Highlands Ranch Herald 062223

Judge rules against school board majority

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A Douglas County judge ruled four school board members violated Colorado Open Meetings Law when they had a series of one-on-one conversations about terminating former Superintendent Corey Wise. While Douglas County District Court Judge Je rey Holmes ruled against the majority of school board members for a second time, he still declined to issue a permanent injunction.

In a ruling issued June 16, Holmes rea rmed that Douglas County Board President Mike Peterson and board members Christy Williams, Becky Myers, and Kaylee Winegar broke open meetings law by discussing ring Wise in non-public conversations last year.

Student creates birthday kits for 200 kids

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Two-hundred kids in the Denver metro area received party hats, streamers, balloons, cake and all of the other ingredients needed for a birthday celebration thanks to a donation from 11-year-old Shriya Madhavan of Highlands Ranch.

Shriya Madhavan

Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, led a lawsuit against the district in February 2022, with his attorney, Steve Zansberg, arguing that ring a superintendent is a public business subject to open meetings law.

In a statement, Marshall said he is glad Holmes recon rmed his prior ruling, however, he still issued an ultimatum.

Read an important message regarding Colorado Community Media’s print products on Page 3

Shriya Madhavan, 11, raised $1,000 to put together

200 birthday supply kits to donate to A Precious Child, a Broomfield nonprofit that helps families in crisis.

PHOTO COURTESY MADHAVAN SRINIVASAN

‘... I felt like I could help a certain amount of people, but hopefully inspire people to help others.’

Homeowners scramble to dispute property values

BY NINA JOSS AND ELLIS ARNOLD COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

In much of the south Denver metro area, the disputes that property owners led with their county o cials over whether their property values should be lowered for tax purposes has outstripped recent years by thousands of lings.

Douglas County property owners led disputes, or appeals, for about 20% of the properties that received new property values this year — the highest percentage of appeals in recent history for the county, according to Toby Damisch, who heads Douglas County’s property valuation o ce.

“And I don’t expect for this to ever happen again,” said Damisch, the county assessor, adding: “It’s a complete anomaly.”

In appeals, owners argue their property value should be lower — and tens of thousands in the south Denver suburbs have taken that step. Driven by a costly real-estate market, home values have spiked since the last time homeowners received notices of value two years ago. In Douglas County, residential properties saw increases in value between 30% and 60%, with a median of 47%.

Arapahoe County saw almost a 42% increase in residential values,

according to County Assessor PK Kaiser.

e numbers mean many homeowners face a double-digit percentage increase in their property tax bill for next year.

Property taxes partly fund county governments, but they also fund school districts, re and library districts, and other local entities.

e property valuation homeowners received around early May is based on data as of June 2022, near the recent peak in the real-estate market.

Even though home prices have declined since then, property values from the assessor’s o ce re ect last year’s exceptional highs.

“People are very, very worried about their property taxes next year because of what the values have done,” said Corbin Sakdol, director of the Colorado Assessors’ Association.

Skyrocketing appeal rates

In Arapahoe County, about 13% of the properties that received a new value this year have had their value appealed, according to Kaiser’s o ce’s count in mid-June. In raw numbers, that’s about 29,000 appeals — and counting, Kaiser’s o ce said on June 16.

Over in Douglas County, the appeal rate is much higher than usual,

Damisch said.

“We typically expect 5% of properties to appeal,” though that number uctuates through the years, Damisch said.

As of early June, his o ce had received about 28,000 appeals, but Damisch expects the number to total more than 30,000, as the deadline has passed but lings still trickle in by mail.

at number dwarfs the nexthighest year for appeals in Douglas County — roughly 13,500 in 2009, according to Damisch.

In Arapahoe County, this year’s appeal rate was more than three times the next highest appeal rate in the past decade, which was about 9,000 in 2019.

Possible relief

In Douglas County this year, the “vast majority of appeals” are for residential property, said Damisch, who didn’t know the exact percentage as of June 16.

Assessors’ o ces are working in the coming weeks to nish processing thousands of appeals. And many property owners may see some measure of relief.

In rough early numbers, so far, the Douglas County assessor’s o ce sta are adjusting and thus decreasing value for about half of the appeals, Damisch said.

In the past, “we’ve adjusted between 25% and 40% of appeals” in any given year, Damisch said.

He added: “ at’s a huge range, and that has a lot to do with current economic conditions.”

“We’re taking a more light-handed approach to our appeal reviews this year, and if we nd there’s evidence to lower the value, we’re going to do that. It’s a slightly different approach” than in previous years, Damisch said. “We’re more so than ever before looking for: Is there cause to adjust the value downward?”

He’d be surprised if his o ce ends up adjusting below 40% or above 60% of appeals given how the process has gone so far.

In Arapahoe County, 92% of appeals at this point are for residential properties.

Kaiser’s o ce, still processing many appeals, could not yet provide numbers on how many have resulted in lower property values.

What decides an appeal

So how much relief could the appeal process give homeowners?

Typically, when an appeal succeeds, the Douglas County Assessor’s O ce decreases a property’s value by 5% to 10%, according to Damisch.

But that amount varies widely.

A successful appeal can stem from something small: e assessor’s ofce could have some characteristic wrong, like incorrect information about the deck of a house. Other

wrong information in the records could relate to the bathroom count, square footage or garage, Damisch said.

Kaiser said his o ce considers several factors when a property value is appealed, including errors in lot size, age and condition.

Assessors’ o ces use what are called “mass appraisals” because there are so many properties in a county and limited numbers of workers to analyze them.

at means the assessor’s o ce looks at properties built around the same time with a similar construction style, location, size, age and amenities. It uses an algorithm to help value them.

“State law requires assessors to use sales (information) to value residential property,” said Sakdol, the Colorado Assessors’ Association director and a former Arapahoe County assessor. Data from property sales are used to value all the unsold properties, Sakdol said.

For some appeals, the assessor’s o ce may nd that the valuation model used for the mass appraisal just doesn’t work for the property.

Take, for example, a neighborhood that contains mostly two-story homes and a handful of ranch-style homes, but imagine that none of the ranch homes sold in the period of data the assessor’s o ce examines.

“Maybe that model didn’t value the single-story ranches very well, and so we have to go in and adjust,” Damisch said.

Perfect storm County assessors’ o ces are tasked with establishing accurate values of homes and other properties to determine how much property owners will owe government entities in taxes — a process meant to ensure that the amount of taxes people pay is fair and equitable.

Counties are required by Colorado law to revalue properties every two years, according to Sakdol. e assessor doesn’t set the tax rate but determines the value of the property that the tax rate then gets applied to. Local government entities like counties and school districts set the tax rates. Property tax rates are o cially called “mill levies.”

Another culprit of this year’s perfect tax storm: e recent repeal of the Gallagher Amendment, a former part of the state constitution.

Colorado voters in 2020 repealed the Gallagher Amendment, a policy that prevented residential property tax bills from getting too big. But when combined with the e ect of the Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, it strangled local government budgets, e Colorado Sun reported.

(Along with the property value

A LETTER TO OUR READERS AND ADVERTISERS

To our supporters:

At Colorado Community Media, we’re proud to be your go-to source of local news and advertising in the rich tapestry of growing communities in the Denver metro area and beyond. In recent weeks, we’ve brought you the news of spring ooding and its a ermath, the growing number of property valuation appeals and celebrations surrounding the Nuggets’ historic win.

We know our subscribers appreciate getting their news in many ways, from digital newsletters to timely updates on our website to printed newspapers delivered to your door. We’re committed to ensuring that continues, even as the media industry evolves and faces challenges.

We recently learned the facility that prints all of CCM’s newspapers, located in Pueblo, will be closing in August. In recent years, as newspaper circulation has declined, the costs associated with printing and distributing newspapers have increased dramatically, forcing press facilities across the country to close or consolidate.

is press closure presents a challenge for us, to be sure, but our commitment to continuing to print the newspapers you depend on remains unwavering. We have not yet identi ed a solution to ful ll the demand starting in August, but we are determined to nd innovative ways to solve it.

And we aren’t alone: We’re working toward a long-term approach by collaborating with partners throughout Colorado. By joining forces, we believe we can identify solutions that not only address this immediate challenge but also provide for future viability.

What does this mean for our subscribers and advertisers? Our goal is to nd a solution that ensures a seamless transition for your reader experience. We are evaluating every available option, and we are committed to keeping you informed as we go through this process.

We’re proud to be part of your community, and we know news plays an essential role in informing, engaging and empowering us. Please consider joining our mailing list, sharing articles, or donating to to help us continue this tradition.

ank you, as always, for your support of local news. We welcome questions and comments, and we’ll be sure to keep you informed in the weeks ahead as we identify a new printer.

Linda Shapley Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro Publisher, Colorado Community Media CEO, e National Trust for Local News

Mountain Vista students celebrated at Elitch Gardens

Elitch Gardens donated 4,500 tickets to students at Mountain Vista High School schools (Summit View Elementary, Northridge Elementary and Heritage Elementary) to enjoy the theme and water park for free in celebration of being the top fundraising

It is the rst time since the Colorado and its top fundraising school were invited back to Elitch Gardens, sering as the 15th annual Wish Wednesday.  roughout the academic year, more than 200 schools participated in Make-A-Wish Colorao’s student-led fundraising program, Kids For Wish Kids, one of the largest fundraising programs with Make-A-

Across the state, students raised enough funds to grant wishes to 250 children who have critical illnesses, according to Make-A-Wish Colorado.

Mountain Vista has been the top fundraising school since 2016. In 11 years partnering with Make-A-Wish Colorado,

Mountain Vista and their feeder schools have donated $1.5 million dollars which is enough to grant 195 wishes.

“ ey have led the way of what it means to be generous and what it means to inspire generosity outside of their school, to their whole community, their feeder schools, their sponsors and so we are just grateful for that partnership,” said Sarah Grosh, director of community development at Make-A-Wish Colorado.

Collectively, Mountain Vista and their feeder schools raised $198,000 during their Wish Week in February.

In addition, 500 tickets were provided to wish kids who were featured across the state during this year’s Kids For Wish Kids program. A handful of featured wish kids and their families attended the event, including the family from Smoky Hill High School.

Before Elitch’s rides opened on June 14, 8-year-old Lucy, who has chronic kidney disease and was the feature wish kid for Mountain Vista’s 2022-23 Wish Week kicked o the morning by giving thanks to the Mountain Vista community.

e students at Mountain Vista provided Lucy with the opportunity to practice her runway moves during a fashion show they hosted in the school gym which included Lucy’s friends.

Lucy was so grateful for the experience that Mountain Vista gave her and told the crowd about her favorite part: “ e tour and the fashion show,” said Lucy. “Being able to walk on the runway, see all the decorations that they made.”

After wish week, Lucy’s wish was not over as she got to walk the runway at the 2023 Denver Fashion Week Kids Show in May.

“It was amazing to walk on the runway,” said Lucy. “With the photoshoot, it was so fun just being able to dress up and get all fancy and it was just amazing.”

With her daughters and their friends Lucy’s mom, Natalie was grateful for the opportunity.

“I feel like the giving never stops,” said Lucy’s mom Natalie. “ Everyone’s so giving to this Make-A-Wish community, it’s been amazing to be a recipient of it and to watch her shine, it’s been awesome.”

DIVERSIFY RETIREMENT STRATEGIES

Mountain Vista High School features wish kid Lucy showing the crowd how to model.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

Residents warned to be cautious around retention ponds

BY STAFF REPORT COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Daily rainfall continues to wreak havoc on the region as roadways are ooded, sinkholes are forming and now the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce is warning residents to beware of over owing retention ponds.

In a press release on June 16 evening, o cials said Douglas County is experiencing above-average rainfall in June and the ground is saturated.

According to the National Weather Service, the Denver metro area usually has an average of just under two inches of rain in all of June. is year, rain showers beat that average in the month’s rst ve days.

May was also a wet month this year, with the weather service reporting more than ve inches, compared to 2.59 inches in May last year.

According to the news release, the sheri ’s o ce said retention ponds, located throughout the Douglas County, are designed both for water quality treatment and ood control.

Both those that are normally dry and those that hold water all year round are currently full.

e sheri ’s o ce said normally retention ponds do not pose a threat, but with the continued rainfall, they can present a dangerous hazard and drowning risk,

particularly to children. e news release said retention ponds are currently dangerous because of the following reasons.

• Retention ponds often have steep sides, which makes climbing out of them di cult.

• Retention ponds and out-

let culverts may have strong currents as the water drains from them – especially if protective bars or grating is built close to the drain.

• e suction e ect created by the in ow and out ow structures of retention ponds can unexpectedly pull children under the water,

making it extremely di cult for them to escape without immediate assistance.

• Children are naturally curious and may be drawn to the allure of these water bodies, especially during or after heavy rainfall.

• Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of playing near or in these

• Parents, especially those with young children, should avoid letting their children play near these areas during this rainy period.

• Retention ponds collect run-o , so the water in them is often dirty, unsanitary and can be toxic.

e sheri ’s o ce also warned never to get into a retention pond if a pet or a pesron falls in, instead recommending calling 911 so rescue crews can get on scene.

After calling 911 emergency authorities recommend throwing something that oats or a rope to the victim if it can be done safely.

Local authorities also warn residents to not swim, sh or play around a retention pond.

The flooding damaged or destroyed nearly 485 miles of roads and 50 bridges across Colorado. PHOTO BY JCPH

SOUTH METRO 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS GUIDE

Parades, drone show, fireworks and more

After having multiple reworks displays canceled in 2022 due to re concerns, this year is a di erent story. For Independence Day this year, most municipalities and counties are preparing for daylong celebrations that will be capped o with the traditional reworks display, or the emerging alternative, drone shows

Here’s what is planned in Arapahoe and Douglas counties and the Columbine area of south Je co:

HIGHLANDS RANCH

The community can enjoy a wide range of entertainment and activities as all Fourth of July events in Highlands Ranch return this year.

Starting at 7:30 a.m. celebrations will start with a family-friendly Independence Day 5K, presented by CU Medicine.

Located in Town Center South, participants ranging from elite runners to kids to parents with strollers and furry friends have the chance to walk or run the festive course.

A red, white and blue kettlebell will be hidden out on the course, worth $100 to whoever finds it and brings it to the finish.

Following the race will be the Family Bike and Pet Parade.

PARKER

This Independence Day, Parker residents will be able to enjoy a firework show that can be seen throughout the community for the town’s annual celebration.

Following the drone show from last year’s event, an extensive survey of resident feedback showed residents missed having the fireworks display. This year, the professional firework display is back.

Although there is no daylong event in Salisbury Park, the fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. Fireworks will be launched from Salisbury Park, but residents are encouraged to view the show from various locations throughout the town.

LONE TREE

The City of Lone Tree will host a series of events for families to enjoy July 4 including a firework show and live musical performances.

The celebrations kick off at 9 a.m. July 4 at Lone Tree Elementary, located at 9375 Heritage Hills Circle, with the “4th of July Family Fun Ride & Stroll” event.

Attendees can bring their bikes, scooters, wagons

SOUTH JEFFCO: RED, WHITE AND YOU

Foothills Park and Recreation District will start celebrating Independence Day early on July 3 at its Red, White and You event. The celebration will feature bounce houses, food vendors, a free concert and a fireworks display.

The event will run from 5 to 10 p.m. at Clement Park, located at 7306 W. Bowles Avenue.

ENGLEWOOD

After a lack of fireworks on Independence Day 2022 led to many complaints from the public, the much-loved Englewood display is back this year in its usual location at Belleview and Cornerstone parks. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. on July 4 with food trucks, vendors, music and other fun, and the fireworks will close out the evening. Partner agencies helping to support the

CASTLE ROCK

Castle Rock is hosting a full-day event for the Fourth of July, including live music and a drone show, at Philip S Miller Park.

Starting at 9 a.m. the day will kick off with a free, untimed 5K, which will be followed by a foam party, food trucks, patriotic movies, kids activities and magic shows throughout the day.

Beginning at 8:45 a.m. accompanied by a parent, children ages 2 through sixth grade can get into the Independence Day spirit by dressing themselves, pets and bikes in patriotic attire.

Free to participate in, the parade route is 0.2 miles and goes on Hepburn to Highlands Ranch Parkway east and south into Town Center South parking lot.

Starting in front of the Kaiser Permanente building, located on 9285 Hepburn St., the Highlands Ranch Community Association’s annual Fourth of July Parade will begin at 9 a.m.

The parade will include local companies, charitable organizations, school groups and so much more.

The participant application deadline for the 1.02mile Community Parade is 5 p.m. on June 26.

Parade street closures will be from 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. These include Highlands Ranch Parkway

Salisbury Park will be open to the public during the day, however, there will be no additional activities or services.

The large grass lots used in prior years will not be available for parking as there are 300 paved firstcome, first-served spaces available.

According to Andy Anderson, Parker’s communications director, staff learned most people watched the fireworks from areas throughout town rather than Salisbury Park.

“There are also challenges surrounding the future of the Salisbury Park fireworks launch site that could possibly complicate hosting an event there in future years,” said Anderson.

and strollers to the school to be decorated before heading down the Willow Creek Trail to Prairie Sky Park, located at 9381 Crossington Way. The roughly 1-mile journey, scheduled to start around 9:30 a.m., is also open for those who wish to walk rather than ride.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., families are invited to enjoy games, live entertainment, food trucks and inflatables at Prairie Sky Park. The event is free but space is limited, so residents have to register online

There will be a “kids zone” featuring ticketed bounce houses and an inflatable hockey rink. While the kids play, parents can enjoy the beer and wine gardens and many food vendors.

At 7 p.m., an ‘80s tribute band called That Eighties Band will perform.

The fireworks display, which is weather and fire-ban dependent, will begin at 9:30 p.m.

Families are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or

event are Littleton, Sheridan, Arapahoe County and South Suburban Parks and Recreation. The area used for fireworks at Belleview and Cornerstone parks is on the north side of Belleview Avenue east of Windermere Street. Personal fireworks will be prohibited at the event and organizers ask that attendees leave pets at home. Service animals are permitted. The event will be free and open to the public.

In the evening, Super Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute band, will perform at 8 p.m. Then, once it’s dark, the event’s finale will be a drone light show. The light show will also be visible from the Santa Fe Quarry Butte, located in the Red Hawk area.

For more information and a full schedule, visit CRgov.com/July4.

between Lucent and Broadway, Zotos, Ridgeline from Dorchester to Highlands Ranch Parkway and Blake Dr., from Ridgeline Blvd. to Highlands Ranch Parkway.

The Highlands Ranch Metro District partnered with the Highlands Ranch Community Association to provide the community with a professional fireworks display at Highlands Heritage Park, located at 9651 S Quebec St. which is free and open to the public.

Attendees may bring food, however, there is no on-site cooking, and will have the opportunity to purchase from food trucks — which will be announced. Biking, walking, or rideshare is encouraged as there will be no shuttles provided.

The firework display begins at approximately 9:30 p.m. The firework fallout zone will be marked and fenced.

Due to the Salisbury Park North expansion and varying factors, the town decided to offer an expanded event this fall in the downtown area that will feature a drone light show during Parker Fall Fest.

According to a press release from the town, a resident survey provided select public parks and other locations which are good for viewing the display. Those include Bar CCC Park, McCabe Meadows, Tallman Meadow Park and Stroh Soccer Field.

For those who do not intend to drive, the Cherry Creek Trail between Hess Road and Mainstreet could be a viewing location.

A full list and map of possible public parking areas will be made available online before the event.

in advance at bit.ly/4july23.

At 6 p.m., Prairie Sky Park will open for people to gather. At 7 p.m., musical performer Jenny Shawhan will perform at the park. Uptown Funk, a Bruno Mars tribute band, will take the stage at Prairie Sky Park at 8 p.m.

The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. and will be visible from various locations in Lone Tree. To learn more, visit cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4.

blanket to the free event, but canopy tents and large picnic umbrellas are not allowed. Pets are also not permitted at the event.

Parking will be limited, so organizers encourage visitors to carpool and park at Columbine High School and specified areas of Southwest Plaza Mall. There will also be availability in Clement Park lots, which are likely to fill up between 6 and 7 p.m. No parking will be allowed on the frontage road in the park.

Devol murder trial pushed to Aug. 7

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e trial for a man accused of killing his sister and her boyfriend in rural Douglas County has been rescheduled to start in August.

Casey Devol was charged with two counts of rst-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty in September and was slated for a jury trial starting June 12.

Devol’s trial was reset to begin Aug. 7, according to the state judicial branch website.

A recording captured audio of the incident where Devol allegedly committed the murders, according to prosecutors.

“What we have are recorded statements of the murder itself which were made by one of the victims,” Andrew Steers, a chief deputy district attorney, has said.

e existence of the recorder was not known, Steers said, until the autopsy in the case that left Jessica Mitchell, 32, and Bryan Todd Gray, 34, dead in the Franktown area. ey were discovered in February 2022 in a garage adjacent to a house they lived in on Russellville Road. Mitchell was Devol’s sister.

Authorities don’t know why someone chose to record the interaction, Steers said during a March 22 hearing in Douglas County District Court.

The recording captured the

TAXES

and the property tax rate, a number called the “assessment rate” is another factor that helps determine how much in property taxes a person owes. With the Gallagher Amendment gone, the state legislature sets the assessment rate.)

If Colorado voters had not gotten rid of the Gallagher Amendment, the tax landscape this year would be much di erent, Sakdol said.

“We wouldn’t be in a panic of our property taxes going up substantially because the assessment (rate) would fall much lower, which would keep our property taxes somewhat in check to previous years,” Sakdol said. e rub with the Gallagher Amendment was that for rural counties, where property values haven’t gone up as much as they have been on the Front Range, the property tax equation meant rural government entities faced reduced revenue that a ected their services — a problem Sakdol acknowledged.

One proposal that has popped up in the past: having di erent assessment rates for di erent regions of Colorado.

“So you’d have the Gallagher Amendment (policy) … they would run the same numbers as Gallagher requires,” but the assessment rate

events leading up to the murder: Three people appeared to be having a dinner and at one point talked about a birthday gift, Steers said. At some point, the man authorities say is Devol leaves and returns and kills the other two people and a dog.

Mitchell was found with a “digital recorder device,” according to her autopsy report.

A coworker of Gray’s discovered him and Mitchell in the Russellville Road garage at about 1:30 p.m. Feb. 8, 2022.

Devol was found and arrested at a hotel in Salina, Kansas, on Feb. 9, 2022. He complied when o cers attempted to place him in custody, according to testimony at the hearing.

Autopsy results show the victims had bruising and shallow injuries and had been shot by two di erent rearms.

e report, released by the Douglas County Coroner’s O ce, shows both victims also had meth, alcohol and marijuana in their systems. In addition to the toxicology reports, notes were made in both autopsies that each had a history of methamphetamine use.

Deputies discovered security footage for the home that showed someone entering the garage carrying “multiple handguns and a long gun.” After a tip from a friend of the family, investigators alleged that Devol is the person in the video.

might be higher in Sterling as opposed to Denver, Sakdol said.

How Colorado compares

Although homeowners are concerned in Colorado about a hike in property tax bills, Colorado is “on the low side of property taxes throughout the United States,” Sakdol noted.

Nationally, Colorado has relatively low residential property taxes, according to an analysis by the conservative Tax Foundation. Colorado ranked 47th in property taxes paid as a percentage of owner-occupied housing value in 2020, according to the foundation.

“But now that we have removed the Gallagher Amendment, I think we’re going to see that come up. I don’t think we’re going to be in that lower category anymore,” Sakdol said.

“It’ll probably be another year or two before we see” where Colorado falls in a national ranking on property taxes taking into account the Gallagher repeal, Sakdol said.

And while businesses pay more, their taxes still appear to be lower than the national average, according to e Colorado Sun. Colorado had the 17th best “State Business Tax Climate” for 2020, according to the Tax Foundation. Colorado had the 14th best “property tax rank” for businesses in 2020, according to the foundation.

Do you have...

Mysterious insects? Trees in trouble? A need for gardening advice?

CSU Extension is here for you. We provide answers and education. For more information call 720-733-6930 or visit https://douglas.extension.colostate.edu

Is yard work on your to-do list?

Warmer weather is ahead, and you can drop off any tree limbs, shrubs, brush or green yard waste that you need to dispose of for free every Saturday through October at Douglas County’s Slash-Mulch site. For more information, visit douglas.co.us and search for Slash Mulch.

Your Douglas County Fair & Rodeo is just around the corner

Looking for unique food options, star-studded country music and vintage cars all in the same place this summer? Visit the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo from July 28 to Aug. 6. To purchase tickets and view the schedule, visit FairandRodeoFun.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, visit douglas.co.us and search for Business Meetings.

Are you signed up for emergency alerts? Sign up every phone in your household now at douglas.co.us/CodeRED

Ulysses breaks ground on a ordable housing site in Castle Rock

200 units for 55 and up

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Golden shovels hit the dirt during Ulysses Development Group’s rst groundbreaking in Colorado, creating a senior workforce housing opportunity in Castle Rock as the housing a ordability and attainability crisis across the country continues.

“It is certainly not something that Colorado or the Denver Metropolitan Area are immune to,” said Connor Larr, partner and co-founder of Ulysses Development Group.

Founded by Yoni Gruskin and Larr in 2021, Ulysses Development Group is a Denver-based company, developer and owner of a ordable and workforce housing and aims to develop housing nationwide.

Located o North Meadows Drive will be Meadowmark, a 200 unit, income aligned community built for seniors ages 55 and up.

Meadowmark represents the third largest senior a ordable community in the Denver metro area and that Douglas County has built in the last 10 years.

e community will serve the people that span across the spectrum of income and a ordability in Douglas County, said Larr.

Over the past 18 months, Gruskin and Larr, along with their team members, spent time in Douglas County, talking with various stakeholders, business owners, residents, the school district, elected o cials and civic leaders.

As Douglas County and Castle Rock continue to grow, the community is burdened by a lack of attainable housing options according to Gruskin.

“It’s true for working families wishing to plant and maintain their roots here, it’s true for recent college graduates who are moving back to the county and would like to start their careers,” said Gruskin. “It’s also true for residents who are entering their golden years and wish to age in place within the county.”

It’s di cult to have a robust workforce in Douglas County, says Larr, due to the demand for housing in the county, which is driving the prices of homes to unattainable levels and the number of units being produced has not kept pace with the demand.

Larr believes there is a general misunderstanding around a ordable, attainable and income aligned or workforce housing.

“I think it’s important to understand that these are individuals that have jobs, they have income, but because of the imbalance in the housing market, they can’t a ord a ($800,000 - $900,000) dollar home,” said Larr.

As published by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, for Douglas County, the 30% area median income level for one person is

$26,070 and $29,790 for two people annually.

e 60% area median income level for one person is $52,140 and $59,580 for two people annually.

e 70% area median income level for one person is $60,830 and $69,510 for two people annually.

According to Larr, the 60% area median income level for one person is about the threshold level for what they call a ordable housing, although it can range from 40% to 80%.

“ e community may be thriving, the economy may be thriving, but it’s not serving all the people that can be serving in the way that could be serving because we fundamentally believe that if you’re working in a community, if you’re supporting a community, you should be able to live in that community,” said Larr.

In addition to the zoning allowing for senior or family housing, it is a smaller site and in a more dense urban style development. e Meadows is an area for walkability, transportation and has access to medical and other services.

e site checked the box for a senior community when the group started to explore Castle Rock.

“ e senior population is critical to our community’s economic vitality and our consumers, property owners, renters, business owners and employers,” said Stacy Garmon, president and CEO of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce. “ e residents who are 55 and over make up 12% of Castle Rock’s workforce, so that is a signi cant contribution to our local economy.”

Ulysses Development Group partnered with the Douglas County Housing Partnership, which is the county’s housing authority.

With the mission to achieve economically thriving communities through innovative partnerships and entrepreneurial approaches to housing, Executive Director of the Douglas County Housing Partnerships Maria Ciano said this development is going to bring a needed housing opportunity for a variety of people.

“A groundbreaking of this nature is a much needed project at a time when housing is at a premium,”

said Douglas County Commissioner George Teal.

Units are a mix of one and two bedroom units, which are set aside for individuals earning between 30 to 70% of the area median income.  e community will include a clubhouse, a kitchen, a community center, tness center, yoga deck, and other outdoor amenity spaces for residents.

e units plan to be built at a very high quality with stone countertops, walk-in closets, heat and air conditioning as well as electri cation ready, which means as technology becomes available, the building will be ready to move to a fully electried building.

For the average unit, which is a 60% area median income unit, and based on today’s rents, Larr estimates units to be about $1,300 a month for a one bedroom and about $1,600 a month for a two bedroom.

Ulysses Development Group received state funding, partnered with UMB, BOK, Raymond James Financial, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC and Shaw Construction.

“Douglas County Housing Partnership is happy to be a special limited partner and make sure that we are bringing bene ts such as tax exempt bene ts that will help with the construction and the nancing of the development as well as nearly $35 million in private activity bonds to help make this development happen,” said Ciano.

About six months out from opening, the group’s property management group, Mission Rock Residential, will open up an application process online and in person at the site, which will be announced publicly and is anticipated to happen in the second half of 2024, said Larr.

“ ere’s a lot of headlines out there about how di cult it is to build these projects,” said Gruskin. “ ere’s a lot of doomsday in the news about everything that’s wrong with our housing situation but this is an example of what we can do constructively when we come together and I really think it’s important that we can highlight these successes and gure out ways to replicate them in the future.”

From left: Frank Gray, Lora Thomas, Connor Larr, Maria Ciano, Tim Dietz, George Teal, Yoni Gruskin, Kevin Bracken and Stacy Garmon with golden shovels at the Ulysses Development Group groundbreaking in Castle Rock.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

rey Holmes, Douglas County District Court Judge

RULING

“I call upon the board, and the individual directors to announce, publicly, that they will comply, or I will be forced to ask the court to reconsider that portion of its ruling,” Marshall said in an email statement to Colorado Community Media and the four majority board members.

To date, the majority of board members have refused to admit they broke open meeting laws, pushing to appeal the initial ruling.

Friday’s ruling reiterates what Holmes said in his preliminary injunction in March 2022.

Holmes found that all meetings where public business was discussed must be open to the public, regardless of whether a decision is made, dismissing one of the arguments school board members had made.

“Circumventing the statute by a series of private one-on-one meetings at which public business is discussed and/or decisions reached is a violation of the purpose of the statute, not just its spirit,” he said.  Holmes agreed with attorney Zansberg that at the Jan. 28, 2022, meeting between Peterson, Williams and Wise, the two board members gave Wise an ultimatum to resign or be red.

“ ough disguised as a choice, Wise was not given an opportunity to continue his employment,” Holmes said. “ e only options presented were options about how his job would end.”

Holmes also found that the Feb. 4, 2022, meeting where the board members red Wise without cause in a 4-3 vote did not x the board’s violation of the law because it “rubber-stamped” the decision Peterson, Williams, Myers and Winegar had already made.

As evidence of this, Holmes cited the lack of public comment and conversation about Wise’s performance during the meeting, as well as the quick timing.

“In a review of what actually

phone keys wallet bag

transpired at that meeting, based on a recording that was made, it is dicult to identify any portions of it that address ‘concerns’ that Peterson and Williams had other than concerns about how quickly Wise’s superintendency could be brought to an end,” Holmes said in his ruling. ough Marshall had asked Holmes to nd that Wise’s termination was invalid since it occurred outside of a public meeting, the judge did not rule on the matter because Wise had already settled with the district.

Holmes declined to issue a permanent injunction, which would have explicitly prevented the board from serial conversations in the future, because he said there’s no evidence the board needed an injunction to comply with the law.

“ ere is no indication that once a court has determined their behavior did not comply with (Colorado Open Meetings Law), they will continue to engage in the prohibited practice,” he said.

e ongoing legal battle has cost the district more than $152,000 so far.

when you shop, bring your bag

scan to learn more about our collective effort

Douglas County School Board members Becky Myers, Mike Peterson and Christy Williams leave a Douglas County courtroom on June 12 with their attorney, Geo Blue. The school board members faced allegations they violated open meetings law, and a judge found they did.

PHOTO BY MCKENNA HARFORD

‘Circumventing the statute by a series of private one-on-one meetings at which public business is discussed and/or decisions reached is a violation of the purpose of the statute, not just its spirit.’

Je

Commissioners disagree on short-term rental proposal

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County is the latest in the Denver metro area to consider a policy to regulate short-term rentals — short stays at a property booked through sites like Airbnb or Vrbo — and whether the county’s leaders will ultimately approve it is unclear.

Douglas County’s commissioners disagreed in a 1-1 tie on a preliminary vote on an ordinance, or law, that would regulate short-term rentals. e proposed law would require owners to apply for licenses to operate homes as short-term rental properties.

e commissioners, on June 13, represented two opposing views on allowing the rentals.

“As late as last ursday, I got a letter from a citizen asking not to approve this — that he bought a home in a residential area and he doesn’t want a commercial enterprise next door to his house,” said Commis-

sioner Lora omas, who voted against the proposal.

Commissioner Abe Laydon was absent and did not vote. George Teal, the commissioner who voted in favor, said he received some comments in opposition as well.

“But I’ve also received many in support,” said Teal, who said he heard from retirees in the community. “ ey have downsized their lives to minimize expenses, but they still retain (their) properties and would very much like the opportunity to have those properties add to their otherwise xed income. And, you know, it is their property.”

e proposed law de nes a shortterm rental as lasting less than 30 consecutive days. It would apply to unincorporated parts of Douglas County — ones that sit outside of municipalities.

As of early 2020, Castle Pines and Parker prohibit short-term rentals, Colorado Community Media reported at the time.

After “substantial community engagement,” in February this year, Lone Tree City Council approved two ordinances to prohibit the creation of new short-term rentals and regulate existing ones, the city’s website says.

Castle Rock does not regulate short-term rentals, but all businesses there must obtain a town business license and collect applicable lodging and sales tax.

Rules would vary by area

Just because short-term rentals aren’t regulated in unincorporated Douglas County doesn’t mean they aren’t happening. Airbnb’s website on June 18 showed a handful of listings that appeared to be in unincorporated Douglas Conty. (Some listings don’t show an exact location on the website’s map.)

Over the past two years, county sta met with the commissioners multiple times to discuss a potential ordinance and other possible

options for allowing and regulating short-term rentals, a county sta report says.

“ ere were also multiple live town halls held on the topic for the board (of commissioners) to discuss options with the public,” the report says.

Now, after an initial tie vote, a second vote is set for July 11.

If passed, the ordinance wouldn’t allow for short-term rentals in every unincorporated area.

e draft of the law says a home within a planned development shall not be licensed as a shortterm rental property “unless such planned development speci cally allows such use.”

(“Planned developments” means land in a special type of zoning that applies to certain areas. Zoning is a local government’s rules for what can be built where.) at means short-term rentals

SEE RENTAL, P11

Hopeful signs in the economic malaise

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

It is di cult to see a way out of the current economic malaise. e markets are up, then they are down. ere will be a new debt ceiling but at what cost? We have been hearing about a recession for over a year but now some economists are backpedaling. What is going on and how do investors navigate these clouds? Oh, and the weather is not helping the mood much either.

We are dealing with one of the rainiest spring seasons on record, one of the highest federal de cits in history and the longest anticipated recession ever. No wonder no one wants to start a new job, buy a house, or invest in virtually anything.

But there are some green shoots. e stock market seems immune to most of the bad news based on the ve tech stocks leading the returns. If you look under the hood, many average stock prices are down in value so far this year despite the broad markets buoyed by a few stocks that were hit hard last year, namely Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet. ese ve stocks are the largest market-cap names in the S&P 500 representing 24.7% of the overall weight of that index.¹

Despite the mixed signals investors are experiencing, it may be helpful to hear some positive facts to lighten the heavy political and economic news lately.²

• In ation has calmed down in 2023.

• Corporate earnings were better than expected in the rst quarter.

• We continue to see strong employ-

ment levels.

• Retirees are bene ting from the previous government payments and the higher interest rates on bond portfolios.

• Capital spending is holding up given the infrastructure spending bills passed to keep our technology sector competitive, restore our infrastructure and incent re-onshoring of companies’ supply chains.

• Consumer spending has increased, especially on travel and entertainment.

• e economy is experiencing pockets of weakness this cycle, unlike the boom-and-bust periods of years past when every industry group seemed to su ocate at the same time. For example, residential housing is soft but multifamily housing is on re, so overall construction employment continues to rise.

• Productivity is troughing follow-

ing an unusually high labor force quit rate. Once workers stay on the job for a while, they will become more productive quickly. Dramatic improvements in technology, like AI, will also drive productivity gains. ese positive indicators could be keeping us from falling into recession, however the debate is still open for a hard versus soft landing. Investors should use this time to update their nancial plans and build a portfolio strategy for the opportunity to take advantage of more green shoots.

1. Ned Davis Research as of May 31, 2023.

2. William Greiner, CFP, Mariner Wealth Advisors chief economist. Je Krumpelman, CFA, Mariner Wealth Advisors chief investment strategist.

Patricia Kummer is managing director for Mariner Wealth Advisors.

would Ranch of the speci county would rentals ing

castlerockbahais@gmail.com castlerock.local.bahai.us/

would be prohibited in Highlands Ranch and the Pinery area south of Parker, for example, because the planned developments do not speci cally allow them, according to county sta .

Plus, homeowners associations would be able to prohibit short-term rentals under the ordinance, according to county sta .

Ins and outs of proposal

e law would allow for local

“agents,” such as an individual or the representative of a property management company, who may be someone other than the property owner, to serve as the management of the short-term rental unit.

( e property owner may appoint themselves as the local agent.)

Asked whether the ordinance includes a requirement that shortterm rental license holders be occupants of the property they are renting out, a statement from county sta said: “ ere is not an owner occupancy requirement.”

e ordinance would include a long list of rules, such as the follow-

ing:

• For properties that contain a detached single-family home and an additional residence of any kind — such as a guest house or a caretaker residence — the owner would be allowed to use only one residence as a short-term rental property.

• e motor vehicles and trailers of all occupants of the short-term rental property “shall be able to be accommodated on the permitted and approved driveway” of the property. No motor vehicles or trailers “shall be parked on the vegetated areas” of the property.

• e county would also be able to

inspect the property to enforce the law’s requirements, including by the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, and may enter “at all reasonable times.”

• Any person who violates any provision of the ordinance would face a ne of $250 for a rst violation, $500 for a second violation and $1,000 for the third and subsequent violations. If passed, the law would will have some exceptions to who has to follow regulations.

e ordinance “shall not apply to” homes that are not leased more than 14 days in a calendar year and not advertised as a short-term rental on a regular basis, the draft text says.

ART & SCIENCE

Hospice provider and shelter honors homeless veteran for service

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Although he woke up in pain, George Daniel Read said he spent the morning at Rocky Mountain Refuge for End of Life Care trying to make himself presentable, shaving his face and sporting a new haircut.

It was a big day. A ceremony to honor Read, who has cancer and is receiving hospice care, was planned for that afternoon to recognize his time serving in Vietnam as a Marine.  e ceremony was a combination of e orts by TRU Community Care, a health care organization providing hospice care to Read, and the Rocky Mountain Refuge, where he is currently staying after becoming unhoused about two years ago.

“Hospice care in our country is designed to be in your home with your family assisting,” said Brother James Patrick Hall, the executive director of Rocky Mountain Refuge and a friar with the Brotherhood of St. Gregory. “And if you don’t have either one, there’s not much for you to go to.”

Hall said Rocky Mountain Refuge is a specialized shelter that o ers around-the-clock custodial, familystyle care for unhoused people who are on hospice.

“ e hospice organizations do the hospice care. We do what a family would do,” he said. “People come to us. We take care of them until they pass.”

TRU Community Care has veteran volunteers who o er services such as companionship and pinning ceremonies for veteran patients receiving end-of-life care.

For Read, it was a smaller ceremony held in the sunroom of the Denver Rescue Mission’s building, e Crossing, where the Rocky Mountain Refuge is also housed.

Larry Sturgeon, a veteran volunteer for TRU Community Care who also served in Vietnam, presented to Read several items including a framed certi cate in his honor, a Vietnam bead set, a star from an American ag and a ag pin.

“Today, we honor Daniel for his service to our country,” Sturgeon said. “On behalf of a grateful nation, sta and volunteers at TRU Community Care, thank you for your military service to the United States of America and for advancing the hope of freedom and liberty for all.”

At the end of the ceremony, Read said, “I’m proud to be an American and I’m proud to be a Marine.

“And I’m proud to be able to serve not only you people but other people like you.”

Turning memories into stories

TRU Community Care is one of the hospices involved in the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s “We Honor Veterans” program that was created in collaboration with the Department of Veterans A airs.

“ e VA (Veterans A airs) does not provide hospice. e VA does palliative (care). And so if veterans on service with them need hospice care, they need to … utilize community partners,” said Becki Parr, a volunteer coordinator with TRU Community Care who oversees the organization’s We Honor Veterans community outreach.

Parr said Veterans A airs formed a partnership with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization so that hospice partners could be educated on what a veteran may need.

“For instance, if a veteran was in combat, they might not speak of it. It might not be something that they

share,” she said. “At (the) end of life, as they are reconciling with things, the whole of their story, they need a space to be able to share that story.”

One of the e orts of the We Honor Veterans program is getting veteran volunteers like Sturgeon so that when there is a veteran patient, there can be someone to listen to their experience, Parr said.

“Sometimes there is somebody who won’t share something with their daughter or son but would share it with someone else who also served,” she said. “It’s been powerful.”

During his time in service, Sturgeon said he worked at the Camp Zama Hospital.

“We were the hospital to which the majority of the injured veterans were sent,” he said. “I worked in the laboratory there.”

As a veteran volunteer, Sturgeon makes it a point to ask veterans what their experience was like, as he said veterans can sometimes struggle with talking to themselves.

“But we’re really good at talking to each other,” he said.

When veterans share their experiences, their memories become stories, Sturgeon said.

“ at’s part of what I’m trying to

do is … to turn those memories into stories. And stories have power,” he said.

Part of the purpose of the ceremonies is to ensure that all veterans know “that we still remember them,” Sturgeon said.

“We’re honoring the veterans, not the war, not the politicians who sent them to the war,” he said. “We just want them to know that we remember. And perhaps, as important, we want their family to know that they’re genuine American heroes.”

Expressing a similar sentiment, Parr said, “We honor the person whether or not we agree with the politics.”

In the military, if a person is given an order, they are expected to follow it without question, Parr explained.

“Sometimes, people are asked to do things that might make them have to compromise morally, and that’s called a moral injury,” Parr said. “ ose are things, too, that we want to create space for people to share.”

In addition to serving patients, TRU Community Care aims to educate the community on what happened with Vietnam veterans and how they were — or were not — welcomed home after their service, she said.

“Some of them were really never welcomed home. ey took o their uniforms and tried to disguise themselves as non-military as soon as they could.

“And … that’s not every Vietnam veteran’s story, but it’s enough,” Parr said, explaining part of the ceremony is saying ‘welcome home’ to the veteran. “ ere have been many times when I’ve gotten to witness Larry (Sturgeon) welcoming someone home and there’s been tears in the person’s eyes.”

“ e biggest thing, I think, that I’m taking away from this work is to listen to the individual story and not make any kind of assumptions,” Parr continued. “Be willing to listen in a non-judgmental way to the story of another person and honor the person.”

‘I am approaching the end of my life’

Around the age of 16, Read, who is now in his mid-60s, said he got into some “trouble” and faced a choice: go to prison or enlist in the military.

George Daniel Read, left, watches as Larry Sturgeon, a veteran volunteer for TRU Community Care who also served in Vietnam, presented him a star from an American flag during the June 14 ceremony.

PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW

SEE VETERAN, P13

VETERAN

FROM PAGE 12

He chose the latter and said he enlisted into the Marine Corps, serving from roughly 1974 to 1976.

“It was (a) totally di erent world,” he said about coming back after serving in Vietnam.

we could provide would be so much more,” he added.

‘The need is definitely there’

Rocky Mountain Refuge describes its mission on its website as o ering “a digni ed alternative to dying alone on the street for those with terminal illness” by providing a place for unhoused people to live out their nal days.

While the hospice agency partners provide nursing and physician services, the sta and volunteers at Rocky Mountain Refuge provide care such as companionship and cleaning services, per the website.

To his knowledge, Hall said Rocky Mountain Refuge is one of four facilities in the country that does this type of work.

1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.

According to the report, 2,134 veterans accessed services related to homelessness in the same time period.

“ e need is de nitely there, and the list is expanding of the people that want and need services. But we are very limited in our space,” Aguilar said.

Rocky Mountain Refuge currently has the capacity to serve up to three people at a time, he said, and the organization has a waiting list of at least four to ve people at all times.

e length of stay of a person always varies.

“We’ve had people come and pass away (on the) same day, and we’ve had people stay a few months,” he said.

storage and residential room with one bed, Aguilar said.

Buskey explained the challenges that can arise when two people, who may have di erent terminal illnesses and may be at di erent stages, have to share a room.

“We want a facility with individual rooms so we could provide comfort care, and so that the other person doesn’t feed o of what the other person is going through and anticipating what they’re going to eventually go through,” Buskey said.

In the meantime, the shelter continues to serve the people it can.

“We don’t care about your gender identity, your orientation, your legal status — any of that,” Hall said. “We just take care of folks.”

Read got connected to TRU Community Care, which is a hospice partner of Rocky Mountain Refuge.

“Hospice called us and said, ‘We have an unhoused person.’ And we didn’t know he was a veteran at rst,” said Executive Director Brother James Patrick Hall about how Rocky Mountain Refuge got connected to Read.  Read has been staying at the Rocky Mountain Refuge since February.  “ ese people are incomparable. ey help me out immensely,” he said. “Timisha, she’s incomparable. She helps me out any way she possibly can.”

Timisha Buskey is the o ce manager for Rocky Mountain Refuge. She said Read is the rst client she has seen where hospice has helped him.  “He didn’t spiral down from hospice, so we’re actually talking about, in August, him transitioning. But we’re not going to put him out without him having bene ts in place so that he doesn’t end up back here in a homeless situation,” she said, explaining that the goal is to get Read a place to stay at a Veterans A airs housing location where he can live in his own unit but still receive care.

One of the di culties is that Read lost his identi cation, which Hall said has Read’s veteran status on it.  “Rightly so, he wants that back. And we’ve been really struggling to get that back,” Hall said.

e issue is not singular to Read, as Program Manager Robert Aguilar said a lot of the people Rocky Mountain Refuge serves show up without any sort of identi cation.

“A big trouble that we’ve got whenever (we are) coordinating transportation from … hospitals is making sure they have all their documentation or personal belongings with them whenever they’re being transported,” he said.

e lack of identi cation can prevent the person from accessing programs and bene ts such as social security and food assistance programs, Aguilar explained.

“ at’s so di cult because we’re trying our best to provide the most comforting and e cient care for them,” Aguilar said. “We’re doing the best we can but it’s only so much that we can do.”

“If we had those things, the care

e Metro Denver Homeless Initiative’s 2022-2023 State of Homelessness report said the Homeless Management Information System showed 27,860 people accessed services related to homelessness between July

The RidgeGate

Rocky Mountain Refuge has two rooms within the Denver Rescue Mission’s location, e Crossing.

One of the rooms has two beds and is the primary room for people to stay in. e second room is a multipurpose room that serves as an o ce,

Yoga in the Park

ose interested in learning more about the Rocky Mountain Refuge can visit rockymountainrefuge.org. To learn more about TRU Community Care and getting involved in its veteran volunteering program, visit trucare.org/tru-heroes.

Join RidgeGate and South Suburban Parks and Recreation for free community yoga classes on the grass at the south end of Belvedere Park, at the corner of RidgeGate Circle and Belvedere Lane. Please bring your own mat, water bottle and towel to all classes. In case of heavy rain or lightning, class will be cancelled.

Tuesday, June 27th, 6:30-7:30pm

Tuesday, July 25th, 6:30-7:30pm

Guided Nature Hikes

Each year, RidgeGate teams up with the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District to provide free, guided nature hikes. These hikes are led by professional naturalists from the district, and offer insight and education into the natural ecosystems within the open space at RidgeGate. Registration is required and available at RidgeGate.com

67

45 89 10 11

Monday, July 3rd, 8:00-10pm – Buck Moon

Friday, July 21st, 6-7:30pm – Urban Coyotes

approach 21 27 29 3028

Summer Beats Concerts

Enjoy these summertime concerts out on the grass with free live music, food trucks and activities for kids. It’s all happening in Prairie Sky Park, just west of the Lone Tree Recreation Center, courtesy of the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District.

Thursday, July 20th, 6-8pm – 6 Million Dollar Band

Tunes on the Terrace at the Lone Tree Arts Center

45 8 9 10

S M T T F W 17 JULY S 1 23 19 26

67

S M T T F W 12131514 16

11 17 21

RidgeGate is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Lone Tree Arts Center’s ‘Tunes on the Terrace’—an outdoor evening concert series that will bring your summer nights to life. Check out the full schedule and buy tickets at LoneTreeArtsCenter.org

Friday, June 23rd, 8pm – Six One Five Collective

Friday, July 7th, 8pm – The Hot Lunch Band

18

28

urbanism. 13151416 18

20 22 23 24 25 27 29 3031

A more natural 20 2223 24 25

ridgegate.com

Friday, July 21st, 8pm – Pink Martini Featuring China Forbes

Experience Historic Schweiger Ranch

The restoration of the 38-acre historic Schweiger Ranch, led by the Schweiger Ranch Foundation, gives us a glimpse into settlers’ lives. Today, the ranch is open to the public for self-guided visits and a variety of events throughout the year. Register for or learn more about these events online at SchweigerRanch.org

Saturday, July 15th, 10-11am – Guided Public Tour

Saturday, July 15th, 8:30-10am – Natural Heritage Walking Tours with SSPRD (Geology of the Region)

Saturday, July 15th, 6-7pm – Campfire Storytelling Series (The Story Behind & Beyond “The Sound of Music”)

calendar of fun starts here.

Same goal, di erent process

Over the last few weeks, two elected boards in the south metro area have had to establish a process to ll a suddenly vacated seat.

In Douglas County, Elizabeth Hanson abruptly resigned from the school board.

South Suburban Parks and Recreation, which provides services in Arapahoe County and part of Douglas County, is also managed by an elected board. In South Suburban’s case, tragedy struck when a board member died, leaving a vacant seat.

Now, let’s get into why one elected board was transparent and upfront with the public and why another is being questioned for maybe following the laws, but not adhering to the spirit of them.

e Douglas County School Board held an ofcial open meeting, voted on a process, set dates and approved an application. All in public view.

To ll the open seat, the board will also discuss their opinions on every applicant publicly. e applications submitted are public records — as they should be.

Now, let’s move on to South Suburban, where a board election had been held shortly before the death opened another seat. Reporter Nina Joss has struggled to get information leading up to and after the May 2 election.

And when the other seat became open, Joss simply asked what the process would be to ll it. Simple question — right? Joss asked obvious questions and should have received clear answers and information to tell the public what was going on

FROM THE EDITOR

and what would happen.

However, while the elected board who took an oath to manage this district that manages a $128 million budget are patting themselves on the back for creating an application process, they are missing the point on why the interested public is frustrated. ey clearly do not understand the spirit of transparency.

ey decided to make the applications “con dential.” Really? Con dential? Do you need to be reminded that you are a board that can increase property taxes at will without a special election? I bet the Town of Castle Rock and other municipalities would love that kind of power.

Even after the vote where a new member was selected with no discussion and sworn in, the process to release the applications to the press took time. e reference letters still have not been released, and while it may be legal, it’s not OK. ey should have been part of the agenda and used as part of a discussion that should have been held in selecting the new board member. All of this should have been done in the public eye and not behind closed doors. Voting for a new member in less than a minute without discussion is not OK.

When Joss questioned the process and the fact that the public knew nothing about the person appointed to the seat — she was told to tell the

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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

public to Google him. at is absurd coming from a board member who took a sworn oath.

en, board members and South Suburban sta wonder why people are upset. Here’s the obvious answer. It’s not about who you appointed to ll the seat. When I Googled him — he seemed legitimate. He may even educate fellow board members on the fact that elected boards collecting tax dollars do answer to the public.

e problem is the refusal to be transparent in the entire process.

It’s hard to gure out who exactly is calling the shots for South Suburban right now, but, to the board members:  you should realize it should be you, and it should be done through public meetings, not behind closed doors.

Some other advice to remember — as an elected board, you are the boss of this huge organization. You are in charge. You don’t need sta approval — they need yours. Listen to their recommendations, ask questions, and make decisions — but do the right thing and do it in front of the public.

As citizens, residents and the community, we deserve better, transparent board members. Doing a simple story on an election, or a sad one on lling a vacated seat due to unexpected tragedy, should never turn into what you have turned it into.

Instead, what you have is a lot of raised eyebrows, more questions, and a lot more attention from not just the media, but local residents.

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

From success to significance to legacy

WINNING

He worked hard for his whole career, climbed the ladder as he was taught to do, and nally landed in the role that he wanted most, the position he was born to have, he became the CEO of the company. Having experienced plenty of successes along the way, nothing compared

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Times have changed Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed on June 19, 1953 for selling atomic secrets to Russia. ey were the only two people ever executed for the crime of espionage. Her brother, David Greenglass, an Army sergeant stationed at Los Alamos, New Mexico, turned them in and received 15 years for the same crime.

President Eisenhower was president, the rst Republican president in 20 years. President “Ike” was the president to all Americans, having been the supreme commander in Europe during WWII and ending the Korean War a month after the Rosenbergs were executed. I served four

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

to the surge of pride that Brian felt ll his head and heart the day the public announcement was made, Brian CEO. Having nally reached what he believed was the pinnacle of his career, Brian found himself wondering, “What’s next?” As a 52-year-old CEO, he began to think about the impact he could have on the company he was now leading, the e ect he could have on the people who were now in his care. I remember our conversation as we made our way around the golf course.

SEE NORTON, P15

months in the Air Force under (Give ‘Em Hell Harry) Truman and 44 months under Ike. Fast forward to 2023. We have a former president who is charged with numerous crimes and, no doubt, will be charged with many more in the coming months. Some could be espionage, insurrection and other crimes that carried a death sentence in 1953. Unlike Presidents Eisenhower and Truman, this president was loved by no one except Americans of the same stripe and Autocrats around the world.

Roy Legg Highlands Ranch

SEE LETTERS, P31

Call first: 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: 303-566-4100

Web: HighlandsRanchHerald.net

To subscribe call 303-566-4100

THELMA GRIMES South Metro Editor tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MCKENNA HARFORD Community Editor mharford@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ERIN FRANKS Production Manager efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

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

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.

To opt in or out of delivery please email us at circulation@ coloradocommunitymedia.com

Highlands Ranch Herald A legal newspaper of general circulation in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the Herald is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124. Send address change to: Highlands Ranch Herald, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

Thelma Grimes

Madhavan, a student at STEM School Highlands Ranch, raised $1,000 to put together 200 birthday kits, which she donated last month to A Precious Child, a Broom eldbased nonpro t that provides essentials to families in crisis situations.

e project was inspired when Madhavan’s friend could not a ord a birthday party.

“ ey didn’t have all of the money to a ord (a birthday party), so I was really sad for them,” she said.

To pay for the birthday supplies, Madhavan held an arts and crafts sale in her neighborhood and applied for a grant from Youth Services America, which awarded her a $500 Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes grant.

She bought supplies, including birthday crowns, candles, balloons, balloon decor arch connectors, streamers, cake toppers with a birthday message, decorated birthday cards and party favors of sunglasses and small toys.

NORTON

With each passing hole, we dug deeper into his thoughts, and nally Brian asked me what I thought. e real question he was trying to answer was whether or not he saw this as a huge opportunity to have a signi cant impact on the business and the people or was he already planning for what happens next. At 52, the wheels in his head were spinning fast, so much more to do and so much opportunity in front of him. CEO today, chairman of the board tomorrow. Who knows what the world holds for Brian?

I asked Brian if I could share something I heard Zig Ziglar share with so many of us. Of course, he said yes. Zig, and now his son Tom, speak about the fact that we move through our careers and life in cycles. We rst have to be before we can do, and do before we can have. And once we become who we want to become, do all the things we want to do, and have all that we desire to have, we can then give more of who we are, what we do, and what we have. At that point we move from being successful to becoming signi cant, and then to leaving the legacy we want to leave. Brian remained silent as we drove on to the next tee box and even through our drives on the next hole. I could tell he was processing. As we walked back to the cart, I reminded him that I was only the messenger of that message, but I wished I was the one who thought of the concept. He laughed and then said that it was the best insight and reality check he had heard in a long time. He shared that it made him stop thinking about how

Madhavan then reached out to A Precious Child, which has a program called Precious Gift that provides families with a birthday gift and cake.

“When I saw their birthday bags, I thought it was perfect,” she said.

Josie Martinez, programs coordinator for A Precious Child, said Madhavan’s donation helped provide 200 children with a full birthday experience. Madhavan’s birthday supplies were added to the Precious Gift kits, which are distributed to families who are referred to the nonpro t for services.

“(Shriya) collecting extra goodies for those birthday bags really makes it even more of a special celebration,” Martinez said.

Martinez said the kits were given away relatively quickly because A Precious Child typically serves 32 families per day at their Resource Center in Broom eld. e nonpro t partners with over 500 agencies in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomeld, Denver, Douglas, Je erson and Weld counties for referrals.

On the day Madhavan dropped o the birthday supplies, she also received a certi cate of thanks from A Precious Child and a tour of the

high he could climb, and instead start thinking about how high he could help others climb.

Last week my column was a tribute to a friend and colleague Jill. In the past 15 years of writing this column I had never received the number of emails, texts, and comments on any previous column. And all of the messages had common themes, “I wish I would have known her,” “She must have been something really special,” “I hope people remember me that way,” or “What a legacy she left behind.”

And now I share Brian’s story above because regardless of our role in life, we all don’t have to be a CEO, we can move from being to doing to having to giving and to leaving a legacy. And it starts with a very simple concept that David H. Sandler, the founder of Sandler Training, introduced us to, the idea of focusing on our attitude, our behaviors, and our techniques, in other words building the whole person, to set us on the path to one day moving from success to signi cance and signi cance to legacy.

Is it always about what’s next and how high you can climb? Or is it about how you can help others climb higher faster, and helping them on their own journey of being, doing, giving, and leaving their legacy? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail. com, and when we can remember to strive for success so we can move to signi cance and then leave the legacy we would be proud of, it really will be a better than good life.

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

services in Broom eld. Madhavan said she hopes she had a positive impact on her community.

“It was pretty exciting honestly

Shriya Madhavan, center, donates birthday supplies, including balloons, party hats and cards, to A Precious Child, a Broomfield nonprofit that helps families in crisis.

because I felt like I could help a certain amount of people, but hopefully inspire people to help others,” she said.

PHOTO COURTESY MADHAVAN SRINIVASAN

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When people think of horses, they might associate them with ranch living, horse racing or recreational riding, but horses can be therapeutic, too.  erapy takes many forms, from physical to mental. Some people travel to a ranch to work with horses as part of the therapeutic process.

Equine-assisted therapy was something Arvada native Kelsey Petitt discovered while studying occupational therapy at Pima Medical Institute in Denver. Having grown up riding horses, it immediately caught her attention.

“I just, kind of, was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is the coolest thing ever. I can combine my true passion of horses and really being able to help and assist participants and patients with doing therapy and reaching their functional goals while also having fun with horses and having that relationship,’” Petitt said.

Although she knew immediately that equine-assisted therapy was something she wanted to pursue, she did not do so immediately. Following her schooling and clinical internships, she quickly began working and then had her daughter.

However, in 2021 Petitt, who now lives in Brighton, decided to establish the Brighton-based Prestige erapeutic Equestrian Center, o ering an occupational therapy program that brings the four-legged companions into the practice.

“Now, I’m going on 11 years of being a therapist and so it’s taken me a little bit of time to get back to, really, what I wanted to do,” said Petitt, who also works as an occupational therapy assistant for a company called erapeutic and Rehabilitative Associates.  Her purpose, like many other therapists incorporating horses into their practice, is clear: “Transforming lives through the therapeutic power of horses.”

Bringing horses into occupational therapy

Occupational therapists help people develop skills so that they can perform day-to-day tasks such as bathing, dressing and eating, as well as techniques to aid in memory and concentration, according to the American Occupational erapy Association.

For example, occupational therapists may work on a person’s ne motor skills, such as being able to button a jacket or holding a fork, Petitt said.

ey also work on sensory integration, which she said usually comes up when working with someone who is on the autism spectrum.

Another example of work they do is helping someone with their feeding skills, such as for patients with Parkinson’s disease who experience a lot of tremors. Improving core strength may also be a focus for patients, such as for someone who struggles to put their shirt on due to a lack of strength.

“ ere’s an array of di erent settings that you can get into in the occupational therapy eld, but I think for me, the equine-assisted movement is just something that I’ve always loved,” she said. “Horses are just so therapeutic in general, for anybody.”

e term “hippotherapy” refers to how occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology professionals use equine movement as a therapy tool, according to the American Hippotherapy Association.

To use hippotherapy in treatment, a person must be a licensed therapist who has completed continuing education in the inclusion of horses and equine movement, per the association.

Petitt has gotten her rst level of training with the association, and she plans to continue with her training this fall.

However, Petitt explained that she does not refer to herself as a hippotherapist because hippotherapy is not its own therapy.

“We’re not hippotherapists,” she said. “Hippotherapy is utilizing the horse. All of our treatments are either occupational therapy, speech therapy or physical therapy, and we’re just using the horse as a treatment tool, basically.”

With her clients, she said she is working on all of the same therapy interventions that she would be in a therapy gym or in an outpatient program, but instead she’s now doing it by having her clients get onto a horse and incorporating the horse’s movement into the treatment.

“We work o the horse’s pelvis, so their pelvis is very similar to ours,” she said.

ere are di erent planes for the horse in the way that their pelvis moves — the sagittal plane, frontal plane and transverse plane, she said.

“We’re working on that constantly, so when we have our riders on the horse, they’re also working on that. And it’s one of the most multi-dimensional movement(s) that’s rhythmic and repetitive,” she said.

For someone experiencing conditions such as limited mobility, limited core strength, cognitive delays, or sensory processing disorders, “it can really just kind of help bene t and improve all of those elements,” she said of equine-assisted therapy.

According to a study published in the international journal, Physiotherapy eory and Practice, there are “signicant positive e ects” of equine-assisted therapy on exercise tolerance, mobility, interpersonal interactions and quality of life of people with disabilities.

Another study focused on the ef-

fects of equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals on the autism spectrum and concluded that these programs “substantially improve” the social and behavioral functions of people who are on the autism spectrum.

“Communication is pretty key, too … because horses mirror us, so a lot of our participants can learn a lot more speech and communication successfully with the horses, which is really great,” she said.

Petitt has three horses she works with. e horse a client is paired with is dependent on their individual needs, she explained.

“Part of what’s so cool is because we can kind of tailor it to that participant, that patient, and kind of really work on what we need to work on with them,” she said. “ eir postural control, sensory systems, motor planning.”

In a typical therapy gym for occupational therapy, Petitt said there are tools such as a swing, a ball and a mat to use for the session. However, these do not provide the same level of sensory input and rhythmic, consistent movement that equine-assisted therapy can, which she said is great at building overall strength, control and balance.

“We can work in the therapy gym all day but the bene ts and the outcomes that we’re seeing while doing therapy

A young girl works on her skills at the Prestige Therapeutic Equestrian Center.

Therapists describe how they incorporate horses into their practice

Sage is one of the horses at the Prestige Therapeutic Equestrian Center.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PRESTIGE THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER

HEALING

on the horses are just so much more transformative and more meaningful than we can get in the gym,” she said.

Looking ahead, Petitt said she hopes to soon expand her team to include a physical therapist.

“And then I’m really hoping to hire a speech therapist as well, because riding the horses … there’s so much to do with our respiration rate when we’re riding them,” she said. “What that can do for speech language pathologists is really help with that physiological system of how we talk.”

At the Prestige erapeutic Equestrian Center, Petitt also o ers “therapeutic horseback riding,” which she explained is not a professional therapy service but is rather like a recreational sport where individuals learn riding skills. is experience can, in turn, lead to other bene ts such as helping deal with anxiety.

However, when it comes to getting professional therapy treatment for mental health conditions like coping with trauma, grief, abuse, or other challenging experiences, community members have an equinebased option — the therapists with Rocky Mountain Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, LLC.

Horses and psychotherapy

Carina Kellenberger and Dana Schultz, both licensed clinical social workers who grew up loving horses, established Rocky Mountain Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in 2013.

Schultz, who lives near Superior, and Kellenberger, who lives in Longmont, primarily practice at the Happy Dog Ranch in the Littleton area and at Medicine Horse in Boulder.

“We are licensed clinical social workers that have a trauma-specialty focus in … equine therapy,” Schultz said, explaining they do formal intakes and development clinical-based treatment plans.

ere is a di erence between equine-assisted therapy and equine-facilitated therapy, Kellenberger noted.

“When we rst started our business back in 2013, the word ‘equine-facilitated learning and psychotherapy’ did not exist, but that is the work we are doing,” Kellenberger said. “Equine-facilitated psychotherapy and learning means that the horse — the relationship with the horse is the vehicle for change.”

Under the practice of equine-facilitated psychotherapy, it is the client’s relationship and connection with the animal that is moving the sessions forward, she said.

“ e di erence between the learning and the psychotherapy are, like, a lot of the group work is mainly more learning because we’re not really diving into personal issues and we’re keeping it a little more surface level,” Kellenberger said. “But (in) the psychotherapy … we go as deep just like any o ce therapist would.”

Equine-assisted therapy is di erent because while horses are incorporated into the practice, the client’s relationship with them is not the driving force, she said. Rather, the horses are more of a tool component of the therapy.

“ ey might be being used more as a metaphor or as a way to help move through an activity, but they’re not — the relationship with the animal isn’t the central piece,” she added. “In the facilitated work that we do with our clients, it’s the relationship as the primary drive and the connection with the horse.”

Kellenberger and Schultz may use an equinefacilitated or an equine-assisted therapy approach when treating a client, as it depends on what the client is seeking, Schultz said. Kellenberger added that equine-assisted therapy is bene cial as an assessment tool.

Both Schultz and Kellenberger received certi cation in animal-assisted social work from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work, as

well as completed training through the organization Natural Lifemanship in trauma-focused equineassisted psychotherapy.

“A lot of our clients, they’re coming to us because they’ve experienced trauma, and so we’re making sure that everything that we’re doing is through that lens as well,” Kellenberger said.

Schultz noted their approach is always using a clinical, evidence-based lens and horses are a part of the team. She works with clients to identify their primary goals and the horse becomes their partner in that journey.

“We know that therapy is hard and incredibly personal, and it’s a di cult journey for people to admit, like, ‘Hey, I need help.’ And so one of the things that we always do is provide our potential clients with a free meet-and-greet,” Schultz said, explaining the person can visit the ranch to meet her and hear the elevator pitch.

“Part of that elevator pitch is recognizing how difcult the therapeutic process and journey can be for some, and that the relationship that you have with the therapist is as important as the relationship that you are going to form with your horse,” she added.

Most of the work during therapy sessions is unmounted, Kellenberger said, explaining the clients may do things like grooming the horse, leading the horse or doing other things that help them feel connected to the horse.

Once sessions begin, Schultz said herself and Kellenberger are skilled at identifying patterns in people’s behaviors.

“We basically say, ‘I’m noticing this pattern. Is it helpful or not?’” Schultz said, explaining they use the identi cation of patterns to build rapport and trust with clients before then delving deeper into working through their trauma.

e trauma a lot of their clients experience is a ecting the way they show up in their human relationships, Kellenberger said.

“Working with the horses — who are prey animals and are highly sensitive and attuned to our intentions, our emotions — they make excellent partners in this work, because they are able to kind of mirror or … show the patterns that people have in the same way that a human would,” Kellenberger said.

Schultz noted that the work being done during these therapy sessions happens in the moment, providing an opportunity for real-time change.

“Our horses … they are not magical unicorn creatures. ey are going to ignore our clients. ey are going to resist,” Schultz said. “And the client is going to, you know, respond or react.

“And that’s kind of what we’re observing and saying, ‘Hey, is this pattern helpful for you? Because it’s happening right here, right now. So, right now, in this moment, you’re feeling frustrated, you’re feeling abandoned, you’re feeling unheard, (or) you’re feeling whatever. What can we do right now in this moment to help shift the way that you’re feeling to a more balanced thought?’” she continued.

ese therapy sessions provide a way for clients to, in a safe space, start

to make changes to those patterns and feel more comfortable not only in their relationship to the horse but in their relationships with people, explained Kellenberger.

“ e actual brain starts to change while they’re working with the animal,” Kellenberger said. “And horses are really great at this, also, because they are prey animals. ey are looking for vulnerability and congruence from us because that’s how they keep themselves safe in the wild.”

“If a client is really holding back an emotion, they’re being incongruent, you’ll see the reaction from the horse in that way,” she continued. “As soon as … our clients are able to start to be more congruent in their own bodies, that feels very safe for the horse and that’s where the connections really start to form.”

It is through this real-time therapy work with the horse that the clients can begin to learn how to transfer the shifts in their approach into their everyday lives, Schultz explained.

“Having done this for 10 years, I can tell you, we have seen so many clients who come in and they’re like, ‘I’ve tried everything else. Nothing else works,’” Schultz said. “We see clients, I think, for a shorter period of time, I think, on average, than maybe what a traditional talk therapist in an o ce setting would see because it isn’t so retroactive or future-oriented.”

Kellenberger added, “It’s kind of just eye-opening, and it can unlock patterns that people didn’t know that they had that they’ve been working on for years in the o ce. So I would say that the horses are amazing partners because they are so sensitive and they can show us a lot about ourselves pretty quickly.”

Spreading the word

All three therapists expressed a desire to raise awareness of the existence of their practices and how it can help people.

“It’s as good as … any other therapy, and you don’t need horse experience to do it,” Schultz said. “It’s not just for any speci c type of person.”

Schultz said when she and Kellenberger entered into the industry, it was small and many people did not really understand it.

“ ere were so many people, especially when we were rst getting started, that were just kind of doing backyard therapy that were not therapists,” Kellenberger said, explaining that she and Schultz wanted to put their mental health degrees at the forefront of their work and help the eld gain notoriety.

“Because we were seeing the really great work that can be done when you’re doing it correctly,” she added, advising people to do their research and look for licensed therapists.    Schultz highlighted that this type of therapy is for everyone, saying they have clients ranging from the ages of 7 to 78.

“It’s inspiring. I’m inspired by my clients to, you know, for me to keep my training up, to be the best I can be because they’re showing up to do the hard work,” Schultz said.

In her work in occupational therapy, Petitt shared how powerful it is to see clients transform throughout equineassisted therapy sessions.

“It’s just so cool to see them being able to accomplish the things that they weren’t able to accomplish before,” she said. “Raising awareness of what we do is so important and amazing to help our riders grow.”  “It’s just amazing what horses do for us,” Petitt said. “ ey’re so inspiring.”

‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ plays through June 25

SONYA’S SAMPLER

Performance Now eatre Company, which started in Highlands Ranch, will perform “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” at Lakewood Cultural Center through June 25.

Performances:

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. 303-987-7845, performancenow.org.

Tickets start at $20.

Colorado Book Awards

Colorado Book Award winners will celebrate on June 10 at El Pomar Foundation’s Penrose House Garden Pavilion. Anthology winner: “Denver Noir,” edited by Cynthia Swanson; general ction: “ e Immortal King Rao” by Vaughini Vara; historical ction: “Little Souls” by Sandra Dallas. Livestream on Facebook and You Tube.

Local author

“Trust Yourself to Be All In: Safe to Love and Let Go,” an inspirational memoir by Amanda McKoy Flanagan of Castle Rock, is released on Amazon.

Newman Center

Newman Center Presents has announced its 2023-2024 season, beginning Sept. 8 with “Dog Man: e Musical” followed by the Martha Graham Dance Company on Sept. 22 and 23. 303-871-7720, newmancenterpresents.com.

Colorado Symphony

Colorado Symphony tickets are on sale now, celebrating 100 years of symphonic music in Colorado. See: coloradosymphony.org. Opening Sept. 15-17 with Beethoven’s Fifth, with Peter Oundjian.

Rox Arts

e Rox Arts Gallery in Littleton’s Aspen Grove shopping center is relocating in early July and will be next to the Tattered Cover.

Kirkland Museum

e Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Arts, 1201 Bannock St., Denver, continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary with “Dave Yust

— Evidence of Gravity and Other Works” opening June 21. Yust, a good friend of Vance Kirkland, lives in Fort Collins, where he taught for many years.

Wagon tours

Pam Roth O’Mara is o ering wagon

tours for artists, some mornings and others at sunset, at the Plains Conservation Center, in conjunction with Denver Botanic Gardens. Cost: $10. botanicalgardens.org/programs/ wagon-tours-artists. June 14, 8:3010:30 a.m.; July 19, 8-10 a.m.; Aug. 9, 8:30-10:30 a.m.; July 6, 5:30-8:30 p.m; Aug. 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Denver Audubon

Denver Audubon is located at 9308 S. Wadsworth Blvd. and has trails for families to walk, as well as programming for children and adults. On June 24, from 9 a.m. to noon, there will be a “Birds and Blooms Native Plant Garden Fest.” denveraudubon.org

Check out ‘Bugs’

Denver Museum of Nature & Science o ers “Bugs,” created by the Te Pappawa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand. $17/$20. See dmns.org.

Littleton Museum concerts

Concert by the 17th Avenue Allstars at the Littleton Museum lawn at 6:30 p.m. on June 28. Free. July 12: After Midnight. July 19: Delta Sonics. July 26: Dakota Blonde. 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton.

Vintage Theatre

Vintage eatre is presenting “Driving Miss Daisy” with Deborah Perso through July 9. 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. See vintagetheatre.org.

Performance Now Theater Company performs “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” at Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, through June 25.

PHOTO BY RDGPHOTOGRAPHY

Thu 6/29

Advanced Wind, Women, & Water Clinic | Intro to Racing

@ 4:30pm / $55

Cherry Creek Reservoir, 4800 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 303-757-7718

Wed 7/05

SUP + Kayak + Sailing Camp | Week 5 *3-Day Camp @ 8am / $280

Jul 5th - Jul 7th

Cherry Creek Reservoir, 4800 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 303-757-7718

Advanced Double-Handed Sailing Camp | Week 5 *3-Day Camp @ 8am / $280

Jul 5th - Jul 7th

Cherry Creek Reservoir, 4800 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 303-757-7718

Intermediate 1 Sailing Camp | Week 5 *3-Day Week @ 8am / $280

Jenny Shawhan @ 5pm

Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood, 10008 Commons St Ste 100, Lone Tree

Denver Twilight 5000 (Race 1) @ 5pm / $35

Englewood High School, 3800 S Logan St, Denver

Before The Fourth 5k @ 7am / $35 7306 W Bowles Ave, Littleton

Rachel Alena Music: The AlleyDuo Gig-QUARTET! @ 7pm

The Alley, 2420 W Main St, Little‐ton

Sun 7/02

Brothers Osborne w/ Niko Moon @ 3pm

Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., En‐glewood

Eric Golden @ 11am Takoda Tavern, 12311 Pine Bluffs Way # A, Parker

Tue 7/04

Signs of Tranquility

@ 6pm

Moe's Original BBQ, 3295 S Broadway, Englewood

Fri 6/30

Fleming Mansion Walkthrough (about 45 days before event)

@ 6pm

Fleming Mansion, 1510 S. Grant St., Den‐ver. 720-913-0654

Sat 7/01

Kameron Marlowe

@ 3pm

Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Village

Castle Rock Band Free Concert in Festival Park July 1 7:00 PM @ 6pm Festival Park, 300 2nd Street, Cas‐tle Rock. ericastull@gmail.com, 303-809-2959

Nortenos De OjinagaTropicalisimo Apache - Marineros de Norte - Andariego @ 7:30pm / $35-$45

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Tropicalisimo Apache @ 7:30pm

Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Parker Hometown 4th of July 5K @ 7am / $25-$30

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Jul 5th - Jul 7th

Cherry Creek Reservoir, 4800 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 303-757-7718

Pandas & People @ 5pm

Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park (formerly Lakewood Heritage Center), 801 S Yarrow St, Lakewood

Dave Mensch - Tailgate TavernParker, CO @ 5pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Ladies Night @ 5pm / $10

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Thu 7/06

Advanced Keelboat Clinic | Intro to Racing @ 4:30pm / $55

Cherry Creek Reservoir, 4800 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 303-757-7718

Union Gray @ 6:30pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Fox Royale @ SunSET summer concert series, Englewood CO @ 6:30pm

SunSET summer concert series, Engle‐wood

powered by

Pastels make for appealing exhibit

Orchard Road closure a ects gallery access

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A catalog note in the current catalog of the 19th Mile High International Pastel Exhibition says that there were 328 entries received for this semi-annual exhibit and 84 were selected by juror Aaron Schuerr for this show, which runs until July 1 at Curtis Center for the Arts, 2349 E. Orchard Road, Greenwood Village. (Note: Orchard is blocked west of the Curtis Center and we had to drive over to University and approach it from that direction. e center is at the northwest corner of Orchard and University.)

e paintings in this appealing exhibit lean strongly toward landscapes, but there also is still life — look for Mary Cassidy’s “Color of Nature,” freshly dug carrots and radishes — and the winning piece: “Peek-a-Boo” by Je Slemons of Greeley, featuring a very inviting chocolate glazed doughnut, with the rst bite already gone from it!

e Award of Excellence from Terry Ludwig Pastels went to Stacy Roberts’ “Just Before the Morning,” with a gray wolf looking back at the foothills landscape it had been visiting ... the viewer thinks there’s some sort of story there ... perhaps some-

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules:

• Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.

• Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in the following week’s newspaper.

• Letters must be no longer than 400 words.

• Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.

• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for o ce. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 12 days of an election.

thing had been especially tasty!

First place was awarded to Yidan Guo’s “Immigrant Women Series — Self Portrait,” with dramatic lighting on the face, colorful clothing and a hazy background. Guo also has an appealing portrait of “Dee” in the same Immigrant Women Series.

A dinner party is planned, it seems, in Leslie Trujillo-Batts’

“Black Tie A air,” with a stemmed silver bowl and tray o ering beautifully colored fruits: grapes, pear, berries, plums ... and a silver, bonehandled fruit knife, like my grandmother would serve after dinner with pears.

Big skies appear in all sorts of weather: behind a snowy peak, in a summer blue sky with a river owing toward it, just at sundown in “Golden Hour” by Betty E erson. Bouquets vary from E erson’s “Ending the Journey,” tired sun owers, to Tatsiana Harbacheuskaya’s perky “Sun owers on a Turquoise Tablecloth.” Julia Lesnichy’s pink “Morning Roses” are probably really fragrant if one were to stand next to them in person ... while Sarah St. George presents tired roses: “Better Days.”

Sarah Blumenschein drew a stack of teacups and saucers that look like a visit to grandmother’s house, with cups from di erent sets, while Becky Johnson takes us to big sky country with her “Wyoming Road.”

Curtis Art Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Publication of any given letter is at our discretion. Letters are published as space is available.

• We will edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length and write headlines (titles) for letters at our discretion.

• Please don’t send us more than one letter per month. First priority for publication will be given to writers who have not submitted letters to us recently.

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

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

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

• Do not use all caps, italics or bold text.

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

“Peek-A-Boo” by Je Slemons of Greeley won best of show at the Pastel Society of Colorado’s International Pastel Exhibition and Sale at Curtis Center for the Arts. COURTESY PHOTO

CELEBRATING THE CHAMPIONS

Fans who braved crowds for Nuggets victory parade not disappointed

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Hatch family from Northglenn never misses a Denver Nuggets game, if they can help it. ey’ve been dedicated fans since moving to Colorado in 2011 and when the team won its rst NBA championship this week, they knew they’d be at the parade on ursday.

“We never really expected to actually win the championship, but we were hopeful for one,” Ariel Hatch said. “It’s amazing!”

e family of ve were among the estimated 700,000 to one million fans to descend on downtown on June 15 to bask in the glory of the a Nuggets NBA title that was more than 50 years in the making.

ere, they had the chance

to see Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, who famously said he wanted to go home to Serbia following the title-clinching victory on June 12.

Instead, he was in a white Denver re truck with No. 15 in gold letters and his name, the missing Finals MVP trophy nearby. When he nally found his way through the crowd to a podium, the crowd erupted.

“You know that I told you I didn’t want to stay for parade,” Jokic addressed the crowd. “But I [expletive] want to stay for parade. is is the best. We love you, Denver. is is for you.”

He was one of many Nuggets players at the parade. Also there was Head Coach Mike Malone, sta ers, cheerleaders and Rocky

Family Fun Ride & Stroll at Lone Tree Elementary

9am: Decorate / 9:30am: Start

This one is for the whole family so come decorate your bikes, scooters, wagons, strollers, unicycles, or just yourself and join us as we make our way down the Willow Creek Trail, on this 1-mile trek.

For details on the route, parking, etc. visit www.cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4

Tuesday, July 4th

Family Fun Park at Prairie Sky Ball Fields

10am-1pm

Enjoy inflatables, games, live entertainment, food trucks, and more! This event requires PRE-REGISTRATION for everyone attending. Parking will be available at the Lone Tree Rec Center.

To register visit: www.cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4 then scroll down to the Family Fun Park section and register.

Party in the Park at Prairie Sky Park Event Schedule

7pm-10pm

Enjoy a live concert with solo, acoustic artist, Jenny Shawhan and headliner

Uptown Funk: Tribute to Bruno Mars! We encourage you to bring your blankets, camping chairs, coolers, outdoor games and mingle with your friends and neighbors as we prepare for the main event of the evening, fireworks!

6 PM: Shuttle service begins

7 PM: Jenny Shawhan, Acoustic Artist

8 PM:

Uptown Funk: Tribute to Bruno Mars

9:30 PM: Fireworks

10:30 PM: Shuttle service ends

For more details on parking, maps, best viewing locations, shuttle routes, street closures, etc. visit www.cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4

Nuggets player Bruce Brown shows some love to the crowd at the beginning of the parade.

PHOTO BY JOHN RENFROW

SEE NUGGETS, P23

Lacrosse player named MVP at showcase

playing the guitar and hanging out with his friends.

Put a helmet on his head, cleats on his feet and a lacrosse stick in his hands, though, and Jenkins becomes very much unlike most other kids his age.

the high-pro le recruiting event, which unfolded June 3-4 inside Chase Fieldhouse.

BY ALEX K.W. SCHULTZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

e 16-year-old enjoys gol ng,

e rising junior defenseman, who plays lacrosse for Douglas County High and the Denver Elite lacrosse club, was recently invited to participate in e Show in Wilmington, Delaware.

Only 192 high school players from around the country were invited to

Coaches from more than 30 Division I college and university lacrosse programs ocked to the event to get a closer look at the bounty of young lacrosse talent. Among the programs represented were perennial powers Syracuse, Johns Hopkins, Virginia, Princeton and North Carolina, which have combined to win 37 men’s lacrosse national championships.

Seventeen hundred miles away from home, Jenkins made the most of the unique opportunity, capturing one of the six most-valuableplayer awards handed out at the conclusion of the two-day event.

“It was a di erent experience, for sure,” he said. “Everybody there is at your level or higher. You had to nd something to di erentiate yourself.”

Jenkins’ plan to set himself apart clearly worked.

e players at the event were split into eight teams. After each team played three games, 50 players — one of which was Jenkins — were selected for an all-star game.

Jenkins’ coaches for the all-star game were from Brown, Lafayette and Loyola. After the all-stars squared o , positional and team MVPs were named.

“I didn’t believe it when they called my name,” Jenkins said of when the MVP announcements were made. “… My goal is always to play a perfect game. I feel like I’ve yet to play one because there are always little things you can do better.”

at pursuit of perfection is likely why Jenkins was invited to e Show, likely why he was recognized as an MVP and likely why his lacrosse career won’t end in high school — the best athletes are possessed with a drive to always do better, no matter how good their last performance was.

If history is any indicator, it won’t be a surprise if Jenkins lands at a high-quality collegiate program. Several local players who spent time in the Denver Elite laboratory — including Jack Kiefer (Duke; Cherry Creek graduate), Eric Pacheco (Loyola; Valor Christian graduate), Grant Rodny (Lehigh; Air Academy graduate) and Jake Taylor (Notre Dame; Regis Jesuit graduate) — are now playing the game at a high level.

Jenkins’ dream school? It’s right in his own backyard — the University of Denver. Jenkins grew up going to DU games and has long dreamed of playing for the Pioneers, winners of the 2015 national title and ve-time Final Four contenders.

Playing for a local team would also allow Jenkins to continue to play a role in slowly dismantling the narrative that lacrosse is a game reserved for elite East Coast programs.

“It’s de nitely cool knowing that I can be an ambassador for the sport,” Jenkins said. “I look at little kids now, where I used to be, and I can set a stage for them. I want people to know that we’re here to stay. Lacrosse in the West can be just as big as lacrosse in the East.”

Connor Jenkins is a lot like most other kids his age.

Connor Jenkins, who plays lacrosse for Douglas County High and the Denver Elite lacrosse club, was recently invited to The Show in Wilmington, Delaware, where the 16-year-old captured one of the six MVP awards handed out at the high-profile recruiting event.

Douglas County High School’s Connor Jenkins is standout in role as defenseman

NUGGETS

the mascot – showered with love, beer, and cheers from the masses as they passed on a procession of re trucks.

David Zuckerman brought his two kids down from the Boulder area to see the spectacle. He said he is thrilled Denver can o cially be called “Champion City” after seeing both the Avalanche hockey team and Nuggets win titles in back-to-back years.

He said the Nuggets are more than a Denver team. ey’re a Colorado team.

“It’s exciting for everyone to be moving in the same direction for something positive, especially considering the Avalanche won last year (also),” Zuckerman said.

Taylor Wright has lived in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood for eight years after moving from Kentucky.

ough he’s watched lots of great basketball from the Nuggets, and has become a self-proclaimed diehard fan, he wasn’t sure if they could really win a championship until recently.

“After the performance in the NBA bubble in 2020, it seemed more realistic,” he said. “It’s unreal to witness a franchise winning its rst championship, though.”

Ashley Guss of Adams County said her family has been strong Nuggets fans since the J.R. Smith days, and to see a championship come to fruition is surreal.

“I knew as soon as we went up in the nals series that we were coming out here for the parade to celebrate,” Guss said. “It’s been a long time coming for this team, and you can see that in the amount of people who came out today.”

Stan Jacobsen from Evergreen agrees.

“Watching these guys this whole season really shows how much they deserve to win it. It’s great to see them get what they’ve worked so hard for. e fans here have really embraced the entire team,” Jacobsen said.  Festivities kicked o with a prerally at Civic Center Park at 9 a.m., followed by the parade at 10 a.m. that traveled from Union Station to Civic Center Park.

During the parade, players and coaches signed merchandise. ey even hopped o the oats to interact with the crowd. Several players and coaches addressed the massive congregation at Civic Center Park.

“Life’s about moments,” Coach Malone said. “We have people that have been supporting this team for 47 years … We’re some greedy [expletive], baby. We’re getting another one. It’s hitting me right now. For me, to share it with our fans, that means the world to me. is is an amazing experience. Something that I believed in. I had no doubt that we’d get to this point.”

Fans from all the corners of Colorado came. ey hailed from Fort Collins in the north to Pueblo in the south to Grand Junction in the west. ey might as well rename the team the Colorado Nuggets.

Nearly one million fans converged downtown for the Denver Nuggets’ championship parade.

PHOTO BY JOHN RENFROW

Help Wanted

Director, Product Asset Management and Fulfillment (NBCUniversal Media, LLC; Centennial, CO). Manage Asset Management & Fulfillment Chain product org comprised of Mgrs, Product Mgrs, & Product Specialists spanning a diverse product portfolio. Position is fully remote & may be performed from anywhere in U.S. Salary range is $220,000/ yr - $290,000/yr., depending on qualifications. Send resume to: Elsbeth Velasco-Fulgencio at elsbeth.velasco@ nbcuni.com, & indicate you are applying for Director, Product – Asset Management and Fulfillment (CAC23LN) opening. NBCU is an EOE.

Eng 3, SW Dev & Eng (Mult Openings) Comcast Cable Comm, LLC, Englewood, CO. Resp for Voice/ HSD/Vid use mediation & use-based chrging; Reqs: Bach in CS, Eng or rel; 2 yrs exp use billing mediate sys; use SunTec transact biz & mgt sys (TBMS) SW; process DB ops w/ Oracle, MySQL & PLSQL; use Python, Maven & Linux Shell Script to bld standalone apps & automt tasks; & wrk w/ Git in DevOps env for src code mgt; 1 yr incl analyz, process & extract data use Big Data tech incl Presto & Hive; & dev & deploy cloud-based apps w/i Spring & Spring Boot. Salary: $83,720-$125,000. Benefits: https:// jobs. comcast.com/life-at-comcast/ benefits. Apply to: Aisha_Shamsh@ comcast.com Ref Job ID# 7314

Help Wanted

LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME

No Sales, no Investment, No Risk, Free training, Free website. Contact Susan at 303-646-4171 or fill out form at www.wisechoice4u.com

SRE Engineer (FT; Multiple Openings)

Job Location: Centennial, CO

Requirements: MS or equiv. in CE, Commun. Eng., EE, etc. + 2 yrs. exp. or BS + 5 yrs. exp. req’d. Exp. w/ UCaaS, VoIP, Python, AWS, GCP, Hashicorp Terraform, AWS

CloudFormation, Bash, Powershell, Linux, Jenkins, GitLab & CI/CD req’d.

Salary: $121K - $135K/yr

Mail Resume: RingCentral, Inc. Attn: HR Dept. 20 Davis Drive Belmont, CA 94002

Eng 3, SW Dev & Eng Comcast Cable Comm, LLC, Englewood, CO. Dev & maintain SW sys that improve efficiency of NW tech & XOC fld ops teams; Reqs: Bach in CS, Eng or rel; 2 yrs exp dev SW apps use Java; deploy SW use CI/CD tools, incl Jenkins, Concourse & Ansible; use Agile methds & participate in team Agile scrum ceremonies & meetings; est wrk need to complete task objectives for team; admin & improve sys req for SW dev; interact w/ team membrs to ID improvmts needed for dev SW; & wrk w/NoSQL DBs, incl Hbase, Couchbase, MongoDB & Redis. Salary: $83,720-$120,000. Benefits: https://jobs.comcast.com/ life-atcomcast/benefits. Apply to: Jacquelin_Branks@comcast.com

Ref Job ID# 5338

Help Wanted

System Site Reliability Engineer (FT; Multiple Openings)

Job Location: Centennial, CO

Requirements: BS or equiv. in EE, IT, etc. +3 yrs. exp. req’d. Exp. w/ UCaaS, Python, Bash, Linux OS, Jenkins, GitLab, CI/CD & VoIP req’d.

Salary: $115K/yr

Mail Resume: RingCentral, Inc. Attn: HR Dept. 20 Davis Drive Belmont, CA 94002

Eng 3, SW Dev & Eng Comcast Cable Comm, LLC, Englewood, CO. Dev, maintain, & operate prdct pltfm that prov “pay as you go” svcs for HSD & Video prdcts; Reqs: Bach in CS, Eng, or rel & 2 yrs exp dev sw in Agile dev environ use Java, GWT, AngularJS, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Scala, & Play; run app use Pivotal Cloud Foundry; dev microsvcs use Spring frmwk; bld Graph APIs use MS-graph; test Java APIs use Java mocking frmwrks; use RabbitMQ for app queuing; dploy apps use WebLogic; access app use Azure AD SSO; write automtn scripts use Python; perfm DB program use SQL, Oracle, JPA, & EJB; creat archtctr diagrams use UML; implem CI/CD practices use GoCD; perfm code coverage use Eclemma Sonarqube; store code use Github; track incdnts use App Dynamics; & use ELK Stack for srch & analytics. Salary: $94,890.00 - $125,000.00 per year. Benefits: https://jobs. comcast.com/life-at-comcast/ benefits. Apply to: Aisha_Shamsh@ comcast.com Ref Job ID# 1507

COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

CLASSIFIEDS

Market Place

Misc. Notices

WIDOWED MEN AND WOMEN OF AMERICA.

A social club offering many exciting activities and life long friendships. Social hours for all areas of Metro Denver. Visit Widowedamerica.org for details In your area!

Merchandise

Antiques & Collectibles

Health & Beauty

Viagra stop overpaying! Generic Viagra or Cialis 70 tabletsonly $99 shipping included! USAServicesOnline.com call now 888-203-0881

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

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

Medical

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

Miscellaneous

Old Crows Antiques featuring The Root Beer Bar

An Antique destination in Littleton Colorado

Join us on Memory Lane. Something for everyone. Visit us for store info Instagram: @oldcrowsantiques www.facebook.com/ oldcrowsantiques www.oldcrows antiques.com

303-973-8648

Arts & Crafts

Vendors Wanted

We are seeking vendors for our summer Craft Fair at The Gardens at Columbine Retirement Community 5130 W. Ken Caryl Ave. Littleton 303.973-5115 Saturday, July 15th from 10:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.

Please contact Christa or Rainey at 303-973-5115 for information.

Firewood

Split & Delivered $450 a cord Stacking $50 Call 303-647-2475 or 720-323-2173

Scrap Metal, Batteries, Appliances, Wiring, Scrap Plumbing/Heating, Cars/Parts, Clean out Garages/Yards, Rake, Yard work done w/chainsaw, Certified Auto Mechanical / Body Work & paint available Also can do inside or outside cleaning 303-647-2475 / 720-323-2173

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

1-888489-3936

DISH TV $64.99 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR included, Free Voice remote. Some Restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-479-1516.

Inflation is at 40 year highs

Interest rates are way up. Credit Cards. Medical Bills. Car Loans. Do you have $10k or more in debt? Call National Debt Relief to find out how to pay off your debt for significantly less than what you owe! Free quote:

1-877-592-3616

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

1-833-758-3892

Switch & save up to $250/yr on talk, text & data. No contract or hidden fees. Unlimited talk & text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based service. Call 1-855-903-3048

Miscellaneous

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

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

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

Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 833-308-1971

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

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on vet bills? Physicians Mutual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-844-774-0206 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow. com/ads

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

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

!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! GIBSON, FENDER, MARTIN, etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. TOP DOLLAR PAID. CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-433-8277

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

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-6101936

CLASSIFIED AD SALES 303-566-4100

classifieds@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS

Contact Erin, 303-566-4074 eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

DEADLINES

CLASSIFIED LINE ADS: MONDAY, 5 P.M.

SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY, 5 P.M.

LEGALS: THURSDAY, 3 P.M.

Colorado Statewide Network

To place a 25-wordCOSCAN Network adin 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact your local newspaper or email Colorado Press Association Network at rtoledo@colopress.net

Miscellaneous

DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER? You may qualify for a substantial cash award - even with smoking history. No obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help!! Call 24/7, 1-877-648-2503 Pets

Vehicles

Wanted

Cash for all Vehicles!

Cars,

(303)741-0762

Cell: (303)918-2185 for texting Bestcashforcarsco.com

PLUMBING&SPRINKLERS

FreeInstantPhoneQuote RepairorReplace:Faucets,

Tiny homes, big potential

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Th ere’s a certain cliché about big things coming in small packages, but over the years that has become increasingly true with regards to tiny houses and the culture around them. e COVID-19 pandemic and a ordable housing crisis have both contributed to more people investigating the myriad uses of tiny homes, and all signs point to that number rising.

For those who are already fans of tiny homes or are eager to learn more, the Colorado Tiny House Festival is back for the sixth year to provide all the information and exploration anyone could want.

“We’ll have more than 30 structures available to check out this year and a bunch of new builders coming in,” said Art Laubach, organizer of the festival. “We have a lot of variety and new stu for people to see, especially with how much our industry has grown since COVID.”

e Colorado Tiny House Festival will be held at Riverdale Regional

Park , 9755 Henderson Road in Brighton, on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25. e festival is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

According to provided information, the festival is the largest tiny house and alternative living event in the region and allows attendees to explore some of the di erent tiny home options, chat with experts in the elds of homebuilding, sustainable living and long-time tiny home residents, and sample the wares of vendors and local eateries.

While tiny homes are designed to be used as more permanent residences, there are plenty of options on the recreational side of things for travelers to explore.

“Tiny homes are built more like foundation homes and are built as four-season structures with typical home materials,” Laubach said.

“But there is the camper van side, which is something we’re seeing more people interested in, especially with the work-from-home options that followed COVID-19.”

Young people are particularly getting interested in recreational vehicles like teardrop campers and camper vans, as well as converting old vans or school buses into something they can take out on the road.

“With camper vans, it’s much easier to be o the grid and there are so many opportunities for travel,” Laubach said. ese small structures are great because they allow people to do many of the same things they’d do at home without investing in another vehicle.”

Regardless of if you’re looking to invest in a tiny home or camper van or just want to see what kind of vehicles people have built for themselves, there’s plenty to enlighten at the festival.

“We want people to see how livable these structures are and see them as viable living solutions,” Laubach said. “People are also encouraged to think outside the box in terms of recreation — there are more options than huge RVs.”

Tickets and information can be found at https://coloradotinyhousefestival.com/.

Pop culture HQ arrives in Denver

Fan Expo Denver provides hardcore nerds, pop culture obsessives and casual fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in all things fandom. Over years, the event has grown in scope and reputation to the point where massive celebrities like Hayden Christensen, Danny Trejo and Neve Campbell will be

on hand, as will artists, cosplayers and vendors of all kinds. It’s one of the most fun weekends of the entire year and it’s back at the Colorado Convention Center , 700 14th St. in Denver, from Friday, June 30 through Sunday, July 2.

Find all the details at https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/.

Walker Fine Art reforges connection with nature

Humans have found creative ways to explore their connection to nature for as long as we’ve made art. Our relationship to the natural world is constantly evolving and as we’ve seen over the last few years, it’s a fragile relationship we need to do everything we can to protect.   In Coalescing Connections , the latest exhibition at Walker Fine Art , 300 W. 11th Ave., No. A, in Denver, seven artists —Julie Anderson, Mark Penner Howell, Sara Sanderson, Brian Comber, Cara Enteles, Sharon Strasburg and Norman Epp— have the opportunity to explore their connection with nature.   Get all the details about the show at www.walker neart.com/coalescing-connections.

Clarke Reader

SEE READER, P31

Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088

Legals

To Whom It May Concern: On 4/10/2023 11:32:00 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: RONALD LEE DOOLEY AND JULIA DIANNE DOOLEY

Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR HOMEAMERICAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 9/28/2021 Recording Date of DOT: 9/29/2021 Reception No. of DOT: 2021111732 DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $604,362.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $590,388.76

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 70, STERLING RANCH FILING NO. 4A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT RECORDED OCTOBER 24, 2018 UNDER RECEPTION NO.

2018064726

Which has the address of:

8041 Adams Fork Avenue, 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, August 9, 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: 6/15/2023

Last Publication: 7/13/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 4/10/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

N. APRIL WINECKI

Colorado Registration #: 34861 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112

Phone #: (303) 706-9990

Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 23-029580

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

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: Nancy A Cox

Original Beneficiary: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS") as nominee for Cherry Creek Mortgage Co., Inc., Its Successors and Assigns

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: NewRez LLC, F/K/A New Penn Financial, LLC, D/B/A Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 6/17/2019

Recording Date of DOT: 6/24/2019

Reception No. of DOT: 2019036372

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $202,000.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $192,071.24

INC. ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR NATIONAL MORTGAGE CENTER DBA

PRICELINEMORTGAGE

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: LOANCARE, LLC

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 5/30/2000

Recording Date of DOT: 6/7/2000

Reception No. of DOT: 00039182

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$163,500.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $96,961.61

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: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.

$150,000.00

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: the failure to make timely payments required under said Deed of Trust and the Evidence of Debt secured thereby 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 165, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 120-C, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

the date hereof: $34,989.30

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: failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for by the Deed of Trust and related loan documents

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 51, Block 3, Highlands Ranch Filing No. 14, County of Douglas, State of Colorado.

Which has the address of: 1077 Appleblossom Dr, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

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, August 16, 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: 6/22/2023

Last Publication: 7/20/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 4/25/2023 DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

TREVOR G. BARTEL Colorado Registration #: 40449 1601 19TH STREET, SUITE 1000, DENVER, COLORADO 80202 Phone #: (303) 623-9000 Fax #: Attorney File #: 307913-00049

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0076

First Publication: 6/22/2023

Last Publication: 7/20/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Ranch

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: the failure to make timely payments required under said Deed of Trust and the Evidence of Debt secured thereby.

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 332, HIGHLANDS RANCH, FILING 122-G, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 10394 Ravenswood Lane, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130

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, August 9, 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: 6/15/2023

Last Publication: 7/13/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 4/19/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

ILENE DELL'ACQUA

Colorado Registration #: 31755 7700 E. ARAPAHOE ROAD, SUITE 230 , CENTENNIAL, COLORADO 80112

Phone #: (877) 369-6122

Fax #:

Attorney File #: CO-23-955681-LL

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice

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 22, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 101-A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 9778 S. Bucknell Way, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

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, July 26, 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: 6/1/2023

Last Publication: 6/29/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 3/30/2023

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

RYAN BOURGEOIS

Colorado Registration #: 51088 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700 , DENVER, COLORADO 80204 Phone #: (303) 350-3711

Fax #: Attorney File #: 00000009763855

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0062

First Publication: 6/1/2023

Last Publication: 6/29/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0060

To Whom It May Concern: On 3/27/2023 1:17:00 PM 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: Brian C. Reseigh and Rebecca M. Reseigh

Which has the address of: 10004 Heywood Street, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130

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, July 19, 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: 5/25/2023

Last Publication: 6/22/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 3/27/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

DEANNE R. STODDEN

Colorado Registration #: 33214 1550 WEWATTA STREET SUITE 710, DENVER, COLORADO 80202 Phone #: 303.623.1800

Fax #: 303.623.0552

Attorney File #: 12126.0025

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0060

First Publication: 5/25/2023

Last Publication: 6/22/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0063

To Whom It May Concern: On 4/3/2023 3:44:00 PM 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: DARRIN LEE MARTIN

Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS BENEFICIARY, AS NOMINEE FOR RENASANT BANK, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee of Stanwich Mortgage Loan Trust I

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 12/17/2015

Recording Date of DOT: 12/18/2015

Reception No. of DOT: 2015090262

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $181,649.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $158,785.59

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: Failure to

READER

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Zach Bryan at Red Rocks

ere are few things a musician can do that is as powerful as taking the stage at Rocks and commanding the stage. As you can hear on last year’s excellent live recording, “All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster,” Zach Bryan is just that kind of musician. e Oklahoma-based country star

has made a huge name for himself in short order and he’s truly one of the most exciting artists working in the genre.

Bryan and his band will be returning to Red Rocks, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in, Morrison, for two nights — 8 p.m. on Monday, June 26 and Tuesday, June 27. He’ll be joined by opener Jonathan Peyton.

Find ticket at www.axs.com.

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

TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE

The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself.

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 non-partisan journalism. It covers everything from poli -

Public Notices

pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.

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: BUILDING 9, UNIT 104, CANYON RANCH CONDOMINIUMS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND SUBJECT TO THE DECLARATION FOR CANYON RANCH CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., RECORDED ON DECEMBER 19, 1995 IN BOOK 1307 AT PAGE 260, ANNEXATION RECORDED MARCH 27, 1996 IN BOOK 1328 AT PAGE 1217 AND THE CONDOMINIUM MAP RECORDED ON DECEMBER 19, 1995 AS RECEPTION NO: 9560424 IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK AND RECORDER OF DOUGLAS COUNTY, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 8459 Little Rock Way Unit 104, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

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, July 26, 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: 6/1/2023

Last Publication: 6/29/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 4/4/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

JENNIFER C. ROGERS

Colorado Registration #: 34682 4530 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. 10 , LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89119

LETTERS

FROM PAGE 14

Meek and equity

Over the last few months there has been much discussion about changes to Douglas County School District’s (DCSD) educational equity policy, which included broadening the de nition of “diversity” to go beyond identity groups and include diversity of thought and diversity of personality.

tics 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.

Phone #: 877-353-2146

Fax #:

Attorney File #: 48074581

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0063

First Publication: 6/1/2023

Last Publication: 6/29/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press City and County

PUBLIC NOTICE

PURSUANT TO THE LIQUOR LAW OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, Village Inn

VI OpCo, LLC d/b/a Village Inn has requested the Licensing Officials of Douglas County to grant a Liquor License for a Hotel and Restaurant liquor license at the location of 23 Centennial Blvd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. The Public Hearing on this application is to be held by the Douglas County Local Liquor Licensing Authority at 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, 80104 on Monday, July 10, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.

Date of Application: June 8, 2023

Officers: Eric Lefebvre

Renee St-Onge

Jeff Smit

Albert Hank Jr. Adam Lehr

General Council: Jennifer Moody

Legal Notice No. 945589

First Publication: June 22, 2023

Last Publication: June 22, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE DOUGLAS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

A public hearing will be held before the Board of County Commissioners to consider approval of the transfer of the County’s interest as a co-holder of the JA Ranch conservation easement to Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust. The JA Ranch is located East of I-25 on East Upper Lake Gulch Road, with an address of 1567 Upper Lake Gulch Road, Larkspur, CO 80118.

The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, July 11 at 2:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado.

For more information, please contact the Douglas County Department of Open Space and Natural Resources at (303) 660-7495, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104.

During a school board meeting on May 8, School Board Director Susan Meek voiced her opposition to the expanded de nition of diversity when she said the following: “We are diluting diversity by adding other areas. I’m not saying they’re not important but they’re not as important. And we have limited time and resources.”

Colorado Community Media recently wrote about Director Meek running for reelection. I’m pleased to see e orts to keep our community apprised

Legal Notice No. 945604

First Publication: June 22, 2023

Last Publication: June 22, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #025-23 COMMERCIAL CONVEYOR DISHWASHER

The Department of Facilities, Fleet and Emergency Support Services of Douglas County Government, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible and qualified companies for the purchase and installation of a new commercial conveyor dishwasher.

ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023 @ 2:00 P.M., THERE WILL BE A MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING RELATED TO THIS PROJECT. THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING WILL ALLOW ALL POTENTIAL BIDDERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT DETAILS AND VIEW THE WORKSITE LOCATION. THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE ROBERT A. CHRISTENSEN JUSTICE CENTER, 4000 JUSTICE WAY, CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO 80109. ALL ATTENDEES MUST CLEAR SECURITY AND MEET IN THE JUSTICE CENTER LOBBY. ONLY THOSE PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS ATTENDING THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING WILL BE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT A BID ON THIS PROJECT. Please bring a business card, as sign-in sheets will not be passed around.

The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com.

IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses.

Bid responses shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 025-23, Commercial Conveyor Dishwasher” and mailed or hand-carried to the address shown below prior to the due date and time. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 3:00pm on Friday, July 7, 2023 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened.

Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed

of upcoming school board elections, and I look forward to continued coverage of the candidates’ viewpoints on education-related matters. A good starting point in this process would be to inquire into Director Meek’s quote that she “advocates for every student.” But how can she truly advocate for every student when she wants the de nition of diversity to be narrow? How can we have true diversity when we limit … diversity?

Hopefully Director Meek will be asked to expand on her comment, particularly as it relates to the distribution of resources. Does she believe that resources should be directed towards particular identity groups? If so, why? What identity groups should be prioritized over others? Who makes that determination?

I’m hoping for robust dialogue with all school board candidates in the coming months.

to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder.

Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303-6607434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Legal Notice No. 945584

First Publication: June 15, 2023

Last Publication: June 15, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Children Services

(Adoption/Guardian/Other)

Public Notice

DOUGLAS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, STATE OF COLORADO 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, Colorado 80109 (720) 437-6200

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

In the Interest of:

BABY BOY LANDERS, D.O.B.: 11/14/2022

Child,

And Concerning:

XEA ELIZABETH MARIE LANDERS, A.K.A. XEA BERGFELD, A.K.A. XEA LANDERS-BERGFELD, Mother

CHRISTOPHER LYNN MILLER, D.O.B.: 10/2/1986, Possible Father JOHN DOE, Possible Father Respondents.

Attorney for Department:

R. LeeAnn Reigrut, #28833 Amy Hendrickson, #32110 4400 Castleton Court Castle Rock, CO 80109 Phone: (303) 814-5325 Fax: (303) 479-9259 lreigrut@douglas.co.us ahendrickson@douglas.co.us

CASE NUMBER: 22JV106 DIVISION 8

DEPENDENCY SUMMONS

This Summons is initiated pursuant to Rule 2.2 of the Colorado Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Rule 4 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, and Section 19-3-503, C.R.S.

TO: XEA ELIZABETH MARIE LANDERS, A.K.A. XEA BERGFELD, A.K.A. XEA LANDERSBERGFELD, D.O.B.: 11/13/1982

TO THE RESPONDENT NAMED ABOVE:

You are hereby notified that a petition has been

filed which alleges that the above-named child is dependent or neglected as per the facts set forth in the Dependency and Neglect Petition, a copy of which may be obtained at the office of the Douglas County Attorney’s Office.

A Return of Service and Pretrial Conference has been set for July 17, 2023, at 8:45 a.m. in Division 8, Douglas County District Court. All parties shall appear by calling 720-437-6180, extension 75592#, unless otherwise indicated by the Court.

Your presence before this court is required to defend against the claims in this petition. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR, THE COURT WILL PROCEED IN YOUR ABSENCE, WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE, TO CONDUCT AN ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND MAY ENTER A JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT THEREBY ADJUDICATING YOUR CHILD AS A DEPENDENT OR NEGLECTED CHILD.

You have the right to request a trial by jury at the adjudicatory stage of this petition. You also have the right to legal representation at every stage of the proceedings by counsel of your own choosing, or if you are without sufficient financial means, appointment of counsel by the Court. Termination of your parent-child legal relationship to free your child for adoption is a possible remedy in this proceeding. If that remedy is pursued, you are entitled to a hearing before a Judge. You also have the right, if you are indigent, to have the Court appoint, at no expense to you, one expert witness of your own choosing at any hearing on the termination of your parent-child relationship. If you are a minor, you have the right to the appointment of a Guardian ad litem to represent your best interests.

You have the right to have this matter heard by a district court judge rather than by the magistrate. You may waive that right, and in doing so, you will be bound by the findings and recommendations of the magistrate, subject to review as provided by sec. 19-1-108(5.5), C.R.S., and subsequently, to the right of appeal as provided by Colorado Appellate Rule 3.4.

This summons is being initiated by the Douglas County Department of Human Services through its counsel.

Dated: June 8, 2023

/s/ Amy Hendrickson Amy Hendrickson, #32110

Assistant Douglas County Attorney

Legal Notice No. 945586

First Publication: June 22, 2023

Last Publication: June 22, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press ###

Amity Wicks Highlands Ranch