South Platte Independent 020923

Our in-depth look at the housing crisis

Governor stresses more housing is key to Colorado’s economic health

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

If lawmakers don’t act to make housing more a ordable now, “we will soon face a spiraling point of no return.”

at’s what Gov. Jared Polis said in January, during his annual State of the State Address. He noted myriad problems linked to rising housing costs.

People, he said, “are being forced out of their neighborhoods with no hope of ever living close to where they work.”

“ at means more tra c, lost

Finalists named for superintendent

Public meetings planned

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Two nalists competing for the role of Littleton Public Schools superintendent will visit the district and host public receptions to get to know the community next week.

After several stages of a robust application and interview process, the Board of Education chose nalists at its Jan. 26 meeting.

Melissa Cooper and Todd Lambert are the last candidates hoping for the role. A third nalist, Douglas VanderJagt, withdrew from the selection process for personal reasons on Feb. 1.

“One of the most important things the school board does is hire and evaluate and supervise the superintendent,” Board President Robert Reichardt said. “ is is the rst time we’ve hired a superintendent in eight years and I’m just thrilled with how well the process has gone”

Over 20 applicants originally applied for the role, he said.

time and money spent on long commutes, more air pollution, and greater economic and workforce challenges,” Polis said. Polis added that rising housing prices are “putting the dream of homeownership out of range for more and more Coloradans.”

e governor’s assessment squares with the ndings of Colorado Community Media in our four-week series exploring what many experts say is a housing crisis — one that a ects practically everyone in the Denver area. Lower-income workers are seeing larger chunks of their paychecks

go to landlords. Young families can’t nd starter homes they can a ord. Retirees don’t see any attractive options for moving and downsizing, meaning their homes stay o the market, helping keep prices high.

“Just look west,” Polis said in his address. “In California, decades of poor planning has led to interruptions of drinking water and electricity for entire towns and cities, average home prices over $1 million in major cities and 16lane freeways” with “bumper-to-

SEE STRESSES, P16

“ ank you to everyone who applied to work for this district,” Reichardt said. “It is an honor to know that that many people are interested and willing to work in this district and work for our kids and I am very grateful for that.”

Melissa Cooper

Melissa Cooper is currently the assistant superintendent of learning services for the Littleton School District. She said she was inspired to apply for the superintendent role because she loves the district and is committed to its great work and continuous improvement.

SEE FINALISTS, P2

“My motivation is about leading in Littleton Public Schools,” she said. “It’s not about becoming a superintendent in another district or elsewhere. is is all about my commitment to our district.”

Cooper has been in the district for 12 years, working with support services, health services, curriculum and more.

If selected as superintendent, she said her vision will be to connect and sustain recent important work of the district, including the development of the EPIC Campus, the East Community Center, a new elementary school and work related to instruction and equity.

In addition, she hopes to help the district face challenges related to declining enrollment and sta ng.

“I want to continue to see our district grow and improve and continue to do great things for our community and our students,” she said. “I feel like I have the background in our district, and I have relationships and an understanding of our strengths and our challenges. And I’m ready to try to help continue to move that forward.”

Cooper said she is honored to be selected as a nalist and she considers it a privilege to lead in the district.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’ve been so pleased with the process,” she said. “ e board and our district have conducted an excellent process that’s been very fair and welcoming to me and I’m really

Dear Davis Schilken,

grateful for the opportunity.”

Todd Lambert

Todd Lambert is currently the superintendent in the Warrick County

I just recently proposed to my girlfriend (now fiancée) and now her parents insist the two of us sign a prenup before we get married. How can I appease my in-laws while still protecting my rights?

Sincerely, Perplexed by a Prenup

Dear Perplexed by a Prenup,

First off, let us congratulate your fiancée and you on your pending marriage. We hope your wedding day is as amazing as your life together will be!! Now, let’s get down to the business of nuptial agreements, which can either be done prior to or after marriage.

Marital agreements, both prenuptial and postnuptial, are a written contract executed between a couple to specify what will happen to the couple’s assets in the event of divorce or death.

Even if you build a happy, healthy marriage, one spouse will likely outlive the other. Marital agreements can give partners peace of mind about the financial future.

When you’re about to get married, divorce is the last thing on your mind. However, the reality is that between 40 and 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce. If you bring significant assets to your marriage or if your fiancée has significant debts, a pre-nuptial agreement is an important way to protect yourself financially. The attorneys at Davis Schilken, PC can draft a prenuptial agreement that details the assets and debts of both parties to be married and explain how property will be divided and support handled in the event of death or divorce. The agreement can encompass children’s and grandparents’ rights, if desired.

There are a few requirements that a nuptial agreement must meet before it becomes valid. These include the following conditions -

• The nuptial agreement must be written, signed, and notarized.

• The agreement must include valid disclosure of assets and financial obligations between both parties.

• Threats, force, or emotional duress must not have influenced the creation of the agreement.

• Terms of the agreement must not appear unethical or lacking fairness.

If nuptial agreements aren’t drafted correctly, they may do nothing but complicate things further. Unfortunately, just because you have created an agreement in writing doesn’t mean that it is presumed to be valid or enforceable. Therefore, it’s crucial that you have a nuptial agreement reviewed by a qualified lawyer to ensure everything is executed properly.

Contact the Davis Schilken, PC team with any of your Estate Planning needs (303) 670-9855.

We offer no obligation in person or virtual meetings. We make estate planning simple!

Visit our comprehensive website for more tools

www.dslawcolorado.com

School Corporation in Boonville, Indiana. Prior to his current role, he served as a curriculum instruction and assessment director, assistant superintendent of elementary school and interim superintendent in Poudre School District in Fort Collins.

During his time in Fort Collins, Lambert admired Littleton Public Schools for its commitment to professional learning for sta , he said. In addition, the community support of the district makes it stand out to him.

“I still believe in the promise of public education and what it can do for our students and our communities, and I think it’s clear that the Littleton school community believes the same and is willing to invest in that promise,” he said.

If he were chosen for the position, he would want to focus on continuing what is already working for the district, he said.

“Littleton’s a tight-knit community that really supports the school,” he said. “I’d want to get out and try to meet as many people as I can and as soon as possible, get a feel and an understanding for what motivates everyone there and the priorities.”

He said he would also want to continue the district’s focus on school safety and to continue to build a system that prepares the youngest learners in the community for success. He also said he would want to put energy towards upkeep of the district’s aging facilities.

Like Cooper, Lambert said he would want to help the district face its challenges in declining enrollment and sta ng shortages.

“It’s certainly one of the most desirable jobs in the state for all the features that go with it,” he said. “I have to take my shot at it.”

Receptions

e district will hold four recep-

tions to give community members the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, ask questions and ll out a survey to provide feedback to the board.

Lambert’s receptions will take place on Feb. 6 from 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

“My favorite part of being a superintendent is to engage with the school community – that two-way interaction,” he said. “Because you learn about what’s important from others, you learn about what their priorities are and you get a sense of the school community you’re representing through those interactions.”

Cooper’s receptions will be on Feb. 8 at the same times.

“I am looking forward to sharing a little bit about myself, but more than anything, hearing from (community members) what their needs are, what their hopes are and getting a better understanding of how, if I were selected to be superintendent, how I could support our incredible community moving forward,” she said.

e receptions will be held in the boardroom of the Education Services Center located at 5776 S. Crocker St. Spanish interpretation will be available at all receptions, according to the district’s website.

Next steps

After the receptions, board members will review community feedback in preparation for the nal interviews on Feb. 22.

ree committees of parents, city leaders, teachers and administrators will interview the candidates and provide feedback to the board on that day, district spokesperson Diane Leiker said. Afterwards, the board members will conduct public interviews of Lambert and Cooper. e board will then deliberate and plans to announce their nal decision in early March, Leiker said.

Melissa Cooper (left) and Todd Lambert (right) are superintendent finalists for Littleton Public Schools. COURTESY OF LITTLETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Art comes to Denver Botanic Gardens

Melanie Yazzie’s “Peace Walking” exhibition is open in the Freyer-Newman Gallery at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver, through May 29, 2023. e exhibit is based on Yazzie’s interpretation and meditation on the Dine’ (Navajo) prayer, “Walking in Beauty.” e exhibit features more than 40 paintings, prints and sculptures that draw on childhood memories, travel stories and more. She will speak at 6 p.m. on March 9 and there will be a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 24. Yazzie is professor of arts practices and head of printmaking at CU Boulder. Open with garden admission. See botanicgardens.org.

Littleton Museum

“Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design” is open at the Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton, through March 15. It brings together art, design and environmental science and will have interactive learning stations as well as art, artifacts and photography. Free.

Call for artists

Call for Artists: Jurist open call at CORE Art Space, 6501 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood: “Rose Colored Glasses” Feb. 17 to March 5. Juried by Dana Cain, who will jury pieces in a nation-

wide exhibit focused on what seeing the world through rose-colored glasses might mean to an individual artist. A glass half full? Filled with pink lemonade? Pink champagne? Gallery hours: Friday: 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: noon to 5 p.m. See coreartspace. com.

Duke Ellington

“Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies” features music by Duke Ellington, celebrating his legacy: “Take the A Train” and other favorites. rough March 5 at Vintage eatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. Performances: Friday/ Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Directed and choreographed by Christopher Page-Sanders. 303-856-7830, vintagetheatre.org.

Englewood art show

Englewood Art Exhibit is open at the Malley Recreation Center, 3380 S. Lincoln St. in Englewood. Monday to ursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Stories on Stage

“An Afternoon with best-selling author Peter Heller” at 2 p.m. Feb. 19 at Su Teatro, 721 Santa Fe Drive, Denver. Actors Tim McCracken and Allison Watrous will read from Heller’s books and Heller will read from his novel “ e Dog Stars” and stay for a discussion afterwards. A virtual premiere will be available at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 and can be watched after that date. See storieonstage.org. Note: Su Teatro requires masks. For in-person attendees,

WEEK: Start writing

there will be an on-call list at the front table.

Littleton Symphony

Littleton Symphony will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 with guest conductor Brandon Matthews. Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 S. Datura St., Littleton. Tickets: 303-9336824, littletonsymphony.org.

Wonderbound

“Reckoning at the Red Herring Tavern,” a new creation by Wonderbound

dance company Artistic Director Garrett Ammon, features original classic dance music by Tom Haggerman of DeVotchKa. March 2-12. Location: 3865 Grape St., Unit 2, Denver. 303292-4700, wonderbound.com. Note — some performances are sold out.

Town Hall

Next at Town Hall Arts Center: “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” Feb. 17-March 19. 2450 W. Main St., Littleton. 303-794-2787, ext. 5, townhallartscenter.org.

Melanie Yazzie’s “Two Sisters” is part of her “Peace Walking” exhibition at Denver Botanic Gardens. COURTESY PHOTO

SONYA’S SAMPLER

Heart disease symptoms can be unique

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When it comes to heart disease, a local cardiologist says it is never too early to check to get checked out. According to experts, heart disease comes in many forms. as there are various types of heart disease and can present itself di erently to each individual.

“All these cardiac risk factors put you at high risk of having heart disease, whether that’s high blood pressure, whether that’s cholesterol issues, diabetes, history of smoking,” said Dr. Je Park, a cardiologist with Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates at e Medical Center of Aurora. “I think that all encompasses what heart disease really is.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common types of heart disease in the U.S. In 2017, heart disease was the second leading cause of death in Colorado.

Heart arrhythmia, heart valve disease and heart

failure are among the many types of heart disease.

Park said high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. .

With high blood pressure, there is more pressure on the arteries and as people age, they harden. When the arteries harden, the blood cannot move as easily.

“You take a garden hose

and you turn the water on and that water’s kind of free owing, and that’s your heart vessel when you’re young,” said Park. “And then when you start taking your hand and your thumb and put it over the end of that garden hose, the pressure in the hose starts increasing, the water starts owing a little bit faster, and a bit

harder.”

Problems arise when the arteries harden too much, causing the pressure to be too high. When this happens, the heart has to work overtime. Park says it is the long standing e ects of high blood pressure that concerns cardiologists.  e heart having to work overtime can often cause

what is called, demand ischemia. According to Park, this is when the heart and the demand and the supply of the heart are mismatched and the heart has to work overtime in order to overcome those high blood pressures.

Symptoms of heart disease can be di erent for everyone..

“I see a lot of patients who just have very vague symptoms,” said Park. “ ey’re like, ‘I just couldn’t sleep well. I just kind of felt there’s a weird kind of sensation in my chest and you know, it wasn’t anything severe and it kind of moved up my neck’.”

According to Park, one can never be too sure about the heart, therefore, it is worth going to get a check up and a test.

ose experiencing chest pain and seeking medical attention will typically have an EKG done to monitor the heart rhythm. Special marker’s of a heart attack will show up in blood work said Park.

“If you notice something’s changed, I think that’s the time where you really reevaluate that decision and say, ‘maybe it’s not the worst thing just to kind of reassure myself’,” said Park.

Dr. Je Park with a model heart in support of Heart Month.

PHOTO BY RACHEL ROBINSON

Experts recommend being proactive

South Metro Fire Rescue says no changes to emergency service expected

Letter creates confusion

BY ELLIS ARNOLD ERANOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Residents in the south Denver metro area may have felt confused when they received a letter from their re ghting agency about an “amended service plan.”

e letter from South Metro Fire Rescue contained legal language and pointed to upcoming public meetings of county leaders who would vote to approve or deny the proposed changes.

But residents shouldn’t expect any changes to the services they receive when they call 911 in an emergency, according to Mike Dell’Orfano, a South Metro Fire o cial.

e proposed amendment is “just recognizing that we might be o ering the same services, but over the past 55 years, the volume, the expertise, the types of incidents have all evolved,” said Dell’Orfano, the agency’s chief government a airs o cer.

It also aims to “take a new snapshot at what’s in our re district: the hazards, the number of cities, the population, all that,” said Dell’Orfano, who described the proposed change as something that occurs “in the background” from an administrative and legal perspec-

tive.

A lot has changed for South Metro Fire Rescue in ve decades. e agency’s original service plan dates back to 1967, when the organization was known as Parker Fire Protection District. e old agency served about 2,000 residents over 105 square miles in portions of Arapahoe and Douglas counties.

Now, South Metro Fire Rescue covers 560,000 people over 285 square miles, stretching over much of the south Denver metro area after many re protection agencies combined over the years to form today’s agency.

It now covers many cities and towns, including Bow Mar, Castle Pines, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Columbine Valley, Foxeld, Greenwood Village, Littleton, Lone Tree and Parker, along with nearby unincorporated portions of Arapahoe, Je erson, and Douglas counties. “Unincorporated” means an area doesn’t sit within a city or town.

Since the agency’s start decades ago, its original service plan was amended a couple times to account for the ability to take on debt and to make sure all its services were re ected, Dell’Orfano said. ose amendments occurred in 1983 and 1996.

Meth testing continues at Bemis Library

showed methamphetamine contamination in several restrooms.

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e second round of testing started on Jan. 24 and is testing soft and common area surfaces as well as ventilation systems throughout the library.

Growing over the last two decades, South Metro Fire now covers more than 560,000 residents of Douglas and Arapahoe counties.

PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW

LIBRARY

City spokesperson Kelli Narde said the city had not yet received the results as of Feb. 1, but hopes to have them any day.

“Every day, we’re hopeful,” she said about receiving results soon.

Contractors performed the first round of testing, which focused on bathrooms, on Jan. 13 and the city received results on Jan. 18.

EMERGENCY

“As of right now, we don’t have debt, and we haven’t used debt to fund major capital projects for several years,” Dell’Orfano said. “Capital” costs include paying for re trucks, re stations and ambulances, for example.

e proposed amendment won’t change the way the agency spends money, and it won’t change South Metro Fire’s hiring ability or the pay that employees receive, Dell’Orfano said.

South Metro Fire’s property tax rate — the mill levy that property owners in the re agency’s service area pay — would not increase as a result of the amended plan.

Some residents in the area did see small changes to their property tax rates in recent years when elections in 2018 decided that the City of Littleton, the nearby Littleton Fire Protection District and the Highlands Ranch Metro District would be absorbed into South Metro Fire Rescue.

( e Littleton Fire Protection District had included west Centennial, among other areas near Littleton.)

At the time, for example, Highlands Ranch homeowners saw a net property tax increase of 2.25 mills after being absorbed by South Metro Fire — or about $6.75 more

Zeal Environmental, a company that provides environmental testing and industrial hygiene services for asbestos, mold, lead-based paint and methamphetamine, is contracted to do the work for the city.

The company declined to comment on what goes into the process of specifically testing for meth in public facilities.

After the city receives the results, they will determine next steps regarding further testing and remediation, Narde said.

per month on a house valued at $500,000.

But back then, those three entities knew they would eventually have needed to raise taxes to maintain their current services if they didn’t join forces with South Metro Fire, Dell’Orfano said.

Cunningham Fire Protection District, which served a part of Arapahoe County, also joined South Metro Fire in the past several years, but the Cunningham area saw a tax decrease as a result, Dell’Orfano said.

Taxes weren’t the only factor at play in the transitions, he noted.

“If all else was the same, there would have been no reason to ask their voters to pay more,” Dell’Orfano said. “It was also determined there would be improved service, improved re ghter working conditions, better nancial stability and a more sustainable organization into the future.”

Leaders in the three counties over which South Metro Fire Rescue spreads will hold public meetings on the proposed change in the coming weeks.

e Douglas County commissioners will meet at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at 100 ird St. in Castle Rock.

e Arapahoe County commissioners will meet 9:30 a.m. Feb. 28 at 5334 S. Prince St. in Littleton. Je erson County’s commissioners will meet 8 a.m. Feb. 28 at 100 Je erson County Parkway in Golden.

Orchestra

FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC AND SHAKESPEARE LOVERS ALIKE! IMMERSE YOURSELF IN MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE ROMANTIC WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

Parker S ymphony

The front doors of the Bemis Public Library in Littleton on Jan. 19, after the city closed it due to methamphetamine contamination.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

Air Duct Cleaning Winter Specials

Breathe Easy & Relax!

Our mission is to lower energy costs and provide the healthiest quality air possible. For anyone, business or residential, we will increase e ciency of your system by using the very latest techniques, the latest technologies and top of the line products. We will provide the highest quality of work possible. Our professional sta will assure a high level of professionalism that cannot be matched in our industry. We guarantee our products and services.

County to develop new park at Four Square Mile

and some are in pretty poor condition,” Carter said. “( ere is) a lot of debris, overbrush, several places are overgrown.”

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Residents in the Four Square Mile area can look forward to a new park in coming years, as Arapahoe County has acquired a 4.5-acre property for this purpose.

e county purchased the property, located at the corner of South Parker Road and East Mexico Drive, from a local landowner who approached the county with the idea over a year ago, said Shannon Carter, the county’s open spaces director.

“We had certainly identi ed the need for additional parks in this area, that’s been on our radar for a long time – at least 10 or 15 years,” he said.

In 2015, the county conducted a Recreation Needs and Opportunities Assessment in the Four Square Mile area and found that 63% of study respondents said the importance and availability of parks and recreation opportunities was “essential.” Carter said they identi ed a de cit of parks, trails and open spaces in the area at that time.

e property cost $1.5 million, which came from the county’s open space sales and use tax.

Process

To turn a plot of land into a community park, several steps have to happen. First, crews will complete demolition and cleanup work to prepare the space, which has been used as a horse property and material storage space for a landscape company.

“ ere are a number of di erent buildings that had been on the property for quite a number of years…

During the cleanup and demolition period, the space will be closed to the public for safety reasons. Carter said. He predicts community members may have limited access to the space in the summer of 2024, after the bulk of the demolition is done.

e county will conduct an extensive public outreach process to develop design ideas for the park, as they have done for past park developments including Long’s Pine Grove and Cheyenne-Arapaho Park.

“We gure out what we can and what we can’t do from an access standpoint, from a community standpoint,” Carter said.

In past community conversations surrounding park design, Carter said people have suggested community gardens, picnic pavilions, playgrounds and dog parks.

He said the overall cost of cleanup and development of the park is dicult to predict because it depends on what infrastructure the community wants to see. He estimates it will cost between $3 million and $5 million, based on the size of the space and costs of developing the county’s recent parks. at number excludes the cost of the land itself.

County spokesperson Anders Nelson said the new land acquisition aligns with the county’s goal of being community-focused.

“Building parks, it promotes a thriving community and it supports opportunities for physical and mental health for our citizens, which is very important,” he said. “And one of our values is accessibility, and ways we can do that is providing a service, like access to more parks. We want them to be welcoming, safe and fun areas for our citizens to enjoy.”

An Arapahoe County building at 1690 W. Littleton Boulevard.

FILE PHOTO BY ROBERT TANN

connects science, nature, art

On display through March

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Camou age, carpet tiles and heat maps are all part of a new scienceand art-based exhibition coming to the Littleton Museum.

e exhibit, titled “Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design,” explores how modern science, technology, arts and design have been inspired and enhanced by ideas from nature.

e exhibit will through March 15 in the museum’s culture gallery. It is most suitable for visitors ages 10 and up.

“ is exhibit was particularly interesting for its subject matter,” said Moira Casey, curator of patron engagement at the Littleton Museum, on choosing to show the exhibit. “I really liked that it addresses art and design but with a scienti c spin and the importance of it from an environmental perspective.”

Inspiration and development

Nature-based innovation, also known as biomimicry, can be found in many aspects of modern society: from clothing to architecture to the ne arts. e exhibit is aimed to help audiences understand that design is all around us, said Kathy Dowell, director of arts and humanities programming at Mid-America Arts Alliance.

MAAA is a regional arts organization that aims to help bring more art to more people. As part of this mission, it tours exhibits like Nature’s Blueprints through its national program, ExhibitsUSA.

Dowell and her team worked with curators at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon, to adapt the exhibit from an original exhibit at their museum. rough this process, they added more of examples of arts and the humanities, expanding on the mainly science-based focus the original exhibit had.

Nature’s Blueprints started touring museums around the country in 2021 and will be on tour until 2026, Dowell said.

Immersive experience

Casey said one of her favorite things about the exhibit is how immersive it is through audiovisual

components, as that’s something the Littleton Museum is focusing on more lately.

“We’re trying to increase our interactive and audiovisual experiences for our visitors,” she said. “Catering the way we present information so you’re not just looking at an object and reading text, but you’re hearing audio, you’re watching a video, you’re able to touch things, touchscreens -- all that stu is new for us.”

Having an exhibit come with these interactive elements ready-to-go is a great way to include immersive strategies while her team continues to develop those elements for the museum’s own curations, Casey said.

In one section of the biomimicry exhibit, Dowell said visitors can put on blankets to warm up their bodies and see themselves on a screen. But instead of seeing the colors humans see, the screen portrays how some mammals view the world – based on heat. Animal vision has helped humans better understand radiation, x-rays and develop ight tools, she said.

“I love those kinds of immersive moments where you can kind of step out of your own body and experience something in a di erent way,” she added.

e exhibit also includes a reading space and books about biomimicry as well as card games on the topic. Casey hopes these spaces can inspire conversations and help multigenerational visitors connect on the topics they are learning about.

“In our daily narrow scope of life, we don’t encounter or think about all the fascinating ways other species survive and have thrived,” she said. “I really hope people are sort of blown away by the various examples given in this exhibit.”

In addition, the organizers hope Nature’s Blueprints can inspire audiences to think di erently when faced with challenges.

“Nature is our best place to look at for solutions to so many problems that we have,” Dowell said. “Everything you’ll see in that exhibition is a problem that has been solved or made better by looking to nature and design in nature.”

Admission to the Littleton Museum is free. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Save the Date

May 13 & 14, 2023

Spring Wine and Chalk Art Festival–Tickets on sale now! The calendar may read winter but our thoughts are turning to spring and the Chalk Lines & Vines festival. Sample wines from 15+ Colorado wineries, watch chalk artists bring their masterpieces to life, and enjoy live music and entertainment. $10 discount for the first 300 tickets sold!

21+ over only, tickets at arapahoecountyeventcenter.com or scan the QR code with your smartphone.

2023 Youth Award nominations

Nominations for the Arapahoe County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Awards, a scholarship program for exceptional high school seniors, are now open. Deadline for submissions is March 3. Visit arapahoegov.com/ youthawards or scan QR code with your smartphone.

Property taxes in the mail

Attention Arapahoe County residents: be on the lookout for your 2022 tax statements, being mailed in February. Have questions? Learn the di erent ways you can pay your taxes, including online, in-person, drop box, mail or phone. Visit arapahoegov.com/treasurer

The new exhibit at the Littleton Museum focuses on nature-inspired science, technology, art and design. PHOTO COURTESY OF EXHIBITSUSA

Man dies in police shooting

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A man died after a Littleton Police Department officer shot him at approximately 1:05 a.m. on Feb. 2, police spokesperson Sheera Poelman said.

The officer initiated contact with a man on a motorcycle at the corner of Bannock Street and Powers Avenue due to it being a suspicious vehicle. The motorcycle was confirmed after the incident to be a stolen vehicle, Poelman said.

When the officer attempted to contact the individual, the motorcycle driver crashed the motorcycle and ran on foot, then produced a handgun, Poelman said. The officer then fired his gun at

the individual.

The individual was transported to a hospital and was later pronounced deceased, Poelman said. The individual’s gun was not fired during the incident, she said.

The Littleton Police Department did not provide information about the victim’s name, age or race. The department also did not provide information about the officer’s name or race.

Any time an officer discharges a weapon, partnering agencies in the region come together to investigate the incident through what Poelman called the “shoot team.” This team is conducting an investigation of the situation. The officer is on paid leave until the investigation is complete, Poelman said.

O cials at the scene where a Littleton police o cer shot a man who had allegedly been on a stolen motorcycle.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LITTLETON POLICE DEPARTMENT

since 1991 and thrives on attention from strangers!

Deputies rescues man in apartment fire

86 residents displaced

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A 93-year-old man was one of two people to go to the hospital with minor injuries caused by a Feb. 1 re at Club Valencia, a condominium building just outside of east Denver. anks to the quick response efforts of an Arapahoe County deputy, the man has his life. e re, which occurred at 5:30 a.m., was caused by an accident dur-

ing cooking, South Metro Fire Rescue spokesperson Eric Hurst said. e condominium building sits along Parker Road o Mississippi Avenue, close to Aurora.

“(It was) a very chaotic scene, a lot of smoke and a lot of people who woke up to this re and trying to get themselves and their pets and any kids out,” Hurst said.

The rescue Deputies from the Arapahoe

An accomplished standup comic from Denver, CO, Christie Buchele has made a name for herself by sharing the heart-wrenching and hilariously raw realities of being a woman with a disability and proves time and again you can say almost anything with a smile on your face!

Deputy Armando Gutierrez answered questions on Feb. 1. for several members of the media after rescuing a man at the Club Valencia fire. PHOTO COURTESY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

County Sheriff’s Office were the first to arrive on scene, responding to smoke complaints and a call about a person being trapped in smoke. Deputy Armando Gutierrez located the individual upon his arrival, before firefighters arrived.

“The environment, it’s all covered in black smoke, like I can’t see more than a foot in,” he said.

“I start yelling and I don’t get an answer. So I crouch down a little bit, use my flashlight, start making my way into the apartment. At the end of that front hallway of the apartment, I can see a male standing there.”

Bodycam footage of the event shows thick smoke and officers coughing. Gutierrez repeatedly said “Come on” to the man and another voice said, “We’ve got to go, right now.”

Gutierrez said the man was not responding to anything he was saying and seemed to be in shock. Later, Gutierrez learned that the man only spoke Russian.

“I asked him to come with me a few more times and he couldn’t,” Gutierrez said. “At that point, the smoke was really bad and I started coughing. So I figured if it’s bad for me, it has to be bad for him, so then I just grabbed him, picked him up and I took him out.”

Hurst said emergency response individuals made several other rescues once the firefighters arrived.

“It feels good, being able to help

somebody out,” Gutierrez said. “I think anybody in my position would have done the same thing.”

Fire code and asbestos

This fire event marks the calendar with the first fire at Club Valencia this year, after five fires occurred there in 2022. Most notably, a major fire in November displaced people from approximately 85 units.

Hurst said the building, which was built in the 1960s, is not up to date with modern fire code standards as it is lacking a full-building alarm system and sprinkler system.

“So when this fire occurred, it was the people who witnessed the fire start (that were) knocking on doors and yelling at their neighbors to get out of the building,” he said.

The residents of 86 condo units are now displaced as a result of the fire, Hurst said. The American Red Cross and the Arapahoe County Office of Emergency Management are helping these victims as they cope with the tragedy.

Hurst said that a large part of the reason residents are displaced from their homes is because there is asbestos in the building, which

was made more dangerous by the fire.

“Even though the fire was relatively small, the smoke extension and the ability for the asbestos to be aerosolized and traveling through the air makes it unsafe for the building occupants,” he said. “A big reason why all of them are displaced is because it will require asbestos abatement.”

Hurst said he does not know how long asbestos abatement generally takes, but the victims of the November fire are still waiting to move back into their homes for the same reason.

A screenshot of an Arapahoe County deputy’s bodycam footage shows an o cer holding a flashlight and a hand over his mouth in thick smoke inside Club Valencia. COURTESY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Thu 2/16

ARTS: Mini Picasso @ Harvard Gulch

@ 5pm Feb 16th - Mar 16th

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

ARTS: Preschool Pottery @ Harvard Gulch @ 6:15pm Feb 16th - Mar 16th

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

Fri 2/17

School Break Camp - 2/17 @ 7:30am / $45 Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr., Parker. 303-805-6315

Sat 2/18

Dave Mensch - Tailgate Tavern - Parker, CO @ 4pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker Teague Starbuck @ 5pm Sunroom Brewing, 3242 S Acoma St, En‐glewood

Journey Girls Live at Herman's Hideaway @ 7pm Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Vamonos Pest/Mobro: Mobro at Brewability Lab @ 6pm Brewability Lab, 3445 S Broadway, Englewood

Denver: Amit Tandon Stand-Up Comedy Live 2023 @ 7pm

Rock Canyon High School, 5810 McArthur Ranch Rd, Littleton

Lusid: Flight of the Dojo w/ Dillard @ 9pm the dojo denver, 665 Depew St, Lakewood

Sun 2/19

Tianna Esperanza @ 7pm Swallow Hill, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Mick Flannery @ 7pm Swallow Hill, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Mon 2/20

Last Call Romance: Hearts & Hops Sock Hop @ 6:30pm Lone Tree Brewing Company, 8200 Park Meadows Dr #8222, Lone Tree

Adam Ezra Group: A Solo Acoustic Evening with Adam Ezra at The Schoolhouse **POSTPONED** @ 7:30pm

The Schoolhouse at Mainstreet, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker

BAILE DEL DIA DEL AMOR Y LA

AMISTAD @ 8:30pm / $50-$60 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Samia w/ Tommy Lefroy @ 8pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, Englewood

Tommy Lefroy @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Tue 2/21

Handwriting: Pre-Writing (3 to 5 yrs) W/S23 @ 11:30pm

Feb 21st - Mar 28th

Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker

Wed 2/22

Loktavious @ 7pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Eric Golden @ 8pm

Sheabeens Irish Pub, 2300 S Chambers Rd #A, Aurora

The Doo Wop Project @ 8pm Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree

Dear Marsha,: Chicks with Picks! DM ALBUM RELEASE with No Small Children, Melissa Crispo, Bug Frances @ 7pm Wild Goose Saloon, Parker

LATRICE ROYALE @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Pretend Friend @ 9pm

The Englewood Tavern, 4386 S Broadway, Englewood

Thu 2/23

Art: Hands-On Introduction to DSLR Photography (16+yrs) @ 2am Feb 23rd - Mar 22nd PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Stephen Pearcy @ 8pm

Wild Goose Saloon, 11160 S Pikes Peak Dr, Parker

powered by

Heart of the matter

W

EDITOR’S COLUMN

e are fully emerged into February, the month each year when medical professionals and healthcare organizations try to bring more awareness to heart health. While it should be a year-round priority for everyone, February is speci cally aimed at putting a focus on cardiovascular health.

I am extremely proud of my name. To be called “ elma” comes with some pride every time I hear it. You see, I was named after my grandmother who died months before I was born. As I am often told, my grandmother wanted a granddaughter so badly.

Thelma Grimes

My grandmother was 50 years old when she died of a heart attack. My mom’s side of the family is a mess when it comes to genetic health, but the heart is the biggest concern.

My mom was afraid to turn 50 because of heart issues that owed through her family. When 50 came and went — she was relieved, but she de nitely keeps up with heart testing and taking preventative measures.

For me, now in my 40s, I tend to ask my doctor a lot of questions about my heart. I share a name with a woman I never met because in the 1970s there was a lot less information available to people about heart health.

ere really wasn’t a month aimed speci cally at raising hearth health awareness.

A heart problem can be sneaky, since symptoms can present di erently in every individual. Someone with heart disease or heart failure may not experience the same symptoms as another person with the same condition.

While breast cancer tends to get a lot of attention in terms of women’s health and preventative measures — heart disease is actually a bigger culprit each year.

According to the CDC, despite e orts to increase awareness, only 56% of women recognized heart disease as the top killer. As the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., heart disease was responsible for 314,186 women dying in 2020. at equates to 1 in every 5 female deaths.

For personal reasons I write about women, but in reality, heart disease has a huge e ect on the entire U.S. population.

According to the CDC, one person dies every 34 seconds in the U.S. of cardiovascular disease. In total, 697,000 Americans died in 2020 of heart disease. at equates to 1 in every 5 deaths.

According to the CDC, the term heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions because it all goes toward issues a ecting the blood ow around the heart. Decreased blood ow, for instance, can cause a heart attack.

Sometimes heart disease can go completely unnoticed and undiagnosed until a person su ers from a heart attack, heart failure or arrythmia.

Instead of waiting for something major to happen, health o cials continue to stress the need to be proactive in healthcare, meaning taking preventative measures and tests as directed each year.

For more information on issues of the heart, visit the American Heart Association website at heart.org.

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

WINNING

I never go to meet her. So, I got the next best thing — her name.Rising above the noise

Starting in 1996 I began living in Highlands Ranch and in 2001 bought a small a condo in Edwards, Colorado. The elevation in Highlands Ranch is about 5,800 feet, and Edwards is just over 7,500 feet. Coming from sea level on the East Coast, it took a little time to acclimate to the elevation. And soon enough all was well and everyone was just fine.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

People of the USA voice their will in two ways: electing representatives and holding those representatives responsible to represent them. Ballot 300 is not a “back-door” approach to seize power; just one attempt people have made to increase their opportunity to be heard by their representatives.

Ten percent of registered voters’ signatures is the minimum city requires to amend its charter. e charter doesn’t need defending; no one is attacking it. Plus, no small group of people signed the petition bringing Ballot 300 before us all. at same paragraph is incomplete, for its verbiage asserts the o -term election itself would cut required petition signature numbers in half. It would not.

Well, what I didn’t realize is that the house I would be living in for five weeks was situated at 10,200 feet. Skiing at 11,000 feet or 12,000 feet never really impacted me be-

SEE NORTON, P15

at a special election for 300 is now required forces nothing but an opportunity for people to vote on the question. If a majority votes “yes,” the required number of signatures would return the city to Colorado’s legislative requirements for citizen ballot access.

e reason Ballot Question 300 came about bears repeating. It is the “deaf ear” municipal o cials continue giving residents’ quality of life pleas; meanwhile, continuing to advance the special interests of real estate developers. Costs of this election squarely rest with council itself for refusing to give residents the same opportunity to advance citizen led referenda and initiatives as the State of Colorado grants everyone else.

e narrative’s argument actually ips reality on its head. It’s no secret that well funded

SEE LETTERS, P15

80110

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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

THELMA GRIMES South Metro Editor tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

NINA JOSS Community Editor njoss@coloradocommunitymedia.com

(ISSN 1058-7837)(USPS 315-780) LOCAL VOICES LOCAL

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ERIN FRANKS Production Manager efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Littleton A publication of

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

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.

Having spent the past few years traveling back to the East Coast

and spending most of my time at sea level again, I knew coming back to Colorado was going to be an adjustment, but since I work out, and have been back skiing, I didn’t think much of it.

Dance brings power to stage

‘An Untitled Love’ is new work by Kyle Abraham

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Award-winning artistic director/choreographer Kyle Abraham brought the A.I.M. dance company to the Newman Center at the University of Denver for an exceptional evening of contemporary dance on Jan. 27.

“An Untitled Love,” a powerful new work by Abraham, was set to music by R&B legend D’Angelo.

Abraham, who is presently the Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor in Dance at the University of California’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, said he has worked on the new “An Untitled Love” for four years.

“I fell in love with D’Angelo’s debut album, `Brown Sugar,’ when I was an undergrad at Morgan State University, a Historically Black University in Baltimore, in 1995,” Abraham wrote.

“Within his songs existed the histories and Neo-romanticism of Black Love in America. e same

year marked the Million Man March, a de ning moment for Black men in the U.S. to unite against injustice. As part of my extended exploration of personal identity through the movement, it feels important for me to dive into a process that explores and celebrates that unity and that love, in all its facets.

“Ultimately, this work is dedicated to my parents, family (extended and immediate), to the cousins, aunts and uncles who aren’t blood related, but who we call family all the same,” Abraham wrote.

e stage was bare, except for a somewhat worn, fabric-covered sofa, angled at one side. Music and dancers lled the space at times and each of the 10 AIM members danced individually at other times, as D’Angelo and the Vanguard’s music owed.

“ is creative exaltation pays homage to the complexities of self love and Black love, while serving as a thumping mixtape celebrating our culture, family and community,” Abraham wrote in describing the intensive project.

Abraham, a MacArthur Fellow (2013), grew up in Pittsburgh, then headed to New York, where he

earned a BFA from SUNY Purchase and an MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He later received an honorary doctorate in ne arts from Washington Je erson College. His dance training began at Pittsburgh’s Civic Light Opera Academy and the Creative and Performing Arts High School in that city.

Prior to USC, Abraham served as a visiting professor in residence at the University of California Los Angeles’ World Arts Cultures in Dance program (2016 to 2021).

A.I.M. was founded in New York City in 2006 and the dancers who appeared at the Newman Center were: Jamaal Bowman, Tamisha A. Guy, Catherine Kirk, Jae Neal, Donovan Reed, Martell Ru n, Dymon Smara, Kar’mel Antonyowade Small, Keturah Stephen and Gianna eodore.

One additional contemporary dance program remains in the Newman Center Presents series for this season: e Paul Taylor Dance Company on March 27. e remaining performances vary widely from e Philip Glass Ensemble to Kodo to e Mingus Big Band. See newmancenterpresents.com. e box o ce number is 303-871-7720.

pro-development and growth interests hold sway before council and the city’s community development structure. To regard neighborhood residents as special interests is therefore unconscionably disrespectful.

Ballot 300 is about restoring ballot access for citizen led measures intended to turn around or stop adverse municipal actions (referenda) and/or pursue actions that are being neglected (initiatives).

e last paragraph falsely states, Littleton is a representative democracy. It is not. For a little civics 101, Article IV Section 4 of the Constitution states: “ e United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of government …” is means all voices count; and Colorado, with its various municipalities, is included. at anyone would be fearful of registered voters making their will known at the ballot box should itself be a cause for grave concern. So vote “yes” on 300.

Don Bruns Littleton

cause I didn’t stay at that elevation for long as heading down the mountain was the goal, not camping at 12,000 feet. The home I am staying in has an awesome view. Now that I have acclimated I am enjoying it so much more as the views on a blue-sky sunny day are phenomenal. And with the amount of snow we have received, the mountains seem more majestic than ever.

Living at 10,200 feet brings with it a few extra benefits as the solace and quiet bring a sense of tranquility that escapes us in and around any city we may find ourselves living in. The rush and crush of daily life down at lower elevations is replaced up here with the hush of the wind whispering through the pine trees. It’s one of the most refreshing and relaxing places I have ever had the privilege to work from, even as I take calls, virtual meetings with customers and team members, while also finding time to write.

There is something else I have noticed, the people who live up here are used to living and rising above the noise and chatter going on in the city, in the news, and on social media. Not that there aren’t any concerns about the realities of life, they simply choose to find their peace by letting what others think about, worry about, and post about, to do it somewhere else and not up here.

Stopping into the local saloon there are people actually having conversations and not glued to their phones. Conversations are happening about the snowfall, the skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and other pleasures of

living in the mountains. And not just during winter, I have heard all the stories of fishing, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, hang gliding and golfing in the other seasons. Since I have lived up here for this brief time and have tried to settle in with the locals, I haven’t heard any conversations about politics from either side, no discussion of the pressures of society, and no attacks on anyone in the small town or community.

When they talk, they talk about family, friends, travel, life experiences, the fresh mountain air and how they still stand in awe and wonder at mountains and sights all around them from the snowcovered mountains to the turning of the aspen leaves as the yellow of the aspens melds softly into the brightness of the evergreens. They talk about fly-fishing the rivers, and as one gentleman shared, he didn’t even care if he went out and came back without any fish. To just stand in God’s handiwork, quietly admiring all the nature surrounding him, was equally rewarding.

We can’t all go live at 10,200 feet, but we can all choose to rise above the noise and escape the rush and crush happening all around us. Are you part of the noise or part of the peace? Can you use a break from it all and find a little more quietness? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@sandler.com, and when we can rise above the noise to find solace, peace, and tranquility, 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.

The Long Way Home

State leaders, communities search for solutions

BY MICHAEL DE YOANNA MICHAEL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For a month, our reporters and editors brought you stories of your neighbors, your wouldbe neighbors and even people who struggle to survive under bridges. We are all a ected by the rising costs of housing across the Denver area.

e problem is clear: Prices for homes and rents have skyrocketed in recent years. And though the trend shows signs of leveling out, prices are nothing like they were just a few years ago. Jumps in values of hundreds of thousands of dollars were common in the past ve years. For instance, in Brighton, northeast of Denver, and in Littleton, to the south, home values rose $225,000-$300,000, respectively, between 2017 and 2022. Renters are also giving more of their paychecks to their landlords.

Experts at Denver-based Root Policy Research, which studies housing issues, say 700,000 Colorado families are “cost burdened.” e term describes households that devote 30% or more of their income to rent or mortgages. Alarmingly, even families earning as much as $75,000 can be considered burdened.

is week, we look at potential solutions, starting with some

STRESSES

bumper tra c.”

e governor then pivoted to what he sees as solutions. Since 2019, he said, billions of dollars have been invested in housing. For instance, American Rescue Plan Act funds have gone toward projects around the state, he said. And Colorado voters in November passed Proposition 123, which is expected to bring hundreds of millions more dollars to a ordable housing e orts in the years ahead.

“But we can’t just buy our way out of this,” Polis added.

Public o cials, he said, need to break down rules that stand in the way of building more housing.

at idea resonates with ex-

espoused by Jared Polis, the Democratic governor who last month surprised us with his intense focus on housing during his annual State of the State Address. Colorado “will soon face a spiraling point of no return” if housing remains on the course that it is now, Polis said.

Senior Reporter Ellis Arnold rushed to the Capitol for Polis’ news conference after the speech, getting a few o -thecu answers. Billions of dollars have already been spent in recent years to make housing more a ordable, the governor says. He highlighted federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, the stimulus that came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, Colorado voters in November decided to earmark hundreds of millions of dollars a year through Proposition 123, which backs local housing affordability e orts.

Yet, for all the tax dollars involved, the governor says, “We can’t just buy our way out of this.” Local rules, like zoning, need to be addressed too, he said.

Experts have told our reporters the same. Reporter McKenna Harford looks at how changes to zoning, among other strategies, can make housing more a ordable. Meanwhile, reporter Luke Zarzecki looks at how the development of our

perts like Christy Rogers, who teaches housing policy at the University of Colorado Boulder.

“Where are our starter homes?” Rogers said. “Where’s our ability to provide housing for a bunch of di erent income levels?”

Many communities need more variety. Some need more density, housing units built closer together, she said.

Housing advocates often point to “the middle,” homes that are neither large, singlefamily units nor big apartment complexes. e middle consists of smaller single-family units and condos that get people their rst foothold in homeownership, a home that they can build equity in and, as their family grows, sell and reinvest the pro ts to upgrade to a bigger one.

e governor appears to be

cities contributes to healthharming pollution and how ideas like better-planned transit can improve our air and reduce climate change. Reporters Belen Ward and Steve Smith look at tiny homes and how di cult it can be to nd a home, even with some help.

In the end, there is no one solution and, frankly, the problem looks like it will continue, and potentially worsen, in the months ahead. Yet we acknowledge e orts to reverse the trend, including collaborations between federal, state and local o cials on myriad projects in our communities. We also hope that they are successful and that Colorado does not turn into what Polis decries — his portrayal of California as a poorly-planned nightmare, where residents face shortages in drinking water, commute on clogged highways and pay $1 million for a typical home.

In the months ahead, we plan to follow up with o cials and hold them accountable for their promises to improve the situation. We will ask for speci cs and then seek out local leaders and residents for their reactions. We also plan forums where our readers and local leaders can join us to speak about the work that needs to be done. In the meantime, we welcome your letters with ideas.

headed in a direction where that kind of market is more possible. He said he wants to “legalize more housing choices for every Coloradan” while “protecting the character” of the state.

Yet it is an idea marked mostly by the sweeping language of the governor’s speech — at least for now.

Colorado Community Media asked the governor for more details since his address. In one statement, the governor said only that “across our state we need more housing for purchase and for rent at a lower price, and I look forward to working on all ways we can help make this happen.”

In another sign, the governor touted Lakewood’s “forwardlooking vision” after he visited

Contributors to the project include:

The state Capitol in Denver in January.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Cities where six-figure salaries can’t buy homes

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Aldjia Oudachene’s Littleton home is “a wish come true.”

e house is close to the school bus stop, near work and even has a guest room where Oudachene’s father stays when he visits.

“We have good neighbors who have children the same age, so they play together and I’m so happy here,” Oudachene said.

Originally from Tizi Ouzou, Algeria, Oudachene, her husband and two children moved to Littleton in October 2020. In Algeria, Oudachene’s family lived in a house they could a ord on her and her husband’s incomes as French teachers. When they moved to Littleton, Oudachene said it was a challenge.

“When we came here, we started our life from nothing,” she said. “Here, to teach French, I have to learn English rst.”

To make ends meet, Oudachene and her husband took full-time positions with Walmart, but, even then, the high cost of housing put homeownership outside of their budget. Instead, they rented a two-bedroom apartment.

“With the apartment, life was stressful for us,” she said. “ ere wasn’t a lot of space and no place for (the children) to play.”

Oudachene’s family needed more space and privacy. So they kept looking for a house. Oudachene said her family friend told her about Habitat for Humanity. e national nonpro t vision is a “world where everyone has a decent place to live.” And a ordability is a major part of the organization’s vision.

e application process took about a year, but Oudachene said there was no way her family would have a house without Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver’s help. In the end, the organization provided an opportunity for the family to invest in a home within their budget.

“We would have had to wait to have the budget without Habitat,” she said. “It was so fast. Now, I’m happy to pay the mortgage because it goes into our home.”

From 2017 to 2022, the average home price in Littleton has gone up $300,000, but the city is not alone. Over the same period, Brighton saw home prices increase $225,000, Arvada saw a $275,000 increase and Lone Tree homes are up more than $470,000 on average.

As nding a ordable housing becomes harder for a growing number of Colorado families, municipalities and nonpro ts are looking to expand existing solutions like inclusionary zoning, community land trusts and deed restrictions.

Communities that have implemented one or more of these approaches report increasing their a ordable housing stock, though o cials emphasized that the complexity of Colorado’s housing situation means there is no silver bullet.

However, across the board, a key element to getting support for the expansion of a ordable housing programs is changing the mindset of who

bene ts from them.

Supply, but for whom?

Another impact of rising housing costs throughout the metro area, many communities are reaching a critical point where a majority of workers can’t a ord to live where they’re employed.

Corey Reitz, the executive director for South Metro Housing Options, an a ordable housing provider that serves Littleton and Arapahoe County, said housing prices are now unaffordable even for people who take home a solid paycheck. at includes earners topping $82,000, the median household income in Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas and Je erson counties, according to data from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.

“In the past there was an a ordability issue around those lower (area median incomes), but we’re to a point right now where a ordability impacts so many people across a larger spectrum,” Reitz said.

Across the state, the share of housing a ordable to Coloradans has dropped signi cantly. In 2021, just 51% of the state’s housing stock was a ordable for median income earners. at’s down from 76% in 2015, according to research from the Colorado Futures Center, a nonpartisan research group out of Colorado State University.

Phyllis Resnick and Jennifer Newcomer, the authors of the study, said they believe the continuous rise in pricing, even as the housing supply grows, indicates a mismatch in the kind of housing needed and the kind of housing being built.

“ ere’s supply, but supply for who?

At what monetary level?” Newcomer asked.

It looks like this: subdivisions of four- and ve-bedroom homes, handfuls of luxury apartments and few, if any, condos and starter homes.

“ e thing that we’re trying to gure out how to illuminate most speci cally is this nuanced distinction

between total rooftops and this notion of supply with respect to availability,” Newcomer said.

Resnick said the current market doesn’t incentivize the construction of lower-cost housing. Per her 2021 analysis, housing values in Colorado would need to drop by roughly onethird to return to the 2015 levels of a ordability – something unlikely to happen, experts have told Colorado Community Media throughout our four-week housing series.

e ones feeling the crunch the most are those who earn the least money, though many of those struggling to a ord housing have aboveaverage salaries.

“I suspect when we nish our research, we’re going to nd that housing that is a ordable to people who are closer to the economic margins is sort of not feasible in the sense of being pro table for the folks who need to be out there building that housing,” Resnick said.

A Golden gap

Without the market providing entry-level housing or starter homes, nonpro ts and local governments have stepped in to try to ll the gap by subsidizing building and buying costs.

An extreme example is the city of Golden, where 95% of its workforce lives outside city limits.

Just this month, the city applied for a grant to support a $65 million partnership with Habitat for Humanity to construct 120 for-sale condos and townhomes for residents making 80% of the area median income for households. at’s roughly $65,000 for an individual and around $93,000 for a family of four.

Golden recently completed a housing needs assessment in October, which found that both housing prices and rent increased exponentially in less than a decade. e cost of the average house in the city doubled between 2015 and 2022. For the rst half of 2022, the average single-family

home sold for $1 million, up from $533,000 in 2015.

is means even relatively highincome earners in Golden are considered by the city to be burdened by housing costs.

“ e majority of the housing that we’re projected to need in the next 10 years will need to serve households at or above 120% area median income,” Golden Housing Coordinator Janet Maccubbin said. “So you’re looking at households that would make well into six gures and yet there’s not housing that exists for them in Golden.” Maccubbin said the newly formed A ordable Housing Committee is expected to meet in February and will begin to shape the city’s response and goals for addressing housing needs.

Land and options

Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver’s approach to providing a ordable housing is to tackle two of the most expensive elements of housing — land and labor.

CEO Heather La erty said the organization, which works in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties, relies on partnerships with developers, as well as volunteers and program recipients to provide the labor.

To create a ordable housing that stays a ordable into the future, the organization utilizes Colorado Community Land Trust and deed restrictions. Under the land trust model, land is owned by a community trust or nonpro t, so homeowners only pay for the cost of the home. e trust currently has 215 properties, including townhomes and single-family homes, which serve households at or below 80% median income.

“It used to be that if we could just create an a ordable product, it would be something that would be a ordable in the future, just naturally, and that’s not the case today,” La erty said.

“What (the community land trust) does is, then in law in perpetuity, it only allows those homes to be sold to homebuyers in a similar income category. So it provides a ordability initially, but it also ensures 20 years from now it is sold with an income restriction.”

In addition to the trust, Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver also uses deed restrictions to ensure homeowners meet income requirements.

La erty said the models are successful because they provide lower-cost housing, while allowing homeowners to still build equity and eventually move into market-rate housing.

“What we nd is that a homebuyer is able to get into homeownership at a price point that works for them and they then are able to build equity,” she said “It’s really a steppingstone for people who are trying to get into homeownership and bene t from the equity homeownership allows households to build. But it also means that it’s not the kind of thing that happens for one family only.”

One of Colorado’s largest land trusts, Elevation Community Land

Aldjia Oudachene and her husband, Idir Ouarab, pose with their children, Yacine and Anais, at their home in Littleton. Originally from Algeria, Oudachene applied to Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver for a home in Littleton, where average home prices have gone up $300,000 between 2017 and 2022.

COURTESY OF ALDJIA OUDACHENE

Metro Growth: The Hidden Cost of Urban Sprawl

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Drive along the interstate into Colorado from its eastern side and the rolling plains slowly transform into vast hills of lights.

Shelley Cook, a former director with the Regional Transportation District and a former Arvada councilor, moved to the city in 1983. Back then, those lights weren’t as bright.

“(I moved) back when Olde Town was that sleepy little place and property values were cheap,” she said.

Over the decades, Denver and the cities and towns that surround it have grown together, absorbing wide open spaces in all directions. Every decade for almost a century, the region’s growth rate has outpaced the national average, according to the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, and prices did too.

“People aren’t able to live right in Olde Town, property values are expensive,” Cook said.

In the last 10 years, the region grew fast, and the Regional Transportation District is keeping track. RTD expects the population to keep rising, from 3.36 million people in 2020 to 4.41 million by 2050.

at means more roads, more water pipes, more single-family homes and ultimately more greenhouse gas emissions. In the past 30 years, Colorado has warmed substantially, and estimates project a rise by 2.5-5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050.

“I’m very concerned too, have been for years,” Cook said. “But for the world, for the people who follow us and the people who live in other places and people in developing countries who are the hardest hit in many cases, I’m very, very concerned.”

Zoom in from the mounting pressures of a world issue and see Colorado’s local municipalities — and residents — at the forefront of a solution. Climate anxiety may be alleviated with solutions that aim to reduce emissions.

Housing is part of the equation. Increasing density, building developments near transit lines and planning for other vehicles, like e-bikes, can all be solutions to the climate crisis.

ough, they may come with other issues too.

Higher density results in less lawn use, accessible transit increases ridershi[ and electric cars emit less pollution. However, people are less inclined to live in dense areas, funding for transit remains low and electric cars may outsource pollution elsewhere.

Part of the problem is traced to housing and the way Americans live, according to one study from the University of California Berkeley. Households in the United States alone directly or indirectly bear responsibility for about 20% of the world’s emissions of greenhouse gases, and those households represent only 4.3% of the total global population.

Local leaders have identi ed the scope of the problem, solutions and, in some cases, new problems created by attempts at solutions.

Pouring sand on a map

Christopher Jones, director of the CoolClimate Network at the University of California, analyzed the relationship between density and carbon emissions per household.

To measure the carbon footprints, Jones and his team looked at six key variables to estimate consumption: household income, household/family size, size of their homes, home ownership, education level and vehicle ownership.

Overall, Jones said they didn’t nd any correlation between overall density and emissions. Looking at zip codes everywhere, there are very rural areas with very low emissions, very rural areas with high emissions, cities with low emissions and so forth.

However, there exists a strong correlation between dense cities and emissions.

“It’s only when you get into the very, very high density areas that you have low emissions,” he said.

Looking at New York City, those living in Manhattan or Brooklyn have low carbon footprints, but that doesn’t necessarily mean lower emissions overall. Large cities are associated with extensive suburbs.

“It’s like pouring sand on a map. You can pour more sand in the middle and the pile just gets bigger and bigger. What you really need to do is pour the sand in a cup on the map and have it go up without going out, and we haven’t seen that in the United States,” he said.

ey don’t know if density is causing sprawl: they just know that’s what happened historically.

“Large populous cities actually have higher carbon footprints overall, even while the people who live in the urban core, their carbon footprints are much lower. So what you really need to do is prevent sprawl,” he said.

Sprawl by design

e Denver area isn’t zoned for density. Instead, it encourages the kind of growth Jones nds problematic.

Jones sees building density as a short-term solution to reducing carbon emissions from housing. Technology and decarbonizing the economy in the long term will be much more e cient. at serves those who don’t want to change their

lifestyle, as well as those who can’t a ord to live in dense areas, since density sometimes leads to pricing owners out of the area.

In Colorado, vehicle fuel and electricity are the two highest contributors to one’s carbon footprint, according to the CoolClimate Network data.

“If you can get truly renewable electricity to power your vehicle and your home, that’s certainly the quickest thing you can do,” he said.  ough, that may take years to come.

Carrie Makarewicz, an associate professor of urban and regional planning at the University of Colorado Denver, said roughly 80% of land in the metro area is zoned for residential single-family homes.

“Of the percentage of land in the region (included in the Denver Regional Council of Governments, or DRCOG) that is zoned only for residential, whether the zoning is for low, medium or high density residential (but excluding agricultural land that allows residential), the very low density zoning is 83.9% of land. Our de nition of low density is almost exclusively single family detached,” Makarewicz wrote in an email.

Just 4.4% of the built housing units is for two-to-nine unit housing.

A lot of communities in Colorado are mostly single-family homes, resulting in less density and forcing developments to sprawl out. Within Denver metro communities, that means space is limited.

According to Root Policy Research, between 2000 and 2019, Adams County increased single-family attached homes by 34%, Arapahoe County by 26%, Douglas County by 76% and Je erson County by 11%.

Progress to diversify housing stock has picked up in some areas, such as in Douglas County. e county increased duplexes by 174%, developments with three to four units by 179%, developments with ve to 49 units by 220%, and developments with 50 or more units by 471%.

However, numbers for denser residential developments are much lower than single-family homes. In 2000 in Douglas County, there were 54,428 single-family attached homes, 103 duplexes, 738 of three to four units, 4,453 of ve to 49 units and

773 of 50 or more units.

With most of the land zoned for single-family homes, the process for developers to build anything else is more arduous for them. It means they’ll most likely face hurdles, including public hearings and approval processes involving elected o cials.

Local purview

Zoning rules, infrastructure and transit between communities all impact climate change and a ordability. So does hyperlocal opposition to projects. at’s because housing plays a major role in how people live, and it’s decided by local electeds.

“Land use decisions are the purview of local governments exclusively,” said Jacob Riger, the long range transportation planning manager for Denver Regional Council of Governments.

It puts power within municipal government, since housing policy is local: cities set codes, they vote on plans for development and they decide how they want their land to look. at accounts for the housing stock today.

Infrastructure within cities can address climate change. Dense, walkable neighborhoods with public transit have the potential to lower carbon emissions and there are plans for such neighborhoods popping up along the Front Range — along with ghts over them.

Bill Rigler, principal at Boulderbased Greenlight Strategy, has seen it all.

“NIMBY tactics are literally the same in every community across the Front Range,” Rigler said. “I will never not be astounded by what a group of 10 or 15 angry individuals with the working knowledge of Nextdoor and Facebook can do to scuttle or dramatically alter the proposals for housing.”

NIMBY stands for Not In My Back Yard, but given the adamant opposition of groups to some projects, Rigler said a new attitude has appeared: “NOPE,” standing for Nothing On Planet Earth.

“ ere is rarely — if ever — a time I can think of where opponents to these projects have relied 100% on the truth. ey have a very uid relationship with facts,” Rigler said.

Rigler’s group works with developers to help get mixed-used and a ordable housing projects approved and only accepts developments if they reach a certain standard regarding sustainability.

He noted each one he works on goes above city building requirements, like water usage, by a factor of two or three. Even so, approval isn’t guaranteed and extra e orts by the developer increase costs.

Some of those NIMBY arguments cite defense of the environment, Rigler said. e groups cite dense developments as taking up land that would otherwise be used as open space, or that the new housing would attract more tra c, causing more pollution.

New research may counter those stances.

A map of average U.S. household carbon footprint by zip code of a zoomed-in portion of Colorado. The blue zip codes have lower carbon footprints (mostly in Denver, Boulder and mountain counties) while red have higher carbon footprints. The map is a screenshot from the CoolClimate Network. https://coolclimate.org/ maps COURTESY OF COOLCLIMATE NETWORK

The battle over tiny homes began with a bill

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For some Coloradans, the American dream is a spacious home. It might have four bedrooms, several bathrooms, high ceilings, a two-car garage and a yard with a vegetable garden. For others, the dream looks di erent — and the house, smaller. Much smaller.

A “tiny home” is a fraction of the dream, often a single room with a loft. And it can be had at a fraction of the price of a traditional home.

Tiny homes are a reality after Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 1242 last year. e law recognizes tiny homes as a new option amid skyrocketing home values. Prices have risen so fast in recent years that many Coloradans are simply priced out of the market.

e Polis administration, in an announcement, said the law is meant to “preserve and protect housing a ordability and expand access to a ordable housing.”

While tiny home builders have applauded the bill, it wasn’t always that way. Builder Byron Fears said the legislation in its current form almost did not come together.

“ ey didn’t have the realistic side of what a tiny home is about and what it takes to build a tiny home,” Fears said.

Fears is the owner of SimBlissity

Tiny Homes in Longmont. He is also on the executive committee of the nonpro t Tiny Home Industry Association, which launched in Colorado under the leadership of former Gov. John Hickenlooper and has expanded across the country.

But Fears said the original draft of the bill had the potential to put tiny home builders out of business.

He turned to state Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Larimer County, one of the bill’s sponsors.

“We did a Zoom call the next day and then another Zoom call the following day with more people involved,” Fears said.

Boon to the industry

Eventually, changes to the bill came and the industry got on board.

e industry looks at tiny homes as a boon to the state’s tight housing market. And they’re supported by a movement: tiny-house advocates who emphasize the environmental and personal bene ts of living in smaller spaces.

e dwellings can be as large as 400 square feet but many are much smaller. Some cost around $50,000, with prices ranging up to $200,000, depending on size and amenities — a ordable, especially when compared to median Colorado home prices that are well above $500,000.

Like regular homes, they must pass a code inspection to hook up to water, sewage and utilities. e new law also addresses manufactured homes, also known as mobile homes, simplifying contract and disclosure requirements and establishing a raft of standards from escrow to inspections meant to protect homeowners.

Fears said legislators and others worked closely with builders, too. e new law relies on the 2018 International Residential Code model, building codes written by builders around the world and adopted by individual counties, cities and towns.

e IRC’s Appendix Q speci cally addresses tiny homes and spells out the size and shape of the buildings, stairway standards, lofts and doors.

From industry to county

It all may sound dull, but those residential codes are the bread and butter of the business because they standardize tiny homes, giving builders, local communities and buyers an idea of what they can expect.

But writing the codes for national industry standards is one thing, getting counties to change zoning laws is another. e new state law simply makes it possible for county o cials to adopt tiny home rules of their own, Fears said.

“It still going to take a lot of work to get the di erent counties to adopt the Appendix Q IRC, which is what most of the building requirements will be based around,” he said.  Fears’ group met with o cials in Adams County and said they were not interested. Adams County ofcials provided no comment when contacted by Colorado Community Media.

But Fears said other counties are amenable to the idea.

“Some counties are already starting to talk with us,” Fears said.

Weld County began allowing tiny homes even before the state law passed. Tom Parko, director of the Department of Planning Services, said the county created its own policy a couple of years ago allowing people to buy a parcel of land to park a tiny home.

“We wanted to make sure the tiny home was hooked up to either a well or a public water system for potable water and then also a septic system,” Parko said. “We still do require a permanent foundation. So, the tiny home cannot be on wheels. at would be considered more of an RV and a temporary situation.”

Requirements like that can be a sticking point for some buyers. Some tiny homeowners want to have semi-

permanent foundations that keep the homes secure but allow them to be moved. e state is working on clari cation about the foundations, Fears said.

“It is one of our most signi cant sticking points and that clari cation will become guidelines counties can adopt or not adopt,” Fears said.

Weld County has more to explore, Parko said. e current rules treat a potential tiny home community like a mobile home park.

“It would allow somebody to buy 40 acres, and then allow 20 tiny homes to park on one parcel very similar to what you might nd in a mobile home park,” Parko said.

Parko said it gets a little more complicated when considering utilities. Weld County is not a water and sewer provider in unincorporated areas and in communities like Fort Lupton.

Special districts and utilities need to provide those services.

“Also sewerage and septic also have to be addressed,” Parko said. “It’s those types of things we’re kind of batting around a little bit to accommodate more of a tiny home community. But we certainly allow tiny homes in Weld County, if it’s just one per parcel.”

With tiny home living an option, Parko recommended contacting the local planning and zoning depart-

ments in the county where you are interested in living before making a purchase to ensure they’re allowed.

But for residents and buyers of tiny homes, all the regulatory wrangling is worth it. Sandy Brooks is one of those people. She was 75 years old when she purchased her tiny home in 2019.

“I’m older than most, and tiny homes are wonderful for older people,” she said. “I would rather buy a tiny home and live in it for many years than pay a lot for independent living. I feel like I’m living independently now.”

Brooks describes her tiny home as akin to a small apartment. It has a bedroom, closet, living room, and ofce space. It even has a kitchen with a dishwasher and a bathroom with a washer and dryer.

“It has all the amenities, Brooks said. “I love it, don’t regret it, and am grateful. I love my location. I live in Durango on the side of a mountain. It’s beautiful.”

Brooks said her place is perched alongside 24 other tiny homes.

“An engineer, therapists, and retired people live here, and our community helps each other,” Brooks said. “We all communicate and respect each other, and it is a wonderful place to live.”

The living room of the Valhalla tiny home with stairs leading up to the bedroom with storage space within the staircase.

Sandy Brooks’ kitchen with dishwasher. COURTESY OF SIMBLISSITY

The tiny home owned by Sandy Brooks with her dog Zoey. PHOTO BY SANDY BROOKS

Woman goes from being homeless to an apartment

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Lisa Hojeboom has a new place to call home.

It’s a one-bedroom apartment near Chat eld Dam complete with a walkout basement, a washing machine and a neighbor’s water feature “that sounds like a babbling brook.”

It’s quite a change. Hojeboom spent a year and a half living in places other than apartments. She lived in her car. She lived in a shelter. She lived at the Northglenn Recreation Center, where she slept on the oor of the gym and could get a 30-minute shower for $4.50.

“ e rst thing I did when I moved in was soak in a hot tub,” she said. “It was so nice.”

She was among many forced out of living arrangements because of the high cost of housing.

“I never pictured myself in that situation,” she said. “I did what I had to do.”

Hojeboom lived with her brother, but soon had to move.

“New owners bought the place, and they were going to raise the rent,” she said. “When my brother found out, he bailed. I had no job. I had just broken my elbow and was out of work

STRESSES

an apartment complex that includes some below-market-rate units and sits next to an RTD rail line.

Big spending

Another hint at what the governor wants came in response to questions after his State of the State Address. Polis said that he doesn’t want the state to get mired in ageold local debates over what the ideal mix is between a ordable and market-rate housing.

“ ere is no state AMI gure that works for Summit County, for Denver (and) for Boulder,” Polis said, in a reference to area median income, a measure often used to determine who is eligible for housing assistance.

However the mix of new homes might look, Colorado is wading deeper into spending to boost the supply of less costly housing.

Just days before the governor’s speech, the state announced a new program expected to help create up to 5,000 “high-quality, lowcost” housing units over the next ve years. e Innovative Housing Incentive Program directs funding to Colorado-based housing manufacturers in an e ort to boost the supply of houses that aren’t built traditionally. at includes modular homes, or factory-made houses, that are assembled at the location where the homeowner will move in. Polis touted a company from the mountain town of Buena Vista, say-

Fighting the Odds

for six months. I was getting hired for full-time work and getting part-time hours.”

On top of that, Hojeboom said, she su ered from post-traumatic stress disorder and was on medication, making it di cult to work, not to mention driving to work.

But she did. She did it while struggling with numerous other health issues — from a blockage in her small intestine to insomnia. rough multiple visits to the hospital and bouts of extreme pain, she held onto various jobs.

After losing her home she went looking for a new place to live. But the $1,400 per month rents she could nd were out of her price range.

“ ere’s nothing to live on,” she said, a reference to how little money she would have left after paying rent.

“It’s ridiculous. I wasn’t the only one in this situation.”

She felt she had no other option.

“I couldn’t a ord living anywhere except my car,” she said. “I saw no end. I couldn’t a ord rent.”

Hojeboom found herself living on the streets.

“ ere was one industrial street in ornton, LeRoy Drive,” she said.

“One of the parks had a ush toilet. I was never harassed. But when I got to Northglenn, the police told me I couldn’t stay on the streets overnight. I stayed employed through this.”

She even worked in airport security. Hojeboom also had a job as a con-

ing it “can build a home in roughly 18 working days, compared to close to a year for traditionally built homes.”

Alone, 5,000 new homes over several years won’t make a huge dent, but the state is also armed with other new initiatives.

Proposition 123 requires state ofcials to set money aside for more a ordable housing and related programs. e money could go toward grants and loans to local governments and nonpro ts to acquire land for a ordable housing developments.

Funds could also go to help develop multifamily rentals, including apartments, and programs that help rst-time homebuyers, among other e orts. As Proposition 123 ramps up, eventually about $300 million a year will be spent around the state on such e orts.

Polis’ o ce also highlighted how millions of dollars in federal economic recovery funds were spent amid the response to the coronavirus pandemic. In the last year, the state invested roughly $830 million into housing, including roughly $400 million based on funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act in programs passed by state lawmakers, including:

• A ordable-housing spending detailed in House Bill 22-1304, which provides grants to local governments and nonpro ts toward investments in a ordable housing and housing-related matters.

• A loan program under Senate Bill 22-159 to make investments in a ordable housing.

• e loan and grant program

struction site agger, one that paid employees by the day. While she was recuperating from illness, she carried a cardboard sign to solicit money.

“I was fortunate,” she said. “It was Christmas and people were generous. I made $200. I froze my ass o , but I did what I had to do.”

Eventually, Hojeboom got into the City of Northglenn’s temporary winter housing program, which ran from December 2021 and ended in August.

e partnership between Adams County, the city and the Denver Rescue Mission opened a temporary, 25-bed program inside the former Northglenn Recreation Center.

Northglenn’s program has since ended, but more programs are coming. Voters in November approved a ballot measure earmarking tax revenue for a ordable housing, and Gov. Jared Polis made the issue a point of emphasis in his ongoing agenda. ose who took advantage of the program met with case managers once a month.

“I slept on the gym oor on a mat for the last six months,” she told Colorado Community Media last year. “We were given breakfast, a sack lunch, a shower and a warm place to stay.”

Finding a permanent place wasn’t easy.

“I responded to ve ads,” she said. “Only one was legitimate. e rest were scams. I thought, ‘I’m not going to give you information if that’s the way you roll.’”

under Senate Bill 22-160 to provide assistance and nancing to mobile home owners seeking to organize and purchase their mobile home parks.

• e expansion of the “middle income access program” of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority under Senate Bill 22-146. e authority, a state entity, invests in a ordable housing.

• e “Infrastructure and Strong Communities” program, also under House Bill 22-1304, to provide grants to enable local governments to invest in infrastructure projects that support a ordable housing. ose investments build upon an additional $460 million in emergency rental assistance, $180 million in homeowner assistance and $7 million in vouchers that Colorado also invested using federal funds, the governor’s o ce told CCM.

Polis portrayed housing as integral to the fabric of Colorado, placing it in the larger context of climate, economic and water policy.

“Building smart, e cient housing statewide, especially in urban communities and job centers, won’t just reduce costs, it will save energy, conserve our water, and protect the lands and wildlife that are so important to our Colorado way of life,” Polis said.

Beyond spending, zoning is an important tool that o cials — from the governor to city leaders — are looking at tweaking in hopes of alleviating the rising cost of housing and its e ects on communities.

State role in the mix

It’s a conversation that is older

e one legitimate ad turned into her new home near Chat eld Dam. It’s the rst time she’s had roommates. e city of Northglenn paid her deposit and gave her $200 more than what was necessary to secure the unit.

It’s quite a turnaround. She’d owned her own home at one point.

“I am not a loser,” Hojeboom said. “I’ve had success in my life. My career just took some bad twists. Breaking my elbow? at sucks. Not collecting disability? at sucks.”

“Being homeless sucks. I went to a food pantry, but I had no refrigeration,” she added. “I had a cooler, but I couldn’t keep food. My eating habits were not ideal.”

“It’s been a trip.”

She landed a job as a medical transport driver for a rm associated with the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

“My personality is perseverance, but I’m worried for people who don’t have it together,” she said. “What do landlords expect? ey are pricing everyone out of the market. Interest rates are going up, which will make it harder to nd homes.”

She drives a Jeep Wagoneer for her job.

“I never wanted to wave a cardboard sign,” Hojeboom added. “I’m resilient. I’m a diehard. I smile through the face of adversity. People like my spirit. I was an inspiration to a lot of people.”

than many Coloradans. Making the case for new policies today, Polis harked back to changes from five decades ago.

“The last time Colorado made major land-use changes was in 1974 — before I, and most of you, were born,” Polis said. “We were a different state then.”

The governor’s office didn’t specify to CCM more about those changes, but at least two pieces of legislation arose that year that affected how local governments regulate how land is used.

Polis seemed to tease at the possibility of state intervention in how local communities govern housing.

“Since issues like transportation, water, energy, and more inherently cross jurisdictional boundaries, it becomes a statewide problem that truly impacts all of us,” Polis said.

He spoke of the need for more flexible zoning to allow more housing and “streamlined regulations that cut through red tape.”

He touched on expedited approval processes for projects like modular housing, sustainable development and more building in transit-oriented communities.

The governor and his office also didn’t specify what changes to zoning policy he would support or oppose. Polis has not said that he wants the state to require zoning changes in cities. Instead, the governor spoke about the state leaning in on an existing policy.

“We want to lean in to allowing local governments to use tools like inclusionary zoning to help create

the right mix for their community, and I think that local input in design is very important,” Polis said in a Jan. 17 news conference, following his address.

So-called “inclusionary” housing policies typically ask property developers to set aside a percentage of units in new developments for affordable housing, although developers are given different options to fulfill those requirements, The Colorado Sun has reported.

The landscape of local governments’ power to affect housing affordability in Colorado saw a big change recently. In 2021, Polis signed state House Bill 21-1117, allowing cities to impose affordable housing requirements on new or redeveloped projects, so long as developers or property owners have alternatives.

For example, they could trade those for affordable units built elsewhere, pay a fee into an affordable housing fund, or any number of other options, the Sun reported.

It’s unclear whether Polis would support anything further than the existing allowance for cities to use inclusionary zoning.

As of late January, the governor was focused on gathering input to work with state lawmakers and develop a proposal on land-use policy. As of press deadline, no bill had been introduced.

‘Can’t expect to lose money’

Polis noted the wide gap that has opened between housing prices and people’s income over the last several decades, putting homeownership out of reach for many families.

More government spending on housing is part of the solution to affordability, experts told CCM, including Yonah Freemark, senior research associate at the nonprofit Urban Institute, based in Washington, D.C.

“Assuming that we can rely entirely on the private market to address the affordable housing need is, I think, unrealistic and unlikely to address the needs of the people who have the lowest incomes,” Freemark said.

Ron Throupe, associate professor of real estate at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, said “it’s inevitable” that government must provide the needed funding to bolster the supply side of the housing market.

“We do things (on) the supply side, but it’s not enough,” Throupe said. “And you can’t expect a developer to build something and lose money.”

Spending from higher levels of government could benefit in particular the suburbs, which are struggling with housing affordability but have less political appetite to tackle the problem themselves, Freemark said.

“Ultimately, the most exclusionary places, which are often suburbs, have no incentive to invest in affordable housing” because “they don’t see affordable housing as (needed) by their residents,” Freemark said.

That said, creating housing af-

fordability for key workers like teachers, police and firefighters is an important part of the puzzle for communities, Throupe said.

“You lose your teachers, and then you lose the quality of your schools, and it hurts the area. Same with police and fire,” Throupe said.

In the larger business community, housing plays a crucial role too, Polis said.

“Coloradans have to be able to afford to live in our communities where they can earn a good living, and companies need to be able to find the workers they need to thrive,” he said in the speech.

‘We are not California’

The governor’s one-liner when speaking about housing — “We are not California. We are Colorado” — raises the question of where the state could be headed if it doesn’t change course.

Net migration, the difference between the number of people coming into and the number of people leaving an area, has long been positive in Colorado. In 2015, net migration was about 69,000 people, according to the State Demography Office. Although the number reached a recent prepandemic low in 2019 with about 34,000, newcomers are still flowing in.

“There are (home) buyers moving in from out of state, and many of them come from higher-priced areas, so they don’t have sticker shocks,” Throupe said, speaking to the sustained high demand and high prices in metro Denver.

Looking to the future, Throupe doesn’t think the metro Denver housing market is on a similar trajectory that large metro areas such as New York City and San Francisco have experienced in terms of high housing prices.

“New York is a coastal city and a financial center — same with (several) California (cities), San Francisco. We’ll never be that. We’re our own animal,” Throupe said.

“The choice between those cities and Denver pricing-wise has been extreme; it’ll tighten up. It’ll never be their prices, but it’ll tighten up,” Throupe added.

Freemark noted that geographically, Denver has less of a physical barrier to new construction than in places like San Francisco — and that New York City is largely surrounded by water.

Rogers, the teaching assistant professor in the program for environmental design at CU Boulder, described the metro Denver housing market’s future in terms of uncertainty.

“I think that we are in a place we’ve never been before, so I can’t extrapolate the future from that,” Rogers said. “I feel like we’re in unknown waters.”

Trust, which serves Denver, Boulder, Aurora, Longmont and Fort Collins, has created 700 a ordable homes and served around 2,000 residents in its rst ve years of operating.

Rodney Milton, a board member for the Elevation Community Land Trust and executive director of the Urban Land Institute, said another bene t to having shared land is it helps to prevent displacement and keeps communities intact.

“ e problem with reaping full equity is you can leave and the next person who buys the house could a ord to buy it at a higher price and you lose the a ordability,” Milton said. “( e land trust) locks in affordability, but it also locks in community dynamics.”

Habitat’s plan to purchase more land in its ve-county service area is evidence that the organization believes in the land trust model for successfully housing more people, La erty said.

“We don’t anticipate land getting any less expensive, even if the market cools,” she said. “We have an urgency and a problem today that we’re trying to meet, as well as a long-term problem that we anticipate, so we’re trying to solve for both today and tomorrow.”

La erty said one of the biggest challenges to expanding programs to serve more lower-income households and add moderate-income households is money. Last year, her organization received a $13.5 million

donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, an Amazon stakeholder, which allowed the organization to buy more property.

Even still, La erty said that Habitat likely only meets “a fraction of a percentage” of existing demand.

“We have a need in the metro area for tens of thousands of a ordable houses,” La erty said. “ at’s why we need bigger, bolder action.”

Inclusionary zoning

Another tactic some municipalities are taking is to use a relatively new tool in Colorado, inclusionary zoning ordinances. State lawmakers in 2019 approved a law to allow cities and towns to require developments to include a certain number of affordable housing units or pay fees.

So far, only six communities have implemented inclusionary zoning: Broom eld, Boulder, Longmont, Superior, Denver and, most recently, Littleton.

Littleton’s inclusionary housing ordinance, which went into place in November, requires all new residential developments in the city with ve or more units to make at least 5% of those units a ordable to people at or below 80% area median income for households, which is $62,000 for an individual or $89,000 for a family of four.

If developers do not include affordable units, the inclusionary housing ordinance will levy hundreds of thousands in fees against them to be paid to the city that can then be used on other a ordable housing-related projects.

With upcoming development in the city, more than 2,500 proposed

increase in population and commercial use. In fact, Westminster added 15,000 residents to the community and 150 new commercial business accounts.

housing units will now be subject to the ordinance, presenting the potential for at least 125 a ordable units.

Littleton District 3 Councilmember Steve Barr said at the Nov. 1 council meeting that he is “not under any impression that the ordinance is going to solve housing a ordability in Littleton or south metro Denver,” but that it provides a critical tool for addressing the crisis.

Developers and others at the meeting voiced concerns about the ordinance making development too costly or di cult and warned it could result in a decrease in the overall available housing. Morgan Cullen, director of government a airs for the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, told the Littleton council that the ordinance could burden developers to the point where projects wouldn’t be pro table, resulting in no new developments.

“ e additional a ordable units required by this ordinance will not be built if developers and builders decide that Littleton is not a suitable place to invest in the future,” Cullen said.

However, Broom eld Housing Programs Manager Sharon Tessier said in an email that its inclusionary housing ordinance has resulted in 580 a ordable rental units and 43 affordable for-sale homes in two years.

She said when the ordinance was initially in place, a majority of developers chose to pay the fee instead of building a ordable units.

“It allowed us to provide seed money to our new independent housing authority, the Broom eld Housing Alliance, and other critical

schools, stores and restaurants are several miles away.”

a ordable housing projects,” she said. “However, we recognized that we needed to make some adjustments to our original approach — both based on the initial data from the program, as well as through comments from developers, other stakeholders, and the community — that create better and more balanced opportunities for developers to provide on-site units while still providing the option to pay the cashin-lieu fee.”

e original ordinance required for-sale single-family home developments with more than 25 units to restrict one-tenth of the units to 80% of area median income or pay a feein-lieu. e new ordinance, updated late last year, requires for-sale single family home developments with more than 25 units to restrict 12% of the homes to 100% area median income. It also increases the fee-inlieu based on market rate adjustments.

Tessier said the reason the inclusionary housing ordinance was implemented in 2020 was to provide the chance for more people to live where they work.

“ e idea was to expand housing a ordability and to target those households that typically fall in the middle of the housing needs spectrum, meaning it would bene t those who are low middle to middle income earners,” she said. “In other words, it assists essential workers like the people who teach our children, who ght res and keep our city safe.”

Nina Joss, Rob Tann and Corrine Westeman contributed to this story.

What about water?

When Makarewicz thinks about density and water use, she thinks of leakage from pipes.

“ ere’s a lot of leakage in our water pipes,” she said. “Each time you create those joints and individual pipes and stretch them farther out into undeveloped parts of the county, you’re losing water.”

She also thinks of lawns. Lower density areas usually require more square feet of lawns. With more units, less water is going towards Kentucky bluegrass.

Less density doesn’t always mean less water usage, either. She said it really comes down to per-person usage and how many water-based appliances are in the home.  at’s where more e cient technology plays a role. In Westminster, water consumption declined in the past two decades despite an

Senior Water Resources Analyst Drew Beckwith said technology affects a large portion of that decline, like newer high-e ciency toilets that use less water than older ones. e question of how much technology can continue to improve remains, though Sarah Borgers, interim department director of Westminster’s public works and utilities department, thinks there’s much more room to grow.

“Industry-wide, I think the sense is we are not close to there yet. ere’s still a long way to go before we hit that plateau,” she said. “We don’t know what the bottom is, but we aren’t there yet.”

Pro-density ratings are low

e majority of Americans are increasingly opposed to the idea of living in dense areas. In fact, about 60% want “houses farther apart, but

e number of Americans wanting homes “smaller and closer to each other, but schools, stores and restaurants are within walking distance” went from 47% in 2019 to 39% in 2021.

e Pew Research Center said the shift occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic with increased “telework, remote schooling and pandemicrelated restrictions on indoor dining and other indoor activities.”

Despite attitudes shifting against density, Riger said the region mostly will densify with many municipalities at build-out and reaching their outward boundaries as population increases.

“I think it’s going to be a mix of growing out and growing up,” he said.

With higher density comes transit options, because land use is a transportation strategy.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health, transportation was the second largest green-

house gas contributor for the state by sector, losing to electric power as the rst.

With mixed-use, well designed, higher density areas, residents are able to walk more, reduce their travel times and distances, and have the ability to support transit lines and bike lanes.

An example could be seen in Olde Town Arvada.

Housing on transit lines

Since Cook moved into Arvada back in 1983, she’s seen the city transform into something di erent, crediting transit oriented development with bringing life into Arvada’s Olde Town.

Cook, along with several others, teamed up with Forward Arvada, a nonpro t looking to revitalize Olde Town in the 90s. ey tasked themselves with making an idea — to run a train line along decommissioned railroad tracks — into a reality to make sure Olde Town began to thrive.

SEE GROWTH, P39

Rep. Crow, LGBTQ+ advocates reflect on need for change

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Two months after the Colorado Springs Club Q shooting, U.S. Rep. Jason Crow sat down with 16 advocates at the Transgender Center of the Rockies in Sheridan to discuss the needs and concerns facing the LGBTQ+ community.

“I’ve walked along a certain life path that’s given me certain perspectives and lived experience, but you all have walked di erent ones and it’s important to listen to that and understand that, so I can understand what I can do better,” said Crow, who represents Colorados’ 6th Congressional District.

“I know there’s a lot more that can be done and I should be doing,” he said.

Sitting around him were representatives of various organizations that serve the LGBTQ+ community, such as the Transgender Center of the Rockies and Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, the YouthSeen nonpro t, the Matthew Shepard Foundation and the Envision:You nonpro t.

April Owen, director of Transgender Center of the Rockies, said the center was very a ected by the Club Q shooting, in which ve people were killed and at least 17 others wounded.

A program of Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, the center o ers holistic, gender-a rming resources and services to LGBTQ+ people

across Colorado. Since the shooting in late November, there has been an increase in the number of people utilizing the center, Owen said.

However, the accessibility of gender-a rming care for LGBTQ+ people continues to be a challenge for many, advocates explained during the nearly hour-long conversation.

“We have an abundance of therapists in Colorado,” said Tara Jae, founder and executive director of YouthSeen and a co-founder of Black Pride Colorado. “A rming therapists? Not so much. erapists of color? Handful. And there’s a waitlist for that.”

Understanding gender-a rming care and its value

Gender-a rming care is de ned as a supportive form of healthcare that helps align a person’s outward, physical traits with their gender identity, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ O ce of Population A airs. It could include mental health, medical and surgical services for transgender and nonbinary people.

Examples of gender-a rming care include patients not having to educate their medical provider on matters such as why they use a different name than their birth name or why they have certain pronouns, said Steven Haden, the CEO and co-founder of Envision:You, which is an advocacy and training organi-

zation for the LGBTQ+ community.

Research has found gendera rming care improves mental health and overall wellbeing of gender diverse youth, who are more at risk for mental health issues and suicide, according to the O ce of Population A airs.

In 2022, the Trevor Project conducted a national survey of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13 and 24. It found that 45% of LGBTQ youth in Colorado seriously considered suicide in the past year, including 52% of transgender and nonbinary youth.

“LGBTQ young people are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society,” the survey states.

Transgender and nonbinary youth in Colorado also reported higher rates of anxiety and depression, at 79% and 66% respectively.

However, 60% of LGBTQ youth in Colorado who wanted mental health care in the past year were unable to get it, according to the Trevor Project’s survey.

e top reasons for this include being afraid to talk about their mental health, fearing not being taken seriously, being unable to afford services and not wanting to get parental permission, per the survey.

Several advocates mentioned location can be a barrier as well, explaining many people living in

rural areas have di culty accessing gender-a rming care.

On top of that, advocates discussed challenges to providing gender-a rming care such as limited training opportunities, a lack of diversity among therapists and regulatory issues that limit therapists’ ability to serve clients.

Limited training opportunities

Owen of Transgender Center of the Rockies explained mental health professionals typically have to seek out their own training for o ering gender-a rming care.

“I think that really needs to happen in schools and training programs, graduate programs, medical schools throughout the state of Colorado, in the country,” Owen said. “Maybe it’s a little elective somewhere that you can take, but it’s not a robust part of the curriculum and it really does need to be in this day and age.”

Building on Owen’s point, Jae of YouthSeen said such training should be a part of becoming licensed.

Crow said he thinks there may be an opportunity to incorporate such training at the University of Colorado’s medical school.

“I’d be happy to go to them with this and maybe see if there’s a collaboration opportunity — say, ‘Let’s, you know, add this into the curriculum as well,’” Crow said.

SEE CROW, P39

THE 2020 COLORADO NEW PLAY SUMMIT STANDOUT RETURNS TO THE DENVER CENTER

Lawmakers attempt to tackle auto theft

Penalties could increase

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down on the scourge of vehicle theft in the state by decoupling the cost of a stolen car from the criminal penalty a thief faces and by increasing penalties for repeat auto theft offenders.

Senate Bill 97 would make stealing any vehicle a Class 5 felony, which is generally punishable by one to three years in prison or a fine between $1,000 to $100,000, or both.

Right now, the penalty level for an auto thief depends on the value of the vehicle they steal. The lowest level offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail, for stealing a car worth up to $2,000 if it’s a first or second auto theft. The highest level offense is a Class 3 felony, punishable by up to 12 years in prison, for stealing a car valued at $100,000 or more.

Under the new measure, a person who steals a car could be charged with Class 4 felony based on aggravating circumstances, such as should a thief keep the vehicle for more than a day, use the vehicle during the commission of another crime or take steps to alter or disguise the vehicle. Class 4 felonies are punishable by up to

six years in prison. The legislation, brought at politicians face pressure to deal with an increasing number of car thefts across the state, would also make a third or subsequent auto theft conviction a Class 3 felony, which are generally punishable by four to 12 years in prison and fines of

$3,000 to $750,000 or both.

Tim Lane, with the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council, said the legislation creates a tiered auto theft penalty system that aims to send a message that no matter the value of a vehicle, stealing an automobile is a serious offense. Lane said the legislation likely wouldn’t change the maximum penalty for a juvenile auto thief.

“This is one thing to help with auto theft,” he said, “but it’s by no means the entire solution.”

Lane spoke at a news conference with Democratic and Republican state lawmakers. Also attending the event were Denver-area mayors and police chiefs, as well as local prosecutors and key members of Gov. Jared Polis’ administration.

“Imagine waking up one morning to find your only way of getting to work, of getting your kids to school or day care is gone,” said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat and prime sponsor of the bill, at Monday’s news conference. “Picture heading to the parking lot after a long day of work to find your way home has been taken. Imagine the terror of being held up at gunpoint and forced to leave your vehicle in a carjacking. Too many of our neighbors don’t need to imagine what this feels like because they have lived it firsthand.”

The other lead sponsors of the

bill are Republican Sen. Bob Gardner of Colorado Springs and Reps. Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Shannon Bird, D-Westminster.

Polis, in a written statement, endorsed the measure.

“To achieve our shared goal of making Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the next five years, it is critical we address rising auto theft crimes in our state,” he said. “Coloradans are counting on us. A vehicle’s monetary value does not represent the value to the owner and the impacts a stolen vehicle has on a person or family’s daily life. Criminals should be held accountable for the crimes they commit and charged in a consistent, just, and rational way.”

The new legislation also includes a “joy-ride” provision that would make it a Class 1 misdemeanor to use a vehicle without the owner’s permission as long as the car is returned within 24 hours without damage and only minor traffic offenses were committed. A second and subsequent conviction for the joy-ride offense would be a Class 5 felony, however.

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

Cars parked along Littleton’s Main Street.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

Amazon put workers at risk at Aurora warehouse

OSHA cites company

BY JOSHUA PERRY THE COLORADO SUN

Amazon faces new fines for workplace violations at its Aurora facility and several other warehouses nationwide, according to citations issued Wednesday by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA cited Amazon for “unsafe conditions and ergonomic hazards” in Aurora as part of an ongoing federal investigation that also cited warehouses in Castleton, New York and Nampa, Idaho. The proposed fine totals $46,875.

The announcement follows the conclusion of similar investigations of three Amazon warehouses in Waukegan, Illinois; Deltona, Florida; and New Windsor, New York that resulted in similar citations totaling $60,269 in proposed fines.

Although citations have been issued, the investigation of workplace safety in Colorado, New York and Idaho warehouses, which began Aug. 1, is ongoing and subject to change.

OSHA investigations usu-

ally must report findings after six months, but on Monday a judge extended the deadline to April 18. The investigation of all six sites has been the largest enforcement of ergonomic safety compliance ever, OSHA said in a Jan. 18 news release.

Ergonomic safety hazards increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, by exposing employees to situations like “lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively,” according to OSHA’s definition.

In the past, ergonomic safety violations have often been difficult for OSHA to address. No established legal standard exists for enforcing ergonomic safety, said Eric Frumin, health and safety director of the Strategic Organizing Center, a coalition of labor unions. Frumin said previous attempts to establish a legal standard for ergonomic safety have faced powerful corporate opposition. This recent effort by OSHA is unprecedented, he said.

“They’ve been investigating a lot of companies, big companies, with different kinds of problems over the years, and they have never had an investigation of this magnitude,” Frumin said. OSHA’s investigation discovered high rates of MSDs among Amazon workers. According to the official citation, employees at the Aurora warehouse work in an environment that puts them at significant risk for developing MSDs from “repetitive lifting and carrying, twisting, bending and long reaches and combinations thereof.”

The safety of working conditions in Amazon warehouses has been contested by labor advocates for years. A 2020 investigation by Reveal, the Bay Area investigative journalism organization, pored through internal safety records and found that serious injuries at Amazon warehouses had increased 33% in three years, nearly double the industry standard at the time.

Amazon said that it intends to appeal the OSHA citations.

“We take the safety and health of our employees very seriously, and we don’t believe the govern-

A Rate Worth Getting Excited About!

ment’s allegations reflect the reality of safety at our sites,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said.

“We’ve cooperated with the government through its investigation and have demonstrated how we work to mitigate risks and keep our people safe, and our publicly available data show we reduced injury rates in the U.S. nearly 15% between 2019 and 2021.”

OSHA also cited Amazon with 14 violations for improper recordkeeping in the company’s injury reports during the first round of investigation in December, levying $29,008 more in possible fines.

No Amazon workers are unionized in Colorado — the only unionized Amazon warehouse is in Staten Island, New York. The Amazon Labor Union tried to organize at a warehouse in Albany, New York, but employees voted no to a union in October. Efforts to organize service workers from Apple to Starbucks last year were met with mixed results. Several Starbucks stores in Colorado have voted to unionize, but contracts are still under negotiation.

Amazon employs more than 20,000 full- and part-

time workers in Colorado. Many work in the warehouses and as fulfillment center workers. A number are also employed at the 22 Whole Foods Market grocery stores around the state.

The company opened its first warehouse in Colorado in 2016. The Aurora facility, known as DEN5, is where the latest OSHA citations were issued. Workers at the facility sort already sealed packages and then route them by ZIP code to local post offices for faster delivery to Colorado customers. Its first fulfillment center opened in 2018, also in Aurora, followed by another in Thornton where employees are assisted by robots. A Colorado Springs warehouse opened in 2021. The company is also constructing a new fulfillment center in Loveland. This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalistowned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Creek girls coalesce as team

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Cherry Creek’s girls basketball team is starting to believe and practice the team concept that so many coaches believe.

e Bruins are ranked third in the Jan. 30 Class 6A poll of the CHSAANow.com and defeated No. 10 Arapahoe, 53-41, in a Centennial League makeup game played on Jan, 30.

“We started o slow at the beginning and then going forth in the fourth quarter we de nitely came together as a team,” said junior Julia Leach. “We played defense and scored buckets. We have to continue to play as a team and talk on defense. We just have to stay together. We can’t have any bickering. We worked so hard to get here and we just have to keep improving.”

Senior Braelynn Barnett echoed Leach’s thoughts.

“We’re doing good, way better than we did at the beginning of the season,” said Barnett. “We have so much potential and if we stay as a team and work together instead of working as one, we’llget really far this season.

“It’s just us working together instead and playing 5 v 5 instead of 1 v 1,” she continued.“We’re making

extra passes and I feel we’re really coming together as a team.We’re all talented individually but when we come together as a team we are just that much better.

If we play one-on-one basketball, it’s not going to work.”

Creek coach Clint Evens has a young team with six sophomores, two juniors, a freshman and two seniors.

“ ere are a lot of sophomores,” said Evans. “It’s a young group but they all played last year.

Over the last two weeks the team has looked really good. ey are starting to play hard on every play.

“ is group is starting to make some strides and go forward. It’s not like one step forward and two steps back.”

One of the sophomores Tiana Chambers claims the team came together quickly this season.

“All of us have known each other for a while and so we just clicked right away,” she said.“Everyone on the team can play and everyone contributes to the team. I just trust my teammates and know that they are there.”

Tiana Chambers scored 18 points in the game against Arapahoe. Barnett had 12 and sophomore A’neya

Chambers came in with 10.

Gianna Smith led Arapahoe with 19 points while Sydney White nished with 15 points.

CC improved to 5-0 record in the league and 15-3 overall as the Bruins

used a strong fourth quarter to down Grandview, 56-40, on Feb. 1. Arapahoe edged Eaglecrest, 54-50, the same evening as the Warriors upped their record to 10-6 overall and 3-2 in the league.

Battle of the heavyweights

57-47 and essentially squeezed the

“ ey were pretty hard to handle,” fourth-year Vista coach Brian Wood said of Homer and Stevens. “We ask a lot of them. ey’re both incredible

It was surely a satisfying win for the Golden Eagles (who also beat nonleague tournament game). Last year, Canyon ended Vista’s season in the Class 5A state playo s, winning e 2023 state tournament is only very good chance these two teams haven’t seen the last of each other. Stevens said. “ ey’re really good.

Playing fast and inducing early turnovers out of the Jaguars, Vista League) attempted twice as many shots as the visitors in the opening quarter. e Golden Eagles led 15-9 after the rst 8 minutes, forcing Canyon (17-2, 5-1) to play from behind — though not from too far behind —

claim the momentum and put some distance between themselves and Canyon.

Aidan Peck’s and-one play out of a timeout trimmed Vista’s lead to 3632 with 3:38 left in the third quarter, but the Golden Eagles quickly went on a 7-0 run to take their biggest lead of the game.

en, after seven consecutive Jaguars points made the score 4339 early in the fourth quarter, the Golden Eagles outscored Canyon 8-2 over a 1:27 stretch to push their lead back to 10.

e Jaguars were never able to get closer than eight points the rest of the way.

“ is has always been a team of runs,” 11th-year Canyon coach Kent Grams said of Vista. “ ey’re a heck of a team.

“I told our guys, `Being number one comes with a great responsibility.’ Tonight just wasn’t our night.”

Vista shot 47% (23-for-49) overall from the eld. Cal Baskind scored 14 points, Brendan Diehl had three and Ian Strawbridge chipped in a pair to round out the scoring for the Golden Eagles.

atmosphere inside the building. “I love playing against Canyon because their student section always shows out and our student section always shows out. It was great.”

Added Homer, who had 21 points of his own: “It’s always a huge crowd whenever we play Canyon. It’s always a big game.”

ers in Colorado, putting down eight points in the blink of an eye to cut Vista’s lead to one point late in the second quarter.

But no other moment brought the house down quite like Stevens’ alleyoop dunk with 1 minute, 24 seconds to go in the game. e emphatic jam stretched the Golden Eagles’ lead to

Hershberger’s stop-and-pop 3-pointer with 1:02 remaining in the rst half — moments after burying a separate trey and scoring on a twisting layup — brought Canyon to within a point at 24-23.

But every time the Jaguars started to get too close, the Golden Eagles went on a run of their own to re-

Canyon connected on 37 percent (16-for-43) of its shots, though many of the Jaguars’ misses came late when they were in desperation mode. Hershberger paced Canyon with 18 points. e Jaguars’ other scorers were Peck (16), Mac Terry (eight), Hudson Ellwood ( ve), Kasen Lehman (three) and Reid Finch (two).

Cherry Creek’s Tiana Chambers (1) looks for a way around two Arapahoe defenders during a Jan. 30 game. Tiana Chambers scored 18 points to help the Bruins collect a 53-41 Centennial League victory.

PHOTO BY JIM BENTON

Mountain Vista’s Caden Stevens, #22, goes up for a shot against Rock Canyon on Feb. 2. Stevens scored a game-high 22 points in Vista’s 62-52 win.

PHOTO BY ALEX K.W. SCHULTZ

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

National Letter of Intent signing day was Feb. 3 and here is a list of all athletes this year who have been reported by high schools to have signed and which colleges they will be attending next season. If schools did not report athletes, they are not listed.

Arapahoe: Samuel Bsllas, football, Fort Lewis; Rylee Buesing, soccer, Dominican; Makaiah Carlson, soccer, Black Hills State; Addison Craig, soccer, John Brown; Addie Doyle, soccer, Air Force; Brynn Dzengelewski, eld hockey, Maine; Ava Escorcia, track and eld, Colorado State; Fred Fulkerson, lacrosse, Christopher Newport; Matthew Greene, football, UNLV; Finnegan Hauhuth, lacrosse, Maryland; Noah Hilgert, lacrosse, Colorado Mesa; Ryan Johnston, swimming, Kansas; Emily Lamontagne, track and eld, North Carolina; Lindsey Louder, swimming, Tampa; Taylor Miller, softball, Furman; Ava Mitchell, track and eld, Northern Arizona; Antonia Mohren, soccer, Virginia Wesleyan; Graydon Pytlinski, baseball, Coe; Ty Scheckenbach, lacrosse, Lindenwood; Eva Searle, lacrosse, Kent State; Jackson Smith, football, Northern Colorado; Sydney White, basketball, California Baptist Castle View: Annabell Haugen, soccer,Adams State; Rielley McNeill, track and eld, Chicago; Luke Cushman, golf, Boise State; Kade Bracken, golf, Oregon Institute of Technology; Riley Schultz, lacrosse, Marquette; Samantha Hughes, lacrosse, Florida; Evelyn Tanella, lacrosse, San Diego State; Ace Malone, track and eld, Miami; Cooper Harrison, football, Adams State; Cole Stanley, football, Fort Lewis; Mason Rego, baseball, Morningside; Owen Clark, track and eld, Metro

Athletes sign with colleges

State; Cole Jenkins, baseball, Missouri Valley; Sophie Schwartz, weightlifting, Concordia.

Chaparral: Landon LaFlam, lacrosse, Canisius; Blake, lacrosse, Adams State; Gavin Morgan, lacrosse, CSU-Pueblo; Shane Hanson, baseball, Santa Barbara City College; Violet ompson, cross country, track, Ft. Lewis; Jackson Parrill, cross country, South Dakota Mines; Benjamin Flora, football, Dordt; Brayden Munroe, football, Northern Colorado.

Cherry Creek: Chase Brackney, football, Iowa; Logan Brantley, football, Kansas; Blake Purchase, football, Oregon; Javon Smith-Combs, football, Colorado State; Hank Zlinskas, football, Colorado; Ismael Cisse, football, Stanford; Braylen Warren, football, Northern Colorado;

Highlands Ranch: Enrich Kephart, baseball, Lubbock Christian; Mason Kajfosz, swimming, Purdue; Daniela Cranford, volleyball, Idaho State; McKenna Carnesi. gymnastics, Washington; Rylan Smith, soccer, San Francisco; Bailey Williamson, rowing, Kansas State

Heritage: Gavin Batron, cross country, track, Metro State; Kate Bryant, gymnastics, Clemson; Sophia Capp, swimming, Purdue; Austin Carr, baseball, South Mountain Community; Sophie Castro, soccer, Army; Amy Champagne, volleyball, Baker; Lila Crowley, track and eld, Texas Tech; Patrick Deevy, swimming, Lynn; Zach Dickman, swimming, Lafayette; Hanna Doerr, soccer, Belmont Abbey; Inge Ehm, swimming, Texas Christian; Sam Garcis, track and eld, Lewis and Clark; Garrett Gurley, swimming, Colorado Mesa; Cade Kunz, baseball, Barton Community; Trevor Landen, baseball, Northern Colorado; Mary Macaulay, swimming, North Carolina; Mitchell Oliver, swimming, Arizona; Hank

Orr, baseball, Barton Community; Jake Paczkowski, baseball, San Joaquin Delta; Ashlyn Porter, softball, Campbell; Zyrig Siegler, football, Western Colorado; Annika Sokol, volleyball, Central Florida: Kayla Truong, soccer, Black Hills State; Linda Weigang. track and eld, Ft. Lewis.

Littleton: Dalana Jakovljevic, basketball, Snow; Brycen Mhlanga, football, Adams State; Aiden Lauer, football, Adams State; Ethan Bird, football, Adams State; Carter Wasson, lacrosse, Aurora; Skye Fanch, soccer, Lake Forest.

Mountain Vista: Alexander Turpin, football, Colorado Mesa; Dawson Long, lacrosse, American International; Brandt Ward, lacrosse, Sacred Heart; Joel Palasz, lacrosse, Sacred Heart; Brady Brown, lacrosse, Monmouth; Riley Jenkins, lacrosse, Canisius; Ethan Pearson, lacrosse, Towson; Abby Aeschleman, golf, Creighton; CJ Meehan, lacrosse, Marquette; Talia Reading,lacrosse, Northwestern; Kamryn Wilson, soccer, Stetson; Brooke Conway, cross country, track, Cal Poly; Keira Gamily, cross country, track, Northeastern; Cayley Swain, cross country, track, Vassar; Rachel Bair, track, Utah; Valerie Stoltz, volleyball, Susquehanna; Michael Wittren, beach volleyball, Grand Canyon; Mai Kawahata, swimming, Santa Barbara; Sean Marlow, baseball, St. omas; Jeremy Bergeron, baseball, Ausustana; Zeke Borel, baseball, Concordia-Irvine; Noah Baker, baseball, Murray State; Brendan Diehl, baseball, Doane.

Ponderosa: Lauren Stucky, softball, Colorado State; Kayli Spall, basketball, Doane; Caden D’Lallo, lacrosse, Adams State; Ryan Kennett, track and eld, Colorado Mines; Camden Stanley, lacrosse, Westminster; Katherine Rank,

volleyball, New Haven; Gabriel Jacobs, baseball, Azusa Paci c; Elli Brown eld, gymnastics, Lindenwood; Logan Matthews, football, New Mexico Highlands; Jacob Bostelman, wrestling, Northwestern; Lyam Edwards, football West Texas A&M; Jack Taylor, football, Briar Cli ; Cape Olsen, football, Ft. Lewis. underRidge: Jack Bakke, swimming, Chapman; Josie Byrne, track and eld, South Dakota Mines; Kenny Carpenter, track and eld, Colorado State; Kira Chaney, volleyball, Hartford; Nate Geiger, football, Wyoming; Sam Green, lacrosse, Woester; Jonah Lassen, baseball, Bethel; Aiden Olshan, football, Wyoming; Ryan Oro, golf, Charleston; Kaden Shouse, football, Wyoming. Rock Canyon: Savanna Barbosa, lacrosse, Tampa; Sean Barta, Baseball, Pima Community College; Luc Belvill, lacrosse, Stevenson; Bryce Bienvenu, baseball, Centenary; Ben Case, track, Cornell College; Neila Castaneda, basketball, Luther;Alex Cutone, lacrosse, Boston U; Murrie Dodge, cross country, track, New Mexico St.; Aidan Duda, football, Western Colorado; Abby Gardner, swimming, Bu alo; Addison Gilbertson, lacrosse, Old Dominion; Chase Goode, baseball, Miles Community College; Alina Hajewski, volleyball, Trenton St.; Gavin Hershberger, basketball, Upper Iowa; Chase Jaworsky, baseball, Union Valley; Carsen Krell, baseball, Morningside; Savannah Larsen, lacrosse,Ohio Northern; Jasper Lorenz, soccer, William & Mary; Samantha Loft, soccer, South Dakota; Ethan Meyer, lacrosse, LeMoyne; Daniel Morton, lacrosse, William Penn; Ben Rome, basketball, Gustavus Adolphus; JT Shank, baseball, Paci c; Ava Todd, soccer, Kent St.; Addison Vali, soccer, SMU;

Michael Vargas, cross country, track, UCCS.

Aiden Olshan:Colorado Mesa University for Football

Ryan Oro:University of Charleston for Golf

Kaden Shouse:University of Wyoming for Footb

Valor Christian: Cashel Dugger, baseball, UCLA; Gavin Hunt, baseball, Azusa Paci c; Brn Leikam, baseball, Wichita St.; Carson Tinney, baseball, Notre Dame; Anna Allison, basketball, Arizona Christian; Sydney Baller, basketball, Mass Institute of Technology; Macey Huard, basketball, Montana; Ali Wetta, basketball, Utah State; Taylor Rorick, cross country, track, Creighton; Brooke Wilson, cross country, track, Wake Forest; Rowdy Beers, football, Florida International; Brody Bliek, football, Northern Colorado; Tanner Morley, football, Colorado State; Trey Stott, football, San Diego; Roman Bradley, football, Air Force; Elle Higgins, golf, Montana; Anya Turner, gymnastics, Georgia; Audra Dial, lacrosse. Kent State; Reagan Diggy, lacrosse, Duke; Kyle Green, lacrosse, William Jewell; Kaley Kakac, lacrosse, John Hopkins; Kadin Bolin, soccer, Wartburg; Sabin Bolin, soccer, Wartburg;Zac Brooks, soccer, Cedarville; Jaiden Kinch, soccer, South Alabama; Julia Lambert, soccer, John Brown; Anja Lewis, soccer, Abilene Christian; Ella Lloyd, soccer, Adams St.; Patrick Mandy, soccer, South Carolina;Jo Sees, soccer, Kansas St.;Addie Whitehouse, soccer, Santa Clara; Peyton Holmes, track, Northwest Missouri St.; Jack Wetterling, track, Colorado State; Jocelyn Millican, cross country, track, Davidson; Peyton Brown, volleyball, Mass Institute of Technology; Sasha Cohen, volleyball, Central Florida; Erin McNair, volleyball, Princeton; Shearn Tucker, volleyball, Vassar.

Answers

Diversifying the field and regulatory challenges

According to the American Psychological Association, 84.47% of active psychologists in 2020 were White compared to 6.18% who were Hispanic, 4.24% who were Black and 3.22% who were Asian.

“We know that our workforce in Colorado isn’t diverse enough,” said Haden of Envision:You. “So, how are we developing a future workforce that represents the identities of the people that live in our communities?”

In addition to his work with Envision:You, Haden said he works as a mental health therapist for a small practice that primarily serves queer clients. Last year, the practice had a year-long waitlist.

“Poor folks (and) communities of color are not getting appropriate care. And so what happens is people quickly disengage from services, so while they have greater needs, the pool of people that are best equipped to serve them is much smaller,” Haden said, explaining the higher rates of suicidality is partly because people can’t get the help they need.

Jae said something that gets in the way a lot, speci cally for therapists of color, is the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), which is Colorado’s regulatory agency that manages the licensing and registration of various professions.

“ e restrictions that are starting to come down to the point where it makes it di cult for therapists to stay licensed because they are trying to protect their clients,” Jae said.

When Crow asked what needs to be changed, Jae said the whole agency needs to be reassessed.

“Speci cally around licensing, registry, supports for therapists. While I am fully supportive and understanding on the need for DORA to protect clients, there also needs to be protection for therapists that are doing the work,” Jae said.

“Protections from what?” Crow asked. “What are the therapists encountering at DORA?”

Jae said, for example, the YouthSeen nonpro t works with young

people who are coming out as transgender and nonbinary.

“And we have to deal with schools, we have to deal with parents. And often the parents are not supportive, so complaints then come in against those therapists who are trying to protect those youth.

“And then those youth end up being harmed not only from the parents, but also from the school district, also from the insurance companies, and it’s literally therapists trying to support those youth,” Jae said.

In Colorado, a person 12 years of age or older can get psychotherapy services with or without the consent of their guardian if the mental health professional determines the minor is “knowingly and voluntarily seeking the psychotherapy services and the psychotherapy services are clinically necessary,” according to the Colorado General Assembly’s website.

“We have parents who will literally call and be like, ‘I know you’re seeing my child.’ And the way that we hold con dentiality, we will say, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about,’” Jae said.

“And, because you don’t give that information, a complaint comes into DORA, DORA has to investigate it, and it comes out of our pockets. It goes against our insurance, and we, then, have to nd a lawyer to be able to confront them — but then also, it takes away from actually supporting youth,” Jae said, explaining parents sometimes get the school involved, creating another challenge.

According to the Trevor Project’s survey, 42% of LGBTQ youth identied school as an a rming space. Approximately 22% reported their family as o ering high social support, compared to 78% saying their family o ered low to moderate support.

Haden said Envision:You aims to develop an integrated wellness campus that includes transition housing for youth, permanent housing for older adults, a clinic and a wellness center.

“We’re focused on intergenerational programming (and) how we can create opportunities for young people that are unhoused and have been through extraordinary trauma,” he said, adding he would like to discuss it with Crow.

SEE CROW, P39

COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

CLASSIFIEDS

hHelp Wanted

Senior Software Engineer (FT; Multiple Openings)

Job Location: Centennial, CO

Requirements: MS or equiv. in CS, CE, etc. + 2 yrs. exp. or BS + 5 yrs. exp. req’d.

Exp. w/AWS, Hibernate, Java-Based Automation, Java, Spring, cloud dev., app server deployment, web design, REST & SOAP req’d. Salary: $151,500

Mail Resume: RingCentral, Inc.

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

Visa U.S.A. Inc., a Visa Inc. company, currently needs a Senior Software Engineer (multiple openings) (REF56997O) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Job duties include: Lead planning, analysis, design, implementation, maintenance, and control of the organization’s data replication between unlike and like database products. Use both unidirectional and bidirectional replication leveraging multiple features within the Oracle GoldenGate product suite. Up to 10% domestic travel required. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $112,008.00 USD to $146,700.00 USD per year.; Sr. Business Optimization Analyst (multiple openings) (REF57207P)

in Highlands Ranch, CO. Job duties include: Use data to drive business decisions and deliver effective and engaging data pipelines and dashboards. Manage end-toend development, delivery, and enhancement of agreed-upon solutions, including, but not limited to, certified data sets, interactive dashboards, and predictive models, using Agile methodologies. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $144,000 USD to $177,800 USD per year. All positions report to the Employer’s Highlands Ranch, CO office and may allow for partial telecommuting. Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for an annual bonus and equity.

Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position is eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Program, FSH/ HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time off and Wellness Programs. Qualified applicants should apply by emailing resume to careersus@visa.com. Must reference job code

Great Part Time Job!

Flexible Hours!

We are a small local company that needs some help in the warehouse. Great for college students or part time! This job is mostly packing small shipments and preparing items for Amazon. We work with your schedule!

Fulltime also available

Margot Elena Companies & Collections

Call Carly at: 303-730-3133, x-2165 or rbordner@margotelena.com

Help Wanted

Visa Technology & Operations LLC, a Visa Inc. company, currently has an opening for Systems Engineer (multiple openings) (REF57126G) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Job duties include: Provide technology development leadership that support financial operations. Collaborate with upstream/downstream systems and technology leads to design and implement solutions that meet business needs. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $156,972.82 USD to $193,500.00 USD.; Systems Analyst (multiple openings) (REF56991J) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Job duties include: Be responsible for supporting our production transaction processing systems, which are the backbone of our business and process millions of transactions daily. Be the Initial escalation point for Service Desk Tier 1 for application issues. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $112,507.00 USD to $132,300.00 USD.; Staff Systems Engineer (multiple openings) (REF56993U) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Job duties include: Design and implement various technologies and tools to optimize Visa’s Developer Tools/Services, specifically the Atlassian Tool stack, and support Visa with Agile Transformation. Implement and support Atlassian Jira Align (Cloud) and Jira Data Center (On-prem), including establishing hierarchies between Jira Align and Jira Data Center. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $139,984.00 USD to $177,800.00

USD per year.; Staff SW Engineer (multiple openings) (REF55097F) in Highlands Ranch, CO Job duties include: Responsible for the architecture, design, development, and implementation of software applications. Evaluate and introduce technology tools and processes that enable Visa to develop products and solutions, to embrace business opportunities and/or improve operational efficiency.

The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $124,440.75 - $177,800.00 USD per year. ; Staff SW Engineer (multiple openings) (REF56920H) in Highlands Ranch, CO. Job duties include: Be responsible for working on the design and coding of complex mission-critical systems. Collaborate with other engineers to develop flexible cost effective solutions to tactical and strategic business requirements.

The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $141,750.00 USD to $177,800.00

USD per year.; Staff SW Engineer (REF56655O) in Highlands Ranch, CO to: Be responsible for the architecture, design, development, and implementation of software applications. Evaluate and introduce technology tools and processes that enable Visa to develop products and solutions, to embrace business opportunities and/or improve operational efficiency. The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is $139,984.00 USD to $177,800.00 USD. All positions report to the Employer’s Highlands Ranch, CO office and may allow for partial telecommuting. Salary may vary depending on jobrelated factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for an annual bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position is eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Program, FSH/ HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time off and Wellness Programs. Qualified applicants should apply by emailing resume to careersus@visa.com. Must reference job code.

Help Wanted

USIC HIRING FULL- TIME UTILITY LOCATORS

100% Paid Training - Company vehicle & equipment providedMedical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance Requirements: - Must be able to work outdoors - Ability to work OT & weekends - Must have valid driver’s license with safe driving records Text “USIC” to 90206 or visit: www.workatusic.com We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

Senior Software Development Engineers Travelport LP seeks Senior Software Development Engineers in Centennial, CO. Develop Java based microservices, oversee junior developers on projects, and support various development duties. Write code, analyze data, and contribute to the design and implementation of software. May telecommute. Salary at least $135,000 depending on experience. Email resume: americasbusinesspartners@ travelport.com Ref. 6453661.

CDL DRIVERS

HBS Trash is looking for CDL drivers in Kiowa, Elizabeth, and surrounding areas. Call 720-9231872 to learn more

DENTIST

DTC Dental Care P.C., Greenwood Village, CO seeks Dentist: Diagnose & treat diseases, injuries, & malformations of teeth & gums, & related oral structures. Req. DMD or DDS degree from accredited 4-yr. dental program & Dental Board Exams; Colorado Dental License; at least 1 yr. of exp. as a dentist. At least 1 yr. of exp in each of the following: Establishing treatment plans & performing cosmetic dentistry; Restoring implants; Performing endodontic treatments; & Performing minor oral surgeries incl. extractions, alveoloplasty, & draining abscesses. To apply, send letter of application & resume via email to Aurora Burluc, aur20@hotmail.com.

LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME

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

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

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS

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

Help Wanted

SDH Systems LLC has openings for the positions:

Software Developer with Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering

Any, Technology, Management Information Systems/Security or related to design, develop, implement, maintain and test business functions and web applications using a variety of languages, tools, methodologies and technologies. Develop, create and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. Software/UI Developer with Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering any, Technology or related and 1 yr of exp to design and implement front-end business applications while working closely with developers to help generate requirements for backend development. Develop HTML5 prototype documents with CSS3 Style Sheets. Testing UI elements on mobile and desktops. Responsible for the Core UI framework, designs, implements and maintains it. Develop the front-end web page by using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript and React/ Angular. Work location is Englewood, CO with required travel to client locations throughout the USA. Please mail resumes to 14 Inverness Dr E, Suite H-220, Englewood, CO 80112 (OR) e-mail : hr@sdhsystems.com

CAREERS

DEADLINES

CLASSIFIED LINE ADS: MONDAY, 5 P.M.

SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY, 5 P.M.

LEGALS: THURSDAY, 3 P.M.

Help Wanted

DRIVER

Class B CDL propane delivery truck driver for Spring Valley Gas, Elizabeth. P/T & F/T positions; responsible for propane delivery and customer service. HazMat/Tanker endorsement. Propane certification a plus. Insurance age requirement 26 with clean MVR. SVG is building a team, not just a job! Starting salary based on experience & qualifications. Call 303-660-8810.

Computing Architect 4 Boeing Digital Solutions, Inc. (d/b/a Jeppesen), Englewood, CO: Define requirements and design and verifies robust architecture, data, and information management systems and components to develop integrated Aviation software and solutions. This position requires 5% domestic travel. Employer will accept any suitable combination of education, training, or experience. $140,900 per year. To apply, visit jobs.boeing.com and search Job ID #00000358357

Accountant/Bookkeeper

Looking for Accountant/Bookkeeper to work in Castle Rock office approximately 2 days a week. Flexible schedule including some remote work. Must work in office at least one day per week and have QuickBooks accounting software experience. Very generous hourly rate and flexibility. Please call Kim Harrison at 303-941-9446 or email Kim@osbornecos.com

BOOKKEEPER

Titan Concrete, Inc. A flatwork construction company in Sedalia, Co has an opening in Bookkeeping — Quickbooks — Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable.

Weekly Payroll- 25 employees. Handle day to day office business.

$25.00 per hour.

Part time — 20-30 hours a week—

Flexible Not Remote.

Email resume to: Augie@ titanconcreteinc.com

CLASSIFIEDS

Classifieds

Misc. Notices

WIDOWED MEN AND WOMEN OF AMERICA.

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

2 bicycles, single bed complete never used, wheelchair, new poker table and shop vacuum. All for $500 or best offer. Will sell single items as well. Call 720-465-9022

Merchandise

Antiques & Collectibles

Firewood

Miscellaneous

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855-948-6176

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

Health & Beauty

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW!

888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol

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

Medical

Attention oxygen therapy users!

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

Miscellaneous

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: @oldcrowsantiques www.facebook.com/ oldcrowsantiques www.oldcrows antiques.com

Attention Homeowners! If you have water damage and need cleanup services, call us! We’ll get in & work with your insurance agency to get your home repaired and your life back to normal ASAP! 855-7677031

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

CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-433-8277

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

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

DISH TV $64.99 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR included, Free Voice remote. Some Restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866-479-1516.

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-4171306

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

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

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

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

CLASSIFIEDS

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

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS

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

MARKETPLACE

DEADLINES

CLASSIFIED LINE ADS:

MONDAY, 5 P.M.

SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY, 5 P.M.

LEGALS: THURSDAY, 3 P.M.

Colorado Statewide Network

To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact your local newspaper or email Colorado Press Association Network at rtoledo@colopress.net

PORTABLE OXYGEN DIRECTV

DIRECTV for $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix Included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply.

Call for more details! 1-888-725-0897

AMERIGLIDE

Don't let the stai rs limit your mobility!

Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-877-418-1883

Miscellaneous

Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom! 1-833-758-3892

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

HughesNet – Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

Portable Oxygen Concentrator. May be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independece and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free Information Kit! Call: 844-823-0293

HAPPY JACK

Use Happy Jack ® mange medicine to treat horse mane dandruff and lice At Tractor Supply ® www.fleabeacon.com

Miscellaneous

Switch and save up to $250/yr on talk, text & data. No contract or hidden fees. Unlimited talk & text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time get $50 off any new account. Use code GIFT50. 1-855-903-3048 BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Musical Instruments

Pramberger Baby Grand Piano Ebony Black. 10 years old. Rarely Used. Excellent Condition. Perfect for a school or church. $16,000, negotiable. Michael 303-520-1000

CLASSIFIEDS

SERVICE DIRECTORY

CLASSIFIED AD SALES 303-566-4100

classifieds@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS

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

Cleaning

DEADLINES

CLASSIFIED LINE ADS: MONDAY, 5 P.M. SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY, 5 P.M.

LEGALS: THURSDAY, 3 P.M.

PROMAID CLEANING

Weekly • Bi-Weekly • Monthly Move-In • Move-Out

FREE ESTIMATES

Call Today: 720-225-7176

ProMaidsInc@yahoo.com

Licensed with excellent references

Heating/Air Conditioning

Repair, Maintenance and Installation

Heating - Air Conditioning - Heat Pumps - IAQ emporiahomeservices.com

303.909.2018

TO ADVERTISE CALL 303-566-4100

COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

CLASSIFIEDS

Helpful Ace Hardware Pro Painters is a residential painting company which specializes in

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088

may be used for that purpose.

Legals

Public Trustees

COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION

CRS §38-38-103

FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0561-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:

On November 4, 2022, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.

Original Grantor(s)

Gregory J Hoffman, a married person and Louise

B Hoffman, a married person

Original Beneficiary(ies)

Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS") as nominee for Coldwell Banker Mortgage, Its Successors and Assigns

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt

NewRez LLC, F/K/A New Penn Financial, LLC,

D/B/A Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing

Date of Deed of Trust

January 22, 2010

County of Recording Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust

January 25, 2010

Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.)

D0007694

Original Principal Amount

$417,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance

$320,976.95

Pursuant to CRS §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 thereof

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

LOT 5, GREENWOOD HIGHLANDS FILING

NO. 2, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO

Also known by street and number as: 4 Windover Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80121.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.

If applicable, a description of any changes to the deed of trust described in the notice of election and demand pursuant to affidavit as allowed by statutes: C.R.S.§ 38-35-109(5)

LEGAL DESCRIPTION HAS BEEN CORRECTED BY SCRIVENER'S AFFIDAVIT RECORDED 09/28/2022 AT RECEPTION NO.

E2098930 IN THE RECORDS OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY.

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 03/08/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the 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 issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 1/12/2023

Last Publication: 2/9/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

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;

DATE: 11/04/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Erin Croke #46557

Steven Bellanti #48306

Holly Shilliday #24423

Ilene Dell'Acqua #31755

McCarthy & Holthus LLP

38-38-111(2.5b)(3a,b,d)(5) PUBLIC TRUSTEE SALE NO. 0320-2022

To: Obligor/Grantor(s) on the evidence of debt and/or Deed of Trust or other person entitled. You are advised that there are overbid funds due you. This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:

Name of Obligor/Grantor(s) on the evidence of debt and/or Deed of Trust Dylan Dick Address of Obligor/Grantor(s) on the evidence of debt

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 03/22/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the 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 issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 1/26/2023

Last Publication: 2/23/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

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;

DATE: 11/22/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 03/08/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the 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 issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 1/12/2023

Last Publication: 2/9/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

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;

DATE: 11/08/2022 Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Peter M. Susemihl #494 Susemihl, Mcdermott & Downie, PC 660 Southpointe Ct. Suite 210, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 579-6500

Attorney File # 5978 S LOUTHAN ST

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

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;

DATE: 11/08/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Robert T. Cosgrove #12217 Burns, Wall and Mueller, P.C. 303 East 17th Avenue, #920, Denver, CO 80203-1299 (303) 830-7000

Attorney File # 3190 WEST BOWLES AVENUE

The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.

©Public Trustees' Association of Colorado Revised 1/2015

EXHIBIT “A” 0573-2022

A.M. on 10/26/22, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, to the highest and best bidder for cash, the real property described above. An overbid was realized from the sale and the funds must be claimed by the Obligor/Grantor(s) on the evidence of debt and/or Deed of Trust or other persons entitled thereto within six months from the date of sale.

THE STATE OF COLORADO REQUIRES US TO NOTIFY YOU THAT YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CUSTODY OF THE STATE TREASURER IF YOU DO NOT CONTACT US BEFORE 4/26/2023 as part of the "Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act", pursuant to Colorado law. First Publication:

12/29/22 Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado By: Michael Westerberg, Public Trustee

Trustees' Association of Colorado Revised 9/2012

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0590-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust: On November 22, 2022, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.

Original Grantor(s) Randall M. Johnson Original Beneficiary(ies) Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS") as nominee for Loan Simple, Inc., Its Successors and Assigns

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Erin Croke #46557

Steven Bellanti #48306

Holly Shilliday #24423

Ilene Dell'Acqua #31755

McCarthy & Holthus LLP 7700 E Arapahoe Road, Suite 230, Centennial, CO 80112 (877) 369-6122

Attorney File # CO-22-947588-LL

The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.

©Public Trustees' Association of Colorado Revised 1/2015

Legal Notice NO. 0590-2022

First Publication: 1/26/2023

Last Publication: 2/23/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0577-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:

On November 8, 2022, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.

Original Grantor(s)

Jessica M. Lujan-Ladow AND Joseph N. Ladow Original Beneficiary(ies)

Ent Federal Credit Union Current Holder of Evidence of Debt

Ent Federal Credit Union

Date of Deed of Trust

December 17, 2015 County of Recording Arapahoe

Recording Date of Deed of Trust

December 22, 2015

Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.)

D5145653

Original Principal Amount $55,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance

$55,436.44

Pursuant to CRS §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 thereof. THE

The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.

©Public Trustees' Association of Colorado Revised 1/2015

Legal Notice No. 0577-2022

First Publication: 1/12/2023

Last Publication: 2/9/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103

FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0573-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust:

On November 8, 2022, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.

Original Grantor(s) CROSS CREEK 3, LLC

Original Beneficiary(ies) INDICATE CAPITAL FUND 1, LLC

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt INDICATE CAPITAL FUND 1, LLC

Date of Deed of Trust

March 08, 2022 County of Recording Arapahoe Recording Date of Deed of Trust

March 10, 2022

Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.)

E2027456 Original Principal Amount $896,000.00 Outstanding Principal Balance $896,000.00

Pursuant to CRS §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 thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

SEE EXHIBIT A ATTACHED HERETO

Also known by street and number as: 3190 WEST BOWLES AVENUE, LITTLETON, CO 80123.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST. NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 03/08/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the 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 issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

Attached to and forming part of the Deed of Trust to Public Trustee, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Financing Statement, dated March 8, 2022, from Cross Creek 3, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company as Grantor, to the Public Trustee of the County of Arapahoe, Colorado, for the use and benefit of Indicate Capital Fund 1 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Beneficiary. Description of Property: LOT 1, BLOCK 1, WATSON LANE SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 1, ACCORDING TO THE CORRECTIVE PLAT RECORDED SEPTEMBER 5, 2002 AT RECEPTION NO. B2164681, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO. Also Known As: 3190 West Bowles Avenue Littleton, CO 80123

Legal Notice NO. 0573-2022

First Publication: 1/12/2023

Last Publication: 2/9/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent City and County Public Notice CITY OF ENGLEWOOD

NOTICE OF APPROVAL OF A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE

On the 6th of February 2023, the City Council of the City of Englewood, Colorado, approved on first reading the following Council Bill: BY AUTHORITY COUNCIL BILL

Legal Notice No. 301756

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Englewood Herald Public Notice CITY OF ENGLEWOOD

NOTICE OF APPROVAL OF A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE

On the 6th of February 2023, the City Council of the City of Englewood, Colorado, approved on first reading the following Council Bill: BY AUTHORITY

COUNCIL BILL NO. 08 INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WINK

A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE CITY OF ENGLEWOOD WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN.

Copies of the aforesaid council bill are available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk, City of Englewood, Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway, Englewood, Colorado 80110 or it can be found at http://www.englewoodco.gov, Government, Legal/Public Notices.

Legal Notice No. 301757

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Englewood Herald Public Notice CITY OF ENGLEWOOD

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE

Public Notices

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, an application for an absentee ballot shall be filed with the designated election official no later than the close of business on Tuesday preceding the election, APRIL 25, 2023.

Laurie Tatlock, DEO

Designated Election Official Signature

Legal Notice No. 531018

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Dove Valley Metropolitan District of Arapahoe County, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 1-13.5-501, C.R.S., that an election will be held on May 2, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time two (2) Directors will be elected to serve 2-year terms to May 6, 2025 and two (2) Directors will be elected to serve 4-year terms to May 4, 2027.

Self-Nomination and Acceptance Forms are available and can be obtained from Peggy Ripko, the Designated Election Official for the Dove Valley Metropolitan District, c/o Special District Management Services, Inc., 141 Union Boulevard, Suite 150, Lakewood, Colorado 80028, (303) 987-0835 and on the District’s website at https://dovevalleydistrict.com/metro-district/.

The Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form or letter is to be submitted to the Designated Election Official no later than the close of business on February 24, 2023, sixty-seven (67) days prior to the regular election. Affidavits of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate must be submitted to the Designated Election Official by the close of business on February 27, 2023, sixty-four (64) days prior to the regular election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, pursuant to Section 1-13.5-1002, C.R.S., that applications for and return of absentee voters’ ballots may be obtained from / filed with Peggy Ripko, the Designated Election Official of the District, c/o Special District Management Services, Inc., 141

Union Boulevard, Suite 150, Lakewood, Colorado 80028, (303) 987-0835, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., until the close of business on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election (Tuesday, April 25, 2023).

DOVE VALLEY METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ Peggy Ripko

Union Boulevard, Suite 150, Lakewood, Colorado 80028, (303) 987-0835, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., until the close of business on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election (Tuesday, April 25, 2023).

SECTION 14 METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ Ann Finn Designated Election Official

LLAMADO DE CANDIDATURAS

A QUIÉN CORRESPONDA y, particularmente a los votantes del Distrito Metropolitano de Section 14 del Ciudad y Condado de Denver y Condado Jefferson, Colorado.

SECTION 14 DISTRITO METROPOLITANO

Por /s/ Ann Finn Funcionario Electoral Designado

Legal Notice No. 531029

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR SOUTHERN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Southern Metropolitan District of Arapahoe County, Colorado.

A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

§1-13.5-501, 1-13.5-1102(3), 32-1-905(2), C.R.S.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and, particularly, to the electors of the SOUTHGATE AT CENTENNIAL METROPOLITAN DISTRICT of ARAPAHOE County, Colorado.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Section 14 Metropolitan District of City and County of Denver and Jefferson County, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 1-13.5-501, C.R.S., that an election will be held on May 2, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time two (2) Directors will be elected to serve 4-year terms to May 4, 2027.

Self-Nomination and Acceptance Forms are available and can be obtained from Ann Finn, the Designated Election Official for the Section 14 Metropolitan District, c/o Ann Finn at Special District Management Services, Inc., 141 Union Boulevard, Suite 150, Lakewood, Colorado 80028, (303) 987-0835 and on the District’s website at http://section14md.colorado.gov.

The Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form or letter is to be submitted to the Designated Election Official no later than the close of business on February 24, 2023, sixty-seven (67) days prior to the regular election. Affidavits of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate must be submitted to the Designated Election Official by the close of business on February 27, 2023, sixty-four (64) days prior to the regular election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, pursuant to Section 1-13.5-1002, C.R.S., that applications for and return of absentee voters’ ballots may be obtained from / filed with Ann Finn, the Designated Election Official of the District, c/o Ann Finn at Special District Management Services, Inc., 141

POR EL AVISO SE NOTIFICA, de acuerdo con el Artículo 1-13.5-501, C.R.S., que se realizará una elección el martes 2 de mayo del 2023, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 7:00 p.m. En ese momento dos (2) Directors serán elegidos para cumplir con su mandato por el término de 4 años hasta el 4 de mayo del 2027. Los formularios para la Auto Candidatura y Aceptación están disponibles y pueden obtenerse con Ann Finn, el Funcionario Electoral Designado para el Distrito Metropolitano, con Special District Management Services, Inc., 141 Union Boulevard, Suite 150, Lakewood, Colorado 80028, Teléfono: (303) 987-0835, y en el sitio web del distrito http:// section14md.colorado.gov.

El Formulario de Auto Candidatura y Aceptación o la carta deben ser presentados ante el Funcionario Electoral Designado antes del horario de cierre (5:00 p.m. MST) el 24 de febrero de 2023, sesenta y siete (67) días antes de la elección regular. Las Declaraciones Juradas de Intención para ser un Candidato de Nominación Directa deben presentarse ante el Funcionario Electoral Designado antes del horario de cierre (5:00 p.m. MST) el 27 de febrero de 2023, sesenta y cuatro (64) días antes de la elección regular.

POR EL AVISO TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA, de acuerdo con el Artículo 1-13.5-1002, C.R.S., que las solicitudes para y devolución de las papeletas de los votantes ausentes pueden obtenerse y ser presentados ante Ann Finn, el Funcionario Electoral Designado del Distrito (en la dirección/ teléfono/ correo electrónico señalados arriba), entre las 8:00 a.m. y 5:00 p.m. hasta el horario de cierre del martes inmediatamente antes dela elección (martes 25 de abril de 2023).

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, three (3) directors will be elected to serve a four-year term.

Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Micki L. Mills, the Designated Election Official for the District, at email: mmills@cegrlaw. com. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above email address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 24, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above address during normal business hours, until the close of business on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election (Tuesday, April 25, 2023). All absentee ballots must be returned to the Designated Election Official by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

SOUTHERN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ Micki L. Mills

Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. 531009

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

City of Littleton Warrants

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election will be held on the 2nd day of MAY, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, 2 directors will be elected to serve 4-year terms. Eligible electors of the SOUTHGATE AT CENTENNIAL METROPOLITAN DISTRICT interested in serving on the board of directors may obtain a SelfNomination and Acceptance form from the District Designated Election Official (DEO): LAURIE TATLOCK 188 INVERNESS DRIVE WEST, SUITE 140 ENGLEWOOD, CO 80112 720-274-8377

The Office of the DEO is open on the following days: MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The deadline to submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance is close of business (5:00 p.m.) on FRIDAY February 24, 2023 (not less than 67 days before the election).

Affidavit of Intent To Be A Write-In-Candidate forms must be submitted to the office of the designated election official by the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Monday, FEBRUARY 27, 2023 (the sixty-fourth day before the election).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, an application for an absentee ballot shall be filed with the designated election official no later than the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Tuesday preceding the election, APRIL 25, 2023.

Laurie Tatlock, DEO Designated Election Official Signature

Legal Notice No. 301740

First Publication: February 9, 2023 Last Publication: February 9, 2023 Publisher: Englewood Herald Public Notice

OVER $500.00 FOR THE MONTH DECEMBER 2022

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

CENTENNIAL DOWNS

METROPOLTIAN DISTRICT

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly, to the eligible electors of Centennial Downs Metropolitan District ("District") of Arapahoe County, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the District will conduct a regular election on the 2nd day of May, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, (3) three directors will be elected for a 4-year term and (2) two directors will be elected for a 2-year term.

In order to be a candidate for one of the director positions, a qualified individual must submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form. Eligible electors of the District interested in serving on the Board of Directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District’s Designated Election Official (DEO):

Katie Stahl, DEO kstahl@spencerfane.com

Spencer Fane LLP

1700 Lincoln Street, Ste. 2000 Denver, CO 80203

Phone: 303-839-3703

The Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form must be returned to the Designated Election Official by close of business (5:00 p.m. MST) on Friday, February 24, 2023. The form should be emailed to kstahl@spencerfane.com . If the designated election official determines that a self-nomination and acceptance form is not sufficient, the eligible elector who submitted the form may amend the form at any time prior to the close of business on the day of the deadline.

Affidavit of Intent To Be A Write-In-Candidate forms must be submitted to the office of the Designated Election Official by the close of business on Monday, February 27, 2023.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that an application for an absentee ballot may be filed with the Designated Election Official, at the contact information referenced above, no later than the close of business on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

CENTENNIAL DOWNS

METROPOLTIAN DISTRICT

Katie Stahl, Designated Election Official

Legal

First

Last

provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed or any of its subcontractors or that has supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used by Dream Builders, Inc. or any of its subcontractors in or about the performance of the work done within unincorporated Arapahoe County, whose claim has not been paid by Concrete Express, Inc. or any of its subcontractors may file a claim with the Board of County Commissioners of Arapahoe County, 5334 S. Prince St., Littleton, CO 80120, at any time up to and including February 27, 2023.

This Notice is published in accordance with §3826-107, C.R.S., and all claims, if any, shall be filed in accordance with this statutory section. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement and/or claim prior to the aforementioned date for filing claims shall release Arapahoe County, its officers, agents and employees from any or all liability, claims, and suits for payment to Dream Builders, Inc.

Joan Lopez, Clerk to the Board

Legal Notice No. Arap 1149

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO

7325 S. Potomac Street, #100 Centennial, CO 80112

Plaintiff: SUNBURST HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., a Colorado non-profit corporation;

Defendants: EDWIN A. OLSON IV; FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION; ARAPAHOE COUNTY TREASURER; UNKNOWN TENANT(S) IN POSSESSION.

Attorneys for Plaintiff: THE DUPONT LAW FIRM, LLC

Stephane R. Dupont, #39425

Address: PO Box 1073, Castle Rock, CO 80104

Phone Number: (720) 644-6115

Case Number: 2022CV32127

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): Edwin A. Olson IV

You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the Complaint filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an Answer or other response.

You are required to file your Answer within 35 days after the service of this Summons upon you. Service of the Summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the Complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.

1011, 303.432.9999.

DATED: December 27, 2022.

Tyler S. Brown, Arapahoe County Sheriff

By: Sgt. Trent Steffa, Deputy Sheriff

Legal Notice No. 530924

First Publication: January 26, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Published In: Littleton Independent 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, Colorado, 80110

Public Notice

DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO 7325 S Potomac St., #100 Centennial, CO 80112 Phone: 303.645.6600

Plaintiffs: DAVID B. COX AND LORNA L. COX vs. Defendants: GREGORY L. MITCHELL, if living, AND CINDY L. MITCHELL, if living; any unknown heir thereof either named Defendant; and all unknown persons who claim any interest in the subject matter of this action

DATED December 13, 2022.

Tyler S. Brown Arapahoe County Sheriff

By: Sgt. Trent Steffa, Deputy Sheriff Legal Notice No. 530899

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Published In: Littleton Independent 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, Colorado, 80110 Public Notice

ARAPAHOE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, STATE OF COLORADO Address: 7325 Potomac St. Centennial, CO 80112

Case Number: 2022CV030884 Division: 14

PLEASE

completion of the following construction project:

West Metro Fire Protection District Station No. 12 Renovations located at: 9990 West Alamo Place Littleton, CO 80123

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-26-107, the General Contractor, PG Arnold Construction, LLC. and all contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, vendors and manufacturers who have provided any materials or labor in connection with this construction project, are hereby notified that Final Settlement on this construction project is scheduled for February 27, 2023. Final settlement will be held at the district headquarters, located at 433 South Allison Parkway Lakewood, CO 80226. The General Contractor, or any contractor, subcontractor, supplier, vendor and manufacturer who provided any materials or labor in connection with this construction project, and who claims to have not been paid for all or any portion of such materials or labor, shall submit a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim to West Metro Fire Protection District on or before the date and time scheduled for final settlement.

All claims shall be submitted in writing to:

West Metro Fire Protection District

c/o Jay Jackson, Division Chief – Support Services

433 South Allision Parkway Lakewood, CO 80226

By: /s/ Jay Jackson, Division Chief – Support Services

WEST METRO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Legal Notice No. 531028

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent

Public Notice

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

17-Mile House Utility Improvements

Project No. C21-21

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of County Commissioners of Arapahoe County, Colorado shall make final settlement with Dream Builders, Inc. for its work completed for Arapahoe County on the project identified as 17-Mile House Utility Improvements Project. The work generally consisted of installation of a domestic water into the home, connection of a sanitary sewer to the existing leech field, and installation of an irrigation system.

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance,

Notice is hereby given that Littleton Public Schools in the county of Arapahoe will on March 7, 2023 pay retainage and make final settlement with Academy Sports Turf for BID PACKAGE #33 CONCRETE GC Services at Field ES. Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, material, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by the contractor identified above or any subcontractor thereof in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that has supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work whose claim therefore has not been paid, by the contractor or subcontractor, must file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim, which statement must be filed on or before March 1, 2023. Claims must be submitted to the Board of Education to Littleton Public Schools at the school district’s Property Management Department, 5776 S. Crocker Street, Littleton, CO. 80120 on or before March 1, 2023. Final Settlement will be made and verified claims must be timely filed with Littleton Public Schools. Failure on the part of the claimant to file such statement prior to or on the established date will relieve the School District from any and all liability for such claim, Dated: February 09, 2023.

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the Complaint in writing within 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the Complaint without further notice.

This is an action for judicial foreclosure of an association assessment lien pursuant to C.R.S. 38-33.3-316, in and to real property situated in Arapahoe County, Colorado, more particularly described on Exhibit A, attached hereto and by this reference made a part hereof.

Dated: January 5, 2023

THE DUPONT LAW FIRM, LLC

By: *s/ Stephane R. Dupont Stephane R. Dupont

This Summons is issued pursuant to Rule 4(h), Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure

Exhibit A Lot 21, Block 3, Sunburst Subdivision, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado.

Also known as: 15936 East Radcliff Place, #B Aurora, CO 80015

Legal Notice No. 530946

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 2, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO Case No.: 2022CV031011 Div: 202

COMBINED NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

PLAINTIFF: SABLE LANDING CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

v.

Plaintiff:

DISTRICT, a Colorado nonprofit corporation v. Defendants: HARP LLC; CITY OF AURORA NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES DEPARTMENT;

Regarding: LOT 33, BLOCK 1, SADDLE ROCK NORTH SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 3, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known and numbered as: 22537 E Hoover Pl, Aurora, CO 80016

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS, Please take notice:

You and each of you are hereby notified that a Sheriff's Sale of the referenced property is to be conducted by the Civil Unit of Sheriff's Office of Arapahoe County, Colorado at 10:00 A.M., on the 6th day of April 2023, at 13101 E. Broncos Pkwy, Centennial, CO 80112; phone number 720-8743845. At which sale, the above- described real property and improvements thereon will be sold to the highest bidder. Plaintiff makes no warranty relating to title, possession, or quiet enjoyment in and to said real property in connection with this sale.

**BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CASH OR

DEFENDANTS: ROY M. TREGGIARI

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS, Please take notice:

You and each of you are hereby notified that a Sheriff's Sale of the referenced property is to be conducted by the Civil Unit of the Sheriff's Office of Arapahoe County, Colorado at 10:00 O’clock A.M., on the 23rd day of March, 2023, at 13101 East Broncos Parkway, Centennial, CO 80112, phone number 720-874-3845. At which sale, the above described real property and improvements thereon will be sold to the highest bidder. Plaintiff makes no warranty relating to title, possession, or quiet enjoyment in and to said real property in connection with this sale.

BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CASH OR CERTIFIED FUNDS SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE MINIMUM BID AT THE TIME OF SALE.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. Judgment is in the amount of $16,402.55.

This is to advise you that a Sheriff’s sale proceeding has been commenced through the office of the undersigned Sheriff pursuant to under Order for Default Judgment and Order and Decree for Judicial Foreclosure dated November 10, 2022 and C.R.S. 38-38-101 et seq. by Sable Landing Condominium Association the holder and current owner of a lien recorded on February 20, 2019 at Reception No. D9014549 in the records of the Clerk and Recorder of the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado. The foreclosure is based on a default under the Condominium Declaration for Sable Landing recorded on 10/18/1978 at 1903900, Book 3100 Page 471 in the records of the Clerk and Recorder of the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado. The Declaration establishes a lien for the benefit of Sable Landing Condominium Association against real property legal described as follows:

Condominium Unit 937, Condominium Building 9, Sable Landing, according to the Condominium Map for Sable Landing Subdivision Filing No. 1, Phase 5, recorded in Plat Book 48 at Page 35, and as defined in the Condominium Declaration recorded October 18, 1979 in Book 3100 at Page 471; and amendments and supplements thereto, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado.;

And also known as: 14852 E. Kentucky Dr. #937, Aurora, CO 80012-1706. The

Attorney for Plaintiffs: Kyle England, Esq. #51343 SPAETH & DOYLE LLP 501 S Cherry Street, #700 Glendale, CO 80246 Kyle@spaethanddoyle.com 303.385.8058

Case No.: 2022CV32188 Div.: 21

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE FOLLOWING DEFENDANT(S):

All Defendants listed above and any person(s) who claim any interest in the subject matter of this action.

You are summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the Complaint filed with the Court in this action, by filing with the clerk of the court an Answer or other response. You are required to file your answer or other response with thirty-five (35) days after the service of this Summons upon you. Service of this Summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the Complaint may be obtained from the Clerk of the Court.

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the Complaint in writing within thirty-five (35) days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be entered against you by the Court for the relief demanded in the Complaint, without any further notice to you.

Legal Notice No. 531014

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: March 9, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO

Case No.: 2022CV031183 Div: 15

COMBINED NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

PLAINTIFF: CHESAPEAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

v. DEFENDANTS: JOSH LETZ; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.; and ARAPAHOE COUNTY PUBLIC TRUSTEE

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS, Please take notice:

You and each of you are hereby notified that a Sheriff's Sale of the referenced property is to be conducted by the Sheriff's Office of County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado at 10:00 A.M., on the 16th day of March, 2023, at 13101 East Broncos Parkway, Centennial, CO 80112 phone number 720-874-3845. At which sale, the above described real property and improvements thereon will be sold to the highest bidder. Plaintiff makes no warranty relating to title, possession, or quiet enjoyment in and to said real property in connection with this sale.

BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CASH OR

CERTIFIED FUNDS SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE MINIMUM BID AT THE TIME OF SALE.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. Judgment is in the amount of $12,346.08.

This is to advise you that a Sheriff sale proceeding has been commenced through the office of the undersigned Sheriff pursuant to Order for Default Judgment and Order and Decree for Judicial Foreclosure dated November 7, 2022, and C.R.S. §38-38-101 et seq. by CHESAPEAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., the holder and current owner of a lien recorded on February 3, 2021 at 221021678 in the records of the Clerk and Recorder of the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado. The foreclosure is based on a default under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions of Chesapeake Townhomes recorded at June 28, 2016 of the Reception #D6068747 records of the Clerk and Recorder of the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado. The Declaration establishes a lien for the benefit of Chesapeake Homeowners Association, Inc. against real property legally

ALT ASSETS, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, Plaintiff, v. ANDREW PARK, individually; COLORADO HOUSING AND FINANCE AUTHORITY; SUE SANDSTROM, as the Arapahoe County Public Trustee; OCCUPANTS; and NAMU PARK, as Trustee under the provisions of a Trust Agreement dated January 1st of the year 2020 and known as the Namu Trust, Defendants.

Attorneys for Plaintiff:

Brian T. Ray Christopher J. Conant Hatch Ray Olsen Conant LLC 730 Seventeenth Street, Suite 200 Denver, Colorado 80202

Phone Number: (303) 298-1800

Email Addresses: bray@hatchlawyers.com; cconant@hatchlawyers.com Atty. Reg. #s: 34914, 40269

TO: NAMU PARK, as Trustee under the provisions of a Trust Agreement dated January 1st of the year 2020 and known as the Namu Trust and any and all occupants.

You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the complaint filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after the service of this Summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the complaint in writing within 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the complaint without further notice.

This is a judicial foreclosure action affecting real property commonly known as 13872 East Stanford Place, Aurora, CO 80015:

LOT 21, BLOCK 1, CHERRY CREEK POINTE SUBDIVISION, FILING NO. 1, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Dated this 11th day of January, 2023.

HATCH RAY OLSEN CONANT LLC

By: s/ Brian T. Ray Brian T. Ray

Attorneys for Plaintiff

In accordance with C.R.C.P. 121 §1-26(7) a copy of this document with original/electronic signatures is being maintained by Hatch Ray Olsen Conant LLC and will be made available for inspection by other parties or the court upon request. This summons is issued pursuant to Rule 4(g), C.R.C.P., as amended. This form should not be used where personal service is desired.

Legal Notice No. 530960

First Publication: January 19, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO 7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, CO 80112

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF: CHRISTOPHER MILLER, FOR THE ADOPTION OF A CHILD. MODERN FAMILY LAW

Cynthia Griffin, Esq., #50552 4500 Cherry Creek Drive South, Suite 700 Denver, CO 80246

Telephone: (720) 880-5091

E-mail: cynthia.griffin@modernfamilylaw.com

Case Number: 2022JA030029

NOTICE OF ADOPTION PROCEEDING AND SUMMONS TO RESPOND PURSUANT TO §19-5-105(5), C.R.S.

To the above-named Respondent(s):

You are hereby notified that a Petition for Adoption has been filed and if you wish to respond to the Petition, you must file your Response with the clerk of this Court within 35 days after this Notice is served on you.

Your response must be accompanied by the applicable filing fee of $192.00.

Your failure to file a Response, or to appear, within 35 days after service, and, in the case of an alleged father, your failure to file a claim of paternity under Article 4 of Title 19, C.R.S., within 35 days after service, if a claim has not previously been filed, may likely result in termination of your parental or your alleged parental rights to the minor child.

The following documents are also served herewith: (check as appropriate)

Petition for (Stepparent, Kinship, Custodial) Adoption

Petition to Terminate the Parent-Child Legal Relationship (JDF 520).

of Abandonment (JDF 525) Other:

Consent to Adoption by Minor Child

to Adoption by Custodial Parent

DATED: October 13, 2022

Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk

Legal Notice No. 531010

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: March 9, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO 7325 SOUTH POTOMAC CENTENNIAL, CO 80112

Plaintiff: STEVE & CHERYL COATES

v. Defendant: JOHN ESPINOZA, as an Individual

Benjamin Hartford Esq. #35005

The Law Office of Benjamin Hartford LLC 650 S. Cherry Street Ste 1225 Denver, CO 80246

PH: 303 991 5757

FX: 303 974 3802

EM: bhartford@gmail.com

Case Number: 2020CV32043

SUMMONS

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT:

John Espinoza, as an Individual

You are hereby summoned and required to file with the Clerk of this Court an Answer or other response to the attached Complaint. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you within the State of Colorado, you are required to file your Answer or other response within twentyone (21) days after such service upon you. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you outside the State of Colorado, you are required to file your Answer or other response within thirty (35) days after such service upon you.

If you fail to file your Answer or other response to the Complaint in writing within the applicable time period, judgment by default may be entered against you by the Court for the relief demanded in the Complaint without further notice.

The following documents are also served with this summons: Complaint and Demand for Trial by Jury.

DATED this 21st Day of October, 2020.

Respectfully submitted, Benjamin Hartford Esq. #35005

The Law Office of Benjamin Hartford LLC

650 S. Cherry Street Ste 1225 Denver, CO 80246

PH: 303 991 5757

FX: 303 974 3802

EM: bhartford@gmail.com

Legal Notice No. 531025

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Misc. Private Legals

Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO

Case No.: 2022CV31157 Division: 204

COMBINED NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE

Plaintiff: PIER POINT VILLAGE 2 HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., a Colorado non-profit corporation

Defendants: ZACHARY COMSTOCK; BRIGID

COMSTOCK aka BRIGID M COPESKY; NAVY

FEDERAL CREDIT UNION; PIER POINT 7 COUNCIL; SUE SANDSTROM, Treasurer, as the Arapahoe County Public Trustee

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

RE: Sheriff’s Sale of Real Property pursuant to Order on Verified Motion for Default Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure and §38-38-101 et seq.,

C.R.S.

This is to advise you that a Sheriff’s sale proceeding has been commenced through the office of the undersigned Sheriff pursuant to the Order on Verified Motion for Default Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure issued by the Arapahoe County District Court case number 2022CV31157 captioned PIER POINT VILLAGE 2 HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., a Colorado non-profit corporation v ZACHARY COMSTOCK; BRIGID COMSTOCK aka BRIGID M COPESKY; NAVY

FEDERAL CREDIT UNION; PIER POINT 7 COUNCIL; SUE SANDSTROM, Treasurer, as the Arapahoe County Public Trustee, dated November 29, 2022, and §38-38-101 et seq., C.R.S., by the PIER POINT VILLAGE 2 HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., the current holder and owner of a statutory lien against the real property located in the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado.

The foreclosure is based on the Amended and Restated Condominium Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Pier Point Village 2 recorded on December 20, 2010 at Reception # D0131702 which establishes a lien for the benefit of The PIER POINT VILLAGE 2 HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. (“Declaration”) WHICH

Lot 5, Block 2, Pier Point Filing No. 7, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

Also known as 3810 S Atchison Way #E, Aurora CO 80014.

The Sheriff’s sale has been scheduled to occur at 10:00 a.m. on April 6, 2023 at 13101 E. Broncos Pkwy., Centennial, CO 80112.

**BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CASH OR CERTIFIED FUNDS SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE MINIMUM BID AT TIME OF SALE. **

All telephone inquiries for information should be directed to the office of the undersigned Sheriff at 720-874-3845. The name, address and telephone number of the attorney representing the legal owner of the above described lien is:

Tammy M. Alcock, Esq. Alcock Law Group, PC 19751 E. Mainstreet, Suite 225 Parker, CO 80138

Dated: January 3, 2023 Tyler S. Brown, Sheriff Arapahoe County, Colorado

By: Sgt. Trent Steffa Deputy Sheriff

Legal Notice No. 530936

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: March 9, 2023

Published In: Littleton Independent 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, Colorado 80110 Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLOARDO Court Address: 7325 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO 80112

Case No.: 2021CV32024 Division/Ctrm.: 15

Plaintiff: APPLE VALLEY EAST CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC, a Colorado nonprofit corporation v.

Defendants: EMMANUEL MCKINNON; YVONNE MCKINNON; BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC; CITY OF AURORA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION REHAB PROGRAM; and PUBLI C TRUST EE FO R ARAPAHOE COUNTY

SHERIFF’S COMBINED NOTICE OF SALE

This is to advise you that a Sheriff sale proceeding has been commenced through the office of the undersigned Sheriff pursuant to an Order for Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure dated October 28, 2022 , and C.R.S. 38-38-101 et seq. by APPLE VALLEY EAST CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., a Colorado nonprofit corporation, the holder and current owner of a lien recorded on April 8, 1974 in book 2226 at page 205, and the supplement thereto recorded October 7, 1974 in book 2280 at page 603 and second supplement recorded October 31, 1974 in book 2286 at page 494, in the records of the office of the clerk and recorder of Arapahoe County, Colorado.

CONDOMINIUM UNIT A, BUILDING 72, APPLE VALLEY EAST CONDOMINIUMS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP RECORDED APRIL 8, 1974 IN MAP BOOK 26 AT PAGES 30 TO 33, INCLUSIVE AND SUPPLEMENTS THEREOF AND AN AFFIDAVIT CORRECTING SAID MAP RECORDED SEPTEMBER 3, 1974 IN BOOK 2271 AT PAGE 256, AND THE CONDOMINIUM DECLARATION FOR APPLE VALLEY EAST CONDOMINIUMS, RECORDED APRIL 8, 1974 IN BOOK 2226 AT PAGE 205, AND THE SUPPLEMENT THERETO RECORDED OCTOBER 7, 1974 IN BOOK 2280 AT PAGE 603 AND SECOND SUPPLEMENT RECORDED OCTOBER 31, 1974 IN BOOK 2286 AT PAGE 494, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO

Also known by street and number as 72 Newark Street, Unit A, Aurora, Colorado 80012.

Record owner of real property:

Yvonne Mckinnon

Association/Foreclosing Entity/Holder of Debt

Foreclosed: APPLE VALLEY EAST CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC, a Colorado nonprofit corporation

Interest foreclosed: Statutory lien for unpaid assessments per C.R.S. § 38-33.3-316, as perfected by the Condominium Declaration for Apple Valley East Condominiums, recorded on April 8, 1974, at Reception No. 1415965, Book 2226, Page 205 in the Clerk & Recorder’s Office for the County of Arapahoe, Colorado (“Declaration”). More accurately defined i n t he Order f or J udgment and Decree of Foreclosure, issued by the Court on October 28, 2022, a certified c opy o f w hich was recorded on November 14, 2022, at Reception No. E2111351 in the Clerk & Recorder’s Office for the County of Arapahoe, Colorado (“Order”).

Amount of judgment entered on October 28, 2022: $30,423.31 with post-judgment interest at 18% per annum. The amount of the foreclosed lien is not stagnant. Amount of foreclosed lien as of December 7, 2022: $33,153.38

Attorneys for Association: Moeller Graf, P.C.; Associate Attorney Gail R. Gudder, Reg. No. 17820; ggudder@moellergraf.com; 385 Inverness Pkwy., Ste. 200, Englewood, CO 80112; Phone: (877) 279-4499.

THE PROPERTY TO BE SOLD AND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN DESCRIBED ABOVE.

THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The covenants of said Declaration have been violated as follows: failure to pay assessments that have come due, more accurately described in the Order.

E. Broncos Parkway, Centennial, CO 80112, to the highest and best bidder. The Association and its attorney do not make any warranty relating to title, possession, or quiet enjoyment in and to said real property in connection with this sale.

BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CASH OR CERTIFIED FUNDS SUFFICIENT TO COVER

THE MINIMUM BID AT THE TIME OF SALE.

Date: January 3, 2023

Tyler S. Brown, Sheriff County of Arapahoe, Colorado

By: Sgt. Trent Steffa Deputy Sheriff

Legal Notice No. 530937

First Publication Date: February 9, 2023

Last Publication Date: March 9, 2023

Published in the: Littleton Independent 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, Colorado, 80110

Notice to Creditors

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Wilbur Wright McConnell, also known as Wright McConnell, aka W. Wright McConnell, aka William McConnell, aka William Wright McConnel, Deceased Case Number: 22PR30360

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 6, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

James Michael McConnell, Personal Representative

c/o Renet Greer | Greer Law, LLC 7899 S. Lincoln Ct, #100 Littleton, CO 80122

Legal Notice No. 531016

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of MICHELLE LEA DICKERSON, AKA MICHELLE L. DICKERSON, AKA MICHELLE DICKERSON, Deceased Case No.: 2023PR030078

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 07, 2023, or said claims may be forever barred.

CHRISTOPHER GORDON #42569, Personal Representative 3650 S YOSEMITE ST STE 214 DENVER, Colorado 80237

Legal Notice No. 301749

First publication: February 09, 2023

Last publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Englewood Herald Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Agnes Marie Lowman, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31436

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe, County, Colorado on or before June 2, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Attorney for Personal Representatives

The Hickey Law Firm, LLC 1075 South Yukon Street Suite 260 Lakewood, Colorado 80226

Legal Notice No. 531000

First Publication: February 2, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Roy Lilley, Deceased Case Number: 2023PR17

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 2, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Person Giving Notice: Joy Bardin 17631 E Bethany Pl Aurora, CO 80013 Legal Notice No. 530990

Publication: February 2, 2023

Publication: February 16, 2023 Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of DANIEL JAMES ANDRYKOWSKI , AKA DANIEL J. ANDRYKOWSKI, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31329

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of ARAPAHOE County, Colorado on or before June 2, 2023 , or the claims may be forever barred. MELISSA MARY ANDRYKOWSKI

Publisher: Littleton Independent

Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Marcia Sue Patullo, also known as Marcia S. Patullo, also known as Marcia Sue Osborne, Deceased Case Number: 2023PR30059

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado or on or before June 9, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Gregory S. Johnson Personal Representative 16661 Oakmoor Place Parker, CO 80134

Notice No. 531027 First Publication: February 9, 2023

Publication: February 23, 2023 Publisher: Littleton Independent

TO CREDITORS Estate of Robert H. Emmons, Jr., deceased Case Number: 2022PR31247

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 02, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Erin E. Cook, Personal Representative 2941 Mt. Royal Drive Castle Rock, CO 80104

Legal Notice No.530991

First publication: February 02, 2023

Last publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Carrie Christine Andree, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR031415

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before May 26, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Alexandria Andree, Personal Representative 11813 W Yuma Street Avondale, AZ, 85323

Legal Notice No. 530975

First Publication: January 26, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Thomas Allen Gerlick, aka Thomas Gerlick Jr., Deceased Case Number: 22PR90

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 2, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

John L. Gerlick, Personal Representative 1166 W. Princeton Place Englewood, Colorado 80110

Legal Notice No. 301741

First Publication: February 2 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Englewood Herald

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Janis K. Cox, a/k/a Janis Kaye Cox, a/k/a Janis Kay Cox, a/k/a Janis Cox, and Jan Cox, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 31404

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before May 26, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Ronald W. Cox, Personal Representative 5167 S. Shalom Park Circle Aurora, CO 80015 Phone: 303-690-1658

E-mail: w9kfb1@mac.com

Legal Notice No. 530972

First Publication: January 26, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

CLAYTON C. MEEKS, a/k/a CLAYTON CARL MEEKS, a/k/a CLAYTON MEEKS, Case Number: 2023PR30052

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado or on or before June 2, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Margaret Merrilyn Meeks, Personal Representative c/o Woodson L. Herring, Esq., Woodson L. Herring, LLC 5800 S. Nevada Street, Littleton, CO 80120

Estate of JAMES PATRICK CLANCY, AKA JIM CLANCY, AKA JAMES P. CLANCY, AKA JIM P. CLANCY, AKA JAMES CLANCY, Deceased

Case Number: 2022PR215

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before 6/9/2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Michael Clancy, Personal Representative 46 Bancroft Road, Northampton, MA 01060

Legal Notice No. 531015

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Martha M. Urioste, a/k/a Martha Urioste, a/k/a Martha Maxine Urioste, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31445

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 16, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Achieve Law Group Attorney to the Personal Representative 146 W. 11th Ave. Denver, Colorado, 80204

Legal Notice No. 531012

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of ANDREW PAUL BONN, also known as ANDREW P. BONN, and ANDREW BONN, Deceased Case Number: 2022PR31355

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 2, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Diane L. Litherland

Personal Representative c/o Kokish & Goldmanis, P.C. 316 Wilcox St. Castle Rock, CO 80104

Personal Representative

Legal Notice No. 530988

First Publication: February 2, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of CAROLYN L. REIDA, Deceased Case Number:2023PR030006

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 9, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

By /s/ Richard M. Arnold Attorney for Personal Representative 7691 Shaffer Parkway, Suite A Littleton, CO 80127

Legal Notice No. 531003

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Charles Rodric Willems, Deceased Case Number: 22PR597

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before May 26, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Tracy Whitehead, Personal Representative 6761 S Cherry St Centennial, Colorado 80122

Legal Notice No. 530973

First publication: January 26, 2023

Last publication: February 09, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of RICHARD ARTHUR MARTINEZ, a/k/a RICHARD A. MARTINEZ, a/k/a RICHARD MARTINEZ, a/k/a RICH MARTINEZ; a/k/a RICK MARTINEZ, Deceased

Case Number: 2023PR30021

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 9, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Tricia D. Martinez, Personal Representative 9945 Ashburn Lake Drive Tampa, FL 33610

Legal Notice No. 531030

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of GABRIEL STUART KEITH, a/k/a GABRIEL S. KEITH, a/k/a GABRIEL KEITH, a/k/a GABE KEITH Deceased

Hate crimes

A focus of Crow’s community listening session was highlighting ways to prevent and address incidences of bias-motivated crimes, otherwise known as hate crimes.

As previously reported by Colorado Community Media, reported incidents of hate crimes in Colorado more than doubled from 2018 to 2020, according to data from the FBI. However, o cials still highlighted underreporting of hate crimes as a large concern.

“People are concerned when the hate crime numbers go up,” said Dana Juniel, the executive vice president of strategy and communications at the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

“And actually, it might mean that we’re actually doing the work to report the crimes that are happening regardless,” Juniel added.

Many jurisdictions in the country, including in Colorado, are reporting zero hate crimes occurring in their jurisdictions, Crow said. ornton, for example, reported zero hate crimes.

“We know that’s not true,” Crow said. “So, there’s a trust de cit, of course, and a training de cit, both with the community and with law

enforcement to gure out: How do we actually get the reporting, get people comfortable with reporting, and o cers trained to be able to receive that properly?”

Juniel highlighted the need to get realistic numbers because “we know that money comes from the data,” adding such funding can help support community resources that are a rming for people to go to.

If o cers, however, are not properly trained on what hate crimes are, the underreporting of hate crimes will continue, Juniel explained.

e Matthew Shepard Foundation, in partnership with Out to Protect, o ers a “Hate Crimes Investigations for Law Enforcement” course that aims to teach rst responders how to recognize, document and investigate hate crimes, according to the training’s website.

“We are providing scholarships — scholarships to law enforcement who are interested in taking the online training in partnership with Out To Protect,” Juniel said.

Such training has helped lead to an increase in LGBTQ liaisons at agencies, Juniel said. ese liaisons, such as those at the Denver Police Department, aim to strengthen the relationship between police and the LGBTQ community through community involvement and educational e orts.

“Di erent from in the mental health space, these resources already exist. We just have to apply it,” Juniel

Public Notices

Case Number: 2023 PR 30053

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before May 26, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Gabrielle L. Keith, Personal Representative c/o EIRICH LAW FIRM 10233 S. Parker Road, Suite 300 Parker, CO 80134

Legal Notice No. 530976

First Publication: January 26, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Craig W. Rader, a/k/a Craig William Rader, a/k/a Craig Rader, Deceased

Case Number 22 PR 30935

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to: the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 9, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

David C. Walcher, Personal Representative 4047 South Sable Circle Aurora, CO 80014 dwalcher@msn.com

Legal Notice No. 531026

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Kathleen May Michaels, a/k/a Kathleen M. Michaels, a/k/a Kathleen Michaels, Deceased Case Number 2022PR31434

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe, County, Colorado or on or before June 2, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Sean Stephen Michaels

Personal Representative 3449 West Alamo Place Littleton, Colorado 80123

Legal Notice No. 301744

First Publication: February 2, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Englewood Herald

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Muriel J. Wright, also known as Muriel Jean Wright, and Muriel Wright, deceased

Case Number: 2022PR31449

All

said.

The need for action

April Owen, director of the Transgender Center of the Rockies, said the conversation showed her the de cit between the transgender community and the services that are available and how well agencies are meeting the community’s needs.

“I’m just thinking about how quickly we kind of need to move on this because I think more and more trans people are coming to states like Colorado,” Owen said, explaining she thinks legislation in some states has led people to move.

“I’m just worried about how to catch up and, kind of, meet the needs of everyone,” she added.

Jae said last year alone, more than 100 families living outside of Colorado reached out to YouthSeen looking for services in the state.

At the end of the meeting, Crow said he wrote down action items for him to take. e list included discussing a potential collaboration with the University of Colorado’s medical school to incorporate LGBTQ issues into its curriculum, as well as evaluating law enforcement training and “talk to the chief law enforcement o cers in the district and make sure that they understand this is a community priority.”

“ ank you all,” Crow said. “We appreciate the opportunity and (have) some very concrete takeaways.”

Eventually, the G Line opened in 2019 and development began to spring up.

It didn’t happen without opposition, though. Residents voiced concerns over sacri cing the historical character of the town. In fact, the city faced lawsuits from a group called All the People regarding approving development plans to add to the transit oriented development, or TOD.

e city prevailed and the new transit oriented development transformed Arvada, Cook said. It created a center that attracts citizens from around the area and which bene ts merchants, restaurants and others.

All of that can also be attributed to the mixed-use, higher density design model, where someone can live above a bakery or right next to a co ee shop.

With less emphasis put on cars, which Cook sees as a good thing, residents can live in a place where they can walk to various places. She said it contributes to more of a family feel.

See more on urban sprawl online at coloradocommunitymedia.com/longwayhome/index. html.

Estate of Kathleen Marie Beckett, deceased Case Number: 2023PR30026

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 09, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

The Petition requests that the name of Henry Matthew Stoutfellow Reagan-Wilson be changed to Henry Jameson Stoutfellow Reagan-Wilson Case No. 2022C047215

By: Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk

Legal Notice No. 530995

First Publication: February 2, 2023 Last Publication: February 16, 2023 Publisher: Littleton Independent

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of COLLETTE BERNICE BUTLER, a/k/a COLLETTE B. BUTLER, a/k/a COLLETTE BUTLER; f/n/a COLLETTE BERNICE HONSTEIN, a/k/a COLLETTE B. HONSTEIN, a/k/a COLLETTE HONSTEIN; f/n/a COLLETTE BERNICE ACUNA, a/k/a COLLETTE B. ACUNA, a/k/a COLLETTE ACUNA; f/k/a COLLETTE BERNICE ACUNA-ROWLAND, a/k/a COLLETTE B. ACUNA-ROWLAND, a/k/a COLLETTE ACUNA-ROWLAND, a/k/a COLLETTE B. ROWLAND, a/k/a COLLETTE ROWLAND; f/k/a COLLETTE BERNICE BOSTWICK, a/k/a COLLETTE B. BOSTWICK, a/k/a COLLETTE BOSTWICK, Deceased Case Number: 2022 PR 31437

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 2, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Colinda

Marie Elizabeth Weschler Personal Representative 12278 Utica Place Broomfield, Colorado 80020

Legal Notice No. 301746 First publication: February 09, 2023 Last publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Englewood Herald

Estate of Jennifer Ashley Rowe, deceased Case Number: 2022PR31427

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before June 02, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Alan Woolfolk, Personal Representative 18314 Tyler St. NW Elk River, MN 55330

Legal Notice No. 530993

First publication: February 02, 2023

Last publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent Name Changes PUBLIC

February 16, 2023

Publisher:Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Solange M. Holmberg, A.K.A Solange Michele Holmberg, A.K.A Solange M. Petite Deceased Case Number: 22PR598

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before May 23, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Baysore & Christian Fiduciary Services, LLC, nominated Personal Representative Karen Miller as Designated Representative

Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name

Public notice is given on January 13, 2023, that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Arapahoe County Court.

The petition requests that the name of Gianna Noelani Ditsworth be changed to Gianna Noelani Palmer Case No.: 2023 C 100027

By: Clerk of Court / Deputy Clerk

Legal Notice No. 531021

First Publication: February 9, 2023 Last

Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name

Public notice is given on January 23, 2023, that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Arapahoe County Court.

The petition requests that the name of Andrew Carlson Woodward be changed to Andrew Woodward Carlson Case No.: 23C100042

By: Kim Boswell Clerk of Court / Deputy Clerk

Legal Notice No. 531017

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name

Public notice is given on January 3, 2023, that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Arapahoe County Court.

The petition requests that the name of Gregory Robert Shettler be changed to Gregory Robert Shea Case No.: 22 C 100896

By: Kim Boswell Clerk of Court / Deputy Clerk

Legal Notice No. 530964

First Publication: January 26, 2023

Last Publication: February 9, 2023

Publisher: Littleton Independent

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name

Public notice is given on January 19, 2023, that a Petition for a Change of Name of a minor child has been filed with the