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WEEK OF JANUARY 11, 2024

VOLUME 37 | ISSUE 6

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CONFUSION OVER MEALS ON WHEELS

A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office vehicle sits on the side of the road in Douglas County.

COURTESY OF DEBORAH TAKAHARA

Why the Douglas County sheriff aims to remain fully staffed BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office announced that they were fully staffed with more than 400 commissioned employees to meet demand, however, staffing levels often change with everything from retirements to vacations to medical leave. “Every year it’s a challenge,” Sheriff Darren Weekly told Colorado Community Media. “We’re still working on

exactly how many deputy sheriff ’s we need.” The Douglas County Commissioners oversee the county’s budget, which includes how many employees can be allocated to the sheriff ’s office, specifically the certain number of deputy sheriff ’s and number of civilians for every position there is in the office. Weekly provides a staffing analysis to the commissioners in which he will assess if they need more deputy

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sheriff ’s in a certain area and if so, how many do they need. Weekly added that a proposal is made to the county and the commissioners decide whether they approve the budget number or not. “So if I’m going to ask for additional staff, I have to do essentially a staffing analysis based upon a position,” said Weekly. Using the patrol division as an exSEE STAFFING, P8

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January 11, 2024Jan

Nourish Meals on Wheels offers reassurance Confusion with Adams program led to worries in south metro area BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Nourish Meals on Wheels nonprofit organization that serves the south metro area is reassuring seniors that its services will continue. The push from the organization comes amid fears that the program would be affected after news that the Senior Hub Meals on Wheels program in Adams County faced a potential closure. Colorado Community Media was unable to reach Senior Hub Meals on Wheels officials. News reports indicate the Adams County meals program survived a potential shutdown at the end of 2023 when Volunteers of America and the Denver Regional Council of Governments stepped up to provide manpower and funding, respectively.

Volunteers work in the kitchen at Nourish Meals on Wheels in Littleton. The nonprofit organization makes and delivers fresh, hot PHOTO BY HALEY LENA and nutritious meals to hundreds of seniors in the South-Metro Denver area.

The initial news about the Senior Hub program surprised many in Adams County and created confusion

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about other Meals on Wheels programs. “A lot of people don’t realize that Meals on Wheels isn’t one organization,” said Nancy Falk, executive director of Nourish Meals on Wheels. Falk wants to assure clients and volunteers in the south metro area that Nourish Meals on Wheels operations are unaffected. Meals on Wheels America is a membership organization of which Littleton-based Nourish Meals on Wheels is a member. It operates independently and is not impacted by the Adams County Senior Hub program. For more than 50 years, Nourish has been dedicated to providing daily hot, nutritious meals to senior citizens and homebound adults. It has a 100-square-mile service area in Arapahoe, Jefferson and Douglas counties as well as a small portion of Denver. “We’re going strong and we’re here to support the community,” said Falk. Nourish Meals on Wheels is funded by grants and foundations, through the community, individual donations and special events. Falk said the organization does not seek or accept federal funding, allowing them more flexibility in who they serve. The organization has more than 500 volunteers.

According to a Feeding America report, in 2021, one in every eight older adults, those over the age of 60, experienced hunger in the United States. In 2022, volunteers delivered 550 fresh meals a day, 400 frozen meals each weekend, 750 breakfasts each week and 200 bags of groceries each month. It also celebrated clients’ birthdays. Nourish also helps clients feed their pets and provides items such as kitty litter and treats. “No one wants to be isolated,” said Falk. “So we offer more than a meal. We offer that meal, plus connection.” In 2022, about 88% of clients said the program allowed them to remain independent in their home and 81% said the organization’s services make them feel less lonely. Participants also indicated their energy has increased and they have been able to maintain a quality of life. When asked if Nourish Meals on Wheels would offer support to other Meals of Wheels programs, Falk said although she doesn’t know what it would look like, they are always willing to collaborate and connect with others. “We always work better together,” said Falk. “So as far as connecting with each other and seeing how we can support, I’m always open to seeing how we can do that better together.”

January 11, 2024 ADVERTISEMENT

I Bought Some Jeffco Property Tax Liens at Auction; Here’s What I Learned

In Colorado, if you haven’t paid your property taxes by June, your county sells the resulting tax lien at auction a few months later. In Jefferson County, that auction was held online over Nov. 6 and 7, and I decided to buy a few in Golden, where I live, to learn about the process so I could share it with you, my readers. This year, 85 other buyers and I purchased a total of 1,130 tax liens totaling $6.4 million, paying a premium of $400,415 or 6.25% more overall than what was actually owed in property taxes plus accrued interest and fees by the property owners. The county treasurer received the $6.4 million on behalf of the properties’ respective tax districts, and the $400,415 went to the county’s general fund. The reason people purchase tax liens is to pocket the 15% interest that is added to the taxes owed. When the property owner “redeems” his property, he basically pays the lien holder the amount of the lien plus interest from the date of the sale through the date of redemption. Thus, if the taxpayer takes a year to pay it, I earn 15% interest minus the premium which I paid. If he redeems it soon after I have purchased the lien, I

lose money depending on how much I bid up the lien amount. I chatted with a fellow lien buyer and learned his technique for making money on tax liens. He researches each property owner to determine whether he’s likely to pay quickly, slowly, or not at all. For example, was he delinquent in prior years? I didn’t do any of that research, so I have no idea whether a year or two from now I will be counting my profits or my losses on the four liens I purchased. I’ll chalk up any losses to the cost of publishing this column! Statistically, 7% of tax liens are redeemed within a month of the sale, 22% within 3 months, and 38% within 6 months. It’s been two months since the sale, and none of my four tax liens have been redeemed. All but 4% of purchased tax liens are redeemed within 4 years. In the next column is a chart showing how many tax liens were sold at auction since 2001, so you can see that this year’s numbers are not much different than in prior years. The $6.4 million figure is higher than last year, but can be attributed in part to the increase in assessed valuation of Jeffco properties. Fifty-two tax liens totaling $13,909 were not purchased in the online auc-

Golden Ranch Is Close to White Ranch Open Space This well-maintained home at 1509 Jesse Lane is within the City of Golden with its low property taxes and famous amenities, yet it is closer to the lower entrance of the White Ranch Open Space than it is to downtown Golden. Located behind a hogback, it is super quiet too, isolated from traffic and other noises. With 5 bedrooms (four with walk-in clos$1,495,000 ets) and 3½ bathrooms, it is a large home with two family rooms, a rec room and over 1,000 sq. ft. of unfinished storage. The heated 3-car garage is finished and has an epoxy floor. The third bay has a workshop table and cabinets. Take a video tour at www.NorthGoldenHome.com, then come to the open house Saturday, 11am to 1pm, or call listing agent David Dlugasch at 303-908-4835 to see it.

Lakewood Tri-Level Has Mother-in-Law Apartment This well-maintained home at 2230 Zeph$695,000 yr St. is on 1/3 acre in that quiet neighborhood southeast of Crown Hill lake and park and west of Wadsworth Blvd. The location offers a perfect blend of seclusion and convenience, not far from a light rail station and Hwy. 6. Its seller-owned solar panels provide most of the home’s electrical needs. Entering the home, you’re greeted by a living and dining room with vaulted, wood-beamed ceilings, hardwood floors and a wood-burning fireplace. The kitchen has updated cabinets, a newer stainless refrigerator, and a breakfast nook overlooking the expansive backyard. The upper level contains three bedrooms and a full bathroom, as well as a high-efficiency washer and dryer. On the lower level is a 1-bedroom mother-in-law apartment with its own entrance, back patio, storage shed, washer/dryer, and driveway. Visit www.LakewoodHome.info to view a narrated video tour, then call listing agent Kathy Jonke at 303-990-7428 to arrange a private showing. She’ll hold it open this Saturday, Jan. 13th, from 11am to 1pm.

is never redeemed, but in the past 5 years only two improved properties ended up being acquired in that matter. One was a home with a possible meth issue, and the other was an abandoned gas station that remains closed and unsold 3 years later. Until 2004, tax liens were sold at the county treasurer’s office in a live auction, but since then it has been conducted online by a vendor in a very streamlined manner. I was impressed at how easy it was for buyers to participate. In my posting of this article on Substack, I provide more details from the treasurer’s office about this complicated topic. In conclusion, I learned a lot, but I don’t think I’ll buy more tax tion, so those liens remain held by the liens next year. Although I was studying Jeffco, other county. The country treasurer, Jerry DiTullio, explained that those are mostly counties operate similarly, I’m told. unimproved slivers of land that are often purchased ultimately by adjoining prop- I’m Now Publishing on Substack Everything you read in this ad each erty owners. According to Deputy Chief Treasurer week — and more — is published at Dave Villano, as of November 17, 2023, http://RealEstateToday.Substack.com Jeffco held 479 tax liens that failed to and comes to you automatically each sell between 2010 and this cycle. Most Wednesday. I also write a political colof these will not get paid since they are umn you might like. Find it at http:// unbuildable strips and eventually get TalkingTurkey.Substack.com. Starting in January, I’ll be writing a travelogue cancelled and the process starts again. of our world cruise on the Viking Sky. In theory, the purchaser of a tax lien You can subscribe to that publication at could end up acquiring the property http://wherearejimandrita.substack.com. through a treasurer’s deed if the tax lien

Wheat Ridge Ranch Features Some Great Updates Wheat Ridge has some great neighbor$525,000 hoods, and this home at 4021 Moore St. is in one of them. It’s north of 38th Avenue, west of Kipling, and south of I-70 far enough that you’re totally unaware of any of them. In my video tour at www.WheatRidgeHome.info, all you hear outside are birds and the wind in the trees. Inside, this 1958 brick ranch has an updated kitchen and two updated bathrooms. Hardwood flooring was added in the common areas plus the primary bedroom. Partially visible to the left is the newer 2-car carport that could easily be enclosed to be a detached garage, and next to it is a large shed with 4 separate storage rooms. Typical for this seller, both the carport and shed have a shingle roof, gutters and downspouts that match those on the home. After viewing the narrated video tour, come to the open house this coming Sunday from 11am to 1pm, or call listing agent Kathy Jonke, 303-990-7428, to see it.

Jim Smith

Congratulations to Chuck Brown, our top producing broker associate in 2023

Broker/Owner, 303-525-1851 Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com 1214 Washington Ave., Golden 80401 Broker Associates: JIM SWANSON, 303-929-2727 CHUCK BROWN, 303-885-7855 DAVID DLUGASCH, 303-908-4835 GREG KRAFT, 720-353-1922 AUSTIN POTTORFF, 970-281-9071 KATHY JONKE, 303-990-7428

“I cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good I can do.” —Jana Stanfield

January 11, 2024Jan

Colorado Catholic preschools make their case at trial challenging nondiscrimination rules BY ANN SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT COLORADO

Enrolling preschoolers from LGBTQ families would conflict with the religious beliefs and obligations of Catholic preschools, attorneys for two Denver-area Catholic parishes said on Jan. 2 as the trial began in a lawsuit challenging the nondiscrimination rules in Colorado’s universal preschool program. Two Catholic parishes that run preschools — St. Mary’s in Littleton and St. Bernadette’s in Lakewood — and the Archdiocese of Denver sued the state in federal district court in August. They argued that a nondiscrimination clause in an agreement re-

quired by the state for participation in the preschool program conflicts with their mission to provide a Catholic education. Senior U.S. District Judge John L. Kane, who is presiding over the trial, recently issued an order dismissing the archdiocese as a plaintiff. Attorneys for the state said Catholic preschools under the archdiocese are being treated the same as other preschools in the program, and that the nondiscrimination agreement in question is similar to the ones some Catholic schools have signed in the past for other kinds of publicly funded programs. The lawsuit could have big implications for the new $322 million preschool program, which launched in

August and enrolls more than 60% of the state’s 4-year-olds this year. A win for the Catholic preschools could bring more faith-based schools into the preschool program, but it could limit the state’s ability to set nondiscrimination policies for an education program that it pays for. A win for the state could deter some faith-based preschools from participating, but it means families with LGBTQ parents or children couldn’t be shut out of preschools because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The trial is expected to last several days, with the judge making the decision. Four witnesses testified for the

Catholic preschools in early January, including the mother who said her family would have saved several thousand dollars if the Catholic preschool her 4-year-old attends had been able to participate in universal preschool this year. Colorado’s universal preschool program offers 10 to 30 hours of tu-Im ition-free preschool a week to 4-year-be olds. Families can pick preschoolCe classrooms in public schools, private child care centers, faith-based programs, or state-licensed homes. The two parish preschools that sued declined to join the program after the archdiocese instructed them SEE PRESCHOOL, P6

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January 11, 2024

Office Closure

Douglas County offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Many services are available at DoItOnlineDouglas.com Images of a woman the Arapahoe County Sheriff ’s Office is trying to identify. She is believed to be involved in the Jan. 2, 2024, carjacking that happened at a Walmart in COURTESY PHOTO Centennial.

Deputies seek woman after Walmart carjacking ages. Bystander fired shots at Arapahoe County, Colorado, officials described the male suspect, vehicle driven away by who is still at-large, as a heavy-set man. He allegedly pointed his gun at woman in the Civic in the parkman in Centennial incident the ing lot near Walmart’s automotive BY TAYLER SHAW TWSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Arapahoe County Sheriff ’s Office is asking for help identifying a woman who is believed to be involved in a carjacking at a Centennial Walmart. The sheriff ’s office shared photos of the woman on social media a day after the Jan. 2 incident, as she is believed to have left the crime scene with the alleged armed carjacker. According to police, an armed man forced a woman out of her silver Honda Civic in the Walmart parking lot, stealing her car. As he drove off, a customer pulled a gun and fired shots at the car. The alleged suspect drove away and then picked up the woman deputies are seeking. According to the images, she appears to have dyed, light-colored hair and a tattoo on her chest. She was wearing a red, long-sleeved crop top and a lanyard in the im-

center on Briarwood Avenue. “While this was going on, a customer in the area saw what was happening and went out to help,” said Deputy John Bartmann, a public information officer for the Arapahoe County Sheriff ’s Office. Bartmann said the customer fired two rounds at the vehicle, striking the passenger door of the victim’s vehicle but the suspect drove the car away. The customer had a concealed weapons permit, Bartmann said. He said deputies believe that just the car was hit and not the suspect. Bartmann added that no bystanders at the Walmart appeared to be hit. After the carjacking, it was reported that a female got into the passenger seat of the stolen car with the suspect, he said. Deputies believe that they were together. The sheriff ’s office said anyone recognizing the woman should call the department’s tip line at 720-8748477.

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Christmas tree recycling Douglas County provides several drop-off locations to recycle your Christmas tree. For locations, dates and instructions on how to prepare your tree for recycling, visit douglas.co.us and search for Christmas tree recycling.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) This nutrition program provides education, breastfeeding support, healthy food, and other services to families who qualify. Visit douglas.co.us and search WIC for more information and to complete an application.

Need help with home heating costs? Eligible low-income households in Douglas County may apply for energy assistance through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). For more information, to apply online or to find answers to your questions, please visit douglas.co.us and search LEAP.

Strive to Thrive offers hot meal and assistance The Strive to Thrive Resource Fair will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 23 from 4-6 p.m. at the Calvary Chapel, 1100 Caprice Drive in Castle Rock. Enjoy a free hot meal and access valuable resources from more than 20 different organizations. Individuals and families are welcome to attend. For more information, visit douglas.co.us and search for Strive to Thrive.

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January 11, 2024Jan

PRESCHOOL FROM PAGE 4

not to sign the state’s nondiscrimination agreement, which prohibits discrimination based on religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity, among other factors. The lawsuit asserts that the nondiscrimination clause could prevent them from prioritizing children from Catholic families for enrollment, or force them to admit a child who identifies as a gender “at odds with their biological sex,” or a child whose parents “identify as gay or lesbian” or are “part of a same sex couple.” The suit also argues that the state’s nondiscrimination rules would prohibit preschools from hiring employees who agree with the Catholic Church’s mission and teachings, including “that marriage is limited to one man and one woman for life.” The lawsuit is one of two that reli-

gious preschools have filed over the state program. The other one, filed by a Christian preschool in Chaffee County that’s participating in the universal preschool program this year, also argues that the nondiscrimination provision could impede hiring, but didn’t focus on enrollment questions. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in October in that case, barring the state from punishing or withholding funds from the Chaffee County preschool even though some of its policies appear to violate the nondiscrimination agreement. A third lawsuit was filed by several school districts last summer and deals with services and funding for preschoolers with disabilities as well as other high-needs students. Nick Reaves, a lawyer for the Catholic preschools, said that in rare circumstances, schools overseen by the Archdiocese of Denver have turned away families on the grounds that their beliefs or practices conflict with what the school teaches. He said there

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have been no complaints from any LGBTQ families about any of the 36 preschools that operate under the archdiocese. During her testimony on Jan. 2, Avery Coats, principal of the pre-K-8 school operated by St. Bernadette’s, described turning away a prospective fifth-grade student because the parents were a same-sex couple and school officials worried Catholic teachings would cause confusion and conflict in the family. Of the more than 1,900 preschools that joined Colorado’s universal program this year, 40 are faith-based. Together, they serve about 900 children. State rules allow faith-based preschools to give children in their congregations priority for enrollment. But beyond that, they don’t allow enrollment decisions based on a family’s religion or beliefs. While some families choose religious preschools to match their faith, others choose them because the schools are close to their homes or

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jobs, or because they offer full-day care or flexible schedules. Lawyers for the Catholic preschools asked a state witness to clarify what kind of enrollment restrictions or conditions preschools in the universal program are allowed to have. For example, Reaves asked, could a Jewish preschool, as a condition of enrollment, ask parents to sign a statement of faith saying they won’t eat pork and will keep kosher? The witness, Michael Cooke, who helped roll out the universal preschool program, said that the question hadn’t come up before but that the state wouldn’t object to an enrollment condition based on the preschool’s particular program. “Where we would object is if there was something in a statement that a family needed to sign or acknowledge that is contrary to anything that’s in statute or in policy or rule,” Cooke said. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

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January 11, 2024

THE BEST IS YET TO COME! January officially kicks off the second half of our season of entertainment which boasts a variety of programming that has something for everyone! Starting off the year is our winter musical, School of Rock, based on the hit movie starring Jack Black and showcasing our local musicians, some as young as 10 years of age, with skills beyond their years! Our national acts begin with the iconic rock ‘n’ roll band Foghat plus two recently added shows including Grammy®-nominated, multi-platinum powerhouse KT Tunstall as well as four-time Grammy Award® winner and legendary blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughan (brother to musician Stevie Ray Vaughan). Rounding off our national shows is comedian Karen Morgan who brings her outrageously funny yet clean humor to the PACE stage. Returning favorites include The Schoolhouse’s Uncharted Music Series, Friday Night Jazz and The Comedy Zone. Additionally, Parker Symphony Orchestra continues their 30th anniversary cruise taking audiences on a musical journey from Russia to the Americas.

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This season’s cultural events include the unique, all-male percussive dance group Malevo, the multi-sensory experience of iLuminate and a musical revue of Broadway’s most celebrated shows with Neil Berg’s 100 years of Broadway.

MAR 1 Electric Avenue: The 80’s MTV Experience

Back by popular demand is our repeat event Crime and Wine based on a real murder that took place in Douglas County in 1900. We’ve also added the touring masterclass, The Psychology of Serial Killers, which dives into the psyche of some of the most notorious killers.

MAR 30 The Comedy Zone

The season wraps up this summer when we present the award-winning Legally Blonde The Musical, based on the adored movie. This beloved production follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams.

MAR 29 Jimmie Vaughan APR 12 Charlotte’s Web APR 13 Karen Morgan JUN 28-JUL 21 Legally Blonde the Musical

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Family programming continues with our Family Discovery Series, Doktor Kaboom! Look Out! Science is Coming! and the children’s books stage adaptations of Charlotte’s Web and Miss Nelson is Missing.

MAR 3 The Psychology of Serial Killers

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January 11, 2024Jan

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McCorkle, running for Congress, responds to misdemeanor charges A Parker Democrat running for Congress is facing a misdemeanor charge stemming from a conflict with a family member. Ike McCorkle, who challenged U.S. Rep. Ken Buck for the 4th Congressional District seat in 2022 and 2020, was arrested on Jan. 2 for allegedly breaking a protection order. The protection order was issued to McCorkle’s uncle, Jim McCorkle, in November 2022. According to the arrest affidavit, McCorkle emailed his uncle on New Year’s Eve. Jim McCorkle reported the email to the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office because it violated the no contact requirement of the order. McCorkle told Colorado Community Media that he sent the email intending to reconcile. “I was just reaching out on New Year’s trying to make amends with my family because I love them and that’s what you do on New Year’s,” he said. He added that he hopes the issue will be resolved quickly. McCorkle appeared in court on Jan. 5, but the hearing was continued to Feb. 27. McCorkle is one of three Democrats running the 4th Congressional Dis-

STAFFING FROM PAGE 1

ample, Weekly said he will provide an analysis to the Douglas County Commissioners providing facts such as how many responses deputies go to and the response time to those calls. The sheriff ’s office was allocated an additional 27 deputies during the 2023 budget cycle in which nearly half went to patrol and the other half went to detentions, saif Weekly. A spokesperson for the sheriff ’s office provided a breakdown of the number of employees: - Resource officers; includes CRT and Heart members (39) - Patrol (143) - Investigations (48) - Professional standards (7) - Support Services; includes civil and warrants (19) - Administration (10)

Ike McCorkle

COURTESY PHOTO

trict along with Karen Breslin and John Padora. The race for the district also has a long list of Republicans who are seeking to replace Buck, including U.S.

Rep. Lauren Boebert who recently announced that she would leave her seatDo in the 3rd Congressional District andPa relocate to the 4th.

- Transports (7) - Courts (17) - Detentions (113.5) “The more positions that we have filled means the better service and the quicker service that we can provide for our citizens,” said Weekly. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between April 2020 and July 2022, the population of the county grew from 357,978 to 375,988. With an increase in the county’s population, Weekly said there are typically more calls requiring a deputy to respond and that they have to add the appropriate number of staff to better serve the citizens. Over the 30 years of working at the sheriff ’s office, Weekly has seen the staff on the street increase. “But not where we should,” said Weekly. “It’s not good for us as a county if I’ve got a patrol shift full of deputies that are all tied up on calls for service.” Weekly believes if too many deputies

are only responding to calls, they’re not able to do proactive policing. “That leaves us behind the curve for in progress types of crimes,” said Weekly. “Whether you’re talking burglaries or vehicle break-ins or any other number of typical crimes that are occuring.” As the sheriff ’s office covers nearly 844 square miles, Weekly said they need to always ensure they are never slowing down on the hiring process as they can’t afford to have vacancies. He added that though his department is not the highest paying agency, he believes it is competitive. Weekly said the sheriff ’s office anticipates instances where staff members experience a medical emergency, retire, vacation or be put on administrative leave, therefore, someone is always in the process of being hired. “We don’t over hire too many people,” said Weekly. “But we can immediately add those folks into existing vacancies.”

January 11, 2024

A roundup of where and how to recycle your Christmas trees in Douglas County Castle Rock locations may have “anytime” hours through Jan. 31 and include: • Founders Park — 4671 Enderud Blvd., east of Ridge Road • Metzler Ranch Community Park — 4175 Trail Boss Drive • Paintbrush Park — 3492 Meadows Blvd. Highlands Ranch locations may also operate with “anytime” hours through Jan. 16 and include: • Dad Clark Park — 3385 Astorbrook Circle • Redstone Park — 3280 Redstone Park Circle • Toepfer Park — 9480 Venneford Ranch Road

Douglas County workers put trees into a mulcher in 2022 at Fairgrounds Regional COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY Park in Castle Rock. BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With the holiday season over, the Christmas tree in your living room needs to go. But it doesn’t have to end up as trash. Several locations in Douglas County offer the opportunity to recycle trees and you can pick up free mulch for your garden in the process. Before bringing your tree for recycling, you should remove all decorations like ornaments, lights, tinsel and plastic wrap, along with supplies such as tree stands, wire, rope and nails, the county says. “Also, please note that live trees with artificial snow sprayed on the branches cannot be mulched and will not be accepted,” according to the county. Mulch will be available at certain locations, the county says. County-run sites

County-operated recycling sites

with mulch include: • Bayou Gulch Regional Park — 4815 Fox Sparrow Road, off Bayou Gulch Road a short drive east of state Highway 83 in the Parker area • Challenger Regional Park — 17299 E. Lincoln Ave., a short drive west of Parker Road in the Parker area • Fairgrounds Regional Park — 500 Fairgrounds Drive, off Plum Creek Parkway just east of Interstate 25 in Castle Rock • Highland Heritage Regional Park — 9651 S. Quebec St., off University Boulevard in Highlands Ranch The sites will be open until Jan. 31. Other locations

Other sites around the county for live Christmas tree recycling dropoff include some in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch and Parker. Christmas trees are typically accepted at the following locations, but that’s subject to change, so check with your local government.

Contact the Highlands Ranch Metro District at 303-791-0430 for information about the above locations. Another Parker location may run 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Jan. 29: • Salisbury Park — 11920 S. Motsenbocker Road at the west paved parking lot Contact the Town of Parker at 303-840-9546 for more information about that location. Mulch was to be available there on a self-serve basis while supplies last for the first week in January, according to the county. For more information, contact Douglas County parks and trails staff at 720-733-6990.

January 11, 2024Jan

Polis pitches pollinator protection Governor unveils health study at Butterfly Pavilion event BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As vivid groups of butterflies flitted above his head Wednesday, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis produced a plan the state’s scientists and wildlife officials hope will head off an “insect apocalypse.” The 308-page Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study is the first-of-its-kind probe into pollinator health in Colorado. The study was authorized under SB22-199, sponsored by state senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Kevin Priola, and representatives Cathy Kipp and Meg Froelich. The study gauges the health of Colorado’s native pollinators and makes recommendations on how to protect native pollinators in Colorado, Polis told a crowd at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster on Jan. 3. “This is a landmark event,” Polis said. “This will help us with a path forward to preserving the state’s pollinators.” Colorado is home to various native insects and bats who pollinate the

Gov. Jared Polis on Jan. 3 released the findings of the state’s Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study at the MONTE WHALEY Butterfly Pavilion.

state’s farms and ranches, flowering plants and the state’s ecosystem, Polis said. Pollinators are also key to the state’s economy. “From Crested Butte’s beautiful spring meadows to Palisade peaches and Rocky Ford melons, Colorado’s pollinators sustain our flora and enable many foundational industries in every corner of the state,” Polis said in a news release. “As our climate changes, we must safeguard the pollinators that generate and regenerate the Colorful Colorado we love.” Colorado is home to over 1,000 species of bees — nearly 30% of North America’s and about 5% of the world’s bee species – and nearly 300 species of butterflies. That represents over 40% of the diversity of butterflies in North America north

of Mexico, some of which are already listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, according to the news release. Many pollinators — including bees — are facing worldwide extinction from loss of habitat and from the harmful use of pesticides, Richard Reading, vice president of science and preservation at the Butterfly Pavilion. “So much of our food comes from pollinators and I don’t think many people know the implications,” Reading said. After years of ignoring the problem, some work is being done to preserve pollinators, he said. The European Union has banned some pesticides that wipe out bees and other key insects. “There is real effort to apply pesticides more precisely so that whole groups of helpful insects aren’t killed,” Reading said. Pollinator districts are also emerging to allow the insects to thrive in pesticide-free zones, Reading said. “There is work going across the world …to restore their habitats,” he said. “If nothing is done, all pollinators will die off in a few generations. “It will simply be an insect apocalypse,” Reading said. The state already promotes policies that benefit native pollinating insects including enhancing

pollinator-friendly native plantings along I-76 following its designation as a Colorado Pollinator Highway by the Colorado Department of Transportation, according to the news release. Areas of immediate action and priorities highlighted by the Pollinator Report, according to the news release, include: Priority 1: Protect imperiled native pollinating insects. Priority 2: Protect, restore and connect pollinator habitats. Priority 3: Mitigate environmental changes that negatively impact pollinators and their habitats. Priority 4: Reduce the risks from pesticides to pollinating insects. Priority 5: Monitor and support native and manage pollinator health. Polis’s annual budget includes $100,000 to support education and incentives to encourage the use of pesticide alternatives in agriculture production and residential or commercial landscaping, according to the news release. Colorado’s First Gentleman Marlon Reis, who also serves as the honorary chair of the Butterfly Pavilion’s Board of Directors, said the pollinator report will work as a guide as the state pursues pro-pollinator policies. “We haven’t always seen how linked we all are,” Reis said. “This gives us a roadmap to make things better.”

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The Healthy School Meals for All initiative run by the Colorado Department of Education allows all students access to free school meals regardless of family income. STOCK IMAGE FROM PEXELS

Colorado’s Healthy Meals for All program sees dramatic increase in daily meals served BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

On any given day, as many as 400 students pass through Andrea Cisneros’s lunch line at West Woods Elementary in Arvada. Depending on the meal, that number is roughly 100-200 more than she’s used to serving in prior years. The increased demand is due to the voter-approved Healthy School Meals for All initiative run by the Colorado Department of Education. The program allows all students access to free school meals regardless of family income. When the bill passed, many speculated more students would take advantage of the program because it would reduce the stigma associated with qualifying for free or reduced

lunch and eliminate financial constraints for others. Yet, no one knew for sure. After five months, the verdict is in. Ellie Agar, director of communications for Hunger-Free Colorado, the organization that led the campaign to pass the HSMA program, confirmed schools are seeing an average increase of 30-40% in lunch and breakfast participation. “The increase is even higher among students who previously didn’t participate in free or reducedpriced lunch either due to income or stigma,” Agar said. Cisneros, kitchen manager and 23-year Jefferson County school district veteran said she sees the impact on low-income families daily. SEE MEALS, P22

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January 11, 2024J

VOICES Trust is watchword for 2024

s we begin the new year, many of us are entering it with a lack of trust. Our cynicism and skepticism muscles seem to be growing harder, stronger, and faster than our WINNING trust muscles as our hearts and minds WORDS grapple with all of the misinformation and disinformation wars that are being waged against us. The Miriam-Webster Dictionary word for 2023 was “authentic.” This is inMichael Norton teresting because in a world filled with mistrust, we long for true and authentic conversations and information. If we search on the words “fact check” on Google, there are 6 billion results that appear. We seem obsessed with trying to find the truth, yet for as hard as we work to uncover the truth, it only seems to slip further away. There is no doubt that some people manipulate the truth for personal gain or out of fear that the real truth will expose them. And others will just flat-out lie without giving it a second thought. And how many of us, if not all of us, have convinced ourselves that those little white lies

we told were done for the greater good so someone else wouldn’t get hurt? This sweeping erosion of trust is gaining momentum every day. We feel like we are being lied to at every

turn. In the past week I intentionally asked people where they felt that they could get the most accurate news. And almost to a person they all chuckled a little or shook their head sadly before answering. While

answering they all said that they can’t be 100% sure in any news outlet, because of their belief that all are politically driven.

during my three decades of living in that state.) I learned three things from this young man: that he had taken a year off college to be part of Tim Scott’s inner circle, that he did not know who he was now going to support, and that he planned to seek out other young people to dialogue with before supporting particular candidates. Statistics show that more people (like me) are registering as independents nationwide. I would hope that we can ask ourselves and others

questions before voting. Person or policy? If voting for a person rather than an issue, is the person’s character/personality or their policy views more important to me? Party bias? Have I always voted for party over issues without deeper examination? Media bias? Which media sources do I consult, and do I recognize bias? Historical knowledge? How much have I researched or analyzed the

voting choices? Future planning? What are the possible long-term consequences to my decisions? Values? Are conventional values more important to me than ones that have recently changed? Worldview? What is my philosophical and ideological view of the world? Does that worldview affect my decision-making? May we all examine what’s important and then act in this civic duty. Linda Mazunik, Lone Tree

SEE NORTON, P11

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Questions before voting

Like it or not, 2024 will be a year of politics. I would hope we can ask questions of ourselves and others before voting. I recently had an opportunity to ask questions when I flew to Des Moines to visit grandchildren. On the plane, I sat next to a 21-yearold male who readily talked to me about his primary reason going to Iowa: to canvass for their upcoming caucuses on Jan. 15. (It’s an interesting social process that I loved

January 11, 2024

NORTON FROM PAGE 10

Many feel like they cannot trust big tech or corporations as they are all about earnings and control. As a whole, we also do not trust politicians or the political machines behind them. All platitudes and empty promises that leave us wondering if we will ever have a president who isn’t afraid to tell us the truth. It used to be said that people will buy from people who they like and who are like them. But the reality is this, if trust has not been established, the likelihood of a sale is very low. The more accurate statement is that people will talk to people that they like and who are like them, but they will do business with people they trust and respect. This is where many salespeople fall short, they work so hard to be liked, but don’t work as hard to earn the trust of their prospects and customers. Do you trust your company? Do you trust your leadership and management teams? The same principle holds true as too many leaders and managers work hard to be liked but miss the mark when it comes to trust and respect. I find that people can deal with difficult decisions, however, what they can’t deal with is leaders and managers who don’t tell the truth. Earning trust, building trust, furthering trust, and maintaining trust

should not be as hard as we are making it out to be. The keys to any healthy and thriving relationship are trust and open and honest communication. When trust and communication are gone, so is the relationship. OK, so far this column has painted a pretty bleak picture of a trustless future that is only going to get worse, but here’s the thing, we get to decide who earns our trust. We also get to decide if we are trustworthy ourselves. There is a quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Well, if we wish to live and work in a more trust-filled world, let us be the difference makers and lead the revolution by making sure we are trustworthy and let’s set clear boundaries and expectations that anything less than the truth is simply unacceptable. The new year offers a blank canvas. Choosing trust as our guide promises masterpieces painted through risk, courage, and grace. Its colors are vibrant. Its hope contagious. I would love to hear your thoughts on trust at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can build trusted relationships, based on open and honestly communicating with others, 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.

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January 11, 2024J

LOCAL

LIFE Wringing out the new year Dry January attracts sober curious

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

hile it’s long been trendy for New Year’s resolutions to focus on improving health, a growing group of people is tackling that goal by participating in Dry January. Dry January is a 31-day challenge to not drink any alcoholic beverages, serving as a sort of cleanse after the winter holidays when it’s common to drink more excessively. According to a February 2023 poll from CivicScience, 16% of American adults abstained from alcohol last year for the challenge. There’s a multitude of physical and mental health benefits from cutting out alcohol, even temporarily, said Jill Hefti Breed, a family nurse practitioner at AdventHealth, such as better sleep, improved blood pressure, reduced indigestion and potential weight loss. Hefti Breed cited a 2018 study on Dry January participants that corroborated the advantages of going alcohol-free. “By week one, you’re sleeping better, you have better decision-making, you’re more creative and you tend to have better eating patterns,” she said. “The liver gets a chance to clear out fats, which even for a month can be quite beneficial. We also see that with the stomach if it’s inflamed from alcohol.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends women limit drinking to one drink per day and men limit drinks to two per day. Hefti Breed said even drinking the recommended amount comes with a higher risk for some cancers. She pointed to break periods, like Dry January, as a tool to evaluate how alcohol impacts an individual’s quality of life. “Don’t be afraid to talk to your health care provider and ask questions because you won’t be labeled and there’s no dumb questions,” Hefti Breed said. Kayla Phillips, general manager at Golden Moon Speakeasy, said her own experience with Dry January prompted her to create a mocktail program at the bar in 2021 that focuses on maintaining the experience that comes with drinking craft cocktails. Options for teetotalers at Golden Moon aren’t the typical bitters and soda water or juice mixes that most bars offer. That’s because the mocktails, which are crafted with housemade ingredients, include mimics of

the bar’s popular original drinks and unique combinations of teas, syrups, juices and sodas. “I wanted to make drinks that were clearly intentional,” she said. “For the house classics that are a staple on our menu, I wanted to make nonalcoholic twins of those so it doesn’t even have to look like you’re not drinking.” Phillips said her goal with her mocktail options is to make it worth the value and equal in experience to a cocktail. For example, the bar serves a drink called Phoenix Down, which is a play on a smoked whiskey old fashioned that comes in both alcoholic and alcohol-free options. Both options come with a fancy presentation where the drinks are smoked and served tableside. “When we pour the drink from the bottle (it’s mixed in) to the glass, the smoke comes out before the liquid does and gives a really cool effect,” Phillips said. “It adds a wow factor and I think especially when people order nonalcoholic, they’re not expecting a full show.” Since the speakeasy started offering its nonalcoholic options, they have gotten more popular across a broad spectrum, Phillips said. “It’s not only people who are interested in only mocktails, but it’s a good option for people who aren’t trying to drink all night or want to alternate,” she said. “I see more mocktail orders in these months because I think people get overwhelmed with holiday drinking obligations.” This January, Phillips is supporting her customers who have health resolutions by creating a seasonal menu of drinks, with and without liquor, that use less sugar and highlight superfoods, such as a carrot turmeric tonic. Find Golden Moon Speakeasy at 1111 Miner’s Alley in Golden. For Dry January participants who want to avoid the temptation of a bar, but still want to enjoy group activities and social events, The Phoenix provides in-person and online sober get-togethers throughout the state. Vince Huseman, community engagement manager for The Phoenix, said the concept started in Boulder in 2006 with the desire to maintain an active social life without substances. Volunteers organize fitness and entertainment activities, such as CrossFit, comedy nights, dance parties and hikes, all across the state that are free for sober participants. SEE DRY JANUARY, P15

January 11, 2024

DRY JANUARY FROM PAGE 14

Huseman said the events are inclusive of people who are in recovery, fully sober, sober-curious and sober allies. He added that activities are accessible to people of all abilities and skill levels. The only participation requirement is to be sober for 48 hours before the event. “We make our events accessible for everyone and will tailor activities so that even folks with no experience can participate,” Huseman said. “Folks will come for our events that we lead, but I think they stay for the community.” The group works to build a community of people who don’t imbibe in an effort to make the choice to not drink easier and help reduce stigma around sobriety and recovery, Huseman said. “I think when you’re with other people who are also sober or evaluating their relationship with alcohol, it helps you build a foundation for your sobriety,” he said. “Some of the events we’ve produced, such as our Denver Pride dance party, are really setting a new standard for sober fun.” On Jan. 25, The Phoenix is hosting its third annual open mic night, featuring a dozen performers with music, comedy and poetry at Free Spiritual Community in Denver. Huseman said he recommends the event to anyone interested in joining The Phoenix for the first time.

LEFT: For those looking for Dry January activities, the Phoenix is a sober community that hosts a variety of fitness and entertainment events, including Cross Fit, throughCOURTESY OF THE PHOENIX out Colorado. Dry January, a 30-day challenge to not drink alcohol, is a growing trend. RIGHT: At the Golden Moon Speakeasy, general manager Kayla Phillips crafted a mocktail program with non-alcoholic versions of favorite cocktails, as well as unique COURTESY OF GOLDEN MOON SPEAKEASY original beverages. Phillips favorite mocktail is the Phoenix Down, a smoked whisky-like drink.

January 11, 2024Jan

Movie review: ‘The Iron Claw’ pins down pro wrestling legitimacy, grapples with mental health BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Not knowing anything about the famous Von Erich family going into “The Iron Claw” this week, I had no way to prepare myself for what might have been the best film I’ve seen in years. As a sports editor for countless high schools across the Colorado Community Media area, I’m often on the sidelines, fumbling with stats, snagging quotes and going about my business. I ask questions and get answers, type the story and call it a day. It’s easy to make a grave mistake: to see the athletes solely for their results or accolades on their field of play. “The Iron Claw” rips that sort of thinking to the front of my mind. Frankly, I was expecting a meathead wrestling movie that looked promising, but how high could its ceiling really be? (I knew it was an A24-made film, so that was enough to get me to Alamo Drafthouse in Denver. I’m a sucker for their preshow montages, so it doesn’t take much.) Well, I’d say Oscar nominations

might be down the road. Not just for Zac Efron, who carried the most weight in the film and delivered over and over again, then brutally broke your heart at the end with his humanity. But the cinematography was as beautiful and nostalgic as my old Kentucky home in the spring. The gutting performance of the brothers, who built perhaps the greatest wrestling family in history, bit frequently and bit hard. Like a round-for-round brawl, the movie finds ways to keep knocking you down. From a “handle it yourself, sweep your feelings under the rug” parenting approach to pushing child athletes hard into a father’s long-lost dreams of stardom, the importance of mental health in sports is the crux of the movie. Too often, we expect the tough guys — especially in a primal, hyper-masculine environment like wrestling — to brush off everything from punches to body slams, or even crippling thoughts of suicide and despair in the face of success. We ask, “How can a world champion be depressed?” Plus, anyone who dons profes-

sional, WWE-style wrestling as “fake” would have a hard time maintaining that notion on the walk back to the car. The actors are in such phenomenal physical shape and display such explosive athleticism that even real wrestlers would be intimidated. The commitment to the brothers’ bond, the respect for the sport, and the constant climbing of a father’s favoritism totem pole provides a whirlwind of feelings the actors wear and balance perfectly. The dynamic between brothers is raw, real and imperfectly human. Jeremy Allen White brings a cold, disconnected feeling to the brothers’ relationship born from his character’s addiction issues and his obligation to his father’s wishes. The rising star actor from “The Bear” shows even more of the relatable, realistic, guy-down-the-road persona that everyone knows from somewhere in real life. The cruel weight of expectation hangs over the youngest brother, who struggles to find his place in a house full of star athletes. Musically inclined, he sings a song in the film that remains in my mind, popping

up every couple of hours or so. In fact, I imagine the film will haunt me for some time, which is much more than I bargained for when I bought the $7 discounted Tuesday ticket. Still, the ending leaves a feeling of optimism despite the terrors and “curse” that follows the family from start to finish. When it gets dark, we all come back home and try to look forward with hope and not backward with fear. Sometimes trying isn’t enough and we can’t do it alone. We wish we’d had more time to say the right thing or provide the help or words we should have. Or asked for the help we should have. During the chase for glory on the mat, in the gym, on the field or court, we can’t forget the things that hold us: love for those we rely on, and not being afraid to lean on them when all feels hopeless. Sports success doesn’t equal happiness; that’s never been more clear. I’m glad the family found some light, in the end. But “The Iron Claw” had me in a vice for over two hours, and it likely won’t let go soon.

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January 11, 2024Jan

Former newspaper editor turns to Italian-American family life for novel idea ‘Sons of Potenza’ poses an ethical dilemma on the way to American dreams

tion industry.” As the story goes on, the family in the flower industry must decide whether they will connect with the mob family to get out of a sticky situation. “It’s kind of the story of ‘What lines are you willing to cross to achieve the American dream?’” Rosa said.

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Inspiration and family

When Littleton local John Rosa was a child, he used to write comic books. He also wrote for his student newspapers in middle and high school. He went on to become a journalist, even working as an editor at Colorado Community Media. Now, Rosa has come full circle back to fiction. He’s taken his creative mind and writing skills to the next level in his first novel, “Sons of Potenza,” which he self-published on Amazon in October. Although Rosa is also busy with his current communications job at the Colorado Department of Human Services, he made time to work on the novel in pieces. “Before work, I would write,” he said. “On my lunch hour, I would write. And then, as soon as (work) was over, I would write some more.” For 18 months, Rosa immersed himself in 1960s Denver, where the plot he imagined played out on the pages between two Italian families. In the story, both families immigrate to the Denver area from Potenza, Italy and choose very different paths. “One of the families went and became the biggest organized crime family in Denver,” Rosa said. “And the other one went into the carna-

Although the story is fictional, much of it is based on history. To write it, Rosa incorporated research about the history of organized crime and the Italian mob in Colorado. In real life, the organized crime scene in Denver was run for over 50 years by the Smaldone family, which came from Potenza, just like the families in the book. Mob activity was taking place from Denver to Pueblo at the time. Rosa said his inspiration for the book came from his own family and other stories he had heard throughout his childhood. “Growing up as an Italian-American, it’s always on the fringes – the mob and all of that stuff,” he said. “You would hear stories about cousins and uncles … that had rubbed shoulders with it. Just growing up, I was fascinated with it.” Rosa’s family, from Potenza, worked in the carnation industry for several decades, he said. In many ways, his family mirrors the fictional Donatos. Some of the characters in the book are loosely based on his family members. Rosa started working on the book when his father passed away from COVID in 2022. He chose to base

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o ru ra John Rosa, who has a background in journalism, published his first novel in October. “W PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN ROSA Ja th one main character of the book, me to write this … I know my mom Little John Donato, on his father. An- would (be proud). I think my dadhe other main character is based on his would be really proud of it too.” m father’s cousin, Jimmy. Rosa said he hopes readers enjoyth “My family always told me, ‘You the story and the characters. su should write a story about your dad “I hope that they can relate to thesh and Jimmy and all their adventures,’” characters,” he said. “And I kind Rosa said. “And so when he passed of want them to think – Little John away, I was like, ‘Yeah, to kind of Donato has to make a decision at honor him, I thought – maybe I’ll do one point. And it’s a decision that if this.’” he goes one route, it will definitely Beyond stories of his father, Rosa change the direction of his life from incorporated some of his own mem- here on out. And I kind of want them ories into the book. His family’s to think, you know, what would they “Sunday pasta” tradition, for exam- do in that situation?” ple, is replicated in the opening lines Rosa said the novel asks to what of this scene from the novel: “Sun- extent people would go to support days were always Johnny Donato’s their families and keep them safe favorite day of the week. The smell and happy. of his mom’s sauce cooking in the “I think for the Italian immigrants kitchen would greet him as he woke that came over here, it was just that up; the aroma of the tomato sauce simple – that they could survive and simmering on the stove filled their provide for their family and make split-level ranch house and served sure everyone was safe and healthy,” as a make-shift alarm clock.” he said. “Family is such a big part of Rosa’s novel took him on a journey being Italian-American.” beyond his family’s stories, blendRosa said he hopes to write at least ing history with fictional escapades. two more books with the characters It became a healing experience for from “Sons of Potenza” because he, Rosa. He had lost his mother a de- too, enjoyed seeing where the story cade earlier, and he said the story went and how it ended. helped him process both deaths. “Sons of Potenza” is available on “It was cathartic, it really was,” Amazon, priced at $15 for a paperRosa said. “I think it was good for back version and $25 for a hardcover.

January 11, 2024

A ‘snow drought’ is leaving the West’s mountains high and dry BY ALEX HAGER KUNC

Across the West, the winter is off to a dry start. Wide swaths of the Rocky Mountains have lower-than-average snow totals for this time of year, but scientists say there’s still plenty of time to end the “snow drought” and close the gap. High-altitude snowpack has big implications for the region’s water supply. Two-thirds of the Colorado River’s water starts as snow in Colorado’s mountains before melting and flowing to about 40 million people across seven states. Nearly every part of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming has significantly less snow than usual for late December. The latest data from a regionwide network of snow sensors shows snow in many areas with snow totals around 60 or 70% of normal. “It’s really going to be dependent on what we see in January and February,” said Becky Bolinger, Colorado’s assistant state climatologist. “We’re really going to need an active January and February to make up these deficits and be okay.” Last year, big snows in the Rockies helped boost the Colorado River’s major reservoirs. Policymakers said the snowy winter lifted some pressure off of tense negotiations about sharing the river’s water in the fu-

Skiers cruise down the slopes at Arapahoe Basin ski area in Colorado on Nov. 13, 2023. Low precipitation has left much of the region in a “snow drought,” which could have big implications for Colorado River water supply, but isn’t expected to deal a PHOTO BY ALEX HAGER KUNC financial blow to many ski resorts.

ture. Even a few consecutive wet winters aren’t enough to seriously fix the supply-demand imbalance that fuels the West’s water crisis. More than 20 years of dry conditions, fueled by climate change, have shrunk the Colorado River’s water supply, and policymakers have been unable to agree on significant, long-term cutbacks to water use. Experts say it would take five or six consecutive above-average winters to close that supply-demand gap, which is unlikely to happen as climate change makes the region warmer and drier. Dan McEvoy, regional climatologist at the Western Regional Climate Center and Desert Research Insti-

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pain. Chad Dyer, managing director of ski website OnTheSnow, said a lot of ski traffic around the holidays is coming from tourists who cemented their plans in advance. “Their flights are booked, their lodging is booked. As long as the ski resort is open and has got a product, by and large, they’re going to visit,” Dyer said. Dyer also pointed to statistics from a recent Vail Resorts earnings call. The mountain ownership company said it expects 73% of its worldwide skier visits come from season passholders. That high volume of prepurchased lift tickets allows ski resorts to depend less on ticket sales that may ebb and flow with the quality of ski conditions. The next few weeks are unlikely to bring much immediate relief for Western mountains. “The medium– to long–range forecasts that go out about two weeks are not super promising,” McEvoy said. “There are some signs of some smaller storms that can impact parts of the West. But overall, it’s a pretty dry forecast.” This story is part of ongoing coverage of the Colorado River, produced by KUNC and supported by the Walton Family Foundation. It runs via The Associated Press’ Storyshare, of which Colorado Community Media is a member.

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Bringing the West to life downtown National Western Stock Show parade kicks off annual celebration BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The National Western Stock Show kicked off for 2024 with a stampede of 30 longhorns roaring down 17th Street downtown, while crowds of cowboy gear-clad folks cheered with excitement and screamed “Yahoo”! Legendary Denver Linebacker Randy Gradishar was the grand Marshall on Jan. 4. Arrow Electronics presented the parade. The Stock Show is officially set to kick off Jan. 6 and runs through Jan. 21 at the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. The event features a lively combination of rodeos, livestock shows, contests, performances and food. Advance tickets are available online at https://nationalwestern. com/tickets/buy-tickets/ and can be purchased daily at the complex’s ticket window.

The herd of longhorns led the National Western Stock Show parade down 17th Street from Union Station Jan. 4.

Prairie View High School band from Henderson performs a variety of music. PHOTOS BY BELEN WARD

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was the grand marshal for the National Stock Show Parade. Gradishar was a part of the Broncos’ original Orange Crush.

Spanish explorers and settlers brought the Texas longhorns, likely arrived in the late 1600s, to North America.

The Mexican Rodeo Chichimec Dancers thrilled the crowd.

An MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo rider throws the loops with her lasso.

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January 11, 2024Jan

MEALS FROM PAGE 11

“One mom of three kids in my school missed qualifying for free lunch by $1 last year,” Cisneros said. “She used to worry constantly about how to feed her kids lunch. It’s been a huge burden lifted from her shoulders.” Cisneros also sees how free meals have changed students’ attitudes toward going through the lunch line. “I’ve been told it’s now cool to get your food for free. There’s no stigma — everyone just gets to eat.” Cisneros said she used to risk getting reprimanded for giving kids who had nothing to eat without charging them, but she couldn’t stand letting any child in her school go hungry. It makes her happy to know that it’s no longer an issue. According to Agar, parents can save more than $1,250 per student each year, alleviating financial stress while

food and living costs rise. Feeding more students doesn’t come without challenges, however. Kitchens remain understaffed, and Cisneros says by the time some kids get through the line, they’ve sold out of meals, or the student has little time to eat before lunch is over. Agar acknowledged the issue and noted that districts could apply for grants for more local purchasing, scratch cooking training, and wage boosts for front-line staff next year. She’s hoping the wage increases will help address some of these issues. Parents have also communicated that they’d like more fresh and culturally relevant options in the coming years. While those plans are in the works, Agar said families can partner with school districts through student and parent advisory committees to help provide students with more enticing food. Phase II implementation

The next phase of HSMA implemen-

tation, which begins in the ‘24-’25 school year, allows schools to apply for local purchasing grants for highquality, locally sourced food. “When the HSMA program is fully implemented, it will have one of the most robust farm-to-school programs in the nation,” Agar said. “Farmers and producers are already strategizing how to use the newly available resources to strengthen local food systems and support small farmers.” The next phase also involves gaining feedback from student and parent advisory committees and giving decision-making power to these groups to ensure meals remain healthy and appealing. “Colorado is the first state in the nation to establish these committees, providing a unique opportunity to set a new transformational standard for the country,” Agar said. Anyone wanting to get involved can contact their local nutrition staff or the Hunger Free Colorado team to share their experiences.

Eliminating poor-quality food

Cisneros recently won Education Support Professional of the Year by the Colorado Education Association for her efforts to boycott junk food from her school and begin a composting program that teaches kids about recycling and reducing food waste. She was part of a bargaining effort on behalf of the Jefferson Education Support Professional Association that successfully won a pilot program to begin working with local farmers to provide fresh food for three Jefferson County schools. Cisneros is on a mission to teach her students about the impacts of junk food and the importance of eating the colors of the rainbow. She also wants her students to know where their food comes from and is constantly looking for creative ways to help them learn about food while standing in line. Cisneros is up for National Education Association Support Professional of the Year. The winner will be announced in March.

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Solution

TRIVIA 1. GEOGRAPHY: The Darien Gap separates which two countries? 2. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is Three Kings Day also known as? 3. MOVIES: What’s the name of the supervillain character in the animated film “Despicable Me”? 4. LITERATURE: Who is the author of “The Kite Runner”? 5. TELEVISION: What is the name of the motorcycle-riding greaser in the sitcom “Happy Days”? 6. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which musical instrument does former President Bill Clinton play? 7. GAMES: In the game Battleship, how many ships does each player have at the beginning? 8. MUSIC: Which famous rock singer was born with the name Farrokh Bulsara? 9. HISTORY: What was the name of the first U.S. Space Shuttle?

10. U.S. STATES: Which state is home to the Mammoth cave system, believed to be the longest in the world? Answers 1. Panama and Colombia. 2. Epiphany. 3. Gru. 4. Khaled Hosseini. 5. Fonzie. 6. Saxophone. 7. Five. 8. Freddie Mercury. 9. Columbia. 10. Kentucky. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Crossword Solution

January 11, 2024

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SERVICE DIRECTORY Solar

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January 11, 2024

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088 Legals Public Trustees PUBLIC NOTICE Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0182 To Whom It May Concern: On 10/24/2023 9:36:00 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: MARK S URICH AND TE HUEY URICH Original Beneficiary: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 11/8/2019 Recording Date of DOT: 11/14/2019 Reception No. of DOT: 2019077663 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $241,600.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $228,584.75 Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Borrower’s failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust. THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN. The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust. Legal Description of Real Property: Condominium Unit 3C, Sugarmill Condominiums, in accordance with and subject to the Subassociation Declaration for Sugarmill Condominiums Association, Inc., of Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc., recorded on August 1, 1984 in Book 532 at Page 354 and Supplemental Declaration recorded June 17, 1985 in Book 579 at Page 642 and the Condominium Map recorded September 10, 1984 in Plat Book S at Page 51, Reception No. 335337, in the of Office of the Clerk and Recorder of Douglas County, Colorado, County of Douglas, State of Colorado. Which has the address of: 838 Summer Dr #3c, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126-3094

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, February 14, 2024, 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: 12/21/2023 Last Publication: 1/18/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Dated: 10/24/2023 DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: DAVID R DOUGHTY Colorado Registration #: 40042 9540 MAROON CIRCLE SUITE 320, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990 Fax #: (303) 706-9994 Attorney File #: 23-030368 *YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/ Legal Notice No. 2023-0182 First Publication: 12/21/2023 Last Publication: 1/18/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Pres PUBLIC NOTICE Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0183 To Whom It May Concern: On 10/24/2023 9:31:00 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: LEMUEL G. BRINKLEY, JR.

legals@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AND BARRIE L. BRINKLEY Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR USAA FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC. Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 8/1/2018 Recording Date of DOT: 8/8/2018 Reception No. of DOT: 2018047706 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $275,500.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $266,106.50 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.

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

of trust.

Dated: 10/24/2023 DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 25A, ROXBOROUGH VILLAGE FILING NO. 16-A, 1ST AMENDMENT, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

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 #: 00000009788787 *YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/ Legal Notice No.2023-0183 First Publication: 12/21/2023 Last Publication: 1/18/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press PUBLIC NOTICE

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust. Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 3 BLOCK 2, A REPLAT OF HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO. Which has the address of: 68 Prairie Ridge Rd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 NOTICE OF SALE The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust. THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 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.

Littleton NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0177 To Whom It May Concern: On 10/12/2023 8:30:00 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: Christoffer Hoover Original Beneficiary: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc. Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for MASTR Specialized Loan Trust 2006-03, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 6/26/2002 Recording Date of DOT: 7/5/2002 Reception No. of DOT: 02065786 Book 2364 Page 957 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $234,026.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $173,610.47

Which has the address of: 9812 Falcon Lane, 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, February 7, 2024, 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: 12/14/2023 Last Publication: 1/11/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Dated: 10/12/2023 DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: ILENE DELL'ACQUA Colorado Registration #: 31755 7700 E. ARAPAHOE ROAD, SUITE 230, CENTENNIAL, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (877) 369-6122 Fax #: Attorney File #: CO-23-967206-LL *YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Get Involved!

First Publication: 12/21/2023 Last Publication: 1/18/2024

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

Facts do not cease to exist b because y g they are ignored. - Aldous Huxley

Legal Notice NO. 2023-0177 First Publication: 12/14/2023 Last Publication: 1/11/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Every day, the government makes decisions that can affect your life. Whether they are decisions on zoning, taxes, new businesses or myriad other issues, governments play a big role in your life. Governments have relied on

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newspapers like this one to publish public notices since the birth of the nation. Local newspapers remain the most trusted source of public notice information. This newspaper publishes the information you need to stay involved in your community.

Notices are meant to be noticed. Read your public noticesRanch and getLegals involved! Highlands January 11, 2024 * 1

January 11, 2024Jan

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