March 26, 2015 VOLU M E 1 0 | I S SUE 43
ArvadaPress.com A publication of
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Tax donations fund nonprofits Arvada family benefits from Checkoff Colorado By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com For Isabella Billyard, 11, a weekend retreat in the mountains at Roundup River Ranch with her family allows her time to be a kid and to socialize with other kids who share in her disability. “I look forward to meeting other kids who have the same disability that I do,” said Isabella, who was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 8. “It’s kind of different for everyone but we still get to do the same things, even if we’re different in some sort of way.” Over the past two years, the Billyards, a family of four, have been able to go to Roundup River Ranch, a camp for children with serious illnesses, free of charge — something they wouldn’t have been able to
do without the help of Checkoff Colorado. “We are 100 percent funded through donations, individual grants and special events,” said Katie Santambrogio, Roundup’s director of development and marketing. “Now with Checkoff, we see this as being a really great advantage to spread awareness and build our revenue sources.” A grassroots awareness campaign, Checkoff helps educate and encourage citizens to donate to certain charitable organizations, like Roundup River Ranch, that they may not have heard of before. By seeking donations throughout tax season, Checkoff has raised more than $30 million since its inception in 1977, and more than $1.4 million in 2014 alone. “I think there’s a lot of families who don’t know that they can donate in that way or that it affects people in their area,” Billyard said. In total, eight funds were selected by the state legislature to be a part of the 2015 Tax continues on Page 24
While hanging out at camp last September, Isabella Eddings-Billyard and her siblings, Dillon Billyard and Madelyn Eddings-Billyard spend some time making crafts. Courtesy photo
FIGHTING INJUSTICE WITH STYLE
Dressing for freedom Bridal shop raises funds for nonprofit Set Them Free By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com
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t’s starting a conversation. In support of National Sexual Assault month and local nonprofit, Set Them Free, Amanda’s Bridal and Tux, 7430 W. 52nd Ave., is donating 1 percent of its April proceeds to the organization. “It’ll create conversation about it,” said Jan Mount, store owner. “We’re hoping to create conversation about it and awareness.” During the month of April, Mount will donate proceeds from the store’s sales, bridal items, tuxes, prom gear, accessories, shoes and alterations. The idea for the fundraiser, which will raise approximately $1,400 (based off 2014 sales), came to Mount after hearing of the organization through Set Them Free volunteer and Amanda’s Bridal seamstress Bernadette Ward. “If you’re getting married, this is where you should come,” Ward said, “Not only are you buying a dress and getting everything for your wedding, but they help to support Set Them Free.” In 2010, following a harrowBride-to-be Melanie Leise can’t stop smiling while she tries on a strapless ivory wedding gown ing experience in China, Arvaat Amanda’s Bridal. Photo by Crystal Anderson dans Gianni and Betsey Vecchiarelli decided they needed to do more than donate to help save to fund, the further we want to dive in head-first women and girls trapped in the into fighting this injustice.” sex trafficking industry. By starting Set Them Free, Volunteers from the organization will be at a nonprofit that partners with the International Amanda’s Bridal on Saturday, April 11, to help Justice Mission to rescue women, the Vecchiarellis promote and educate shoppers about the cause. For were able to give back beyond the money in their more information, visit www.set-them-free.org. checkbook. “It kind of hits you as being a woman,” Ward said. “For me, at the moment, I am an incurable fanat“It’s women helping other women, and these are ic. The more and more involved we get in the fight, kids … it’s a good cause, something you didn’t hear the more and more broken-hearted we become,” Gianni said. “The more rescue missions we are able about for a long time and it’s everywhere now.”
Committees approve constructiondefects reforms Bills portrayed as ways to boost condos By Amy Woodward
awoodward@coloradocommunitymedia.com Senate committees last week approved two pieces of legislation dedicated to reforming the state’s construction-defects laws. Proponents looking to reform the laws have argued that lessening the rigid process between homeowners seeking arbitration with home builders over construction defects will increase HOW YOUR SENATORS VOTED the production of condos and CHERI JAHN, D- WheatRidge, Yes townhomes. Opponents TIM NEVILLE, R-Jefferson County, Yes argue that any LINDA NEWELL, D-Littleton, excused reform may pre-
vent a homeLAURA WOODS, R-Arvada, Yes owner from resolving construction defects related to their home. Lakewood Mayor Bob Murphy reported that no condos have been built in Lakewood since 2006. After the state failed to address construction-defects reforms in the 2014 legislative session, Lakewood developed and passed its own construction-defects ordinance. “If by any chance the state doesn’t do something there will be a lot of dominos that fall,” Murphy said in regard to other Colorado cities that may pass their own ordinances if the state fails to address the issue again this year. Senate Bill 91: The bill would decrease the statute of limitation for a homeowner to sue a builder, architect, contractor, or builder vendor, engineer, or inspector performing or furnishing the design, planning, supervision, inspection, construction, or observation of construction of any improvement to real property from eight years to four years. Sponsors of the bill made amendments that reduced the time from eight years to six years and took out the bill’s application to multi-family units Passed with amendments: 3-2 Senate Bill 177: “The Arbitration Bill” concerns homeowners’ associations and prerequisites that are needed before pursuing resolution disputes associated with construction defects. Reforms continues on Page 24