Lone Tree Voice May 16, 2024

Results are in for the

first

Lone Tree mayoral race in a generation

Harmon and Shaw race inspired 30% voter turnout, Parr elected to District 1 city council seat

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Marissa Harmon has won Lone Tree’s election for mayor, the rst race for the o ce in 16 years.

“I am grateful to the incredible team that supported me during this election,” said Harmon. “I want to express my deepest gratitude for the con dence the Lone Tree community has placed in me.”

Harmon took 56% of votes and her competitor Wynne Shaw, 44%. In terms of votes, Harmon had 1,698 votes, just 365 ahead of Shaw’s 1,333.

Boebert nabs endorsement from top Douglas County Republican P4

Excitement surrounded the race as many Lone Tree residents were actively campaigning and opining about the candidates in the months leading up to the election. Harmon and Shaw received support from numerous residents and other elected o cials and inspired many letters to the Lone Tree Voice.

Of the 10,246 registered voters in Lone Tree, 3,042 cast votes. at’s a 30% voter turnout according to thecity’s election page.

Eleven ballots did not include a vote for either mayoral candidate. “People do not have to vote for mayor when turning their ballot back in,” Austin

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert holds her grandchild at the Republican Women of Weld candidate forum Jan. 25 at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center. Boebert is running for election in Colorado’s 4th District.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Elbert County seeks to overturn ban on immigration cooperation with feds

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Elbert County is one of the latest counties to join a lawsuit challenging two Colorado laws that prevent local governments from cooperating with the federal government on matters of immigration.

Douglas County, which led the lawsuit with its neighbor to the south, El Paso County, framed the lawsuit as a response to the national migrant crisis.

“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,” Douglas County Attorney Jeff Garcia has said. “We hope that by the work we do, we’re giving everyone a blueprint on how we can

address a national problem.”

e Douglas County News-Press is not aware of any reports of mass numbers of migrants being dropped o in the county. Douglas County o cials haveno record of any migrant or migrants being dropped o anywhere across the county by commercial buses, trucks or vans since December 2022, county sta said in late March.

e lawsuit complaint names Jared Polis in his capacity as governor of the state.

Chris Richardson, chair of the Elbert County commissioners, provided a statement to the Elbert County News about the lawsuit.

“Current statute unconstitutionally ties the hands of Colorado’s sheri s,” Richardson said in the statement. “As illegal immigration across our nation’s southern borders con-

SPEAK OUT!

tinues unabated, local law enforcement must have every tool available to them.”

Douglas County, on May 6, led an amended complaint to include Elbert and three other counties: Gareld, Mesa and Rio Blanco. A Douglas spokesperson said the amended complaint included no other changes.

e rst law at issue in the case, passed by state lawmakers in 2019, bars law enforcement from arresting or detaining people for civil immigration violations. It also prohibits the sharing of judicial information to federal immigration authorities.

e second law at issue, passed by state lawmakers in 2023, prevents local governments from making an agreement for federal immigration enforcement.

In the lawsuit complaint, coun -

ties argue that the state laws violate the Colorado Constitution.

“ e ‘separation of powers’ doctrine arising from Article 3 of the Colorado Constitution, ‘prohibits one branch of government from exercising powers that the constitution vests in another branch,’” the complaint says, citing another court case.

e lawsuit complaint, led April 15, also argues that one of the laws violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution.

“Federal law preempts state law when the two conflict, even when the two only arguably conflict,” the complaint says, citing another case.

e Denver District Court granted the state’s request for more time to respond in the lawsuit, giving it through June 11.

Citing migrants, Castle Rock poised to cooperate with county on ordinance

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Castle Rock is moving forward with an agreement that would allow a new Douglas County ordinance banning buses from making “unplanned” passenger drop-o s to be enforced within the town.

Town council members voted unanimously to draft an agreement to adopt the county’s ordinance, which came in response to the tens of thousands of mostly Venezuelan migrants arriving in Denver, many of which have been sent by the Texas governor.

e agreement would allow the sheri ’s o ce to enforce the ban on unplanned passenger drop-o s in Castle Rock, which has its own police department.

According to the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, deputies have not received any calls for service regarding unplanned drop-o s.

Council members called the ordi-

nance a preventative step to deter migrants from coming to town.

“All laws are unnecessary until they become necessary and then it’s too late, so this is an action to dissuade, not an action of pure symbolism,” council member Max Brooks said.

Council member Laura Cavey added that she believes being proactive is the right thing to do.

“I don’t think it’s an if this will happen, but a when,” she said.  e o ce of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, in March said that it has sent more than 100,000 migrants who crossed the U.S. border to “sanctuary” cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Denver.

e council also voted in favor of drafting a resolution supporting the county’s immigration lawsuit against the state.

Douglas County, along with El Paso and Elbert counties, is suing

ADVERTISEMENT

EPA Launches ‘Energy Star NextGen’ to Identify Homes

The Federal EPA’s Energy Star designation has been around since 1992. Initially, it was applied to appliances that exceeded standard levels of efficiency, but in 1995 the designation started being applied to new homes as a whole.

The Energy Star designation no doubt had the effect of governments and industry beginning to focus on energy efficiency, so a Version 2 with even higher standards was introduced in 2006, and a Version 3 was introduced in 2011.

The first paragraph on the Energy Star website reads as follows: Your home is your place to thrive. By choosing a new ENERGY STAR NextGen certified home or apartment, you can enjoy all the comfort, quality, value, and indoor air quality benefits you’ve come to expect from the ENERGY STAR label — and much more.

That Are More Fully Electrified

With energy efficiency going more and more mainstream, the EPA has now introduced Energy Star NextGen instead of Version 4. As described on www. EnergyStar.gov, the NextGen certification “recognizes homes and apartments equipped with leading-edge, efficient electric technologies and electric vehicle charging capabilities — features that not only improve your lifestyle, but also the health of the planet.”

Energy Star NextGen-certified homes come with Energy Star certified heat pumps for heating and cooling, heat pump water heaters, induction cooktops, and electric vehicle charging capabilities. With national and local building codes now requiring greater energy efficiency, a NextGen-certified home is now only 20% more efficient than homes that are “built to code.”

High-performance windows, a tighter building envelopes and enhanced insulation are also common in this top category of energy efficient housing.

Archive of Past Columns Is Online

Over the past two decades, this column has appeared in local weeklies and 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

Many or even most builders have been building “Energy Starcertified” homes since as early as 2002. An estimated 2.7 million homes have been built with that certification, but Thrive Home Buildings is the only Colorado builder I’m aware of that is committed to building and selling homes with the Energy Star NextGen certification.

Here are the advantages spelled out by the Energy Star website for buying a new home with the NextGen certification.

 Lower energy bills. Superior insulation, air sealing, and highly efficient heat pumps help lower your energy bills, while improving comfort and reducing drafts.

 Improved safety and indoor air quality. Electric cooktops and ovens reduce exposure to harmful combustion byproducts — including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and small particulates.

 Peace and quiet. Multi-speed heat pumps run on low most of the time, making them quieter while delivering more consistent temperatures for greater comfort. Ductwork that has been properly sized further reduces noise from the air handler. High levels of insulation make the home quieter by reducing noise from outdoors.

This bi-level home at 11296 W. Kentucky Dr. has been well maintained by the seller. It was painted and walkways replaced in 2006, and a new roof & siding were installed in 2017. The house is white with blue shutters and gutters, and a blue & white garage door was new in 2009. The seller put in a new, energy efficient furnace in 2014 and new acrylic shower and shower doors in 2007. The backyard is mostly flat now (due to the seller rocking the sloping landscape) and completely fenced. There are lilacs on two sides of the house, and an ornamental plum and two purple ash trees are in the backyard. Briarwood Hills is a very quiet, friendly neighborhood. Most of the surrounding homeowners care about their yards, as does this seller. You will find magazine-quality photos and a narrated video tour at www.LakewoodHome.info Call listing agent Jim Swanson at 303-929-2727 to request a showing.

 Increased resale value. High-performance homes sell for significant price premiums compared to typical homes. Energy Star certified and similarly efficient homes enjoy sales price premiums of up to 6%.

 A clean energy future. The electric and hybrid electric technologies in your Energy Star NextGen home will help to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and climate impact associated with its operation. These benefits will continue to grow as the grid gets cleaner.

Retrofitting a non-Energy Star home to be more energy efficient or even “net zero energy” (meaning all-electric and generating all the electricity needed for the home through solar panels) is something that Golden Real Estate’s broker associates and I are committed to facilitating for our buyer clients. Personally, I am offering a free home energy audit to any buyer who hires me between now and September 30th to purchase an existing home.

A home energy audit involves doing

a blower-door test to locate the various air leaks in a home so that specific steps can be taken to make the home more airtight. All appliances are evaluated and the homeowner is given a road map of different strategies that could be taken. We also have experience recommending all categories of vendors working with homeowners to improve insulation, install higher performance windows and doors, and to replace gas appliances with high-efficiency electric heat pump appliances.

We can help you find the best company to install solar panels, whether roof top or ground-mounted, or even in a distant solar garden, where the electricity you generate is credited to the electric meter in your home, condo or apartment. You don’t need a roof to benefit from solar power!

The company which I have hired for all five of my solar power installations, starting in 2004, is Golden Solar. I don’t ask or receive a referral fee when you act on my recommendation, but the owner, Don Parker, kindly helped me out when I needed a place to park our free moving truck after I sold our office building on South Golden Road. It and our box shed are now parked on his lot on South Golden Road. Thanks, Don! You can reach Don on his cell phone, 720-234-6517. Tell him I said hello!

There’s a Full-Blown Home Insurance Crisis Brewing

I need some help researching this article. If you’re in the insurance industry or have information that can benefit fellow readers, let me hear from you. I’d also like to hear from legislators about possible new laws.

Here’s an email I got from an Estes Park homeowner, Jay Blackwood:

My bank says that in the metro area a single family home may have insurance costs double this year. In the mountains it’s much worse.

Without warning, my condo association in Estes Park was told in January that American Family would drop us on the anniversary of our policy in April. This was due to our high risk of fire and hail. In 44 years we only have had one claim, for hail.

Apparently each insurance company has a secret risk map and decides if a property can

be insured depending on location and tree density.

We spent three months searching for a new policy and were forced to purchase a high risk one. Last year we paid $ 20,000. This year it’s $340,000 for 3/4 of the coverage. That is 17 times as much.

My total HOA fees last year were about $4,000. This year they are $14,000.

Other local condo associations are experiencing similar crises. Some businesses and even a large church are going uninsured. A builder has houses completed which cannot sell because they can’t be insured. Colorado is right behind California in loss of insurance. The State is dragging its feet on this issue. And news media don’t seem to cover it.

Individual horror stories are interesting, but I’ll looking for insights into addressing this problem that I can share in a future ad.

Jim Smith

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

“Concentrate on giving and the getting will take care of itself.” —Anonymous

Boebert nabs endorsement from top Douglas County Republican

BY MCKENNA HARFORD

Douglas County Commissioner George Teal endorsed U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District race, an indication that the congressional representative who recently moved away from the Western Slope, and will soon vacate her seat there, is gaining support in Republicandominated Douglas County.

In a statement, Teal praised Boebert as a principled Republican.  “Congresswoman Lauren Boe-

bert has shown Coloradans she will vote in support of our conservative values, no matter what the Swamp throws her way,” Teal wrote in his endorsement. “She has been the clear, principled voice we need in Congress while getting things done for Colorado, from critical economic development legislation to securing funding for water and infrastructure projects in our state.”

Boebert said in her post announcing the endorsement that she’s excited to work with Teal in the future.  Teal, a Republican, is running for

re-election to the Board of County Commissioners.

Boebert, who is facing numerous challengers in the Republican primary in June, has also been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, the Colorado GOP and its chair Dave Williams, former state Rep. Patrick Neville and Weld County Sheri Steve Reams.

Of the other candidates in the race, former talk radio host Deborah Flora, of Parker, and former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, of Sterling, have also stacked up notable endorsements from local and

state conservatives.  Flora’s include former state Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly, the Gazette Editorial Board and two former candidates running to represent the 4th district, Floyd Trujillo and Chris Phelen.

Endorsing Sonnenberg are former U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner, Wayne Allard and Hank Brown, as well as state Sen. Byron Pelton and numerous county commissioners.  Congressional candidate Peter Yu’s website says he doesn’t accept endorsements.

Candidate Deborah Flora Jan. 25 during the Republican Women of Weld’s Congressional District 4 debate in Fort Lupton.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Candidate Jerry Sonnenberg speaks Jan. 25 during the Republican Women of Weld’s Congressional District 4 debate in Fort Lupton. PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, who is angling to be elected in Colorado’s 4th District, has been endorsed by Douglas County Commissioner George Teal.

PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY

Castle Rock man pleads guilty to murdering his mother

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A Castle Rock man has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing his mother in her Highlands Ranch home in 2022.

Matthew Buchanan, 34, pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder, attempted rst-degree murder and attempted aggravated animal cruelty on Monday in

IMMIGRATION

Colorado over two laws that prohibit law enforcement o cers from work-

Douglas County District Court.

“It’s despicable to learn a son would kill his own mother in a brutal act of violence,” 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner said. “ is plea avoids a lengthy, gruesome, and emotional trial.

I’m advocating for the maximum sentence under Colorado law to protect the community from this defendant.”

Buchanan is facing up to 48 years

ing with federal immigration agencies.

Town attorney Michael Hyman said Castle Rock doesn’t have standing to join the lawsuit because the town doesn’t have a detention facility, so it hasn’t been directly impacted by the laws.

in prison for the second-degree murder charge. He will be sentenced on July 24.

On April 26, 2022, o cers responded to a house re on Dove Valley Place in Castle Rock. At the house, police found Elizabeth Bjorlow, Buchanan’s mother, deceased in her kitchen with wounds on her face, hands and feet. Bjorlow’s clothes had been set on re.

Prosecutors say Buchanan set

Instead, Hyman recommended the council pass a resolution of support.

the house on re with a man and two dogs inside. First responders rescued the man, who told them Buchanan and Bjorlow were arguing before the re.

Doorbell camera footage showed a white minivan, later identi ed as Buchanan’s, leaving the house before rst responders arrived.

Buchanan was arrested in Florida in May 2022, and extradited back to Douglas County to face charges.

“We do think we’d have challenges in joining the lawsuit that we can’t overcome to get our arguments in court,” he said. “We can certainly lend our morale, support and voice to the county.”

Council members Brooks, Cavey and Tim Dietz also expressed interest in joining the lawsuit as individual taxpayers.

e council will vote on the resolution at its June 4 meeting.

REVERSE MORTGAGES MADE EASY

Douglas County High School relocates Air Force Academy graduation

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County High School is changing the location of its graduation ceremony away from the U.S. Air Force Academy after students and sta raised concerns about undocumented people not being able to attend.

e graduation ceremony is still scheduled for May 22, but will now be held at 3 p.m. at the Echo Park Stadium in Parker.

CPR News reported a day before the announcement that some graduating seniors wouldn’t be able to take part in the graduation ceremony at the Air Force Academy because of its security protocols. e Douglas County News-Press was in the process of investigating similar tips as that story came out. e academy generally requires a military ID, passport or driver’s license to enter. For non-U.S. citizens, it requires special clearance and documentation to enter the base.

While Colorado allows undocumented people to get a driver’s license, it is “not valid for federal identi cation, voting or public bene t purposes” and the academy con-

rmed to CPR News that it’s not a valid credential to enter the base.

People with prior felonies, a criminal record, are also not allowed on the base.

In a statement from Douglas County High School Principal Anthony Kappas, the district said it worked closely with students and families to navigate the security requirements, but is changing the location out of concern that the ceremony would be disrupted.

“Unfortunately, there has been in-

creased scrutiny by some in the community, as well as members of the media, regarding the location of our graduation ceremony,” Kappas said in an email to the school.

e district said it had chosen to host the graduation at the Air Force Academy originally because of a past history with inclement weather ruining or delaying the ceremony. Kappas said the new location will also alleviate tra c concerns.

“ ere are concerns that this spotlight on our graduation could result

in additional stress and tra c delays that we do not want for our seniors on their special day,” he said. “We want to ensure all family members, friends and loved ones are able to attend this milestone celebration and can arrive on time.”

e ceremony will also be live streamed on the DCSD YouTube channel.

A Douglas County High School student estimated that two dozen students and around 80 family members were impacted by the decision to have graduation at the academy, according to CPR News.

District 20 in Colorado Springs has hosted graduations at the Air Force Academy previously and has one scheduled there this year. It’s unclear how that district helps students navigate the security requirements.

Kappas encouraged students to not let the last minute change in uence their celebration.

“To the Class of 2024, do not let this take away from your big day,” he said, “Change is part of life and you are resilient. is will be an incredible day where we celebrate you and all of your hard work. You will always be a Huskie!”

Douglas County High School relocated its graduation ceremony, which was originally scheduled to be at the Air Force Academy, after students and sta raised concerns about security restrictions on who would be able to attend. The graduation will now be at Echo Park Stadium in Parker.

COURTESY AIR FORCE ACADEMY

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MAYOR’S RACE

Good, assistant city manager, said in an email to the Lone Tree Voice.

Lone Tree Voice

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“Some people may opt to only vote for a council member in their district.”

Both women have been involved in the inner workings of the city.

With ve years of experience, Harmon has served on the planning commission and city council. Harmon has also worked with the Lone Tree Homeless Initiative, graduated from the local Citizens Police Academy and is also the owner of Roots & Mane hair salon.

Harmon represents District 1 on the city council and will have to vacate her seat, Good said, meaning the council will now have to appoint someone to ful ll the remainder of her term, which ends in 2026.

“I want to acknowledge the hard work of my opponent, Wynne Shaw and thank her for her service to the City of Lone Tree,” said Harmon.

council. Shaw is also the board chair of the Denver Regional Council of Governments and is the chair of the Regional Transportation Committee as well as the Douglas County Transportation Forum.

Following the election results, Shaw anticipates more volunteering, travel and spending more time with her daughter and family.

“As a 24-year resident of this community, I wish only good things for the City of Lone Tree,” said Shaw. “Our new mayor has spoken about her fresh ideas for the city and I know we all look forward to hearing about those.”

Voters also elected new council member for District 1.

Brain O’Connell and Mike Parr ran for the open seat in the district. Parr took the win with 1,181 votes vs. 399

With a background in the insurance industry and the managing director for a national insurance brokerage, Parr’s campaign focused on ensuring scal responsibility as well as maintaining the safety of the citizens while enhancing the quality and character of the city.

Parr is a Colorado native and has lived in Lone Tree for over two decades, volunteering throughout the city,

He has served as a two-time chair of the Lone Tree Recreation Committee and is a member of the Douglas County Open Space Committee and the Lone Tree Elevated Steering Committee.

At a Lone Tree City Council meeting in March, council approved a resolution canceling the District 2 election, declaring the sole candidate, Alecia Brown, elected.

e results as of press time are unofcial and will receive nal certi cation on Friday, May 17, according to the city’s website.

Marissa Harmon won the City of Lone Tree’s election for mayor with nearly 1,700 votes.

COURTESY CITY OF LONE TREE

University of Denver to make its electricity 100% solar

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

The University of Denver’s push for national name recognition in sports has proven wildly successful, with another hockey championship in 2024 and top programs in lacrosse, soccer and gymnastics. Now the southeastern Denver anchor is doubling down on becoming a green energy leader for its peers.

DU, with partner Pivot Energy, plans to build enough new solar panels on campus and at dedicated solar farms in surrounding counties to completely offset university electricity use within about three years.

The push to install 23 megawatts of panels dedicated to DU’s energy use is a key part of the insti-

tution’s commitment to become net zero in carbon emissions by 2030, said Lynn Bailey, director of energy and sustainability for the southeastern Denver campus.

Next up on the green energy list: cutting way back on natural gas used to heat DU’s buildings and hot water.

DU started its solar era in 2019, working with Pivot to install 2.2 MW of panels on 18 campus buildings. In the next phase, Pivot will add 1.2 MW more on campus, with a new array on the expansive rooftops of the Ritchie Center sports complex. (Home of the hockey Pioneers, who last month won their 10th national championship and second in three years, accumulating more trophies than

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Solar panels atop the Burwell Center for Career Achievement, seen May 1, 2024, at the University of Denver.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA SUN THE COLORADO SUN VIA REPORT FOR AMERICA

SEE SOLAR, P11

SOLAR

storied schools from Minnesota, Michigan and Massachusetts.)

Pivot will build the other 22.2 MW for DU at dedicated sites in Larimer, Adams, Mesa and Weld counties, over the next two to three years, Bailey said. In most cases, DU will be taking 100% of the power from those far-flung solar arrays, providing Pivot certainty and simplicity among its energy customers.

The solar expansion alone will wipe out half of DU’s remaining carbon footprint as it seeks other projects to meet the 2030 net zero carbon goal.

“We’ve always been trying to figure out other ways to work with DU because we knew they had ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals,” said Pivot vice president of strategic partnerships Mat Elmore. “It’s been a great match so far.”

Pivot says an added motivation for DU and other institutions who are landlords of large square footage are the Denver and statewide building emissions reductions mandated in recent rule changes. Colorado’s rules seeking greenhouse gas reductions from big buildings require commercial buildings larger than 50,000 square feet to cut building-related emissions by 20% in 2030.

Those rules are now subject to an injunction-seeking lawsuit filed by major landlords like apartment associations, but remain in effect

for now and may survive the legal challenge.

Colorado law allows DU to get net metering credit for solar power it creates, even when at offsite locations like Pivot’s community solar sites, Elmore said.

“That program is really made for, in my opinion, large campuses or large energy users that just can’t install enough on-site generating capacity to meet their needs” but who have ambitious climate

The RidgeGate calendar of fun starts here.

change targets, he said.

Pivot has developed 79 Colorado solar projects producing up to 70.8MW of electricity, with 124 more in the pipeline that would bring on 530MW. Nationally, the company has developed 179MW and has 2,714MW in the pipeline. A megawatt can serve 400 to 1,000 households, depending on the size of the home or apartment and how many appliances are electric.

The number of off-site, net-me-

Yoga in the Park

tered megawatts allowed to come online in a given year is limited, according to Pivot, which says it is the largest solar developer in Colorado.

“Bottom line is we have far more demand than supply for this particular program,” Elmore said.

This story was printed through a news sharing agreement with The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonprofit based in Denver that covers the state.

Join RidgeGate and South Suburban Parks and Recreation for free community yoga classes on the grass at the south end of Belvedere Park, at the corner of RidgeGate Circle and Belvedere Lane. Please bring your own mat, water bottle and towel to all classes. In case of heavy rain or lightning, class will be cancelled.

Tuesday, May 28th, 6:30-7:30pm

Tuesday, June 25th, 6:30-7:30pm

Guided Nature Hikes

Each year, RidgeGate teams up with the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District to provide free, guided nature hikes. These hikes are led by professional naturalists from the district, and offer insight and education into the natural ecosystems within the open space at RidgeGate. Registration is required and available at RidgeGate.com

Sunday, May 19th, 8-9:30am – Nature Bingo

Saturday, June 8th, 9-10:30am – Spring Wildflowers

Friday, June 14th, 6:30-8pm – Birds at Sunset

Friday, June 21st, 7:30-9pm – Strawberry Moon

Summer Beats Concerts

Enjoy these summertime concerts out on the grass with free live music, food trucks and activities for kids. It’s all happening in Prairie Sky Park, just west of the Lone Tree Recreation Center, courtesy of the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District.

Tuesday, June 18th, 6-8pm – Tunisia

Tunes on the Terrace at the Lone Tree Arts Center

RidgeGate is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Lone Tree Arts Center’s ‘Tunes on the Terrace’—an outdoor evening concert series that will bring your summer nights to life. Check out the full schedule and buy tickets at LoneTreeArtsCenter.org

Friday, June 21st, 7:30pm – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Special Indoor Concert)

Friday, June 28th, 7:30pm – The Brit Pack

Experience Historic Schweiger Ranch

The restoration of the 38-acre historic Schweiger Ranch, led by the Schweiger Ranch Foundation, gives us a glimpse into settlers’ lives. Today, the ranch is open to the public for self-guided visits and a variety of events throughout the year. Register for or learn more about these events online at SchweigerRanch.org

Thursday, May 30th, 8-9:30am – Natural Heritage Walking Tour with SSPRD (Birds)

Friday, June 14th, 8:30-10am – Natural Heritage Walking Tour with SSPRD (Native Plant Families)

Saturday, June 15th, 10-11:30am – Guided Public Tour Friday, June 21st, 6:30-7:30pm – Campfire Storytelling Series (Annie Oakley)

100 Women Who Care makes $10,000 donation

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Pawsitive Restorations Animal

Rescue received over $10,000 at the one-year anniversary celebration of Douglas County’s chapter of 100 Women Who Care.

Once a quarter, the group, which numbers nearly 130 women, gather to learn about three nonpro ts from around the county. By the end of the meeting, the group votes on which nonpro t its members will give funds to.

“It’s supporting all of the deserving nonpro ts in our local community,” Suzanne Wexler, the founder of the Douglas County chapter, said.

Pawsitive Restorations is a nonpro t that rescues, rehabilitates and houses at-risk animals. Its founder, Krissy Mosbarger, was brought to tears — and at a loss for words — when 100 Women Who Care announced the recipient.

“[We are] a local organization that has spent the last eight years working hard to save the lives of these unseen, discarded pets and to reduce

SCHMIDT CONST CO EQUIPMENT

the number of animals entering our overcrowded shelters,” Ruth Whalen, a volunteer said.  e organization goes across the state, and to neighboring states, to take in sick, injured, neglected and abused dogs, including those discarded from the pet trade.

Many of these animals are turned away by other groups due to the high cost of medical care and length of stay needed to heal. With some dogs’ care having cost between $10,000$17,000, Mosbarger said the funds are needed.

Although the funds will help with medical bills, the organization is also looking for foster homes.

“We had 98 of our pets last year

who became permanent DougCo residents whose families use our local vet shops,” said Whalen.  With experience working with a homeless shelter while living in Chicago and as a court-appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children, Wexler experienced rst-hand how funds bene t a nonpro t. at’s why she decided to join 100 Women Who Care, a national organization.

Wexler had considered creating a South Metro Denver chapter when she moved to Colorado six years ago, but she saw how many nonpro ts there were in Douglas County alone.

Krissy Mosbarger, left, the founder of the Pawsitive Restorations Animal Rescue nonprofit and volunteer Ruth Whalen spoke to a group of women about why they should receive funds for their organization.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

So, she established a county-focused chapter.

“I’m all about philanthropy,” said Wexler. “It’s in my blood, it’s what I do.”

rough her work with Aging Resources of Douglas County and a sack lunch program run from her home, Wexler was able to get women interested in joining the group.

“ e goal is to get as many women involved, because that’s how nonpro ts bene t,” said Wexler.

In one year, the group has donated over $60,000 to four local nonprofits. YANA, a peer-to-peer support system for moms, e Aspen E ect, which provides activities for youth to help prevent mental health crises,’ Covered Colorado, which works with sex tra cking survivors, and Backpack Society, which collects food donations and raises funds for students who struggle with food insecurity.

e previous recipient, June Everett, the founder of Backpack Society came back to express her gratitude for the $12,800 that allowed the organization to provide over 12,000 student bags to children and add two additional schools.

At each meeting, three nonpro ts give a ve-minute presentation followed by a Q&A. Brochures of the organizations are laid out for the

women “to nd where their passions lie.”

“We laugh, we cry, you know, everything in between, just learning about amazing organizations that may never have crossed our path before,” said Wexler.

e women then vote by secret ballot for which nonpro t they would like to support. Each member writes a check for $100 to the selected organization and within one hour, more than $10,000 is raised.

Two other organizations were considered at the anniversary meeting. Run by Kathy and Mike Hulley, e Mane Mission utilizes animal assisted therapy to help improve mental health and focus working with people with intellectual developmental disabilities.

“ e main mission of e Mane Mission is to use the human and animal bond to promote joy, hope and healing,” said Deg

e Douglas Land Conservancy protects and conserves the natural character, ecosystems, habitats and open spaces of Douglas, Elbert and Je erson counties. e organization has preserved over 27,000 acres with over half of that acreage open and free to the public.

e nonpro ts go through a vetting process, said Wexler, to ensure that all monies the group donates stays in Douglas County.

“ ey have to support either animals or people in Douglas County and there can’t be any religious or political component,” said Wexler.

Weekly Carrier Routes Available

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Success through accountability and ownership

You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” — Zig Ziglar is quote encapsulates Zig’s belief that progress begins with taking action, even if it’s small steps initially. Meeting expectations requires that initial e ort, that rst step toward a goal. However, Zig’s message extends beyond mere meeting expectations; he also emphasized the importance of exceeding them.

He believed that exceeding expectations was not only a path to success but also a way to build trust, credibility, and lasting relationships. Mr. Ziglar’s philosophy centered on the principle that by consistently surpassing what is required, individuals can di erentiate themselves and achieve greater levels of success in both their personal and professional lives.

benchmarks against which we measure our progress, success, and sometimes even our worth. However, traversing this maze requires more than just setting and meeting expectations; it demands a profound understanding of accountability and ownership.

inking about our lives, expectations act as guiding stars, illuminating our paths and shaping our endeavors. Whether self-imposed or external, these expectations serve as

Inever thought I would need to know so much about actuarial tables. Predicting how long you will live is the backbone of how life insurance, annuity, pension, and Social Security bene ts are calculated. is is why the longer you wait to collect Social Security, the higher your monthly bene t is. Because you have fewer months left in your lifetime to spread your payments over.

Retirees should be aware when there could be changes to their xed income bene ts. Social Security is the most common retiree bene t, as it a ects more than 66 million Americans. Every December, the Social Security Administration announces what the next year’s cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, will be, if any. Many think this adjustment is based on in ation of goods and services, but that is not exactly true. It is based on in-

At its core, accountability entails the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions, decisions, and their consequences. It is the recognition that our choices have repercussions, not only for ourselves but also for those around us. Likewise, ownership embodies the sense of ownership, not merely of tangible possessions, but also of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is the acknowledgment that we are the masters of our destinies.

Future Social Security benefits

ation of wages, or the CPI-W.

Social Security does not always give an in ation adjustment. You can see the historical increases, or lack thereof, on their website. Any increase is not always designed to keep up with the current in ation rate, either. e 3.2% bene t increase for 2024 did not equal the current in ation rate last December on total goods, which was 3.4%.

It is important for seniors to understand how to plan for in ation and what to expect from their Social Security bene ts. ere have been several years when there were more signi cant discrepancies. e expectation for 2025 is that it will

be the lowest in many years. is is partly due to the fact that in ation is coming down, but there are other calculations behind the scenes designed to help the Social Security co ers last longer than could be planned for future years.

e Long-Range Solvency Provisions are posted on the website at ssa.gov. Here, various ranges of increases and the nancial impact over long periods of time are displayed. ere are new computations shown that could help the longevity of Social Security bene ts for future generations but could lower the COLA for current retirees. While these are just di erent scenarios at this point, it is always important to make sure you have planned your retirement well, so you are not solely dependent on your Social Security income. Many retirees make the mistake of reducing or eliminating their in-

vestment growth goals as they near retirement. Investments can be a way of making up for xed incomes that may not keep up with higher costs of living, especially health care. Make sure you are working with your advisor to determine the best level of diversi cation to map out a comfortable retirement plan for you. Consider in ating your income needs in your projections, but do not in ate your Social Security bene t. is is not something you will have control over, and it is best to plan for a potential gap in income now while you can possibly make other adjustments to your strategy.

No one likes negative surprises. Plan well while you can.

1. ssa.gov

Patricia Kummer is a senior wealth advisor for Mariner Wealth Advisors.

SEE NORTON, P21

Seniors’ Council examines domestic violence, elder abuse

Domestic violence and elder abuse occurs across all demographics and may be present in communities including Douglas County. People feel uncomfortable thinking about these sensitive topics and often don’t know what should be done.

Amy McCandless, the executive director of the Crisis Center, will identify the signs of abuse at the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County (SCDC) meeting on ursday, June 6 from 10 to 11:30 am at Terra Blu s, a new older adult community, located at 8797 S. Chambers Road in Parker. She will also discuss tools to help empower those who are dealing with these di cult situations. e meeting is free and open to the public.

According to McCandless, “ e Crisis Center serves people impacted by intimate partner violence by providing emergency shelter, therapy, and advocacy services. Older adults are at a unique risk of abuse. Attendees will learn how to identify and prevent elder abuse, as well as more about Crisis Center services for those in need.” Attendees will receive material to keep on hand and a complimentary jar opener.

Prior to being promoted to executive director last year, McCandless served as the Crisis Center’s director of development since 2013. She currently oversees the agency’s fundraising e orts and provides programmatic oversight and strategic direction.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Flora is most sensible candidate

While all eyes seem to be focused on the race for president, we have a very important primary election coming up in a few short weeks. In the June primary, many of us will be selecting a candidate to run for U.S. Congressional District 4.

LIVING & AGING WELL

OBITUARIES

FERGUSON Robert B. “Bob” Ferguson, Jr. June 1, 1934 – April 8, 2024

I believe that Deborah Flora is the best, sharpest, and most sensible candidate in the race from any party. She understands that things have been getting worse for ordinary people with the laws, mandates and courtroom distractions coming out of Washington D.C. She knows, like we all do, that we know better what we need in our communities, in our schools, and in

Amy McCandless

e Seniors’ Council mission is to promote Living Well/Aging Well in Douglas County. SRCD’s vision is to enhance quality of life and open access through advocacy, education, and collaboration. Attendees are encouraged to invite others to meetings. Organizational partners are invited to support the mission and vision of SCDC. e Seniors’ Council will not meet in July. e next meeting is ursday, Aug. 1 and the topic is “Mental Health for Older Adults, Youth, and Everyone in Between,” presented by Jason Hopcus, president/CEO of NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties. Jason is a certi ed life coach, radio show host, and entrepreneur with a deep commitment to serve. He created and hosts a podcast and community designed to help youth and families navigate today’s challenges that can impact mental health called Nobody’s Perfect.

In September there will be a regular rst ursday morning SCDC meeting and a special half-day workshop about compiling emergency information binders on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

For more information about SCDC visit dcseniorlife@douglas.co.us.

our homes than elitist bureaucrats thousands of miles away in D.C.

I have no doubt that Deborah Flora will ght for our rights as parents, workers, and citizens against the overreaching arms of a federal government that is out of control. Deborah is smart and has common sense. She has a great booklet on her website entitled the “Roadmap to Restoring America” that resonates with my traditional patriotic view of the actual responsibilities of government. You can nd her Roadmap at deborah ora.com and see if you agree that Deborah Flora is a candidate you can wholeheartedly support this primary season.

Laura Eicher, Highlands Ranch

Bob Ferguson, 89, passed away on April 8, 2024, due to complications from a fall. He had lived at WindCrest Senior Living for 2 years and previously had homes in Lone Tree, CO, and Paso Robles, CA.

Beloved father to sons David and Ken Ferguson, daughter Lori Furth, and grandfather to Eric, Joel, and Daniel Furth. He was preceded in death by his wife Vickie Ferguson in 2005.

obituaries@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Where did those red, blue and black Colorado license plates come from?

probably took notice.

In 2023, roughly 180,000 vehicles were registered with those seemingly new plates. But the plates actually have roots in the past, and the oncediscontinued designs raise money for people with disabilities.

BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Aubiquitous image in Colorado, the state’s standard license plate features an artsy depiction of white mountains against a green background. So when all-red, all-blue and all-black designs with white letters — without mountains — started popping up in tra c, you

“ e rst blue-and-white plate was issued in 1914,” the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles said in a statement, adding: “ e rst year the all-red background with white letters was issued was 1925.”

Colorado’s popular new black plate is modeled after a 1945 design, predating the state’s rst plate design with mountains by about 15 years, according to the state DMV.

Another retro plate that ips the

standard design — instead o ering green mountains and white sky — recently made a return. It, too, generates funds for programs for the disability community.

Colorado’s batch of reissued designs represents just one of the many ways to support a cause or send a message.

“Our choice in license plates reects things we love to do, organizations we support, our service, our hobbies and interests and provides nancial support to these organizations,” DMV Senior Director Electra Bustle said in a news release this year.

Here’s a look at the history of some of Colorado’s unique license plates.

Bringing it back

Colorado rst made available the now-retro-looking plate with green mountains and white sky in 1962, the state DMV said.

Colorado discontinued that plate design in 2000, the division said. Bringing it back was an e ort of a state Senate bill in 2021, a law that requires the state to charge additional fees for those plates and put them in a disability support fund.

State lawmakers in 2022 followed up with state Senate Bill 22-217, a law that allowed Colorado to issue the previously retired designs of all-black, all-red and all-blue backgrounds.

An image of Colorado’s license plate design created to recognize the victims of the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999. COURTESY OF COLORADO DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

PLATES

e Colorado Disability Funding Committee receives $25 from the sale of each of those plates, as well as an additional $25 at renewal, the state DMV said.

e DMV does not have historical records that point to the reasons why the state discontinued the black, red and blue plates years ago, the division said.

“Black and white, and whiteand-black color combinations, as well as a host of other color combinations, were used from 1913 through 1958. e nal version of the black-and-white color combination was issued in 1954,” the DMV said in a statement.

Around 1959, the state moved to various versions of green-andwhite license plates, the DMV said.

Colorado rst made available its current standard license plate design of white mountains and green background around 1960, according to the DMV.

Retro plates gain popularity

Now that some old designs are back, they’ve become popular.

Coloradans chose the black plates roughly 170,000 times in 2023, according to a DMV list.

About 6,900 vehicles registered with the red plates and about 6,400 with the blue that year, the list said.

e state made the black, red and blue plates available in January 2023.

Themed plates, including for ethnic groups e Columbine “Respect Life” design remains popular too, with more than 75,000 vehicles registered with the plates in 2023. Released in 2001, the plate honors the 13 lives lost during the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999, according to the DMV.

(While the plate design was created to recognize the victims of the Columbine tragedy, it does not generate funds for survivors of the shooting, the DMV clari ed.)

Some plates center on ethnic groups. e Italian American heritage plate was created from a state House Bill in 2007.

e American Indian Scholars plate was created from a state Senate Bill in 2005, the DMV said. For that plate, a person must donate $25 to the Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce.

And now, a bill to create a plate that supports the Chicana/o community — Americans of Mexican descent — recently passed the state legislature.

“ e black background in particular exceeded original revenue estimates, while the blue and red backgrounds have met estimates,” a state budget document said.

After it’s created, a person would become eligible for the plate by providing a certi cate con rming they have made a donation to a nonpro t organization chosen by o cials based on the organization’s provision of services to the Latin American community, according to a summary of the bill on the legislature’s website.

“It speaks to Chicano heritage that is very deep in the state of Colorado,” state Rep. Tim Hernandez has said. FROM PAGE 16

An image of Colorado’s blue-background license plate design.

An image of Colorado’s historically influenced black-background license plate design.

An image of Colorado’s license plate design that benefits the Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce.

An image of Colorado’s red-background license plate design.

An image of Colorado’s Italian American heritage plate design.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF COLORADO DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Colorado Community Media honored with 10 regional journalism awards

Sta takes three first place honors at the Society of Professional Journalists’ Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism competition

e sta of Colorado Community Media’s two dozen newspapers received 10 awards, including three rstplace honors, at the esteemed Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism competition over the weekend.

is year’s contest, hosted by the Colorado chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, attracted a record number of participants, with more than 80 news media outlets and 30 freelancers from Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico submitting their work. Judged by the Los Angeles Press Club, the competition was erce, with more than 1,900 entries vying for recognition. Colorado Community media competed in the large newsroom category.

e newsroom’s “Long Way Home” series, an extensive, 14-story deep

dive into the escalating crisis of housing a ordability and availability, won rst place in the General Reporting, Series or Package category. e story identi ed the barriers many younger Coloradans and people of color face in their struggles for home ownership and explored potential solutions. e stories, produced by reporters across the newsroom, ran in newspapers — from the Arvada Press to the Parker Chronicle — across the metro area.

e project was led by Editor in Chief Michael de Yoanna with West Metro Editor Kristen Fiore, North Metro Editor Scott Taylor, Digital Editor Deborah Grigsby and former South Metro Editor elma Grimes, the assistance of editors Scott Gilbert and Christy Steadman, and initial contributions from former chief editor Lisa Schlichtman.

Judges wrote: “Tremendous e ort by the sta of Colorado Community Media to tell the story of housing — the facts, gures and people a ected by metro Denver’s housing issues.”

Reporters Nina Joss and McKenna Harford won rst place in the Politics, Feature category for “Shades of Red” in the Douglas County News-Press, looking at divergent views among south metro area Republicans regarding how to present a uni ed front to voters.

“In this timely, unbiased, and in-

depth analysis, journalists Nina Joss and McKenna Harford show great skill at explaining complex political issues in a way that is accessible and engaging to their audience. e result is a clearly written, logically structured, and highly entertaining piece of work,” the judges remarked.

News sta ers Fiore, Corinne Westeman, Grigsby, Steadman, Rylee Dunn and Steve Smith were honored with a rst place in Social Justice Reporting in “For the record: Examining how the Golden Transcript contributed to systemic racism.” e story, which Westeman took the lead role in writing, reconciled with a racially biased chapter of the Transcript’s presentation of news in the late 1960s and early 1970s surrounding the Black Panther Party. Also named on the award are Jameka Lewis, senior librarian at the Denver Public Library’s Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, and a freelance researcher on the story, Greg Moore, contributing as an editor, and Allan Tellis, contributing as a doctoral student of political science at the University of Colorado-Boulder/ freelance researcher.

“A hard-hitting reminder of a dark past, and the fact that there is still a long way to go,” judges wrote.

Westeman also took home a second-place award in the Sports, News category for “Role Players: Oredig-

gers work behind the scenes to elevate football team’s performance.”

Dunn, at the Arvada Press, received a second-place honor for Obit Reporting for “Remembering Moses Walker, a musician and friend beyond compare.” Joss, at the Littleton Independent, took third place in the Obit Reporting category for “Je Gaylord’s death shines light on life of strength and sel essness.”

Also receiving third-place honors:

• Steadman, editor of the Washington Park Pro le and Life on Capitol Hill, for “Parkinson’s slows life down but doesn’t stop a family’s love” (Column, Personal)

• Englewood Herald Reporter Elisabeth Slay for “Unopposed Englewood school board candidate Davon Williams has felony record and active arrest warrant, records show” (General Reporting, Series or Package)

• Production Artist Leah Neu, “A hub for young artists” (Single Page Design)

• Former Centennial Citizen Reporter Tayler Shaw for beat reporting.

Retired Canyon Courier Reporter Deb Hurley Brobst, a four-decade veteran journalist with extensive editing, reporting and mentoring experience, was named a Keeper of the Flame, a lifetime achievement award given to journalists who display “extraordinary dedication to ethical, responsible journalism and professional integrity.”

Thu 5/16

Making Movies w/Fruta Brutal @ 6pm Swallow Hill Music, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

The Wilderness Live at Herman's Hideaway wsg: Dear Luna @ 6pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Fri 5/17

Keddjra @ 7pm

Sat 5/18

Mickey Avalon LIVE at Wild Goose with Blake Banks @ 6am

Wild Goose Saloon, Parker

7th Annual Victoria's Tea Fundraiser for the Castle Rock Historical Society & Museum @ 1pm / $40

Kirk Hall, 500 Fairgrounds Road, Castle Rock. museum@castlerock historicalsociety.org, 303-8143164

Cecelia Band: Cecelia w/ Vertigo + Dylan & Declan + Tuesday’s @ 6:30pm Moe's Original BBQ, 3295 S Broadway, Englewood

LUNG the band @ 6pm

Moe's Original BBQ, 3295 S Broadway, Englewood

Softball: Youth - Girls Age 6 to 8Summer 2024

@ 9:30pm

May 21st - Jul 27th

Salisbury Sports Complex, 11920 Motsen‐bocker Road, Parker

Wed 5/22

Thu 5/23

SUMMER SPINS ROLLER RINK @ 2pm / $10

May 23rd - Sep 2nd 439 S Upham St, 439 South Up‐ham Street, Lakewood. info@bel marcolorado.com, 303-742-1520

Rock 'n Roll Junkies @ 6pm

Sun 5/19

Josh Heinrichs @ 6pm

Moe's Original BBQ, 3295 S Broadway, Englewood Ride @ 7pm

Gothic Theatre, Englewood

Mon 5/20

Chaos And Carnage Tour @ 3:30pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Face Yourself @ 3:30pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Meet the Counselor @ 4:30pm / Free Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr., Parker. 303-805-6315

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Ben Hemsley @ 8pm

The Church Denver, 1720 S Alcott St, Denver

Tue 5/21

Sugar Candy Mountain @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Brian Posehn @ 7pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Rotating Tap Comedy @ Coal Mine Ave Brewing @ 6pm

Coal Mine Ave Brewing Company, 9719 W Coal Mine Ave unit a, Littleton

2K BABY & COLEMAN LANE IN LITTLETON, CO @ 6:30pm The Toad Tavern, 5302 S Federal Circle, Littleton

Subtronics After Party Thursday @ 10:59pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

ers.

Classic iron draws car lovers to Elizabeth

Elizabeth High School Auto Shop program stages yearly show

BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

e day was overcast and cloudy when the Elizabeth High School Auto Shop program staged its annual Spring Car Show, but it wasn’t too cold for Elbert County residents to ogle at all the beautiful classic cars. e show, hosted by the EHS chapter of SkillsUSA, took place on May 5 at the school. Members of the Elizabeth Cruisers, Parker Cruisers, Castle Rock Poor Boy Cruisers and the Vintage Car Club of Castle Rock always show up to support the pro-

gram.

Derek Spohn, EHS Auto Shop instructor and head of the program, said the car show is a great opportunity to connect with the community. “ e conversations that folks have with me usually revolve around how important the auto shop is to high schoolers, and so many people are just happy to see it come back,” he said. “Many of our donations are the result of this car show. People o er to donate tools, equipment and vehicles to the program, all of which come with a donation receipt for tax purposes.”

ere were just under 170 students enrolled in an EHS Auto Shop class this year. EHS o ered Consumer Automotive, Automotive 1 and Automotive 2 classes. Spohn said students learned a variety of skills ranging from at tire replacement

to welding and electrical circuit creation to pinstriping, airbrush use and mousetrap car construction. Students also made their own tables using spruce lumber that was donated by Mountain Heart Woodworks in Elbert.

Spohn proudly shared how students in the program continue to succeed. Students were invited to the Tri-State Swap Meet this year to create custom trophies for the TriState Car Show. e SkillsUSA chapter sent ve students to Pikes Peak State College to compete in a regional competition. e seniors this year are going on to a variety of di erent areas after graduation; two are attending welding trade schools and another student will attend a vehicle restoration program.

Elizabeth High School still has plans to construct an auto shop and

classroom building on the north side of campus. e project has been held up by regulations and red tape. Nonetheless, the hope is that construction will begin in early June with completion of the auto shop by Sept. 1.

SkillsUSA, formerly known as VICA (the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), is a “national organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations and for further education.”

e EHS Auto Shop program was featured on the television last year at tinyurl.com/2u4v6tdf and in a previous Elbert County News story at tinyurl.com/579us6hn.

To support the program email dspohn@esdk12.org.

A 1955 Chevy Nomad station wagon with a 502-cubic-inch GM engine was on display at the Elizabeth High School Auto Shop Spring Car Show. The “only thing on this from a ’55 Chevy is the sheet metal,” the owner shared. PHOTOS BY NICKY QUINBY

On the left is a red 1934 Ford coupe, with a yellow 1967 Pontiac Firebird and an orange 1949 Mercury side by side in the background at Elizabeth High School.

When we talk about meeting and exceeding expectations, the link of accountability and ownership becomes particularly relevant. To exceed expectations, we must rst meet them, but to truly excel, we must go beyond the anticipated. is journey begins with introspection, a critical examination of the expectations we harbor for ourselves. Often, these self-imposed expectations are the most stringent, fueled by our ambitions.

However, as we scrutinize these expectations, we must distinguish

between those that propel us forward and those that shackle us in self-doubt and anxiety. True ownership lies in discerning which expectations align with our values, passions, and capabilities, and which ones are remnants of external inuences. By reclaiming ownership over our aspirations, we empower ourselves to set realistic goals and pursue them with unwavering determination.

Simultaneously, accountability beckons us to confront the expectations others place upon us. Whether it be the demands of employers, family members, or society at large, external expectations can exert a profound in uence on our lives. Yet, while we cannot control the expec-

BATHROOM REMODELING DONE RIGHT

tations others hold, we can control how we respond to them. Accountability urges us to communicate openly, to negotiate, and, when necessary, to assert boundaries.

Accountability entails transparency and integrity in our actions. It means honoring commitments, admitting mistakes, and taking steps to rectify them. In a world where blame-shifting and nger-pointing abound, embracing accountability is a radical act of courage and authenticity. It is an acknowledgment of our fallibility and an unwavering commitment to growth and self-improvement.

Accountability and ownership are the threads that bind us together, weaving patterns of resilience, in-

tegrity, and excellence. ey remind us that success is not measured solely by the attainment of goals but by the journey we undertake and the principles we uphold along the way. I would love to hear your expectations story at gotonorton@gmail. com. And when we embrace the power of accountability and ownership as the compasses that guide us toward the ful llment of our highest aspirations, 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.

Colorado’s foster families honored for National Foster Care Month

BY JO DAVIS JDAVIS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

May is National Foster Care Month. e Colorado Department of Human Services commemorated the month by honoring ve foster families. e families honored were Desmond and Emelia Boateng from Peyton, Jennifer and Stacy Gardinier from Deacon, Chad Harbertson and Kayunte Berry from Lakewood, Josh Skaggs from Colorado Springs and Ahna and Andres Raygoza from Wiggins. e families came together for a luncheon on Saturday, May 4, at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

“ ese families are examples of ordinary Coloradans doing something extraordinary to strengthen families and their community. eir support for reuni cation and commitment to caring for youth of all ages is remarkable,” said Mollie Bradlee, interim director of the CDHS O ce of Children, Youth and Families. “ ey are an inspiration for others to consider what they can do right now to make a di erence for kids and families.”  e luncheon was also to bring more attention to foster care, to CDHS. e state is always looking to nd more families to add to its foster and kinship family network, CDHS.

According to the CDHS, there are 3,448 children and youth living with

2,471 certi ed kinship and foster families today in Colorado.

“We know that people are curious about foster care and want to know more about what it is really like,” said Bradlee. “By sharing these real stories, we hope to inspire more Coloradans to support children and youth who need a temporary safe place to heal while their parents or

caregivers work on building skills to help their children thrive.”

According to the CDHS, being a foster parent isn’t exclusive to married, middle-aged couples. In Colorado, foster parents can be:

• Single, married, or in a committed relationship

• All races and ethnicities

• All sexual orientations, gender

identities, or gender expressions

• Homeowners or renters

• An experienced parent or a rsttime parent

• Older or young (minimum 21 years old)

e only way to know if you qualify is to contact the CDHS o ce near you for more information. Visit CO4Kids.org.

The honored Colorado foster families, from left, are Josh Skaggs, Stacy and Jennifer Gardinier, Desmond and Emelia Boateng, Ahna and Andres Raygoza, Chad Harbertson and Kayunte Berry.

COURTESY PHOTO

MARC VARGAS

CAREERS

Help Wanted

Speech-Language Pathologist

Remote or in person

FT or part time SpeechLanguage Pathologist or SLPA Positions Available for the 2024-2025 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

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

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

MARKETPLACE

Misc. Notices

WIDOWED MEN AND WOMEN OF AMERICA.

A social club offering many exciting activities and life long friendships. Social hours for all areas of Metro Denver. Visit Widowedamerica.org for details In your area!

Merchandise

Firewood

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Split & Delivered $450 a cord Stacking $50 Call 303-647-2475 or 720-323-2173

Lawn & Garden

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Hablamos Espanol

Medical

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Office or Commercial Space for

Two Offices ~ Available Immediately Great Location and Prices! NEW CONSTRUCTION!

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Offices are located next to: Cleary Building Corp: 755 Crossroads Circle, Elizabeth, Colorado Contact 303-660-0420 or 800-373-5550

13-16, 2024

Shopping H FOOD H EXHIBITS H MUSIC H RIDES

FUN THINGS TO DO:

• Enjoy your Favorite Festival Food

• Shopping Marketplace

• Music on Four Stages

• Carnival Rides for the Whole Family

• Free Kids Crafts

• Silent Disco – Dance, Dance, Dance!

• Bungy Jumping

• Jump and Slide on the In atables

AIR ACADEMY CREDIT UNION

EAST MUSIC Stage – Live Music ALL Day

Friday 8 pm – 10 pm Sisters of Rock

Saturday 8 pm – 10 pm

Shelvis and the Roustabouts

Sunday 6:30 pm – 8 pm

Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Community Stage – Entertainment ALL Day

Music

THURSDAY, JUNE 13 1 pm – 10:30 pm: Carnival Only

FRIDAY, JUNE 14

Fri 1 pm – 10:30: Carnival Fri 4 pm – 10:30 pm: Fesival

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

Sat 10 am – 10:30 pm

SUNDAY, JUNE 16

Sun 10 am – 8:30 pm

MAIN STAGE – Live Music ALL Day HEADLINERS:

Friday, June 14 presented by

8:00 pm – 10:30 pm: Kory Brunson Band Saturday, June 15 presented by 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Wash Park Band Sunday, June 16 presented by 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm: That Eighties Band

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

CARNIVAL RIDES & GAMES: presented by

BUY DISCOUNTED UNLIMITED CARNIVAL RIDE WRISTBANDS ONLINE

Single-Day Unlimited Carnival Rides: $35 each

Good any one day during the festival

Sold online through 12 noon Wed. June 12

4-Day MEGA Unlimited Carnival Rides: $89 each

Good all 4 days of the festival

PURCHASE DURING THE FESTIVAL

Single-Day Unlimited Carnival Rides: $40 each

TICKETS FOR INDIVIDUAL RIDES

Food, Beverage & Ride Tickets may be purchased at Festival Ticket Booths.