Parker Chronicle 032323

Area dentist suspected in wife’s alleged murder

Parker Hospital treated victim

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

An investigation into a husband suspected of recently killing his wife has led detectives to look into a twoweek period where Angela Craig, 43, was admitted to Parker Adventist Hospital and released twice before

going to University Hospital on March 15 where she later died.

On March 20, James Craig, 45, was arrested on suspicion of rst-degree murder of the mother of six children. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 23 to see if the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s o ce will le o cial charges.

According to investigation documents released by the Aurora Police Department, Craig allegedly secured the purchase of potassium cyanide at his dental o ce, Summerbrook

for apartments

Residents voice concern

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As news spread about a proposed a ordable housing development near Parker — yet another ashpoint in the ongoing battle against new apartment complexes in the Denver suburbs — many area residents expressed concern about its funding.

“70% of the development cost will be absorbed by Douglas County taxpayers,” one resident wrote to the county.

at’s just one complaint in a long list of comments the county compiled that objected to the development’s funding. Said another: “We do not appreciate subsidizing 60 to 70% of the cost of that development after we have paid over 800,000 for our home.”

“Please hear the voices of the

SEE APARTMENTS, P8

Dental Group. According to statement’s made by o ce sta , Craig allegedly purchased the cyanide on a computer that he usually didn’t use in the o ce.

After ordering the package, he allegedly told one member of the o ce that he was expecting a package and not to open it. However, the package was delivered to another sta member and it was opened. Sta members saw the package had the c yanide, according to investigation documents.

On March 6, Angela Craig started complaining of symptoms to her husband through text messages, saying she had a headache and felt dizzy. According to one message, Angela said she felt like she had been drugged.

As detectives worked to interview friends and family, the police report states that Angela’s sister told them the couple had a tumultuous relationship over the years, where Craig

SEE HOMICIDE, P9

Laydon, Thomas attempt civility

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In a near about-face compared to just six days prior, two of Douglas County’s elected leaders engaged in a conversation to try burying the hatchet after a long climate of animosity.

e public doesn’t care whether Commissioner Abe Laydon is right or Commissioner Lora omas is right, Laydon said.

“ ey just see a board that is

SEE CIVILITY, P6

Role of ‘taxpayer dollars’ in plan

is complicated

Two commissioners discuss grievances with assistance from mediator

A sign stands to give notice of the public hearings that the county Planning Commission and county commissioners held regarding rezoning the land where a proposed apartment complex may be built in The Pinery area just south of the Town of Parker. The sign still stood in the area Feb. 28.

PHOTOS BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Public meeting crowd takes issue with county commissioners’ conduct

Residents voice concern

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In a public meeting punctuated by loud interruptions from the audience, several area residents spoke against what they say is unjust treatment of one of Douglas County’s elected leaders by her two colleagues, pointing to a rift accentuated by personal attacks.

“Today, I was told I was bananas and told I needed to stop standing on my soapbox and stop yelling into the abyss,” Lora omas, a Douglas County commissioner, said during the March 14 meeting.

Much of the crowd consisted of people who support omas and took issue with the other two commissioners launching investigations against her, removing her from serving on outside leadership boards in the community and opposing her preference for whom to appoint to the county Planning Commission, a body of citizens who give input on property development decisions. About a dozen speakers criticized the commissioners’ conduct, with many taking issue speci cally with Commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal.

A couple of attendees oated the idea of a recall election, where residents would vote on whether to remove an o cial from o ce, a suggestion that garnered applause from the crowd.

And while the meeting didn’t see evidence of gender-based comments from Laydon and Teal speci cally, several speakers said their actions amounted to mistreating omas because she is a woman.

Kay Michelsen, of Highlands Ranch, described the treatment toward omas as “misogynistic, caustic cocktails of meanness.”

Laydon told the audience he supports strong leaders, “especially

women,” pointing to some county sta .

But he characterized omas as causing problems in di erent government workplaces over the years.

In response to the audience’s complaints, Laydon said: “ is woman will get whatever she wants when she starts acting with respect.”

‘Like a colleague’

One man who said he’s a resident of Castle Rock and led open-records requests stood at the lectern and played audio — apparently from a commissioners’ meeting — of what appears to be Teal saying omas doesn’t “have the intellectual capacity to function as a part of” county leadership.

“Treat her like a grownup, like a woman and like a colleague,” said the man, Michael Campbell, in one of the many statements that elicited applause from the crowd.

A man who identi ed himself as Pete Smith claimed Teal’s wife called omas an o ensive word, though Smith didn’t provide evidence.

“Come on George, stand up and say you’re sorry for what your wife said,” Smith said.

Teal did not respond or comment on the accusation.

Speakers also decried postcards that were critical of omas that were mailed to some number of Douglas County residents over the past few months.

“I’ll just address the elephant in the room because I have heard both of you gentlemen spew the vicious vitriol and venom,” a man named Jay Longmire said. “Either of you two have any idea who sends these out?”

Laydon again said he has no connection to the postcards, and Teal did not comment on the matter during the meeting. (Teal has not returned Colorado Community Media’s call for comment regarding the mailings.)

Removing Thomas Speakers at the meeting, who addressed the audience during the public comment portion, also criticized Laydon and Teal’s removal of omas from outside boards and

their moves to block her from serving as chair of the county commissioners.

“By two excluding one from (board positions) and chair, you have singlehandedly decided that our (voices) do not matter,” said one woman, referring to certain voters in the county.

Laydon and Teal recently voted to remove omas from leadership on entities including the Northwest Douglas County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, a group that represents the local business community; the Mile High Flood District, which oversees matters such as ood management, stream mitigation and stormwater around the Denver region; and the 18th Judicial District forfeiture board. ( e “forfeiture” process relates to property that is involved in a criminal or legal matter.)

e Douglas County commissioners collectively sit on about 40 boards, according to Laydon.

Laydon o ered some supportive comments toward omas, noting they have worked together to tackle issues such as transportation and property taxes.

“I actually think Lora omas is incredibly organized, incredibly capable. She has a lot of thoughts and power and (ability) to move the needle,” Laydon said. He added: “We are all conservative Republicans passionate about the work of this county, and that’s what we need to be focused on.”

But Laydon did detail what he says are problems with omas, saying that for years she’s had con ict with people she’s worked with in other organizations.

omas and the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce — then under di erent leadership — experienced a rift years ago, including during omas’ tenure as Douglas County coroner, according to CCM reporting from 2011. omas has “lost the trust of her Board and co-workers on multiple occasions,” Laydon wrote in a newsletter sent out shortly before the March 14 meeting.

Douglas County commissioners George Teal, Lora Thomas and Abe Laydon.

FILE PHOTO

represent public clumsy low Board damage Laydon removed ments; feedback will from litical main ers.

a and County,” Security accused risk” formation, violation commissioners las shouted “on of regarding vote advanced at

She “has demonstrably failed to represent the county well in the public space, resorting to constant clumsy attempts to undermine fellow Republicans, including her own Board — which has done irrevocable damage to her own credibility,” Laydon wrote. “ is is why she was removed from these board appointments; if we receive more negative feedback regarding her conduct, she will be removed from more boards.” omas has called her removal from outside boards “personal political retribution.”

Allegations of sexism comprised a main complaint among the speakers.

“I don’t know what it means to be a female, but I know what a jerk is, and we don’t need that in Douglas County,” Laydon said, referring to omas.

Security a focus

at comment came after Laydon accused omas of “putting kids at risk” by releasing school security information, which he said is a “patent violation of the agreement” that the commissioners had with the Douglas County school board.

One person in the audience shouted out that the information is “on the internet” and public.

Recently, Laydon accused omas of leaking classi ed materials regarding the commissioners’ 2-1 vote to spend nearly $1 million for advanced metal detector technology at STEM School Highlands Ranch.

omas voted against the measure, saying the technology is not proven and she had concerns.

omas had posted links to stories written by CCM reporters in her weekly newsletter, which prompted Laydon to claim the articles are irresponsible, put students at risk and quoted “classi ed” materials.

( e reporters wrote stories based on the public meeting where the vote was taken to spend the funds and through interviews and research. One story quotes the technology company’s website, STEM School o cials, and other information available publicly through online searches, YouTube and documentation from the meeting.)

Laydon said in a February interview that he’s aware details of the technology are public but that o cials don’t want people to know about it for security reasons.

“I know (that) the technology, you can nd it on the internet,” Laydon said, adding that STEM School has shared information about it with parents. “But to widely share information … (is) in my mind a violation of our agreement and completely inappropriate.”

Investigations on mind

Another topic raised during the March meeting: probes including an investigation Teal and Laydon initiated after accusing omas of circulating an anonymous letter that criticized speci c employees in the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, allegedly creating a hostile work environment.  ey also accused her of emailing county legal representation with a request not authorized by the full board.

e $23,750 investigation into omas by outside legal counsel found that while omas had distributed the letter, doing so did not create a hostile work environment.

It also found she drafted correspondence to legal representation, without informing the board, that was contrary to board direction.

omas appeared in a CBS Colorado news story in July discussing the con dential report that showed the results of the investigation, prompting the Douglas County government’s attorney to nd that omas could have broken the law by doing so. omas had asserted multiple times in meetings and in her newsletter to constituents that she believes the privileged nature of the document had already been broken by Laydon discussing parts of it publicly.

A second investigation — conducted by the Arapahoe County Sheri ’s O ce — did not nd probable cause to believe that omas committed the crime of rst-degree o cial misconduct.

“ e Colorado criminal code does not speci cally prohibit a waiver of privileged and con dential information by a privilege holder. In this case, as a member of the Board of County Commissioners, Lora omas is a privilege holder,” Arapahoe County Sheri ’s O ce Sgt. Bruce Peterson wrote in a memorandum. Laydon has argued Arapahoe County “got it wrong” in evaluating omas’ actions, saying “the privileged holder of a con dential document is the board” and not just one member of the board. He based his point on the understanding of the law of Chris Pratt, interim Douglas

County attorney.

omas in a Jan. 31 meeting signaled she might take action to have her legal bills paid back if the county doesn’t decide to pay the cost.

“We demand that the legal bills she was forced to incur as a result of the (investigation) be paid by Teal and Laydon,” Michelsen said at the March meeting.

‘Two to tango’

e meeting became tense at times, with Campbell interrupting Laydon from the audience and Laydon saying he needs to be removed from the room. A sheri ’s deputy walked up to Campbell but ultimately allowed him to stay. Shortly after, Campbell spoke against Laydon again and chose to walk out.

Most of the speakers criticized Laydon and Teal, but one woman from Castle Rock said she wanted to give “a shoutout” to Teal, adding she supports all three commissioners. She felt omas was not prevented from being chair unfairly.

“I don’t feel it’s a bully thing; I don’t feel it’s a sexist thing,” she said. A couple other speakers were more neutral, lamenting the conict among the commissioners in general.

“I also think it takes two to tango … We’re not privy to that,” a woman from Castle Rock said. “ e point is this has gone on for months and months and months.”

Another speaker said: “I think we need statesmanship rather than partisanship. I think this needs to be for the common good rather than personal.”

“I really hope that we the people, the voters, don’t have to re one or all of you,” he said.

Parker chamber hosts organizational meeting for new veterans council

Groups discuss ideas

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Parker Chamber of Commerce President T.J. Sullivan hosted a brainstorming session at the Douglas County Parker Library in hopes to make the rst Chamber Veterans Council.

Sullivan was inspired by another chamber executive to look into creating community councils through the chamber. As there are many specialized groups in the community, to be involved in an issue that they care about would be a way to get more people involved in the community, he said.

“We wanted a council with substance,” said Sullivan. “[To help] expand the reach of the chamber and also bring in people who identify with that particular community.”

According to Sullivan, there are many military veterans in the Parker Chamber of Commerce. e Town of Parker also has a large veteran presence as well as veteran-owned businesses,

e Chamber’s mission statement is “To be the preeminent organization in the Parker area for advocacy, promotion, and collaboration of business.”

With a primary goal of supporting veteran-owned businesses, the purpose of the Parker Chamber Veterans Council is to provide professional resources to veterans

in the area, promote professional programs and opportunities and to encourage more veterans to start businesses in Parker.

In attendance were 16 veterans, active duty members and family of military personnel, all of whom work in or run a business in the area, and many are part of the chamber.

Everyone sat in groups of four to discuss and write down ideas of how a Parker Chamber Veterans Council could assist Veteran business owners.

“It’s a good thing to have these things work out organically and actually ask the community that’s gathered what they want, what’s needed,” said Sullivan. “ is is literally a brainstorming meeting to see if this is something that would be useful, if we can help people and if we can do it within our mission.”

Attendees were given 30 minutes to discuss how the chamber could support veteran business owners, how they could encourage veteran entrepreneurs and what activities could a potential council do to make a di erence for veteran owning or wanting to own a business.

e group’s thoughts crossed over one another as each had similar ideas. Topics focused around mentoring, networking, social media and marketing, preparing a resource list, having a presence at events and being a liaison to the town council.

e idea of the veteran council is to provide resources for and mentor veteran entrepreneurs and veteranowned businesses who are looking

America’s Lowest Nicotine Cigarettes

Helping break the cycle of nicotine

for additional support. Resources would include listing the job trades and diversity of those involved in the council.

Among many ideas, one was to have job listings available for veterans in veteran-owned businesses that already exist. is would help create a transition and build trust and partnerships among business owners.

e discussion of how to let the community know the council and resources are available was brought up. Social media and marketing will be a focus as many people coming out of service are looking to sites such as LinkedIn for job opportunities.

An attendee brought up the idea

of creating a veteran business fair expo that veteran networking groups could be invited to. e expo could include chamber business and community resources.

Looking forward, Sullivan will be reading over the notes that were provided during the organizational meeting and is awaiting approval from the chamber board.

According to Sullivan, the Parker Chamber Veterans Council looks to have 12 permanent members. e only requirement is the person has to be part of the chamber or have a legitimate connection to the chamber.

e date and time of the next meeting will be announced at a later date.

Attendees at the Parker Chamber Veterans Council organizational meeting. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

Two arrested in Highlands Ranch booby trap investigation

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County deputies arrested two Highlands Ranch residents after a booby trap on their property sent a man to the hospital.

Bryan Hill, 61, and Tracy Remington, 53, were taken into custody on March 15 after a “short stand-o ” at their Ashburn Court residence, according to a Sheri ’s O ce news

replease.

Deputies obtained a warrant to search the property after the man, a door-to-door salesman, reported being injured by a trip wire at the home on March 9 that triggered a device that set o a loud bang. e man told deputies a wire caught around his lower leg.

He said he felt pain in his ear and the incident a ected his vision. He left the property with the help of a

co-worker and was subsequently hospitalized, according to the Sheri ’s O ce.

According to Remington’s and Hill’s arrest a davits, the trip wire set o a blank round for a 12-guage shotgun.

Deputies said they recovered wire traps that were set at the front and back entrances of the home. One trap was designed to spray a chemical agent, like pepper spray, when

triggered, according to the a davits.

Hill and Remington were booked into the Douglas County Jail for felony second-degree assault, felony menacing and misdemeanor prohibited use of a weapon. Bond for both was set at $25,000.  Hill and Reminton are scheduled to be in court on April 18. e sheri ’s o ce said the investigation is ongoing.

Douglas County deputies arrested Highlands Ranch residents Bryan Hill and Tracy Remington after a wire trap device on their front step injured a salesman.

The salesman told police that on March 9 while working, he approached a front door and a wire caught on his lower leg, triggering a loud noise that a ected his hearing and vision.

PHOTOS COURTESY DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

CIVILITY

duking it out in public meetings,” Laydon said.

His comments came in a March 20 work-session meeting of the commissioners titled “Governing with Civility & Professionalism” on the county’s posted schedule. e conversation between omas and Laydon, partly supported by an outside mediator, saw some progress in moving past a con ict marked by public insults, investigations and changes in power on the board.

omas quoted Commissioner George Teal as having said he doesn’t think she has the “capacity” to be a county commissioner. It’s an example of the type of tone she wanted to end. Teal was not present at the meeting.

“Any personal attacks, ad hominem attacks, I will not tolerate,” Laydon responded.

Chalk that up as one of the statements in the meeting that provided some hope that the dynamic on the board could change. Aside from a moment of back and forth between omas and Laydon over whether Laydon was interrupting her — and although the two commissioners aired some policy disagreements — the meeting mostly consisted of what appeared to be constructive conversation.

omas contrasted how, she says, Laydon acts deferential to Teal but cuts her o and doesn’t let her talk. Laydon responded in what seemed to be an earnest tone: “Well, I’d like to.”

“I want to work with you. I think you’re an exceptional leader; I’ve seen you do exceptional things,” Laydon said.

Laydon voiced that he wanted more support from omas on proposals the board is trying to accomplish. omas said that she, at times, has felt out of the loop on certain matters, such as a part of the county’s potential response to homelessness.

“I will be pleased to (provide) as much granular information as

possible” so that “everyone is up to speed,” Laydon said.

Laydon and Teal recently removed omas from serving on outside leadership boards in the community, including the Northwest Douglas County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, a group that represents the local business community; and the Mile High Flood District, which oversees matters such as ood management and stormwater around the Denver region.

at was a sticking point for the outside mediator, who said residents in District III, omas’ area of the county, are confused as to why omas is not on some boards. e mediator suggested considering reinstating omas to some position to help move forward.

“I would be thrilled to reappoint you to the committees that you were removed from,” Laydon said. He added: “But if I feel that the county is being undermined at every step, it makes me lose trust.”

Investigations of omas — partly stemming from her circulating an anonymous letter that criticized employees of the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, allegedly to support her 2022 campaign for Douglas County sheri — came up in the conversation. omas maintains she has been cleared. A criminal investigation didn’t move forward, which Laydon has argued is because authorities misinterpreted the law.

( is story cannot delve into details due to space constraints. For more context, see previous coverage at tinyurl.com/CommissionersConduct.)

Laydon asserted in the meeting that there’s “a ton of evidence” for omas having committed civil wrongdoing.

“And those are really signi cant (issues),” Laydon said.

Ultimately, though, Laydon said: “I’m very willing to move away from the past in the interest of those I serve and put those committee appointments back on the table.”

“And I am deeply sorry for the way that my behavior has a ected you,” Laydon added.

FROM PAGE 8

Douglas County commissioners’ chambers.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

A report from the Anti-Defamation League released on March 8 found that 2022 had over 6,750 instances of white supremacist propaganda reported, the highest number of instances the organization has recorded.

COURTESY OF ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE

Anti-Semitic propaganda found in Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When Terry Carhart found an antiSemitic and anti-LGBTQ yer in his Highlands Ranch yard on March 4, he was disgusted.

e yer was in a small plastic baggie weighed down with dry beans and, by Carhart’s observation, had been scattered in several yards in his neighborhood near Fox Creek Elementary School.

“I have an issue with someone who thinks that way driving around, passing out literature in my area,” Carhart, 64, said. “It’s nonsensical.”

Carhart felt compelled to report the yers to the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce and the Anti-Defamation League because he has Jewish neighbors and worried about the messaging leading to harm.

e yers Carhart found were just some of the anti-Semitic propaganda found in Front Range areas so far this month, with more yers found in the Terrain neighborhood in Castle Rock on March 7.

Castle Rock Mayor Jason Gray, whose grandfather died in a concentration camp during the Holocaust, spoke out against the messaging at the March 7 town council meeting, calling it “disheartening” and encouraging the council and town residents to speak out against it and report it.

“It’s not what Castle Rock is about,” Gray said. “ is kind of rhetoric makes my blood boil.”

A report from the Anti-Defamation League released on March 8 found that 2022 had over 6,750 instances

of white supremacist propaganda reported, the highest number of instances the organization has recorded.

Scott Levin, the director for the Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Region, said Colorado had 163 instances of white supremacist propaganda last year compared to 159 in 2021.

Levin said a concern with the increasing propaganda is that it will lead to the normalization of hate, which can lead to violence.

Find Your Next Job or New Career Path

Searching for a job, changing career paths, or discovering new skills to advance your career can be stressful and challenging. Arapahoe/Douglas Works! is your one-stop-shop for employment assistance to land your next job, learn new skills or explore a new career path. For more information and to get started, visit adworks.org

Funds available to veterans

Emergency assistance is available for veterans struggling with housing (mortgage/rent), transportation, employment, healthcare or other emergency needs. To apply for the veteran assistance funds, visit douglasveterans.org or call 303-663-6200

“

e problem is that they do normalize this kind of hate and anger in a way that it might become criminal activity,” he said. “It only takes one person to react to this, think some of it may be true, and act on it.”

e propaganda also serves to recruit people to white supremacist groups and helps those groups make money by connecting people to their websites and media, Levin said.

e yers Carhart found in Highlands Ranch linked to a website featuring Holocaust denial and streaming an anti-Semitic lm, which the Anti-Defamation League report found is often associated with the white supremacist group White Lives Matter.

Levin said the best response to nding propaganda is to loudly rebuke it so that the messaging doesn’t become normalized. He added that reporting instances of propaganda to law enforcement and the Anti-Defamation League helps track the issue.

“Neighbors need to speak out and say ‘ is stu isn’t acceptable’ and they need to give support to those groups that are targeted,” he said.

Shining a Spotlight on the Performing Arts in Education

Do you want to positively impact your community in 2023?

Consider giving an hour or more each week to make a difference in the lives of older adults through Aging Resources of Douglas County.There is currently a need for volunteer drivers to help with errands, appointments and meal delivery. Find out more at agingresourcesdougco.org

What’s happening with your County government?

Our commitment to open and transparent government includes online posting of information about public meetings at which the business of government is conducted. To view public meeting agendas, participate in person or remotely, or watch select meetings via live stream, visit douglas.co.us and search for Business Meetings / Public Hearings.

APARTMENTS

existing residents and not the developers who want to use our money to nancially bene t only themselves,” another read.

But there would be no need to increase local taxes solely as a result of the development, according to a county spokesperson.

And the funding the developer could receive runs through a process that di ers from what may be the usual connotation of “subsidized” housing. e bottom line appears to be that Douglas County residents need not worry about a large or even notable portion of their taxes going toward the proposed apartment complex.

Here’s an examination of concerns about funding — and a look at worries about property values and crime, two other topics residents often raised regarding the development.

Not a local tax grab

Douglas County’s elected leaders recently allowed a development to move forward that would put about 200 housing units just south of the Town of Parker near state Highway 83.

Residents of e Pinery, an area that sits between Parker and Castle Rock’s northeast edge, have argued the proposed development does not meet the county’s approval requirements and that it is “incompatible with the existing character” of the area.

e Pinery, a relatively remote set of neighborhoods along a major state highway, consists largely of single-family homes.

Ulysses Development Group, the company behind the proposal, will be applying for an allocation of federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit in connection with the development, according to Connor Larr, a partner at the company.

“It is a federal tax credit. Not a Douglas County tax credit,” Larr wrote in a statement.

e Low-Income Housing Tax

Credit was created by President Ronald Reagan and Congress in the Tax Reform Act of 1986, designed to encourage private sector investment in the new construction, acquisition and rehabilitation of rental housing a ordable to low-income households, according to the National

Council of State Housing Agencies.

As a tax credit, it’s technically not funded by tax revenue. A credit is somewhat similar to a tax deduction: It can lower an individual’s or business’ tax bill and results in a person paying less in taxes. e government takes in less revenue than it would without the tax credit, but taxpayers aren’t technically funding an individual tax credit.

e Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program “is not funded by local or federal appropriations,” said Jerilynn Francis, spokesperson for the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.

ere is no government entity that would need to consider raising tax rates on Douglas County residents as a result of an apartment complex like this being built with LowIncome Housing Tax Credit funding, Francis con rmed.

Based on how the county rezoned the land, if a developer builds any “multifamily” residences — such as apartments — they will have to comply with certain rules about the income of their tenants, said Wendy Holmes, Douglas County spokesperson.

A development “would be entitled to any incentives the state or federal authorities o er for that type of construction,” Holmes said. “ e county

o ers no such incentives.”

How the tax credit stacks up

Another complication: Investors are involved, and the exact value of the tax credit can be di cult to pin down.

“ e developer will recoup 9% of the development cost every year for 10 years. at’s a full 90%,” one comment to the county claimed.

But that’s much higher than the amount turns out to be. ere are two types of federal housing tax credits: the 9% credit and the 4% credit, according to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.

Credits are redeemable every year for 10 years and calculated as 4% or 9% of the project’s “quali ed basis,” a gure calculated from the gross construction costs of the project’s a ordable units. at’s according to the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation, a tax policy nonpro t.

“Interestingly, the 4 percent and 9 percent credits rarely end up being precisely 4 and 9 percent each year but a 10-year stream of credits equal to 30 percent and 70 percent of the quali ed basis,” the nonpro t says on its website. “As interest rates uctuate with the economy, the yearly value of the tax credits uctuates around 4 percent and 9 percent.”

Ulysses is anticipating utilizing the

9-12,

4% tax credit, Larr said.

“It should be understood that the tax credits are sold to investors who purchase the tax credits. e proceeds of that sale are used as equity (or funding) in the development” of the property, Larr said.

Larr added: “Given the market factors and unknowns regarding future LIHTC pricing, along with uncertainty with respect to how much of our total development cost will be (eligible), it is impossible to say if the LIHTC equity contributed to the project will equal 30% of the total development cost.”

Unlike direct subsidies, the tax credits are received over time based on performance, according to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, often called CHFA.

“Investors do not receive their tax credits unless the housing is suitable for occupancy and is rented to households with low-income at restricted rents during the initial 15year term,” CHFA’s fact sheet says.

Who could live there

e proposal documents label the apartment complex as “workforce housing units,” a term that can vary depending on who is using it.

Units would generally be available to individuals and families making no greater than 60% of the area’s median income, as that gure is calculated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to a Sept. 16 letter from the developer’s team to county sta .

As of April 2022, local households making no greater than 60% of the AMI, and thus eligible for a unit, typically earn between $40,000 to $80,000 per year, the letter says.

“Households with incomes in this range may include employees of Douglas County government, Douglas County School District, local businesses … and critical services, including the Parker Adventist Hospital system and other emergency and essential service organizations,” the letter says. e income limit could end up being even higher for some units.

“As we have presented in our public meetings, we are anticipating providing a 100% income-restricted property to bene t Douglas County. Based on federal guidance we anticipate a range of AMI set asides up to 80% AMI at the maximum,” Larr said.

allegedly have before between said, that record, went tal Parker and in 14. symptoms went Anschutz March a said, and detectives made ments social view children. evidence detectives texts band, where made taken family numerous

preparing

An innovative DCSD public school, grades

opening Fall 2023

students for postsecondary pathways and empowering them to be competitive in our dynamic global economy

A sign marks The Pinery residential area along state Highway 83 south of the Town of Parker. PHOTOS BY ELLIS ARNOLD

HOMICIDE

allegedly had affairs and might have tried to poison Angela once before six years ago.

According to one of the texts between Angela and Craig, he said, “Given our history, I know that must be triggering. Just for the record, I didn’t drug you.”

As symptoms got worse, she went to Parker Adventist Hospital and was released. She went to Parker Adventist again on March 9 and was admitted. She remained in the Parker hospital until March 14.

After being released, Angela’s symptoms got worse and she went to University Hospital at the Anschutz campus by 11 a.m. on March 15. After suffering from a seizure, the police documents said, she became unresponsive and by that night had died.

After obtaining search warrants, detectives report that Craig had made several conflicting statements to his co-workers and the social worker brought in to interview both him and the couple’s children.

In laying out the mounting evidence against Craig, Aurora detectives showed a variety of texts between Angela and her husband, including multiple instances where Craig allegedly says he made her a drink.

According to the list of items taken during the search of the family home, detectives removed numerous containers of protein

powder used to make drinks. According to the item list, detectives also removed a ziplock bag with a white powder substance.

Investigators also obtained warrants to search the computer that office staff claimed Craig was using at their offices, where they allegedly found search history. Key searches, according to investigators, involved how much arsenic is needed to kill a human, top five undetectable poisons, poisonous plants and poisons that are not detectable in an autopsy.

Besides search history and statements from his co-workers, the investigation also led detectives to

a possible mistress slated to fly to Denver the week of Angela’s death. While no primary motive was identified in the initial documents,

investigators also said the couple was having financial problems with a bankruptcy filed in 2021 and another one planned.

A dentist is suspected of fatally poisoning his wife. SHUTTERSTOCK

Summer Camps & Programs 2023

COUNTY AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Arapahoe County Libraries

Locations: Multiple locations in Arapahoe County

Website: arapahoelibraries.org

Details: Each year, Arapahoe libraries hosts a variety of reading events and gatherings to help fill the summer hours.

Douglas County Libraries

Locations: See website

Website: www.dcl.org/camp-dcl

Details: Choose from weeklong half-day camps at six DCL locations or full-day camps at select locations from June 5 through Aug. 4. Camps are facilitated by subject matter experts and supported by trained staff and volunteers. Camp themes include science, robotics, creative arts, LEGOs, cooking and baking, with each camp geared to a specific age range.

Englewood – 2023 KidConnections

Summer Camp

Locations: See website

Website: www.bit.ly/3YRWCcC

Details: The program is a fully licensed day care by the State of Colorado, Department of Human Services for children 5 years old (and completed kindergarten) through 14 years old. There is a registration fee of $10 per child.

Highlands Ranch Community Association

Locations: Recreation centers throughout the community

Website: www.hrcaonline.org/ classes-camps-activities/camps

Details: Every year, the Highlands Ranch Community Association works to provide something for everyone in its summer camp program. For children into sports, there are plenty of athletic camps available. For those looking to improve in art, arts and education programs are plentiful.

Parker Arts

Locations: 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker

Website: www.parkerarts.org/education/ classes-camps

Details: Parker Arts is a great place for kids this summer, with a variety of programs serving a variety of ages all summer. With theater camps, a variety of art camps, technology camps and more - there is plenty to keep the mind and imagination a live.

Town of Castle Rock Summer Camp Program

Locations: Vary based on camp

Website: www.crgov.com/3270/ Summer-Camps

Details: From sports camps to jedi training and science and arts — the Town of Castle Rock prevents a full slate of summer camp programs in 2023. Visit the town’s website to learn more about ages, prices and

details.

Town of Parker/Parker Fieldhouse

Location: 18700 Plaza Drive, Parker

Website:  www.parkerrec.com/2029/Summer-Day-Camp

Details: Ages 5 to 13 can join this camp for themed games, activities, crafts and a ton of fun at the Parker Fieldhouse. Campers will be separated into age groups 5 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years, and 10 to 13 years. Expect swimming days and field trips too.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

The Giggling Life Care Farm

Location: 14583 Cherry St., Thornton

Website: www.thegigglinglife.com/ summer-farm-fun

Details: If your kids love animals you need to check out The Giggling Life Care Farm in Thornton for summer activities. The Giggling Life Care Farm is special for a lot of reasons, but the most important one is Kristi — the owner. She has a BS in psychology and a master’s in education, has studied life coaching for the last eight years, and is certified in Equine Assisted Coaching and Pet Therapy.

Highlands Ranch — Camp Backcountry

Location:  6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton Website: www.hrcaonline.org/ classes-camps-activities/camps/ camp-backcountry

Details: Nestled into 8,200 acres of wildlife conservation property just south of C-470 on Santa Fe Drive, Camp Backcountry is the spot for a build-a-fort, hike-just-to-explore, and don’t-forget-your-binoculars kind of summer for your kids. The Backcountry believes that children learn, grow, and thrive best when outdoors and immersed in nature. Our week-long, full-day outdoor camps support the needs of children by using a whole-child, experiential learning approach. From mini-camps to leaders-intraining programs, the camps are for ages 5-17.

Great Outdoors Summer Camp

Location: Miller Activity Complex

1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock

Website: www.crgov.com/3270/ Summer-Camps

Details: This regional park includes the Miller Activity Complex (MAC), Millhouse, Amphitheater, Challenge Hill, ziplines, Adventure Tower, Sky Trek, and adventure playground area as well as over ten miles of hiking and biking trails.  For ages 10-15.

Chatfield Stables Horse Camps

Location: 11500 N.

Roxborough Park Road, Littleton

Website: www.chatfieldstables.com/horsecamps.html

Details: Chatfield Stables is the longest-

running horse camp in the area. Every child has their own horse for the entire week. Kids get to lead, feed, water and work with their horses every day. Campers learn horse care, including grooming and bridling. They water and feed their horses, learn to groom them, and take care of them at the end of the day. We ride daily, whether in the arena or on the trail.

Community Sailing of Colorado

Locations: 4800 S. Dayton St., Greenwood Village

Website: www.communitysailing.org

Details: Community Sailing of Colorado provides premier sailing programs (summer camps, adult classes, adaptive sailing, and community partnership events) at Cherry Creek and Boulder reservoirs. The weeklong summer camps range from beginner through advanced sailing for youth ages 5-17. It’s a perfect fit for any adventurous spirit who loves the outdoors.

MAD SCIENTISTS

Kookalooz Space Playground: STEM

Summer Camp

Locations:

6805 W. 88th Ave., Westminster

Website: www.kookalooz.com/ westminster-co/summer-camps

Details: 5 different camps from the basics of space to engineering. Each camp is one week long. For ages 5-10.

Colorado Adventure Point

Location: 10455 W. 6th Ave., Suite 150, Lakewood

Website: www.coloradoadventurepoint.org

Details: CAP’s STEM Camp isn’t your typical science camp. Our campers get to experiment with chemistry, physics and engineering through a variety of materials, experiments and challenges to meet their curiosities and skill level in our challenge by choice model. In addition to building engineering models and friendships, the campers get to enjoy our climbing wall, archery range and more — and learn the

SUMMER CAMP PAGES

science behind these fun activities. Camps are available for ages 6-12.

Butterfly Pavilion

Location: 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster

Website: www.butterflies.org

Details: Starting June 5 and running through Aug. 11, the Butterfly Pavilion hosts all the creepy crawlies and your children at camp. There are five themes, which repeat once and include spider week, junior zookeeper and survival stories, where kids can learn about how insects adapt to survive.

Mad Science

Locations: Multiple locations in the Denver metro area, including the Littleton area, Denver and Broomfield

Website: www.colorado.madscience.org

Details: These camps are designed for ages 6 to 12, though sessions such as Red-Hot Robots and Advanced Robotics camps are more appropriate for ages 8 to 12. Instructors are mostly college students pursuing degrees in education or science and teachers off for the summer. Themes include chemistry, space science, forensics, engineering and more. Each camp is weeklong, though times can vary.

Air & Space Camp

Location: Wings Over the Rockies

7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver

Website: www.wingsmuseum.org/ education/camp

Details: Ready for an aerospace adventure? At Wings Over the Rockies that’s exactly what kids ages 8 to 14 can expect in these week-long camps. The fun starts June 5 and goes on until Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

EMERGING ARTISTS

Center for the Arts: Summer in Color

Location: 31880 Rocky Village Dr., Evergreen

Website: www.evergreenarts.org/ summercamp

Details: Camps explore various media, from clay sculpting and wheel throwing, to pop art and mural painting, to the art of different cultures and the art of the masters. Several of our camps also incorporate outdoor components, including hikes, yoga, and opportunities for photography and eco-art projects. Let kids explore their creative side with imaginative and inspiring camps at CAE this summer. For ages 5-17.

Denver Art Museum

Location: 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver

Website: www.denverartmuseum.org/en/ summer-camps

Details: The camps at the Denver Art Museum get broken into three age groups: 5 to 6, 7 to 8, and 9 to 11. Overall, the themes remain the same — there are camps about art in nature, how to draw, learning about color and sculpture. Each camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and includes plenty of time in the museum to garner inspiration.

Craftsman & Apprentice

Location: 1335 E 22nd Ave., Denver

Website: www.craftsmanandapprentice. com/pages/summer-2023

Details: Ages 5 to 11 can spend the summer creating worlds out of cardboard, paint, hot glue, ribbons, corks, buttons and more at this Denver kids’ crafting studio. Themes include toys, crafty critters, fiber arts and more.

ON THE STAGE

The Apollo Center Summer Camps

Location: 2655 Industrial Lane, Broomfield

Website: www.theapollocenter.com/ summercamps

Details: The Apollo Center offers a variety of skill-based camps for kids and adults alike. Aerial Performance Camps for kids ages 5-17 years focus on learning aerial technique and choreography throughout the week which will culminate with a camp performance based on the camp theme.

Front Range Theatre Company Triple Threat Summer Camp

Locations: 15035

Performing Arts School, Parker

Website: www.frontrangetheatre.org/ triple-threat-summer-camp.html

Details: Working with professional instructors with years of experience, your child will learn the three major elements of any stage performer: Voice, Dance and Acting. The camps are designed to challenge performers in the entire range of life in the theatre, including a live performance in a mainstage venue!

Audience of One Youth Theatre Camp

Location: Highlands Ranch

Website: www.AO1Theater.org

Details: Whether a student is looking to try out theater for the first time, polish skills or have fun with friends, the AO1 has one-to-two-week camps can work in the summer schedule. AO1’s summer programming includes kids’ productions for ages 5-12, workshops for ages 8-18, and a two-week intensive program for teenagers.

The Arvada Center

Location: 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Arvada

Website: www.arvadacenter.org

Details: If your kid is 5 to 12 and loves a bit of drama and/or art, the Arvada Center has a slew of full- and half-day camps available. The best and most economic way to sign up for camp is to do it in three- or four-week blocks, and the venue offers combinations of visual art, musical theater, drama and music.

Kent Denver Performing Arts Camps

Location: 4000 E. Quincy Ave., Englewood Website: www.KentDenver.org

Details: Summer at Kent Denver School offers all children ages 4–18 the opportunity to experience innovative, creative, hands-on learning in the arts, athletics, our Tiny Farm Day Camp, academics, innovation and technology.

St. Lukes Performing Arts Camps

Location:  8817 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch

Website: www.StLukesPAA.org

Details: From preschool age to high school

students there are a large variety of summer camp shows planned in Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock areas. Registration is now open.

Castle Rock Dance Academy

Locations: 140 S. Wilcox St. Suite A, Castle Rock

Website: www.castlerockdanceacademy. com

Details: At Castle Rock Dance Academy (CRDA), best friends are made, etiquette and self-discipline are taught, and students learn skills they can carry with them through life. The program offers weekly dance classes in five-week sessions for ages 3–18.

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

ing the circus, or just wants to bend, twist and soar through the air, this is the camp for them. Dates run from May 29 through August 14, and include morning and afternoon camps (9:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3 p.m.) for ages 6 to 16.

LET’S GET MUSICAL

Maestro Music Institute

Location: 6478 Ward Road, Arvada

Website: www.maestromusicinstitute. com/2023-instrumental-summer-camp

Bowlero

Locations: Multiple locations in Cherry Creek, Littleton and Lone Tree

Website: www.bowlero.com

Details: Fun for all skill levels, Bowlero’s modern spin on bowling is the perfect way to spend quality time with the kids. Celebrate every strike, spare and yes, even gutter balls, with the most famous lanes in the game and a delicious menu of classic American eats.

Camp Urbie at Urban Air Adventure Park

Location: 15400 E. Briarwood Circle, Aurora

Website: www.bit.ly/3IuCQOO

Details: Let ‘em Fly for a whole week of play, in-park activities, snacks and more. Camp Urbie’s Adventure Camp is the best way to beat the summer heat and play in the best indoor playground in town. The weeklong camp is open to kids 7 years and up.

Gold Medal Athletic Camp

Location: Castle Rock Recreation Center

Website: www.crgov.com/2628/Camps

Details: Athletes will participate in small- and large-group instruction, drills and games or scrimmages. We welcome beginner athletes to learn how to use proper mechanics and fundamentals of the sport and intermediate or advanced athletes who want to continue to grow their motor skills and skill in the sport. For ages 7-12.

Tigar Gymnastics Camps

Location: 4860 Van Gordon St. Unit B, Wheat Ridge

Website: www.tigargymnastics.com

Details: A variety of programs at a variety of ages is available at the gymnastics center, including ninja classes and programs for older ages.

RMF Soccer Camp

Location: Aurora Sports Park 19300 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora

Website: www.rmfsoccercampsusa. com/soccer-camp-denver

Details: From July 17 to July 21, this pro-run soccer camp will come to Colorado. It’s run by experienced Spanish UEFA coaches, and goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Kids from 6 to 16 can sign up.

Aerial Cirque Over Denver

Location: 4605 Quebec St., Denver.

Website: www.aerialcirqueoverdenver.com

Details: If your child is thinking of join-

Details: Instrumental Summer Camp is back this year covering a myriad of ensemble opportunities. We will be offering Rock Band, Orchestra, Choir/ Theater, Piano ensemble and composition. Summer campers will have the opportunity to learn new instruments in addition to honing their skills on their primary instrument. Students will work in large and small ensemble groups and perform a variety of music at the end of the week.

Kidzrock Rock Band Camp

Location: 2842 S. Broadway, Englewood

Website: www.musicallifedenver.com/ summercamp

Cost: $319

Details: Rock Band Summer Camp teaches children ages 4 to 7 how to play in a rock band. Campers learn to play drums, electric guitar, keyboard and sing. On the final day, campers perform a short (adorable) concert for parents and family. In addition to rock band time, students get to make music-related arts and crafts, create a fantasy band identity, and play outdoor games at the park next to the school. No prior musical experience is required. No investment in gear is required.

OVERNIGHT CAMPS

Avid 4 Adventure

Locations: Various spots

Website: www.avid4.com/ summer-camps

Details: For two weeks kids get to bask in nature, away from their parent, at either Camp Windy Peak near Bailey, or Camp Blue Sky near Evergreen. The kids sleep in cabins and build their skill sets in nature and with outdoor sport activities.

Cheley Colorado Camps

Location: Cheley Colorado Camps 3960 Fish Creek Road, Estes Park.

Website: www.cheley.com

Details: If your kid is 9 to 17, send them off to a 27-day overnight camp in Estes Park. Full term is June 13 to August 6, or chose a half term from June 13 to July 9, or July 11 to Aug. 6. Activities include horseback riding, water sports, art and plenty of outdoor adventure.

Camp Granite Lake

Locations: 11902 Camp Eden Road, Golden Website: www.campgranitelake.com

Details: Located in the mountains about an hour from Denver, the camp covers 135 acres including a private lake. It’s a co-ed camp for grades second to ninth. Choose from two sessions, either June 19 through July 8, or July 10 through July 29. There are also mini-camp options for grades 1st through 4th, covering the week of July 31 or Aug. 7.

Support for SROs FROM THE EDITOR

Over the last few years, the idea of defunding the police was tied to the idea that we would have better outcomes with depleted law enforcement resources. While I am continually in support of more training, continued discussions when an incident happens and departments evolving for the better with education — I was never on the defund any local law enforcement messaging.

In all the calls for defunding police, an area that likely got caught up unfairly in the discussions was school resource o cers. In 2020, local news reports called for removing SROs in light of a national anger at law enforcement in some Denver metro schools.

Here we are years later and regular crime at a Denver metro high school has gotten so bad that even students at East High School staged a protest to ask for better.

As discussions continued, several have now admitted that the idea of SROs doing more harm than good was a bit misguided.

Before becoming a parent, I worked with SROs in Arizona on a regular basis. I loved working with these o cers. I loved seeing them work with students. ey truly cared about a student having a bad day. ey understand the need to communicate and spend extra time with students who are obviously going through a rough time.

For other students who may have taken rst in a track meet or won the spelling bee — these SROs are some of the biggest cheerleaders in the school.

I loved how receptive these students are to the SROs. ey serve as security, counselor, mentor and friend. ey can spot a student who may be posing a threat to the school based on changed behavior and habits.

Now, I am a parent. As a parent, knowing what I know from my days as a journalist doing a “ride-along” with police, I would never push to take SROs out of schools.

ese men and women are some of the best members of our communities. ey likely have more knowledge of what is happening with students in our schools because they are trained to do so. I do not think I have ever met an SRO who does not like their job. ey are good at their jobs because they love their jobs.

When I see an SRO at a local school, I never think of unneeded authority. I automatically think my kids are likely getting great mentorship from an adult who is trained to protect them and advocate for them.

I believe all of our local school districts should look to bring in more SROs, and frankly, given the state of mental health with our children, especially here in Colorado, another set of eyes, an extra advocate for our children can only be a positive thing.

I hate that negative publicity has hurt these people who are great additions to our education system and I hope, given some recent discussions, they get back on track and in full force in schools.

Just to give a shout out to other community aspects of our local law enforcement — In Douglas County I have taken a class in how to survive in case of a mass shooting. Brian McKnight, prevention specialist/community resources, taught me to sit a certain way in a building. I look around for exits, I look for weapons — I look at how I will survive. ese programs are unfortunately welcome and needed.

I did a ride-along with the Community Response Team in Douglas County. In watching Deputy Zach Zepeski in one day – I was amazed at the di erence he and his team makes in the daily lives of our citizens.

Law enforcement is not just about writing tickets and drawing a gun. From citizen academies, training sessions and community support — I say don’t be so quick to put them down, and instead experience and be a part of the good they o er.

elma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Vulnerable and transparent, and the courage to be both

The team building event was held at Top Golf. e vice president of sales was reluctant to have the meeting there as he had never played golf and didn’t want to embarrass himself. His team convinced him that he could just join them and not have to worry about playing or swinging a club.

As the night went on, the team did everything they could to get their boss to step up and give it a try. ere were others on the team that were in the same spot, having played very little or never. Men and women taking their turns embarrassing themselves with awkward attempts to hit that little white ball. In the end, the vice president of sales chose to keep his dignity intact and did not take his turn amongst the team.

Having spoken with some of the salespeople and the VP of sales privately, I heard mixed opinions about the deci-

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

sion not to join the group. Some thought it showed poor leadership in not being vulnerable enough to laugh at yourself and have a little fun with your team as there were more hacks trying to hit the ball than there were any good golfers.

When I asked the VP of sales why he chose not to try, he was completely transparent with me, sharing that he just didn’t want to embarrass himself. He felt he was being open and vulnerable to his team as well sharing with them the very reason he chose to stay in the background. It was a bit of a shame because sometimes it’s OK to show humility among our teams and peers.

Two of the words that we hear often when it comes to expectations of leadership and really people in any role are vulnerability and transparency. We no longer must have all the answers or pretend that we do. We no longer have to be perfect or pretend that we are. Maybe the world we live in places that kind of pressure on some of us, and the stress of that pressure can drive us further away

SEE

NORTON,

P13

Call first: 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: 303-566-4100

Web: ParkerChronicle.net

To subscribe call 303-566-4100

THELMA GRIMES South Metro Editor tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

HALEY LENA Community Editor hlena@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ERIN FRANKS Production Manager efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Chronicle. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper. To opt in or out of delivery please email us at circulation@ coloradocommunitymedia.com

Thelma Grimes

Presentation to spotlight ageism

LIVING AND AGING WELL

Ag eism is all around us: in the workplace, in commercials, movies and TV shows we watch, in the cards we buy, the products marketed to us and yes, even in the language we speak.

Has anyone ever said to you, or perhaps you to another person, “You look great for your age”? Although probably well-intentioned, there is an inherent bias against growing older contained within this “compliment,” an underlying expectation that you wouldn’t or shouldn’t look great as an older adult. Do we o er the same compliment to a 19-year-old

or a 29-year-old? Somewhere along the way, looking great is not associated with advanced years.

What about the phrase “senior moment”? We tend to attach a brief lapse in memory to only the older adult. However, elementary students routinely forget where they’ve left their backpacks or to feed the dog. Many teenagers have misplaced earbuds or sports jerseys. What about the mom or dad who searches for the car keys or goes out to the garage and upon their arrival, forgets the item they went there to retrieve? e fact of the matter is that we all experience momentary forgetfulness throughout our lives. Yet it is emphasized when it happens as an older adult. And no, it’s not necessarily a sign of dementia, but rather a manifestation of our busy lives.

move past those mistakes, learning from each one.

Ageism is discrimination or the devaluing of an individual or group of individuals based solely on their age. And it can be directed toward the young as well as older adults. It creeps into our psyche at a very young age and is continually reinforced throughout our lifetime. As a result, many of us are convinced that young people are not able to lead a work group, o er valuable ideas and solutions to societal issues or are not compassionate towards others. On the other hand, society in general believes that as we age, we have nothing more to o er, obstruct the success of younger people on the way up the corporate ladder or are a drain on the economy. None of this is true.

Subtle and not-so-subtle messages about the aging process surround us each day. Do we rec-

ognize them and realize the negative e ect they have on us? Can we e ect a change in how we all think, speak and act about aging?

Gretchen Lopez, chair of the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County, will deliver a thought-provoking and entertaining presentation on ursday, May 4, at 10 a.m. at the Parker Library. And we won’t be asking for birth certi cates at the door, so leave those at home! Meetings are free and open to the public.

Seniors’ Council of Douglas County is for older adults who want to be heard, keep learning, and make a di erence. Please check our website for details and possible program changes at douglas.co.us/community-services/services/senior-services/ seniors-council.

from nding the ability to be vulnerable and transparent.

Last week I wrote about courage and discretion, and when we should exercise both. What I am sharing here is a di erent kind of courage, the courage to be open to failure, being brave enough to take a swing at a golf ball with our team when we have never played the game before, and being daring enough to admit we don’t have the answers right now but will work hard to nd them.

Some of the most courageous people I have met have also been the most transparent and vulnerable. Being grounded in honesty and integrity provides them the strength they need to be vulnerable and transparent. Looking at failure and saying “So what” positions them to achieve greater things in life as they

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules:

• Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.

• Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in the following week’s newspaper.

• Letters must be no longer than 400 words.

• Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.

• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for o ce. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 12 days of an election.

One of the synonyms for courage is audacity. Sometimes when we hear the word audacity we think of a negative connotation. inking things like, “ e audacity of that person.” I like to think of audacity in the positive sense, having the audacity to be courageous in the face of possible embarrassment, to have audacious bravery to own our decisions and our mistakes. To be audacious in the way that we can laugh with others while we laugh at ourselves.

is week you may be asked to do something uncomfortable, something completely outside of your swing zone or comfort zone. And if you are, I hope you will make the decision to audaciously pursue the opportunity. We all learn in di erent ways, and one way that I know we learn the best is by getting knocked o balance. So take the chance, say “So what,” and watch how your vulnerability and trans-

• Publication of any given letter is at our discretion. Letters are published as space is available.

• We will edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length and write headlines (titles) for letters at our discretion.

• Please don’t send us more than one letter per month. First priority for publication will be given to writers who have not submitted letters to us recently.

• Submit your letter in a Word document or in the body of an email. No PDFs or Google Docs, please.

• Include your full name, address and phone number. We will publish only your name and city or town of residence, but all of the information requested is needed for us to verify you are who you say you are.

• Letters will be considered only from people living in Colorado Community Media’s circulation area in Adams, Arapahoe, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Je erson and Weld counties.

• Do not use all caps, italics or bold text.

• Keep it polite: No name calling or “mudslinging.”

parency endear others to you. As always, I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can show courage in ourselves during moments of vulnerability, 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.

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Type in “restaurant” on Google Maps and set the lter to “open 24 hours.” You’ll be hard-pressed to nd any local restaurants serving up food to the night owls, late workers and early risers.

Unless you’re seeking around-the-clock Mexican food.

“We’re open 24 hours, and it’s something fresh, you know?” said Govanny Alvarado, a member of the family who runs Alvarado’s Mexican Fast Food. Compared to other restaurants, “you can taste the di erence,” Alvarado said.

e new Englewood spot that opened in August adds to a small but mighty list of Mexican joints that o er all-day, all-night service in the Denver metro area — a type of restaurant that’s becoming more di cult to nd since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

“Most people like us, you know, we’re always looking for a late-night snack,” said Alvarado, 21, adding that his family “understands the struggle” to nd restaurants that are open late.

His family members, longtime workers in the Mexican fast-food industry, gained experience at his uncle’s restaurant in Arizona. ey later started working for Taco Star and Tacos Rapidos, two chains with 24-hour locations in the metro area, Alvarado said.

“And Taco Star, the one in ornton here, that’s where my dad worked, and that’s where I started as well when I was young,” Alvarado said of the location near 84th Avenue and Washington Street.

When his family members had the chance to start their own restaurant about six years ago, they opened Tacos Los Compas — another 24-hour eatery, near downtown Denver and the Auraria Campus.

“Most of the people that I’ve known or talked to customer-wise, they’re all from Arizona or California, and they all say they miss that taste of authentic Mexican food,” Alvarado said.

Carrying on authentic recipes is part of the job as well for Tamale Kitchen, a longstanding family business with locations around the metro area.

What makes the restaurant unique is “the green chile, the New Mexico-style red chile, the tamale avors, just the avors in general of just old grandma recipe — the beans, the rice, everything’s grandma’s recipes,” said Jose Bishop, owner of the Westminster and Northglenn locations.

e restaurant grew out of an e ort to sell tamales door to door in 1980, and the rst Tamale Kitchen opened in Lakewood in 1981, according to its website.

Its Northglenn location at 104th Avenue and Huron Street stays open around the clock on the weekends, running from 5 a.m. Friday through 10 p.m. Sunday.

e business has expanded to eight locations, stretching from Adams County all the way to Highlands Ranch, and some are franchises run by people outside the family, Bishop said.

Familiar places see challenges

Alvarado noted that after the COVID-19 pandemic shook up the

LATE-NIGHT

economy, it’s di cult to nd 24hour restaurants.

Staples of late-night food in Denver permanently closed amid the pandemic, including the Denver Diner o Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue and, to the south, the Breakfast King at Santa Fe Drive and Mississippi Avenue. Both had been open 24/7.

Tom’s Diner, also on Colfax Avenue near downtown, shut down in March 2020 during the pandemic’s early days. It reopened in 2022 as a bar and lounge called Tom’s Starlight, no longer open 24/7.

Pete’s Kitchen, located on Colfax in central Denver, remains open 24 hours Friday and Satur-

LATE-NIGHT SPOTS

Looking for a late-night meal? Here are some local restaurants that o er 24-hour service on at least some days each week.

• Alvarado’s Mexican Fast Food

4901 S. Broadway in Englewood, a couple blocks north of Belleview Avenue Open 24/7 720-664-9260

• Tamale Kitchen

1030 W. 104th Ave. in Northglenn, a short drive west of Interstate 25, at Huron Street

Open 5 a.m. Friday through 10 p.m. Sunday; 5 a.m.-10 p.m. on other days; other locations in the metro area, including in Highlands Ranch, have di erent hours 720-379-7825

• Taco Star

503 E. 84th Ave. in Thornton, a short drive east of I-25

day night, according to the diner’s webpage.

Other than that, though, 24hour options in the metro area tend to be con ned to chains that aren’t local, such as IHOP, Denny’s, McDonald’s or Wa e House.

e trend of restaurant headwinds during the pandemic applies to the entire industry, not just 24-hour restaurants, said Denise Mickelsen, a spokesperson for the Colorado Restaurant Association.

“Operations are proving increasingly di cult in the face of the ongoing labor shortage and soaring costs, causing restaurant owners and operators to make changes that include decreasing operating hours,” Mickelsen said.

‘All walks of life’

Bishop, the owner of the north-

ern Tamale Kitchen locations, has felt the challenges himself. His Westminster location used to o er some 24-hour service like the Northglenn spot, but sta ng issues led to shortened hours starting around spring 2020, he said.

ough they can be tough to operate, Bishop, 38, said 24hour restaurants serve di erent parts of a community.

“ ere’s still 11 p.m. (movie) showings, so people going home at 1 or 2. We get a lot of nightshift workers, people who are going to work at 4 in the morning, a lot of construction workers bringing burritos to their coworkers,” Bishop said. “It’s a little mixed — people of all walks of life going out for entertainment, getting o of work late. Just a variety of di erent people out and about.”

1050 W. 104th Ave. # 8 in Northglenn, near Huron Street

1760 S. Havana St. in Aurora, a short drive north of Parker Road

Open 24/7 303-288-9228 for Thornton location

• Tacos Los Compas

1385 N. Santa Fe Drive in Denver, about a block south of Colfax Avenue

Open 24/7 720-328-0299

• Tacos Rapidos

2800 W. Evans Ave. in Denver, o Federal Boulevard

Open 24/7

Other locations nearby; hours di er 303-935-0453 for Evans location

• Pete’s Kitchen

1962 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, about 1 mile east of Broadway

Open “24 hours Friday and Saturday night,” according to the restaurant’s website 303-321-3139

A sign is lit up at Alvarado’s Mexican Fast Food, one of several Mexican restaurants open 24/7 in the Denver metro area.

The sign at the Tamale Kitchen location in Westminster. The Northglenn location stays open around the clock on the weekends.

PHOTOS BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Alvarado’s Mexican Fast Food, seen here in January, recently opened in Englewood.

‘Great Outdoors’ runs through April

Great Outdoors” is the title for the new exhibit at the Depot Art Center, 2069 W. Powers Ave., downtown Littleton, lasting until April 30.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Free admission. Juror for this exhibit was Tim Kathka. A public reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 24.

Correction

Correction: e

Littleton Symphony concert was incorrectly listed in last week’s paper as March 22, but the correct date is March 31 at Littleton United Methodist Church.

No Hudson Gardens concerts Hudson Gardens, the outdoor venue along Santa Fe Drive in Littleton, has announced that it will not have a summer concert program this year.

Highlands Ranch art show

“Littleton Men of the West” will be an art exhibit featuring Bob Eilert and friends at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203

S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch. The exhibit runs March 25 to May 2 and gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A reception is planned from 10 a.m. to noon on March 26, for the public to meet the artists.

‘Carousel’ Highlands Ranch-based Performance Now eater Company performs the musical “Carousel” at Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood through April 2 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays. See lakewood. showare.com.

Native American Short Play Festival coming

Littleton United Methodist Church is venue for April events

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After a three-year postponement, the Encore Players at Littleton United Methodist Church will spon-

sor a Native American Short Play Festival, produced by a new organization, Celebration of Native Arts (CoNA). Mark your calendar for April 21 (7 p.m.) or April 23 (2 p.m.).

e purpose of CoNA is to promote Native American theater, music and dance.

e ve plays — each 10 minutes or less in length — will be presented as staged readings and they explore

The Encore Players at Littleton United Methodist Church are sponsoring the Native American Short Play Festival, produced by Celebration of Native Arts. COURTESY IMAGE

“Tucked in the Woods,” a watercolor by Littleton Fine Arts Guild member Pat Harman, is in the “Great Outdoors” exhibit at Depot Art Gallery in Littleton COURTESY IMAGE

SONYA’S SAMPLER

SEE SAMPLER, P18

SEE FESTIVAL, P18

Fri 3/31

Jeffrey Dallet @ 2pm Village at Belmar, 7825 W Alameda Ave, Lakewood

Wendy Clark Band at Sunroom Brewing @ 5pm Sunroom Brewing, 3242 S Acoma St, Englewood

Trouble Bound: High & Lone‐some Classic Country Night @ 6:30pm Western Sky Bar & Taproom, 4361 S Broadway, Englewood

Zikr Dance Ensemble presents "Mysteries, Rites & Revelations" @ 5pm / $25

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree. david taylor.zikr@hotmail.com, 303-8841910

Bertin y su Condesa @ 8pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Bertin y Su Condesa - Dinastya Angelito y Su Sabor Costeño @ 8pm / $70 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Mon 4/03

Modern Swing Mondays @ 5pm / $10 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Microwave @ 6pm

Dan Bublitz Jr: Comedy Showcase @ 7pm Centennial Comedy Club, 9200 East Mineral Avenue, Centennial

Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, En‐glewood

Delta Sleep @ 6pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Dan Bublitz Jr: Clean-Ish Comedy Show @ 6pm

Pizzability, 3445 S Broadway, En‐glewood

Thu 4/06

Colony House @ 6pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Joe Dombrowski @ 6:15pm

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

Joan Osborne @ 6:30pm

Pace Center, Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Los Cardenales de Nuevo Leon @ 7pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

Grupo Pesado @ 7pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

DUELO DE ACORDEONES

EDICIÓN ESPECIAL

@ 7pm / $100 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Sat 4/01

Jenny Shawhan

@ 1pm Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia

6 Million Dollar Band @ 6pm Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia

Spring Fling Dance @ 11:30pm

Heather Gardens Clubhouse, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way, Aurora

Dear Marsha,: April Fools with Dear Marsha and her Freaky Band @ 8pm Mirage Sports Bar, 8340 W Coal Mine Ave, Littleton

Sun 4/02

2023 Platte River Half Marathon & Relay @ 6am Littleton, CO, 2920 Brewery Lane, Little‐ton. logan@platteriverhalf.com

CW & Twenty Hands High @ 6:30pm

Tue 4/04 Wed 4/05

Tony Medina Music: The Open Mic at the Alley @ 5:30pm The Alley, 2420 W Main St, Littleton

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

YouthTuber - Powderhorn @ 2:20pm / $132

Apr 5th - May 10th

Powderhorn Elementary, 12109 W Coal Mine Ave, Littleton. 720-9960894

Ladies Night @ 5pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo at 'Bout Time Pub & Grub @ 7pm Bout Time Pub & Grub, 3580 S Platte River Dr A, Sheridan

Diego Figueiredo @ 11pm

Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S Allison Pkwy, Lakewood

WHL U.S. Development Combine: Denver - Skater @ 11pm / $399

Apr 6th - Apr 9th

South Suburban Family Sports Center, 6901 South Peoria St, Centennial. 888844-6611 ext. 3354

FESTIVAL

universal themes such as rites of passage, grief, empowerment and family, according to directors An-

nawyn Shamas, and Ellen ShamasBrandt, founder of CoNA and Denver actor/director Pamela Clifton. e Shamas mother/daughter duo are longtime Littleton residents — and are Chickasaw tribe members, as is Laura Shamas.

Annawyn’s great-grandfather was

Also coming to Lakewood Cultural Center: international guitar virtuoso Diego Figueiredo on April 7, performing a fusion of Brazilian music and jazz from around the world. 303-987-7845. Lakewood.org/

Vendors and shoppers are invited to the Arapahoe Community College Spring Craft Fair on May 20. Deadline: May 10 $50 for table, chair, booth space. Money for scholarships and the Student Emergency Fund. Also at ACC: “Art, Wine and Design” from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on May 18. Registration required for artists. Tickets: $100. ACC is at 5900 S. Santa

Englewood Library hours, now that it has reopened: 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to ursday; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Saturday;

Theater in Aurora

“tick, tick … BOOM,” a musical by

Chickasaw, she says, and they and sister/playwright Laura have registered as members.

is has been a major project for them and the theater-oriented family has been focused on Native American writing for some time: attending performances and making contacts.

ese plays, which will have staged readings, were originally performed in Los Angeles at Native Voices at the Autry eater’s Annual Short Play Festival. ey are: “ e Origin of Law” by Diane Glancy (Cherokee), “Four Women in Red” by Laura Shamas (Chickasaw), “ e Tamale Man” and “Slow Your Roll,” by P.C. Verrone (Osage, Kiowa) and “Flight” by DeLanna Studi (Cherokee).

Native Voices at the Autry was founded in 1994 and is devoted to developing and producing new works for the stage by Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and First Nations playwrights.

Jonathan Larson, creator of “Rent,” plays through April 23 at Vintage eatre, cabaret stage, 1468 Dayton St. in Aurora, followed by George Zamarripa in a music and humor production, “Naked from the Neck Up” on March 29 at 7:30 p.m. On the Main Stage: a regional premier: “ e Inheiritance, parts 1 and 2” by Matthew Lopez, winner of the 2020 Tony for best play, directed by Bernie Cardell. Two tickets required: Part I will primarily play on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons; Part II will primarily play on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Mature audiences only. Vintage eatre.org.

City Park Jazz

City Park Jazz sends a lineup for a 37th summer series at Denver’s City Park: June 4 to August 8. CityParkJazz.org.

Pastel workshop

“Abstracting from Nature in Pastel” is artist Jane Shoenfeld’s two-day workshop, presented by Heritage Fine Arts Guild on April 14 and 15 at First Presbyterian Church of Littleton, 1609 W. Littleton Blvd. Open to students of all levels of experience. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Cost: $80, members; $110 for nonmembers. Space for 20 students. See heritage-guild.com.

ey are “moving, thought-provoking and humorous,” according to Shamas-Brandt, who sent out casting calls to the theater community.

Actors/readers will have four rehearsals and will be paid, she said, happy that she had lled the roles when we spoke last week. Applicants sent a head shot, resume, short video and monologue.

Rehearsal time will be brief, but the actors will read from the scripts, rather than performing in the round. It’s a pleasant prospect to have the opportunity to participate in new works and we hope this community will become involved.

Admission is free, and a free will o ering will be taken to bene t the United Methodist Native American Ministries. e festival coincides with Native American Sunday on April 23 at 5824 S. Datura St., Littleton. e church has lots of free parking.

one of the hardest working women in comedy today, Tammy Pescatelli brings her brassy sexiness and bold voice of witty sarcasm to the PACE Center stage!

The “Great Outdoors” art show is running at Depot Art Gallery through April 30. FILE PHOTO

Everybody hates Hamlet at Miners Alley

To be or not to be… bored by the ramblings of a certain prince of Denmark is a question one need not face when going to see the hilarious new entry in Miners Alley Playhouse’s season, “I Hate Hamlet.”

e real question is whether you can relate to an someone struggling with feeling like a failure and searching for the brief moments when things just seem to gel. Which really could be anybody.

“What drew me to this production is how honest it is. It’s hilarious and big, but it also has so much heart,”

wrote John Hauser, who plays the show’s lead, in an email interview.

“So many artists deal with the same things that Andrew goes through, feelings of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, but also those feelings of being in the moment and owning a role, even if only for a brief moment.”

“I Hate Hamlet” runs at Miners Alley, 1224 Washington Ave., from Friday, March 31 through Sunday, April 23. Performances are at 7:30 p.m., ursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

e show tells the story of Andrew Rally (Hauser), a daytime television actor whose show has recently been canceled. He is cast in a production of Shakespeare in the Park as Hamlet but isn’t sure he can pull the character o , but when he is visited by the ghost of former Hamlet performer

John Barrymore, things get a little

more complicated.

“It is really a quirky, witty script that moves along nicely,” said director Rory Pierce. “In addition to how funny and smart it is, there’s a swashbuckling sword ght and just enough Shakespeare to whet your appetite, but not enough to put you asleep.”

While the show does have some inside jokes and references that fans of e Bard will no doubt enjoy, Pierce said knowledge of the playwright’s canon isn’t a prerequisite to having a good time at the show.

“If audiences go away in a better mood than they arrived in and had an evening of fun and laughter, that’s what we’re aiming for,” Pierce said. “We also hope that they’ll have a slightly better appreciation of the work that goes into performing and a greater appreciation of the theater.”

While there are laughs aplenty, as

is always the case with a Miners Alley production, everyone has their sights rmly set on the humanity of the story being told.

“ is show is unique in the way that it can be so wild and over the top, but also so genuine and honest at the same time,” Hauser wrote. “I hope audiences leave with a smile on their face.”

For information and tickets, visit https://minersalley.com/i-hatehamlet/.

Immersive yourself in the power of art and jazz

e Lumonics Gallery, 800 E. 73 Ave., Unit 11, in Denver, is blending its signature approach to artistic light shows with jazz at two Immersive Jazz-Art performances, both held

Clarke Reader

SEE READER, P24

Hopes for designation for colleges serving first-gen students ends

Funding formula stymies House Bill 1114

BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

On the surface, the bill had a simple premise — to recognize Colorado universities and colleges

APARTMENTS

Property values on the mind

One comment to the county, as compiled in a December county sta report, claimed that if the apartments are built, nearby property values will be “eroded by potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Several research studies don’t back that assertion.

Some studies have found that Low-Income Housing Tax Credit developments in “higher-income” areas are associated with house price declines, according to the nonpro t Urban Institute.

But results have varied. A New York University study on New York City found that a ordable housing developments have led to increases in property values in many cases.

“ e completion of LIHTC projects is associated with an immediate positive and signi cant ( xed) e ect, indicating that prices surrounding

that enroll a high number of students who are the rst in their family to go to college and communicate to those students that they are welcome on campus.

e most symbolic bill, however, prompted a more complicated conversation about whether creating a rst generation-serving designation would lead to those schools getting more state funding. In a state that

the tax credit housing rise more than prices in the larger neighborhood,” the study reads. “After completion, the degree to which prices in the vicinity of tax credit housing exceed those in the larger neighborhood rises by 3.8 percentage points.”

A 2017 Stanford Graduate School of Business study found that LIHTC construction in neighborhoods with median incomes above $54,000 leads to housing price declines of approximately 2.5% within 0.1 miles of the development site.

“ ese declines, however, are only seen in high income areas with a minority population of below 50%,” the study says.

e impact can also change over time, says the study, which looked at counties in 15 states.

“At distances of 0.3 to 0.4 miles away from the LIHTC site, there are modest declines in house prices right away, but they fall over time. It appears the housing market very quickly ‘prices’ the impact of LIHTC very locally, but it takes 5 to 10 years for the house prices 0.3 to 0.4 miles

funds its public colleges near the bottom of the nation, any hint at changing the distribution of money raises concerns for university leaders.

Faced with opposition from larger schools that serve fewer rst-generation students, the sponsors pulled House Bill 1114 before it went to vote on the House oor.

Bill co-sponsor state Rep. Rick

Taggart, a Grand Junction Republican, said he wants to talk more with university leaders and bring the bill back next year. He said it troubled him that the opposition centered on funding concerns when the bill didn’t call for any changes to the higher education funding formula. At the same time, he said he un-

Road signs mark the intersection of state Highway 83 (noted by the sign as Parker Road) and Scott Avenue, where a proposed apartment complex may be built.

away to fully adjust.”

A study on Alexandria, Virginia, found that a ordable housing in higher-income neighborhoods has a “positive and highly signi cant e ect on surrounding home values, as does a ordable housing in lowerincome neighborhoods.”

“ is calls into question prior ndings that a ordable housing in highincome areas necessarily causes nearby property values to decline,” the 2022 Urban Institute study says.

e study adds: “We nd that affordable units in the city of Alexandria are associated with a small but statistically signi cant increase in property values of 0.09 percent within 1/16 of a mile of a development, on average — a distance comparable to a typical urban block.”

Locally, in 2010, the median single-family home price in metro Denver was about $200,000. It was roughly triple that as of 2022, according to Colorado Association of Realtors data.

Worries of crime

Many comments submitted to the county mentioned crime as a concern with the proposed apartment complex.

e Stanford study also looked at

the impact of a ordable housing development on local crime rates in certain cities.

“We nd both violent and property crime decline in low income areas, regardless of minority share. However, in higher income areas we do not see any increase in crime, rather property crime may even fall slightly,” the study says.

Lawsuit filed

More than 100 area residents recently led a lawsuit against Douglas County’s elected leaders for allowing the development to move forward.

Residents of e Pinery brought the lawsuit, arguing the proposed development does not meet the county’s approval requirements and that it is “incompatible with the existing character” of the area.

e Douglas County commissioners voted 2-1 on Jan. 10 to allow the development to move forward. e lawsuit, led in February, asked a court to reverse the county’s decision and stop the development.

For a look at the lawsuit and the county’s approval requirements, see Colorado Community Media’s previous story at tinyurl.com/PineryApartmentLawsuit.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

LEGISLATURE

FROM PAGE 20

derstands why money is a sensitive subject.

“I totally respect the reason that folks are really concerned about the funding formula is that higher education is way underfunded in this state, just severely underfunded,” Taggart said. “If you start messing with the formula, you’re going to rob Peter to pay Paul.”

For university leaders, the bill did place funding under the microscope.

Supporters such as Colorado Mesa University President John Marshall said he hoped the designation would kick o a larger conversation about the money schools need to educate rst-generation students who often need more support. Colorado Mesa University and Metropolitan State University of Denver supported the bill and would have almost immediately earned the rst generationserving designation.

In a statement, MSU Denver President Janine Davidson said the school was proud to stand behind the bill.

“While we’re disappointed it didn’t pass, we remain committed to making MSU Denver a vibrant home for those trailblazing students who are the rst in their families to go to college,” she said.

Opponents such as Colorado State University System Chancellor Tony Frank said during committee testi-

mony that other schools also serve students who are the rst in their family to go to college in their family. He worried that the designation would create unfair considerations later on. A CSU System spokeswoman did not return a request for comment.

e bill passed the House Education Committee unanimously last month, but Taggart and co-sponsor state Rep. Serena Gonzales-Guttierez, a Denver Democrat, pulled the bill from consideration before a full House vote last week.

Taggart said schools should get recognized for what they do for students, and students should know about their options. For example, schools whose student populations are 25% Hispanic or more are designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions. However, that federal designation does come with extra money. Other schools or programs might get special designations for what they’ve accomplished, Taggart said.

Taggart hopes he can nd more agreement when he brings the bill back next year. Educating rst-generation students will be a big part of how Colorado gets a more educated population, he said.

“I am disappointed because this evolved into a funding discussion rather than sticking to a designation that these universities deserve,” Taggart said.

is story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters

TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE

The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself.

In this way, The Sun contributes to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado.

The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and nonpartisan journalism. It covers everything

from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and education.

Now, The Colorado Sun co-owns this and other Colorado Community Media newspapers as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. The Sun is CCM’s partner for statewide news.

For Colorado Sun stories, opinions and more, and to support The Sun’s misssion as a member or subscriber, visit coloradosun.com.

Some Colorado public colleges like Metropolitan State University of Denver serve large populations of first-generation students. Pictured: Metropolitan State University’s Center for Visual Art on Santa Fe Drive in Denver. FACEBOOK IMAGE FROM 2013

Player of Year selections named

Winter-sports athletes honored for their achievements

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Cherry Creek and Valor Christian won state championships for south metro teams during winter sports season and Ponderosa once again was a runner-up.

The Bruins girls swimming team won its third straight Class 5A state title and the boys of Valor’s hockey team were the state champs for the third time in the past four seasons.

However, for Ponderosa the frustration remained, as the Mustangs were the Class 5A runners-up for the third straight season.

Colorado Community Media has also made its Player of the Year selections for all the winter sports. Athletes from all Douglas County and Littleton Public schools were eligible plus players from Valor Christian, Cherry Creek, Lutheran and SkyView Academy high schools.

The Player of the Year selections were:

Girls swimming

Larson Ficken of Cherry Creek will be attending and swimming at Auburn next season but the senior nished her high school career by winning individual titles in the 50 and 100 freestyles at the state meet. She actually won four titles as she swam a leg on the 200 freestyle relay team, which set a state record of 1:30.81, and was also on the state championship 400 freestyle relay team.

Boys wrestling Ponderosa

junior Jacob Myers won his second straight title, this season at 132 pounds, with a pin in 35 seconds in the title match. He nished the season with a 37-5 record.

Hockey

Valor Christian 165-pound senior defenseman Aiden Owen was one of the state’s top blueliners. He had 10 goals and 21 assists for the state champion Eagles and led the team with 31 points and was the sixth leading scorer among all 5A players.

Owen was the quarterback on Valor’s power play and was a member of the penalty kill unit.

Girls basketball

Macey Huard of Valor Christian, a 6-foot-2 guard, averaged 22.1 points, two assists, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals a game this season. e senior who will play for Montana next season had 32 points and 14 rebounds in her nal high school game, which was a semi nal state tournament loss.

Boys basketball

Caden Stevens and Radek Homer led Mountain Vista into the state tournament semi nals and Gavin Hershberger was the spark plug for Rock Canyon’s team, but Stevens gets the nod as Player of the Year. Stevens, a 6-9 senior who has a scholarship o er from Metro State, averaged 17.2 points a game this season, shot 64% from the eld, grabbed 7.7 rebounds and had 4.4 blocked shots a game.

Valor Christian senior Macey Huard, right, drives on Columbine senior Dakota Archuleta during the first half Jan. 17 at Columbine High School. The Rebels gave the No. 1-ranked Eagles a tough game, but Valor eventually took a 68-55 victory to win its 34th straight league win.

PHOTO BY DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mountain Vista’s Caden Stevens (22) gets tangled with Denver East’s Gil Gonzalez (4) going for the loose ball. The Golden Eagles ended a stellar season with a Final Four loss to Denver East 86-67 on March 1oth at the Denver Coliseum.

PHOTO BY PAUL DISALVO

Cherry Creek’s girls swimming team won its third straight state championship and 29th overall on Feb. 10. Team member Larson Ficken is a Colorado Community Media Player of the Year.

PHOTO BY JIM BENTON

Communities try design to improve public safety

State dollars aim to prevent crime with environmental changes

BY BRITTANY FREEMAN AND CULLEN PURSER ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Mike Burns bought a home right on the river near Delta, Colorado, with plans to spend the summers shing outdoors with his grandkids. But those kinds of excursions haven’t always felt safe, since the family learned more about what had been happening in their new neighborhood.

“Crime, drugs, theft, things like that,” he said. “Because of the things that are going on, it’s created some anxiety in us.”

It turns out the Burns family had moved to a 2,000-foot stretch of dirt road that is at the epicenter of roughly 10 percent of every call the small local sheri ’s o ce receives.

e sheri sent more deputies to patrol the area but that has left some neighbors even more unnerved.

“You’ve got four or ve sheri ’s vehicles parked next to your yard,” neighbor Steve Martinez said. “What are people going to think about what kind of neighborhood it is that you’re living in?”

But there’s a new sense of hope on this rural Delta County road these days, thanks to an infusion of state dollars set aside to prevent crime — not with more police ofcers — but with environmental improvements.

e Crime Prevention rough Safer Streets grant program is providing communities with millions of dollars funds for projects like installing new lighting and fences, removing overgrown vegetation in high-crime areas, and building sidewalks and trails. It’s one piece of a package of public safety legislation rolled out in the 2022 Colorado legislative session aimed at reducing crime.

“ ose improvements alone cannot make a safer community. But those improvements are an indicator that a community is involved in its own well-being,” explained architect Ignacio Correa-Ortiz, an urban planner who helped choose projects for the state to fund.

Twenty-three communities large and small across the state have until the end of June to complete more than $6.2 million in grantfunded projects that authorities say are part of a shift in the mindset around law enforcement and crime prevention.

“We’re really good at responding and arresting somebody for drugs or assaults or thefts or burglaries, but of course they get out of jail and recidivism happens,” said Delta County Sheri Mark Taylor. “We think that through this process we’ll be able to prevent crimes rather than just responding to crimes.”

e program’s funding could not be used to hire more o cers, or for projects that are typically used to investigate or solve crimes once they have happened, such as facial recognition programs or license plate reader cameras.

“In my opinion, the future of law enforcement is all in crime prevention,” said Delta County code enforcement o cer Everett Neil. “ e best way to handle an issue properly is to keep it from happening in the rst place.”

Neil helped to dream up his county’s grant-funded project after neighbors got together and asked

the sheri and county commissioners to help them reduce the crime in their community.

He said he suggested the county fund removal of an abandoned mobile home in the neighborhood that had become a draw for criminal activity and drug use. Neil said he also came to believe the remote wilderness near the river drew criminals who believed it was a good place to hide. When he learned the state was funding environmental improvements to reduce crime, his wheels began to turn.

“ at’s when I realized, well, if we’re getting rid of the mobile home, you know what? Let’s do some fencing. You know what, if we’re gonna do fencing, shoot, let’s do some lighting,” Neil said. “Let’s do a bus stop too, for the kids. And so we started brainstorming.”

Before applying for the funds, Neil and the county’s grant writer visited the neighborhood to make sure the community would support the improvements, most of which would occur on private property.

“ e grant writer and I went down to the neighborhood. We knocked on every door. We talked to every resident, and we wanted to know if they would be willing to participate

in this kind of a program, because there is some cost,” he said, noting that residents may see slightly higher electric bills due to the new lighting. “We were met with 100% buy-in.”

“I can’t tell you how many times [Neil] has been to my door saying, ‘ is is what’s going on. is is where we’re at in the process. What do you think about this? I need your input,’” Burns said. “It’s a rare thing, honestly, to feel that the county is being this responsive.”

Neil said he anticipates the changes will make the neighborhood safer, and he made a bold prediction.

“I fully predict that we’ll be able to reduce the crime in this area through this initiative, at least by 50%,” Neil said.

“It’s something that’s exciting to see and start from the ground up,” Sheri Taylor said. “I hope it works. I hope it’s something that we can use in the future.”

is story is from Rocky Mountain PBS, a nonpro t public broadcaster providing community stories across Colorado over the air and online. Used by permission. For more, and to support Rocky Mountain PBS, visit rmpbs.org.

Castle Rock

Castle Rock Interfaith Community Prayers. A Space for Spiritual Reflections and Conversations March Topic: Compassion

Sunday, March 26th | 10:30am - Noon

Philip S. Miller LibraryJames H. LaRue Meeting Room castlerockbahais@gmail.com castlerock.local.bahai.us/

Mark Taylor, Delta County’s sheri , said lighting and fences, removing overgrown vegetation and other measures can reduce crime. ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

CROWSS UP DRO ELZZ

from 7 to 9:30 p.m. e rst is Friday, March 24 and the second is Friday, March 31.

e two events will feature a blend of art, lm and live, improvisational jazz accompanied by the Lumonics light sculptures/video. According to provided information, Janine Santana, a jazz musician and radio personality, will be hosting the series and selecting an accompanying jazz lm.

For more information, visit www. lumonics.net/jazz.

Learn about cumbia with Ciudad Reina and RedLine

Ciudad Reina and RedLine Contemporary Art Center have teamed up to present Una Historia de la Cumbia, an evening that celebrates all things cumbian - history, dance, music and more.

e event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 24, at the RedLine Contemporary Art Center, 2350 Arapahoe St. in Denver. Cumbia is a kind of genre and music that was started in Colombia and has spread all over the Americas.

According to provided informa-

tion, attendees will get to hear from KUVO’s Super Sonido host La Molly and El Jaguar, who will provide some historical context for cumbia, followed by a dance class led by Magally Rizo Luna. e evening wraps up with a cumbia party.

Get more information at www. redlineart.org/upcoming-events/ una-historia-de-la-cumbia.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Wonder Years at Summit Music Hall

Hearing the name e Wonder Years probably makes most people think of the golden years of their youth (or a late 1980s sitcom about the golden years of youth). Pennsylvania’s band of the same name can certainly pull at the heartstrings, but the indie rock favorites accomplish this by blending aching and searching lyricism with emo-indebted rocky stylings.

In support of 2022’s “ e Hum Goes on Forever,” they’ll be stopping by Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. in Denver, at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28. Joining them are the wonderful alt-rock group Hot Mulligan. Get a ticket at www.livenation. com.

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

TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE

The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself.

In this way, The Sun contributes to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado.

The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and nonpartisan journalism. It covers everything

from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and education.

Now, The Colorado Sun co-owns this and other Colorado Community Media newspapers as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. The Sun is CCM’s partner for statewide news.

For Colorado Sun stories, opinions and more, and to support The Sun’s misssion as a member or subscriber, visit coloradosun.com.

Call

COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

CLASSIFIEDS

Help Wanted

Speech Language Pathologist or SLPA Positions

FT & PT Speech-Language Pathologist or SLPA Positions

Available for 2023-24 School Year!

Open to School Internships. Able to provide supervision for CFY hours. Join our dynamic, multidisciplinary team of professionals for the 2023-24 school year. Administer assessments, provide direct, indirect & consultation services for students

PreK-12th grades. Competitive salaries: SLP - $50,450-$56,050 & SLPA- BA $41,000- $46,600, both commensurate upon experience. May also be eligible for loan forgiveness! Excellent benefits, including full health benefits & mileage reimbursement. Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at 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 grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE. Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101 or email tracyg@ ecboces.org

Help Wanted LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME

No Sales, no Investment,

No Risk, Free training, Free website. Contact Susan at 303-646-4171 or fill out form at www.wisechoice4u.com

SRE Manager (FT; Multiple Openings)

Job Location: Centennial, CO

Requirements: MS or equiv. in CS, SE, etc.

+ 2 yrs. exp. or BS + 5 yrs. exp. req’d. Exp. w/Terraform, Ansible, Jenkins, CI/CD, AWS, GCP, Waterfall, Agile, Scrum, S QL, open-source tech, cloud serv, microservices, HA tech, mng big cloud envir & dev. cloud SaaS req’d.

Salary: $144k/yr

Mail Resume: RingCentral, Inc.

Attn: HR Dept. 20 Davis Drive Belmont, CA 94002

CLASSIFIED AD SALES 303-566-4100 classifieds@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS Contact Erin, 303-566-4074 eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

CAREERS

DEADLINES

CLASSIFIED LINE ADS: MONDAY, 5 P.M.

SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY, 5 P.M.

LEGALS: THURSDAY, 3 P.M.

Help Wanted

Full-Time and part-time Registered Occupational Therapist/COTA for 2023-24 School Year! OTR must have, or be eligible for appropriate Colorado licensure. Provide Pre-12 intervention, assessment, direct & indirect services just east of Denver on I-70, Bennett, Strasburg Byers & Kiowa areas COTA Needed for Limon & Surrounding Areas Support from an experienced COTA is available for OT. Full Time Salary range: MA $50,450$56,050 PhD $55,700 -$61,300.

COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

CLASSIFIEDS

Market Place

Classifieds

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!

1 bicycle, wheelchair, new poker table , paper shredder and shop vacuum. All for $350 or best offer. Will sell single items as well. Call 720-465-9022

Merchandise

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

Health & Beauty

DENTAL INSURANCEPhysicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurancenot a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258.

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS!

50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol

Medical

Attention oxygen therapy users!

Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-929-9587

Miscellaneous

Switch and save up to $250/yr on talk, text & data. No contract or hidden fees. Unlimited talk & text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time get $50 off any new account. Use code GIFT50. 1-855-903-3048

Miscellaneous

Unlimited wireless 4G LTE or 5G internet. Only $50/month. 15-day trial. No contract. Includes hardware. Fast & reliable. 888-996-6799. https://broadbandq.com

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months!

Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

DISH TV $64.99 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR included, Free Voice remote. Some Restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-479-1516.

Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on vet bills? Physicians Mutual Insur-ance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-844-774-0206 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow. com/ads

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888489-3936

Scrap Metal, Batteries, Appliances, Wiring, Scrap Plumbing/Heating, Cars/Parts, Clean out Garages/Yards, Rake, Yard work done w/chainsaw, Certified Auto Mechanical / Body Work & paint available Also can do inside or outside cleaning 303-647-2475 / 720-323-2173

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author`s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

Miscellaneous

HughesNet– Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live.

25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

Caring for an aging loved one?

Wondering about options like seniorliving communities and in-home care? Caring.com’s Family Advisors help take the guesswork out of senior care for your family. Free, noobligation consult: 1-855-759-1407

Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom!

1-833-758-3892

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-6101936

Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 833-308-1971 Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage:

1-855-948-6176

Inflation is at 40 year highs Interest rates are way up. Credit Cards. Medical Bills. Car Loans. Do you have $10k or more in debt? Call National Debt Relief to find out how to pay off your debt for significantly less than what you owe! Free quote: 1-877-592-3616

!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! GIBSON, FENDER, MARTIN, etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. TOP DOLLAR PAID.

CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-433-8277

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service.

Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-4171306

CLASSIFIED AD SALES 303-566-4100 classifieds@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS

Contact Erin, 303-566-4074 eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MARKETPLACE

DEADLINES

CLASSIFIED LINE ADS: MONDAY, 5 P.M.

SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY, 5 P.M.

LEGALS: THURSDAY, 3 P.M.

Colorado Statewide Network

To place a 25-wordCOSCAN Network adin 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact your local

Miscellaneous

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800245-0398

Miscellaneous

The Generac PWRcell solar plus battery storage system. Save money, reduce reliance on grid, prepare for outages & power your home. Full installation services. $0 down financing option. Request free no obligation quote. 1-877-539-0299

AllPhasesofFlatWorkby T.M.CONCRETE

AllPhasesofFlatWorkby T.M.CONCRETE

Driveways,Sidewalks,Patios Tear-outs,stamped&colored concrete.Qualitywork,Lic./Ins.

Driveways,Sidewalks,Patios Tear-outs,stamped&colored concrete.Qualitywork,Lic./Ins.

Reasonablerates "SmallJobsOK!"

303-514-7364 tmconcrete.net

Reasonablerates "SmallJobsOK!"

303-514-7364 tmconcrete.net

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIED

timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

Legal Description of Real Property:

LOT 175, COTTONWOOD SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 8745 Aspen Cir, Parker, CO 80134

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 3/2/2023

Last Publication: 3/30/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 12/30/2022

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

DAVID R DOUGHTY

Colorado Registration #: 40042

9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112

Phone #: (303) 706-9990

Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 22-029131

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: failure to make full payment of all principal, interest and other charges at the maturity date as required by the Deed of Trust.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

34, BLOCK 2, BRADBURY RANCH FILING NO. 10, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 11850 High Desert Road, Parker, CO 80134 NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT SIXTEEN (16), BLOCK EIGHT (8), STROH RANCH FILING NO. 18B, 7TH AMENDMENT, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of:

12785 Horton Court, Parker, CO 80134

NOTICE OF SALE

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

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

First Publication: 3/16/2023

Last Publication: 4/13/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press Dated: 1/18/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

DEANNE R. STODDEN

Colorado Registration #: 33214 1550 WEWATTA STREET SUITE 710, DENVER, COLORADO 80202 Phone #: 303.623.1800 Fax #: 303.623.0552

Attorney File #: 8020.0087

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

indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 3/23/2023

Last Publication: 4/20/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 1/25/2023 DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

DAVID R DOUGHTY

Colorado Registration #: 40042 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990 Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 22-029105

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/ Legal Notice No. 2023-0023 First

Recording Date of DOT: 11/27/2019

Reception No. of DOT: 2019081170

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $306,195.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $304,924.94

To Whom It May Concern: On 1/25/2023 3:59:00 PM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: JOHN O KUFFOUR AND DELIA S CLARK Original Beneficiary: LONG BEACH MORTGAGE COMPANY

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: RRA CP Opportunity Trust 2

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 9/29/2004

Recording Date of DOT: 10/4/2004

Reception No. of DOT: 2004102623 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $76,600.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $57,072.07

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.

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

ETHNA M RONDEAU

Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR PIVOT LENDING GROUP, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Zing Credit Union Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 7/24/2019 Recording Date of DOT: 7/30/2019 Reception No. of DOT: 2019046328 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $428,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $413,259.31

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

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 15 VILLAGES OF PARKER FILING NO. 25 COUNTY OF DOUGLAS STATE OF COLORADO

Which has the address of: 11812 Mill Valley Street, Parker, CO 80138 NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 64, STONEGATE FILING NO. 21A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 10119 Riverstone Drive, Parker, CO 80134

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

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

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 16, CHALLENGER PARK TOWNHOMES, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of:

9567 Deerhorn Ct #16, Parker, CO 80134

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 3/23/2023

Last Publication: 4/20/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 1/23/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

DAVID R DOUGHTY Colorado Registration #: 40042 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990 Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 23-029174

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0020

First Publication: 3/23/2023

Last Publication: 4/20/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Parker NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0026

To Whom It May Concern: On 1/27/2023 4:39:00 PM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: JODI WEEKS

Original Beneficiary: BOKF NA

Students to take computer-based SAT next year

Many universities still ask for test scores as part of application process

BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

Colorado high school students will continue to take the SAT and PSAT as the state’s way of measuring school and district academic performance, but they’ll switch to the computerized version in spring 2024.

A committee of teachers and school administrators recommended the College Board’s online suite of tests to replace its paper version, according to the Colorado Department of Education. e new computerized test was piloted by the College Board in 2021, and the organization said in a news release last year that it’s “easier to give, and more relevant.”

State law requires the state education department to take competitive bids every five years for a statewide assessment. The selection, however, was delayed a year because of the pandemic. The state must wait 10 days before the contract becomes official, according to a news release.

Colorado public colleges and universities no longer require a college-

acceptance, part of a growing “test optional” movement nationwide. However, many colleges and universities still ask for test scores as part of their application, and even students applying to test-optional schools can submit their scores to show their quali cations.

Colorado began using the PSAT and SAT to measure students’ math and English abilities in 2017, part of a compromise to reduce the overall number of tests students take in school. At the time, Colorado was

Public Notices

DBA COLORADO STATE BANK AND TRUST

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: BOKF, N.A.

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 10/31/2016

Recording Date of DOT: 11/2/2016

Reception No. of DOT: 2016079106

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$384,950.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $346,283.00

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

Legal Description of Real Property:

LOT 334, MERIDIAN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTER FILING NO. 7C, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO

Which has the address of: 14103 Double Dutch Circle, Parker, CO 80134

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

ment protesting a heavy testing burden, and many parents excused their students from taking standardized tests.

e idea was to use a test high school students would want to take anyway because it would help with their college and scholarship applications. Ninth and 10th graders take the PSAT and high school juniors take the SAT in the spring.

Colorado uses the test results along with graduation rates and other factors to rate the performance

first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

Douglas County News Press

also are one way students can show they meet graduation requirements for basic competency in math and language arts.

While Colorado high school students use the college readiness exams, K-8 students use the Colorado Measure of Academic Success, or CMAS, to test math, English, and science understanding.

is story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters

for the release of Community Project Funding to undertake a project known as GOALS Capital Project located at 14997 E. Oxford Ave., Aurora, CO 80014, for the purpose of renovating and updating an existing communal residential facility to increase allowed occupancy and create a more functional environment for clients who are families experiencing homelessness. This project will upgrade the Evergreen Building which is the fourth un-used building on the GOALS campus so services can also be provided to Douglas County clients. Each family residing at GOALS has a private room and access to common living areas, bathrooms, and kitchens, offering a safe place while they work with Family Tree navigators and community partners to develop long-term goals for stability and economic independence. Residency in the program is up to nine months depending upon unique family needs, with followup and support offered for one year after leaving the residential portion of the program.

executed by the Certifying Officer of Douglas County (b) Douglas County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Region VIII Office at 1670 Broadway Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-4801. Potential objectors should contact U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Assistant Director of Community Services

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

#: 00000009417395 *YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

The scope of work includes all architectural and engineering services, permitting, insurance, bonds, and construction costs to complete improvements which may include kitchen and bathroom expansion, electrical update to LED, replacing furnaces, water heaters appliances, windows, flooring, and paint, in the amount of $1,000,000.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Douglas County has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Douglas County Government, 100 3rd Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104, contact Melanie Grothe, 303 814-4326, mgrothe@douglas.co.us.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Douglas County Community Services Division. All comments received by Friday, April 7, 2023, will be considered by Douglas County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

Douglas County Government certifies to HUD that Jennifer Eby in her capacity as Assistant Director of Community Services consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Douglas County to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will accept objections to its release of fund and the Douglas County certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not

Legal Notice No. 945169

First Publication: March 23, 2023

Last Publication: March 23, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Misc. Private Legals

Public Notice

DISTRICT COURT, DOUGLAS COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO CONSOLIDATED NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS FILED IN THIS COURT UNDER THE “UNIFORM DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE” AND “UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION” ACTS, due diligence has been used to obtain personal service within the State of Colorado and further efforts would be to no avail: therefore, publication has been ordered:

NUMBER:NAME:TYPE OF ACTION

2022DR000498: Daubin Estelle Hebert-Gonzalez v Jose Armando Gonzalez Dissolution

A copy of the Petition and Summons may be obtained from the Clerk of the above Court during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and that failure to respond to this service by publication within thirty-five (35) days of the publication date may result in a default judgment against the non-appearing party.

Andrea K. Truett CLERK OF THE COURT 4000 JUSTICE WAY CASTLE ROCK, CO 80109 by Margaret Corbetta, Deputy Clerk

Legal

Colorado high school students will no longer take the paper version of the PSAT and SAT.

SHUTTERSTOCK