$1.00
January 28, 2021
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 125 | ISSUE 52
New police chief comes from within ranks Melvin Berghahn had served as commander on town’s department BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Melvin Berghahn, a 15-year law enforcement veteran, was sworn in as Elizabeth’s new police chief Jan. 15. Berghahn replaces Steve Hasler, who retired last month. Berghahn joined the Elizabeth Police Department in 2015 as a sergeant, and was promoted to commander in 2018. He has led the operations of the department for the past several years. “The board of trustees is honored to appoint Cmdr. Melvin Berghahn as the new Elizabeth chief of police,” said Mayor Megan Vasquez. “He has made a positive impact in the community and I look forward to watching how the department will thrive and continue community policing under his direction. Thank you to Chief Berghahn and all of the Elizabeth police officers for putting their lives on the line every day to protect the place we all call home.” Berghahn began his career in law enforcement nearly 16 years ago, after serving four years in the Army. “I had wanted to be a career military person, but I found myself as a single dad,” said Berghahn. “I was recruited by the chief in Parachute, and decided to pursue law enforcement.” Berghahn hails from New York, and arrived in Colorado SEE CHIEF, P13
COVID-19 VACCINE
Eligible residents urged to get on list First-day appointments all were booked nearly two weeks in advance BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Elizabeth Mayor Megan Vasquez swears in Melvin Berghahn as the town’s new chief of COURTESY OF TOWN OF ELIZABETH police on Jan. 15.
Elbert County residents over the age of 70 and first responders, including fire rescue, law enforcement and emergency medical services, are encouraged to sign up to get on the waiting list for COVID-19 vaccinations. The number to call is 303-621-3144, where callers can leave a voicemail with their name and phone number for a call back. The county originally urged people in those groups to sign up for an initial round of vaccinations to be given on Feb. 2 at the county fairgrounds, but all slots for that date filled up nearly two weeks in advance. “We encourage anyone in these categories” to get signed up, said Dwayne Smith, director of Elbert County Public Health. “In accordance with Colorado’s Vaccine Prioritization Plan, at this time we are only providing vaccines in these populations.” Elbert County has seen a decline SEE LIST, P13
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 6 | LIFE: PAGE 10 | CALENDAR: PAGE 11
GOING GREEN
Green chiles are a versatile Colorado favorite P10
2 Elbert County News
January 28, 2021J
Brauchler closes out tenure as DA BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
His time helming Colorado’s largest judicial district began and ended with shootings that horrified the nation. Cases like those — the 2012 Aurora theater shooting and the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting of 2019 — left former 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler with memories that haunt him. Autopsy photos of 6-year-old Veronica Moser-Sullivan. A veteran law enforcement officer falling apart on the stand as he described cradling Veronica while rushing her away from the Aurora theater shooting scene. Later in his terms, walking two schools frozen in a moment of terror — backpacks strewn about, overturned desks, burn marks on the walls — after gunmen opened fire on their classmates. Brauchler’s hands-on management of big cases, along with his overall approach to criminal justice in a diverse, politically divided district also forged reputations. Brauchler, a Republican, is a lawand-order man, skilled prosecutor, trusted friend, and some believe, destined for higher office. To others, he’s a punitive district attorney, partisan politician, and blind to racial disparities in criminal justice. Arapahoe County Democrats “are happy to see George Brauchler go,” party chair Kristin Mallory said.
“He definitely doesn’t represent Arapahoe County,” she said. Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock, a Republican, hopes this is far from the last Colorado has seen of Brauchler. “I’d like to see that guy as my congressman,” Spurlock said. Brauchler’s successor, John Kellner, asked him to stay on as special prosecutor for the upcoming STEM School shooting trial. He’ll continue serving part-time on the case, but as of Jan. 12 his eight years as district attorney are over. One week before leaving office, the term-limited DA stood surrounded by years’ worth of files making their way into moving boxes. Brauchler has packed up and left. Where he’s going remains to be seen. Big cases, diverse district
State Rep. Tom Sullivan came to know Brauchler in 2012 as the recently elected district attorney took on prosecuting the Aurora theater shooter. Sullivan’s son Alex died on his 27th birthday in the rampage that left 11 more dead. For more than three years, Sullivan’s family worked closely with Brauchler while the case raged on. Since then Sullivan said he’s stepped back to look at the bigger picture of Brauchler’s career. “He’s pretty much shown that he is a party-over-person legislator of the people,” Sullivan said. Sullivan, a Democrat, went on from the shooting to flip House Dis-
SBDC VIRTUAL SERVICES Free Business Consulting SBDC VIRTUAL CONSULTING Strategic planning is a must. Sign up or request an appointment today!
www.Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com/consulting
Free Training for Entrepreneurs AuroraSouth Metro SBDC
Helping existing and new businesses grow and prosper By appointment only working remotely SBDC Host:
“BUSINESS CONVERSATIONS” Register for a webinar today. Scroll through the current offerings.
www.Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com/training
Resiliency Tips and Resources SBDC ASSISTANCE and FINANCIAL OPTIONS Get your questions answered as your business pivots and reopens.
CITY OF AURORA
Aurora Municipal Center
CITY OF ENGLEWOOD Englewood Civic Center
THRIVE WORKPLACE DTC | Centennial
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com
info@Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com
trict 37 in 2018 and today represents portions of Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County. The two men found themselves at political odds numerous times since, Sullivan said. Sullivan ran for office intent on addressing gun violence and took note when Brauchler advocated against gun control measures he pursued, Sullivan said. They found some common ground when lawmakers repealed Colorado’s death penalty in 2020. Brauchler, a Parker resident, has been a staunch supporter of capital punishment, calling it a critical tool for holding the “worst of the worst” accountable. He still thinks the repeal should have been sent to a vote of the people rather than decided at the Capitol. “They were gutless,” Brauchler said. Sullivan had pleaded with his fellow lawmakers to keep capital punishment on the books. Despite their shared support on the issue, Brauchler’s unsuccessful pursuit of it in the Aurora theater shooting case remains a point of contention for Sullivan, who is convinced the sole dissenting juror’s mind was made up “on Day 1.” He faults Brauchler’s team for not detecting that. “They didn’t get the death penalty qualified jury on the case. I mean, it’s as simple as that,” Sullivan said. That gun violence bookended Brauchler’s tenure — beginning with Aurora, ending with STEM School,
and the 2013 Arapahoe High School shooting in-between — is not lost on Sullivan. The legislator wants a proactive approach to preventing gun violence, he said, but says Brauchler would rather “throw the book at them” once someone commits gun violence. “He certainly hasn’t made us any safer. He certainly hasn’t done anything to stop that from happening in our community,” Sullivan said. Brauchler has been asked why his community and surrounding areas have been hit with multiple cases of horrific gun violence. After eight years, the question still confounds him. His community is filled with good people, he said, adding “I don’t think we are doing anything wrong.” “I don’t know,” he said. “I truly don’t know. I want to say it’s a function of coincidence.” ‘What he’s built for’
Kellner, also a Republican, said the 18th has taken measures to curb gun violence, like through its “robust juvenile diversion program” that helps reduce recidivism rates and monitoring illegal gun sales. The new district attorney first met Brauchler more than a decade ago at a military training course. When Brauchler asked him to join the 18th in 2012 and help start up a cold case unit, Kellner said “it was a no brainer.” SEE BRAUCHLER, P16
Elbert County News 3
1January 28, 2021
Colorado leaders react to Biden inauguration Politicians offer their takes on change at the top BY ERNEST LUNNING DENVER GAZETTE
Colorado officials on Jan. 20 marked that day’s inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, with Democrats offering messages of congratulations and conveying determination to tackle the work ahead, while Republicans cautioned the new administration against lurching too far to the left. Colorado’s two senators, who both ran in the Democratic primary in hopes of taking on former President Donald Trump, spoke of the challenges faced by the incoming administration and cheered Biden’s call to bring the nation together. “Not since FDR has an administration began with such formidable challenges Bennet — a public health crisis, an economic crisis, a climate crisis, and the most bitter partisan divisions in living memory,” said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet. “Americans are eager for change. President Biden and Vice President Harris have a historic opportunity to earn the American people’s confidence by leading with integrity, governing
with competence, and pursuing an agenda that will make a real difference in their lives.” Bennet added: “The new administration has already put forward proposals to bridge us from the pandemic into a growing economy while expanding opportunity and security for millions of Americans. I look forward to working closely with the new administration to pass this agenda, restore a government that works, and burnish our democratic example to the world once again.” “Today we begin our work to rebuild the nation,” said U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, “President Biden spoke of coming together to confront the challenges facing our country, and he’s right — there isn’t any time to waste. “The pandemic has stolen over 400,000 lives and millions of jobs, climate change has caused severe droughts and record-breaking wildfires in Colorado, and the Trump administration has endangered families’ health care and our standing in the world,” Hickenlooper added. Referring to Biden’s pledge that he will be a “president for all Americans” and “fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did,” Hickenlooper seconded the sentiment. “President Biden and Vice President Harris are taking office at a time when we face deep divisions, but even stronger calls to unite,”
SEE WHAT’S POSSIBLE WITH A FIXED RATE AS LOW AS
3.99%
APR
on a HOME EQUITY CHOICELINE advance of $10,000 or more.*
Apply online today or speak with a Bellco representative for more information about restrictions and conditions. Bellco.org/ChoiceLinePromo *LIMITED–TIME OFFER. The 3.99% APR for the Fixed Rate promotion is available to anyone who qualifies and advances at least $10,000.00 from the available line of credit at the time the Fixed Rate Subaccount is opened. Conditions and restrictions apply. This offer can end at any time. Membership eligibility required. All loans subject to approval by Bellco. Variable Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for well-qualified borrowers as of 1/1/2021 is 3.75% and is subject to change without notice. Maximum APR for variable rate advance is 21%. Variable rate may change after account opening. Property must be insured and located in Colorado.
TAKE OUT
he said. “I’m ready to partner with the new administration and my colleagues, including those across the aisle, to get our nation back on track. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work.” Buck balks
U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, a Windsor Republican and the chairman of the Colorado GOP, tweeted criticism of Biden’s reported plans to swiftly undo policies of the Trump administration by issuing an unprecedented series of executive orders on the new president’s first day in office. “Instead of taking steps to start moving America forward, Biden will sign executive orBuck ders on his first day that will make good on the campaign promises he made to the extreme left-wing of the Democratic Party. These policies will hurt millions of people and weaken our nation,” Buck said. “This liberal wishlist is the wrong approach for our nation,” Buck said after listing his objections to Biden’s intention to join the Paris Climate Accord, block the Keystone XL pipeline and move toward hiking the minimum wage and creating a path to citizenship for 11 million immigrants in the country illegally. SEE LEADERS, P7
BIG DEAL #1 TAKEOUT SPECIAL NOW ONLY SAVE $9.00
$37.14 Menu Price, $46.14
• RACK BABY BACK RIBS • 1/2 BBQ CHICKEN • CHICKEN BREAST (BONELESS) • BAKED BEANS (PINT) • COLE SLAW (PINT) • GARLIC TOAST (5 PC) • 1 BOTTLE OF BBQ SAUCE
Best Ribs in Colorado! Take-Out Only Mon, Tues, Wed only. VALID February 1, 2, 3. Must bring coupon. One Coupon good for entire party. Coupon not valid for Online Ordering or Delivery
TAKE OUT AVAILABLE 11 AM - 2 PM
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
10335 S. Parker Rd., Parker 303-805-9742
4 Elbert County News
January 28, 2021J
View from Rueter-Hess incline ‘real special’ Regional attraction in Douglas County surges in popularity BY NICK PUCKETT NPUCKETT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Word is getting out about the Rueter-Hess Recreation Area in northern Douglas County, the newest attraction to the county’s plethora of outdoor activities. The incline, which opened Nov. 26, has drawn visitors from throughout the metro area to catch the 360-degree view of the south metro suburbs at the top. Jim Boberschmidt, of south Denver, hiked the incline Jan. 15 with his sons and said the view from the top was “real special.” “I saw it on Instagram yesterday and thought `it’s going to be a nice day and my wife likes to hike,’ so I thought I would scout it out while she’s working today,” Boberschmidt said. “It feels like it’ll be busy on weekends. This will be a destination site for the area, so we’ll see.” The Rueter-Hess Incline Challenge is an outdoor staircase of 132 steps — roughly equivalent in height to a nine-story building. The incline is located north of the reservoir and accessible off Heirloom Parkway near the Rueter-Hess Water Purification Facility. A parking lot west of the water purification facility has been designated for
A group of hikers, hailing from north Denver, catch their breath atop the Rueter Hess Incline Jan. 15. The newest attraction in northern Douglas County has caught the attention of outdoors enthusiasts throughout the metro area.
visitors at the bottom of the Incline Challenge. A one-mile trail, the Rosie Rueter Trail loop, leads to and from the parking lot and incline. The incline has one-way access, up the steps and down the service trail. Dogs are allowed on trails only and must be leashed. Dogs are not allowed on the incline. The incline will be open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. The opening of the incline marks the finish of the first phase of the five-phase Rueter-Hess Recreation Master Plan. “We know that residents have been anxiously waiting for regular recreation activities to open at Rueter-Hess. We are very happy to have Phase I complete and the Incline ready for public use,” RHRA
Hikers climb the Rueter-Hess Incline Jan. 15. The incline opened last year as the first recreational opportunity available at the Rueter Hess Reservoir site for regular, daily PHOTOS BY NICK PUCKETT use.
President Darcy Beard said in a Nov. 17 news release. The Incline Challenge is the county’s second, with the Miller Park incline in Castle Rock, at 200 steps tall, being the first. Rueter-Hess Reservior will eventually be home to outdoor activities from archery to canoeing. The 1,600 acres of land surrounding the reservoir is owned by the Parker Water and Sanitation District. Parker Water is an agency separate from the Town of Parker and operates in areas throughout northern and eastern Douglas County. There is no timeline for when the rest of the area will open.
Rueter-Hess Recreation Authority is made up of six government agencies: the Parker Water and Sanitation District, Town of Castle Rock, Town of Parker, City of Castle Pines, City of Lone Tree and Douglas County. The RHRA will hold a grand opening event in the spring, according to a news release, once the East-West Regional Trail, which will connect Parker to Highlands Ranch, is complete. To view the Rueter-Hess Reservoir Recreation Plan, visit rhrecreation.org. “The beauty of Colorado is you’re so close to nature from a lot of places,” Boberschmidt said.
✓EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST! Walk-In Tubs
WALK-IN BATHTUB SALE! SAVE $1,500
Only American Standard has OVER 140 years of experience and offers the Liberation Walk-In Bathtub.
✓SUPERIOR DESIGN! Ultra low easy entry and exit design, wide door, built-in safety bar and textured floor provides a safer bathing experience.
✓PATENTED QUICK-DRAIN® TECHNOLOGY ✓LIFETIME WARRANTY!
The ONLY Lifetime Warranty on the bath AND installation, INCLUDING labor backed by American Standard.
✓44 HYDROTHERAPY JETS! More than any other tub we’ve seen.
FREE!
Savings Include an American Standard Right Height Toilet FREE! ($500 Value)
FREE!
An In-Home Evaluation Will Be Scheduled At Your Earliest Convenience
Limited Time Offer! Call Today!
1-855-449-8779 Or visit: www.walkintubinfo.com/CO
Lifetime Warranty! Finance Options Available* Discount applied at time of purchase. Terms and Conditions Apply. * Subject to 3rd party credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Receive a free American Standard Cadet Toilet with full installation of a Liberation Walk-In Bath, Liberation Shower, or Deluxe Shower. Offer valid only while supplies last. Limit one per household. Must be first time purchaser. All offers subject to change prior to purchase. See www.AmericanStandardBathtubs.com for other restrictions and for licensing, warranty, and company information. * CSLB B982796; Suffolk NY:5543IH; NYC:HIC#2022748-DCA. Safety Tubs Co. LLC does not sell in Nassau NY, Westchester NY, Putnam NY, Rockland NY.
Elbert County News 5
1January 28, 2021
Keep It Up, Douglas County! COVID safety measures help restaurants stay open. Thank you for your continued support. Servers and staff appreciate your gratuity. Learn more at douglas.co.us/douglascovid19/ keep-it-up-douglas-county
Interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child?
Sen. Michael Bennet visited a site next to I-25 during his visit to Douglas County on PHOTO BY ELLIOTT WENZLER Jan. 11.
Bennet gets up-close look at Sandstone Ranch U.S. senator also filled in on I-25 Gap project’s progress during visit to county BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet spent a recent morning visiting Sandstone Ranch in southwest Douglas County and learning about the 18-mile stretch of I-25 known as the Gap that is under construction. “It’s really a fundamental part of doing my job,” Bennet said about of the Jan. 11 visit to the county. Bennet — a Democrat who has represented Colorado in the Senate since 2009 — added that the idea for a recent conservation bill he introduced, called the Outdoor Restoration Force Act, came from a tour just like this. “At Sandstone what stood out was the vision of Douglas County … to preserve that iconic open space so close to where so many people live,” Bennet said. “That’s a very, very rare thing to see in our country.” Bennet was also briefed on construction progress for the portion of I-25 between Castle Rock and Monument. The Gap project was made possible in part by a $65 million infrastructure grant that he and former Sen. Cory Gardner helped secure in 2018. “This is the result of a collaborative effort to fund this project,” he said. “It’s wonderful to have the chance to be on the ground and be briefed about how the implementation is actually going.” Bennet learned that the project is, so far, ahead of schedule, with 6 miles completed and more than half of the paving finished. “Everyone is focused on getting
this thing done as fast as we possibly can,” said Shoshana Lew, executive director of CDOT. Commissioners Lora Thomas and Abe Laydon, who accompanied the senator on his visits in the county, answered questions and added comments on the significance of the I-25 project. Thomas, who was a state trooper from 1984 to 2003, used to patrol this section of interstate. “In 1987 a state trooper was killed right at the county line … and I arrested the driver that killed him. And then just before this project started there were two more state troopers that were killed,” she said. “When I became a commissioner this became my personal goal to get the funding to get this road done.” She went on to explain 1A, the ballot item approved by voters in 2019 that allowed the county to move 0.18% of their 1% sales tax from the justice center to roads. After the presentations, Bennet also spoke about the recent insurrection in Washington, D.C., where a pro-Trump mob occupied the U.S. Capitol for several hours. “What we need to do in order to reject this is work together in a bipartisan way to be honest with the people we represent,” he said. “Even when that’s hard or we disagree.” He added that he thinks it’s time for President Donald Trump to step down from office. “I think that he is unfit for office and I just think we’d all be better off if he moved on,” he said. Bennet added that he values his relationship with Douglas County, a conservative stronghold. “I have treasured the working relationship that I’ve had with the Douglas County commissioners and the work we do together,” he said. “The fact that I’m a Democrat and they’re Republicans isn’t particularly relevant.”
Information nights are free and open to anyone interested in learning about foster care and adoption. Join via Zoom on Feb. 8 and Feb. 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. For more information call 303-636-1KID or register online at collaborativefostercare.com and select Information Night.
Draft Plan public comment opportunity Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m. for the presentation of the Draft 2021 Douglas County Local Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. We will review the Draft Plan and look forward to receiving your public comments. For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for Local Natural Hazard Mitigation.
Business Personal Property Tax Declarations due by April 15 2021 Business Personal Property Tax Declarations may be filed online at DouglasFilesOnline.org. Business owners who own or lease business personal property with a total market value greater than $7,900 must report the property to the County Assessor. For more information visit douglas.co.us/assessor
Where can individuals 70 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine? Those 70+ who have not been contacted by an affiliated health care system should contact a vaccine provider listed on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website. Visit covid19.colorado.gov/ vaccine, call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or call 2-1-1.
Are you a Douglas County property owner? Visit douglascotax.com to view parcel details, prior year payment history, pay taxes and more. Still have questions? Visit douglas.co.us/treasurer for additional information.
Holiday office closure Douglas County offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Many services are available 24/7 at DoItOnlineDouglas.com
Visit douglas.co.us
6 Elbert County News
LOCAL
January 28, 2021J
VOICES
Six of one, half a dozen of the other, if that’s OK
I
’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I would say on Twitter if I were on Twitter. The same goes for Facebook and Instagram and any others I don’t QUIET know about. DESPERATION Sooner or later, everyone on Twitter apologizes for something. I know I wouldn’t be any different. I’d say something that was “tone deaf.” (I see the words “tone deaf ” Craig Marshall a lot.) Smith At first, I’d try to defend what I said, then I’d make up an excuse for what I said. Then I’d apologize. It would go something like this: “I want to apologize to the State of Texas and all Texans. What I said about Texas and Texans was tone deaf. I know that now. “This will not define me. However, I don’t know what will, and
maybe this will define me.” Perhaps there are plenty of good reasons to have a Twitter account, and they offset all of the negativity I keep reading about. If I did have an account, I know just what I’d do. I would be up in the middle of the night tweeting exactly what I thought of musicals. “Hamilton.” “Cats.” “Mamma Mia.” For or against? Little Miss beauty pageants, the NRA, the Second Amendment, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, peanut butter, Scientology, chocolate chip ice cream, Quentin Tarantino, motivational speakers, televangelists, situation comedies, Comic Con, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, the Easter Bunny. My mailbox would explode, implode, spit and fume. Last week I had a nightmare like no other: I was a contented Douglas County high school art teacher but the principal, Mr. Kafka, decided it was my turn to teach a new course. “American Patriotism.” I begged and pleaded: “No, not me. Not now.”
In the first place, I don’t know how to tweet. The word itself isn’t fit for a Runyonesque character like I am. “Harry, I’m going upstairs to tweet,” would worry the dog. Not everyone, as we know, apologizes for what they express on Twitter. Some of us never apologize. Maybe you have noticed? People are far more likely to complain now than they once were. And to complain aggressively. Some things trigger all of us. Race and abortion, for examples. Some things trigger select groups or individuals. Perfume in elevators and gum chewing. If the whole perfume industry went away, I wouldn’t mind. Wait. Maybe I should reword that. Think twice: Do you really want to smell like your off-aunt’s funeral? See what I mean? I am governed by black coffee and an unnecessary need to engage in pedantic faultfinding. I’m working on it. There’s a brand
new hair shirt hanging in the closet. If anyone thinks “We’re all in this together,” they haven’t been paying attention. Not wanting to stoke further divisions among the citizenry, I am going to try to sit on the fence for a while. Travel the road’s middle. Try to appeal to every man, woman and child. It can be done. “Offend no one,” will be my motto, my newest tattoo. I will greet everyone with a smile. But how will they know I’m smiling behind a mask? Good question. The chances of a makeover are practically nil. I have been disputatious since I was a child; unlike my sister, who never complained about our mother’s spaghetti sauce. Elbert Hubbard said, “To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.” Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net.
Hope and encouragement, love and forgiveness
R
ecently I was asked about some of the best advice I have received over my career. As I considered my response, I thought about some of the great business minds and strategists who provided guidWINNING ance. I paused for WORDS a moment before answering the question. I wanted to make sure that my answer would reflect how I chose to live my life. The answer I gave was this, “The best advice I Michael Norton have received is to provide hope and encouragement to all and to offer unconditional love and forgiveness to everyone.” This was a business interview, and I could tell that the gentleman who asked the question was caught off guard. My instinct was right because he tried to clarify that his question was more about business advice and not personal advice. Pausing one more time, I thought about the response I had provided,
A publication of
750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: ElbertCountyNews.net To subscribe call 303-566-4100
“Provide others with hope and encouragement and live with unconditional love and forgiveness.” There was a pause on his end, so I asked if I could clarify what I meant and why I believe it was still the best advice I had ever been given personally, professionally, and spiritually. His response came quickly, “Yes, please connect the dots for me.” Beginning with hope and encouragement I shared that early in my career I was fortunate enough to have worked in a culture of hope and encouragement. From the CEO on down, including my manager, all worked with the spirit of lifting each other up. There was hardly any turnover on the team. And since we know that people don’t leave jobs, they leave their bosses, this was so unique that I knew that I wanted to emulate it in my own career and in my life. Wondering if it was the right approach for the company, the answer is yes, they were successfully acquired. The attitude of gratitude was abundant. And as I received promotions, I was then responsible for the productivity and care of those on my team. Rule #1 for me was a commitment to creating a culture and
environment based on the foundation of hope and encouragement. If that did not fit with anyone on the team, they were encouraged and free to find success elsewhere. “OK, this makes sense in that context. But I’m curious, tell me about love and forgiveness in the workplace,” the gentleman continued. “Let’s not forget that we are talking about unconditional love and unconditional forgiveness that succeeds at home and at work.” That’s important because oftentimes we try and place rules around both. As we discussed love, I wanted to make sure that he understood that I was not speaking of romantic love, I was speaking about a different kind of love. A love based on appreciation, respect, honor, and a willingness to come alongside each other in the good times, wins, losses, and family emergencies. The kind of love that team members always knew they could count on. A “family first” approach, whether it was the team’s personal family or the family culture we created on our team. Unconditional forgiveness works the same way. I have found that most errors made in business never
JERRY HEALEY President
ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant
jhealey@coloradocommunitymedia.com
eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com
CHRIS ROTAR Interim Editor
AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager
crotar@coloradocommunitymedia.com
abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com
LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager
ERIN FRANKS Production Manager
lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com
efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com
torpedo a company. Giving team members permission to fail. Unconditional forgiveness is not a “get out of jail free” card. If the mistake crossed the line and hurt the company or the team, a client, or partner significantly enough, there would be consequences. Remembering all the times I had failed and was given grace, given unconditional forgiveness, even if I lost an account or an opportunity. My leadership team always made sure that I was OK first, and then worked with me to identify what went wrong and what I could do better next time. It was not only their advice, they demonstrated it each day. How about you? What’s the best advice you have received personally or professionally? I would love to hear all about it at mnorton@ tramazing.com and when we can live and work with the spirit of hope and encouragement and unconditional love and forgiveness, it really will be a better than good year. Michael Norton is the grateful CEO of Tramazing.com, a personal and professional coach, and a consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator to businesses of all sizes.
Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Elbert County News, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
Elbert County News 7
1January 28, 2021
LEADERS FROM PAGE 3
Buck added: “Republicans are focused on working to unify the country by rebuilding a strong economy and fighting for freedom and opportunity, which have made America an exceptional nation.” Democratic Gov. Jared Polis called the “relief and hope” he felt watching the inauguration “overwhelming” in an email to supporters. “The last four years have been an emotional roller coaster for all of us. Finally, we have professional, skilled, experienced, data-driven, sane leaders in the White House once again who are governing our nation with honesty and integrity,” he said. “In my lifetime, the need for leaders like this President and Vice President, who are prepared to begin to make progress on Day One, has never been greater.” Slamming the “absence of federal leadership during the previous administration,” Polis maintained that Coloradans “have done our very best to use science, data, and fact-driven consensus to improve people’s lives and recover in the face of trauma.” “This is a day of tremendous hope that brighter days are ahead for our nation,” Polis concluded. “And it’s a day for resolve and for determination that we will not let the forces whose negligence and dishonesty have given us so much unnecessary hardship drag us back in the wrong direction. Together, we can and we must continue to make progress.” ‘Great day’
U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat, hailed the inauguration as “a great day for our nation” in a statement. “Our democracy has been tested in unprecedented ways, but it has held — and today’s inauguration was a testament to the amazing strength and resiliency that our nation has shown time and time again during even the most trying of times,” she said. DeGette, one of nine House Democrats chosen to prosecute the impeachment case against Trump in an upcoming Senate trial, said, “Today is the start of a new chapter in our nation’s history. It’s a time for us to come together and show the word that America’s unity is still its greatest strength.” In a tweet, DeGette drew attention to the historic nature of Harris being sworn in. “Three historic words were spoken on the steps of the U.S. Capitol today: Madam Vice President,” she said, noting Harris is the first woman to serve as vice president. “Now, let’s make sure you aren’t the last.” Freshman U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Rifle Republican and ardent yTrump supporter, took a swipe at Biden after attending Trump’s send-off to Florida at Joint Base Andrews. “It’s Biden’s #InaugurationDay and all the left can seem to talk about is Donald J. Trump,” Boebert tweeted. “Says it all.” Earlier, Boebert tweeted a valedictory message about Trump.
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
“President Trump inspired a new generation of patriots to get involved in saving this great nation,” she said. “It’s now on us to carry the movement forward. This is bigger than one man. The America First movement is only beginning.” Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow of Aurora said Biden’s inauguration marked “the dawn of a new day in America,” in a statement. “President Joe Biden is a good and decent man who has faced many challenges in his life and persevered. His empathy and compassion is born of tragedy, like so many of us. Our first woman Vice President, a daughter of immigrants, embodies the hopes and aspirations of our nation. While the path forward is hard, I know that President Biden and Vice President Harris will help America build back stronger,” Crow said. “Today’s inauguration sends a clear message to Americans and people across the world that the peaceful transfer of power is the cornerstone of democracy,” he added. “The January 6th attacks on our Capitol and the setbacks our nation has experienced over the last four years will not define us. America is strong and our democracy will prevail.” Hancock sees hope
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, a Democrat, applauded the arrival of “leadership once again on the most pressing issues of our time — positive progress on immigration reform, addressing climate change, regaining our standing on the international stage, and much more.” Calling Harris’ ascension to the vice presidency “an inspiration to so many,” Hancock praised the inauguration’s “display of unity we need right now.” “We may have our differences, but we are all Americans, and what we can achieve when working together toward a common goal is one of our greatest strengths as a people,” he said. “Today, America turned a page and put a dark chapter of our history behind us,” said Alec Garnett,
the speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives and a Denver Democrat, in a statement. “I’m con-
fident that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the right people to lead our country at this crucial time, and I’m hopeful that together we’ll be able to craft a strong economic recovery that leaves no person behind. It’s time to put aside the vitriol that has characterized the last four years and instead work together to build back our country even stronger than it was before.” The Colorado Senate Democrats offered congratulations to Harris. “The first Latina Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, just swore-in the first Black, South Asian & woman Vice President of the United States,” the Senate Democrats tweeted. “The glass ceiling has been shattered.” Morgan Carroll, a former state Senate president and chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, said that the country’s “Constitution and democracy institutions have prevailed,” in a statement. “It is morning again in our great nation, and I look forward to watching the Democratic members of Colorado’s congressional delegation work with the Biden administration to lead us past the pandemic, rebuild our economy, and to heal the soul of our nation,” Carroll said.
In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. Private 303-566-4100 Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com
Funeral Homes Visit: www.memoriams.com
8 Elbert County News
Elbert County News 9
January 28, 2021
explore satisfy the ultimate resort
experience Step into the ultimate resort, only 45 minutes from Denver. Savor all-new flavors at Monarch Chophouse, enjoy burgers, brews and more around the clock at Twenty-Four 7, or let The Buffet light up your senses with exquisite flavors and cuisine from all corners of the globe. Spread out and feel the thrill of the action on our spaciously expanded gaming floor. Then, retreat to your own luxury guest room to relax, rejuvenate, and prepare to do it all over again. We’re ready. Are you?
Gambling problem? Call 1.800.GAMBLER
indulge Explore all new taste adventures. Satisfy your cravings. Indulge in all new epicurean explorations from burgers and brews, to a modern twist on a classic steakhouse experience, to a whole new look for all your Buffet favorites. Feed your curiosity.
10 Elbert County News
LIFE
WORD ON THE HEAT: Green chile is region’s signature food, with no shortage of controversy BY BOB WOOLEY BWOOLEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
H
atch, Pueblo, Anaheim or an upstart from Greeley — Coloradans have differences of opinion on who grows green chiles best. But when it comes to the state’s love for the spicy fruit (yes, fruit), there’s not much debate to be found. What you can find, almost everywhere, are green chile burgers, green chile burritos, green chiles in chocolate and wine. There’s green chile salsa, green chile sausages, chips with green chile and lime. But according to Eddie V., (last name withheld) originally from Pueblo, but calling Denver home for decades, for the true connoisseur, a bowl of green chile with a side of warm flour tortillas is all you’ll ever need. New Mexico, let’s face it, is the 800-pound gorilla in the green chile
Focus on the Future Chadron State College offers: Bachelor’s degrees Master’s degrees “My experience at CSC was phenomenal. The professors I worked with were excellent and they engaged, empowered, and supported me through my learning.”
– Valerie Bruce 2019 Wyoming Teacher of the Year
csc.edu/online
January 28, 2021J
LOCAL
An employee working the Santiago’s take-out window smiles for the camera at the company’s Brighton location. PHOTO BY BOB WOOLEY
game, with the tiny village of Hatch creating a smoky mystique from coast to coast. But Colorado has been making a respectable showing with the Mirasol, or Mosco chile, aka the Pueblo chile, grown in, you guessed it, Pueblo. To say green chiles are popular in the city of Pueblo would be a notable understatement. Home to the Chile and Frijoles Festival, and perennial but friendly foe of the folks down in Hatch, the Southern Colorado city can claim serious chile cred. But about four hours north and a little bit east, Greeley is trying to get a piece of the action. “My mother grew up on a farm, and wanted a produce stand when she was a child, and her dad said no. Then, when she got married, she still wanted one, and my father said no. When he died, she told my brother she wanted one, and he asked me what we should do, and I said: ‘Build her a produce stand!” said Tigges Farm’s Kathy Rickart. Rickart comes from a Greeley family farm that goes back three generations. Pumpkins are the big cash crop at Tigges Farm, but if she has her way, Northern Colorado will, some day, compete with Pueblo for green chile glory — maybe even with Hatch. Rickart, with a background in 4-H education, developed her love of the green chile while spending seven years living and working in Bernalil-
Forget the controversy, enjoy your chiles lo County, New Mexico. Her brother, Kenneth Tigges, was running the family farm at that point — growing chiles without much local demand, when a neighbor told him he needed to start roasting them onsite, which was a game-changer. In 2008, Rickart’s mother passed away. At that time, Rickart, her sister, Gale, and her brother officially took over the farm. They planted 5,000 chile plants that year. They’ve since quadrupled that number, and Rickart has sought out every bit of knowledge about green chiles she can find. Last year, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which she said gave them their share of difficulties, her farm sold out of chiles, Sahuaro by name, completely. The season is shorter up north than in the warmer climes of New Mexico, so don’t dawdle if you aim to try a Greeley chile in the fall. “As soon as we get the hard freezes, it puts an end to the season,” Rickart said. “Mother Nature rules, from beginning to end.” The fabled Santiago’s
Carmen Morales knows a few things about green chile, and green chiles. Morales founded Santiago’s. Her mother’s green chile recipe put the restaurant on the metro area’s culinary map 30 years ago. Now, with more than 28 locations, Santiago’s is virtually synonymous with breakfast burritos. But the green chile, she said, still reigns supreme. Morales’ parents were originally from New Mexico, where she said her mom learned to cook. “My dad had to have green chile at every meal or he would refuse to eat,” she said. “To him, it wasn’t really a meal without it.” So, her mom would make it from scratch every day. Morales said that scratch kitchen tradition continues to this day at every Santiago’s location. And when you see the numbers — the sheer volume of product they’re creating — it puts into perspective, what a massive undertaking it is. “One year we purchased 1.8 million pounds of green chiles,”
3.2x4
A LOCAL COLORADO METAL BUILDING PROVIDER FOR OVER 20 YEARS! - SHOP & GARAGE BUILDINGS - BARNDOMINIUMS - BARNS & AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS - EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES - AND MORE
CALL FOR YOUR QUOTE TODAY!
303-948-2038
www.MetalBuildingOutlet.com
Morales said, “and sold 1.36 million gallons of green chile.” Santiago’s gets all of those green chiles from Salem, New Mexico, not the storied Hatch. Morales says the farm they buy from is the only one they’ve found capable of producing what her restaurants need. Santiago’s celebrated the 30th anniversary of their flagship location in Brighton earlier this month. On the topic of things that are wildly popular in this state, Tommyknocker has been brewing craft beer in Idaho Springs for 26 years. Brewmaster Steve Indrehus has been there the entire time, creating beer with hints of chocolate, pumpkin and citrus, but a mainstay, and the No. 2 seller in the lineup, is their Green Chile Lager. Other breweries make chile brews too, but Indrehus thinks drinkability is what sets Tommyknocker’s apart from the rest. “A lot of the others are really hot and in the novelty category,” he said. “Ours has green chile flavor and warmth, but it’s drinkable. We want people to drink one and want another, not get burned up by too much spice, too much alcohol — everything comes together to make a really nice balanced beer.” Indrehus said it takes about 100 pounds of chiles — a blend of mild and hot Anaheims — to make every batch of lager. Scented, not spicy
Beer’s not your bag? Green chile lovers who prefer a touch of the grape, rejoice. Lescombes Vineyard has you covered. The New Mexico winery has been making Hatch Green Chile Wine since the late 1980s. Sandra Pacheco, national sales director at Lescombes, said the wine isn’t spicy. “It’s more in the bouquet,” she said. “You’re getting the heat from the aroma, like the essence of a roasted chile, in the nose of the wine.” Several stores in the metro area stock Hatch Green Chile Wine, if you’re so inclined.
Elbert County News 11
1January 28, 2021
powered by
Thu 1/28 Parker Theater Academy: Improv Frenzy
Featured
Featured
Wed 2/03 Empower Your Teen Daughter @ 12:30am Feb 3rd - Feb 16th Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker
@ 1am Jan 28th - Jan 27th The Schoolhouse, 19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker
Online Networking ~ Circle of Excellence in Greenwood Village ~ TEAM Referral Network
Featured Collage Your Own Deck
@ 7:30am / Free Peakview Tower (ONLINE DURING Covid 19 RESTRICTIONS), 6465 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Suite 240 ( Private Meet‐ ing Room), Greenwood Village
@ 1pm / $40 Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, 5808 S Rapp St, Ste 275, Littleton Babysitting Preparedness @ 4pm Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker
Featured
Singles December 20 @ 10am / Free Crossroads Community Church, 9900 South Twenty Mile Road, Parker
Featured
Thursday Health Tips: Essential Oils in Health Care @ 6:30pm / Free 9034 E Easter Pl, 9034 East Easter Place, Centennial
Spring Intermediate Rock Band
Fri 1/29 Therapeutic Recreation: Anything Can Happen @ 1am Jan 29th - Jan 28th Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker
Featured
Paint and wine class @ 5pm / $40 350 Perry St, 350 Perry Street, Castle Rock Free Virtual Training: 3-Step System to Generate $1k Every Day On ClickBank @ 6pm / Free DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Denver - Au‐ rora, 13696 East Iliff Place, Aurora
Sun 1/31
@ 4:15pm / $168 Feb 1st - May 17th Sand Creek Music Room, 8898 Maplewood Dr, Littleton. 303-9120701 KidStage Stars – Harriet Patter & The Broom Closet of Wonder @ 11:30pm Feb 1st - Apr 5th PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker
Tue 2/02
@ 10am / $288 Jan 29th - Jan 31st Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, 5808 S Rapp St, Ste 275, Littleton
Featured
Featured
@ 9am / Free Castle Oaks Covenant Church, 826 PARK STREET, Castle Rock
Music Bingo at Outpost Eatery!
Music Bingo at Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom (Lakewood, CO)
Set It Off Message Series
@ 6pm / Free Outpost Eatery, 7431 Park Mead‐ ows Drive, Lone Tree
Featured
THRIVE Live!
Sat 1/30 Jan. 30 Free Preview Music Class for Kids (Centennial, CO) @ 9:30am / Free CMA of Centennial, 7562 S. University Blvd. #BB, Centennial
@ 6pm Feb 3rd - Feb 24th Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker
Castle Oaks Church Worship Service
Mon 2/01
@ 7pm / $10-$749.99 Illusions The Drag Queen Show Denver, 382 E 16th Ave, Denver
BOOM Basketball: 18 months to 3 years - February - Wed
@ 9am / Free Centennial Covenant Church, 401 West Mineral Avenue, Littleton
@ 9:15am / Free Harvest Church, 14100 E Jewell Ave, Au‐ rora
Illusions The Drag Queen Show Denver - Drag Queen Dinner Show - Denver, CO
@ 10am / $60 Feb 3rd - Mar 10th Bright Beginnings Learning Cen‐ ter, 6625 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 857-400-8858
Featured
Centennial Covenant Church
Angelic Reiki Levels 1 & 2
Fantastic 6 Sports!
Weekly Virtual Group Fitness Access - Feb. 1-7
Kids Zone:Ocean Commotion @ 5pm Feb 1st - Mar 1st Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker
Colorado Concealed Carry Class @ 7pm / $59.99 2186 S Holly St, 2186 South Holly Street Unit 104, Denver
@ 10:30am / Free Crossroads Community Church, 9900 South Twenty Mile Road, Parker
@ 12pm Feb 1st - Feb 7th Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E. Lincoln Ave, Parker
@ 7pm / Free Old Chicago, 3550 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood
Thu 2/04 Advanced Combination Ballet/Jazz
JAMMIN' Trivia @ The Platte River Bar & Grill @ 7pm / Free Platte River Bar & Grill, 5995 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton
The best place to promote your events online and in print. Visit us @ https://littletonindependent.net/calendar
@ 12:30am Feb 4th - Feb 24th The Schoolhouse, 19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker
3to5 Club Highlands Ranch @ 3pm / Free Samantha Daily - CMG Financial Mortgage Loan Of�cer, 300 Plaza Drive, #250, High‐ lands Ranch powered by
12 Elbert County News
January 28, 2021J
Doxxing by Parker man caused fear for woman, family State health employee shares her experience after alarming social media post BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
All it took was the ring of a doorbell for Sarah Tuneberg’s 10-year-old son to burst into tears. The tension in the Denver home had already felt palpable as Tuneberg was grappling with how to keep her family safe. And now, an Amazon package delivery had sent her child into a panic. “Are they here?” the boy asked through tears. “Whoever posted your name on the internet?” It was more than her name that was posted online, however. Tuneberg’s address, along with a note encouraging people to “let them know how you feel” was posted to Facebook by a Parker man Dec. 28. She had been doxxed. As a special senior adviser for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s COVID-19 response, Tuneberg had been identified by the man as someone “putting thousands out of work,” and “killing businesses.” “We’ll see how strong they are at their homes,” wrote Mark Hall, a 2020 Parker Town Council candidate and a co-chair of the Parker Republicans.
Sarah Tuneberg, whose home address was shared online, poses for a portrait on PHOTO BY ELLIOTT WENZLER her front porch.
What followed for the mother of three were calls with the state’s homeland security department, increased police patrols by her home, tears, confusion and an internet binge on the rumors about her that were now spreading like wildfire. ‘I burst into tears’
Earlier in the day Dec. 28, before she became aware of the doxxing, Tuneberg had sent an email to her colleague letting him know she would be taking 24 hours off to rest and reflect. She was brought on board by Gov. Jared Polis in March to fight the pandemic and expand community testing for the virus. She’d been working an average of
SEL L YOUR FI NE A RT A ND JEWEL RY WITH H I NDM A N We invite you to schedule a confidential in-person or virtual appointment with our Denver office to receive complimentary auction estimates for a single object or entire collection. FEATURED John Nieto (American, 1936-2018) Plains Warrior , 1987 Estimate: $7,000-$9,000 To be sold in the May 6 Western Paintings and Sculpture sale Buccellati, Gold and Diamond Cuff Bracelet Sold for $16,250
12- to 14-hour days for months and felt like she was accomplishing some of the best work of her career. Less than a minute after sending that email, her colleague called her with the news that her name and address had been posted online and that people were being encouraged to come protest at her home. “I was just like ‘what?’” she said in an interview with Colorado Community Media. “It was so terrifying, I won’t lie. I was so caught off guard and shaken ... I burst into tears.” Things moved quickly after that. She was immediately connected with the Colorado Information Analysis Center, a part of the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. They guided her through a flurry of protective steps they recommend when things like this are done to people. Close the blinds. Take everything off your porch. Lock your doors. Lock your windows. All of these measures were being taken because of the actions of a complete stranger in another town. “I’ve never met Mark Hall in my life. I’ve never heard of him,” Tuneberg said. A Facebook group called “Revolt Against Shutdowns, Big Box Holidays,” was created Dec. 28. Hall posted in the group that he would, every day, be posting “the name and address of unelected, non-law enforcement officers who think they can flex muscles in businesses.” “If they want a war, we can give them that,” he wrote. Hall said he wasn’t advocating for violence, but asked people to show up to the employees’ homes with air horns, honking and signs. After he posted the addresses of Tuneberg and another CDPHE employee, Hall received comments of encouragement. “Take the gloves off. This is a bare knuckle war,” one commenter wrote. “Forget the rule book. Jungle rules apply now.” To this comment, Hall responded “I agree … it will probably come to that.” Others, however, were furious. Guided to the post by a 9News story about the doxxing, some commenters criticized the post and Hall. The next day, Hall took down the post and apologized, saying: “People and small businesses right now
are very passionate and concerned about what’s happening with continued shutdowns, and the actions I took were an attempt to express my frustration.” But by then, Tuneberg’s address had been seen and shared countless times. As far as she knows, no one showed up to protest, but the fear that someone could tuck the information away to use later has already been planted in her mind. “To be threatened in your home when it’s the only place you can go right now, it was really intense,” Tuneberg said. Tuneberg, who has called the posting of her address “cowardly,” said it’s ridiculous for Hall to say he wasn’t calling for violence while posting her address and using words like “war” and “revolution.” Hall declined requests to be interviewed for this story. ‘An internet hole’
The day of rest and relaxation that Tuneberg had planned for suddenly looked very different. “I’m embarrassed to admit, I fell into an internet hole,” she said. She went through the “explosion” of messages she was receiving on Twitter and Facebook. She read through comments from people saying she was part of a great conspiracy to depopulate the planet, enslave society and collect people’s DNA through COVID-19 testing. The world sort of fell away, she said. She explained to her kids what was happening, and took it as an opportunity to talk about how words and actions have consequences, even when you can’t see them, she said. “I didn’t run for office. I really am just trying to do my best work and it feels so strange to be identified as someone who is worthy of that level of vitriol,” she said. She has tried to get in touch with Hall — who as of Jan. 18 hadn’t responded or contacted her directly, she said — to let him know the impact of this event on her life, she said. “I’d like to tell him who I am and what it was like to be on the other end of that and what it was like for my kids,” she said. “I’m just trying really hard in a global pandemic and you, without knowing me … decided I’m an enemy and deserving of incredible consequence in my life.”
Weekly Carrier Routes Available Castle Rock Area
• Part-time hours • Adaptable route sizes • No suit & tie required! CONTAC T US 303.825.1855 denver@hindmanauctions.com HindmanAuctions.com
Previous carrier experience encouraged; reliable vehicle and email access, required. no telephone inquiries - but
email us at:
snevins@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Elbert County News 13
1January 28, 2021
LIST FROM PAGE 1
in the number of COVID-19 cases, with a two-week positivity rate of 8.53, as of Jan. 20. The county remains in the level orange / high risk category on the COVID dial metrics. Smith said the number of vaccines the county will receive is based on a capacity issue, and the vaccine will be administered through Tri-County Health Department. “We don’t have the ability to store the vaccines, and we don’t have the people necessary to administer vaccines in large quantities,” said Smith. Smith also encourages people to check with their primary care physicians to see about getting vaccinated when it is their turn.
CHIEF FROM PAGE 1
in 1999, when he was stationed at Fort Carson with the Army. He liked the area, and attended Mesa State University before enrolling in the police academy in Delta. He currently lives in Parker, and said he doesn’t miss the busy life of New York. “Colorado is a great place,” said Berghahn. “I just don’t miss New York. I got into this to help people, and we’ve done a lot of that here at the Elizabeth department. We’ve helped with food drives for church food banks, done fundraisers to help local people and we have the student academy that lets
“Right now, in Elbert County, we’re at about 50/50 when it comes to people wanting to get vaccinated,” said Smith. “In order to achieve herd immunity, we need to have about 80% of our population vaccinated. Please educate yourself about the vaccine, and do your part to help those around you.” For information on the vaccine, including frequently asked questions and side effect, visit covid19. colorado.gov. The state is in phase 1B of a three-phase plan, which is projected to cover all Coloradans by the end of summer. After first responders and people over 70, phase two, which is expected to roll out in the spring, will cover people from 60-69 years of age and higher-risk individuals. Phase three, anticipated this summer, will include essential workers and the general public.
C R O S SWO R D P U Z Z L E
us interact with local youth.” Berghahn said he hopes to make the department more efficient, and continue focusing on community involvement and community policing. “I want to thank the people of Elizabeth for allowing me to be the chief here,” said Berghahn. “Their support and how they care about their department is amazing. I’ve worked in some other places in the state, and this town has a good connection with their police department. That’s one of the reasons I’m happy to be in this position and keep pushing relationships.” When Berghahn isn’t serving the community he enjoys working out, doing volunteer work, bike riding and camping.
Because you want to know... What’s going on in my hometown? From special events to local politics, We’ve got you covered.
Local News , it makes a difference.
Answers
© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.
Solution THANKS for
PLAYING!
14 Elbert County News
Classifieds
January 28, 2021J
Classifieds
Carpet/Flooring
Fence Services
D & D FENCING
Commercial & Residential All types of cedar, chain link, iron, and vinyl fences. Install and repair. Serving all areas. Low Prices. FREE Estimates. BBB Call For SPRING SPECIAL
720-434-7822 or 303-296-0303
Handyman
Carpet Solutions
•Re-StRetching • Pet Damage • RePaiR
n:
Call Ke
720-244-3623
ONE WAY
Ty Barrett
303-646-2355 Specialize in barn floors, Driveways, Remove and replacement Any job over 400 SF give us a call!
Garage Doors
ANYTHING TILE
● Marble ● Repairs ● Granite Counter Tops Remodeling is my specialty! Call now for free estimate
(303) 646-0140
CASTLE ROCK GARAGE DOORS
Tree Service
STUMP GRINDING AND
RURAL DRIVEWAY REPAIR
303-805-7800
In business in Colorado 25 years We accept all major credit cards.
• New Openers and Doors • Service and Maintenance • Broken Springs
•Free Estimates•
Tony -720-975-4299 Insurance
General Repairs Licensed General Contractor
CALL BILL
Attention Medigap Plan F enrollees!
TRACTOREXPRESS.NET
Learn how the Colorado Supplement Special Election Period can reduce your premiums WITHOUT underwriting!
303-562-5988
Taking the Mystery out of Medicare*
Roofing/Gutters
Karl Bruns-Kyler (303) 416-6304
• Roofing
www.theBig65.com
• Siding
*Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Private Insurance Broker, a Certified Senior Advisor, CSA, with no affiliation to Medicare, CMS or any governmental organization.
• Gutters • Insurance Claims
303-805-7800 Please Recycle this Publication when Finished
Tile
HANDYMAN
Concrete/Paving
TLLC Concrete
Advertise: 303-566-4100
www.1wayroofer.com In business in Colorado 25 Years We Accept All Major Credit Cards
Advertising support makes it possible for us For Local Anytime the news toNews deliver of the Day Visit OurColoradoNews.com to you...
LIKE US on FACEBOOK
Painting
PEREZ PAINTING LLC
Front Door Refinishing Specialist InteRIoR / exteRIoR • Fully InSuReD
720-298-3496
peRezpaIntIngcoloRaDo@yahoo.com
Support our advertisers...
Painting
PRO CLASSIC
SHOP LOCALLY
PAINTING
Interior and Exterior Painting · Staining, Decks and Fences · Color Consultation 40+ Years Experience · A+ Rating BBB
ColoradoCommunityMedia.com
Call Today for your free competitive quote
303-880-7235
contactus@proclassicpainting.com
Local ads, coupons & deals are just one click away! C H E C K I T O U T AT:
ColoradoCommunityMedia.com
Elbert County News 15
1January 28, 2021
www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices
PUBLIC NOTICES
representative or to District Court of ElPublisher: The Elbert County News Public callpersonal bertSheree County, Colorado on303.566.4088 or before May 28, 2021, Notice to Notices Creditors Public Notice
or the claims may be forever barred.
Carolyn M. Schaffer Attorney to the Personal Representative 5460 South Quebec St. #310 Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Michael G. Bowman, Deceased Case Number: 2020PR030029 All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the
Legal Notice No. 24549 First Publication: January 28, 2021 Last Publication: February 11, 2021
HELM, LESS & WILLIAMS, L.L.P. legals@coloradocommunitymedia.com 5400 Ward Road, Bldg. III, Ste. 100 All persons having claims against the above
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION PURSUANT TO § 15-12-801, C.R.S. In the Matter of the Estate of: BRUCE CULTER RICHARDS, a/k/a BRUCE RICHARDS, a/k/a BRUCE C. RICHARDS, Deceased Case Number: 2020 PR 30039
named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Elbert County, Colorado, on or before May 21, 2021 or the claims may be forever barred.
Arvada, CO 80002 Phone Number: (303) 424-4486 FAX Number: (303) 424-4993 E-mail: paless@arvadalaw.net
Holly R. Shaklee & Rebecca L. Richards, Co-Personal Representatives
Legal Notice No. 24544 First Publication: January 21, 2021 Last Publication: February 4, 2021 Publisher: The Elbert County News
Attorney for Personal Representatives: Phillip A. Less, #3440
Elbert County Warrants Public Notice PAYMENTS FOR PUBLICATION DECEMBER 2020 GENERAL FUND HEALTH FUND ROAD & BRIDGE FUND SALES & USE FUND HUMANS SERVICE FUND GRANT FUND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND SUN COUNTRY MEADOWS FUND MEADOWS STATION FUND TOTAL ALL FUNDS
010 015 020 025 050 060 075 079 083
Vendor Name
Description
A AND E TIRE INC AARMS ACOMA LOCKSMITH SERVICE ADVANCED QUALITY AUTO REPAIR AFLAC AIRGAS INTERMOUNTAIN ALAN KRENEK ALISE LINDSEY ALL ACCESS INC ALL IN ONE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING LLC ALL PRO ALLEN FADER ALPINE MEDICAL PHYSICS LLC AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES INC AMERICAN FIDELITY ASSURANCE COMPANY AMERICAN FIDELITY HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION AMERICAN LEGION POST #82 ANDREW LORENSEN APEX RADON ARTHUR WEBER Attenti US Inc AUTO CHLOR SYSTEM OF DENVER AXIOM HUMAN RESOURCE SOLUTIONS INC. B AND B SOLUTIONS BANK MIDWEST BANK OF THE WEST BERG HILL GREENLEAF AND RUSCITTI BEVERLY SUSAN SHICK BLACK HILLS ENERGY BLUE SKY PROMOTIONS BLUE TARP FINANCIAL INC BLUE360 MEDIA BOBBY CHEVARRIA BOBCAT OF THE ROCKIES CONSTRUCTION Brannan Aggregates BRIANA R ROSS BRITTANY BIZELLI CAROLYN BURGENER CARRIE MCWILLIAMS CASSIDY LINHART CASTLE ROCK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM CDW GOVERNMENT CENTRAL STATES HOSE CENTURYLINK CERTIFIED LABORATORIES CHRISTIAN CONSTRUCTION CINTAS CORPORATION CLEAR CREEK COUNTY CORONER CLEVER COW CML SECURITY COLLIE CLUB OF COLORADO COLORADO ASPHALT PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION COLORADO ASSESSORS ASSOCIATION COLORADO ASSN OF LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS COLORADO BARRICADE CO COLORADO BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Tires 835.54 Software Support 175.00 Blding Repairs & Maintenance 227.90 Auto Rep 10,868.25 Benefits Payable 1,595.31 Blding Repairs/welding 1,794.51 Election Judge 357.50 Election Judge 313.04 Grounds Maintenance 1,962.66
COLORADO COMMUNITY COMCAST CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS CONTROL SOLUTIONS INC COOMBS HEATING AND AIR CORRECT CARE SOLUTIONS COUNTY HEALTH POOL CRAZY LOVE BATH AND BEAUTY CUMMINS SALES AND SERVICE CUSTOM FLAG COMPANY DANIEL EATON DAWN NIX DEBI RAMERT DENVER INDUSTRIAL SALES AND SERVICE CO INC DIANE FRANCE PHD D ABFA DIGITAL DATA SERVICES DIVISION OF PROPERTY TAXATION DJ PETROLEUM INC DONALD CHAROBEE DOOLEY ENTERPRISE INC DOUGLAS COUNTY DETENTIONS DIVISION E470 PUBLIC HWY AUTHORITY EC COALITION FOR OUTREACH ELBERT COUNTY FARM BUREAU ELBERT COUNTY ROAD AND BRIDGE ELBERT COUNTY TREASURER ELEMENT WATER CONSULTING ELIZABETH BARBER SHOP ELIZABETH FIRE DEPT
1,042,290.69 14,757.28 274,808.31 514,286.86 25,343.20 19,228.96 7,995.07 97,992.94 150.00 1,996,853.31 Amount
COVID 19 Postage/printing REIMBURSEMENT Equipment Repairs Equipment Parts/signs
10,000.00 451.34 98.00 660.00 699.88
Benefits Payable
4,498.35
Benefits Payable 11,233.94 COVID 19 10,000.00 CHILD WELFARE 325.00 COVID 19 10,000.00 Election Judge 579.54 GPS Monitoring 272.00 COVID 19/equipment repair 746.68 STATE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION 83.10 Awards 1,103.00 Bond Interest/principal 97,992.94 CREDIT CARD 22,372.94 CONTRACT LITIGATION 45,000.00 Election Judge 936.00 UTILITIES 2,066.64 Uniforms 740.65 Equipment Parts 100.68 Operating 1,699.11 REIMBURSEMENT 27.50 ROAD REBUILD 1,652.43 Sand Salt 21,514.45 Election Judge 185.25 Election Judge 276.25 Contract Services 1,200.00 Election Judge 978.25 FB Royalty Other 250.00 Equipment Parts Equipment EQUIPMENT REPAIR UTILITIES EQUIPMENT REPAIR Gravel Safety Supplies Training COVID 19 Blding Repairs REFUNDS
203.23 1,242.46 169.50 1,857.20 141.48 51,562.29 2,910.97 424.33 10,000.00 3,172.52 500.00
Dues Dues
250.00 1,042.00
DUES Signs CONCJ1522 CCW CBI FEE Advertising OPERATING UTILITIES COVID 19 COVID 19 Medical Services Benefits Payable COVID 19 Equipment Parts Blding Repairs Civil Process Election Judge Election Judge
1,492.00 5,683.36 4,157.50 114.85 81.76 314.74 62,053.12 10,000.00 21,282.55 117,783.39 5,000.00 158.25 38.00 9.00 406.25 438.75
Crack Seal Autopsies Professional Service Training Fuel Election Judge Operating
4,284.00 700.00 4,575.00 490.00 37,207.76 97.50 11,832.81
Inmate Housing travel COVID 19 REFUNDS Auto Rep/fuel INTRAGOVERNMENTAL FUND TRANSFER/postage Professional Service COVID 19 Blood/Alcohol Analysis
3,478.20 166.30 20,000.00 500.00 9,242.69 41,348.70 1,996.25 3,000.00 150.00
ELIZABETH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT ELIZABETH FIREFIGHTERS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ELIZABETH FOOD BANK ELIZABETH PETERSEN EMERGENCY VEHICLE SPECIALISTS EMILY KRAFT ENERTIA CONSULTING GR LLC ENVIROTECH SERVICES INC EXPRESS SERVICES INC FARIS MACHINERY COMPANY FIGUEROA ENTERPRISES DBA SAWMILL BAR AND GRILL FOODBANK OF KIOWA CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH Force America Distributing LLC FORENSIC PATHOLOGY CONSULTANT FRONT RANGE KUBOTA GALLS LLC DBA NEVES UNIFORMS GARY ASPESLAGH GARY MAYFIELD GLASER GAS COMPANY GRAINGER GRANT THAYER GRANT WRITING USA GREAT WEST LIFE AND ANNUITY GREG LAUDENSLAGER H AND S MASSAGE HARRY L SIMON PC HBS HEALING HOUNDS HELPING HANDS OF HARVEST FOOD BANK HOME DEPOT CREDIT SERVICE HONEYBEE PUMPING SERVICE HONNEN EQUIPMENT COMPANY IDEAL FENCING CORP INTEGRATED ELECTRIC INTEGRATED VOTING SOLUTIONS INTEGRITY AUTO REPAIR INTEGRITY COACHING AND CONSULTING LLC INTERMOUNTAIN RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION INTERSTATE BILLING SERVICES IRON MOUNTAIN J&A TRAFFIC PRODUCTS J.J. KELLER & ASSOC. INC JEANNE ALLEN JEFF KENDIG JESSICA SMITH JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL JOHN DUFFIELD JOHN LAND JOHNSON CONTROLS JON SURBECK JUAN GALLEGOS JULIE CHAROBEE JULIE GILLELAND DHS CONFIDENTIAL KAREN SUCHAN KEEN MUSIC AND THE ARTS KIEWIT INFRASTRUCTURE CO KIMLEY-HORN & ASSOCIATES KINGS KARS KIOWA AUTO REPAIR AND ALIGNMENT CENTER KIOWA CAR WASH KIOWA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT KIOWA LIONS CLUB KIOWA WATER & WASTE WATER AUTHORITY KOIS BROTHERS EQUIPMENT CO INC LAURIE WASMUND LAWSON PRODUCTS INC. LEGAL SHIELD LEWAN & ASSOCIATES, INC. LEXISNEXIS RISK SOLUTIONS LINCOLN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL LINDA KRAUSERT LISA FLANNAGAN-CRANE LITA NOE DHS CONFIDENTIAL LYNN HUDSON DHS CONFIDENTIAL MAJESTIC VIEW CHURCH MAK VALUATION CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE MARDER PHYSICAL THERAPY MARJORIE F. WHITE MARY LOUISE JACOBSON MARY MAYFIELD MARYROBIN B. WILLS MATT MARTINICH MCCANDLES INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS OF COLORADO MEANS AGENCY MESSER EVENT AND AGRICULTURUAL CENTER MHC KENWORTH-DENVER MICHAEL FINNEY MICRO PLASTICS INC MILAGRO FOODS
COVID 19 COVID 19 COVID 19 Election Judge Auto Rep/insurance REFUNDS Professional Service Mag Chloride Contract Services Capital outlay COVID 19 COVID 19 Equipment Parts Autopsies Equipment/fencing Uniforms Election Judge Election Judge UTILITIES Blding Repairs REIMBURSEMENT Training Benefits Payable REIMBURSEMENT COVID 19 Civil Process TRASH COVID 19
23,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 178.10 16,321.77 100.00 3,150.00 8,645.76 4,681.98 460,927.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 297.50 6,250.00 555.92 1,294.72 760.50 260.00 141.09 548.02 140.80 455.00 117,978.53 10.89 10,000.00 55.00 2,006.76 7,000.00
COVID 19 10,000.00 Blding Repairs/equipment 1,282.66 Operating 330.00 Equipment Parts 6,974.90 BRIDGE REBUILD CONSTRUCTION 33,444.20 Capital outlay 290.07 Ballots/postage 332.02 Auto Rep 1,108.53 COVID 19
7,475.00
UTILITIES Equipment Parts Contract Services Signs Safety Supplies Election Judge CHILD WELFARE Election Judge Culverts/equipment Election Judge Election Judge Blding Repairs/ fire alarm maint Election Judge Election Judge Election Judge Election Judge COVID 19 Election Judge COVID 19 Asphalt Repair Professional Service/ transportation plan COVID 19
8,531.95 1,343.90 30.00 2,795.00 206.19 292.50 140.00 139.75 266.11 690.04 19.50 1,355.70 315.25 109.46 149.50 19.50 3,403.18 263.64 5,000.00 102.90 28,281.46 10,000.00
Auto Rep Equipment Parts Blood/Alcohol Analysis COVID 19
269.97 120.76 150.00 5,000.00
UTILITIES Blades, Teeth Election Judge Equipment Parts Benefits Payable Copier software Blood/Alcohol Analysis Planning Commission Operating FB Royalty Other STATE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION Election Judge STATE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION COVID 19 Contract Services COVID 19 COVID 19 Election Judge REIMBURSEMENT Election Judge Election Judge CHILD WELFARE
8,434.81 6,753.84 627.25 695.67 423.60 1,020.12 5,848.22 75.00 143.20 1,000.00 150.00
1,278.51 10,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 6,000.00 738.79 740.31 52.00 648.96 560.00
EQUIPMENT REPAIR COVID 19
586.81 10,000.00
FB Royalty Other fuel/equipment parts/ insurance operating Awards COVID 19
31,436.97 500.00 460.19 10,000.00
100.00 331.24
300.00
MINES & ASSOCIATES PC MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS MOUNTAIN VIEW ELECTRIC N2IT PLUMBING NANCY BURNER NANCY SHANNON NAPA CALHAN NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER NILEX ENVIRONMENTAL INC PARKER PORT-A-POTTY INC. PATRICIA A CREEKMORE PATTY LAMPMAN PHOENIX TECHNOLOGY GROUP LLC PLATTE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT POSTMASTER GENERAL POTESTIO BROTHERS EQUIPMENT INC POWER MOTIVE PRAIRIE TIMES PROGRESSIVE URBAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES PSI SYSTEMS PUREWATER DYNAMICS INC QUILL CORPORATION RADIUS 180 RAYNA MENSING REP SERVICES RETRIEVER LLC ROBERT J HAMMERVOLD ROBS SEPTIC SERVICE AND PORTA POT RENTAL ROCK PARTS COMPANY ROMAN INNOVATIVE PAINTING ROYAL B THREADS LLC ROYSTON LEATHER AND SILVER RUMSEY CONSULTING RUTH ANN STRICKER DHS CONFIDENTIAL RYDERS PUBLIC SAFETY RYLIND MANUFACTURING SAFETY-KLEEN CORP. DHS CONFIDENTIAL SEALMASTER SEE SPOT RUN DHS CONFIDENTIAL SIGNAL GRAPHICS SILVER CLOUD PROPERTY MAINTENANCE LLC SLATE COMMUNICATIONS SNAP-ON INDUSTRIAL SNP TRUCKING SPECIALIZED ATTORNEY SERVICES SPECIALIZED PATHOLOGY CONSULTANTS STACEY RINEHART STAPLES ADVANTAGE STATE OF COLORADO STATE OF COLORADO STEEL CORNER STEWART AND STEVENSON STONE OIL CO INC SUMMIT SAFETY LLC SYMBOL ARTS LLC SYSCO FOOD SERVICES TAB VENTURES PAYYT ANNS CAFE TERESA FRYE TEX AND LINDA ADUDDELL TEXAS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY THE DANNY PAUL ARDREY ESTATE TRUST THE ELIZABETH BREWING COMPANY THE LAW OFFICE OF JEFFREY J TIMLIN THE MASTER’S TOUCH LLC THIN AIR COMMUNICATIONS INC TLO LLC TODD COMPANIES, INC. TOWN OF SIMLA TRAIL EZE INC Transwest Truck Trailer RV TRIAL LAWYERS AND LEGAL SERVICES OF COLORADO LLC TRUCKHUGGER TARP SYSTEMS TRUE VALUE HARDWARE ULINE UMB BANK UNITED REPROGRAPHIC SUPPLY INC UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY USGS US BANCORP US BANK EQUIPMENT FINANCE VALERIE ANN DELAZARO VALERIE WOIRHAYE VERIZON CONNECT NWF INC VERIZON WIRELESS VIAERO WIRELESS WAGNER EQUIPMENT CO INC WAKEFIELD AND ASSOCIATES INC WELLS FARGO FINANCIAL LEASING WENDY WALP WESTSIDE TOWING WILL WHITE WILLIAMMRK WILLIAMS PAINTING XEROX CORPORATION TOTAL ALL FUNDS Legal Notice No.: 24550 First Publication: January 28, 2021
Other Benefits COVID 19 UTILITIES Blding Repairs Election Judge Election Judge Equipment Parts COVID 19 Reclamation Equipment Rental Election Judge Election Judge Contract Services
356.40 10,621.00 1,204.92 225.00 198.25 195.00 166.30 16,270.00 1,032.00 402.00 435.50 218.14 25,815.16
CHILD SUPPORT Postage Equipment Parts equipment repair Public Outreach
50.00 452.00 3,395.83 106.36 4,682.00
COVID 19 EQUIPMENT REPAIR Equipment Rental Office Supplies COVID 19 REIMBURSEMENT Auto Rep Equipment Parts Election Judge
9,900.00 227.00 115.00 876.02 500.00 81.05 6,500.00 438.00 292.50
equipment rental Auto Rep/equipment Capital outlay Equipment FB Royalty Other CHILD WELFARE Election Judge COVID 19 Training Equipment Parts Other Fluids STATE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION Equipment Parts Operating STATE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION Office Supplies
785.00 4,501.77 7,705.00 20.00 130.00 490.00 159.25 2,000.00 1,121.25 982.00 160.00
Contract Services Operating operating COVID 19 Civil Process
1,200.00 834.75 1,000.00 1,200.00 1,668.86 12,360.00 1,000.00 981.59 10,000.00 2.00
Autopsies REIMBURSEMENT Office Supplies MOTOR VEHICLE RENEWAL CARD Gravel Pit Fees WELDING SUPPLIES Equipment Repairs fuel Safety Supplies Uniforms Prisoner Meals COVID 19 Election Judge Gravel Benefits Payable
2,425.00 14.88 2,017.45 1,248.37 216.00 602.84 879.45 13,072.68 4,054.16 603.69 3,930.46 10,000.00 624.91 2,073.75 651.95
Equipment Rental COVID 19 Contract Services Forms/POSTAGE COVID 19 Software Support Blding Repairs UTILITIES Equipment Parts equipment repair
1,200.00 10,000.00 7,483.10 5,754.00 29,458.72 382.50 480.00 292.60 819.01 319.93
Professional Service 508.46 equipment repair 900.00 Blding Repairs/equipment 190.33 Prisoner Meals 775.47 Bond Pay Agent Fee 150.00 copier 91.20 Water Level Monitoring Program 48,102.75 Lease/Purchase Principal 21,211.71 Copier 354.90 Election Judge 19.50 REIMBURSEMENT 28.15 Radio Pager 404.75 Telephone 9,414.46 UTILITIES 2,973.78 Equipment Parts 11,490.12 Civil Process 15.00 copier 229.97 Election Judge 773.50 Operating 205.00 REIMBURSEMENT 149.95 BUILDING PRE CO 500.00 COVID 19 10,000.00 Copier 5,371.15 1,996,853.31 Last Publication: January 28, 2021 Publisher: Elbert County News
Elbert County Legals 1.28.21 * 1
16 Elbert County News
January 28, 2021
BRAUCHLER FROM PAGE 2
As a boss, Brauchler didn’t micromanage his staff, Kellner said. He laid out expectations and set deputies free to make decisions “that we thought were best for our community.” Kellner said some of his predecessor’s successes were building out problem-solving courts and launching a veteran treatment court, ventures he expected some district attorneys might pass up. “He was willing to take those chances,” Kellner said. Kellner also credited Brauchler as one of the people who influenced what his approach will be to highprofile cases. “When there is something so impactful in the community, it’s up to the district attorney to be heavily involved and that often means trying the case,” Kellner said. Working in the courtroom’s trenches also gives district attorneys crucial insight to advise prosecutors on hard cases, Kellner said. Mallory, the Arapahoe County Democrats chair, said Brauchler missed the mark on some cases that gained widespread attention. The district attorney’s office announced in January that Aurora police officers who handcuffed a Black family, including young children, at gunpoint after mistaking their vehicle as stolen will not face charges. “We know JD 18 has refused to prosecute the cops in Aurora who
put Black children face-down on hot pavement,” she said. “I think that reflects a failure.” The office’s report on the incident described the officers’ actions as intolerable and in need of further investigation but not criminal. Mallory believes Brauchler lacks “a full understanding of how white supremacy plays a role in our criminal justice system.” Brauchler better represented the district’s other three counties, all Republican strongholds, Mallory said, while Arapahoe County is a working-class community. It’s diverse in terms of culture, religion and race, she said. Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties make up the remainder of the district. Being “tough on crime” is also expensive, she said, as is pursuing the death penalty. In that regard, Brauchler was not financially responsible “or even a conservative DA for us,” she said. In a word, she describes his approach to being district attorney as “punitive.” People in Arapahoe County need restorative justice that focuses on “root cause of crime,” she said. Brauchler has been critical of rehabilitation programs but refutes any notion he’s against them. “You’re talking also to the district attorney of an office that has the largest, most successful juvenile diversion program in the country,” he said. “You’re not talking to someone who is opposed to meaningful paths away from incarceration.” He said “an increasingly progressive and forgiveness first” state Legislature is taking tools away from law enforcement and making
rehabilitation programs too lenient. Brauchler said the justice system must have predictable and meaningful sentences for offenders, and before that, communities that take responsibility for socioeconomic conditions leading people to crime. Spurlock hopes Brauchler reaches Congress. He also hopes Brauchler becomes district attorney of the 23rd Judicial District, which will be Colorado’s newest in decades when Douglas, Lincoln and Elbert counties break off from the 18th in 2024. “That’s what he’s built for,” Spurlock said. He has made many after-hours call to Brauchler when crisis struck. The district attorney stood by him as a guide and personal friend during the most traumatic moments for Spurlock since he became sheriff, Spurlock said. When a gunman opened fire on several of his deputies, killing Deputy Zackari Parrish on New Year’s Eve in 2017, Brauchler rushed to the scene, arriving shortly after law enforcement confirmed Parrish’s death. “The emotion that was there in the parking lot, the sense of loss and grief,” Brauchler said. The district attorney was outof-state when the STEM School shooting unfolded, but immediately boarded a plane home when Spurlock phoned with the news. “He was not afraid to get out of bed in the middle of the night and come to a major scene and be there and provide guidance and support, and law enforcement loved him for that,” Spurlock said. Brauchler put an emphasis on getting justice for victims, Spurlock
said, in the courtroom and in other stages of criminal justice as well. Spurlock credited Brauchler as instrumental in opening the Unified Metropolitan Forensic Crime Laboratory in 2018, hailed as one solution to shortening evidence-processing backlogs at the state lab. Brauchler was also guided by “what was just and right,” Spurlock said, and didn’t prosecute based on politics. He called Brauchler “one of the fairest guys that I had ever come across in the DA (role).” “We never had the discussion of politics, of well, what is the political landscape of this if we do this or that,” Spurlock said. ‘Blink of an eye’
The district has had “more than its share of big cases,” Brauchler said. The work never feels done. Leaving the job was surreal. “You take for granted how that constant pressure and that constant vigilance to stay on top of cases,” he said, “makes the time go by in the blink of an eye.” Brauchler, 51, says he does not know what his next job will be. Staying on the STEM case, a “personal and professional” priority for him, made committing to a new role difficult. He might join a law firm. Holding elected office still interests him too, although the political climate today feels “super negative and so, super tribal,” Brauchler said, and he’s keenly aware Colorado is less purple than it once was. For now, he’s weighing his options. “I am just old enough now to recognize that my unbridled ambition,” he said, “needs to be tempered.”
C Mo #1 olora rtg Rev do ag ers ’s eB e rok er
It’s Your Money, Use It or Lose It! by Sam Stroup
No person retires and says “I can’t wait to get into a nursing home and fork over penny I have.” For most seniors, having the financial resources to live out their entire life exactly how they choose is merely a pipedream. The average monthly cost of care facilities ranges from $5k to $10k per month.* These hefty fees are a harsh reality many are not prepared to face. And, the worst part is, after you run out of money, you are forced to find a new place to live. The point to all of this I am trying to make is this… Why save all of your money just for the nursing home use it all up in a very short amount of time? Tap into your home’s equity with a reverse mortgage and enjoy life to the best of your ability today.
The money you receive from a reverse mortgage is tax-free and you can use it for whatever you choose. And, you will remain the owner of you home, not the bank. To find out more information or to see if a government-insured reverse mortgage is right for you, contact Silver Leaf Mortgage today at 720-458-4034. Sam Stroup, NMLS #1697823, Senior Loan Officer at Silver Leaf Mortgage in Centennial. Contact me at: 720-458-4034, or you can email me at: SamS@SilverLeafMortgage.com
Mortgage Company Reverse Mortgage Company Mortgage Agent
Call within the next 30 days and choose one of these great offers: • A Free Appraisal • A Free Home Inspection • $1,000 Paid Towards Closing Costs Offer Code 012921CCM
Sam Stroup
NMLS #1697823 Reverse Mortgage Specialist
720-458-4034 * Financial data based upon 2020 information provided by www.Genworth.com/costofcare.
720-458-4034
Located in The Streets at SouthGlenn 6972 South Vine Street | Suite 366 | Centennial, CO 80122
Sam Stroup: Re ve Mortgage Expe rse rt! Listen to: The Reverse Mortgage Show Hosted by Matt Witt Legends 810 and 94.3FM, 670 KLTT, 100.7FM KLZ and 560 KLZ or see us live on Colorado’s Best KWGN CW2 & Fox-31, or Colorado & Company KUSA 9News
SamS@SilverLeafMortgage.com
SLM NMLS #1394377 is an Equal Housing Lender. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Regulated by the Department of Real Estate.