Housing proposal at odds with Wild Animal Sanctuary
BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
An attorney representing two landowners in Weld County is accusing the supporters of an iconic wildlife sanctuary of issuing death threats against the two women for resurrecting plans to put a housing development on 40 acres of land adjacent to the facility.
Jeremy Brett Daz Fletcher also says that recent comments made by Pat Craig – executive director of Wild Animal Sanctuary near Keenesburg – via social media posts criticizing the development could be libelous and are interfering with an earlier contract between the sanctuary and landowners. e death threats have also been elded by real estate agents handling the sale of the eight home sites, said Fletcher
in his letter to Craig.
“As we have expressed in our earlier statement,” Fletcher states in the letter, “we were saddened and disheartened that you chose to proceed in the manner you have. at statement remains true.”
Craig rejected the claims about death threats from backers of the sanctuary and an o er from the development group to sell the acreages to the sanctuary for $4 million.
ere is no proof anyone has threatened the two owners – Sherry Boris Wigaard and Velois Smith – nor their agents, said Craig, who opened the 33,000-acre sanctuary over 31 years ago.
“Who really thinks someone is going to travel to Florida and try to nd these ladies to hurt them? Our core demographic is women 45 and older, with most having
Masters or PHD’s and (who) are wealthy. Is that the kind of crowd that threatens to kill other women?” Craig said.
Craig said via email that Fletcher has not acknowledged the two women refused to communicate with the sanctuary for nearly seven months.
“Everyone seems to skip over this important fact. Had they been willing to keep the lines of communication open we would not be in this position today,” Craig said. He also termed the buyout o er as ridiculous as the owners - who live in Florida - are not trying to cover their expenses or even the projected sales of the sits. ey originally o ered the land to the sanctuary 10 years ago for $2 million. “We couldn’t a ord that either,” Craig said.
WESTMINSTER WINDOW
Schools consider financial literacy curriculum
New law asks what teens must learn about their personal finances
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG
Forget balancing a checkbook. Today’s teens need to know how to avoid identity theft, decode a credit score and gure out if that “buy now, pay later” plan is actually worth it.
With a new state law requiring all Colorado high school students to complete a course in nancial literacy beginning with students in the 9th grade on or after Sept. 1, 2026, educators now face a practical challenge: how do you design a course that prepares 21st-century teens to make smart nancial choices in a world of skyrocketing rents, digital wallets, student loans and TikTok stock tips?
e law, House Bill 25-1192, mandates a semester-long course in personal nancial literacy for every public school student, beginning with the class of 2028.
But it leaves the details up to local school districts, many of which are still guring out what today’s students need most: the basics of budgeting and saving, yes, but also how to navigate the gig economy, manage online spending and protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated nancial scams.
What the law requires, and what it doesn’t
While the law sets a content requirement, it allows schools to integrate the nancial literacy standards into an existing course rather than create a new standalone class.
But, students must understand and practice lling out the federal or state nancial aid form (FAFSA or CAFSA), unless they and their parents opt out.
Colorado has one of the lowest FAFSA completion rates in the country, according to the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
Weld County mistakenly added to ‘Sanctuary City’ list
County appeals to Evans, Boebert to get Weld County struck from list
BY BELEN WARD BELEN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Weld County Commissioners said the county was mistakenly added to the Department of Homeland Security’s Sanctuary list and county o cials moved quickly to have their name removed.
e Trump administration is targeting cities and states that are either not helping Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s e orts to remove millions of people in the country illegally or actively interfering with those e orts.
ICE released a list of jurisdictions on May 29 that it said were noncompliant and potentially in violation of federal law.
Weld County o cials learned that they were on that list but said they had not received formal noti cation of any non-
compliance with federal statutes. ey added that the board does consider Weld County to be a ‘sanctuary county’ for the purpose of protecting illegal immigrants.
A new ride service for Brighton coming in fall
Contest to name rider service begins June 8
BY BELEN WARD BELEN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e City of Brighton this fall is introducing an on-demand transit service and is asking the residents to participate in naming the service, according to news release on May 14.
“ is program is part of our broader e ort to support sustainable transportation and a more connected Brighton,” Public Works Director Greg Labrie said. “By giving people more ways to get around, we’re helping reduce vehicle tra c, protect the environment, and ensure everyone— regardless of age or ability—has access to reliable transportation.”
e new service would be affordable and convenient for making quick calls to pick you up to get around town, downtown, or to the RTD bus stop.
“ is service will function very much like Uber or Lyft in terms of convenience and exibility— you’ll be able to request a ride through an app or by phone, and a vehicle will pick you up and take you to your destination within the city,” said Labrie. “However, unlike Uber or Lyft, this microtransit system is subsidized by the City and RTD, which signi cantly reduces the cost for riders. e maximum fare for any ride within the city will be range between $2 to $3.”
e on-demand ride is set to launch this fall, enabling reservations for pick-up and drop-o with approximately 30 minutes advance notice.
It’s a city pilot program that is eco-friendly and helps people get around without using their personal cars, aiming to increase mobility, accessibility, and reduce environmental impact.
e on-demand ride feature offers rides in Brighton and potentially the surrounding areas, with a user-friendly booking app available in both English and Spanish. By reducing car usage and emotional stress, it helps keep the Brighton environment clean and greener.
Additionally, the on-demand transit system takes care of the rst part of your trip by providing a connection to the RTD bus and FlexRide systems.
Labrie said, e service will initially operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. As they gather data on ridership patterns and community needs, this schedule may be adjusted in the future.
“So, this service is similar to Uber or Lyft, but it o ers a more a ordable, community-supported transportation option for local travel.”
Naming contest
Starting on June 8, the City of Brighton is inviting the community to participate and submit creative name ideas that represent Brighton’s character for its new services.
To enter the naming contest, visit www.brightonco.gov/3272/ New-Transit-Program-NamingContest and complete the short submission form. You must be a resident of Brighton to be eligible to apply. e winner will be recognized by the city and have their name featured on all program branding.
Once they found their name on that list, however, and promptly contacted Representatives Lauren Boebert and Gabe Evans for assistance in investigat-
ing and removing Weld County from the list, as reported by o cials.
Evans is the Congressman from Colorado’s 8th District, which includes parts of southern Weld County. Boebert represents Colorado’s 4th District. It covers all of eastern Colorado, including part of northern Weld County.
County o cials pointed to their the county’s code to prove the are not a sanctuary county.
According to o cials, in 2024, Weld County Commissioners codi ed Section 5-1-70 in the Weld County Code, which states: No appropriations from the general fund, capital expenditure fund, special revenue funds, or proprietary funds for the speci ed purpose of providing emergency sheltering of illegal aliens within Weld County.
A statement released by the Weld County Board of Commissioners expresses gratitude to both Rep. Lauren Boebert and Rep. Gabe Evans for their e orts in addressing this matter. eir work throughout the night and this morning re ects their commitment to the residents of Weld County.
Weld warns of measles exposure in Windsor
BY BELEN WARD BELEN@COTLN.ORG
A person alleged to have tested positive for measles was sighted in a Windsor grocery store on May 31, according to a June 4 news release from the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment.
According to the release, the infected individual was spotted at the King Soopers store located at 1520 Main Street in Windsor between 10:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
According to o cials, the risk of infecting others who were shopping in the store during that period is relatively low. However, they recommend that all shoppers who were in the store, regardless of their vaccination or immune status, monitor themselves over the next sixteen days or until June 20. e county did not release further details about the person suspected of testing positive.
Windsor is a Weld County town about 15
miles southeast of Fort Collins. e health department warns those who have never been vaccinated for measles or are immunocompromised to contact the Weld County Communicable Disease Team at 970-400-2223 for an exposure assessment.
According to health o cials, measles symptoms could begin with cold-like symptoms, a fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A few days later, a red blotchy rash appears, starting from the face and neck and then spreading to the rest of the body.
Individuals can be infectious for up to four days before a rash appears on the body. If symptoms develop, o cials urge quarantine and immediately contact your primary care physician or a local urgent care facility to test for measles, indicating that you may have been exposed.
It is recommended that if you are unvaccinated or unsure of your vaccination status, the best way to protect yourself from contracting the illness from future exposures is to get vaccinated, according to o cials.
Your doctor or the WCDPHE Public Health Clinic can discuss options with you and provide vaccination. To schedule with the clinic, please call (970) 400-6420.
For more information on measles, including vaccination recommendations and locations of exposure in Colorado, please visit the Colorado Department of Health and Environment’s website at https://cdphe.colorado.gov/dcphr/measles-information.
The child’s cheek shows the characteristic rash associated with measles. U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION CDC.
Weld County Commissioners asked for help from Rep. Gabe Evans and Rep. Lauren Boebert to remove them from a list of sanctuary cities. COURTESY PHOTO
What I’ve Learned About Why Condominiums Are Getting Harder to Finance
Four years ago on June 24, 2021, part of a 12-story condominium building in Surfside, Florida, collapsed at 1:14 a.m. killing 98 residents and injuring 11 others.
But that’s only one event that has contributed to the increasing difficulty of selling and financing the purchase of condos across America.
Primarily because of severe weather, especially hail storms in Colorado, master insurance policies have gotten more expensive and their deductibles increased dramatically. When the deductible in a master insurance policy exceeds 5% of the insured value, units within a condo association become “non-warrantable” according to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines — and over 90% of all loans are sold to those federal agencies after closing and must therefore meet those guidelines.
home for first-time homebuyers who are less likely to have that much cash. They could also go to a “portfolio” or “non-QM” lender, but those lenders don’t typically offer the low down payments of conventional or FHA lenders.
by a single entity
Fewer than 35% of the units are the primary or second home of the unit owner (FHA only)
The HOA has inadequate reserves
Every lender has its own condo questionnaire that must be completed by the association property manager. The questionnaire addresses the numerous concern areas of the lender. The loan could be rejected if:
Master insurance deductible is over 5%
Commercial space exceeds 35%
More than 15% the unit owners are 60 or more days delinquent on HOA dues
A construction defect lawsuit is pending Less than 10% of the HOA budget is allocated to reserves
There’s a lot of deferred maintenance
FHA does a lot of this analysis for lenders and will provide a 3-year certification which lenders can rely on, but the application process is tedious and many condo associations fail to apply for or renew their certification.
That FHA lookup website is https:// entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm
Here’s what the screen looked like when I searched for the Centennial condo featured with a price reduction in last week’s ad:
Sometimes it’s hard to know whether a unit is a condo or a townhome. The simple distinction is that a townhome owns the land under it, but even a standalone home could legally be a condo.
Buyers can pay cash, of course, but condos have long been considered the entry-level
More than 20-25% of the units are owned
NAR Dilutes Its Rule Against Hate Speech by Realtors
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis cop in May 2020, and the heated rhetoric, much of it racist, which followed, the National Association of Realtors enacted a “standard of practice” to go along with Article 10 of the NAR Code of Ethics, which bars Realtors from denying professional services based on “race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”
Inspired by demand for social change and an unprecedented number of complaints received by NAR relating to discriminatory conduct and language by Realtors, the Board approved Standard of Practice 10-5 with language that expanded Article 10 to include the prohibition against harassment and hate language generally and not just limited to a Realtor’s professional life.
SOP 10-5 was implemented by the NAR Board of Directors on Nov. 13, 2020, and read as follows: “Realtors must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs
based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”
Here’s the new language, which no longer enforces that rule on Realtors’ communications or actions outside their business life:
“Realtors, in their capacity as real estate professionals, in association with their real estate businesses, or in their real estaterelated activities, shall not harass any person or persons based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.” (Emphasis added.)
SOP 10-4 continues as follows:
“As used in this Code of Ethics, harassment is unwelcome behavior directed at an individual or group based on one or more of the above protected characteristics where the purpose or effect of the behavior is to create a hostile, abusive, or intimidating environment which adversely affects their ability to access equal professional services or employment opportunity.”
The search showed that this condo is approved by FHA for the 3-year period beginning July 24, 2023.
Although regulators have determined that the buyer’s agent, not the listing agent, is obligated to check whether a condo is FHAapproved, a responsible listing agent should, in my opinion, do the simple search described above and not list “FHA” as acceptable financing if the community is described as “rejected” or “expired” on that website.
Even if the website shows the association as approved, the lender will still require the long-form questionnaire from the association and study the budget, declarations, bylaws and more before approving a loan, so the lender should request those documents as soon as possible after the buyer goes under contract — certainly within a week.
The legal description can sometimes mislead a lender, broker or buyer as to whether they’re dealing with a condo or a townhome. Typically, the legal description should refer to a “condo declaration” and not have a “block and lot” description that is more appropriate to a parcel that includes land. Some legal descriptions which include the word “condo” are in fact townhomes, and vice versa. The title company can quickly research the full legal description and answer that question, which becomes critical to obtaining loan approval. Another clue would be if the association is on the FHA condo lookup database.
Back to the subject of insurance coverage and deductibles, a buyer who purchases a condo as a primary resident or second home should get an HO-6 “walls-in” condo insurance policy which includes a “loss assessment” endorsement, which would pay for the deductible which is assessed to each unit owner as the result of a hail or other claim. The annual cost of such a policy is far less than the insurance policy for a single-family home and can save you up to a 5-figure special assessment from the condo association. If the master policy does not include roof, exterior, etc., the unit owner should purchase a more expensive HO-3 policy instead of the HO-6 policy.
FHA is favored because of its low downpayment requirement — as little as 3.5% — but with a higher down payment it’s possible the lender will only require a “streamline” review, which is quicker and less expensive. That requires a minimum 10% down payment for a primary residence and 25% for a second home.
It’s important for a buyer to hire an agent experienced in condo purchases and who can refer you to the best lender.
$560,000
This updated, 4-bedroom/2-bath, 1,586-squarefoot tri-level home at 6337 W. 68th Place is in a quiet, established neighborhood. Each level has been thoughtfully renovated. The vaulted main level has new luxury vinyl plank floors, and there’s new paint throughout. The galley kitchen has new cabinets, complemented by white appliances. The upper level has 3 bedrooms with new carpet and an updated full bathroom. The lower level has a spacious family room with a brick fireplace and above-grade windows. There is a 4th bedroom, laundry, and updated 3/4 bathroom on that level. The windows and siding were replaced in 2018, and a new roof was installed last month. A narrated video tour is posted at www. GRElistings.com. Call Kathy at 303-990-7428 to request a private showing.
Where to find free meals for kids this summer
School across metro Denver o er free meals to kids all summer
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN
SUZIE@COTLN.ORG
When school cafeterias close for the summer, thousands of Colorado families lose access to a vital resource: free and reliable meals for their children.
Fortunately, public school districts across the state are stepping up to ll the gap through the federally funded Summer Food Service Program, which provides free meals to anyone 18 years old and under, with no registration or ID required.
Whether you live in Brighton, Fort Lupton, Golden, Westminster or the mountain communities served by the Canyon and Clear Creek Couriers, multiple locations are o ering nutritious meals all summer long.
Some locations o er breakfast and lunch each weekday, while others serve meals at parks, schools and community centers or provide grab-and-go options. Below is a district-by-district guide to help you nd a free summer meal site near you. Be sure to check dates and times. Some programs start as early as late May and run through early August, but hours and service days vary.
27J Schools (Brighton, Commerce City, Henderson)
Monday to Friday May 27 – August 1
Breakfast 8 – 9 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Locations:
Northeast Elementary:1605 Longs Peak St., Brighton Vikan Middle School: 879 Jessup St., Brighton Stuart Middle School: 15955 E. 101st Way, Commerce City
Grab-and-Go Pickup: ursdays only, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Henderson Elementary, 12301 E. 124th Ave., Henderson
Eligibility: Free for children 18 and under. Adult meals are available for $4 (breakfast) and $5 (lunch).
Note: No service on July 4
Weld Re-8 School District (Fort Lupton)
Monday to Friday May 27 – July 31
Breakfast 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Fort Lupton High School: 530 Reynolds Street, Fort Lupton
Eligibility: Free for children 18 and under.
Additional Resources
USDA Summer Meals Site Finder (www.fns.usda.gov/summer/site nder): Locate nearby meal sites across Colorado
Hunger Free Colorado (hungerfreecolorado.org/): O ers a Food Resource Hotline at 855-855-4626 for statewide assistance.
Growing Grads adds focus on entrepreneurship
BY BELEN WARD BELEN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e City of Brighton’s Growing Grads program will host a workshop that teaches young people how to start and run a business.
“We’re thrilled to o er this unique opportunity through the Growing Grads program,” said Youth Services Manager Tawnya Russell said in a press release. “ e Young Entrepreneurs Program gives youth a chance to explore the world of entrepreneurship— an exciting path that could become one of many ways they achieve success after high school. It’s all about helping them build condence, creativity, and real-world skills they can carry into the future.”
e Growing Grads program is a twoday, half-day boot camp designed for youth. Entrepreneurs aged 19 and under are eligible to apply. e programs teach best practices for operating a business,
communication and budgeting, according to o cials. e program will be on Tuesday, June 24, and Wednesday, June 25 at Brighton City Hall, 500 S. 4th Avenue.
Space is limited. Participants aged 12 and under will attend from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day, while those aged 13 and over will participate from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Orientation for all ages will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. June 23. Young people who nish the program will have the chance to apply the skills they have learned by selling goods at the Brighton City BBQ on July 17.
To apply for the program, visit: https:// www.brightonco.gov/1590/Young-Entrepreneurship-Program e application deadline is June 12. If you have any questions, please contact Tawnya Russell, Manager of Youth Services, at 303-655-2123 or trussell@brightonco.gov.
No charges against deputy
Deputy Lane Paintin shot a man four times after the suspect fired on neighbor
BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COTLN.ORG
Adams County Sheri ’s Deputy Lane Paintin will not face criminal charges for the Feb. 18, 2024 shooting of Francisco Cruz, who had shot a weapon at his neighbor and refused to a deputy’s command to stand down just before Paintin red his weapon.
e shooting at 340 West 80th Avenue was investigated by the 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, led by City of Brighton Police Detective Valerie Rolf and City of ornton Police Detective Fred Longobricco, according to a decision letter issued Tuesday by 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason.
Based on the evidence presented in the shooting, “there is no reasonable likelihood of success of proving the elements of any crime beyond a reasonable doubt against the involved o cer,” Mason said in his letter. “ erefore, no criminal charges will be led against the law enforcement
o cer (Paintin) involved in this incident.”
Firing gun while drunk
Cruz told deputies on March 20, 2024 he was “extremely intoxicated,” according to the letter. He recalled ring his gun while he was drunk but thought that he was alone in his driveway and claimed that he did not re at anyone.
“He recalled the police yelling at him to drop the gun and raise his hands, but that he did not have the gun and could not raise his hands because he was too drunk,” Mason said in his letter.
Cruz was charged with attempt to commit murder in the rst degree for the shooting incident, Mason said. He later pleaded guilty to assault in the second degree and was sentenced to six years’ probation. Deputies said they responded to 340 West 80th Avenue just before 5 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2024 on a report of a gunshot wound. Once patrol deputies arrived at the location of the call, they contacted the homeowners who said that no one was shot but their next-door-neighbor, Francisco Cruz, red a handgun at them and struck their home.
Cruz retreated to inside his home after the shooting, Mason said.
Adams County DA declines to charge deputy for 2024 shooting.
MONTE WHALEY
State Patrol warns motorists to watch for wildlife
CSP enforcement ramps up for calving season
BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COTLN.ORG
e Colorado State Patrol is stepping up patrols on Colorado State Highway 74 in Evergreen to protect motorists and local wildlife. e e ort is especially important in June and July during peak calving season for elk in the state.
e CSP’s “Give Me a Brake” campaign is being unveiled to increase enforcement and education about wildlife crossings, especially in Evergreen in Je erson County.
“Highway 74 in Evergreen, like so many picturesque areas of Colorado, is an example of a roadway that sees many wildlife crossings,” said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol in a news release. “We want to warn drivers
SANCTUARY
Fears of being forced out e sanctuary is home to over 550 animals including lions, tigers and bears. ey were rescued by Craig and others from mostly roadside zoos and basements and were badly abused by the people who kept them in captivity. In 2023, sanctuary o cials rescued animals held at the abandoned zoo in Puerto Rico, which drew international attention. e sanctuary largely depends on donations to help with the sanctuary upkeep and rescue work.
Craig fears that the housing development and the resulting complaints from homeowners will eventually force the facility out of the area.
“When we moved to rural Weld County 31 years ago, there were wheat elds and open farmland for miles around – with the nearest house miles away,” Craig said.
But as more people moved into the area around the sanctuary complaints started piling up.
“Year after year we would see people moving here with romantic ideas of what life would be like living next to a wildlife sanctuary – but eventually coming to terms with some of the realities that exist,” Craig said.
e issues that come with living near
to slow their speeds and stay alert during this high activity season for new animals traveling with their mothers.”
While dusk and dawn are the most common times for wildlife-vehicle collisions, they can happen at all hours of the day – and they do. Colorado State Troopers will also be conducting weekly enforcement on Highway 74 this June to keep speeds down and increase knowledge on how to spot wildlife and what to do, the news release states.
Last year, animal-involved crashes were the third most common crash factor among all crash types (fatal, injury, and property damage), the news release states. Troopers investigated 3,573 of these crashes. Ninety-six percent of the crashes caused property damage only for the motorist, but the wildlife often did not survive, the CSP states.
e State Patrol o ered practical tips from Wild Aware and their Wild Eyes Program can reduce the risk of motorist/wildlife collisions. ey urge drivers
the sanctuary, according to Craig, include;
e thousands of seagulls that scavenge food and y to adjacent properties where they sometimes drop or leave food behind…. And poop on buildings, cars and houses, said Craig. e bald eagles (21 of them) that stay here yearround and scare people who think they will snatch up their “little foo-foo dogs or cats,” Craig said. e smells from the animals (they consume 100,000 pounds of food per week), so they also defecate an enormous amount, Craig said. “We clean their habitats, but there is still a smell just like a large dairy operation might have,” he said. e large number of ies and other bugs that come to bene t from the food as well. e coyotes, raccoons, fox, and other wildlife… that also increase due to the food supplies. e sounds of the animals – especially lions roaring, as people think it is great to hear lions roaring until they hear one roaring at 2 a.m. on a still summer night and are convinced the lions have escaped and are right outside their bedroom window, Craig said. e sights of all our heavy equipment and commercial supplies being stored or parked together, as people complain to the county about their views being disrupted, he said. e carnivore sounds that scare their dogs, horses, cows and pets – especially when the wolves howl or the lions roar.
People often shoot o guns and highpowered ri es near the sanctuary dis-
to scan roads or shoulders for movement and eye shine and ask drivers to use bright lights at night when safe and ash lights at oncoming cars to warn of wildlife on the road. Do not honk at wildlife in or near road if stopped and use hazard lights to warn other drivers. ey also urge drivers to slow down and not to exceed the speed limit. Wildlife-vehicle collisions can be very costly to drivers, the CSP states. According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, the insurance industry pays out nearly $1.1 billion yearly in claims for all wildlife collisions nationwide. e average property damage cost of these crashes is estimated at over $3,000.
If you are involved in a crash with an animal, Colorado State Patrol wants you to call 9-1-1 just as you would in any other emergency. In addition, if you witness wildlife in distress from possibly being struck on or near the side of the road, call *CSP for the proper resource to be notied and sent to the scene.
pensing thousands of rounds of ammunition just yards away from animal habitats. Fireworks are also set o near the sanctuary borders, Craig said.
Homeowners also host parties where people come up to the fences at night to make noises and shining ashlights at the animals.
“ is has resulted with us nding beer cans and trash in the habitats in the next morning,” Craig said.
Weld County made the property owners, and the sanctuary enter into a contract as one of the conditions for approving the development ten years ago, Craig said,
e requirements included building a tall privacy fence to be built along the common border between the subdivision and the Sanctuary’s property. A 20foot bu er from the privacy fence would prevent any building in the zone, Craig said.
e contract would also require a three-person board of directors for the development’s HOA.
“ is was intended to help give a seat to a sanctuary representative so we could help manage certain behaviors or acts that might negatively a ect the sanctuary,” Craig said.
e sanctuary also required an inperson interview with any prospective buyer, Craig said.
the requirement that the sanctuary could help pick any replacements on the HOA’s board of directors.
“We explained that once they were either gone or moved away, the sanctuary would still need a pro-sanctuary person on the board,” Craig said.
Marketing is underway e women have since declined to meet with Craig to iron out the outstanding issues with the contract. In the meantime, Realtors are marketing the development as being so close to the sanctuary.
“Now open! Boasting a prime location in Keenesburg and showcasing an impressive array of new homes with open layouts and designer details, Vista West is a must-see for house hunters in Weld County. Residents will appreciate close proximity to Fort Lupton, Brighton, e Wild Animal Sanctuary and Denver International Airport. Several thoughtfully designed ranch- and two-story oor plans are available, some of which o er RV garages. You’ll love our professionally curated xtures and nishes!” says an online advertisement.
Fetcher’s letter says that Craig will receive notice of every meeting of the association and that the developers are “committed to a long-lasting relationship with the Wildlife Animal Sanctuary.” Julie Marshall, Colorado Director for Animal Wellness Action, blasted the move by the developers.
“ is was required so a sanctuary representative could be open and honest about the historical issues that had already caused issues – just so the people considering a signi cant purchase would have a chance to hear the potential issues they could face,” Craig said.
e two women signed the contract in 2011 but then ended up moving to Florida not long after the approval was given by Weld County. In 2024 they suddenly resurrected the project without contacting the County to inform them of the new work being done.
Craig said when the sanctuary sta noticed the construction began in mid2024, he contacted the women and their Realtor.
In a meeting, the women expressed how they did not want to follow several of the contract terms.
“ ey stated the interviews might scare o potential buyers, which we responded that all we cared about was making sure people were realistic when considering a purchase,” Craig said via email.
e property owners also did not like
“ is is a most egregious example of thoughtless, non-collaborative development against local Colorado values. ere will be undeniable damage to longstanding wildlife protections, local business and statewide Colorado values,” said Marshall via email.
“ e Wild Animal Sanctuary is an integral and cherished part of Colorado, and Pat is our hometown hero, who has spent decades to create what is undeniably the world’s most successful and renowned sanctuary like no other,” Marshall said. “Local children and families go here year-round to marvel and be educated about lions, tigers, bears, wolves, bobcats and a host of wildlife — every single one saved from the thoughtless, sel sh acts of humans. Weld County Commissioners must ensure these out-of-towners adhered to their own signed contract with government and stand strong to support our local icon.”
A mother elk and her newborn calf stand in Evergreen Lake in 2024. The Colorado State Patrol is launching the “Give Me A Brake” campaign to urge drivers to be careful of wandering animals. FILE PHOTO
Survival rates of Colorado’s reintroduced wolves are falling below a critical threshold
Wildlife o cials to review ‘translocation protocols’ after a string of recent deaths
BY CHASE WOODRUFF COLORADO NEWSLINE
It’s been a week of bad news for supporters of Colorado’s voter-mandated efforts to reintroduce gray wolves.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife o cials announced Friday that agents had shot and killed wolf 2405, a yearling male belonging to the rst litter of wolf pups born in the state since reintroduction, after a series of livestock attacks in Pitkin County. at news was followed Monday by CPW’s announcement of the death of a recently reintroduced wolf, 2507-BC, in northwest Colorado on May 31.
e latest con rmed death means at least ve of the 15 wolves relocated from Canada in January have now died. Two of the animals traveled north into Wyoming, where wolves are largely unprotected under federal and state laws; one was killed by federal o cials after livestock attacks, and the other is widely assumed to have been legally hunted — Wyoming wildlife o cials have invoked a hunter con dentiality law when asked for details. e causes of death for three wolves found dead in Colorado are all under investigation by CPW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Roughly 20 other adult or yearling gray wolves remain alive and in the wild across the state, and advocates and CPW o cials hope that an unknown number of pups born this spring can soon be conrmed and added to the total.
But for now, with a small population working to establish itself in the early stages of the program, the deaths of one-third of the individuals reintroduced this year have pushed Colorado wolves’ survival rate below a critical threshold outlined in CPW’s formal reintroduction plan.
Citing research derived from other states’ wolf management plans and the federally-led e ort to restore wolves to Yellowstone National Park in the 1990s, that plan, adopted by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission in 2023, anticipated that survival rates for reintroduced wolves would range between 70% and 85% in the early years of the program. Early survival rates were listed among the benchmarks CPW said it would use to measure “short-term success.”
“A survival rate of less than 70%” for reintroduced wolves within six months of release, the plan says, “would initiate protocol review.”
“An unusually large number of losses during the rst year of releases or following any modi cation to established protocols will prompt a full review of management procedures,” the document continues. “To assure high initial postrelease survival, the project may be suspended at any time until likely cause(s) of problems are identi ed, and acceptable solutions can be implemented to resolve the problem(s).”
CPW spokesperson Travis Duncan con rmed to Newsline Tuesday that the agency would review its procedures, but not until causes of death for the animals are established.
“Out of an abundance of caution, CPW will assess the mortalities of wolves translocated in 2025 to determine if any translocation protocols should be modied,” Duncan said. “ is cannot occur until nal determinations from the USFWS necropsies have been made on the cause of the mortalities.”
A decades-old benchmark e 70% target in CPW’s plan comes from a 2015 technical report by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife assessing that state’s wolf population. e Oregon report, in turn, cited three previous studies from wildlife biologists who found that wolf populations can be sustained with mortality rates as high as 25% to 30%. Crossing that threshold, the
report’s authors wrote, results in an “increased risk of conservation failure and biological extinction.”
e target also roughly aligns with benchmarks set by planners of the rstever managed wolf reintroduction program, undertaken by the USFWS in and around Yellowstone National Park beginning in 1995. Federal o cials projected that the restoration e ort would be successful if overall mortality could be limited to 20% — 10% from authorized killings of wolves due to livestock con icts and another 10% from “natural causes, accidents, or illegal killing.”
e 1990s e orts near Yellowstone met or exceeded those expectations, successfully reestablishing sustainable wolf population in two di erent areas ahead of the predicted schedule of three to ve years. In the Yellowstone area, 24 of 31 relocated wolves survived the program’s rst two calendar years, along with 19 of 23 their pups, for a total mortality rate of 20%. In a parallel e ort in central Idaho, wolves fared even better. Although no pups were born within the rst year of reintroduction, 30 of 35 relocated individuals survived the program’s rst 20 months, a 14% mortality rate.
CPW biologists will have a better un-
derstanding of the state of reintroduction once the number of pups born in Colorado in 2025 is con rmed. e agency says it’s monitoring four “potential dens” of breeding pairs.
But it’s clear now that Colorado’s restoration e ort is falling short of the successes experienced in the northern Rockies in the 1990s: Including three deaths conrmed in 2024, eight of the state’s rst 25 relocated wolves have died, a mortality rate of 32% — with more than half of calendar year 2025 left to go. e state’s plan calls for winter releases of 10 to 15 wolves annually in the program’s rst three to ve years, with an initial target of a stable population of at least 50 animals within the state. Without a turnaround in survival rates and pup production, however, that timeline could be in jeopardy.
“CPW is developing plans for the coming year’s translocation e orts, so Colorado’s wolf population will continue to grow, leading toward a self-sustaining population,” the agency promised in a press release this week.
is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.
A reintroduced wolf is seen shortly after release in Grand County on Dec. 19, 2023.
United Power VP aims improve networked data
Matt Bartlett promoted to VP and CIO for United Power IT operations
BY BELEN WARD BELEN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
United Power has promoted Matt Bartlett to Senior Vice President and Chief Information O cer, according to a news release on May 29.
“I am pleased to have Matt join the executive leadership team at United Power, in the critical role of Chief Informa-
tion O cer,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO. “Electric utilities have become more automated and rely on increasingly complex data and information systems to operate and provide the services members expect. Having the most talented and capable leader in this role is vital to our
According to o cials, in 2018, Bartlett was hired by United Power as the IT Infrastructure Manager and later ad-
vanced to Vice President of IT Infrastructure and Operations, where he led a comprehensive technology transformation for the department.
In addition to rebuilding their critical network and server infrastructure, he implemented a hybrid cloud environment and established a robust data platform, according to o cials.
Bartlett is a certi ed information service security professional with 20 years of experience, according to o cials. He has worked to improve information technology operations across various industries, including electric utilities, non-pro ts, healthcare, manufacturing and higher education.
Gabriel said Bartlett’s leadership has enhanced both the information technology and operational technology cybersecurity framework of the cooperative, while streamlining operations through targeted strategic process improvements and automation initiatives.
“He has a record of building highperforming teams and a keen ability to align technology solutions with business objectives,” Gabriel said. “I am con dent Matt will help United Power bring enhanced services to the cooperative membership, while further developing our talented information technology team to meet the co-op’s future needs.”
Jared Polis signs bill aimed at reducing Colorado’s rape kit backlog
Law will increase oversight, try to decrease turnaround time of evidence kits
BY LUCAS BRADY WOODS THE COLORADO SUN
Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law
June 3 launching new e orts to cut down on the state’s delays in processing sexual assault evidence kits, including by increasing oversight over the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Currently, it takes 554 days for the CBI to process DNA evidence kits from sexu-
al assaults, which has left 1,369 cases in limbo as victims and investigators wait for results, according to the agency’s latest available data.
One of those victims is Democratic state Rep. Jenny Willford of Northglenn, the leading lawmaker behind the new bill.
Willford says she was sexually assaulted over a year ago and led a police report. But her case was one of the many swallowed up by the backlog.
“Living this reality is really heavy,” said Willford at the bill signing ceremony Tuesday. “It’s disorienting and it’s dehumanizing. It’s like being frozen in time while the rest of the world moves on without you. And no survivor should
ever be made to feel this way ever, because that’s not justice.”
Law enforcement nally issued an arrest warrant for Willford’s alleged attacker last month, more than a year after the incident, after they received the test results from her evidence.
e new law is named the “Miranda Gordon Justice for Survivors Act of 2025.”
Gordon is a vocal advocate for sexual assault victims who helped call attention to the backlog, after waiting more than a year for the results of her own sexual assault evidence kit.
e measure, Senate Bill 304, directs the attorney general’s o ce to create the Colorado Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Review Board to oversee kit processing and make recommendations for how the state can better address sexual crimes.
e group will convene by Aug. 1 and will be made up of sexual assault victim advocates, medical forensic experts and members of law enforcement.
e law also creates a 60-day turnaround goal per DNA evidence kit, three times faster than the state’s current 180day guidance.
Polis said he would like to see even faster turnaround times.
“We always appreciate some room in statute to achieve as much as we can, but my goal would be to turn the tests around
in even quicker than 60 days,” Polis said. Sexual assault victims will also be entitled to updates on their pending evidence kits every 90 days under the new law.
Speaking at Tuesday’s signing ceremony, Democratic Sen. Mike Weissman of Aurora, the measure’s lead sponsor in the Senate, said the bill is about getting sexual assault perpetrators o the street as well as justice for victims.
“We can get lost in processes and abstract terms like ‘kits,’ but what we’re talking about here is bringing forward evidence by which we can arrest people who have committed hideous crimes and subject them to appropriate consequences,” said Weissman. “Without moving through this backlog, we don’t have that evidence, there cannot be accountability.”
Weissman said he and Willford plan to continue to work on speeding up the backlog reduction during the legislative interim and bring further ideas to the 2026 legislative session. He also suggested the General Assembly could take up the issue during a special legislative session should one be convened in the coming months.
is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.
Gov. Jared Polis signs a bill aimed at tackling the state’s sexual assault kit processing backlog into law at the governor’s mansion in downtown Denver on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
PHOTO BY JESSE PAUL / THE COLORADO SUN
is means Colorado students are missing out on signi cant amounts of federally available grant money.
e law doesn’t include a standardized curriculum or end-of-course exam. Instead, it points to existing high school standards, last updated in 2020, as the foundation. ose standards cover budgeting and saving, credit and debt management and understanding taxes. But they also include topics like risk management and insurance, fraud prevention and identity protection and nancial decisionmaking and planning for college.
Each district will determine how to implement the course, whether as a graduation requirement embedded in current o erings or as a standalone class
What’s useful for teens in 2025
Anneliese Elrod, chief operating o cer of Westerra Credit Union, says the curriculum must go far beyond “checkbook math” to prepare students for real-life nancial challenges. at includes understanding
SHOOTING
After establishing a perimeter around the home where Cruz was believed to be located, Paintin – using his car as cover –drew his gun and pointed it at the front door as he repeatedly gave commands directed at Cruz to exit the residence.
Within minutes, Cruz emerged and stood in the front doorway of the home with the door open, Mason states. Cruz
how credit cards work, budgeting realistically and navigating everything fromnancial aid to digital payment scams.
“Budgeting by available balance is one of the most common mistakes we see young people make,” Elrod said. “ ey don’t understand the di erence between their current balance and what’s pending. It can lead to overdrafts or worse.”
She said teens should learn how to read a pay stub, build a credit score and avoid scams on payment apps like Venmo and CashApp. Lessons should also guide them through how to evaluate nancial decisions, such as whether to rent an expensive apartment or sign up for a “buy now, pay later” plan.
“Even understanding basic investing, like what a Roth IRA is or how to open an interest-generating savings account can give them a huge head start,” Elrod said.
Elrod said she was especially glad to see FAFSA covered in the new requirement.
“ at knowledge is something you just don’t intuitively understand, and it’s a very convoluted maze,” she said. “If we are doing it for that reason — bravo.”
Additionally, she emphasized that understanding FAFSA and student loans is crucial, as many students miss out on -
refused to comply with orders to walk out and show his hands. One of the deputies announced: “He’s got a gun in the right pocket, gun in the right pocket.”
Within moments, Paintin stated, “If he reaches again, I’m shooting him.” Seconds later, Paintin red his handgun at Cruz four times, striking him in the chest. After the shooting, a K9 o cer removed Cruz from his residence, and he was transported to a hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
Neighbors told deputies Cruz had a history of getting drunk and confront-
nancial aid by skipping the application process, which can leave them paying o debt well into the future.
While today’s teens may be more aware of traditional scams than older generations, Elrod said, they’re often more vulnerable to savvy marketing and high-pressure sales tactics.
“Marketers are very good at making it feel good and immediate,” she said. “And kids are all about that.”
Keeping teens engaged in a dry subject
Teenagers may not be thrilled about taking a required money class, but educators can keep them engaged with real-world scenarios, Elrod said. at starts with relevance.
“ ey’re not going to understand purchasing a house. ey are going to understand going out to dinner with friends or buying new clothes,” she said. “Making the examples relevant helps students connect the dots.”
Elrod’s team at Westerra Credit Union o ers a classroom simulation that gives students a job, a salary and bills to manage and then throws high-pressure sales pitches their way.
“It’s one thing to talk about budgeting,” she said. “It’s another to experience the
ing them. He also was known to carry a black handgun in a holster in the back waistband of his pants. On the day of the shooting, Cruz told a tenant to come over to him. When the tenant refused, Cruz red a round from his handgun at the tenant but missed him and hit a bucket in the front porch of the residence, Mason said.
Paintin told investigators deputies con rmed there was enough information to arrest Paintin for attempted murder. Paintin drew his weapon, pointed it at the residence, and gave commands
consequences of blowing your budget on an apartment with killer mountain views and realizing you can’t a ord to eat.”
When students walk through those decisions, Elrod said, the lessons tend to stick. “You can tell them they need to budget, but letting them feel what it’s like to make the wrong choice is much more e ective.”
What parents can do at home
Financial education doesn’t have to stop at school. Elrod encourages parents to involve teens in family budgeting, talk openly about money and consider opening joint accounts or debit cards when they’re ready.
“Every student is di erent. Some are ready at 10, others not until 16,” she said. “ e key is creating habits early and making the conversation feel relevant.”
Elrod recommends apps that help families gamify chores, savings and spending. Some allow parents to set savings rules, such as automatically diverting one-third of every allowance into savings and help kids track their spending in real-time.
“ e goal isn’t to lecture,” she said. “It’s to build con dence. When teens feel in control of their money, they make better choices.”
in English and Spanish to the occupants of the home to exit with their hands up, Mason said.
Paintin saw Cruz reach to his right side a second time, prompting the deputy to believe Cruz was reaching for his gun. Paintin re at Cruz four times.
“Deputy Paintin explained that at that moment, he considered the male had already red a gun at the neighbors trying to kill them, he believed that the male was about to draw the gun and re it at him and the other o cers standing in the road,” Mason said.
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Finding joy to help overcome struggles
For 10 years as Assistant Principal at Eaglecrest High School, I had the privilege of overseeing the program for students with unique educational needs. at experience was transformational. One portion of my responsibility included a program known as the Integrated Learning Center, ILC. at primarily selfcontained classroom included students with particularly unique learning needs. In the ILC, I observed new dimensions to the human spirit and courage to depths I did not know possible. I learned what fun a lack of inhibition can be for everyone around and about the joy of being recognized. I actually had to stand outside the ILC to listen to what the teacher was saying before I entered the room, so that the students’ learning was not disrupted by an inevitable chorus of voices saying “Hi, Mr. Roome!”
During that decade, the two most profound lessons I learned from students were about having an unwavering love of life and determination without bounds. I watched students bounce with joy because they glimpsed a friend or grasped a favorite toy. I observed full-on belly laughs because of a word or a wink. In fact, I cannot think of a time when the room was void of smiles. It is not that life is easy or the road is clear for students in ILC.
In fact, just the opposite. Students’ lives can be lled with unimaginable hardship, and yet there is still time for drinking the joy of living. ere is a great lesson in
AWORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
that room for all of us. Why would we have been put on this earth if it were not to bask in the joy of living? at bottomless well of joy sits next to determination, which outshines all other ideas in the ILC. Determination to live, to be, to thrive, determination to overcome. e goal might be to walk or to speak, or to share an idea. e size of the mountain does not matter, determination rules the space. We can learn from the students and ll our lives with the determination to overcome the mountains we encounter.
Six years ago, I stopped overseeing the ILC program. To the end of my days, thoughts about those wonderful students will bring a smile to my face and a resolve to my heart because of the joy and determination I observed in that space.
Whatever your struggle, my hope is that you, too, will nd a lesson in this story of amazing students and that you will ll your week with joy and determination, no matter the struggle.
You have got this.
I hope my words encourage you and that you will share them with those who need support. ank you to everyone who has shared their stories with me so far; I truly appreciate hearing about the
valuable ideas you nd in these columns and how you use them to uplift those around you. You can reach me at jim. roome@gmail.com.
Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife, Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences. Contact him at jim.roome@gmail.com.
The often-missed path to greater success
fter decades of working in the personal and professional development space, I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate businesses, teams, and individuals across a wide range of industries. Whether we’re conducting a classic SWOT analysis; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, reviewing assessment data on talents and competencies, or sitting down for interviews with key players, one thing becomes abundantly clear time and time again: when strengths and weaknesses are laid out side by side, far too many people zero in on the weaknesses. at focus makes sense, on the surface. After all, we’ve been taught to improve what’s broken. If a machine isn’t functioning, we x the faulty part. If a report is wrong, we nd the error. But when it comes to people, teams, and businesses, this singular focus on “ xing” weaknesses can back re, especially when it comes at the expense of building upon strengths.
comes from doubling down on our strengths. When we re ne what we already do well, when we lean into our natural talents, repeatable behaviors, and reliable competencies, we nd traction. And that traction leads to tangible, repeatable suc-
Now, let’s be clear: acknowledging and addressing weaknesses is important. In fact, neglecting them altogether is a recipe for stagnation or decline. I make a point each year to take assessments that shine a light on areas where I need to improve. And yes, that list is always longer than I’d like. Without a plan to address those areas, they’ll only grow into bigger problems.
But here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace, and what I hope you take away from this column: the real momentum, the kind that lifts us to the next level,
ink about it. Professional athletes are the best in the world at what they do, yet they spend countless hours re ning their strengths. ey don’t stop practicing their signature moves because they’re already good at them. In fact, they practice them more, seeking that slight edge that will make them unstoppable. e same holds true in business, entertainment, and high-level leadership. Top performers rarely become top performers by trying to be great at everything. Instead, they become elite by identifying what they do best and doing it better than anyone else. is is a transferable truth. Whether we’re talking about a business unit, a leadership team, or a high-potential employee, there is incredible value in identifying the strengths and intentionally investing in them. at might mean assigning roles that align with natural abilities, providing tools that elevate already-strong performance, or simply encouraging more time and focus on the work that brings energy and results. Let’s not forget the psychological bene t. When we only focus on weaknesses,
our mindset often follows. We begin to feel like we’re always behind, constantly catching up, never enough. at kind of thinking can be toxic. But when we focus on strengths, we tap into con dence, momentum, and engagement. It’s a motivating force, one that propels us forward rather than weighing us down. Ultimately, this isn’t an either-or conversation. It’s about balance. We absolutely must identify and work on our weaknesses, creating long-term strategies to grow in the areas that need improvement. But we must also capitalize on our strengths for near-term success and condence-building wins. at balanced approach, acknowledging both what needs to change and what needs to be ampli ed, is the real key to unlocking potential. So the next time you conduct a selfreview, a team evaluation, or a strategic
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plan, pause. Before diving into all the things that need xing, ask: What’s already working? What strengths can we build upon? at might just be where your next breakthrough lies. How about you? Do you tend to focus too much on what’s wrong? Or do you take the time to take inventory of your strengths and then leverage those strengths? As always, I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can learn to lean into our strengths to tap our true potential, it really will be a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.
• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for o ce. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 12 days of an election.
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Jim Roome
RTD ends ‘slow zones’ as a crew of 100 completes a year of repairs
BY ANDREW KENNEY DENVERITE
e slog days are over.
After close to a year of repairs, the Regional Transportation District on Tuesday lifted the last of its “slow zones,” ending a debacle that devastated ridership and turned some train commutes into slowmotion torture.
“ ere are no speed restrictions currently in e ect,” the agency’s website declared.
Since last spring, the agency’s trains have traveled at just 10 mph for stretches of some routes — slower than some of the Mile High City’s more enthusiastic joggers.
In all, the agency completed repairs in 31 zones on the D, E, H and R lines. Crews replaced more than two miles of track, often working overnight while overhead wires were powered down. e repair crew of more than 100 sta also took grinders to smooth more than 50 miles of rail, leveled the rock ballast beneath tracks and more.
RTD started the repair program after new, more intensive inspections revealed issues with the tracks. e agency carried out more repairs in a single year than it had in the previous 20 years combined.
e nal slow zone was between the Yale and Southmoor stations.
e Colorado Public Utilities Commission had ordered RTD to improve its light rail maintenance after the agency report-
ed in 2022 that its track at 19th and Stout streets had disintegrated to the point that trains could only travel at 3 mph until it was replaced
In October 2023, RTD told the commission it would adopt track standards set by the American Public Transportation Association, which led to the discovery of structural issues throughout the aging system.
“Everything is structurally ne,” Dave Jensen, the agency’s assistant general manager for rail operations, said last year. “But absent any kind of intervention, those spots in the rail will turn into cracks. And those cracks will turn into breaks … We’re taking a proactive approach as opposed to a reactive approach in the way that we’re managing the railroad.”
RTD’s new routine includes a yearly ultrasonic inspection, with crews using high-frequency sound waves to look for structural issues with the rail. RTD sta also walk the entire system on a 90-day basis and a “hi-rail” vehicle is used to review all of the track twice a week. RTD has 120 miles of light-rail track. e agency plans to expand its track maintenance team from 14 employees to 18 in the near future.
Still, the agency warned, more issues will surface — and slow zones will return when they’re needed. is story is from Denverite, a nonpro t Denver news source a liated with CPR News. Used by permission. For more, and to support Denverite, visit denverite.com.
Denver home prices are unchanged as thousands of listings pile up
There are more homes on the market now than anytime since 2011
BY ANDREW KENNEY DENVERITE
ere were nearly 13,600 homes for sale in the 11-county metro area at the end of May. at’s the highest number since 2011, a sign that home buyers are hesitant to take what the market is o ering. e mismatch between supply and de-
mand means the Denver market looks very di erent than in recent years. More people are selling homes than buying them. Just about 4,000 sales were closed in May, even as nearly 7,300 new homes hit the market, according to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.
It’s still possible to sell a home in Denver, especially for the right price and location. In fact, if a home does sell, it typically takes only a couple weeks But that statistic excludes the homes that aren’t selling. Many properties are going unsold for months. e average unsold home has been sitting on the market for 45 days.
e number of people selling their homes isn’t abnormally high, appearing fairly consistent with recent years. But the number of buyers has dropped o signi cantly from the 2010s and pandemic years. Many are hesitant to pay high prices at high interest rates
Despite the lack of buyers, the median price for single-family homes rose by about $5,000 to $665,000. e prices of townhomes and condos also increased. ose who do buy are looking for the strongest o erings at the best prices. ey are increasingly likely to back out of a deal over inspection issues, according to DMAR — unlike a few years ago, when
some buyers agreed to skip inspections altogether.
However, there is a sign of a little movement in the market. Until now, it looked like the spring sales season had peaked early, with the number of completed sales dropping instead of growing from March through May.
But the number of pending sales — those that are in progress but not yet completed — ticked up at the end of May. is story is from Denverite, a nonpro t Denver news source a liated with CPR News. Used by permission. For more, and to support Denverite, visit denverite. com.
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BRIEFS
Potluck Supper at the Fort
On June 2, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the South Platte Historical Society is hosting a “Meet the Golden Eagle” presentation by the Raptor Education Foundation. Bring a food dish to share. e Fort’s Rendezvous Room is located at 2001 Historic Pkwy, Fort Lupton. O U.S. Highway 85, on the north side of Fort Lupton, turn west on 14 1/2; the parking will be on the left.
Co ee with a cop
Fort Lupton Police set aside one morning each month to share a few cups of co ee with residents.
Co ee with a Cop is a chance for police to meet with community members and discuss many topics, including parking regulations. To accommodate more people, they have changed their meeting location to the Multi-Purpose Room at the Fort Lupton Rec Center!
e same time is on the rst Wednesday of each month at Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S Harrison Ave, Fort Lupton. e next scheduled event is from 8-9:30 a.m. on July 2.
er get old. Breakfast starts at 9:30, and read-aloud starts at 10 a.m. every last Saturday of the month. All ages are welcome.
Fort Lupton replacing water meters e City of Fort Lupton has hired Northern Colorado Contractors to replace the water meters in town. Over time, meters age and require replacement to ensure accurate measurement and eciency of water use. e majority of the meters in the City are reaching their useful life prompting this program. e replacement of the meters is entirely free of charge to residents.
Co ee with a Cop is an easy way to get to know the men and women who serve our community and tell them about the issues that matter most to you. Remember that you can always reach our police department at our non-emergency number, 720-652-4222.
Post o ce seeks new location in Hudson
Due to space constraints, the Postal Service must relocate retail services to a yet-to-be-determined location within the zip code of 80642, which includes Hudson and the surrounding area.
e desired size of the new facility needs to be approximately 2,750 square feet with adequate parking.
According to the city, the current meters continue to work properly, however, some meters do not transmit the data from the meter to the system. e meter must then be read manually.
Accounts with meters that can’t be manually read, will be estimated. If the actual amount consumed is lower than the estimated amount previously billed, then the bill will be adjusted to re ect the higher usage. When the new meter is connected, it will re ect the correct usage moving forward.
Contractors will notify residents when they will replace meters in their vicinity. For houses with meters that are outside and accessible, the contractors will let residents know when they plan to replace the meter. For houses that have inaccessible meters that are inside, in a basement or a crawl space, residents should contact Public Works to schedule an appointment.
e relocation project will consist of procuring a suitable substitute location, as close as reasonably possible to the existing location. Retail Services will continue at the current location until necessary preparations are completed at the new location.
Instead of a public meeting, the Postal Service is inviting residents and property owners to send comments on the proposal to “United States Postal Service, Attn: Hudson, CO MPO Relocation, PO BOX 27497, Greensboro, NC 27498-1103.”
e Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Saturday pancakes
thepark.com for more information and to apply. e deadline for booth applications is Aug. 15. is one-day festival brings together talented artists, live performances, interactive activities, and a vibrant artist market.
For more information, contact Communications & Engagement Director Kristen Chernosky at 303-655-2146 or kchernosky@ brightonco.gov.
Blessings in a Bag
Fort Lupton’s Backpack Program helps schoolchildren in need with a backpack of healthy food. It’s an all-volunteer program and needs volunteers. If interested in volunteering or donating, call 303-718-4440.
City committees need members
Fort Lupton is looking for several community-minded individuals to ll openings on several boards that advise the City Council and help run city programs.
Test kits can be requested online at www.drhomeair.com/weld, according to a statement. Call the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment at (970) 400-2226 or visit: www.weldgov.com/go/radon.
Silver Sneakers
Silver Sneaker Yoga is available three times per week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave.
Free short-term radon test kits
Weld County residents can receive a free radon test kit (one per household, while supplies last). Test kits can be requested online at www.drhomeair.com/weld, according to a statement. Call the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment at (970) 400-2226 or visit: www.weldgov.com/go/radon.
e Cemetery Committee, Parks and Recreation Committee, Golf Committee, the Library Board, Public Safety Committee and the Senior Advisory Committee have openings. e openings consist of a two-year term running through the end of 2024. If you or anyone you know is interested in serving on a committee, please complete a committee application at https://www.fortluptonco. gov/966/I-Want-To-Apply-for-aCommittee on the city’s website.
Help for vets
More information can be found here- https://www.fortluptonco. gov/1240/Water-Meter-Replacement-Program.
Acts of Connection seeks to lessen loneliness
Weld County and North Range Behavioral Health are working to target social isolation and build personal connections throughout the county with the Acts of Connection Initiative.
According to the group, four of ve adults younger than 24 and seniors older than 66 all reported feeling lonely at some point.
e Fort Lupton Public Library hosts a simple pancake breakfast on the last Saturday of each month in the library’s community rooms. is month’s pancake breakfast runs from 9:30-10:30 a.m. June 28.
e library is located at 370 S. Rollie Ave.
Volunteers needed
Quali ed Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, provide handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries and veterans to be trained to become quali ed listeners. Visit quali edlisteners.org/volunteerapp and ll out the form or call 720-600-0860.
e campaign encourages everyone to nd ways to connect with others, build relationships, and promote a stronger sense of well-being and a culture of connection for all.
e group has sponsored a website at https://actsofconnectionweld.org/ to survey members of each group, o er some tips to help and take pledges to connect to the community and connect with other members of the community.
Visit the e ort’s website at https://actsofconnectionweld. org/ for more information.
Quali ed Listeners, a veteran and family resource hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has several power chairs, scooters, and electric wheelchairs available.
e VA o ers urgent care services to eligible veterans at VA medical facilities or several in-network urgent care clinics that are closer to home.
To nd the closest facility to you, visit www.va.gov/ nd-locations or call 720-600-0860.
Quali ed Listeners also needs volunteers to drive veterans to and from appointments, run errands for veterans who cannot get out, handyman services, help administer veteran and family resource guide inventory in local libraries, and veterans to be trained to become quali ed listeners.
Donation time
e Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank is asking for donations of canned fruits and nuts, varieties of dry pasta and pasta dinners, peanut butter and canned meat such as tuna (including the pouches).
Water aerobics
e city’s water aerobics class meets from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays and ursdays at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, 203 S. Harrison Ave. Call 303-857-4200.
Community Reach Center launches “warm line”
Community Reach Center is o ering a warm line (303-2806602) for those who want to talk to mental-health professionals about anxiety, lack of sleep and strained relationships, among other topics. e professionals can facilitate referrals to other programs for assistance. e line is not for crisis intervention. ose feeling unsafe or suicidal should call Colorado Crisis Services (1-844-493-8255) or text 38255 or visit the Behavioral Urgent Care Center, 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster. Brighton’s community intake location is at 1850 E. Egbert St., on the second oor. It’s open from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays.
Brighton Art in the Park seeks local artists
Other potential donations could include chicken, Vienna sausages, spam and salmon. e bank also needs personal items, such as toiletries and baby needs.
Legal advice
e event is combined with the library’s weekly reading program, so families can enjoy a good meal while listening to popular cult classic children’s stories that nev-
e City of Brighton will host its annual Art in the Park festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Carmichael Park, 650 Southern St.
ose artists interested in showcasing and selling their artwork can visit www.brightonartin-
Drop o donations at the food and clothing bank’s back door, 421 Denver Ave., on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Call 303-857-1096.
Free short-term radon test kits
Weld County residents can receive a free radon test kit (one per household, while supplies last).
e Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the rst Tuesday of every month. e program is for customers without legal representation who need help navigating through legal issues.
Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss family law, civil litigation, property, and probate law. Call 303-405-3298 and ask for a Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours before.
Je co schools consider deep cuts in 2025-26 budget
District may turn to voters for help but $39 million in cuts could be inevitable
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SUZIE@COTLN.ORG
Faced with a looming $60 million structural de cit, the Je erson County school board reviewed the district’s proposed 2025-26 budget on June 4 and began a sobering discussion about what comes next.
In the upcoming school year, Je co is projected to spend more money than it brings in, relying on savings to bridge the gap.
e proposed budget relies on $39 million in one-time spending from the district’s fund balance, and Chief Financial O cer Brenna Copeland warned that without signi cant changes, reserves could dip to unmanageable levels by the 2027-28 school year.
e district has already shuttered 21 schools since 2021, resulting in $20 million in recurring cost savings. Yet, Copeland said the overall budget continues to grow due to in ation, compensation increases and special education needs.
“ is is not a proposal. is is a hypothetical illustration,” Copeland said as she walked board members through a series of bleak multi-year forecasts. “If we just keep doing what we’re doing, we do not right the ship.”
Accountability and long-term planning e district is statutorily required to adopt a high-level plan to address ongoing shortfalls when using reserves to fund
recurring costs. is year’s budget plan, presented in May and reiterated at the June 4 meeting, outlines a phased approach: reduce expenditures through program changes and sta ng cuts, avoid future cost increases where possible and consider asking voters for additional funding through a mill levy override.
e new forecasts assume modest revenue increases and enrollment declines over the next three years. e district anticipates losing 800 students in both the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.
At the same time, it projects rising costs for salaries, bene ts, utilities and mandated services, such as special education. Copeland said the forecasts already include sta reductions aligned to enrollment loss.
“We are recognizing that when we lose 800 students, we do sta for fewer positions,” she said. “I get frustrated when people suggest that we’re not including reductions. We are.”
Still, the projected gap persists. By 202728, Je co’s unassigned reserves and its designated fund balance for future use are expected to fall to zero, leaving no cushion for emergencies or midyear adjustments. at, Copeland said, poses operational risks.
“I don’t know how schools would navigate a negative October adjustment without carryforward,” she said, referring to the reserve balances schools typically rely on when enrollment numbers change.
Board confronts painful choices: job cuts likely
At the board’s request, Copeland presented three models showing how the
district could close a $60 million shortfall.
Each hypothetical model involved signi cant cuts to sta ng, showing that even steep cuts to software, supplies and other discretionary spending don’t go far enough.
One proposed a at 6% cut across all spending categories, totaling about $60 million. Another suggested a 6% cut to full-time sta , resulting in the elimination of approximately 564 positions. A third option varied the approach, cutting 5% to 10% in targeted areas while attempting to shield general instruction and schoolbased sta ng.
Board Member Danielle Varda asked why sta appeared to be the main target of cuts when some families might assume administrative or central expenses could be trimmed instead.
Varda said that if cuts to school-based sta are on the table, the district has a responsibility to explain why central services aren’t absorbing more of the burden.
Copeland explained that 84% of the general fund budget is tied to salaries and bene ts. at includes not only teachers, but paraprofessionals, counselors, custodians, transportation sta and others.
“Of the $60 million target, $49 million would come from reductions to salary and bene t accounts,” Copeland said. “ at’s where the money is.”
Board responds with urgency
“We’ve got to prepare our community for the fact that there are going to be signi cant reductions in force,” said Board Member Paula Reed. “ at’s going to be unavoidable.”
Director Michelle Applegate somberly agreed.
“Even small gestures to demonstrate we are tightening our own belts are impor-
REVERSE MORTGAGES
tant. We need to show our community we are taking this seriously.”
Applegate suggested implementing cost-saving policies now, such as travel limits, caps on consultant contracts and leaving vacancies un lled.
Deputy Superintendent Kym LeBlancEsparza said stakeholder input will be critical to shaping district priorities and understanding what families value most.
“In three decades of education, I’ve been through downturns before,” she said. “We have to establish criteria, involve stakeholders, educate people on what’s in each category and identify what’s undesirable versus what’s impossible.”
Je erson County Board of Education members and Deputy Superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza listen intently during the June 4 budget discussion. Superintendent Tracy Dorland was absent from the meeting. SUZIE GLASSMAN
BY ISABEL GUZMAN IGUZMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In a softly lit room in Centennial, Lilly Cadillac Unger shu es her tarot cards with practiced hands. e space, lled with gentle natural light, is the heart of her business, Altered Arcana. On the table, a classic three-card spread — past, present and future — unfolds a story. Among the cards drawn: Death, the Six of Cups and the Nine of Wands.
“I see here that there was some kind of huge transition,” Unger said, pointing to the Death card.
e card’s reputation, she said, is the most feared and is more Hollywood than reality — its real message is transformation and rebirth.
Unger’s journey with tarot began at age 12, sparked by curiosity and the little guidebook included with her rst Rider–Waite deck — the most popular tarot deck, she notes, and one she’s mis-
placed more times than she can count.
For Unger, tarot isn’t about predicting the future.
“Tarot really should tell you about your present,” she said.
e Rider-Waite tarot card deck, rst published in 1909, was created by artist Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of occultist A.E. Waite. e deck consists of 78 cards — 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana — with each card featuring symbolic illustrations designed to evoke intuitive and emotional responses.
Distinctive for its fully illustrated Minor Arcana, the Rider-Waite deck’s imagery draws from esoteric traditions that embrace practices that involve secret or hidden knowledge, Christian mysticism and the teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society that studied occultism and metaphysics, according to the University of St. omas.
Kate Kettelkamp, who reads tarot cards from her Denver o ce, also starts
with the three card spread that displays the past, present and future. After she shu es, she has the person receiving the reading pull three cards.
“I like people to choose their own cards,” Kettlekamp said. “Di erent tarot readers have di erent rules. I like people to select the cards because I feel like you bring your own energy to it.”
When the cards are pulled and laid out as reversals — meaning the card’s art is upside down — Kettlekamp said that can signify an energy blockage.
Looking towards the card that represents the past, Kettlekamp observed the Nine of Cups, reversed.
“Cups are water, so it has this emotional, imaginative quality to it,” she said. “With it reversed, it can (signify) wanting to move something forward but having some obstacle.”
When Kettlekamp moved from California to Denver almost 10 years ago, she said everyone she met in the new city knew their astrology signs and
owned a tarot deck, inspiring her to dive into the metaphysical world. She currently studies consciousness in a graduate program at the California Institute of Integral Studies.
In the program, Kettlekamp studies culture, the human journey, the soul and the environment, which she said sets her up for inquisitive knowledge for reading tarot.
“I like to approach (tarot) from a place of inquiry. Some people ask, ‘should I break up with my partner?’ But I nd that the tarot doesn’t answer deterministically,” she said. “ en they’ll pull the Death card and I’ll say, ‘well, possibly, what do you think? It’s up to you.’ at could just be their current energy that is creating a trajectory towards breaking up.”
Kate Kettelekamp reads tarot cards at Kronos Astrology in Denver.
Florentino re ected on the readings she’s done that the cards portray a potentially negative message, and how she communicated it to her client.
Kettlekamp said the cards do not tell the future but can give insight into what struggles someone may be currently facing. She said it’s important for readers to uphold ethics when doing a reading.
“I’ve had people come into my o ce who have been disturbed from prior readings because they’ve been told things that make them anxious. So I do think that there’s some responsibility on the reader’s part to not induce anxiety by giving a deterministic prediction about someone’s life,” she said.
When the cards convey a negative message, Rachel Florentino from Bridge the Gap Tarot in Westminster said she views the cards as morphable.
“It’s not set in stone. ( e cards) are something we can bring to the present and change if we want to,” she said.
“ ere was a client that desperately wanted a baby … When I looked at her present, the problem was, she worked 80 hours a week and she wasn’t listening to her doctors telling her, ‘no, you cannot sustain that type of lifestyle while you’re pregnant,’” she said. “It hurt me because she wasn’t going to do that. I had to tell her she has to listen to people.”
Something Florentino did not always do at the beginning of her reading journey — even when she met the woman who wanted a baby — was shielding. In an e ort to protect herself from her clients’ energies, sometimes Florentino will imagine herself wearing a cloak that acts like a shield.
During another reading, Florentino pulled the Tower card in a past, present and future spread — with the Tower card in the future pile, she said it’s the harshest card of the deck.
“It’s because there’s things that you should be doing that you’re not doing and so the universe is going to make it happen. It can be harsh because it can no longer be in your control,” she said.
According to Florentino, the Tower card can show up when someone may be losing a job if they continue down their current trajectory.
“It’s de nitely a warning of: what do we know we need to be doing but we haven’t done yet?” she said.
Regarding the seemingly worrisome card — the Death card — Florentino said the image of the card, which typically displays a grim reaper-esque skeleton with a sword, scares people, largely due to Western society’s perspective of death.
“I think Hollywood has done a great job in scaring us with (death). In the United States, we’re not open about death and don’t view it as a rebirth but as the end of something. In a lot of other cultures, death is looked at as a deathrebirth process,” she said.
Regarding the online popularity of tarot card readings — from mass-collective tarot readings on YouTube to online psychic chats — Kettlekamp and Unger suggest looking at reviews to avoid being scammed.
“I would recommend for people to nd someone that has reviews because there are people who will take your money,” Kettlekamp said. “Anybody that has a physical location, not that that’s necessary, but it can indicate how much time they spend practicing.”
For Unger, reviews and having a connection with a reader are two ways to prevent scams.
“You just have to be honest with yourself about if it resonates, and I think you should be careful who you go to,” she said. “I think at the end of the day, getting reviews, and maybe just really asking yourself: ‘who am I being led to and why? Am I being led to this person because I saw something online that said: he’s thinking about you? And is that what I’m seeking?”’
LEFT: In the two photos, Lilly Cadillac Unger reads tarot cards in Centennial at Altered Arcana. PHOTO BY ISABEL GUZMAN
RIGHT: Kate Kettlekamp moved from California to Denver and was inspired to learn tarot card reading after meeting others who owned tarot card decks. COURTESY OF KATE KETTLEKAMP
Documentary details Denver ‘70s band Sugarloaf
Brighton man, Evergreen shop owner to star in upcoming rockumentary
BY JANE REUTER
JANE@COTLN.ORG
Neither Brighton resident and Morrison bartender Cory Pearman or Evergreen business owner Eric Martinez had been born when the iconic 1970s Colorado rock band “Sugarloaf” was in its heyday.
Today, both men have been cast in an upcoming movie about the group.
Pearman is depicted on the movie’s website among the lead cast as singer/ songwriter Bob Yeazel, and Martinez has a part as bassist Bob Raymond’s adult son Aaron.
e movie “I Got a Song” is being lmed locally, including a scene shot at e Little Bear in Evergreen April 11 and more in Denver later this summer.
Sugarloaf, known for hits like “GreenEyed Lady” and “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You,” was named after Boulder’s Sugarloaf Mountain. e movie promises to share “compelling details of the group, the unique members, how they came together and what tore them apart.”
Pearman, frontman for local bands “Float Like a Bu alo” and “ e C Minuses” and a bartender at the Morrison Holiday Bar, is not just playing the lead vocalist, but singing Sugarloaf’s songs as well.
“I really enjoy it,” he said. “Diving into ‘Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You’ … I don’t have a very high-pitched voice. I had to learn that and struggled when I did it.
“Bobby was also apparently the wild man, so I’m excited about that. I get to push some boundaries.”
Yeazel was with the band for a short but prominent time, Pearman said. e group formed in 1969, and Yeazel joined them in 1971 for their second album, . He wrote or co-wrote many of the songs, including “Tongue in Cheek.”
He left the group in mid-1972 saying he was “disillusioned” with the group’s direction. Sugarloaf o cially disbanded in 1978. Yeazel, who joined the Freddi-Henchi band and later wrote songs for the still-popular Chris Daniels and the Kings, died in 2016.
Sugarloaf band was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
Both Pearman and Martinez said the movie centers around bass player and founding member Bob Raymond. As Raymond’s son, the actor Martinez struggles with his father’s 2016 death and later his son Bailey’s emergence in the music industry.
Neither Pearman nor Martinez are new to acting. Martinez, who owns Evergreen’s Java Groove had a lead role in the holiday movie “Mocha and Mistletoe”, which was lmed in Evergreen in late 2024 at his urging. Sugarloaf’s documentary will be the fourth movie in which the 43-year-old has played a part, in addition to a couple of commercials and a true-crime reenactment podcast.
He saw the casting call for ‘I Got a Song’ on Facebook and auditioned in March.
“Sugarloaf was a bit before my time, and I didn’t know (much about them) before I saw the callout,” he said. “I went back and listened to their music, and I love it. And knowing their story, the way they got together, and how passionate they were about the music, makes listening to it even cooler now.”
As a young man, Pearman moved to Los Angeles to “chase the dream of being an actor.” While he had some success, he quickly realized the Hollywood lifestyle wasn’t for him. After strumming his rst guitar in 2016, “I never looked back.”
‘I Got a Song’ director Kyle Lamar had also directed some of Pearman’s music videos and asked Pearman to play Yeazel.
“He said, ‘I think you’d be great for it. You look like the guy,’” Pearman said, laughing and stroked his beard, and adding that he had to dye some of the gray hairs that have lately appeared there to match his otherwise reddish-blond hair.
“I’m 47 playing a 25- or 26-year-old. I’m lucky I still look youthful.”
Pearman and Martinez met brie y at a June 1 cast/crew mixer and movie fundraiser at Aurora’s Rock restaurant. Martinez, who will shoot his rst scenes in June as well, also met Aaron Raymond at the fundraiser.
“I got to meet the real person I’m playing,” he said. “Not everybody (from the band) is still with us. But he is.”
Both men are open to more acting roles, though Pearman is dedicated to his musical career rst and Martinez is equally devoted to running his wellloved downtown Evergreen co ee shop and raising a family.
“Right now, I’m just leaning into it,” Martinez said.
“I’m having a blast,” Pearman said. “If it leads to more and I don’t have to move anywhere and can keep doing music, I’d be interested.
“I’m getting a little bit overwhelmed. But I’m still having fun doing it. It’s the life I chose for myself.”
‘Float Like a Bu alo’ just released a new album, and sets o on a Northwestern U.S. tour in mid-July. But before it does, the funk band will help Evergreen celebrate the Fourth of July at Foothills Fourth, playing at 3:30 p.m. on the stage at Buchanan elds.
Part of the cast and two members of the original Sugarloaf band on stage at Evergreen’s Little Bear, where the crew filmed a scene from the upcoming movie, ‘I Got a Song.’ At far right is Brighton resident and Morrison bartender Cory Pearman, who play Bob Yeazel in the film.
Members of Sugarloaf from the cover of their 1971 album ‘Spaceship Earth,’ with Bob Yeazel far right. COURTESY PHOTOS
Mon 6/16
Adventure Quest @ 9am Jun 16th - Jun 19th
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
HIIT the Deck Summer Challenge June 16 @ 9am Jun 16th - Jul 24th
Bison Ridge Recreation Center, 13905 E. 112th Avenue, Commerce City. 303-289-3760
Skyhawks Volleyball Camp Eagle Pointe @ 9am Jun 16th - Jun 20th
Rockin and Poppin
Tue 6/17
National
Thu 6/19
Little Moses Jones Live at the Thornton Juneteenth Concert! @ 7pm Carpenter Park Fields, 11000 Colorado Blvd, Thornton
NFL legend Champ Bailey honors
‘most positive’ Colorado student athletes
BY JOHN RENFROW JOHN@COTLN.ORG
High school athletes, two coaches and an athletic director were honored for being the “most positive” in Colorado at the Douglas County School District Legacy Campus in Lone Tree June 2. Pro Football Hall of Famer and Broncos legend Champ Bailey is the Positive Athlete organization’s lead athlete. Bailey helped to recognize the top seven male and female athletes in high school sports who displayed the highest character and generated overall positivity on and o the eld. e full list of recipients includes students from schools across Colorado, from Colorado Spring to Fort Collins and Breckenridge to La Junta.
ose honored are: Alex Beasley - Lewis-Palmer (Monument); Avery Leman - Poudre (Fort Collins); Jaden FrancisElizabeth (Elizabeth); Jay Peltier (coach) - Summit (Breckenridge); Katherine Lorck - Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs); Kevin Prosser III - Rangeview (Aurora); Kinsley Mayo - La Junta Jr/Sr (La Junta); Liam Graham - Standley Lake (Westminster); Megan Waters - Lakewood (Lakewood); Peighton Marrero - Strasburg (Strasburg); Ray Lopez (coach);Abraham Lincoln (Denver); Rhett McDonald - Wiley (Wiley); Roxann Serna (athletic director); - Centennial (San Luis); Ryan Cornell - Longmont (Longmont); Sage Adkins - Rock Canyon (Highlands Ranch); Simon Lunsford - Green Mountain (Lakewood);and Staia Yohe-Savage -
George Washington (Denver).
“I’d seen their Positive Athlete nominations and bios, but meeting and celebrating the winners in person exceeded all expectations,” Bailey said. “It’s easy to see why they are the future leaders in their communities and the workforce. I’m excited to follow them as they lean in to take advantage of the ever-growing resources o ered by Positive Athlete—not just to
winners but to all nominees.”
More than 440 nominations from coaches, principals, athletic directors, teachers and parents were submitted for the Positive Athlete program state-wide, representing 197 di erent public and private high schools (equivalent to 53% of all Colorado high schools with formalized athletics programs).
Nominations covered all 27 state-sanc-
tioned sports as well as e-sports, archery, equestrian, martial arts, motocross, ultimate, Uni ed Sports and more.
Considerations for awards included if students displayed how positive athletes “O.P.E.R.A.T.E.” (Optimistic, Put team rst, Encouraging, Respectful, Admits imperfections, True heart for others and Embraces service).
Five scholarships were awarded, totaling $8,000.
Standley Lake High School’s Graham won the male O.P.E.R.A.T.E. Award, while Leman from Poudre won the female O.P.E.R.A.T.E. Award. Each received $2,500 toward their chosen academic institution or trade school. Additionally, Mayo, McDonald and Yohe-Savage received Positivity Champ Awards, including a $1,000 scholarship.
“I think that being recognized as a Positive Athlete really gave me more condence not only in my athletics but also in my everyday life, like I was being seen for the work I was putting into my everyday life and my positivity through times of di culty and struggle,” said Waters from Lakewood. “I loved being able to meet the other kids and parents being awarded, because you can really tell that it’s a good group of kids and they were all raised by incredible people. ey are all so kind.” Nominations will reopen in the Fall for the next school year. However, Positive Athlete is currently taking pre-nominations at www.PositiveAthlete.org, which will trigger an automatic reminder when nominations reopen.
Riverdale Ridge captures first state girls golf crown
at trophy case at Riverdale Ridge High School may need to grow some. e Ravens captured their rst state team championship in girls golf. Riverdale Ridge beat Durango by 13 strokes after the two-day tournament at e Broadlands in Broom eld.
Junior Brynn Balliet was the team’s medalist. She nished with an 81-79 –160, good for fourth place in the strokeplay portion of the meet. Leah Johnson, a freshman, and junior Karina Panyavong (78-92 – 170) nished tied for ninth.
“We had a combination of three juniors returning and four freshmen (two of whom made the varsity squad),” said RRHS coach Wade Balliet. He was the class 4A coach of the year in girls golf according to voting from MaxPreps and CHSAANow.com. “ e freshmen hadn’t played a lot of tournament golf. ings started clicking.”
Riverdale Ridge didn’t lose a tournament this season. e Ravens won their rst regional tournament as well.
“Our coaching sta thought next year was going to be our year,” Wade Balliet said. “We had a lot of freshmen early on in the season. But we started to watch them play. We had a good three weeks of practice before the season started, and we could see the freshmen grow, even though they hadn’t played that many tournaments.”
Durango High School was the toprated team in class 4A for much of the season. But the Ravens and the Demon didn’t match up until the regional round in Fort Collins. e state tourney was at the Broadlands in Broom eld. On the second day, Leah went par, birdie, birdie, birdie on the rst ve holes.” Riverdale Ridge won the team title by 13 shots.
e MaxPreps.com/CHSAANow.com voting also put Panyavong, Johnson and Brynn Balliet on the rst team of allstate girls golfers this season.
“ ey practiced their tails o ,” Wade Balliet said. “We had good balance this year. Our juniors told our freshmen what to expect in tournament play. And as a result, we were con dent that the girls would be ready. I’m super proud of them.”
Standley Lake High School’s Liam Graham was awarded a $2,500 scholarship for being the most positive male student athlete in 2025. Here, he is pictured with NFL legend Champ Bailey, who is the lead athlete for the Positive Athlete organization. COURTESY
1. AD SLOGANS: Which retail chain urges consumers to “Expect More. Pay Less”?
2. MATH: What is an obelus?
3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was the last to own slaves?
4. LITERATURE: Author Ian Fleming’s Jamaican estate has the same name as which James Bond movie?
5. TELEVISION: How many seasons of “Wheel of Fortune” did Pat Sajak host?
6. SCIENCE: What are cordyceps?
7. MOVIES: Which actor/comedian/ lmmaker made his lm debut in the movie “Donnie Darko”?
8. ACRONYMS: What does the acronym BBC stand for?
9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is the only bird that can y backward?
10. FOOD & DRINK: What is a mirepoix?
TrIVIa
Answers
1. Target.
2. e division sign.
3. Ulysses Grant.
4. “GoldenEye.”
5. 41.
6. A type of fungus or mushroom.
7. Seth Rogen.
8. British Broadcasting Corp.
9. Hummingbird.
10. A recipe base of onion, celery and carrots. (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
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A DEFAULT OFTHEJUDGMENT BEING FORECLOSED. A COPYOFTHESTATUTES WHICHMAYAFFECTYOURRIGHTSARE ATTACHEDHERETO.
A NOTICEOFINTENT TO CUREPURSUANT TO C.R.S. § 38-38-104SHALLBEFILED WITHTHESHERIFF AT LEASTFIFTEEN (15)CALENDARDAYSPRIORTO THE FIRST SCHEDULEDDATE OFSALE ORANY DATE TO WHICHTHESALEISCONTINUED.
IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;
ANOTICEOFINTENTTOREDEEMFILED PURSUANTTOC.R.S.§38-38-302SHALL BEFILEDWITHTHESHERIFFNOLATER THANEIGHTBUSINESS(8)DAYSAFTER THESALE.
Thename,addressand telephonenumber oftheattorneyrepresentingholderofthe Judgmentis:
38, Paymentof ProceedsHearingRequest (Form38)pursuanttoRule503.g.(5)and C.R.S.§34-60-118.5,foranorderawarding paymentofproceedsandinterestduetoPayeesforproductionattributabletothebelow-described Wells,which are operatedby PDC Energy,Inc.(OperatorNo.69175)(“Payor”) andlocatedinAdamsCounty,Colorado.This NoticewassenttoyoubecausetheApplicant believesyoumayownoilorgas(“mineral”) interestsintheWellsidentifiedbelowandor areresponsibleformakingpaymentstothe ownersofmineralinterests.
WELLS
GusLD#34-363HC (APINo.05-001-10513)
GusLD#34-366HC (APINo.05-001-10506)
DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF HEARING (Subject to change)
TheassignedHearingOfficerwillholdahearingonlyon theabove-referenceddocketnumberatthefollowingdate,time,andlocation:
Storage Liens/Vehicle Titles
Public Notice
Abandoned Vehicle Sale Tri-County Auto Recovery LLC 720 298 7466
1)78 CMP Camper trailer. 120623
2)92 Oldsmobile Silhouette. 308616
3)06 Ford F150. B40577
4)07 Toyota Prius. 556014
5)08 Jeep Grand Cherokee. 224554
6)12 Dodge Avenger. 233151 7)14 Kia Soul. 724612
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3167
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June12, 2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
Notice to Creditors
RE: Sheriff’sSaleofRealPropertypursuant toaJudgmententeredonMay30,2004 in theoriginalamountof$109,750.00infavor ofShannaBernsteinagainstJoshFriberg,a TranscriptoftheJudgmentonAugust7,2024 as ReceptionNo 2024000043196and an additionalTranscriptofJudgmentonOctober 1,2024asReceptionNo.2024000054096of therealpropertyrecordsofAdamsCounty, Colorado(“JudgmentLien”),Assignmentand Saleof theJudgment to MayflowerCapital CompanyProfitSharingPlandatedOctober 9,2024,andanOrderGrantingMotionfor DefaultJudgmentPursuanttoC.R.C.P.55(b) andC.R.C.P.121§1-14 directingtheAdams CountySherifftoforeclosetheJudgmentLien inthesamemannerasprescribedbystatue forthesaleoflandonexecution.
Theprincipalandinterestdueandowing ontheJudgmentasofApril15,2025,isas follows:
Principal: $127,639.46
Interest(18%perannum) 320daysx$27.97=$8,950.40
Total $136,589.86
Thisis to advise you that aSheriff’s Sale proceedinghasbeencommencedthrough theofficeoftheundersignedSheriffpursuant toabove-referenceddocuments. PLEASE BE ADVISED
describedasfollows: A
OF
IN THE S 1/2 OF THE NW 1/4 OF SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 3 SOUTH, RANGE 67 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT A POINT
5; THENCE NORTH AND PARALLEL WITH THE EAST LINE OF SAID S 1/2 OF NW 1/4, A DISTANCE OF 65 FEET; THENCE WEST AND PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID S 1/2 OF NW 1/4
HarveyL.Kramer,Esq., RegistrationNo.31239 KramerLawLLC 3731BuffaloLane Montrose,CO81403 (303)282-4342 Email:hkramer@kramlaw.com
AttachedheretoarecopiesofcertainColorado Statutesthatmayvitallyaffectyourproperty rightsinrelation tothisproceeding. Said proceedingmayresultinthelossofproperty inwhichyouhaveaninterestandmaycreate apersonaldebtagainstyou.Youmaywishto seektheadviceofyourownprivateattorney concerningyourrightsinrelationtothisforeclosureproceeding.
Iftheborrowerbelievesthatalenderorservicerhasviolated therequirementsfor a single pointofcontactinsection38-38-103.1orthe prohibitionondualtrackinginsection38-38103.2,theborrowermayfileacomplaintwith theColoradoattorneygeneral,theCFPB,or both,butthefilingofacomplaintwillnotstop theforeclosureprocess.
ConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau orCFPB
P.O.Box2900 Clinton,Iowa52733-2900 Telephone:855-411-2372 Fax:855-237-2392
ColoradoAttorneyGeneral ConsumerProtectionSection RalphL.CarrJudicialBuilding 1300Broadway,7thFloor Denver,CO80203 Telephone:800-222-4444 Fax:720-508-6040
Intenttocureorredeem,asprovidedbythe aforementionedlaws,mustbephysically deliveredtotheOfficeoftheAdamsCounty Sheriff,CivilDivision, 1100JudicialCenter Drive,Brighton,CO80601orviaU.S.Mail toAdamsCountySheriffCivilDivision,4430 SouthAdamsCountyParkway 1stFloor Suite W5400,Brighton,CO80601.
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE
Dated: May16,2025.
GeneR.Claps,Sheriff AdamsCounty,Colorado
By:KathyGrosshans DeputySheriff
Statutesattached:C.R.S.§§38-37-108,3838-103,38-38-104,38-38-301,38-38-302, 38-38-304,38-38-305,and38-38-306,as amended.
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3901
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:July10,2025 Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
cash, theReal Propertydescribedabove, andallinterestoftheJudgmentDebtorsin theRealProperty,forthepurposeofpaying theJudgmentamountenteredherein,and willdelivertothepurchasersaCertificateof Purchase,allasprovidedbylaw.
Public Notice BEFORE THE ENERGY AND CARBON MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
IN THE MATTER OFTHE PAYMENT OF PROCEEDSFROMTHEPRODUCTION OFOILAND GASASESTABLISHEDBY SECTION34-60-118.5,C.R.S.,NIOBRARA, FORTHAYS,CODELL,ANDCARLILEFORMATIONS, WATTENBERG FIELD, ADAMS COUNTY,COLORADO
CAUSE NO. 1
DOCKET NO. 250500084
TYPE: PAYMENT OF PROCEEDS
NOTICE OF HEARING BlackwellEnergy,LLC(“Payee”)filedaForm
Date:July 30, 2025
Time:9:00 a.m.
Location: Virtual Hearing with Remote Access via Zoom
To participatevirtuallynavigateto https:// ecmc.state.co.us/#/homeandlocatethe Zoom meetinglinkontheleftsideofthewebpage.
EnergyandCarbon ManagementCommission TheChanceryBuilding 1120LincolnStreet,Suite801 Denver,CO80203
PETITIONS
DEADLINEFORPETITIONSBYAFFECTED PERSONS:June30,2025
Anyinterestedparty whowishes to participateformallymustfileawrittenpetitionwith theCommissionnolaterthanthedeadline providedabove.PleaseseeCommission Rule507athttps://ecmc.state.co.us/#/home, under“Regulation,”thenselect“Rules.” Pleasenotethat,underCommissionRule 510.l,thedeadlineforpetitionsmayonlybe continuedforgoodcause,evenifthehearing iscontinuedbeyondthedatethatisstated above.PursuanttoCommissionRule507,if youdonotfileaproperpetition,theHearing Officerwillnotknowthatyouwishtoformally participatein this matterand thedate and time ofthehearingmaychangewithoutadditional noticetoyou.Partieswishingtofileapetition mustregisteronlineat https://oitco.hylandcloud.com/DNRCOGExternalAccess/Account/Login.aspxandselect “RequestAccesstoSite.”Pleaserefertoour “eFilingUsersGuidebook”athttps://ecmc. state.co.us/documents/reg/Hearings/External_EfilingSystemGuidebook_2023_FINAL. pdfformoreinformation.UnderCommission Rule508,ifnopetitionisfiled,theApplication maybeapprovedadministrativelywithouta formalhearing.
AnyAffectedPersonwhofilesapetitionmust beabletoparticipatein avirtualprehearing conferenceduringtheweekofJune30,2025, f a virtual prehearingconference is requested bytheApplicantorbyanypersonwhohas filedapetition.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Formoreinformation,youmayreviewthe Application,whichwassenttoyouwiththis Notice. YoumayalsocontacttheApplicant atthephonenumberoremailaddresslisted below.
InaccordancewiththeAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct,ifanypartyrequiresspecialaccommodationsas a resultof a disabilityforthis hearing,pleasecontactMargaretHumeckiat Dnr_ECMC_Hearings_Unit@state.co.us, prior tothehearingandarrangementswillbemade.
ENERGY AND CARBON MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
By:EliasThomas,CommissionSecretary Dated:May13,2025
Blackwell Energy, LLC c/o Sandra J. Carter S2P2 Law, LLC sandra@s2p2law.com 6105 S. Main Street, Suite 200 Aurora, CO 80016 (720) 593-0963
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3161
FirstPublication:May22,2025
LastPublication:June19,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name
PublicnoticeisgivenonMay12,2025,that aPetitionforaChangeofNameofanadult hasbeenfiledwiththeAdamsCountyCourt.
The petition requests that the name of Kelsey Michelle Willis be changed to Santana Michelle Trujillo Case No.: 25C0607
By:DeputyClerk
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3165
FirstPublication:June5,2025
LastPublication:June19,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Mark Edward Petri, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 206
Allpersonshavingclaimsagainsttheabovenamedestatearerequiredtopresentthemto thePersonalRepresentativeortotheDistrict CourtofAdamsCounty Coloradoonorbefore September29,2025,ortheclaimsmaybe foreverbarred.
Michael J Petri
Personal Representative 48290 N Hiawatha Place Canton, SD 57013
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3881
FirstPublication:May29,2025
LastPublication:June12,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of ROBERT BUTLER, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 30313
Allpersonshavingclaimsagainsttheabovenamedestatearerequiredtopresentthem tothePersonalRepresentativeortothe DistrictCourtofAdamsCounty,Coloradoon orbeforeOctober13,2025,ortheclaimsmay beforeverbarred.
Kenton H. Kuhlman, No. 9433 Kuhlman and Kuhlman, P.C. 8843 Swan River St. Littleton, CO 80125
Telephone: 303-770-6664
Email: kk@kenkuhlmanlaw.com
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3911
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June26,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of DORA JEAN BROWN, a/k/a DORA J. BROWN, a/k/a DORA BROWN, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 30379
Allpersonshavingclaimsagainsttheabovenamedestatearerequiredtopresentthem tothePersonalRepresentativeortothe DistrictCourtofAdamsCounty,Coloradoon orbeforeOctober13,2025,ortheclaimsmay beforeverbarred.
Sherryl Brown
Personal Representative 8686 Willow Street Commerce City, Colorado 80022
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3903
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June26,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Patricia L Erger, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 197
Allpersonshavingclaimsagainsttheabovenamedestatearerequiredtopresentthem tothePersonalRepresentativeortothe DistrictCourtofAdamsCounty,Coloradoon orbeforeOctober13,2025,ortheclaimsmay
beforeverbarred.
Judith L Graeb
Personal Representative 395 Octillo ST Brighton CO 80601
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3909
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June26,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Keith McElvain, also known as Hugh Keith McElvain, Hugh K. McElvain, and Hugh McElvain, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 030370
Allpersonshavingclaimsagainsttheabovenamedestatearerequiredtopresentthemto thePersonalRepresentativeortotheDistrict CourtofAdamsCounty Coloradoonorbefore September29,2025,ortheclaimsmaybe foreverbarred.
Kelly McElvain
Personal Representative 2797 W. 107th Ct. Unit C Westminster, CO 80234
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3886
FirstPublication:May29,2025
LastPublication:June12,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of JEAN KRUGER TROUTMAN aka JEAN K TROUTMAN, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 214
Allpersonshavingclaimsagainsttheabovenamedestatearerequiredtopresentthem tothePersonalRepresentativeortothe DistrictCourtofAdamsCounty,Coloradoon orbeforeOctober6,2025,ortheclaimsmay beforeverbarred.
ARTHUR RICKY TROUTMAN Personal Representative 778 S 10TH AVE BRIGHTON, CO 80601
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3900
FirstPublication:June5,2025
LastPublication:June19,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Orvella Y. Scott, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 203
Allpersonshavingclaimsagainsttheabovenamedestatearerequiredtopresentthem tothePersonalRepresentativeortothe DistrictCourtofAdamsCounty,Coloradoon orbeforeOctober13,2025,ortheclaimsmay beforeverbarred.
Penny Scott-Oliver Personal Representative 2734 Bristlecone Ct. Lafayette, CO 80026
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3902
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June26,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Barbara Ann Smith AKA Barbara Ann Wilson, Deceased Case Number: 2025 PR 199
Allpersonshavingclaimsagainsttheabovenamedestatearerequiredtopresentthem tothePersonalRepresentativeortothe DistrictCourtofAdamsCounty,Coloradoon orbeforeOctober13,2025,ortheclaimsmay beforeverbarred.
Connie Haiar
Personal Representative 19494 County Road 10, Hudson, CO 80642
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3905
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June26,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
Name Changes
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name
PublicnoticeisgivenonMay27,2025,thata Petitionfor a ChangeofNameof a minorchild hasbeenfiledwiththeAdamsCountyCourt.
The petition requests that the name of Shiloh Xinzhi Yen be changed to Shiloh Jeffrey Xinzhi Yen Case No.: 25 C 0895
By:DeputyClerk
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3910
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June26,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name
PublicnoticeisgivenonMay9,2025,thata Petitionfor a ChangeofNameof a minorchild hasbeenfiledwiththeAdamsCountyCourt.
The petition requests that the name of Alejandro Manuel Morales be changed to Alejandro Manuel Ramirez Case No.: 25 C 0722
By:DeputyClerk
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3889 FirstPublication:June5,2025 LastPublication:June19,2025 Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
By:DeputyClerk
BY MONTE WHALEY MONTE@COTLN.ORG
Thornton opts out of land use lawsuit
e City of ornton is not joining six other home rule cities in a lawsuit that claims new state laws and Gov. Jared Polis are usurping their authority over local land use issues.
ornton is still backing the cities in their e orts to keep local control over decisions related to growth within the boundaries of those cities, Mayor Jan Kulmann said recently.
“ ornton fully supports the plainti s in the lawsuit, and we will continue to evaluate how we can best help their e ort,” Kulmann said via email. “City Council believes it’s important to sustain the rights of our residents to be able to have a voice in land use decisions in ornton.
“We also oppose the Governor’s e ort to preempt Colorado’s Home Rule Au-
BUDGET CUTS
e board agreed to form a working group, likely comprising at least two board members and district leaders, to develop that framework this summer.
thority laws in ways that take away cities and towns’ power to make decisions on how their communities are a ected by development,” she said.
Challenging an executive order Westminster, Greenwood Village, Arvada, Aurora, Glendale and Lafayette led the lawsuit in Denver District Court targeting two land use bills passed last year by the Colorado General Assembly. e rst – HB 24-1304 – prohibits local governments from enacting or enforcing minimum parking requirements on multifamily housing developments located in transit areas, according to the plainti s. e second – HB 24-1313 – requires 32 local governments in the Front Range to change their zoning in transit areas and permit a minimum density of 40 dwelling units per acre — a number that, if met, would produce 10 times the existing housing stock around RTD stops in
Applegate and others said the district should begin community conversations about asking voters to approve a mill levy override. Without one, they said, the kinds of cuts needed in 2026 and beyond could reshape Je co schools.
“If we are going to ask the community to support a mill, we need to be speci c,” Varda said. “We need to be clear about
PUBLIC NOTICES
You arefurthernotifiedthattheparent-child legalrelationshipmaybeterminatedbythis action,ifprayedforinthepetition.
You arefurthernotifiedthattheCourthasset saidpetitionforhearing on the 20th day of June, 2025 at the hour of 11:10 a.m. You areherebynotifiedtobeandappear,atsaid time,beforethisCourtlocatedattheAdams CountyJusticeCenter,1100JudicialCenter Drive,Brighton,CO80601.
WitnessmyhandandsealofsaidCourtthis 29thMay,2025.
AlanaPercy ClerkoftheDistrictCourt
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3904
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June12,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
Public Notice
District Court Adams County, Colorado Court Address: 1100 Judicial Center Dr, Brighton, CO 80601
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF:
JARELL NIELSON BROOKS (person wishing to adopt) FOR THE ADOPTION OF A CHILD
Attorney or Party Without Attorney: JARELL NIELSON BROOKS CHELSEA NICOLE BROOKS 4709OrleansStreet,Denver,CO80249 PhoneNumber:(303)856-4797
E-mail:Jarell.n.brooks@hotmail.com
Case Number: 2024JA147 Division: T1 Courtroom:305
NOTICE OF HEARING
TO: UNKNOWN BIOLOGICAL FATHER, (Full Name of Parent).
Pursuantto§19-5-208,C.R.S.,youareherebynotifiedthattheabove-namedPetitioner(s) has/havefiledinthisCourtaverifiedPetition seekingtoadoptachild.
X Ifapplicable,anAffidavitofAbandonmenthasbeenfiledallegingthatyouhave abandonedthechildforaperiodofoneyear ormoreand/orhavefailedwithoutcauseto providereasonablesupportforthechildfor oneyearormore.
You arefurthernotifiedthatanAdoption hearingisset on July 18, 2025 at 9:00AM in thecourtlocationidentifiedabove.
You arefurthernotifiedthatifyoufailtoappear forsaidhearing,theCourtmayterminate yourparentalrightsandgranttheadoption assoughtbythePetitioner(s).
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3907
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June12,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade
Public Notice STATE OF COLORADO IN THE DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ADAMS Division D1 No. 25JV30095
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADOIN THE INTEREST OF: Jaden Cortez (AKA Baby Boy Cortez)
A Child(ren), and Concerning Nicole Cortez, John Doe Respondents:
S U M M O N S
To theparents,guardian,orotherrespondents namedabove,GREETINGS: Nicole Cortez and John Doe
You areherebynotifiedthataverifiedpetition hasbeenfiledintheabovenamedCourt inwhichitisrepresentedtotheCourtthat saidchildareallegedtobedependentand neglected;forthereasonssetforthmorefully insaidpetition,acopyofwhichisattached heretoandincorporatedhereinbyreference forgreatercertainty.
You arefurthernotifiedthattheparent-child legalrelationshipmaybeterminatedbythis action,ifprayedforinthepetition.
You arefurthernotifiedthattheCourthas setsaidpetitionforhearing on the 17th day of June, 2025 at the hour of 9:30 am. You areherebynotifiedtobeandappear,atsaid time,beforethisCourtlocatedattheAdams CountyJusticeCenter,1100JudicialCenter Drive,Brighton,CO80601.
WitnessmyhandandsealofsaidCourtthis 30thdayofMay,2025.
AlanaPercy ClerkoftheDistrictCourt
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3908
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June12,2025 Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade Public Notice
STATE OF COLORADO IN THE DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ADAMS Division D No. 24JV30103
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADOIN THE INTEREST OF: Julian Monge, Johnny Monge Children, and Concerning
Elicia Sauceda, Juan Monge
Respondents:
NOTICE OF ALLOCATION OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES HEARING
To theparents,guardian,orotherrespondents namedabove,GREETINGS: Elicia Sauceda
Greenwood Village alone, the plainti s claim.
For parcels under ve acres in size, there would be no public hearings on dense housing proposals, the local governments said in a joint statement.
e lawsuit also challenges an executive order issued by Gov. Jared Polis that threatens local governments with withholding more than $100 million in funds if they don’t comply with a series of housing laws enacted in the last two years.
Greenwood Village Mayor George Lantz said in a recent statement that the actions of state lawmakers and the governor are attempts to set aside the rights of residents in home rule cities to chart local growth without government interference.
“We’re seeing a steady erosion of our citizens’ ability to control the communities in which they live,” said Lantz in his statement. “ e urry of legislative proposals continually eroding our home-
what we’re protecting, what we’re cutting and what we’re asking the money to do.” is year’s resolution will include that required plan, she said, and will outline broader strategies for reducing expenditures and possibly going to voters with a tax request.
e board will vote on the 2025-26 proposed budget on June 12.
rule rights applies a top-down, onesize- ts-all approach, removing all their uniqueness. e state doesn’t care how cities have carefully planned their communities, nor how the state’s particular vision of land use will a ect our cities and the people living in them. Our purpose in ling the lawsuit is to have the court stop the state from controlling local land use matters that require local decision making and public input.”
A spokesperson for the governor said the housing policies are in place to combat Colorado’s acute housing shortage. “It’s disappointing to see certain local governments that have among the priciest homes in Colorado use taxpayer money on a lawsuit that could go toward lowering the cost of housing. It’s clear this lawsuit is about preventing more housing from being built that Coloradans can afford,” the spokesperson said according to Colorado Politics.
Looking ahead, board members acknowledged that decisions must come soon. School budgets are typically built in November for the following year, meaning discussions about sta ng, programming and potential tax requests can’t wait.
“We have to start talking now about what we will do,” Reed said. “Not just what we won’t.”
You areherebynotifiedthataverifiedMotion forAllocationofParentalResponsibilitieshas beenfiledintheabove-namedCourt.
You arefurthernotifiedthattheCourthas setsaidmotionforhearingontheMotion forAllocationofParentalResponsibilities on the 11th day of July 2025 at the hour of 1:30 p.m. You areherebynotifiedtobeand appear,atsaidtime,beforethisCourtlocated attheAdamsCountyJusticeCenter,1100 JudicialCenterDrive,Brighton,CO80601. WitnessmyhandandsealofsaidCourtthis 4thdayofJune2025.
AlanaPercy ClerkoftheDistrictCourt
LegalNoticeNo.BSB3912
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June12,2025
Publisher:BrightonStandardBlade ###
Fort Lupton Press
Legals
City of Ft. Lupton
Public Notice
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-1186
INTRODUCED BY: BRUCE FITZGERALD
ADOPT ORDINANCE 2025-1186 ANNEXING LAND LEGALLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT “A” KNOWN AS THE 1.21 ANNEXATION AND APPROVING THE ANNEXATION AGREEMENT.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO:
INTRODUCED, READ, AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this6thdayofMay,2025.
PUBLISHED intheFortLuptonPress the15thdayofMay2025.
FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY this3rddayofJune2025.
PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY the12thdayofJune2025.
EFFECTIVE (afterpublication) the12thdayofJuly2025.
CITYOFFORTLUPTON,COLORADO
ZoHubbard,Mayor
ATTEST: MaricelaPe a,CityClerk
Approvedastoform:
AndyAusmus,CityAttorney
LegalNoticeNo.FLP1300
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June12,2025
Publisher:FortLuptonPress Public Notice
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-1187
INTRODUCED BY: BRUCE FITZGERALD
ADOPT ORDINANCE 2025-1187 INITIALLY ZONING LAND KNOWN AS THE 1.21 INITIAL ZONING, LEGALLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT A, TO THE ‘I-1’ LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONE DISTRICT.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT LUPTON, COLORADO:
INTRODUCED, READ, AND PASSED ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED this6thdayofMay2025.
PUBLISHED intheFortLuptonPress the15thdayofMay,2025
FINALLY READ BY TITLE ONLY, PASSED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY this3rddayofJune2025.
PUBLISHED BY TITLE ONLY the12thdayofJune2025.
EFFECTIVE (afterpublication) the12thdayofJuly2025.
CITYOFFORTLUPTON,COLORADO ZoHubbard,Mayor
ATTEST:
MaricelaPe a,CityClerk
Approvedastoform: AndyAusmus,CityAttorney
LegalNoticeNo.FLP1299
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June12,2025
Publisher:FortLuptonPress
Metropolitan Districts
Public
DISTRICT PLEASETAKENOTICEthat at 5:00 p.m. on June 26, 2025, theBoardofDirectorsofthe FortLuptonFireProtectionDistrict(“District”) willholdapublicmeetingelectronicallyat www.goto.com/meeting/ oin.com;access code:863-668-479toconsiderfourPetitions toincludeintotheDistrict’s urisdictionand boundariesthefollowingrealproperty,which hasbeenannexedintotheCityofFortLupton,
Colorado: PetitionerSilverLiningsInvestmentGroup LP: A PARCELOFLANDSITUATEDIN THEWEST OFTHESOUTHEAST OF SECTION2,TOWNSHIP2NORTH,RANGE 67WESTOFTHE6THP.M.,COUNTYOF WELD, STATE OFCOLORADO; PetitionersHannahDageenakis,ChristopherDageenakis,andJeffreyDageenakis:A PARCELOFLANDSITUATEDINTHEWEST OFTHESOUTHEAST OFSECTION2, TOWNSHIP 2 NORTH,RANGE67WESTOF THE6THP.M.,COUNTYOFWELD, STATE OFCOLORADO; PetitionerAlpineCustomConcrete,Inc.: A PARCELOFLANDSITUATEDINTHE SOUTH OFSECTION10,TOWNSHIP 2NORTH,RANGE67WESTOFTHE6TH PRINCIPALP.M.,COUNTYOFWELD, STATE OFCOLORADO;and PetitionersMandiandLeeHagler:A PARCELOFLANDSITUATEDINTHESOUTH OFSECTION10,TOWNSHIP2NORTH, RANGE67WESTOFTHE6THPRINCIPAL P.M.,COUNTYOFWELD, STATE OFCOLORADO.
AcopyofeachPetitionandtheassociated fulllegaldescriptionofeachpropertysub ect totherequestedinclusionsmaybeobtained fromtheDistrict’sHeadquartersat1121 DenverAve.,Ft.Lupton,CO80621. uestionspriortothepublicmeetingshould bedirectedtothe Fire Chiefat303-857-4603.
Allinterestedpersons,municipalities,orcountiesshallappearatthepublicmeetingand show ustcauseinwritingwhytheDistrict’s BoardofDirectorsshouldnotadoptafinal resolutionandorderapprovinginclusionofthe above-identifiedrealproperty.TheBoardof Directorsmaycontinuethepublicmeetingto a subsequentmeeting.Thefailureofanyperson withintheDistricttofile a writtenob ection shallbetakenasanassenttotheinclusion ofthepropertyintotheDistrict’s urisdiction, BYTHEORDEROF THEBOARDOFDIRECTORSOFTHE FORTLUPTON FIREPROTECTIONDISTRICT
By: /s/ PhilTiffany,FireChief LegalNoticeNo.FLP1298
FirstPublication:June12,2025
LastPublication:June12,2025
Publisher:FortLuptonPress
Public Notice FREDERICK-FIRESTONE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE thatonMay6, 2025,theFrederick-FirestoneFireProtection District’svotersauthori edtheFireDistrict toimpose a one-halfpercent(0.5%)sales taxonsalesoccurringwithinitsboundaries. BeginningJuly1,2025,theFireDistrict’ssales taxisrequiredtobechargedbyallmerchants, vendors,andothersalestaxcollectorsonall salestowhichtheFireDistrict’ssalestaxapplies,regardlessofwhethertheyarelocated withinoroutsidetheFireDistrict’sboundaries. CertainexemptionsapplytotheFireDistrict’s salestax.AcopyoftheFireDistrict’s Resolution to Enact a Sales Tax, includingalisting ofallsalestaxexemptions,isavailableonthe FireDistrict’swebsiteatwww.fffd.us,ormay beobtainedbycontacting:
Frederick-Firestone FireProtectionDistrict 8426KosmerlPlace Frederick,CO80504 FinanceDirector:MikeCummins mcummins@fffd.us
Pleasead ustyourregistersaccordinglyso thattheycorrectlycalculatetheamountof salestaxthatneedstobecollectedonany taxablesalesoccurringonorafterJuly1, 2025. The FireDistrict’ssalestaxwillbe collected by theColoradoDepartment of Revenue.Additionalinformationregardingthe salestaxcollectionprocessmaybeobtained bycontactingtheColoradoDepartmentof Revenuedirectly. uestionsregardingthisNoticeorthenew salestaxmaybedirectedtotheFireDistrict atmcummins@fffd.usorbytelephoneat (720)526-6585.
BYORDEROFTHEFREDERICK-FIRESTONE FIREPROTECTIONDISTRICT BOARDOFDIRECTORS.
LegalNoticeNo.FLP1296
FirstPublication:June5,2025
LastPublication:June26,2025
