld County older adults, the elderly, and the disabled to medical appoint-

ments, grocery stores, bank and government institutions, social events, and more. ADA van drivers will be hired to pick up residents, according to o cials.

“60+ Ride has been providing innovative comprehensive care that goes above and beyond transportation,” said Commissioner Lori Saine. “ ey provide a connection for communities, especially seniors aging in place. is newest program adds to their capacity to provide more services to our communities with additional needs.”

According to o cials, the board approved the project for $68,775 for services running from December 2022 to May 2023. e larger cities have funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to optout of participation in the Weld County community block grant program. e City of Firestone is already using the community block grant funding for its VIa Mobility Services.

You Can Help Families Stay Warm This Winter

Energy insecurity a ects more than 1 million Coloradans.

By supporting Energy Outreach Colorado with a gift today, more of our neighbors in need will have a place to turn for help.

You can give the gift of warmth at www.energyoutreach.org/donate

The Copper Kettle Kitchen, won the first-place business award.

Second place residential winner is the house at 2235 Coyote Creek Dr. COURTESY OF FORT LUPTON CHAMBER

Coyote Creek Golf Course lit up the green winning second place business award.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Fort Lupton Public Library sta and volunteers gather around Santa Claus Dec. 3 at the library’s Cookies and Cocoa event. The event brought kids to Fort Lupton for an early chance to meet with Santa.

SAMANTHA MARKEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Flu cases, hospitalizations on the rise

O cials push for vaccinations

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Flu cases are on the rise, and according to state health o cials, hospitalizations are higher this year than they have been in the past 10 years. e surge has a variety of causes, including people not getting the u shot as consistently as in past years.

Dr. Ben Usatch, UCHealth ER director at Highlands Ranch Hospital, said COVID vaccinations brought on this onslaught of “mixed emotions” that resulted in other annual shots being a ected — u shots being one of them.

“ e bottom line is u vaccines are the best protection to get through the season,” Usatch said. “ ey do not hit the target right on the head, but they make a big di erence.”

In reality, said Dr. Reginald Washington, HealthOne chief medical o cer for Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Hospital and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, with all the u strains, the vaccine’s e ectiveness is between 50% and 70%. But even with those odds, people fare better through the season with the shot that has nothing to do with COVID.

“Flu vaccines are not 100% e ective,” Washington said, “they never have been. is year, it is 70% e ective. People are just tired of being told to get a vaccine. But it does need to be updated every year.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Prevention (CDC), recent studies show that getting a u vaccination can reduce the risk of u illness between 40% and 60% during u season.

STREP

FROM PAGE 1

According to the state health department, two school-age children with group A strep died in the Denver metro since Nov. 1.

e total number of invasive group A strep cases reported in Colorado among pediatric patients since Nov. 1 is now 11. Typically, Spencer said there are one or two cases reported per month in patients under 18 years old.

Local health o cials are concerned because kids and adults can get strep along with other viral respiratory illnesses like COVID, u and RSV at the same time.

While strep is a common infection kids get each year, Dr. Sam Dominguez, an infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, said 2022 has seen a higher number of “invasive” cases of bacterial infections.

“It is common and easy to treat,” he said. “ e invasive cases are relatively rare to see.”

For health o cials at local hospitals and clinics, this is another complication to an already stressed system dealing with higher-thanusual cases of RSV in children along

Even with the vaccination burnout, Colorado residents have already exceeded last year’s u-shot numbers, according to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, with 1.68 million getting the u shot. Last year at the same time, 1.66 million were vaccinated. Still hospitalizations are increasing and health o cials say people are not getting the shot at rates they did before the COVID pandemic.

Brian Spencer, with the state health department, provided data showing that pre-pandemic numbers had higher rates of vaccinations in Colorado. During the 2018-19 u season, 1.9 million got the u shot. In 2019-20 just over 2.1 million got the annual shot.

“In some states, u cases and hospitalizations are at their highest marks since the H1N1 u pandemic back in 2009,” said Dr. Eric France, chief medical o cer of the state health department. “Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. Flu vaccines are the best way to prevent spreading the u to people who are most at risk, including older adults, young children, people who are pregnant, and people with certain chronic health conditions.”

According to the state health department, it can take up to two weeks for the shot to be fully e ective, which means during holiday gatherings this month, the unvaccinated can spread the u faster.

On a national level, the CDC reported at least 13 million have had the u already this year, with 120,000 hospitalized. ere are more than 7,300 deaths reported.

According to state health data, cases in Colorado include:

• ere were 306 people hospitalized with in uenza during the week ending Dec. 3, for a total of 952 people hospitalized with u since Oct. 2.

• ere have been 1,700 RSV-associated hospitalizations in the vecounty Denver metro area, which includes Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, Je erson and Douglas counties, since Oct 1.

e state health department recommends:

• Adults 65 years and older should get one of three speci c u vaccine types. If one of these three products is not available, people aged 65 years and older can get any other age-appropriate in uenza vaccine. People can talk to their doctors about which vaccine is best for them.

• Children younger than 9 years old who are either getting the u vaccine for the rst time or have only previously received one dose of the vaccine should get two doses of the vaccine. e second dose should be given at least 28 days after the rst dose.

• Pregnant women have more serious complications if they get the u. e u vaccine can be given in any trimester of pregnancy.

Highlands Ranch hospital is receiving an over ow of young patients.

“We will de nitely take them, happy to do it,” he said. “With adults and kids, we are seeing the big three — COVID, RSV and u cases are running rampant. With young patients, management is di erent and you have to make di erent decisions.”

Currently, Usatch said the hospital is lucky if they do not see more than 18 respiratory cases in the emergency department per day.

HealthOne Chief Medical O cer Reginald Washington said he has seen the e ects of the current season at both the adult and children’s level.

Medicare, Medicaid, CHP+, and most private health insurers cover the full cost of the u vaccine. Coloradans without health insurance can still get the u vaccine for free at certain health care providers. Call ahead or schedule online with your local pharmacy or health care clinic to make an appointment for the u vaccine.

With the trifecta of COVID, RSV and u cases increasing, Dr. Sam Dominguez, the infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, said children should not only get updated u vaccinations but should also have the COVID and chickenpox vaccinations.

With RSV and group A strep cases increasing, Dominguez advised parents that being fully vaccinated and keeping kids home when sick will help decrease illness this season.

Washington said besides vaccinations, practicing good hygiene in washing hands and getting tested for COVID, RSV and the u when symptoms are persistent is important.

toms and if anything is suspected, get them tested.

Washington said there is a speci c test to diagnose all current viruses spreading across the Front Range. While there are not as many treatments for respiratory viruses, Washington said the sooner a patient is diagnosed with strep the better, because the disease is treatable and requires antibiotics.

Local health o cials said there are some unusual circumstances that could be causing the increased rate of illness this year. ose circumstances are three years in the making as the pandemic pushed society to wear masks to decrease the spread of COVID.

with u and COVID cases increasing.

In November, Children’s Hospital sounded alarms about the unseasonably high rate of RSV cases, noting that hospital beds were in short supply because of the severity of the respiratory virus.

Dr. Ben Usatch, the UCHealth ER director at the Highlands Ranch hospital, said his doctors and sta have treated more younger patients this year than they are accustomed to.

With the Children’s Hospital south campus just across the street, Usatch said as they have lled up beds, the

Washington, who serves adults at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s and children at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, said hospitals experience the trifecta of illnesses every year. is year, he said, is raising more concern as cases and hospitalizations are higher.

Washington said while treatable, u, COVID and RSV have similar symptoms to strep, which means kids and adults could have strep along with another virus.

With u and RSV season starting earlier than usual, local health ofcials said it is important for parents to be cognizant of a child’s symp-

Now, masks are o and some kids are being exposed to viruses and infections for the rst time and their immune systems are not used to it.

While there is no vaccine to prevent group A strep, the state health department said there are steps that parents, guardians and caregivers (including child care facilities) in Colorado can take to help protect children and families.

Washington and Dominguez said children should be up to date with COVID-19, u, and chickenpox vaccines, as getting these infections can increase risk for acquiring a group A strep infection.

Flu vaccinations still have not gone back to pre-pandemic numbers and cases and hospitalizations are increasing.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Besides RSV, COVID and the flu- Health o cials are now concerned with the increase in group A strep cases along the Front Range. SHUTTERSTOCK

Dec. 3

Two Fort Lupton juvenile males ages 14 & 15 were arrested in the 600 block of McKinley for felony menacing and underage possession of cannabis and alcohol. Both were held on bond at the Prairie Vista Juvenile Detention Center. An Aurora man, 35, was arrested at U.S. State Highway & Mile Marker 241 for DUI and other traffic offenses. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Dec. 4

Police arrested a Lakewood man, 29, in the 800 block of Denver Avenue on a DUI, protection order violation and speeding. He was held

BRIEFS

Copper Kettle clock giveaway

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

Copper Kettle Family Christmas

Join the Copper Kettle in its efforts to help the less fortunate this Christmas.

e restaurant, 737 Denver Ave., will serve free meals to the homeless, less fortunate, the elderly and the lonely from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve. e menu includes a beverage (co ee, tea, water), ham, turkey, stu ng, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, a roll with butter and a slice of pumplin pie with whipped cream

Donations from businesses are welcome. Volunteers are needed. Call 303-857-3981.

ONGOING

Splash pad

e city of Fort Lupton is searching for comments about and sponsorships for a new splash pad.

Sponsor funds will be used for the splash park and amenities. Call 303857-6694

Donation time

e Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank is asking for donations of canned fruits and nuts, varieties of dry pasta and pasta dinners, peanut butter and canned meat such as tuna (including the pouches).

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

Drop o 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.

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. is is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for

on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Police took a Fort Lupton woman, 28, into custody in the 800 block of West 38 th Avenue on a Weld County warrant for aggravated assault, weapons violation and reckless endangerment and child abuse. She was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

A Fort Lupton man, 37, was arrested in the 1400 block of Ninth Street on a Weld County warrant for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of probation. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Dec. 5

Summit Bodyworks reported a burglary and theft in the 13000 block of Weld County Road 8. The case was under investigation.

A Fort Lupton woman, 43, reported her car stolen in the 200 block of South Grand Avenue.

Dec. 6

Police issued a summons to a Brighton man, 42, for causing a careless driving accident at U.S. Highway 85 & Weld County Road 18.

Police arrested a Fort Lupton man, 44, in the

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 fun talk.

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 303-7184440. Mail donations to Blessings in a Bag, 306 Park Ave., Fort Lupton 80621.

Drop-in child care

e Fort Lupton Recreation Center o ers drop-in child care from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and ursdays. Call 303-857-4200.

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 ursday. Call 303-857-4200, ext. 6166.

Co ee group

Fort Lupton’s weekly co ee group sessions are at 8 a.m. Wednesdays. Call 303-857-4200.

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.

Water aerobics

e city’s water aerobics class meets from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays and ursdays at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave. Call 303-857-4200.

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.

Craft classes

Monthly craft classes through the Fort Lupton Recreation Center (203 S. Harrison Ave.) are available. Call 303857-4200, ext. 6166 with questions.

Free

400 block of Sunrise Court for domestic violence assault protection order violation charges. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Police issued a summons to a Fort Lupton man, 29, for a harassment complaint in the 600 block of South Grand Avenue.

Dec. 7

A Fort Lupton man, 30, was arrested in the 600 block of 14 th Street on a Weld County warrant for failure to appear in multiple traffic offenses, including eluding. He was held on bond at the Weld County Jail.

Dec. 8

A 14-year-old teenager was issued a summons in the 500 block of Reynolds Street for possession of marijuana by an underage person.

Dec. 9

A Thornton man, 63, reported his license plates stolen from his 2000 Ford pickup in the 1200 block of Denver Avenue. The case was under investigation.

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.

Warm line up and running

Community Reach Center is o ering a warm line (303-280-6602) for those who want to talk to mental-

health professionals about anxiety, lack of sleep and strained relationships, among other topics. e professionals can facilitate referrals to other programs for assistance.

e line is not for crisis intervention. ose feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services (1-844-493-8255) or text 38255 or visit the Behavioral Urgent Care Center, 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster.

Brighton’s community intake location is at 1850 E. Egbert St., on the second oor. It’s open from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays.

Here are the police reports for Dec. 3 to Dec. 9 to the Fort Lupton Police Department. Not every call made to the police is not listed on this report.

VOICES

Last chance this year to make a di erence

Iwould bet that everyone likes to help others, and no one likes to pay taxes. Well now is your chance to do both. ere are only a few more days left to leave an impact of those in need and reduce your income tax liability for 2022.

Picking out your favorite charity is the easy part. Now you get to determine how best to bene t from choosing the right amount, asset and process.

In a perfect world, we would donate regardless of a tax deduction, but it may also be helpful to be aware of what savings you can create as a result of your philanthropy.

First, identify what type of donation is best for you. e charity will bene t regardless of whether you donate cash, stocks, mutual funds, or a car. e charity can turn anything into cash tax free. erefore, if you have an appreci-

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

ated asset, such as shares of a stock or mutual fund, it is best to donate the shares rather than sell rst. is way you can avoid paying capital gains tax on the investment. e charity does not have to pay capital gains tax.

Next, determine whether you are eligible to take a tax deduction for your donation. If you can itemize, perhaps due to high medical expenses, mortgage interest and property tax, then your charitable deduction can be added to your itemized deductions. Unfortunately, the $300 per person deduction without itemizing ended in 2021 and is no longer available. If you don’t exceed the standard

deduction, then work with your advisor to consider bunching deductions. is is where you double up on charitable gifts in one year and then take a year o donating and use the standard deduction in those alternate years.

e standard deduction for 2022 is $12,950 for single lers ($13,850 in 2023) and $25,900 for joint lers ($27,700 in 2023). If you can’t exceed these amounts on your Schedule A, you will need to beef up your charitable contributions in certain years in order to itemize.

You may also consider contributing to a donor-advised fund (DAF), where you can contribute appreciated shares of a business or investment without paying tax on the gain. Once this asset resides in the DAF, you have the rest of your life to distribute to your favorite charities as you wish. erefore, if you have a large asset you would like to

donate and take the deduction all in one year, this strategy could be a good t for you.

Retirees over age 70 1/2 are eligible to take up to $100,000 out of their pre-tax retirement plan or IRA and gift directly to a charity through a quali ed charitable distribution (QCD) and still not have to itemize.

ere may be other year-end strategies you can bene t from, such as tax-loss harvesting, maximizing your retirement contributions, or converting some of your pre-tax IRA or 401(k) to a Roth. Consider meeting with your advisor early in 2023 to start planning for next year as well.

Patricia Kummer has been a Certi ed Financial Planner professional and a duciary for over 35 years and is Managing Director for Mariner Wealth Advisors.

Behind every door is opportunity for change

La st week I was speaking with the CEO of one of our customers and he shared with me that although he has been in his role for almost two years, he feels like every door he opens presents itself with an opportunity for improvement. And although he was referring to the areas of his business, it made we wonder if the rest of us maybe looked for doors to open where we could also make improvements personally or professionally.

This time of year, I have often written about goal setting and goal achievement in the past as New Year’s Eve in all its New Year’s resolution splendor calls for us to think about what we may want to change, do differently, do better, or improve. Some take this time very seriously and have a well thought out and balanced plan for how they are going to enter the year, start strong and finish even stronger. Others take a more casual approach, maybe even waiting right up unto the clock strikes midnight before declaring their resolution.

And then there are those of us

WINNING

who simply do not believe in the nonsense of New Year’s resolutions — if we are going to make changes and improvements, we just get it done on our time and when we are good and ready.

Let’s revisit what my customer shared about opening doors and finding opportunities to improve. What would it look like if we put some intentionality behind this year’s game plan for our lives, goal setting, or business planning? Looking at all doors, every area of our personal and professional life, to identify areas that if we made some level of improvement, that it would bring us greater joy, success, wealth, vitality, or help to get us in better shape physically, mentally, or spiritually.

Maybe we start by looking to open those doors that we haven’t opened in a long time. As a matter of fact, these doors have remained locked for so long that we must give them a firm tug to

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher

LUPTON

A

Contact us: 143 S. Second Pl., Brighton, CO 80401 - 303-566-4100

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: FtLuptonPress.com To subscribe call 303-566-4100

lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SCOTT TAYLOR Metro North Editor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

BELEN WARD Community Editor bward@coloradocommunitymedia.com

pry them open. These are those doors to opportunities that we have always known we should have opened long ago, but we made the decision to focus on those other areas of our lives to make changes to instead. Or our desire to change gave way to laziness, and then laziness gave way to procrastination, and procrastination eventually led to defeat.

Next, we can start with those doors of opportunities for change that we opened last year, last month, last week, or even yesterday and then for whatever reason we closed them. We had an inspiring or motivating moment, we opened the door, saw an area of life or work that we wanted to improve, and we may have even started before closing the door again. These are the easiest doors to open and re-explore as they once had our attention and intention to want to change. Something we wanted to start doing or maybe even something we wanted to stop doing, and those feelings are probably still in our hearts and top of mind.

The first doors were those hard ones, the second doors were the easy ones, and now here are the

STEVE SMITH Sports Editor ssmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TERESA ALEXIS Marketing Consultant Classified Sales talexis@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

most intriguing doors. These are the doors of opportunity we have yet to think about. Behind these doors lie untapped potential, new and creative ideas, bold steps, and big goals. By opening these doors, we become energized with new direction, inspired by what we see, and motivated by what we might become along the route of this journey.

Are there doors that are rusted shut, needing to be pried open? Are there doors that could be opened quite easily getting you back on track? Are there doors waiting for you to open, those doors of opportunity that could lead you to bigger and brighter goals and change? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can place intentionality behind seeking opportunity behind all these doors, 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.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Press. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.

Fort Lupton Press (USPS 205880) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Ft. Lupton, Colorado, Fort Lupton Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton CO 80601. .

PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT Ft. Lupton and additional mailing o ces.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Fort Lupton Press, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

Denver Giving Machines o er way to help

BY JEREMY MOORE ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

A bank of four red vending machines near the 16th Street Mall invites pedestrians to buy a winter coat, art supplies, lumber or a tower of lettuce for someone who needs help.

ose gifts are just a few of the many practical items shown on cards inside the vending machines that have taken the place of more familiar choices like snacks or drinks. e transaction is also familiar: each item has a number to be entered on a touchscreen. e donor swipes a credit card or uses mobile pay, and the item falls to the bottom.  e di erence is the cards pile up and are not immediately removed.  e machines keep a running total of all purchases with the money going directly to each charity.

“ e idea is to create a link between the giver and the recipient,” said Amy Johnson, who is on the organizing committee for Giving Machines sponsored by e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “And giving a tangible item,

Our Family Helping

knowing exactly what you’re giving, is what creates that emotional link.” e machines have returned to Denver’s Writer Square (at the corner of Larimer and 15th Street) each November since 2019.  ey are part of the Church’s annual Light the World holiday initiative.  e rst machines appeared in Salt Lake City in 2017.  is year, the machines can be found in 28 locations around the world.

“ e idea is to give as Jesus gave, one person at a time,” Johnson explained. “And so, the team was trying to come up with a simple, familiar way to give in a transactional way. So, they thought, what’s easier than a vending machine?”

In Denver, this year’s machines bene t eight charities, three of which operate globally:

• A Precious Child assists children and families facing di cult life challenges such as abuse and neglect, crisis situations and poverty.

• Doctors Care is dedicated to improving health access for low-income individuals in the South Metro Denver area.

• Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver builds strength, stability and self-reliance through a ordable housing.

• Metro Caring provides nutritious food while addressing the root causes of hunger.

• Village Exchange Center serves immigrants and refugees through community connection.

• iDE Global creates livelihood opportunities for poor rural households.

• Mentors International transforms generational poverty into sustainable self-reliance.

• Water for People makes highquality drinking water and sanitation accessible to all.

Each charity has identi ed the things people need most, resulting in 30 items ranging from ducks to diapers, gardening tools to groceries, lettuce to lumber. Prices range from $3 (soap for one school) to $250 (community garden). Donors can purchase multiple items in a single transaction up to $3,000.

“ e best stories are when the kids come with their allowance and choose an item for $5 or $10,” Johnson said. “It’s an unusual, unique way to help children, for example, learn to give.”

e Church covers all the costs of the machines and credit card fees. So, none of the money donated goes to overhead.

“My favorite stories are the people who come who’ve bene ted from these charities in the past,” Johnson said. “Now they have a little bit of money and they can give back.”

Donations are eligible for tax deductions and may also be eligible for employer matching programs. Receipts are available by text or email.

Denver’s Giving Machines operate 24/7, anksgiving through New Year’s Day. Volunteers are typically near the machines daily from noon to 8 p.m.

is story is from Rocky Mountain PBS, a nonpro t public broadcaster providing community stories across Colorado over the air and online. Used by permission. For more, and to support Rocky Mountain PBS, visit rmpbs.org.

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

William Matthes Steele was born October 26, 1931, and died December 12, 2022. He was raised in Idaho by a tight- sted father and a loving, warm mother. We gure someone did something right (most likely his mother) because William grew up to be a man who loved unconditionally, forgave easily, and loved heartily.

Bill, as he was known to most everyone, became a pilot for Continental Airlines and traveled the world where he learned countless shortcuts to almost everywhere. e straight road was never taken because that left turn meant he could most likely miss a few stop signs or at least a school zone. An avid golfer, he let his children and grandchildren drive the carts and drink unlimited amounts of soda. He single-handedly supported the supply chain for Dr. Pepper in the state of Texas for the last half of the previous century until his healthcare providers begged him to stop.

He was a handsome, tall man and Bill found lasting love with Anne Steele in 1978. Bill’s children from his rst marriage, George Steele, Robert Steele, and Lisa Leeser were in attendance along with Anne’s children Daphne Lowe and Jane Steele. eir marriage was full of ne friends, fabulous dinners, and amazing adventures for 44 years. He leaves us with 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He also dearly loved his

ex-son-in-law Oscar Leeser and his other son-in-law Michael Heitz was also sometimes liked.

Bill loved football, favoring the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. He read the paper every morning in bed and watched the news every night. If he couldn’t watch PBS’s News Hour it was a bad day. But no one ever knew when Bill had bad days. He rarely, if ever complained, instead adopting trademark phrases like, “ e alternative is much worse” or “Well there you go” which many of his family found frustrating, but indeed he was frustratingly always right. If advice from Bill was given, 98% of the time it was correct.

William Steele walked tall, golfed fairly, and cared immensely. He cared about children, the environment, his family, the democratic party, his car, his beloved Kindle (thanks Amazon), growing and eating fresh tomatoes and most importantly, fairness. at simple concept was really how he lived his life to the fullest. If someone failed or disappointed him, he didn’t berate them or belittle them.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 am, ursday, December 22 at Sunset Funeral Homes West. 480 North Resler, El Paso, TX.

In lieu of owers, the family asks that a donation be made in his honor to PBS El Paso…and Bill would like to ask PBS to stop the damned pledge drives, please.

STEELE William Steele October 26, 1931 - December 12, 2022

Giving Machines return to Denver’s Writer Square at the corner of Larimer and 15th. COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Loveland Ski Area partnered with the Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project to get fifth-graders onto the ski slopes

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Coloradans can always look to the west and see the mountains in the distance, but for some who live in the inner cities of Colorado, actually getting to the mountains can be a bigger task. irty- ve fth-graders hit the slopes in Loveland for the rst time on Dec. 13, some even experiencing the mountains for the rst time.

Students from Laredo Elementary School in Aurora came to Loveland Ski Area to ski with professional skier and Snow Sports Hall of Fame inductee Chris Anthony.

Anthony has been working with kids for many years and has hosted his youth program at Loveland for the past three.

e Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project works to improve the lives of kids through educational enrichment. One of the ways the foundation does this is by busing classes of fth-graders out to Loveland ski area to spend a day learning to ski.

Anthony’s foundation pays for the bus, winter clothes, ski rentals and passes for the children to come experience the slopes. Most kids who come have never skied, and some have never spent time in the mountains despite living in Colorado.

Peter Zola is the teacher for the fth-graders at Laredo Elementary School.

“Every year we have at least two or three kids who have spent most of their life out on the plains in sight of the mountains but never in the mountains,” Zola said.

Zola has been taking his class to ski for eight years and said he always sees great behavior out of his students during this trip. He attributes that success to the active learning the kids get to see and experience on the mountain.

Anthony sees kids get o the bus with a wide range of emotions, from excitement to nervousness for the day. After a day on the slopes, he sees a common thread between all of them.

“No matter what, at the end of the day, all of them, you can see a bright light ignited in the process,” Anthony said.

Some of the kids were star-struck upon seeing Anthony, one even asking the hall of famer to sign his lunchbox.

After donning their coats and dancing out the

morning jitters, the fth-graders were ready to go get tted for skis.

irty- ve fth-graders getting tted for boots, skis and helmets all at the same time was a bit chaotic, but the sta ers at Loveland have done this before. e kids buzzed with excitement and quickly learned about the cumbersome feeling of ski boots.

After getting their skis ready to go, the kids

Loveland saw flurries all day while the kids skied.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE

FROM

headed out to the snow with the instructors. ey learned how to put on their skis and quickly learned how to get up after they inevitably fell down.

Dan Huston is the director of the ski and ride school at Loveland. He said one of the biggest barriers for people being able to ski is location/ transportation.

“ e mountains and ski areas usually aren’t very close to urban population centers. We’re unique in that we are 56 miles from Denver,” he said.

After working with the program for a few years, Huston knows the impact it has on kids.

“ ey’re gonna remember this for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Mailene Hernandez, one of the fth-graders on the trip, had a lot to say about the day. She said the bus ride to the ski area was full of mixed emotions, but mostly excitement.

“It was a little bit chaotic, but it was good,” Hernandez said. “I was

kinda feeling excited and nervous at the same time.”

Hernandez took to the sport easily and said the process of getting into her skis was pretty natural.

“While I was putting them on I guess I felt a little wobbly, but it was pretty easy,” she said.

Hernandez also had some advice for other kids who might be learning to ski for the rst time.

“It’s really a fun experience, but I do recommend having some ski clothes because of how cold it is, and because you’re going to fall,” she said.

She also went on to say how much of a blessing Chris Anthony was to her class and how happy she was that they even got the opportunity to come.

After lunch, the kids got their skis back on and some of them graduated from the Magic Carpet over to the ski lift. Skiing down the hill was a good opportunity to work on turns and pizza wedges for the fthgraders.

Anthony himself skied along with the kids throughout the day, helping to pick them up when they fell. His presence made the day even more

exciting for the kids, with high- ves all around.

Hernandez and other students

agreed that if they had the opportunity to ski again, they would denitely take it.

Recommendations for the next great book read

BY COLORADO SUN STAFF THE COLORADO SUN

Each week as part of SunLit — e Colorado Sun’s literature section — sta recommendations from book stores across Colorado are provided. is week, sta from BookBar in Denver recommend “ e Last Chairlift,” “Home Is Where the Eggs Are,” “Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties” and “ e Complete Brambly Hedge.”

The Last Chairlift

By John Irving Simon and Schuster $38

From the publisher: In Aspen, Colorado, in 1941, Rachel Brewster is a slalom skier at the National Downhill and Slalom Championships. Little Ray, as she is called, nishes nowhere near the podium, but she manages to get pregnant. Back home, in New England, Little Ray becomes a ski instructor. Her son, Adam, grows up in a family that de es conventions and evades questions concerning the eventful past. Years later, looking for answers, Adam will go to Aspen. In the Hotel Jerome, where he was conceived, Adam will meet some ghosts. ey aren’t the rst or the last ghosts he sees.

From Marilyn Robbins, Children’s Program Coordinator: ere is nothing as satisfying as reading a long novel that you can really delve into and feel as though you’ve become part of the story. “ e Last Chairlift” is just such a story and is truly another Irving masterpiece. It’s lled with unconventional characters that might challenge you until you come to accept the life choices each character makes. It is a story of family, of love, of acceptance. e setting of Aspen, Colorado is an added bonus.

Home Is Where the Eggs Are

By Molly Yeh HarperCollins

$32.50

From the publisher: is is a beautiful, intimate book full of food that’s best enjoyed in the comfort of sweatpants and third-day hair, by a beloved Food Network host and new mom living on a sugar beet farm in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Molly Yeh’s cooking is built to t into life with her baby and the nap times, diaper changes, and wiggle time that come with having a young child, making them a breeze to t into any sort of schedule, no matter how busy.

ey’re low-maintenance dishes that are satisfying to make for weeknight meals to celebrate empty to-do lists after long work days, cozy Sunday soups to simmer during the rst (or seventh!) snowfall of the year, and desserts that will keep happily under the cake dome for long enough that you will never feel pressure to share.

From Becky LeJeune, Event Buyer/ O ce Manager: I adore Molly Yeh! Her optimism and overall happy demeanor carry over into her dishes and are something I aspire to in my everyday life. And I think if I cook out of this book constantly, I might be able to make that happen! Cozy and comforting is rule of thumb in this book. And ease as well. Whether you’re making a hot dish or a halvaor tahini-tinged baked item or pasta, everything I’ve tried so far is amazing. is is de nitely another favorite and one that’ll be getting heavy use in my house!

Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties

By Kellye Crocker Albert Whitman & Company $17.99

From the publisher: Anxiety has always made Ava avoid the slightest risk, but plunging head rst into danger might be just what she needs. Dad hasn’t even been dating his new girlfriend that long, so Ava is sure that nothing has to change in her life. at is, until the day after sixth grade

ends, when Dad whisks her away on vacation to meet e Girlfriend and her daughter in terrifying Colorado, where even the squirrels can kill you! Managing her anxiety, avoiding altitude sickness, and surviving the mountains might take all of Ava’s strength, but at least this trip will only last two weeks. Right?

From Marilyn Robbins, Children’s Program Coordinator: I waited all year for my favorite middle grade novel, and this is it! “Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties” is the gem you’ve been looking for, perfect for the middle grade reader in your life (or you … it’s that good). You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, you’ll cheer, and you will de nitely fall in love with Ava as she navigates her trip to Colorado to meet Dad’s new girlfriend. is book is delightful and full of heart.

The Complete Brambly Hedge

By Jill Barklem

HarperCollins Publishers

$24.99

From the publisher: e mice of Brambly Hedge made their rst appearance in 1980 when the four seasonal stories were published. Ever since, readers have loved exploring

the miniature world of the hedgerow and meeting the families that live there. In this collection the mice have many adventures, but they always have time for fun and relaxation, too. Whatever the season, and whether they are by the sea, in the High Hills, or simply at home by the re, there is always someone ready to lend a helping hand.

From Moira Brownwolfe, Backlist Bookbuyer: e classic British children’s series is complete in this one volume. If you grew up with Redwall but your kids aren’t quite old enough for it, try this adorable slice of life about mice living in fully furnished tree homes. Packed with lovely illustrations, this collection is the perfect gift for a cozy holiday season. And if you like the books, also check out the delightful stop-motion television adaptations from 1996.

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

Chris Anthony rode the lift with the kids up the hill.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE

Thu 12/29

Basketball "Warm Up" Camp - EP

@ 3:30pm

Dec 29th - Dec 30th

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 East Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

DJI Robomaster: An Introduction

@ 4pm

Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 East 120th Avenue, Thornton. mhibben @anythinklibraries.org, 303-4053200

Sarah Slaton: Writers Round: A Youth On Record Bene�t Show @ 6pm

Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver

Justus and the Limits @ 6pm

New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden

KGNU Presents: WhiteWater Ramble @ Nissi's @ 6:30pm

Nissi's Entertainment Venue & Event Cen‐ter, 1455 Coal Creek Dr unit t, Lafayette Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings @ 7pm / $84-$999 Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

Elf: The Musical @ 7pm / $10-$25 The Unitiive Theatre previously The LoCol Theatre, 800 South Hover Road, Longmont

Fri 12/30

Book Bingo - December

@ 12am

Dec 30th - Dec 29th

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 East Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760 Crafty Corner @ Eagle Pointe Candle Making (12/30) @ 5pm Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 East Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Noon Year's Eve Celebration @ 10:30am

Anythink Brighton, 327 East Bridge Street, Brighton. rbowman @anythinklibraries.org, 303-4053200

Colorado Avalanche vs. Toronto Maple Leafs @ 5pm / $94-$999 Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

Colorado

Discovery Kids- Ice and Snow @ 9pm

Jan 3rd - Jan 26th

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

SoccerTykes - Tigers - 4 to 5 years old

@ 9:30pm Jan 3rd - Feb 21st

Boulder Indoor Soccer, 3203 Pearl St, Boulder. 303-440-0809

Sports Conditioning Jan. @ 10pm

Jan 3rd - Jan 26th

Fort Lupton Recreation & Parks De‐partment, 203 S Harrison, Fort Lupton. 303-857-4200

Wed 1/04

Keith Oxman

@ 6:30pm

Dazzle Denver, 1512 Curtis St, Denver

World Class Train Series- The Royal Canadian Paci�c (1/4) @ 8pm

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Thu 1/05

Family Makerspace @ 1am

Jan 5th - Jan 4th

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

Parent/Tot - Lets Learn the Alphabet (Bilingual) @ 4pm

Jan 5th - Jan 26th

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Dr., Commerce City. 303-2893760

JumpBunch- Fitness Fun for Tots @ 5pm

Jan 5th - Jan 26th

Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-2893760

Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers @ 8pm / $12-$3410

Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver

powered by

TRIVIA

1. TELEVISION: What is the name of the next-door neighbor on TV’s sitcom “Home Improvement”?

LITERATURE: Which war was the setting for Anthony Doerr’s novel “All the Light We Cannot See”?

MUSIC: Who wrote the song “All Along the Watchtower,” performed by Jimi Hendrix?

GEOGRAPHY: When is Earth Day celebrated each year?

HISTORY: Which two citystates fought the Peloponnesian War?

MEDICAL TERMS: What is a common name for the disorder called sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia?

ASTRONOMY: Where is the Oort Cloud in space?

GEOMETRY: How many sides does a nonagon have?

FOOD & DRINK: What’s another name for egg white?

10. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: How large is the Times Square ball that drops at midnight on New Year’s Eve? Answers 1. Wilson. 2. WWII. 3. Bob Dylan. 4. April 22. 5. Athens and Sparta. 6. Brain freeze. 7. The most distant region in our solar system, beyond the Kuiper Belt. 8. Nine. 9. Albumen. 10. 12 feet in diameter. (c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

Careers

Help Wanted

Office position with computer and accounting knowledge. Full time, 4 to 5 days. Contact Jim or Deron, 303-857-2750. Send resume to jim@houseofsmokeinc.com.

Market Place

Merchandise

Health & Beauty

DENTAL INSURANCE -

Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurancenot a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258.

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS!

50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol

Medical

Attention oxygen therapy users!

Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-929-9587

Miscellaneous

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800245-0398

Attention Homeowners! If you have water damage and need cleanup services, call us! We’ll get in & work with your insurance agency to get your home repaired and your life back to normal ASAP! 855-7677031

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-6101936

!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! GIBSON, FENDER, MARTIN, etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. TOP DOLLAR PAID.

CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-433-8277

Switch and save up to $250/yr on talk, text & data. No contract or hidden fees. Unlimited talk & text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time get $50 off any new account. Use code GIFT50. 1-855-903-3048

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855-948-6176

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author`s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

If you’ve got the drive and the passion, together we can take your career farther than you’ve ever imagined. We are building a sales team that will be the face of the changing media landscape. We are looking for people who are excited to represent our emerging brands and our trusted, traditional ones too. Join our team, working a mix in our Englewood, Evergreen or Brighton offices and remote. If you’re as passionate as we are about our mission to grow and engage our community, please apply. CCM offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision and paid holiday, vacation, sick and personal time. As an added bonus, you’ll office less than 90 minutes from the best Colorado has to offer in outdoor recreation.

Visit ccmcorporate.com for more information.

Please apply by sending your letter of interest and resume to Erin Addenbrooke eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Miscellaneous

DISH TV $64.99 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR included, Free Voice remote. Some Restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866-479-1516.

Beltone Hearing Aids. Voted #1 hearing Care retailer. Rechargeable, weather & sweatproof. Easily connect music, audio & calls to your hearing aids. Starting at $799. Call today & get 25% off plus a free cleaning kit with purchase. Expires 3/31/2023. Call 1-866-625-4985

HughesNet– Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

FREE $20 Cash App Everyone! Yes It’s Real. Very Limited supply until we run out! Go to Free20Now. com

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service.

Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-4171306

Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom! 1-833-758-3892

Miscellaneous

Caring for an aging loved one? Wondering about options like seniorliving communities and in-home care? Caring.com’s Family Advisors help take the guesswork out of senior care for your family. Free, noobligation consult: 1-855-759-1407

The Generac PWRcell solar plus battery storage system. Save money, reduce reliance on grid, prepare for outages & power your home. Full installation services. $0 down financing option. Request free no obligation quote. 1-877-539-0299

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888489-3936

Referee protection, pay scale on CHSAA’s agenda

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e decision-making arm of the Colorado High School Activities Association will take up protection of and payment for game o cials next month.

e legislative council meeting is set for Jan. 24 at the DTC Marriott.

e proposed bylaw change applies to verbal assaults or threats to game o cials. If approved, the commissioners will work with school administrators to take necessary actions that could include banning individuals from school and CHSAA events.

Referee pay is also on the minds of CHSAA’s budget committee. Its proposal is to freeze membership and participation dues to promote an increased o cials’ fee proposal, something CHSAANow.com calls a “substantial” increase in fees across all sports over the next three years.

If approved, most o cials’ pay would increase $10 per game between now and the 2024 school year. An exception is a two-man crew for soccer. ose fees would increase $20 per game.

ere’s also a proposal to increase the mileage reimbursement for ofcials to 50 cents per mile for travel

more than 20 miles away for 2023. at rate would increase to 55 cents a mile in the 2024 school year and 60 cents a mile in the 2025 school year.

ere are proposals to change the Sunday no-contact rule, courtesy of the CHSAA board of directors and the Continental League. e board wants to allow high-school coaches who also coach club ball to have contact with their high-school students during the o season. e league’s idea would allow all high-school coaches to coach their students on Sundays outside of the competitive season.

If approved, CHSAANow.com said, it would be the largest change to the no-contact rule.

Another hot-button item for CHSAA is the transfer rule for athletes. At present, students who transfer to schools where their club coaches are coaching can play on non-varsity teams for all sports they played during the last 365 years. Four leagues would like to change that to apply to non-varsity teams that the club coach was associated with, not all sports.

CHSAA’s football committee wants to bring back the so-called “zero” week (starting the season one week early) with certain criteria. Wrestling teams may get an extra two tournament dates during the regular season.

equates to 113.061 acres, more or less.

Legals

Metropolitan Districts

Public Notice

Notice of Public Hearing on Petition

for

Inclusion Of Real Property into Recreation District

Frederick, Colorado - PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that at 6:30 PM on January 18, 2023 the Board of Directors of the CARBON VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION DISTRICT will hold a public hearing to consider a Petition of Inclusion by COTTONWOOD HOLLOW to be included into the Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District’s boundaries with the following legal description of real property:

LEGAL DESCRIPTION – Commence at the South quarter corner of Section 11, Township 2 North, Range 68 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian; thence along the East line of the Southwest quarter of said Section 11, North 00°08’1o• West for 50.00 feet to the Southeast corner of said Tract B and the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence along the South line of said Tract B, South 89°59’06” West for 682.48 feet to the Southwest corner of said Tract B, thence along the West line of said Tract B the following eight courses, North 00°16’41” West for 498.19 feet to the point of curvature of a tangent curve to the left, having a radius of 1320.00 feet, a central angle of 10°45’40”, and a length of 247.92 feet, thence North 11°02’21” West for 772.76 feet to the point of curvature of a tangent curve to the right, having a radius of 1080.35 feet, a central angle of 10°45’36” and a length of 202.89 feet, thence North 00°16’45” West for 386.59 feet to the point of curvature of a tangent curve to the right, having a radius of 1015.00 feet, a central angle of 15°26’16”, and a length of 273.48 feet, thence North 15°09’31” East for 102.77 feet to the point of tangent curve to the left, having a radius of 1135.00 feet, a central angle of 07°54’30”, and a length of 156.66 feet to the Northwest corner of said Tract B and the North line of the East half of said Southwest quarter of Section 11, thence along the North line of said Tract B and said North line of the East half, South 89°54’11” East for 189.95 feet to the Northeast comer of said Tract B, thence along the East line of said Tract B, being common with the West line of Tract C of said Cottonwood Hollow, Filing 2 the following twelve courses, South 00°06’23” West for 52.53 feet, South 88°02’47” East for 90.63

PARCEL2

TRACT E, TRACT H, TRACT J, TRACT Q,TRACT R, TRACT S, TRACT T, OF COTTONWOOD HOLLOW, FILING 1 as recorded by Reception Number 4485833, Public Records of Weld County, Colorado. Together with;

TRACT A, OF COTTONWOOD HOLLOW, FILING 5 as recorded by Reception Number 4495015, Public Records of Weld County, Colorado.

Together with; Unplatted lands, being a portion of lands as described in the Special Warranty Deed as recorded at Reception Number 4694069, Public Records of Weld County, Colorado, located in a portion of the Northeast quarter of Section 14, Township 2 North, Range 68 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian.

The overall perimeter of said Tracts and said Unplatted lands being more particularly described as follows:

Commence at the North quarter corner of Section 14, Township 2 North, Range 68 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian; thence along the West line of said Northeast quarter of Section 14, South 00°08’08” East for 50.00 feet to the Northwest corner of said Tract H and the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence along the North line of said Tract H, South 89°56’22” East for 261.82 feet to the Southeast corner of Tract L of said Cottonwood Hollow, Filing 1; thence along the East line of said Tract L, North 00°03’42” East for 20.00 feet to the South right of way line of Sable Avenue as recorded in Book 86 at Page 275, Reception Number 2707028, Public Records of Weld County, Colorado; thence along said south right of way line, South 89°56’16”

East for 1047.21 feet to the East line of the West half of said Northeast quarter of Section 14; thence along the East line of the West half of the Northeast quarter, South 00°19’08” East for 2624.05 feet to the Southeast corner of said West half of the Northeast quarter; thence along the South line of said West half of the Northeast quarter, South 89°54’18” West for 708.83 feet to the Southeast corner of said Tract S; thence along the South line of said Tract Sand continuing along said South line of the West half of the Northeast quarter, South 89°54’18” West for 552.17 feet to the West line of said Tract S; thence along said West line of Tract S, North 29°05’10” West for 217.63 feet to the South corner of said Tract E, and the point of curvature of a tangent curve to the left along the West line of said Tract E, having a radius of 1135.00 feet, a central angle of 17°12’19”, and a length of 340.83 feet; thence continuing along said West line of Tract S, North 46°17’29” West for 198.75 feet to the Southwest corner of said Tract R; thence along the West of line of said Tract R, North 46°17’29” West for 72.79 feet to the point of curvature of a tangent curve to the right continuing along said West line of Tract R, having radius of 1015.00 feet, a central angle of 28°14’55”, and a length of 500.43 feet to the Southwest corner of said Tract Q, and the point of curvature of a compound curve to the right along the West line of said Tract a, having a radius of 1015.00 feet, a central angle of 02°56’32”, and a length of 52.12 feet to the Northwest corner of said Tract Q, and the Southwest corner of said Tract A, and the point of curvature of a compound curve to the right along the West line of said Tract A, having a radius of 1015.00 feet, a central angle of 14°39’23”, and a length of 259.64 feet; thence continuing along said West line ofTract A the following five courses, North 00°26’38” West for 314.08 feet to the point of curvature of a tangent curve to the right, having a radius of 1015.00 feet, a central angle of 11°25’12”, and a length of 202.30 feet; thence North 10°58’33” East for 225.17 feet to the point of curvature of a tangent curve to the left, having a radius of 1135.00 feet, a central angle of 11°15’14”, and a length of 222.94 feet; thence North 00°16’41” West for 116.85 feet to the South corner of said Tract T; thence along the West line of said Tract T, North 00°16’41” West for 140.20 feet to the Southwest corner of said Tract J, and the point of curvature of a tangent curve to the right along the West line of said Tract J, having a radius of 20.00 feet, a central angle of 90°00’04”, and a length of 31.51 feet; thence along the North line of said Tract J, North 89°59’06” East for 662.14 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.

Said lands contain 4,924,936 square feet, which

The public hearing will be held at the Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District Active Adult Center located at 6615 Frederick Way, Frederick, Colorado, January 18, 2023 at 6:30 PM. Questions prior to the public meeting should be directed to Bryan Hostetler, Business and Finance Director, (303) 833-3660 Ext. 104.

All interested persons, municipalities or counties that may be able to provide service to the real property, shall appear at the public hearing and show cause, in writing, why the Board of Directors of the Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District should/should not adopt a final resolution and order approving the inclusion of the aboveidentified real property. The Board of Directors may continue the public hearing to a subsequent meeting. The failure of any person within the Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District to file a written objection shall be taken as an assent on his or her part to the inclusion of the property.

Dean Rummel, Executive Director

Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District

For more information or to view Petitions for Inclusion, please contact Bryan Hostetler at bhostetler@cvprd.com.

All Applications must be received by the District on or before 4:00 p.m. (MST) on Thursday, January 12, 2023 (“ Submission Deadline ”). Applications received after the Submission Deadline will not be considered. Applications must be submitted by email to Gary Cahill at the following email address: cahill@dunakilly. com. The subject line for the email must state: “Prequalification Application Submission –Station #5”.

Contractors are solely responsible for ensuring that their emailed Applications have been received by the District. The District will not search for emailed Applications that are not delivered or are delivered to “spam” or “junk” folders. Contractors may contact Gary Cahill at 720.346.8377 to confirm that their emailed Application has been received. Contractors preparing and submitting an Application do so solely at their own expense.

Each Application must conform and be responsive to the standard application form provided by the District. Any deviation from the standard application form or failure to provide the required information may be considered nonresponsive and grounds for disqualification and rejection of the Application in the District’s sole discretion. The District has the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any or all Applications and to waive any irregularities in any Application received. The District also has the right to modify or terminate this selection process or the Project any time in its sole discretion. Submitted Applications become the District’s property and will be considered public records within the meaning of the Colorado Open Records Act, unless a general contractor conspicuously labels the portion(s) of its Application that it deems confidential and proprietary as “Confidential and Proprietary”, and separates such materials from the rest of the Application. The general contractor is solely responsible for all costs incurred in preparing and submitting an Application.

Legal Notice No. FLP767

First Publication: December 29, 2022

Last Publication: January 12,, 2023

Publisher: Fort Lupton Press

Copies of the Petition and the legal description of the property is subject to the above-mentioned inclusion may be obtained from Bryan Hostetler, 8350 County Rd. 13, Suite 180, Firestone, Colorado.

Referee Bob Pace of Colorado Springs conducts the coin toss before a 5A playo game between Mountain Vista and Legacy at Five Star North Stadium Nov. 6. FILE PHOTO

Community colleges double graduation rates

Schools find success by meeting student needs

BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

Colorado’s community colleges more than doubled their graduation rates from 2015 to 2020 by focusing on student support in and out of the classroom, according to a study released Tuesday. e Colorado Community College System’s graduation rates rose to 31% from 15% ve years earlier, according to the report by Complete College America that details four- and two-year college graduation rates at states, systems, and jurisdictions that are members of the organization. e nonpro t organization advocates for states and college systems to focus on improving graduation rates; the report cites the challenges schools face to graduate more students.

Graduation rates improved among students from all backgrounds, including Black and Hispanic students who graduate at lower rates than their peers.

Meanwhile, at four-year colleges, Colorado’s schools improved graduation rates to 35% during the same time period — up from 33%.

Complete College America leaders attribute increases at two-year colleges to the state changing how it o ers remedial education, a better focus on supporting students who face life challenges, and more academic advising.

“Colorado really went all in as much as possible,” said Charles Ansell, vice president for research, policy, and advocacy at Complete College of America

Joe Garcia, Colorado Community College System chancellor, said the shift began in the last decade because the state focused less on enrolling students and more on getting them to graduate.

Associate degrees earned at two-year community colleges give students the necessary skills for jobs in internet technology, healthcare, or energy production. Some students also transfer to four-year colleges and continue their education.

e state reformed remedial education programs so students could do college-level coursework without paying extra for classes that don’t get them credit toward graduation. Instead, students now learn college algebra or English skills through tutoring or additional class time while they’re in a class that leads to credit.

Ansell said the practice is good for students because it ends up reinforcing lessons. And it doesn’t damage student morale by making them take a class that doesn’t earn them credit. at keeps students enrolled, Ansell said.

Remedial classes “end up being a real downer because you’re told you’re college material and then the rst thing that you’re told is you have to take the classes that you just took in high school,” Ansell said.

e college system has also emphasized ensuring students have basic needs met. More community colleges have food pantries or step in when students face housing insecurity.

And the community college system has ramped up advising over the years so students can see a path toward a degree, Garcia said. e system has streamlined course catalogs, which Garcia said were overly confusing and caused students to take classes that didn’t connect to their eventual career goals.

e state has more work to do, Garcia said. In the last two years, community college leaders have expanded degree programs that allow community college students to easily enroll in four-year colleges. One example is a recent engineering partnership with the Colorado School of Mines. Ansell said the state will also need to increase support for basic needs or other challenges

students are facing by placing more funding into those programs, especially because the pandemic has changed whether students decide to go to college.

More students of color are choosing not to enroll in college, Garcia said. Since the pandemic, more students are choosing to work or don’t enroll because they worry about college costs. at’s contributed to a dip in community college enrollment that hasn’t recovered since the start of the pandemic. And fewer students are taking classes full time and instead opting to go to school part time, Garcia said.

e Complete College of America report shows students who don’t take classes full time have a tougher time graduating.

“What all of us in higher education are worried about right now is losing ground we fought so hard to gain over the last 10 years,” Garcia said.

is story is from Chalkbeat Colorado, a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools. Used by permission. For more, and to support Chalkbeat, visit co.chalkbeat.org.

Students listen in during an English class at Arapahoe Community College.

FILE PHOTO BY ROBERT TANN