State courts strike down unlimited time for abuse claims

Legislature had hoped to extend statute of limitations for victims

BY JESSE PAUL AND ELLIOTT WENZLER THE COLORADO SUN

When a group of Colorado lawmakers in 2020 sought to end the state’s statute of limitations for lawsuits in child sex assault cases, some victims and victims’ advocates wanted them to try to go even further.

eir request was that Colorado give victims of abuse for whom the statute of limitations had expired a window to sue not only their abusers, but also organizations that shielded the perpetrators or negligently allowed the abuse to continue.

BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e front door at a house o ornton’s 118t2h Avenue has three signs.

On top is a woodcut that displays the name “Namazi” proudly. Directly underneath are two campaign signs. One signals support for City Council candidate Roberta e nonpartisan O ce of Legislative Legal Services, which o ers state lawmakers legal advice, said such a window would violate the state’s constitution, which prohibits the General Assembly from reviving a claim for which the statute of limitations has run out. It turns out that opinion held merit. e Colorado Supreme Court last week struck down the part of Senate Bill 88, a law passed by the legislature in 2021, giving victims of child sex abuse dating back to the 1960s a threeyear window starting on Jan. 1, 2022, to le lawsuits against their abusers and the institutions or organizations that failed to stop the abuse. e high court’s decision was unanimous.

Namazi is better known by another name, Danny Kulmann, in political circles and on social media. It turns out that’s the same last name as Mayor Jan Kulmann, though he’s not related. And, it seems like an odd coincidence coming from the man behind the door that has a sign supporting Kulmann’s adversary in the mayor’s race.

Kulmann, for her part, is concerned about it and alleges that Namazi is trying to hurt her political image and that sometimes Namazi’s actions have left her feeling scared.

Namazi has made himself seen at events around town – and in the garb of a pro-MAGA supporter, acting like the mayor’s biggest fan. He touts former President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” and his Danny Kulmann name as he shadows Mayor Kulmann on the campaign trail seeking reelection to what would be a nal term in the o ce.

GOCO $350K grant goes to the High Line Canal preservation work e grant is part of GOCO’s Land Acquisition program, which supports urban and rural landscape, waterway, and habitat protection priorities and improves access to the outdoors. e High Line Canal is in a time of transition as its owner, Denver Water, reduces its reliance on the Canal for irrigation delivery. e High Line Canal Conservancy is planning for its future as a recreational, ecological, historical, and stormwater resource.

E orts to protect the High Line Canal as a regional open space picked up a $350,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado.

High Line Canal is a 71-mile, 860acre corridor provides valuable recreation access for the Denver-metro region. It winds through some of its most diverse communities, connecting neighbors to schools, community centers, and more than 8,000 acres of parks and open spaces. e canal spans communities in Denver, Douglas, Adams, and Arapahoe Counties, passing through a diversity of Front Range ecosystems along the way.

Platte Valley Medical Center earns recognition for breastfeeding program

Platte Valley Medical Center is one of 45 hospitals recognized by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for e orts to promote breastfeeding and o er healthier food and beverage options through the Colorado Healthy Hospital Compact and Colorado Baby-Friendly Hospital Collaborative. e initiatives are part of the state’s work to promote healthy eating and active living to reduce rates of death and disease from chronic illness among Coloradans.

Platte Valley was recognized at the Gold Level for the Healthy Hospital Compact.

Learn more about the Colorado Healthy Hospital Compact and the Colorado Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative at cdphe.colorado.gov/colorado-healthy-hospital-compact and at BreastfeedColorado.com.

National Night Out returns to Northglenn National Night Out, an annual celebration of community and of community policing returns to Northglenn Aug. 1 and the city is looking for volunteers to host block party events in their neighborhoods.

National Night Out is back in the neighborhoods of Northglenn – be a part of it!

Volunteers will meet and visit with neighbors, rst responders and local o cials while feasting on a potluck during a glorious Colorado summer evening.

For more information or to sign up, contact O cer Chris Miller at cmiller@northglenn.org or 303.450.8852, or O cer Jeramie Lund at jlund@ northglenn.org or 303.450.8850.

A Stroll in the Garden for CASA e Court Appointed Special Advo- cate program, or CASA, for the 11th Judicial District is promoting one of its major fundraisers now scheduled for September.

CASA is inviting supporters to come enjoy a Stroll in the Garden at this year’s Indulge for CASA Gala from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 13 at Denver’s Balistreri Vineyards, 1946 E 66th Ave. is Garden Party will be full of delicious food and drinks, fantastic auction prizes, exciting entertainment, and more! Indulge for CASA is presented by the Kenneth & Myra Monfort Charitable Foundation.

CASA’s mission is to provide courtappointed volunteer advocacy for children and youth from the child welfare system so every child can be safe, have a permanent home, and have the opportunity to thrive.

Healthy Farmers Markets

Adams County and Anythink Libraries are o ering Healthy Farmers Markets in ornton for residents this summer through Sept. 28.

e markets will provide $20 produce vouchers for residents who are 65+ or are enrolled in WIC, SNAP, or Medicaid. ere will also be recipes and nutrition information available.

Tuesday markets will be from 9 a.m. to noon through Sept. 26, at Anythink Huron, 9417 Huron St.

ursday markets will be from 9 a.m. to noon through Sept. 28, at Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 E. 120th Ave.

See all upcoming Adams County outreach events at adcogov.org/outreach-events.

Legacy Foundation hosts golf invitational e Westminster Legacy Foundation is hosting the 15th Annual J & Nancy Heil Tribute Golf Invitational on July 31 at Legacy Ridge Golf Course. e proceeds from the 2023 Heil Golf Invitation will advance the artistic, cultural and academic success for the students that are participating in the performing arts at Westminster High School. e funds raised will help with out tting with uniforms and updating instruments for the Mariachi Band, equipping students playing in the orchestra and providing extra instructional coaching for students who want to learn how to better play, sing or act. Proceeds will also provide scholarships to two graduating seniors. e link to sponsor or register is https://westyfoundation.networkforgood.com/events/54139-15th-annualj-nancy-heil-tribute-invitationalgolf-tournament.

Work Options FREE Culinary Training Program

e Adams County Human Services Department is partnering with local nonpro t Work Options to provide a free culinary training program for residents.

Program participants train with professional chefs over a six-week course and earn certi cations and up to $400 per month. Work Options also o ers food truck internships.

In addition to the training program, Work Options provides the Human

Services Center 11860 Pecos St., Westminster, with a full menu of breakfast and lunch options including breakfast burritos, pastries, burgers, pizza, daily specials, and more in the Mountain View Café. e café is located on the third oor of HSC.

Learn more about the program at workoptions.org.

State youth council needs members e Colorado legislature’s nonpartisan Colorado Youth Advisory Council has openings for new members across the state for the 2023-25 term. e Youth Advisory Council is a statewide organization dedicated to youth-led civic service learning. Youth members lead policy committees that analyze issues and policies that impact youth across Colorado. Policy work can include making recommendations about current policies or advocating for new ones. Council members conduct research, write problem/ solution statements, meet with subject matter experts, build relationships with legislators, and seek feedback from their peers and communities. e Colorado Legislature created the youth advisory council in 2008 to give Colorado’s youth ages 14-19 a voice in lawmaking. Youth council members work each summer to propose policy ideas to a committee of legislators. Each summer, students present policy proposals to legislators. During the last two years, several policies the youth council identi ed became law, including increased crisis services, higher education programs for fostered youth, educational standards and efforts to prevent eating disorders.

Applications are due June 19. State organizers plan to host an informational session for applicants at 6 p.m. June 14. Find info at www.coyac.org/ apply.

Anythink mySummer returns

Anythink’s annual mySummer initiative returns with programs inspired by the theme of “Let’s Play.” is year’s summer experience includes opportunities for local residents to learn in fun, new ways, nd joy through games and embrace carefree moments.

Anythink has partnered with Colorado artist Jessica Moon BernsteinSchiano to o er art workshops for children at Anythink Commerce City and adults at Anythink Huron Street. In addition, community members can expect visits with live goats, children’s improv workshops with 5280 eater Company, gaming sessions with Denver Extreme Game Truck and interactive performances by the Colorado Symphony.

Bernstein-Schiano also crafted “Animal Lore,” a card deck exclusively available when participants register for mySummer at their local Anythink. Limited edition poster prints of the “Animal Lore” illustrations will be available for purchase at the Anythink Backyard Concert Series. Funds raised will support the Anythink Foundation. Community members are encouraged to sign up online and visit their local Anythink to kick o mySummer 2023.