June 23, 2016
SCREEN THE SUN
VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 21 | 75¢
Experts explain how to avoid sunburn this summer on PAGE 10.
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E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Elizabeth fair puts focus on safety Event offers tips for motorists and cyclists
Flight nurse Beth Ahl answers questions from Coalten Crowner and Tanner McCoy about the Air Life EMS Helicopter. The Bell 407 helicopter was just one of several displays offered at the 2016 Summer Safety Fair & Bicycle Rodeo. Photo by Rick Gustafson
By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media Fire trucks, first responders and safety gear filled the Walmart parking lot in Elizabeth on June 18, but there was no emergency. It was not even a drill. They gathered for the Elbert County Sherriff’s Office’s 2016 Summer Safety Fair & Bicycle Rodeo. Vendors demonstrated safety and security products, private and public healthcare providers offered service options, and first responders from neighboring Rattlesnake Fire Department and the Castle Rock Police
Department took the opportunity to introduce themselves to the community. Returning for another year was the sheriff’s office’s Simulated Impaired Driving Experience vehicle, a twoperson electric go-cart that simulates impaired or distracted driving. In addition to safety demonstrations, youngsters were given the opportunity to test their knowledge of the road in the Bicycle Rodeo. The driving course laid out in the Walmart parking lot simulated conditions they might encounter as they ride. “The kids can ride the safety course on the peddle carts or their own bicycles,” said Lt. Troy McCoy of the Safety continues on Page 14
Republican state House candidates gain support Incumbent Dore challenged by cattle rancher Lewis By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media
Elizabeth High School Rodeo Team member Cauy Pennington qualified for nationals by placing in the top four in Jr. High Saddle Bronc at the Colorado Junior High School Rodeo Association’s state finals in Lamar in May. Pennington will compete at nationals in July. Courtesy photo
An athletic endeavor Teens, animals work with amazing precision
By Geraldine Smith Special to Colorado Community Media The young, talented athlete with perfect posture maintains remarkable equilibrium after taking control of
the prize, never looking back, keeping both eyes trained on the objective. Working in perfect unison with a teammate, the competitor navigates each obstacle with the athletic grace and precision of a highly disciplined and professionally trained athlete. The subtle signals between the two are implicit and any necessary modifications instantaneous.
This intense scenario does not unfold in a school gym or on a football field but during the Elizabeth High School Rodeo Team’s performance within a dusty arena. The goal is not a touchdown or a basket but remaining astride a horse traveling at 35 mph, rounding a barrel to pluck a flag from Rodeo continues on Page 9
Voters eligible to participate in this year’s Republican primary should have already received their ballots, and many of those ballots have been submitted to the county for tally, but that has not stopped a series Dore of late endorsements for candidates in the race for Colorado’s District 64 House seat. Possibly one of the biggest late calls for support came from Colorado’s 4th District Congressman Ken Buck, who endorsed Kimmi Lewis’ Lewis challenge to incumbent Rep. Tim Dore on June 10. In a letter to voters, Buck praised Lewis for her constitutional conservativism, describing her as a grassroots conservative who will have a strong voice for Colorado values in the State House. “Ordinarily, most congressmen would not weigh in on a state House Republican primary, but Kimmi Lewis is not your ordinary candidate,” wrote Buck. “Never wanting to run for office herself, Kimmi Lewis has spent her adult life raising a Race continues on Page 9
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 12 p.m. | Classifieds: Mon. 10 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 10 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.