Week of June 16, 2022
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
HighlandsRanchHerald.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 30
VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 28
Poll finds lack of support for school funding Committee recommends board ask in November anyway BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A poll of Douglas County voters showed that less than 40% of the community is willing to approve new funding measures for the
school district in an election this November. But an ad hoc committee formed to explore the issue thinks the school board should still try. “We cannot guarantee that a bond in 2022 and a mill in 2022 will pass. As a matter of fact there is a significant chance that it will not,” said Brad Geiger, a committee member who presented the findings to the school board. “But if we don’t do it now, when do we?” The 22-person Mill Bond Explor-
atory Committee, made up of what the group calls “multi-partisan” members, outlined several urgent funding needs for the district, including building maintenance, expansion of schools, competitive compensation, staffing shortages and security measures. “I’m not going to tell you that the district will fall off a cliff if we don’t find more funding in the next two years,” Geiger said. “But I will tell you that these needs will grow, they will get worse and the impacts
Coffee, gifts and inclusivity Festive Cup hires adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Primary elections run through June 28 BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A
SEE FESTIVE CUP, P10
SEE FUNDING, P8
Ballots have been mailed to households
BY RACHEL LORENZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
my Lunstra, the owner of Festive Cup Coffee and Gift Boutique, has a vision. “We’re trying to provide opportunities where the adults that we’re supporting find value in their job and they’re as independent as possible,” Lunstra told Colorado Community Media. Festive Cup began hiring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in January 2021. It’s the first step in Lunstra’s larger plan to provide adult services in Highlands Ranch.
will affect our students, our staff and our community.” The 2021-22 Master Capital Plan identifies between $765 million and $847 million in capital projects, including $423 million for new construction. One of the most pressing issues Geiger identified is growth in student populations. In five years, Coyote Creek Elementary School, which serves Sterling Ranch, could
Amy Lunstra, right, taught students with special needs at ThunderRidge High School before becoming the owner of Festive Cup. COURTESY OF FESTIVE CUP COFFEE AND GIFT BOUTIQUE
Election season is underway and Colorado voters started receiving ballots in the mail earlier this month for the June 28 primary. There are not a lot of contested races in Arapahoe and Douglas counties, but there are a few to watch for with high importance. In Douglas County nothing can be hotter than the Republicans battling it out for the job of sheriff. Current Sheriff Tony Spurlock has termed out at eight years. With no Democrat running for the four-year term, the winner in the Republican battle will likely sail through to the position. Running on the Republican ticket SEE ELECTION, P5
Evergreen Jazz Festival July 29, 30 & 31
Big Talent! Small Venues! Great Setting!
Order tickets by June 30th and
Save!
EvergreenJazz.org 303-697-5467