Clear Creek Courant July 17, 2025 by Colorado Community Media

‘Oh My Gawd’ mural is back

After months of restoration work the mural is ready to be re-hung

BY CHRISTOPHER KOEBERL CHRIS@COTLN.ORG

e restored mural titled “Oh

My Gawd Road” was unveiled at its temporary home in Citizens Park in Idaho Springs in time for July 4th festivities.

For decades, the mural depicting downtown Idaho Springs and the infamous ‘Oh

adjacent to the former Citywide bank and future headquarters of Idaho Springs Police at 1744 Miner St.

e wooden mural is painted as an amalgamation of the city of Idaho Springs with people, cars, trucks and wooden structures.

Colorado considers challenging ‘energy emergency’

January declaration invoked by BLM to fasttrack rain facility expansion

BY DAVID O. WILLIAMS COLORADO NEWSLINE

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser’s o ce will consider joining a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s declaration in January of a national energy emergency, he told Newsline in an exclusive interview. e Trump administration’s Bureau of Land Management invoked the emergency declaration to complete accelerated environmental review of a permit to expand a loading facility near Price, Utah for oil coming out of the nearby Uinta Basin. e expansion could increase oil capacity on the main rail line through Colorado by up to 80,000 barrels a day.

It’s anticipated that the expansion of what’s known as the Wildcat Loadout facility — located on publicly owned federal lands — and other nearby facilities will allow the trucking and transfer to rail of up to 75% of the oil proposed for transport in the Uinta Basin Railway project. Eagle County and state ofcials have long opposed increased oil trains along the Colorado River.

Historical Society of Idaho Springs, Jan Boland.

However, years of weather, wind and sun took a toll on the mural’s paint as it faded into the past.

My Gawd’ Road” hung on the outside of the “brown barn”

e original design was painted by a local artist Wendall Pugh, in the early ‘90s, according to Director of the

Hearing about the idea to restore the mural, the Clear Creek School Board o ered the gymnasium at the old Carlson Elementary School building as a workshop. Since the mural is approximately

10 feet tall and at least 24 feet across, the gym provided plenty of room to spread out. When the original reconstruction artist Shawn Cox was forced to step away from the project due to health issues, new Clear Creek County resident Keith Prossick was asked to step in and nish the project.

In a June 27 letter to Jerry Davis, acting Utah state director for the BLM, Weiser wrote that an expedited environmental assessment for the proposed Wildcat right-of-way expansion would be a “violation of applicable laws and regulations” that would block proper public input and “subject Colorado communities to signi cant economic, environmental, and health and safety risks.”

Weiser argued there is no national energy emergency given the United States

SEE ENERGY,

Clear Creek County resident Keith Prossick helps load up the Oh, My Gawd Road mural July 3.

CHRIS KOEBERL

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 The Colorado Trust for Local News, 1630 Miner St., Idaho Springs, CO 80452.

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July 4th draws hundreds to Idaho Springs

packed with kids, locals and some from across the country

BY CHRISTOPHER KOEBERL CHRIS@COTLN.ORG

Red, White and Blue were everywhere in Downtown Idaho Springs for the 4th of July, shops were open and outside, music echoed from one of several bands on the main stage across from Citizens Park.

Kids were entertained by games, a bouncy house, mechanical bull riding, caricature artists, axe throwing, cornhole, and water gun stations – all provided by the Downtown Business and Community Promotion Board, accord-

ing to Director Sadie Schultz.

Adult beverages also owed from several outlets downtown which brought the party outside under tents, with most of the benches and tables lled with people.

“We’ve been here a couple of times and they’ve added a lot more this year, the kids are really enjoying themselves,” Lisa Beun, from Wichita, Kan., said with her 11-year-old son Kason.

ere was dancing in the park as Elaine Reissan and Neel Gupta from Steamboat Springs enjoyed the music and community and park setting.

“We just stopped for gas and co ee and then Elaine thought we should walk around to check out the 4th of July extravaganza and energy down here,” Gupta said. It turned out to be an extended

stop for co ee and gas.

“It’s nice to just drive an hour outside of Denver and feel like you’re in a small mountain town,” Reissan said.

For many locals it was a reunion of neighbors and friends seeing each other for the rst time in a while in an atmosphere that is Idaho Springs.

‘I love it whenever the kids are out having fun, the town’s out. I always love it in the summer when they close (streets) down and you get to walk through,” Idaho Springs resident Cassie Carreon said with her dog Teddy.

Fireworks Steal the Show

At exactly 9:15 p.m. the rst of what seemed like hundreds of reworks were launched, as tradition holds, over the Charlie Taylor Water Wheel on the south side of

I-70.

Dazzling colors and patterns of multiple shots exploding at once painted the dark sky for at least 20 minutes.

e explosions bounced and echoed across the valley, the thunderous sound arriving to the ears a second after the ash of bright light lit up the mountains.

e end of the show was obvious as dozens of small and huge projectiles exploded at once with a crescendo lights and booms.

e town fell silent as the last echo faded away.

e brief silence was replaced with yells and cheers of appreciation coming from homes across town where friends and families had gathered to watch the show.

e excitement and cheers from the downtown crowd could be heard blocks away.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL

Elaine Reissan and Neel Gupta from Steamboat Springs enjoy dancing in Citizens Park in Idaho Springs July 4.

Idaho Springs resident Cassie Carreon said with her dog Teddy during July 4 in downtown.

‘Golden Real Estate’ Is Now ‘Century 21 Golden Real Estate’ — What It Means to You (and Me)

Notice the logo at the bottom right corner of this ad. It’s unchanged except for the addition of the “CENTURY 21®” branding. Last week, I finalized an “asset purchase agreement” with the owner of several other Century 21 franchise branches in Colorado, headquartered at Century 21 Elevated Real Estate in Grand Junction.

They also purchased the Century 21 branch across the street from us in downtown Golden, and will be closing that office, inviting its agents to affiliate with our office.

quickly attracted some broker associates, which made the enterprise more viable.

I followed through on my sustainability values by adding 5kW of rooftop solar panels and, later on, another 15kW of ground-mounted solar panels to power not only the office and its heat pump HVAC system, but also my electric vehicles, those of my broker associates, and even those of the general public. It was a good life.

my continuation of this column by contacting me if you’d like to buy or list a home. If I can’t serve you myself, I’ll refer you to the

broker associate who I believe will serve you with the same professionalism as I would. Thanks for your support!

What’s In and What’s Out With Kitchen Improvements

This is a big change for me, of course. I started Golden Real Estate, Inc., the same month that Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007.

At the time, I had been a RE/MAX Alliance broker associate for four years. I was purchasing a building on South Golden Road (currently the Golden Outpost), and RE/MAX wouldn’t allow it to be a RE/MAX office, because there were already three franchise offices (including my own) within a few miles. My solution was to start a new brokerage, which I was able to do, having attained licensure as an “employing broker” the year before. My vision had been to create a new RE/MAX franchise with the name “RE/MAX Sustainable Living.”

A big reason (for me) to purchase that building was its frontage on South Golden Road, where I could park the box truck which I was providing free to buyers and sellers. At the RE/MAX office, the truck was parked out of sight behind their office building. On South Golden Road it would stand as a billboard promoting me.

So, Golden Real Estate, Inc. was born, and I

Toward the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, a storefront became available next to the Ace Hi Tavern, and I moved Golden Real Estate into it, renting out the building on South Golden Road, but continuing to park our box truck there. Finally, I sold the building to Joe & Stacy Fowler of the Golden Hayride, who have done an amazing job of converting it into a venue called the Golden Outpost. I’m so impressed with their improvement of the site.

So what does this change to a Century 21 branch mean to you, my readers and clients? Not much, really. All our broker associates have signed on with the new owners, and I’m committing to staying as managing broker for another 12 months, after which I may stay or choose to retire. Since I’ll be 78 years old, probably the latter.

One difference you’ll notice is that this advertising becomes my sole expense, not the company’s, so I’ll continue it as long as it brings me clients. I will continue to promote our broker associates’ listings, as you see below with Greg Kraft’s new listing in Belmar, and get a small referral fee from them when I refer a reader who contacts me about listing or buying a home. In other words, please support

The National Kitchen & Bath Association recently published a report on the changes in kitchen design. Fortunately, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) summarized the report, which would cost you $2,995 to purchase. Here are some of what was written. (Find a link to the full NAR article at http:// RealEstateToday.substack.com.)

“Kitchens in 2025 are becoming about self -expression, combined with playful sophistication. As such, the colors and materials homeowners choose are becoming important—and they’re moving beyond just white,” says the NAR article.

“Color is leading the charge. Seventy-one percent of design respondents say their clients prefer colorful kitchens that reflect personali-

ty. Whether subtly or boldly, color is entering the kitchen, with pops of color being brought in through backsplashes, kitchen islands, wallpapers and even accent walls,” says the article.

The top trending kitchen colors? Green, blue, and brown — in that order. All-white and all-gray kitchens are giving way to earth tones.

Retro is in. “Design elements of the 1950s and 1970s are showing up in kitchens today,” the article says. That’s good news for a listing I have coming up next month in Golden’s Beverly Heights. It has a wood cooking stove that is only avail-able for purchase outside of closing. 47% of kitchen professionals also tout minimalism in cabinetry and hardware.

These Past ‘Real Estate Today’ Columns May Interest You

Clickable links for each column can be found at www.JimSmithColumns.com

May 29, 2025 — Divorcing Couples With a Home Need a Realtor With Specialized Training

May 22, 2025 — Home Sharing Helps Single Seniors Deal With Finance and Loneliness, Allowing Them to Age in Place

April 24, 2025 — Lennar to Build 1,500 Geothermal Homes; My Review of the Mustang Mach E

April 17, 2025 — Redfin Report Highlights the Increasing Cost of Buying versus Renting a Home

June 6, 2024 — Here Are Some Simple Steps to Take to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises After Closing

Mar. 21, 2024 — What’s Behind the Buzz About ‘Indoor Air Quality’ and ‘Sick Building Syndrome’?

Feb. 22, 2024 — Most Sellers Don’t Know How to Interview a Listing Agent. Here’s Some Guidance.

Dec. 21, 2023 — D.R. Horton Inks Deal to Build Homes With OSB Made From Grass Instead of Wood

posted on our Real Estate Today Substack blog. Scan the QR code at left to open and subscribe to it — free of course. Each article and listing is there, often with additional content and graphics, plus useful hyperlinks.

My other Substack is Talking Turkey, a left-of-center political blog. It is not in print anywhere. Click on the QR code at right if you would like to see what I have to say.

Just Listed: 1-Bedroom Condo in Heart of Belmar

$419,900

April 10, 2025 — The Typical Wood-Frame, SiteBuilt Home So Common Since the ’90s May Soon Be a Thing of the Past

Mar. 27, 2025 — Here’s How Money Is Handled at a Real Estate Closing

Mar. 20, 2025 — Thinking of Using a Reverse Mortgage to Purchase a Home? Here’s Some Information

Mar. 13, 2025 — Will Colorado Be Able to Sustain Its ‘Green Agenda’ Under Pressure From Washington?

Mar. 6, 2025 — 62% of Americans Think a 20% Down Payment Is Required, But It’s the #1 Myth

Nov. 23, 2023 — Scamming Has Become An Industry, and We’re All Prospective Victims

Sept. 28, 2023 — Insurance Companies Are Pulling Out of California. Is That in Our Future?

Aug. 10, 2023 — What Are Some Common Mistakes That Homeowners Make When Selling?

June 15, 2023 — Don’t Let Capital Gains Tax Deter You From Cashing Out on an Investment Property

May 11, 2023 — Do Agents Inflate the Cost of Buying or Selling Your Home with ‘Junk Fees’?

Apr. 20, 2023 — What Are Some Affordable Ways to Make Your Home More Attractive to Buyers?

This penthouse condo at 7130 W. Alaska Dr. #D offers incredible views and natural light with floor to ceiling windows on the north and south facing walls. Hardwood floors throughout except for the main bedroom and office, which are carpeted. A wall mounted 65" flatscreen TV is in the living room and there is an electric fireplace. There is a second electric fireplace in the bedroom. The kitchen is completely equipped with GE stainless steel appliances and there are granite countertops for easy cleaning. The stacked washer/dryer is located in a closet along the hallway and in an adjacent closet is the Climate Master Water Source Heat Pump which was installed in March 2020 at a cost of $8,000. This unit provides superior and reliable heating and cooling throughout the year. There is a deeded parking space and storage area (#6) on the 2nd floor of the adjacent parking structure. A flexible non-conforming bonus room offers space for an office or other needs. Located in the heart of Belmar, shopping, restaurants and other amenities are only footsteps from the front door. Come enjoy the convenience of this great condo. See listing agent Greg Kraft’s narrated video tour at www. GRElistings.com, or call him at 720-353-1922 to see it.

$250,000

Rarely does one find a condo complex that is so well managed and provides so many amenities for the monthly dues. Heat and hot water are included. This unit at 3460 S. Poplar St. #307 in the Morningside complex has been nicely updated except for the kitchen, with new flooring and an enclosed balcony. The building's laundry room serves only as backup, since you have a spacious laundry room in the unit. When visiting, there's a keycard so you can visit the community center across the street at 7100 S Poplar. You'll be so impressed at the condition of the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, the separate spas for men & women, each including a steam room, sauna and fitness equipment. Included is one reserved space in the secure garden-level garage. A storage locker is also included. Take my narrated video tour of both the condo and the fitness center at www.GRElistings.com, then call me at 303-525-1851 to arrange a private showing. You’ll agree with me, this is one of the best condo communities ever!

Feb. 27, 2025 — As Society Deals With Homelessness and Affordability, Expect a Greater Focus on Manufactured Homes

Feb. 20, 2025 — We Have a Tool to Help You Find the ‘Perfect’ Home That’s Not on the MLS

Dec. 26, 2024 — As Pro-Tenant Laws Expand, Some Small Landlords Are Considering Cashing Out

Dec. 19, 2024 — What Are the Costs of Buying or Selling a Home in Colorado?

Nov. 7, 2024 — We Need to Take Seriously the Pollutants Emitted When Cooking With Gas

Oct. 31, 2024 — Cooperative Living Presents an Attractive Alternative for Downsizing Seniors

Sept. 26, 2024 — Some Thoughts on Keeping Your Death From Becoming an Undue Burden on Your Heirs

Sept. 5, 2024 — What Knowledge and Skills Should You Expect Your Real Estate Agent to Have?

Aug. 8, 2024 — Seniors Over 70 Might Consider Downsizing Into a Rental, Not a Smaller Home

July 25, 2024 — Many Homeowners Don’t Understand Title Issues, Which Could Lead to Big Problems Later On

Mar. 16, 2023 — Here Are Some Ways to Make Your Home More Accommodating to Seniors Feb. 9, 2023 — Understanding Indoor Air Quality and How It’s Managed in Super-Insulated Homes

Oct. 27, 2022 — Sales Taxes May Be Lower, But Property Taxes Are Higher in Unincorporated Areas

Oct. 6, 2022 — How to Make Sure That the House You Buy Will Not Be a ‘Money Pit’

Sept. 22, 2022 — What Steps Can You Take to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?

July 28, 2022 — Aging in Place vs. Moving to a 55+ Community: Here Are Some Considerations

May 26, 2022 — Reflections on Selling Our Home and Moving Into a 55+ Rental Community

Jan. 6, 2022 — Marshall Fire Is a Wake-up Call for Building More Fire-Resistant Homes

Dec. 2, 2021 — My Favorite Home Improvements When Purchasing a New-to-Me Home

Oct. 14, 2021 — Court Rules That Sending an Email Can Bind You, Even Without Signing It Oct. 7, 2021 — What Are the Most Common Foundation Issues You Might Encounter in a Home? Jim

Rock House providing summer fun

Idaho Springs non-proﬁt provides meals and fun all summer long

CHRIS@COTLN.ORG

Leaders at the Rock House in Idaho Springs want to remind parents about free activities and meals on Wednesdays throughout the summer.

e non-pro t organization, at 542 Hwy 103, serves kids hot meals and provides entertainment from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesdays until the start of school.

“We make tie-dye shirts, we do karaoke, archery, rafting and more throughout the summer months,” Rock Director Cheryl Holmberg said.

A mission statement on the group’s website sums up the goals of the organization.

“ e mission of the Clear Creek Rock House is to provide our teens a safe, supervised place where they can recreate and receive life skills training from caring adults. e Rock House does this through mentoring, tutoring, afterschool programs and events.”

A recent donation of food from the Flatirons Community Church group spread out across the counters ensured there’s plenty to go around for local kids for the remainder of the summer, according to Holmberg.

e group is supported through funds from the county, businesses and donations from individuals, Holmberg said. “It’s a fun, safe place where they’re supervised by adults,” she concluded.

A recent donation of food from the Flatirons Community Church group is spread out across the counters of the Rock House in Idaho Springs July 2.

CHRIS KOEBERL

City of Idaho Springs Call for Candidates for Municipal Election

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that nomination petitions will be available beginning Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. for candidates interested in running for municipal o ce in the City of Idaho Springs. e following o ces will be on the ballot for the November 4, 2025 election:

Wild Aware urges drivers to watch out, slow down

Stats show 180 wild animals died on Evergreen’s Highway 74 in four-year period

BY JANE REUTER JANE@COTLN.ORG

In four years, about 180 wild animals lost their lives on Highway 74 near Evergreen, among them 86 elk and 69 deer. And those only include the bodies reported between 2020 and 2024 by or to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

“It’s common that for every road kill animal, there are another one to ve not reported,” said Christie Greene, president of Wild Aware, a group dedicated to mitigating such collisions in the Evergreen area. “Because Evergreen Parkway is so visible, I would bet our ratio is more like one to one.”

Most of the area’s animals are struck by vehicles along the stretch of Highway 74 between Interstate 70 and Evergreen Lake. e numbers do not include livestock or pets.

Colorado State Patrol crash data, which is kept separately from the Colorado Department of Transportation’s data, recorded 646 wildlife-vehicle collisions on Je erson County roads between 20152019. at made Je co the county with the second-highest number of wildlifevehicle collisions. It trails only Douglas County.

30 seconds of open highway

Colorado 74 is particularly tough for animals because of the high level of tra c and lack of wildlife crossings.

“We cannot have a wildlife overpass or underpass on Highway 74 because of land use and ownership,” Greene said. “ ere is no public land. ere’s county open space, Denver Mountain Parks and Je erson County open space. On either side of any of that are homes and businesses.” Making it even tougher, an animal needs 30 seconds of open highway to

safely cross.

“If the average daily tra c is 10,000 cars, it acts as a complete barrier for them,” Greene said. “The average daily traffic at Lewis Ridge is 22,000 to 23,000 cars. That’s twice as many cars as is considered a physical barrier for an animal.”

Greene said early summer is the most potentially deadly time of year for area wildlife, and when drivers should be particularly attentive.

“June and July are tough up here because of calving season,” she said. “You’ve got bands of elk cows and calves going back and forth across the road.”

Wild Aware recently partnered with the Colorado State Patrol for wildlife/ vehicle collision month. CSP has focused its social media on the message, ‘Give us a brake,’ which urges drivers not to honk at wildlife, but to instead flash your high beams, turn on your hazard lights and wait.

“Animals are unpredictable, so you don’t know what honking is going to make an animal do,” Greene said. “By flashing your lights, you’re warning people that something is ahead. If you come up on animals, use your best judgment. You may need to pull over on the shoulder and wait.”

That can require time and patience.

“Because they go in little groups, they can take 20-30 minutes to cross,” Greene said. “You could go between little groups very, very slowly.”

Greene said animals that are struck by vehicles and killed are not always accounted for, in part because people may not make a report, the animal may run or walk off the road and die elsewhere and because some drivers may take the carcass home.

“You can count road kill, but miss counting animals who were picked up by people who want to bring them home or eat them,” she said.

It’s legal but requires a permit from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

For more information on their efforts to protect wildlife, visit Wild Aware.

Mayor – At Large FOUR YEAR TERM

One (1)- Council Member for WARD I

Ward I comprises all the area west of Seventeenth Ave., west of Virginia Canyon Rd. to Placer St., and west of Soda Creek Rd.

FOUR YEAR TERM

Two (2)- Council Members for WARD II

Ward II comprises all that area east of Seventeenth Ave. to Placer Street, east of Virginia Canyon Rd. and east of Soda Creek Rd.

FOUR YEAR TERM

City Clerk-At large FOUR YEAR TERM

Eligible candidates must be at least eighteen (18) years old on the date of the election and be registered electors in the City of Idaho Springs. Candidates for Council seats must have been a resident of their Ward for a period of at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the date of the election.

Nomination petitions can be obtained at the O ce of the City Clerk, 1711 Miner Street, Idaho Springs, Colorado beginning on August 5, 2025, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CRS 1-4-805)

Deadline for completion and submission of petitions is Monday, August 25, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS. (CRS 1-4-805) For more information contact Diane Breece, City Clerk at 303-567-4421 cityclerk@idahospringsco.com

Community support

“I’ve always thought volunteering is the best way to get to know people and introduce yourself to the community,” Prossick said.

supporting the restoration e orts, according to COMBA Director Gary Moore.

Prossick, who recently moved to the county from New York, owns and operates the Anomaly Art Gallery in Georgetown, said he was honored at the request and relished the challenge of restoring the iconic mural for Idaho Springs, especially since he is new to the county.

At least a half-dozen public services in Idaho Springs and local businesses donated time, space and money to complete the mural restoration project.

e Colorado Mountain Bike Association provided a $500 donation to the project and is starting a tax-deductible donation option for anyone else interested in

e Clear Creek Fire Authority helped to break down the plywood panels inside the former Carlson gym and transport them to Citizens Park on July 3 where hundreds of people would gather for 4th of July celebrations.

Prossick watched the mural reassembled with pride, he said, returning a symbol to the town.

“I get a joy out of saving things, a lot of things in my gallery are things that I have

saved or restored. e ability to bring it back to life, it’s just something I like to do,” Prossick said.

“Oh My Gawd Road” in Idaho Springs earned its name by reputation, according to many locals.

O cially, it’s Virginia Canyon Scenic Drive in Clear Creek County. e gravel road in Idaho Springs is described by many residents as a narrow, curving, dirt and rock lane that will have you shouting, “Oh My Gawd!” over and over.

More Red Rocks Ranch homeowners left high and dry

People waiting to close on homes with no water in development

BY JANE REUTER JANE@COTLN.ORG

As another 90-degree July day begins, a watering truck makes its way slowly around the Red Rocks Ranch neighborhood, a crew of three stopping to water each young tree.

e grass around the trees, owers and landscaping on nearby banks has long since browned and withered, and the crew’s only hope is to save the saplings, they said.

In the nearby park, a cherry red water slide, the centerpiece of a children’s splash pad and playground, is fenced o and silent, with no water to serve it.

And around the Denver metro area and beyond, a reported 30 prospective Red Rocks Ranch homeowners are living in hotels, Airbnbs and with family members, waiting to close on new homes that have no water taps to serve them.

Confused buyers, who say they are getting minimal information about the delay, are exchanging theories on a private Facebook page and pointing ngers in every direction — including at the Town of Morrison, the Mount Carbon Metro District and builder Lennar Homes.

“I’ve been continually told when I talk to Lennar that it’ll be another two weeks,” said Mary Ann Mcshan, who signed a contract to purchase a Red Rocks Ranch home in March. “ ey say the town of

Morrison is going to vote, and then they say, ‘Well, they didn’t approve it. It’ll be another two weeks.’”

Information is scarce

Red Rocks Ranch is not part of incorporated Morrison, but the small town of less than 400 residents is the source of water and wastewater for what will someday be a community more than four times its size. Mount Carbon agreed to build the town infrastructure required to meet the development’s needs, but hasn’t yet completed all that work or nished a required update to its intergovernmental agreement with Morrison.

Despite the information Mcshan says she was given, the town has not posted any recent agenda items on the IGA, or scheduled any special meetings on the issue. Morrison’s attorney is, however, meeting regularly with Mount Carbon’s legal counsel on the issue.

“I don’t understand why it’s so secretive,” Mcshan said. “ e homeowners are su ering and the parties involved don’t seem to care that much. ey’re not communicating with us, and homes are still being sold.

“I could probably get out of my contract but that’s not necessarily what I want. I love the home. I just want information.”

It’s the second time in less than a year that prospective Red Rocks Ranch homeowners have been left in limbo as the metro district continues negotiating for water with Morrison.

Holding ﬁrm

But this time, the town is holding rm — as it warned it would in 2024 — on completion of the IGA between it and

Mount Carbon, the agency charged with providing water and sewer to the unincorporated development.

“ e town is disappointed that future homeowners have been put into this situation yet again,” Morrison Town Manager Mallory Nassau wrote in a July 2 email.

“ e town has been working diligently with MCMD on a restated IGA … ere are currently signi cant infrastructure improvements that must be completed prior to the town issuing additional taps.” e issue is not new or unknown. As part of its obligations, Mount Carbon paid

to improve the town’s wastewater treatment plant and for the construction of a new water treatment plant.

But the water plant is fed by untreated water from Bear Creek, and while the current supply is enough for Morrison, it isn’t enough for the neighboring development. To tap into additional town water rights, Mount Carbon must pay to build a new diversion on Bear Creek west of the plant, along with a pump station and pipeline to transport the water.

A Red Rocks Ranch monument sign stands next to the completed children’s playground and splash pad. With no water available, the area is double fenced and unavailable to use. JANE REUTER

American culture has many virtues. Near the top is society’s languid, easy-going, unhurried pace. It borders on torpor. It’s uplifting to observe strangers smiling and o ering greetings when they pass and so many rolling with punches, not getting into ti s over trivial slights. And you can’t beat the civility, comity, and respect with which Americans treat each other, even those with whom they strongly disagree. But what warms the heart’s cockles most is the populace’s appreciation for good-natured ribbing, chuckle-causing humor, which can only be attributed to Americans being one big happy family.

Okay, back to Earth. What was your reaction while reading that? Were you ba ed, scratching your head? Did you smile, catching the irony? Did it induce some other reaction, perhaps causing you to have an eye-popping, jaw-tightening, teeth-grinding sensation? Or was it between or a blend of light-heartedness and intensity?

American culture has an array of virtues, but, of course, none of those listed above. And therein lies our problem. We’re a frenetic people, which MerriamWebster de nes as “marked by fast and energetic, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity.”

My intention here isn’t to deliberate on American virtues but to ascertain why

VOICES

We the People: The Soul of America

JERRY FABYANIC

we’re not only a hurrying people but also why it’s a prime cause of our fragmentation. It comes down a four-letter word: T-I-M-E. We’ve been subjugated by it and blithely march in accordance with its directive.

Our language reinforces that. ink about why we call the time piece many wear on their wrist a “watch.” ink of verbs associated with time like spend or earn, gain or lose, use or waste. Each treats time as a commodity, an object, something tangible. at’s disconcerting enough, but there’s a more sinister aspect of time today: It’s been monetized. Time is money! And as the old maxim goes, waste not, want not. Except that time isn’t like other items you can waste then later replenish, assuming you’re afuent. Unlike other commodities, you can’t restock time. It keeps ticking no matter if you spend yours dawdling or working feverishly.

Ticking. ink of how that correlates to time. Ticking of a clock, although nowadays clocks rarely tick. ey used to beginning with the invention of the mechanized time piece. Before that, people referenced a sun dial, which worked, of course, only on sunny days. But before

Keep dreaming and moving forward

My MS symptoms have been more acute this week. It is not that they are getting worse; it is just that things have been harder to do these past few days. Walking takes more energy than I would like, getting in and out of the car is more di cult, things like that.

either of them, time as we know it didn’t exist. Nature ruled.

Modern time isn’t just a commodity that can be measured, apportioned, or spent, however. We moderns have developed a psychological and emotional relationship with it. For example, it can drag on or y by. Paradoxically though, they generally cause the opposite impact of what our behavior yearns for. Time drags when we’re bored, impatient, or in a hurry. It ies when we’re engaged in something meaningful like working on a craft, reading a book, or hiking a trail. Or watching the sun rise or set.

In her short book “Time,” Polish-born Eva Ho man dissects Americans’ relation to time. Having grown up under communist rule in post-WWII Eastern Europe, she has the advantage of perspective on a number of angles. ere, she says, time crawled, but here time is everything, particularly money. And they’re intricately interwoven.

In America, wealth as a barometer of standing—success—increasingly has noxious consequences at the personal level. Ho man posits the pressure for upward mobility with its accompanying characteristics including extreme competition and shame for not making it big with salaries, promotions, houses—the list goes on—is a serious stress inducer. Her point resonated with me because of a conversation I had with someone

that’s etched in my memory. He said he was “driven” when it came to his lifestyle choices and career success.

“Really,” I replied. “Driven is passive voice, which means something must be driving you. What is it?” at exchange happened when he was in his thirties, but now in middle age, he’s happily questioning that.

But the problem with commoditizing time doesn’t reside solely at the personal level. It carries over to cultural, ethnic, and racial attitudes that foster stereotypical assumptions and assertions about di erent groups’ practices and work ethic. And those are injurious and can be lethal for a democratic society.

Ho man cites Romanian poet Carmen Firan, who likewise grew up in the gray communist world. Firan posits in America it’s sold everywhere and is even included in our throwaway parting line— Have a nice day—used to get a customer to hurry along. “ e Soul,” Firan suggests, “is lying lonely somewhere on a shrink’s chair, in front a computer screen or in a cell phone.” She wrote that in 2008, which adds an ironic twist to the old saw that says the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Jerry Fabyanic is a former Clear Creek Courant columnist and author of “Sisyphus Wins” and “Food for ought: Essays on Mind and Spirit.”

Halftime adjustments

WINNING WORDS

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

IAs I have navigated through this week, I have been thinking a lot about dreams and goals. I have wondered if I have set ridiculous or unattainable goals for myself. And gone as far as to grapple with the question, “Are dreams for the future a good thing, not particularly helpful but not a bad thing, or in some way detrimental to our view of reality?” While mulling over these questions, I realized we all, at some point, struggle with this kind of question. So, I want to share a window into my thought process, hoping you will nd encouragement in the ideas I put forth.

For me, physically, I dream of completing a 5K. My rst choice would be to do it at a jog, but honestly, just being able to cover that distance, even if it were with the aid of a walking stick, would be very exciting. is dream is why, when on a particularly bad day, I nd myself counter sur ng to just move around a room, I wonder if visions of a 5K help or hinder me?

After looking at it from many di erent sides, I have concluded that dreams and goals are not only good for me, but they are the best thing I can do. Dreams set standards for me beyond my immediate. ey give me something to work toward. More than that, they keep me from boxing myself in or limiting my world. My dreams keep me doing my exercises, and slowly, I am watching my strength return.

ere are dangers in dreams and goals. Dreams that come with inaction are little more than the equivalent of our mind’s behavior as a couch potato. We watch reels of what we can imagine, but never strive to reach that place. We can become complacent and satis ed simply by imagining a better world for ourselves, doing nothing to achieve that vision.

On the other hand, dreams that are accompanied by us mentally berating ourselves, because we are not reaching a goal as quickly as we think we should, are equally detrimental. Our self-critics are the most brutal naysayers we will ever face, and they are often the voice stopping us.

e sweet spot in dreams and goals comes in the combination of imagination and action. It is in that zone where we both celebrate advances and recognize areas where improvement is needed that dreams can change our world.

My hope for you is that in your struggle, whatever it is, you will dream big, take steps toward your dream, and celebrate every motion forward.

n sports, halftime is more than a breather; it’s a recalibration. It’s a chance for coaches and players to analyze what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change to win. Even with hours of prep and lm study, surprises happen. e opposing team may roll out a new strategy. Injuries change the game. Momentum swings. And regardless of the scoreboard, teams don’t coast. Even when they’re up by 20, great teams use halftime to regroup and refocus. Because one good half doesn’t win the game.

So here we are, our own halftime. Six months into the year. e locker room of life. What’s our score? Are we winning, losing, or tied?

Some of us may be riding high, crushing goals, building relationships, and running on momentum. If that’s you, celebrate the wins, but don’t take your foot o the gas. What got you here may not get you through the next six months. Double down on what’s working and stay humble. Great teams don’t assume the second half will be just like the rst.

Others might nd themselves breaking even. You’re in the game, but not ahead. Like a team tied at the half, you’ve got options: you can settle, or you can surge. e second half is wide open, and a clear shift in strategy, attitude, or energy could create that breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

And then there are those of us who feel like the rst half hit like a blitz. e losses weren’t just on paper; they were personal. Maybe you lost a job, a deal, a relationship, or even someone you loved. Maybe

the hits were emotional, nancial, or physical. And no amount of preparation could’ve stopped the storm that came. If that’s your halftime story, hear this: the second half is not cancelled. is is where I want to o er real encouragement. I’ve seen too many people write o the rest of the year when the rst half goes sideways. ey call it a “lost season” and start counting down to January 1. at mindset will keep you down. As the saying goes, ghters don’t lose because they get knocked down. ey lose because they stay knocked down.

It’s time to get back up.

Zig Ziglar said, “If we don’t like who we are, what we are, and where we are, we can change who we are, what we are, and where we are by changing what we put into our mind.” at’s not theory. at’s truth. Our mindset is the control center of our outcomes. And what we feed it matters: positivity, scripture, wise counsel, hope. And if we’ve been brought to our knees in the rst half, maybe our second half starts right there, on our knees in prayer. Surrender doesn’t mean defeat. It means you’re no longer trying to ght every battle alone. God has been with you every step of the way. He’s not leaving you now. In fact, He’s waiting for you to lean in. Whether it’s prayer, community, or trusted advisors, tap into your sources and resources. is is not the time to isolate. I’ve lived through my share of rough rst halves. Seasons where the light at the end of the tunnel seemed far o . But I’ve also lived to see how everything can change in a matter of months. If we choose to shift. If we choose to believe. If we choose to act.

Columnist

Jim Roome

Michael Norton

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

UPCOMING

GTIS Half Marathon: 7 a.m. start Aug. 9. Georgetown to Idaho Springs half marathon. Race starts at Georgetown Lake and nishes near the Idaho Springs Sports & Events Complex101 East Idaho Springs Road. Rapidgrass Bluegrass Fest 2025: 4:30 p.m. Fri. Aug 15-16 Shelly/Quinn Fields, 101 East Idaho Springs Road, Idaho Springs, CO 80452 Empire Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup: 8 a.m. Sat. Sept 13 Help us tidy up 2 miles of Hwy 40 through Empire, CO. Meet at the Empire Visitors Center 30 Park Ave, Idaho Springs.

ONGOING

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

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 who comes once a month. Call program manager Lauralee at 720205-4449 for questions.

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 970513-9390.

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 fall-risk 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.

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.

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

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 JeffCom911 for emergency dispatch earlier this year.

Now is the time to regroup, recharge, and realign. Let’s make the adjustments. Let’s take the lessons from the rst half and apply them with re to the second. Let’s not just play the second half. Let’s win it. Let’s go. Where are you halfway through 2025? What is your second-half strategy? If you would like to know more about my faith

or why I rely on it so much, or if you just want to share your story, I would love to hear it at gotonorton@gmail.com. And whether we are maintaining our lead or building our comeback strategy, when we play both halves with passion and purpose, 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.

Colorado

March

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CORINNE@COTLN.ORG

e national title-winning Colorado School of Mines men’s cross-country runners aren’t just at the top of the podium.

ey’re at the top of the classroom, too.

e Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference recently announced the 2024-25 Brechler Award winners, recognizing the top-performing academic teams across

Mount Evans brings love

Mines teams win RMAC awards for academic excellence

the conference’s 22 sponsored sports.

e Mines men’s cross country and men’s indoor track & eld teams were among the winners.

Regis and Colorado Mesa led the member universities, with four recipient teams each. Chadron State followed with three, and Mines tied Black Hills State and Westminster with two each.

e Mines men’s cross country team’s win is the program’s rst since the award was established in 2012-13, the Orediggers con rmed in a recent press release.

e two Mines teams and the other the Brechler Award-winning teams were scheduled to be recognized at the July 10 RMAC awards banquet in Colorado Springs.

is year’s Brechler Awards, named after former RMAC Commissioner Paul W. Brechler, was based on the highest team GPA from the 2024-25 academic year, the RMAC described in its press release.

e team GPA includes all studentathletes who were on the institution’s NCAA eligibility list, and is calculated by dividing the total quality points for each semester by the total number of credits.

e Mines men’s cross country team produced a 3.595 GPA, Mines Athletics con rmed, while the men’s indoor track & eld team had a 3.563 GPA — winning its second-straight Brechler Award and fth overall.

Several Orediggers compete on both teams, as well as on the outdoor track & eld team.

In fall 2024, the Mines men’s cross country team went undefeated on the race course. e Orediggers swept the RMAC and NCAA Regional titles and eventually won their fourth NCAA Division II championship in 10 years. en, for the indoor track & eld season, the Orediggers had their best-ever nish at the NCAA Division II championships with six individual podium nishes and a third-place team trophy.

Right now, the Mines runners are on summer break, but o cial practices resume next month. en, both the men’s and women’s cross country teams kick o their 2025 competition schedule Sept. 20 at Denver’s Washington Park. For more information, including Colorado School of Mines’ 2025-26 athletic calendar, visit MinesAthletics.com.

On Nov. 23, members of the Colorado School of Mines men’s cross country team celebrate winning the NCAA Division II national championship. They won their second national title in three years, and fourth in 10 years.

PHOTO BY SAM BOENDER

School of Mines runner Loic Scomparin, center, competes in the men’s 3K race at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships

13-15 in Indianapolis. Scomparin, who took the silver medal in both the men’s 3K and 5K races took second in the event, will try to build on his successes at the outdoor national meet.

PHOTO BY TIM FLYNN/MINES ATHLETICS

Rockies fans reminded, baseball is more than winning

Fireworks shows, Military Appreciation headline a weekend of baseball

BY JOHN RENFROW JOHN@COTLN.ORG

To cap an extravagant Fourth of July weekend on the diamond, the Colorado Rockies went all out to celebrate local veterans and military members with a parade on July 6. It was the nale of a packed weekend of promotions, including backto-back reworks shows following the rst two games against the Chicago White Sox on July 4 and 5. Despite losing the rst two series games by a combined score of 135, the Rockies rallied on Sunday to win 6-4 in front of the home crowd.

In the face of a brutal season, Colorado fans arrived in droves to root on their local team and enjoy some holiday festivities.

Plus, the weather cooperated to make for a beautiful long weekend.

e Military Appreciation game on Sunday was opened by a parade around the out eld honoring past and present military members.

Players shook hands with veterans in gratitude and reverence as everyone took a momentary step back from sports.

ere was also a pregame salute from multiple military branches, a national anthem performance by a veteran in uniform and an on- eld presentation of an enormous American ag.

Master Sergeant Christopher Nemeir was honored as the Hero of the Game.

In a back-and-forth game full of explosive innings, home runs from Michael Toglia and Mickey Moniak helped push Colorado over the edge to end the homestand with a win. Moniak also had a triple and an RBI double in the game, carrying the Rockies to a victory.

Catcher Hunter Goodman was also announced as a 2025 MLB AllStar, as fans celebrated the news on the jumbotron during the game.

ough the Rockies are a lowly 2170 (as of July 8), Colorado fans knew there was no place they’d rather be on the Fourth of July than Coors Field.

Quadra-Fire Discovery Series Wood Stove

A near-sold-out crowd celebrates the Fourth of July at Coors Field with a ﬁreworks show after the game. Despite the loss on July 5 to Chicago, Rockies fans packed the house and stayed for the show.

TAYLOR WRIGHT

A massive on-ﬁeld display of the American ﬂag opened the Military Appreciation Game before the Colorado Rockies took on the Chicago White Sox on July 6. Colorado won 6-4. JOHN RENFROW

Golden targets ampliﬁed music downtown

Public hearing scheduled for July 22 council meeting

BY CORINNE WATERMAN CORINNE@COTLN.ORG

Downtown Golden may soon be a little quieter, as city o cials are considering an ordinance that would restrict amplied music.

e draft ordinance would only apply to public right of way, such as streets, sidewalks and alleyways, within the Downtown Development Authority boundaries.

It wouldn’t a ect special events or private properties, including commercial businesses that host outdoor musical performances.

Acoustic music would still be allowed.

Megaphones would also be allowed as long as they weren’t being used to amplify music, including singing, Golden sta members have clari ed.

e City Council has scheduled an or-

dinance second reading and public hearing about the issue at its July 22 meeting.

Anyone wishing to submit written or verbal comments may do so at that time.

If passed at the July 22 meeting, city sta said the ordinance would take e ect on or around July 30.

“ is is not about banning street musicians,” City Councilor Patty Evans said at a June 10 work session. “ … ey have some really great talent; it just needs to be quieter.”

‘The ampliﬁcation has gotten out of control’

Evans and other councilors said they’ve received numerous complaints about street musicians — sometimes called buskers — playing so loudly that downtown employees can’t hear their customers if the business’ doors are open.

In city documents and meetings, City Manager Scott Vargo and Police Chief Joe Harvey have described how the city’s current ordinance can be di cult to enforce, as outdoor music is required to be

65 decibels or less.

City employees are trained to use measurement devices, but wind, crowd noise and tra c can interfere with the readings.

However, Vargo and Harvey said the bigger problems is that, when a city employee contacts someone using an ampli cation device and asks them to turn it, they will only do so temporarily — until the city employee has left the immediate area. us, the problems persist.

“It’s not that we don’t try to enforce existing regulations,” Vargo said at the June 10 work session. “It’s just a much more di cult enforcement technique that we have to go through.”

us, City Councilors and Downtown Development Authority members have been discussing this issue, considering various iterations of an ordinance. e current iteration only tackles ampli ed music in the public right of way, but city o cials may revisit similar issues later in the year, they said.

e councilors at the June 10 work session were generally in favor of restrict-

Don’t go it alone.

Carpool and combine trips to reduce ground-level ozone.

ing ampli ed music, with Councilor Lisa Vitry saying she’s heard from local businesses that “the ampli cation has gotten out of control.”

Evans even said she’d be in favor of expanding the ordinance beyond the DDA boundaries, so it could bene t other nearby areas too.

Councilor Don Cameron, who’s been working on this ordinance with Councilor Bill Fisher for several months, added that some other municipalities have similar restrictions. He said Boulder has a decades-old ordinance that doesn’t allow any ampli ed music on the Pearl Street walking mall. Additionally, those who play acoustic music are required to move every 30 minutes.

With speakers and the like restricted in downtown Golden, Vargo and Harvey believed this would be easier and more e cient to enforce versus the current 65-decibel noise limit.

Any music at special events or commercial venues would still be subject to it, though, along with other existing city ordinances, they clari ed.

Golden is planning to restrict ampliﬁed music, like what is portrayed here, throughout downtown. Musicians can still perform acoustically.

FILE PHOTO

Dressy Bessy performs for a crowd in Parfet Park Sept. 6 at the City of Golden’s Movies & Music in the Park event. Ampliﬁed music at special events like this would still be permitted under new city restrictions.

CORINNE WESTEMAN

Bread often feels less like a food and more like an elemental fact of life. Practically every culture has their own form of bread and along with water, it’s treated as one of the basic elements of life.

All the meanings of bread are explored in the Bell Projects’, 2822 E. 17th Ave. in Denver, second e Bread Show, which is on display through Sunday, Aug. 3. e biennial exhibition features 25 artists working in a range of styles, from sculpture, painting, ber, and photography to collage, installation and mixed media, all exploring the power of the food. “ ere’s something so simple about bread, but when you think about it, it has so much cultural and family signicance,” said Lindsey Bell, curatorial director at Bell Projects. “ e artists went really deep with the idea of bread — they just took it and ran with it.” is year’s participating artists come from Denver and beyond and include Miguel Aguilar, Tramaine Gardner, Christy Pyle and Brandon Vargas. e show was originally launched in 2023 and nd artists re ecting on themes as diverse as “sustenance, family rituals, food politics, labor, nostalgia, and joy,” according to provided information. “It’s wonderful to see so many di erent interpretations on display. e exhibit moves from more serious interpretations

Break Bread at Bell Projects

COMING ATTRACTIONS

to fun puns and plays on words,” Bell said. “Bread can mean so many things, including money, so there’s a lot of creative freedom. e artists took a lot of care to create something meaningful.”

Bell added that some of the works on display get particularly powerful, tackling contemporary concerns like the politics of consumption, communal rituals and the layered symbolism bread carries across cultures.

No matter what your personal feelings are about bread, the hope is visitors come away thinking di erently about the food and what it means to their lives.

“We hope that when people leave, they’re will be something new on their mind when they next interact with bread. It’s something so simple, but it’s also a universal connector that binds us all together,” Bell said. “ is is my favorite show we do and it’s a real treat to put on an exhibition like this.”

More information is available at www. bell-projects.com

Take a Vacation from Life at Walker Fine Art

To say we’re living in stressful times

would be the biggest of understatements. Add that to the fact that the summer is so busy and hot, and we could all use a little calm and quiet.

Denver’s Walker Fine Art Gallery, 300 West 11th Ave. No. A, has just the reprieve you need with Untethered. It features the work of Sabin Aell, Derrick Breidenthal, eresa Clowes, George Kozmon and Sara Sanderson, all of whom provide an oasis with works “inspired by wide-open landscapes, elemental textures and organic rhythms,” according to provided information.

If you’re looking for a bit of a mini vacation, this is your exhibit. And don’t miss the opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 18.

Details are available at https://www. walker neart.com/.

Make the Trip to Oz at Littleton Town Hall Arts Center

People are never going to tire of the story of “ e Wizard of Oz,” and there are all kinds of versions of the tale to cater to every audience. e Littleton Town Hall Arts Center is bringing a youth perspective to the fairytale with “ e Wizard of Oz Jr.”

e show runs at the Center, 2450 Main St. in Littleton, from Friday, July 18 through Saturday, the 26th. Performances are at 7 p.m. on the 18th and 26th and

11 a.m. Monday through Friday. Presented by the Teen Intensive eater Program, the story of Dorothy, Toto, Tinman, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion comes to delightful life as they journey down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. Get tickets at https:// townhallartscenter.org/event/wizard-ofoz-jr-performances/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Alabama Shakes at Red Rocks e Alabama Shakes only released two albums in the 2010s, but still managed to make an enormous impact on the alt-rock world. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Brittany Howard, the band wonderfully blended classic rock, blues and soul, and the end result was both familiar and new. e group has been on hiatus since 2018 but they’re working on new music and are getting back on the road. e Alabama Shakes are coming to Red Rocks, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. ey’ll be joined by Lee Fields, a fantastic R&B singer. is is a concert many people have been eagerly awaiting, so don’t miss out. Get tickets at www.axs.com.

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

Clarke Reader

WATER

e issue was made clear last fall when the town put the brakes on issuing more taps, saying it’s not obligated to do so until the 2008 IGA is rewritten — an e ort that’s been under way for years. It nevertheless held a special meeting in October 2024, granting the district’s request to convert two irrigation meters into 39 residential taps. at allowed 39 homeowners who had also been unable to close to move into the development.

One town trustee issued a warning to Mount Carbon and Lennar at the Oct. 9 special meeting.

“You don’t make promises about water if you don’t have the infrastructure to deliver it,” he said. “I will be pressing the other members of my board to vote ‘no’ for future water taps if we don’t have the infrastructure to deliver it.”

Wearing thin

But Mcshan said Lennar told her a di erent story.

“ e salesperson I worked with said there were ve remaining water meters, and if I went under contract that week, I’d get one of those,” she said. “I had the impression I’d be able to close by mid-May. I’ve since learned, it sounds like those ve meters were temporary, and used for testing.”

McShan, who sold a home in Denver and is living in her Winter Park condo as she waits to close, said the lack of information is wearing on her and the other prospective homeowners. She also said she and other homeowners are not being compensated for the cost of their temporary living quarters.

“I want to be informed, and to know I’m not making a mistake,” she said. “I feel as someone who’s about to spend a very large amount of money on a home, the homeown-

ers are not the ones who should be caught in the middle of this.”

While Sutton — the trustee who warned Red Rocks Ranch in public about the issuance of future water taps — recently left the board, the town remains committed to ensuring the IGA is in place before it agrees to issue more taps.

“ e original IGA dates back to 2008 and limits the issuance of taps based on MCMD completing infrastructure improvements,” wrote Nassau, adding those improvements include ensuring the “town’s water and wastewater systems would be adequately upgraded prior to serving end users.

“We are committed to providing water and sewer to Red Rocks Ranch, noting that this requires MCMD to meet their infrastructure obligations, so we may safely and reliably provide the service to all users.”

David O’Leary, an attorney for Mount Carbon, said in October 2024 that he believed the new IGA would be ready in about a month.

Nine months later, it remains un nished and unapproved.

And the conversation about its irrigation meters to residential taps has left Red Rocks Ranch with no water for its landscaping or splash pad.

Lennar’s Red Rocks Ranch website says it is “actively selling” and o ering “incredible deals.”

A representative of homebuilder Lennar Homes, who identi ed himself only as “Aaron,” could not explain why Lennar continues to sell homes despite its awareness of the ongoing water problems. He said only that they are “caught in the middle,” and hoping for a swift resolution.

None of the Mount Carbon Metro District’s board members returned requests for comment.

“I don’t know who’s at fault,” Mcshan said. “But I do wonder, what was the situation with the IGA? What did they know while contracts were being signed?”

Governor vows to ﬁght for school funds

BY DELILAH BRUMER COLORADO NEWLINE

As Colorado school districts wait to hear about the fate of $80 million in federal funds that the Trump administration unexpectedly put on hold, school ocials are reluctant to lay o sta or cancel programs. But with the start of the new school year only six weeks away, time is running out.

e funds, which school o cials had expected to receive on July 1, were set to be used for after-school programs, teacher training, migrant education and English-language learning, among other initiatives. States learned the funds would be withheld with just one day of notice, leaving districts scrambling to fund programs they were already committed to o ering and pay sta whom they had already hired.

Gov. Jared Polis led a roundtable with superintendents, teachers and education nonpro t leaders at West High School in Denver, where he blasted the withholding of funds as “harmful and opaque.” “ ese are very di cult decisions that districts now have to make, and it has to happen in the next couple of weeks,” Polis said.

was originally estimated at $70 million, but Polis said an updated estimate is $80 million.

impact not only on our students, which is the most important impact, but also on our workforce.”

With potential layo s looming, Melissa Gibson, the executive director of the Colorado Association of School Executives, said superintendents and principals are having to make tough choices in the coming weeks.

“Every district leader is approaching this with students at the center and trying to mitigate the damage as much as possible,” Gibson said. “Every school community invests in them in di erent ways, but this is challenging.”

Both of Colorado’s U.S. senators, along with the state’s four Democrats in the House, sent a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon “demanding answers on the stalled education funds,” according to a Tuesday announcement.

“School districts throughout Colorado are depending on these funds to deliver critical services to students across the state,” the letter said. “ e delay and uncertainty around the distribution of this funding have made it incredibly di cult for school districts to plan and hire sta for the next school year.”

e federal Department of Education has not provided a timeline on the funds, which in a notice to states it said are under review. e funds $6.8 billion nationwide were already approved by Congress. Colorado’s share of that withheld money

If the federal funds are not restored, Jefferson County Public Schools will lose out on $3.3 million it had already allocated. at would result in cuts to sta and programs meant for coaching new teachers, supporting English language learners, lowering truancy rates and conducting family outreach.

One of the district’s services that would need to be scaled back is a program that sends sta across Je erson County in a refurbished bus to meet with parents, hand out resource yers and sign up kids who are recent immigrants for support services.

“We’re very worried about how to run our programs without that funding,” said Tracy Dorland, Je erson County Public Schools superintendent. “ is has an

During the roundtable, Polis declined to specify if Colorado plans to sue over the withheld funds, but he said the state is “exploring all available options” to get the funding restored.

“We are being very aggressive, to ght for these funds and for the schools,” Polis said. is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.

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Hickenlooper renews call to repeal Comstock Act

States have used 1873 act to limit medical abortions

BY SARA WILSON COLORADO NEWSLINE

U.S. Sen John Hickenlooper is renewing a call to repeal part of a 19th-century law that conservative activists have used to restrict medication abortion access in cities across the country.

“ ese extreme Republicans and dustcovered laws from 1873 should not be directing a women’s right to make her own health care decisions,” the Colorado Democrat said during a virtual panel with Colorado OB-GYNs and reproductive health leaders.

Hickenlooper is a sponsor of the Stop Comstock Act, which would repeal the Comstock Act of 1873, a measure that outlaws the mailing of “lewd” and “indecent” material. Anti-abortion activists have sought enforcement of the dormant law to essentially enact bans on many abortions, including medication abortions where patients receive mifepristone and other drugs in the mail after consulting with a doctor. Mifepristone is also used in many miscarriage treatments.

e federal tax break and spending cut bill signed into law by President Donald Trump last week cuts Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood — though that provision was temporarily blocked by a judge — and advocates worry that it could add strain to an already under-attack reproductive health system.

“We know that many of those people (on Medicaid) will not be able to seek care

and other institutions or other avenues, and we know that places that are able to continue providing sexual health care are going to face increased demand and increased weight,” said Dr. Rebecca Cohen, a Colorado OB-GYN.

Pueblo City Council has voted twice since 2022 to oppose a proposed city ordinance that would have used the Comstock Act to restrict abortion access in the city. In October 2024, the council voted 4-3 to kill the ordinance before it moved to a nal vote. If it had passed

in Pueblo, it almost certainly would have been struck down due to Colorado’s Reproductive Health Equity Act.

“Abortion opponents have seized on the idea that the Comstock Act could be misused to ban the mailing of mifepristone and other drugs used in medication abortions,” Cobalt President Karen Middleton said.

Backers of the so-called “Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn” project have helped over 20 local governments, mostly in Texas, pass ordinances to ban abortion by

enforcing the federal law, most recently Big Sandy in Texas with a population of about 1,300.

Hickenlooper called the legislative effort a “marathon.” Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate and a 220-212 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“ e issue with this circumstance, like every circumstance, is there are a number of reasonable, moderate Republicans that have been pushed to the corner, and they are threatened with primaries with tens of billions of dollars against them if they violate anything that the White House is trying to push,” he said. “At some point, when we have a breakthrough election, this will be the kind of thing — all the debris that is accumulated from the Trump years — we’ll be able to clean it out.”

Melisa Hidalgo-Cuellar, the chair of the Cobalt Abortion Fund, said the organization has seen a nearly 1,200% increase in funding for people accessing care at telehealth-only clinics that mail abortion medication to patients. It can be di cult to travel to a brick-and-mortar clinic for people without reliable transportation, who don’t have child care or who live far from a physical clinic.

“You really see that people are opting for this because it’s a more convenient and a ordable option for a lot of abortion seekers,” Hidalgo-Cuellar said.

Hickenlooper’s bill was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee when it was introduced.

is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.

Sen. John Hickenlooper, shown here touring an orphaned oil well in Adams County in 2023, is renewing a call to repeal part of a 19th-century law that conservative activists have used to restrict medication abortion access.

Golden agrees to buy DeLong Park sidewalk

Design company is giving the city $80,000 to buy the impacted land

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CORINNE@COTLN.ORG

Since Golden’s DeLong Park opened in June 2022, people have pushed their strollers, walked their dogs and jogged with friends along the park’s sidewalks. But, unbeknownst to many of them, one of those sidewalks was mistakenly built in a neighboring yard. And now, three years later, the City of Golden and the construction company are xing it. e Golden City Council approved buying about 2,700 square feet of land at 400 24th St. at its July 8 meeting. at’s where the sidewalk was built and the city will use money from design company IMEG, LLC to do so, city sta con rmed.

e Pallagi family, the current property owners, will receive $80,000 for the sidewalk-impacted land and $7,000 for fence

installation.

e parties will close on the land purchase later this summer.

‘We don’t know why it happened’

In 2017, the City of Golden bought a 1-acre residential property o 23rd Street from the DeLong family. e long-term plan was to turn it into a park.

e project was in the planning, design and construction process for about ve years, according to previous Transcript coverage, and about 80 city o cials and residents hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for it on June 7, 2022.

Assistant to the City Manager Steve Glueck con rmed how DeLong Park was designed in 2019, which included a completed property survey. e design included using city right of way for Vernon Street — which had never been built out as a street — to put a sidewalk between 23rd and 24th streets, Glueck explained.

“In the preparation of nal construction plans, the sidewalk connection was erroneously shifted down the hill to a location closer to the corridor for the abandoned Welch Ditch,” he stated in

a council memo. “ e connection was subsequently constructed in that location, encroaching on and e ectively cutting o part of the property at 400 24th Street.”

Joseph David Pallagi and his family have owned 400 24th St. since 1988. Pallagi reportedly tried to tell project representatives about the encroachment during construction in 2021, and again in fall 2024, according to Glueck’s memo.

After the July 8 meeting, Glueck said it’s unclear exactly whom Pallagi tried to tell, whether it was city employees or elected o cials, or someone from the construction company. Pallagi then had health problems and didn’t pursue it further, until he ran into a Golden Public Works employee last fall.

At that time, he brought the issue up again, and the city looked into it. Glueck said that once the mistake was veri ed, the city sought a resolution with the Pallagi family and IMEG.

After several weeks of meetings and negotiations and after agreeing it would be too di cult to move the sidewalk, all three parties found a resolution, Glueck

said.

Now that the City Council has approved it, the parties plan to close on the land transaction in late July or early August, Glueck said.

Glueck wrote to City Council that IMEG, which did the park’s nal construction plans, believed there was likely a miscommunication among the park design team. However, “accountability for the error lies with them,” Glueck wrote. On July 8, he added: “We can document what happened, but we don’t know why it happened.”

us, the company is paying Golden $87,000 so the city can buy the impacted land and pay the Pallagi family to install a fence. is includes the 6-foot-wide sidewalk, the square footage between the sidewalk and the park boundary, and a 3-foot-wide bu er on the other side, Glueck described.

In the council memo, he also stated how IMEG is covering all the city’s direct costs, including some legal reimbursements. e only exceptions are the “minimal” closing costs and the insurance policy, which the city is paying.

DeLong Park, seen at its June 7, 2022 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

CORINNE WESTEMAN

Golden’s DeLong Park, seen from overhead, has a sidewalk running through the residential property at 400 24th St. COURTESY CITY OF GOLDEN

CROWSSUPDRO ELZZ Crossword

1. TELEVISION: In the show “Ted Lasso,” what does the sign over the locker room doorway say?

2. ANIMAL KINGDOM: How many words are dogs believed to understand, on average?

3. U.S. STATES: Which two states don’t observe Daylight Savings Time?

4. LITERATURE: In the “Harry Potter” book series, how many balls are used in a Quidditch match?

5. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which company owns car makers Porsche and Audi?

6. GEOGRAPHY: Which country is home to Lake Como?

7. MOVIES: What are the names of Cinderella’s stepsisters?

8. ACRONYMS: What does the computer acronym DOS stand for?

9. MEDICAL: What is the condition called

TrIVIa

solar erythema?

10. PSYCHOLOGY: Someone su ering from alektorophobia is terri ed by what?

Answers

1. “Believe.”

2. Dogs generally know an average of 89 words and phrases, but the number can range from 15 to 215.

3. Hawaii and Arizona.

4. Four balls of three di erent types (the Qua e, two Bludgers and the Golden Snitch).

5. Volkswagen AG.

6. Italy.

7. Anastasia and Drizella.

8. Disk Operating System.

9. Sunburn.

10. Chickens.

ENERGY

produced more oil last year than any nation in history, and he urged the BLM to follow standard, legally required procedures in reviewing the project. An attorney for Eagle County and an environmental group that successfully sued the federal government to delay the rail project, also sent letters.

However, the BLM issued its approval, nding “no signi cant impact” related to the expansion, which Colorado opposes due to increased derailment, wild re and oil-spill risks, and the agency directly cited its authority under Trump’s January executive order declaring a national energy emergency, allowing for the fasttracking of fossil fuel projects.

Before a recent fundraiser here for his 2026 gubernatorial campaign, Weiser said he had not heard about the expedited approval of the Wildcat Loadout or had time to debrief the ruling.

“I am sorry to hear that. I’m not shocked, but it’s a sign of the times we’re in — the lack of stewardship to protect our land, air, and water is appalling,” Weiser said. “We’re going to have to be creative to nd every way we can to make sure that these decisions aren’t being made hastily with long-term, harmful consequences.”

In May, 15 states — led by the attorneys general in Washington and California — led a lawsuit challenging the legality of Trump’s energy emergency executive order. Calling it a “fake” emergency designed to line the pockets of Big Oil, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown pointed to the order’s exclusion of clean energy projects as it strips away vital environmental protections.

e May lawsuit claims Trump’s declaration of a national energy emergency is a

violation of the National Emergencies Act itself, which is designed to prevent frivolous or partisan declarations.

“We don’t think it is a real emergency,” Weiser said Saturday. “Up until now, this national energy emergency order hasn’t a ected Colorado. But given these dynamics (of the expedited BLM approval), we’re going to be looking at that to make sure that we can do all we can to protect Colorado.”

Brown and California Attorney General

Rob Bonta cited what they deemed illegal fast-tracking of environmental reviews by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in violation of the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, among other key environmental laws.

“ e only ‘emergency’ is that the president disagrees with policies to address climate change in Washington state and elsewhere,” Brown wrote in May. “He is illegally using emergency authorities to keep the nation reliant on energy sources like coal, oil and gas.”

Weiser has previously said he will keep all of his options open in opposing the Uinta Basin oil expansion as it seeks to vastly expand oil-train tra c along the headwaters of the endangered Colorado River, which supplies water to more than 40 million people. e BLM approval in a two-week window now has him questioning Trump’s national energy emergency rules.

“So we didn’t have an ability to make this case [back in May], but we at the time said that we would be looking closely at whether and when it would a ect Colorado and we’d be ready to le,” Weiser said Saturday. “And with this, now we have to look at it.”