Clear Creek Courant March 27, 2025 by Colorado Community Media

Tommyknocker Brew Pub celebrates 30 years in Idaho Springs

Final eld trip for sixth-grade students in Clear Creek County promises to be a memorable one with Mountain Youth Network picking up the tab for three days camping, hiking and rafting.

On May 20 many sixth-graders and their teachers from Carlson Elementary, King-Murphy and Georgetown Community schools will board a school bus not to class but rather the Angel of Shavano Group Campground near Salida.

“When snow starts to melt in the canyon above the camp site the remaining snow looks like an angel,” youth in-

For 30 years Tommyknocker Brew Pub has been located on the corner of 14th and Miner Street in Idaho Springs as a popular stop for tourists and locals. Its president, Steve Indrehus, has long made it a mission to give back to the local community by donating food, drink and meeting space for local nonpro t events, with a notable exception. e name Tommyknocker is rarely posted anywhere at the event.

“Because he’s a silent giver, you know, he never wants it to

be about Tommyknockers. It’s always about collaboration and making the community stronger,” Business Community Promotion Board President Sadie Schultz said.

“It’s not about how to make his business stronger; it’s always about ‘how can we pull together and do it together,’” Schultz continued.

So, it makes sense that the 30th anniversary party was a gift to the community with tables and tables of free food and bev-

erages, which were constantly re lled by sta .

However, Idaho Springs City Council members had a surprise for Indrehus during the celebration in the form of an ofcial Proclamation for Indrehus passed unanimously by council and signed by Mayor Chuck Harmon.

City council members and public o cials in Idaho Springs did their best with keeping the

For 30 years Tommyknocker Brew Pub has been located on the corner of 14th and Miner Street in Idaho Springs March 14.

PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL

‘Is there a plan?’ Residents seek answers from reps

Coloradans’ anxieties boil over at Bennet town hall in Golden

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Coloradans’ passion, worries and frustrations came to a head at a March 19 town hall meeting, as they asked U.S. Senator Michael Bennet what they can do to ght President Donald Trump’s decisions.

Almost 1,000 people packed the main auditorium on the Colorado School of Mines campus to ask Bennet, D-Colorado, and U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, for a shared town hall event. Bennet hosted others in Greeley and Colorado Springs the same week. While discussion was mostly civil and orderly, about a half-dozen people were escorted out of the auditorium for talking over other attendees and the elected ofcials. ey protested Bennet approving Trump cabinet picks and ongoing violence against Palestinians, among other items.

Attendees — who came from as far away as Louisville and Parker — expressed concerns about federal funding freezes, proposed cuts to critical government services, forthcoming tari s, wide-scale layo s of federal employees and more.

“Is there a plan?” Denver-area teacher Amanda Arlington asked. “… I feel like you’re talking pretty. It’s frustrating that it just doesn’t seem like there’s a plan.”

Bennet and Pettersen encouraged Coloradans — especially federal employees

who have been laid o — to share their stories. ey told everyone to attend future town hall meetings, contact their local o cials on both sides of the aisle, and keep ghting.

“( is is) a moment that’s calling all of us to recommit ourselves to our democracy and to our society,” Bennet said.

Even though Democrats are the minority in both the House and Senate, Pettersen said, “Just because we’re not in power doesn’t mean we’re powerless. … It’s on all of us.”

Bennet said much of the ght must be via the court system, as part of the country’s checks and balances. us far, he said, the judicial branch seems to be holding as the Supreme Court and federal judges have ruled against many of Trump’s executive orders.

Bennet said he and his colleagues in Congress would continue pushing back as well, describing how there would be another opportunity soon with “the ght around Medicaid.”

Pettersen and Bennet said there are crucial federal court cases moving through the judicial system, and Arlington told her fellow attendees about upcoming special elections for U.S. House of Representative seats in Arizona, Florida, New York and Texas. ey encouraged people to support these e orts and stay informed.

Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado

Still, many attendees shared their frustrations — civilly or otherwise — about a lack of leadership both within and from the Democratic Party. One person who has a background in lobbying at the state level said many people believe neither the Republican nor the Democratic partiesParty represent them anymore.

Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado

Week of March 10, 2025

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

Day and date of observation (2025)

Bennet agreed Democrats can’t use “the same old playbook,” adding how they might need new people in leadership positions as well.

Pettersen added how the Trump administration has been moving very quickly during these rst two months, supported by Republicans’ majority in Congress, making it di cult for Democrats to respond to so many actions much so quickly.

She said it’s important for people of all political backgrounds — not just Democrats — to work together at all levels of society and push back as the Trump administration tries to undermine or dismantle crucial government programs.

Pettersen emphasized how Coloradans cannot a ord to sit by silently when there’s “so much at stake,” and believed even more people would start “ ghting back.”

She thanked everyone for coming to the town hall, saying, “You give me hope … It can feel quite lonely in our ght for our democracy, our future. We’re going to be alongside all of you.”

‘A government that is working for the people’

Afterward, Bennet told members of the media how he believed the Golden town hall meeting had gone well, saying the attendees were able to share “their concerns about our democracy with Donald Trump in charge.” He was thrilled about the turnout in Golden, as well as in Greeley the previous day.

Regarding the March 19 protesters, Bennet commented how they were expressing their points of view, as allowed by the First Amendment, but that it was also important to “have the conversation that we (attendees) needed to have tonight.”

He encouraged everyone to continue engaging with their elected o cials.

When asked plainly whether Democrats have a plan for combating Trump’s policies, Bennet said, “We need to develop a better plan, and anybody who’s (been) following the news last week would’ve seen that that’s what I’ve been saying. Conversations like this (town hall) are go-

ing to help us build that.”

For Coloradans worried about cuts to the National Weather Service and its parent agency, Bennet said he and his colleagues would keep ghting for NWS unceasingly. He said Congress has already approved funding for these agencies, and if the Trump administration fails to follow through, it may have to be decided in the courts.

He emphasized how, whether in the mountains or on the plains, Coloradans rely on weather reports, saying, “ ey are life and death.”

Bennet also listed how Je erson County, Colorado School of Mines, the City of Golden and other local entities should be receiving millions of dollars in previously approved federal funds for their projects and programs.

One such example is Golden’s multiyear Lena Gulch/West Colfax Avenue project. City Manager Scott Vargo said it’s the most vulnerable city project that’s supposed to receive federal funds.

While the project’s rst phase is underway, Vargo said later phases are now on hold. Golden has been keeping both Bennet and Pettersen’s o ces in the loop about these funding issues, he con rmed. Bennet encouraged other communities, universities, nonpro ts and others to do likewise if they haven’t already.

“It’s really important for them to communicate with their elected o cials, both Democrats and Republicans, and remind them how hard these communities have fought for the projects that you’re talking about,” Bennet said. “ … It’s what (the Department of Government E ciency) and Trump are trying to cut all across our country.”

Pettersen echoed Bennet’s comments, emphasizing how Coloradans should also reach out to Republicans in Congress, and encourage them to push back against the proposed budget cuts and federal funding freezes.

“It’s devastating,” Pettersen said of seeing projects like Lena Gulch on hold. “ is is why we pay taxes: To come together, to invest back in our communities. We need a government that is working for people. Right now, it is completely falling apart.”

U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen, left, and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet ﬁeld questions during a March 19 town hall on the Colorado School of Mines campus in Golden. Most of the discussion centered on President Donald Trump’s decisions and their impact on the economy, government services and American households.

PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

One Large Brokerage Takes the Lead in Promoting Off-MLS ‘Private Exclusive’ Listing Networks

A few years ago, the National Association of Realtors promulgated the “Clear Cooperation Rule” making it harder for individual listing agents to have “pocket listings.”

of clients.” This, they say, allows you to:

Showcase before being market-ready

Generate early demand

Test your price and gain insights

Attract competitive offers

Those are listings which are withheld from the MLS so that the agent could sell it without having to share his or her commission with an agent representing the buyer. Doing so is a disservice to the seller, because the universe of potential buyers is substantially reduced when a listing isn’t posted where every other real estate agent and buyer can see it — that is, on the MLS.

Some brokerages with hundreds of agents are taking advantage of that rule’s one big loophole called the “Office Exclusive” listing. The bigger the brokerage, the more successful that approach can be. It allows all their broker associates to see the listing, but no agents outside that brokerage can see it. By keeping both ends of the transaction within the brokerage, that brokerage makes twice as much money.

One such large brokerage, which I’ll call Gotcha, has a page on its website promoting its “Private Exclusives.” At right is a screenshot from the top of that web page. Scrolling down, it explains Private Exclusives this way:

“Gotcha Private Exclusives are properties that are only accessible to Gotcha agents and their serious buyers. This means you can get a head start marketing your home, without accumulating any public days on market or price drops that could negatively impact its value. When you work with a Gotcha agent, listing as a Private Exclusive is the first stage of our 3-Phased Marketing Strategy designed to maximize demand and fine-tune your positioning for the best possible sale outcome.”

It describes the process as “pre-marketing,” although the company’s expectation is that the seller will sell to one of their own agents before getting to second base — listing it publicly on the MLS where over 20,000 others agents with prospective buyers can see it.

They call is a “soft launch to an exclusive audience,” exposing your listing to “a network of thousands of agents and their millions

Maintain your privacy

This approach is not only self-serving by Gotcha while preventing agents from other brokerages, including ours, from knowing about homes that our buyers might want to bid on, it also has serious Fair Housing implications, keeping less desirable populations from coming to your open houses and their agents from setting showings.

“Preserve Your Privacy,” boasts the web page: “Buying a Gotcha Private Exclusive helps safeguard your privacy by keeping your home’s photos off third-party sites — unlike publicly marketed properties, where images can stay online for years.”

This ignores the fact that a buyer can request that the agent or the MLS remove all pictures, videos and public remarks from the listing when it changes to “Closed.” I had exactly that request made of me after I sold a home in Golden to a privacy-minded buyer. A simple call to Support at REcolorado had all those pictures and videos removed immediately, and I deleted the website I had created for the home when I listed it. Just now, I Googled that address, and not a single website has anything more than the Google street view and one picture of the front porch. Even the public remarks paragraph was deleted. What is not explained by Gotcha in the way they promote their “private exclusive” program is that those listings are indeed posted on the MLS as “office exclusives” which

means that only other Gotcha agents can see that MLS listing until it is sold, at which point it becomes a publicly visible closed listing with all its pictures unless the agent removes them before changing the listing to “Closed.”

Looking at the closed listings for the Denver office of Gotcha on REcolorado, I found that only half of the listings had the pictures removed, so those pictures are on Zillow, Redfin and every other public website that displays sold listings. So much for Gotcha’s privacy promise!

The strategy is paying off for Gotcha, which benefits when both sides of a listing are sold in-house. A study for the 1,252 closings by the Denver office of Gotcha in the last 180 days shows that 64 listings were only entered as “closed” with zero days on the MLS, a sign that they were “office exclusives,” and roughly half of those were sold to agents within the same office, and 15 of them were double-ended by the listing agent. Among all MLS listings, the average percentage of listings that are double-ended is about 5%. It goes without saying that Gotcha agents are really excited that their brokerage facilitates and encourages agents to promote their off-MLS “private exclusive” process.

One of our Golden Real Estate agents lives on Lookout Mountain and showed me a flyer that he received soliciting him to list his home as a Gotcha Private Exclusive with all the selling points listed above.

Although it’s impossible to say whether sellers who fell for Gotcha’s pitch about being a “Gotcha Private Exclusive” left money on the table by not exposing their listing to at least 20 times as many buyers by going to traditional route and abiding by the intention

of the Clear Cooperation Rule, but I still feel that they are being duped into doing something that feathers the nest of Gotcha and its agents and doesn’t serve the interests of their clients, as the Realtor Code of Ethics requires. Certainly, I don’t see any warning, to prospective sellers regarding the limitations of staying off the MLS, something the Colorado Real Estate Commission encourages in Position Statement #27:

“During the negotiation of the Listing Contract, and as part of the Broker’s duty to exercise reasonable skill and care, a Broker is responsible for advising the seller or landlord “of any material benefits or risks of a transaction which are actually known by the Broker.” This includes benefits or risks of limiting a property’s market exposure…. Are the intended marketing limitations for the benefit of the Consumer or the Broker? What are the advantages and disadvantages for the Consumer? These types of marketing limitations that reduce the seller or landlord’s buyer/tenant pool... for the benefit of the Broker could be a violation of the license law because the Broker is not exercising reasonable skill and care…. [T]he Broker may be viewed by the Commission as also violating their fiduciary duties. Finally, a Broker who places the importance of receiving a commission or other Broker benefits above their duties, responsibilities, or obligations to the seller or landlord... is endangering the interest of the public.”

Not satisfied with exploiting the “Office Exclusive” loophole on the MLS, the national president of Gotcha is the loudest voice for eliminating the Clear Cooperation Rule.

Here’s How Money Is Handled at Real Estate Closings

As closing day approaches, both buyers and sellers have questions about how money is going to be handled. Let me explain.

Sellers ask:

Q. Should I bring money to the closing?

A. No. It is the title company’s job to receive and disperse all funds related to the closing. They collect the money from the buyer and the buyer’s lender and disperse funds as needed, including what’s left to the seller.

So, let’s say you have a mortgage to pay off. The closer gets a payoff figure from the lender and withholds that amount from the seller’s proceeds, plus a few extra days’ interest to cover the time between when they send the payoff and the lender receives it.

The seller will also owe commissions to one or both agents, plus property taxes pro-rated to the date of closing. There will also be a final water & sewer bill for which the closer will escrow some of your proceeds. There’s the cost of title insurance (the “owner’s policy”) and the closing fee charged by the Notary. If a loan is being paid off, there will be a small charge for obtaining and recording the release of the lender’s lien with the county clerk and recorder. Maybe the seller agreed to a concession to cover needed repairs or to buy down the interest rate on their loan.

Those and any other fees for which the seller is responsible will simply be deducted from the seller’s proceeds. The seller will not have to write any checks at closing.

Q. What about the funds which my lender has escrowed for paying property taxes and the renewal of my homeowner’s insurance?

You will also receive a check from the title company refunding any escrowed funds for those extras days of interest and the money left after paying your final water bill.

Buyers ask:

Q. Can I bring a check for my down payment?

A. Typically, no. Your closer may accept a certified check if the amount is small, but expect to wire the funds not covered by your lender. Get those wiring instructions in person or over the phone, not by email or any other means. There are scammers who may send you an email with “new” wiring instructions, but immediately call the title company to get them verbally. And don’t call the phone number provided by the scammer! If you don’t already know the phone number to call, get it from your real estate agent or search online for it.

The funds should be wired the day before closing by both you and your lender, especially if it’s a morning closing. Wired funds can take as much as 3 hours to navigate the Federal Reserve system, which needs to verify that funds are not laundered from some illicit source.

All you and the seller should bring to closing are your government issued photo IDs, which are needed to Notarize your documents. You might bring your checkbook in case there are any incidentals expenses which arise or if you’ve agreed to purchase any of the seller’s furniture, etc., “outside of closing.”

A. Those funds can’t be brought to the closing table. You will get a check from your lender within 30 days of closing refunding the funds that had been escrowed. Remember to call your insurance company on the day of closing to let them know you have sold the home and to cancel your policy. You will receive a return premium check from them within 30 days of closing.

Gotcha

CAMPING

volvement coordinator Nico Guzman said.

Once there, the students will be divided into groups to set up camp, build a camp re and prepare dinner along with team building exercises organized by MYN.

As these students from three individual elementary schools prepare for the melting pot of middle school next school year MYN Youth Programs Coordinator Luci Perez said it’s important and ideal that they can get to know each other and possibly form bonds before becoming small sh in the large pond of middle and high school.

“ is annual camping trip is designed to provide youth in Clear Creek County with outdoor education, adventure and alternatives as these students prepare to transition into middle school in August,” Perez said.

As a largely grant funded organization MYN states a mission that includes: “Implementing prevention science to support local youth in healthier choices and lifestyles,” which includes avoiding drugs, according to Guzman.

“Outdoor skills; preparing meals, setting up shelter and teaching to overcome everyday challenges through outdoor education can be used through-out life with building a greater sense of self con dence,” Guzman said.

half-day of white water rafting with Independent White Water where the students will experience up to Class-3 rapids on the Arkansas River followed by dinner at the rafting out t, according to the group itinerary.

Well known local outdoor survival specialist Roary Archibald will also join the group, according to organizers, to provide kids with the basics of outdoor survival skills including; building shelter, starting re and nding food and water.

e transportation, food, camping and rafting are all o ered free of charge to local sixth-graders through MYN use of grants received from several public entities, according to Guzman.

e Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) and Communities that Care are just two organizations using ongoing funding from the marijuana tax cash fund for youth substance abuse prevention, according to information provided by the state.

Day three of the outing will include breakfast, re ection and striking camp in preparation of boarding school buses again to arrive in time for normal release from the three schools.

Organizers say there are still slots available for parents and students to sign-up for the trip.

More information about signing up for the execution and what supplies and equipment students will be expected to bring can be found at hisawyer.com or by contacting MYN.

Day two of the trip includes a

TOMMYKNOCKERS

proclamation a secret until the party March 14 when Council Member Scott Pennell presented him with the proclamation.

“Steve’s dedication knows no bounds, whether he is climbing ladders to help restore a mural, setting up tents for community events, or serving beer and fantastic food at our celebrations,” the Proclamation reads in part.

“I had no idea and I’m humbled by it. I wish it was for Tommyknocers instead of just me, you know. It takes a family, and I couldn’t have done any of it without Tommyknockers,” Indrehus said.

e food has mainly been the product of Culinary Director Patrick Desmond, who said he studied under a master chef before his role for years as the director for Six Flags International running food operations for 1,200 restaurants worldwide.

However, Desmond said he’s quite happy creating and perfecting new dishes for Tommyknockers, saying, “It really takes my heart to be here. It’s not just sta ; it’s a family, and that’s what keeps me coming back everyday.”

Indrehus started as a brewmaster at Tommyknocker before becoming president.

“It’s gone by in a blur and it’s been a pleasure, even though I don’t know if I can remember one easy day,” Indrehus said. “Outwardly, it seems like you’re doing it for other people. Inwardly, it’s what I do and keeps me happy and healthy.”

Despite an ever-changing business climate and several very challenging years for the city, downtown shops and restaurants, Indrehus said he’s weathered them all with the right attitude.

“Not everything can be for a dollar or credit, so you pass it on and hopefully it comes your way when you need it,” Indrehus said. “ e community has been great to Tommyknocers for 30 years, so I have no problem giving back. We always have and always will,” he concluded.

BROOKE WARNER Executive Director brooke@ntln.org

LINDA SHAPLEY Director of Editorial & Audience lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ERIC HEINZ West Metro Editor eric@cotln.org

CHRIS KOEBERL Community Editor ckoeberl@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TOM FILDEY Production Manager tﬁldey@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Local resident Bill Lee at 30th anniversary for Tommyknocker Brew Pub in Idaho Springs March 14.

Photo by Chris Koeberl

VOICES

After the struggle comes the story

“Making the climb worth the view

Climbing the mountain, whether in summer or winter, is a test of endurance, perseverance, and growth. e climb is always worth the view, but the journey itself teaches us invaluable lessons. And just as the ascent requires strength and determination, the descent can present unique challenges depending on the trail’s steepness.

In the winter, di erent climbers take di erent approaches. Some choose to snowshoe up and back down, embracing the challenge of both the climb and the return. Others prefer to snowshoe to the top and take the lift down, opting for a mix of e ort and ease. en there are the extreme athletes who “skin” up the mountain, placing tear-away skins on their skis to gain traction as they ascend and then remove the skins to ski down. ese individuals always amaze me. Personally? I prefer to take the lift up and enjoy using gravity to help me glide back to the base.

WINNING WORDS

“afterwards” is not at the end of our life or even at the end of our struggle it is at the moment when we decide we will be the author of our story and that circumstances will no longer write the narrative.

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

A hike up the mountain is invigorating and gorgeous during the summer. e climb is worth it in both seasons, whether we’re rewarded with a panoramic view of snow-capped peaks or an expanse of aspen trees and wild owers. Regardless of the method, the journey to the top mirrors the personal and professional growth we experience in life.

When you are in the middle of a story it isn’t a story at all, but only a confusion; a dark roaring, a blindness, a wreckage of shattered glass and splintered wood; like a house in a whirlwind, or else a boat crushed by the icebergs or swept over the rapids, and all aboard powerless to stop it.” Margaret Atwood, “Alias Grace” I came across this Atwood quotation from her novel this week while listening to Daniel Pink’s book, “When.” It was no more than the introductory quotation for a chapter on midpoints in work, life, and projects but the words resonated for me.

Although not the intent of either author, Atwood’s words perfectly capture what happens when we let our struggles control us. Following my MS diagnosis in 2009, I could not have described more accurately the chaotic helplessness I felt. I believe all who have faced a signi cant struggle understand this. e feeling is dark, confusing and overwhelming, and the direction up is not clear in the midst of the turmoil.

After reading those words and pondering the ideas she so perfectly framed for me, I discovered there was more to the quotation. Atwood, in her novel, goes on to say… “It’s only afterwards that it becomes anything like a story at all. When you are telling it, to yourself or to someone else. “

I was mesmerized by the beauty of Atwood’s word choice. As I dove into her words and moved beyond the de nition of chaos into the resolution she describes, it sparked a realization about my struggles.

I recognized that the road out of “the wreckage of shattered glass and splintered wood” comes with the empowerment of understanding that the

Let me explain a little bit more about what I mean. While we will never control the circumstances of our struggle, when we understand that the events that weaken our bodies, tragedies that rupture our families, or happenings that change our circumstances are not the author of our story we begin to change. Moreover, when we realize that our mindset is the author of our story then we have accomplished something truly transformative.

When we are the author, we have taken what is rightfully ours and can begin to write with a clarity that only comes from ownership. In that moment, we move from “I can’t.” to “Can I, this way?” is change removes the walls of limitation crushing into us, replacing them with the boundless possibilities of hope and enthusiasm.

Easier said than done? Yes.

Worth the e ort? Undoubtedly. is week I hope that you will take on the challenge of seeing yourself and not your circumstances as the author of your story and that you will begin to act in a way that re ects the beauty of the tale you have to tell.

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.

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

When hiking or skinning, people exert and push themselves. ey learn valuable lessons about pacing, endurance, and adaptability. Each climb builds muscle, experience, and knowledge. ey gure out where to step and where not to step, how to navigate the snow or the rocky terrain. Some areas are steeper, demanding greater strength and tenacity, while other parts provide small plateaus where we can catch our breath. With each climb, they get stronger, better, and more knowledgeable.

However we get there, reaching the summit brings a sense of victory. We see, feel, and even taste the crisp mountain air at the top. e view is spectacular, and the reward for our e ort is undeniable. e same is true in our personal and professional journeys.

We live in an era of immense learning opportunities, where AI and advanced technology enable us to reach new heights if we develop a mindset of con-

Michael Norton

tinuous learning. at rst hike or “skin” up the mountain is tough for new salespeople. However, the climb becomes more manageable with each practiced role-play, prospect interaction, and one-on-one coaching session. It doesn’t necessarily get easier, but they become stronger, more skilled, and more prepared for the next ascent.

Newly promoted managers face a similar challenge. eir rst climbs are steep as they learn to coach, mentor, and have di cult conversations. With experience, they gain con dence in their decisionmaking, making the climb less daunting. e peaks and valleys initially seem almost insurmountable for entrepreneurs who take the bold step of starting a new business. But as they gain traction, nd their footing, and take each step as it comes, they, too, will one day enjoy the breathtaking view from the top.

I may prefer the lift in winter, but that doesn’t mean I stop observing and learning. As I ride up, I look down at the skiers and identify the beginners, the intermediates, and the experts, even those who have mastered their craft beyond expert levels. It gives me perspective. In di erent areas of life, I have been, and still am, at all these stages, a beginner in some things, an intermediate in others, and occasionally an expert.

e mountains, the climbs, and the descents serve as metaphors for our journey through life and career. No matter where we are in our climb, we have the opportunity to grow, to get stronger, and to reach new heights. And when we do, the view will always be worth it.

I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can put in the work, the climb will be worth the view.

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.

Jim Roome

Spring o erings for the blossoming season

We’re on the cusp of one of the best times of the year in Colorado — spring. We cannally come out of our winter hibernations and start enjoying more outdoor time, gather with friends for activities and make plans for the summer ahead. ere’s more color in the world, more music (thank you birds), and more to do.

holiday with its Ostara to Easter: Natural Pigment Egg Dyeing event, held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 at theHistory Colorado Center, 1200 North Broadway in Denver.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Now that the daylight is increasing, I thought I’d shed some light on some great ways to welcome the season of rebirth and renewal. ere should be a little something for everyone here — get out there and enjoy it.

Selena Honored at CHAC Gallery in Lakewood e Tejano superstar

Selena Quintanilla Perez was murdered 30 years ago and the Chicano Humanities & Arts Council (CHAC) is honoring Selena’s massive impact with an exhibit that runs through Friday, April 11. e Selena Como La Flor Art Show: “Still Dreaming of You” is on display at the CHAC Gallery at 40 West, 7060 W. 16th Ave. in Lakewood.

e show features artists like Grace Monge, Angela Ramirez, Ken Marley and Ambra Martinez and was curated by Tammy and Rob Yancey. As part of the April 4 First Friday event, visitors can participate in a Selena lookalike contest, see Aztec dancers and more.

More information is available athttps://www.chacgallery.org/.

See Artworks in New Ways Through ‘Prisms’

A prism bends light and provides different perspectives and that’s what “Prisms,” the new exhibit at Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th Ave., No. A, in Denver, does with its displayed works. Running through Saturday, May 3, the show features Atticus Adams, Angela Beloian, Bryan Leister, Chris Richter and Allison Svoboda, all of whom transform their mediums to engage the senses and challenge perception, according to provided information. e works play with light and its ability to re ect and redene - you never know quite what you’ll see.

Find more information at www.walker neart.com.

Explore the History of Ostara/Easter with History Colorado e Colorado History Center is o ering an opportunity for people to go back to the cultural roots of the biggest spring

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According to provided information, participants will dye eggs using natural pigments sourced from plants and fruits, as well as techniques reminiscent of those practiced for centuries. While engaging in this time-honored tradition, attendees will also learn about the signi cance of Ostara/Easter and how different societies have marked the changing of the seasons.

It is sure to be a fascinating event for everyone, whether they love history, nature or simply being creative with their hands.

Dragons and Mystical Beasts Take Over the PACE Center

Fantasy has never been more popular than it is these days, with stories and worlds for every age and interest. For those with families, the Parker Arts, Culture & Events (PACE) Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., is hosting Dragons and Mythical Beasts Live at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 30. e show was nominated for 2022 Olivier Award for Best Family Entertainment, according to provided information, and features a cast of mythical characters from all over the world, including the massive stone troll, the mysterious Indrik and Japanese Baku, and a majestic Gri n. It’s a family-friendly production that will transport audiences to another world.

For more information and tickets, visit https://parkerarts.org/event/dragonsand-mythical-beasts-live/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Kelsea Ballerini at Ball Arena

Country music is home to some truly superb songwriters and Tennessee’s Kelsea Ballerini has become one of the genre’s best over the last decade. Her albums get stronger with every release and last year’s “Patterns” featured some of her best songs yet. It’s exciting to imagine what she will give listeners next.

In support of the album, Ballerini will be coming to Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle in Denver, at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 30. She’ll be joined by indie rock favorites e Japanese House and upand-comer MaRynn Taylor. It will be a great night of music so get tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.

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

Colorado Community Media and should not submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.

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

Clarke Reader

Gun shows could face more regulations

BY SARA WILSON COLORADO NEWSLINE

e Colorado House of Representatives approved a bill on Friday that would set new safety regulations and requirements for gun shows that operate in the state.

House Bill 25-1238 passed on a 34-30 vote, with eight Democrats joining Republicans in opposition.

“Just as we expect other large-scale events to have security measures in place, gun shows should also take responsibility for the safety of their patrons and the surrounding community,” Rep. Sean Camacho, a Denver Democrat, said during debate on the bill last week.

Camacho ran the bill with Rep. Junie Joseph, a Boulder Democrat. It is sponsored by Democratic Sens. Cathy Kipp of Fort Collins and Jessie Danielson of Wheat Ridge in the Senate.

“ is bill is about enforcing Colorado state law — laws that we have already passed. e intent of this is to make sure when you are going to a gun show, that it is safe for you and your family and your friends,” Camacho said. “Many people are already doing this. is bill is about those who are not.”

A 2022 analysis found that there were 417 advertised gun shows in Colorado between 2011 and 2019.

e bill would require gun show promoters to create and submit a security plan to local law enforcement two weeks before the event that includes the anticipated vendors, estimated number of attendees, number of security personnel who will be at the show and a oor plan of the venue. Gun show promoters would also need to have liability insurance for the event.

Vendors would need to have a federal rearms license and the state rearms dealer permit created by the Legislature last year. ey would need to attest that they will comply with state laws around background checks, waiting periods, high-capacity magazines and ghost guns. Various notices of those state laws would need to be displayed around the venue.

Vendors would also need to keep ammunition out of easy reach to attendees to comply with a bill expected to pass into law this year about ammunition sales.

Additionally, the bill would set standards for video surveillance of the parking lot, entrances and exits in order to deter theft and record any instances of crime. e promoter would need to retain that video footage for six months.

“I have veterans that have gun shows that aren’t going to be able to put cameras in parking lots in southeastern Colorado. Hell, they don’t even have a paved parking lot in southeastern Colorado,” said Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, a Trinidad Republican.

Republicans argued that the requirements in the bill would limit gun show operations in Colorado and push the vendors to sell at shows in other states.

Camacho countered that there are companies that rent portable security cameras for parking lots at an a ordable price.

e bill would also prohibit minors from attending gun shows unless they are with a parent, grandparent or legal guardian. e minimum age to buy a gun in Colorado is 21.

“Gun shows, in order to be able to continue selling guns, are likely going to say

‘We’re not admitting anyone 18 or younger,’” said Rep. Stephanie Luck, a Penrose Republican who questioned how a promoter could verify a familial relationship.

“It will switch from being a family-friendly event and a community-building event with food and quilts and all of the things we heard before, into just selling weaponry.”

First violations of the bill would be a Class 2 misdemeanor, and subsequent violations would result in a Class 1 misdemeanor and a ve-year ban from holding gun shows for promoters.

e bill now heads to the Senate, where Democrats hold a 23-12 majority.

2025 BEST OF THE BEST VOTE NOW THROUGH

A gun show was held at the Colorado State fairgrounds in Pueblo in 2023. SHUTTERSTOCK

Colorado Early Colleges (CEC) 2025 SCHOOL OF CHOICE

Colorado Early Colleges (CEC) is a network of tuition-free public charter schools, providing Colorado families with accessible, flexible, and individualized learning and a direct path to debt-free college degrees and other industry credentials.

Since the doors of our first high school campus opened in 2007 in Colorado Springs, Colorado Early Colleges and our accredited college partners have been committed to creating a community of lifetime learners and building a culture throughout our network of schools that fosters academic, career, and personal success for every student, and do so at zero tuition-cost to them and their families.

CEC now has campus locations all across

Colorado, including local high school campuses in Aurora, Castle Rock, and Douglas County North. CEC Online Campus is also our online learning option, open to families anywhere in Colorado, also at zero-cost.

Our schools work in partnership with local community colleges and universities, offering students the chance to take college-level courses, both on and off campus. The goal is to create a pathway that allows students to graduate high school with a competitive edge and ready to enter the workforce upon graduation. Through CEC, students can earn college degrees, industry certifications, and 60 or more college course credits while simultaneously earning their high school diploma.

Why choose Colorado Early Colleges?

Flexible Learning Options: CEC offers accessible, flexible and individualized learning, recognizing that each student has unique academic needs and personal goals. Students work with their advisors on an academic plan that is right for them and aligns with their career aspirations. This

flexibility enables students to work at their own pace, challenging themselves with advanced coursework when ready, while also receiving the support they need to succeed.

Career Pathways and Technical Education: CEC offers career pathways and technical education in a variety of industries. These programs incorporate curriculum that aligns with industry standards that leads to an industry recognized credential so that students may be prepared to enter the workforce after high school. Career Pathways in health science, engineering, construction, IT, aviation, multimedia and more are available at CEC (may vary by campus location).

Free Tutoring: CEC offers free tutoring at its campuses to ensure that students have the support they need to succeed academically. This support is very valuable for students balancing high school and college work, as it ensures they never have to face academic struggles alone and can receive the help they need to excel.

Money Saved: By earning college credits while in high school, students can save a considerable amount of money upon graduation. Students graduate from high school with a head start on their college education, potentially reducing the time spent in college and the associated tuition costs. For many students, this is a crucial financial benefit, and takes the pressure off students and families when it comes to higher education.

Since 2007, alumni of CEC enter the workforce with valuable skills and experience gained through their time here, and have gone on to have exceptional careers.

“I think the most impactful thing CEC offered to me was the flexibility. I from the start knew I didn’t want to follow the traditional route. I didn’t want to go to college and spend a bunch of money. CEC offers a head start on college, but also offers a head start on other career options. I always was interested in construction but knew nothing about it. Being able to attend trade school at such an early age got my foot in the door, and helped me get my first job in construction as a deck builder. At this point, I was 16 working full-time for a construction company and attending night classes at Red Rocks Community College. No other school offers that kind of freedom and flexibility, and so that was by far the most impactful thing CEC was able to offer me.” – Mason R., CEC Castle Rock graduate

CEC is open to all students, regardless of background or skill-level. Our schools are now enrolling for the upcoming school year, so visit our website for upcoming informational meetings and school tours so you can see for yourself how CEC can be the right fit for you and your family.

2025 SCHOOL OF CHOICE

Aims Community College Combines

Affordability, Innovation and

Throughout Northern Colorado, you can see Aims Community College billboards boasting a surprising statistic that has received much attention: “91% of Aims students graduate without debt.”

One reason many learners are not burdened with student loans is that tuition at Aims averages 50% less than nearby two-year schools and 80% less than area four-year institutions. Additionally, the new Aims Tuition Promise initiative makes higher education tuition-free for many Coloradoans. Aims factors in a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid and scholarships to pay tuition. After those programs are applied, Aims makes up the difference.

Affordability is just one aspect of the Aims story. The College emphasizes inclusivity, accessibility, student-focused learning, state-of-the-art facilities and small class sizes.

Since 1967, the College has established its presence in Northern Colorado with locations in Greeley, Fort Lupton, Windsor, and Loveland. Aims empowers learners to achieve their academic and career goals by offering more than 200 degree and certificate programs to help students prepare to enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year school. Aims equips students to excel in numerous fields, including healthcare, skilled trades, business, education, public safety, agriculture, aviation, arts, sciences and more.

The College has recently seen a notable increase in enrollment in the Fall 2024 semester, with numbers indicating a more than 20% rise compared to last year’s figures. This is the most significant enrollment jump that Aims has seen in a post-COVID world.

“We’re excited that so many students are choosing Aims to begin or continue their education,” said Dr. Larry Pakowski, Vice President of Student Engagement, Inclusion & Success. “More and more people are discovering the hidden gem that is Aims.”

“Not Your Mom and Dad’s Community College”

Aims invests in the holistic student experience, from connecting through activities to using state-of-the-art technology to foster advanced education and hands-on learning on equipment used in the work world.

Pakowski believes when people come to campus and see the facilities and technology available, they change their perceptions about community colleges and Aims. He had recently heard a parent at orientation say, “It’s not your mom and dad’s community college.”

Aims offers a wide array of co-curricular activities, campus events and student resources to provide an enriching college experience. Traditional service and honor society organizations are on campus. There are also groups focused on career interests, identity groups, or shared interests, like video games.

The Aims Welcome Center and Student Commons are the beating heart of student engagement outside the classroom. These vibrant spaces are designed to help students acclimate to college life and make lifelong connections. These spaces host college and community events to bring people together.

Aims invests in state-of-the-art equipment and learning tools to provide hands-on experience for students in career and technical education courses. Below are a few examples of technology in action.

•An Anatomage Table is a technologically advanced 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tool for anatomy and physiology education.

•Automotive, welding and nurse aid students learn using virtual reality training equipment.

•Future truck drivers will practice on a CDL simulator, and tomorrow’s pilots and air traffic controllers train on aviation simulator technology before flying.

•In the newly expanded Windsor Campus, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) students can access a drone fabrication and design lab, while public safety students can replicate real-world scenarios at the Sim City.

•Ed Beaty Hall is home to experiential learning with a theater, radio station, TV studio, green-screen room, surround sound studio and videoediting booths.

•The greenhouse on the Fort Lupton Campus offers Aims agriculture students an indoor space for yearround, hands-on learning.

•The Community Lab is a maker space open to all Aims students and the community. Students use the lab to work on assignments for their classes, such as building a model for a diorama, printing large-scale posters, and producing elements of a multimedia art project. Technology includes 3D printers, laser cutters, soldering equipment and much more.

•Alquist 3D, an innovative 3D printing construction company, is partnering with Aims to incorporate its technology into the curriculum and train the workforce. An online non-credit online certificate program is open to anyone wanting to learn more about the industry. This online course is the first step in formalizing workforce development and training in 3D construction and infrastructure printing. Future plans include hands-on classes with this technology.

Student-First Focus

Management Dana Kohler attributes part of the surge in enrollments at Aims to the College’s faculty, staff and administrators. “There are a lot of really, really good people at Aims who are trying to support students and help them do the right thing. When we all do that together, the students are the ones that benefit from that.”

Aims 2024 graduate Ixel Macias believes the education she receives at Aims boosts intellectual rigor. “My professors challenged my way of thinking. I’m challenged much more than I was at previous schools, in the best way possible,” she said. Ixel feels like her instructors keep pushing her to climb to something bigger and better. Even though they encourage her to take it to the next level, she still feels comfortable asking questions and gaining further understanding of her learning.

This level of support is also evident outside of the classroom. Aims offers many services to foster success as a college student and beyond. This includes advising, disability access services, counseling services and more. Aims was among the first higher education institutions to receive the Hunger-Free Campus designation by the State of Colorado. By helping our students manage the critical issue of food insecurity, they can succeed and meet their individual goals with muchreduced stress.

The Learning Commons is another resources dedicated to student success. It includes academic support such as library services, tutoring, online learning support and technology assistance. Aims students can check out laptops, hotspots, and tablets to help them with their studies.

All of this builds a culture of success at Aims. This leads learners to thrive in moving into their next steps, whether it be going into the workforce or continuing in their education.

After graduation, 54% of Aims students continue their education by transferring to four-year institutions. Those looking to attend the University of Northern Colorado can streamline this journey with the Aims2UNC program. Other programs, like an articulation agreement with the Colorado School of Mines, create a formalized pathway for student transfer.

The Transfer Services team on campus is here to prepare students for their next destination.

Aims also get many of our learners into high-demand fields like healthcare, trades and technology. Nine months after graduating from Aims, 80 percent of students are employed, contributing to the workforce. Career Services at Aims offers programs to help students find jobs to start their careers.

Innovation and Expansion on the Horizon

“We’re continuing to do things to improve the student experience. There are greater things to come down the road,” Pakowski said.

The 2024-2027 Strategic & Tactical Plan, recently approved by the Aims Board of Trustees, outlines the direction for the College’s future growth. Among the planned projects is the opening of the Student Health and Wellness Center in 2026.

Planning for the new Workforce Innovation Center is also in progress. The project creates a supportive environment to help new businesses, ideas or projects flourish. It will provide production space for technology, manufacturing, and more. Aims students will benefit from hands-on experience with leading-edge technology and business development processes.

Additionally, Aims Community College plans to open a new Aircraft Maintenance Training Center along with the launch of an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic degree program in January 2026 in Loveland.

Efforts are also underway to improve veteran education services and achieve recognition as a Military Friendly School. Several years ago, Aims was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and is intentionally furthering programs to support this population.

“The plan shows all the things that we are doing to improve the student experience and student success. That’s why students are choosing to come here,” Pakowski added. “Those things have created much buzz and excitement for us.”

To learn more about Aims Community College, please visit aims.edu.

Clear Creek career day o ers education and opportunities to students

High school students to meet industry, education, business leaders to prepare for

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

next step in life

to facilitate a transition to life after high school whatever that may look like to the individual student.”

Career Day at Clear Creek Middle/High School in Evergreen is directed at providing preparation and contacts to students for path forward no matter the direction. Representatives from local businesses, industry leaders, city and county government, rst responders and higher education are expected to attend the job fair April 3 to pitch high school students about opportunities.

Career Connections Coordinator Dacia Kelly described the event as “a collaboration of voices: student, parent and sta

Facilitating meetings between students with questions and professionals with answers about career opportunities, salary, job security and growth potential is the eventuality of years of public education, according to district administrators. Students will have at least an hour and a half to mingle among the tables and booths and agency representatives at the

2025 SCHOOL OF CHOICE

high school during the event. A student’s resume of past/current jobs and responsibilities is suggested by Kelly to show potential long-term or even seasonal employers what current skills and experience could easily and seamlessly transition into a paying job.

“It allows them to explore (professions) in the safety of school,” Kelly said. “We want to make sure they’re aware of the di erent options and they feel prepared to pursue whatever option is best for them.”

Renaissance Secondary School

Renaissance Secondary is a small, deeper learning school serving students in Grades 6-12, and expanding to serve Grades PK-5 beginning in 2027.

Renaissance utilizes authentic, integrated learning experiences to empower students to become modern learners who are critical thinkers and problem solvers, communicators, collaborators, and creative innovators who contribute to the world around them.

At Renaissance, students experience top-notch academic opportunities within a tight-knit small school community, and:

• Rigorous, integrated, real-world learning experiences through learning expeditions and fieldwork

• Emphasis on Design Thinking and STEM opportunities

• Adventure Education program (all students participate in a multi-night outdoor education trip each year)

• Unique building design emphasizing natural light and ample opportunities for students to be outdoors

• Late start time (9:00 a.m.)

• Emphasis on character and an ethic of service

• Arts integration and rich performing and visual arts opportunities

Mackintosh Academy stands out as a leader in innovation and excellence In a world where gifted education is often an afterthought. Founded in 1977, Mackintosh is Colorado’s first school dedicated exclusively to gifted students, offering one of the Denver metro area’s only private International Baccalaureate (IB) programs for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. For over forty years, Mackintosh has redefined how gifted and creative learners are educated.

At Mackintosh, gifted education is not just an add-on or a pull-out program; it’s the foundation of everything we do. Our full-time program meets the unique intellectual, emotional, and social needs of gifted children. Unlike traditional schools, where gifted students may feel isolated or underchallenged, Mackintosh fosters a nurturing, holistic environment. Here, students are surrounded by peers who share their curiosity and passion for learning, creating a rare sense of community and belonging.

Keen Minds: A Curriculum That Inspires

social and emotional challenges, such as heightened sensitivity or feelings of being misunderstood. At Mackintosh, we emphasize social-emotional learning, helping students develop collaboration, communication, resilience, and empathy. Strong relationships between students and faculty create the optimal conditions for growth, both academically and personally.

Global Action: Preparing for the Future

Mackintosh’s IB curriculum goes beyond academics, incorporating design thinking, innovation, and service projects. Students engage in real-world problem-solving, developing the skills and mindset to tackle global challenges with creativity and confidence. This focus on global awareness ensures graduates are not only academically prepared but also equipped to make a positive impact.

A School Where Bright Kids Thrive

Mackintosh’s learning environment is rooted in the globally respected International Baccalaureate program. Our inquiry-based, hands-on curriculum challenges students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and explore their interests in depth. Teachers are skilled at recognizing and nurturing each child’s unique potential, ensuring students not only learn but thrive.

Compassionate Hearts: SocialEmotional Growth

Gifted children often face unique

Mackintosh Academy is more than a school—it’s a community where gifted children flourish intellectually, emotionally, and socially. If you’re seeking an educational experience that celebrates the unique nature of gifted learners, discover Mackintosh.

To learn more, email info@mackintoshacademy.com or call (303) 794-6222 to schedule a tour or conversation.

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

UPCOMING

Dinosaur Storytime: 10 a.m. Friday March 28 John Tomay Memorial Library 605 Sixth St, Georgetown. Clear Creek Library District “Get your ROAR on with us at this totally T-rexcellent storytime.”

Ukrainian Egg Workshop: 5:30 p.m. Tues. April 1 at Idaho Springs Library 219 14th Ave. Special instructor, Megan Vickers. Supplies will be provided, but space is limited. To learn more and register, please email holly@cccld.org.

Career Day: 9 a.m. ursday Apr. 3 Clear Creek High School 185 Beaver Brook Canyon Rd, Evergreen. Local businesses, industry leaders, city and county government, rst responders and higher education are expected to attend the student job fair.

e Idaho Springs Lions Club: Noon2 p.m. Sunday April 20 at Safeway 2425 Miner St. in Idaho Springs. Encouraging shoppers to purchase items for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.

community. For information – www. islions.org, email info@isLions.org or call 720-608-1140.

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

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

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

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

Blue Spruce Habitat volunteers needed: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers. A variety of opportunities and exible schedules are available on new construction sites as well as for exterior minor home repairs. No previous construction experience needed. Contact volunteer@

bluesprucehabitat.org for information.

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

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

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

Support after suicide loss: A safe place to share and learn after losing a loved one to suicide. is group meets every fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 o ce. For ages 14 and up. Suggested donation for this group is $15. Register at resilience1220.org/groups.

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

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

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

Clear Creek County Lookout Alert: e CodeRED alerts have been replaced by the Lookout Alert. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts county-wide by signing up at www. lookoutalert.co. e new site replaces CodeRED following the switch to JeCom911 for emergency dispatch earlier this year.

Polis blasts cuts in food program

Initiative helped food banks, schools buy from local farmers

BY MELANIE ASMAR CHALKBEAT

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on March 12 criticized the U.S. Department of Agriculture for eliminating more than $13.1 million in funding for programs that help Colorado schools and food banks buy food from local farmers.

“By cutting this funding, the Trump Administration is taking away healthy meals from school children and slashing contracts Colorado farmers depend on to support their businesses and workers,” Polis, a Democrat, said in a statement. “Instead of helping communities put food on the table, this decision pulls resources from schools, food banks, and Colorado families.”

Colorado Department of Education spokesperson Jeremy Meyer said the department was noti ed by the USDA of the cancellation of a grant known as Local Food for Schools. Politico reported earlier this week that the USDA ended the $660 million Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program along with a similar program that supported food banks.

Colorado was set to receive $5.9 million for school districts and $1.7 million for child care centers through the program before the funding was eliminated, Polis’ o ce said in a press release. e state was set to receive $5.5 million for food banks, the release said.

e Colorado education department already distributed $2.6 million in fed-

812 Taos St., Georgetown • 303-569-2360

eral funding through the Local Food for Schools program between September 2022 and February 2024, Meyer said.

e department was planning to open the application process for another round of funding in May, Meyer said, and had “shared information about this funding opportunity with school districts in January.” None of the previous grantees will lose any money, he said.

e $2.6 million was distributed among 33 Colorado school districts and schools, according to a list provided to Chalkbeat by the state education department. e grants ranged from $298 for the tiny 769-student Trinidad School District #1 in southern Colorado to more than $986,000 for the 27,000-student Boulder Valley School District along Colorado’s Front Range.

Carolyn Villa, the food service director for the Boulder district, said in an

emailed statement that the district has long sourced food from local growers when possible and will continue to do so.

“While the cancellation of local food funding programs is disappointing, it does not signi cantly impact our e orts,” Villa said. “ e funding we received from these programs was distributed over multiple years and represented only a portion of our total investment in local food sourcing.”

Colorado’s largest school district, 90,000-student Denver Public Schools, received $106,000 through the Local Food for Schools program, according to the list. District spokesperson Scott Pribble said Denver schools spent the money on local produce.

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.

GRAND JUNCTION — County Road 46 meanders around the northern edge of Rangely, curving next to the White River before bending toward the oil and gas infrastructure that’s a major part of the town’s identity.

One piece of industrial equipment — a decadesold, 75-foot-tall water tank — looks right at home on CR 46. But e Tank Center for Sonic Arts isn’t part of the oil and gas industry. It’s a renowned recording space for music and other performing arts with a oneof-a-kind reverb and echo that signer Cameron Beauchamp describes as the space collaborating with you.

“If I’m singing a long tone that would last 20 seconds, I can take a breath in the middle and you won’t notice it at all in the room, because the room carries your voice for so long,’’ he said.

His vocal ensemble, Roomful of Teeth, has recorded two projects at e Tank, and rely on thousands of dollars of National Endowment for the Arts money to create their art, year in and year out.

Artists and small endeavors like e Tank are concerned about the future, as many of their projects depend on NEA grants directly. e NEA was one of the many programs thrown into chaos during the Trump administration’s short-lived federal funding pause earlier this year. Future funding is uncertain.

President Donald Trump previously called to eliminate federal arts funding, and the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank behind Project 2025, has called NEA endowments “wasteful.”

e Tank also receives money from Colorado Creative Industries, the state arts and culture o ce. at o ce has a total budget of $4.2 million for 2025. e

NEA contributed $948,000 to the budget, according to the Colorado O ce of Economic Development, of which CCI is a part.

Governor Polis and the state legislature increased funding for CCI last year, possibly making Colorado eligible for more federal money, but it’s too early to know what NEA funding will look like next year.

NEA and CCI also provide funding to organizations like the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance company in Denver, the Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia and a program that develops new American plays at the Creede Repertory eatre, located in the town of less than 300 people tucked in Colorado’s San Juan mountains.

It’s not just the former Rio Grande railroad equipment that makes e Tank special -- it’s rural Colorado.

“ e Tank couldn’t be anywhere else. It’s a very sensitive instrument for sound, if it were next to the freeway, no one would ever go in there. It’d be a howling mess,” said James Paul, executive director of e Tank.

Paul is counting on continued funding from NEA

for a residency program at e Tank during which CU Boulder students will use the space to record their work before performing at the university’s Black Box Experimental Studio.

For a few days in January, when the Trump administration froze federal grants and loans, the check for that residency program wasn’t going to be paid. e freeze was rescinded in late January, and the graduate students have gotten underway on their recording.

Paul and Beauchamp both said arts funding is always in a state of uncertainty, regardless of the administration, but said there’s so much to lose if the creative ecosystem created by these grants is severely reduced or taken away altogether.

Su Teatro, the performing arts center focusing on Latino culture on Santa Fe Drive in Denver, is part of that larger creative community, receiving funding to put on a play from Knoxville artist Linda Parris-Bailey. at funding, an NEA grant, was $15,000. SEE ARTS FUNDING, P19

Cameron Beauchamp, signer

Zeena Parkins and Scott Amendola play in The Tank in Rangely. COURTESY JAMES PAUL

BY JOSHUA VORSE ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

ARTS FUNDING

“In the end the biggest loss is to the country, as so much of the texture and beauty that makes us interesting and inspiring will disappear. Some people think they are silencing the ‘others,’ but inevitably in silencing the NEA we will silence ourselves,” wrote Tony Garcia, executive artistic director at Su Teatro, in a statement to Rocky Mountain PBS.

Garcia says that funding hasn’t been cut. ere’s a chance it could be, as NEA now requires grant applicants to abide by an executive order that targets anyone

promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

Hundreds of artists signed a protest letter against the new rules in February. Last week, the ACLU led suit against the federal arts agency about a similar rule that says grant applicants can’t promote “gender identity” in their art.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance has a long history with the National Endowment for the Arts; Robinson was on the National Arts Council in the 90s and early 2000s. is scal year, the dance company received a $25,000 grant for their 55th anniversary season.

“So much of who we are and the notoriety and what allows us to do our arts and education work is really because of the quality of dancers that we have and the type of projects that we’re able to do with support from the

NEA,” said Malik Robinson, CEO of CPRD.

In Rangely “a multi-level chandelier of microphones” hung 30 feet above Beauchamp and company as they recorded in e Tank last year, for an album where each song is sung in the tuning frequency of a di erent planet in the solar system.

“Governments on our planet that support the arts in a meaningful way have a great respect for humanity, and for kindness, and for beauty,” said Beauchamp. “Some countries really succeed at this and some don’t at all.”

Rocky Mountain PBS multimedia journalist Carly Rose contributed to this report.

Printed with permission from Rocky Mountain PBS. For information about supporting the organization, go to rmpbs.org.

From left, Thann Scoggin, Steven Bradshaw, and Cameron Beauchamp, recording in The Tank in 2024. COURTESY HALEY FREEDLUND

Once property of the Rio Grande railroad, this 75-foot-tall water tank is now a unique recording space in Rangely. IMAGE FROM VIDEO COURTESY BEN GONDREZ

Dancers with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble perform in an open rehearsal in 2023. PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN

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Legal Notice No. CCC1046 First Publication: March 27, 2025 Last Publication: March 27, 2025 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Notice CLEAR CREEK COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE AREAS AND ACTIVITIES OF STATE INTEREST CASE #SI2023-0001 PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has submitted an application for ‘Areas and Activities of State Interest’ to Clear Creek County pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) 24-65.1 and Chapter 3 of the Clear Creek County Guidelines and Regulations for Matters of State Interest

Applicant: Kurt Kionka, Floyd Hill Project Director, CDOT

Proposal: To complete a six-lane highway component from Floyd Hill through the Veterans Memorial Tunnels, including constructing the Greenway trail and frontage road from Idaho Springs to the US. 6 interchange and adding an auxiliary lane to the uphill section of Floyd Hill. Modifications of the US 6 and Hidden Valley interchanges will also occur.

Location: I-70 right-of-way and some adjacent private properties between milepost 241 in Idaho Springs east to the Clear Creek/Jefferson County line past Floyd Hill.

Board of County Commissioners’ Hearing

Date: 8:30am on TUESDAY, May 6, 2025 in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room, County Courthouse, 6th and Argentine Streets, Georgetown, CO 80444, and virtually via Zoom. Information on the virtual hearing can be found on the County website.

(All Board of County Commissioner meetings are subject to change, without further notification. Please contact the planning department - see below for contact information - closer to the meeting dates for definitive information.)

For more information on the project, see the “Active Cases” webpage at https://www.clearcreekcounty.us/477/Active-Cases. Information may also be reviewed on CDOT’s website located at https://www.codot.gov/projects/i70floydhill

Written testimony may be submitted via email to Garrett McAllister at gmcallister@clearcreekcounty.us or via mail to the Clear Creek County Planning Department, P.O. Box 2000, Georgetown, CO 80444.

Legal Notice No. CCC1044

First Publication: March 27, 2025

Last Publication: March 27, 2025

Publisher: Clear Creek Courant Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Board of Selectmen of Georgetown, Colorado will a hold a public hearing during their regular meeting on April 8, 2025 to hear public input on the ordinance listed below. Complete copies of the ordinance are available from the Town Clerk.

Ordinance No 2 (Series 2025) – Amendment to Business Promotions Committee Code

Legal Notice No. CCC1045

First Publication: March 27, 2025

Last Publication: March 27, 2025

Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Public Notice

CITY OF IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public

hearing will be held in accordance with Chapter 21 of the Idaho Springs Municipal Code commencing at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard on the 2nd day of April 2025 before the Idaho Springs Planning Commission; and commencing at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard on the 14th day of April 2025 before the City Council to consider CUP25001: an application for a Conditional Use permit for AVA Rafting and Zipline employees to camp on the western portion of 95 E. Idaho Springs Road.

The hearings will be held at the Idaho Springs City Hall, located at 1711 Miner Street, Idaho Springs, Colorado 80452 and a virtual meeting will be available. Please contact City Hall at 303-567-4421 for more information.

Dated this 27th day of March 2025.

Dylan Graves, Community Development Planner

Legal Notice No. CCC1043

First Publication: March 27, 2025

Last Publication: March 27, 2025

Publisher: Clear Creek Courant

Public Noitce

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR FRANCHISE BY PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO

NOTICE is hereby given that at the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Idaho Springs State of Colorado, to be held on April 14, 2025, at the hour of 7:00 P.M.