1-Color
April 17, 2014
75 cents Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 122, Issue 24 A publication of
douglascountynewspress.net
GOP assembly pares down field Former JeffCo lawmaker Kopp earns top line on primary ballot in gubernatorial race By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com It took Republican delegates just one ballot over the weekend to pick from a crowded field of hopefuls looking to challenge Gov. John Hickenlooper this November — and one candidate in particular emerged as a surprise force in the race.
Delegates who converged on Boulder for the Republican State Assembly on April 12 also picked candidates for other key statewide races. The results included the clearing of opposition to U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner, who can now set his sights exclusively on Democratic incumbent Mark Udall in the race for a Senate seat this fall. Coming into the assembly, at least one gubernatorial candidate looked like a sure bet to get on the ballot — Secretary of State Scott Gessler. But delegates made room for another hopeful: former state Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp.
In a crowded GOP field, Kopp will have the top line when Republican voters fill out their ballots in the gubernatorial primary in June. That’s because Kopp surprised many by emerging with the top vote count among the 3,900-plus delegates. “It’s always nice to have the ‘big Mo,’ “ said Kopp, who represented the southern part of Jefferson County in the state Senate from 2007 -11. “Our message worked, our organization worked. So, phase one is complete and now we’re excited to move into phase two.” Kopp’s nomination speech — held in-
Cultures come together
side the University of Colorado’s Coors Events Center — took on a fighting theme. Kopp talked about being an underdog who takes down “giants” and referenced his own background as an Army ranger who doesn’t know the meaning of the word surrender. “Surrender is not a Ranger word and it’s not a conservative word,” Kopp said. Kopp’s 34 percent of the delegate vote tally edged Gessler’s, who also made the primary ballot by garnering 33 of the Kopp continues on Page 6
Open carry issue to go to public vote Special election expected to take place sometime in August By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@ coloradocommunitymedia.com
Steve Lapoint, left, a Lakota Native American, dances April 9 at DCS Montessori with his step-father, Sid Whiting, a Lakota elder. Photos by Ryan Boldrey
Native American Sportsmen dance for, educate area scouts By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Respect Mother Earth. Honor those who came before you and serve you. Honor the Great Creator, Jesus, Jehovah or whomever you pray to. Respect your neighbors and their cultural differences. “Just because they may pray in a different way to a different God or are praying for different things, doesn’t mean they are praying to a different spiritual being or should be viewed differently or that they are weird,” said Sid Whiting, 53, a Lakota elder to a group of young scouts April 9 in Castle Pines. Whiting was among seven visitors
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from the Denver-based Native American Sportsmen Association that shared life lessons, danced and drummed for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from Pack and Troop 856, their families and community members who stopped by DCS Montessori for the hour-long presentation. Whiting, whose family helped start the Denver Indian Center and the Tall Bull Memorial Grounds in Daniels Park, said the sportsmen association’s mission is to “educate non-natives and natives about the spiritual, cultural, physical and mental Native American beliefs.” On April 9, he and others did just that. Steve Lapoint, Whiting’s stepson, spoke with those in attendance about the place of many Native Americans in today’s society. He talked to the youth about his own military service as well as the service of many Native Americans before him, including the famous Code Talkers who helped the United States become victorious in World War II. Cultures continues on Page 7
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Robert Ironshield, an Hunkpapa Lakota, dances April 9 in Castle Pines. Ironshield has been singing and drumming his whole life and dancing since he was 16 years old.
(ISSN 1067-425X) (USPS 567-060)
OffIce: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PhONe: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Englewood, Colorado, and the towns of Castle Rock, Parker and Larkspur, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media and additional mailing offices. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTeR: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DeADLINeS: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. | Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Tues. 12 p.m.
The issue of whether the open carry of firearms should be allowed in Town of Castle Rock-owned buildings and parks will go to a public vote. A special public meeting was held April 14 as a necessary follow-up to a successful referendum petition a group of residents initiated after council voted in late January to repeal an 11-year-old ordinance banning open carry on town property. In accordance with state statute, at the meeting, council was faced with the decision to either rescind their January decision or put the issue to a vote. After listening to public testimony, council voted unanimously to let residents make the decision. “One thing that came through pretty loud and clear in the several hearings we had was the lack of certainty in what the people of Castle Rock think about this,” said outgoing Councilmember Clark Hammelman. “If we choose (to rescind the January decision) we would never find out what they think. I think we need to find out.” Hammelman had been one of three councilmembers, along with Mark Heath and Chip Wilson, to vote against the repeal. Mayor Paul Donahue and councilmembers Joe Procopio, Jennifer Green and Renee Valentine had all voted in January to repeal the 2003 ordinance, which Donahue pointed out was also made in a 4-3 council vote. “Back in 2003, when the ban was put into place, it was a different time,” Donahue said. “It was shortly after 9-11. People were scared, nervous and I think we now live in a time where federal government and state government are restricting our rights. “I find it odd that we need to go to a special election to vote on a constitutional Vote continues on Page 7
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