At the corner of Colfax and Grant, Capitol Hill Books has o ered a wide selection of used books for decades. New this year for the longtime Denver business are the nearby orange construction cones and blocked sidewalks, part of the ongoing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project that is making its way along East Colfax.
e bookstore is among the rst establishments to feel the impact of the roadway gutting. Owner Ben Hall said the most signi cant impact they have felt is a loss of foot tra c from o Colfax and the lack of parking in the area.
“It’s side streets or nothing,” Hall said. “ ere’s no parking on Colfax for these several blocks.”
As construction moves down the busy street, Hall said he is “slightly” more optimistic about business improving as construction machines and blocked-o sidewalks will disappear from directly outside the bookstore but that parking will still be an issue throughout the entirety of operations.
“In theory when they nish the project, it will be much easier for pedestrians along Colfax,” Hall said. “Unfortunately, that’s in the future, and I have to pay rent.”
e BRT is intended to improve the e ciency of public transportation and in the long run bring more foot tra c to area businesses, boosting the commerce of the area. When construction is completed, two sideby-side bus lanes will run down the busy roadway with a lane on either side for general-purpose vehicles. e project broke ground in October and the rst phase from Broadway to Williams Street is currently underway. Construction is projected to move down the street in ve phases with each segment spanning about 18 months.
Work will progress from Williams Street to Monroe Street, then to Niagara Street, Yosemite Street and the light rail R-Line Station at I-225. Budgeted at $280 million, the BRT is slated to reach completion by 2027.
Work is currently occurring within the rst two segments from Broadway to Gar eld Street and is reported to be moving smoothly with no delays. e ongoing construction covers a host of upgrades such as improvements to side streets and sidewalks, storm drainage, ADA-compliant ramps, waterline improvements, tra c signal foundations and station construction is progressing at several sites.
“As spring approaches, work will largely resemble current activities, though a few new BRT stations will become more visibly prominent,” said Nancy Kuhn, a spokesperson for the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Kuhn also noted that as work on the BRT progresses on the south side of the street, utility relocation work is being done simultaneously on the north side by several third parties including Xcel Energy to relocate necessary infrastructure for future work assisted with the BRT.
Chris Nicholson, RTD Director for District A where construction is underway, stressed the long-term bene ts of the project such as increases to property values along the corridor, improving the business environment and making the neighborhood more enticing to residents and pedestrians.
“ is is a huge infrastructure project, and people are going to feel it,” said Nicholson. “It’s worth keeping in mind what we will get out of this when these three years are over.”
He also noted the segmentation of the project has allowed the RTD to address each section as quickly as possible, aiding business owners with getting back to their normal operations. In the meantime, the top concerns he’s heard from residents include tra c, parking or the lack of on surrounding streets and of course, the impact to businesses. Residents in the area in particular have felt the impact of parked cars on side streets.
“On the side streets everything is packed,” said Constance Mortell, who lives two blocks from Colfax and noted she typically avoids driving through the area completely now. “It used to be crowded, but it has ever been as bad as it is now.”
BOTTOM RIGHT: Mile-Hi Sweets and Treats has adapted its business approach in response to decreased revenue due to construction.
TOP PHOTO: The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is progressing eastward along the busy Denver roadway.
BOTTOM LEFT: Capitol Hill Books on Colfax Avenue and Grant Street has felt the strains of construction. PHOTOS
BY CHAS SISK KUNC
A plan to write a key civil rights measure into Colorado law is running into intense resistance. Opponents say it’s really an attempt to rework how local elections are run.
e federal Voting Rights Act has been used for six decades to ensure the fairness of elections. But some worry the Trump administration will try to do away with it, so they’ve launched a na-
tional campaign for VRA protections to be written into state law. Several states have agreed.
Colorado could become the latest.
Senate Bill 25-001 would give voters the right to bring discrimination suits at the state level and extend new protections speci c to the state, including making sure people can vote while in jail and barring discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
SEE RIGHTS, P5
Since 1975, Life on Capitol Hill has been a primary news source for this vibrant neighborhood in the heart of Denver. We’ve been proud to bring you news and happenings, celebrating your successes and offering perspective on our shared challenges.
DIRECTOR’S
CONSTRUCTION
With three years to go until the nal deadline, not only businesses in the immediate construction zone but those further down on Colfax are feeling the pinch of road work such as Mile-Hi Sweets and Treats on the corner of East Colfax and Milwaukee Street. Having opened its doors this October, owner Phil Cardenas said he didn’t know about the construction project until after the building was purchased and he opened his doors.
“People avoid construction like the plague,” said Cardenas, who’s heard from many customers that they don’t like to come down to Colfax due to construction. “ is section of Colfax was much busier up until construction. People have been o Colfax entirely.”
To adapt to the business challenges, Cardenas said he’s focusing on other ways to promote his business besides his brick and mortar store. He’s been focusing on his online shop and plans to bring candy packages to dispensaries and other neighboring businesses to see if he can sell products at other locations. Cardenas like Hall will also be applying for the Business Impact Opportunity Fund (BIO) grant program through the Denver Economic Development & Op-
portunity (DEDO) o ce, which is providing some nancial relief to a ected establishments.
A partnership between the city, Mile High United Way and the Colfax Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), the grant applications opened on Feb. 18 and applications will be accepted through March 18 with a focus on businesses located between Broadway to Williams Street a ected by construction within 350 feet of their location. e onetime grant of up to $15,000 will also include a business support program.
“Denver’s local businesses are the heart and soul of the community, and Denver is deeply committed to helping small, local businesses thrive,” Kuhn said.
Store owners have also received support from the BID who have taken the lead on coordinating assistance to area businesses along with directing tra c to area locations. In addition to monthly Chats on Colfax and marketing campaigns such as “We Back the Fax,” the BID has tackled other initiatives such as installing purple ags indicating businesses are open.
“It’s a big theater production and our job is to ensure the neighborhood that comes to see the show will work for them in the long run,” Nicholson said. “ e process is well underway and it may be a struggle but we will get there.”
Just as our neighborhoods and city have grown and changed, so too have the ways in which people get their news and information. Email newsletters, social channels and other forms of social cohesion have created instant and frequent connections within neighborhoods.
As news consumption habits evolve, so must the products we create to deliver local news. Monthly print products like Life on Capitol Hill, distributed for free to homes and racked locations while relying exclusively on advertising revenue to supplement the costs of producing it, have become increasingly di cult to keep sustainable.
It’s for this reason that we decided to make this edition of Life on Capitol Hill
its last. is was a dicult decision, but a necessary one to allow our sta to focus their time, attention and resources on supporting the evolution of our other many news brands across the Denver region.
We want to thank you, our readers and advertisers, for supporting Life on Capitol Hill over its ve decades in print. We’re proud to have played a role in telling the stories that have shaped this community. We couldn’t have done it without you.
We also encourage you to visit coloradocommunitymedia.com for local news you can’t get anywhere else in communities across the Denver metro area.
Finally, we’re always open to new ideas and partnership opportunities –email me at brooke@ntln.org to get the conversation started!
Construction on East Colfax is well underway.
PHOTO BY MERYL PHAIR
As this is the last edition of Life on Capitol Hill to be printed by Colorado Community Media, we wanted to pay homage to the local publication by compiling various covers from the past.
PHOTOS FROM COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA ARCHIVES
COLUMN
Brooke Warner
BY NATALIE KERR SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Trade industries have some of the labor force’s smallest gender pay gaps — in the construction industry, women earn about 95% of what men get paid compared to an average 81% gender pay gap in all other sectors, according to Forbes magazine. But women only account for only about 5% of all skilled tradespeople.
e Emily Gri th Technical College (EGTC) and its fundraising arm, the Emily Gri th Foundation, want to help more women take advantage of the well-paying opportunities that exist in trade industries. eir third annual Celebration of Women in Trades event on April 30 hopes to connect women with educational and career opportunities in trades and promote the value of bringing more women into historically male-dominated industries.
is year’s fundraiser will feature trade showcases that highlight di erent career and technical education programs and apprenticeships at EGTC, all hosted by student volunteers. EGTC alumni working in the restaurant will return to cater lunch, providing a wide range of food selections, and afterwards, select alumni will join a panel of speakers for a moderated Q&A.
“As a woman in a traditionally maledominated profession, there are times when I’m not taken seriously,” said 2023 automotive service graduate Pippa Vanos in her speech at last year’s event. “But what has kept me going is that I am helping to break the glass ceiling for other women like me who are following their dreams and passions to make a living.”
e Foundation uses proceeds from the event to grant students scholarships and non-tuition stipends, and to expand programs and apprenticeships at EGTC, Chaleki said. Each year the foundation typically raises around $1
million for the school.
Coincidentally, the event falls on National Apprentice Day. EGTC is proud of the more than 5,200 apprentices it hosts in Colorado and are honored to be able to celebrate their apprentices on April 30, Chaleki said.
“As women, more and more folks are looking at Technical College as a really realistic and viable pathway of graduating with really well paid jobs and credentials without debt,” Chaleki said. “Having an opportunity to celebrate that impact is re-
ally important.”
It’s always a special moment to see alumni return and share about their well-earned success, Chaleki said, but it also provides a great opportunity for the school to receive feedback and ideas from people who have completed their program and used their education to start their careers.
Daglis Chacon earned her massage therapy license in 2022 and her esthetician license in 2024 after years of challenges and setbacks learning english and
working long hours. She was honored to be the student speaker at the 2024 graduation ceremony.
She used her speech to encourage graduates to believe in themselves and their abilities, regardless of other people’s criticisms.
“Doesn’t matter what people say, it doesn’t matter what limitation anyone puts, it doesn’t matter the system, the most important is you,” Chacon said.
The Celebration of Women in Trades for Emily Gri th Technical College is entering its third year. COURTESY OF MARK WOOLCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY
SEE WOMEN IN TRADE, P5
RIGHTS
“ e right to vote is under attack by a federal administration testing the limits of its power,” said Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat sponsoring the bill. “Generations of brave activists, women, and people of color have fought for the right to vote -- and now, it’s our turn. is bill would ensure that in Colorado, no matter your gender, race, or the language you speak, your sacred right to vote is protected.”
e measure has the backing of a wide variety of groups, including the ACLU, the League of Women Voters and Colo-
WOMEN IN TRADE
“What is your intention? What is your dream? Go for it.”
She said she is inspired by the generations of women who have paved the way for her, from Cleopatra to Marie Curie to Emily Gri th and the hundreds of women in the beauty industry. She said she wants to encourage other women to take advantage of the progress that has been made to reach their goals.
rado Common Cause.
But many local o cials are worried -- including some who say they would ordinarily support voting rights legislation.
“Aurora’s against the voting rights act?” asked Pete Schulte, the city attorney in Aurora. “I have to tell you, when I rst heard city council ... talking about opposing this bill, I was like, “Wait a minute. It’s the Colorado Voting Rights Act.””
“ is does not mirror the federal Voting Rights Act,” he added.
Schulte and other local o cials worry it could open new pathways for people to sue communities over elections. In particular, those suits could come over at-large seats or the timing of elections. Both could be considered discrimina-
“We are working for progress to demonstrate ourselves that we are capable,” Chacon said. “We can do it at the same level. We can do it in heels.”
Businesses are well-represented at the event, too, and the alumni representation shows industry professionals the mutual bene ts of creating more women-inclusive work environments, Chaleki said.
ough women still hold a small percentage of trade roles, the numbers are growing.
Women’s labor participation in skilled trades reached its highest level ever in
tory, if someone suggests they suppress turnout or representation of people of color.
ey also point out that the state constitution gives Colorado communities broad discretion to run elections as they see t. And, they say, cities in Colorado have successfully fended of any claims under the federal VRA that they’re violating voters’ rights.
“To date there have been no successful lawsuits against Colorado municipalities under the federal Voting Rights Act,” Heather Stau er, legislative advocacy manager for the Colorado Municipal League, said at a recent hearing on the proposal. “It’s very clear to us that the intent of this bill is to change speci c voting policies and structures of local
2021, and the number of female apprentices more than doubled from 2014 to 2022, Forbes reported.
Getting more women into successful trade careers means more women instructors and mentors, who can nurture the next generation of women to pursue technical education and jobs.
“Year over year, what we’ve heard is that this whole idea that representation matters,” Chaleki said. “One of our welding instructors is a woman, and we hear over and over the importance of having that female welding instructor so students can see it themselves.”
government via litigation.”
e VRA’s supporters have tried to reassure cities that they don’t plan to come after them. But they say there should be laws to prevent election o cials from engaging in discrimination.
“We have these federal protections. ey’re nothing new. But they have been eroded,” said Michael Pernick, lawyer for the Legal Defense Fund who has helped draft state voting rights acts. e measure has so far passed just one committee, in the state Senate. Backers say they hope to resolve local governments’ concerns as it moves through the process. is story was made available via the Colorado News Collaborative. Learn more at https://colabnews.co
Chaleki hopes that attendees use the event as an opportunity to explore the wide range of careers available to them, and to be con dent in trying something di erent.
e event has limited space, so all attendees must purchase a ticket, which are available at egfoundation.org/a-celebration-of-women-in-trades.
“Technical education in general, is such an incredible and viable option for so many people,” Chaleki said. “Not only explore that, but explore all the di erent o erings.”
A publication of
Mailing Address:
750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225
Englewood, CO 80110
Phone: 303-566-4100
To subscribe call 303-566-4100 or Scan this QR Code
BROOKE WARNER Executive Director brooke@ntln.org
LINDA SHAPLEY Director of Editorial & Audience lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
ERIN FRANKS Production Manager efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com
BUSINESS INQUIRIES
For advertiser or vendor questions, please email our business department at accounting@ coloradocommunitymedia.com
Stay organized, enjoy the adventure — here are some spring break travel tips
Spring Break is almost here, and whether you’re heading to a resort, a cozy Airbnb, or an o -the-beaten-path adventure, preparation is key to keeping stress at bay.
Our friend Jenn Tims over at Move 4 Moments has mastered the art of making travel smoother, and we’re here to share her best tips to keep you organized—especially when heading abroad with kids in tow!
Before You Leave: Essential To-Dos
Check Your Phone Plan – Contact your provider to see if you need an international plan or if Wi-Fi calling will be enough.
Passport Prep – Snap a pic of your passport barcode and scan all important documents (IDs, passports, insurance cards) to a Google Drive folder. Print extra copies and give access to a trusted family member.
Consider Travel Insurance – Many credit cards like American Express include built-in travel insurance, or you can purchase a plan through your booking provider.
Check Booking Flexibility – We love Southwest & Marriott for their generous cancellation policies (free up to three days prior!).
Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees – Check your credit card for hidden charges and notify your bank before traveling.
Have Some Cash on Hand – While credit cards are widely accepted, some experiences like golf carts (Isla Mujeres) and jetski rentals (Cabo) are cash-only. Be wary of ATM fees—once in Isla Mujeres, it cost $27 just to withdraw cash!
Hold Your Mail – Use USPS.com to pause mail delivery while you’re away.
Enlist Help at Home – If you’re using a home service like TULA, schedule them to handle trash pickup, package collection, and plant watering.
Columnists & Guest Commentaries
Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of Life on Cap Hill. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.
Email letters to eric@cotln.org
Deadline
5 p.m. on the 20th of each month for the following month’s paper.
We’re a couple months into the new year and if you’re feeling anything like me, it’s been a bit of an overwhelming one so far.
CORRECTIONS
Colorado Trust for Local News asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.
Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
Maybe what you need is a new fantasy book to escape into, and “A Broken Blade” by Melissa Blair might be the right t. In this rst book of the Hal ing Saga series, we meet Keera, the top spy and assassin for the king of Elvarath. She’s a hal ing, born of two races, elf and human, and the king has enslaved her people for centuries after e ectively killing or exiling all magical folk. Now, she and all hal ings are property of the king, forced to serve him. She copes with the nature of her enslavement through self-harm and alcohol. When a mysterious gure known as the Shadow starts to move against the kingdom, she must travel into the realm of the Fae to hunt him. As she searches in the Fae realm, Keera discovers that not everything is as it seems. Upon meeting the Shadow, she realizes partnering with him could help free her people. She would have the alibi of being the king’s assassin but would be able to help coordinate strategic moves against the Crown. Blair, a member of the Anishinaabe tribe, originally published her book anonymously. It quickly gained traction on social media as readers attempted to nd the author. In “A Broken Blade” she has created the beginnings of a beautiful and intriguing fantasy world. Readers are taken into a land full of magic, danger, and politics, but they
LIFE BALANCED
Some families even Airbnb their home while traveling (a great way to o set vacation costs!).
Packing
Smart: What You Really Need
For Everyone: Pack a carryon with essentials (swimsuit, cover-up, medications, skincare) in case luggage is delayed.
Extra Shoes – Learned the hard way when my kid’s shoe got caught in an escalator in Mexico—sandals break, sneakers rip, and new shoes mean blisters. Always pack a backup pair!
A Way to Get Wet Swimsuits Home – If you swim on travel day, use the towel trick to dry suits or pack a reusable waterproof pouch.
Bug Bracelets and Sunscreen – Some destinations require reef-safe sunscreen, like Isla Mujeres.
Portable Phone Charger – For long days of sightseeing or navigating airports.
Crossbody Bag or Sling – Hands-free is the way to go, especially for busy airports and markets.
e Canvelle sling bag is a favorite!
For the Kids: Download movies before the ight or check the airline’s entertainment options.
Travel stroller & snacks – Customs lines in Cancun can be a breeze or a two-hour wait—snacks and a lightweight stroller are lifesavers.
Pool bag essentials – Sunglasses, goggles, hats, and any must-have toys.
A Backup Out t in a Ziploc – Accidents happen, and having a fresh set of clothes is a game-changer.
SEE BALANCED, P12
‘A Broken Blade’ is a mesmerizing fantasy
PT postpregnancy can help prevent pelvic floor disorders
PWOMEN’S WELLNESS
will also see some of Blair’s personal history and experiences as both a queer and indigenous person shine through the story. emes of colonization and resistance are central to the plot, and some heavier moments dealing with self-harm and self-hatred are also present.
Dr. Terry Dunn
elvic oor disorders are often a result of childbirth, yet many symptoms may be preventable. Because of the rapid changes to the body during pregnancy, physical therapy is recommended to reduce the longterm e ects that may be attributed to postpartum pelvic oor dysfunction. e pelvic oor muscles support the uterus, bladder and rectum. After childbirth, symptoms such as frequent or urgent urination, pelvic soreness or pain, urinary or fecal incontinence and back pain should go away after six to eight weeks. If you are still experiencing these symptoms, it might be time to see a pelvic oor physical therapist. If these issues are not addressed, it can lead to quality-of-life issues in the areas of physical, social, emotional and sexual health. Often, women think these issues are normal, but they are not issues they have to live with for the rest of their lives. By seeing a pelvic oor PT, they can assess your pelvic oor muscles and provide you with a variety of exercises to work on these muscles. It is important to get assessed by a medical professional since the exercises are not a one-size- ts-all for all women. is kind of treatment can be helpful at any time as a preventative measure. PT can be e ective in managing the progression of pelvic oor disorders by reducing trips to the bathroom, greater mobility and reduced fall risk later in life.
Physical therapy can start before the delivery of the baby and start again one to three days afterwards or later in life to strengthen these muscles. Fewer sessions are needed with the physical therapist when treatment is started sooner rather than later, according to research from the Mayo Clinic. ose who do not have physical therapy may not notice symptoms until they return to tness and other activities. Others may not notice symptoms until they are 40, 60, or 80 and may never have symptoms. As a preventative measure, pelvic oor PT can be a simple option to minimize issues.
For more information on pelvic oor disorders, visit urogyns.com.
Dr. Terry Dunn is the owner of Foothills Urogynecology, a Denverbased practice specializing in women’s health. To learn more, visit www. urogyns.com.
Megan Trask and Cody Galloway
BY SCOTT GILBERT SGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Sonya Ellingboe, a longtime Littleton resident and beloved community activist widely known for her decades of writing about arts and culture in Colorado Community Media newspapers, died Feb. 22, 2025, at age 94.
Ellingboe was born Sonya Joyce Watson on July 9, 1930, in Columbus, Ohio, to economics professor Jesse Paul Watson and art instructor Elizabeth Joyce Watson. e little family moved soon after to Pittsburgh, where Ellingboe grew up and began her love of art and reading, in uenced by her parents and “a really super art teacher in high school,” as she recalled in a 2018 biographical interview with Colorado Community Media.
Ellingboe got her bachelor’s degree in visual art from Carleton College in Northeld, Minnesota, where she met St. Olaf College student John “Jack” Ellingboe. ey married after she graduated from college and she then lived in Ames, Iowa while her husband got his doctorate in analytical chemistry at Iowa State University and the rst of their children was born.
e young couple wanted to live in Colorado, and Ellingboe recalled how a college connection helped her husband arrange an interview with Littleton’s Marathon Oil operation, where she said the company was “paying salaries in scenery.” ey moved to Littleton in 1956 and lived there except for a couple of years at the Marathon home o ce in Ohio in the mid-1960s. ey raised their four children in Littleton’s Aberdeen Village neighborhood before divorcing in 1981.
“I had four children in six years, which can tell you pretty well what my life was like,” Ellingboe said of her time as a busy young mother, but from her earliest days in Littleton she began her community engagement by joining the League of Women Voters, going to museums and classes, and creating pottery in a local studio “to talk to big people.”
Ellingboe’s love of reading was a big part of her life, which she shared with others by working as a librarian in Iowa in the 1950s until her rst child was born in 1955, and later by buying e Book House bookstore in Englewood’s Brookridge shopping center in 1970, then moving the store to a house on Littleton’s Curtice Street near Arapahoe Community College. “I moved it from Brookridge to an old house across from ACC, which had been a dream of mine from when we were in Ames, where there was a woman
who had a bookstore in an old house,” she recalled.
Ellingboe operated e Book House until competition from chain stores led her to close the business in 1986. With her lifelong love of books remaining strong, she then returned to work as a librarian, spending the next couple years with Jefferson County’s Columbine Library.
In 1988, Ellingboe began her career as a writer, rst for the Littleton Times and then the Littleton Independent and its sister papers in the Colorado Community Media chain. Her writing career lasted 35 years until her retirement at age 93 in September 2023.
Even after health issues led her to retire, Ellingboe remained active in book clubs and kept a stack of books at hand to read along with e Denver Post, e New York Times and the Littleton Independent. She also continued to attend local artistic performances.
rough her years in Littleton, Ellingboe was active in many community organizations and cultural amenities and played a founding role in some. ey included the League of Women Voters, Bemis Library Fine Arts Committee, Town Hall Arts Center, Littleton Business Chamber, Commission on Human Rights, Littleton Fine Arts Guild, Hudson Gardens and Event Center, Friends of the Library and Museum, Littleton Garden Club and Historic Littleton Inc.
“Most of the time we’ve been here I’ve been involved one way or another with something going on in Littleton … I get nostalgic about old things that get overwhelmed but I think we need to be changing and gaining,” Ellingboe recalled in the 2018 interview.
“I’ve been a joiner, I guess,” she added with her signature bright laugh. “I recommend it.”
Ellingboe’s career as an arts and culture writer was marked by the positivity and encouraging tone of her coverage.
“Family is important to me, and so is making art accessible to as many people as possible,” she recalled. “I feel my mission in writing stories isn’t to slam something, but to get people o their sofas to go see it.”
In December 2023, the Littleton City Council approved a Local Historic Landmark Designation for the house on Curtice Street where Ellingboe had her bookstore for many years, and in January 2024 the Littleton Arts and Culture Commission named Ellingboe as the rst-ever recipient of the City of Littleton Arts and Culture Award, with a ceremony honor-
read it? Check out these read-alikes:
“ e Road of Bones” by Demi Winters, “ e Dead Cat Tail Assassins” by P. Djeli Clark, or “To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods” by Molly X. Chang.
ing her held in March 2024. is year, the Littleton Independent received funding from the city’s Arts and Culture Grant Program to support coverage of arts and culture in Littleton and the south metro area, in honor of Ellingboe.
Ellingboe is survived by son John (Page Hartwell) Ellingboe, daughter Kirsten (Al) Orahood, daughter Karen (Peter Krasno ) Ellingboe and son Bruce (Cindy) Ellingboe; half-sister Anne Redmond; four nephews; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
No public memorial service is planned, as family members note their gratitude
for the many celebrations of Ellingboe’s life while she was alive. Memorial donations in Ellingboe’s name may be made to Historic Littleton Inc., P.O. Box 1004, Littleton, CO 80160; historiclittleton@ gmail.com; or to the arts organization of the donor’s choice.
“I hope I’m remembered as someone who encouraged people to participate in what pleases them,” Ellingboe said in the 2018 interview. “Getting involved in your community makes a huge di erence in how your life proceeds.”
She added: “Keep moving — that’s my other advice — as long as possible.”
As Keera begins to nd a sliver of hope and maybe even some friends after decades of loneliness, the book ends! e good news for readers is that all four books in the series have been published, with the nal installment released just last month, so there is no wait to see what happens next in the story. If you are looking for a book that is both a good escape and an empowering call to ght back, check out “A Broken Blade”.
“A Broken Blade” can be found at your closest Denver Public Library location or as an eBook at denverlibrary.org. Already
Looking for something creative to do? Try checking out the ideaLAB at Central! Come check out the makerspace during “Open Lab” hours with a project in mind and with a variety of tools, machines, and craft materials, you can bring it to life. Sta are also available to assist you if you need it. Hours of operation are 1-5 p.m. Sundays, 2-6 p.m. Tuesdays through ursdays.
Ashley Love is a librarian at Denver’s Central Library. She spends her free time gardening, hiking and reading long fantasy books.
Sonya Ellingboe speaks to the audience at the Littleton State of the Arts event in 2024 after receiving the inaugural Arts and Culture Award.
PHOTO BY NINA JOSS
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Legislation aimed at improving the mental health of Colorado’s children is gaining ground after garnering bipartisan support among lawmakers, say bill advocates.
“I think everyone is aware that there is a mental health crisis among our kids,” said Zach Zaslow, VP of Community Health and Advocacy at Children’s Hospital Colorado. “I think (lawmakers) are stepping up to be helpful in ghting this crisis.”
Zaslow, Dr. Lauren Eckhart, clinical director for the Colorado Springs division of the Pediatric Mental Health Institute at Children’s Hospital Colorado and about 100 parents, health care providers and primary care physicians were at the State Capitol on Tuesday to hail the passage of two key bills – HB 25 1002 and HB 251135.
Both measures passed the State House and now are headed for Senate hearings before they are voted on by the whole legislature.
Zaslow said neither measure costs taxpayers but could likely save lives in the long term. HB 1002 tries to cut the disparities between standard physical health and mental health bene ts. e measure would ensure private health insurance carriers are not denying coverage for medically necessary mental health and substance abuse services that a healthcare provider has prescribed and that should be covered under the patient’s health plan, according to the legislation.
Advocates point to a report by health policy consultants Milliman that says that more than 75 percent of Coloradans with commercial insurance who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition have not received the care they need over the past year.
ere is still a “stigma” surrounding mental health and an associated reluctance among most insurers to cover its treatment, Zaslow said.
at often translates to patients who need immediate treatment but don’t get the help they need until much later, Eckhart said.
“ ere are often signi cant delays that can hurt those in need. We need to get them to get care as soon as possible,” Eckhart said.
Cell policies required by 2026
HB1135, which also attracted bipartisan support, would require all school districts to have a policy in place dealing with cell phone during the day by July 2026. e bill does not impose a statewide ban on cell phone use in schools but calls for school districts the create their own locally developed policy regarding cell phone use during school hours in K-12 setting, according to the legislation.
“We wanted to take a middle ground on cell phone use,” Zaslow said. “We don’t want an outright ban on their use, but we also don’t want a laissez faire approach to cell phones.”
Only about a third of Colorado’s largest school districts have a cell phone use
Like our popular full-size Honeybells, Mini Honeybells are packed with rich avor and juicy goodness, but come in a size that ts in the palm of your hand. While “bell” is in their name and they’re part of the Honeybell family, Minis don’t always fully develop into a bell shape. But we can assure you they don’t lack in quality or taste! Rare Hale Honeybells are available in limited quantities for a limited time! Pre-order now to reserve your share of this year’s crop with this delicious deal!
plus $7.99
policy during the school day. Local principals and teachers are then left to come up with their own classroom policies, Eckhart said.
Clear evidence exists that social media use throughout the school day can have negative impacts on youth mental health and wellbeing, Eckhart added.
“It increases forms of anxiety and students who use their phones a lot are less inclined to get into physical activity,” Eckhart said.
And yet, cell phone use is “...tough pull to resist,” Zaslow said. “But maybe this bill will help us go in the right direction to help kids.”
The dome of the Colorado state Capitol in Denver. Colorado lawmakers consider two bills aimed at mental health among kids. FILE PHOTO
BY CAITLYN KIM CPR NEWS
Paul Lhevine, head of the Colorado Nonpro t Association, elds calls every day from anxious or worried members.
“A lot of nonpro ts are still nding their federal funds being frozen,” he explained. ey call wondering, ‘Is it just because agencies and departments are still trying to play catch up with the judge’s temporary restraining order on the freezing of federal funds, or is there something more nefarious going on?’”
Right now there’s a lot of uncertainty over what the federal government is doing — or not — with federal grants and awards. A federal judge has ordered the Trump Administration to lift its freeze on federal disbursements, but many of the states involved in that lawsuit say billions of dollars remain locked up.
e White House and some Republicans at the U.S. Capitol have argued it’s normal and legitimate for a new administration to review funding.
But many of Lhevine’s members worry about what may come next for groups that often serve as a safety net in their communities.
“ ere is nothing normal about what’s going on,” he said. “It’s not just the breadth and depth of all of the executive orders. It is the sledgehammer approach to the federal government generally.”
He said it’s distressing to see a sector that does so much good for the state being left in limbo, and warns it could have bigger economic rami cations.
ere are about 12,500 nonpro ts in Colorado, “who generate $62 billion of
economic impact annually. We support 180,000 jobs directly and indirectly. We are socially signi cant in as much as we are economically signi cant,” he explained.
Rebecca Samulski, executive director of Fire Adapted Colorado, said even with the judge lifting the funding freeze, some groups that participate in her wild re resilience network say they haven’t been able to receive reimbursements for past work.
“A lot of them are reliant on the regular income from their federal agreements,” she said, adding that while some could operate for about six more months, others will likely only make it a single month. e uncertainty means Samulski’s members are having a hard time moving forward with new contracts; they’re not sure they’ll be able to pay their contractors because they don’t know when the reimbursements will come.
Samulski said everyone is being conservative about their projects, “which potentially means the loss of a working season for us if it doesn’t get resolved quickly.” ose projects can range from creating fuel breaks to tree thinning.
e advice Samulski is giving to her members is to make contingency plans for how they’re going to do less, with less.
e Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver receives just under $1 million in federal funding to help provide meals for students, o er STEM programs, and make facility improvements. CEO Erin Porteous is thankful that none of their funding has been impacted yet, but she’s worried for the future.
She said the organization relies on a
braided model of funding: federal, state, corporations, foundations and individual donations, which insulates it a bit from federal funding shocks. But some of the Boys and Girls Clubs’ partners rely on federal funding for as much as half of their annual budget.
“In this type of environment where those funds may go away, it can be really
detrimental to the services that they’re offering our communities,” she said. Porteous has worked in the nonpro t sector for 20 years and she’s seen how new administrations change priorities. e past month has been a di erent order of magnitude.
Miranda Zamora, of Denver, loads boxes of packaged scone mix onto a pallet at Women’s Bean Project in Denver on Wednesday, November 17, 2021. The nonprofit o ers on-the-job training in a food manufacturing business, as well as career services, life skills and case management for women facing chronic unemployment, recidivism, welfare dependency and other challenges.
PHOTO BY HART VAN
BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT
Ella Smith understands the predicament that the administrators at their college, Colorado State University Fort Collins, are facing when it comes to diversity e orts.
On Feb. 14, the Trump administration issued a letter calling on schools to immediately end all race-conscious policies and programming or risk losing federal funding. e U.S. Department of Education’s O ce of Civil Rights said it will start checking for compliance Feb. 21.
But Smith, an organizer with the CSU Student Coalition for DEIA, said it doesn’t make sense that the school began to make changes to DEI e orts last week when most Colorado universities haven’t.
Smith and other students have organized rallies, sit-ins, and other protests.
“We really feel that CSU is engaging in preemptive compliance,” said Smith.
CSU Fort Collins and the CSU System leaders have said they need to respond to the Trump administration’s demands, even though they believe they’re already following the law.
In a letter last week, CSU Fort Collins
President Amy Parsons said, without elaborating, that the school would “shift some employee job duties and human resources policies and processes, and we will make some changes to CSU’s websites to re ect the institution’s compliance with federal guidelines.” e University of Colorado System similarly removed DEI from its websites and rebranded departments soon after Trump
took o ce.
CSU Fort Collins did not respond to a request from Chalkbeat about more speci c changes it plans to make.
Since President Donald Trump took ofce last month, universities in Colorado have had to adjust to a rapidly changing political landscape. Trump has tried to cut National Institutes of Health grants and rolled back support for HispanicServing and Tribal-Serving Institutions. Now the Dear Colleague letter, which isn’t law, has made it clear that the Trump administration will seek to punish colleges and universities if they don’t comply with its expanded legal view of a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision banning race-conscious admissions.
e letter could have far-reaching consequences for virtually every aspect of campus life, including scholarships, extracurricular activities, graduation ceremonies and student housing. But the federal government has yet to provide school leaders with concrete guidance about what it views as unacceptable.
Combined, the Trump administration’s recent directives have created immense uncertainty about how far colleges and universities should go in accepting cuts and complying with the federal government’s demands — or if schools should ght back.
In a letter to the CSU System community last week, President Tony Frank questioned whether rolling back diversity efforts at the school is the right approach.
“Is this conclusion appeasement?” he wrote. “Or is it recognizing that to accomplish our mission and our goals, a different approach is needed for a di erent moment in time?”
In the letter, the Trump administration said that it’s illegal to use race or gender or sexual orientation as a factor in providing di erent support for students.
“Put simply, educational institutions may neither separate or segregate students based on race, nor distribute bene ts or burdens based on race,” Craig Trainor, the U.S. education department’s acting assistant secretary for civil rights, wrote in the Feb. 14 letter. “Although some programs may appear neutral on their face, a closer look reveals that they are, in fact, motivated by racial considerations.”
College advocacy groups cautioned soon after the Trump administration’s letter that college and university leaders shouldn’t overreact.
Speaking on a webinar last week attended by 5,000 people from colleges across the country, Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, said college leaders should not engage in “over-compliance” or “anticipatory compliance.”
“To be abundantly clear, Dear Colleague letters are not law,” he said.
If schools were compliant with federal law before the Dear Colleague letter came out, then they “are still in compliance with the law,” he said.
Universities evaluate impact e majority of Colorado colleges and universities haven’t made changes since the letter.
e University of Colorado System has not announced further updates to its
operations beyond the website changes. Spokesperson Christopher Sparks said in a statement the schools anticipate there may be additional guidance from the federal government. He added, “as with all of the recent directives released during this federal transition, the university will continue to analyze them to assess the potential impact to CU.”
A University of Northern Colorado spokesperson said in a statement that the school’s leadership team is discussing the letter and don’t want to speculate how it could impact the university.
A Metropolitan State University of Denver spokesperson said in a statement its programs are open to all students, no matter their race or gender. at includes ceremonies such as MSU Denver’s Native American graduation, spokesperson Tim Carroll said.
“We de ne ourselves by who we include, not who we exclude,” he said.
Fort Lewis College said in a statement that the school is con dent it currently complies with law.
“No matter the changes, we will continue providing the resources, support, and opportunities that empower our students and ensure faculty and sta have what they need to excel,” said Nardy Bickel, a school spokesperson.
And Adams State University President David Tandberg said his school remains committed to helping all students. e federal guidance, along with Trump administration changes seeking to shift grants and support, does create uncertainty for schools, Tandberg said. Adams State will keep operating as usual and review or make changes when necessary, he said.
“It’s always important for us to ensure that any of our programming, our policies, or our language re ects our commitment to serve all students and that we don’t discriminate against race, ethnicity, gender, or sex,” he said.
CSU students upset
With most schools taking a wait-andsee approach, the news that CSU is making changes has infuriated many students.
Smith, the CSU student, has helped gather over 3,000 signatures on a petition protesting the changes laid out in Parsons’ letter. Students have also organized a sit-in at the school’s administrative building and have a plan for more protests.
e student protest coalition has asked students to also check in at campus Cultural Resource Centers that provide specialized support to speci c communities, such as students with disabilities and those that are Native American. Checking in to these centers with a student ID is a way to show the centers are popular and that a diverse group of students uses them. e protesters feared the university would do away with the centers as part of the changes to DEI, but the school has said the centers are safe because they are open to all students. Smith said they have visited the Native American Center for tutoring and that the Pride Resource Center is a place they like to hang out with others.
ORDERS
Calli Watson, a senior at CSU, said the news from the CSU System feels terrifying and like the school has singled out safe spaces for students. Watson said Parsons could have been more outspoken about protecting students.
“It kind of leaves me disheartened,” said Watson.
Smith said they fear sta training about inclusivity is also under threat. Creating a university workforce that is more informed about di erent student needs makes everyone feel welcome on campus, Smith said. Smith reiterated that the school’s actions make it feel like CSU leaders are not going to bat for the community.
“It is heartbreaking, but not only that, it makes me sick to my stomach,” Smith said.
In his letter, Frank said reassigning DEI-focused employees into more general student support roles will allow CSU to keep its federal funding and retain those employees on campus.
If not, it’s the system’s interpretation that “enforcement actions could well be taken — and do extremely serious damage,” he said.
Frank acknowledged in the letter that making any changes that could reduce support for CSU’s diverse students can be a source of pain and anger.
He said that some argue the system should ght back, which might put CSU in the crosshairs of the new administration. He wrote that he worries that doing so would gamble federal funding “that is critical to supporting our students” College and university leaders nation-
Students study and socialize inside the Lory Student Center on the Colorado State University campus
school’s Cultural Resource Centers, which students feared would end after the
scious policies.
wide have responded to the new administration in di erent ways. Over 200 have updated websites and policies since Trump’s inauguration, in part due to new state laws, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
In their letters, Frank and Parsons said the CSU schools rely heavily on the fed-
eral money that comes in to serve all students. Federal funding makes up about a third of CSU Fort Collins’ budget “and includes funding for research, student programs, community partnerships and federal nancial aid,” Parsons wrote in her letter.
“To fail to begin to plan now in the face of the pace set by the Dear Colleague letter would, in my opinion, create a risk we should not take,” Frank said. Reprinted with permission from Chalkbeat, a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.
in Fort Collins. The Lory Center houses the
Trump administration’s guidance to universities about race-con-
PHOTO BY ELI IMADALI FOR CHALKBEAT
NONPROFITS
“What we haven’t ever seen before is where the entire landscape looks different, and it’s challenging to navigate, it’s challenging to anticipate what the changes may be, and, frankly, what the recourse or the outcomes of those may be for nonpro ts,” she said. “When that funding certainty isn’t there, it makes it really challenging to plan and to be able to serve the needs of the community.”
And she notes this comes at a time when many of those needs are growing. It’s not just the nonpro t world that is concerned; local governments that partner with nonpro ts also worry about the disruption from federal funding shifts.
An o cial of one Colorado county, who was granted anonymity to speak over fears that the rest of their federal funding could be targeted, said their
BALANCED
Dining, entertainment: maximizing fun
Make Reservations Early – Some resorts require reservations for special dining like hibachi. If you miss out, try this: have an early bu et dinner with the kids to curb hangry meltdowns, then enjoy a late-night specialty dinner when more slots open up. Bonus: Kids eat way more on vacation thanks to all that swimming and adventuring!
Check for eme Nights – Many resorts have special events like white parties, bubble parties, or cultural nights. I
community relies on nonpro ts, especially for social services.
“I think they are living in a world of panic,” the o cial said of those organizations. “I’ve heard too that, not only are they not knowing where the next paycheck’s coming from, people aren’t showing up to get services from them anymore too, which is to me almost even more concerning. I feel like once you lose that connection, it’s really going to be hard to build it back,”
e county also receives millions in federal grants for projects like infrastructure, which are now also in doubt because the funding comes from Biden-era legislation, like the In ation Reduction Act, that’s been targeted by the Trump administration.
“We start these projects with the assumption that the grants we’ve been awarded are going to come with us or come back to us,” the o cial said. “ ese are projects that once we get going, you can’t stop them. You can’t have half a
always pack themed out ts in our carryon so we can dive straight into the fun if our room isn’t ready.
Scope Out Kids’ Clubs and Activities – Most family-friendly resorts have kids’ clubs, but hours vary. Knowing in advance means you can plan downtime (or sneak in a spa treatment!).
Take It Slow – It’s tempting to schedule back-to-back excursions, but kids need downtime. A relaxed beach evening can be just as magical as a packed itinerary.
Indoor & Rainy Day Backup Plan –Even tropical destinations get rainy days. Look for resorts with playrooms, arts & crafts, or movie nights. Downloading a few extra games or shows can save the day, too!
road built. We can’t not pay the people we contract with to do the work. A lot of our construction work, we contract out to local businesses that do it. And that just really directly impacts the economy.”
e federal funding freeze also has the o cial wondering what local governments will look like going forward: how will they have to adjust the services they provide with less federal funding.
Boulder-based nonpro t Growing Gardens doesn’t rely on the federal government for all of its funding — like any good nonpro t, it aims to have diverse revenue streams — but the sliver of funding it gets from the federal government is an important sliver. A few years ago, the group got a $350 million grant from the USDA to more than double its community farm in Longmont, while increasing accessibility and minority involvement.
Now, one of Growing Gardens’ current grants has been put on pause. And while the group has been able to get reimbursements for their farm infrastructure
Transportation, safety
Airport Transfers – Many hotels o er shuttles, but always con rm details in advance.
Car Seats – We bring our in atable travel car seat for exibility. Some shuttle services claim to provide them but don’t always follow through.
Know Your Arrival Plan – If you land late, having a change of clothes handy means you can freshen up and hit the resort festivities right away.
Set Expectations with Kids – Before you go, chat about resort rules (staying close, trying new foods, sharing activity choices). It helps prevent meltdowns later!
project, they’re no longer sure they can count on that.
Site Director Lauren Kelso said people can agree or disagree about what the government should or shouldn’t fund, but, “that seems like a sort of thing that should be decided when Congress decides to build these programs and release this funding. It absolutely should not be the sort of thing that is decided after you have signed a contract with our federal government.”
And Kelso has a question “for the billionaires running the country” — Would they tolerate working with someone who broke signed contracts with their companies without warning.
“I want to ask them if they would ever do business with an entity that’s behaving like they are?”
is story is from CPR News, a nonprofit public broadcaster serving Colorado. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr. org.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re headed to a beach resort, a city escape, or a family road trip, the key to stress-free travel is preparation. A little planning now means more time to relax and create amazing memories. And don’t forget—this is your vacation, too! Sneak in some “me time,” whether it’s a sunset cocktail, a quiet co ee on the balcony, or a quick solo stroll along the beach.
Megan Trask and Cody Galloway are Denver residents and co-founders of TULA Life Balanced. Learn more about their business at tulabalanced.com. is article was written in collaboration with Jenn Tims of Move 4 Moments, a contributor to TULA Life Balanced .
