Parker Chronicle June 19, 2025

will be

Concrete replacement project along Mainstreet in downtown Parker set to start in late June

Project with partial closures will be completed in 6 phases

BY HALEY LENA

A number of partial closures can be expected on Mainstreet in downtown Parker this summer for the town’s Mainstreet Concrete Replacement project.

With a purpose to increase multi-modal safety and accessibility along Mainstreet, the $1.25 million project, funded by the town, is expected to begin on June 23.

Located between Parker Road and South Pine Drive, on the west side of the PACE Center, crews will replace concrete sections of roadway and sidewalk along Mainstreet.

According to the town, the current concrete has been deteriorating as many of the areas have not been replaced since being poured more than 40 years ago when the town was incorporated.

Crews will start on the west end of the project, near Parker Road and move east over a span of several weeks. Construction will take place Monday through ursday, with cleanup e orts on Fridays.

According to the town’s website, crews will open any road closures ahead of each weekend.

A spokesperson for the town said that businesses — such as the Parker Garage, Parker Panache and Mainstreet Salon Suites, which are located along the a ected portion of Mainstreet — will be notied in advance of new, temporary access points.

“Business access will be maintained throughout construction,” said Andy Anderson, communications director for the town.

While numerous businesses may be impacted, TJ Sullivan, president and CEO of the Parker Chamber of Commerce, told the Parker Chronicle that these repairs are necessary, especially in light of the anticipated future development, which will include more residential and commercial spaces.

“While this summer’s construction

Board says application from Xcel falls short Elbert

County Planning Commission urges denial of Power Pathway plan

BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Xcel Energy’s push for 48 miles of power lines and temporary construction areas hit a stumbling block recently when the Elbert County Planning Commission recommended denial on both counts.

e Planning Commission’s June 3 meeting focused on Xcel Energy’s Colorado Power Pathway 1041 and Special Use by Review applications. e community turned out in force and the meeting ran well into the evening and eventually had to be continued on June 4.

at night, after multiple presentations, extensive public comment, and board discussion, the Elbert County Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend denial for both applications. e next step in the process will be the Board of County Commissioners hearing on Tuesday, June 24, at 1 p.m. in the Elbert County Fairgrounds Agricultural Building, 95 Ute Ave. in Kiowa. If the Board of County Commissioners denies Xcel’s application, Xcel will likely appeal that decision with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

e applications, for 48 miles of highvoltage transmission lines and temporary construction areas running generally northwest across western Elbert County, were deemed incomplete by Elbert County sta . Xcel Energy felt their application was su cient and chose to move forward with the public hearing process regardless. Despite the fact that its application was still under consideration, Xcel has already led condemnation cases seeking eminent domain, the legal process where private property can be taken for public use, against 13 homeowners.

Xcel’s documents lacking e June 3 meeting began with a review of the project, highlighting the portions of the application considered insu cient. Xcel has not submitted Proof of Fire Protection, a signed “Fire Prevention and Safety Agreement” form for Kiowa Fire Protection District or Big Sandy Fire Protection District, as required by Elbert County Zoning Regulations. Xcel had also not responded to comments from all referral agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Colorado Depart-

Construction crews

replacing concrete along Mainstreet in downtown Parker between Parker Road and South Pine Drive. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

Construction crews will be replacing concrete along Mainstreet in downtown Parker between Parker Road and South Pine Drive, on the west side of the PACE Center. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

ment of Public Health and Environment, Elbert County O ce of Emergency Management, Elbert County Public Works Department, and more.

e county listed all of the following application criteria, from the 1041 and SUR, as “Not Adequately Addressed”:

• No signi cant risk from natural hazards,

• No signi cant adverse e ect on local services or capacity of delivery systems,

• Will not create nancial burden on the county,

• Bene ts outweigh losses,

• Will not burden infrastructure,

• Will not increase tra c congestion or burden road system,

• Will not cause signi cant air, odor, water, noise, or light pollution and

• Will not be detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of Elbert County residents.

Xcel was given a chance to present an overview of their project and argued that the Power Pathway Project will improve tax revenue, bring revenue to local businesses during construction and attract new energy projects along the Pathway. Xcel also o ered up a “Wild re Mitigation Plan,” which they say addresses re coverage in the area and wild re mitigation plans.

During the following public comment, resident after resident expressed their disdain for the project, citing concerns about lower property values, eroding property rights, increased wild re risk, no direct bene t to Elbert County, and on and on. Not a single person expressed support for the Power Pathway.

Elbert County Environmental Alliance Board Member Kerry Jiblits said, “As you know, ECEA has been opposed to this route from the start and has actively worked to have it changed for over three and a half years. e sta did a great job and they … said that the application has “not been deemed complete” by Elbert County. However, Xcel has chosen to proceed with the incomplete applications to Public Hearing.”

“What arrogance,” she went on. “Why are they willing to go ahead with an incomplete application? Most likely because they are willing to bulldoze through whatever Elbert County and o cials say, and appeal any decision not in their favor to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. ey are just checking a box with this Public Hearing … Elbert County is not a box to be checked o .”

Eric Jiblits also stood to speak about the loss of personal property rights and the way Xcel seems to be backing landowners into a corner. Most cannot a ord legal representation to oppose Xcel’s use of force and eminent domain, Jiblits said, and he estimates that 56% of a ected landowners are “emptying their savings and retirement accounts to ght Xcel’s theft of their land.”

Land acquisition underway

Some attendees are already engaged in condemnation proceedings with Xcel and couldn’t speak freely on the topic. Fortyeight Elbert County landowners will have the transmission line going through their property; 13 of those are currently in condemnation proceedings; and 27 have already reached an agreement with Xcel to acquire an easement.

Ramah resident Roger Shults asked commissioners to deny and oppose the Pathway. “Eminent domain, also known as condemnation, is the power of the government to take property for public use,

even if the owner doesn’t want to sell,” he said. “ is power is established in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which requires that “just compensation” be paid to the property owner. Just compensation typically means fair market value.”

Shults, a realtor, conveyed to Xcel what he felt was an appropriate compensation amount. On May 8, he received an email from Xcel notifying him that the company would be moving forward with ling a condemnation case rather than making an attempt at fair compensation. “... eir next step,” he went on, “is threatening me with condemnation proceedings, which isn’t the right of a private corporation, it’s the right of a government.”

Rick Orcutt lives on property in Ramah homesteaded by his great-grandfather in 1906. “We’ve been in the cattle business since that time,” he said. “And this land is pristine, it is one they [Xcel] do not have to touch, they have constantly lied to us, misrepresented us, everything else, no o ers have been made in good faith. e only o ers we got were complete jokes. We’ve never been contacted by an Xcel representative, only a contractor. We’ve just been served eminent domain paperwork; we just dropped $5,000 we really didn’t have to drop in order to ght this.”

Several people, including ECEA board member Don Gray, said they’re not opposed to the project itself but are opposed to the preferred route. Many also expressed concerns about the increased risk of wild re.

Pam Struthers, a wildland-certi ed volunteer re ghter who worked in Elbert County for 12 years, said she’s also opposed. “ e transmission lines and as-

sociated infrastructure, they do have the potential to ignite wild res, especially during dry and windy conditions,” she said. “ e construction activity, maintenance, operations and equipment malfunctions could further exacerbate these risks in areas with already high re danger.”

Debbie Ullom, who served 10 years on the Kiowa Fire Protection District board, said sta in Kiowa is “spread beyond thin” and exhorted commissioners to protect Elbert County property. Both Struthers and Ullom are worried about the area’s limited resources when it comes to ghting res.

During lengthy board discussion on June 4 between Xcel representatives and the Planning Commission, Commissioner Nicole Hunt asked pointedly why Xcel couldn’t bury a least part of the line. Xcel has consistently said that burying the line is cost-prohibitive and added that the Colorado Public Utilities Commission determined that “undergrounding the route was not in the best interest of the ratepayers.” Xcel admitted they do have some buried lines in Colorado, such as downtown Denver, and said that any interested party could potentially cover the cost differential to have lines buried rather than placed overhead.

Planning Commissioner Kyle DeNardo zeroed in on whether or not the project would directly bene t Elbert County; Xcel could only speci cally name short-term bene ts and one local contract with the Town of Simla for water during construction. “So realistically … the bene t is minimal, I mean, sponsoring rodeos, eating at restaurants doesn’t really bene t Elbert County as a whole …” DeNardo said.

Peggy Patzkowsky, wearing a bright orange shirt reading “Rural Lives Matter,” spoke during public comment at the June 3 Planning Commission Meeting. She said commissioners have an obligation to deny the Xcel Energy application.

Xcel Energy sent a large group of representatives to the Elbert County Planning Commission meeting on June 3, which included the Director of Community Relations and Local Government A airs for Colorado, the Senior Manager over Siting and Land Rights, members of their legal team, a Siting and Land Rights Manager and the Senior Director over Wildfire Mitigation.

e ECEA commented, “We are hopeful that the BOCC will take the time to review the Planning Commission’s conclusions and will also vote to protect Elbert County from eminent domain for private gain. is project not only infringes on private property rights and property values, it also ies in the face of all that Elbert County residents hold dear,” they said.

Xcel defends actions

Xcel Energy has maintained that the demand for more power outside Elbert County, along with Colorado’s insufcient infrastructure, make the Power Pathway necessary, and that eminent domain is necessary when land negotiations are unsuccessful.

e Power Pathway is made up of ve segments totaling about 550 miles. Segment 5, partially within Elbert County, would consist of 275 poles with a 75-foot right-of-way on either side of the pole itself, totaling 150 feet.

None of the towers are planned within existing right-of-way.

Xcel hopes to begin construction in Elbert County in the third quarter of 2026. e goal is to transport power from wind and solar facilities in the eastern part of the state to the Front Range. For more information about the Xcel Power Pathway, visit coloradospowerpathway.com.

Elbert County has created a webpage, tinyurl.com/elbert-pathway, that includes the documents Xcel submitted for their 1041 Application as well as the Elbert County sta presentation.

e Agenda Packet from the June 3 meeting is at elbertcoco.portal.civicclerk. com/event/645/ les/attachment/7130. For more information about the Elbert County Environmental Alliance, visit www.ecealliance.org.

At the June 3 Planning Commission meeting, Xcel Energy presented its rationale for choosing the current proposed route for the Colorado Power Pathway. COURTESY OF XCEL ENERGY POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

The June 3 Elbert County Planning Commission meeting, discussing Xcel Major 1041 and SUR applications, was packed with interested citizens. PHOTOS BY NICKY QUINBY

Sellers Are Putting Homes on the MLS, But Buyers Are Playing Hard to Get

In this article, I’m going to provide a market analysis that you won’t find anywhere else. Using my access to the Denver MLS, I will show you what is happening among listings within a 25-mile radius of downtown Denver that are active, pending and sold between $550,000 and $650,000.

I chose the price range because $600,000 is the median sold price in our market, unchanged from a year ago. I chose the 25-mile radius because that defines the metro area in my opinion. Every other statistical report you’ll read analyzes listings in 7 to 10 metro area counties, some of which extend many miles into the mountains (Park county) or out onto the plains (Adams, Arapahoe and Elbert counties). If you live in the Denver metro area as most people define it, my statistics are going to more accurately reflect the reality of our metro market.

Currently, as I write this on Tuesday, there are 1,543 active single family homes listed in that price range and in that 25-mile radius on REcolorado. Only 180 of them have been on the market 7 days or less, so 88.3% of them have been on the MLS over a week without selling Median days on the MLS is 38

dian listing sold for its listing price, but 20 sold for between 5 and 14 percent below the listing price.

738 listings are “pending,” and 219 of them went under contract within 7 days, so 70.3% of them lingered on the market over a week before selling. Median days on market for the pending listings is 11

Now let’s look at the 561 listings which closed in the last 30 days, not the month of May. Ten of them sold before they were entered on the MLS, and another 224 went under contract in 7 days or less. So, 57.9% of those closed listings lingered on the MLS over a week. Median days on the MLS before going under contract was 11. The me-

Denver Leads the Nation in Increase of Unsold Listings

Compare those percentages, which I have put in bold for easy spotting. There’s over a 30% difference between the percentage of sold and active listings that have lingered unsold on the MLS for over a week.

Also compare the days on MLS. The median pending and closed listings went under contract in 11 days, but the active listings have a median days on MLS of 38. Any real estate professional will tell you it’s pricing. Many active listings may now be at a price that would have sold quickly, but they were overpriced in the beginning and now fail to get buyers’ attention.

979 days on the MLS — 95 have reduced their prices, but not enough to go under contract yet. Some of those price reductions are pretty dramatic, too. Nine of them have reduced their prices by $100,000 or more, and one by $250,000 — and they still haven’t gone under contract! As mentioned above, I would wager that if those listings had started out at their current price as new listings, they would have sold quickly and possibly above their current listing price, but they remain active today as stale listings, which are harder to sell at any price.

The bottom line of this analysis should be clear by now. If a home is not priced right in the beginning, it runs the risk of lingering on the market. Price reductions should be considered within a week if there are few showings and no offers. Don’t wait a month or longer to reduce the price.

The above article first appeared on the real estate page of last Saturday’s Denver Post.

Decline in First-Time Homebuyers

The chart from realtor.com displayed below shows the wide disparity in the increase of active listings compared to before the pandemic. The darker the red, the greater the increase over pre-pandemic levels, and Denver is the darkest at a 100% increase, or double the number of pre-pandemic listings. Coming in second was Austin with 69% increase, then Seattle with 60.9% increase.

Of course, many of those active listings which haven’t sold will either be withdrawn from the MLS or will expire without selling. Indeed, there are already 87 listings in that price range in that area that were “withdrawn” from the MLS in the last 30 days. That means they are still subject to a listing agreement but have been withdrawn from the MLS for one reason or another. The median days on the MLS before being withdrawn was 41.

The cities in blue still don’t have as many active listings as they did prior to the pandemic. Worst cases are Hartford at minus 77.7%, Chicago at minus 59.3%, and Virginia Beach at minus 56.7%.

See http://RealEstateToday.substack.com for additional analysis.

Check Out My Two Blogs

Everything you read in this ad (and more) is posted on our Real Estate Today Substack blog. Scan the QR code at left to open and subscribe to it — free of course. Each article and listing is there, often with additional content and graphics, plus useful hyperlinks.

My other Substack is Talking Turkey, a left-of-center political blog. It is not in print anywhere. Click on the QR code at right if you would like to see what I have to say.

There are 760 listings in that price range and area which “expired” without selling in the last 30 days, with a median days on the MLS of 70. Of them, 51 expired despite price reductions of up to $125,000.

Of the 100 oldest sold listings (between 68 and 339 days on the MLS) that went under contract in that price range and in that area, all but 9 of them only sold after reducing their listing price at least once. The average price reduction was $39,000, with the highest being $251,000.

Among the 100 oldest listings that are still active on REcolorado — ranging from 152 to

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports only 24% of housing sales last year were by first-time homebuyers, down from 50% in 2010. The typical purchaser is also older than in the past, with an average age of 38, or about 10 years above historical norms.

Roughly 20% of listed homes in March were affordable for households with $75,000 in annual income, according to a NAR analysis of property listings. Today, a household with annual income of $50,000 can only afford 8.7% of listings, down from 9.4% a year ago, according to the data.

These are national figures, however. The NAR report (for which you’ll find a hyperlink at http;// RealEstateToday.substack.com) does not provide separate figures for our market, which is probably even more severe in this regard.

These Past “Real Estate Today” Columns May Interest You

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

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

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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.

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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

Oct. 6, 2022 — How to Make Sure That the House You Buy Will Not Be a ‘Money Pit’

Sept. 22, 2022 — What Steps Can You Take to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?

July 28, 2022 — Aging in Place vs. Moving to a 55+ Community: Here Are Some Considerations

May 26, 2022 — Reflections on Selling Our Home and Moving Into a 55+ Rental Community

Jan. 6, 2022 — Marshall Fire Is a Wake-up Call for Building More Fire-Resistant Homes

Dec. 2, 2021 — My Favorite Home Improvements When Purchasing a New-to-Me Home

Oct. 14, 2021 — Court Rules That Sending an Email Can Bind You, Even Without Signing It Oct. 7, 2021 — What Are the Most Common Foundation Issues You Might Encounter in a Home?

‘I’m just like anyone else’

12-year-old Centennial resident shares her experiences with Children’s Hospital adaptive recreation program

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

By the age of 3, Lucy Harris was riding a bike without training wheels, kicking a soccer ball on a eld and feeling the unique sense of joy that sports bring to a person.

Being active was all she had ever known.

Lucy’s love for sports runs so deep that even after a car crash in the summer of 2023 that left her paralyzed from the chest down didn’t stop her from exploring new sports — like fencing and basketball — through a Children’s Hospital adaptive recreation program.

Going into the seventh grade at Newton Middle School in Centennial this fall, Lucy is hoping to take her love of recreation and sports and inspire others to know that their opportunities are limitless.

“I feel like there’s so many people out there who feel like they have to stop living their life because of a spinal cord injury,” said Lucy. “ at’s not true — you can still do everything that you want to do.”

In mid-July 2023, Lucy, who was 10 at the time, and her family were on their way to a Children’s Hospital fundraiser. Lucy was sitting behind the driver’s seat with her younger brother to her right. Driving along Interstate 70, near Genesee, the family was rear-ended at a high speed.

Everyone in the vehicle sustained minor injuries, but Jennifer, Lucy’s mom, said that most of the impact of the crash was on Lucy.

Having su ered a spinal cord injury — a complete T4 injury, meaning she has no signals going from her brain past her T4 level in her chest — Lucy was taken to Denver Health Hospital, But within 36 hours, she was transported to the pediatric ICU at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora.

Lucy had no recollection of the crash.

“I just woke up randomly,” said Lucy. “I had no idea what happened.”

Once she gained consciousness, Jennifer said that Lucy was looking around for her family. Unable to speak due to being

intubated, Lucy began to write her brother’s name out with her ngers.  is was just one of many ways that Jennifer saw her daughter’s strong mindset.

Jennifer and her husband began looking at research and clinical trials, trying to gure out where the best places were to get Lucy support and services. However, that plan changed one night when Lucy told her mom that she may not want to do any of those options.

She said maybe she was not meant to walk again and that she just wanted to start living her life.

“We shifted from the mindset of trying to x her to realizing that she’s not broken,” said Jennifer. “We just need a new jumping o point and work from there.”

Shifting the mindset

Wanting Lucy to be able to keep sports as part of her identity, the family began looking for programs.

Over the course of a 10-week hospital stay, Lucy was introduced to Andrea Colucci, an operations manager for the Adaptive Recreation for Childhood Health program.

e Adaptive Recreation for Childhood Health program is a national program that began in 1968. It aims to help children with physical disabilities nd their con dence through adaptive sports and outdoor recreation year-round. Whether it’s through extra instruction or equipment, the program centers around what individual children want and need.

When Lucy learned about the dozens of sports and activities o ered, she wanted to sign up immediately.

Just one week before the crash, Lucy was timing herself on how fast she could climb a rock wall. Months later, after the crash, it was the rst sport she was participating in with her injuries. Although she was hesitant at rst, Lucy made it to the top of the rock wall in just a few attempts.

“I remember getting up there and looking around like, ‘oh my gosh, I’m not attached to my wheelchair anymore,’” said Lucy. “I’m free. I’m just like anyone else.”

Now Lucy is enrolled in archery, sailing, golf, family bike rides, trail biking and horseback riding. Each season, coaches help the children accomplish the goals each child sets, and Lucy said she has demolished her goals.

“You just tell them what you’re able to do and what you’re comfortable with, and they will work with you,” said Lucy. “You feel so active, happy and just able to live your life more.”

The start of Lucy’s advocacy work

Not only has the adaptive recreation program allowed Lucy to continue her love for sports, it has also helped her, and her family, get involved in the community.

“It’s bridging the gap between getting back into the community and developing friendships and a support network,” Colucci said.

Lucy has met a handful of Paralympians and has been enamored by their strength and capabilities. She recently enrolled in the Rock-Climbing Paralympic Panel through the adaptive recreation program.

“I want to inspire other kids like they (the Paralympians) inspired me,” Lucy said.

Since her injury, Lucy said she has noticed a lot in the world that’s not accessible and needs to be changed. She believes

SATURDAY, JUNE 28TH

10:00AM - 2:00PM

that everybody should be able to access the same things, such as sidewalks, playgrounds and getting to and from grocery stores.

As a rst step in her advocacy journey, Lucy joined Rep. David Ortiz, who represents Arapahoe and Je erson counties, on the House oor for Disability Rights Advocacy Day in March.

“It’s important to have that feeling of ‘I’m just the same as everybody else because I’m really not that di erent,’” Lucy said.

Check out a spectacular display of aviation history and see various types of warbirds up close at Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight.

Lucy Harris participates in winter and summer activities, including archery, through the Adaptive Recreation for Childhood Health program provided by Children’s Hospital.

Lucy Harris, 12, of Centennial, takes part in rafting through the national Children’s Hospital Adaptive Recreation for Childhood Health program. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNIFER HARRIS

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Candidates clash over home rule during forum

Many voters are still unclear about what changes could actually take place under plan

BY JULIA KING SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Douglas County voters will face two decisions on June 24: whether to adopt home rule, and — regardless of how they vote on that question — who should serve on the charter commission if the measure passes. Up to 21 candidates can be selected to draft the new governing document, but their role only takes e ect if the home rule measure is approved.

As part of an e ort to inform voters and encourage them to select commission candidates regardless of how they vote on home rule, Douglas County Citizenry (DCC), a conservative civic group, hosted a June 11 meet-and-greet for Republican and una liated candidates.

e event aimed to inform, not endorse, any position on the home rule initiative. But with the election fast approaching, it revealed sharp divisions among the conservative candidates — and left many attendees with more questions than answers. As con icting perspectives played out on stage, some voters walked away still uncertain about what home rule would actually mean for the county.

“Democrats seem much more united in their opposition to home rule, where conservatives still seem pretty split about it,” a DCC organizer told the Douglas County News-Press at the event.

Several candidates used their two-

minute introductions to champion the measure. Former state lawmaker Frank McNulty framed it as a chance to push back on state control, calling the commis-

THE FROMTHROWING MONEY DOWN PLEASE ABSTAIN DRAIN.

sion “an opportunity for us to put a ag in the ground in Douglas County and tell the Democrats and the leftists in Denver (that) enough is enough.”

County Assessor Toby Damisch echoed that sentiment, accusing the General Assembly, Gov. Jared Polis and state courts of showing “absolute contempt for rural Colorado ... and more so than anything else, they have total and unabated contempt for Douglas County.”

Other supporters focused on speci c priorities they’d like to enshrine in a charter. Sheri Darren Weekly, for instance, advocated for maintaining the independence of his o ce from county commissioners.

But opponents, including Lora omas, who is a former county commissioner, urged voters to reject the measure entirely. omas argued that proponents were overstating what home rule could actually change — particularly in areas like law enforcement and gun policy, where state law would still apply.

“ ere’s a lot of misinformation that is going on out there,” Weekly acknowledged. “We can’t get out of state law. State law is state law.”

Candidate Tom Wiens added to the mix of interpretations, suggesting that home rule would give counties virtually the same powers as home rule municipalities, a claim that is not accurate, according to the Colorado Attorney General’s o ce.

“ e powers that a home rule municipality (has) and the powers that a home rule county would have ... they’re the same for both … they’re generally the same,” Wiens said.

However, county and municipal home rule powers di er signi cantly. Counties remain more limited under state law, particularly in areas where the state legislature has preempted local authority.

Other opponents questioned the home rule process outlined by county commissioners – all of whom were invited to the DCC event but did not attend. Steven Arthur Boand and Charles O’Reilly criticized the proposed 60-day timeline to draft the

charter as “rushed.” Boand, who once supported home rule, said he reversed his position after seeing how the process played out.

“If the commissioners’ favored candidates all win, we’ll be done with this in 62 days ... that’s too short to get this right,” Boand said.

O’Reilly and others pointed out that the process lacked adequate public engagement. Some accused the county commissioners of having pre-planned the initiative without involving residents early on.

On the audience’s part, there was still a good deal of confusion around the legal mechanics of home rule. With less than two weeks before the vote, questions remained about what home rule would actually allow, how the 21 commissioners would work together, and how much public input there would be while a charter was formed.

Candidates were unable to answer many questions about the charter’s details, since its contents won’t be known until it’s written — and that will depend on who’s elected to draft it.

Damisch said a home rule charter could either raise or lower property taxes; for example, “depending on the commissioners that we elect.”

One attendee asked what would happen if the ballot measure fails this month.

“It doesn’t mean it’s dead forever,” said candidate Mindy Bandimere-Jordan.

Under Colorado law, residents can bring a home rule measure back to the ballot by submitting a petition signed by at least 5% of voters from the last general election. Boand suggested that if the current measure fails, it could be revived through that process.

“Perhaps, if we had more time to talk about it, we would broaden participation,” he added. By the end of the evening, uncertainty still hung in the air.

“I came tonight hoping that I’d get clarity on whether to vote yea or nay,” one attendee said. “I honestly haven’t gotten that.”

Home rule charter commission candidates Charles O’Reilly and Mindy Bandimere-Jordan shake hands at a June 11 conservative forum in Douglas County.

PHOTO BY JULIA KING

A look at candidates for home rule panel

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

On June 24, Douglas County voters will be deciding who will form a commission to draft a home rule charter. e commission will serve only if the home rule measure is approved.

It will consist of 21 members — six from each of Douglas County’s districts and three at-large members. ere are 48 candidates — some in support of home rule and some against — vying for the positions.

Candidates for at-large seats

Kevin Van Winkle, George Teal and Abe Laydon: all are currently serving as county commissioners.

Angela omas: ran for Douglas County commissioner and has served in leadership roles with the Douglas County Democratic Party.

Steve Johnson: 42 years experience serving in public service, including eight years as a Bureau Chief with the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce.

Mindy Bandimere-Jordan: Douglas County resident.

Steve Authur Boand: former Douglas County commissioner.

Candidates for District 1

Matthew M. Lunn: public safety executive who serves as chair of Parker Parks, Recreation and Open Space.

David Weaver: formerly served as Douglas County sheri and as a Douglas County commissioner, and a former U.S. Marshal for the District of Colorado.

Mary H. Lynch: 2018 county commissioner candidate.

Emily Roth Suyat: attorney and a podcaster for “Red County, Blue State.”

Jack Hilbert: formerly served as a Douglas county commissioner and councilmember for the Town of Parker; has served on the Cherry Creek Water Authority board and the Urban Drainage Authority; currently chairs the Douglas County Water Commission; 2014 Republican candidate for District 44.

Jason Hamel: Douglas County resident and nancial professional.

Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly: currently serving.

October Ann Levy: IT specialist, secretary of the Town of Parker Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory committee.

Jack Gilmartin: member of the Lincoln Club of Colorado, Colorado National Guard, Douglas County Planning Commission, and is a legislative aide for the Colorado General Assembly.

Douglas County Assessor Toby Damisch: currently serving.

Laura Hefta: Town of Parker council member, retired Army colonel from U.S. Army Reserves, practices estate planning.

Irene Bonham: Parker resident and volunteer with nonpro ts.

Julie Gooden: Lone Tree resident who serves on the Douglas County School District’s District Accountability Committee.

Bart Dorscheid: member of the State Commission of Judicial Performance and former district attorney for the 18th judicial district.

Candidates for District 2

Jennifer E Green: former Castle Rock town councilmember and mayor, and served as a delegate in the Republican County Assembly.

Kevin Leung: representative for the South Metro Fire Rescue board of directors, commissioner of the Castle Pines Urban Renewal Authority, and has served as Douglas County School board director and treasurer.

Jae Mundt: attorney with a practice in Castle Rock.

Charles O’Reilly: serves on the non-partisan Elections Committee for the Rotary Club of Castle Rock.

Julien Bouquet: member of the Regional Transportation District Board of Directors.

Barrett Rothe: previous candidate to represent District 43 at the state level.

Juli Watkins: serves on the Douglas County School District’s Equity Advisory Council.

Max Brooks: Castle Rock town councilmember and State House Representative for District 45.

Tom J. Wiens: former state representative and state senator, formerly served as Republican Caucus chair in the Colorado Senate.

Tim Dietz: Castle Rock town council member.

Douglas John Gilbert: served on the home rule charter commission for the City of Castle Pines, former Castle Pines treasurer and mayor pro tem, has served on the South Metro Chamber Economic Development Group and its Legislative Action Committee.

Douglas County Treasurer Dave Gill: currently serving.

Candidates for District 3

Robin Webb: former candidate to represent District 43 at the state level, chairs the Douglas County Republican Party.

Lora omas: former Douglas County

REVERSE MORTGAGES

commissioner, former candidate to represent District 43 at the state level, former county coroner and is a major with the Colorado State Patrol.

Michael Lees: Highlands Ranch resident.

Priscilla Rahn: former Douglas County Planning and Zoning commissioner and former vice chair of the Colorado Republican Party.

Bob Marshall: State Representative for District 43 and a retired active duty Marine Corps lieutenant colonel.

Sudee Floyd: Douglas County resident.

Frank McNulty: Former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, formerly represented District 43 and a former Centennial Water board member.

Alicia Jean Vagts: licensed attorney.

Monica A. Wasden: Highlands Ranch Community Association board member and a Douglas County Community Foundation board member.

Matthew Burcham: former candidate to represent District 43 at the state level.

Ted Harvey: former state representative for District 43 and was an at-large delegate to the 2016 Republican national Convention.

Susan Meek: Douglas County School Board member and was a liaison to the school district’s Accountability Committee and the Equity Advisory Council.

Lee Hudson Frame: served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, 11 years as a senior federal civil servant and is a volunteer EMT.

Daniel Brown: Douglas County resident. Gordon B. (Spud) Van de Water: Highlands Ranch resident; had a policy consulting rm.

SuJeanne Foster: Douglas County resident.

New rules for 2025-26 high school basketball season

Goaltending, bench decorum are among main focuses

BY STEVE SMITH

SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO TRUST FOR LOCAL NEWS

We’re still a year away from Colorado adopting a shot clock for high school basketball. e rule kicks in for the 202627 season, with a 35-second timer for all classi cations. However, some changes are coming ahead of the 2025-26 season also.

e National Federation of High Schools adopted new rules and procedures changes for the coming highschool basketball season.

Goaltending/basket interference

A main focus is on dealing with goaltending and basket interference. e goaltending rule says a ball is on its downward arc toward the basket once the shot hits the backboard. If a defender touches the ball after it hits the backboard, it’s two/three points for the shooter’s team.

Before this rule change, it was up to ofcials to determine whether the ball was still climbing toward the goal before any potential goaltending call.

“By establishing that a ball is considered to be on its downward ight upon contacting the backboard, this rule change introduces a clear and objective standard,” said Monica Maxwell, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee, in a statement posted to CHSAANow.com. “It signicantly reduces the need for o cials to make subjective judgments regarding

the trajectory of a shot, thereby enhancing consistency and accuracy in goaltending calls.” e rule regarding basket interference

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Cannot

MENTION CODE GET250

has also changed.

Now, only a defensive player can commit goaltending. e NFHS statement said the rule change disposes of the need

to determine whether the ball in ight is a eld-goal attempt or a pass.

“Any alliteration of a shot attempt with contact to the basket or backboard by an o ensive player would be considered basket interference,” the statement said. Also, intentionally slapping or striking the backboard during a eld-goal try becomes basket interference and not a technical foul.

Also, incidents in which players who intentionally delay returning to the court after being out of bounds and then become the rst to touch the ball will result in an infraction and not a technical foul.

e NFHS also changed a rule related

Players on the oor when o cials call for a timeout are now “bench personnel.” e NFHS statement said the switch “ensures consistent enforcement of penalties for unsporting conduct by allowing o cials to issue technical fouls to bench personnel during time-outs.”

Before the change, game o cials had to determine whether a player who warranted a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct was actually on the oor or the bench at the time.

“One of the points of emphasis this year will be bench decorum,” said Billy Strickland, executive director of the Alaska School Activities Association and chair of the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee, in the NFHS statement. “How can we help coaches and o cials know that communication is a two-way street? It just needs to be done in a proper manner.”

Keep up with all rule changes and sports at CHSAANow.com.

Legend’s Grace Stanley tries to dribble around Grandview’s Sienna Betts in the Class 6A girls basketball state championship game on March 15 at the Denver Coliseum. Stanley scored a team-high 11 points in Legend’s 61-39 loss.

PHOTO BY ALEX K.W. SCHULTZ

Seeing stars among new NWSL team

Colorado sports titans rally to bring professional women’s soccer to Denver metro area

BY JOHN RENFROW JOHN@CTLN.ORG

Since the announcement in January, Colorado has been abuzz about Denver being awarded the newest National Women’s Soccer League team, set to begin play in 2026.

Between powerhouse additions to the ownership and investor groups and the groundbreaking on a new state-of-the-art performance center in Centennial, Coloradans have made it clear that professional women’s sports are long overdue in the area.

e club also unveiled plans for a future stadium district in downtown Denver, which will represent the largest investment in women’s team sports infrastructure in history.

e exclamation point came on June 3, when Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback (and obvious Denver legend) Peyton Manning joined the club as a Denver NWSL investor.

e Sheri announced his involvement in a cheeky video of him FaceTiming his brother, NFL legend Eli Manning, a minority owner of Gotham FC in New York.

But the ve-time NFL MVP and twotime Super Bowl winner’s addition is just the icing on a star-studded cake of owners and investors for the new soccer club.

See the full list below, with details pulled from DenverNWSL.com.

Olympic Alpine Skier Mikaela Shi rin

A Colorado legend is joining the Denver NWSL group as an investor. Shi rin has 101 World Cup victories, is a two-time Olympic champion, an eight-time World Champion and a ve-time Overall World Cup Champion.

“I’m beyond thrilled to join the ownership group of Denver NWSL and support something so meaningful in the community I call home,” Shi rin said in a statement. “ e sport culture in Colorado is rich and deep, and — most notably — the growth of women’s sports is one of the most exciting movements in our culture today.”

General Manager Curt Johnson

With seven major NWSL trophies under his belt, Johnson already has a decorated resume in the sport.

According to Je Kassouf at ESPN, “Johnson left the North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage organization in December after 14 years combined with the men’s and women’s teams. As chief soccer o cer, he oversaw the rise of the Courage’s NWSL dynasty that included back-to-back NWSL Shields and NWSL Championships in 2018 and 2019.”

Johnson is a two-time NWSL champion, a three-time NWSL Shield Winner and a two-time NWSL Challenge Cup Winner.

President Jen Millet

A Colorado native, Millet is Denver NWSL’s rst employee.

According to the club’s website, Millet joins Denver NWSL from Bay FC, where she served as chief operating o cer for the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) 14th expansion franchise. Millet will return to the Mile High City to lead all of Denver NWSL’s business operations, including partnerships, ticket sales, marketing, and venue operations.

Founder Rob Cohen

Cohen is the chairman and CEO of IMA Financial Group, Inc., a top-25 North American insurance brokerage specializing in risk management, insurance, wholesale brokerage and wealth management headquartered in Denver. In 2001, Cohen founded the Denver

The RidgeGate calendar of fun starts here.

Sports Commission, whose mission is to proactively identify, pursue and attract regional, national and international amateur and professional athletic competitions and events to Denver. e commission has helped bring notable events such as the All-Star Games of MLB, NBA, NHL, Women’s Final Four and Hockey Frozen

Yoga in the Park

Four to the greater Denver area. Cohen also served as a founding member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation (USOPF) and is the chair of the Games Hospitality Committee. He most recently was on the Salt Lake City Bid committee, which was awarded the Winter Olympic Games for 2034. He has served on the board for the United States Olympic Museum and has attended 15 di erent Olympic Games in his lifetime.

Alternate Governor Mellody Hobson Hobson is co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments, LLC (“Ariel”), the rst and oldest African-American-owned mutual fund company in the United States. Ariel is the parent company of Project Level, which is investing in the Denver NWSL franchise.

Led by Hobson and former Washington Commanders President Jason Wright, Project Level’s mission is to level the playing eld in women’s sports through investment and ownership. In 2022, Hobson made history as one of the rst Black owners in the National Football League, as part of the Denver Broncos’ WaltonPenner Family Ownership Group. She is also a shareholder of the Chicago White

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, June 24th – 6:30-7:30pm

Tuesday, July 29th – 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

Friday, June 20th, 7-8:30pm – Celebrating the Solstice

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

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

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, June 24th, 6-8pm – Ninety Percent 90s

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

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, June 27th, 7:30pm – Sierra Green and the Giants

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

Friday, June 20th, 6-7pm – Guided Public Tour

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

Saturday, July 19th, 1-2pm – Guided Public Tour

Renderings of the planned National Women’s Soccer League Stadium in Denver’s Baker neighborhood. COURTESY

Have you ever noticed how sometimes you see the shape of a heart in the most unexpected places? Maybe it’s in the clouds as they part and rejoin, or in the way the sunlight cuts through a break in the sky. Perhaps it shows up in the pitting of a worn sidewalk, the irregular pattern of asphalt, or the jagged edge of a stone. It might be in the bark of a tree, the curve of a seashell, or the delicate lines of a fallen leaf. I know it’s not just me, when I’ve shared these little sightings with others, they nod and smile. ey’ve seen them too. Recently, during my morning walks, I’ve noticed more hearts than ever before. At rst, it felt like a happy coincidence. But then I started wondering: Why now? Why am I seeing hearts everywhere I look?

e answer came quietly but clearly: Maybe it’s because my heart is open, open to loving and being loved, open to noticing the signs, open to receiving the messages all around me.

And perhaps these heart-shaped reminders are just that, messages. Messages that love is always present. Not just in

When everything looks like a heart

WINNING WORDS

June, named after the Roman goddess Juno — protector of marriage, childbirth, and women — stands for nurturing and protective energy. So it is no surprise this month is popular for weddings and raising awareness of many social causes representing children’s and women’s issues. e top of the list is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month. is is near to my heart, having two sisters die of Alzheimer’s disease and being a vigilant supporter of ghting the disease and its e ects on families.

ere is so much to deal with emotionally and medically when a family member is diagnosed with any form of dementia or brain issues. When you add the nancial burden, it is almost unbearable. As a nancial adviser, I have seen the devastation brain illness causes for the entire family and community.

Sometimes, I am the rst to notice a client slipping mentally in conversation or especially in grasping nancial concepts. is could be due to infrequent visits when I can see a noticeable change that a regular friend or family member might not recognize as a change in cognitive function. Also, when you add numbers to the conversation, this is a di erent environment than others may see their loved one in and think everything is ne at Sunday dinner or when out for a walk.

I am not the goddess Juno, but the best nurturing and protective advice I can give is to always be prepared, for any illness, event, or end of life. You don’t want to leave your family scrambling to understand your needs and wishes when you are most vulnerable and may not be able to communicate. I often hear clients say they are not ready to make arrangements for a medical directive, health care agent or a Power of Attorney (POA). I suggest you make them anyway and then vow to change them in the future if you want

ey become a gentle whisper: You were loved. You still are.

worth it.

grand gestures or hallmark moments, but in the everyday. In nature. In the people around us. In our memories and in our moments of stillness.

It reminded me of that old country song, “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places.” Maybe we need to start looking for love in all the right places, the kind of love that isn’t loud or ashy but present, steady, generous, and sometimes even quiet. e kind that leaves clues if you’re willing to see them.

As I walked and re ected, each heartshaped nd brought to mind someone I love, my wife, my family, my friends, my coworkers, my church family, and those kind souls whose presence lifts me. But it also opened the door to grief, reminding me of those whose faces I no longer get to see. ere’s a tender pain in that kind of remembering, but also a deep beauty. e memories themselves carry love.

Focus on brain health awareness

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

to make adjustments. Also, make sure your POA is good for nancial accounts, not just selling a house or car. We may still be dealing with a generation who is uncomfortable discussing nances with their adult children. Get your nancial adviser to hold a family meeting and you direct how much should be disclosed but at least get the conversation started.

e Alzheimer’s Association states that worldwide, there are more than 55 million people living with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. is is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ey list the top ve signs as:

• Memory loss such as forgetting events, repeating yourself

• Di culty planning or solving problems, paying bills, or following instructions

• Trouble completing familiar tasks, driving, cooking, shopping, using technology

• Confusion with time or place, losing track of dates

• Problems with visual images and spatial relations, balance, judging distance, tripping, dropping, or spilling things.

Alzheimer’s can strike at any time but is most common in our eighties or later. My sister Alice was 47. My sister Ruth was 70. It is important to be aware and start the conversation and plan. is helps ease family dynamics and address the nancial burden while you can all communicate and prepare together.

Patricia Kummer is managing director for Mariner, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser.

I’ve come to believe that when everything starts to look like a heart, it’s a sign that our emotions are not just alive but awake. We are tuned into something deeper. We’re allowing love to rise to the surface and shape how we see the world. Of course, not everyone walks through life looking for hearts. Some seem to make it their mission to nd what’s broken. ey focus on the bad, the unjust, the messy. And while we should never turn a blind eye to pain or pretend problems don’t exist, there’s something to be said for being a good- nder, someone who seeks out what’s beautiful, kind, and loving. Or better yet, a love- nder. ere’s no denying the division and noise that echo through the world today. But maybe, just maybe, there’s truth in another song lyric: What the world needs now, is love, sweet love. Not the abstract kind. e real kind. e kind that sees hearts in tree bark and cracks in the pavement. e kind that sees people fully. at gives generously. at believes again and again that love is always

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

BOCC messed up recycling

Regarding the article “An eco-friendly and safe way to recycle paint, electronics in Parker”:

So if your heart feels a little more open lately, or even if you’re just beginning to crack the door, I hope you start seeing the signs. I hope hearts show up in unexpected places. I hope you let those shapes turn your thoughts to the people you love and to the memories that still breathe warmth into your spirit.

And maybe, just maybe, when everything starts to look like a heart, it’s God reminding you of what truly matters. After all, we’re called to love as we have been loved.

So here’s my prayer for you: May your days be lled with hearts. May your heart be open. And may love always nd its way in. As always, I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we take notice when everything looks like a heart, 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.

It used to be easy to do. It’s a shame Douglas County communities have had to struggle to put together these types of events recently. Up through 2019, TriCounty Health Department, the county’s former shared health department, sponsored such annual events around the county in the fall, called the Household Chemical Roundup. I volunteered for the one in Castle Rock for many years, doing vehicle o -load. It was a lot of fun and a great way to give back to the community. But the pandemic changed all of that. Masking and other so-called encroachment on “freedom” was a bridge too far, and the BOCC at the time, of which two members remain, decided to part ways with TCHD and form a new county health dept. As such, those events no longer happen, and here we are.

Chris Demarest Castle Rock

Consider leaving Trump behind I’m submitting a de nition as follows:

A person who suppresses the press; appoints supporters in key posts in his administration (attorney general, secretary of state, inspector generals, FBI director, and others); silences his critics via threats; uses ICE to arrest and often deport not only undocumented immigrants (he claims to be getting rid of criminals) but citizens of the country; attempts to use the judicial system to attain his goals; completely disregards the rule of law etc.

As many have realized I’ve de ned a dictator.

makes up the rest of his administration we could have the same problems. I urge those who voted him in to consider voting for candidates who truly support a democratic form of government in the midterms of 2026.

Lawrence Sena Castle Rock

Medication plan is bad idea

I’m fortunate to be in generally good health, but like many others, I rely on maintenance medications to keep it that way. Often, speci c brand-name drugs are the ones that work consistently. I pay close attention to any policy that could a ect whether patients can keep getting the medications they trust. at’s why I’m alarmed by the Trump administration’s recent Most Favored Nation (MFN) proposal. Tying our drug prices to foreign countries might sound like a quick x, but it won’t guarantee access, and it could choke the investment pipeline that makes brand-specific innovation possible in the rst place. When a treatment nally works for someone, access should never be up for negotiation.

One person exhibits these traits: Donald J. Trump.

I fervently hope against all odds that, he is impeached and convicted — we would hopefully get back to some degree of normalcy. However given who

At the same time, we know the current system has its own problems, especially with PBMs. ese corporate middlemen have long been an issue in so many ways. ey manipulate which drugs get covered and often pocket the discounts instead of passing savings to patients. Reforms to crack down on PBM abuse, already in Congress’s reconciliation package, are long overdue. DC should follow Colorado’s example: is year the state took a major step toward holding PBMs accountable and passed HB25-1094.

Let’s not trade one broken system for another. I hope Colorado’s congressional delegation will reject MFN and instead focus on passing PBM reform that helps real patients now.

omas Miller Highlands Ranch

Michael Norton

Medicaid reductions would hurt residents of Colorado

As an experienced pediatrician at Every Child Pediatrics, I have grave concerns that the cuts to Medicaid currently being considered by Congress will be devastating for Colorado families. e well-being of our children depends on access to insurance coverage for them and their caregivers. is legislation directly strips coverage from more than 100,000 Colorado adults and children and increases administrative barriers, which will result in coverage losses for those who remain eligible.

Parents with access to healthcare are better equipped to support the healthy growth and development of their children. e same is true for extended family members, childcare providers, teachers, and the many other adults who care for children. When adults in our community lose access to healthcare, children su er the consequences.

Every Child Pediatrics is a nonpro t safety net clinic that cares for more than 30,000 children across Colorado regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. In the past year, we have seen the number of uninsured patients more than double, resulting in a drastic increase in the amount of uncompensated care we provide at our clinics. Medicaid cuts will further increase uncompensated care and risk the sustainability of safety-net providers across the state.

e proposed changes to the Medicaid program will make it harder for people to access health insurance. Insurance coverage enables people to access preventative care, protect themselves from illness, and seek early detection and treatment when problems arise. Immunizations protect our communities from outbreaks of vaccine preventable infections. Screening for lead and iron deciency in young children prevents longterm impacts to their health and brain development. Appropriate management of chronic disease not only improves quality of life and health outcomes but also prevents hospitalizations and lowers healthcare costs. Many Coloradans will lose access to preventative care with cuts to Medicaid.

e proposed cuts do not eliminate fraud, waste, or abuse. Instead, they create administrative barriers — such as requiring members to re-enroll every six months or prove they have a job or are a caregiver — which will prevent people from accessing coverage. Colorado witnessed the catastrophic e ects of administrative barriers on healthcare coverage

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• Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.

• Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in the following week’s newspaper.

• Letters must be no longer than 400 words.

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GUEST COLUMN

following the pandemic. With the end of the public health emergency, more than 211,000 Colorado children lost their Medicaid coverage, the majority due to problems with paperwork. Several of my patients’ families didn’t know that they had lost coverage until they arrived in clinic. Many had completed the necessary steps, but their children went months without coverage due to delays in the Medicaid system. Administrative burdens forced eligible families and kids to lose coverage after the public health emergency and will again with the proposed measures.

Every Child Pediatrics was founded on the principle that all children deserve the quality healthcare needed to become healthy adults — medical care, mental healthcare, nutrition services, dental care and resource support for their families. roughout my career, I have seen that parents and caregivers also need resources and support for their children to thrive. Families living in poverty, many juggling multiple jobs while caring for their children, deserve a safety net that works to eliminate barriers, not a system that creates unnecessary administrative burdens framed as cost-saving measures. e proposed Medicaid cuts will harm Colorado families. ey will miss immunizations, well visits, and screening for chronic conditions. ey will be unable to access medications for chronic diseases and will have more hospital stays and worse health outcomes. All of us will pay for this as healthcare costs rise and our families get sicker.

If we fail our children now by cutting o their coverage or the coverage for the adults in their lives, it will be at the expense of our state today and for many years to come. e future of Colorado depends on the ability of our children to become healthy, productive adults who continue to help our communities thrive. We should protect Medicaid - for kids, for families, and for Colorado.

is guest column was written by Laura Luzietti, M.D. She is a pediatrician who serves as executive director of Every Child Pediatrics, a nonpro t safety-net clinic that serves more than 30,000 children across Colorado regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for o ce. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 12 days of an election.

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• We will edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length and write headlines (titles) for letters at our discretion.

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Parker Chronicle

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A look into Parker’s camping abatement process and procedures

Town aims to provide wrap-around resources to unhoused individuals

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With the intent to protect safety and welfare of the community, Parker prohibits unauthorized camping on public property, including the oodplains. Now, the town is in the midst of updating portions of its municipal code to clarify what conduct is prohibited and what the process for abating campsites in the town are.

One example includes changing the de nition of camping from “to reside or dwell temporarily in a place with shelter,” to “using a public space for living accommodation purposes.”

Several factors help guide these decisions. For example, remaining in an area for a prolonged or repeated period of time, if the individual attempts to make preparations, occupying a shelter outdoors, if they have a cooking device and if they are keeping or storing property.

e o cer must determine if the individual is in need of medical or human services assistance, and must make an e ort to contact assistance. e updates will provide Parker police o cers with more discretion to determine next steps after resources are o ered.

“ ey always must o er resources to those who are unhoused before they can take any action,” said Town Attorney Kelsey Hall during a town council meeting in May. “ is allows them to determine appropriate next steps if resources are not taken.”

Additionally, parks in Parker close at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. respectively, and people who are in

the parks after these hours could potentially get a citation.

Abatement, which is the removal or cleanup of an unauthorized campsite, follows a similar process. ere will be a notice for the removal of property at least 72 hours before the proposed cleanup date and certain property recovered by police from the cleanup will be stored by the police for 30 days. e town provides clarication on what should be thrown away, what should be given to the police, and what is considered essential personal property that requires storage.

Essential personal property includes important government issued documents, such as a driver’s license and birth certi cate, medications, glasses and electronic devices. Additionally, the property should be able to t inside a regular-sized backpack.  “ e purpose of this policy is to ensure that those things that are truly really important to get services, or that are very di cult to replace, can be stored,” said Hall. “We just simply do not have the capacity to take every piece of property recovered from a campsite.”

CONSTRUCTION

will inconvenience some shoppers and diners in the short term, we are certain that the allure of downtown Parker will remain strong in spite of temporary inconveniences,” Sullivan said.

With each phase expected to take about two days, the project will be constructed in six phases and is anticipated to be complete by mid-July.

Phase one

e town is not requiring a notice to abate in certain circumstances, such as emergency situations or if the campsite is blocking a street or sidewalk.

What’s being seen in Parker

According to the latest data from the Douglas County Homeless Engagement Assistance and Resource Team (HEART) impact tracker, 7% of the referrals made in 2023 were in Parker.

Data from January from the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative’s Point-In-Time survey, which is a snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night, shows that 58 individuals were experiencing homelessness in Douglas County, with 10 of them in Parker.

During a Parker planning commission meeting on May 8, Commander Joe Degenhart told the commission that notices of violations and abatements typically increase in the summer months.

At a later meeting, he told the town council that there are individuals that also sleep in their cars and campers in Parker.

A spokesperson for the Parker Police Department told the Park-

During this phase of construction, westbound Mainstreet, between Parker Road and Victorian Drive West will be closed. Instead, travelers can use South Pine Drive and Hilltop Road to get to Parker Road.

Phase 3

is phase will also take place on the southern side of Mainstreet, but it will be between Victorian Drive West and Victorian Drive East.

Eastbound Mainstreet between Victorian Drive West and Victorian Drive East will be closed during this phase.

The Douglas County “Handouts Don’t Help” signs posted around the county, including O’Brien Park in downtown Parker, encourage residents to support the Homeless Engagement Assistance and Resource Teams that provide resources to individuals who are unhoused.

er Chronicle that the town has engaged in very few cleanups, but that they are generally located in the town’s oodplains, which causes safety concerns.

“Should the town be able to contact individuals who are engaged in authorized camping areas of the town, we will make every e ort to work with them and o er resources prior to engaging in any cleanup e orts,” said Jacob Schuster. “ e town posts notice in the areas where cleanup is anticipated to occur to ensure that any individuals who may have property in those areas has time to remove their property.”

Degenhart said resources in Douglas County, like the Community Response Teams (CRT) and the Homeless Engagement Assistance and Resource Teams (HEART), provide support, resources to help individuals avoid visiting the emergency room or being taken to jail.

“(We) partner with the HEART team and o er services, as well as CRT for mental health concerns,” said Degenhart. “However, for some people, this (homelessness) is their choice and this is how they chose to live their life.”

Peak to Mainstreet will not be maintained.

Phase 5

e fth phase will take place on the southern side of Mainstreet between Victorian Drive East and South Pine Drive.Eastbound Mainstreet between Victorian Drive East and South Pine Drive will be closed.  Travelers can use Pikes Peak Drive, Pikes Peak Avenue and South Pine Drive as a detour, or Victorian Drive East, Summerset Lane and Pine Drive.

Phase 6

CORRECTIONS

• The story “Schools’ summer lunches underway” that ran in June 5 editions incorrectly reported the population of Douglas County. The estimated population is about 394,000.

• The story “Life after breast cancer, and lessons learned” that ran in May 29 editions included an incorrect URL for Diane Simard’s website. The correct URL is dianemsimard.com.

e rst phase will take place on the southern side of Mainstreet, between Parker Road and Victorian West Drive.

During this phase, eastbound Mainstreet, between Parker Road and Victorian Drive West will be closed.  Travelers, which includes motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, are asked to use Hilltop Road and South Pine Drive to access Mainstreet, or use Longs Way and Victorian Drive West.

Phase 2

e second phase will take place on the northern side of Mainstreet, between Parker Road and Victorian West Drive.

e left-turn access from Pikes Peak Drive to get to Mainstreet will be maintained, however, the right-turn access from Pikes Peak Drive to Mainstreet will not be maintained. erefore, travelers should use South Pine Drive as a detour.

Phase 4

Phase 4 will also take place between Victorian Drive East and Victorian Drive West, but on the northside of Mainstreet.

While westbound Mainstreet will be closed between Victorian Drive East and Victorian Drive West, drivers are advised to use Mainstreet and Victorian Drive as a detour. Additionally, right-turn access from Pikes Peak Drive to Mainstreet will be maintained.  However, the left-turn access from Pikes

e nal phase will also take place between Victorian Drive East and South Pine Drive, but on the northern side of Mainstreet.

Westbound Mainstreet will be closed between South Pine Drive and Victorian Drive. erefore, travelers are advised to use South Pine Drive, Pikes Peak Avenue and Pikes Peak Drive; or Pine Drive, Summerset Lane and Victorian Drive East to navigate around the closure.

For a visual look at the suggested detours, visit the Parker website at tinyurl.com/ mainstreet-detours.

Additionally, the town has an online map informing residents of planned street maintenance, which can be found at tinyurl.com/ street-maintenance-map.

Support for Medicaid cuts low in Colorado

Just 21% in poll support decreased Medicaid spending

BY DELILAH BRUMER NEWSLINE

Just 21% of Colorado voters want Congress to decrease Medicaid spending, according to a recently-released poll.

Concerns about gutted health care access come as U.S. Senate Republican leaders work to push through a tax and spending bill that would cut Medicaid by an estimated $625 billion over the next decade.

e poll zeroed in on the 8th Congressional District, which includes the northern Denver metro area and parts of Weld County. In the district, where 1 in 4 residents receive Medicaid bene ts, 63% of voters said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who voted to cut Medicaid.

e 8th District is represented by Republican Gabe Evans, who voted in favor of the plan that would reduce federal Medicaid spending when it was brought to the U.S. House of Representatives in May.

A spokesperson for Evans defended the vote, saying a proposed provision to institute part-time work requirements for

some people to retain Medicaid eligibility would make “the program more e cient by cutting out fraud, waste, and abuse.”

“Congressman Gabe Evans has been steadfast in his support of protecting Medicaid for the vulnerable populations it was created to serve — pregnant women, kids, and disabled people,” said spokesperson Delanie Bomar in a statement.

Evans, who was elected to the House last year, represents one of the country’s few congressional swing districts. According to the poll, 42% of voters in the district want to see increased federal Medicaid spending, 20% want it to stay about the

Polls show that fewer than a quarter of Colorado voters support decreased spending on Medicaid.

SHUTTERSTOCK

same and 28% want it to decrease.

Medicaid, the state-federal health care program for lower-income people and some with disabilities, serves more than 70 million U.S. residents.

e poll of 675 registered Colorado voters was conducted by Broom eld-based rm Magellan Strategies on behalf of the nonpro t Healthier Colorado. It has a margin of error of 3.7%.

“Politicians are saying that they want to cut Medicaid to make it better, but the poll shows clearly that voters aren’t buying what they’re selling,” said Jake Williams, CEO of Healthier Colorado. “It shows that

there’s real political peril for any candidate who votes to cut Medicaid.”

Bomar pointed to the poll’s ndings that many respondents, especially those who are Republicans or una liated, said Medicaid “should only be for U.S. citizens or legal residents, with some calling for stricter eligibility enforcement.”

Immigrants who are in the U.S. unlawfully are not eligible for federal Medicaid bene ts, but Colorado and 13 other states provide some state-funded coverage to immigrants lacking permanent legal status. Under the proposed federal cuts, an estimated 7.8 million people, most of them citizens or lawful residents, would lose access to Medicaid, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Ofce.

Some of the main reasons cited in the poll by respondents who said they have favorable opinions of Medicaid are the bene ts it provides to low-income Coloradans, seniors, children, people with disabilities and single parents.

“ e poll shows that Medicaid cuts would have devastating e ects for both our health and economy here in Colorado,” Williams said. “I also think it shows that Colorado voters aren’t dummies.” is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For many, the feeling is all too familiar: hands awkwardly gripping the fretboard, the sharp bite of the strings digging into ngertips, an out-of-pitch buzz emitting from the soundhole — the early days of learning to play guitar can dissuade even the most persistent student from the pursuit.

Yet those who persist often discover the hard-earned spoils of guitar playing. Camp res become enlivened with sound, impromptu jam sessions serendipitously come together and in some cases, bands and long-standing musical careers are formed.

While many guitarists learn the instrument when they’re children, others come by it later in life – and the instrument has plenty to o er folks no matter when they pick it up. David Gilbert, a father of two from Englewood, began playing recently because he wanted to expose his young children to the magic of live music.

“I’m pushing 40,” Gilbert said. “At this point, the likelihood that I’m going to end up some guitar virtuoso is pretty slim, but what I recognize is that I can get to a point where I can subject my family to some camp re songs.

“And I think that kind of speaks to the essence of guitar — kind of as this common man’s instrument that doesn’t take too much to get to a point where you can play

some simple sing-along songs with kids, or get to a point where you can just make a fun sound or a little tune,” he continued. “So at this point, that’s my goal; to learn enough chords that I can play some music.”

Gilbert, like many other later–life guitar learners, has turned to a common source of information in the modern age for instruction: YouTube.

e widely utilized social media site is sought out by both novices and seasoned professionals alike.

Warren Rubin is a lifelong guitarist who began playing at an early age and now plays bass guitar in the Arvada-based band, Dive Bar Diva. Rubin works as a soundman for artists such as Hazel Miller and operates an ampli er repair shop out of his garage. He is sometimes known as the “Amp Whisperer.”

Rubin says that there are more resources out there for aspiring guitarists now than there have ever been.

“You don’t have to take classes every week or every month; as much as you need to just pursue interesting ideas,” Rubin said. “Watch other people who have other approaches to the instrument. We live in a golden age for this sort of thing, because you can turn to YouTube and there are people who are just absolutely brilliant guitarists showing you what they do and how they do it.”

Guitarist Kevin Pounds has played in a number of Colorado bands, including We Are Not A Glum Lot (pictured). PHOTO BY MACHKNE RUDNICKI

GUITAR

FROM PAGE 14

Some of the YouTube channels Rubin and Gilbert recommend are Rick Beato, Justin Guitar, Paul Davids, Andy Guitar, and Wings of Pegasus.

While Rubin acknowledges the utility of something like YouTube, he also continues to take in-person lessons at the Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor in Arvada, despite having played the instrument for over six decades.

“All of the best guitar players I know — including my teacher, who has a master’s degree in jazz — continue to take classes,” Rubin said. “If you can a ord it, take lessons, not because it’s the only way to learn the instrument, but it gives you a strong set of fundamentals.”

e Denver metro area is awash with music schools that o er guitar lessons. Arvada’s Pickin’ Parlor, Denver’s Swallow Hill Music, Englewood’s Denver Music Institute and the Littleton School of Music all o er lessons for a variety of di erent styles and skill levels.

While many continue to take lessons long after rst picking up the instrument, other players eschew them altogether. Kevin Pounds — a Colorado Springsbased musician who records under the name Kevin Lbs. and has played in bands including We Are Not A Glum Lot and e Short-TERM — is completely self-taught and learned the instrument by ear.

“I spent my rst year playing, probably hours a day, sounding out Nirvana songs by ear,” Pounds said. “Just dragging my ngers up the strings until I heard some semblance of what was coming out of the speaker across from me. I became a bit more literate with time. I started to realize that certain chords that I was learning matched individual notes on my fretboard.”

Pounds echoed Rubin’s sentiment about trying to learn from others.

“Try not to compare yourself to others,” Pounds said. “It can be very discouraging. But on that note, don’t be afraid to steal their tricks or techniques. You’re always going to put your own scent on it anyway.”  Gilbert said the main hurdles he’s dealt with as a newer player are developing the muscle memory to be able to quickly change chords and nding time to practice.

“It reminds me, actually, somewhat of where I started to feel a little stumped with learning a foreign language,” Gilbert said. “Doing rapid chord changes is still something I’m training my ngers to do.

“ e other big challenge for me right now is just time,” Gilbert continued. “You know, I’ve got a full-time job and I’ve got kids, so, if I’m lucky, I’ve got half an hour in the evening to sit down with a YouTube tutorial and mess around with guitar. But that’s sort of the bene t of the YouTube thing. I don’t have to build lessons into my schedule. I can t them in where it works.”

Rubin said that instead of seeking out mastery, one should play simply for the enjoyment of the instrument.

“If it brings you joy, you already play well enough,” Rubin said. “And you know, what brings you joy? Is it just playing three chords and being able to sing some of your favorite songs? Is it being able to sit in your chair and noodle a little bit while you watch television? Do it. It’s never too late to start.

“You don’t need to become a virtuoso,” Rubin continued. “I’m not going to live long enough to be a virtuoso, but you don’t need to be a virtuoso for playing to bring you joy.”

Guitarist Kevin Pounds learned the instrument by figuring out songs by ear, demonstrating one of the many paths one can take on their way to learning to play.

PHOTO BY MACHKNE RUDNICKI

Folks of any age can learn to play guitar, and there are lots of methods available by which to do so.

PHOTO BY DAVID GILBERT

Though Warren Rubin has been playing most of his life, he advocates for players to continue with lessons and keep sharpening their skills. COURTESY PHOTO

Renaissance Festival returns for 48th season

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Step beyond the castle gates and into a world of kings and queens, knights and jousts, jesters, witches and wandering minstrels as the Colorado Renaissance Festival returns to Larkspur for its 48th season.

e festival opened on June 14 and will remain open until Aug. 3.

Nestled within towering castle walls, this beloved summer tradition transforms a forested hillside into a bustling village, where the clang of swords, the scent of roasted turkey legs and the melodies of lute music ll the air.

is year’s event promises both beloved traditions and exciting new additions. Kristy Ekiss, operations manager and performer, said among the headliners is Adam Crack, a Guinness World Record-holding whip artist, who will perform during the festival’s rst three weekends.

New artists will also join the bustling artisan marketplace, including a stained glass creator, a permanent jewelry booth and talented graphic artists.

“I think people enjoy getting away from digital entertainment and stepping into a 360 theatrical experience,” Ekiss said.

Additionally, she said the Colorado Renaissance Festival is known for its

fully immersive environment, where every visitor becomes part of the show.

e cast is a highlight for many, renowned for being one of the most interactive festivals around.

“We are known for having one of the friendliest and most interactive casts in the country. Look for them throughout the day in the lanes and enjoy the small one-on-one interactions just as much as the big, impressive stage shows,” Ekiss said.

Tens of thousands of attendees are expected to visit the festival throughout the summer, drawn by the mix of entertainment, shopping, food and fantasy.

“I also play the Queen on the weekends, and my favorite part is meeting the children and making them smile — especially at Royal Teatime,” Ekiss said.

“I think the little moments can be just as magical as the big ones.”

As the Colorado Renaissance Festival celebrates nearly ve decades as part of the state’s summer traditions, organizers are excited to welcome back returning guests and rst-timers alike.

“We are honored to be celebrating 48 seasons as a part of the Colorado community and can’t wait to see everyone,” Ekiss said.

For details on tickets, themed weekends and special performances, visit coloradorenaissance.com/.

New 2theXtreme Exhibit at Wings Over The Rockies museum explores math

BY MICHAEL GILES SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Sell Practical marketing solutions to local businesses.

Sales territories currently available in various communities.

e Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum launched its brand-new 2theXtreme exhibit on June 1, o ering an exciting new learning experience for kids and families seeking fun and educational activities this summer.

is innovative exhibit, developed by Evergreen Exhibits, highlights the vital role math plays in our everyday lives, providing an interactive experience where children can discover just how much math shapes the world around them.

“ e whole idea is to show how math is a part of your life,” said Stewart Bailey, the exhibit’s curator. “ e exhibit uses all sorts of fun, interactive activities to get this across. ere are di erent themed areas, including sports, robotics, the environment, computer-related games, music, fashion and architecture.”

Children can expect to learn tons of exciting information, like how to make skateboards or snowboards perform faster using math, the mathematics behind Mars Rovers, and even the math behind predicting weather patterns to create their own reports.

Bailey also mentioned that there is a part of the exhibit called Style Revolution, which takes a 360-degree photo of you, which you can email to yourself as a free souvenir. According to the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan, where this exhibit was last seen, the 360-degree photo was a big hit for their visitors.

ere’s another area called Pedaling to the Peak that is all about bicycling, showing you a graph of your performance.

However, if sports or things that have to do with the outdoors aren’t within your interest, rest assured, as this exhibit also highlights how math is involved with the arts. Bailey mentioned that visitors can expect to see a gigantic interactive musical instrument structure that demonstrates how math interacts with music.

With such a wide variety of themes, every child will have an opportunity to see how math in uences the things they already love. e exhibit features over 40 interactive, real-world math elements to explore, ensuring that every visitor, regardless of their interest in math, will nd something to spark their curiosity.

e 2theXtreme exhibit is included with general admission to the museum and will be open until Sept. 7. Buy tickets online at www.wingsmuseum.org.

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Two soldiers joust on the field at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, which runs until Aug. 3 this year.

COURTESY OF DUSTIN LIANG

Young patrons dance with ladies of the court at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.

COURTESY OF BRITT JONES

Fri 6/27

Lani Watson: Local Pride Celebration @ 3pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver

May Be Fern

@ 3:30pm Larimer Square, 1430 Larimer St, Denver

2025 Wine Event -- Hyatt Regency

DTC June 27, 2025

@ 5pm / $225

Wendy Clark Band and more at Denver Art Society @ 12pm

Denver Art Society, 734 Santa Fe Dr, Denver

Mon 6/30

Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, 7800 East Tufts Avenue, Denver. spon sorships@childrenscoloradofounda tion.org

My'StroE: Vibes & Pride Artist Showcase @ 6pm

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, 1624 Market St, Denver

KB ANGEL: ICRME Gay Pride Show @ 7:30pm #VYBE, 1027 N Broadway,, Denver

Red Rock Vixens @ Tailgate Tavern (Night 1)

@ 7:30pm Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Sat 6/28

Caffeine and Chrome – Classic Cars and Coffee at Gateway Classic Cars of Denver @ 8am

Gateway Classic Cars of Denver, 14150 Grass‐lands Drive, Englewood. marketing@gateway classiccars.com, 618-271-3000

Yes Plz Pride 2025

@ 1pm

Club Vinyl, Denver

Tue 7/01

Sarah Adams: Lion's Lair | duo @ 4:30pm Lion's Lair, 2022 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Cecelia Band: Cecelia + Splintered Autumn + Pretty Trouble @ 6pm Moe's Original BBQ, 3295 S Broadway, Englewood

John Baumann @ 6pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, En‐glewood

Sun 6/29

Nordic Daughter: Scandinavian Midsummer Festival 2025 @ 10am Civic Green Park, 9370 S Ridgeline Blvd, Highlands Ranch

Jr Soccer Stars - Ages 6-8

@ 8:30am / $89

Jun 30th - Jul 2nd

Kistler Park, 9603 Burntwood Way, Highlands Ranch. 720-297-0117

Helicopter Copter: Perc Ens @ Evenings al Fresco @ 4pm

Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver

Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra @ 6pm

Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th Street, Den‐ver

Film on The Rocks: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) @ 7pm

Jackson Emmer: Songwriting Workshop @ 5pm

Swallow Hill Music, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Otlo @ 7pm

Your Mom's House, 608 E 13th Ave., Denver

Wed 7/02

DEADROCKS XI WITH ZEDS DEAD @ 3:30pm

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison

Sugar Britches John Prine Tribute at Four mile historic Park, Denver @ 5:30pm Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S Forest St, Denver

Thu 7/03

Rob Schneider LIVE @ 6:30pm

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl, Greenwood Village

Foggy Memory Boys Live @ the Velvet Banjo - Phish After Party @ 9pm Velvet Banjo, 741 E Colfax Ave, Denver

1. MOVIES: What is the title of the rst James Bond lm?

2. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the color of the “black box” that records an airplane’s performance?

3. TELEVISION: What is the theme song for the long-running sitcom “All in the Family”?

4. LITERATURE: What is the name of Ron Weasley’s family home in the “Harry Potter” series?

5. GAMES: How many dice are used in a game of Yahtzee?

6. SCIENCE: What does a mole measure in chemistry?

7. MYTHOLOGY: What is the Greek god of darkness called?

8. FOOD & DRINK: Which type of liquor is traditionally used in a gimlet?

9. ASTRONOMY: How many moons does Saturn have?

TrIVIa

10. CHEMISTRY: What is the chemical symbol for gold?

Answers

1. “Dr. No.”

2. Orange.

3. “ ose Were the Days.”

4. e Burrow.

5. Five.

6. e amount of chemical substance.

7. Erebus.

8. Gin.

9. 274.

10. Au.

(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Sox, the Women’s National Basketball Association and League One Volleyball.

The Borgen/Moritz Families

Working closely with Cohen and in alignment with the team at For Denver FC on the nearly two-year journey, siblings and founders Jon-Erik Borgen and Kaia Borgen Moritz were key contributors in the early movement and eventual bid to bring an NWSL team to Denver.

Together with their spouses, Brooke Borgen and Misha Moritz, and the recent addition of sister Randi, the Borgen family has a distinguished legacy of nancial, athletic and philanthropic impact and success in Colorado. is community-focused investment through their FirstTracks Sports Ventures, LLC, represents their passion for women’s athletics, elevating opportunities for all and their commitment to bringing the rst professional women’s soccer team to Denver.

Molly Coors

It’s not Denver pro sports if Coors isn’t involved.

Coors is a fth-generation Coloradan. She played collegiate lacrosse at Connecticut College and worked for AllianceBernstein for 14 years (in the U.S. and abroad) from 2008 to 2022.

Coors is also on the Young Guns Committee for the National Western Stock Show.

DISTRICT COURT, WATER DIVISION 1, COLORADO 2025 WATER RESUME PUBLICATION

Brooke Woody

Another connection from North Carolina, Woody entered the women’s sports arena with a minority ownership stake in the NC Courage.

She recently served on the board of the Community Impact Fund, is a director of a local foundation and volunteers at a community food bank.

Neelima Joshi and Dhiren Jhaveri

Two powerhouse investors also joined the group. Denver NWSL’s page details their experience below.

Joshi is a Colorado native and seasoned nance professional with experience in corporate nance, community leadership and non-pro t board governance. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Food Bank of the Rockies. She also serves on the Board of Directors of

A rendering of the paths and parks surrounding the planned National Women’s Soccer League Stadium in Denver.

IMAGES COURTESY OF POPULOUS AND DENVER NWSL

the Biennial of the Americas, an organization which was established by the Colorado Governor’s o ce to promote cultural exchange, innovation and collaboration throughout the Americas.

Jhaveri is the founder, chairperson and CEO of Kuvare, a global technology-enabled nancial services platform with $46B in assets that provides insurance, reinsurance and asset management solutions. Additionally, Kuvare has a strong commitment to community enhancement, infrastructure development and sports-related investments. More information can be found at denvernwsl.com.

Cordillera Investment Partners

According to Denver NWSL’s website, Cordillera Investment Partners is an investment management rm focused on investing in niche, non-correlated assets.

Its investments are generally in sectors that are misunderstood, undercapitalized and uncorrelated with traditional assets. Cordillera manages approximately $1.8 billion of capital on behalf of endowments, foundations, family o ces, wealth advisors and other institutional investors.

The Soin Family, led by Vishal Soin Raj Soin and Vishal Soin represent two generations of entrepreneurial leadership and philanthropic commitment of the Soin Family. More online at denvernwsl. com.

For Denver FC Capital Partners (SPV)

Founded in 2022 by Ben Hubbard, Tom Dunmore, Jordan Angeli and Nicole Glaros, For Denver FC launched the movement that ultimately brought professional women’s soccer to Colorado. e club’s site reads, “For Denver FC’s work was instrumental in the early stages of Denver’s pursuit of an NWSL franchise, helping lay the foundations for Denver’s successful bid by generating deep grassroots enthusiasm, exploring infrastructure solutions, and engaging Rob Cohen and other key members of the ownership group. In early 2025, Hubbard, Dunmore, Angeli and Glaros were joined by Stacy Carter to form ForDenverFC Capital Partners, which includes Yoav Lurie and Lana Kimayeva, Jodi Asarch, Sebastian Somen, omas and Carrie Hutchinson and others.

Follow Denver NWSL on social media channels for updates on stadium-building, partnerships and more. All other information can be found at denvernwsl.com.

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN WATER APPLICATIONS IN WATER DIVISION 1

Pursuant to C.R.S. 37-92-302, you are notified that the following is a resume of all water right applications, certain amendments filed in the Office of the Water Clerk and/or ordered published during the month MAY 2025 for each County affected. (This publication can be viewed in its entirety on the state court website at: www.coloradojudicial.gov)

NUMBER 2025CW3064 JENNIFER L VANDEVENTER AND DUSTIN V DEVINE, 37631 Rd. 21, Elizabeth, CO 80107, James J. Petrock, John D Buchanan, Hayes Poznanovic Korver LLC, th Street, Suite 1800, Denver, CO 80202. APPLICATION FOR UNDERGROUND WATER RIGHTS FROM NONTRIBUTARY AND NOT-NONTRIBUTARY DENVER BASIN AQUIFERS

APPROVAL OF PLAN FOR AUGMENTATION IN THE NOT-NONTRIBUTARY UPPER

APPLICATION FOR UNDERGROUND

WATER RIGHTS FROM NONTRIBUTARY AND NOT-NONTRIBUTARY DENVER BASIN

AQUIFERS AND APPROVAL OF PLAN FOR AUGMENTATION IN THE NOT-NONTRIBUTARY UPPER

DAWSON IN ELBERT COUNTY. Subject Property: A parcel totalingapproximately 40 acres generally located in the SE1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 29, Township 7 South, Range 64 West of the 6th P.M., at the street address 37631 County Rd. 21 Elizabeth, CO 80107 as shown on Exhibit A (“Subject Property”). Lien Holder Certification: Applicant has provided notice to all mortgage or lien holders as required under C.R.S. § 37-92-302(2)(b). Well Permits: There is a well on the Subject Property permitted under Well Permit Number 144394. Additional well permits will be applied for prior to construction of additional wells. Source of Water Rights: The Upper Dawson Aquifer is not-nontributary as defined in C.R.S. § 37-90-103(10.7), and the Lower Dawson, Denver, Upper Arapahoe, and Laramie-Fox Hills aquifers are nontributary as defined in C.R.S. § 37-90-103(10.5). Estimated Amounts: Applicants may leave groundwater associated with Permit No. 144394 unadjudicated. Applicants estimate the following amounts may be available for withdrawal, based on a 100-year and 300-year withdrawal period:

DAWSON IN ELBERT COUNTY Subject Property: A parcel totaling approximately 40 acres generally in the SE1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 29, Township 7 South, Range 64 West of the 6thP.M., at the address 37631 County Rd. 21 Elizabeth, CO 80107 as shown on Exhibit A (“Subject Property”). Holder Certification: Applicant has provided notice to all mortgage or lien holders as required under § 37-92-302(2)(b). Well Permits: There is a well on the Subject Property permitted under Well Number 144394. Additional well permits will be applied for prior to construction of additional Source of Water Rights: The Upper Dawson Aquifer is not-nontributary as defined in C.R.S. § 37103(10.7), and the Lower Dawson, Denver, Upper Arapahoe, and Laramie-Fox Hills aquifers are nontributary as defined in C.R.S. § 37-90-103(10.5). Estimated Amounts: Applicants may leave groundwater associated with Permit No. 144394 unadjudicated. Applicants estimate the following amounts available for withdrawal, based on a 100-year and 300-year withdrawal period: Aquifer Annual Amount for 100-year withdrawals (acre-feet)

* Applicants plan to leave up to one acre-foot per year of water in the Upper Dawson aquifer unadjudicated for use in the existing well permit no. 144394, which leaves 3.52 acre-feet per year available for adjudication. Applicants reserve the right to adjudicate all or a portion of this one acre-foot in this application without amending the application or republishing the same. Proposed Uses: Groundwater withdrawn from the not-nontributary and nontributary aquifers underlying the Subject Property will be used, reused, and successively used to extinction for all allowable beneficial uses, including, but not limited to, domestic,

Elbert Legals

including in-house use, commercial, irrigation, stock watering, fire protection, recreational, fish and wildlife, and augmentation purposes, including storage. The water may be immediately used or stored for subsequent use, used for exchange purposes, for direct replacement of depletions, and for other augmentation purposes, including taking credit for all return flows resulting from the use of such water for augmentation of, or as an offset against, any out-of-priority depletions. The water may be leased, sold, or otherwise disposed of for all the above uses both on and off the Subject Property. Jurisdiction: The Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this application pursuant to C.R.S. §§ 37-90-137(6), 37-92-203(1), 37-92-302(2). Summary of Plan for Augmentation: Groundwater to be Augmented: 3.1 acre-feet per year of not-nontributary Upper Dawson Aquifer groundwater for 300 years. Water Rights to be Used for Augmentation: Return flows from the use of not- nontributary and nontributary groundwater and direct discharge of nontributary groundwater. Statement of Plan for Augmentation: Applicants plan to subdivide the Subject Property and construct up to four homes, including ADUs. The not-nontributary Upper Dawson Aquifer groundwater will be used to provide in-house use in the four single-family dwellings (0.3 acre-foot per year) for a total of 1.2 acre-feet per year; commercial sanitary use in a workshop and veterinary clinic totaling 0.14 acre-foot per year; watering of horses totaling up to 0.25 acre-foot per year, which may include commercial use for boarding horses; irrigation of up to 20,000 square feet of lawn, garden, trees, and landscaping totaling 1 acre-foot per year; filling of pools and hot tubs totaling up to 0.5 acre-foot per year; and fire protection. The water will be used directly and/or after storage anywhere on the Subject Property. Applicants reserve the right to amend the amount and uses and amount of water estimated for each use without amending the application or republishing the same. Sewage treatment for in-house and commercial use will be provided by non-evaporative septic systems. Return flow from in-house and commercial use will be approximately 90% of that use and return flow from irrigation use will be approximately 15% of that use. During pumping Applicants will replace actual depletions pursuant to C.R.S. § 37-90-137(9)(c.5).Depletions occur to the South Platte River stream system and return flows accrue to that stream system and are sufficient to replace actual depletions while the subject groundwater is being pumped. Applicants will reserve an equal amount of nontributary groundwater underlying the Subject Property to meet post-pumping augmentation requirements.Applicants request the Court approve the above underground waterrights and augmentation plan, find that Applicants have complied with C.R.S. § 37-90-137(4) and water is legally available for withdrawal, find there will be no material injury to the owners of or persons entitled to use water under any vested water right or decreed conditional water right, and grant such other and further relief as is appropriate. 4 pages. THE WATER RIGHTS CLAIMED BY THESE APPLICATIONS MAY AFFECT IN PRIORITY ANY WATER RIGHTS CLAIMED OR HERETOFORE ADJUDICATED WITHIN THIS DIVISION AND OWNERS OF AFFECTED RIGHTS MUST APPEAR TO OBJECT WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY STATUTE OR BE FOREVER BARRED.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that any party who wishes to oppose an application, or an amended application, may file with the

PM in Elbert County. Permitted Well: Well Permit Number 210736 located SE 1/4, NE 1/4, S7, T9S, R64W of the 6th PM in Elbert County also known as 3851 Willownook Ranch Trail, Elizabeth, CO 80107. Subdivision Willownook Ranches, Lot 1. UTM coordinates: Northing 4348123.0 Easting 534065.4. Source: Upper Dawson. Depth: 320 ft. Date of appropriation: 07-27-98. Date water applied to beneficial use: 10-23-97. Claimed pumping rate: 12 gpm. Amount claimed in acre-feet annually: 3 af. Use: single-family dwelling, irrigation of lawns and gardens, livestock watering. Applicants seek to adjudicate the Denver Basin ground water underlying the subject property in all the