Jeffco Transcript July 3, 2025

Geer plea in deadly crash expected August 4

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CORINNE@COTLN.ORG

Commissioners approve Wildland Fire Management Program funding

Je erson County to invest about $7 million in fire mitigation, creating 37 new jobs

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

ree years after the Marshall Fire, the Je erson County Board of County Commissioners is taking a proactive approach to re mitigation, approving funding for a new Wildland Fire Management Program that will create 37 jobs in the eld of wild re prevention.

WESTMINSTER WINDOW

However, by June 23, Mines spokesperson Erich Kirshner con rmed Geer was no longer employed at the university.

“ e court is very aware of the nature of this case and its complexity,” the prosecutor said.

e Wheat Ridge man charged with killing Golden Police O cer Evan Dunn in a Nov. 6 crash is set to enter a plea on Aug. 4. Stephen Geer, 43, has been charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault after he reportedly drove into the scene of a tra c accident along Highway 58, striking four people. Dunn, 33, died at the scene.

GPD O cer Bethany Grusing was transported to the hospital with serious injuries, but city o cials con rmed she has returned to work and has been recovering in the months since the incident.

Two civilians were also injured, according to police reports.

Geer is no longer listed on the Mechanical Engineering Department’s faculty and sta page, as he had been during the 202425 academic year, but he is still listed in the Directory of the School. Kirshner said Mines was still updating its website for the 2025-26 academic year.

Since waiving his right to a preliminary hearing in March, Geer has been scheduled for arraignment twice, which is when he would enter a plea. However, both times, his arraignment was continued — once from April 28 and now from June 23.

On April 28, the prosecutor and defense attorney asked the judge for more time to negotiate.

Klein granted it and rescheduled Geer’s arraignment for 3:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The Nov. 6 incident

According to the arrest a davit led against Geer, at 4:38 p.m. Nov. 6, Golden police o cers responded to eastbound Highway 58 just east of Washington Avenue. ey were investigating a crash between a Toyota Tacoma and a Subaru Crosstrek.

Amid slick and snowy conditions, the Toyota had reportedly lost control while the Subaru was trying to pass, hitting it. Both vehicles were disabled near the median.

A $7 million budget request from Sheri Reggie Marinelli was approved at the June 24 Je erson County Board of County Commissioners meeting, which was prompted by the passage of Ballot Measure 1A, which allows Je co to retain revenue collected to help fund public safety measures.  e funds will go toward creating a fully sta ed wildland re engine with two eight-person crews, hiring planning and analytics sta , and building out community engagement and risk assessment programs to help Je co residents avoid re risks. e program will also include a grant program that helps residents pay for re mitigation infrastructure in and around their homes.

“During the re season, we’re going to have seven-day coverage and sta ng for the county, which is something we’ve never had before,” Brian Keating, the Wildland Fire Program manager, said. “We’re going to have a community engagement component to this program, and within there, we’re going to be establishing a county-wide home assessment program.

WESTMINSTER WINDOW

Geer appeared in person at a June 23 hearing, as he’s been out of custody on a $250,000 cash/surety bond since November. He was listed on the Mines website as a teaching assistant professor in mechanical engineering at the time of the incident. is was still the case as of his most recent court appearance in mid-May.

On June 23, based on their comments to Judge Russell Klein, both sides wanted to ensure there was plenty of time to consult the victims in the case. ey asked Klein to reschedule Geer’s arraignment for July or August, preferably in the late afternoon to ensure interested parties could attend the hearing.

All involved vehicles were on the far-left side of Highway 58, according to the afdavit, with a Golden Police vehicle positioned behind the other two. All other tra c was moving to the right, away from the original crash scene.

“So, we’ll work with homeowners, and we’ll send folks out to look at their property, and we’ll provide them with recommendations on what they can do, both in terms of defensible space and home hardening to mitigate the risk of wild re impacting them,” Keating continued.

On May 2, Mesa County Sheri ’s O ce Honor Guard members fold a Colorado flag to present to the families of Golden Police O cer Evan Dunn and Denver Police O cer Dale Coski, both of whom died in 2024. Dunn and Coski’s names, along with four others, were added to the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial at Camp George West. PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

Lakewood celebrates 40th Annual Park

Je co Transcript (ISSN 1089-9197)

A legal newspaper of general circulation in Je erson County, Colorado, the Je co Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 3540 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen, CO 80439.

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City will provide activities, discounts and more for residents

BY FRANK DEANGELI SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

is July, in celebration of the National Recreation and Park Association’s 40th annual Park and Recreation Month, the city of Lakewood will be providing activities, discounts, theme nights and more for its residents.

e festivities are being held to recognize the far-reaching bene ts that parks and recreation programs have on communities nationwide.

“We take great pride in the services our sta provide to the community,” said Brent Berninger, recreation and golf manager within Lakewood’s Community Resources Department. “It’s rewarding to know the work of our parks and recreation teams makes a di erence in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people each year, and we are grateful for the tremendous support of our Lakewood residents.”

Working out or cooling o at many of Lakewood’s recreation centers and pools will come with an extra dose of fun this month, with various themed days planned. Friday, July 18 is Pirate Day at Morse Park Pool, Friday, July 25 is Sports Fan and Jersey Day at Carmody Recreation Center, and Saturday, July 26 is Hawaiian Day at Glennon Heights Pool.

During the rst ve days of July, purchasing a 20-visit pass to Lakewood’s four recreation centers will come with ve bonus days tacked on free of charge. An annual pass purchased between July 20 and 22 will remain valid for 13 months rather than 12. Discounts will also be available for personal training packages, the city’s Trail Running Series, nutrition consultations, and other health-oriented activities.

ese o erings and festivities come in addition to Lakewood’s other annual July events, including the Big Belmar Bash on ursday, July 3 and concerts each Wednesday evening at Belmar Park.

A comprehensive list of July’s events and other city programs is available at lakewood.org.

Je co Prosperity Partners helping families thrive

The nonprofit organization helps families escape poverty

BY DYLAN LOTTS DLOTTS@TIMESLOCALMEDIA.COM

In a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet, Je co Prosperity Partners (JPP) remains steadfast in its mission to improve the lives of Je co families experiencing poverty.

cated and have quality opportunities, they will take it.”

e organization utilizes a “two-way” coaching approach to support both parents and children. JPP focuses on improving their health, education, nancial literacy and employment.

Hansen said the approach sets JPP apart from its counterparts.

it’s an impactful moment to see children celebrating their parents’ success.

Hansen said that children seeing their parents follow through with accomplishing their goals has a ripple e ect throughout a family.

“What I’ve learned in JPP is that when you engage a family and engage parents around their own education and opportunity, the children will follow,” Hansen said.

CORRECTIONS

Colorado Community Media asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.

Email sgilbert@coloradocommunitymedia.com if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.

JPP is a nonpro t, communitybased organization focused on helping families get out of poverty and live prosperous lives.

Executive Director Jessica Hansen said helping families achieve their dreams is special.

“I am so blessed to see lifechanging success stories on a regular basis,” Hansen said. “I think what’s so important about JPP is when you invest in families, you invest in your community, and when you give families the opportunity to create a future that is bright, their kids are edu-

“Our program is solely focused on what families want for their life,” Hansen said. “And we are very unique in that they are not expected to go down one specific pathway. We really listen and help families gure out what they want and then help them achieve it.”

Hansen emphasized how successful that approach has been.

According to JPP’s 2024 Impact Report, 527 individuals were served, 99% of participating families are living in stable housing, 81% of families gained employment, 93% of families have healthcare, and 17 people earned degrees and certi cations.

Every June, JPP celebrates the accomplishments of adults who are in the program. Hansen said

Over the years, JPP has gained support from around the community. e organization has 60 partners in Je co, including the city of Arvada, the city of Wheat Ridge and Je co Public Schools.

Hansen said she appreciates the community’s support. She added that the more awareness JPP can garner will go a long way in dispelling any preconceived notions people may have about families experiencing poverty.

“ ere’s just so much misinformation out there about families who are experiencing poverty, and so the families in JPP are always committed to sharing their

story, their voice, and helping policymakers and local leaders understand what it truly takes to create solutions for families experiencing poverty,” Hansen said. “It’s really great seeing so many incredible partners come together because…solving poverty is a community solution. We can’t do it alone. Not one program can do it.”

Hansen will celebrate her 10th year working at JPP. She said she is proud of the work JPP has done, but there are many factors, such as a lack of a ordable housing, that still need to be addressed. She added that she hopes JPP can be a model for other organizations.

“I think we have a lot of hurdles, but as a community, I think we can solve those things together,” Hansen said. “And I look forward to JPP continuing to highlight long-term solutions and familycentered approaches as the way of business moving forward in all programs, not just JPP.”

To learn more about Je co Prosperity Partners, visit je coprosperitypartners.org.

Lakewood will provide its residents with activities, discounts, theme nights and more to celebrate the National Recreation and Park Association’s 40th Annual Park and Recreation Month.

PHOTOS

July marks the National Recreation and Park Association’s 40th Annual Park and Recreation Month.

Part III: How Can You Pay for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?

This is the third installment of a monthly series about one of the hottest topics in real estate: Accessory Dwelling Units. ADUs have gotten a lot of attention recently as a housing option. You can read the previous installments online at my blog, http://realestatetoday.substack.com

My thanks to John Phillips of Verdant Living for helping with the research on this series of articles.

home improvement loan. It will probably be one of the largest loans the borrower has, exceeded only by the mortgage on their primary residence.

Talk About ADUs

ADUs — detached accessory (or additional) dwelling units, also called mini homes — are a wonderful idea for the right homeowner. They use an existing piece of residential real estate and create a separate living space. They are often used for intergenerational housing (aging parents, 20-somethings just starting out, etc.) and have long term value as rental property and add to the value of your real estate.

whatever) or with help from parents/ children/friends.

In my Real Estate Today column on February 20, 2025, which you can read on my blog referenced above, I discussed the basics of ADU finance. Today, I want to talk a bit more about the dynamics involved.

Financial issues are an impediment to getting an ADU built because of two general issues.

Have a friend or relative co-sign for the loan (a solution that could involve sharing ownership of the real estate).

Consider ways to show the lender the value of the ADU. A rental agreement with the tenant who will occupy the ADU, explain the ongoing rental value, or show how the ADU will increase the value of the real estate (thus increase the value of the mortgage security). Note, this sort of thing is just now being taken into account by the mortgage industry.

ADU and leave the primary mortgage in place; the result would be a “blended” interest rate that may be more palatable. In addition, there is an emotional issue, which may be present in buyers of moderate means. Taking on substantially more long-term debt can be intimidating. The “need” has to overcome the understandable reluctance.

So, you want to put an ADU on your property. How do you pay for it?

A couple of basics. First, an ADU is part of an existing piece of real estate (a primary residence). As a result, assuming money is borrowed to pay for it, the loan will be within the mortgage finance industry. Until recently, very few in that industry were knowledgeable about ADUs, much less about how they could be financed. Banks, other lending institutions, mortgage brokers, government finance authorities, didn’t understand how they fit in, but that is changing. Second, the amount of the loan will be relatively significant, far more than purchasing a nice automobile, or a

Credit Qualification. As anyone who has purchased a home knows, the mortgage industry has an extensive process to determine the credit worthiness of a borrower for a particular transaction (income, debt-toincome ratio, credit score, etc.). This is one of the reasons the majority of ADUs are built by relatively well off homeowners. For those of moderate means, financing the construction can be a challenge. This is unfortunate, because those are the homeowners who might benefit most having an ADU for intergenerational housing and, in the long term, creating rental income and building wealth by enhancing the value of their most valuable asset, their home. If a homeowner has a real need, and is determined to build the ADU, here are some practical suggestions that might improve credit worthiness:

Lower the amount of the loan and thus the monthly payment by increasing the down payment, using available cash (savings or

Successful Program Teaches Trades for the Autistic

I recently learned about a fascinating program called TACT — Teaching the Autistic Community Trades. I was so inspired visiting their Denver facility that I must share it with you!

TACT is a pioneering and innovative nonprofit organization that provides hands-on vocational and technical training to young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). TACT aims to combat the historically high 90% under- and unemployment rate within this community by equipping individuals with practical skills that lead to sustainable careers. Through its immersive training programs, TACT is preparing young people with ASD — who now represent 1 in 36 children — for high-demand careers in the skilled trades. TACT offers a wide range of programs, including auto mechanics, computer coding, cybersecurity, carpentry, electrical work, electric vehicle conversions, 3D modeling, welding, and culinary arts.

As a “specialized day school,” TACT also bridges the gap between secondary and postsecondary education, creating clear pathways to employment. Its programs empower students to become more independent and earn a living wage in high-skill, high-wage occupations. TACT remains the first and only trade program in the country designed specifically for individuals with ASD, and it has positively impacted thousands of individuals and families throughout Colorado.

TACT envisions a world where neurodiversity is not only accepted but celebrated, allowing individuals on the autism spectrum to fully contribute their talents and find personal fulfillment. With a mission to empower the entire spectrum of individuals with ASD through education and employment in the skilled trades, TACT continues to build on a strong foundation, fostering opportunities for success. I’ve posted an inspiring video at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com

In Colorado, legislation supporting ADU development (which takes affect this July) includes a provision (and some funding), tasking the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CFHA) with organizing a program that would help ADU purchasers of moderate means qualify for financing. That program should be announced soon.

Lower the cost of the ADU by choosing lower cost options, ranging from less expensive building materials to things like more affordable appliances.

Borrower reluctance. It should come as no surprise that interest rates play a major role. Homeowners can use the equity in their main residence (by refinancing their current mortgage) to build the ADU. However, if the primary mortgage carries a low interest rate, as most do these days, the borrower will not want to refinance at current rates.

A good alternative is to apply for a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to pay for the

Finally, there is the possibility of a third party (someone not living on the property) investing in the ADU, thus facilitating the financial piece. Under recent legislation the legal mechanisms to make it work would need to be developed. It is an interesting possibility and could overcome the financing obstacles, particularly for those of moderate means.

Although the dynamics are very different, a similar idea has been tried in South Africa to help ease the need for housing there. I have a link to a Bloomberg article about that project on my blog.

To help with these issues, Verdant Living has published a very useful buyers guide, BuyersGuideColoradoADUs.com, with advice on financing. Another good resource is the VerdantLiving.us, or contact John Phillips at 303-717-1962

I want to thank the following people in addition to John Phillips for their input: Jaxzann Riggs, The Mortgage Network; Kristen Stultz, Macro Financial; Charles Edington, LOANstar; Cindy Beier, Cindy’s Property Solutions.

Next month: Why smaller living spaces work well

These Past “Real Estate Today” Columns May Interest You

Clickable links for each column can be found at www.JimSmithColumns.com

May 29, 2025 — Divorcing Couples With a Home Need a Realtor With Specialized Training

May 22, 2025 — Home Sharing Helps Single Seniors Deal With Finance and Loneliness, Allowing Them to Age in Place

April 24, 2025 — Lennar to Build 1,500 Geothermal Homes; My Review of the Mustang Mach E

April 17, 2025 — Redfin Report Highlights the Increasing Cost of Buying versus Renting a Home

April 10, 2025 — The Typical Wood-Frame, SiteBuilt Home So Common Since the ’90s May Soon Be a Thing of the Past

Mar. 27, 2025 — Here’s How Money Is Handled at a Real Estate Closing

Mar. 20, 2025 — Thinking of Using a Reverse Mortgage to Purchase a Home? Here’s Some Information

Mar. 13, 2025 — Will Colorado Be Able to Sustain Its ‘Green Agenda’ Under Pressure From Washington?

Pollutants Emitted When Cooking With Gas

Oct. 31, 2024 — Cooperative Living Presents an Attractive Alternative for Downsizing Seniors

Sept. 26, 2024 — Some Thoughts on Keeping Your Death From Becoming an Undue Burden on Your Heirs

Sept. 5, 2024 — What Knowledge and Skills Should You Expect Your Real Estate Agent to Have?

Aug. 8, 2024 — Seniors Over 70 Might Consider Downsizing Into a Rental, Not a Smaller Home

July 25, 2024 — Many Homeowners Don’t Understand Title Issues, Which Could Lead to Big Problems Later On

June 6, 2024 — Here Are Some Simple Steps to Take to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises After Closing

Mar. 21, 2024 — What’s Behind the Buzz About ‘Indoor Air Quality’ and ‘Sick Building Syndrome’?

Feb. 22, 2024 — Most Sellers Don’t Know How to Interview a Listing Agent. Here’s Some Guidance.

We May Have Underpriced This Amazing Home!

$1,195,000

Here’s why. The fully equipped 511-sq.-ft. heated workshop shown here is included in the 3,500-sq.-ft. custom-built home at 2069 Garrison St. in Lakewood. Every possible power and hand tool a carpenter might want is in this workshop. The rest of this 3-bedroom/3-bath house is amazing, too, starting with the great kitchen, which has a built-in Miele espresso machine (my favorite!) plus a Sub-Zero refrigerator with cherrywood doors to match the kitchen cabinetry. The seller-owned 17-kW solar photovoltaic system meets all the electrical needs of the home, including charging the seller’s electric car. See all these features and more in the 11-minute video tour I posted at www.GRElistings.com. The website contains more photos and full descriptions of each room. Sorry, there will be no open houses. Call your agent or me at 303-525-1851 to see it in person.

Mar. 6, 2025 — 62% of Americans Think a 20% Down Payment Is Required, But It’s the #1 Myth

Feb. 27, 2025 — As Society Deals With Homelessness and Affordability, Expect a Greater Focus on Manufactured Homes

Feb. 20, 2025 — We Have a Tool to Help You Find the ‘Perfect’ Home That’s Not on the MLS

Dec. 26, 2024 — As Pro-Tenant Laws Expand, Some Small Landlords Are Considering Cashing Out

Dec. 19, 2024 — What Are the Costs of Buying or Selling a Home in Colorado?

Nov. 7, 2024 — We Need to Take Seriously the

Dec. 21, 2023 — D.R. Horton Inks Deal to Build Homes With OSB Made From Grass Instead of Wood

Nov. 23, 2023 — Scamming Has Become Its Own Industry, and We’re All Prospective Victims

Sept. 28, 2023 — Insurance Companies Are Pulling Out of California. Is That in Our Future?

Aug. 10, 2023 — What Are Some Common Mistakes That Homeowners Make When Selling?

June 15, 2023 — Don’t Let Capital Gains Tax Deter You From Cashing Out on an Investment Property

May 11, 2023 — Do Agents Inflate the Cost of Buying or Selling Your Home with ‘Junk Fees’?

Three suspects arrested in attempted homicide case

Authorities apprehend suspects for burglary turned violent

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

ree men have been apprehended by law enforcement due to their alleged involvement in an attempted homicide that occurred in April.

At around 12:29 a.m. on April 26, Arvada police o cers responded to reports of a shooting on the 7400 block of W. 61st Avenue. When they arrived, o cers found one adult male victim who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. e individual was transported to the hospital for treatment and is believed to have made a full recovery.

After an investigation, o cers ascertained that the victim was asked to check on the residence, which is occupied by a family member of the victim, because the tenant received a suspicious message that indicated someone was inside the apart-

GEER PLEA

e Subaru’s driver, the Toyota’s driver and her father, Dunn and Grusing were outside the vehicles getting photos and evaluating the scene at 4:53 p.m. when a black Mazda traveling eastbound entered the area.

e Mazda reportedly hit the Toyota and then the Subaru, pinning Dunn under the latter. He died from his injuries at the scene.

According to the a davit, Grusing and the Toyota’s driver also sustained serious injuries, with the latter su ering a skull fracture and brain bleed. Her father, who was thrown over the jersey barrier, also sustained a large laceration to his head and elbow, the a davit describes.

e Subaru driver was uninjured. A third GPD o cer who was in the

ment without permission.

When the victim arrived at the scene, three individuals wearing ski masks were present and red shots at the victim before getting into a pickup truck and driving away. e three men are believed to be Andrew Ortiz, Jaime Cesar Agustin Martinez-Garcia and Kevin Emmanual Arellano-Castillo, all of whom have been

patrol vehicle behind the initial accident scene was also uninjured.

Shortly after the crash, authorities identi ed Geer as the Mazda’s driver. He reportedly told state troopers at the scene he’d been driving home after having a beer at a local bar with a coworker.

He told troopers he’d noticed “yellow ashing lights and attempted to stop” but wasn’t able to, the a davit describes.

Investigators detected alcohol on Geer’s breath, the a davit continues, and he initially agreed to voluntary roadside sobriety tests. However, after he was informed of his Miranda rights around 6:06 p.m., he refused to talk further or complete the sobriety tests.

After receiving a search warrant, investigating troopers completed a blood draw at 8:46 p.m. at the Je co jail, the a davit continues. It also states that Geer has no previous criminal history.

arrested by authorities.

Arellano-Castillo was arrested on June 16 for accessory to a crime, while Ortiz was arrested on June 20 in Brush for attempted murder in the rst degree, illegal discharge of a rearm and possession of a weapon by a previous o ender. MartinezGarcia was arrested in Denver on June 21 for second-degree burglary and theft.

On Nov. 14, the District Attorney’s O ce formally charged Geer with One count of vehicular homicide, a class 3 felony, for Dunn’s death; Two counts of vehicular assault, a class 4 felony, for injuring Grusing and the Toyota’s driver; One count of thirddegree assault, a misdemeanor, for injuring the Toyota’s driver’s father; One count of driving under the in uence, a misdemeanor.

City o cials have con rmed Dunn is the rst Golden police o cer to be killed in the line of duty.

Over the last several months, Goldenites and others across the country have honored Dunn’s memory by fundraising for his family and Grusing’s recovery.

e community also honored Dunn with temporary and permanent memorials, including adding his name to the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial at Camp George West and renaming a stretch of Highway 58 in his memory.

Law enforcement authorities report that Ortiz was on parole after serving 12 years in prison for a rst-degree murder case that occurred in 2008, for which he was sentenced to 24 years.

Dave Snelling, a public information ofcer with the Arvada Police Department, said that the victim knew the alleged perpetrators before the incident.

Suspects arrested in the attempted murder (from left): Kevin Arellino Castillo, Cesar Augustin Martinez-Garcia, Andrew Ortiz. COURTESY OF ARVADA POLICE

Golden Police O cer Evan Dunn, who was killed in the line of duty Nov. 6, is honored at the May 2 Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial Day ceremony. This year, Dunn and five other o cers were added to the memorial at Camp George West, which now bears 365 total names. PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

Wheat Ridge hosts Pride celebration

crawl, picnic

BY RYLEE DUNN

Wheat Ridge showed its support for the LGBTQ+ community with two Pride Month celebrations: the Pride Community Crawl featuring local businesses and the Pride Picnic at Panorama Park.  e Pride Community Crawl was held on June 21 and featured food and drink specials, discounts and other celebrations from businesses around town. Mountain Phoenix Community School hosted a weaving project and story times for kids, while Clancy’s Irish Pub had a full schedule of DJs and bands to celebrate the occasion.

On June 22, folks gathered at Panorama Park to share food, play games and build community. An art project was sponsored by Sweet Ridge Studios, while Glo-

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ry of God Lutheran Church sponsored yard games. e Wheat Ridge Police Department also stopped by to chat with families at the picnic.

Wheat Ridge City Councilmember Jenny Snell said that the community reception of the Pride celebration was overwhelmingly positive.

“I had several conversations throughout the day with folks who were so very happy to have a Pride celebration in our community,” Snell said. “ ere were longtime residents who said they were glad to nally see a Pride party in Wheat Ridge. ey all expressed how important it is to feel supported and safe in their community and were grateful for the e orts.

“It was such a great group of folks, from kiddos to seniors and everywhere in between,” Snell continued.

Much of the Pride programming was coordinated by the city’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee, Snell said. She added that the city is looking forward to hosting Pride again next year.

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To advertise your place of worship in this section, call Erin at 303-566-4074 or email eadams@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MANAGEMENT

Keating said that the $7 million is divided into a $2.3 million one-time capital investment in wildland re trucks, equipment for crews and other re ghting infrastructure, while there will also be a sustained annual investment of $4.5 million to fund the jobs created by the program.  ose positions will likely start to get lled by August, and Keating hopes to have the program fully sta ed by mid-fall.

A spokesperson for the county said that Je co ranks higher than 99% of counties nationwide for wild re danger and is the second-highest at-risk county in Colorado for wild re danger.

“ is initiative represents a signi cant step forward in our mission to better serve and protect Je erson County,” Marinelli said. “Wild re risk is extremely high in our county, and this program will allow us to be more proactive and better equipped to respond to re-related emergencies.”

Keating said he hopes the program allows the county to support its re protection districts and other re ghting partners more e ectively.

“My goal for this program is really to support our partners,” Keating said. “So we’ve been working very closely with all of the re protection districts in Je erson County and the various re departments at the municipal level to identify what their needs are and what we can do to support them.

“And so everything that I just mentioned in terms of this investment are things that are going to help support them in the work they do, both with re response, responding to incidents, as well as working in the community to educate and create awareness and help them be more prepared for re,” Keating continued.  Risk assessments will be carried out by county sta ers on an as-requested basis, allowing residents to have a professional appraise their property for re damage. e program will also include a social media education component.

Je erson County Board of Commissioners Chair Lesley Dahlkemper praised the decision to fund the Wildland Fire Management Program.

“ is is an urgent need in our county, and the Board of Commissioners could not be more supportive of this comprehensive and well-thought-out plan,” Dahlkemper said.

Organizers are already looking forward to next year’s Pride festivities.

PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE

The city of Wheat Ridge celebrated the LGBTQ+ community at two Pride events.

Town celebrates LGBTQ+ community with

The festivities included a Community Crawl and a Pride Picnic.

FROM PAGE 1

Proposed short-term rental regulations get first airing

Bear-proof trash cans, septic inspections are part of proposed changes

BY JANE REUTER JANE@COTLN.ORG

A surprisingly small group came to the Je erson County administration building June 24 to hear about planned changes to the county’s short-term rental regulations.

While only about 75 people, two-thirds of them online, attended the meeting, planning supervisor Russell Clark called it a success.

“ e purpose was so people understood what the language meant,” he said. “I think it was a successful meeting from that standpoint.”

Je erson County is in the midst of a signi cant streamlining of its short-term rental regulations, with an eye toward encouraging and gaining much greater compliance from those who have Airbnbs, VRBOs and other short-term rentals.

e county estimates more than 700 STRs operate in unincorporated Je erson County, with less than 50 of those now doing so legally. e county doesn’t plan to go after those who are out of compliance, at least not initially, but instead change its regulations so they’re easier and cheaper to meet.

“I don’t think anyone who’s gone through the process will tell you it’s easy or cheap,” Clark said. “You might get some who’ll tell you it’s terrible. We’re looking to x that.”

e current process requires a public hearing before the county’s board of adjustment and “fairly strict standards to quality,” Clark said, including a lot size of over an acre, and a location within speci c zone districts.

“ en you still have to apply for the permit; it’s a not an insigni cant fee,” he said. “ en it’s only good for six months and you do it again.”

While the second permit is in e ect for a year, the same “long, drawn-out process” must still be repeated annually, Clark said.

“We’re proposing an administrative process with a set of black-and-white criteria,” he said. “If you meet that criteria, you’re approved. e time from submitting documents to approval should only be a few weeks, and we anticipate the fees will be signi cantly reduced because of the reduced amount of sta time it will take.”

No neighborhood involvement

While those fees aren’t set, Clark estimates they will be less than $500. Additionally, he said, applicants need only meet the criteria, so there would be “no neighborhood involvement” in obtaining a permit.

Some of the requirements in the proposed regulations include having bearproof trash cans, inspecting and pumping septic systems annually, a maximum occupancy limit of 10, strict limits on outdoor res, and having a contact within 30 minutes of an rental space who has authority to immediately address issues and make decisions on the owner-operator’s behalf.

“Typically for noise or parking complaints, we would want someone to come out right away,” Clark said. “If there’s an unruly guest who has a really loud party and a neighbor calls, we’d expect a fairly rapid response. If they’re blocking a narrow mountain street, that would get a pretty quick response as well. Fires would also

get a pretty quick response.”

While it would allow short-term rentals in townhomes, duplexes and accessory dwelling units, it also proposes limiting the number of STRs allowed to no more than 1% of total housing units in each re protection district, or a 750-foot minimum separation between investment properties.

ose who live in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association will also be required to notify the HOA in advance and testify to the county that the use has been approved.

e planned changes also include a county ordinance that would give Je Co authority to regulate STRs and increase nes for non-compliance. Additionally, Je co would use an STR software company called Host Compliance to help the county identify short-term rentals and compliance rates, and provide a 24/7 complaint hotline service.

“ e intent is to get compliance, not go to citations,” he said.

Clark said the county isn’t aiming to discourage STRs.

“ ere are a number of perceived benets to short-term rentals,” he said. “A wellrun short-term rental can have bene ts to the community. But too many of them would also start causing some negativity as well.

“ e board of adjustment hears 1-4 at each hearing (currently). e vast majority are approved regardless of neighborhood concerns because generally, people complain about what could happen, not what has happened. In many cases, we’ve found the concerns of what may happen with an STR don’t always pan out. We also understand the people who are going through this process are trying to do it the right way.”

Nevertheless, Je erson County is prepared to take steps against an STR that is problematic.

“If there’s a bad operator out there, there are ways to get that taken care of, and get that license revoked,” Clark said. “And it’s not just that one license. at house itself has a scar against it. ey can’t just transfer it to a wife or child and do it again. e owner is prohibited from applying again for ve years. It’s a pretty sti penalty.

“We are as con dent as we can be we are mitigating to the extent practical the impacts of short-term rentals with these regulations.”

One woman, who did not give her name, objected to some of Clark’s comments and the elimination of neighborhood input.

“I’ve heard you say these are theoretical problems, and they’re not; they are real problems,” she said. “I think it’s very important for there to be property inspections and also to notify the neighbors beforehand. To completely eliminate any neighbors is not fair.”

Clark urged her to submit her comments to str@je co.us, and attend the planning commission and county commissioners’ hearings.

“No matter where you land on this, if you think this is the best or worst thing ever, it’s important you come to the hearings,” he said. “ ey’re the ones who are going to make the decisions on this. at’s when it’s really important to let your opinions be known.

“ is isn’t the end of this process. it’s the beginning.”

erevised STR regulations will likely be set for public hearings with the planning commission and county commissioners late this year. To submit a comment, email str@je co.us by July 20.

The red dots on this map show STRs in unincorporated Je erson County that are not in compliance with county regulations. GRAPHIC COURTESY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY

Wheat Ridge discusses redevelopment of Lutheran Hospital Campus

BY BY LIZETH CALDERON DLOTTS@TIMESLOCALMEDIA.COM

At an informational study session held on Monday, June 16, the Wheat Ridge City Council heard an update on the redevelopment of the former Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital Campus, a 100-acre site that is now under contract to be sold to E5X Management, Inc.

Chris Elliott of E5X said that this is an exciting property that they have been watching for a long time.

“We’re very very happy to have the opportunity to come in and develop it,” Elliott said.

City Manager Patrick Go said that Intermountain evaluated 10 proposals before picking E5X.

“Ultimately, Intermountain nalized terms and conditions and is currently under contract to sell the property to E5X,” Go said.

E5X is a real estate rm that specializes in mixed-use development and has a focus on sustainable design. e plan for the site is to redevelop it into a residential neighborhood called “Legacy.” It will include parks, plazas, trails and walkable spaces. e redevelopment will keep buildings like the Blue House and the chapel on site.

Elliott said the development will follow the city’s master plan and legislative rezoning process and will not be a typical suburban subdivision.

Some residents spoke out against the redevelopment and expressed their concerns about tra c, crowded community places and the lack of historic preservation.

“I’m not here to be a chronic whiner or complainer, but it de nitely is going to a ect me directly,” resident Walt Cordial said.

He criticized the city’s handling of public input and said that the community feedback was limited and the process was “biased to what type of zoning that should be there.”

Julia Reese, another Wheat Ridge resident, was concerned about the lack of historic preservation.

“If there is no historic designation in advance, there is no guarantee that it will happen,” she said. “Hoping the developer will do the right thing is just unrealistic.”

Reese also had questions about the potential nancial impact on residents.

“ ey explained to us that there could be a mill levy on the residents of Wheat Ridge to be able to accommodate this massive amount of tra c … this is a very irresponsible action.”

Councilmember Janeece Hoppe asked Elliott to share more about his background and connection to the community. Elliott said he grew up in Je erson County and went to Arvada West High School.

“My mother actually worked at the Lutheran Hospital for about 20 years,” Elliott said.

Councilmember Scott Ohm asked Go to explain the maximum number of units allowed on the site. Go said that the exact number will depend on nal development plans, but it is less than what is allowed.

Councilmember Rachel Hultin then asked about the studies addressing traf-

c. “ ey’re indicating at least at this point tra c is going to be equal or less than what was there when the hospital was there,” Go said in response to Hultin’s question.

e sale is expected to close on Sept. 30, 2025.

ONLINE AUCTION

“All of this will be done within the campus boundary,” Elliott said.

E5X does not own the property yet, but will work with the city to meet approval requirements.

Elliott said infrastructure work could begin as early as this year, with the phased construction starting at the south end of the site.

CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTING EQUIPMENT

July 9th @ 9:00 A.M.

Inspection Times: July 7th & 8th from 8:15am - 4:45pm

The Wheat Ridge City Council received an update on the redevelopment of the former Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital Campus at a June 16 study session. STAFF PHOTO

We the People: The immigrant in all of us

Ilove Paul Simon’s 1968 hit, “America.” It captures the soul of a wandering, wondering young man in search of his identity and the role he’s to play now that he’s an adult.

After she’s dozed o , he con des to his friend Cathy that he’s lost. I identify with that state of mind. At eighteen, I too was lost, and now in my ripened age, at times it feels as if I’ve come full circle.

I sometimes wonder if this is still the land I came of age in, the one Jay and the Americans rhapsodized about in their 1966 pop hit, “Only in America.” My deep love for America says yes, that it’s only a matter of her temporarily losing her way.

But I also admit to an occasional foreboding, troubled that she’s changing and the America of my lifetime is morphing into something I cannot put my nger on. And if that were the case, I wouldn’t like what I’d discover.

In his song, Paul has a limited view of America. He’s hitchhiked from Saginaw to meet Cathy in Pittsburgh where they hop a bus and head eastward across Pennsylvania to the New Jersey Turnpike. at was the part I found disconcerting. I felt they were heading in the wrong direction. From my earliest days, I

JERRY FABYANIC

In August 1953, Pete Schoening and his teammates faced a di cult time. ey were attempting to climb K2, the second-tallest mountain in the world. e group was above 25,000 feet, at what they called Camp VII, when signi cant snowstorms hit. For seven days, the men hunkered down waiting out the weather. When the storms subsided for a short time, Alex Gilkey, a member of the tight-knit crew, got out of his tent to assess the situation. As he exited the tent, he collapsed. ey discovered that he had blood clots in his leg, and every minute above 25,000 feet created a growing likelihood that the clot could leave his leg and kill him by lodging in his lung or brain.

Knowing his life-threatening condition, the team immediately made plans to get him o the mountain. e weather did not support leaving their location at Camp VII because the storm had picked up again. e team did not care; they needed to get their friend o the mountain. So, they created a makeshift stretcher and began to take Alex to a safer altitude.

For safety’s sake, on the journey down, each group member was tied to the next. After great di culty, the team was within 150 vertical feet of the camp they were trying to reach when the lead climber slipped on an icy patch. His fall was so sudden that he pulled the climber tied to him o his feet and into a free fall. ree more climbers and the makeshift stretcher were all caught up in the sudden event

sensed west was the way to go. Regardless, Paul gets at a strain in the American psyche: the urge to pick up and go and to explore new terrain. We’re a nomadic people even if it’s only in our daydreams.

Packing up and heading to a new place causes con icting emotions to rise within a wayfarer. On the one hand, there’s the thrill and excitement about the adventure, discovering what’s out there and testing your mettle rst in surviving then thriving in your new land. On the other hand, you realize you’re leaving all you’ve known and intuitively sense, even if you haven’t read Tom Wolfe’s “You Can’t Go Home Again,” that you’ll never be able to return. Oh, you certainly could go back to visit and reminisce, but the life you leave will invariably change in ways that you won’t be part of as you will in ways alien to your kith and kin. In a sense, you’ll become a stranger in the land of your birth.

I wonder how my grandparents

might’ve felt after leaving their rural native lands in Eastern Europe and being thrust into the blast furnaces of Braddock, Pennsylvania and the factories in nearby towns where they scratched out a living under sub-human conditions. Did they yearn to return to Europe? Did they rue the choice they made? Or did they simply steel up and did what they could do so they could endow their children with the opportunity for a better life than what they would’ve had in the Old Country. A form of self-sacri ce perhaps?

I like to think it was the latter. Coming from those beaten-down, impoverished lands, they had already learned that life can be brutal. us, they likely neither regretted their decision to emigrate nor dwelled in a self-pitying, woe-is-me cesspool. Plus, they’d die knowing they put their children and grandchildren in a better place. And that place was and is America.

I will never give up on America when she gets o kilter. e reason is she remains far greater than the specs of what’s currently being played out. As I wrote before, America is an idea, a most fantastic one. It’s still the land of opportunity for

Our actions can change lives

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

those who choose hope over despair. It’s on the faces of the beaten-down who each day pick themselves up and struggle onward to make a better life for themselves and their kith and kin. It’s on the faces of immigrants yearning to become part of America’s story. Despite the calumny raining down on them, they’re personications of what America is about.

In his rendition of “America,” Neil Diamond captures that sensibility. He wrote the lyrics in tribute to his grandparents who ed czarist Russia and, like my grandparents, found a new start in America. In an interview, Neil said his song was also about the “immigrant in all of us.” anks to the courage and steeliness of their immigrant ancestors, most Americans have likely found their place in America. Interestingly, for many, most from what I can ascertain, it’s the place of or relatively close to the place of their birth.

For the rest who didn’t and don’t just daydream, it’s somewhere else in America, not only between Saginaw and New Jersey.

Jerry Fabyanic is the author of “Sisyphus Wins” and “Food for ought: Essays on Mind and Spirit.” He lives in Georgetown.

and began falling as well. With only seconds to react, Pete Schoening was able to halt the free fall of the other six using an ice pick, a snow-covered boulder next to him and the rope that connected him to the other six.

Although they were battered and bruised, Schoening saved everyone on the team. at heroic moment is now, in mountain climbing lore, called “ e Belay,” and Schoening’s ice pick is on display in the American Mountaineering Museum in Golden.

e Belay gives us some amazing ideas to consider when we need encouragement.

e rst thing that comes to mind, for me, is the incredible impact that friends have on our lives. Alex’s friends stopped everything they were trying to accomplish to save him. Good friends are a gift. ey are di erence makers, lifesavers, and they should be celebrated.

Equally as important, this story reminds us that the ripples of our actions can be far-reaching. His entire life, Schoening insisted that he was not a hero; he was simply doing what needed to be done in that moment. In 2006, all 28 of the children and grandchildren born to the families of the men Schoening saved gathered to celebrate his quick thinking. Every one of those 28 owes their

lives to Schoening. Imagine how large that number will be in 100 years. ink about how di erent the world would be without all those people.

Our actions might not keep someone from falling o a mountain, but the ripples of doing the right thing, of continuing to push forward amid di culty, cannot be underestimated. Your push, your determination, your example might be the driving force behind someone else’s success. Do not underestimate the power and in uence of the model that you provide each day. ere are amazing stories all around us. Celebrate the power of your story. ings may not be easy, but you have got this.

I hope my words encourage you and that you will share them with those who need support. ank you to everyone who has shared their stories with me so far; I truly appreciate hearing about the valuable ideas you nd in these columns and how you use them to uplift those around you. You can reach me at jim. roome@gmail.com.

Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife, Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one-two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences. Contact him at jim.roome@gmail.com.

Summer theater rocks at PACE Center

There are some musicals that are just made for the summer, and “Rock of Ages” certainly falls into that category. e show not only captures some of that wild freedom of the best summer days, but also is full of quintessential 80s songs.

“ e show is all about bigger and better. It embraces the big hair of the time and has all the great music,” said Leslie Bonnell, marketing coordinator at the Parker Arts, Culture & Events (PACE) Center, which is staging the show to close its season. “It brings out all the elements of the 80s that people nd so nostalgic and fun.”

Produced with Veritas Productions, “Rock of Ages” runs at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave. in Parker, through Sunday, July 20. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Directed by Kelly Van Oosbree (who also does the choreography), the show takes place at one of the Sunset Strip’s last venues and features a group of music fans coming together to chase their dreams and save the soul of the strip.

“I love a good, smart comedy, and that’s what this is,” Nancy Evans Begley, co-founder and producing artistic director with Veritas Productions. She is the executive producer, assistant director and production manager for “Rock of Ages.” “My producing work started with

COMING ATTRACTIONS

putting together a team and we have an incredible one for this In addition to a topnotch crew, the show also features performers guaranteed to blow audiences away with their musical skills. Most of the cast is new to the PACE Center, which adds an extra level of excitement for both performers and audiences.

Many theaters end their season during the spring, so having the opportunity to see a show during the summer makes for a special treat. And the PACE Center leans into this fact. “ e season is a little o -set from everybody else’s, which gives patrons the opportunity to experience shows at different venues and then come here during the summer,” Begley said. “ is is the kind of show that is perfect for people who don’t like musicals, because they can still sing-along and laugh at the dialogue.” e show is recommended for those 14 years old and older, but Begley sees this as an opportunity for parents to have a night out where they’re able to just enjoy themselves.

Columnist

Jim Roome

Clarke Reader

“We say leave the HOA, leave the board, leave the student council stu behind and come relive your favorite decade and favorite music,” she said. “In a time when our day-to-day is lled with tension and negativity… you can escape that for twoand-a-half hours. We hope you walk out of the theatre saying, ‘ at was really fun. Let’s do more of that.’”

Information and tickets are available at https://parkerarts.org/event/rock-ofages/#event-description.

FAN EXPO Denver Brings the Pop Culture World to Fans

It’s time for the Mile High City to get its fandom on with the annual FAN EXPO Denver, held at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., from ursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6.

is year’s event will play host to some top-tier guests, ranging from Star Trek’s William Shatner and Mae Whitman to a slew of Superman performers (a role very close to my heart) like Brandon Routh,Tyler Hoechlin and Tom Welling. In addition, there will be plenty of cosplaying, collector’s items to buy and panels to watch.

Go celebrate the best of pop culture by visiting https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/.

Independence Day Goes Big at Northglenn

If you don’t want to head to downtown Denver for your July 4th festivities, the City of Northglenn has you covered with

events that last for most of the day and provide attendees of all ages with something to do. Held at EB Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11800 Community Center Drive in Northglenn, activities begin at noon with a car show.

roughout the day, attendees can take part in a duck derby, listen to music from performers like Skool Daze, Chicano Heat, and Jacob Larson, and pick up food from vendors (if they don’t bring their own picnics). Fireworks will close out the evening at about 9:15 p.m.

For full details, visit www.northglenn. org.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Wu-Tang Clan at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

I can think of no better group to listen to on the day we celebrate our independence than the Wu-Tang Clan, Staten Island’s legendary rap group. ey are, after all, for the children. And they represent the collective power of a range of voices when they come together while maintaining their individual perspectives. ey’re responsible for some of the genre’s most important music and are the best kind of American success story.

eir nal tour is coming to Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. in Greenwood Village, at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 4. For the opener, the Wu-Tang will have Run the Jewels, the best modern rap duo. is has all the makings of a legendary concert, so get tickets at www.axs.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.

This mountain was listed for sale — but not to you

Editor’s note: Senate Energy Chairman Mike Lee’s plan to sell o thousands of square miles of Western public lands has apparently been blocked for now due to Senate rules, but Lee has vowed to resurrect his idea of selling public lands to private interests.

To my fellow Coloradans, You may have heard that public lands are up for sale — but did you know they include our own backyard treasures? Gothic Mountain, the trails around Crested Butte, and parts of the Maroon Bells Wilderness could soon belong to billionaires or corporations, not to the people who love and rely on them. ese aren’t hypothetical risks — this was written into legislation that would allow buyers to sit on the land for any future use, including mining or development.

GUEST COLUMN

Prices aren’t going to be cheap and they certainly aren’t going to average Coloradans.

I’m a scientist and mom of three in Centennial. For over 20 years, I’ve conducted ecological research at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), on Forest Service lands now at risk. Since 2018, I’ve tracked ground temperatures every ve minutes at 30 alpine sites to understand whether a species of Sulfur butter y caterpillars can nd microclimate refuges to survive climate change. is work may sound obscure — but it’s part of a bigger picture. We can’t x what we don’t understand. Long-term, place-based science like this is how we learn what to protect and how.

RMBL has conducted ecological research since 1928 — approaching 100 years — and revealed why 20% less water reaches our rivers today despite nor-

mal snowpack — crucial knowledge for managing water for 40 million people across the West. RMBL scientists are also studying native bees which we barely understand — and may be crucial to rescue colony collapse and our food system, having already documented a 60% insect decline. ese insights matter deeply to our food, our farms, and our future. is is about more than science — it’s about access, community, and what kind of Colorado we’re leaving for our kids. Our local economies, recreation, and ranching depend on these lands. In 2023, outdoor recreation generated $65.8 billion in economic output and over 400,000 jobs in Colorado.

I don’t want my children to grow up with “No Trespassing” signs where we once camped, hiked, and smelled wild owers. We must protect the lands that feed our bodies, minds, and spirits — not put them behind locked gates or luxury price tags. Wouldn’t you just love to pay ski ticket prices to camp on land you can now camp for free or a small permit fee? Call your senators. Tell them to stop this sale. is guest column was written by Jeannie Stamberger, who has been conducting eldwork in ecology and evolution at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory since 2001, obtaining her Ph.D. in biology at Stanford University in 2006. She has served on the RMBL board and is a current principal investigator at RMBL. She is a mother of three who lives with her husband and family in Centennial.

Stamberger

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In Denver’s bustling neighborhoods, it’s not uncommon to nd a shop cat curled up by the register or an excited dog greeting customers at the door.

Across the city, small businesses are embracing their four-legged companions, not just as pets, but as part of the store experience.

At Crystal Castle Beads, located at 2240 S. Broadway in Denver, two dogs — Ruby and Boss — have become as much a part of the shop’s identity as its crystals and handmade jewelry supplies.

Crystal Castle Beads

Owner Adrienne Lemke opened the shop with other co-workers in October 2023 after the previous bead store they worked at shut down.

“We just kind of came together and said, ‘Let’s start our own shop,’” she said.

Enter Ruby — a spirited pup with a nose for stones and a habit of napping on desks.

“I got her around the time we bought this building, on July 4,” Lemke said. “She’s been a part of this shop ever since. She helped us go through products, (she) tries to steal products … She knows the crystal business pretty well, and she has good taste in beads, too.”

Ruby quickly became the shop’s uno cial greeter, favorite distraction and emotional support creature all in one.

“People come for the dogs, not for us,” Lemke said. “Kids, husbands — everyone loves her. It really adds something special.”

But Ruby isn’t the only pup with a following at Crystal Castle Beads. General Manager Jennifer Niemela brought in her dog, Boss, under equally heartwarming circumstances.

After the loss of her previous dog, Niemela had no intention of adopting again. But life had other plans.

“Boss needed to be rescued, and I kind of needed a little extra happiness in my life,” she said. “So we in-

troduced him to Ruby to see if they got along. ey hit it o immediately.”

Now, Boss is a xture in the shop alongside Ruby.

“He’s happy, calm, super smart, and he loves sound healing,” Niemela said. “When I work with the bowls, he runs in like, ‘Yes, we’re doing sound healing.’ He just gets it.”

As customers wander through displays of stones and beads, it’s not unusual for them to be greeted by Ruby and Boss.

“People ask where they are before they ask about anything else,” Niemela said. “It’s kind of like they’re the real stars of the shop.”

While the pets might be the draw for some, they also reinforce something deeper — a sense of comfort and community.

“It’s soothing to have your dog at work with you,” Niemela said. “ ey make you smile. ey make everyone smile. at’s kind of what it’s all about.”

LEFT: Owner of Sewn Denver Kirsten Coplans in her shop with her dog, Kyoko. RIGHT: Ruby, a spirited dog with a nose for stones, waits for a treat in Crystal Castle Beads located at 2240 S. Broadway in Denver. PHOTOS BY ELISABETH SLAY

SEE FURRY FRIENDS, P13

Jennifer Niemela,

FURRY FRIENDS

Owner of Sewn Denver Kirsten Coplans feels the same way about her dog, Kyoko, who can often be found lounging around the store located at 18 S.

Kyoko, who possesses a Japanese name that means “little girl,” is described by Coplans as smart, kind and

“ e question people ask me constantly is, ‘Is she always this chill?’” Coplans said. “ is is her second home. She’s used to everything — old people, young people, walkers, wheelchairs. She doesn’t get overly excited when people pet her. It’s just normal for her.”

Coplans adopted Kyoko from Low Riders of the West, a local small dog rescue, when she was just 8 weeks old.  Kyoko isn’t the rst shop dog the business owner has

“My other dog, Pearl, was my shop dog for 13 years,” she said. “When she passed, I needed another dog in

Training Kyoko to be a shop dog started early.

“I wanted to do a rescue, and I wanted to get a young puppy so I could start bringing her from day one,” Co-

Now 7 years old, Kyoko has grown into her role.

“People lose their mind over a shop dog,” Coplans said. “It’s like they haven’t seen another dog anywhere else. ey might not say hi to me, but they’re de nitely gonna say hi to her.”

Kyoko has her own rhythm in the store and will move about the space seeking the best place to get comfortable — be it in front of a rack of vintage shoes or smack dap in the middle of the doorway.

“Sometimes she’s just like, ‘I’ve had too much attention today,’ and she’ll tuck herself away. But she also loves to see what’s going on outside,” Coplans said.

Coplans said Kyoko is very smart and always looking for food.

“She’s always checking people’s pockets or bags for treats. She’s de nitely an opportunist,” Coplans said. “ e UPS guy brings her treats. People bring her treats. She knows what she’s doing.”

Kyoko is a blue heeler, a breed known for being deeply loyal to their owner.

“She’s not really cuddly like a typical velcro dog,” Coplans explained. “But she always wants to know where I am. She just wants to have eyes on me.”

Sewn focuses on handmade and upcycled goods.

“We’ve got a handful of handmade artists, most of them local. One-of-a-kind items, eco-friendly, and we also carry vintage,” Coplans said. “My background is vintage fabric and patterns. I love connecting with people about what they’re making.”

BOTTOM: Happy, calm, smart and lover of sound healing, Boss, is a fixture at Crystal Cast Beads. PHOTOS BY ELISABETH SLAY

TOP: Kyoko, a mellow and kind dog, waits in the doorway of Sewn Denver located at 18 S. Broadway.

FROM PAGE 12

general manager of Crystal Castle Beads

The invasive beetle gutting Arvada’s ash trees

Five years after the emerald ash borer arrived in Arvada, the city’s forester warns of a

Arvada’s 97,000 ash trees are in danger. e culprit? A green jewel beetle native to northeast Asia, called the emerald ash borer, which feeds on ash trees and reproduces in their bark crevices.

e borer’s larvae feed even more, wreaking havoc on the tree’s vascular system and causing dieback and even-

e emerald ash borer (commonly called the EAB) was rst discovered in the Homestead Park neighborhood near 64th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard in 2020, but has now spread across town, according to Arvada’s City Forester Ian

“ e spread has increased dramatically,” MacDonald said. “Last year, I would say, 64th and Pierce, it was pretty obvious that it was in that area. And then on the east side of town, the Tennyson and Bowles neighborhood, but now I’m seeing trees at 72nd and Sims that have

symptoms of emerald ash borer.

“ e time it took to go from the Homestead Park area to 64th and Wadsworth, it took about four years to get there, but now the di erence between year four and year ve is dramatic,” MacDonald said. “Everywhere I’m driving now, I’m seeing it. For sure on the east side of town, north to south, I’m seeing trees with symptoms or just dead trees.”

MacDonald said that the EAB typically takes ve years to spread throughout a given area, and added that after that initial period, trees typically begin dying en masse.

“We’re ve years into it, and the ‘mortality curve’ is what they call it; other states that have dealt with this have a pretty good tracking of how this moves,” MacDonald said. “ e rst ve years is generally the build-up of emerald ash borer. And then ve to 10 years is when you really start seeing the trees to start dying.

“We’re at that ve-year mark, and mortality has really picked up,” MacDonald continued.

e EAB was rst discovered in North America in 2002, with a population in Michigan that has killed tens of millions of ash trees in the state, according to the Michigan Invasive Species Program. Colorado is one of the westernmost satellite population sites for the EAB, though populations have also been found in Utah and Oregon.

last eight years, and we’re currently working on a third evaluation,” MacDonald said. “We aimed to save about half of the (ash) trees that were in our park system. We had roughly 1500 to start with. We’re down to about 1100 and we are treating just about 750 trees.

“ ose are all treated in-house by our forestry sta , or they’re treated by licensed applicators from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and we’ve been treating our trees every other year for the past ve years,” MacDonald continued.

ose treatments have been mostly successful, MacDonald said, with 99% of treated trees surviving. e city lost two trees to the emerald ash borer this year, but plans to up the dosage of its trunk injection treatments to prevent further casualties.

For trees on private property, MacDonald suggested that homeowners contact service providers listed on Denver’s Licensed Tree Contractor List, which requires a thorough vetting process to be placed on, MacDonald said. He added that almost all service providers who operate in Denver will be able to come out to Arvada. e city of Arvada does not have its own such list.

e beetle’s presence in Boulder slightly predates its arrival in Arvada; the EAB was found there in 2013.

Boulder has approximately 70,000 ash trees, and through a variety of mitigation e orts — including chemically treating at-risk trees, introducing EAB predators and community educational outreach — the city was able to limit the impact of the pest, only removing 3,100 ash trees from 2013 to 2018, according to the city’s 10 year report on the EAB invasion.

MacDonald said that Arvada is working on utilizing some of the same procedures Boulder did in its mitigation e orts, treating at-risk trees and letting community members know that if they own ash trees, they should seek out trunk injections for larger trees and root system treatments for smaller ones.

“ e trees on city property, we have done a full evaluation twice now in the

MacDonald said signs of an EAB infestation might be di cult to spot at rst, but generally show up after the rst year with symptoms manifesting in canopy dieback, leaving a thin upper canopy and generally accompanying a lot of growth in the middle of the tree, called epicormic growth, which is the tree’s response to not being able to get enough nutrients.  e emerald ash borer leaves D-shaped exit holes in trees after it leaves them. Its larvae leave serpentine patterns underneath the bark of the trees, called “galleries,” when they are feeding on the tree’s phloem in the winter, which eventually depletes the tree’s vascular system and kills it.

If people are seeing bark loss and galleries on your ash tree, it’s a sign that the tree is likely already dead, MacDonald said.  For now, MacDonald and his team are working on protecting the city’s ash trees despite the rapidly spreading population of the EAB and the fact that the mortality period seems to have begun — and will likely continue for the next ve to 10 years.

Galleries left by Emerald Ash Borer larva. PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF ARVADA

The EAB has spread across Arvada, according to City Forester Ian MacDonald.

Trees showing signs of epicormic growth after their vascular systems have been depleted by the EAB.

Thu 7/10

Eric Golden: Apex Arvada Summer Concert @ 7pm

McIlvoy Park, 5750 Upham St, Arvada

No Soap, Radio / Brittany Bridgewater & The Sparks / Sarah Adams at Roxy on Broadway @ 7pm Roxy on Broadway, 554 S Broadway, Denver

PUNKADELICK feat. Nikki Glaspie, Brian Haas, Mike Dillon + Sgt. Splendor feat. Eric McFadden, Kate Vargas @ Cervantes Other Side @ 8pm

Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side, 2637 Welton St, Denver

Badlands Thursdays: TVBOO @ 10pm The Church Nightclub, Denver

Fri 7/11

Ace Engfer: Pickin' on the Dead @ IdyllWyld Denver @ 6pm

Idyllwyld Denver, 4101 Fenton St, Wheat Ridge

Dan Bublitz Jr Live at Gnarly's @ 7:30pm

Gnarly's, 1224 Washington Ave Suite 200, Golden

Strom @ 9pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

TAXI PAINT @ 7pm D3 Arts, 3614 Morrison Rd, Denver

Sat 7/12

Little Moses Jones Live At The Black Arts Festival @ 2pm

Colorado Black Arts Festival, City Park, Denver

Tue 7/15

Lucked Out @ 6pm Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

Angela Autumn @ 7pm

Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side, 2637 Welton St, Denver

A Tale Of Two: AMERICA'S SOUL LIVE! @ 7pm

Foothills Event Venue & Restaurant, 3901 S Carr St, Lakewood

Flummox @ 7pm Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Claire Morales @ 7:30pm Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver

Luna Sol @ 7pm Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Den‐ver

COLORADO BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL

[Kid Astronaut + The Nebula FULL BAND SET] @ 7pm

Colorado Black Arts Festival, City Park, Denver

Kowan & Da Homies @ 9pm Appaloosa Grill, 535 16th St, Denver

Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano @ 10pm Club Vinyl, 1082 N Broadway, Denver

Borgeous (21+ Event) @ 10pm

Temple Nightclub Denver, 1136 Broadway, Den‐ver

Sun 7/13

Erin Stereo: Holey Moley @ 12pm Holey Moley Golf Club Denver, 1201 18th St, Denver

Keddjra @ 5pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

7Horse ft. The Music of Dada @ 8pm Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave, Denver

Trouble Bound: BACK FROM OUTER SPACE @ 6:30pm Gnarly's, 1224 Washington Ave Suite 200, Golden

Mon 7/14

Eric Church @ 7:30pm

Eyedress @ 8pm

Summit Denver, 1902 Blake Street, Denver

Wed 7/16

Liz Barnez: A Tribute to Joni Mitchell @ 6:30pm Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S Forest St, Denver

Moses Jones Quartet: Jazz & Wine

Wednesdays at VR Social With Moses Jones Trio @ 7pm

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison

Virtual Reality Social, 5505 W 20th Ave suite 200, Edgewater

KenTheMan @ 7pm

Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

shares @ 10pm Mockingbird, 2737 Larimer St, Denver

Calendar

is

by

First Judicial District clears 99 warrants

Fresh Start initiative convenes for eighth time in Je erson County

BY RYLEE DUNN

e First Judicial District held its eighth Fresh Start warrant event, which cleared 99 low-level warrants and connected participants to community resources.

e event provides individuals with an opportunity to resolve outstanding warrants for low-level offenses. e program also connects folks with community resources that help prevent recidivism, such as substance use treatment, housing support, harm reduction services, and transportation assistance.

e event was held on June 7 at the Je erson County Administration and Courts Facility.

67 of the warrants were for failure to appear and 25 were for failure to comply. In all, 61 cases were closed and 38 additional cases had warrants quashed and were set for new court dates.

First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King said she hopes that more counties will implement similar programs to Je co’s in the future.

“What’s truly powerful about Fresh Start is the collaboration, not just within the First Judicial District, but across jurisdictions, working together to strengthen public safety and use resources more e ectively,” King said. “By uniting in this way, we remove barriers, support accountability, save taxpayer dollars, and help individuals get back on track; I hope to see even more counties join this e ort in November.”

A spokesperson for the First Judicial District said that the Fresh Start events allow individuals to resolve outstanding warrants without the fear of arrest, and ease the strain on the justice system by “allowing law enforcement and court resources to focus on higher-risk cases.”

Most of the o enses eligible for Fresh Start are non-violent cases; offenses under the Victim Rights Act, weapons o enses and repeated driving under the in uence cases remain ineligible for the program. However, some low-level felony drug and property o enses are eligible for the program

Similar events were held in Adams, Boulder, Broom eld and Denver counties on June 7 as part of a coordinated e ort between the jurisdictions.

Since 2021, the First Judicial District has cleared 674 warrants through the Fresh Start program, which a spokesperson said saves taxpayers thousands of dollars. e next Fresh Start event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 15.

New rule in place for pucks, crossbars and goal frames

BY STEVE SMITH SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

ree new rules will be in play when the 2025-2026 ice hockey season begins in Colorado.

e puck is unplayable if it comes to rest on top of the goal between the crossbar and the goal frame.

According to the National Federation of High Schools’ web page, the rule also claries the rules for pucks on the outside of the goal netting and below the crossbar. Play continues in this instance.

“ e primary reason for stopping play when the puck is on top of the net is for the health and safety of players and the goalkeeper,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS director of educational services and editor of the NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book, in the statement on the NFHS web page.

“ e committee did not want to see sticks coming up high, trying to knock the puck o the shelf,” Schuster continued. “ e proximity of the goalkeeper is always sensitive, so there could be sticks coming in high in the direction of the goalkeeper and the committee did not want that in high-school ice hockey.”

Another rule will keep goalkeepers from wearing audio and video devices during games.

e last rule changes the word “linesman” to “linesperson.” e federation’s rule book replaced genderspeci c language earlier.

According to the most recent NFHS athletic participation survey, more than 32,000 boys participate in ice hockey in 1,641 high schools across the country, and more than 9,600 girls participate in the sport in 785 schools. Fifty schools eld boys teams that compete in seven conferences in Colorado, according to MaxPreps. Seven schools eld girls teams, according to MaxPreps. ose teams are in the southern end of the Denver metropolitan area, Castle Rock and one district team from Colorado Springs.

For more updates and rule changes, visit CHSAANow.com.

Players clash on the ice in a rough-and-tumble play in the 5A ice hockey state championship. Valor Christian won 7-4. FILE PHOTO

State disability o ce awards $2M in grants to organizations

34 groups around state will receive funding

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Colorado Disability Funding Committee, operating under the Colorado Disability Opportunity O ce, will award $2 million in grant funding to 34 organizations across the state.

A spokesperson with the Colorado Disability Opportunity O ce said the grants will support new and innovative projects aimed at improving the independence and quality of life for Coloradans living with disabilities.

“ e funding for these grants comes from the partial sale of historical license plates, including the black-background license plates which have become very popular,” a spokesperson said. “ anks to the popularity of these plates, the Colorado Disability Funding Committee has been able to increase its grants over 300% in the past two years.”

Since the Colorado Disability Funding Committee was formed, it has funded disability application assistance grants

to organizations that assist individuals and families with various applications for disability bene t programs. Recently, the committee divided the funding and allocated half of it to new ideas.

e committee selected 34 organizations to receive funding for various programs such as education, employment advocacy and training, adaptive recreation, technology, housing, therapy and medical innovations, service animal training and placement, general advocacy and more.

A spokesperson from the Colorado Disability Funding Committee said the organization received 191 applications totaling over $15 million in requested funding.

“ e Colorado Disability Funding Committee is made up of 13 governor-appointed members, most members identifying as living with a disability or having rsthand experience working with someone who does,”

a spokesperson said. “ is committee worked tirelessly through 253 grant applications in order to select the recommended winners. e committee looked at how many people would be served, what geographical areas would be served and what new and innovative ideas would be employed to improve the lives of Coloradans.”

Applicants were eligible to request up to $100,000 each.

“ e organizations were delighted to hear they had been selected, given the di cult budget year many of them are facing,” a spokesperson said.

Julie Deden, the executive director of the Colorado Center for the Blind in Littleton, said her organization is grateful for the $60,000 grant it will receive from the Colorado Disability Funding Committee in July.

“We’re planning on using the grant to assist blind people of all ages to work in the area of technology and to learn technology,” Deden said. “We’re going to be doing a lot more training in the area of technology, while at the same time weaving AI into it. So we’ll be working with people here at our Colorado Center for the Blind, but we’ll also be working with some blind people outside of the center itself. So we’re really excited about it.”

e Colorado Disability Funding Committee said it was happy to see the high number of applications.

“While the demand for funding is high, we’re hopeful that as more Coloradans learn that the historical license plates aren’t just cool and trendy, they’re actually making a positive impact across the

state, we’ll be able to increase the available funding even further in the future,” a spokesperson said.

Kidding Around: Goldenites enjoy baby goat yoga class

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CORINNE@COTLN.ORG

At Golden Community Center’s new yoga class, “child’s pose” could be renamed “kid’s pose.”

On June 22, the community center partnered with Conifer-based Guided Goat Hikes to host a baby goat yoga class.

About 25 humans and 15 young goats — or kids — gathered in an enclosed area on the Lions Park grass, just outside the community center. e kids were a few weeks to a few months old, according to yoga instructor Patricia Bruce from Guided Goat Hikes.

She said the community center

would host baby goat yoga classes again on July 27, Aug. 24 and Sept. 21. Each class is $35 for members or $40 for non-members.

e yogis said the June 22 class was tons of fun, saying there was plenty of time to pet and cuddle with the goats during and after the class.

Suzie Kern and John Useller said they were more interested in meeting the goats than doing yoga, with Useller explaining how he likes it when a yoga class has a theme or unique draw.

Overall, they added how it was “cute” and “di erent,” and “perfect for a Sunday morning.”

Erin Oliver and David Hanson, who want to buy their own goats

one day, said they signed up because they thought it’d be a fun way to interact with them. While it wasn’t as intense as a usual yoga class, they said they “made up for it in goat cuddles.”

Suzanne Davey felt likewise, saying, “I didn’t think (the goats) would be as interactive as they were.”

She recommended other people try it for themselves later this summer, saying it was an “amazing” experience.

For more information about the classes, including sign-up information, visit the City of Golden website or guidedgoathikes.com/babygoat-yoga.

People utilize services at the Colorado Center for the Blind, located at 2233 W. Shepperd Ave. in Littleton. COURTESY OF JULIE DEDEN

A young goat inspects a yogi’s visor during the Golden Community Center’s baby goat yoga class on June 22. The community center and Conifer-based Guided Goat Hikes will be partnering for more classes later this summer. PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

CROWSSUPDRO ELZZ

1. TELEVISION: What is the name of the bar where Homer Simpson hangs out?

2. MUSIC: What are the rst names of the Jackson 5?

3. MOVIES: What prop is found in almost every scene in “ e Fight Club”?

4. ANATOMY: What does the term “hallux” refer to in human anatomy?

5. GEOMETRY: What is the perimeter of a circle called?

6. LITERATURE: What is Ron Weasley’s patronus in the “Harry Potter” book series?

7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: How many tusks does a warthog have?

8. GEOGRAPHY: How many states does the Paci c Crest Trail cross?

9. SCIENCE: What is a common name for iron oxide?

10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was awarded the Distinguished Flying

TrIVIa

Cross for bravery in WWII?

Answers

1. Moe’s Tavern.

2. Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.

3. A Starbucks co ee cup.

4. e big toe.

5. Circumference.

6. Jack Russell Terrier.

7. Four.

8. ree (California, Oregon, and Washington).

9. Rust.

10. George H.W. Bush. (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

MARKETPLACE

Announcements

Would you like to learn more about environmental cleanup projects at Former Air Force Plant Peter J. Kiewit and Sons (PJKS)?

If yes, then please contact Sarah Lave at: (719)556-6665 or at Sarah.Lave.1@us.af.mil to get more information on participating in the startup of a Restoration Advisory Board, also known as a “RAB”

What is a RAB?

•A RAB is a community group which meets to discuss and receive information on environmental restoration (cleanup) projects at a military base.

What does a RAB do?

•A RAB facilitates and improves communication, outreach, and transparency between the military base, the public, regulators, local governments, and interest groups for issues related to military cleanup activities. RABs offer a structured, focused, and interactive opportunity for community stakeholders to meaningfully participate in the cleanup process. A RAB enables local community members to receive from and exchange information with the base and regulatory agencies managing environmental cleanup projects at PJKS.

•RABs engage in and support DoD’s cleanup efforts by reviewing and commenting on cleanup documents and activities; serving as a liaison to and sharing cleanup information with the community; and providing a forum to exchange information about the schedule, type, and status of cleanup activities. RAB meetings allow RAB members and members of the community to receive updates and ask questions on the status of the environmental cleanup program at PJKS.

•Though RABs are not a decision-making body, they do give local community members the opportunity to have their voices heard and provide a forum to provide valuable community insight to base and regulatory agencies.

Are you interested in participating in PJKS’s RAB?

•PJKS is currently assessing whether there is enough community interest to reestablish a RAB.

•If you are interested in learning more about PJKS’s environmental restoration projects and having the opportunity to give your input to base and regulatory agencies on the management of cleanup projects at PJKS, either as a RAB member or by attending RAB meetings, please contact Sarah Lave at: (719)556-6665 or at Sarah.Lave.1@us.af.mil by July 30, 2025 to indicate interest.

Proposed

to

or

qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. For more information on the proposed flood hazard determinations and information on the statutory 90-day period provided for appeals, please visit FEMA’s website at https:// www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/BFE_Status/ bfe_main.asp , or call the FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) toll free at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627).

Legal Notice No. Jeffco 6101

First Publication: June 26, 2025

Last Publication: July 3, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript

Public Notice

NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT

NOTICE is hereby given that the West Point Metropolitan District (“District”) of Jefferson County, Colorado, will make final payment on or after July 14, 2025, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. to Edge Contracting, Inc. (“Contractor”) for all work done by Contractor in construction work performed within the District.

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender, or other supplies used or consumed by Contractor or its subcontractors, in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, and whose claim therefor has not been paid by Contractor or its subcontractors, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid and an account of such claim to the District, Attn. Joseph Norris, District’s General Counsel, whose address is 44 Cook Street, Suite 620, Denver CO 80206, on or before July 13, 2025. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement date will release the District, its Board of Directors, officers, agents, and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim pursuant to §38-26-107, C.R.S.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WEST POINT METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ Erik Velapoldi, Secretary

during

The July 17, 2025 Planning Commission meeting will be conducted as a virtual meeting and in City Council Chambers at 7500 W. 29th Avenue. Any person wishing to submit written documents for Commission’s consideration at the meeting must file them with Community Development staff. Written comments may be submitted on Wheat Ridge Speaks at www.wheatridgespeaks.org until noon on July 16. Alternatively, written documents or comments must be received no later than noon on the day of the meeting by emailing zoning@ci.wheatridge.co.us or mailing to City of Wheat Ridge, Attn: Planning Division, 7500 W. 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge CO 80033.

All interested citizens are invited to participate in the meeting in any one of the following ways:

• Provide comments in advance on Wheat Ridge Speaks at www.wheatridgespeaks.org

• Join the live meeting through the Zoom web link provided on the calendar on the City’s website at www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/ calendar.

• Join the live meeting by calling (669) 900-6833 with code 862 8376 8566 and Passcode: 771682

• Join the meeting in person

• Watch the meeting live on Comcast Channel 8

• Watch the meeting live on YouTube at www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/view

Legal Notice NO. Jeff 6120

Publication: July 3, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript

Public Notice

NOTICE OF FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Wheat Ridge City Council held a Public Hearing during a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. and adopted ORDINANCE NO. 1824, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 26 OF THE WHEAT RIDGE CODE OF LAWS CONCERNING MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL PARKING REQIUREMENTS AND MAKING CONFORMING AMENDMENTS THEREWITH.

This Ordinance is effective upon final publication

The ordinance in full is available in electronic form on the City’s official website, http://www. ci.wheatridge.co.us/915/Public-Meetings-andRecords and at www.wheatridgespeaks.org.

Legal Notice NO. Jeff 6117

Publication: July 3, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript

Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT at the meeting of the Arvada City Council to be held on TUESDAY, July 15, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada CO, City Council will hold a public hearing on the following proposed ordinances and thereafter will consider them for final passage and adoption. For the full text version in electronic form go to www. arvada.org/legal-notices, and click on Current and recent Legal Notices to access legal notices. The full text version is also available in printed form in the City Clerk’s office. Contact 720.898.7550 if you have questions. The full text version is also available in printed form in the City Clerk’s office. Contact 720.898.7550 if you have questions.

CB 25-014 An Ordinance Repealing and Reenacting Section 2-95, Departments Established, and Retitling, Repealing, and Reenacting Section 2-96, Department Titles of the Arvada City Code to Reflect Changes in Department Names and Department Director Titles.

CB25-015 An Ordinance Amending, Repealing, and Reenacting Various Sections of Article III, Fire Restrictions or Bans, of Chapter 42, Fire Prevention and Protection, of the Arvada City Code

Legal Notice No. Jeff 6118

Publication: July 3, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript PUBLIC NOTICE

The following ordinances were adopted by the City Council of the City of Arvada on second reading following the public hearing held on July 1, 2025:

Ordinance #4899 An Ordinance Amending Section 102-32, Definitions, and Repealing and Reenacting Section 102-40, Property Owners Responsible for Charges, of Article II, Water and Sewer, of Chapter 102, Utilities, of the Arvada City Code

Legal Notice NO. Jeff 6119

Publication: July 3, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript Public Notice

DISTRICT COURT, JEFFERSON COUNTY COLORADO, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, Colorado 80401, Case No. 2025CV30459, Division: 7

Plaintiff: BOARD OF COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF COLORADO, v.

Defendants: MARIA DEL CARMEN GOOD, in her individual capacity and as the Representative of the Estate of KENNETH L. GOOD; KENNETH M. GOOD; LILY J. GOOD; TIFFANY T. GOOD; ANTHONY E. GOOD; JACOB GOOD; FAITH GOOD; LAUREN GOOD; the COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION; PUBLIC TRUSTEE OF JEFFERSON COUNTY; JEFFERSON COUNTY TREASURER; JEFFERSON COUNTY ASSESSOR; FOOTHILLS METROPOLITAN RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT; and all unknown persons who claim any interest in the subject matter of this action.

Attorneys for Plaintiff: JEFFERSON COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, Amber J. Munck, #39531, Assistant County Attorney, Levi Stubbs, #50262, Assistant County Attorney, 100 Jefferson County Pkwy, Suite 5500, Golden, Colorado 80419, Phone: 303.271.8965, Email: amunck@ jeffco.us; lstubbs@jeffco.us.

SUMMONS, TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS:

You are hereby summoned and required to file with the clerk of this court an answer or other response to the attached Complaint. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you within the State of Colorado, you are required to file your answer or other response within 21 days after such service upon you. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you outside of the State of Colorado, you are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after such service upon you. If you fail to file your answer or other response to the Complaint in writing within the applicable time period, judgment by default may be entered against you by the Court for the relief demanded in the complaint without further notice.

The following documents are served herewith: Complaint and District Court Cover Sheet. Dated this 27th day of March, 2025. By JEFFERSON COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, Levi Stubbs, Amber J. Munck, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF REAL PROPERTY THAT IS THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS ACTION; A part of the Northwest quarter of Section 29 and part of the Northeast quarter of Section 30, Township 5 South, Range 69 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian, County of Jefferson, State of Colorado, more particularly described as follows: Commencing at the Northeast corner of said Section 30; thence S89º19’32”W along the North line of said Section 30, 255.00 feet to the Point of Beginning; thence S17º28’49”E, 2,709.77 feet to the South line of the Northwest quarter of said Section 29; thence N89º58’27”W along said South line, 5.40 feet to the Easterly Right-of-way of C-470; thence along said Right-of-way the following courses: thence N18º58’22”W, 1,444.16 feet; thence N19º45’37”W, 900.00 feet; thence N14º00’32”W, 382.62 feet to the North line of said Section 30; thence along said North line, N89º19’32”E, 57.87 feet to the Point of Beginning.

Legal Notice No. Jeff 6110

First Publication: June 26, 2025

Last Publication: July 24, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript Public Notice

NOTICE OF FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Wheat Ridge City Council held a Public Hearing during a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday,June 23, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. and adopted ORDINANCE NO. 1825, AN

ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 26-502 OF THE WHEAT RIDGE CODE OF LAWS CONCERNING PROCEDURAL UPDATES

TO LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS. This ordinance becomes effective upon final publication.

The ordinance in full is available in electronic form on the City’s official website, http://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/915/Public-Meetings-andRecords and at www.wheatridgespeaks.org.

Legal Notice NO. Jeff 6116

Publication: July 3, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript Public Notice

NOTICE CONCERNING BUDGET AMENDMENT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all interested parties that the necessity has arisen to amend the South Metro Fire Rescue Fire Protection District’s 2025 Budget; that a copy of the proposed Amended 2025 Budget has been filed at 9195 E. Mineral Avenue, Centennial, Colorado 80112, where the same is open for public inspection; and that adoption of a Resolution to Amend the 2025 Budget will be considered at a public meeting of the Board of Directors of the District to be held at 9195 E. Mineral Avenue, Centennial, Colorado, on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the Resolution to Amend the 2025 Budget, inspect and file or register any objections thereto.

SOUTH METRO FIRE RESCUE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

By: /s/ Stephanie Corbo Chief Financial Officer

Legal Notice No. Jeff 6115

Publication: July 3, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public

Auction will be held to dispose of a 2016 Mercedes Sprinter Van with Refrigeration Unit and a 2023 16' x 8.5' x9' Kill and Chill Bumper Pull Mobile Meat Processing Trailer previously owned by Wheat Ridge Poultry and Meats, Inc., d/b/a Rocky Mountain Meats on July 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Roller Auction, 7500 York Street, Denver, CO 80229.

Legal Notice No. Jeff 6114

Publication: July 3, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript

NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT

NOTICE is hereby given that Canyon Pines Metropolitan District of Jefferson County, Colorado, shall make retainage release payment on or after June 30, 2025, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. to the following: Hudick Excavating, Inc. 5460 Montana Vista Way Castle Rock, Colorado 80108

For all work done by said Contractors in construction or work on the Candelas Parkway Sanitary Interceptor Crossing and performed within and/or for the Canyon Pines Metropolitan District in the County of Jefferson, State of Colorado. This includes the Contract for Canyon Pines Infrastructure.

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractors or their subcontractors, in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplies rental machinery, tools or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, and whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractors or their subcontractors, at any time up to and including the time for final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid, and an account of such claim to:

Independent District Engineering Services, LLC, 1626 Cole Blvd, Suite 125, Lakewood, CO 80401, on or before the date and time herein above shown for final payment. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release Canyon Pines Metropolitan District, its directors, officers, agents, consultants and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANYON PINES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: Independent District Engineering Services, LLC,

Brandon Collins, PE

District Engineer by and for the Canyon Pines Metropolitan District

Legal Notice No. Jeff 6104

First Publication: June 26, 2025

Last Publication: July 3, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of PAUL DANIEL MORAN, a/k/a PAUL D. MORAN, a/k/a PAUL MORAN, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR30643

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Jefferson County, Colorado on or before October 27, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Carol Moran, Personal Representative 516 Monaco Parkway Denver, Colorado 80220

Legal Notice No. Jeff 6103

First Publication: June 26, 2025

Last Publication: July 10, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Anthony John Gurney Boyle, also known as Anthony J. G. Boyle, aka Anthony J. Gurney Boyle, aka Anthony John G. Boyle, aka Anthony J. Boyle, aka Anthony G. Boyle, aka Anthony Boyle, aka Tony John Gurney Boyle, aka Tony J. G. Boyle, aka Tony J. Gurney Boyle, aka Tony John G. Boyle, aka Tony J. Boyle, aka Tony G. Boyle and Tony Boyle, Deceased Case Number 2025PR030685

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to Kathleen A. Boyle c/o Hedberg Law Firm, LLC, 5944 S. Kipling Parkway, Suite 200, Littleton, CO 80127; or to:

The District Court of Jefferson, County, Colorado on or before October 19th, 2025 or the claims may be forever barred.

Kathleen A. Boyle, Personal Representative c/o Hedberg Law Firm, LLC Brian Hedberg, Attorney for Personal Representative Kathleen A. Boyle 5944 S. Kipling Parkway, Suite 200 Littleton, CO 80127

Legal Notice No. Jeff 6086

First Publication: June 19, 2025

Last Publication: July 3, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Grace Elizabeth Todd, a/k/a Grace E. Todd, a/k/a Grace Todd, Deceased Case Number: 2025PR030634

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Jefferson County, Colorado on or before November 3, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Dana Lewis, Personal Representative c/o 3i Law, LLC 2000 S. Colorado Blvd. Tower 1, Suite 10000 Denver, CO 80222

Legal Notice No. Jeff 6113

First Publication: July 3, 2025

Last Publication: July 17, 2025

Publisher: Jeffco Transcript

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Fusako Okuno, Deceased Case Number: 25PR3

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Jefferson County, Colorado on or before October 27, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Denise T. Okuno-Prickett

Personal Representative 8324 S. Quay Ct. Littleton, CO, 80128

Legal Notice