KUMMER

20 years or more. In 2022, the dollar accounted for about 89 percent of all foreign exchange transactions. e dollar’s dominance in international nance is clear with the dollar used in about half of all trade invoicing— much higher than the twelve percent share in global trade.

• e dollar is still the dominant currency of choice for investment of foreign exchange reserves at about 60 percent.

• Some central banks are diversifying holdings away from the dollar and the euro, but only 25 percent of the shift is explained by increased allocations to the Chinese RMB. Much of this was driven by Russia which holds one third of all RMB reserves.

• U.S. sanctions remain on many countries, most notably the freezing of Russian assets after the Ukraine invasion.

• Commodities such as oil are priced and traded in dollars worldwide.

• More foreign currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar than any other currency including China’s.

will host the popular Senior Stroll on Wednesday, May 31 at 9 a.m. at Salisbury Park. This free event features a one-mile fun walk on a paved trail, followed by a light breakfast, exciting prize giveaways, socializing with friends, and a variety of local business vendors that put an emphasis on senior health and wellness. Visit ParkerRec.com/SeniorStroll for more information.

Discovery Park Free Summer Concert Series

One of downtown Parker’s most popular seasonal activities, Parker Arts’ Free Summer Concert Series returns to Discovery Park on Thursdays in June and July from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Collect your picnic baskets, lawn chairs and beach blankets and enjoy the sounds of summer with performances by local groups like Top Shelf 5280 (June 1), Conjunto Colores (June 15), Titonic (June 22), the Jeremy Facknitz Band (June 29) and more. Weather can be unpredictable during our summer concert series, so make sure to visit ParkerArts.org/ Shows-Events to stay updated with the latest details.

Science Day

Parker Arts and the Council of Arts, Science and Culture (CASC) will welcome kids of all ages to Discovery Park on Sunday, June 4 for their third-annual Science Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free event will offer families the op-

China is also our largest trading partner with foreign trades pegged to the dollar.

Investment Strategist Brett Lapierre, CFA states, “I see some weakness in the USD over the next few years as it is fundamentally overvalued. is, combined with stronger economic growth outside of the U.S., higher interest rates and trade de cit, could all put pressure on the USD. A recession could mean the dollar bounces in the short term in a ight to quality trade but over time, I expect the dollar to weaken.” portunity to explore the wonders of hands-on science, technology and engineering outdoors through various exhibits focusing on different branches of science. For more information, visit ParkerArts.org/ Shows-Events.

Given these facts, the U.S. dollar is alive and well and remains the stronghold currency worldwide. is could change over time as we see improved economic growth in other countries, and as we incorporate more foreign trade.

In our opinion, it is important to make sure your investment portfolio is diversi ed based on your risk tolerance to include investments that can potentially bene t from these economic conditions.

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

Cattle Crossing 5K & Family Fun Trek

Parker Parks and Recreation will hold the second leg of its annual Run Series with the Cattle Crossing 5K & Family Fun Trek on Saturday, June 17 at Tallman Meadow Park. Celebrate Parker’s rich rural history with this unique themed event. Western costumes are encouraged! Registered 5K participants will receive a commemorative item, while all participants will get postrace pancakes and a souvenir bib number. Sign up today by visiting ParkerRec.com/CattleCrossing5K.

Bike to Work Day

Our community loves cycling, and at no time is that more evident than during the Denver metro area’s annual Bike to Work Day, scheduled this year for Wednesday, June 28. The Town of Parker will once again set up its popular breakfast station along the Cherry Creek Trail just south of E-470 to offer our twowheeled commuting residents a light snack, water fill-up or even a free commemorative T-shirt (if you’re one our first 200 visitors). Parker’s breakfast station is one of the area’s most trafficked Bike to Work Day stops each year, and we hope you join us! Visit ParkerOnline.org/Events for more information.

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

On most Tuesdays and ursdays and some Saturdays, a team of bikers meets to explore Colorado’s network of trails.

e group connects at a co ee shop in downtown Denver. When the weather isn’t too hot, it’s after work around 4 or 5 p.m. In the dead of summer, it’s usually in the morning.

ey sip on espresso and decide where they want to ride that day. It could be on the bike lanes of Denver, the 36 Bikeway to Boulder, the Platte River Trail to Brighton or other suburbs. Most of the time, it involves a stop along the way.

“We would go down the Platte River Trail to the C 470 trail and then Krispy Kremes along there. We call it the Krispy 50. It’s a 50-mile loop,” said Ted Schultz, one of the riders in the group.

e group started after Schultz and two colleagues in his o ce space decided to start riding together after work. Schultz rode with a few others and combined the two groups.

After the ride, they go to a brewery to catch up with one another and relax after the ride.

Colorado’s network of trails

Part of the reason the group exists is due to Colorado’s extensive bike trail infrastructure. Schultz said it’s only improved in the past two decades.

“When you add up the miles of really good trails, it’s just mind-boggling,” he said.

Schultz, who grew up in Colorado, said understanding for cyclists sharing the road and building more infrastructure has vastly grown. In the 70s and 80s, he could almost count on angry driver backlash during his rides. Now, not so much. e Denver Regional Council of Governments built a map that shows all the trails and bike lanes across the region. ey stretch all the way from Boulder to Clear Creek to Castle Rock.

Much of that may be due to more focus on improving trails and streets.

And more may be coming. e Greenhouse Gas Planning Standard, a new rule adopted by the Transportation Commission of Colorado in December 2021, requires agencies to measure greenhouse gas emissions from transit projects, with limits on how high those emissions go.