Lost Creek Sentinel August 2026

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A W H O L LY O W N E D S U B S I D I A R Y O F H E A R T L A N D H E R I T A G E M E D I A

September 5th, 2026 | Edition 16

Rooted in our Communities

www.LostCreekSentinel.com

INTRODUCING POG’S GARDEN a Choose and Cut-Your-Own Flower Field

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Lost Creek Sentinel | Edition 15 | September 5th, 2026

EDITORIAL

THE HEART OF COMMUNITY

By Tammy Whitaker, Editor Lost Creek Sentinel Sometimes you don’t realize how much you’ve missed someone until you unexpectedly run into them.

Walking through the Fair recently, I found myself noticing something beyond the livestock, exhibits, food vendors and familiar sounds that make a county fair what it is. I noticed the reunions.

Everywhere I looked, people were stopping to talk.

Friends who hadn’t seen one another in months—or maybe years—were suddenly standing face-to-face in the middle of a crowded fairground.

“Look how much the kids have grown!”

“How have you been?”

“I haven’t seen you forever!”

Someone would be headed one direction, someone else the other, and suddenly neither one was going anywhere for a while.

And I thought: this is community.

We often define community by geography—a town boundary, a ZIP code or the road we happen to live on. But community is really built from something much less tangible.

It’s familiarity.

It’s history.

It’s knowing someone’s parents and then watching their children grow up.

It’s recognizing a face across a crowded room.

It’s asking about the new grandbaby, the business someone started, the harvest, the new house, or the kid who was knee-high the last time you saw them and somehow is now driving.

Life gets busy.

We work. We raise families. We build businesses. We attend meetings, keep appointments, answer emails and race from one obligation to the next. Even in a small community, it is surprisingly easy to go months without seeing people who live only a few miles away.

That may be one of the reasons gatherings like our Fair matter so much.

Yes, they celebrate agriculture, youth, tradition and competition. They provide entertainment and showcase the talents and hard work of people throughout our region.

But perhaps one of their most important purposes isn’t listed anywhere on the schedule.

They bring us back together.

For a few days, our paths cross again.

Kids who once showed animals together return with children of their own. Former classmates reconnect. Neighbors catch up.

People who once worked side-by-side find themselves reminiscing about things that

happened decades ago.

And for a moment, the years between conversations seem to disappear.

Our communities are changing. New homes are being built, new businesses are arriving and new families are discovering this part of Colorado. Growth will undoubtedly change the landscape around us.

But growth doesn’t have to mean losing the things that made our communities special in the first place.

In fact, it gives us an opportunity to expand them.

Community isn’t determined by how long someone has lived here. It is created whenever people choose to know one another, support one another and participate in the life of the place they call home.

The Fair reminded me that maintaining that connection requires something very simple: We have to show up.

Show up at the Fair.

Show up at the parade.

Attend the school concert, the fundraiser, the community dinner or the local ballgame.

Introduce yourself to the new neighbor.

Stop and visit when you recognize someone instead of simply waving as you hurry past.

Because someday, perhaps years from now, you may find yourself standing in the middle of a crowded fairground hearing someone say:

The Lost Creek Sentinel Hudson, CO 80642 Editor/Publisher Tammy Whitaker Graphic Design Corporate Imagination Printed by Colorado Trust for Local News Collaborators

Patty Sheats, VA Medical Center Diane Blocker, Diane’s Travel Ashleigh Sager, Highlands Academy Lance Fleming, Market & Main Realty Milos Kral, PreClear Cybersecurity Toby Karr, Edward Jones

We would love to hear from you!

Please direct comments to: Editor@LostCreekSentinel.com

“I haven’t seen you forever. Look how much the kids have grown.”

And you’ll realize that those small conversations are not small at all.

They are the threads that hold our communities together.

Lost Creek Sentinel | Edition 15 | September 5th, 2026

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POG'S GARDEN

INTRODUCING POG’S GARDEN a Choose and Cut-Your-Own Flower Field

Pog’s Garden is located just off the I-76 Frontage Road between Lochbuie and Hudson and charges a $5-per- person fee during their attraction flower bloom. This fee helps them to maintain the flower fields. You can visit their website at https://www.pogsgarden.com/eventcalendar for more information and to view their hours of operation.

Randy and I recently had the pleasure of visiting with owners Chou and Tzee Cha and learning about the family, culture and passion behind this special place.

Pog’s Garden Is Growing More Than Flowers

Pog’s Garden began in 2016, a year after the family purchased the property and began looking for a way to put the land to work. “We love working with our hands, and growing things was something that our family did well,” they explained. So grow they did! Flowers and vegetables primarily, with joy as a by-product.

Why “Pog’s Garden”?

The name reaches back another generation. In the family’s native Hmong language, “pog” means grandma. When their children were young, they loved visiting their grandmother’s one-acre garden to play and pick vegetables. Because they called their paternal grandmother pog, visits to grandma’s garden became trips to “Pog’s Garden.” When the family later purchased land of their own, the name was a natural fit—and a tribute to the hardworking women who shaped their family.

Three Generations Work the Farm

Today, three generations play a role at Pog’s Garden, with hopes that a fourth may someday follow.

Great-grandma—pog koob—focuses on vegetables. The current grandparents concentrate primarily on flowers, while their youngest son operates the tractor and equipment when field work needs to be done.

It’s agricultural knowledge being passed from one generation to the next.

The Garden Reflects the Family’s Culture

The farm grows flowers, vegetables and spices, including several Asian varieties that reflect the family’s heritage, such as lemongrass and spicy Thai chili peppers.

Flowers have become the farm’s most colorful attraction, with gladiolus and zinnias among the family’s favorites.

Growing along Colorado’s Front Range isn’t easy. The short season means some plants begin as seedlings before being transplanted, and the dry climate makes irrigation essential.

At Pog’s Garden, drip irrigation and plastic mulch help conserve water, retain moisture, warm the soil and control weeds. The property’s free-draining sandy loam soil is also well suited to the flowers and vegetables the family grows.

The Flowers are Meant to be Experienced—Not Just Purchased!

For the family, one of the greatest rewards is giving visitors the opportunity to experience the field for themselves.

Their vision is simple: people wandering through rows of flowers with the sun shining, butterflies fluttering, birds singing and bees buzzing nearby—then taking home a bouquet they cut themselves.

After doing the difficult work of growing the flowers, the family wants visitors to enjoy what they call the “beautiful fruit of the labor.”

Pog’s Garden remains a small family operation, but the hope is to someday grow it into a flower-cutting and flower-field destination for Front Range communities.

Growing anything takes patience, persistence and, as the family puts it, “a passion to keep doing it.” But Pog’s Garden is about more than what grows from the soil. It’s a place where family, culture, agriculture and generations come together—where a name connects grandchildren to their grandmother’s garden and visitors can create memories of their own among the flowers.

When asked to complete the sentence, “Pog’s Garden is more than a garden because…” the family needed only a few words: “It is our love and passion!”

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Lost Creek Sentinel | Edition 15 | September 5th, 2026

LOCAL

The Cost of Homebuilding in Colorado

A new report from the Common Sense Institute finds that government-imposed fees, taxes, and permitting delays add more than $40,000 to the cost of building a typical new single-family home in Denver before construction even begins. This is more than double the average among comparable metropolitan areas.

The report, The Cost of Homebuilding in Colorado, examines the regulatory and policy-driven costs associated with building a standard 2,000-square-foot single-family home, comparing Denver and Colorado communities with peer cities across the Mountain West, Sun Belt, and Midwest. While material and labor costs in Denver are near the national average, policy choices substantially increase the cost of new housing.

Among the report’s findings: • Denver’s government-imposed costs exceeds $40,000 for a typical new single-family home, more than twice the average among 12 peer cities.

• Denver’s affordable housing linkage fee totals $16,360 for a typical home, making it one of only two peer cities with a comparable mandatory fee and more than five times Portland’s equivalent charge.

•D enver’s average residential plan review timeline of 209 days adds an estimated $9,625 in financing costs per home compared with Salt Lake City’s permitting timeline.

• Water and sewer development charges vary dramatically across Colorado, ranging from $2,994 in Lamar to $46,800 in Arvada, with seven Front Range suburbs charging even more than Denver.

•D enver’s sales tax burden on construction materials is the highest among peer cities, adding an estimated $7,686 to the cost of building a typical home.

•S ingle-family home permits in Denver have fallen 43% since their 2021 peak, the sharpest decline among the peer markets studied, even as several competing metros maintained or increased production.

The report also finds that Denver’s underlying construction costs are not unusually high.

Instead, the city’s elevated regulatory fees, taxes, and permitting timelines are layered on top of otherwise average material and labor costs, leaving little opportunity for builders to absorb additional expenses without increasing home prices.

We’ve Roared this summer with the Hudson public library!

Our Summer Readingg pprogram g Unearth a Story was over the Tricera-top! With our amazing specialty Summer Reading t-shirts, ffree fr ee events, and even crafts for all ages! We thank everyone who has participated!

to our summer reading sponsors!

U n i t e d Powe r

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Ja n e t H u c k

Aims Community College

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Take a peek at everything exciting happening this fa ffall! ll!

Brand NEW Storytimes Story Spinners (K-5th) Mondays at 11:30am Toddler T To ddler Tales (18 months-3 years) Fridays at 9:30am Our upcoming 6th Annual Craft f show fr ffrom om November 20th - 21st All of our amazing programs, services, resources and more! offer!

Scan the QR Code to see everything we off ffer!

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Lost Creek Sentinel | Edition 15 | September 5th, 2026

HEALTH & WELLNESS

the pursuit of health Back to Routine: Sleep and Healthy Schedules As summer winds down and kids return to school and structured schedules, August offers a natural opportunity to reset daily routines.

One of the most important — and often overlooked — elements of health is sleep.

Adequate sleep supports memory, mood, immune function, and overall physical health.

Adults generally need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, while children and teenagers often require even more.

Irregular sleep patterns during summer can make it difficult to return to consistent schedules. Gradually adjusting bedtime and wake-up times can help ease the transition.

Reducing screen time before bed, keeping bedrooms dark and cool, and maintaining consistent routines can improve sleep quality.

Daily structure also plays an important role in overall wellness. Balanced schedules that include time for work, exercise, meals, and relaxation help create stability and reduce stress.

As routines return in the fall, focusing on healthy sleep habits can make a meaningful difference in both productivity and well-being.

A good night’s sleep is not just a luxury — it is one of the most important foundations of longterm health.

The Benefits of Eating Seasonal Foods Aren’t we lucky to live in an area where fresh fruits and produce are plentiful? I mean, really – does it get any better than Palisade Peaches, Olathe Sweet Corn, and Rocky Ford Melons. When I close my eyes, I swear I can smell those Hatch Green Chilis roasting over an open flame.

Eating foods that are in season is not only delicious—it can also be beneficial for health. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are fresher and more flavorful because they are harvested at their natural peak. Fresh produce also tends to retain more nutrients when it has not traveled long distances before reaching the table.

Seasonal eating also supports local agriculture. Farmers markets and roadside stands offer opportunities to purchase produce grown nearby, strengthening local food systems and communities.

Different seasons bring different nutritional benefits.

Summer offers berries, tomatoes, and leafy greens rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Fall harvests provide squash, pumpkins, and root vegetables packed with fiber and nutrients.

Eating seasonally can also add variety to meals. Instead of relying on the same ingredients year-round, seasonal foods encourage creativity in cooking. As a matter of fact, just tonight we enjoyed a salad that consisted of fresh crisp lettuce, salami, mozzarella pearls, peaches and toasted almonds dressed with a peach salad dressing. Yum! Many communities throughout the heartland have strong agricultural traditions, making fresh produce accessible in ways that larger urban areas sometimes lack.

Choosing seasonal foods is a simple way to support both personal health and local farmers. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Lost Creek Sentinel | Edition 15 | September 5th, 2026

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FINANCE

the pursuit of wealth FINANCIAL FOCUS® Debunking five common Social Security myths

By Toby Karr, AAMS® Edward Jones Financial Advisor | www.edwardjones.com/toby-karr | 720-509-0504

Social Security is often one of the most important income sources in retirement. Yet widespread myths about how it works can lead to confusion, unnecessary worry and poor planning decisions. Here's the truth behind five of the most common misconceptions.

Myth 1: Social Security is going broke. You've probably heard this one, but the full picture is more nuanced. According to the 2026 Social Security Board of Trustees Report, if Congress does nothing, the program would need to reduce benefits starting in 2032, paying roughly 78 cents for every dollar owed.

But that's just one scenario. Congress could raise the combined payroll tax from 12.4% to 16.65%, which the trustees estimate would secure full benefits through 2100.

Other options include eliminating the earnings cap subject to payroll tax or adjusting retirement ages. Lawmakers have tools to address this.

Myth 2: Social Security will cover all your retirement needs. Think of Social Security as a financial foundation, not the full building. According to the Social Security Administration, benefits replace only about 40% of pre-retirement income for a median earner. That means you'll likely need to account for most of your retirement income yourself. Building a strong personal savings strategy now can help close that gap.

Myth 3: You lose benefits permanently if you keep working. Not true. Social Security does have an "earnings test" that can temporarily reduce benefits for people who claim early and keep working. If your earnings exceed a set annual cap – which changes each year – Social Security will withhold a portion of your benefits. But once you reach full retirement age, the Social Security Administration adjusts your monthly check higher to repay those withheld amounts over time.

Myth 4: An ex-spouse's benefits come out of your own.

If you were married for at least 10 years and are currently unmarried, your former spouse may be eligible to collect on your earnings record, or you may be able to collect on theirs.

Divorced spouse benefits can be up to 50% of the other person's full retirement benefit. But those payments don't

affect yours. Your monthly benefit is not reduced by anything paid to an ex-spouse or even a current spouse.

Myth 5: Social Security benefits are no longer taxed.

Recent legislation caused some confusion here. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act did not eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits. If your combined income exceeds certain thresholds, you'll still owe taxes on a portion of your benefits.

The law also created a temporary deduction (available through 2028) for people 65 and older. Eligible taxpayers can deduct $6,000 per qualifying filer if their modified adjusted gross income is $75,000 or less for singles or $150,000 for couples. The deduction phases out at $175,000 for singles and $250,000 for joint filers.

The more you understand Social Security, the more control you have over your retirement outcome. Grounding your decisions in facts rather than assumptions can make a meaningful difference in your long-term financial security.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones and its financial advisors cannot provide tax advice. You should consult your qualified tax professional regarding your situation.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

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Lost Creek Sentinel | Edition 15 | September 5th, 2026

Separating Fact from Fiction: 5 Common Pet Myths Explained

By Laura Jensen CVT, LVT, VTS (ECC)

If you spend any time around pets, you’ve likely heard plenty of advice passed along from friends or family. Some of it is helpful, and some of it has been repeated for so long that it sounds like fact. Here are five common pet myths, along with facts to help set the record straight.

• Myth: If a dog is wagging its tail, it’s safe to pet it.

A wagging tail doesn’t always mean a dog is friendly or wants to be approached.

Dogs may wag when they are excited, nervous, fearful, or stressed. Always ask the owner before approaching an unfamiliar dog and watch the dog’s full body language.

A dog may freeze, shift away, or back up when uncomfortable. Raised hair along the shoulders, mid-back, or just above the base of the tail—often called “hackles”—can be a sign of stress or overstimulation. If you see these signs, it’s best to give the dog space and time to calm before interacting.

• Myth: Cats and dogs should drink milk.

Most cats and dogs become lactose intolerant after weaning. Regular cow milk can cause stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea. Kittens and puppies should nurse from their mother when possible, as that milk provides essential nutrients for growth and development. If that isn’t an option, a veterinarian-recommended milk replacer is often the safest alternative. Adult cats and dogs should always have access to fresh, clean water for proper hydration.

• Myth: Mixed-breed dogs are always healthier than purebred dogs.

Mixed-breed dogs have a lot of genetic variety because they come from many different breeds. Responsibly bred purebred dogs also have genetic diversity within their own breed from good breeders using dogs from many different areas to ensure gene diversity. While both groups can develop health issues as they age, neither is more likely to develop inherited genetic diseases like hip dysplasia, certain heart conditions, or some cancers. Instead, dogs from puppy mills or irresponsible breeders with inbreeding and low genetic diversity usually develop these lifelong health issues. A dog’s health depends far more on lifelong care—nutrition, exercise, and regular veterinary visits instead of if its mixedbreed or purebred.

• Myth: A cold, wet nose means a healthy dog.

A dog’s nose temperature, and how wet it is, naturally changes throughout the day. It may be warm or dry after sleeping, sunbathing, or if the dog hasn’t recently licked its nose or drank water. Illness or fever can also cause a warm, dry nose, but this usually occurs with other symptoms such as low energy, decreased appetite, coughing, diarrhea, or vomiting. A dog’s overall behavior is a much better indicator of health than nose temperature or wetness alone.

• Myth: Cats always land on their feet.

Cats have a “righting reflex” and a flexible spine that help them twist midair, but this does not guarantee a safe landing. Falls from short heights may not allow them enough time to fully rotate onto their feet. Even when cats land on their feet from higher falls, serious injuries can occur from impact, including broken bones, internal trauma, or paw and leg injuries. Securing windows and supervising access to high areas is the best way to prevent accidents.

Pet myths often stick around because they’re simple and easy to remember, but they don’t always reflect what we know today. Taking a closer look at the facts helps us make better choices and better understand our pets. In the end, good care starts with good information.

Disclaimer: This article was written by a Certified Veterinary Technician for general educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It may reference over-the-counter medications for informational purposes only and does not provide or recommend dosages; Always contact your veterinarian if your pet is injured or ill, and seek emergency veterinary care when needed.

WHY SHOP WITH A CHAMBER MEMBER? “When You Shop with a Chamber Member, You’re Shopping with a Neighbor” Shopping with a Chamber member means you’re doing more than making a purchase—you’re investing in businesses that have made a commitment to the community.

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Your dollars stay local. Local businesses are more likely to hire locally, purchase locally, and reinvest in the communities they serve.

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You support businesses that support the community.

Chamber members frequently sponsor schools, nonprofits, youth programs, festivals, fundraisers, and community events.

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You help create local jobs. Strong local businesses mean more employment opportunities close to home.

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You strengthen the local economy. Every dollar spent locally has the opportunity to circulate again through other businesses and organizations.

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You’re supporting businesses that are engaged.

Chamber membership demonstrates that a business has chosen to connect, collaborate, and participate in the future of the community.

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You help preserve local choices. When residents consistently support local businesses, those businesses can remain open, grow, and expand the products and services available nearby.

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You’re doing business with a neighbor. Chamber businesses have reputations to maintain in the communities where their owners and employees live, work, and raise their families.

“Shop Chamber. Support Local. Strengthen Community.”

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The Wild Animal Sanctuary (303) 536-0118

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University Auto Parts

Wolf Waste, LLC

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TBK Bank

Upstate Colorado Economic Development

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Valkyrie Tattoos and Laser (720) 428-8388

townofwiggins.colorado.gov

valkyrieconcepts6015@gmail.com

United Country Real Estate Eagle Hawk Brokers & Auctioneers

Warner Ranch

(720) 878-5626

Wolf & Honey Coffee Shop + Boutique (720) 869-8240 wolfandhoney.coffee

(303) 710-1770

eaglehawkrealtygroup.com

historycolorado.org/location/warner-ranch

United Power

Weld County Commissioners

ZenBusiness

(303) 659-0551 unitedpower.com

(970) 400-4000 weld.gov/Government

(844) 493-6249 zenbusiness.com

Trisimo Hotel Group

South Platte Valley Historical Society, Inc.

Weld County Schl Dist Re3j

Ziggi’s Coffee

(303) 659-6929

spvhs.org

Town of Lochbuie (303) 655-9308 lochbuie.org

(303) 536-2000 re3j.com

(720) 795-9920 ziggiscoffee.com

WHY BECOME A CHAMBER MEMBER? “Being a Chamber member connects you to the community, and gives you and your business a voice.”

•

Becoming a Chamber member is about more than having your business name on a membership list. It gives your business greater visibility, stronger connections, added credibility, and a voice in the community.

•

• •

• • •

Build relationships. Meet business owners, community leaders, municipal representatives, and potential customers.

Increase your visibility. Chamber events, directories, social media, newsletters, sponsorships, and promotional opportunities help keep your business in front of the community.

Gain credibility. Chamber membership tells customers that your business is invested in the community and connected to other local businesses.

Grow through referrals. Chamber members naturally become a network of people who know your business and can recommend you.

Learn from other businesses. Networking events, workshops, speakers, and peer groups provide ideas and resources that can help you operate and grow.

Have a stronger voice. A Chamber can represent the collective interests of businesses when communicating with municipalities, agencies, and other organizations.

Find opportunities to collaborate. Partnerships between Chamber members can lead to new customers, joint promotions, sponsorships, and business-to-business relationships.

Stay informed. Members are often among the first to hear about local growth, projects, events, regulations, and opportunities that may affect their businesses.

Support the local economy. Your membership helps fund programs and activities designed to strengthen the entire business community.

Become part of something bigger. When businesses work together, they can accomplish things individually they simply could not do alone.

• • •

“Build Connections. Grow Your Business.

Strengthen Your Community.”

SOUTHEAST WELD COUNTY CHAMBER B U S I N E S S

M A T T E R S

Welcome 2026 NEW MEMBERS World Systems Builder BBB Serving Northern CO & WY Mammoth Graphics Summit Bodyworks CR10 Bar & Grille LLC Ottos Diesel Repair Peak Real Estate 18V Management PreClear Cybersecurity, Inc. SendIt Screenworks Coyote Creek Ranch Event Center Toby Karr - Edward Jones Century Communities Wolf Waste LLC Purple Phoenix Drone Services Rodeo Dunes Iris Olivas Photography Reynolds Construction LLC Camping Ventures Bank of Colorado - Ft. Lupton Twenty Below Refrigeration LLC

Comcast DCM Construction Accurate Personnel Heartland Heritage Media Day & Company Inc. Legacy Peak Insurance Advisors Rocky Mountain Roofing and Exteriors University Auto Parts Rhino Exteriors AB Septic Kona Ice Love on the Move Pog’s Garden Trisimo Hotel Group Upstate Colorado Economic Development BCP Contractors Rhythm of the Horse Therapeutic Horsemanship Rural Community Life Improvement Foundation

It’s a great time to be a member of the SOUTHEAST WELD COUNTY CHAMBER!

TOGETHER, we’re STRONGER. TOGETHER, we’ll MAKE IT!

18

Lost Creek Sentinel | Edition 15 | September 5th, 2026

THE AGRICULTURE CLASSROOM

Connecting readers with the science, business, and traditions of agriculture.

Agriculture is all around us. We see fields stretching toward the horizon, cattle grazing behind fences, grain trucks traveling down rural roads and equipment moving from one farm to the next.

Yet even in a region deeply rooted in agriculture, many of us do not fully understand what it takes to grow our food, care for livestock, manage the land or keep an agricultural operation running.

That is why the Lost Creek Sentinel is introducing The AgriCULTURE Classroom—a new column designed to help readers learn more about the people, practices, technology and traditions that shape agriculture in our region.

Agriculture is much more than planting crops and raising animals. It is science, business, conservation, technology, economics and risk management. Farmers and ranchers must understand weather patterns, soil health, water availability, animal nutrition, equipment, markets, regulations and countless other factors that can change from one season to the next.

The decisions made on farms and ranches affect all of us. They influence the food on our tables, the strength of our local economy, the condition of our natural resources and the future of our rural communities.

Through this column, we hope to take readers beyond the fence line and provide a closer look at how agriculture really works. Future topics may explore crop production, livestock care, irrigation, soil conservation, agricultural technology, food systems, farm finances, youth agriculture programs and the challenges facing today’s producers.

We will also introduce you to the people behind the work. Local farmers, ranchers, agricultural educators, researchers and industry professionals will share their experiences and knowledge.

Some articles may answer common questions, while others will explain new practices, address misconceptions or provide insight into issues affecting producers throughout northeastern Colorado.

You do not need to work in agriculture to enter The AgriCULTURE Classroom. You simply need to be curious about the land, the people who care for it and the work required to feed and support our communities.

Agriculture has a story worth telling—and there is always something new to learn. We invite you to pull up a chair, ask questions and join us as we grow a better understanding of agriculture together.

So…stand by and stay tuned as our guest writers help us better understand the many faces of AgriCULTURE.

ONLINE OPTICS

Why We Click Before We Think

By Milos Kral PreClear Cybersecurity

A few weeks ago, I asked readers to consider a simple idea: the biggest cyberattacks don’t begin with computers—they begin with trust.

Today, I’d like to explore something even more surprising.

Most scams don’t succeed because criminals are smarter than we are.

They succeed because we’re human.

Think about your average day.

Your phone buzzes with text messages. Emails arrive every few minutes. Someone calls while you’re making dinner. A package is delivered. Your calendar reminds you of tomorrow’s meeting. Life moves quickly.

Our brains are designed to keep up by making thousands of tiny decisions automatically.

When you stop at a green light, you don’t analyze whether it’s safe to proceed—you’ve already learned to trust the traffic system. When your bank sends you an email, you don’t inspect every letter of the sender’s address. When a coworker sends an attachment, you usually don’t wonder if it’s legitimate.

Most of the time, those shortcuts serve us well.

Unfortunately, scammers understand those shortcuts just as well as psychologists do.

They know that if they can make you feel one strong emotion, you’ll be less likely to stop and verify.

Sometimes that emotion is urgency.

“Your account will be closed in one hour.”

Sometimes it’s fear.

“Suspicious activity has been detected.”

Sometimes it’s excitement.

“Congratulations! You’ve won...”

Sometimes it’s compassion.

“Mom, I lost my phone. Can you send money?”

Notice something interesting?

None of those messages begin by attacking your computer.

They begin by influencing your emotions.

That’s because criminals know an important truth: People rarely make poor decisions when they’re calm.

They make poor decisions when they’re rushed.

The good news is that defending yourself doesn’t require a degree in cybersecurity.

It requires one new habit.

Pause.

Just pause.

Before clicking a link.

Before opening an attachment.

Before sending money.

Before scanning a QR code.

Before believing an unexpected message.

That five-second pause gives your logical brain time to catch up with your emotional brain.

It creates space to ask one simple question: “How can I verify this independently?”

Notice I didn’t ask whether it looks legitimate.

Today’s scams often look perfect.

Instead, verify through another source.

Call the company using the number on their website.

Text your family member directly.

Type the website address yourself instead of clicking the link.

Those few extra moments can prevent days—or even months—of frustration.

Technology will continue to change. Artificial intelligence will make scams even more convincing. But one thing won’t change: Good decisions rarely come from acting in haste.

They come from slowing down long enough to think.

This week, I have a small challenge for you.

Choose just one moment when your phone buzzes unexpectedly.

Before you respond, pause for five seconds and ask yourself: “Has this earned my trust?”

You might be surprised how often the answer isn’t as obvious as it first seemed.

NOW HIRING CDL DRIVERS FOR GRAIN HAULING ROGGEN LOCATION: Learn more about this position at: RoggenFarmersElev.com Or apply in person at 36401 Weld County Road 24 1/2 Roggen 80652

Learn more about this position at: RoggenFarmersElev.com Or Call: 303-644-3251

P O T R N C O R F PROFESSIONALS H Building Business Where Life Happens A HOME-BASED BUSINESS POWER PARTNERS ALLIANCE

SIT-TOGETHER presented as part of the

SOUTHEAST WELD COUNTY CHAMBER COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS Are you building a business from home? Join other Front Porch Professionals to connect with home-based business owners, share ideas, and grow with practical conversations that matter.

We’re taking a break in September but will be back in October!

We’ll begin our sit-together’s with information delivered by

Subject Matter Experts!

Join one (or more) of our sessions listed below to learn what you need to know about:

October: CYBERSECURITY. Your Responsibility to Your Customers.

November: SOCIAL MEDIA. its Impact on Your Business. The Good, The Bad & the Ugly.

December: TAXES. Strategies to Consider Before Your Next Filing to Maximize Your Refund.

January: ESTATE PLANNING. What You Need to Have In Place to Lessen the Tax Burden for Your Heirs.

February: LEGAL. The Importance of Establishing a Relationship Sooner, Rather Than Later.

March: INSURANCE. You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know! What Crucial Levels of Coverage are Needed? who want to share We are looking for LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS their knowledge & expertise and increase their business exposure to attract new clients/customers.

Preference given to members of the Southeast Weld County Chamber but all are encouraged to reach out using the contact info at the bottom of the page!

TOGETHER, we’re stronger. TOGETHER, we’ll make it! twhitaker@SEWCchamber.com || 970-589-9018

Connect at or apply to join at southeastweldchamber.org

SERVICE DIRECTORY & CLASSIFIEDS

Chelsea Brodal Loan Officer NMLS# 566203 Schedule a free 15 minute consult with me at www.chelseabrodal.com

Office: 303-519-2351 Cell: 303.519.2351

Bob Warner

Your Complete Electrical Company Industrial Commercial Residential Farm

wrancher@comcast.net

303-659-4409

Designated a Centennial Farm/Ranch in 2020

60 South Main Street Keenesburg, CO 80643 303.732.4243

Curious about the Catholic Church?

Interested in becoming Catholic?

Catholic and want to learn more?

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults begins Tuesday, September 22nd @ 7:00 PM Sacred Heart Church, 38044 County Road 16, Roggen Contact the office at 303-849-5313 or by email at info@sacredheartroggen.com for more info.

Desktop or Laptop Computer Service & Repair 519 Front Street, Roggen

Tailored insurance, trusted advice, real peace of mind.

HOME | AUTO | BUSINESS | FARM | LIFE | TOYS | WORKERS COMP

Your broker, your shield — call us today!

Julie Lewis

info@integrityinsagency.com

IntegrityInsAgency.com

303-849-5260

303-732-4608 JOB BOARD

Sales Associate, Lost Creek Sentinel The Lost Creek Sentinel is looking for a motivated, community-minded Sales Associate to help local businesses grow through print and digital advertising. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys meeting people, building relationships, and supporting small businesses throughout our region.

What You’ll Do Connect with local businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to share advertising opportunities in the Lost Creek Sentinel. You’ll help customers choose ad options that fit their goals, maintain strong relationships, and assist with growing the paper’s advertising partnerships. You’ll receive 10% commission for every new ad you sell!

Ideal Candidate Friendly, dependable, self-motivated, and comfortable talking with business owners. Sales or customer service experience is helpful, but strong communication skills and a positive attitude are equally, if not more, important.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is willing to make personal contact — not just work from behind a keyboard or cell phone. Business in these communities is still sealed with a handshake!

Why Join Us? Be part of a growing local publication that highlights the people, businesses, events, and stories that make our communities special. Flexible schedule. Community-focused work. Growth opportunity.

Apply Today Contact Tammy Whitaker 970-589-9018 editor@lostcreeksentinel.com Lost Creek Sentinel Local stories. Local businesses. Local impact. Because local(s) matter most!

SERVICE DIRECTORY & CLASSIFIEDS

Puzzles Edited by Will Shortz

1

JOB BOARD

2

3

18

4 19

By Jill Singer

ACROSS

ASK FOR US AT ONE OF THESE LOCAL LOCATIONS:

HUDSON

HUDSON Pepper Pod Pepper Pod Hudson Meat Locker Ben’s Shell Gas Brick StationOven (7th &Pizza Cedar) End of the Trail Bar (after 4pm) Tractor Supply Studio 52 52 Beauty Studio BeautyBar Bar Hudson Public Library Hudson Public Library Pilot Travel Center Pilot Travel Center KEENESBURG KEENESBURG The 1919 Cafe Keene Market The 1919 Café High Plains Bank Keene Market Market Street Mart HighTBK Plains Bank Bank Market StreetStore Mart Family Dollar TownTBK of Keenesburg Bank Pastimes Collective (open Wed-Sat) WIGGINS WIGGINS Mariana’s Mexican Mariana’s Restaurant Country Hardware Country Hardware High Bank HighPlains Plains Bank Stub’s Gas Stub’s Gas&&Oil Oil Stub’s Liquor (next to Stub’s Gas) Wiggins Supers

1 “Awesome!”

4 Many profs 8 What a crush might make

37

38

you do 13 Predator with dermal denticles 18 Silent film actor Jannings 20 Reclined 21 More intense, as an emotion 22 Early stage of a drug trial 23 Peace symbol 24 Adage promoting thrift 27 Itty-bitty 29 Return filers, for short 30 Barely keeps going, with “along” 31 Fish with leaf-shaped larvae 32 Image on one side of this puzzle’s subject 35 Start of a historic triple boast 37 Seminole’s rival, in college athletics 38 Liturgical singer 39 Quick cut 40 Subtitle alternative 43 Yogurt drink in Delhi 45 Monklike, in a way 48 Angle variable in geometry 50 Where this puzzle’s subject was last made for circulation (in November 2025) 53 Periodical, informally 55 Genre for Siouxsie and the Banshees 56 Duck known for its insulating feathers 57 Make smelly 59 One of 12, astrologically 61 “Balderdash!”

62 “It’s Your Business” sloganeer, for short 63 “Omigosh!”

64 Drug enforcer, informally 66 “When We Were Young” singer, 2015 68 Its capital is Roma

DOWN 1 Discount merchandise

indicator

35

46

60 66

74

88

89

110 115 121

97

68

112

116

117

85 93 99

108

109

87

100 106

107

114 119

120 124

126

127

128

130

131

132

using pseudopodia 3 Change the course of 4 ____ del Carmen (Mexican resort) 5 Two farthings, informally 6 Deny responsibility for 7 Like certain easy-to-install hardware components 8 Much of Diego Rivera’s work 9 Young Scot 10 “You can count on me” 11 It can become amber 12 Streetcar 13 Doo-wop’s ____ Na Na 14 Protected space for women in the Ottoman Empire 15 If necessary 16 Scottish dance 17 Offspring 19 “Enemies, a Love Story” actress 22 “GoodFellas” Oscar winner 25 Perspective 26 Demonstrate frugality, in a way 28 Got tinier 33 Hosts, in brief 34 Tolkien monster 36 Exams for ambtious H.S. students 39 Date night bookings 41 Indigenous people of the Colorado Plateau

86

105

123

2 Organism that moves

71

94

113

118

122

70

80

84

98

104

111

69

62

92

103

42

76

83

96 102

41

49

79

82

95

40

56

67

91

101

48

75

90

17

36

47

61

78 81

16

31

55

59

15

26

54

65

77

14

22

45

64 73

13

39

58

72

12

34

53

63

11

30

44

52

57

10

25

33

51

9

29

32

50

8 21

28

72 Nursery rhyme street

vendor’s cry 77 A failed transaction 78 Good, but not great, grade 79 Tennis great Arthur 80 ____ King Cole 81 Fall asleep, with “off” 82 Word with constrictor or feather 83 Goddess of the dawn 85 Car-pooling convenience 88 Taco bar adjective 91 ____ Féin 92 ____ room 94 Showing less bias 95 Musical staff symbol 96 Aggressive move allowed in some forms of kickboxing 99 “Sounds like a blast!”

101 Mini-gulp 102 Some Ivy Leaguers 104 Meeting that goes above and beyond?

106 Intimate 110 Bitter 112 Image on one side of this puzzle’s subject 115 Badge-pinning site 117 Tree where the Buddha found enlightenment 119 Spanish for “wealthy” 120 Get in the game?

121 Offer advice ... or a hint to 24- and 72-Across 125 D’Arcy of “House of the Dragon” 126 Paradise 127 Pucker producer, perhaps 128 Modernists, informally 129 Department store department 130 Vikings, for example 131 Long members of the onion family 132 Nervous 133 Slam

7

24

27

43

Jill Singer is a filmmaker in Lexington, Mass., working on media for history museums. She and her colleagues recently comopleted a series of short films and exhibits for the new Museum of Utah.

This is Jill’s third crossword for The Times. “Like most people, I haven’t used this puzzle’s subject in years,” she says, “But as someone interested in both history and language, this seemed like a fitting way to say goodbye.” — W.S.

6

20

23

SMALL CHANGE

5

Aug. 23, 2026

129 133

42 Setting for many a New

Yorker cartoon 44 Having impeded growth 46 Bird with an S-shaped neck 47 Place for pliers 49 Muslim head scarf 50 Target with, as a pickup line 51 Scribe in a courtroom, in brief 52 Prepares for an interview, say 54 Notorious Chicago bootlegger 58 What a dog uses to shake 60 Island location of Iolani Palace 62 Say something fresh 65 Tom who wrote “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” 67 Information in a prescription 69 Out of this world?

70 Silly 71 Fall bloomer 73 “Hoarders” network 74 Shoe originally known as a “Weejun” 75 Street in Liverpool that has been immortalized in song 76 “Wow!”

125

84 Like many farm stand

purchases

86 “Dodgeball” star Vince 87 Specific charge on an

invoice

88 Cooling units, in brief 89 Poli-____ 90 Pork-based taco option 91 Snowmobile brand 93 Made cozy 97 Suffix in British English 98 Makeup of a nervous

system, largely

100 Layer of a farm 103 Locale for camel racing 105 Christians’ ____ Creed 107 Overflowed (with) 108 Reunion attendees 109 Cause for a QB’s

celebration

111 Fries in England 112 Deuce topper 113 “I’ll take another card” 114 Cheeky 115 Like cotton candy 116 Lead-in to pilot or pay 118 Grayish, say 122 Emphatic refusal in

Germany

123 Stir-fry staple 124 Dress (up)

Play all of our games plus over 10,000 past puzzles for Wordle, Spelling Bee, The Crossword and more online at http://nytimes.com/ games. For puzzle talk, visit http://nytimes.com/wordplay.

For the answer key to the Crossword visit: LostCreekSentinel.com

Wiggins Supers

orOr read version readour ourdigital digital edition online at online at: LostCreekSentinel.com lostcreeksentinel.com

JOB BOARD

Ag/Animal Job Opportunity - Operator Seeking Full Time Farm/Ranch, irrigated farming, cow/calf, and small private natural beef feedlot Operator.

Must be a self-starter, experience in pivot irrigation with cattle feeding & calving.

Benefits, housing, and utilities available.

Bob Warner

wrancher@comcast.net

Send Resume and references to: Rancher PO Box 247 Brighton, CO 80601 Or email to: WRancher@comcast.net

WE ARE SOLD OUT!