Parker Chronicle 0717

July 17, 2020

FREE

DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

ParkerChronicle.net

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | SPORTS: PAGE 17

VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 35

Pace picks up on I-25 Gap construction CDOT capitalizes on warm, dry months for massive project

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

From left: Douglas County commissioners Roger Partridge, Lora Thomas and Abe Laydon.

COURTESY PHOTO VIA COLORADO SUN

Douglas County wants divorce from health agency Health chief calls potential move ‘extraordinarily disruptive’

BY NICK PUCKETT AND JESSICA GIBBS COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Douglas County’s top elected officials say they want to end the county’s 54-year affiliation with the

Tri-County Health Department after the agency’s board issued an order requiring the wearing of masks in public.

Tri-County’s executive director, Dr. John Douglas, later told Colorado Community Media that the proposed withdrawal is “extraordinarily disruptive to our staff and planning in the middle of a pandemic.”

He said that “to whatever extent we are working with the transition, we’re not working with schools to get

reopened, not working with statisticians, not working with testing teams.”

The Douglas County move is the latest chapter in its sometimesfraught relationship with the health agency, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, with some voices in the county objecting to some of Tri-County’s more stringent safety orders.

SEE COUNTY, P2

Parker eyes opting opt of mask rule ‘I think we’re doing OK right now’

BY NICK PUCKETT NPUCKETT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Parker Town Council has signaled it is leaning toward voting to opt out of the mask order issued recently by the Tri-County Health Department.

Mayor Mike Waid, the six Parker Town Council members and town staff discussed whether to opt out of the mandate at the council’s July 13 study session, which was held virtually and was open to the public.

No official vote was made. The council likely will not make a final decision until the July 20 town council meeting. That meeting will be

MORE ON MASKS More coverage of Tri-County Health and the debate over wearing masks on Pages 4-7 and 9. held virtually at 7 p.m. Instructions to follow the meeting can be found at ParkerOnline.org.

At the July 13 study session, five council members were in favor of opting out so far. Debbie Lewis was the only council member who did not want to opt out of the mandate just yet.

Waid said he received about 250 comments from residents through either email, phone call or other means of communications. Of those comments, two-thirds were in favor of the council opting out of the mandate, Waid said.

All councilmembers agreed masks are beneficial to slowing the spread of the coronavirus, though some said they believed in the science behind wearing a mask more than others.

Councilmember Cheryl Poage, who said she falls under the category of people who are most vulnerable to be severely affected by the disease, added she does not always wear a mask in public and only does when others around her do as well.

Poage said she does believe masks help but questioned exactly how helpful they are.

Councilmember John Diak pointed to the fact 77% of Douglas County residents voluntarily complied with wearing a mask between June 28-July 5, a figure reported by the SEE MASK RULE, P24

The longest work zone in the state is preparing residents for a surge in construction as the Colorado Department of Transportation increases its weather-dependent tasks on the I-25 Gap — the stretch of busy highway that for many years offered just two travel lanes in each direction.

The 18-mile corridor, between Castle Rock and Monument, has been under construction since September 2018 and is planned to wrap up in 2022.

“We’re in the warm months of the year and this will allow us to work very long days,” said Bob Wilson, statewide communications manager for CDOT. “Drivers can expect a lot of changes. It will be a very busy construction season this summer and in the fall.”

While some parts of the project can be completed in winter, all paving must be done while the temperature is above a certain level, Wilson said.

During these warm, dry months, CDOT will build a 4-mile-long truck climbing lane between Greenland and Monument, construct bridges and pave along the interstate.

“The biggest thing people will run into generally is single-lane closures,” Wilson said.

The southbound I-25 on and off ramps at Greenland Road will be closed through roughly Aug. 10.

SEE GAP, P23

POOLS REOPEN AMID PANDEMIC

But COVID-19 concerns limit pool capacities and have delayed some improvement projects P14

2 Parker Chronicle

July 17, 2020J

COUNTY FROM PAGE 1

Douglas said in a letter to his staff that Douglas County has considered breaking off from the agency for several years.

Back in March, several Republican state legislators from Douglas County wrote a letter calling on the county to sever ties with the Tri-County agency over what they called its “heavy-handed” stay-at-home order in the early days of the pandemic.

County commissioners felt the health agency’s mask order was the final straw.

“Consistently, since the beginning of this pandemic and crisis, we’ve seen a marked distinction between Douglas County and our counterparts to the north,” Commissioner Abe Laydon said. “It’s time to build our own health department.”

(After this newspaper went to press, county commissioners were planning to discuss the issue further at a public meeting July 14, and scheduled a joint “town hall” session with Tri-County’s The headquarters of the Tri-County Health Department in Greenwood Village.

COURTESY OF GOOGLE MAPS STREET VIEW Douglas on July 15. Check ColoradoThe order is scheduled to stay in CommunityMedia.com for updates.) of Health voted 5-4 to make wearing to a county news release. place for 90 days and can be extended, masks in public mandatory but gave If the county were to opt out of the Tri-County provides public-health rescinded or changed by the health counties and cities the ability to optmask rule, that action would apply services to Douglas, Adams and department staff. out of the requirement. only to unincorporated areas. Cities Arapahoe counties.

The next day, at a work session, The virtual public meeting was would have to make their own deciDouglas County has had far fewer the Douglas County commissioners interrupted several times by people sion, officials said. confirmed COVID-19 cases -- 1,271 directed county staff to begin the prodemanding to speak, using profanity “I absolutely support the decision of as of July 13 -- than have Adams or cess of withdrawing from the health or calling the board members Comcitizens to wear a mask and businessArapahoe County -- 4,805 and 5,777 department. munists. es decision to require them. We undercases respectively -- and the fewest The action is not final. The ball is The Tri-County board overruled stand the science and the efficacy of hospitalizations and deaths, according currently in the court of county atDouglas’ recommendation that the the symptomatic and asymptomatic to Tri-County tallies. But it also saw torney Lance Ingalls, who will advise mask mandate be an “opt-in” decision the steepest rate of increase in cases transmission that masks can certainly by local goverments. Instead, it passed county officials on the next steps over a 14-day period that ended July help,” Laydon said. “The problem based on what a blanket mandate but agreed to allow 13. we had as a is required board is forcIn a video-conference meeting July T:4.73"cities and counties to opt out of the from the state, mask rule. ing people, if 8, Tri-County’s nine-member Board according to a they’re indoors, county spokesto wear them in person. public.”

But Laydon Commissaid leaving sioner Lora Tri-County is Thomas said in all but set in a statement the stone from the board believes commissioner’s “that trusting perspective. our citizens Leaving and business Tri-County has community to been the subject continue doing of a serious diswhat they do, cussion among without a manthe commissiondate, is the best ers and county approach.” staff for the last In an interfour months, view, Douglas, Laydon said. the Tri-County “It’s part of said Abe Laydon, director, this overarchhe was “sorry” Douglas County commissioner that the Douglas ing theme of accountability County decision of our elected to sever ties officials to “was made as people we represent,” Laydon said. quickly as it was and we didn’t have “We really would like to see some mea- a chance to talk through alternative sure of elected official representation strategies.”

This summer, home-seeing is the new sightseeing. Find your new perfect on our board and expertise from the He added: “We’ve enjoyed serving place at Inspiration, with a virtual tour. We have so much to choose from, scientifi c community .” the residents of Douglas County. They whether you’re looking for a ranch or a two-story. A to-be-built or a He said the commissioners believe are a healthy county, and we don’t ready-now residence. In our all-ages or 55+ neighborhoods. the county can transition out of Triwant them to be impacted in this County “seamlessly” and create its transition.”

Start your online tour, or find out how to make an in-person appointment, own public-health agency without any He said Tri-State’s structure has at InspirationColorado.com/new. effect on services to residents. been “deliberately intended not to New homes near Parker, from the $400s Under state statute, the commission- politicize public health. Now, evers need to provide notice to Trierything is gray. ... The principle of County of their intent to withdraw public health independent of politics, from the department at least one year I strongly believe in, and I think we’re in advance, according to the county experiencing an extreme version of attorney. Until then, Tri-County will this.” continue to service the county.

Douglas said that while “a mask County leaders also want to opt out mandate could be beneficial to (Dougnewlandco.com of the Tri-State mask order. Comlas County), ... it was less imperative nashcommunities.com missioners said they doubt a mask than it was in the other counties mandate will be easily enforceable and because the incident rates were lower EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. NASH Inspiration, LLC (“Fee Owner”) is the owner and developer of the Inspiration Community (“Community”).

Certain homebuilders unaffiliated with the Fee Owner or its related entities are building homes in the Community (“Builder(s)”). Fee Owner has retained said 75% of the community is already there.”

Newland Communities solely as the property manager for the Community. ©2020 Inspiration. All Rights Reserved. Inspiration is a trademark of NASH Inspiration, LLC, and may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without prior written permission. wearing masks voluntarily, according Scott Taylor contributed.

‘Consistently, since the beginning of this pandemic and crisis, we’ve seen a marked distinction between Douglas County and our counterparts to the north.

It’s time to build our own health department.’

T:6.7"

Parker Chronicle 3

0July 17, 2020

Greenland Ranch easement transferred to local group Conservation organization plans to keep land undisturbed

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A preserved section of southern Douglas County covering more than 17,000 acres will now be managed by a local conservation group after the property’s easement was transferred on June 23.

Drivers who enjoy the view from the undisturbed section of land on the east side of I-25 can rest assured that the new property manager, Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, or CCALT, has only one priority: to maintain that landscape.

CCALT, which announced the transfer on July 13, was founded in 1995 and is based in Arvada.

The easement agreement, which is designed to remain with the land in perpetuity, restricts development on the privately owned property.

“What we do in practice is come out to every property at least once a year and tour the property to make sure the terms of the easement are being upheld,” said Molly Fales, CCALT director of conservation transactions.

Under the easement, laid out in 2000, there were 22 total residences permitted on the land and five bunkhouses, Fales said. After the transfer to CCALT, the restrictions were tightened, with only 18 residences and three bunkhouses allowed. Size

A panorama showing what some call the “Million Dollar View” from Greenland Ranch. A portion of the background of the photo shows Greenland Open Space.

COURTESY OF JOHN FIELDER restrictions for the houses were also added.

Currently, there are five residences and three bunkhouses on the land.

Without the conservation easement, the land could have about 500 properties on it, Fales said.

For the first 20 years of the easement, The Conservation Fund and Douglas County managed the property, but the contract always planned for a transfer to a local organization.

“Our organization isn’t in the business of holding easements long term,”

said Sydney Macy, a consultant with The Conservation Fund.

The Greenland Ranch property is separate from the Greenland Open Space, which is across the interstate and owned by Douglas County.

“This transfer of the conservation easement doesn’t have any impact on the open space,” said Cheryl Matthews, Douglas County’s director of open space.

Without this 20-year-old easement, the landscape of southern Douglas County could be very different, said

CCALT Executive Director Erik Glenn.

“I think everybody in Colorado has breathed a sigh of relief as houses and shopping centers end and you’re back in rolling hills,” Glenn said. “As they make that drive north or south, what they will see forever will be those rolling grasslands, those beautiful mesas covered with oak brush. I think that’s something truly remarkable that a group would come together and make sure that something like that exists in the future.”

Find out why more Coloradans choose UnitedHealthcare Dual Plans.

More Coloradans with Medicare and Medicaid are enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete® plan than all other competitor plans combined.* If you have these two cards, call us to find out if you qualify for our plan.

Most plans include: Premiums as low as $0.

Up to $680 to buy health products you may need.

$2,000 towards dental services.

Up to 24 one-way rides every year.

We’re ready to help.

720-805-1452, TTY 711 UHCCP.com/COdual *Colorado Dual membership data per CMS as of 10/1/2019 Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a contract with the State Medicaid Program. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare.

Y0066_170131_104754 Accepted

CST28151A

4 Parker Chronicle

July 17, 2020J

Businesses told to refuse customers without masks Tri-County will attempt to seek voluntary compliance

Businesses must refuse customers If an individual refuses to wear a mask for reasons not allowed under the order’s exceptions, a business or other publicly accessible facility is required to refuse entry, according to the order.

Any business open to the public that allows a person to enter or remain on the business’ premises without a mask “may be subject to the suspension or revocation of its license by the appropriate licensing authority as provided by law,” the order says.

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The public health agency for Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties will require masks in public indoor spaces, and outdoors where people can’t remain 6 feet away from others, beginning July 24, but the order includes a long list of exceptions.

It also requires businesses to refuse customers who aren’t wearing masks, and those who don’t comply could have their business licenses suspended or revoked.

The order in response to COVID-19 was approved July 8 by the Tri-County Health Department Board of Health, the agency that oversees Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties.

Counties and municipalities can opt out of the order by July 23, and Douglas County’s elected leaders announced plans on July 9 to do so.

Where order applies Under the order, people must wear a face covering if they are: • Outdoors and unable to

In a file photo, shoppers are seen inside the Alter’d State store at Park Meadows mall on May 24.

PHOTO BY BRIAN WILLIE/ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

maintain a distance of 6 feet from those who are not members of their household.

• In any indoor location where members of the public are generally allowed.

• Waiting for, riding on, driving or operating public transportation or while in a taxi, private car service or ride-sharing vehicle.

• Obtaining health care

services in settings such as a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank.

It also applies when people are working — whether at a workplace or off-site — in the following contexts: • Interacting with any member of the public.

• Working in a space

RESORT HIRING FAIR

The Sheraton Hotel 360 Union Blvd.

Lakewood, CO 80228

Saturday, July 18 & Saturday, July 23 10am –3pm

We’re hiring people who want their career to take flight. No experience necessary!

Apply before you arrive at MonarchBlackHawk.com/careers

visited by members of the public.

• Working in a space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution.

• Working in or walking through common areas, or in an enclosed area where other people, except for the person’s household members, are present and unable to physically distance.

Who is excepted The order lists the following exceptions to the mask-wearing requirement: • Individuals who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical condition, including respiratory issues that impede breathing, mental health conditions or disabilities.

• Those experiencing homelessness who cannot wear a face covering because it is not affordable or obtainable.

• Individuals for whom wearing a face covering while working would create an unsafe condition for operating equipment or executing a task as determined by local, state or federal regulations or workplace safety guidelines.

SEE BUSINESSES, P5

Parker Chronicle 5

0July 17, 2020

Volunteer sisters aim to make 1,000 masks Vivek sisters made 500 reusable face masks in June

BY NICK PUCKETT NPUCKETT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Parker sisters Niketna and Nandhana Vivek set out to make as many cloth face coverings as they could for workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Niketna volunteers at Avista Adventist Hospital in Boulder, and Nandhana volunteers at the Parker Douglas County Library. The sisters scrounged from Nandhana’s allowance and Niketna’s work paychecks to buy more cloth and materials.

About 100 masks and one broken sewing machine into the process, the Viveks established an assembly linetype system: Nandhana measures and cuts the fabric, then folds the pleats and irons it. Niketna then cuts elastic ear loops and sews the masks.

The Viveks made 250 masks for each facility. Each one is machine washable and reusable. The sisters are set on making about 500 more for each facility. After that, their goal is to make 2,000 by the end of summer.

“We worry about our grandparents in India who are already sick and at a high risk. Then we realized that elderly here would be under the same risk when people walk around in

Niketna Vivek, 20, sews a mask while wearing a mask similar to the kind her and her sister, Nandhana, 14, are making to donate to hospital and library workers.

COURTESY PHOTO

public places without masks due to pandemic fatigue or just don’t have a mask on-hand,” Niketna said.

“We could not even fathom the risk health care workers would be under dealing with patients every day. We believe that if masks were distributed for free, half of these people would willingly wear the masks. At least if the employees and health care workers had access to free masks, then they would be safer.”

BUSINESSES FROM PAGE 4

• People who would be unable to remove a face covering without assistance.

• Any child aged 2 years or younger must not wear a face covering. The order does not require that any child aged 5 years or younger wear a face covering, but parents are strongly encouraged to have their children between 2 and 5 wear a face covering in accordance with federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

• Individuals who are communicating with someone who is hearing-impaired or has another disability where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.

• Those who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which the temporary removal of the face covering is necessary.

• Individuals seated at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverages while they are eating or drinking, provided that they can stay at least 6 feet away from people who are not members of their household.

• People who are engaged in outdoor work or swimming, walking, hiking, bicycling, running or other forms of outdoor exercise when alone or with household members and when they are able to stay at least 6 feet from others.

• Those who are exercising in a gym or fitness center are not required to wear a face covering when it is not physically possible or when

by Matt Witt

I

called to ask questions about accessing the equity in my home to help cover monthly expenses, but my son was against it. He doesn’t live with me or pay my bills, he just thought it was a bad idea.

He spoke with my loan officer at Silver Leaf Mortgage, who was able to meet all of his objections. I am so glad I didn’t stop when my son said he didn’t like it!”

Well-meaning children, may prevent their parents from moving forward with a transaction that would truly benefit them. Don’t let misinformation about reverse mortgages stop you from getting the financial freedom you deserve. Speak with a Reverse Mortgage Specialist to get the facts you need to make an informed financial decision.

Objection #1: “Mom, the bank will own your home!” Actually, a reverse mortgage is just a loan and Mom never gives up the title to her home.

Objection #2: “But Dad, there will be no inheritance for us kids!” Children do not realize that the property can be left to any hiers. With new safeguards

Enforcement of the order Tri-County Health will attempt to seek voluntary compliance “through education, technical assistance and warning notices,” the order says.

But any person who violates the order may be subject to legal penalties under state law. In addition, Tri-County may seek a court order to enforce the order, according to its text.

Members of the public can report suspected violations by contacting Tri-County at 303-220-9200.

“Please do not call 911 to report violations of this public health order,” the text says.

C Mo #1 olora rtg Rev do ag ers ’s eB e rok er

Making Decisions Based Upon the Facts “

actively exercising.

• A face covering is not required in a commercial or retail setting when a person is alone in a fully enclosed room. That individual must put on a face covering anywhere members of the public or coworkers are regularly present.

• Persons in businesses such as banks, financial institutions or other security-sensitive businesses who are requested to remove their face covering to verify their identity to carry out a transaction.

• Individuals who are incarcerated. Prisons and jails will have specific guidance on wearing face coverings, the order says.

• Individuals in education settings, which will have specific guidance on wearing face coverings, the order says.

People are not required to have documentation to show that an exception applies. An employer may require documentation from an employee in accordance with state and federal law, the order says.

(including lower lending limits and reduced mortgage insurance costs), the loan balance grows more slowly, allowing the heirs to decide to refinance or sell the home and keep the remaining equity.

Seniors have worked all their lives to provide for their families. Rather than struggling financially in retirement, they can unlock the equity in their home, access tax-free money and enjoy a more secure life in their golden years.

If you are ready to get the facts for yourself, call me or my team today at 720-458-4034.

Silver Leaf Mortgage, Colorado’s #1 Reverse Mortgage Broker.

No Upfront Appraisal Fee. Offer Code 0717CCM

Matt Witt, NMLS #1638881, President at Silver Leaf Mortgage in Centennial.

Matt Witt

Contact me at: 720-458-4034, or you can email me at: MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com

720-458-4034

* The homeowner is still responsible for applicable property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, as well as maintaining the property.

720-458-4034

Located in The Streets at SouthGlenn 6972 South Vine Street | Suite 366 | Centennial, CO 80122

NMLS #1638881 Reverse Mortgage Specialist

Matt Witt: Reve Mortgage Experse rt!

MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com Listen to: The Reverse Mortgage Show Hosted by Matt Witt Legends 810 and 94.3FM, 670 KLTT, 100.7FM KLZ and 560 KLZ or see us live on Colorado’s Best KWGN CW2 & Fox-31, or Colorado & Company KUSA 9News SLM NMLS #1394377 is an Equal Housing Lender. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Regulated by the Department of Real Estate.

6 Parker Chronicle

July 17, 2020J

Polis urges ‘summer without parties’ ‘Wear a damn mask,’ governor tells Coloradans

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

On the heels of more data showing COVID-19 on the rise in his state, Gov. Jared Polis still scraped up a hopeful if worried tone in pushing Coloradans to turn the trajectory around.

And he kept up the baseball metaphor he has used to convey where Coloradans stand — but this time he cast them as losing their grip on the game.

“We’re in the sixth inning, and we’re actually down by a run here to the virus,” Polis said at a July 9 news conference. “It’s 6-5, the virus is beating us, but we’ve got runners on the corners and no outs. So, you know, we’re not down 10-to-zero like they are in Texas or Arizona. We’re down, and we just need to play ball here.”

Clinging to the hope that Colorado won’t end up with a dire spike of COVID-19 like those two states — which have pointed to socializing at bars and nightclubs as a major source of their recent outbreaks — Polis pushed for more mask-wearing but

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis addresses attendees of a bill signing ceremony in Englewood on July 10.

CHRISTY STEADMAN

stopped short of saying he’d favor a mandate, again banking on public buy-in rather than leaning on tighter restrictions.

“If you’re somehow waiting to wear a mask until the governor tells you to, I hope you’ve heard that I’m telling you to. And if I haven’t been clear, I’m telling you to wear a mask: Wear a damn mask,” Polis said.

“If you’re somebody who wants to do the opposite of

what the governor says, you should wear a mask because the data shows that that’s the best way to save a trillion dollars for our (country’s) economy, reduce unemployment, and protect your own life and the life of your loved ones.”

‘Don’t cost the economy’ Such was the amped-up and sometimes biting tone that colored Polis’ latest ask of Coloradans to turn the ship

The SBDC is VIRTUAL Free Business Consulting SBDC VIRTUAL CONSULTING Strategic planning is a must.

Sign up or request an appointment today!

www.Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com/consulting

Free Training for Entrepreneurs AuroraSouth Metro SBDC

Helping existing and new businesses grow and prosper By appointment only working remotely SBDC Host:

CITY OF AURORA

SBDC WEBINARS Register for an online workshop today.

Scroll through the current offerings.

www.Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com/training

Disaster Recovery Assistance SBDC ASSISTANCE DURING THE PANDEMIC Receive resiliency tips and get your questions answered as your business reopens.

Email is best: info@Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com

Aurora Municipal Center

CITY OF ENGLEWOOD Englewood Civic Center

PANORAMA POINT DTC | Centennial

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com (303) 326-8686

around on the pandemic.

Following an uptick in the state’s coronavirus’ spread since mid-June, Colorado’s “R naught” — the average number of infections generated by each COVID-19 case — is now above one, Polis said, meaning Colorado’s progress is reversing. If the number sits below one, the number of new cases per day is declining.

The governor directly addressed Coloradans who are in their teens, 20s and 30s,

remarking that “this is the summer of no parties” and suggesting they socialize by having a few friends over or going outdoors in a group.

To avoid more restrictions on people’s freedoms, young Coloradans may need to go without parties into the fall, too, he added.

“Don’t put your own life and the lives of your friends in jeopardy,” Polis said. “And if you don’t care about the lives of yourself and friends, please don’t cost the economy (a cut in activity) and jobs, even your own job.”

Under Colorado’s safer-athome phase of social distancing, gatherings of more than 10 people in public and private are prohibited, except in certain settings such as day camps and recreational sports teams. Houses of worship also may hold larger numbers of people with at least 6 feet between individuals or household groups.

Colorado’s uptick, like major spikes in other states, is largely among the younger demographic and may be attributable to bars and nightclubs and potentially to public protests, Polis has said.

Polis announced June 30 that Colorado was closing its bars and nightclubs, and the governor estimated bars are SEE NO PARTIES, P7

Douglas County GOP chair apologizes for mask cartoon This cartoon was posted on Facebook by the Douglas County Republican Party, then later removed.

The county party’s chair has apologized.

COURTESY OF 9NEWS

KUSA-9NEWS

The chairman of the Douglas County Republican Party apologized July 13 to “anyone that was offended” by a post on the county party’s Facebook page depicting a cartoon police officer labeled “Polis,” who is shown stepping on the neck of a man wearing a mask -- “Polis” being Colorado’s Democratic Gov. Jared Polis.

The cartoon included the caption “We Can’t Breathe,” echoing the words said by George Floyd, who died in May after a Minneapolis police officer held a knee to his neck.

“A post was made on the Douglas County Republicans Facebook page

on Friday morning which was subsequently taken down over the weekend,” Chairman Stephen Allen wrote in a statement.

“As Chairman I am responsible for the content of our social media and I apologize to anyone that was offended by the post. We are currently reviewing our editorial policies with regard to content and access to our social media platforms.”

The photo has been removed, but Douglas County’s Republican Sheriff Tony Spurlock called for whoever published it to resign.

This story is from KUSA-9News. Used by permission. For more on this story, visit 9News.comcoloradopolitics.com.

Parker Chronicle 7

0July 17, 2020

NO PARTIES FROM PAGE 6

likely closed in 70% of the state. Due to local variations in social distancing rules that the state has granted, bars could remain open in some counties, and bars with full-service kitchens or those that provide food from a neighboring restaurant or food truck were able to keep operating in general.

The governor still urged people over 65 to “take extraordinary measures” to protect themselves, citing his parents, who are in their 70s, continuing to stay home as an example.

Leaving masks local Asked why he’s leaving mask-wearing mandates to local leaders, Polis argued the state has “minimal ability” to enforce a mask order but said he hasn’t ruled it out as an option.

Coloradans shouldn’t just wear a mask for fear of a fine but should

“wear one because you might save your life. You also might save your job.

You might save your stock portfolio.

You might keep your local businesses open,” Polis added.

Polis praised that more than half the state’s population, upwards of 60%, has a mask-wearing requirement in their local jurisdiction.

That figure was to change after Douglas County announced July 9 that it would move to opt out of its local health department’s mask mandate.

Despite the about-face in the pandemic’s trajectory in Colorado, the state moved ahead with allowing counties to move to its third phase of social distancing, the “protect our neighbors” framework.

The state on July 7 released a form to allow counties to apply to qualify for the new framework of social distancing, according to a news release by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The first two phases were the stay-at-home and current safer-at-home orders.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs two bills relating to alcohol sales on July 10 during a quick visit to Englewood.

CHRISTY STEADMAN Once counties meet certain criteria, submit a plan to mitigate COVID-19 surges and are approved by the state, they can permit activities at 50% of pre-pandemic capacity “across all sectors,” with at least 6 feet between non-household members and no more than 500 people in one setting, according to the state’s framework.

Because cases are increasing in many counties throughout the state, most will not yet be eligible to apply, according to the release.

Counties must submit letters of support from hospitals, local public health agency directors, county commissioners, sheriffs, police departments, mayors, emergency managers and, if applicable, local tribes.

They also must meet the following standards: • Stable or declining COVID-19 hospitalizations or fewer new cases in the past two weeks.

• The local public health agency’s ability to test 15 people per 10,000 residents per day and to conduct contact tracing for at least 85% of assigned cases within 24 hours, and strategies to offer testing to close contacts of outbreak-associated cases, among other planning.

• Hospital ability to meet needs of all patients and handle the surge in demand for intensive hospital care, including the capacity to manage a 20% surge in hospital admissions and patient transfers and having two weeks of personal protective equipment available).

One message you can absorb.

Whether your business is near a creek or on top of a hill, you play a vital role in keeping our waterways clean. By containing and cleaning up automotive fluid spills promptly, your business prevents these contaminants from damaging the environment. Remember, one drop of oil picked up during a rain storm can pollute 1 million drops of water. Contact your local agency to find out how you can dispose of automotive fluids.

Local stormwater agencies are teaming together to bring you this message. We take this so seriously that we posted this ad rather than send you more garbage in the mail. One thing is clear: our creeks, rivers and lakes depend on you.

T H IS ST ORMWATER MESSAGE B R OUGHT TO YOU B Y Visit onethingisclear.org to: • Report accidental and illegal dumping to your local agency • Search local volunteer events • Find more helpful tips

3

EMERGENCY SPILL KIT

Be prepared. Have appropriate spill supplies on hand to address automotive fluid leaks.

Colorado Community Media agrees: Please recycle this newspaper responsibly and partner with our communities for a better tomorrow.

Ad campaign creative donated by the Castle Rock Water, Stormwater Division.

8 Parker Chronicle

July 17, 2020J

Chatridge 2 fire is seen as a close call Douglas County is still reviewing and learning from the event

BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County’s Emergency Management Center is reviewing the recent Chatridge 2 blaze near Highlands Ranch after the quick-spreading flames caused one of the biggest local wildfires in recent years.

The fire, which started in an unincorporated area of Douglas County south of Highlands Ranch, was first called in at about 9:50 a.m. June 29.

Early, for a brush fire.

Within 20 minutes, firefighters reported it had spread from one acre to 10, EMC director Tim Johnson said.

“It was a very hot, windy, dry day,” Johnson said.

Before long, the flames had spread even more and became a threat to homes in the BackCountry community in southern Highlands Ranch.

At about 11 a.m. residents were ordered to evacuate as smoke closed in on the neighborhood.

“It was really inconvenient; it was really scary,” resident Ed Schroback said. “The fire was right by where our house is.”

At final count, the fire was determined to have spread to 500 acres, Johnson said.

“A 500 acre fire is a large fire,” he said. “We typically don’t see fires that large.”

A helicopter lands near Chatfield Reservoir to assist fire crews in a June 29 blaze at the south end of the reservoir.

COURTESY OF JOHNNIE MEDINA

The fire, later determined to be started by an electric utility pole malfunction, also caused power outages in the BackCountry community.

Four years ago, another significant fire began at the same location. At 220 acres, it was half as big as the Chatridge 2 fire.

The EMC is still investigating what sparked these fires and looking into if they were caused by the same malfunction.

“We’ve had two fires in the same spot,” he said. “We need to prevent that from happening.”

After events like this, the EMC completes an action review of the situation, which includes suggestions for ways to improve, Johnson said. These sometimes take several

The scar from the June 29 Chatridge 2 fire is show in a photo taken from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s Multi-Mission Aircraft.

COURTESY PHOTO weeks to complete.

In order to keep the fire from spreading any more, Douglas County brought in a variety of air support, including five large air tankers, two single engine air tankers, three helicopters and three other planes.

“It might take a couple of months to figure out the true cost,” he said.

While Johnson believes the fire was a “huge threat” to the BackCountry neighborhood, he sees the event as a success.

“As bad as it could have been, it wasn’t,” he said. “We were very happy, we didn’t burn any structures, no injuries and no deaths.”

Looking into the future for that area, the EMC is paying attention to the high chance of excessive water runoff if there is a heavy rain, Johnson said.

“Vegetation holds back water,” he said. “Now we have areas where we could have runoff that flows into (nearby) Highway 85.”

Eventually, though, it will look like it never happened, he said.

“In a couple of years, I don’t think folks will even know or remember that we had a fire,” Johnson said.

“The oak brush will come back, the grass will come back. In a couple of years the scar from the fire will be totally unnoticeable.”

PERFECTLY & R E D TERN US ANTEED DELICIO GUA

RSES 20 MAIN COUSE RT GET THE GRILLER’S BUNDLE

INTRODUCTORY PRICE:

$

Taller, thicker steaks, expertly hand-cut.

Double-trimmed for 100% flawless bites.

4 (5 oz.) Butcher’s Cut Filet Mignon 4 (4 oz.) Boneless Pork Chops 4 (4 oz.) Omaha Steaks Burgers 4 (3 oz.) Gourmet Jumbo Franks 4 (2.8 oz.) Potatoes au Gratin 4 (4 oz.) Caramel Apple Tartlets Omaha Steaks Seasoning Packet

Aged 21 days for the most tenderness.

$224.91* separately

TRY THE EXCLUSIVE OMAHA STEAKS

BUTCHER’S CUT FILET MIGNON

THE BEST STEAKS OF YOUR LIFE OR

YOUR MONEY BACK

7999

+ SIDES & DES

+ 4 MORE BURGERS

FREE

com/family254

aks. .6525 | OmahaSte 9 9 .2 3 3 8 1. ow N er Ord undle 63281DCB B r’s le ril G e th r fo Ask

*Savings shown over aggregated single item base price. Limit 2.

Free burgers will be sent to each shipping address that includes (63281). Standard S&H added per address. Not valid with other offers. Expires 10/31/20. All purchases subject to Omaha Steaks, Inc. Terms of Use & Privacy Policy: omahasteaks.com/terms-of-useOSI and omahasteaks .com/info/privacy-policy or call 1-800-228-9872. Photos exemplary of product advertised.

Parker Chronicle 9

0July 17, 2020

Tri-County Health closes offices following threat Agency has been targeted before by threats, vandalism

BY NICK PUCKETT NPUCKETT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The chief of the Tri-County Health Department ordered the agency’s headquarters to close temporarily after police informed staff of a threat

against the department’s building in Greenwood Village.

The agency administers public health services in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties.

The Greenwood Village Police Department informed health department officials of the threat in the evening of July 8. Officials closed the building at 6162 S. Willow Dr. July 9-10; it was open again July 13.

Officials did not disclose the specific nature of the threat or when it was

made. Police later deemed the threat to be not credible.

Dr. John Douglas, the agency’s executive director, said the department previously received other threats directed at employees and the building has been vandalized multiple times.

People have also staged protests outside the building.

The agency has stirred up controversy among some in its response to the COVID-19 crisis, including directives involving public mask wearing

and staying at home. It is not known if the latest threat was related to the controversy.

Douglas said much of the vitriol has ramped up recently.

“I think it’s deeply — and I want to underscore deeply —disappointing, in the time of a pandemic, the divisiveness in this country,” Douglas said.

“The people on the frontlines responding to the pandemic are getting attacked. It’s clearly a minority, but a vocal minority.”

Caring for our Community by

Using Sustainable Printing Practices.

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

RISING IN THE EAST. With the west side of our community nearly fully developed, RidgeGate is now expanding to the east side of I-25. Our community encompasses a total of 3,500 acres, or six square miles, on both sides. In the years ahead, you’ll see the new Lone Tree City Center become an energized mixed-use downtown for our region. Our multiple light rail stations will keep us connected to the greater metro area.

Three new residential villages and a regional park will come to life, with Shea Homes as the master homebuilder for the first neighborhoods in the Southwest Village. Along with the city center, two additional commercial districts will help to create upwards of 35,000 new jobs. Stay tuned as the future comes into view.

A more natural approach to urbanism. ridgegate.com

10 Parker Chronicle

July 17, 2020J

Now in its 102nd year, please join us for the annual celebration of Douglas County’s 4-H Program and our County’s agricultural and Western heritage.

ONLINE AUCTION The 61st Annual Douglas County Junior Livestock Sale Friday, July 31 at 6:30 p.m.

TICKETED EVENTS – MUST PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE Xtreme Bulls - Thursday, July 30 at 7 p.m.

Bull Riding in the Outdoor Arena PRCA RODEO – Saturday, Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 2 at 1 p.m.

Outdoor Arena paired with Indoor Arena livestream spectator-viewing To purchase tickets or participate in the online auction visit FairandRodeoFun.com or call 720-733-6941.

Drive-thru Strive to Thrive Resource Fair The Strive to Thrive Resource Fair will be held July 28 from 3-6 p.m. at Southeast Christian Church, 9650 Jordan Rd. in Parker. Due to COVID-19 safety measures, this will be a “drive-thru” event. For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for Community of Care.

FREE electronic recycling event Douglas County residents are invited to recycle unwanted electronics for FREE on Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at EchoPark Stadium in Parker. Stay in your vehicle and staff will unload. No paper shredding services will be available. For more information visit douglas.co.us/ community-recycling-event

Funds available to veterans Emergency assistance is available for veterans struggling with housing (mortgage/rent), transportation, employment, healthcare or other emergency needs. To apply for the veterans assistance funds visit douglasveterans.org or call 303.663.6200.

COVID-19 testing locations Wondering where to obtain COVID-19 diagnostic testing near you? For links and information about providers near you please visit douglas.co.us/covid19-testing-locations

Visit douglas.co.us

LiLi, an equine member of the Healing Herd with the Wind Rider Project, helps veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD feel safe as they work through their troubles.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GLENN WEISSEL

Program offers horses, hope, help, health Harmony’s Heart Coaching assists military, first responders

BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

While riding his Harley-Davidson along the back roads of Colorado during a heavy wind storm, Air Force veteran Glenn Weissel, co-owner of Harmony’s Heart Coaching in Elbert, had an epiphany.

Weissel, a certified life coach and equine assisted coach, along with his wife Ashara Morris, started Harmony’s Heart about seven years ago, and on that windy day as he focused to navigate his motorcycle safely, Weissel said he realized he needed to do more to help fellow veterans and first responders suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder.

“It took strength of will, determination and a commitment to improve my riding skills to push my envelope in the environmental conditions,” said Weissel. “The vision of helping veterans and first responders was given to me as I rode. I knew then as I now know that this is my mission, my purpose, my reason for being.”

The Wind Rider project was born, and has grown to encompass active military, veterans transitioning to civilian life, and first responders who suffer from PTSD. Weissel offers his services free of charge to help those struggling, and enlists the help of his equine friends, or his “healing herd,” to teach his clients how to cope with their issues.

Weissel and Morris utilize a therapy called Equine Gestalt life coaching, which combines the psychotherapeutic approach of Gestalt therapy with the experiential therapy of working with horses.

“Our horses are active partners during your coaching sessions. Together we help you identify and drop unfinished business that holds you back from fulfilling your dreams and your life purpose. Together we support

Military personnel and first responders suffering from PTSD spend time bonding with horses through the Wind Rider Project, which offers free services to military personnel, veterans and first responders. your journey,” said Weissel.

Weissel suffers from PTSD himself, and has experienced the benefits of equine therapy in his own life.

“What we like to do is help uncover what the source of the stress is about, and help our clients release and get in touch with the underlying feeling and emotions that they have associated with the stress,” said Weissel.

The Wind Rider Project teaches mindfulness meditation, which reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and increases awareness.

The program also includes journaling, individual coaching sessions and group interactions. And of course, there is time spent with the horses, which clients say is comforting and beneficial.

Previous client Paula K worked with Wilma, a member of the healing herd.

“I found my time working with Ashara and Wilma to be a heart opening experience. In one day not only did I gain the confidence to feel secure around a large house, but also found my way to accepting the things I cannot change,” said Paula.

Veterans, active military personnel or first responders interested in taking advantage of the free services should visit www.thewindriderproject.com.

Parker Chronicle 11

0July 17, 2020

SAVE ON HOME SECURITY GREAT

LOW PRICE

MONITORING

Monitored

by ADT ® the #1 home security company in the U.S.

850

$

VALUE

PER PER MONTH MONTH ADT® 24/7 Monitored Home Security 24/7 monitoring provides peace of mind Yard sign and window decals help deter crime Quickly connect to fire and emergency response May qualify for a homeowners insurance discount

LIMITED TIME OFFER—CALL TODAY!

1-877-219-6861 Ask about same-day installation!

Reply By July 18, 2020

SECURITY SYSTEM FREE HOME New customers only. Early termination fee applies. $99 installation with 36 month monitoring agreement. See all offer details below. $850 VALUE!

FREE

7 WIRELESS DOOR/ WINDOW SENSORS

—enough to help protect virtually every entrance to your home. $695 VALUE!

FREE

$100 VISA® GIFT CARD

from Protect Your Home!

FREE

WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL

with panic button. $139 VALUE!

FREE

OUTDOOR CAMERA

When you upgrade to ADT Pulse® + Video $299 VALUE! See all offer details below.

GIFT CARD: $100 Visa Gift Card fulfilled by Protect Your Home through third-party provider, Mpell, upon installation of a security system and execution of monitoring contract. $4.95 shipping and handling fee, gift cards can take up to 8 weeks to arrive after following the Mpell redemption process. BASIC SYSTEM: $99 Installation. 36-Month Monitoring Agreement required at $27.99 per month ($1,007.64). 24-Month Monitoring Agreement required at $27.99 per month ($671.76) for California. Offer applies to homeowners only.

Basic system requires landline phone. Offer valid for new ADT Authorized Premier Provider customers only and not on purchases from ADT LLC. Cannot be combined with any other offer. The $27.99 Offer does not include Quality Service Plan (QSP), ADT’s Extended Limited Warranty. ADT Pulse: ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions Services (“ADT Pulse”), which help you manage your home environment and family lifestyle, require the purchase and/or activation of an ADT alarm system with monitored burglary service and a compatible computer, cell phone or PDA with Internet and email access. These ADT Pulse services do not cover the operation or maintenance of any household equipment/systems that are connected to the ADT Pulse equipment. All ADT Pulse services are not available with the various levels of ADT Pulse. All ADT Pulse services may not be available in all geographic areas. You may be required to pay additional charges to purchase equipment required to utilize the ADT Pulse features you desire. ADT PULSE + VIDEO: ADT Pulse + Video installation is an additional $299. 36-month monitoring contract required from ADT Pulse + Video: $59.99 per month, ($2,159.64), including Quality Service Plan (QSP). Doorbell camera may not be available in all areas. GENERAL: For all offers, the form of payment must be by credit card or electronic charge to your checking or savings account, satisfactory credit history is required and termination fee applies. Certain packages require approved landline phone. Local permit fees may be required. Certain restrictions may apply.

Additional monitoring fees required for some services. For example, Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Emergency Alert monitoring requires purchase and/or activation of an ADT security system with monitored Burglary, Fire, Carbon Monoxide and Emergency Alert devices and are an additional charge. Additional equipment may be purchased for an additional charge. Additional charges may apply in areas that require guard response service for municipal alarm verification. Prices subject to change. Prices may vary by market.

Some insurance companies offer discounts on Homeowner’s Insurance. Please consult your insurance company. Photos are for illustrative purposes only and may not reflect the exact product/service actually provided. Licenses: AL-21-001104, AR-CMPY.0001725 AZ-ROC217517, CA-ACO6320, CT-ELC.0193944-L5, DC-EMS902653, DC-602516000016, DE-07-212, FL-EC13003427, EC13003401, GA-LVA205395, IA-AS-0206, ID-ELE-SJ-39131, IL-127.001042, IN-C.P.D. Reg. No. – 19-08088, City of Indianapolis: LAC-000156, KY-City of Louisville: 483, LA-F1914, LA-F1915, LA-F1082, MA-1355C, MD-107-1626, ME-LM50017382, MI-3601205773, MN-TS01807, MO-City of St. Louis: CC#354, St. Louis County: 100194, MS-15007958,MT-PSP-ELS-LIC-247, NC-25310-SP-FA/LV, NC-1622CSA, NE-14451, NJ Burglar Alarm Lic. # -NJ-34BF00021800, NM-353366, NV-0068518, City of Las Vegas: 3000008296, NY-Licensed by the N.Y.S. Department of State UID#12000317691, NYS #12000286451,OH-53891446, City of Cincinnati: AC86, OK-AC1048, OR-170997, Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration Number: PA022999, RI-3582, RI-7508, SC-BAC5630, SD- 1025-7001-ET, TN-1520, TX-B13734, ACR-3492, UT-6422596-6501, VA-115120, VT-ES-2382(7C),WA-602588694/ECPROTEYH934RS, WI-City of Milwaukee: PAS-0002966, WV-WV042433, WY-LV-G-21499. 3750 Priority Way South Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46240 ©2017 DEFENDERS, Inc. dba Protect Your Home DF-CD-NP-Q220

12 Parker Chronicle

LOCAL

July 17, 2020J

VOICES

Youth thoughts on a mask mandate

O

n July 9, the Douglas County commissioners unanimously voted in favor of having Douglas County be opted out of the recent facial GUEST covering mandate that was ordered to COLUMN be implemented by Ethan Reed Tri-County Health.

The commissioners also approved plans for Douglas County to withdraw from the Tri-County Health Department within the next year.

Both of the two things listed above concern me, as public health officials and experts and elected officials are raising alarm over the records of COVID-19 cases being reported nearly each day in the United States.

Currently, more than half of all states, which includes Colorado, are seeing increases in cases being reported, with some states like Florida, Texas and California seeing major surges in cases. On this, I am concerned that the country is moving back on our progress with

returning back to normalcy, due to the surges and increase in cases and hospitalizations around the country.

States are already having to pause reopening plans and even some going back to restrictions that nobody wants again.

I personally believe that Douglas County should keep the facial covering mandate ordered by Tri-County Health because even though our county isn’t seeing a huge rate of hospitalizations and cases, we should still be ensuring that we are doing everything we can to protect ourselves and others around us from getting infected.

While Tri-County claims Douglas County has roughly 75% of citizens in the community already wearing masks, it still isn’t enough because we all need to be wearing masks because those that may be infected but show no symptoms (asymptomatic) can easily spread it to others if they are not wearing a face mask.

Those who are most at risk for this

virus such as those with underlying health conditions or older age should not be forgotten as to why we wear masks — to protect them from being infected and others around us. I am truly disappointed in our county commissioners’ choice to exempt Douglas County from the mask mandate, as I believe it could potentially lead the county to see an increase in people getting infected in the community and even hospitalized for that matter.

The science is clear — masks do help, and while it may not fully protect you from being infected, masks still show efficiency in reducing the airborne droplets of an infected individual (asymptomatic or not). As of July 10, Tri-County Health reports that Douglas County is at a 63.8% increase under the “Percent Change of 3-Day Rolling Average over Past14-Day Period.” Also on the data from Tri-County Health Department as of July 10, both under the three-day average cases and seven-day average cases for Douglas County are num-

bers we haven’t seen since April (the first major hit of coronavirus).

As a youth activist who serves to represent the young people in our community on both the state and local levels and as a high-schooler in the community, I support a mask mandate for Douglas County to ensure health and our well-being comes first and foremost during this global crisis. While I understand, however, that will also likely be a thing for us young people to wear in our schools in the upcoming school year, I completely understand that we should continue to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this highly contagious virus.

Ethan Reed Parker Reed is a rising high school senior and member of Colorado State Senate District #4 Youth Advisory Council, Douglas County School District’s Fall Reopening Task Force and the United Nations Youth Association for the United States.

Comedy reached heights when ‘Airplane!’ took off

S

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Town attorney should resign At the June 15 Parker Town Council meeting, Town Attorney Jim Maloney urged council to force Councilmember Cheryl Poage to recuse herself from a vote to approve a service plan for eight new subdivisions of the Cherry Creek South Metro District. Maloney accused her of “conflict of interest.” The Town’s Municipal Code Section 3.4 states “no member of the Council shall vote on any question in which he has a

A publication of

Call first: 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124 Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: ParkerChronicle.net To subscribe call 303-566-4100

substantial personal or financial interest, other than the common public interest …” Poage has no personal or financial interest in these metro districts; she has stated her position is in the “common public interest.”

Poage objects to these developers returning to council, requesting a hike in the mill levy. The added tax allows developers to shift more of their infrastructure costs to a tax SEE LETTERS, P13

urely, you have seen “Airplane!” (Exclamation mark theirs.)

If not, it’s a 1980 film filled with visual and verbal gags that features Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, Robert Stack, Lloyd QUIET Bridges and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar DESPERATION on a seemingly doomed airplane whose pilots and navigator are sickened by fish dinners.

In 2010, “Airplane!” was chosen by the Library of Congress for Craig Marshall preservation in the National Film Smith Registry, a big deal for any film.

Directors David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker were wise to choose actors like Nielsen, Graves, and Stack who were not known for comedy. Their dramatic role resumes provided legitimacy to the inane dialogue.

Bridges says, “Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.”

“Airplane!” is a parody of “Zero Hour!” (exclamation mark theirs), a 1957 melodrama that starred Dana Andrews, Linda Darnell,

and a college and pro football star with one of the best nicknames in sports: “Crazylegs.” More about him later.

In “Zero Hour!,” former pilot and current passenger Ted Stryker saves the day when the pilot and co-pilot succumb to in-flight fish dinners.

In “Airplane!,” former pilot and current passenger Ted Stryker saves the day when the pilot, copilot, and navigator succumb to in-flight fish dinners.

Here are some odd bits about “Airplane!” The man stranded in the taxi from start to finish was Howard Jarvis, a tax policy activist who was responsible for California’s Proposition 13 enacted two years before the film was made.

The bickering “red zone and white zone” voice actors were the actual married couple who recorded the announcement information then being used at Los Angeles International Airport.

The role of Ted Stryker was written for David Letterman. Caitlin Jenner, then Bruce Jenner, read for the part.

It was the first comedy role for Nielsen, who was best known for his performance in 1956’s “Forbidden Planet.”

JERRY HEALEY President

DAVID L. THOMPSON Marketing Consultant

jhealey@coloradocommunitymedia.com

dthompson@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MARK HARDEN Editor

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager

mharden@coloradocommunitymedia.com

abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Chronicle. We welcome letters to the editor. Please Include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

NICK PUCKETT Community Editor

ERIN FRANKS Production Manager

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

npuckett@coloradocommunitymedia.com

efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

To opt in or out of delivery please email us at circulation@ coloradocommunitymedia.com

SEE SMITH, P13 Parker Chronicle A legal newspaper of general circulation in Parker, Colorado, the Chronicle is published weekly on Friday by Colorado Community Media, 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124..

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

Parker Chronicle 13

0July 17, 2020

LETTERS FROM PAGE 12

burden on people not yet living there.

Poage believes this is unfair taxation.

Maloney also convinced council that Poage recuse herself from a vote involving the South Metro Fire District because she was once employed there.

But she retired three years earlier, and does not receive a pension or any financial benefit. After Maloney received a letter from developer UDC Miller demanding Poage’s recusal from their effort to purchase the Pine Curve property, the town attorney immediately obeyed. Poage had been part of a citizens group to place the issue on the ballot; again, she had no financial interest, only “common public interest.”

Mr. Maloney must resign or be dismissed by council.

Joy Overbeck Parker

SMITH FROM PAGE 12

Nielsen’s deadpan doctor role in “Airplane!” is limited but memorable, and surely you know why.

His portrayal made such a strong impression that comedies defined the remainder of his career, including his performances as Sgt. Frank Drebbin in the 1982 “Police Squad!” television series directed by Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker, as well as “The Naked Gun” film series that came later.

County mistaken about separation As our Douglas County commissioners move away from Tri-County Health, I question their judgment, asking some pointed questions.

Can the commissioners provide the same protection of service at the same cost as paying Tri-County or are taxpayers possibly going to pay more? Will the new Douglas County Health Organization have separate powers that interference from our elected know-it-alls will be guaranteed? How can taxpayers be assured that whoever is appointed to this group will have the background to deal with issues and not bend to political pressure that currently exists in the county?

For political reasons, I feel our commissioners are making a wrong move and not looking at the whole picture of what this virus is doing to our society. We do not live in a vacuum but interface with the entire metro area.

Rethink your direction before acting.

Wearing masks in public may not

be all that bad for protection. Where does a person’s rights to not wear a mask have over common sense and desires of wanting to protect their families?

Dave Usechek Parker

Film critic Roger Ebert referred to Nielsen as the “Olivier of spoofs.”

The humor and wit in “Airplane!” is not for everyone. No comedy is.

The non-stop sight gags include an in-flight film of an airplane crash landing and Leslie Nielsen’s nose growing like Pinocchio’s when he announces to the passengers that there was nothing to worry about.

Reporters rush in on Lloyd Bridges in the control room when they find out the plane is in the hands of a passenger. They ask a few questions, then one of them says, “Let’s take a few pictures.”

And that’s what they do. They remove all of the framed pictures on the control room walls. It’s something Chico and Harpo would have done.

Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch appears in “Zero Hour!” and in the 1955 prison drama “Unchained,” notable

Support McCorkle, give Buck the boot Guns and safety will be a big topic in the next legislative session and it’s important that Coloradans have their voice heard. Our state laws are evidence-based and use common sense because lawmakers have engaged with gun owners and advocates.

Unfortunately, Congressman Ken Buck has abdicated his legislative duties nationally and automatically votes “no” to even the most basic and beneficial bills like Universal Background Checks (HR-8) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Not only does this expose his constituents to unnecessary risks, but it also gives up Colorado’s “seat at the table” for future bills around guns and safety.

Buck’s refusal to listen prevents us from having any productive input into future bills dealing with gun violence.

We need to vote in legislators that are not afraid to dive into these gun bills and make good laws out of them. We need candidates like Ike McCorkle who has real experience with guns through his military training. We need to vote out Ken Buck who hides under the prop AR15 in his office while voting against bills that real Colorado gun owners support. Ike can make sure that the gun safety bills that get passed in Washington are both reasonable and effective by engaging with other lawmakers to provide real-world facts and evidence-based data. Ike, a combat-wounded veteran, will represent us in Congress instead of running away from the fight and letting other legislators shape the future of gun safety laws.

Sarah Wu Castle Rock

for introducing “Unchained Melody,” later a hit for the Righteous Brothers, among many others.

Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net.

PARKER AND ELIZABETH FUNERAL HOMES

& CREMATORY

Parker Funeral Home was honored to be entrusted with the care of these loved ones.

Gioi Kim Miller, 55, of Parker, CO passed away on June 10, 2020. She was born in Saigon, Vietnam to Robert and Kim (Lam) Guffin on November 11, 1964. She will be remembered by many, especially her husband Ardis, and three daughters. Services were held at Parker Funeral Home with burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Please visit www. pfh-co.com to view the obituary and to leave condolences.

Jo Ellen Sauer, 74, of Castle Rock, CO passed away on June 11, 2020. She was born in Chicago, IL to William and Elsie (Johnson) Johnson Sr. on June 28, 1945. A service was held at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Castle Rock following a visitation and burial was at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Please visit www.pfh-co.com to view the obituary and to leave condolences to the family.

Myrna Chromczak, 77, of Lone Tree, CO passed away on June 12, 2020. She was born on September 1, 1942 to Harry and Fannie (Goldman) Levenkrone in Philadelphia, PA. Parker Funeral Home was honored to care for her. No services were held at that time. You may visit www,pfh-co.com to view the obituary and to leave condolences.

Allan Zane Teters, 83, of Castle Rock, CO passed away at home on June 14, 2020 surrounded by family. He was born in Colorado to John and Effie Mae (Price) Teters on November 1, 1936. He proudly served in the United States Air Force. He was laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Please visit www,pfh.co.com to read the obituary and to leave condolences to the family.

James Arthur Linn Dunham, 76, of Elizabeth, CO passed away at home on June 14, 2020. Loveland, CO was his place of birth and he was born to Arthur and Oza (Linn) Dunham on April 29, 1944. No services were scheduled at that time. Please visit www.pfh-co.com to leave condolences to the family.

Marlene Ione Schoneberg, 84, of Castle Pines, CO passed away on June 17, 2020. Marlene was born in South Dakota to Allen and Otalia (Swartos) Merrill on February 15, 1936. She and her late husband spent many years living in Wyoming together and they leave a loving family behind that will miss them greatly. Please visit www. pfh-co.com to read the obituary for both Marlene and Henry and to leave condolences for the family.

Please visit us online at www.pfh-co.com for full obituaries and more.

10325 Parkglenn Way - Parker, 80138 | 303-841-4004 243 Sprouse Court - Elizabeth, 80107 | 303-646-0003

In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. Private 303-566-4100 Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Funeral Homes Visit: www.memoriams.com

14 Parker Chronicle

LOCAL

July 17, 2020J

LIFE

Pools reopen amid pandemic challenges

Capacity for swim sessions at H2O’Brien pool was 250 people as of July 10.

JESSICA GIBBS

COVID-19 delays projects, limits pool capacities

BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

O

n July 10, outdoor swimming pool H2O’Brien in Parker was teeming with swimmers.

Parents held up infants bobbing in the water, children stood under the dump bucket, squealing with glee as water crashed around them, and lifeguards walked the pool perimeter keeping a close eye on the scene.

For Tiler Paliga, heading to the pool was a fun and safe way to keep her 2-year-old son Will entertained, she said.

The Parker woman said her family is still avoiding trips to the store or going out during the COVID-19 pandemic, but she appreciated the capacity limits at H2O’Brien pool. She felt she could keep her distance from others while enjoying the outdoors, she said.

“It makes you feel like you have a little bit of normalcy for the summer. I just think it’s important for the kids,” she said.

Parker’s Aquatic Supervisor Brian Gentilini said the pool’s first session reached its COVID capacity of 250 people that morning. Capacity in a normal season would be 521 people, and the pool might get 400 visitors on a day like that in any other season.

“This is what a packed house looks like under the variance,” he said, referring to a variance Douglas County received allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people.

The scene in Parker was a far cry from what Janice Weed feared could come to pass this year.

In May, the aquatics supervisor for the Town of Castle Rock was waiting on guidance from local and state health departments to decide if and how she could open swimming pools during the pandemic.

Now, area pools are up and running, albeit with numerous changes in place, she said.

The state Department of Public Health and Environment released new pool guidance in June, allowing facilities to open at 50% capacity or 50 people, and some local communi-

ties have received variances that loosen restrictions further.

Pool operators in the Denver metro area described taking many of the same precautions — such as requiring that people wear masks when entering and exiting the facility but not while in the pool. Or, placing markings on the concrete to guide people in staying six feet apart.

Some pools have cleared decks and are asking people to bring their own furniture while others are spacing seating apart, prohibiting guests from moving the furniture and working it into staff ’s cleaning routines.

Most pools are holding a series of daily sessions that families can attend, either on a first-come first-serve basis or by reservation. In between sessions, staff deep clean and disinfect the grounds.

Weed said community members have been good at distancing themselves so far, and most sessions are reaching capacity.

Englewood’s Senior Aquatics Facility Supervisor Brad Anderson said the same is true there.

The city’s Pirates Cove waterpark opened June 19 at a capacity of 150 people in a session, although capacity jumped to 250 by July. Sessions require a reservation.

“We are about filling up every single one of our sessions. Pirate’s Cove has been very popular, so that’s a good thing,” Anderson said.

Anderson said they put up signage throughout the facilities reminding people of social distancing and air reminders on the public announcement system.

In preparation for reopening, Anderson said getting enough cleaning supplies was one of the more challenging aspects. Disinfectant is not readily available, he said.

Supplies needs to be ordered in advance and the city had to order brands of supplies it wouldn’t usually. Anderson said he was not sure of the exact budget impact, but that “it was a significant cost that we had to come up with for the disinfectant.”

“And we’re not done with it yet,” he said. “We’re in that learning phase right now where now that we’ve been

open for three weeks, we’re starting to see that supplies dwindle a bit.”

Anderson said he is glad to see people at the city’s pools — the recreation center’s indoor pool is open for fitness and lap swimming — and to have employees back on the job.

“It’s nice from the kid standpoint, that they’re able to have a summer job, and it also feels good to be able to offer a swimming pool to our community,” he said.

Social distancing was not the only hurdle for local facilities. For some area pools, renovation or construction projects took a blow from the pandemic as well.

The Town of Parker launched a $2.8 million renovation of H2O’Brien in 2019. Renovations included replacing the play structure and adding two 182-foot water slides. The project was supposed to wrap up in time to open H2O’Brien by Memorial Day. Instead, the pool opened July 6.

Gentilini, Parker’s aquatics supervisor, said the “biggest hit” to the renovation project’s schedule was shipping delays.

New tables got ordered in February but didn’t arrive until early June.

The Texas plant that made the pool’s new shades shut down during COVID. Those arrived days before opening.

New concrete wasn’t poured until mid-June, and the pool’s pump and motor came from Italy.

“We barely got that before Italy shut down,” he said. “In every way possible it delayed. Whether it be subcontractors not being able to bring their full crews to the site, or mostly what it was, was shipping. But you name it, it affected it somehow.”

Parker’s Director of Parks and Recreation Mary Colton said the project came in on budget, and the town’s team worked passionately to get it done, but for a time the town did not know if the pool would open for the 2020 summer season.

“It’s been quite the challenge to determine our approach to reopening,” Colton said. “We took a lot of time in really planning and evaluating whether or not it would be feasible to open the pool at all this year.”

South Suburban Parks and Recre-

ation also launched major pool construction projects before COVID-19 hit.

The department decided to reconstruct three of its pools — Franklin, Harlow and Holly — after a pool audit in 2017.

Like Parker, South Suburban planned to complete its pool projects

by Memorial Day. Then the pandemic limited the size of construction crews that could work at once and the ability to get materials, Assistant Director of Recreation Kelsey Whisler said.

“Factories were shutting down entirely,” she said.

The pools are now slowly opening up.

South Suburban’s Cook Creek pool located in Douglas County was the first to reopen in early June. Harlow opened July 3. Franklin and Holly were slated to open in the near future as well, Whisler said.

While some pools are maxing out pandemic capacities, South Suburban is staying cautious, Whisler said.

Cook Creek allows a capacity of 600 people in a normal season. South Suburban is keeping capacity to 200 on a first-come, first-serve basis for now, although a Douglas County variance allows 250 people.

“Right now, we feel that 200 is at our comfort level,” Whisler said.

Arapahoe County’s variance allows outdoor pools to reopen at 50% capacity, she said, so South Suburban will reopen pools there by reservation. Those are Franklin, Harlow and Holly.

Harlow opened at a capacity of 40 people and South Suburban will raise that to 60 soon, Whisler said. The pool’s capacity without a pandemic would be 160. Whisler said the department did not feel it could gauge how reopening would work until people were in the facility.

Still, she’s glad to see swimmers back at the pool.

“It’s really exciting. Safety, being in parks and recreation, is always a top priority. So that’s at the forefront of our mind,” she said. “But we also want to make sure people have a fun, enjoyable experience too.”

Parker Chronicle 15

0July 17, 2020

Museum grounds open for delightful diversions

T

he Littleton Museum’s living history farms are open for families to explore, but during limited hours — call for information: 303-795-3950. The 1860 farm shows building styles and SONYA’S items used before SAMPLER the railroad reached Littleton, while the 1890 farm reflects lifestyle changes after the railroad brought items from a distance — and carried things east and west out of the small town.

As of press time, Sonya Ellingboe the homes, main museum building and other buildings are not open yet on the museum grounds at 6028 S. Gallup St., but the outdoor areas of the museum are available to visitors.

Further developments are awaiting word from authorities. In the meantime, the building exteriors and animals and implements on the farms provide fine entertainment for visitors of all ages and admission is free.

Lone Tree Tunes on the Terrace at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree, will present The Mary Louise Lee Band at 8 p.m. July 24 and 25. Tickets at lonetreeartscenter.org, 720-5091000. And a virtual livestream from the stage will feature “Tales From the Big Apple” by Stories on Stage at 7 p.m. July 17. MacKenzie Beyer will perform “White People” by Jen Silverstein; Evan Weissman will perform

W. Powers Ave. in Downtown Littleton, but in the meantime, visit the website.

In a 2019 file photo, Dave Ingram removes old flowers to promote new growth at Hudson Gardens.

ELLIS ARNOLD “On the Town” by Helen DeWitt; and Lauren Dennis will perform “The Serial Monogamist’s Guide to Important NYC Landmarks” by Raphael BobWaksberg. A performance link will be sent to ticket purchasers.

Douglas Land Conservancy Douglas Land Conservancy features its “Capturing the Beauty of Open Land” Virtual Exhibit through July 31 at douglaslandconservancy.org.

Plein air painting with natural light developed in the mid-19th Century and is attracting increasing attention from artists and collectors. Information available at the DLC office, 303-688-8025 or info@douglaslandconservancy.org.

Arvada Center A relaunched Arvada Center season is on the schedule to open in February 2021 with two musicals and two plays ... beginning in the Black Box Theatre with “Small Mouth Sounds,” which was announced for 2020, but never opened fully. People entering the Arvada Center must wear a mask and check temperature in a self-service kiosk. 720-898-7200, arvadacenter.org.

58th Anniversary Show Littleton Fine Arts Guild presents its 58th Anniversary Show online at depotartgallery.org from July 12 to Aug. 22, with art available for purchase. We look forward to the guild’s return to its Depot Art Gallery at 2069

Western Welcome Week returning, with changes Yearly event has its roots in 1928 celebration

BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In July 1928, Littleton Independent editor Houstoun Waring wanted to celebrate two events: the centennial of the birth of town namesake Richard Little and the 40th anniversary of the Littleton Independent.

A date in August 1929 was chosen for what was originally called “Homecoming.” The story on the city’s website mentions that train fares dropped in August, so more folks would be able to attend an event then ...

There was a baseball game and Mayor Charles Louthan (whose family home is now Café Terracotta in downtown Littleton) was named Grand Marshal, a title awarded each year since to a community individual who has contributed time and energy to the City of Littleton. When there is a parade, that individual rides in a car at its front.

Renamed Western Welcome Week in 1962, the celebration has grown to include a large arts and crafts show, now called the “61st Craft & Home Improvement Fair” and set for Aug. 15 in downtown Littleton — one of the hoped-for events as circumstances in this pandemic year continue to unfold.

Cindy Hathaway, the Western Welcome Week executive director whose

office is at the historic Bemis House, 5890 S. Bemis St., said there were still some booths available when we spoke with her two weeks ago, but many artisans have signed on, so readers should still plan on advance holiday shopping, as well as seeking treasures for the home and garden ... and for self — lots of lovely jewelry and textile items should find their way to Main Street and nearby blocks.

And then, there are the food vendors who will have to operate under restraints spelled out for them ...

Sadly, the annual parade is not possible in this year of social distancing — since packed crowds have in past years stretched from Gallup Street to the west end of Main Street each year.

Hopefully, folks will manage to allow space and still enjoy visiting exhibits by local and visiting artists, craftsmen and businesses.

The opening Family Night barbecue, concert and fireworks event at Sterne Park is canceled on Aug. 7, but families may want to try gold panning near Carson Nature Center on Saturday morning, Aug. 8. (The Littleton Elks Children’s Fishing Derby, originally scheduled Saturday afternoon, Aug. 8, is canceled.) Aug. 8 also features the Breck Bazaar at Breckenridge Brewery.

The Littleton Elks Lodge has postponed its Aug. 9 Car Show to September, date tba.

That first Sunday in WWW, Aug. 9, brings the 41st Annual Family Pancake Breakfast, previously held

at Arapahoe Community College, but moved to Geneva Lake and Park, near the Littleton Center in 2020.

(Planned from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.)

Tuesday, Aug. 11 brings the Hawk Quest Family Night Out, but the RiverPointe Swing Dance, also scheduled Aug. 11, is cancelled.

On Aug. 13, Historic Littleton Inc. will offer Main Street Historic Tours in the late afternoon and a concert by the Cody Sisters is scheduled Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, will host the 9th Annual Pancake Stampede 5K Fun Run and Walk from 8 to 10 a.m. on Aug. 9, but the Kids Games of Old and the Bruce Wolf Stick Horse Stampede are canceled, as are performances of the one-act play “Summer Comes to the Diamond O” at Littleton United Methodist Church on Aug. 9 and 16.

Friday, Aug. 14, brings the Elks Hometown Pig Roast and Dance. The Annual Quilt Show at Littleton First Presbyterian Church is canceled.

One can still get the morning of Aug. 15 off to a good start at the 34th Grand Sandwich Breakfast at Littleton United Methodist Church, en route to the Craft Fair. And the LPCAAA Dunk-A-Cop is listed for Aug. 15 at Bradford Auto Body at the west end of Main Street.

The schedule for Sunday, Aug. 16, shows the Brad and Mary Bradford Memorial Duck Race as planned, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Memorial Rose Garden/Little’s Creek.

We will watch for changes and additions to this schedule.

CORE New Art Space Artist Michelle Lamb of Littleton is a member and is now publicist for CORE New Art Space, which has relocated to 6851 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, from its longtime Santa Fe Drive location. It will hold a First Friday reception on Aug. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. for three artists and will then be open by appointment for private showings. Three artists will be featured from July 31 to Aug. 16: J. Bruce Wilcox, a fiber/ textile artist, with “RIOT: The Politics of Everything”; painter Richard Neff, “Improbable Dimensions,” presents “confounding geometrics that rely strongly on architectural elements.”

Gina Smith Caswell will exhibit “The Dog Prints” in black and white and color. 303-297-8428, coreartspace.com.

Gardens open Littleton’s Memorial Rose Garden, at 5804 S. Bemis St. across from Sterne Park, is in full bloom and invites a visit, as does the Rose Garden and other gardens at Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. Free.

Denver Botanic Gardens at 1007 York St. is also open, with an entry fee for non-members. A stroll in a garden is such a booster when they are at peak color and fragrance. Painters may want to linger and record the color and light ...

Good times in Parker Parker’s PACE Center parking lot is home to summer entertainment events where the audience sits in their cars enjoying entertainers in the parking lot. See parkerarts.org.

TAKE OUT

10 OFF

$

THE FEAST

Easily feeds a family of four $61.25

51.25

$

• BABY BACK RIBS (1.5 RACKS) • BBQ CHICKEN • POTATOES (2) • PULLED PORK • CORN ON COB (2) • BEEF BRISKET • BAKED BEANS • GARLIC TOAST (2) • COLE SLAW EXTRA RIBS

ADD HALF RACK $729

EXTRA RIBS

ADD FULL RACK $1369

During COVID Take-Out Only Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs only. Not valid Friday or Saturday VALID THRU THURSDAY, JULY 23RD Must bring coupon. One Coupon good for entire party.

Coupon not valid for Online Ordering or Delivery

TAKE OUT AVAILABLE 11 AM - 2 PM

4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

10335 S. Parker Rd., Parker 303-805-9742

16 Parker Chronicle

July 17, 2020J

Colorado, other states trim health programs amid COVID-19

BY MARKIAN HAWRYLUK KAISER HEALTH NEWS

As a teenager, Paulina Castle struggled for years with suicidal thoughts.

When her mental health was at its most fragile, she would isolate herself, spending days in her room alone.

“That’s the exact thing that makes you feel significantly worse,” the 26-year-old Denver woman said. “It creates a cycle where you’re constantly getting dug into a deeper hole.”

Part of her recovery involved forcing herself to leave her room to socialize or to exercise outside. But the COVID-19 pandemic has made all of that much harder. Instead of interacting with people on the street in her job as a political canvasser, she is working at home on the phone. And with social distancing rules in place, she has fewer opportunities to meet with friends.

“Since the virus started,” she said, “it’s been a lot easier to fall back into that cycle.”

Between the challenges of the pandemic, the social unrest and the economic crisis, mental health providers are warning that the need for behavioral health services is growing.

Yet faced with budgetary shortfalls, Colorado is cutting spending on a number of mental health and substance use treatment programs.

Across the country, the recession has cut state revenues at the same time the pandemic has increased costs, forcing lawmakers into painful decisions about how to balance their budgets. State legislatures have been forced to consider health care cuts and delay new health programs even in the midst of a health care crisis. But many lawmakers and health experts are concerned the cuts needed to balance state budgets now could exacerbate the pandemic and the recession down the line.

“Health care cuts tend to be on the table, and of course, it’s counterproductive,” said Edwin Park, a health policy professor at Georgetown University. When there’s a recession, people lose their jobs and health insurance, he noted, the very moment when people need those health programs the most.

‘Everything has to be on the table’ In Colorado, for example, lawmakers had to fill a $3.3 billion hole in the budget for fiscal year 2020, which started July 1. That included cuts to a handful of mental health programs, with small overall savings but poten-

Paulina Castle of Denver uses weekly routines to manage her mental health — made worse from isolation during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We need to start treating mental health the same as we do physical health,” she says.

“This is an issue we need to stop keeping in the dark.”

insurance option that could have provided a more affordable plan for people buying insurance on their own.

The legislature killed a proposal to create an annual mental health checkup. The measure would have cost the state only $13,000, but Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signaled he wouldn’t sign any bills that included new mandates for insurance companies.

State Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, who sponsored the checkup measure, was disappointed.

“Not every one of us is going to catch COVID, but every single one of us will have a mental health impact,” she said.

COURTESY OF PAULINA CASTLE VIA KHN

tially significant impact on those who relied on them.

They cut $1 million from a program designed to keep people with mental illness out of the hospital and another million from mental health services for juvenile and adult offenders. Lawmakers reduced funding for substance abuse treatment in county jails by $735,000 and eliminated $5 million earmarked for addiction treatment programs in underserved communities. And that’s all on top of a 1% cut to Medicaid community providers who offer health care to the state’s poorest residents.

Some of those cuts were offset by $15.2 million in federal CARES Act funding allocated to behavioral health care programs. But some programs were completely defunded. Cuts were targeted primarily at programs that hadn’t started yet or hadn’t been fully implemented. The rationale: Those cuts wouldn’t have as deep an impact.

Doyle Forrestal, CEO of the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, which represents 23 behavioral health care providers, worries that resources won’t be there for an emerging wave of people who have developed mental health or addiction issues during the pandemic.

Weekly Carrier Routes Available

Castle Rock & Parker Areas • Part-time hours • Adaptable route sizes • No suit & tie required!

Previous carrier experience encouraged; reliable vehicle and email access, required. no telephone inquiries - but

email us at:

snevins@coloradocommunitymedia.com

“People who are isolated at home are drinking a lot more, maybe having other problems — isolation, economic despair,” she said. “There’s going to be a whole new influx once all of this takes hold.”

State legislators said they tried to avoid cutting programs that would hamper the response to the pandemic or the economic recovery.

“There was a desire on both sides to do everything we could to protect health care spending in Colorado,” said state Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon.

“But when you’re looking at acrossthe-board cuts, everything has to be on the table.”

Every state is facing a similar conundrum. With tax filing deadlines pushed back to July 15, states are unsure how much income tax revenue they will collect.

So in addition to cutting back where possible, states are raiding discretionary funds — Colorado repurposed money from the tobacco settlement and marijuana taxes — to shore up their budgets. States are also tapping rainy day funds, which, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers, grew to record levels after the 2008 recession.

New policies delayed Overall, at least 43 states have made some changes to facilitate access to Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program as many people have lost their job-based health insurance in the COVID crisis. And in late June, voters in Oklahoma approved expanding Medicaid to more residents. But since the start of the pandemic, states including Kansas and California have put off plans to expand eligibility for Medicaid, which provides health care to low-income people.

“These are symptoms of states that can’t deficit-spend, despite this great need for more coverage,” said Sara Collins, vice president for health care coverage and access at the Commonwealth Fund, an independent health policy research foundation based in New York. “If they spend more in one area, that means cuts in another.”

Colorado has had an aggressive health agenda in recent years but had to defer plans for a public health

a Long-term implications b Once the economic crisis eases, Roberts said, lawmakers will look to c restore funding to some of the pros grams they cut. l But cuts are often easier to make c than to restore — as illustrated by cutbacks made during the 2008 recession, d according to Georgetown’s Park. t “Many cuts were never fully rem stored, even though we were in one e of the longer economic expansion w periods in our country’s history,” Park i said.

He also worries many of the smaller i primary care and behavioral health g t providers, who saw fewer patients come through their doors because of k stay-at-home orders during the pan- f c demic, might not survive. l “That means less access to care, including routine care like vaccina- y w tions,” he said. “If kids aren’t vaccinated, they may be more vulnerable p to flu and measles, making them more p vulnerable to COVID-19. That makes it more difficult for a stressed health care system to try to deal with a potential second wave of infections.”

The longer-term mental health toll may be harder to catalog.

Castle, for one, has focused on establishing routines to help her manage her mental health during the pandemic. Every Wednesday night, she plays games online with her friends.

And every Friday night, she and her boyfriend build a fire in the backyard.

“If I know people are expecting me to be somewhere at 6 o’clock, that obligation encourages me to go out,” she explained. “There are days it’s a struggle. I have to focus on baby steps.”

Still, Castle worries about others who may be struggling during the pandemic. She has signed on to work with the Colorado chapter of Young Invincibles, which lobbies for health care, higher education and workforce policies to help young adults. Even as states and the federal government have found the money to help hospitals and doctors treat the physical effects of the COVID pandemic, she doesn’t see the same commitment to treating its mental health toll.

“We need to start treating mental health the same as we do physical health,” she said. This is an issue we need to stop keeping in the dark.”

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or use the online Lifeline Chat, both available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This story is from Kaiser Health News, a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of Kaiser Family Foundation, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. Used by permission. For more, khn.org.

Parker Chronicle 17

LOCAL

0July 17, 2020

SPORTS

Football coach wants to build on positives Eric Rice hopes to turn around program that has struggled in recent years

BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Eric Rice figures it takes around four seasons to rebuild a football program.

Rice was Fort Collins’ head coach for 16 seasons before he started his first year as Douglas County High School head coach in 2019.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has made his introduction to the Huskies program more difficult, as school ended last March when Rice was still trying to attach his ideas to the program.

“When you come in and are in year one and I didn’t even get to finish year one, I got three quarters of a year,” acknowledged Rice. “That first full year is so important because you are trying to establish your identity and make it your own team compared to what it might have been in the past, not that anything in the past was bad.

The Douglas County football team takes the field. Douglas County coach Eric Rice describes himself as a super organized, detailoriented person but because of the COVID-19 pandemic it has been hard to be that type of person this summer.

COURTESY PHOTO “When we left in March at the end of our third quarter of school here, we had our weightlifting class with football players and they did a great job, testing where they were starting to buy into some of the different things I do motivational-wise and team-wise. And all this was ripped out from underneath your feet.”

Rice continued.

“Our players are still learning our language,” he said. “When you bring in a new staff you bring in a new offense, defense, and when all that changes they are still

learning how to speak our language. We still have to explain a lot of stuff.”

Douglas County schools are in the first phase of fall sports workouts, which will now continue until July 20.

“It is frustrating. You want to do so much but there is only a limited amount you can do,” said Rice about the phase one restrictions. “The first thing that drives me batty is the not knowing.

“I’m a super-organized and detail-oriented guy and I like having things planned out SEE COACH, P18

Coach Rice and son Chaz.

PHOTO BY JODY MURPHY

Paid Advertisements

Serving the southeast Denver area

Castle Rock/Franktown

Castle Rock/Franktown

First United Methodist Church 1200 South Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 303.688.3047 www.fumccr.org

Services:

Sunday Worship 9:00am & 10:45am - Worship 9:00am - Sunday School Little Blessings Parents Day Out www.littleblessingspdo.com

Centennial

Greenwood Village

Parker

St. Thomas More Catholic Parish & School

Trinity Lutheran Church and School

Sunday Worship Times 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Trinity Lutheran School and ECEC (Ages 2 1/2 - 5; Grades K-8)

www.tlcas.org 303-841-4660

Find us on Facebook: Trinity Lutheran Church, Franktown

Seven Sunday Masses Two Daily Masses Confessions Six Days a Week STM Catholic School Preschool – Grade 8

8035 South Quebec Street Centennial, CO 80112 303.770.1155

www.stthomasmore.org

Sunday Services - 10 a.m.

Congregation Beth Shalom

Cimarron Middle School 12130 Canterberry Parkway Parker, CO 80138 www.CSLParker.org

Serving the Southeast Denver area

Call or check our website for information on services and social events! www.cbsdenver.org

303-505-9236

WORLD MISSION CHURCH (KOREAN CHURCH)

7249 E. Park Dr. Franktown, CO TIME: 10:30 PM PHONE: 303-688-1004 ENGLISH TRANSLATION

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

To advertise your place of worship in this section, call Erin at 303-566-4074 or email eaddenbrooke@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

18 Parker Chronicle

July 17, 2020J

C R O S SWO R D P U Z Z L E

Photo from Denver South game last year.

COACH FROM PAGE 17

down to the minute. When you don’t get a lot of information you don’t know what you can do or can’t do.

It makes it really hard to be wellplanned-out and well-prepared.”

Rice said his players are anxious to get back and he had four training sessions with his players prior to July 13.

“I feel like the mentality was good with our guys,” he said. “You are trying to go from one day to the next trying to figure out what you need to do. It just feels disorganized. I like getting into a routine of things in the summer, and the summer has had absolutely no routine whatsoever like we were commonly used to.”

This summer has been an adjustment for Rice, who inherited a program that had just one winning record in the past six seasons.

“I’m totally out of my element right now where I’m not waking up at 5 a.m., getting to school by 6 and getting the kids on the field by 7 and doing all of our work,” he said. “It’s making me a little nuts. We’ll just adjust.”

Rice also is nuts when thinking

PHOTO BY JODY MURPHY

about the 2020 season if it is played.

“I saw where the Governor of Texas said it is unlikely they will have football in the fall,” he said. “Do other states follow suit? I just hope that’s not the case. I’m fearful of that for our kids, especially for our seniors.

“In Colorado I don’t think it is a viable option to move football to the spring because too many kids play multiple sports. If it is canceled, then it’s canceled and let kids do the other sports. I have very few kids of my team that just play football.”

Douglas County went 2-8 last season in Rice’s first campaign.

“It’s a big question mark about the season,” said Rice. “I like the progress our kids made last fall and early part of the spring semester. But we are definitely behind in terms of where I would like us to be. I’m optimistic but also cautious of getting too optimistic at this point to establish your identity and full culture as a coach.

“In my past experience at Fort Collins it could take up to four years.

“A lot of things turned around last season. We were in a lot of games, we had a lead at halftime a couple times that we didn’t hold onto, but there were positives. I want to make sure we keep building on the positives.”

Answers

THANKS for

PLAYING!

© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

Solution

Parker Chronicle 19

0July 17, 2020

www.ColoradoCommunityCareers.com

To Advertise call Karen 303.566.4091

kearhart@coloradocommunitymedia.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 303-566-4100

Career Training

Help Wanted

AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Get FAA approved hands on Aviation me mechanic training. Financial Aid for qualified students - Career place placement assistance. CALL Aviation In Institute of Maintenance 888-686-1704 TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 888-572-6790.

(M-F 8am-6pm ET) COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PRO PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Now offer offering a $10,000 scholarship qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! 888449-1713 (M-F 8am-6pm ET)

Help Wanted Special Education Teacher Special Education Teacher for Strasburg Elementary Center Based Program- Current Colorado license as Severe Cognitive or Generalist teacher preferred.

We are team oriented and collaboratively support efforts of our staff for our children. Salary based on education and experience. Excellent benefits. Questions contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101. Please fax completed application and supporting documents, including resume, to (719) 775-9714 or email tracyg@ ecboces.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

Special Education CNA Paraprofessional Full Time CNA Paraprofessional needed for our West Area Centerbased Learning Program located in Strasburg for the 2020-21 school year. Competitive pay and benefits including individual health insurance .To apply for this position, please complete the Classified Application for Employment available for download on the ecboces. org website under “Jobs” or contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101.

Please fax completed application to 719-771-4001 or email it to tracyg@ ecboces.org Equal Opportunity Employer DRIVER/SIGN INSTALLER

RMD Signs in Englewood time position for driver/sign Must be at least 22 years clean driving record. Call 303-573-5500

has full installer. old with Barbara

DRIVER/SALES Expanding Company seeking 4-6 motivated individuals for route sales.

Smart Home company has openings for sales/drivers. Full time Monday Friday! Valid drivers license a must have! $600-$1200 per week, depending on experience! Paid training! Call Johnny 1-800-441-3639

Water Treatment Supervisor The Water Treatment Supervisor manages the District’s water production facilities and reports to the Operations Superintendent. The District is seeking a qualified candidate to lead the daily operation of two water treatment plants, 9 groundwater wells, 2 water storage tanks, and 2 water booster stations. Position includes operation, maintenance, and upkeep on all water treatment and distribution infrastructure. The Water Treatment Supervisor will comply with all applicable regulations and laws: sampling, processing, reporting, record retention; maintain or supervise maintenance of all water facilities; understand and operate pumps, motors, valves, gauges, disinfection systems, SCADA systems; utilize all necessary computer programs to complete duties; support other District staff members in completing District service responsibilities. Position includes supervisory responsibilities of other water plant staff.

REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a high school diploma or GED, a Class “C” Water Treatment License and have at least 3 years hands-on operating experience. Supervisory experience is preferred. Also prefer Class “B” CDL (required to obtain within 12 months of hire). Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel. Ability to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis; ability to respond to on-call duties after hours as needed.

Full-time position/excellent benefits/ some OT. Salary dependent on qualifications & certification. Forward resume to C. Frainier - cfrainier@castlepinesmetro.com

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

DRIVER/SALES

IT POSITIONS SDH Systems LLC has openings for the positions: Software Engineer with Master’s degree in Computer Science/Applications, Engineering (any), Technology or related to design, develop, implement, maintain, test business functions, web applications using variety of languages, tools, methodologies and technologies. Develop, create and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs.

Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing efficiency.

Software Developer with Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering (any), Technology, Management or related to design, develop, implement, maintain and test business functions and web applications using a variety of languages, tools, methodologies and technologies.

Develop, create and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. Systems Engineer with Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering (any), Technology, Information Systems or related and 1 yr of exp to work on design and development of applications, their maintenance and managing the bulk databases and servers. Work on application maintenance and its documentation. Utilizes a thorough understanding of available technology which helps in gaining knowledge in various aspects of software development work. Analyze information to determine, recommend and plan installation of new system environment. Maintain business standards with support and upgrade the application and prepare documentation for further upgrades. Software Developer/Java with Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering any, Technology or related and 1 yr of exp to involve in consuming the Web services by generating WSDL and perform data exchange with the third party using SOAP JAX-WS and XML. Implement Retrieval information services such as Rest based services (RESTful) using JAX-RS annotations and Jersey provider.

Anal yze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency using Java based platform and other relevant technologies. Develop entity classes, JPA mapping files for the object relational mapping while configuring JPA. Perform in Unit Testing, Debugging, Integration and JUNIT. Work location is Englewood, CO with required travel to client locations throughout the USA. Please mail resumes to 14 Inverness Dr E, Suite H-220, Englewood, CO 80112 (OR) e-mail : hr@ sdhsystems.com

Expanding Company seeking 4-6 motivated individuals for route sales.

Smart Home company has openings for sales/drivers. Full time Monday Friday! Valid drivers license a must have! $600-$1200 per week, depending on experience! Paid training! Call Johnny 1-800-441-3639

Local ads, coupons & deals are just one click away!

Special Education CNA Paraprofessional Full Time CNA Paraprofessional needed for our West Area Centerbased Learning Program located in Strasburg for the 2020-21 school year. Competitive pay and benefits including individual health insurance .To apply for this position, please complete the Classified Application for Employment available for download on the ecboces. org website under “Jobs” or contact Tracy at (719) 775-2342, ext. 101.

Please fax completed application to 719-771-4001 or email it to tracyg@ ecboces.org Equal Opportunity Employer DRIVER/SIGN INSTALLER

RMD Signs in Englewood time position for driver/sign Must be at least 22 years clean driving record. Call 303-573-5500

has full installer. old with Barbara

CHECK IT OUT AT: ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 303-566-4100

20 Parker Chronicle

July 17, 2020J

www.ColoradoServiceDirectory.com

To Advertise call Karen 303.566.4091 kearhart@coloradocommunitymedia.com TO ADVERTISE CALL 303-566-4100 Deck/Patio

Heating/Air Conditioning Serving the the Front Serving Front Range Rangesince since1955 1955 Furnaces Water Heaters Furnaces •• Boilers • Water Heaters Rooftop HVAC • Mobile Furnaces Rooftop HVAC • Commercial Commercial Residential • Install •• Residential Repair • Replace InstallInspections • Repair • Replace Free Furnace & A/C Startups

• Elder Care/Home Health Care/Personal Assistant • Housecleaning /Organizing /Meal Prep • Errands/Shopping /Downsizing /Companion Work • Pet/House Sitting /Childcare • Gardening

I Care About All Your Family’s Needs Call For An Estimate • No Job Too Big or Too Small

303-875-7271 • allisonfultoncares@yahoo.com

Free Estimates Free Estimates •• 720-327-9214 720-327-9214

WE DO ALL DECK & FENCE REPAIRS CALL US FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

SAND/WASH/STAIN 15% OFF!

Insurance

www.coloradodeckandfence.com codeckandfencepro@gmail.com

Construction

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT Projects Large & Small/Anything Construction Commercial or Residential Design Assistance is available!

KENDALL CONSULTANTS, LLC. Contact=BOB

Rkendall789@gmail.com Blinds

Blind Repair Blinds Break, We Fix ‘Em!

Most Major Brands of Blinds, Shades, & Shutters Call Joseph For Mobile Repair

303-564-4809 Veteran, Family owned www.designcraftblindsandfloors.com

303-356-1435 Concrete/Paving

TLLC Concrete Ty Barrett

Specialize in barn floors, Driveways, Remove and replacement Any job over 400 SF give us a call!

Driveways, Sidewalks, Patios Driveways, Sidewalks, Patios Tear-outs, stamped & colored Tear-outs, stamped & colored concrete.

Quality work, Lic./Ins. concrete. Quality Reasonable rates work, Lic./Ins. "Small Jobs OK!" Reasonable rates 303-514-7364 "Small Jobs OK!" tmconcrete.net 303-514-7364

tmconcrete.net

For a free estimate call or text April’s Fresh Cleaning

719-492-5947

UTDOOR

ESIGNS, INC

“Specializing in Composite Redwood and Cedar Construction for Over 30 Years”

• Decks • Fences • Stairs • Overhangs •

Handyman Electricians

B&W Electric, LLC

303-471-2323 Drywall

Licensed and Insured.

Residential or Commercial Ask about our Senior Citizen and/or Veteran discounts.

Call (720) 925-1241 Fence Services

PRO FORM CONCRETE We do driveways, garage floors, walkways, front porches, steps, back patios, and always provide free estimates. Fully insured, local and perform quality work.

CALL FOR AN ESTIMATE

303-888-7755 BOOKING NOW!

for spring & early summer

Prime Site Work & Concrete, Inc. Custom Concrete & Design Services Driveways • Walls • Footers • Sidewalks Barn & Garage Floors • Patios Front Porches & Steps Stone Textured Concrete Retaining Walls

Decorative stamped concrete Concrete power washed & sealed Timely estimates Quality work

Dump Truck & Skidsteer Services

720-445-1606

• Home Renovation and Remodel • 30 years Experience • Insured • Satisfaction Guaranteed Highly rated & screened contractor by Home Advisor & Angies list

Cowboy Fencing is a full service fence & gate company installing fences in Colorado for 23 6 years.

Residential/Commercial/ Farm & Ranch Fencing Low rates, Free estimates

Call Ed 720-328-5039

Scott, Owner - 720-364-5270

Sanders Drywall Inc.

Garage Doors

All phases to include

Acoustic scrape and re-texture Repairs to full basement finishes Water damage repairs Interior paint, door & trim installs 30+ years experience Insured Free estimates

FOR ALL YOUR GARAGE DOOR NEEDS!

Affordable Electrician

• Springs, Repairs • New Doors and Openers • Barn and Arena Doors • Locally-Owned & Operated • Tom Martino’s Referral List 10 Yrs • BBB Gold Star Member Since 2002

Over 25 years experience • Residential Expert • All electrical upgrades • No Job Too Small • Senior Discounts

Cell: 720-690-7645 Office: 720-621-6955

HOME REPAIRS & REMODELING

• Drywall • Painting • Tile • Trim • Doors • Painting • Decks • Bath Remodel • Kitchen Remodels • Basements & Much More!

We Never Mark Up Materials Saving you 25%-35% All Work Guaranteed • A+ BBB Rated

Handyman

ONE WAY HANDYMAN

General Repairs Licensed General Contractor

303-805-7800

In business in Colorado 25 years We accept all major credit cards.

’s DeSpain HOME SOLUTIONS

Call DJ 303-915-0739

Electricians

TM

Call Today for a FREE ESTIMATE 303-427-2955

Drywall Repair Specialist

T.M. T.M.CONCRETE CONCRETE

TIRED? BUSY?

FREE ESTIMATES

A PATCH TO MATCH All of Flat Work by by AllPhases Phases of Flat Work

• No time to keep your home clean? We can help with that!

• Once a week, biweekly or once a month • We do standard cleaning • We do the extras

30+ years experience Clem: 303-973-6991

303-646-2355

Carpet/Flooring

Cleaning

BEST PRICES

Solving All your Remodeling & Repair Problems – Just Ask!

DEPENDABLE, RELIABLE SERVICE Over 30 Years Experience Licensed & Insured

303-974-7404

www.mikesgaragedoors.com

Eric DeSpain 303-840-1874

Parker Chronicle 21

0July 17, 2020 Roofing/Gutters

Handyman

Tree Service

A-1 Stump Removal

Have a Hail Damaged Roof? !

INSURED

JIM 303.818.6319

“HONEY-DO’S DONE… THAT YOUR HONEY DON’T DO.”

Call Stump grinding specialist or Most stumps $75.00 Text $55 Minimum.

Free estimates. Licensed & Insured.

39 years experience.

- Call Golden Spike Roofing - We are 100% Local & Have Great References - Roofing • Siding • Paint • Windows • Gutters

- Call Dave Vaughn 720-427-7422 - davegoldenspikeroofing@gmail.com

A father and son team!

— SMALL JOBS INSIDE AND OUT —

10% off when coupon presented

Call Terry or Corey 303-424-7357 Robert Pencak

Lawn/Garden Services

Framing-Finish Carpentry-Plumbing Doors-Windows-Drywall Decks-Tile-Paint

Colorado Lawn Care, LLC

General Construction Handyman

Serving Castle Rock and surrounding areas

Quality*Integrity*Honesty

303-883-2461 Hauling Service

Cut Rate Hauling

SPRING/SUMMER:

Landscaping – Tree/Hedge Trimming Shrub Removal – Aeration – Sod Edging – Weekly Mowing – Power Washing – Deck/Fence Install/Repair coloadolawncareoflittleton@gmail.com

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS Commercial – Residential 720-202-9975 THAT WORK FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

Trash / Rubbish / Debris and Junk Removal Professional and Reliable Year Round Service Rubin (720)434-8042 Kerwin (720) 519-5559 Landscape/Nurseries

Licensed/Insured

RON’S LANDSCAPING Yard Clean-up, Raking, Weeding, Flower Bed Maintenance, Shrubbery Trimming Soil Prep - Sod Work Trees & Shrub Replacement also Small Tree & Bush Removal Bark, Rock Walls & Flagstone Work FREE Estimates Family owned business with over 35 yrs. exp.

Call or email Ron 303-758-5473

technology

Painting

Plumbing

Tile

ANYTHING TILE

Residential Experts

ANCHOR PLUMBING

Residential Experts We paint over 800 Homes Per Year No Deposit Ever Satisfaction Guaranteed 5 year, 7 year and 9 year Exterior Warranties 2 Yr. Interior Warranty Licensed & Insured up to $2 Million Locally Owned and Operated In business for 29 years Free Color Consulting & Samples

35% Off

All Int. & Ext. CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE QUOTE

(303) 961-3485 Licenced & Insured

Plumb-Crazy, LLC.

“We’re Crazy About Plumbing” CUSTOM HOMES • REMODEL FINISHED BASEMENTS SERVICE AND REPAIR Licensed • Insured ALAN ATTWOOD, Master Plumber

PH: 303-472-8217 FX: 303-688-8821

720-328-2572

vandergang@comcast.net

L.S. PAINTING, Inc.

Lighting

Landscaping • Yard Cleanup • Sod Concrete • Sprinklers • Fertilization Tree Trimming/Cutting • Planting Retaining Walls • Flagstone Fencing • Gutter Cleaning Power Raking • Aerating

Robert Dudley Lighting LLC

Littleton Based & Family Owned

Remodeling

A+

Rating BBB

Interior and Exterior.

Decks, Painting, Roofing, Basements, and Kitchens.

Local Parker Business and Family Owned.

Phone 303-942-0732

Call 720-456-8196

LS@LSPaintinginc.com www.lspaintinginc.com

www.booneremodeling.com

Lawn/Garden Services

Painting

Plumbing

Roofing/Gutters

Alpine Landscape Management

CR&R Painting, Inc. Interior/Exterior, decks/fences Free Estimates 303-349-1046 www.crrpainting.com

720-436-6158

Weekly Mowing, Aerate, Fertilize, Spring Clean Up, Power Raking, Trim Bushes & Small Trees, Senior Discounts

720-329-9732

PROFESSIONAL OUTDOOR SERVICES TREES/ SHRUBS TRIMMED Planted, Trimmed & Removal • Sod Work • Rock & Block Walls • Sprinklers • Aeration • Stumps Ground • Mulch

Licensed / Insured

DICK 303-783-9000

Painting

Interior • Exterior Residential Specialist Woodworking, Decks Fences: pressure washing / Drywall patch Free Estimates • Great Winter Rates

Highlands Ranch resident

Call Joseph

303-523-6372

DANIEL’S PAINTING exterior • interior residential repaints Re-caulk all home complete prime all caulked areas / replace any damaged boards/ popcorn removal drywall and texture repair/fences and decks/insured and bonded

720-301-0442

(303) 646-0140

Thomas Flooring & Tile • All Types of Tile • • Granite-Ceramic • • Porcelain • • Natural Stone •Vinyl • •Bathroom Remodel•

32 Years Experience • Work Warranty

303-781-4919 FREE Estimates

A-1 Stump Removal Stump grinding specialist

303-948-9287

• Stain and Renew Custom Handrails • Custom Interior & Exterior • Residential & Commercial Painting • Paint Kitchen Cabinets • Free Estimates - Insured • 30 Years Serving Metro Denver • Satisfaction Guaranteed

Remodeling is my specialty!

Call now for free estimate

Tree Service

www.innovativepaintingllc.com

Landscape & Concrete

For all your indoor & outdoor lighting needs, plus…

• Internet/TV Cable & Outlets •Ceiling Fans •Thermostats •Wall-Mounted TV’s • And many more services Free Estimates All Work Guaranteed

Residential: Hot Water Heat • Forced Air Water Heaters • Kitchens • Baths Service Repair • Sprinkler Repair

● Marble ● Repairs ● Granite Counter Tops

Most stumps $75.00 Call $55 Minimum.

Free estimates. or Licensed & Insured. text 39 years experience.

10% off when coupon presented

A father and son team!

Call Terry or Corey 303-424-7357

Tree and Shrub Trimming CALL FOR FREE QUOTE

PLUMBING & SPRINKLERS

Free Instant Phone Quote Repair or Replace: Faucets, Sprinklers, Toilets, Sinks, Disposals, Water Heaters, Gas Lines, Broken Pipes, Spigots/ Hosebibs, Water Pressure Regulator, Ice Maker, Drain Cleaning, Dishwasher Instl., for coupons go to vertecservices.com CALL Vertec 303-371-3828

Handy Man Screwed up your plumbing?

Drain Clearing & Plumbing Repair • Garbage disposal • Leaking pipe • Water Heater • Sump pumps

We are open and operating on normal schedule!

Call Dirty Jobs 720-308-6696 Over 35 yrs experience• Free Estimates www.askdirtyjobs.com

All Types of Roofing New Roofs, Reroofs, Repairs & Roof Certifications Aluminum Seamless Gutters Family owned/operated since 1980 Call Today for a FREE Estimate • Senior Discounts

(303) 234-1539

www.AnyWeatherRoofing.com • Sales@AnyWEatherRoofing.com

• Roofing • Siding • Gutters • Insurance Claims

720-283-2155 ABE’S TREE & SHRUB CARE Abraham Spilsbury Owner/Operator

• Pruning • Removals • Shrub Maintenance • FreeEstimates Certified Arborist,Insured, Littleton Resident 720.283.8226 • C:720.979.3888 aspilsbury@msn.com

303-805-7800

Windows

In business in Colorado 25 Years We Accept All Major Credit Cards

TOP WINDOW CLEANING

www.1wayroofer.com

Please Recycle this Publication when Finished

#1 in Customer Satisfactions

10% OFF to NEW CUSTOMERS Over 20 Years Experience Insured / Bonded Call Today For A FREE Estimate Quality work guaranteed Gutter, Tree Trimming/Removal

720-400-6496 topwindowcleaning.net

22 Parker Chronicle

July 17, 2020J P L A C E A D S O N L I N E 2 4 / 7 AT

Colorado Statewide Classified Advertising Network

www.ColoradoCommunityClassifieds.com

To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact your local newspaper or call Colorado Press Association Network at 303-571-5117.

To Advertise call Karen 303.566.4091

Classifieds Auctions

PUBLIC AUCTION SATURDAY, JULY 25th, 2020 9:00 AM 8250 Hwy 86 Kiowa, CO Directions: Approx 2 miles west of Kiowa on Hwy 86 to sale site, on south side of road Watch for signs!

Sellers: Roy & Joyce Leake 303243-1124 Due to COVID 19, you will be responsible for your own safety when attending any/all of our auctions.

Social distancing and masks are recommended. Linnebur Auctions and their staff will attempt to maintain a safe and clean environment, however will not be liable. Hand washing basins & sanitizer will be available.

Inspection: 2 hrs prior to sale time No Buyers Premium For complete listing & pictures, go to www.linneburauctions.com *Vehicles *Semi Tractor *Alum Horse Trlr *Stock Trlr *Flatbed Trlr’s *3Pt Equip *Storage Trlr’s *Tractors *Parts Tractors *Jet Ski *Livestock Shelter *Panels *Livestock Equip *Landscape Rock *Trencher *Storage Bldg *Antiques & Collectibles *Bit Collection *Professional Karaoke System *Shop Equip *Tons of Misc Sale conducted by: Linnebur Auctions, Inc. 303-822-9298 linneburauctions@ hotmail.com

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!

COMMUNITY SHREDDING DAY JULY 25TH SATURDAY, 10AM – 1PM

1400 S. University Blvd St. Michael & All Angels’ CHURCH PARKING LOT behind the church $6.00 / banker box or $25/car trunk load/ pick-ups negotiable BRING YOUR DOCUMENTS ON SITE UNLIMITED PROFESSIONAL SHREDDING TELL YOUR FRIENDS

Garage and Estate Sales Garage Sales Huge Annual Antique, Collectible & Horse Drawn Farm Equipment Sale Horse Drawn Farm Equipment, Wood Wheel Wagons, Buggy, Steel Wheels, Misc. Farm Tons of Collectibles Thurs-Sun July 16th - July 19th 8:00AM-4pm 10824 E Black Forest Dr Parker 80138 720-842-1716

Merchandise Health & Beauty VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 100 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed.

24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol

Miscellaneous Misc. Notices CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2002 and Newer.

Nationwide Free Pick Up! Call Now: 1-800-864-5960.

WANTED

COLORADO PRESS ASSOCIATION NETWORK

Cash for Mineral Rights Free, no-risk, cash offer. Contact us with the details: Call: 720-988-5617 Write: Minerals, PO BOX 3668, Littleton, CO 80161 Email: opportunity@ecmresourcesinc.com

Buy a 25-word statewide classified line ad in newspapers across the state of Colorado for just $300 per week.

Ask about our frequency discounts!

Contact this newspaper or call Colorado Press Association Network 303-571-5117

kearhart@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub.

Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-855-534-6198

Miscellaneous

NEW AUTHORS WANTED! Page Publishing will help you self-publish your own book. FREE author submission kit! Limited offer! Why wait?

Call now: 866-951-7214 DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company.

Coverage for 350 procedures. Real dental insurance. NOT just a discount plan. [Don’t wait!] Call now!

Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-888-6233036 www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258 AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo agmt. Includes 1 TB of data per month. Get More For Your HighSpeed Internet Thing. Ask us how to bundle and SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply. Call us today 1-888-7968850 Were you or a loved one diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer or Peritoneal Cancer in 2010 or later and used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder regularly in the genital area previous to diagnosis? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. Call 877-761-9069.

Protect your home with home security monitored by ADT. Starting at $27.99/mo. Call now to get a Free equipment bundle including: Keypad, motion sensor, wireless door and windows sensors. Call 833-7191073 Eliminate gutter cleaning forever!

LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today.

15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855995-2490 Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 844-909-3339

To Advertise call Karen 303.566.4091 Home for Sale

Miscellaneous

Pets

DIRECTV NOW. No Satellite Needed. $40/month. 65 Channels.

Stream Breaking News, Live Events, Sports & On Demand Titles. No Annual Contract. No Commitment.

CALL 1-866-825-6523

Wanted

Only the Highest quality CBD products from AceWellness! We guarantee highest quality, most competitive pricing on CBD products. Softgels, Oils, Skincare, Vape & more. Coupon Code: PRINT20 1-855-681-3113 BOY SCOUT COMPENSATION FUND - Anyone that was inappropriately touched by a Scout leader deserves justice and financial compensation! Victims may be eligible for a significant cash settlement. Time to file is limited. Call Now! 833-7290164

Need some cash? Sell us your unwanted gold, jewelry, watches & diamonds. Call GOLD GEEK 1-844-209-9872 or visit www.GetGoldGeek.com/nani BBB A+ Rated.

Request your 100% FREE, no risk, no strings attached appraisal kit. Call today!

over 500k

If Buying a home in Denver Metro & I’mPlease Agent Recycle this Publication

1%*

**listing commissions fees **+buyer agent co-ops

when Finished BUYING only?

Up to 1% credit of sale base price* *equal to 33% of my commission paid *applied to Buyer closing costs

Full Service Saving THOUSANDS $$$

Charles Paeplow 720-560-1999 • charlespaeplow@yahoo.com

Highlands Ranch Property Management Brad Smith 303-887-9559

1745 Shea Center Dr. Ste. 400, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Cornerstone Homes Realty

*Commissions subject to change

(303)741-0762

Cell: (303)918-2185 for texting

Bestcashforcarsco.com

Transportation Wanted

CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! 2002 and Newer! Any Condition. Running or Not. Competitive Offer! Free Towing! We’re Nationwide! Call Now: 1-888-416-2330.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 303-566-4100

kearhart@coloradocommunitymedia.com

OR

SELLING only?

Any condition • Running or not No title OK • Free towing

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 877-929-9587

Property Management

up to 500k

Cars, Trucks, Vans, SUV’s

DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. 1-833-872-2545.

2495 SELL YOUR HOME ½ %

$

Cash for all Vehicles!

Parker Chronicle 23

0July 17, 2020

GAP FROM PAGE 1

Future plans The project, Wilson said, is on schedule and about halfway finished.

A two-year study of I-25, called the Planning and Environmental Linkages study, or PEL, laid out a grand vision for Douglas County when it was released in October 2019. Some elements of the plan, including the truck climbing lane, an auxiliary lane between Skyview Lane and Spruce Mountain Road and a Castle Rock mobility hub, have moved forward.

Construction on the mobility hub, eventually envisioned to be similar to Denver’s Union Station, is expected to begin in about three to four years, said Chuck Attardo, I-25 south corridor manager.

For the Castle Rock mobility hub, which would include Bustang and possibly other bus stops, CDOT has about $6 million in funding so far and a likely location selected, Attardo said.

Other suggestions from the PEL, like a 300-foot-long wildlife overpass south of Greenland Ranch, are a priority but don’t yet have any funding.

“We had a ton of momentum coming out of the PEL and I wish we could have capitalized on that a bit better but right now with the budgets, primarily related to COVID-19, … there isn’t any money to do anything big or grand,” Attardo said.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is widening what’s called the Gap, a stretch of Interstate 25 between Castle Rock and Monument, after a study found the area in urgent need of improvements.

COURTESY PHOTO Attardo was also hoping to see similar road improvements made on I-25 between Castle Rock and Lone Tree, he said. That project, estimated to cost about $1.5 billion,

has been put on hold in part due to COVID-19 but also because I-25 construction is not a top priority for CDOT, he said.

“We’re doing everything we can to

keep things moving,” Attardo said.

“The thinking is, let’s keep working on stuff because eventually the economy will pull around and let’s be ready to construct these things.”

www.ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/Notices

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notices call Sheree 303.566.4088 Legals Public Trustees PUBLIC NOTICE Parker NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2020-0083 To Whom It May Concern: On 5/18/2020 10:05:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: TIMOTHY FRANCIS SAVOY AND DONNA MECHE SAVOY Original Beneficiary: NEW CENTURY MORTGAGE CORPORATION Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE F/K/A NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER CAPITAL I INC. TRUST 2002-NC3 Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 5/30/2002 Recording Date of DOT: 6/3/2002 Reception No. of DOT: 02052403 Book 2339 Page 2256 DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $295,950.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $209,958.78 Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Borrower’s failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN. The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed

of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 2, BLOCK 4, STONEGATE FILING NO. 15-A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO. Which has the address of: 16243 Creekview Drive , Parker, CO 80134 NOTICE OF SALE The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at the Public Trustee’s office, 402 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.

First Publication: 7/16/2020 Last Publication: 8/13/2020 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Dated: 5/18/2020 CHRISTINE DUFFY DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: ALISON L. BERRY Colorado Registration #: 34531 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990 Fax #: (303) 706-9994 Attorney File #: 20-024676

legals@coloradocommunitymedia.com

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: http://www. douglas.co.us/publictrustee/ Legal Notice No.: 2020-0083 First Publication: 7/16/2020 Last Publication: 8/13/2020 Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Bids and Settlements Public Notice REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) #026-20 INMATE FOOD SERVICE The Purchasing Division of Douglas County Government, in conjunction with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests proposals from responsible, qualified firms for the provision of Inmate Food Service, to include hot inmate meals (seven (7) days per week) for an average daily population (ADP) of three-hundred (300) inmates.

PLEASE BRING A MASK/FACE (NOSE & MOUTH) COVERING AND A BUSINESS CARD. SIGN-IN SHEETS WILL NOT BE PASSED AROUND, CARDS WILL BE DROPPED INTO AN ENVELOPE. ON THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 @ 10:00AM, THERE WILL BE A MANDATORY SITE VISIT RELATED TO THIS PROJECT. THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL ALLOW ALL INTERESTED PARTIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THE WORK SITE LOCATION AND DISCUSS THE PROJECT DETAILS. THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL BEGIN IN THE LOBBY OF THE ROBERT A. CHRISTENSEN JUSTICE CENTER, 4000 JUSTICE WAY, CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO 80109. EACH PERSON MUST CLEAR SECURITY BEFORE ENTERING THE LOBBY; THE SITE VISIT WILL BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 10:00 AM. ONLY THOSE ATTENDING THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL BE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL RESPONSE ON THIS PROJECT. The RFP documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at

www.rockymountainbidsystem.com.

RFP documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website.

While the RFP documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic proposal responses.

RFP responses will be received until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2020 by Douglas County Government, Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. All responses must be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “Request for Proposal (RFP) #026-20, Inmate Food Service”.

Proposal responses will not be considered which are received after the time stated and any proposals so received will be returned unopened.

Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said proposal and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful vendor.

Please direct any questions concerning this RFP to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303-6607434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Legal Notice No. 937669 First Publication: July 16, 2020 Last Publication: July 16, 2020 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Misc. Private Legals Public Notice NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED To Every Person in Actual Possession or Occupancy of the hereinafter Described Land, Lot or Premises, and to the Person in Whose Name the Same was Taxed or Specially Assessed, and to all Persons having an Interest or Title of Record

in or to the said Premises and To Whom It May Concern, and more especially to:

OCCUPANT - RICHARD B SUNDQUIST AKA RICHARD BRUEN SUNDQUIST - GRACETON LP - JAMES PIZZINO JR AKA JAMES D PIZZINO & DIANA L PIZZINO AKA DIANA LUISE PIZZINO - LYN CC LEWIS AKA LYN CAROL LEWIS - MARY SUNDQUIST AKA MARY J SUNDQUIST AKA MARY ELLEN SUNDQUIST AKA MARY LYNN SUNDQUIST

You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 3rd day of November 2016 the then County Treasurer of the County of Douglas, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to GRACETON LP the following described real estate situate in the County of Douglas, State of Colorado, to wit:

1/2 MIN INT IN MOST E1/2NW1/4 29-8-65 TOTAL = 70 AM/L MIN INT = 35 AM/L

and said County Treasurer issued a certificate of purchase therefore to GRACETON LP. That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent* taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2015. That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of RICHARD B SUNDQUIST for said year 2015

That said GRACETON LP on the 20th day of December 2019 the present holder of said certificate, has made request upon the Treasurer of said County for a deed to said real estate; That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said at 1:00 o’clock P.M., on the 29th day of October 2020 unless the same has been redeemed. Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 16th day of July 2020 /s/ David Gill County Treasurer of Douglas County Legal Notice No. 937650 First Publication: July 16, 2020 Last Publication: July 30, 2020 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

###

Parker Legals 7.17.20 * 1

24 Parker Chronicle

July 17, 2020

Castle Rock woman marks 48th birthday with 48 laps up incline

BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Lisa Hammond climbed her first 14er at age 46 and knew from there she wanted to do something physically challenging every year. So she started a new tradition.

The Castle Rock resident now celebrates her birthday by doing a lap on the town’s 200-step incline for every year she’s been alive.

In 2019 she tackled five laps on a Saturday and 42 on a Sunday to mark her 47th birthday. This year she wanted to do all the laps in one sitting.

On June 27, she arrived at Philip S. Miller Park by 5:30

a.m., headed up the incline and didn’t stop until she completed 48 laps.

The task took more than four hours, she said.

“It was pretty challenging. I think around lap 39 I was questioning myself but once I got past 40, I was good,” she said.

Hammond said she averages 10 to 15 laps when exercising at the incline, called Challenge Hill, outside of her birthday tradition. She works out daily at her local gym. She also snowboards, hikes and enjoys weightlifting.

She once tried an 18-mile run over Imogene Pass near Ouray, but only did it once, she said.

As a nurse practitioner, Hammond is a firm believer in stay-

MASK RULE FROM PAGE 1

Tri-County Health Department. The chart reports 75% of Arapahoe residents wore masks without a mandate and 60% of Adams County residents did.

“It seems to me we do not need a policy in place. We are doing OK, but I’m happy to talk about if our small businesses want something or need something,” Diak said. “I think we’re doing OK right now.”

Councilmember Renee Williams questioned whether the Tri-County Health Department -- which provides public health services in Douglas, Arapahoe and Adams counties -- had

ing fit and focusing on wellness, she said. But it is the need to push her limits that Hammond said motivates her to keep up the Challenge Hill tradition.

When she first shared the idea with her four children, “they were just like, ‘Mom, you’re crazy,’” Hammond recalled. This year her husband, Danny, congratulated her with flowers after she finished her the workout.

Looking forward, Hammond is not sure how many years she’ll keep it running. For now she hopes her to inspire others to push themselves physically as well.

“We’ll see,” she said with a laugh. “When I get to 50, I’ll do 50 and then I’ll be done.”

the legal authority to issue such a mandate and believed citizens should be free to make their own choice.

Councilmember Jeff Toborg said the county successfully “flattened the curve” of COVID-19 infestions, and questioned why Parker needed a mandate. Toborg also had issue with the fact businesses stood to lose their licenses if they were to violate the mask mandate.

Councilmember Josh Rivero said he didn’t believe it was right to have businesses “policing” who is and is not wearing a mask.

The fifth paragraph on page five of the Tri-County Health order states “any business open to the public that permits an individual to enter…without a required face covering may be

Lisa Hammond began a tradition in 2019 of doing a lap on Castle Rock’s incline for each year she’s been alive. In 2020, she completed 48 laps to celebrate her 48th birthday.

JESSICA GIBBS

subject to the suspension or revocation of its license…”

Rivero added that the language in the order was inconsistent. Rivero recited Section III of the order titled “Exceptions to Face Covering Requirement” and provided an example: “All I have to do is say I have asthma,” without providing proof, and be exempt from wearing a mask, he said.

Lewis expressed concern over the spiking case rates in places like Florida. The Florida Department of Health reported 12,000 new cases July 13. Lewis acknowledged Colorado and Douglas County had more encouraging statistics of voluntary maskwearers and hospitalization rates.

Lewis wanted to be sure “if things went to hell in a handbasket, we still have the ability to do something.”

Staff reassured Lewis the town will still be able to issue emergency orders if needed and there is still the option to opt back into the Tri-County mask mandate if so desired.

Tri-County board members approved the public health order requiring facial coverings in public where social distancing cannot be maintained on July 8. Municipalities have until July 23 to decide whether to opt out of the mandate, which is an option provided by the order. The order takes effect July 24.

The original mandate, for those who do not opt out, expires Oct. 22.

Douglas County officials also have been discussing opting out of the mask rule, but that action, if taken, would apply only to the county’s unincorporated areas.

MEMORY CARE

Live fearlessly Come experience living without Covid.

Thanks to our early partnering and planning with health officials and rigorous preventative and monitoring practices, all of our Renew Senior Living facilities continue to be Covid free so you can live worry free.

Call to learn more (720) 805-1142

R E N E W S E N I O R . C O M

•

7 4 7 5

S

S H A W N E E

S T ,

A U R O R A ,

C O

8 0 0 1 6