Highlands Ranch Herald 072023

The Aspen E ect provides programs for local youth

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Just like the interconnected root system of an aspen tree, the nonpro t organization, e Aspen E ect, aims to connect with youth and give them support and mentoring so they know they don’t have to stand alone.

“ e mission at e Aspen E ect is to help kids become more resilient by reimagining themselves in a positive way,” said Jerry Van Leuven, founder and executive director

of the nonpro t organization.

About six years ago, Leuven started a summer program for teenagers called Ranch Hand Leadership Academy. rough the program, the teens found ways to problem solve, resolve con icts and learn how to support and motivate each other.

Within a couple of years, Leuven noticed kids needed an alternative in their lives that they could draw strength from. He saw the apparent e ect COVID-19 had on the mental health of youth.

When it comes to the prevalence of children’s mental illness and access to care, the 2021 State of Mental Health in America Report for children and youth ranked Colorado 42nd in the country.

According to Partners for Children’s Mental Health, suicide is a leading cause of death among youth ages 10 to 24 in Colorado. In addition, nearly 22% of youth who have mental illness with severe impairment are receiving care.

Youth mental health became a great concern during the pan-

demic.

During a pediatric mental health media roundtable event, CEO of Children’s Hospital Colorado Jena Hausmann declared a youth mental health “state of emergency” in 2021, leading to the appointment of Dr. Ron-Li Liaw, as the hospital’s inaugural Mental Health-in-Chief in addition to her serving as chair of the Pediatric Mental Health Institute.

e Children’s Hospital Colorado

Goats at Sky View Farm in Castle Rock.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

SEE ASPEN, P29

Sheri ’s o ce warns of suspects committing auto thefts, burglaries

Public asked to be cautious

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Since May, a group of suspects committing garage burglaries, auto thefts and vehicle trespasses have targeted several areas throughout Douglas County, the sheri ’s o ce announced in early July.

And it’s tough for law enforcement to put an end to the spree — unless you do your part.

“We are actively working these cases, and the sheri is committed to nding these criminals, but we need the community’s help,” Deputy Cocha Heyden, a spokesperson for the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, said in a statement. “We need them to take prevention measures to take these opportunities away from these thieves.”

Believe it or not, small steps during your day — something as simple as taking your garage door opener inside with you — can go a long way toward deterring crime.

at’s all the more important because in at least two of the incidents, authorities know suspects were carrying guns, according to the sheri ’s o ce.

“It is also extremely important that you do not confront these thieves.

e last thing we want is for anyone to get hurt or, even worse, killed,”

Sheri Darren Weekly said in a news release.

Shown on video

e sheri ’s o ce released video footage of people trying to open door handles of cars parked in a driveway. Five people are seen approaching the property.

Law enforcement is currently not releasing the number of suspects believed to be in the group, Heyden told Colorado Community Media on July 13.

Asked how many garage burglaries, auto thefts and vehicle trespasses the group has allegedly committed around the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce jurisdiction since May, Heyden said: “Without going into speci cs, we believe at least ve.”

“ e suspects were seen to be carrying weapons through video footage,” Heyden said.

e stolen vehicles were recovered in other jurisdictions, and “we have reason to believe, through the investigation, that they were used to commit other crimes,” Heyden added.

Car theft is a widespread issue in the Denver metro area, and it goes beyond just one group of suspects.

Asked whether the sheri ’s o ce is aware of any other group that has been committing garage burglar-

ies, auto thefts or vehicle trespasses in its jurisdiction in the past few months, Heyden said there are other incidents that have occurred that were likely not committed by this speci c group.

(A “vehicle trespass” involves the entering of a vehicle, not necessarily breaking in, according to the sheri ’s o ce.)

Pay attention to basics

e suspects target unlocked vehicles, often looking for garage door remotes so they can open the garage door and steal items or vehicles in the garage with keys left inside, according to the news release.

ere are high-tech ways of breaking into or stealing cars, but most auto thefts in the Douglas County jurisdiction are committed through crimes of opportunity, Heyden said.

“Citizens unfortunately leave their keys in the car, or in some circumstances leave their car running (because they) like to warm it up during the winter months,” Heyden said. “Some past auto theft cases have been (the) result of being able to bypass the ignition system with some sort of device.”

How to secure your vehicle, belongings e more prevention steps a person takes, the better, Heyden said.

“For years, we have said basically the same thing: Do not leave valuables in your car — thieves look for easy things to steal — take your garage door remote out of your car if you have to park it on the street, do not leave your keys in your car, lock your car.”

Other tips from the sheri ’s o ce include:

• If you can, park your car in the garage and don’t leave valuables in the car, don’t leave keys in it and lock it even in the garage.

• Set up a routine for when you are getting ready to settle in for the night. Walk around your house, make sure your windows are shut and locked, make sure the garage door is shut. If cars are in the driveway, make sure they are locked and no valuables are inside and take out the remote.

• Make sure the door from your garage to your house is locked. If you have a side door from the garage to the outside, make sure it is locked too.

Steering-wheel locks — available from stores including Walmart for as low as $20 — aren’t an infallible way of preventing auto theft, but they could o er some deterrent e ect.

“ e steering-wheel lock is one (prevention) measure, and yes, while we have heard of thieves cutting through it, I am not sure how often that actually occurs,” Heyden said. “ ieves will likely not want to take a lot of time committing these crimes.”

If you see something e sheri ’s o ce also stresses the importance of civilians calling 911 right away when they see or hear someone who may be breaking into cars.

“ e quicker they call us, the quicker we can get there to try to catch (them),” the sheri ’s o ce’s statement said. “If you discover that your car has been broken into, call us right away — do not wait to call us.”

Video footage shows people trying to open car doors. SCREEN SHOT VIA DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

South Denver Cardiology celebrates 50 years of service

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In the early 1970s, Dr. Arthur Levene and Dr. John Hutcherson started a medical practice. In 1973, they joined forces with another doctor, Hugh Weily, and decided to solely focus on heart health. us, South Denver Cardiology was born.

Fifty years later, the Littleton-based practice is celebrating half a century of caring for the hearts of south Denver. rough advanced technology and a dedicated team of doctors, the practice has helped generations of patients over the years.

“I think we do rst-rate cardiology,” Levene said. “We have great people, we’ve added on really good doctors … We’ve served the community and I think we’ve had a great reputation.”

Levene said he’s particularly proud of the culture at South Denver Cardiology, where 27 doctors work collaboratively. Unlike some

other cardiology practices, compensation at South Denver is not based on the number of pacemakers or stents a doctor puts in. is structure inspires a team-oriented mindset and better service to the community, Levene said.

“We’ve always had a sharing type of philosophy,” he said. “You’re not competing. You’re not saying ‘Oh, I want to keep this for myself or do a little more here.’ I mean, you’re doing it because you’re doing it for the practice and for the community -- you’re not doing it for your own individual compensation.”

Levene also said he was proud of the way his practice has kept up with evolving medical technology over the past ve decades.

“When I started practice 50 years ago, if you had a heart attack, you were in the hospital for a month,” he said. “Now, you have a heart attack, you go home the next day.”

“ e advances in cardiology have been enormous over the past 50 years,” he con-

tinued. “I mean, the things we’re doing now (that) we never did before are freaking amazing. I mean, they’re even mind-boggling to me.”

For example, doctors can now replace the main heart valve without surgery, by going through the leg, Levene said.

Another big advance in cardiology is an area called electrophysiology, which is a specialization in the electrical problems of the heart.

“To give an example, one

of the common problems right now, you see it all on television, is atrial brillation - your heart goes out of rhythm a lot,” he said, adding that this problem can cause a stroke. “Our electrophysiologists are doing procedures that cure it and get people out of brillation forever, which is amazing.”

Levene also said he’s proud of South Denver Cardiology’s transitional heart failure clinic.

“Once people get out of

the hospital, we see them usually within a week … and get them into specialized clinic,” he said. “It prevents readmission for heart failure. And that’s one of the biggest problems in the country, nancially. People go home with heart failure and are frequently readmitted within 30 days because of recurrences, and we’re preventing that.”

Levene encouraged people to consider South Denver Cardiology for their heart health needs, saying the practice is available, innovative and up-to-date.

After 50 years of cardiology at South Denver, Levene said he will be retiring in a year and a half, but he will miss his practice and the sta dearly.

“I’m crazy, I’m still working after 50 years – but I love it,” he said.

With three new doctors coming on board in the next few months, South Denver hopes to continue to meeting the community’s needs with innovative technology, modern solutions and personalized care.

DIVERSIFY RETIREMENT STRATEGIES

South Denver Cardiology celebrated its 50th anniversary with a party in June.

COURTESY OF SOUTH DENVER CARDIOLOGY

Jack Twite, a Douglas County elections o cial, honored by state

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e statewide association of elections o cials honored a Douglas County elections employee known for deftly handling a sometimes contentious political climate, the association announced in early July.

As the county’s deputy of elections, Jack Twite “is dedicated to ensuring that our citizens understand, trust, and participate in the democratic process,” wrote his boss, Douglas County Clerk and Recorder Sheri Davis.

Davis’ comments came in a letter to nominate Twite for the Colorado County Clerks Association’s Excellence in Election Service award, according to a news release.

“What makes Jack truly unique is the way in which he balances his critical duties with positivity and an unwavering sense of humor,” Davis said, according to the release. “Who else would wear an in atable cowboy-riding-a-chicken-suit to help get his team excited about being ‘back in the saddle’ for each election cycle?”

Although Twite has hung on to his humor, elections o cials around Colorado have endured tense times in recent years. Some have faced hostility, even violent threats, a trend that continued in Colorado two years after the 2020 election, when former President Donald Trump and his supporters alleged widespread voter fraud.

Several county clerks in Colorado have received death threats since 2020, according to Matt Crane, director of the association and a Republican former Arapahoe County clerk.

ose who have served as Colorado county clerks — on both sides of the aisle — have pushed back against claims of fraud.

When tensions ran high, Davis said in the release, Twite reminded those around him that most folks want the same thing: “To understand and trust the system, know that their vote counts, and the democratic process is secure.”

“His dedication to his work comes in many forms,” Davis said, “from spending an extra hour at church or the store to answer questions or address concerns, to taking the time to personally provide tours for citizens who visit our elections o ce seeking more information about the process.”

e award honors Michele Burton, who began her elections career in 1976 with the Colorado Secretary of State’s O ce and ended it as an Arapahoe County elections deputy. She and her husband Wayne died in a car accident in 2000 as they were traveling to Utah to watch their 14-year-old son play in a soc-

Your Douglas County Fair & Rodeo is just around the corner

Looking for unique food options, starstudded 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

Questions about road projects in your area?

Roads are a necessity and they have to be maintained. Here’s where you’ll find everything you need to know about them all. Visit DouglasRoadWork.com to find out what’s going on in your neighborhood.

cer tournament, according to the release. e Grandview High student was not in the car, which collided with a deer.

ose who knew her said Burton’s commitment to service in the elections division was surpassed only by her devotion to her family, according to the release.

“Michele’s legacy lives on because of her passion to serve, commitment to elections integrity and excellence, and dedication to her colleagues and our citizens,” Davis said. “Jack embodies these same values in a way that would make Michele very proud.”

Twite was one of four election sta ers statewide nominated for the award. e association honored them at its summer conference in Durango in June. e award went to Gar eld County Clerk sta er Edna Place. Besides Twite, the other nalists were Kim Wright with Montrose County, and Jonathan Arebalos with Ouray County.

e conference, which concluded June 29, featured national election gures who saw attacks from Trump and others after the 2020 presidential election.

Gabe Sterling, a Republican in the Georgia Secretary of State’s o ce, oversaw two hand recounts of the election, which con rmed Joe Biden won the state. He talked about death threats — which some Colorado elected o cials could relate to.

Besides elections, clerks handle a variety of duties, including recording wedding licenses and handling motor vehicle transactions. Other workshops at the association’s conference dealt with those issues. Attendees heard from the Colorado State Patrol, the state Department of Revenue and the federal Election Assistance Commission.

STRIVE TO THRIVE

Resource & Service Fair

Tuesday, July 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cherry Hills Community Church, 3900 Grace Blvd. in Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Douglas County families who are struggling financially can receive backto-school items for the kids, a hot meal and access resources from more than 20 different organizations. Attendees in need of school supplies must preregister at https://tinyurl.com/4jafend For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for Strive to Thrive

Funds available to veterans

Emergency assistance is available for veterans struggling with housing (mortgage/rent), transportation, employment, healthcare or other emergency needs. To apply for the veteran assistance funds, visit douglasveterans.org or call 303-663-6200

Are you prepared for Wildfire?

It only takes one spark to change your life forever – make sure you are ready for wildfire season. Learn about steps you can take today to reduce the risk to your family and property by visiting douglas.co.us and searching ProtectYour Home. And sign up for free emergency notifications at DouglasCountyCodered.com to ensure you are aware if a wildfire or other emergency is happening near you.

Douglas County’s deputy of elections, Jack Twite, wears his inflatable cowboyriding-a-chicken-suit to help get his team excited about being “back in the saddle” for each election cycle. PHOTO VIA DOUGLAS COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER

Castle Pines approves flood control project

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Most area residents may not notice it, but a small part of a body of water identi ed for its “deteriorating conditions” has long been a priority for local governments to address, and the Castle Pines City Council gave the green light for a project to make drainage and ood control improvements to the area.

On July 11, the council voted to move forward with the e ort to improve the “south fork” of the Spring

Tributary between Lagae Road and Interstate 25, stretching not far from the highway.

Lagae Road runs roughly parallel to I-25 between Castle Pines Parkway on the north and Happy Canyon Road on the south. Lagae sits west of I-25.

e city approved a deal called an “intergovernmental agreement” with the Mile High Flood District, an entity that helps manage ood risk in the Denver metro area.

A joint planning study between Douglas County, the Town of Parker

and Mile High Flood District in 1994 designated the area of the south fork of Spring Tributary between Lagae Road and I-25 as “high priority stabilization status,” a city sta report says.

“ is status was due to deteriorating conditions — i.e., excessive bank erosion — that were negatively impacting downstream resources along the stream corridor,” the sta report says.

e report mentions the need to protect downstream resources such as the nearby Rueter-Hess Reser-

voir. at’s a drinking-water storage facility owned and operated by the Parker Water and Sanitation District, the entity that provides drinking water to much of Parker and some nearby areas. Rueter-Hess also serves as a recreation spot.

Spring Tributary has seen signicant development of its immediate watershed — its nearby area — over the last several years.

“ is has brought about a signi cant increase in ows, especially

Arapahoe County identifies mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Environmental health experts have detected West Nile virus in mosquitoes near the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, marking the rst known presence of the virus in the county this year.

is spring and summer, which have brought record-high levels of rainfall to much of the metro area, have also created prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

e Arapahoe County Public Health Department discovered the mosquitoes carrying the virus through their mosquito surveillance program, which uses traps to capture the insects for testing at a state laboratory. ey use this method to identify pools, or groups of mosquitoes, that are carrying the virus.

e department has three collection sites in the county: at the fairgrounds, near Arapahoe and Parker Road and near Heritage High School.

“It’s not uncommon for positive pools (of mosquitoes) to occur every

year,” said Vanessa Fiene, environmental health supervisor at the public health department. “Given that we have identi ed a positive pool in the county, it’s not unlikely that we would see other positive pools in the county as well.”

In 2022, Colorado led the nation in West Nile virus, with a con rmed 206 positive cases and 20 related deaths, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. In 2021, Colorado ranked second, falling behind Arizona.

As of July 11, the state health department had zero identi ed human cases of West Nile virus so far this year.

What is West Nile virus?

In humans, the virus can range from being asymptomatic to deadly.

“It really is dependent on the person, you know, it depends on essentially their health,” Fiene said.

Most people are asymptomatic when they are infected with the virus.

Standing water in yards and throughout the area is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This year, there is a lot more of it.

FLOOD

during storm events, which have contributed to the further degradation” of the part of the body of water in question, the sta report says.

e report underlined the need to improve that area to protect downstream restoration projects, provide ood control improvements and add “environmental enhancement” to the site.

“Additionally, North Canyons Development Company is currently entering the same planning and design phase with (Mile High Flood District) for the (part) of Spring Tributary just downstream,” east of I-25, making the start of this city project timely, the report says.

e part of the stream is so critical because “it impacts not only the very near future project like North Canyons but all the work that Mile High has already done within the Canyons” area, an o cial said at the July 11 council meeting. at’s an apparent reference to e Canyons, a large housing development.

e stretch of the stream in ques-

WEST NILE

According to the county’s website, one in ve people develop a fever, body aches, a headache, skin rashes and/or swollen lymph nodes.

Less than 1% of people will develop severe symptoms that a ect the nervous system. ese may include a high fever, tremors, neck sti ness, muscle weakness, confusion and disorientation, a coma, paralysis and potentially death.

“ e risk is extremely small, but to some people, it could be extremely dangerous,” Fiene said.

If a person thinks they may have the virus, Fiene said they should seek medical care. ere are no speci c treatments for the illness and no vaccines, but medical support can help relieve symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prevention

Experts say the best way to protect oneself from the virus is to prevent situations that could lead to bites.

“(Residents) need to protect themselves, especially at the times of dawn and dusk” Fiene said. “If you have to go outside at that time, making sure you wear long clothing, long pants, long sleeve shirts. And, again, wearing DEET-containing insect repellent.”

Dylan Garrison, environmental health manager at Arapahoe County Public Health, added that it can also be bene cial to eliminate spaces where mosquitoes would like to breed. Some of these areas could include standing water in areas like puddles, gutters, owerpots, tires,

tion sits entirely on city-owned property, so Mile High Flood District approached the city to undertake the improvements as a joint project, according to the report.

e agreement would split the cost of the design for the project equally between the two parties.

“ is is a signi cant nancial incentive for the city, especially as the project moves forward,” the sta report says.

e anticipated cost of the design for the project is $100,000 with the city and Mile High Flood District sharing the cost equally — $50,000 each.

“If the nal cost of the design comes back higher, MHFD will cover the di erence as they view this project as a high priority,” the report says.

While the title of the agreement covers the entire project, the current version presented for the council meeting covers just the design, according to the sta report.

“As the project moves forward, amended (intergovernmental agreements) will be presented to council regarding the other phases and funding of the project,” the report says.

phone keys wallet bag

pool covers, boats and tarps.

“If you have tall grass or shrub areas or a bunch of bushes, it can be conducive to providing a place for them to hang out -- so keeping that trimmed and clean is always good idea,” he said.

If considering chemical treatment options for these areas, Garrison and Fiene said it is important to do so properly in order to not cause greater harm to other wildlife.

County actions

e county is undertaking mitigation e orts where the infected mosquitoes were found, including insecticides and extensive mowing.

Along with its surveillance and mitigation e orts, Garrison said the county is working hard to educate and inform the community of the precautions they should take.

“ is is largely about individual responsibility and what can you do as an individual to help prevent being bitten in the rst place,” he said. “ e more you know, the more you’re able to prevent the bite, and that’s the idea.

Boulder, Delta, Larimer and Weld counties also have mosquitoes con rmed to be carrying the virus, according to Arapahoe County.

when you shop, bring your bag

scan to learn more about our collective effort

Mosquitoes are coming out this summer as more people are experiencing bites.

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How to stay safe in Colorado’s trails and waters

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After a strong winter and wet spring, the statewide snow runo owing into Colorado rivers, streams and lakes is higher than usual this year — and with large dumps of rainfall along the Front Range, that means outdoor recreators might encounter conditions they aren’t used to seeing.

With high water on rivers this year, as of late June, there have already been 12 swift-water-related fatalities in Colorado, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

“ is year’s river ows are more dangerous compared to last year,” Michael Haskins, a swift-water investigator, said in a news release.

“We strongly encourage people to check river conditions before you head out, and if you arrive and see high and fast water conditions you don’t know how to navigate or feel unsure about, please don’t risk getting hurt and the need for a river rescue,” Haskins added.

Last year, the majority of fatalities occurred because people did not

wear a life jacket — and the state parks agency urges using that and other precautions to stay safe.

Meanwhile, trails have also seen impacts from the wet weather. Heavy rainfall destroyed all bridge crossings over the Cherry Creek in Castlewood Canyon State Park in Douglas County, a June news release from the parks agency said. Here’s a look at how to stay safe when you’re recreating outdoors — whether on land or water.

Staying safe on trails

Standing water on trails is one potential hazard for bikers to watch out for.

“Check trail conditions before you go to be sure conditions are safe,” said Travis Duncan, a spokesperson with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. You can visit trails.colorado.gov to access the state’s COTREX map system, or download the app, to locate trail closures.

(It may also be helpful to check local government websites for trail closures. For instance, Castle Rock and Je erson County list closures at tinyurl.com/CastleRockTrails and

tinyurl.com/Je coParksTrails.)

Trail users should also be mindful of erosion, the natural process by which rock and soil are worn away by wind, water and tra c.

“Left unchecked, erosion can destroy trails and damage the environment,” Duncan said. “Trail erosion is accelerated by a combination of trail users, gravity and water.”

When walkers and runners encounter standing water on a trail, recommendations can vary.

“Every situation is di erent,” Duncan said. “In many instances, we’d prefer folks not hike when conditions are bad on a given trail. In most cases, going through the water is the best option and will prevent further erosion to the trail.”

Staying safe in water

Even the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts can become victims to deceptively strong currents, cold water temperatures and unexpected changes in depth, according to the state parks agency.

In 2022, Colorado experienced a low- ow snow runo year, but it was still what the parks agency called the deadliest year in Colorado waters, with the majority of water-related deaths occurring in lakes and reservoirs.

( e parks agency clari ed to Colorado Community Media that it is keeping an uno cial tally. Said Duncan: “ ere is no statewide authority on water-related deaths in Colorado, though CPW has been tracking them in recent years ... CPW handles investigations on properties we manage and often gets asked to assist in searching for victims or evidence in other jurisdictions. But CPW is not the overarching authority on water-related deaths for the entire state.”)

In 2022, there were 42 water-related fatalities in Colorado, which was up from 22 in 2021, and 34 in 2020, according to the agency.

“In 2022, the majority of fatalities occurred from people swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking or using an in atable of some kind, and

the vast majority were not wearing a life jacket,” the agency said in a news release. “CPW wants to remind the public that paddle boards and kayaks are considered vessels, and life jacket requirements apply.”

e parks agency also recommends all boaters and passengers wear a life jacket while on the water.

“Regardless of your age or experience level, the data shows that life jackets save lives,” Grant Brown, boating safety program manager for the parks agency, said in the release.

State parks sta also emphasized that river water exerts “a very powerful and constant force against any xed object.”

“Just six inches of water can knock a person o their feet. Water owing at seven miles per hour has the equivalent force per unit area as air blowing above 200 miles per hour,” the news release said.

Sta also pointed to the fact that although the air temperature may be hot, “the water is very cold.”

“Cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency,” the agency said in a release.

e agency also urged the public to boat sober, as “alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths.”

Duncan also explained the term “swift-water rescue,” which involves fast-moving water conditions.

“Although sometimes called ‘white water rescue,’ it applies to any rescue situation in an environment — rural or urban — with moving water, including one not normally submerged, such as a ooded drainage area,” Duncan said.

While “swift water” has no formal de nition in the rescue industry, according to Duncan, many industry professionals accept the following quali cations as standard:

• Water depth of over two feet

• Flow rate of, at minimum, one knot (1.15 miles per hour)

• Occurrence in a natural watercourse, ood control channel, or ood-a ected environment.

More candidates join the Douglas County school board election

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Two new candidates are running for the seat on the Douglas County school board currently represented by David Ray, who is term-limited.

Valerie ompson and Maria Sumnicht have both registered with the Colorado Secretary of State’s O ce as candidates for the school

board, which has three seats up for election this November. ompson and Sumnicht are running to represent District F, which covers south Parker and the Pinery.  ompson and Sumnicht join four other candidates running for the other two open seats on the board. Incumbent board member

Susan Meek is seeking reelection and will face candidate Andy Jones for the seat representing District A, which covers the western part of Highlands Ranch. In District C, the eastern part of Highlands Ranch, candidates Brad Geiger and David DiCarlo are running.

District C is currently represented by Jason Page, who was appointed to the seat in June following the resignation of former board mem -

ber Elizabeth Hanson. Page has not registered to run for the seat this fall.

In a statement to Colorado Community Media, ompson said she is running for school board to support children’s academic futures.

“Supporting healthy communities and families is my life’s passion, and I believe strongly in our shared responsibility for civic engagement,” she said. “By running, I can do my part to provide stability for our district through informed decision-making, following processes and protocols, and operating in a manner that welcomes an engaged

community.”

ompson has served on the District Accountability Committee since 2021 and is also acting as the committee’s liaison to the Mill Bond Exploratory Committee.

ompson works in community health and has two children.   Sumnicht did not respond to a comment request from Colorado Community Media.

According to campaign nance records, Meek has far outraised every other school board candidate, reporting over $11,500 in contributions from May 28 through June 26.

In a statement, Meek said she

was grateful for the support, which came from around 100 individuals.

“I am humbled and in awe of what a small group of dedicated people can achieve,” she said.

e candidate with the next highest amount of contributions is Geiger, who has raised around $2,600, followed by Jones, Meek’s opponent, who has received $50. e other candidates have not reported any contributions yet.

Reports show Meek has spent around $825 on her campaign, Geiger has spent $395 and Jones has spent $20. No other candidates reported expenses.

It is your duty (dooty)!

Picking up after your dog goes further than making your neighbors happy. When you are out walking your dog, it is your duty to collect their waste. Often, the trails and parks we enjoy with our dogs are adjacent to creeks and reservoirs. Dog waste that is not collected gets carried away during rainstorms to nearby waterways and can be a significant source of pollution. Unlike one might think, dog waste is not a fertilizer. Rather, it carries harmful bacteria like E. coli, which poses serious health risks if allowed to come in contact with water.

Local stormwater agencies are teaming together to bring you this message. We take this so seriously that we posted this ad rather than send you more garbage in the mail. One thing is clear: our creeks, rivers and lakes depend on you.

THIS STORMWATER MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Emerald ash borer requires homeowner action, but not panic

BY SHEA VANCE SVANCE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With emerald ash borer—an invasive, tree-killing insect—now in Arapahoe County, experts are advising people with ash trees to take action sooner rather than later.

“ ere’s no need for people to panic because they’ve got a little bit of time, but they should start thinking about that now if they haven’t already,” said Lisa Mason, horticulturist and entomologist at the Colorado State University Extension o ce in Arapahoe County.

e species targets ash trees, which make up roughly 15 percent of the urban canopy — the surface area shaded by trees — in Arapahoe County.

An infestation in northeast Littleton was identi ed on June 20 by South Suburban Parks and Recreation District sta . According to South Suburban, the exact location was within the open space area next to the Big Dry Creek East Trailhead, near the Broadway and Littleton Boulevard intersection.

Mary Danser, the Littleton city forester, said once the emerald ash borer invades an ash tree, it is essentially an “immediate death sentence” for the tree.

“You see the decline, and that means it’s too late to save the tree,” Danser said. “ at’s the reason it’s a big deal, or a bigger deal than other pests, because

of its e cacy in killing the trees.”

Emerald ash borer — or EAB — was found in Boulder in 2013, having been brought to Colorado from Michigan. Since then, it has mostly stayed north of Denver.

e reason for the jump down to Littleton is likely the transport of rewood across the city, Mason said. Mason advises that residents in and around northeast Littleton start treatment or removal now, but said that most of the county still has time.

“ ere’s a lot of great replacement tree options, and we’re happy to help people gure out the replacement trees that work well for them,” Mason said.

To treat or to remove?

Now that the pest has made its way south of Denver, it will eventually affect all ash trees in Arapahoe County, slowly spreading over the course of the coming years. Untreated ash trees will die.

“Anyone with an ash tree will eventually have to make a nancial decision, whether they treat the tree with insecticides, or whether they have the tree removed,” Mason said. “ ey don’t have to make that decision right away.”

Removal can be pricey up-front, but treatment may cost more in the long run. Some options require treatments every three years, and others can be as often as twice a year. e removal of one or multiple trees from a property,

however, can decrease the value of the property, and all these factors should be considered when deciding whether to treat or remove, Danser said.

e cost of each option can vary depending on the tree and the business being consulted.

Because of the increased di culty of removal after an infestation, it will cost homeowners less to remove their ash trees ahead of time rather than wait for EAB to reach their area, according to Mason.

If a resident opts to treat their ash trees, the best way to go about it is to hire a licensed arborist, according to Danser. She said some stores and nurseries sell certain chemicals that can work, but are diluted, making them less e ective. e highly e ective forms of treatment are only available through licensed applicators, who also know how to apply them correctly.

Although it is possible to treat a tree after it has been infested, according to Mason, that treatment must be hasty. e best way to save an ash tree from EAB is to treat it before the insect invades.

A resident may also opt to remove their ash tree, which is the better course of action for less healthy trees, Mason said.

“If a tree is not healthy, it is probably not a good candidate for treatments, because the insecticides are systemic, which means the root system needs to be able to uptake the insecticide and spread it throughout the tree,” Mason said. “An unhealthy ash tree just simply would not be able to do that.”

Homeowners may choose to remove their ash trees, even if they’re healthy, depending on the value to the homeowner and homeowners associations.

Although Danser recognizes the nancial di erences between the options, she highly advises against removing a tree that is healthy and in a sustainable location (not growing under a power line).

“I would only recommend removals for undesirable ash trees,” she said. “If your tree is healthy and you are able, chemical treating your ash is the best thing to do to save your own tree, contribute to the greater urban canopy in your neighborhood, and ght against the EAB.”

What’s

the big deal?

Without treatment or removal, an a ected ash tree will die, increasing the risk of falling trees, which can be hazardous to personal safety and property.

“Dead trees in an urban homeowner setting can be a dangerous thing,” Mason said.

e impact on the urban canopy also poses a threat to the community bene ts currently provided by ash trees, according to the Arapahoe County website.

“Healthy ash trees play an essential role in urban tree canopy health; they slow down stormwater runoff, provide much-needed shade and greenery, and help mitigate climate change by storing sequestered carbon,” the webpage reads.

Littleton’s action plan

Littleton has a plan prepared, which Danser put together last year “knowing that [EAB] was coming, not expecting for it to come this quickly,” she said.

“We thought we had more time.”

e city has chosen roughly one third of its healthiest ash trees to treat with insecticides, and is in the process of removing and replacing its least healthy trees. Danser said that it’s important to get ahead of tree removal and not wait until EAB invades, as the removal then becomes dangerous and complicated due to infested wood being “incredibly structurally unsound.”

As for ash trees on residential properties, Danser is in the process of applying for a grant which would allow Littleton to subsidize tree removal or treatment. A survey currently live on the Littleton forestry website is collecting resident responses to gauge the need for such a program.

Although EAB has not been detected by nearby cities, several localities near Littleton have made action plans in preparation for the pest’s arrival.

Surrounding areas

Like Littleton, Englewood completed an EAB management plan last year, and has been treating eligible trees and designating others for removal. Englewood already has a subsidy program in place for chemical treatment and removal, o ering to cover 25 percent—up to $500—of the cost to the homeowner.

Lone Tree has been planning for the arrival of EAB and will look to treat eligible ash trees that are in optimal health.

Only one percent of Parker’s urban canopy is composed of ash trees, so as of now, the town is not treating for EAB prevention and is not planning on preemptively removing trees, but is monitoring for issues.

Centennial is also monitoring for EAB at City facilities, but has not been conducting preemptive treatment.

What to look for

“ e best thing to do right now is determine if an ash tree is on your property,” Lone Tree City Forester Sam Waggener wrote in a statement to Colorado Community Media.

According to the Colorado State Forest Service website, homeowners can look for compound leaves with ve to nine lea ets, diamond-shaped bark ridges on mature trees, and lea ets, buds and branches growing directly opposite from one another.

Although EAB is di cult to detect in a tree and can go years without being noticed, Mason said that homeowners with ash trees on their property can look for D-shaped exit holes, shrinking leaf size, and heavy woodpecker activity.

If a homeowner thinks they have an infestation, Mason advises that they get in contact with a local CSU Extension o ce, which can help with identi cation and next steps.

Lessons from the masters

During a conversation with a couple of friends and colleagues in the personal and professional development industry, we found our way into the topic of how we got started in the business and who some the early heroes were who inspired and motivated us to be better.

As we thought about those legendary speakers and authors, we also talked about how their teachings have withstood the test of time. Although they all began their own journey many decades ago, the principles that each one built their body of work upon are all still relevant today. e greatest compliment paid to them is that we can nd iterations of their work in the published books, blogs and columns of today’s thought leaders.

Although we agreed on a few names, each of us had our top three or four. For me, the authors and experts who had a signi cant impact on my success included Zig Ziglar, Tom

Hopkins, Denis Waitley and David Sandler.

Looking at Zig Ziglar’s career, many will refer to him as the master motivator, or remember him as the salesman’s salesman. With more than 30 books to his name, Zig taught us all so much about life, not just sales, leadership, or business, his teachings went far beyond those topics. Zig was all about building up the person as his mission was to help as many people as possible with their personal, professional and spiritual lives so that he could have a positive impact on the world. I thank Zig for all that he taught me and for being an incredible role model of consistency, guiding me to being a “meaningful speci c,” instead of a “wandering generality.” If you haven’t read “See You at the Top” I highly recommend it.

As a student of Tom Hopkins and having read every book he has written and having attended dozens of his seminars, I credit Tom with helping me become a top performer throughout my career. Even in leadership roles, his teachings were so impactful. In sales, we hear the word “no” a whole lot more often than we hear “yes.” Tom Hopkin’s Champion

Creed instilled in me the speci c mindset I needed to push through the losses and bad days and work towards the overwhelmingly successful days. e Champion Creed says this, “I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed. And the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep trying.” If you are in sales, Tom’s book “How to Master the Art of Selling” is a must-read.

Back in 1999 I had the opportunity to meet Denis Waitley in person. From that day on we enjoyed both a personal and professional relationship. Denis taught me so much about the attitude of winning and de ning success. He was a terri c encourager, and I would leave every conversation with him having learned so much more each time. His book and program, “ e Psychology of Winning,” and now “ e New Psychology of Winning,” will inspire you and teach you how to create your own blueprint for success.

Last, and certainly not least, David Sandler was so far ahead of his time with his revolutionary sales process. David’s approach is a simple one,

disarming honesty. He developed a sales process that favored the buyer and the seller so that the interaction was based on both parties being willing to have an open and honest adultto-adult truth-based conversation. No manipulation, just a conversation where there is no mysti cation about what is happening or what will happen next. His book, “You Can’t Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar,” will change the way you sell.

ere have been so many others who have shaped my career and the careers of millions of others, and I thank them all for their impact on my personal and professional life. Who are some of your favorite authors and experts? I would love to hear all about them at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can learn and apply the wisdom of those who are willing to teach us, 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.

Douglas County approves short-term rental regulations

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County became the latest local government in the Denver metro area to approve a policy that regulates short-term rentals — short stays at a property booked through sites like Airbnb or Vrbo — allowing the rentals only in certain parts of the county.

Douglas County Commissioner George Teal, who supported the policy, said he heard from a household that lives on a xed income who wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to o er a short-term rental.

ey want to “augment an already limited income as they go into their twilight years,” Teal said at the July 11 commissioners meeting.

e new ordinance requires owners to apply for licenses to operate homes as short-term rental properties.

e ordinance de nes a short‐term rental as lasting less than 30 consecutive days. It applies to unincorporated parts of Douglas County — areas outside of municipalities.

Douglas County hasn’t had a general prohibition on short-term rentals for at least the past 20 years, but there were only a few small areas where they were explicitly allowed, according to county sta .

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 li-

cense and collect applicable lodging and sales tax.

Public airs opinions

One member of the public, speaking at the meeting, argued that short-term rentals should be allowed based on “the principle, simply, of private property rights.”

“Especially people with acreage, this is a way for us to preserve our land on our own dime,” he told the commissioners.

On the other hand, the Happy Canyon Homeowners Association was among those opposing shortterm rentals, arguing they could a ect the housing market.

“We believe the (ordinance) will encourage outside residential investment rms such as Blackstone to purchase more homes in Douglas County, resulting in a depleted inventory for the general public and inadvertently creating rental communities,” wrote Richard West, president of the Happy Canyon HOA, in a letter to the county.

A board member of the Happy Canyon group came to the July 11 meeting and expressed concern

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about the impact of short-term rentals on the supply of a ordable housing, fearing that investors would take housing units out of the long-term rental market.

Research published in Harvard Business Review in 2019 suggested that Airbnb listings may have a relatively small amount of e ect on housing prices.

As background information, the article argues that if an area has a lot of restaurants and bars, and if awareness of Airbnb increases — measured using the Google search index for the keyword “Airbnb” — then any jump in Airbnb supply in that area is likely driven by an increase in demand for short-term rentals through Airbnb, rather than local economic conditions.

“Under this assumption, we show that a 1% increase in Airbnb listings is causally associated with a 0.018% increase in rental rates and a 0.026% increase in house prices,” the article says. “While these e ects may seem very small, consider that Airbnb’s year-over-year average growth is about 44%.”

But how any e ect could play out in rural areas of Douglas County is unclear.

“Folks, we’re not a tourist mecca,” Teal said.

Many areas of the county, including highly populated spots such as Highlands Ranch and the Pinery area south of Parker, are among the places where short-term rentals would be prohibited under current rules, even under the county’s new law.

‘Capitalize on their properties’

e Happy Canyon board member argued the county should not allow short-term rentals by “non-resident” owners — people who own properties but don’t live in them.

ere is not an owner-occupancy

requirement in the new law, according to county sta .

e law allows 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.)

Despite the concerns, Teal said he’s heard support in the community for short-term rentals, adding that those who run agricultural businesses could bene t.

“I look forward to it because this does, for those in our agricultural areas, in our rural areas, this does give them that (ability) to capitalize on their properties in a new way,” Teal said.

Not a universal allowance

Even under the county’s new law, short-term rentals won’t be allowed in many parts of unincorporated Douglas County.

e text 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 development” 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 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 .

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Commissioner Lora omas rattled o a long list of areas in Douglas County where the rentals would not be allowed in addition to Highlands Ranch and the Pinery area, including Chat eld Farms, Keene Ranch, Meridian, “which includes Stepping Stone,” the Roxborough Park area, Sterling Ranch and many others. “ e (rentals) will not be allowed in their neighborhoods unless there is a zoning change,” omas said.

e new law passed on a 2-1 vote with omas opposed and Teal and Commissioner Abe Laydon voting in favor.

County will charge fees for license

But omas supported a companion policy to the new law, a resolution approving the county’s fees associated with regulating short-term rentals.

“I think that if we’re doing this, we need to cover the costs of sta ,” omas said.

Under the resolution, the shortterm rental property license fees are as follows:

• Application review fee for rst licensing year: $500

• Application review fee for subsequent licensing years: $270

• License fee: $130 Teal noted the fees may appear high to some, but “those fees are not meant to ll the co ers of the county.”

Fees were to be set to cover the cost of administering and enforcing the ordinance, a statement from county sta in June said.

e commissioners approved the fee resolution unanimously.

Ins and outs of regulations

e ordinance includes a long list of rules, such as the following:

• 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 is allowed to use only one residence as a shortterm 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 will also be able to inspect the property to enforce the requirements of the ordinance, 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.

e law has 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 law’s text says.

Leadup to new law

Just because short-term rentals weren’t regulated in unincorporated Douglas County doesn’t mean they weren’t happening. Airbnb’s website on June 18 showed a handful of listings that appeared to be in unincorporated Douglas County. (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.

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Sure — insurance will pay

As the rainy season appears to be nally ending this year, the stories of home damage and insurance battles are becoming more frequent in my conversations.

FROM THE EDITOR

I am a mother, which means I spend some mornings at the pool where my kids practice. I spend multiple days per week at South Suburban facilities while my son takes the ice. Why does this fact matter? Well, mothers talk, and they talk a lot.

In my conversations lately, a lot of them either start or end with what is happening with insurance companies. One mom told a story of $40,000 in damage due to their basement ooding. Well, while the insurance company agreed to take care of the hail damage – they refused to pay for the basement. After all, they did not speci cally get ood insurance.

Another family in Parker are truly going through hell this year. Children sleeping on the oor, basement and walls destroyed. ey had ood insurance, but the company let them know they did not have seepage insurance. Really? Would you like to explain to me how the oods did not cause the seepage?

Another case with a car — insurance will pay for the damage on the top of the car but not the windshield. Really? at makes me feel safer being on the road with her now. While the top of the car is great — the cracks in her windshield might pose some safety problems for, you know, seeing.

I understand insurance is a business, but should it constantly feel like a scam? We pay month after month, year after year. Should we constantly be told no when we nally need to turn to the system that is supposed to be there to protect us?

Laws protect insurance companies — yet, we as citizens, are required by law to pay them. en, something unexpected happens and we nd out we did not actually get the right policy. Well, how was I supposed to know I needed seepage and ood insurance?

When we get our policies, most of us are people who, with good faith, think we are being told exactly what we need to have and our agents are protecting us. We do not have college degrees in knowing the loopholes, lingo and rules. We just get what we are told is best and hope that if something happens — they pay.

It took actual legal action for us to get our roof xed last year. Really? Our roof where the leaking stains were obvious did not meet criteria for insurance?

Citizens are tired and angry for a variety of reasons. We feel like we are cheated when we buy groceries and wonder how we spent $100 of stu that didn’t ll two bags. We feel cheated in paying taxes and we feel cheated when we actually need to use our insurance and are told no. Feeling cheated regularly creates a lot of distrust and tired citizens.

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

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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

Being pro-America is not about hating anyone

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THELMA GRIMES South Metro Editor tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MCKENNA HARFORD Community Editor mharford@coloradocommunitymedia.com

GUEST COLUMN

Brandi Bradley

Mr. Cox recently wrote an opinion piece to Colorado Community Media about a post that I made on my social media page. One should note that the introductory paragraph on my page states “I love this county and I love our community, and I am honored to represent Douglas County HD 39!”

I take very seriously my obligations to represent the values of my community while serving on the state legislature. I’ve always been forthcoming about my values as a Christian, which are in alignment with the Judeo Christian values that our country was founded on as stated in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

My worldview is very much shaped by these values, and as such I question why there’s a push to elevate a particular group of people - those in the LGBTQ communityover others. In particular, why are we choosing to elevate a particular attribute of a group versus the accomplishments of individuals?

e former appears to be in direct contradiction to the principles on which our country was founded, which elevates the rights and liberties of individuals, not groups.

On my social media page, I expressed an opinion that I would prefer that Pride Month be an expression of Pride for our veterans and military. Mr. Cox chose to view that as disrespectful, which is unfortunate.

I can’t control how others interpret my words, nor will I try to deduce Mr. Cox’s motivations for suggesting that I aim to divide our community.

I welcome this opportunity to clarify for our community that I do not hate anyone. at is antithetical to my worldview as a Christian, one in which Jesus teaches us to love everyone.

In my role as a state house representative, I have stood for the rights of all women, parents and children in various bills that I have written and voted on. I certainly don’t require that my constituents on whose behalf I’m representing meet a particular moral code or t into a speci c identity group. at would be unconstitutional and frankly, immoral.

Mr. Cox took o ense to me calling out that the rainbow ag is being used by groomers. His ire, however, is seriously misplaced. He

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should be angry at the naked men prancing in our public places under that ag. Not at me for calling out that it is being done. But more importantly, he missed the point entirely. Something that is all too common these days; if he wants unity, then he should join all of us under the American ag, one that has been a beacon of freedom (not compulsion; not word police; not internet gestapo) for hundreds of years. We should rally under that one ag period.

We should be e pluribus unum provided we all still believe in those basic things that made us great to begin with. at there are certain truths that are self-evident and that from them come rights from our creator that no one can can take. But instead, we’re supposed to pander to various di erent tribes of ags, an ever growing number.

We must pledge our allegiance, even in violation of our conscience, lest we be derided in public as an ignorant hater; or otherwise shamed and booed back into compliance. Bullying is not how freedom is supposed to work. Mr. Cox may try to claim that it is he who has experienced bullying over the years, and maybe that is so, but all the more reason that he should have known to be careful with his assumptions and mindful of his real enemy.

But moreover, the Herald certainly should have been; the editor should have recognized that the editorial was not simply fair commentary but an unfair and misguided attack, an attack that was lent credence to by printing. If ever given the chance to discuss this respectfully with Mr. Cox, I would imagine that he and I would fundamentally disagree on what is best and what is intended by God for our lives, but both of us should be able to agree on which ag stands for freedom, and you should also be able to agree on who the groomers are that are now openly pushing for our kids. If you could agree on that, then you could agree on who he is really o ended by.

Mr. Cox suggests that not choosing to celebrate an identity group is akin to disrespecting said group. is is an incoherent argument. I welcome constructive feedback on my viewpoints, and strive to grow intellectually and emotionally in all interactions with constituents, community members, and fellow legislators. Lying about my intentions is not productive, and I wish Mr. Cox well in his future endeavors to communicate in a convincing, e ective manner.

Brandi Bradley is the representatve for House District 39.

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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

Transparency and democratic values

“…formation of public policy is public business and may not be conducted in secret.”

C.R.S. § 6-4-401

I have been heartened and disappointed by reactions to the Colorado Open Meeting Law (COML) suit that state Rep. Elisabeth Epps and I led against Colorado’s legislature.

Colorado’s voters enacted COML through a citizen initiative in 1971 by a 20 point margin. Politicians immediately chafed at requiring that they conduct public business publicly. A state senator immediately sued to declare the law unconstitutional for violating First Amendment rights of elected o cials. But in 1983, Colorado’s Supreme Court de nitively ruled that COML applies to the legislature and legislative caucuses.

Lawmakers, however, have been ignoring COML requirements for years.

I am not a persnickety Dudley DoRight. I’ve served in places where morally gray decisions often must be made. And we are all fallible. Forgiveness of transgressions with the hope that we can do better is

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Board should follow policies

Tammi Flemming’s letter titled “News story was lacking,” omits students from DCSD’s Parent and Family Engagement policy (KBB). Flemming mentioned “the rights of parents” but what about the rights of students?

In June, the District Accountability Committee (DAC) wrote a resolution where they requested, “DAC would like to thoroughly stakehold KBB with SACS and other parent organizations.”

However, the board did not allow time for the DAC to contact School Accountability Committees (SACS) like the Student Advisory Group (SAG) for feedback on President Mike Peterson’s policy revisions to KBB. Board Secretary Becky Myers wrote in an email to Chester Shaw — chair of the District Accountability Committee, “Also share with DAC that I personally want SAG input o the table.”

Revisions to the Parent and Family Engagement policy, speci cally language around the words “compelled” and “identity,” can directly impact students in the LGBTQ community and the board president scheduled a vote on these during summer break. SAG students have previously made public comments about recent changes to the Educational Equity policy, concerned with how policy revisions could impact this community.

is board majority recently faced litigation following a discrimination complaint from former superintendent Corey Wise, which they settled for $832,733.61. His employment

GUEST COLUMN

Robert Marshall

something to which we should all strive. (John 8:3-11, KJV). But after becoming a COML expert through holding Douglas County’s Board of Education accountable for their illegal conduct violating COML, ignoring extensive COML violations in the legislature was too much hypocrisy to bear.

And there are reasons for these laws. Ignoring COML serves the self-interest of politicians to advance polices they prefer, but it undermines trust in government necessary for people to respect those policies. COML also serves the interest of all citizens, but particularly those who lack “special access” to the closed door meetings which COML forces open.

Among supporters and detractors of the lawsuit, I note a striking dichotomy. ose who currently, or traditionally, have access to closed meetings where policy is made are

was terminated after advocating that the Board not discriminate against LGBTQ students.

Following the DAC’s request on a ursday, President Peterson revised his revisions before Tuesday’s meeting, which none of the committees had the opportunity to review before the Board’s (4-2) vote. is went against a statute that states: e Board shall work with the parent members of the DAC (District Accountability Committee) in creating, adopting, reviewing and implementing this policy.

This spring, director Susan Meek entered a formal complaint titled “Suspected violations of Board policies,” in which she included, “President Peterson is developing changes outside of the public eye and using his authority to set board agendas to put forward a policy for first reading for policy adoption before the entire board has had an opportunity to discuss it publicly. Again, this exceeds his authority.”

Policy GP 1.3.1 Board President Responsibilities reads, “To lead the Board so that the Board’s performance is consistent with its own rules and policies and those legitimately imposed on it from outside the organization.”

Not following statute could lead to further costly litigation, which is an egregious disservice to all stakeholder groups. is could be avoided if the board followed its own policies.

Ti any Baker Highlands Ranch

angry that I am “rocking the boat”. ey would prefer I stay quiet and become one of those privileged with a seat at these closed meetings. By contrast, traditionally marginalized individuals and groups have been the most supportive. When back-room deals are cut, it is not the little guy whose interests are represented. ose who traditionally, and still too often, are left out of policy-making viscerally understand the need for open transparent government.

e goal of electoral politics should not be to win a back-room seat to ensure that your interests and those of your supporters are advanced to the exclusion of others. Becoming a real-life “Animal Farm” parody where one wins power, but then you are no di erent than those who were there before you, is unacceptable.

It is easy to “do the right thing” when it bene ts yourself. It is more di cult when it not only gives up a privilege you have, but will likely extract a high cost. I expect to pay a high price for upsetting the decades-long bipartisan power structure with this suit. But I am blessed to represent a district with exceptionally savvy voters. I likely could not be who I am, or take the actions I do, had I been elected from a different district. I believe Highlands Ranch constituents understand and support good governance, fairness, due process, the rule of law and open transparent government. And support the action that I have taken. State Rep. Robert Marshall of Highlands Ranch represents House District 43 in the Colorado General Assembly.

William Weatherford passed away on May 11th, 2023 at age 90.

Born on December 26th, 1932 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, William, “Papa” is known for his love of sharing stories that bring past worlds to life, his service to the 82nd Airborne Division, his time serving as a state trooper, playing his guitar and his 50 year marriage to the love of his life, Wanda June.

He had a great passion for discovering new hobbies and interests as a lifelong learner. He always knew how to get the most out of any activity he engaged in from mining, working on VW Beetles, lock smithing and anything

else that grabbed his attention at the time.

He loved his family, always having fun teasing his kids and grandkids, watching ‘toons, taking naps, enjoying baby candy bars and bologna roll ups.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Weatherford, several children, grand children, other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10am on Friday, July 21st at e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lone Tree.

In lieu of owers, please donate to MaxFund, Animal Adoption Center.

WEATHERFORD William “Papa” Weatherford December 26, 1932 - May 11, 2023

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

They proudly call themselves the B.O.B. from the 303, bringing the Big Easy up to high altitudes with their soul-gripping blend of music stylings with New Orleans jazz.

Known for its vibrant nightlife and colorful buildings is the French Quarter. e French Quarter is the heart of New Orleans, and jazz is its heartbeat.

Breathing life into Bourbon Street are the sounds of brass instruments and drums continuously owing out of numerous jazz clubs. With just a trumpet, clarinet, berry sax, alto sax, trombone, snare, bass drum and tuba, the Brothers of Brass are bringing that one and only soulful heartbeat to Colorado.

“It’s a cultural tradition that most of the country doesn’t have,” said Armando Lopez, a member of the Brothers of Brass.

e group’s repertoire is a simmering mix of slow and angsty tunes and fast-paced tempos with a kick of familiar melodies. e Brothers of Brass blend of other genres like R&B, hip hop and psychedelic jam rock into each set.

A day after a tornado hit Highlands Ranch in late June, the Brothers of Brass dished out a much-needed evening of fun for the community. Soon, everyone went from clapping

to full-out dancing, allowing concertgoers a chance to relax.

“It was nice to see so many kids, like, actually getting up out of their seats and the older people getting up and dancing and enjoying the music,” said Khalil Simon, who is originally from New Orleans. “It’s not so often that we get to play like New Orleans brass music for a crowd like this and appreciate it, that’s pretty unique.”

Not only did the band members interact with one another on stage throughout the night, they got the crowd involved by singing along and repeating after them. Although it was an outdoor concert, there was no excuse for the crowd not being loud enough.

Among some crowd favorites were “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr., and “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. And of course, they couldn’t call themselves a brass band without playing the beloved spiritual hymn “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

In true New Orleans fashion, each band member was called out to do a solo, each one emoting a di erent feeling.

As the music continued and the sun began to set, the crowd let the good times roll as more children and adults came to the front of the stage, dancing as if it were Mardi Gras.

Just when the sun went behind the buildings, the Brothers of Brass were kind enough to strap on their instruments for an encore, playing “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child.

e strong, powerful notes of brass instruments and the beautiful harmo-

The Brothers of Brass playing at Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

BRASS

nizing of the members’ voices encapsulated the feeling of the Crescent City.

“ ey say a lot with very little,” said Lopez. “When you play the horn, there’s a lot of emotional information in your tone quality — you can literally play one note and instantly captivate somebody and that is not always taught.”

When two street performers collide

Just like their voices, the members of the Brother of Brass is a blended group.

On the streets of Atlanta, Georgia in 2014, Simon and a couple of his friends were busking — playing music on a public street for voluntary donations.

When the groups of friends rst started playing, they were sharing horns until they had saved up enough money to get horns for each member. ey called themselves the Brothers of Brass.

e group quickly learned that busking at event egresses was a better way of making money, so they began playing with baseball egresses but expanded to playing outside of concerts and events that drew large crowds.

When baseball season came to a close, the group decided to travel across the country in search of other venues to perform.

Lopez continued to share his love for music after moving to Denver from Los Angeles. Having received a music education in jazz, Lopez brought that in uence into street music.

Once in Denver, Lopez played the saxophone on 16th Street Mall and, in 2013, Jake Herman joined in on drums and a small funk and jazz band ensemble was formed called Nimbus.

e group busked on 16th Street Mall, Boulder’s Pearl St. Mall and at e Denver Arts District’s rst Friday Art Walk, often including a rotating lineup of local musicians to play with them.

On a random day in April 2015, Lopez heard the deep bass of a tuba while playing on 16th Street Mall. He followed the sound to nd Simon playing the tuba. e two groups ended up playing together at the nearby Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

“ ey showed us a new way of playing,” said Lopez.

Until Simon moved to Denver in 2016, the two groups continued to collaborate whenever the Brothers of Brass were in Denver, eventually transforming into a full sized

brass-band and bringing the New Orleans culture to Colorado.

“You don’t really see a lot of actual brassbands outside of only there (New Orleans),” said Simon. “So I gured I’d bring it here and to see people receiving it so well, it feels so good.”

Social justice through music

With aspirations to become a nonpro t organization, the Brothers of Brass began the Black Brass Initiative a few years ago, calling it a “de facto” cultural exchange program between the deep south and the Denver metro area.

e inspiration of the initiative goes back to when Simon began to travel while busking the streets. e initiative is responsible for the housing, transportation and food of black musicians from Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana.

“It’s nice to spread that culture here in Colorado, it’s kind of why I moved here, cause eventually places like New Orleans are not gonna exist anymore due to climate change and that’s where all this stu [music] came from and it’s mostly only there right now,” said Simon.

e band has been using the wealth generated by performing to reinvest in the black

communities in the south, where these musical traditions originated.

As stated on their website: “ e hope is that bringing gems of this culture to e Colorado Front Range will create a pipeline for cultural and educational enrichment for both the people of Colorado and the lineage of these musicians.”

Looking toward the future

From performing at a Mardi Gras party at Meow Wolf to playing the Red Rocks Amphitheater, the Brothers of Brass have no intention of slowing down.

For the rest of the summer, the Brothers of Brass will be playing at various locations throughout the metro area, including Cly ord Still Museum’s Lawn Concert, History Colorado Museum and the Bluebird eater.

ey can also be heard on the streets of Denver as they liven up the crowds.

e band will be releasing an upcoming album and can be followed on social media.

“By making this music, I’ve gotten farther and seen more of the world and people than doing anything else,” Simon said.

Armando Lopez, in the middle, playing two instruments.

The B.O.B. from the 303 bucket was out to collect voluntary donations. PHOTOS BY HALEY LENA

Khalil Simon playing the sousaphone in the middle while other members sing.

‘Reptile Logic’ comes to Vintage stage

Reptile Logic: A Corporate Dismemberment” by Matt Wexler will be produced July 28 to Aug. 13 at Vintage eatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. e production is offered by director/ producer Mike Langworthy, writer/producer

Wexler, producer

KQ and production stage manager/assistant director Rachel Lessard. Cast includes Colin Martin, Corrine Landy and Gin Walker. 303-856-7830, vintagetheatre.org.

Colorado art show

“ is is Colorado” an annual art show, will be held Aug. 29 to Sept. 21 at Arapahoe Community College Colorado Gallery of the Arts, presented by the Heritage Fine Arts Guild. Entry forms for artists are found at: arapahoe.edu/2022this-is-Colorado-registration. More information: heritage-guild. com/2023-this-is-colorado-entry. html. Opening reception and awards ceremony to be at 5-7 p.m. Aug. 31.

Littleton music

Little Jam Concert Series at Sterne Park in Littleton. Free live music, with two more to enjoy: Aug. 12, e Petty Nicks Experience; Sept. 16, Deja Blu. Littletongov.org.

Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf, 1338 1st St., Denver, announces a session of “Danceportation” Monstercat Takeover on Sept. 23 — an all-night dance party with acts: Infected Mushroom,

Koven, Godlands, Eemia, Ossuary and Numina. Tickets: 866-636-9969, meowwolf.com/visit/denver. Doors: 9:30, music, 10:30. 21 and over.

Animal calendar

e Dumb Friends League announces its Calendar Photo Contest: Five cats, ve dogs, one horse and one small pet will decorate the DFL’s next calendar. Entry fee $30, guarantees every pet a place. Each entrant will receive a 2024 calendar. gogophotocontest.com/dumbfriendsleague.

Fraud protection seminar

Douglas County Libraries pairs with Bellco Cedit Union to present free seminars in August and September at Douglas County Libraries: Aug. 8: “Protecting Yourself From Fraud”: Lone Tree location, 10055 Library Way, and Aug. 29: Highlands Ranch, 19292 S. Ridgeline Blvd. In September, the topic will be “Wills and Trusts.”

Lakewood exhibit CORE Art Space, 6501 West

Colfax Ave., Lakewood, will host an exhibit Aug. 4-20 of works by members SheRa Kelley, “Eyes Wide Open,”; Barbara Veatch: “Swept Away”; and Tierra Lalk: “Wonderment.” Opening reception: August 4, 5-10 p.m. Gallery hours: Thursday: noon to 5 p.m.; Friday: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: noon to 5 p.m. See coreartspace.com.

‘My Son the Waiter’

“My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy” will be performed Aug. 3-20 at Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood. It is on a national tour. Tickets: $45-$65. 303-987-7845, mysonthewaiter.com.

Parade of Homes

Denver Parade of Homes will be held Aug. 10-27 presented by the Aurora Highlands. ParadeofHomesDenver.com. Thursdays through Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.

Museum of Outdoor Arts

MOA events: Comedy Night July 28. Design and Build Summer Internship Installation: “Good Vibrations’ — Aug. 5; Colorado Mambo Orchestra: Aug. 18. See moaonline. org.

Central City Opera

Central City Opera continues through Aug. 6 — rotating with “Romeo and Juliet,” “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Othello.” 303-292-6700, centralcityopera.org.

Arvada Center

Arvada Center announces: “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” Sept. 8 to Oct. 15. Tickets start at $56. ASL performances: Sept. 21 at 6 .m.; Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. See arvadacenter.org.

SONYA’S SAMPLER

“Reptile Logic: A Corporate Dismemberment” is on stage at Aurora’s Vintage Theatre through mid-August. COURTESY IMAGE

Thu 7/27

Red Moon Rounder @ 6pm

Little Man Ice Cream, 3455 S University Blvd, Englewood

Inline Hockey: Youth Iron Man Tournament 17U @ 11:30pm

Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker

Sun 7/30

Douglas County Farm To Table Lunch @ 10am / $70

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fair‐grounds Dr, Castle Rock

Eric Golden @ 3pm

Park Meadows, 8401 Park Mead‐ows Center Dr, Lone Tree

Advanced Wind, Women, & Water Clinic | Intro to Racing @ 4:30pm / $55

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

Running 101 Clinic @ 5:30pm / $17

Bear Creek Greenbelt, 2800 South Estes Street, Lakewood. outdoorbeginner@ gmail.com, 240-994-2970

6 Million Dollar Band: Discovery Park Summer Concert Series

@ 5:30pm

Discovery Park, 20115 Mainstreet, Parker

Summer Salt

@ 6pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Randy Houser @ 6pm Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd, Castle Rock

Halfway There Bon Jovi

Tribute: Halfway There Rocks a Free Show at Brother's Lone Tree

@ 8pm

Brothers Bar & Grill, 7407 Park Meadows Dr, Lone Tree

Sat 7/29

Sugar Britches duo @ Grist @ 11:30am

Grist Brewing Company, 8155 Piney River Ave, Littleton

Summer Salt

@ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, Englewood

Addison Grace

@ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Fri 7/28

Denver Broncos

@ 9am

Centura Health Training Center, 13655 E. Broncos Pkwy., Englewood

Tim Montana @ 6pm Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia

TRYathlon 2023 @ 5:30am / $25 Cook Creek Pool, 8711 Lone Tree Parkway, Lone Tree. SarahN@ ssprd.org

Thu 8/03

Rodeo @ 6pm Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd, Castle Rock

Backpack Giveaway at Veri‐zon-Cellular Plus in Littleton @ 9am

Verizon Authorized Retailer - Cellu‐lar Plus, 40 West Littleton Boule‐vard, Littleton. marketing@cellu larplus.com, 720-456-7501

Jenny Shawhan @ 5pm

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

ARTS: Urban Homestead @ Harvard Gulch @ 10:30pm

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

powered by

All Colorado Art Show open at Curtis

Denver gallery director serves as juror for exhibit

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Curtis Center for the Arts, at 2349 E. Orchard Road in Greenwood Village, held the opening reception for its annual All Colorado Art Show on July 15. e juror for this exhibit was Danya Bryant, gallery director for the David B. Smith Gallery in Denver.

(We will announce her choices of winners next week, since we must le this prior to that date.)

e exhibit includes entries created in many media, with a great variety of styles and techniques.

Lighting at Curtis is always good and this is a nice show for nearby residents, who may want to bring summer visitors in with them ... e gallery is open long hours.

We step inside and are happy to note a red “Sold” sticker on Stacy Roberts’ pastel, “Moonage Daydream,” near the entrance. Roberts lives in Morrison. All works are for sale and may be just right for a bare spot on the wall — or a wedding or graduation gift.

ere are 67 works displayed, selected by Bryant from a number of entries. e variety illustrates the many ways artists see their worlds ... and the assorted worlds they create! Included: “Brain Scramble,” an oil painting on canvas by Karen Shaw, Centennial.

IF YOU GO

Curtis Center for the Arts is located at 2349 E. Orchard Road (the intersection with South University Boulevard) in Greenwood Village. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Free admission and parking. 303-797-1779.

A contrast to the many works in color is “Pride of Trees,” a black and white work, executed in graphite on paper by Barbara Barnhart of Denver.

“Dance rough Time” is an acrylic and acrylic ink painting on canvas by Pamela Gilmore Hake, measuring about 30” x 36”.

Michael Toussaint’s digital photograph, “Dream Portrait,” is of a man’s head with water owing over it. Looks cool and relaxed on a warm summer day!

Near the entrance is “Landlines,” by Kalliopi Monoylos of Denver, a sculpture created with telephone and stereo wires and white tape ... Also close to the entrance is a handsome “Saggar Vase Form” by ceramist Bob Smith, who teaches at Arapahoe Community College.

“Mt. Princeton # 2,” by Stephen Austin of Lakewood, is an oil painting on canvas.

Chet Vioma has a more abstract oil painting called “Purple Gardens,” with linear abstracted plants and lines — and intense color that calls out to a visitor.

Conn Ryder of Wheat Ridge shows his sense of humor in naming his bright abstract painting “Well, Yellow ere.” It’s located in a central, squared-o space, which includes a nice assortment of small works surrounding the visitor. One wants to linger there ...

Linda Blalock of Castle Rock entered a small, delicate painting, “Feather,” that shows her technical skill with watercolor, pencils and graphite, while Leo Compliment, Evergreen, hangs “Bouquet,” executed with acrylic and mixed medium.

“Sifting rough the Ash So I Can Remember” by Sophia Ericksen, Denver, tells a story with watercolor, ink and photography combined ... It made me think about a trip to Oregon on the day that Mount St. Helens blew its top — the morning my son graduated from Reed.

At the entrance is an elongated print showing a lone nest on a branch broken o from a tree ... hurricane, perhaps? Sad note there. Photographers are certainly storytellers, as are most of these artists.

Hrecreation Northglenn. just have participating. we’ve tournament west and p.m. made will volleyball the phy, of only, playing emptied a everyone what with every day be vendors ing

“Well, Yellow There,” an acrylic painting on canvas by Conn Ryder, is included in the All Colorado Art Show at Curtis Center For the Arts in Greenwood Village.

PHOTO BY DUSTIN ELLINGBOE

Mudapalooza splashes back at Northglenn

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Has anyone ever really not had fun playing in the mud? It’s not something most of us get to do very often, which makes the opportunity to splash around pretty rare. at could be part of the reason why Northglenn’s annual Mudapalooza volleyball event has become such big hit in the area.

“Nobody else really puts this kind of event on,” said Roman A. Ortega, recreation sports coordinator with Northglenn. “We started out with just eight to 12 teams and now we have so many return teams that love participating. I think the most teams we’ve had in one tournament is 63.”

e 15th annual Mudapalooza tournament will be held at Northwest Open Space, East 112th Avenue and Ranch Drive, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 22.

Participating co-ed teams are made up of eight to 12 adults who will play at least three games of mud volleyball each. At the end of the day, the winning team will receive a trophy, some cool prizes and the glory of claiming victory.

“While the tournament is for adults only, as it winds down you see kids playing around in the pits that have emptied out,” Ortega said. “It’s such a fun event, especially when you see everyone out there playing. at’s what the day is about — having fun with a unique game that’s not played every day.”

e all-day event isn’t just a eld day for those in the pits — there will be a food truck, drinks and other vendors on hand to make the watching more delicious. All beer sales will

bene t A Precious Child.

In all, the aim is to create an exciting summer’s day out.

“We love giving back and highlighting the sports community,” Ortega said. “When we play, it’s an opportunity to have a brief getaway from life. It’s a chance to get away from our daily routines and even do something a bit out of our comfort zone.”

Find all the details at www.northglenn.org/mudapalooza.

MCA Denver explores Indigenous Absurdities

ere are few better ways to connect with someone than to make them laugh. Even if that laugh stings a bit.

Anna Tsouhlarakis’ exhibition, Indigenous Absurdities, captures that humorous and incisive approach beautifully. On display at MCA

5.00%

OR 9 MONTH

Denver, 1485 Delgany St. in Denver, through Sunday, Sept. 10, the show is focused on Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of teaching. Using a range of mediums, including video, performance, sculpture, photography and installation, the work “challenges and expands the boundaries of aesthetic and conceptual expectations for Native artmaking to reclaim and rewrite their de nitions,” according to provided information.

Visit https://mcadenver.org/exhibitions/anna-tsouhlarakis for all you need to know.

Pick your fighter — ‘Barbie’ or ‘Oppenheimer’

If you’re not keeping up with the lm community, you may not be aware that the weekend of July 21 is the biggest weekend of the year in 2023 — it’s the release day for Greta

Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”. It’s been built up as a kind of clash of the titans or cinephile’s Christmas, depending on who you ask, but either way, we’re getting two of the year’s most anticipated lms on the same day.

So, which will you see? And if you do a double feature, what is the proper order? Do you start your experience with the neon-pink fun and satire of “Barbie,” or the mindblowing visuals of “Oppenheimer”? ere’s no right answer, but I hope to see plenty of discussion about both options and the lms. So, head over to your local theater and I’ll see you at the movies.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Je Tweedy at the Boulder Theater

If you’ve followed the great Chicago band Wilco over the years, then not only have you been treated to a lot of great music, but you’ve been able to witness frontman Je Tweedy’s journey from enigmatic songwriter to beloved cultural gure. He’s made his own music, written three books and even acted a few times. No matter what he’s doing, I always nd his work rewarding and worth the time.

All this makes it incredibly thrilling to have one of indie rock’s leading gures out and about on his own, and Tweedy will be performing at the Boulder eater, 2032 14th St. in Boulder, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 21. is tour is being billed as intimate performances and with opener Le Ren on hand, this is bound to be a special evening.

Secure tickets at www.ticketmaster. com.

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

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Mudapalooza

A member of the MVP Volleyball 11 team splashes during Northglenn’s 2019 Mudapalooza at the Northwest Open Space during a match.

FILE PHOTO

Littleton community forum on homelessness encourages dialogue

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Chattering voices lled the Littleton council chambers on the morning July 11, as people gathered around tables and wrote ideas on giant notepads in colorful markers.

e gathering of approximately 50 city o cials, business owners, other community members and representatives of the Tri-Cities Homelessness Initiative was focused on homelessness in Littleton.

Over co ee and pastries, people shared their concerns, curiosity, disagreement and ideas on the topic.

“I’m grateful to be a part of this project to listen and to put our heads together as we address this issue, that both brings up these emotions that are real and intense, and brings compassion and fear and a vision of who we want to be as a community,” said Amanda Henderson, who facilitated the event.

Henderson, the director of the Institute for Religion, Politics and Culture at the Ili School of eology in Denver, was contracted by the city to help facilitate public engagement on the topic of homelessness in Littleton.

Success and hope

e highlight of the meeting for many was when Joshua Casias

shared his story.

Casias grew up in Littleton and attended Littleton High School, he said. He received a scholarship to play hockey at the University of Denver, but lost this opportunity when he started using drugs.

He was expelled from Littleton High School for selling marijuana and then was in and out of prison for about 15 years, struggling with drug use. He started living on the streets and had a challenging relationship with his family.

During this time, he met the teams at GraceFull Cafe and e Life Center, community-serving organizations

in Littleton, and started looking for help.

He now lives in a halfway house, has a job and is saving money. He’s looking to soon move into a sober living home and is getting married soon.

“Where I was at before and where I’m at now is just two di erent lifestyles,” he said. “From using methamphetamine on the streets to having a job and getting married soon — it’s incredible.”

“Josh, everyone in this room, I’m sure, is so happy to hear of your success,” one community member said at the end of the meeting. “We

applaud you — and reach out, get our names — anything we can do, we’ll help. We want to hear so many more of these successes.”

e conversations at the forum were just the beginning of working towards long-term solutions for homelessness in Littleton, City Manager Jim Becklenberg said.

“ is needs to be an ongoing dialogue,” he said. “We have some of our community here and I hope that we can take this concept and expand it so that we can keep this going and get even more in-depth around some of the topics that have come up today.”

Mayor Pro Tem Gretchn Rydin, who attended the meeting, emphasized the importance of these intentional conversations.

“Einstein is quoted as saying, ‘If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes of that hour thinking about it, understanding it, and then ve minutes solving it,’” she said. “ at’s what we’re doing here today, is that 55 minutes, right? We’re really trying to understand this.”

Moving forward, she said council’s ultimate goal is to come up with speci c action steps to keep working towards addressing homelessness in the city.

Henderson’s team will incorporate the ndings from the forum and on-

SEE HOMELESS, P23

Joshua Casias inspired the audience with the story of his journey out of homelessness.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

HOMELESS

going public surveys in a report that is set to come out in August.

Community concerns and ideas

In an earlier stage of the process, Henderson’s team conducted an informal survey with a small group of stakeholders in Littleton.

“Perspectives and experiences on what’s happening in Littleton are all across the board,” she said. “So whatever you are feeling, there are others who are feeling it and there are people who are experiencing and seeing these questions in very di erent ways.”

e results of the survey showed that 44% of respondents said homelessness has impacted them or their businesses.

During the meeting, attendees held conversations in small groups to answer several questions related to homelessness and their general experiences in Littleton.

Some of their concerns included drug use, property rights, waste in the streets, vandalism and the impact of homelessness on business owners and visitors.

Some attendees also explored philosophical sides of the conversation, including how to help people experiencing homelessness who may not want help. ey discussed the nuance involved in “wanting help,”

and how it can be hard for people to keep trying when they are repeatedly denied services and housing.

e groups also discussed potential solutions and preventative strategies for homelessness, including eviction prevention programs, availability of case workers, shuttle services to transport unhoused folks to shelters and more.

AllHealth mobile response unit and co-responders

Several speakers highlighted programs in place to assist those experiencing homelessness and to help address some of the concerns of community members.

One of these programs is the mobile response unit from AllHealth Network, which started a partnership with the City of Littleton in April.

e mobile response unit team includes mental/behavioral health case managers and a registered nurse. e team responds to calls with a large van, equipped with food, water, toiletries, clothes and more. In addition to these resources, it carries NARCAN, equipment to take vital signs and some other medical treatment materials.

“ ey get calls for kind of a lower level of crisis or behavioral health concerns, mental health, substance use, homelessness, just a number of di erent needs — and can provide that person with resources,” said Andrea Martin, supervisor for the mobile response unit and co-responder programs at AllHealth.

e mobile response unit, which is dispatched through law enforcement’s non-emergency line, can also provide voluntary transportation to crisis centers, detox centers and shelters.

She also explained AllHealth’s coresponder program, which sends a licensed mental health practitioner to respond alongside law enforcement to higher level crisis calls, including mental health, substance use, homelessness and other welfare needs.

AllHealth’s co-responder team serves ve cities, including Littleton.

e team has several case managers and is hoping to add a speci c case manager for homelessness in Littleton soon, Martin said.

“ ose case managers go out and do proactive work with an o cer each day and outreach individuals who are unhoused and can o er them resources and get them connected to services,” she said.

AllHealth also has a street outreach team, peer recovery coach, housing care navigators and more mental health professionals who can provide crisis stabilization support, resources and advice in the community, over the phone or in person at their crisis walk-in center at 6507 S. Santa Fe Drive.

Police response to homelessness

O cer Luke Bishard, of the Littleton Police Department, explained the responsibilities and limits of police intervention when it comes to home-

lessness.

He said the department’s Special Enforcement Tacticsteam, or SET team, which does community outreach projects, collaborates on homelessness issues and conducts bike patrols on the city’s paths and greenways.

“ e SET team, speci cally, is not the end-all be-all (for issues related to homelessness),” he said. “However, we are a good resource in terms of solving problems from a proactive standpoint.”

He said the team can enforce curfew in parks but cannot do anything when people call to report someone sleeping in an open park during the day.

“We just get phone calls of somebody in a park just because they look homeless, or they have multiple items,” Bishard said. “ ey have just as much right to those parks and open spaces as somebody with their kids taking a nap on a blanket. So if we do get those calls, there’s nothing we’re going to do.”

He said the team can and does enforce trespassing laws and respond to obstruction of public ways, streets and sidewalks. He also reminded private business owners that they can “trespass” an individual from their property, which means the individual can get a citation if they enter the property.

He added that the police department works with co-responders whenever necessary and possible for issues related to homelessness.

Bradley traffics in vicious slurs

In her July 14 opinion piece (tinyurl.com/bradleycol), state Rep. Brandi Bradley responded to a piece from Chad Cox that Colorado Community Media published on July 10 (tinyurl.com/lettercox).

Mr. Cox, who is a Navy veteran, had taken issue with a post (tinyurl.com/bradleypost) on Rep. Bradley’s Facebook page in which, implicitly referencing LGBTQ Pride Month, she stated, “Our veterans and our military DESERVE a month of celebration, not naked grown men grooming our children.”

At the end of her own CCM essay, Rep. Bradley tacitly invited “constructive feedback on [her] viewpoints.” I would like to offer some here.

Rep. Bradley stated: “I question why there’s a push to elevate a particular group of people — those in the LGBTQ community — over others.”

Seems to me that very few people who are both decent and sensible would see in Pride Month any sort of elevation of the LGBTQ community “over others.” Rather, I think people who are both decent and sensible see Pride Month as an opportunity for members of the LGBTQ community to celebrate their acceptance in the community as people deserving of basic human dignity in the face of a history and a continuing present of vicious bigotry.

Rep. Bradley stated: “Mr. Cox took offense to me calling out that the rainbow flag is being used by groomers.”

Yes, Mr. Cox did, as all people who are both decent and sensible ought to do. To insinuate that all members of the LGBTQ communi -

ty are “groomers” is a vicious slur. See Point 1 above.

Rep. Bradley suggested that in accordance with Pride Month : “We must pledge our allegiance, even in violation of our conscience, lest we be derided in public as an ignorant hater; or otherwise shamed and booed back into compliance.”

Actually, no one is demanding that anyone else do anything, apart from refrain from slurring whole communities with words like “groomer.” See Point 2 above.

I sincerely hope Rep. Bradley finds this feedback helpful.

Eric Brody Castle Pines

We deserve better than Bradley Colorado Community Media published a letter to the editor from Rep. Brandi Bradley (HD39) in response to one entitled “Brandi Bradley spawns hatred.” It should be noted that before this more

“polished” version was published on July 14, Bradley initially lashed out in the CCM comment section spewing vitriol, ending her online rant with “So if you think it’s the person who can scream the loudest who wins, buckle up …”

CCM would serve our community well by publishing Bradley’s online comments (tinyurl.com/ bradleyresponse) alongside her “polished” version, so we can see the whole picture of who she is as a legislator.

Bradley’s rhetoric often replicates that of Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign from the 1970s, pathologizing the LGBTQ+ community and accusing them of being sexual predators. Bradley even continues to push the “groomer” narrative in her rebuttal to the original letter.

While she touts “freedom,” she notably does not support freedom for all, falsely equating individuals wanting to have basic civil rights with a desire to “elevate a particular group of people.”

Yoga in the Park

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

Tuesday, August 29th, 6:30-7:30pm

Guided Nature Hikes

Of course, Bradley is entitled to her Christian beliefs. The issue is attempting to legislate them onto others, based on what she believes is a “sin.”

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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

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

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Saturday, August 5th, 9-10:30am – Reflecting on Women in Nature

Thursday, August 24th, 6-7:30pm – Leave No Trace

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S MTTFW

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

Bradley’s anti-LGBTQ+ actions and affiliations are well-documented, including: protesting drag shows in Douglas County, introducing anti trans sports legislation rooted in national efforts to restrict the rights of transgender people to exist, introducing a resolution for parental rights which would have increased the risk of LGBTQ+ students to experience bigotry and retaliation for their identity, and alignment with the so-called “parents’ rights” movement, specifically the antiLGBTQ+ group, Colorado Parent Advocacy Network.

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Tunes on the Terrace at the Lone Tree Arts Center

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ridgegate.com

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

Friday, August 4th, 8pm – FACE Vocal Band

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, August 19th, 10-11am – Guided Public Tour

Saturday, August 19th, 6-7:30pm – Campfire Storytelling Series (Ranger Trey)

Wednesday, August 30th, 7-8:30pm – Natural Heritage Walking Tours with SSPRD (Blue Moon & Bats)

Additionally, while Bradley declares “I do not hate anyone,” she also advocates for Moms for Liberty to start a chapter in Douglas County, an organization classified as an extremist group in the Southern Poverty Law Center’s 2022 Year in Hate & Extremism report.

When Bradley states that she is for “all,” there should be an asterisk, explaining that all does not mean all.

What can we expect to see from Bradley this next legislative session? Will she continue down this dangerous pathway of antiLGBTQ+ rhetoric with predictable attempts at banning access to healthcare and bathrooms? With Colorado GOP Chair Dave Williams as her legislative aide, that is a realistic possibility.

Residents of HD39 deserve better. Bradley’s term is up in 2024, and voters should keep this full picture in mind.

Megan Burch Roxborough

FROM PAGE 15 LETTERS SEE LETTERS, P26

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LETTERS

Bradley’s brew of confusion

We read state Rep. Brandi Bradley’s column (July 14, 2023), “Being Pro-America is not about hating anyone,” and came away with a particularly strong sense of intentional misdirection and disingenuity.

e core misdirection is the portrayal by Bradley that the concepts of Hate, Religion and Freedom are somehow innately bound together, and not the result of conscious personal choices on her part.

Reinforcing this false construct is not new or even original. It’s disingenuous. If it was new or original, we wouldn’t see the same string of fake moral panics espoused across the country … anti-LGBTQ, anticritical-race-theory, anti-public education. And there is little doubt this well-covered list will see new triggers as time goes on, because the goal is to keep us divided and o -center with disingenuity.

Let’s Not Confuse Hate, Religion and Freedom ... let’s not confuse truths with triggers.

HATE evolves out of every individual’s moral decision-making, reinforced by the choice of group associations. When an elected ofcial makes a decision, it’s reasonable to push back in the name of democracy, especially when ocenter ideology enters the frame. e personal choice to publicly huddle with ideological trigger organizations like Colorado Parents Advocacy Network and far-right think-tanks shows true personal motivation.

RELIGION is a personal choice until a local politician makes the decision to pull it in as a narrow set of convenient governance principles, to serve as a crutch for deeper motivations of exclusion and worse. en, religion becomes a political trigger. History is full of bad outcomes when religion falsely serves as the basis for public decisions, leading to exclusion and even hate. ere are many in our community who hold their religion in the highest order, but most are not engaged

in religion as political cover. By the way, the Colorado Constitution disallows the mix of religion and public governance.

FREEDOM is the foundational concept to our American democracy. “All men are created equal” — we still have much to do to deliver the promise. Once thing is clear. rough our history, when public o cials confuse their own self-righteousness with “God-given” power to de ne freedom — that’s a trigger. Friends, we would do well to understand the triggers, the purposeful rede nitions, for what they are — ideological misdirection and disingenuity coming from politicians and their associations.

Lloyd Guthrie Roxborough Park

Bradley seeks to divide

State Rep. Brandi Bradley wrote a column titled “Being pro America is not about hating anyone.” If this is true, I question why the representative chose to call the LGBTQIA community “groomers” in her Fourth of July post. Ms. Bradley could have simply posted about America’s birthday without including derogatory statements towards marginalized groups. If anything, this statement was the complete opposite of being pro America, a country founded on freedom and a melting pot of people from all di erent backgrounds. A record number of bills aimed to limit the rights and freedoms of LGBTQIA people were introduced this year including a couple of Rep. Bradley’s own bills. If Ms. Bradley feels that Pride month has become amplied and is an attempt to elevate the LGBTQIA community, maybe it is because this community is so under attack. Are Bradley’s bills and social media posts the words and actions of someone who touts being pro America and loving Christian? Having a representative use their platform to amplify the narrative against the LGBTQIA community is not healthy for our community and only seeks to divide further. Douglas County and HD 39 deserve better.

Margaret Furlow Highlands Ranch

The decline of Castle Rock e rate of growth approved by some on Castle Rock Town Council is stunning, especially when you consider that most of the new buildings are nothing more than overpriced apartments that aren’t a ordable by most people who work within the city. ese massive apartment complexes, which are being approved by the Planning Commision and Town Council, are a windfall for developers, but do absolutely nothing for the equity position of the renters. Were these approved to increase the pro tability, and cash ow, of the developers, because there is absolutely no way these will help the renters gain a foothold within this community.

As an example, the new 300 apartments by Sam’s have an approximate price of $1,800 for a one-bedroom, $2,400 for a two-bedroom and almost $3,000 for a three-bedroom. How does this foster community inclusion when the average teacher make $4,500 per month before taxes, and the average retail worker makes $17 per hour?

e master plan calls for 140,000 people at full build-out with 80,000 by 2030, however the town is pushing that number right now, e infrastructure lags behind signicantly, with I-25 backups constantly including exits, terrible accidents on the frontage roads, and very limited parking in downtown, which is detrimental for longstanding traditions such as the Starlighting, the Oktoberfest, Music at Festival Park, and the summer Farmers Market. Were the residents of Castle Rock, and the downtown businesses, really considered by the elected ofcials, especially considering there is no transit system in Castle Rock.

Dave Martin Castle Rock

Speak out about drag

Last summer Castle Rock Pride held a highly sexualized “PrideFest” at our taxpayer-funded Douglas County Fairgrounds. Videos of the event shocked the good people of Douglas County. A bearded man in shnet tights and sexy spangles danced and waggled his exposed butt cheeks in front of small chil-

dren a few feet away. Another bearded fake woman on a swing aggressively exposed his fake plastic breasts plus nipples. e Pride group later issued an “apology” claiming a “wardrobe malfunction.” And the three Dougco commissioners bought it, even though the performer laughed onstage about showing his “girls” and the leopard-clad MC mockingly added, “this is supposed to be a family friendly event” as an on-stage poster claimed. Another performer went into the audience including children, serenading: “Sex is in the air, I don’t care, I love the smell of it/ sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me.”

Unsurprisingly, celebrating sadomasochism before children is frowned upon by most Douglas County citizens. Yet the commissioners at their May 9 meeting failed to protect children from the next sexually explicit drag show. ey ignored speakers, including me, who asked the August event be adults-only.

omas and Laydon said they believe seeing sexualized drag shows will improve the mental health of kids who think they may be LGBTQ and could attempt suicide. Whoa. Could it be these kids are sexually confused or suicidal partly because the LGBTQ lobby targets children at drag shows with bearded men dressed as women — during children’s most vulnerable time while they’re su ering the typical emotional/mental turbulence of pre-adolescence? Could they be depressed because as they’re guring out their identity, the LGBTQ promoters/performers act out their own adult sexual confusion? Children don’t know the di erence between fake but very realistic breasts and the real thing. Even small children know that mommies have breasts and daddies have beards. What does the child think seeing “women” with beards: is this a combination of mommy and daddy, or an entirely new being with physical characteristics of both? How does sexual confusion help a child?

SEE LETTERS, P27

LETTERS

Along with their fake apology, PrideFest gave commissioners a list of “Guidelines.” ey say a Pride member, “will be present and watching live performances ... monitoring for any mishaps … inappropriate displays and will have authority to stop any situation that may arise.” Of course, by then the “situation” will already have occurred. If you want to speak about the drag event, commissioners are holding a town hall on 7/26 at 6:00, 100 ird St., Castle Rock.

Joy Overbeck Parker

The rest of the story

In response to Tammi Flemming’s letter to the editor (re: the

6/29 “Changes to school district parent policy approved in 4-2 vote” story), I would like to respond as an individual and just one District Accountability Committee (DAC) member who has served on the committee for the past two years, as well as a parent who has been an active participant in our schools and district since 2009.

e DAC is an autonomous and diverse body composed of parent and community representation from all feeders, in addition to primary and secondary school district sta . e DAC is respectfully independent from our board of education (BOE) liaisons, Director Myers and Director Meek.

The fact is that the DAC did not have ample time to provide feedback on the KB Parent and Community Engagement Policy. We were notified of the BOE’s lastminute request with a few weeks’

notice, and we only had room for one 25-minute agenda item during our 6/15 virtual meeting, due to other pre-set agenda items. A 25-minute discussion is not sufficient for a committee of our size to review and come to a consensus on such an important policy document’s proposed changes. Therefore, the DAC unanimously agreed to request additional time from the BOE, and both Director Myers and Director Ray (Director Meek was unable to attend) supported our request during the DAC’s 6/15 meeting.

Interestingly, the BOE’s KB policy version changed the day after the DAC met and we weren’t all aware of this, nor was it communicated clearly. During the 6/20 school board meeting, there was not a coordinated attack on any board member. In fact, the DAC felt con dent that more time would be

granted to us. I was watching the 6/20 school board meeting online and felt blindsided that the DAC was not allowed additional time to review the KB policy before it was voted upon and passed by the BOE majority, as well as frustrated that the DAC was not represented accurately during the board meeting.

Per Colorado Statute 22-32-142, “... the board of education shall work with the parent members of the district accountability committee in creating, adopting, and implementing the [parent engagement] policy.” Unfortunately, that did not occur. However, the DAC will continue to work on this item, as well as the others that it is tasked with. e community is always welcome to attend DAC’s monthly meetings.

Kelly Pointer Highlands Ranch

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website states they are seeing rates of anxiety and depression among youth during the pandemic have doubled and 44% of American teens report feeling persistently sad or hopeless.

In 2021, e Aspen E ect moved to Sky View Farms in Castle Rock and is run by Wendy Ingraham, who started Robin’s Nest Foundation.

ere, youth are accompanied by goats, pigs, horses, chickens and more.

Along with a board of directors made up of eight members - one of which is a quali ed therapist - the nonpro t has six fully developed programs in addition to the Ranch Hand Leadership Academy.

Other programs include Healing Horse Connections, Riding with Resilience Lessons and Animal Lovers Volunteer Club, a one on one mentoring program.

One of the most popular programs is the Mini Horse Leadership School where kids learn the power of empathy, leadership skills, how to manage expectations, develop a con dent mindset and lead from the side.

From shy to assertive, the mini horses have di erent personalities which the kids learn how to work with.

“ ey’ve got to kind of meet them where they’re at and we use that in the skill of developing empathy and leading with empathy,” said Leuven.

e organization also has a teen advisory board with members who have been at the Douglas County Youth Congress and to the General Attorney’s o ce to speak about the Safe To Tell program.

During the school year, a group of high school students come together and provide feedback on the pro-

grams at the organization and get involved with helping the younger kids.

In light of the new parent policy change made by the Douglas County School Board, Leuven said the organization will continue to be an inclusive place for youth.

Last month, the Douglas County School District made changes to the parent policy that could a ect students wishing to use speci c pronouns like her/she, him/he or they/them. Counselors are now required to notify parents when students ask to be identi ed by a di erent gender.

e organization has been intentional about involving di erent races, sects and backgrounds.

Among the four core values of e Aspen E ect, is to accept others, oppose demeaning behaviors and promote respectful behavior.

“We seek common humanity that draws us together, ‘we’ is our most important pronoun and we believe in human resilience,” said Leuven.

To join a program, a parent or guardian can submit an application based on the program the child wants to be in. From there, Leuven, or the program director, will speak with the parent or guardian.

With more than 30 adult mentors, each kid is paired with a mentor that best ts their needs. e mentors go through a background check and a certi cation process.

e Aspen E ect helps mentor youth in Douglas County but is open to helping others. According to Leuven, they have mentored kids from Lone Tree teen court and the juvenile assessment center in Aurora.

“Leadership for us is knowing how to navigate my life, knowing how to advocate for myself, knowing how to connect with other people in real ways,” said Leuven.  Learn more about the Aspen E ect by visiting the website at https://theaspene ect.org.

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Speech Language Aide and/or Occupational Therapy Aides

East Central BOCES is seeking a Speech Language Aide and/or Occupational Therapy Aides for the 2023-24 School Year!

Duties include picking up students from class, monitoring students during virtual instruction, and returning them to class. Training will be provided. The salary range is $15 - $18 per hour, depending on experience. 32 hours per week. Mileage reimbursed for travel between schools. Location of schools TBA. Questions, please contact Tracy at 719-775-2342 ext. 101 or tracyg@ecboces.org. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0098

To Whom It May Concern: On 5/26/2023 12:08:00

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: WILLIAM ARVIDSSON AND ANN MARIE ARVIDSSON

Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC.DBA NEW AMERICAN FUNDING, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt:

MIDFIRST BANK

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 10/22/2019

Recording Date of DOT: 11/19/2019

Reception No. of DOT: 2019078925

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$259,239.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $250,473.32

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 440, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 111-B, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 9626 Whitecliff Place, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 13, 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: 7/20/2023

Last Publication: 8/17/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 5/26/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

ALISON L. BERRY

Colorado Registration #: 34531

9540 MAROON CIRCLE SUITE 320, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112

Phone #: (303) 706-9990

Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 23-030075

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0098

First Publication: 7/20/2023

Last Publication: 8/17/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Littleton NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0088

To Whom It May Concern: On 5/12/2023 9:49:00

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: Brian Leben

Original Beneficiary: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as Beneficiary, as nominee for United Wholesale Mortgage,

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 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 378, STERLING RANCH FILING NO. 1, County of Douglas, State of Colorado. Which has the address of: 8200 Superior Cir, 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, September 6, 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: 7/13/2023

Publication: 8/10/2023 Publisher: Douglas County News Press

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

AMANDA FERGUSON Colorado Registration #: 44893 355 UNION BLVD SUITE 250, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228 Phone #: (303) 274-0155

Fax #: Attorney File #: CO21704

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0088

First Publication: 7/13/2023

Last Publication: 8/10/2023 Publisher: Douglas County News Press PUBLIC NOTICE Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0089

To Whom It May Concern: On 5/12/2023 2:31:00 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

Original Beneficiary: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as Beneficiary, as nominee for Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc., its successors and assigns Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Bell Bank Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 12/2/2020 Recording Date of DOT: 12/7/2020 Reception No. of DOT: 2020119935 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $417,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $377,290.19

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101

STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 10004 Heywood St, 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, September 6, 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: 7/13/2023

Last Publication: 8/10/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 5/15/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

AMANDA FERGUSON

Colorado Registration #: 44893

355 UNION BLVD SUITE 250, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228

Phone #: (303) 274-0155

Fax #:

Attorney File #: CO21661

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0089

First Publication: 7/13/2023

Last Publication: 8/10/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press City and County

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the following ordinance was adopted as amended on the second and final reading at a regular public hearing of the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Douglas on July 11, 2023:

ORDINANCE NO. O-023-003

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, COLORADO

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING SHORT-TERM RENTALS

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Douglas (“Board”), Colorado has authority pursuant to Section 30-15-401(1)(s) Colorado Revised Statutes (“C.R.S.”) to enact ordinances which license and regulate an owner or owner's agent who rents or advertises the owner's lodging unit for a short-term rental; to fix the fees, terms, and manner for issuing and revoking licenses issued for such units; and to regulate a vacation rental service; and

WHEREAS, the Board respects the rights of private property owners to use and enjoy their property, and desires to ensure that lodging units rented for short-term rental are operated in a manner that protects the health, safety, and quality of life of the residents and visitors of Douglas County; and

WHEREAS, the Board hereby finds, determines, and declares that adoption of this Ordinance is necessary for the preservation and protection of the public health, safety, and welfare of the inhabitants and visitors of Douglas County, Colorado.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF DOUGLAS as follows:

Section I. Scope of Ordinance and Authority

This Ordinance is authorized pursuant to Section 30-15-401(1)(s) C.R.S., and shall apply to ShortTerm Rental Lodging Units, as defined herein, in all zone districts in unincorporated Douglas County. A Dwelling within a Planned Development (PD) shall not be licensed as a Short-Term Rental Property unless such PD specifically allows such use. This Ordinance shall not apply to:

A.Lodging services in hotels, motels, or campgrounds. B.Hotel Units.

C.Bed and breakfast establishments.

D. Properties with long-term leases of more than thirty (30) consecutive days.

E. Lodging Units that are not leased more than 14 days in a calendar year and not advertised as a short-term rental on a regular basis.

F. Dwellings owned by a Country Club for use by its members or their guests to utilize the Country Club’s facilities and adjacent amenities. This shall

not be construed in a way that permits the advertising and leasing of said Dwellings to the public.

Section II. Definitions

As used in this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires:

“Advertise” means any act, method, or means of drawing attention to a Short-Term Rental Property for purposes of promoting the same for Lease or occupancy. “Country Club” means a privately owned club, often with a membership and admittance by invitation or sponsorship, that generally offers both a variety of recreational sports and facilities for dining and entertaining.

“Dwelling” means a building or portion thereof permitted for, and used exclusively for, residential occupancy, including single-family, two-family, and multi-family dwellings, but not including garages, barns, recreational vehicles, tents, or similar structures.

“Department” means the Department of Community Development.

“Director” means the Director of Community Development, or the Director's designee.

“Hotel Unit” means a portion of a structure that is used by a business establishment to provide commercial lodging to the general public for predominantly overnight or weekly stays, classified as a hotel or motel for purposes of property taxation, and not a unit in a condominium as defined in section 38-33.3-103 (30) C.R.S.

“Lease” means an agreement or act by which an owner gives to a tenant, for valuable consideration, possession and use of property or a portion thereof for a definite term, at the end of which term the owner has a right to retake control and use of the property.

“Lessee” means the party to a lease that has obtained the temporary right to use and occupy property or a portion thereof.

“Licensee” means the Owner(s) of record of a Short-Term Rental Property regulated under this Ordinance. “Licensee” and “Owner” or “Owner(s)” may be used interchangeably in this Ordinance.

“Owner” means the owner or owners of record of a Lodging Unit in unincorporated Douglas County.

“Local Responsible Agent” means an individual or the representative of a property management company, who is not a lessee of the Short-Term Rental Property and who is designated by an Owner, applicant, or Licensee to serve as the local agent who shall have access and authority to assume management of the Lodging Unit and take remedial measures.

"Lodging Unit" means any Dwelling, but not a portion thereof, that is available for Short-Term Rental; except that the term excludes a Hotel Unit.

“Short-Term Rental” means the rental of a Lodging Unit for a term of less than thirty (30) consecutive days.

“Short-Term Rental Property” means a Lodging Unit available for lease for a term of less than thirty (30) consecutive days.

"Vacation Rental Service" means a person that operates a website or any other digital platform that provides a means through which an Owner or Local Responsible Agent may offer a Lodging Unit, or portion thereof, for Short-Term Rentals, and from which the person financially benefits.

Section III. Short-Term Rental License Required, Transferability

A. It shall be unlawful for an Owner to use a Lodging Unit for Short-Term Rentals or to lease or advertise for lease, or to permit the leasing or advertising for lease any Short-Term Rental Property within the County without a valid license for the same issued pursuant to this Ordinance.

B. Short-Term Rental license applications that comply with the license application provisions herein for existing Short-Term Rental Properties shall be submitted to the County no later than ninety (90) days from the effective date of this Ordinance.

C. No license issued under this Ordinance shall be transferable and no license is valid as to any person or entity other than the person or entity named thereon.

D. Lessees of the Short-Term Rental Property may not be issued a Short-Term Rental license.

Section IV. License Application, Term and Renewal, Local Responsible Agent, and Noticing Requirements

A. License Application.

1.Applications for a Short-Term Rental Property license shall be submitted to the Department on a form provided by the Department.

2. The application shall not be deemed complete until all required information identified in this subsection is submitted.

3. Incomplete applications shall not be accepted and may be returned to the applicant.

4.An application may be submitted by the Owner or by a non-Owner applicant with notarized written consent of the Owner.

5.It is the duty of each Short-Term Rental Property Owner to ensure that all information provided in a license application is always up to date and it shall be unlawful for an Owner to fail to provide updated information to the County within ten (10) days after the date upon which the current information provided is no longer accurate.

6. The following shall be submitted to the Department, unless waived by the Director: a.A completed license application on the form

provided by the Department.

b. A written, notarized declaration that the Local Responsible Agent is entitled to act, in the Owner's absence, as the representative of the Owner on issues related to the Lodging Unit, the Short-Term Rental, and the Short-Term Rental Property and agrees that the Owner and Local Responsible Agent shall comply with the requirements and limitations of this Ordinance.

c.The license application review fee.

d. A copy of the Renter Information Interior Signage that complies with the requirements of Section V.M. that will be posted on or within the subject Lodging Unit.

e. A copy of the Renter Written Instructions that comply with the requirements of Section V.N. that will be placed in the subject Lodging Unit. f.A parking plan that complies with the requirements of Section V.H.

g. An affidavit signed by the Owner, under penalty of perjury, certifying that the Short-Term Rental Property complies with the life safety standards set forth in Section V.E., and that the Renter Information Interior Signage and Renter Written Instructions required by Sections V.M. and V.N. will be posted and placed at a conspicuous location on or in the Short-Term Rental Property and will remain there in good condition for the duration of the license term.

h.For the first licensing year, a copy of the Use Permit issued by the Douglas County Health Department for the On-Site Wastewater Treatment System specifying a change in use to a Short-Term Rental, as applicable.

i.For the first licensing year, copies of inspection reports and determinations from the Douglas County Building Division and the Douglas County Health Department that such use of the Lodging Unit is acceptable. In subsequent licensing years, the Department may request the Owner to provide confirmation from either or both entities that the Lodging Unit remains acceptable for use as a Short-Term Rental Property.

7. Such other information as the application form, as it may be amended from time to time, shall require.

8. Such other information determined necessary or desirable by the Director to evaluate compliance of the application and the proposed Short-Term Rental Property with the requirements of this Ordinance, any other Ordinance, or regulation.

B.License Term and Renewal

1. A Short-Term Rental Property license shall expire one (1) calendar year after its issuance, or when title of the Short-Term Rental Property transfers to a new Owner, whichever occurs first. Each change in ownership of a Short-Term Rental Property shall require a new license application.

2. The Department shall review a complete application for a new license or renewal of a Short-Term Rental Property license within sixty (60) days of its receipt.

3. An application for renewal of a license shall have the same submittal requirements as detailed in Section IV.A. and shall be considered in the same manner as the original application. All required documents shall be submitted anew for a license renewal.

C.Local Responsible Agent Required

1. As a condition of receiving a Short-Term Rental Property license, the Owner shall appoint a Local Responsible Agent or Agents for the Short-Term Rental Property.

a.The Owner shall notify the Director in writing of the appointment of a Local Responsible Agent within five (5) days of such appointment or modification of any such appointment providing the Local Responsible Agent's name, address, email address, and text-enabled telephone number.

b. It is the Owner's responsibility to update any information pertaining to the Local Responsible Agent throughout the term of the license.

c. The Owner may appoint themselves as the Local Responsible Agent.

d. If a Vacation Rental Service provides additional services for the Owner that are related to the Owner's Lodging Unit but unrelated to providing a means of offering the Lodging Unit for Short-Term Rentals through a website or other digital platform, then the Director may regulate the Vacation Rental Service as an Owner's Local Responsible Agent with respect to those additional services.

e. No license shall be issued under this Ordinance prior to the appointment and written notice to the Director of a Local Responsible Agent.

2.If the Local Responsible Agent cannot be contacted or is unavailable, the Owner is deemed the Local Responsible Agent unless an alternate Local Responsible Agent is identified on the application.

3. Either the Local Responsible Agent or the Owner shall be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week by a text-enabled telephone to respond to questions or concerns. Failure of the Local Responsible Agent or Owner to be available as the need arises shall be cause for suspension of the Short-Term Rental license.

4. During the term of a Short-Term Rental Lease, either the Local Responsible Agent or the Owner shall be able to be physically onsite of the Short-Term Rental Property within two (2) hours at the request of the County. Failure of the Local Responsible Agent or Owner to be available as the need arises shall be cause for suspension of the Short-Term Rental license.

D.Notice Requirements

1. For the first licensing year, the Department shall send a courtesy notice of an application in process and applicable contact information to all abutting landowners and owners of land separated by 300 feet or less from the property by a platted tract. Staff shall send a courtesy notice of an application in process to the entity or entities responsible for ownership and maintenance of a shared private access.

2. For the first licensing year, the Department will send referral response requests to other agencies, for review and comment on the application. Such agencies may include, but are not limited

to, the following: the affected fire district, the affected water and/or sanitation district, the affected metropolitan district, the health department, and homeowners associations. The applicant will be asked to address all referral comments received prior to the Director’s decision on the license application.

3. In subsequent licensing years, the Department may seek input from referral agencies, as it deems necessary.

Section V. Requirements and Limitations

In addition to the other requirements of this Ordinance, a Short-Term Rental Property licensed pursuant to this Ordinance shall, as a condition of such license, be subject to the following requirements and limitations:

A. Where a lot contains a detached single-family residence and an additional residence(s) of any kind, such as a guest house or a caretaker residence, the Owner is allowed to use only one residence as a Short-Term Rental Property.

B. No outdoor sign of any kind advertising or identifying the Short-Term Rental Property as a Short-Term Rental is allowed onsite.

C. The Owner or Local Responsible Agent is responsible for ensuring the Short-Term Rental Property meets all applicable local, state, and federal standards and regulations, including but not limited to the requirements and limitations of this Ordinance.

D. No Short-Term Rental Property license shall be issued for a Lodging Unit that has not been issued a Certificate of Occupancy.

E. Life Safety Standards. Each Short-Term Rental Property licensed under this Ordinance shall:

1. Conform to the requirements of the County's on-site wastewater treatment system regulations, if applicable. No Short-Term Rental license shall be issued for any Lodging Unit for which an on-site wastewater treatment system was not permitted and approved by the County for use consistent with the proposed use. If the on-site wastewater treatment system shows signs of failure or malfunction, then the Owner shall consult with the Douglas County Health Department within two (2) business days.

2. Not use any building, structure, or room for purposes other than those for which they were designed or intended.

3. Have roofs, floors, walls, foundations, ceilings, stairs, handrails, guardrails, doors, porches, and all other structural components and all appurtenances that are capable of resisting any and all forces and loads to which they may be normally subjected and are in sound condition and in good repair.

4. Have operable smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, as required by the current County Residential Building Code.

5. Have at least one (1) portable fire extinguisher rated 2-A:10-B:C or two (2) portable fire extinguishers rated 1-A:10-B:C or higher. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed and maintained in conspicuous, accessible locations. Recommended location is near an exit and within 30 feet of the kitchen. Extinguishers shall be on hangers or brackets supplied by the manufacturer or placed on shelves. Top of the extinguisher shall not be more than 5 feet above the floor and not less than 4 inches above the floor. Portable fire extinguishers shall be maintained in a fully charged and operable condition. Extinguishers shall be inspected, serviced, or replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

6. If the residence has a fire sprinkler system, it shall be operable and in working condition.

7. Have an operable toilet, sink, and either a bathtub or shower located within the same building as the Short-Term Rental, and every room containing a toilet, bathtub, or shower shall be completely enclosed by walls, doors, or windows that will afford sufficient privacy.

8. Have electrical panels with each circuit clearly labeled.

9. Pools, spas, and hot tubs at a Short-Term Rental Property shall meet the current County Residential Building Code.

10. Not have on the premises any portable outdoor charcoal grills, fireplaces, fire rings, or any other ember-producing equipment.

11. Provide in the Short-Term Rental Lease with any Lessee that the following are prohibited: campfires and the use of portable outdoor charcoal grills, outdoor fireplaces, or any other emberproducing equipment; shooting of weapons for recreation; use of fireworks; and the use of ATVs and other nonlicensed vehicles on the rental property or on County roads.

F. Trash Handling. There shall be a sufficient number of trash receptacles to accommodate all trash generated by occupants of the Short-Term Rental Property. Instructions identifying outdoor trash containers, proper storage, trash pickup locations and times, shall be posted within the interior of the Short-Term Rental Property.

G. Occupancy. Occupancy of a Short-Term Rental Property served by an on-site wastewater treatment system shall not exceed the design capacity of said system. Occupancy of a Short-Term Rental Property served by a central sanitation system shall not exceed two (2) guests per bedroom. The permitted occupancy shall be stated on the Short-Term Rental license. It shall be unlawful for the Owner, the Local Responsible Agent, or the Lessee of a Short-Term Rental Property to exceed the overnight occupancy of a Short-Term Rental Property by more than the maximum number of people permitted by the license.

H. Parking:

1. The 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 Short-Term Rental Property. No motor vehicles or trailers shall be parked on the vegetated areas of a Short-Term Rental Property.

While occupying a Short-Term Rental Property, no person shall park in violation of this Ordinance or in violation of the parking plan the Owner must submit in accordance with Section V.H.2.

2. The Owner of a Short-Term Rental Property shall provide a parking plan for the property that clearly delineates the area(s) for the parking of vehicles and trailers.

I. Camping and temporary structures. While occupying a Short-Term Rental Property as the Lessee, no person shall construct or use any temporary structure or recreational vehicle or trailer, for overnight purposes.

J.Fires, Grills, and Fireworks. While occupying a Short-Term Rental Property as the Lessee, no person shall make a campfire or use a portable outdoor charcoal grill, fireplace, any other emberproducing equipment, or fireworks.

K.ATVs. While occupying a Short-Term Rental Property as the Lessee, no person shall use an ATV or other non-licensed vehicle on the property or any County road.

L. Shooting. While occupying a Short-Term Rental Property as the Lessee, no person shall shoot a firearm for recreational purposes.

M. Renter Information Interior Signage. An Owner shall post and maintain a copy of the approved license in a conspicuous location within the interior of the Short-Term Rental Property that contains the following information:

1.The Short-Term Rental license number.

2. The maximum number of people permitted for overnight occupancy.

3. Physical address number and street of the Short-Term Rental Property.

4.Contact information for law enforcement, fire, and ambulance service in case of an emergency.

5. Contact information for the Owner and Local Responsible Agent, including a phone number for 24-hour response to emergencies.

N.Renter Written Instructions.

1.Written Instructions shall be maintained within each Short-Term Rental Property that include and address the following:

a.A copy of this Ordinance.

b. Description of location of fire extinguishers and emergency egress.

c. The location, by description or depiction, for vehicle and trailer parking and maximum number of parked vehicles and trailers permitted for the property.

d. Alternative parking locations (if any) for extra vehicles, trailers, and campers.

e.The location of trash and recycling receptacles and the rules and regulations regarding handling of the same.

f.Snow removal instructions or information.

g.Policies regarding noise.

h.Policies regarding pets.

i.Applicable homeowners' association policies, if any, specific to the property or community.

j. Good neighbor and lessee guidelines regarding property boundaries, noise, parking, ATV use (not allowed), trash handling, wildlife guidelines, and fire restrictions.

k. Any other information deemed necessary by the County to ensure the public's health and safety.

2. Renter’s Written Instructions shall be maintained in a plastic folder or on laminated paper and or in a binder and placed in a conspicuous location within the Lodging Unit.

3. It is the Owner or the Local Responsible Agent’s responsibility to ensure that the Renter Written Instructions described herein are maintained in a readable form at the Short-Term Rental Property.

O. Advertising. All advertising for a Short-Term Rental Property shall include a description of the Short-Term Rental Property, including the permitted occupancy, and the County Short-Term Rental Property license number.

P. Taxes. The Owner or the Local Responsible Agent shall collect and remit all applicable local, state, and federal taxes on each Short-Term Rental Property.

Q. Notice to Owner. Any notice required by this Ordinance to be given to an Owner is sufficient if provided in-person or sent by first-class mail to the address provided by the Owner on the most recent license or renewal application. Notice given to the Local Responsible Agent, in-person or sent by first-class mail to the address provided by the Owner, shall also be sufficient to satisfy any required notice to the Owner under this Ordinance.

R. Owner Liable. Compliance with and ensuring compliance with the requirements set forth in this Ordinance shall be a nondelegable responsibility of the Owner of a Short-Term Rental Property. Each Owner of a Short-Term Rental Property shall be strictly liable for complying with, and ensuring compliance with, the conditions and limitations set forth in this Ordinance.

S.I nspection. Because Short-Term Rental Properties are, by their nature, intended to be occupied by numerous guests for short periods of occupancy, it is determined that the County's ability to inspect Short-Term Rental Properties is in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare. Therefore, whenever it is necessary or desirable to inspect to enforce the requirements of this Ordinance, the Director or Director’s designee, Douglas County Sheriff, or both may enter such Short-Term Rental Properties at all reasonable times as scheduled with the Owner or Local Responsible Agent to inspect the same for the purpose of enforcing such Ordinance. If such Short-Term Rental Property is occupied, the Director or the Director’s designee, the Douglas County Sheriff, or both shall first present proper credentials and request entry, and if such ShortTerm Rental Property is unoccupied, shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the Owner, the Local Responsible Agent, or Lessee and request entry. If such entry is refused, or if the Short-Term Rental Property is locked, the Director or the Director’s designee, the Douglas County Sheriff, or both shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry. When the Director or the Director’s designee, the Douglas County Sheriff, or both has obtained authority provided by law to secure entry, no Owner, Local Responsible Agent, or Lessee having charge, care, or control of any Short-Term Rental Property shall fail or refuse, after proper request is made as herein provided,

to promptly permit entry therein by the Director or the Director’s designee, the Douglas County Sheriff, or both for the purpose of inspection of the Short-Term Rental Property.

T. Reservations. Any term of a Short-Term Rental Lease shall not overlap with the term of any other Lease.

Section VI. Denial of License

A.A Short-Term Rental license application shall be denied by the Director based on any of the following:

1. All applicable provisions of this Ordinance or any applicable County regulation or State law have not been met.

2. The proposed property to be used for ShortTerm Rental is located in a community or subdivision that expressly prohibits Short-Term Rentals in its covenants, controls, rules, restrictions, declarations, or by-laws.

3. The required license application review fee and/or annual license fee has not been paid.

4. The application is incomplete or contains false, misleading, or fraudulent statements.

5. Any reason that would justify suspension or revocation of a license as set forth herein.

B. In the event of a denial, the Director shall mail or deliver to the applicant a written order of denial stating the reason or reasons for the denial within ten (10) days of the denial.

Section VII. Suspension or Revocation of License

A.Suspension. The Director may suspend a Short-Term Rental license based on any of the following:

1. This Ordinance has been violated on more than one occasion since the Short-Term Rental license was issued.

2. The Owner or Local Responsible Agent operated the Short-Term Rental Property in violation of a building, fire, health, or safety code adopted by the County, said determination being based on investigation by the department, division, or agency charged with enforcing said code.

a. In the event of such a code violation, the Director shall promptly notify the Owner and/or the Local Responsible Agent of the violation and shall allow the Owner or Local Responsible Agent a ten (10) day period in which to correct the violation.

b.If the code violation is not corrected before the expiration of the ten (10) day period, the Director shall forthwith suspend the license and shall notify the Owner and/or Local Responsible Agent of the suspension.

3. The Owner failed to pay any taxes due to the County.

4. The Owner failed to timely pay the license application review fee and/or annual license fee.

5. The Owner failed to apply for renewal of the Short-Term Rental license including completing a new application and paying the license application review fee and/or annual license fee.

The Director may suspend a Short-Term Rental license for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days or until such time as the code violation and/ or Ordinance violation causing suspension has been corrected, whichever is later. In the event that an enforcement or a revocation proceeding is commenced, the Short-Term Rental license shall remain suspended until the conclusion of said proceedings.

B. Revocation. The Director shall revoke a ShortTerm Rental Property license upon determining that:

1.The Short-Term Rental Property license has been suspended more than once within the preceding twelve (12) months since the Short-Term Rental license was issued.

2.A Licensee gave false or misleading information in the materials submitted as part of the application process.

3.A Licensee knowingly operated the business during a period of time when the Licensee's ShortTerm Rental Property license was suspended.

4. Any fact or condition exists that, if it had existed or had been known to exist at the time of the application for the license, would have warranted the denial of the license. When the Director revokes a Short-Term Rental license, the revocation shall continue for one (1) year during which time the Short-Term Rental Property shall be ineligible for use as a Short-Term Rental and the Owner shall not be issued any new Short-Term Rental license for other Lodging Units for one (1) year from the date revocation became effective.

Section VIII. Listing Removal

A.Listing Removal. The Director shall notify the Vacation Rental Service that it must remove a Short-Term Rental listing from any digital platforms within seven (7) days of receiving such notice, if there is a prohibition on the Short-Term Rental of the Lodging Unit or if the Owner of the Lodging Unit:

1. Has a suspended or revoked Short-Term Rental license.

2. Has been issued a notice of violation or similar legal process for not possessing a valid ShortTerm Rental License.

B.The notification must identify the listing's uniform resource locator (URL) or other specified digital location to be removed and state the reason for the removal.

Section IX. Appeal; Hearing on Denial, Suspension, or Revocation

A. Appeal. An Owner or applicant may appeal a license application denial, license renewal application denial, license suspension, or revocation of the Short-Term Rental license to the Board of County Commissioners and shall be entitled to a hearing before the Board of County Commissioners. Said request for appeal shall be made in writing, stating the grounds for appeal, within twenty-eight (28) days of the Director’s decision to deny, suspend or revoke. In the event that a Licensee appeals a suspension or revocation, the

subject Short-Term Rental Property must cease to operate as a Short-Term Rental until such time a final order overturns the Director’s decision to deny, suspend, or revoke.

B.Hearing. At the hearing, the Board of County Commissioners shall hear such statements and consider such evidence as is offered that is relevant to the grounds alleged for denial of the license or the violation alleged for suspension or revocation. The Board of County Commissioners shall make findings of fact from the statements and evidence offered as to whether such grounds exist, or such violation occurred. If the Board of County Commissioners determine that grounds for denial or a cause for suspension or revocation exists, the Board of County Commissioners shall issue an order denying, suspending, or revoking the license within twenty-eight (28) days after the hearing is concluded, based on the findings of fact. A copy of the order shall be mailed to or served on the Owner or applicant at the address on the license application.

C. Final Order. The order of the Board of County Commissioners made pursuant to subsection B above shall be a final decision and may be appealed to the district court pursuant to Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 106. Failure of an Owner or applicant to appeal said Order in a timely manner, pursuant to said Rule 106, constitutes a waiver of any right he or she may otherwise have to contest the denial, suspension, or revocation of the ShortTerm Rental Property application or license.

D.Hearing Powers. The Board of County Commissioners shall have the power to administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and when necessary, grant continuances. Subpoenas may be issued to require the presence of persons and production of papers, books, and records necessary for the determination of issues of fact of any hearing that the Board of County Commissioners conducts. It is unlawful for any person to fail to comply with any subpoena issued by the Board of County Commissioners. A subpoena shall be served in the same manner as a subpoena issued by Douglas County’s District Court in the State of Colorado.

E.Recording. All hearings held before the Board of County Commissioners regarding denial, suspension, or revocation of a Short-Term Rental application or license issued under this Ordinance shall be recorded by an electronic recording device. A copy of the record may be found on the County website at www.douglas.co.us or by request from the Department.

Section X. Fees

A.The Short-Term Rental Property license application review fee and Short-Term Rental license fee shall be set by Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners. No Short-Term Rental license shall be issued until the applicable fee(s) has been received by the Department.

B. If an application is approved, the Short-Term Rental license fee is required to be paid prior to issuance of the Short-Term Rental license.

C.Fees are non-refundable. Upon denial of any license, the license application review fee shall remain the moneys of the County. In the event that a Short-Term Rental license is revoked, suspended, or relinquished prior to the end of the license term, all moneys paid for a Short-Term Rental license shall be and remain the moneys of the County and no refund shall be made to any Licensee.

D.The Short-Term Rental Property license application review fee shall be used to cover the cost associated with reviewing the application for compliance with this Ordinance.

E.The Short-Term Rental license fee shall be used to cover the administrative and personnel costs associated with developing and implementing the Short-Term Rental license program and enforcing the provisions in this Ordinance, including but not limited to responding to complaints and inspecting Short-Term Rental Properties.

Section XI. Violations, Penalties and Enforcement

A.It is unlawful for any Owner, Local Responsible Agent, Lessee, or occupant of a Short-Term Rental Property to violate or allow a violation of any provision of this Ordinance, as applicable.

B.An initial warning may be issued to request voluntary compliance with this Ordinance, prior to suspension or revocation actions, or issuance of civil infractions. The warning may be provided in-person, over the phone, electronically (such as e-mail or text), or in writing. The warning may include a request that immediate action be taken by the Owner, Local Responsible Agent, Lessee, or occupant.

C. When any of the following occur or is imminent, a warning may not be provided:

1.The violation poses a risk to human health or safety, or a risk of degradation of the natural environment that must be remedied in an expedited manner.

2. The violation is determined to be affecting the quality of life of residents or visitors within proximity of the Short-Term Rental Property.

3.Time is of the essence and authorized by the Director or the Director’s designee or the Douglas County Sheriff.

D. In addition to suspension and revocation actions pursuant to Section VII of this Ordinance, violations of this Ordinance are subject to the penalties set forth below. Each day or portion thereof during which any violation is committed, continued, or permitted shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as a separate offense.

E. Any violation of this Ordinance may be separately, concurrently, or together enforced through this Ordinance, other applicable County Ordinances, the Douglas County Building Code, the Douglas County Health Department Regulations, and the Douglas County Zoning Resolution by the Director or the Director’s designee, and the Douglas County Sheriff, or both.

F. Any person who violates any provision of this Ordinance commits a civil infraction and is subject to the penalty assessment procedures of Section

16-2-201, C.R.S. and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY dollars ($250.00) for a first violation, a fine of FIVE HUNDRED dollars ($500.00) for a second violation, and a fine of ONE THOUSAND dollars ($1000.00) for the third and subsequent violations.

G. In addition to the penalties prescribed above, persons convicted of a violation of this Ordinance shall be subject to a surcharge of TEN dollars ($10.00) that shall be paid to the clerk of the court by the defendant as provided by Section 30-15402(2)(a), C.R.S.

Section XII. Severability

Should any section, clause, sentence, or part of this Ordinance be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, the same shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the ordinance as a whole or any part thereof other than the part so declared to be invalid.

Section XIII. Effective Date

In order to preserve the immediate health and safety of Douglas County and its residents, this Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption on Second and Final Reading as provided in Section 30-15-405, C.R.S.

INTRODUCED, READ, AND ADOPTED ON FIRST READING on June 13, 2023, and ordered published in the DOUGLAS COUNTY NEWSPRESS.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, COLORADO

By: /s/ Abe LaydonAbe Laydon, Chair

ATTEST:

/s/ Roberta Nelson

Roberta Nelson, Deputy Clerk

ADOPTED AS AMENDED ON SECOND AND FINAL READING on July 11, 2023, and ordered published in the DOUGLAS COUNTY NEWSPRESS.

By: /s/ Abe Laydon Abe Laydon, Chair

ATTEST:

/s/ Roberta Nelson

Roberta Nelson, Deputy Clerk

Legal Notice No. 945712

First Publication: July 20, 2023

Last Publication: July 20, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) #030-23 YOUTH CARE COMPACT PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Douglas County respectfully requests responses from responsible, qualified firms for research, development, implementation and evaluation planning for a new program of the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative (DCMHI), a case management consortium model, the Youth Care Compact.

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

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

RFP responses will be received until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 by Douglas County Government, Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Five (5) copies of your proposal response must be submitted in a sealed envelope, plainly marked “Request for Proposal (RFP) #03023, Youth Care Compact Program Development”. Proposal responses will not be considered which are received after the time stated and any proposals so received will be returned unopened.

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

Please direct any questions concerning this RFP 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. 945736

First Publication: July 20, 2023

Last Publication: July 20, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

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