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March 4, 2021

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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

HighlandsRanchHerald.net

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | SPORTS: PAGE 23

VOLUME 34 | ISSUE 15

Tough wildfire, drought season likely on horizon Area forecast shows more dry, warm weather in March and April BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

There may have been snow on the ground just days ago, but Douglas

County is gearing up for a difficult wildfire and drought season around the corner. As the county begins its fifth month in some of the worst possible drought conditions, local officials are encouraging residents to step up their awareness of the situation and consider what they can do to help. While the entire Denver metro area and much of the state are experiencing moderate to extreme

drought conditions, almost all of Douglas County was considered to be under the worst possible dryness situation — called “exceptional drought” — from Oct. 20 until Feb. 23, according to the United States Drought Monitor. By the end of February, the county was in the secondworst category, known as “extreme drought,” along with the rest of the metro-area counties. “All of the experts are really

… indicating there is significant potential for drought and wildfire danger,” Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon said. “It would be unwise to look at the forecast in terms of drought and wildfires and not be proactive about it.” In 2020, the state saw several of its worst wildfires ever due to drought conditions and since then, the dry SEE DROUGHT, P10

Area residents relieved to get COVID vaccine Around 500 received shots at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital clinic BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As the one-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic nears, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies across the Denver metro Area continue to provide vaccines to residents, hoping it will be the beginning of the end. As Highlands Ranch resident Diane Basile, 69, received her vaccine at a clinic hosted at the UCHealth Hospital in Highlands Ranch last week, she said it was “the best day ever so far in 2021.” Centennial resident Peter Kushar, 65, also received the first round of the Pfizer vaccine at the clinic. Both Basile and Kushar agreed that the road to finding and getting a vaccine was not easy. Kushar compared the process to the “Hunger Games.” Kushar said he regularly visited, and signed up on, 14 websites in hopes of getting a call back to get the vaccine. UCHealth RN Mary Love injects the first round of the Pizer vaccine into Centennial resident Peter Kushar.

FAIR CHANCE OF FUN

Some local festivals and events could make comebacks this year P14

PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES

SEE VACCINE, P4

PLAYOFF PUSH

The regular season is drawing to a close for local high school teams P23

2 Highlands Ranch Herald

March 4, 2021M

Interim superintendent recommends in-person learning of the

Corey Wise calls for middle and high school students to return in late March BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

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Douglas County Schools interim Superintendent Corey Wise hopes to see middle and high schools resume in-person learning, five days a week in March. Wise announced in a Feb. 25 letter to the community he would recommend a switch to in-person learning at the March 2 school board meeting. Under Wise’s proposal, secondary schools would make the transition on March 22. That is the start of schools’ fourth quarter, making it “a natural time to begin,” his letter said. “The number of employees who have already received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (or have an appointment scheduled) is exceeding our expectations,” Wise said in the announcement. While elementary students began full, in-person learning on Jan. 5, middle and high school students started the second semester with full remote learning, until they launched a “Hybrid 2.0” model earlier this month. Among changes from last semester’s hybrid model, secondary students now receive live instruction at all times, alternating between attending class virtually and in-person. Wise has said throughout the semester the district would make plans for a return to full, in-person learning so schools would be ready to change models when that became possible. His recommendations are to continue targeted quarantines of students and unvaccinated staff, and to keep up COVID-19 precautions such as masking, increased ventilation, seating charts and social distancing. Students enrolled in the district’s “eLearning” program, the fully

online option, will remain in that learning model this school year. Wise urged the community to continue slowing the virus’ spread to support plans for a full return. Keep students home when sick, monitor children’s health, minimize multiple household gatherings and out-ofstate travel during spring break, he said. District leadership and board members hope to send students back full-time during the 2021-22 school year as well, he said. The district is still examining the possibility of continuing its online learning model next year. Wise emphasized that board members and district leaders have wanted a return to in-person learning since last summer. As the district maneuvered the pandemic, leadership has pointed to COVID-19 incidence rates and logistical issues such as substitute teacher shortages as two of the major pressure points influencing which model the district put into place at a given time. So too has community feedback. In January, board members broke with Wise’s recommendation to launch hybrid learning that month. They voted to wait until February amid pushback from some students and teachers who said the first semester’s hybrid model was flawed. Board directors have also heard consistent calls from some parents for 100% in-person learning, and a recall effort is underway to oust four directors, partly over the board’s pandemic response. Wise said the decision to go back in-person comes after constant monitoring of COVID-19 and the consideration of “the diverse voices of staff, students, parents and community members.” “It’s difficult to believe that it has been nearly a year since we first transitioned students to remote learning (following spring break 2020) due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Wise wrote. “Our teachers, principals and other staff are ready to increase the in-person learning time for all students.”

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Highlands Ranch Herald 3

1March 4, 2021

Public comments sought for proposed senior center site Location would be near intersection of Highlands Ranch Parkway and Broadway BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A proposed $12 million senior center in Highlands Ranch has taken a step forward with a recommended site south of Highlands Ranch Parkway, just east of the intersection with South Broadway. The Highlands Ranch Metro District will continue collecting public comments regarding the proposed location through March 16. The comments will be discussed during the board of directors meeting on March 30. As of Feb. 26, Sherry Eppers, community relations manager for the metro district, said the district had already received more than 200 comments. Metro district General Manager Mike Renshaw said that when he came on board in January, he took a fresh look at the 23 sites that were considered for the new senior since 2017. There were three listed as finalists, with the Highlands Ranch Parkway location serving as the best option. “A significant part of moving forward with this project has been site evaluation,” Renshaw said. “We need an area with the right topography and land.” Renshaw said besides the Highlands Ranch Parkway location, they looked at a site near Toepfer Park and Plaza Drive on the northwest side of the district. Renshaw, who has had experience in developing successful senior centers in the past, said he applied his knowledge and expertise to the process. “The Highlands Ranch Parkway

location has the greatest potential for success,” he said. “Both short term and long term.” Renshaw said the five-acre site will be able to meet the goals of the senior center, which centers around building a facility that will feature programs in education, health and entertainment. The most important aspect of building a senior center in Highlands Ranch, Renshaw said, is creating an environment where senior residents can socialize, interact and have a sense of place. Eppers said the senior center will likely have a variety of multipurpose rooms for games and clubs. They are also considering health-related options and having a location for the Silver Sneakers fitness program, which currently cannot be implemented in the local recreation centers. The call for a senior center came up in 2017 when demographics showed that more seniors were staying or moving into Highlands Ranch. Renshaw said the growing senior population is a good sign for Highlands Ranch. “It’s fantastic to see that folks who came here 20 years ago have decided to stay,” he said. Another reason to select the Highlands Ranch Parkway location, Renshaw said, is because it is currently owned by the metro district. Director of Public Works Jeff Case said, “It’s a good site that can be easily developable. It’s in good shape.” Like all new buildings, Case said, the property will need to be graded and have roadways built. However, the land already has the appropriate zoning designation through Douglas County, all utilities will be easy to hook up and it will fit into the area well. The proposed site has also been evaluated by an engineering SEE COMMENTS, P5

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Looking for COVID-19 vaccine information? The Tri-County Health Department is your source to determine when you may be eligible to receive the vaccine, how and where to get it. Visit tchd.org/ COVIDVaccine or call 303-220-9200.

Behind on your rent due to COVID-19? Douglas County residents who are behind on their rent or utility payments due to COVID-19 impacts may be eligible for assistance through the Douglas County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Review eligibility details and apply at douglas.co.us/rentassistance

Need a COVID-19 test? Douglas County has three FREE drive-thru testing locations - with two open 7 days a week. Choose the one that works for you in Castle Rock, Lone Tree or Parker and preregister or make an appointment at douglas. co.us/covid19-testing/events

Do it online, Douglas! Residents and businesses may access more than 60 online services. For your convenience drop boxes are also available for Assessor, Motor Vehicle and Recording services. Visit douglas.co.us/covid19 for more details and drop box locations.

Need help with home heating costs? Eligible low-income households in Douglas County may apply for energy assistance through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for LEAP or email LEAPHELP@discovermygoodwill.org

What’s happening with your County government? Our commitment to open and transparent government includes online posting of information about public meetings at which the business of government is conducted. To view public meeting agendas, participate in-person or remotely, or watch select meeting livestreams visit douglas.co.us and search for Meetings and Agendas.

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4 Highlands Ranch Herald

March 4, 2021M

VACCINE FROM PAGE 1

“From a health standpoint, getting this shot is critical,” he said. “We have to get to a point of herd immunity and these vaccines will help get us there.” Basile estimated that she spent about two hours a day for weeks trying to find a clinic. She said she even started guessing schedules and delivery times, staying up until midnight some nights to sign up for the Walmart clinics. In signing up for one Walmart clinic, Basile said she thought she was set, only to find out that due to extreme winter weather across the country the big-box store did not get its shipment as planned. “I just kept trying. This vaccine is extremely important,” Basile said. “We have all got to get this vaccine. If we don’t get to a point of herd immunity, we don’t get back on track.” Basile and Kushar said once they found the sign-up process at UCHealth, things went more smoothly. They got signed up, and received a call. Once patients are approved, UCHealth automatically schedules them for the second round that is required for the vaccine to be effective. “I could just get up and dance,” Basile said. “The system could be better. It may have been better federally instead of each state doing it. But I’m glad the government has provided this to us.” Basile said the last year was tough. Since retiring, Basile said she likes to travel a lot. In 2020 and 2021,

UCHealth Pharmacy Technicians Jessica Kurtz, left, and Eva Rozanski fill 500 syringes with the Pizer COVID-19 vaccine for the clinic held at the UCHealth Hospital in HighPHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES lands Ranch last week.

she has already canceled planned trips to China and Australia. With the vaccine, Basile said she is looking forward to the days of traveling again, and feeling safe. Kushar said he thinks he will breathe a sigh of relief around April 1 when he is slated for the second Pfizer shot. While he said he handled the restrictions and shutdowns OK, one of the hardest things for him during the pandemic was not being able to attend his sister-inlaw’s funeral. More than 24 hours after the shot, Kushar said he had minor side ef-

fects, including feeling really tired and feeling soreness in his arm. Dr. Lisa Wynn, OB/GYN and service line chief for women’s services at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital, said she participated in the Madera vaccine trial, which turned out to give her a placebo, requiring her to get the real vaccine later. Wynn said while the first round didn’t have any real side effects, the second round made her tired and sore, with chills. “That second round really packs a bit of a punch,” she said. “I was definitely alternating between Advil

and Tylenol for several hours. I would recommend that people getting the second shot plan to be out the following day.” Wynn said as she has worked with colleagues and patients, it doesn’t seem to matter which vaccine they receive, the second round hits people harder. She said it is especially true for younger people. Wynn said besides getting the vaccine to continue serving her patients, she had personal reasons for getting vaccinated. In her family, Wynn said there is a renewed sense of hope. She said she can see her family and know it is safe. For those with anxiety and those thinking about not getting the COVID vaccine at all, Wynn said the only way out of the pandemic is through “science, vaccines and hard work.” UCHealth vaccinated 500 residents last week. On a larger scale, they have vaccinated more than 215,000 residents throughout the Denver metro area to date. UCHealth currently has about 90,000 scheduled appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations in the coming weeks. To get a vaccine through UCHealth, spokesperson Paula Freund said residents do not have to be registered patients. Anyone can get vaccines through the UCHealth clinics. For more information, visit uchealth.org/covidvaccine. To learn about other vaccination clinics and providers, visit the Colorado vaccine provider list at covid19.colorado.gov/for-coloradans/ vaccine/where-can-i-get-vaccinated.

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*$19.99/month + †$100 off Installation: Requires 36-month monitoring contract with a minimum charge of $28.99/mo. (before instant savings) (24-month monitoring contract in California, total fees from $695.76 (before instant savings) and enrollment in Easy Pay. Service and installation charges vary depending on system configuration, equipment and services selected. Offer includes (i) $9.00 instant savings per month applicable only towards monthly monitoring charge for the first 12 months of initial contract term (total value of $108.00) and (ii) $100 instant savings on installation with minimum purchase of $449 after promotion is applied. Traditional Service Level requires landline phone. Excludes ADT’s Extended Limited Warranty. Upon early termination by Customer, ADT may charge 75% of the remaining monthly service charges for the balance of the initial contract term. Limit one offer per new ADT customer contract. Not valid on purchases from ADT Authorized Dealers. Expires 4/15/2021. Interactive Services: ADT Command Interactive Solutions Services (“ADT Command”) helps you manage your home environment and family lifestyle. Requires purchase of an ADT alarm system with 36 month monitoring contract ranging $45.99-$57.99/mo with QSP (24-month monitoring contract in California, total fees ranging $1,103.76-$1,391.76), enrollment in ADT Easy Pay, and a compatible device with Internet and email access. These interactive services do not cover the operation or maintenance of any household equipment/systems that are connected to the ADT Command equipment. All ADT Command services are not available with all interactive service levels. All ADT Command services may not be available in all geographic areas. You may be required to pay additional charges to purchase equipment required to utilize the interactive service features you desire. General: Additional charges may apply in areas that require guard response service for municipal alarm verification. System remains property of ADT. Local permit fees may be required. Prices and offers subject to change and may vary by market. Additional taxes and fees may apply. Satisfactory credit required. A security deposit may be required. Simulated screen images and photos are for illustrative purposes only. ©2021 ADT LLC dba ADT Security Services. All rights reserved. ADT, the ADT logo, 800.ADT.ASAP and the product/service names listed in this document are marks and/or registered marks. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. Third-party marks are the property of their respective owners. License information available at www.ADT.com or by calling 800.ADT.ASAP. CA ACO7155, 974443, PPO120288; FL EF0001121; LA F1639, F1640, F1643, F1654, F1655; MA 172C; NC Licensed by the Alarm Systems Licensing Board of the State of North Carolina, 7535P2, 7561P2, 7562P10, 7563P7, 7565P1, 7566P9, 7564P4; NY 12000305615; PA 090797 DF-CD-NP-Q121

Highlands Ranch Herald 5

1March 4, 2021

Doctors warn against COVID complacency Vaccines are going in arms, but much remains to be done to stave off outbreaks BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

UCHealth doctors at the Highlands Ranch Hospital said while there is a light at the end of the tunnel in the COVID-19 pandemic, we are still inside the tunnel. Dr. Ben Usatch, medical director for the emergency department at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital, said as more vaccines are being distributed and the public continues following mask-wearing recommendations and practicing good hygiene, the hospital is seeing fewer serious COVID cases in the ER. Last year in early March, Usatch said they were able to get prepared as COVID made its way into the U.S. and eventually to

COMMENTS FROM PAGE 3

consultant, which determined there would be no measurable impact to surrounding properties from stormwater runoff associated with the construction of the

Colorado. “By the time it hit us with the vengeance that it did, we had our safety mechanisms in place,” Usatch said. “I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s a threat to practitioners and we really didn’t have a clear path to treatment. I would argue we still don’t have a clear path to treatment.” At times over the past year, Usatch said the Highlands Ranch hospital was at 104% capacity due to COVID patients. Being prepared, they were taking patients from other regional hospitals and from out of state. “We were getting patients from everywhere just to give them the best chance of getting through this,” he said. “We are talking about very, very sick patients.” Dr. Lisa Wynn, OB/GYN and service line chief for women’s services at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital, said with little data on what COVID does to pregnant women, the last year was stressful, especially for first-time

moms. Wynn said she had several pregnant women diagnosed with COVID, and at least two were hospitalized. Both those moms delivered healthy babies and were able to recover. On the emotional side, Wynn said it was tough as pregnant women had baby showers through Zoom, or had to get a sonogram or exam without their partners, taking away some of the most special moments of pregnancy. Now, Usatch said there is hope that the vaccine is providing a light at the end of a very long tunnel. However, in calling it a “blip on the radar,” he said Coloradans cannot let their guard down. “We are one good holiday of bad practices to another explosion of cases,” he said. Nationally, only about 50 million Americans have been vaccinated — about 15% of the nation’s population. Usatch said it is just the tip of the iceberg. In order to reach herd immunity, the U.S. will have

to get 70% of the entire population vaccinated. As politics and stories of bad reactions to the vaccine continue, Usatch and Wynn agreed it’s important to trust the science. “Everything that we do from me giving you a cough drop to prescribing an antibiotic ... everything has a risk/benefit ratio,” Usatch said. “If everything in medicine had a risk/benefit ratio like this, my job would be easier. There is a landslide of benefit versus the slight risk of an allergic reaction.” Over the last year, Usatch said he saw patients admitted into the ICU, or ultimately the morgue, noting that the side effects of the COVID vaccine are not even in the same ballpark. “You get a little bit of body aches and chills the day after the second shot,” he said. “It’s a small price to pay for the safety and the contributions to society by contributing to herd immunity that comes with the vaccine.”

senior center. Case said the property is currently neighbored by a church, residential properties to the east and a CenturyLink communications building. In the public comment stage, Case said they put a priority on not just what neighbors to the property think, but also in answer-

ing all community concerns. “We respect everyone’s input,” he said. “We want the community as a whole to know that this is not gong to have a negative impact on the area.” Eppers said funding for the new senior center will come from system-development fees and not added taxes to residents. System-

development fees are paid to the district by a developer for new construction projects. Eppers said residents can get the facts and information about the proposed plan at www.highlandsranch.org/seniorcenter. The link also provides information on how to submit a comment through March 16.

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6 Highlands Ranch Herald

March 4, 2021M

As ‘blue’ level expands, virus spread is at critical juncture Hospitalizations, deaths could ramp back up if UK variant spreads, behavior loosens BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Even as Colorado’s COVID-19 restrictions loosened in the past couple of months, the state continued to enjoy falling rates of new coronavirus cases — but Coloradans risk reversing that trajectory if they start to have more face-toface contacts than they do now. “If Colorado remains on the current trajectory, statewide hospital demand and cases will continue to decline,” a Feb. 24 report by the Colorado School of Public Health says. Optimistically, the report adds: “It will be over a month before hospital demand and infection prevalence reach (the low) levels comparable to last summer.” The state may be on a riskier track, though, if Coloradans start to have more in-person contacts and let their guard down on behaviors such as mask-wearing. A key indicator to watch is the “effective reproduction number,” sometimes written “Re,” a measure of how rapidly COVID-19 infections are spreading. It’s a

similar measure to Colorado’s R0 — pronounced “R-naught” — that state officials discussed in the pandemic’s earlier stages. The reproduction number shows how many people each infected person will, on average, likely spread the virus to. If the number sits below 1, infections are decreasing. Colorado’s most recent estimate is 0.95, reflecting the virus’s spread in early February. That means the rate of new cases could soon start to increase again if the public isn’t cautious. Coloradans appeared to be having more in-person contacts in early February compared to in January, according to the report. On top of that, if the more-contagious COVID-19 variant from the United Kingdom spreads rapidly in Colorado, the state could see another peak in hospital demand, the report says. As of late February, Colorado is not seeing rapid spread of concerning variants, according to the state public-health department. But the UK variant could begin to take firmer hold by mid-March, the report says. Those developments come as more counties close to Denver — including Jefferson, Park, Clear Creek and Broomfield — recently entered level blue on Colorado’s color-coded “dial” of restrictions, further loosening rules for restaurants and other businesses.

SEE HOW LEVELS COMPARE The state’s color-coded COVID-19 dial is the set of restrictions counties must follow based on local virus spread. The level a county qualifies for on the dial generally depends on the county’s rate of new cases, its percentage of COVID-19 tests that come back positive, and whether hospitalizations are increasing, stable or declining. The restrictions apply to capacity at restaurants, other businesses, indoor and outdoor events, and other settings. See a full list of which restrictions apply to which levels on the dial at covid19. colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial-dashboard by clicking on “level restrictions” about halfway down the page. Blue could soon spread Level blue, the next-lowest notch on the dial since the Denver metro area entered level yellow on Feb. 6, appears to be a possibility for more metro counties in the next several weeks. The state’s COVID-19 dial is the set of restrictions counties must follow based on local virus spread. Counties now land in level blue when they drop below 100 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people within one week, a measure known as a county’s incidence rate. As of Feb. 25, Adams County sat at 129, Arapahoe at 115, Douglas at 136, Denver at 112 and Weld at 137. Elbert County appeared poised to possibly move into level blue the

soonest, with a rate of 75. The level a county qualifies for generally also depends on the county’s percentage of COVID-19 tests that come back positive and whether hospitalizations are increasing, stable or declining. To move to a lower level, a county must meet the criteria for all three metrics. Hospitalizations are considered on a regional basis, so if hospitalizations are stable or declining regionally, counties still can move to a different level, according to a statement from the Colorado State Joint Information Center. That’s the office that takes questions for the state public-health department. The state moved Broomfield to level blue effective Feb. 22, according to Broomfield’s website. Jefferson, Park and Clear Creek counties entered level blue on Feb. 26, according to the state’s COVID-19 website. In level blue, restaurants indoors are allowed up to 50% capacity or 175 people (or up to 225 using the state’s social distancing space calculator), whichever is fewer. That’s up from 50% capacity or 50 people (or up to 150 using the calculator), whichever is fewer, in level yellow. Other businesses see capacity expand as well. See the calculator at covid19.colorado. gov/distancing-calculator. SEE VIRUS, P7

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Highlands Ranch Herald 7

1March 4, 2021

VIRUS FROM PAGE 6

See a full list of which restrictions apply to which levels on the dial at covid19.colorado.gov/data/ covid-19-dial-dashboard by clicking on “level restrictions” about halfway down the page. Changing standards The dial changed with the addition of a new level red that took effect Nov. 20 in metro Denver and other areas of the state, banning private gatherings and indoor dining at restaurants and tightening capacity limits at some types of businesses. Red is the secondhighest level next to purple, a stay-at-home order. Eventually, more than half the state’s 64 counties operated in level red. Citing improving virus trends, Gov. Jared Polis on Dec. 30 announced that he told the state public-health department to move counties from red to orange effective Jan. 4 — even though many didn’t meet requirements for level orange according to the dial system. Under the “dial 2.0” changes to Colorado’s COVID-19 restrictions on Feb. 6, the state public-health department drastically eased the incidence-rate limits that allow counties to remain in certain levels of the dial. The “dial 2.0” system put Denver metro counties in level yellow. Businesses have had their eye on another wrinkle: Colorado’s

tighter levels. That’s because busi5-Star State Certification Pronesses with 5-Star certification gram, which allows businesses may not operate in the next-lowest to operate with expanded capaclevel below blue — level green, or ity if they follow stepped-up “Protect Our Neighbors” — unCOVID-19 safety protocols. The less the county is formally in that program lets businesses follow level. restrictions that are one level Level green, the lowest level on lower on the dial than they oththe dial, is more difficult to transierwise would be able to without tion to than others. Counties must certification. apply for that But the state level based on on Feb. 5 said criteria includbusinesses in ing hospital level-yellow bed capacity, counties with supply of per5-Star certificasonal protective tion programs equipment, could only hospitalizaoperate at blue tions, COVID-19 restrictions testing capacity, once 70% of contact-tracing 70-year-olds in ability and the state are other requirevaccinated ments. with at least one dose, State ‘could see which was another peak’ expected to Whether the happen by the Colorado School of Public end of FebruHealth report Denver metro area can reary, accordmain on track ing to a state with decreasing public-health virus numbers as some counties department news release. On Feb. 26, Polis announced that open up further is unclear. “There is considerable uncerColorado will have vaccinated tainty about how policies and 70% of the state’s 70-and-over population likely by the end of the behaviors over the last few weeks will influence the course of the Feb. 27-28 weekend, according to an Arapahoe County news release. epidemic, how rapidly the B.1.1.7 (UK variant) will spread in ColoThe 5-Star program may soon be rado, and how rapidly the vaccine entirely irrelevant in more metro counties as they move to level blue will be administered,” the Colorado School of Public Health’s — unless worsening virus trends report says. cause a county to move back up to

‘If the B.1.1.7 variant spreads rapidly in Colorado and (in-person contacts increase) over the short term, we could see another peak in hospital demand.’

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As of Feb. 25, the state’s trend of new cases per day appears as if it may be flattening after several weeks of mostly steady decline. The school of public health’s estimate of daily infections appears to show a flattening in recent weeks. Meanwhile, after several weeks of general decline in the number of daily deaths among people with COVID-19, the number of deaths stayed flat in late January and showed a small uptick at the end of that month. “If the B.1.1.7 variant spreads rapidly in Colorado and (in-person contacts increase) over the short term, we could see another peak in hospital demand,” the report says. If contacts increase drastically enough and Colorado sees rapid spread of the variant, demand could exceed intensive care unit capacity and approach hospital capacity, according to the report. If trends take a turn for the worse, it is too early in Colorado’s vaccination distribution to create enough community protection to prevent another spike in cases and deaths, the State Joint Information Center said. Asked if the state public-health department anticipates counties needing to be moved back to level yellow, orange or even red when spring weather and Memorial Day cause people to gather more, the center said it’s unclear. “We are encouraged by the recent data, but it’s too early to tell what disease transmission will look like in the spring,” the center said.

8 Highlands Ranch Herald

March 4, 2021M

College leaders urge state to restore funding BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT.ORG

Fearful of extensive layoffs and potentially deep cuts to student services, leaders of Colorado’s public colleges and universities are pressing lawmakers to restore $493 million the state chopped off their budgets last year. The academic leaders are campaigning as if the health, and perhaps existence, of their campuses are at stake. And with good reason: When Colorado slashed their budgets during two past recessions, the colleges never fully recovered. Metropolitan State University of Denver President Janine Davidson said college presidents are presenting a united front on the restoration of funding because “at some point you have to say this isn’t working.” And Adams State University President Cheryl Lovell said colleges did their part in balancing budgets last year and a return to the 2019-20 funding level would be a positive step for colleges and their students. “We’re unified in that message,” Lovell said. Gov. Jared Polis and House and Senate leaders have said they value returning the 58% cut that the state inflicted last year to help balance a budget as the pandemic ate into revenues and raised expenses. Some lawmakers have stalled, saying they want to wait for budget forecasts. Others hesitated because Congress is sending states more

aid. The December stimulus package will send millions of dollars to many Colorado colleges and universities to help with the coronavirus impacts and to aid students. The next stimulus bill could send millions more to Colorado schools. But that federal largesse can’t be used for colleges’ operating expenses; it must respond only to the pandemic. For years, lawmakers have dipped into higher education funding to spare other state priorities, said Joe Garcia, Colorado Community College System chancellor. That happened during both the 2001 and 2009 recessions. Lawmakers added back some funding, but higher education budgets never returned to their previous levels. In four years from the onset of the 2001 recession, Colorado slashed higher education funding by 23.1%, or about $158.6 million. The state followed the same pattern during the Great Recession, cutting about $135 million from higher education from 2008-2012. After both crises, schools across the state substantially raised tuition. The cuts helped Colorado sink toward the bottom of state rankings in higher education investment. “Higher ed, whenever there are competing demands, tends to bear the brunt of the cuts,” Garcia said. Colleges face an additional financial threat. Enrollment across the state dipped during the pandemic.

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Students bring in money Every student brings in dollars, through tuition and also state funding based on enrollment. Significant drops can decimate an operating budget. If enrollment doesn’t bounce back (as some predict) and/ or if the state doesn’t substantially restore funding, campuses face major cuts. That could mean fewer instructors, counselors, and career guidance services. It could also mean higher tuition, even though Colorado already charges some of the highest tuition in the nation for public schools. Raising tuition would burden students and families already pummeled by the pandemic and the recession. Colorado Department of Higher Education Executive Director Angie Paccione urges colleges to find ways to cut budgets without increasing tuition. She thinks they’ll survive the downturn, and doesn’t oppose campuses asking lawmakers for more money — because schools lack adequate funding. But she said schools have a responsibility to raise graduation rates that lag for students of color and those from low-income families compared with general rates. And some schools, like the University of Colorado-Boulder, for years have failed to boost enrollment of lowincome students. While regional colleges educate more low-income students, those campuses graduate those students at a lower rate than do the state’s flagship universities. “You can’t just ask for money and not provide the outcomes,” Paccione said. Regional colleges are less able to cope with state budget cuts, because they have fewer outside resources and because their students have more difficulty absorbing higher tuition. In Colorado, regional and community colleges receive a larger share of their operating budgets from the state and tuition than do flagship schools. The University of ColoradoBoulder and Colorado State University both get significant federal funding for research.

Community colleges face tough call Garcia said community colleges might raise tuition, but that could impose hardships on students. “The more we raise tuition, the less money students have available to cover their other mandatory living expenses like housing, transportation and food,” Garcia said, “things that they absolutely need to spend money on.” A recent study by the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges found the pandemic has cut into budgets at more than 100 rural public colleges it examined. Cecilia Orphan, a University of Denver higher education professor and co-author of the study, said better-funded schools can help more students graduate. For instance, even though they enroll a smaller proportion of students of color and from low-income families, flagship campuses with more resources graduate those students at a higher percentage than do more state-dependent colleges. And regional schools have struggled to improve graduation rates. Orphan said regional colleges have difficulty supporting and graduating students, especially those from low-income families, due to the diminished state budgets. She said too many people have become “comfortable with broken promises for Coloradans.” Davidson, of MSU Denver, said she believes restoring funding should be viewed as a moral imperative: Decreased funding will disproportionately lock out low-income students from opportunities and hurt the state’s economic future. “College genuinely is the elevator to social mobility in this country. It really is what has made America competitive and strong,” Davidson said. “If we don’t live up to that promise we will have repercussions that will go well beyond ‘I can’t send my kids to school.’” This story is from Chalkbeat Colorado, a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. Used by permission. For more, and to support Chalkbeat, visit co.chalkbeat.org.

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Highlands Ranch Herald 9

1March 4, 2021

The wait for In-N-Out is over in south metro area Restaurant served up ‘burgers for breakfast’ on opening day BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

People lined up to eat “burgers for breakfast” as the famed fast food chain In-N-Out Burger opened its newest Colorado location in Lone Tree, near Park Meadows mall. The restaurant, located at 9171 Westview Road, began serving food around 8:30 a.m. during In-N-Out’s Feb. 22 grand opening. For Holly Houston, stopping by was a spur of the moment decision when she noticed cars in the drive thru for the first time. The Douglas County woman had been watching the restaurant’s construction, she said, looking forward to trying it at a location closer to home. “I’ve been waiting for this one to open,” she said. Company spokesman Denny Warnick said the building has been ready for weeks and could have opened as early as December. In-N-Out waited until COVID-19 cases improved at the company’s other Colorado locations, which became outbreak sites after opening, and for cases to trend down in the surrounding community, Warnick said. “We just thought it would be wiser

Although the restaurant did not allow dine-in during its grand opening, the InN-Out in Lone Tree was open for carry-out orders as well as drive thru.

to wait until both those results had improved to open another location,” he said. Lone Tree employees were tested for COVID-19 before opening day and would be tested again after, he said. They were also assigned teams, which worked in specific sections of the kitchen to lessen how often people crossed paths, he said. The Lone Tree location employs 80 people so far and will continue hiring, he said. COVID-19 precautions weren’t the only kind in place for the burger joint’s south metro debut. After large crowds turned out at previous Colorado grand openings, Warnick said In-N-Out worked with the City of Lone Tree, the Lone Tree Police Department and a third-party,

Employees at the new In-N-Out in Lone Tree grab burgers during the restaurant’s Feb. PHOTOS BY JESSICA GIBBS 22 grand opening.

traffic-control company, Colorado Barricade, to devise a traffic plan at the company’s expense. “We don’t like to presume that we’ll be very busy but from the crowds that we had in Aurora and Colorado Springs,” Warnick said, “we wanted to be ready.” A spokeswoman for the City of Lone Tree provided a statement saying the city is excited In-N-Out came to town and is prepared for potential

traffic around the restaurant in coming days. The city has a “queuing map” showing people how to get in line for the drive thru and how to access neighboring businesses, both available online. Find out more at cityoflonetree.com/projects/in-nout-burger/ “We urge anyone visiting In-NOut or the neighboring businesses to refer to these maps and follow all signage on site,” the statement said.

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10 Highlands Ranch Herald

March 4, 2021M

DROUGHT

Douglas County was considered to be under the worst possible dryness conditions — called “exceptional drought” — from Oct. 20 until Feb. 23, according to the United States Drought Monitor.

FROM PAGE 1

spell has only worsened, according to the drought monitor. In a recent county commissioners’ meeting where the board approved contracts for aerial support during wildfires, Tim Johnson, director of Douglas County’s emergency management, spoke about the current conditions. “The dryness that we experienced all last year, (which) led to … the worst fire season we’ve had in Colorado, that continued on,” said Johnson. “We’re anticipating that this year is going to be a difficult year.” With forecasts showing a continuation of dry, warm weather in the next few months, county and state officials are promoting drought and wildfire mitigation tactics. Recommended measures include cleaning out gutters, making an emergency exit strategy, minding water restrictions and being careful not to cause a wildfire spark. “Be aware, know that Colorado is going to be dry this season and take proactive measures to make sure that you’re not part of the problem, (but) part of the solution,” Laydon said. The importance of mountain snow One reason that Douglas County had a higher drought rating compared to neighboring counties for several months could be that the area just hasn’t fared as well as others in terms of precipitation events this winter, said Becky Bolinger, the state’s assistant climatologist. “There is a luck factor,” Bolinger said. Bolinger doesn’t believe Douglas County is significantly worse off than other nearby areas due to that rating. However, she also doesn’t see the county as in the clear now that it’s been slightly downgraded to “extreme drought.” “It’s like you’re in a baseball game and you’re losing by eight runs and your player knocks a solo home run,” she said. “It’s exciting, but you’re still down by seven runs.” Though March and April are typically some of the snowiest months of the year, projections from the

PHOTO BY ELLIOTT WENZLER

National Weather Service are predicting more abnormally dry, warm weather in the region during those months. But even if Douglas County defies this prediction and precipitation in the area comes out at or above average, what happens in the mountains could be even more telling for how the county’s water supply will be impacted. “(The mountains) cannot make up a big snowpack deficit just in March and April … it’s the mountain snow that’s a lot more important for us than our snow that we get here on the Front Range,” Bolinger said. That’s because mountain runoff is a major contributor to reservoirs in Douglas County. The South Platte River Basin, which feeds into Douglas County, had below-average snowpack as of the end of February, according to the United States Department of Agriculture snow survey. The county’s largest water provider, Centennial Water & Sanitation District, which serves Highlands Ranch, primarily relies on this runoff to serve their more than 100,000 customers. The water district’s average annual demand is 16,500 acre-feet of water storage, according to the district. This year, that capacity is almost 3,000 acre feet below average for this time of year. An acre-foot is one acre of water’s surface and one foot of depth. “Nothing is a guarantee at this point but the odds are a little bit against us right now to have a near-normal snowpack and we need above normal to help with the drought,” Bolinger said. Centennial Water is working on a drought response plan should the

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conditions persist or worsen. In the meantime, they’re asking customers to be aware of the conditions and be efficient with their water use. Residents can help out by checking for leaks, watering outside during the early morning or late evening and prioritizing drought-tolerant landscaping. “It’s up to each of us to help conserve and use water efficiently,” said Sherry Eppers, spokesperson for the district. Two of the county’s other major water providers, Parker Water & Sanitation District and Castle Rock Water, mostly utilize wells or groundwater for their supply. Still, both districts either have or are also developing plans in case their supplies are depleted. On a statewide level, drought impacts haven’t been this bad since 2012, Bolinger said. The worst season before that was in 2002. “(Exceptional) drought conditions … are expected to only occur in an area once in every 50 to once out of every 100 years,” Bolinger said. “We’ve had three in 20 years.” If the drought continues as expected, the county, along with much of the state, could be in for water restrictions and more wildfires during the warm months, she said. “One of the biggest concerns I would have for this summer is a very high risk for wildfires that could get large or could impact areas where it would be costly and devastating,” Bolinger said. “For the less densely populated areas of Douglas County, I would say that is a pretty big risk factor.” ‘Man-made problems’ There are several mitigation tac-

tics that can be taken to prepare for wildfire and drought season. On the governmental level, Douglas County commissioners have secured their annual contracts for air support during wildfires, including two 45day stints during peak fire season where a helicopter is parked in the area. These contracts are unique to Douglas County, Johnson said. Commissioners are also hoping to converse with Sen. Michael Bennet about his bill The Outdoor Restoration Force Act, which would, in part, provide funding for fire mitigation. Johnson and his team meet with local firefighting agencies once a month and host wildfire evacuation drills for residents of high-risk areas. In Douglas County, where wildfires are the top natural hazard above snow storms and tornadoes, residents can also play a role in helping the season run as smoothly as possible, Johnson said. “They can play a huge role on an individual basis,” Johnson said. “If everyone in the community is doing at least their part to mitigate their property, that helps us tremendously.” Potentially high-risk areas that Johnson and his team keep a close eye on include Castle Pines, Roxborough Park, Perry Park, Woodmoor Mountain, Russellville, other forested areas and even Highlands Ranch. Two of the county’s largest fires in the past decade have been in the Highlands Ranch backcountry. “If I were a Douglas County resident and I was in a heavily forested area, I would be sure that I was ready,” she said. “If I lived in a more suburban area … I would be more concerned about how I’m watering and making sure I’m watering in a way that’s not wasteful.” Residents can also help stop wildfires from spreading by calling 911 if they see or smell smoke. It’s also important to be mindful about anything that could cause a spark, including cigarette butts, campfires and machinery such as lawn mowers and cars. “A lot of times … these are manmade problems that occur,” Laydon said. “So when the public is aware of how they can also help keep their neighborhoods, their homes, their areas safe, that really helps us.”

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1March 4, 2021

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12 Highlands Ranch Herald

LOCAL

March 4, 2021M

VOICES

A lifelong attraction to the hard stuff

man walks into a bar with a large chunk of concrete and says to the bartender, “Give me a drink. And one for the road.” I like concrete. QUIET I’ve always liked DESPERATION concrete. Concrete is everywhere. Construction of Hoover Dam began in 1931. It was completed in 1936. It looks the same today as it did 85 years ago. Who else Craig Marshall can say that? There are 4,360,000 Smith cubic yards of concrete in the dam, powerplant and secondary buildings. The Empire State Building used 62,000 cubic yards of concrete.

Arapahoe Community College on South Santa Fe in Littleton is a brutallooking structure, isn’t it? Actually, “Brutalism” is an architectural term. Brutalism began in post-war Great Britain and was characterized by constructions that showcased bare building materials. In ACC’s case, that’s exposed concrete. When my in-home studio addition was built in 2003, a truck pumped concrete over my house to the foundation forms at the back through a pipe that was controlled by a workman with a handheld device. Concrete is normally 60% to 75% aggregate, 15% water and cement, and 5% to 8% air. Aggregates include sand, gravel and crushed stone. I know what you’re thinking: “The old frog has run out of things to write about.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SEE LETTERS, P13

A publication of

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Songs? Songs titled “Concrete” can be found. “Concrete and Clay” reached No. 1 the UK in 1965. Remember Johnette Napolitano? She was the lead singer of Concrete Blonde, a successful rock band from Hollywood. Concrete definitely lasts but it doesn’t last forever. Many of the concrete bridges in America are showing disconcerting signs of deterioration after decades of traffic, especially semi-tractor-trailer trucks traffic. Concrete trucks have always intrigued me. The revolving cylindrical barrel going in one direction, the truck in another. I try not to follow them, and admit to a childish fear the chute will swing out and the driver will release his load, as it were, on my imported station wagon. SEE SMITH, P13

Here’s to hope, habits and happiness

Schools’ equity policy is crucial

I congratulate Douglas County School District for the work on the Equity Policy and this media for shedding light into this journey. George Floyd’s murder was the first time I felt a visceral soul pain that I had not felt before. That pain led a group of us to form Equity Growth Zone (EGZ), a support and advocacy group, to heal and lead our community toward racial equity. Knowledge is profoundly social and social means emotions. Fear of emotions blocks growth in knowledge. Through our regular engagements at EGZ we are intentional in our approach with emotion so that learning, and growth can happen. We must acknowledge that while racism impacts BIPOC people directly, it indirectly impacts all of us, especially our children. Racism sends a pervasive message that some human beings are above others. That message gets internalized by kids and bullying is their way of trying to make sense of this artificial hierarchy of value in human life. We unintentionally reinforce this message when we do not include the historical perspective of BIPOC people and when we fail to recognize and repair the impact of racist microaggressions. Through my work at the leadership team of the Douglas County Youth Health Coalition, I have learned that race, ethnic, religious, class, disability, gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination are risk factors to youth mental health and resolving them builds a resilient community where all our kids thrive.

Far from it. And I’m not the only one who feels this way about concrete. I recommend “Concrete Planet: The Strange and Fascinating Story of the World’s Most Common ManMade Material.” “We use it for our buildings, bridges, dams, and roads. We walk on it, drive on it, and many of us live and work within its walls.” Okay, it’s not espionage or zombies, but for those of us who prefer to be informed, it’s good reading. The Smithsonian Channel has a new program that thrills, stuns and mesmerizes me. “How Did They Build That?” “Across the globe, radical architects, ingenious engineers, and skilled builders are creating structures so outrageous they defy logic.” Often, these architects, engineers, and builders rely on concrete.

here is a popular statement among business professionals, owners, and salespeople, and it is based on the book by WINNING Rick Page titled “Hope is Not a WORDS Strategy.” In this context, hoping to grow our business or hoping that we will make a sale without a solid strategic and tactical plan is true. Hope is not a strategy. Michael Norton However, there are times where hope is the absolute best strategy and approach. The business owner without hope to better serve their customers or community will settle for the lowhanging fruit and more than likely accept mediocrity from themselves, their employees, and the products or services they provide. The salesperson who only focuses on making a deal, with no focus on developing winning relationships is likely operating without the proper context of hope. Hope in business and in selling eliminates a “One and Done” or “One Hit Wonder” mentality. Conversely, the business owner, the salesperson, and each one of us who has hope, works with hope, and lives with hope, is more likely to move from the simple practice

of “hoping” and into the planning, doing, and achievement required to reach our dreams and goals. Hope drives change. Hope adds the “will” to our “skill.” Hope powered by encouragement creates a completely different mindset. Here is another phrase we are all probably familiar with, “Kick the Habit.” What if the habit is a good and productive habit, should we still try and “Kick the Habit”?; or should we “Keep the Habit” Ask 10 people to describe or define the word “habit,” and eight out of 10 will use negative wording or descriptors. Why is that? Why do we see the word “habit” with such a pessimistic outlook? It is because we typically associate habits with something that we need to break instead of build or keep. If bad habits can quickly become terrible habits, then it must hold true that good habits can become great habits. And what if we allowed ourselves to make hope a strategy that included a tactical plan and approach? Would we break bad habits before they become worse, build new and productive habits, and turn our existing good habits into amazing habits that lead to the achievement of our goals and dreams? Of course we would. Do you see the connection yet? If not, I encourage you to read just a little bit more. We all have hope for something.

We hope for good health, loving family and friends, a job or career that fulfills us, a better tomorrow, peace, healing, unity, and so much more including our hope for happiness. And here is where it all comes together for us. When we have hope, we are more likely to make the necessary and positive changes in our lives. Once we identify the changes that need to be made, we will become inspired to break our bad habits that hold us back and form the good habits that propel us forward. When hope is part of our foundational attitude towards life and we create habits that fuel our journey, we will move one step closer to achieving the happiness we desire. Here are a few questions that I get when I speak on this topic. Is hope nothing more than a wish that has no plan? Are bad habits so engrained that they are unbreakable? Is happiness possible without hope? Depending on who you ask, you may receive a different response or guidance than mine. But I would say that hope is more than a wish, there are no habits that cannot be broken or built upon, and at times happiness is possible without hope, but the odds typically favor the hopeful. So how about you? Is hope a part of your strategy and approach to

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SEE NORTON, P13 Highlands Ranch Herald A legal newspaper of general circulation in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the Herald is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124. Send address change to: Highlands Ranch Herald, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

Highlands Ranch Herald 13

1March 4, 2021

Starting a business as a second career

lder adult entrepreneurs have many prized advantages. Most importantly — you know stuff. You have experience budgeting both in your career and at home. You have industry knowledge LIVING & and can identify AGING WELL areas where you may add value to your previous employer’s business as a partner or competitor. You know how to focus and strategize to reach your goals. You have an extensive network. You Denise Grills have loan credit and street cred. You are getting the COVID vaccine first and can rejoin the outside world safely! The 2020 pandemic and related economic and political uncertainty may have discouraged you. But 2021 is a good time to start your business for many reasons including new technology and support offerings, state and federal government support, and acceptance for working virtually. New technology and platforms can help you get started pursuing

a business that you are passionate about. You might have a hobby you enjoy and realize that your friends are all asking to buy your product, so post on the Etsy Global Marketplace. You love dogs or cats, so sign up with Rover for dog walking and services. Tinkering around the house and fixing things is your idea of fun, so join TaskRabbit. All are a good low-risk way to start your own business. While startup expenses in the past included costly investment in bookkeeping, online accounting services minimize this initial risk and cost and may be free for small numbers of users or employees. You can move to paid plans as your business grows and complexity increases. QuickBooks, Plooto, and Zero are easy-to-use financial systems. Marketing automation companies like HubSpot and Marketo jump-start your sales and marketing programs. Multiple website builders like Wix and Squarespace offer easy-to-start websites. AARP has a wealth of resources to “Be Your Own Boss” including excellent business plan and marketing worksheets. Payroll and benefit providers like Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll can take you from one employee to hundreds.

LETTERS

versity. I have grandchildren in the DCSD and as they grow and develop a “sense” of the world I would hope that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion be a part of their education. These principles and practices must be part of the structural culture that schools, communities, and households build to operate in and create a more perfect democracy. We must support the district’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Strategic Initiative Team as well as the Equity Advisory Council in order to advance equity in the district. ALL students (and families) will benefit from a racially just system! Jill Smith Highlands Ranch

FROM PAGE 12

EGZ is open to all who share our desire to grow. Email to join the - conversation: equitygrowthzone@ gmail.com. Nara Altmann, Ph.D. Lone Tree Equity, inclusion are needed

Thank you to Colorado Community Media for the many articles in last week’s paper about the Douglas County School District’s lack of diversity. I am a “transplanted” Californian (from Los Angeles) who noticed right away when moving to Highlands Ranch the lack of racial di-

SMITH FROM PAGE 12

Concrete is gray. Or not. Concrete can be colored with stains, pigments, and dyes. None for me, thanks. Gray is good. In fact, I chose warm, concrete gray for the exterior paint of my home. (It was either that or dachshund red; the HOA barked.) There’s an urban myth about “concrete shoes” attributable to the connection between certain types

NORTON FROM PAGE 12

life? Are you on your way to breaking bad habits and forming better ones? As always, I would love to hear your story at mnorton@tramazing.

SEE LETTERS, P16

and the concrete industry in New York City. You can explore the ruins of Concrete City, a collection of 20 homes built entirely of concrete in 1911 in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, northwest of Philadelphia. A better name now might be Graffiti City. The ruins haven’t been respected. Hellen Keller: “There is plenty of courage among us for the abstract, but not the concrete.” Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net.

Build a brand kit and amp up your images and content with sites like Canva or Nicepage. Support for small businesses is a big part of new government programs. The Colorado State, Small Business Small Business Development Center and Small Business Administration websites feature information from getting started in a business to COVID-related assistance. The Douglas County Library offers online learning that includes using LinkedIn Learning for free. You can learn everything from using Microsoft Excel PivotTables to Small Business Marketing. (Information on LinkedIn Learning [formerly Lynda.com] can be found on the library website, dcl.org, in the “Library Perks” section under “Library Info.”) The new ability to work remotely benefits anyone with mobility, immunity, or transportation issues while running a home business. If you are using Zoom to check in on your grandchildren or book club, you can use those skills to provide services or hold meetings virtually. Remember to have a professional background in your home office or

use a virtual background which can be found easily by googling “Zoom Backgrounds.” You don’t have to jump in and use all of the above resources immediately, but pick one area and get started. There are as many resources to help you start your business as you have dreams and ideas. The best time to start is now! Denise Grills is a veteran of the software industry with 35 years with IBM and Oracle in marketing and development. In 2020, she started her own consulting and coaching business: Denise Grills, CEO - Denise Grills Consulting and Coaching. To learn more contact denise@ denisegrillsconsulting.com, call 303249-8936 or visit www.denisegrillsconsulting.com. This column is hosted by the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County. Please join us for our next virtual online presentation April 1 at 10 a.m. Denise Grills will be our presenter and provide an overview on starting a business. For more information, please visit www.MyDougCoSeniorLife.com, email DCSeniorLife@ douglas.co.us or call 303-663-7681.

OBITUARIES HANSEN

Brenda Jean Hansen

Aug. 14, 1948 - Feb. 21, 2021 Brenda Jean Hansen, (Willingham), age 72 died Sunday, February 21st at 1:08 p.m. at her home surrounded by her loved ones. She was born August 14, 1948 in Rockmart, GA to Clarence P. Willingham and Bessie Mae Willingham (Chandler). She was a success in everything she did. She worked her way up from manufacturing signs in the factory for Gulf Industries in CA to manager of customer relations. Everyone that had the priviledge of meeting her loved her sweet southern charm and her heart of gold. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and brother, James P. Willingham (Terry). She is survived by her husband of 28 years,

George Hansen, her brother William O. Willingham, her sons, Jerry Hales (Lia), Paul Hales, stepsons Michael Hansen, Eric Hansen (Katrina) and her daughter Melanie Ouellette , her niece, J. Paige WillinghamLents (Dustin); her 12 grandchildren, Brittney, Miranda, Noah, Garrett, Livi, Bergan, Lia, Chloe, Ryan, Tycen, Elysia and Jared, her 3 great-grandchildren and 1 great-niece as well as many dear family and friends. Brenda loved the Lord, especially rejoycing through music and was blessed with a very fulfilling life. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 6th 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Greenwood Community Church, 5600 E. Belleview Ave., Greenwood Village, CO, with a reception to follow at her home.

In Loving Memory

Place an Obituary for Your Loved One.

Private 303-566-4100

Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com com, and when we see hope and habits through the lens of helping us achieve happiness, it really will be a better than good year. Michael Norton is the grateful CEO of Tramazing.com, a personal and professional coach, and a consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator to businesses of all sizes.

Funeral Homes Visit: www.memoriams.com

14 Highlands Ranch Herald

March 4, 2021M

LOCAL

LIFE

A fair chance of festivals this summer Though it’s too soon to say for sure, many beloved summer events are in the works BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

or those who didn’t get to watch fireworks or eat funnel cakes in 2020, this spring and summer could bring good news: Festivals and fairs are in the works, though nothing is set in stone. Scores of local events were canceled last year as COVID-19 reshaped life, though some gatherings went forward in a limited capacity. This year, as COVID numbers improve and the vaccine rollout advances, local officials are cautiously optimistic that many beloved community events can carry on. “It will look different, but we can figure out innovative ways to do this,” said Mellissa Sager, the policy and intergovernmental affairs manager for the Tri-County Health Department, which covers Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties. “These events are really important to communities, and we can make it work.” Face masks will likely still be required at public events through the summer, Sager said, as will social distancing measures, symptom screenings and capacity limits. Restrictions are largely set at the state level, Sager said. Governor Jared Polis is expected to roll out new, more flexible measures in coming weeks that could better facilitate summer festivals. Here’s a look at summer plans around the metro area as they stand at the beginning of March: Adams County No events have been canceled so far this year, Adams County spokesperson Christa Bunting said. That includes the Adams County Fair scheduled for Aug. 4-8, and a Styx concert at Riverdale Park on Sept. 11. adcogov.org/events Arapahoe County The Arapahoe County Fair, scheduled for July 22-25, will be open “in some form,” county spokesperson Luc Hatlestad said. “The goal is to have as complete an experience as possible.” Other summer events at the fairgrounds on East Quincy Avenue include a series of 5K walks and runs, the Chalk Lines & Vines art and wine festival on May 15 and 16, and the Pictures on the Plains summer movie series on June 16 and 30. arapahoecountyfair.com Arvada Arvada’s Kite Festival, scheduled for April, has been canceled, but quite a few other events are going forward: Movies Around

Metro-area cities are planning a wide range of festivals this summer, with an eye on COVID safety.

Town, with live music before showtimes starting at dusk, will run from May to September. Arvada On Tap, a craft beer and barbecue fest, is set for June 26. 4th of July fireworks are a go, as is Arvada Days on Aug. 21. arvadafestivals.com Brighton Brighton’s summer event schedule is in the early planning stages, said city spokesperson Kristen Chernosky. Summerfest, normally the first weekend in June, may be pushed back. brightonco.gov Castle Rock Most events are still in their planning stages, said city spokesperson Melissa Hoelting. The city will host Climb4Change at Phillip Miller Park on May 22. The event features five racing events to choose from, and raises money for the town’s adaptive recreation program. crgov.com Douglas County The 103rd annual Douglas County Fair & Rodeo is scheduled for July 31 through Aug. 8. No schedule of events has been announced yet, but county spokesperson Luanne Lee says organizers will strive as always to bring together “the best of rural heritage, agriculture, Western sports, youth and adult exhibits and quality entertainment.” douglascountyfairandrodeo.com Elbert County The Elbert County Fair is sched-

uled for July 31 through Aug. 8, with a full slate of 4-H programming and livestock shows. Other events are to be determined. elbertcountyfair.com Elizabeth The Elizabeth Stampede, featuring concerts, a parade and three days of rodeos, is scheduled for June 3-6 at Casey Jones Park. Higher expenses and spectator limits have spurred the Stampede to launch a sponsorship drive called the Stampede Booster Club. elizabethstampede. com Englewood No decision has yet been made on the 4th of July festivities at Belleview and Progress parks, city spokesperson Ann Lauricello said. The city is “cautiously optimistic” about the late-summer Block Party on Broadway. “Obviously there are still many unknowns,” she said. englewoodco.gov Fort Lupton No major events have been canceled, though all now include social distancing measures, face masks and staggered start times where appropriate. That includes the Easter Egg Hunt on March 27 at the recreation center, the Cinco de Mayo 5k at Railroad Park and the Independence Day celebration at the recreation center. fortlupton.org Golden What will 4th of July look like this year? How about Buffalo Bill Days?

FILE PHOTO BY DAVID GILBERT

The Fine Arts Festival? City spokeswoman Diane Tiberi said: “We are still trying to answer some of the very same questions you are asking!” visitgolden.com Lakewood The annual Earth Day celebration won’t be a festival format this year, with the city instead planning a variety of chalk art installations in parks accompanied by workshops and tutorials, starting April 17. Though the city will still fire off fireworks on July 3, there will be no gathering at Jeffco Stadium. Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park will host some groovy events, like the Rockin’ Block Party on June 4, featuring cover bands playing ‘90s hits followed by a screening of Jurassic Park (reservations required). The park will also host outdoor concerts every Thursday evening between June 17 and July 29. lakewood.org Littleton Plans for the Fire Muster and Block Party, both traditionally held in June, have not yet been announced. Western Welcome Week is scheduled for Aug. 13-22, though details have not yet been fleshed out. westernwelcomeweek.org Northglenn Northglenn will see a few cancellations this year: The Food Truck Carnival, Mudapalooza volleyball tournament and the Flashlight Egg SEE FESTIVALS, P18

Highlands Ranch Herald 15

1March 4, 2021

Landscape painting workshop set for Zoom presentation

“L

from the Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin, Ireland. Tickets needed-1 per device, per household. Go to webanjo3.com.

et’s Paint a Wonderful Landscape” with local painter Brian Hubbell will be offered by Heritage Fine Arts Guild as a Zoom workshop from 9 a.m. to noon on March 13. $25 members; $30 non-members. See heritage-guild. SONYA’S com and select cur- SAMPLER rent workshop. (A Zoom link will be provided prior to workshop.) For information, contact Mary kay Jacobus at mkstudio@comcast.net.

PEN America See the PEN America website for information about Emerging Voices Fellowship. Applications accepted through March 17. See pen.org.

Brian Hubbell shows his “Pikes Peak and Devils Head” painting. Hubbell will lead the “Let’s Paint a Wonderful Landscape” workshop for Heritage Fine Arts Guild. COURTESY PHOTO

Town Hall opens Sonya Ellingboe “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” will be presented at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St. in downtown Littleton from March 19 through April 18, with evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets: $47-$52. 303-794- 2787, ext. 5, townhallartscenter.org. A new exhibit started March 1 in Stanton Gallery, called “World of Color.” open during box office hours and during performances. It will also be on the Depot Art Gallery’s Virtual Gallery. See depotartgallery.org. MCA Museum of Contemporary Art

Denver, 1485 Delgany St., is now open with “Keith Haring,” “Grace House Mural,” “Colorado in the Present Tense: Narkita Gold, Rick Griffith, Nathan Hall and Maia Ruth Lee” and “Jaime Carrejo: Waiting.” Reserve tickets in advance, mcadenver.org, 303-298-7554. Mixed Taste programs have started, still virtual. Parker Correction: We listed an incorrect date for the Parker Storybook Holiday — it will be on March 28. Also virtual from the PACE Center: Join Betsy Schwarm on Monday nights for virtual classical insights classes: 7 p.m. March 15, March 22, March 29, April 5. Tickets; $40 for all four

classes. Please purchase a ticket for each participant. (Classes, not live music performances.) Also: Hazel Miller and the Collective performs on March 27 at 7:30 p.m. Santa Fe Summer news note: Santa Fe’s International Folk Art Market is opening live July 7-18 and a fundraising online auction will be held March 21-27. Auction preview March 21. Bidding starts March 24 at 10 a.m. and will remain open until March 27. See folkartmarket.org. We Banjo 3 We Banjo 3 presents a virtual St. Patrick’s Day show, streaming live

Curious Theatre A two-play education series from Curious Theatre Company is available online: “Black” by young playwright Lamaria Aminah and “In Transit” by Holden Thomas are virtually available until June 15. Tickets cost $10 per play per household, with proceeds going to Curious New Voices program. Call 303-623-0524 or visit curioustheatre. org/nowyouknow_ondemand. DLOG Denver Lyric Opera Guild’s Final Competition for fellowships will be broadcast from Calvary Baptist Church on March 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. See denverlyricoperaguild.org. DAM “Paris to Hollywood: the Fashion and Influence of Veronique and Gregory Peck” will be open at the Denver Art Museum March 14 to June 20, in addition to regular museum exhibits.

Shroud of Turin at center of children’s story ‘The Wordless Weaver’ is intended for those ages 4 to 8 BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Author Claudia Cangilla McAdam of Highlands Ranch is a classic storyteller with a master’s degree in theology — a combination that leads her to writing stories for children that lead them into her own beautiful worlds. An earlier book was “Do You See What I See?” which was written in collaboration with photographer John Fielder and en-

couraged kids to really look at what surrounded them. (McAdam suspects it is no longer in print.) Newest on the scene is “The Wordless Weaver,” timely for the season McAdam now and carrying lovely illustrations by Caroline Baker Mazure, an art teacher who lives in Michigan. It focuses on the story of the Shroud of Turin, which is housed at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Turin, Italy, with a recorded history dating back to Lirey, France in 1353 and is believed by many, including McAdam, to be the linen shroud that wrapped Jesus of Nazareth after his

crucifixion. It is described as 14 feet long, with the image of a man on it. An illustration at the end of the book shows a reader how it looks and should provoke more discussion. A timeline McAdam provided says it was traded to the Duke of Savoy for two castles in 1452 and moved to Turin in 1578 for safekeeping after surviving a church fire in Chambery, France in 1532. It was cleaned and restored by the Catholic Church in 2002. When displayed, it is encased in bulletproof glass. A previous pope has referred to it as an icon. (McAdam mentioned a series of books written about the shroud, including one by Ian Wilson, published in 1979, updated in 2010.)

Her poetic new book for the 4-to-8 set begins as a young girl and her two little brothers join a crowd that lines the road into Jerusalem — as Yeshua, already legendary as master and teacher, travels the road into Jerusalem. He looks directly at Shira, whose name McAdam says means “Song” in Hebrew. After that excitement, she goes home to weave, her reputation for skill already established. In several days she finished a length of fine cloth, which her mother said they could take to market the next time they went. The next morning, Shira’s mother shrieked and told her Yeshua had SEE STORY, P16

To advertise your place of worship in this section, Serving the southeast Denver area

Castle Rock/Franktown

Greenwood Village

call Erin at 303-566-4074 or email eaddenbrooke@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com Parker

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Call or check our website for information on services and social events! www.cbsdenver.org

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16 Highlands Ranch Herald

LETTERS FROM PAGE 13

Recall drive has bad odor

Why do I think there is a backstory to the Feb. 11 News-Press front page story of a recall process initiated to target four DCSD school board directors? A group claims it is seeking to oust these school directors for showing a lack of leadership, and the leader of this group has publicly pledged $100,000 of his own money to the cause. The News-Press reported this leader has already selected the people he would endorse to replace the current directors. What makes me believe there is a backstory comes from the history of a decade ago when the voters in DougCo ousted several “reformers” on the board of school directors who were going to provide vouchers to students to attend non-public schools. Thankfully, the group called Taxpayers for Public Education realized what was happening, and when educated to what was at stake, the voters said “No!” Could it be that these so-called

STORY FROM PAGE 15

been arrested and was to be crucified and Shira ran out to the hilltop ... where she prayed silently ... Yeshua’s

March 4, 2021M “reformers” are sneaking back into the school district and trying to once again stack the board of directors with people who want to weaken the public schools? Before anyone signs this recall petition, they need to know what this is really all about! I suspect there’s more to this story than a purported lack of leadership. As patriot Patrick Henry proclaimed, “I smell a rat!” Rick Johnson Castle Rock Recall drive seems pointless

It is difficult to understand the Douglas County School Board director recall election effort. The district will have to pay $250-350K for an election when just four months later (whether or not a recall election is held), FOUR OF SEVEN BOARD MEMBERS ARE UP FOR ELECTION IN NOVEMBER (i.e., control of the board). So why is this being done except to throw a hissy fit? Even if the people behind the recall effort are upset at directors who are not up for reelection until 2023, they can gain control of the board in the normal course of the democratic process just a few months later, without costing

young disciple, John, comforted her. She heard a man offer his tomb and discussion of a need for a shroud — she ran and touched his arm, then ran home to get her length of cloth. A strip was cut off one side to bind the cloth around the body as it was

the district hundreds of thousands of dollars and sparing everyone multiple heated elections within a few months. Can anyone provide a legitimate reason why the recall proponents can’t wait four more months? Particularly as the sole reason apparently for throwing this fit is how the board handled the pandemic, which will not be an issue by summer when a recall election would be held if their petition is successful. It would be nice to have a break from political fliers clogging the mailbox and doorways and simply adhere to the normal election processes. Robert C. Marshall Highlands Ranch If you watched the February 16 DCSD Board of Education meeting, your jaw probably dropped like mine did. For two consecutive meetings now, school board leadership, through President David Ray, has stifled the voice of Douglas County parents — limiting their ability to comment and share concerns about the future of their kids’ schooling. Ironically, Mr. Ray previously complained about past board members doing just this.

How have they done this? Without prior notice, in these last two meetings the board has delayed public comments at least two hours later than normal. Now why is this important? For the majority of parents, they don’t have the luxury to remain glued to an ongoing school board call to provide comments while having to ensure their kids are fed, bathed and tucked into bed to get ready for another school day. But parents desperately need their voices heard. Our kids are often suffering academic, mental, and emotional damage from remote learning. Our board seems to be struggling with what to prioritize, and parents need to remind them that our kids’ education should come first (and that in-person learning can be done safely). To stifle our voices right now is a failure of leadership. Frankly, parents in our county should be incredibly disappointed in our board. They aren’t listening to parents and aren’t putting our children’s education first. No wonder there’s a recall effort against this board. Amber Misgen Parker

laid to rest in a tomb. The next morning, John returned to find only the shroud in the tomb. The story continues to this day and a devout McAdam has shared a very readable version it with young people today. It is available online and can be

ordered through Tattered Cover, Barnes & Noble or other bookstores. It is available in the gift shops at St. Thomas More Parish, 8035 S. Quebec St., Centennial (where an autographed copy can be ordered), and St. Mary Catholic Church, 6853 S. Prince St., Littleton.

School directors shut down our voices

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18 Highlands Ranch Herald

March 4, 2021M

C R O S S W O R D FESTIVALS P U Z Z L E FROM PAGE 14

Hunt are off the table. In their place, however, are a boatload of smaller events: Canal Cleanup on March 13, Kids’ Fishing Derby on May 15, Stonehocker Farmhouse Porch Concerts, and movies and theater performances. In place of the normal 4th of July bash, Northglenn is planning “4 for 4th:” four smaller celebrations at city parks, including a car show, field day and spirit tasting. Also in the works: a grand opening of the city’s new recreation center, senior center and theater. northglenn.org Parker Parker’s events season kicks off with a stretched-out St. Patrick’s Day celebration, with Lucky the Leprechaun visiting Mainstreet on March 13 and 20. Residents who spot Lucky or the shamrocks he hides can enter to win a prize basket. Parker Days is still tentatively scheduled for June 10-13, though details have yet to be fleshed out. July 4 will feature a scaled-down celebration, with details to be announced. parkerdaysfestival. com, parkeronline.org Thornton Thornton officials did not respond by the time of publication. Check thorntonco.gov for updates

A rodeo rider at the Douglas County Fair, which is scheduled to come back for its COURTESY PHOTO 103rd year this summer.

on potential city events. Westminster Westy, known for its off-thewall events, is shifting away from one-time events in 2021, said city spokesperson Ryan Hegreness. That means no Adult Egg Hunt, Ballerina Dodgeball or Zombie Golf. Instead, the events team touts month-long attractions: June’s is “The Land of Milk and Honey,” and “immersive theater experience.” July is “Reels on Wheels,” featuring live entertainment followed by a drive-in movie. August brings Friday Night Beer Crawls. And from May to October, “Art in the Neighborhood” will bring low-cost art workshops around town in a mobile studio. www.cityofwestminster.us

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Highlands Ranch Herald 19

1March 4, 2021

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Staff SW Engineers Visa U.S.A. Inc., a Visa Inc. company, currently has openings in our Highlands Ranch, Colorado location for: Staff SW Engineers (Job# REF30900E) to help design, build and test enhancements to the Connex Advantage software on the HP NonStop Platform. Staff SW Engineers (REF31080F) to design and develop high-volume, low-latency applications for mission-critical services, delivering high availability and performance. Write well-designed, testable, efficient software that complies with design specifications, meets security best practices and successfully delivers product requirements. Sr. SW Test Engineers (REF31110E) Work with EVS & Emerging Services who provides support for Digital Card Account Services (DCAS), Enhanced Visa Services (EVS), Visa Transaction Controls (VTC), and Cooperative Authorization Processing Service (CAPS). Design and implement automated test solutions in an agile methodology. Appl. Prog. Analysts (REF31293H) Design, implement, automate and support application build releases, deployments, and configurations. Schedule, implement, and automate security compliance patching and updates on Development and QA servers. Sr. SW Test Engineers (REF31531G) to be responsible for testing, documentation, maintenance and support of systems application software. Design, create, execute and report on functional tests against multiple applications. To apply, please reference Job#s above when mailing resume to: LJ, Visa Inc., MS: M1-12 SW, 900 Metro Center Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404. EOE

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1March 4, 2021

Highlands Ranch Herald 23

LOCAL

SPORTS

For area teams, postseason draws near A roundup of high school sports action as the regular season winds down BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

This is the final week of the regular season for boys and girls basketball, and 32 teams will advance to the state playoffs, which begin with first-round games on March 9. Wrestling regional tournaments, split up into weight divisions, will be held March 5 and 6, while the regular season for hockey teams ends March 11. Girls swimming has league championship meet finals on March 6. The following are highlights from some of the games and meets held Feb. 22-27. All rankings are from polls released by CHSAANow.com. Girls basketball Arapahoe 93, Smoky Hill 27: Katy Edwards hit on 13 of 15 field goal attempts and scored 27 points as the eighth-ranked Warriors clobbered Smoky Hill on Feb. 22. Mountain Vista 71, Denver East 58: Amiya Robinson scored 24 points and the Golden Eagles shot 60% from the field in a win over the Angels on Feb. 22. Vista lost, 49-44, to Ralston Valley on Feb. 23.

Highlands Ranch 68, George Washington 29: Payton Muma scored 23 points as the fourthranked Falcons cruised to a win over the Patriots. Chaparral 62, Rangeview 61: The Wolverines, ranked seventh, prevailed in overtime in a Feb. 23 contest in which junior Payton Bang led the winners with 24 points. Nyeta West had 37 points for Rangeview. Lutheran 63, Kent Denver 28: Stephanie Schultz led the Lions, the No. 2 team in the state’s Class 3A rankings, with 19 points in a Feb. 22 triumph over Kent Denver. Boys basketball Cherry Creek 71, Grandview 55: The top-ranked Bruins used a strong fourth quarter to seal a Centennial League win over Grandview on Feb. 24. Julian Hammond III scored 24 points in a Feb. 22 83-55 triumph over Mullen. The Bruins completed the week with an 84-72 victory over Smoky Hill on Feb. 26. Denver East 71, ThunderRidge 67: The fourth-ranked Grizzlies rallied to force an overtime in the Feb. 23 contest against the ninth-ranked Angels, but their cold shooting (38 percent) caught up with them in overtime. Jason Simental scored 26 points for ThunderRidge. Mountain Vista 62, Ralston Valley 52: The sixth-ranked Golden Eagles got off to a quick start in a Feb.

22 win over Ralston Valley as Ben Bowen tallied 21 points for Vista. Smoky Hill 93, Arapahoe 88: The Buffaloes rallied to force overtime and then outscored the Warriors 14-9 in the extra session to earn a Feb. 22 victory. Rangeview 62, Chaparral 58: Luke Williams had 18 points, but the No. 5 Wolverines dropped a Feb. 23 overtime game to No. 3 Rangeview. Castle View 88, Liberty 68: Five players were in double figures, led by Micah Nanningan with 16 points, in the Sabercats’ victory on Feb. 27. Douglas County 83, Rampart 74: On Feb. 27, Ty Nettles scored 21 points to spark a Huskies win. Hockey Chaparral 3, Valor Christian 0: Ryan Burke made 20 saves as the Wolverines, ranked seventh, shut out No. 4 and defending state champion Valor in a Feb. 27 game. John Connolly, Landen Shay and Brady Langerman got the Chaparral goals. In a game on Feb. 24, Blake Neil had the game winner at the 4:57 mark of the second period as the Wolverines edged Doherty, 3-2. Regis Jesuit 2, Heritage 1: The 10th-ranked Eagles outshot the Raiders 34-24, but still suffered a loss to the No. 1-ranked team in Colorado on Feb. 24. Cherry Creek 7, Chatfield 5: Aidan Tucker had a pair of goals

and three points in the sixthranked Bruins’ win on Feb. 24. Calvin Polon scored all three goals for Denver East in a 3-0 win over the Bruins on Feb. 27. Mountain Vista 6, Doherty 2: Easton Burg had two goals as the No. 8 Golden Eagles posted a Feb. 27 victory over Doherty. Jacob Strawn and Burg each had a hat trick and Burg finished with five points in a 9-3 conquest of Castle View in a Feb. 26 game. Cherry Creek 4, Heritage 4: The Bruins and Eagles played on even terms Feb. 26. Jackson Scott had a goal and assist for Heritage. Adam Tucker and Riley Hunt-Bahn each were credited with a goal and assist for Creek. Girls swimming Cherry Creek 774, Chatfield 208: In a Feb. 23 virtual meet, Elizabeth Brock and Teagan Steinmetz each won two events for the Bruins. Brock won the 100 backstroke (:59.04) and the 200 IM (2:06.92) while Steinmetz captured the 100 breaststroke (1:05.91) and 200 freestyle (1:57.67). Rock Canyon 205, Legend 84: Abigail Gardner and Gabi Dryer each won twice in the Jaguars’ win on Feb. 27. Gardner was first in the 50 freestyle (:25.05) and the 100 freestyle (:53.94). Dryer won the 200 freestyle (1:58.53) and the 500 freestyle (5:17.41)

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PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088 Legals Bids and Settlements PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF CONTRACTORS SETTLEMENT COUNTY OF DOUGLAS STATE OF COLORADO NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 38-26-107, C.R.S., as amended, that on APRIL 4, 2021, final settlement will be made by the County of Douglas, State of Colorado, for and on account of a contract between Douglas County and Villalobos Concrete, Inc. for the Jamaica Street and Meridian Blvd. Intersection Improvement Project; CI 2017-022 in Douglas County; and that any person, co-partnership, association or corporation that has an unpaid claim against said Villalobos Concrete, Inc. for or on account of the furnishing of labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or any of his subcontractors in or about the performance of said work, or that supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of said work, may at any time up to and including said time of such final settlement on said April 4, 2021, file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the Board of County Commissioners, c/o Director of Public Works Engineering, with a copy to the Project Engineer, Neil Sarno, Department of Public Works Engineering, Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104. Failure on the part of claimant to file such statement prior to such final settlement will relieve said County of Douglas from all and any liability for

such claimant's claim. The Board of Douglas County Commissioners of the County of Douglas, Colorado, By: Janet Herman, P.E., Director of Public Works Engineering. Legal Notice No. 938569 First Publication: March 4, 2021 Second Publication: March 11, 2021 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Account Number: 2734 Public Notice PUBLIC INVITATION TO BID Separate sealed bids for PALMER DIVIDE AVENUE PROJECT; CI 2021-017 will be received by the Owner, Douglas County Government, Department of Public Works Engineering, Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104, until Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. This project consists of paving of an existing, unpaved portion of Palmer Divide Avenue east of State Highway 83 in southeast Douglas County. Bid items include installation of sediment control log, topsoil, delineators, construction surveying, and traffic control. The Contract Documents will be available after 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2021, through Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System Website (www.rockymountainbidsystem.com) or they may be obtained at the above address. Electronic versions of the Plans obtained by any other means than as described above may not be complete or accurate, and it is the Bidder’s responsibility to obtain a complete set of the Project Plans and Specifications. Douglas County will not be held responsible for misinformation received from private plan rooms. A PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at the Department of Public Works Engineering, Philip S.

legals@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Miller Building, 100 Third Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104. All questions are due to Daniel Roberts, P.E., Project Engineer by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. The Bid Opening will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at the same address. The Project includes the following major items and approximate quantities: • 1,340 CY of unclassified excavation • 1,300 CY of embankment material • 2,230 tons of Class 6 Aggregate Base Course • 720 tons of HMA grading Sx • 1,080 tons of HMA grading S • Installation of 128 linear feet of 18” RCP and 8 each 18” RCP flared end sections in 4 culverts Prior to submitting a Bid Proposal, Bidders shall have received prequalification status (active status) with the Colorado Department of Transportation to bid on individual projects of the size and kind of work as set forth herein. Any questions on the bidding process shall be directed to Daniel Roberts, P.E., Project Engineer at 303.660.7490. Plan holder information, can be found on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System Website. Legal Notice No. 938568 First Publication: March 4, 2021 Second Publication: March 4, 2021 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Account Number: 2734

Misc. Private Legals

Public Notice NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED To Every Person in Actual Possession or Occupancy of the hereinafter Described Land, Lot or Premises, and to the Person in Whose Name the Same was Taxed or Specially Assessed, and to all Persons having an Interest or Title of Record in or to the said Premises and To Whom It May Concern, and more especially to: ZANIS CROSS FOUNDATION HIGH ROCKIES LAND MANAGEMENT LIMITED - OCCUPANT - THE WOODMOOR CORPORATION AKA THE WOODMOOR CORPORATION A COLORADO CORPORATION - STEVEN N ARNOLD PRESIDENT THE WOODMOOR CORPORATION AKA THE WOODMOOR CORPORATION A COLORADO CORPORATION - JOHN J WILKINSON SECRETARY THE WOODMOOR CORPORATION AKA THE WOODMOOR CORPORATION A COLORADO CORPORATION - RONALD W AIGNER & KAREN C AIGNER - KAREN C AIGNER - RONALD W AIGNER - THE CONSERVATION FUND A MARYLAND NONPROFIT CORPORATION - JODI R O'DAY REGISTERED AGENT THE CONSERVATION FUND A MARYLAND NON-PROFIT CORPORATION - JOHN F FARMER PRESIDENT THE CONSERVATION FUND A MARYLAND NON-PROFIT CORPORATION - TRUSTEES WILLIAM A NEWTON & OTTO R HANEY AS TRUSTEE FOR ROXBOROUGH DEVELOPMENT FUND - THE STATE OF COLORADO ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOORS RECREATION AND THE BOARD OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION - ZANIS CROSS FOUNDATION C/O SUSAN K ZANIS

You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 2nd day of November 2017 the then County Treasurer of the County of Douglas, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to HIGH ROCKIES LAND MANAGEMENT, LIMITED the following described real estate situate in the County of Douglas, State of Colorado, to wit: LOT 336 SOUTHDOWNS AT ROXBOROUGH 0.37 AM/L and said County Treasurer issued a certificate of purchase therefore to HIGH ROCKIES LAND MANAGEMENT, LIMITED. That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent* taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2016. That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of ZANIS CROSS FOUNDATION for said year 2016 That said HIGH ROCKIES LAND MANAGEMENT, LIMITED on the 28th day of September 2020 the present holder of said certificate, has made request upon the Treasurer of said County for a deed to said real estate; That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said at 1:00 o’clock P.M., on the 17th day of June 2021 unless the same has been redeemed. Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 4th day of March 2021 /s/ David Gill County Treasurer of Douglas County Legal Notice No. 938563 First Publication: March 4, 2021 Last Publication: March 18, 2021 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

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Highlands Ranch Legals 3.4.21 * 1

24 Highlands Ranch Herald

March 4, 2021