Behind the scenes of creating a Legend
Outgoing principal Jason Jacob reflects on how the Parker high school got its name
BY HALEY LENA
Year after year, Legend High School Principal Jason Jacob watched with pride as students received their diplomas and graduated into the next chapter of their lives.
But as the class of 2025 steps o the stage into new adventures, Jacob will be joining them.
After working in the Douglas County School District for 27 years — 17 of those years at Parker’s Legend High School — Jacob is retiring.
“I love this place, it’s my second home,” said Jacob. “I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot here.”
roughout his years with the district, Jacob created bonds with sta and students that made coming to the
school everyday not feel like work, but rather just a part of his life.
“ ey’ve helped me out as an individual and I’ve hopefully helped them out,” said Jacob. “When you know that you made an impact on somebody, there’s something that just kind of warms your heart and you know that you’re put on this earth to help people.”
Starting with helping run sports camps while in high school and college, working with youth has always been a passion for Jacob. He attended the University of Northern Col-
Home-rule plan spurs contentious discourse
Douglas County voters are set to make a rare decision next month as they weigh whether to rewrite the rules of county government. O cials agree it could be a historic moment for the county — but they’re divided
At the center of the debate is a proposal for Douglas to become a home rule county, allowing it to adopt its own governing charter. Supporters say home rule is a necessary tool to protect local interests from what they view as overreach by liberal state lawmakers. Critics argue the process has been rushed and risks entrenching a narrow political agenda.
During a four-minute special meeting on March 25, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted to place home rule on the ballot for a June 24 special election. Voters will be asked two questions: whether to form a home rule charter and to elect 21 charter commission members who would be tasked with writing it. If the commission is approved and seated, the drafted charter would return to voters for approval in November. If approved, Douglas County would become just the third of Colorado’s 64 counties to enter home rule status — and the rst in nearly 50 years to do so.
What home rule could change — and what it can’t
orado where played basketball and studied science, but he was drawn towards education.
Shortly after college, at the age of 22, Jacob started his career at Chaparral High School in Parker in 1998 as a science, anatomy and physiology teacher, and also served as the boys head basketball coach.
“I thought I was just going to be a teacher and coach forever,” Jacob said.
One day, Jacob went to his teacher mailbox and found paperwork urging him to go into
Home rule charters outline how a county or municipal government is structured, and they grant authority over more than 40 speci c areas, from reorganizing departments and de ning election processes to setting local public safety and transportation rules, taxes, term limits and salaries. Counties can use that power to tailor policies to local needs — for example, Pitkin County taxes luxury real estate. Pitkin and Weld are the only two Colorado counties with home-rule status that are not combined cities and counties.
If home rule passes in the June special election in Douglas County, the charter’s contents would be open
Throughout his 27 years of working in the Douglas County School District, Jason Jacob served as a teacher, basketball coach, dean, assistant principal and the principal of Legend High School. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
4 DCSD directors oppose transgender protection bill
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Four members of the Douglas County Board of Education signed an open letter dated May 5 opposing a state bill they say could infringe on parental rights, create legal confusion for schools and limit local control. e bill, which passed the Colorado General Assembly one day later, expands legal protections for transgender individuals under state law.
But a review of the bill’s language reveals discrepancies between what the board members claim and what the legislation mandates.
Board members Christy Williams, Becky Myers, Kaylee Winegar and Tim Moore submitted the letter through Douglas County resident Allyson Rydwell, who is identi ed in the letter as a parent of a child who is transgender.
It opposes House Bill 25-1312, titled “Legal Protections for Transgender Individuals,” which passed the Colorado General Assembly on May 6 and now awaits the signature of Gov. Jared Polis.
While signed by four current board members, the letter emphasizes that each signer is expressing an individual viewpoint and not speaking on behalf of the board as a whole.
e bill, also known as the “Kelly Loving Act,” includes anti-discrimination protections, gender identity recognition and updates to school policies involving
chosen names and dress codes.
In their letter, the Douglas County board members say they have “signicant constitutional concerns” and argue the bill risks infringing on parental rights by classifying misgendering or deadnaming — referring to a transgender person by a name or gender they no longer use — as forms of coercive control in child custody disputes.
“By de ning misgendering or deadnaming as coercive control in custody cases, the bill risks penalizing parents for their speech or beliefs about their child’s gender identity,” the letter states.
However, the bill does not penalize parents for speech. Instead, it allows courts to consider misgendering or deadnaming as potential evidence of coercive control when determining the best interests of the child in custody decisions. Judges retain discretion and are required to weigh multiple factors in such cases. e board members also expressed concern that the bill mandates schools to implement policies requiring the use of chosen names and prohibits gender-speci c dress codes, which they say undermines local control and creates ambiguity.
But the bill doesn’t require schools to adopt name policies. It states that if a school already has a chosen name policy in place, it must include all reasons a student may choose a name di erent from their legal one, not limited to gender identity.
Similarly, the bill does not ban dress codes but requires that any dress code allow all students to choose from available options, regardless of gender.
“Implementing chosen name policies across diverse school systems may conict with existing recordkeeping standards or parental noti cation policies, creating confusion,” the letter argued.
Yet the bill does not change recordkeeping rules or require schools to notify parents of name changes. It focuses on preventing discrimination based on name or gender presentation, aligning with broader civil rights protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.
e letter signers also warn that the bill could impose signi cant administrative burdens, particularly around documentation and policy enforcement, which they argue could divert attention from classroom learning.
HB 25-1312 also bars Colorado courts from recognizing laws from other states that penalize parents for allowing children to access gender-a rming care.
Additional provisions require state-issued forms to include an option for individuals to provide both a legal name and a chosen name.
e bill’s sponsors, Rep. David Ortiz (D-Littleton), Sen. Chris Kolker (DCentennial) and Sen. Faith Winter (DBroom eld), have said it is designed to ensure that transgender Coloradans can
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access public services, education and legal protections without discrimination, according to statements made during oor debate and in public remarks on the bill’s o cial legislative summary.
Kolker said the bill is about ensuring all school policies are applied fairly to every student, not just transgender students, and emphasized that it does not address or alter parental custody laws.
“It’s about protecting the transgender people who are feeling under threat and making sure that we’re strengthening those protections within the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act,” Kolker said.
Despite their opposition, the Douglas County board members state in their letter that they remain committed to safe and supportive schools.
“We believe House Bill 25-1312, by placing schools at the center of contentious legal and social debates, poses an obstacle to that goal rather than a help to it,” the letter concludes.
ey argue the legislation places schools at the center of broader legal and social con icts, which they say could detract from educators’ focus on student learning and well-being.
e board members note that the letter was submitted in compliance with Colorado’s Open Meetings Law and does not re ect an o cial vote or collective board action.
If Polis signs the bill, most provisions will take e ect immediately.
Don’t
Wait to Save
for A Downpayment — Here’s How You Can Start Building Equity Now
For many would-be homebuyers in Colorado, the biggest obstacle isn’t affording monthly payments — it’s saving up for a down payment. But there’s a lesser-known solution: a unique down payment assistance program connected to FHA that offers generous terms with fewer limitations than many alternatives.
I learned about this program from Jaxzann Riggs, owner of The Mortgage Network, who explained how this option helps buyers get into homes sooner - with little or no money out of pocket.
“Some buyers have strong income and credit, but they just haven’t been able to save enough for a down payment,” she told me. “This program bridges that gap - without the typical income or location restrictions.”
HOAP, and MetroDPA, these programs often have income caps and/or location limits.
But as stated before, the national FHAbacked option offers broader eligibility, no income or area restrictions, and more flexible terms, making it a strong option for buyers who are ready now.
rising-rate environment.
Additionally, this program allows for higher debt-to-income (DTI) ratios, a hallmark of FHA financing. That means borrowers with student loans or other debt may still qualify.
Why This Matters Now
A Powerful Alternative to Traditional Down Payment Assistance (DPA)
This FHA-approved assistance is more flexible than many state or local programs. It comes in the form of a second mortgage behind an FHA loan, but here’s the twist: there are no income limits, no geographic restrictions, and more flexibility within FHA guidelines, compared to a conventional loan.
Buyers can use this program whether or not they’re a first-time homebuyer. It’s designed for those who are financially ready to buy but need help covering the minimum 3.5% down payment or closing costs.
While Colorado offers down payment help through programs like CHFA, CHAC,
With rents and home prices both climbing, waiting to save for a traditional down payment could cost more in the long run. Getting into a home today versus two or three years from now allows you to start building equity instead of continuing to pay rent.
“Every month you rent is a month you’re not gaining ownership,” Jaxzann says. “This program gives you a way to step into the market faster and start growing wealth.”
Keep in Mind: Not All FHA Loans Are Eligible It’s important to note that this assistance applies only to new FHA purchases. If you already have an FHA loan, you won’t qualify for this specific program — but there’s still a silver lining. FHA loans are assumable, meaning a future buyer could take over your low-interest mortgage without a rate hike, an incredibly valuable feature in a
“You can’t beat the ability to transfer a loan with no escalation in rate,” Jaxzann points out. “That’s something worth knowing if you already have an FHA loan.” Homeowners with existing low-rate FHA mortgages are sitting on a very valuable asset. When it is time to sell, they should consider allowing the new prospective purchaser to “assume” their existing loan.
This is done by having the prospective purchaser apply for a “qualifying assumption” with the lender that is currently servicing the loan. Because the prospective owner is qualifying to assume the existing loan, the original borrower is released from all future liability for the loan while allowing the new purchaser/owner to keep the original mortgage interest rate. The difference between the current loan balance and the purchase price of the home is paid to the seller in cash.
Weighing the Trade-Offs
As with most zero-down options, there are considerations:
Interest rates will be higher than traditional FHA loans with full down payments. On a $500,000 home, that might mean around $550 more per month.
You will have to pay off any remaining balance on the second mortgage when you refinance or sell.
All FHA loans require mortgage insurance on the loan. This insurance protects the lender in the event of foreclosure.
Unlike mortgage insurance on conventional mortgages, 30 year fixed rate FHA loans require that the mortgage insurance remain in place for the life of the loan.
You must intend to live in the home as your primary residence at the time of purchase.
Still, for many buyers, the ability to get into a home now outweighs the costs.
“This program can open doors much sooner than people think,” Jaxzann told me. “This is ideal for households with two incomes and/or those that might have been denied down payment assistance in the past because they exceed income limitations for other programs. If you’re ready to buy but short on upfront funds, it’s absolutely worth exploring.”
To learn more and find out if you qualify, contact Jaxzann Riggs at The Mortgage Network at (303) 990-2992.
NOTE: My “Real Estate Today” column that normally appears on this page is now published bi-weekly. Look for it here next week and every other week thereafter.
On those alternate weeks, look for a half-page ad like this on a related topic.
Celebrating young creators
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Elementary students across Douglas County showcased their artistic talents during the 2025 DCSD Art Exhibition at the Legacy Campus in Lone Tree. Selected by their art teachers, the featured pieces represented some of the most creative work from kindergarten through fth grade. Judges awarded top honors, including Best in Show and Legacy Picks, to standout pieces that will remain on display at the Legacy Campus throughout the 2024-25 school year.
Elementary students across Douglas County showcased their artistic talents during the 2025 DCSD Art Exhibition at the Legacy Campus in Lone Tree. Selected by their art teachers, the featured pieces represented some of the most creative work from kindergarten through fifth grade. Judges awarded top honors, including Best in Show and Legacy Picks, to standout pieces that will remain on display at the Legacy Campus throughout the 2024-25 school year.
PHOTOS BY SUZIE GLASSMAN
Douglas County assessor discusses property valuations
Residential values level out, but property tax crisis continues
BY JULIA KING
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Eight metro-Denver assessors came together in late April to review property values across their counties. The latest numbers show Douglas County’s housing market has largely stabilized after a historic surge in 2023 — though its commercial sector isn’t faring as well.
As the new valuations roll out, property tax questions continue to loom large, with officials forecasting that elevated taxes could persist despite stabilizing home prices.
In compliance with Colorado statutes, real property — land and anything permanently attached to it, such as buildings, fences or natural resources — is revalued every two years. The valuations the county assessors came up with last month reflect property values as of June 30, 2024, based on data from the preceding two-year timeframe.
For the 2025 valuation cycle, residential property values in Douglas County and the broader metro area were flat, ranging from about -10% to +5%, with most hovering near zero. But even with stabilizing values, a property tax crisis continues, according to Douglas County Assessor Toby Damisch.
“Property taxes are still elevated. They
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Douglas County Assessor Toby Damisch meets with other Denver metro area assessors at the Colorado Capitol last month to review property values across their counties. COURTESY
COUNTY
PROPERTY TAXES
haven’t come down, and I don’t expect them to,” he told the Douglas County News-Press.
Damisch said the previous property reappraisal in 2023 reflected the sharpest rise in home prices in Colorado history, driven by pandemic-era conditions. Low interest rates, corporate investment in housing and increased demand for second homes and shortterm rentals fueled massive real estate inflation across the state. These trends peaked in spring 2022 — just before the June 30, 2022, appraisal date — resulting in residential value increases of 30-to-60% statewide and near 50% in Douglas County.
The outcome, Damisch said, was a property tax “war” in Colorado. Many homeowners were hit with tax bills that jumped more than 30%, sparking political and legal clashes across the state, including an ongoing battle between Douglas County and the State Board of Equalization.
While property valuations have been released, actual tax bills won’t be finalized until late 2025. That’s because two key parts of the formula — assessment rates and mill levies — aren’t deter-
mined until October and December, respectively. Unless voters approve new tax increases in November, homeowners can expect relatively flat tax bills, Damisch said, though they will still reflect the elevated rates from 2023.
Unlike previous cycles, there isn’t much consistency in this year’s residential valuations, Damisch said. Current valuations are “highly localized,” and aren’t based on property size, type or price — but instead vary from neighborhood to neighborhood.
The variation, Damisch explained, comes down to timing and subjectivity. Every neighborhood is on its own trajectory, and since real estate is driven as much by emotion and perception as by square footage or condition, some areas that peaked during earlier market booms are now regressing, while others are still catching up.
A map breaking down these trends is available on the assessor’s website.
The appeals window for property valuations is open until June 8.
Across the region, the Denver metro area is seeing “results more consistent than they ever have been before across the eight counties,” Damisch said, adding that this is both in terms of flat residential valuations and scattered trends across neighborhoods.
One area where Douglas County is diverging from its neighbors is in office
buildings — specifically large, singletenant, owner-occupied properties. Ongoing remote work trends and several low-price sales in areas like Lone Tree and Meridian prompted lower valuations. Unlike Denver or Arapahoe County, Douglas County’s office market is more suburban and less transitoriented, making it more vulnerable to shifts in demand, Damisch said.
In contrast, transit-oriented development sites — like office buildings located near a light rail station — have remained more attractive to companies seeking walkability, better access and an urban feel.
Douglas County weighs home rule as tax debate continues
Douglas County voters will decide in June whether to adopt a home rule charter — a move county commissioners say could lead to a reduction in property taxes. Though the reality might be more “nuanced,” Damisch said.
Much of Colorado’s property tax system is governed by the state constitution and statutes, which limits how much counties can change on their own.
“There’s no question (tax provisions in the proposed charter) have to be nuanced, because there are so many state laws and constitutional amendments about property taxes that the home rule
charter can’t just outright ignore,” Damisch said.
Home rule wouldn’t allow Douglas County to completely rewrite the state’s tax architecture, but it could give the county more flexibility in the areas it does control, such as adjusting the local mill levy or developing targeted relief programs like expanded exemptions for low-income seniors. Those possibilities are still hypothetical, and would need to be explored while writing a home rule charter, said Damisch, who is running to be on the charter commission.
A home rule charter could also potentially create a stronger legal backing for valuation adjustments. For instance, in 2023, the county attempted to apply a 4% across-the-board valuation reduction to lower property taxes, which the State Board of Equalization overturned. County commissioners in March vowed to appeal that decision.
Under home rule, the county might have more flexibility to implement such valuation adjustments, according to Damisch.
“In a home rule existence, the county has a little more leverage or leeway to press in certain areas and look for things where we want to act differently … where we could not do without the existence of home rule,” Damisch said.
“That State Board of Equalization experience is one of many examples of that.”
Interactive map shows Dougco road projects
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Every year, construction and maintenance crews repair sidewalks, restore pavement and refresh pavement markings on roads across Douglas County.
In addition to neighborhood repairs, there are other spring and summer roadway projects taking place, which is why Douglas County has launched a new interactive map.
e map aims to help residents identify potential impacts to their commutes and help keep work zones safe.
According to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, at a national level, there were more than 800 fatal crashes in work zones in 2022, which is the latest data available. e data estimates that there were 10 work zone fatalities in Colorado in 2022.
e Colorado Department of Transportation states that there were 23 crashes, resulting in 31 fatalities in Colorado in 2024, which was an increase from 16 fatalities in 2023.
To help prevent these crashes and fatalities, Douglas County’s new map indicates current county projects with an orange circle and current special events — such as the Highlands Ranch Mother’s
Day 5K — with a blue circle. Upcoming county projects and special events are represented by squares in the coordinating orange and blue colors.
By clicking on the circle or square, there is a description of the project, where it is taking place, when it is expected to be complete, who the company working on the project is and contact information for the special event program managers. e interactive map can be found at tinyurl.com/Dougco-construction-map.
BY DEREK DRAPLIN THE CENTER SQUARE
Coloradans lose big money to scammers
Coloradans led almost 45,000 fraud reports last year with the Federal Trade Commission, re ecting an estimated loss of $210.7 million.
at’s up from 41,500 reports and $170 million lost in 2023, according to FTC data.
Nationally, consumers lost $12.5 billion to fraud last year, with 38% of people ling fraud reports saying they lost money.
FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection
Director Christopher Mufarrige said last
month that “scammers’ tactics are constantly evolving.” “ e FTC is monitoring those trends closely and working hard to protect the American people from fraud,” he added.
Colorado had over 73,200 total consumer reports, which includes other FTC consumer complaints in addition to fraud, and amounts to 1,260 reports per 100,000 people. at ranks as the 18th highest rate in the nation, according to FTC data.
Most of the state’s fraud reports involved imposter scams (15,028), followed by online shopping/negative reviews (6,535), internet services (2,492),
health care (2,332) and privacy/data security/cyber threat (2,322).
e FTC recommends reporting fraud cases at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
“People who report to ReportFraud. ftc.gov about losing money to a scam receive next steps information on how to try to recover their money,” the commission said. “ ese reports are a vital part of the agency’s law enforcement mission and also help the FTC to warn consumers about fraud trends in the data.”
Coloradans can also report fraud to StopFraudColorado.gov, which is run by the state attorney general’s o ce.
e attorney general’s o ce said in
March there were 1,205 reported imposter scams out of 24,473 total consumer complaints led in 2024.
“In many cases, these scams relate directly to fraudulent telephone calls, emails, or text messages from scammers posing as a government o cial or employees from a reputable company, often seeking monetary payments through gift cards, wire transfers, and other money transfer services,” the attorney general’s o ce said.
Republished from e Center Square, a national news service that is the project of the nonpro t Franklin News Foundation, headquartered in Chicago.
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HOME RULE
for public discussion through several town halls. Commissioners Abe Laydon, George Teal and Kevin Van Winkle have already addressed their hopes for the charter — among them are reevaluating local diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; codifying the local government’s three-commissioner structure; and diverging from state minimum wage laws.
Laydon, Teal and Van Winkle, all of whom are running to be on the charter commission, have also signaled interest in challenging state gun and immigration policies. Teal told the Douglas County News-Press that he believes home rule could o er a legal foothold to circumvent laws that don’t include a “state concern” clause.
“We have latitude in terms of preserving gun rights here in Douglas County,” Teal said. “ at’s absolutely a top priority, and I will absolutely attempt to take advantage of that.”
He pointed to Colorado Senate Bill 3 — a recently approved measure restricting the sale of semiautomatic rearms — as an example. e bill does not explicitly include a state concern clause, which he said could open the door for local opposition.
at may be wishful thinking, according to the Colorado Attorney General’s O ce. In a letter addressed to local radio host Ross Kaminsky that was provided to the Douglas County News-Press, a sta er with the attorney general’s o ce wrote that county home rule “has not been found to be an expansive source of powers” and does not allow counties to override state laws they disagree with.
Municipal home rule, governed by a different part of the state Constitution, provides more authority. e state can only override a municipality’s local laws if they fall within a “matter of statewide concern” or “matter of mixed statewide and local concern,” but county home rule has no such provision.
“Some inaccurately con ate the two, arguing that home rule counties are on equal footing and have the same broad power as home rule municipalities to follow local laws over state laws. is is not the case,” the above-mentioned letter
lenge in the Colorado Supreme Court tied to its home-rule status. e court said Weld must comply with state redistricting laws, rejecting an argument that its home rule charter granted the county autonomy.
Similar to Douglas County, Weld ocials publicly opposed Senate Bill 3, but the county’s sheri , Steve Reams, said the county is obligated to enforce the law despite having home rule status.
“Any refusal to perform the duties that this legislation delegated to the O ce of Sheri will have a negative impact on the citizens of Weld County,” Reams said in a press release.
Critics question the process
State Rep. Bob Marshall, a Democrat who serves House District 43 covering most of Highlands Ranch, said he is “agnostic” to home rule in principle, but has concerns about how it’s being framed to voters.
While home rule “could be a good thing,” Marshall said, it shouldn’t be presented as a way to sidestep state laws. Any attempts to challenge the state on those
“( e commissioners) are saying, well, we could ignore Colorado’s gun laws — that’s not true. (And) that the sheri will be able to arrest migrants who haven’t committed a state crime and help enforce federal immigration law. Well, that’s not true, either,” Marshall added.
Beyond legal questions, Marshall is also watching how home rule could reshape the county’s political structure.
Marshall supports expanding the county’s board of commissioners to ve members. But depending on how it’s drafted, the home rule charter could cement the current three-member structure — a move Marshall sees as a way to keep “power concentrated in just a couple people’s hands.”
Former Douglas County Commissioner Lora omas, a Republican, and Marshall, along with Lone Tree resident Julie Gooden, have joined forces in a lawsuit alleging the commissioners violated Colorado’s Open Meetings Law in their e ort to initiate the home-rule process.
e lawsuit is asking a judge to nd that the commissioners violated the law, issue an injunction requiring future compli-
ance, and invalidate the March 25 meeting, which would force the home-rule process to restart.
e topic of home rule has been discussed in Douglas County for years, Teal said on the witness stand last month. It has been a talking point since the COVID-19 pandemic, he claimed, and both he and Van Winkle discussed the topic during their campaigns for seats as commissioners. It has also been mentioned in the county’s 2023 community survey, which showed that a vast majority of voters — 79% — view “more independence from state controls over county administration” as a high- or medium-priority ballot issue.
omas argues that data doesn’t necessarily mean voters understand home rule — or that they’re the ones driving the conversation. E orts in other counties to become home rule were citizen-led, she said. In Weld and Pitkin counties, residents mandated charters after they became frustrated with their local governments.
“(In Weld and Pitkin) the voters got together and they did it,” omas said.
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At a press conference on March 25, the Douglas County commissioners were joined by several elected o cials from across the county.
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
HOME RULE
“
ere has to be something that draws the citizens together to do it. Here, there is no impetus for the people to get behind it.” e home-rule statute mandates three public meetings, each at least 45 days apart. Douglas County’s current plan would align with this requirement, including an administrative meeting right after the charter commission is elected, followed by two more to approve and submit the charter.
But omas still believes that the process is rushed, and calls for more public input before locking in a new government structure.
“I would like to see (in Douglas County) what Weld County did. Seven and a half months, 45 meetings, lots of citizen comment, lots of input,” omas said. omas also criticized the candidate selection process for the proposed charter commission. She claimed the county GOP coordinated to ensure 21 preferred candidates made the ballot before any opposition could organize. An email sent by the Douglas County Republican Party chair on March 24 included a list of those 21 candidates.
“We are writing a charter that (would) represent everyone in this county,” omas said. “For the commissioners to just pick 21 Republicans — it’s not democratic. e people should be able to choose among Democrats, Republicans and una liated … rough good conversation, you get better results.”
Despite their opposition to the home-rule process thus far, both Marshall and omas are running for seats on the charter commission.
“Someone needs to be in the henhouse watching the foxes,” omas said. “Be in the room, know what’s going on.”
On the campaign trail
Nearly 50 names are on the list of candidates for the charter commission, including former and current Douglas County sheri s, a school district board member, a former state representative, a Highlands Ranch water board member, and others who have run for county commissioner and state representative seats in the past.
Little is known about who is funding the “Yes on Local Control” campaign committee supporting home rule. e only publicly available information on the group is that Katie Kennedy, a principal of Strategic Compliance LLC, is listed as the registered agent. e “Yes on Local Control” committee is required to le a report of contributions and expenditures by June 3, per the Colorado Secretary of State’s TRACER database. Kennedy did not respond to the Douglas County News-Press on a request for comment.
According to its website, Douglas County has about 315,000 registered voters — roughly 50% una liated, 31% Republican and 17% Democrat.
Teal said the charter could include a clause allowing municipalities to opt into countywide policies by resolution or charter amendment. Commissioners will make home-rule presentations to several municipalities — Castle Rock, Parker and Larkspur — leading up to the June special election.
“We’re saying, ‘hey, Castle Rock, what do you want to do with this?’” Teal said. “Adopt it how you see t.”
With the June 24 special election fast approaching, Douglas County stands at a crossroads. e decision to adopt home rule could reshape the county’s political landscape for years to come. As supporters and critics continue to voice their opinions, the outcome of the vote will ultimately determine whether the county chases greater independence or rea rms the status quo.
to the Ben Franklin Academy Class of 2025!
A very special group of students are graduating from BFA this year! We’re very proud of this imaginative, supportive and enthusiastic group of students. We’re going to miss their caring nature, their spunkiness and the way they’ve contributed their many talents to enriching the BFA community. During their time at BFA, they explored new interests, began life-long friendships, and grew into responsible, independent and intelligent young adults.
Graduates - We know your positivity and determination will inspire others and help you excel as you transition into high school. We wish you the very best!
Introducing our exceptional eighth grade graduates:
Wyatt Ackerman
Morgan Adrian
Jiya Agrawal
Diksha Arunprakash
Anna Babbel
Ethan Bahl
Londyn Bender
Jack Besch
Cadence Beshany
Soren Borstad
Jacob Bradley
Liam Brown
Camden Brzezicki
Natalie Bullock
Kyle Castor
Aislynn Chatterton
Grace Chavez
Walker Corson
Kayla Cottrell
Olivia Crowe
Alivia Michal Davila Ramirez
Delaney Deidel
Emma Dennis
Rowan Eframo
Stephen Elsmore
Allie Erickson
Driyana Fernando
Leyton Frank
Courtney Funderburg
William Grade
Rylea Graves
Hannah Hackerott
Samantha Hawkins
Levi Hayes
Tanner Henbest
Ada Ho
Jacob Holder
Connor Johnson
Madison Kane
Andrew Keillor
Obadiah Kim
Eli King
Nicolas Kolody
Rishikesh Lakkireddy
Braden Leverson
Elias Lidstone
Norelle Lucero
Tanner Majors
Grace Marino
Ava Mills
Olivia Moore
Chinmay Nair
Bryce Neal
Gabriel Ortiz
Abby Pettersen
Lauren Poore
Hudson Preeo
Madeline Pyne
Ema Quirindongo
Mary Raddatz
Teo Remillard
Jane Riches
Caroline Riffle
Brayden Ritchie
Matthew Rodriguez
Logan Ryan
Francesca Sabia
Parth Saha
Andrew Sarver
Easton Schroeder
Teo Shoemaker
Grayson Slaughter
Kellen Smythe
Talulla Snyder
Brayden Street
Paisley Todd
Dylan Toney
Reese Turner
Jayden Vega
Addison Vogt
Maya Weaver
Annika West
Colin Whiteman
Hunter Williams
Gianna Yerxa
Zee Ziegler
Douglas County Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle talks about bringing a home rule charter to the residents of the county during a press conference on March 25.
Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon speaks at a press conference on March 25 about the county’s proposed home rule charter.
PHOTOS BY HALEY LENA
We are living in a time of incredible pressure, and tragically, it’s our children who are carrying the heaviest burden. Anxiety and depression among children and teens have skyrocketed, with every credible study pointing to culprits like social media, internet access, and mounting academic, athletic, and social expectations. It’s overwhelming — and that’s putting it lightly.
It’s easy to point ngers at TikTok, Instagram, and the endless pursuit of “perfection.” And sure, those factors are real. But if we’re serious about loving and leading our families, we must ask the harder question: Are we doing enough at home to ease their worries, doubts, and fears? For most of us, the honest answer is not yet.
VOICES
Communicating through the storm
it, over-communication.
e Critical Role of Communication. Communication isn’t a “nice-to-have” in this battle for our children’s hearts and minds, it’s everything. And not just when problems show up. Proactive, frequent communication. Maybe even, dare I say
The Seniors’ Council of Douglas County (SCDC) June meeting will be held at the Douglas County School District (DCSC) Legacy Campus on ursday, June 5. Our visit from 10 to 11:30 a.m. will include information about what our teens are learning and the ways older adults can become involved with and bene t from the school district. ere will be a tour and refreshments. Seniors’ Council meetings are free and open to older adults, service providers, and the public.
Superintendent Erin Kane will explain what happens at the school district and the DCSD Gold Card that is free and o ers special benets to older adults. We will meet at the DCSD Legacy Campus, Room 243, 10035 S. Peoria St., Lone Tree.
“At DCSD, every student can nd a post-high school path that ts their unique passions — whether college, career, military, or another option. We are grateful to our college and business partners for helping students gain real-world experience and save on tuition. At the Legacy Campus, we cultivate a Career and Technical Education environment where post-secondary and industry partnerships provide relevant learning opportunities for high school students and the Douglas County community in order to ensure a competitive advantage and workforce readiness.”
— Erin Kane, DCSD superintendent
e Seniors’ Council of Douglas County monthly meetings are on the rst ursday of every month at various locations in Douglas County. Meetings include announcements of interest to older adults and those who support older adults, a presentation on a topic relevant to older adults, and community conversation. A new
Our kids navigate a digital battle eld every day.
e loudest voices tell them they aren’t good enough. If we don’t ll their emotional tanks with hope, encouragement, love, and acceptance, someone else will, and it will be with poison, not life-giving truth.
I’ll never forget an incredible moment I witnessed with Zig Ziglar, one of the greatest motivational speakers ever.
At a packed seminar, a man stepped to the mic, thanking Zig for shaping his own life but sharing that his son was struggling. Zig’s response was pure wisdom: He told the man to sit on his son’s bed, look him in the eyes, and say:
“Son, I am so glad God entrusted me with your life. You are a blessing to me. I am proud of you. And I love you.”
Zig encouraged him to say it every
Seniors to get campus tour
LIVING AND AGING WELL
morning and night, not once, not when convenient, but every day.
As cameras panned the audience, thousands wiped away tears. Sitting beside me was Zig’s son, Tom Ziglar, a grown man and CEO, with tears streaming down his face. When I asked if Zig had done that for him, Tom smiled through the tears and said, “Yes. And he still does, even now.” ink about that: A father who never stopped telling his grown son how proud he was. Every single day.
Fighting for eir Hearts. If we want to lead and love our children in today’s chaotic world, we must show up with our words, not just advice or correction, but daily, intentional a rmation.
ey need to hear it when they get straight A’s. ey need to hear it when they fail a test. ey need to hear it when they make us proud, and especially when they break our hearts.
Because mistakes don’t de ne them, grace does. Growth does. And our unwavering love does.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Our communication must be a ood of love, encouragement, and constant reminders that they are more than enough that no failure can separate them from our love, and no outside voice can ever be louder than the voice of their family. e pressures and dangers are real. But so is our power to counteract them. If we don’t communicate, the world will. If we communicate relentlessly, intentionally, and lovingly, we can raise a generation that walks through the storm without losing their way.
Let’s speak up, every day, every chance we get. eir future depends on it. I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@ gmail.com. And when we intentionally communicate through the storm, 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.
Jean Spahr WINNING
childcare volunteer training program will be highlighted at the July meeting. In other news …
Plans are underway for a full-day educational event, Vintage and Vibrant 2025, on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the Senior Center in Highlands Ranch. is special event will feature engaging speakers and interactive breakout sessions plus door prizes, breakfast, and lunch. Registration will begin in August.
e SCDC recognizes June happenings including:
— Alzheimer’s & Brain Health Awareness Month plus Men’s Health Month.
— Flag Day is June 14 — a great day to display Old Glory.
— Summer solstice — more daylight than any other day; the days grow shorter after the solstice on June 20.
— Father’s Day — on June 15 we remember fathers, uncles, and grandfathers as well as coaches, teachers, and those who serve as mentors.
— e abundance of owers and plants, including native and drought resistant. Have you considered joining a garden club? ere are several in Douglas County — do a Google search or stop by a Douglas County Library branch for assistance.
e SCDC is supported by Douglas County Community Services. For information and updates call 303-660-7460. e SCDC motto is Living Well/Aging Well.
is guest column was written by Jean Spahr, publicity chair of the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County.
Questions for DCSD candidates e end of the school year brings DCSD one step closer to the November Board of Education election. As a parent of three DCSD graduates, a long-time volunteer in neighborhood schools, and an una liated voter, I’m tired of Board of Education directors pursuing divisive national political agendas instead of focusing on hiring and retaining the best educators and supporting their work to optimize learning outcomes for all of our kids.
When candidates for the four open director seats in 2025 are announced, these are questions voters should expect them to answer, based on local issues in DCSD:
CCM reported on 3/7/25 that DCSD remains the lowest paying district in the metro area. How will you work to make DCSD an employer of choice that can e ectively attract and retain high quality educators in the face of a growing teacher shortage?
How will you work to repair the culture and reputation of DCSD in the wake of the sustained attacks on DCSD’s equity policy endorsed by Directors Williams, Winegar, Myers, and Moore and the pending federal civil rights lawsuit against DCSD? How will you ensure welcoming and accessible schools for students and families, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and di erences in physical, emotional, and learning abilities?
Will you put your duty as a director above your personal politics and keep culture wars out of our non-partisan school board? Actions speak louder than words.
On 2/13/24, Denver Post reported that Director Moore, while a deputy, violated the Douglas County Sheri O ce’s policy against political endorsements.
CCM reported in April that Board President Williams signed a letter urging CHSAA to exclude transgender students from athletic competition in alignment with divisive antiLGBTQIA+ rhetoric.
Similarly, Director Myers also highlighted her partisan beliefs in her close a liation with the controversial advocacy group G4K (reported by CCM in April).
I hope to see all candidates for the DCSD BOE directly address questions like these and commit to doing better. Douglas County deserves directors who will bring our community together, support our educators and truly prioritize our students.
Kim Turnage, Highlands Ranch
DCSD must do better
To the Douglas County School Board: As a 25-year resident of this district and parent to two transgender people, I address you with both deep investment in our schools and rsthand knowledge of their shortcomings regarding transgender students. is district has repeatedly articulated commitments to supporting high standards in education, inclusion, and anti-bullying policies. Yet the consistent implementation of these values remains selective at best.
What empirical data informs your positions on the transgender student policies which a ect a small number of students? Where is the evidence-based approach that should be foundational to educational decision-making?
e discrepancy in advocacy is striking. When the dyslexia screener bill was under consideration — a measure directly a ecting 20 percent of DCSD student welfare — there was no comparable public letter or organized response from this board. is board majority didn’t even advise their costly lobbyist to support a dyslexia screener. is selective concern raises legitimate questions about priorities, leadership and consistency.
If elected, what speci c actions will you take to ensure adherence to Colorado Open Meeting Laws? Directors Williams, Winegar, and Myers violated the Colorado Open Meetings law in the rst few months of their term, costing the district more than $250,000 as reported by CCM on 9/27/23.
Transphobia in our schools is not theoretical. It manifests in concrete ways: inconsistent enforcement of anti-bullying measures, bureaucratic resistance to a rming students’ identities, and the move by two of you to systemically exclude them from full participation in school activities. Each of these instances fundamentally undermines our district’s direct obligation to educate every student equitably.
I formally request:
1. Transparency regarding what data informs your positions on transgender student support
2. An evidence-based assessment of transgender students’ experiences within our schools
DHS o ers $1,000 to immigrants who self-deport
BY ARIANA FIGUEROA COLORADO NEWSLINE
WASHINGTON — e U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced May 5 that the agency will provide $1,000 in what it called “travel assistance” to people in the United States without permanent legal status if they self deport.
It’s the latest attempt by DHS to try to meet the Trump administration’s goal of removing 1 million migrants without permanent legal status from the country. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem touted the option as cost-e ective.
“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-e ective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” Noem said in a statement. “ is is the safest option for our law enforcement, aliens and is a 70% savings for US taxpayers.”
It’s unclear from which part of the DHS budget the funding for the travel assistance is coming, as it would roughly cost $1 billion to reimburse up to $1,000 to meet the goal of removing 1 million people.
DHS did not respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment.
President Donald Trump gave his support for the move Monday afternoon, according to White House pool reports.
“We’re going to get them a beautiful ight back to where they came from,” the president said.
LETTERS
3. Implementation of accountability measures ensuring policies are applied with consistent delity
4. A public discussion addressing why certain student welfare issues receive vigorous advocacy while others do not I request these as a longtime commu-
ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Self-deportation would be facilitated by the CBP Home app, which was used by the Biden administration to allow asylum seekers to make appointments with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. e payment would apparently not be made in advance. DHS said that once those who use the app to self deport arrive in their home country, they will receive a travel stipend of $1,000.
According to DHS, the Trump administration has deported 152,000 people since taking o ce in January. e Biden administration last year deported 195,000 people from February to April, according to DHS data.
DHS said already one migrant has used the program to book a ight from Chicago to Honduras.
“Additional tickets have already been booked for this week and the following week,” the agency said in a statement. e Trump administration has rolled out several programs to facilitate mass selfdeportations, such as a registry to require immigrants in the country without legal authorization to register with the federal government.
Immigrants who don’t register with the federal government could face steep nes and a potential prison sentence. is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline. com.
nity member who has invested a quarter century in this district — both as a taxpayer, an advocate, and as a parent these answers are long overdue.
More importantly, all students deserve a school board whose actions consistently align with their stated values.
I look forward to a substantive public discussion of these crucial questions. DCSD deserves better.
Jennifer Iversen, Castle Pines
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Send address change to: Parker Chronicle, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
LEGEND
administrative and leadership work.
Little did he know that the decision to consider those papers would lead him to not only become the dean, and eventually, assistant principal at Chaparral High School, but help open what is now Legend High School.
Behind the scenes of creating Legend
In a cabinet underneath a Legend High School banner in Jacob’s o ce sits a white binder lled with the plans and meeting notes for “high school number nine.”
Re ecting on the evolution of rules and regulations, education pathways and technology since 2008, Jacob said the challenges that came along with pursuing change was not as di cult as creating a school, culture and climate for the community.
“It’s probably one of the hardest things I ever had done,” Jacob said.
group of people in Greek mythology: the Titans.
A lot of work went into the logo, said Jacob. e “L” and “T” of the Legend Titans logo look like they are almost hugging each other, symbolizing the strength that relationships bring to the foundation of the school.
Additionally, Jacob said some might look at a Titan wearing a helmet and imagine a big, burly character, but the Legend Titans logo includes a helmet with no face.
“Anybody could wear the mask,” said Jacob. “Anybody can t in, anybody can be a Titan.”
Developing the Legend culture
Whether it’s through the rst kick-o assembly of the year, sporting events, performances or Wish Week, Jacob said school isn’t always about academics — it’s also about giving back to the community and creating memorable experiences with friends and teachers.
CORRECTIONS
Colorado Trust for Local News asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.
Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
A core team was put together to create the student government, structure of the school and its spirit. e team looked at the other schools in Douglas County and noticed that they were named after landmarks or locations.
Wanting to be di erent, the team began to think of the signi cance of the word, “legend.” Not only is there a legend on a map, but it is also a story.
“( e school) will be a story about the people within this building,” Jacob said.
Another factor when deciding the name was the mascot. e team had thought of being the Ridgeline Ravens or the Timberline Wolves, but felt that not all students would be able to relate to an animal.
Working to be inclusive, they thought of a
Besides respecting and cheering on students, Jacob wanted to ensure that he was doing his best to prepare them for the future. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he would go to various universities and sit in on freshman classes to see what the curriculum was like, what they had access to and see what they were going to experience.
“Hopefully (students) see me trying to take care of them, (and) that hopefully translates into them taking care of each other, which creates a safe atmosphere for the school,” Jacob said.
While it’s important for students to get involved with the school and know they have a safe place to go, creating a welcoming environment is for more than just the students.
When he stepped into the principal role 11 years ago, Jacob saw how important it is to listen, be patient and communicate e ectively with sta in order to empower them to
pursue what is best for the students. Jacob used to feature a teacher of the month, but with nearly 180 sta at the school, he felt like he wasn’t acknowledging enough people. erefore, each week, a sta member is awarded a trophy, receives a public shoutout and gets a parking spot in the front of the parking lot.
“We just try to … acknowledge people for their work,” said Jacob. “It creates trust, it creates self-worth, it creates people feeling like they belong to a family.”
‘That one day in May’
At Parker’s State of the Town event earlier this year, Jacob was honored with an Impact Award for his dedication to the community. While accepting his award, he said that he is going to miss “that one day in May” the most. He was referring to graduation day.
Listening to the story of the school year and watching the students cross the stage, “there’s something about that hug they give me that lets me know they are ready for that next stage of their life,” Jacob said.
He remembers how nerve-wracking and emotional his rst graduation as a principal was. Although he might not know what the student speakers are going to say, the one thing that he said is for certain is feeling a sense of pride while shaking hands or giving hugs to students.
“It’s such a memorable moment,” Jacob said. “Knowing that this school and the teachers kind of prepared the students for that next stage of life.” at is what he wants for his twin sons as they transition into their next step in life after graduating from college later this year.
While he may be retiring, Jacob said it’s not goodbye — he plans to continue to attend events and be a support for sta .
“To me, we will always be Legend,” Jacob said.
Jason Jacob, the outgoing principal of Legend High School in Parker, looks through a binder filled with the plans and meeting notes for the opening of “high school number nine.”
PHOTOS BY HALEY LENA
A core team, including Jason Jacob, was put together to establish the core values, name and structure of what is now Legend High School.
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
With the weather getting warmer and summer just around the corner, it’s time to hit the road — and the stacks.
While Denver Public Library’s Central Branch is a Colorado landmark, it’s not the only library worth the trip. Scattered throughout Denver metro are unique libraries, lled to the brim with books and other resources waiting to be discovered.
Coloradans are lucky enough to be able to get library cards in nearly every library district, regardless of whether they live in the district or not. Patrons just need to bring in a Colorado State ID or other proof of address, and they’ll be able to register for a library card.
Summer reading programs are also just around the corner, and they’re not just for kids. Many libraries will o er special programming to inspire a love for reading in kids, teens and adults alike. To get ready for a literary adventure- lled summer, hop in the car, stock up on library cards and discover what each library has to o er.
Columbine Library, Je erson County Public Library
7706 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, CO 80123
Seated within Robert F. Clement Park, Columbine Library has books — and views — to share. e library’s west side features oor-to-ceiling windows with a panoramic view of Johnson Reservoir with the mountains behind it. Around the window, tables and chairs abound, giving visitors a cozy spot to study, read or just hang out.
“We are very lucky to have — in our biased opinions — one of the best locations in Je co Public Library,” said Columbine Public Services Manager Julianna Sipeki. “Nestled against the foothills, we are located in the beautiful Clement Park, where we host some of our outdoor programs, like birdwatching.”
However, great views aren’t all that Columbine Library has to o er. In addition to over 100,000 physical books and other materials, the library has Culture Passes for local museums, Chrome-
books and Wi-Fi hotspots that patrons can take home, access to apps for streaming music and movies and access to 133 di erent research databases.
“We wish everyone knew that you can use all of our library services at no cost,” said Sipeki. “It costs nothing to get a library card, we don’t charge to book meeting or study rooms, there’s no charge to attend any program and we don’t charge late fees. You don’t even need a library card to come in and attend programs or use a computer.”
With dedicated sections for children and teens, study rooms and local businesses nearby, the library o ers a spot for anyone to hang out.
“We want people to know libraries are so much more than just a place to check out a book,” said Sipeki. “We are a place to meet your neighbors and make new friends; a place to learn and expand your worldview; a place to practice a skill or start a new hobby; or simply, just a place to spend an hour of your day.”
Art gives voice to people who need to heal
Woman leads e ort for AdventHealth Parker hospital’s art cart
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Like many children at the age of four, Marie Williams enjoyed drawing. As decades began to pass by, her interest in art never faded and her desire to help others grew.
Williams attended the University of Colorado Boulder in 2013 to pursue an art degree.
“It was during that time that I realized that art could give a voice to people that needed to heal,” said Williams.
Carrying that sentiment with her for more than a decade, Williams is now helping expand the Healing Arts program at AdventHealth Parker hospital with her very own Moxie Art Cart to help give patients, visitors and sta a creative outlet for their emotions.
“ e Moxie Art Cart is supposed to bring energy, life and excitement in a situation that is overwhelming,” Williams said.
‘Take it one day at a time’
Before Williams was a volunteer at the hospital, she was a patient.
She was admitted to the hospital on Sept. 1, 2023, to have surgery after being diagnosed with diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
Diverticulosis is a condition in which small pouches push through the weak spots in the wall of the colon, and diver-
University of Houston where she was enamored with an art and health class. With that experience, Williams wanted to bring art therapy to hospital patients.
less than 5% of people with diverticulosis develop diverticulitis. However, the chances of developing the condition increases with age.
Williams’ surgery went well, but her body wasn’t healing properly and she began to have life-threatening complications.
“I actually don’t remember 12 days,” said Williams. “I remember kissing my husband before I went in (for surgery) and I knew that I was really afraid, but I don’t remember anything until I woke up in the ICU.”
Her husband told her she was coherent coming out of the initial surgery, however was struggling to come out of an additional surgery that “washed out” a leak that had occurred and went into septic shock.
She was intubated and went through dialysis for several days in the ICU.
Williams was released from the ICU on Sept. 15, her birthday. She can vividly remember nurses dancing around and singing “Happy Birthday” to her, and receiving a birthday cake from her surgeon.
“I’m alive,” said Willaims. “It’s the best birthday ever.”
But over several weeks, Williams had a myriad of compilations. She had developed anemia, blood clots, pockets of
The thought behind the art cart
During her 64-day stay at the hospital, Williams remembers how the hospital’s Healing Arts program helped her through her recovery.
e program features certi ed therapeutic music practitioners who provide music throughout the hospital.
e rst time the musicians knocked on her door, Williams said she was having a particularly rough day, but her mindset had changed after the musicians played for about a half an hour.
“It was wonderful,” said Williams. “Not only did I get to hear the song that was played at my husband and I’s wedding, we got to listen to other pieces.”
roughout her stay, Williams noticed that the days the musicians came to play, she was more willing to do activities like physical therapy. Once she got out of the hospital, Williams felt a strong drive to give back to the nurses at the hospital.
“All I wanted to do was support them and give back all that they had given me,” said Williams. “With all of my history and all of my knowledge, I decided that I was going to kind of beat down the door on Parker hospital and say, ‘I want to do this.’”
After attending the University of Colorado Boulder, Williams attended the
On March 17, Willaims launched her Moxie Art Cart at AdventHealth Parker hospital in which patients can request the cart to make personal work for themselves or others.
“It doesn’t matter if they say yes or no, it’s the fact that they got to choose whether or not they wanted to do something,” said Williams. “In a situation where you are having to make decisions in hard places — which feels more like you just have to do what they’re telling you … this activity gives a sense of control.” e cart is not just for patients. It’s also for visitors, nurses and hospital sta — anyone who needs to take a break from reality and create art.
Although art carts are popular at hospitals across the country, Williams said that it’s just a starting point to help the art program at Parker’s hospital grow. She would love to eventually have volunteers come in and help with the carts so more people can have the experience.
Williams would also like to create a room where people can go in to unwind and spend time working on art, and take patients outside to guide them on how to take professional photos.
“Not only do I understand what a visitor or a patient is going through, but to see what (nurses, doctors and sta ) are going through and supporting them is a big part of what I want to do,” Williams said.
Explore her art at mwilliamsart.com/.
Marie Williams stands with her Moxie Art Cart at AdventHealth Parker hospital, ready to help patients, a few years after her life was saved at the hospital. COURTESY OF ADVENTHEALTH PARKER
A piece of artwork created with the art cart, a new element of AdventHealth Parker hospital’s Arts Healing program. COURTESY OF MARIE WILLIAMS
Thu 5/22
church �re
@ 6pm
Creepatorium, 1974 S Acoma St, Denver
Shift w/ Joy Orbison
@ 7:30pm
Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver
Fri 5/23
Volunteer with Justice Necessary –Help Pack 1,000,000 Period Products for Colorado Students!
@ 8am
May 23rd - May 24th
7007 S Clinton St, 7007 South Clinton Street, Greenwood Village. period palooza@justicenecessary.org, 720344-6489
The Delores Project 25 Years of Building Belonging
@ 5pm / $125
Castle Rock Band Free Memorial Weekend Concert May 24
@ 1pm
Festival Park, 300 2nd Street, Castle Rock. ericastull@gmail.com, 303-8092959
CHITO RANA$ - EL CACHO @ 7pm
The Roxy Theater, 2549 Welton St, Denver
Rick Lewis Project Featuring Vince Converse - Gaylord Street Fair 2025 @ 7pm
Reivers Bar & Grill, 1085 S Gaylord St, Denver
Sun 5/25
Jeffrey Dallet
@ 2pm
Balfour at Littleton, 8160 W Coal Mine Ave, Littleton
Sparkle
@ 6pm
Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver
Kaya
@ 6pm
Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver
The Bouncing Souls @ 6pm Ogden Theatre, 935 East Colfax, Den‐ver
Tue 5/27
Tony Medina Music: The Open Mic Hosted by Tony Medina @ 5:30pm The Alley, 2420 W Main St, Littleton
Michael Sanzone @ 6pm
Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St,, Denver
The Black Keys: No Rain, No Flowers @ 7pm Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison
Mile High Station, 2027 West Colfax Avenue, Denver. lucas@thedelorespro ject.org, 303-534-5411
King Rat
@ 6:30pm
Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver
Red Stinger
@ 6:30pm
Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver
Ninety Percent 90s
@ 8pm
Scruffy Murphy's, 2030 Larimer St, Denver
DeadPhish Orchestra
@ 8pm
Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St, Den‐
ver
Sat 5/24
Lies or Lullabies (featuring the music of Bryan Adams and John Mellencamp): The Tailgate Tavern
@ 5:15am Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker
Brad Paisley - Autographed Acoustic
Guitar Upgrade
@ 6:30pm
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison
Eric Golden @ 11am
Toley’s on the Creek, 16728 E Smoky Hill Rd Suite 11C, Centennial
Vince Converse and Big BrotherGaylord Street Fair 2025 @ 1pm
Mini bear @ 6pm
Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver
Bobcat, White Rose Motor Oil @ Your Mom's House, Denver CO @ 7pm
Your Mom's House, 608 E 13th Ave., Denver
Mon 5/26
Wed 5/28
Keith Hicks @ 3:30pm
Sonesta Denver Downtown, 1450 Glenarm Pl, Denver
Thu 5/29
GRIZZLY GOPHER AT TAKODA TAVERN/PARKER
@ 11am
Reiver's Bar and Grill, 1085 S Gaylord St, Denver
Neil Z @ Carillon at Belleview Station @ 3pm Carillon at Belleview Station, 4855 Niagara St, Denver
Takoda Tavern, 12311 Pine Bluffs Way # A, Parker
Mishka: Guest with Leftover Salmon / Kitchen Dwellers @ 3:30pm
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
ODD MOB @ 5pm 16th & Welton, 601-649 16th Street Mall, Denver
H2O @ 6pm Ogden Theatre, 935 E Colfax Ave, Denver
Tony Medina Music: The Blues Jam at The Alley hosted by Tony Medina @ 5pm
The Alley, 2420 W Main St, Littleton Eric Golden @ 6pm
Toley’s on the Creek, 16728 E Smoky Hill Rd Suite 11C, Centennial
CHARTER SCHOOL
tions,” read the update.
“We have been feverishly working with the district to nd a suitable backup school location for ICA,” the update went on. “All existing school facilities and properties were reviewed as well as other potential properties in our community.
e timing of the leaking roof disclosure left us with very little time to nd a suitable alternative. Without a current viable school location, we feel we cannot move forward in opening the charter school this August.”
In a letter to the school board also dated April 25, ICA requested to meet with district representatives to discuss ve speci c topics: Frontier Center roof repairs, using classrooms at Singing Hills Elementary, partnership on a future development site, potential use of classrooms or modulars at Elizabeth Middle School, and potential use of modulars near Running Creek Elementary.
In regards to using space at Singing Hills, the letter reads, “We respectfully request that the District consider putting in writing that, should ICA secure at least 80 students from Singing Hills Elementary committed to enroll in Fall 2026, ICA would be granted access to four classrooms within the interior of the building if Singing Hills is chosen by ICA to be a suitable temporary location site.”
ICA is considering several options, including using “one of ESD’s 5 acre parcels” to potentially place modulars on or using space at Elizabeth Middle School.
e letter said “given the projected drop in middle school enrollment in 2026” there was potential availability of open classrooms and modular space at EMS.
e deadline for ICA to meet certain conditions was originally April 15 and included providing evidence of a suitable facility, securing CCSP (Colorado Charter School Program) funds, and providing evidence of enrollment for nancial viability.
Before postponing the opening date completely, on April 14 ICA requested an extension to meet these conditions until May 31. “As part of your approval of ICA, you set three conditions in the resolution,” reads the email. “While we are fully committed to meeting each of these conditions, we respectfully request an extension of the deadlines associated with the following requirements to allow adequate time to address these conditions.”
At that time, ICA rmly believed Elizabeth Middle School was the best option for both the Elizabeth School District and ICA. “With the student capacity of 624 and current enrollment at 386, plus a projected slight decline in enrollment this fall and the following year, we hope you agree that there is extra classroom space in the building and that space can be partially reallocated for ICA to open this fall,” read the email.
CCSP funds are still in the mix but ICA says the grant was not “included in the original nancial projections previously submitted to the district” and demonstrates the school’s ability to move forward without them. e grant remains an important part of their long-termnancial planning.
Numbers up in air
As for enrollment, the number of students necessary to make ICA scally viable depends on which building they end up operating out of. “If ICA can use the Elizabeth Middle School location, it affords ICA the opportunity to signi cantly
reduce costs because building renovations will be minimal as compared to the funds that were allocated to renovating the Frontier Center building,” their request for extension read. “As a result of the potentially lower costs, the number of students needed to make the school nancially viable will change.”
ICA has also acknowledged recent changes in their board membership may have negatively in uenced some families’ decision-making. “... we are actively
re-engaging with these families to ensure con dence in the school’s leadership and stability,” they wrote. For more information about the Independence Classical Academy, visit independenceclassical.org.
e latest Elizabeth School Board meetings and agendas are available at elizabethschooldistrict.org/domain/124. e latest meeting is also available on the District’s YouTube Channel at youtube. com/watch?v=FMCyzz4WUTI.
Watering Restrictions
Alternating watering days based on address:
Homes ending in an EVEN number = Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday
Homes ending in an ODD number = Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
Multi-family, HOAs, Commercial Properties = Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
No watering on Fridays
Watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. is prohibited.
Slow the Flow & Turf Replacement
PWSD customers can schedule an appointment to receive a free sprinkler system audit and learn about discounts for removing turf from your lawn! Visit ResourceCentral.org for information.
Singing Hills Elementary, at 41012 Madrid Drive in Elbert County, is one option Independence Classical Academy is exploring to help house their school until a separate facility can be built. ICA had planned to begin classes this fall in the Frontier Center but has postponed their opening until 2026.
PHOTOS BY NICKY QUINBY
Modular buildings behind the Elizabeth Middle School main building. Unused classrooms inside EMS and the external modular buildings are some of the options for Independence Classical Academy to use in the future.
FUNDING
Even with these adjustments, school funding will increase statewide next year, although some districts with shrinking enrollment will see no additional money beyond a “hold harmless” guarantee — a provision that ensures districts receive at least as much funding as the previous year, even if their enrollment declines.
A new revenue stream
As part of a late-session amendment to the School Finance Act, lawmakers also created the Kids Matter Fund, a dedicated account that will receive a small percentage of state income tax revenue beginning in the 2026-27 scal year.
While it won’t immediately change funding levels, the fund is expected to support total program costs through 2030, then shift toward base and categorical funding. at long-term infusion could eventually help districts with highcost student needs, though its exact impact remains to be seen.
Sen. Chris Kolker, who represents Arapahoe and Je erson counties, said the idea came from a shared concern that lawmakers could one day reverse course and divert money away from K-12 education. By designating 0.065% of state income tax into a trust beginning in the 2026-27 scal year, the amendment ensures a baseline of protected funding for public schools.
“Let’s put a priority that we’re funding education,” Kolker said. “Granted, it may not be up to the adequacy amounts by those studies, but it’s a start, based on the formula.”
How it will roll out
When the legislature passed a new
school nance formula in the spring of 2024, it promised that no district would lose funding immediately. at promise held for the 2024-25 school year:
• Every district was guaranteed at least as much total program funding as the previous year.
• A “hold harmless” provision ensured that even districts with enrollment declines received at least the same amount of funding they got for 2023-24.
However, the shift toward the new funding formula o cially begins in the 2025-26 school year. is year, districts’ funding will be calculated based on the greater of the two numbers:
• What the district received in 2024-25 (the hold harmless oor), or
• A phased-in amount that moves 15% closer to what the new, weighted formula would provide.
By 2027-28, the transition will accelerate, and by 2031-32, Colorado plans to fully fund schools using the new formula.
How several major metro districts are a ected
A look at ve of Colorado’s largest districts shows how uneven the impact will be over time, according to the scal note attached to House Bill 25-1320 and data from the Colorado Department of Education:
• Adams 12 Five Star Schools: Relatively at. For the 2024-25 school year, Adams 12 received a slight funding increase over the 2023-24 school year. However, by 2025-26, the district is projected to face a slight decrease of approximately 1.6%. Ongoing enrollment declines and fewer qualifying high-needs students are under the new weighted formula, contributing to this dip.
• Adams County School District 14: Small drop. Adams 14 saw at funding for 2024-25 compared to the previous
year. For 2025-26, projections show a minimal decrease of about 0.6%. Despite long-term enrollment loss, the district’s high concentration of at-risk and multilingual learners helps stabilize funding levels.
• Cherry Creek Schools: Solid increases. Cherry Creek Schools received a solid funding increase in 2024-25 and is projected to receive an even larger one in 2025-26, with a projected gain of 7.8%. Stable enrollment and a growing population of at-risk and multilingual learners align well with the new funding priorities, placing Cherry Creek in a strong nancial position. While its enrollment has remained stable, Cherry Creek’s at-risk and multilingual student populations have grown. at demographic shift aligns with the new weighted funding priorities, resulting in a projected 7.8% increase in funding from 2024-25 to 2025-26.
• Douglas County School District: Relatively at. Douglas County saw a modest increase in 2024-25 and is projected for a at to slight increase of about 0.8% in 2025-26. While enrollment is declining, strong local property wealth and demographic balancing help the district maintain relative stability under the phased-in new formula.
• Je erson County Public Schools: Steep losses. Je co Public Schools is protected from immediate funding cuts in 2024-25, thanks to the hold harmless provision. For the 2025-26 school year, the district is guaranteed to receive at least as much funding as it did in the 2024-25 school year.
However, long-term challenges are building. Without the hold-harmless protections, scal note projections show Je co would face a 14.9% drop in total program funding under the state’s new weighted formula. Several factors are driving this risk:
Several factors are converging:
• Enrollment loss: Je co’s student population continues to shrink, reducing its funding needs under both formulas.
• Property value surge: Rising home values increase local tax collections, reducing the amount of state funding Je co quali es for.
• New formula weighting: e new funding model places greater emphasis on at-risk and multilingual learners, areas where Je co’s demographics o er fewer additional dollars compared to other metro districts.
What the shift means for metro districts
e 2025-26 school year marks the beginning of Colorado’s shift toward a new vision of school funding, one that prioritizes student needs more heavily but also leaves some communities facing complex adjustments.
While families may not notice dramatic changes immediately, the foundation for bigger nancial shifts is being laid now. Districts like Je co and Adams 12 will need to plan carefully to navigate tighter budgets, while Cherry Creek and others may nd new opportunities to invest in expanded programs and services.
e hold harmless protection provides a temporary cushion, but districts like Je co face growing nancial challenges as the transition accelerates. By the end of the decade, Colorado’s school nance landscape will look very di erent from what it does today.
Charter schools will also see a share of the phased-in formula funding.
Another late-session amendment requires that charter and institute charter schools receive a per-pupil amount tied to their authorizing district’s incremental increase in 2025-26, ensuring they bene t proportionally as Colorado begins implementing the new formula.
1. MOVIES: What is the name of Han Solo’s ship in the “Star Wars” series?
2. TELEVISION: What is Ray Barone’s job on the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond”?
3. U.S. STATES: e Baltimore Ravens’ name is a nod to which past famous resident?
4. PSYCHOLOGY: What fear is represented in the condition called “alliumphobia”?
5. LITERATURE: Who created the ctional detective Lord Peter Wimsey?
6. GAMES: Which chess piece can’t move in a straight line?
7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a baby mouse called?
8. SCIENCE: What does the acronym RNA stand for?
9. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was the rst to wear contact lenses?
TrIVIa
10. ASTRONOMY: Which constellation contains Polaris, the North Star?
Answers
1. Millennium Falcon.
2. Sportswriter.
3. Edgar Allen Poe, who wrote the poem “ e Raven.”
4. Fear of garlic.
5. Dorothy L. Sayers.
6. Knight.
7. A pinky or pup.
8. Ribonucleic Acid.
9. Lyndon Johnson.
10. Ursa Minor ( e Little Dipper). (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Careers
Help Wanted
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
2 Day per week Early Childhood Special Education Teacher and Child Find Coordinator, for East Central BOCES for the 2025-2026 school year
• Duties include: Complete assessment & provide direct and indirect services with preschool children in rural school settings
• Requires a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education
Can be hired with a Bachelor’s Degree in a Related Field if willing to enter into a Master’s degree program in Early Childhood Special Education upon hire
• Salary Range BA-$18,428-$20,948, dependent on experience
• Mileage reimbursement
• Flexible scheduling with the opportunity to complete some work at home.
• May be eligible for loan forgiveness!
• Financial support may be available through grants if required to enroll in a Master’s degree program
• Questions contact Tracy (719) 775-2342 ext. 101.
To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the “Jobs” page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the grey button “Apply Online”, located at the bottom of the job listing. EOE
Part-Time Seasonal Public Works Crew Member
The Town of Kiowa is accepting applications for a part-time Seasonal Public Works Crew Member. Duties include maintaining parks, sidewalks, Town properties, and general Town beautification. This position will be required to assist with town events such as setting up/breaking down tents and trash removal. The applicant must be 18 years of age or older, have a High School Diploma or GED, and have a Valid Driver's License. Please see the attached supporting documents for the full job description and application. Applications are available online at the Town’s website at https://townofkiowa.colorado.gov/e mployment-volunteer or in person at Town Hall, located at 404 Comanche Street, Kiowa. Please submit an application by mail to Kim Boyd, Town Administrator, Town of Kiowa, PO Box 237, Kiowa, CO 80117; by email to kboyd@townofkiowa.com. open until filled.
MARKETPLACE
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WIDOWED MEN AND WOMEN OF AMERICA. A social club offering many exciting activities and life long friendships. Social hours for all areas of Metro Denver. Visit Widowedamerica.org for details In your area!
Garage and Estate Sales
Garage Sales
Save the Date! Gigantic Garage Sale in the Pradera Golf
Community Subdivision Friday & Saturday, May 16th and 17th 8am-4pm
Numerous homeowners in the Pradera community will be participating in this event Major cross streets into Pradera are Bayou Gulch and Parker Road, Parker 80134 Call Dotson Skaggs, Kentwood Real Estate 303-909-9350 for more information.
Community Garage Sale! Hidden River II off Hilltop South of Tallman in Parker May 16th and 17th Oepns at 8:30am. Household items, clothes, vintage tools, large rug, jewelry, antiques, collectibles and so much more! Bargains Galore!
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Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris -blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833610-1936
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mere 0.1% growth. Colorado’s unemployment rate of 4.8% in March was higher than the nation’s 4.2% in April. e state still has a high level of adults who work, ranking sixth-highest nationwide for its labor force participation rate, at 67.8%.
Lewandowski said that he feels the job growth numbers are underrepresented based on how the Bureau of Labor Statistics is analyzing the data. According to his division’s forecasts, they’re projecting meager job growth for the next two quarters in Colorado.
“Some of our models even have a loss of jobs. But that’s not our baseline forecast,” he said. “ ere are scenarios where, if we enter into a recession, we actually could see some job loss. But I’m not quite there yet. I think we could see some really thin job growth later this year.”
is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalistowned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.
Anxiety steers economic indicators, report says
BY SARAH MULHOLLAND CPR NEWS
Colorado economic signals are mixed as businesses try to make sense of President Donald Trump’s flip-flops on tariffs.
The number of people filing to start a business was up in the first quarter compared to the end of last year, according to a joint report from the University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business and the Secretary of State’s Office.
At the same time, the state’s executives are feeling deeply anxious about how the new administration’s trade policies are going to impact their bottom lines, the report found.
“The indicators in this report do not show any immediate or significant economic disruption to Colo -
rado … but it does show business leaders in Colorado are nervous about these disruptions,” Secretary of State Jena Griswold said during a webinar about the report.
Colorado’s economy started slowing before Trump was sworn in for his second term. As of April, the state added 2,300 jobs during the prior 12 months, which equates to a growth rate of 0.1 percent. That compares to the U.S. rate of 1.2 percent.
Colorado now ranks 44th for job growth among the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
“We were hard-charging for a long time. Now, some of the other states are catching up and are continuing to have that growth that we had,” said Richard Wobbekind, senior economist and faculty director at
CU’s Leeds School of Business.
The state’s per capita personal income and labor force participation still rank high, he said.
“We are a prosperous state, and we are growing, we’re just growing at a slower rate,” Wobbekind said.
Colorado’s professional business services, which includes the tech sector, took a big hit in the past year. That sector has 8,400 fewer jobs than a year ago.
“That had been a disappointment in terms of job performance in 2024. And so far it’s continuing into 2025,” Wobbekind said.
This story is from CPR News, a nonprofit public broadcaster serving Colorado. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.
Valley Metropolitan
OF FINAL PAYMENT
NOTICE is hereby given that Spring Valley Metropolitan District No. 1 of Elbert County, Colorado, will make final payment at Public Alliance LLC, 405 Urban Street, Suite 310, Lakewood, Colorado 80228, on June 2, 2025, at the hour of 5:00 p.m. to Dan’s Custom Construction, Inc., for all work done by said Contractor in
Consulting Group, Inc., 550 West Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, CO 80537, and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the budgets. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: ELORA METROPOLITAN DISTRICT By: /s/ Andrew Kunkel, District Administrator
405 Urban Street, Suite 310, Lakewood, Colorado 80228 on behalf of Spring Valley Metropolitan District No. 1, on or before the date and time hereinabove shown for final payment. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release Spring
