Highlands Ranch Herald 120122

HD43 flipped by Democrat for first time in a decade

Marshall’s keys to success

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Flipping the historically Republican Colorado House District 43 came down to a dedicated door-to-

door campaign effort and a platform derived from listening to voters’ concerns, its newly-elected representative and Democrats say following the election.

Voters in House District 43, which covers the Highlands Ranch area, elected Democratic candidate Robert Marshall over the incumbent

Republican Rep. Kurt Huffman in a race decided by less than one percentage point.

Marshall’s win results in the first Democrat to represent Highlands Ranch in at least a decade.

Karen Asensio, executive director of the Colorado Democratic Party and an HD43 voter, said she was not

surprised at the results because of Marshall’s commitment to seeking out every voter.

“I think (Marshall’s) approach was to go to everyone and connect with people and going beyond party lines and simply connecting with

District o cial, mental health program honored

Crawford-Goetz

is named Ron King Service Award recipient

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A Douglas County School District program aimed at supporting students experiencing trauma and one of the program’s leaders received accolades at the county and national level for having a positive impact on the community.

groups

against hate crimes

from the FBI.

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

From 2018 to 2020, reported incidents of hate crimes in Colorado more than doubled, according to statistics from the FBI.

These numbers also increased nationwide, but in Colorado the rate is higher. Over two years, the state’s cases increased by about 132%, compared to the the national average of 17%, according to data

Although there is no way to definitively prove the reason for these trends and no clear solution to the problem, law enforcement agencies, legal offices and organizations across the Front Range are taking steps to better care for victims and stand against biasmotivated crimes and incidents.

Data and underreporting

As defined by Colorado state law, a bias-motivated crime, also known as a hate crime, is a criminal offense committed “with the intent to intimidate or harass another person, in whole or in part,

because of that person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.”

Hate crimes can range from acts of vandalism to shootings, such as that which occurred on Nov. 19 at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs where a gunman killed five people and wounded 17. The accused gunman is facing murder and hate crime charges.

In Colorado, most reported hate crimes arise from bias against a victim’s real or perceived race,

District Director of Mental Health Stephanie Crawford-Goetz received the Ron King Service Award at the Nov. 15 school board meeting from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for her efforts to support homless youth and mental health initiatives, including the Youth Crisis Response Team and the Handle with Care program.

“I want to share with you this is a major award and we are just so honored,” Sheriff-elect Darren Weekly said as he presented the award. “You go above and beyond on a regular daily basis for the youth in our community and from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Thank you for all you do.”

The award is named for former Douglas County deputy Ron King, who was one of the first school resource officers and was known for his dedication to helping young people. King was killed when he was struck by a drunk driver while on duty in 1999 and the award honors his memory. The sheriff’s office selects a law enforcement and civilian winner each year.

DATA FROM FBI UNIFORM CRIME REPORTING PROGRAM.

ethnicity or ancestry, according to Jeremy Shaver, senior associate regional director at the Anti-Defamation League’s Mountain States Regional Office (ADL). The second most frequent category of hate crimes are those that target individuals based on sexual orientation, he said. Several localities across the Front Range reflect the state’s increase in hate crimes, but on a smaller and less consistent scale, according to data from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, or CBI.

When examining hate crime data from governmental entities, it’s important to consider the likelihood of unreported cases, Shaver said.

According to a 2022 survey from Hate Free Colorado, a coalition of community partners dedicated to countering hate crimes in the state, the true number of hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents is significantly higher than what official government data represents.

“I think the challenge is that we know many of the frequently targeted populations in Colorado are those that also have the lowest levels of trust and confidence in law enforcement right now,” Shaver said. “And so … most of these cases end up going unreported.”

The survey found that almost 3 in 10 Colorado adults have experienced a hate crime or biasmotivated incident in the last five years. Additionally, only 18% of respondents in that category said they reported the event to the police.

Bias-motivated incidents, also known hate incidents, are not chargeable criminal offenses but still have negative impacts on individuals.

Solutions to underreporting

The underreporting of hate crimes is a large concern for some law enforcement officials, including Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown, who was recently reelected.

To encourage more trust in reporting, Brown said his office is striving to become more diverse and reflective of the communi-

ties it serves.

He also noted a program that trains LGBTQ+ staff members within his office to be community liaisons, with a goal of creating spaces where LQBTQ+ individuals feel safer.

“It gives people an outlet to be able to express their concerns to somebody from their community and allows them the opportunity to talk to somebody that might have some similar occurrences that they’ve had in their life,” Brown said.

The Golden Police Department also has an LGBTQ+ liaison, according to Police Chief Joe Harvey.

Shaver said it’s important to think of alternate ways for victims to report bias-motivated incidents without needing to interact with the police.

“One thing that the Hate Free Colorado coalition is recommending is that the state of Colorado and local communities look at establishing hate crime hotlines … It would most likely be a victim advocate or a social worker or somebody else who would reach back out to [the victim],” he said. “It would be one way to make a report that’s not an immediate call to law enforcement.”

Over the next year, Hate Free Colorado is hoping to educate community organizations that serve frequently targeted populations to help them better respond to calls that come into their agencies, Shaver said.

Why

are hate crimes increasing?

Joel Zink, a hate crimes prosecutor at the Office of the District Attorney for Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties, said a potential factor in the rise of hate crimes is the internet’s role in radicalizing people.

“Prior to the internet, folks who might have had some of these extremist ideas would be geographically isolated,” he said. “But with the rise of the Internet, folks have instant access to these online echo chambers … where they can find like-minded people and bounce around these really radical ideas.”

District Attorney Alexis King, who serves Jefferson and Gilpin counties, said that “more malicious rhetoric in our overall community conversations” and “polarization” are probably the

main drivers of increased hate crimes.

Shaver said legislation, such as that which eliminates LGBTQ+ topics from school curriculums, also promotes harm against communities.

“We also need to see an end to legislation and rhetoric that continues to further harm against LGBTQ people,” he said.

Some say the increase in hate crime numbers could reflect something positive: a better understanding and recognition of hate crimes by law enforcement officers.

“I do think that at least in our jurisdiction … a small part of this is attributable to training that we’re doing with law enforcement to identify these crimes earlier on,” Zink said, adding that he leads a four-hour training for new deputies at the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.

Incoming law enforcement officers in Colorado are required to have bias-motivated crimes training, according to Shaver.

Training programs such as those through the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Hate Free Colorado and the Anti-Defamation League teach prosecutors, district attorneys and law enforcement officers across the state to better conduct hate crime investigations, Shaver said.

A 2021 change in Colorado law that expanded the definition of bias-motivated crimes may also contribute to recent rising numbers, according to previous reporting by Colorado Community Media.

Bias-motivated crime training

Each year, ADL provides training to more than 30 law enforcement agencies across the state, Shaver said. The trainings cover Colorado’s hate crime laws, how to recognize bias indicators and acknowledging individual and social impacts of hate crimes.

Prosecutors use bias indicators to determine whether bias was a motivating factor in a criminal offense.

“[Bias indicators] would include things like the defendant’s own words, prior cases and behaviors and the nature and timing of the conduct in question, among other things,” Zink said.

King said prosecutors may also analyze a suspect’s social media

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activity and social connections to look for signals of bias.

In addition to learning how to recognize bias in a suspect, participants in hate crimes training programs learn how to address their own personal bias.

“We believe bias is universal — it’s not unique to law enforcement agencies — but we think it’s really important to discuss addressing bias in responding to these types of cases,” Shaver said.

Outside of hate crime-specific training, many law enforcement agencies, such as the Golden Police Department, implement regular anti-bias training for their departments.

“We not only want to train our officers how to go in and handle these [cases], but we also want to eliminate, mitigate, remove biases even from our own perspectives and how we go about doing our job and making sure that everybody feels that they’ve been treated with dignity and respect and compassion and empathy, that they’ve been treated fair and impartial,” Harvey said.

Impact of hate crimes

As law enforcement departments across the Front Range take steps to mitigate the frequency and impact of hate crimes, some acknowledge the emotional numbness that can come from facing the constant news of these incidents.

“Unfortunately, [hate crimes and mass shooting events] have become a common occurrence nationwide,” said Darren Weekly, who was recently elected as Douglas County sheriff. “The problem is, is I think we as a society are becoming numb to the violence … It’s a sad state of affairs for our nation.”

But even as events like this occur more frequently, Shaver said it is important to continue to recognize the impact of hate crimes on victims and communities, and work to fight against them.

“They not only impact the individual who’s been targeted or those who share that individual’s identity, but they have a greater social impact,” he said. “When somebody commits a hate crime, that really destroys a community sense of safety, belonging, inclusion, and so that has a ripple effect … and it affects quality of life for all Coloradans.”

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DA’s o ce honored for cold case conviction

40-year-old murder mystery solved

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A prosecuting team from the 18th Judicial District was recognized by the Colorado District Attorney’s Council for work on a cold case dating back to 1981 that led to a conviction in 2022. The team received the 2022 Outstanding Trial Team of the Year.

The annual award is given to a team of prosecutors for remarkable work in solving challenging cases from the thousands of cases brought to trial throughout the year. The Colorado District Attorneys’ Council selected a team from the 18th Judicial District for their work in solving the 1981 cold case homicide of Sylvia Quayle.

The trial team includes Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Gallo, Deputy District Attorney Grant Grosgebauer, Investigator Matt Hanagan, Paralegal Cathy Nevil, and Victim Advocate Colleen Vogel.

“Our office actually submits multiple cases, so it’s pretty cool that they chose this one out of the 30 or so other different cases that they submitted,” said Grosgebauer.

Quayle’s body was found in the early morning of Aug. 4, 1981 by her father William. As Quayle lived alone in her home in Cherry Hills Village, the attacker cut the phone line outside her house to enable her ability to call for help. Quayle was sexually assaulted, strangled, stabbed three times, shot in the head, then left to die on her living room floor.

For nearly two decades, Quayle’s murder went unsolved until the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted a DNA

sample to the FBI’s combined DNA Index Systemin 2000.

Two decades after the DNA was submitted, the Cherry Hills Village Police Department began working with United Data Connect, a genetic genealogy company. In 2021, an investigator with United Data Connect went to Anderson’s residence and collected trash bags from an apartment complex dumpster. Lab results found Anderson’s DNA on a soda can from his trash bag, which matched the DNA collected at the 1981 crime scene.

Anderson was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, After Deliberation and Felony Murder. In March 2022, Anderson went to trial, however, after five days of deliberation, the jurors were unable to reach a verdict, resulting in a mistrial.

The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s office brought the case to trial once again on June 30, 2022. A jury found Anderson guilty on both counts of murder. Due to legal precedent, a defendant convicted of a single homicide can only be sentenced on one homicide charge.

“It’s the oldest case that’s ever been tried successfully in Colorado,” said Grosgebauer.

The sentencing laws in effect at the time of the crime have resulted in Anderson receiving the maximum sentence of life behind bars. He is eligible for parole in 20 calendar years. With the help of the Cherry Hill Village Police Department, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, DNA analyst Missy Woods, the trial team was able to bring forward a strong evidentiary case that led to a conviction.

“It was a true team effort. We couldn’t have done it without multiple different components coming together to make this case possible,” said Grosgebauer.

Standing with a plaque from the Colorado District Attorneys Council are (foreground, from left) Cathy Nevill and Colleen Vogel, and (background) Grant Grosgebauer, Matt Hanagan and Christopher Gallo. COURTESY OF 18TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

December 6 is Colorado Gives Day

With more than 300 organizations serving Douglas County, there are plenty of choices for your Colorado Gives Day donation. No matter the size, your financial gift will help make a difference in our community. Visit dccf.org/givesday and donate to a local cause that matters to you.

Mass shootings are increasing in Colorado

Numbers grow over 3 years

BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN

By one measure, the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs was the worst the state has seen in more than a decade.

The at least 22 victims — five killed and 17 injured by gunfire — are the most in a Colorado shooting since the July 2012 attack on a movie theater in Aurora.

Since 2013, there have been 61 shootings in the state in which four or more people, excluding the perpetrator, were shot.

A total of 328 people were shot in those attacks, including 82 who were killed and 246 who were wounded.

Mass shootings increase in Colorado

The attack at Club Q fits into a trend: Mass shootings are increasing in Colorado. This year will finish as the worst year for mass shootings in the last decade, with at least 13. Of the 61 mass shootings since 2013, more than half — 36 — have occurred in the last three years.

Most mass shootings occur in Colorado’s largest cities

Since 2013, mass shootings have occurred in 15 cities and towns in Colorado. All but two of those are on the Front Range, but the list shows that mass shootings are not just an urban problem. One of the shootings, in which three people were killed and one was injured, occurred in the southern San Luis Valley community of Capulin.

The majority of mass shootings over the last decade in Colorado have occurred in the state’s three largest cities — Denver, Colorado Springs and Aurora. Together, they combine for 47 of the 61 mass shootings. Denver has the most with 24, while Aurora has seen 12 mass shootings and Colorado Springs has seen 11.

In terms of the most deadly mass shootings — those in which at least four people were shot and three or more people were killed — there have been eight in Colorado since 2013. Three of those occurred in Colorado Springs, two in Denver and one each in Aurora, Boulder and Capulin.

Defining a ‘mass shooting’

Tracking data on mass shoot-

ings is difficult, in part because “mass shootings” as a category of violence is so broad that it contains myriad genres and subgenres.

Some lists, like one maintained by Mother Jones magazine, track only mass shootings that are seemingly indiscriminate and occur in public settings. That covers shootings such as the one at Club Q or the Aurora theater. But it leaves out other forms of mass violence, such as a shooting at a house in Aurora in October that killed four people.

Other lists define mass shootings mathematically — such as the shooting tracker maintained by the Gun Violence Archive, which catalogs shootings in which at least four people are shot, not including the gunman. These lists collect data on more shootings, including many that don’t receive a lot of media attention. But they also exclude shootings that fit within a genre of American mass violence: attacks intended to sow terror in public spaces. For instance, the attack on a Thornton Walmart store in 2017 that killed three people is not in the Gun Violence Archive’s database.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines a mass shooting more strictly than most — an event in which four or more people are shot to death. Alternately, the FBI produces an annual report on “active shooter incidents,” a genre of violence defined by the actions of the perpetrator and not by the number of people wounded or killed.

Compounding the problem is that there is no consensus method for aggregating data on shootings, meaning most lists of mass shootings rely on media reports and can, at times, have errors in the numbers.To create these charts, The Colorado Sun used data from the Gun Violence Archive. The organization began tracking shootings in 2013, the year after the shootings at the Aurora movie theater and at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

So it is not a compendium of information on mass shootings in Colorado — notably it excludes the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999, among many others. But it is the most complete data source available over the last decade.

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.

Interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child?

Information nights are free and open to anyone interested in learning about foster care and adoption. Join the meeting via Zoom on Dec. 10 from 9-10:30 a.m. or Dec. 19 from6-7:30 p.m. Call 303-636-1KID for more information, or register online, visit collaborativefostercare.com

Drive US 85?

Construction to widen the road between Highlands Ranch Parkway and C-470 is underway. Please expect delays and watch for crews. Sign up for updates so you know what to expect. Visit douglas.co.us and search for Subscribe Now and choose US 85 construction.

Community E-recycling

Douglas County residents may dispose of unwanted electronics free of charge at Techno Rescue, 3251 Lewiston St. in Aurora. Drop off weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and occasional Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proof of residency is required. For a list of acceptable items, Saturday drop-off dates and more information, visit douglas.co.us and search for Electronics Recycling

Skip the trip - motor vehicle services just a click away

Renew your driver license or motor vehicle registration and more from the convenience of your smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop. You can also renew vehicle registrations at MVExpress kiosks. Find information at DouglasDrives.com

What’s happening with your County government?

Our commitment to open and transparent government includes online posting of information about public meetings at which the business of government is conducted. To view public meeting agendas, participate in-person or remotely, or watch select meetings via live stream, visit douglas.co.us and search for Business Meetings / Public Hearings.

Candles glow on a memorial stone for Veronica Moser-Sullivan, a 6-year-old who died in the Aurora theater shooting, at a 10-year remembrance.

PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW

Transgender Center of the Rockies reflects on need for change

Group honors victims

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Hours before the mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, community members gathered for Transgender Center of the Rockies’ event, Trans Day of Remembrance, to honor the lives of transgender individuals who were killed in 2022.

“We have to have a day to commemorate these losses and come together as a community to honor the people that unjustly died, and think about how the community can grieve, and heal and move forward,” said April Owen, the director at Transgender Center of the Rockies, located in Sheridan.

Transgender Day of Remembrance, observed annually on Nov. 20, memorializes transgender and gender diverse people whose lives were lost due to anti-transgender violence.

As of Nov. 16, at least 32 transgender and gender-nonconforming people have been killed in the U.S. in 2022, according to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The majority of victims were Black transgender women.

During the remembrance event on Nov. 19, the Transgender Center of the Rockies held a moment of silence for all victims.

Transgender Center of the Rockies is a program developed through Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, which offers resources to transgender, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming and gender diverse people.

“To invoke their memory is to honor their power,” said Petty Patty, a drag performer who emceed for the event. “If there is one call to action that you walk away with this evening, it is to mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living.”

Five killed, 17 injured in shooting at LGBTQ club

Just before midnight on Nov. 19, a gunman entered Club Q, an LGBTQ night club in Colorado Springs, and opened fire, killing at least five people and wounding 17 others until he was stopped by two patrons, The Colorado Sun reported.

The five people killed were: Derrick Rump, a bartender at Club Q; Daniel Aston, a transgender man and bartender at Club Q; Kelly Loving, who was visiting the club on a weekend trip; Ashley Paugh, who went to see a comedian perform at Club Q; and Raymond Green Vance, who went to the club with his girlfriend, her parents and other friends to celebrate a birthday.

The accused shooter faces 10 preliminary charges, including five counts of committing a biasmotivated crime, according to The Colorado Sun.

The morning of Nov. 20, Owen woke up to messages about the shooting.

“It was really hard to wake up to that, because the night before, our program had put on a Trans Day of Remembrance event that I had spent five or six hours at and everyone had worked really hard on and brought the community together,” Owen said. “To see that something

like this happened on that day, or on the eve of that day, was especially troubling.”

When the Transgender Center of the Rockies’ event ended on Nov. 19, Owen said some of her staff went out to celebrate that night.

“I’m just so thankful that it wasn’t the bar that they went to or the club that they went to,” Owen said.

Mental health e ects

The mass shooting at Club Q has caused a lot of fear and anxiety for LGBTQ+ people, said Owen, a clinical psychologist by training.

“Having to be hyper-vigilant about our surroundings and wondering what is safe, it takes a lot of energy and mental effort,” she said. “This is just another added burden that this community has to face, and it’s really difficult.

“I think it’s really difficult to navigate a world that feels unsafe a lot of the time.”

Transgender Center of the Rockies was all-hands-on-deck on Nov. 21, Owen said, offering mental health services ranging from short-term to ongoing therapy.

“Right now, we’re obviously prepared to provide crisis intervention, to help folks who are just struggling with this specific issue,” she said.

Owen said people expressed a range of emotions following the shooting, including sadness, grief, anger, numbness and hopelessness.

“Everybody kind of has their own individual way of processing and grieving and healing, but the whole gamut of emotions is on display,” she said. “It’s really understandable for all of that to come up and (is) valid.”

With the holidays, this time of year is already challenging for a lot of transgender and nonbinary people who may have been kicked out of their family, or have strained relationships with people they once celebrated the holidays with, Owen said.

According to the Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health, 45% of

LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and approximately one in five transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide.

LGBTQ+ youth “are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society,” according to the Trevor Project.

Owen said there have been a couple of instances where staff have felt unsafe, noting many staff members are gender diverse themselves.

“There’s some real fears, and we’re trying to think about that moving forward,” Owen said. “We’re fortunate that nothing really bad has happened to us, but I don’t want that to be — there to be a change in that story later.”

The Colorado Sun reported some political scientists and activists have said an increase in recent anti-trans and anti-gay rhetoric and protests set up violence like the shooting at Club Q.

Owen said when people say an LGBTQ+ person is making up who they are, or make fun of a person’s identity, or say they shouldn’t be able to get the kind of treatments or care that will help them feel better about themselves, it sends an aggressive, hostile message.

“I can’t say with 100% certainty that there’s a correlation,” Owen said about the possible connection between the rhetoric and violence. “But in my mind, it certainly would make sense that there would be.”

Creating a safer community

To help create a safer environment for the LGBTQ+ community, Owen recommended local community leaders talk with gender diverse, transgender and nonbinary people directly, even suggesting a town hallstyle event.

“Making there be a way where those conversations are facilitated and happening would be really important,” she said.

She noted some people may not

trust law enforcement, given the LGBTQ+ movement historically started at Stonewall in New York. The Stonewall riots occurred in 1969 when LGBTQ+ people protested in response to a police raid of the Stonewall Inn.

“I think a lot of those relationships need to be worked on and repaired between community leaders — really trying to understand the specific needs of this community, not being afraid of them, acknowledging that they actually exist, wanting to get to know them,” Owen said.

If people asked members of the LGBTQ+ community what needs to happen, the response would be policy and action, Owen said.

“Politics matter,” she said. “We’re going to have to do something. We’re going to have to make things different, and it’s not enough to just care.”

During the Trans Day of Remembrance event, State Rep. Brianna Titone of House District 27, who was the first openly transgender state legislator in Colorado, highlighted the need for greater inclusion of transgender, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people.

“With only around 50 total elected trans folks at every level of government, there’s still a very small amount of representation. And because we lack seats at the table in so many places, we have been the target of political aggression, with trans kids taking the bulk of the attacks,” Titone said in a pre-recorded video shown during the event.

The fastest way to make change is for LGBTQ+ people to use their voice at the state house, at protests and to “take every seat that’s available that you can get at the table, whenever you can.”

“We need to be seen. We need to be heard. And it’s time for everyone who has a seat at the table to bring that folding chair to those who are the most marginalized,” Titone said.

“We can’t do this alone. We need allies to have these tough conversations with us and for us.”

One person showed allyship the morning of Nov. 21 by coming to the Transgender Center of the Rockies and giving a donation to its closet, called Marsha’s Closet, which offers free gender-affirming clothes.

“She gave us a donation and said, ‘I’m so sorry (for) what happened on Saturday to the LGBTQ community, and I just wanted you to know there’s people that care,’” Owen said.

“That really does help. We need our allies. We need cisgender, heterosexual people to be caring about this, to have conversations about it. Let people know it matters.”

For people in the LGBTQ+ community, Owen recommended surrounding themselves with people who care about them and reaching out for mental health support if needed.

“We at the Transgender Center of the Rockies are sad and angered that this happened … but our biggest focus right now is being here for the community,” Owen said. “We hope that we don’t need this one day, right? I wish our existence wasn’t as paramount as it is, but we’ll do what we can until that day comes.”

Vigil outside of Club Q on Nov. 21.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHY LEES

Upcoming holiday events in Lone Tree

Events to feature tree lighting, Santa

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Lone Tree residents can look forward to holiday-themed events this December, including the city’s holiday tree lighting event and Schweiger Ranch’s Austrian Christmas.

Dec. 2: Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration

The City of Lone Tree will host its Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2. The celebration will begin with the lighting of the tree at the Lone Tree Arts Center, located at 10075

Commons St. Attractions include visits with Santa and his reindeer, a performance by On The Rocks, roaming holiday characters, and a hot cocoa and s’more bar. Following the lighting of the tree at 6:30 p.m., there will also be holiday festivities at the Lone Tree Library and MorningStar Senior Living.

At the library, residents can enjoy story time sessions, crafts and card making. Story

time sessions will be at 7 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Nearby at MorningStar Senior Living, attendees can decorate cookies, craft and get photos taken at a photo booth. Residents can bring a gift to donate to the “Grinch Gives Back” program at MorningStar, which will benefit residents in the facility, the city’s website says. To learn more about this event or other events in the city, visit cityoflonetree.com/

cityevents/merrydays.

Dec. 3: Schweiger Ranch’s Austrian Christmas

Schweiger Ranch’s annual Austrian Christmas and coinciding Christkindl Market will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Attendees can look forward to enjoying authentic Austrian food and music, face painting, crafting, visiting Santa and his reindeer, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and shopping from local vendors at the market.

It is a free ticketed event, and registration is required for entry. Those interested in attending or learning more information can visit schweigerranch.org/austrianchristmas.

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HEALTH

PAGE 1

Crawford-Goetz thanked the school board and school staff for their support for providing quality mental health resources for students.

“This work is done by all the amazing people in our schools, every day working hard for our kids, and our community and our law enforcement,” Crawford-Goetz said. “I’m so proud to be a part of this community and have everyone wrapping around kids the way we do to support their mental health, wellbeing and safety.”

Additionally, the Handle with Care program, which CrawfordGoetz implemented with the help of Lt. Rob Rotherham, received the 2022 Extra Mile Award in October from the West Virginia Center for Children’s Justice.

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The Handle with Care program is a partnership between the schools and the sheriff’s office, which allows law enforcement to notify the schools when a student experienced something traumatic or had a law enforcement interaction so that school staff can provide any extra support the student may need.

Weekly said the program has resulted in 450 notices since starting in February 2021.

“I’ll tell you as a law enforcement officer for 29 years this was a major void in our community,” Weekly said. “Kids who experience trauma the night before, whether that be domestic violence or something serious, are being sent to school the next morning, so this is an amazing program that was long overdue.”

Crawford-Goetz later told Colorado Community Media that traumatic events, such as food instability, home insecurity or domestic violence, can lead students to have academic or behavioral problems.

“Often when our students are be-

having unusually what the student might be trying to communicate is the recent trauma the child may have been exposed to,” she said.

Using the Handle with Care designation is a trauma-informed way to provide context for teachers and counselors while maintaining student and family privacy, Crawford-Goetz explained.

Superintendent Erin Kane emphasized during the award ceremony how the lucky the district is to have strong partnerships, like the one with the sheriff’s office, that work to serve students better.

“We are so fortunate in this district to have the incredible partnership between you two,” she said. “I can’t thank you both enough.”

Douglas D. Orthopedic Surgeon

FROM

Douglas County School District’s Superintendent Erin Kane, left, and Director of Mental Health Stephanie Crawford-Goetz pose with Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce Lt. Rob Rotherham and sheri -elect Darren Weekly on Nov. 15 at the district administration building. Crawford-Goetz received the 2022 Ron King Service Award from the sheri ’s o ce for her work to support homeless youth and promote student mental health.

COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

‘Often when our students are behaving unusually what the student might be trying to communicate is the recent trauma the child may have been exposed to.’

Stephanie Crawford-Goetz, district director of mental health

Why the price of eggs went up

Avian flu hits state’s egg-laying hens

BY TAMARA CHUANG THE COLORADO SUN

In July, Natural Grocers reluc tantly raised the price of free-range eggs by a dollar for members of its loyalty program. But as signs posted around the egg shelves re minded shoppers at the time, “Even at $2.99, they are still priced less than they are at other stores.”

The Lakewood-based grocery chain received little pushback from customers, said Katie Macarelli, the company’s spokeswoman. Like ly because around the same time, gasoline was nearing an average of $5 a gallon in Colorado, the Federal Reserve had made its first of four (so far) three-quarter-point interest rate hikes, and the U.S. had just hit its largest inflation rate increase in 40 years.

Still, it was still a tough decision for the company, which aims to offer healthy and affordable food options for customers. It has subsi dized free-range and organic eggs for its {N}Power members since 2017.

“The general ethos (of subsidiz ing eggs) is multilayered, but eating good food should not cost you your whole paycheck,” Macarelli said. “You should be able to feed you and your family in an affordable way. Eggs are really the perfect food. They have all the essential amino acids, they have so many nutrients and vitamins. For the pennies it costs you to have two eggs in the morning, it’s probably one of the most economical food products you can buy.”

While the Russian war on Ukraine and the billions in federal relief in the pandemic contributed to overall inflation, including for egg farmers, other factors may have played a greater role in push ing egg prices higher than they’ve ever been.

Farmers were still reeling from the added costs of the pandemic when the contagious avian flu be gan wiping out 85% of Colorado’s egg-laying chicken population in March. Nearly 5 million chickens have been slaughtered. And now, starting in January, a state law goes

into effect requiring commercial egg producers to make hen pens roomier with a cage-free housing system, though farmers have two more years to comply with cagefree environments.

“It’s kind of the perfect storm,” said Dawn Thilmany, an economics professor of labor and agribusiness at Colorado State University. “At the same time those laying hens are (being euthanized), pretty much for every food product, we have high inflation.”

And the new law will likely add more costs, she said. “If we follow what happened in California (after) they went to cage-free laying hens, we tended to see higher prices because the space for those laying hens had to be bigger and as soon as you need more real estate, it’s go ing to be more costly. Plus, there’s record keeping for those layers,” she said. “Everything that could make prices go up right now prob ably is making prices go up right now.”

How high?

Egg prices have indeed been ris ing this year, though retailers have often used them as a loss leader. Advertised prices have been as low as $1.24 a dozen in September, ac cording to the USDA advertised egg prices data.

But at wholesale, a dozen large Grade A white eggs in the South Central region, which includes Colorado, reached $4.23 in October. It fell back to around $3 but was back up to $3.68 as of Nov. 10.

“The cost associated with produc ing eggs has gone up,” said Bill Scebbi, executive director of the Colorado Egg Producers, which represents local egg farmers. “We’re producing 1 billion eggs in our state and giving 1 million eggs to food banks or the needy. Those eggs have to go through the shipping process to get to the right areas. You’ve got a lot of costs involved with shipping of eggs to distribution points. You’ve got an increase in materials and packag ing. You’ve got an increase in labor costs. Everything that’s associated with inflation is associated with the production of eggs as well.”

The cost of food has gone up high er than overall inflation, according to the Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In the latest inflation report for Denver, area prices were down from August, but up 7.7% in September compared to a year earlier. Food prices were up 11.8% and eggs — part of the meats, poultry, fish and eggs category — were up 12.9%. But who pays for that isn’t just the consumer or customer.

“What happens is that you get hit with inflationary pressure and there’s a gap between when you start getting hit before you reprice. And in that gap, you’re eating it,” said Marco Antonio Abarca, presi dent of Denver-based Ready Foods, which provides prepared soups and sauces from scratch for restaurants and supermarkets. “I’m eating more and more as the customer is reluctant to take the inflation ary hit. It’s understandable but the people who really eat it are the manufacturers or the producers.”

During the last recession around 2009, Abarca said he used that time to invest in real estate and expand. He’s doing that again because he needs a larger factory, but with higher interest rates, he’s paying more for the real estate loans. His new factory will have more auto mation and robotics as a way to manufacture more efficiently. But he still needs workers, which he said he pays above minimum wage for. That’s going up too. Denver’s minimum wage will increase 9% to $17.27 an hour on Jan. 1.

“It’s getting more expensive because the base is rising,” he said. “I’m going to need good industrial workers who are able to handle ro botics and other things. So there’s inflation and the labor shortage that are causing these issues.”

Christie Pettys, who visits farms to check on the welfare of ani mals as Natural Grocers’ product standards manager, said she’s seen the pressure of inflation on local farmers, as well as the fear of avian flu. She hasn’t heard that any of her egg suppliers were affected by the flu, but farmers canceled film shoots with the Lakewood-based grocer out of extreme caution.

“They said, ‘We’re not worried about you humans getting sick. We are worried about you killing our birds,’” Pettys said. “That’s a huge concern.”

were euthanized in early October. Smaller hen houses found on back yard farms continue to show up in the state’s avian flu weekly updates. There have been no reinfected facilities in Colorado, though there have been in other states, said Olga Robak, a spokeswoman for the Colo rado Department of Agriculture.

It’s been devastating, she said. But most cases are among back yard, noncommercial farmers who don’t realize the gravity. The conta gious virus affects the organs and has a 90% to 100% mortality rate in chickens, often within 48 hours, ac cording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Avian flu tends to be spread by wild birds, which shed the virus through sa liva, nasal secretions and feces. But birds can also get infected through contact with contaminated surfaces — and people.

“In fact, we had a case here in Colorado, it was a backyard case, where the husband went duck hunting and five days later, all of their chickens died from” avian flu, Robak said. “We don’t know exactly how (it happened but) he was out there touching water fowl, he didn’t follow proper biosecurity and he wasn’t aware of it. And so somehow, he was the mechanical vector that tracked the virus from the wild birds into the domestic chickens.”

As farmers ramp up egg produc tion again, the process can take a year to get back to full production. After removing the birds and clean ing up, there’s a 150-day quarantine or “virus elimination phase,” fol lowed by additional testing to make sure the virus is not present. Only then can a farmer consider repopu lating the coop. Specialty eggs, like organic and cage free, and larger eggs take longer to produce.

In the meantime, Colorado gets eggs from neighboring states, Scebbi said.

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Natural Grocers still offers $1.99 free-range eggs to members of its program, which is free to join. But they had to raise the price on some brands and specialty eggs. Organic and pasture-raised eggs increased 50 cents a dozen to $3.99 and $4.99 respectively. It’s tough for smaller grocery chains to absorb the rising costs, especially when industry wide costs for eggs have increased about 20% since 2019.

“The real cost increase on all these farms was two-plus years ago,” Pettys said. “They have been holding the cost for us. And finally, they have had to pass it on to cus tomers because they cannot afford to keep having all of their increas es in the cost of business go up and not change the price.”

Not all eggs in Colorado are native

The most recent commercial outbreak of avian flu in Colorado was in late September in Weld County. Roughly 1.15 million hens

“Our egg industry is a very tightknit industry. So when eggs are re quired in the state of Colorado, and we don’t have the number of eggs to get into the stores, those eggs are purchased from other farms in other states,” Scebbi said. “They work with each other to make sure that there’s a sufficient quantity of eggs to serve the 6 million people in the state of Colorado. The econom ic impact really isn’t going to be on the loss of the egg to the con sumer. It’s going to be the loss of the farmer. The farmer is going to be paying more for those eggs with shipment and logistics.”

But the thing is, there should be enough eggs for every Coloradan who wants to buy them, even if prices are higher than they were a year ago.

“We are a global society,” Robak said. “Just because we produce eggs here in Colorado doesn’t mean those are the only eggs we eat.”

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.

folks,” she said. “He went above and beyond and worked harder than I’ve ever seen.”

Marshall didn’t doubt his ability to win, he told Colorado Community Media on election night, though he said Huffman was a strong competitor.

“I was confident I was going to win,” he said. “I only became a little less confident when I lost 10 campaign days (due to COVID-19) and knew my opponent was out there working his ass off.”

On top of Marshall’s strong physical presence in the district, Asensio said his campaign via plane and vintage Army Jeep, as well as the canvassing efforts of the Douglas County Democrats, made him “omnipresent.”

Asensio said some in the party never considered it possible for a Democrat to win in Highlands Ranch.

Only 23% of voters in House District 43 are registered as Democrats, compared to 33% Republicans and 43% unaffiliated.

Highlands Ranch has been represented by a string of Republican representatives, with Douglas County Election data showing conservative candidates winning

House District 43 by over 20 percentage points in the 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 elections.

The 2020 election results were much closer with five percentage points between incumbent Rep. Kevin Van Winkle and his Democratic challenger Jennifer Mitkowski.

Huffman was appointed to the seat in June when Republican Rep. Kevin Van Winkle was appointed to represent Colorado Senate District 30 following the retirement of Sen. Chris Holbert.

Huffman posted a concession message to Facebook on Nov. 18, where he thanked his family and supporters, and wished Marshall well.

“The final election results are in and although the

outcome isn’t what we had hoped for, I am proud of our team and our campaign,” he wrote. “We worked tirelessly and gave this race all we had.”

The Douglas County GOP did not return multiple requests for an interview with Colorado Community Media.

Despite the odds, Asensio said the Colorado Democratic Party believes in running strong candidates in every district to build onto past efforts and, hopefully, eventually flip conservative seats. She cited Adam Frisch’s nearly-successful campaign against Rep. Lauren Boebert as an example.

“I have always worked really hard to make sure we would get there one day and I’m really happy that Bob is

the one who did it,” she said. “Look at (Colorado Congressional District 3), Adam Frisch got so close and that was not expected by anyone in the nation. And (Frisch) did the same model as Bob Marshall of just talking to every voter.”

Marshall campaigned with a focus on public education, public safety and the environment, which Marshall said were concerns he shared with his constituents.

“Public education and public safety were the top two (constituent priorities), which were my top two issues from when I launched the campaign, so I was meshing very well with the community,” he said.

Asensio agreed Marshall had a message that resonat-

ed with voters, who she said want reasonable legislators. She said voters were tired of not feeling heard and not having their concerns addressed.

“They wanted someone who actually listened to them and showed up for them, which is not the case with their predecessor,” Asensio said, referencing Rep. Van Winkle. “The history of what he introduced did not represent the people in the district, it represented the fringe.”

Marshall said one of his top priorities as a legislator will be making himself available to constituents.

“The big thing is I do intend to represent all of Highlands Ranch and everyone by being open and accessible,” he said.

Bob Marshall was elected to the Colorado legislature by less than one percentage point. Marshall and the Colorado Democratic Party credit Marshall’s door-to-door campaign as being crucial to his win in the tight race.

COURTESY OF THE COLORADO SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE

A giving opportunity

EDITOR’S COLUMN

We are in the full swing of the holiday season — the time for giving and helping others. Instead of getting, Colorado residents can make a difference by giving during this holiday season through the annual statewide program known as Colorado Gives Day.

Since moving here, I have been impressed with the coordinated program to get more funding to our local nonprofit organizations, encouraging residents to give to their favorite causes and having a great website to find the programs to give to.

What is Colorado Gives Day? According to the coloradogives.org website, Colorado Gives Day is a statewide movement to increase online giving. This year marks the 13th anniversary that Community First Foundation and FirstBank have partnered to present Colorado Gives Day. The date is Dec. 6. Donations are accepted at ColoradoGives. org, which features more than 2,300 nonprofits.

Thelma Grimes

The website is easy to maneuver because the nonprofits you are able to donate to are separated by category. If you’re interested in the arts, there are plenty of options. Interested in helping organizations who help the disadvantaged — they are categorized.

The nonprofits out there are endless and their need for public funding support are tremendous. This year, with inflation, supply costs and everything being higher — all nonprofit organizations could use the extra support.

Now, for a bit of shameless campaigning for where some dollars can also be applied. As a local news organization that focuses on school boards, city councils and great breaking news and local, happy features — we own 24 newspapers along the Front Range and have a ton of hardworking journalists who bring that news both online and in print.

We are not exactly nonprofit, but we do take community donations and, like many, are in need of constant financial support. To see where to support your local news provider, visit the website at Coloradocommunitymedia.com/ReadersCare.

Like many newspapers across the nation, we struggle to pay continually rising print costs and keep up with the amount of news that needs to be told. Through donations in Colorado Gives Day — we can do a lot more to penetrate the local communities and tell more stories and keep the presses rolling.

According to Northwestern University journalism school, the U.S. continues to lose newspapers at a rate of two per week, dividing the nation into wealthier, faster growing communities vs. those struggling in communities without news.

Since just before the pandemic started, the U.S. has lost an estimated 360 newspapers. Since 2005, more than 2,500 newspapers have closed.

Once a newspaper closes, there is rarely a digital replacement, which creates a news desert – a crisis for democracy.

With limited access to local news, the checks and balances between government and residents get out of balance — and the misinformation streaming on socialmedia platforms will not help.

While trust in media is at its lowest for the national networks and major news organizations, similar statistics show the local newspapers are the most trusted. Colorado Community Media works hard to keep and maintain that trust. While we may not be perfect, we certainly push to do the right thing for all residents and readers.

Thelma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.

LINDA

Maintaining the attitude of gratitude

WINNING

The executive had put out a message out to his network that he was looking to hire top-performing salespeople for his team. While reconnecting with a former colleague, he also mentioned to her that he was looking for salespeople and asked that if she knew anyone, would she send them his way.

Within just a couple of hours she had sent him the name of someone she thought could possibly be a fit. The two connected on LinkedIn and through email, eventually setting up an interview that would take place over a virtual Zoom call. When the executive and the candidate met and made initial introductions, the executive noticed a picture of legendary Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi hanging on the wall behind the candidate. So before jumping into the interview he had asked him the story behind the picture. As the candidate shared his story about Vince Lombardi’s dedication, discipline and determination and how that inspired him, the executive could not help but smile. He shared that when he was in high school, he had written his term paper on Vince Lombardi, and he chose him for the very same reasons. They had already formed a bond.

ERIN ADDENBROOKE

Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Unfortunately, as they began the interview, within about 15-20 minutes they both realized that the candidate wasn’t really a good fit for the position. However, they stayed on the call for a little longer. The candidate shared that he was a single dad of two teenagers and was trying to find the right position that would allow him to provide for his family.

They were saying goodbye when another topic came up and they had some small talk around that. The executive then asked the candidate to tell him a little more about what the perfect job would be that would get him excited to go to work every day. The candidate really loved coaching and training people and helping to develop both personally and professionally. The executive let him know that he would keep his ears and eyes open for any opportunities that sounded like a good fit.

Again, just about to hang up, the executive asked one more question. He asked the candidate, “Is there something that I can pray about for you?” The candidate bowed his head for a good minute before lifting his watery eyes back to the screen. The candidate asked for prayers for his mom as she had cancer. The executive leaned in and said how sorry he was, pausing before asking one more question. He asked the candidate what kind of cancer his mom had. He bowed his head and once

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Seniors’ Council meeting to explore cohousing

If you crave a closer community connection, but still value living independently in your own home, cohousing might be right for you. Trish Becker, executive director of the Cohousing Association of the United States, will discuss cohousing at a free Seniors’ Council meeting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5, at the library in Lone Tree.

So what makes cohousing communities unique? According to Becker, they are intentional, collaborative neighborhoods that combine extensive common facilities with private homes to create strong and successful housing developments. Most of these communities are organized as townhouse or condominium developments with homeowners association; a few are organized as cooperatives.

Cohousing is not a financial or legal model, but rather a descriptive

NORTON

FROM PAGE 12

again took a moment to speak. As he shared that it was pancreatic cancer, his tears spilled down his cheeks.

The executive stopped and shared this, “This was never about a job interview, this was God’s interview. We were not connected to talk about any job, we were connected for a much greater purpose. My wife passed away in 2013 from pancreatic cancer. She fought for two and a half years, and I learned so much from that journey and experience and

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Do better

On Monday, Nov. 21, national news covered the tragic mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs. Only minutes later, national news turned toward the increasing ineffectiveness of the Department of Homeland Security as the greatest threats to the United States of America come from within, particularly from political extremists and white supremacist groups.

Enough is enough. Attacks against the LGBTQI+ community and attacks from white supremacist groups have the same root cause — ignorance and hate.

The job of the Douglas County Board of Education and superintendent is to fight ignorance and hate at the local level. Even so, five of the eight members of this group — Superintendent Kane, Director

GUEST COLUMN

term that shows the intent of these developments to cultivate a strong sense of community through extensive common facilities and active collaboration of the residents. There are currently about 180 existing cohousing communities in the U.S. and about the same number in some stage of formation. Becker is currently involved with two Front Range communities.

Cohousing residents may share meals, equipment, gardening and chores. Sharing often makes tasks easier and more enjoyable. It is a green and sustainable way of life.

Experts state that cohousing communities bring together the value

I am happy to share any of what I learned with you and your family. I am so very grateful that God planned this interview, and if you need or want anyone to talk to, I am here for you.” And then they prayed together.

Last week I talked about “More than just the attitude of gratitude,” and this week as we think about maintaining the attitude of gratitude beyond Thanksgiving, maybe we can be reminded to be grateful for those connections that are more than work-related, more than perfunctory types of calls. Maybe we can show our gratitude by leaning into those who are placed in our path and connecting with them at an entirely different level.

Peterson, Director Williams, Director Winegar, and Director Myers — seem to be on the side of ignorance and hate. Their divisive rhetoric, actions against and now inaction around the district’s equity policy, membership in groups that allow transphobic rhetoric, and endorsements of anti-LGBTQI+ political candidates speak volumes.

Directors and Superintendent Kane, do your jobs! Fight ignorance and hate, and position our teachers, administrators, and staff members in this district to educate students who will become adults who are empowered to stand up against hate and ignorance. Do better!

Kim Turnage

Parent of three DCSD graduates and 13-year volunteer in DCSD schools

Highlands Ranch

TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE

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In this way, The Sun contributes to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado.

The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and nonpartisan journalism. It covers everything

from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and education.

Now, The Colorado Sun co-owns this and other Colorado Community Media newspapers as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. The Sun is CCM’s partner for statewide news.

For Colorado Sun stories, opinions and more, and to support The Sun’s misssion as a member or subscriber, visit coloradosun.com.

of private homes and the advantages of shared public space. These intentional communities focus on connectivity that facilitates social interaction, sustainable design and shared resources. Cohousing communities are established around three principles that make them different from traditional neighborhoods. They emphasize growing the community, increasing sustainability, and aging successfully. Most cohousing communities are designed to foster intergenerational connectivity, offering opportunities to live among people in all stages of life.

Becker believes that cohousing is a great way for older adults to age in place as it provides the social capital and mutual support that is linked with longer, healthier and happier lives. There are a growing number of older adult cohousing

I would love to hear your attitude of gratitude story at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can show our gratitude at a deeply human level, it really will be a better than good life.

communities in addition to the intergenerational communities. Cohousing can be an antidote to loneliness, which affects over half of Americans, and has the same deleterious health effects as smoking 15 cigarettes per day.

Please plan to attend the Seniors’ Council meeting on Thursday, January 5 at 10 a.m. at the Lone Tree Library located at 10055 Library Way. The meeting is free and open to people of all ages.

Jean Spahr is the publications chair for the Douglas County Seniors’ Council.

This column is hosted by the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County. For more information about our monthly presentations, meetings, and events visit www.MyDougCoSeniorLife.com or email us at dcseniorlife@ douglas.co.us.

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.

High school seniors reflect on life lessons from athletic careers

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

To paraphrase Ted Lasso, the fictional football-turned-soccer coach, one aspect of sports is helping people become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the field.

For high school seniors a few months from graduation, athletics have helped them prepare for the ups and downs and the responsibilities of adult life.

“I don’t know what my life would be like without athletics,” Clear Creek High School’s Bode Baker said. “ … It taught me many valuable life lessons and helped me grow into the person I am today.”

Baker and five fellow seniors across the Denver area detailed how sports taught them communication, trust, perseverance, how to accept failure and other valuable life lessons.

And while there are possible downsides to competing in sports — injuries, feelings of exclusion and inadequacy, and additional commitments amid already busy schedules — the seniors believed there were far more benefits.

They encouraged parents to have their children try sports at a young age, and for younger students to try any sport they’re interested in, even if they haven’t played it before.

Conifer High School’s Patrick Doty started cross country as a freshman and was the second-slowest person on the team. However, he stuck with it and now hopes to run at the collegiate level.

“I don’t want to stop running,” Doty said. “… It helps you stay physically and mentally fit. I want to keep it around in my life as much as possible.”

And, certainly, there are plenty of life lessons to be garnered from clubs, part-time jobs, volunteering and other extracurriculars that high school students balance with academics.

Brighton High School’s Jazlyn Amaya is in five clubs and sports, including cross country and swimming, and she’s learned different things from each activity. She felt being involved in a variety of extracurriculars was important, but sports can be especially effective at forcing students outside their comfort zones.

“It’s taught me to manage my time — especially in high school — and to work hard for yourself and for others,” Amaya said of athletics. “ … It was about understanding who I was, helping me realize you’re not defined by a sport or club. You’re defined by who you are.”

Building a team, finding a family

Sami Zebroski’s never played an individual sport. She grew up playing recreation-league soccer and softball and now plays volleyball and basketball for Clear Creek.

In life, she tends to be more independent, wanting to fix everything herself. However, she said team sports have taught her the value of relying on and trusting other people.

“You’re going to have your biggest supporters on the court with you,” Zebroski said of volleyball in particular. “Once you go down, you kind of bring them with you. You have to be as reliable as your teammates are reliable to you.”

Trust and communication are the cores of teamwork, and Amaya said she’s improved on those throughout her sports career. She started playing recreation-league basketball, where she said that on-court connection was vital among teammates.

While sports like track and swimming are more individual, there’s still a team aspect. Teammates have to build each other up, critique each other in a kind way, and communicate their expectations effectively for relays and so on, Amaya and her peers described.

Maya Dawson and Mason Pratt, who both play multiple sports at Conifer, said they’ve made important memories with their teams over the years. Team-building, chemistry, and bonding time can help a group of athletes transform into something even greater than a team — a family.

“A lot of my non-blood family, I’ve found in sports,” Pratt said.

Having an outlet for self-improvement

There’s hardly a sport Baker hasn’t played. He started in T-ball when he was 3 or 4 years old, and now plays baseball, football, basketball and track for Clear Creek. He also competed in wrestling, boxing and cross country when he was younger.

For Baker, sports have always been an important mental and physical outlet.

“You have a bad day at school, you go do your sports and get your anger out,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for you to go out, have fun, and get away from your daily struggles.”

Pratt and Dawson also described how sports can be therapeutic, whether it’s in the camaraderie or the workout aspect. Dawson said sports forces athletes to make time in their day to take care of themselves and be active.

Conifer’s Mason Pratt dribbles the ball during a game in the 2021-22 season. Pratt, a senior who also plays baseball, hopes to play baseball at the collegiate level.

Conifer’s Maya Dawson (13) shoots a free throw during the 2021-22 season. Dawson, a senior who also runs cross country and track for Conifer, plans to study journalism in college.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF COREY NEUMEIER AND CONIFER HIGH SCHOOL

Dawson plays basketball and runs track and cross country at Conifer. She and Amaya explained how their experiences in both team and more individual sports highlight how the latter requires athletes to motivate, improve and hold themselves accountable.

Amaya made varsity cross country this year and pushed herself to work hard for her teammates, saying, “If I’m behind, I put everyone behind.”

Dawson described how teammates, coaches and other supporters can cheer on runners from the sidelines, but “at the end of the day, you’re the one getting yourself across that finish line.”

She and Amaya believed there’s power in learning to work hard, push oneself through pain, and accomplish individual goals.

“That feeling of accomplishment, it’s one of the best things about sports,” Dawson said. “Just knowing that you left it all out on the track.”

Learning to persevere, face failure

Whether it’s in life or in sports, Doty believes “you’re owed nothing.”

An athlete can work hard toward their goals, but the outcome might not go their way. And part of sports is learning to accept that, he described.

“It’s a nice, little reality check,” Doty continued. “ … (Sports involves) accepting that not every

day is your day.”

That’s something that, as baseball players, Pratt and Baker understand perfectly. Both described baseball as a “game of failure,” where the best professional hitters strike out seven times out of 10.

Perseverance and patience are key in baseball, they explained, with Baker saying players must keep their heads up and capitalize on success when it does come.

Pratt added: “The longer you stay attached to failure, the more you’re going to fail in the future.”

Whether it’s in an individual play, a game, or an entire season,

failure is inevitable in sports. Baker and Dawson described how their football and basketball programs, respectively, have experienced losing records throughout their high school careers.

But, working through confl ict is part of sports, Dawson stressed. Making a journey of learning “to love a sport when you’re not successful” has been one of the most valuable aspects of her sports career, she said.

“You have to fi nd the joy in your sport, in the little things,” Dawson continued. “ … I think that’s valuable too, maybe more so than points or wins.”

As they’ve persevered in their individual sports over the years, all six seniors hoped to continue their athletic careers in some capacity after high school. Whether it’s competing at the college level, playing intramurals, or taking daily runs, they want to make athletics part of their adult lives.

If that’s the case, they’ll likely learn more from their mutual teacher and continue becoming the best versions of themselves.

“I think (athletics) is a part of growing up,” Amaya said. “ … For people who have that opportunity, it’s important to take it. Giving it a try never hurts.”

Itinerant ecologist shares memories

by Doug Reagan

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Doug Reagan grabs your attention immediately! “A full moon floats over the surface of Lac de Guiers, Senegal” ... he’s out with a flashlight, “looking for the red eye shine of crocodiles.” What if he trips over one, I wonder, thinking of those big sharp teeth. He’s just arrived in Western Africa, having flown in from New York. He explains that an environmental assessment of the Senegal River basin was needed as part of a project to build a dam ...

Reagan’s new book, “The Mercenary Naturalist,” is now available, with stories about his work in various tropical locations, with assistance from various crews, views of rare and startling birds and creatures, notes about foods, customs, lush trees and plants and, of course, individual ecosystems and the people who inhabit them ...

“Dakar assaulted my nostrils,” he wrote — “unlike any city I had visited back home ... Women in long, brightly colored print dresses and matching headwraps browsed through the shops and paraded

regally among market stalls ... The beauty of gold necklaces, bracelets and ornate earrings displayed against their lustrous chocolateblack skin was stunning...”

After a good night’s sleep, he was awakened the next morning to the muzzein’s loud call to prayer for the Muslim faithful.

With his first field trip scheduled the following week, he visited the office the next day to check on supplies he had ordered shipped there. But he learned that members of the health team had been in and taken his supplies, which weren’t set aside for him. He scrounged up what replacements he could and from then on, became skilled at improvising in the bush.

The Senegal River Basin was about the size of New Mexico, Reagan says, and the first project had four components: construction of the Diama Dam near the Senegal River mouth; development of intense cropland along the lower portion of the river basin; construction of a high dam on the Bafing River to regulate water levels and generate hydroelectric power; and dredging of the lower river channel for navigation by commercial river traffic. Roads were poor and fieldwork was difficult. He further learned that because countries involved were poor, they would not be required to make even modest project modifications to compensate for impacts on the environment ...

Into the Sahelian savannah ...

The only chance of successful mitigation seemed to require plans that would cost almost nothing ... Add prolonged drought and a shortage of drinking water. Birds were a bright spot: white pelicans; redbeaked hornbills; crimson bishop finches; hoopoes, with garish orange and black crests; Abyssinian rollers, turquoise crow-sized birds with iridescent cobalt blue wing patches ... iridescent blue-green bee-eaters and more ...

Troops of monkeys, an occasional gazelle, warthogs ...

As they traveled, they made an attempt to learn some basic words in the Wolof language and Reagan tried to record animal species and learn about them from local people.

I am just talking about the first excursion. Reagan goes on to describe more expeditions — back to Africa, to a rain forest in Puerto Rico, to Sumatra, to the Amazon, Eritrea, New Guinea, the Congo, the Philippines and more. In each location, Reagan was concerned about construction or mining’s effect on the flora and fauna, as well as identifying ecological issues and problems for any local resident ... often the outlook was bleak and concern for healthy surroundings was not a factor for corporate employers or national rulers ...

Reagan takes the reader on thought-provoking journeys with him and raises questions that will

cause a reader to lose some sleep, I’m thinking. But “The “Mercenary Naturalist” provided many new ideas for this reader. I’m certain questions will keep surfacing about these amazing, lesser-known parts of our world ...

The book is available from Amazon.

Conifer senior Patrick Doty runs cross country, as seen here, and track for Conifer High School. He hopes to pursue a degree in nursing and run competitively at a Division I or Division II college.

COURTESY OF COREY NEUMEIER AND CONIFER HIGH SCHOOL

Jazlyn Amaya, a Brighton High School senior, competes in cross country and swimming for the Bulldogs. She also plans to run track this spring, after her freshman season was cancelled in March 2020.

COURTESY PHOTO

Bode Baker throws a pitch during a June 2021 game at Denver Christian. The Clear Creek senior, who plays three other sports for the Golddiggers, is considering playing baseball or football in college.

FILE PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

“The Mercenary Naturalist” recounts author Doug Reagan’s time in Western Africa.

COURTESY IMAGE

‘The Mercenary Naturalist’ is new book

Holiday Art Market opens at Depot

In addition to walls filled with paintings, Littleton Fine Arts Guild members feature small arts and crafts pieces that make great gifts as they open the Holiday Art and Gift Market at the Depot Art Gallery, 2069 W. Powers Ave. in downtown Littleton. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Guild members also offer the Affordable Art Show at the Town Hall Art Center’s Stanton Gallery at 2450 W. Main St. in Littleton through Jan. 22. Open 10-5 Monday to Friday and during performances. (“Newsies” is open now through Christmas and tickets are another of our favorite gift ideas! See townhallartscenter.org.)

Central City Opera Company

“Amahl and the Night Visitors” will be performed by Central City Opera Company at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at Trinity Methodist Church, 1820 Broadway, Denver. Tickets: $12 children, $42 adults.

Englewood Arts

Chamber music will be performed on Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. with Silver Ainomae in a return visit with his cello and Joshua Sawicki on piano plus Colorado Symphony musicians. The show is in Hampden Hall in the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Tickets: $30, $25, 10. 303-806-8196, englewoodarts.org.

‘Newsies’

“Disney’s Newsies: The Musical” plays at Town Hall Arts Center in

SONYA’S SAMPLER

Littleton through Dec. 30 Tickets: $50 $44, $35. townhallartscenter.org. Also, “Fezziwig’s Ball,” a Christmas Carol participation play, is at Town Hall on Dec. 17 only.

Hudson Gardens

“A Hudson Christmas” with twinkling lights and festive garden walks at Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton, runs Dec. 9, 10, 11; 15-24 and 26-31. Doors open 5-9 p.m.

Dated tickets: $15 adult, $12, children, free 3 and under. Flex tickets: Adult $20, child $17. hudsongardens.org.

Blossoms of Light

Blossoms of Light through Jan. 7 at the Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street. 4:30-9 p.m. botanicgardens.org.

Trail of Lights

Trail of Lights is 5:30-8:30 p.m. nightly Dec. 16-Jan. 1 at Chatfield Farms. (Both are closed Dec. 25-buy tickets in advance.) $16 adult, $14 adult member; $12 senior, $12 child ages 3-16, free 2 and younger. botanicgardens.org.

Vintage Theatre

“Who’s Holiday!” with Jenny Mather as Cindy Lou Who in a riff on Dr. Seuss, a new play by Matthew Lombardo, directed by Heather

Frost. Presented by Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. Through Dec. 31. Tickets, $21 vintagetheatre. org, 303-856-7830. Not appropriate for children due to language and sexual references.

College exhibit

“Shared Visions” is an art exhibit that invites you to touch! At Colorado Gallery of the Arts at Arapahoe Community College. Cooperative creation of ACC students and those from Colorado Center for the Blind. Hours: 9-5 Monday-Friday, 9-7 on Thursdays. Closed Dec. 22-Jan. 2. 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton.

Cherry Creek Chorale

Cherry Creek Chorale presents “Ring in the Season” on Dec. 9 and

Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village. Tickets: cherrycreekchorale.org.

Library exhibit

“Forest of Stories” at all Douglas County Libraries through Jan. 7. Interactive exhibit of more than 120 decorated trees, dressed up in stories. Interactive scavenger hunt. Life-sized attractions. dcl.org/forest-of-stories.

‘Making Merry’

Stories on Stage: “Making Merry” is presented Dec. 17 at Nomad Theatre, Boulder and Dec. 18 at the King Center, Denver. at 2 p.m. A virtual premiere is at 7 p.m. Dec. 18. Actor Jamie Horton is scheduled to return. Tickets: 303-494-0523.

Jewelry is among the craft items for sale at the Holiday Art and Gift Market at the Depot Art Gallery in Littleton. COURTESY PHOTO

Thu 12/08

Morgenshtern

@ 8pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, Englewood

Fri 12/09

Cindy & Bryce

@ 1am

Dec 9th - Dec 8th

Heather Gardens Clubhouse, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way, Aurora

Teague Starbuck

@ 5pm

Sunroom Brewing, 3242 S Acoma St, En‐glewood

Pond: Gothic Theatre @ 8pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Sat 12/10

Smithtonian Handbells @ 2am

Dec 10th - Dec 9th

Heather Gardens Clubhouse, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way, Aurora

Daniella Katzir Music: Daniella Katzir Band at Swallow Hill! Tis The Season Of Sweet & Spice @ 8pm

Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

SOC: Cookie Decorating with Santa @ Cook Park @ 10:30pm

Cook Park Recreation Center, 7100 E. Cherry Creek South Dr., Denver. 720-9130654

Sun 12/11

Tue 12/13

YS: Boys Basketball 9-10 @ Cook Park #1 @ 1am

Dec 13th - Mar 7th

Cook Park Recreation Center, 7100 E. Cherry Creek South Dr., Denver. 720-9130654

YS: Boys Basketball 13-14 @ Cook Park @ 3am Dec 13th - Mar 8th

Cook Park Recreation Center, 7100 E. Cherry Creek South Dr., Denver. 720-9130654

Jay_Martin

@ 7pm

Rocker Spirits, 5587 S Hill St, Lit‐tleton

CHADZILLA MUSIC: Deborah Solo Trio at Tagawa Gardens

@ 11am

Tagawa Gardens, 7711 S Parker Rd, Centennial

SOC: Breakfast with Santa @ Cook Park

@ 5pm

Cook Park Recreation Center, 7100 E.

Cherry Creek South Dr., Denver. 720-9130654

The Highlands Ranch Concert Band presents: "Hear" For The Holidays: A Winter Concert @ 3pm

South Sub Church, 7275 South Broadway, Littleton. HRCBPublic ity@outlook.com, 303-870-3662

Lorie Line

@ 7pm

The Schoolhouse at Mainstreet, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker

Wed 12/14

Ladies Night @ 6pm / $5

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Thu 12/15

YS: Girls Basketball 9-10 @ Harvard Gulch @ 12am Dec 15th - Mar 9th

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

The King Stan Band: KSB's Annual Ugly Sweater Party in Paradise

@ 7:30pm

Paradise Tavern, 9239 Park Mead‐ows Dr, Lone Tree

Journey Girls Live at Fraco's @ 8pm

The Toad Tavern, 5302 S Federal Circle, Littleton

Denver Gay Men's Chorus: Haul Out the Jolly @ 3pm

St Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S University Blvd, Highlands Ranch

Mon 12/12

Modern Swing Mondays @ 6:30pm / $10 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

YS: Boys Basketball 9-10 @ Eisenhower #1 @ 11:30pm

Dec 12th - Mar 7th

Eisenhower Recreation Center, 4300 E. Dartmouth Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

CW & Twenty Hands High @ 7:30pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Darryl Purpose: Moth Storytelling GRAND SLAM @ 7:30pm

Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E Iliff Ave, Denver

Colorado’s soil moisture is better

BY CHRIS OUTCALT THE COLORADO SUN

Fall soil conditions across the Upper Colorado River Basin are not as dry as in the past few years, but the amount of moisture packed into the dirt heading into winter is still below long-term averages, according to new modeling from the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center.

“Across many of the major contributing areas, the higher elevation areas that generate the most runoff, our model soil moisture conditions are near to below normal,” said Cody Moser, a senior hydrologist at the forecast center.

Soil moisture this time of year is an important factor for water managers who study weather conditions for a sense of how much runoff to expect in the spring. After a particularly wet 2019, the past two years have been hotter and drier across the West; those conditions dried out the soil, which then sucked up valuable snow melt before it ever made its way into a river or stream.

“The past couple seasons have seen some pretty significant impacts from soil moisture conditions leading into the runoff efficiency that you can see for the following season,” Moser said.

This year’s fall soil moisture map published by the forecast center shows an improvement in soil

conditions in southwest Colorado, which is still dry but generally better overall when compared to last year. Those gains are owed in part to a steady pattern of monsoonal rains this summer.

Large parts of the Western Slope around Grand Junction and Gunnison and near the headwaters of the Colorado River have between 70% and 100% of the moisture packed into the soil when compared to an average from 1981 to 2010, according to the forecast center. Parts of southwestern Wyoming and around the Green River in Utah are not as well off, according to the models, registering between 30% and 70% of the average moisture in the soil.

For every 1% change in average soil conditions, the forecast center estimates a 0.5% change in runoff. A forecast center analysis explained it this way: “For a watershed that produces approximately a million acre-feet of water under completely average conditions, soil moisture conditions that are 1% wetter than average could yield an additional 5,000 acre-feet of water.” (An acre-foot is about 325,000 gallons or enough to supply two or three households annually.)

The Colorado Basin River Forecast Center fall 2022 Upper Basin soil moisture conditions map. The forecast center models soil moisture conditions across the Colorado River Basin in mid-November each year.

Dave Kanzer, director of science

and interstate matters at the Colorado River District, said the current soil conditions are not quite as good as some were hoping for given the fairly consistent rain around the Western Slope this summer.

“It’s a little bit of an eye-opener,” Kanzer said.

Rain in July and August helped soak western Colorado soils, Kanzer said, but that progress stalled during a drier September and October.

“Because of those two drier months, some of those gains — they weren’t erased but they weren’t magnified either,” Kanzer said. “Things are maybe better than they have been in a few years, but not stellar except in a few isolated spots.”

There are other factors, too, that impact spring runoff. A dry, windy spring with low relative humidity can sponge off valuable moisture that was locked into the ground in the fall, Kanzer said.

“It’s a diverse, complex situation,” he said.

Still, the impact of soil moisture on runoff is significant — so much so that the river district recently emphasized the need to better understand dry soil conditions, Kanzer said.

In October, the district approved a $60,000 grant for the nonprofit Aspen Global Change Institute to help fund continued monitoring of soil conditions at 10 AGCI stations throughout the Roaring Fork Valley.

The district helps pay for various local and regional water projects through its Community Funding Partnership, a program Western Colorado voters approved via a mill levy increase in 2020. The partnership so far has distributed more than $5.5 million to more than 60 projects.

The additional focus on soil moisture in recent years is expected, said John Tracy, director of the Colorado Water Center at Colorado State University. He said other western watersheds have been dealing with this challenge for decades, but that the impacts are more noticeable in difficult drought years.

“What I think has happened is that this has been going on and it’s just that all of a sudden we’re really seeing the impacts and that’s why it’s getting so much more attention right now,” Tracy said.

It could still take multiple years to erase the soil moisture deficits that have built up across the Colorado River Basin, Tracy said.

“We need well above average snowfall to hit that average streamflow going into the future,” he said.

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.

Let the Arvada Center light the way to holiday cheer

COMING ATTRACTIONS

human, truthful moments in every part of her journey, from not fitting into her hometown and her relationship with her father to experiencing magic in the castle and finally connecting with the Beast/Prince.”

Bringing a production of this scale to the stage is no easy feat, but as always, the Arvada Center excels on all fronts. And performers were involved in the creative process, especially when it affects their characters.

Find more information and tickets at www.arvvadacenter.org.

A contemporary take on a classic Christmas story

You can’t have the holiday season without “The Nutcracker,” and for years Ballet Ariel has been taking the timeless story and adding its own take to it. With their production of “The Nutcracker 2022,” the company has done it again.

Angie Piehl and Chris Warren. According to provided information, the artists use components of collage, mark-making, painting and sculpture. The end result is as complex as the creator themselves and invites serious contemplation.

For information on the show, visit www.walkerfineart.com.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Not So Silent Night at Mission Ballroom

Clarke Reader

Finding the right way to spend a night out during the holiday season is a tale as old as time. While there is no shortage of overtly holiday-themed activities to select from, maybe you’re in the market for something that carries a similar message without all the elves and flying reindeer. The Arvada Center has you covered. This year the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., is celebrating the season with Disney’s immortal romance, “Beauty and the Beast,” which runs through Saturday, Dec. 31. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. on Wednesday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

On the off chance you don’t know the story, it’s about a prince (Michael Cárrasco) who is transformed into the titular beast and can only change back into his human form through true love. When Belle (Zina Ellis) arrives at the beast’s castle, she is befriended by a candlestick named Lumiere (Barret Harper) and a bunch of other household items, and she learns just who the mysterious beast really is.

“I have always admired Belle and felt a connection to her as a strong and intelligent character with a big heart,” Ellis said. “I hope to find the

“My favorite part of the process has been the collaboration in the character development, storytelling and design for Lumiere,” Harper said.” I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with artisans from the costume shop, props, electrics, and sound to fully conceptualize and build from scratch what Lumiere looks and sounds like. It’s been terribly fun to play with these ideas and I think we have collectively built something really interesting for audiences to see and tell a story that they both expect and love.”

That feeling of camaraderie and creative kinship spilled into every area of the production, which fits perfectly with the message of the holiday season.

“As our community at the Arvada Center started to create this show, that sentiment was felt every day,” said director Kenny Moten. “It takes a village to create theater and every artist that contributed to this production went above and beyond by offering their time, talent, and treasure to the process.”

Ballet Ariel will be performing the show at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway in Lakewood, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10 and 17, Sunday, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, Thursday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Dec. 23, and 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16 and Saturday, Dec. 17.

Featuring Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, the show features current company dancers Marcelina Gaudini, Maya Vought and Yoshiko Brunson, former company dancers and more.

Get information and tickets at www.balletariel.org/nutcracker.

The uniting process of Fractional Confluence

The act of creation so often requires bringing together a variety of elements to produce a cohesive whole. That process goes under the microscope in “Fractional Confluence,” the latest exhibit at Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th Ave., No. A in Denver.

Artists participating in the show are Tonia Bonnell, Doug Haeussner, Rob Mellor, Christopher Nelson,

We quite simply don’t have many bands like England’s The 1975 and that’s a drag because they are just a lot of fun. They’re ambitious, pretentious, winking and achingly sincere, oftentimes in the span of one sparkling, synth-driven song. They were my band of the 2010s and I’d love it if they made it two decades in a row. The group is off to a solid start with “Being Funny in a Foreign Language,” their most compact introspective release yet.

As part of Channel 93.3’s annual Not So Silent Night concert, The 1975 will be joined by Lovelytheband and Neon The Bishop at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver. This will be a really fun show to get you in the holiday spirit and with the promise of being “at their very best,” I can’t wait to see what Matty Healy and company have in store.

Get tickets at www.axs.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.

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Know that your gift to Colorado Community Media helps our 24 publications thrive. Our staff works hard to keep tabs on our communities, and in 2023, we want to give you more. More accountability of local government agencies, more coverage of community events, more voices from the community.

Our organization was chosen for the #newsCOneeds matching program, so now through Dec. 31, your support will mean more. The Colorado Media Project will match contributions up to a total of $5,000. It’s a unique way to show your support for reliable, affordable local news.

People tell us that our reporting truly makes a difference in their lives — that no one else covers our communities like we do or with such transparency and care. Thank you so much for the support you give to make this work possible. We are proud to be there for all of you, and to keep our communities strong. With gratitude, Linda Shapley, publisher

Linda Shapley Publisher

People with a felony record are getting more opportunities

BY TAMARA CHUANG THE COLORADO SUN

Now that the election is over, new economic data coming in gives us better insight into what was hap pening last month when politicians were campaigning full steam.

In October, consumer prices were up 7.7% nationwide from a year ago, according to the latest inflation re port from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Denver-area data, which is used to gauge Colorado’s rate, won’t be out until December. But an analysis by WalletHub has Denver’s inflation trending to be “Rising the Least” out of 22 metro areas tracked by the BLS. There’s a reason for this. But more on that in a bit.

Colorado is still showing about two job openings for every unem ployed worker. And one startup that’s trying to help connect employ ers to job seekers is in Denver. But Honest Jobs is promoting a different kind of worker that employers may not have considered: the formerly incarcerated.

Honest Jobs plugs a hole for employers

After Harley Blakeman graduated from Ohio State University in 2017, he applied to nearly 100 jobs he felt qualified for. He was rejected by them all. It probably was because years earlier, as a homeless teen ager, he did drugs and spent time in prison on drug and theft charges.

No one wanted to hire an ex-felon.

So, in 2018, he started Honest Jobs as a job site that matches workers with a past to employers who need their help. And boy, did he hit an untapped market. The company now works with more than 1,000 employers from Amazon and Koch Industries to Nestle and Wayfair. On any given day, there are 60,000 job openings and 37,000 job seekers. A year ago, there were 10,000 job seek ers and 400 employers. The company moved to Denver last year at the request of its Boulder-based inves tors, which include Caruso Ventures and Matchstick Ventures. It’s grow ing as it tries to help solve the issue of “returning citizens” and keeping them out of jail.

“We are the largest job board spe cifically focused on felony-friendly employment opportunities,” said Melissa Dickerson, the company’s chief of staff who had nearly given

up on finding a job herself after her own felony conviction. “All of the employers come to us and sign up and post their jobs directly on our site with the express understanding that every candidate they get from our site is going to have some kind of justice involvement.”

Dickerson handles operations at Honest Jobs’ headquarters in RiNo (Blakeman is in Ohio). She said part of the uniqueness of its job board is that it helps applicants see openings from employers who are OK with a particular background.

In other words, someone with a DUI conviction wouldn’t see open ings for drivers. Those with a theft charge may not see jobs that handle cash. And people with fraud convic tions would not be recommended for jobs that deal with sensitive data.

Honest Jobs doesn’t do background checks — that’s up to the employer. Applicants self-disclose their past.

“Even though all the employers who post their jobs on our site are willing to consider people with criminal records, there are also employers and businesses who are concerned about negligent-hiring lawsuits,” Dickerson said. “They will consider everybody on a caseby-case basis, but in many situa tions, they will have to look closely at the duties of the job the person is applying for compared to that person’s type of conviction. And if there’s a conflict there, that could potentially put the employer at risk for negligent hiring.”

The most common types of openings at Honest Jobs are for warehouse workers, maintenance technicians, delivery drivers, res taurant work, customer service and mechanics. She says she’s seen “up to VP level positions.” On Friday, the site had an opening for a senior backend engineer at data-analytics firm AirDNA and a senior product marketing position at backgroundchecking site Checkr, a company that does background checks. Both positions start at more than $140,000 a year. But most jobs are more entry or mid-level roles.

“The majority of the jobs we have on our site do tend to be in things like manufacturing and warehous ing because those are the industries that are typically the most felony friendly and can offer the best wages that are liveable and enable people

to provide for their families,” she said. “We have jobs in tech, we have jobs in hospitality, we have profes sional-level positions, skilled trades. It really runs the gamut and because we are nationwide, we do have jobs in every state.”

Since its inception, the company has raised more than $2.9 million in funding, including from Caruso Ventures, the family investment firm of Dan Caruso, who cofounded Zayo Group and Level 3 Communi cations.

“The most effective solution for re ducing recidivism, and the incarcer ated population in general, is by em ploying the formerly incarcerated,” Caruso said in an email. “Employers need more hard-working employees. Honest Jobs matches up Employers with this untapped and loyal talent pool.”

Ex-o enders need jobs, too

About 650,000 people are released from state or federal prison each year, according to the U.S. Depart ment of Justice. Studies show that two-thirds are likely to be rearrested within three years because they return to society at a disadvantage. They have no money, few job op portunities and limited housing. According to an analysis by Prison Policy, the unemployment rate for the formerly incarcerated is 27%, or higher than the nation’s rate has ever been.

The labor shortage, including here in Colorado where there are roughly two job openings for every unem ployed worker, has made hiring applicants with a felony background something that even the U.S. Cham ber encourages. In a report last year, the chamber cited studies that made a compelling business case: Excluding formerly incarcerated job seekers reduced the nation’s gross domestic product by $78 million to $87 billion; hires are more loyal, which reduces turnover; and having a job reduces the recidivism rate.

Honest Jobs recently expanded its service to help people who are still in prison. Working with ViaPath Technologies in Virginia, Honest Jobs’ job board can now be viewed by the incarcerated to help them land a job as they prepare to leave, said Tony Lowden, ViaPath’s vice president of reintegration and com munity engagement.

“Before the Honest Jobs platform, you had to work with your proba tion officer and maybe, maybe they would have a job waiting for you once you came home,” Lowden said. “Or you had to depend on your fam ily or your church to help you find a job. Or you had to be an entrepre neur and start cutting grass. Nine times out of 10, those people who were not successful end up back in our correctional facilities.”

Lowden knows. He was the “re entry czar” under President Don ald Trump and he helped former prisoners reenter the workforce. ViaPath provides tablet technology to prisons so inmates can learn new skills and get job training. Now they can look for a job at companies that want to hire them. According to Honest Jobs, the tablets are provid ed free of charge to the incarcerated and Honest Jobs is free for them to use.

“We cannot call them returning citizens if we don’t allow them to get a job,” Lowden said. “Because if you have a desperate person who can’t reintegrate back into the communi ty, there’s no training, no jobs, they can’t get an apartment, they’re go ing to do some crazy things because they’re desperate.”

Colorado is one state with a “Ban the Box,” which prohibits employers with 11 or more employees from re quiring job seekers to disclose their criminal history when applying for a job. The Colorado Chance to Com pete Act, intended to get employers to consider an applicant’s qualifica tions first, went into effect Sept. 1, 2021. But while there are at least 37 states that ban the question, Lowden said there’s more to it than a box.

“Companies can always say, ‘Well, we ban the box. We don’t have that on our application.’ But it’s not just that you have to ban a box. You have to put somebody in the box,” he said.

“And what I mean by in the box, you have to hire that person to show America that it is possible to give a person a second chance.”

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 Colo rado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colo rado Community Media.

How school funding fared at the polls

BY JENNY BRUNDIN COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO

Most of the 21 Colorado school districts that asked for money on the ballot this year — for teacher raises, building upgrades and improved security — got it. But there were some losses.

The tiny Bennett school district won’t get a new high school to address overcrowding. Or space for technical and career education. Or enhanced safety and security in schools. Voters turned down a bond measure 45% to 54%.

Teachers and bus drivers and custodians in Ellicott School District No. 22 east of Colorado Springs won’t get a pay raise. Nor will those in Douglas County. Property tax increases, called mill levy overrides, failed in those districts.

But Boulder Valley will be able to accomplish quite a list: repair, replace and upgrade buildings, remove asbestos, create lab-like classrooms for career and technical education, and replace a high school, and build a new elementary school in Erie to relieve overcrowding.

Weld RE-4 teachers will get a raise to be competitive with surrounding districts.

Fewer funding measures this year

Compared to other election cycles, there were fewer local school tax measures this year. Tracie Rainey of the Colorado School Finance Project, which tracked all the school

funding tax measures, says it takes about 18 months to really have the time to “bring people together to understand what the issues are, why they’re going for an election.”

The pandemic interrupted that. But she expects more districts to run tax measures next year and in 2024. One reason is that state lawmakers will again attempt to overhaul the school finance system.

“And so, I do think you’re going to see potentially more districts deciding to start planning for that, given that they are very insecure about what that future is going to look like,” said Rainey.

Mill levy overrides ask voters for money on top of the set property tax rate for each district. That has created inequity between districts because some can pass such mea-

sures and others can’t. Even some districts with high property tax wealth are loath to pass them – such as Douglas County.

That county had the most hotly contested school funding measure in Colorado. By 2,634 votes, the county narrowly shot down a $60 million mill levy override that would have given teachers on average a 9 percent raise and classified workers like classroom assistants and cafeteria workers a 9 percent boost on average. Voters also defeated a $450 million bond to build three new neighborhood schools in fast-growing areas.

Douglas County, the ninth wealthiest county in the nation, has a median household income of $119,730 a year. The measures, if approved, would have cost $52 per year, per

$100,000 of home value. But tax measures have historically been difficult to pass in the conservative county. Turbulence in the school district didn’t help. Earlier this year board business was mired by fighting, the firing of a popular superintendent, and district judge ruling that the board had made decisions in secret.

The divided board did unify behind the ballot measures, with a politically diverse campaign committee and all board members out campaigning for 5A and 5B.

At a board meeting Nov. 15, the seven-member board voiced optimism and were “pleasantly surprised” at how close the race was. An early poll showed it going down much more handily.

“I just wanted to say how incredibly proud I was of the entire district and the community for coming together and being able to put our differences aside and really band together around 5A and 5B,” said board member Christy Williams. “Even though it didn’t pass, I think we made huge strides.”

Board members said they hope to try again next November. Board member David Ray said he’d like the district to do a more in-depth analysis of why people who voted for a similar measure in 2018 may not have voted this time around.

“And then to listen to really understand why they may have chosen not to support this time around. But I think as long as we (a divided board)

Most Colorado school funding measures passed this year. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

Valor, Creek to vie for championship

powerhouses will meet Dec. 3 at Empower Field

BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Valor Christian earned another shot at Cherry Creek on Nov. 26 with a 42-41 double overtime victory over Ralston Valley in a Class 5A semifinal playoff game at Valor Christian.

After Ralston Valley failed to convert an extra point in the second OT period, Valor scored on a run by Trey Scott and added the extra-point kick by Jeremy Claycamp, which ended the game and sent the Eagles (11-2) heading to Empower Field for a 5A state championship game against Cherry Creek (112) on Dec. 3 at 2:30 p.m.

Valor has lost the past two 5A title games to Creek by 21-0 scores and the Eagles have not been strangers to CHSAA championship encounters.

The Dec. 3 game will match two of Colorado’s most prominent football programs.

This will be Valor’s sixth showing in a 5A state title contest. The Eagles have won eight state titles, including one in 3A and one in 4A.

Cherry Creek has won the past three 5A state titles and will be making its fifth straight appearance in the state title contest. The Bruins have captured 12 state titles.

Ralston Valley lost to Valor during the regular season but had a 28-21 lead heading into the final 4:40 of regulation time in the semifinal contest.

Valor mounted a 71-yard drive with Gabe Sawchuk scoring on a 10-yard run to send the game into overtime.

Asher Weiner, Valor’s quarterback, passed for 74 yards and ran for an additional 123 yards. Roman Bradley rushed for 142 yards and two TDs for the Eagles.

“When they missed the extra point, we thought we had a chance,” said Valor coach Bret McGatlin. “We still needed to score a touchdown, which was big and put the extra point through. We had little time to win it.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to play for a state championship. Cherry Creek is pretty good. We’re going to see what we have to offer this next week. I know one thing, that it’s our blood and we’ll be ready to play against a real good Creek

Headed for the Super Bowl, Pop Warner style

Highlands Ranch 12U football team going to Orlando for second year in a row

BY ALEX SCHYULTZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Believe it or not, a football team from Colorado is going to the Super Bowl this year.

No, the team doesn’t hail from Dove Valley. They don’t spend $170 million annually on their roster. And they don’t attract millions of viewers every time they play.

What they do do — contrary to the team just alluded to — is run an exciting brand of football, score points by the bushel and not only win games, but bring opponents to their knees in the process.

And on Dec. 1, the 12U Highlands Ranch Mountain Lions will board a plane and take their collective talents to the bright lights of the Camping World Stadium sports complex in Orlando, Florida, where they’ll compete in the 64th Pop Warner Super Bowl.

Seven other 12U teams will be there. The Mountain Lions are guaranteed two games, which will be on Dec. 3 and 6. If they win those two, they’ll play for the

ultimate prize on Dec. 9 at the 60,000-capacity Camping World Stadium, the current home to college football’s Cheez-It Bowl and Citrus Bowl.

“I think we definitely have a chance (to win it all),” said Jack Lind, a 13-year-old slot receiver who also plays cornerback for the Mountain Lions. “Some of those teams are really good.”

In the 40-year history of Pop Warner football in Colorado, no team from the Centennial State has ever won the Super Bowl. That streak nearly ended last year, though, when the Mountain Lions punched their ticket to Orlando, went 1-1 there and finished the season ranked No. 5 nationally.

That experience, head coach Jason Lind and assistant coach Donnie Salum believe, will serve their

players well when the time comes to lace up in Orlando once again. The youngsters have already witnessed the trappings of Pop Warner’s biggest stage — the lights, the cameras, the stars. There’s comfort in knowing what to expect.

(The players met four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski at Raymond James Stadium, home to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ahead of their second game last year).

“We’re so much more prepared,” said the elder Lind, who played football and ran track at UC Davis.

“We kind of went into it blind last year. We know what to expect this year.”

Making it to the Super Bowl isn’t easy — Highlands Ranch had to

5A

The Highlands Ranch Mountain Lions 12U Pop Warner football team poses for a photo after beating the Soco Warriors (Colorado Springs) 32-8 in the state championship game on Nov. 5 at the University of Northern Colorado’s Nottingham Field. The Mountain Lions are set to travel to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the 64th Pop Warner Super Bowl.

COURTESY CASSIE UNRUH

‘We’re much faster and tougher than other teams. We’re more disciplined.’

Donnie Salum Jr., running back and defensive end

win league, state and regional championships to get there.

The Mountain Lions went 7-1 in Rocky Mountain Pop Warner League play to capture the league title and earn a spot in the state championship game against the Soco Warriors (Colorado Springs), whom they steamrolled 32-8.

Highlands Ranch went on to shut down the Los Lunas Tigers (New Mexico) 53-0 and the St. Philip’s Saints (Texas) 38-6 in a pair of regional games to claim the Southwest Region crown.

According to Salum, in the game against St. Philip’s, the Saints fielded five 200-plus-pound players, but Highlands Ranch still won going away.

“We’re small, but we’re fast and disciplined,” said Salum, who was drafted in 1990 by the Atlanta Falcons out of the University of Arizona.

Donnie Salum Jr., 12, a running back and defensive end for Highlands Ranch, echoed what his father said: “We’re much faster and tougher than other teams. We’re more disciplined.”

The Mountain Lions use that speed to their advantage, too, especially on offense. Unlike Pop Warner teams of yore and most of today’s Pop Warner teams, Highlands Ranch runs a spread-type offense, deploying four receivers on every play. Running backs? Yeah, they’re in there, but they’re usually busy running routes, too. Think Mike Leach and the Air Raid offense, Pop Warner-style.

“Opposing teams have never seen it,” the senior Lind said.

The result: The Mountain Lions have mercy-ruled every team

5A STATE

team.”

On defense against Ralston Valley, Bradley, Jackson Oriol and Blake Kirschke each had seven total tackles. Scott and Ethan

they’ve played this year except one. In fact, many of the Mountain Lions’ scoring drives during all those drubbings lasted all of two or three plays because they have the ability to cover so much ground so quickly.

Of course, to make that kind of offense go, having a smart, accurate player at the controls is a must, and Highlands Ranch has one in 13-year-old quarterback Bentley Unruh, who has accounted for 40 total touchdowns this season.

“It’s fun,” Unruh said of the Mountain Lions’ pass-happy offense. “I just like throwing the ball a lot. A lot of teams don’t do that. I always know Tav’s down there somewhere.”

The “Tav” Unruh is speaking of is one of his trusty receivers, Tavish Burt.

“Sometimes I get nervous on deep passes because I don’t want to drop them,” said Burt, a seventh-grader at Castle Rock Christian Academy.

But Burt doesn’t drop many. Instead, he’s snagged a whole bunch of spirals thrown his way en route to scoring 17 touchdowns this season.

Moral of the story: The Mountain Lions can score and score often.

“If you make it to the championship game in Orlando,” someone begins to ask the Highlands Ranch coaches and players, “do you think you’ll be able to replicate what you’ve done …”

The elder Salum interjects.

“When we make it to the championship game, not if. We’re going to win this thing.”

The team has started a GoFundMe to help defray the expenses of the Orlando trip for the players. Donations can be made at bit.ly/ MountainLionsOrlando.

Carlson each had an interception.

In a Class 3A semifinal game, Lutheran (11-2) defeated Durango 45-28, and will play in its first state championship game against undefeated Roosevelt (13-0) on Dec. 3 at CSU-Pueblo.

Lutheran, which had four interceptions, built up a 38-7 lead in the fourth quarter.

CROWSS UP DRO ELZZ

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strive to work towards consensus, I think our community will continue to support us for the next 12 months. But I do think the next 12 months is going to be indicative of what hap pens in November 2023.”

For 27J, eighth time’s a charm

The biggest victory went to the 27J school district, a large district that spans parts of Adams, Broom field and Weld counties.

“Absolute elation and a sense of relief” was the reaction of Super intendent Chris Fiedler, after the measure passed.

Voters had rejected 7 previous efforts to pass a mill levy override. The district has had to take drastic measures like cutting programs,

holding back on raises, going to four-day school weeks, and in some cases, doing split schedules at schools. The starting teacher salary in the district is currently $43,000 a year, well below other metro Denver districts.

This time around, the campaign concentrated more intensively on focus groups, parent surveys and used the services of Magellan Strategies, which managed 11 ballot measure surveys for Colorado local governments and special districts this election.

“We really listened to what our community, parents and members of our focus groups told us was most important to them,” Fiedler said.

This year they added school safety to the list of what the measure would accomplish because on the heels of the Uvalde tragedy in Texas, people said they wanted

armed security at elementary schools. That was listed first in the ballot language, followed by raising teacher and staff salaries, followed by career and technical education so students can get hands-on job skills in science, technology, engineering and math.

Fiedler said they worked a lot on the ballot language, expanding it and making it very specific about those three items that would be funded. It also specified that no revenue from the tax will be used for administration salary increases. But teachers will get at least a 7.5 percent salary raise, though that could go higher if Gov. Jared Polis’ budget proposal holds, Fiedler said.

Parents, school staff and an alli ance with Rocky Mountain Partner ship, which hired young people as civic influencers to explain school finance and the measure to vot ers, also helped. There was lots of

outreach to the Spanish-speaking community and younger voters, which Fiedler believes made a big difference, too.

There was another unique twist as for why 27J may have crossed the finish line this year: The Commerce City Council passed a tax cut in early October to offset most of the school tax increase that homeown ers would see.

“I’ve never seen that done, I just was shocked and grateful for that bold move,” said Fiedler. “That had a tangible effect.”

The all-hands-on-deck effort paid off.

“People have asked me what made the difference, and it’s 100 things,” the veteran superintendent said.

This story is from CPR News, a nonprofit news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.

Legals

Public Trustees

PUBLIC NOTICE

Lone Tree NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2022-0148

To Whom It May Concern: On 9/15/2022 11:09:00

AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: BETHLEHEM A EYOB

Original Beneficiary:

MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR LEHMAN BROTHERS BANK, FSB, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee, Banc of America Funding Corporation Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-4

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 4/15/2004

Recording Date of DOT: 5/17/2004

Reception No. of DOT: 2004049943

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $659,200.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $290,232.76

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Borrower's failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property:

LOT 116, CARRIAGE CLUB ESTATES FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 10561 Lieter Place, Lone Tree, CO 80124

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to

First Publication: 11/10/2022

Last Publication: 12/8/2022

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 9/15/2022

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

ALISON L. BERRY

Colorado Registration #: 34531 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990 Fax #: (303) 706-9994 Attorney File #: 22-028198

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2022-0148

First Publication: 11/10/2022 Last Publication: 12/8/2022 Publisher: Douglas County News Press PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2022-0144

Property Address: 9967 Silver Maple Road, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Tax Parcel ID No.: 222916207011

Which has the address of: 9967 Silver Maple Road, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 11/10/2022

Last Publication: 12/8/2022

Publisher: Douglas County News Press Dated: 9/7/2022

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

ALISON L. BERRY

Colorado Registration #: 34531 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112

Phone #: (303) 706-9990

Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 22-028267

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2022-0144

First Publication: 11/10/2022

Last Publication: 12/8/2022

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property: ALL THE REAL PROPERTY, TOGETHER WITH IMPROVEMENTS, IF ANY, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE COUNTY OF DOUGLAS AND STATE OF COLORADO, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: LOT 32, HIGHLANDS RANCH

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Littleton

NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2022-0150

To Whom It May Concern: On 9/16/2022 11:43:00

AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in

Current

PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 8/1/2003

Recording Date of DOT: 8/6/2003

Reception No. of DOT: 2003118295

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $386,750.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $513,615.22

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Borrower's failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 33, CHATFIELD ACRES, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 7216 West Lakeside Drive, Littleton, CO 80125

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 11/10/2022

Last Publication: 12/8/2022

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 9/16/2022

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder

It May Concern, and more especially to: RANDY KARLIN AKA RANDOLPH ROGER KARLIN - OCCUPANT - KEITH E. NELSON - MERCURY FUNDING, LLC - JULIUS OTTO WAGNER AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF BETANNA C WAGNER - JULIUS OTTO WAGNER - RANDY KARLIN AKA RANDOLPH ROGER KARLIN C/O WANITA KAY KARLIN - HAROLD HANDY AKA HAROLD JOSEPH HANDY AKA HAROLD JOSEPH HANDY JR

You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 1st day of November 2018 the then County Treasurer of the County of Douglas, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to MER CURY FUNDING, LLC the following described real estate situate in the County of Douglas, State of Colorado, to wit:

LOT 1 BLK 1 ENCHANTMENT 2 0.324 AM/L and said County Treasurer issued a certificate of purchase therefore to MERCURY FUNDING, LLC. That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent* taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2017. That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of RANDY KARLIN for said year 2017

That said MERCURY FUNDING, LLC on the 11th day of August 2022 the present holder of said certificate, has made request upon the Treasurer of said County for a deed to said real estate; That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said at 1:00 o’clock P.M., on the 16th day of March 2023 unless the same has been redeemed. Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 1st day of December 2022

/s/ David Gill County Treasurer of Douglas County

Legal Notice No. 944220

First Publication: December 1, 2022

Last Publication: December 15, 2022

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

FILING NO. 110-H, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO. Being the same property conveyed to Jordan Obertier and Nancy A. Obertier, not in tenancy in common but in joint tenancy from Richmond American Homes of Colorado, Inc. by Warranty Deed dated July 16, 1997 and recorded July 21, 1997 among the Land Records of Douglas County, State of Colorado in 9739484. The Property address and tax parcel identification number listed are provided solely for informational purposes, without warranty as to accuracy or completeness and are not hereby insured.

Douglas County.

Original Grantor: MARY J. DANKO AND JEFFREY G. DANKO Original Beneficiary: NEW CENTURY MORTGAGE CORPORATION

Holder of Evidence of Debt: DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR NEW CENTURY HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2003-4 ASSET BACKED