Clear Creek Courant 1223

INSIDE County health workers to receive COVID-19 vaccine soon PAGE 13

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Social-distanced Santa

75 CENTS

Developer promises community meetings on Digger Field, bus barn in January School board sells properties for $2.525 million

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“Santa” Bill Lee looks out over the Laughing Valley Ranch from his porch on Dec. 16.

Local Christmas characters missing annual traditions, interacting with youngsters

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

COVID-19 won’t stop Santa Claus from making his yearly trip tomorrow night to deliver presents around the world.

According to local and national health officials, Santa is immune

from COVID-19. Plus, he, Mrs. Claus, their workers and reindeer have been in isolation all year at the North Pole, so they have remained healthy and hard at work. (Editor’s note: Please see Page 6 for an exclusive letter from the Clauses to Clear Creek children.)

However, the pandemic has changed a lot for Santa and Mrs. Claus’ local helpers.

Idaho Springs’ Sheri Skelton, who has played Mrs. Claus at the Georgetown Loop for three years, was slated to do it this year before the

PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

Christmas trains were canceled.

“I’m missing it like crazy,” she said.

Having Santa and Mrs. Claus on the trains made Christmas sparkle, she described, and without seeing kids as Mrs. Claus, Christmas isn’t as sparkly or fun for her.

“You were making their Christmas,” she said.

Meanwhile, “Santa” Bill Lee is still making appearances, albeit modified ones.

SEE SANTA, P5

Clear Creek Realty Wishes You a

Merry Christmas!

Plans to develop Digger Field and the bus barn are moving forward.

The community will have the opportunity to comment on initial concepts for developing the land by the end of January now that the Clear Creek school board has sold the two properties to Four Points Development for $2.525 million.

Stephanie Copeland, a partner in the firm, promised in-person meetings if those are allowed, and if not, virtual meetings in which community members will be able to provide input. Four Points plans to anchor the two properties with multifamily housing, with plans to tie into the Clear Creek rec center, Copeland explained at the Dec. 15 school board meeting.

School board members said they were pleased that Four Points officials understood the community’s connection to the properties and planned to connect with the community to gain its input.

Board President Mitch Houston said Four Points has agreed to four conditions in the contract: • Four housing units will be available for school district employees SEE DIGGER FIELD, P17

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2 Clear Creek Courant

December 23, 2020

OBITUARIES PARSONS

CHRISTMASTIME IN EMPIRE

Sandra Sue Parsons

April 17, 1946 - December 4, 2020 Sandra Sue Parsons, 74 yo, passed away December 4, 2020 from presumed COVID-19. She was born April 17, 1946 in Newark, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late Mike and Hazel Parsons. Sandy graduated from M&M high school in 1964. She attended Johnson Bible College in Knoxville Tenn. She has lived in Colorado 40 plus years, first in Idaho Springs, then Lakewood.

She retired from the state of Colorado safety division in 2013. Previously she had worked in Clear Creek County, Colorado in the court system. She is survived by a daughter Mandy McDougall, (Mat Granberg) from Wheat Ridge, Colorado and a son Michael McDougall of Raleigh, NC. Along with a granddaughter Jasmine Saiz of North Carolina. She is also survived by her sister, Phyllis (R.D.) Leeling of St. George, Utah, daughterin-law Julia McDougall and cousins, Kay Parsons, Dick and Rita Parsons

from Dresden, Clarence and Pat Parsons from Zanesville. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a cousin, Vernon Parsons Sandy was an avid reader loved words and relished in learning; she participated in OLLI, Denver University supported adult learning courses. She had a smart wit that was spurred on by her knowledge of words and continuous learning. She loved people and had many friends throughout the years.

She requested cremation which will be carried out in Colorado. A celebration of her life will be scheduled in the future, in Colorado and another in Ohio, which is where her ashes will be scattered.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a literacy charity, project Angel Heart, Outreach program for depression and mental health or buy a book, enjoy it talk about it with other people then pass it along!

Empire hosted a drive-thru Christmas present distribution and Santa stop on Dec. 12 at Theobald Park. Dean Paschen of Lewis Sweet Shop volunteered to be Santa for the event, Town Clerk Jeannette Piel handed out gift certificates for parents to buy toys and clothes for their children, and Officer Andrew Lorenz and others helped with traffic control. Overall, the town distributed gift certificates to about 60 children from 32 families. The Friends of Clear Creek group handled the decorations, and Ron and Keri COURTESY PHOTO Atchison donated the Christmas tree.

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Clear Creek Courant 3

December 23, 2020

Crime Calls from Dec. 7-13 Monday, Dec. 7 — The Sheriff ’s Office received a report of theft from a resident in the 4300 block of Fall River Road. A tree on their property had been cut down.

Tuesday, Dec. 8 — Idaho Springs officers were dispatched to a residence on the west side of town for an alcohol-related call and determined that the person needed medical attention. The person was transported to a hospital and officers provided food and water for their cat before leaving the house.

On Dec. 11, while the resident was still in the hospital, officers received permission to go into the home, remove the cat and turn it over to family members for further care.

Wednesday, Dec. 9 — Georgetown police received word of a hazardous spill at the south end of Georgetown Lake. Officers located a large oil spill and contacted appropriate personnel to remove the contaminated soil. Police reported

Police blotter that it didn’t impact the waterway or any animals.

Wednesday, Dec. 9 — The Sheriff ’s Office received a report of suspicious activity regarding a residence on Lodgepole Drive. The reporting party believed there were people squatting on the property.

Wednesday, Dec. 9 — Idaho Springs police took a report of a menacing incident at Miner Street and 17th Avenue. The motorist reportedly exited their vehicle and pounded on the windows of another, then left the area while committing a number of traffic violations. The alleged victim and witnesses provided information on the suspect, who was later stopped by Colorado State Patrol, Empire police and Sheriff ’s deputies. The suspect was issued a mandatory appearance summons regarding the road rage incident.

Thursday, Dec. 10 — The Sheriff ’s Office took a report that a moving truck had been stolen from the Elk Road area.

Thursday, Dec. 10 — The Sheriff ’s Office received a report of a lot

of smoke near mile marker 248 of Highway 40. The fire department investigated and found a resident was doing a permitted controlled burn.

Thursday, Dec. 10 — An Idaho Springs officer conducted a traffic stop for defective equipment in the 2900 block of Colorado Boulevard and found the driver’s license was suspended. A mandatory court appearance summons was issued.

Thursday, Dec. 10 — Empire police received a report of an abandoned vehicle at the parking lot for Theobald Park. Its license plates had been removed. The vehicle was towed out of town.

Saturday, Dec. 12 — Idaho

Springs police received a report of a burglary at a storage unit in the 2700 block of Colorado Boulevard. The perpetrator apparently rummaged through the property, but it was unknown whether anything had been taken.

Sunday, Dec. 13 — Idaho Springs police were dispatched to a report of an intoxicated person who made remarks about harming themselves.

The person was located on the east side of town, reportedly while operating a vehicle. While officers felt that she didn’t intend to harm herself, she was charged with drunken driving.

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4 Clear Creek Courant

December 23, 2020

News briefs

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Finding permanent housing for Lodge residents difficult As of Dec. 15, officials helping Lodge of the Rockies residents find permanent housing said they would be expanding the search area after having not identified any prospective options in Clear Creek.

On Dec. 10, about 30 people were evacuated from Lodge of the Rockies in Idaho Springs after the building was declared unsafe for occupancy. The city, the county and other local partners helped find accommodation hotel rooms in Idaho Springs and Georgetown for residents who need them. This arrangement is scheduled to end on or around Jan. 3. However, if there are enough donations, it might be possible to house them longer at local hotels.

Mary Bernal, a caseworker with Clear Creek Human Services, said there were 20 people in these hotels as of Dec. 15, all of whom need permanent housing. While some are willing to move, others want to stay in Clear Creek.

Bernal provided them with websites and other resources to help find housing, but what’s needed now is a group of tech-savvy locals who can help the residents navigate these resources, as many are not

computer-literate.

Another concern is the residents’ mental and physical health, as the situation has started taking its toll, Bernal described. Some have gotten sick, and some remain worried about how often they will have to be moved.

“We’re looking at $350-$450 a week for the temporary hotel rooms,” she said. “How long can we sustain that? … Last week, we were trying to get them out of the cold. Now, it’ll be a struggle for each individual.”

The city has partnered with the Clear Creek Veterans Coalition to accept donations on the residents’ behalf. As of Dec. 15, $500 had been donated.

Donations can be made at City Hall, at the resource center or online via the coalition.

Express lane construction work should be done by early February The Colorado Department of Transportation’s contractor, Graham Construction, missed the Thanksgiving incentive deadline for the Interstate 70 westbound mountain express lane project. Now, the two entities are hoping to have civil work done by early February.

Unfortunately for Idaho Springs community members, all the remaining work is concentrated in a

Lane closures related to the Interstate 70 westbound mountain express project cause traffic back-ups in the Floyd Hill area on Dec. 16

PHOTO BY MICHAEL HICKS

half-mile section near mile marker 240, CDOT representatives have confirmed.

The county will see a bit of a reprieve over the Christmas holidays, as there won’t be any work or associated lane closures between Dec. 24-27.

According to CDOT spokeswoman Presley Fowler, the remaining work includes sanitary sewer and storm sewer work, parking lot restoration, minor widening, median and shoulder guardrail/barrier work, a half-mile of paving and a sound wall at mile marker 239.

There’s a half-mile of paving and some other landscaping work that cannot be done until spring when the weather is much warmer,

Fowler added.

Once all the civil work is completed, CDOT will open the express lane with the tolls waived as a way to test its new system. The tolls will go into effect in late summer or early fall, she said.

While Graham Construction had hoped to meet the late November deadline to receive an incentive bonus, and it was still on schedule to do so over the summer, Fowler said that weather, unpredictable traffic volumes and other factors caused delays.

The Thanksgiving deadline was an aggressive one, she described, but crews still completed a significant amount of work on 11.5 miles of the 12-mile project.

Idaho Springs Briefs

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

2020 sales tax only down 0.5% from 2019

Idaho Springs’ October sales tax revenues were almost 11% better than last October’s.

Because the city’s sales tax data is on a two-month delay, Idaho Springs has collected $2,934,789 for the fiscal year 2020. This data includes revenues from November and December 2019.

Overall, the number is down only a half-percent from last year’s $2,951,774.

The city, which budgeted a little more than $3 million for sales tax revenues in 2020, met almost 98%

of its goal despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overall, March, May, July and August were less than their 2019 counterparts. April and June revenues were up slightly, while September overachieved by about 16%.

The city won’t receive its November and December 2020 revenue data until early January and early February, respectively.

Short-term rental regulations updated The City Council has unanimously approved modifying its shortterm rental regulations to ease the process for staff and property owners alike.

Staff explained previously that most of the changes are adminis-

trative. Only a few items, such as requiring written permission for off-property parking, will impact applicants.

Under the new requirement, if a licensee doesn’t have adequate parking on its property and wants to use a neighbor’s, the neighbor’s written permission must be on file with the city. Guests aren’t allowed to park in public spaces.

Overall, Idaho Springs will continue to have the same number of licenses available citywide, and will still require the rental property to be the owner’s primary residence.

City Clerk Diane Breece said Idaho Springs has maxed out its 15 available licenses, and there haven’t been any recent issues with the properties.

Mayor Mike Hillman added that staff continues to monitor vacation rental sites to ensure there aren’t any unlicensed properties in operation.

He thanked the city’s Planning Commission and staff, who’ve been working on these updates throughout the year, for their work on the new language, saying it’s been a very long process.

Public hearing scheduled for 2800 Miner Street rezoning The City Council will hold a public hearing for the application to rezone 2800 Miner St. from Residential-2 to Residential-3.

The public hearing and staff SEE SPRINGS BRIEFS, P17

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Clear Creek Courant 5

December 23, 2020

Standing outside her home, “Mrs. Claus” Sheri Skelton dons her cloak to brave the Idaho Springs wind on Dec. 16.

“Santa” Bill Lee has his truck, the Puller Express, ready for his holiday commitments.

Wearing bells on his boots, “Santa” Bill Lee grabs something from his truck, the Puller Express. Lee started wearing the bells when he first began portraying Santa in 1981 and has kept them as a part of his attire ever since.

“Santa” Bill Lee displays Young Dasher before heading to a drive-thru Christmas event at a food bank in Lyons on Dec. 16.

SANTA FROM PAGE 1

He’s done drive-thru events, including one last week at a food bank in Lyons, and outdoor walk-by events with masks and social distancing.

The most unique one was when he was inside a giant snowglobe while people walked by. It was also very challenging because he had to remain in-character for about three hours, he described.

“Some have been harder, while others are easier,” Lee continued.

“But, there are definitely fewer Santa events than normal (this year).”

Lee, who lives in the South Spring Gulch area, said what he’s missed most is telling kids to give their families lots of hugs and kisses during Christmas, and then asking for a big hug too.

Likewise, Silver Plume’s Frank Young, who’s played St. Nicholas at the Georgetown Christmas Market

PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

for the last 20 years, said it’s been very strange not donning the miter and vestments this December.

“Adults remember seeing St. Nicholas (as kids)… and it’s always nice to bring those kinds of memories back for people,” Young said.

The true believers Young was recruited to play St. Nicholas by friends who organized the Georgetown Market. In recent years, he’s been sharing the role with another person, splitting St. Nicholas’ appearances over the first two weekends of December.

“It’s an enjoyable experience because you’re interacting with people,” he said. “When you put the regalia on, you’re representing almost 2,000 years of tradition.”

In lieu of the market, Young described how he helped ring the bells throughout Georgetown during the tree lighting a few weeks ago.

He considered ringing the bell at the firehouse near City Park his civic duty for the year, adding,

“Hopefully, next year, we can get back to the St. Nicholas bit.”

He wanted people to know that, regardless of who is representing St. Nicholas at the market, the actor is enjoying interacting with attendees as much as they are with him.

“I miss it this year, but this is serious stuff,” Young said.

Lee, who has been appearing as Santa for almost 40 years, also has reindeer that he can bring to Christmas events. He also owns a variety of other animals, including burros, goats and sheep, which he uses for Nativity scenes.

Regardless of whether he’s Santa, another character or simply a handler, he always tries to educate people about the animals during the events. Lee added that, while he does miss talking with kids about the spirit of Christmas, he also enjoys spending more time with the animals.

“In some ways, it’s been a relief not doing as much Santa work,” Lee continued. “ … It gets tougher to do it every year.”

Skelton likewise found some silver lining in not having the Christmas trains this year, saying that it would’ve been difficult because of health concerns and Interstate 70 traffic delaying passengers.

During her time working at the railroad, Skelton has donned a variety of uniforms, including mine tour guide. Out of all of them though, Mrs. Claus is her favorite.

She described how adults who rode the Christmas train as youngsters are now bringing their children and grandchildren, and how there are a lot of Southern families who bring their kids here to see snow for the first time.

So, meeting all those families and staying in character all day is rigorous work, especially for the railroad’s only Mrs. Claus.

However, the former first-grade teacher said seeing the joy on the kids’ faces is her favorite aspect of the job, commenting, “They have fresh imaginations and truly believe in the spirit of Christmas.”

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6 Clear Creek Courant

OPINION

December 23, 2020

A shot at putting the virus behind us I’ll take the COVID-19 vaccine. I’ll take it as soon as it’s available to me.

I’ll take it from any manufacturer with a governmentally approved product. I’ll take it in my doctor’s office or wherever else I can get it. I hope and trust that by the time it is widely available that the vast majority of Americans will join me in making all of us safe and letting us get our lives back to normal.

As we reach the tragic milestones of 300,000 deaths from the virus in our country and 4,000 in our state, I’m surprised at the amount of controversy we still experience about the seriousness of the disease.

People argue about what restrictions and inconveniences we should

be willing to accept as we wait for the time when we’ll have the disease under control and get our lives back to normal.

But that surprise is dwarfed by my absolute amazement at statistics that suggest that nearly half of Americans are not willing to be vaccinated GREG against the virus.

Colorado has ROMBURG one of the lowest COLUMNIST child immunization rates in the country, but it is

still significantly higher than 90%.

Given how all of our lives have been disrupted and how many people’s incomes and ability work and pay their bills have been devastated throughout most of 2020, it’s shocking that there is not an overwhelming majority of people who are not only willing but actually clamoring to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

Unless and until we put the spread of the virus behind us, our ability to get back to normal will be delayed.

This will be not only by the restrictions that are placed on our lives as restaurants and other businesses face limitations, but even more so by the devastating spread of the disease and the number of people who

will continue to be victims of it.

As people who are vaccinated in the early phases of distribution are protected, we must hope that the general public’s confidence will increase. So much so that by the time there is enough vaccine to distribute to everyone that an overwhelming percentage of people will be ready to be inoculated and to create the level of protection necessary to put this awful chapter behind us.

In the meantime, we must advocate to others and become more educated ourselves about the collective benefits of vaccination to all of us.

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that kids like you are going to make 2021 the best year ever!

And, most importantly, we wanted to tell you how much we love each and every one of you. You are valuable and important, and we never want you to forget that.

Your job now is to spread that love and kindness to those close to you.

Remember: love is the feeling, but kindness is the doing. We’re asking you to share in the doing.

So, listen to your parents and teachers. Help your siblings. Call your grandparents and other family members as often as you can and tell them how much you love them.

Be kind to others, because the world needs kindness now more than ever.

And, believe that there are miracles at Christmas, and look for them.

We’ve got to get back to the workshop now because there are a few more things we need to do before

Christmas Eve. Stay safe and warm, eat your fruits and veggies, and give those you live with lots of hugs this holiday season.

We wish you a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Love, Santa and Mrs. Claus The North Pole workers Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen & Rudolph

LETTER TO THE EDITOR A Letter from Santa & Mrs. Claus Dear children of Clear Creek County, We are hard at work right now preparing for Christmas Eve, but we wanted to take a little break to send you this letter.

We know you and your families have been through a lot recently. You had to do schoolwork from home, and missed seeing your friends and teachers. Some of your parents lost their jobs, and some of you lost loved ones this year.

With so many changes and difficulties, it’s OK to be upset sometimes. But, when you are, you need to be honest and tell your parents or teachers how you’re feeling.

There have also been a lot of new rules everyone’s had to follow this year, and we’re so proud of how responsible you’ve been. We believe

LETTERS POLICY Letters should be 250 words or less and must focus on issues rather than personalities.

Letters also must include the name, address of residence and phone number of the author.

The Courant prints the name and city of residence of all letter writers. Letter writers are limited to not having letters appear in consecutive editions. Send to gwallace@coloradocommunitymedia.com or to 27972 Meadow Drive, Suite 320, Evergreen, CO 80439.

Note: The Clear Creek Courant strives to be all local all the time. This includes our Opinion pages. Letters to the editor from locals and on local topics will be given priority. We will publish letters to the editor as space allows.

Publisher: Kristin Witt

kwitt@coloradocommunitymedia.com 303-350-1049

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY’S LOCAL NEWS SINCE 1973 VOL. 49, NO. 27

Contact us

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday Main switchboard: 303-567-4491 or 303-674-5534 Main fax: 303-567-0520 Mailing address: P.O. Box 2020 Idaho Springs, CO 80452-2020 Physical address: 1630 Miner St., Suite 202, Idaho Springs, CO Online: www.clearcreekcourant.com

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Clear Creek Courant 7

December 23, 2020

Marking the anniversary of Pearl Harbor The Clear Creek Veterans Coalition hosted a Pearl Harbor remembrance event on Dec. 7 in Idaho Springs. Several veterans and other community

members stopped by to pay tribute to the 2,400 Americans who died in the Dec. 7, 1941 attack.

The Clear Creek Veterans Coalition gathered for a Pearl Harbor remembrance event on COURTESY PHOTOS Dec. 7 in Idaho Springs.

Several veterans and other community members stopped by to pay tribute to the 2,400 Americans who died in the Dec. 7, 1941 attack.

Several veterans and other community members stopped by to pay tribute to the 2,400 Americans who died in the Dec. 7, 1941 attack.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Safe, Healthy & Happy New Year!

Flags were positioned along the Gilson Street bridge.

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8 Clear Creek Courant

December 23, 2020

Have you applied for LEAP? LEAP applications can be found online at: coloradopeak.secure.force.com clearcreekcounty.us OR You can request one or get help filling one out from: Stephanie McCaulley at the Clear Creek County Resource Center 303-670-7550 – 1531 Colorado Boulevard, Idaho Springs

OR Donna Kline – Clear Creek County Department of Human Services 303-679-2364 – 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown

December 23, 2020

Clear Creek Courant 9

SPORTS A mountain of memories

Longtime CCHS coach, AD David Schuessler will retire after this school year

athletic prowess, but it’s academic achievements that impressed him.

“They did everything right. I don’t remember exactly what their team GPA was, but I believe it was a 4.1 team GPA,” Schuessler said. “They were the complete package. I want to see what all these kids are doing in 10 years off that team. I think they’re going to be doctors, lawyers and teachers, making a great contribution to our community.”

From watching a ski program that was nearly cut years ago because it only had seven skiers total rebuild itself so that it could support itself to student-athletes not only playing in multiple sports in a given year but also partake in the school’s spring play, Schuessler has enjoyed watching the Clear Creek community excel in all areas.

“We want to provide those opportunities for student-athletes here, to be in lacrosse and track and have a major role in the spring musical at the same time,” he said.

Shedding the spotlight onto the student-athletes is nothing new.

That’s just who Schuessler is, said assistant principal Jeff Miller.

“He’s always put what’s best for the kids first. Let’s start with that.

He always does what’s best for the kids first,” assistant principal Jeff Miller said. “Being an administrator there are times you have to deal with difficult situations. Whenever that has happened I think he dealt with those things fairly.”

As an administrator, Miller said Schuessler was cordial to working with coaches in helping set up schedules and such. He’s openminded to crafting a sports calendar for teams, such as cross country when Miller was coaching the high school squad, that catered to what the coaching staff wanted.

“We’ve had a great working relationship all the time. It’s been great,” Miller said.

BY MICHAEL HICKS MHICKS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

David Schuessler is Clear Creek High School. But the former student-athlete now mathematics teacher and athletic director is stepping down at the end of this school year.

Schuessler, who started working at Clear Creek High School in 1988 and full-time seven years later, is capped out financially as far as receiving an annual increase in salary. The school district capped any pay raise for teachers who have been with it for 25 years in an effort years ago to better recruit teachers to come to Clear Creek. Schuessler’s 25 years full-time with CCHS ended after the 2019-20 school year.

The 55-year-old former Outdoor Seminar teacher, who has been a coach and an administrator, is taking early retirement, but not before leaving with a mountain of memories.

The consummate CCHS coach

As a coach, Schuessler, 55, has enjoyed success with the boys basketball team, including winning a league championship in 2012 - 50 years after his dad, George, played on the last conference title team at Clear Creek. There was also the 2005 team’s run to the 3A Sweet 16, scoring wins over eventual state champion Denver Christian during the regular season and Patriot League champion Burlington in the first round of regionals.

But one moment that stood out was more personal. It was the resolve of one of his players — J.R. Sayler — playing literally hours after the passing of his mother.

“I met with (him) that day, and he played in that game — a Saturday afternoon game. He played in that game, played like a man possessed,” said Schuessler, who stepped down as head boys basketball coach after the 2011-12 season. “Without the way he performed, we wouldn’t have won that game. It was just him going out there and doing it.”

Big ‘Schues’ to fill Clear Creek athletic director David Schuessler is retiring at the end of the 2020-21 school year after 32 years with the school, including the last 25 as a full-time employee.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL HICKS

Up to AD

Schuessler stepped into the athletic director role in the mid-2000s, following in the footsteps of the person who hired him, then-principal Frank Reeves, the current superintendent in the East Grand School District.

In Schuessler’s time as an administrator, he charts the girls basketball team’s run to the 2A state finals in 2018 as the highlight. The seventh-seeded Golddiggers pulled off back-to-back upsets of No. 2 Simla and No. 3 Wray before falling to top-ranked Yuma in the finals.

But again it wasn’t just the team’s

David Schuessler, who was named the Colorado 2A Athletic Director of the Year in 2020, stands with the Clear Creek Middle School boys basketball team that won the Frontier League championship last year.

COURTESY PHOTO

CCHS first-year principal Chris Gould has a long history with Schuessler, first as a student, then as a parent and now as an administrator. He understands first-hand what the school will be missing once Schuessler walks out the door for the final time as a full-time staff member.

“Thinking about filling his shoes.

Here’s the reality, I don’t know if we can fill his shoes. Not in the same way,” Gould said.

That said, Gould is hopeful that, despite present COVID-19 protocols, that he’ll be able to lean on Schuessler’s experience as athletic director once the school moves forward with finding his replacement in the next few months and will have him around as a guide in the months and years ahead.

“All of the work that I feel like he and I would’ve done to try and get some of that institutional knowlSEE SCHUESSLER, P17

10 Clear Creek Courant

December 23, 2020

Clear Clear COVID-19 Creek County Testing Public Health Offers COVI Clear Creek School District briefs Clear Creek CreekCounty CountyPublic PublicHealth HealthOffers with four remote-learning weeks, Offers COVID-19 Testi2020 ng December Schedule December 2020 and Clear Creek Schedule High School has

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

December 2020 Schedule YOU SHOULD GET TESTED IF: YOU SHOULD GET TESTED IF:

been in-person for 12 weeks with six remote weeks.

Quanbeck said she was pleased Enrollment in the Clear Creek students were in the buildings most School District continues to decline, of the semester, noting that the and Superintendent Karen Quan• You have been in close contact with someone who has tested • positive You have forbeen COVID-19. in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COV first week after winter break would beck attributes some of the loss to be remote similar to the COVID-19.

• You are or will be in close contact with a member(s) of the vulnerable • You arepopulation. or will be in close contact with a member(s) oflearning, the vulnerable populati schedule after Thanksgiving.

She said some families this year • • You are experiencing onecontact or morewith COVID symptoms, which •typically You areappear experiencing 2-14online days oneafter or more exposure COVID and symptoms, which typically appear 2 have chosen schools, which You have been in close someone who has tested are different than taking classes reto fill vacancy may include: or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty maybreathing, include: fever fatigue, or chills, muscle cough, or body shortness aches,Board of breath or difficulty breathing, fa positi ve forfever COVID-19. motely through the school district, Letha Miller has resigned from the • headache, You are or willloss be of in contact member(s) the new taste or with smell,a sore throat,of congestion orheadache, runnyor nose, new nausea loss ofortaste vomiting, or smell, sore throat, congestion runny nose, na homeschooling options.

Indiarrhea. addiClear Creek school or board because tion, school districts throughout the her family has moved to Switzervulnerable population. state have seen families “redshirt” land, and the school board hopes to • You are experiencing one or more COVID symptoms, which their preschoolers and kindergartreplace her in January.

TEST SITES & appear DATES2-14 days after exposure and may include: TEST SITESners, & DATES typically opting to keep them home Miller, an attorney, was elected to another year. the board in 2019, representing the fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty “It’s a crazy year to start your King-Murphy Elementary School breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss kindergartner school,” • NEW IDAHO SPRINGS TEST SITE • NEW IDAHO SPRINGSinTEST SITEQuanbeck area. said. “That is absolutely impacting Board members and Superintenof taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, EMS Station Parking Lot – 411 Chicago Creek Road EMS Station Parking Lot – 411 Chicago Creekdent Road us.”

Karen Quanbeck at the Dec. 10 nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

Clear Creek this 10:00am work session thanked Miller for her WEDNESDAYS DEC 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 10:00am – 2:00pm WEDNESDAYS DEC 2,has 9, 635 16, students 23, 30 from – 2:00pm year, compared with 658 students hard work for the district and the Curative Mountain Mobile Van Curative Mountain Vanin the 2016- perspective she brought to issues last year. FiveMobile years ago, 17 school year, the school district school board has faced.

Pre-registration strongly encouraged at– Pre-registration strongly encouraged at– the had 788 students.

The board has called for those liv• NEW IDAHO SPRINGS TEST SITE COVID-19 has added to existing ing in District D to self-nominate to https://www.curativetest.com/sites/14759#9/39.7586/-105.5637 https://www.curativetest.com/sites/14759#9/39.7586/-105.5637 COLD WEATHER DOES NOT STOP fill the remainder of Miller’s term, COLD EMS Station Parking Lot - 411 Chicago Creek Rd factors contributing to ongoing ET TESTED IF: CORONAVIRUS. declining enrollments such as fewer which expires in 2023. A map of the WEDNESDAYS DEC 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 10:00am - 2:00pm young families moving to the county district and information on how • DUMONT TEST SITE • DUMONT TEST SITE Curati ve Mobile Mountain Van. in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. and losing students to neighboring to self-nominate for the position EMS Station Parking Lot 3400 Stanley Road EMS Station Parking Lot 3400 Stanley Road Pre-registrati on strongly encouraged at school districts, Quanbeck noted. is available at ccsdre1.org. Letters be in close contact with a member(s) of the vulnerable population.

Quanbeck has made increasing enof interest are due to the district https://www.curati MONDAYS DEC 7, 14,vetest.com/sites/14759#9/39.7586/-105.5637 21, 28 startingwhich at 10:00am DEC 7, 14, 21, 28 starting at 10:00am encing one or more COVID symptoms, typically appear 2-14MONDAYS days after exposure rollment a focusand for the district. To

by Jan. 11, and the board hopes to that end,test King-Murphy Elementaryonly interview candidates at its Jan. 14 Drive-through test site by appointment only Drive-through site by appointment ver or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE work session.

YOU School officials, for example, plan •positive DUMONT SITE ed forTEST COVID-19.

Call the COVID-19 HEALTH LINE at 303-670-7528 Call the COVID-19 HEALTH LINE at 303-670-7528 SLOW THE SPREAD OFcurrent COVID-19 SLOW to have focus groups with loss ofEMS taste oron smell, soreLot throat, or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

Stati Parking - 3400congestion Stanley Road and past families to learn what they Five-year capital improvement plan vulnerable population.

This is a message leave your name and phone numberThis is a message line only, leave your name and phone number MONDAYS DEC line 7, 14,only, 21, 28 starti ng at 10:00am value in an elementary education to The school district’s business Stay Stay at home more.

Don’t travel. to Drive-through receive a call-back to conduct the brief, required screening to receive a call-back to conduct the brief, required screening determine if the school’s programmanager has been laying out a fiveh typically appear 2-14 days after exposure and test site by appointment only Limit interactions with TES ming is the right fit. King-Murphy year capital improvement plan that and yourfatigue, appointment. and schedule your appointment. callschedule the COVID-19 HEALTHmuscle LINE at 303-670-7528. anyone not living with you. ficulty breathing, or body aches, is an International Baccalaureate includes nearly $900,000 in projects. a This is a message line only, leave your name and phone number schoolWhen on theinoutskirts of EverThe list will allow the school board public – wear a mask, Wh n or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, green. to begin prioritizing expenditures RINGS SITE toTEST receive a call-back to conduct the brief,diarrhea. required screening and a six-foot distance and ke and finding funding. On the list is COSTschedule AND TYPE OF TEST & RESULTS COST AND TYPEkeep OF TESTgood & RESULTS appointment. practice hygiene. rking Lot – 411 your Chicago Creek Road replacing current technology such Most of the semester in classrooms • Quick and23, easy testing at no cost to you.

• Quick and easy swab testing no cost to you. as Chromebooks, laptops and smartClear students have at been in ThisCreek isoral especially important during This i DEC 2, 9, 16, 30 oral fromswab 8:00am – 2:00pm boards on a rotating basis, plus roof school the majority of the time durthe cold/flu and holiday season. the • Mountain No insurance, prescription or referral required.

• No insurance, prescription required. and gymnasium floor replacements, ing the first semester or of referral the 2020-21 ile Van will be on-site. and other big-ticket maintenance year. by text or email in approximately • Receive your results text or email approximately Receiveschool your results 2 to 4 days. appointment at– easy • Quick and oralbyswab testi ng atinno cost to you. 2 to 4•days.

King-Murphy and Carlson elemen- items that the district has put off as revenues have declined. tary schools have had in-person • No insurance, prescription or referral required. urativetest.com/sites/14759#9/39.7586/-105.5637 The list is in addition to the work learning for 17 weeks and remote • Receive your results by text or email in approximately COLD WEATHER learning DOES NOT forSTOP one week, which was being done thanks to funding from a planned for the week after Thanksbond approved by voters in 2018.

CORONAVIRUS. SITE 2 to 4 days. giving to proactively keep students “We want to more clearly define separated in case they contracted what needs are critical,” Business rking Lot - 3400 Stanley Road COVID-19, Superintendent Karen Manager Hollie Harlan told the 7, 14, 21, 28 starting at 10:00am Quanbeck told the school board on school board at its Dec. 10 work sesSTAY HEALTHY. sion.

STAY“Our INFORMED. STAY OPEN. Dec. 15. needs keep growing.” h test site by appointment only – STAY HEALTHY. STAY INFORMED. STAY OPEN. Clear Creek Middle School has 19 HEALTH LINE at 303-670-7528. in-person school for 14 weeks YOU CAN MAKEhad A DIFFERENCE 5.5637 Enrollment continues to drop

YOU SHOULD GET TESTED IF:

ek County Public Health Offers Free COVID-19 Testing

TEST SITES & DATES

fers Free COVID-19 Testing December 2020 Schedule

Schedule

COST AND TYPE OF TEST & RESULTS

www.clearcreekcounty.us/covid19 | Clear County www.clearcreekcounty.us/covid19 CO Facebook | Clear Creek County C SLOW Creek THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 ge line only, leave your name and phone number COLD WEATHER DOES NOT STOP l-back to conduct the brief, required screening Stay at home more. Don’t travel.

CORONAVIRUS. our appointment.

Limit interactions with anyone not

living with you.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE When in public – wear a mask, OF TEST & RESULTS SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 keep a six-foot distance and Stay at home more. Don’t travel. that takes about 30 seconds. practice good hygiene.

Limit interactions with anyone not living with you. od Pa nt ry Co m m un ity Fo o Sp rin gs This is especially important during prescription or referral required.

Id ah YOUWhen CANinMAKE DIFFERENCE public - A wear a mask, 54 5 Ro ut e 103, ay s 11am –6 pm the cold/flu and holiday season.Th ur sd –4 pm wn results bykeep textaSLOW orsixemail in approximately Fr id ay s 11am 45 0 footTHE distance and practi ce good hygiene.

SPREAD OF COVID-19 New -4 mber 30 3 -5 67sc s r u o H he o. ne t This is especially important during the cold/flu and holiday season. lo av es an df is

ng

Stay at home more. Don’t travel.

Limit interactions with anyone not living with you.

When in public – wear a mask, keep a six-foot distance STAY and OPEN. STAY HEALTHY. STAY INFORMED. practice good hygiene. www.clearcreekcounty.us/covid19 | Clear County www.clearcreekcounty.us/covid19 ClearCreek Creek CountyCO COFacebook Facebook This is especially important during

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Clear Creek Courant 11

December 23, 2020

With expanded testing, metro school districts hope for January return Looser quarantine rules to allow for less interruption to in-person learning

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Testing for quarantined students, some preemptive testing in schools and modified quarantine requirements are expected to be the ticket to more consistent in-person classes for several school districts across the Denver metro area, the districts’ leaders said in a Dec. 15 news conference.

But even with the expanded leeway to hold traditional classes, superintendents emphasized that if levels of COVID-19 spread remain at their currently high levels, schools may find it impossible to keep enough teachers out of quarantine to consistently keep classes in schools.

Chris Gdowski, head of Adams 12 Five Star Schools, expressed hope about the expanded testing capabilities that Gov. Jared Polis discussed at an earlier news conference the same day, along with nodding to new, less stringent quarantine guidance.

But “the most important part is to bring down this community transmission,” Gdowski said on the

Dec. 15 online news conference. He added: “Without that, if we remain at 1,100 cases per 100,000 (per two weeks) in Adams County,” plans for in-person learning fall apart.

When COVID-19 becomes widespread enough — at the levels seen in the metro area in the past few months — staffing and numbers of substitute teachers begin to become the weak link in keeping schools running in-person, the superintendents said.

Although schools generally haven’t been shown to be “superspreader environments,” keeping students in school becomes difficult at or above roughly 500-700 new cases per 100,000 people in a county in a two-week time frame, said Littleton Public Schools Superintendent Brian Ewert, referencing data from the Metro Denver Partnership for Health. That’s an organization led by the six public health agencies serving the seven-county metro area.

Like a “house of cards,” in-person school planning “literally begins to collapse” at that point due to widespread quarantines, Ewert said.

Virtually all students in Denver and surrounding suburbs moved to remote, or online, classes this fall as coronavirus spread mounted.

Superintendents frustrated with the torrent of quarantines in the fall semester heard encouraging news with the recent guidance from the

federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: It provides options for reducing time in quarantine to seven days with a negative test at day five or later, or reducing quarantine to 10 days with no test for those who remain asymptomatic and “are aware of the need for daily symptom monitoring through the full 14 days of the standard quarantine approach,” a report by the Metro Denver Partnership for Health says.

That’s expected to allow students and staff to come back to school much quicker if they get tested.

The shortened quarantines may come with slightly higher risk of spreading COVID-19, though. See the introduction and the first chart on the CDC’s website at tinyurl.com/ NewQuarantineGuidance for more details.

In early October amid backlash from some metro school superintendents, the state public-health department released relaxed guidelines outlining that in some cases, entire classes or larger groups of students no longer need to quarantine in response to a positive COVID-19 case.

But in schools in counties operating with higher levels of coronavirus spread, classes or cohorts of students still were urged to be quarantined.

Under a recent update to the guidance in November, as long as districts adhere to strict protocols, broad quarantines are no longer

necessary regardless of the level of virus spread in a county. School districts can now generally use “targeted contact identification,” which entails quarantining those within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 or symptoms of the disease for 15 minutes or more when both parties are masked. It also requires quarantines when someone was within 12 feet of the individual for 15 minutes or greater when either party was unmasked and indoors.

Those time criteria are cumulative, meaning two 10-minute exposures in a day is equivalent to one 20-minute exposure, according to the guidance.

Mike Johnston, a leader with an initiative called COVIDCheck Colorado that provides access to COVID-19 testing, said COVIDCheck will be partnering with all the districts on the news conference call for testing people in quarantine. Districts also might have access, to some extent, for preemptive testing for students who aren’t in quarantine.

The districts partnering with COVIDCheck include Cherry Creek School District, Denver Public Schools, Jefferson County Public Schools, Aurora Public Schools, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Littleton Public Schools and Douglas County School District, although it was unclear if other districts not SEE SCHOOLS, P13

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12 Clear Creek Courant

December 23, 2020

VERY GOOD MAYOR ACCEPTS BIZ DONATION

Parker the Snowdog, the honorary mayor of Georgetown, poses with the $5,000 check from nonprofit Rock Island Economic Growth Corp. The money will go toward supporting local businesses.

COURTESY PHOTO

Episcopal Church of the

Transfiguration CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE 4:00 p.m. Church Parking Lot Service Eucharist Service - Tune in while in your car For details: Check www.transfigurationevergreen.org 6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist Zoom Service Join us online with Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/i/86017266569 Meeting ID: 86017266569 Please call the church office for communion kits: 303-674-4904 X10

27640 Highway 74

1/4 mile east of downtown Evergreen at the Historic Bell Tower

(303) 674-4904

Volunteer your time by serving on the Clear Creek School Board!

The Clear Creek School District RE1 Board of Education is now accepting applications from persons residing in the Director District D who are interested in serving on the Board of Education from the date of appointment until the 2021 regular biennial school election.

To be eligible for the appointment, a candidate must have been a resident of the school district and a registered voter of the school district for the last twelve months and a current resident of Director District D. A director district boundary map is available on the Clear Creek School District Website at www. ccsdre1.org or from the office of Lisa Stamm, Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Education located at 320 Hwy 103, Idaho Springs, CO. 303-567-3856 or Lisa.Stamm@ ccsdre1.org.

Any person who wishes to be considered for the appointment will need to file a letter of interest with Lisa Stamm by 2:00 PM, January 11, 2021. The letter should include information pertinent to qualifications and reasons for applying and should be submitted to Lisa Stamm: Physical Address 302 Hwy 103 Idaho Springs, CO 80452 Mailing Address PO Box 3399 Idaho Springs, CO 80452 Email: Lisa.Stamm@ccsdre1.org (Subject Line BOARD LETTER OF INTEREST) The Board will interview prospective candidates at a public Work Session on Thursday January 14, 2021, beginning at 11:30 AM. Application Deadline – 2:00 PM January 11, 2021

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Clear Creek Courant 13

December 23, 2020

Clear Creek anticipates receiving first vaccines this week

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Clear Creek health officials are expecting to receive their first 100 COVID-19 vaccines this week. As of Dec. 15, officials were unsure which day they would arrive, but said they were ready.

According to Tim Ryan, the county’s director of Public & Environmental Health, those who will be receiving these first vaccines — local first responders and public health nurses — have already been lined up and will be contacted directly once they arrive.

Overall, Ryan said he expected to receive 100 vaccines every other week once Moderna’s is approved, as the county doesn’t have a freezer cold enough to store the Pfizer ones.

SCHOOLS FROM PAGE 11

on the call would also be part of the partnership.

Polis at his Dec. 15 news conference said data continues to suggest that schools generally aren’t a driver of COVID-19 spread in surrounding communities.

“There’s really not been a lot of difference in transmission between communities that have been fully back at school and those that haven’t, which gives us further

Clear Creek has partnered with Gilpin County, which has a freezer capable of storing Moderna vaccines, while Clear Creek has the staff to distribute them.

With the first 100 already assigned, Ryan’s department is identifying those who would receive the second shipment whenever it arrives. He said it would likely go to any remaining first responders and then to people who are considered high-risk based on age and/or medical conditions.

Ryan emphasized that the general public shouldn’t expect to be vaccinated until mid-summer, and that is subject to change.

With the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines now out, Ryan said the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca ones will probably be approved

and distributed by early February.

Which vaccines Clear Creek receives will depend on what becomes available, when, and where Clear Creek is in line, he described.

Even though there is light at the end of the tunnel, Ryan stressed that people can’t let their guards down now, saying, “Christmas and New Year’s … could be even more problematic than Thanksgiving.”

He also said the vaccine is not the silver bullet, and the public health impact won’t be felt until enough people are vaccinated to create herd immunity. Until then, only then, Americans need to continue to take precautions.

Local case count, positivity rate improving During the Dec. 15 commission-

confidence that schools are not a factor in significant community transmission,” Polis said. “Many districts in Colorado have been fully back, others partially back, others not back — really no real difference in transmission levels in those communities.”

Even with the reassuring news, Cherry Creek Superintendent Scott Siegfried emphasized that the broader community’s efforts to reduce coronavirus spread are key to ensuring in-person class comes back consistently.

“We have three weeks to collectively ensure that students can return to classrooms,” Siegfried said.

ers meeting, Ryan said Clear Creek had seen 18 cases over the previous seven days, bringing the county to 233 cases, 14 hospitalizations and two fatalities.

Both the county’s incidence rate and test positivity rate are down from where they were a few weeks ago. If Clear Creek sees these trends continue, Ryan said he’d call the state about being moved from Level Red to Level Orange, which is less restrictive and would allow for indoor dining at restaurants.

“We’re doing much better, but we’re not quite there yet,” Ryan said of Colorado in general and Clear Creek specifically. “ … We’ve seen a decline over the last two weeks, but we’re still much higher than we’ve been over this whole pandemic.”

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14 Clear Creek Courant

December 23, 2020

Making do for these unusual holidays Traditions change as celebrants face season unlike any other

BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

From her family’s locally famous light display to their traditional Christmas party — which usually includes around 75 people and even a hired Santa — Jennifer Shelton loves to go big on Christmas.

But this year, COVID-19 has led the Arvada resident to rethink her approach to the cherished holiday.

The lights at her home 19275 W. 84th Place are already as bright as ever but there will be no party this December.

Instead, Shelton and her family are focused on enjoying some new, more pandemic-friendly festivities.

So far, their agenda has included multiple movie nights and plenty of baking and crafting, with the family making plans to learn how to make their own Advent wreath for their Christmas table.

She’s also planning on having her mother-in-law over for a day of baking with her daughter, who has never had time to learn the motherin-law’s recipes.

“I’m just trying to keep the spirit alive even though we can’t do some of the stuff that we used to do,” Shelton said.

But while Shelton and her family are trying to make the most of this unusual holiday season, she said it’s still hard to not be able to enjoy more social activities like parties with friends and gift exchanges.

That feels particularly true at the end of a difficult year that saw Shelton’s daughter spend 10 days in the hospital and her grandmother die of COVID-19.

Still, there also positives to a slower-paced holiday season, including more opportunities to spend more time with family and pause to be thankful for all she does have.

“Normally, I’m still shopping, but this year I already did all of my shopping online so I am able to spend time with my family and enjoy the season a little bit more by sitting down and watching movies and things like that,” she said. “I usually wouldn’t be able to do that because I would be running around

like a crazy person.”

A cardboard tree

Given the risk posed by COVID-19, Aleya Jean and her partner will be staying home in Golden this Christmas. However, they plan on choosing another day in the future to “designate as Christmas” and will use it to go see family when it is safe to travel again.

In the meantime, however, Jean plans to enjoy the cardboard tree she constructed with her husband.

“That’s been a tradition for a few years, but now that we have so many Amazon boxes it was really easy,” Jean said. “And we didn’t have to go out and interact with people to purchase a real Christmas tree.”

A harder holiday for some

For Katie Bartlett, this Christmas will mean will mean putting on a brave face for her kids. That’s because COVID-19 has impacted her family’s income tremendously and left them behind on rent and utilities. Still, they did some decorating inside and are planning to do the tree next.

“It is hard because as a parent you feel like a failure,” Bartlett said. “Don’t get me wrong, we have plenty to be thankful for such as our health. But it is still hard.”

Casey Romero, meanwhile, doesn’t know where she will be spending Christmas this year.

She and her family were hoping to drive out to South Carolina to bring her son, who is serving on a military base, home to Littleton for his first Christmas since moving away.

But the pandemic had other ideas and her son recently received word that he would not be allowed to travel more than 1,200 miles from his base as a result of increasing COVID-19 cases around the country.

“Now we are hoping to get approved to drive out there and see him maybe in a VRBO (vacation rental) with maybe socially distancing,” said Romero. “But right now we don’t really know if that will get approved, we are just hoping.”

If that doesn’t get approved, Romero said they will plan to lie low and find a way to “celebrate from afar.”

That will be a bummer, particularly since Romero has not been able to hug her son since he left for boot camp in May. Still, “it’s not great but there are worse things, and you have to take your wins where you have

Downtown Golden is ready for the holidays but there will be no parades this year.

Instead, a banner below the welcome arch promotes Candlelight Nights, which invites residents to display a candle in their window each night at 7 p.m. in a show of unity and PHOTO BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO togetherness.

them,” she said.

“I do think people need to remember that our military personnel are very lonely right now,” Romero added. “We feel we have rights to do everything and see everybody but at the end of the day there are a lot of them who don’t get to see family. We have to be grateful for what we have.”

to show that unity that we have in the community, and that even though we can’t come together we are all still together,” said Nola Krajewski, the executive director of the Golden Chamber of Commerce.

Communities changing course

Few Front Range cities are as synonymous with Christmas as Golden. There, December weekends typically mean big crowds of shoppers during the day that become even bigger in the evening as people cram downtown to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus when the Olde Golden Christmas parades make their way through downtown.

This year, however, the city’s holiday planners are instead orienting the festivities around resident’s homes, while nodding to another canceled favorite, the Candlelight Walk. During that event, residents would gather to go caroling down Golden’s main street, Washington Avenue, with a candle in hand.

“This year we are handing out these battery-operated commemorative candles and Passersby have made of tradition of hanging we are asking everyone to ornaments on a tree along the Ralston Creek Trail place one in their window in Arvada. and light it every night at 7

WORSHIP DIRECTORY

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GEORGETOWN 812 Taos St., Georgetown • 303-569-2360 Serving the community since 1874.

Sunday worship 10:00 am. Reverend Whit Dempsey Please join us!

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF IDAHO SPRINGS 100 Colorado Blvd., PO Box 840, Idaho Springs, CO 80452 Pastor Pat Barnes, email: pastorpat4god@gmail.com

WE’RE OPEN! ALL ARE WELCOME! Come, join us for live worship on Sundays at 10:00 AM! *** PLEASE WEAR A FACE COVERING *** We livestream on Facebook at 10:00 AM on Sundays.

Recorded sermons are available on Facebook and YouTube.

Candlelight services Dec 24th at 4:00 PM

SEE HOLIDAYS, P15

THE UNITED CHURCH OF IDAHO SPRINGS AND CLEAR CREEK COUNTY 1410 Colorado Blvd., Idaho Springs (303) 567-2057 Sunday Worship Service – 10:00 AM PASTOR BILL ROBERTSON Taste and See Tuesdays - 5:30-7:00pm Good food and good conversation - Building community by bringing hope and encouragement to our town and county.

Moly Room in the Clear Creek Rec Center in Idaho Springs

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH 1921 Virginia St., Idaho Springs. Serving the Clear Creek Valleys since 1896.

Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Worship service Office hours vary.

303-567-4378. Coordinator: Pastor Bryce Fellbaum Worship led alternating weeks by Pastor Terry Schjang or Pastor David Brock www.zion-lutheran-church.com; zion.lutheran.co@gmail.com

Join Our Worship Directory!

Call Kayte at 303-350-1046

Clear Creek Courant 15

December 23, 2020

HOLIDAYS FROM PAGE 14

The cancellation of Golden’s parade also means that local kids did get the chance to march in it with Santa.

But they were still able to be sworn in as official “Golden Christmas elves” during the annual Golden Elf Academy. Organizer Stacy Fowler said she was happy to turn the event virtual this year.

“I think that there is so much that kids aren’t even able to do and such a shortage — you can’t even see Santa right now in a lot of places,” she said. “This is some way for them to be involved with Santa in a virtual way at least for an hour.”

Other communities are also planning their own shows of holiday togetherness amidst the separation required by the pandemic.

In Westminster, Arvada, Centennial and other communities, residents have been circulating a Facebook post asking “everyone to step out on their doorsteps to spread Christmas sprit and help Santa fly his sleigh” at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. “After this awful year, it would be

an amazing memory for the kids and the communities,” the post reads. “End 2020 with a bit of magic, hope and togetherness.”

Cheryl Truax-Williams is among those planning to participate.

“This is how traditions start,” she said.

C R O S SWO R D P U Z Z L E

Old traditions get new life

But while COVID-19 is creating new traditions, it’s also providing fuel for existing ones to grow as they take on new meaning at a time when so many are spending the holidays apart.

Three years ago, Chris Hohenstein began adding his own ornament to a growing collection that he noticed on a couple of trees along the Ralston Creek Trail near his home. This year there seem to be more ornaments than ever on the trees, which are located along the trail a couple turns west of Eldridge Street.

“It’s a wonderful hometown-type tradition that someone started in the neighborhood and everyone seems to enjoy and keep going year after year,” said Hohenstein. “And it’s just a wonderful treat to see as you are out for a walk on the trail.”

Currents To apply, students must complete the application and submit a qualifying entry of either an essay or other creative expression posted on social media. For more information and complete competition rules, visit DriveSafeColorado.com/scholarship.

• Young people ages 12 to 20 can get free counseling through an Evergreen-based organization called Resilience1220. Comprised of licensed therapists, Resilience1220 serves individuals and groups in Evergreen, Conifer, Bailey, Idaho Springs and Georgetown. They also facilitate several school and community groups to build life skills in wellness and resilience among youth. For more information, or to schedule a counseling session, visit www.Resilience1220.org, email Resilience1220@gmail.com or call 720-282-1164.

Answers

Solution © 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

DEC. 23 • “All People Considered” will feature a program with the Clear Creek High School Madrigal Choir from 2019 at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Tune into 102.7/103.9 FM or stream this program at www.clearcreekradio.com.

ONGOING • A video of the 2019 Christmas Cantata is available to watch for free during the holidays. This concert was filmed in January 2020 at First Presbyterian Church in Georgetown, and it is made available by the Georgetown Cultural Arts Program.

Watch the performance. at https:// youtu.be/8wbOLwg21Bk. • DriveSafe Driving Schools is hosting its 2020-21 scholarship competition to award a $1,500 scholarship to a student who plans to attend college in 2021. The application deadline is March 1, 2021, and the winner will be notified by April 15.

THANKS for

PLAYING!

16 Clear Creek Courant

December 23, 2020

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call Bobi 303.659.2522 Legals Public Trustees L-1125-005 COMBINED NOTICE – PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 2020-005 To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust: On September 22, 2020, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Clear Creek records.

Original Grantor(s): John Webb and Nikay Webb Original Beneficiary(ies): Walnut Valley Log Homes, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Walnut Valley Log Homes, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company Date of Deed of Trust: March 14, 2017 County of Recording: Clear Creek Recording Date of Deed of Trust: March 15, 2017 Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.): 283556 Book: 932 Page: 163 Original Principal Amount: $26,000.00 Outstanding Principal Balance: $15,599.90 Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101 (4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN. Please see Exhibit A attached Also known by street and number as: N/A Miners Candle Road, Idaho Springs, CO 80452.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST. NOTICE OF SALE The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, 01/21/2021, at The Clear Creek County Public Trustee’s Office, 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, Colorado, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 11/25/2020 Last Publication: 12/23/2020 Name of Publication: The Clear Creek Courant IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED; DATE: 09/22/2020 Carol Lee, Public Trustee in and for the County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado /s/ Carol Lee (seal) By: Carol Lee, Public Trustee The name, address, business

legals@coloradocommunitymedia.com

telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: Richard L. Garnett #8289 Richard L. Garnett, P.C. 1536 Miner Street, Suite One, P.O. Box 656, Idaho Springs, CO 80452 (303) 567-2456 Attorney File # Walnut Valley Foreclosure The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt.

Any information provided may be used for that purpose.

Exhibit A Parcel A: The Surface rights only in and to the following described properties: The Montezuma Lode Mining Claim, The Fat Purse Lode, All of the above being covered under U.S. Survey 14761, Excepting therefrom all mineral rights as well as any portion in conflict with Survey No.s 331, 8938, 8939, 1145, 1354,1454, 1455, 1462, 1639, 1640, 1641, 1649, 12517, 12974,14577B and 14853 and further excepting the Monte Christo, Psalm of Life, New Discovery and Necla, Stella, Silent Friend, Ward, Benton, Burton and Olympic Lode claims, Survey No. 12674 as disclosed by United States Patent recorded in Book 142 at Page 96. County of Clear Creek, tate of Colorado.

Parcel B: The Surface rights only in and to the following described property: Puritan #14761A, Section 29, Township 3 South, Range 73 West, Mining District Montana and Morris, Excepting therefrom all mineral rights as well as any portion in conflict with Survey No.s 331, 8938, 8939, 1145, 1354,1454, 1455, 1462, 1639, 1640, 1641, 1649, 12517, 12974,14577B and 14853 and further excepting the Monte Christo, Psalm of Life, New Discovery and Necla, Stella, Silent Friend, Ward, Benton, Burton and Olympic Lode claims, Survey No. 12674 as disclosed by United States Patent recorded in Book 142 at Page 96.

County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado.

L-1125-005

chase therefor to KENT S TAYLOR; And Whereas, That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2016; And Whereas, That said real estate was taxed in the names of HARR PATRICIA ANN for said year of 2016; And Whereas, That said KENT S TAYLOR on the 14 day of DECEMBER, A.D. 2020, the present holder of said certificate, who has made request upon the Treasurer of Clear Creek County for deed to said real estate; And Whereas, That Treasurer’s Deed will be issued to the said KENT S TAYLOR at 11:00 o’clock A.M., on the 27 day of APRIL, A.D. 2021, unless the same have been redeemed. And Whereas, Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 14 day of DECEMBER, A.D., 2020. /s/ Carol Lee [Seal] Carol Lee, Treasurer Clear Creek County

L-1223 -TD 21-002 NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED

Ordinance No. 21, Series 2020

To Every Person in Actual Possession or Occupancy of the hereinafter Described Land, Lot or Premises, and to the Person in Whose Name the same was Taxed or Specially Assessed, and to all Persons having an Interest or Title of Record in or to the said Premise and To Whom It May Concern, and more especially to: HARR PATRICIA ANN And Whereas, You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 06 day of NOVEMBER, A.D. 2017, the then County Treasurer of Clear Creek County, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to KENT S TAYLOR the following described real estate in the County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado, to wit: TAX LIEN SALE CERTIFICATE OF PURCHASE #2017-00631 Property Schedule R011215; Parcel 196105200677 MINE: LITTLE JOHNNIE NO 3 - 17716 .5% 4.346 ACRES TR 5-4-73 277/22 County Of Clear Creek, State Of Colorado And Whereas, Said County Treasurer issued Tax Lien Sale Certificate of Pur-

Published 3 x in the Clear Creek Courant, DEC 23, 30, 2020 & JAN 06,2021 L-1223-TD 21-002 City and County CITY OF IDAHO SPRINGS Clear Creek County, Colorado Ordinance No. 19, Series 2020 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 21-33 OF CHAPTER 21, LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, OF THE IDAHO SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, CONCERNING SHORT TERM RENTALS PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Idaho Springs, Colorado, held on the 14th day of December, 2020.

Published in the Clear Creek Courant December 23, 2020 CITY OF IDAHO SPRINGS Clear Creek County, Colorado

AN ORDINANCE REZONING APPROXIMATELY 2.32 ACRES OF PROPERTY KNOWN AS 2800 MINER STREET FROM THE RESIDENTIAL TWO (R-2) ZONE DISTRICT TO THE RESIDENTIAL THREE (R-3) ZONE DISTRICT WHEREAS, the City of Idaho Springs (“City”) has received an application and associated materials to rezone certain property located within the City, more particularly described in Exhibit A, with a street address of 2800 Miner Street (the “Property”); and

posed zoning is generally in conformity with the City’s comprehensive plan, will tend to preserve and promote property values in the neighborhood, will be in harmony and compatible with the surrounding land uses and present development in the area, and will generally promote the public welfare.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Idaho Springs, Colorado, as follows: Section 1. The above and foregoing Recitals are incorporated herein by reference and are adopted as findings and determinations of the City Council.

Section 2. The zoning classification for the Property known as 2800 Miner Street, Idaho Springs, Colorado, as more particularly and fully described in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, is hereby approved as Residential Three (R-3), as of the effective date of this Ordinance.

Section 3. The official zoning map of the City is hereby amended to incorporate therein the zoning classification established in Section 2, above. Except as expressly so amended, the said zoning map is readopted, ratified and confirmed in all respects.

Section 4. Any and all Ordinances or parts thereof in conflict or inconsistent herewith are, to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency, hereby repealed; provided, however, that the repeal of any such Ordinance or part thereof shall not revive any other section or part of any Ordinance heretofore repealed or superseded.

Section 5. Should any one or more sections or provisions of this Ordinance be judicially determined invalid or unenforceable, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remaining provisions of this Ordinance, the intention being that the various provisions are severable.

INTRODUCED, READ AND ORDERED PUBLISHED, and public hearing scheduled, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Idaho Springs, Colorado, held on the 14th day of December, 2020.

Michael Hillman, Mayor ATTESTED AND CERTIFIED: Diane Breece, City Clerk PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED, after publication, following the public hearing, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Idaho Springs, Colorado, held on the 25th day of January, 2021.

Michael Hillman, Mayor ATTESTED AND CERTIFIED: Diane Breece, City Clerk EXHIBIT A

WHEREAS, said Application proposes to rezone the Property from the R-2 zone district to the R-3 zone district; and

LEGAL DESCRIPTION For 2800 Miner Street Idaho Springs

WHEREAS, the City Council and Planning Commission have authority pursuant to the laws of the State of Colorado and the Idaho Springs Municipal Code to review and evaluate applications to change the zoning classifications of property within the City; and

Part of the Daniel Aspel Placer, U.S. Survey No. 283, and part of the Denis Faivre Placer, U.S. Survey No. 295, and part of Aspel Subdivision, City of Idaho Springs, lying and situate between the Northerly right of way line of Colorado Interstate 70 and the Southerly boundary line of Miner Street in the City of Idaho Springs as described in Resolution of the City Council of the City of Idaho Springs, Colorado, dated September 9, 1963, recorded in Book 280 Page 252, and as shown on Resurvey of Gene I. Peterson, recorded in Book 280 Page 254, which parcel of land is more particularly described as follows:

WHEREAS, pursuant to Code Sections 21-82 and 21-108, the City Council and Planning Commission each considered the rezoning request, and hearings thereon were conducted on December 2, 2020 and January 25, 2021, respectively, after full and proper public notice was given as required by law, at which all interested parties were afforded an opportunity to be heard; and WHEREAS, the Council finds that the pro-

Beginning at a point on the Northerly right of way line of Colorado Interstate 70, at the Northeast corner of the parcel of land

conveyed by Deed recorded in Book 257 Page227, which point is located on the Corner No. 1 to Corner No. 7 boundary line of the Aspel Placer, U.S. Survey No. 283 and is 125 feet north of Corner No. 1 along said line;

Thence North along said Corner No. 1 to Corner No. 7 line, a distance of 212 feet, more or less to a point on the Southerly boundary line of Miner Street; Thence S. 73°54’ W. along the Southerly boundary of Miner Street, a distance of 293.36 feet; Thence continuing along said Southerly boundary of Miner Street S. 89°45’30” W., a distance of 194.46 feet; Thence along said Southerly boundary of Miner Street N. 87°45’30” W. a distance of 305.70 feet, more or less, to point of intersection of the Easterly boundary of 27th Avenue and the Southerly boundary of Miner Street, a point from whence Corner No. 5 of the aforesaid Resurvey of Miner Street bears N. 20° 48’ 10” W., a distance of 21.74 feet; Thence S. 2°34’42” W., a distance of 137.61 feet, more or less, to the point of intersection of the Easterly boundary of 27th Avenue and the Northerly right of way line of Colorado Interstate 70 as described in Book 257 Page 227 of the records of Clear Creek County; Thence Southerly and Easterly along said Northerly right of way line to the Point of Beginning.

EXCEPT Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Aspel Subdivision.

And EXCEPT a portion of the Aspel Placer conveyed by instrument recorded in Book 415 Page 743, County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado.

Published in the Clear Creek Courant December 23, 2020 CITY OF IDAHO SPRINGS Clear Creek County, Colorado Ordinance No. 18, Series 2020

AN ORDINANCE CONDITIONALLY VACATING A PORTION OF RIVERSIDE DRIVE ADJACENT TO LOTS 1-4 OF THE MIGHTY ARGO MILL MINOR SUBDIVISION

PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED, after publication, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Idaho Springs, Colorado, held on the 14th day of December, 2020.

Published in the Clear Creek Courant December 23, 2020 NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT PLM ASPHALT AND CONCRETE, LLC. 2019 FALL RIVER ROAD PAVING PROJECT PW 19-03

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with the notice provisions contained in 38-26-107, C.R.S., the CLEAR CREEK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS has established Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 10:00 am, at the Board of County Commissioners hearing room, located at 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, Colorado, as the date, time and place of final settlement with PLM Asphalt & Concrete, LLC., for Clear Creek County Road & Bridge Department’s 2019 Fall River Road Paving Project PW 19-03, County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado.

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, sustenance, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or his or her subcontractor in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplied laborers, rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work,

Legals date * 1

Clear Creek Courant 17

December 23, 2020

Angel pendants available

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Ophelia has arrived — Ophelia the angel pendant, that is.

Ophelia is the 28th silver angel created and sold to benefit Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice, and it was designed by Chloe Riser of Evergreen.

Ophelia means “help” or “helper,” and Mount Evans officials felt that meaning was appropriate for 2020.

They asked that a heart be part of the design.

Chloe’s mother, Beth Riser, who owns Evergreen Gallery, said the “help” moniker has several meanings this year — whether people purchase it to give to someone who has helped them, to remind them of the importance of helpfulness or to

SCHUESSLER

use the angel as personal support.

Three versions of the angel are available: regular, miniature and one with a gemstone. Order them at www.evergreenangel.com/ophelia.

Proceeds continue to help Mount Evans provide support to area residents.

The Evergreen Angel was created in 1993 by Virginia Haley, the original owner of Evergreen Fine Art Gallery, as a way to honor her grandmother. The first pendant was named Sarah, and Anne, Julia, Victoria, Lilli, Stella and more followed.

When Barb Hadley and Phil Shanley took over the gallery in 2008, they continued the angel tradition, and after they retired, the angelpendant legacy fell on Beth Riser at Evergreen Gallery.

The 2020 Ophelia angel pendant.

COURTESY PHOTO

His son (Zephyr) is still going to be here.”

While there are plans to travel with his youngest child this summer and plenty of interests to keep him busy, Schuessler won’t be far away from the athletic arena. He still plans to coach the middle school boys basketball team, as well as assist with the varsity baseball squad.

“I love athletics. I love teaching and coaching. I hope to keep the coaching part in my life in some

respect. But I also have several other interests. I’m an avid fly fisherman.

I love to backpack. I love outdoor photography, love to garden,” Schuessler said. “I’ve known a few people who’ve retired from here who did not really know what was next. I think I have so many hobbies that I don’t think I’ll have trouble staying busy. I’m sure my wife will find something for me.”

Older son Seattle knows that his dad, no matter what, will keep

himself busy, even if he’s not in the school any longer.

“He’s the type of guy who needs to go out and do stuff. He loves to be outdoors. He loves to see those things. That’s just what he wants to do,” Seattle said. “Sitting at home all day, I wouldn’t see him sitting at home. He would go out on hikes.

He loves to take pictures with his camera. Other than that, I think he will get a lot more done around the house.”

behind Clear Creek High School, and Copeland mentioned a tribute to Golddigger Field in the new housing development.

Copeland said Four Points was interested in helping the school district and the community understand how cohesively developing the bus barn and Golddigger Field properties along with the other two properties the district has for sale — Building 103, which is the former middle school, and the track — could play a big role in strengthening Idaho Springs’ identity.

“We will be able to innovate and support the local workforce, and we think we’ll be able to bring amenities to the community that wouldn’t otherwise exist, which will help more people want to do more in Idaho Springs,” Copeland said.

“We’re really grateful to be here.”

gaining traction, even though the price tag was close to $20 million, and the district has researched whether the building could receive historic designation.

The school board has made no decisions on what to do with Building 103, though if Carlson Elementary School remained an elementary school, it would need up to $15 million in renovations and improvements, Quanbeck said.

Quanbeck said Idaho Springs officials’ idea to turn the track property into attainable housing was intriguing. The school district and Idaho Springs need to think about developing the properties on both sides of the highway to help the community as a whole, she added.

FROM PAGE 4

ting up the public hearing. Mayor Mike Hillman emphasized that approving the first reading doesn’t mean the rezoning application has been approved.

report will be at the Jan. 11 City Council meeting.

Council unanimously passed an ordinance first read on Dec. 14, set-

Liquor license approved for The Bee’s Knees The City Council has unanimously approved a liquor license for The

Bee’s Knees to serve beer and wine.

Staff at the antique store, which is located at 1430 Miner St, said they were eager to move ahead with their plans to serve beer and wine to customers while they browse the selection.

The public hearing, first opened in November, was continued until the applicant clarified the boundaries

FROM PAGE 9

edge passed along, it just hasn’t happened. Now, we’ll see with the spring and how sports play out.

Dave has started putting together some transition material for us. But one thing I feel, I hope, is that we won’t lose Dave as a resource altogether. He’s part of the community.

DIGGER FIELD FROM PAGE 1

and first responders at a belowmarket rental rate, which will be “a great way for our employees and first responders to live where they work.”

• The firm will work with Colorado Department of Transportation and Idaho Springs officials to build a pedestrian walkway over Interstate 70.

• It will lease back the bus barn to the school district, which will only pay utilities and other costs to occupy the building and no rent, for up to 18 months until the district finds a new location.

• It will create a wall of fame for All-State athletes at the new stadium

SPRINGS BRIEFS

Plans for a new bus barn The school district is looking for a 1.5- to 2-acre property to construct a new bus barn and maintenance facility, estimated to cost about $3.5 million.

Superintendent Karen Quanbeck said the property needed to have large bays for buses to pull in for maintenance — something the current bus barn doesn’t have — plus bus washing stations, and parking for buses, other district vehicles and workers’ vehicles.

South of I-70 Quanbeck said turning Building 103 into a state-of-the-art outdoorfocused elementary school plus infant/toddler care and more was

of the proposed license premises, according to city officials.

During the Dec. 14 council meeting, neither city staff nor council members raised any objections or further concerns about the license application.

Public Notices whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractor or subcontractor, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for work contracted to be done, may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the Clear Creek Board of County Commissioners, Clear Creek County, P O Box 2000, 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, Colorado, 80444-2000. Failure to file such

verified statement or claim prior to final settlement will release the County and its employees and agents from any and all liability for such claim and for making final payment to said contractor.

Randy Wheelock, Chairman Board of County Commissioners (Published in the Clear Creek Courant &

Canyon Courier issues dated December 16th and December 23rd, 2020) Name Changes PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case Number: 2020CV4 Div: C Courtroom 606 Public Notice is given on November 25, 2020 that a Petitions for Change of Name of a Minor Child has been filed with the Clear Creek County District Court.

The Petition requests that the name of Meredith Madeline Means be changed to

Violet Madeline Fox /s/ Heidi Hershberger Clerk of the Court/Deputy Clerk Published in the Clear Creek Courant December 9, 16 and 23, 2020

18 Clear Creek Courant

December 23, 2020

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Clear Creek Courant 19

December 23, 2020

CAREER

LOOKING FOR WORK?

OPPORTUNITIES Are you seeking more than a paycheck on your new adventure?

If you’re responsible, able to work independently, anxious to learn while making a positive contribution then Georgetown is currently hiring for 2 positions. These positions provide you the opportunity to work for a town that thrives on working collaboratively and overcoming challenges.

UTILITY WORKER Skills and knowledge desired in equipment operation and maintenance, excavation, water and wastewater plant and line maintenance and general repair and maintenance.

ROAD & BRIDGE DEPARTMENT If you’re a solid professional that has skills and knowledge in road grading, equipment operation and maintenance, road and bridge maintenance, road plowing, building maintenance and general supervisory skills, then Georgetown would be interested in you joining their team.

See both job descriptions along with application forms at Georgetown Town Hall, 404 6th Street, Georgetown, CO 80444 and online at www.townofgeorgetown.us For more information call 303-569-2555 extension 3. Position open until filled.

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20 Clear Creek Courant

December 23, 2020

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