July 2, 2015
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VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 13 | FREE
2015 WINNERS GUIDE CastleRockNewsPress.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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WHAT’S INSIDE
#Recruiting has changed
Court rules against vouchers
High school athletes are turning to new technologies to find the right college. Find our special report inside.
See Pages 22, 23
A fresh look: Farmers markets offer produce and much more around the area. See Page 14
From left, Douglas County School District Superintendent Elizabth Fagen, legal counsel Rob Ross and school board President Kevin Larsen listen as board member Craig Richardson speaks during a June 29 press conference on the Colorado Supreme Court’s voucher verdict. Photo by Jane Reuter
School district aims to take case to federal level, plaintiffs say argument ‘should be over’ By Jane Reuter
jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com
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The Colorado Supreme Court ruled against the Douglas County School District’s Choice Scholarship Program, agreeing with a lower court that it violates the state constitution. “The Colorado Constitution features broad, unequivocal language forbidding the state from using public money to fund religious schools,” the decision read. “Yet aiding religious schools is exactly what the CSP does.” But district leaders said it’s not the end of the road. They intend to take the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court. “While we were disappointed, we are not surprised,” school board President Kevin Larsen said during a June 29 press conference at the district’s Castle Rock administration building. “This may very well be simply a case of delayed
gratification. Douglas County kids may have to wait just a little bit longer to get full access to choice.” Larsen said he believes a positive ruling at the federal level could pave the way for students nationwide to use public funds to attend private or public schools. “We have reason to believe the United States Supreme Court justices have an interest in this question,” board member Craig Richardson said. “We believe competition makes all schools better. We believe the truth remains to be seen.” The district points to the Blaine Amendments included in the constitutions of 37 states — including Colorado — as a federal-level issue. The amendments prohibit public funding of religious schools and organizations. Richardson said they reflect, “a very ugly period of American history” and are based in bigotry.
But courts so far have struck down previous efforts to show the Blaine Amendments’ historical and arguably prejudicial origins render them unconstitutional. The state’s highest court was not unanimous, making a 4-3 decision in favor of the plaintiffs, Taxpayers for Public Education. The plaintiffs are delighted by the court’s long-awaited ruling, pending since oral arguments were made before the panel in December. “Looking at the Colorado Supreme Court decision, this journey should be over,” said Anne Kleinkopf, director of Taxpayers for Public Education. “The court has stated as clearly as it possibly can that this program violates the state constitution. There should not be any further argument.” Kleinkopf said attorney Michael McCarthy, who has represented the plaintiffs pro bono, is “imminently qualified” to argue the case before the U.S. Supreme Court, but she believes the likelihood it will be heard there “is very, Voucher continues on Page 5
Recent deaths put river safety in focus High water levels, fast currents have made for dangerous conditions By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando@colorado communitymedia.com Heavy rain and snow melt have have led to high waters and fast currents at many of the bodies of water in the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado. In recent weeks, several people have lost their lives as a result of water accidents, including two tubers from the south metro area: Joseph Goodwin, a Heritage High graduate, in the South Platte River in Sheridan on June 20, and Steven Kelly, a Chaparral graduate, in the Arkansas River in Pueblo on June 21. On June 27, the body of Robert Jacobs, of Castle Rock, was found in the South Platte River in Waterton Canyon.
Joseph Goodwin fell off an inner tube into this fast-moving portion of the South Platte River in Sheridan on June 20. His body was found June 28. Rain and snow melt have made for swiftflowing conditions in the Platte and other bodies of water in Colorado. Photo by Chris Rotar Local and state agencies urge caution this summer when swimming, boating and otherwise enjoying the water. And they say to
stay away from shorelines with fast-moving water. Metro-area officials also have encouraged people to stay off the
South Platte River for the time being. “We are recommending everyone stay off the river until it returns to its ‘bankful’ (average annual maximum) flows of 650 (cubic feet per second) or less, and even then to always wear a life vest,” said Skot Latona, supervisor of South Platte Park in Littleton. In some areas, including Englewood, the South Platte has been flowing at more than 3,000 cfs in recent weeks. Jefferson and Douglas Counties had closed the South Platte from the mountains to Chatfield reservoir to recreational use. Downstream of Chatfield, the river traverses a greater number of jurisdictions, and has never been formally closed to use. Technically, it does remain open to the public, though that does not mean it has been endorsed as safe for all users. “People should continue to use extreme caution in making River continues on Page 6