Transparency and democratic values

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

C.R.S. § 6-4-401

I have been heartened and disappointed by reactions to the Colorado Open Meeting Law (COML) suit that state Rep. Elisabeth Epps and I led against Colorado’s legislature. Colorado’s voters enacted COML through a citizen initiative in 1971 by a 20 point margin. Politicians immediately chafed at requiring that they conduct public business publicly. A state senator immediately sued to declare the law unconstitutional for violating First Amendment rights of elected o cials. But in 1983, Colorado’s Supreme Court de nitively ruled that COML applies to the legislature and legislative caucuses.

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

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

Letters To The Editor

Board should follow policies

Tammi Flemming’s letter titled “News story was lacking,” omits students from DCSD’s Parent and Family Engagement policy (KBB).

Flemming mentioned “the rights of parents” but what about the rights of students?

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

However, the board did not allow time for the DAC to contact School Accountability Committees (SACS) like the Student Advisory Group (SAG) for feedback on President Mike Peterson’s policy revisions to KBB. Board Secretary Becky Myers wrote in an email to Chester Shaw — chair of the District Accountability Committee, “Also share with DAC that I personally want SAG input o the table.” is board majority recently faced litigation following a discrimination complaint from former superintendent Corey Wise, which they settled for $832,733.61. His employment

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

Guest Column

something to which we should all strive.

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

Robert Marshall

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

Among supporters and detractors of the lawsuit, I note a striking dichotomy. ose who currently, or traditionally, have access to closed meetings where policy is made are was terminated after advocating that the Board not discriminate against LGBTQ students.

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

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

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

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

Ti any Baker Highlands Ranch angry that I am “rocking the boat”. ey would prefer I stay quiet and become one of those privileged with a seat at these closed meetings. By contrast, traditionally marginalized individuals and groups have been the most supportive. When back-room deals are cut, it is not the little guy whose interests are represented. ose who traditionally, and still too often, are left out of policy-making viscerally understand the need for open transparent government. e goal of electoral politics should not be to win a back-room seat to ensure that your interests and those of your supporters are advanced to the exclusion of others. Becoming a real-life “Animal Farm” parody where one wins power, but then you are no di erent than those who were there before you, is unacceptable.

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

State Rep. Robert Marshall of Highlands Ranch represents House District 43 in the Colorado General Assembly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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