Arvada Press 030923

Arvada festival season kicks o with Winterfest

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e ice is starting to thaw, the birds are returning and the Arvada festival season is already underway. Winterfest — the Arvada Festivals Commission’s annual celebration of

diverse culture — was held in McIlvoy Park on Feb. 25, with over 3,000 people coming to celebrate.

is year’s Winterfest kicked o with an ugly sweater contest alongside a pet parade, followed by Red Feather Woman — a Native American vocalist — who then ceded the

stage to Mariachi Sangre Mexicana.

e event was closed out with a Dragon and Lion Dance put on by the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center.

Along with the showcases, free carriage rides throughout Olde Town were o ered during the festival. Live

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visits Arvada to speak on climate crisis

ice sculpting — a favorite from preview years — also returned, as did the Olde Town Business Improvement District’s beer garden. Adelle Burton, Arvada’s special events coordinator, said Winterfest

SEE WINTERFEST, P4

Je co School

Resource O cers may soon have mandated training

BY ANDREW FRAIELI AFRAIELI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

BY ANDREW FRAIELI AFRAIELI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris spoke in Arvada with Rep. Brittany Pettersen on climate action, highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s e orts to combat climate change through a “clean-energy economy.”

e March 6 discussion at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities touched heavily on water policy, as well as wild res, droughts and equity issues stemming from climate change in Colorado and the rest of the country, highlighting the Bipartisan Infrastructure law. Lead pipes and their e ects on lower-income people who cannot

a ord to replace the pipes themselves, bringing medical issues that can arise in pregnant women, children and the elderly was one example she gave,

“And so the signi cance of what

WHEN WISHES COME TRUE

we are doing with the infrastructure law around lead pipes, is we’re saying, ‘ is is a public health matter, it a ects all of us,’” Harris said. “And

It takes 600 hours of training to be licensed by the State of Colorado as a nail technician — the person who does mani-pedis and applies toenail polish. As of 2022, it takes 556 hours and a background check to become a police o cer. Becoming a School Resource Ofcer — a sworn law enforcement o cer, usually armed and with arrest powers while working in a school — takes none.

at’s because under current state law, training for SROs is “encouraged” to be completed before being assigned to a school or within six months after. A bill being proposed by Senator Chris Kolker, a Democrat representing Arapahoe and Je erson counties, would change that suggestion to a

SEE TRAINING, P6

Vice President Kamala Harris sat with Rep. Brittany Pettersen and professional rock climber Sasha DiGiulian to discuss Colorado’s climate issues.

PHOTO BY ANDREW FRAIELI

Rep. Brittany Pettersen and professional rock climber Sasha DiGiulian discussed Colorado’s climate issues with the VP

SEE HARRIS, P2

so we are saying therefore it is in the public interest to use public resources to address it.”

Executive Director Olga Gonzalez of Cultivando, a health equity advocate group in Adams County focusing on the latino community, spoke beforehand and described the Suncor plant in Commerce City as a large source of pollution in the Denver area.

She pushed for more regulation so “children won’t be sacri ced for the sake of cheaper gasoline,” referencing Suncor’s $9 million settlement for repeated air quality standards violations.

Colorado itself, as of 2022, is seventh in the nation for energy production according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, being fth for crude oil production just below Louisiana. Renewables accounted for 35% of that in 2021, with wind power contributing 80% of all renewables, according to the EIA.

Gov. Jared Polis touted his administration’s 2019 plan for Colorado to be 100% renewable energy by 2040 before Harris spoke. Part of that plan focuses on growing the state’s eet of electric vehicles and infrastructure, with one piece of legislation in 2019 that authorized public utilities to provide charging stations. As of January 2022, Colorado had more than 3,500 public electric

Professional rock climber and Boulder native Sasha DiGiulian also sat in on the discussion, pointing toward her experience climbing around the country and seeing climate e ects rst-hand. She spoke on a recent trip for a woman’s rstattempt climb, where she witnessed

home to Boulder and was evacuated for a wild re.

Pettersen said the most urgent threat to Colorado’s way of life is the climate crisis.

She has consistently supported climate action legislation in the Colorado House and Senate, most recently in 2021 when Colorado passed over 30 bills on various aspects of energy e ciency, renewables and advances in transportation electri cation.

Part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s e orts against climate change has been a “Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool,” giving real-time data on extreme weather events, as well as giving historic and future climate impact data to residents.

Two areas in Arvada were high-

lighted in this tool, one of which was in the 94th percentile for “fatalities and injuries resulting from natural hazards each year.” Almost half of Lakewood is highlighted, in bulk due to una ordability, but also “economic loss to building value resulting from natural hazards each year.”

Harris nished by telling how she has spoken to U.S. astronauts in the past, asking whether it changes their perspective about Earth.

“Almost to a one, they say how beautiful it is when you look at Earth from space, and how delicate it is, how fragile,” she said. “We all know some of the most precious things are fragile, and that’s why we pay special attention to take care of them. And so let’s continue to do that.”

Vice President Kamala Harris touted the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as a tool against climate change.

Governor Jared Polis spoke before Vice President Kamala Harris’ discussion, emphasizing his administration’s 2019 plan for Colorado to be 100% renewable energy by 2040. PHOTOS BY ANDREW FRAIELI

Arvada Art Drop featuring all new artists throughout 2023

Local artist showcase returns to renewed fanfare post-pandemic

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As Olde Town Arvada grows and changes, so does the district’s art scene. Art Drop Arvada has been a First Friday favorite for years, but since returning from a COVID-19-induced hiatus, the local artist showcase has seen renewed interest from the community.

Art Drop Arvada is a longstanding event that takes place on the First Friday of each month and gives local artists a chance to showcase their

work and connect with the community.

While in the past the event has highlighted artists multiple times, his year, Art Drop will feature a new artist every month, thanks to scores of applications from locals.

Emily Grace King, Art Drop Arvada’s founder, said that along with the volume of applications, the caliber of artist has increased as well.

“Demand has grown,” King said.

“From our beginning, we’ve continued to grow the roster of new artists while keeping the old ones engaged as well. e caliber of artist has increased too; the artists we’re working with this year have been featured in galleries, Denver Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Arvada center and other larger institutions.”

King credits discussion within the Art Drop community for how the event’s grown.

“More artists, they’re talking about their experience more, and artists love to be a part of (art drop),” King said.

About 60 people have attended Art Drops since the event returned, King said. King credits the local support with helping the event grow.

“Support from people coming out and supporting local art is really important and makes Arvada special,” King said. “Artists love participating, people love participating, it makes Arvada cool.”

Information about Art Drop can be found on its o cial social media accounts (@artdroparvada), while artist applications can be found on its website.

February Statistics Show Some Stabilizing of Jefferson County’s Real Estate Market

At right is the “Market Overview” for February as published by the Market Trends Committee of the Denver Metro Association of Realtors, but it’s for the full metro area. To the right of that graphic, I have created the same stats for Jefferson County, which are pretty close to those metro-wide statistics.

The bottom chart includes one stat which the DMAR infographic omitted, and that is the median days in MLS, which fell dramatically compared to the average days in MLS.

That’s an important distinction, because what it tells us is that while there continue to be a lot of overpriced homes sitting on the MLS, there are now enough right-priced homes on the MLS to bring down the median statistic.

This is a lesson which all sellers

should take to heart — that if you price your home at or slightly below the market, you will sell your home quickly, but if you put it on the MLS at a hoped-for price that is above the market, it will sit on the MLS for a long time.

As I write this on Monday morning, these are the numbers of active Jeffco listings on REcolorado by days-on-market:

0-7 Days—150

8-14 Days—62

15-31 Days—92

32-60 Days—82

61-90 Days—25

Over 90 Days—141

We agents refer to listings that have been on the MLS over 30 or 60 days as “stale,” and those are good prospects for getting a low-ball offer accepted. Buyers can certainly be confident that they won’t encounter a bidding war for any listing that has been on the mar-

Colorado Still Doesn’t Regulate Home Inspectors, But They Must Be Licensed to Install Radon Testing Devices

By now, most home sellers and buyers should be aware that radon, a naturally occurring carcinogenic gas, is prevalent in Colorado. Every buyer’s agent should be advising their client to hire an inspector who, in addition to inspecting the home for hidden defects, can perform a radon test.

Radon, at any level, can cause lung cancer, and the EPA has established an “action level” of 4 picocuries per liter (4 pCi/l) above which mitigation is recommended. According to www.cdc.gov, the EPA estimates that radon gas is responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, about one-sixth of the 127,070 lung cancer deaths (www.cancer.org).

Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas which is a decay product from Uranium U235. It has a half-life of 3.8 days. It further decays into polonium, which is what’s harmful to your health. The final decay product is lead.

Home inspectors are still not licensed or regulated in Colorado (something I have argued for), but as of July 1, 2022, only a licensed radon professional can install an approved radon testing device as part of a home inspection, and must follow detailed instructions for doing so.

Fortunately, my go-to home inspector, Jim Camp of Metropolitan Home Inspections, obtained his radon license and gave our broker associates and me a PowerPoint presentation on the subject at a

recent office meeting. (I have linked to that file at www.GoldenREblog.com.)

Prior to licensing, any inspector could install the 48-hour testing equipment in a home and leave behind a flyer requesting “closed house conditions.” The device makes hourly measurements, so any violation of those rules would be obvious from looking at hourly variations in the measurements.

But now there are several specific procedures that must be followed, including getting signed approval from the client to conduct the test, and providing advance notice of the test to the owner or occupant.

The latter form states that closed house conditions must be initiated at least 12 hours prior to testing, not just throughout the 48-hour testing period.

Another rule is that if the basement footprint exceeds 2,000 square feet, two radon measuring devices must be installed. There are detailed instructions about where a testing device can and cannot be positioned.

Any air exchange systems, such as HVAC or evaporative cooler, must be turned off, but an existing radon mitigation system can remain on during the test.

Upon installing the radon testing device, the inspector is required to fill out and leave a “non-interference” agreement or “chain of custody” on the premises and to install door hangers on all exterior doors.

ket more than a couple weeks — unless there was a recent price reduction. You can ask your agent to send you only listings which have been on the MLS over a certain number of days if you want to avoid bidding wars and get a good deal.

Sellers need to recognize that when they overprice a home and then reduce the price to make it sell, they typically get less than if they had priced the home correctly in the beginning.

Just Listed: Golden Home With Walkout Basement

$1,595,000

This solar-powered home at 359 Canyon Point Circle was a model home for the Village at Mountain Ridge, the subdivision west of Highway 93 backing to the Mt. Galbraith Park. (There’s a trailhead to the park’s 5 miles of hiking trails within the subdivision.) The seller has made many improvements to the home since buying it in 2002, including a total renovation of the gourmet kitchen and master bathroom, plus adding 11.5 kW of solar panels which meet all the electrical needs of the home. The main-floor deck was also completely rebuilt with composite decking, metal railings and a breakfast bar for enjoying the sunrises over South Table Mountain and the City of Golden, which are visible even from the walk-out basement. A walking path near this home allows children to walk safely to Mitchell Elementary School via a pedestrian bridge that crosses the highway. To appreciate all the features of this 4,106-sq.ft. home, take the narrated video tour at www.MountainRidgeHome.com, then come to the open house this Saturday, 11 to 1.

Jim Smith

Broker/Owner, 303-525-1851

Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com

1214 Washington Ave., Golden 80401

Broker Associates: JIM SWANSON, 303-929-2727

CHUCK BROWN, 303-885-7855 DAVID DLUGASCH, 303-908-4835

Artist Allison Sheldon’s work that was available for sale at the March 3 Art Drop. COURTESY IMAGE

WINTERFEST

was a great kickoff to the festival season — which includes events like the Arvada Kite Festival and Arvada Days.

“The Arvada Festivals Commission always loves kicking off the new event season with Arvada Winterfest,” Burton said.

This year, the coldest thing at the event was the ice sculpture by Colorado Ice Works, Burton added.

“We had beautiful weather all

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day long while guests enjoyed the pet ugly sweater contest, dancing with the Red Feather Woman, dragon and lion dances by the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center, and of course the beer garden hosted by the Olde Town Arvada Business Improvement District,” Burton continued.

“We love being able to bring free fun to Arvada and hope to see you at Kite Fest in April.”

This year’s Arvada Winterfest was the second iteration of the event held since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event into hiatus. Winterfest was first held in 2018.

Red Feather Woman performs native musical pieces earlier in the day. PHOTOS COURTESY ARVADA FESTIVALS COMMISSION

The Colorado Asian Cultural Center performs the Dragon and Lion Dance at the McIlvoy Park pavilion.

The Dragon and Lion Dance caps the Winterfest festivities.

Bill would protect educators

Focus is on rights in the workplace

BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

A year after Colorado lawmakers denied employees of school districts and public universities the right to unionize and negotiate contracts, legislators are considering a bill that would provide some protections for them and other public sector employees.

Senate Bill 111 would extend rights for public employees who openly express views about the workplace, start the process of forming a union, or participate in organizing. Public workers would also be protected from retaliation, discrimination, and intimidation from employers. Private sector employees already have these rights under federal law.

e bill doesn’t require public employers to recognize unions or grant workers the ability to strike. But the legislation, which a Senate committee advanced Tuesday, could represent a notable step forward for K-12 and higher education workers who want stronger labor protections for what they say are crucial workplace rights.

Critics who united to exclude education sta from a law expanding collective bargaining rights last year say this year’s legislation is unnecessary, unfair to employers, and would hurt schools.

Jade Kelly, CWA Local 7799 president, said the bill extends some rights

granted to private employees through the National Labor Relations Act, a 1935 law to ensure workers can advocate for better conditions and form labor unions without retaliation. Her union represents higher education workers, library workers, and public defenders, among others.

She said public employees do have certain rights under federal statutes. But Kelly said that employers often violate those laws because a federal complaint must be led by workers when there are issues. It’s a di cult process that creates hostile work environments where public employees feel they can’t speak out, she said.

Kelly said ling a complaint is expensive and takes up a lot of time and “employers know that.”

By extending the federal rights for private workers to public workers statewide, the bill would ensure the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment enforces these rights and step in when violations happen, mediate any issues, and take action.

Democrats in the state legislature have been pushing for more rights for public sector workers. e legislation lawmakers passed last year grants county employees the right to organize and bargain collectively over pay and working conditions. at law also prohibits strikes, work stoppages, and work slowdowns.

But facing sti opposition from school district administrators, school boards, higher education o cials, and Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, education workers were excluded from last year’s

bill.

Senate Bill 111 is sponsored by state Sen. Robert Rodriguez and state Rep. Steven Woodrow, both Denver Democrats. e bill passed the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee on Tuesday with a partisan 4-3 vote.

Many large Colorado school districts voluntarily recognize employee unions and have contracts that include collective bargaining rights, but there is no requirement that they do so. Union members say that leaves many teachers vulnerable.

Mountain Valley School District teacher Kevin Walek, a San Luis Valley teacher union vice president, said teachers worry if they speak out that school district leadership will punish them. Many teachers like him are within their rst few years of teaching and on a probationary period.

e bill would help teachers feel like they can use their voice.

“A lot of teachers just keep their head down,” Walek said. “It’s a tough environment.”

In addition to K-12 and higher education workers, the bill would cover a large group of workers, such as county, city, re, library and public health workers.

e Colorado Education Association and other advocacy groups say the bill grants rights and protections that were skipped over in last year’s collective bargaining bill for many public employees.

Multiple groups want to amend the bill, including the Colorado League of Charter Schools, the Colorado Asso-

ciation of School Executives, and the Colorado Charter School Institute. e committee approved amendments related to unintended consequences the groups identi ed, such as those related to State Board of Education powers and to ensure management positions wouldn’t be included.

Michelle Murphy, Colorado Rural Schools Alliance executive director, said the bill would substantially disrupt schools. e organization also wants to amend the bill.

“ is bill expands employee rights while dialing back and restricting employer rights,” she said.

Opponents include many county and city organizations and governments. Kevin Bommer, Colorado Municipal League executive director, said employers are already required to give employees substantial protections under federal law.

Others also argued there aren’t widespread complaints about improper employer practices. And any such issues can be handled by federal law, they said.

But Kelly said the public ultimately gets hurt when unhappy workers can’t resolve issues quickly with their employers.

“Workers end up leaving or they get to the point where they hate their jobs,” Kelly said. “ at creates an adverse e ect on anyone who uses public services.”

is story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters

TRAINING

mandate, and not just once, but annual training.

In the Colorado General Assembly, Senate Bill 23-070 was introduced on Jan. 27 and has already been amended by the Senate Committee on Education.

“ e initial concern with this was how to get a good o cer, and how do we keep a good o cer, and how do we keep them trained,” Kolker said. e original bill focused on mandating the training on National Association of School Resource O cers, or NASRO, best practices before o cers started their assignments which current state law only encourages. is included the caveat of mandating beforehand, “or as soon as reasonably possible,” as NASRO only has one training this year in March, according to Kolker.

Je co has almost 50 SROs across the District, according to Executive Director of School Safety Je Pierson. Each, according to him, is NASRO trained.

NASRO’s basic training consists of ve, eight-hour days. According to NASRO’s course summary, it trains o cers on its concept of acting not just as a law enforcement o cer, but as a public safety educator, and informal counselor or mentor. It also teaches ethics lessons for operating inside a school, school-related laws and handling behavioral issues.

Pierson believes this mentoring aspect is crucial to building a

rapport with the students, allowing o cers to answer “sometimes tough questions.”

“We get a lot of kids whose parents or families or whatever go into the system and sometimes they just have some really tough questions and they want to seek somebody out and get some answers,” he said. “A lot of time SROs serve in that purpose.”

NASRO’s “best practices” also include recommending SROs be armed, be knowledgeable in constitutional and state law and that partnering agencies create a contract with school districts laying out expectations and goals.

roughout the District, these contracts are almost all the same, set up with seven police departments across Je co including Golden, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Arvada and the Sheri ’s O ce. Most notably, o cers are employed by their respective police departments, not the school, have complete control over their schedule within the school and have full discretion over whether to make an arrest or not in the school.

According to state law, the o cer has to inform the principal of an arrest within 24 hours.

NASRO has state-speci c branches, with Colorado’s being the Colorado Association of School Resource O cers, or CASRO. President of CASRO and Sgt. at the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce Mark Mithuen said SROs are essential for safety in schools.

“I can tell you there are SROs covering everything from medical calls to before it gets to the situa-

tion where there’s an incident, in terms of they’re able to evacuate kids if needed, if there’s a re,” he explained. “If there are situations where there’s a carbon monoxide leak somewhere in the school, they can make sure the students are safe and are being evacuated.”

He continued that SROs are necessary to prevent and discover “people bringing weapons and these drugs laced with fentanyl into schools, to protect kids from dying and overdosing.”

e issue of there being only one training this year contributed to the bill being amended to focus on “continuous training.”

“Continuous training keeps it fresh, and more responsive to changing needs,” Kolker said. “With that initial class, yeah everyone needs their training, and then you’re done. Five years later you only had that one training, how are you staying up to date?”

With that change in focus, the amendment removed the wording from generally mandating training to requiring an annual training meeting with SROs and school ocials to discuss how best to respond to Safe2Tell reports, and training resources to better SROs’ “support of students and school sta .”

Safe2Tell is a youth-focused state program meant to allow students, parents, school sta and community members to anonymously report safety concerns to law enforcement, with SROs being a major part of that.

Kolker hopes annual and consistent training will also help o cers be more knowledgeable about responding to these reports. He explained that a parent had told him their kids were afraid to call Safe2Tell from fear of “an o cer showing up at their door in the middle of the night.”

He highlighted that o cers responding to those reports don’t know how urgent it is, “so they are going to show up at 11:30, and they’re going to show up in a squad car, and they’re going to show up with all their gear on. And that can be a little intimidating.”

In January this year, the latest Safe2Tell monthly report, the top category of reports to Safe2Tell was suicide threats.

In terms of mandating the training, both Pierson and Mithuen agree that more training is always helpful, but do not agree with it being mandated. ey also both don’t agree on it being required before starting an assignment, though the caveat in the current bill does resolve that.

e concern is of safety if a lack of training prevents an o cer from lling an SRO gap at a school.

“I think it is important they get the training up front, but I think we all understand in the District — as

the only District that has had three school shootings — if there’s an ocer to ll a void where we don’t have an SRO, and they don’t have the training yet, we’d be glad to onboard them prior to getting that training as opposed to not having an SRO onboard,” Pierson said.

Mithuen believes more that a wise choice of o cer for an SRO — works well with children, interested in the job — is just as important, and training is more supplementary.

e main issue brought up is that required annual training would be di cult for more rural police forces who would have to travel more often, an issue Kolker acknowledged and said is being worked on.

Without the caveat excusing an o cer from being trained for the SRO position beforehand, Pierson believes it would “tie not just law enforcement hands, but tie ours up as well.”

“I think SROs can have a negative image depending on the experience in that particular district, so I think that is always the eyebrow raise when you bring up the initial SRO….,” Kolker said in response to whether there has been push back against the bill. “Again, the goal is to provide the right training and the right resources so that we have more positive experiences.”

Some advocacy groups in Denver, such as Movimiento Poder, believe that training is not the issue, but the presence of police in schools themselves.

Movimiento Poder points to Colorado Department of Education data showing that Black students are disproportionately referred to law enforcement at school in Denver compared to their population and to the number of white students referred to police.

“You never know if someone’s there, what it is or what is not going to happen. It’s proven that SROs are essential for safety in the schools,” Mithuen said when asked about opponents to SROs in schools, pointing again to weapons, drugs, and evacuations, along with more violent situations such as school shooters, as examples of safety SROs help with.

Various studies from the University of Maryland, Brown University, University of Connecticut and more have shown little support for SROs preventing school shootings, and often arrests increase signi cantly, replacing school disciplinary action, again, leaning toward minority students.

“We can either do nothing, and there’s still going to be the negative, or we can try and make them better,” Kolker said. “And I think any kind of training we can receive, the ultimate goal is to make ourselves better.”

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Steps toward Je co secondary school consolidations continue

dations had to begin. Relou said certain areas can be prioritized in the study, but it will take awhile.

BY ANDREW FRAIELI AFRAIELI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e closure of 16 Je erson County elementary schools in November was only phase one of the District’s consolidation plan.

Phase II of Regional Opportunities for riving Schools — the consolidation plan — will focus on secondary schools like K-8s and middle schools. e Board of Education brie y discussed the plan on Feb. 24.

Currently, criteria for this second set of closures have not been released, and according to Chief of Strategy and Communications for the District Lisa Relou, they have not been decided on either. Part of the preparation for Phase II, she said, was releasing enrollment and other data on the District’s FCB Dashboard, as they did for the elementary schools.

e choice of elementary schools for consolidation was based generally on enrollment data and proximity to other schools, but the District said previously the criteria would be di erent for the secondary schools.

Relou presented enrollment data to the Board, pointing out that the District is keeping students it already

has, even as enrollment declines evenly across all schools.

“As we’ve talked a lot about in this room, this work is a big puzzle, and we need to assess our middle schools and k-8 schools within the context of our articulation areas, and honestly, their impact on one another,” Relou said in the meeting.

“And also long-term sustainability as we start to look at rejections.”

Looking towards the future, Relou said a boundary study was being planned that would look at current articulation areas — the area assigned to a speci c school — what families want, and why they are making the school choices they are.

Board Member Mary Parker raised a concern on whether the boundary study would be finished before considerations of consoli-

A Rate Worth Getting Excited About!

“I just want to make sure we’re super thoughtful,” Board President Stephanie Schooley said, pointing to the boundary study. “We have cyclical patterns, in some articulation areas more than others, of leaning in without there being any intention of action that follows that, which is incredibly frustrating.”

According to Relou, there is currently no timeline for a vote or action on Phase II.

Meet Xena!

Meet Xena (262521)! This sweet pup is currently Foothills’ longest-stay dog, having been at the Shelter since September. Xena is smart, food motivated, energetic, and eager to learn! An active, patient family that can meet those needs will help her thrive in her new home. While she may be able to have some dog friends in the future, due to her interactions here at the Shelter, she will need to go to a single-pet household. Xena is currently living with a foster family while she waits for adoption, but if you would like to set up a visit with her, please call us or visit

FoothillsAnimalShelter.org info@fas4pets.org

Melissa Jacobson (left), a parent from Kullerstrand Elementary, waits for the Je co Board of Education’s vote on whether to close 16 elementary schools. The Board voted unanimously in favor.

PHOTO BY ANDREW FRAIELI

The District hasn’t decided on strict criteria, but are working on interim steps

Meth remediation professionals could face more accountability with new Senate bill

The measure aims to address illegal drug laboratories

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In light of public libraries across the state nding drug contamination in communal spaces, a woman from Evergreen wants people to know contamination could be lurking anywhere — even in homes — and that’s why she’s teaming up with State Sen. Lisa Cutter to introduce a bill that would hold remediators accountable.

In 2018, Kathi McCarty’s worst nightmare came true when she found the tenant she had been renting her beautiful mountain cabin to had been using it as a lab to cook methamphetamine. e following years of McCarty’s life would include legal and nancial struggles that would ultimately end in her selling the home, fully disclosed, for a low price.

Soon after selling, McCarty would watch the new owners go on to encapsulate the contamination inside the home after failing to remediate to state standard. en they would sell it at an exorbitant price, undisclosed to the new buyer. McCarty went on to found Meth Toxins Awareness Alliance, a group that focuses on education, resources and legislation for meth contamination. She said helping others has given meaning to her misfortune.

“Why did this happen to me? And how can I take a really jacked up situation in my own life that literally cost me over half a million dollars — let’s not sugarcoat that part of it — but put it to some really good use,” McCarty said.

Meth Toxins Awareness Alliance aims to protect renters, property owners, buyers and their loved ones from meth contamination by providing education opportunities, support and work towards governmental change.

Some of that change is happening in the form of a bill that will be introduced to the Senate on March 9 to protect homeowners and renters from the potential history of illegal drug laboratories in their homes.

e bill, presented by Colorado State Sen. Lisa Cutter, will add to current laws about remediation. Currently, the department of public health and environment certi es people who assess, decontaminate or sample properties that once were sites of illegal drug laboratories.

e bill will add a requirement that the department will inspect the work of each certi ed person once every three years. If errors are found, remedial education or decerti cation will ensue for the responsible party.

e bill also will require the department to create a public database of buildings that have been used as illegal drug laboratories. A building can be removed from the database ve years after the property has been decontaminated.

“We’re trying to look to improve what’s there, not take away what’s there, but improve, just enhance what’s already there,” McCarty said

Sen. Cutter explained why work like this is important to her.

“I’m really interested in addressing toxins in our environment to the degree that we can,” she said.

e bill will be heard by the local government and housing committee on March 9.

Kathi McCarty during remediation efforts of her Evergreen home. COURTESY PHOTOS

Kathi McCarty holding a keepsake from her home that had to be disposed of due to contamination.

Summer Camps & Programs 2023

COUNTY AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Arapahoe County Libraries

Locations: Multiple locations in Arapahoe County

Website: arapahoelibraries.org

Details: Each year, Arapahoe libraries hosts a variety of reading events and gatherings to help fill the summer hours.

Jefferson County Library

Locations: Events in Lakewood, Arvada, Golden, Evergreen, Edgewater, Wheat Ridge and more

Website: https://jeffcolibrary.org/

Details: With summer coming, the Jefferson County Library system is already holding information sessions and planning events, such as the Cosmic Conversations: Telescope Highlights of the Midnight Sky in June.

Douglas County Libraries

Locations: See website

Website: www.dcl.org/camp-dcl/

Details: Choose from weeklong half-day camps at six DCL locations or full-day camps at select locations from June 5 through Aug. 4. Camps are facilitated by subject matter experts and supported by trained staff and volunteers. Camp themes include science, robotics, creative arts, LEGOs, cooking and baking, with each camp geared to a specific age range.

Englewood – 2023 KidConnections

Summer Camp

Locations: See website

Website: https://bit.ly/3YRWCcC

Details: The program is a fully licensed day care by the State of Colorado, Department of Human Services for children 5 years old (and completed kindergarten) through 14 years old. There is a registration fee of $10 per child.

City of Golden

Locations: See website

Website: https://bit.ly/3Sm6Y1X

Details: Summer camp registration opens Feb. 28 for residents and March 2 for nonresidents. Golden addresses are not all within city limits; some are actually part of unincorporated Jefferson County. Check if your Golden address is within city limits at addresslookup.jeffco.us.

Evergreen Park & Recreation District

Locations: Variety of locations

Website: www.evergreenrecreation. com/201/Camps

Details: The annual programs provide options for kids starting at 3 years old.

City of Thornton – 2023 summer camps

Locations: Varies by camp

Website: www.thorntonco.gov/recreation/ Pages/registration-information.aspx

Details: The annual summer program is already underway with registration for residents beginning on Feb. 1. Nonresidents joined on Feb. 2. From physical activities and sports camps to arts and more — the annual program will continue to register participants.

City of Northglenn summer programs

Locations: See website

Website: www.northglenn.org/rec_and_ events/childrens_programs.php

Details: Participants will enjoy their time at the Northglenn Recreation Center swimming two times a week, playing games/ activities in the beautiful gym, going on fi eld trips, having in-house experiences, riding pedal boats at Webster Lake, playing daily at E.B Rains Jr. Memorial Park, plus much more.

Wheat Ridge Parks & Recreation

Location: 4355 Field St., Wheat Ridge

Website: www.rootedinfun.com/191

/Sun-Camp

Details: Wheat Ridge Sun Camp is a state-licensed day camp for children ages 6 to 13; offered during Jefferson County Public Schools’ spring, summer and winter breaks.

Arvada summer camps program

Location: 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada

Website: https://arvadacenter.org/education/summer-camps

Details: This summer, the Arvada center is offering a variety of half day camps and full-day camps — including prescheduled Awesome Art Packs. Awesome Art Packs are combinations of our most popular summer camps that provide full day activities for students. These camp packages are a creative and convenient way to give your child a multi-disciplinary arts experience this summer.

Highlands Ranch Community Association

Locations: Recreation centers throughout the community Website: https://hrcaonline.org/classescamps-activities/camps

Details: Every year, the Highlands Ranch Community Association works to provide something for everyone in its summer camp program. For children into sports, there are plenty of athletic camps available. For those looking to improve in art, arts and education programs are plentiful.

Town of Castle Rock Summer Camp Program

Locations: Vary based on camp

Website: https://www.crgov.com/3270/

Summer-Camps

Details: From sports camps to jedi training and science and arts — the Town of Castle Rock prevents a full slate of summer camp programs in 2023. Visit the town’s website to learn more about ages, prices and details.

Commerce City Parks & Recreation

Locations: Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Drive, Commerce City

Website: https://recreation.c3gov.com/ classes-programs/camps

Details: Youth Camp Venture is a traditional camp for children ages 6 to 10 and offers arts and crafts, STEM, active play, swimming and field trips. Camp takes place primarily outside at Eagle Pointe Rec Center. Adventure Trek is an outdoor adventure program that provides a new experience every day. Those ages 11 to 15 travel offsite for hiking, survival skills training, water activities and nature-based programming.

Town of Parker/Parker Fieldhouse

Location: 18700 Plaza Drive, Parker

Website:  https://parkerrec.com/2029/ Summer-Day-Camp

Details: Ages 5 to 13 can join this camp for themed games, activities, crafts and a ton of fun at the Parker Fieldhouse. Campers will be separated into age groups 5 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years, and 10 to 13 years. Expect swimming days and field trips too.

Foothills Parks & Recreation District

Location: 6612 S. Ward St., Littleton

Website: www.ifoothills.org/school-carecamps/#camps

Details: Details will be posted online for the 2023 summer program in March.

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SUMMER CAMP PAGES

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

The Giggling Life Care Farm

Location: 14583 Cherry St., Thornton

Website: www.thegigglinglife.com/summer-farm-fun

Details: If your kids love animals you need to check out The Giggling Life Care Farm in Thornton for summer activities.

The Giggling Life Care Farm is special for a lot of reasons, but the most important one is Kristi — the owner. She has a BS in psychology and a master’s in education, has studied life coaching for the last eight years, and is certified in Equine Assisted Coaching and Pet Therapy.

Highlands Ranch — Camp Backcountry

Location:  6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton

Website: hrcaonline.org/classes-campsactivities/camps/camp-backcountry

Details: Nestled into 8,200 acres of wildlife conservation property just south of C-470 on Santa Fe Drive, Camp Backcountry is the spot for a build-a-fort, hikejust-to-explore, and don’t-forget-yourbinoculars kind of summer for your kids. The Backcountry believes that children learn, grow, and thrive best when outdoors and immersed in nature. Our week-long, full-day outdoor camps support the needs of children by using a whole-child, experiential learning approach. From minicamps to leaders-in-training programs,

the camps are for ages 5-17.

Great Outdoors Summer Camp

Location: Miller Activity Complex — 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock

Website: www.crgov.com/3270/SummerCamps

Details: This regional park includes the Miller Activity Complex (MAC), Millhouse, Amphitheater, Challenge Hill, ziplines, Adventure Tower, Sky Trek, and adventure playground area as well as over ten miles of hiking and biking trails.  For ages 10-15.

Chatfield Stables Horse Camps

Location: 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton

Website: www.chatfieldstables.com/ horse-camps.html

Details: Chatfield Stables is the longestrunning horse camp in the area. Every child has their own horse for the entire week. Kids get to lead, feed, water and work with their horses every day. Campers learn horse care, including grooming and bridling. They water and feed their horses, learn to groom them, and take care of them at the end of the day. We ride daily, whether in the arena or on the trail.

Community Sailing of Colorado

Locations: 4800 S. Dayton St., Greenwood

Village

Website: www.communitysailing.org

Details: Community Sailing of Colorado provides premier sailing programs (summer camps, adult classes, adaptive sailing,

and community partnership events) at Cherry Creek and Boulder reservoirs. The weeklong summer camps range from beginner through advanced sailing for youth ages 5-17. It’s a perfect fit for any adventurous spirit who loves the outdoors.

YMCA SUMMER PROGRAMS

At the YMCA of Metro Denver, our youth development philosophy is grounded in 150 years of lifting up kids and helping them reach their full potential. It’s a philosophy centered on two critical factors: creating a unique sense of belonging and always incorporating the pure fun and joy of childhood.

Camps include adventure camps, sports programs, art that focuses on ceramics, painting, drawing, digital media and more. To find camps in local communities, visit the website at https://bit.ly/3Kg6GYM. Summer camp programs are available in the following Denver metro cities:

• Arvada

• Aurora

• Broomfield

• Centennial

• Commerce City

• Denver

• Golden

• Lakewood

• Littleton

• Thornton

• Wheat Ridge

MAD SCIENTISTS

Kookalooz Space Playground: STEM Summer Camp

Locations: 6805 W. 88th Ave., Westminster

Website: www.kookalooz.com/westminster-co/summer-camps/

Details: 5 different camps from the basics of space to engineering. Each camp is one week long. For ages 5-10.

Colorado Adventure Point

Location: 10455 W. 6th Ave., Suite 150, Lakewood

Website: https://coloradoadventurepoint. org/

Details: CAP’s STEM Camp isn’t your typical science camp. Our campers get to experiment with chemistry, physics and engineering through a variety of materials, experiments and challenges to meet their curiosities and skill level in our challenge by choice model. In addition to building engineering models and friendships, the campers get to enjoy our climbing wall, archery range and more — and learn the science behind these fun activities. Camps are available for ages 6-12.

Butterfly Pavilion

Location: 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster

Website: https://butterflies.org/

Details: Starting June 5 and running through Aug. 11, the Butterfly Pavilion hosts all the creepy crawlies and your children at camp. There are five themes, which repeat once and include spider week, junior zookeeper and survival stories, where kids can learn about how insects adapt to survive.

Mad Science

Locations: Multiple locations in the Denver metro area, including the Littleton area, Denver and Broomfield

Website: https://colorado.madscience.org/

Details: These camps are designed for ages 6 to 12, though sessions such as Red-Hot Robots and Advanced Robotics camps are more appropriate for ages 8 to 12. Instructors are mostly college students pursuing degrees in education or science and teachers off for the summer. Themes include chemistry, space science, forensics, engineering and more. Each camp is weeklong, though times can vary.

Air & Space Camp

Location: Wings Over the Rockies at 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver

Website: wingsmuseum.org/education/ camp/

Details: Ready for an aerospace adventure? At Wings Over the Rockies that’s exactly what kids ages 8 to 14 can expect in these week-long camps. The fun starts June 5 and goes on until Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

EMERGING ARTISTS

Center for the Arts: Summer in Color

Location: 31880 Rocky Village Dr., Evergreen

Website: https://evergreenarts.org/summercamp/

Details: Camps explore various media, from clay sculpting and wheel throwing, to pop art and mural painting, to the art of different cultures and the art of the masters. Several of our camps also incorporate outdoor components, including hikes, yoga, and opportunities for photography and eco-art projects. Let kids explore their creative side with imaginative and inspiring camps at CAE this summer. For ages 5-17.

Denver Art Museum

Location: 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver

Website: www.denverartmuseum.org/en/ summer-camps

Details: The camps at the Denver Art Museum get broken into three age groups: 5 to 6, 7 to 8, and 9 to 11. Overall, the themes remain the same — there are camps about art in nature, how to draw, learning about color and sculpture. Each camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and includes plenty of time in the museum to garner inspiration.

Craftsman & Apprentice

Location: 1335 E 22nd Ave., Denver

Website: craftsmanandapprentice.com/ pages/summer-2023

Details: Ages 5 to 11 can spend the summer creating worlds out of cardboard, paint, hot glue, ribbons, corks, buttons and more at this Denver kids’ crafting studio. Themes include toys, crafty critters, fiber arts and more.

ON THE STAGE

The Apollo Center Summer Camps

Location: 2655 Industrial Lane, Broomfield

Website: www.theapollocenter.com/ campdescriptions

Details: The Apollo Center offers a variety of skill-based camps for kids and adults alike. Aerial Performance Camps for kids

five-week sessions for ages 3–18.

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

SUMMER CAMP PAGES

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ages 5-17 years focus on learning aerial technique and choreography throughout the week which will culminate with a camp performance based on the camp theme.

Front Range Theatre Company Triple Threat Summer Camp

Locations: 15035 Performing Arts School, Parker

Website: www.frontrangetheatre.org/triplethreat-summer-camp.html

Details: Working with professional instructors with years of experience, your child will learn the three major elements of any stage performer: Voice, Dance and Acting. The camps are designed to challenge performers in the entire range of life in the theatre, including a live performance in a mainstage venue!

Audience of One Youth Theatre Camp

Location: Highlands Ranch

Website: www.AO1Theater.org

Details: Whether a student is looking to try out theater for the first time, polish skills or have fun with friends, the AO1 has one-totwo-week camps can work in the summer schedule. AO1’s summer programming includes kids’ productions for ages 5-12, workshops for ages 8-18, and a two-week intensive program for teenagers.

The Arvada Center

Location: 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Arvada

Website: https://arvadacenter.org/

Details: If your kid is 5 to 12 and loves a bit of drama and/or art, the Arvada Center has a slew of full- and half-day camps available. The best and most economic way to sign up for camp is to do it in three- or four-week blocks, and the venue offers combinations of visual art, musical theater, drama and music.

Kent Denver Performing Arts Camps

Location: 4000 E. Quincy Ave., Englewood

Website: www.KentDenver.org

Details: Summer at Kent Denver School offers all children ages 4–18 the opportunity to experience innovative, creative, handson learning in the arts, athletics, our Tiny Farm Day Camp, academics, innovation and technology.

St. Lukes Performing Arts Camps

Location:  8817 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch

Website: www.StLukesPAA.org

Details: From preschool age to high school students there are a large variety of summer camp shows planned in Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock areas. Registration is now open.

Castle Rock Dance Academy

Locations: 140 S. Wilcox St. Suite A, Castle Rock

Website: http://www.castlerockdanceacademy.com/

Details: At Castle Rock Dance Academy (CRDA), best friends are made, etiquette and self-discipline are taught, and students learn skills they can carry with them through life. The program offers weekly dance classes in

Bowlero

Locations: Multiple locations in Cherry Creek, Littleton and Lone Tree

Website: www.bowlero.com

Details: Fun for all skill levels, Bowlero’s modern spin on bowling is the perfect way to spend quality time with the kids. Celebrate every strike, spare and yes, even gutter balls, with the most famous lanes in the game and a delicious menu of classic American eats.

Golden Goal Sports Complex

Location: 2650 Alkire St., Golden

Website: www.goldengoalsc.com/summersoccer-camps

Details: Golden Goal offers spring break camps and summer camps for all ages from under 5 to high school.

Camp Urbie at Urban Air Adventure Park

Location: 15400 E. Briarwood Circle, Aurora

Website: https://bit.ly/3IuCQOO

Details: Let ‘em Fly for a whole week of play, in-park activities, snacks and more. Camp Urbie’s Adventure Camp is the best way to beat the summer heat and play in the best indoor playground in town. The weeklong camp is open to kids 7 years and up.

Gold Medal Athletic Camp

Location: Castle Rock Recreation Center

Website: https://www.crgov.com

Details: Athletes will participate in small- and large-group instruction, drills and games or scrimmages. We welcome beginner athletes to learn how to use proper mechanics and fundamentals of the sport and intermediate or advanced athletes who want to continue to grow their motor skills and skill in the sport. For ages 7-12.

Tigar Gymnastics Camps

Location: 4860 Van Gordon St. Unit B, Wheat Ridge

Website: www.TigarGymnastics.com

Details: A variety of programs at a variety of ages is available at the gymnastics center, including ninja classes and programs for older ages.

RMF Soccer Camp

Location: Aurora Sports Park at 19300 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora

Website: https://rmfsoccercampsusa. com/soccer-camp-denver/

Details: From July 17 to July 21, this prorun soccer camp will come to Colorado. It’s run by experienced Spanish UEFA coaches, and goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Kids from 6 to 16 can sign up.

Aerial Cirque Over Denver

Location: 4605 Quebec St., Denver.

Website: https://aerialcirqueoverdenver.com/

Details: If your child is thinking of joining the circus, or just wants to bend, twist and soar through the air, this is the camp for them. Dates run from May 29 through August 14, and include morning and afternoon camps (9:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3 p.m.) for ages 6 to 16.

LET’S GET MUSICAL

Maestro Music Institute

Location: 6478 Ward Road, Arvada

Website: maestromusicinstitute. com/2023-instrumental-summer-camp

Details: Instrumental Summer Camp is back this year covering a myriad of ensemble opportunities. We will be offering Rock Band, Orchestra, Choir/Theater, Piano ensemble and composition. Summer campers will have the opportunity to learn new instruments in addition to honing their skills on their primary instrument. Students will work in large and small ensemble groups and perform a variety of music at the end of the week.

Kidzrock Rock Band Camp

Location: 2842 S. Broadway, Englewood

Website: www.musicallifedenver.com/ summercamp

Cost: $319

Details: Rock Band Summer Camp teaches children ages 4 to 7 how to play in a rock band. Campers learn to play drums, electric guitar, keyboard and sing. On the final day, campers perform a short (adorable) concert for parents and family. In addition to rock band time, students get to make music-related arts and crafts, create a fantasy band identity, and play outdoor games at the park next to the school. No prior musical experience is required. No investment in gear is required.

OVERNIGHT CAMPS

Avid 4 Adventure

Locations: Various spots

Website: https://avid4.com/summercamps

Details: For two weeks kids get to bask in nature, away from their parent, at either Camp Windy Peak near Bailey, or Camp Blue Sky near Evergreen. The kids sleep in cabins and build their skill sets in nature and with outdoor sport activities.

Cheley Colorado Camps

Location: Cheley Colorado Camps at 3960 Fish Creek Road, Estes Park.

Website: https://www.cheley.com/

Details: If your kid is 9 to 17, send them off to a 27-day overnight camp in Estes Park. Full term is June 13 to August 6, or chose a half term from June 13 to July 9, or July 11 to Aug. 6. Activities include horseback riding, water sports, art and plenty of outdoor adventure.

Camp Granite Lake

Locations: 11902 Camp Eden Road, Golden

Website: https://www.campgranitelake.com/

Details: Located in the mountains about an hour from Denver, the camp covers 135 acres including a private lake. It’s a co-ed camp for grades second to ninth. Choose from two sessions, either June 19 through July 8, or July 10 through July 29. There are also minicamp options for grades 1st through 4th, covering the week of July 31 or Aug. 7.

Colorado conflicted about cutting its water use

In Colorado, farmers had to enroll in a four-state program by March 1 if they wanted to get paid for fallowing their elds, perhaps the best option to plump up the Colorado River’s giant reservoirs, Mead and Powell.

Not everyone is a fan, including Andy Mueller, director of the Colorado River District. He doesn’t like programs that pay farmers to stop farming. Mueller also didn’t ask for the In ation Reduction Act’s $125 million to pay the farmers he represents. Mueller’s organization exists to keep Western Colorado’s rural water away from growing cities across the Rockies.

State Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, who chairs the Committee for Agriculture and Natural Resources, has a more nuanced view. He says he understands that rural communities fear a “buy and dry” scenario. Where annual leases become routine, and once-verdant elds and farms wither. He insists that any water leasing must be temporary, voluntary and well compensated.

A water-leasing program called demand management was created for Colorado irrigators under former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper — it was tested, but never used. It would have allowed farmers to lease and store their water in a Lake Powell account under state control. Under Gov. Jared Polis’ administration, however, demand management was quietly shelved.

Now, this new, multi-state program for leasing agricultural water,

WRITERS ON THE RANGE

called a “system conservation pilot program,” isn’t getting much traction.

e program was announced two and a half months ago by Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

Its major drawback, says Tom Kay, an organic farmer in western Colorado, is that the Upper Colorado River Commission is o ering a “stupid price of $150 an acrefoot.”

“Farmers like to farm; you have to pay them more than they make farming to interest them,” Kay adds. He gets around $650 per acre-foot of water growing mostly organic corn and dry beans on his 350-acre farm near the town of Hotchkiss.

Kay says he recently toured California’s Imperial Valley, where farmers are getting $679 an acre-foot. ey sell their 200,000 acre-feet of Colorado River to the San Diego County Water Authority and consider the price reasonable.

Water prices are also rising. In California last summer, when the Bureau of Reclamation was looking hard for water, large irrigation districts in the Lower Basin were asking $1,500 per acre-foot to lease their water to cities, reported Janet Wilson of California’s Desert Sun.

If farmers got more money for their water under the new pilot program, says State Sen. Roberts, Colorado

“could get more participation (and) show the federal government we are doing our part.” He also says that many state legislators think California and Arizona should bear the brunt of water cuts.

Getting farmers to fallow their land could build resilience in the Colorado River Basin, says Aaron Derwingson of e Nature Conservancy. A few years ago, he worked with grower Kay and Cary Denison, formerly of Trout Unlimited, to develop an “organic transition” program whose concept was simple: Lease two-thirds of your water for three years so pesticides and fertilizers leach o the land, then apply for organic certi cation.  e demand management trial was largely funded by the Bureau of Reclamation.

So the question remains: Why is the Upper Colorado River Commission o ering farmers so little for their irrigation water? e commission’s executive director, Chuck Cullom, explains: “$150 per acre-foot was chosen to discourage drought proteering.”

Kay guesses that the low price was set to discourage participation. While $150 is the oor, and farmers can negotiate for more, commission representatives haven’t gone to agricultural communities to beat the drum for its program.

Kay says, “ at $125 million is a lot of money, and it belongs to Upper Basin farmers.”

Meanwhile, in mid-November, 30 western cities agreed to cut “nonfunctional” turf grass by up to 36%, including big water guzzlers such as

Utah’s Washington County, which wants to siphon more water out of Lake Powell.

What’s unclear is how much water from not watering grass stays in the river. Mueller points out that Aurora, a fast-growing Denver suburb, “is cutting water to sell more water taps. ey’re building more houses.”

Kay admires Mueller’s rural leadership but thinks the way forward is clear: “Denver has a junior water right. Why isn’t it paying us in western Colorado to fallow ground, just like what Los Angeles and San Diego are doing?”

Dave Marston is the publisher of Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org an independent nonpro t dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He owns a small, irrigated parcel in Western Colorado.

A life in a year: being an exchange student in Colorado

It hink it’s better.”

Last night we were discussing the differences between school in the USA and Italy with our Italian exchange student, Giona, as my kids complained, yet again, about having to go to school. Giona explained to us how in Italy he goes to school from 8-2 Monday through Saturday. He doesn’t eat lunch at school, which he really enjoys here, and said the teachers are much more strict and not as friendly in Italy.

I’m hoping that gave my kids pause. Maybe they will appreciate what they have.

Giona has been with us for two months now, and it’s been great! We have three kids: ages 11, 15 and 16, and each has a special

Call first: 27972 Meadow Dr., #320 Evergreen, CO 80439, 303-566-4100

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100

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To subscribe call 303-566-4100

GUEST COLUMN

Kacey Narracci

and different relationship with him. He hadn’t been home for more than 30 minutes when our youngest had him juggling the soccer ball with her for almost two hours. They have a shared passion. It took a little longer with the teenagers, but he and Em joke around like brother and sister now, and Kennan has taught Giona to play chess.  He is always so polite and thankful. He helps with dinner and loves our dog. When I asked what is on his “bucket” list, he said that he just feels so lucky to be here. We’ve found a soc-

SEE EXCHANGE, P13

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Press. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper. To opt in or out of delivery please email us at circulation@ coloradocommunitymedia.com

Dave Marston

Tom Kay in front of his John Deere tractor in February.

COURTESY PHOTO

Winter planning for your vegetable garden

There’s no better way to beat the winter blues than by dreaming of this season’s garden. Whether you just have a small garden or a backyard full of raised beds, it’s time to start planning what you will grow.

Before choosing your plants there are a few things to consider about your space, including size, location, soil and amount of daylight it receives. If your space is cool and shady, it’s not worth the agony of trying to grow peppers and tomatoes in Denver’s short growing season. Instead, stick with hearty greens like spinach and kale or roots like radishes and potatoes. If you have a sunny spot on a porch or a patio, you can grow a container variety of tomatoes where they’ll have a better chance.

Small gardens can produce more than you might think. Many seed packets and plant tags list the maximum amount of space a plant or crop might need. If you take this route, think about putting your tallest plants on the north side of the bed so they don’t shade the others. is method is also easier if you’re transplanting so you don’t have to worry about the timing of getting seeds to sprout and grow before they get shaded out. Interplanting or companion planting is a great option for dense gardens. Try growing basil under tomatoes or transplant lettuces and then seed carrots around them. By the time the lettuce is ready to harvest, the carrots will be up and ready for the extra space. Herbs and edible owers add variety and attract bene cial pollinators to your garden.

If you’re planting densely, particularly with heavy feeders like broccoli, corn or melons, you’ll want to make sure they have enough nutrients. Cover crops are a great way to keep your soil covered between crops, and the leftover debris will boost your organic matter and feed the

cer team for him to train with, and this past weekend he went ice climbing with my son’s Scout troop! Most days though, the kids just go to school, come home and hang out. He’s having the experience of being a “normal American teenager” in a “typical” American family, and we are all better for it.

Each year, EF High School Exchange Year brings thousands of students to the U.S.A. to live out their American dream of attending high school in the U.S. for a school year or a semester. About 20-25 of those kids land in Jefferson County, but we have space for many more. This is such a wonderful opportunity to make our global community smaller, share your culture, learn about others, expose your children and

GUEST COLUMN

Katie Meyer

microorganisms that are so important to soil health. Including legumes like peas or beans in your cover crop will naturally add nitrogen to your soil. Adding compost is another way to give your soil a natural boost. Try using a natural mulch between rows or beds to retain moisture and exclude weeds.

If you have heavy clay or thin, rocky soils, you don’t want to try growing foot-long carrots. Try building raised beds or opting for a shorter variety. Where sandy soils drain water and lose nutrients quickly, clay soils retain water and hold nutrients much longer. Consider this when adding amendments and planning your garden watering. Smaller seeds like lettuce or carrots will germinate more evenly if they have consistent overhead water but beans, squash and tomatoes don’t like their leaves being wet because they are more susceptible to disease. Once your seeds are up or plants are in the ground, try setting up soaker hoses or drip irrigation so you’re only watering the soil and not the leaves. Nutrient dense produce comes from plants grown in healthy soils in harmony with nature. Avoid spraying herbicides or pesticides as these will negatively a ect the soil and water, and therefore, you. Instead, encourage birds and predatory insects to control any pest problems, and pull weeds by hand.

Additionally, heirloom varieties tend to have more avor, ensure genetic diversity and have been bred to grow in speci c climates. Search for local seed companies to nd the best option for your area. Not only does this support a local farmer, but you’ll be also able to save your own seed.

community to more diversity. There is no downside!

Host families come in all shapes and sizes: empty nesters, single parents, big families with small children, small families with or without children. The only requirements are to be at least 25 years of age, have a bed for the student that is not convertible in nature (they can share a room with a same sex sibling), be able to provide three meals a day and a willingness to open your heart and home to an exchange student.

Please visit https://efexchangeyear.org/iec/kacey-narracci/ for more information and to see some of the terrific kids who hope to find a host family for the 2023-24 school year.

Kacey Narracci is the regional coordinator of EF High School Exchange Year. Kacey can be reached at kacey.narracci@efexchangeyear.org or 720-331-4556.

Katie Meyer is a grower at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chat eld Farms

Winter is a good time to start planning what you will grow this upcoming season.

PHOTO BY SCOTT DRESSEL-MARTIN/DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS

Make-A-Wish Colorado alumni, volunteers celebrate its 40th anniversary

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

2023 has already been a big year for Make-A-Wish.

Wish Week fundraisers have been in full swing at local schools this winter, and basketball legend Michael Jordan donated $10 million — the largest individual donation ever — to the national organization last month. And spring 2023 could be even bigger.

Make-A-Wish Colorado celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and is hosting an anniversary celebration and fundraiser in April in Denver. Since it started, Make-A-Wish Colorado has granted more than 6,000 wishes for children with critical illnesses as a way of giving them hope and something to look forward to during their treatment.

Golden’s Ben Bontrager, 10, went to Hawaii for his wish last spring. He was diagnosed in early 2020 with Burkitt’s lymphoma and was sick for almost a year, with his mom Sarah saying, “We almost lost him a couple times.”

Ben, who’s now in remission, said going to Hawaii was “the rst thing idea that popped in my head,” because he wanted to get out and do something fun.

“I was sick of being home,” he continued.

Now, Ben and his family are becoming Make-A-Wish ambassadors so that they can help other families through the same process.

Dad Je Bontrager said Ben’s wish was a “bright spot” to think about during those long days at the hospital, adding, “ e thought that (MakeA-Wish) has done it over and over for people, it’s really pretty amazing.”

For Jennifer Joan Mazak has been the proverbial fairy godmother for thousands of Colorado children after she founded the organization in 1983. She started it in honor of her daughter, Jennifer, who died at 7 years old of a liver disease.

Mazak recalled how, about a week before Jennifer’s death, she was granted an uno cial wish to meet local radio mascot KIMN Chicken. He stopped by the family’s house, walking around the entire property hand-in-hand with Jennifer. Many of the neighborhood children stopped by to see KIMN Chicken, but he was focused on making Jennifer feel special.

“It was great for her to be able to have that,” Mazak said.

After Jennifer’s death, Mazak used funds that people had raised for a liver donation to start Make-A-Wish

Colorado. ere were only three other chapters in the country and no national organization yet, she said. e local chapter was all volunteers working out of their homes, helping to create memories for children who needed them. Mazak said the very rst wish was to catch a sh, so they set up a shing trip at Dillon Reservoir.

Longtime volunteer Gary Aboussie recalled wishes to meet the pope and the Broncos. One of his favorite stories was sending a guitar to Bruce Springsteen to sign, him keeping that one, and sending back his own guitar instead with a special message. Mazak said of wishes: “ ey come in all shapes and sizes. ere are so many logistics to putting together a single wish. It’s di erent for every single family.”

Ben Bontrager of Golden had his wish to visit Hawaii granted in spring 2022. Ben, now 10, was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma in early 2020 but is now in remission.

Jack Rodell of Castle Rock had his wish to be a Colorado Avalanche player granted in November 2022. Jack, now 8, was diagnosed with leukemia but has been in remission for two years. COURTESY PHOTOS

WISHES

About 20 years ago, Make-A-Wish Colorado started partnering with local schools for Wish Week fundraisers. Mazak said it’s been a winwin situation, as it helps instill philanthropy in the students and raises money for their sick peers. Plus, she always loves seeing schools’ creative fundraising methods, like shaving teachers’ heads or taping their principals to the wall.

While nancial contributions are needed, so are volunteers.

Aboussie described how meeting Make-A-Wish children and their families “touches your mind and heart.” So, he works to help however he can — whether that’s serving on the board of directors or speaking at events.

“(Volunteering) shows you how much more there is to do,” he said. “… We can’t stop the problems, but we can ease the e orts and give the

child something to dream about when they’re going through the possibly the most di cult time of their life.”

Both Aboussie and Mazak stressed how much these children and their families need “a sense that there will be a better tomorrow,” as Aboussie described it. ey said these children also need to feel normal after feeling di erent during their formative years.

Hope and normalcy

Castle Rock’s Jack Rodell, 8, might be a little shy, except when it comes to talking about the best day of his life.

On Nov. 14, Jack was the guest of honor at a Colorado Avalanche game. He described the entire day in detail, saying he met the players, got his own jersey and more.

Jack, who wants to be a professional hockey player when he grows up, was diagnosed with leukemia but has been in remission for two years. His wish was delayed because of COVID-19.

Over the past few years, he’s represented Make-A-Wish Colorado at fundraising events, and he and his family are now becoming wish ambassadors, like the Bontragers.

“When your kid is diagnosed with cancer, and you just live appointment to appointment, it’s very lonely,” his mom Krystalyn said. “… In his head, he just feels di erent. … It’s nice to see other people celebrate him, and it’s something he’ll remember for the rest of his life.”

at’s something Denver’s Austen Swinton can con rm.

Swinton, who’s graduating from the University of Colorado-Boulder this spring, was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure as a child and eventually received a kidney transplant. For her wish, she met singer and actress Demi Lovato at a July 2009 concert.

After the two met backstage, Lovato pulled Swinton on stage and asked her to sing “ is Is Me” for the crowd. Swinton said she didn’t have stage fright at all, and Lovato sang with her.

e two reunited last year when Swinton spoke at World Wish Day in California where Lovato was being honored for helping Make-AWish.

Swinton, now 23, said her experiences with Make-A-Wish helped brighten her life when she needed it most.

“Looking back at how much I was going through at that age — I was only 10 or 11 when I was on dialysis — I was missing out on some of those peak childhood moments,” she continued. “ … Everyone says how much a wish impacts a child. You don’t truly know until you’re living that experience.”

Having a wish granted is the best day in a child’s life, Jack described, and now he’s hoping he can help other children as an ambassador, paying forward all the kindness he received.

“People really helped me, and I want to help other people so they feel the same way,” Jack said. “I felt special. I felt really happy. … I want other kids to feel happy.”

Austen Swinton of Denver, left, reunites with singer Demi Lovato at World Wish Day in spring 2022. Swinton had end-stage renal failure as a child and had her wish to meet Lovato granted in 2009.

Make-A-Wish Colorado founder Joan Mazak started the organization 40 years ago, and it has now granted more than 6,000 wishes for children with critical illnesses. Mazak said the wishes over the years have ranged from catching a fish to visiting Disneyland. COURTESY PHOTOS

A party with a purpose. Guests will enjoy great food, drinks, and country music, while raising crucial funds to grant wishes for Colorado children with critical ill-

nesses. Peyton Manning will be honored as a Wish Hero for his longtime support of the organization. For more information, visit wishes2023.givesmart.com.

Make-A-Wish Colorado founder

Denver Jewish Film Festival adds new voices

There’s nothing wrong with taking a new approach to a beloved event — that’s how new perspectives and stories get added to familiar ones. In his second year as general manager of the JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center, Rich Cowden decided to do just that in preparation for the 27th annual Denver Jewish Film Festival.

“I used the rst year as a listening tour and one of the things that came up during the process was that we could add some new elements to the festival without throwing away the things that worked so well,” he explained. “We wanted some space for more diversity in the line-up and started looking at how we select lms every year.”

To inject new viewpoints into the festival, Cowden changed how lms were selected, bringing in younger people to share the stories that connected with them and made it easier for members of the pre-screening and lm selection committees to work through the more than 300 sub-

COMING ATTRACTIONS

missions the festival receives every year.

Clarke Reader

“We also opened a second space at the center for lm screenings, so we can show more lms,” he said. “What people will nd this year is we’re making inroads into a more diverse portfolio of lms.”

is year’s festival, which is presented by e Chotin Foundation and runs from March 11 through March 19 at the JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. in Denver, re ects those e orts to expand the frame - there are 39 Israeli and Jewish lms, including nine shorts and one television miniseries, hailing from 14 countries. For those who can’t attend in person, lms will be streaming on-demand from March 20 through March 29. With so many entries, there are

truly options for all to enjoy, but one that Cowden particularly cited is the closing night feature, “ e Man in the Basement,” a psychological thriller based on a true story, about a French couple whose cellar is rented out to an anti-Semitic conspiracy theorist.

As an organization that never shies away from fostering conversation, the festival will also screen “Blue Box,” a documentary about e orts to secure land in Palestine. It is just one of the lms that will have an audience discussion afterwards, so viewers can share their thoughts and get more information on the topics the lm delves into.

“I want people who may think a festival like this is not for them to take a chance and have conversations around the lms, the themes and ideas they present, and build a conversation around Jewish culture that is healthy, tolerant and lled with compassion,” Cowden said. “I really believe in the power of art to build bridges where everyone is trying to build walls. ese lms then become a conduit for connection between people, and that’s ultimately why we do this.”

To learn more about the lms and purchase tickets, visit https://dj . eventive.org/welcome.

Spring into a new season with the LSO

e Lakewood Symphony Orchestra is welcoming spring with the latest entry in its Season of Favorites with a performance of some beautiful music. e performance will be at 7:30 p.m. on ursday, March 9 at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway.

Some of the music the symphony will be performing include Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Coronation March,” followed by music from the ballet “Coppélia,” a story that predates Pinnochio by 13 years but follows a similar storyline. e show will also

feature Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2 in D major.”

For more information and tickets, visit www.lakewoodsymphony.org. Pictures worth more than a thousand words at MOP Denver e Month of Photography Denver, which runs through Friday, March 31, allows the work of photographers of all skill levels and interests the opportunity to showcase their talents. e biennial event is celebrated by galleries and arts organizations all over the state

One of the most inspiring events in this year’s lineup is the free Night Lights Denver, which will be held at the Daniels & Fisher Clocktower, 1601 Arapahoe St. in Denver. e Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC) will be digitally projecting images on the building to celebrate the month. For a full list of events and participating locations, visit https://denvermop.org/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Lagoons at the Bluebird Theater

Sometimes you just need something smooth to get you through the day. e music multi-instrumentalist brothers Ryan and Joey Selan make as e Lagoons ful ll the brief beautifully. Over their three EPs and two albums (including last year’s “Daybreak”), the duo has ne-tuned a vibey electronic take on yacht and surf rock that can just carry you away to somewhere warmer if you let it.

In support of the record, e Lagoons will be stopping by the Bluebird eater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15. ey’ll be joined by opener Jelly Ellington. Get tickets at www.bluebirdtheater.net.

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

Some Colorado colleges enroll

BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

Colorado colleges and universities would get a special designation if they enroll a high number of students who are the rst in their

families to go to college, under a bill at the Capitol this year.

e largely symbolic measure has fed a bigger debate about how Colorado funds its public colleges. It also spurred a conversation about what rst-generation students need to be successful.

Arapahoe Community College’s main Littleton campus.

PHOTO BY ROBERT TANN

Thu 3/16

Sun 3/19

The Grass Project Live @ Station 26

@ 1pm

Station 26 Brewing Co., 7045 E 38th Ave, Denver

DevilDriver @ 6pm Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver

Mon 3/20

Ryan Cassata @ 6pm Seventh Circle Music Collective, 2935 W 7th Ave, Denver

Tenia Nelson:

Spherio Plays

Thelonious Monk @ 6:30pm Nocturne, 1330 27th St, Denver

Mobley @ 7pm

Meow Wolf Denver | Convergence Station, 1338 1st St, Denver

Dj Ashton Martin @ 7pm

DNVR NCAA TOURNEY, Denver

Thunderstorm Artis @ 7pm Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St, Denver

Patches @ 8:30pm

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

Dance System @ 9pm Bar Standard, 1037 Broadway, Denver

Fri 3/17

State 38 DistillingSt. Patrick's Day @ 4pm State 38 Distilling, 400 Corporate Circle, Suite B, Golden. don@ state38.com, 720-242-7219

Denver Of�cial St Patrick's Day Bar

Crawl @ 5pm / $9.99

Pour House on Market + Various Venues, 1410 Market Street, Denver. info@pub crawls.com

Easton Corbin @ 8pm / $35

Grizzly Rose, 5450 North Valley Highway, Denver

Ewan McVicar @ 9pm 1134 Broadway, 1134 N Broadway, Denver

Amaryllis The Band @ 7pm Brewery Rickoli, 4335 Wadsworth Blvd, Wheat Ridge

Sat 3/18

Nicole Moudaber @ 7pm

ReelWorks Denver, 1399 35th St, Denver

KEN mode + Frail Body @ 7pm

Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

Marty Nightengale @ 5pm

The Golden Mill, 1012 Ford St, Golden

Coastless Creatives Presents: Stereo Ontario and Friends @ 9:30pm Broadway Roxy, 554 S Broadway, Denver

Whitney @ 8pm Bluebird Theatre, 3317 E. Colfax Av‐enue, Denver

Float Like A Buffalo @ 7pm

The Woodcellar Bar & Grill, 1552 Bergen Pkwy #101, Evergreen

Boot Juice at the Wood Cellar! @ 9:30pm

Wood Cellar, 1552

Bergen Pkwy #101, Evergreen

Spoon Benders @ 8pm

Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Tue 3/21

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

Witt Lowry @ 8pm

Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St, Denver

Wed 3/22

Krooked Kings w/ Mind's Eye @ 7pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

Tank and The Bangas @ 8pm Bluebird Theatre, 3317 E. Colfax Av‐enue, Denver

Thumpasaurus @ 8pm

Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St, Denver

Satan @ 8pm HQ, 60 S Broadway, Denver

POWERWOLF @ 8pm Ogden Theatre, 935 East Colfax, Denver

powered by

Je co homelessness stakeholders agree on cause but not action steps

Wheat Ridge Mayor Bud Starker, Je co Commissioner Tracy KraftTharp and other community members discussed homelessness in Je co

BY ANDREW FRAIELI AFRAIELI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e League of Women Voters of Je erson County and the Je erson Unitarian Church Community Action Network co-sponsored a virtual panel discussion on Feb. 28 to “explore what can be done in Je erson County to ease the plight of the unhoused.” is included the Mayor of Wheat Ridge Bud Starker and Jeffco Commissioner Tracy Kraft- arp along with various nonpro t, city and county representatives.

If there is anything that they all agreed on, it’s that everyone needs to work together. But opinions on how that translates into action di ered greatly, as do the consequences.

e current amount of people experiencing various forms of

homelessness — from vehicular and couchsur ng to unsheltered on the street — is always changing, but even this varied in the panel.

Mayor Bud Starker said the city believes there to be only 250 people homeless across the county, whereas the 2022 Point-in-Time count for Je co, a count of people who have used shelters and are experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the rst of January — considered an undercount by homeless activists as it’s done in winter, among other issues

— shows there to be about 500.

A month-long count in August of 2019 showed there to be, in more detail, about 1,000 individuals experiencing some form of homelessness in Je erson County, with 93 in Wheat Ridge alone. Starker would not elaborate on where his stated 250 number came from besides not from the 2022 PIT count.

at 2019 count also showed that 20% of Je co’s homeless population were sleeping in their cars.

e Colorado Safe Parking Initiative, a nonpro t represented by Linda Barringer on the panel, is an e ort to make this particular form of homelessness safer and easier to escape by working with various businesses and churches across the metro area to use their parking lots at night.

Barringer said they found, across 13 “SafeLots” and 120 families, that 85% were newly homeless, and this was only serving 10% of the 2200 requests they’ve received in the past year. ere are four “SafeLots” in Je co, one recently piloted in Lakewood.

Diverse across these groups in working toward helping resolve homelessness is what that resolving actually looks like.

According to Starker, the needed action has two sides for Wheat Ridge: helping the unhoused directly and mitigating their visual e ect on the community.

“ ere’s the needs of the unhoused folks in our community, and how we address that population and help them become housed. And, we have the impacts their homelessness situation has on our community, which we receive a lot of complaints

about,” he said.

Later he elaborated on “cleaning up” homelessness even as the city has no shelters, “the perception that it degradates some of public spaces — makes them dirtier and more chaotic,” and that the city is allocating more sta and resources for “cleaning and maintenance on our right of way.” is includes working with CDOT and RTD, he said, “to encourage (the unhoused) to keep their facilities cleaner and really stay up with their obligations in our city.”

Kraft- arp’s perspective was the county being a “facilitator and funder,” acknowledging the county has no shelters itself, but “many temporary beds,” of which almost all are volunteer and nonpro t run. Until Lakewood’s recent emergency weather shelter opening of the Whitlock Recreation Center, there were no city-run shelters of any caliber either.

Another variation of resolving homelessness across the panel consists of choosing who to help.

Evergreen Christian Outreach, or ECHO, has its own services and shelter beds. Program Director Tim Clancy elaborated in the discussion that ECHO does an interview to see if the people looking for shelter would be “successful” in the shelter, along with a criminal background check and sexual predator check.

e Severe Weather Shelter Network, the major emergency sheltering network for cold weather the county depends upon, also does background checks for violent o enses. Pastor Ben Hensley at the Lakewood United Methodist Church, the only participant in Lakewood’s CSPI pilot program, critiqued the Network for this requirement calling the background checks a barrier so high “it’s not really an e ective emergency response.”

Executive Director of Development at SWSN Lynn Ann Huizingh has told the Je co Transcript in the past that the background checks are meant to protect volunteers and guests from people with “violent o enses against other person in the last year.”

“We do not want to enable, we want to empower,” Huizingh has said about their temperature cuto s, believing opening at any warmer temperatures would not “encourage people to pursue answers that would lead them o the street, and if they get too comfortable, they just don’t have any reason to try and pursue

Je erson County homelessness stakeholders see una ordable housing as the main cause of homelessness in the county, such as for this encampment o the Colfax corridor. FILE PHOTO

SEE HOMELESS, P19

Grocery, convenience stores uncork wine sales

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER THE COLORADO SUN

As of March 1, it’s wine-o-clock.

As Coloradans browse the aisles of their local grocery and convenience stores in March, looking for the right loaf of bread or reasonably priced eggs, they will soon have a new option for soothing their in ationsqueezed shopping experience: wine.

at’s because voters in November approved a ballot initiative allowing wine to be sold in grocery and convenience stores. Proposition 125 narrowly passed with 50.6% of voters in favor.

Both grocery and convenience stores with a license to sell beer can begin selling wine March 1. at’s

approximately 1,900 licensees as of this month, according to the Department of Revenue. ey’ll also be able to o er beer and wine tastings.

e Colorado Licensed Beverage Association, which represents small liquor retailers, opposed the mea-

HOMELESS

anything else.”

e panel, including Lakewood Homeless Navigator Matt Wallington, Clancy, Barringer and Douglas, did agree that the dominant reason for homelessness is lack of a ord-

sure and warns that its members could be crushed by the change.

“While many liquor stores will adapt and outsell grocery stores be-

able housing, with Douglas touting the county’s 15-Year Housing Plan.

“What was really critical last year was when we started to look at some solutions. We really realized there was a need for more plans,” Douglas said. “It’s really meant to be a place where we pull together all the plans…and put it together in a document that can really help all our policy-leaders and community

cause of their selection, we foresee approximately a third of the 1,600 independent liquor stores across the state are in danger of losing their

stakeholders look at a roadmap over the next 15 years.”

e plan is still being developed with a panel of “community leaders,” though Douglas said that there were no people experiencing homelessness on that panel.

Ending with questions, Wallington responded to a question relating crime and mental health to homelessness by saying that only a

business,” said Chris Fine, executive director of the organization.

e measure also didn’t change any other existing alcohol-sales rules, such as the prohibition of sales between midnight and 8 a.m., and no alcohol sales to anyone under 21. Stores that plan to immediately add wine at all of their Colorado locations include Trader Joe’s, King Soopers and Safeway.

While Safeway con rmed they are preparing their shelves now, grocery stores aren’t allowed to stock their stores with wine until March 1, a spokesperson said.

Two other alcohol-related ballot measures, Propositions 124 and 126, failed on the November ballot.

is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com.

e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

third of those experiencing homelessness in Je co had any kind of mental illness, and any crimes committed were petty crimes like stealing clothes or food.

High police contact does not mean a higher crime rate either, he explained. ey are simply seen more. Barringer added that the “SafeLots” actually lowered crime in the area.

unlocking the equity in your home, you can fell good about the possibilities that await you in retirement. Eligible borrowers can pay o an existing mortgage and have no monthly mortgage payments* while receiving proceeds on a monthly or as-needed basis.

Contact

Wine started being sold in grocery stores on March 1.

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

State goes analog to boost a ordable internet program

Only 23% joined

BY TAMARA CHUANG THE COLORADO SUN

An e ort to boost awareness of the year-old A ordable Connectivity Program is getting more local after earlier attempts to promote it statewide resulted in just 23% of eligible Colorado households signing up to get up to $30 o their internet bills.

To get the rest of the 77% signed up, state o cials feel that the campaign needs to go analog and provide help right in local libraries, schools and community centers.

In a news conference Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera announced the new Colorado ACP Act Now, an initiative that includes partnering with the nonpro t EducationSuperHighway and 71 public libraries, city governments, internet providers and others statewide to help their neighbors get connected in person. e organization is providing training and tools at no charge to Colorado.

“We know the broadband a ordability gap disproportionately a ects low income families and individuals who have less than high school education and communities of color,” Primavera said. “So, to close the gap we need to ensure unconnected households know about the A ordable Connectivity Program and have the help that they need to enroll.”

Subsidizing Americans’ internet service became a priority during the pandemic as millions of people were stuck at home. ose with subpar internet service, or none at all, had di culty attending school remotely, or had few work-from-home options. e federal Emergency Broadband Bene ts provided $50 a month

STUDENTS

FROM PAGE 16

The first generation-serving label that House Bill 1114 would create would attach to schools

to pay for internet service but ended in late 2021. ACP replaced EBB in January.

Much is the same except that it’s now $30 per household. However, in response to the ACP’s creation, many of the larger internet providers created $30 broadband plans so the service would essentially be free. Households that meet certain income levels and use one of 114 registered internet providers in Colorado get up to $30 o their monthly bill. For those living on tribal lands, the monthly payment is $75. Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and set aside $14.2 billion to fund ACP.

As of Wednesday, 181,867 households in Colorado had enrolled. State o cials estimate that 800,000 are eligible, which means 23% have signed up.

Evan Maxwell, CEO and founder of EducationSuperHighway, said his

that enroll those students at a higher rate than the state average. It would also require Colorado’s higher education department to track how well students do at those schools.

The bill would not require schools to create additional pro-

company started in 2013 with a mission to get America’s K-12 schools connected to decent internet. at task, he said, is more or less accomplished, with 99.7% of schools served. e company has since turned to increasing ACP awareness and adoption to help states nd those eligible households who really could use faster internet.

“Only 31% of households nationally and 23% of households in Colorado have signed up for the program,” Maxwell said. “ e goal of this campaign is to drive eligible households to a mobile website called GetACP. org/Colorado. … It’s a soup-to-nuts place for people to go to get started in the process.”

At the site, users can quickly gure out if they’re eligible, get their documentation together, see if there are local internet plans that are free to them, and nd the easiest way to apply. Most users must rst get ap-

grams to help those students get to and through college. Nor would it offer colleges more money to provide such support.

Money and support make a difference for students, said Diane Schorr, director of advocacy and initiatives at the Center for Firstgeneration Student Success. She questioned why the state wouldn’t ensure colleges with the new designation get either.

“What I would have liked to have seen is what’s being required of the institution?” Schorr said.

Supporters of the bill — including Metropolitan State University and Colorado Mesa University — would like to prod the state to better fund schools that serve a large share of first-generation students.

proved by the federal government at a ordableconnectivity.gov and then let their internet provider know.

But if potential users are still confused, that’s where the 71 local organizations come in. ose include Alamosa Public Library, the city of Greeley, telecom provider DISH Wireless and the Ute Mountain Communication Enterprise. ey’re getting trained by EducationSuperHighway’s LearnACP on how to work with users in person to enroll in ACP.

“If we can bring Colorado to the national best practice rates of 61% adoption, it means that 309,000 more households in Colorado will have access to the internet,” Maxwell said.

Are you eligible?

Families must have incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (for a family of two, that’s less than $39,400, and a family of four is $60,000). >> See income limits

• Or qualify for Lifeline, SNAP, free and reduced-price school lunch, WIC or other government-funded programs.

• A customer of a participating internet provider. >> Search enrolled ISPs

• Get approved at a ordableconnectivity.gov

• Some internet services take it from there but you may need to let them know you’ve been approved.

• Need help? Use the new portal: GetACP.org/Colorado

T his story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

These schools often have lower graduation rates, something that works against them in Colorado’s funding formula. It also costs a lot of money to run the programs that help first-generation students.

Opponents of the bill, including Colorado State University, say that who enrolls the most first-generation students shouldn’t matter. Instead, they say that state funding should follow those students wherever they enroll. With limited state funding for higher education, more money for certain institutions can mean less for others.

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters

Image of a laptop and phone using internet.

SHUTTERSTOCK

RTD looking to lower fares, attract more riders

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

RTD is in the process of lowering and simplifying costs, with new, lower fares a possibility by the rst quarter of 2024 and if approved by the board.

It came out of their Fare Study and Equity Analysis the RTD Board reviewed and released to the public on Feb. 14

“...customers expressed a strong preference for simplifying the existing fare structure. e design was also modi ed to include lower Local fares in response to customer feedback and to align with equity goals,” a news release from RTD reads.

According to Brandon Figliolino, a spokesperson for RTD, the Board of Directors is looking at a plan to combine local and regional fares, and lower the airport fare. A threehour pass would cost $2.75, a day pass $5.50 a monthly pass $88 and the airport fare would be $10, under a modi ed version of that plan.

“In April, RTD sta will ask the Board to release the draft recommended fare structure, policies and programs and draft fare equity analysis to the public. roughout the month of May, members of the public will be able to attend fare study information sessions and provide comments on the proposal,” Figliolino wrote in an email.

It may be one way to get more riders. RTD saw an increase in ridership during its Zero Fare for Better Air period in August 2022, when services were free. According to a nal report on the program, overall ridership increased by 22% compared from July 2022 to August 2022, and average weekday daily ridership increased by 19.9% in August compared to July.

e report also acknowledges the increase can’t only be attributed to the free rides.

“...transit trends and data are in uenced by seasonal factors, such as vacations and the resumption of the school year, in addition to persisting pandemic impacts and large scheduled events.” the report reads.

State Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Stephanie Vigil and State Senator Faith Winter introduced a bill this year that will allow that same grant to be used for any month

that a transit agency designates as its “ozone season.”

Additionally, even with higher costs of driving, data provided by RTD shows that gas prices do not change ridership.

Laurie Hu , a spokesperson for RTD, wrote in an email that many factors a ect ridership, such as seasonality, weather, service levels and the opening of new lines.

She noted an increase in ridership in 2008 coincided with higher gas prices. However, ridership remained the same in 2014 when gas prices fell.

“RTD has been unable to attribute a direct correlation between gas prices and ridership (but) has seen just the opposite in some cases. On a longer-term basis, gas prices have risen but overall ridership for transit agencies has trended downward,” she wrote.

One strong correlation they found is employment rates: as unemployment rises, ridership goes down, and vice versa.

Getting more riders, and money  If people live near transit and it’s accessible, they’re more likely to take it. According to Brian Welch, RTD’s acting assistant general manager of planning, the pandemic disproportionately impacted the use of public transportation.

“If you look at air travel, vehicle miles traveled, freight, even I think ocean cruises, almost everybody has gotten back to where they were before the global pandemic. Public transportation remains one of the

outliers, so we’re still feeling the effects of this disruption,” he said.

One of those reasons is due to teleworking. Not as many people are taking long trips to work. Even before the pandemic, increases in ridership weren’t proportional to increases in population.

“If we have all these people moving into the Denver Metro area, ostensibly we’ve got people moving in who don’t want to drive,” he said. “We don’t seem to be attracting those people as frequently as we’d like to.”

For public transportation to be attractive, people need incentives to take it.

Welch said expensive parking charges, congestion, safety and competitive travel times up the value. Even so, there are people who won’t do it — they love their car, Welch said.

“In North America, in the places where we have for 50, 75 years made it really attractive to drive, that makes transit tougher, to provide a value proposition and a good alternative for people,” he said.

To make transit an attractive option, it needs to be there and needs to be of quality, safe and frequent.

e price of transit is inelastic regarding incremental increases.

“Doesn’t matter if it’s free, because it still doesn’t help them (if it’s not of value),” he said.

However, for those on the margin, high fares play a role.

“If you could get to the airport cheaper by driving and parking than you could by taking one of our airport services, then yeah, the price is an issue,” Welch said.

Connecting the suburbs

Welch said that circumferential transit – public transportation options that circle a downtown area, connecting the outlying areas – has not worked well in the United States. Hub and spoke-type networks, from

the suburbs to downtown, attract people from concentration to concentration in the U.S.

“It generally takes you too long to get all the way to where you need to go,” he said.

He said it’s a real challenge for those living in suburbs trying to get to other suburbs, such as Westminster to Brighton or ornton to Lone Tree.

Most success for RTD has come from connecting Denver, the tech center and Boulder. Each contain services that attract people and virtually guarantee ridership: colleges, hospitals, o ce buildings and commercial centers.

ose inter-suburban connections may grow naturally if the suburbs continue to grow, b e ectively becoming hubs themselves, he said. But that does not answer the age-old question: how do we get people to ride transit?

RTD’s largest limitation is hiring employees, Welch said, and another will be funds. Welch said right now, RTD is in a good position with recent money coming from the federal government, such as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act.) In the future, it won’t be so smooth.

at’s because 20% of RTD’s operating budget comes from fares, which is typical for a transportation agency. What’s not typical is the rest comes mostly from the federal government and sales tax – with no revenue coming from the state government.

In 2021, RTD’s total revenue and grants and contributions were $1.17 billion. Of that, about 7% came from operating revenues, about 64% from sales tax and about 26% from grant operating assistance.

RTD’s operating revenues also were cut in half from 2019 to 2021. In 2019, operating revenues came in at $160.9 million but were slashed to $82.5 million in 2020 and reduced again to $83.1 million in 2021.

State Senator Winter said RTD needs a more reliable source of funding moving into the future to continue the boost it received from 2022’s Zero Fare for Better Air days promotion.

“We need to build on that success, continue that success, and make that success permanent,” Winter said.

To receive funding from municipalities and the state, Welch said RTD is working on showing people it’s worth it, with a lot of focus on safety and security.

“How can we be ready for them so that they instantly come back on transit and don’t start driving again?” Welch said.

An RTD Light Rail transit driver waves as the train pulls into a station. RTD is looking to increase ridership. SHUTTERSTOCK

Meet the ‘hope dealers’ behind the Denver Dream Center

BY DANA KNOWLES, WILL PETERSON ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

For the Denver Dream Center, hope is a commodity that can’t be sold. It’s routinely given away, at no charge.

“I’m a hope dealer,” explained Donny Andrews, who works at the organization. “We go out and rescue people and restore lives and dreams.”

e Denver Dream Center mainly works with formerly incarcerated people who leave prison and end up without a place to live after their release, something Andrews understands personally.

“I was released on May 11th of last year and was connected with the Dream Center and they helped me put my life back together,” explained Andrews, adding that he needed to learn basic life skills.

“It’s rough getting out prison after 33 years of incarceration, and not knowing how to use a phone, and not knowing how to go grocery shopping.”

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, formerly incarcerated people are almost 10 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population.

After spending time in and out of prison for several years, then experiencing homelessness, Tyrone ompkins told Rocky Mountain PBS how excited he is to nally move

into his own home soon.

“I’ll be moving into an apartment on the rst of March, the day of my birthday!” he said excitedly, crediting the Denver Dream Center for making it happen.

Now ompkins works for the organization as a part of the street team that does direct outreach with the unhoused in Denver, many of whom were formerly incarcerated

like ompkins.

“It’s time for me to go back out into the community that I was destroying and help,” he said. “It has changed my life and I’m truly blessed.”

Bryan Sederwall moved to Denver 16 years ago and immediately saw the necessity to connect those experiencing homelessness with not only resources, but also hope and inspiration.

“We say ‘See a need, then meet the need.’ We do everything from helping men and women transition from incarceration, or get out of gangs, and get back to community and reestablish their families,” said

These days, Sederwall is affectionately known as Pastor B.

“People ask me, as a pastor, where’s my church? I tell them to look at the city and that’s our church; it’s the people,” he said.

“It’s not just on Sundays, but we hyper focus on Monday through Saturday by building a commu-

The organization provides continuous support for the unhoused to also address issues including hunger, addiction, and abuse. And according to Pastor B, the best way to do that is by finding people where they are and just starting a simple conversation.

“Someone [will] be embarrassed about their story, or their background, and they’ll share that and someone else will be like ‘yeah me too!’ So, it’s no longer baggage, but it becomes a platform for them to move forward and be successful.”

This story is from Rocky Mountain PBS, a nonprofit public broadcaster providing community stories across Colorado over the air and online. Used by permission. For more, and to support Rocky Mountain PBS, visit rmpbs.org.

Members of the Denver Dream Center.

COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

Ralston Valley hockey wins triple-overtime thriller to advance to 5A title game

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

e usual suspects — Valor Christian, Denver East, Ralston Valley and Regis Jesuit — battled on the ice at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs on March 4 in the Class 5A hockey state semi nals.

e top 4 seeds in the state tournament have combined to win nine hockey championship titles over the past 11 years. Top-seeded Valor and Ralston Valley were victorious to set up the state championship game scheduled for Tuesday, March 7 — after press deadline — at Magness Arena at the University of Denver.

(3) Ralston Valley 3, (2) Denver East 2 (3OT)

COLORADO SPRINGS — A tripleovertime goal by Ralston Valley senior Blane Keller is sending the Mustangs back to the state hockey championship game in almost a decade.

Keller scored the game winning-goal with 2:49 left in the third 8-minute overtime period to give Ralston Valley a 3-2 victory over the defending 5A state champions — Denver East. Senior Chris Homer slid a pass to Keller near the blue line. From a sharp angle, Keller took a slap shot that found the back of the net.

“I don’t want to talk about me right now,” Keller said moments after the game winner. “I’ve been through hell and back with these boys. I couldn’t have been close to this place without them. I love all these boys.”

Both goalies — Ralston Valley’s Kaleb Bartholomew and Denver East’s Samuel Cozart — were outstanding from early in the third period through the three overtime periods before Keller ripped a shot past Cozart.

“I feel real con dent going up against Valor,” Keller said looking ahead to Tuesday’s state title game at Magness Arena. “We had some injuries when we lost to them last.”

Ralston Valley (14-4-2 record) actually handed Valor its lone loss of the season. e Mustangs defeated the Eagles 4-3 in overtime back on Dec. 3. Valor won the second go-around 4-2 on Jan. 7.

On Saturday night in Colorado Springs, Ralston Valley got on the scoreboard rst with a great individual e ort by Ralston Valley senior Cole Francque. e Mustang forward peeled o the boards and toward Denver East goalie Samuel Cozart. Francque red a shot that got past Cozart with 8:44 left in the rst period to give Ralston Valley a 1-0 lead.

Denver East tied things up with a power-play goal with 12:47 left in the second period. Senior Nicholas Chadd put in a rebound behind Bartholomew to even things up 1-1.

It looked like the Angels had a great chance to take their rst lead going on a power-play minutes later, but Francque struck again.

A Denver East turnover on its powerplay chance was cleared out of the Mustangs’ defensive zone by Ralston

Valley senior Tsavo Cole. Francque got to the puck, weaved past an Angel defender and then toe-dragged around another Denver East player before ripping a shot past Cozart for a huge short-handed goal.

“ ey were pretty awesome goals,” Francque said of his two goals. “I stayed a little bit patient on that second goal to let the defense commit and buried them.”

e Mustangs took a 2-1 leading heading to the third period.

However, Ralston Valley took another penalty at the end of the second period.

Chadd cashed with his second extrastrength goal 24 seconds into the third period to knot things up 2-2. Chadd poked the puck past Bartholomew with a mass of bodies in front of the net.

Cozart and Bartholomew both came up with numerous saves in the third period with the game tied at 2-2.

e Angels were coming o their incredible run to the program’s rst state title last season. Denver East nished the 2021-22 campaign with a 20-1-1 record that included a 16-game win streak that was concluded doubling up Valor in the championship game 6-3.

Ralston Valley made its second straight trip back to the Frozen Four.

e Mustangs won back-to-back state titles in 2013 and 2014, but this is their rst trip back to the title game since the 2014 state win.

(1) Valor Christian 3, (4) Regis Jesuit 2 COLORADO SPRINGS —  e third

Ralston Valley senior goalie Kaleb Bartholomew is able to make a save at point-blank range on Denver East senior Zeke Romero (4) during the first period of the Class 5A state semifinal March 4 at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs.

PHOTOS BY DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Ralston Valley senior Cole Francque celebrates his first of two goals with teammate Tsavo Cole (67) during the Class 5A state semifinal game March 4 at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs. The Mustangs took a 3-2 victory in triple-overtime against defending 5A state champion Denver East. SEE HOCKEY, P25

go-around between Valor and Regis went just as expected.

“It was a typical Regis versus Valor, 1-goal game,” Valor coach George Gwozdecky said after the Eagles defeated the Raiders 3-2 to advance Valor to the state championship game. “We’ve been fortunate to come out on the winning side of those 1-goal games this year. It was hard fought.”

e Eagles took 1-goal victories in both regular-season meetings Feb. 4 and Feb. 10.

“Regis is such a great team. It’s a great rivalry,” Valor senior Aiden Owen said. “To play them again was awesome.”

Owen put in the eventual gamewinning goal with 3:05 left in the second period to put Valor up 3-2.

“He (Owen) in my mind is the best defenseman in the state,” Gwozdecky said. “He isn’t going to intimidate you with his size, but he has gamesmanship, competitive nature, skill level and aggressive demeanor.”

After the Eagles and Raiders combined for four goals in the second period, it was a shutout on both sides in the nal period.

“We knew going into it that it would be a high-scoring game,” Owen said. “ e guys really came together on the defensive side.”

Regis pulled its goalie in the nal 2 minutes and had the majority of the possession in the nal minutes in an attempt to send the game into overtime.

“We knew it was far from over,” Owen said of the nal 2 minutes. “Guys were putting their bodies on the line and selling out for the team. We wanted to get back to that Tuesday (championship game) so bad after last year’s loss.”

Valor is on a 19-game winning streak. e Eagles (19-1) dropped their season opener to Ralston Valley 4-3 in overtime more than three months ago and haven’t looked back.

It didn’t take Valor long to get on the scoreboard. Senior Garrett Covney was able to slip the puck past Regis goal Alijah Hernandez just 1 minute, 27 seconds into the rst period for a 1-0 Valor lead.

Senior Alec Al eri picked up the assist on the goal.

Valor extended the lead to 2-0 with a

shorthanded goal with 11:25 left in the second period. Al eri made the diving e ort along the boards to get a pass up to senior Jeremy Muhr. e Eagles’ defenseman was able to fend o a Regis player and get a stick on the puck just before it got to Hernandez. Muhr’s last slap of the puck got it through Hernandez’s ve-hole for the 2-goal lead.

“ at gives us so much momentum,” Gwozdecky said of the short-handed goal. “We had the opportunity to completely smother. You give them (Regis) full credit for coming back and taking advantage of some dumb penalties that we took.”

e Raiders had a handful of powerplay opportunities that they couldn’t convert, but that changed midway through the second period.

Regis battled back with a pair of goals just over 3 minutes apart to tie things up in the second period. Regis junior Reece Peterson had a great pass in front of the net to senior Jake Filler who red it into the net for a powerplay goal with 7:41 left in the second period.

A rocket shot from just inside the blue-line by sophomore Parker Brinner beat Valor goalie Cooper Robinson to tie it up 2-2 with 4:35 left in the second period.

Valor answered for the fourth goal of the period on a nice pass from senior Brooks Wright over to Owen.

e shot by Owen beat Hernandez to give the Eagles a 3-2 lead heading to the nal period.

“I jumped into the play when I saw the one side wide-open,” Owen said. “Brooks fed me the pass. He did a great job drawing the defender. I just got the puck and wanted to get it on goal. ankfully it went in. It was electric. It was awesome.”

It’s was sixth concussive Frozen Four trip and now fourth straight state championship game appearance for Valor. e Eagles won back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021 before losing to Denver East 6-3 last season in the nal game of the season.

Regis was the dominate hockey team in the state from 2008 to 2019 winning six championships over the 12-year span. e Raiders haven’t made the title game since their last state title in 2019.

Dennis Pleuss is the sports information director for Je co Public Schools. For more Je co coverage, go to CHSAANow.com.

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Gun buyers would have to wait 3 days to access weapons

Waiting proposal introduced

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER AND JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

A Highlands Ranch mother purchased a 9mm Glock handgun, picked up her 5-year-old son from kindergarten and killed him, his 3-year-old brother and herself in the loading dock of a shuttered Sports Authority store.

The tragedy unfolded over the span of just a few hours on a day in November 2016.

Colorado lawmakers want to prevent a similar series of events from happening with such haste and ease ever again, and so this week Democrats will introduce a bill that would enact a three-day waiting period between when someone purchases a gun and when they can access the weapon, mirroring policies that have been adopted in other states.

“It’s giving people the opportunity to take a breath,” said Sen. Tom Sullivan, a Centennial Democrat whose son, Alex, was murdered in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting and who will be a lead sponsor of the legislation. “We know that when people decide to kill themselves with a firearm, sometimes they spend less than 20 minutes making that decision.

A simple interruption in someone’s plan can save a life, Sullivan said. “Although firearms are used less than 10% of the time in suicides, they have a success ratio of over 90%,” he said.

The waiting-period bill, expected

to be formally unveiled this week in the House, is part of a package of gun control measures Democrats are planning to introduce at the Capitol this year. Other legislation will seek to raise the age to purchase rifles and shotguns to 21

to match the policy for handguns, regulate homemade firearms that lack serial numbers — also known as “ghost guns” — and make it easier to sue gun manufacturers and sellers. Additionally, there will be a measure introduced that would expand who can petition a judge to order the temporary seizure of someone’s guns under the state’s so-called red flag law.

Several Democrats are also mulling whether to introduce a bill banning the sale and transfer of so-called assault weapons, which draft legislation defines as semi-automatic rifles and pistols with certain features. “If we do get the language right, you’ll see it. If we’re not able to get the language and the content right, you won’t see it,” Sen. Rhonda Fields, an Aurora Democrat and one of the lead sponsors of the prospective legislation, said at an event earlier Rep. Meg Froelich, an Englewood Democrat and another lead sponsor of the waiting-period bill, said Democrats will continue pursuing gun regulations “until we don’t need to do it anymore.”

“There are about 10, 12 things you can do to reduce gun violence, and we’ve done a couple of them. We’re gonna do a couple more,” said Froelich, who is part of a new gun violence prevention caucus

SHUTTERSTOCK

WEAPONS

at the legislature. “We’re going to go about it in a kind of methodical way. The ultimate goal is to recognize that this is a public health crisis and to just, at the end of the day, save lives.”

Proponents of waiting periods, also known as “cooling-off periods,” say they can prevent impulsive homicides and suicides. Nine states and the District of Columbia already have waiting periods for gun purchases, according to Giffords, a group that pushes for tougher firearm regulations, though the policies differ from state to state.

Hawaii has the longest waiting period, at 14 days, followed by California and Washington, D.C., at 10 days.

In Rhode Island, people must wait seven days after purchasing a firearm to gain access to it. Florida requires three days between when someone purchases a gun and can access it. In Illinois, gun purchasers wait 72 hours.

Minnesota has a seven-day waiting period for handguns and so-called assault weapons, while Washington had a 10-day waiting period for semi-automatic rifles. Maryland and New Jersey each require a seven-day waiting period for handgun purchases.

The forthcoming Colorado bill would apply to all firearms. If a background check takes longer

than the three-day waiting period, purchasers would have to continue waiting to access their weapon until the check is complete.

The prospective measure is slated to offer an exception for domestic violence victims with a restraining order against their abuser who can prove that the order is in effect. Those victims would still, however, have to pass a background check. (The carve-out for domestic violence victims may be added as an amendment after the bill is introduced.)

Antique and relic firearms would be exempt from the waiting period. Gun sellers who violate the policy would be subject to a $500 fine that could increase to between $500 and $5,000 for a second and subsequent offense. The penalty would be civil, not criminal.

The bill’s lead sponsors say they settled on three days after looking at other states’ policies and taking into consideration that if they aren’t instant, as designed, most background checks in Colorado are completed within two to five days. The waiting period would begin when a seller initiates a background check.

The bill’s sponsors say they have the backing of Gov. Jared Polis and Democratic leadership in the legislature. “We feel we have the support across the board of the executive branch and leadership in both chambers,” Froelich said.

Conor Cahill, a spokesman for Polis, didn’t directly respond to a question about how the governor feels about the concept of waiting

periods.

“The governor is committed to making Colorado one of the top 10 safest states and appreciates commonsense efforts to help accomplish this goal, including support for law enforcement, tougher penalties on auto theft and improving gun safety,” Cahill said.

Sullivan considered bringing a waiting-period bill in 2021, but Democrats opted to focus that year on other gun control measures instead. “We would have loved to have seen it either of the past two sessions, but it just didn’t find its way to daylight,” he said Tuesday evening.

Republicans are likely to oppose the measure, but they are in the minority in the Colorado House and Senate and have few options to try to stop the bill from passing. Gun rights groups will also fight the proposal.

Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, another lead sponsor of the bill, says she was inspired to work on the measure in part by her son’s unsuccessful attempt to kill himself with a gun.

Years ago, Amabile’s son was in crisis and attempted to purchase a gun, but his required background check was not immediately completed. Instead, Amabile and her husband were able to intervene.

“Had his background check come back instantly, he would have been sold the gun and, I believe, he would be dead,” she told The Sun. “But instead he continued to spiral and ended up in hospital and is still with us. And

doing better.”

(The fourth lead sponsor of the waiting-period bill will be Sen. Chris Hansen, D-Denver.)

There are several cases in Colorado in which someone purchased a gun and shortly thereafter harmed themselves or others.

The man who killed 10 people, including a police officer, at a Boulder King Soopers in 2021 purchased the gun he used in the attack six days prior.

In 2019, Sol Pais, an 18-year-old Florida woman obsessed with the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, traveled to Colorado days before the 20th anniversary of the deadly attack, prompting schools across the state to close as a precaution. Pais drove straight to a gun store from the airport and purchased a shotgun and ammunition. She then killed herself near Mount Evans.

In the case of the Highlands Ranch mother, Jennifer Laber, her husband later revealed that she had battled depression for years. But he said he never thought she would harm their children.

“There was no sign that she intended to hurt herself or the boys at all,” he told Denver7.

This story is from The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. The Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT at the meeting of the Arvada City Council to be held on MONDAY, March 20, 2023, at 6:15 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada CO, City Council will hold a public hearing on the following proposed ordinances and thereafter will consider them for final passage and adoption. For the full text version in electronic form go to www.arvada.org/legal-notices, and click on Current and recent Legal Notices to access legal notices. The full text version is also available in printed form in the City Clerk’s office. Contact 720.898.7550 if you have questions. The full text version is also available in printed form in the City Clerk’s office. Contact 720.898.7550 if you have questions.

CB23-005 An Ordinance Repealing and Reenacting Section 54-36, MTC Part 8 "Pedestrians" Amended, of Article II, Model Traffic Code, of Chapter 54, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, and Adding Section 62-52, Obstruction of Public Passageways, to Article II, Miscellaneous Offenses, of Chapter 62, Offenses

CB23-006 An Ordinance Amending Article IV - Liquor Tastings, of Chapter 6, Alcoholic Beverages, of the Arvada City Code Legal Notice No. 415868

First Publication: March 9, 2023

Last Publication: March 9, 2023 Publisher: Jeffco Transcript Metropolitan Districts Public Notice

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION and CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS

§1-13.5-513(6), 32-1-104,1-11-103(3) C.R.S.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Apex Park and Recreation District, Jefferson County, Colorado, that on February 27, 2023, before the May 2, 2023 regular election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 2, 2023 is hereby canceled pursuant to section 1-13.5-513(6) C.R.S.

The following candidates are hereby declared elected:

Vicki C. Pyne - 4-year term, until May, 2027

Richard Garrimone - 4-year term until May, 2027

/s/ Sarah E. E. Shepherd, Designated Election Official

Contact Person for the District: Sarah E. E. Shepherd Telephone Number of the District: 303-482-1002

Address of the District: PO Box 359, Littleton, CO 80160 District Email: sees@ccrider.us

Legal Notice No. 415840

First Publication: March 9, 2023

Last Publication: March 9, 2023

Publisher: Golden Transcript and the Arvada Press

Notice

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Cimarron

Metropolitan District, City of Arvada, Jefferson County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 2, 2023 is hereby canceled pursuant to Section 1-13.5-513, C.R.S.

The following candidates are declared elected:

Patrick Vaughn until the second regular election (May 4, 2027)

Brian Dalyuntil the next regular election (May 6, 2025)

Brian Mulvanyuntil the next regular election (May 6, 2025)

VACANCY until the second regular election (May 4, 2027)

VACANCY until the second regular election (May 4, 2027)

DATED: February 28, 2023

/s/ CRAIG SORENSEN

Designated Election Official for the Cimarron Metropolitan District c/o McGeady Becher P.C. 450 E. 17th Avenue, Suite 400 Denver, CO 80203-1254

Phone: 303-592-4380

Legal Notice No. 415855

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Hometown Metropolitan District No. 2, Jefferson County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 2, 2023, is hereby canceled pursuant to Section 1-13.5-513, C.R.S. The following candidates are declared elected: