Parker Chronicle July 10, 2025 by Colorado Community Media

Cops swap badges for aprons

Parker police help raise funds for Special Olympics Colorado

When you’re greeted at a Chili’s restaurant, you typically don’t expect your server to be wearing a police uniform.

But for one day at the Chili’s on Twenty Mile Road in Parker, smiles were exchanged, st bumps were given and stories

were shared as o cers with the Parker Police Department traded in their badges for aprons for a good cause.

“When an o cer is walking up to your car, it might be a different situation,” said Jan Gordon, Special Olympics Colorado’s chief development o cer.

“But when they’re walking up to your table (in a restaurant), it’s really a way for them to get to know their community and for the community to get to know them.”

e Parker police, including cadets from its Explorers program, were among numer-

ous law enforcement agencies across the state participating in the annual Tip-A-Cop event, a nationwide fundraiser for Special Olympics.

Whether it was pouring drinks, serving food, washing dishes or talking with customers, the o cers served alongside athletes to raise funds and awareness for the organization.

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics, which is a nonpro t organization, has become the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Parker Water o ers ways to save

Although summer is already underway, there are still ways to reduce irrigation use on your landscape and save both wa-

With July and August reaching the highest temperatures of the year, it’s a time when residents’ landscapes need the most water. But, Heather Johnson, a water e ciency specialist at Parker Water and Sanitation District, said the summer also has the highest potential to conserve

“If we can learn how to irrigate e ciently without leaks, without broken heads or just wasting water, we can save a lot of water for homes,” said Johnson. “It also a ects our pocketbooks.”

While the water district encourages conservation e orts, there is a di erence between water e ciency e orts and con-

Conservation refers to measures that provide veri able, permanent water savings or a reduction in the amount consumed. E ciency focuses on reducing the amount of water waste and only using the minimum amount needed to accom-

erefore, the Parker and Water Sanitation District, which serves customers within the Town of Parker and surrounding communities, o er programs and rebates for purchasing and installing irrigation products that use less water.

“ ese rebates are applied to your water

Customers can receive rebates for installing EPA WaterSense approved smart irrigation devices. One is a rotary nozzle head. Customers can receive a rebate of $5 per head, up to $100.

ey can also receive a rebate of $50 for purchasing a rain sensor. e sensor is a controller that attaches to your house and connects to the irrigation box. When it rains, if a certain amount of rain is collected, it will send a signal to the irrigation controller to have it skip a cycle.

Its goal is to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities and provide opportunities for physical tness and courage.

Special Olympics aims to offer year-round sports training and athletic competition in various sports. e organization also provides opportunities for individuals to demonstrate courage and improve their health.

e organization boasts millions of athletes across the world, and there are nearly

ere is another $50 rebate for customers who purchase a smart irrigation controller. is controller is connected to weather data and adjusts the homeowner’s irrigation schedule based on realtime conditions.

“Depending on how you set it up, it will reduce your water use if it’s raining or if we’ve had low temperatures, and increases when we have extra high temperatures,” Johnson said.

Funds for these devices are given on a rst-come- rst-served basis, Johnson said, and the o er will close when the funds have been used for the calendar year.

Aislyn Ball, Michael Iranfar and Stephanie Gherbaz with the Parker Police Department stand together in a Chili’s restaurant while taking part in an annual Tip-A-Cop fundraising event. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

A legal newspaper of general circulation in Parker, Colorado, the Chronicle is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 115 Wilcox St., Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

Send address change to: Parker Chronicle, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

Call ﬁrst: Castle Rock, CO 80104

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: 303-566-4100

Web: ParkerChronicle.net

To subscribe call 303-566-4100

Scan this QR Code

STEVE T. STRICKBINE President steve@timeslocalmedia.com

NADINE JOHNSON Director of Operations nadine@timeslocalmedia.com

NICK OLIVERI Director of Sales nick@timeslocalmedia.com

COURTNEY OLDHAM Production and Design Director production@timelocalmedia.com

CHRISTY STEADMAN

South Metro Editor csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

HALEY LENA Community Editor hlena@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ERIN ADAMS Advertising Director eadams@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Chronicle.

We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Tues. for the following week’s paper.

Sheri ’s o ce to teach kids bicycle, safety skills

First presentation is slated for July 19 at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As kids grab their scooters and bikes to embark on summertime adventures, bike instructors with the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce are providing an opportunity for youth to not only improve their biking skills, but gain a better understanding of the rules of the road. e sheri ’s o ce has partnered with the Douglas County School District to host the county’s rst Eye-Five Transportation and Road safety event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 19 at Mountain Vista High School, located at 10585 Mountain Vista Ridge, in Highlands Ranch.

It doesn’t matter if a child is learning how to ride a bike for the rst time or looking to improve their skills, the free event is open to children of all ages. ey just need to bring their helmet, bike, ebike, scooter, electric scooter or whatever they use to get around.

e event will include “bumps and jumps and all that fun stu ,” said Deputy Je rey Cislo. “But what we’re trying to really get them to do is understand crosswalks and sidewalks.”

nity events over the past year advocating for stronger relationships between motorists and cyclists after he was hit by a vehicle and nearly lost his life on Founders Parkway in Castle Rock last year.

The need for this event

Following the death of Alex Mackiewicz, a 13-year-old who was on his way to school when he was struck by a vehicle while crossing Venneford Ranch at Highlands Ranch Parkway, Cislo and Deputy Mark Adams began having conversations on starting a safety program.

Other intersections of concern include Wildcat Reserve Parkway and Monarch Bouelvard, Broadway and Highlands Ranch Parkway, Lincoln Avenue and South Quebec Street.

“I mean, any intersection in Highlands Ranch,” Cislo said.

Cislo said there have been too many close calls concerning safety, especially with the growing popularity of electric-powered scooters and bikes.

“I think we’ve kind of failed as a community in educating the kids on bike safety,” said Cislo. “Kids that have really no sense of road safety are driving higher-speed bikes and scooters now.”

properly- t helmet, ride in the same direction as tra c and other basic skills, children will be able to learn the rules of the road by navigating various courses.

For younger children, Adams, who is the school resource o cer at Chaparral High School in Parker, said it will be about understanding balance and how to maneuver their bikes by using strider bikes, which have no pedals.

ere will also be beginner and intermediate courses for pedal bikes that include obstacles like ramps and curbs.

“Kids tend to get a little brave and want to jump o curbs … but we’re going to try to show them some safer ways to either ascend or descend curbs,” Adams said.

However, the main focus will be on crosswalks and the importance of using both sight and sound to be aware of tra c.

One of the stations will include a speed demonstration. A cop car will go past a stop sign going 20 miles per hour, then 30, then 40 to show what the varying levels of speed look and sound like. ey will also demonstrate what a complete stop looks like.

Using a handful of big toy control cars and Jeeps that remote control for cross tra c and crosswalk signs built by Colorado Road and Bridge, there will be an example intersection where the children can learn when it is safe to cross.

CORRECTIONS

Colorado Community Media asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.

Email sgilbert@coloradocommunitymedia.com if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.

Cislo, who is the school resource o cer for Mountain Vista High School, is one of four bike instructors with the sheri ’s o ce. e event will be led by a number of school resource o cers who are also certi ed by the International Police Mountain Bike Association.

e event will include a variety of food trucks, and information booths set up by South Metro Fire Rescue, the Highlands Ranch Park Rangers and local bike shops to provide more information on trail and road safety.

Another partner is Gary Robinson, cofounder of Avid Cyclists, which is an online resource for cyclists. Robinson has partnered with the sheri ’s o ce at multiple commu-

While looking for ways to push the program forward, Cislo and Adams came across Colorado Safe Routes to Schools, a program administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation. e program aims to make walking and biking to school safer and more accessible by working with school districts and community members.

It was by chance that the Douglas County School District was also having conversations with Colorado Safe Routes to Schools, so the school district and sheri ’s o ce decided to come together to put on the Eye-Five event.

“Essentially, it’s a virtual high ve,” said Cislo. “You get to a crosswalk, you’re making eye contact with drivers and hopefully those drivers are making eye contact with you.”

Learning valuable skills

In addition to learning to always wear a

“Just because that little walking guy (on the crosswalk signal) turned white, you still have to take a second, look both ways, then go,” said Cislo. “Make sure cars aren’t blowing (through) the stop lights.”

Cislo and Adams hope to host this event twice a year — once when school gets out for summer break and another when children go back to school. ey also hope to expand the course and concepts to high school students for when they begin to drive.

“ e main thing is, just be safe, be cognizant, don’t get distracted with any kind of mobile device and just pay attention to who else you are sharing the road with,” Adams said. Register for the event at

dcsheri .net/eyeve-event/.

The Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce has four bicycle instructors and several school resource o cers who are certiﬁed by the International Police Mountain Bike Association. PHOTOS COURRTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Je rey Cislo, the school resource o cer for Mountain Vista High School, is one of four bike instructors with the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce who works with youth to help them learn bicycling and road safety skills that will help throughout life.

The Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce has partnered with the Douglas County School District to teach elementary and middle school students biking skills and how to navigate crosswalks. The next event is set for July 19.

direction will navithe High undertheir no intermediobstato to ascend crosssight speed stop 40 look demonstrate and and and intersection to the have go,” blowing event for go the students cognimoelse said. .net/eye-

National Association of Realtors Boasts About Getting Its Top Priorities Into the Senate’s Tax Bill

The bill as passed by the Senate included NAR’s five key priorities:

A permanent extension of lower individual tax rates

An enhanced and permanent qualified business income deduction (Section 199A)

A temporary (five-year) quadrupling of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, beginning for 2025

Protection for business SALT deductions and 1031 like-kind exchanges

A permanent extension of the mortgage interest deduction

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC): Key provisions from the LIHTC Improvement Act are included on a permanent basis to support affordable housing development.

No Changes to Carried Interest Rules

“These provisions form the backbone of the real estate economy—from supporting first-time and first-generation buyers to strengthening investment in housing supply and protecting existing homeowners,” according to a NAR spokesperson. “Real estate makes up nearly one-fifth of the entire U.S. economy, and we made sure policymakers understood that homeownership is the essential component to building wealth and a strong, prosperous middle class.”

Several other provisions in the bill championed by NAR add to its positive impact on the real estate sector:

Child Tax Credit Increased to $2,200: Permanently raises the credit, with inflation indexing. This provision could ease housing affordability for families.

Permanent Estate and Gift Tax Threshold Set at $15 Million (Inflation-Adjusted): Prevents a sharp drop in exemption levels and supports generational wealth transfer.

No Increase to the Top Individual Tax Rate: The proposed 39.6% rate was removed from the bill.

Restoration of Key Business Provisions:

Full expensing of research and development

Bonus depreciation

Fixes to the interest expense deduction limit

Immediate Expensing for Certain Industrial Structures: Applies to facilities used in manufacturing, refining, agriculture and related industries.

These Past ‘Real Estate Today’ Columns May Interest You

Clickable links for each column can be found at www.JimSmithColumns.com

May 29, 2025 — Divorcing Couples With a Home Need a Realtor With Specialized Training

May 22, 2025 — Home Sharing Helps Single Seniors Deal With Finance and Loneliness, Allowing Them to Age in Place

April 24, 2025 — Lennar to Build 1,500 Geothermal Homes; My Review of the Mustang Mach

April 17, 2025 — Redfin Report Highlights the Increasing Cost of Buying versus Renting a Home

April 10, 2025 — The Typical Wood-Frame, SiteBuilt Home So Common Since the ’90s May Soon Be a Thing of the Past

Mar. 27, 2025 — Here’s How Money Is Handled at a Real Estate Closing

Mar. 20, 2025 — Thinking of Using a Reverse Mortgage to Purchase a Home? Here’s Some Information

Mar. 13, 2025 — Will Colorado Be Able to Sustain Its ‘Green Agenda’ Under Pressure From Washington?

Mar. 6, 2025 — 62% of Americans Think a 20% Down Payment Is Required, But It’s the #1 Myth

Feb. 27, 2025 — As Society Deals With Homelessness and Affordability, Expect a Greater Focus on Manufactured Homes

Feb. 20, 2025 — We Have a Tool to Help You Find the ‘Perfect’ Home That’s Not on the MLS

Dec. 26, 2024 — As Pro-Tenant Laws Expand, Some Small Landlords Are Considering Cashing Out

Dec. 19, 2024 — What Are the Costs of Buying or Selling a Home in Colorado?

Nov. 7, 2024 — We Need to Take Seriously the Pollutants Emitted When Cooking With Gas

Oct. 31, 2024 — Cooperative Living Presents an Attractive Alternative for Downsizing Seniors

Sept. 26, 2024 — Some Thoughts on Keeping Your Death From Becoming an Undue Burden on Your Heirs

Sept. 5, 2024 — What Knowledge and Skills Should You Expect Your Real Estate Agent to Have?

Aug. 8, 2024 — Seniors Over 70 Might Consider Downsizing Into a Rental, Not a Smaller Home

July 25, 2024 — Many Homeowners Don’t Understand Title Issues, Which Could Lead to Big Problems Later On

June 6, 2024 — Here Are Some Simple Steps to Take to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises After Closing

Mar. 21, 2024 — What’s Behind the Buzz About ‘Indoor Air Quality’ and ‘Sick Building Syndrome’?

Feb. 22, 2024 — Most Sellers Don’t Know How to Interview a Listing Agent. Here’s Some Guidance.

Dec. 21, 2023 — D.R. Horton Inks Deal to Build Homes With OSB Made From Grass Instead of Wood

Nov. 23, 2023 — Scamming Has Become An Industry, and We’re All Prospective Victims

Sept. 28, 2023 — Insurance Companies Are Pulling Out of California. Is That in Our Future?

Aug. 10, 2023 — What Are Some Common Mistakes That Homeowners Make When Selling?

June 15, 2023 — Don’t Let Capital Gains Tax Deter You From Cashing Out on an Investment Property

May 11, 2023 — Do Agents Inflate the Cost of Buying or Selling Your Home with ‘Junk Fees’?

Apr. 20, 2023 — What Are Some Affordable Ways to Make Your Home More Attractive to Buyers?

Mar. 16, 2023 — Here Are Some Ways to Make Your Home More Accommodating to Seniors

Feb. 9, 2023 — Understanding Indoor Air Quality and How It’s Managed in Super-Insulated Homes

Oct. 27, 2022 — Sales Taxes May Be Lower, But Property Taxes Are Higher in Unincorporated Areas

Strengthened Opportunity Zones: Renewed with revised incentives to promote targeted investment, including in rural areas. NAR polling found that 80% of voters support such tax incentives to drive economic development in underserved communities.

The deadline for this ad was last Friday, before the House of Representatives took the Senate bill up for approval. NAR is hopeful the provisions detailed above will remain in the final version of the bill.

This article was adapted from an email newsletter article I received from NAR. I made only minor edits to it.

Some Useful Charts That Explain the June Market

The following charts were provided by Samanth Glenn of Land Title, along with this summary of the market for June 2025:

The Greater Metro Denver housing market saw active listings continue to grow in June — a 33% increase when compared to last year at this time. New listings declined when compared to last month (-19%) but were up 3% when compared to last year. Pending sales (demand) increased 6% when compared to last year, but did see a slight decline when viewed month-over-month.

The average days on market remained high at 35 days, an increase of 30% year over year. More highlights are below.

In June, active listings were down 0.2% month-over-month but remained elevated when compared to June 2024, which saw 9,866 active listings.

June saw 5,582 new listings enter the market. This data point decreased 18.7% when compared to last month, which saw 6,869 new listings. Last year at this time we saw 5,446 new listings.

Pending sales decreased by 3% when compared to last month. Last year at this time we saw 3,777 pending sales.

Look at how the months of inventory (unsold lis ngs) compare to prior years:

The ra o of closed price to lis ng price (99.1%) was the lowest of the past ve years:

June saw the average days on market at 35. Last month saw 33 days and last year at this time saw 27 days, on average.

The number of showings per listing for June was at 4.6. This was a decrease of 6.1% compared to last month. Last year at this time we saw 5.2 showings per listing, on average:

More readable versions of these charts are at http:RealEstateToday.substack.com

TIP-A-COP

28,000 athletes, 1,000 coaches and 9,000 volunteers a part of Special Olympics Colorado.

Gordon has been involved with Special Olympics Colorado for 14 years and every year is amazed by the hope that the fundraising events bring. She added that her favorite part about Tip-A-Cop is watching the o cers work with the athletes.

“ ere’s a real magic between our law enforcement and our athletes,” said Gordon. “I’ve never seen anything like it … it really brings them so much joy.”

O cer Miachel Iranfar has been with the Parker Police Department for three years and this was his second time serving alongside the athletes.

“I think the community’s interaction with the department, doing stu like this is awesome and a good time,” Iranfar said. He said he loves to volunteer for this event because it not only helps the department, but it helps the athletes reach

their goals. While Iranfar helped sta in the kitchen and brought food to customers, he also got to spend time sitting and talking with the athletes.

“Being able to help out in something that they cherish, love to do, and do on a daily basis and work so hard for, I think being able to support them is the best thing,” Iranfar said.

At events, such as Tip-A-Cop, funds raised go toward supporting training, competition, health screenings and continuing to build a community for athletes. Gordon said that Colorado raises about

$1.5 million annually.

Being a part of a fundraising e ort like this was something John Kontrelos was happy to do.

Kontrelos has been a manager at the Chili’s on Twenty Mile Road for four years, and over the years, has loved getting to know the o cers and athletes — and watching them roam around, bus tables, and talk and smile with the customers.

“Being a small community, it just helps us connect,” said Kontrelos. “It’s wonderful to have them here.”

O cer Michael Iranfar with the Parker Police Department helps kitchen sta at Chili’s by washing dishes and helping with orders.

PHOTOS BY HALEY LENA

O cers with the Parker Police Department spend the day at a Chili’s restaurant on Twenty Mile Road in Parker with Special Olympic Colorado athletes to help raise funds for the global organization.

WATER REBATE

Customers can sign up for the Irrigation E ciency Rebate program at tinyurl.com/parker-irrigation-e ciency.

Additional water use programs

e water district has also partnered with Resource Central — a nonpro t based in Boulder that aims to save water, conserve energy and reduce waste — to o er discounts.

Customers can purchase a Garden in a Box at a $25 discount. ese kits include designed gardens with droughttolerant plants, trees, owers and shrubs that thrive in Colorado’s environment and use less water.

“Resource Central does a really good job about planning the gardens out, so they take into account how the plants will look at di erent times of the season and what plants will look good together,” Johnson said.

Customers can also apply for the turf replacement program to remove a certain amount of grass from their landscape. However, to qualify, the grass must be healthy and has to be of high water use, such as Kentucky Bluegrass.

Johnson said one of the most bene cial programs is the free irrigation audits. A professional irrigation auditor will look at a customer’s irrigation system to see where and how water is coming out, how much is coming out and identify broken or misaligned nozzle heads.

In addition to telling the customer how to x the problem, the auditors will give them a customized irrigation schedule based on how much water the irrigation head is producing.

“If you can nd what’s wrong with your irrigation system and x a leak, you’ll save a lot of water in the long run,” Johnson said.

To avoid runo , the water district encourages customers to water in multiple, short cycles, and to only water before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. instead of during the hottest part of the day.

“If you’re irrigating during that period of time, most of the water is lost to evaporation and it doesn’t actually soak into the ground,” Johnson said.

Learn about the di erent programs and rebate o ers at pwsd.org/3367/Rebates.

The Parker Water and Sanitation District o ers rebate programs to customers to help save water and money. SHUTTERSTOCK

Castle Rock concert series returns for summer

This year’s series features national acts including Sugar Ray and Gavin DeGraw

BY JULIA KING

Castle Rock’s annual Summer Concert Series is back in full swing, drawing crowds to Philip S. Miller Park with a lineup that covers everything from chart-toppers to local favorites.

is year’s series features national acts like Sugar Ray and Gavin DeGraw, alongside local openers and themed tribute nights — including a collaboration between the Denver Pops Orchestra and yacht-rock cover band Yachty Got Back on Labor Day weekend. e rst concert of the season, headlined by Sugar Ray, kicked o the series in June.

“We started curating this lineup last fall,” said Erika Alsobrook, special events supervisor for the Town of Castle Rock. “Each of the ve concerts has its own heartbeat and rhythm. at’s one of my favorite things about this series — each show stands alone, but they all come together to make something really special.”

Alsobrook said community input plays a big role in shaping the series. At the end of each season, the town sends out surveys asking residents what genres and artists they’d like to see next year.

“ at feedback helps us learn what the community wants,” she said. “Sometimes someone mentions a local band they saw at a bar, and even if we don’t book that exact artist, it sparks ideas and conversa-

venue.

“We absolutely love when families come out together,” Alsobrook said. “One of my favorite moments was seeing a little boy yell ‘I know that guy!’ when Sugar Ray’s opener, Dylan Cotrone, walked by.”

Organizers also prioritize a wide mix of genres each year.

“Country plays really well here,” said Castle Rock program specialist Lisa Sorbo. “But we try to always include a top-40 artist … that really helps make the whole series a really fun experience for people, because you’ve just got this broad array of music.” is year, the town partnered with iHeartMedia and uses social media, local promotions and even a massive LED screen at the outlet mall to get the word out. e event draws people from Denver and all over the Front Range, including Fort Collins, Boulder and Colorado Springs.

“It’s a more intimate venue, and I think that draws folks in,” Alsobrook said. e concert series is part of Castle Rock’s broader strategy to invest in communitydriven events that support local businesses and showcase what the town has to offer.

tions. It really is a community-driven lineup.”

e concerts typically draw between 1,500 and 1,800 people each, with a venue capacity of 2,200.

“We always see a spike in ticket sales when the lineup drops,” Alsobrook said.

“And then it builds again the week of the show as people start making plans.”

Tickets are sold in tiers — general admission on the elevated lawn, mid-level

orchestra seats and front-row patio box seating with tables and bar service.

“No matter where you’re sitting, you’re close to the stage,” Alsobrook said. “ e lawn’s one of my favorite GA setups in the state — great sound, a full view of the lights and backdrop, and that signature Castle Rock skyline behind it.”

e event is designed to be familyfriendly, and has ADA seating available and golf cart transport from parking to the

“It’s about more than just a show,” Alsobrook said. “People grab dinner downtown, they explore the area — and for some, it’s their rst visit to Castle Rock.” is year marks the ninth season of the series and the 10th year since Philip S. Miller Park opened.

“ ere’s a lot of optimism about where the series can grow from here,” Alsobrook said.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go online to crgov.com/SummerConcert-Series.

This year marks the ninth season of the Summer Concert Series in Castle Rock’s Philip S. Miller Park. COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK

Where you leave your leaves matters.

Don’t place leaves or grass clippings into the street where they can clog stormdrains. Mulch or dispose of them instead.

Lone Tree mobility hub work will impact tra c

City joins statewide e ort to establish connectivity and multimodal opportunities

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In a statewide e ort to emphasize multimodal options and expand connectivity across the state, Lone Tree is among the latest to establish a mobility hub, making it the fth hub along the Interstate 25 Corridor.

Mobility hubs are transportation centers that aim to provide high-quality transportation infrastructure, including real-time passenger information and opportunities to create transit-friendly development.

Jessica Myklebust, the RTD director of Region 1, said the hubs are strategically located to conveniently connect various transportation modes.

“Ultimately they’re designed to reduce a person’s reliance on their own vehicle, allowing them to easily transition to another mode of transportation,” Myklebust said. “ e goal is simplifying travel,

Yoga in the Park

Join RidgeGate and South Suburban Parks and Recreation for free community yoga classes on the grass at the south end of Belvedere Park, at the corner of RidgeGate Circle and Belvedere Lane. Please bring your own mat, water bottle and towel to all classes. In case of heavy rain or lightning, class will be cancelled.

Tuesday, July 29th – 6:30-7:30pm

Tuesday, August 26th – 6:30-7:30pm

Guided Nature Hikes

Each year, RidgeGate teams up with the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District to provide free, guided nature hikes. These hikes are led by professional naturalists from the district, and offer insight and education into the natural ecosystems within the open space at RidgeGate. Registration is required and available at RidgeGate.com

Thursday, July 10th, 8:30-10pm – Buck Moon

Saturday, July 26th, 6-7:30pm – Survivor in the West

Saturday, August 9th, 8-9:30pm – Sturgeon Moon

Sunday, August 17th, 7:30-9am – Common Backyard Birds

Summer Beats Concerts

Enjoy these free summertime concerts out on the grass in Prairie Sky Park, just west of the Lone Tree Recreation Center, courtesy of the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District.

Tuesday, July 8th, 6-8pm – Wash Park Band

Tuesday, July 29th, 6-8pm – Ninety Percent 90s

Tunes on the Terrace at the Lone Tree Arts Center

RidgeGate is proud to sponsor Lone Tree Art Center’s Tunes on the Terrace – an outdoor evening concert series that will bring your summer nights to life. The stars are out this summer! Find more details and buy tickets at LoneTreeArtsCenter.org

Friday, July 12th, 7:30pm – Dan Tyminski Band

Saturday, July 19th, 7:30pm – John Oates: An Evening of Stories and Song

Friday, July 25th, 7:30pm – The Dreamboats

Experience Historic Schweiger Ranch

The restoration of the 38-acre historic Schweiger Ranch, led by the Schweiger Ranch Foundation, gives us a glimpse into settlers’ lives. Today, the ranch is open to the public for self-guided visits and a variety of events throughout the year. Register for or learn more about these events online at SchweigerRanch.org

Sunday, July 13th, 7-8:30pm – Natural Heritage Walking Tour with SSPRD (Nature Mystery)

Saturday, July 19th, 1-2pm –

Jessica Myklebust, the RTD director of Region 1, speaks at a groundbreaking event in Lone Tree for the construction of Colorado Department of Transportation’s latest mobility hub.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

MOBILITY

reducing wait times and making a more pleasant travel experience.”

e Lone Tree hub will connect a network of hubs along I-25 from Fort Collins to Pueblo.

e location will also provide access to RTD’s light rails, the city’s Link On Demand transit service, CDOT’s interregional express bus service — known as Bustang — and allow for connectivity through the Lincoln Avenue interchange to jobs, housing and the upcoming Lone Tree City Center.

It will be providing “another travel option if they don’t want to get into a car to go see sporting events downtown,” said Myklebust. “ is will also provide (people with) another way to reach the Colorado Springs area and other popular destinations along the Front Range.”

e $16.5 million project is funded by CDOT, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, Douglas County, the City of Lone Tree and the Southeast Public Improvement Metro District. It is expected to be complete by fall 2026.

Construction of the Lone Tree Station Mobility Hub is already underway at the I-25 and Lincoln Avenue interchange.

Just south of Lincoln Avenue, construction will include slip ramps along the I-25 northbound o -ramp and southbound on-ramp for Bustang services, and allow for safer access for pedestrians. Bus shelters, new sidewalks and a passenger pick-up and drop-o area will also be constructed.

For pedestrians and cyclists, a 286-foot bridge will be built over I-25 to connect the two transit stops and a highway for cyclists connecting to the Lone Tree trail network. ere will also be ramps, and stairs will be

provided on the west side of the hub between I-25 and the Trainstation Circle.

Sally Chafee, CDOT’s acting executive director, said that with I-25 being the “backbone of the Front Range,” expanding transportation options for the growing south-metro area is a necessity.

“ is means more e cient travel options for people, and less tra c and congestion on I-25 and our local roads,” said Chafee. “From here, the network will continue to grow south to Castle Rock, Monument, Colorado Springs and Pueblo.”

Anticipated tra c impacts

With general working hours for the project to take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday — with occasional night work — motorists and pedestrians can expect numerous tra c impacts.

e southbound I-25 on-ramp and northbound I-25 o -ramp at Lincoln Avenue will experience lane shifts throughout the project, with intermittent full closures. During full ramp closures, detour routes will be in place.

ere will also be occasional single- and multi-lane closures on northbound and southbound I-25 around the Lincoln Avenue Interchange.

A full closure across I-25 can be anticipated this fall. is closure may span over several nights to set the pedestrian bridge over the interstate.

Other impacts include shifting center lanes on northbound and southbound I-25 to allow for median construction work and pedestrian sidewalk detours.

Concept drawings and maps of the construction can be found on the CDOT website at codot.gov/projects/i25lonetreemobilityhub.

Motorists and pedestrians can also refer to cotrip.org for real-time travel conditions and road closures, and can sign up for email noti cations at subscription.cotrip.org/alerts/construction.

O cials break ground for the new mobility hub near Trainstation Circle in Lone Tree.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

How intimacy changes throughout a woman’s life

Intimacy is a deeply personal and evolving aspect of a woman’s life, shaped by physical, emotional and hormonal changes across di erent life stages. From early adulthood to postmenopause, the way women experience intimacy can shift in many ways. ese changes are natural and should be understood with compassion and openness, both personally and in relationships. In early adulthood, intimacy is often in uenced by exploration, self-discovery and the development of emotional bonds. is period is usually marked by high energy and libido, and fewer barriers to sexual activity. As women move into their 30s and 40s, intimacy can become more emotionally rooted. Relationships may

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

When the lights are the brightest, the stakes are the highest, and all eyes are watching, those who rise to the moment are rarely surprised by it. Why? Because they’ve been there before. Not necessarily in the stadium, on the eld, or in front of the big client, but in the quiet, gritty, and repetitive hours of practice. ey’ve made the move a hundred times before it ever mattered.

Elite athletes, masterful gamers, accomplished performers, these people don’t just show up and “ gure it out.” ey prepare. ey sweat. ey fail. ey adjust. And they do it when no one’s watching, precisely so they can deliver when everyone is.

The practice behind performance Golfers don’t wait for the tournament to learn how to hit out of a bunker or adjust their swing for a downhill lie. ey put themselves through every scenario imaginable before they ever step onto the rst tee. Likewise, tennis pros hit forehands, backhands, and serves over and over again, against lefties, righties, net rushers, and baseliners, so that nothing rattles them during a match.

Quarterbacks study defenses and prepare audibles not so they might use them, but because they know they will have to. MLB pitchers memorize hitters’ weaknesses and develop sequences of pitches for each batter, each count, and each game condition. ey don’t leave anything to chance. Even a recreational skier knows better than to assume every trail is the same. Shifting snow, moguls, icy patches, and tree lines all require anticipation, balance, and muscle memory.

What’s your game plan?

Now let’s bring that down from the slopes, o the eld,

WINNING WORDS

Dr. Terry Dunn

deepen with time and communication often becomes a cornerstone of satisfaction and connection.

Menopause, a signicant milestone in a woman’s life, introduces a new phase of change. During this time, estrogen levels drop, which can lead to physical symptoms that impact sexual function. Many women experience a decrease in libido, vaginal dryness and discomfort during intercourse. Common symptoms include hot ashes, mood changes, anxiety and even urinary prob-

It’s your move

and into your life. Because here’s the truth: Life is coming for you. And it’s not always friendly. We live in a world of distraction, disruption, and division, the “3 D’s.” at’s your opponent. And it’s relentless. Curveballs will be thrown. People will lie to you, some subtly, some blatantly. Situations will knock you o balance, surprise you, and frustrate you. So the question is: Are you ready?

Have you practiced how you’ll respond when the storm hits? Or are you hoping you’ll just “ gure it out” in the moment?

Salespeople who thrive don’t wing it. ey role-play objections before they hear them. ey rehearse how to respond to pricing pushback, to questions about the competition, to ghosting, and to negotiation traps. at preparation, done behind the scenes, becomes uidity in the real game.

Building a values-based foundation

You need a life playbook, too. And it starts with knowing who you are, your values, beliefs, and anchors in the storm. When division shows up, is unity your move? When adversity knocks, do you respond with resilience? When o ense is hurled your way, do you o er grace?

If the world throws chaos, confusion, and cruelty at you, what are your practiced responses? Are kindness, humility, forgiveness, and compassion just ideas you agree with, or are they moves you’ve practiced until they’re second nature?

Make no mistake: Life will challenge you. It will confront

lems — all of which can in uence how a woman feels about intimacy. Despite these changes, intimacy does not have to end. Instead, it can be re ned. Women are encouraged to explore new forms of connection, whether through emotional closeness, communication, sensual massages or even changes in sexual activity. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with exercise and a balanced diet can also support well-being and sexual health. Hormone therapy, relaxation techniques and open conversations with partners or healthcare providers can help women adapt to these transitions. Ultimately, intimacy is not de ned by our youth. It is a lifelong journey that can ourish at any age when nurtured with

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Teal’s conspiracy claims

Who knew Douglas County Commissioner George Teal could be such a sore loser? After his pet project, Home Rule, was soundly rejected by voters — by a staggering 71% to 29% — did he pause to consider that he and his fellow commissioners may have misjudged the will of the people or rushed a complicated initiative without adequately informing the public? Of course not.

Instead of engaging in any meaningful selfre ection, Teal o ered a convenient scapegoat: shadowy “outside special interests” supposedly ooding the county with misinformation and lies. But rather than substantiating these claims, he doubled down with an even more outrageous accusation — that the opposition was funded by the Chinese Communist Party.

care, openness and understanding. Restoring your sense of self is key to reigniting intimacy post-menopause. Your condence begins with taking care of your body and mind. Whether it’s through regular exercise, a balanced diet or selfcare rituals, taking time for yourself can improve your mood and overall well-being, making you feel more comfortable in whatever stage of life you’re in. For more information, visit urogyns. com.

is guest column was written by Dr. Terry Dunn, the owner of Foothills Urogynecology, a Denver-based practice specializing in women’s health. To learn more, visit urogyns.com.

His target? A Douglas County physician, an American citizen of Japanese descent, who personally contributed $14,500 of her own money to oppose Home Rule. To insinuate that she — or anyone — was acting as an agent of a foreign adversary is not only baseless, it’s reckless and shameful.

As voters, we deserve leaders who accept responsibility, learn from defeat, and speak with integrity. When the next election comes around, let’s hope we can nd someone more grounded, more thoughtful, and frankly, more grown-up to help lead Douglas County.

Douglas Willey, Highlands Ranch

Our national holiday

July Fourth is much more than BBQs and beer. It celebrates the birth of our nation, as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, a statement of why our rst patriots felt compelled to rebel against their king. Every American would do well to read it aloud at home and in their public spaces on this day — and to honor its contents. Some of the complaints sound familiar to our ears:

• [the King] “has obstructed the administration of Justice;”

• he has “a ected to render the military independent of and superior to the civil power;”•

• he is “cutting o our trade with all parts of the world” and “imposing taxes without our consent;”

• he is “depriving us in many cases of the bene ts of trial by jury” and is “transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended o ences;”

• he is “altering fundamentally the forms of our governments;”

• “he has excited domestic insurrections amongst us.”

their leaders be answerable to them and to the laws they enact. Let us honor the true meaning of this national holiday.

Wendy Orley, Highlands Ranch

Thanks to clear-headed voters

ank you to the voters of Douglas County for overwhelmingly rejecting the rushed and unnecessary Home Rule initiative. Your clearheaded decision-making and commitment to facts over fear showed far more wisdom than some of our elected o cials have demonstrated. In particular, I was disheartened — but not surprised — by Commissioner Teal’s reckless and baseless claim that the opposition to Home Rule was funded by the Chinese Communist Party. When asked for proof, his response — “is there evidence it isn’t?” — was the rhetorical equivalent of shouting “witch” and waiting for the mob to form. It’s an insult to voters and to basic logic.

Douglas County deserves better than conspiracy theories and scare tactics. Voters saw through the manipulation and rightly questioned why this initiative was pushed so fast, with so little input or clarity about the consequences.

And now, despite the decisive defeat, the commissioners have vowed to keep bringing it back “until it passes.” at’s not listening to the people — that’s political stubbornness wrapped in arrogance.

ey declare, “A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may de ne a Tyrant, is un t to be the ruler of a free people.”

By this declaration, Americans asserted their unwillingness to be serfs or vassals to an unaccountable ruler, but free people who demand

Our community deserves leaders who lead with facts, humility, and a respect for the will of the people. ank you to everyone who voted, spoke out, and helped protect the integrity of our county. Your voices matter, and they were heard. Let’s keep standing up for transparent, accountable governance—no matter how many times we have to say “no.”

David Newcomer, Highlands Ranch

Bloodhounds and alligators

Towards the end of the Civil War the mountains of Western Virginia, now West Virginia, were a refuge for escaped slaves. One young man was welcomed by the community and is buried in an unmarked grave of our family cemetery.

Locals could always tell by the baying of bloodhounds when a slave was on the run and the term “ ey ran the dogs last night” was gleefully expressed by the few members of the community who supported slavery.

Fast forward 160 years. Alligator Alcatraz is the nickname of a Florida immigrant prison, located in the Everglades. More than a few MAGA Republicans are gleefully repeating Donald Trump and Fox News by making jokes about alligators and escaped immigrant prisoners. Sadly, some of these people live in Douglas County.

LETTERS

e source for this letter is a 92-yearold man with the Civil War record of his paternal great-grandfather who died in 1924, and the memories of his late parents born in 1902 and 1905. Both would be aghast to hear the words and context, e Alligators Swam Last Night.

Roy Legg, Highlands Ranch

Time for Teal to apologize

We, the undersigned members and supporters of Vote No on Douglas County Home Rule, Stop the Douglas County Power Grab, No Little Kings in Douglas County, and the League of Women Voters of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, demand a public apology for the baseless and defamatory accusation by Commissioner George Teal that our committee is funded by the Chinese Communist Party.

is claim is entirely false, wholly unsupported by any evidence, and represents a deliberate attempt to mislead voters and discredit grassroots, nonpartisan civic engagement. Such rhetoric is reckless, in ammatory, and unacceptable in a democratic society that values truth, transparency, and civil discourse.

We call for a formal retraction of this statement and a public apology, to be made through the same televised platforms where this falsehood was originally broadcast. Anything less would amount to an endorsement of misinformation and slander.

Our coalition consists of local residents — Republicans, Democrats, independents, and una liated voters — who care deeply about protecting good governance and the rights of the people

of Douglas County. We stand united in rejecting political bullying and disinformation.

is kind of smear tactic has no place in Douglas County or anywhere in Colorado.

We demand accountability. We demand the truth. And we demand an apology to all signers of this letter.

Mina Hall, League of Woman Voters, Highlands Ranch

Angela omas, Stop the Douglas County Power Grab, Castle Rock

Dawn Caldwell, Vote No on Douglas County Home Rule, Highlands Ranch

Eiko Browning, No Little Kings in Douglas County, Highlands Ranch

Jennifer Patterson, League of Women Voters, Centennial

Jill Smith, League of Women Voters, Highlands Ranch

Mary A. Ramsey, League of Women Voters, Parker

Herschel Ramsey, League of Women Voters, Parker

Connie Dawson, League of Women Voters, Larkspur

The home rule vote

I am a very recently approved permanent resident of the USA and my wife and I have chosen for now to live in Highlands Ranch; it is a beautiful community with excellent amenities.

I was intrigued by the home rule banners and other signage, both for and against, that were displayed and although I am not yet a voter of su cient status, I was able to read up about the subject — in part through the Highlands Ranch Herald.

It is perhaps not appropriate for me, as a newbie in the community — and perhaps to settle elsewhere in the coun-

SEE LETTERS, P14

Sell Practical marketing solutions to local businesses.

Sales territories currently available in various communities.

Nick Oliveri

Locals make case for Medicaid

Family, nonproﬁt healthcare organizations discuss impacts of potential cuts

BY ISABEL GUZMAN IGUZMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Tim and Kara Norick of the Littleton area adopted their second-youngest son of six children, Malakai, from China in 2016, when he was almost 3 years old. Malakai was found on a bridge in China at just days old in dire medical condition and was rushed to a hospital in Shanghai, where he was diagnosed with severe pneumonia, organ failure and other complex medical conditions.

After almost three years in an orphanage, Malakai was adopted and brought to join his new family near Littleton.

After being treated at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Malakai was diagnosed with Opitz G/BBB Syndrome — a rare condition a ecting the entire midline of his body.

“ ink about anything that crosses through your midline like your digestive system, your trachea, your lungs, even your eyes and your nose, are all impacted by the syndrome,” Tim Norick said.

Now almost 12, Malakai has undergone several surgeries and treatments, and even received a custom-built larynx, or “voice box.”

e Noricks have private health insurance to keep up with Malakai’s medical costs and use Medicaid, or government issued health insurance, to supplement.

“Children’s Hospital gave us a caseworker o the bat and we were very grateful for that because they were able to do a lot of the front work (setting up) Medicaid support (which) we’ve had since the very beginning,” Kara Norick said.

Medicaid helped cover costs for Malakai’s growth hormone medication, something the Noricks’ private insurance wouldn’t pay for.

Additionally, Kara Norick said their primary insurance paid for feeding tubes, but not for Malaki’s Malone tube, a small tube that empties bowels. Medicaid paid for Malakai’s Malone tube equipment.

Because of the several times Medicaid was able to cover costs for Malakai’ health, the Noricks are avid supporters of preserving Medicaid.

As part of Children’s Hospital Association’s Family Advocacy Day, the Norick

family recently traveled to Washington, D.C., with 60 other patients and their families to advocate for preserving Medicaid amid the potential cuts being debated in Congress. Kara Norick said she was impressed with how legislators spoke

with Malakai and made him feel valued.

“It was a breath of fresh air to see how truly bipartisan things can be,” she said.

Medicaid under the ‘big, beautiful bill’ e budget consolidation bill, H.R.1, commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, was introduced by House Republicans. It aims to “reduce taxes, reduce or increase spending for various federal programs, increase the statutory debt limit, and otherwise address agencies and programs throughout the federal government,” according to the bill’s language.

Ranging from tax cuts to implementing new work requirements to qualify for Medicaid and SNAP, the bill narrowly passed in the Senate on July 1 and went back to the House of Representatives for another vote.

e Congressional Budget O ce estimated that H.R.1 would decrease federal Medicaid spending by $793 billion because of new work requirements that the o ce said would cut insurance coverage for 10.3 million people nationwide.

According to WhiteHouse.gov, the bill will strengthen “the integrity of Medicaid by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse.”

Kara Norick said she worries about keeping Malakai on his necessary medications as he gets older.

“We are proponents of trying to be as independent as you can,” Kara Norick said. “But unless I am making (the medicine), administering it, doing everything, it’s seen as: ‘oh, he’s independent, he doesn’t need it.’”

The local Medicaid battle

For Doctors Care, a nonpro t clinic in Littleton, the cuts to patients’ Medicaid coverage could cost the clinic thousands. e organization is currently losing $20,000 per month in Medicaid funds from the now-ended Public Health Emergency’s Continuous Coverage Unwind that was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

e clinic doesn’t turn away anyone who can’t a ord a visit and uses a sliding fee scale, for which the price of services and medication are adjusted to what a pa-

Tim and Kara Norick and their son, Malakai, traveled to Washington, D.C., to join in advocating for Medicaid. COURTESY OF CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO

tient can pay. Currently, 30% of Doctors Care’s patients are uninsured.

“We’re going to see another 5-to15% of people who will become uninsured, and that just places so much pressure on the overall healthcare system,” said Bebe Kleinman, CEO of Doctors Care.

Elizabeth Hockaday, Doctors Care’s development and marketing director, said while the clinic will continue its mission of serving all patients regardless of insurance status, the lack of income has pushed the facility to rely on donations.

“Charitable giving can be just as volatile sometimes as whatever is happening in politics and the stock market,” Hockaday said.

Kleinman said Doctors Care’s partners with other nonpro ts that offer resources for food, housing and community engagement are also in a vulnerable position.

“In previous years when budgets have been in crisis, there might be one partner that is in a dip,” she said. “But what we’re seeing now is that there’s really no part of the community safety net that isn’t under attack. at’s very impactful to the patients we serve.”

Since H.R.1 would also seek to decrease federal spending on SNAP, Kleinman said she is worried about people losing food resources, which would a ect the health of many. Patients who have access to nutritious food, have housing and are employed are easier to care for than when they wait too long to see a doctor due to medical costs and become very sick, according to Kleinman. Hockaday said the stress put on the healthcare system then impacts nurses, doctors and other hospital sta who become quickly burned out from treating an in ux of sick and diseased patients.

Colorado Access is a nonpro t public sector health plan that exclusively serves public programs like Medicaid and children’s health insurance. Colorado Access CEO Annie Lee said the company acts as a

connection point between the state, Medicaid providers and its members.

“ e work requirements in the reconciliation bill is a huge concern,” she said. “ is is a big administrative burden to be placed on states.”

Lee said in 2023, when the Public Health Emergency Unwind ended, 800,000 Coloradans lost Medicaid coverage. According to the Urban Institute, at least 120,000 Coloradans are expected to lose coverage due to the introduction of Medicaid work requirements alone, with more likely mistakenly disenrolled.

“When people can’t access health care, they’re getting sicker until they get care, usually at the emergency department … people shouldn’t wait until they’re terribly sick to get care — and when it’s the most expensive care,” she said.

e cost of expensive medical intervention that is not compensated begins a ripple e ect on the healthcare system, Lee said.

“Having our members lose coverage is painful and it’s also painful to know that our providers will not be able to access the kinds of revenues that they need in order to stay a oat to continue serving their communities,” she said.

Both Lee and Kleinman said they are “weathering the storm of uncertainty” each day, waiting to see if the bill passes and how soon changes will be ordered.

ey addressed the perception that Medicaid is an abused welfare resource.

“Medicaid saves lives,” Kleinman said. “We judge what self-su ciency looks like and most of us are not in a position to be judging others.”

Lee echoed the importance of Medicaid for children: “We know cases of kids born with severe developmental delays and diseases that are very di cult and expensive to treat, and if not for Medicaid, they wouldn’t be able to go on and live their lives.”

For Malakai and his parents, Medicaid lls in the gaps that primary insurance can’t.

“Medicaid can provide life-a rming care that Malakai would not have otherwise,” Tim Norick said.

The “big, beautiful bill” calls for stricter requirements concerning Medicaid qualiﬁcations.

Doctors Care is a crucial access point for people who are uninsured and Medicaid patients in the south metro Denver area.

BY JOHN RENFROW JOHN@COTLN.ORG

For the rst time, an All-Star showdown is set between the Western Ultimate League and the Premier Ultimate League during the 2025 United Frisbee Association Championship weekend. ree Colorado Alpenglow players are making the trip to Madison, Wisconsin, on Aug. 23 to represent the WUL.

e Alpenglow is an ultimate frisbee

LETTERS

try in the future — to engage myself with local due processes formally, but I think that my comments below will su ciently make the point without my actually interfering with how things are done — and perhaps as they always have been. It seems to me that throughout the corridors of power in this wonderful country, money really talks; how more democratic would it be if funds for elections were allocated from a central fund available to all parties proportionately in some way? Millions if not billions seem to be spent / blown on campaigns for the election of a president.

I was shocked that a council could spend an alleged half-million dollars on a campaign and process that didn’t have to be addressed at this time; it could reportedly easily have been covered at the same time as the Nov. 4 coordinated election. In the United Kingdom — where we hail from — such an action would certainly initiate a storm of protest and de nitely cause at least one head to roll; such would be demanded for such an apparent gross waste of money! Further, back in the old country, I believe that no commercial or other donations to support arguments of this nature either way could be accepted; funds would come only from local reserves and only after a full council vote to proceed. So many programs (and deserving needs) could surely have been supported with a share of $500k! Who in their right mind makes such decisions and why would commercial entities be the primary supporters? I suspect there may have been ulterior motives behind the plan ...

NORTON

you with opponents in the form of circumstances, people, and inner voices that test your core. If you haven’t prepared, you’ll default to panic, anger, or paralysis.

team of women and nonbinary players that plays at the Pinnacle Athletic Complex in ornton. Founded in 2022, the Alpenglow has seen quick success, and the team is the reigning 2024 WUL Champions.

Colorado’s Allysha Dixon, Jade McLaughlin and Abby orpe are joining 17 other WUL All-Stars from the seven teams in the league and will take on 20 players representing the PUL. Surprisingly, WUL Offensive Player of the Year Ari Nelson, also on the Alpenglow, didn’t make the All-Star

Just saying ...

Martyn Battrick, Highlands Ranch

Bipartisanship in Douglas County

After months of what seems like a stream of never-ending assaults on democracy, the recent special election in Douglas County proved that our system of checks and balances remains intact and even, dare I say it, healthy.

Voters in this suburban Denver metro county overwhelmingly shut down an e ort by the county commissioners to steamroll a change in county governance that would likely have given them more power and control.

It was a shellacking: 71% of the voters pushed back and voted no on home rule. But that is just part of the story. In a world where hyperpartisan politics and attitudes are the norm these days, this election brought together people from all political a liations in all corners of the county — both urban and rural — to let our elected o cials know we are paying attention, and we don’t like what we see. And it proved that although we might all disagree on any number of issues, we can all coalesce around something that a ects all of us.

I found that very heartening and reafrming. It tells me this tribal society we have been experiencing is not glacially frozen. We can nd common ground and work together for a greater good. For the rst time in what seems like ages, we saw Democrats, Republicans and Independents actually talking with and listening to each other. Perhaps this experience can help melt the freeze that has prevented such cooperation from occurring for too long.

After all, we are all in this together. We can all learn from each other if we just take the time to listen. at makes everyone

You’ve got the next move

So today, right now, it’s your move. Not in some hypothetical, far-o , big-moment kind of way. But in this moment. You get to decide what you’re practicing. Because what you practice in private is what you’ll perform in public.

What conversations are you rehearsing? What mindset are you building? What virtues are you strengthening so they’re not

team.

e rosters were determined by fan voting and team nominations. According to the WUL’s website, “these players represent the best of what both leagues have to o er — elite skills, unmatched athleticism and leadership on and o the eld. More than just a showcase of talent, this event is a celebration of the community, the progress, and the players pushing professional women’s and nonbinary ultimate forward.”

stronger and better. Cynics might call my Pollyanna attitude naive and simplistic. But I think this is a golden opportunity to chart a new course toward civil (and civic) discourse.

Congratulations to everyone who worked hard to educate and inform the voters about this home rule issue and process. And congratulations to everyone who voted. You did your civic duty as citizens of this county during an o -season, o -year election where low turnout was part of the plan by the backers of this initiative. You asked questions. You paid attention. You participated. Felt good, eh? Let’s do it again next time!

KC Neel Castle Rock

What ‘no kings’ really meant Curt Smothers (letter to editor 6/26/25) does not seem to grasp what the “no kings” protests were about. While Trump does not have a title of king, he sure is acting as if he is. You can include his Cabinet in that too.

Trump:

Try to ban birthright citizenship. Constitution’s 14th amendment. is means Secretary of State Marco Rubio is not a citizen. Quatari jet. Blatant in uence. Waste of money to convert.

Arab Bitcoin investment. Now previously banned AI chips are going to the Middle East.

Kick out immigrants. But, if you pay $5 million you can get a gold visa.

Birthday Army parade charade.

Asks ABC News’ Terry Moran, “Why don’t you just say yes?” In reference to Trump saying MS13 was not Photoshopped on Garcia knuckles. Obviously Photoshopped. People/reporters who disagree or ask tough question are, low IQ, fake news, kicked out of press meetings.

just concepts, but quick-draw responses? Don’t wait for the game to start to prepare. Because, ready or not, it already has, and the next move is yours.

How about you? Are you more likely to take things as they come and deal with it all in the moment? Or are you someone who prefers to be prepared, like the U.S. Coast Guard, Semper Paratus, always prepared? Either way, I always love hearing

e Alpenglow nished 6-0 in the 2025 season before falling short in the playo s. Coaches omas Echols, Lena Goren and Madison Oleson won Coaching Sta of the Year.

e WUL versus PUL All-Star Game begins at 5:00 p.m. E.T. on Aug. 23. Tickets are available at watchufa.com/league/champweekend, and the event will be live and free on YouTube.

For more information, visit coloradoalpenglow.com.

reatens loss of federal funds from city/ state that do not do what he wants. Only Congress can change this.

Curt says judiciary has shown it can rein in Trump. Where does he get that? Trump ignores or litigates and goes on.

Commerce Secretary Howard Litnick. Missed Social Security check: said mother-in-law would not complain. Fraudsters would. So, that means somebody who calls about missed payment is a fraudster. Millions rely on SS.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — never admitted to security failure in the signal chat debacle.

Attorney General Pam Bondi. Avoids answering question about the Bitcoin sale being foreign in uence. Says look at drug problem.

Ended the Foreign In uence Task Force, (established in the rst Trump administration).

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. doesn’t know what habeas corpus means. ought it gave power to president.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. In every interview it looks and sounds like he is trying not to make a statement that would get him in trouble with Trump.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon: When asked about choosing between upholding the law — for example, administering education funds already appropriated by Congress — and carrying out Trump’s directives, McMahon said that “the president will not ask me to do anything that is against the law.” Ha!

All of them say “fake news,” “low IQ,” “stupid question.”

Recently, Norwegian tourist sent back home for having a JD Vance fat face meme on his phone.

David Crabb

Castle Rock

your stories at gotonorton@gmail.com and when we take the time to plan to win and prepare to win, it really will be a better-than-good life.

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

Thu 7/17

Bailey Elora Trio at Civic Center Eats @ 10am Civic Center Park, Broadway and Colfax Ave., Denver

WAKAAN Presents: CHOZEN Grounded

By The Bass Release Party @ Larimer Lounge - July 17 @ 6pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver Costa @ 7pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

COPYCATT @ 8pm

The Black Box, 314 E 13th Ave, Denver

Fri 7/18

Annie Ellicott: LitRPG Con 2025 @ 6pm Grand Hyatt Denver, 1750 Welton St, Denver

Erin Stereo: Jacquard Rooftop Pool @ 6pm The Jacquard, Autograph Collection, 222 Mil‐waukee St, Denver

KB ANGEL: Mejestic Hearts Show @ 7pm Charlie's Denver, 900 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Bison Bone @ 8pm

Hex Cougar & Malixe @ Temple @ 9pm Temple Denver, 1136 Broadway, Denver

Sat 7/19

Black Wands: GOOD:AM w/ Estiva @ 10am Town Hall Collaborative, 525 Santa Fe Dr, Den‐ver

The Dirty Nil @ 6pm Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

The Great Bubble Fest @ 2pm / Free 7301 S Santa Fe Dr, 7301 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. events@colorado markets.com, 303-505-1856

Keith Hicks @ 2pm Leever’s Locavore, Denver

Aye Bay: DUB WUB DUBSTEP 7/19 @ 6pm RIVER, 3759 Chestnut Pl, Denver

Canopy with Erin Stereo @ 8:30pm Canopy, 8 N Broadway, Denver

Sun 7/20

Adam Bodine @ 9:30am Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Denver

Guttermouth @ 11am

Outdoors at the New National Western Center Yards, 5004 National Western Drive, Denver

Strung Out @ 11am

Outdoors at the New National Western Center Yards, 5004 National Western Drive, Denver

The Disasters @ 4pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

Mon 7/21

Mumford & Sons @ 7pm

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison

Tue 7/22

Suffocation @ 4pm

Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver

Madison Cunningham @ 6pm

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison

Macy Gray @ 7pm

Paramount Theatre Denver, 1621 Glenarm, Den‐ver

Wed 7/23

Last Train To Juarez: The Englewood Tavern, South Broadway, Englewood, Colorado, USA - Englewood, CO @ 4:30pm The Englewood Tavern, 4386 S Broad‐way, Englewood