Parker Chronicle 051123

Puerto Rican cuisine makes its way to downtown Parker

BY RACHEL LORENZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Puerto Rican cuisine is now part of the culinary scene in downtown Parker as the former Havana Bakery & Cafe on Pikes Peak Avenue transforms into Isla Verde Cocina & Bar.

“Hopefully by the end of May, rst part of June, all these changes will be complete, and we’ll be a full-service, sitdown restaurant with a full bar,” Grant Burch, co-owner of the new restaurant, told Colorado Community Media.

Burch, along with chef Jose Rivera and general manager Karen Reyes, purchased the restaurant at the beginning of the year. e trio have been making adjustments ever since — starting with the meu.

Rivera, who spent his childhood in Ponce, Puerto Rico, said Cuban and Puerto Rican cuisine are very similar. So he kept the Cuban sandwich, the empanadas, the lechon asado and many

School board rejects settlement in open meetings lawsuit

Trial in June

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Douglas County school board rejected a settlement that would have admitted some board members violated Colorado Open Meetings Laws when deciding to re former superintendent Corey Wise last

During a special meeting on May 8, the board voted 4-3 to turn down a settlement in the lawsuit brought by Rep. Bob Marshall (D-Highlands Ranch) in February 2022, alleging board members Becky Myers, President Mike Peterson, Christy Williams and Kaylee Winegar used a series of one-on-one conversations to discuss Wise’s termination outside of public meet-

e settlement laid out three terms for the board, including an acknowledgement that Myers, Peterson, Williams and Wineger broke the law when they had non-public discussions about public business.  e other terms were to prevent the board from taking formal action or discussing public business outside of public meetings, except when legally allowed, such as executive sessions or one-on-one conversations not relayed to a third party, and to pay Marshall’s $66,000 legal fees.

After a brief executive session, Williams said she maintains her innocence and doesn’t believe she violated open meetings law, moving to reject the settlement.

“I have maintained for over a year now that I do not believe I did anything illegal,” she said.

Myers, Peterson and Winegar said they didn’t believe they were guilty either. Winegar repeated the argument that since the vote to terminate Wise was public, the group didn’t violate open meetings law.

“I believe there was a vote in public on the decision … and I believe the plainti can remove this (term) from the settlement and perhaps then we can get this thing behind us,” Winegar said.

Board members Elizabeth Hanson, Susan Meek and David Ray adamantly opposed rejecting the settlement, arguing the district has sunk enough money into the lawsuit and that going to trial would further divide the community.

SEE SCHOOLS, P28

Isla Verde Puerto Rican Cocina & Bar opened in the former home of Havana Bakery & Cafe in downtown Parker.

PHOTOS BY RACHEL LORENZ

Chef and co-owner Jose Rivera lifts the lid on a pot of ropa vieja empanada filling at Isla Verde.

Douglas County seniors, from left, Brinda Malik, Iris Pixler, Sujay Potlapelly, Shruthi Rajesh and Myles Rubin received Boettcher Foundation Scholarships, which provide $80,000 over four years. COURTESY PHOTO

Douglas County students named Boettcher Scholars

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Five Douglas County students received the distinguished Boettcher Foundation Scholarship this year out of the largest candidate pool the scholarship program has seen so far.

Brinda Malik, a senior at STEM School Highlands Ranch; Iris Pixler, a senior at Legend High School; and Sujay Potlapelly, Shruthi Rajesh and Myles Rubin, seniors at Rock Canyon High School, are among the 50 total students receiving the four-year, $80,000 Boettcher Foundation Scholarship.

Malik plans to attend the University of Denver, Pixler plans to head to Colorado College and Potlapelly, Rajesh and Rubin plan to go to University of Colorado Boulder.

“ e Douglas County School

District is proud to congratulate ve graduates for earning this prestigious scholarship that recognizes the next generation of doers and di erence makers,” the district said in a news release.

A record of more than 2,000 students applied for the scholarship this year, which has been around since 1952 and provided more than $110 million in aid. In addition to the tuition coverage, scholars also get access to campus enrichment programming, additional grants and annual events.

“As Boettcher Scholars, these 50 dynamic thinkers and leaders have committed to attending Colorado universities where they will continue using their talents to elevate our communities right here at home,” Katie Kramer, Boettcher Foundation president and CEO, said in a statement.

Castle Rock family to sue school district over racist bullying

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A Castle Rock family is planning to take legal action against the Douglas County School District over its handling of repeated instances of racism targeting Black and biracial students at Castle Rock Middle School.

Lacey Ganzy, whose eighth-grade son Jeramiah was called racial slurs and threatened in a student group chat, reported the issue to school and district administrators on April 20. Since then, Ganzy said only one student involved has been suspended. Ganzy has not returned Jeramiah to school, fearing for his safety. He is completing the semester online.

Jeramiah said the past few weeks have been di cult.

“I just feel alone now,” he said. “ ey treat it as a joke and nobody really understands how it feels.”

Ganzy said she is taking legal action because she doesn’t feel the district is responding appropriately to the threats her son faced.

“I think that the way society is going and with the crimes in our school district, it’s imperative that I take those threats seriously,” she said.

In a past statement, the school district said it couldn’t comment on details of discipline related to speci c students, but said administrators are handling the complaint pursuant to the student code of conduct and school board policies.

“It is our goal to take care of each and every one of our students in our district,” the statement said. “We appreci-

ate the Ganzy family bringing their concerns to us so we can make sure our system is addressing their needs.”

Iris Halpern, Ganzy’s attorney, said the family anticipates ling a civil rights lawsuit in federal court.

Halpern recently represented former Douglas County superintendent Corey Wise, who led a complaint against the school district with the Colorado O ce of Civil Rights over his termination, claiming it was retaliation for his support of masking and equity policies. Wise settled with the school district in April for more than $830,000.

“I think it’s important to note that this is becoming a real pattern in Douglas County,” Halpern said. “Kids don’t learn white supremacy in a vacuum.”

Ganzy said she is planning to move her family out of Castle Rock because of the backlash to them speaking out. Friends have organized a GoFundMe to support the Ganzys’ move.

“I really hope we’re the last family that Castle Rock makes an example of and the last family to have to leave a place they’ve called home,” she said.

2 incumbents, 1 newcomer elected to water board

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Preliminary results for the Parker Water and Sanitation District’s Board of Directors election held on May 2, 2023 show two incumbents and one newcomer will serve for the next four years as the directors for the district.  Election judges provided an abstract of the election results. Of the ve candidates, the top three vote-getters are elected to four-year terms.

Previously serving as vice president and president of the board, incumbents Bill Wasserman and Merlin Klotz were reelected on May 2. Newcomer Robert Kennah was added to the board of directors.

In uno cial results, Kennah received 1,730 votes, Wasserman 1,589 votes and Klotz 1,520 votes. ey are followed by Kory Nelson, who received 1,494 votes, and incumbent Dale Reiman with 1,361 votes.

Kennah, Wasserman and Klotz will

join current board members Brooke Booth, director-at-large and Don Langley, treasurer, whose terms end in 2025.

e nal results will be certi ed by May 16 once all uniform and overseas ballots have been counted, according to the district website.  Ballots cast by individuals covered by the Uniform and Overseas Absentee Voting Act must be postmarked May 2, 2023 and received by May 16 in order to be counted.

e Parker Water and Sanitation District is a water and wastewater utility with a vision to “sustain life for our community by providing a growing population with secure, long-term and high-quality water and wastewater services.”

e Parker Water and Sanitation District manages infrastructure at the Rueter-Hess Water Puri cation Facility, Rueter-Hess Reservoir and North and South water Reclamation Facilities, to name a few.

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

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Parker Water election marred by excluded voters

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After the May 2 Parker Water election for three board seats in which it was discovered at the last minute that 62 addresses housing 96 registered voters may not have received ballots, the water district is looking at how to avoid such problems in the future.

“We are also going to complete an audit of all the properties in our district to make sure the Douglas County assessor’s records match ours,” said Ron Redd, district manager of Parker Water and Sanitation District, which hustled to notify overlooked residents that they could cast provisional ballots on the day of the election. “Moving forward, we will develop a process with the assessor to review any inclusions for accuracy once they are recorded by the county.”

But in the meantime, fourth-place candidate Kory Nelson — who was edged out of a board seat by a margin of just 26 votes behind third-place candidate Merlin Klotz in preliminary results — has not conceded the election, according to a press release.

e Parker Water and Sanitation District serves more than 20,000 businesses and homes, including customers in parts of Castle Pines and Lone Tree. After receiving a phone call over the weekend before the election about not receiving a ballot, the district found there was a pocket of people not paying their Parker Water property taxes.

e day before the election — which was held by the Parker Water and Sanitation District on its own with the help of a contractor — the district reached out to the Douglas County assessor. Redd said they later

found out there was a mistake made 20 years ago when the 62 addresses located in the southern portion of the Lincoln Creek Village neighborhood, covering about 25% of the residents, were not included by the county in the Parker Water and Sanitation District.

When asked why this problem is just now coming to light during this election as the initial issue took place 20 years ago, Redd said it was unknown to the district.

“ e list of people that are registered voters comes from the county and the county did not have them in our district,” said Redd. “We didn’t know and they didn’t know. And so the only reason we found out was because one of the residents called us and then we were looking into why she didn’t get (a ballot).”

In a statement, Douglas County Assessor Toby Damisch — who took o ce in January of this year — said:

“On Monday, Parker Water and Sanitation District made the county aware of a concern in their district boundary. As always, the county assessor will work with PWSD to ensure that their district boundary is correct. e geographic boundary in the area of concern has been established in the current manner for nearly 20 years. e assessor’s o ce does not make any abrupt boundary changes without thorough documentation, and any modi cations to the o cial boundaries will be made only after reviewing the appropriate records and legal documents as provided by PWSD.”

e morning of the election, the district sent a blast email to a majority of the registered voters in the a ected area, left voice messages for speci c groups of customers and

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spoke to the Lincoln Creek Village HOA.

Redd noted the water district posted numerous public noti cations about the election a few weeks ago, including in Colorado Community Media newspapers and on the district’s website. Noti cations were also posted to LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Nextdoor on April 11 to notify customers that the ballots were in the mail for the director election.

As there have been election questions raised over the last few years at the national level, the Parker Water and Sanitation District hired a third-party contractor, Community Resource Services, to handle the election process.

After receiving the voter names from the county, Community Resource Services went through all the voter rolls to check for duplicates and then sent the ballots out, according to Redd.

Colorado Community Media reached out to Community Resource Services for comment but have not yet heard back.

“We’re seeing less than 10% of the customers voting,” said Redd. “We have 35,000 registered voters and we have less than, I would say around 8% voting.”

Preliminary results show there were 7,694 votes in the May 2 election, not including all the Uniform and Overseas ballots.

Redd does see concerns regarding the validity of the election, but does not think there is a big issue from a legal point of view because the water district was initially unaware of the problem and then did its best to get information out and urge people to

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cast provisional ballots.

“But I hate having hiccups in elections because it creates … people start losing con dence in elections,” said Redd.

Before preliminary results came in, Redd said if it is a close race, he would have to defer to someone who is more familiar with election law, “but it absolutely concerns me.”

Preliminary results show newcomer Robert Kennah took the lead with 1,730 votes. Incumbents Bill Wasserman received 1,589 votes and Merlin Klotz got 1,520, which would mean they are the three winners of board seats. But Kory Nelson was just 26 votes behind Klotz with 1,494, and incumbent Dale Reiman had 1,361.  e nal results will be certi ed by May 16 once all uniform and overseas ballots have been counted, according to the district website.

A May 3 press release from Nelson states that due to “signi cant election irregularities” he declines to concede the election.

Nelson said in the press release: “It’s impossible to get an accurate count when an entire subdivision was disenfranchised. e number of registered voters in that area alone is far more than the 26 votes that separate me from the next highest vote getter. Let’s resolve this quickly and make sure that rst everybody gets a fair chance to vote, at least two weeks, and that then every vote is counted.”

“While this is a close race, the election was conducted fairly and followed all legal requirements,” said Redd. “Obviously, we would have preferred that the issue with the voters in Lincoln Creek Village hadn’t happened, but feel con dent that we did what we could legally to alert the impacted voters and make sure they had the opportunity to vote given the circumstances.”

Help make our Douglas County Fair & Rodeo a success!

Energetic, friendly volunteers age 16 and older are needed during the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo July 28 through Aug. 6. Serve your community, celebrate your County’s history and have fun all at the same time. Visit douglascountyfairandrodeo.com and click on the Get Involved tab, to learn more and sign up.

Garden question? Ask a Master Gardener

Douglas County Master Gardeners provide useful information to help your gardening efforts all year long via the “Virtual Helpdesk.” Email your questions to dcmgardenr@gmail.com

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Renew your driver license or motor vehicle registration and more from the convenience of your smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop. You can also renew vehicle registrations at six local grocery store MVExpress kiosk locations. Find information at DouglasDrives.com

Decode Douglas County

Visit eight Douglas County Open Space or Park locations, and look for clues to crack the code. Pick up or print your booklet today, discover new places including Sandstone Ranch, and decode the secret of Douglas County outdoors! Visit dcoutdoors.org/decode to start your outdoor adventure.

Memorial

Douglas County offices will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023. Many services are available at DoItOnlineDouglas.com

Douglas County deputies investigate gunshots near I-25 and E-470

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A large group of Douglas County sheri ’s personnel responded to an area near Interstate 25 and the E-470 toll highway after reports of shots being red, according to the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce.

Two people exchanged gun re on May 3 at the intersection of Inverness Parkway and Jamaica Street, according to Sheri Darren Weekly. Witnesses and security camera footage observed the shooting, he said.

“We believe these two individuals were just shooting it out with each other,” Weekly said, adding that authorities don’t think the incident targeted the public.

e next day, Douglas County sheri ’s detectives came to the area of Jamaica and Inverness Parkway to execute a search warrant, the sheri ’s o ce tweeted at 5:20 p.m. May 4.

“Out of an abundance of caution, they have sent out a Code Red shelter-in-place noti cation,” the tweet said.

e sheri ’s o ce tweeted just before 8 p.m. May 4 that the shelterin-place noti cation had been lifted.

e o ce did not con rm whether detectives executed the search warrant on the residence of a suspect in

the shooting.

“ ere isn’t much we are releasing now due to the nature of the investigation. We executed a search warrant based on information we discovered,” said Deputy Cocha Heyden, a sheri ’s o ce spokesperson. “ e suspect has not been arrested. At this point we cannot disclosed what was discovered.”

None of the suspects in the shooting have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing, Heyden said at about 10 p.m. May 4.

Authorities received a call just before 2 p.m. on May 3 about the incident, and multiple 911 calls came in total, Weekly said. The incident occurred northeast of the I-25 and E-470 interchange, south of County Line Road in the Lone Tree area.

One of the shooters was in a dark-colored sedan and is believed to have had a handgun, according to Weekly. e other, on foot, was believed to have a “long gun” with a bright pink or orange strap, Weekly said.

“We have no reports of injuries right now. We’ve alerted hospitals to be on the lookout for anyone with gunshot wounds,” Weekly said at about 4:30 p.m. ere were still no known injuries, Heyden said at about 6 p.m.

Deputies were searching for suspects, Heyden said at about 3:20 p.m. But deputies believe both individuals have left the area, and they don’t think there’s “any speci c danger to the general public,” Weekly said about an hour later.

e person on foot was a Black male, described as wearing a black hoodie coat and white tennis shoes, and he also might have had a black backpack with a logo on the back, Weekly said in a video posted by the sheri ’s o ce on Facebook. Authorities didn’t give a description of the person in the vehicle.

“ e vehicle continued southbound, drove around (an) apartment complex and left the area. e Black male was seen running north from the area and was also seen getting into an early-2000s white Tahoe in the passenger side,” Weekly said in the video.

Deputies are seeking a darkcolored Nissan sedan and the white

Tahoe, Weekly said in the video. Deputies don’t know whether the shooters were known to each other, and deputies aren’t aware of a motive for the incident, Weekly told Colorado Community Media. e investigation is continuing, Heyden said at about 6 p.m.

No damage to nearby apartments or other property was reported, Heyden said at about 6 p.m.

Anyone who has any information about the incident can email the sheri ’s o ce at dcsotips@dcsheri . net or call its tip line at 303-6607579.

Authorities had set up one road closure on South Valley Highway, one at Inverness Parkway and Inverness Drive South, and one at Jamaica Street and Liberty Boulevard, according to the sheri ’s o ce. “ e area and roads have been open to all normal operations,” the sheri ’s o ce tweeted at about 8:30 p.m.

Police have reached out to the public for help in apprehending a bank robbery suspect. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

Chicken N’ Pickle to merge food and pickleball in Parker

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Parker’s residents will find a new way to get into the pickleball craze as a Chicken N’ Pickle anticipates opening a location in town as part of an expansion into Colorado. In other news, road improvements, including lane expansions, are on tap.

The Town Council unanimously approved a tax and fee assistance program agreement for Chicken N’ Pickle. The entertainment outfit meets all of the criteria, including being public benefit, according to the council.

Chicken N’ Pickle was established in 2016 in Kansas. Since then, the restaurant has expanded to Texas, Arizona and Nevada. The restaurant includes a sports bar, yard games and pickleball

courts.

The proposed project consists of a 10,000-square-foot restaurant, a 4,000-square-foot rooftop patio and 17,000 square feet of pickleball courts. The project is estimated to cost $22 million.

Goss annual sales for the first year is estimated to be $12 million, according to city documents, and $14 million a year by the end of the fifth year.

“We are seeking a sales tax rebate for five years, for Chicken N’ Pickle,” said Weldy Feazell, department of economic development. “That would be 50% of the general fund’s sales tax. The 2.5% at a maximum amount of $660,000.”

Chicken N’ Pickle would give the town 100% of their remitted sales tax and the town would rebate the restaurant the

$660,000 over five years on a quarterly basis, said Feazell.

In addition, the business projects it will employ up to 200 people with an annual payroll of about $2.7 million.

A site plan has not yet been submitted, however. The company has entered into a Letter of Intent with Life Church to purchase a portion of their property located on Parkerhouse Road as well as a parking agreement.  In other news, the council unanimously approved an ordinance to improve roads.

Following Engineering and Public Works Bob Exstrom’s presentation, the council approved a rightof-way purchase and sale agreement with TMV Retail II Owners Association and the town for a portion of road known as Stage

Run in what’s dubbed the Dransfeldt Road Widening Project.  The project will widen the road from four lanes to five, including the addition of one new turning lane for southbound traffic as well as reconstruct sidewalks and curb ramps on Dransfeldt Road between Pony Express Drive and Mainstreet.

“Anybody that drives that section of road knows we have incredible stacking at all times of the day, there needs to be a relief somehow and someway and I think this is an excellent way to handle that,” said Councilemember Joshua Rivero.  Nearly 378 square feet of additional right-of-way is needed to accommodate new sidewalks and curb ramps. In addition, about 1,917 square feet of temporary construction easement is needed to restore

portions of the Stage Run Road interrupted by the construction.

The purchase price of the property is estimated at $6,110, funding has been appropriated for this project in the 2023 Urban Renewal Projects Fund.

Of five contract bids, the council awarded a trade contract agreement with 53 Corp. for Hilltop Road/ Canterberry Parkway Area Improvements in the amount of $989,915. Funding has been appropriated in the Highway and Streets Capital Projects fund.

Town engineering staff identified an accident trend involving rear end accidents on Hilltop Road near Legend High School, said Tom Gill, project manager for the town.

Construction is is expected to begin May 30 and last through most of the summer.

County services may not be harmed by Polis property tax plan

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As pressure mounted on state lawmakers to intervene in Colorado’s expected spike in property tax bills, Douglas County o cials worried that setting the cap too low could hurt funding for local government services.

Politicians on the left and the right agreed that homeowners need relief as property taxes are expected to increase this year. Driven by a costly real-estate market, home values — as calculated for property tax purposes — have spiked since the last time homeowners received notices of value two years ago. Since then, residential properties in the Denver metro area typically saw value increases between 35% and 45%, a group of county assessors from across the Front Range announced April 26.

at rise threatens to take a big bite out of families’ nances because even when tax rates themselves aren’t increasing, the amount that homeowners owe increases as the value of homes rise.

If a proposal from Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Democrats wins approval from voters this year, the rise in homeowners’ property tax bills could decrease by double-digit percentages.

e governor’s o ce provided an example scenario where a $600,000 home increased in value by 30% in the 2023 property valuation, which is based on June 2022 real-estate market values, compared to the 2021 valuation, which was based on June 2020 market values.

Factoring in the recent property tax relief law known as state Senate Bill 22-238, that home would see a 24% increase in its property tax bill, according to the governor’s o ce.

If Polis and the Democrats’ proposal gets the OK from voters, the increase could fall to as low as 12%, according to the governor’s o ce. But the amount of relief won’t play out the same across the state, and the picture could look especially different in Douglas County.

“I don’t believe property tax bills will be only going up 12% in Douglas County,” said Commissioner Lora omas, one of Douglas County’s elected leaders.

County could act on tax relief

In a place with notably high home prices like Douglas County, the amount of increase in property tax bills could outpace many other areas of the state.

In Douglas County, residential properties saw increases in value between 30% and 60%, with a median of 47%. at includes single-

family homes, condominiums and townhomes, according to Douglas County Assessor Toby Damisch. He’s the o cial who oversees the process of valuing property in the county.

Property taxes partly fund county governments, but they also fund school districts, re and library districts, and other local entities.

If Colorado voters decide to approve the Democratic state lawmakers’ proposal in November, the remaining amount of increase in property tax bills could still give Douglas County more revenue than it was expecting.

e budget that Douglas County o cials wrote for 2024 was based on expecting a 9% property value increase, omas, a county commissioner, has said.

“At 9%, we can deliver the services we need to. Obviously, I’m one of three (commissioners), but if there’s more than that, we would do a tax credit like we have ve of the seven years I’ve been a commissioner,” omas said.

If the increase is 10% or more, omas said she would vote for what’s called a “temporary mill levy credit” to reduce residents’ tax bills. (Property tax rates are o cially called “mill levies.”)

e county has authorized such credits in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, e ectively lowering county

revenue by $30 million.

Plan comes with caveat

Colorado Democrats proposed a multi-pronged plan, and one of the parts is to cap the growth in district property tax collections, excluding school districts, at in ation.

(“Districts” means any type of local government — such as counties, re ghting districts, metropolitan districts and others — that imposes a property tax.)

e catch: e Democrats’ plan would also allow local governments to override the cap after giving notice to property owners, according to the governor’s o ce.

Going back to that general example of a home previously valued at $600,000, the increase in its property tax bill if the proposal is approved would be 12% if districts stay under the local cap, according to the governor’s o ce. But if the proposal goes through and governments waive the local cap, the home’s property tax bill would see a 19% increase, according to the o ce.

Living within a metropolitan district, such as Highlands Ranch, can make a big di erence in a home’s total property taxes, omas has said. Metro districts are a type of government entity that can o er some government services.

metro districts SEE TAX PLAN, P9

Commission votes 2-1 to delay Fields development plan

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A plan to turn a piece of longtime agricultural land near Parker into a residential neighborhood met resistance from two of Douglas County’s elected leaders.

“Based on what you’re proposing, it just does not seem to be congruent” with nearby neighborhoods, said County Commissioner Abe Laydon at an April 25 meeting.

e pushback comes on the heels of 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 — Laydon, Lora omas and George Teal — who ultimately make the nal call on development decisions in areas outside of municipalities.

At that earlier hearing, the plan was referred to as “high-density housing,” and residents in the rural area lamented what they said would be an

encroachment on country living. at meeting heard concerns about streetlights ruining the view of stars, a lack of quiet and the potential for more tra c — including congestion on Hilltop, which is a two-lane road in that area.

Many commenters at the April 25 meeting in front of the county commissioners spoke against the proposed development. e commissioners voted to postpone their decision on the proposal until May 23, hoping the developer would tweak the plan in that time.

‘Respect for property rights’ e proposed Fields development would sit on land along Hilltop Road, southeast 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 public park space, open space and 247 singlefamily homes on smaller lots on land otherwise dominated by eight home properties that are 35 or more acres in

size, setting. of owned for land over worked build Wallden the it Wallden meeting. been that tial over said.

Asked whether he expects metro districts and other districts to waive the cap,

FIELDS

size, in keeping with the rural setting.

Sharon Wallden, a member of the family that has long owned the land, is pushing for the proposal.

“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 April 17 meeting.

But “farming as we know it is no longer an option,” Wallden said at the April 25 meeting. Water has “always been a concern” in an area that has seen many residential developments spring up over the years, Wallden has said.

Even though nearby development has a ected her family’s farming activity, she believes in the right of prop-

Damisch, the assessor, said it’s likely that many districts would.

“I believe, based on historic precedent, unless there is a tremendous amount of political pressure and citizen engagement, that most special

erty owners to build on their land, she said.

“We did not object to the properties around us. We ask for the same respect for our property rights,” Wallden said.

Debating density

County o cials rezoned the property from agricultural to “estate residential” status in March 2022.

ough the land is vast, most of the homes would be grouped close together 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 has been a major sticking point for the residents in the area, who object

districts and such will waive the cap,” Damisch said. omas took issue with the timing of the proposal in this year’s state legislative session at the Capitol. She generally found the details of the Democrats’ proposal to fall short of

to the density.

“We understand that development is going to happen in this area,” but residents are asking the commissioners to “decline the high density,” said Audra Labak, one of the residents who opposes the proposal.

Commissioner omas noted the density matches what the proposal is allowed to have under county rules.

Possible change

Laydon argued the density does not re ect the “outcomes and desires of the comprehensive master plan based upon the current location of adjacent communities and their current characteristics.”

e county’s comprehensive master plan lays out a broad vision for how and where property development should occur.

e concept of “character” also arose as a point of contention in the earlier meeting

a solution to how Colorado handles its property tax policy, saying more people should be represented at the table in hammering out a plan.

She favors that “instead of having (talks) in a smoky dark room and popping this on all

of the county Planning Commission.

Comprehensive plans and land-use 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.”

Teal, another commissioner, also felt the density went too far.

Jill Repella, with the development team, eventually said the proposal could be changed to increase the home lot sizes “a bit.” e development team is “making the commitment that we can increase half the lot sizes,” said Repella, who is a former Douglas County commissioner.

Laydon said he appreciated

of us a week before the session ends,” she said.

Note: e state legislature’s regular session was set to end in early May, and the Democrats’ proposal could be amended after this story was nalized.

the concession.

Repella said some nearby residents want the proposed lot size to expand to 1- to 1 1/2-acre lots.

“We’re not going to get to that, but we’re going to” work on a change, she said. omas praised the proposal’s planning as it relates to water resources.

“What it appears to me is that this developer has chosen to ( gure out) how many homes they can put on this parcel (and) cluster them together so they can get a central water and wastewater system, which is gold,” omas said, adding that it “gives the neighborhood a better opportunity to maintain those wells that Ms. Repella talked about.”

Avoiding having new homes “sucking wells out of the aquifer” is a part of the plan that “saves your wells,” omas said.

“I thought that is the genius in this,” she said.

ISLA VERDE

FROM PAGE 1

other items from Havana’s menu but then added dishes from his own homeland.

“We, as Puerto Ricans, we like explosions of avors,” Rivera said. “We use a little bit more seasonings than the Cubans, but it’s very similar.”

e professionally trained chef, who started cooking in his father’s restaurant when he was just 15 years old, said he takes simple food like mofongo — fried plantains that have been mashed with garlic and the customer’s choice of protein — and elevates it with artful, sophisticated plating.

“Our food is very colorful, full of avors and happiness,” Rivera said.

Burch’s favorite entree is the short rib with beans and rice.

“ e braised beef short rib is just this huge dinosaur-bone-looking rib that has braised beef with a rosemary demi-glace,” Burch said.

“It cooks for 12-14 hours overnight. And then when it’s ready the next day, that sucker just falls o the bone. It’s so good.”

In addition to the menu, the new owners are rolling out a few other changes. e tradition of live music, however, isn’t one of them.

Musicians play at Isla Verde from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on ursday and Saturday evenings. Burch said

they’ve developed a following of folks that come to dance. He’s looking forward to moving the festivities onto the restaurant’s patio once the weather warms up.

Inside, there are plans to extend Isla Verde’s bar across the back of the restaurant’s dining room. Near the front door, two of the glass display cases will be removed to make room for a host stand which will aid in the business’s transition from a counter service eatery to full-service restaurant. Permanent signs with Isla Verde’s name and logo are also in the works.  e restaurant’s two murals will

stay although they may also get an update, Burch said. e plan is to modify the rendering of the city of Havana so that it looks more like a Puerto Rican coastal town. In the meantime, the weathered blue shiplap walls, burlap swathed ceiling and exposed ductwork painted a cheery red give the restaurant a warm, easy-going air.

“When you walk in, you really get the feel of what it’s like to be on the island — everything from the drinks to the food to the atmosphere,” Burch said. “It’s kind of like a step out of the mountains and a step into the beach.”

Isla Verde Puerto Rican Cocina & Bar is at 19757 Pikes Peak Avenue in Parker. It’s open for lunch, dinner and take-out Tuesday through Sunday.

Mofongo, an Isla Verde specialty made with mashed plantains, is ready for a take-out customer on April 19.

Murals on the walls of Isla Verde Puerto Rican Cocina & Bar in Parker help transport guests to the Caribbean.

Isla Verde Cocina & Bar serves Puerto Rican cuisine one block o of Mainstreet in Parker.

PHOTOS BY RACHEL LORENZ

of installation, custom installation charges, equipment upgrades/add-ons, and certain other add’l fees & chrgs. See directv.com/directv-fees/ for additional information. $10/MO. AUTOPAY AND PAPERLESS BILL DISCOUNT: Must enroll in autopay & paperless bill within 30 days of TV activation to receive bill credit starting in 1-3 bill cycles (pay $10 more/mo. until discount begins). Must maintain autopay/paperless bill and valid email address to continue credits. DIRECTV SVC TERMS: Subject to Equipment Lease & Customer Agreements. All o ers, packages, programming, promotions, features, terms, restrictions and conditions and all prices and fees not included in price guarantee are subject to change without notice. Package, Advanced Receiver Service Fee, Regional Sports Fee (varies by zip code) and equipment fees for TV connections are included in two-year price guarantee. Taxes, surcharges, add-on programming (including premium channels), protection plan, transactional fees, and Federal Cost Recovery Fee are not included in two-year price guarantee. Some o ers may not be available through all channels and in select areas. Di erent o ers may apply for eligible multi-dwelling unit. Visit directv.com/legal/ or call for details. Access HBO Max through HBO Max app or hbomax.com with your DIRECTV log-in credentials. Visit directv.com to verify/create your account. Use of HBO Max is subject to its own terms and conditions, see hbomax.com/terms-of-use for details. Programming and content subj. to change. Requires account to stay in good standing. Upon cancellation of your video service you may lose access to HBO Max. If

The losses will mount

During a recent vacation, I was able to meet and talk with several people who are from the Denver area. What I found interesting is what they told me their plans for the future hold.

You see, they did not talk about a love for Colorado or Denver in terms of living day-to-day. ey love the parks, trails, mountains and wildlife. However, they are not happy with the direction this state is headed.

One family is changing. A couple is getting married. She has a daughter, and he has a young teenage daughter. e upcoming family of four will not be staying in Denver as their new life begins. Instead, they they cannot a ord to come together and live here.

He is a teacher. He said the salaries for teachers in Colorado are some of the worst in the nation. at means he is looking elsewhere.

e couple, once married, will be moving to Texas where teachers are paid a lot better.

Let that sink in. Texas, which makes the news regularly for politics in schools and other controversies, is about to gain a lovely family to improve their economy and communities.

Besides not being able to make it work on a professional level — the couple also said they cannot a ord to nd a home to come together as a new family. Costs are too high. Property taxes are high because of valuations — believe me, I have read mine. at means Texas will get a new-home purchasing family.

To stress, this is a family that contributes to our economy, attends our schools and has a truly positive impact on our local communities. is is a

family we are about to lose.

Given current living conditions — they cannot stay here.

Moving on to another gentleman that I had a lovely conversation with while waiting for a boat to leave for deep-sea shing: He talked about working in the Denver metro area and along the Front Range, and said his wife, in law enforcement, works in another state.

He said given the current nature of politics in not just Colorado, but all over the U.S., he and his wife will likely be living in another country in the next few years.

Again, a well-established couple who works hard and contributes positively to our country — does not want to be here anymore.

Look at our own legislature in Colorado. With the 2023 session ending on May 8, the day this column was written, the Democratic majority waited until the very last minute to even consider addressing the property tax issue. Let’s face it — it was not exactly a secret. So – focusing on left-leaning priorities and ghting with the Republicans the majority of the session did nothing to help local families want to stay here. In fact, in my neighborhood I’ve had plenty of discussions with moms who say when school is out — so are they.

Good families are leaving our state for another state. Young couples are saying they do not even want to be in our country anymore.

While these are quiet conversations I have had on a trip or in picking my kids up from school — the sentiments are loud and I am willing to bet a lot of families and residents are getting fed up.

And, as they move away, so will the sensible voters lawmakers might need in the next big election.

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The freedom to read Recently, the Douglas County Library Board held their monthly business meeting. e meeting was well-attended, something that usually doesn’t happen. But this session was no ordinary business meeting. e board allows a period at the beginning for public comments. Almost

two dozen citizens spoke, ostensibly about one controversial illustrated book — “ e Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish” — held in the public library stacks. e board rightly adhered to its published policy related to the process of reviewing

Receiving and giving light and love

Do you have people that you get to see often, maybe daily, weekly, or monthly, and whenever you do have the opportunity to meet with them, they always seem joyful bringing light and love to the atmosphere? Some of us are truly blessed to have a few of these bright and cheerful people in our lives, making us feel better whenever we are together. Some of the folks who bring me such great joy whenever we meet, speak, or even text seem to know exactly when to reach out as there are times I am facing a challenge, a tight deadline, or just trying to keep up with the pace of the race. eir intuition is uncanny, as they either just show up, call, or send me a really funny text message, bringing some much-needed light and love to my day, or even in the moment.

As I have traveled quite a bit in my career, one of my favorite pastimes is people watching. Is that something you enjoy as well? And I love it when perfect strang-

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ers become the light and the love for me. Watching a group of people or a family laughing out loud as they share jokes and stories. I was watching this one family as I waited to board my ight and they were traveling with their grandfather. I couldn’t hear what was said, but they all started laughing hysterically, and the grandfather was laughing so hard with huge belly laughs and tears streaming down his face, I started laughing just watching him laugh so hard and I didn’t even know what I was laughing about.

When it comes to people watching, I have several other scenarios that always bring a smile to my face and warm my heart; watching parents being really attentive to their children instead of being buried in their phone, couples holding hands as they sit or walk together, strangers stepping up to help another traveler should they have dropped something or needed help in some other way, my fellow travelers greeting each other, the airline sta and ight crew with the courtesy they deserve, and so many other acts of being the light, love and kindness in this world.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Parker Chronicle

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A legal newspaper of general circulation in Parker, Colorado, the Chronicle is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124.. Send address change to: Parker Chronicle, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

Thelma Grimes

Parker Days returns stronger in 2023

CHAMBER

Parker’s Favorite Weekend is quickly approaching. Once again, the annual Parker Days Festival takes over Downtown Parker the second weekend of June.

Last year marked the triumphant return of the festival after two years dark. Many people think that Parker Days is an event sponsored by the Town. In fact, Parker Days is a private festival owned by the Parker Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation. ere was huge uncertainty about whether the festival could survive after nancial challenges caused by the two-year COVID gap.

After a lot of soul-searching, nancial planning, heated discussions (and, I’m guessing, some prayers), the Chamber’s board of directors made the decision to nd a way. ere would be no safety net.

pocket.

Our festival managers, Dean and Peg Menos, made miracles happen on a daily basis – navigating permits, wooing vendors, implementing security plans, erecting miles of fencing and electrical equipment. I asked them to make impossible staging timeframes work in order to lessen impact on Downtown businesses, and like the pros they are, Dean and Peg nodded yes. When you see them at this year’s festival, thank them for saving it. No one deserves more credit.

Many of our food vendors let us hold on to 2020 fees – interest free – until we were able to reboot in 2022. at was huge. We gambled with their dollars.

to be di erent in 2023. ere are a few things.

First, we’re opening the carnival rides one night earlier, on ursday, and we’re o ering Family 4-Packs so that families can save money and enjoy the rides on a less-busy night.

e revenue from that extra night of rides will help us cope with skyrocketing prices on everything from printing to fencing.

Best of all, proceeds from this year’s festival will fund community grants. We’ve already written checks to both Rotary clubs, Dads of Parker, the Miss Colorado organization, Parker Adventist Hospital, the Mountain Pine Woman’s Club, and more this year. Money you spend at Parker Days 2023 will be returned to Parker organizations in 2024.

I’m super proud of that. While my birthday is still postponed until after the festival, I’m not having as many nightmares. I have even promised my sta that I will take time to dance to at 80’s Band on Sunday night.

Come on, Parker. Let’s party.

RTD came through for us, allowing us to use a portion of the Park-andRide so that we could unify the carnival areas and increase public safety. e Senior Center said “yes” to a couple of my wacky ideas. Grace Baptist, as usual, were incredibly generous with their land. Volunteers from local nonpro ts rallied volunteers to serve beverages. Parker Adventist Hospital gave us a sponsorship that almost made me weep.

ere will be a big screen at the Main Stage, thanks to a beautiful sponsorship from Groove Mazda. We’ve moved our second stage to the parking lot just east of e Local, so you’ll see a lot more activity in the center of the festival. We’ve added a Salute to the Armed Forces area on the east end that will be extremely cool. You’ll notice more decoration at the entrances. We’ve invested in faster machines to run credit cards.

T.J. Sullivan is the President & CEO of the Parker Chamber of Commerce. Find him on Instagram at @ParkerChamberCEO.

I was the new guy at the helm, and I had never been responsible for an event this size. I’m a fairly con dent guy, but it was scary as hell. enancial reserves of the Chamber were entirely depleted on the gamble that we could pull o a 2022 festival. I had nightmares of being the guy who killed both the festival and the chamber.

e stakes were so huge that I canceled my birthday. I told friends and family that it was o cially moved from early June to early July. I couldn’t deal with any distractions from the job at hand. It felt like we were planning the Super Bowl.

Fortunately, I had a few aces in my

We signi cantly beefed up security and dramatically cut our marketing budget. We cut everything that drained dollars or sta resources. We hunted down every upbeat party band in Colorado. We added a Silent Disco and an awesome train running up and down Mainstreet.

Fortunately, fate was on our side. Mother Nature largely cooperated, and most critically, the crowds turned out.   ank you, thank you, thank you! 2022 ended up the most successful year of the festival in its 47 year history.

People have asked me what’s going

removing disfavored perspectives and people minorities from public purview.

Amy Joy Halliburton, 40, of Centennial, CO, passed away on April 21, 2023.

Amy was born to David and Connie Reed of Parker, CO, on July 23, 1982. She is survived by her husband Logan Halliburton, three children, Nova, Dax, and Kai, of Centennial, CO, her parents David and Connie Reed of Parker, CO, her sisters Sonya Lake (Tom) of Phoenix, AZ and Stephanie Healy (Ryan), her brother Tyler Reed, her grandmother Annette Reed, all

HALLIBURTON Amy Joy (Reed) Halliburton July 23, 1982 - April 21, 2023 FROM

of Parker, CO, her basement gnome, Lucy Hinesley and many wonderful aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins whom Amy loved dearly. She is preceded in death by her grandfather Everett Reed and her grandparents Frank and Dorothy Larson. Out of respect for Amy’s wishes there will not be a service. In lieu of owers, please consider donating to a charity or organization that you feel would honor Amy best.

book complaints led by citizens.

Because the book touched on the subject of drag queens’ clothing, some of the public commenters wanted the book removed from the shelves, while others suggested that the book be locked away in a “special place.”

At the same time, just as many commenters supported keeping the book available on open shelves.

In this time of divisiveness and culture wars, many of us take one side or another about things like book bans. Taking sides often has multi-aspects that are practical, as well as ideological … sometimes religious, even bigoted. ese days, when a minority group is the target of book complaints, there’s often a bigger ideological trigger in play at places like the DougCo Library Board meeting.

Based on the behaviors and words o ered by a few at the library board meeting, there are local people who would like the issue of freedom to read, to be subjugated to their ideological pre-approval, even to the point of

Many believe Douglas County Library is a public system second to none. And fortunately, the Douglas County Library adheres to the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights.

“1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information and enlightenment of all people of the community, which the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background or views of those contributing to their creation.

“2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

“3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the ful llment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.”

Well, the Library Bill of Rights surely covers the “Swish, Swish, Swish” issue. If not, the 1st Amendment stands at the ready, not just for the few, but everyone.

Lloyd Guthrie Roxborough Park

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Pools around the metro area are gearing up to open for the summer. at is, if there are enough lifeguards.

e years-long trend where pools have cut hours or closed altogether appears to be waning, though it’s still a possibility in some places, according to aquatics managers across the Denver area, who are more optimistic than in past years, but still concerned as summer nears.

For instance, South Suburban Parks and Recreation needs 250 lifeguards for its peak summer season but has only 183 ready to go.

Karl Brehm, the recreation dis-

trict’s aquatics manager, hopes to get closer to the goal as summer approaches but wonders why applications are so slow to roll in.

“I have seen, more and more, less interest in the position,” Brehm said.

He’s been in the business for a long time. Brehm worked at Elitch Gardens for ve seasons and the Highlands Ranch Community Association for 16 years. He said he’s seen a general lack of interest, generationally, from young people who want to do the job. Fewer people are becoming CPR certi ed as well, he added.

“I’ve often wondered why we were having those issues,” Brehm said. “Back in the day, I remember if you didn’t have

your job by spring break, you weren’t getting a summer job.”  e problem could a ect South Suburban pools across the district, which serves more than 150,000 residents in Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Littleton, Sheridan, Lone Tree and parts of Centennial and Douglas, Je erson and Arapahoe counties.

If he can’t hire enough lifeguards, hours at pools could be cut, Brehm said. It’s not for a lack of trying, though. e district has introduced incentives, bonuses, pay bumps and more in hopes of luring in more lifeguards.

South Suburban isn’t alone.  ere’s a national lifeguard shortage, which was exacerbated by the pandemic. Lifeguard shortages a ected roughly a third of public pools throughout

the country.

In response last year, Gov. Jared Polis announced a “Pools Special Initiative 2022,” in which Colorado introduced incentives. Chief among them was a $1,000 payment to those who completed lifeguard training to ght pool postponements and decreasing operating hours.

Now, out of necessity, hiring lifeguards is ongoing throughout the entire summer season, Brehm said. Lifeguards for South Suburban make between $15 and $19.14 per hour, per South Suburban’s website. A head lifeguard makes $15.75 - $19.93 per hour.

But there are additional costs to South Suburban. ough life-

LIFEGUARDS

guards are generally seen as rst-time, fun summer jobs, they must possess crucial knowledge regarding saving human lives. A full-course lifeguard training at South Suburban through Red Cross costs $175. Community First Aid, CPR and AED training/ blended learning costs $80. After 75 hours of work, South Suburban reimburses course fees, excluding the $40 certi cation fee.

Despite such incentives, lifeguards still make less than sports o cials at South Suburban. A youth sports o cial starts at $20.00 per hour.

North of Denver, in Federal Heights, the Hyland Hills Parks and Recreation, a youth baseball/softball umpire makes $65 per 90 minutes. A Pilates instructor for Brighton makes $1 more than a lifeguard per hour. e discrepancy is notable, especially considering most lifeguards work on a part-time basis.

Yet, the lifeguard numbers are booming for Hyland Hills. Generally, the district employs roughly 300 lifeguards per season. is season, it’s closer to 375, according to Director of Communications Joann Cortez.

e main focus in hiring and retaining their lifeguards at Hyland Hills pools and the massive Water World water park is legacy, Cortez said. Water World is in its 43rd operating season.

“We’ve been in the water park business for over 40 years, and we’re very aware of the nationwide shortage of lifeguards,” she said. “I think what has helped us is we have a legacy pool of candidates. Kids often know Water World just from coming for the experience, and if one of their older siblings takes a job with us, eventually the ones that are following can’t wait for their turn. We’re just very, very fortunate in that way.”

Cortez said Hyland Hills is committed to creating a memorable rst-job experience. It should be fun, but also taken seriously. It’s a constant balance of managing a “fun job” and literally monitoring people’s lives daily. Recruiting is big, and so are the incentives. e employees get free soft drinks, free membership, and even fun events like “prom night” during the season.

Hyland Hills has an end-of-season bonus as well, with the ability to earn an additional dollar per hour’s pay. e lifeguards’ pay ranges depending on the position, such as a guard lifeguard, a shallow-water lifeguard and a deep-water lifeguard.

On the Water World website, lifeguards are hired at $16.15 per hour. A “lifeguard attendant” makes $16.00 per hour. Returning lifeguards make slightly more depending on experience. Cortez said the main factor in keeping employees is how they treat them.

“We’re in a very favorable position, but we’re sad there aren’t enough lifeguards to go around,” Cortez said.

Meanwhile, local pools and recreation centers around the Denver area have conducted pointed campaigns to ensure their numbers are sustainable and their pools are ready for the masses.

While it remains to be seen if that strategy will work for South Suruban, it seems to be working elsewhere. Recreation centers in the City of Brighton, for example, are fully sta ed ahead of the summer. ey were last year, too.

“It’s been tough at di erent agencies, municipalities, and neighborhood pools. ere was de nitely a lifeguard shortage the last several years, especially

last year,” said Je rey Hulett, assistant director of recreation services for Brighton. “But we were fully sta ed last year.”

ere have been a number of initiatives and incentives they’ve introduced to get ahead of the lifeguard shortage crisis, he said. It was a top-tobottom e ort in Brighton to make sure the crisis was minimized. Pay was a main focus. It wasn’t too long ago they were paying lifeguards just $13 per hour, he said. Now, it’s up to $17. And it goes up each season for returnees. Head lifeguards make roughly $1.50 more per hour.

Recreation bene ts were expanded to the sta and their families, even part-time employees. at includes complimentary membership to the recreation center and discounts on youth programs.

ere’s also an end-of-season bonus for those that work the entire summer.

e grants from the governor’s o ce gave Brighton exibility to expand e orts in hiring and retaining employees. According to Aquatics Supervisor Nicole Chapman, it can be di cult to retain lifeguards for pools and centers too big or too small. Brighton, fortunately, was right in a “sweet spot.”

“Some of the much larger municipalities are running into an issue where, physically, the sta we hire are local kids who want to work at their local pool,” Chapman explained. “And if they get hired on by a larger municipality, the expectation is to expect your sta to be willing to work at any of your city rec facilities, and that’s just not feasible for a lot of

Brighton only has two locations — the Brighton Recreation Center and Brighton Oasis Family Aquatic Park — and Chapman said, and there are options for those living on either side of the city. But it’s still a small enough area that employees can work at both locations.

Perhaps back in the day, they could wait for the applications, and they’d have more than they knew what to do with come pool season. Now, that’s simply not the case. Recruiting is essential, both in the high schools and at job fairs, as well as providing a ordable training opportunities and classes in-house — something Hulett said they’d never do before.

Brighton had 88 lifeguards in 2022, which is considered fully sta ed. ey currently have 70 lifeguards for the upcoming summer, but Chapman said she expects those numbers to ll out to 88 again considering guards in training are set to graduate from classes by the end of the month.

Meanwhile, back in South Suburban, Brehm is looking for dozens more lifeguards to fully sta pools this summer.

High school students and student athletes are encouraged to apply. ey can learn valuable skills and essential life-saving procedures they’ll carry with them forever, Brehm said. Plus, it’s an ideal time for student athletes to make money, considering many sports are inactive over the summer.

As the pandemic continues to dwindle, the lifeguard participation numbers are expected to make a leap. But the job itself, and those working it, must be valued consistently to hire and retain those numbers season after season.

younger kids that don’t have their own transportation. ey’re really there looking for a summer job around the corner.”

“We really look for not just kids, but really anyone who is going to take the job seriously and understand just how much of a vital role they play every summer in keeping the community safe,” Chapman said. “We really try to emphasize that with our sta , and there are always sta members that really take that to heart, and those are the ones we want to see come back.”

Finding a balance between making sure lifeguards understand the seriousness of the role and not taking all the fun out of the job is a ne line to walk, she said. But they have to walk it every season.

The lifeguard shortage has become a crisis nationwide. Local pools and recreation centers have worked overtime to ensure its e ects on them are minimal this season. COURTESY CITY OF BRIGHTON

Miners Alley play raises tough questions

Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave. in Golden, will present “The Oldest Boy: A Play in Three Ceremonies” by Sarah Rule. It’s described as: “In this moving exploration of parenthood, an American mother and a Tibetan father have a 3-year-old son believed to be the reincarnation of a Buddhist lama. When a Tibetan lama and a monk come to their home unexpectedly, asking to take their child away for a life of spiritual training in India, the parents must make a life-altering choice that will test their strength, their marriage, and their hearts.” From May 19 through June 11. Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. 303-935-3044, minersalley. com.

‘Elizabeth Rex’

Eleven Minutes Theatre Company will present “Elizabeth Rex,” by Timothy Findley. Elizabeth I meets an actor. At The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora. 720333-3499. Through May 13. 720333-3499, 11minutestheatre.com.

Summer reading

Douglas County Libraries present a Summer of Reading: “Dog Days of Summer” with a free summer lunch program for those younger than 18 at Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch and Parker. (Castle Rock will be moving into its new building.) No meals June 19 or July 4. Program runs through July 28. Holiday May 29 for Memorial Day. See dcl.org.

Curious Theatre

Curious eatre Company presents “On the Exhale,” featuring outgoing leaders, Dee Covington in a one-woman show, directed by Chip Walton. Runs May 6-June 10, at Curious eatre, 1080 Acoma St., Denver. 303-623-0524, curioustheatre.org.

Art exhibit

Paint Box Guild will open a juried show at Bemis Library, 6014 S. Datura St. in Littleton through May. is is the 50th Anniversary year for the Paint Box Guild.

Photo show

Lone Tree Arts Center presents “Exploring the Light Photo Show,” through June 5. Tunes on the Terrace: June 23, July 7, July 21, Aug. 4. See lonetreeartscenter.org.

Walking tours

Historic Walking Tours — onehour walk in downtown Littleton on First Fridays at 6 p.m. Dates will be added during Western Welcome Week in August. To be announced. Meet in front of the Old Courthouse on Littleton Boulevard.

Summer music

Summer concerts at Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street. July 17 — Fitz and the Tantrums. July 24 — Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Aug. 1 —Andy Grammer. Aug. 2 — Steep Canyon Rangers and Amythyst Kiah. August 9 — Ozomatli. See botanicgardens.org.

ACC fundraiser

Arapahoe Community College

Art and Design Center and ACC Foundation invite you to enjoy art experiences at a fundraiser on May 18 from 6:30 to9 p.m. at the Art and Design Center, corner of Prince and Alamo from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Scanning, photography, ceramics, silkscreen, jewelry.

Music festival

Colorado Music Festival o ers 20 di erent concerts at the Chautauqua Auditorium, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder. June 29 through Aug. 6. See chautauqua.com.

Art comes back

Denver Art Museum will unveil three reimagined Hamilton Building Collection Galleries on May 14. African Arts, Forms of Power, Modern and Contemporary Art. Some have been in storage for more than a decade. Some new acquisitions will also be shown. The Arts of Oceana Gallery will reopen with a site specific work by Niki Hastings-

McFall: large “Lei-bombing” installations. See denverartmuseum. org.

Opera season

Central City Opera starts with “Romeo and Juliet” on June 2 adding “Kiss Me Kate” and “Othello.” On some days, an Opera Bus is available. On others, the printout we have says a “lunch and a song.” ere are performances in afternoons and a few evenings at 7 p.m. See centralcityopera.org.

Art at library

Smoky Hill Library at 5430 S. Biscay Circle in Centennial, has an exhibit of art by Casey Kawaguchi, who started of as a gra tti artist. May is Paci c Islander Month.

855-908-2383

Master puppeteer Cory Gilstrap poses with one of his creations. His work is a crucial part of “The Oldest Boy: A Play in Three Ceremonies” at Miners Alley Playhouse.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MINERS ALLEY PLAYHOUSE

SONYA’S SAMPLER of

Thu 5/18

Wind, Women, & Water Clinic

@ 4:30pm / $55

Cherry Creek Reservoir, 4800 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 303-757-7718

Son Little @ 6pm

Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W. Florida Ave., Denver

Sun 5/21

Something For Tomorrow @ 5pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Smile Empty Soul @ 5pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Teague Starbuck @ 5pm

The Pint Room, 2620 W Belleview Ave, Lit‐tleton

Violent Femmes: performing the debut album cover to cover @ 5pm Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W. Florida Ave., Denver

Less Than Perfect @ 5pm Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Thu 5/25

Gii Astorga @ 4pm Jacks on Pearl, 1475 S Pearl St, Denver

Sygnal To Noise @ 5pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Death Valley Dreams @ 5pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Dibu

@ 5pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

AOA: Cooking with Friends: Meatless Meatloaf @ Platt Park @ 5pm Platt Park Recreation Center, 1500 S. Grant St., Denver. 720-913-0654

Fri 5/19

Kowan Turner @ 7pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Sat 5/20

Within Destruction @ 6pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Wed 5/24

Rachel Baiman @ 6pm Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

The Sweet Lillies @ 3pm Breckenridge Brewery, 2920 Brewery Ln, Littleton

Tony Goffredi: Tony G w/Mike @2 Penguins @ 5pm

2 Penguins Tap and Grill, 13065 E Briarwood Ave, Centennial

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

The Stone Eye @ 5pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

The Nocturnal Affair @ 5pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Chatham Rabbits: Tuft Theater at Swallow Hill @ 7pm

Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

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IF YOU GO

On May 19, conductor Rene Knetsch will lead the 70-member Parker Symphony Orchestra in a concert called “Arabian Nights” at the PACE Center.

In a recent talk for residents of Vita in Littleton, Knetsch described the program, with help from concertmaster/violinist Nadya Hill and cellist Cheri Swisher, who played passages of music from the program as he explained it.

“Bachinal Brasilieros # 5 for Soprano and Cellos” by Heitor VillaLobos begins the program. The text is Brazilian Portuguese, which is more melodic than European Portuguese. The multi-talented Hill, who also performs as a soprano, will sing the aria.

FREEDOM. TO BE YOU.

Knetsch commented.) Hill, Parker Symphony’s concertmaster, played a segment from it.

Next will be Carl Nielsen’s “Aladdin Suite opus 34.” He was a Danish composer who taught at the Royal Danish Academy until 1931. He played second violin in the Royal Danish Orchestra for seven years.

“Scheherazade” by Nicoloy Rimsky-Korsakov, one of his most famous works, tells the tale of the young woman who told stories for a cruel sultan. It had previously been his custom to spend a night with a young virgin, then kill her in the morning.

Scheherazade would always stop midway through her story, when the sultan would fall asleep and

concert, but this one does. He was charmed the first time he heard the work, less so now. Hill said it was fun and showed a spirit coming out of the First World War. Knecht’s wife, Lynn, also a Parker Symphony violinist, commented that is “very accessible.” She added: “We wouldn’t be playing this music if we didn’t have Cheri and Nadya.”

Knecht said that after the “Scheherazade” opening, the heavy music reflects the sultan’s anger — it’s increasingly difficult to play. Hill played the leitmotif from “Scheherezade,” a familiar theme, then heavy music portraying the angry king, a theme that has become familiar for angry kings ... a devil tone, repeated many times. “I find

it difficult every time we play it,” Swisher said.

“Nothing here is very simple,” Knecht agreed.

In the early part, the cello is Sinbad’s ship, with the violin playing on top ... The theme repeats in the fourth movement. He wrote the tri-tone on purpose, a “Devil tone,” Knecht commented.

Knecht taught at Arapahoe Community College for 17 years, he said.

He also told a bit about the upcoming fall season. “In October, we will perform the Beethoven Violin Concerto, with the concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Yumi Hwang Wang, playing on her 1748 Guadagnini instrument.”

The Parker Symphony Orchestra will perform in its “Arabian Nights” concert on May 19 at the PACE Center.

PHOTO FROM PARKER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FACEBOOK PAGE

Parker Symphony Orchestra will perform on May 19

The PACE Center box o ce is open noon to 5, Monday to Saturday. Tickets start at $24. 303-805-6800, parkerarts.org.

A summer of musical adventure at the Arvada Center

Over the years, the Arvada Center’s Summer Concert series has consistently proven itself to be a true gem of the summer. It’s like your favorite neighborhood spot has thrown open its doors for a few hundred friends to get together and hear some great music.

As it gears up for its 2023 season, that feeling is even stronger and more appreciated by audiences, as Philip C. Sneed, president and CEO of the Center, can attest.

“Concerts are back in full force after the pandemic,” he said. “We’re so pleased with the acts we have this year, which includes some returning favorites and some that have never been here before.”  e initial wave of concerts at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., is:

June 3 — Denver Gay Men’s Chorus: Divas – Icons and Justice Warriors

June 24 —  e Denver Brass: In Pursuit of Leisure

June 30 — A Night at the Movies with the Colorado Symphony

July 3 — Toad the Wet Sprocket with special guest, Cracker

July 7 — Indigo Girls with full band and Garrison Starr

July 15 — Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra

July 21 — George orogood and

Being on the receiving end of someone showing up for me as the light and love in my life feels so awesome. It doesn’t matter if it’s a family member, friend, co-worker, or perfect stranger, all that matters is that I am open to seeing it, hearing it, or experiencing it, and allowing that light and love to move inside of me. Receiving the light and love is one thing, but do we recognize our obligation to be the

COMING ATTRACTIONS

the Destroyers: Bad All Over the World – 50 Years of Rock Tour

July 28 — Mozart

Under the Moonlight with the Colorado Symphony

July 29 — Face Vocal Band

Aug. 12 — Boz Scaggs

Aug. 13 — Ben Folds

Sept. 8 — Keb’ Mo’ ere will also be some special performances that haven’t been announced yet.

Longtime attendees may notice the Center is pulling more wellknown national acts in the last years and Sneed attributes this to steady growth in the venue’s reputation.

“Even a few years ago, I don’t think we’ve have been able to get some of these acts,” he said. “A big part of it is the venue, which feels intimate but still has a lot of seats. Word is getting around about how great a place the Center is.”

e variety of performers allows music fans to indulge in any style they like and local favorites like the Colorado Symphony and Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra are always exploring new ways to draw listen-

light and love for others, even when we don’t know that we are actually doing it?

ink of the last time you were out to dinner with your spouse or friend, and you were having such a great time eating, drinking and sharing stories. You were probably smiling, laughing and having such a good time that you didn’t realize the impact you were having on others who probably wished they were sitting with you. ere could have been a di erent couple in that same pub or restaurant going through a di cult time, and just because your positive light, love

ers in, like performing selections from popular lm scores.

e Center itself is also a key factor in what makes seeing a performance so special — there are art shows at the indoor galleries and students all over the place taking a variety of arts classes.

“I love the energy here and the concerts allow people to experience that energy,” Sneed said. “I love sitting outside and listening to the music and seeing people lighting up for their favorite artists. It’s just a great place to be.”

For information and tickets, visit https://arvadacenter.org/music-and-dance/summer-concerts.

Go on a magical adventure with El Espiritu Natural

The plot of Su Teatro’s “El Espiritu Natural; the Spirit of Nature,” sounds straight out of classic Disney — sisters NitaLuna and NeldaRio face off against “The Absence,” which, according to provided information, is “an overpowering memory-reducing force that threatens their history, traditions, and very existence.” The story also features appearances by La Llorona, Ehecatl and Barack Obama.  is transporting show will appear at Northglenn’s Parsons eatre, 1 E. Memorial Parkway, at

and energy were so contagious, pretty soon they too forgot their woes and began a new and loving conversation.

Is it our responsibility to be the light and love for others? Maybe it depends on who we ask. My answer is yes, because I believe we are called to be both light and love in this world. e world can seem very dark right now, but just remember that there is no such thing as darkness, there is only an absence of light. So let’s bring it.

Do you enjoy being around people who make you happier just by being in their presence? Does

7 p.m. on Friday, May 12 and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 13. Information and tickets can be found at https:// northglennarts.org/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Caroline Polachek at Mission Ballroom

It is always fun to trace a performer’s arc, especially when you get to see them really grow into themselves. That’s the case with Caroline Polachek, who formed her first band, Charlift, while a student at the University of Colorado Boulder. When I first wrote about her all the way back (kidding) in 2021, she was playing the Bluebird and then she opened for Dua Lipa at Ball Arena last year. And now in support of her fantastic sophomore album, “Desire, I Want to Turn Into You,” she’s headlining Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver.

Polachek will be performing at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, and she has a killer lineup joining her — openers are indie rock legend Alex G and up-and-coming talent Indigo De Souza. is has the potential to be one of the season’s best shows, so get tickets at www.axs.com.

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

your heart come alive when you see or experience moments of love and light happening around you?

I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can enjoy the light and love of others and be the light and love for those who need it, 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.

Clarke Reader

Pondo scores twice in final minutes to edge Huskies

rivalry game,” Ponderosa coach Andrew Trietley said. “We view it as a rivalry game because the towns are so close to each other and the social circles of the kids all intertwine. So this was a good win.”

Rivalry or not, it was wildly enter-

Moments after Ponderosa’s Camden Stanley scored in tra c to even the score at 4 apiece, Nolan Case responded with a goal of his own to put the Huskies on top 5-4 with 5 minutes, 16 seconds remaining.

With 3:31 left and a man down for Douglas County, Stanley leveled the score at 5-all when he corralled a pass from Garrett Katrana in the X and slung it into the cords.

Less than a minute later, and with Ponderosa in possession again, Caden D’Lallo passed the ball forward to Ryder Richardson, who turned and stuck it in the corner of the net for a 6-5 Mustangs lead.

e Huskies forced a turnover with 21 seconds left, but Connor Jenkins’ last-second shot rolled just past Ponderosa’s cage.

east side of Douglas County, it’s a

A day of baseball to honor Englewood legend Harry Wise

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Following a doubleheader at the stadium named for him, Englewood High School baseball legend Harry Wise will be honored with a celebration of life ceremony. e games on May 6 are meant to honor and remember Wise’s legacy as a teacher and multi-sport coach who was an inspiration to multiple generations of players. Wise passed away at age 95 in December, but word of his death has only recently come to light publicly.

By the accounts of colleagues who also call themselves friends, Wise had a spectacular life lled with countless accolades, Hall of Fame ceremonies, and lots of winning on the diamond. He was also a military veteran who served during World War II, and a standout ball player in college who turned pro. But according to Je Jones, who played for, coached with, and employed Wise, the celebration will be simple, just as Wise would have wanted it.

e Englewood High School varsity baseball team will host back-to-back

games at 10 a.m. and noon, followed by a tribute to him at 3800 S. Logan St. Jones is one of the organizers of the event.

“Harry loved the community,” said Jones, who coached with Wise for three years following his college baseball career in the 80s. Jones also spent nearly 30 years at the Englewood Recreation Center with the city.

“He actually prepared elds for us,” Jones added. “He prepared and lined elds for us for many, many years. Anybody that grew up in Englewood would have seen him on the elds. He’s always down there taking care of it during the day, mowing the in eld on his own. e attention to detail and his work ethic, it was second-to-none.”

Younger players and audiences wouldn’t recognize Wise for his own stardom on the diamond. at’s what happens when a legend becomes a servant of the community he loves.

Below is a loose timeline of Wise’s career accolades and milestones, as detailed by Ken Summers, who played for Wise in the 70s and coached junior varsity baseball and volleyball at Englewood with Wise for two years.

Early life and college:

Wise was born on Nov. 18, 1927 and raised on the family farm in Platteville, south of Greeley, graduating from Platteville High School in 1944. He played football, basketball and track because there was no baseball team. After high school, he was recruited to attend Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado) to play basketball and baseball for Coach Peter Butler.

His college days were interrupted by serving in the military during World War II. After that, he returned to college playing football, basketball, and baseball. He was outstanding in basketball earning rst team all-conference honors and leading the league in scoring. He was also an honorable mention All-American.

In baseball he was a dominating pitcher. He only lost one game in his college career. In 1949, he pitched a three-hit complete game of University of Southern California to earn the CSC Bears a trip to the College World Series. He also had a batting average over .500. He was the rst All-American in the history of the college.

Professional career:

After college, he was signed by the Chicago Cubs and played minor

league baseball. He was with several teams, including the Topeka Cubs. In his best year, he pitched 24 complete games for a 19-5 record and a 0.89 ERA, leading the team to a league championship and earning MVP honors. However, an arm injury derailed his major league dream.  e Basin League in South Dakota was the place in the 1950s and 1960s that served as a recruiting and training ground for promising professional baseball players. He was a player and then player-coach in the league. As a pitcher, Wise holds the earned run average record (ERA) with 0.89 in 1955.

After a year away from the league, he returned to coach the Winner Pheasants. He also served as a scout for the Baltimore Orioles. He coached a young Jim Palmer, a star pitcher, and future hall of famer to a contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Wise would coach 15 future professional players during his years in the league. While at Englewood he signed one of his star pitchers, Mike Wegener, to a pro contract.

Teaching & coaching, later years:

Wise’s rst coaching and teaching

Ponderosa’s Lance Padilla looks to pass against Douglas County on May 1 at Douglas County School District Stadium. Ponderosa won the nonleague game 6-5.

PHOTO BY ALEX K.W. SCHULTZ SEE LACROSSE, P28

Standout golfer at Valor Christian signs with University of Montana

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For senior Elle Higgins, the grass is always greener when she’s on the fairway. It has treated her well at Valor Christian High School and now provides a unique opportunity to shine in college. Last month, she narrowed down her options, and chose the University of Montana as her new home.

Now, she re ects on her past and looks to her future at once. It’s a mixed bag of emotions when beginning a new chapter, but she’s more excited about the challenge than anything.

“I’m really excited to take it to the next level because I want to take golf as far as I can, even after college,” Higgins said. “I want to try to go on (pro) tour, if I can. So I’m excited to get more competition and more experience out there. I love Valor, and the golf program has been amazing. It’s sad to leave them.”

It’s easy to understand not wanting to let go of Valor Christian golf. For one, the Highlands Ranch-based program continues to see consistent success. It won back-to-back 5A Jeffco League Championships in 2021

and 2022. In 2022, four Eagles were named rstteam, all-conference golfers, including Higgins. Valor Christian enjoyed the largest margin of victory ever with 179 strokes in a shortened 2022 season.

Now, Higgins is sad to leave teammates, especially her sister, Brenna, (a current sophomore and all-conference golfer in her own right). e duo enjoyed two years of memorymaking and record-breaking golf on the green, but now that Higgins is graduating, she is looking to Brenna to lead the team. No one is more prepared or capable, she said, though a sibling rivalry burns deep.

“Obviously, playing with my sister on the same team is a blessing because we’re both pretty good. So, we drive each other’s competitive nature,” she said. “We also like to go against each other (through individual competitions).”

But who’s the better golfer?

“Well…,” Higgins said, laughing. “If you ask me that, I would say me. If you ask her that, she would say her. But I say that I’m handing [the torch] o to her.”

Dons and the Littleton Pioneers.

Growing up, the sisters would golf with their father, but Higgins said she never envisioned golf taking her so far. In fact, she said she never even took the sport seriously until her sophomore year. She was a soccer player, track runner, and mogul skier until she tore her ACL and had to rethink her options. Now she’s a Division I golfer, ready to win for the Grizzlies in Montana.

“It was pretty much everything I wanted: a school not too big, but also not small. It had a lot of the same things I grew up doing,” Higgins said. “It’s close to skiing and other outdoor stu , and everyone there had a really chill attitude, which is how I am. I loved the team. It was my favorite one out of all the [colleges] I talked to before. I just loved everything about it. I’m still speechless, really. I just never thought it would come to this point, but I’m glad it has.”

According to the NCAA, only about 2.8% of women playing high school golf go on to play at the Division I level.

Higgins is going to miss Valor’s coaches and guidance during tournaments, the practices with teammates, and lifting trophies. But she anticipates success at the next level

with room for improvement, like focusing on her bunker play. Head Coach Justen Byler said Higgins is the epitome of a Valor Christian student athlete, especially considering injuries and COVID-19 derailed her rst two seasons.

“Elle is one of those rare athletes that combines a true competitive spirit with the ability to grow in terms of her leadership,” Byler said. “And it’s a testimony to her determination, her grit, her competitive spirit, but also her humility to be able to understand what it was going to take to get back to the type of level that would allow her to play at the college level.”  She did it the hard way, battling adversity and making the necessary sacri ces, he said. Now, it’s paid o .  With Je co League Tournaments coming up on May 3, 9, and 11, Higgins has another month or so to stamp more to her legacy at Valor. But the future’s calling, and Higgins is eager to answer the bell and continue to do what she’s done since she committed to golf: win.

Can’t get enough prep sports? Subscribe to theSportsland newsletter today for a free, weekly rundown of the best in the area.

positions were at Cheyenne Wells High School and Trinidad Junior College in southern Colorado. At Cheyenne Wells, he coached basketball and led the team to a state championship. In 1959, Wise moved to Englewood. He would teach and coach at Englewood High School for over 30 years.

In his rst season as baseball coach, his 1960 Pirates team won the Northern League Conference and played South High School in the state championship game.

At Englewood High School, in addition to baseball, he was the head girls’ volleyball coach for 20 years. Wise also was a football and basketball referee. He was an adviser and developer of coaches and had a widespread impact on baseball in Colorado. roughout his years he was involved with three semi-pro teams, the Englewood Redbirds, e Arvada

Wise is a two-time inductee to the University of Northern Colorado Hall of Fame. Once as a player individually and then as part of the 1949 baseball team. He is also a member of the Colorado Coaches Hall of Fame.

“One time I mentioned to him, I said, ‘Harry, I want to get you in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame,’” Summers said. “And he said, ‘Well, really the [Colorado] Coaches Hall of Fame means the most to me.’”

In the 1990s, Wise, known for his meticulously-groomed baseball eld, continued to work on the baseball and softball elds for the Englewood Recreation Department. During this time, he also served as a scout for the Yakama Hawks.

As much as Wise is known for his commitment to baseball and sports, he was a dedicated family man. He was married to his college sweetheart Lois for over 60 years. ey had three children: Deborah, Mike and Lori, and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“He de nitely dedicated his life to

not only baseball, but the Englewood community. He was the epitome of a player’s coach and none of us even knew his baseball history,” Jones said. “What he accomplished, personally, he never shared any of that. I think visiting him as he aged, you could just see his commitment to family. His wife, Lois, had passed, and that’s all he wanted to talk about at that point in time.”

Wise is currently a nominee for a lifetime award from the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. As a longstanding, but humble, titan in the Englewood sports arena, he stands tall, even among mountain views that decorate the Front Range where he raised a family and followed his passion.

“In a nomination for the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, I made

the comment, ‘Everyone who knew Harry Wise, has a Harry Wise story,’” Summers said. “I recall a former student saying he told them his initials ‘HG’ stood for ‘Highly Gifted.’ at was certainly true, along with being highly unique and leaving his mark on a game and the lives of many.” On May 6, the community will celebrate Wise and Englewood baseball around a baseball diamond. First pitch of the doubleheader is at 10 a.m.Wise’s son, Michael, expressed how grateful he is for the celebration, and said it is well-deserved for his father. “It’s just who he was. He helped anybody. It’s nice that they appreciate that and remember him for that,” Michael Wise said. “I’m de nitely grateful, but I really do feel like he deserves to be honored that way.”

Three suspects in rock-throwing

RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e three 18-year-olds suspected of killing Alexa Bartell during a rockthrowing rampage on April 19 were o cially charged by the O ce of the First Judicial District Attorney on May 3. e trio face 13 charges including rst-degree murder and assault and are being held without bond.

Twenty-year-old Arvada resident Bartell was driving northbound along Indiana Street when a rock crashed through her windshield and sent her vehicle hurtling from

the roadway. Bartell was talking to a friend on the phone at the time and was found dead when the friend traced her location.

Nicholas Karol-Chik, Joseph Koenig and Zachary Kwak all face the same 13 charges: one count of murder in the rst degree, six counts of criminal attempt to commit murder in the rst degree, three counts of assault in the second degree and three counts of criminal attempt to commit assault in the rst degree. e three suspects appeared in court at 1 p.m. on May 3 for the return ling of charges.

Alexa Bartell COURTESY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

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Help Wanted Seamstress

Noblesse Oblige Costumes at the Colorado Renaissance Festival needs skilled seamstresses for our upcoming season, from June 11th through August 6th, to work at my shop at the Festival in Larkspur.

I’d love someone with professional workroom experience (garment or costume), fabric cutting and/ or finishing skills (hand-sewing, grommeting, pressing etc.) Sharp focus and the ability to understand and remember instructions are crucial. Our workday is from 10-6 Tues-Sun (Not Mondays, because I need a day off!) . The hours are flexible and can fit your schedule. $18/hr. Please email rencouture@ msn.com

Help Wanted Registered Occupational Therapist/COTA

Full-Time and part-time Registered Occupational Therapist/COTA for 2023-24 School Year

OTR must have, or be eligible for appropriate Colorado licensure. Provide Pre-12 intervention, assessment, direct & indirect services just east of Denver on I-70, Bennett, Strasburg Byers & Kiowa areas. COTA Needed for Limon & Surrounding Areas. Support from an experienced COTA is available for OT.

Full Time Salary range: MA $50,450 - $56,050 PhD $55,700 -$61,300.

Part-Time Salary prorated based on the number of days employed.

COTA Salary range BA $41,222$46,600. Excellent Benefits. Access to a company vehicle or mileage reimbursement. May be eligible for a loan forgiveness program! Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home. To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE

Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101 or email tracyg@ ecboces.org

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WIDOWED MEN AND WOMEN OF AMERICA.

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

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Old Crows Antiques featuring The Root Beer Bar An Antique destination in Littleton Colorado Join us on Memory Lane. Something for everyone. Visit us for store info Instagram:

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“It was an adrenaline rush. It was crazy,” Richardson, who also scored the game’s rst goal, said of the sequence leading up to his gamewinner. “I saw the ball coming. I was like, `I’m going for it. I don’t care if I get knocked on my butt. I’m going to go for it.’ And it worked out. [D’Lallo and I] have been working together for a while, so it was pretty much instinct. It was really cool.”

SCHOOLS

Invoices obtained through a records request show the district has paid around $98,000 for legal assistance from May 2022 through March 7, 2023.

Meek called the behavior of Myers, Peterson, Williams and Winegar “indefensible.”

“I don’t know how any board member can defend spending taxpayer resources, money that should be spent in support of students, to try and prove that you had the right to act in the manor that happened,” Meek said. “We should simply agree to adhere to the Colorado Open Meetings Laws, this is what a responsible leadership would look like.”

e board has been operating under

After Richardson’s rst-quarter goal, Katrana scored 13 seconds into the second period to extend Ponderosa’s (9-5, 1-3 4A Southern League) lead to 2-0.

en, in the blink of an eye, the Huskies (8-4, 5-2 5A League #1) ripped o back-to-back-to-back goals — courtesy of Max Kroening, Ben Hasselback and Kai Mathews — to grab a 3-2 advantage. at all happened in just 1:06.

from the left side tied the score at 3 apiece right before both teams headed into the locker room for halftime.

e third quarter was largely dominated by both teams’ defenses. Recording the lone goal in the period was Owen Colton, who scored from about 5 yards out after receiving a pass from Connor McAnally. at goal set up the back-and-forth fourth quarter. “ ey stuck with it,” Trietley said of his group. “It was a great win.”

Said Richardson of playing from behind most of the fourth quarter but ultimately nding a way to win:

Holvick, who entered the game boasting a Colorado-best 77% save percentage, saved 70% (14 of 20) of the shots thrown at him by the Mustangs. Ponderosa goalie Doran Trietley had an exceptional game as well, denying 81% (22 of 27) of the Huskies’ shots. Both teams will now await their postseason fates. e 5A and 4A state playo brackets are set to be released May 7.

“We still have a lot of things we can clean up to get a rst-round win in the playo s,” Trietley said, “and so we’re just hoping to build every day and keep getting better.”

the expenses.

Peterson agreed, calling out Marshall for continuing the lawsuit as a state representative.

“He’s in a unique position to drop this lawsuit, or at least (part of the settlement) and he could easily raise something in committee or gone to his legislature friends instead of litigating and trying to create new interpretation of the law in the courts,” Peterson said.

a preliminary injunction issued in March 2022 by the Douglas County judge on the case, which found the serial one-on-one conversations violated the law and ordered the board not to discuss public business or take formal action outside of public meeting.

Ray argued that if the board can operate under the injunction, there should be no issues accepting the settlement, but his suggestion fell at.

Winegar said the cost to the district is on Marshall and suggested if the board wins at trial, he could pay for

In a written statement, Marshall urged the board to accept the settlement and cautioned that trust would be further eroded if the board moved forward with a trial.

“Failing to admit these mistakes and moving on has seriously damaged your standing and that of the Douglas County School District,” he said. “ With the settlement rejected, the board will go to trial in June.

School Board President Mike Peterson

FILE PHOTO

Public Notices

Legals

Public Trustees

PUBLIC NOTICE

Lone Tree NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0048

To Whom It May Concern: On 3/2/2023 8:24:00

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

Original Grantor: Connie M. Miller and Donald Miller

Original Beneficiary: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for First Guaranty Mortgage Corporation, its successors and assigns

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt:

Freedom Mortgage Corporation

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 5/18/2017

Recording Date of DOT: 5/24/2017

Reception No. of DOT: 2017034758

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$725,702.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date

hereof: $772,154.16

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.** This loan has 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/

Legal Notice No. 2023-0048

First Publication: 4/27/2023

Last Publication: 5/25/2023

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: $555,000.00

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows:

FAILURE TO 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 5, Block 1, Bradbury Ranch Filing No. 11, County of Douglas, State of Colorado. Which has the address of: 16809 Trail View Circle, Parker, CO 80134

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock,

Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0039

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: 3/6/2023

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 #: CO21021

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0049

First Publication: 4/27/2023

Last Publication: 5/25/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Parker NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0044

To Whom It May Concern: On 2/21/2023 1:32:00

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: J T & R HOLDINGS LTD.,

A CANADA CORPORATION

Original Beneficiary: 59 INVESTMENTS, LLC, A COLORADO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: 59 INVESTMENTS, LLC, A COLORADO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 10/5/2021

Recording Date of DOT: 10/7/2021

Reception No. of DOT: 2021114841

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$1,500,000.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $1,499,494.55

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 PAYMENT ON SAID INDEBTEDNESS WHEN THE SAME WERE DUE AND OWING, AND THE LEGAL HOLDER OF THE INDEBTEDNESS 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.

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

First Publication: 4/20/2023

Last Publication: 5/18/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

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

hereof: $458,665.36

Dated: 2/21/2023 DAVID GILL

Registration Systems, Inc., as Beneficiary, as nominee for Citywide Banks, its successors and assigns

To Whom It May Concern: On 2/14/2023 10:52:00

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

Original Grantor: MICHAEL F JONES

AND 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

F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS INC.

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

Recording Date of DOT: 10/3/2018

Reception No. of DOT: 2018060580

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original 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

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

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: 2/15/2023

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

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

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 #: 22-026211

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0040

First Publication: 4/13/2023

Last Publication: 5/11/2023

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

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 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.

First Publication: 4/13/2023

Last Publication: 5/11/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 2/9/2023

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 #: CO21429

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

Legal Notice No. 2023-0034

First Publication: 4/13/2023

Last Publication: 5/11/2023 Publisher: Douglas County News Press

NOTICE

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: 2/14/2023

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

Parker NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2023-0037

To Whom It May Concern: On 2/9/2023 2:05:00 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: MASON HORINE AND HAYLEY HORINE

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

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. 2023-0040

To Whom It May Concern: On 2/15/2023 10:05:00

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

Original Grantor: VANCE W BRYFOGLE

Original Beneficiary:

MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR SYNERGY ONE LENDING, INC., ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: NORTHPOINTE BANK

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 8/20/2021

Recording Date of DOT: 8/25/2021

Reception No. of DOT: 2021099937

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$692,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $690,707.43

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

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

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

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 97A, SIERRA RIDGE FILING NO. 3, 1ST AMENDMENT, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 14872 Vienna Cir, Parker, CO 80134

Publisher: Douglas County News Press City and County

Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

PURSUANT TO THE LIQUOR LAW OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, MONO GOGO

MONO 5 LLC d/b/a MONO GOGO has requested the Licensing Officials of Douglas County to grant a Liquor License for a Hotel and Restaurant liquor license at the location of 3982 Red Cedar Dr, Unit A, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. The Public Hearing on this application is to be held by the Douglas County Local Liquor Licensing Authority at 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, 80104 on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.

Date of Application: April 10, 2023

Officers: Jong Wook Lee – Managing Member

Legal Notice No. 945444

First Publication: May 11, 2023

Last Publication: May 11, 2023

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

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Carnival Rides: Open Thursday, June 8 from 4:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Festival and Carnival Rides: Friday 4 pm – 10:30 pm

Saturday 10 am – 10:30 pm

Sunday 10 am – 8:30 pm

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

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

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.