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WEEK OF JANUARY 25, 2024

VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 47

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Douglas County’s steps to lower property taxes

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As homeowners around the Denver metro area face steep hikes in their property tax bills, officials in Douglas County are working to give back some of the money they expect to collect. “We are saying: ‘We are not asking you to give us a windfall,’” Commissioner Lora Thomas told Colorado Community Media. Local taxes are in the spotlight after homeowners around the Denver area saw their home values jumped by shocking amounts. In Douglas County, residential properties faced increases between 30% and 60%. With values surging, property taxes across the metro area are expected to do the same. Douglas County’s commissioners, all Republicans, have been looking for ways to ease the burden on taxpayers. They have decided to refund some of what they collect, sending homeowners $190 back on average. A homeowner’s property tax bill in Douglas County can be several thousand dollars. So, the county’s relief on its own may not make a huge dent for some homeowners. But the county’s leaders felt that the government’s budget didn’t need the boost. “We have tightened our belt as tight as we can without reducing services to the residents, and keeping them safe,” Thomas said. Douglas County’s tax action comes after a flurry of initiatives, from Proposition HH, which voters killed, to a plan from lawmakers to revive some elements of HH in a special session at the state Capitol last year, to other decisions that affected the tax landscape – and a lawsuit in the mix to add another potential challenge. Here’s a look at how it all adds up for homeowners.

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A vast view of homes from Bluffs Regional Park and Trail in Lone Tree in October 2022. PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW

How the tax spike changed

Some homeowners may wonderwhy their property values jumped so high. It’s because properties get revalued every two years in Colorado — and because the data lags behind. The property valuation that homeowners received from county assessors around early May is based on data as of June 2022, near the recent peak in the real-estate market. Property taxes partly fund county governments, but they also fund school districts, fire and library districts, and many other local entities. Homeowners can blame the realestate market, but what they ultimately owe in taxes depends on state policy too.

VOICES: 12 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 17

In Douglas County, the median increase in residential property values compared to the prior year was about 47%, said Toby Damisch, who heads Douglas’ property valuation office. Another piece of the property tax equation, along with a home’s value and the local government tax rate, is a number called the “assessment rate.” Colorado lawmakers come into the picture with state Senate Bill 22-238, a law that effectively adjusted home values and reduced the assessment rate, Damisch said. That knocked the estimated tax increase for a typiSEE TAXES, P10

A COWBOY GATHERING

P18

TIPS FOR WINTER DRIVING P20

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Fewer students enrolled in Colorado schools again this year

January 25, 2024Jan

BY YESENIA ROBLES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

The number of students in Colorado schools continues to drop and is now lower than it was after the large decrease in enrollment at the start of the pandemic. In October 2023, 881,464 students were enrolled in public schools, down 1,800, or 0.2%, from October 2022, according to official enrollment counts released by the Colorado Department of Education in January. Before the pandemic, enrollment numbers in Colorado had been increasing every year since the 1980s. But in fall of 2020, after months of mostly remote learning, enrollment sank by about 30,000 students from the previous year. In fall of 2021, enrollment went up slightly, but has been falling again since. State Demographer Elizabeth Garner told the State Board of Education that the decline in enrollment is due partly to decreasing birth rates, but also to a slowdown in migration and mobility. “We are forecasting that total school-age population to decline basically through 2028-2029, then

Chart: Thomas Wilburn Source: Colorado Department of Education

start to increase, but not get back to levels that we saw in 2019 until about 2035,” Garner said. She said the trend is statewide. “Forty-three of the 64 counties had an absolute decline in the under-18 population over the last decade,”

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Garner said. “It doesn’t matter where you were — Eastern Plains, San Luis Valley, West Slope, Denver metro.” In a statement, Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova noted concern about the drop in enrollment among the youngest students. “We know that pre-kindergarten and kindergarten are where students build critical foundations for life-long academic success including language development, early literacy, and social skills,” she said. Still, she said, “we are encouraged by the state’s commitment to early learning through the Colorado Universal Preschool Program.” The universal preschool program provides free preschool to all Colorado 4-year-olds and some 3-yearolds. This year, about 50,000 students are enrolled in various types of public and private preschools across the state. Public school districts’ pre-K programs have 32,060 students, slightly fewer than a year earlier. First grade and kindergarten saw some of the largest decreases in enrollment this year. First grade enrollment declined by 3.91%, or 2,478 students, compared with the first grader group of 2022. Kindergarten

had 1,068 fewer students, a 1.79% drop. Eighth grade and ninth grade also had large enrollment declines. Only five grade levels saw an increase in students compared with last year. The largest increase was among second graders, up by 5%, or more than 3,000 students. Other segments that grew included those who are home-schooled, and those who are enrolled in online programs. Enrollment in charter schools decreased by 1.8% to 135,223. The number of students identified as experiencing homelessness statewide went up by 1,570 compared with last year. Last school year only one district in Colorado, Adams 12, had more than 1,000 students identified as needing services related to homelessness. This year, there were four such districts — Aurora, Adams 12, Jeffco, and Poudre. By percentage, the tiny district of Sheridan continues to have the highest proportion of its students experiencing homelessness in the metro area, but the number has dropped over the years. This school year, 149 Sheridan students, or 14.1%, are experiencing homelessness, down SEE ENROLLMENT, P4

January 25, 2024

NAR Releases Profile of Denver Metro Area Buyers and Sellers

Last week I reported on the real estate market in metro Denver. This week, I’m providing information from a National Association of Realtors (NAR) survey of buyers and sellers that was released in December. NAR did a national survey but provided data from the 169 Denver area respondents who had purchased a home in the 12-month period from July 2022 through June 2023. The buyers were identified from public records of transactions, not from MLS data. Those buyers who had also sold a home constituted the database for the survey of sellers. The survey was limited to buyers of primary residences, not investment properties. Here’s my editing of the report released for Denver via the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.

Characteristics of Home Buyers • In Denver, the median age of recent home buyers was 43 years old, compared to 49 nationally. The largest share of home buyers in Denver this year were in the 25 to 34 years age group (27 percent) and the 35 to 44 years age group (25 percent). This graph shows both the Denver and national breakdowns:

• 82 percent of buyers were White/ Caucasian, 9 percent were Hispanic/ Latino, 2 percent were Black/African American, 8 percent were Asian/Pacific Islander, and 3 percent identified as other.

Financing the Home Purchase • For 42 percent of buyers, the source of the downpayment was their savings, and 35% of buyers cited using the proceeds from the sale of a primary residence for their downpayment. 10% used gifts from friends or relatives. • The median percent financed for first-time buyers was 91 percent compared to 75 percent for repeat buyers. • Buyers continue to see purchasing a home as a good financial investment. 82 percent reported they view a home purchase as a good investment.

home was the desire to move closer to friends and family (17 percent), the prior neighborhood had become less desirable (9 percent), or they moved due to retirement (8 percent). • Sellers typically lived in their home for 10 years before selling.

Do replace damaged countertops. Do repair damaged walls and replace damaged doors that can’t be repaired. Do replace those 1990s glass-and-brass lighting fixtures. (They’re so unappealing that Habitat’s thrift store won’t accept them as donations!) Do replace burned out light bulbs. Now that LED replacement bulbs are so cheap (under a dollar in bulk at many stores), I suggest replacing all your incandescents or CFLs with LED “daylight” equivalents. Do repaint where there is peeling or discolored paint. (Think “eyesore.”) Do replace rotted timbers on your deck, then power wash and re-stain or repaint as necessary. Do improve curb appeal (always the first impression), including weeding and pruning and freshening the front door.

man for our clients.) Beyond the above advice, I tell my sellers to be strategic about major issues which they know need to be done. If these are likely to become inspection issues, don’t fix them prior to listing your home if they’re not the kind of eyesore which would deter a buyer from making an offer. For example, I had a listing with damage to the concrete driveway. The seller was thinking he should repair it before putting the home on the market. We knew it would be an inspection issue, but by leaving it undone we could use it as a bargaining chip. Sure enough, we got under contract and the inspection demands included repairing the driveway. Since it was the most expensive item on a long list of repairs, we said we’d repair that but nothing else, and the buyer accepted it.

Characteristics of Homes Purchased Home Selling and Real Estate Professionals • 16 percent of buyers pur• Nationally, 85% of sellers reported chased a new home, and 84 perthat their agent provided a broad range cent of buyers purchased a preof services and management of most viously-owned home. aspects of the home sale. In Denver, 80 • Detached single-family homes percent said that their agent provided a continued to be the most common home type for recent buyers at 79 Home Sellers and Their Selling Expe- broad range of services. • 67 percent said that they would defpercent, followed by townhouses at 11 rience • For Denver sellers, the most com- initely or probably (19 percent) recompercent. 7% purchased units in multifamily buildings, including half-duplex- monly cited reason for selling their mend their agent for future services. es, etc. • 68% of all buyers purchased in a Consider These Tasks to Make Your Home Market Ready First, only make improvements that (It’s true that red doors sell homes…) suburb/subdivision, 20% purchased in Do have someone with “fresh eyes” an urban area/center city, and 11 percent eliminate a defect or an issue which might turn off a prospective buyer. I call walk through your house and identify in a rural area or small town. • When it came to sustainability fea- these “eyesores,” things that stand out like other turn-offs. (Our free staging consulttures, windows, doors and siding were a sore thumb, and not things that are simp- ant performs that function.) Do not replace undamaged countertops “very important” to 34% of Denver buy- ly “dated” or out of style. Here are some examples: or bathroom fixtures just because they are ers. Coming in second was energyDo refinish hardwood floors that are “dated” — even those pastel colored bathefficient lighting at 28%, heating and seriously and obviously in need of refin- tubs and sinks. (I tell buyers “You can’t cooling costs at 27%, with solar panels ishing. buy those anymore!”) The exception being “very important” to only 9% of Do replace carpeting that is seriously would be the toilets. A white chair height buyers. (Nationally, solar panels were old, such as 1970s shag carpeting, or car- low-flow toilet can be replaced for a couonly very important to peting that is seriously worn or stained. ple hundred dollars and installed by any 6% of buyers.) (Again, think “eyesore.”) handyman. (We have a $25/hour handy-

Home Buying and Real Estate Professionals • 89 percent purchased through a real estate agent, and two percent purchased di• Denver buyers had a median 2022 rectly through the previous owner. income of $146,900. • 60 percent of buyers were married I’m Now Publishing on Substack Everything you read in this ad each couples, 16 percent were single females, week — and more — is published at ten percent were single males, and ten http://RealEstateToday.Substack.com percent were unmarried couples. and comes to you automatically each • 34 percent were first-time buyers. Wednesday. I also write a political col• 27 percent of buyers had children umn you might like. Find it at http:// TalkingTurkey.Substack.com. Since 1/6 under the age of 18 living at home. Rita and I are on a world cruise on the • 11 percent of home buyers pur- Viking Sky. You can subscribe to my chased a multi-generational home, to daily travelogue at http://WhereAreJim take care of aging parents, because of andRita.substack.com. children or relatives over the age of 18 During the cruise, I am making and moving back home, and for cost- receiving calls and emails as usual, even at sea, so feel free to contact me. savings.

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Broker/Owner, 303-525-1851 Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com 1214 Washington Ave., Golden 80401 Broker Associates: JIM SWANSON, 303-929-2727 CHUCK BROWN, 303-885-7855 DAVID DLUGASCH, 303-908-4835 GREG KRAFT, 720-353-1922 AUSTIN POTTORFF, 970-281-9071 KATHY JONKE, 303-990-7428 “I cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good I can do.” —Jana Stanfield

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ENROLLMENT FROM PAGE 2

from 205, or 18.2%, last year. Broken down by race, white students had the largest decreases in enrollment, while Hispanic or Latino students had the largest increases. Schools counted 312,687 Hispanic or Latino students in October 2023, up from 308,739 the year before.

By percentage, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students had the largest enrollment jump: 9.18% more than last year. These students make up a tiny proportion of all Colorado students. Among the state’s largest districts, just a handful recorded more students than last year. They include Aurora Public Schools, which had a slight increase, and Denver Public Schools, which gained 371 students. Denver has attributed the increase to an in-

flux of migrant students, many from Venezuela. Among the metro-area districts, School District 27J in Brighton had the largest growth in enrollment. It gained more students than Denver, Aurora, or any of the large districts. Meanwhile, Sheridan, Westminster, and Adams 14 had the largest decreases in the metro area. The state’s data reflect official student counts in October, and those are the counts typically

used to determine funding levels. But the state’s release acknowledged that several districts have seen a large number of students who are new to the country arriving throughout the school year. “CDE is committed to working with districts and school teams to ensure they are supported in serving these multilingual learners,” the department’s statement notes. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

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January 25, 2024

Are you a Douglas County property owner? Visit douglascotax.com to view parcel details, prior year payment history, pay taxes and more. Still have questions? For additional information visit douglas.co.us/treasurer South Metro Fire Rescue on Jan. 11 takes photos of the residence on Blackwolf Drive in Parker in which the Parker Police Department found a deceased adult female. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

Parker man shot woman, child, self, investigators say BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Three deaths on Jan. 11 at the Rueter-Hess Incline in Douglas County and on Blackwolf Drive in Parker appear to be a murder-suicide. That is according to investigators with the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office and Parker police. Investigators said on Jan. 18 that evidence they have gathered points to Brandon Timms as the killer. The 38-year-old man appears to have shot Angel Meyers, 43, at their Blackwolf Drive home. He apparently then drove with a boy just outside of town limits to the incline trail before shooting him. Timms then appears to have shot himself, according to information released by the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office. Investigators provided no information about possible motives. “This is still an ongoing and active investigation,” the sheriff ’s office added. “No further information will be released at this time.” Investigators also did not say how the individuals were related to each other, but they appear to be connected. Voter records show that both Meyers and Timms lived in the Blackwolf Drive home. And, on Jan 16, the principal of Frontier Valley Elementary sent an

email to the families of the school saying that a student who shares Timms’ surname had recently died. This information was obtained by Colorado Community Media from the Douglas County School District. The Douglas County Coroner’s Office released the names of the adults but did not release the juvenile’s name. On Jan. 11, the sheriff ’s office was called to the Rueter-Hess Incline in the 13000 block of Ancestry Drive just outside Parker about 8:51 a.m. because of “suspicious circumstances” and the discovery of a body near the incline. Investigations at the scene led deputies to contact the Parker Police Department to have them conduct a welfare check on a residence on Blackwolf Drive in Parker’s Canterberry Crossing neighborhood. Upon entering the home, officers found 43-year-old Angel Meyers deceased and noticed a gas leak. Officers left the residence and began evacuating surrounding residences as South Metro Fire Rescue assisted. Last week at the news conference outside of the Blackwolf Drive residence, the spokesperson for the Parker Police Department, Josh Hans, said that it is a hard situation for the neighbors, the community and everyone involved.

Are you a sculptor with a desire to see your work on public display? Submit your artwork entry by March 1 to the Douglas County Art Encounters public art program. Visit artencounters.douglas.co.us for more information. Entries will be accepted at https://douglascountyartencounters2024-2025.artcall.org Selected work will be on display in summer 2024.

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January 25, 2024Jan

Continued decline of streamflows projected for Colorado BY HEATHER SACKETT ASPEN JOURNALISM

Scientists predict with high confidence that Colorado’s future spring runoff will come earlier; soil moisture will be lower; heat waves, droughts and wildfires will be more frequent and intense; and a thirstier atmosphere will continue to rob rivers of their flows — changes that are all driven by higher temperatures caused by humans burning fossil fuels. These findings are according to the third Climate Change in Colorado Assessment report, produced by scientists at the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University. Commissioned by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the report’s findings have implications for the state’s water managers. Borrowing a phrase from climate scientist Brad Udall, climate change is water change — which has become a common maxim for those water managers. The report focuses on 2050 as a planning horizon and projects what conditions will be like at that time. According to the report, by 2050,

Under skies made hazy by wildfire smoke, flows in the Crystal River near Carbondale dipped in 2018. A new report on climate change in Colorado projects more frequent ASPEN JOURNALISM and intense wildfires and reduced streamflows in the future.

the statewide annual temperatures

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are projected to warm by 2.5 to 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit compared with a late-20th-century baseline and 1 to 4 degrees compared with today. Colorado temperatures have already risen by 2.3 degrees since 1980. By 2050, the average year is likely to be as warm as the hottest years on record through 2022. This warming, which scientists are very confident will come to pass, will drive the other water system changes that Colorado can expect to see. As temperatures rise and streamflows decline, water supply will decrease. According to the report, by 2050 there will be an annual reduction of 5-30% in streamflow volume; a 5-30% reduction of April 1 snowwater equivalent (a measure of how much water is in the snowpack) and an 8-17% increase in evaporative demand (a measure of how “thirsty” the atmosphere is). A hotter, drier atmosphere can fuel dry soils and wildfire risk. Peak snowpack, which usually occurs in April, is also predicted to shift earlier by a few days to several weeks.

“Streamflows are primarily driven by snowpack that melts in the spring,” said Becky Bolinger, CSU research scientist, assistant state climatologist and lead author of the report. “When you are warming your temperatures, you are first changing the timing of when that snowpack will melt. And because we’re losing more to the atmosphere, that means we have less to run off in our rivers and be available for us later.” Scientists are less certain about whether precipitation will increase or decrease in the future. Dry conditions have persisted across the state over the past two decades, with four of the five driest years occurring since 2000. Most climate models project an increase in winter precipitation, but they suggest the potential for large decreases in summer precipitation. But even if precipitation stays the same, streamflows will dwindle because of increased temperatures. CWCB officials hope water managers across the state will use the report to help plan for a future with less water. Many entities have already shifted to developing programs that support climate adaptation and resilience. “I think we can say with confidence that it is more likely that we will have water shortages in the future,” said Emily Adid, CWCB senior climate adaptation specialist. “I think this report is evidence of that and can help local planners and people on the ground plan for those reductions in streamflow.” Denver Water is one of those water providers that will use the report’s findings in its planning. The utility, which is the oldest and largest in the state, provides water to 1.5 million people and helped to fund the report. Denver Water has been preparing for a future with a less-reliable water supply through conservation and efficiency measures, reservoir expansion projects and wildfire mitigation. “Projected future streamflows is a huge challenge for the water resources industry,” said Taylor Winchell, Denver Water’s senior planner and SEE WATER, P7

January 25, 2024

WATER FROM PAGE 6

climate adaptation specialist. “The same amount of precipitation in the future means less steamflow because temperatures will continue to warm. … All this leads to this concept of uncertainty. We really need to plan for a variety of ways the future can happen essentially.” Another finding of the report is that temperatures have warmed more in the fall than other seasons, with a 3.1 degrees Fahrenheit increase statewide since 1980, a trend that is expected to continue. Although it’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause of fall warming, Bolinger said it may have to do with the summer monsoons pattern, which can bring moisture with near-daily thunderstorms, but which have been weaker in recent years. That precipitation is critical, she said.

“First, you’re keeping the temperatures from getting too hot because you’re clouding over and getting storms,” Bolinger said. “And generally, with higher humidity, you’re going to have less evaporative loss from the soil. What we’ve been seeing in recent years is that we’re not getting that moisture in the late summer and into the fall.” Less moisture and higher temperatures in the fall also leads to lower soil moisture and kicks off a vicious cycle of decreased water supplies. The dry soil gets locked in under the winter’s snowpack, and when spring melting begins, the water must first replenish the soils before feeding rivers and streams. This is what occurred in the upper Colorado River basin in 2021 when a near-normal snowpack translated to just 31% of normal runoff and the second-worst inflow ever into Lake Powell. Some water-use sectors already experience shortages, especially those with junior water rights. Initia-

tives set up to support the environment and recreation are also at risk with shortages. And those shortages are likely to get worse in the future. In addition to grant programs, one of the ways CWCB aims to help these water users adapt with a future avoided cost explorer (FACE) tool, which is outlined in the 2023 Water Plan. This modeling tool can help water managers figure out the costs of addressing — or failing to address — hazards such as wildfires, droughts and floods. According to the report, extreme climate-driven events such as heat waves, droughts and wildfires are expected to be more frequent and intense. “That gives you a little bit of perspective to say, ‘Well, what if I invest to mitigate this now, how can I lessen the potential impact in the future?,’” said Russ Sands, chief of CWCB’s water supply planning section. “I’m not trying to scare people; what we’re trying to do is motivate

change and help them invest early.” Despite the near-certainty of continued warming and resulting changes to the water system, Bolinger said there is a bright spot. Since the last time that a Climate Change in Colorado report was issued, in 2014, the world has begun to take action on reducing fossil fuel use and has shifted away from the worst-case scenario. Earlier projections were based on a “business as usual” assumption, with no climate mitigation. “We do have things that have been put into place internationally like the Paris Accord,” Bolinger said. “We are more along the lines of a middlecase scenario. As long as we continue to take the actions that have been planned out, we are going to follow that middle scenario, which does show warming, but it’s not as bad.” This story via The Associated Press’ Storyshare, of which Colorado Community Media is a member.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT DOUGLAS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY If you had damage/clean-up costs from the Highlands Ranch tornado insurance did not cover, potential tax relief may be available. Thanks to Governor Polis and Highlands Ranch Representative Bob Marshall, President Biden included Douglas County in the declared FEMA disaster area for “Colorado Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes.” Review IRS Publication 547 (Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts) found at www.irs.gov/publications/p547 and consult your tax advisor. The FEMA disaster code for the Highlands Ranch tornado is DR-4731-CO and can be found at Photo courtesy of the National Governors Association

www.fema.gov/disaster/4731

DEMOCRATIC WORKHORSES, NOT SHOWHORSES, WORKING FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY

Paid for by Douglas County Democratic Party. Not affiliated with any candidate. Registered Agent: Marci Laurvic

Photo Courtesy of Bob4Colorado

January 25, 2024Jan

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Call first: 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124 Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: LoneTreeVoice.net To subscribe call 303-566-4100 LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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A contested mayoral race for the first time in 16 years BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For more than a decade, if Lone Tree voters received a ballot, it typically had just one candidate running for city council unopposed. But more often, voters received no ballots because nearly all of the council elections since 2008 were canceled. That is, until this year. For the first time in about 16 years, Lone Tree will have a contested race to elect a new mayor this spring. It will be the first council election held since 2018, as the two elections before that were canceled due to a lack of candidates. In addition to the mayor’s race, two more of the five seats on the Lone Tree City Council are up for election on May 7 — a District 1 seat and a District 2 seat. Those seats, so far, have drawn a single candidate. Since 2008, there has only been one contested council race in Lone Tree. It occurred in 2018. A lack of candidates led the city to cancel its elections in 2010, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2022. An election was held in 2014 due to a ballot question, but the candidates were uncontested. Lone Tree, with a population of about 14,177 residents as of 2022, is split into two districts, with two council members representing each district and the mayor representing the city as a whole. The council oversees a multi-million dollar budget — the city’s projected budget expenditures for 2024 amount to about

$66 million — and makes policy and development decisions that have a lasting impact on the city. The three seats up for election this spring are all open. The current members, which include Mayor Jackie Millet, Councilmember Wynne Shaw of District 1 and Councilmember Cathie Frazzini of District 2, are all termlimited and ineligible to run again. However, both Shaw and Frazzini could run for mayor, according to city spokesperson Nate Jones. And as of Jan. 17, Shaw and fellow Council Member Marissa Harmon, who also represents District 1, have declared they are running to become the city’s fourth mayor. If Harmon were to be elected as mayor, then the city council would appoint “an eligible and interested member of the community” to fulfill the remainder of her term, which ends in 2026, Jones said via email. As for the other seats, as of Jan. 17, Alecia Brown has officially declared she will run for the District 2 seat. According to the city website, Brown is the chair of the city’s planning commission. So far, no one has declared they will be running for the District 1 seat. Several months ago, Lone Tree changed its voting district boundaries to create more balance between the number of people living in District 1 versus District 2. Those interested in learning more about the orientation and the upcoming election can visit: bit.ly/lonetree24. A timeline of recent city council elections in Lone Tree.

IMAGE BY TAYLER SHAW

January 25, 2024

Post-high school certificates good business BY ERIC GALATAS PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE

Coloradans who graduate from college or trade schools are ready to join the labor market equipped with high-demand, highly competitive skills needed to thrive in their chosen career path - according to the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s latest Return on Investment Report. Angie Paccione, Ph.D - the department’s executive director said there are significant benefits to getting any education or training beyond high school. “When you attain higher education, you get higher earnings,

better health outcomes,” said Paccione. “You get less unemployment. Typically, debt goes down.” Nine out of ten employers in the state say they have jobs to fill but can’t find skilled workers. Colorado ranks second nationally with more than 60% of its residents with some postsecondary education, including large numbers of people who move to the state with a degree in hand. But just 25% of Black adults have a degree or credential, according to Justice for Black Coloradans. Paccione pointed to the success of the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative, which has shown that it’s possible to bridge

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compared with $1,500 per week for those with bachelor’s degrees, and more than $2,000 per week for those with advanced degrees. Paccione said the state has taken steps to remove cost as a barrier. “We have about 12 occupations that students in Colorado can pursue at zero cost for tuition and fees,” said Paccione. “The construction trades, firefighting, elementary and early-childhood education, forest management, certified nursing assistants.” This story via The Associated Press’ Storyshare, of which Colorado Community Media is a member.

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that attainment gap. But she said more funding is needed to scale up and reach more students. “It was designed for low-income students, first-generation students and students of color to get both the scholarships and the wrap-around support services,” said Paccione. “These students will change the trajectories of their families, and of themselves, of course.” Each new postsecondary graduate in Colorado contributes more than $132,000 to the state’s GDP. Colorado workers without a degree or credential earn on average less than $1,000 per week,

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January 25, 2024Jan

TAXES

boards and are beginning to process them. Final estimated tax for property owners will be known and published online around Jan. 24,” Damisch said. “Tax bills are expected to be mailed a week later, by Feb. 1.”

FROM PAGE 1

cal Douglas County home down to around 42% compared to what homeowners paid last year. State officials enacted further tax relief with state Senate Bill 23B-001, passed in November during the special session at the state Capitol. That bill increases the home value adjustment and further reduced the assessment rate, adding up to another roughly 5% reduction in estimated tax increase for the typical Douglas County home, Damisch said. Then comes Douglas County’s local action. The tax refund should mean a 4% average property tax reduction for homeowners. “All of these things combined will reduce the estimated tax on that typical property from a 47% increase to a 3035% increase,” Damisch said. Amid all the changes, Proposition HH — the controversial effort from Colorado Democrats to offer property tax relief on the November ballot while affecting the Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights policy, or TABOR — met a sound defeat from voters. Douglas County’s action is a cut to its “mill levy,” the official term for a property tax rate. What’s left to understand are the remaining “mill levies” from fire districts, library districts and other entities, Damisch said. “We have received those levies from each of the respective responsible

How tax relief compares

Homeowners write their tax payment check to Douglas County, but the county government only keeps about 15% of the average homeowner’s property tax bill, according to the county. The rest of the money goes to the school district, firefighting districts, libraries and other local government entities. You can see a breakdown of how much of your taxes go to each local entity by typing in your address in the “property search” bar at douglas.co.us/ assessor. The refund to taxpayers — approved as part of the county’s budget at the Jan. 9 commissioners meeting and formally confirmed at a Jan. 17 meeting — amounts to the county giving back $38 million in property tax revenue. How does that number compare to the county’s overall spending? For context, Douglas County’s expenditures in its 2023 budget totaled $580 million, according to the budget document. In technical terms, the county’s refund this year is a county tax rate reduction of 3.679 “mills,” or about 19% of the county mill levy. The county commissioners in recent years also acted to give property tax discounts. The county leaders did that through

what’s called a “temporary mill levy credit.” The county has authorized such credits in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, effectively lowering county revenue by $30 million. This year’s refund, at $38 million, is larger than those five credits combined, county officials said. County sues state over relief

Homeowners who have followed the news about property tax policy may remember that the Douglas commissioners took another action for tax relief several months ago. They voted in September to cut the increase in residential property values by around 4 percentage points across the board. The move was expected to provide an average of $223 in estimated property tax relief for owners of single-family homes, townhomes or condominiums. On why the cut wasn’t larger, Damisch, the assessor, said at the time: “There’s a really important statute in Colorado law which says when an assessor performs a (revaluation), they must be within 5% of market value.” Generally, because the newly calculated property values in Douglas County started out essentially on the nose, a 4% change around the county was as large as Damisch felt he could propose while staying within the 5% boundary. But a unanimous action by the fiveperson State Board of Equalization — which includes three Democrats and two Republicans, according to one member — rejected Douglas’ action.

State Sen. Chris Hansen, a Democrat who also sits on the equalization board, said the question about Douglas County’s action was: “Is this fair and just across the state?” The board decided it wasn’t, he said. “Imagine you live on County Line Road,” Hansen said. On the north side, in Arapahoe County, people would end up effectively paying a higher tax rate than those to the south in Douglas County — even though they may live in the same firefighting district. Now, the county has sued the state board, calling its decision “administrative overreach.” “After a hearing where the (state board) spent the majority of their time discussing topics outside of their jurisdiction, the SBOE arbitrarily overturned the (county) decision,” the complaint in the lawsuit says. On how long the process to appeal the state’s decision will take, Douglas County Attorney Jeff Garcia has said the county is “probably looking at a resolution in several months.” Even if the county wins its lawsuit, the outcome won’t affect the 2024 tax bills that are being sent out around early February, a county spokesperson said. Asked whether a win in the lawsuit would mean the 4% home value adjustment would get refunded to homeowners in 2025, spokesperson Wendy Holmes said: “That could be an outcome, but it is far too soon to speculate. Ultimately that would be up to judge or jury.”

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January 25, 2024J

VOICES

When it comes time for our own reboot

ow many times over the past few years have we found ourselves calling customer service or support because WINNING we were having an issue with a WORDS phone, device, or laptop? How many times have we had to get in touch with our help desk at our company to try and help us troubleshoot a Michael Norton problem? And it doesn’t matter if we find ourselves interacting with a chat bot that guides us through the potential fix or if we are lucky enough to speak with a live person, the first question they ask is this, “Did you try turning your device off and then on again?” Or “Have you tried to reboot your system?” For most of us my guess is that the answer is yes, we have tried restarting our phone or computer. But then the agent trying to assist says, “Well let’s just try it one more time while I have you on the phone.” Frustrated, we do as instructed, and after a few minutes of the phone or device rebooting, the problem still exists. Luckily, sooner or later our technology is back up and running and we are happily back in business. Again, for most of us this has become common sense. If we are experiencing troubles, just simply reboot, stop and restart the technology as the first step in self-serving the problem. Now here’s another question, why don’t we know enough to take the same action when something is going on with us personally? When upset, frustrated, angry, disappointed, or just plain tired, why don’t we simply reboot ourselves? Hit the stop button for a little bit and then restart.

It doesn’t always work with technology, and it won’t always work with us as humans. But what if we started there? Giving ourselves a break from the action and the crazy and hectic pace of the race. Taking a pause, giving ourselves and others a period of grace, or maybe just choosing to walk away for a few minutes to see if we can gain a little clarity. With technology sometimes the machine gets overheated, or has too many functions, applications, or windows running at the same time. Or maybe the device has been corrupted in some way by being hacked. Well, sometimes as people we get overheated, we are doing too many things at once, or maybe we let someone else’s opinion corrupt our beliefs about ourselves, they have figured out how to hack into our psyche. As much as it frustrates me when someone asks me if I have tried rebooting my device before I made the call, I also recognize that sometimes it is the simplest things that we miss or overlook. So, if we find ourselves running hard, multi-tasking more than we ever have, upset at a situation or other people, or just flat out exhausted, give yourself permission to reboot your system, shutting it down for a little bit before restarting. Although some of us workaholics refuse to take vacations or personal days off, there are plenty of good and healthy reasons that we should. We can all benefit from recharging our batteries, taking a rest, and taking time for self-care, rebooting if you will. Believe it or not, our emails will all still be there when we get back, the projects we left behind will be waiting for us upon our return, and the world as we know it will not have blown up. SEE NORTON, P13

Prismajic casts a spell at Colorado Mills

etting lost in a work of art is an experience that has been happening to people for centuries, and artists are always looking for new ways to get the public invested COMING in their work. ATTRACTIONS The creatives behind Prismajic have taken this urge and supersized it in its new location in Colorado Mills, 14500 W. Colfax, Suite 359, in Lakewood. “Prismajic is an immersive adventure that marries art and cutting-edge technology Clarke Reader to transport visitors to the enchanting and surreal forest inhabited by Shiki, a mystical yeti and leader of the Spirits of the Forest,” wrote Lisa Fox, marketing manager, in an email interview. Co-founded by Eric Jaenike and Jennifer Mosquera, the organization has been around since 2013, but the Lakewood location is its first permanent home. According to provided information, Prismajic started building immersive experiences for corporate clients in 2013 under the name Artistry Events & Design. Even while doing that work, the aim was to open true mesmerizing experiences that could be enjoyed by everyone. They got closer to that goal with the

2019 opening of Natura Obscura, their first immersive experience, and afterward, Shiki Dreams came into existence. It began as a small pop-up and was named the 4th Best Immersive Experience in the country by USA Today in 2021. Since opening at Colorado Mills, the experience has been upgraded and reimagined to be even more unforgettable for visitors — more than 35 artists worked on the project. “Prismajic was recruited by the 40 West Arts District and City of Lakewood to be an anchor for the Colfax Creative Corridor. We loved the concept and wanted to be part of it,” Fox wrote. “The location provides us not only with proximity to the 40 West Arts District but also offers convenient access to metro Denver, Boulder, Ft. Collins, Colorado Springs and the mountain communities.” Getting lost in a world isn’t just something Prismajic is interested in offering in exhibit form — there’s also The Night Owls, which is a bit like a cocktail bar and a bit like one of the group’s installations. Sure, there are curated craft cocktails, mocktails, and light bites, but that’s not all. With a theme of European alleyways, nature and mystical owls, there’s also a stage for music, cocktail classes, poetry readings and other special events. SEE READER, P13

January 25, 2024

READER FROM PAGE 12

The aim of Prismajic is to delight its visitors and help them get out of the real world for a while. “People love being part of this adventure of discovery,” Fox wrote. “We’ve dedicated a lot of thought and energy into making the experience both fun and exciting while also relaxing and calming. Ultimately, our goal is to have people walk out feeling better than when they walked in.” All the information you need and tickets can be found at www.prismajic.com. Virtuosic organ music comes to Lakewood

You See It, Now You Don’t,” masquerade-themed murder mystery dinner event. The party will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26. Attendees will be treated to a fourcourse prix-fixe meal featuring menu favorites and as to the mystery portion of the evening, it centers on the Stomach of the Ocean Diamond, which has somehow gone missing. It’s up to the diners and a detective to find the vanished gem before it’s too late. Masquerade masks will be available at check-in. Details and tickets can be found at www.eventbrite.com/e/murdermystery-now-you-see-it-now-youdont-tickets. Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Isaiah Rashad: Cilvia Demo 10 Year Anniversary Tour at the Fillmore

You might think you know what you’ll get with organ music, but whatever you’re expecting, it’s not how Cameron Carpenter does it. The world-renowned virtuoso composer and performer is bringing his unique approach to the instrument to the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2. A graduate of New York’s famous Julliard School, Carpenter has spent nearly two decades mesmerizing audiences with his uniquely contemporary style of playing such a traditional instrument. For his Lakewood performance, Carpenter will be drawing from the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Find information and tickets at www.Lakewood.org/LCCPresents.

No musician can know when (or if) their breakthrough moment will happen. For Chattanooga, Tennessee, rapper Isaiah Rashad, his moment came with the release of his debut Top Dog Entertainment project, “Cilvia Demo.” The artist joined labelmates like Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and SZA as a talent to watch, and in the ensuing years he’s absolutely lived up to the EP’s potential. To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the release, Rashad will be stopping by the Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St. in Denver, at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27. This is an opportunity to hear one of rap’s strongest and most slept-on voices. I recommend you take it. Get tickets at www.livenation.com.

Find the missing diamond at The Fort

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

NORTON

Have you tried turning off your system for a few minutes and then turning it back on? If so, did you come back refreshed? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can learn to reboot when we need to, we will see that everything seems a little brighter and that will lead us to a better than good life.

Guests at The Fort, 19192 Colorado 8 in Morrison, will have a little whodunnit with their dinner at the “Now

FROM PAGE 13

But our patience levels will have been restored, our outlook will have improved, and maybe, everyone around us seems better than they were before we left. Whether it’s walking away in the moment to take a pause when things seem out of sorts, catching our breath for a moment, or finally taking a day or two or a week or more off, there is always tremendous value in rebooting our own system when necessary.

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.

Memory In Loving

Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. 303-566-4100 obituaries@coloradocommunitymedia.com Self placement available online at HighlandsRanchHerald.net LoneTreeVoice.net

January 25, 2024J

Volunteers say community orchestras create more connected, well-rounded society BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

n a cold January night in a Wheat Ridge church, a large group of people traveled back in time to the 1800s — not by using new technology, but rather musical instruments. Brows furrowed and fingers fluttered as the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, made up of roughly 70 volunteer musicians, perform a composition from an 1800s opera, “Carmen.” The community orchestra is one of many in the metro Denver region that offer people an opportunity to bring their musical talents and passions to life regardless of their profession, age or background. Despite the time and work it takes to execute exceptional performances, volunteer musicians through-

out the metro region say the effort is worth it, highlighting the value of music for themselves and their communities. Chris Loring, principal violist of the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, said the orchestra brings together people who share the same passion that they’ve all had since first picking up their instruments. “And now, here we are. We have this talent that we can share with each other, and that’s really fulfilling just to put it all together and be artistic and have fun,” she said. “It’s a great sense of community.” In the southern metro region of Denver, the Littleton Symphony Orchestra shares a similar goal of upholding community, said Bill Mesa, an assistant principal percussionist in the symphony. “With any community orchestra, they want to be a part of the commu-

nity,” Mesa said. “Not just in it.” Compared to an organization like the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, which dates back to the 1950s, a relatively newer community orchestra in the metro region is the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra, founded in 2000. Katie Smith, principal oboe of the Lone Tree symphony, underlined the importance of having an orchestra in any community, whether it be Jefferson County, Littleton or Lone Tree. “Having arts organizations provides a more well-rounded community as a whole,” Smith said. “It creates a more pleasant community to live in when you have more opportunities for the arts.” The start of lifelong musical careers

For both Loring and Smith, their musical careers started at a young age with playing the piano.

Loring, a 42-year-old pet photographer and private music teacher who lives in Jefferson County, said that in sixth grade, she joined the student orchestra. Out of the roughly 25 students there, no one had signed up to play viola, a string instrument that is slightly larger than a violin and has a deeper sound. The teacher asked who in the room wanted to play viola, leading to an awkward silence, Loring recalled. “This cute boy next to me grabbed my hand, raised it up in the air, and the rest is history,” she said. “From that point forward, I really fell in love with the instrument.” She went on to the University of Northern Colorado and studied viola performance, and today, she helps teach young musicians. SEE MUSIC, P15

January 25, 2024

MUSIC FROM PAGE 14

“I love teaching for a couple of reasons. No. 1, I can have a hand in developing musicians that are going to come behind me,” Loring said. “These orchestras don’t fill up unless we have students that are learning and growing and developing a passion for something that some people might consider dorky or weird — but these kids are really, really excited about it.” Smith, a 50-year-old Highlands Ranch resident who does project work with Cigna Healthcare as her day job, said her mom was a church musician. “She started me on piano at 5 (years old) and then I apparently kept asking … what instrument I should play if I wanted to play in church,” Smith said. “She said, ‘Please play the oboe.’” Playing the oboe, a woodwind instrument, as a young child would have been a tall task, Smith said, so she initially started by playing the flute. By the end of fifth grade, however, she started the oboe. “I took to the oboe like a duck to water,” she said. Smith got her undergraduate degree in music from the University of Denver, she said. Although she had always intended to be a professional musician, when she got into college, she was encouraged to double major “so that I would at least have something to eat,” she said with a laugh. She got a minor in business and realized she did not want to pursue a professional music career, she said. “I think since I don’t do it as my primary profession, I get more enjoyment out of it as an avocation than a vocation,” Smith said. For Mesa, a 57-year-old Centennial resident, his music career started as a young boy playing drums on coffee cans that his mom discarded, he said. He recalled listening to his dad’s vinyl records that featured lots of

percussion, drawing him to the drums. “The clincher is when I first saw ‘Star Wars,’ and the music just blew me away,” Mesa said. “I thought, ‘Wow. Hear all those drums.’” Eventually, he picked up drums through public schooling and performed through college. However, he did not major in music performance. Rather, he found an interest in accounting and is now an accounting professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Highlighting the ability of community orchestras to connect people, he said some of his former students will attend the Littleton Symphony Orchestra’s concerts and come up to him afterward to catch up. “Those are all community factors. There doesn’t have to be anonymity,” he said about local performances. Discovering community orchestras

From seeing an advertisement to getting a phone call about an opening, the process of getting involved in a community orchestra can look different for everyone. Loring said she first learned about the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra when she moved to Golden around 2008, saying she saw an advertisement for it. She had been looking for an orchestra to join and had heard great things about it, she said. “It’s been around for decades, and many of the people who play in this orchestra have been here for decades,” she said. “When I joined, this was known as one of … the premier orchestras in terms of community orchestras for this area.” The orchestra, which musicians have to audition to get into, is made up of roughly 70 people ranging from college-age to post-retirement age, she said. “It’s a really great orchestra full of some insanely talented musicians. We have played repertoire that you hear from the professional symphony,” she said. SEE MUSIC, P16

Left: The Jefferson Symphony Orchestra is made up of roughly 70 volunteer musicians.

Arturo González, music director and conductor of the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, giving directions to musicians on Jan. 8, 2024, at the Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church.

Musician in the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra plays their string instrument during a PHOTOS BY TAYLER SHAW Jan. 8, 2024, rehearsal.

WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

For more photos and an additional audio portion of this story, visit coloradocommunitymedia.com/2024/01/22/local-orchestra-volunteers-music-communitysymphony.

January 25, 2024J

MUSIC FROM PAGE 15

Smith got involved in the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra around 2006 after hearing about it through a friend. When she started playing with the orchestra, they performed in a church, she recalled. Now, they perform in the Lone Tree Arts Center, which she said is an amazing opportunity that not every community orchestra has. She estimated roughly 60 musicians are in the orchestra, which requires an audition to join. “We provide excellent entertainment for the community and it’s done in a manner where it isn’t haughty,” she said. “It’s presented in a way that people really feel encouraged to go and I think they really enjoy the opportunity and they enjoy the performance.” Smith described making music with others in the symphony as both beautiful and challenging, especially if the musicians have different skill sets. “You have to be patient,” she said. Mesa got connected to the Littleton Symphony Orchestra when he got a phone call from the thenprincipal percussionist asking if he would be interested in filling in because the orchestra needed an extra person. Some time afterward, Mesa auditioned and became a regular member of the symphony about 17 years ago. “It challenged me more. It upped my game and playing because the players in the orchestra are remarkable, high caliber,” he said. “You can get some exceptional performances from the community orchestras in the Denver metro area that you live by, and you’re supporting the community.” The vision of the Littleton Symphony Orchestra, which is made up of about 50 musicians ranging in age from early 20s to upper 70s, is to provide performances that elevate the human spirit, Mesa said. “We pursue that relentlessly, knowing it’s something we’ll never accomplish,” he said. “That’s what drew me into the orchestra.” The value of music and community

Although volunteering in the symphony orchestra requires hours of practice and rehearsal, one of the most rewarding factors is making music with friends, Mesa said.

Violinists in the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra rehearsing on Jan. 8, 2024.

“There’s nothing quite like that type of effort when you have this number of people and when (a) performance pops and it sparks. And you can feel that from the audience because there is some communication between the orchestra and the audience,” he said. “It’s the best. You can’t replace it.” Community orchestras are valuable because they provide a music outlet for residents who may not have the budget to pay the higherpriced tickets to see a professional orchestra, Mesa said. “Just give the orchestra a chance,” he said. “It’s fun, and it’s live music … something we’re, I think, missing nowadays.” Smith said the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra is fortunate because it has had the support of the city since the very beginning. Similar to Mesa, Smith said being a part of any orchestra is a unique, special experience. “I think the most rewarding part of any performance is knowing that you’ve provided not only (an) escape in what you’re doing and what you’re creating — you’re also creating an experience for somebody else,” Smith said. “I think the most important thing for folks to know is that we’re here,” she added. “You don’t necessarily have to go downtown to hear the symphony.” The most challenging part about being in a community orchestra is that the volunteer musicians have

Music stands were placed throughout the Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church as PHOTOS BY TAYLER SHAW the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra rehearsed on Jan. 8, 2024.

busy lives, Loring said. Yet, the time and effort is worth it. “As a musician, the thing that I love about working in a group like this and performing is that this is the only way we get to bring to life some of the art that’s been given to this world,” Loring said. “With classical music, we have composers who wrote these incredible manuscripts, and they wrote these ideas and these concepts and these stories in notes. “And it’s up to us to translate that, and to create a story and to tell that through our music using our talents. And that, to me, is the coolest part,” she added.

Community orchestras are important to the local community for a number of reasons, Loring said. One of them is that the orchestras provide activities for residents to enjoy. Another is the opportunity the orchestra provides to the volunteers, giving musicians a chance to continue to play their instrument when maybe they otherwise would not have. “How many people stop playing because they don’t have those opportunities?” Loring said. “Orchestras, like the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, give that to people. And that’s really, really important for the community.”

January 25, 2024

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January 25, 2024Jan

Colorado Cowboy Gathering returns to Golden for poetry, music and long-distance. It draws in regular attendees from all over Colorado, plus others who drive in from Kansas, Wyoming and elsewhere, he described. Stamey, who headlined the Jan. 14 show, traveled from California himself because he loves performing in Golden every year. “It’s a neat place,” he said.

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLOROADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

If anyone can brave sub-zero temperatures and snowy conditions to put on a night-to-remember show, it’s cowboy poets and musicians. After taking a break last year, the Colorado Cowboy Gathering returned to Golden Jan. 11-14, but this time at a new venue. Or, technically two. After hosting a special membersonly show Jan. 11 at the new Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, the Colorado Cowboy Gathering held its Jan. 12-14 shows at the Buffalo Rose. During the Jan. 12 “Kickin’ It Off ” show, the place was nearly filled to the brim. From the front row to the back of the balcony, people eagerly listened to the performers’ songs and poems, which were a mix of classics and originals. Musician Lori Beth Brooke, a firsttime CCG performer from Texas, was impressed to see how packed the Buffalo Rose was on a Friday afternoon. She and the other performers described how they see each other at Western events throughout the year, so the annual Golden-based gathering feels like a family reunion. Many of the regular attendees felt similarly. Golden’s Paul Chamberlin said he and his wife Nona love seeing their friends among the performers and fellow attendees every year. “It’s a fun weekend,” Chamberlin said. “ … We’re here to try and help support it because it’s a good event. We have lots of fun, and we’ve been to most of them for the last 33 years.” Edgewater’s Judi Karg, who’s been following CCG for a few years, loves how local the event is. She also appreciates the opportunity to enjoy cowboy poetry and music, saying,

…and the skies are not cloudy all day

Musician Mike Blakely tips his hat to the audience after performing at the Jan. 12 Colorado Cowboy Gathering’s “Kickin’ It Off” show at Golden’s Buffalo Rose. Blakely, a singer-songwriter from Fredericksburg, Texas, has released 14 albums and perPHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN formed across the United States and Europe.

“It’s different. It’s not country. It’s not Western. It’s down to earth.” Give me a home where the Buffalo Rose…

The Colorado Cowboy Gathering started 35 years ago at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities and typically coincides with the National Western Stock Show. Around 2011, CCG moved to the American Mountaineering Center in downtown Golden, board member Dennis Russell said. The 2021 show was canceled because of COVID-19 but returned in January 2022. However, the organizers decided to forgo last year’s show, with Russell describing how everyone needed a

break. For 2024, the organizers wanted to keep the shows in Golden but find a bigger venue, Russell continued. So, the Buffalo Rose seemed like a good choice. “The town wants us here, and we want to be here,” Russell said, adding how welcoming the Chamber of Commerce, the city and residents have been. Dave Stamey, a singer/songwriter who’s been performing at CCG for 15-plus years, described how CCG has changed since he started performing while it was still at the Arvada Center. He said CCG continues to develop a very loyal audience, both locally

For the uninitiated, Russell emphasized how the Colorado Cowboy Gathering doesn’t showcase the country music one hears on the radio, but rather songs and poems — whether original or traditional — about the cowboy lifestyle. Russell, a poet and singer/songwriter, said he writes about his life keeping cows and horses in southern Colorado. Many of his fellow performers had similar experiences, like Miska Paget who shared poems about being a veterinarian or Brooke who shared her yodeling, accordion-playing and songwriting skills. While she’s been playing accordion since second grade, Brooke started yodeling about 20 years ago. She said it’s about emphasizing the break in one’s voice that one normally covers up, but people can practice how to yodel versus sing. While she only performed 10 minutes during the Jan. 12 show, she expected a full slate for the Jan. 13-14 shows. But, she hoped to perform at CCG again if invited. Finally, Russell wanted newcomers to know CCG is family-friendly and features about 20 of the very best cowboy and cowgirl performers in the country. “They have to come,” Russell said of those who’ve never attended a show. “ … After one time, they’re hooked.”

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January 25, 2024

Tips on filling out the new Better FAFSA BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

The rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid has been anything but smooth. Technology issues have frustrated families since the federal government’s Dec. 31 soft launch of the FAFSA, which is usually available in October. The Better FAFSA, as the new form is known, has been redesigned to include fewer questions. The federal government intends it to be faster for students to fill out, leading to higher completion rates. But there have been technical difficulties. “The form is simpler,” said MorraLee Keller, senior director of strategic programming at the National College Attainment Network, a non-

profit focused on increasing college access and attainment, especially among students of color and those from low-income backgrounds. “I think the user experience of getting into the form is maybe the tougher hurdle.” Issues have included the new application only being available for limited hours. Families and students have gotten stuck waiting for screens to load and have reported difficulty submitting the form. It’s left families anxious after months of waiting for the form, because the FAFSA is a crucial part of the college-going process. Filling out the FAFSA opens up student aid, scholarships, and grants. The potential financial help gives families an idea of which college or university they can afford. After the rocky launch, counselors from inside and outside of Colorado

provided tips on successfully filling out the Better FAFSA. The federal government said in a news release it’s addressed issues that have made the experience difficult. It will continue to make technical updates as needed. The new Better FAFSA comes after years of advocates calling for a simplified FAFSA to cut down the number of questions on the form. This year, the federal government made it happen by cutting the number of questions from over a hundred to under 20 for most people. Fewer questions should mean an easier form that takes less time to complete. The federal government also says more students will be eligible for federal student aid because of expanded income eligibility. The federal government announced on

Monday the form is now accessible 24 hours a day. The government says the form should take about an hour, but make sure you aren’t in a rush. Clear your schedules for a few hours, just in case. Families and students can also return to the form if they run into issues by saving their progress. Should families wait to fill out the form?

This depends on who you ask. While the U.S. Department of Education has said families have plenty of time, Keller said families should do it as soon as possible. About half of all families who fill out the FAFSA typically do so from October to December, and the delay means less SEE FAFSA TIPS, P22

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January 25, 2024Jan

Tips to driving in snowy and icy conditions in Colorado BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

ing to call for assistance in dangerous conditions,” McKinley said.

With colder temperatures comes snow blanketing the streets. The roads can be slippery and dangerous for Colorado drivers – new and native to the state. Experts say it’s important to be prepared for the difficult task of driving in the winter. Colorado AAA says following a few tips can help keep drivers safe when traveling in the harsh winter climate. “The first sustained, major weather event is always a useful reminder to Coloradans, regardless of whether you grew up here or if you’re new to town, to brush up on winter driving fundamentals: Slow down, don’t tailgate, and don’t slam on the gas or brakes,” Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs, said.

Driving on icy roads

Prepare the vehicle

Colorado AAA encourages drivers to test their batteries and electrical systems, check all fluid levels, including antifreeze, transmission fluid, brake fluid and engine oil and make sure all lights operate properly. Additionally, AAA advises people to inspect their tires, brakes, windshields and windshield wiper fluid. “Remember, too, that four-wheel drive does not mean four-wheel stop. We’ve had to winch out many top-of-the-line trucks and SUVs, many equipped with winter tires, simply because their drivers were going too fast for the conditions,” McKinley said. “Still, as with any storm, the majority of our calls were related to dead batteries, flat tires

Driving in the snow can be scary if drivers don’t take precautions. Colorado AAA offers a lot of tips to keep all drivers safe in and out of the mountains. PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY

and engine operability, and most of those were from folks who were already safe at home.” Keep an emergency kit

For those unlucky enough to end up stranded, whether by sliding off the road or getting stuck in traffic during a closure, Colorado AAA encourages drivers to keep an emergency kit in their cars. “Keep an emergency kit in your car with tire chains, abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, small shovel, flashlight with extra batteries, ice scraper, rags or paper towels, flares or other warning devices, booster cables and a first aid kit,” Colorado AAA said. Drivers should bring blankets, jackets, hats and gloves for them-

selves and passengers. People should also pack water and snacks, such as energy bars, and bring pet food if they’re traveling with fourlegged friends. “Finally, remember that an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure. Your battery likely tried to warn you it wasn’t up to the task of starting your engine in sub-zero temperatures, likely through dimming headlights or sluggish starts in warmer weather,” McKinley said. McKinley said by addressing issues drivers will be more prepared for the conditions and any emergency situations they may accrue. “By addressing all those issues when they first come up, you can help make our roads safer, and significantly reduce your odds of need-

When driving on icy roads, Colorado AAA advises that people slow down and be careful when accelerating, turning or braking, doing all gradually. “Adjust your speed to the road conditions and leave yourself ample room to stop. Allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you,” the company advises. People also shouldn’t tailgate, they need to watch the traffic ahead of them, avoid unnecessarily changing lanes and use extreme caution on bridges and overpasses. “Black ice typically forms first in shaded areas of the roadway and on bridges and overpasses that freeze first and melt last,” McKinley said. “Although the road leading up to a bridge may be fine, the bridge itself could be a sheet of ice.” Crystal Essman, a crime prevention specialist for Englewood Police Department, said it’s important for people to make sure they slow down and increase their distance from other cars. “Increase your following distance enough so that you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you,” Essman said. “Don’t crowd a snowplow. Snow plows travel slowly, make wide turns, stop often, overlap lanes and exit the road frequently.” She also encourages people to make sure their children are secure in the proper car seat and that those seats are installed correctly.

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FAFSA TIPS FROM PAGE 19

time with counselors who can help with the logistics. Although colleges won’t get students’ FAFSA information until February, many students need the FAFSA for other scholarships and free financial aid opportunities. “You need to attempt to get your FAFSA completed as quickly as possible,” Keller said. Families should ready their documents

Despite the rocky start, the federal

January 25, 2024Jan government announced over one million students have filled out the form since its launch. Families and students who plan to fill out the form should be ready. Families should gather student and parent Social Security or Anumbers and financial documents such as bank and savings accounts or investment information. Need help? Check with a counselor

Many schools will begin holding FAFSA nights in the coming weeks. If you’re in the Denver area, Natasha Garfield, Denver Scholarship Foundation’s director of scholarships, said the foundation will be

holding several information sessions. The FAFSA events are a chance for families and students to connect with counselors who can give advice and answer questions. Garfield said parents and students shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to counselors even if they don’t go to an event. Counselors across the state are paying attention to communication from the federal government about glitches in the system. Families can also reach out to the Federal Student Aid helpdesk to troubleshoot problems, Garfield said.

When will families hear from schools?

The federal government will send out the information to colleges and universities in February, Keller said. Families should receive information from schools about potential financial aid information by late February or in March as long as nothing gets delayed, Keller said. “Students will have their information hopefully by this spring to be able to make their decisions for next year,” she said. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

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Solution

TRIVIA 1. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the last name of Ken, who was Barbie’s boyfriend? 2. TELEVISION: In the sitcom “The Office,” the company is in which U.S. city? 3. GEOGRAPHY: In which country is The Matterhorn located? 4. MUSIC: Which 1990s group was the singer Beyonce a part of? 5. U.S. STATES: In which state is Monument Valley located? 6. LITERATURE: In which children’s book do the characters Tweedledee and Tweedledum appear? 7. MATH: In Roman numerals, what is XLVIII divided by XII? 8. MEDICAL: What is a common name for polythelia? 9. CHEMISTRY: How many elements are listed on the Periodic Table? 10. MOVIES: What is the year of the Olympics in the movie “Chariots of Fire”?

Answers 1. His full name is Kenneth Sean Carson. 2. Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. Switzerland. 4. Destiny’s Child. 5. Arizona. 6. “Through the Looking-Glass.” 7. IV (Four). 8. Having an extra nipple, which affects about 1%-5% of the population. 9. 118. 10. 1924. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Crossword Solution

January 25, 2024

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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. 2023-0193 To Whom It May Concern: On 11/28/2023 9:05:00 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: NADIA E. ALONSO Original Beneficiary: BELLCO CREDIT UNION Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: BELLCO CREDIT UNION Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 9/17/2021 Recording Date of DOT: 9/23/2021 Reception No. of DOT: 2021109370 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $76,500.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $77,379.43 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 290, HIGHLANDS RANCH - FILING NO. 122-G, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO. Which has the address of: 10334 Hunterwood Way, 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, March 20, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended. First Publication: 1/25/2024 Last Publication: 2/22/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Dated: 11/28/2023 DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: ALISON L. BERRY Colorado Registration #: 34531 9540 MAROON CIRCLE SUITE 320, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990 Fax #: (303) 706-9994 Attorney File #: 23-030797 *YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/ Legal Notice No. 2023-0193 First Publication: 1/25/2024 Last Publication: 2/22/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press PUBLIC NOTICE Littleton NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0198 To Whom It May Concern: On 11/28/2023 9:26:00 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: Ha Nguyen and Nang Long Original Beneficiary: Credit Union of Colorado Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Credit Union of Colorado Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 6/7/2022 Recording Date of DOT: 6/13/2022 Reception No. of DOT: 2022041713 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $195,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $195,252.62 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 installment payments of principal, interest, taxes and/or insurance as provided for in the Revolving Credit Deed of Trust and Credit Agreement. 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 177, Highlands Ranch Filing No. 122-G, County of Douglas, State of Colorado Which has the address of: 4575 Hunterwood Drive, Littleton, 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, March 20, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as

legals@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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: 1/25/2024 Last Publication: 2/22/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Dated: 11/28/2023 DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: IMAN TEHRANI Colorado Registration #: 44076 514 KIMBARK STREET: P.O. BOX 298 , LONGMONT, COLORADO 80502-0298 Phone #: Fax #: Attorney File #: Long

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended. First Publication: 1/25/2024 Last Publication: 2/22/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press

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

Dated: 11/28/2023 DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

Legal Notice No. 2023-0198 First Publication: 1/25/2024 Last Publication: 2/22/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press

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

PUBLIC NOTICE Littleton NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0197 To Whom It May Concern: On 11/28/2023 9:26:00 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: John L. Davalos Original Beneficiary: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as Beneficiary, as nominee for Sovereign Lending Group Incorporated, its successors and assigns Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Freedom Mortgage Corporation Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 11/12/2021 Recording Date of DOT: 11/19/2021 Reception No. of DOT: 2021129594 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $681,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $673,167.90 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 150, CHATFIELD FARMS FILING NO. 1-B, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO. Which has the address of: 10515 Cross Country Ln, 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.

HEATHER DEERE Colorado Registration #: 28597 355 UNION BLVD SUITE 250, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228 Phone #: (303) 274-0155 Fax #: Attorney File #: CO22528 *YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/ Legal Notice No. 2023-0197 First Publication: 1/25/2024 Last Publication: 2/22/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press PUBLIC NOTICE Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0194 To Whom It May Concern: On 11/28/2023 9:24:00 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: DONALD R ERMEL Original Beneficiary: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 5/27/2015 Recording Date of DOT: 5/28/2015 Reception No. of DOT: 2015034703 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $195,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $152,280.45 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 33A-C, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING

NO. 121-B, 4TH AMENDMENT, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO Which has the address of: 1235 Carlyle Park Cir, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129-5668 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, March 20, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended. First Publication: 1/25/2024 Last Publication: 2/22/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Dated: 11/28/2023 DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: DAVID R DOUGHTY Colorado Registration #: 40042 9540 MAROON CIRCLE SUITE 320, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990 Fax #: (303) 706-9994 Attorney File #: 23-031247 *YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/ Legal Notice No. 2023-0194 First Publication: 1/25/2024 Last Publication: 2/22/2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press

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Public notices are a community’s window into the government. From zoning regulations to local budgets, governments have used local newspapers to inform citizens of its actions as an essential part of your right to know. You know where to look, when to look and what to look for to be involved as a citizen. Local newspapers provide you with the information you need to get involved.

Notices are meant to be noticed. Read your public notices and get involved!

Highlands Ranch Legals January 25, 2024 * 1

January 25, 2024Jan

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM DON’T LET YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPERS GO SILENT. A recent report said local newspapers are closing at a rate of 2.5 per week. Newsroom layoffs are up 20% from last year. Some outlets laid off more than 10% of their staff in the last few months — even as we head into a critical election year. These are devastating numbers. But all is not lost. We’re committed to bringing the news to Coloradans. That’s because you deserve access to local, independent journalism that keeps you connected and informed — especially during challenging times. This is #newsCOneeds.

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