Lone Tree Voice April 25, 2024

Douglas County suing state over immigration law

El Paso joining in fight about communication with federal authorities

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas and El Paso counties are suing Colorado over laws that prevent local law enforcement agencies from working with federal immigration o cers, arguing the ban hurts public safety.

Two laws, passed by state lawmakers in 2019 and 2023, prevent police from being able to arrest or detain people for civil immigration violations, as well as share information or have agreements with federal immigration agencies.

“We see it as the duty of the county to push back against these state laws that prohibit us from working with federal authorities to keep Douglas County and our communities safe,”

Douglas County Commissioner George Teal said, anked by other

county o cials in a news conference.

Douglas County Undersheri David Walcher said the laws tie the hands of deputies and hinder enforcement, noting the sheri ’s ofce has the ability to work with every other federal agency, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“What we need is communication and cooperation and, probably most important, information,” Walcher said. “I’d really like to see more information sharing so we can act upon what we learn from our federal partners and they can learn from us.”

Walcher said the sheri ’s o ce should be able to share public information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including jail rosters and information pertinent to public safety.

“Shame on the State of Colorado for telling Douglas County and Sheri (Darren) Weekly how to run his jail,” he said. “If the State of Colorado wants to enhance public safety in our communities, they need to enhance penalties for things like car thefts, crimes with deadly weapons,

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people who elude the police. at helps us.”

County o cials couldn’t say how many migrants are in the county. Teal claimed state laws prevent the county from knowing a total count.

But Commissioner Abe Laydon suggested that some of the migrants, initially dropped o by o cials in Texas in Denver, may have moved across county lines. Some 40,000 migrants have been bused to Denver and o ered assistance by city agencies, according to Denver.

“ inking that 40,000 people can be bused here and not somehow bleed into Douglas County is not common sense,” he said.

o cers believe the kidnapping stemmed from a debt. Weekly said it was an isolated incident, and not a random attack.

e lawsuit, led in the Denver District Court, seeks to prohibit limitations on local government cooperation with federal agencies, asking a judge to nd House Bill 19-1124andHouse Bill 23-1100 are unconstitutional.

Douglas County Attorney Je Garcia, who is con dent the suit will be successful, said the outcome could bene t the state and the country.

Laydon said some migrants could pose a threat. He pointed to an incident in April 2023 where a man was abducted from a park and ride in Lone Tree by two men, who Layden said are Venezuelan migrants. e man was able to escape and police arrested Brandon Graterol-Castro and Deivis Jose Chavez Pinto, charging them with kidnapping, assault and motor vehicle theft.

According to a 9News report,

“We hope to create an environment where local governments and the state can once again cooperate with the federal government and address a national crisis,” Garcia said. “We hope that by the work we do, we’re giving everyone a blueprint on how we can address a national problem.”

Commissioner Lora omas said the goal is to give law enforcement as many “tools” as possible.

“What I see in Denver is not what I want to see in Douglas County,” omas said.

Douglas County Undersheri David Walcher speaks at a press conference announcing a lawsuit against the state for laws that prevent law enforcement agencies from working with federal immigration o cers. COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY

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Improvements in Laundry Machines Is Unending. Introducing Heat Pump Dryers

Over the last 20 years, I have listed many homes on the MLS, and when doing so it’s important to list the energy and water-saving appliances of the home in the MLS. Advertising a “high efficiency washer and dryer” became more and more common.

But now there are three generations of high efficiency that I can think of.

20 years ago, high efficiency meant front-loading. This reduced the amount of water needed compared to the old top-loading washers. New detergents were introduced for them.

Then, unexpectedly, a top-loading machine with no agitator took the title. Who knew that you could clean clothes that way? The washing machine saved water because it sensed the amount of clothes in the machine and adjusted the water use accordingly.

But what about the clothes dryer?

Over the years you really could only choose between gas dryers and electric dryers, although I loved to point out the “solar dryer” in the backyard — a clothesline for drying clothes outdoors. Meanwhile, it has always bothered me

how much hot air a dryer exhausts to the outdoors in the dead of winter instead of using that heat inside the house. An analog solution to that is the indoor lint trap. It is filled with water which traps the lint, and the warm air is exhausted into the room. The device is typically used when a vent to the exterior of the house is unavailable, but you might choose to use one because you want to capture the dryer’s heat instead of sending it outdoors. Remember, too, that the air which your home exhausts must be replaced by outside air coming in through cracks, bathroom/kitchen exhaust piping, etc. So you are not only losing that heat in the winter, you are drawing in cold air from outside. There are multiple solutions to this dilemma. In addition to using the lint trap described above (in which case you’ll want to seal the exhaust pipe to outdoors), you can replace your existing dryer with what’s called a condensing dryer, typically using a heat pump instead of gas or traditional resistancebased electrical heating.

A condensing dryer has the ability to keep the heat within your house through

internal processing. It’s also called a ventless dryer. Google it to learn more and to see where you can buy them (everywhere) and what they cost.

Heat pump dryers use less electricity than conventional dryers because they use an evaporator to remove the moisture and then recycle the warm air so they don't have to heat the ambient air again.

Because a heat pump dryer is ductless, you don’t have to worry about lint buildup in the vent pipe, which could lead to a fire. There are 13,000 household fires caused by clothes dryers every year in the U.S.

Because heat pump dryers are ductless, they can be installed in any room. Perhaps you’d like to have one in your walk-in closet or ensuite bathroom.

A secondary benefit is that because heat pump dryers operate at a lower temperature, your clothes will last longer.

If you want to save space and don’t like stackable washers/dryers, you can buy an all-in-one machine that does both.

TheCoolDown.com offers other suggestions for saving energy and water, and reducing your personal carbon footprint. The single biggest savings is by using cold water unless absolutely necessary.

Also, dryer sheets and fabric softeners, they say, work by adding petroleumbased chemicals to your clothing, which can cause eczema. Dryer balls are a onetime purchase that work better. (We use them.)

We buy detergent in gallon-size plastic jugs, but they suggest buying powder instead since it’s questionable whether that jug, made from petroleum, will be recycled, even if you put it in the your recycling cart.

This article and the one below appeared in last week’s Denver Post column.

You’d be amazed how many older building materials included asbestos. If you disturb asbestos, making it airborne, you endanger the health of yourself, your workers and your children.

Because asbestos doesn’t burn, it was used to wrap pipes and ductwork in older homes, and in other less obvious materials. If your home has popcorn ceilings which you want to remove, you should definitely test for asbestos first.

Asbestos is also present in older adhesives used with vinyl flooring. Older gas fireplaces had inserts made of asbestos. It is also found in older roof shin-

gles and siding, in certain Chinese drywall boards, in vermiculite insulation, and in some ceiling tiles.

Although asbestos materials are safe when left alone, disturbing them can be hazardous. See my post of this at http:// RealEstateToday.substack.com for useful links on this topic.

Archive of Past Columns Is Online

Over the past two decades this column has appeared in the Denver Post, and during that time I’ve written about every conceivable topic related to real estate, You can find and search that archive online at www.JimSmithColumns.com

Valley Hope Rehab in Parker to expand, reduce wait lists

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For many, a co ee mug is just a co ee mug. But for clients at Valley Hope Addiction Treatment and Recovery in Parker, a mug represents a turning point in their lives.

“ is place is so dear to my heart,” said Micki Gallagher, clinical program director. “Getting into recovery has opened up doors in my life that I never thought possible.”

When patients complete the 30 day program, they decorate a co ee mug that often includes the date of their sobriety. e mugs are then hung on a mantel. After one year of sobriety, the person can come back and pick up their mug.

“ ey also get the chance to stand in front of the current addiction group and talk about the struggles and success of their rst year of sobriety,” said Scott Spielman, executive director. “It’s really powerful to the current group and just a really neat process.”

To honor those who have lost their lives, a black ribbon is placed on a mug handle.

Valley Hope Addiction Treatment and Recovery in Parker, a nonpro t organization and is nationally accredited, has helped adults through drug and alcohol issues since 1989 with an individualized residential treatment program.

With a treatment approach that blends the 12-step philosophy with innovative clinical methods, the program involves medical detox, therapy, addiction education, relapse prevention planning and longterm recovery strategies.

e organization also holds renewal days once a month where alumni of the program — ranging from one year to 20 years of sobriety — come in and share their stories with the current treatment group.

“ e kinds of things you can say to people in just a half a minute conversation can impact their lives for the rest of their lives,” said Gallagher.

For Gallagher, those words came in 2002. ey were, “Come right now.” at’s when Gallagher was struggling with addiction issues. She was often hospitalized and, one of those times, a social worker at the hospital mentioned Valley Hope. inking about the day someone at Valley Hope told her to come immediately brings tears to Gallagher’s

eyes.

“Coming in the door here, it was the rst place I had ever gone that cared for me,” said Gallagher. “ ey treated me with respect. ey treated me as a human being, which I learned later is a core tenet of Valley Hope, that we treat human beings, we don’t treat addicts.”

After recovery, Gallagher became a certi ed addiction counselor and began training at Valley Hope saying it was the rst job she had where it didn’t feel like work. In 2004, Gallegher began to see the organization from other angles as she went on to be an admissions counselor, a residential counselor and an outpatient counselor before becoming the clinical program director.

“I got to give back to people the things that were given to me,” said Gallagher.

Gallagher said since she began working at Valley Hope, there has always been talk of expansion. Nearly 20 years later, the $17 million expansion and renovation project to expand the availability of substance use disorder treatment services in the Denver area is nearing completion.

e expansion aims to improve efciencies of treatment services, reduce the wait list for admissions, improve safety and help more people.

Due to the demand for services and lack of recovery room detox beds, the expansion will include a new detox wing that will have 16 beds, doubling the amount of beds, as well as a living/dining area and a nursing station. e wing will continue to have 24/7 nursing and a physician.

e average detoxi cation can take three to ve days, said Spielman, but it also depends on what the individual is detoxing o of. Valley Hope provides medically-monitored detoxi cation as symptoms can be severe.

“It’s an essential rst step of healing from addiction that allows the person to focus on treatment,” said Spielman. “To be able to provide everything in one setting, I think is ideal.”

In addition to a centralized nursing station, the Parker location will be adding 14 residential beds, bringing it to a total of 54 beds, in which two rooms are being made to be compliant with the American with Disabilities Act.

Other renovations include the remodeling of the kitchen, dining room area, counseling and therapy rooms, community room, non-denominal chapel and the wellness room will include yoga and tness equipment. e organization plans

to upgrade outdoor and amenity spaces.

e great room will have some leisure and recreation activity, however it is currently functioning as their lecture hall.

“We do cognitive behavioral and process groups, gender groups, but we also do lectures, educational, motivational and engagement,” said Spielman.

After 30 days, patients will get referrals to outside resources such as an outpatient treatment in Centennial that o ers intensive outpatient treatment, sober living facilities and more.

Spielman said the organization has discounted rates, contracted payments with insurance and patient scholarships that are often contributed by alumni.

“One of our primary focuses is trying to meet people where they’re at,” said Spielman. “We’ll do everything we can if someone knocks on the door and says ‘I need help and I’m ready’ we’ll gure it out one way or another.”

Valley Hope also has family programs and specialized treatment for women and children or who are pregnant.

“Recovery will change your life in ways you have no idea,” said Gallagher.

Valley Hope Addiction Treatment and Recovery in Parker provides 30 days of residential treatment for those struggling with drugs or alcohol. Once patients complete the program, they can decorate a co ee mug. The mugs are hung up on a mantel and after one year of sobriety, the person can come back and pick up their mug.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

UCHealth partners with neurotech company CIONIC

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

UCHealth patients with mobility impairments due to a neurological diagnosis are now able to try the rst FDA-cleared bionic piece of clothing, the CIONIC Neural Sleeve created by CIONIC neurotech company, which helps facilitate walking and moving the legs.

e CIONIC Neural Sleeve – recognized by TIME Best Inventions, the Digital Hub Awards and more – enables those with mobility impairments, such as from multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, or strokes, to move with more comfort.

Dr. Enrique Alvarez, assistant medical director of neurology at UCHealth University of Colorado, said devices such as the sleeve are

The CIONIC Neural Sleeve, recognized by TIME Best Inventions, the Digital Hub Awards and more, is the first FDA-cleared bionic piece of clothing to help those with mobility impairments, such as from multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, or strokes, to move with more comfort.

used to help people stay active.

e CIONIC Centers for Excellence allows UCHealth patients to get a sense for the device with physical therapists who have been trained with the equipment. While it’s currently available at the Anschutz campus, depending on the interest, Alvarez said the idea is to expand the device to locations such as Highlands Ranch.

Inspired by his daughter’s mobility impairment, CIONIC Founder and CEO Jeremiah Robison wanted to explore what technology could do for similar patients.

“Our goal was to take technologies that were e ective for my daughter’s mobility in a clinical setting and integrate them into clothing that would extend those bene ts to her

COURTESY

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Fate of nearly $1M for youth programs still to be decided

ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

About 10% of the $1 million Douglas County received as a payout after the sale of the Denver Broncos could go to improve mental health in schools — or other youth support that teen advisers may advocate for. Commissioner Abe Laydon said some young people expressed desire for a “dedicated mental health space” in schools.

“ e concept is very simple: If you have a broken arm, you go to the nurse’s o ce. If you have a tough mental health day, you have a space where you can go and get better,” Laydon said at a recent meeting.

Local youth were tapped for input as o cials weighed how to distribute the county’s slice of revenue triggered by the 2022 sale of the Broncos. e county’s payout stems from a tax plan in metro Denver that helped build Mile High Stadium, now called Empower Field at Mile High.

After teens expressed their preferences, Douglas County o cials routed the funding to support a long list of youth activities programs.

But about $110,000 of the funding remains unallocated, and county o cials have said they’ll spend the money on mental health programming since their youth advisers identi ed that topic as their top priority.

at could look like a space for peer support, where older students mentor younger students, talking peer to peer about mental health struggles, Laydon said as an example. Such spaces sometimes o er iPads or therapy dogs and can help people decompress, he added.

A couple organizations have inquired about the funding, according to county sta , who discussed other options with the county commissioners.

At the meeting, commissioners did not decide where the money should go. Instead, they threw the question back to theirteen advisers for more discussion.

e district is a government body that was created for the purpose of planning, acquiring land and constructing Mile High Stadium. It was authorized to collect a sales tax of one-tenth of 1% throughout the district’s area from 2001 through 2011.

e recent funding for youth activities comes from the $4.65 billion sale of the Denver Broncos to the WaltonPenner Group, which resulted in a $41 million refund to the seven counties and 40 municipalities that helped fund the stadium.

e funds were to be shared with Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broom eld, Denver, Douglas, and Je erson counties and the cities and towns within them. Douglas County received about $940,000.

From organizations seeking a piece of the Broncos sale funding in Douglas, the county received 45 grant requests that totaled about $1.8 million. at means the youth advisers and county o cials had to gure out how to whittle the size of the requested funding down by about half.

Metro Safety Foundation

• erapy camp for families with disabilities, a program from Colorado Institute of Developmental Pediatrics Inc., also called Adam’s Camp

• And mental health training from an organization called Happy Crew.

For a full list of programs that received funding, see the county’s webpage at tinyurl.com/DouglasBroncosFunds.

e youth commission and Douglas County Youth Initiative reviewed the proposals and recommended about $830,000 in funding, leaving about $110,000 remaining.

County commissioners presented the checks during a meeting in late January.

Looking forward

County o cials had announced in January that the remaining money would “be retained for future investments in innovative mental health programming.”

At the meeting of county o cials in April,George Teal, one of the county’s other two elected leaders, said he wanted to hear from the youth commission again about how to spend thefunding. He also noted that the county leaders can still make the nal decision on what to spend on.

Where money has gone so far Made up of young people, the Douglas County Youth Commission advises the county’s elected leaders on matters pertaining to youth and teens.

e timeline for deciding how to spend the money isn’t clear.

As one of seven counties in the Metropolitan Football Stadium District, Douglas County was awarded the funds that, legally, must be used for youth activities programs, according to the county.

Out of the 45 grant requests, 31 youth activity programs won funding. Some of those include:

• A “Save Teen Lives - Teen Crash Avoidance” program from the South

“Important to note that there is no deadline imposed by e Stadium District for the expenditure of the funds,” a county spokesperson told the Douglas County News-Press.

Representatives of organizations that received funding triggered by the sale of the Denver Broncos stand with the Douglas County commissioners at a Jan. 23 meeting in Castle Rock. COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY

Mountain Vista baseball dominates Legend for third straight victory

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Mountain Vista’s baseball team doesn’t look the same as the one that started the season.

e Golden Eagles haven’t added any new players to the roster but the team suddenly is playing better and stacking wins.

Mountain Vista began the season with a 1-4-1 record and was 2-6-1 after nine games with three losses to Colorado teams.

On April 15, Vista opened Continental League play with a game at Legend. e Titans were a solid 8-3 record heading into the contest.

Vista used a combination of solid pitching with timely hitting to defeat the Titans 11-3 and improve their overall record to 5-7-1 following their third consecutive victory.

“We didn’t have the start of the season that we wanted,” admitted Vista Head Coach Ron Quintana. “We’re real motivated right now. I’d like to say we’ve gured it out but we haven’t. We have to work hard and keep grinding. Our league is tough. It was only game one in our league.”

Starting pitcher Grant Shepardson gave up only one hit in ve innings. e hard-throwing senior right-hander whose fastball has been clocked at 98 mph surrendered an in eld hit to Cannon Lutz in the fourth inning.

Shepardson, a University of San Francisco commit, struck out nine batters but walked three in the third

After Refacing

inning and was touched for an unearned run on a throwing error.

Cameron Krosbakken and Alex King each pitched an inning of relief for Vista and each allowed a run.

“Grant pitched well,” said Quintana. “Anytime he’s on the mound, we have a chance. We made some plays behind him and got some big hits from the guys (four doubles, two triples). We left a lot of runners on base (12). So we have some work to do.”

Caleb Giampetro had a double and a triple and nished with three runs batted in for the Golden Eagles. Andrew Be el had two hits, an RBI and scored twice.

Vista catcher Spike Magill led o the game with a ground-rule double and scored a run in the three-run rst inning for the Golden Eagles. Vista sent 12 batters to the plate and scored six times in the fourth inning.

“It’s really like we have to get after it in practice,” said Magill. “We had some bad games but you have to bounce back and work your tail o . is win over Legend gets the mental game right. Grant Shepardson gets on the mound and gives us the con dence we need. You get a good guy on the mound and you just get in the box and hit the ball hard.”

Legend collected only four hits during the game; one of them was a solo home run by Silas Meoli in the sixth.

For updated schedules and records, search both teams on MaxPreps.com.

The Mountain Vista Golden Eagles began the season 1-4-1 but have recently won three consecutive games to improve to 5-7-1. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL SHEPARDSON

South Suburban director promises transparent process to fill vacancy

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e South Suburban Park and Recreation District is kicking o a process to ll a vacancy after its board chairperson, Susan Pye, suddenly resigned Wednesday.

e process for lling the vacancy will di er from the last time the board was in the situation, with the addition of interviews and publicly available candidate applications. e changes follow criticisms the district faced regarding transparency during its vacancy process in 2023, following the unexpected death of board member Dave Lawful. is time around, spokesperson Becky Grubb said the district will post completed applications in advance of candidate interviews, which will be conducted publicly.

South Suburban Executive Director Rob Hanna said the board decided to

add public interviews in response to community concerns.

“ e board consciously responded to community feedback asking for a more transparent process,” he said. “As a result, the board is calling a special meeting to publicly interview all interested parties to ensure the focus is on candidate quali cations.”

According to the district’s bylaws and state law, any vacancy occurring on a special district board shall be lled by a vote of the remaining board members. e selected candidate will serve the remainder of Pye’s term, which ends in 2025, according to the district.

At the board’s April 17 meeting, Vice Chair Pam Eller read a statement announcing the resignation of Pye, who was not present at the meeting, Grubb said. A press release from the district said Pye chose to step away from her role to focus on her health.

During Pye’s time on the board, she

supported the renovation of three outdoor pools, the opening of the South Suburban Sports Complex and the completion of the 2022 Master Plan Update, according to the district.

e Centennial Citizen has attempted to reach Pye for comment.

Applications for the board seat will be available on the district’s website on April 19 and must be submitted by interested candidates by 5 p.m. on May 15. After reviewing applications, the board will publicly interview all candidates at a special meeting at 6 p.m. on May 22.

Grubb said the completed candidate applications will be posted in the board packet for the May 22 meeting.

At the conclusion of the interviews, board members will vote on a person to ll the vacancy. Grubb said the board expects to swear in the new board member at its June 12 regular meeting.

e Board of Directors is composed

of ve members who serve staggered four-year terms, with a term limit of eight years, the district’s website says.

e board governs the 46-square-mile district that includes Littleton, Sheridan, Lone Tree, and parts of Centennial, Douglas County, Je erson County and Arapahoe County.

To be eligible to serve on the board, a candidate must be registered to vote in Colorado. ey also must be a resident of the district, own taxable property in the district or be married to or in a civil union with someone who owns taxable property in the district.

Candidates can submit applications via email to jking@ssprd.org, or via mail or in person to the South Suburban Sports Complex at 4810 East County Line Road. Mailed applications should be addressed to Attn: Jennifer King, 4810 East County Line Road, Littleton, CO 80126.

Cultivating Community Health & Wellness

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CIONIC

everyday life,” said Robison. “Wearable medical devices that power coordinated care across clinical settings at home and on the go are the future of healthcare.”

UCHealth University of Colorado, along with Craig Hospital and Neuro Physical erapy, are the rst

in Colorado to join the CIONIC Centers for Excellence network, which provides neurological medical centers, like UCHealth, with exclusive training and access to the sleeve in the clinical care of patients.

When it comes to treatment for an autoimmune disease like multiple sclerosis, doctors tend to focus on comprehensive care, Alvarez said.  “Because there’s a lot of facets that kind of go on with the disease,” said

Alvarez, who is also an associate of neuroimmunology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and is the vice chair of clinical research for the department.

While there are various modifying therapies, which include certain drugs, when the disease hits the progressive stage, it’s harder to slow down. When damage accumulates, Alvarez said the focus turns to symptom management.

In addition to ensuring the patient’s pain is under control, management also involves getting enough sleep, monitoring their spasms and mobility.

“What’s very clear is that staying active is probably the best medicine we have for that stage of the disease or after an attack,” said Alvarez.

When one of Alvarez’s patients came in wearing the sleeve last year, he became intrigued.  e sleeve delivers Functional Electrical Stimulation to activate muscles in the leg and improve walking in realtime. It uses algorithms to sense and

analyze a person’s movement and the sleeve uses sensors to measure the ring patterns of individual muscles and the resultant position of the leg during movement.

“When you have patients that have these disabilities, part of the issue is sometimes there’s some weakness and they [the sleeves] work by trying to sense when you’re about to take a step and then can zap the nerve that goes to the muscles to kind of activate those muscles,” Alvarez said.

Another aspect that stood out for Alvarez was the ability for patients to adjust the device in order to stimulate muscles in di erent parts of the leg.

Since the CIONIC demo, Alvarez has joined the tech company’s scienti c advisory board and has had patients nd the product helpful.

“ e part I liked about it is it collects information as much as it helps with walking,” said Alvarez. “So trying to kind of gure out what we can learn from it, can we start to measure certain things that we can’t measure right now?”

Fri 4/26

6 Million Dollar Band @ 6pm Pindustry, 7939 E Arapahoe Rd, Centen‐nial

Tinsley Ellis “Naked Truth” Tour at Daniels Hall at Swallow Hill Music @ 7pm

Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Sat 4/27

South Platte Renew's River Clean-Up 2024 @ 8am

Mickey Darling @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Sun 4/28

Manion WOD - Colorado Spartan's @ 9am / $34-$40

13930 Ancestry Dr, Parker

Modern Swing Mondays 2024 @ 6pm / $10

Stampede, Aurora

Wed 5/01

Thu 5/02

ARTS: Music & Movement @ Harvard Gulch @ 2:30pm

May 2nd - May 23rd

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

ARTS: Mini Picasso @ Harvard Gulch @ 3pm

May 2nd - May 23rd

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

ARTS: Preschool Pottery @ Harvard Gulch @ 4:15pm

May 2nd - May 23rd

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

Sanguisugabogg @ 5pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Whitney Peyton @ 6pm

Denver Concert Band: American Landscapes @ 1pm / $23

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree. Info @DenverConcertBand.org, 720509-1000

Centennial Park, 4630 S. Decatur Street, Englewood. ebartlett@en glewoodco.gov, 303-783-6809

Nick Wagen @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Mon 4/29

First Contact Clinic: Serving & Passing @ 4pm / Free

Apr 29th - Jun 17th

Elevation Volleyball Club, 12987 E Adam Aircraft Drive, Englewood. 720-524-4136

May - Junior Beach Training @ 5pm / Free

May 1st - May 31st

The Island, 2233 S Geneva St, Aurora. 720-524-4136

Kazha @ 6pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Jamie Lissow @ 6:30pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

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

Seniors’ Council of Douglas County (SCDC) invites older adults to join Douglas County Exhibits and Collections Curator Daniel Bergeleen on ursday, May 2 at 10 a.m. at the Philip and Jerry Miller Library, 100 S. Wilcox St. in Castle Rock, to learn about the many fascinating items contained in the Douglas County Libraries Archives and Local History department. Items include a 16th-century Bible, local fossils millions of years old, various records, and more. e meeting is free and open to the public from 10-11:30 am.

According to Bergeleen, “I will be giving a presentation on who we are in DCL’s Archives and Local His-

VOICES

Older adults can learn about library archives

LIVING & AGING WELL

In last week’s column I shared how to navigate the sales spectrum. Encouraged by someone I look up to and respect so much, author and speaker Mark Sanborn, I wanted to make it a little more personal regarding how an individual salesperson may navigate the journey from fear to growing in condence as they navigate their own spectrum.

In the realm of sales, the journey from novice to seasoned professional is akin to embarking on an evolutionary odyssey. Each step presents its own challenges, fears and triumphs, ultimately leading salespeople towards mastery of their craft. Let’s embark on this journey together, exploring the cycles that salespeople navigate, from the initial tremors of fear to the con dent strides towards future success.

Seniors’ Council of Douglas County

tory department, what we can o er you, and how you can help in preserving the history of Douglas County and those that call it home. I’ll go over what sort of items we look for to add to our collections and how those collections are used by professional and amateur historians alike. Additional topics of discussion will include preserving your personal collections at home and why preserving even the seemingly mundane ephemera of everyday life can hold long-lasting historical value.”

From fear to confidence in sales

WINNING

For many salespeople, the journey begins with trepidation. e prospect of rejection looms large, casting a shadow over their aspirations. e fear of failure can be paralyzing, preventing them from taking the rst step towards their goals.

It’s a natural response to an uncertain endeavor, but it’s also the crucible from which resilience is forged.

As salespeople muster the courage to engage with prospects, they often encounter another formidable adversary: the fear of prospecting. Cold calls, networking events, and asking for referrals can all evoke feelings of discomfort and anxiety. Yet, it’s through these interactions that salespeople re ne their pitch, hone their communication skills, and build the foundation for future success.

e key to overcoming fear lies in stepping outside one’s comfort zone. It’s a transformative moment when salespeople push past their self-imposed limitations and embrace the unknown. With each rejection comes a valuable lesson, each setback a steppingstone toward growth. rough perseverance

and determination, they begin to chart a new course towards success.

As salespeople gain con dence, they learn the importance of qualifying prospects e ectively. ey understand that not every lead is worth pursuing and that their time is a precious commodity. By identifying the characteristics of an ideal customer and focusing their e orts accordingly, they maximize their chances of success while minimizing wasted e ort.

Armed with a deep understanding of their product or service, salespeople embark on the next phase of their journey: presenting value. ey learn to articulate the bene ts of their o ering in a way that resonates with the needs and desires of their prospects. ey become storytellers, weaving narratives that captivate the imagination and compel action.

In the eyes of the prospect, value is often measured in terms of tangible outcomes. Salespeople must learn to quantify the bene ts of their offering in concrete terms, whether it’s cost savings, increased e cien-

cy, or improved performance. By demonstrating a clear return on investment, they instill con dence in their prospects and pave the way for future success.

With value established, salespeople move towards the critical moment of proposing. ey present their solution with con dence and conviction, addressing any lingering doubts or objections along the way. ey tailor their proposal to the unique needs of each prospect, ensuring that it aligns seamlessly with their goals and objectives. e culmination of the sales journey is the moment of truth: closing the deal. It’s a testament to the salesperson’s skill, persistence, and dedication. Whether it’s securing a signature on the dotted line or nalizing a handshake agreement, the act of closing represents the culmination of countless hours of e ort and preparation.

But the journey doesn’t end with the closing of a deal. For the savvy salesperson, it’s just the beginning.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Support Calvarese and women is year’s CD4 election is an opportunity to move forward. A big reason why it may not make sense to return a Republican to Congress from Congressional District 4 (Douglas County and the Eastern Plains) is healthcare for women.

Historically, Republicans valued individual responsibility and believed that individuals could be trusted to make decisions about their life with minimal government interference. But over the past decades, that has changed. Specically, Republican legislators do not trust women to balance the value of a pregnancy and their life circumstances. Instead, they want to impose a “one-size- ts-all” legislative solution to these highly personal decisions.

In Colorado, 59% of our citizens believe abortion should be legal in most all cases and yet we are faced with a Republican majority that seeks to restrict a woman’s right to include abortion as part of her healthcare. Electing another Republican to Congress will only widen the gap between citizen preferences and legislative initiatives. I support Trisha Calvarese for Congress since she is more in tune with citizen preferences when it comes to women’s healthcare.

Candy Kane, Highlands Ranch

Voters, choose Shaw

During the past eight years, Wynne Shaw has actively represented Lone Tree by serving as:

· Lone Tree City Council member for eight years, two as mayor pro tem

· Board Chair of DRCOG (Denver Regional Council of Governments)

· Chair of the Regional Transportation Committee

· Chair of the Douglas County Transportation Forum

· Past Chair of the Douglas County Housing Partnership

Her experience and knowledge of local and regional issues and her ability to grasp and quickly understand complex matters and listen to all opinions to nd consensus are unparalleled. Wynne has earned the respect of many fellow elected leaders throughout the Denver metropolitan region.

If Wynne is elected mayor, with her eight years of council experience she will be well-equipped to

lead the two new council members and two current council members, one of whom will be Marissa. However, if Marissa is elected, because Wynne is term-limited, the city will lose all her council and other experience, and her positions on all the above leadership entities. is will be a huge loss for Lone Tree because over the years, Wynne has helped build the city’s reputation throughout the wider Denver metro region.

To ultimately become DRCOG Chair, a member must show active leadership and then be elected by the 58-member body. DRCOG represents the entire Denver metropolitan area geographically. If not elected mayor, Wynne will be unable to continue as the DRCOG Chair, and the council member who then is appointed as Lone Tree’s new representative will have to begin at square one on that 58-member body. e result will be a loss of visibility for Lone Tree, as Wynne has been a stalwart supporter of our city both within DRCOG and in many other metro area commissions.

If Marissa is elected mayor with only two years of city council experience, she will be ill-prepared to guide three new council members who have never served on city council — two who will be sworn in after the May 7 election, and one who will have to be appointed to ll the council seat she vacates. No matter what some people have argued, to have such an inexperienced mayor and council is not an ideal situation for Lone Tree. e best outcome for Lone Tree residents will be for Wynne to continue to guide us through the challenging times ahead.

To learn more, visit the city’s website, www.cityo onetree.com, and type the word “candidates” in the search.

Laurie and Gary Cochrane, Lone Tree

Shaw is right for Lone Tree

I rst met Wynne Shaw when we both were members of the Lone Tree Arts Center Guild, which grew to an annual membership of around 120 members after opening performances at the Lone Tree Art Center (LTAC) in September of 2011.

Our ‘Columbine at 25’ project

Last week, our newsroom released the rst part of our two-week series “How Columbine changed us.” It looks back on the 25 years since the tragic shooting at Columbine High School, where two armed students took the lives of 13 people before ending their own. e narrative often repeated in the media focuses on the killers and victims, but, as we reported in week one, it overlooks Columbine’s journey of re-

covery, resilience and triumph. In week two, we touch on the issues of safety in “How Columbine changed response.” In the aftermath of Columbine, schools across the country have increased security measures. ese include classroom doors that lock from the inside, single-point entry systems, security cameras, metal detectors, scanners and drills. And, rst responders have changed how they communicate.

Our biggest nding is that the de ning aspect of Columbine is not the shooting, but the response of the community. It is the indomitable spirit that has emerged and evolved at the school and surrounding area since 1999. is spirit is evident in the school’s Day of Service, held every April 20, the anniversary of the shooting. As teacher Mandy Cooke, a survivor of the 1999 incident, puts it, “We have turned that day into some-

thing so positive… making sure that our current students know how to be better humans in the world, instead of this awful, tragic thing that happened to us.” us, inclusive school culture is perhaps the most critical way Columbine changed us.

View the whole project online at coloradocommunitymedia.com/ columbine-at-25.

– Michael de Yoanna and Kristen Fiore, editors

The Columbine High School yearbook, one of many points of pride for students and the community and part of the culture that those close to the school say is also a part of what makes it safer.

COURTESY OF KELLEY KELLOGG

BY HALEY LENA AND SUZIE GLASSMAN

Today, it’s common across the country for children as young as 4 and 5 to participate in active-shooter drills and shelter-in-place lockdowns about as often as they take standardized tests. at includes the Je erson County School District, where Columbine High School resides.

e Columbine of today has classroom doors that lock from the inside and a single-point entry for students, sta and visitors. It’s equipped with many visible and invisible ways to prevent and/or limit the impact of a mass-scale emergency, a kind that had not been on the national radar before the mass shooting.

While many people may believe school security is about physical barriers and policing threats, those working in the building today, including principal Scott Christy and social studies teachers Sam Bowersox and Je Garkow, say safety at Columbine is also about culture. As a result, the sum of those safety measures is far greater than the parts.

“Kids can’t learn if they don’t feel safe, and teachers can’t teach if they don’t feel safe. And so it’s everything. It’s incredibly important,” said Christy. “I think Columbine is the safest school in the world. My hope is that sta and students don’t think about what happened 25 years ago. ey see it as they see their school as a home, a place that they’re proud to be a part of, and a place that they know that they’re loved and cared for.”

Still, security has changed since the April 20, 1999 shooting.

John McDonald wasn’t at Columbine that day, but like countless others, his life was forever changed by the tragedy. Nine years later, he became the executive director of school safety for the Je erson County School District, including Columbine, and, since moving on, has continued to work to make schools safer.

“I hate to say good came out of it,”

said McDonald. “But what came out of (the Columbine shooting) was the commitment to protect kids.”

Before the tragedy, school o cials and security o cers focused on the potential dangers outsiders might in ict on their buildings. Overnight, they had to shift their thinking to consider that students could be threats, too, and how that might impact school safety plans.

Doing so took its toll. Between 1999 and 2008, the school district had multiple executive directors of school safety.

“ e job was di cult,” said McDonald, who held the position for 14 years starting in 2008. “It was overwhelming for people.”

McDonald, who is now the chief operating o cer for the National Council of School Security, was recognized internationally as the architect of the Columbine High School security and emergency management plan.

In April 1999, with no incident command structure in the district, school security consisted of a handful of cameras outside the school and a few school resource o cers. ere was a disconnect with local law enforcement agencies, who were unfamiliar with the insides of the school, critical information that would be useful for saving lives during an incident.

According to a 2018 Federal School Safety Commission report, there was a rush by leaders across the country to add security o cers and speed up response times, among other measures. Security experts also began considering how students, who often hear rsthand about planned attacks or suicidal ideations, might help tip them o . As a result, the Colorado Trust awarded a $375,000 grant to establish the anonymous 24/7 hotline Safe2Tell.

It’s di cult to know precisely how the immediate security changes impacted students. Walking into Columbine in August 1999, Kelley Kellogg said she didn’t focus on the

added security or the changes to the school other than being relieved that the library where the majority of the deaths occurred had been walled o .

Instead, she felt the typical nerves and excitement of any student on their rst day of high school. As a freshman, she hadn’t been there on the day of the shooting, but she knew several classmates who had, including one whose sibling had died.

“Mostly, we didn’t talk about it, even my friend who’d been directly impacted,” said Kellogg. “But I felt incredibly safe. Everyone was super vigilant and protective. Frank DeAngelis (the principal at the time) and all of the teachers took such good care of us, shielded us from the media attention and made us feel loved and cared for.”

A 2021 Students’ Reports of Safety and Security Measures Observed at School published by the National Center for Education Statistics indicated four measures became more prevalent in the ensuing years, from 2009 to 2019.

Students saw an increase in the use of one or more security cameras, a locked entrance or exit door during the day, student identi cation badges and security guards or assigned police o cers.

e sitting Je erson County School District Executive Director for the Department of School Safety, Je Pierson, said that in addition to more alarmed doors, secure classrooms, and vestibules to check identi cation, more information and security is coming with added cameras and security guards.

“I think it sends a message to our kids and our parents that we’ve got an additional set of eyes that are highly trained individuals watching out for and keeping an eye on what’s going on in our buildings,” said Pierson.

Six years ago, McDonald hired Pierson as the district’s director of safe school environments. In this role, he focused on enhancing part-

Columbine High School Principal Scott Christy stands on April 4 outside the Frank DeAngelis Community Safety Center in Wheat Ridge. He spoke to reporters there as part of the Je co Public Schools “media day” in connection with the 25th anniversary of the Columbine shooting.

nerships between schools, district leadership, and the Department of School Safety, seeking to establish a more proactive approach.

Before taking on this role, Pierson was the principal at Standley Lake High School in Westminster and trained in federal and police safety and policing programs. Pierson said having rst responder training and the lens of an educator has helped him break down barriers to how schools should operate.

Far more than the enforced wearing of student IDs and the additional patrol cars posted outside, Kellogg said safety came from a sense of belonging.

“I feel like everyone just kind of tried to get along,” she said. “Because even though this really tragic thing happened, I felt like we were a part of a family. Kids are kids, and stu still happens, but I felt like everyone tried their best to take care of each other.”

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Communications problems led to state’s now-robust radio program

After more than 25 years of build-out, Colorado’s Digital Trunked Radio System has made a di erence, first responders say

BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY DGRIGSBY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In the years before the shooting at Columbine High School, Colorado had already started to address challenges within its radio communications system for rst responders. Primarily directed at helping rural and mountainous towns mitigate dead spots in coverage, these e orts were a promising step forward, particularly during wild res, when aid spanned multiple jurisdictions.

But on April 20, 1999, when more than 40 separate agencies descended upon Columbine High School, communication broke down.

As police, re and medical personnel responded to the shootings that took 13 lives, radio frequencies overloaded because so many di erent agencies were all trying to talk at once.

At one point, radios had become so useless that messengers on foot had to relay critical information between agencies, as then-chief of the state Fire Safety Division Kevin Klein told e Denver Post in 2011.

“Go back to Columbine — di erent responding agencies on di erent radio systems that couldn’t talk to each other,” Klein told the Post. “You had paralysis in the initial phase of the incident. We had to use runners to go back and forth to talk about what we’re going to do.”

But a quarter of a century later, many rst responders say that challenges aside, the state’s Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS) has made a di erence.

Experts describe DTRS as a “system of systems” that connects re, law enforcement, medical, military

Colorado’s interoperable radio communication system for first responders has undergone continuous build-out over the past 25 years since Columbine. More commonly known as the digital trunked radio system (DTRS), this “system of systems” connects firefighters, law enforcement and other responders across a network of radios, both handheld and vehiclemounted. While it has seen its share of problems from inconsistent funding to technology glitches, Larkspur Fire Protection District Fire Capt. Chad Campagnola says he’s confident in the system and in its ability to perform in the event of a largescale emergency.

and federal assets with a network of radios, antennas and specialized software patches to bridge gaps between newer hardware and legacy equipment.

And even school districts can be part of the DTRS system.

“Any agency within the state can go to the system and connect with any other law enforcement or rst responder group that is on the scene of a critical incident,” Jacki Kelley, spokesperson for the Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce, said of the DTRS.

Fire Capt. Chad Campagnola said the Larkspur Fire Protection District has been a part of the state’s DTRS systems since Douglas County transitioned to it in the early 2000s.

Campagnola, who has been with the department since 1992 and styles himself as the “district radio guy,” said that although the DTRS system added more capabilities for his team, the early roll-out was not without frustrations.

As in most jurisdictions, Campagnola cites the standard funding and technology challenges as the most troublesome.

Not only is the radio expensive, but there are also fees for each radio to be on the system and for certain types of software upgrades.

However, with more than two decades of build-out complete, Campagnola says he’s con dent in the system and feels it has evolved into a dependable asset that can help save lives and protect property.

Prior to DTRS, Larkspur had often experienced radio communication di culties due to its local geography and terrain.  ings are much better now.

“It’s de nitely an improvement from 24 years ago,” said Campagnola. “It’s also an improvement from two years ago. In our district speci cally, Douglas County has added more (radio) towers in the past ve years and that’s made an impact, especially for responders in the southern part of the county, as it a ects not just re but law enforcement, but roads and bridges, and the Douglas County School District — anyone operating within the DTRS coverage area.”

PHOTO BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY

PROGRAM

The Columbine Commission Report

Nine months after the Columbine massacre, then-Gov. Bill Owens signed an executive order creating the Columbine Review Commission in response to public outcry for answers. e 10-member board, chaired by retired Colorado Supreme Court Justice William H. Erickson, was charged with identifying lessons learned and how those lessons could prevent future tragedies.

e Columbine Review Commission Report was released in May 2001, nearly a year and a half later.

Anger and accusations ensued in the days after the report’s release as parents, school o cials and others demanded answers, saying the 174page report completely “glossed over” the events that led up to the attack and failed to properly investigate police response.

e commission o ered its recommendations but made no requirements for mandatory implementation. e commission was disbanded after its report was released, further infuriating the public.

However, among the commission’s top recommendations was the need to improve communications and, as a byproduct, more coordination among emergency response agencies. It recommended continuing development of the Digital Trunk Radio System.

Speci cally, the Columbine Commission recommended that “agencies in parts of the state not yet within the statewide system receive funds for the purchase of TRP 100 or similar systems, enabling them to be available in the event of a serious catastrophe in any part of the state.”

While much has changed since 1999, improving the rst responder radio system has been di cult in the decades since. e challenge in building out — and sustaining — Colorado’s interoperable communication system seem to be consistent among agencies and falls

into three distinct buckets: funding, planning, and training.

Colorado amply followed up with heavy investment in the DTRS program.

Putting a nger on exactly how much has been invested in Colorado’s DTRS program year-to-date is complicated as multiple sources of funding have been and continue to be employed. A  2016 memo from the Colorado Legislative Council provides an insight into the program’s early nancial history, nearing $250 million at the time.

But piles of money aside, what most didn’t realize is that this project would be far more than just buying new radios and issuing them to rst responders.

Building a statewide interoperable radio system would include the construction of multiple antenna towers — some of them in hard-toget-to mountainous terrain — to bridge growing technology gaps between new and legacy systems. State technology experts would also have to identify and manage radio frequencies, as well as convince jurisdictions to collaborate and share resources.

Legislation to provide interoperable communication funding for schools

In 2011, more than 10 years after the mass shooting, then-Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law Senate Bill 11-173. e bill addressed the lack of interoperable communications between schools and rst responders during an emergency. It augments the Colorado School Response Framework, created in 2008, to improve school crisis response by clarifying that interoperable communications are included in a school district’s school safety, readiness, and incident management plan.

Senate Bill 18-158 created the School Access for Emergency Response program, which provides schools with grant funding to purchase interoperable communication hardware and software, pay for equipment maintenance and provide training. e goal was to facilitate “seamless communications between existing school communications systems and rst

responder communications systems.”

e state placed the SAFER program within the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and initially funded it with a $5 million transfer from the Department of Public Safety for the 2018-19 scal year. Subsequent years were funded by State Public School Fund transfers through July 1, 2023.

Colorado’s O ce of Information Technology currently oversees the state’s public safety communications network and the DTRS.

But even with millions in local, state and federal dollars invested in the DTRS program, completing — and sustaining — a statewide interoperable radio system still has a few bugs.

While most emergency management and public safety experts say the state’s system has improved dramatically and local governments are more organized and collaborative since the Columbine shooting, there is still work to do.

Other jurisdictions have a similar take.

e Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce — an early adopter of DTRS, joining Douglas County and Arapahoe County in the program in the late 1990s — was among the rst to arrive on the Columbine scene in 1999.

e agency understands, rsthand, what can go wrong when rst responders are unable to communicate. Brad Ingermann, a commander with the Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce Patrol Division, said that while the state’s DTRS still has its challenges, his agency is far better o than it was at the time of the Columbine shooting and now clearly believes it has an interoperable radio system that works.

“While large-scale incidents such as Columbine are far more common than they used to be, they are still very rare compared to events such as wildland res,” he said.

Mobile data terminals or MDTs as they are known, are computers used in vehicles operated by fire, law enforcement and other fields to connect mobile units, such as this fire engine operated by the Larkspur Fire Protection District, to a central dispatch or communications center.

PHOTO BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY

A Day of Service: Columbine teacher assists with reshaping narrative

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Every day Je rey Garkow frequents the halls of his alma mater.  Garkow graduated from Columbine High School in 2006 and now works there as a social studies teacher.

He is one of the rst people to help reshape how the school honors the 13 lives taken on April 20, 1999.

Prior to 2017, the school wouldn’t hold classes on April 20.

“My experience with April 20 on the professional side of things was that it was just a day o ,” Garkow said. “I think that was hard for a lot of people, especially for the sta who were here on April 20, 1999.”

So, in 2016, Garkow said he and other Columbine educators decided to reimagine the day o and launched Day of Service.

“ is, I think, is kind of giving us the chance to control the narrative a little more about what Columbine has been through and what we are now,” he said.

e rst Day of Service was held in 2017. Garkow said about 400 students volunteered to participate. Last year around 1,500 of the school’s 1,700 students participated in the event.

Students, alumni, sta and community members participate in various projects on the Day of Service including volunteering at nursing homes, spending time at animal shelters, cleaning up parks, working with younger students in the district and cleaning up the campus.

In 2019, Gov. Jared Polis signed a proclamation declaring that Colorado will observe a Day of Service and Recommitment on April 20 each year.

Over the years, more alumni have gotten involved with the day and even planned their own versions of the event at other schools or their places of employment.

Frank DeAngelis, former Columbine principal, said people have participated in the Day of Service from beyond the state — even as far

away as Tanzania.

“It’s stu like that that I think is so important,” he said. “Because here’s the thing. ere are kids now that weren’t even born, but there’s certain messages — kindness, saying thank you … How do we make the world a better place?”

Mandy Cooke, a Columbine High School employee and survivor of the shooting, said the Day of Service reects the school’s current attitude of moving forward with hope.

“We have turned that day into something so positive,” she said. “And that is what I am most proud of — is making sure that our current students know how to be better humans in the world, instead of this awful, tragic thing that happened to us.”

For Garkow, the best aspect of Day of Service is the reactions from students who he says have loved participating in the celebration and carry that impact long after they graduate or leave.

“It’s just a really cool thing to hear students talk about that and how much of an impact that made on them and how much they continue to want to do that now,” Garkow said.

Garkow was in fth grade at Governor’s Ranch Elementary School on April 20, 1999. All he really remembers is learning the impact that day had on the community.

Sometimes students ask him about the shooting and Garkow said he is as open as possible with them and does his best to answer their questions.

“ ere is so much misinformation online and on social media or on ReddIt or in news articles about our school and the culture of our school that I think students pick up on,” Garkow said.

Garkow feels protective of his students. He feels they should not have to answer to people who are curious about the school.

“What responsibility do our kids have to own that story when they weren’t even alive during it?” Garkow said. “I think a lot of our kids

have a di erent take on it now because they didn’t experience any of it.”

As a student himself, Garkow didn’t fully comprehend what had happened but did witness how tight-knit the community became.

“I came into the school already as a kid with a lot of pride in seeing what the community did after that and seeing how the community responded,” Garkow said.

He said DeAngelis became the center of that community in many ways.

“I think so much of why we are the community we are today is because of Frank,” Garkow said. “ at guy absolutely gave up everything for himself to take care of the community and made sure every kid felt valued and welcomed.”

Garkow said DeAngelis later hired him to teach at the school. He worked with DeAngelis for a few years before DeAngelis retired.

“I absolutely love being in the school,” Garkow said. “ ere’s 20plus alumni who I think work in the building and I think that speaks a

lot to the strength of the community (and) how much the school means to people.”

Garkow said the community of the school feels almost like a family.

“I think it’s rare to work in a place where so many of the people you were with are just dear friends,” Garkow said. “It’s pretty rare that I feel like I’m coming here just to work.”

Garkow works with a lot of his own former teachers.

“( ey) are mentors and friends and people who I hope I can model myself after as an educator just because they meant so much to me when I was a student here,” Garkow said.

Garkow said he hopes more stories about where the school is now are told rather than only re ecting on the past.

“ ere is so much tragedy but there have also been so many beautiful moments that’ve come out since, that I think it gives a much better picture of who we are now and where we are as a school,” Garkow said.

Social studies teacher and alumnus at Columbine High School, Je Garkow stands at his old locker from his time as a student. Garkow has pride in the school, which he shows each year at the school’s Day of Service on April 20. He assists with coordinating the event and feels it reshapes the narrative of Columbine as a school and community.

PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY

PROGRAM

As Ingerman points out, wildland res can quickly spread across multiple jurisdictions and require a medley of rst responders and mutual aid partners — all arriving on the scene and many operating on di erent radio systems and channels.

DTRS helps solve this.

It does so by connecting rst responders by the use of pre-coordinated channels assigned to both day-to-day and emergency operations. Speci c talk groups are allocated based on responder function and assignments, freeing up channels and organizing incident information among multiple agencies and partners.

Hardware alone does not create interoperability

the purchase of equipment hardware: things like handheld radios, car radios, repeaters, antennas and tower systems.

Some experts in the eld recall “radio spending sprees” to purchase the 800-MHz radios — quickly spending grant money to avoid getting caught up in product shortages and back-order delays.

Fran Santagata, a retired U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulatory analyst and former Douglas County emergency manager, said the same was true for Colorado.

But interestingly, over the past 25 years, much of the federal dollars made available to states and local jurisdictions initially went toward

SECURITY

Evolving approach to safety and security

McDonald noted that school districts across Colorado struggled to create cohesive security plans until 2008, when state lawmakers passed a law creating the Colorado School Safety Resource Center “to assist schools in preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and crisis situations and to foster positive learning environments.”

“But equipment alone doesn’t create interoperability,” she said. “ ere is a speci c element of coordination and planning required, as well as training. Prociency and comfort in using the equipment are just as important.”

For most jurisdictions, Larkspur included, a signi cant portion of their daily radio tra c occurs over the DTRS, as designed.

emergency channels.

“I think the DTRS got built out, the towers have helped tremendously, and all of the training has helped, but I think we still struggle at every event with the lowest common denominator, which is the individual rst responder only being comfortable using the frequency they use day to day,” she said. “Almost every after-action report usually has a paragraph — or a chapter — on how communications broke down.”

But, as Santagata suggests, many rst responders tend to be more comfortable with their daily comms channels than they are with their

energy at Columbine is relaxed and playful. e school’s 1,668 students walk the halls with ease, chatting with friends and making their way to class.

Additionally, the Standard Response Protocol, created by the I Love You Guys Foundation, was released in 2009 and is now used by countless districts across states. e guidelines made a di erence for the school district because they were an “emergency prepared, not emergency scared program” that everyone understood.

Columbine today

On a bright Tuesday morning, mere days before spring break, the

“I think there’s de nitely truth to that,” said Campagnola. “Dealing with, like, a uni ed command with three agencies where we are, we are very comfortable with our primary work zone or operational zone.”

But Campagnola notes the solution to that is not just the responsibility of the individual radio user.

He said agency leadership also plays an important role in developing good muscle memory for users, looking at the bigger picture and developing relevant training exercises to reinforce those skills.

ey aren’t worried about potential threats or the possibility of something terrible happening. at’s because safety is baked into the very fabric of the school’s culture, and the students know it, explains Columbine SRO Eric Ebling.

Columbine is the only school in Je erson County with two SROs, Ebling and Dan Wonner, who have been there since 2017 and 2019. SRO Joella Gallegos works at one of the feeder middle schools and communicates constantly with Ebling and Wonner. Because of its storied past, Columbine also has more unarmed campus supervisors than others in the Je erson County School District.

recruits in the county’s law enforcement academy and continues with day-to-day use as the recruit enters the force, and with annual exercises that help reinforce radio competency.

“But we are a think-outside-ofthe-box agency,” said Jacki Kelley, spokesperson for the Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce. “We have an initial plan and a backup plan, but as you know, emergencies don’t always go the way you plan or the way you train.”

For the Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce, DTRS training for its personnel begins as early as with new

(Wonner) and me, the sheri ’s o ce or even campus security. If you’re on this property, your job is safety and security.”

But as communities continue to expand and population density increases, more funding will obviously be needed to support and maintain the state’s program.

Overall, most users seem to agree the DTRS system has made a di erence.

Is it perfect?

Not really.

“But I think it’s all good,” said Campagnola. “Like, I have no complaints about anything with our system. We’re continually improving it as a county and as a state, which is allowing for better interoperability.”

Pierson adds that “culture is one of the biggest mitigators.”

“If you have a culture that embeds safety, connections, knowing your student by name, strengths and needs and making sure they have a reporting mechanism for when they hear or see something, those things are easy to implement, and they’re free,” Pierson said.

Columbine sophomore Madison Price sees the school’s security measures but also feels safe because, like Kellogg, who graduated long before her, there’s a sense that everyone in the school is dedicated to taking care of them.

that gives feedback to legislators.  Part of the culture is balancing the ne line between having too much of a physical environment that creates a prison-like mentality and keeping the physical presence there while maintaining a calm, inclusive and safe atmosphere.

“It has to be completely controlled internally,” said Pierson. “Which means student voices, teachers’ voices, parents’ voices, all those stakeholders have to be completely involved and not just involved but invested in what looks like a safe school environment.”

Yet, safety doesn’t come only from the number of o cers.

“It’s people. It’s communication, and it’s philosophy,” said Ebling. “It’s not mind-reading technology or drones. e only reason we can make this work every day is with the mindset that everyone’s job is safety and security. Security is not just Dan

“I do feel safe at school,” Price said. “ ere’s people here to protect us.”

Today, the district’s Department of School Safety, which has over 100 security sta working round the clock, continues to work directly with law enforcement and speak with other districts. It established a group of school safety administrators who meet once a month to discuss hot topics and are also part of a group

e measures in place at Columbine are “night and day from what the security measures were back then,” said Pierson. “But our job is to continue to stay up with the times and keep our buildings as safe as they can be.”

e Columbine tragedy forever changed school safety and security measures as we knew them. Yet, the one thing the massacre couldn’t change was the unbreakable spirit of the Columbine community, which continues to embody former principal DeAngelis’ rallying cry: “WE ARE COLUMBINE.”

There is so much to be proud of within the Douglas County School District (DCSD). We have incredible students, fantastic teachers and sta , and amazing parents/guardians and community members who all work together to make this school district one of the best!

Did you know?

For the rst time in a decade, Douglas County School District is the TOP scoring district in the Denver metro metro area!

DCSD is one of the only districts in the country to have met or exceeded our 2019 (pre-pandemic!) scores in every subject and every grade.

‘Proud to be DCSD!’

EDUCATION

DCSD is one of the only school districts in the state to increase pro ciency levels across all student subgroups.

school, whether they choose college or go straight to industry.

our community is amazing.

DCSD is one of the leaders, nationwide, in “blurring the lines” between PK-12 and higher education through our incredible Concurrent Enrollment/ Career & Technical Education o erings (over 20K seats!) and our partnerships with multiple higher education institutions, providing students additional pathways to success after high

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Finally, DCSD was just rated number 11 on the list of the 250 “most envied” school districts in the country by Test Prep Insight (DCSD is the only Colorado school district in the top 65!).

We are so thankful, again, for the support we received to get 5A over the nish line. anks to 5A, we have been able to retain the amazing educators who made all of that happen for our kids and move our starting teacher pay from $45K to $51K. 5A resulted in a net increase of 2.939 mills to the district’s tax rate ($194 for a million dollar home), and yet we still have one of the lowest tax rates in the metro area, so the district’s return on investment for

NORTON

FROM PAGE 14

They understand the importance of nurturing relationships, cultivating trust, and delivering on their promises. They set a path for future business by staying engaged with their clients, providing ongoing support, and seeking opportunities for upselling and cross-selling.

The journey of a salesperson is one of continual growth, learning, and evolution. It’s a journey marked by triumphs and setbacks, fears, and triumphs. But through it all, one thing remains constant:

Join the conversation at the State of DCSD Event

Come learn more about the current state of our school system, including our commitment to excellence, our shift back into the number one spot, our challenges, and our vision for the future.

ursday, May 2

6 p.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus, 10035 S. Peoria Street, Lone Tree

RSVP: at bit.ly/StateofDCSD

I truly am proud to be DCSD!

Erin Kane is the superintendent of the Douglas County School District.

the unwavering determination to succeed. And as they navigate the cycles of fear, prospecting, value presentation, and closing, they emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient than ever before.

I would love to hear the story of your sales evolution at gotonorton@gmail.com and when we can grow from fear to confidence in our chosen profession, it really will be a better than good life.

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.

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ARCHIVES

Bergeleen splits his time performing typical archival duties such as cataloging archival collections, preserving and digitizing items, and assisting in historical research as well as designing exhibits and coordinating the installation of artworks displayed throughout the county’s libraries.

SCDC monthly meetings typically are held at a location in Douglas County on the rst ursday of the month and each topic is of special interest to older adults and those who care for them. ere is no membership fee and attendees are offered opportunities to participate as

volunteers in many di erent ways. Organizational representatives are welcome to attend and assist the leadership team.

Future meeting topics include elder abuse and solutions, and mental health issues with an emphasis on older adults and youth. ere will not be a meeting in July.

e SCDC leadership team is planning a special half-day educational event in Castle Rock on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Save the date!

Seniors’ Council of Douglas County aims to educate, involve, and advocate for older adults. For additional information call 303-663-7681 or email dcseniorslife@douglas.com. us. Updates are available at www. douglas.co.us — search for Seniors’ Council. Our motto is Living & Aging Well!

LETTERS

FROM PAGE 15

Nearly immediately after Wynne joined the Guild in 2015, her leadership skills became evident, and she quickly rose to become the Chair of the Guild’s Education Committee. As Chair, she and the committee supported student and sensory friendly programming at the LTAC.

e Education Committee’s mission was created to bring young people to experience the performing arts. e Committee worked cooperatively with the box o ce sta to bring Title 1 schools to the Arts Center by funding student tickets and subsidizing bus transportation when needed.

I was the Guild President for several years, and during my tenure, it became necessary to revise and update the Guild’s bylaws. Wynne volunteered to take on the added responsibility of heading this task, and over several weeks, she solicited and patiently listened to members’ opinions, carefully crafting the revised bylaws based on all input she received. After the six-member bylaws committee reached agreement on the revisions, she presented them to the entire membership. Because there was not full agreement on these revisions within the larger Guild body, during these nal meetings, Wynne gave all members ample time to voice their opinions before the nal vote on the bylaws was taken and the changes were adopted.

roughout this process, Wynne became even more respected by the membership for her leadership, patience, listening skills, fairness to all, and attention to detail, and for her admirable ability to remain calm, measured, and focused at all times, nding consensus on points of disagreement. e nal version of the bylaws re ected the time and e ort she had put into this task, and it stood to guide the organization throughout the remainer of the Guild’s existence.

Wynne has been a loyal supporter and patron of the Lone Tree Arts Center since voters rst approved its creation in 2008. I am honored to be her friend and now a staunch supporter in her quest to become Lone Tree’s next mayor. Her admirable leadership qualities and her unique ability to build consensus and nd solutions will be invaluable to Lone Tree and the larger community with your vote in Lone Tree’s May 7 election.

Lynn Pender Parker

Shaw for mayor

I’ve known Wynne Shaw since 2001, when we both moved into new homes in Carriage Club. Only a year later, during Wynne and her husband Phil’s visit to her parents in Arizona, Phil was killed instantly, the innocent victim in a multi-car collision. In grappling with numerous decisions and a massive amount of paperwork following his tragic death, Wynne thought of others having less strength and knowledge to tackle these challenges after losing a spouse. is led her to create the website www.weepingwidows.com, to help spouses/ partners: 1) proactively organize records while both are living, and 2) deal with the inevitable challenges after a loved one’s death. Wynne continues to host this website, being of immeasurable comfort, strength, empathy, and wisdom to those of us living in Lone Tree and beyond, who have faced these same challenges after a spousal loss. When I was widowed in 2006, Wynne was there for me with caring and wise advice when I needed it most.

Wynne continued advancing in her career at Schwab and later TIAA, in addition to joining and ultimately leading several volunteering e orts that have been well-documented in her campaign materials and others’ letters. Aside from the nancial expertise she gained throughout her career, her years as a regional leader for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and her love of history have given her a unique depth and perspective on US government, history, and law, all of which have bene ted Lone Tree during her eight years on City Council.

Wynne is one of the most civic minded, ethical people I know, and as a Lone Tree City Council member/ mayor pro tem, she is the most e ective and responsive elected leader who has ever represented me. She has also been my dearly valued, always inspiring friend throughout these many years.

Wynne is a devoted, loving mother and grandmother.

With major city growth planned in future years, this mayoral election must be about depth of knowledge and experience, and the time available to serve. Wynne has clearly demonstrated that she possesses all these attributes, making her uniquely quali ed to become Lone Tree’s next mayor. Please join many of us in voting for Wynne Shaw for Mayor in Lone Tree’s Tuesday, May 7th municipal election.

Paula Hallinan Ramey Lone Tree

since new year husband Arizona, innoIn decisions paperwork Wynne strength challed www.weepspouses/ re2) challenges Wynne being strength, us who challenges widfor when in TIAA, ultimately orts in others’ exher leader American hisdepth government, have eight civic and member/ ecleader She althroughout mother in election knowledge availdemthese qualmayfor Tree’s election.

Help Wanted School Psychologist or Intern

Full-Time School Psychologist or Intern to join our dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of professionals for the 202324 school year - School Districts East of Limon Area

Requirements: Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), Colorado certified. Provide PreK12 intervention including assessment, development of IEP’s & consultation services. Competitive salaries: ED.S $57,800$66,200 & Intern $53,590$59,550, both commensurate upon experience. Excellent benefits including dental, vision, and medical insurance. Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home. May also be eligible for loan forgiveness. Flexible schedule. Use of a car or mileage reimbursement.

Questions contact Tracy (719) 775-2342, ext. 101. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces. org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the green button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE

Software Dev Engr II

CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a

CSG has an opening for Software Dev Engr II in Englewood, CO to research and develop computer software. Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Position reports to company HQ in Englewood, CO. Position requires a Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field. $108,992.00 to $118,992.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi. com. Must reference job 21890.11.1

Help Wanted Special Education Teacher

For a significant needs program located at the Strasburg School District for 2024-25 School Year. Current Colorado Special Education Teacher license required.

BA salary range $41,000$47,300 & MA salary range $46,250-$52,550, based on experience. Excellent benefits. including full health benefits! Collaborative work environment with lots of free continuing education opportunities available. May be eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness. Questions contact Tracy at (719) 7752342, ext. 101 or tracyg@ ecboces.org. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the green button “Apply Online” at the bottom of the job listing. EOE

Senior Software Development Engineer

CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a

CSG has an opening for Senior Software Development Engineer in Englewood, CO to lead the design, analysis, creation, and debugging of CSG's customer facing applications. Position allows for remote work and reports to company headquarters in Englewood, CO. Requires a Master’s or Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. $152,069.00 to $162,069.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com. Must reference job

21890.15.3.

Help Wanted

Senior Software

Development Engineer

CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a

CSG has an opening for Senior Software Development Engineer in Englewood, CO to research, design, and develop computer software. Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Position reports to company HQ in Englewood, CO. Requires a Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, or related field. $152,069.00 to $162,069.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com.

Must reference job

21890.77.2

Operational Engineer

Senior

CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a

CSG has an opening for Operational Engineer Senior in Englewood, CO to research, design, and develop computer software. Position allows for 100% telecommuting. Position reports to company HQ in Englewood, CO. Position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Programming, Information Technology, or related field. $152,069.00 to $162,069.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com.

Must reference job 21890.68.2

Help Wanted

Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

East Central BOCES is seeking a Part-Time 3 day a week Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the 2024-2025 school year. Salary Range- $27,750$32,790 for 112 days dependent on experiences and education. Hold or be able to attain a Colorado Teaching License with an endorsement as a Special Education Specialist- Deaf/ Hard of Hearing required. Complete assessments, attend IEP meetings, provide direct and indirect special education services. Excellent benefits including access to a company vehicle or mileage reimbursement and fully paid health insurance, including vision and dental. May be eligible for loan forgiveness program. Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work from home. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the green button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101.

EOE

Test Engr Sr.

CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a CSG has an opening for Test Engr Sr in Englewood, CO to develop and maintain automated tests.

Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Position reports to company HQ in Englewood, CO. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology and Computing, or a related field. $128,398.00 to $138,398.00 per year, including standard company benefits. To apply, send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com.

Must reference job

21890.75.3.

Help Wanted

Software Development Engineer Sr.

CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a

CSG has an opening for Software Development Engineer, Sr. in Englewood, CO to research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Position reports to company headquarters in Englewood, CO. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related field. $119,667.41 to $129,667.41 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com.

Must reference job

21890.70.3.

Help Wanted

Speech-Language Pathologist

Remote or in person FT or part time Speech-Language Pathologist or SLPA Positions

Available for the 20242025 school year. Open to School Internships. No Contract Agencies. Able to provide supervision for CFY hours. Join our dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of professionals for the 202425 school year. Complete assessments, attend IEP meetings, provide direct services and indirect services for students in PreK-12th grades. Competitive salaries: SLP - $50,450-$56,050 & SLPA- BA $41,000- $46,600 based on 186 day contract. Salaries given are based on a full-year contract. Salary commensurate upon experience. May also be eligible for loan forgiveness! Excellent benefits, including full health benefits & mileage reimbursement. For in person providers there is flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home.

Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101.

To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the green button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE

Operational Engineer II

CSG Systems Inc. d/b/a

CSG has an opening for Operational Engineer II in Englewood, CO to participate on DevOps Engineering team within Scrum environment. Telecommuting is permitted 100%. Position reports directly to company HQ in Englewood, CO.

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, or related field. $130,520.00 to $140,520.00 per year, including standard company benefits. Send resume to USIRecruitment@csgi.com.

Must reference job 21890.8.1

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