Parker Chronicle 042723

Plan for Douglas County zoning rule change sees backlash

Residents fear apartments

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Some voices in a heated group of residents described a proposed change to property development policy in Douglas County as threatening to the very fabric of the county and its culture.

But county sta portrayed the potential change as minor edits that would clarify confusing language.

of proposed changes in development policy from Gov. Jared Polis and Democratic state lawmakers aimed at addressing the state’s housing crisis by increasing residential density, the discussion on the local Douglas County language change saw one resident mention the governor during comments that framed the proposal in political terms.

“It’s not a secret that leftists have intentionally targeted county government in a way of pushing an agenda,” said Mark Green, who is from the Parker area.

the removal of property rights,” Green added.

He spoke at a meeting of the group of Douglas County residents who advise the county’s elected leaders on development as the group considered whether to edit the criteria that developers need to meet to make changes to “planned developments,” properties in a special type of zoning that only applies to certain areas. (Zoning is a local government’s rules for what can be built where.)

After hearing more than a dozen speak against the proposal at the meeting, along with dozens of other

Ponderosa raises funds to improve aging auditorium

Auction on May 6

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e theater department at Ponderosa High School is hosting an auction on May 6 at Douglas County School District’s Legacy Campus to help fund auditorium renovations.

“Hundreds of theater parents this year really wanted to do something bigger,” said Kayla Diaz, theater teacher and director at Ponderosa. “So they have organized an entire event to really get more support

across the community.”

As the school is coming up on their 40th anniversary, upgrades are needed for the auditorium’s lighting system and theater seats.

“We have a suspicion that our lighting system was not even new when we got it at Ponderosa,” said Diaz. “ ere’s a little plaque that we discovered sort of recently on one of our lighting towers backstage that says ‘property of Douglas County High School’, which is actually the only school in that district that’s older than Ponderosa.”

Currently, some of the lighting instruments in the catwalks are

about 30 years old. ey have gotten to the point where replacing the bulbs have become di cult and the wiring and connections limits what the department can do.

Although Diaz doesn’t believe the seats are original to the building, the fabric is coming o , a lot of the seats don’t pop back up, and armrests are becoming wobbly and starting to come o .

“ ere’s other stu throughout the theater that the kids learn how to problem solve really well and work around, but things that we

comments the county received from residents in April, the Douglas County Planning Commission voted 5-1 against the language changes. e planning commissioners serve as an advisory group, and the county’s board of three elected commissioners — George Teal, Lora omas and Abe Laydon — generally make the nal call on development decisions in areas outside of municipalities. ough it attracted backlash, the proposal is misunderstood, according to county sta .

Parker council o cially opposes state land use bill Construction projects on tap

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Amongst approving ordinances and contracts for construction projects across Parker, town council voiced their opinions on Senate Bill 23-213 and unanimously approved the resolution opposing the statewide land use and zoning preemptions bill.

Following the introduction of Colorado Legislature Senate Bill 23-213 in March, the Colorado Municipal League hosted an Executive Director Town Hall on March 29 to discuss and express concerns about the bill.

Sponsored by Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Adams and Arapahoe, Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Arapahoe, and Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, Senate Bill 23-213 concerns the state land use requirements and zoning preemptions as it aims to address the housing a ordability crisis. e bill states, “Addressing requirements for the regulations of accessory dwelling units, middle housing, transitoriented areas, key corridors, and manufactured and modular homes.”

The stage and seats in the Ponderosa High School auditorium.

COURTESY OF KRISTIN GRAYNER

Douglas County bus driver faces 30 counts of child abuse

Aimed to teach lesson

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A former school bus driver for the Douglas County School District is facing 30 counts of child abuse after purposefully slamming on the brakes, causing injuries to students.

Brian Fitzgerald, 61, was driving students home from Castle Rock Elementary School on March 1 when he brake checked the bus, telling the students they needed to sit properly in their seats, according to video obtained by KRDO. Multiple students hit their heads on the seat in front of them or the bus windows and one student allegedly had a cut on the cheek.

Fitzgerald would later say he was trying to “get them in their seats” and that the students were “bouncing all over the place.” In the bus video, students can be heard denying that they were rowdy and asking why Fitzgerald suddenly braked.

In a statement, the Douglas County School District said Fitzgerald’s behavior was “completely unacceptable.”

“ e video is incredibly di cult to watch,” the statement said. “Riding a bus to and from school should be a happy, enjoyable experience for students.”

e district also thanked those who reported the incident.

“We are so grateful to the parents and the principal who reported this incident, allowing us to take swift action and ensure this driver was never again allowed behind the wheel of a DCSD bus,” the dis-

trict statement said.

Fitzgerald has not responded to an interview request from Colorado Community Media.

In a letter Fitzgerald wrote to the district after the incident, he said students were in a “hazardous location” and he told the students four times to sit before hitting the brakes. He apologized for his decision.

“I am sincerely sorry for my choice of actions today in my e orts of training students,” he said. “I am still 100% responsible for my actions in trying to both educate and control students on the bus. Being a new driver, I did not make the best decision and if I were able to redo what I did I would rethink my decisions.”

Fitzgerald was hired by the school

district in October 2022. e day of the brake check incident was his rst driving a general education route instead of a special education route, according to reporting from KRDO. Fitzgerald was a substitute bus driver on the Castle Rock Elementary School route.

He is scheduled to be in court on May 12.

Colorado Community Media sta wins 8 awards

Current and former members of the Colorado Community Media sta celebrate eight awards at the annual Top of the Rockies event hosted by the Society of Professional Journalists. The competition includes submissions from professionals in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.

SPJ competition featured news from four states

STAFF REPORT

Colorado Community Media sta netted eight awards during the annual Top of the Rockies contest hosted by the Society for Professional Journalists, or SPJ, in downtown Denver on April 22.

With 24 newspapers across the Front Range, CCM reporters competed in the “Large Newsroom” category, which included larger publications and outlets from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming.

CCM had two rst-place honors. Evergreen reporter Deb Hurley Brobst took the top honors in the category of Obit Reporting for her article on Mandi Evans, who “gave more to the community than great food.”

South Metro Editor elma Grimes took rst place in the Mental Health writing category for a series she and two high school interns wrote in 2022. e “Need to Succeed” series broke down how the combination of college costs, social media and parent and societal expectations is costing kids their childhoods.

Several CCM sta members won second-place honors.

Luke Zarzecki took second place in the Feature: Long Form category for his story titled, “Uprooting the American dream: Opinions changing about lush lawns.”

For general reporting in a series or package, several south metro sta members combined for a secondplace award. Former reporters Jessica Gibbs and Elliott Wenzler along with Grimes and current CCM reporter McKenna Harford took an extensive look throughout 2022 at the Douglas County School District’s termination of former superintendent Corey Wise.

In Enterprise Reporting, former Littleton reporter Robert Tann won for his in-depth look at police chases that span over Douglas and Arapahoe counties.

Arvada Reporter Rylee Dunn won third place for her in-depth look at parents in the Je erson County School District. Dunn’s article, “Inside Je co Kids First, and Ganahl’s furor over students,” won in the Education: News category.

For extended coverage, CCM’s Digital Editor Deborah Grigsby won third-place honors for her coverage of mobile home legislation in 2022.

In design, CCM’s Tom Fildey won third place for Single Page Design where he featured a photo page of a wild re impacting bighorn sheep.

The Douglas County School District will move forward with the equity policy.

COURTESY PHOTO

county heard concerns that the change “would make the process for someone to amend a planned development much easier or to get a development of a di erent type approved much easier — that it would be a signi cant thing,” said Steven Koster, assistant director of planning services for Douglas County. “And I’m not sure exactly how that understanding came to be.”

‘Meant to be flexible’

An area with “planned development” zoning can feature a mix of property types — including residential, commercial, recreational and others — in a way that standard zoning districts can’t, Koster said.

Planned developments are also intended “to encourage innovative and creative design,” Douglas County’s zoning policy says.

Planned developments can be small or spread over a large area: Highlands Ranch is a planned development, for example.

Over time, planned developments can change, or be “amended,” if the county gives the OK. At issue during the April 17 county Planning Commission meeting was a proposal to edit the criteria that would allow for those changes.

Among several approval criteria, the sta held up two for edits. ey included:

• A change from the wording “Whether the amendment is consistent with the development standards, commitments, and overall intent

tent with the intent, e cient development and preservation of the entire planned development” to “Whether the amendment is consistent with the e cient development of the entire planned development.” at may sound like dry, inconsequential language. But the proposed removal of some words — particularly “preservation” — raised some residents’ eyebrows.

“For some county developments numerous residents have been in place for decades,” Tim Knaus, of the Roxborough Park area, wrote to the county. “Lifelong decisions regarding how they would live depended on the planned development. Preservation must be addressed.”

In a report to the county Planning

keeping the planned development in (its current) state,” Matt Jakubowski, a chief planner on county sta , said during the meeting.

But “by the very fact” that a developer ever proposes to amend a planned development, that inherently implies change, he said.

“ ey’re meant to be exible — they’re not meant to be a fossil,” Jakubowski said.

‘ e soul of Douglas County’

County residents expressed fears of “high-density” multifamily buildings — a term that often means apartments. (“Density” is a term for how many people or housing units occupy an area.)

Area resident Evelyn Zur framed the backlash at the meeting as “ ght-

“What we’re talking about here with the zoning change is allowing more apartments, more renters. When you have a majority of (home) ownership in a county, you have a quality county. When you have a majority of renters, that quality gets diluted,” Zur said at the meeting.

“ ere’s a reason people move here,” said resident Holly Green, who warned of “an erosion of our property rights.”

Another commenter saw the changes in a larger context, saying “our freedoms, our liberties, our rights” are at risk.

Asked whether the proposed language edits would lead to more new, high-density multifamily buildings in longtime single-family neighborhoods, Koster told Colorado

language —

parks structed, tions of where planned considered it ing tial the regulations edited. ber, to tion those

The Douglas County building where o cials hold public meetings at 100 Third St. in Castle Rock.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Community Media: “I don’t think it changes the probabilities around that happening, no.”

“ ere are more than just those two approval criteria,” Koster said.

e concept of “preservation” is mentioned elsewhere in Douglas County’s zoning rules regarding planned developments, such as in saying: “Development within this district should be designed to … ensure that environmentally and visually sensitive areas are preserved.”

‘Overall intent’

Also mentioned in the proposed language change are “commitments” — agreements a developer makes to donate land for a school, allow for parks to be built or have roads constructed, for example.

e county’s existing zoning regulations already mention the possibility of changes to commitments in cases where a developer asks to change a planned development.

“An amendment request shall be considered a major amendment if it meets one or more of the following criteria (including) … Substantial changes to … commitments,” the zoning rules say in a part of the regulations that aren’t proposed to be edited.

Jakubowski, the county sta member, said the parts that are proposed to be edited would no longer mention commitments “not because those things aren’t important.”

But, for example, if there were a type of boundary that a developer asked to change, that would not concern a commitment, Jakubowski said.

“ e idea is to go back to the overall intent of the planned development,” Jakubowski said.

Extreme changes to a planned development wouldn’t depend on the language that county sta are proposing editing.

“ ere does come a point where the changes somebody wants to make are too fundamental,” and then “we would say that the proper (process) is a full rezoning” rather than mere tweaks based on the planned development rules, Koster told CCM.

PONDEROSA

would like to do more with an upgrade,” said Diaz.

One area where students have learned how to problem solve is the sound system.

In addition to balancing sound, students have to gure out the speaker system from the booth, which is behind glass. rough some upgrades, they would like to change the booth itself to allow the sound crew to hear better and create more of a spot for them to be during shows.

Kristin Grayner, president of the 2022-2023 Ponderosa eatre Parents Board, has been putting together the auction.

“ e entire school uses the theater for functions, not just the drama department,” said Grayner.

With casual attire, the event will include light appetizers, dessert, co ee, tea and water as well as a cash bar for additional beverages. ere

at’s been done when the type of property was changed from a nonresidential use to an all-residential use or an almost-all-residential use, he said.

One example sits in the Highlands Ranch area, where the community known as Wind Crest used to be in the Highlands Ranch planned development.

“It was an industrial planning area.

e landowners wanted to change it to this retirement residential community,” which was a change so substantial that it went to a full rezoning, Koster said.

Polis proposal not a factor, sta says Douglas County’s zoning language change proposal, while unrelated to Polis and the Democrats’ broader proposed changes in housing density across the state, has met backlash from local residents who fear the county is moving in a direction of higher density.

“Polis, for instance, he wants renters — he (doesn’t want) homeownership,” Zur said at the meeting.

Koster noted that county o cials started the process of the proposed edits last fall, before any state legislature bill on land use arose.

“We weren’t factoring any of that into that process,” Koster said.

County sta didn’t have a particular reason for the timing of the proposed zoning language edits, Koster said.

“As sta , we’re tasked to always be reviewing, looking at our regulations, making sure they’re e cient, making sure that they’re clear,” said Koster, noting that these rules sections were also amended about eight years ago.

“As you apply regulations, work with regulations over time, you learn things about them … and then you see ways to say, ‘ is could be worded better,’” he said. e board of county commissioners ultimately decides whether to approve the proposed edits.

Asked whether there are any recent proposed changes to planned developments in Douglas County whose approval or denial hinged on the wording that would be modi ed by the proposed language edits, Koster said: “I can’t think of any developments where these (provisions) has been the lynchpin in any decisions on the development.”

will be live performances throughout the evening by Ponderosa’s varsity comedy troupe and other theater students.

e array of items being auctioned o will include vacation stays, spa experiences and gift cards. A sentimental item will also be auctioned o .

When the curtains were replaced about seven years ago, the fabric from the old curtains were used to make stu ed animals in the shape of a bunny and named after Ponderosa’s theater ghost, Harvey. is year, the Harvey Bunnies will be making a comeback.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.ponderosatheatre.com/ptp for $20 each. Diaz and the booster would like to sell at least 100 tickets.

“We’re all getting together to support theater students, but also support anybody who uses the theater in getting some big upgrades that are going to make their experience better and safer and really sort of bring Ponderosa’s theater into this decade,” said Diaz.

Need help with rising heat costs?

Rising heating costs may be hard to budget for this year, but help is available to Douglas County residents who are struggling. If you or someone you know needs assistance, apply now through April 30, 2023, for energy assistance through the State of Colorado’s LowIncome Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). For more information, visit douglas.co.us and search LEAP or email LEAPHELP@discovermygoodwill.org

Spring cleaning is at your curbside

Do you have hazardous waste from a painting project, old oil from your car’s maintenance, or other waste from your recent DIY project? This curbside service is available to Douglas County residents for $30. For details call 1-800-4497587 or visit douglas.co.us and search Household Waste Management

Do you own property in Douglas County?

Per Colorado law, Notices of Valuation are mailed to all property owners on May 1. Watch your mailbox for a postcard. Questions? Visit douglas.co.us/assessor

Need flood zone information?

If you live in unincorporated Douglas County, Flood Insurance Rate Maps and zone information are available by request. Visit douglas.co.us and search for Flood Plain Information. A form may also be requested by calling 303-660-7490 or visiting Public Works, 100 Third St. in Castle Rock.

Program outlines growing dangers of fentanyl use

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fentanyl continues to be a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S. and Douglas County. Recently, the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse and Prevention outlined the reality of fentanyl use among use to county o cials.

Leading the presentation, Lindsey Simbeye, the external relations strategist for the consortium, provided insight on how to talk to and educate youth about the growing crisis.

“ is epidemic and this crisis is not going anywhere,” said Simbeye. “ e best thing that we can do is learn as much as we can and share that knowledge with everyone that we can.”

e nation is in its third wave since the opioid crisis began in the 1990s. ere was a rise in heroin overdose deaths in 2010, and 2013 marked the shift from illicit opioids to more synthetic opioids. According to Simbeye, a primary reason for the shift to fentanyl is it is easy to make.

Fentanyl is odorless, colorless and tasteless, making it easy to mix in other drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine, LSD and other counterfeit pills.

An estimated 42% of all pills tested by the DEA contained at least two milligrams of fentanyl, which is considered to be a lethal dose. However, a lethal dose depends on the person’s body size, previous use and tolerance to the opioid.

Simbeye said these pills have a “chocolate chip cookie e ect”. Any-

Crisis worsens

one who has made chocolate chip cookies would like to have a great morsel of chocolate in each bite, but most likely it is not the case. It is the same with pills, a singular pill might not have fentanyl in the entire pill.

When working with people in active use, Simbeye often has the drugs tested. Multiple areas of the pill are tested to know whether there is fentanyl in it.

“It also means that there could be enough fentanyl to kill 10 people in half of it and nothing in the other half of it,” said Simbeye.

In terms of cost, it depends on which market and how saturated that market is. Now, having access to the drug market is as simple as having a smartphone, going to social media, paying with an online app and determining a meeting place.

“It’s not what we see in the movies,” said Simbeye. “It’s not hiding under the scary bridge or in the dark corner. It is a pizza delivery guy.

at’s how easy it is.”

Tracking distributors through social media is challenging, especially with apps in which conversations disappear. Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly said to ght the problems, deputies often have to go undercover to get information that leads to arrests..

In addition, to go through someone’s social network and see who they have been communicating with, the police must have a search warrant.

When talking with your youth, Simbeye stressed two important points. Make sure they know the legal consequences of using drugs and the life long consequences of addiction. ere are peer specialists who talk about their experiences with drugs and how they came out of their addiction.

Judgment and condemnation is not going to further the conversation, instead, Simbeye recommends

speaking with an open mind. First, understand one of the reasons why youth might be using drugs. It could be for sensation, from peer pressure, a lacking trusted adult in their life, pop culture or social media.  Also knowing where youth are sourcing these substances is an important factor.

“Our youth are typically not out there seeking fentanyl, but they might be seeking a Xanax,” said Simbeye. “If they are bought o the black market, it is highly likely that they have some other kind of contamination and then possibly fentanyl.”

Knowing what you want to get out of the conversation and having done homework on the topic is critical to the conversation. It is okay to not know all the facts and gures according to Simbeye, because looking information up together is another strong way to communicate the importance of this issue.  Information can be found at One Pill Can Kill and DEA Drug Facts Sheet for Fentanyl.

Determining what age to start speaking with your child about the dangers of drugs depends on when one feels like their child can internalize information.

“Is it appropriate to say to a 6-year-old, ‘be careful of fentanyl’, no, they’re probably not going to internalize that,” said Simbeye. However, she suggested talking to children about being careful of what they pick up o the ground because what it looks like might not be what it actually is. She encouraged having regular transparent conversations with kids as they grow up.

Experts discuss fentanyl facts

in the body and how to reverse an overdose.

to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As part of Douglas County’s Youth Initiative Facts about Fentanyl discussion, Lindsey Simbeye, an external relations strategist for Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention explained how opioids such as fentanyl work

Both illicitly manufactured fentanyl and pharmaceutical fentanyl are considered synthetic opioids. It is often used in labor and delivery, for acute pain situations and for end of life measures for pain suppression.

Fentanyl goes into the system quickly and lasts for 30 to 60 minutes. It is also up to 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine, according

e body has opioid receptors all throughout and when a person takes an opioid, it binds to those receptors and transfers information to di erent systems throughout the body, such as the limbic and central nervous system.

When the opioid a ects the limbic system, it is a ecting the brain reward system, which causes the euphoric feeling. Opioids chemi-

cally connect to the central nervous system which a ect the automated body responses within the brainstem and can suppress the respiratory system, causing the overdose.

Tolerance builds quickly to the euphoria and to the pain, said Simbeye. e respiratory depression tolerance does not build as quickly, which is what makes opioids so fatal or so potentially fatal when they’re

‘It’s not what we see in the movies. It’s not hiding under the scary bridge or in the dark corner. It is a pizza delivery guy. That’s how easy it is.’

Lindsey Simbeye, external relations strategist

being misused or used in excess.

“ e latest I’ve heard is that an average dose for someone who is in active use for fentanyl, they can be using anywhere from 20 to 50 pills a day, that is purely so they can survive throughout the day and stave o withdrawal symptoms,” said Simbeye.

e long-term e ects of using can include irritability, hallucinations, hypoxia, anxiety, depression and hyperalgesia, which is an increased response to pain.

ere are also additional factors that increase the risk of an opioid overdose such as poor health, purchasing from the black market, history of substance use disorder and using di erent sources of drugs, according to Simbeye.

However, recent discharge from incarceration or any kind of institutionalization for previous users increases their chance for an overdose if they choose to use again as their tolerance for the drug decreases.

“ ey may not recognize that their tolerance has decreased and they are likely to use at the same amount that they used before going into that institutional setting,” said Simbeye. “ ey are highly susceptible to overdosing because now their respiratory system doesn’t have the same high tolerance and it’s going to be overwhelmed and suppressed to the point of not breathing.”

e other high risk factor is taking opioids in combination with any other drug, speci cally benzodiaz-

also known as the “death rattle”, lips and nails turning blue and loss of consciousness.

In the event that an individual is overdosing, it is important to understand how to administer Naloxone if it is with you. According to Simbeye, Naloxone is the umbrella category for all di erent name brand medicines such as Narcan and Kloxxado.

When administering a nasal pump, provide support to the back of the neck and insert the pump in the nos-

If the individual is still not responsive and a second nasal pump is available, administer the second spray in the opposite nostril, Simbeye said.

When Naloxone goes into the body, it knocks the opioid o the receptor and due to its strong bond, it continues to block the receptors and cuts o communication with the central nervous system and allows the body to go back to the automated responses.

According to the Good Samaritan Law, a person is immune from arrest and prosecution if the person reports in good faith to a law enforcement o cer if there is an emergency concerning an overdose, the person remains on the scene and cooperates. e immunity also extends to the individual who su ered the emergency.

Additional resources include Bring Naloxone Home, keepthepartysafe. org, and Take Meds Seriously.

Narcan nasal pump used to reverse drug overdoses. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

Children’s Hospital highlights south campus services

Tours return after COVID

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e lighted stairwell and 35-foottall blue balloon boy shares a beacon of hope for those who pass by on C-470 and for families around the community who come to the Children’s Hospital Colorado south campus in Highlands Ranch.

As the south campus location celebrates 10 years in the community, hospital sta recently provided media tours for the rst time since before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down.

From the moment families walk through the front doors, there are pediatric touches everywhere you look, starting with the multi-color light up balloons hanging from the ceiling, guiding families to the check-in desk. On every oor of the hospital, there are brightly painted walls and unique artwork.

Being the only pediatric urgent care in Highlands Ranch, the south

COUNCIL

e bill proposes regulations such as prohibiting certain planned unit development resolutions, prohibiting a local government from enforcing certain occupancy limits, and developing statewide, regional and local housing needs assessments.

To read details about the Bill, go to https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/ default/ les/documents/2023A/ bills/2023a_213_01.pdf

e Colorado Municipal League has expressed concerns that the bill would do little to increase the supply of a ordable housing, have unintended consequences as well as the preemption of home rule authority.

On April 10, the Parker sta provided the council with an overview of the bill at a study session. Sta discussed the issues raised by the Colorado Municipal League and presented their own concerns about the language in the bill.

According to Kelsey Hall, assistant town attorney, concerns include but are not limited to DOLA transforming into an enforcement body, it takes home rule authority away from local government by giving the state more power over how the land is developed.

During the April 17 town council meeting, councilmembers voiced their concerns regarding what they call “a one size ts all” as they believe the state wants to regulate through deregulation. With the goal to protect the community of Parker, councilmembers wrote a letter to Sen. Jim Smallwood, R-Douglas, and Rep. Anthony Hartsook, R-Douglas. Councilmember Anne Barrington read the letter to the public.

Part of the letter reads, “We recognize the importance of engaging with our municipal neighbors and partner agencies on a variety of issues such as attainable housing,

regional transportation and water conservation. Our request is that you vote no on SB23-213 and allow us to continue to work collaboratively at all levels of government to identify real solutions that assist in providing housing to all while maintaining our rights as local government to protect the special characteristics of our respective communities.

In other business, the council approved two ordinances. e rst was the second amendment to an agreement regarding design and construction of drainage and ood control improvements for Cherry Creek at Dransfeldt Road by and between Urban Drainage and Flood Control District d/b/a Mile High Flood District, the Town of Parker and Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality, which will provide funding for the construction of the project. By proceeding with amending this IGA, over $4 million will be provided for the funding of the construction of the project.

According to Michael Grabczyk, of the department of engineering and public works, the construction will begin in May and is estimated to take nine months.

e other ordinance was a petition for the organization of a General Improvement District in the Town of Parker, Colorado, to be known as the Town of Parker My Mainstreet General Improvement District.

According to Town Attorney Kristin Ho man, the purpose of the district is to generate property taxes for the property to pay or reimburse developers for improvements such as utility infrastructure, accessibility and lighting improvements.

e council also approved the Harvie Open Space Construction contract with Richdell Construction, Inc in the amount of $1,673,760 and the Parker Responsive Tra c Signal System Improvements in the amount of $668,696 with contractor Interface Communications Company.

Stephanie Beling, director of operations at the Children’s Hospital south campus, talks about the decorations and sta .

PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES

Town council having a discussion at Parker Town Hall.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

SEE CHILDREN’S, P9

campus also provides children from infancy to 18 years old with care varying from outpatient surgery to behavioral health.

In 2022, the South Campus saw about 35,000 patients according to Sondra Valdez, director of patient care services.

is location has two resuscitation bays and 23 rooms that are utilized for patient care, either for urgent care or emergency. e urgent care is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the emergency room is open 24/7, however, the south campus location is not a trauma designation.

When trauma patients come in, the sta will administer stabilizing treatment and based on the patient’s assessment and severity of illness, the patient will be transferred to the Anshutz campus, said Valdez.

e radiology department provides x-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds and MRI’s. Patients have the opportunity to choose what visualization they want while in the MRI machine.

e campus sees behavioral health emergencies as well. As part of tackling the behavioral health crisis, the south campus provides telehealth services for patients.

“Some patients can then discharge home without having a secondary transfer and then we can admit to outside facilities versus everybody going to Anschutz,” said Valdez.

A unique concept that only the south campus has are the eight dual induction rooms on the surgical oor. In groups of two, each induction room connects with an operating room. While the child receives anesthesia and is getting prepped for surgery, the family gets to stay with their child instead of watching them go down a hallway, into an operating room.

Operations that take place at this location are ear, nose and throat and minor ACL and knee repairs.

ese operations take less time than the more intensive operations at Anschutz, allowing the south campus to do more procedures each day.

On the fourth oor, Anschutz physicians are seeing about 10 to 20 kids during the week for 15 medical and surgical services such as urology, gastroenterology, neurology and the cancer center, which o ers infusion and outpatient clinic care.  e 15 inpatient rooms are used mostly for respiratory cases. Parents who are staying either one night or multiple nights have the opportunity to use the new serenity room. Equipped with a refrigerator full of grab and go items, parents can have a seat on a more comfortable chair, use the shower and grab a eece blanket donated by the association of volunteers.

Kids can take part in their checkin process with the interactive kiosks on the third oor, which is considered the most robust oor as it holds many ambulatory clinics and the sports gym.

e sports gym includes physical therapy tables, lifting equipment, yoga balls, stretch bands and a treadmill among many items to help

athletes get back to their activities.

“ ey usually have their surgeon here as well, and that’s the beauty of sports therapy and surgery, where that orthopedic surgeon can talk with the therapist and they have the care rendered right here,” said Stephanie Beling, director of operations for south metro Children’s Hospital.

With the help of board certi ed sports physical therapist like Melissa Randall, patients work to regain strength. On April 19, Randall worked with 10-year-old Georgia Jennings who fractured her elbow in gymnastics.

Georgia’s mom, Erica Jennings said she loves the convenience of having the south campus t which is a much shorter drive than having to go to Aurora to Children’s main

hospital campus.

On April 22, the south campus will be hosting a community event. With family friendly activities in the parking lot, local sheri s and re rescue will be attending as well as the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders.

to ensure families know what services are provided in their community before an emergency.

Located at 1811 Plaza Dr, the event is

elma Grimes contributed to this story.

Physical Therapist Melissa Randall works with 10-year-old Georgia at the Children’s Hospital south campus.

PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES

‘They usually have their surgeon here as well, and that’s the beauty of sports therapy and surgery, where that orthopedic surgeon can talk with the therapist and they have the care rendered right here.’

Stephanie

Beling,

director

of operations for south metro Children’s Hospital

Planning commission split on housing plan at county border

Calls for 225 homes

EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Faced with a plan to turn a piece of longtime agricultural land near Parker into a residential neighborhood has split a group of Douglas County

it belongs,” said Audra Labak, a resident who lives in the area, calling the potential neighborhood “an eyesore.”

Her comments met applause from the audience at the Douglas County Planning Commission’s April 17 meeting, where more than a dozen other speakers criticized the proposal in front of a crowd that applauded several other commenters. After hearing the feedback, the planning commission locked in a 3-3 tie vote, unable to send a recommendation to the county’s board of three commissioners, who ultimately make the nal call on development decisions in areas outside of municipalities.

Known as the Fields development, the land sits along Hilltop Road, southeast of the Town of Parker and close to the Elbert County border. Flintwood Road runs along the proposed development’s eastern boundary, in an area where rural life is not far from suburban neighborhoods.

e plan could place 255 singlefamily homes, public park space and open space on the land, much of which would be dominated by several home properties that are 35-or-more acres large, in keeping with the rural area.

It’s a proposal that Sharon Wallden, a member of the family that has long owned the land, supports.

“Our parents bought this land from our grandfather over 75 years ago. ey worked hard to pay for it and build a farming operation,” Wallden told the audience at the meeting.

But “farming is no longer an option,” Wallden said, adding that “water has always been a concern” in an area that has seen many residential developments spring up over the years.

‘Does not blend in’ County o cials rezoned the property from agricultural to “estate residential” status in March 2022.

gether in a neighborhood that would appear to have homes somewhat similar in property size to homes in e Pinery area — and similar to properties in some, but not all, other parts of the area.

Many properties in the immediate area, especially to the east, are larger than the closer-grouped lots would be.

e size of the smaller home lots was a major sticking point for the commenters at the meeting, one of whom told the planning commission: “All of a sudden, we’re bringing in high-density housing, which is what it is.” (“Density” is a term for how many people or housing units occupy an area.)

On one hand, other housing developments have popped up near the property over recent decades, a Wallden family member told the commission. Legend High School sits a few miles away o Hilltop Road.

On the other hand, residents in the rural area lamented what they said would be an encroachment on country living.

“I’m going to see street lights. I’m not going to see stars anymore,” one said.

“We just want to have it quiet,” said Lindsey Glass, another nearby resident.

“It’s going to add more tra c that we don’t need to deal with right now,” Glass said. She added: “Sometimes I’m sitting on Hilltop, by Legend, for 20 minutes.” Hilltop is a two-lane road in that area.

Said resident Adam Paschal: “I understand there will be development, but (this group of) homes just does not blend in with the surrounding community.”

Focus on character

Planning Commissioner Edward Rhodes noted that the proposal meets the county’s approval standards by “the numbers” — appearing

to refer to the density of the homes — but he questioned whether the development would be in keeping with the

He cited the county’s comprehensive master plan, a document that lays out a broad vision for how and where property development should occur.

(Comprehensive plans and landuse standards can sometimes be di cult to pin down: e county comprehensive plan’s introductory section, the section on urban areas, the section on nonurban areas and the glossary all do not appear to include a de nition of the term “character.” e county zoning rules section that lists de nitions also does not de ne “character.”)

“I just cannot get there that it conforms with the rules and objectives of the master plan,” Rhodes said. “It doesn’t maintain the character of the area.”

C. J. Garbo, another planning commissioner, felt di erently, saying he wasn’t sure the commission could deny the proposal based on the county’s criteria.

Planning Commissioner Jim Browning saw the con ict as a weighing of “property rights with — I’ll say it — minor rights of neighbors.”

“ e property rights are fairly weighty,” Browning said. He added: “We have to be careful about allowing the neighbors’ desires to outweigh the property owners’ rights.”

Ultimately, Browning, Priscilla Rahn and Rhodes voted to deny the plan, with Garbo, Stephen Allen and Matt Collitt voting against denying it. (Not all planning commissioners were present at the meeting.)

e planning commissioners did not take another vote, letting the tie stand, sending no recommendation to the board of county commissioners regarding the plan.

If the plan were to move forward, construction could start in late 2024, the rst home occupancy could occur in 2025, and “full buildout” would be estimated for 2030, according to the meeting discussion.

A crowd sits at the Douglas County Planning Commission meeting April 17 at 100 Third St. in Castle Rock.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

The Douglas County School District recently settled a yearlong battle with former superintendent Corey Wise. e district agreed to pay more than $800,000 to settle the legal dispute Wise led shortly after being red without cause in early 2022.

Politics above all FROM THE EDITOR

I am not going to rehash how and why he was red. I think those discussions have been extensive. However, I will talk about a statement Wise made in concluding the battle. Wise told reporters he hoped the settlement would push more school districts and boards to stop putting politics ahead of students. I doubt if the message he is pushing can even be considered in today’s political world. I would bet I’m not alone in thinking that political views have invaded every aspect of our lives — the toxic problem is not just about our students.

I will start with students and schools. No one can say politics are not in our schools. One could argue that school boards are more about politics than ever.

Look at the Elizabeth School District. Board members resigned even though all of them had conservative political views. However, fear and rumors brought the makeup of the elected board down.

In Douglas County, several of the current board members received voter support because they promised to be against mask mandates during the COVID-19 shutdowns.

Gone are the days where school boards are looking at test scores and seeing what measures need to be taken to improve reading and math scores. Instead, it’s the trigger words that lead to battles over critical race theory, social-emotional learning and masks.

As a parent, I want an emphasis placed on reading, writing, math and good student-to-teacher ratios. All the shouting, bickering and politics has me agreeing with the parents who pull their kids out of public schools for home schooling or other options.

Wise’s point goes far beyond schools. Political bickering from our two major parties has gone to extremes that most Americans are sick of.

Political ghting prevents this country’s lawmakers from compromising to produce sensible legislation in key areas. Homelessness, a ordable housing, in ation, crime — all of these need focus and attention.

However, one side will introduce legislation only to have the other vehemently hate it. Compromise may happen in some areas — but it’s rare.

Our lawmakers are threatened by party leaders from voting for bills introduced by the other side. Sensible gun control should be discussed and debated. What is good for this country? What might stop some of these mass shootings?

However, it won’t happen because every time a tragedy takes place the left screams gun control while the right barks about the Second Amendment. What if they came together, talked and discussed true solutions?

In the end, “politics” is like slime, spreading all over, leaving residue, stains and permanent marks that will never be resolved without true e ort.

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

Bring

We all know what BYOB means right? It’s a restaurant that doesn’t serve alcohol, so the BYOB means bring your own booze. We love those establishments that have a full bar, great wines, and specialty cocktails. And when the food is as good or better than the booze, all the better. But we also love those restaurants that require us to bring our own booze. Maybe it’s because they couldn’t get a liquor license, or maybe they prefer to focus on their passion for the food they cook, and either way, they are still a BYOB.

What if we thought about this in other areas of life? Even if we aren’t a restauranteur, or even if we are, we face other situations and opportunities in life that require us to bring something else to the game in order to achieve success. What if we thought about changing BYOB to BYOK, bring your own kindness? Or BYOS, bring your own strength. Perhaps it’s BYOP, bring your own peace. As you read this you could probably ll in the blank with, bring your own compassion, grace, awesomeness, courage, hope, or any other positive, encouraging, and a rming word.

So, let’s tackle a few, shall we?

BYOK, bring your own kindness. As I did some research for this column, asking people what they wished the world would bring if they had to bring their own anything, kindness was the number one word. ose I spoke with and others who responded to a survey shared that the ugliness and negativity of the world had them wishing that the world could be a little kinder, well actually, a lot kinder. One respondent was

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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so convicted of this that she felt that, “If we could all just show up with kindness every day, we could actually have a greater impact on the world than climate change e orts, economic shifts, and voting in the right candidate for president.”

BYOS, bring your own strength. Sometimes life deals us a bad or di cult hand. Sometimes we nd ourselves in a season of life where we succumb to our weaknesses, or we see the situation as too much for us to handle; Illness, divorce, addiction, or death in our circle of family and friends, and so many other horrible life events that can cause us to cave. BYOS means that we nd our inner strength, and if we don’t have that strength or can’t nd that strength, we need to BYOS, bring the strength of others who come alongside us, just when we need them the most. BYOP, bring your own peace. Wow, could this be the most proli c of all BYO’s? In the agitated world that nds us reading news about road rage, random violence, wars, school or community shootings, or any other topic that drives a wedge between humanity, peace is the most desired of human emotions right now. We live in a world of violence on TV, in the movies, in video games, and it’s all tolerated or worse, accepted as the norm of the world in which we live. BYOP, bring your own peace, this means we can own how we react or respond to each and every news feed or situation we nd ourselves in with peace. You get the point, right? BYO isn’t restricted to restauranteurs, BYO means we can bring our own anything to each and every situation we face. We all face seasons of life that bring us heartache and anguish, seasons of joy and celebration, and well, just seasons of life. No

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THELMA GRIMES South Metro Editor tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Thelma Grimes

How failed banks impact investors

It can be very unsettling to hear of a bank failure such as Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) last month. Investors may wonder how they should react or if they should adjust their portfolios.

First, a little history lesson to put this into perspective.

When depositors rush to get their money out of a bank that is nancially in trouble, it is called a “run” on the bank. ese are not new and have occurred at di erent levels of severity in the past, the worst in the 1930s during the Great Depression. At that time, there was contagion across many banks, not our current situation. While bank insolvency can often come on the heels of the Federal Reserve Board raising interest rates, that is not solely the cause, according to Mariner Wealth Advisors Chief Economist William Greiner.

Each bank must manage the risk of lending, investing, cash deposits and withdrawals. If any or all of those are out of balance, problems start to percolate. When you have high-risk loans, such as technology start-ups, and you are short on liquidity (more withdrawals than deposits), and the investments backing the deposits decline in value, you have a recipe for failure.

Many banks issue loans on real estate or other business collateral. ey may

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cartoon was over line

As news spreads across the country exposing Republican racist roots, we have our local GOP crawling out from under those same rocks. GOP posted an insensitive, tone-deaf cartoon on the DougCo GOP Facebook page. e cartoon depicts the former president in a courtroom next to an angry, loud caricature of New York DA Alvin Bragg. Mr. Bragg, who is Black, holds open his briefcase containing a banana as his “evidence.”

Not only is the cartoon blatantly racist, its publication calls into question the maturity and historical understanding by some Republicans. America is supposed to be better than this. e GOP are no patriots and lack insight into the ideals of our Constitution.

Katie Barrett, Castle Rock

Zoning plans hurt homeowners

Douglas County commissioners are considering zoning regulations changes that would let them approve new high-density developments without regard to the character of the existing neighborhood. ese changes would give developers an easier route to getting multi-family, HUD projects, apart-

NORTON

FROM PAGE 12

matter what we face, we, and only we, can determine what we bring to the game or situation. Will it be kindness, strength, peace, hope, grace, love, awesomeness, courage, or hope?

e choice is yours; the choice is ours. It doesn’t matter what other BYO might be, we get to select our own BYO. What’s yours? If your BYO is kindness, please live it. If it’s strength, please own it. And if it’s

also use Treasuries to back up deposits. When the Fed raises interest rates, and the value of those Treasury bonds declines, bankers may need to sell at a loss to cover withdrawals. Once this spiral starts, or collateral is devalued due to bad loans, depositors may demand their money causing a run on the bank.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell remained concerned about in ation when he testied before Congress in March. is drove interest rate expectations higher after several interest rate hikes over the last three quarters. is downward pressure on bond values and concerns the bank would need to raise capital, caused some technology-focused venture capital companies to remove funds from SVB.

It was very fortunate that a contagion was avoided, as the U.S. government response was swift and e ective. Once the facts were released and average depositors realized they were not involved in a bank that does high-risk lending, some of the pressures eased.

Investors will likely review their portfolio to make sure they are not invested in small banks in the venture capital space or have heavy exposure to commercial real estate. ey may also avoid banks that have not had proper risk management or oversight. ese things created

ments, and other urban-style housing inserted into Douglas County’s longtime single-family traditional communities. Governor Polis is attempting a similar result with the terrible SB23-213 that steals the zoning authority of citizen-elected council members in towns across Colorado, handing one-size- ts-all control to the state in the name of more “a ordable housing.”

e county’s proposed zoning changes come after the commissioners voted 2-1 ( omas and Teal yes, Laydon no) to rezone so a 220-unit apartment complex can be built on the northwest corner of Scott Avenue and Parker Road. Over 50 upset homeowners from Stone Creek Ranch and the Pinery, many of them residents for decades, testi ed at the January commissioner hearing to voice their concerns about strained water resources, more tra c, and other problems.

e month before, the eightmember Planning Commission had voted unanimously to deny the developer’s rezoning request because this large development didn’t meet some of the rezoning

peace, please keep it. And if it is any other quality or trait that can have a positive impact on our world, please share it. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com and when we can decide which BYO to live, 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.

a perfect storm scenario for SVB. It may be wise to stay with large institutions commonly known as “too big to fail” due to their backing by the Fed. Large banks may actually bene t from depositors moving money to them from small banks in amounts not covered by the $250,000 limit for FDIC insurance.

Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life” was able to instill trust in his customers to survive a run on his bank during the Great Depression. In real life during that time, the Emergency Banking Act of 1933 formed the Federal Deposit Insurance known as FDIC. ese days you don’t really run to your bank and can click to manage transactions on your phone. It is not recommended to keep large deposits in any one institution, just as you would not put all of your investments in one individual stock. Work with your wealth advisor to determine the right amount to leave in the bank, which is usually designed for transactions or emergency reserves, not large sums that could be working harder for you elsewhere.

Patricia Kummer has been a Certi ed Financial Planner professional and aduciary for over 35 years and is managing director for Mariner Wealth Advisors.

Local foragers teach students to cook with wild foods

ere some see weeds, Erica Davis sees ingredients for delicious soups and salads.

“In urban areas, there are a lot of plants that we call weeds that spring up everywhere, that are widely available to people, that are edible and good,” she said.

Foraging is the act of gathering wild plants from nature, generally to be used for food, and sometimes to make other products. For Davis and other foragers, spring means plants are starting to grow –which means kitchens will soon be full of wild foods ready to be prepared in creative

Across the Front Range and in the mountains, several foragers share their knowledge through cooking classes based on

Why cook with wild food?

Davis, who runs a blog called Wild Food Girl, has upcoming classes in Ramah and Fairplay. Her Arvada class this spring has

“I think one of the biggest challenges with edible wild plants is that people don’t always know how to prepare them,” she said. “We all know how to cook spinach, we all know how to make broccoli — but we don’t all know how to cook tumble mustard so that it tastes good. So in my classes, I like to give students that experience of preparing an edible wild plant — or three — in a way that I think they are going to Davis’ classes begin with an hourlong plant walk where students learn the names of plants and safety and sustainability guidelines for foraging. Afterward, she teaches them how to prepare several of the plants they have for-

In the spring, dandelions and wild mustard greens are common staples in her

“People sometimes picture foraging as going out into the forest and picking plants

— and that’s part of it — but I would really encourage people to learn the weeds and make use of them,” she said. “A lot of them are non-native species, so there really aren’t as many ecological considerations with picking them.”

Davis teaches her students to make dandelion green soup from a recipe passed down by an Italian relative. Musk mustard is great in salads, and tumble mustard and field pennycress are fun to ferment, she said.

Beyond the creative and flavorful uses of foraged foods, research from 2019 suggests that wild edible greens harvested in urban areas can be abundant and highly nutritious. The study dubbed wild edible plants “open-source food.”

“This idea that open-source food is out there for anybody to eat and make use of — and then furthermore, it’s organic, it’s free, it’s fresh — I just think that’s a great concept,” Davis said.

Safety precautions

Despite their affordability and freshness, wild plants are not all safe to eat. Crystal Baldwin, who teaches wild plant-based classes at her Golden business, Earth Sweet Boutique, said it’s always important to triple-check plants before you eat them.

“I don’t like to frighten people away from… foraged foods because there’s a lot of very safe ones,” Baldwin said. “But I like them to be aware that there are dangerous, poisonous ones that will kill you, and so it’s important to kind of have an idea of what those might be and what to look out for.”

Baldwin encourages those interested in foraging to start by taking classes, working with local experts and reading about which plants are safe to eat.

She also said it’s important to check if plants are near old buildings that could be contributing lead to soil or if plants have been sprayed with pesticides.

WEEDS

‘Part of human history’

In addition to cooking, Baldwin said wild foods can be used to make skincare products, tinctures, infused honey, medicines and more.

“There’s many different things you can do with foraged foods, and the great thing about it is that we have tons of free, wonderful, wild foods here in Colorado,” she said.

Some of Baldwin’s favorite plants to forage are pine and conifer needles, which are high in vitamin C. She uses the needles to make a simple syrup that she drinks with seltzer water and fresh lemon.

“It’s extremely refreshing and has a lot of minerals, so it’s very hydrating in the summertime when it’s hot,” she said. When foraging, it’s important to do so in a way that does not damage plants or plant populations, Baldwin said. When gathering pine needles, for example, she takes about an inch or two from each branch and moves around to different branches so as to not damage the plant.

Davis agreed that sustainability is an important part of foraging process, and it’s something foragers need to be mindful of in order to do correctly.

“Sometimes people think ‘Foraging must be bad for the environment because you’re picking the plants!’ But I think the actual truth is much more nuanced than that,” she said. “Foraging is part of human history, I mean, we have been foraging since time immemorial, and we can do it in ways that don’t harm the plant populations if we’re mindful.”

Beyond freshness and accessibility, Davis said foraging offers health benefits and a range of flavors that are not available in grocery stores.

And perhaps best of all, wild food offers a way to get close to nature.

“For me, also, they o er a connection to nature,” Davis said. “ ey invite time spent outdoors, getting to know plants, working with my hands.”

Davis has available spots in her classes in Ramah and Fairplay this spring and summer. Her classes can be found at https://wildfoodgirl.com/ wfg-events/.

On her webpage, people who want to learn more about foraging can also sign up for the Colorado foragers email list.

In May, Baldwin is hosting a wild food cooking class at her shop, taught by veteran forager Wendy Petty. Students can sign up at https:// earthsweetboutique. com/products/wild-foragedfood-cooking-class and see future classes at https:// earthsweetboutique.com/ pages/classes-events.

Dandelion greens can be used to make a delicious Italian soup.

Erica Davis foraging pu ball mushrooms in the fall.

Erica Davis hunting feral parsnips in the Midwest. These root vegetables can also be found in Colorado. PHOTOS BY GREGG DAVIS

Artists run with theme of ‘Performances’

Festive show is now on display at Stanton Gallery

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“Performances,” the recently opened exhibit at Town Hall Arts Center’s Stanton Gallery in Littleton, o ers a cool picture of the artists’ imagination when given a theme ... Lyrics, a memory, bursts of color that look like musical tones to me, photos of animals that appear to be performing, costumed dancers, abstract bursts of form and color … is collection, juried by Dan Oakleaf, almost creates a swirl of sound in one’s head, just from looking for a while! And, this looks to me like a great exhibit to take a child to: Make up a few stories about what’s happening inside the frames! Maybe do a little dance in the gallery! is seems to be a particularly festive exhibit, which will run until the Western Welcome Week exhibit is installed in early August.

It’s a ne location to nd a gift if you have an upcoming wedding, birthday person or graduate in the family! ese works are all small to medium-sized, in assorted mediums and techniques, glowing with color or more subtle, if that’s what appeals.

e First Place winner, “Splintered Forms” by Judith Bennett, is described as “a hand-painted collage, in acrylics and ink.” It really dances in front of a viewer, suggesting constant motion! And the precise shapes speak of an artist’s skill and control over her medium.

Juror Oakleaf said this was a really di cult show to judge — excellent work is the norm here.

He is a Colorado native, whose website works show a close tie to

nature.

As does photographer William Knoll, with his warbling meadowlark, “Singing With Heart,” and pair of crested ducks who appear to be warbling a duet.

Another photo with a real sense of humor is Carl Paulson’s da y dancing crane: “Doing the Hokey Pokey.” It’s a “don’t miss,” on the left wall as you enter. Some works are inspired by lyrics, while others picture performers, such as Peggy Dietz’s “Traditional Tlingit Dancer,” who is very much in motion as we stand in front of her colorful, carefully composed photograph. Another Native American portrait is Pat Hartman’s subtle “Tribal Pride,” showing an elder in ceremonial dress.

Sally Van Der Kamp’s glass panel, “In the Limelight,” catches lights in the room and glows, while Merrie Wicks’ “Calypso” dances in its frame. Sue Williams takes us traveling with her sunny “Montmarte Art Market,” where I thought I heard music in the background ...

e Depot Art Gallery, also lled with Littleton Fine Art Guild member’s artwork, has a show that runs through April 30: “ e Great Outdoors.” Two short member pop-up shows will follow, then on May 16, the 61st Anniversary Show will open at the Depot.

e Depot, which is owned by the City of Littleton, courtesy of the late Varian Ashbaugh, became the Guild’s home in 1976, with aid from a grant honoring a U.S. birthday. Members, and their families, scrubbed and painted the old Santa Fe Depot, which had sat unused in Bega Park for a period, until it was moved to the present Powers Avenue site by Ashbaugh, a businessman who sculpted in his spare time. Exhibits change often and prospective members are encouraged to inquire about joining this active

Exhibit features early photos by Ansel Adams

Ma rk the calendar for June 11 to Oct. 1 for an exhibit of early works by famed photographer Ansel Ad-

ams at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Watch for news of related programs and tours at botanicgardens.org.

855-908-2383

Newman Center

National Geographic on May 15 and Cyrile Aimee on May 19 wind up the busy “Newman Center Presents” season at the University of Denver: “Life on the Vertical,” with Mark Synott is scheduled for May 15 and Cyril Aimee will appear on May 19. Both at 7:30 p.m. See newmancenterpresents.com for information and ticket prices.

Aurora Fox

“Treasure Island: A New Musical for a New Generation” will be presented April 28 to May 21 at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora, directed by Nick Sugar. Book by Carla Vitale and Brett Smock, with music and lyrics by Corinne Aquilina. Actor Eric Sandvold will be Long John Silver. A special announcement will come from the Fox on May 1, we are told. 303-739-1970 or aurorafox.org for information. We hope for more next week.

Vintage Theatre

Vintage eatre Productions presents “ e Inheritance: Parts I and II” by Matthew Lopez. is is a regional

SONYA’S SAMPLER

premiere, directed by Bernie Cardell through May 14. is play won a Tony and all sorts of other awards. May be the most important play of the century. It consists of two three-hour parts, with intermissions. Part 1: April 7-May 14, Friday, 7:30/Saturday, 2:30; Part 2: April 8-May 14, Saturday 7:30/Sunday 2:30/ Monday April 24, 7/Sunday May 14 7:30. ree-hour parts with intermissions. Tickets: $20-$38. 303856-7830. See vintagetheatre.org, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora.

Church art show e Ken Caryl Art Guild will exhibit artworks by members from May 5 to June 14 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Opening reception May 7 from 10

e Stanton Gallery at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main Street in downtown Littleton, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

e Depot Art Gallery, 2069 W. Powers Ave. in downtown Littleton, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Judith Bennett’s “Splintered Forms” is in the “Performance” exhibit at Littleton’s Town Hall Arts Center, where the hand-painted collage took first place.

PHOTO BY MICHELLE LAMB

Thu 5/04

Sat 5/06

Smithtonian Handbells @ 12am

May 6th - May 5th

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

Fame on Fire: 107.9 KBPI

BIRTHDAY BASH

@ 3:30pm

Fiddlers Green Amphitheater, 6501 S Fiddlers Green Cir, Green‐wood Village

Rockies @ 6:10pm

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

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo With Ginuwine - Frankie J & Baby Bash @ 8pm / $55-$2500

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Fri 5/05

ARTS: Mini Picasso @ Southwest @ 3pm

May 5th - May 26th

Southwest Recreation Center, 9200 W. Saratoga Pl., Denver. 720-913-0654

Holy Hammers Hustle for Habitat @ 8am / $25

8830 Apache Plume Drive, Parker

Improv FUNdamentals: 6 Week Class @ 9am / $195

PACE Center Drive, Parker. parkerplayer simprov@gmail.com, 970-222-2762

The Spirit of the Dragon: An Aerial Production Inspired by Raya and the Last Dragon @ 1:30pm / Free-$25

May 6th - May 7th

Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 South Alli‐son Parkway, Lakewood. iluminaraerial@ theapollocenter.com, 720-479-8438

Scott Fowler Music: Scott Fowler @ 2 Penguins Tap & Grill @ 5pm 2 Penguins Tap and Grill, 13065 E Briarwood Ave, Centennial

Sun 5/07

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

Thu 5/11

Teague Starbuck @ 5pm Modern Brew - Kitchen, Coffee, Bar, 8221 S Holly St, Centennial

The King Stan Band in Paradise

@ 6pm Paradise Tavern, 9239 Park Mead‐ows Dr, Lone Tree

Korey Foss: Rock Candy @ Fraco's @ 5pm

The Toad Tavern, 5302 S Federal Circle, Littleton

Sugar Britches at Grist Brewing! @ 5pm

Grist Brewing Company, 8155 Piney River Ave, Littleton

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

nial

Taylor Rave @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Contragolpe @ 8pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora

The Highlands Ranch Concert Band presents: Natural Wonders Across America @ 2pm

Littleton High School, 199 East Lit‐tleton Boulevard, Littleton. media @hrconcertband.org, 303-8703662

Damn Yankees @ 5pm

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

Cobra Man @ 7pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Mon 5/08

Crestone Peak Ages 13-14 - 2023

League Session #2 @ 3:30pm / $300

May 8th - Jun 24th

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

Modern Swing Mondays @ 5pm / $10

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Wed 5/10

Ladies Night @ 5pm / $10

Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

bloodywood @ 6:30pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Etana @ 6pm Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W Florida Ave, Denver

Steve Azar: Mockingbird Hitmakers Series @ 6pm Wide Open Saloon, 5607 US-85, Sedalia

Old Man Crunchy LIVE @ The Alley (Littleton) @ 6pm The Alley, 2420 W Main St, Littleton

powered by

SeriesFest returns for a blockbuster Season 9

After a bit of a pandemic slowdown, SeriesFest, which celebrates emerging and underserved voices in episodic storytelling, is back bigger and better than ever, over owing with top-notch television viewing for all audiences.

“We’re excited to engage with everybody in the community about all the great stories being told,” said Randi Kleiner, co-founder and CEO of the Denver-based non-pro t. “We’re looking forward to people getting together to be part of great conversations about all the exciting things happening in the industry.”

Running from May 5 through May 10, SeriesFest Season 9 features a wide range of in-competition pilot screenings, panels, workshops and premieres from big studios, including Net ix, Amazon Freevee and Universal Television.

In addition to an array of episode showings, the lineup includes fascinating panels like, “Actors with Disabilities Making eir Mark in Hollywood: What More Needs to be Done,” “ e Art of Adaptation: Beyond the Book” and “Turning Podcasts into Television’s Next Big Hit with Orbit Media.”

As usual, the event wraps up at Red Rocks with a night of special performances — this year the evening features headliner Chelsea Handler and guests Jay Pharoah and Adam Ray. ere will also be a screening of Fox’s “Animal Control,” with star Joel McHale on hand to discuss the show and perform a stand-up set.

Whether audiences attend one of the special events or just catch a screening, they’re in for a television viewing

SAMPLER

a.m. to noon.

Arapahoe Community College

Wine, Art and Design event at Arapahoe Community College on May 18 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the ACC Art and Design Center, 2400 W. Alamo Ave., Littleton. Information at: arapahoe.edu/foundationevents. Funds will go to ACC’s Art and Design programs and to ACC Foundation general scholarships.

Plant sale

Plant sale will be at Denver Bo-

COMING ATTRACTIONS

experience that most don’t have — one that features the episodes shown on the big screen and the chance to connect with others.

“So much is happening in the industry right now and that’s what is so exciting,” Kleiner said. “You really have the opportunity to see the shows you love, meet the creators and learn something you didn’t know.”

With so many great options, here are two SeriesFest events audiences shouldn’t miss.

‘Grown’ screening — May 7

Many viewers know Jocko Sims from his roles on shows like “ e Last Ship” and “New Amsterdam.” But for “Grown,” Sims explored the power of storytelling in a di erent way — as executive producer, writer and director.

“I’ve been a creator for pretty much all of my life… and this was something I’ve always wanted to do but didn’t have the time,” he said. “But I took the time and made it a priority and it has been such a ride ever since.”

“Grown” will be screened as part of the Independent Pilot Competition: Comedy Block 1 at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, at 6:15 p.m. May 17, and will also be shown to local high school students as part of High School Day.

tanic Gardens, 909 York St. on May 12 and 13, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info soon. See botanicgardens.org.

City Park Jazz City Park Jazz announces the lineup for summer: starting with Sarah Mount and the Rushmores on June 4. Only 3.2 beer allowed in the park (no glass containers). See cityparkjazz.org for schedule.

Central City Opera

Tickets are on sale for the Central City Opera Festival: “Romeo and Juliet,” “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Othello.” 303-292-6700, centralcityopera. org.

Aspen Grove art

Arapahoe Community College

e pilot, which won SXSW’s TV pilot competition, is about 14-year-old Rogelio (Josiah Gabriel), who recently lost his father and is struggling with what it means to be an adult. He and his friends Larry (Tristan-Lee Edwards) and Chaz (Giovanni Cristo ) decide to sneak into a strip club, leading to a reckoning about who Rogelio thinks he is and who he wants to be.

“Grown’s” participation in the festival is a sort of homecoming for Sims — “New Amsterdam” made its premiere at SeriesFest back in 2018. He’s eager to be back to share a story that means a great deal to him and hopes it connects with viewers, particularly students.

“I’d love for the youth to be inspired in whatever way they can,” Sims said. “When they see these kids making decisions, both good and bad, perhaps they can learn from that and apply it to their lives.”

‘Primo’ world premiere screening — May 8

For Shea Serrano, a New York Times best-selling author and culture critic, working as creator, executive producer and a writer on “Primo” was a daily reminder of how much creative potential is unlocked when people work together.

“All of these incredibly talented people spent a lot of time working on it and I’m thankful and proud every time I sit down to watch it,” he said. “I watch the show and I see everybody’s ngerprints all over it.”

Amazon will unveil the rst season of “Primo” on May 19, but its worldpremiere screening will be at 8:15 p.m. on Monday, May 8, at the Sie

Art and Design students will exhibit work at Aspen Grove through May 7, including some mural designs throughout the center. The storefront between See’s Candy and Tattered Cover will hold work, as will space next to the Apple store. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ThursdaySaturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Arts workshop

Heritage Fine Arts Guild announces a workshop on May 19 and 20 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) with Paul Jackson: “Dramatic Light and Luminosity in Watercolor.” Information: Krista Falkenstine, krista. falken@gmail.com, 720-440-3336 or Jennifer Bird, heritageartworkshops@gmail.com, 303-520-7131.

FilmCenter. Serrano and actors Ignacio Diaz-Silverio and Christina Vidal will all be on hand for a discussion afterwards hosted by Diaspora’s Dino Ray-Ramos.

e show, which is executive produced by Michael Schur (“Parks and Recreation”and “ e Good Place”), is based on some of Serrano’s own experiences growing up in San Antonio. It follows 16-year-old Rafa Gonzales (Diaz-Silverio) as he comes of age with the help of his mother, Drea (Vidal), and ve uncles.

Since “Primo” has its roots in such personal experiences, Serrano was able to ll the show with speci c references and jokes his family and friends will recognize — everything from costume choices to a shout out to a favorite A Tribe Called Quest song.

Some shows become like a warm blanket — something viewers can turn on when they need to feel better about being alive, and that was the goal for “Primo.”

“ at’s my ultimate dream for the show — that ‘Primo’ becomes a part of somebody’s lineup in that situation,” Serrano said. “You are unwinding at the end of the day and you watch an episode or two and see what the Gonzales family is getting up to in San Antonio.”

For the full SeriesFest lineup and to secure tickets, visit https://seriesfest. com/.

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

Costs aren’t listed in the information we received. Held at First Presbyterian Church, 1609 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton.

Littleton Symphony

Littleton Symphony: 7:30 p.m. May 19 at Littleton United Methodist Church, 5893 S. Datura St., Littleton. 303-933-6824, littletonsymphony.org, or at door. Soloist: David Byrd Morrow. Strauss: Horn Concerto.

Colorado Gallery of the Arts

Colorado Gallery of the Arts at Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, hosts “Artist Invitational” through May 5. Open 9-5 Monday to Friday, Thursday until 7 p.m.

“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”

To learn more about the Baha’i Faith or find a gathering, please contact us.

castlerockbahais@gmail.com

castlerock.local.bahai.us/

Clarke Reader

Commissioners o cially oppose state land use bill

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County’s elected leaders have come out against the proposal from Gov. Jared Polis and Democratic state lawmakers aimed at addressing the state’s housing a ordability crisis by increasing residential density.

e bill in the state legislature emerged as one of the most talkedabout issues in local politics this year. It would particularly a ect highly populated areas, including many cities and towns in the Denver metro area. In Douglas County, the a ected municipalities would include Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Lone Tree and Parker.

Initially, the bill would have prohibited large cities and towns from restricting the building of duplexes, triplexes and multiplexes up to six units.

But in mid-April, Democrats at the

LETTERS

criteria, primarily that it was not compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood according to current zoning regulations and the Douglas County Comprehensive Master Plan. Two commissioners ignored the advisory body they had appointed and voted to rezone anyway. Now the proposed zoning criteria changes would essentially allow more apartments to be built by removing the requirement for new development to preserve the character of the existing neighborhood. Zoning is the mechanism that determines the very nature of a community; zoning criteria preserve the reasons that residents love Douglas County and have invested their sweat, tears and savings into their homes and raising their families here. ese families have every right to expect local government to preserve their communities without being labeled NIMBYs.

Government should not permanently alter neighborhoods after thousands of families have moved in, trusting the existing rules.

Also, changing the zoning criteria as proposed would make it nearly impossible for citizen groups to appeal the commissioners’ rezoning decisions. It’s probably not a coincidence that the local homeowners’ group that objected to the rezoning is doing just that; their appeal is now before the Colorado District Court. Bit by bit, state and even local governments seem allied in their

in a half-mile radius around transit rail stations and a quarter-mile around corridors with bus rapid transit or where a bus stops every 15 minutes, e Colorado Sun reported.

(If a municipality doesn’t want to allow building of two, three or four units next to certain transit stops, it could opt to zone for that kind of housing in a di erent part of the city or town proportional to the area

determination to chip away at our property rights and urbanize our neighborhoods. If you’re concerned, email your county commissioners who will meet in May to vote on the new zoning rules: BOCC@douglas. co.us

Joy Overbeck Parker

Survey says ...

Two years ago (May 2021), Douglas County Commissioners released their bi-annual “Citizen Survey” results. It showed a continued decline in things being in the “right direction” (the survey and gures stated here are at https:// www.douglas.co.us/documents/ douglas-county-voter-opinion-polls1995-through-2023.pdf/). is trend was dismissed at that time as “due to the increase in Democrats in the county.”

Now another survey has been released, and it revealed the same kind of results: 49% were concerned that we are on the wrong track. e commissioners once again stated that “partisanship was ... a driving force behind opinions.”

What the commissioners are ignoring in this “partisan” reasoning is that Republican participation was almost double Democratic (37% vs. 20%), and una liated was even higher (43%). Almost half of the county concerned about our direction can’t be blamed solely on party a liation, and the survey results proves this.

Results showed “Right Direction” dropped 14% since 2019. at is far more than the 6% reduction of Republicans in the same period. at means that some Republicans must

Prepare for power outages today

Douglas County commissioners have voted to officially oppose the land use bill making its way through the state legislature.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

Senate Bill 23-213, according to Commissioner Lora omas’ newsletter. e commissioners don’t have direct input on what laws get passed at the Capitol, but they take positions on proposed state laws to give direction to the county’s lobbyists, who work to support the commissioners’ stance.

e commissioners also take positions on bills to provide input to Colorado Counties Inc., a non-

also agree that we’re heading down the wrong path.

It is more probable that this concern is driven by actions that commissioners have taken, which have been highly ideological, stubborn, and sometimes personal: opting out of a public health order; accusing each other of leaking “classi ed” material; approving reworks during a drought that started wild res; trying to take over Daniels Park because Denver didn’t want handguns in the park; trying to take water from another county; bullying Tri-County Health Department members into resigning and eventually killing TCHD altogether; passing a resolution proclaiming Douglas County a “safe constitutional county” so they could tell the sheri to not enforce the Colorado red ag law; commissioners stripping another commissioner of board memberships; declaring the pandemic over two years ago; a commissioner’s wife criticizing another commissioner on Twitter; and constant bickering and name calling.

If we want to get back on the proverbial right track, it is time for our commissioners to put the community before their own petty grievances and power plays, and start respecting their constituents’ opinions.

ey can say that they value other opinions, but actions still speak louder than words.

Len Whitten

Highlands Ranch

Polis wants renters, not owners

Jared Polis’ SB23-213 is designed to make us all renters forever instead of homeowners who can build wealth and equity by living happily in our beautiful Colorado communities. is bill would impose ”a ordable housing” that is, apartment buildings, on town and cities, overriding their local control with dictatorial statewide mandates. (coloradocommunitymedia.com/ stories/local-leaders-oppose-govpolis-housing-bill-for-taking-awaylocal-control,428079) But it’s market forces that govern housing prices, and its in ation, and out-of-control homebuilding regulations, and especially the disastrous construction defects law that are making home-

pro t that works to present a “united voice” of local governments to the state legislature to help shape policy, according to its website.

omas took issue with Commissioner George Teal over his vote to oppose SB 213 at Colorado Counties Inc. even though the commissioners had voted unanimously to take an “amend” position initially.

It’s historically been the practice of the Douglas County commissioners to be allowed to “read the room” at CCI and vote accordingly. But it is rare for the commissioners to take an o cial position in one direction and then have a di erent position representing Douglas County at CCI. Ultimately, commissioners later took another o cial stance, voting unanimously April 18 to oppose the bill.

e commissioners did not issue a statement of why they support or oppose a bill when a formal position is issued, according to county sta .

ownership too costly for so many of our citizens. e legislature should x these problems before trying to change all of our communities into look-alike cities with citi ed apartment housing.

Our Colorado property rights are being trampled on by Colorado legislators bent on turning Colorado into a sea of apartment dwellings usurping authority away from local politicians to support ownership, especially single family ownership. Single family ownership that is being swamped, being overrun in favor of non-ownership rentals by short-sighted state and local government policies does not solve the growing “a ordable housing” crisis. is is not left or right, but a right or wrong issue.

Families trying to raise their kids do not want to be forced to live in rental “ ats” as they do in Europe. Moms and dads raising families need air to breathe and yards to play or work in. People of all ages want to live in ownership units to preserve wealth building. Single family units are the key to wealth building no matter how much appointed planners or follow the money politicians think otherwise

e long solution: Give quality developers the challenge to solve a ordable housing issues o ering ownership instead of renters. Remove the heavy hand of government agendas now calling the shots against developer innovation and creativity. Developers have become a hated group unnecessarily. Good developers can and will solve the affordable housing crisis ... untie their hands.

e short solution: If defending your property rights is important to you, Join up with a multiple county coalition forming against property right abuses. A Public Outcry Alert was held in Lakewood on April 11th at the Rockley Event Center. e place was packed. Homeowners/ taxpayers showed up from these ve surrounding counties; Je erson, Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas, Denver plus towns Lakewood, Parker and Westminster. Add your name to the list held by organizer RameyKJohnson@gmail.com

Evie Zur Parker

Climate change drives need for firefighters

BY OLIVIA PRENTZEL THE COLORADO SUN

Standing atop a parched, grassy knoll in the shadow of Pikes Peak and in front of miles of earth scorched by the Waldo Canyon re more than a decade ago, federal, state and local re experts called for more training and new approaches to ght the “public safety crisis” of wild re in a growing state.

For many, the mile-wide wall of re approaching the ridgeline bordering the Cedar Heights neighborhood in 2012 remains a vivid memory. Embers “the size of boxes” rained from the sky, Colorado Springs Fire Chief Randy Royal remembers. e ames destroyed 347 homes and killed two people, but stopped within feet of homes in Cedar Heights thanks, in part, to the mitigation work by the community.

But the risk of wild re has increased in the past decade, with more homes being built in the area next to undeveloped forest and climate change bringing more intense res to areas that were once not thought to be at risk.

“For years, we’ve viewed this re problem that we have as being more of a natural resource event. And as we’ve watched the forest health deteriorate, as we’ve seen the changes in the weather, and as we watch the growth in to the more rural areas of Colorado and across our country, we have created a public safety crisis,” Mike Morgan, director of Colorado’s Division of Fire Prevention and Con-

trol said April 19.

More than 36,000 homes lie in wild re-prone areas where development intermingles with wildland vegetation in Colorado Springs, which ranks as the largest wildlandurban interface in the state. Nationwide, that number has grown to 99 million people, or one-third of the U.S. population living in areas at risk of wild re, yet most have no idea what dangers they face, federal experts say.

“We’re going to have to learn to live with re in our country,” Morgan said. “We just have to learn ways to mitigate or lessen the likelihood or the severity of these events when they occur.”

Morgan joined U.S. Fire Administrator Lori Moore-Merrell and other re experts to discuss the challenges in addressing climate change, drought-driven wild res that are growing in intensity, size and destructiveness.

In the rst three months of 2023, there have been more than 9,000 wild res across the country, MooreMerrell said. About 800 people have died in residential structure res this year, and last year, there were more than 1.2 million structure res, and 69,000 wild res that burned more than 7.5 million acres, she said.

“ e threat of catastrophic wild re in America’s interface communities demands national attention. at’s why we’re here,” she said. “It demands a uni ed approach. Because our current approaches to wild re mitigation and management do not

match the scale of the problem.”

ere’s a need for more training, experts said, explaining that methods used to extinguish structure res are di erent from those used to ght ames along the wildland urban interface.

Most municipal re ghters lack the adequate training and equipment needed to ght res e ciently and safely in the wildland urban interface, said Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire ghters, which represents 335,000 re ghters across the U.S. and Canada.

While most re departments are responsible for ghting res along the wildland urban interface, about 78% of them have unmet training needs, according to the latest U.S. Fire Administration report published earlier this year. Two-thirds of those departments lack su cient wildland personal protective clothing.

e IAFF, in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy, will host a course to teach re ghters how to attack res that spark near the border of urban and wooded areas.

Colorado’s Department of Public Safety requested $6.5 million to “meet increasing training and certi cation demands statewide and maintain a robust re ghter training and certi cation program,” according to a November 2022 budget document, but the Joint Budget Committee rejected the request in March.

e JBC rejected the request be-

cause the department was already receiving money to support training, some still unspent, and some local jurisdictions were already underway with similar training, said Rep. Shannon Bird, a Westminster Democrat who sits on the powerful panel.

“We were unable to increase, at this point in time, our ability to expand training for re ghters,”

Morgan said. “We will be back asking for that. We understand there’s only so much to go around. But this is a problem. We have to invest in our local communities.”

Colorado’s re ghting corps has failed to keep up with the growing demand to ght wild res. According to the U.S. Fire Administrator’s report, the wildland urban interface continues to grow by about 2 million acres per year.

e state needs about 2,500 more career re ghters and 1,100 volunteer re ghters in the next 12 to 18 months to address the growing demand of wild re response, Morgan said.

e number of people interested in becoming re ghters is declining across the country, said Kevin Quinn, rst vice chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council. Fire departments that normally receive thousands of applications a year are now receiving a few hundred.

Health risks associated with the job and long hours, mainly due to sta ng shortages, make it hard to recruit and retain re ghters.

SEE FIRES, P31

Huskies’ baseball season hits headwinds

teams this season.

However, Douglas County so far has not been as good as expected.

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

It has been a stressful season for the Douglas County High School baseball team.

Armed with eight players who have committed to play college baseball, the Huskies were predicted to be one of Colorado’s top Class 5A

e Huskies lost their fourth straight game on April 17 with a 3-1 Continental League loss to Regis Jesuit at Regis.

“It’s been frustrating this year for sure,” said Douglas County coach Craig Gienger.

“We’re going to keep grinding and keep after it and see where we come out.”

In the rst 11 games, the Huskies were hitting .277 as a team and left 80 runners

on base for an average of 7.3 per game. Douglas County had 41 runs batted in or an average of 3.7 per game which is below the national average.

“When you get the opportunities you have to convert them,” said Gienger. “ at’s been the story of our season. We can’t get the key hit when we need it.”

Douglas County had a couple good chances to score runs besides the one run it managed in the sixth inning in the the Regis game.

e Huskies loaded the

bases in the rst with one out but didn’t score. In the seventh, the Huskies had a walk and two singles but had a runner thrown out at the plate and failed to score.

“ e Regis game was frustrating,” added Gienger. “I felt like we had a chance at the end but couldn’t execute.”

Finley Bates, who will play next season at San Diego State, went 3-for-4 against Regis and also pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Douglas County starter Max Stanley, a BYU commit,

pitched ve innings, scattered six hits and allowed two earned runs.

“Max Stanley did a fantastic job,” said Gienger. “He keeps us in the games. He did a great job and made pitches when he had to. He threw one slider that got out of here. And Finley Bates coming in too. He did a fantastic job.

“We can still make some noise. We’ll see what we can do.”

Regis’ Andrew Bell, who

SkyView girls kick soccer up a notch

Hawks top state poll

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

SkyView Academy’s girls soccer team has been talking a lot this season, not to other teams but to themselves.

e Hawks are 9-0 and ranked second in the April 17 CHSAANow.com state poll behind top-ranked Denver Christian, a team that SkyView beat 3-2 on April 13.

“We’ve just talked about it as a team from the start

of the season, making sure we take care of each other, continue to battle each and every moment and making plays for each other,” said coach Hannah Sunberg. “If we are doing that, then we can add in the other tactical and technical pieces that we need as we go. We need those things to have success.”

One of the hardest thing for us was being a team,” she continued. “We’re not perfect at it but we’re striving for that and de nitely trying to do that.We have some seniors and upperclassmen on the team who believe in this and younger players who are

willing to buy into it.” rough 11 matches, freshman Maggie Barrett has 16 goals and four assists for 36 points

“As a whole we have an amazing team but Maggie is certainly a phenomenal athlete and soccer player,” said Sunberg. “One thing that really stands out is her play on both sides of the ball. She certainly makes players around her better and works really hard to make plays for her team.

“Her ability to win 50-50 balls stands out. She makes the team around her better. But it’s not one player, it takes all of them.”

Sophomore Ellie Reynolds leads the team with 40 points with 15 goals and 10 assists. Junior Hailey Gunderson has ve goals and two assists while junior Keira Hayat has ve goals and an assist.

Sunberg also praised the team’s fullbacks and senior goalkeeper Ekko Hopkins.

“You have to have hot offense and defense,” added Sunberg. “Ekko has had some key saves for us.”

Skyview Academy is now in the Class AA Mile High East League after playing in the 3A Metro League for past eight seasons.

“ ere’s competition on

every level,” said Sunberg. “In soccer or any sport on any given day, anything can happen. We talk that each game the other team has a shot. We have to play our game.

“We’ve talked about being humble and continuing to work towards that and to build ourselves into being the best team we can be. We just have to continue to commit to taking care of our teammates and making plays for each other and not getting caught up of being nervous or putting pressure on ourselves, playing for each moment and then seeing what happens.”

Hayden Osburn of Douglas County ducks away from a high pitch during the April 17 game against Regis Jesuit. Regis won, 3-1.

Team with much promise has struggled to win

Zach Blatter of Douglas County throws to first base after fielding a ground ball in the April 17 Continental League game against Regis Jesuit. PHOTOS BY JIM BENTON

SEE BASEBALL, P23

BASEBALL

has an o er to play baseball at Xavier, had two hits including a fourth inning solo home run.

Senior center elder Hayden Osburn had one hit in the game against Regis and stated that there is still time to recover.

“It’s been frustrating but we can do better,“ said Osburn. “We can still turn it around. We’ve got the guys.”

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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• 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.

Douglas County’s shortstop

Finley Bates (6) tags out a Regis Jesuit runner trying to steal second base in third inning of the April 17 game at Regis.

PHOTO BY JIM BENTON

e turnaround began when Douglas County started getting elusive timely hits in an April 19 game against Ponderosa with a 17-5 victory that raised the Huskies’ season record to 4-7-1.

Bates had three hits and six RBI in the game while Eli Athanas went 3-for-3 with four RBI.

e Huskies downed Castle Rock rival Castle View, 16-4, on April 21 when the team had 17 hits in the ve-inning contest.

Bates had four hits and eight RBI in the game.

• 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.

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

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COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

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USD. All positions report to the Visa Highlands Ranch, CO office and may allow for partial telecommuting. Salary may vary depending on jobrelated factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for an annual bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position is eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Program, FSH/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time off and Wellness Programs. Qualified applicants should apply by emailing resume to careersus@visa. com. Must reference job code.

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A Visa Inc. company, has an opening for Staff SW Development Engineer (Multiple openings) (REF59311V) in Highlands Ranch, CO. Job duties include: Responsible for the architecture, design, development, and implementation of software applications. Evaluate and introduce technology tools and processes that enable Visa to develop products and solutions, to embrace business opportunities and/or improve operational efficiency. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $139,984.00 USD to $177,800.00 USD.; Software

Test Engineer - Sr. Consultant level (multiple openings) (REF59246D) in Highlands Ranch, CO to: Provision and configure new domains, projects and project administrator accounts. Install, configure and support new infrastructure as required, and install, configure and test next generation versions for proposed upgrades. Domestic travel required 5-10% of the time. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $116,563.00 USD to $177,900.00

USD.; Sr. SW Test Engineer (multiple openings) (REF59287F) in Highlands Ranch, CO. Job duties include: responsible for designing, creating, and executing test plans and test cases for the Emerging Services application. Responsible for reviewing requirements, assessing the appropriate course for testing, executing to those plans and ensuring all anomalies and issues are addressed appropriately. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $85,300.00

USD to $132,300.00 USD.; Software Engineer – Sr. Consultant level (multiple openings) (REF59238H) in Highlands Ranch, CO. Job duties include: design, enhance, and build open system transactional platforms. Lead cutting-edge web technologies to build interactive web technologies to build interactive web applications. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $139,984.00 USD to $193,500.00

USD. All positions report to the Visa Highlands Ranch, CO office and may allow for partial telecommuting. Salary may vary depending on jobrelated factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for an annual bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position is eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Program, FSH/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time off and Wellness Programs.

Qualified applicants should apply by emailing resume to careersus@visa. com. Must reference job code.

Help Wanted

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ID# 6698

Eng, Prdct Dev Eng: Prvide tech leadrshp to team rspnsibl for innovate & deliver public cloud soltns to prdct teams; Reqs: Bach in CS, Eng or rltd; 1 yr exp work w/ various AWS & rltd: EC2, IAM, S3, CloudFront, CloudFormation, DynamoDB; build, configur, deploy Kafka cmpnnts, Kafka ops incld scaling Services, manag partitions & optimiz cluster rebalanc times; utiliz Kafka mangr, Kafka mirror maker & zookeeper; work w/ both public & privt clouds & automat scripts use Python, Java, & Shell scripting; utiliz Agile methdlgy; automat cloud infrstrctr use Python & Terraform; & use Docker. Salary: $83,720 - $155,000. Benefits: https:// jobs.comcast.com/life-at-comcast/ benefits. Apply to: Aisha_Shamsh@ comcast.com Ref Job ID# 9070

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The project documents may be accessed at: https://www.hamilton-builders.com/ projects/ Password: hamiltonbuilders2018!

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been modified through a Loan Modification Agreement recorded 04/15/2020 at Reception No. 2020028830 in the records of the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder, Colorado.**

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 102, Ridgegate-Section 15, Filing No. 14, 1st Amendment County of Douglas, State of Colorado.

Which has the address of: 10605 Ladera Drive, Lone Tree, CO 80124

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, June 21, 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: 4/27/2023

Last Publication: 5/25/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 3/2/2023

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

AMANDA FERGUSON

Colorado Registration #: 44893 355 UNION BLVD SUITE 250, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228

Phone #: (303) 274-0155

Fax #: Attorney File #: CO11470

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

RIDGE FILING NO. 3, 1ST AMENDMENT, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 14872 Vienna 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, June 7, 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.

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

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 2, PARKER VILLAGE FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO

Which has the address of: 12301 Pine Dr , 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 31, 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.

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: 4/13/2023

Last Publication: 5/11/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 2/14/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

RANDALL CHIN

Colorado Registration #: 31149 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700 , DENVER, COLORADO 80204

Phone #: (303) 350-3711

Fax #:

Attorney File #: 00000009719345

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0039

First Publication: 4/13/2023

Last Publication: 5/11/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR PLUM CREEK FUNDING, INC., ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

COUNTY Public Trustee

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

N. APRIL WINECKI Colorado Registration #: 34861 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990 Fax #: (303) 706-9994

Attorney File #: 23-029164

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

To Whom It May Concern: On 2/8/2023 4:56:00 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: Andrew T. Kester and Jennifer J. Kester

Original Beneficiary: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as Beneficiary, as nominee for Citywide Banks, its successors and assigns

Recording Date of DOT: 4/2/2003 Reception No. of DOT: 2003043665 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $239,100.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $133,448.78

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: FAILURE TO MAKE TIMELY PAYMENTS AS REQUIRED UNDER THE EVIDENCE OF DEBT AND DEED OF TRUST.

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 10, BLOCK 6, STROH RANCH FILING NO. 12, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 12813 Domingo 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.

TEASHA J JONES Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR QUICKEN LOANS INC. Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC

QUICKEN LOANS INC.

of Deed of Trust (DOT): 9/28/2018

Date of DOT: 10/3/2018

No. of DOT: 2018060580

Recorded in Douglas County.

Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $385,700.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $398,665.11

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 19, BLOCK 11, THE PINERY SW FILING NO. 1A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO

Which has the address of: 5335 Military Trl, Parker, CO 80134-5171 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, June 7, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building

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 10, BLOCK 1, THE VILLAGES OF PARKER FILING NO. 2, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 10896 Omaha Lane, 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, June 7, 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.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, 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: 3/30/2023

Last Publication: 4/27/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 2/3/2023

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 #: 23-029244

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0029

First Publication: 3/30/2023

Last Publication: 4/27/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: MASON HORINE AND HAYLEY HORINE

Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR PRIMELENDING, A PLAINSCAPITAL COMPANY

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 7/16/2019

Recording Date of DOT: 7/17/2019

Reception No. of DOT: 2019042837

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$465,000.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $458,665.36

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 67, PINERY WEST FILING NO. 2, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of:

6721 Club Villa Rd, Parker, CO 80134-3272

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, June 7, 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: 4/13/2023

Last Publication: 5/11/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 2/10/2023

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

RANDALL CHIN Colorado Registration #: 31149 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700 , DENVER, COLORADO 80204

Phone #: (303) 350-3711

Fax #:

Attorney File #: 00000009594086

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0037

First Publication: 4/13/2023

Last Publication: 5/11/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Parker NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0049

To Whom It May Concern: On 3/3/2023 4:45:00

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: Cross Creek 3, LLC

Original Beneficiary: Boomerang Finance SUB-REIT LLC

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt:

BFSR3, LLC Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 6/13/2022

Recording Date of DOT: 6/16/2022

Reception No. of DOT: 2022042652

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$555,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof:

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, June 21, 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

Douglas County News Press

GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

AMANDA FERGUSON Colorado Registration #: 44893 355 UNION BLVD SUITE 250, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228 Phone #: (303)

Colorado Registration #: 40558 215 MATHEWS ST. #300 , FORT COLLINS, COLORADO

Ranch Filing No. 11, County of Douglas, State of Colorado.

Which has the address of: 16809 Trail View Circle, Parker, CO 80134

OF SALE

HAS ACCELERATED THE SAME AND DECLARED THE SAME IMMEDIATELY FULLY DUE AND PAYABLE 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 65, PINERY WEST FILING 1I, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO Which has the address of: 4849 Raintree Circle , Parker, CO 80134

The Deed of Trust was modified by a document recorded in Douglas County on 2/17/2023, Reception number 2023006692. Reason modified and any other modifications: DOT & NOTE WRONG DATES. 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, June 14, 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.

responses.

Two (2) copies of your IFB response shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 014-23, Woodmoor Mountain Road Projects”. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 18, 2023 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened.

Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so.

Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder.

Angela Borkowski, #50088

Assistant Douglas County Attorney

Legal Notice No. 945389

First Publication: April 27, 2023

Last Publication: April 27, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

DOUGLAS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, STATE OF COLORADO 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO Douglas County, CO 80109 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

In the Interest of:

A public hearing will be held on May 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. before the Douglas County Planning Commission, in the Commissioners Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, CO. The hearing is for the proposed adoption of Building Codes: 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Building Code Appendix C, 2021 International Residential Code, 2021 International Residential Code Appendix AM, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code Appendix E, 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, and the 2023 National Electrical Code, as amended.

A public hearing will be held on June 13, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. before the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners, in the Commissioners Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, CO. The hearings are for the proposed adoption of Building Codes: 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Building Code Appendix C, 2021 International Residential Code, 2021 International Residential Code Appendix AM, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code Appendix E, 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, and the 2023 National Electrical Code, as amended.

For more specific information, call Korby Lintz, Chief Building Official, Douglas County Building Division at 303-660-7497.

Legal Notice No.: 945401

First Publication: April 27, 2023

Last Publication: May 11, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #015-23 WOODMOOR MOUNTAIN DRAINAGE CULVERT CLEANING/REPLACEMENT

The Woodmoor Mountain Homeowners Association (WMHOA), through Douglas County Government, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible and highly-qualified contractors for the work needed on the Woodmoor Mountain road system. The Woodmoor Mountain Subdivision is located approximately four-miles north of Palmer Lake on Highway 105.

The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses.

Two (2) copies of your IFB response shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 015-23, Woodmoor Mountain Drainage Culvert Cleaning/Replacement”. Electronic and/ or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 3:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 18, 2023 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened.

Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder.

Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303-6607434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Legal Notice No. 945400

First Publication: April 27, 2023

Last Publication: April 27, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #014-23

WOODMOOR MOUNTAIN ROAD PROJECTS

The Woodmoor Mountain Homeowners Association (WMHOA), through Douglas County Government, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible and highly-qualified contractors for the work needed on the Woodmoor Mountain road system. The Woodmoor Mountain Subdivision is located approximately four-miles north of Palmer Lake on Highway 105.

The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid

Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303-6607434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Legal Notice No. 945399

First Publication: April 27, 2023

Last Publication: April 27, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Children Services

(Adoption/Guardian/Other)

Public Notice

DOUGLAS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, STATE OF COLORADO 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO Douglas County, CO 80109 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

In the Interest of:

ZAMIRACLE A/K/A ZAMIRA ROSE ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 9/9/2020;Child, And concerning:

LUCIA CAMILLE ARMIJO AKA CAMILLE ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 11/26/1991; Mother; TIMOTHY JAMES MACULEWICZ, D.O.B.: 12/7/1977; Possible Father, JOHN DOE; Possible Father Respondents, And ARIANA ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 7/18/1998, Maternal Aunt, MONICA ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 8/19/1974, Maternal Grandmother, Special Respondents.

Attorney for Department: R. LeeAnn Reigrut, #28833 Angela Borkowski, #50088 4400 Castleton Ct. Castle Rock, CO 80109 (303) 814-5326 Fax: (303) 479-9259 lreigrut@douglas.co.us aborkowski@douglas.co.us

CASE NUMBER: 20JV174

DIVISION 8

DEPENDENCY SUMMONS

This Summons is initiated pursuant to Rule 2.2 of the Colorado Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Rule 4 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, and Section 19-3-503, C.R.S. 2022.

TO: LUCIA CAMILLE ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 11/26/1991 a/k/a CAMILLE ARMIJO

TO THE RESPONDENT NAMED ABOVE:

You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed which alleges that the above-named child is dependent or neglected as per the facts set forth in the Dependency and Neglect Petition, a copy of which may be obtained at the office of the Douglas County Attorney’s Office.

A Termination of Parental Rights Hearing for Respondent Parents has been set for May 8, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. in Division 8, Douglas County District Court, 4000 Justice Way, Castle Rock, Colorado, 80109.

Your presence before this court is required to defend against the claims in this motion. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR, THE COURT WILL PROCEED IN YOUR ABSENCE, WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE, TO CONDUCT A TERMINATION HEARING AND MAY TERMINATE THE PARENT-CHILD LEGAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD.

You have the right to legal representation at every stage of the proceedings by counsel of your own choosing, or if you are without sufficient financial means, appointment of counsel by the Court. Termination of your parent-child legal relationship to free your children for adoption is a possible remedy in this proceeding. If that remedy is pursued, you are entitled to a hearing before a Judge. You also have the right, if you are indigent, to have the Court appoint, at no expense to you, one expert witness of your own choosing at any hearing on the termination of your parent-child relationship.

You have the right to have this matter heard by a district court judge rather than by the magistrate. You may waive that right, and in doing so, you will be bound by the findings and recommendations of the magistrate, subject to review as provided by sec. 19-1-108(5.5), C.R.S. 2022, and subsequently, to the right of appeal as provided by Colorado Appellate Rule 3.4.

This summons is being initiated by the Douglas County Department of Human Services through its counsel.

Dated: April 14, 2023

/s/ Angela Borkowski

ZAMIRACLE A/K/A ZAMIRA ROSE ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 9/9/2020; Child, And concerning: LUCIA CAMILLE ARMIJO AKA CAMILLE ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 11/26/1991; Mother; TIMOTHY JAMES MACULEWICZ, D.O.B.: 12/7/1977; Possible Father, JOHN DOE; Possible Father Respondents, And

ARIANA ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 7/18/1998, Maternal Aunt, MONICA ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 8/19/1974, Maternal Grandmother, Special Respondents.

Attorney for Department: R. LeeAnn Reigrut, #28833 Angela Borkowski, #50088 4400 Castleton Ct. Castle Rock, CO 80109 (303) 814-5326 Fax: (303) 479-9259 lreigrut@douglas.co.us aborkowski@douglas.co.us

CASE NUMBER: 20JV174

DIVISION 8

DEPENDENCY SUMMONS

This Summons is initiated pursuant to Rule 2.2 of the Colorado Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Rule 4 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, and Section 19-3-503, C.R.S. 2022.

TO: JOHN DOE, D.O.B.: UNKNOWN

TO THE RESPONDENT NAMED ABOVE:

You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed which alleges that the above-named child is dependent or neglected as per the facts set forth in the Dependency and Neglect Petition, a copy of which may be obtained at the office of the Douglas County Attorney’s Office.

A Termination of Parental Rights Hearing for Respondent Parents has been set for May 8, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. in Division 8, Douglas County District Court, 4000 Justice Way, Castle Rock, Colorado, 80109.

Your presence before this court is required to defend against the claims in this motion.

IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR, THE COURT WILL PROCEED IN YOUR ABSENCE, WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE, TO CONDUCT A TERMINATION HEARING AND MAY TERMINATE THE PARENT-CHILD LEGAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD.

You have the right to legal representation at every stage of the proceedings by counsel of your own choosing, or if you are without sufficient financial means, appointment of counsel by the Court. Termination of your parent-child legal relationship to free your children for adoption is a possible remedy in this proceeding. If that remedy is pursued, you are entitled to a hearing before a Judge. You also have the right, if you are indigent, to have the Court appoint, at no expense to you, one expert witness of your own choosing at any hearing on the termination of your parent-child relationship.

You have the right to have this matter heard by a district court judge rather than by the magistrate. You may waive that right, and in doing so, you will be bound by the findings and recommendations of the magistrate, subject to review as provided by sec. 19-1-108(5.5), C.R.S. 2022, and subsequently, to the right of appeal as provided by Colorado Appellate Rule 3.4.

This summons is being initiated by the Douglas County Department of Human Services through its counsel.

Dated: April 14, 2023

/s/ Angela Borkowski

Angela Borkowski, #50088

Assistant Douglas County Attorney

Legal Notice No. 945390

First Publication: April 27, 2023

Last Publication: April 27, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

DOUGLAS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, STATE OF COLORADO 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO Douglas County, CO 80109 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

In the Interest of:

ZAMIRACLE A/K/A ZAMIRA ROSE ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 9/9/2020; Child,

And concerning:

LUCIA CAMILLE ARMIJO

AKA CAMILLE ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 11/26/1991; Mother; TIMOTHY JAMES MACULEWICZ, D.O.B.: 12/7/1977; Possible Father, JOHN DOE; Possible Father Respondents, And ARIANA ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 7/18/1998, Maternal Aunt,

Larkspur grapples with truck stop plan

Residents remain opposed

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Larkspur Town Council continued to hear opposition from area residents against a proposed truck stop o Interstate 25 in south Douglas County, while the council moved toward a decision on who will evaluate the plan.

“At the end of the day, this is not wanted by the people who live here,” said a commenter who mentioned a petition during the April 20 meeting.

“ at truck stop, as far as my property values? Wouldn’t hurt it. Not my little area,” he said. But “Burger King and Starbucks” and a large number of trucks in the area are not why people moved to the Larkspur area, he added.

“It’s a special place. All everybody wants is to keep it special,” he said.

Another person, apparently in the audience, argued that what the developer is planning to build di ers from what was initially proposed. Someone in the online audience shouted out an objection to how the plan is proceeding.

e council also heard a question that claimed the plan initially outlined a store and a “little gas station.”

One of the councilmembers responded that the initial plan referred to a truck stop with several restaurants. at initial plan was approved, but it expired, and then the proposal came back. ( e truck stop has also been referred to as a “travel center.”)

Plans have said the development would involve a national travel center chain with a quick-serve restaurant and gas pumps, according to the meeting discussion.

Choosing a planner

Larkspur, a small town of about

FIRES

As numbers of interested applicants have fallen in the past three decades, the call volume to volunteer re departments has tripled, Quinn said. e industry also struggles to recruit and retain women and people of color.

Only 11.6% of career re ghters were Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% were Black and 1.3% were Asian, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women make up about 4% of career

200 residents south of Castle Rock, doesn’t have the sta to plan out development like a large city would, the town’s attorney noted during an April 6 town council meeting. e town doesn’t have an o cial who can evaluate the developer’s design plan.

“What your (town) code says is the town planner shall approve or deny the site plan,” Dan Krob, who provides attorney services to the town, said at the April 6 meeting. “We don’t have a town planner.”

From a short list of potential planners, the council will choose whom to appoint to serve as the town planner for the truck stop proposal.

e town also brought in Sam Doyle, who said he’s a former president of a nancial rm called D.A. Davidson, to help choose a planner.

“We were one of the big underwriters” of metro districts “in the whole state,” Doyle told the council.

(Metro districts are a type of government entity that carries out some government functions, such as the Highlands Ranch Metro District that oversees some services in that community.)

e council voted 6-1 to appoint Doyle to “interview and vet” potential planners, with council representation in the interview process, to make a recommendation to council.

Zoning already changed

In the past, on smaller projects, the lack of a planner hasn’t come into play, Krob has said.

“So we have historically forgone the planner, used the planning commission and their expertise to give a recommendation to council for the decision,” Krob said at the April 6 meeting. A planning commission is a group of residents who are appointed to advise council on development matters.

But the land that would house the

re ghters and 11% of volunteer re ghters, the National Fire Protection Agency reported in 2021.

Leaders also called for the need to implement building regulations that would protect growing communities on the edge of wildland.

Michele Steinberg, director of wild re for the National Fire Protection Association, called for a universal code that would require all homes and businesses in the wild re-prone areas to adhere to re-resistant building standards.

“Unfortunately, time and time again, what we see is that communities rebuild in the same way in the same areas as those that burned to

Public Notices

MONICA ARMIJO, D.O.B.: 8/19/1974, Maternal Grandmother, Special Respondents.

Attorney for Department: R. LeeAnn Reigrut, #28833 Angela Borkowski, #50088 4400 Castleton Ct. Castle Rock, CO 80109 (303) 814-5326 Fax: (303) 479-9259 lreigrut@douglas.co.us aborkowski@douglas.co.us CASE NUMBER: 20JV174

proposed truck stop has commercial zoning, and town rules say any commercial development has to include a site plan, according to Krob. A site plan lays out the proposed changes to a property.

Krob recommended the council hire a planner as part of an agreement under which the developer would reimburse Larkspur so that the town doesn’t pay the planner’s cost.

But “the town council chooses that planner. So it’s not the developer saying, ‘Hey buddy, you’re my planner.’ It’s us choosing the planner,” Krob has said.

e truck stop would sit at 255 Upper Lake Gulch Road, just west of I-25. e town council voted to change the property’s zoning — the

the ground,” Steinberg said. “Without a new approach, we’re destined to repeat history at our own peril against a erce and unrelenting opponent. We won’t stop wild res from occurring, but codes and standards are the means to better withstand and lessen impact in the wildland urban interface.”

e failure by local, state and federal governments to impose preventative building codes is increasing the re problem, added Shane Ray, president of the National Fire Sprinkler Association.

“Codes and standards established through a consensus process are a minimum and they should not be

This Summons is initiated pursuant to Rule 2.2 of the Colorado Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Rule 4 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, and Section 19-3-503, C.R.S. 2022.

TO: TIMOTHY JAMES MACULEWICZ, D.O.B.: 12/7/1977 TO

RESPONDENT NAMED ABOVE:

rules for what can be built on it — from “PUD,” or planned unit development, to commercial in July after public hearings in front of the planning commission and the council. (A PUD typically denotes a special type of zoning for an area.)

e planner, not the town council, approves or denies the site plan as long as the development is a “use by right” situation, meaning the developer’s right to build on the land doesn’t require higher scrutiny.

But if it’s a “use by special review” situation, the plan is in “the discretion” of the council, Krob has said.

Whether the project may fall under special review is a determination that the planner should make, Krob has said, based on the planner’s ability to interpret the town’s rules.

picked apart in a political environment,” Ray said. “ e more buildings built to an outdated or weakened code in the interface between the forest and the city, and where re departments are understa ed, undertrained or lack resources, is increasing the re problem in America.”

is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

8, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. in Division 8, Douglas County District Court, 4000 Justice Way, Castle Rock, Colorado, 80109.

Your presence before this court is required to defend against the claims in this motion. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR, THE COURT WILL PROCEED IN YOUR ABSENCE, WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE, TO CONDUCT A TERMINATION HEARING AND MAY TERMINATE THE PARENT-CHILD LEGAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD.

You have the right to legal representation at every stage of the proceedings by counsel of your own choosing, or if you are without sufficient financial means, appointment of counsel by the Court. Termination of your parent-child legal relationship

to free your children for adoption is a possible remedy in this proceeding. If that remedy is pursued, you are entitled to a hearing before a Judge. You also have the right, if you are indigent, to have the Court appoint, at no expense to you, one expert witness of your own choosing at any hearing on the termination of your parent-child relationship.

You have the right to have this matter heard by a district court judge rather than by the magistrate.

You may waive that right, and in doing so, you will be bound by the findings and recommendations of the magistrate, subject to review as provided by sec. 19-1-108(5.5), C.R.S. 2022, and subsequently, to the right of appeal as provided by Colorado Appellate Rule 3.4.

This summons is being initiated by the Douglas

County Department of Human Services through its counsel.

Dated: April 14, 2023

/s/ Angela Borkowski Angela Borkowski, #50088

Assistant Douglas County Attorney

Legal Notice No. 945388

First Publication: April 27, 2023

Last Publication: April 27, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press ###

A sign sits o Interstate 25 in March in the Castle Rock area. PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

JUNE 8-11, 2023 FREE ADMISSION

PARKER’S FAVORITE WEEKEND!

FUN THINGS TO DO:

• Enjoy your Favorite Festival Food

• Shopping Marketplace

• Music on Four Stages

• Culinary Demonstrations

• Street Performers

• Carnival Rides for the Whole Family

• Free Kids Crafts

• Artisan Demonstrations: Pottery, Painting, Weaving, Decorative Furniture, and Lacemaking

• Silent Disco – Dance, Dance, Dance!

• Get Dizzy in a Water Bubble

• Bungy Jumping

• Jump and Slide on the In atables

• Nurf Terf Battles (Nurf version of Paintball)

• All Aboard! Ride the Sunshine Express Train on Mainstreet

Groove Mazda MAIN STAGE – Live Music ALL Day HEADLINERS:

Friday, June 9 presented by 8:15 pm: Still They Ride (Journey Tribute Band)

Saturday, June 10 presented by 8:30 pm: Chris Daniels and The Kings

Sunday, June 11 presented by 5:15 pm: That Eighties Band

THANK

CARNIVAL RIDES & GAMES:

presented by

BUY DISCOUNTED UNLIMITED CARNIVAL RIDE WRISTBANDS ONLINE

Thursday Friends & Family Special

4 wristbands for $99

Only available for use on Thursday, June 8

Sold online through 12 noon Wed. May 31

Single-Day Unlimited Carnival Rides

$35 each

Good any one day during the festival

Sold online through 12 noon Wed. June 7

4-Day MEGA Unlimited Carnival Rides

$89 each

Good all 4 days of the festival

PURCHASE DURING THE FESTIVAL

Single-Day Unlimited Carnival Rides

$40 each

TICKETS FOR INDIVIDUAL RIDES

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