October 28, 2021
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LoneTreeVoice.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 36
School district sues county health dept. over masks Federal judge grants request to block order Harry Voigt competes in the NASA 2021 National Championships in September.
COURTESY PHOTO
Lone Tree racer is success on track Harry Voigt finished 2nd at national championship BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When Harry Voigt wanted to explain in his college application essay which life experiences
helped reshape how he defines himself — from a little boy with dyslexia thinking “I was stupid” to a fearless natural on the racetrack — Voigt took his readers out of the stands and behind the wheel with him. “My eyes are focusing on the checkered flag, and it feels like I am approaching in a jet. Engine roaring loud and the smell of burn-
Eight candidates running for Douglas County School Board took part in the last of three forums organized by school district students, held at Legend High School in Parker. Kids First candidates Becky Myers, Mike Peterson, Christy Williams and Kaylee Winegar debated CommUNITY Matters candidates Kevin Leung, Krista Holtzmann,
The Douglas County School District and families of students at high risk of COVID-19 have sued the county’s new health department in federal court, alleging a public health order allowing people to opt out of masking rules in the county violates civil rights of students with disabilities. And on Oct. 26, a federal judge granted the district’s request, temporarily blocking enforcement of the county health department’s order, which also limited quarantines for people exposed to COVID-19. The school district’s goal is to go back to its policy requiring universal masking among people age 2 and older in its buildings as a COVID safety measure. That policy allows medical exemptions to masking. “No parent should be forced to choose between sending their children to school and risking their health, and no family should have to choose between access to learning and putting their child’s life in jeopardy,” DCSD Board President David Ray said in a statement when the suit was filed. “The message is simple: In these very complex times, our most vulnerable children cannot be left behind.”
SEE FORUM, P15
SEE MASKS, P13
ing rubber as I tear around the last corner. I see all the different colored shirts of the fans and hands waving with cameras,” he wrote. The fans get louder. He feels the wind funnel up his helmet, “cooling my sweaty head.” His hands ache, and he “can barely hold the wheel much longer.” SEE RACER, P24
Sex-ed views differ at school board candidate forum 8 candidates running for district seats in Nov. 2 election BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County School Board candidates answered questions about much-discussed topics at an
Oct. 25 forum — like equity in education, COVID-19 mitigation strategies, youth mental health and employee compensation. But the first question of the evening asked candidates for their perspectives on updating comprehensive human-sexuality education policies in the district.
BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A VITAL AND ‘LOVELY JOB’ Caring for babies, families in tough times P16
ELECTION RESULTS ONLINE
After polls close Nov. 2, visit ColoradoCommunityMedia. com for local election coverage and results.