Clear Creek Courant April 17, 2025

Game of Life plays out at Clear Creek High School

Dozens engage to recruit students for next step in life

BY

Life after high school is a tree with many branches: Higher education? Career track? Trades? Clear Creek students were offered a small taste of them all at career day in Evergreen.

e high school lunchroom morphed into a sea of recruiters with tables lled with educational materials, pamphlets and lots of swag.

Students at Clear Creek High

School took their time moving from one solicitor table to the next, often with a small group of friends by their side, listening to pitches from employers and educators about taking the next step in adulthood.

“Finding things out and expanding my knowledge is great, and there are all these colleges out here,” sophomore Merrell Harvey said.

Career Connections Coordinator Dacia Kelly organized the career fair again this year with

student input and impact in mind.

For the rst time, Kelly invited and orchestrated at least eight colleges/universities from across the country to send representatives to encourage students to consider their institution for higher learning.

Attendees included Kansas State, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Oklahoma State University, Knox College and the University of Wyoming.

“It gives you a direct oppor-

tunity to speak with the people from the schools, which is refreshing instead of just trying to email back and forth,” sophomore McKenna Clark said.

At the same time, representatives from public and private organizations answered questions about the pros and cons of entering the job market after graduation.

At least 15 employers were actively looking to hire at the time,

Second person arrested in Peavey death

Wife of man charged in his murder now in custody

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Clear Creek County Sheri investigators announced Tuesday, April 8, a second arrest in the 2024 homicide of Paul Peavey, an Idaho Springs resident, who was found shot to death on his property days after a missing persons report was led with the CCCS o ce.

“Ana Ferrer was booked into jail for charges in connection to the death of Paul Peavey who was the victim of a homicide in August 2024. Ms. Ferrer is currently being held on charges of Accessory to Crime (of a Class 1 or Class 2 Felony), eft — Value $20,000 — $100,000, and Tampering with Physical Evidence,” a statement from CCCS read.

Sergio Ferrer is due in Clear Creek County Court on April 21 on·charges of rst-degree murder, felony murder and aggravated robbery in connection with Peavey’s death, according to CCCS. Peavey was well-known for breeding Dobermans, ac-

Career Day at Clear Creek High School in Evergreen April 3.

PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL

SEE CAREER FAIR, P7

Clear Creek Schools

Superintendent Tom Meyer announces he’s out in June

BY CHRIS KOEBERL

In an open statement to Clear Creek school employees, students and parents, Superintendent Tom Meyer announced he is leaving his position and the district e ective June 30.

Helicopters fly overhead Mighty Argo in east Idaho Springs

Industrial helicopters bring equipment, supplies to top of mountain for cable car project

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Commercial helicopters could be seen Monday, April 7, ying overhead at Virginia Canyon Mountain Park (VCMP) working on the Mighty ARGO Cable Car Project in Idaho Springs.

PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL

Meyer’s departure date coincides with his start date one year ago when the Clear Creek County School Board hired him with what board members said at the time was a “permanent” superintendent for the district.

In his statement Meyers said his wife accepted an educator position in Wyoming and he intends to follow.

“ is decision was not made lightly. I feel a deep sense of commitment to the work we have undertaken together, and it is di cult to step away from the goals and plans we have been pursuing,” Meyers’ statement reads in part.

“However, I take comfort in knowing that the district is headed in a positive direction — with strong academic growth and a continued focus on student success,” Meyers continued.

See coloradocommunitymedia.com/clear-creek-courant for updates.

is current phase of construction includes helicopter operations, heavy machinery and more than 400 yards of concrete being poured into 14 tower foundations.

e ights are staged at the ARGO Mill and own directly up the gondola line by Mountain Blade Runner helicopters, operating out of Boulder, according to developers.

“Given the intensity of this work and its location along key trail corridors, public access remains unsafe at this time,” Mighty Argo partner Mary Jane Loevlie told the Courant.

e ights, although sometimes sporadic, are expected to continue for the next ve to six - weeks, according to Loevlie.

“After discussions with city leadership, the ARGO team and Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA), all partners have agreed to extend the hard closure of VCMP to prioritize community and visitor safety,” Loevlie said.

Weather and technical progress could impact the timeline, and a plan to reassess access in late May will determine a potential reopening date.

e developments at VCMP and

Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado

Week of March 31, 2025, and Month of March 2025

Each day at about 8 a.m. a local National Weather Service volunteer observer makes temperature and precipitation observations at the Georgetown Weather Station and wind observations at Georgetown Lake. “Max” and “Min” temperatures are from an NWS digital “Maximum/Minimum Temperature System.” “Mean daily” temperature is the calculated average of the max and min. “Total Precipitation” is inches of rainfall plus melted snow. “Snowfall” is inches of snow that accumulated. T = Trace of precipitation or snowfall. NR = Not Reported. “Peak wind gust at Georgetown Lake” is the velocity and the time of the maximum wind gust that occurred during the 24 hours preceding the observation time. Historic data are based on the period of record for which statistical data have been compiled (about 56 years within the period 1893-2024). Any weather records noted are based on a comparison of the observed value with the historical data set for that speci c date.

Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado

Week ofMarch 31, 2025, and Month ofMarch 2025

Each day at about 8 a.m. a local National Weather Service volunteer observer makes temperature and precipitation observations at the Georgetown Weather Station and wind observations at Georgetown Lake. “Max” and “Min” temperatures are from an NWS digital “Maximum/Minimum Temperature System.” “Mean daily” temperature is the calculated average of the max and min. “Total Precipitation” is inches of rainfall plus melted snow. “Snowfall” is inches of snow that accumulated. T = Trace of precipitation or snowfall. NR = Not Reported. “Peak wind gust at Georgetown Lake” is the velocity and the time of the maximum wind gust that occurred during the 24 hours preceding the observation time. Historic data are based on the period of record for which statistical data have been compiled (about 56 years within the period 1893-2024). Any weather records noted are based on a comparison of the observed value with the historical data set for that specific date

Day and date of observation (2025)

ARGO represent a bold investment in the future of Idaho Springs. With lift-accessed riding, enhanced trail systems and new tourism potential,

this project will position the town as a premier destination for adventure, recreation and connection to nature, Loevlie said.

Dumont man o ers unwanted grill, smoker to raise money for Skate Park

Rec

center hopes to break ground on skate park in May, still need to fill funding gap

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When Dumont resident Josh Soderberg decided a large outdoor grill and smoker was just too big for his property, he took to Facebook with an o er.

e grill will go to whomever o ers the largest donation to the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District skate park planned for east Idaho Springs.

“My kids are skateboarders and they’re part of the community, and it was a way to help, and I thought it would be a fun way to do it,” Soderberg told the Courant.

Soderberg said he has three kids in the Clear Creek School District and his two boys are avid skateboarders, so it just made sense to give back where he could.

“Hopefully it gets other people to start thinking the same way. Maybe there’s a way we can all give back in some way shape or form,” he said.

CCMRD General Manager Cameron Marlin said, from the start, the skate park plans have been about and for the community, which has stepped-up.

“We are so grateful for the support of our community members and those that understand the value a skate park will bring to Idaho Springs and Clear Creek County as a whole,” Marlin said.

Soderberg’s o er of a donation for a grill is certainly unique but very much in the spirit of a community whose residents support themselves, Marlin said.

“I think it’s really cool that people are nding creative ways to support the project; the grill is obviously an extremely innovative fundraising tactic and we’re grateful,” she concluded.

Members of the Idaho Springs “SkateBoard” and the CCMRD hope to break ground for the skate park in May, but organizers said the overall project is still about $200,000 short, and organizers have events planned to make up the difference.

On April 19, a fundraising event including a “rail jam” will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at Loveland Basin in Dillon followed by live music, food, auctions and ra es from 4:30-10 p.m. at Loveland Valley Lodge.

New Line Skateparks, which has ofces in Florida, California and Canada, has been named to design and construct the 18,000-square-foot skate park with a budget of at least $1.17 million on the east side of the Shelly/Quinn elds in Idaho Springs.

Additional information can be found at clearcreekrecreation.com/idahosprings-skatepark.

Clear Creek County Schools Superintendent Tom Meyer announces he’s leaving the district in June.

Commercial helicopter could be seen Monday, April 7, flying overhead at Virginia Canyon Mountain Park working on the Mighty ARGO Cable Car Project in Idaho Springs.

PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL

Drop in Consumer Confidence & Concerns About Trade War Are Not Yet Reflected in Real Estate Statistics

Last Friday, CNN reported on a survey by the University of Michigan about consumer confidence, which showed a significant decline — 30% since December 2024.

“This decline was, like the last month’s, pervasive and unanimous across age, income, education, geographic region and political affiliation,” Joanne Hsu, the survey’s director, said in a release.

According to CNN, “the Federal Reserve and Wall Street are watching closely how souring sentiment translates into consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the US economy, and whether Americans lose faith that inflation will return to normal in the coming years.”

Sales are continuing to rise, and an increasing number of sellers are putting their homes on the MLS. Here are statistics for the previ-

can vary significantly. Here’s that chart:

measure of both seller hopes versus what the market will bear.

ous seven days (as of last Friday):

 New listings — 1,425

That decline is consumer sentiment is not yet reflected in real estate statistics which I researched on REcolorado, Denver’s MLS. The charts shown in this report are for the 13 months from March 2024 through March 2025, so that you can see both year-over-year and month-over-month changes.

 Coming soon — 90

 Price reductions — 1,466

 Under contract — 932

 Withdrawn from MLS — 95

 Back on Market — 198

 Expired without selling — 153

 Closed — 589

This is not an easy time to list and sell a home, and I would describe it as a “buyer’s market.” Even in a buyer’s market, however, keep in mind that a home which is priced correctly and has appealing qualities can sell quickly and even be in a bidding war.

How fast? Here’s the change in months of inventory and median days on the MLS:

The blue line is the asking price per square foot, and the green line is the sold price per square foot. In December, that price was bid up, but since then it has fallen, which is a

April statistics will be available in time for my column on May 8th. Since the greatest political and economic disruption is happening this month, it will be interesting to see how this month’s real estate activity is affected by current “externalities.” If you’re interested in my thoughts about those, you’ll want to check out my political blog, which is at http://TalkingTurkey.substack.com

Redfin Report Highlights Increasing Cost of Buying vs. Renting

The financial gap between purchasing a home and renting a home or apartment has grown significantly, making the dream of homeownership more distant, according to a report released by Redfin last Thursday.

According to the report, the typical American now needs to earn over $116,600 annually to afford a median-priced home in the U.S., compared to just $64,160 needed to afford an average apartment. That’s an 81.1 percent income gap — the widest it has been in recent years.

Homes are still being put on the MLS and are still selling. I limited my analysis to an 18-mile radius of downtown Denver, as shown in the map at right, not the “metro area” defined by county boundaries, as preferred by the Market Trends Committee of REcolorado.

First I looked at the count of active versus closed listing by month:

At the current rate of sales, it would take 3 months to sell the number of currently active listings, but the median days on market fell from over 40 in January to 17 in March.

Meanwhile, the average and median sold prices have remained steady. Average is always higher because of the number of million dollar homes sold.

I like to look at the change in price per finished square foot, since the size of homes

Those are national statistics, however. Here in the Denver metro area, the differential is much higher — 131.7 percent — according to Redfin. It takes an income of $155,717 to afford a median-priced home ($580,719) and $67,200 to afford a medianpriced apartment ($1,680 per month). That’s a year-over-year income increase of 4% for buying and a 1.1% decrease for renting. That reflects the national pattern of increased differential between the affordability of buying versus the affordability of renting.

The income needed to afford the typical home is calculated using the prevailing median home sale price and average mortgageinterest rate over rolling three-month periods, and assumes a 15% down payment. The typical housing payments noted in Redfin’s report include the mortgage principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners’ insurance and mortgage insurance.

The income needed to afford the typical apartment is calculated using the prevailing median asking rent over rolling three-month periods. Median asking rent figures cover newly listed units in apartment buildings with five or more units. Asking rents reflect the current costs of new leases during each time period. In other words, the amount shown as the median asking rent is not the median of what all renters are paying, but the median asking price of apartments that were available for new renters during the report period.

Redfin considers a home affordable if a buyer spends no more than 30% of their income on their housing payment. They use the same threshold for rental affordability.

The San Francisco Bay Area had the highest income differentials in the Redfin study. In San Jose, someone needs an annual income of $408,557 to afford the typical home for sale. That’s 218% more than they need to afford the typical apartment for rent—the biggest premium among the metro areas which Redfin analyzed. Next came San Francisco (176%), Seattle (145%), Austin (143%) and Los Angeles (141%).

Cincinnati saw the biggest drop in the homebuying premium. There someone needs an annual income of $80,752 to afford the typical home for sale. That’s 38.9% more than they need to afford the typical rental. A year ago they would have needed to earn 47.7% more to buy versus rent.

Charities Which Used Our Free Box Truck Miss It. Our GoFundMe Campaign Is Off to a Good Start.

Back in February, I announced that our truck needed a new engine and other repairs and that we decided to retire it instead. This was a big loss to such non-profits as Operation Feed the Troops, Family Promise, BGoldN, Christian Action Guild, Buffalo Bill Days, and the International Rescue Committee, among others, which used the truck more often than our clients!

The truck is off the road but still available to be repaired. So far, we’ve received about $1,500 in donations. If you’d like to contribute, visit www.BringItBack.info. Thanks!

Third measles case shows up in Wolf Creek Ski Area

People who visited slopes late March are urged to monitor for symptoms

BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado’s struggle to keep the nation’s widening measles outbreaks from breaching its borders took another hit April 8, as o cials announced the third new case in nine days.

e new infection was reported in a person in Archuleta County, and the person who was infected did not report having recently traveled outside Colorado. at likely means, for what would be the rst time in years, Colorado has seen a con rmed instance of local transmission of measles.

Dr. Rachel Herlihy, the state epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said the case is not believed to be connected to two other recently reported cases, one in Pueblo and another in Denver.

“ e individual did not travel outside of Colorado, which leaves open the possibility of community transmission,” she said in a statement.

O cials have identi ed three places where the infected person went while likely contagious, meaning people there may have been exposed to the virus:

• Wolf Creek Ski Area, all day on the dates of Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30.

• e Pagosa Medical Group clinic in Pagosa Springs, between 9:05 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on Monday, March 31, and again between the hours of 3:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2.

• e City Market in Pagosa Springs between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. on Monday, March 31.

People who were at those locations during those times should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days and consider avoiding public gatherings during that time. If people do develop symptoms — measles typically starts with a cough, fever, runny nose and/or red eyes, then progresses to the telltale rash that starts

on the face and moves downward — they should call their doctor or call a clinic.

Health o cials say people who think they may have measles should always call ahead so that medical providers can make plans to keep other patients at the clinic from being exposed.

CDPHE did not immediately provide information on how the infected person in Archuleta County is doing, though it said the person’s window for contagiousness ended on April 3. e person’s vaccination status is unclear.

Measles is considered a preventable dis-

ease because two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% e ective against the measles virus. e disease had once been considered eliminated in the United States, and it has been at least a decade since Colorado last saw three or more cases of measles in a year.

But, with vaccination rates against measles dipping across the country, the U.S. has seen more than 600 cases of measles this year, with more 500 of those in Texas.

Ski resort communities in southwestern Colorado, which see a lot of visitors from Texas, had been worried that spring break

travel could bring measles to their towns. With measles outbreaks currently ongoing not only in Texas but in the surrounding states of New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas — and with the summer travel season approaching — state health ofcials have been urging people who are unvaccinated or who may need a booster to consider getting the shot.

is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

People often associate measles with its telltale red rash, but the disease can be much more aggressive than that — attacking the brain and the respiratory system. SHUTTERSTOCK

Je co voices help shape Colorado’s conversation on AI in the classroom

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In celebration of National AI Literacy Day in March, the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado Education Initiative hosted a virtual summit that brought educators, students and industry leaders together to explore how arti cial intelligence is changing teaching, learning and leadership in Colorado schools.

e day opened with a session on the state’s roadmap for AI in K-12 education and continued with panels that o ered real-world examples of how schools are using AI to support teaching, personalize learning and grapple with big questions around equity and ethics.

at roadmap, released in August, was the product of a seven-month statewide process involving more than 100 educators, students, industry leaders and policymakers.

Two voices from Je co Public Schools helped spotlight how the state’s secondlargest district is grappling with the promise and challenges of integrating AI into daily teaching and learning practices.

Andrew Gitner, Je co’s Ed Tech Specialist and Tam Nguyen, a student at Columbine High School, shared their perspectives on how arti cial intelligence shapes teaching and learning.

Gitner led a session focused on helping educators implement AI tools thoughtfully and e ectively in the classroom, while Nguyen presented his senior capstone project on the implications of AI bias in education.

Bringing AI into the classroom

Gitner, a former English teacher turned K-12 instructional technology leader, presented a session aimed at demystifying classroom AI tools for educators. With a mix of humor and practicality, he focused on showing how teachers can integrate generative AI into everyday work ows without giving up control.

“I kind of teach teachers how to talk to robots,” Gitner said.

Gitner shared that during his teaching days, grading essays or giving detailed feedback often meant sacri cing evenings and weekends.

“AI tools can speed that up, letting teachers spend more time where it really matters, in instruction and relationshipbuilding,” he said.

Gitner also underscored the need for educators to stay in control of how AI is used in the classroom.

“ e computer should never make a management decision because it can’t be held accountable,” he said. “ at’s still the teacher’s job.”

He now works with teachers across Jeffco to explore tools like MagicSchool, SchoolAI and Di t, o ering guidance on how to experiment safely and ethically. Gitner said he’s excited about how AI can free up time for more creative, human-centered instruction and how it may evolve to help teachers better understand student needs.

“We’re just scratching the surface,” he said. “Eventually, AI could help us tailor learning in ways we haven’t even imagined yet.”

While Gitner’s work centers on helping educators use AI e ectively, he also emphasized its role in promoting equity for students with learning di erences such as dyslexia or dysgraphia.

“ ese tools can remove barriers,” he said. “But equitable access is key. We can’t a ord to let a student’s opportunity be determined by which teacher they happen to have.”

A student’s perspective on AI bias

Nguyen’s research examined the accuracy and equity of AI detectors, tools used by teachers and administrators to ag potentially AI-generated student work.

He said he was initially curious about how these tools work but became concerned when discovering patterns that could disproportionately a ect certain students.

“Simpler writing was more likely to be agged as AI,” Nguyen explained. “ at’s a problem for students learning English or students with di erent writing styles.”

To test this, Nguyen submitted a variety of writing samples to di erent detectors and found that essays written by students with more basic sentence structure were agged more often. His ndings suggest that AI detectors could unintentionally penalize students still developing their

“ ese detectors should never be the

only tool,” he said. “Teachers need to look at the full process of student work, not just the nal product.”

Nguyen’s presentation sparked meaningful discussion during the summit about how schools de ne academic integrity in an AI world and how students can be part of shaping those de nitions.

“It’s important that we’re included in these conversations,” Nguyen said. “We’re the ones being a ected by the decisions educators and tech companies are making.”

In addition to his AI work, Nguyen is passionate about computer science and plans to study at the Colorado School of Mines. He hopes to eventually work on ethical AI development and ensure that future technologies serve all users, not just those who created them.

“It’s exciting, and a little scary, but if we learn how to use it right, it can help us learn better, faster and more deeply,” he said.

Gitner also acknowledged that some students fear AI, particularly when it’s introduced as a tool for surveillance or academic policing rather than empowerment. He said others worry they might become too dependent on it.

“Some students are afraid they’ll stop thinking for themselves,” he said. “ at’s why it’s so important that we model how to use it responsibly — as a support, not a substitute.

“If the rst thing a student hears about AI is that it’s going to catch them cheating, of course, they’re going to be afraid of it,” Gitner added. “But if we lead with curiosity and show them how it can help them learn, that changes the conversation.”

writing skills or using translation software to help express themselves.

Andrew Gitner, Ed Tech Specialist at Je co Schools.

COURTESY OF ANDREW GITNER

Schools fear retaliation for inclusion program

Hundreds of millions for schools at risk amid Trump DEI threats

BY MELANIE ASMAR CHALKBEAT

About $800 million dollars in federal funding, or roughly 10% of Colorado’s K-12 education budget this year, could be at risk related to the latest demand from the Trump administration.

e U.S. Department of Education on April 3 gave state education agencies 10 days to certify that their schools do not engage in practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. ose that don’t, the department said, will not receive any federal funding.

At issue is Title VI, a provision of federal civil rights law that bars discrimination on the basis of race or shared ancestry. e Trump administration’s interpretation is controversial. Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement that “too many schools” use “DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans to favor another based on identity characteristics in clear violation of Title VI.”

Schools must also certify that they comply with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which banned the use of race in college admissions decisions but which the Trump administration has interpreted more broadly.

Colorado Department of Education Commissioner Susana Córdova sent a

brief letter to the state’s school district superintendents ursday that said the department is “conferring with our legal counsel” to understand the new federal requirement.

“We will let you know the next steps; please do not take any actions until we provide you with further guidance,” Córdova wrote in the letter, which the state education department provided to Chalkbeat. “We understand that you may be receiving questions about the impact of this; as soon as we have more information, we will reach out to you all.”

All federal funding appears to be at risk if states don’t comply, though the Trump administration’s letter speci cally names Title I funding that supports high-poverty schools.

Colorado received about $168 million in federal Title I funding this year that it then distributed to school districts, according to the state education department.

One other Democrat-controlled state has already responded to the Trump administration’s demands. On April 4, the New York State Education Department said it will not comply.

Denver Public Schools, Colorado’s largest school district, received the most Title I funding in the state: about $35 million, according to state data. In total, Denver Public Schools expects to receive $96 million in federal funding this school year, according to district budget documents. Federal funding makes up about 6.7% of the Denver district’s budget.

Denver Public Schools has already found itself in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. In January, the U.S. Department of Education O ce for Civil Rights announced it was investigating

Mount Evans brings love

DPS for converting a girls’ restroom at East High School into an all-gender restroom.

In February, Denver Public Schools sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in an e ort to keep immigration enforcement away from schools. A federal judge sided with the Trump administration in March, rejecting the district’s attempt to reinstate a federal policy that treated schools as “sensitive locations” for the purposes of immigration enforcement.

Denver Public Schools is a diverse district. About three-quarters of its 90,000 students are students of color. About 38% of Denver students are English language learners, and 63% qualify for subsidized lunches, a measure of poverty. Nearly 15% are students with disabilities.

Equity is one of the Denver district’s core values, and its school board and superintendent have passed policies and created internal departments that aim to close academic gaps between white students and Black and Latino students.

Other e orts include advisory groups for families and community members, such as a Latine Education Advisory

Committee and a Black Family Advisory Committee. e webpage for the Black Family Advisory Committee says, “You do not need to be Black to participate, just need to be focused on the needs of Black students and their families in DPS.”

It’s unclear whether the education department’s edict would a ect such programs.

Denver Public Schools spokesperson Scott Pribble said in a statement that, “We are assessing the situation, but DPS is already in compliance with Title VI.”

“It is too early to determine the exact impacts this could have on Denver Public Schools,” Pribble said. But he noted that the $96 million in federal funding that the district expects to receive this school year “are funds that support students and teachers.”

“Without these funds, we would need to reduce services or look for other local funding sources,” he said.

Reporter Jason Gonzales contributed to this story.

Reprinted with permission from Chalkbeat, a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.

Colorado received about $800 million in federal funding this school year that could be at risk.

PHOTO BY JIMENA PECK FOR CHALKBEAT

CAREER FAIR

according to Kelly.

Representatives from law enforcement, including the Clear Creek County Sheri and Idaho Springs Police, set up tables next to the Clear Creek County Fire Authority with bunker gear on display.

“Based on student feedback from last year, we combined the two because not every student wants to go to college, and not every student is looking for a job,” Kelly said.

Several trades, such as Local Electric out of Dumont, also set up shop to recruit students interested in joining the workforce out of high school.

Representative Joe Bardi recognized the di culty of hiring young people who are interested in working with their hands despite the ever-increasing opportunities to learn a trade.

“We are trying to get the next generation of electricians, tradesmen and laborers on board,” Bardi said. “It’s becoming increasingly di cult but not impossible. I think there is still a real interest out there in people that want to work with their hands and go a di erent route.”

Much like college, four years of apprenticeship and on-the-job education can lead to a journeyman electrician license.

“With that kind of knowledge, licenses and experience,” Bardi said. “You would be in extremely highdemand, especially in a state like Colorado where it’s growing constantly.”

As a journeyman, it’s common to make more than $100,000 a year, Bardi added, and it’s a license someone can take anywhere or expand upon.

“ at’s kind of the threshold, and you can go much further north from there. e cool thing about electrical is it’s a gateway into many other industries,” he said.

Rules for private equity funded child care dead

BY ANN SCHIMKE

Child care chains backed by private equity investment rms won’t be subject to new limits intended to protect parents or workers, after a Colorado bill died in the state Senate April 8.

Senators initially passed House Bill 25-1011 on April 7, after rejecting a major change made last week in a legislative committee. But by the next day, some lawmakers had defected and the bill failed in an 18-16 vote.

Sen. Cathy Kipp, a Democrat from northern Colorado and one of the bill’s sponsors, said, “We were just unable to convince people between second and third reading that they should stick with us.”

e two readings are the initial and nal votes on legislation in the full House or Senate. e legislation represented the rst time Colorado lawmakers have considered potential problems posed by private equity rms that buy or invest in child care centers. Experts say private equity backing can hurt child care quality, raise prices for families, and send public dollars meant for classrooms into the pockets of wealthy investors. But leaders of large chains backed by private equity rms say they provide many desperately needed child care seats and that new guardrails would chill

investment in Colorado’s child care industry.

About 15% of child care seats for young children in Colorado are housed in centers with private equity backing or ownership, according to a Chalkbeat analysis. ese include well-known chains like KinderCare, Primrose Schools, Goddard Schools, e Learning Experience, and brands owned by the Learning Care Group.

Other states, including Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey, have passed laws aimed at such chains in recent years.

Kipp said she’ll meet with the other sponsors after the legislative session to “see if there is potentially a path forward, whether that be next year or the year after.”

e legislation would have required child care chains owned or backed by private equity or venture capital investors to post their tuition and fees online. It also would have required such chains to give families and employees 60 days notice after purchasing a child care center before laying o sta or making enrollment changes.

e original version of the bill also would have prevented a common real estate practice in the private equity world, but that provision on “sale-leasebacks” was stripped out in the House. Experts say sale-leasebacks, which force acquired companies to sell their property and then lease it back from the new owner,

can harm companies nancially by forcing them to shoulder a new expense.

Reprinted with permission from Chalkbeat, a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.

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Clear Creek Courant (USPS 52610)

A legal newspaper of general circulation in Idaho Springs, Colorado, the Clear Creek Courant is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 1630 Miner St., Idaho Springs, CO 80452.

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CHALKBEAT

Clear Creek Fire Authority at Career Day in Evergreen April 3.

Career Day at Clear Creek High School in Evergreen April 3.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL

Even man’s best friend understands value of friendship

We have two dogs that are best friends. ree-year-old Skye and one-year-old Bear are Coltrievers, part Golden Retriever and part Border Collie. Technically, they are aunt and nephew; Bear’s mother was born in the same litter as Skye.

As soon as 9-week-old Bear joined our family, Skye started trying to get him to play with her; so incredibly happy to have a playmate. What began as a fullgrown dog trying to coax a timid weeksold puppy into doing a little bit of running around has evolved into full-on races inside and outside of the house where you will often hear Beth or I exclaim, “Hey, now that’s too rough.”

e games of these two best friends are a joy to watch. ey might start with Skye squeaking a toy four or ve times or Bear patting the ground and pretending to jump forward.

e language of these two is amazing to watch in action. e invitation to playtime is followed by a mix of wagging tails, panting tongues, playful growling, lots of running and un ltered joy. eir rumpus room friendship has this dear, quiet side, too. Last week, I was sitting at the table doing some work, and these two best friends lay on top of my feet with their heads touching each other. As I watched that sweet, tender moment, I could not help but think about the role friends play in our lives.

e collective power of friendship is astounding. In the history of humankind friendship has altered the course of en-

tire nations, been the foundation for business empires, and the impetus for lifechanging discoveries and inventions.

Friendships make our individual days richer and provide us with avenues for laughter and lifetime memories. ey present us opportunities to share our deepest secrets and a shoulder to cry on in times of greatest need. Friendships are one of our world’s most precious resources. Nurturing a friendship reaps amazing rewards for each of us.

When a friend faces challenging life events, it can leave us searching for the perfect way to help. We know how much that friendship adds to our lives, and we want to be that same type of support for our friend. We see their pain and their need, and we want to be the di erence makers. Most of us will, at some point, face questions about how to support our friends in their moment of need.

Here is what I have learned so far about those moments when you want to help but don’t know how:

• Be consistent, a force of positivity they can trust will be present.

• Listen so you understand the needs of the person struggling.

• Give help on the timeline of the person needing help.

• Be authentically yourself, lean into your strengths when you are trying to gure out how to help.

• Distance, being 5 minutes or 5,000 miles apart, is not a barrier friends feel. Act when your friend needs it. is week I hope you will celebrate the friends you have. ey are incredible encouragers, some of your greatest treasures and they deserve your best.

I would love to hear about the friendships that have made a di erence in your life.

The happy days of U.S. manufacturing are gone

After World War II, Americans came home and began building one of the world’s best economies.

Our soldiers took advantage of the GI Bill which helped pay for education and housing. ey married their sweethearts and moved into the new homes that were being built. As U.S. car production resumed, they bought a car and took one of the many new jobs being created by the wildly expanding American economy. As the wartime economy transformed into a peacetime one you might call it the Golden Age of American Capitalism.

Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences. Contact him at jim.roome@gmail. com.

If minds be so

e Golden Age continued into the ‘50’s as America’s GNP more than doubled between 1945 and 1960. One of our economy’s successes were the thousands of small manufacturers serving both consumer and industrial needs. By 1954 there were approximately 344,000 manufacturing establishments in the U.S. One of those in my hometown was a small company that made thermometers. It employed between 100 and 150 employees. My father was a sales and marketing executive for this company. In our town of about 75,000 there were a dozen or so similar sized companies making a variety of products or machine parts. ese small manufacturers were scattered around the country and were especially common in the Midwest. My dad’s company, like the others, treated employees well in terms of pay and bene ts. I well remember when I was about to go o to college, my dad was given a

raise to cover the annual cost of college. e companies were loyal to their employers and the employees returned the loyalty with hard work.

In the seventies things began to change. Owners who were now of retirement age looked for a business sale opportunity to fund their retirement. As ownership changed from founding families to competitors or larger companies in companion businesses, the smaller business was often shut down. As this happened again and again, thousands of jobs were lost.

At the same time, larger manufacturers began to utilize robotics and other labor-saving strategies. Over 3.5 million industrial robots are currently operating in factories worldwide (according to the International Federation of Robotics).  e United States has some of the highest labor costs globally, particularly in the manufacturing sector. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2016, the average hourly compensation cost in U.S. manufacturing was $39.03. is gure is higher than in many other industrialized countries, such as the United Kingdom ($26.96), Japan ($25.37), and Korea ($15.58).

As the U.S. has navigated through the changing business realities, the products o ered have changed from manufacturing to services like, banking, insurance,

legal and many others. We will likely not be well positioned to see the manufacturing sector rise to the happy days of the 50’s.

As of the latest data, manufacturing employment in the United States comprises approximately 8.3% of the total workforce. is re ects a signicant decline from previous decades; for instance, in 1990, manufacturing accounted for about 16.3% of total U.S. employment. Despite this decrease, the manufacturing sector remains a crucial component of the U.S. economy, contributing $2.93 trillion to the economy, which is 10.0% of U.S. GDP as of the third quarter of 2024.

e current idea of using tari s to bring back manufacturing to America seems unlikely to succeed. We are part of a world economy, and we must compete to succeed. In its nal days, the small thermometer company lacked the know how to produce digital thermometers. Each time I spy a round dial thermometer, I strain to see if it is an Ohio ermometer, If so, a tear comes to my eye. Mr. President, thanks for trying to bring back the happy days. If you could, I would gladly trade for my computer and phone.

Jim Rohrer of Evergreen is a business consultant and author of the books “Improve Your Bottom Line … Develop MVPs Today” and “Never Lose Your Job … Become a More Valuable Player.” Jim’s belief is that common sense is becoming less common. More about Jim at www.theloyaltypartners.com.

The Revolutionary War began in April 1775 at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. After the Shot Heard Round the World, there could be no compromise. e American rebellion either had to be crushed, or it had to succeed. Twenty months into the war, omas Paine wrote it was a time that tried men’s souls. e situation was grim. e Continental Army was back on its heels, but that didn’t deter those ghting for their rights. ey sti ened their resolve and remained resolute.

Today, many Americans are back on their heels. e country is in a period of disrepair with anxiety enveloping the nation. Faith and trust in major institutions has declined. Algorithms of tech giants, like Meta, condition users’ brains to salivate like Pavlov’s dogs when hearing a bell. Predatory private equity groups drive costs up for consumers by sucking the blood from upstarts and small businesses.  e wealth gap is inexorably widening. e top 10% control 69% of American wealth and the bottom fty percent a mere six percent. Many work multiple jobs trying to make ends meet.

JERRY FABYANIC

Columnist

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Jim Roome

GUEST COLUMN

Jim Rohrer

Three-year-old Skye and one-year-old Bear are Coltrievers, part Golden Retriever and part Border Collie. COURTESY OF JIM ROOME

FABYANIC

ose dependent upon Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans’ bene ts are terri ed as the Grim Reaper wields his scythe.

ere are those who say we haven’t been through a time like this one. But we’ve been at the brink before. Nonetheless, I get it. is era seems like a mutant pathogen compared to our previous turbulent periods. It’s seriously worrisome no matter what one’s political persuasion is.

Citing examples from our past, however, doesn’t assuage the fear that we’re currently facing extreme threats and crises. Far from it. It just gives evidence that we’re never completely safe and that our wellbeing and rights cannot be taken for granted. It takes ongoing vigilance and work to protect and ensure them. at begins with not self-sabotaging and ceding personal power. But many continue to do just that and then feel hapless and helpless when doo-doo hits the fan.  I fear that we’re evolving into automatons. We’re being so conditioned, anesthetized even, by the fast-and-easy MO of modern life — think fast food, Facebook, and cell phones—that we’re becoming mechanistic. e result is that cynicism has become a social mindset.  ere’s more than one problem with that beginning with cynicism being antithetical to the human condition. A primary tenet of cynicism is an I-cando-it-alone mentality, but we’re a social, co-dependent species. It’s bad enough to lose faith and trust in institutions; it’s quite another to lose them in each other, our fellow citizens. If that happens, it will lead not only to personal and societal dysfunction but also be injurious to, even lethal for, our democracy.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow memorialized the Battle of Lexington and

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PEAVEY

cording to locals, who said he had a real passion for his puppies, which were missing when his body was found.  “ ose dogs were his life, I mean, his entire world revolved around those dogs of his and those puppies,” Idaho Springs resident Gary Burke said shortly after the incident.

Concord in his epic poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride.” I smilingly recall reading the poem aloud with my eighth graders. e poem is loosely accurate with details, but it isn’t about facts. It’s about feelings. Afterward, I’d give them time to sketch their thoughts and feelings. ey got it. eir artwork expressed it vividly. I fear, though, that some if not many of them have lost that “loving feeling” now that they’re middle aged, the time when disillusionment can set in.

I admit to experiencing disconsolate moods, which I’ve shared with a few. It helps to vent, but it doesn’t help if what is being vented becomes gelled into a mindset. If I feel that happening, I give myself a good shake. Because that’s not who I am or wish to be.

Every good leader knows if you go into a fray feeling defeated, you’ll assuredly lose. But if you set your jaw, understanding the battle could be a protracted slog, you’ll have more than a chance. You will win.

Saturday, April 19, 2025, will be the semiquincentennia l—250th — anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. It’ll be a perfect day to commemorate, celebrate, and muse upon what our ancestors did to allow us the privilege of being a free, feisty people. I encourage you to pull up and slowly read Longfellow’s poem aloud. And especially take to heart the poem’s last two stanzas.

Before the Battle of Agincourt, the king in “Henry V” states, “All things be ready if our minds be so.” By that he’s saying although his army is militarily girded for battle, victory will depend on its mental and emotional state.

at’s true today. If everyday Americans follow their ancestors’ lead and act with resolve and resolution, they can change the nation’s socio-economic trajectory to ensure equity and opportunity not for those for whom enough is never enough but for themselves, the heart, brain, brawn, and soul of America. ey can, that is, if their minds be so.

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

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

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According to the CCCS press release: “Ms. Ferrer is the wife of Sergio Ferrer. e investigation into Paul Peavey’s homicide is ongoing. In addition, the whereabouts of several Doberman pup- clearcreeksheri .us.

Clear Creek County Sheri investigators announced Tuesday, April 8, a second arrest in the 2024 homicide of Paul Peavey. FILE PHOTO

Legislative update: A di cult, responsible state budget

Colorado is constitutionally required to pass a balanced annual state budget. Each year, the legislature has to make decisions on how to allocate limited resources to our state programs and obligations: about two-thirds of the general fund each year is allocated to K-12 education and Medicaid, and the other third is split among transportation, prisons, public health and a multitude of other state agencies, programs and services for Coloradans. is year’s budget process has been particularly di cult as we were tasked with closing a nearly $1.2 billion shortfall in order to balance the budget. After months of debate, proposals, and compromise, the state Senate just passed a bipartisan, balanced, state budget that contains some di cult, yet necessary, cuts while preserving support for key priorities like K-12 education.

How did we get here?

STATE SENATOR

ese budget cuts are not because Colorado’s economy is poor or due to unwise spending decisions in the past. e Colorado economy continues to do well, even in the face of a ordability challenges (and that could all change with the imposition of tari s on the federal level). So what happened? In the last year, Medicaid utilization rates have far exceeded historical averages. In addition, the cost of providing medical care has increased exponentially. Part of the bud-

get de cit is the result of needing to pay for medical services that have already been provided to Coloradans and improved estimates that more accurately re ect the increased cost of continuing care. Further, the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, also known as TABOR, allows the state budget to grow based on a formula using population growth and in ation as the only two variables. In this case, the statewide in ation rate is far lower than medical in ation, meaning that our budget is not able to account for the true cost of existing services and requires cuts to balance it.

In addition, Colorado voters have passed several ballot measures that cost a considerable amount of funds over the years to which the legislature is legally obligated to fund, regardless of our annual budget outlook.

All these factors and more combined and we were faced with a challenging situation in endeavoring to balance our state budget.

What does this year’s budget look like?

For the 2025-2026 budget, we protected and increased K-12 education funding, made investments in higher education, avoided substantial cuts to

Medicaid and tried to make sure the cuts were not disproportionately severe to any essential responsibility of the state. Last year, we made historic investments to pay o the “budget stabilization” factor and fully fund K-12 education. at landmark was the culmination of years of e ort and nancial planning by the state, and bringing back the education funding de cit was not something anyone in the legislature was willing to consider. In addition, last year we passed an updated public school nance formula, led by the Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, that was designed to better support rural schools and students in need of extra support. Protecting funding for our students and hard-working teachers, especially in rural schools, was one of my top considerations in the budget this year and I am pleased to say that our school nance projections for the coming year show a $150 million increase in funding instead of any cuts.

In order to meet our obligation to pass a balanced budget, we had to make difcult and signi cant cuts to programs that we all care about like transportation. We’re not happy about having to make these cuts, but doing so allows us to protect essential services including Medicaid and education.

As a senator for rural Colorado, I fought successfully to add in a little more investment for our critical health care clinics that are the last safety net for so

many. I am also working on other bills to ensure that we are protecting and expanding funding for water projects that bene t agriculture and outdoor recreation, no matter what happens with our state budget year over year. Finally, I successfully inserted a budget footnote that will hold Colorado Parks and Wildlife accountable to more responsibly spending the funding they are receiving for wolf reintroduction and allocating proper resources to help ranchers and communities with this ongoing and growing challenge.

In the end, the Senate passed our balanced 2025-2026 state budget with a bipartisan vote of support.

Looking forward

Working on and ultimately voting in favor of this year’s budget was di cult, but necessary. Every Colorado family will feel the e ects of the budget cuts we were required to make, and I ask that you be in touch with me directly as you navigate potential changes and challenges. I am, as always, deeply committed to ensuring that our rural communities are not forgotten in conversations at the Capitol. Please reach out anytime to share ideas at SenatorDylanRoberts@gmail.com or my cell: 970-846-3054.

Dylan Roberts is the state senator for Clear Creek, Eagle, Gar eld, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Mo at, Rio Blanco, Routt and Summit counties.

Dylan Roberts

We’d like to know about events or activities of interest to the community. Visit www.clearcreekcourant.com/calendar/ and post your event online for free. Email ckoeberl@coloradocommunitymedia.com to get items in the newspaper. Items will appear in

UPCOMING

Devil’s Gate History Club: 7 p.m. Friday, April 18 at Georgetown Community Center 6th and Argentine St. “Time to Get Your Ass in Gear,” by Greg Jarvis: burro racing in Clear Creek County and other Colorado locations. Programs are free, but donations are welcome.

Rail Jam & Gala: Noon to 4 p.m. April 19 at Loveland Ski Area in Dillon. A bene t for the future Idaho Springs Skate Park.

e Idaho Springs Lions Club: Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 20, at Safeway, 2425 Miner St. in Idaho Springs. Encouraging shoppers to purchase items for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.

Idaho Springs Wing Crawl: Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3. Participating Idaho Springs restaurants to serve oneof-a-kind wing creations in a bene t for Loaves and Fishes food pantry.

Idaho Springs Epic Day of Service: Friday, May 17, 1744 Miner St., Idaho Springs. Join us in making a di erence! Help clean up your favorite park, neighborhood, or street.

ONGOING

of the month at Marions of the Rockies, 2805 Colorado Blvd., Idaho Springs. Come join us and help to serve our community. For information – www.islions.org, email info@isLions.org or call 720-608-1140.

Clear Creek Democrats:5-7 p.m. “ irsty 3rd ursday” at the Vintage Moose, 12 16th Ave. in Idaho Springs. Non-alcoholic options and snacks are provided.

CASA of the Continental Divide seeks volunteers:CASACD promotes and protects the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in court proceedings through the advocacy e orts of trained CASA volunteers. Be the di erence and advocate for the youth in our community. e o ce can be reached at 970-513-9390.

Idaho Springs Lions Club meetings: 7:30 a.m. every rst and third ursday

Clear Creek EMS/Evergreen Fire Rescue Launch Mugs for Rugs Campaign: Bring an old throw rug and you’ll leave with a bright green mug! You can bring them to Station 1A in Dumont, 3400 Stanley Road, or you can email captains@clearcreekems.com and CCEMS will come to you to make the trade. Clear Creek EMS also o ers fallrisk assessments by bringing someone from the re department to make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. To request a visit, ll out the form at clearcreekcounty. us/1388/Community-Outreach.

Blue Spruce Habitat volunteers needed: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers. A variety of opportunities and exible schedules are available on new construction

sites as well as for exterior minor home repairs. No previous construction experience needed. Contact volunteer@ bluesprucehabitat.org for information.

Resilience1220 counseling: Young people 12 to 20 can get free counseling through an Evergreen-based organization called Resilience1220. Composed of licensed therapists, Resilience1220 serves individuals and groups in the foothills including Clear Creek County. ey also facilitate school and community groups to build life skills in wellness and resilience among youth. For more information or to schedule a counseling session, visit R1220.org, email Resilience1220@gmail.com or call 720-282-1164.

Dental clinics: Cleanings, X-rays, dentures, tooth extractions and more. Most insurances are accepted including Medicaid. Sliding scale/low-cost options are also available. No appointment necessary. is is a mobile dentist that comes once a month. Call program manager Lauralee at 720-205-4449 for questions.

Clear Creek Rotary 2000 meetings: Clear Creek Rotary 2000 meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Marion’s of the Rockies. 2805 Colorado Blvd., Idaho Springs. For more information, email loe er806@comcast.net.

Support after suicide loss: A safe place to share and learn after losing a loved one to suicide. is group meets every fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 o ce. For ages 14 and up. Suggested donation

for this group is $15. Register at resilience1220.org/groups.

Storytime with Miss Honeybun: Storytime with Miss Honeybun is at 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays at the Idaho Springs Public Library and at 11:15 a.m. ursdays at the John Tomay Memorial Library in Georgetown.

Sensitive collection: Resilience1220 strives to inform and support highly sensitive people to live healthy and empowered lives. It meets the third Wednesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. and is o ered via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 o ce. Register at resilience1220.org/groups.

Public Health o ering sexual health and family planning: Clear Creek County Public Health is now o ering Sexual Health and Planning Services at the Health and Wellness Center in Idaho Springs. Public Health o ers counseling, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, STI and HIV screenings, basic infertility services and birth control options and referrals. ese services are con dential. Public Health can also now bill Medicaid and most private insurance. However, if you do not have insurance, fees are based on a sliding scale — and no one will be turned away if they are unable to pay.

Clear Creek County Lookout Alert: e CodeRED alerts have been replaced by the Lookout Alert. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts county-wide by signing up at www.lookoutalert.co. e new site replaces CodeRED following the switch to Je Com911 for emergency dispatch earlier this year.

Fall in Love ’Once’ Again in Littleton

Sometimes the most powerful love stories are the least complicated. You don’t need a lot of games and obstacles—just two people trying desperately to connect. at simplicity is what makes “Once,” one of the best and most unique musicals to come around in some time. And now its elegant beauty is coming to the Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 Main St. in Littleton, through Sunday, April 27. Performances are 7:30 p.m. ursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Based on the cult 2007 Irish lm by John Carney, the show tells the story of a young Czech woman and an Irish busker who meet on the streets of Dublin and form an unlikely connection. What starts out as a kind of musical collaboration slowly and achingly blossoms into something more as they work to record an album of originals. “ ere’s nothing else like ‘Once,’” said director Carrie Colton. “It doesn’t feel like a normal musical and doesn’t feel quite like a lm, either. It’s more of a show about what music means to individuals.”

Colton’s most recent work at Town Hall has been as a choreographer and ght director, but she’s long been a director who is drawn to pieces that are more unconventional or risky. What makes “Once” challenging is the performers have to blend acting with playing their instruments and sing and dance at the same time.

Growing caseload for child therapy program creates $4 million funding shortfall

BY ANN SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT

COMING ATTRACTIONS

event/once/.

In late winter, Je Bridges got word that state-funded therapy for his 1-year-old son, who was born prematurely, would be slashed by half starting in July. Bridges was upset. But he had a better reason than most parents to be caught o guard.

Reader

“We have the most incredible cast in this show, most of whom are musicians rst and actors second,” Colton said. “I come from more of the dance world and our actors come from the singing and music realm, but we all have the connective tissues of artists.”

e key for “Once” to succeed is to make it as intimate and musical as possible, and that’s just what Colton and the cast strived for. ey built a community within themselves and invite the audience to be a part of it.

“As artists we make our art and music and eventually, we want to share it with people,” Colton said. “ at’s part of what it is to be a performing artist — you feel the energy and it feeds us.”

Music may well be the main character of the show, as it’s not only what brings the two leads together, but also what sweeps the audience away.

“One of the reasons the movie is so successful is the music. It’s so lovely and simple, especially when placed into the context of the story,” Colton said. “We so often forget to enjoy the little things and this show encourages us to stop and enjoy the simple, beautiful things in life.”

Information and tickets are available at https://townhallartscenter.org/

Vote for ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ at PACE Center

For a certain generation of movie watchers, “Napoleon Dynamite” is one of those movies that was a genuine cultural moment when it rst appeared on the scene in 2005. It still has a place in the culture thanks to memes and the internet and I can happily report that the lm still brims with low-key delights.

For fans of the movie, the Parker Arts, Culture & Events (PACE) Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., is hosting Napoleon Dynamite LIVE! A Conversation with Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez and Jon Gries at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25. e evening features a screening of the lm and then a discussion with cast members Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Gries (Uncle Rico) and Ramirez (Pedro). e live show is a blend of Q&A, comedy improv, game show and more, so get tickets at https://parkerarts.org/ event/napoleon-dynamite-live/ so you don’t miss it.

Get Your Water Garden Ready for Summer Spring means its time to get your gardening on, and those looking for information on water gardens won’t want to miss the special “Get Wet – Water Gardening Fun in 2025!” event at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Gates Hall, 1007 York St. in Denver.

Co-Sponsored by Colorado Water

Garden Society (CWGS) and Denver Botanic Gardens, the free event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, April 21. Attendees will participate in a discussion of all types of marginal plants, including iris, cannas, taros and cattails, and see how they can enhance your water feature.

Details are available at www.colowatergardensociety.org.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Sam Fender at the Fillmore Auditorium England’s Sam Fender makes the kind of rock music that’s hard to quantify. It walks the line between singer/songwriter earnestness and Oasis-style Britpop, and he appeals to a wide breadth of rock appreciators. He’s made fans of peers as far-ranging as Elton John and Bruce Springsteen to Gang of Youths and Noah Kahan. His most recent album, this year’s “People Watching,” is another solid entry in a discography that remains incredibly strong. In support of the album, Fender is coming to the Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St. in Denver, at 7 p.m. on ursday, April 24. He’ll be joined by alt-rock greats Young Jesus for a night of fantastic music.   Information and tickets are available at www.livenation.com.

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

Lawmakers slam Early Intervention program

at’s because the Arapahoe County Democrat is the head of a powerful legislative committee that makes key decisions about state spending. Members of that committee had repeatedly promised to protect funding for Colorado’s $87 million Early Intervention program. e program provides therapy and related services to babies and toddlers with developmental delays — including Bridges’ son.

Bridges shared the story in a recent Joint Budget Committee hearing where he and other members, both Democrats and Republicans, slammed the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, which administers the program, for poor com-

munication and planning.

“ is is one of those places where, if we could punish the department without hurting kids, man oh man, would I be on board with that,” he said.

e committee members’ sharp words that March day raised questions about the early childhood department’s leadership and capacity, with lawmakers expressing concern that the state’s youngest and most vulnerable residents could su er because of internal problems at the department.

For now, no signi cant cuts to Early Intervention are planned, either this spring or for the new scal year, which starts in July. at’s sure to be a relief to the tens

of thousands of Colorado families whose children get free therapies through the program. In addition, Joint Budget Committee members have demanded better communication from the department, and department o cials have signaled they’ll comply.

O cials from the Department of Early Childhood, which was created in 2022 and is headed by Lisa Roy, declined an interview request from Chalkbeat. ey sent a statement on April 3, saying, in part, “ e Department is set to present an update to the [Joint Budget Committee] in the rst weeks of June with recom-

Clarke

Discover tips for a fresh start from local experts

BY ISABEL GUZMAN ISABEL@COTLN.ORG

As the days grow longer and da odils bloom, the arrival of spring brings more than just warmer weather. Pollen levels rise and dust bunnies hop around long after Easter.

Consequently, people emerge from winter hibernation to declutter closets and scrub oorboards with the start of the new season, marking the start of spring cleaning season.

While it is currently spring only in the northern hemisphere, multiple cultures across the globe are linked to spring cleaning.

One of the earliest references of the practice is generally acknowledged in the Jewish observance of Passover, which typically occurs in March or April, and lasts for about a week.

During this time, homes are cleaned to remove chametz — leavened grains like wheat or barley — symbolizing their swift departure from Egypt, when they couldn’t wait for the bread to nish baking.

In preparation for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Catholic churches undergo thorough cleanings on Maundy ursday, exhibiting puri cation and readiness for the sacred days ahead.

Celebrated in March, Nowruz, which means “new day” in Persian, includes kh ne-tak n or “shaking the house,” where families deep-clean their homes to

sweep away the past and welcome new beginnings. In ailand, Songkran, which is a two-day festival in April, marks the ai New Year with the cleaning of homes and public spaces. Water plays a central role as people splash it on each other and Buddha statues to cleanse bad luck and invite blessings.

Known as “death cleaning,” Sweden’s philosophy, Döstädning, involves decluttering possessions to simplify life and ease burdens — a practical approach that conveys letting go of things that are no longer needed. Döstädning isn’t limited to a certain time of the year, but is rather instilled as a lifestyle.

Spring cleaning has remained a tradition for many, and local experts around the Denver metro area are weighing in with tips and tricks to tidy a home inside and out.

Health benefits

Spring cleaning isn’t just about aesthetics — it also o ers tangible health bene ts:

• Reduces allergens like pollen, mold and dust mites.

• Eliminates bacteria and viruses that can cause illness.

• Improves indoor air quality by removing pollutants.

• Decreases stress by creating a clean, organized environment.

• Enhances safety by reducing clutter that could cause trips or falls.

Tree pollen is a signi cant allergen during Colorado’s springtime, with elm, cottonwood, oak and maple trees being common culprits, according to Wyndly, an allergy-based healthcare company.

Pollen counts tend to be highest midday and evening, leaving the morning as the only time when outdoor allergens are at their lowest counts and the best time to ventilate homes, said Ryan Buckley, a doctor at Colorado Allergy & Asthma Centers.

For the indoors, Buckley recommends cleaning with products that are free of dyes and fragrances and using the minimum amount possible.

“Some over-the-counter cleaning products can irritate the airways,” he said. “If you are particularly sensitive to cleaning products, ventilate the area while cleaning.”

Buckley warned that making at-home cleaning solutions should be done cautiously, and advised against mixing vinegar and bleach as it can produce a hazardous chlorine gas.

Buckley also emphasized the importance of installing the correct air lter grade in central HVAC systems to trap allergens e ectively.

“If appropriate, consider running the system on ventilation mode periodically — for example, 15 minutes every one hour — to help move air through the lter and facilitate allergen removal, (and) replace lters as recommended by the manufacturer,” he said.

SPRING CLEANING

Buckley recommends placing a dehumidi er in bathrooms or basements that tend to be high in humidity levels, which can contribute to mold growth. He said indoor humidity levels should ideally be 40 to 50%, and added that anything lower can be too drying and aggravate allergy symptoms.

“If despite e ective cleaning e orts, you continue to have allergy symptoms, it is a good idea to undergo an allergy evaluation by a board-certi ed allergist,” Buckley said. “ ere are a variety of treatment options from over-the-counter medications to prescription therapies, including allergen immunotherapy. If needed, allergy testing can help identify potential triggers and better guide therapy to help you remain symptom-free.”

Organization strategies

Dedicating a whole day to this season’s deep cleaning is how some decide to tackle the tasks, while others prefer to break it up over multiple days.

MaidPro, a cleaning company that has locally owned and operated businesses around Denver’s metro area, says on its website that breaking it up “is perfect for homeowners with busy schedules who can’t commit to an entire day of cleaning” but adds that “you must stay committed and ensure you don’t slack o toward the end of your spring cleaning.”

Many say that organization is key to e cient spring cleaning. ey include Cody Galloway, co-

founder of TULA, a service that helps “create more balance in life.”

By completing clients’ to-do lists — such as laundry, grocery shopping, meal planning and home organization — TULA came out of necessity to help clients who are inundated by life’s tasks, Galloway said.

“You stare at your endless to-do list while being stretched very thin at both work and at home and think, ‘there has to be a better way,’” she said. “So, we made one.”

TULA was founded in 2020 in Denver and has since spread its services to Boulder and Aspen, in addition to out-of-state locations, including Texas, Virginia, Arizona, Montana and North Carolina.

Galloway said TULA has a clientele that consists of busy parents and professionals, and anyone who just needs an extra set of hands.

Prioritizing deep-cleaning and decluttering tasks can be di cult, so Galloway recommends starting with the most overwhelming areas rst.

“If looking at your closet makes you break out in a cold sweat, that’s the place to start,” she said. “Tackle one category at a time — clothes, then shoes, then accessories — so you don’t end up sitting on the oor reminiscing over an old concert T-shirt or your painting overalls for two hours.”

Galloway recommends that spring cleaners invest in label makers and clear bins to organize the home.

“If you can’t see what’s inside, you’ll forget it exists,” she said.

While organizing, Galloway said implementing the “one-year rule” mindset is essential: “If you haven’t used it in a year, it’s time to part ways,” she said.

“ONE-YEAR RULE. IF YOU HAVEN’T

USED IT IN A YEAR, IT’S TIME TO PART WAYS.”

Cody Galloway, co-founder of TULA

Clothing donations

Clothing, accessories and other donations can be made to local Goodwills and Arc rift Stores, and family-owned stores such as 2nd Time Around rift in Aurora. e thrift store opened in 2020 and continues to be family-operated, focusing on providing high-quality items for low costs.

Local H&M stores collect unwanted garments and sort them for rewear as secondhand clothing, reused to make other products such as a cleaning cloth, or recycled and shredded to be remade into other materials. ose who donate clothes or textiles to the store also receive a coupon to use on their next H&M purchase, according to its website, hm.com. e success of a spring cleaning project is “when you walk into your space and breathe easier,” Galloway said. “When you can nd your favorite sweater in under 10 seconds. When your kitchen counter isn’t a dumping ground for mail and mystery items. And, most importantly, when you don’t immediately start adding things back to your to-do list because for once, it’s already handled. And if you can actually park in your garage again? at’s a big win.”

TULA takes on the tasks that their clients need to cross o their to-do lists. TAMARA MCTAVISH PHOTOGRAPHY

Maintaining a clean and organized environment can reduce stress. TAMARA MCTAVISH PHOTOGRAPHY

INTERVENTION

mendations for the nancial sustainability of the program, incorporating feedback from families and providers. Current early intervention services will continue unchanged as a result of the JBC’s action to identify additional funding for the program.”

Families surprised by planned service cuts e uproar over Early Intervention began in late February when the Department of Early Childhood made an abrupt announcement. Starting in March, a $4 million funding shortfall meant therapies

would be capped at four hours a month, a fraction of what many children were receiving.

State o cials said the shortfall was partly caused by a growing caseload in Early Intervention, which serves about 11,000 children a month. e expiration of federal COVID stimulus funds and the fact that fewer children are eligible for Medicaid, a federal health insurance program that helps pay for the therapies, also contributed to budget problems.

Department o cials, in the statement sent April 3, said they had di culty accurately projecting Early Intervention caseload increases because eligibility rules for the program changed in 2020 and 2023,

EASTER Worship

Lookout Mountain Community Church April 20, 10:00 am, 1036 El Rancho Road, in Evergreen www.lomcc.org

State Sen. Je Bridges, a Greenwood Village Democrat and chair of the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee, in the Colorado Senate on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Denver, Colorado.

PHOTO BY JESSE PAUL / THE COLORADO SUN

Je co students carve their path with winning snowboard designs

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When CJ Walter, a senior in Je co’s graphic design program at Warren Tech, stepped on stage and saw their design, “Beyond the Horizon,” printed on a fullsize snowboard for the rst time, they couldn’t stop smiling.

“I’m so incredibly proud of everything I’ve accomplished with it,” Walter said.

Walter’s board was among 10 selected in the annual snowboard design contest hosted by Warren Tech Central and Denver-based Never Summer Industries. Now in its 12th year, the contest invites students to create original snowboard graphics for a semester-long design challenge.

e winning designs are printed on snowboards produced by Never Summer and awarded to students during a spring ceremony.

e contest began in 2013 after Pete Cunis, one of Warren Tech’s graphic design instructors, brought a group of students to tour Never Summer’s factory. During the visit, he reconnected with former colleague Vince Sanders, Never Summer’s chairman, and proposed an idea that quickly became one of the school’s most celebrated collaborations.

“We had this moment where we thought, what if we gave students the opportunity to design a real snowboard?”

Cunis said. “And Never Summer was totally on board.”

From sketches to snowboards

Since then, the partnership has grown into a comprehensive, year-long design project that begins each fall with a classroom visit from Never Summer sta .

Students learn what the company looks for in board graphics, from mood boards to production specs, and begin sketching concepts as early as October. In November, they visit the Denver factory to see rsthand how snowboards are made, gaining insight into the materials, printing techniques and technical requirements that inform their nal designs.

Students then spend months re ning their artwork, incorporating feedback from instructors and peers. In February, the top 20 nalists present their designs in person to Never Summer’s creative team, explaining their inspiration and how their artwork connects to the company’s brand.

From those 20 students, 10 winners are chosen and announced at a schoolwide ceremony in April, where each receives a full-size snowboard featuring their design.

“ is is more than a class project. is is industry-level work,” said Scot Odendahl, who co-teaches the program with Cunis.

“From pitching their concept to receiving design feedback to making their les print-ready, students experience the full creative process.”

Career preparation through creativity

At this year’s ceremony, industry guests and district leaders, including Superintendent Tracy Dorland, praised the partnership as a model for career and technical education.

“ is is what it looks like when education and industry come together to create meaningful opportunities for students,”

Dorland said. “It’s one of the most inspiring events of the year.”

Warren Tech’s graphic design program doesn’t stop at snowboard graphics. Students graduate with Adobe certi cations, professional portfolios and experience working with real clients.

According to Odendahl, one of the program’s key strengths is simulating the pressures and expectations of a creative workplace.

“We structure our projects to re ect real-world scenarios, where deadlines, presentation and revisions matter,” he said.

“It’s not just about making something cool; it’s about communicating an idea e ectively to a client.”

ey create everything from book fair illustrations for Scholastic to signage for local businesses, often working directly with stakeholders to gather input and present their work.

Cunis said students leave the program with practical skills they can take into the workforce or college.

“By the time they leave here, they’ve gone through critiques, client meetings and public showcases,” Cunis said. “ at’s a huge con dence boost and a real resume-builder.”

Students also participate in mock inter-

views and industry showcases, preparing them for college and careers. Odendhal said many graduates go on to work in design, attend art schools or start freelance businesses.

While the snowboard contest is just one project in a larger curriculum, it remains a favorite for its creative freedom, tangible outcome and industry connection.

“Some of our students have said this was the highlight of their high school experience,” Odendahl said. “And honestly, it is for us too.”

Designs that tell a story is year’s winning designs included dreamy landscapes, cyberpunk cities, hand-carved linoleum prints and personal tributes to nature, childhood memories and emotional storytelling.

Students stood before their peers, teachers and families as they received their custom boards, many describing the hundreds of hours spent drawing, revising and preparing their nal presentations.

Adam Kerwin, whose board “Astro Tune” was selected as the factory favorite, told the crowd he had fun letting his imagination run wild.

“Ninety percent of it was, what can I do for the fun of it? Whatever popped into my head, whatever spilled out, I threw onto the board and colored it with whatever color seemed necessary,” Kerwin said. “I had so much fun. ank you guys.”

Kyra White, who won the popular vote with her design “Dark Room Bloom,” explained that the concept drew from years of experience in analog photography.

“My board is based o of darkroom

photography I have been in for years and years... it’s de nitely something that I hold close to my heart,” White said. “It is another to see it come to life and know that people believed in it.”

Cunis and Odendahl emphasized that the project teaches students not just how to make good art but how to meet deadlines, accept criticism and design for a client’s needs. It also shows students that their creativity has value beyond the classroom.

“It’s a really unique opportunity,” said Cunis. “You get to see your work go from an idea to something you can hold in your hands.”

The community impact

Each year, Never Summer also produces a small number of boards for sale, with proceeds going back into Warren Tech’s graphic design program. ese sales help fund equipment, materials and expanded opportunities for future students.

“ is program is one of the best examples I’ve seen of how a school can connect with a business to give students a taste of professional life,” said Matt Walsh, executive director of Career and Technical Education at Je co Public Schools. “ e students walk away not only with a product, but with a real sense of pride and purpose.”

Vince Sanders, chairman of Never Summer, said the company looks forward to the project every year.

“ ese students blow us away with their creativity,” Sanders said. “We see new ideas, fresh approaches and so much talent. It’s a privilege to be a part of their journey.”

MaundyThursday,April17at6:30pm th EasterVigil,Saturday,April19at4pm th EasterSundayServicesat8amand10:30am

From left, Superintendent Tracy Dorland, Kira White, Adam Kirwin, Jack Alicia, CJ Walter, Clara Ohlsen, Samara Howlett, Enji Jensen, Polly Fagan, Adelyn Westfall, Basil Lai-Payne and school board member Mary Parker.

PHOTO BY SUZIE GLASSMAN

A digital collage showcases the ten winning snowboard designs created by Warren Tech students for the 2024 Never Summer Student Design Contest. COURTESY OF NEVER SUMMER INDUSTRIES INSTAGRAM

INTERVENTION

and because far more children have been screened for delays in the last two years.

After the late February announcement about impending cuts, parents and Early Intervention providers were outraged and tearful, with many contacting lawmakers and the media to describe the damage the cuts would do.

e Joint Budget Committee acted quickly to stave o the cuts this spring. At the same time, committee members chastised department o cials for not letting them know about the potential shortfall sooner.

“Why didn’t somebody come over here and say, ‘We got a perfect storm. We need your help?‘” Republican Rep. Rick Taggart asked a department o cial at a Feb. 27 committee meeting.

“Nothing, crickets. And yet, we’ve got to nd out about it through the press and through our constituents and providers that could be devastated,” he said. “ is is just unbelievable to me.”

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GEORGETOWN

e committee meeting ended on a calmer note, with Bridges urging department o cials to keep committee members in the loop.

“We are six human beings that folks can talk to, and we desire information, and want to make sure that things like this don’t happen when we can avoid it,” he said.

Even bigger problems emerge

A couple weeks after the February budget committee meeting, the Early Intervention issue blew up again — this time, prompting even more wrath from committee members.

On March 14, the committee heard from a legislative analyst that the program would need more than $16 million to prevent cuts for the 2025-26 scal year.

“Awesome,” said Bridges sarcastically. Ten minutes later, he recounted learning about potential Early Intervention cuts planned for July from his son’s physical therapist.

During that meeting, committee members unanimously approved more than $16 million to plug the program’s looming funding hole for 2025-26. ey also

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called the Early Intervention saga “this whole disaster,” noted that worried families were still contacting her, fearful their kids would lose important therapies.

“Hopefully today, we can make people feel a little bit more at ease that their littlest ones will continue to get the services that they need,” she said. “But the communication and the lack of work and transparency with us has been disappointing, to say the least.”

Bridges noted he’d spoken to Roy, the department’s director, that day.

He said, “I do feel … the department recognizes the massive failures” that prompted the last-minute xes by the budget committee.

In recent weeks, the department has held feedback sessions with parents and Early Intervention providers and promised to improve its caseload forecasting with help from other state agencies.

thanked the legislative analyst for trying to forecast how the Early Intervention caseload would grow in the coming year, but expressed irritation that early childhood department sta hadn’t done it themselves.

Democratic Rep. Emily Sirota, who

In June, the department is scheduled to report back to the Joint Budget Committee.

Reprinted with permission from Chalkbeat, a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.

CROWSSUPDRO ELZZ

1. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What do you call a person who has lived to the age of 100 years?

2. HISTORY: When were cigarette commercials banned from American television?

3. MOVIES: Whose life is depicted in the movie “Raging Bull”?

4. U.S. STATES: In which state are the Catskill Mountains located?

5. TELEVISION: Which long-running TV drama was set in Cabot Cove, Maine?

6. MEASUREMENTS: How long is the ancient measurement called a cubit?

7. FOOD & DRINK: What is a dish called Cullen Skink?

8. CHEMISTRY: A diamond is composed of which single element?

9. GEOGRAPHY: What country is home to the Ba n, Victoria and Ellesmere islands?

TrIVIa

10. ANATOMY: What is another name for the condition called “piloerection”?

Answers

1. A centenarian.

2. Jan. 2, 1971.

3. Jake LaMotta (played by Robert De Niro).

4. New York.

5. “Murder, She Wrote.”

6. 1.5 feet.

7. Scottish soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions.

8. Carbon.

9. Canada.

10. Goosebumps.

(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

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