Lone Tree Voice 032323

Laydon, Thomas attempt civility

Two commissioners discuss grievances with assistance from mediator

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In a near about-face compared to just six days prior, two of Douglas County’s elected leaders engaged

in a conversation to try burying the hatchet after a long climate of animosity.

e public doesn’t care whether

Commissioner Abe Laydon is right or Commissioner Lora omas is right, Laydon said.

“ ey just see a board that is duking it out in public meetings,” Laydon said.

His comments came in a March 20 work-session meeting of the commissioners titled “Governing

with Civility & Professionalism” on the county’s posted schedule. e conversation between omas and Laydon, partly supported by an outside mediator, saw some progress in moving past a con ict marked by public insults, investigations and changes in power on the board.

omas quoted Commissioner George Teal as having said he doesn’t think she has the “capacity” to be a county commissioner. It’s an example of the type of tone she

Anti-Semitic propaganda found in Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock

Incidents increasing

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When Terry Carhart found an anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQ yer in his Highlands Ranch yard on March 4, he was disgusted.   e yer was in a small plastic baggie weighed down with dry beans and, by Carhart’s observation, had been scattered in several yards in his neighborhood near Fox Creek Elementary School.

“I have an issue with someone who thinks that way driving around, passing out literature in my area,” Carhart, 64, said. “It’s nonsensical.”

Carhart felt compelled to report the yers to the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce and the Anti-Defamation League because he has Jewish neighbors and worried about the messaging leading to harm.

SEE PROPAGANDA, P8

A report from the Anti-Defamation League released on March 8 found that 2022 had over 6,750 instances of white supremacist propaganda reported, the highest number of instances the organization has recorded. COURTESY OF ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE

wanted to end. Teal was not present at the meeting.

“Any personal attacks, ad hominem attacks, I will not tolerate,” Laydon responded.

Chalk that up as one of the statements in the meeting that provided some hope that the dynamic on the board could change. Aside from a moment of back and forth between omas and Laydon over whether

SEE CIVILITY, P4

Two arrested in Highlands Ranch booby trap investigation

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County deputies arrested two Highlands Ranch residents after a booby trap on their property sent a man to the hospital.

Bryan Hill, 61, and Tracy Remington, 53, were taken into custody on March 15 after a “short stand-o ” at their Ashburn Court residence, according to a Sheri ’s O ce news replease.

Deputies obtained a warrant to search the property after the man, a door-to-door salesman, reported being injured by a trip wire at the home on March 9 that triggered a device that set o a loud bang. e man told deputies a wire caught around his lower leg.

SEE ARREST, P9

Public meeting crowd takes issue with county commissioners’ conduct

Residents voice concern

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In a public meeting punctuated by loud interruptions from the audience, several area residents spoke against what they say is unjust treatment of one of Douglas County’s elected leaders by her two colleagues, pointing to a rift accentuated by personal attacks.

“Today, I was told I was bananas and told I needed to stop standing on my soapbox and stop yelling into the abyss,” Lora omas, a Douglas County commissioner, said during the March 14 meeting.

Much of the crowd consisted of people who support omas and took issue with the other two commissioners launching investigations against her, removing her from serving on outside leadership boards in the community and opposing her preference for whom to appoint to the county Planning Commission, a body of citizens who give input on property development decisions. About a dozen speakers criticized the commissioners’ conduct, with many taking issue speci cally with Commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal.

A couple of attendees oated the idea of a recall election, where residents would vote on whether to remove an o cial from o ce, a suggestion that garnered applause from the crowd.

And while the meeting didn’t see evidence of gender-based comments from Laydon and Teal speci cally, several speakers said their actions amounted to mistreating omas because she is a woman.

Kay Michelsen, of Highlands Ranch, described the treatment toward omas as “misogynistic, caustic cocktails of meanness.”

Laydon told the audience he supports strong leaders, “especially

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women,” pointing to some county sta .

But he characterized omas as causing problems in di erent government workplaces over the years.

In response to the audience’s complaints, Laydon said: “ is woman will get whatever she wants when she starts acting with respect.”

‘Like a colleague’

One man who said he’s a resident of Castle Rock and led open-records requests stood at the lectern and played audio — apparently from a commissioners’ meeting — of what appears to be Teal saying omas doesn’t “have the intellectual capacity to function as a part of” county leadership.

“Treat her like a grownup, like a woman and like a colleague,” said the man, Michael Campbell, in one of the many statements that elicited applause from the crowd.

A man who identi ed himself as Pete Smith claimed Teal’s wife called omas an o ensive word, though Smith didn’t provide evidence.

“Come on George, stand up and say you’re sorry for what your wife said,” Smith said.

Teal did not respond or comment on the accusation.

Speakers also decried postcards that were critical of omas that were mailed to some number of Douglas County residents over the past few months.

“I’ll just address the elephant in the room because I have heard both of you gentlemen spew the vicious vitriol and venom,” a man named Jay Longmire said. “Either of you two have any idea who sends these out?”

Laydon again said he has no connection to the postcards, and Teal did not comment on the matter during the meeting. (Teal has not returned Colorado Community Media’s call for comment regarding the mailings.)

Removing Thomas Speakers at the meeting, who addressed the audience during the public comment portion, also criticized Laydon and Teal’s removal of omas from outside boards and

their moves to block her from serving as chair of the county commissioners.

“By two excluding one from (board positions) and chair, you have singlehandedly decided that our (voices) do not matter,” said one woman, referring to certain voters in the county.

Laydon and Teal recently voted to remove omas from leadership on entities including the Northwest Douglas County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, a group that represents the local business community; the Mile High Flood District, which oversees matters such as ood management, stream mitigation and stormwater around the Denver region; and the 18th Judicial District forfeiture board. ( e “forfeiture” process relates to property that is involved in a criminal or legal matter.)

e Douglas County commissioners collectively sit on about 40 boards, according to Laydon.

Laydon o ered some supportive comments toward omas, noting they have worked together to tackle issues such as transportation and property taxes.

“I actually think Lora omas is incredibly organized, incredibly capable. She has a lot of thoughts and power and (ability) to move the needle,” Laydon said. He added: “We are all conservative Republicans passionate about the work of this county, and that’s what we need to be focused on.”

But Laydon did detail what he says are problems with omas, saying that for years she’s had con ict with people she’s worked with in other organizations.

omas and the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce — then under di erent leadership — experienced a rift years ago, including during omas’ tenure as Douglas County coroner, according to CCM reporting from 2011. omas has “lost the trust of her Board and co-workers on multiple occasions,” Laydon wrote in a newsletter sent out shortly before the March 14 meeting.

Douglas County commissioners George Teal, Lora Thomas and Abe Laydon.

FILE PHOTO

She “has demonstrably failed to represent the county well in the public space, resorting to constant clumsy attempts to undermine fellow Republicans, including her own Board — which has done irrevocable damage to her own credibility,” Laydon wrote. “ is is why she was removed from these board appointments; if we receive more negative feedback regarding her conduct, she will be removed from more boards.” omas has called her removal from outside boards “personal political retribution.”

Allegations of sexism comprised a main complaint among the speakers.

“I don’t know what it means to be a female, but I know what a jerk is, and we don’t need that in Douglas County,” Laydon said, referring to omas.

Security a focus

at comment came after Laydon accused omas of “putting kids at risk” by releasing school security information, which he said is a “patent violation of the agreement” that the commissioners had with the Douglas County school board.

One person in the audience shouted out that the information is “on the internet” and public.

Recently, Laydon accused omas of leaking classi ed materials regarding the commissioners’ 2-1 vote to spend nearly $1 million for advanced metal detector technology at STEM School Highlands Ranch.

omas voted against the measure, saying the technology is not proven and she had concerns.

omas had posted links to stories written by CCM reporters in her weekly newsletter, which prompted Laydon to claim the articles are irresponsible, put students at risk and quoted “classi ed” materials.

( e reporters wrote stories based on the public meeting where the vote was taken to spend the funds and through interviews and research. One story quotes the technology company’s website, STEM School o cials, and other information available publicly through online searches, YouTube and documentation from the meeting.)

Laydon said in a February interview that he’s aware details of the technology are public but that o cials don’t want people to know about it for security reasons.

“I know (that) the technology, you can nd it on the internet,” Laydon said, adding that STEM School has shared information about it with parents. “But to widely share information … (is) in my mind a violation of our agreement and completely inappropriate.”

Investigations on mind

Another topic raised during the March meeting: probes including an investigation Teal and Laydon initiated after accusing omas of circulating an anonymous letter that criticized speci c employees in the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, allegedly creating a hostile work environment.  ey also accused her of emailing county legal representation with a request not authorized by the full board.

e $23,750 investigation into omas by outside legal counsel found that while omas had distributed the letter, doing so did not create a hostile work environment. It also found she drafted correspondence to legal representation, without informing the board, that was contrary to board direction.

omas appeared in a CBS Colorado news story in July discussing the con dential report that showed the results of the investigation, prompting the Douglas County government’s attorney to nd that omas could have broken the law by doing so. omas had asserted multiple times in meetings and in her newsletter to constituents that she believes the privileged nature of the document had already been broken by Laydon discussing parts of it publicly.

A second investigation — conducted by the Arapahoe County Sheri ’s O ce — did not nd probable cause to believe that omas committed the crime of rst-degree o cial misconduct.

“ e Colorado criminal code does not speci cally prohibit a waiver of privileged and con dential information by a privilege holder. In this case, as a member of the Board of County Commissioners, Lora omas is a privilege holder,” Arapahoe County Sheri ’s O ce Sgt. Bruce Peterson wrote in a memorandum.

Laydon has argued Arapahoe County “got it wrong” in evaluating omas’ actions, saying “the privileged holder of a con dential document is the board” and not just one member of the board. He based his point on the understanding of the law of Chris Pratt, interim Douglas

County attorney.

omas in a Jan. 31 meeting signaled she might take action to have her legal bills paid back if the county doesn’t decide to pay the cost.

“We demand that the legal bills she was forced to incur as a result of the (investigation) be paid by Teal and Laydon,” Michelsen said at the March meeting.

‘Two to tango’

e meeting became tense at times, with Campbell interrupting Laydon from the audience and Laydon saying he needs to be removed from the room. A sheri ’s deputy walked up to Campbell but ultimately allowed him to stay. Shortly after, Campbell spoke against Laydon again and chose to walk out.

Most of the speakers criticized Laydon and Teal, but one woman from Castle Rock said she wanted to give “a shoutout” to Teal, adding she supports all three commissioners. She felt omas was not prevented from being chair unfairly.

“I don’t feel it’s a bully thing; I don’t feel it’s a sexist thing,” she said. A couple other speakers were more neutral, lamenting the conict among the commissioners in general.

“I also think it takes two to tango … We’re not privy to that,” a woman from Castle Rock said. “ e point is this has gone on for months and months and months.”

Another speaker said: “I think we need statesmanship rather than partisanship. I think this needs to be for the common good rather than personal.”

“I really hope that we the people, the voters, don’t have to re one or all of you,” he said.

Man dies in police shooting

Robbery reported

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A suspect has died after being shot by Englewood o cers March 18, the Englewood Police Department said in a news release. No o cers were injured during the incident, and there is no additional threat to the public.

According to the release, Englewood police were called to the Lucky U Motel, located at 4575 S. Broadway, at approximately 12:40 p.m. March 18.

e caller reportedly said a male threatened to rob and shoot the caller

CIVILITY

Laydon was interrupting her — and although the two commissioners aired some policy disagreements — the meeting mostly consisted of what appeared to be constructive conversation.

omas contrasted how, she says, Laydon acts deferential to Teal but cuts her o and doesn’t let her talk. Laydon responded in what seemed to be an earnest tone: “Well, I’d like to.”

“I want to work with you. I think you’re an exceptional leader; I’ve seen you do exceptional things,” Laydon said.

Laydon voiced that he wanted

and allegedly pointed a handgun at the caller, the police department said.

e male, whose age was not revealed in the news release, then allegedly left the area on foot.

“ e male was described in detail and the caller said he was still carrying the handgun when he left,” the police department said in the release.

O cers reportedly arrived in the area and “were directed” toward South Broadway and Princeton Avenue where they allegedly located the suspect, the police department said.  e suspect allegedly ran northbound through the east Broadway alley toward East Oxford Avenue, per the release. e o cers reportedly

more support from omas on proposals the board is trying to accomplish. omas said that she, at times, has felt out of the loop on certain matters, such as a part of the county’s potential response to homelessness.

“I will be pleased to (provide) as much granular information as possible” so that “everyone is up to speed,” Laydon said.

Laydon and Teal recently removed omas from serving on outside leadership boards in the community, including the Northwest Douglas County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, a group that represents the local business community; and the Mile High Flood District, which oversees matters such as ood management and stormwater around the Denver region. at was a sticking point for the

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pursued the suspect on foot and located him just east of the intersection of Oxford Avenue and South Broadway.

e o cers then allegedly confronted the suspect and an “o cer involved shooting occurred,” the police department said. is means that at least one o cer discharged their rearm, hitting the suspect.

According to the release, o cers reportedly rendered aid to the suspect, though it is not clari ed in the release how soon the aid was given after the suspect was shot by police.

e suspect was transported to a nearby hospital where he died, per the release. e Arapahoe County Coroner’s O ce responded to the hospital

outside mediator, who said residents in District III, omas’ area of the county, are confused as to why omas is not on some boards. e mediator suggested considering reinstating omas to some position to help move forward.

“I would be thrilled to reappoint you to the committees that you were removed from,” Laydon said. He added: “But if I feel that the county is being undermined at every step, it makes me lose trust.”

Investigations of omas — partly stemming from her circulating an anonymous letter that criticized employees of the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, allegedly to support her 2022 campaign for Douglas County sheri — came up in the conversation. omas maintains she has been cleared. A criminal investigation

and will release information about the male “at a later time,” the police department said.

An independent investigation of the incident will be conducted by the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, according to the release. It is not speci ed how many o cers are involved, but the police department said that the involved o cers were placed on paid administrative leave.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, the police department asked that they call 303-761-7410. e police department said no further information will be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

didn’t move forward, which Laydon has argued is because authorities misinterpreted the law.

( is story cannot delve into details due to space constraints. For more context, see previous coverage at tinyurl.com/CommissionersConduct.)

Laydon asserted in the meeting that there’s “a ton of evidence” for omas having committed civil wrongdoing.

“And those are really signi cant (issues),” Laydon said.

Ultimately, though, Laydon said: “I’m very willing to move away from the past in the interest of those I serve and put those committee appointments back on the table.”

“And I am deeply sorry for the way that my behavior has a ected you,” Laydon added.

Denver Beer Company looks at fifth location in Littleton

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Since Jackass Hill Brewery closed in the fall, Littleton residents have been wondering what will take its prime spot at the corner of Main Street and South Prince Street.

On March 13, neighbors gathered in the empty building to learn the space could become a fth location of Denver Beer Company.

e brewery, founded by Patrick Crawford and Charlie Berger 12 years ago, pours pints on Platte Street, Lowry Boulevard, South Downing Street and in Olde Town Arvada. Crawford and Berger are excited about the prospect of joining the downtown Littleton community.

“Breweries are not new to Littleton — we note that you guys have some,” Berger said to the group. “But Patrick and I, as co-founders and owners of this small business, we’re here tonight because we’re excited to be, ourselves, part of the community.”

Approval process ahead

Because the new location will require some site modi cations, Denver Beer Company’s proposal must go through several rounds of city approval before it’s o cial.

As part of the process, the site plan will go before the historic preservation board to ensure it maintains the historic integrity of the building, said Scout Turnbach, a planner from the city’s community development department. ere will be a public hearing as part of this process, she said.

the March 13 neighborhood meeting and a future second neighborhood meeting as part of the site plan approval process, Turnbach said.

Littleton ample time and opportunities to kind of interact with those developers who are kind of transforming those neighborhoods so that they can provide that feedback,” she said.

Meeting attendees expressed desire for the process to go as fast as possible, some even saying they would like to see the beer garden open by the summer.

“Just to expedite it in a sense of (Denver Beer Company’s) business and being respectful to them as well to the landlord, however the business chamber can help in assisting you with that, we’re certainly willing to,” Littleton Business Chamber co-president Pat Dunahay said to

e highlight of the space is the patio area, which would be partially covered by a roof to give visitors a variation of options for shade and sun. e proposal also includes moving the bar across the building so it could serve both indoor and outdoor  patrons.

e space will have a capacity of 150 patrons outside and 70 patrons inside, Seglie said.

Seating areas will o er a replace, some trees, communal tables and a turf area for kids to play.

“We want it to be inclusive to all,” Seglie said. “All ages, dogs, kids — everyone should feel comfortable.”

Berger said the Denver Beer Com-

on-site due to space constraints, but will have specialty beers served only at the Littleton location. In addition, they plan to o er a robust lunch and dinner program including pub fare, with brisket, pork and wings smoked on-site.

Meeting attendees asked questions and gave feedback during the presentation.

“It looks like a great concept,” one called out. “I like way you’ve kinda used the exterior and the interior... And I like the energy you guys bring.”

Berger said he was happy with the positive feedback from community members.

“ e neighbors and the business community seem supportive,” he said.

If the approval process goes as expected, the Denver Beer Company team hopes to open the location at the beginning of September.

Littleton neighbors, business community members and city sta attend a neighborhood meeting about Denver Beer Company’s proposed new location at the corner of Main Street and South Prince Street.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

Bortz inducted into Women’s Hall of Fame

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When Libby Bortz left her home for college, her parents told her it was important to have an educated heart, not just an educated mind.

“When you can feel with people and you know what it feels like to be in their shoes — that, for me, is kind of what an educated heart is about,” Bortz said. “It means that you think beyond yourself and you take into account other people’s needs, not just your own.”

For Bortz, an educated heart was the motivator behind much of her work in Littleton, where she made a di erence in the community through counseling, housing, education civil rights and criminal justice.

Bortz was one of 17 trailblazing women inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame at the annual induction gala on March 15.

“Our lives and those to come have been made better because of what these women reached and what they’ve accomplished,” said Anne Trujillo, a Denver7 news anchor who emceed the gala at the Sheraton Downtown Denver hotel. “ e best part is that some of them are not nished yet.”

Since its founding in 1985, the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame

has inducted 172 women in recognition of their contributions to society. e hall highlights those who have advanced the roles of women in society, including teachers, scientists, social activists, philanthropists, writers, humanitarians and more.

Making change

Bortz, who is 88, grew up in a small town in New York and later attended the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

When she moved to Littleton after college, she spoke with an admissions o cer at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to see what it would take to have a decent application.

“She told me, “Don’t bother, you’re too old,’” Bortz said. She was 27 at the time.

A few years later, Bortz took steps toward legal action against the medical school for gender discrimination, causing the institution to eliminate their gender quota and start enrolling more women. Decades after that, Bortz became part of the medical school’s admissions committee and continued working to bring more gender equity to the institution.

Bortz got her master’s degree in social work from the University in Denver and began practicing as a clinical therapist. In this role, she saw many female clients and started to connect the dots between

LIbby Bortz appreciates her award, which represents her induction into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

Reflects on courage, career, community

HALL OF FAME

mental health, education and housing.

“Two-thirds of all people who came into the mental health center at that time were women,” Bortz said. “And they were women who had, due to divorce, desertion, separation, whatever, debt, they were on their own… So we started the programs for women at the college, so that they could gain some skill to support themselves and their kids.”

Bortz developed courses and programs for women at Arapahoe Community College and helped ACC open a women’s resource center. She also provided leadership to other colleges throughout Colorado to start similar programs.

In addition, Bortz started to see how housing played a role in people’s wellbeing. She helped her city begin the Littleton Housing Authority, now known as South Metro Housing Options, one of the rst housing authorities in Colorado.

She provided leadership for the housing authority for 47 years and served as rst chairperson of the Colorado Association of State Housing Authorities.

“ e opportunity to have decent housing, to live in a community where you feel you can be productive and safe, to have an education that allows you to certainly earn a decent living as well as giving you some satisfaction and pride — I think that’s what having an educated heart means,” she said.

e Libby Bortz Assisted Living Center, the rst assisted living center in the U.S. to be built by a public housing authority, is named after her.

In her work in criminal justice, Bortz sat on a local committee that focused on the needs of victims, speci cally working to help women who were victims of domestic violence and other crimes.

She also sat on the Littleton Council for Human Relations, a group that worked towards integration in Littleton and brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Littleton in 1963.

rough her work in mental health, education, housing, criminal justice and civil rights, Bortz saw connections.

“I see the whole, everything I’ve done, as a montage that belongs together,” she said.

Even when she was rejected for

her own credit card, she saw how it connected to other areas of justice and equality.

“ e answer always was, ‘Your husband has a credit card in his name. What do you need one for?’” she said.

She wrote a letter asking the president of the company if he didn’t trust his wife with expenditures. e next thing she knew, she was approved for the card.

“If you don’t have credit, as a woman or anyone doesn’t have credit, you know that it’s hard to buy some things,” she said. “It all comes together, and that’s good mental health.”

Breaking the mold

Bortz received plenty of criticism for her work throughout her life. When she ran for a county commissioner position in Arapahoe County and during her work to further civil rights, she received threatening phone calls, one telling her she’d be “terribly sorry” for what she was doing.

rough the challenges she faced, Bortz found strength to forge forward because she knew she was doing the right thing.

“Women were supposed to know their place, and I broke that mold,” she said. “I just felt that what I was doing was humane. It was right. at we deserved whatever opportunities might be out there to try for.”

Bortz said her mother was an inspiration to her as she worked towards justice and equality.

“My mother was a good role model for persistence about doing the right thing,” she said. “And it was right to try to have people have choice about where they live. It was right to have schools re ect the whole world.”

With humility, Bortz noted that she worked throughout her life with many other people ghting for justice.

“I found a group of like-minded people — you need that if you’re going to be a pioneer,” she said.

“Certainly, there were many of us who paved the way.”

Bortz said she was honored to be chosen for the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame, as it acknowledges so many women who have made e orts to provide opportunities for everyone.

“When you value doing the things that you know make this a better world, then go for it, ght for it,” she said. “And if other people don’t always agree, that’s okay for you to keep at it... Do what you believe is the right thing to do.”

Find Your Next Job or New Career Path

Searching for a job, changing career paths, or discovering new skills to advance your career can be stressful and challenging. Arapahoe/Douglas Works! is your one-stop-shop for employment assistance to land your next job, learn new skills or explore a new career path. For more information and to get started, visit adworks.org

Funds available to veterans

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

Do you want to positively impact your community in 2023?

Consider giving an hour or more each week to make a difference in the lives of older adults through Aging Resources of Douglas County. There is currently a need for volunteer drivers to help with errands, appointments and meal delivery. Find out more at agingresourcesdougco.org

What’s happening with your County government?

Our commitment to open and transparent government includes online posting of information about public meetings at which the business of government is conducted. To view public meeting agendas, participate in person or remotely, or watch select meetings via live stream, visit douglas.co.us and search for Business Meetings / Public Hearings.

From left, Johanna Gibbs, Sandy Mortensen, Libby Bortz, Patrice Lara and Asa Armstrong smile at the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Gala. JAY WEISE PHOTOGRAPHY

Social media apps o er route for illegal drug sales

BY OLIVIA PRENTZEL THE COLORADO SUN

How easy is it to nd illegal drugs on social media apps? Nearly as convenient as calling an Uber or ordering a pizza, the Colorado Attorney General’s O ce said in a report released March 8.

Access to illegal drugs is “staggering” on social media apps, the report found, and has contributed to the surging number fentanyl overdoses, which has become the leading cause of preventable death for adults under 45, outpacing suicide, gun violence and car accidents.

e 182-page report outlined the ways in which drug dealers use aggressive marketing tactics to sell illegal drugs online, often targeting younger customers, and urged social media platforms and state legislators to enforce new policies to crack down on the sales.

e report, which the attorney general’s o ce is calling rst of its kind, was written under a state law passed in 2022 that requires the Colorado Department of Law to study how the internet and social media platforms are used for the sale and distribution of fentanyl and other counterfeit prescription drugs.

With the rise of social media apps, their convenience and lack of regulation, platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and WhatsApp, have become a major vehicle for drug sales, the report said.

“Where once a teen might have had to seek out a street dealer, hassle friends, or learn to navigate the dark web to access illicit drugs, young people can now locate drug dealers using their smartphones — with the relative

PROPAGANDA

e yers Carhart found were just some of the anti-Semitic propaganda found in Front Range areas so far this month, with more yers found in the Terrain neighborhood in Castle Rock on March 7.  Castle Rock Mayor Jason Gray, whose grandfather died in a concentration camp during the Holocaust, spoke out against the messaging at the March 7 town council meeting, calling it “disheartening” and encouraging the council and

ease of ordering food delivery or calling a ride-share service,” Weiser wrote in the report. O cials spoke with former drug users and sellers and families of overdose victims for the report.

In 2021, at least 1,881 Coloradans died of a drug overdose and roughly half of those people died of fentanyl, according to state data. Many of those people are taking fentanyl without realizing it, as the cheap synthetic opioid is cut into other drugs like cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

As many as six in 10 counterfeit prescription pills contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl, the report said.

It didn’t quantify exactly how large the online illicit drug market has become, citing limited access to the social media platforms’ data. But research suggests that drug dealers and buyers turn to the internet and social media platforms “as a primary vehicle for drug transactions.”

A search for “Denver” and “Boulder” on the Kik messaging app returned dozens of results for groups dedicated to selling and buying drugs that were open to the public, the report showed.

“Connecting with a local dealer took mere minutes,” the report said.

Dealers advertise drugs using slang, emojis, QR codes and disappearing messages that help reach customers while evading content moderation tools on the social media platforms, the report said. Often drug sellers are active on multiple social media platforms — advertising their products on Instagram, but listing their WhatApps or Snapchat handles for inquiries — which makes it harder for law enforcement to crack down on the sales.

Sellers can create new pro les as soon as one is suspended or removed,

town residents to speak out against it and report it.

“It’s not what Castle Rock is about,” Gray said. “ is kind of rhetoric makes my blood boil.”

A report from the Anti-Defamation League released on March 8 found that 2022 had over 6,750 instances of white supremacist propaganda reported, the highest number of instances the organization has recorded.

Scott Levin, the director for the Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Region, said Colorado had 163 instances of white supremacist propaganda last year compared to 159 in 2021.

creating a frustrating “whack-a-mole” e ect for local law enforcement, the report said.

A lot of social media companies, including Meta, TikTok and Snapchat, have policies that ban advertising, buying or selling drugs and some have made e orts to work with law enforcement to address the issue.

But the report said the companies’ responses to drug activity on their platforms have been “uneven in their application and limited in e ectiveness.”

Weiser urged social media companies to adopt strong, uniform practices to prevent and respond to illegal drug sales. He also called for a federal agency to oversee social media platforms and legislation that would give the federal government more access to their data.

Hank Dempsey, the head of state public policy for Snapchat’s parent company, Snap Inc., called Weiser’s report a “must-read report” for anyone working to combat the fentanyl crisis. He said he appreciated working with the attorney general’s o ce “to contribute by sharing our insights and e orts to aggressively combat drug activity on our platform, including our policies that take a zero tolerance approach to this abuse.”

In an email, Meta spokeswoman Jeanne Moran said “content that attempts to buy, sell or trade drugs is not allowed on Facebook or Instagram, regardless of state or country law.” e company is “working hard” to keep drug sales o the platforms and users that post content that violates its policies could have their account removed.

Kayla Whaling, spokeswoman for the Tinder and Hinge parent company Match Group, said the report focused on a critical issue and that the company

Levin said a concern with the increasing propaganda is that it will lead to the normalization of hate, which can lead to violence.

“ e problem is that they do normalize this kind of hate and anger in a way that it might become criminal activity,” he said. “It only takes one person to react to this, think some of it may be true, and act on it.”

e propaganda also serves to recruit people to white supremacist groups and helps those groups make money by connecting people to their websites and media, Levin said.

e yers Carhart found in Highlands Ranch linked to a website

is “supportive of any conversation that aims to help make internet platforms safer.”

“However, we strongly disagree with how our brand is categorized here and we have been in contact with Attorney General Weiser’s o ce to refute the inaccurate claims in this report,” Whaling said. She said their platforms are “very ine cient” for drug sales since they are designed for one-on-one interactions and that the company has made proactive e orts to ban accounts that mention drugs.

TikTok did not return requests for comment.

e report made several recommendations for Colorado lawmakers to pass new protections to help prevent such sales, including:

• Requiring platforms to create and publicly post their policy on illegal drug sales and how law enforcement can request account records;

• Enforcing platforms to submit annual reports to the Department of Law showing the amount of content on the apps that promoted the purchase or sale of illegal drugs and how many times the posts were shared and viewed.

e Department of Law worked with representatives from Meta, Snapchat and TikTok to compile the report, as well as law enforcement, public health experts and harm reduction advocates.

is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

featuring Holocaust denial and streaming an anti-Semitic lm, which the Anti-Defamation League report found is often associated with the white supremacist group White Lives Matter.

Levin said the best response to nding propaganda is to loudly rebuke it so that the messaging doesn’t become normalized. He added that reporting instances of propaganda to law enforcement and the Anti-Defamation League helps track the issue.

“Neighbors need to speak out and say ‘ is stu isn’t acceptable’ and they need to give support to those groups that are targeted,” he said.

An innovative DCSD public school, grades 9-12, opening Fall 2023 preparing students for postsecondary pathways and empowering them to be competitive in our dynamic global economy

ARREST

He said he felt pain in his ear and the incident a ected his vision. He left the property with the help of a co-worker and was subsequently hospitalized, according to the Sheri ’s O ce.

According to Remington’s and Hill’s arrest a davits, the trip wire set o a blank round for a 12-guage shotgun.

Deputies said they recovered wire

traps that were set at the front and back entrances of the home. One trap was designed to spray a chemical agent, like pepper spray, when triggered, according to the a davits.  Hill and Remington were booked into the Douglas County Jail for felony second-degree assault, felony menacing and misdemeanor prohibited use of a weapon. Bond for both was set at $25,000.  Hill and Reminton are scheduled to be in court on April 18. e sheri ’s o ce said the investigation is ongoing.

Douglas County deputies arrested Highlands Ranch residents Bryan Hill and Tracy Remington after a wire trap device on their front step injured a salesman.

The salesman told police that on March 9 while working, he approached a front door and a wire caught on his lower leg, triggering a loud noise that a ected his hearing and vision.

PHOTOS COURTESY DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Summer Camps & Programs 2023

COUNTY AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Arapahoe County Libraries

Locations: Multiple locations in Arapahoe County

Website: arapahoelibraries.org

Details: Each year, Arapahoe libraries hosts a variety of reading events and gatherings to help fill the summer hours.

Douglas County Libraries

Locations: See website

Website: www.dcl.org/camp-dcl

Details: Choose from weeklong half-day camps at six DCL locations or full-day camps at select locations from June 5 through Aug. 4. Camps are facilitated by subject matter experts and supported by trained staff and volunteers. Camp themes include science, robotics, creative arts, LEGOs, cooking and baking, with each camp geared to a specific age range.

Englewood – 2023 KidConnections Summer

Camp

Locations: See website

Website: www.bit.ly/3YRWCcC

Details: The program is a fully licensed day care by the State of Colorado, Department of Human Services for children 5 years old (and completed kindergarten) through 14 years old. There is a registration fee of $10 per child.

Highlands Ranch Community Association

Locations: Recreation centers throughout the community

Website: www.hrcaonline.org/ classes-camps-activities/camps

Details: Every year, the Highlands Ranch Community Association works to provide something for everyone in its summer camp program. For children into sports, there are plenty of athletic camps available. For those looking to improve in art, arts and education programs are plentiful.

Parker Arts

Locations: 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker Website: www.parkerarts.org/education/ classes-camps

Details: Parker Arts is a great place for kids this summer, with a variety of programs serving a variety of ages all summer. With theater camps, a variety of art camps, technology camps and more - there is plenty to keep the mind and imagination a live.

Town of Castle Rock Summer Camp Program

Locations: Vary based on camp

Website: www.crgov.com/3270/ Summer-Camps

Details: From sports camps to jedi training and science and arts — the Town of Castle Rock prevents a full slate of summer camp programs in 2023. Visit the town’s website to learn more about ages, prices and

details.

Town of Parker/Parker Fieldhouse

Location: 18700 Plaza Drive, Parker

Website:  www.parkerrec.com/2029/Summer-Day-Camp

Details: Ages 5 to 13 can join this camp for themed games, activities, crafts and a ton of fun at the Parker Fieldhouse. Campers will be separated into age groups 5 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years, and 10 to 13 years. Expect swimming days and field trips too.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

The Giggling Life Care Farm

Location: 14583 Cherry St., Thornton

Website: www.thegigglinglife.com/ summer-farm-fun

Details: If your kids love animals you need to check out The Giggling Life Care Farm in Thornton for summer activities. The Giggling Life Care Farm is special for a lot of reasons, but the most important one is Kristi — the owner. She has a BS in psychology and a master’s in education, has studied life coaching for the last eight years, and is certified in Equine Assisted Coaching and Pet Therapy.

Highlands Ranch — Camp Backcountry

Location:  6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton

Website: www.hrcaonline.org/ classes-camps-activities/camps/ camp-backcountry

Details: Nestled into 8,200 acres of wildlife conservation property just south of C-470 on Santa Fe Drive, Camp Backcountry is the spot for a build-a-fort, hike-just-to-explore, and don’t-forget-your-binoculars kind of summer for your kids. The Backcountry believes that children learn, grow, and thrive best when outdoors and immersed in nature. Our week-long, full-day outdoor camps support the needs of children by using a whole-child, experiential learning approach. From mini-camps to leaders-intraining programs, the camps are for ages 5-17.

Great Outdoors Summer Camp

Location: Miller Activity Complex

1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock

Website: www.crgov.com/3270/

Summer-Camps

Details: This regional park includes the Miller Activity Complex (MAC), Millhouse, Amphitheater, Challenge Hill, ziplines, Adventure Tower, Sky Trek, and adventure playground area as well as over ten miles of hiking and biking trails.  For ages 10-15.

Chatfield Stables Horse Camps

Location: 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton

Website: www.chatfieldstables.com/horsecamps.html

Details: Chatfield Stables is the longest-

running horse camp in the area. Every child has their own horse for the entire week. Kids get to lead, feed, water and work with their horses every day. Campers learn horse care, including grooming and bridling. They water and feed their horses, learn to groom them, and take care of them at the end of the day. We ride daily, whether in the arena or on the trail.

Community Sailing of Colorado

Locations: 4800 S. Dayton St., Greenwood Village

Website: www.communitysailing.org

Details: Community Sailing of Colorado provides premier sailing programs (summer camps, adult classes, adaptive sailing, and community partnership events) at Cherry Creek and Boulder reservoirs. The weeklong summer camps range from beginner through advanced sailing for youth ages 5-17. It’s a perfect fit for any adventurous spirit who loves the outdoors.

MAD SCIENTISTS

Kookalooz Space Playground: STEM

Summer Camp

Locations:

6805 W. 88th Ave., Westminster

Website: www.kookalooz.com/ westminster-co/summer-camps

Details: 5 different camps from the basics of space to engineering. Each camp is one week long. For ages 5-10.

Colorado Adventure Point

Location: 10455 W. 6th Ave., Suite 150, Lakewood

Website: www.coloradoadventurepoint.org

Details: CAP’s STEM Camp isn’t your typical science camp. Our campers get to experiment with chemistry, physics and engineering through a variety of materials, experiments and challenges to meet their curiosities and skill level in our challenge by choice model. In addition to building engineering models and friendships, the campers get to enjoy our climbing wall, archery range and more — and learn the

SUMMER CAMP PAGES

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science behind these fun activities. Camps are available for ages 6-12.

Butterfly Pavilion

Location: 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster

Website: www.butterflies.org

Details: Starting June 5 and running through Aug. 11, the Butterfly Pavilion hosts all the creepy crawlies and your children at camp. There are five themes, which repeat once and include spider week, junior zookeeper and survival stories, where kids can learn about how insects adapt to survive.

Mad Science

Locations: Multiple locations in the Denver metro area, including the Littleton area, Denver and Broomfield

Website: www.colorado.madscience.org

Details: These camps are designed for ages 6 to 12, though sessions such as Red-Hot Robots and Advanced Robotics camps are more appropriate for ages 8 to 12. Instructors are mostly college students pursuing degrees in education or science and teachers off for the summer. Themes include chemistry, space science, forensics, engineering and more. Each camp is weeklong, though times can vary.

Air & Space Camp

Location: Wings Over the Rockies 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver

Website: www.wingsmuseum.org/ education/camp

Details: Ready for an aerospace adventure? At Wings Over the Rockies that’s exactly what kids ages 8 to 14 can expect in these week-long camps. The fun starts June 5 and goes on until Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

EMERGING ARTISTS

Center for the Arts: Summer in Color

Location: 31880 Rocky Village Dr., Evergreen

Website: www.evergreenarts.org/ summercamp

Details: Camps explore various media, from clay sculpting and wheel throwing, to pop art and mural painting, to the art of different cultures and the art of the masters. Several of our camps also incorporate outdoor components, including hikes, yoga, and opportunities for photography and eco-art projects. Let kids explore their creative side with imaginative and inspiring camps at CAE this summer. For ages 5-17.

Denver Art Museum

Location: 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver

Website: www.denverartmuseum.org/en/ summer-camps

Details: The camps at the Denver Art Museum get broken into three age groups: 5 to 6, 7 to 8, and 9 to 11. Overall, the themes remain the same — there are camps about art in nature, how to draw, learning about color and sculpture. Each camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and includes plenty of time in the museum to garner inspiration.

Craftsman & Apprentice

Location: 1335 E 22nd Ave., Denver

Website: www.craftsmanandapprentice. com/pages/summer-2023

Details: Ages 5 to 11 can spend the summer creating worlds out of cardboard, paint, hot glue, ribbons, corks, buttons and more at this Denver kids’ crafting studio. Themes include toys, crafty critters, fiber arts and more.

ON THE STAGE

The Apollo Center Summer Camps

Location: 2655 Industrial Lane, Broomfield

Website: www.theapollocenter.com/ summercamps

Details: The Apollo Center offers a variety of skill-based camps for kids and adults alike. Aerial Performance Camps for kids ages 5-17 years focus on learning aerial technique and choreography throughout the week which will culminate with a camp performance based on the camp theme.

Front Range Theatre Company Triple Threat Summer Camp

Locations: 15035

Performing Arts School, Parker

Website: www.frontrangetheatre.org/ triple-threat-summer-camp.html

Details: Working with professional instructors with years of experience, your child will learn the three major elements of any stage performer: Voice, Dance and Acting. The camps are designed to challenge performers in the entire range of life in the theatre, including a live performance in a mainstage venue!

Audience of One Youth Theatre Camp

Location: Highlands Ranch

Website: www.AO1Theater.org

Details: Whether a student is looking to try out theater for the first time, polish skills or have fun with friends, the AO1 has one-to-two-week camps can work in the summer schedule. AO1’s summer programming includes kids’ productions for ages 5-12, workshops for ages 8-18, and a two-week intensive program for teenagers.

The Arvada Center

Location: 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Arvada

Website: www.arvadacenter.org

Details: If your kid is 5 to 12 and loves a bit of drama and/or art, the Arvada Center has a slew of full- and half-day camps available. The best and most economic way to sign up for camp is to do it in three- or four-week blocks, and the venue offers combinations of visual art, musical theater, drama and music.

Kent Denver Performing Arts Camps

Location: 4000 E. Quincy Ave., Englewood

Website: www.KentDenver.org

Details: Summer at Kent Denver School offers all children ages 4–18 the opportunity to experience innovative, creative, hands-on learning in the arts, athletics, our Tiny Farm Day Camp, academics, innovation and technology.

St. Lukes Performing Arts Camps

Location:  8817 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch

Website: www.StLukesPAA.org

Details: From preschool age to high school

students there are a large variety of summer camp shows planned in Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock areas. Registration is now open.

Castle Rock Dance Academy

Locations: 140 S. Wilcox St. Suite A, Castle Rock

Website: www.castlerockdanceacademy. com

Details: At Castle Rock Dance Academy (CRDA), best friends are made, etiquette and self-discipline are taught, and students learn skills they can carry with them through life. The program offers weekly dance classes in five-week sessions for ages 3–18.

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

ing the circus, or just wants to bend, twist and soar through the air, this is the camp for them. Dates run from May 29 through August 14, and include morning and afternoon camps (9:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3 p.m.) for ages 6 to 16.

LET’S GET MUSICAL

Maestro Music Institute

Location: 6478 Ward Road, Arvada

Website: www.maestromusicinstitute. com/2023-instrumental-summer-camp

Bowlero

Locations: Multiple locations in Cherry Creek, Littleton and Lone Tree

Website: www.bowlero.com

Details: Fun for all skill levels, Bowlero’s modern spin on bowling is the perfect way to spend quality time with the kids. Celebrate every strike, spare and yes, even gutter balls, with the most famous lanes in the game and a delicious menu of classic American eats.

Camp Urbie at Urban Air Adventure Park

Location: 15400 E. Briarwood Circle, Aurora

Website: www.bit.ly/3IuCQOO

Details: Let ‘em Fly for a whole week of play, in-park activities, snacks and more. Camp Urbie’s Adventure Camp is the best way to beat the summer heat and play in the best indoor playground in town. The weeklong camp is open to kids 7 years and up.

Gold Medal Athletic Camp

Location: Castle Rock Recreation Center

Website: www.crgov.com/2628/Camps

Details: Athletes will participate in small- and large-group instruction, drills and games or scrimmages. We welcome beginner athletes to learn how to use proper mechanics and fundamentals of the sport and intermediate or advanced athletes who want to continue to grow their motor skills and skill in the sport. For ages 7-12.

Tigar Gymnastics Camps

Location: 4860 Van Gordon St. Unit B, Wheat Ridge

Website: www.tigargymnastics.com

Details: A variety of programs at a variety of ages is available at the gymnastics center, including ninja classes and programs for older ages.

RMF Soccer Camp

Location: Aurora Sports Park 19300 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora

Website: www.rmfsoccercampsusa. com/soccer-camp-denver

Details: From July 17 to July 21, this pro-run soccer camp will come to Colorado. It’s run by experienced Spanish UEFA coaches, and goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Kids from 6 to 16 can sign up.

Aerial Cirque Over Denver

Location: 4605 Quebec St., Denver.

Website: www.aerialcirqueoverdenver.com

Details: If your child is thinking of join-

Details: Instrumental Summer Camp is back this year covering a myriad of ensemble opportunities. We will be offering Rock Band, Orchestra, Choir/ Theater, Piano ensemble and composition. Summer campers will have the opportunity to learn new instruments in addition to honing their skills on their primary instrument. Students will work in large and small ensemble groups and perform a variety of music at the end of the week.

Kidzrock Rock Band Camp

Location: 2842 S. Broadway, Englewood

Website: www.musicallifedenver.com/ summercamp

Cost: $319

Details: Rock Band Summer Camp teaches children ages 4 to 7 how to play in a rock band. Campers learn to play drums, electric guitar, keyboard and sing. On the final day, campers perform a short (adorable) concert for parents and family. In addition to rock band time, students get to make music-related arts and crafts, create a fantasy band identity, and play outdoor games at the park next to the school. No prior musical experience is required. No investment in gear is required.

OVERNIGHT CAMPS

Avid 4 Adventure

Locations: Various spots

Website: www.avid4.com/ summer-camps

Details: For two weeks kids get to bask in nature, away from their parent, at either Camp Windy Peak near Bailey, or Camp Blue Sky near Evergreen. The kids sleep in cabins and build their skill sets in nature and with outdoor sport activities.

Cheley Colorado Camps

Location: Cheley Colorado Camps 3960 Fish Creek Road, Estes Park.

Website: www.cheley.com

Details: If your kid is 9 to 17, send them off to a 27-day overnight camp in Estes Park. Full term is June 13 to August 6, or chose a half term from June 13 to July 9, or July 11 to Aug. 6. Activities include horseback riding, water sports, art and plenty of outdoor adventure.

Camp Granite Lake

Locations: 11902 Camp Eden Road, Golden Website: www.campgranitelake.com

Details: Located in the mountains about an hour from Denver, the camp covers 135 acres including a private lake. It’s a co-ed camp for grades second to ninth. Choose from two sessions, either June 19 through July 8, or July 10 through July 29. There are also mini-camp options for grades 1st through 4th, covering the week of July 31 or Aug. 7.

Support for SROs FROM

THE EDITOR

Over the last few years, the idea of defunding the police was tied to the idea that we would have better outcomes with depleted law enforcement resources. While I am continually in support of more training, continued discussions when an incident happens and departments evolving for the better with education — I was never on the defund any local law enforcement messaging.

In all the calls for defunding police, an area that likely got caught up unfairly in the discussions was school resource o cers. In 2020, local news reports called for removing SROs in light of a national anger at law enforcement in some Denver metro schools.

Here we are years later and regular crime at a Denver metro high school has gotten so bad that even students at East High School staged a protest to ask for better.

As discussions continued, several have now admitted that the idea of SROs doing more harm than good was a bit misguided.

Before becoming a parent, I worked with SROs in Arizona on a regular basis. I loved working with these o cers. I loved seeing them work with students. ey truly cared about a student having a bad day. ey understand the need to communicate and spend extra time with students who are obviously going through a rough time.

For other students who may have taken rst in a track meet or won the spelling bee — these SROs are some of the biggest cheerleaders in the school.

I loved how receptive these students are to the SROs. ey serve as security, counselor, mentor and friend. ey can spot a student who may be posing a threat to the school based on changed behavior and habits.

Now, I am a parent. As a parent, knowing what I know from my days as a journalist doing a “ride-along” with police, I would never push to take SROs out of schools.

ese men and women are some of the best members of our communities. ey likely have more knowledge of what is happening with students in our schools because they are trained to do so. I do not think I have ever met an SRO who does not like their job. ey are good at their jobs because they love their jobs.

When I see an SRO at a local school, I never think of unneeded authority. I automatically think my kids are likely getting great mentorship from an adult who is trained to protect them and advocate for them.

I believe all of our local school districts should look to bring in more SROs, and frankly, given the state of mental health with our children, especially here in Colorado, another set of eyes, an extra advocate for our children can only be a positive thing.

I hate that negative publicity has hurt these people who are great additions to our education system and I hope, given some recent discussions, they get back on track and in full force in schools.

Just to give a shout out to other community aspects of our local law enforcement — In Douglas County I have taken a class in how to survive in case of a mass shooting. Brian McKnight, prevention specialist/community resources, taught me to sit a certain way in a building. I look around for exits, I look for weapons — I look at how I will survive. ese programs are unfortunately welcome and needed.

I did a ride-along with the Community Response Team in Douglas County. In watching Deputy Zach Zepeski in one day – I was amazed at the di erence he and his team makes in the daily lives of our citizens.

Law enforcement is not just about writing tickets and drawing a gun. From citizen academies, training sessions and community support — I say don’t be so quick to put them down, and instead experience and be a part of the good they o er.

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

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher

lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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

THELMA GRIMES South Metro Editor tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TAYLER SHAW Community Editor tshaw@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Vulnerable and transparent, and the courage to be both

The team building event was held at Top Golf. e vice president of sales was reluctant to have the meeting there as he had never played golf and didn’t want to embarrass himself. His team convinced him that he could just join them and not have to worry about playing or swinging a club.

As the night went on, the team did everything they could to get their boss to step up and give it a try. ere were others on the team that were in the same spot, having played very little or never. Men and women taking their turns embarrassing themselves with awkward attempts to hit that little white ball. In the end, the vice president of sales chose to keep his dignity intact and did not take his turn amongst the team.

Having spoken with some of the salespeople and the VP of sales privately, I heard mixed opinions about the decision not to join the group. Some thought it

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showed poor leadership in not being vulnerable enough to laugh at yourself and have a little fun with your team as there were more hacks trying to hit the ball than there were any good golfers.

When I asked the VP of sales why he chose not to try, he was completely transparent with me, sharing that he just didn’t want to embarrass himself. He felt he was being open and vulnerable to his team as well sharing with them the very reason he chose to stay in the background. It was a bit of a shame because sometimes it’s OK to show humility among our teams and peers.

Two of the words that we hear often when it comes to expectations of leadership and really people in any role are vulnerability and transparency. We no longer must have all the answers or pretend that we do. We no longer have to be perfect or pretend that we are. Maybe the world we live in places that kind of pressure on some of us, and the stress of that pressure can drive us further away from nding the ability to be vulnerable and transparent.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

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Thelma Grimes

Only roadkill is middle of the road

“I don’t fear losing, but winning.” I spoke those words when accepting the Democratic nomination for House District 43 (Highlands Ranch). I expected to win. (Why run to lose?) But I knew when I won, some supporters would become angry because in contrast to normal politics, I intend to represent ALL my constituents. And to keep my commitments even if not politically expedient. at is an integrity issue for me.

HD43 is the most conservative state House district held by a Democrat. And I am the most conservative Democrat in the state House. So I match the district well. Only 22% of HD43 registered voters are Democrats. Yet despite those numbers, and an incumbent opponent outspending our campaign by a larger margin than most state House legislators spent on their entire campaigns, we won, becoming the rst Douglas County Democrat sent to Colorado’s Capitol

NORTON

Last week I wrote about courage and discretion, and when we should exercise both. What I am sharing here is a di erent kind of courage, the courage to be open to failure, being brave enough to take a swing at a golf ball with our team when we have never played the game before, and being daring enough to admit we don’t have the answers right now but will work hard to nd them.

Some of the most courageous people I have met have also been the most transparent and vulnerable. Being grounded in honesty and integrity provides them the strength they need to be vulnerable and transparent. Looking at failure and saying “So what” positions them to achieve greater things in life as they move past those mistakes, learning from each one.

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since 1966.

GUEST COLUMN

But in our hyperpartisan world, it is lonely in the middle. When the Democratic Party asked me to run, they inquired into my positions on guns and abortion. I replied that I had personal views. But as the state representative for Highlands Ranch, I would oppose any rollback of existing laws, but not support further restrictions or expansions. Most people were content with that position when I was running given my opponent’s extremism. But now when I am keeping commitments made during the campaign, I am receiving large amounts of personal invective. Mostly from within the party in Douglas County, but not from my state House colleagues

One of the synonyms for courage is audacity. Sometimes when we hear the word audacity we think of a negative connotation. inking things like, “ e audacity of that person.” I like to think of audacity in the positive sense, having the audacity to be courageous in the face of possible embarrassment, to have audacious bravery to own our decisions and our mistakes. To be audacious in the way that we can laugh with others while we laugh at ourselves. is week you may be asked to do something uncomfortable, something completely outside of your swing zone or comfort zone. And if you are, I hope you will make the decision to audaciously pursue the opportunity. We all learn in di erent ways, and one way that I know we learn the best is by getting knocked o balance. So take the chance, say “So what,” and watch how your vulnerability and transparency endear others to you. As always, I would love to hear your

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who seem genuinely pleased having a Dougco Democratic unicorn alongside them. So below are quick sketches of vote decisions on four gun law bills that are creating so much anger:

1. Lifting Gun Manufacturers’ Immunity/Privileges. Yes. Not a rearms restriction, but removing an unjusti able special interest privilege for a politically favored industry, something I oppose no matter which party favors the industry.

2. Red Flag Law Expansion. Yes. Adding district attorneys is easy. And I was convinced adding mental health professionals is appropriate because they can already directly seek court orders for 72-hour holds and forcibly prescribe medication.

3. ree-Day Waiting Period. No. I could not vote for this with integrity given the commitments made when running. e bill passed with two Democrats voting against it. And I

story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can show courage in ourselves during moments of vulnerability, it really will be a better than good life.

wasn’t going to throw away integrity/ credibility on a non-decisive vote. But I supported the bill sponsors in stopping amendments to weaken the bill even if I was going to vote against the nal product.

4. 18-21 Year Olds Prohibitions from Firearms. Same as #3. I am a loyal Democrat. But loyalty to constituents, state and country will always trump party loyalty. My current legislative focus is on teacher compensation, the equitable treatment of disabled veterans, water quality and good governance. And it is that last focus that leads to most clashes with party apparatchiks. For as one legislative colleague laughingly informed me: “You must be doing something right. You are p-ssing o everybody in power.”

Patrick Dennis Perlinger of Littleton, CO passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Pat was born on March 27, 1941, in North Platte, NE to George and Anna Perlinger, the tenth of eleven children. He was married to Evelyn Wilson in 1962 and they became the loving parents to Chris, Dan, Ann Marie, Dee Dee, and Mary. He is survived by his children and his sister Donna Johnson of Illinois. Pat was the proud grandfather of 17 and the great grandfather of six. He worked for Varityper Corporation for over 25 years in a variety of roles. Pat was a Master Gardener and wrote a gardening column for the local newspaper. He was also active in his community, assisting with various political campaigns and serving for many years on the Public Safety Advisory

Committee of Douglas County, CO. Pat’s lasting impact, however, was felt through his kindness and generosity towards others. He was always willing to lend a hand and share his expertise with those around him.

A Rosary will be said on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 10:15 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. omas More Catholic Church, 8035 South Quebec Street, Centennial, CO 80112. Burial will take place at 11:30 AM on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Paxton Cemetery in Paxton, Nebraska. Pat’s Tribute Wall at www.EllisFamilyServices.com.

Name: Untitled 995 copy copy copy co1; Depth: 8 in; Ad Number: -; Customer Name: OBIT

Arrangements are in the care of Ellis Family Services, Funeral and Memorial Care, 13436 West Arbor Place, Littleton, Colorado 80127.

In Loving Memory

PERLINGER

Patrick Dennis Perlinger

March 27, 1941 - March 5, 2023

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.

Robert Marshall represents House District 43 in the Colorado General Assembly.

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Type in “restaurant” on Google Maps and set the lter to “open 24 hours.” You’ll be hard-pressed to nd any local restaurants serving up food to the night owls, late workers and early risers.

Unless you’re seeking around-the-clock Mexican food.

“We’re open 24 hours, and it’s something fresh, you know?” said Govanny Alvarado, a member of the family who runs Alvarado’s Mexican Fast Food. Compared to other restaurants, “you can taste the di erence,” Alvarado said.

e new Englewood spot that opened in August adds to a small but mighty list of Mexican joints that o er all-day, all-night service in the Denver metro area — a type of restaurant that’s becoming more di cult to nd since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

“Most people like us, you know, we’re always looking for a late-night snack,” said Alvarado, 21, adding that his family “understands the struggle” to nd restaurants that are open late.

His family members, longtime workers in the Mexican fast-food industry, gained experience at his uncle’s restaurant in Arizona. ey later started working for Taco Star and Tacos Rapidos, two chains with 24-hour locations in the metro area, Alvarado said.

“And Taco Star, the one in ornton here, that’s where my dad worked, and that’s where I started as well when I was young,” Alvarado said of the location near 84th Avenue and Washington Street.

When his family members had the chance to start their own restaurant about six years ago, they opened Tacos Los Compas — another 24-hour eatery, near downtown Denver and the Auraria Campus.

“Most of the people that I’ve known or talked to customer-wise, they’re all from Arizona or California, and they all say they miss that taste of authentic Mexican food,” Alvarado said.

Carrying on authentic recipes is part of the job as well for Tamale Kitchen, a longstanding family business with locations around the metro area.

What makes the restaurant unique is “the green chile, the New Mexico-style red chile, the tamale avors, just the avors in general of just old grandma recipe — the beans, the rice, everything’s grandma’s recipes,” said Jose Bishop, owner of the Westminster and Northglenn locations.

e restaurant grew out of an e ort to sell tamales door to door in 1980, and the rst Tamale Kitchen opened in Lakewood in 1981, according to its website.

Its Northglenn location at 104th Avenue and Huron Street stays open around the clock on the weekends, running from 5 a.m. Friday through 10 p.m. Sunday.

e business has expanded to eight locations, stretching from Adams County all the way to Highlands Ranch, and some are franchises run by people outside the family, Bishop said.

Familiar places see challenges

Alvarado noted that after the COVID-19 pandemic shook up the

LATE-NIGHT

economy, it’s di cult to nd 24hour restaurants.

Staples of late-night food in Denver permanently closed amid the pandemic, including the Denver Diner o Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue and, to the south, the Breakfast King at Santa Fe Drive and Mississippi Avenue. Both had been open 24/7.

Tom’s Diner, also on Colfax Avenue near downtown, shut down in March 2020 during the pandemic’s early days. It reopened in 2022 as a bar and lounge called Tom’s Starlight, no longer open 24/7.

Pete’s Kitchen, located on Colfax in central Denver, remains open 24 hours Friday and Satur-

LATE-NIGHT SPOTS

Looking for a late-night meal? Here are some local restaurants that o er 24-hour service on at least some days each week.

• Alvarado’s Mexican Fast Food

4901 S. Broadway in Englewood, a couple blocks north of Belleview Avenue

Open 24/7 720-664-9260

• Tamale Kitchen

1030 W. 104th Ave. in Northglenn, a short drive west of Interstate 25, at Huron Street

Open 5 a.m. Friday through 10 p.m. Sunday; 5 a.m.-10 p.m. on other days; other locations in the metro area, including in Highlands Ranch, have di erent hours 720-379-7825

• Taco Star

503 E. 84th Ave. in Thornton, a short drive east of I-25

day night, according to the diner’s webpage.

Other than that, though, 24hour options in the metro area tend to be con ned to chains that aren’t local, such as IHOP, Denny’s, McDonald’s or Wa e House.

e trend of restaurant headwinds during the pandemic applies to the entire industry, not just 24-hour restaurants, said Denise Mickelsen, a spokesperson for the Colorado Restaurant Association.

“Operations are proving increasingly di cult in the face of the ongoing labor shortage and soaring costs, causing restaurant owners and operators to make changes that include decreasing operating hours,” Mickelsen said.

‘All walks of life’

Bishop, the owner of the north-

ern Tamale Kitchen locations, has felt the challenges himself. His Westminster location used to o er some 24-hour service like the Northglenn spot, but sta ng issues led to shortened hours starting around spring 2020, he said.

ough they can be tough to operate, Bishop, 38, said 24hour restaurants serve di erent parts of a community.

“ ere’s still 11 p.m. (movie) showings, so people going home at 1 or 2. We get a lot of nightshift workers, people who are going to work at 4 in the morning, a lot of construction workers bringing burritos to their coworkers,” Bishop said.

“It’s a little mixed — people of all walks of life going out for entertainment, getting o of work late. Just a variety of di erent people out and about.”

1050 W. 104th Ave. # 8 in Northglenn, near Huron Street

1760 S. Havana St. in Aurora, a short drive north of Parker Road

Open 24/7

303-288-9228 for Thornton location

• Tacos Los Compas

1385 N. Santa Fe Drive in Denver, about a block south of Colfax Avenue

Open 24/7

720-328-0299

• Tacos Rapidos

2800 W. Evans Ave. in Denver, o Federal Boulevard

Open 24/7

Other locations nearby; hours di er 303-935-0453 for Evans location

• Pete’s Kitchen

1962 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, about 1 mile east of Broadway

Open “24 hours Friday and Saturday night,” according to the restaurant’s website 303-321-3139

A sign is lit up at Alvarado’s Mexican Fast Food, one of several Mexican restaurants open 24/7 in the Denver metro area.

The sign at the Tamale Kitchen location in Westminster. The Northglenn location stays open around the clock on the weekends.

PHOTOS BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Alvarado’s Mexican Fast Food, seen here in January, recently opened in Englewood.

‘Great Outdoors’ runs through April

Great Outdoors” is the title for the new exhibit at the Depot Art Center, 2069 W. Powers Ave., downtown Littleton, lasting until April 30.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Free admission. Juror for this exhibit was Tim Kathka. A public reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 24.

Correction

Correction: e Littleton Symphony concert was incorrectly listed in last week’s paper as March 22, but the correct date is March 31 at Littleton United Methodist Church.

No Hudson Gardens concerts Hudson Gardens, the outdoor venue along Santa Fe Drive in Littleton, has announced that it will not have a summer concert program this year.

Highlands Ranch art show

“Littleton Men of the West” will be an art exhibit featuring Bob Eilert and friends at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203

S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch. The exhibit runs March 25 to May 2 and gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A reception is planned from 10 a.m. to noon on March 26, for the public to meet the artists.

‘Carousel’ Highlands Ranch-based Performance Now eater Company performs the musical “Carousel” at Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood through April 2 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays. See lakewood. showare.com.

Native American Short Play Festival coming

Littleton United Methodist Church is venue for April events

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After a three-year postponement, the Encore Players at Littleton United Methodist Church will spon-

sor a Native American Short Play Festival, produced by a new organization, Celebration of Native Arts (CoNA). Mark your calendar for April 21 (7 p.m.) or April 23 (2 p.m.). e purpose of CoNA is to promote Native American theater, music and dance.

e ve plays — each 10 minutes or less in length — will be presented as staged readings and they explore

The Encore Players at Littleton United Methodist Church are sponsoring the Native American Short Play Festival, produced by Celebration of Native Arts. COURTESY IMAGE

“Tucked in the Woods,” a watercolor by Littleton Fine Arts Guild member Pat Harman, is in the “Great Outdoors” exhibit at Depot Art Gallery in Littleton COURTESY IMAGE

SONYA’S SAMPLER

SEE SAMPLER, P18

SEE FESTIVAL, P18

Fri 3/31

Jeffrey Dallet @ 2pm Village at Belmar, 7825 W Alameda Ave, Lakewood

Wendy Clark Band at Sunroom Brewing @ 5pm Sunroom Brewing, 3242 S Acoma St, Englewood

Trouble Bound: High & Lone‐some Classic Country Night @ 6:30pm Western Sky Bar & Taproom, 4361 S Broadway, Englewood

Zikr Dance Ensemble presents "Mysteries, Rites & Revelations" @ 5pm / $25

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree. david taylor.zikr@hotmail.com, 303-8841910

Bertin y su Condesa @ 8pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Bertin y Su Condesa - Dinastya Angelito y Su Sabor Costeño @ 8pm / $70 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Mon 4/03

Modern Swing Mondays @ 5pm / $10 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Microwave @ 6pm

Dan Bublitz Jr: Comedy Showcase @ 7pm Centennial Comedy Club, 9200 East Mineral Avenue, Centennial

Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, En‐glewood

Delta Sleep @ 6pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Dan Bublitz Jr: Clean-Ish Comedy Show @ 6pm

Pizzability, 3445 S Broadway, En‐glewood

Thu 4/06

Colony House @ 6pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Joe Dombrowski @ 6:15pm

Comedy Works South, 5345 Land‐mark Pl, Greenwood Village

Joan Osborne @ 6:30pm

Pace Center, Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Los Cardenales de Nuevo Leon @ 7pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Grupo Pesado @ 7pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

DUELO DE ACORDEONES

EDICIÓN ESPECIAL @ 7pm / $100 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Sat 4/01

Jenny Shawhan @ 1pm Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia

6 Million Dollar Band @ 6pm Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia

Spring Fling Dance @ 11:30pm

Heather Gardens Clubhouse, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way, Aurora

Dear Marsha,: April Fools with Dear Marsha and her Freaky Band @ 8pm

Mirage Sports Bar, 8340 W Coal Mine Ave, Littleton

Sun 4/02

2023 Platte River Half Marathon & Relay @ 6am Littleton, CO, 2920 Brewery Lane, Little‐ton. logan@platteriverhalf.com

CW & Twenty Hands High @ 6:30pm

Tue 4/04 Wed 4/05

Tony Medina Music: The Open Mic at the Alley @ 5:30pm The Alley, 2420 W Main St, Littleton

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

YouthTuber - Powderhorn @ 2:20pm / $132

Apr 5th - May 10th

Powderhorn Elementary, 12109 W Coal Mine Ave, Littleton. 720-9960894

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

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo at 'Bout Time Pub & Grub @ 7pm Bout Time Pub & Grub, 3580 S Platte River Dr A, Sheridan

Diego Figueiredo @ 11pm

Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood

WHL U.S. Development Combine: Denver - Skater @ 11pm / $399

Apr 6th - Apr 9th

South Suburban Family Sports Center, 6901 South Peoria St, Centennial. 888844-6611 ext. 3354

FESTIVAL

universal themes such as rites of passage, grief, empowerment and family, according to directors An-

nawyn Shamas, and Ellen ShamasBrandt, founder of CoNA and Denver actor/director Pamela Clifton. e Shamas mother/daughter duo are longtime Littleton residents — and are Chickasaw tribe members, as is Laura Shamas.

Annawyn’s great-grandfather was

Also coming to Lakewood Cultural Center: international guitar virtuoso Diego Figueiredo on April 7, performing a fusion of Brazilian music and jazz from around the world. 303-987-7845. Lakewood.org/

Vendors and shoppers are invited to the Arapahoe Community College Spring Craft Fair on May 20. Deadline: May 10 $50 for table, chair, booth space. Money for scholarships and the Student Emergency Fund. Also at ACC: “Art, Wine and Design” from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on May 18. Registration required for artists. Tickets: $100. ACC is at 5900 S. Santa

Englewood Library hours, now that it has reopened: 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to ursday; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Saturday;

Theater in Aurora

“tick, tick … BOOM,” a musical by

Chickasaw, she says, and they and sister/playwright Laura have registered as members.

is has been a major project for them and the theater-oriented family has been focused on Native American writing for some time: attending performances and making contacts.

ese plays, which will have staged readings, were originally performed in Los Angeles at Native Voices at the Autry eater’s Annual Short Play Festival. ey are: “ e Origin of Law” by Diane Glancy (Cherokee), “Four Women in Red” by Laura Shamas (Chickasaw), “ e Tamale Man” and “Slow Your Roll,” by P.C. Verrone (Osage, Kiowa) and “Flight” by DeLanna Studi (Cherokee).

Native Voices at the Autry was founded in 1994 and is devoted to developing and producing new works for the stage by Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and First Nations playwrights.

Jonathan Larson, creator of “Rent,” plays through April 23 at Vintage eatre, cabaret stage, 1468 Dayton St. in Aurora, followed by George Zamarripa in a music and humor production, “Naked from the Neck Up” on March 29 at 7:30 p.m. On the Main Stage: a regional premier: “ e Inheiritance, parts 1 and 2” by Matthew Lopez, winner of the 2020 Tony for best play, directed by Bernie Cardell. Two tickets required: Part I will primarily play on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons; Part II will primarily play on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Mature audiences only. Vintage eatre.org.

City Park Jazz

City Park Jazz sends a lineup for a 37th summer series at Denver’s City Park: June 4 to August 8. CityParkJazz.org.

Pastel workshop

“Abstracting from Nature in Pastel” is artist Jane Shoenfeld’s two-day workshop, presented by Heritage Fine Arts Guild on April 14 and 15 at First Presbyterian Church of Littleton, 1609 W. Littleton Blvd. Open to students of all levels of experience. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Cost: $80, members; $110 for nonmembers. Space for 20 students. See heritage-guild.com.

ey are “moving, thought-provoking and humorous,” according to Shamas-Brandt, who sent out casting calls to the theater community.

Actors/readers will have four rehearsals and will be paid, she said, happy that she had lled the roles when we spoke last week. Applicants sent a head shot, resume, short video and monologue.

Rehearsal time will be brief, but the actors will read from the scripts, rather than performing in the round. It’s a pleasant prospect to have the opportunity to participate in new works and we hope this community will become involved.

Admission is free, and a free will o ering will be taken to bene t the United Methodist Native American Ministries. e festival coincides with Native American Sunday on April 23 at 5824 S. Datura St., Littleton. e church has lots of free parking.

Model #101, Carolina, $40,840 BALANCE OWED $17,000

Model #203, Georgia, $49,500 BALANCE OWED $19,950

Model #305, Biloxi, $36,825 BALANCE OWED $14,500

Model #403, Augusta, $42,450 BALANCE OWED $16,500

Arguably one of the hardest working women in comedy today, Tammy Pescatelli brings her brassy sexiness and bold voice of witty sarcasm to the PACE Center stage!

The “Great Outdoors” art show is running at Depot Art Gallery through April 30. FILE PHOTO

Everybody hates Hamlet at Miners Alley

To be or not to be… bored by the ramblings of a certain prince of Denmark is a question one need not face when going to see the hilarious new entry in Miners Alley Playhouse’s season, “I Hate Hamlet.”

e real question is whether you can relate to an someone struggling with feeling like a failure and searching for the brief moments when things just seem to gel. Which really could be anybody.

“What drew me to this production is how honest it is. It’s hilarious and big, but it also has so much heart,” wrote John Hauser, who plays the show’s lead, in an email interview. “So many artists deal with the same things that Andrew goes through, feelings of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, but also those feelings of being in the moment and owning a role, even if only for a brief moment.”

“I Hate Hamlet” runs at Miners Alley, 1224 Washington Ave., from Friday, March 31 through Sunday, April 23. Performances are at 7:30 p.m., ursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

e show tells the story of Andrew Rally (Hauser), a daytime television actor whose show has

recently been canceled. He is cast in a production of Shakespeare in the Park as Hamlet but isn’t sure he can pull the character o , but when he is visited by the ghost of former Hamlet performer John Barrymore, things get a little more complicated.

“It is really a quirky, witty script that moves along nicely,” said director Rory Pierce. “In addition to how funny and smart it is, there’s a swashbuckling sword ght and just enough Shakespeare to whet your appetite, but not enough to put you asleep.”

While the show does have some inside jokes and references that fans of e Bard will no doubt enjoy, Pierce said knowledge of the playwright’s canon isn’t a prerequisite to having a good time at the show.

“If audiences go away in a better mood than they arrived in and had an evening of fun and laughter, that’s what we’re aiming for,” Pierce said. “We also hope that they’ll have a slightly better appreciation of the work that goes into performing and a greater appreciation of the theater.”

While there are laughs aplenty, as is always the case with a Miners Alley production, everyone has their sights rmly set on the humanity of the story being told.

“ is show is unique in the way that it can be so wild and over the top, but also so genuine and honest at the same time,” Hauser wrote. “I hope audiences leave with a smile

on their face.”

For information and tickets, visit https://minersalley.com/i-hatehamlet/.

Immerse yourself in the power of art and jazz

e Lumonics Gallery, 800 E. 73 Ave., Unit 11, in Denver, is blending its signature approach to artistic light shows with jazz at two Immersive Jazz-Art performances, both held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. e rst is Friday, March 24 and the second is Friday, March 31.

e two events will feature a blend of art, lm and live, improvisational jazz accompanied by the Lumonics light sculptures/video. According to provided information, Janine Santana, a jazz musician and radio personality, will be hosting the series and selecting an accompanying jazz lm.

For more information, visit www. lumonics.net/jazz.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Wonder Years at Summit Music Hall

Hearing the name e Wonder Years probably makes most people think of the golden years of their youth (or a late 1980s sitcom about the golden years of youth). Pennsylvania’s band of the same name can certainly pull at the heartstrings, but the indie rock favorites accomplish this by blending aching and searching lyricism with emoindebted rocky stylings.

In support of 2022’s “ e Hum Goes on Forever,” they’ll be stopping by Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. in Denver, at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28. Joining them are the wonderful alt-rock group Hot Mulligan. Get a ticket at www. livenation.com.

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

Clarke Reader

Role of ‘taxpayer dollars’ in plan for apartments is complicated

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As news spread about a proposed a ordable housing development near Parker — yet another ashpoint in the ongoing battle against new apartment complexes in the Denver suburbs — many area residents expressed concern about its funding.

“70% of the development cost will be absorbed by Douglas County taxpayers,” one resident wrote to the county. at’s just one complaint in a long list of comments the county compiled that objected to the development’s funding. Said another: “We do not appreciate subsidizing 60 to 70% of the cost of that development after we have paid over 800,000 for our home.”

“Please hear the voices of the existing residents and not the developers who want to use our money to nancially bene t only themselves,” another read.

But there would be no need to increase local taxes solely as a result of the development, according to a county spokesperson.

And the funding the developer could receive runs through a process that di ers from what may be the usual connotation of “subsidized” housing. e bottom line appears to be that Douglas County residents need not worry about a large or even notable portion of their taxes going toward the proposed apartment complex.

Here’s an examination of con-

ment.

Not a local tax grab

Douglas County’s elected leaders recently allowed a development to move forward that would put about 200 housing units just south of the Town of Parker near state Highway 83.

Residents of e Pinery, an area that sits between Parker and Castle Rock’s northeast edge, have argued the proposed development does not meet the county’s approval requirements and that it is “incompatible with the existing character” of the area. e Pinery, a relatively remote set of neighborhoods along a major

Road signs mark the intersection of state Highway 83 (noted by the sign as Parker Road) and Scott Avenue, where a proposed apartment complex may be built.

be applying for an allocation of federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit in connection with the development, according to Connor Larr, a partner at the company.

“It is a federal tax credit. Not a Douglas County tax credit,” Larr wrote in a statement.

e Low-Income Housing Tax Credit was created by President Ronald Reagan and Congress in the Tax Reform Act of 1986, designed to encourage private sector investment in the new construction, acquisition and rehabilitation of rental housing a ordable to low-income households, according to the National Council of State Housing Agencies.

As a tax credit, it’s technically not funded by tax revenue. A credit is somewhat similar to a tax deduction: It can lower an individual’s or business’ tax bill and results in a person paying less in taxes. e government takes in less revenue than it would without the tax credit, but taxpayers aren’t technically funding an individual tax credit.

e Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program “is not funded by local or federal appropriations,” said Jerilynn Francis, spokesperson for the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.

ere is no government entity that would need to consider raising tax rates on Douglas County residents

as a result of an apartment complex like this being built with LowIncome Housing Tax Credit funding, Francis con rmed.

Based on how the county rezoned the land, if a developer builds any “multifamily” residences — such as apartments — they will have to comply with certain rules about the income of their tenants, said Wendy Holmes, Douglas County spokesperson.

A development “would be entitled to any incentives the state or federal authorities o er for that type of construction,” Holmes said. “ e county o ers no such incentives.”

How the tax credit stacks up

Another complication: Investors are involved, and the exact value of the tax credit can be di cult to pin down.

“ e developer will recoup 9% of the development cost every year for 10 years. at’s a full 90%,” one comment to the county claimed. But that’s much higher than the amount turns out to be. ere are two types of federal housing tax credits: the 9% credit and the 4% credit, according to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. Credits are redeemable every year for 10 years and calculated as 4% or 9% of the project’s “quali ed basis,” a gure calculated from the gross construction costs of the project’s a ordable units. at’s according to the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation, a tax policy nonpro t.

“Interestingly, the 4 percent and 9 percent credits rarely end up being precisely 4 and 9 percent each year but a 10-year stream of credits equal to 30 percent and 70 percent of the quali ed basis,” the nonpro t says on its website. “As interest rates uctuate with the economy, the yearly value of the tax credits uctuates around 4 percent and 9 percent.”

Ulysses is anticipating utilizing the 4% tax credit, Larr said.

“It should be understood that the tax credits are sold to investors who purchase the tax credits. e proceeds of that sale are used as equity (or funding) in the development” of

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

APARTMENTS

the property, Larr said.

Larr added: “Given the market factors and unknowns regarding future LIHTC pricing, along with uncertainty with respect to how much of our total development cost will be (eligible), it is impossible to say if the LIHTC equity contributed to the project will equal 30% of the total development cost.”

Unlike direct subsidies, the tax credits are received over time based on performance, according to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, often called CHFA.

“Investors do not receive their tax credits unless the housing is suitable for occupancy and is rented to households with low-income at restricted rents during the initial 15year term,” CHFA’s fact sheet says.

Who could live there

e proposal documents label the apartment complex as “workforce housing units,” a term that can vary depending on who is using it.

Units would generally be available to individuals and families making no greater than 60% of the area’s median income, as that gure is calculated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to a Sept. 16 letter from the developer’s team to county sta .

As of April 2022, local households making no greater than 60% of the AMI, and thus eligible for a unit, typically earn between $40,000 to $80,000 per year, the letter says.

“Households with incomes in this range may include employees of Douglas County government, Douglas County School District, local businesses … and critical services, including the Parker Adventist Hospital system and other emergency and essential service organizations,” the letter says.

e income limit could end up being even higher for some units.

“As we have presented in our public meetings, we are anticipating providing a 100% income-restricted property to bene t Douglas County. Based on federal guidance we anticipate a range of AMI set asides up to 80% AMI at the maximum,” Larr said.

Property values on the mind

One comment to the county, as compiled in a December county sta report, claimed that if the apartments are built, nearby property values will be “eroded by potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Several research studies don’t back that assertion.

Some studies have found that Low-Income Housing Tax Credit developments in “higher-income” areas are associated with house price declines, according to the nonpro t Urban Institute.

But results have varied. A New York University study on New York City found that a ordable housing developments have led to increases in property values in many cases.

“ e completion of LIHTC projects is associated with an immediate positive and signi cant ( xed) e ect, indicating that prices surrounding the tax credit housing rise more than prices in the larger neighborhood,” the study reads. “After completion,

the degree to which prices in the vicinity of tax credit housing exceed those in the larger neighborhood rises by 3.8 percentage points.”

A 2017 Stanford Graduate School of Business study found that LIHTC construction in neighborhoods with median incomes above $54,000 leads to housing price declines of approximately 2.5% within 0.1 miles of the development site.

“ ese declines, however, are only seen in high income areas with a minority population of below 50%,” the study says.

e impact can also change over time, says the study, which looked at counties in 15 states.

“At distances of 0.3 to 0.4 miles away from the LIHTC site, there are modest declines in house prices right away, but they fall over time. It appears the housing market very quickly ‘prices’ the impact of LIHTC very locally, but it takes 5 to 10 years for the house prices 0.3 to 0.4 miles away to fully adjust.”

A study on Alexandria, Virginia, found that a ordable housing in higher-income neighborhoods has a “positive and highly signi cant e ect on surrounding home values, as does a ordable housing in lowerincome neighborhoods.”

“ is calls into question prior ndings that a ordable housing in highincome areas necessarily causes nearby property values to decline,” the 2022 Urban Institute study says.

e study adds: “We nd that affordable units in the city of Alexandria are associated with a small but statistically signi cant increase in property values of 0.09 percent within 1/16 of a mile of a development, on average — a distance comparable to a typical urban block.”

Locally, in 2010, the median single-family home price in metro Denver was about $200,000. It was roughly triple that as of 2022, according to Colorado Association of Realtors data.

Worries of crime

Many comments submitted to the county mentioned crime as a concern with the proposed apartment complex.

e Stanford study also looked at the impact of a ordable housing development on local crime rates in certain cities.

“We nd both violent and property crime decline in low income areas, regardless of minority share. However, in higher income areas we do not see any increase in crime, rather property crime may even fall slightly,” the study says.

Lawsuit filed

More than 100 area residents recently led a lawsuit against Douglas County’s elected leaders for allowing the development to move forward.

Residents of e Pinery brought the lawsuit, arguing the proposed development does not meet the county’s approval requirements and that it is “incompatible with the existing character” of the area.

e Douglas County commissioners voted 2-1 on Jan. 10 to allow the development to move forward. e lawsuit, led in February, asked a court to reverse the county’s decision and stop the development.

For a look at the lawsuit and the county’s approval requirements, see Colorado Community Media’s previous story at tinyurl.com/PineryApartmentLawsuit.

Player of Year selections named

Winter-sports athletes honored for their achievements

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Cherry Creek and Valor Christian won state championships for south metro teams during winter sports season and Ponderosa once again was a runner-up.

The Bruins girls swimming team won its third straight Class 5A state title and the boys of Valor’s hockey team were the state champs for the third time in the past four seasons.

However, for Ponderosa the frustration remained, as the Mustangs were the Class 5A runners-up for the third straight season.

Colorado Community Media has also made its Player of the Year selections for all the winter sports. Athletes from all Douglas County and Littleton Public schools were eligible plus players from Valor Christian, Cherry Creek, Lutheran and SkyView Academy high schools.

The Player of the Year selections were:

Girls swimming

Larson Ficken of Cherry Creek will be attending and swimming at Auburn next season but the senior nished her high school career by winning individual titles in the 50 and 100 freestyles at the state meet. She actually won four titles as she swam a leg on the 200 freestyle relay team, which set a state record of 1:30.81, and was also on the state championship 400 freestyle relay team.

Boys wrestling

Ponderosa

junior Jacob Myers won his second straight title, this season at 132 pounds, with a pin in 35 seconds in the title match. He nished the season with a 37-5 record.

Hockey

Valor Christian 165-pound senior defenseman Aiden Owen was one of the state’s top blueliners. He had 10 goals and 21 assists for the state champion Eagles and led the team with 31 points and was the sixth leading scorer among all 5A players.

Owen was the quarterback on Valor’s power play and was a member of the penalty kill unit.

Girls basketball

Macey Huard of Valor Christian, a 6-foot-2 guard, averaged 22.1 points, two assists, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals a game this season. e senior who will play for Montana next season had 32 points and 14 rebounds in her nal high school game, which was a semi nal state tournament loss.

Boys basketball

Caden Stevens and Radek Homer led Mountain Vista into the state tournament semi nals and Gavin Hershberger was the spark plug for Rock Canyon’s team, but Stevens gets the nod as Player of the Year. Stevens, a 6-9 senior who has a scholarship o er from Metro State, averaged 17.2 points a game this season, shot 64% from the eld, grabbed 7.7 rebounds and had 4.4 blocked shots a game.

Valor Christian senior Macey Huard, right, drives on Columbine senior Dakota Archuleta during the first half Jan. 17 at Columbine High School. The Rebels gave the No. 1-ranked Eagles a tough game, but Valor eventually took a 68-55 victory to win its 34th straight league win.

PHOTO BY DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mountain Vista’s Caden Stevens (22) gets tangled with Denver East’s Gil Gonzalez (4) going for the loose ball. The Golden Eagles ended a stellar season with a Final Four loss to Denver East 86-67 on March 1oth at the Denver Coliseum.

PHOTO BY PAUL DISALVO

Cherry Creek’s girls swimming team won its third straight state championship and 29th overall on Feb. 10. Team member Larson Ficken is a Colorado Community Media Player of the Year.

PHOTO BY JIM BENTON

Communities try design to improve public safety

State dollars aim to prevent crime with environmental changes

BY BRITTANY FREEMAN AND CULLEN PURSER ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Mike Burns bought a home right on the river near Delta, Colorado, with plans to spend the summers shing outdoors with his grandkids. But those kinds of excursions haven’t always felt safe, since the family learned more about what had been happening in their new neighborhood.

“Crime, drugs, theft, things like that,” he said. “Because of the things that are going on, it’s created some anxiety in us.”

It turns out the Burns family had moved to a 2,000-foot stretch of dirt road that is at the epicenter of roughly 10 percent of every call the small local sheri ’s o ce receives.

e sheri sent more deputies to patrol the area but that has left some neighbors even more unnerved.

“You’ve got four or ve sheri ’s vehicles parked next to your yard,” neighbor Steve Martinez said. “What are people going to think about what kind of neighborhood it is that you’re living in?”

But there’s a new sense of hope on this rural Delta County road these days, thanks to an infusion of state dollars set aside to prevent crime — not with more police ofcers — but with environmental improvements.

e Crime Prevention rough Safer Streets grant program is providing communities with millions of dollars funds for projects like installing new lighting and fences, removing overgrown vegetation in high-crime areas, and building sidewalks and trails. It’s one piece of a package of public safety legislation rolled out in the 2022 Colorado legislative session aimed at reducing crime.

“ ose improvements alone cannot make a safer community. But those improvements are an indicator that a community is involved in its own well-being,” explained architect Ignacio Correa-Ortiz, an urban planner who helped choose projects for the state to fund.

Twenty-three communities large and small across the state have until the end of June to complete more than $6.2 million in grantfunded projects that authorities say are part of a shift in the mindset around law enforcement and crime prevention.

“We’re really good at responding and arresting somebody for drugs or assaults or thefts or burglaries, but of course they get out of jail and recidivism happens,” said Delta County Sheri Mark Taylor. “We think that through this process we’ll be able to prevent crimes rather than just responding to crimes.”

e program’s funding could not be used to hire more o cers, or for projects that are typically used to investigate or solve crimes once they have happened, such as facial recognition programs or license plate reader cameras.

“In my opinion, the future of law enforcement is all in crime prevention,” said Delta County code enforcement o cer Everett Neil. “ e best way to handle an issue properly is to keep it from happening in the rst place.”

Neil helped to dream up his county’s grant-funded project after neighbors got together and asked

the sheri and county commissioners to help them reduce the crime in their community.

He said he suggested the county fund removal of an abandoned mobile home in the neighborhood that had become a draw for criminal activity and drug use. Neil said he also came to believe the remote wilderness near the river drew criminals who believed it was a good place to hide. When he learned the state was funding environmental improvements to reduce crime, his wheels began to turn.

“ at’s when I realized, well, if we’re getting rid of the mobile home, you know what? Let’s do some fencing. You know what, if we’re gonna do fencing, shoot, let’s do some lighting,” Neil said. “Let’s do a bus stop too, for the kids. And so we started brainstorming.”

Before applying for the funds, Neil and the county’s grant writer visited the neighborhood to make sure the community would support the improvements, most of which would occur on private property.

“ e grant writer and I went down to the neighborhood. We knocked on every door. We talked to every resident, and we wanted to know if they would be willing to participate

in this kind of a program, because there is some cost,” he said, noting that residents may see slightly higher electric bills due to the new lighting. “We were met with 100% buy-in.”

“I can’t tell you how many times [Neil] has been to my door saying, ‘ is is what’s going on. is is where we’re at in the process. What do you think about this? I need your input,’” Burns said. “It’s a rare thing, honestly, to feel that the county is being this responsive.”

Neil said he anticipates the changes will make the neighborhood safer, and he made a bold prediction.

“I fully predict that we’ll be able to reduce the crime in this area through this initiative, at least by 50%,” Neil said.

“It’s something that’s exciting to see and start from the ground up,” Sheri Taylor said. “I hope it works. I hope it’s something that we can use in the future.”

is story is from Rocky Mountain PBS, a nonpro t public broadcaster providing community stories across Colorado over the air and online. Used by permission. For more, and to support Rocky Mountain PBS, visit rmpbs.org.

Castle Rock

Castle Rock Interfaith Community Prayers. A Space for Spiritual Reflections and Conversations March Topic: Compassion

Sunday, March 26th | 10:30am - Noon

Philip S. Miller LibraryJames H. LaRue Meeting Room castlerockbahais@gmail.com castlerock.local.bahai.us/

Mark Taylor, Delta County’s sheri , said lighting and fences, removing overgrown vegetation and other measures can reduce crime. ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Answers

Students to take computer-based SAT next year

Colorado high school students will no longer take the paper version of the PSAT and SAT. SHUTTERSTOCK

sities still ask for test scores as part of their application, and even students applying to test-optional schools can submit their scores to show their quali cations.

BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

Colorado high school students will continue to take the SAT and PSAT as the state’s way of measuring school and district academic performance, but they’ll switch to the computerized version in spring 2024.

A committee of teachers and school administrators recommended the College Board’s online suite of tests to replace its paper version, according to the Colorado Department of Education. e new computerized test was piloted by the College Board in 2021, and the organization said in a news release last year that it’s “easier to give, and more relevant.”

State law requires the state education department to take competitive bids every ve years for a statewide assessment. e selection, however, was delayed a year because of the pandemic. e state must wait 10 days before the contract becomes ofcial, according to a news release.

Colorado public colleges and universities no longer require a collegelevel exam like the SAT or ACT for acceptance, part of a growing “test optional” movement nationwide. However, many colleges and univer-

Colorado began using the PSAT and SAT to measure students’ math and English abilities in 2017, part of a compromise to reduce the overall number of tests students take in school. At the time, Colorado was the epicenter of an opt-out movement protesting a heavy testing burden, and many parents excused their students from taking standardized tests.  e idea was to use a test high school students would want to take anyway because it would help with their college and scholarship applications. Ninth and 10th graders take the PSAT and high school juniors take the SAT in the spring.

Colorado uses the test results along with graduation rates and other factors to rate the performance of schools and districts. SAT scores also are one way students can show they meet graduation requirements for basic competency in math and language arts.

While Colorado high school students use the college readiness exams, K-8 students use the Colorado Measure of Academic Success, or CMAS, to test math, English, and science understanding.

is story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters

Many universities still ask for test scores as part of application process

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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 43, BLOCK 2, IMPERIAL HOMES AT ROXBOROUGH VILLAGE FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 7867 Kyle Way, 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.

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: 3/2/2023

Last Publication: 3/30/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 1/5/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

Legal Notice No. 2023-0018

First Publication: 3/16/2023 Last Publication: 4/13/2023

AND DEED OF TRUST. ***This loan has been modified through a Loan Modification Agreement recorded 1/27/2022 at Reception No. 2022006436 in the records of the Douglas county clerk and recorder, Colorado.***

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 272, Highlands Ranch Filing No. 111-B, County of Douglas, State of Colorado.

Which has the address of:

2179 Gold Dust Ln, 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, May 10, 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: 3/16/2023

Last Publication: 4/13/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 1/19/2023

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

AMANDA FERGUSON

Colorado Registration #: 44893

355 UNION BLVD SUITE 250, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228

Phone #: (303) 274-0155

Fax #:

Attorney File #: CO21342

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0017 First Publication: 3/16/2023 Last Publication:

The

described

is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property:

LOT 207, HIGHLANDS RANCH, FILING NO. 112-A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO

Which has the address of: 9307 Desert Willow Trail, 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, May 3, 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: 3/9/2023 Last Publication: 4/6/2023 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Dated: 1/11/2023 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 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990 Fax #: (303) 706-9994 Attorney File #: 22-028513

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/ Legal Notice No. 2023-0013 First Publication:

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 3/2/2023

Last Publication: 3/30/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press Dated: 1/5/2023

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

N. APRIL WINECKI Colorado Registration #: 34861 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990 Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 19-023524

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/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-22-950840-LL

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0006

First Publication: 3/2/2023

Last Publication: 3/30/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0018

To Whom It May Concern: On 1/20/2023 9:12:00

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: SYLVESTER JESSE BENNETT

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

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 10/16/2015

Recording Date of DOT: 10/20/2015

Reception No. of DOT: 2015075643

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $335,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $257,459.99

Publisher: Douglas County News Press City and County Public Notice Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request a Release of Funds NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS March 23, 2023 Douglas County 100 3rd Street Castle Rock, CO 80104

Telephone: 303 814-4326

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Douglas County.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about April 10, 2023, Douglas County, Colorado will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Project Funding to undertake a project known as GOALS Capital Project located at 14997 E. Oxford Ave., Aurora, CO 80014, for the purpose of renovating and updating an existing communal residential facility to increase allowed occupancy and create a more functional environment for clients who are families experiencing homelessness. This project will upgrade the Evergreen Building which is the fourth un-used building on the GOALS campus so services can also be provided to Douglas County clients. Each family residing at GOALS has a private room and access to common living areas, bathrooms, and kitchens, offering a safe place while they work with Family Tree navigators and community partners to develop long-term goals for stability and economic independence. Residency in the program is up to nine months depending upon unique family needs, with follow-up and support offered for one year after leaving the residential portion of the program.

It May Concern: On 1/5/2023 1:28:00

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: Steve Busheff

Original Beneficiary: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS") as nominee for M&T Bank, A Corporation, Its Successors and Assigns

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 11/30/2018

Recording Date of DOT: 12/3/2018 Reception No. of DOT: 2018072375

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $304,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $290,401.17

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 288, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 122-R, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO

Which has the address of: 10664 Evondale Street, 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, April 26, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building

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 176 HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 122-H, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO

Which has the address of: 4705 Hunterwood Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 10, 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.

The scope of work includes all architectural and engineering services, permitting, insurance, bonds, and construction costs to complete improvements which may include kitchen and bathroom expansion, electrical update to LED, replacing furnaces, water heaters appliances, windows, flooring, and paint, in the amount of $1,000,000.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Douglas County has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Douglas County Government, 100 3rd Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104, contact Melanie Grothe, 303 814-4326, mgrothe@douglas.co.us.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Douglas County Community Services Division. All comments received by Friday, April 7, 2023, will be considered by Douglas County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

Douglas County Government certifies to HUD that Jennifer Eby in her capacity as Assistant Director of Community Services consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Douglas County to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will accept objections to its release of fund and the Douglas County certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of Douglas County (b) Douglas County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by

A ‘thank you’ from the heart

Woman o ers gratitude to those who saved her life at courthouse

BY NINA JOSS

NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Shirley Bennett was going through the jury duty selection process at the Arapahoe County Courthouse when o cials called a recess. She and other potential jurors walked into the hallway.

“I remember walking outside (of the courtroom) and sitting on a bench,” Bennett said. “And I remember waking up four days later.”

Between the moments she remembers, Bennett, who is 69, went into cardiac arrest. anks to the rapid response of dozens of court deputies and other bystanders on scene that day, she is alive to tell the story.

On March 9, Bennett returned to the courthouse to express her gratitude to the rst responders who saved her life in February by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

“I don’t know you all one by one or name by name, but I love you and appreciate you,” she said. “You’re in my prayers and you’re in my thoughts. I know we hear the prayers and thoughts thing so much with all the tragedy and things that happen. But I mean that from my heart — no pun intended — that I love you, I appreciate you.”

First responders

At the event, South Metro Fire Rescue recognized 19 Arapahoe County law enforcement o cers for their e orts in helping save Bennett’s life.

Sgt. Robert Chase, one of the rst people to arrive on the scene of the emergency, was among those recognized.

“It was clear that Shirley was having a pretty signi cant medical event,” he said. “(We) could tell right away — we assessed real quickly — that we needed to start CPR. So that’s what we did, and more people started showing up as well.”

Chase said the emergency happened during the courts’ lunch break, making it possible for many deputies, who otherwise would have been in trials, to respond to the scene.

Several o cers performed CPR on Bennett while others gathered

witness statements and cleared pathways in preparation for South Metro Fire Rescue’s arrival. ey performed CPR for about 10 minutes before paramedics and emergency medical technicians arrived. Bennett had two more heart attacks that day, one in the ambulance and one at the hospital.

Early intervention

Jens Pietrzyk, division chief of emergency medical services at South Metro Fire Rescue, told the group at the March 9 event that his

Public Notices

the group. “But the time between when something happens and the time that they get there — if it’s not for people like yourselves, there’s nothing we can do.”

Deputy Mike Gentry, who was one of the rst on scene, said he’s performed CPR numerous times during his 13 years on patrol.

“She’s the rst one that we actually brought back,” he said.

Mitchell Kohl, a practicing attorney and a medical doctor, was walking out of a nearby courtroom when he saw the commotion.

“I got over there, took o my tie, got my sleeves rolled up and just started helping,” he said. “I will tell you, I wasn’t con dent in the outcome.”

Bennett was unresponsive, not breathing and had no pulse. Deputies used a bag valve mask to help with breathing and employed an automated external de brillator, which didn’t call for a shock. Eventually, her pulse returned. South Metro Fire Rescue paramedics gave Bennett a breathing tube and she began to move.

“Jury duty saved my life”

In Kohl’s eyes, Bennett’s attitude is one of the reasons she survived.

“ ere’s been evidence that shows having a good attitude in your recovery helps patients recover quicker and better,” he said. “And she’s a perfect example — her attitude’s infectious. And if there were more people with her attitude, the world would be a better place.”

Bennett said she hopes her experience inspires more people to get trained in CPR, as it truly can save lives. Before it saved hers, she started the CPR training program at RTD, where she worked for almost 40 years.

department sees about 500 cases of cardiac arrest per year. Of that, only about 10% end in full recovery like Bennett’s case did.

One of the most important factors in being able to successfully resuscitate someone when they have cardiac arrest is early intervention.

“When somebody gets to the hospital after cardiac arrest, if they’ve had early CPR, if they’ve had early interventions, then we have something that we can work with,” Jonathan Apfelbaum, medical director for South Metro Fire Rescue, said to

“I just wish it’s the kind of thing that everyone could learn to do,” she said. “I’m very much a proponent of CPR, rst aid, and all of those types of things. And I never knew it would go full circle and come back — that one day I would need it, and I had a whole band of angels there who came to my rescue.”

While most people dread receiving a jury summons, Bennett will never look at that civic role the same way.

“People have said ‘I’ll do anything to get out of jury duty,’” she said. “Jury duty saved my life — because if I had not been at jury duty at that time, I would have been at home alone. And the outcome could have been totally di erent.”

Shirley Bennett hugs one of the Arapahoe County deputies who helped save her life when she went into cardiac arrest on Feb. 13. PHOTOS BY NINA JOSS

Shirley Bennett claps as Sgt. Robert Chase walks up to receive his certificate of recognition from South Metro Fire Rescue. PHOTOS BY NINA JOSS