Commerce City Sentinel Express June 5, 2025 by Colorado Community Media

Carmichael Park set to be full of fun, music for Summerfest on Saturday

Brighton Summerfest returns to Carmichael Park Saturday featuring food, live music and plenty activities.

Summerfest, the City’s biggest community festival, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 7 at Carmichael Park, 650 E. Southern St. e festival will include activities for kids, a beer garden, food vendors, live music and more. ere will also be businesses and organizations educating the public about their services.

e FNBO Entertainment Stage will feature performances by the main act, e Dreamboats, a revival of 50s and 60s rock ‘n’ roll, at 3 p.m.

Acts performing earlier include folkl and county with Aubrey Dale & Christine at

10 a.m. and ‘90s pop with Northwoods at 12:30 p.m.

Brighton Summerfest will also host the Colorado Military History Group and its array of World War II “living museum” interactive displays. e history group’s display will feature an original collection of uniforms, weapons, models, rations, tents and vehicles as part of a living museum display commemorating the end of the war 80 years ago. e space will be shared with the National War Museum of the Rockies, which displays items at Brighton City Museum on a regular basis.

Festival attendees will even have a chance to explore the orchestra at Brighton Summerfest. Inside the Orchestra, a nonpro t organization, brings music to children, cultivating music appreciation and

enhancing their education through engaging, interactive experiences with orchestral music. Get hands-on with instruments at the “Instrument Petting Zoo,” create your own musical instrument craft, and enjoy live demos by professional orchestra musicians!

All Brighton Summerfest activities and concerts are free to the public. Food will be available for purchase.

Brighton Summerfest is supported by the City of Brighton, Brighton Fire Rescue District, Brighton Police Department, FNBO, ALLO Fiber, United Power and e Home Depot.

For more information about Brighton Summerfest, visit brightonco.gov/brightonsummerfest or call the Special Events O ce at 303 655-2218.

Thornton’s new police chief sworn

BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COTLN.ORG

During his swearing in as ornton’s new police chief Tuesday night, Jim Baird vowed to work with the city council to better understand the unique needs of each council member’s ward.

“I am very grateful to being entrusted with this role,” said Baird, a 32-year law enforcement veteran. Baird was picked from 35 applicants representing talent and expertise from Colorado and across the nation, according to ornton ofcials.

“ ornton PD will be in strong hands with (Chief) Baird stirring the ship,” said City of ornton Presiding Judge Tiffany Sorice, who administered the oath to Baird.

His swearing in occurred on the same day it was revealed Baird accidentally red a new gun at his apartment on May 14. e bullet went through a kitchen cabinet inside the apartment, and nobody was injured, according to CBS News Colorado.

“It’s de nitely not how anyone wants to start,” Kylynn McTague, public information o cer for the ornton Police Department told CBS News Colorado.

“I think it was my fault,” Baird told CBS News Colorado. He told the station that he was trying out di erent magazines on the new Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun when it red. He said he was on the phone and was multitasking when the gun red.

“I should have known better,” Baird said. “It’s a mistake I’ll never make again.” e City of ornton said in a statement that Baird immediately tried to contact residents to make sure nobody had been hit. Baird then reported the incident to the interim police chief, who came to the apartment with a sergeant from the ornton Police Department.

The Brighton Fire Department takes some children on a train ride around Carmichael Park at Brighton Summerfest June 1. PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

Protesters greet Evans, Boebert at state Capitol

Crowd chants opposition to “One Big, Beautiful Bill”

BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COTLN.ORG

Over the loud chants of protesters, U.S. Reps. Gabe Evans and Lauren Boebert plowed ahead to outline the bene ts of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” for Coloradans on May 29 while on the steps of the State Capitol.

As about 30 or so protesters chanted “One and Done” and “Gabe You Lie” to Evans, who is in his rst term in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District seat.

He and Boebert told reporters and supporters that the measure would ensure the long-term viability of Medicaid. By getting 1.4 million illegal immigrants o the Medicaid rolls as well as knocking o 1.2 million people who aren’t eligible for Medicaid bene ts, the bill is “preserving the program for the people who need it the most,” Evans said.

“It’s about cutting wasteful spending,” Boebert added. “… e waste, the fraud, the abuse, the illegal aliens who are receiving taxpayer bene ts. is is going to stop under this one big, beautiful bill.”

Evans and Boebert continued to speak into microphones during the one-hour presentation but were often drowned out by the full-throated opposition. About 20 advocates of the two lawmakers stood on one side and clapped their support.

Colorado State Troopers formed a single line between the protestors, reporters and the lawmakers to guard against any confrontations which never occurred.

Senate considering e “One Big, Beautiful” legislation passed the U.S. House last week and is heavily backed by President Donald Trump. e measure would extend his 2017 tax cuts, fund more border security, impose work requirements for those on Medicaid and roll back Joe Biden-era lean energy tax credits, say supporters.

e Congressional Budget O ce says the bill would increase the nation’s de -

cit by $3.8 trillion by 2034.

Critics of the bill argue that it is one of the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in American history, and they have nicknamed it the Reverse Robin Hood Bill. e bill still must pass the United State Senate.

Alan Franklin of ProgressNow Colorado said he thought Evans would moderate his views after narrowly winning the 8th District race to Yadira Caraveo last November. Caraveo was the rst representative of CO-08 when it was newly drawn in 2022, becoming Colorado’s rst

Latina member of Congress. She narrowly won the CD-8 seat in 2022 and then lost to Evans in November by less than 2,500 votes.

Evans, by ipping the seat, helped the GOP achieve a narrow majority in the House of Representatives.

But Evans is now just in “lock step” behind Trump and his policies, Franklin said. “He’s just not a good t for the 8th Congressional District,” Franklin said. Caraveo has said she is running in the Democratic primary in hopes of being nominated in order to take on Evans in

2026. Shannon Bird , a former Westminster City Councilwoman, and Manny Rutinel — both currently serving in the Colorado State House — have announced they are also running in the Democratic primary in a bid to unseat Evans. Evans also defended himself against calls that he has voided any town hall meetings and sessions with constituents. Evans said he has held at least two town halls and met with 11,000 people in different settings. “We have met with all kinds of people to get and understand their concerns,” Evans said.

Dyslexia screening the law of the land in Colorado

Screenings to begin in 202728 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.

Protesters Thursday sound o against the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” at the State Capitol. MONTE WHALEY

Under the bill, dyslexia screening would begin in kindergarten and continue through

grade.

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.

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

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— 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,

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.

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.

New law allows donation of unused prescriptions

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 Coloradans access the medication they need.”

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 bi-

partisan 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 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 prescriptions 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 do-

A Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment medication collection

allows residents to donate unused medication rather than having to dispose of

nated 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

NEW CHIEF

e investigation found no evidence of negligence or criminal conduct and Baird was not cited or arrested, according to a statement to CBS 4.

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.

Breckenridge, Baird was the Chief of Police for Ann Arbor, Michigan from 2016 to 2018, where he started his law enforcement career and worked his way up the ranks directly after graduating out of the police academy in 1993, according to the news release.

Baird replaces Terrence Gordon, who retired in September 2024 after a fouryear stint as chief.

Before serving as the Police Chief in

Baird has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University. Baird has also been active in the police chief community in Colorado since arriving in the state and is serving as the 2024-2025 president of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police.

box. A new law

them. FILE PHOTO

A new chapter for Colorado Community Media

It’s an honor to introduce myself to you as the new publisher of Colorado Community Media. ese newspapers (21 in total) serve some of the most vibrant and historical communities in the Denver metro area, and I consider it a privilege to now be responsible for their sustainability and future. is is more than a business transaction to me, it’s personal. I was born in Colorado and have spent a great deal of time here throughout my life. My family immigrated to the Huerfano County area as ranchers and coal miners in the late 1800s; we own a ranch near the Spanish Peaks that has been in our family for generations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Colorado’s culture, values and communities have always been close to my heart, and to now play a role in ensuring that trusted, locally produced journalism continues here is, in many ways, a dream come true. At Times Media Group, our parent company, our mission has always been clear: to amplify local voices, support local businesses and to foster community connections. We believe deeply in the role of community news, not just as chroniclers of events, but as stewards of truth, watchdogs of public interest and partners in civic life. at’s not a slogan — it’s our North Star. In every market we serve, we work to be a reliable source of local news people can trust.

at may sound old-fashioned in today’s media landscape. Much of the industry is moving in the opposite direction toward consolidation, centralization and increasingly discon-

Tnected coverage. We believe that local stories matter, that communities deserve to see themselves re ected in the pages of their newspapers, and that good journalism starts on the ground, in the neighborhoods and cities where people live and work.

As the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan once said, “You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts.” at quote is a guiding principle for us. Credibility, accuracy and integrity are not just ideals, they’re necessities.

ey’re what build trust between us and our dedicated readers. We never take that trust for granted.

To uphold these standards, we invest in skilled journalists who are immersed in the communities they cover. We also employ a modern, nimble editorial model that allows us to “platoon” our newsroom resources, moving experienced journalists to areas where they are needed most, whether to cover major events or to ll temporary gaps. is isn’t about cutting corners, it’s about building a sustainable system that keeps local news alive in an era when too many papers are folding, leaving behind “news deserts” where civic accountability is severely diminished or no longer exists.

Our commitment also extends to our local business partners. We know that strong communities are supported by strong local econo-

mies, and our platforms provide advertisers with a trusted and targeted way to reach their ideal customers. We don’t just sell ads, we sell solutions, building campaigns that help local business partners thrive.

To the readers of Colorado Community Media: thank you for your support and loyalty. Your engagement, whether through picking up a paper, subscribing to our free digital edition, sending in a letter to the editor or supporting our advertisers, makes all this possible.

To our advertisers: thank you for recognizing the value of local media. You are investing not just in your business, but in the health of your community.

And to the dedicated team of journalists, editors, designers, advertising sales consultants and support sta who make up Colorado Community Media: thank you for your talent and passion. You are the heart of this enterprise, and I look forward to working alongside you to build a strong and enduring future for these publications.

ere is important work ahead. Together, with shared purpose and deep roots in the communities we serve, I believe we can not only preserve the legacy of these community news platforms but elevate them. at’s our commitment, and we’re just getting started.

Finally, please feel free to drop me a line to let us know how or what we could be doing better. My email address is steve@timeslocalmedia. com. We’re here to serve you.

At Colorado Community Media, we’re local rst, Colorado always!

Lessons from a NASA astronaut’s perseverance

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

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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 selfgenerated 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 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.

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

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules:

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.

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Jim Roome

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 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-are-

Our Family Helping Your Family

from-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 deficits are a national emergency, and part

OBITUARIES

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.

SEE HICKENLOOPER, P14

November 25, 1930 - December 28, 2024 allieventcenter.com

Frank Glenn Ottesen, 94, of Greeley, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at UC Health Greeley Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born November 25, 1930 in Longmont to Frank and Alberta Glenn (Akers) Ottesen and grew up in Fort Lupton.

FG graduated from Fort Lupton High School in 1948 and went on to attend a semester at CU Boulder. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Trust. ey supported and helped their grandchildren to pay for music lessons and each of them have gone on to professional careers. ey were members of the First Congregational Church, former members of the Greeley Country Club, United Way of Weld County and he belonged to a gentleman’s investment club for a number of years.

On July 1, 1951, he married his sweetheart, Betty “Betts” Jean Warner at the First Baptist Church in Fort Lupton.

FG began working with his father at the Ottesen Brighton Grain Company and he retired on July 1, 1993. He was active in the BPOE in Brighton, the First Presbyterian Church in Brighton and he enjoyed downhill skiing, well into his 80’s, singing, traveling the world, water skiing, hiking and they served at the Indian Market in Santa Fe for 30+ years.

Volunteering their time became a big part of his retirement, driving the shuttle in Estes for many years and driving clients with 60Plus to appointments. ey were very philanthropic with many organizations, including the UNC Fine Arts programs, AIMS Community College, Rocky Mountain Conservancy and the Estes Valley Land

ankful to have shared his life are his wife, Betts, their children; Margo Masat, Marsha (Gene) Gilluly and Mark (Scott) Ottesen, their six grandchildren; Sarah (Ross) Holmes, Rachel (Dan) Penners, Sterling (Tayler) Masat and Royal Masat, Michelle Gilluly-Beham, Jason (Morgan) Gilluly, nine great-grandchildren; Maddie, Weston and Crockett Holmes, Michael, Sean and Jared Penner, Stetson and Chloe Masat and Reagan Gilluly, his sister, LaNae Penfold and many nieces, nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Shirley “Shirl” Waters.

Services were held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 11 am at Generations Church, Greeley with a luncheon to follow. Memorial gifts may be made to “Rocky Mountain Conservancy” or “United Way of Weld County” in care of Young’s Funeral Service, 102 E. Charlotte Street, Johnstown, CO 80534. Condolences may be shared at Youngsfunerals.com.

OTTESEN

Frank Glenn Ottesen

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. FILE PHOTO

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG

Parents warned about the dangers of chatbots

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

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 enter-

tainment or companionship, which can be risky as these programs are not designed with kids in mind and may expose 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.

“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.”

AI chatbots that mimic friendly conversation may pose hidden risks for kids, Colorado’s attorney general warns. SHUTTERSTOCK

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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 force-feeding 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, argu-

ing 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

go it alone.

“I just think we can all agree that animals should be able to live natural and healthy lives.”

Olivia Hammond, the spokesperson for Pro-Animal Colorado

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 products 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

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

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 something for everyone. It’s two stories with about 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.

How to enjoy the worst team of all time

Some suggestions for resilient Rockies fans

BY JOHN RENFROW JOHN@COTLN.ORG

Dismayed Colorado fans still turn up at Coors Field to support their spiraling Rockies, with yells of “Sell the team!” ringing out behind hot dog bites and swigs of beer. But it’s the results on the eld that are often di cult to stomach. e old adage in baseball is that before the season even begins, you get 40 wins and 40 losses, and what your team does between them will determine the course of the season.

Tickets were only $5 on the day that the Rockies lost their 40th game, and will likely remain in the single digits for the remainder of the season. ere will be price hikes when teams like the Yankees and Dodgers come to town, but the organization knows it’s getting increasingly di cult to put butts in seats.

Colorado is on pace to be even worse than the 2024 Chicago White Sox, a team that nished 41-121 last season, the worst since the 1962 New York Mets, who were 40-120.

According to an article from ESPN on May 13, the Rockies’ record through 40 games puts them on pace to nish 28134. Let that sink in.

So anyway, here are some ways to better enjoy the possible worst team ever.

Arrive early for cheap beers

If you arrive two hours before the game’s rst pitch, you might see fans double- sting 12-ounce beers as they make their way to their seats. at’s because fans can enjoy $3 Coors

HICKENLOOPER

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

Lights (yes, $3 for 12 ounces) and $6 craft beers (16 ounces) before the game starts. Or you can wait until the drinks are literally $10 more expensive than that after the national anthem. at way, you don’t feel bad leaving in the seventh inning when the team is down a gross number of runs (like the 21-0 loss to the San Diego Padres on May 10, the third-biggest shutout margin in the major leagues since 1901).

Pin the promotional schedule to the fridge

Whether it’s buy-one-get-one hot dog night, bobblehead night or enjoying reworks after the game, promos are always a good excuse to get to the ballpark.

Plus, summer in Colorado makes for a picture-perfect night for baseball, if you can stomach the score of the game.

For example, catch a star-studded night when the Los Angeles Dodgers come to town on June 25. e rst 10,000 fans through the door receive a Rockies cowboy hat. Or show up for other fan favorite nights like Star Wars or Grateful Dead night.

Put some cheddar on the games

Of course, be sure to gamble responsibly. But if you truly can’t bear to watch the team continue to struggle, consider a prop bet or two to add a little seasoning to your experience.

Bet on a player to get a hit, hammer a home run or the Rockies to only lose by three runs or less.

Or, if you get really cynical, bet on the other team. at way, at least the loss results in something positive for your night out.

For the most diehard of fans, bet on the Rockies to win. Your passion for the game will soar with each at-bat, and the odds will reward you if the team pulls it

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

o . Imagine beating the Yankees and going home with a fatter pocket.

‘Enhance’ your game experience It’s Colorado. Enough said?

You might nd you care less and less about the team’s record if you enjoy a nice night of weather after some homegrown Colorado enhancements, like a gummy or a chocolate bar.

Just make sure you nd a cozy seat away from other people, especially rowdy fans

company, Petersen said Canada is now his worst market.

“Despite being Canadian-made, they know we’re U.S.-owned, and so the boycott 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.

of the other team. With fewer people ocking to the stadium, it shouldn’t be di cult to nd a nice solitary spot with a pretty view. But be careful throwing those cheap beers into the mix. As always, plan for a ride or use public transportation, and never drive under the in uence. Only so much can be done to alleviate the pain of watching your team suck at a historic level. But as always, Go Rockies forever.

“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.

Coors Field shines on a beautiful May evening as the Colorado Rockies play the Philadelphia Phillies on May 20. The Phillies won 7-4 to give Colorado its 40th loss of the season. JOHN RENFROW

Thu 6/05

Kotrax @ 8:30pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

Fri 6/06

Taylor Leonhardt

Sat 6/07

Sun 6/08

Tangerine Sky Market ARVADA

@ 6:30pm Star Acres Flower Farm, 10140 W 73rd Pl, Arvada

So�a Nehama @ 1pm Skyline Park, Denver

Ren Q. Dawe: Humour Haus @ 7pm Stella's Coffee, 1476 S Pearl St, Den‐ver

Tony Medina Music: Live at The Arvada Elks Lodge @ 6:30pm Elks Lodge, 5700 Yukon St, Arvada

Float Like A Buffalo

@ 7:30pm

Little Bear Live, 28075 CO-74, Ever‐green

@ 10am / Free 7490 W 52nd Ave, 7490 West 52nd Av‐enue, Arvada. events@coloradomar kets.com, 303-505-1856

LATMUN @ 2pm Club Vinyl, 1082 N Broadway, Denver

Kyle Walker, RUZE, Latmun @ 2pm Club Vinyl, Denver

Ryan Hutchens at Culinary Dropout @ 6pm Culinary Dropout, 4141 E 9th Ave, Denver Snacks @ 7pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver N2N @ 7pm

Meow Wolf Denver | Convergence Station, 1338 1st St, Denver

Mon 6/09

Lola Kirke (21+ Event) @ 7pm

Hi-Dive Denver, 7 South Broadway, Denver

Broadway Rave @ 8pm Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Den‐ver INTL Night ft. TBA @ 10pm Club Vinyl, Denver

Chloe Kimes: Hi-Dive w/Lola Kirke @ 7pm

Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

Tue 6/10

Tommy Tutone @ 7pm

The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver

Natalia Lafourcade @ 8pm Paramount Theatre Denver, 1621 Glenarm, Den‐

David J + The Milk Blossoms + Gogo Germaine + MC Shon Cobbs @ 8pm HQ, 60 S Broadway, Denver

Wed 6/11

Shakedown Street @ 6:30pm Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S Forest St, Denver

Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore w/ Taylor Scott Band @ 7pm The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver

Black Oxygen Live @ 7pm

Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side, 2637 Welton St, Denver

WhiskeyDick @ 7pm Lions' Lair, 3200 E 23rd Ave, Denver

Dead Posey @ 7pm HQ, 60 S Broadway, Denver safekeeper @ 7pm

Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

The Guilty Ones @ 8pm

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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.

Public Notices call Jean 303.566.4123

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City and County

PUBLIC NOTICE

CITY OF COMMERCE CITY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

DRAFT SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN (2024) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

NOTICE is given that a draft Substantial Amendment to the City of Commerce City’s Program Year (PY) 2024 Annual Action Plan (AAP) for the use of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) will be available for a 30-day public comment period. Notice is also given that a public hearing will be held to allow the public to review and make comments.

The City will make a substantial amendment to the 2024 AAP to remove the planned Section 108 Loan project. The City originally intended to utilize the Section 108 Loan program to finance multiple CDBG-eligible public facility and infrastructure projects over several years in the original 2024 AAP submission. Proposed activities included street and sidewalk improvements in low/mod areas of the Core City. The planned loan amount was $1,918,135, which will now be removed from the plan. The City also included a planned repayment amount of $306,637, which will now be reallocated towards public facility and infrastructure improvements.

30-Day Public Comment: Citizens can view the draft amendment from June 20, 2025 to July 22, 2025 at the Community Development Department office at Commerce City Civic Center, 7887 E. 60th Avenue, Commerce City, CO 80022 or they can be viewed from the City department website at: https://www.c3gov.com/government/community-development-block-grant-cdbg. Written comments are encouraged and can be mailed or delivered to the address above or via email glewis@c3gov.com.

Accessibility: To request accommodations, concerning rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, to attend or participate in any public meeting, and/or to obtain this notice and materials in alternate formats, contact the City Clerk at 303-227-8791.

Legal Notice No. CCX1752

First Publication: June 5, 2025

Last Publication: June 5, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express PUBLIC NOTICE

TO THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN (2024) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

Legal Notice No. CCX1750

First Publication: June 5, 2025

Last Publication: June 5, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Metropolitan Districts

Public Notice

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF REGULAR ELECTION AND CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS BY THE DESIGNATED E LECTION OFFICIAL

AURORA SINGLE TREE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOTICE

Tree Metropolitan District

(the “District”) of Adams County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the regular election to be held on May 6, 2025, is hereby canceled and the following candidates are hereby declared elected:

Rick Hellinkson to a 4-year term (2025-2029)

Cristina Flores Herrera to a 2-year term (2025-2029)

Eric Harry to a 2-year term (2025-2029)

Vacancy 2-year term (2025-2027)

Contact Person for the District:

Lisa Mayers, Esq.

District Address: 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 2000, Denver, CO 80203

District Telephone Number: 303-839-3800

AURORA SINGLE TREE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/Stephanie Net, Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. CCX1749

First Publication: June 5, 2025

Last Publication: June 5, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AS TO AMENDED 2024 BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed 2024 amended budget has been submitted to the LEGATO COMMUNITY AUTHORITY, for the fiscal year 2024. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, 2001 16th Street, Suite 1700, Denver, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a regular meeting and public hearing of the Legato Community Authority to be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 via Zoom audio/ videoconferencing platform. Any interested elector within the Legato Community Authority may inspect the amended budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the amended 2024 budget.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

LEGATO COMMUNITY AUTHORITY

By: /s/ SETER, VANDER

WALL & MIELKE, P.C.

Attorneys for the District

Legal Notice No. CCX1748

First Publication: June 5, 2025

Last Publication: June 5, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Public Notice

NOTICE OF CONTRACTORS SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that on or around July 15, 2025, Sand Creek Metropolitan District, Adams and Denver Counties, Colorado will make final settlement with Sturgeon Electric, Inc. (“Contractor” herein) for all construction services rendered for materials, labor, supplies and construction services rendered by Contractor for the 4th leg of the traffic signal at E. 40th Avenue and Salida Street; a new traffic signal at the intersection of E. 41st Avenue and Salida Way; and a mid-block pedestrian crossing on North Telluride Street all as a part of the Denver 60 Public Improvements project in the City and County of Denver (“Project” herein). Prior to July 15, 2025, any persons having properly filed claims for labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies, rental machinery, tools, or equipment furnished to the Contractor specifically for this Project should present the same to Sand Creek Metropolitan District, 100 Saint Paul Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80206, attention Ryan Stachelski. Failure to timely and properly file said claim shall relieve Sand Creek Metropolitan District from any duty to withhold funds for such claim.

Sand Creek Metropolitan District Mike Serra, III, Project Manager (303) 371 9000

Legal Notice No. CCX1751

First Publication: June 5, 2025

Last Publication: June 12, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express

Notice to Creditors

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Michael Lee Adams, a/k/a Michael L. Adams, a/k/a Michael Adams, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 30297

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before: October 5, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Kathleen Adams Personal Representative c/o Whitcomb Selinsky, P.C. 300 Union Blvd., Suite 200 Lakewood, CO 80228

Legal Notice No. CCX 4515

First Publication: June 5, 2025

Last Publication: June 19, 2025

Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express