January 30, 2014
50 cents Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 30, Issue 32 A publication of
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Jeffco sheriff ’s deputy killed in Highway 93 collision
Brian Watson, left, found and president of Northstar Commercial Partners, and Ray Boersema, right, CEO of Denver Christian Schools, outside of the new location for the school. Photo by Clarke Reader
A whole new world of learning
Denver Christian Schools relocates to Lakewood By Clarke Reader
creader@coloradocommunitymedia. com Lakewood will be the home of another scholarly institution with the purchase of a 270,000-square-foot building on a 20.7-acre property for Denver Christian Schools. The property, located at 3898 S. Teller St., in the Academy Park area, will be the single home for DCS’s pre-K through 12th grade program for more than 600 students. “We wanted to remain committed to being around for another hundred years and wanted to be a strong part of the community,” Ray Boersema, CEO of DCS said. “We wanted to be on one campus to optimize learning and develop each child’s passion.”
DCS is currently located at three separate properties — two in Denver and one in Highlands Ranch — and went to Northstar Commercial properties for help with purchasing a new location and selling their three old locations. “This is an excellent opportunity. We searched all over the Denver community for a location. We wanted DCS to be near their old locations but also have the ability to reach out to new areas,” Brian Watson, founder and president of Northstar said. “The synergy of being near other schools and in Lakewood — who have been a pleasure to work with — is great for the school.” The property cost $7.6 million, which was less than 38 percent of its appraised value. There will be some construction and development on the campus to create a gymnasium, football field and other features that students at the school might need. The aim is for the school to be up and opera-
tional by the beginning of the 2014 school year. “We’re hoping the property will be usable for the community once we’re set up,” Boersema said. “We want to connect with the community in as many ways as we can.” Boersema added that partnerships will be a important part of the schools success moving forward, and that includes nearby schools like Colorado Christian University, Red Rocks Community College, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design and Colorado Academy. According to Boersema, both staff and students are excited to be in one location, and the changes for collaboration that this will bring. “This is going to be a world-class educational environment,” Watson said. “The school really showed good stewardship by deciding to take this location instead of building a new location. Rarely do you find a deal and opportunity like this.”
Filings down for county, state Jeffco sees 51 percent drop in foreclosures By Amy Woodward awoodward@ dia.com
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Jefferson County finished last year with a 51 percent decrease in new foreclosure fillings, according to a report by the Office of the Jefferson County Public Trustee. The decrease is significant since the 2009 spike which ended the year with 4,027 foreclosures. The county began their statistical record in 1999 but 2009 could have been the largest foreclosure intakes the county has seen said Margaret Chapman, Jeffco public trustee.
“We got rid of these really ill-considered loans written in 2005 when you didn’t have to show income,” Chapman said. “It’s very significant because it shows the economy is recovering, the housing market is recovering.” The state saw a 54 percent drop in foreclosure activity since 2012, with a foreclosure rate of 1 in every 2,577 housing units, according to a report released by RealtyTrac. Of the top five counties with the highest foreclosure rates — such as Teller and Montrose counties — Jeffco is not listed among them. “I knew it was going to drop, just not that fast,” Chapman said. Improved loan qualifications have added to the recovery of the housing market, along with shorter sales times, but as far as
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TOP 5 AREAS WITH HIGHEST RATES Countywide, the foreclosure rate in Jeffco for 2013 was 1 in every 3,476. Indian Hills -1 in every 498 Conifer - 1 in every 1,220 Wheat Ridge - 1 in every 1,959 Pine - 1 in every 2,024 Evergreen - 1 in every 2,622 — Source data from RealtyTrac county reductions, Jeffco has always stood out from the rest because it never saw foreclosures as high as neighboring counties such as Arapahoe which peaked at 6,243 in the year 2009. Another contributing factor to Jeffco’s lower foreclosure rates could be a landuse factor with 232,108 acres of land in the county dedicated to recreation and conservation out of 494,660 total acres, according to Jeffco Open Space figures. “We just don’t have a lot of room to build, there just isn’t space,” Chapman said.
Sgt. David Baldwin, 50, was tragically killed in a head-on collision on Highway 93, just north of W. 64th Parkway, on Sunday, Jan. 26. Baldwin was an Air Force veteran and served the sheriff’s office for 27 years. He would have celebrated his 51st birthday next week, Sheriff Mink confirmed. He is survived by his wife and son. At 10:05 a.m., Baldwin was traveling in the left northbound lane on his HarleyDavidson patrol motorcycle, entering a sweeping curve. A 2004 Saturn Vue SUV was traveling southbound through the curve when it crossed a double-yellow line, traveling into the northbound lanes and passing at least one vehicle. The Saturn collided head-on with the Harley-Davidson. After the collision, Baldwin was thrown from the Harley-Davidson. Although he was wearing his helmet and eye protection, he sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. According to investigators, the Saturn’s driver, 83-year-old Kenneth Hosch of Golden, was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash and sustained minor injuries. He was transported to St. Anthony’s hospital for treatment. The roadway remained closed for hours Sunday, while the crash was investigated. Colorado State Patrol and the Critical Accident Response Team (CART) continue to investigate the specific circumstances surrounding the collision. Drug and alcohol use are not suspected as contributing factors in the crash. Charges are pending against Hosch, following the crash scene investigation. Sheriff Mink reported Baldwin’s wife is grieving but is positive knowing that Baldwin died doing what he loved. “He was always with a smile, he was always positive and never said anything bad about anybody,” Mink said. “A true professional in how he carried out his duties and I think everybody will remember that for a long time.” According to the Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Baldwin began his law enforcement career with the Sheriff’s Office in 1987. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1996, and worked varying assignments in the Detentions Division, Civil and Fugitive Unit, Bomb Squad, Patrol Division, and most recent assignment to the Traffic/Motorcycle Unit. Sgt. Baldwin served as a firearms instructor, driving instructor, and instructor for the Basic and Advanced Law Enforcement Motorcycle School. On Thursday, Jan. 23, Sheriff Mink met with Sgt. Baldwin in a coffee shop to catch up on work and update one another on their person life. Baldwin told Mink that if the Broncos win the Superbowl, it would be the greatest birthday gift.
Sgt. Baldwin was killed in the line of duty on January 26, 2014 at 10:05 a.m., after being struck on his motorcycle by a wrong-way driver on Hwy. 93. Courtesy photo