Lone Tree Voice 091423

Fort Logan honor guard seeks members

All Veterans Honor Guard in dire need of volunteers for military funerals

HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e American ag being folded and presented to family members, the perfectly aligned ri es and the sound of taps. All powerful moments that make up the ceremony to pay nal respects to those who served in the U.S. military.

e nonpro t, All Veterans Honor Guard, is made up of ve teams that provide nal honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Since forming in 1994, they have provided nal honors for over 20,000 veterans.

When the organization rst started, it was made of six teams. In their rst year of providing this service, they attended around 63 funerals.

Kathy Kraski, an Air Force veteran and All Veterans Honor Guard volunteer, got involved with the organization nearly 20 years ago.

“Just about every year since then, the number [of funerals] has increased,” said Kraski. “But the number of volunteers hasn’t.”

In 2015, the number of teams dropped to ve — Castle Rock, Littleton, Aurora, Arvada and Fort Logan — and in 2021, the teams attended over 1,500 funerals.

Kraski said the honor guard now has fewer than 80 volunteers.

She has been going to multiple veteran events attempting to recruit volunteers, but Kraski said it’s not as easy as it seems.

By law, one must be a military veteran to participate in nal honors.

PRIVILEGES TAKEN

DISTRICTS CHANGE

Voting boundaries updated for growth P5

STUDENT HONORED

Council recognizes local boy’s achievement P6

A team of veterans from the All Veterans Honor Guard conduct the rifle detail during a funeral service.

Thomas loses credit card, allowance P2

Laydon, Teal take Thomas’ credit card, allowance

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e two-member majority of Douglas County’s elected leaders voted again in rebuke of the third member, this time restricting her ability to spend on matters of county a airs.

e move comes a week after Commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal voted to remove Commissioner Lora omas from outside boards that oversee organizations in the community — and it comes two weeks after they voted to censure, or formally disapprove, of her.

at censure vote occurred in response to what one of the commissioners has called public shaming of county volunteers with inaccurate information.

omas in her email newsletter had criticized the actions of a volunteer board that advises the county on how arts and culture funding should be spent. She argued for the group to support spending a part of its funding in a di erent way.

Actions including “public shaming” by omas have “diminished the council’s morale,” James Smith, chair of the council, wrote in a letter o ering to step down after omas had criticized the group.

In response to omas’ criticism, con ict continues among the county commissioners. Teal and Laydon voted at a Sept. 5 meeting to cancel omas’ county credit card, to suspend her travel and mileage allowance, and to take other action regarding omas’ expenses.

e county credit card covers spending for items like hotel rooms and airline travel on county business, according to county sta .

“You cannot prohibit my ability to work on behalf of the citizens of this county,” omas said at the meeting.

Laydon said a county policy manual provides for “budgetary restrictions” for those who break policy. Laydon and Teal had based their vote to censure omas on what they say is “behavior contrary to the Douglas County commissioner code of conduct.”

‘Not going to apologize’

Teal said Smith, in his letter o ering resignation, requested an apol-

ogy from omas.

“Do you want to give an apology … right now, to Mr. Smith?” Teal asked omas in the meeting.

“I’ve done nothing wrong,” omas said. “I’m not going to apologize for telling the public what’s going

omas’ email newsletter had taken issue with the actions of the cultural council.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Laydon had described the newsletter as engaging in “doxing,” which means to publicly identify or publish private information about someone.

omas has said that the link to all the board members’ names is public information on the county’s website.

omas at the Aug. 22 meeting said: “I did not post anybody’s picture or name in a public place.”

One of omas’ newsletters in-

Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas speaks at a June 13 event in Highlands Ranch where she and other o cials discussed property tax issues.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

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Douglas sheri leaves door open to work with Able Shepherd

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce refused to say whether it will continue to work with Able Shepherd, a tactical training group that has lost support from other oganizations after an organized protest of the Douglas County PrideFest in August.

Last week, spokesperson Deborah Takahara would only tell Colorado Community Media that the sheri ’s o ce does not currently have plans to work with Able Shepherd. “We don’t have anything planned at this time,” she said.

e Aug. 26 PrideFest protest consisted of around 75 men — wearing matching shirts reading “Stand To Protect Children” — blocking the stage and postponing the drag show

by 30 minutes. No one was arrested or issued a summons during the event.

e sheri ’s o ce has several investigations open related to PrideFest, Takahara said, though she couldn’t provide more details.

At least one of the investigations is related to anti-LGBTQ vandalism at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, where PrideFest took place.

In the past, the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce has partnered with Able Shepherd, including an Aug. 13 active shooter training at Crossroads Community Church in Parker.

Sheri Darren Weekly also appeared with Able Shepherd CEO Jimmy Graham on an August episode of Graham’s podcast “ e Protecter Culture Podcast.”

On the podcast, Graham suggests Able Shepherd members could help

law enforcement respond to crime.

“I know it’s my job to stand and support local law enforcement and you’re going to want it, if it’s that bad, you’re going to want and need people and they should be people of character who have some level of training,” Graham said.

In response, Weekly nodded.

On Sept. 6, in a statement to 9News, Weekly said he “dismissed the scenario as unrealistic,” but added that he “should have been clearer in [his] answer.”

“Cooperation between citizens and law enforcement is valuable, but it must be within legal boundaries to ensure everyone’s safety,” Weekly’s statement said.

Earlier last week, the Arapahoe County Sheri ’s O ce con rmed

REVERSE MORTGAGES MADE EASY

Protesters held up signs at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Aug. 26 during Douglas County PrideFest. Another group of protesters with Able Shepherd blocked the PrideFest stage. PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD SEE ABLE SHEPHERD, P5

Council approves changes to voting district boundaries

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As the City of Lone Tree continues to grow, the council approved changes to voting district boundaries ahead of the spring 2024 municipal election.

e city is split into two voting districts and the city charter requires that the voting districts have approximately the same number of residents, according to a city sta report.

ere will be a city council election in May 2024, where three seats will be up for election — the mayor’s seat, a District 1 seat and a District 2 seat.

“Every time we have an election, we need to look at our population and decide if we need to propose redistricting our council districts,” said Kristin Baumgartner, the deputy city manager. Under the existing voting dis-

ABLE SHEPHERD

it will not work with Able Shepherd in the future, citing “disrespect for other people’s rights.” Following the PrideFest protest, Arapahoe Com-

September is...

tricts, the projected population counts for 2024 estimated that 7,396 people would be in District 1, representing 46.4% of the total population, and 8,536 people would be in District 2, representing 53.6% of the total population.

City sta recommended adjusting the district boundaries so that two apartment complexes move from District 2 to District 1 — the AVRA at RidgeGate Station and Talus at RidgeGate.

Sta also recommended moving the NorthSky neighborhood from District 1 to District 2.

With these changes, an estimated 8,026 people will be in District 1, representing 50.4% of the population, and 7,906 people will be in District 2, representing 49.6% of the population.

e city council unanimously approved the voting district changes during its Sept. 5 meeting.

munity College also severed ties with the organization.

Also last week, the Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce — which had hosted Graham as a speaker at its Aug. 3 Safety in Faith summit — said it plans no further contact with Graham or anyone else at the Able Shepherd organization.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Raise awareness for suicide prevention and treatment, know the risks and warning signs for suicide and what to do in a crisis. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Colorado Crisis Center at 844-493-TALK (8255) If this is an emergency, call 911.

National Preparedness Month

Fires, floods, and severe weather. Are you ready if a local emergency occurs? Make a plan today. For more information visit ready.gov

Reserve your day pass at Rueter-Hess Reservoir

The reservoir is open for non-motorized water activities including paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking and fishing from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays into late October.

Due to parking limitations, reservations are required. The cost of a day-long pass is $10. Reservations must be made online. Visit douglas.co.us and search Reservations.

Youth Congress seeks delegates

Douglas County students, in grades 9-12, have an opportunity to become involved as youth delegates at the 2023 Douglas County Youth Congress on Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the State Capitol. To complete your online registration or to learn more, visit douglas.co.us and search for Youth Congress.

11-year-old Lone Tree resident invents early tornado warning system

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Even though he is only 11 years old, Lone Tree resident Anirudh Rao is already working to make communities safer by inventing an early warning system for tornadoes.

A student at STEM School Highlands Ranch, Rao won this year’s grand prize for the Paradigm World Challenge for his early tornado detection system, called “Revere.”

To honor Rao’s accomplishments, the Lone Tree City Council recognized Rao and presented a certicate to him during the Sept. 5 city council meeting.

“It’s an honor to be here,” Rao said.

His early tornado warning system combines infrasound, a network of autonomous drones and other environmental sensors, he said.

“It increases the warning time from about 13 minutes to 40 minutes,” Rao said.

Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet said the invention is both impressive and timely.

On June 22, a tornado hit Highlands Ranch, tearing through a 6.3mile stretch which included Rao’s school.

In a video published by STEM

School Highlands Ranch, Rao said he generally looks at problems that will worsen due to climate change. One of them is tornadoes.

He began developing the system around 2017, wanting to address the issue of a lack of su cient warning time for residents about tornadoes.

Rao decided to name the system Revere after Paul Revere, according to a Douglas County School District news release.

As the grand prize winner of the Paradigm World Challenge, part of his award includes legal consultation to move forward with the patent process, per the release.

e Paradigm World Challenge receives thousands of entries from across the globe, and three nalists are selected, the school district said. ese nalists are invited to a prize ceremony where the nalists present their projects and one grand prize winner is chosen.

Looking ahead, Rao aims to do eld tests and collaborate with local weather stations, as well as enhance the system with arti cial intelligence to predict tornadoes before the season, according to the release.

“We’re so proud of another amazing young person in our community achieving great things,” Millet said.

On Sept. 5, the Lone Tree City Council presented Anirudh Rao, 11, a certificate in recognition of him winning the Paradigm World Challenge grand prize. Rao, a Lone Tree resident, won the prize for inventing an early tornado detection system.

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Laydon won’t repay county for $17,400 training

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After attending a three-week public policy and leadership program at Harvard University, Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon will o er what he calls a “Harvard Education for a Penny” course this fall to interested members of the public for free so they can get the bene t of what he learned.

Laydon participated in the $17,400 leadership program — formally called the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program — in June.

Douglas County over the past two decades has sent three senior sta members to the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program, according to the county.

“ e county has a long history of paying for continuing education,” Laydon said.

But a statement from the county in May said Laydon would reimburse the county government for the cost of attending the program.

Months later, Laydon does not appear to be standing by that plan. e county’s statement to Colorado Community Media said the county would pay the upfront cost of $17,400 for Laydon to attend.

“Commissioner Laydon is applying for grants and scholarships to o set the cost of participation and reimburse the county. What is not covered by grants or scholarships, he will pay the remaining cost personally,” the statement said.

county’s population, Laydon said a calculation “landed at about 4.6 cents.”

“I will also have (change) on hand for every citizen that wants a direct reimbursement,” Laydon said.

‘Investment in those we serve’ e county touted Laydon’s acceptance to the Harvard program in May.

ment in those we serve,” the county’s statement continued.

‘Politically motivated rhetoric’

In a statement in late August, Lora omas, one of Laydon’s fellow Douglas commissioners, took issue with him not paying the county back.

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Asked whether he still plans to reimburse the county for the $17,400 cost of attending the program, Laydon said, “On your question I found that most of the entities that provide reimbursement for the program represent special interest groups and agendas that I don’t wish to be beholden to. Although the county already fully approved the entire tuition, I am also personally reimbursing every citizen who wants it the entire cost to them for me to attend. I am also o ering a free experiential course for them to attend and personally get the bene t of what I learned.”

Laydon says it cost members of the public a nickel for him “to go to the world’s foremost public policy institute to improve my leadership as chairman of our board” of county commissioners.

Asked about how he thinks the

“As elected o cials, we work for you,” Laydon said in a news release at the time. “As we continue to confront challenging times together, it’s important for your leaders to keep developing our skill set and improving. I’m grateful for this exceptional opportunity to learn from the world’s top local government and leadership experts.”

A “county commissioner colleague of Commissioner Laydon’s from Arapahoe recommended he attend, adding that it was one of the best programs she had ever attended,” the county said in a statement.

While Douglas County has sent senior sta members to the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program in the past, this was the rst time a Douglas County commissioner has attended the program, according to the county.

“Our Douglas County culture values continuing education for its elected ofcials and sta , believing that continu-

“Despite Laydon’s promise to reimburse Douglas County taxpayers for his personal trip … he has yet to remit any amount in repayment since his return in June,” omas’ statement said.

“Gaslighters like Lora omas are good at distraction,” Laydon said in reaction to omas’ criticism.

Laydon and fellow Commissioner George Teal have taken several steps to reprimand omas in recent weeks for what they say is behavior inappropriate for a county commissioner. Laydon and Teal’s actions included a vote to censure — or formally disapprove — of omas.

See Colorado Community Media’s coverage of those actions and what led up to them at tinyurl.com/CommissionerVotes.

“ ose I represent have been highly congratulatory and supportive of my selection to study at the Harvard Kennedy School and haven’t fallen for petty, politically motivated rhetoric,” Laydon said.

Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY GOVERNMENT

County works to manage high tra c volumes during construction

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With construction underway at the intersection of Quebec Street, Lincoln Avenue and University Boulevard, a few of the surrounding neighborhoods have expressed concerns about safety and congestion.

e Douglas County Public Works department and the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce have worked together to implement measures that will help the county monitor and evaluate the impact of the construction tra c.

Daniel Roberts, the assistant director for the county’s public works operations, said the public works team looked at what impacts there would be during the construction and despite di erent options, the team recognizes it’s a large intersection with a high volume of tra c passing through it each day, making it likely that there will be some impacts.

Altogether, the ongoing project will take place in seven phases.

Roberts said the goal with this project is to keep through lanes open in all directions during all phases of construction, including during rush hours.

e county will be enforcing the contractor’s hours from early morning until 8:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. to 3:30

p.m. and after 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., to help keep lanes open at di erent times of the day. is information can be found on the county’s website at https://rb.gy/u8r9o.

“ ere may be an occasion where we have to extend those [times],” said Roberts. “Like on a day that they’re placing concrete, just from a worker safety standpoint.”

Also, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Roberts said crews might close down to one lane so there is adequate room to work, which is what took place during the rst phase as they had to tear out the raised medians.

Once the right turn lane concrete is replaced in the northbound direction, the next phase will replace two

northbound lanes and is expected to be done by early November.

In addition to monitoring tra c through cameras, they have added Uniform Tra c Control around the neighborhoods. A speed radar sign will be installed to give the county a count of vehicles that are speeding as well as the number of vehicles passing and restrict some of the turn movements which will most likely change in the next phase of construction.

Caroline Frizell, a communications manager at Douglas County, said the county is using multiple forms of communication to be as clear as they can about what to expect at the intersection.

e county has updated the project website weekly with detailed information concerning each direction of the intersection. e county is also using social media, Nextdoor and tra c alert emails which send out monthly emails to subscribers.

Starting Sept. 7, the county launched a text alert program. People can sign up for text alerts by texting ‘QLUnews’ to 21000. e county notes messages and data rates may apply.

Text alerts will be issued for extreme di erences, such as paving, equipment issues and weather conditions.

With a lot of tra c coming from

the south out of Castle Pines, crews will put up a detour sign to get people to turn onto McArthur Ranch Road and go around the intersection in hopes to reduce tra c.

“If we can minimize the amount of backups we get, we think we can minimize the amount of impact it has there,” said Roberts.

Public works and the county considered closing the intersection completely but saw there were no great detour routes and would have had an impact on residents and also considered night-time construction.

“Night construction basically impacts everybody that lives within a half a mile and the sound carries a long way,” said Roberts.

To try to eliminate some of the cut through tra c going through the southeast neighborhoods, crews put up a barricade as an emergency measure. After reviewing it with their leadership team and the sheri ’s o ce, they took the barricade down.

“It helps block cut-through tra c,” said Roberts. “But it does create some safety concerns.”

Public works discourages people from cutting through neighborhoods as residential streets are not intended for that kind of volume.  e construction project will shut down in November and pick back up in the spring due to weather.

The future configuration of the Quebec Street, Lincoln Avenue and University Boulevard intersection. COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY

Peterson says DCSD shortages reaching crisis levels

BY TAYLOR SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

From teacher shortages to bus transportation limitations, the need for funding in the Douglas County School District is approaching a crisis level, said School Board President Mike Peterson during a Sept. 5 meeting with the Lone Tree City Council.

is November, the school district will ask voters to approve a $66 million mill levy override and $484 million bond.

Peterson — accompanied by school board member Susan Meek and Cherokee Trail Elementary

Principal Josh Miller — highlighted the need for additional funding to the city council, which may consider a resolution to support the ballot questions.

“ e biggest problem we’re facing is our competitiveness relative to other districts,” Peterson said.

In Douglas County, the starting salary for teachers is about $45,000, he said.

Meanwhile, in the Cherry Creek School District, the starting salary is $57,000.

Miller described the di culty of recruiting teachers to Douglas County.

“We’re the lowest paying district in the metro area. e lowest,” Miller said.

At Cherokee Trail Elementary, located in Parker, Miller said none of

his teachers live in Parker because they cannot a ord to.

One of his teachers is working for Uber Eats after school to support her family, he said.

“We have the best kids in the universe,” Miller said. “But we are not able to a ord the teachers to put in front of them to maximize their ability.”

Budget impacting other sta , transportation

Peterson said Douglas County is not just losing teachers to other districts that o er higher wages. It’s every sta position, such as educational assistants, nutritionists and bus drivers.

“ is year, we started out the year down 104 bus drivers,” Peterson said. “We have rolling blackouts in e ect across the district.”

As previously reported by Colorado Community Media, throughout the school year, each bus route will run for four weeks and then be o for one week.

Miller said the bussing shortage is a huge issue for his school.

Because of the rolling blackouts, about 25 students were not able to attend school due to the lack of transportation.

e school reached out to community members for support to purchase some bikes for those children so they can come to school, he said.

Peterson said that when the

school district asked voters for a mill levy override and bond last year, the need was urgent.

“ is year, I’m telling you that we are moving from urgency toward crisis,” he said.

Peterson says property tax increase does not mean more school district funds

According to the Douglas County School District’s website, the school district receives the majority of its funding from state and local property taxes, and a small amount comes from federal sources.

Funding is provided rst by local sources of revenue, such as property taxes, per the website. e state then funds the rest based on a perpupil equation, the district said.

“Every district has its per-pupil revenue set by the state, and so that doesn’t change,” said Susan Meek, a member of the school board.

Peterson said that since property value assessments recently increased, some people assume the school district will have more funding.

“ at’s not true for the school district,” he said.

According to Peterson’s presentation, when property taxes increase, that leads to the local sources of revenue contributing more and the state contributing less funds. e overall program funding, however, remains the same.

“ e bucket doesn’t get any larger,” he said. “ at’s something that’s very important for people to understand when it comes to our needs.”

What are the mill levy override and bond for?

e $66 million mill levy override is primarily intended to pay teachers and sta more competitively, as well as increase security support for schools, according to Peterson’s presentation.

e $484 million bond is intended to expand career and technical education opportunities, perform safety and security updates, and “ensure safe and adequate learning environments for students and sta ,” per the presentation.

As previously reported by Colorado Community Media, if both the bond and mill levy override pass, then taxpayers would see a $20 increase per $100,000 of their residential property value.

For example, a $1 million home would pay $200 per year.

Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet said the city has not taken an o cial position yet on the ballot measures.

“However, I do expect that council will be entertaining a resolution on this in the future,” she said.  ose who are interested in learning more about the proposed ballot measures can visit funding. dcsdk12.org.

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Reflecting on the state of water QUEST

As we approach the end of summer and the irrigation season, it’s a great time to re ect on the state of water in Highlands Ranch. While 2022 was a dry year and low reservoir levels forced us to come together as a community to conserve water, 2023 served up record precipitation. Instead of reacting to drought and sizzling temperatures, we found ourselves with reservoirs lled to capacity.

rough all of this, we at Centennial Water and Sanitation District made working with our community partners at the Highlands Ranch Metro District and Highlands Ranch Community Association one of our highest priorities. Together these three organizations form the local government for our community, and close coordination is important to providing the best possible services to all of our residents.

As a community, we couldn’t react to the unprecedented changes in weather – from drought to record downpours - without the close collaboration of our three organizations. e partnerships we have with the Metro District and HRCA are invaluable.

As Colorado residents know, conservation and sustainability are

always going to be a fact of life when it comes to water, even when our reservoirs are full. We’re never sure what the future will bring, and our job is to plan to continue providing the best service we can for the generations who follow us. Water is a nite resource, and decisions we make every day can impact the long-term sustainability of our water future. We are grateful for the Metro District and HRCA who have become champions for sustainability in their own right. ey supported us through the drought restrictions we needed last year, and continue to help us identify ways to conserve more water for our future. Several projects over the past year are worth mentioning.

e Metro District demonstrated a great way to use less water while still maintaining a beautiful landscape by installing new water wise landscaping at its Service Center at Redstone Park. e new landscape design will reduce overall water use once the new plants are established,

and preserve an eye-catching mix of green foliage and colorful owers. is project will also serve as a great resource for residents who want to see an example of ColoradoScape before they begin their own project.

In addition, the Metro District is in the midst of its Parkway Landscape Conversion Project, which they started in 2020 and will be visible to anyone driving around Highlands Ranch. ey are converting some areas of bluegrass along the parkways to more drought tolerant, lower maintenance varieties of grass. e end-result will be beautiful landscapes of native and low-water grass that will eventually reduce maintenance costs and water use while maintaining a vibrant backdrop.

Not to be outdone, HRCA has not only begun converting some landscape at their facilities to ColoradoScape, but they recently held a virtual program to teach residents how to plan for and install a water wise landscape on their own properties. By providing examples of how beautiful ColoradoScape can be - and teaching residents how to make their yards more water friendly – HRCA is contributing to water conservation throughout our community.

HRCA worked to convert several areas at the Recreation Center

at Eastridge from a water-thirsty landscape into attractive water wise gardens - and they have plans to make similar conversions at other recreation centers in Highlands Ranch, with planning underway at Westridge for 2024.

e partnerships we have with the Metro District and HRCA bene t all of our residents. Our organizations are setting an example as responsible stewards of the environment, and our partners are leading the way to ensure the long-term water sustainability of our community. We greatly appreciate the steps they are taking to set an example for the community, and I look forward to continuing collaboration so we can all provide the best possible services to our residents.

With teamwork, we will ensure that we secure a strong water future for Highlands Ranch and maintain our beautiful and vibrant community.

Please visit our website at centennialwater.org/conservation for more information on these projects and some great water conservation ideas and incentives.

SamCalkinsisthegeneralmanageroftheCentennialWaterand SanitationDistrict

Sam Calkins

According to the United States Department of Defense, it is by law that an honor guard detail for eligible Veterans consists of at least two members of the U.S. military. Additionally, one of the members must have served in the same service branch as the deceased veteran.

“ e worst part is, if we go under, there’s nobody to replace us,” said Kraski. “And I don’t ever want to have to tell you or somebody you know that we can’t provide honors.”

e All Veterans Honor Guard does joint services with the military, which folds the ag to be handed to a fallen service member’s family member. e honor guard provides the commander who conducts the service and talks about the deceased and his or her service to the county, as well as the relationship to the ag.

e service also includes a chaplain to conduct a prayer, a bugler to play taps and a ri e detail with weapons from World War II.

As the honor guard continues to provide the service to hundreds of families, Kraski said the organization is in dire need of volunteers.

e organization provides the training and the uniforms for the service but they are running into a few problems, including that most funerals take place on weekdays.

“ at eliminates the young veterans for the most part because they’re working and they have families,” said Kraski.

Kraski also said the organization will take disabled veterans as volunteers, however, a lot of them su er from post-traumatic stress disorder related to combat and the ring of the weapons would trigger the Veterans.

Although volunteers don’t receive monetary compensation for their time, Kraski said it’s an honor being able to provide nal military honors for the deceased and their families.

“We’re not even asking for a day a week,” said Kraski. “If we can get a couple of days a month, it would help us.”

To volunteer or make a donation to the organization can be found done through their website, https:// www.allveteranshonorguard.org/.

artists with six No. 1 hits, eight top-five singles, and over 3.8 billion career on-demand streams, Academy of Country Music Award winner Rodney Atkins takes the PACE Center stage! Atkins, who has sold over 14 million units and earned twelve career Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum RIAA certifications, continues to be recognized as one of the most powerful voices in Country Music today.

The real ‘greater good’

city council when she presented her ndings, it was clear that Katalenas truly cares about what happens to these women.

FROM THE EDITOR

In Littleton, 12 women face an uncertain future. e city has decided it no longer wants to be in the housing business over a property, Geneva Village, that houses a group of lowincome women ranging between the ages of 64 and 91. is is being done in the name of the greater good. Is it really for the greater good that a city is looking at wiping out the only secure thing these women have? ey all are on xed incomes. Only half of them own a vehicle, which is their main asset. Few of them own or can use a computer.

In all fairness, it’s easy to see where the city is coming from. After all, since the City of Littleton took ownership of the property in 1975, it appears no one on the administrative side managed it. By that, I mean rent levels.

rough no fault of their own, these women are paying about $368 a month in rent. A heck of a deal, especially in today’s out-ofwhack housing market. However, it is not their fault that the city did not bother to increase rent prices over the last four decades.

In the coming days, the Littleton City Council will be deciding on how they want to proceed with Geneva Village. But I hope it’s a decision they go into knowing that sometimes the greater good should not be at the expense of a few innocent women who have done nothing wrong other than living in a facility for older, low-income adults.

A bright light in this process is Brittany Katalenas, a social worker with B-Konnected. Hired by the city to provide demographics and a clear picture of the residents of Geneva Village, Katalenas took it a step further. During an August work session with the

She has gone beyond the call of duty. While not part of her contract with the city, Katalenas worked to sign eight of the 12 women up for Section 8 housing. Five of them were approved.

To the council members, this may seem like a way to make an easier decision to kick these women out. However, Katalenas stressed to them — even with a housing voucher — there is no housing in Littleton or the Denver metro area that will have similar pricing to the $368 a month.

Living on a xed income, each of these women makes about $1,500 a month. Anyone who knows our housing market knows that won’t even cover a month’s rent. ey still have to pay for medical bills and buy food and necessities.

Reporter Nina Joss, who covers Littleton and Arapahoe County, recently did an in-depth story on the state’s voucher system. She described one man’s e orts over several years to get his grandson, who has a housing voucher, into the metro area to live near him.

It’s not just the price of rent that creates obstacles. In this case, many apartment complexes do not want to deal with the government and reject a voucher altogether.

To think that a voucher for these 12 women will be a golden ticket is delusional, as in many cases in our state, the voucher is more about giving cruel hope than providing true solutions.

As the wage gap in our country continues to grow — pushing the residents out in the name of the “greater good” just doesn’t ring true to me. We are only as strong as our weakest link and pushing those weak links aside and out does not mean they disappear. elmaGrimesisthesouth

munityMedia.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Able Shepherd off-base

Regarding the Colorado Community Media article “Emails show Able Shepherd organized PrideFest protest, despite denial”: Given the most child predators are heterosexual, the Able Shepherd “Protect Our Children” protesters at Douglas County PrideFest have an exhausting future of more protests ahead: churches and county fairs everywhere, most bars, strip clubs, and restaurants — in fact, everywhere on the planet where straight people gather and child abusers might be among them.

LeePatton Denver

for the whole and not to be dictated by a few. Thanks Library Board for a common-sense decision.

DaveUsechek Parker

Stop bad-mouthing equity

In the recent LTE by Susan Renton, she erroneously combines equity with preferential treatment of certain identity groups. Equity is not about giving preferential treatment to some people over others, but about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. This means providing everyone with the resources and support they need to reach their full potential.

Thank you, library board

A big “thank you” to the Douglas County Library Board for not giving in to the vocal minority to remove certain books from the public. If this group wants to push their values on the whole, they should first start with censoring their own and let others decide what values they want for their own children. Public libraries are

I agree with Douglas County School Board Director Susan Meek that it is important to have a community conversation about how to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all students. I believe that the educational equity policy is a good starting point for this conversa-

Thelma Grimes

LETTERS

tion. The policy affirms the district’s commitment to providing an inclusive culture where each and every student feels safe and valued, and recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

I disagree with Ms. Renton that the equity policy encourages divisive behavior. In fact, I believe that it can help to create a more inclusive environment by raising awareness of the different experiences and perspectives of diverse students and staff. It can also help to create a more equitable learning environment by ensuring that all students have the same opportunities to succeed in DCSD schools.

I believe that one of the best ways to counteract an “us vs. them” mentality is to teach people about diversity and inclusion, with open and honest conversations, which can help to build understanding, tolerance, and respect between different groups of people.

We need to teach our children about the facts and history of racism and discrimination, and we need to create a safe space for them to talk about their experiences. We also need to make sure that our schools are adequately staffed with teachers and administrators who are trained to effectively intervene when bullying behaviors arise.

I believe that by working together, we can create a school district where all students feel safe, valued, and respected.

MaryStrain Parker

County than they do in Douglas County. According to the Arapahoe County Elections website, voters in Cherry Creek School District have approved school funding issues every time they were on the ballot — in 2020, 2016, 2012, and 2008.

The last time school funding ballot issues passed in Douglas County was 2017; prior to that, 2006. Issues 5A and 5B failed in Douglas County in 2022, thanks in part to misinformation like that disseminated by Mr. Fields in his recent guest column.

Cherry Creek does have funding needs, but nowhere near as dire as what we are facing in Douglas County, because our voters rarely approve school funding. This is why a DCSD teacher can transfer to Cherry Creek and get paid at least $10,000 more per year for doing the same job. Is it any wonder our district has so many open positions?

Look at funding facts

Michael Fields penned an inaccurate, slanted, and misleading screed about the school funding issues that will be on the November ballot in Douglas County.

First, he stated that elected officials in Arapahoe County will not put school funding requests onto the ballot this November, and then lavished praise on them for this decision. His obsequious fawning failed to mention that these ballot issues have a much better track record in Arapahoe

Mr. Fields also pontificated at great length about how school funding will skyrocket because of increased property tax revenues. He is correct that property taxes for just about everyone will go up, and yes, a significant portion of these monies are used for school funding. However, he neglected to include that perpupil-revenue is comprised of two components — the state share and the local share. The state share comes from the Colorado Department of Education. The local share comes from the county. When the local share increases — as it will this year due to higher property taxes — the state share decreases by the same amount. There is no overall increase in funding. The state contributes less, and total funding remains the same.

Whether these omissions were due to being unfamiliar with the ins and outs of Colorado school funding or a deliberate misstatement intended to advance a position aligned with a specific political agenda is anyone’s guess.

Voting “no” on 5A and 5B is certainly your right. But make sure that decision is based on accurate, complete information. I’ll be voting “yes.”

CLAIRVOYANCE AND COMPASSION

“I believe that everywhere that we’re at has spirits around us all the time,” Welte said. “It’s just that I was able to see them. So when I was 5, 6 years old, I would see the spirits walking up and down my hallway.”

BY LILLIAN FUGLEI SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

On a quiet street corner, a neon sign promises psychic readings, fortunes told for a small fee. Some signs advertise crystals, tarot, reiki or clairvoyance, a never-ending list of tools to peer into the other side.  Denver hosts a wide variety of psychics across the metro area. ough their work is often unseen, each practitioner brings their own set of skills to help give insight to their clients.

Starting out

Littleton-based practitioner Jen Welte grew up in a haunted house. She said her rst connections to the other side were the ghosts that lived in the home with her.

ough Welte had an early connection, it wasn’t until she attended a mediumship development class in 2016 that she began to hone her skills. A friend was going to the class, so Welte tagged along, not knowing what the class was for.

“I was just kind of her wingman because she was nervous to go by herself,” Welte said. “It was a mediumship development class. I had no idea there were classes for stu like this, I didn’t even know that I was a medium at this point. I just thought that I knew things and saw things.”

Mediumship is the practice of enabling communications between the living and the dead. Mediums may have messages conveyed in a variety of ways, such as clairaudience, hearing messages, clairvoyance, seeing messages, or claircognizance, simply knowing the message.

Welte continued to learn, taking classes from another local psychic — Kim Moore — and then a year-long mentorship with another psychic — Anthony Mrocka. Her mentorship occurred in 2020, which gave her the time to focus on developing her skills.

“I mean, the whole country was shut down,” Welte said. “I had no other responsibilities... So I took a year-long mentorship with Anthony. And he really, really helped me to re ne my abilities.”

For Broom eld-based practitioner Andarta, the spiritual path started with tarot card readings as a teenager. She continued to learn, receiving training to become a Reiki Master and becoming a Druid in the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids — a spiritual organization based in England.

Reiki is a form of energy work that facilitates healing. Practitioners guide energy through a client’s body to help them heal.

Andarta’s spiritual and academic paths have been connected, primarily through becoming a Priestess of Avalon.

“I’ve done a lot of studies on more of the Avalon path,” Andarta said. “Because that is not only my spiritual interest, but also my PhD is in medieval literature. What got me into medieval literature to begin with was my interest in the Arthurian legends, and Avalon and, and all of that, so I’ve really sort of crafted a lot of my own classes around that just my own personal studies, both from my academic background as well as my spiritual.”

Lakewood-based practitioner

Lizanne Flynn’s path was shaped by her time volunteering in an animal shelter. After taking several years o from working to raise her children, Flynn wanted to see what returning to work would look like for her. at desire led her to volunteer at Table Mountain Animal Shelter — now known as Foothills Animal Shelter.  “It was a good experience for me,” Flynn said. “What I didn’t expect was that when I went through the doors of the shelter, is that I would start to hear the animals. I would start to feel the animals.”

She would hear animals — par-

ticularly those that had been surrendered — asking for their families and homes.

“It was like there was an extra room and I had been given the keys to the door of that room that I could walk into,” Flynn added. “ ere was this telepathic communication with animals that was available to me, it still feels like that to this day.”

Getting to work

Welte — who started her business online during the pandemic — then applied to work with Discover Your Spiritual Gifts when she saw an opening for a reader.

“It is an amazing little shop,” Welte said. “I really enjoy being able to work there and (meeting) the people that have come in.”

Welte does tarot and psychic readings, but the main focus of her work is mediumship.

“What I want to do the most is be able to deliver to people without a shadow of a doubt information that there is life still beyond this, and that their loved ones are not in some tortured, horrible place there,” Welte said. “ ey’re right there with us.”

As a former college professor, Andarta’s switch to full-time work as a psychic was recent. ough she had been working part-time while teaching, she transitioned out of higher education this summer.

“ e fact that my psychic business is more stable than higher education, I think is a pretty crazy idea for our society,” Andarta said. “Sometimes there’s a struggle of adapting, complete career change is a little scary. And yet, I feel that there is more of a call in our society for alternate spiritual practices, and di erent beliefs, especially earth-based religions.”

Flynn’s work began with animal communication in 2008, but soon after that, she added a physical touch.

Flynn became licensed as a canine massage therapist. Canine massage is similar to massages performed on humans, helping to relieve tight muscles and stress in dogs. Flynn combines the techniques, communicating with the animals as she massages them.

She felt that the universe continued to push her towards new methods, such as Reiki, and incorporating them into her practice.

“ is is such a classic example of the universe going, ‘OK. Here’s your next step. Just go here,’” Flynn added. Her work now includes a wide va-

riety of practices, including animal communication, mediumship, Reiki and more.

As a Master Healer, Flynn resisted the title that goes with her work for a while. However, she came around to it once she realized the value of being a healer.

“ e actual de nition of a healer that I really vibe with is someone who holds space,” Flynn said. “A healer is someone who opens the door, they might turn on the light for you. But they’re not going to necessarily tell you where to look. ey’re not necessarily going to tell you what to do.”

The impact

For Welte, working as a medium has given her an opportunity to connect people, both living and dead.

“I love my work, I love helping people,” Welte said. “My main goal is just to help and let people know that we’re really not alone, that we really are all connected and that we really will get through this a lot easier if we’re just kinder to each other and more loving and more compassionate.”

Welte added that she wants to be a place people can come to heal through her work.

“For me personally, it’s very, very heart-centered,” Welte added. “I will sit there and I will cry with my clients, I will check on my clients, I will bend over backward because it truly comes from a place of love.”

Similarly to Welte, Andarta’s work is geared towards giving clients a space to heal.

“I call them clients, and yet I still see them as souls,” Andarta said. “I have great compassion for people. I think that people really resonate with that, that they know that I am there to try to help them.”

In addition to providing readings, Andarta teaches several classes related to spirituality. Her work as a teacher often means empowering her clients to engage in the services Andarta typically provides without her.

“What happens a lot of the times is that I have clients that work with me for quite a while, and then they’re like ‘Hey, I’m good,’” Andarta said. “I’m like, ‘ en go, go do it (yourself).”

is is not just to keep milking people for money,” Andarta added.

LEARN MORE

Jen Welte is Littleton-based and offers readings remotely and in-person at Discover Your Spiritual Gifts in Littleton on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Her website is https:// www.jenmoonlightmystic.com/ Andarta is Broomfield-based and o ers readings remotely. Her website is https://psychichealersofavalon.com/ denver-colorado/

Lizanne Flynn is Lakewood-based and o ers readings remotely. Her website is https://lizanneflynn.com/

For Flynn, her work gives her an opportunity to give animals a voice, speaking for them and communicating with their owners. She emphasized the importance of simply asking animals what they’re feeling — and listening to what they say.

“Inside my animal communicator, self is going, you could just ask,” Flynn said. “I think (animals) would be happy to tell you, (for example) the life of the bee and how that works.”

While Andarta, Flynn and Welte’s practices di er, they all stressed the same idea — their talents are not unique.

“Every single human who has a physical body on this planet can do the work that I do,” Flynn said. “Absolutely everyone.”

For Andarta, Flynn and Welte, being able to do their work is simply a matter of practice and training.

“I feel like everybody has a connection to the other side, or whatever you want to call it,” Welte said.

“Everybody has a connection to spirit and that we are all connected.”

Andarta’s practices combine both her spiritual and academic background, following the Avalon Path. COURTESY OF ANDARTA.

Vista junior wins Heritage Cross Country Invitational

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Mountain Vista junior Benji Anderson was ready to run and made a good impression at the Heritage Cross Country Invitational on Sept. 9.

Anderson won the Sweepstakes A race with a time of 12 minutes, 24.9 seconds to outrun his friend Matthew Edwards of Liberty Common who nished second on a sunny, warm morning.

“I was super pumped,” said Anderson. “Looking at the weather, I knew it was going to be hot and the pace wasn’t going to be as fast as I would like

“I was going for the win and there

was a great competitive eld. I’m really excited about winning and it was a good showing.”

Anderson and Edwards were the runners to catch in the Sweepstakes A race.

“I was more in the middle of the front pack through the rst mile,” he explained. “At the rst mile and a half, I and my good friend Matt Edwards took the lead. We both wanted to push the pace.

“I came through the rst mile a bit slow. It was just me and him leading for a little bit and then two miles came and I felt real good. I wanted to surge and put pressure on him.I put ve to 10 meters on him and held it through the nish.”

Anderson was glad to see the nish line.

“I like to go through the rst mile and a half feeling real comfortable and then start to pick it up,” he continued. “Coming right before the nish, I went all in. is is the nish line, let’s go. I’m not focused on the individual part of the season right now. I just want to try to get my team another state championship. We didn’t have the best outing at Heritage but we have a couple guys that are sick.”

Owen Casselman, of underRidge, placed third in the Sweepstakes A boys race with a time of 14:58.3. Owen Whitney of Rock Canyon was fourth and Kaeden Dendor-

fer of Valor Christian came in fth. In other races, Cherry Creek’s Sophia White took rst in the girls Sweepstakes Open with a time of 20:34.8. Mountain Vista’s Adeline Fesker placed second clocking in at 20:54.1.

Valor Christian’s Henry Johnson took second in the Boys Sweepstakes B with a time of 16:46.2, and Castle View’s Kaleb Kolbe took third place. In the boys Division I Open, Porter Imes of Ponderosa placed ninth in 19:44.8, while Madison Danks of Mountain Vista won the Girls Division I Open in 24:00.7.

Jane Curran, of Heritage, was second and Heritage’s Kelsey Mahr third.

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OCT 13

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Smooth Jazz means cool jazz that feels good and gets you in the groove. Hear the music of many of your favorite artists including Bob James, Grover Washington Jr. and Pat Metheny, and others.

Known for his smooth-as-silk voice, Colorado favorite and long-time Denver resident Robert Johnson continues to display his talents not only as a vocalist, but as a songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer.

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FROM PAGE 2

cluded what appears to be a screenshot of a videoconferencing meeting that includes video-feed images of members of the cultural council and their names.

omas has argued that when people get involved in government and have input on public spending, the public has the right to information.

Smith wrote in a document sent to the county that the cultural council’s funding should focus on impact to residents.

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

( e cultural council works with the SCFD, the Denver-area arts funding district.)

Ultimately, Laydon expressed satisfaction with the council’s process. In the end, the county commissioners voted 3-0 to certify the funding as recommended by the cultural council, according to county sta .

‘Insinuating bad intent’

Laydon at the Sept. 5 meeting said the problem is not omas’ asking questions of the cultural council.

“It’s about you insinuating bad intent without information that can

support that,” Laydon said.

Laydon said omas insinuated the Douglas County Community Foundation — a nonpro t that is building up a “relief fund” that can help take care of people during natural disasters or other emergencies — was mishandling funds. Laydon said that was not the case. omas had also asked county sta to obtain from the foundation the budget for how dollars from the county were to be spent.

“You know the information and you know that zero of these dollars have been used for their gala,” Laydon said.

Lawsuit and board removals

During a meeting of county ocials on Aug. 28, along with Teal and Laydon’s vote to remove omas from outside boards, the two commissioners also voted to ensure that the county’s volunteer boards and some outside boards would hear of omas’ censure.

And in a separate matter, omas recently led a lawsuit against Laydon and Teal, seeking to recover attorney fees she incurred amid accusations and investigations of her last year that stemmed from her release of documents.

“While Laydon and Teal directed multiple legal actions against me using county-funded lawyers, they forced me to personally shoulder my own legal expenses to defend against their ridiculous and outrageous allegations,” omas wrote in an Aug. 29 news release.

See Colorado Community Media’s coverage of the lawsuit and related details at tinyurl.com/ CommissionersLawsuit.

Join us as we embark on a musical cruise around the world to celebrate 30 years of bringing music to Parker and beyond! We begin in Europe with Mozart, Enesco and Glière, culminating with Beethoven’s Violin Concerto featuring Colorado Symphony Concertmaster, Yumi Hwang-Williams.

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now you’re

Going back in time for Pioneer Days at the Mansion

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Families were transported back in time to the old west as they passed the steel gates and the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion came into view.

e annual Pioneer Days event at the mansion was put on by the Highlands Ranch Community Association and the Highlands Ranch Metro District with multiple community partnerships.  rough an immersive historical journey, kids were shown what it was like to have lived in Highlands Ranch more than 100 years ago with hands-on education opportunities and indigenous wildlife insights.

A school bell could be heard in the distance as the Highlands Ranch Historical Society brought old school supplies, clothing and home goods for families to look at and learn about.

Having grown up around the mansion, Trapper Johnny was excited to be back as he spoke to families about hunting for food and making clothing from animal skin and fur while showing them many of the tools used and items made.  Trapper Johnny started trapping in the 1960’s and was taught by an Inuit Indian where he learned to honor everything’s being by using

Frank Okoren plays the banjo during the two-day Pioneer Days event at the Highlands Ranch Mansion. Okoren embraces the freedom the day brings him.

Trapper Johnny holds up can animal skull at his station in front of the Highlands Ranch Mansion. He spoke to families about the trapping and showed them a variety of items. PHOTOS BY HALEY LENA

Solution

TRIVIA

1. U.S. STATES: Which state is home to a giant sequoia tree named General Sherman?

2. ANIMAL KINGDOM: Is a rhinoceros an herbivore, omnivore or carnivore?

3. GEOGRAPHY: Which city in India is home to the Taj Mahal?

4. MOVIES: What is the title of the rst James Bond movie?

5. TELEVISION: What was the product featured in the rst TV advertisement?

6. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which French fashion designer is credited with inventing the Little Black Dress?

7. FOOD & DRINK: What does it mean to julienne vegetables?

8. GOVERNMENT: What does the acronym GDP stand for in economic terms?

9. LITERATURE: What is the cat’s name in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”?

10. SCIENCE: Who is considered the father of the atomic bomb?

Answers

1. California, Sequoia National Park.

2. An herbivore, a plant eater.

3. Agra.

4. “Dr. No.”

5. Bulova watch.

6. Coco Chanel.

7. Cut into short, thin strips.

8. Gross domestic product.

9. Grimalkin.

10. J. Robert Oppenheimer.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088

Legals

Public Trustees

PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch

NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0126

To Whom It May Concern: On 7/5/2023 10:24:00

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: TIMOTHY S EMERY

Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR MIDWEST LOAN SOLUTIONS, INC.

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not individually or personally but solely in its capacity as Trustee on behalf of the ICW MAT Trust

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 1/29/2020

Recording Date of DOT: 1/30/2020

Reception No. of DOT: 2020006683

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $422,211.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $363,374.37

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 189, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 122-R, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF. COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of:

10672 Braselton St, 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, October 25, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 8/31/2023

Last Publication: 9/28/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 7/5/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

DAVID W. DRAKE

Colorado Registration #: 43315 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700, DENVER, COLORADO 80204

Phone #: (303) 350-3711

Fax #:

Attorney File #: 00000009663444

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0126

First Publication: 8/31/2023

Last Publication: 9/28/2023

Douglas

News Press

25, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 8/31/2023

Last Publication: 9/28/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 6/30/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

HEATHER DEERE

Colorado Registration #: 28597 355 UNION BLVD SUITE 250, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228

Phone #: (303) 274-0155

Fax #:

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 8/31/2023

Last Publication: 9/28/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

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

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

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

Which has the address of: 9828 Fairwood Street, Littleton, CO 80125

NOTICE OF SALE

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

To

Attorney File #: CO21977

Dated: 7/5/2023

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: David Siu

Original Beneficiary: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as Beneficiary, as nominee for Ideal Home Loans LLC, its successors and assigns

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Citizens Bank, N.A.

of Deed of Trust (DOT): 1/20/2022

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $503,511.16

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 MAKE TIMELY PAYMENTS AS REQUIRED UNDER THE EVIDENCE OF DEBT AND DEED OF TRUST.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 111, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 122-S, 1ST AMENDMENT, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 3158 Woodbriar Dr, 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, October

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0124

First Publication: 8/31/2023

Last Publication: 9/28/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0127

To Whom It May Concern: On 7/5/2023 11:47:00

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: SHARON T. MCNALLY

Original Beneficiary: WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: JPMORGAN

CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 10/20/2004

Recording Date of DOT: 11/5/2004

Reception No. of DOT: 2004113964

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $247,000.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $246,869.14

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Borrower’s failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 37, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 88A, 1ST AMENDMENT, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of:

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

ALISON L. BERRY Colorado Registration #: 34531 9540 MAROON CIRCLE SUITE 320, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990

Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 23-029688

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0127

First Publication: 8/31/2023

Last Publication: 9/28/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Littleton NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0117

To Whom It May Concern: On 6/20/2023 12:22:00

PM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: Daniel Lee Moffett Jr.

and Wendi Renee Moffett

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

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

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

Recording Date of DOT: 1/26/2017

Reception No. of DOT: 2017006173

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

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

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

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 8/17/2023

Last Publication: 9/14/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 6/20/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

HOLLY SHILLIDAY

Colorado Registration #: 24423 7700 E. ARAPAHOE ROAD, SUITE 230 , CENTENNIAL, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (877) 369-6122

Fax #: Attorney File #: CO-23-957025-LL

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0117

First Publication: 8/17/2023

Last Publication: 9/14/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Littleton NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0130

To Whom It May Concern: On 7/12/2023 1:40:00 PM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: HEATHER KREBS

6694 Dutch Creek St, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130

A little boy gives Buckskin Joe a fist bump on the front steps of the Highlands Ranch Mansion at Pioneer Days.

PIONEER DAYS

FROM PAGE 22

every part of it.

Guests could also engage with Andrea Victoria Haward-Corbo who spoke about Highlands Ranch’s history and made corn husk dolls as well as get questions answered by Buckskin Joe.

The two-day event included gold panning, beekeeping, park rangers, farm animals, a VR tour of a dairy farm, freshly made traditional fry bread, hayrides along the side of the mansion and pasture and performances by Native American singers and dancers.

Kids could also learn and participate in activities at vendors such as Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Firefighters

Public Notices

AND KRISTOFFER WEST

AKA KRISTOFFER C WEST

Original Beneficiary:

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt:

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 9/30/2021

Recording Date of DOT: 10/1/2021

Reception No. of DOT: 2021113088

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$596,850.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $582,275.63

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 installments of principal and interest, together with 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 712, ROXBOROUGH VILLAGE FILING

NO. 16-A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 7432 Elk Trail Pl, Littleton, CO 80125

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 1, 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.

Museum and Ent Credit Union.  While there was plenty to do outside, guided tours were given to school groups on the first day of the event and families had the chance to take a self-guided tour on the second day.  Guests could fully experience the ambience of the old west as Frank Okoren sat in the middle of all the action sat and played the banjo.

First Publication: 9/7/2023

Last Publication: 10/5/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 7/12/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

NEAL K DUNNING

Colorado Registration #: 10181 7995 E. Prentice Avenue, Suite 101E, GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLORADO 80111

Phone #: (303) 329-3363

Fax #:

Attorney File #: 3554-040

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0130

First Publication: 9/7/2023

Last Publication: 10/5/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Okoren, along with Trapper Jonny have participated in the event from the start. Appreciating the work that is put into the event, Okoren said he enjoys watching kids engage in history and the overall feeling of the event.

“There’s a freedom, there’s a wholesomeness here,” said Okoren. “In a crazy world, this is kind of a nice place to enjoy.”

Misc. Private Legals

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

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

OCCUPANT - BRAD L KIRCHER AKA

BRAD LAWRENCE KIRCHER - DOUGLAS

E CARLILE JR. - BRAD L KIRCHER AKA

BRAD LAWRENCE KIRCHER & BRENDA M

KIRCHER AKA BRENDA MARIA KIRCHER -

EARL E ELSRODE AKA EARL R ELSRODE

- RICHARD F CURREY AKA RICHARD FRANK

CURREY - RICHARD F CURREY

You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 7th day of November 2019 the then County Treasurer of the County of Douglas, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to DOUG-

LAS E CARLILE JR. the following described real estate situate in the County of Douglas, State of Colorado, to wit:

LOT 11 WOODMOOR MOUNTAIN 1 3.98 AM/L

and said County Treasurer issued a certificate of purchase therefore to DOUGLAS E CARLILE JR.. That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent* taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2018. That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of BRAD L KIRCHER for said year 2018

That said DOUGLAS E CARLILE JR. on the 16th day of September 2022 the present holder of said certificate, has made request upon the Treasurer of said County for a deed to said real estate; That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said at 1:00 o’clock P.M., on the 21st day of December 2023 unless the same has been redeemed. Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 7th day of September 2023

/s/ David Gill

County Treasurer of Douglas County

Legal Notice No. 945952

First Publication: September 7, 2023

Last Publication: September 21, 2023

Kids were given the opportunity by the Denver Firefighters Museum to try on firefighter equipment and run across the front yard of the Highlands Ranch Mansion.

Native American dancers performing on the front yard of the Highlands Ranch Mansion for families as part of Pioneer Days. Following the performance, they answered questions from the families.

PHOTOS BY HALEY LENA

Gold Prospectors of the Rockies show kids the mining process to get gold.

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