Arvada Press 052523

Rain abates for Pomona High School graduation

Arvada food pantry Community Table gets creative to combat shortages

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Rising food costs, changes to grocery store procedures and supply chain issues have made it hard for some people to put food on the table — a problem exacerbated by other factors in one’s life that could lead to food insecurity. For Arvada-based food pantry Community Table, facing these challenges is just another day at the o ce.

Since 2019, the nonpro t has seen a 30% increase in the number of people it serves — Community Table now works with 1,700 families, or roughly 5,000 individuals, a month.

In the past, Community Table relied on grocery rescue programs — wherein grocery chains donate food that’s past its best-buy date — but the aforementioned issues impacting food availability have mostly run that well dry.

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Thunderstorms and heavy rains stayed away long enough to not

put a damper on Pomona High School’s graduation, which went off without a hitch on May 18 at the North Area Athletic Complex.  Pomona’s graduating seniors were freshmen in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and lamented the difference in their expectations for high school in comparison with how the last four years played out. There was a sense of perseverance as class

speakers looked back on the trying times they endured with their peers early in the pandemic.

Pomona’s class president, class speaker and valedictorians gave speeches, along with a faculty member selected by the graduating class. Pomona’s choir performed for the crowd near the closing of the ceremony.

Rocky Baldassare, Community Table’s director of food programs, said that while the nonpro t used to have about 30 pickups a week from grocery rescue programs, that number has dwindled, with entire categories of food — including meat and produce — disappearing from availability. Baldassare said that some chains have employed practices that keep food on the shelf longer than in the past.

“(Grocery stores) are not donating as much as they used to at all,” Baldassare said. “Now, they’re trying to sell food as late as they can.” ankfully for the nonpro t and the 5,000 people it serves monthly, the

SEE SHORTAGES, P8

A Pomona High School senior accepts his diploma.

PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN

Thunderstorms broke up just before the ceremony began at NAAC

SEE POMONA GRADUATION PHOTOS, P2

Pomona’s class speaker addresses the graduating seniors.

The Pomona High School choir sings for graduation.

Pomona’s valedictorians are honored at the graduation ceremony at NAAC.

Arvada Chamber of Commerce Awards honor local change makers

72nd Annual Awards Luncheon honors enterprising individuals

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Man of the Year Randy Michaelis accepts the award alongside his wife and Woman of The Year Christi Michaelis.

place on May 18 at the Arvada Center, and saw the Chamber honor the 2022 Man and Woman of the Year, as well as the recipients of the Rising Star Award, Image Awards, and Young Professional Leadership Award.

Randy and Christi Michaelis won the Man and Woman of the Year Awards, respectively, for their phil-

Governor Signs Into Law Massive Tax Credits for EVs and Home Electrification

A package of new climate-related legislation signed recently by Governor Polis is designed to make it more attractive for Colorado households to ditch fossil fuels.

Many of the discounts are designed to be combined with other incentives, but not all the savings will be available right away.

Here's a guide to what's coming and when:

Electric Vehicles: Right now, Colorado has about 80,000 registered plug-in and battery EVs, a long way from the state's goal of 940,000 EVs on the road by 2030. The new incentives are intended to speed up their adoption through a $5,000 tax credit on the purchase of a battery-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle with a suggested purchase price of less than $80,000. For cars priced under $35,000, buyers can get an additional $2,500 credit. Any Colorado resident qualifies, beginning on July 1, 2023. After Jan. 1, 2025, the base rebate decreases until being phased out in 2029.

E-bikes: Denver proved the power of e-bike rebates last year. The state is now hoping for similar success. The Colorado Energy Office plans to launch an e-bike rebate program for low- to moderateincome residents this summer but hasn't detailed the size of the discounts.

The plan for all Coloradans regardless of income are clearer. Under legislation

signed into law this year, the state will offer a $450 discount on e-bikes starting on April 1, 2024 and continuing through 2032. The discount will be applied at the point of sale.

Electric lawn equipment: Because gas-powered lawnmowers and other lawn equipment is a major source of ozone pollution, the state will institute a 30 percent discount on electric lawnmowers, leaf blowers, trimmers and snowblowers, applied at time of purchase, starting Jan. 1, 2024 and continuing through December 2026.

 Heat pumps: Heat pumps for household space heating and water heating, powered by electricity, are seen as key to reducing pollution from natural gas. Colorado currently has a rebate worth 10 percent of the cost of installing heat pump equipment. It was scheduled to expire at the end of this year, but recent legislation extended it through 2024. The same bill also includes new incentives depending on the type of technology.

For air-source heat pumps, a resident is eligible for a one-time $1,500 tax credit from 2024 through 2026. After that, it drops to $1,000 until 2029, then to $500 through the end of 2032.

For ground-source heat pumps, residents are eligible for a $3,000 tax credit from 2024 until 2026. After that, it drops

New Disclosure Requirement Targets Financial Crimes in Metro Area Real Estate Transactions

I just learned about a new mandatory disclosure that affects some residential real estate transactions in the state of Colorado. The Federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued a Geographic Targeting Order (GTO), requiring all underwriters and licensed title agents to report additional information about buyers before closing qualifying transactions.

This order went into effect May 24, 2023. The purpose of the new disclosure is to help FinCEN combat the scams and fraud that are increasing in our industry. Impacted transactions include residential transactions that are purchased with cash or financed by “hard money” loans from private investors, or if the buyer is a business entity. Only purchases over $300,000 are affected.

The rule applies to purchases within all the Denver metro counties plus Clear Creek, Elbert, El Paso, Fremont, Mesa, Pitkin, Pueblo and Summit counties.

For transactions that fall under these criteria, the buyer will need to provide specific details about the real estate transaction, the source of their purchase funds, and information about individuals with a 25% or more beneficial interest in the buying entity. This includes contact information, Social Security numbers, and copies of ID cards.

Title companies handling such transactions will reach out to agents and their buyers directly and ask for this information on a new form. Along with any required supporting documentation, this completed form will need to be returned to the title company prior to closing.

to $2,000 until 2029, then again to $1,000 through the end of 2032. For heat pumps that power household

water heaters, residents can apply for a $500 tax credit from 2024 until 2026. After that, it drops $250 until 2032.

Nine Signs Your Home May Have a Water Issue

Water damage can lead to serious structural issues and health concerns if not addressed promptly. Here are nine signs that could indicate you have a water problem.

Unexpected Increases in Water Bills: If you notice a sudden spike in your water bill without a corresponding increase in usage, it could signify a hidden leak or other water-related problem in your home.

Wet Spots on Floors, Walls, or Ceilings: Look for persistent damp spots on your floors, walls, or ceilings. This could be an indication of a hidden water leak or poor drainage.

Sudden Appearance of Mold or Mildew: Excessive moisture in your home can lead to mold or mildew growth. Not only does this signify a severe water issue, but it can also negatively impact your health, causing allergies and respiratory problems. Keep in mind that mold requires a steady source of water for it to grow.

Sagging in Walls or Ceilings: Water accumulation can lead to structural damage over time. If your walls or ceilings start sagging or warping, it’s a clear sign of prolonged water exposure.

Persistent Musty Smell: A recurring, unpleasant odor in your home may indi-

cate the presence of hidden mold or mildew, suggesting a water issue. If the musty smell persists despite cleaning, it’s worth investigating further.

Cracking or Buckling in Floors: Water damage can cause wooden floors to buckle or tiles to crack. If you notice these changes and can’t attribute them to normal wear and tear, it might signal a water problem.

Stained or Discolored Areas: Unusual stains or discolorations on your home’s surfaces can indicate water damage, especially if they are yellow or brown. This could be due to roof or plumbing leaks.

Changes in Lawn or Garden: A leaking water line can lead to unusual changes in your yard. Look for patches of particularly lush vegetation or sinking areas in your yard due to the excess water.

Decreased Water Pressure: A drop in water pressure could indicate a significant leak in your home’s plumbing system.

Water issues in your home should never be ignored. If you notice any of these signs, addressing them immediately is essential to prevent further damage. Remember, the quicker you act, the better.

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Build Your Dream Home Creekside in Cedaredge

LOT 3

LOT 9

LOT 1

Our good friend and former broker associate Kim Taylor, who now lives in Cedaredge on the Western Slope, has listed these parcels in the Will-o-Way subdivision along Surface Creek. All four lots have infrastructure in place and range in size from 0.438 to 0.716 acres. Lots 1-3 have between 118’ and 200’ creek frontage (not in flood zone). The subdivision is within Cedaredge town limits, adjacent to a golf course and a walking path into town, and are near the scenic byway over the Grand Mesa. Envision your energy efficient home on any one of these lots. Conceptual architectural drawings are available. Lots priced individually from $80,000 to $112,000. For more info, call 303-304-6678, or visit www.WOWsubdivision.com

e 72nd Arvada Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon took

PHOTO BY SCOTT LEBARON.

SEE CHANGE, P4

anthropic e orts in the community.

Roy Knight and Don and Teresa Lindsay won the Image Award, while Michelle Stout and Colin Ferro were honored with the Young Professional Leadership Award. Joseph Martinez Miranda won the Rising

Star Award.

“ e Annual Awards Luncheon is a feel-good event, but it also inspires us all to do more,” Chamber President and CEO Kami Welch said. “From the entrepreneurial e orts of our high school Rising Star winner to the outsized generosity of our Arvada Man and Woman of the Year, we are reminded that we all have an opportunity to make a di erence in our community.”

DIVERSIFY RETIREMENT STRATEGIES

Joseph Martinez Miranda is awarded the Rising Star Award by the Arvada Chamber’s Samantha Geerdes.

Colin Ferrro won the Young Professional Leadership Award for his work with Epic Adventures, an outdoors camp for adults with cancer. PHOTOS BY SCOTT LEBARON.

Past and present Chamber Awards winners.

Polis signs 3 wildfire bills into law

Je co, Clear Creek o cials attend the ceremony

BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

County and re o cials from Je erson and Clear Creek counties watched Gov. Jared Polis sign three bills into law that will look at di erent facets of preparing for wild re.

Polis stopped by Inter-Canyon Fire’s Station 1 in Morrison on May 12 to sign bills that will:

• Establish a wild re resiliency code board to create rules that governing bodies in the wildland-urban interface — including the Je erson County foothills and Clear Creek County — will adopt to harden homes to reduce wild re risk;

• Increase the number of state re investigators to four, rather than the one investigator it has now; and

• Provide funding to give high school students more information about career opportunities in forestry and wild re mitigation, and to provide community colleges with funding to create programs in wildland re prevention and mitigation.

“ ese bills are the product of a lot of work, and it’s been a pleasure to help shepherd them through the

legislature,” state Sen. Lisa Cutter, who represents District 20 that includes Evergreen, told the group that gathered for the bill signing.

“Any time the state puts more money into re response is a good thing,” Inter-Canyon Fire Chief Skip Shirlaw added.

For Dan Gibbs, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, anything the state can do to avert wild re is important.

“We are one lightning strike, one drought season and one unattended

re away from a catastrophic wild re,” he noted.

Hardening homes to reduce wildfire risk

Clear Creek Commissioner Randy Wheelock said while Clear Creek County already has e ective reresiliency codes for structures, it was important for all jurisdictions to have strong codes.

“Wild res don’t stop at the border of Clear Creek County,” Wheelock said. “ at means the quality with which homes are built will help not only save

homes but help stop the spread of con agrations. is is a big deal.”

Cutter added that a uniform code for structures would help protect the state in the long run, addressing wild re threats that are increasing daily.

Increasing state fire investigators

Having more state re investigators is important, especially for small re districts, North Fork Fire Chief Curt Rogers said, noting that some re departments don’t have investigators, so they rely on the state investigator.

e new law ensures the state has more capacity and resources to do the investigations, added Rep. Tammy Story, who represents District 25 including Evergreen and Conifer.

More re investigators statewide who can help gure out why res occur will provide more data, so the state can do whatever it can to stop them, Cutter said.

Education and recruitment

Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, who represents District 17 in eastern Boulder County, said she wanted to support the next generation to do forestry and wild re mitigation work.

Cutter added: “If we don’t have people to do the work, we are all in trouble. Everyone tells us they need more people on the ground, and these programs will help with that.”

Sen. Lisa Cutter, who co-sponsored all three bills to help the state combat wildfires, speaks to the crowd at the bill-signing ceremony. Gov. Jared Polis signed the bills into law as Elk Creek Fire Chief Jacob Ware, North Fork Fire Chief Curt Rogers, Inter-Canyon Fire Chief Skip Shirlaw, Rep. Tammy Story and Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis watch.

PHOTO BY DEB HURLEY BROBST

Takeaways from Je co K-8 and middle school enrollment and choice numbers, ahead of school closures

BY YESENIA ROBLES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

Je co school leaders have said identifying middle schools to close will be more complicated than it was with elementary schools.

at’s a daunting challenge for a district that voted to close 16 elementary schools last fall.

Leaders plan to recommend to the school board in August which schools to close, and to redraw some attendance boundaries and redesignate feeder schools in summer 2024.

A look at enrollment, school spending, campus utilization levels, and family poverty gives a glance at some of the data that may inform Je co’s decisions.

e district’s work has been spurred by years of declining enrollment. Even though the number of residents in Je co increased over two decades, the population of schoolage children decreased by 29,918 from 2000 to 2020. Fewer children are being born. According to the district, 2020 marked the lowest number of births recorded in 15 years.

Arvada community has stepped up to support when it can.

After Community Table rescinded its boundaries at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it opened its doors to the entire surrounding community — not just Arvada, which it had primarily served in the past. e food pantry remained open throughout the pandemic, o ering food and other services to vulnerable populations in trying times.

e support appears to be twofold —as Community Table expanded its borders, residents of surrounding communities have pitched in to keep food on the shelves for their less fortunate neighbors.

“We fortunately have a great community, primarily in Arvada and Wheat Ridge, that’s stepped up to help out their citizenry,” Sandy Martin, Community Table’s CEO said. “When the pandemic hit, we got rid of boundaries because we were one of the few pantries that stayed open. the last thing we want to do is turn people away. at’s not meeting our mission.”

Martin and Baldassare said that in addition to donations, the pantry has to purchase a lot of the food it o ers, which is only possible thanks to the generosity of donors. Baldas-

sare said the nonpro t purchases about 5,000 pounds of food a week, and that used to be a monthly expense.

Rising food insecurity has prompted Community Table to allow people to pick up more food. In the past, people were limited to shopping at the nonpro t’s grocery store 12 times a year; now they may shop twice a month. Folks can also pick up free boxes of food as often as needed, though they do not get to select the food themselves if they opt for the box.

“We decided that twice a month would be more realistic for families. at’s on par with what a lot of other places have gone to,” Baldassare said.

In addition to combating food shortages, Community Table has gone above and beyond for the people it serves, partnering with about a dozen local organizations and nonpro ts to provide a whole lot more than food.

Community Table has on-site medical and dental care, showers, laundry, mental health counseling, housing navigation, enrollment in government assistance programs and other services.

Martin said she hopes that o ering on-site services in the heart of Arvada — Community Table is located at 8555 W 57th Ave., near Olde Town — will help people who may not have the means to bounce around a bunch of di erent locations trying to get help.

“A lot of people are using us that never thought they would need to,” Martin said. “We kind of consider ourselves a hub in Arvada for these types of services. It’s di cult to get down to the county (building in Golden). We’re right in the community.”

e following are a list of Commu-

nity Table’s partnerships:

Medical Care: Stride Medical, Red Rocks Community College

Wednesdays

Community Table has partnered with Stride Medical to provide primary care services for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Stride comes to Community Table’s campus every Wednesday, and Red Rocks Community College will soon begin o ering medical services at the nonpro t as well.

Dentistry: No Smile Left Behind ird Wednesday of the month

Once a month, No Smile Left Behind performs basic dentistry for patients on Medicaid or those who are uninsured. e nonpro t cannot provide dental surgeries but can give referrals for those in need.

Shower and laundry truck: Bayaud, The Dignity Project

Fridays (Tuesdays forthcoming)

Every Friday, Bayaud Enterprises’ shower and laundry truck rolls up to Community Table, o ering free, hot showers and complimentary laundry. e Dignity Project has a similar truck that will begin visiting Community Table on Tuesdays starting soon.

DMV services: DMV To Go ird Friday of the month

DMV To Go o ers full DMV services — including drivers licenses and car registration — for all community members on the third Friday of the month.

Mental health: Ardent Foundation workshops, Advocates for Recovery Quarterly/Tuesdays

e Ardent Foundation provides quarterly workshops on mental health, the last of which focused on coping mechanisms and stress relief, and the next of which will be held in July. ese sessions are open to the whole community.

Advocates for Recovery provide weekly meetings with clients interested in recovery services, every Tuesday.

Volunteers sort donated foods in the warehouse.

COURTESY OF COMMUNITY TABLE

CLOSURES

e district has not yet identi ed the criteria to determine which middle and K-8 schools to close or consolidate. In one exception, district leaders have told the Arvada K-8 school community that if it earns a low state rating this fall, triggering possible state action, the district will recommend closure. e school is the only one that is nearing state action for low performance.

e district describes its work as data driven, and has published some school data that it may consider in deciding on closures.

With elementary schools last year, the district identi ed for closure or consolidation schools that had fewer than 220 students, or were occupying less than 45% of the capacity of their building, and had another elementary school within 3.5 miles that could absorb displaced students.

Compared with elementary schools, Je co’s 22 district-managed middle and K-8 school facilities tend to be in better condition, and have a narrower range of enrollment and utilization. Some regions, or articulation areas as the district calls them, have only one middle school fed by all the elementary schools, further complicating closures.

Here are some takeaways about middle schools in Je co:

Of 22 neighborhood middle schools and K-8 schools in Je co, 18 are losing more students through the choice process than they attract, and only four schools gain students through that process. Colorado law and Je co’s system allow families to send their children to any school in the district or to transfer to schools in other districts that will accept them.

Of those 18, four schools lose more students than remain enrolled. Carmody Middle School, for example, had 892 students choose to attend di erent schools, according to district data, leaving only 626 students at the school.

A similar out-migration of students was one of the factors the district cited in emergency school closures including one two years ago.

Nearly all of the Je co-managed middle schools and K-8 schools are projected to lose students. According to district gures, seven middle or K-8 neighborhood schools will have fewer than 500 students next school year, and three of those schools are already occupying less than 50% of the capacity of their school building.

ose three schools are: Coal Creek Canyon K-8, Moore Middle School, and North Arvada Middle School.

Coal Creek Canyon K-8 is projected to have 91 students next fall. e school currently serves 100 students. Moore Middle School is already being considered for consolidation. e school’s principal partnered with the principal of Pomona High School

in asking the district to approve a plan to consolidate the schools and turn Pomona into a sixth grade through 12th grade school instead. e school district is expecting estimates of the cost of required building upgrades, before taking a vote this summer.

At the other end of the range, one Je co middle school is over capacity. ree Creeks K-8 in Arvada enrolls 1,112 students. About 8% of the students there qualify for subsidized lunches, a measure of poverty, much lower than the district average. is school is the only one currently projected to have signi cant student enrollment growth next year.

Among the seven middle and K-8 schools in Je co that occupy less than 60% of their building’s total capacity, the schools average nearly 50% of students qualifying for free or reducedprice lunches, a measure of poverty. e district’s overall average for all middle and K-8 schools is 36%.

e ve schools that occupy more than 80% of their building average 25% of their students as qualifying for subsidized lunches.

Also, schools that have faster enrollment declines are more likely to have more students living in poverty. For example, among 10 schools with projected enrollment declines of more than 5%, an average of almost 42% of students qualify for subsidized meals, compared with about a 32% average at schools that have a small decline or that are projected to be growing. Since schools are funded based on the number of students enrolled, schools with fewer students end up with smaller budgets and aren’t able to provide as many resources or learning opportunities as schools with more students.

Among the middle schools and K-8 schools that the district is considering

SEE CLOSURES, P16

Government assistance: Je erson County, Benefits in Action

Wednesdays

On Wednesdays, a representative from Je erson County or one from nonpro t Bene ts in Action come to help folks with enrollment in government assistance programs including SNAP and WIC. Representatives help clients identify and enroll in programs they might be eligible for.

Housing navigation: City of Arvada

Fridays

Arvada Housing Navigator Lisa Chavez meets with clients on Fridays at Community Table to help them apply for a ordable and governmentassisted housing.

Other partnerships

In addition to these partnerships, Community Table is working on nalizing a partnership with the Je erson Center for Mental Health to get a kiosk set up on site. e nonpro t partners with the City of Arvada’s One Small Step program for homeless criminal defendants, o ering a table with resources outside of the courtroom.

Community Table also runs ve mobile food pantries: Elevado Mobile Home Estates, the Arvada House, Mountain Vista, Highlands West and

Mountain Terrace are the communities the nonpro t serves with its mobile pantry, spread out from Arvada to Wheat Ridge to Westminster.

A partnership with Doordash’s Project Dash allows Community Table to reach 50 individuals who are unable to come to the nonpro t’s Arvada campus in person. Baldassare said that sta is evaluating how many people can be included in the free program going forward.

e United States Postal Service Food Drive returned this year after going on hiatus during the pandemic — Community Table has received about 63,000 pounds of food, short of its 80,000-pound goal. Donations for the United States Postal Service Food Drive will be accepted until Sunday, May 28.

Martin said Community Table’s biggest need right now is canned goods.

“We really need to donations of canned goods and those kinds of items because those have gone down,” Martin said. “We’re still having supply chain problems, the rising cost of food, it’s increasing for (donor’s) families too. So, we don’t get as much food as we could use. “

Martin added that the donated food brings in a variety.

“As opposed for us going somewhere and buying 10 cases of green beans: they’re bringing in carrots and corn and it’s giving us a real variety to the store,” Martin said. “Plus, the community likes to help with this program.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF COMMUNITY

Community Table is currently short on canned goods.

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VOICES

Guns have changed everything, especially childhood

Ilearned to shoot on the family ranch, as ranch kids are wont to do. My gun education was furthered at a Catholic summer camp, and I still have my paper target proving my marksmanship. Hunter safety classes, and calm, clear-eyed common sense. is was the rural approach to guns I grew up with.

en it’s a story we all know: Guns became politicized. Polarized. Lobby-ized. Humans are good at inventing things, so guns got more militarized as they turned into weapons of mass destruction. Our laws, sadly, didn’t keep up, because humans can also move quite slowly.

en, I had children, and suddenly, active-shooter drills were part of their curriculum. And then, on Valentine’s Day 2018, parents across Fort Collins, Colorado, received emails informing us that our children had been in a lockdown drill at roughly the same time that 17 children were being killed in Florida.

My brain fritzed out with confusion: Here a drill, but in Florida, children were being mowed down. Relief, and yet also great grief. Other mothers were getting di erent news.

My kids came home, stunned, and recounted their drill instructions, which included advice such as: “If you must ght to save your life, ght

WRITERS ON THE RANGE

with all your might, using anything within reach as a weapon.”

Yes, kids, please ght with all your might against a grownup with a semi-automatic.

What a sad curriculum. What a sad country. Many of us know this. Many of us keep saying the same thing over and over, and a few loud voices keep pushing back. Why even discuss interpretations of the murkily written Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, written at a time when muskets were the weapon of the day? Some conversations aren’t worth having.

What I am interested in is brainstorming real solutions — with likeminded people who also felt a real crack in their hearts every day that innocent people are mowed down, which, it seems, is nearly every day. A day without a shooting now seems the exception.

It strikes me that besides gun zealotry or idolatry, the other tragedy here is our seeming unwillingness to act. Really act. Act like grownups. My daughter and her friends helped

organize a walkout to protest gun violence, which spread to other schools. Kids poured out of the high schools and toward the town center, and parents rode their bikes or walked alongside — especially near the coal-rolling trucks lled with counter-protesters that heckled them from the roads.

is was the rst act of civil disobedience for most, borne out of a mix of desperation and courage.

Even as the kids gathered to pass the mic and speak, my heart was sunk even lower. Why? I knew what you know: Nothing would really change. Not until the adults of this country protested seriously, left work, took to the streets. e students protested, marched, wrote letters, made calls, and I watched, knowing. Adults wouldn’t go the distance. ere’s not enough will.

It’s ironic: I grew up with guns, but my salient memory of childhood was peaceful summer walks through a green eld, carrying a .22 to go practice shooting. Tragically, that is not true for youngsters today. ey might not shoot as much, but they’re the ones forced by our irresponsibility and inaction to have it forefront in their minds and hearts.

So, solutions. I celebrate Moms Demand Action, a group founded by

a mother of ve right after the Sandy Hook tragedy, based on her belief that all Americans should do more to reduce gun violence. No group has “risen so far, so fast, in uencing laws, rattling major corporations, and provoking vicious responses from hardcore gun rights activists,” according to Mother Jones.

Although I’m all for background checks and safety locks, these seem like tiny bandages on a gaping wound. e big thing we can do is ban assault weapons immediately, and, even more importantly, elect gun-sensible politicians who don’t take NRA money.

If not Moms Demand Action, there is the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and Gun Owners for Safety. All these groups need people willing to spend some time calling legislators, step up, protest. People like you. People who believe in common sense. People who believe in childhood.

Laura Pritchett is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonpro t dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She is the author of several novels and nonction books and directs a program in nature writing at Western Colorado University.

Let’s talk about appropriations

The expenses that are allocated within a governmental budget are known as appropriations. Appropriations are decided upon by the legislative body that controls expenditures within a political entity. For example, the Arvada City Council controls appropriations for the city of Arvada. e Colorado General Assembly decides what monies shall be appropriated how and where for the state of Colorado. is is correct because the voters of the state of Colorado elected those legislators to make those decisions on their behalf just as the citizens

JOE WEBB Columnist

of Arvada elected their City Council. ey act on behalf of the people who may then vote those o ceholders out if they feel it is necessary.

According to the Form 104 booklet issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue, the two largest appropriations in the Colorado State Budget are grouped together as education at 35.4% of the state budget and 36.1% grouped

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as social assistance. Within just those two groups of appropriations are unfunded mandates made by the federal government to our state government.

What is an unfunded mandate, you ask? It is the imposition by statute or regulation that a state must perform certain actions without the money to pay for them. In other words, the federal government is telling our state government to spend certain monies for one thing or another. Worse they are not providing appropriation dollars to accomplish these goals. It is a way to mask out-of-control federal

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spending by shifting the burden onto the states.

When conservatives gripe about out-of-control spending it is the unfunded mandates that are fueling the complaints in part. Regardless of the speci cs behind appropriations, I would think that most Coloradoans regardless of their political feelings would agree that the elected representatives of the people are the ones who should decide what monies are appropriated and how.

It is a little di cult to determine

SEE WEBB, P13

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

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A legal newspaper of general circulation in Je erson County, Colorado, the Arvada Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 27972 Meadow Dr. Suite 320, Evergreen CO, 80439.

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Laura Pritchett

Are you stuck in a cycle of stress and anxiety?

Iwas talking recently to a business owner at an entrepreneur networking event. He shared that he had been struggling with severe anxiety. I asked him why he hadn’t picked up the phone to call—at least to chat casually over what might be the source of his anxiety. He smiled. “It was pride,” he said. “I was too proud to reach out.”

Our conversation signaled something important. Does seeking mental health help carry a stigma? Do you experience the shame of thinking, if you need help with your mental health you feel weak or be seen as incapable and undependable, something that can damage your reputation, and potentially as an entrepreneur, your business?

I did a little digging — here are some of my ndings: e stigma surrounding mental health and treatment is diminishing.

Societal stigma and the move to hide your desire to seek help is one of the biggest barriers to actually taking action to relieve and shift chronic anxiety and stress.

If you have anxiety or compounding stressors, you may feel like the stigma will a ect your ability to get a job, your access to healthcare and insurance coverage for treatment or your acceptance in society as a whole. Here’s some good news — the New York Times recently

FROM PAGE12

what percentage of the budget of our state budget consists of unfunded mandates. While I have asked the question of others, I have not been able to get a de nite answer. What unfunded mandates accomplish is to crowd out budget dollars for priorities that our elected o cials feel is in the best interest of all Coloradoans. Unfunded mandates help keep the pay for schoolteachers lower. Unfunded mandates keep school districts from hiring more school resource o cers. Regardless of the percentage, the salient point about unfunded mandates is that they usurp the priorities that Colorado-

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published these statistics:

In 2021, 42 million people sought mental health care, up 27 million from 2002.

Americans now see mental health care as reliable and a signi cant part of cultivating a better life for themselves and their families. More and more it is considered a part of a wholesome life, like having a gym membership or going shing.

unlearn the belief systems you have about how much the mental, emotional and physical parts of yourself depend upon each other for your wellbeing and capacity to thrive. There are more opportunities for treatment and support.

Christine Kahane

Progress is being made in the field of mental health.

Stress and anxiety operate on a spectrum. When you’re challenged by either or both, it’s often due to a number of contributing factors and conditions not just one source. Your stressors are not going to be exactly the same as your friends’ or family members’. Friendly advice is well-intentioned, but most of the time does not help you work through and resolve the latent sources of your stress and anxiety. is is because what works for your sister or work colleague may have nothing to do with what is at the core of your anxiety.

On top of this, stress and anxiety can be treated in di erent ways at di erent stages in your life. When you commit to your mental wellbeing you have a real opportunity to

ans have in how our state should be run.

ere are competing priorities in the budget appropriation process and some things are desirable often get cut or eliminated. But those cuts should not happen because of outsider interference.bWhile some programs that are the result of unfunded mandates are well intentioned like Medicaid, I would argue that Colorado and its’ elected leaders could run Medicaid better than any mandate from the federal government. Reasons exist for everything. When conservatives rail against wasteful government spending there is more often than not a reasoned and considered point behind those complaints.

Joe Webb is the former chairman of the Je co Republican party.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, there are more opportunities for treatment and support than ever before. ere are also new treatments available, as well as support groups and other programs designed to help you with challenging anxiety and stress manage your symptoms and recover from trauma in your life — so you are living a more productive and ful lling life.

ere is no one-size- ts-all solution for managing these issues, so it’s important to seek out appropriate interventions that work best for you.

UnLearn the pattern

Nothing changes until something changes, and avoiding your pain is like putting a band-aid on a severed limb. Give yourself the gift of owning that you are struggling and take a look at what services are available to you. Make appointments with a few mental health professionals whose approaches fit your needs.

Christine Kahane, NBC-HWC, MCHWC – is a Nationally BoardCertified Health & Wellness Coach, and owner of KAHANE COACHING (www.kahanecoaching.com), located at 30752 Southview Drive/Suite 110 in Evergreen, CO. For more information about coaching, or to write-in a question for UNlearn it! send your inquiries to christine@ kahanecoaching.com.

newspaper.

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BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Spring is in full swing, bringing many folks around Colorado out of the doldrums of winter with the promise of outdoor recreation.

For folks who aren’t fans of “traditional sports” — think baseball, basketball, football, soccer — there are plenty of unique, exciting alternatives throughout the Centennial State. From roller skating to parkour, there is no shortage of variety in Colorado’s recreation options.

Roller skating, roller hockey and roller derby

Roller sports are alive and well in Colorado. Folks have quite a few options for activities revolving around wheeled feet; from roller skating to roller hockey to roller derby, there is no shortage of options.

Roller skating lovers have a plethora of skate

parks in the metro area and can get all of their gear — and some lessons — from the newlyopened Denver Skates Shop in Arvada. e store provides ttings and skating lessons for folks ranging from novices to experienced park skaters.

Brina Wyss, a sales associate and coach at Denver Skates Shop, said that roller sports experienced a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic that’s since died down, but has nonetheless roughly doubled the community’s size.

“I think there was a big surge in interest in wheels and skating during the pandemic, but it was a trend” Wyss said. “I people had a lot of spare time and were looking for something active to do. e community has de nitely grown at least twice as much during the pandemic.”

Wyss participates in roller derby, which is played at the professional and recreational level

TOP PHOTO: Park lessons by Denver Skates Shop at Trailwinds Skate Park in Thornton.

PHOTO BY RICH VOSSLER

‘A lot of people do (skating)

for joy and exercise. I do it as a way to escape, and it’s also a great way of community meeting.’

Brina Wyss, a sales associate and coach at Denver Skates Shop SEE UNIQUE, P15

in Colorado. Wyss said the competitive nature and team atmosphere of roller derby came to be a replacement for volleyball, which she played competitively growing up.

“A lot of people do (skating) for joy and exercise,” Wyss said. “I do it as a way to escape, and it’s also a great way of community meeting.”

Denver Roller Derby operates a large number of recreational and traveling teams and has opportunities for new players.

Folks looking for a non-contact alternative to ice hockey might nd roller hockey appealing — Skate City operates rinks in Arvada, Westminster and Littleton that o er roller skating and hockey, while Rocky Mountain Roller Hockey operates youth and adult leagues out of the Foothills Fieldhouse in Lakewood, and the Parker Fieldhouse also hosts youth and adult roller hockey.

Ultimate frisbee/ disc golf

Frisbee sports have come into favor in Colorado recently — a semiprofessional ultimate frisbee team kicked o their inaugural season in Golden this month — with two main ways to play.

Ultimate frisbee resembles American football in that teams

must complete passes in an end zone to score points. As the name suggests, disc golf resembles “traditional” golf, but is played with a disk instead of a ball.

e Denver Summer Ultimate League is the oldest ultimate frisbee competition in the state, and just nished registration for its 2023 season.

Disc golf fans may nd more frequent playing options. In Arvada, the Johnny Roberts Disc Golf

Course and Birds Nest Disc Golf Course both operate at city parks.

Colorado Christian University operates a disc golf course in Lakewood, and Foothills Parks and Recreation operates the Fehringer Ranch Disc Golf Course in Morrison.

For those looking for a more secluded experience, the Wondervu Disc Golf Course in Golden is considered to be one of the most scenic — and challenging — courses around.

Parkour

According to gym owner Lorin Ball, the de nition of parkour is simple: “Using environment to get from point A to point B in the most e cient way possible.”

Ball is the owner of Flow Vault, a parkour and ninja warrior — yes, American Ninja Warrior — training gym in ornton. Flow Vault opened in 2008 and o ers classes to people ages 5 and up. His gym has even graduated some ninja warriors to the popular NBC show.

“It’s a full curriculum, similar to that of gymnastics, where you have di erent levels of progressions,” Ball said. “We’re training people to be more intentional with their movement and apply that to other sports or physical activities that they do.”

Other parkour gyms in the area include APEX Denver, Path Movement in Littleton and Ninja Intensity in Parker.

Aerial Adventures

Finally, Colorado has no shortage of arial adventure options. Ropes courses and adventure parks are plentiful in the Centennial State and are often and family-friendly way to recreate uniquely.

e Colorado Adventure Center is based in Idaho Springs,   e EDGE Ziplines and Adventures is in Castle Rock, and the Treehouse Adventure Park is based in Bailey.

A parkour class at Flow Vault in Thornton. COURTESY OF FLOW VAULT

A roller hockey team at Rocky Mountain Roller Hockey in Lakewood. PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN

CLOSURES

closing or consolidating, K-8 schools on average spend more than middle schools per student. One school, Coal Creek Canyon K-8, which is serving about 100 students, is spending $21,994 per student, more than 28% over the average per student cost at the district’s other K-8 schools.

Chalkbeat is a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools.

$9 billion Colorado education budget signed, but still doesn’t meet obligations for full funding

Jason Gonzales

Chalkbeat Colorado

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed the school nance act on Monday that will make signi cant increases in K-12 spending statewide next year. / Nathan W. Armes for Chalkbeat

Gov. Jared Polis on Monday signed into law Colorado’s school nance act, laying the path toward eliminating a state practice used since the Great Recession that holds back money from

In the 2023-24 school year, the state will spend more than $9 billion on education and withhold $141 million from schools. Statewide, spending per student next year will increase to $10,614, $1,000 more per student than this year.

e school nance bill also will fund state-authorized charter schools at a level similar to other schools starting in 2023-24, adding more than $42 million for those schools. State-authorized charter schools don’t get a cut of locally raised tax dollars as district schools do.

Rural schools will get $30 million more to help with their higher costs related to smaller student populations. Colorado rural schools have gotten similar state aid since 2017.

Polis, surrounded by lawmakers, educators, and students at ornton Elementary School, also signed two bills on Monday that will boost special education funding and provide statewide support for math instruction.

Together, the bills represent a signi cant investment in K-12 education statewide and a promise to fully meet the constitutionally set minimum for education spending by the 2024-25 school year.

means a stronger education system for Colorado, including better teacher pay, smaller class sizes, and more funding for the arts.

“We are catching up to where we should be for all public schools next year, and that’s very exciting news for Colorado kids,” he said during the bill signing.

Since 2009, lawmakers have diverted money that should go to K-12 schools to fund other priorities, a practice known as the Budget Stabilization Factor. is year’s school nance law, however, aims to eliminate that practice by the next budget year. e state has withheld over $10 billion from schools since 2009.

e constitution requires Colorado to increase funding yearly by the rate of student population growth plus in ation. e state withholding, however, has meant schools haven’t gotten what’s required by its school nance formula.

State Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat who chairs the Joint Budget Committee that helps craft the budget and school nance act, said the state will also meet its obligation to fully fund its share of special education.

more next year on special education, increasing total spending to about $340 million, or a 13% increase.

Polis also signed a bill that will invest more in teaching math after state and national tests showed students lost ground in that subject during the pandemic. e state will spend $25 million via three-year grants for after-school math tutoring programs that will be run by school districts, charter schools, and community groups.

e bill also will provide optional training for teachers and parents, o er evidence-based resources for math programs, and require teacher preparation programs to train prospective educators in math instruction.

Zenzinger said now that the state is on track to fully fund schools within the next budget cycle, she wants lawmakers to rethink what it costs to fully educate a student.

“It’s going to be really, really important that once we have established full funding, whether that is then adequate,” Zenzinger said.

Chalkbeat is a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools.

Thu 6/01

Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs: GoldenGrass Music Festival 2023 @ 7pm New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden

Daniella Katzir

Music: Daniella Katzir Band at Den‐ver Orchid Lounge @ 7pm Orchid Denver, 1448 Market St, Denver

Sat 6/03

Denver Makers Market @ Lakewood Casa Bonita Parking Lot @ 10am / Free

Rockin Block Party @ 5:30pm Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 South Yarrow Street, Lakewood. hca@lake wood.org, 303-987-7850

Soundularity: Intrinsic Collective: 360 Healing Music

Journey @ 6:30pm

Intrinsic Collective, 922 Washing‐ton Ave suite 200, Golden

CD Ghost @ 8pm

Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

Drifting Roots with Weege @ 8pm HQ, 60 S Broadway, Denver

Mon 6/05

Finn O'Sullivan: Sofar Sounds @ 7:30pm

Sofar Sounds, Denver

Julia Wolf @ 8pm

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

Sunstoney @ 8pm

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, 1624 Market St, Denver

anees @ 8pm Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave., Denver

Somatoast @ 8:30pm

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

Fri 6/02

The Back Box Presents: Skysia with M�nity & Stoik @ 7pm

The Black Box, 314 E 13th Ave, Denver

VINCINT

@ 8pm Meow Wolf Denver | Convergence Station, 1338 1st St, Denver

Denver Makers Market @ Casa Bonita, 6677 West Colfax Avenue, Denver. dmmvendors@gmail.com, 720-525-5645 veggi @ 1pm X Denver, 3100 Inca St, Denver

Giant Walking Robots @ 5:30pm Goosetown Station, 514 9th St, Golden

Fresh Fruit @ 8pm Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, 1624 Market St, Denver

Sun 6/04

Taylor Scott Band: Taylor Scott & Jon Wirtz duo @ 11am Gregory Plaza, Denver

FORGOTTEN SPACE @ 6pm So Many Roads Brewery, 918 W 1st Ave, Denver

Club Seating: Paramount TheatreStraight Up With Stassi Live @ 7pm / $49.50

Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm, Denver

Tue 6/06

Kurt Travis @ 6pm

Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

WHOKILLEDXIX @ 8pm

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

Wed 6/07

City Park Denver Public Art Sunset Tour @ 7pm Denver Arts and Venues, Varies Locations for Public Art Tours, Denver

NOT A TOY @ 7pm

Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

Todd Day Wait @ 7:30pm

Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver

Spirit Mother @ 8pm Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver

A 70s love story from Casa Bonita

Former cli diver reflects before restaurant reopening

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It was the 1970s: a time when “dinner and a show” could mean just about anything. And Casa Bonita on West Colfax Avenue in Lakewood was one of those just-about-any-

Meet Eddy!

thing places.

It could seat up to 1,100 patrons, entertaining them while they waited on their food.

e restaurant, expected to soon reopen following a major renovation by new owners and “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, doubled as a kind of circus back then.

Michael Romero of Denver remembers it all. He was a cli diver and performer at the restaurant from 1975 to 1981. He made $10 an hour — a pretty penny those days — and he was young, and got to do what he loved. Not only that, he found something greater: meeting Dawn, the love of his life, on the cli s he jumped o of.

“She was the rst girl they hired as a diver when they opened up,” Romero said. “She was so beautiful. I thought she was out of my league when I rst met her, even though I was a bit of a stud myself. I saw her on the cli , and apparently she was looking for me, too.”

It was the day after Halloween, 1975. Romero had been a collegiate diver and gymnast at Memphis State University, and was invited to be an entertainer at Casa Bonita based on his reputation. Dawn was a standout

Michael and Dawn Romero got married on January 8, 1977 after working at Casa Bonita together.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL ROMERO

SEE LOVE STORY, P31

Ethan Kerstiens

Arvada West High School

Tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Ethan Kerstiens. I’m a graduating high school senior at Arvada West High School.

As a student-athlete, I’ve played soccer, football, basketball and track and have a strong academic record with a 4.2 GPA in honors classes. I spend my free time volunteering with the National Honor Society. I have earned 11 athletic letters and four academic letters in my high school career and have earned academic allstate in every sport I’ve played as a junior and senior. I recently committed to the Colorado School of Mines and I am going to study computer science.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

School was scary and di erent during COVID. e shift from learning fully in person to being half online and half in the classroom was a strange shock to most kids. It gave me a new perspective on relationships and working with others. During my sophomore year, I presented a chapter of an English text with my friend. We had to dress in nice clothes for the assignment even though we were at home. Even though we talked to 30 kids and our teacher, it was a surreal experience that didn’t even feel like a presentation because of the split learning environment.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address post-graduation and how do you plan to do that?

Moving forward, I feel that my generation has to help solve many of the world’s biggest problems. In the eld of computer science, working with my peers, I will help improve the world by developing technology that makes people’s lives better. e software and hardware tools that I develop will help those who use the technology to do great things such as addressing pollution, climate change, and world hunger. ere are so many di culties that we face every day. After graduation, I plan to start my journey with an open mind, dedicated to helping the world through technology.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years I will make an impact on the world. Right now I don’t know what that will be, and I want to help make the world a better place. ere are endless paths that I can choose. I want to make a name for myself by engineering technical solutions that help future generations and make amazing contributions to society. While I don’t know exactly what those will be, or what the world will look like in 20 years, I know that I will be successful because I care about others, and I know how to adapt and persevere.

Kivrin Paschall

Arvada West High School

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I have been involved in Sparkles and Arvada West eatre Company all four years of high school.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

Being involved in the eatre Company. My favorite shows would be “Dearly Departed” and “Addams Family.” And Sparkles; Being involved in the di erent assemblies and performing at football or basketball games.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address postgraduation and how do you plan to do that?

I would like to continue my love for theatre

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In the theatre- on house crew.

Gabriele Hanson Arvada West High School

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am lucky enough to be a part of the Arvada West eatre Company, Vice President of Choir, part of Vocal Chords, and Camerata (our mixed and treble acapella groups), and Student Council. I have tried my hardest to get involved with as many clubs and activities as I could. Obviously, many of these groups involve the performing arts, but I’ve found a home within them, and have truly loved working with everyone. I plan to continue enriching this in college even if it isn’t what I’m majoring in.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

It’s hard to pinpoint just one memory, but for me, I think it was experiencing my last time on stage at Arvada West. For our spring musical, we put on a production of Bright Star, where I played Mama Murphy. Truly theatre has meant the most to me, and it’s de nitely where I put the majority of my effort. In that moment, I got to see the fruits of all our e orts, while holding hands with my fellow seniors. e bright lights were on us and everyone in that audience got to see us ugly-crying under bright stage lights.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address postgraduation and how do you plan to do that?

For at least the rst part of my time in high school, I didn’t speak very often. I thought that someone else would always have something better to say and that my voice shouldn’t be the loudest in the room. I would see people get trampled over and

end up, but right now I’m leaning towards something in the medical eld. I am attending University of Colorado Boulder, and majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. I wanted to join this eld because I want everyone to have equal access to healthcare. So, as my dream is to become a cardiothoracic surgeon, if that changes to support that issue, all the better. I just want to help people in whatever way I can.

Andie Wessell Bear Creek

High School

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I’ve been involved with the jazz band, marching band and wind ensemble at Bear Creek, and have made the all-county honor band my junior and senior year. I was the Drum Major of the marching band for three consecutive years. I’ve played varsity soccer for 4 years, and one year of varsity basketball. I earned MVP for soccer in my junior year. I’ve also been involved with NHS and the poetry club for the past two years. I am attending Oregon State University majoring in Bioengineering, and will hopefully add a minor in Religious Studies or Music.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

My most enduring memory from high school was the rst test I failed. I’ve failed plenty of times but none of them were as clear as that big red F. I remember it so vividly because it was the rst time I had to go to a teacher and ask for help. I was embarrassed and upset with myself, but looking back I know that it’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to fail. I learned to ask for help and to always try my best, even if I fail.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address postgraduation and how do you plan to do that?

Honestly, there are too many to count. But, a start would be to begin helping and working with Mother Earth to begin healing her and securing the future of human

called Earth2OSU which connects students

Taylor Beneteau Ralston Valley High School

Tell us a little bit about yourself I did cheerleading for all four years of my high school experience. I did Warren Tech for intro to Nursing. My plans after graduation are to continue in nursing but I don’t know if I am going to college yet.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

My most enduring memory from my high school career is winning regionals freshman year for cheer!

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Some of the clubs and activities I have been involved with throughout my HighSchool experience have included Student Senate (four years), cross country (four years), soccer freshman and sophomore year, track freshman to junior year, golf senior year, NHS, our Rebel Way class, and I was a peer mentor. After graduation, I will study abroad for my rst semester in Florence, Italy and then attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

I think the most enduring memory from my high school career would be our annual Day of Service, which is a day that our school dedicates to giving back and serving our community. It’s

but to my future. Even though it may be a small change or impact, I want to make that change for the better.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

At 37 years old, I see myself doing whatever I want to be doing! Not in the sense of I’m rich and famous and can do whatever I’d like, rather that 17-year-old me has no clue what 37-year-old me is going to be up to. I have an idea of who I am and who I want to be, but I still have a long way to go and so much to learn. All I hope to be doing is loving life and myself.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address postgraduation and how do you plan to do that?

I want to be in the medical field and I don’t know if I want to wait to go into nursing school right away or wait. Also, there are many nursing options I can pick from.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I hope I am still in the medical field and have my own family and am able to look back on amazing memories from high school.

Jersey Jamison Columbine High School

a special day that the Columbine community can come together to remember, re ect and shine a positive light in the face of tragedy. It’s also really special to see the unity among so many di erent groups of people and communities, not only across the country but the world as well.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address post-graduation and how do you plan to do that?

Post-graduation, I hope to make it a goal of mine to continue getting involved with as many groups as I can to expand my outreach and grow through gaining new perspectives. As a society, it’s hard for me to see how divided we can feel at times so I hope and feel drawn to address issues regarding the polarization

of people. I think we could all do better at showing a little more empathy and understanding towards those who have di erent perspectives than ourselves.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

At this point, it’s di cult for me to see where I will be in 20 years careerwise because I haven’t decided what I want to study yet, but right now I’m considering the pre-med tract to becoming a doctor or possibly pre-law but that’s still up in the air. However, I hope to have a family and be making some kind of positive impact on the world through my profession. Also, as much as I love Colorado and it’s my home, I have a large interest in travel, so maybe I’ll be living somewhere new!

Allie Westfall Conifer High School

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Bobby King Faith Christian High School

During high school, I participated in robotics, men’s volleyball, student council, worship team, and “ e Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” play.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

My most enduring memory from High School has to be the time when my robotics team won a local competition, leading to us going to state and having a spot in the national competition.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address post-graduation and how do you plan to do that?

Currently, I spend most of my time dancing at Peak Academy of Dance however I am also involved with other jobs and clubs in my area. I am president of Conifer high school’s green team, called Keep Conifer Green, as well as my National Honors Society for Dance Arts chapter at my dance studio. I am also working at Rocky Mountain Wraps in Conifer and as a dance teacher of aerial fabrics. Next year I will be attending UCLA for environmental science and hope to continue to be involved in sustainable living there.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

One of my most enduring memories from being in high school was of one of my nal days in AP chemistry during my junior year. With my teacher, Mr. Bunnell, we tie-dyed shirts and made soap bubbles that could be lit on re. Mr. Bunnell, as well as many of my other teachers at Conifer, have created amazing memories to take with me onto the next chapter of my life and I don’t think I could have made it through high school without them.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address postgraduation and how do you plan to do that?

I have always been drawn towards the environment and feel that it is necessary for me, and my generation as a whole, to address the climate crisis and the vast affects it will have on everyone. Going into environmental science, I hope to nd my niche in helping the planet whether that’s in renewable energy, reforestation, environmental policy, or any other helpful topic.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years I see myself working for a company helping to raise awareness of climate change as well as help society to transition to a carbon-negative way of living. No matter where I am living I want to in uence those around me to be better,

Going forward I want to go into the eld of Nuclear Engineering where I want to work towards and clean and renewable source of energy. I nd myself drawn to address the problem of homelessness due to the rising cost of living. I would hope that my eld would nd a way to reduce the cost of living to also reduce homelessness.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years I see myself working in research and development to bring about new discoveries and working to improve the community around me. I also see myself getting married and having Children.

Phoebe Smith

Columbine High School

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I played volleyball for all four years and was also a part of the student government. I plan to attend Utah State University to study elementary education.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

Being a part of student government, especially at Columbine, has been the biggest blessing in my life and not only shaped my high school career but also who I am today. All the late nights spent at a school that felt like home with people that made me laugh until I cried are something I never want to forget.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address post-graduation and how do you plan to do that?

I have had incredible teachers throughout my entire life that have loved me and impacted my life in so many ways. If there is anything that kids need today, it’s love and support and for someone to believe in them. I want to be that kind of support system and make whatever impact I can which is why I’m going into elementary education.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I see myself hopefully back in the Columbine community teaching awesome kids with a family of my own. I’ve always wanted to be a mom and raising my kids in this community and doing what I love is the ultimate dream.

Jacob Samples

Faith Christian High School

Tell us a little bit about yourself roughout high school, I have participated in student council, football, wrestling, worship team and senior chaplain group. After graduating, I plan on going to Carroll College in Helena, Montana where I will begin pre-medical studies.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

My most enduring memory from my high school career was when we had a chapel about fellowship and the power of confession. Following this we had some time where we could practice what we have learned and during this time about 8-9 students and sta came to me and confessed or asked me to pray over them.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address post-graduation and how do you plan to do that?

Post-graduation, I want to battle the opioid crisis in America. I plan on doing this by teaching other doctors about the dangers of opioids and what prescriptions can e ectively be used beside them. Also, I have witnessed this crisis

rst hand and I can share how tragic opioids can be for a family.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years, I want to have my own surgical practice. In this practice, I want to be able to provide a ordable surgery to low-income kids who are born with bone deformities.

Cooper Bower-Stallings

Ralston Valley High School

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I was in Ralston Valley Marching band for my Freshman and Sophomore years, I went to Warren Tech for Additive Manufacturing for my Junior and Senior years and worked with NASA HUNCH for both of those years as a contract engineer. After graduation, I plan on getting an automotive technician apprenticeship over the summer and going to Mines in the next school year, and getting a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Automotive specialty.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

My most enduring memory from high school would be being quali ed and sent to Houston to present my project to NASA engineers because it meant that I worked hard enough to make a prototype worthy of presenting to NASA, and I think I will always be proud of putting in that work to get there.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address post-graduation and how do you plan to do that?

Moving forward, I feel like the issues I would like to address would be all the outdated technology that is still prominent in certain industries that are ine cient and pollutionary. I would like to innovate those technologies so they can be more e cient and clean but still as powerful so that we can take good steps towards keeping those industries alive without hurting our environment.

Gabriele Devine

Ralston Valley High School

allows me to have variety in my work that helps a ing and involving additive manufacturing, which

ing, I want to be working on my own project cars, making them cars that I can drive daily, but can still take to tracks and dominate the competition. I hope to be good at everything I do in the future, which with enough experience and practice is more than obtainable.

I am a student athletic trainer. I shadow my trainer as we help prevent, rehabilitate, and recover injured athletes. I don’t have the capabilities to diagnose injuries but I do specialize in taping, rehab, and wound care. It is important to give the best care to have a speedy recovery. But the most important aspect of my job is connecting with athletes to ensure they are comfortable and to know their care is safe in our hands. After graduation, I plan on attending the University of Hawaii to pursue a career in Athletic Training or as a Physician Assistant.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

e most enduring memory from my high school career was trying to endure learning online during COVID. As a student who learns from teaching and practice, learning through a screen was di cult for me. I had to use what I got from online lectures to basically teach myself with little to no motivation.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address post-graduation and how do you plan to do that?

Going forward, my role in society will denitely change as I graduate as a high school student and student athletic trainer. I fear that I won’t be as dedicated or motivated by something else as much as I have been by my experiences in high school but I know that my passion will lead me to something that I can help bene t.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years I see myself in some sort of profession that helps people. As of right now, I am choosing between going down the path of Athletic Training or being a Physician Assistant. I love the idea of both options because I know that I can use my knowledge to help others.

Tell us a little bit about yourself I have always found enjoyment in busying myself with new opportunities whether it be academically, socially, or even personally. One of the more grateful opportunities was continuing my four-year program of PLTW Biomedical Sciences that have allowed me to decide to continue my education in Biomedical engineering at CU Denver.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

The most enduring memory of my high school career was always feeling behind. By the beginning of senior year, it seemed everyone knew where they would have liked to go, what to major in and yet I was busy trying to just settle in. But the truth is no one knows where our future lies we can only control

Faith Christian High School

Tell us a little bit about yourself

My freshmen and sophomore year I was involved in the Faith Christian Vex Robotics Club, where I developed my love for engineering. I’ve taken three years of STEM within my school and enjoyed every second of it. I have been a part of the National Honors Society for three years, along with making the high honor roll for three years. Next year I plan to attend the Colorado School of Mines and major in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on Aerospace.

What is the most enduring memory from your high school career?

One of my core memories from high school would be from my freshmen year of high school when I won my first Robotics competition in Vex Robotics. When I joined Robotics during my freshmen year, I went in with low expectations and didn’t expect a small club to have so much impact on my life and reveal the passion I had for STEM. By winning the Vex Robotics tournament, I was inspired to continue working toward gaining knowledge and experience to fuel my love for STEM.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address postgraduation and how do you plan to do that? roughout high school, I’ve not only developed a passion for STEM but I have also grown a passion to see other girls pursuing STEM. My goal is to enter college and to continue to inspire other girls to work past gender barriers and nd their place in engineering. Currently, I’ve been working with the female students at Faith Christian Middle School who are interested in STEM. is club has been ourishing, and I hope to grow the “Girls in STEM” club to involve other surrounding junior high and elementary schools, tapping into the brilliant minds that live in female bodies.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years, I see myself with a degree in aerospace engineering pursuing a career as an engineer for the rockets that will be sending humans to Mars. In 20 years, I will have become an inspiration for other girls like myself – girls who have spent years being the only girl in their STEM classes. I will be continuing to encourage these girls to push themselves to learn and grow and to push down barriers that stand in their way.

the present. The choice is ours, let’s just hope we make the right one.

Talk about your role in society going forward. What issues do feel drawn to address post-graduation and how do you plan to do that?

An issue I intend to address postgraduation is poverty and the large population of homeless all over the country. My plan is to join the Denver Rescue Mission helping hands on the local Denver Community, a city I dearly love.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years I see myself as a biomedical engineer, taking care of my family, with possibly three pets and giving back everything my parents deserve.

Stutzman finally wins her state titles in record-setting fashion

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

LAKEWOOD — “YES!”

Pomona senior Emma Stutzman still had enough energy for a victorious scream after running the Class 5A girls 3,200-meter run in a time of 10 minutes, 12.68 seconds May 19 at Je co Stadium.

After a handful of close calls on the track and cross country over four years, Stutzman nally captured her rst individual high school state title.

“It feels about as good as you think it would feel,” Stutzman said about standing atop the podium for the rst time in a state event during her highly decorated prep career.

In Stutzman’s rst race of the 3-day state meet, the senior led from start-to- nish in the 3,200. Stutzman was also one of the favorites in the 800 and 1,600 nal later in the meet. “ ere was a lot of excitement, but a little bit of it was relief that I did it,” Stutzman said of her victory in the 3,200. “ e rst race is always little more nerve-wracking than the other ones because you don’t know exactly how you fell. You don’t know exactly how you are going to react in that rst one.”

Air Academy junior Bethan Michalak, who came in as the top seed, couldn’t keep up with Stutzman on the nal 300 meters.

“Coming around with about 250 (meters) left probably,” Stutzman said when she really felt she was going to win. “I was like, ‘It’s all or nothing.’ I had to be on my toes and was telling myself I was OK. I just had to do it. At 250 I felt nobody could catch me. is was my race.”

Stutzman’s face looked a little stressed with two laps remaining, but she was con dent that the pace was manageable enough that she could nish strong in the nal 200 meters.

Valor senior Brooke Wilson, who edged out Stutzman in the 5A girls cross country championship race last Fall, nished third in a time of 10:28.49.

“It is a little bit o now,” Stutzman said of the pressure in her nal high school state meet before heading o to run for Northern Arizona University. “Now it becomes even more fun because there isn’t that worry.”

Stutzman had placed in the top-4 of the 1,600 and 3,200 at the state meet the past two years. As a sophomore she took third in the 1,600 and runner-up in the 3,200. Last year, she took fourth in both the 1,600 and

3,200. e COVID-19 pandemic canceled the state track and eld championships Stutzman’s freshman year.

On the cross country side, Stutzman nished in the top-10 all four years. She took 4th (freshman), 3rd (sophomore), 9th (junior) and 2nd (senior) during her cross country career at Pomona.

“I’m glad I don’t have to worry about it anymore,” said Stutzman, who will run at Northern Arizona University next Fall.

About 90 minutes after winning the 3,200 she ran in the 5A girls 800 nal. Stutzman was in contention to win her second state title in less than 2 hours, but Denver East sophomore Rosie Mucharsky was able to pull away in the nal 200 meters to take the victory in a time of 2:09.57. Stutzman nished 2nd with a time of 2:11.32.

Stutzman nished o her prep career May 20 in record-setting fashion. She set a new all-time Colorado mark and state record in the girls 1,600 with a time of 4:39.94. e previous marks of 4:44.13 (all-time Colorado) and 4:45.96 (state) were both set by Cherry Creek’s Riley Stewart in 2021.

“I wanted to beat my school record that I set back in my sophomore year,” Stutzman said when asked if she was going after Stewart’s marks.

“I never thought I would do that. I’m speechless.”

Michalak led the race for the majority of the race until the nal lap. Stutzman started her kick with about 300 meters to go and nished nearly 3 seconds ahead of the Air Academy junior.

“ e last race at Je co, to make it a win, to make in a school and state record is just crazy to think,” Stutzman said. “I’m just happy I was able to do it.”

Stutzman’s performance in here

nal state meet de nitely cemented her legacy as one of the top distant runners to ever come out of not only Je co, but Colorado.

“If you come to practice everyday with the same goal, you do the same thing consistently and you build yourself a good mindset you can do anything,” Stutzman said.

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

Pomona senior Emma Stutzman, left, has a laugh with Valor senior Brooke Wilson after Stutzman won the Class 5A girls 3,200-meter run during the track and field state championships May 19 at Je co Stadium in Lakewood. The victory was Stutzman’s first state championship title during her four-year prep career at Pomona.

PHOTOS BY DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Pomona senior Emma Stutzman reacts after breaking the all-Colorado and state record in the girls 1,600-meter run at the state track and field championships May 20 at Je co Stadium in Lakewood.

State Track and Field

Green Mountain junior Eva Bellot attempts to clear 5-foot-7 during the Class 4A girls high jump state competition May 19 at Je co Stadium. Bellot won the event after being the only competitor to clear 5-foot-6.

Golden sophomore Cameron Shull (9) sprints toward the finish-line during the Class 4A boys 800-meter run May 19 at Je co Stadium. Shull finished on the podium with an 8th place finish in a time of 1:55.74.

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LOVE STORY

diver and gymnast at Arvada West High School, where she coached the men’s diving team after graduating.

Casa Bonita was run by an entertainment manager formerly from the Ringling Bros. Circus, Romero explained, who was a trapeze ier and gymnast, at the time. Funny enough, the manager and Romero had connections in common, leading to his quick hiring.

But when Romero got hired, he said he was expected to do a bit more than diving and gymnastics. During his tenure, he’d have to make some costume changes, too.

“ e original entertainment manager, he and his wife were the typical circus family. ey lived in this big truck-mounted camper and they traveled with the circus,”

Romero said. “We all had to learn how to juggle re clubs. ere was a gun ght. I was a stuntman as well.”  at meant he had to wear cowboy hats and all kinds of out ts. One act was Romero’s favorite. In a King Kong-ish reenactment, he’d don a gorilla suit. In the act, he would throw a woman o one of the cli s, into the water below, and then jump in after her.

“I’m the only man in the world that can say he got to dress up in a gorilla suit at Casa Bonita and throw his wife o a cli , and still be married to her 46 years later,” he said, laughing. e two married in 1977 and had their son, Zachary, in 1978.

Romero is now looking at the past — Casa Bonita’s reputation for good times, but bland, but “not horrible,” food — with a heavy heart. He’s excited about the reopening to see if the great parts of the restaurant are preserved and other parts are better than before,

but it will be a bittersweet return. Dawn passed away a few weeks ago.

“It was such a storybook story. My wife was really just the sweetest thing. Absolutely stunning. Captured the whole room,” he said.

After her diving days, she became a third-grade teacher at Stedman Elementary School in Denver’s Park Hill for 35 years, where she a ected countless lives.

“She was so, so good at her job. at’s probably the thing she’ll be remembered for the most. She’s so loved in the Park Hill community. She taught in the same classroom for 35 years,” he said.

He and his family will return when it opens and he’s anxious to see what it turns out to be, even though “everyone is worried it will become a ‘South Park’ amusement park,” or something.

Romero hopes for the best. He’s curious about claims the menu will improve, and hopes the entertain -

ment talent gets paid what they’re worth, like he did during his time there.

e exact reopening date is still to be determined, though the restaurant has promoted a “Grand Reopening” in May.

He was excited to return with Dawn to the place that gave them the best gift of all: a lifetime of memories, a love story, and a family to carry it on.

“She always said it was love at rst sight. She went home and called her aunt or grandma and said she met the man she was going to marry, before we even went on a date,” Romero said. “We’ve always taken people there. We were denitely going to be back. We feel like we’re part of the history there.”

When Romero goes to see the improved Casa Bonita, he’ll be thinking of Dawn.

“It’s really bittersweet right now because she really wanted to go,” Romero said.

reserves the right to award less than the maximum vouchers available or requested.

Note: Participation in the PBV Program requires

compliance with Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Requirements, and Federal Labor Standards will apply to eligible projects.

Application can be obtained from the Arvada Housing Authority’s website: Website: https://arvada.org/residents/city-neighborhoods/ section-8-housing-choice-voucher-program

All applications should be submitted via email to dkothe@arvada.org. Only applications in response to this invitation will be accepted