Lone Tree Voice April 17, 2025

Libraries’ interactive spaces reinvent play

BY JULIA KING SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

In the corners of libraries across the county, kids are preoccupied with some imaginary business at hand.

Douglas County Libraries has continued upgrades to its interactive playscapes, which are the library’s immersive learning experiences designed to build early life skills.

e latest updates include Lone Tree, where the Little Savers Bank and Mar-

ket is complete with safe deposit boxes, a teller window and a play vault; and the Highlands Ranch library, where visitors at the Healthy Critters Vet Clinic can don lab coats and stethoscopes, perform examinations using play instruments, or diagnose plushie “patients” at an X-ray station.

e playscape concept was established years ago as an e ort to broaden early literacy building blocks, which include play, said Amber DeBerry, director of community engagement for Douglas

County Libraries.

Designed for children aged 2 to 8, the rst playscape was installed in Highlands Ranch and since then, many have been added or changed over the years. DeBerry noted that the newer playscapes are bigger, with evolving themes.

“Each playscape is inspired by the Douglas County Libraries’ vision to inspire a love of reading, connection and discovery,” DeBerry said.

Douglas County fought new gun bill and lost

Polis signed measure into law two days after commissioners’ resolution

BY JULIA KING SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

e Douglas County commissioners on April 8 unanimously passed a resolution urging Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to veto a state Senate bill that would require Coloradans to obtain a permit and complete safety training before purchasing certain semiautomatic rearms.

Despite objections like the ones from Douglas County, Polis signed the bill, Semiautomatic Firearms & Rapid-Fire Devices, on April 10. Commissioners argued that the bill violates the Second Amendment — as well as the Fifth and Fourteenth amendments — by depriving gun owners of the ability to sell and transfer their property.

e bill “unfairly and without cause targets an industry of American rearm manufacturers and a community of lawful Colorado gun owners and enthusiasts with burdensome regulations and costs,” the commissioners wrote in the resolution.

Originally written as a broad ban on the sale of semiautomatic rearms with detachable magazines, the legislation was amended in the Senate to allow purchases if buyers meet certain requirements. at compromise, crafted with input from Polis, cleared the Colorado General Assembly on March 28 in a 19-15 Senate vote.

e measure outlines a vetting process similar to what’s required for a concealed carry permit. Residents will need to pass a ngerprint-based criminal history check administered by county sheri s; complete four or 12 hours of safety courses, depending on whether they already hold a hunter safety certi cation; and pass a test on the material taught in those courses. e resulting permit would be valid for ve years.

In their resolution, the Douglas County commissioners called the legislation both unconstitutional and costly. ey warned it would impose millions in recurring administrative and enforcement expenses on local governments — already under strain due to the state’s $1.3 bil-

A child learns through play at one of the Douglas County Libraries’ playscapes. Playscapes inspire children to foster a love of reading, connection and discovery.

Douglas County superintendent’s school pairing plan met with questions, emotional public response

School board also hears recommendations for boundary changes

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County School District Superintendent Erin Kane laid out her longanticipated plan for school pairings and boundary changes in Highlands Ranch to the school board during an April 8 meeting marked by questions, emotional testimony and divided reactions.

e proposal, which a ects six elementary schools in Highlands Ranch, aims to address declining enrollment and o er more consistent programming. It recommends pairing Saddle Ranch with Eldorado, Heritage with Summit View and Acres Green with Fox Creek in the fall of 2026. Kane said the changes would help small schools struggling to sta art and music classes, along with mental health services and allow the district to o er expanded programming through economies of scale. e plan also calls for moving sixth grade to middle school across the a ected feeder areas.

“ is is not a conversation about worthiness,” Kane told the board. “We are very, very proud of your schools. I’m really sorry to have to be here to make these recommendations.”

e meeting marked the rst time Kane presented the recommendations to the board, though district leaders had previewed the plan with families and sta at previous public meetings.

District cites cost savings and leadership concerns

Kane said district sta spent more than 1,500 hours evaluating options and working with the a ected communities. She emphasized the need to act before programs and sta ng further deteriorate due to declining enrollment.

“ ese recommendations are not yby-night,” she said. “ ere was careful consideration and research into every single area.”

e district expects the consolidations will generate savings in operational costs while allowing more robust support services. Chief Financial O cer Jana Schleusner told the board the largest source of savings would come from reducing redundant sta ng, such as administrative and support roles across paired schools.

“ e estimated savings is between $30 and $42 million over ve years,” Schleusner said. “It’s more expensive to run those smaller schools.”

She said the district could save additional costs by relocating district programs from leased spaces into consolidated buildings.

Parents raise concerns about special education programs

Parents and community members raised concerns about the plan’s impact on students in Signi cant Support Needs programs, especially at Saddle Ranch, which several said o ers an inclusive and well-designed setup.

“Saddle Ranch has a great setup for inclusion,” one parent said. “ e SSN room includes internal windows, visibility for safety and proximity to siblings. Eldorado lacks these features.”

Another speaker questioned whether Eldorado could legally accommodate its current program and the one moving over.

“It’s unclear how they will combine with another large program at Eldorado while remaining at legal limits,” she said.

A grandparent of a student with Down syndrome said his grandson had “ ourished” at Saddle Ranch and worried the change would disrupt the student’s progress.

“Keeping the SSN and school sta intact is in the best interest for all the special needs students currently at Saddle Ranch,” he said.

Deputy Superintendent Danelle Hyatt responded to these concerns, saying she’s been meeting with families of students with disabilities one-on-one and in small groups to better understand their needs.

“ ese are some of our most vulnerable students, and it’s really important to us that we take very good care of them through this transition,” Hyatt said.

She said the district is planning a virtual meeting speci cally for families of students with disabilities in the paired school communities and will continue to hold meetings through the end of the school year.

Hyatt also said the district is analyzing current and future enrollment to determine whether to reintroduce programming in neighborhood schools where SSN programming had previously been phased out.

Some families, principals support sixth-grade move

Others spoke in support of the move to middle school for sixth graders, saying it

would better prepare students for high school and provide greater independence.

“Sixth grade at the middle school o ers more autonomy while sta is still there close by to catch them if they fall,” one parent said. “ e middle school model o ers a small school within a big school.”

Several principals also spoke in favor of the shift to middle school for sixth graders, saying it would allow for stronger programming and better alignment with secondary education.

“Our students are ready for the opportunities middle school o ers,” one principal said. “ ey will have access to more electives, stronger peer groups and consistent expectations with their older classmates.”

Board asks for more details on logistics and communication

Board members pressed district leaders on a range of logistical and community concerns. Brad Geiger raised concerns about transportation, particularly for students moving from Acres Green to Fox Creek, a distance of 2.5 miles.

Geiger stressed the plan needed to be well thought out and should address every possible scenario. He also asked if the three additional bus routes would be enough to capture all students in that demographic.

District o cials said they plan to bus all 120 students living within walking distance of Acres Green and waive transportation fees for two years for all stu-

dents impacted by the changes.

Director Valerie ompson asked if families would have a role in renaming paired schools. Sta said that while school numbers would remain the same, communities would be encouraged to decide on new names together.

“We want the newly-paired community to work it out,” said Superintendent Kane. “It’s a new community, a new beginning.”

ompson and other board members also emphasized the importance of relationship building and emotional connection between families and school sta .

“It takes time to build a relationship with your school,” ompson said. “Families want to know their kids are known and supported.”

District leaders acknowledged that sense of loss and pledged to preserve community culture through sta ng continuity and transition planning.

Additional engagement meetings are scheduled in each a ected community, including a virtual session for families of students with disabilities and followup events on transportation and schoolspeci c topics.

Kane told the board that no a ected buildings would be declared surplus and that the changes would allow the district to maintain consistent support services while o ering more special programming and smaller class sizes.

e board is expected to vote on the recommendations on April 22.

Top row from left, Eldorado Elementary, Summit View Elementary sign and Fox Creek Elementary. Bottom row from left, Saddle Ranch Elementary, Heritage Elementary sign and Acres Green Elementary. PHOTOS BY SUZIE GLASSMAN

Drop in Consumer Confidence & Concerns About Trade War Are Not Yet Reflected in Real Estate Statistics

Last Friday, CNN reported on a survey by the University of Michigan about consumer confidence, which showed a significant decline — 30% since December 2024.

“This decline was, like the last month’s, pervasive and unanimous across age, income, education, geographic region and political affiliation,” Joanne Hsu, the survey’s director, said in a release.

According to CNN, “the Federal Reserve and Wall Street are watching closely how souring sentiment translates into consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the US economy, and whether Americans lose faith that inflation will return to normal in the coming years.”

Sales are continuing to rise, and an increasing number of sellers are putting their homes on the MLS. Here are statistics for the previous seven days (as of last Friday):

can vary significantly. Here’s that chart:

measure of both seller hopes versus what the market will bear.

 New listings — 1,425

That decline is consumer sentiment is not yet reflected in real estate statistics which I researched on REcolorado, Denver’s MLS. The charts shown in this report are for the 13 months from March 2024 through March 2025, so that you can see both year-over-year and month-over-month changes.

 Coming soon — 90

 Price reductions — 1,466

 Under contract — 932

 Withdrawn from MLS — 95

 Back on Market — 198

 Expired without selling — 153

 Closed — 589

This is not an easy time to list and sell a home, and I would describe it as a “buyer’s market.” Even in a buyer’s market, however, keep in mind that a home which is priced correctly and has appealing qualities can sell quickly and even be in a bidding war.

How fast? Here’s the change in months of inventory and median days on the MLS:

The blue line is the asking price per square foot, and the green line is the sold price per square foot. In December, that price was bid up, but since then it has fallen, which is a

April statistics will be available in time for my column on May 8th. Since the greatest political and economic disruption is happening this month, it will be interesting to see how this month’s real estate activity is affected by current “externalities.” If you’re interested in my thoughts about those, you’ll want to check out my political blog, which is at http://TalkingTurkey.substack.com

Redfin Report Highlights Increasing Cost of Buying vs. Renting

The financial gap between purchasing a home and renting a home or apartment has grown significantly, making the dream of homeownership more distant, according to a report released by Redfin last Thursday.

According to the report, the typical American now needs to earn over $116,600 annually to afford a median-priced home in the U.S., compared to just $64,160 needed to afford an average apartment. That’s an 81.1 percent income gap — the widest it has been in recent years.

Homes are still being put on the MLS and are still selling. I limited my analysis to an 18-mile radius of downtown Denver, as shown in the map at right, not the “metro area” defined by county boundaries, as preferred by the Market Trends Committee of REcolorado.

First I looked at the count of active versus closed listing by month:

At the current rate of sales, it would take 3 months to sell the number of currently active listings, but the median days on market fell from over 40 in January to 17 in March. Meanwhile, the average and median sold prices have remained steady. Average is always higher because of the number of million dollar homes sold.

I like to look at the change in price per finished square foot, since the size of homes

Those are national statistics, however. Here in the Denver metro area, the differential is much higher — 131.7 percent — according to Redfin. It takes an income of $155,717 to afford a median-priced home ($580,719) and $67,200 to afford a medianpriced apartment ($1,680 per month). That’s a year-over-year income increase of 4% for buying and a 1.1% decrease for renting. That reflects the national pattern of increased differential between the affordability of buying versus the affordability of renting.

The income needed to afford the typical home is calculated using the prevailing median home sale price and average mortgageinterest rate over rolling three-month periods, and assumes a 15% down payment. The typical housing payments noted in Redfin’s report include the mortgage principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners’ insurance and mortgage insurance.

The income needed to afford the typical apartment is calculated using the prevailing median asking rent over rolling three-month periods. Median asking rent figures cover newly listed units in apartment buildings with five or more units. Asking rents reflect the current costs of new leases during each time period. In other words, the amount shown as the median asking rent is not the median of what all renters are paying, but the median asking price of apartments that were available for new renters during the report period.

Redfin considers a home affordable if a buyer spends no more than 30% of their income on their housing payment. They use the same threshold for rental affordability.

The San Francisco Bay Area had the highest income differentials in the Redfin study. In San Jose, someone needs an annual income of $408,557 to afford the typical home for sale. That’s 218% more than they need to afford the typical apartment for rent—the biggest premium among the metro areas which Redfin analyzed. Next came San Francisco (176%), Seattle (145%), Austin (143%) and Los Angeles (141%).

Cincinnati saw the biggest drop in the homebuying premium. There someone needs an annual income of $80,752 to afford the typical home for sale. That’s 38.9% more than they need to afford the typical rental. A year ago they would have needed to earn 47.7% more to buy versus rent.

Charities Which Used Our Free

Box Truck Miss It. Our GoFundMe Campaign Is Off to a Good Start.

Back in February, I announced that our truck needed a new engine and other repairs and that we decided to retire it instead. This was a big loss to such non-profits as Operation Feed the Troops, Family Promise, BGoldN, Christian Action Guild, Buffalo Bill Days, and the International Rescue Committee, among others, which used the truck more often than our clients!

The truck is off the road but still available to be repaired. So far, we’ve received about $1,500 in donations. If you’d like to contribute, visit www.BringItBack.info. Thanks!

Lawmakers slam Early Intervention program

Growing caseload for child therapy program creates $4 million funding shortfall

BY ANN SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT

In late winter, Je Bridges got word that state-funded therapy for his 1-year-old son, who was born prematurely, would be slashed by half starting in July. Bridges was upset. But he had a better reason than most parents to be caught o guard.

at’s because the Arapahoe County Democrat is the head of a powerful legislative committee that makes key decisions about state spending. Members of that committee had repeatedly promised to protect funding for Colorado’s $87 million Early Intervention program. e program provides therapy and related services to babies and toddlers with developmental delays — including Bridges’ son.

Bridges shared the story in a recent Joint Budget Committee hearing where he and other members, both Democrats and Republicans, slammed the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, which administers the program, for poor communication and planning.

“ is is one of those places where, if we could punish the department without hurting kids, man oh man, would I be on board with that,” he said.

e committee members’ sharp words that March day raised questions about the early childhood department’s leadership and capacity, with lawmakers expressing concern that the state’s youngest and most vulnerable residents could su er because of internal problems at the department.

For now, no signi cant cuts to Early Intervention are planned, either this spring or for the new scal year, which starts in July. at’s sure to be a relief to the tens of thousands of Colorado families whose children get free therapies through the program. In addition, Joint Budget Committee members have demanded better communication from the department,

and department o cials have signaled they’ll comply.

O cials from the Department of Early Childhood, which was created in 2022 and is headed by Lisa Roy, declined an interview request from Chalkbeat. ey sent a statement on April 3, saying, in part, “ e Department is set to present an update to the [Joint Budget Committee] in the rst weeks of June with recommendations for the nancial sustainability of the program, incorporating feedback from families and providers. Current early intervention services will continue unchanged as a result of the JBC’s action to identify additional funding for the program.”

Families surprised by planned service cuts

e uproar over Early Intervention began in late February when the Department of Early Childhood made an abrupt announcement. Starting in March, a $4 million funding shortfall meant therapies would be capped at four hours a month, a fraction of what many children were receiving.

State o cials said the shortfall was partly caused by a growing caseload in Early Intervention, which serves about 11,000 children a month. e expiration of federal COVID stimulus funds and the fact that fewer children are eligible for Medicaid, a federal health insurance program that helps pay for the therapies, also contributed to budget problems.

Department o cials, in the statement sent April 3, said they had di culty accurately projecting Early Intervention caseload increases because eligibility rules for the program changed in 2020 and 2023, and because far more children have been screened for delays in the last two years.

After the late February announcement about impending cuts, parents and Early Intervention providers were outraged and tearful, with many contacting lawmakers and the media to describe the damage the cuts would do.

e Joint Budget Committee acted quickly to stave o the cuts this spring. At the same time, committee members chastised department o cials for not letting them know about the potential shortfall sooner.

“Why didn’t somebody come over here

and say, ‘We got a perfect storm. We need your help?‘” Republican Rep. Rick Taggart asked a department o cial at a Feb. 27 committee meeting.

“Nothing, crickets. And yet, we’ve got to nd out about it through the press and through our constituents and providers that could be devastated,” he said. “ is is just unbelievable to me.”

e committee meeting ended on a calmer note, with Bridges urging department o cials to keep committee members in the loop.

“We are six human beings that folks can talk to, and we desire information, and want to make sure that things like this don’t happen when we can avoid it,” he said.

Even bigger problems emerge

A couple weeks after the February budget committee meeting, the Early Intervention issue blew up again — this time, prompting even more wrath from committee members.

On March 14, the committee heard from a legislative analyst that the program would need more than $16 million to prevent cuts for the 2025-26 scal year.

“Awesome,” said Bridges sarcastically. Ten minutes later, he recounted learning about potential Early Intervention cuts planned for July from his son’s physical therapist.

During that meeting, committee members unanimously approved more than $16 million to plug the program’s loom-

ing funding hole for 2025-26. ey also thanked the legislative analyst for trying to forecast how the Early Intervention caseload would grow in the coming year, but expressed irritation that early childhood department sta hadn’t done it themselves.

Democratic Rep. Emily Sirota, who called the Early Intervention saga “this whole disaster,” noted that worried families were still contacting her, fearful their kids would lose important therapies.

“Hopefully today, we can make people feel a little bit more at ease that their littlest ones will continue to get the services that they need,” she said. “But the communication and the lack of work and transparency with us has been disappointing, to say the least.”

Bridges noted he’d spoken to Roy, the department’s director, that day.

He said, “I do feel … the department recognizes the massive failures” that prompted the last-minute xes by the budget committee.

In recent weeks, the department has held feedback sessions with parents and Early Intervention providers and promised to improve its caseload forecasting with help from other state agencies. In June, the department is scheduled to report back to the Joint Budget Committee.

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.

AVIATION CAREERSymposium

SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH 10:00AM - 2:00PM

State Sen. Je Bridges, a Greenwood Village Democrat and chair of the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee, in the Colorado Senate on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Denver, Colorado.

PHOTO BY JESSE PAUL / THE COLORADO SUN

CCM journalists earn 9 awards in regional competition

to from the opening of the Arvada Aquatics Center.

Journalists from Colorado Community Media won nine awards in the regional Top of the Rockies journalism competition for their work in 2024.

CCM competed not among other weekly community papers but in the “Large Newsroom” category that included daily newspapers such as the Boulder Daily Camera, Longmont Times-Call, Loveland Reporter-Herald, Durango Herald, The (Fort Collins) Coloradoan, and the St. George (Utah) News, as well as the magazine 5280 and broadcast outlets Rocky Mountain PBS and KUER out of the University of Utah.

Sports editor John Renfrow won first place for his work on the weekly Sportsland newsletter, with the judges saying, “There is truly a sense of sharing in this community newsletter.”

Three journalists received four second-place honors, including:

• Elisabeth Slay’s coverage of the city of Englewood’s water billing problems in the business enterprise reporting category,

• Former Littleton reporter Nina Joss scored two wins: one in beat reporting for her coverage of the alleged abuse of nonverbal children by a Littleton Public Schools paraprofessional and one in obit writing for an article on the death of a homeless man in Centennial, and

• Freelancer Lillian Fuglei’s pho -

Journalist Monte Whaley won third place in beat reporting on a state decision to house convicted sex offenders at two group homes in Northglenn, coverage which ultimately led to officials nixing the decision after residents voiced their opposition. Other thirdplace awards went to Slay in political reporting for documenting how the city of Englewood used taxpayer money to purchase signs advocating for a parks question; to former La Ciudad reporter Jackie Ramirez for humor/personal column writing for her articles on helping her mother get the documents she needed to visit family in Mexico after 17 years and on what people should expect if they are approached by a reporter, and to Leah Neu in page design for her “No time like the present” presentation on a professional Christmas gift wrapper.

The awards were announced April 5 at the conclusion of the regional Colorado SPJ conference in Denver. More than 1,800 entries from four states were judged by members of the Los Angeles Press Club.

“While what we do isn’t about awards, they exemplify that we are doing right by the communities we cover,” said Linda Shapley, director of editorial and audience for CCM. “I couldn’t be prouder of our entire team.”

Family, friends of man killed by deputy at Main Event say they aim to pursue other avenues for justice

23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler determines Feb. 8 o cer-involved shooting

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITY

Family and friends of Jalin Seabron are now looking to the state for justice following 23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler’s determination that the Feb. 8 o cer-involved shooting that killed Seabron at the Main Event entertainment center in Highlands Ranch was reasonably justi able.

“We are not surprised,” said MiDian Schofner, an advocate for Seabron’s family. “We are disappointed, we are disheartened, we are disgusted and we are activated.”

A Critical Incident Response Team composed of the Castle Rock, Littleton, Lone Tree and Parker police departments, as well as Parker’s CSI team, investigated the shooting to determine whether the use of force was lawful or criminal in nature.

Both the Critical Incident Response Team and Brauchler determined that Douglas County Deputy Nicholas Moore acted in defense of himself and others based on what Moore knew at the time of the shooting.

At the time of the incident, Moore had been with the sheri ’s o ce for 11 years, and served as a eld training o cer, a member of the regional SWAT Team, on the pattern crimes unit and as a deputy, among other previous experiences, including being an instructor on active threats.

“(It) ba es me that this individual was a trainer,” said Tyrone Glover, the Seabron family attorney.

Despite the district attorney’s decision, Seabron’s family and friends aim to continue to seek justice.

“ ere is no justi cation why I should be standing here without my 23-yearold son,” said Seabron’s mother, Victoria Seabron.

O cials gave Victoria Seabron the district attorney’s report prior to the press conference, along with a book titled “Healing Your Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas,” which Schofner threw on the oor during the April 7 press conference, calling it “disgusting.”

During the closed press conference on April 7, Brauchler took a look back at the number of o cer-involved shootings in Douglas County in the past 20 years, and

said of the 17 people that were shot, one was a Black male.

“I feel compelled to say that one is too many,” said Schofner.

She also stated that as a community, they see when law enforcement shows restraint on others.

“We see when our White counterparts are actually threatening the o cers, menacing vehicles against the o cers, holding weapons, yet they are still being detained alive,” said Schofner. “Let me be clear: I am not asking you to shoot our White counterparts, we are demanding that you stop shooting us and show us the same restraint.”

Outside of the Douglas County Justice Center following Brauchler’s decision on April 7, Seabron’s family and friends questioned the leadership of Douglas County, stating that it is “problematic.”

e family’s advocate Schofner requested to have a conversation with Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and Gov. Jared Polis – who were not in attendance at the April 7 press conference – saying, “it’s time for you to use your platform and your purpose for justice for Jalin Seabron.”

“ is is not over,” said Glover. “ ere are other pathways and avenues to justice, and we will pursue each and every one of them.”

Investigation reveals new information

In late February, Douglas County Court Judge Kelly Waidler ordered that the body-worn camera, dash camera and outside surveillance footage be released, and both the sheri ’s o ce and Glover issued versions with di erent edits.  e 17-page report produced by the Critical Incident Response Team reveals that Seabron pointed his gun, but not at the o cer, and he never red his gun. It also states that he had legally purchased the rearm, and details the weapons Moore had available, states that the scene was noisy, and that Seabron was intoxicated.

Brauchler said during his April 7 press conference that he did not believe the use of deadly force was a violation of crime due to legal, evidentiary and ethical reasons.

Family and friends of Seabron claim there were several things that Brauchler did not say during the press conference, but that were mentioned in the Critical Incident Response Team’s report. For example, there was an individual who came out of the Main Event building after Seabron and was holding a rearm.

“What he (Brauchler) did not mention was that the individuals he (Seabron) was protecting his family from, as they stood outside and he was taking his route to the car, had a weapon,” Schofner said.

Glover said the reason Seabron had a weapon was because there was another individual who had come out of the venue with a weapon after Seabron exited the building. e report states that this individual was holding a rearm.

“It doesn’t matter whether he (Moore) thought (Seabron) was engaging in self defense,” said Brauchler. “None of that matters when what we’re focusing on is the objectively reasonable belief of the deputy because he can’t know any of those things when he acts.”

Schofner and the family also claim that Brauchler refused to mention that Seabron was handcu ed by Moore and that Seabron’s pulse was not checked until nearly 40 minutes after he was shot. However, the report does not state that Seabron was handcu ed.

According to the report, at 11:53 p.m., Moore red his rst shot. en at 11:55:16 p.m. Seabron was removed from the passenger’s side of the vehicle after he fell in and Moore detected no pulse, states the report. CPR was initiated at 11:55:54 p.m. and those e orts continued for over ve minutes until South Metro Fire Rescue and EMS arrived. Seabron was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the report.

What state law says Moore arrived on scene with his emergency lights activated, but no siren. Brauchler said on April 7 that this was because Moore wanted to avoid altering the shooter as the shooter could take action against him.

During the investigation into the incident, when investigators asked Moore about his choice of weapon, which was a ri e, he stated that lesser force was not an option due to being the only o cer on the scene of an active shooter situation.  According to state law, a peace o cer is justi ed to use deadly force “if the peace o cer has an objectively reasonable belief that a lesser degree of force is inadequate.”

It also states: “A peace o cer may use physical force only if nonviolent means would be ine ective in e ecting an arrest, preventing an escape or preventing an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death to the peace o cer or an-

Victoria Seabron, the mother of 23-year-old Jalin Seabron who was fatally shot by a Douglas County deputy in the parking lot of Main Event entertainment center in Highlands Ranch on Feb. 8, 2025, stands in front of the Douglas County Justice Center.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

MAIN EVENT

other person.”

Moore did not identify himself to Seabron, according to the report and video footage.

On his way to the scene, Moore did not have information such as a description of the shooter, or if there was more than one, and where the shooter was or how many were injured, according to Brauchler. The report states that the gender of the shooter was not relayed until after Moore had encountered Seabron.

While the state statute does state that an officer should identify themselves, give a clear verbal

warning before using deadly force with enough time for the warning to be observed, it also states that unless doing so would put the officer or other people at risk of injury or death.

“He gave no time for Jalin to comply,” said the family’s attorney, Glover. “By the time Jalin even realizes what’s going on, if he ever truly did, he’s getting shot. That’s not justifiable.”

Although the 23rd Judicial District has made its decision, the sheriff’s office has an internal affairs investigation underway.

Glover said this is the sheriff’s office’s opportunity to still do something.

“They can still, through their own mechanism, hold this officer, Nick Moore, accountable,” Glover said.

Main Event suspect waives preliminary hearing

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The woman facing charges related to the shooting at the Main Event entertainment center in Highlands Ranch waived her preliminary hearing during an April 10 court appearance at the Douglas County Justice Center in Castle Rock.

Nevaeha Crowley-Sanders, 23, faces multiple charges including assault in the first degree and murder in the first degree.

Typically, a preliminary hearing is a court proceeding

in which the prosecution presents evidence to the judge and the judge decides if there is enough evidence to move forward with the case.

Having waived the preliminary hearing, Crowley-Sanders chose not to have a preliminary hearing, and instead, court proceedings will go straight to an arraignment hearing, which is set for May 12.

With Crowley-Sander’s bond currently set at $1 million, her representation is requesting a bond reduction hearing to occur on the arraignment date.

Just before midnight on Feb.

8, two shootings occurred at the Main Event entertainment center, located at 64 Centennial Boulevard in Highlands Ranch.

According to the police affidavit, Crowley-Sanders and an acquaintance were in the women’s bathroom of the facility when a physical altercation occurred. Crowley-Sanders allegedly pulled a semi-automatic handgun out and fired it several times.

Crowley-Sanders was arrested by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in relation to the incident.

Shopping H FOOD H EXHIBITS H MUSIC H RIDES H FAMILY FUN

FUN THINGS TO DO:

• Live Music, Festival Food, Shopping

• Street Performers, Free Kids Crafts

• Carnival Rides, Water Bubbles

• Bungy, Nerf Terf, Inflatables

TURF PROS SOLUTION EAST MUSIC Stage

Music All Day — Highlights

Friday 6:00 pm: Blinker Fluid Band 8:00 pm: HILLBILLY DEMONS

Saturday 5:30 pm: Chris Daniels & the Kings 8:00 pm: WOODLAND PARK

Sunday 3:30 pm: THE THREADBARONS 6:00 pm: JEWEL AND THE ROUGH

THURSDAY, JUNE 12

1 pm – 10:30 pm: Carnival Only

FRIDAY, JUNE 13 Fri 1 pm – 10:30 pm: Carnival Fri 4 pm – 10:30 pm: Festival

SATURDAY, JUNE 14 Sat 10 am – 10:30 pm

SUNDAY, JUNE 15 Sun 10 am – 8:30 pm

MAIN STAGE – Music All Day — Highlights

Friday, June 14 presented by 6:30 pm: Ten Years Gone • 8:30 pm: PATRICK & THE LVB

Saturday, June 15 presented by 6:00 pm: GLITTER • 8:30 pm: LAST MEN ON EARTH

Sunday, June 16 presented by 4:00 pm: Duey & Unbroken • 6:30 pm: THOSE CRAZY NIGHTS

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People

Third measles case shows up in Wolf Creek Ski Area

BY JOHN INGOLD

THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado’s struggle to keep the nation’s widening measles outbreaks from breaching its borders took another hit April 8, as o cials announced the third new case in nine days.

e new infection was reported in a person in Archuleta County, and the person who was infected did not report having recently traveled outside Colorado. at likely means, for what would be the rst time in years, Colorado has seen a con rmed instance of local transmission of measles.

Dr. Rachel Herlihy, the state epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said the case is not believed to be connected to two other recently reported cases, one in Pueblo and another in Denver.

“ e individual did not travel outside of Colorado, which leaves open the possibility of community transmission,” she said in a statement.

O cials have identi ed three places where the infected person went while likely contagious, meaning people there may have been exposed to the virus:

• Wolf Creek Ski Area, all day on the dates of Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30.

• e Pagosa Medical Group clinic in Pagosa Springs, between 9:05 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on Monday, March 31, and again between the hours of 3:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2.

• e City Market in Pagosa Springs between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. on Monday, March 31.

People who were at those locations during those times should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days and consider avoiding public gatherings during that time. If people do develop symptoms — measles typically starts with a cough, fever, runny nose and/or red eyes, then progresses to the telltale rash that

starts on the face and moves downward — they should call their doctor or call a clinic.

Health o cials say people who think they may have measles should always call ahead so that medical providers can make plans to keep other patients at the clinic from being exposed.

CDPHE did not immediately provide information on how the infected person in Archuleta County is doing, though it said the person’s window for contagiousness ended on April 3. e person’s vaccination status is unclear.

Measles is considered a preventable

disease because two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% e ective against the measles virus. e disease had once been considered eliminated in the United States, and it has been at least a decade since Colorado last saw three or more cases of measles in a year.

But, with vaccination rates against measles dipping across the country, the U.S. has seen more than 600 cases of measles this year, with more 500 of those in Texas.

Ski resort communities in southwestern Colorado, which see a lot of visitors from Texas, had been worried that spring

break travel could bring measles to their towns.

With measles outbreaks currently ongoing not only in Texas but in the surrounding states of New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas — and with the summer travel season approaching — state health o cials have been urging people who are unvaccinated or who may need a booster to consider getting the shot.

is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

GUN LAW

lion budget de cit, according to the resolution. e law would also task agencies like the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce with carrying out new permitting duties, with “no additional sta or funds,” the resolution states.

Commissioner Abe Laydon spoke on the resolution’s constitutional framing during the board’s April 8 meeting.

“From my perspective, this is such a bipartisan, universal issue of the fundamental right to defend yourself,” Laydon said. “ ose are times when I think you want all of your neighbors to be armed … to have that bulwark against tyranny, no matter where it may come from.”

During public comment, Highlands Ranch resident Julie Orr questioned the timing and transparency of the resolution.

“I don’t believe that the resolution as written properly characterizes the intent of this law,” Orr said. “Do you write these resolutions for every state law you dislike?”

Orr also questioned commissioners for not testifying at public hearings on the bill.

“If you oppose this bill, did you testify? Did any of you testify in person on behalf of yourself or in your capacity as county commissioners at the public hearings, which would have allowed the legislators to question you about those concerns?” Orr said during public comment.

Commissioner George Teal acknowledged he did not testify before state lawmakers, and said appealing directly to the governor was a more e ective strategy.

“I did not believe that the representatives and the senators who voted this bill

Rules

BY ANN SCHIMKE CHALKBEAT

through actually care about the opinions of Douglas County,” Teal said.  Douglas County’s commissioners are not the only local o cials who voiced opposition to the bill. e Mesa County Board of County Commissioners adopted a similar resolution urging Polis to veto

for private equity funded child care dead

Child care chains backed by private equity investment rms won’t be subject to new limits intended to protect parents or workers, after a Colorado bill died in the state Senate April 8.

Senators initially passed House Bill 251011 on April 7, after rejecting a major change made last week in a legislative committee. But by the next day, some lawmakers had defected and the bill failed in an 18-16 vote.

Sen. Cathy Kipp, a Democrat from northern Colorado and one of the bill’s sponsors, said, “We were just unable to convince people between second and third reading that they should stick with us.”

e two readings are the initial andnal votes on legislation in the full House or Senate.

e legislation represented the rst time Colorado lawmakers have considered potential problems posed by private equity rms that buy or invest in child care centers. Experts say private equity backing can hurt child care quality, raise prices for families, and send public dollars meant for classrooms into the pockets of wealthy investors. But leaders of large chains backed by private equity rms say they provide many desperately needed child care seats and that new guardrails would chill investment in Colorado’s child care industry.

About 15% of child care seats for young children in Colorado are housed in cen-

ters with private equity backing or ownership, according to a Chalkbeat analysis. ese include well-known chains like KinderCare, Primrose Schools, Goddard Schools, e Learning Experience, and brands owned by the Learning Care Group.

Other states, including Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey, have passed laws aimed at such chains in recent years.

Kipp said she’ll meet with the other sponsors after the legislative session to “see if there is potentially a path forward, whether that be next year or the year after.”

e legislation would have required child care chains owned or backed by private equity or venture capital investors to post their tuition and fees online. It also would have required such chains to give families and employees 60 days notice after purchasing a child care center before laying o sta or making enrollment changes.

e original version of the bill also would have prevented a common real estate practice in the private equity world, but that provision on “sale-leasebacks” was stripped out in the House. Experts say sale-leasebacks, which force acquired companies to sell their property and then lease it back from the new owner, can harm companies nancially by forcing them to shoulder a new expense.

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.

the bill. El Paso County Sheri Joe Roybal has also criticized the bill, warning it could create unnecessary hurdles for lawabiding citizens and place added strain on sheri ’s o ces tasked with managing the permitting process.

Supporters of the bill view it as a step to-

ward stronger enforcement of Colorado’s 2013 ban, which classi ed the unlawful sale, transfer or possession of large-capacity magazines as a class 2 misdemeanor. e new bill seeks to enhance enforcement by increasing the penalty to a class 1 misdemeanor for similar o enses.

Douglas County’s building at 100 Third St. in Castle Rock.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

USWNT to face Republic of Ireland at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

June 26 event brings international soccer to Commerce City

BY JOHN RENFROW

Local fans of professional women’s soccer have enjoyed 2025 so far in the Denver area. Just two months after the city was awarded the newest National Women’s Soccer League expansion team, a blockbuster matchup has been announced for this summer in Commerce City.

On June 26, soccer enthusiasts can catch the U.S Women’s National Team square up against the Republic of Ireland at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. e starstudded match will be the rst of two meetings between the two teams, with the second coming on June 29 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

e games will be the rst meetings with Ireland since April of 2023, when the USA swept a pair of games in Austin, Texas, and St. Louis, Missouri, ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, according to a release.

“We’re thrilled to have the U.S. Women’s National Team return to Colorado and DICK’S Sporting Goods Park,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “We’ve been honored to host and support the USWNT over the years, and we’re proud of the impact that Coloradans have on the squad. I am personally excited to welcome my home team of Eire and to another incredible showcase for women’s soccer in our state.”

Colorado is the home state of several

PLAYSCAPES

Other libraries in the county have seen similar enhancements, including Roxborough in 2019, Castle Pines in 2018, Castle Rock in 2023, and Parker in 2024. Douglas County Libraries is in planning stages to make some updates to the Castle Pines playscape, but an exact timeline isn’t nalized, DeBerry said.

It’s become common to model play after real life, teaching kids what are typically considered “adult skills.” On platforms like TikTok, Montessori-style kid kitchens and vacuums are popular among parents. At the Lone Tree Library’s

current USWNT players, including team captain Lindsey Heaps (Golden) and forwards Sophia Wilson (Windsor) and Mallory Swanson (Highlands Ranch). Heaps is a Golden High School graduate and played for the Colorado Rush Soccer Club.

She made history as the rst American female player to sign a professional contract straight out of high school, traveling to Europe to play for Paris Saint-Germain in France in 2012 upon graduation. Heaps’s long list of accolades includes: 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Cham-

new market, kids are learning how to balance items on tabletop scales and ring up transactions at the market register.

Kayla Frehmer, who was visiting the Lone Tree location with her 3-year-old son, shared that he loved the new play area.

“I think that’s usually what kids prefer to play with — things that they recognize where they can imitate you. It helps them create scenarios of their own that they’re already familiar with, that they can build on,” Frehmer said.

e busiest times for the playscapes are after the library’s storytimes, when children and their parents head over for a few minutes of fun.

Highlands Ranch resident Robert Martin, who visits for Saturday morning sto-

goal to lift the USWNT to Olympic gold in a 1-0 match over Brazil in 2024.

Like Heaps, Swanson is also a 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion. She’s also a 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist and the 2015 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. is will be the 16th meeting between

rytimes, noted that he and his daughter, who is 1, make a trip to the library about three times a month, always ending with some time in the playspace.

“It’s nice to give her experience learning about things and jobs and professions and environments she wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to before this … I don’t think she’s ever seen an X-ray machine before coming here. So sure, let’s consider what a snake looks like on the inside.”

Brandon Hollely, whose 2-year-old previously enjoyed the market playspace at the Highlands Ranch location, said his son is excited to use those skills in reallife scenarios.

“When we go to the grocery store, he says, ‘I want to grab the carrot!’ He really

the U.S. and Ireland squads. e U.S. has is will be the USWNT’s ninth match all-time at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. e USA is 7-0-1 at the venue, with the most recent game being Head Coach Emma Hayes’ debut last summer. Tickets went on sale to the public on March 28. More information is available at www.ussoccer.com.

Fans can also catch the action on TBS, truTV and Max, Universo and Peacock in Spanish and on the radio on Westwood One Sports.

wants to push the cart and grab everything,” Hollely said.

Highlands Ranch resident Jay Mohammed said he sees his son using “his imagination more there (at the library) than maybe we do at home, and so that’s cool to see.”

When asked if it’s hard to pull their kids away from the play spaces when it’s time to leave, both Hollely and Mohammed agreed: “Yes.”

Whether it’s checking a plush lizard’s heartbeat or playing cashier, these library playscapes o er more than just books for Douglas County kids. And with plenty of seating around the areas, parents can relax with their co ee, read the paper, or watch kids get caught up in their own little worlds of play.

USA’s Lauren Cheney (12) gets tripped up by Australia’s Clare Polkinghorne during the first half of an international friendly match Sept. 19, 2023, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. FILE PHOTO

Introducing Classics on Stage: New theater group to perform at Douglas County Libraries

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITY

Ever since Barb Dignan moved to Highlands Ranch in 1989, she has seen numerous opportunities for youth to express themselves through the performing arts. But she wondered where those opportunities were for adults in the community.

“It’s a great community we live in,” said Dignan. “We have lots for little children at the rec centers and such, but we don’t really have much for the students who graduate and tend to stay around this area.”

Dignan wanted adults of all ages to have the opportunity to continue to be involved in theater.

After several years of discussions and planning, Dignan and the Front Range eater Company will be bringing their all-adult performance group, Classics on Stage, to Douglas County.

‘It was part of me’

Acting and theater has always been a passion for Dignan — one that runs deep in her blood.

Her mother, Elizabth Gertrude Neubusch, was born in the 1920s and lived in Bavaria, a state in southwest Germany, as a young woman.

“Everyone knew who she was, even as a girl because she was so stunning,” Dignan said.

Neubusch got into acting, even winning a prominent scholarship to study at one of the main theaters in Munich. But

when the theater was shut down during World War II, she was forced to return home but she continued to take part in local theater.

Dignan’s father brought Neubusch to the United States to start their family, and during that time, she took a break from theater. Neubusch had told her kids that she didn’t want them to go into theater, Dignan said.

Despite her mother’s words, Dignan fell in love with theater at a young age. She later got a degree in education and theater but never thought she would become a theater teacher.

“As years went by, it just happened,” said Dignan. “I think it was part of me — born from her without either of us knowing it.”

Parallel to her mother, Dignan took a break from theater to raise her children. But when both of her children expressed interest in theater, Dignan quickly got them involved.

roughout her time as a theater teacher at Highlands Ranch High School, Dignan learned that many teenagers loved theater, even if they only took the course for a graduation requirement.

But unless the students went on to pursue theater in college, Dignan noticed there were not many local opportunities for adults to continue to dabble in the artform they enjoyed in high school.

“ ere was nothing down here for them as far as theater was concerned,” said Dignan. “ ey were just done or they had to drive into the city.”

Whether it’s for the recent graduate who enjoyed performing in school, those looking to start acting for the rst time or the adult who wants to rediscover their passion, Dignan wanted to bring that option to Douglas County.

In 2014, Dignan joined Front Range eater Company, a small nonpro t organization that serves the south metro area. In addition to helping with youth summer camps, Dignan also got involved in events at the Douglas County Libraries.

A few years ago, Dignan and her friend Dani Johnson pitched the idea for their Classics on Stage company to put on productions based on books. Dignan said it was accepted right away.

“No theater company has … money, but

The cast of the Classics On Stage production of “Of Mice and Men.” They will be performing the classic book at the Douglas County Libraries Castle Pines location April 25-27.

when you’re a theater company that’s expanding, you really don’t have any money,” said Dignan. “ e library is great because they’re giving us the space for free.” e rst Classics on Stage production will run from April 2527 at the Castle Pines Library. It will be a performance of “Of Mice and Men” and is made up of a cast of 10 people from all across the south metro area.

Although she said she could have enjoyed retirement, Dignan is more than happy to continue to create a space for adults to explore acting in Douglas County.

“I could not let it go, and now to see that it’s going to happen, I’m thrilled,” Dignan said.

Tickets can be purchased at tinyurl.com/ FRTC-of-mice-and-men.

COURTESY OF

JENNIE JOHNSON

We are facing a reality where health coverage for 1 in 5 Coloradans is in jeopardy.

Congressional discussions are underway to signi cantly defund Medicaid, which is a lifeline to many Coloradans. Making $880 billion in rushed cuts to healthcare programs covering seniors, children and other vulnerable groups would have dramatic consequences:

– More people will be uninsured and won’t access healthcare until an emergency, leading to increased healthcare costs for everyone.

– Providers will be forced to do layo s, cut services, or close, reducing access to care.

– Our communities will lose jobs and valuable tax revenue, harming our economy during a state budget crisis.

As the CEO of Colorado Access — a Colorado nonpro t and the state’s largest Medicaid plan — and a former Medicaid member myself, I am deeply invested in the value of Medicaid. And I am not alone. Two-thirds of U.S. adults say someone close to them has received help from the Medicaid program. Majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents are opposed to Medicaid cuts, and this opinion is consistent across both

HVOICES

Protect Coloradans’ health care

urban and rural areas. Most people think funding should either increase (42%) or be kept about the same (40%).

Looking around at our communities, it’s readily apparent how critical Medicaid is to us and our friends and families: Medicaid covers 63% of nursing home residents, 44% of people with disabilities, and 80% of chil-

Yet Medicaid is on the chopping block. Republicans in the U.S. House have offered reassurances that the only cuts would be around fraud, waste, and abuse, but getting to billions in cuts would require creative revisions to the de nition of fraud. Medicaid is the most e cient coverage available, and fraud is limited. Costs per Medicaid member are substantially lower than private insurance. Regardless of how terms are rede ned, reducing Medicaid funding translates to cutting essential health services for people we know and love.

We are fortunate in Colorado, where both Democrats and Republicans in the

Reflection of passion

ave you ever found yourself searching for that spark, the passion that once fueled your daily e orts? At some point, we may all realize that our zeal has faded, whether it’s in personal pursuits, professional goals, continuous learning, or relationships. Sometimes, if we’re fortunate enough to recognize it early, we can quickly nd ways to reignite our energy and get back on track. But suppose we allow ourselves to drift too long. In that case, the ame of passion can begin to dim, eventually snu ng out completely, leaving only a faint whisper of smoke that vanishes into nothingness.

WINNING

stant change without allowing our passion to burn out?

Recently, I spoke with a few leaders, and our conversation turned to the relentless pace of technological change. ey shared how, just as they and their teams had become comfortable with a new system, their company would invest in the next big technology. e cycle of learning, leading, and implementing would begin all over again. is pattern has been repeating itself for the past few years, an ongoing wave of advancements crashing ashore, only to be followed by another, bigger, faster, more powerful wave right behind it. Wave after wave, pounding us before we can even catch our breath, leaving us worn out from the constant e ort to keep up.

ey called it initiative fatigue, a state that erodes passion for a business and an industry they once loved. at’s the challenge we all face: how do we navigate this con-

Some of you may remember the musician Yanni. Others may not, but you can always explore his music. As I was writing this column, his song Re ections of Passion played in the background, bringing back memories of my own past excitement. I found myself re ecting on moments lled with purpose and passion: the nervous anticipation of taking on a new role, the thrill of setting ambitious goals, the courage of asking for that rst kiss, and yes, even the enthusiasm for the newest technology promising to make me more e ective and e cient at work. ese memories ooded back, rekindling the ambition and joy that once drove me.

Looking back, even the clumsy technologies of the past, made clumsier by my own mistakes, seem almost quaint compared to today’s sophisticated innovations. Despite all the advancements, one truth remains: AI may be getting better, faster, and more intelligent, but it still lacks one crucial element, feeling. e human experience of passion, purpose, and the exhilaration of pursuing a dream cannot be replicated by algorithms or automation.

General Assembly largely support Medicaid. Our legislators understand that Medicaid makes people healthier, creates jobs, and ensures funding for vital roles at local health centers and hospitals. State and federal governments jointly fund Medicaid, and funding expands as needs or costs increase. If Congress were to cut federal Medicaid funding, our local legislators know that our state budget situation, including the current shortfall and impacts of TABOR, would not enable state funds to back ll federal cuts and continue Medicaid as we need it.

Republicans in Congress have also proposed work requirements for Medicaid members, disregarding the fact that most adult Medicaid members work (and make less than $30,000 per year). Two-thirds of adult Medicaid members in Colorado—65%—are employed. e remaining 35% are largely not working due to caregiving responsibilities, being students, or having a disability. Work requirements create administrative waste and jeopardize healthcare for low-income, working Coloradans by adding unnecessary red tape, putting 542,000 Coloradans at risk of losing coverage (47% of the adult Medicaid population).

We just saw a similar situation with the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, which allowed people to stay enrolled in Medicaid for the duration of the pandemic. Many eligible Coloradans lost coverage due to administrative barriers. We cannot force another situation where people in our state unnecessarily get sicker — and our providers are faced with more care for which they will not be paid. We must work together to ensure Congress understands the impact that cutting Medicaid would have on Coloradans’ health and our economy. Limited or no a ordable options exist for alternative health coverage for these individuals, especially as the enhanced premium tax credits that help people a ord insurance are also at risk, and no alternative opportunity exists for providers to get paid for delivering their care. For members of Congress who support cuts to Medicaid, we should hold them accountable for how their constituents will access health care.

is guest column was written by Annie Lee, CEO of Colorado Access, Colorado’s largest public-sector health plan, which has provided a ordable health care for three decades.

Older adults urged to beware of scams and fraud

Older adults and those who support them are cordially invited to the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County (SCDC) monthly educational meeting on ursday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Phillip and Jerry Miller Library, Event Hall, located at 100 S. Wilcox Street in Castle Rock. Our educational meetings are free and open to the public.

Mike Fetterho , program manager, AARP ElderWatch, will talk about scams and fraud. According to Fetterho , “Unfortunately, scammers and other bad actors are coming at us from many directions. Come learn about some of the top scam trends targeting older Coloradans and get tips on how to avoid becoming the next victim.”

In other news, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Many people from all age groups including older adults experience mental health challenges. e National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) reports

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Divisiveness is the wrong path

When it comes to tari s, that awful orange man has supposedly brought 70 countries to the negotiating table.

When it comes to governmental e ciency, that horrible space cadet has reportedly saved us over $140 billion.

Yes, I’m being sarcastic.

While this new administration is hacking its way through the bureaucratic jungle, some believe the administration is killing all meaningful life — but others see it as a necessary action of clearing out the growth-choking weeds.

LIVING AND AGING WELL

that as many as one in four people su er from a mental health challenge in a given year ere are NAMI state and local a liates, including one that serves Douglas and Arapahoe counties.

“Life is full of ups and downs so having the right mental health support can make all the di erence. At NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties, we’re here to help you navigate life’s challenges with compassion, connection, and resources that truly make an impact. You are not alone. Visit www.namiadco.org to nd valuable support for yourself and your loved ones,” stated Jason Hopcus, CEO/President, NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties.

What I do understand is the widespread concern over the dizzying speed at which all these actions are taking place. We should all be troubled about the ckle volatility of the stock market and the ood of executive actions that appear to be increasingly dictatorial. What I don’t understand is the plethora of insane reactions that include but are not limited to charges of Trump and Elon stealing taxpayer dollars, the destruction or vandalism of Tesla vehicles, the calls for violence — even death, and a toxic combination of fear and anger that only leads to irrational angst.

Jean Spahr

LETTER

What saddens me the most is the fact that the partisanship gap continues to widen in D.C. It doesn’t help that the five-pronged Democratic strategy, as articulated by Debbie Dingell, is to LLEAC:

• Litigate endless lawsuits against the Trump administration (well over 150 at my last count).

• Legislate by stopping Republicanled attempts to create laws and pushing through a liberal agenda instead of any compromise.

SPAHR

Hopcus presented at an SCDC meeting in August 2024. He released his first book in late 2024, which quickly became an Amazon best-seller, entitled “Get Unstuck And Move Forward With Your Life.”

Save the date for Vintage & Vibrant 2025, SCDC’s signature full-day educational event scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the Highlands Ranch Senior Center. Previous events have received rave reviews from participants. Gretchen Lopez, SCDC leadership team administrative chair, is enthused about this year’s program. According to Lopez, “The day will include a light breakfast, lunch, two keynote speakers, numerous breakout sessions, door prizes, and

NORTON

• Educate the populace with left-wing dogma that may or may not include insane inaccuracies.

• Advocate for more right-wing attacks, protests, and media manipulation.

• Communicate continued assaults on conservative ideology, even if these repeated charges include name-calling of others being Nazis, racists, homophobes, and more.

The “Party of Love” has become anything but that … and the rationality of honest debate seems to be elusive — if not dead. Purposeful, reactionary divisiveness is no solution to the heavy problems of our world.

Linda Mazunik,

Lone Tree

more. The registration fee for the entire day is $20 and scholarships are available. Registration will start mid-August. More details will follow.”

Want to strengthen your brain health fitness? Douglas County Libraries (DCL) are offering a number of brain health sessions as part of the Ageless program.

Go to the website at www.dcl.org/ageless or talk to a librarian when you are visiting a DCL location.

Visit the Seniors’ Council page of the Douglas County website, douglas.co.us, and search for Seniors’ Council for information and updates or call Douglas County Community Services at 303-6884825. SCDC promotes Living Well/Aging Well with support from Douglas County.

This guest column was written by Jean Spahr, the publicity chair of Seniors’ Council of Douglas County.

This was especially evident during the recent Sandler Summit in Orlando, Florida, which I had the privilege of attending recently. Over a thousand people gathered, most in person, some virtually, to engage with speakers who delivered fresh, thought-provoking insights. It would take too long to mention everyone, but a few truly captured the balance of AI, technology, and human emotion: Dave Mattson, Krish Dhanam, Jody Williamson, John Rosso, Jordan Ledwein, Troy Kanter, Mike Crandall, Carlos Garrido, and many others. They reminded us not only of what we do and how we do it but, most importantly, why we do it: passion and purpose.

Reflecting on those moments, I find myself even more inspired by what lies ahead. Will it bring change? Absolutely. Will it be challenging? Most likely. Will the changes keep coming? Guaranteed. But we have the power to leverage change, innovation, and transformation as the spark that reignites our passion and purpose. Personally, professionally, romantically, mentally, physically, and spiritually, we can choose to use these changes to fuel our next adventure.

As I wrap up this reflection, I encourage you to listen to another Yanni song: Dare to Dream. Let his music and the words in the song’s title inspire you to embrace your passions and pursue your biggest dreams. I would love to hear your stories of passion and purpose at gotonorton@gmail.com. And as we continue to ride the wave of technological change, let’s keep our spark alive, our passion strong, and embrace a better-than-good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

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South Suburban Public Art Committee accepting applications for at-large member

Applications are due June 17

BY ISABEL GUZMAN ISABEL@COTLN.ORG

The South Suburban Public Art Committee (PAC) is encouraging community members to join as at-large representatives who would focus on selecting high-quality art within the district, reflecting community values and ensuring public safety, according to the application site.

PAC is an appointed volunteer group that provides expert advice to the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District (SSPRD) Board of Directors on public art matters.

“South Suburban has had a robust public art program for more than three decades, encouraging residents to enjoy and appreciate art across the district,” Becky Grubb, the SSPRD communications manager said in a press release. “(PAC) recommends to the South Suburban Board of Directors the selection, placement and installation of temporary and permanent art in public parks, along trails and in facilities. The committee also recommends selection of temporary gallery exhibitions in recreation centers.”

On the application form, PAC’s principal goals are listed as: 1. To select high-quality works of art for sites within SSPRD.

2. To reflect community values and culture to both residents and visitors.

3. To strive for quality, not quantity, in art to enrich the public environment.

4. To protect the public’s health, safety and welfare.

More information on these principal goals can be found online on the PAC’s website at https://www.ssprd.org/PublicArt.

To qualify to serve as an at-large representative, applicants must reside within the district and commit to a three-year term.

Members are required to attend monthly meetings, which take place from 8:30-10 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The last day to apply is June 17, 2025.

Schools fear retaliation for inclusion program

Hundreds of millions for schools at risk amid Trump DEI threats

BY MELANIE ASMAR CHALKBEAT

About $800 million dollars in federal funding, or roughly 10% of Colorado’s K-12 education budget this year, could be at risk related to the latest demand from the Trump administration.

e U.S. Department of Education on April 3 gave state education agencies 10 days to certify that their schools do not engage in practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. ose that don’t, the department said, will not receive any federal funding.

At issue is Title VI, a provision of federal civil rights law that bars discrimination on the basis of race or shared ancestry. e Trump administration’s interpretation is controversial. Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement that “too many schools” use “DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans to favor another based on identity characteristics in clear violation of Title VI.”

Schools must also certify that they comply with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which banned the use of race in college admissions decisions but which the Trump administration has interpreted more broadly.

Colorado Department of Education Commissioner Susana Córdova sent a brief letter to the state’s school district superintendents ursday that said the department is “conferring with our legal counsel” to understand the new federal requirement.

tion’s demands. On April 4, the New York State Education Department said it will not comply. Denver Public Schools, Colorado’s largest school district, received the most Title I funding in the state: about $35 million, according to state data. In total, Denver Public Schools expects to receive $96 million in federal funding this school year, according to district budget documents. Federal funding makes up about 6.7% of the Denver district’s budget.

dent have passed policies and created internal departments that aim to close academic gaps between white students and Black and Latino students.

Other e orts include advisory groups for families and community members, such as a Latine Education Advisory Committee and a Black Family Advisory Committee. e webpage for the Black Family Advisory Committee says, “You do not need to be Black to participate, just need to be focused on the needs of Black students and their families in DPS.”

It’s unclear whether the education department’s edict would a ect such programs.

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.

“We will let you know the next steps; please do not take any actions until we provide you with further guidance,” Córdova wrote in the letter, which the state education department provided to Chalkbeat. “We understand that you may be receiving questions about the impact of this; as soon as we have more information, we will reach out to you all.”

All federal funding appears to be at risk if states don’t comply, though the Trump administration’s letter speci cally names Title I funding that supports high-poverty schools.

Colorado received about $168 million in federal Title I funding this year that it then distributed to school districts, according to the state education department.

One other Democrat-controlled state has already responded to the Trump administra-

Denver Public Schools has already found itself in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. In January, the U.S. Department of Education O ce for Civil Rights announced it was investigating DPS for converting a girls’ restroom at East High School into an all-gender restroom.

In February, Denver Public Schools sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in an e ort to keep immigration enforcement away from schools. A federal judge sided with the Trump administration in March, rejecting the district’s attempt to reinstate a federal policy that treated schools as “sensitive locations” for the purposes of immigration enforcement.

Denver Public Schools is a diverse district.

About three-quarters of its 90,000 students are students of color. About 38% of Denver students are English language learners, and 63% qualify for subsidized lunches, a measure of poverty. Nearly 15% are students with disabilities.

Equity is one of the Denver district’s core values, and its school board and superinten-

Denver Public Schools spokesperson Scott Pribble said in a statement that, “We are assessing the situation, but DPS is already in compliance with Title VI.”

“It is too early to determine the exact impacts this could have on Denver Public Schools,” Pribble said. But he noted that the $96 million in federal funding that the district expects to receive this school year “are funds that support students and teachers.”

“Without these funds, we would need to reduce services or look for other local funding sources,” he said.

Reporter Jason Gonzales contributed to this story.

Colorado received about $800 million in federal funding this school year that could be at risk.

PHOTO BY JIMENA PECK FOR CHALKBEAT

Good Times CEO talks about battle vs. big burger

BY RYAN WARNER CPR NEWS

Ryan M. Zink loves onions. As CEO of a small burger chain, he has the power to put them on the menu. So he and his culinary director, who’s also amorous of alliums, dreamed up the West Slope Burger.

“ is burger that he and I enjoy has a full cross-section of onion on it,” Zink said. “I guess we like to cry. It’s a strong avor.”

Zink leads Good Times, Colorado’s homegrown hamburger brand, and its sitdown sister Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar. Ironically, given the aforementioned creation, there are no locations of either brand on Colorado’s Western Slope. e rst Good Times opened in Boulder in 1987. Today, the company is headquartered in Golden.

Zink lunched with Colorado Matters Senior Host Ryan Warner at the Good Times in Highlands Ranch, formerly a Burger King, to discuss what it is like to be a bambino among burger behemoths like McDonald’s and, yes, Burger King.

Here are four takeaways, edited for length and clarity.

On extreme discounting by Good Times’ competitors

We use an all-natural product. at product costs more than conventional beef. For us to deliver something at that [$5] price point is just not possible. So we compete based on the quality and the value of our product, not just on the price. But at the end of the day, it’s a burger in a fast food drive-through. So there’s the price reality no matter what. And as the economy has softened a bit, we know people are watching their pocketbooks. We’ve seen some trade down, as we haven’t been able to reduce our prices or o er discounts as much as the big guys.

On why there are no Good Times locations beyond the northern Front Range

I would say whether it’s the High Country or even as you go to the Western Slope, the availability of workers becomes a

challenge. Sta ng restaurants has become incredibly di cult, even in the Denver metro, but in much higher cost of living areas, such as the High Country, or out in less-populated areas, that becomes even more of a challenge.

I think Colorado Springs is an interesting market. We used to be there — this was years ago — and I think the sites we selected may not have been the best. I wasn’t here, so I can’t really speak to what happened. Colorado Springs is an interesting market as we look to the future, but I think probably within Colorado, we definitely remain a Front Range brand – up through Fort Collins.

On why most Good Times are drive-up, not dine-in

Of the 30 Good Times, 22 are drivethrough-only with patios. is is one of eight with a formal dining room, if you will. Not so formal, but a purposeful dining room. ere was a time we believed we needed dining rooms to be successful. Ultimately, I think what we found is that the drive-through model was more successful. Certainly, as the pandemic hit, that clearly was a bene t for our concept. But even now, throughout the industry, you see other concepts adding drive-through windows, even ones that traditionally did not do that before. at’s where we see our future, is primarily in the drive-through and walk-up space.

On Hatch versus Pueblo chile

Somehow I knew this question was coming. I think that’s a very polarizing question with, probably, a very polarizing answer. One is supply, but two is just a general taste alignment with the product. We think that people, unfortunately, know Hatch Valley. And while they certainly know Pueblo Green chiles as well, that’s merely the selection we’ve made for our breakfast burritos. is story is from CPR News, a nonpro t public broadcaster serving Colorado. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.

WITH INTERNATIONAL RECORDING ARTIST

2:00PM • PACE CENTER

for an

Smooth vocals and bold jazz sounds come together

unforgettable night at the PACE Center with the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra and soul-sensation Larry Braggs.

Ryan Zink, CEO of Good Times, at the company’s restaurant in Highlands Ranch.

PHOTO BY HART VAN DENBURG / CPR NEWS

Discover tips for a fresh start from local experts

BY ISABEL GUZMAN ISABEL@COTLN.ORG

As the days grow longer and da odils bloom, the arrival of spring brings more than just warmer weather. Pollen levels rise and dust bunnies hop around long after Easter.

Consequently, people emerge from winter hibernation to declutter closets and scrub oorboards with the start of the new season, marking the start of spring cleaning season.

While it is currently spring only in the northern hemisphere, multiple cultures across the globe are linked to spring cleaning.

One of the earliest references of the practice is generally acknowledged in the Jewish observance of Passover, which typically occurs in March or April, and lasts for about a week.

During this time, homes are cleaned to remove chametz — leavened grains like wheat or barley — symbolizing their swift departure from Egypt, when they couldn’t wait for the bread to nish baking.

In preparation for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Catholic churches undergo thorough cleanings on Maundy ursday, exhibiting puri cation and readiness for the sacred days ahead.

Celebrated in March, Nowruz, which means “new day” in Persian, includes kh ne-tak n or “shaking the house,” where families deep-clean their homes to

sweep away the past and welcome new beginnings.

In ailand, Songkran, which is a two-day festival in April, marks the ai New Year with the cleaning of homes and public spaces. Water plays a central role as people splash it on each other and Buddha statues to cleanse bad luck and invite blessings.

Known as “death cleaning,” Sweden’s philosophy, Döstädning, involves decluttering possessions to simplify life and ease burdens — a practical approach that conveys letting go of things that are no longer needed. Döstädning isn’t limited to a certain time of the year, but is rather instilled as a lifestyle.

Spring cleaning has remained a tradition for many, and local experts around the Denver metro area are weighing in with tips and tricks to tidy a home inside and out.

Health benefits

Spring cleaning isn’t just about aesthetics — it also o ers tangible health bene ts:

• Reduces allergens like pollen, mold and dust mites.

• Eliminates bacteria and viruses that can cause illness.

• Improves indoor air quality by removing pollutants.

• Decreases stress by creating a clean, organized environment.

• Enhances safety by reducing clutter that could cause trips or falls.

Tree pollen is a signi cant allergen during Colorado’s springtime, with elm, cottonwood, oak and maple trees being common culprits, according to Wyndly, an allergy-based healthcare company.

Pollen counts tend to be highest midday and evening, leaving the morning as the only time when outdoor allergens are at their lowest counts and the best time to ventilate homes, said Ryan Buckley, a doctor at Colorado Allergy & Asthma Centers.

For the indoors, Buckley recommends cleaning with products that are free of dyes and fragrances and using the minimum amount possible.

“Some over-the-counter cleaning products can irritate the airways,” he said. “If you are particularly sensitive to cleaning products, ventilate the area while cleaning.”

Buckley warned that making at-home cleaning solutions should be done cautiously, and advised against mixing vinegar and bleach as it can produce a hazardous chlorine gas.

Buckley also emphasized the importance of installing the correct air lter grade in central HVAC systems to trap allergens e ectively.

“If appropriate, consider running the system on ventilation mode periodically — for example, 15 minutes every one hour — to help move air through the lter and facilitate allergen removal, (and) replace lters as recommended by the manufacturer,” he said.

SPRING CLEANING

Buckley recommends placing a dehumidi er in bathrooms or basements that tend to be high in humidity levels, which can contribute to mold growth. He said indoor humidity levels should ideally be 40 to 50%, and added that anything lower can be too drying and aggravate allergy symptoms.

“If despite e ective cleaning e orts, you continue to have allergy symptoms, it is a good idea to undergo an allergy evaluation by a board-certi ed allergist,” Buckley said. “ ere are a variety of treatment options from over-the-counter medications to prescription therapies, including allergen immunotherapy. If needed, allergy testing can help identify potential triggers and better guide therapy to help you remain symptom-free.”

Organization strategies

Dedicating a whole day to this season’s deep cleaning is how some decide to tackle the tasks, while others prefer to break it up over multiple days.

MaidPro, a cleaning company that has locally owned and operated businesses around Denver’s metro area, says on its website that breaking it up “is perfect for homeowners with busy schedules who can’t commit to an entire day of cleaning” but adds that “you must stay committed and ensure you don’t slack o toward the end of your spring cleaning.”

Many say that organization is key to e cient spring cleaning. ey include Cody Galloway, co-

founder of TULA, a service that helps “create more balance in life.”

By completing clients’ to-do lists — such as laundry, grocery shopping, meal planning and home organization — TULA came out of necessity to help clients who are inundated by life’s tasks, Galloway said.

“You stare at your endless to-do list while being stretched very thin at both work and at home and think, ‘there has to be a better way,’” she said. “So, we made one.”

TULA was founded in 2020 in Denver and has since spread its services to Boulder and Aspen, in addition to out-of-state locations, including Texas, Virginia, Arizona, Montana and North Carolina. Galloway said TULA has a clientele that consists of busy parents and professionals, and anyone who just needs an extra set of hands.

Prioritizing deep-cleaning and decluttering tasks can be di cult, so Galloway recommends starting with the most overwhelming areas rst.

“If looking at your closet makes you break out in a cold sweat, that’s the place to start,” she said. “Tackle one category at a time — clothes, then shoes, then accessories — so you don’t end up sitting on the oor reminiscing over an old concert T-shirt or your painting overalls for two hours.”

Galloway recommends that spring cleaners invest in label makers and clear bins to organize the home.

“If you can’t see what’s inside, you’ll forget it exists,” she said.

While organizing, Galloway said implementing the “one-year rule” mindset is essential: “If you haven’t used it in a year, it’s time to part ways,” she said.

“ONE-YEAR RULE. IF YOU HAVEN’T

USED IT IN A YEAR, IT’S TIME TO PART WAYS.”

Cody Galloway, co-founder of TULA

Clothing donations

Clothing, accessories and other donations can be made to local Goodwills and Arc rift Stores, and family-owned stores such as 2nd Time Around rift in Aurora. e thrift store opened in 2020 and continues to be family-operated, focusing on providing high-quality items for low costs.

Local H&M stores collect unwanted garments and sort them for rewear as secondhand clothing, reused to make other products such as a cleaning cloth, or recycled and shredded to be remade into other materials. ose who donate clothes or textiles to the store also receive a coupon to use on their next H&M purchase, according to its website, hm.com. e success of a spring cleaning project is “when you walk into your space and breathe easier,” Galloway said. “When you can nd your favorite sweater in under 10 seconds. When your kitchen counter isn’t a dumping ground for mail and mystery items. And, most importantly, when you don’t immediately start adding things back to your to-do list because for once, it’s already handled. And if you can actually park in your garage again? at’s a big win.”

TULA takes on the tasks that their clients need to cross o their to-do lists.

TAMARA MCTAVISH PHOTOGRAPHY

Maintaining a clean and organized environment can reduce stress.

TAMARA MCTAVISH PHOTOGRAPHY

Kent Axell coming in May to Lone Tree Arts Center

BY MARC SHULGOLD

SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

“ e Mind Reader.”

at’s the attention-grabbing headline on the ad for Kent Axell’s May 1 appearance at the Lone Tree Arts Center. But, cautions the star of the show, don’t take it literally. He doesn’t really read people’s minds.

On second thought, oh go head, if it makes you happy.

“What I do is not real,” Axell readily admits. “I’m a magician. Every mind-reader is a magician.”

But seeing is believing, after all, isn’t it?

Speaking by phone from his home in Las Vegas, where he performs regularly at the Mandalay Resort and Casino, Axell was certainly not about to give away any secrets of the act he’s been perfecting after 30 years of study.

“I’ve been doing mind-reading now for four years,” he said, referring to the show he bills as An Evening of Mischief and Magic.

Mind reader or magician?

Rather than let on whether he actually “reads” people’s minds or not, he preferred to talk about the e ect he has on audiences.

“When they’re watching a magic show, they’ll usually react one of two ways,” he said. “Some will think, ‘I don’t know how that worked,’ while others might think, ‘that guy’s psychic.’ Main thing is, they’re just enjoying the performance.”

So how did he get into the magical world of hocus-pocus? Axell remembers it well. A native of Manchester, Maine, he blames it all on an uncle.

“He showed me a trick when I was 9,” Axell said.

e kid was hooked.

“I went to the internet, I read books, I looked at videos. And I practiced a lot. at’s the part of being a magician you never see — the hours of practice,” Axell said.

Early on, Axell thought about going into theater, and appeared in some musicals and small productions. But magic kept calling. His early acts often featured tricks that failed to trick — part of the painful growth of becoming a magician.

“When a trick fails, it’s usually due to a technical di culty,” he explained. “So you work on the y, you nd a solution. In a card trick, you lose that card, so you

have to gure out a way to nd that card.”

And, one assumes, keep your cool in the process.

Meanwhile, as a middle-schooler learning his trade, Axell discovered that magic was a way to impress his classmates at parties — particularly the girls. His life’s journey was set.

Just as audiences react di erently to magic acts, those practicing the art now are in two divided camps, he observed.

“ e eld has become the center of controversy lately, with debates about the psychic-spiritual element,” Axell said. “ ere are those who believe that the psychic ability actually exists. And there are a lot of mentalists who think it’s all some kind of lie.”

Wisely, Axell steers clear of taking sides with that discussion. His approach stresses the classic laws of magic.

“We operate on deception. It’s about misdirection. e better you are at those, the more convincing you are as a magician. But that doesn’t diminish the character of the show,” he said.

Once again, he reminds that he is simply an entertainer.

“Much of my audience have never experienced a magic show before,” Axell said. “Up there onstage, you have to let your personality shine through, and play

to the room. is is a family-friendly show where everyone participates.”

Indeed, videos on Axell’s website reveal volunteers reacting with dropped jaws to a slight-of-hand trick.

“I’ll o er a mix of tried-and-true tricks — you know, the number they guessed that’s in the envelope — with some that have a new feeling,” he said.

So, none of those psychic favorites such as: I’m feeling that there is someone here tonight who lost a relative named Margaret. Axell doesn’t go there.

“I’m not actually reading people. Occasionally, I will do what is known as a cold-reading,” Axell said. “But I will say this — there will be a big shock at the end of the show that will make people understand why I call my show Mind Reader.”

True to the code of all magicians, Axell would say no more.

Axell will appear at 7 p.m. May 1 at the Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St. For more information on Axell, visit kentaxell.com. Call 720-509-1000 or visit lonetreeartscenter.org for ticketing information.

is coverage comes courtesy of a grant from the Littleton Arts and Culture Program. As a matter of policy, funders exercise no control over editorial decisions.

Magician Kent Axell, in the midst of one of his tricks, shares a moment with his audience while his blindfolded volunteer has no idea that a big surprise awaits.

Kent Axell and a young volunteer fist-bump after Axell completes a successful magic trick during one of his Las Vegas shows.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILLIE AXELL

Thu 4/24

Scott Amendola Teaching Private Lessons @ Rupp's Drum Shop! Give a call to book a lesson! @ 9am Rupp's Drums, 2045 S Holly St, Denver

Open Stage Denver Presents: Matthew Eizenga on Piano @ 6pm

Tony Crank @ 5:30pm

Denver Art Museum, 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver

VOICES WEST’S ‘PAINTING WITH SOUND’ CABARET POPS CONCERT & FUNDRAISER! @ 6pm / $25

Southridge Recreation Center - Wildcat Mountain Auditorium, 4800 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch. market ingteam@voiceswest.org, 303-6838622

Tue 4/29

SPY @ 5pm

Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver

Superheaven Headline Tour @ 5pm

Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver

Alex Thoele: Swallow Hill With Chain Station @ 6pm Swallow Hill Music, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Sat 4/26

Learn at Mrs. Browns: Derby Hat Workshop @ 11am / $50

The Toad Tavern, 5302 S Federal Cir‐cle, Littleton

Julia Wolf @ 6pm

Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver

Fri 4/25

Hemlock in Denver (Parker) CO

@ 5pm

Wild Goose Saloon, Parker

Opera Colorado @ 6:30pm

Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street, Den‐ver

Sun 4/27

Durand Bernarr @ 6pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, En‐glewood Uhl @ 6pm

Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

Sex Week @ 6pm

Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania, Denver. asalutz@historic denver.org

Mina Reya at the Sundial House @ 4pm Sundial House, Highlands Ranch

Tommy Fleece @ 4:30pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

Chrispy @ 8pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

The Highlands Ranch Concert Band presents: What's In A Name @ 2pm

Bluebird Theater, 3317 E Colfax Av, Denver

Ben Wendel: Dazzle Denver w/Kneebody @ 6pm Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Denver

Glare @ 6pm

Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver

High Country Dance @ 6pm Stampede, Aurora

Theo Moss @ 7pm Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St, Denver

Shae Universe @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Wed 4/30

Jazz Jam with the Tenia Nelson Trio @ 6pm Roxy on Broadway, 554 S Broadway, Denver

Rock Canyon High School, 5810 McArthur Ranch Road, Littleton. media @hrconcertband.org, 303-870-3662

SALSA & BACHATA SUNDAYS @ 6pm La Rumba, Denver

Mon 4/28

Modern Swing Mondays 2025 @ 5:30pm Stampede, Aurora

Thu 5/01

Gary Bartz: Dazzle Denver @ 6pm Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Denver

Black Carl + Leotrix @ 9pm The Church Nightclub, Denver

Number of unsellable condos grows in state

HOAs trying to limit monthly condo fees opt for higher insurance deductibles, more deferred maintenance

BY TAMARA CHUANG THE COLORADO SUN

e Town Homes at Meadow Hills homeowners association dots the i’s and crosses the t’s when it comes to keeping the community shipshape.

“ ings like insurance, landscaping, snow removal — everything to keep our property up. We don’t do deferred maintenance. If we have an issue, we address it right away,” said board president Randy Garlington, who owns one of the 46 townhouses adjacent to the Meadow Hills Golf Course in Aurora.

So, it was a bit concerning when he recently learned that a decision the board must make in May could impact owners planning to sell their units. A growing number of condo properties nationwide are ending up on a mortgage blacklist because they don’t meet requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which set the standard for conventional loans and touch 70% of the U.S. home mortgage market.

One requirement is that the community’s property insurance deductible can be no more than 5%. Any higher and condo owners won’t be able to sell their units to buyers who are using conventional loans, the most common loan available. Buyers can still pay cash, or use more expensive alternatives, like seller nancing or FHA and VA loans.

But a higher deductible was a negotiating tool Garlington had hoped to use before the property’s insurance renews in May. e premium unexpectedly tripled last year, forcing the Meadow Hills HOA to raise monthly condo fees by more than 60% — an extra $200 a month to $525. He hoped to avoid that this year and wanted to ask insurance brokers, “What if we take on some of the higher risk?”

He doesn’t know if Meadow Hills is on Fannie Mae’s so-called blacklist. e list is only accessible by mortgage lenders. Condo owners and buyers often don’t nd out until a buyer is rejected for a loan, though there could be other reasons for that. Fannie Mae o cials did not respond

“Now that you’ve said that, we’ve had a couple of units that have had a tough time selling,” Garlington said. “I don’t know why other than anecdotally. One has complained a little bit because our HOA dues are as high as they are. But our HOA dues are as high as they are because of our insurance.”

Colorado ranked third for ineligible properties

A recent Wall Street Journal story called it a “Secret Mortgage Blacklist.” With 210 properties, Colorado ranked third in the U.S. for states with the most condo projects blacklisted by Fannie Mae as of February, according to Boston law rm Allcock & Marcus.

Florida led the way with 1,398 properties while California was second, at 695. ere were 5,175 total. But local news stories began popping up two years ago, with 1,400 properties on the list in April 2023 and growing that same year to more than 2,300 by October.

eyes while talking about it. One called the Wall Street Journal story “sensationalized,” because the list has been around for years. It’s a list of non-warrantable properties, which doesn’t quite roll o the tongue.

e blacklist moniker has increased awareness in a market where many condo owners, potential buyers and even real estate agents, HOAs and homeowners insurance agents are unaware of the issue.

Sunny Banka, a longtime Realtor in the Aurora and Denver area, knew about it. She said that her team has run into the blacklist. But they don’t nd out until an o er is made.

“We don’t know until you get into the documents and sometimes it’s so buried that you don’t realize it’s a problem,” Banka said. Her daughter and business partner just had a property under contract that was rejected by the lender because it was non-warrantable. She steered the buyer to another condo.

“Buyers can’t buy them. ere’s a lot of them out there that are dealing with this very issue,” Banka said. “ e prices of condos might be very low and they are very a ordable, but the HOA fees and taxes are outrageous. I have a two-bedroom, two-bath condo listed for $212,000 with a garage. It needs work. It needs appliances. ere’s pink carpet. e HOA fee is $514 a month plus there’s a recreational fee that’s $35.”

e list became a focus after 98 people were killed in the Champlain Towers condo collapse in south Florida in 2021.

e tragedy was blamed on the failure of the building’s aging structural columns, which were compromised over time. e collapse is still under investigation, but Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac updated their own policies as a result.

To qualify for conventional loans now, a condo complex must have completed critical deferred maintenance, have a cash reserve of at least 10% of the HOA’s annual budget, and maintain insurance to cover 100% replacement cost. A policy o ering just actual cash value for insured items, like a roof, would make the property ineligible for a conventional loan. ere’s also the 5% maximum deductible.

e list helps lenders understand which properties are in or out of compliance for conventional loans — and that’s critical for the mortgage industry, said Dawn McDonald, a regional account executive at Towne Mortgage, a wholesale lender that works with mortgage brokers and then resells the loans to larger companies like Chase, AmeriSave and Fannie Mae.

“We might only be lending to one condo unit, but we’re lending on the stability of the entire HOA community,” McDonald said. “ at’s why they (Fannie Mae) warrant the project and not just the unit. When there’s deferred maintenance, they could cause safety and structural issues. It could cause issues with the HOA’s nancial stability. ose are some of the whys behind how condos are getting on the list.”

She also reviews the list with some

Standing just outside his front door at the Meadow Hills Town Homes in Aurora on March 28, 2025, HOA president Randy Garlington says the property insurance at the complex tripled last year, forcing the HOA to raise all of the homeowners monthly fees.

KATHRYN SCOTT, SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

CONDO SALES

skepticism. She does her own research since some properties may have resolved their issues.

“Some make the list as approved and some make it as not reviewed at all. So we as the lenders have to review them for acceptability,” McDonald said. “And then some make it as unavailable, which means that Fannie has said that (the condo properties) don’t meet their requirements. And a lot of them are getting on that list because of the deductible issue.”

Nicole Rueth, founder of mortgage lender e Rueth Team in Denver, said the majority of loans for condos she’s seeing now have challenges meeting the Fannie Mae requirements. She is seeing deductibles at 8% and 10%, which automatically puts a property on the list.

“I had a conversation with one HOA management company and I said, ‘You know, this is going to be a problem for every buyer that wants to come in and for every seller who wants to sell to a conventional buyer.’ And she said, ‘Well, the buyers just need to nd a di erent lender because the only lender that has a problem with this is Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.’ I had to laugh because I’m like, you don’t understand how big that statement just was. at’s a problem. ey don’t understand,” Rueth said. “It’s an attempt to o set increased property taxes, increased cost of maintenance, increased cost of labor, increased costs of everything.”

Owners can still sell their condo or townhome. But their buyers must nd alternative nancing, such as all cash or a hard loan from a private lender. FHA loans from the Federal Housing Authority and VA loans for veterans are also OK but can be less exible and more expensive.

“Condominiums are supposed to be the entry point to access home ownership for those that struggle with a ordability. It used to be that they would appreciate and they would give you equity,” Rueth said. “And now it’s regretfully created such a burden on that rst-time homebuyer.”

Why condos are in this pickle

e number of properties on the list started increasing more rapidly after 2022, the year annual in ation peaked and home prices set records. When home values rise, the cost for insurers to replace them goes way up, too. e impact? Skyrocketing homeowners insurance premiums, which in turn raised HOA fees. Predictably, some HOAs tried to avoid the increase by upping insurance deductibles or deferring maintenance.

“I’ve been in the business for 30, 35 years and we’ve always had to look closely at condominiums,” said Je rey Beattie, president and CEO of Alliance Mortgage

Group in Centennial. “ e insurance piece has never really been a problem. But within the last year or so, it’s become a huge problem in Colorado because of the cost of insurance and what the homeowner associations are doing to keep those premiums down.”

While the blacklist is accessible to the mortgage industry, anyone can scan real estate listings on Zillow to see which condos have nance terms that are cash only. Another sign is when the complex has a lot of rentals, which Fannie frowns on, too.

High homeowners insurance premiums in the past two years are often credited to climate disasters and damage from wildres and hailstorms that have pummeled Colorado homes. Premiums rose nearly 60% between 2018 and 2023, according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association. But there’s also in ation, large lawsuit settlements and the higher cost to rebuild housing.

Aurora-based Service Plus Community Management, which manages about 45 HOAs mostly in the Denver and Aurora area, has an insurance broker speak to its HOA boards every year. ey’ve seen insurance premiums “that have doubled or tripled or more in the last two years,” said Todd Larson, who started Service Plus eight years ago.

Several of his HOAs are on Fannie Mae’s ineligible list for reasons that include deductibles that are too high, too few owner-occupied units, years of deferred maintenance and low reserve funds, like one with $10,000 “and they really need a million,” he said. Some already had those problems when he started the company in 2017.

It’s a challenge for HOAs to keep up with new regulations, he added. “Fannie and Freddie have really been a moving target. Since the Champlain Towers collapsed, they’ve really changed how they do things. And as community managers we don’t really get a lot of those updates,” he said. “I don’t even know that (insurance) brokers know.”

Even engaged owners willing to do the research and investigate all options are coming up short. Garlington, the president of the Meadow Hills HOA, said that after last year’s insurance rate hike, they tossed ideas around, including what if every owner got their own insurance?

“We did not nd it was less expensive,” he said, not to mention the “brain damage” for the board if it had to manage 46 policies.

What is being done

Condo communities have unique challenges, said Carole Walker, RMIA’s executive director.

“ e liability associated with condominiums has really pushed a lot of the standard commercial insurers out,” Walker said. “What you’ve seen as the surplus

lines market, which is the higher risk market, has moved into the space, that does impact costs because those policies are many times higher and they have higher deductibles.”

Walker owns a condo and is on the HOA board. She recommends that associations shop around and look for experienced insurance brokers who know the ins and outs of the loan requirements. Her HOA has its own insurance committee.

e Community Associations Institute, which represents HOAs and self-governing associations, is working with the Mortgage Bankers Association and Community Home Lenders to urge changes, “especially to the insurance deductible requirement and the replacement value coverage for roofs for condominium buildings,” said Dawn Bauman, CAI’s chief strategy o cer.

A study is underway by the Colorado Division of Insurance to look at the availability and a ordability of insurance for owners associations and come up with recommendations, including looking at “captive insurers” that are owned and controlled by condo owners. e study will be released Jan. 1.

Launching in mid April, unless there are further delays, Colorado’s Fair Access to Insurance Requirements, aka the FAIR Plan, is expected to o er policies to homeowners who have been turned down by at least three insurers. Prices are expected to be higher than standard insurance.

Other proposals moving through the state legislature could help homeowners save on premiums includes House Bill 1302, a reinsurance option that essentially provides insurance for insurers on catastrophic disasters so insurance

companies can reduce their risk. ere’s also House Bill 1182, a bill supported by the state Division of Insurance that would require insurers to share discounts for mitigation e orts that homeowners take to protect their homes, and allow policyholders to appeal their wild re risk scores.

“ ere needs to be di erent solutions for this condo market because it’s starting to become untenable,” said Walker, who regularly talks to state lawmakers and insurance o cials. “What are the different insurance gaps? … Could (we) create a cooperative of insurance for condominiums, especially up in the mountains where all these buildings are owned by the same people? We’re trying to look for, to use the cliché, some out of the box solution.”

is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

What might put a condo on Fannie Mae’s denial list?

• More than 15% of HOA’s income is from non-residential leases, such as parking.

• ere are critical repairs and deferred maintenance.

• Unfunded repairs estimated at more than $10,000 per unit.

• Property insurance doesn’t cover full replacement. Cash value is unacceptable.

• Insurance deductible is above 5%.

• Inadequate funding for insurance deductibles.

• Less than 10% of the HOA’s annual budget is in the reserve

Source: Fannie Mae

KATHRYN SCOTT, SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

1. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What do you call a person who has lived to the age of 100 years?

2. HISTORY: When were cigarette commercials banned from American television?

3. MOVIES: Whose life is depicted in the movie “Raging Bull”?

4. U.S. STATES: In which state are the Catskill Mountains located?

5. TELEVISION: Which long-running TV drama was set in Cabot Cove, Maine?

6. MEASUREMENTS: How long is the ancient measurement called a cubit?

7. FOOD & DRINK: What is a dish called Cullen Skink?

8. CHEMISTRY: A diamond is composed of which single element?

9. GEOGRAPHY: What country is home to the Ba n, Victoria and Ellesmere islands?

TrIVIa

10. ANATOMY: What is another name for the condition called “piloerection”?

Answers

1. A centenarian.

2. Jan. 2, 1971.

3. Jake LaMotta (played by Robert De Niro).

4. New York.

5. “Murder, She Wrote.”

6. 1.5 feet.

7. Scottish soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions.

8. Carbon.

9. Canada.

10. Goosebumps.

(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

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