We’ve all been waiting, and it’s almost here…in just two weeks the trees will burst forth with bright green leaves, annuals will get planted, the hummingbirds will be back, and maybe, just maybe, we won’t need our puffy jackets much longer.
Spring? Well, it happened here and there between the snowstorms! Ah, such is life in the foothills. But no doubt, life above 7000 is especially sweet in the summer! Look in this issue for summer topics such as the latest in deck trends and finding a good camping spot. On the real estate side, curious why staging is important, or about purchasing land, or the latest market stats for the foothills? We have it here for you. There is a lot of buzz about the National Association of Realtors settlement. It still must be approved by a judge in July so look for a detailed article in our next issue. Meanwhile, feel free
to reach out to us if you have any questions at all.
With every issue of Life Above 7,000, we strive to bring you a bit about home and real estate, a lot about what’s happening in our amazing community along with some fun, such as our article on dating in the foothills. We hope you enjoy this issue and experience summer in the foothills to the fullest! We are excited to reach almost 25,000 homes from I70 to Hwy 285. Have an idea for a story? Let us know!
All our best,
Your friends at PandoraJohnProperties… John, Pandora, Patrick, and Jenna
Sometimes selling a property means a lot of unexpected hurdles, and a big learning curve along the way! But teamwork makes all the difference...
When lifelong family friends go full circle to downsize and leave a legacy, we’re there to help!
Nestled in the heart of Evergreen, two unique businesses are paving the way for home furnishings and design. Mountain Home & Alexa Interiors are not just local businesses; they’re where Elevated Mountain Living comes to life!
furnishings | art | design | lifestyle
*check our website for details and sign up links
Mother’s Day Flowers with Amy May 8th
Hosting “Wild Aware” Art Show (Art Gone Wild) May 17th
Summer Outdoor Charcuterie Worksop June (TBD)
MH & AI Team Rocks the Rodeo Parade June 15th
Annual Tent Sale July 19th - 21st
Boots & Botox August (TBD)
Ladies Night - Fall Fashion Show September 19th
Fall Tablescape Class October 17th
Holiday Open House November 8th - 10th
Wreath Workshop December (TBD)
Alexa Interiors offers full residential interior design services, as well as project management - all tailored to meet the individual needs of each client and perfectly enhance each space.
We focus on timeless and elegant finishes, furnishings and décor as well as interior detailing, renovations and new construction. We work seamlessly with architects, builders, trades and craftspeople. Each project is approached with a keen eye for the details that create beautiful, highly-functional... yet personal interiors.
In his memorable quote, Mark Twain may have restated the obvious for comic effect, but he also provided solid investment advice! Land is a finite resource which has always been in high demand. Whether you’re a buyer seeking the perfect location for a dream home, an investor hunting for new opportunities, or a landowner deciding to sell – how does one realistically assess the market value of land?
Land valuation is more art than science, yet there are several tangible factors to consider beyond simply the acreage, like permitted uses, development costs, and location desirability.
Permitted uses fundamentally affect value, especially for the buyer. Can the dream be built on this land? Or not?
For due diligence, it’s best to consult with a REALTOR® who can guide your journey and provide contractor and architect referrals. Local experts will help interpret the municipality’s zoning designations, permitted uses, building standards, and setback requirements to see if your dream fits within the land.
Bottom line – if a specific parcel doesn’t allow your desired usage, forget the listing price, that land is worth nothing to you! In general, high usage restrictions tend to decrease market values and vice versa.
“BUY
Projected development costs also substantially impact land values. Let’s call this the “pay now or pay later” factor. Most properties are categorized as either “Improved” or “Unimproved Land” in the MLS, and every lot falls somewhere on this spectrum.
On the “pay now” side, improved land can be considered build-ready if water, sewer, or utilities are present on the lot; an existing driveway provides legal access; the optimum build site is excavated; etc. Parcels with complete “build readiness” have the highest market value since significant development costs are essentially baked in. While fully improved land commands a higher price, you’ll save time and money moving forward.
On the “pay later” side, unimproved land sells for less, but unknown risks and development costs lie ahead. How much will you pay later? Hard to say. For example, one may need to purchase an access easement, pay sewer tap fees, drill a well, construct an expensive foundation on a steeper slope… Unanticipated expenses can balloon over time. Understanding the all-in development costs is crucial when comparing market values across different parcels.
Finally, we must never forget the 3 L’s of real estate – LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! What other property values exist in the neighborhood? Is the lot adjacent to open space hiking trails? Is it accessible via a county-maintained road? Can you hear traffic noise? How close is the grocery store? Where’s the nearest neighbor? What’s the commute time to work? How’s the cell signal? Is the land situated on a sunny, south-facing slope
or in the chilly north-facing shadows? Will there be amazing views from the dream deck??!! At the end of the day, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and an ideal location is everything!
While many complex variables affect land value, remember this Twain-inspired corollary, “Don’t buy or sell land, without the guidance of a qualified REALTOR®!”
by Mark Aalund mark@madisonprops.com
Enjoy every season in your home, gathered aound your new favorite fire feature. Make memories with your family and friends in the cozy glow of flickering flames. Whether you want to burn wood or gas, your fireplace should be the centerpiece of your home. Call us today to discuss what you want out of your fireplace, including service and annual maintenance!
303-679-1601
www.mtnhp.com
office@mtnhp.com
7001 Highway 73 Evergreen
magine this…Your cellphone makes an odd noise. You peek and see a Lookout Alert on your screen. A wildland fire has started near your home, and your neighborhood is being evacuated. You have no chance to return home before the roads are closed. Worry races through your mind, but your prepared for this; your family is safe, your neighbor retrieved your pets, and your valuables are in a fireproof safe. A final thought crosses your mind, “Have I done everything I can to give my home and property a fighting chance?”
If your answer is no, a great first step is to seek guidance from a wildfire mitigation and home hardening expert. In our area, several mountain fire departments have come together to create the wildfire prepared program (www. wildfireprepared.com), which offers a full home assessment for just $100. An assessment will help you create a wholistic gameplan to protect your home and property against the threat of wildfire. Even if your local fire district is not a part of the wildfire prepared program, they are a great resource for information regarding steps towards creating a fire resilient home and landscape.
For some, the work required for wildfire mitigation can be daunting. Removing trees, brush, limbs, and installing non-combustible landscaping around your home can feel like an overwhelming task. Additionally, some wildfire fuel treatments such as forestry mastication and mechanical thinning, just aren’t offered by many traditional tree companies. Wildfire mitigation also comes with a host of questions: What about protecting my egress? Is this good for my land and for the forest? Will my property look ugly if I do this? Wait, aren’t the trees the reason I moved to the mountains in the first place?!
This is where a specialized wildfire mitigation contractor can be invaluable, and thankfully there are several great local mountain area companies that are here to help. A list of these contractors can be found at www.wildfireprepared. com. Together, we can create safer landscapes, and help you answer “YES!” should it be your phone that vibrates next.
Kyle Kociemba- Benson is a mountain area native and founded Forestwerx following the Elephant Butte Fire 2020. As a forestry contractor heavily steeped in fire behavior, Forestwerx serves our mountain communities as a trusted partner in the process of wildfire mitigation. In addition to running Forestwerx, Kyle is a career Firefighter and Paramedic. Kyle lives in Evergreen with his wife and two children.
by Kyle Kociemba- Benson
This data covers the entire foothills area, from I-70 on the north to Bailey on Hwy 285 on the south. What’s happening in your particular neighborhood and price point will vary from these overall figures, which is why it is important to contact your Madison broker for specific information.
This data covers the entire foothills area, from I-70 on the north to Bailey on Hwy 285 on the south. What’s happening in your particular neighborhood and price point will vary from these overall figures, which is why it is important to contact your Madison broker for specific information.
The Colorado RE Contract to Buy and Sell is well written, protecting both Buyer and Seller. It especially gives the Buyer peace of mind, knowing that in most cases, the Contract can be terminated at various times for various reasons, and the Buyer will receive Earnest Money back. There is one vital qualifier to this, namely that the Buyer must meet deadlines in a timely manner.
Dates and deadlines are important in real estate transactions. This was most evident in a situation that occurred early in our careers that we will never forget.
We had the Listing on a deal where the Buyer’s Agent was sloppy with several deadlines along the way. Our Seller had traveled thousands of miles to jump through hoops to get to Closing. The
NUMBER OF NEW LISTINGS: The number of homes in the foothills that came to the market in the first quarter of this year was coincidentally the same as the number in 2023. Metro Denver reports an uptick in listings, but that is not the case in the foothills.
NUMBER OF NEW LISTINGS: The number of homes in the foothills that came to the market in the first quarter of this year was coincidentally the same as the number in 2023. Metro Denver reports an uptick in listings, but that is not the case in the foothills.
HOMES SOLD: The number of homes sold this year was just shy of the number of solds last year, suggesting that our market remains a bit sluggish as we shake off the dust of the Covid slowdown. The foothills are still in a Sellers’ Market by National Assoc. of Realtors standards, just not quite as active as Denver’s…yet.
HOMES SOLD: The number of homes sold this year was just shy of the number of solds last year, suggesting that our market remains a bit sluggish as we shake off the dust of the Covid slowdown. The foothills are still in a Sellers’ Market by National Assoc. of Realtors standards, just not quite as active as Denver’s…yet.
DAYS ON MARKET: It’s taking a little longer for home sellers to find their buyers, but this figure is an average for the whole market. Most properties that are in good condition and priced correctly are selling in as little as 30 days.
DAYS ON MARKET: It’s taking a little longer for home sellers to find their buyers, but this figure is an average for the whole market. Most properties that are in good condition and priced correctly are selling in as little as 30 days.
SELLER PRICE CHANGES: The average percent that sellers reduced their price on their own before going under contract has improved from 4% last year to 2.9% this year, an overall improvement of 1.1%
SELLER PRICE CHANGES: The average percent that sellers reduced their price on their own before going under contract has improved from 4% last year to 2.9% this year, an overall improvement of 1.1%
SELLER/BUYER NEGOTIATIONS: Sellers are negotiating the contract price on their homes in early 2024 at the same rate as they did last year. Giving up only 1.4% of asking price is considered a win in most situations and indicates that sellers maintain a competitive edge when negotiating with buyers.
SELLER/BUYER NEGOTIATIONS: Sellers are negotiating the contract price on their homes in early 2024 at the same rate as they did last year. Giving up only 1.4% of asking price is considered a win in most situations and indicates that sellers maintain a competitive edge when negotiating with buyers.
TOTAL SELLER DISCOUNT: The price reduction/price change average (2.9%) combined with the price reduction from seller/ buyer negotiations (1.4%) made for a total discount off original asking price of 4.3%, an improvement of 1.1% from last year.
TOTAL SELLER DISCOUNT: The price reduction/price change average (2.9%) combined with the price reduction from seller/ buyer negotiations (1.4%) made for a total discount off original asking price of 4.3%, an improvement of 1.1% from last year.
AVERAGE SELLING PRICE: There was some downward pressure on prices in 2023 and it’s gratifying to see that prices are picking back up in 2024 with a respectable 9% increase over last year. With limited inventory and persistently higher-than-average demand going forward, we expect to see this continue as the year unfolds.
AVERAGE SELLING PRICE: There was some downward pressure on prices in 2023 and it’s gratifying to see that prices are picking back up in 2024 with a respectable 9% increase over last year. With limited inventory and persistently higher-than-average demand going forward, we expect to see this continue as the year unfolds.
Buyer’s Agent kicked the can down the road several times, asking of the Seller to extend deadlines. Our Seller was the type of person who believed in strict adherence to deadlines, and we conveyed this early on and often to this seasoned Buyer’s Agent. Long story short, the can got kicked one too many times, and in the end, the Buyer’s Agent asked to extend Closing by one day and our Seller refused. His reasoning, “I don’t reward incompetence. I’m not going to pay this Agent a $13,000 commission for this
kind of unprofessionalism.” Needless to say, we didn’t close and the Texas Buyer with all of his possessions was devastated and left out in the cold.
Buyer and Buyer’s Agents must stay on top of Contract deadlines. We send out an eCalendar to our clients upon going under contract and emphasize the importance of being present and staying on track. Time is of the essence.
-John ErlandsonLiving in the mountains is all about communing with nature so why not build the ultimate hangout spot? That’s where mountain decks come in! Fostering a connection with nature with an outdoor living space is the perfect way to embrace the mountain lifestyle. Adding a deck to your home is also a smart investment. Remodeling Magazine says that you can expect to recoup about 75% of the cost of building a new composite deck when
native for the foothills, truly wildlife and drought resistant! Traditional planter boxes also offer extra privacy. Once your deck is built, adding layers is key to designing your outdoor oasis. Deck out your deck by adding outdoor rugs, comfortable furniture, pillows, throws, candles, lanterns, and plants. Add string lights for cozy, ambient light. Get ready
by Kris Hoffman kris@pandorajohnproperties.com
“Now I see the secret of making the best person: to grow in open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.”
– Walt Whitman
We somehow know this in our bones, so we shop, prep, pack, and drive…. all to eat and sleep with the earth. And we Coloradoan’s are lucky, as a plethora of camping opportunities are right out the back door.
Having said that, those of us who camp know it’s not quite as easy as it once was. The 2021 North American Camping Report found that the number of households who went camping grew by 3.9 million households in 2020 - the largest spike since the report began. While there are 16,000 campgrounds in the US to choose from, we have certainly seen campground use go way up in recent years.
How many of us have waited with bated breath to try to make a reservation online the moment it’s allowed, hoping for a prime spot, or any spot, at our favorite campground?
There are other options though, also popular, but that give us more choices. Dispersed camping, or boondocking as it’s now often referred to, means camping on public land outside of a designated campground. There are no services of course, but you get a more natural setting and often more privacy, so you truly be in tune with nature. And isn’t camping supposed to be getting away from civilization anyway, versus bringing every bit of the civilized world with you?
So, how to find these special places? Local knowledge is the best, so ask your friends. Some nearby areas that foothills folks love are Buffalo Creek, Eleven Mile Reservoir, Buena Vista Four Mile area, and Lost Creek Wilderness. There are also some good websites with suggestions and reviews such as Thedyrt.com and Campendium.com. Reviews are espe-
cially important, but you still have to be ready for a bit of unknown and possible adventure.
Hipcamp has taken away the risk looking for a dispersed camping spot, offering reserved camping spots on private land. It’s a great concept! Harvest Hosts is similar, but they are only for RV’s, and your camper must have a self-contained toilet and inside cooking. They specialize in places like wineries, farms, breweries, etc.
The options are numerous, and all it takes these days is a little extra planning, or you may just want to be more adventurous and see what you find as you ramble down the road, camping gear in tow. Either way, just get on out there and sleep with the earth!
“The echoes of beauty you’ve seen transpire, resound through the dying coals of a campfire.”
–Ernest Hemingway
This time of year, we are more than anxious for honest-to-goodness warm weather, so sometimes taking a jaunt to lower elevations gives us that warmth we need. Heading to Buffalo Creek Recreation Area could be just the ticket. This large recreation area in the South Platte region is just 40 minutes away from central Evergreen, and is a bit of a banana belt – perfect for spring hiking and riding. There are more than 50 miles of multi-use, non-motorized trails!
This hiker does more mountain biking here than hiking, but the options are many. The Colorado Trail runs through here and offers some of the best mountain biking around, linking a wide variety of trails. A personal favorite is the 14-mile Nice Kitty to Shinglemill Loop. It offers somewhat challenging single track climbing through wide open areas up to the Colorado Trail and then back down Shinglemill, although other options abound. The trails are fun and flowy and not too technical. You might just let out a whoop or two while
riding! It’s great for hiking as well, albeit it is a favorite of mountain bikers. This area was part of the 2002 Hayman Fire and vegetation has certainly grown in the past 22 years, but it’s still wide open and sunny with great views,
perfect for cooler days. Chair Rocks is a wonderful hike, also sunny and exposed and ideal for spring. The rock formations are fabulous! For a spring stroll with the family, try walking or riding S. Buffalo Creek Road, a lovely meander along the creek on a flat wide dirt road, not open to cars other than the few that own private cabins. Another family option is South Platte River Trail to Strontia Reservoir, a 2.9mile out-and-back trail.
There are several forest service campgrounds in the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, as well as dispersed camping in designated sites. You can make a wonderful weekend here with plenty to take advantage of, or just do a quick and easy biking or hiking day trip. The scenic driving is lovely too. And, on your way back home, stop in Pine Junction for a well-deserved treat at the Coffee Bean N Bakery!
More Info:
Buffalo Creek Recreation Area: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recarea/?recid=12966
As a big dogster to a very naughty little pupster, I thought it might be helpful to advise all of you hoomans on how to handle a new furry friend here in the Pawhills:
1. Depending on the size of the pupster, you’re going to want to be outside with them for at least the first few months, so they don’t get picked up by a flying punk looking for a meal. Or even a critter posing as a dog… coyotes are super naughty, and they look like dogs who say they want to play, but they aren’t nice… trust me.
2. If you lose your new friend because they got a sniff and took off, our hoomans use Facebook and Nextdoor to send out the howl to get that furry friend returned lickety
split. Don’t be shy about calling on the hooman neighbors; they love to help each other with that stuff!
3. I make sure to put away my toys, so my pup doesn’t take them away and destroy them with her crazy sharp teeth. I do let her have whatever helps her scratch her itchy toofs. We love stuff that squeaks, but is heavy duty enough to scratch our gums and toofs.
4. Find a really good veterinarian! We have lots here in the Pawhills who can keep us healthy and up to date on our vaccines so we can stay playful for longer!
5. Resent less, snuggle more.
6. Carni is now officially my favorite snuggle buddy, but the resentment you see in the before photos here is real. Give us time and space to figure it out
CAE is bursting at the seams every which-way, and the completion of its Phase II building expansion is just around the corner. Nothing, not even a pandemic, could stop this project from materializing, largely due to the wise, forward-moving leadership and fund-raising skills of Executive Director, Lisa Nierenberg. CAE is thriving, and along with the tireless efforts & direction of Sara Miller, Lisa’s right-hand Senior Director of Exhibitions, Education, & Outreach and the gifted staff, the very vision & mission of CAE is being realized.
The building expansion was borne out of necessity since programs, exhibitions and events have been so popular, and space is now being created to house additional classrooms, artists in residence and a much-needed pottery wing. Sculpture Evergreen has merged with CAE, enlarging its footprint and bringing a new excitement with new possibilities. The financially astute Board of Directors has been deliberate in making sure they get to the finish line in the black, and community support has gone above and beyond. Special recognition goes to Board member, Alexa Cowley, of Mountain Home/ Alexa Interiors fame, who has logged countless hours designing and pushing the project forward. Kudos to all in making it happen.
It’s so good to see forward movement up here in unincorporated Jeffco. A new day has dawned, and we look forward to see what else unfolds in ’24 as ELID/ELF projects are completed, the iconic Little Bear Saloon is revitalized, and the Evergreen Creative District advances towards recognition and certification by Colorado Creative Industries. Let’s do this!
by John Erlandson John@PandoraJohnProperties.com
5/7
5/8
Kids Art Club: Mother’s Day Project 4-6 pm
All Levels: -5/29 Wheel Throwing 4 Wednesdays, 9 am-12 pm
5/9 Art Bar: Mother’s Day Moss Art 6-8 pm
5/18
6/4
7/16
All Levels: Ceramics workshop “Flora, Fauna & Fungi” 1-3 pm
Kids Art Club: Father’s Day Project 4-6 pm
Kids Art Club: Candy Project 4-6 pm
8/6 Kids Art Club: Happiness Project 4-6 pm
8/17 Art of Wine & Cheese Pairing 4-6 pm
f one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.”
-from Walden
by Henry David Thoreau - 1854“When we build, let us think that we build forever.Let it not be for present delight not for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time will come when those stones will be held sacred…”
- John Ruskin - 1870In September of 1988, my wife and I found the most beautiful 35 acres of untouched land we had ever seen in Conifer. Before we met in Vail in 1977, we both had the same dream of building our house in the woods. On the cliff edge, amidst the golden aspens quaking against the deep blue sky of a Colorado autumn, we knew our dream had come down to earth. Three days later, we purchased the land for $40,000.
Today that is a pittance, but at the time, it was astronomical. We were living in NY but moved here the following year planning to live in a tent and build our house, like modern-day pioneers. On the day we arrived, June 21st, 1989, there was a foot snow on the ground and for the next 16 years our plans were challenged and interrupted by life. We had experts drill the well and blast for the septic system, but we did almost everything else from building forms for a monolith foundation to learning how to frame a wall, to installing the internal systems of plumbing, electric and heating.
If you look north, standing in the parking lot of Reynolds Park on Foxton Road, you can see our house – tiny on the ridge but only if you’re looking for it. Thirty-five years later, with all the changes that time brings, we still love where we wake up everyday. The view of the ramparts, Pikes Peak and Mt. Blue Sky never goes away and never will our dream.
Andrea and I just wrote about these 16 years from dream to fruition. There are some building
details but it is more a manual on how to celebrate the flow of life than it is a construction manual.
Excerpt from Blurred Visionaries - A True Tale of Creative Home Building:
“Now, for thirty-four years we have traveled the same road … and it is with a gentle wave we greet our neighbors, old and new. A wave that says by whatever travails and serendipities in life we have individually gone through, we’ve all ended up here, perhaps
by some fate of dreams, living next to one another. The deep good nature of community arising each time with this mindful, simple act of friendliness.”
Blurred Visionaries is available on Amazon.com.
by Rich Lamb mtnlambs@gmail.com
Since moving to Colorado in 1979, Gail Riley has been motivated by the charm of our mountain community, and she’s been stimulating improvements ever since while influencing what needs to be preserved.
It’s like the balancing act of a good marriage.
Vacationing from the Bay Area, she and husband Tom Statzell were taken with the blue skies, the rock outcroppings, the blue spruce, and the inviting personality of Evergreen while bedding down at a drive-in motel located on lower Main Street. Before their stay was up, they’d ask the owners if they’d consider selling.
With a couple of partners, Riley and Statzell acquired the seasonal business centered around the four months of mountain summers. With help from their families, they soon bought out their partners, becoming sole owners of Highland Haven and were “scared to pieces” about what they’d gotten themselves into.
“We added a horseshoe pit and promoted the property as a ‘resort motel,’” Gail says with a laugh, reflecting on how the yearround luxury creekside inn has evolved, now boasting 900+ reservations annually.
Gail and Tom raised their two children in their home attached to the inn. The rope swing across the creek still hangs for others who have come and gone.
The memorable getaway encompasses 18 rooms and cabins, including the Dailey Cabin, which dates back to the 1800s. “The main lodge was built by the government for housing teachers,” Gail explains. Now it rents out for intimate weddings and small, private parties. And the addition of a 2-story treehouse put icing on the cake for those wanting a spectacular romantic getaway close to home.
The long list of recognition and awards range from Best Bed & Breakfast to Most Romantic Hideaway and Best Honeymoon Getaway. The business has been named Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice for 15 years and the Chamber’s Business of the year twice.
Tom’s woodworking skills enabled them to upgrade the exteriors and interior finishes – an ongoing project – and Gail’s artistic talents were linked to interior design and comfort features. “There’s never a day we don’t improve something.” They work together well.
It’s the special touches and the accommodating, friendly staff that have built a reputation for Highland Haven known to bring travelers back for a dozen or more visits over the past 45 years. Reviews often include comments about their “perfect hospitality.”
“We always try to make it magic,” she says, beaming.
Not only has Gail mastered the art of hospitality but she’s written a few books to document what works. In 2012 she published Colorado Cravings, followed by Colorado Romance, Colorado Kids, and soon-tocome Colorado Décor.
Fortunately, investing in her community with time and energy comes naturally for Gail, not only as a business owner but also as a person whose mother was a good role model in that regard. Starting with being an ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and then helping to create the Sculpture Walk were among her first volunteer activities.
She served on the board of Sculpture Evergreen (originally Art for the Mountain Community when it formed in 1994 and now since 2023 a part of Center for the Arts Evergreen) for many years, influencing the dozens of sculptures that appear from Alderfer Three Sisters Park, through downtown, along Evergreen Parkway, to Bergen Park.
One of the sculptures — a dramatic, interpretive white marble piece of a tall couple intertwined called “Intimacy” — has a permanent home amidst the waters of Bear Creek in front of Highland Haven Creekside Inn.
The organization is responsible for 49 permanent sculptures throughout Evergreen and another dozen temporary sculptures on loan for a year at a time. More than just jurying the artists and pieces proposed, the group secures permission from landowners, draws up legal documents, arranges for insurance on the installations, and hires a crane to lift the pieces in and out of position.
She was on the first advisory board for
‘Gail’s generosity with her time and resources is unmatched.’
– Dean Dalvit
Leadership Evergreen and turned over the entire inn for the inaugural class’s retreat –every room free to the program as a sponsor. Influencing the future of Evergreen through good leadership was important to her in 1995 and still is.
When a group of people started meeting about how to improve the area, Gail showed up to shame “them” for not doing better. When she realized there was no “they” to blame in an unincorporated area, she became one of the first board members of the organization now known as the Evergreen Legacy Fund (ELF) and wore down the soles of many pairs of shoes signing up members to collect a voluntary 1% to support the effort.
“Gail was pivotal in defining the core mission of our organization to serve that very purpose,” says Dean Dalvit, president of ELF. “Gail’s generosity with her time and resources is unmatched and we all owe her a debt of gratitude for everything she has done for our community.”
To date the organization has turned over several hundred thousand dollars to Jefferson County, leveraging grants totaling five times that amount to accomplish infrastruc-
ture projects built and maintained by the county. Highland Haven has passed through more donations than any other business over the years.
The County then produces the improvement like a sidewalk or crosswalk, a bike lane, or a pedestrian link between the lake and downtown and maintains it “forever.” While with ELF, Gail was the liaison with schools to create two murals – one in the tunnel connecting the lake to downtown, the other on the walls of the water treatment facility near the dam.
She retired from the ELF board after a 12-year run. “I’m really proud of how we’ve become something that Evergreen can be proud of.” Gail is one who wears her pride on her face for everyone to see.
Now one finds her mentoring students from Warren Tech’s hospitality program, helping them sketch out résumés, putting them through practice sessions with interviews, and through job shadowing exposing them to hospitality skills they might not otherwise have an opportunity to observe firsthand.
It’s understandable why Gail Riley would have been one of the first women in Evergreen to be inducted into the Mountain Area Women in Business Hall of Fame.
Making her community a better place is something Gail does on a daily basis, creating a subtle but far-reaching legacy of her own … for the love of Evergreen.
by Linda Kirkpatrick
As a mortgage industry professional, I would have told you (a year ago) that 30 year fixed conventional mortgage interest rates would be back in the 5.55.75% range by April 1, 2024. It was projected the FED would do 2-3 interest rate cuts in 2024, and though mortgage rates are not directly tied to the FED funds rate, when the Fed makes it more expensive for banks to borrow by targeting a higher federal funds rate, the banks in turn pass on the higher costs to their customers. In turn, interest rates on consumer borrowing, including mortgage
rates, tend to go up. As the FED funds rate has dropped over the last 40 years, conventional mortgage rates have followed.
But here we are in April 2024 and mortgage interest rates are just south of 7.0% for a 30-year fixed rate, conventional mortgage today. There have been no FED rate cuts, and the probability of any rate cuts in 2024 is dwindling. Why have things shifted? It’s all about the J-O-B-S.
Or, we could say, it’s all about the resilience of the U.S. workforce.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reported that there were
303,000 jobs created in March 2024, which was much stronger than the 200,000 expected. These reports are often adjusted after the fact, but in the last 2 months, we’ve seen upward revisions on both numbers.
We know the FED is looking for key components before they execute rate cuts, and those include (1) Lower inflation (goal of 2%) and (2) signs that the job markets are cooling. With rising inflation and a stronger than expected job market, we may be further from rate cuts than expected, and mortgage rates may remain at current levels for another year.
Ever feel like you’re stuck in a Greek tragedy… I mean dating in today’s throw away society?
I hear about it all the time. The days of meeting someone in a bar aren’t dead, but it’s more likely you’ll meet someone who has advertised themselves online like an “Amazon 30,000-5-star-reviewsdon’t-lie-product” than bumping into a beautiful stranger at a coffee shop (circa 1990s rom-com) and spilling coffee on their loafers and then talking into the wee hours in a park, getting married and living happily ever after. Pandora and I got together with our lovely panel for what’s hopefully going to become our newest regular column in LA7K. Things have changed, and it is officially a jungle out there!
Here are the Panel’s Takeaways:
• When you have to pay for everything to do with dating, down to even seeing your matches, people become a commodity, which makes them expendable.
• Sometimes you feel like you lost to the second steal in a white elephant gift exchange.
• Dating app fatigue is real!
• Tinder will get you thousands of “likes,” but long-term relationships and real intimacy is pretty rare
• Evergreen is filled with good people, but dating here is, well, underwhelming, which is why many people opt to date outside of 80439. It also offers more options and anonymity.
• Meshing with lifestyle is just as important as attraction.
There is hope! One of our lovely ladies is going on 6+ months with her guy and they are super happy-they met on the apps, too!
So, if you’re wondering if it’s possible, the short answer is YES. Love IS possible in the age of
online dating. And now that we’ve officially gotten you excited to hear more, stay tuned to the next issue where our panel of pros will discuss helpful tips to help navigate the digital maze of finding your very own perfect match!
by Jenna McMenaman Jenna@madisonprops.com
5/2- Exhibition: Strong Women, Brave Voices
5/25 Center for the Arts Evergreen
5/11 Douglas Webster “The Broadway Baritone” Center Stage, Evergreen, 7:30 - 10 pm
5/30- Exhibition: 3D- Beyond the Boundaries
7/6 Center for the Arts Evergreen
6/7- Sweeney Todd | Stagedoor Theatre, Conifer
6/30 www.stagedoortheatre.org for tix
6/15 Evergreen Rodeo Parade | Main Street Evergreen, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
6/15- Evergreen Rodeo | Rodeo Grounds
6/16 Evergreen, 2 pm Sat & 12 pm Sun
6/19 Evergreen Concert Series | TBD Evergreen Lake House, 4 - 8 pm
6/21 Gallery Concert featuring Venture Still Center for the Arts, Evergreen 7- 9pm
6/22 Evergreen Sustainability Recycling Event
Evergreen Lutheran Church 10 am - 2 pm
6/26 MALT Night in the Meadow
Behind Our Lady of Pines, Conifer 5 - 9 pm
6/26 Evergreen Concert Series | Midday Sons
Evergreen Lake House, 4 - 8 pm
6/29- Bailey Days Old West Fest | Main Street
6/30 Sat 10 am - 8 pm & Sun 10 am - 3 pm
7/4 4th of July Freedom Run 5K
Evergreen Middle School, 8:00 am
7/10 Evergreen Concert Series | Drew Dvorchak Band
Buchanan Field, Evergreen 4 - 8 pm
7/11 Gallery Concert featuring Rapid Grass Center for the Arts, Evergreen 7- 9pm
7/13 Triple ByPass Bicycle Ride | Evergreen to Avon Buchanan Park Start, Evergreen
7/18- Exhibition: Indiginous Voices
8/17 Center for the Arts, Evergreen
7/20- CAE SummerFest Art & Music
7/21 Buchanan Field, Evergreen 10 am - 5 pm
7/24 Evergreen Concert Series | Tyler Phillips Show Evergreen Lake House, 4 - 8 pm
7/26- Evergreen Jazz Festival | 4 Venues 3 Days 7/28 Visit www.evergreenjazz.org for details! Visit
7/27- Elevation Celebration Crafts-Food-Music
7/28 Sutton Road, Conifer 10 am - 8 pm
8/3 Dam Duck Derby | Downtown Evergreen
Evergreen Dam, 11 am - 3 pm
8/7 Evergreen Concert Series | Living Room Band
Buchanan Fields, Evergreen 4 - 8 pm
8/7 Mt. Evans Moonlight Soirée
Evergreen Lakehouse, Evergreen 6 pm
8/9 Gallery Concert featuring Rooster Blackspur
Center for the Arts, Evergreen 7- 9pm
8/10 Kiwanis Corn Hole Tournament
Buchanan Fields, Evergreen 9 am - 4 pm
8/19- Evergreen Fine Arts Festival
8/20 Buchanan Fields, Evergreen 10 am - 5 pm
8/22- 130 for $150 Fundraising Exhibition
9/13 Center for the Arts, Evergreen
8/24 Boogie at the Ranch | Details to come Visit www.boogieatthebarn.com for tix
8/23- Epic Improv Comedy Summer
8/24 Center Stage, Evergreen 7:30 pm
He’s no ordinary Joe, and he’s not just another pretty face, although he’s got that goin.’ Joe Glasmire is a Renaissance Man of sorts, and everything he does, he does well. I first experienced a hint of his sense of excellence when he joined the Center for the Arts Evergreen Board and walked us through what Sculpture Evergreen could contribute, if melded into CAE. We have become one, and his over-and -above commitment, direction, and effort with the Sculpture Walk is to be applauded.
That contribution would seem to be enough, but there is so much more to Joe. He is a gifted artist, having developed his craft from the early age of 11, to a college degree in Art Education, to teaching art to high school students while completing a Master of Fine Arts. In addition to teaching art, Joe changed careers and spent 32 years in the pharmaceutical industry.
In 2014, Joe retired and continues to pursue his passion... his lifelong interest in the visual arts. He is inspired by nature, capturing the subtle and sometimes bold contrasts of light, color, and shadow that are mostly displayed in the early morning and late afternoon hours. He creates using watercolor, oil, soft and oil pastels, graphite and colored pencils, gouache, and an occasional mix of all. The style of Joe’s art alternates between tightly controlled drawing and a free & fluid use of media. Take a good look at his work, and you will find what I and so many have found, that he is truly gifted, and his art is a gift to us all. Joe will have a studio this summer in CAE’s new building. C’mon by! Also, visit him on Facebook at Glasmire Arts. – John Erlandson
Thanks to everyone that supported our 2024 Sparkle for Special Needs drawing! We were able to present EPRD’s Inspire program with over $3,000 this year
Congratulations to Evergreen local, Ann Mott for winning the opal and diamond necklace!!
Staging is the art of preparing a home for sale by enhancing its appeal to potential Buyers. It’s become an essential aspect of the real estate process, often yielding significant benefits in terms of both sales price and time on the market.
Staging ranges from decluttering and re-arranging your home, to actually renting furniture and accessories. Most of the time, unless the house is vacant, it’s more a matter of having a professional help you minimize your belongings, depersonalize, and strategically arrange artwork and furniture to enhance flow, all with the goal to highlight your home’s best features and maximize its perceived value.
This is especially critical for photos. Staged homes also tend to photograph better, which is crucial in today’s digital age where the majority of homebuyers begin
their search online. A professional real estate photographer uses a wide-angle lens which is fabulous at capturing the entire room, but also highlights every small detail. The ten items on the mantle become the focus instead of the fireplace, the room with five big plants hides the view, and grandmother’s precious but worn pillows you love just don’t look good in photos. There is no doubt that eye-catching listing photos will attract more views and generate greater interest in the property, leading to more showings and ultimately more offers.
Beyond the photos, first impressions are crucial in real estate, and staging aims to create a positive initial impact on prospective Buyers. One of the primary benefits of staging is the ability to showcase a home’s potential, which helps buyers visualize themselves living there. By presenting rooms that are not over-full of furniture and
decor, staging can make a property feel more inviting and desirable, thereby increasing the likelihood of a quick sale. And while staging and decluttering takes work, keep in mind it all has to be packed up anyway. You might as well do it in time to present your home to the market the best way possible.
Staged homes often sell for higher prices compared to un-staged homes. According to the National Association of Realtors, 83% of Buyers’ agents believe that staging makes it easier for Buyers to visualize a given property as their future home, and 25% reported that it increased the offer price by
1-5% compared to similar unstaged homes. Additionally, staged homes are less likely to undergo price reductions or linger unsold, reducing carrying costs for the seller.
Ultimately, staging has proven to be a highly effective strategy for selling a house by enhancing your home’s appeal both in person and in photos, increasing perceived value, and expediting the sales process. Any knowledgeable real estate agent will make staging part of the listing process, ensuring a more successful and profitable real estate transaction.
As a small business owner, over the years I’ve received a lot of questions that look a lot like these:
Q. Where do you get your business from?
Q. What are some of the challenges you are seeing in your industry?
A. First off would be sourcing the stone. Lead times can be anywhere from next week to next year. I try to recommend that when my customers go to the stone yards or showrooms, they try to be very upfront and realistic with their schedule. They can ask to only be shown samples of stone that are in stock in case you need to get the project going immediately, not even giving yourself a chance to fall in love with something that you can’t have. Most of the popular options that everyone wants right now are out 1-2 months. As the summer
A. I think this is one of the most beautiful things about living and working in the foothills. Our wonderful community comes with lots of opportunities to make solid relationships with the people we work for and with. That’s why our tag line is “Relationships Founded in Stone.” Most of my business comes from the recommendations of people we have been working side by side with for years. Whether it’s interior designers like Alexa Interiors or Meadow Creek Design Studio, or maybe by the fireplace go-to that is Mountain Hearth and Patio, or just by word of mouth from friends and neighbors, there is an unbelievably high demand for experienced masons up here right now.
season approaches, that timeline continues to get further out. It’s amazing to see how different types of stone speak to different people. Much like art, there is no right or wrong—just whatever you have a reaction to. It’s a fun part of the process to see people react.
Q. There seems to be a “help wanted” sign in every small business window anymore. Has finding the right help been a struggle for you as well?
A. Masonry is a very labor-intensive industry. It takes a lot of bodies to move these things into place, which brings us back to the relationships. I’ve helped other masons that I’ve made friends with along the way and vice versa. I’ve also hired virtually all of my friends at one time or another,
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which has been maybe the most enjoyable part of the work. There’s something that fuses us when we accomplish heavy, hard tasks together.
Q. What has been your favorite project you’ve worked on so far?
A. A few years ago, I was honored to build a Marian Grotto behind Christ the King Catholic Church. It was near and dear to my
heart as I grew up in that parish, was married in that parish, and volunteered at that parish youth group for years, so it was a joy to be trusted with a project like that. It was also very nerve racking to build the cave structure. Also, the altar bench stone ended up being almost half a ton, and because of the setting, we had to move it by hand. I had to call in some serious youth group muscle to help carry the load on that one!
Patrick McMenaman is the owner
and operator of Braveheart Masonry which does one-of-a-kind stone installations in the area. Last year Patrick also joined the PandoraJohnProperties Team at Madison & Co Properties. Together with his wife Jenna, Patrick is looking forward to continuing to build relationships and promote our lovable little community, now through stone and real estate!
Check out some of our projects and get in touch with us at BraveheartMasonry.com
EPRD’s Summer Concert Series – 2024
PJP is excited to again be a sponsor of Evergreen’s summer soundtrack ... always a good time! Come out and see us at the PandoraJohnProperties tent!
