Rain doesn’t deter Idaho Springs Burro Race
Racers, spectators fill downtown Idaho Springs for historic race
BY CHRISTOPHER KOEBERL CHRIS@COTLN.ORG
At least 88-competitors crowded the street near Citizens Park in Idaho Springs before grabbing their Ass and heading out on the ve mile course for the annual Burro Race. e challenging course started by heading east on then turning north up 17th Ave, across Colorado Blvd, up Virginia Canyon on the dirt road that features a 12% grade/climb. e course continued with
sharp turns and steep grades before the nish line at the Elks Lodge at 1600 Colorado Blvd, where spectators met the racers with cheers and waves.
is year’s contestants were led by 17-year-old Aidan Malherbe, fastest Ass with a time of 51-minutes 28-seconds, just one-second in front of second place 31-year-old Emily Keener at 51:29.
Race organizers say this an-
Parents warned about the dangers of chatbots
Consumer alert urges conversations at home about AI tools, content
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued a consumer alert warning parents about the growing risks posed by social AI chatbots. Chatbots are tools designed to mimic human conversation, which, in some cases, can lead young users into harmful interactions.
“ ese chatbots interact with people as if they were another person,” Weiser said. “ ey can take on personas like a celebrity, ctional character or even a trusted adult, and the conversation can turn inappropriate or dangerous quickly, especially when it comes to sexual content, self-harm or substance use.”
e alert, released May 21, comes amid a sharp rise in reports of children engaging with AI bots in ways that have resulted in mental health crises and unsafe behaviors. Weiser’s o ce warns that children and teens may not realize they’re interacting with an AI rather than a real person, making them more vulnerable to manipulation.
Realistic, relatable and risky
nual 80-year-old tradition is designed to keep the history of mining in Idaho Springs alive and vibrant for generations to come.
“Honoring the miners and what they did 75-years ago, they would go up the mountains, strike some gold and come back to town and the last ‘Ass up the pass’ would have to buy the group a pack of
Social AI chatbots are increasingly common on popular platforms. Some are embedded in social media sites, while others exist as standalone apps. ey’re often marketed as friends, mentors or entertainers.
According to HealthyChildren.org, children and teens are turning to chatbots not just for quick answers but also for entertainment or companionship, which can be risky as these programs are not designed with kids in mind and may expose
A pair of competitors show their game faces at the start of the annual Burro Race in Idaho Springs May 25.
CHRIS KOEBERL
SEE BURRO RACE, P5
High school graduates parade in Idaho Springs
Senior, supporters rolled though Miner street in annual tradition
Don’t forget your roots, 2025 graduates urged
Clear Creek high school seniors get to throw caps in the air and enter the next chapter of life
BY CHRISTOPHER KOEBERL CHRIS@COTLN.ORG
Members of the Clear Creek high school graduating class of 2025 are headed in many di erent directions both academically and professionally.
It was Valedictorian, Asher Isaacson, who reinforced the message: “Don’t forget where you came from.”
A total of at least 45 seniors accepted their diplomas at GoldDigger stadium in Evergreen May 23. eir individual stories and plans for the future are as diverse as the mountain community many of them grew up in.
A total of $1.3 million in academic scholarships has already been awarded to individuals in the graduating class moving forward with education, according to school administrators. Baylor University, South Dakota School of Mines, Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Oklahoma and Fort Lewis College in Durango are just a few of the destinations the graduates are headed to continue their education.
eir elds of study will include premed, health sciences and engineering among others.
Others declared they will be entering the workforce as mechanics, electricians or the ski tech industry.
Some graduates elected to take a “gap year” to travel, explore and experience where their passion may be found.
“It’s nally over, I’ve had senioritis since my sophomore year so I’m glad it’s nally done. I’m glad I have my diploma,” Landon Lewis said, surrounded by more than a dozen family and friends there to celebrate his graduation.
Coming together
“Family is one thing but I think the
whole community coming together too is really big for me,” Lewis said.
“It’s that ‘small school’ feel that not a whole lot of students get and I love that. I love being part of the community and having my family here to support me.”
“I wanted him to stay home,” Lewis’s mom Sara said laughing. “I couldn’t be more proud, I don’t even have words right now, just so proud.”
“Well, he wanted to be a pizza delivery guy when he graduated kindergarten, so moving on from that to pre-med, I’m proud of him,” his father Gabriel said.
Lewis said he’s heading to Oregon Institute for Technology for pre-med studies and a major in biology and health sciences.
Graduate Cara North was recognized as the school’s Salutatorian however she said her speech was almost as daunting as her studies.
“I was not expecting this. I mean I was happy but so nervous during the speech I shook the entire time and had my foot tapping behind me. I don’t know— I’m happy,” North said.
She plans to attend the South Dakota School of Mines for a curriculum in Civil Engineering.
Tears of joy and celebratory hugs from family and friends lled the stadium for a while as graduates searched for their caps after inging them in the air.
One of those moments was when graduate Ollie Wilson’s much younger brother, Henry, jumped into his arms for a hug and said, “I’m proud of him.”
“It was so sweet. I love my little brother so much,” Wilson said.
Wilson said he plans to enter the workforce while attending community college.
PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER KOEBERL CHRIS@COTLN.ORG
Families and friends wave to the graduates as they pass by in th Clear Creek High School graduation parade in Idaho Springs May 23.
The king and queen make their way along the route of Clear Creek High School graduation parade in Idaho Springs May 23.
A moving performance by the band for the Clear Creek High School graduation parade in Idaho Springs May 23.
Clear Creek high school graduate Ollie Wilson’s younger brother, Henry, jumped into his arms for a hug and said, “I’m proud of him.” May 23.
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Clear Creek high school seniors celebrate years of academic work and the next step in life at graduation in Evergreen May 23.
Members of the Clear Creek high school graduating class of 2025 are headed in many di erent directions both academically and professionally.
Part 2: Why Aren’t More Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Being Built?
This is the second installment of my monthly series about one of the hottest topics in real estate: Accessory Dwelling Units. ADUs have gotten a lot of attention recently as a housing option. My thanks to John Phillips of Verdant Living for helping on the research for it.
ADUs – accessory or additional dwelling units, also called granny flats — are a wonderful idea. They use an existing piece of residential real estate and create a separate living space. They are often used for intergenerational housing (aging parents, adult children just starting out, etc.) and have long-term value as rental property and add to the value of your real estate. But very few have been built in Colorado. The experience in the City of Denver is instructive. I have been told that since June 2015 the city has issued 528 ADU permits, of which 418 have received Certificates of Occupancy. There are thousands of possible sites. There are no easily attainable totals for areas outside Denver, but there are a few ADUs scattered around the suburbs, and there must be tens of thousands of possible sites.
the preferred option. But times have changed.
quickly baffles the typical homeowner.
Now, land in urban areas is scarce (thus more expensive), homes are more expensive to build and aren’t as available, and smaller living spaces in closer proximity to others is more acceptable, often preferred. Zoning was a big hurdle. In Denver, applications for variance were rarely denied, but the variance process could take months and was expensive.
However, that is not the problem it once was. Laws have been passed that override local zoning regulations; Colorado did that last year, and that law takes effect this July.
That has opened the door, but there is a long way to go. Most homeowners have never even heard of ADUs, much less thought of how building an ADU might address their needs. This series is a small attempt to address that education gap.
Other impediments:
Other local regulations and rules
Cost. The amount of money needed, even for the least expensive ADUs, is not trivial for most homeowners. It exceeds the purchase of a car or the cost of a tiny home, and many don’t understand why.
Finance. Beyond the raw cost, financing an ADU can be a challenge. Most lenders (but not our Wendy Renee, below) are not yet comfortable with the dynamics, and there are few lenders actively doing it. Call Wendy!
Time. The time between signing a contract to build an ADU and receiving a certificate of occupancy could be a year (and often longer). Before you get to the contract phase, investigation of options and selecting a vendor takes even more time. Sometimes a homeowner who wants an ADU has an immediate need, and the timelines may not match.
Alert! Kol Peterson, a recognized authority on ADUs, is holding an ADU Academy in Denver on June 13 Visit https://www.aduspecialist.org/ aduacademy for more information.
works against widespread adoption. They are “gentle density,” one here, one there. They are rarely installed at multiple residences close to each other. The impact, such as traffic, on a particular neighborhood is minimal. They don’t change the character of the neighborhood, but individual homeowners must have the need and desire.
Most have little experience with a construction project, understand how to research the options, are willing to turn their backyard into a construction site, and, especially for homeowners of moderate means, able to take on the risk and responsibility of a second mortgage (or make the necessary decisions). The whole thing is not part of their perspective.
So, one might ask, why aren’t more ADUs being built?
For many years, they were discouraged by the restrictive zoning regulations of local governments. That made a lot of sense when land was relatively inexpensive, housing was generally affordable, and single-family residences were
Some of these are hangovers from the anti-ADU sentiment, but many are necessary to ensure the quality and safety of the dwelling as well as it being an acceptable addition to the community. These range from soil testing, setbacks, size limitations, parking, utility fees, construction inspections, and more. These sorts of things are dealt with as a matter of course by builders of multi-family buildings and main residences, but the complexity
Here Are Some Reviews From Past Clients:
Golden Real Estate is the best residential real estate agency i have ever worked with. And I have bought more than 20 houses. What I like most is that they are not afraid to express their frank opinions about any piece of real estate. And I love the house they found for us on South Golden Road. — Don Parker Dave Dlugasch did a phenomenal job working with us! We were not easy buyers because of an extensive “wish list” and he did his homework on each property we looked at until we found the right one. He gave us great advice and was very supportive of all our questions throughout the entire process.
— M. Madigan
Based on Jim Smith's knowledge, experience, and expertise in the real estate arena, we decided to work with him when it came time to downsize. We used Jim and his real estate firm to both purchase the new home and sell our existing property. All communication with Jim has been top notch. He also provided all packing materials and labor to make our move. It was a great experience from start to finish.
— R. Trujillo
We were beyond impressed with Kathy Jonke! She went above and beyond for us. She accommodated all of our needs. She was insightful and extremely helpful throughout the entire process! I can’t recommend her more! — Eve Wilson
Not only did Jim Smith do a superb job in the marketing and sale of our home, he provided his company's moving truck and long time handyman Mark to move our belongings to our new home in Broomfield. When a problem occurred, he hired an outside moving company to help complete the move in one day instead of two! We are so pleased that Jim helped us through the process of selling our home and moving us into our new home.
— Reese & Sally Ganster
Chuck Brown is a superb Realtor. He is very knowledgeable regarding the market, very
proactive and highly professional. Chuck was great at identifying potential properties that met our criteria, he moved very quickly to show us potential properties and his analysis of property values was on point and very thorough. Chuck was extremely proactive and responsive in his communications with us. Chuck went above and beyond our expectations. My wife and I have done six real estate transactions and we think Chuck is the best Realtor ever. We would highly recommend Chuck to other home buyers. — S. Diamond I was helping my mom and her husband sell the house. David Dlugasch was very accommodating to this dynamic. He arranged for all the paperwork to be done at the nursing home for the ease of my mom. David and I worked together to get the very full and dated house ready to go on the market. He went above and beyond by going to the paint store and hardware store etc. He was always available via text for any question I had along the way. He had a lot of resources. The best one was Mark, the handyman. I could always count on Mark. Mark was very meticulous and could do anything. What a great team! I could not have taken on this monumental task without them!!
—Heidi Warner
Greg Kraft was knowledgeable and professional. He was very easy to work with and was super proactive in searching the listings. That was a key in us managing to buy the townhome in a very competitive market. He was also very responsive and communicated really well with us and the listing agents. We would recommend him without reservation.
— J. Knight
Jim Swanson was kind and patient while listening to my questions. He helped me to translate the real estate language and manage the sale process. He connected the dots, allowing me to make good decisions, maintain my personal integrity and profit from the sale when a great offer came to the forefront. Jim, Thank you for putting communication and community first. — Name Withheld
Market awareness. As mentioned above, most potential purchasers of ADUs are unaware of the opportunity. That education is happening, slowly.
Vendors. In Colorado the cottage industry of ADU vendors and other service providers is only now developing. It exists but is small, hard to find (and vet), and doesn’t have a broad community presence.
All these factors are self reinforcing and limit the development of ADUs. And there is another factor at work. The very nature of ADUs which makes them such a terrific addition to the housing stock,
To help with these issues Verdant Living has published a buyer’s guide, BuyersGuideColoradoADUs.com. A good place to begin is the Verdant Living website, VerdantLiving.us, or just contact John Phillips at 303-717-1962
I want to thank John and the following people for their input: Gary Fleisher, Modular Home Source; Kol Peterson, Accessory Dwelling Strategies, Renee Martinez-Stone, Denver Housing Authority and West Denver Renaissance Collaborative, and Eric Scott, TinyMod. Next month: Financing an ADU
View All our Active & Pending Listings on a Single Website
Instead of having a different website for each listing, we now link them to a single site, www. GRElistings.com. The QR code at right will open that site up on your smartphone.
We pride ourselves on the thoroughness of our listings. We complete all the data fields in the MLS, not just the mandatory ones, so you’ll find measurements and descriptions for each room, as well as narrated video tours which simulate an actual showing.
Room dimensions and descriptions are not required, and you’d be amazed how few
agents bother to enter that information on their MLS listings. Of course, narrated video tours are not required either, and most “video tours” you see on other brokerages’ listings are really just slide shows with a music track. We have sold many of our own listings, including one that closes next week, to buyers who haven’t seen the home in person until they fly in for the inspection. The video tour gives them enough of a sense of what the listing is like to ask me or their agent write up an offer and go under contract for it.
Price Reduced on Townhome-Style
This updated 2-story condo at 5555 E. Briarwood Ave. has a finished basement, offering the perfect blend of comfort, style, and convenience. Located in the heart of the Summerhill neighborhood, this home has thoughtful upgrades and a bright, open floorplan. The main level is ideal for entertaining with its inviting family room, complete with wood-burning fireplace. It flows into the formal dining area and opens to a private patio. The updated dine-in kitchen boasts stylish countertops and laminate wood flooring. All appliances are included. A stylish half bath with tile flooring rounds out the main floor. Upstairs, the vaulted primary suite has dual closets and a beautifully updated ensuite bath. The finished basement has a large recreation room, laundry area, and ample storage. A private patio is just steps from the neighborhood pool and hot tub. You can view a narrated video tour online at www.GRElistings.com, then call listing agent Chris Sholts, 320-491-6494, to see it.
Resilience1220 moving to new location
Counseling nonprofit opens June 4 at o ce near Hilltop Drive and Evergreen Parkway
BY JANE REUTER JANE@COTLN.ORG
Resilience1220 is moving its o ces to La Plaza O ce Park in anticipation of its current building’s likely eventual destruction.
e new site at 3071 Evergreen Parkway is only about 2.5 miles from their current location in the Miller House alongside the Buchanan Park Recreation Center, and sta believes it’s a better site for its clients.
“We’re really excited about the new location and to be part of that neighborhood,” executive director Lindsey Breslin said. “It’s a little more central, with easy access and good parking.”
e new Resilience1220 o ce o Hilltop Drive will open June 4.
While the Miller House’s future is not set, several designs for the planned expansion of Buchanan suggest tearing it down to make space for the future eldhouse. Based on community feedback, the Evergreen Park & Recreation District plans to add a 20,000-square-foot structure with two multi-purpose gymnasiums and an indoor walking track.
“It’s been a constant conversation as we design and possibly put a eldhouse/gymnasium behind Buchanan,” said EPRD director Cory Vander Veen. “ e last communication on design concepts have been that the building (Miller House) is partially in the way for either a road or a building behind it.
“We may use some of it for staging for the aquatic facility construction.”
Space for the summer
While Breslin said Resilience1220 knew the building wasn’t coming down immediately, she said sta also didn’t want to
“We thought we’d be proactive and nd a space for this summer to avoid disrupting services for our clients,” she said. e only issue, Breslin said, is that the move wasn’t in Resilience1220’s 2025
“ e timing of our move was unknown until a few months ago,” she said. “Our 2025 budget will cover our new monthly lease, but does not include funds for mov-
With the change, the nonpro t needs a new printer, shredder, tables for public events, ling cabinets, cash boxes and signage for its new location.
Separately, EPRD also plans an $8–$10 million expansion of its pool area, add-
ing a full-sized lap pool, springboard diving, rope swings, indoor/outdoor garage doors and outdoor water features includ-
ing a hot tub. at nearly year-long project is set to happen rst, with the expected groundbreaking in January 2026.
e Evergreen-based nonpro t provides con dential, no-cost counseling to youth from age 12 to 20. It also hosts no-cost therapeutic and social support groups for teens and adults.
For more information, visit resilience1220.org.
Arvada man charged with kidnapping, assault for attacking Rock Rest server
Montano scheduled for June 18 preliminary hearing
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CORINNE@COTLN.ORG
e First Judicial District Attorney’s O ce has charged an Arvada man with kidnapping, assault and ve other counts after he reportedly attacked a server, choked her and threatened her with a gun on May 21 at the Golden-area Rock Rest Lodge.
According to the Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce, the server didn’t sustain any major injuries during the May 21 incident. Meanwhile, 30-year-old Brandon Montano was arrested at the Rock Rest that afternoon and has been held at the Je co jail on a $100,000 cash bond since then.
Montano appeared via livestream for his May 29 court hearing, where the prosecutors con rmed the DA’s O ce was ling seven charges against Montano. ey are: Second-degree kidnapping, a Class 3 felony; Second-degree assault, a Class 4 felony; Menacing, a Class 5 felony; Prohibited use of a weapon, a misdemeanor; ird-degree assault, a misdemeanor; False imprisonment, a misdemeanor; and Crime of violence, a sentence enhancer.
With formal charges led in the case, the judge scheduled Montano for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. on June 18 at the Je co courthouse.
Generally, preliminary hearings are when prosecutors must prove there is probable cause for a felony case to continue through the judicial system. ey typically proceed like small-scale trials where he prosecution calls witnesses to
present testimony or describe evidence, and the defense can cross-examine the witnesses.
In general, if the judge rules there is probable cause, the case would proceed to an arraignment hearing where the defendant may enter a plea. If not, the charges would be dismissed.
The May 21 incident
According to the arrest a davit, around 1:45 p.m. May 21, Montano walked into the Rock Rest Lodge, sat down and ordered a beer.
He told the female server he had been at the Rock Rest previously, and asked if he could check the women’s restroom for an item his girlfriend or wife might’ve left in there. e server went into restroom to look for it and saw that Montano had followed her inside.
According to the a davit, Montano
then pushed the server into a restroom stall and started choking her in a headlock-type maneuver. He also pulled out a handgun from his front waistband and pointed it at her head.
e server told authorities that she started to ght back, and at one point, the magazine fell out of the handgun. Believing the gun would only have one round in it, she fought against Montano and tried to point the gun at the ground and pull the trigger. She did, but the handgun didn’t re.
She successfully removed the gun from Montano, ran out of the restroom and alerted her coworkers. Two of them were able to subdue Montano until law enforcement o cers arrived.
He was taken into custody without further incident, JCSO con rmed, adding that the incident was still under investigation as of May 22.
Resilience1220 will move to La Plaza O ce Park at 3071 Evergreen Parkway. The future of the counseling service’s current home remains unclear.
JANE REUTER
State kicks o summer DUI campaign
Adams County leads the way in impaired driving causing fatal crashes
Adams County led the state in 2024 where impaired driving led to injuries and fatalities on local roadways.
May was the top month troopers investigated injury and fatal crashes involving an impaired driver, according to Colorado State Patrol statistics.
Looking at the entire year, the top counties where these injury and fatal crashes investigated by the Patrol occurred last year were Adams County, with 57 fatal crashes and El Paso County, with 54. ey were followed by Je erson County, with 44 fatal crashes, Weld County with 43 and Larimer County with 30.
e Patrol touted the statistics this week while announcing the launch of a sum-
BURRO RACE
beers,” long time participant Bonnie Wann said.
Wann’s father has been a principal organizer for the race for many years. Wann said she was just 9-years-old when she competed in her rst race.
Local competitors can spend years working with their burros to get them in shape for, what many consider, an extremely challenging course for both racers and animals, according to race organizers.
In an e ort to keep the authenticity the burros must carry a traditional pack. Each burro must be equipped with a packsaddle packed with paraphernalia, including a pick, gold pan, and shovel, according to organizers. No toys are permitted.
ere is no minimum weight requirement for the paraphernalia. If any of these items are missing or get lost on the trail, the runner/burro team will be disqualied, according to the race rules.
e annual prize for the winning runner/burro team is simply bragging rights for the next year, nonetheless Wann said she’s con dent this racing tradition will continue for years to come.
“It means a lot especially for this town it’s a big part of our history.”
mer-long campaign called “Don’t Underestimate Impairment,” which is set to run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, a time period known by tra c safety experts as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.
e public can expect a no-tolerance approach to impaired driving from daily enforcement patrols, in addition to monthly DUI Task Force Operations, DUI checkpoints and a statewide education campaign, the news release states.
e campaign will emphasize the costs of being picked up for a DUI infraction.
“As your event calendar picks up, imagine what it would be like to no longer have a driver’s license. Getting to that graduation party, barbeque or even work would depend on public transit or a ride from a friend,” the news release states.
A rst-time DUI in Colorado comes with a license suspension of nine months in Colorado and Colorado State Troopers want you to avoid nine months of headaches by taking a moment to plan for one
sober ride per celebration outside of your residence, the news release states.
“ e time spent on arranging a rideshare, making a plan to stay over at the location of the party or nding a designated driver is nothing when you compare it to
the impact a DUI could have,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, the news release states.
“Impaired drivers account for 30% of Colorado’s tra c fatalities. e penalties are steep because they deserve to be.”
Colorado State Patrol is revving up DUI enforcement this summer.
COURTESY
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
39th Annual
Community
Community
Neighbors
MILE
39th Annual
MILE
In
FREE FAMILY FUN!
FREE FAMILY FUN!
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
Superintendent candidates meet and greet: 5-7 p.m. ursday, June 5 at Carlson Elementary School, 320 Highway 103 Idaho Springs.
Meet Clear Creek County Commissioners: 6 p.m. ursday June 5 at the Clear Creek Fire Authority building in Dumont.
Furlings Fest 2025: 5 p.m. Sat. June 7 on Miner street in DowntownIdaho Springs. A heartwarming day of live music, street games, local brews, and adoptable furry friends!
Empire Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup: 8 a.m. Sat. June 14th 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.
o ce can be reached at 970-513-9390.
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 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/CommunityOutreach.
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.
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
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 720-2821164.
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.
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 ofce. 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.
CHATBOTS
them to false, harmful or inappropriate content.
“What you thought might be benign can turn quite harmful,” Weiser said. “Parents need to be mindful of what their kids are doing.”
e alert outlines several dangers, including chatbots generating age-inappropriate content, encouraging disordered behavior, or providing false and biased information. In some cases, children have shared private details with these bots, raising concerns about how that data may be used or stored.
Legal tools, limited reach
Weiser said his o ce is watching closely for violations of Colorado’s consumer protection laws, particularly those related to deceptive or unfair trade practices. He pointed to the state’s ongoing lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, which alleges harm to children through manipulative design and lack of safeguards.
“If these platforms are crossing the line, whatever we can do in enforcement, we will,” he said.
Still, Weiser acknowledged that regulation alone can’t keep pace with the fast-moving world of AI. He called for a broader federal conversation and urged technology companies to act more responsibly.
What parents can do
e most e ective protection, Weiser said, begins at home.
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.
Call first: 1630 Miner St., Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Mailing Address: 143 S. 2nd Pl., Brighton, CO 80601
Phone: 303-566-4100
Web: ClearCreekCourant.com
To subscribe call 303-566-4100 or Scan this QR Code
SCOTT TAYLOR Metro North Editor staylor@coloradocommunitymedia.com
CHRIS KOEBERL Community Editor ckoeberl@coloradocommunitymedia.com
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BUSINESS INQUIRIES For advertiser or vendor questions, please email our business department at accounting@ coloradocommunitymedia.com
“Monitor their use. Be engaged,” he said. “Ask your kids what they’re doing online. If they say they’re talking to someone, make sure they understand who or what that really is.”
e alert recommends using parental controls, ltering tools and built-in age restrictions. But more importantly, Weiser said, families should normalize regular conversations about digital habits and online experiences.
“Teach your kids that these chatbots are not human,” he said. “ ey’re designed to seem human but they’re not. Don’t wait to talk to your kids.”
Looking ahead
Weiser said he’s not ruling out the need for new state legislation but believes current laws provide a strong foundation for accountability. For now, raising awareness remains a top priority.
To help parents get started, his o ce has created a one-page tip sheet with safety advice and conversation starters, available at stopfraudcolorado.gov.
“Arti cial intelligence is evolving rapidly, and many parents may not even be aware of social AI chatbots and their potential to harm children,” Weiser said. “ at needs to change.”
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AI chatbots that mimic friendly conversation may pose hidden risks for kids, Colorado’s attorney general warns. SHUTTERSTOCK
Black Keys hold Record Hang at Morrison Holiday Bar
Post-concert event fills the town’s long-standing live music venue
BY JANE REUTER
JANE@COTLN.ORG
Morrison Holiday Bar soundman Tom Smith got the call in early May: e Black Keys wanted to do a Record Hang — a late-night party with the band’s two leads spinning 45s for fans — at the bar after their May 27 Red Rocks concert. ey’d provide their own security and equipment.
While the band set the Record Hang up ahead of time, the Holiday announced it on its Facebook page on the day of the event. It sold just 300 tickets — all the space it had in a room stripped of most furniture to create more space — and lled the bar to capacity by midnight.
e Record Hang wasn’t the rst time the band’s leads Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have hung out at the Holiday.
“ ey came in in 2022 and did a bene t,” Smith said. “ ey really liked it and started doing it all over the country.”
It wasn’t an unusual request.
Bar owner Dave Killingsworth said artists from Red Rocks commonly drop in, sometimes just for a drink and occasionally asking to take the stage.
“Sometimes they show, sometimes they don’t,” he said. “ ey nd out about the bar. We don’t actively go out looking for anybody.”
Texas-based country band Shane Smith and e Saints do a Holiday after-party following every Red Rocks show.
Spinning singles
Black Keys’ Record Hang attendees paid $15 each to get into the 11 p.m. event. And while Smith coordinated much of it, the Holiday didn’t keep any of the ticket sales. e bar’s sta also took on extra shifts and duties to get ready for the event.
While three bartenders were on duty earlier in the evening as the band Alibi played, three more joined them at about 10 p.m. — when the bar closed and Smith asked everyone to leave. ey took the next hour to clear tables
Don’t
and chairs, making way for a mostly standing-room-only crowd. Black Keys sta also arrived during that hour, setting up its own sound system and boxes of 45s, establishing a VIP area for the band on the top deck, and checking to ensure doors were locked.
At 11 p.m., while the Keys’ were still on stage at Red Rocks, the Holiday opened its doors for Record Hang attendees. Just after midnight, Carney quietly walked onto the stage and started spinning 45s. A few minutes later, Auerbach joined him.
Neither spoke but went straight to the business of playing records, with Auerbach occasionally acknowledging the au-
dience by raising a glass in a toast. Finding the right sounds e Record Hangs aren’t just a way to come down after a concert. Auerbach and Carney, who are known for their love of vinyl and DJing, says it’s signi cantly inuenced their music and creative process. e Black Keys spent part of 2023 doing Record Hangs across North America and Europe, playing singles in small clubs into the wee hours of the morning, according to Billboard magazine.
ey gauged the crowd’s reaction at those events, using it as market research to help tighten up their songwriting. at had a strong in uence on the 2024 album,
“Ohio Players,” on which they collaborated heavily with Beck.
“Ultimately you want to nd the record that sounds like a hit that people haven’t heard before,”Auerbach told iHeart Radio in 2024. “ at’s what the goal is. So we were having this friendly competition buying records, searching for records, trying to spin records and see how they would go over with the crowd. en we would take that energy into the studio.”
For the Keys, the hunt never ends. e group’s Facebook page shows Auerbach and Carney spent part of May 24 in downtown Denver, looking for new 45s to spin at Wax Trax and other shops.
The Black Keys did a Record Hang — a show in which the band members plays 45s for fans — at Morrison’s Holiday Bar after the May 27 Red Rocks concert. Vocalist Dan Auerbach toasts the crowd while drummer Patrick Carney spins 45s at the late night ticketed party.
PHOTO BY JANE REUTER
Holiday Bar and adjoining Morrison properties for sale
Block of land in downtown Morrison listed for $15 million
BY JANE REUTER JANE@COTLN.ORG
Nights like May 27, when one of the world’s most popular and award-winning bands choose his bar for their afterconcert party, don’t tempt Dave Killingsworth to stay in the business.
e longtime Morrison business owner recently listed the Bear Creek Avenue bar, its adjoining businesses, houses and the property around it for sale for $15 million. Killingsworth knows the Black Keys — who recently held a late-night Record Hang at the Morrison Holiday Bar — are famous but not much more than that. And he’s met plenty of famous people in nearly 20 years of running Morrison’s popular live music venue. e idea of meeting more isn’t even a consideration for him.
“I just had my Medicare birthday this month,” Killingsworth said. “If I had endless energy, time and money, there’s a lot more I’d like to do. But I don’t. And I don’t want to ght with the town to do it.”
e things he wants to do include opening up the walls between neighboring Tom’s Upholstering shop and Red Rocks Grill — both of which Killingsworth and his Texan brother Fred own — and creating a large restaurant/bar with garage doors, more room for dancing and other features he thinks patrons would enjoy.
But that’s either a job for someone else, or an idea a new owner may not pursue, he said.
While Killingsworth has put years of effort and money into expanding the Holiday, including adding a rooftop patio, two parking lots at the back, expanded bathrooms and other amenities, its future
doesn’t matter to Killingsworth. Wellknown by the town’s elected o cials for confronting them at their biweekly meetings about the lack of town parking and his claims that they don’t do enough to
help their businesses, he says that’s not the reason he’s o ering his properties for sale either.
“It’s just time,” he said. “And I’m not the only one involved. My brother wants to sell, too.”
Once in a generation opportunity
Unique Properties describes the site as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire a rare mixed-use property in one of the state’s most charming and highly tra cked tourist destinations.”
But the Holiday isn’t just known for its live music or location in downtown Morrison. Killingsworth has also created a sense of community that extends beyond music lovers. e Holiday hosts free community dinners on anksgiving, Christmas Day and Easter. It rst introduced the idea in 2007, holding them annually until the pandemic. ose events returned this year, drawing some people back who treasured it as a unique experience.
Killingsworth isn’t without some sentiment about his establishment. He hopes a new owner will keep the Holiday, which has operated as a bar since the late 1800s, alive.
“I don’t know why, if they’ve been here more than a couple times, somebody would take the Holiday out,” he said. “But that’s not my business.”
He’s also not on a timeline. If it doesn’t sell, he said he’ll hold onto it for at least another ve years. And if it does, he’s not yet sure what he’ll do.
e property includes buildings from 401 to 417 Bear Creek Avenue, as well as 109 Mill Street. at includes about 10,400-square-feet of retail space, two houses and 58 private parking spaces.
In a December 2024 photo, sta who prepared and supplied all the food for the Holiday Bar’s Thanksgiving Community Dinner pose together. They include from left, owner Dave Killingsworth, Tom Smith, Cherise Davison and Gil Padilla.
JANE REUTER
Old clear water, keep on rollin’
BY CORINNE WESTEMANN CORINNE@COTLN.ORG
It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year, for kayakers.
Golden’s Clear Creek Whitewater Park is a popular destination year-round, but June typically kicks o the summer runo season for Clear Creek and other waterways in Colorado.
As the water gets higher and faster, ocials recommend those recreating in and on Clear Creek should check the warning ag status before doing so. If the creek is safe for their chosen activity, they should proceed with caution.
As of May 27, water levels were still low enough that no warning ag was posted. Historically, though, June often sees redand/or yellow- ag conditions for much of the month.
For more information, visit visitgolden. com/plan-your-visit/creek-info.
Kayakers prepare for run-o season on Golden’s Clear Creek
e summer run-o season is “prime time” for kayakers, so to speak, as organizations like the Colorado Whitewater Association host many of their events. CWA typically hosts its annual Kayak Rodeo and other events in or near Golden throughout the summer.
As of May 27, CWA’s website lists two Golden-area events this summer: a pair of evening cruises down Clear Creek on July 1 and July 8. Both will be led by local kayaker Chris Zeller, and both will start near Clear Creek Canyon Park’s Tunnel 1 trailhead.
On May 20, Zeller and fellow kayaker Ben Bohren were enjoying a sunny evening at Clear Creek Whitewater Park. ey and other, separate kayakers said they were gearing up for the summer.
Zeller recommended anyone interested in upcoming CWA events, whether in the Golden area or throughout Colorado, visit coloradowhitewater.org for more information.
Ben Bohren kayaks May 20 at Golden’s Clear Creek Whitewater Park. Golden’s section of Clear Creek is a popular spot for kayakers year-round, but particularly during the summertime run-o season.
PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
On May 20, Chris Zeller navigates his kayak through a rapid at Golden’s Clear Creek Whitewater Park. Zeller is a member of the Colorado Whitewater Association and will be leading kayaking cruises down Clear Creek this July.
On May 20, Jack Oliver kayaks down Clear Creek near Golden’s Lions Park. Water levels will be rising this month as the summertime run-o begins, so those recreating in Clear Creek should proceed with caution.
Kayaker Chris Zeller sports a Colorado flaginspired helmet while visiting Clear Creek Whitewater Park on May 20. Water levels will be rising this month as the summertime runo begins, so those recreating in Clear Creek should proceed with caution.
On May 20, Jack Oliver navigates his kayak through the Clear Creek Whitewater Park. Golden’s section of Clear Creek is a popular spot for kayakers year-round, but particularly during the summertime run-o season.
We the People: American Pie
Those of a certain age likely recall Don McLean’s 1972 megahit song, “American Pie.”
ough an easily sung, melodic tune, the song is a stream of forlorn allusions that when woven together become an elegy, a melancholy paean to a time past, a pop rendition of John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”
“American Pie” came on the heels of a tumultuous decade, one that had followed a super cially placid, bland one. Some critics rank it among the great pop songs. Although its place in music legend is a matter of debate, what isn’t debatable is that McLean captured the essence of a substantially changing America.
It’s no accident that McLean references pie in his lyrics. Apple pie has become an iconic symbol for Americana and remains part of our cultural mythology. Recall the tale of Johnny “Appleseed” Chapman, who planted apple trees from the Allegheny Valley of Western Pennsylvania to the Midwest.
In addition to being a scrumptious dessert and a symbol, pie serves another purpose due to it being a circle. Statisticians, demographers and economists use it regularly to depict the microscopic sliver of the percent of America’s wealth that’s yours, which I’m assuming is considerably less than the square root of the square root of Pi.
Historians love to categorize stretches of time into ages or eras, e.g., the Age of Reason, the Industrial Period, the Progressive Era. Interestingly, there’s never been an Age of Innocence. It’s been tumultuous from the get-go.
Vibrant, healthy democracies tend to be that way. Nevertheless, underneath the turbulence lies a nostalgia, a yearning for a past time even if you hadn’t lived during it or for something of the past that elicits a romantic feeling. One for me is captured in Arlo Guthrie’s “City of New Orleans,” his tribute to the train, which helped shape, connect and mold the ethos of America.
John Koenig coined a word for that sense: “anemoia,” which he denes in his “Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” as a “nostalgia for a time you never experienced.” It’s imbued in pining for “good old days.”
But there never were good old days, at least in a collective sense. While a certain stretch might’ve been halcyon for you, undoubtedly others found it to be a personal or social hellscape.
If we dig deep into our psyches, we might discover what we’re reaching back for is a time when things were safer, simpler, less of a whirlwind. But like the good old days, times weren’t simpler in days of yore. ey had their own sort of complexity.
Yes, your great-grandparents didn’t need to worry about their identity being stolen or malware infecting their computers. But brewing a quick cup of co ee, grabbing a fast bite on the run or luxuriating in a hot shower on demand weren’t options. Outside of musing, for me it’s a futile exercise. e bottom line is that we’re not there but here, which leads to our quandary: What are we going to do about it?
How often have you heard some politico go on about what the American people want or expect? Whenever I hear that I think, “Really? How do you know what the collective body of Americans thinks?”
And on a darker note, how many times have we heard someone proclaim, “ at’s not who we are,” when the hard truth might be that’s exactly who we are? Or become.
America is struggling with an identity crisis. Who are we as a people? What does America mean today? What is our purpose?
Are we like those who founded this country, who pushed the frontier west, who through ingenuity, hard work, and some admittedly shady manipulation and inhumane exploitation built the most prosperous and powerful nation in history?
Do we have the same moxie as those that saved the world from Nazi domination, put an American on the moon, and defeated the heavily favored Russians—aka Soviets—in the 1980 Miracle on Ice?
Have we evolved into a new American, an alien species compared to those who wrote our founding documents and to those who bled profusely to set and keep the land free? Are there vestiges of their DNA in ours?
In the early nineteenth century, Alexis de Tocqueville did a deep dive into our edgling republic and recorded his ndings in his classic tome, “Democracy in America.” I recall reading it as part of my college studies, but other than excerpts, I haven’t read it since then. Nevertheless, I believe what de Tocqueville ultimately described, in addition to the intricacies of American democracy, was the character of Americans of that day.
In future essays, I plan to explore America today in a “We the People” series. I invite you to accompany me as I go spelunking down a rabbit hole in search for America 2025.
Jerry Fabyanic is the author of “Sisyphus Wins” and “Food for ought: Essays on Mind and Spirit.” He lives in Georgetown.
Lessons from a NASA astronaut’s perseverance
TWORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
been on their minds during his entire trip.
If that was not enough, the next day at the NASA debrief, Massimino learned of all the things that hundreds of ground crew had been doing to support him as he tried to solve the issues that came up.
his week, I came across the most amazing story from Michael Massimino. Massimino was a NASA astronaut for more than a decade. For ve years, he worked with a very close friend, Drew Feustel, another astronaut, to prepare to x the Hubble telescope. e plan for the repair job was that Massimino would do the work in space while Feustel would walk him through every step of the task while inside the shuttle. eir teamwork was critical for the plan to work, and the success of the mission was so important that they were even given replicas of the telescope to work on in their free time.
After ve years of preparation, in May 2009, Massimino was on the spacewalk looking to x the Hubble telescope. For many hours, everything that could possibly go wrong did, and it looked like he would be unsuccessful in xing the telescope.
In that moment, Massimino felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was sure that he would be identi ed as the failure point for not being able to x the Hubble telescope. Embarrassment, defeat, and utter loneliness rushed over him as he made his way to gather the tools he needed to try one last thing to x the telescope.
ose feelings were so all-encompassing, in fact, that he could not look at his friend Feustel, who was giving him an encouraging thumbs-up sign as he passed the window of the shuttle. ankfully, the last-ditch e ort worked, and Massimino repaired the telescope.
After returning to Earth, while driving home with his wife, she told him how, while listening to NASA communication during his spacewalk, she could hear the despair and loneliness in his voice during his struggle. Massimino agreed, still haunted by the feelings of isolation he felt before xing the telescope.
e memory of that self-generated feeling of isolation started to fade as they turned onto their street, and Massimino saw how his neighbors had decorated his home in honor of his ight and spacewalk. It faded more as neighbor after neighbor talked with him, telling him about how he had
Massimino nished his story by explaining how o -base he was in feeling utterly alone as he struggled in space, and he acknowledged the hundreds of people rooting for and helping him in his moment of struggle. One of them was literally on the opposite side of a shuttle window. But Massimino was so inside his own head that he could not see something right in front of him.
In our struggles, we often feel and act exactly like Massimino.
Utterly weighed down by the heaviness of our struggle, we cannot see the support surrounding us. e rst three years of my battle with MS, I felt angry, sad, and very alone. I was wrong, many people were working to support me, to encourage me, to love me.
I just was not seeing them. When I came to the realization of the size of the group pulling for and supporting me, it changed everything. Impassable hurdles became bumps in the road when traversed with the loving support of others.
I know your struggle is di cult, but you are not alone. Take the time to see the amazing things around you and the wonderful people there to support you. Our struggles are exponentially easier when we take them on, knowing that others are by our side.
You have got this.
I hope my words encourage you and that you will share them with those who need support. ank you to everyone who has shared their stories with me so far; I truly appreciate hearing about the valuable ideas you nd in these columns and how you use them to uplift those around you. You can reach me at jim.roome@gmail.com.
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.
JERRY FABYANIC
Columnist
Jim Roome SHUTTERSTOCK
Winning from failing and succeeding
We all want to win. It feels good to succeed, hit the target, cross the nish line, or land the deal. But if we’re honest, most of us fail far more often than we win, and many of those failures are quietly swept under the rug. at’s human nature. We hide the stumbles and spotlight the wins. But here’s the truth: both wins and losses hold valuable lessons. e people who truly multiply their success are the ones who learn from both.
Some people are wired to extract deep insight from failure. When something goes wrong, they pause, re ect, and analyze. ey don’t just brush past the loss; they dissect it. What went wrong? What could I have done di erently? What will I change next time? ey turn the pain of failure into fuel for growth. It’s not always easy, but it’s powerful.
Others, however, respond to failure with anger, blame, or retreat. ey shut down. If you’re in that camp or know someone who is, let me recommend Josh Seibert’s book, “Winning From Failing.” It’s a game-changer for those who get stuck in frustration when things don’t go their way. Seibert challenges us to see failure as a necessary and even valuable part of the journey to success.
David Sandler, founder of the Sandler Selling System, emphasized this same truth in his foundational book, “ e Sandler Rules: 49 Timeless Selling Principles and How to Apply em.” Rule #1? “You have to learn to fail, to win.” Not rule #37. Not rule #49. Rule number one. Failure isn’t optional on the path to success. It’s the tuition we pay.
And let’s not forget Zig Ziglar’s wisdom: “Failure is an event, not a person. Yesterday really did end last night.” at one quote alone can shift your entire perspective. It reminds us not to let a setback today de ne who we are tomorrow.
But let’s ip the script. We’ve talked enough about failure. What about success? Are we learning from that just as intentionally?
Too often, we only conduct a “postmortem” when things go wrong. Leaders gather the team, do a retrospective, and ask, “Why did we miss the mark?” at’s valuable. But how often do we pause and re ect after a big win and ask, “Why did we succeed?”
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WINNING WORDS
When we nish a 10K faster than ever, hit a new sales target, or deliver a project under budget, we should celebrate, but we should also re ect. Did we prepare di erently this time? Did we collaborate more closely with the team? Were we more strategic in how we communicated? Were we more consistent in execution? Did we build stronger relationships? Did we make fewer assumptions and ask better questions?
As salespeople, for example, maybe our pre-call planning was sharper. Maybe we looped in colleagues who brought added expertise. Maybe we stopped winging it and started acting like professionals. Success leaves clues, but only if we take the time to look for them.
e truth is, for some people, it’s the lessons from failure that stick. For others, it’s the clarity that comes from understanding why they won. Both are essential. e tragedy is when we do neither. When we lose and shrug it o with “We’ll get ‘em next time.” Or when we win and move on with a quick high- ve and no deeper insight.
Success is not just about doing more, it’s about learning more from the setbacks and the triumphs. Multiply your wins by making time to understand them. Let your failures instruct you, but don’t let your victories go unanalyzed. In both, there’s wisdom waiting.
And wisdom compounds.
Which way do you prefer to increase your odds of winning in the future? Is it the setbacks that we learn what not to do? Or is it found in the success and what we want to replicate? Either way, I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail. com, and when we understand that our future successes are born by both our failures and our successes, 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.
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Michael Norton
BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORAODOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Antique shops across the Denver metro are more than places to buy old things — they’re spaces where history meets creativity.
Across the metro area, vintage lovers and curious newcomers alike are fueling a growing scene rooted in nostalgia, community and the thrill of discovery.
Colorado Antique Gallery
Standing at 52,000 square feet and advertised as “Denver’s largest antique mall,” Colorado Antique Gallery in Littleton is lled to the brim with unique vintage items for all types of people.
Colorado Antique Gallery is operated by President Chris Rodriguez who took ownership of the business in 2012. It is located at 5501 S. Broadway, Unit 135.
“I have 275 vendors and we rent space to them on a monthly basis, and then I take a commission of all their sales,” Rodriguez said. “So most of the merchandise in the store is not ours.”
Rodriguez said the store has been operating since 1992. He decided to purchase the store after initially taking a business interest in it.
For Rodriguez, he said the best aspect of operating an antique store is the unknown of daily life.
“Every day is di erent. Every day is new,” Rodriguez said. “You’re going to run into di erent people and this is the type of business that brings out eccentric people — and it brings out just people who you may
not see on a normal day, maybe, if you were shopping in a mall.”
From Native American jewelry to speci c crystal canoes, Rodriguez said people are looking for all sorts of items and every day “is not going to be boring.”
“What also is nice is we keep all this stu from going into the land ll and we give everything a second home so they can use it again,” Rodriguez said. “We like saving stu .”
Rodriguez said he would describe Colorado Antique Gallery as “large, di erent and fun,” adding that the store has evolved over the last three decades.
Heirloom Antiques Mall
Tucked in a quiet shopping mall in Aurora that includes an adult bingo venue and a hobby shop lies Heirloom Antiques Mall. Filled with various items including toys, art and more, the shop stands two stories tall.
Behind the counter, owner and operator Scott Davenport often greets his customers by asking if they’ve been in the shop, and explains the business to rsttime visitors.
e way Davenport described the store is simple but heartfelt.
“It’s just a fun place,” he said, glancing around at the eclectic mix of vintage furniture, old signage and toy collections tucked in every corner.
His business model is shaped by inclusivity and a sense of community.
“I try to o er something for everyone and I want it to be family friendly … We try to have stu that they can see and interact with,” Davenport said.
Davenport hadn’t always owned the store. His jour-
ney began as a vendor at a di erent antique shop.
“I was a dealer at another antique store for eight years. And I came in and I took a spot here. And when I brought my wife back, I stepped on the bottom stair, and I looked at her, and said, ‘I’m going to buy this store.’ And one year to the month, not to the day, I bought it,” he said.
It was a decision that would change his life.
“It’ll be 10 years in August,” he said.
What keeps him in it isn’t just the love of antiques — it’s the people.
“I like the interaction with the customers, you know — you get to know them and their families. We have so many regulars,” Davenport said.
Currently there are over 100 vendors in the shop, and Davenport said he also recently added more space to the business.
And he isn’t done yet.
“I just hope for continued growth,” Davenport said when asked what the future held.
e antique scene in the Denver metro area, according to Davenport, has seen a shift.
“I think it’s gone more vintage and more clothing. It’s better now. e younger generation has found … a greater interest in repurposing and recycling,” Davenport said.
Overkill Thrift & Consign
Overkill rift & Consign in Englewood opened its doors last year and o ers a blend of what Davenport describes as what “the younger generation” has found, including vintage clothing in various styles
Overkill Thrift & Consign is located at 3041 S. Broadway in Englewood and is owned and operated by 26-year-old Megan Hartberger. PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY
something for everyone. It’s two stories with about
THRIFTING
and some antiques.
“While Overkill primarily deals in modern second-hand clothing, we very frequently receive vintage and antique pieces from our consignors with ages ranging anywhere from 1960s to the early 2000s,” owner Megan Hartberger said. “We try to carry all the small staples that an antique store might o er, such as vintage Playboy magazines, antique knick knacks like wooden kaleidoscopes, vintage movie memorabilia items and cassette tapes.”
Located at 3041 S. Broadway, Overkill is a small but bustling purple building where Hartberger seeks to provide curated, unique fashions at reasonable prices.
Hartberger maintains a “punk rock” style herself, but like Davenport, strives to have “a bit of everything” for vintage seekers who cross the threshold of her store.
“No matter what your style is, I want you to be able to come in and nd anything,” Hartberger said. “So, you know, goth, grunge, grandma, gearhead. We’ve got it all.”
Hartberger said Overkill is partially a thrift store because it has various items under $5, including $2 bins, and much of those pieces are actually from her own personal collection.
“We (also) have consign, which means you can come in and sell your clothes with us,” she said.
“ ose are going to be our slightly higher-priced items but I still like to have a good deal.”
Overkill used to be operated under the name Inner Me with a di erent owner, and Hartberger said it had a strong customer base that she has maintained since taking over the space in May last year.
“I wanted to make something for myself to put my name on, and this place worked out,” she said.
“It’s a great location, the landlord is really awesome, and there were just a bunch of great ways to get started.”
For the fashion collector, one of the best elements of the shop is chatting with the people who travel in and peruse her bins and racks.
“My favorite aspect is just looking at clothes all day, but I have loved getting to know people who have similar style to me or just really appreciate the pieces I’ve brought in,” she said.
Overkill is also a place where Hartberger encourages people to take the quirky or eclectic and make it their own.
“Put it on. If it looks good, keep it,” Hartberger said. “Let yourself be yourself.”
Hartberger describes the thrift and antiquing scene in Denver as “thriving.”
“Broadway especially is bustling with thrift and vintage stores alike, while several antique malls can be found throughout the area as well,” Hartberger said. “ ere’s something for every budget, whether you’re looking for records, comic books, clothes or antique home decor. rift stores have these items at lower prices but require more e ort to dig for, while dedicated vintage and antique stores will be more curated at the cost of higher pricing.”
Heirloom Antique Mall in Aurora has
106 di erent vendors.
PHOTOS BY ELISABETH SLAY
Owner of Heirloom Antique Mall in Aurora, Scott Davenport, restocks a case in his shop located at 1947 S. Havana St.
Divided into di erent style sections, Overkill Thrift & Consign o ers curated fashions that don’t “break the bank.” Owner Megan Hartberger provides vintage clothing at thrift store prices.
Colorado Antique Gallery is located in Littleton and o ers many unique and vintage items.
Hickenlooper hears from businesses
Fluctuating tari s, international politics impacting bottom line
BY LINDSAY TOOMER NEWSLINE
Colorado small businesses from various sectors have made changes to their operations and even lost customers as a result of uncertainty around the Trump administration’s tari s.
Grady Cope, CEO of Reata Engineering and Machine Works, a Centennial, Colorado-based manufacturing company, said his company spent most of last year working to bring a Canadian customer on board.
But in February, that customer said it would stop working with Reata because it was their only U.S.-based vendor, and “our people would just be really upset if we were buying from a U.S. vendor.”
“So they’re gone after a year’s worth of work,” Cope said at a press conference Tuesday with U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado and other small business leaders.
Many of the materials used to make Reata’s products are not made in the U.S., Cope said. e company also ships parts to customers all over the world, with two of its biggest customers in Germany and the United Kingdom.
“One of the things that has truly surprised all of us is that the inconsistency of we-don’t-know-where-the-tari s-arefrom-day-to-day is causing many of our customers to put orders on hold,” Cope said. “Everybody’s waiting for some stabilization and normalcy.”
President Donald Trump has issued executive orders to implement tari s that involve every country in the world, including those with which the U.S. conducts extensive trade, such as Canada, Mexico and China. He has said trade decits are a national emergency, and part of his goal is to force more companies to manufacture products in the U.S. But he has repeatedly changed course on tari policy.
Democratic attorneys general, including Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, have sued the administration, saying tari s are the purview of Congress, not the president.
Hickenlooper said people well-versed in economics tell him that “tari s have never worked” except in speci c situations. He said all tari s do is create “a level of uncertainty that is almost untenable” and prevents businesses from growing and maintaining supply chain relationships.
“All these tari s, in one way or another, they’re not bringing manufacturing back to this country,” Hickenlooper said. “What they’re doing is putting an unbearable burden on small businesses like we see here.”
Hickenlooper toured 4 Noses Brewing
Company in Denver before hosting the press conference there with local business leaders. He sits on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. He is running for reelection in 2026.
Jack Caporal, trade policy chair at the World Trade Center Denver, said trade is an “engine of growth” in Colorado, as 1 in 5 jobs in the state is supported by trade, and gives Colorado consumers a choice on how and where to spend their money. He said tari s are “aggressive taxes” that small businesses “have the hardest time absorbing the cost of.”
“When there are trade issues that ought to be resolved to open that market access for Colorado businesses, the approach should be one that’s surgical and well thought out and well intentioned … Colorado businesses shouldn’t be caught in the cross re of unnecessary trade wars that raise costs for consumers and businesses,” Caporal said.
Caporal said the uncertainty and the
“whiplash” that comes with changing tari policies prompt other countries “...to become less reliant on the U.S. market” and to do business outside of the U.S. He said it also makes it harder for American businesses to enter those markets.
Jeremy Petersen, CEO of Identity Pet Nutrition, said while his business is headquartered in Colorado, all of its products are made in Canada because the U.S. had “no available production to create the quality of product that we wanted to create for pets.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, the business tried to bring manufacturing into the U.S., but it is not possible in the U.S. to achieve the quality the company wants, he said.
While Identity’s products have a “made in Canada” label and the country was the second top retail market last year for the company, Petersen said Canada is now his worst market.
“Despite being Canadian-made, they know we’re U.S.-owned, and so the boy-
cott is on,” Petersen said.
Petersen said the company has also seen panic buying worse than it saw during the pandemic. It will be increasing its pricing by 6% on June 1 because of the uncertainty of how tari s will change. He said this has been “the most di cult year” of his professional career because of the uncertainty that comes with uctuating tari s.
“It’d be really nice if the president could just put this all on the back burner and recognize that we can’t exist solely with products created in America,” Petersen said. “We’ve always been a land of opportunity, and a land of small businesses and making it easier for small business owners, and now here at the ip of a switch this year, that’s all threatened.”
is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.
Colorado business owners told Sen. John Hicklenlooper that changing tari s are hurting thier businesses, driving away some customers and limiting their supplies of necessary supplies and equipment.
Animal rights group wants to ban foie gras in Denver this year
After a failed slaughterhouse ban, activists have new target: force-feeding birds.
BY PAOLO ZIALCITA DENVERITE
e animal rights group that tried to shut down a slaughterhouse in Denver has a new target: banning foie gras.
Pro-Animal Colorado, formerly known as Pro-Animal Future, submitted a proposed ballot initiative earlier this month that would ban the sale in Denver of foie gras, which is produced by force-feeding birds. e proposal would also ban forcefeeding poultry in the city.
e proposed initiative is only in the beginning stage, so the details may change. Denver city sta hosted a public review of the proposal Tuesday, providing feedback for potential revisions.
A previous draft of the proposal included a ban on additional products like pâté and duck fat, but Pro-Animal Colorado said those products were removed because they don’t require force-feeding.
Animal rights activists say this is an ‘urgent ethical concern.’
e practice of force-feeding poultry is typically done to make the luxury food foie gras, a French delicacy that is made from the liver of a duck or goose.
Often, feeding tubes are repeatedly forced down the throats of ducks and geese. e excess food causes the liver to balloon, creating the trademark buttery texture of the nal product.
e practice is controversial. Several countries, like Brazil, the United Kingdom and Germany, ban either forcefeeding or the production of foie gras. California lawmakers passed a bill to ban force-feeding and foie gras in 2004, which has constantly been challenged in courts.
Olivia Hammond, the spokesperson for Pro-Animal Colorado, said banning the practice and its products would improve animal welfare without impacting the daily lives of Denverites.
“I just think we can all agree that animals should be able to live natural and
healthy lives,” Hammond said. “I really think this measure addresses an urgent ethical concern without impacting the average consumer.”
Pro-Animal Colorado’s last ballot measure attempted to ban meatpacking facilities from Denver city limits.While that measure was handily defeated in the November election, Hammond said a poll by Pro-Animal Colorado showed wide support of banning force-feeding animals.
Hammond said there are no factories or farms in Denver that force-feed birds, but the proposal’s language would ban any facilities from opening in the future. Meanwhile, she said, up to 15 restaurants in Denver serve products derived from force-feeding, depending on the season.
Several restaurants, both in Denver and nationwide, have been targeted by animal rights protests urging owners to take foie gras o the menu.
Many restaurateurs and chefs have continued to defend the practice, arguing that some producers take a more humane approach to force-feeding and would be penalized by an umbrella ban.
But many animal rights advocates see no humane way to forcibly feed an animal.
If the proposal passes, it won’t necessarily mean the disappearance of the French delicacy in the Mile High City.
For starters, the ban would only apply to Denver, meaning neighboring cities and their restaurants could continue to serve it.
But also, the proposal includes exceptions.
Making foie gras without force-feeding a bird is possible, but di cult and expensive.
A Spanish farm utilizes a technique from the 1400s to fatten up their birds without the use of force-feeding, but only slaughters birds once a year.
Some skip the fattening up entirely and rely on the wonders of science. Earlier this year, a German food physicist invented a process to break down duck fat and mix it with normal duck liver to create a comparable product.
Hammond said restaurants that want to continue serving foie gras could, in theory, avoid the ban on force-fed prod-
ucts by sourcing foie gras from sustainable farms or labs.
What’s next for the proposed ballot initiative?
Pro-Animal Colorado needs to submit a nal proposed ordinance to the Elections Division. After a few more steps, proponents would need to gather about 9,500 valid signatures from Denver voters to get the initiative o cially approved and sent to the ballot.
e ban on foie gras could be one of several community ballot initiatives in the November election.
A conservative organization has submitted four ballot measuresthat would reshape how Denver handles immigration and crime.
One other ballot measure campaign, to strike down the city’s ban on sales of avored nicotine products, has already submitted signatures.
is story is from Denverite, a nonpro t Denver news source a liated with CPR News. Used by permission. For more, and to support Denverite, visit denverite.com.
Ducks go for a morning swim in the South Platte River.
PHOTO BY KEVIN J. BEATY/DENVERITE
CROWSSUPDRO ELZZ
1. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What are male bees called?
2. TELEVISION: Which TV streaming network plans to host a new series based on the “Harry Potter” books?
3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: How many months have 31 days?
4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the rst president to appear on television?
5. MATH: What is the Roman numeral MMXXV in Arabic numbers?
6. MOVIES: What is the name of the spaceship in the movie “Alien”?
7. LITERATURE: “Nicholas Nickleby” is a novel written by which author?
8. AD SLOGANS: Which airline uses the slogan “Fly the Friendly Skies”?
9. ACRONYMS: What phrase does the real estate acronym DTI stand for?
10. FOOD & DRINK: What are the seeds of a pomegranate called?
TrIVIa
Answers
1. Drones.
2. HBO Max.
3. Seven: January, March, May, July, August, October and December.
4. Franklin D. Roosevelt.
5. 2025.
6. Nostromo.
7. Charles Dickens.
8. United Airlines.
9. Debt-to-income ratio.
10. Arils.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
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Dyslexia screening the law of the land in Colorado
Screenings to begin in 2027-28 school year
BY ANNE SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT
Surrounded by smiling supporters and curious fourth graders, Gov. Jared Polis on Friday signed a bill into law that will require universal dyslexia screenings in Colorado schools starting in the 2027-28 school year.
e sunny signing ceremony outside the front doors of Lukas Elementary School in Westminster was a momentous occasion. For students, it was the only thing besides lunch separating them from the start of summer break.
For advocates of children with dyslexia, it was the culmination of a dogged e ort to ensure students with the most common learning disability are agged early so they can get the help they need.
e dyslexia bill, one of three education bills signed into law at the ceremony, was especially personal to some lawmakers.
Rep. Matt Soper, a Republican representing western Colorado and one of the bill sponsors, has dyslexia and talked about his reading struggles growing up. Polis noted that both his father and his fthgrade daughter have dyslexia.
Sen. Kyle Mullica, a Democrat representing parts of Adams County and one of the bill sponsors, choked up as he talked about the mental health toll dyslexia once took on his daughter, who’s now a sixth grader.
“I’m going to go home and tell my daughter that we did something for her today,” he said. “I’m going to tell all those students who are falling through the cracks that we’ve done something for them.”
No funding with bill
Dyslexia is a common learning disability that makes it hard to decode and spell words, but with the right instruction, students with dyslexia can do as well as their peers in school. About 15% to 20% of the population has dyslexia, according to the Colorado Department of Education.
While the new law, which comes with no funding, won’t immediately require schools to screen kindergarten through third-grade students for signs of dyslexia, it marks another milestone in the state’s
ongoing campaign to boost reading prociency among Colorado students. Over the last seven years, state leaders have cracked down on debunked reading curriculum, required more training for elementary teachers and principals, and held teacher prep programs to higher standards for how they train future elementary educators to teach reading.
About a dozen Colorado school districts currently screen all students in certain elementary grades for dyslexia. Two more — Je co and Douglas County — will start next year and by 2027-28, more than 160 other districts are expected to join the club.
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.
New law allows donation of unused prescriptions
Prescription donations would help uninsured patients under new Colorado law
BY SARA WILSON NEWSLINE
A new Colorado law will let people donate their unused and unopened prescription drugs so that other patients can access them for free or a minimal cost.
Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 25289 into law, which establishes the state’s drug donation program.
“Every year, the United States spends billions to dispose of unused prescription medicines from nursing homes, assisted living residences, hospices, and jails,” bill sponsor Sen. Lisa Cutter, a Jefferson County Democrat, said in a statement. “Additionally, many left-over prescriptions are ushed down the toilet or thrown into the trash, which causes immeasurable harm to our environment and water supply. With this new law, we are creating a program to reduce waste, protect the environment, and help Colo-
e bill was also sponsored by Rep. Kyle Brown, a Louisville Democrat, and Rep. Emily Sirota, a Denver Democrat. It passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support.
e program relies on the work from a task force on the issue created in 2022. Colorado technically already allows for re-dispensing of medication under limited circumstances, but there isn’t an easy
A Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment medication collection box. A new law allows residents to donate unused medication rather than having to dispose of them.
mechanism for patients to access those drugs. ere is one program in the state, at a clinic in Colorado Springs, that accepts donated medications from nursing homes.
Under the new law, individuals and institutions such as long-term care facilities, nursing homes and prisons will be able to more easily donate medicine to hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. at medicine would then be used to ll pre-
scriptions for low-income and uninsured patients.
In 2021, about 10% of Coloradans did not ll a prescription because of cost, according to a report from the Colorado Health Institute.
e program won’t allow for the donation of opioids, scheduled medications and medicines that require special storage conditions unless the recipient can ensure correct storage. e recipient of the donated drugs will be required to keep records of donations, keep the donated drugs separate from regular stock and have a licensed pharmacist inspect the donation.
Forty- ve states have drug repository programs in place, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, though the program scopes vary. Georgia’s program, for example, has lled over 981,000 prescriptions worth more than $78 million over eight years. Wyoming’s program has existed since 2007 and has helped about 29,000 patients. is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.
