Highlands Ranch Herald 082423

THOUSANDS SEE RELIEF IN PROPERTY VALUATIONS IN DOUGLAS, ARAPAHOE COUNTIES

County sees dozens apply for commission to plan water future

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

More than three dozen placed their names in the running to serve on a new arm of Douglas County’s government that will help the county’s elected leaders plan for the future of Douglas’ water supply, a pressing question for a county whose population is expected to keep growing.

Commissioner George Teal said he has heard the concern that “this is going to be a tool of two commissioners to redo water in Douglas County.”

“ at comment has a couple things right but is fundamentally wrong, in that yes, two commissioners can steer a course, but I don’t think anybody has a (plan) to change to the detriment (of water) in Douglas County,” Teal said during an Aug. 14 meeting of county o cials.

Two commissioners form a majority out of the county’s three-member board of leaders.

e new entity, called the County

Water Commission, is expected to help create a plan regarding water supply and conservation, among other aspects of water in the county. It’ll consist of unpaid volunteers, Teal said.

Teal argued for seating a large number of members on the water commission, saying it would make it more di cult for “rash, bad decisions” to occur.

e forming of the new entity comes against the backdrop of a controversial proposal to pump about 22,000 acre-feet of water per year to Douglas County from the San Luis Valley, a region of Southern Colorado. (An acre-foot is the equivalent of a one-foot-deep pool about the size of a football eld.)

Renewable Water Resources is the private company that proposed the project.

Last year, Commissioner Abe Laydon joined Commissioner Lora omas in deciding not to move forward with that project, while Teal continues to support it.

“Everything’s on the table as far as I’m concerned,” Teal told Colorado

Community Media in early August. “We get another ve or six years of rainy summers, OK, maybe then we can start to be picky and choosy.”

Names kept private County o cials recently put out a call for Douglas County residents to apply to serve on the new entity.

Teal and omas have argued over who released a name on the list of applicants to the news media.

“Commissioner omas has been leaking the name of Sean Tonner to several reporters,” Teal claimed at the Aug. 8 meeting. (Sean Tonner is one of the principals of Renewable Water Resources.)

omas said county o cials were given an email with the names of those who applied. She said because it was an email, she thought it was public record.

“I did talk with a reporter (and did say) Sean Tonner’s name was on that list. Later that afternoon, when we came back in here, (county o cials) decided we were going to treat those names as job applicants, and they’d be protected,” omas said.

She added that once o cials were told it was to be treated as private, “I have told no reporters the information that was on that list.”

Teal had given Colorado Community Media the name Sean Tonner regarding applications to serve on the water commission. omas told Colorado Community Media her understanding is that county sta are treating information about who has applied as a non-public matter and will not release information until nalists are chosen.

e county asked for applications by close of business Aug. 11.

According to the Aug. 14 meeting discussion, the county received 38 applications.

‘ e buck stops with us’

cussed how many members should be placed on the water commission. omas argued for seven, Teal for 15 and Laydon for 11.

Ultimately, they settled on the body having 11 seats, consisting of three per each of the county commissioners’ districts — or areas of the county — and two selected “at large.” e county commissioners will appoint the members.

Still opposing the Renewable Water Resources proposal, omas has expressed concern that the county’s formation of a water commission is “another swing at that ball.”

Asked whether any representatives of RWR have spoken with county o cials about the water commission, Teal told Colorado Community Media: “I think I did see that Sean Tonner, he’s one of the principals of RWR … has put in an application to be on the water commission.”

Teal said he has been friends with Tonner for 20 years.

“We are very likely to drink beer together and have a social visit. He may bring it up,” Teal said. “But otherwise, that hasn’t happened yet.”

Teal has said he hasn’t seen the application itself.

Laydon said during an Aug. 8 meeting of county o cials: “I have no problem with anybody applying, including Sean Tonner; he’s brilliant and has been around for decades and involved in water for a while.”

In the Aug. 14 meeting, Laydon noted that the water commission is an “advisory board” to help the overall county commissioners make choices.

“ e buck stops with us. We are the three individuals that were elected,” Laydon said, adding that the county commissioners make the nal decisions.

Rueter-Hess Reservoir.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

County panel highlights issue of human tra cking, hears from survivor

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Most human tra cking isn’t like in the movie “Taken,” with children being kidnapped. Instead, it often arises out of poverty or situations involving families.

at’s according to Kelly Dore, a survivor of sexual abuse who now works to ght human tra cking. She spoke to an audience in Douglas County at an Aug. 17 town hall about the issue.

Dore says she grew up in a “fairly a uent” community but was being abused and tra cked by her biological father. She told several adults, but they didn’t understand how to help, she said.

People can be forced into tra cking without the signs being clear to observers, Dore told the audience. “I was just the everyday average

girl,” said Dore, who said she excelled as a soccer player and had a high grade-point average as a youth. But away from the public eye, she was told if she revealed to people what was going on, “I will kill your mother. I will kill your brother.”

e abuse was so normalized, she thought other girls were commonly going through the same thing. She cautioned the public against sharing the “things we see on the internet and social media” regarding human tra cking because spreading misinformation makes the work people do to ght tra cking more di cult.

“Make sure that you understand the source” of the information, she said.

Jenelle Goodrich is the founder of the organization, From Silenced to Saved, which supports survivors of sexual exploitation, its website says.

ose involved in human tra cking are often someone people might not suspect in their community, Goodrich said.

“It’s a middle-aged man with two children who’s White,” Goodrich said, adding it could be people you sit at a soccer game next to.

“It’s not drag queens, no matter what you feel about them. It’s not the priest … no matter what you think about them … It’s not the Black guy walking down the street with the baggy pants,” Goodrich said.

Sometimes people are tra cked through coercion rather than being “chained to a wall,” said Johanna Spille, who also works to support survivors of tra cking with the organization Covered Colorado.

“It’s so important to understand that a victim’s prison is mental — it’s emotional, it’s not physical,” Spille

said, telling the crowd about a survivor they worked with who sat in a co ee house.

“ ey look like you and I,” Spille said.

Abusers nd a way to control victims through vulnerabilities, like a drug addiction or if “their dad wasn’t around,” taking advantage to form what’s called a “trauma bond,” Goodrich said.

County Commissioner Abe Laydon brought up the example of someone who might provide a topless photo in exchange for money and then gets blackmailed.

Dore urged parents to be involved with their child’s technology and to “have a basic conversation about sex with your children.”

“Have a basic conversation about if you send a topless picture to your

SEE TRAFFICKING, P25

REVERSE MORTGAGES MADE EASY

Laydon, Teal plan to censure Thomas

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

One of Douglas County’s elected leaders proposed a censure — or formal disapproval — of one of his colleagues after she criticized a funding advisory board and after a member of that board sent the county a letter of resignation.

Commissioner George Teal oated the censure of Commissioner Lora omas at an Aug. 15 meeting of county o cials, and Commissioner Abe Laydon, who also serves as board chair, supported it.

“I think it was highly inappropriate to try to publicly shame that cultural council,” Laydon said during the meeting.

at’s a reference to the Douglas County Cultural Council, a group that helps decide how arts and culture money should be spent.

“For the past four years, the commissioners have approved our decisions without hesitation,” wrote James Smith, chair of the Douglas County Cultural Council, in a letter o ering to step down after omas had criticized the group.

Actions including “public shaming” by omas have “diminished the council’s morale,” Smith wrote in the Aug. 10 letter emailed to county o cials.

omas, in through her weekly email newsletter, had criticized the council’s actions, pushing the group to support spending a part of its funding in a di erent way.

Teal and Laydon’s move to censure omas comes as the latest in a long string of two-to-one con icts among the three Douglas County leaders.

“Coming full circle in a repeat of April 2021, George Teal and Abe Laydon today directed sta to draft a resolution censuring me for Teal’s oftand overly used charge of ‘conduct unbecoming (of) a commissioner,’”

omas wrote in an email newsletter.

Debating funding

e dispute about the cultural council — a body that works with the Denver-area arts funding district — is among a few points of contention for the county commissioners in recent weeks.

e Scienti c and Cultural Facilities District is a government body that includes seven counties in the

Denver metro area. One penny on every $10 in sales and use tax collected goes to the district to fund organizations that provide arts or science programs, the district’s website says.

e metro area’s largest cultural organizations — such as the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Denver Zoo — receive speci c amounts of funding.

But counties also make decisions about how the tax revenue is spent. Each county receives a share of the tax collected, and county cultural councils review applications from organizations and make recommendations on their county’s funding priorities, the district’s website says.

ose recommendations are then reviewed and approved by the county commissioners or city council and the SCFD board of directors, the website says.

omas’ email newsletter took issue with the actions of the Douglas County Cultural Council.

“ is year there was more funding available for distribution than there were requests, but (Douglas County) commissioners did not learn about this windfall until after the council had made recommendations,” omas wrote in an Aug. 6 newsletter.

Organizations outside of Douglas County that can prove that they provide services to county residents are eligible for funding, according to omas’ newsletter.

But, “I felt strongly that after all of the requests for funding had been ful lled, that the Cultural Council should disperse the additional (money) only to organizations located in Douglas County,” omas wrote.

omas’ newsletter initially stated there was an additional $500,000 in funding. Another newsletter later put the number at $85,000. e correct number is $88,000, according to county sta .

“Laydon agreed with me, and the commissioners sent an email to the cultural council requesting that it meet to reconsider its recommendations and only provide the windfall funds to Douglas County-based organizations,” omas continued.

e cultural council recently met, and the request to keep the dollars in Douglas County failed in a 5-2 vote, according to omas’ newsletter.

Labor Day closure

Douglas County offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 4, in observance of Labor Day.

Many services are available at DoItOnlineDouglas.com

School is back in session - time to check your child’s mental health

ImatterColorado.org offers a free mental health assessment and free youth counseling. For resources in and around Douglas County, visit douglas.co.us and search Mental Health Resources

Did you know Douglas County o ers Live Town Hall meetings?

Register today to ensure you are contacted for all future Live Town Halls about local issues of importance to you at douglas.co.us/townhall – it’s always your choice whether or not to participate. Join online or by phone and listen to community conversations, ask questions and hear responses from experts.

If you’re an older adult, you won’t want to miss an upcoming opportunity to explore the latest trends in living and aging well. Tickets are on sale now for the Douglas County Seniors’ Council Vintage and Vibrant event from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Parker Arts, Culture and Events (PACE) Center

Registration is available online through Sept. 15 by visiting douglas.co.us and searching for Vintage & Vibrant.

omas’ newsletter criticized the decision and said: “I would like to give credit and applaud the courage of Cultural Council members Ann Speer and Sid Simonson who voted in the minority to respect Douglas County taxpayers and organizations.”

e newsletter then included a link that read: “Click here for a roster of the cultural council members.” It led to a page on the county’s website that describes the cultural council and lists its members.

“I call it doxing,” Laydon said at the Aug. 8 meeting of commissioners and other county o cials.

e Merriam-Webster website denes “doxing” as “to publicly identify or publish private information about (someone) especially as a form of punishment or revenge.”

But whatever a person calls it, “I

don’t think that’s productive, and I don’t think that’s respectful,” Laydon said.

omas responded that she shared the names of two individuals who voted on the cultural council for the distributions to be “done the way you and I had requested.” She added that the link to all the board members’ names is public information on the county’s website.

Change of mind

But Smith, the recent Douglas County Cultural Council chair, wrote in a document sent to the county that the cultural council’s funding should focus on impact to residents.

“ e Scienti c and Cultural Facilities District’s primary goal is to ‘bring arts, culture, and scienti c experiences within reach for every resident,’” the document said. “ e residents of Douglas County are our primary stakeholders, and decisions should re ect their interests, not the interests of a handful of organi-

zations that have a home o ce in Douglas County.”

e document also mentioned the “economic impact” of funding outside organizations that may travel to Douglas County.

“When organizations requesting project support travel to Douglas County, they often bring a large following. Performers, executive sta , instructors, support sta , as well as families and patrons of the organization will follow,” the document said. “When these groups come to Douglas County, some individuals will buy a tank of gas. Others may go out to dinner, or shop in our stores.”

Ultimately, Laydon expressed satisfaction with the council’s process.

“My concern was ensuring that Douglas County citizens were served, and they made it clear that they included that in their rubric,” Laydon said during the Aug. 15 meeting. “It’s just like our rodeo; we have out-of-state performers that come to our rodeo, and they are athletes that are nationally ranked, (but) they are serving Douglas County citizens.”

In the end, the county commissioners voted 3-0 to certify the funding as recommended by the cultural council, according to county sta .

Skeptical of donation

Laydon also took issue with what he described as omas “trying to shame” members of the Douglas County Community Foundation, a nonpro t that is building up a “relief fund” that can help take care of people during natural disasters or other emergencies.

“ e Douglas County Community Foundation will be asking the commissioners for $200 Grand-that’s right!! $200,000...to be used as matching funds for its annual September fundraising gala. Boy, $400 GRAND--that sounds like SOME KINDA ‘EVENT!’” a July newsletter from omas said.

Laydon said omas misrepresented the information.

“Zero of the funds that the county is providing to the community foundation is being used for the gala but, rather, they’re doubling the money that’s being invested by the county and using that for emergency relief,” Laydon said.

omas has highlighted that Laydon is a member of the foundation’s board. e board also includes several other local government o cials, including Sheri Darren Weekly and mayors of municipalities in Douglas County, according to its website.

omas wrote in an email newsletter sent on Aug. 15 that she had asked county sta to obtain from the foundation “the budget for how these dollars were to be spent, a list of the foundation’s board members who voted to support this request from the county and what chances the county had of getting any of these funds back if unused?”

“Sta told me that DCCF President Brock Smethills would provide me the information. Even though I made a second request for the DCCF info from sta , I never received any response to my questions,” she wrote in the newsletter.

‘Lying through your teeth’

Laydon also described omas’ actions as uncivil, and omas pointed to the Aug. 8 meeting of county ofcials in saying “there seems to be a decided double standard.”

As Douglas County recently began forming a new body called the water commission — intended to help plan for the future of water supply in the county — o cials put out a call for Douglas County residents to apply to serve on the new entity.

Teal and omas argued over who released a name on the list of applicants to the news media.

“Commissioner omas has been leaking the name of Sean Tonner to several reporters,” Teal claimed at the Aug. 8 meeting.

omas said county o cials were given an email with the names of those who applied. She said because it was an email, she thought it was public record.

“I did talk with a reporter (and did say) Sean Tonner’s name was on that list. Later that afternoon, when we came back in here, (county o cials) decided we were going to treat those names as job applicants, and they’d be protected,” omas said.

She added that once o cials were told it was to be treated as private, “I have told no reporters the information that was on that list.”

Teal gave Colorado Community Media the name Sean Tonner regarding applications to serve on the water commission. omas told Colorado Community Media her understanding is that county sta are treating information about who has applied as a non-public matter and will not release information until nalists are chosen.

“Last Tuesday Laydon permitted without comment, interruption or reproach Teal’s snide remarks and

Residents get answers on valuation appeals

More relief in Douglas County

BY ELLIS ARNOLD AND NINA JOSS COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

In a year that saw property owners le a record number of attempts to lower their property values — as calculated for tax purposes — in Arapahoe and Douglas counties, thousands of property owners have now received notices that their values have been decreased.  at means those owners will see some relief in next year’s property tax bills.

In Douglas County, a higher percentage of property owners who appealed saw relief than in Arapahoe County.

Toby Damisch, who leads Douglas County’s property valuation o ce, said 37% of properties whose values were appealed saw some relief.

In Arapahoe County, that number is about 23%, county spokesperson Anders Nelson said.

Homeowners around the Denver metro area checked a notice from their county assessors this spring and saw that their home value had jumped by sometimes shocking amounts.

Driven by a costly real-estate mar-

ket, those home values have spiked since the last time homeowners received notices of value two years ago. In Douglas County, residential properties faced increases between 30% and 60%, with a median of 47%.

In Arapahoe County, residential properties saw almost a 42% increase on average, according to PK Kaiser, the head of Arapahoe’s property valuation o ce.

e high increase in property values means families’ property tax bills could jump up next year.

Both counties received an overwhelming number of appeals after sending out the notices of value. In appeals, owners argue their property value should be lower.

One of every four residential property owners led appeals this year in Douglas County, Damisch said. With roughly 36,000 properties appealed for, this year’s total more than doubled the next-highest total for appeals in Douglas County from back in 2009, Damisch estimates.

Arapahoe County saw about 31,000 appeals — more than three times Arapahoe’s next-highest appeal rate in the past decade, about 9,000 in 2019.

“ is was a historic number of appeals that we received and we take every one very seriously,” Nelson said, adding: “We wanted to make sure everyone had equal opportunity

on this, to have their property evaluated.”

How many saw relief

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

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

In Douglas County, property owners saw a relatively high rate of success in appealing their values. About 2 in 5 properties whose values were appealed saw some relief, said Damisch, the county assessor.

e Douglas assessor’s o ce lowered values for about 41% of the residential properties that were appealed, Damisch said.

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

Including other types of land — such as commercial and vacant land — that rate was 37%, Damisch said.

In Arapahoe, the number of appeals that resulted in a reduced property value this year was in line with recent years, Nelson said. Usually, about 25% of appeals see a reduction. is year, it was about 23%.

What a successful appeal means So how much did values come down for appealed properties?

Typically, when an appeal succeeds, the Douglas assessor’s o ce decreases a property’s value by 5% to 10%, according to Damisch. is year, his o ce’s average decrease for residential property was 7%, Damisch said. e average adjustment for all appeal types was also about 7%.

In Arapahoe County, the average adjustment on a single-family home that successfully received a lower value was a reduction of about 4%.

Nelson emphasized that the number includes many di erent types of single-family residences, ranging from detached homes to condos.

What made an appeal successful?

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

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

In Arapahoe County, Nelson said a lot of unsuccessful appeals this year did not provide market-based support for their claims.

“A lot of appeals simply said ‘value is too high’ or ‘I couldn’t sell my house for that price,’” Nelson wrote in an email.

But whether the county assessor’s o ce accurately valued a property depends on what price the property could have sold for as of June 2022, Damisch said.

Some appealers did not realize their home values were based on that timeline, and provided market data after June 2022 to try to make a case for lowering their values.

at discrepancy “was especially prevalent this year as many neighborhoods saw decreasing sales prices after (June 30) due to increased supply and higher mortgage rates,” the email from Nelson said.

How property values are determined

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

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

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

Many factors played a role in whether an appeal succeeded, Nelson wrote. Sometimes there is an

CENSURE

FROM PAGE 6

calling me a LIAR … including saying ‘you’re lying through your teeth’ when, in fact, it was facially proven in news reports that Teal was responsible for releasing the identity of a Water Commission applicant to the media,” omas wrote in a newsletter.

omas got up and left the room during that exchange.

“Yeah, you should probably just get out and not come back as a matter of

“outlier” sale in the area that in ates the property’s value — or incorrect information about the property or comparable sales.

Appeals can also succeed when a property owner provides alternate sales that are more comparable than under the mass appraisal system, Nelson said. In other cases, the condition of the property and remodeling could make a property’s original valuation incorrect.

Appeal approaches between counties

Asked why Douglas County experienced a higher rate of successful appeals than Arapahoe County — and whether the assessor’s party a liation played a role — Damisch, a Republican, said he doesn’t know whether a liation makes a di erence.

“With respect to the adjustment rate, I do not have an explanation for why some counties are higher or lower than others. I just know that we take the approach of trying not to be defensive in supporting our assessments,” Damisch said.

His o ce’s philosophy on adjustments this year was that “we want to give, given the situation in front of us, grace and deference to our property owners as much as possible,” Damisch said.

“And I asked (sta ) to ask the same question I told the public to ask, and that is: As you’re looking at an appeal, could the property have sold for this as of the appraisal date, June 2022?”

Damisch said, adding that he gave his sta “wide permission” to adjust values if they had any evidence to do so.

Kaiser, a Democrat, said his work as an assessor is nonpartisan. He said he could not comment on Douglas County’s numbers of approved appeals.

“At the assessor’s o ce, we don’t have any philosophy” in evaluating

appeals, he said. “Every appeal is being seen on its own. We treat every appeal individually.”

He said his sta puts all of the information for each individual appeal into the system and analyzes the data with no predetermination of how they will adjust values.

His o ce has strong beliefs about educating taxpayers on the appeals process, he said, through public events and working with municipal governments.

“Our approach is: let the people know their rights, encourage them to contact the assessor’s o ce and make (the) assessor’s o ce accessible for every single possible taxpayer,” Kaiser said.

How to take an appeal further

June 8 was the deadline to le

an appeal with the Douglas and Arapahoe assessor’s o ces. Douglas County’s decisions for all the 2023 appeals were postmarked and mailed Aug. 15, and digital versions were to be available on the assessor’s o ce website either that night or the next day, Damisch said.

Arapahoe County nished mailing its notices out on Aug. 11, days before the deadline.  ose whose appeals are denied but want to go further can raise the appeal to their county’s board of equalization. And if a person is still dissatis ed, they can le their appeal of that decision to authorities including the state Board of Assessment Appeals. See more information about the process at cdola.colorado.gov/ appeal-of-your-valuation-reminder.

fact,” Teal said at that meeting.

Formal action

Teal’s proposal to censure omas involved directing county sta to bring forth a resolution for the commissioners to vote on at their next regular meeting.

e commissioners were to hold a regular meeting at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 22.

e resolution should include “the cause for censure being directly related to the events that we’ve seen transpire over the last couple weeks with the Douglas County Cultural Council,” Teal said at the Aug. 15 meeting.

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Tornado provides opportunity to teach more about xeriscape

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As residents continue to clean up their yards after the June tornado, the Highlands Ranch Community Association saw an opportunity to teach homeowners about xeriscaping, a landscaping style that requires less water.

Scott Behnke, co-owner of lawnCARE solutions - who is also a certi ed arborist, Colorado State University Master Gardener and president of the Colorado Arborists and Lawn Care Professionals - said it’s a chance to nd a silver lining.

“It’s sad that you did lose a beautiful strong mature tree,” said Behnke. “ We can try to take advantage of it and maybe install something that is di erent.”

With an emphasis on sustainable practices, lawnCAREsolutions is a large scale landscape maintenance company that also does design and installation.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

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

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline

Tues. for the following week’s paper.

centers.

Other bene ts include healthier soil, the opportunity to select better planting materials that will have more longevity with less maintenance and resources, conserving water and energy and protecting the air quality.

tion, making seasonal adjustments and the use of herbicide and pre-emergent herbicide applications if applicable as well as fertilization supplementation if desired.

“It’s not no maintenance,” said Behnke. “You may need to have some replacements throughout the life of the landscape, but they are signi cantly lower than mowing every week.”

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

rough a virtual seminar, Behnke spoke with Highlands Ranch residents about what xeriscaping is.

Xeriscape derives from the Greek word “xeros,” meaning “dry”.

e main target of xeriscape, also known as ColoradoScape, is to move from high use landscapes and integrate low water landscape strategies into the existing landscape.

High use landscapes includes material such as Kentucky Bluegass, said Behnke, whereas medium use involves using alternative turf grasses and semixeri designs and low use involves using appropriate native and semi-native plants.

Other than saving money, there are various bene ts of xeriscaping.

Xeriscaping allows residents to build their landscape by supporting local businesses like plant nurseries, rock yards and garden

“We’re adding more planting material into our environment,” said Behnke. “We’re also not mowing as much when we’re having these low water landscapes, reducing carbon emission.”  Another bene t is creating a better habitat for not just birds and pollinators, but for bees and di erent insects that would typically not be seen.

The xeriscaping process e xeriscape concept is based on seven principles.

Whether it’s wanting to have a pollinator garden or creating a living space, the rst is to plan and design, which is critical in Highlands Ranch as it is in a homeowner’s association, which requires pre-approval.

Residents can draw and submit their own design, however, there are prefabricated designs and themes on the Plant Select program run by the Denver Botanic Gardens and will be made available on the Highlands Ranch Community Associa-

tion website. ese designs include plants that are considered waterwise and have year round blooms.

is form of landscaping also allows homeowners to improve their soil, limit turf grass and irrigate e ciently. e application method that’s preferred is to have a direct drip to the plants.

“ at is utilizing the water that you’re spending your money on a lot more efciently,” said Behnke.

Selecting plants can be fun as residents can mix and match plants such as the purple leaf sand cherry, panchito manzanita, penstemons, walkers low catmint and rst love dianthus.

When selecting plants, Behnke said to think about hydrozones.

By clustering plants together with similar water requirements, hydrozoning improves e ciency and avoids overwatering and underwatering di erent planting materials at the same site.

Another principle is mulching, which is less labor intensive, cheaper and helps build and protect the soils.

It is also important for residents to look at the long term maintenance of their landscape.

is includes weeding, pruning, checking irriga-

Using the principles, residents can build their template with their plant selections, then ll out approval forms through the Home Improvement page on the Highlands Ranch Community Association website.

Residents must include a photo of the entire yard along with their site plan, list of materials and percentage of rock, mulch and plants.

According to Behnkes, Highlands Ranch would like to see about 25% rock, 50% mulch and the rest covered in planting materials.

Rebates and incentives e Centennial Water and Sanitation District o ers those living in the HOAs rebate plans, however, they have been ful lled this year.

Rebates at Centennial Water max out at about 1,000 square feet and the xeriscape must cover 75% of the yard at maturity, Behnke said.

Rebate and incentive programs include turf replacement, rain senior rebate and high-e ciency nozzle retro t.

“You have a lot less waste when you’re using these high e ciency nozzles,” said Behnke.

Other programs include slow the ow and garden in a box programs and smart controller rebate.  ese can be found on their website at https:// www.centennialwater.org/ conservation/rebates-andincentives.

Landscape at Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

Open letter to the citizens of Douglas County

Dear Friends, Families, and Neighbors of Douglas County, I hope this message nds you well. I am Art, one of the co-chairs and the lead for entertainment at this year’s Douglas County Pridefest on August 26th in Castle Rock. I am writing this open letter to my community to tell you directly about our festival, drag show, and what has been happening in our community in hopes of creating peace, respect, and acceptance in our county.

I want to take this moment to address a topic that has stirred passionate discussions within our county – the perception of drag. Several members of our community have expressed concerns and even protested because they view drag performances through a lens of misunderstanding. ey see drag as something sexual, perverted, and evil. ey have made horrible and baseless accusations. Our organization is the target of hate lled posts on social media, attempted restrictions on constitutional rights of speech and our parental rights regarding what is best for our

children. We have experienced a few elected o cials from both Douglas County and the Town of Castle Rock speak untruthfully about us.

Last year, we acknowledged that a mistake was made at the drag performance. We took full responsibility and immediately apologized, because we too, did not see it as family friendly and the type of entertainment we wanted. Within a week of last year’s festival, our planning team instituted improved oversight procedures that include a review of all lyrics, costumes, and performances and the on-stage presence by a board member as an observer to stop anything that may be inappropriate, all to ensure we produce an all ages, family friendly, highly entertaining show.

Drag has been an art form and part of stage performances for centuries. It has always been part of the queer landscape but now it has gone mainstream. Anyone who has experienced a good drag show knows drag queens can be campy and funny and are there to entertain.

We are all on the same page, and in complete agreement, when it comes to protecting children from nudity

and inappropriate material. Many of us are parents too and want that for our children as well. While some drag is inappropriate for children, there are plenty of drag performances that are appropriate, just like some movies are appropriate for children and some aren’t. But our LGBTQ children also need to be protected from the bullying and hate they face every day at school, on the bus, or online. From the name calling and violence directed toward them. Protection from being told they are worthless. If your mission is to protect the children, please protect ALL the children. Pride provides them a safe place so they know they are loved and cherished for who they are.

So, to anyone who might be planning to disrupt our festival, we ask that you heed your own words. Please protect the children who will be attending our festival from witnessing the hate, violence, and lies. Show them, while you may disagree, they are still loved and cared for by the entire Douglas County community. If you continue to feel our festival and drag show are inappropriate and not right for your family and children, I respect your right not to attend. I

ask you to respect the right of parents to choose what is appropriate for their children and their decision to participate in our festival and entertainment. Protect their children as well and allow them a safe space to be who they are. We want everyone to know we are partnering with the Douglas County Sheri ’s department to ensure our festival is a safe and welcoming place.

Let me make this perfectly clear: OUR PRIDEFEST IS… IN ITS ENTIRETY… A FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT and WILL comply with all local laws and ordinances… You will have a BLAST because YOU BELONG HERE! You have my word on it. We are excited to invite each and every one of you to join us at our upcoming PrideFest on Saturday August 26, 2023 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. For more information and tickets, visit castlerockpride.org Let’s celebrate together and create a legacy of acceptance that future generations can look up to with pride.

*The Ford Tri-motor will be at Exploration of Flight from

Art Kerkezian is treasurer of the Castle Rock Pride board and Co-Chair of Douglas County Pridefest.

Say no to even higher property taxes

GUEST COLUMN

Michael Fields

Whether you support or oppose the mill levy override (MLO) that the Douglas County School District recently approved for the ballot, we should all agree that taxpayer money should never be used to promote a proposed ballot measure.

Unfortunately, over $140,000 has already been paid this year to a consulting rm to “campaign manage” and set messaging for this tax increase. e agreement with DCSD says the consulting rm will “build and launch a winning Campaign” – which includes everything from focus groups to polling. On top of that,

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DCSD has spent even more taxpayer money on paid media e orts for the MLO.

I became aware of these tactics when the last MLO was on the ballot and my kids came home with yers about it in their ursday folders. We’ve also received emails highlighting why DCSD needs to pass a tax increase. e only reason the district has our emails to begin with is because our kids go to the local public school. Imagine if state politicians used emails from our tax returns to send out positive information about Proposition HH. Or if they used taxpayer money to send mailers out with their own “facts” about a tax increase. People would rightfully be outraged. When it comes to the MLO itself, it is hard to

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imagine a worse time to bring a property tax increase to voters than this year. Douglas County’s property assessments went up by an average of 47% — which is more than any other county in the metro area. People are worried, and they should be.

In neighboring Arapahoe County, elected ofcials decided not to put a tax increase on the ballot saying, “ is fall’s general election is not the right time to oat a tax measure. e decision comes after recent polling indicated a lack of voter support and resident fatigue regarding property valuations and the implications for next year’s (property) tax bills.” is seems like an obvious conclusion to everyone but our school district.

As a former elementary school teacher, I believe that teachers should get paid more. Fortunately, Douglas County School District will already see a double-digit increase in funding next year. is is because as property tax revenue goes up across the state, per pupil spending in every school district will also increase. Despite the district’s false and bizarre claim that they will not bene t at all from the higher property taxes (that it will have a “$0 impact” on local funding), DCSD will, in fact, see a big increase in funding next year. Every dollar of that increase should go straight to teachers.

Given what is happening with property taxes in our state, people are understandably scared they are going to get taxed out of their homes. Prop HH doesn’t x the problem — and another mill levy override would only make it worse. Vote no on #5A and #5B.

A 6 or 9-Month CD from Vectra Bank is a great way to reach your savings goals. Put your money to work and choose the CD term that makes the most sense for you. It’s a smart, predictable, and secure way to increase your savings.

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Visit a branch today or contact your local banker to get started. Visit www.vectrabank.com/CDSavings to learn more.

Michael Fields is a Douglas County resident and Senior Advisor to Advance Colorado Action

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Transparency — try it VOICES

As an editor, and citizen, one of my biggest pet peeves is when elected leaders and volunteers on public boards seem clueless about the power in the statement, “the public’s right to know.”

It’s not selective. You don’t get to just decide when and how residents and taxpayers can learn something.

After months of seeming to be civil, the Douglas County commissioners went back to their old ways with the twomember board majority deciding to pick another ght with fellow Commissioner Lora omas. omas dared to question what the Douglas County Cultural Council is doing with money the commission gives the group each year. For educational purposes — it should be stressed — that money is taxpayer money, and the cultural council helps decide how arts and culture money should be spent . If a Douglas County resident o the street wants to know how it is being spent — public record laws require you to tell them.

So, you have a commissioner questioning it. Isn’t she elected to ask questions? Even if you don’t like her questions — she has a right as a resident to ask.

To the cultural council that seems overly sensitive about omas’ approach in asking — sure, I agree, you are all volunteers. I love the volunteers who take time to work in our community. However, I don’t love volunteer boards who want all the glory but somehow think they should be immune to criticism. Bottom line, you are being given a portion of taxpayer dollars to spend as you think is best. I emphasize — it’s taxpayer money and we have a right to weigh in if we want to.

Like a planning and zoning commission answers to councils

and commissioners — you are volunteers who do not just get to have the nal say and never be questioned. If you do not like to be questioned — volunteer somewhere else.

en, we have Commission Chair Abe Laydon saying what omas did was resort to “doxing.” I have grown to hate this term. It’s used to create victims that really aren’t victims. First, she listed the volunteer board members from your own Douglas County website. It’s a public website and these board members provided pictures and information. A bit of a stretch to even claim doxing.

As for doxing itself — the world wide web allows all of us to nd a person’s address, phone number and social media accounts within minutes. Get good at it and you can nd a lot more legally.

While I will take a wait-and-see approach — the timing and topic of this ght just seems suspicious.

In Arapahoe County, the issue of transparency also caught my attention after a short conversation with one of my journalists.

Cherry Creek School District is an impressive district. My children attend, so I know it well.

However, the fact that the elected school board is so far behind the times that meetings are not livestreamed or recorded is concerning to me as a parent. If I want to research or get more involved in an issue — it’s not OK that it’s not readily available.

You are a district where parents approve bonds and give money. It’s a great district but this is disappointing, and in the name of true transparency it should be considered a high priority. Record meetings, live stream meetings and show that the public’s right to know does matter.

Again, to all public o cials, boards and organizations — the public has a right to know and you should consider that a responsibility more than a liability.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR No on Trump

As a woman, almost 80 years old, who lived 64 years in California before moving to Douglas County, I am unable to grasp why Trump continues to have the support he does. As a lifelong “blue blood” Democract, it is di cult to understand how an individual that exhibits the ethical, moral, lying, ignorance, ego-driven hate- lled bullying that characterizes Trump’s persona generates any support at all. A man who has been married three times and cheated numerous times on each wife, allegedly defrauded the government, has been indicated and impeached, and used the presidency to his nancial advantage and personal gain is not t to be president.

Voters who continue to support him demonstrate no respect for our democracy, the tenets of the constitution, the ag they y 24/7, and the teaching of their respective religious organizations. And as a closing note, DeSantis , with his bigotry, attack on education and history, and disregard for the rights of women and girls, is no better. His policies would continue the hate and division that is permeating this country. It is amazing that the Republicans cannot do better!

Barbara Morton Highlands Ranch

Unintended consequences

During the last Douglas County School District (DCSD) board meeting, Director Susan Meek asked our community to provide suggestions on how to “come together over race and di erences.” is was in response to the recent civil rights complaint led against the school district by three families whose students were the recipients of racial slurs and harassment in their respective schools. is is undoubtedly a very unfortunate incident, and I agree that a community conversation can be bene cial.

ere has been a marked change in the Douglas County Schools culture since the educational equity policy was passed in early 2021. Kids are coalescing around identity groups such as sexual orientation, skin color or ethnicity, which I believe is an unhealthy practice. is behavior creates an “us versus them” mentality as it highlights our

di erences instead of our commonalities. ese identity groups further divide students on our college campuses. We now have segregated dorms and graduation ceremonies.

Unfortunately, the educational equity policy that Director Meek voted for and has subsequently defended encourages this divisive behavior. It’s very concerning that school administrators and teachers choose to celebrate certain identity groups by way of posters and ags in the classroom and halls. I believe that picking and choosing favorites based on an attribute that can’t be changed — such as race — breeds resentment, and we’re seeing that play out in mean-spirited, bullying behaviors. I would ask that Director Meek consider the unintended consequences of policies that she continues to endorse.

Susan Renton Highlands Ranch

Not Trump — exactly ere are legendary if apocryphal stories about disc jockeys who played the same song over and over until security broke down the studio door.

In the same sense of inspired redundancy, I’d like to see editor elma Grimes’ editorial “Not Trump — please” reprinted in your paper every week for the next year. It might cause a few people to rethink their vote when it comes to a Monster of a Human Being. It would also receive national attention.

An editorial like this in a county known for its conservative rut was nothing short of courageous.

Of course, Ms. Grimes might have to move to Mars for a while too.

Craig Marshall Smith Highlands Ranch

Address problems in DCSD

I’m writing to express my deep concern about the state of a airs in DCSD, as highlighted by Superintendent Kane when she said, “In 2022, it (funding) was urgent and we have de nitely reached critical.” is is especially important given the district’s recent move to rolling cancellations for bus routes and the alarming number of vacant positions, including 52 teachers, 155

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

Thelma Grimes

Whose footsteps are we following in?

Sometimes we lead, and other times we follow. Even leaders sometimes must become followers as we don’t always know everything or have all the answers. So, we follow the wise council of our trusted advisors. And the journey to becoming a leader meant that there were those that went ahead of us whose footsteps we chose to follow in.

When I was a very young boy, my father died, leaving my mom with four children. My mom’s dad, my grandfather, stepped up and, along with my grandmother, played a huge role in raising me and my siblings. I looked up to him as he was such a man of integrity, so faithful, so loving, and one of the hardest-working people I would ever know. I wanted to walk in his footsteps.

When it came time for my wedding day, my grandfather had become fairly sick and as it turned out, he would be unable to make the wedding. I stayed at a hotel the night before my wedding, as I was not supposed to see my bride until she walked down the aisle. On the morning of my wedding, I went to work for a little while, just to help the hours pass. But then I decided since my grandfather couldn’t come to me, I would go to him.

I packed up my tuxedo and went to his house. We had lunch, and we talked, and he helped me make sure my tuxedo was on right and he pinned the ower to my lapel. What does this have to do with deciding whose footsteps we will choose to walk in? Well, there is a Bruce Springsteen song, “Walk Like a Man,” that reminds me whose footsteps I chose to follow in, and the rst set of lyrics goes like this:

“I remember how rough your hand felt on mine

On my wedding day

And the tears cried on my shoulder I couldn’t turn away

Well so much has happened to me at I don’t understand

All I can think of is being ve years old following behind you at the beach

Tracing your footprints in the

sand

Trying to walk like a man”

To this day, every time I hear this song or think of my grandfather, I tear up with good happy and healthy tears. To this day I still want to follow in his footprints in the sands of life. It was like Bruce wrote this song just for me and my grandfather. In my life journey and my career journey, I have been blessed to have followed others in their footsteps, people who I knew I could learn from. People who I knew went through life’s hardships and corporate challenges and had successfully fought their way through both.

And we have to be careful too as we have all heard stories about someone who chose to follow another person who they thought was a good person to follow and maybe even idolize. Only to nd out that they weren’t really who they made themselves out to be. It turned out that they were only about themselves and self-absorbed, unwilling to share any teachings with the people who looked up to them. Even today I look for people that I would like to follow in their footsteps for certain things. ere are so many men and women whom I admire and respect for the way they handle their approach to life. Sometimes they demonstrate behaviors that intuitively I know that I should be doing, or I already am doing them, they are just doing them di erently. And age doesn’t matter, I look at some of the brightest and best in the business world and as much they are seeking my learned wisdom, I am seeking their new paradigm regarding how they look at the business world and also life in general.

Are there people in your life worthy of following in their steps? Even as a leader, are you vulnerable enough to still follow when it’s the right thing to do? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can choose the right footsteps to follow in, 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.

CULTIVATING CREATIVITY

Creators across Colorado show positive impact of fairy gardens

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A tiny, magical place hides in plain sight by a residential sidewalk in Highlands Ranch, inviting guests to crouch down to get a better view.

Miniature tree trunk stumps lead the way to a small door near a sign that reads, “Fairy Garden.” Behind that door is a mystical land where fairies can gather, sit at a table, admire a pond, enter a small hut or hang out with other animals.

“I love kids, and there’s a lot of kids in our neighborhood. And I wanted something for them to just have fun with and see,” said Angie Gallagher, the creator of the fairy garden.

Fairy gardens hold magical powers beyond being a gathering place for mystical creatures — they are also a hub for people’s creativity, community and positivity.

“It gives us that hope,” Gallagher said. “It reminds us of the magic in the world, and I think we

need that.”

Scattered throughout Colorado, fairy gardens come in all shapes and sizes.

An elementary school in ornton, Riverdale Elementary, had students in an after-school club create potted fairy gardens to be placed in the school courtyard.

In the west metro area of Golden 7-year-old Juniper Kenyon’s eyes lled with wonder as she assembled her own fairy garden in a glass container alongside her 9-yearold sister, Olive, and her mother, Kelly at the Golden Library.

“I wanted to make a house for the fairies that we could put … outside so they could live in it,” Juniper said.

She said once she got back to her family’s home in Golden, she planned

CIRCLE PHOTO: Angie Gallagher holds a small house that she plans to put in a Thaibased fairy garden she hopes to create. PHOTOS BY TAYLER SHAW SEE CREATIVITY, P17

CREATIVITY

to put a bed inside her garden for the fairies to enjoy.

e family was among about 20 participants in the library’s community workshop to make fairy gardens in late July.

“We really love fairies,” Kelly said. “I just think it’s fun that we’re all together and just being creative.”

Seeing the excitement and pride on the faces of children like Juniper and Olive as they made their fairy gardens was a highlight for Alada Ramsey, a librarian at Golden Library who helped with the event.

Making fairy gardens has been a big part of Ramsey’s family, she said.

“My kids always built fairy gardens at my house, and at … my mother’s house, and at my grandmother’s house” she said. “We’re constantly doing fairy gardens.”

When children are young, their imaginations can become enamored with the idea that fairies will come to the gardens and play, she said.

“It’s just so fun, and it also is a great opportunity to teach kindness,” Ramsey said. “Because if you can imagine that there are fairies and you can imagine what their needs and wants are, that’s all good for getting you out of yourself and into the world and opening yourself up to the natural world around you.”

Emily Due, also a librarian at Golden Library who helped lead the event, said she loved to see how intergenerational the event was, as there were young kids, parents and grandparents who participated and made their own fairy gardens.

“I wasn’t expecting the adults to get so into it,” Due said.

Putting together the fairy gardens consisted of putting pebbles, air plants, moss, seashells, stones and other decorations into a glass bowl.

Although everyone had access to the same materials, each garden ended up looking di erent, Due said, which highlights the artistic expression that is possible.

Due said she likes that so much of fairy gardens comes from folklore and mythology, which ties into the literacy elements that libraries want to promote.

“We have an opportunity to educate and maybe get them interested in stories that are already on our shelves, but then also, we’re encouraging them to play,” Due said.

In her research on fairy gardens, Due said she found out that some people believed that fairies were the rst magical creatures to inhabit British islands, arriving before humans had.

“When people came, the fairies got a little bit scared and so they went underground. And so, fairy gardens was a way for people to say, ‘Hey, come on back. Spend time with us,’” Due said.

Angie Gallagher, of Highlands Ranch, compared fairy gardens to bird baths and birdseed being o ered in people’s yards.

“It’s to help the birds with the migration, and it’s

kind of the same idea,” she said of fairy gardens.

In addition to assembling a fairy garden in the community, Gallagher has made fairy garden starter kits that she has given out to people, which included a sheet about fairies.

e sheet explained that fairies are all over the world, such as in Mexico, ailand, Russia, and the United States, and they are ying to new places all across the globe.

“I wanted the fairies to be multicultural because I’m half ai,” she said.

Gallagher said she had wanted to create a community fairy garden for a long time, gathering inspiration from the app Pinterest and getting materials from the dollar store and Amazon.

Part of the fun is having fairy gardens in little, unexpected places, she said.

“To have little pockets of fun is just really all you need to keep the faith,” she said.  e community response to the fairy garden has been great, she said. e magical place really resonated with a few young girls in the community, who Gallagher said are obsessed with the garden.

“We see them all the time,” she said. “And they even started leaving notes, so then I would write little notes back.”

One note came after a rainstorm, and the girls expressed concern for how the storm may have impacted the fairies and their garden, wanting to make sure the fairies were OK, Gallagher recalled.

“ ey were so worried during the rainstorm about how the fairies were su ering,” she said. “So, I wrote a note back.”

Gallagher said she gave the girls ample fairy garden supplies beyond the starter kit, and the girls actually created a fairy garden not too far from Gallagher’s.

On top of the notes from young fairy admirers, Gallagher said she has gotten some notes from parents who are thankful for the time she has spent to feed their children’s creative minds.

“ at just brings smiles to our faces when we see parents or grandparents bringing the little kids,” she said. “I love hearing the kids talk about what they think fairies are about, or — they just start coming up with stories about who they think is living there.”

Gallagher does not put any gurines of fairies in her garden, wanting to reinforce people’s creativity as they imagine who the fairies are.

In the future, she plans to add to her fairy garden by creating new sections that incorporate di erent cultures, hoping to increase representation and expand people’s imagination of what a fairy may look like.

“I’m going to make a ai-based fairy garden, and then I’ll probably make one that’s a Parisian fairy garden,” she said.

She also hopes to add fairy gardens to some of the Airbnb properties her family owns.

“I think there’s always something really fun about just this idea of positive hope — that someone is looking out for you. It’s like another version of an angel,” Gallagher said of fairies. “It gives you hope to kind of move about your day with con dence.”

A small fairy door next to the sign that says “All fairies are welcome” sits within a fairy garden in Highlands Ranch. PHOTOS BY TAYLER SHAW

Juniper Kenyon prepares to add a fairy figurine into her fairy garden at a workshop at the Golden Library.

A fairy garden sign is placed near the entrance of Angie Gallagher’s community fairy garden in Highlands Ranch.

Movie night coming to Hudson Gardens

Hudson Gardens and Event

Center will show “Super Mario Brothers Movie” at 7 p.m. on Aug. 30. A $10 ticket covers up to six family members. Concessions available. No outside alcohol allowed, but bring a picnic. Open at 5:30. 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive. Free parking. See hudsongardens. org.

Parade of Homes

Parade of Homes features 55 newly designed homes by 24 area builders, located in neighborhoods throughout the Denver metro area. (Six are luxury dream homes.) See parad-

eofhomesdenver.com.

Miners Alley

“Avenue Q” runs at Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden through Sept. 17. Directed by Warren Sherrill, with a cast of actors and puppets. (But it’s not for little people.) Runs through Sept. 17. Tickets: $44 to $56, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays at 2 p.m. 303-935-3044. MinersAlley. com.

Castle Rock Library

Festivities at the new Castle Rock Library include: The Castle Rock Band will perform on the lawn of the library, 100 S. Wilcox St., at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 27. Author Mary Taylor Young will talk about her new book, “Bluebird Seasons,” based on her personal chronicles

of the seasonal cycle of nature and habitats in her native state at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 15. Mark the calendar.

Denver Art Museum

Denver Art Museum presets

“The Russells in Denver, 1921,” highlighting a solo show Charles M. Russell held at the Brown Palace Hotel in late November/ early December, 1921. His wife was Nancy Russell. The exhibit will open in the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Galleries of American Art on the seventh floor of the Martin Building. Included with general admission. Members free. See denverartmuseum.org.

Arvada Center

“Beautiful — The Carole King Musical” will play at the Arvada

Center from Sept. 8 to Oct. 15. Directed by Lynne Collins, with choreography by Kelly Van Oosbree and musical supervision by Susan Draus. ASL-interpreted performances at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 2 p.m. Sept. 24. Tickets start at $56. arvadacenter.org/ events/beautiful-the-carole-kingmusical.

Kirkland Museum

Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art, 1201 Bannock St., Denver, hosts “An Evening with Dave Yust” on Sept 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Limited attendance). The exhibit of Yust’s work, “David Yust — Evidence of Gravity and Other Works,” runs through Oct. 1 during museum hours. Many works are on loan from the artist. See kirklandmuseum.org.

SONYA’S SAMPLER

powered by

Thu 8/31

Sat 9/02

The Inablers: Matt Hynes Acoustic - Old 121 Brewhouse @ 3pm Old 121 Brewhouse, 1057 S Wadsworth Blvd #60, Lakewood

Sun 9/03

Thu 9/07

The Newarkansans live at The Inverness Denver @ 4pm

Hilton Denver Inverness, 200 In‐verness Dr W, Englewood

Legends of R&B @ 7pm / $50-$100

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

J. Holiday @ 7pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Fri 9/01

Neil Z @ 5pm

2 Penguins Tap and Grill, 13065 E Briarwood Ave, Centennial

The Sweet Lillies @ 3pm Breckenridge Brewery, 2920 Brewery Ln, Littleton

Mon 9/04

Kelli Baker LIVE at Earl's Kitchen in Lone Tree, CO @ 6pm

Earls Kitchen + Bar, 8335 Park Meadows Center Dr, Lone Tree

Kelli Baker at Sinners and Saints in Castle Rock, CO @ 7pm Sinners & Saints, 221 Perry St, Castle Rock

The Rumble featuring Chief

Joseph Boudreaux @ 6pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

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

Labor Day Half Marathon @ 5:30am / $30-$70

Salisbury Equestrian Park, 11920 N Motsenbocker Rd, Parker

Modern Swing Mondays @ 5pm / $10

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Wed 9/06

Country Music Ladies Night @ 5pm Stampede - Aurora, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Hot Like Wasabi: Bison Invitational Golf Tournament

Bene�ting Childrens Hospital @ 7pm

Arrowhead Golf Course, 10850 Sundown Trail, Littleton

Museum illuminates state’s mining history

Extraction industries did much to create Colorado

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Littleton Museum has an exhibit called “Below the Surface” explaining “how mining altered Colorado’s social and cultural landscape” through Oct. 27. Mining explains a lot about how our state developed, especially from the 1860s on. Gold was, of course, the big draw, but below the surface, miners also found, and are still nding, silver, molybdenum, coal and numerous other elements that are valued...

e exhibit opens with the arrival of Europeans in 1541, pointing out that Native Americans, including Colorado’s Utes, used precious metals for decoration long before the newcomers drove them o much of their land.

Exhibition text makes the point that “People who came to the region in search of gold and silver did not arrive to an empty and unutilized setting ... Development of mining in this region provided a chance for people to make a new life, new businesses to emerge. Colorado developed on many tracks ... ore buckets

and milk cans are both exhibited ...

Near Calhan, there is evidence of people living there for 10,000 years, for example ...

In 1893, President Grover Cleveland repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, which devastated the Colorado economy and decreased the demand for ore. Display cases include an arrowhead display and other Native American items, including a painted buckskin par eche and a shield cover.

Discovery of gold in the 1850s brought a wave of new people to the area, who at times failed to comprehend the Utes’ relationship with the

land ... and displacing them. By the 1860s, Natives realized the newcomers intended to stay, reinforced by the Sand Creek Massacre, when women and children were killed. Settlers intended for the Native Americans to take up farming instead of staying on the move ...

Before the gold discovery, there were nomadic natives, whose world changed dramatically. ere is a scene of a Native bu alo hunt. It’s interesting to see accounts of current attempts to develop contemporary bu alo herds, with Native Americans in charge of them.

In 1860, 22,086 of the 26,797

Colorado residents were miners, according to this exhibit’s text. An exhibited scale, used by an assayer to weigh precious metals, was widely used and is included in this comprehensive exhibit.

“ e New Eldorado,” this territory was called ... ere’s a photo of Green Russell, who was involved with the Pikes Peak gold rush and development of Colorado Springs. Towns like Littleton developed to supply miners and farmers with food and items they needed. Dairy farming developed in Littleton and south into Douglas County as soon as railroads developed to haul milk into Littleton or Denver for processing. Eventually, a dairy and creamery developed in Littleton, as well as a grain mill and a downtown business area, treasured today. is exhibit continues until Oct. 27 and will interest most family members — and out-of-town visitors — who will enjoy this well-mounted exhibit, as well as the adjoining farm, which replicates Littleton’s surrounding area, once the railroad reached us in 1861 ... e Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. is well-run city asset is a Smithsonian a lliate, which speaks of high standards ... 303-795-3950.

Castle Rock council to consider indecency

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Castle Rock’s town council will discuss addressing public indecency in the town code at a September meeting after months of public commenters requesting a local ordinance.

Stemming from conversations about restricting the Castle Rock PrideFest, some residents and town council members have been asking the council to enact laws around public nudity and indecent exposure for the past several meetings.

At the Aug. 15 meeting, the council meeting room over owed with people, a majority holding signs

ordinance

reading ‘We want the discussion.’

During council comments at the beginning of the meeting, the council voted unanimously to review the town code at their Sept. 19 meeting. Council member Desiree LaFleur, who made the motion to have the discussion, said she supports a review provided the town isn’t “singling out any particular group, event or viewpoint on this issue.”

“It is not appropriate to focus on one group when these issues can and will involve everyone,” LaFleur said.

Following the unanimous vote, the crowd stood and clapped in approval.

The Littleton Museum’s “Below the Surface” exhibit on Colorado’s mining history runs through Oct. 27. COURTESY PHOTO

INDECENCY

In previous meetings, council member Tim Dietz motioned to add an age restriction to PrideFest and council member Laura Cavey motioned to have a discussion about the jurisdiction of the Douglas County Fairgrounds, where PrideFest is held, and its rules. ose motions did not pass.

ough the town doesn’t have public indecency or indecent exposure ordinances, state laws apply.

Most public commenters thanked the board for their action and encouraged them to update the code to address indecency and prurient behavior.

Local Pastor Dave Love, of the Cavalry Church, who gave the invocation at the meeting, said he is grateful that the board listened to the community.

“It did begin with PrideFest, but the only thing we were against with PrideFest was that behavior before kids,” Love said. “When we looked further into the town and municipalities, we saw that this was possibly a problem going forward.”

Another speaker, Christian Pruett, said his concern for children was not limited to PrideFest.

“What we are trying to do is address any sexual act or exposure or

New tra c light to create safer intersection

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

To manage the tra c volume associated with Valor Christian High School and Cherry Hills Community Church, a new tra c signal began functioning the morning of Aug. 15 at the intersection of Fairview Parkway and Grace Boulevard.

Over the last ve years, there have been ve crashes investigated at the intersection, according to the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce trafc unit.

ree of the ve have been sInce the start of the year, including one that took place Aug. 14.

Douglas County Commissioners approved installing the new trafc light during a January council meeting where they teamed up with TechCon Instrastucture, LLC, approving a $790,712 contract to fund the project.

Commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal were joined by public works engineering team members, Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly, and an o cial from Valor and Cherry Hills Community Church as the intersection was activated.

Teal said the community is making progress towards safety with an improvement such as this.

“As students leave this intersection,” said Laydon. “Many times for the rst time, we know that it is so important that they are safe and kept protected.”

Between the community church and high school, Weekly said a trafc light at this intersection is long overdue as there are thousands of vehicles going through the area, especially on Sunday’s.

Weekly shared a personal story of when he was almost hit by a car while trying to direct tra c after a Christmas at the Ranch event.

“ is light, this intersection is much safer than it was previously,” said Weekly. “ e community will no doubt bene t from this improvement.”

Also, to be more accessible for those with disabilities, the pedestrian signals include sounds and indicate when it is safe to cross the street.

In addition to the tra c signal, various concrete panels were replaced as part of the project to enhance the drivability of Fairview Parkway.

Castle Rock’s town council room overflowed with people on Aug. 15, a majority holding signs reading ‘We want the discussion,’ referencing requests for the town to enact public indecency laws. The board voted to discuss town code at its Sept. 19 meeting.

performance in front of any children, any where here in the town,” Pruett said. “It’s not a one event matter.”

Meghan Zavadil, a board member of Castle Rock Pride, said she is not opposed to the town enacting a

public indecency measure, so long as it is not used as a tool for discrimination.

“Such measures, when appropriately crafted and applied, can contribute to the well-being of our community,” Zavadil said. “However, I’m aware that this measure is being spear-headed by those with bigoted intentions to target the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly drag queens and queer people.”

More people were prepared to give comments at the end of the meeting, when the council has an optional agenda item for additional public comment time. However, when the board voted to extend the meeting for additional public comments, Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Bracken dissented, so the motion failed and the meeting ended.

PHOTO BY MCKENNA HARFORD

That ‘flirty crazy old hag’: Kellie Collins enjoys cosplay, festivals

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

One day 54-year-old Kellie Collins could be Lucinda Jinx a “ irty crazy old hag” with gray mangled hair, monochromatic eyes and bad teeth who likes to eat children and the next she could be the Mad Hatter, Ursula the Seawitch or a swashbuckling pirate.

Originally from Lakewood, the Littleton-area resident calls herself a “happy quirky cosplayer” and a good friend who has enjoyed dressing up in unique costumes and embodying dark and goofy personas for most of her life.

“I’ve always loved costumes and Halloween and everything like that,” Collins said.

Since she was 15 years old, Collins has attended the Colorado Renaissance Festival. She said she eventually got a job working in a booth before auditioning for the cast and becoming Lucinda Jinx the childeating witch. Collins has portrayed Lucinda every summer for the last eight years.

“I can relate to (Lucinda) as the crazy fun weirdo and by being Lucinda in that out t and in that environment, I can completely engulf it and it’s entertaining for people,” she said.

Collins said she created Lucinda, who is based o a witch from Ukrai-

nian folklore who lives in a house on rooster legs and eats children.

“Me being half Ukrainian I wanted to do a Baba Yaga and I wanted to go witchy because there is so much court and I’ve never really been a fancy one,” Collins said.

As Lucinda Jinx, Collins has long tangled gray hair, a dark black eye and a bright milky eye, gnarled black teeth and she carries a walking stick covered in an assortment of chil-

dren’s shoes and clothing.

“I just wanted to be comfortable and haggish because that’s just more my personality,” Collins said.

Collins has lived in the Littleton area for about 30 years and when she’s not dressing up in costumes, she works as an event planner for Dish Network.

ough she is portraying a character, Collins said she feels she can wholeheartedly be herself when she acts as Lucinda and other characters.

“I am in corporate American, and I am still quirky and weird there too, but you have to be professional,” Collins said. “I can walk up the hills as Lucinda and start up a conversation with myself and it amuses me. You can just be full on crazy.”

e mother of two said Lucinda inspired so much in her life including her spirituality, her house décor and even her license plate which says “LJINX.”

“I just love this character so much. At home my whole house is decorated with skulls and witchy stu , which sparked from when I got this job,” Collins said.

Additionally, Collins said she is honored and surprised by how much other people love Lucinda.

“I am so humbled and appreciative of that and it’s validation that this character I created truly is enjoyable for other people,” she said. “It just makes me so excited and that’s what has kept me going.”

Along with Lucinda, Collins enjoys

portraying other characters at different events throughout the year and was initially inspired by pirate costumes. She said the love of pirate costumes set the tone for her characters.

“It was never really the princess or the fairy it was always the rougher kind of character,” Collins said. roughout the year Collins said she cosplays at di erent events including a pirate festival in September, Halloween parties in October, Mrs. Claus in December and she hosts a large masquerade ball in January.

In high school, Collins said she learned how to sew and when her children were young, she would make their costumes for Halloween. Now she makes her own costumes.

“My sister got a sewing machine 45 years ago and I still have that same sewing machine, so I learned how to sew, and I’ll do a lot of my cosplay stu ,” she said. “I am very much a creative person. Costuming is my outlet for sure.”

Collins said she is grateful for the friends she has made and the community she has become a part of through cosplaying and in her everyday life.

“I am incredibly fortunate to have amazing friends in my life and wonderful people,” Collins said.

Going forward, Collins said she hopes she can continue to portray her characters and dress up.

Littleton citizen Kellie Collins dressed as Lucinda Jinx at the Colorado Renaissance Festival on July 23, 2023. She has attended the festival for 40 years. PHOTOS BY ELISABETH SLAY

Kellie Collins as herself looking fondly on a piece of art representing her witch character Lucinda Jinx created by a friend on Aug. 1, 2023. The Littleton resident loves dressing up yearround as various characters.

Invest in DCSD kicks o campaign for school funding

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Castle Rock’s Crystal Valley neighborhood is one of three growing areas of the Douglas County School District that doesn’t currently have a neighborhood elementary school. at could change if the district can pass a $484 million bond and $66 million mill levy override, which would fund new schools and increase sta pay, this November.

On Aug. 13, around 80 community members, school district sta and students gathered at Rhyolite Park in Crystal Valley to kick o the campaign for the funding measures.

Lenaya Dotseth, a Sterling Ranch resident, spoke about the importance of neighborhood schools. Her daughter Everly had to start kindergarten in Highlands Ranch, but Dotseth is working to ensure Sterling Ranch will get its own elementary school.

“We need schools here in Crystal Valley and in Sterling Ranch because these communities are booming and there’s no where for our kiddos to go,” Dotseth said. “Our community needs this (mill levy override) and bond to support the students in our district by retaining and recruiting high quality educators, maintaining and improving existing school buildings, and con-

school district has seen an exodus of sta and a growing backlog of capital projects.

Kaitlin Anderson, a senior at Chaparral High School, said her school lost a dozen teachers last year and she worries about more teachers leaving and students not having the same opportunities.

Anderson and two other Chaparral seniors, Olivia Abeyta and Kennedy Lay eld, also shared that they have dealt with leaky classrooms, mold and a deteriorating track.

deserves the same things that we had growing up,” Anderson said. “ e only thing keeping the barrier to that is money.”

Echoing other speakers, Becky Walker, a teacher at Trail Blazer Elementary, said Douglas County is a special district thanks to its dedicated teachers, who make sure students are successful.

“One of the constants I’ve seen throughout my career with me and my fellow colleagues is our overwhelming love and passion

students, not only that we believe in them, but also that they are worth it.”

With less than three months until the election, Christa Gilstrap, campaign leader for Invest in DCSD, the political issue committee supporting the bond and mill levy override, said volunteers and donations are needed to help make the campaign successful.  Gilstrap said the crowd at Sunday’s event makes her optimistic for November.

Douglas County School District started the school year on Aug. 8 missing hundreds of sta , from teachers to bus drivers. District administrators, teachers and principals rang alarm bells at the Aug. 8 school board meeting.

PHOTO BY MCKENNA HARFORD

and multifaceted mammals in the world, yet they are one of the most misunderstood.

Night Out, the Backcountry Wilderness Area Fund is partnering with Apex Clean Energy and Copperhead Environmental Consult-

LETTERS

~ Bahá’u’lláh

To learn more about the Baha’i Faith or find a gathering, please contact us.

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

liver carbon solutions and pioneer new development of clean energy technology.

energy industry faces are the fatalities to birds and bats.

When thinking about how he

tion grant program concept to his community, he thought about the

with the organization during high school and became an employee.

“There is a small niche of people across the United States and world that have an interest in bats,” said

SEE BATS, P25

bone the our pressing from We and able, like Valerie of sibility journeys child reliable, positions,

them,”

enforcement rado’s

Parker

“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”

Two bat BrandenBark structures, developed and trademarked by Copperhead Environmental Consulting, stand at the Backcountry Wilderness Area Base Camp. The tops of the structures have artificial bark for the bats to stay.

COURTESY RYAN HENNING educational drivers.

Henning.  pandemic, the with that about educational especially country coordinator, with portant conservation-focused have

BATS

Henning.

Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Henning approached the Backcountry Wilderness Area with a bat conservation project that would break down phobias about the species and serve as an educational program for families, especially kids.

Lindsey McKissick, the Backcountry Wilderness Area outreach coordinator, said providing kids with the correct information is important so they can grow up with a conservation-focused mindset.

Although Colorado does not have a high population of bats, the

LETTERS

educational assistants, and 104 bus drivers.

Our school district is the backbone of our community, nurturing the growth and development of our children. However, there is a pressing need for immediate action from all Douglas County residents. We need to pass a mill levy in 2023 and we need to elect knowledgeable, nonpartisan board members, like Susan Meek, Brad Geiger and Valerie ompson.

e move to rolling cancellations of bus routes threatens the accessibility and safety of our students’ journeys to school. Each and every child should have the assurance of reliable, safe, transportation.

e signi cant number of vacant positions, especially those of teach-

TRAFFICKING

FROM PAGE 4

friend, it is never going away,” Dore said.

Sheri Darren Weekly urged people to remember the advice: “If you see something, say something.”

“A lot of times, people are hesitant to get involved if something bothers them,” Weekly said. “If something doesn’t sit right with you,” let law enforcement know, he said.

Or to report or get help, call Colorado’s human tra cking hotline at

state is in a migration corridor and in the spring of 2022, Henning and his team put in three BrandenBark structures and three Rocket Box artificial bat roost structures to help attract bats and provide a place for them.

The BrandenBark structure, which is essentially a telephone pole with artificial bark on the top to mimic the loose bark on a tree where bats often stay after foraging, was developed and trademarked by Copperhead Environmental Consulting.

Gregg Janos of Copperhead Environmental Consulting and Goni Iskali of Apex Clean Energy, both bat biologists, will be joining Henning on a public panel discussion at Living the Dream Brewing, located at 12305 N. Dunmont on

ers, educational assistants and bus drivers, points to a systemic challenge that cannot be ignored. Our educators and support sta are the bedrock of our education system, and their absence undoubtedly impacts the quality of education our children receive. e repercussions extend beyond the classroom, a ecting our community’s social fabric and the future of our workforce.

We must collectively recognize the urgency of the situation and demand swift action, and new board leadership. It is on us, as parents, citizens and community members, to support initiatives that attract and retain quali ed teachers and sta , ensuring a stable and nurturing learning environment for our children. Adequate sta ng is vital to maintain e ective classroom sizes and provide the necessary assistance to students with varying needs.

866-455-5075.

e 24/7 hotline and resource directory is managed by the Laboratory to Combat Human Tra cking, a Colorado-based nonpro t. You can also text the hotline between noon and midnight mountain time at 720-999-9724.

For more information on human tra cking, see the Colorado Department of Human Services’ website at cdhs.colorado.gov/ child-tra cking-in-colorado or the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s website at cbi.colorado.gov/ sections/investigations/humantra cking.

Aug. 25 starting at 7 p.m.

They will be speaking about the structures used in the backcountry, the types of bats seen in Colorado, and educate the public about their ecological benefits.

Not only are bats one of the biggest pollinators for the plant that makes tequila, said Henning, they eat insects and can keep pesticides off of crop fields.

Starting at 4 p.m. on Aug. 26, the community is invited to come to the Backcountry Base Camp to visit the bat habitat and learn about the purpose of the structures from the experts.

There will also be hands-on activities for families and kids such as using audio technology called Echo Meter Touch 2 that suggests the bat species based on the ultra-

Our community must unite to address these pressing concerns and pass necessary funding measures, and elect sound leadership that will responsibly safeguard the education and well-being of our children.

As we approach the upcoming school board elections and decisions about budget allocations, let

sonic bat call, as well as coloring tables and example displays on how to catch a bat.

Then from 6 to 7 p.m., Nature’s Educators, a wildlife education nonprofit, will bring some nocturnal animals that were either born into captivity or rescued as part of their Creature’s of the Night program.

The second night event will be $10 per car registration. Registration is available at https://hrcaonline.org/about-us/guides-communication/calendar-schedules/ event-details/artmid/13899/articleid/3534/evr/1/preview/true.

“This is a really unique opportunity for us to gather the community to do both conservation work and environmental education in one place,” said McKissick.

us remember that the quality of education we provide today will shape the future of our community for years to come. I implore our fellow citizens to engage, advocate and hold our school district accountable for the urgent improvements that are needed.

Lindsey Smithson Castle Rock

Mistakes cost Vista in season opener against No. 5 team

BY ALEX SCHULTZ ASCHULTZ@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As he looked at his players knelt before him, moments after their close loss to Ralston Valley, Mountain Vista football coach Garrett Looney’s words were bold — yet warranted.

“If you continue to play like that the rest of the season, you will be playing in the semis,” Looney told his troops after their 13-7 loss to the Mustangs in both teams’ season opener Aug. 18 at a jam-packed Halftime Help Stadium.

Looney was referring to the Class 5A state playo s, of course.

It was a bold statement because this is August — the state playo s are still several turns of the calendar away.

But the fth-year coach’s procla-

mation was also warranted because the Golden Eagles, if not for getting in their own way, easily could have beaten the Mustangs, who entered the game ranked No. 5 in Colorado and were a semi nal team themselves nine months ago.

Looney was also entitled to such a declaration because what Vista was able to do in its 2023 debut — stand toe to toe with a state power — likely wasn’t an anomaly.

at’s because all the o ensive weaponry from last year’s 7-4 Golden Eagles team is back this season, including junior quarterback Austyn Modrzewski, who received an o er from the University of Kentucky of the Southeastern Conference in June. Modrzewski’s 3,327 passing yards last season were second-best in Colorado and his 34 passing touchdowns were tied for

third.

Also back from last season are the Golden Eagles’ top three receivers (Sean Conway, Jakhai Mack and Ja’pree Jennings) and three leading rushers (Chris Smith, Jack Blais and Modrzewski).

“It’s super early. We have to keep getting better,” Looney said. “But I know this group has the talent to be really good come playo time.”

So, why didn’t all that o ensive repower produce more points on Aug. 18? Well, don’t let Vista’s seven points fool you — the Golden Eagles can and will score this year. ey simply shot themselves in the foot on way too many occasions against Ralston Valley.

Consider: Vista made it inside the Mustangs’ 37-yard line six times but only came away with points on one of those drives — a 3-yard touchdown pass from Blais, after he received a pitch from Modrzewski, to a falling-down Conway in the back of the end zone to make the score 13-7 right before halftime.

e two most soul-crushing drives for Vista occurred in the second half, when a touchdown and an extra point would’ve given the Golden Eagles the lead — perhaps for good.

On Vista’s rst possession of the third quarter, a swing pass from Modrzewski to Blais moved the ball to Ralston Valley’s 5-yard line. However, three consecutive negative plays — of 5, 9 and 14 yards — backed up the Golden Eagles to the 33-yard line, where they were forced to punt.

Two series later, a Modrzewskito-Grant Hansen connection set up Vista at Ralston Valley’s 6-yard line, but the Golden Eagles stalled there and eventually turned the ball over

on downs.

“We just made too many mistakes,” Looney said. “When you play a really good, well-coached team, those mistakes are going to kill you. You can get away with it some weeks, but not against a team like Ralston Valley.”

Said the 16-year-old Modrzewski, who completed 24 of 41 passes for 235 yards: “Obviously, it’s Week 0. We knew there were going to be mistakes. It’s more about how we bounce back from them. It’s going to hurt inside for a couple days, but we just need to watch the lm, learn from it and move on to next week.” e Golden Eagles were exceptional on defense save for three plays — a 48-yard pass and a pair of 42-yard receptions, one of which went for a touchdown — which accounted for half of Ralston Valley’s total o ensive production (265 yards).

Meanwhile, Vista ran 22 more plays than the Mustangs but watched as promising drive after promising drive sputtered.

“I think our defense showed tonight that we can play with anybody,” Looney said. “[Ralston Valley] is a big, physical football team and we were right there with them at the end. Bottom line, our o ense made too many mistakes. We had dropped passes, penalties. If we clean those things up, we’re going to be right there. e kids just have to believe that, and I think they do.”

Indeed, if the Golden Eagles can stay healthy throughout the season, play cleaner football and capitalize on opportunities, they may very well nd themselves in the state semi nals.

And they might not stop there.

Mountain Vista quarterback Austyn Modrzewski drops back for a pass against Ralston Valley in both teams’ season opener Aug. 18 at Halftime Help Stadium. Modrzewski completed 24 of 41 passes for 235 yards in Vista’s 13-7 loss to the Mustangs, ranked No. 5 in Colorado.

PHOTO BY ALEX K.W. SCHULTZ

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Schedule – For two boys ages 5 & 8. School year (Aug-May) work schedule will primarily be on weekdays 6:30am-8:30am & 3pm-8pm. Individual will have to have valid Colorado driver’s license to transport boys to and from school and other extracurricular activities. We will provide a vehicle for this use as well as limited personal use. For Summer break (End of May through beginning of August) this individual will watch the kids 9am-6pm Mon-Fri. Also allowed flexibility with the option to switch days or hours for weekends occasionally.

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$37,000 annual salary paid in weekly increments. Provided bedroom and attached bathroom at the employer’s residence is provided. If interested please email your resume to employer, Lindsey Donakowski, at lindsey.mayer@gmail.com

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A Visa Inc. company, needs a Data Engineer (multiple openings) (REF63776P) in Highlands Ranch, CO. Job duties include: Engage with business owners, data enthusiasts, and technology teams to build data pipelines and solutions at scale and with a focus on sustained operational excellence. Maintain high performing ETL processes, including data quality and testing aligned across technology, internal reporting and other functional teams. Position reports to the Highlands Ranch, CO office and may allow for partial telecommuting. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $114,733.00 USD to $160,300.00 USD per year. Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for an annual bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position is eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Program, FSH/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time off and Wellness Programs. Qualified applicants should apply by emailing resume to careersus@visa.com. Must reference job code:

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Educational Audiologist

Part-Time

East Central BOCES is looking for a part-time Educational Audiologist for the 2023-24 school year. CDE Special Services and Colorado Audiologist licensure required; CCC’s or AAA certificate; knowledge of current technologies in Audiology including HAT systems and cochlear implants preferred. Experience with children 0-21 preferred. Complete evaluations, provide direct services, and consultation services, manage hearing equipment and oversee hearing screening program. Benefits include: a signing bonus, mileage reimbursement. Flexible scheduling with some opportunity to work from home. May be eligible for a loan forgiveness program. Ph.D. Salary $51,450$60,550. For Questions, please contact Tracy at tracyg@ecboces.org or 719775-2342 ext. 101. 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 Notices

Public Notices

The above is a statement of gross salaries for Douglas County Government employees. This includes regular pay, overtime, sick and vacation pay, (where applicable) paid to employees during the month ending June 30, 2023. In addition to wages paid, Douglas County Government offers the following fringe benefits to all benefit eligible employees: Employee-paid health, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance premiums; matching retirement; the required employer’s match for Social Security and Medicare; unemployment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; accidental death and dismemberment insurance; workers’ compensation; flexible spending program administration fees (if applicable); and an employee assistance program. Some employees may also be offered auto, uniform, phone, and / or tool allowances, as well as recognition awards. The County wide average percentage of salaries paid for the aforementioned benefits is 37.05%. This notice is published under the direction of the Board of County Commissioners in accordance with C.R.S. 30-25-111.

ANDREW COPLAND DIRECTOR OF

FINANCE

Legal Notice No.: 945808

First Publication: August 24, 2023

Last Publication: August 24, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notices

Legals

Public Trustees

PUBLIC NOTICE

Littleton NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0117

To Whom It May Concern: On 6/20/2023 12:22:00 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: Daniel Lee Moffett Jr. and Wendi Renee Moffett

Original Beneficiary:

Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS") as nominee for American Financing Corporation, Its Successors and Assigns

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: NewRez LLC, F/K/A New Penn Financial, LLC, D/B/A Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 1/19/2017

Recording Date of DOT: 1/26/2017

Reception No. of DOT: 2017006173

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $169,200.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $158,406.13

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are

hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: the failure to make timely payments required under said Deed of Trust and the Evidence of Debt secured thereby.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 16, BLOCK 3, PULTE HOMES AT ROXBOROUGH VILLAGE FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 9828 Fairwood Street, 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, October 11, 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: 8/17/2023

Last Publication: 9/14/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 6/20/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

HOLLY SHILLIDAY

Colorado Registration #: 24423 7700 E. ARAPAHOE ROAD, SUITE 230 , CENTENNIAL, COLORADO 80112

Phone #: (877) 369-6122

Fax #:

Attorney File #: CO-23-957025-LL

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0117

First Publication: 8/17/2023

Last Publication: 9/14/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0106

To Whom It May Concern: On 6/2/2023 9:30:00

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: CARL D. GRANT AND SHERIANNE V. GRANT

Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR NOVASTAR MORTGAGE, INC.

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, F/K/A

THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR NOVASTAR MORTGAGE FUNDING TRUST, SERIES 2005-4, NOVASTAR HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-4

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 10/26/2005

Recording Date of DOT: 11/2/2005

Reception No. of DOT: 2005105932

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$311,920.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $325,960.93

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence

of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.

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 333, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 110-J, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 10125 Spring Water Court, 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 27, 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

Public Notices

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: 8/3/2023

Last Publication: 8/31/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 6/2/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

RANDALL CHIN

Colorado Registration #: 31149

1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700, DENVER, COLORADO 80204

Phone #: (303) 350-3711

Fax #:

Attorney File #: 00000009686460

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0106

First Publication: 8/3/2023

Last Publication: 8/31/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #039-23

UNIFIED FORENSIC LABORATORY REMODEL PROJECT

The Department of Facilities, Fleet and Emergency Support Services of Douglas County Government, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible and qualified contractors for all materials and services required to complete the remodel of the Unified Forensic Laboratory Project.

ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2023 @ 10:00

A.M., THERE WILL BE A MANDATORY SITE VISIT RELATED TO THIS PROJECT. THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL ALLOW ALL INTERESTED PARTIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THE LOCATION AND DISCUSS THE PROJECT DETAILS. THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL BEGIN IN THE FRONT LOBBY OF THE UNIFIED FORENSIC LABORATORY, 8555 DOUBLE HELIX COURT, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112. ONLY THOSE PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS ATTENDING THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL BE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT A BID ON THIS PROJECT. Please bring a business card, as sign-in sheets will not be passed around.

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

IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only

be accessed from the above-mentioned website. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses.

Bid responses shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 039-23, Unified Forensic Laboratory Remodel Project” and mailed or hand-carried to the address shown below prior to the due date and time. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted.

Bids will be received until 3:00pm on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened.

Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder.

Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303660-7434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Legal Notice No. 945902

First Publication: August 24, 2023

Last Publication: August 24, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CONTRACTORS SETTLEMENT

COUNTY OF DOUGLAS

STATE OF COLORADO

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 38-26-107, C.R.S., as amended, that on September 24, 2023, final settlement will be made by the County of Douglas, State of Colorado, for and on account of a contract between Douglas County and TechCon Infrastructure LLC for the Traffic Signal Installation Project at Fairview Parkway and Grace Boulevard, Douglas County Project Number CI 2021-029, in Douglas County; and that any person, co-partnership, association or corporation that has an unpaid claim against said TechCon Infrastructure LLC for or on account of the furnishing of labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or any of his subcontractors in or about the performance of said work, or that supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of said work, may at any time up to and including said time of such final settlement on said 09/24/2023, file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the Board of County Commissioners, c/o Director of Public Works Engineering, with a copy to the Project Manager, Karl Lucero, Department of Public Works Engineering Division, Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104. Failure on the part of the claimant to file such statement before such final settlement will relieve

said County of Douglas from all and any liability for such claimant's claim.

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners of the County of Douglas, Colorado, By: Janet Herman, P.E., Director of Public Works.

Legal Notice No. 945870

First Publication: August 24, 2023

Second Publication: August 31, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Account Number: 2734

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CONTRACTORS SETTLEMENT COUNTY OF DOUGLAS STATE OF COLORADO

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 38-26-107, C.R.S., as amended, that on September 24, 2023, final settlement will be made by the County of Douglas, State of Colorado, for and on account of a contract between Douglas County and Kiewit Infrastructure Co. for the Perry Park Road Traffic Safety Improvements, Douglas County Project Number CI 2020-024 in Douglas County; and that any person, co-partnership, association or corporation that has an unpaid claim against said Kiewit Infrastructure Co. for or on account of the furnishing of labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or any of his subcontractors in or about the performance of said work, or that supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of said work, may at any time up to and including said time of such final settlement on said 9/24/2023, file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the Board of County Commissioners, c/o Director of Public Works Engineering, with a copy to the Project Engineer, Daniel R. Roberts, P.E., Department of Public Works Engineering Division, Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

Failure on the part of the claimant to file such statement before such final settlement will relieve said County of Douglas from all and any liability for such claimant's claim.

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners of the County of Douglas, Colorado, By:

Janet Herman, P.E., Director of Public Works.

Legal Notice No. 945869

First Publication: August 24, 2023

Second Publication: August 31, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Account Number: 2734

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CONTRACTORS SETTLEMENT COUNTY OF DOUGLAS STATE OF COLORADO

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 38-26-107, C.R.S., as amended, that on September 24, 2023, final settlement will be made by the County of Douglas, State of Colorado, for

and on account of a contract between Douglas County and RME Ltd., LLC d/b/a Elite Surface Infrastructure for the Sageport 2018 Local Improvement District (LID) & Bannock 2019 Local Improvement District (LID) Douglas County Project Numbers CI 2018-012 & 2019022, in Douglas County; and that any person, co-partnership, association or corporation that has an unpaid claim against said RME Ltd., LLC d/b/a Elite Surface Infrastructure for or on account of the furnishing of labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or any of his subcontractors in or about the performance of said work, or that supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of said work, may at any time up to and including said time of such final settlement on said 9/24/2023, file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the Board of County Commissioners, c/o Director of Public Works Engineering, with a copy to the Project Engineer, Daniel R. Roberts, P.E., Department of Public Works Engineering Division, Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

Failure on the part of the claimant to file such statement before such final settlement will relieve said County of Douglas from all and any liability for such claimant's claim.

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners of the County of Douglas, Colorado, By: Janet Herman, P.E., Director of Public Works.

Legal Notice No. 945884

First Publication: August 24, 2023

Second Publication: August 31, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Account Number: 2734

Misc. Private Legals

Public Notice

NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED

To Every Person in Actual Possession or Occupancy of the hereinafter Described Land, Lot or Premises, and to the Person in Whose Name the Same was Taxed or Specially Assessed, and to all Persons having an Interest or Title of Record in or to the said Premises and To Whom It May Concern, and more especially to:

OCCUPANT - HIGHLAND MEADOWS

PROPERTIES LLC - ALLEN H HEDRICK & WALTER A KOWALSKI - HIGHLAND

MEADOWS PROPERTIES LLC - HIGHLAND MEADOW PROPERTIES LLC, WALTER A KOWALSKI, KARREN E KOWALSKI - WALTER A KOWALSKI PRESIDENT HIGHLAND MEADOW PROPERTIES LLC - TRUSTEE

NATIONAL COVENANT DISBURSEMENT LLC C/O RICHARD A SMITH ESQ TRUSTEE

- FREEHOLD LICENSING INC A NEVADA CORP - JOHN STACY - ROBERT P WILSON

- ALLEN HEDRICK AKA ALLEN H HEDRICK AKA ALLEN HUGO HEDRICK - FREEHOLD CAPITAL PARTNERS - COVENANT

LLC TRUSTEE - REGISTERED AGENT REGISTERED AGENTS INC COVENANT CLEARINGHOUSE LLC - DAVID PESNELL AUTHORIZED AGENT OF COVENANT CLEARINGHOUSE LLC - SHERI L THOMPSON - BRAD L. AVERILLALBERT MULLER III - LINDA S VELASQUEZ AKA LINDA SUE VELASQUEZ - LINDA S VELASQUEZ

You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 20th day of October 2011 the then County Treasurer of the County of Douglas, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to BRAD L. AVERILL the following described real estate situate in the County of Douglas, State of Colorado, to wit:

LOT 12 BLK 28 MERIBEL VILLAGE 1 445-135

0.512 AM/L

and said County Treasurer issued a certificate of purchase therefore to BRAD L. AVERILL. That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent* taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2010. That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of HIGHLAND MEADOWS PROPERTIES LLC for said year 2010

That said BRAD L. AVERILL on the 8th day of September 2022 the present holder of said certificate, has made request upon the Treasurer of said County for a deed to said real estate; That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said at 1:00 o’clock P.M., on the 30th day of November 2023 unless the same has been redeemed. Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 17th day of August 2023

/s/ David Gill County Treasurer of Douglas County Legal Notice No. 945848

First Publication: August 17, 2023

Last Publication: August 31, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press ###

Spacecraft technology company launches new manufacturing facility

BY SHEA VANCE SVANCE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

True Anomaly, a Denver-based aerospace and defense company founded in 2022, hosted a grand opening of their new GravityWorks spacecraft manufacturing facility in Centennial on Aug. 17.

The event was attended by several local officials including Congressman Jason Crow, Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko, Centennial Mayor Pro Tempore Richard Holt, and city councilmembers.

“Centennial really is the epicenter, in my view, of defense, aviation, aerospace, and space in the future of those industries and our national defense,” Crow said. “Thank you for your innovation, your entrepreneurship, and for bringing it home to Centennial.”

As the aerospace industry turns a page in the manufacturing speed and necessity of defense spacecraft, True Anomaly aims to rise to the challenge as an industrial partner to national space security.

“True Anomaly was founded to answer this call and address this exact challenge: to be an industrial partner to the national security space community by assuming our part in the task of global competition,” said Even Rogers, CEO and

co-founder of True Anomaly. “GravityWorks is how True Anomaly will do it.”

The facility introduces an assembly line manufacturing model, an unusual approach in the industry, and has the capabilities of producing a satellite in five

days.

“Continued prosperity on Earth depends on the peaceful utilization of space. Without the space domain, the world looks very, very different, less stable, and less prosperous,” Rogers said.

Space was recognized by NATO as the fifth operational domain for military operations in 2019, joining maritime, air, land, and

“The U.S. government and industry, we find ourselves as partners at what we view as an inflection point at True Anomaly: to deliver asymmetric capabilities to sustainably secure the domain at the speed of operational requirement,” Rogers said.

True Anomaly conducted a national search for the location of the GravityWorks manufacturing site, and eventually landed back in Colorado, a hub of spacecraft technology in

“They stayed in Colorado, and they chose Centennial, and I’d like to think it’s because we are a business-friendly community,” Mayor Piko said. “We have an opportunity here to really continue to create an atmosphere of growth and private sector-public sector cooperation in order to benefit not just us here in Centennial, but everyone around the globe.”

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Company leaders and city o cials cut the ribbon and open GravityWorks.

PHOTO BY SHEA VANCE