Pivotal performances prevalent for Aurora preps in softball, cross country and girls flag football
Aurora worries as Trump crosses a line with racist rant about Somali immigrants
Last week, the nation blew past pedantic concerns about the dog-whistle racism of President Donald Trump and his obsequious toadies.
Blaring into the public sphere like an air-horn in the back seat of the car, the president had a major trumper-tantrum Dec. 2 and repeatedly called Somali refugees, immigrants and Americans “garbage,” and threatened to deport them.
“We don’t want ‘em in our country,” Trump spewed and spittled no less than five times in about a minute at the finish of a Cabinet meeting where for two hours he publicly dozed and drifted.
As shocking and appalling as Trump’s naked display of racism was, equally alarming and repugnant is what happened when Trump finally quit stammering.
Trump said that Somalis “contribute nothing.” Rather than duck and run for the door, Trump’s servile cabinet applauded the president’s racist spasm.
Oh yes they did.
Vice President JD Vance pumped his fist in the air, the Associated Press reported. War Secretary Pete Hegseth turned to Trump with a, “Well said.” When pressed about what in any other time would have been an immediate political career-ending gaffe, Trump’s minions not only didn’t back off the racist rant, they lauded him for it.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later said Trump’s tirade was “amazing” and “epic moment,” Reuters reported.
It immediately begged the question: What is the nation going to do about it?
Trump referred to the more than a quarter-million people of Somali descent that call the United States home, some for years and even generations. Several thousand of those people live in or near Aurora and have for many years, some even decades.
Dr. P.J. Parmar knows the local Somali community well.
Parmar created and runs Mango House in Aurora. The center not only houses his Ardas Family Medicine clinic, providing medical and dental care for all kinds of immigrants and people in the community just trying to get by, but the United Nations like center bustles with shops, restaurants and even a Boy Scout program just for immigrants and children of immigrants.
Parmar said Trump’s fulmination on Tuesday was wrong and dangerous on several levels.
He said it was meant to appeal to people who want to “other someone else” as a way to justify their xenophobia or racism.
The pitch creates a “we” versus “them,” making it easy to justify abusing them. Human history is rife with how deadly dangerous that is.
Besides the sheer cruelty of attacking an entire community of people, and especially a community made up of a race, a religion and a nation, Trump completely mischaracterized the group.
While it’s never accurate to create stereotypes of communities, Parmar said that of the hundreds of Somalis he’s treated and befriended, a common thread among them is their seemingly endless drive to work.
He said many of the men he knows live frugally and work constantly so they can send whatever money they can back to families still in Somalia or harboring in Nairobi.
Parmar said almost every aspect of Denver’s airport is linked to the Somali and Nairobi communities right now. They drive ride-shares, work all over the airport, pilot all kinds of shuttles, clean and operate DIA and endless surrounding businesses.
He and others in Aurora also are perplexed about Trump targeting Somali immigrants, since many if not most are relatively conservative. Most
are deeply religious, spending time away from work in prayers. Like Aurora’s Ethiopian community, many gravitate to conservative causes and politics, Parmar and others agreed.
Aurora Democratic state Rep. Naquetta Ricks sided with Parmar that Trump’s read of Somali Americans and immigrants was way off base.
But she said the racist eruption on Tuesday poses a real and dangerous threat to all Black immigrants, and especially those from Somalia and the Horn of East Africa.
“I’m very, very appalled and just saddened at what I’m seeing,” Ricks said. “The negative rhetoric coming from the very top is putting people in danger and making immigrants to be villains for no reason,”
It’s become standard operating procedure for Trump.
Asian American Pacific Islanders and their supporters in Aurora had to push back against the wave of anti-immigrant loathing caused by Trump’s labeling COVID-19 as the “China Flu” in 2020. Asian Americans who’ve been here for generations were confronted in Aurora grocery stores by strangers telling them to “go home,” the Sentinel reported then.
Venezuelan and other Central and South American immigrants and refugees were equally frightened last year after Trump told the world that Aurora had been taken over and destroyed by hordes of Venezuelan gangs.
Ricks said the pattern is unmistakable and was clear early on in Trump’s first presidency, when he referred to Africa as a continent rife with “shithole nations,” and promoted dangerous lies just last year about Haitian immigrants in Ohio eating the cats and dogs of white people.
“It’s all about painting this negative narrative of immigrants,” Ricks said. “You never hear him disparage any European groups. Why is it only the Black and brown immigrants? It’s a serious problem, and it just keeps coming.”
Ricks also said Trump creates real danger for local Somali and other northeast Africa immigrants. She said she sees speaking out and educating the community about reality as critical right now.
Ricks heads the Colorado African Chamber of Commerce and plans to meet regularly on how to push back against Trump’s vile and danger-
ous rhetoric.
“One of my close associates, Abdul Rashid, is a Somali National, and he is so much about the community and public health,” Ricks said. “He helped with trying to get the vaccine clinics established during COVID, and endless ways to try and make sure that the community was safe.”
She works with a variety of Somali groups, and the Somali women she works with are charged about public education and that all children in Aurora are cared for.
“So I don’t understand why he’s calling people ‘garbage,’” she said. “It’s obviously bigoted, and he seems to be obsessed.”
Like Parmar, she said she is surprised Trump and his Republican cabinet doesn’t see Somalians as model immigrants.
“They are entrepreneurs. They open restaurants. They have grocery stores and run small businesses. They work several jobs, often in transportation or even health and social services,” she said.”They’re big contributors, not only to the economy, but, you know, positive role models for what should be going on in our community.”
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said in a statement that the city will stand behind its Somali community, despite the push by Trump and his cabinet to “get rid of them.”
“Aurora’s many immigrant communities, including those from Somalia, are an indispensable part of the rich cultural fabric that makes up our diverse city and I am proud to serve as their mayor,” Coffman said.
Trump has continued to double down on his racist rant, saying he doesn’t care that after his dangerous slander, “I hear somebody say, ‘Oh, that’s not politically correct,’” He finished with where he stands. “I don’t care. I don’t want them.”
There’s no longer any question about Trump coyly trotting out old Ku Klux Klan narratives and nearly verbatim phraseology and propaganda rhetoric that led to the Holocaust.
The question now is what are all of the rest of us, and especially the so-called MAGA community, going to do about it?
History is watching, and it’s nervous.
Follow @EditorDavePerry on BlueSky, Threads, Mastodon, Twitter and Facebook or reach him at 303-750-7555 or dperry@SentinelColorado.com
DAVE PERRY Editor
Vice President JD Vance pumps his fist as President Donald Trump stands up following a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington. With the President are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seated left, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, seated right. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Aurora unveils new MLK JR library with youth hub, tech and creative resources
“WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE THIS A PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE ACCESS TO THESE MACHINES.”
BY CASSANDRA BALLARD, Sentinel Staff Writer
The Martin Luther King Jr. Library expanded its available space, and the community can now expand its imagination and creativity.
On Dec. 8, library staff and city officials unveiled a modern, welcoming, youth-focused hub where technology hums, creativity buzzes, and the sewing machines are already threaded and ready.
“It’s a great third place to have a chance to do those kinds of activities,” said Ginger White Brunetti, director of Library and Cultural Services.
City officials and Aurora Democratic Congressperson Jason Crow celebrated the $2.5 million expansion, that doubled the library’s space, funded by a federal grant procured by Crow.
While the building gleams with new collaborative rooms, a computer lab, and twice the breathing room, the crown jewel of the remodelling and expansion is unquestionably the Makerspace. It’s a room filled with a 3D printer, a laser cutter, sewing machines, wood-burning tools, software like SolidWorks, and, soon, certified training programs.
“I have a 15-year-old son who is
obsessed with 3D printing,” Brunetti said. “It caters to youth and gives them skills they might not get in their regular curriculum.”
Staff said they will also provide a library of 3D design software for people to use. Makerspace librarian Megan Courter said she is already seeing the impact the space can bring to different people.
“We recently had a homeschooling family come in so their child could use our printer for a 3D project,” Courter said. “We had a homeless patron who got some brand-new pants and hemmed them to the right length on our sewing machines. We really want to make this a place for the community to have access to these machines.”
Sewing machines and 3D printers are not cheap, she said, so this way everyone can have access to them. For 3D printing, Courter said, the library charges about five cents per gram of filament.
“One of the big one-kilogram spools is about $20, and we charge at cost after the first dollar in a month,” Courter said. “But if you just want to print something small and you don’t have the dollar. Just come print. We’ve got you.”
Beyond the gadgets, staff are planning programs such as acrylic painting, wood burning, candle and soap making, and even a potential Hot Wheels engineering program, with 3D-printed supports to keep famously wobbly plastic tracks from bouncing off course, Courter said.
The library staff didn’t want to fill the room right away because they wanted community input for what to add next, Courter said.
“We want to be able to expand in a patron-led direction,” Courter said. “Who knows, five or ten years from now, maybe we’ll have an embroidery machine or sublimation printer. We’re really waiting to see what our patrons are interested in.”
The Makerspace is open to anyone 8 years old and older, as long as they have an adult, and staff is willing to help problem-solve if an adult isn’t available, Courter said. There will always be a staff member in the room to assist and enforce safety standards. Eventually, they hope to offer certifications so experienced users can work more independently.
Upstairs may have the high-tech toys, but downstairs is where the smallest patrons rule.
New carpet, fresh paint, updat-
ed fixtures, and reconfigured shelving helped transform what staff described as a basic children’s area into a full-fledged play space for children.
“We’ve increased our space downstairs and transformed it from mostly a library with a few toys to a full-fledged play space,” Myra Alvey, library branch supervisor, said. “We know that kids learn better through play than any other factor at the ages of zero to three, which are crucial, and so we’re extraordinarily excited to bring that downstairs every hour we’re open.”
The children’s area now includes low shelves kids can browse on their own, toddler-friendly computers and tablets and added play space, meant to be irresistible for young families, especially during the long summer months, Alvey said.
“In that hard time of summer for parents, especially working parents, they can bring their kids here,” Tyler Walton, staff training and volunteer coordinator, said. “This is all open, of course, free to play around. Everything’s down at their level, so kids can actually see it and choose what they want.”
One of the design choices is as simple as it is intentional; no wall or
gate separates the hallway from the play zone.
“There’s no physical boundary from the hallway to the play space by design,” Alvey said.
That early response is significant in a neighborhood that has seen more than its share of skepticism, Alvey said.
“There’s a lot of pessimism in the neighborhood, and I understand it,” Alvey said. “But it is possible to see transformation, and it is starting down here and upstairs. We’re expecting, within a year to three years, to see a completely different library.”
Alvey said the library wants to encourage kids to be kids and parents to relax while they are there. The librarians are happy to keep the younger kids engaged with playtime or reading while parents get some work done, and they even encourage children not to clean up after themselves, leaving the room open for playtime at all times.
“If we want kids to play, we have to be begging for a mess,” Alvey said. “We want families to know there is one place they can go where
Aurora Democratic Congressperson Jason Crow looks at a 3-D printer and other technology now available at the MLK Jr. Library in Aurora Dec. 8, 2025. PHOTO VIA CITY OF AURORA
AROUND AURORA
Contentious ‘head tax’ repeal in Aurora now irreversible, city officials say
Ending Aurora’s occupational privilege tax, or so-called “head tax,” was made final in 2025, and the new progressive city council cannot repeal it now, according to city legal officials.
Last year, one of the most contentious issues among Aurora City Council members was former Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky’s proposal to eliminate the citywide “head tax.”
The tax required employees and their employers to each pay $2 per month per employee. The tax was initially intended more than 20 years ago to help fund city services for workers who might not contribute through other taxes. It was estimated to generate $5.9 million annually in 2025.
This tax was something Jurinsky was passionate about repealing as a local business owner, but it caused a disagreement among her and other council members when Aurora Fire and Rescue staff reported to city council that they needed two new fire stations in East Aurora.
Councilmember Françoise Bergan last year suggested backing away from the repeal to help fund the needed fire stations. Much of the city council showed interest in upending Jurinsky’s repeal proposal, until she became outraged at the plan. Former Councilmember Dustin Zvonek even suggested a hold on the repeal until June 2025, rather than Jan. 1, 2025, as initially planned.
The drama went public when the Sentinel published profane texts among Republican city lawmakers after Jurinsky learned about a plan to stall the head-tax cessation.
She ultimately persuaded the majority of council to enact the repeal and end the city’s head tax, just as the city council learned the city’s budget would have a large deficit in 2026.
The budget shortfall has been a continued issue that the newly elected, more progressive council members voiced concern about, and Councilmembers Alison Coombs and Amy Wiles had previously mentioned interest in reversing the repeal.
City Attorney Pete Schulte told the Sentinel that “repealing the tax repeal” is no longer possible, because it was already implemented Jan. 1, 2025. Since the repeal has already gone into effect and the “head tax” was created before the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, known as TABOR, reinstating it would now have to go to voters for approval.
Schulte said that, at the time, all city council members were informed of the different ways to end the head tax, including just a pause, and Jurinsky was adamant about choosing the most permanent option.
— Cassandra Ballard, Sentinel Staff Writer
1,200 bikers go ‘hog’ wild with toy drive for Children’s Hospital
Colorado
Metro bikers went HOG wild Dec. 6 to get a mountain of toys to kids being treated at Children’s Hospital Colorado this holiday season.
Bikers arrived in mass on Sunday to deliver fun for the 40th annual Children’s Hospital Colorado Toy Run.
About 1,200 bikers made the run this year, donating just about every kind of toy conceivable to make good
on the wishes of any kid, hoping to raise spirits during the holiday season, according to Children’s Hospital Colorado officials.
Joined by Aurora firefighters and police, the event has grown into an iconic Colorado project, bringing together thousands of volunteers focusing on helping children in treatment.
“The generous toy donations help support patients at all Children’s Colorado locations throughout the year,” Children’s Hospital Colorado spokesperson Blayke Roznowski said in a statement.
— Sentinel Staff
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Metro Aurora families can apply for free preschool starting Dec. 9
Aurora families can start applying for the state’s free preschool program for the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday at noon.
The $349 million program, which launched in the fall of 2023, is open to all 4-year-olds. Nearly 43,000 4-yearolds are currently enrolled in the program. About 3,900 3-year-olds with disabilities are also enrolled.
State officials say it will take most families about five minutes to fill out the universal preschool application. Like last year, there’s a phone helpline that offers interpretation in over 100 languages.
Here’s what families need to know about the preschool program and the online application.
>>>>BBBB>>>>Who gets free preschool? How much do they get?
Two groups of children qualify: all 4-year-olds and some 3-year-olds who need extra help.
The preschool program is primarily designed for children in the year before they go to kindergarten. For the upcoming 2026-27 school year, that means children who turn 4 before Oct. 1, 2026.
Most 4-year-olds will get 15 hours of preschool a week, though some preschool providers offer only 10 hours a week.
Some 4-year-olds will qualify for 30 hours of tuition-free preschool a week. This includes children from families with incomes at or below 100% of the 2025 federal poverty level — up to $32,150 for a family of four.
Four-year-olds with two or more of the following risk factors will also qualify for 30 hours a week:
Their family income is between 100% and 265% of the federal poverty level — $32,150 to $85,198 for a family of four.
They speak a language other than English at home.
They have a special education plan, also known as an IEP.
They are homeless.
They are in foster care.
Qualifying for 30 hours of free preschool through the state isn’t a guarantee that a child will get it. Not every preschool offers a 30-hour a week schedule — or has open seats available even if it does.
Compared to 4-year-olds, only a small number of 3-year-olds — children two years away from kindergarten — qualify for tuition-free preschool. Only 3-year-olds who have special education plans are guaranteed free preschool.
someone is going to clean up after them, and be just as enthusiastic to see them and their little ones every time they come in. That’s the price of play.”
Staff are leaning into informal, pop-up programming to keep kids engaged.
“You’ll notice there are coloring sheets, and the tables often have butcher paper on them now, so they can be used as writing stations,” Alvey said. “If we see three to five kids starting to get bored of the toys, we’ll pop over with a couple of storybooks and read with them, or bring over some different toys and play. It gives
them a little more novelty and guided interaction.”
The downstairs revamp was mainly driven by frontline staff, not architects, officials said.
“The remodel, fundamentally, was focused upstairs, but that was really beneficial, because it allowed the staff to do the blueprint for downstairs,” Alvey said. “We were able to expand play in a way that I don’t know would have been the first choice from an architectural standpoint, but from a community standpoint, it’s amazing.”
Already, staff say they see children making friends, and parents following suit.
“We’re regularly seeing families come together, kids meeting each other, parents exchanging information,” Alvey said.
Before the renovation, Alvey said the building simply didn’t match the demand.
“Before this, it looked very similar, but there were only a few computer stations,” Alvey said. “There just wasn’t enough space to reflect the community’s need.”
Now, there’s an entire computer lab downstairs and more public computers upstairs, plus free WiFi throughout the building.
“Almost every day after school, we will have that computer lab full,” Alvey said. “It’s funny, when we only had two (computer labs), they’d often be empty because people assumed they’d be full. Now that they know we have them, they’re full every day. It’s so great to see the space actually used.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY
Veggie Gardening Basics
Learn how to grow your own vegetables at a free class Dec. 18, 4–5 p.m. at the Aurora Central Library. Discover tips for soil preparation, fertilizing, planting, frost and hail protection, and proper watering.
Register now at https://bit.ly/CSUVeggieBasics
Join Arapahoe County Veteran Services in honoring service and community through coffee and conversation among fellow veterans.
Dec. 12 from 8–9 a.m.
DIRT Coffee Patio: 2506 W. Alamo Ave., in Littleton
All veterans are welcome. Events are held the first and third Friday of the month, from 8–9 a.m.
Coffee provided by Littleton Elks Lodge.
What about 5-year-olds who aren’t in kindergarten yet?
A small number of 5-year-olds are eligible for free preschool in the year before they attend kindergarten. This group can include children who move between districts or who live in districts with kindergarten cut-off dates earlier than the state’s Oct. 1 cut-off and whose birthdays fall between the two dates.
Five-year-olds who could go to kindergarten but have been held out by their families — a practice often called redshirting — aren’t eligible for free preschool in that year.
When can I fill out the universal preschool application?
This year’s application opens on Dec. 9 at noon.
Some families of children who will be 4 by Oct. 1 will get to preregister, specifically those who want to send their child to the preschool where the child is currently enrolled, where a sibling is enrolled, or where the parent is employed. These families should fill out the state preschool application, list their current provider as their first choice, and submit. They’ll receive notification about their preschool match on Feb. 2 and must accept the match by Feb. 11.
Families not eligible to preregister can still fill out the universal preschool application starting Dec. 9. Those who submit by Feb. 2 will fall into the state’s first round of matching. They’ll find out which program they matched with on
Feb. 25 and must accept or decline the match by March 5.
Families that submit their choices between Feb. 3 and March 15 will fall into the state’s second round of matching. They’ll find out their match on March 24 and must accept or decline the match by March 31.
What if I apply after the first two matching windows?
Families of children who will be 4 by Oct. 1 can still apply for free preschool after the first two rounds of matching are complete through what’s called “direct enrollment.” This process starts on April 1 and will continue through the end of the 2026-27 school year for children attending preschool that year.
Contact the preschool you’re interested in to see if they have space. If they do, they’ll assist you with the enrollment process, including filling out the state universal preschool application.
If you don’t have a preschool in mind, you can browse an online list of universal preschool providers on the state’s application website.
What do I need to fill out the state preschool application?
You’ll need to provide an email address or phone number to create an account and start your online preschool application. Families who believe their children may qualify for 30 hours also need to know the amount of their gross monthly or gross annual income. The application is available in English and 10 other languages, including Spanish, French, Arabic, and Hindi.
I have a child who will be 3 by Oct. 1, 2026. Should I complete the application?
If your child has an Individualized Education Program or IEP, yes. Otherwise, parents of 3-year-olds should contact their local school district to find out if they qualify for tuition-free preschool.
My child has a disability. Should I complete the application?
Yes. Families with a child who will be 3 or 4 next school year and has a special education plan — also known as an Individualized Education Program, or IEP — should fill out the state preschool application. Be sure to check “yes” in response to the question about whether the child has an active Individualized Education Program. The local school district will contact families about the enrollment and placement process. Most preschoolers with IEPs will be placed in classrooms run by their school districts.
Parents who are worried their preschooler may be delayed in speech, learning, or development, but don’t have a diagnosis or IEP, should contact Child Find, a state program that screens children suspected of having a disability. Check this list for Child Find coordinators by region.
Can I pick my 4-year-old’s preschool?
Yes. More than 2,000 preschools across Colorado are part of the universal program. Families who don’t qualify for preregistration or want a program other than the one their child currently attends will be asked on the state ap-
plication to pick up to five preschools. They can rank their choices. Options include school-based preschools, faithbased preschools, preschool programs inside child care centers, and state-licensed home-based programs.
This year, more than 75% of families were matched with their first choice preschool.
There are some cases where preschool providers can turn down a universal preschool applicant. For example, a school-based preschool might turn away a child who lives outside district boundaries.
Can I pick my 3-year-old’s preschool?
Possibly, but you won’t have as many choices as 4-year-olds do. It all depends on your school district since districts are in charge of placing 3-year-old preschoolers. Some districts primarily serve 3-year-olds in district-run classrooms while others work with community child care programs to serve 3-year-olds.
Do I have to fill out my district’s school choice form too?
Families who want to send their child to a preschool run by their school district may have to fill out two applications: the district school choice form and the state universal preschool application. If you’re not sure if your district has a school choice form or if you are required to fill it out, contact your district.
What if I need more hours than what my preschooler is eligible for?
You can still pay for extra hours
above and beyond what the state covers for free, as long as the preschool offers more hours. You can also see if you qualify for financial help through other means, such as the state’s child care subsidy program or a local tuition assistance program like the Denver Preschool Program. Here’s a rundown of the options.
I have more questions. What should I do?
Contact the local group that’s coordinating the universal preschool program in your county or region. Here’s a county-by-county list of all the groups — the state calls them Local Coordinating Organizations or LCOs — with email addresses.
You can also contact the state’s help desk from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. The number is 303-866-5223 and interpretation is available in over 100 languages. Families can also email the help desk at universalpreschool@state.co.us or submit an online form at help.upk.colorado. gov.
— Ann Schimke, Colorado Chalkbeat
Polis decision to join federal tax-credit private school program sparks debate
Gov. Jared Polis plans to opt Colorado into a federal tax-credit scholarship program, opening the door to private school choice in a Democratic state where lawmakers and voters have rejected previous proposals.
Conservatives, children’s advo-
cates, and supporters of school choice praised the decision for its possibility to raise money for all students’ education. Meanwhile, a coalition of public school advocates sent a letter to Polis this week asking him to reconsider.
The voucher-like program, part of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful” budget bill, has the potential to generate billions of dollars for private school tuition and other educational expenses, such as tutoring, but governors have to decide whether to participate.
Polis appears to be the second Democratic governor to announce his intention to join. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein did so in August under pressure from state Republican lawmakers who have dramatically expanded the state’s voucher system. Polis also is the second governor to opt in from a state where voters rejected a school choice measure at the ballot. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, a Republican, signed an order in September declaring that his state would participate, setting the stage for Nebraska’s first private school choice program after voters there overturned voucher legislation in 2024.
School choice supporters had hoped the federal program would expand educational opportunities in states where politics made it difficult or impossible to pass voucher legislation. Polis, meanwhile, said he saw other potential benefits.
Polis spokesperson Shelby Wieman said in a statement Friday that the governor would not have voted for the budget bill, but he is not interested in leaving hundreds of millions in federal money on the table that could provide additional funding for after-school programming, summer school, scholar-
ships, and academic tutoring.
“This tax credit creates an immense opportunity for Coloradans to support students in our state, but only if we opt in,” she said. “He welcomes the opportunity to work with school districts and other education stakeholders to help ensure this credit can benefit the greatest number of students across our state with evidence-based programs that supplement school days. He encourages the administration to ensure these tax credits lead to improved student outcomes.”
The tax-credit program allows taxpayers to reduce their tax liability if they donate to eligible scholarship-granting organizations, which then pay for students’ educational expenses.
The law allows donations to benefit public and private school students alike, but how feasible it might be to harness donations for public school students will depend in part on rules that the Treasury Department has yet to issue.
The Colorado Sun first reported that Polis plans to opt Colorado into the program. He expressed openness to the idea last summer and supported a version of a voucher plan earlier in his career. Polis said in a statement Friday that he doesn’t believe vouchers are a good use of public funds and that this tax credit is not a voucher.
States officially opt in by presenting a list of eligible scholarship-granting organizations to the Treasury Department, a step that must wait until rules are finalized next year.
Polis’ decision doesn’t necessarily mean Colorado will participate in the tax-credit program over the long term. Polis is term-limited, and the winner
of the governor’s race next year could make a different decision.
Supporters of Polis’ decision agreed that the tax credits present an opportunity for the state to raise millions for students, including to support them in out-of-school opportunities and to pay for transportation and school supplies. Advocates say the tax-credit scholarship program helps students in underperforming schools attend other school options.
Tony Lewis, executive director of the Donnell-Kay Foundation, which works on education policy, said he hopes the tax credit rules allow scholarship-granting organizations the ability to pay for a wide range of activities, such as sports, after-school programs, theater classes, and summer camps. (The Donnell-Kay Foundation also provides funding to Chalkbeat. Read more about our supporters and our ethics policy here.)
“If we pass up this opportunity to opt in now, we close any possibility of doing good work for public school kids,” he said. “Why not keep your options open?”
The Colorado Children’s Campaign, an advocacy organization, also expressed optimism about the potential to benefit public school students.
And Ready Colorado Executive Director Brenda Dickhoner said the decision means more opportunities for kids, especially those wanting to participate in enrichment programs. The conservative organization focuses on school choice and education reform.
“It’s a way for us to solve this problem of closing this opportunity gap, and making it more equitable for kids to access after school enrichment, whether it’s band or sports or any type of tutoring,” she said in an interview.
The program doesn’t require state investment. Instead, it allows states to decide whether taxpayers can donate funds to scholarship-granting organizations and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. Individual taxpayers can claim a credit of up to $1,700 starting in 2027.
Those organizations would give the money to parents to pay for education expenses, such as a students’ private school tuition, books, transportation, and uniforms. Families earning up to 300% of area median income would qualify. That threshold includes welloff families in expensive urban areas but might exclude middle-class families in some rural communities.
Colorado voters in 2024 rejected Amendment 80, which would have enshrined the right to school choice in the state’s Constitution. In 2021, they rejected a measure that would have used marijuana tax dollars to support after-school programs and tutoring.
Polis reiterated his decision to opt in despite pleas from a coalition led by Great Education Colorado that delivered a letter to Polis on Wednesday saying the state should not participate.
The letter said the state should focus on providing more resources to schools and respect voters’ wishes to keep vouchers out of the state.
The group added that the state can and must do better when it comes to public education. “But publicly funded school vouchers are not the way to achieve this,” the letter says.
The letter says studies have shown vouchers provide mixed results in improving student achievement. It also says the program lacks public accountability and allows discrimination against children with disabilities or who identify as LGBTQ+.
“Unlike the private or religious schools that vouchers support, our public schools are obligated to teach all students, holding fast to the American ideal of public education as a springboard to success and as necessary to a well-functioning democracy,” the letter says.
The list of organizations calling on Polis to reject the plan include the Colorado Education Association, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Colorado PTA, Movimiento Poder, and The Bell Policy Center.
— Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat Colorado
COPS AND COURTS
Pedestrian fatally struck by truck in Aurora crosswalk on Smoky
Hill Road
An unidentified woman crossing an Aurora street in a crosswalk was struck by a car and killed Dec. 7, police said.
The woman was crossing “legally” on Smoky Hill Road at about 1 p.m. when the collision occurred, according to a statement from police spokesperson Gabby Easterwood.
“The investigation found that a truck was making a left-hand turn from South Oak Hill Way onto East Smoky Hill Road when it struck a pedestrian,” Easterwood said. “She was taken to a local hospital, where she later died.”
Police said the driver of the truck remained on the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
The woman’s identity will be released later by coroner officials.
— Sentinel Staff
Invincible ink
IF YOU WANT THAT TATTOO ERASED IT’S GOING TO HURT AND IT’S GOING TO COST YOU
BY COREY WILLIAMS, Associated Press
Colin Farrell’s had it done — many times. So have Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox. Heck, even Bart Simpson did.
Whether it’s Marilyn Monroe’s face, Billy Bob Thornton’s name, a sultry rose or even Bart’s partially inscribed homage to his mother, some tattoos simply have to go for one reason or many others.
But the process of taking them off is longer, much more costly and ouch — extremely more painful than getting them put on, according to professionals in the industry.
Also, due to health reasons, some souls who braved the ink needle, should be wary of the laser when having their body art erased or covered up.
Tattoos have been around for centuries
The oldest known tattoos were found on remains of a Neolithic man who lived in the Italian Alps around 3,000 B.C. Many mummies from ancient Egypt also have tattoos, as do remains from cultures around the world.
Tattoo removal likely is almost as old as the practice of inking and included scraping the skin to get the pigments off or out.
A more “civilized” method evolved in the 1960s when Leon Goldman, a University of Cincinnati dermatologist, used “hot vapor bursts” from a laser on tattoos and the skin that bore them.
Many choose tattoos to honor someone
A 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center determined that 32% of adults in the United
States have tattoos. About 22% have more than one, according to the survey.
Honoring or remembering someone or something accounts for the biggest reason Americans get their first tattoo. About 24% in the survey regret getting them.
Tracy Herrmann, 54, of Plymouth, Michigan, just west of Detroit, has eight tattoos and is in the process of getting four phrases, including “One step at a time,” “Surrender,” and “Through it all,” removed from her feet and arms.
She started inking up about six years ago and says she doesn’t regret getting tattoos.
“Maybe a different choice, maybe,” Herrmann said following her fourth tattoo removal session at Chroma Tattoo Studio & Laser Tattoo Removal in Brighton, Michigan.
“There was a period in my life that I felt I needed some extra reminder,” Hermann said.
“I thought I would just embrace the period in my life, so that helped and then just to surrender and give it over to God. So, half of them were really, really pivotal to getting me over a hump in my life.”
Boredom among reasons to remove tats
Herrmann says the four getting lasered are part of her past and that’s where she wants them to stay.
“Now, I just want to move forward and go back to the original skin I was born with,” she said. “But the other four I’m going to keep. They still mean a lot to me, but they’re more hidden.”
Reasons for getting a tattoo removed are as varied and personal as the reasons for getting them in the first place, says Ryan Wright, a registered nurse and owner of Ink Blasters Precision Laser Tattoo Removal in Livonia, Michigan.
“A lot of people, when they get a new tattoo that makes some of their old tattoos look bad they get (the older tattoos) removed or reworked,” Wright said.
Chroma owner Jaime Howard says boredom plays a role, too.
“They got a tattoo off a whim and they’re like ‘hey, I’m really bored with this. I don’t want this anymore,’” Howard said. “It’s not about hating their tattoo, it’s about change for yourself.”
Like snapping a ‘rubber band’ on your skin
Howard and Wright, like many who perform laser removals, use something called a Q-switching, or quality switching, laser. It concentrates the light energy into intense short bursts or pulses.
“It’s very painful. Nine out of 10,” Wright said. “It kind of feels like a rubber band being snapped on your skin with hot bacon grease.”
Howard has had some of her tattoos removed and admits the procedure is painful.
But “you get through it,” she said. “A couple of days later you’re still feeling the sunburn, but it’s OK. If you want it bad enough, you’ll take it off because that’s what you want.”
Light heat from the laser breaks the ink into particles small enough to be absorbed by the body and later excreted as waste.
It’s not a “one and done.” Wright said. Tattoo removal can take eight to 12 treatments or more. A new tattoo can go over the old one once the skin has had time to sufficiently heal.
Howard consulted with Herrmann as her fourth session at Chroma began. They spoke about the previous session and how far along they were with the ink removal. Both then donned dark sunglasses to protect their eyes from the brightness of the laser. Herrmann winced. Seconds later, it was done. But she still
has more sessions ahead.
“Oh gosh, it’s a 10 when you’re getting it done,” Herrmann said of the pain. “It’s pretty intense. It’s doable. I know price is sometimes an issue, but it’s worth it.”
>>>>Removal can be costly
Howard says the minimum she charges is $100 per session. Wright says that on a typical day he does about a dozen treatments and that cost depends on the square-inch size of the tattoo.
“The cost is really the technology in the laser,” Wright said. “It’s not like a time thing. Most treatments are under a minute. You’re paying for the technology and the person who knows how to use the technology. You can damage the skin if you don’t know what you’re doing.”
Tattoo removal not safe for everyone
Using lasers to remove tattoos comes with some risks. Skin that bore the tattoo can be left lighter than surrounding skin. There also can be temporary scarring, infection, redness or soreness, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Consultations on the procedure’s complications should take place before laser tattoo removal. Wright says his clients have to sign a waiver that they understand possible complications.
People who have diabetes and are not controlling the diabetes should be wary, he said.
“Anybody with autoimmune disease or any immune deficiencies,” Wright said. “We can’t do it if you’re on blood thinners. I go over the side effects with everyone.”
Tracy Herrmann has one of her tattoos removed by Chroma Tattoo Studio Laser Tattoo Removal owner Jaime Howard on Nov. 19, 2025, in West Bloomfield, Mich.
AP Photo/Corey Williams
Winter Feast: DAVA’s annual holiday show and sale
scene & herd
Sing along. Glow along. Catch the most magical time of the year with the Symphony of the Rockies.
Enjoy a “Holly Jolly Family Holiday Discovery Concert” Dec. 14. A joyful, family-friendly sing-along designed to delight kids, parents, and grandparents alike. It’s short, sweet, and full of holiday cheer. Sing along with the orchestra. The event includes giftbags for the kiddos.
On Dec. 20. it’s all about holiday pops. “This is your ultimate holiday pops extravaganza, full orchestra, holiday favorites, sparkling arrangements, and surprises that will leave you glowing all night long. If you see one show this December, make it this one. The event boasts holiday classics and fresh takes.
IF YOU GO: Family sing-along at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Newman Center for the Peforming Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. Tickets are $14-$34. Holiday Pops at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 also at the Newman Center. Tickets are $14-$59. Get tickets and details at, www.symphonyrockies.org
’Magical Winter Nights’ at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is launching a new holiday tradition with ‘Magical Winter Nights,’ an immersive after-hours experience transforming familiar museum spaces into a world of light, sound and seasonal wonder. Running nightly through Jan. 4, the event invites guests to wander through glowing environments at their own pace, from moonlit savannas to indoor auroras, while enjoying hot cocoa, festive cocktails and plenty of photo-ready moments.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early and wear their favorite holiday socks, which come in handy along the museum’s “Frosted Path,” an indoor “sock skating” lane illuminated by swirling light projections. Additional installations include The Lodge, offering cozy fireside vibes with warm drinks available for purchase; the Evergreen Hideaway, a Colorado-inspired forest filled with postcard-worthy scenes; and the Celestial Canopy, where an indoor Northern Lights display washes the room in shifting color.
Families can also join a penguin-hosted dance party at the Glacier Groove and browse curated gifts at the Village Shop, rounding out an evening designed to spark awe and celebrate the season.
IF YOU GO:Nightly through Jan. 4, at 4 p.m.– 9 p.m. at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Details and staggered time tickets for $14.95-$34.95 at dmns.org
Kick off the giving season at “Winter Feast,” the annual holiday show and sale at Downtown Aurora Visual Arts. The exhibition highlights original artwork by DAVA youth across all programs, including winter-themed paintings, functional ceramic dishes, cast porcelain sculptures, marbled-clay bowls, origami-inspired cards, and recycled-paper creations. High school students’ illustrated recipe book, “The Taste of DAVA,” will also be available.
Guest artists contribute an array of handmade goods, from ceramic and woodblock prints to eco-dyed fiber works, wooden cutting boards, beaded and wooden jewelry, citrus-inspired accessories, miniature displays, mushroom candles and stained-glass ornaments. Additional items support women artists from the Toro Kingdom in Uganda, including baskets, aprons, toys and ornaments.
IF YOU GO: The show runs weekdays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., through Dec. 19 at the DAVA studio, 1405 Florence St. A New Year Art Sale and Closing Reception is slated for Jan. 2, 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Admission is free.
Santa’s Big Red Sack –The Final Season
The long-running Rattlebrain Productions holiday comedy that skewers Christmas traditions with sketch comedy, music, and sharp satire is back for the holidays. This is the final season of the show, bringing back original cast members for a wild, irreverent ride through festive absurdity.
IF YOU GO: Performances Dec. 4 through Dec. 24 at The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora. Tickets: $38.58 for general admission.
Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society –“A Christmas Carol”
A comedic, irreverent take on Dickens’ classic, this production features audience participation, original songs, and the over-the-top charm of Farndale’s guild of eccentric ladies. “The Fox will welcome some of the true “grandes dames” of the Colorado theatre community to the stage for this hilarious, nonstop journey into a holiday show gone utterly and madly wrong.”
IF YOU GO: Evening and matinee performances through Dec. 21 at the Aurora Fox Arts Center. 9900 E Colfax Ave Tickets: $17–$42. Details and reservations at aurorafoxartscenter. org
Mile High Holidays Drone Show
A nightly spectacle of 600 drones choreographed to form holiday-themed animations above the Denver skyline. The show’s scale and creativity make it a magical, communal event.
IF YOU GO: Through Dec. 31, nightly at 7 p.m., best viewed from Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus, Sculpture Park, or other downtown vantage points. Free. Details at visitdenver.com/milehighholidays/ drone-shows/
Meow Wolf Denver –Immersive Art Experience
Explore “Convergence Station,” a multi-level, immersive art installation where rooms, portals, and interactive environments collide. Live performance, visual storytelling, and audio surprises await.
IF YOU GO: Nightly at Meow Wolf, 1338 First St. Tickets $48–$58 at meowwolf.com.
The Pond Ice Rink opening celebration
Bundle up and glide into the winter season as The Pond Ice Rink opens for another year of outdoor skating in Aurora. Families and friends can enjoy public sessions under the lights, complete with music, hot chocolate and cozy fire pits. The seasonal rink has become a favorite local hangout, offering lessons, hockey sessions and themed skate nights throughout the season. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, it’s the perfect place to celebrate winter fun.
IF YOU GO: 6155 S. Main St. $15 admission includes skates and rink time. Details at thepondicerink.com
Aurora Fox Arts Center: A Christmas Carol, maybe not what you think
The Aurora Fox begins its holiday season production with the opening weekend of The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of ‘A Christmas Carol’. This comedy features an amateur group’s hilariously disastrous attempt to stage the Dickens classic.
IF YOU GO: through Dec. 21. Showtimes vary with night and matinee curtains. Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave. Ticket prices $14-$42. Details and tickets at aurorafoxartscenter.org
Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens
The annual holiday tradition begins, transforming the Denver Botanic Gardens into a magical winter wonderland. Visitors can wander a mile-long path through ever-changing, immersive displays of light and color that highlight the garden’s collections.
IF YOU GO: Nov. 21 through Jan. 11. 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Tickets $10-$20. Details at botanicgardens. org
Denver Christkindlmarket
The annual German-inspired Christmas market opens for the holiday season on Nov. 21. Guests can enjoy authentic Glühwein, European coffee and hot chocolate while browsing vendors selling handcrafted ornaments, gifts and traditional European fare.
IF YOU GO: Through Dec. 23. Hours vary. Location Auraria Campus, Tivoli Quad 1000 Larimer Square. Admission is free. Details at christkindlmarketdenver.com
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Right: Sophomore Tiana Rogers, left, scored 15 points and had 11 rebounds to help the Regis Jesuit girls basketball team earn a 43-28 road win at Rangeview Dec. 5. Regis Jesuit is off to a 2-0 start ahead of the Cherry Creek tournament.
Middle: Junior Devyn Davenport and the Rangeview girls basketball team rebounded from a loss to Regis Jesuit to open the season with a victory over Bear Creek Dec. 9..
Below: Junior Sasha Davis (13) and the Overland girls basketball team rallied past host VIsta PEAK Prep for a 51-47 win Dec. 2 in its only game of the early season thus far.
TGIRLS BASKETBALL
he girls basketball season has opened with a flurry around Aurora and has provided promise for the end of the season. Several teams have gotten off to undefeated starts early and will try to sustain them through a more challenging portion of the schedule going into the upcoming winter break.
Sophomore Tiana Rogers had a double-double with 15 points — including a dagger of a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter — and 11 rebounds to follow a 21-point effort in the opener for the Raiders. Sophomore Khloe Miller has also been a force in the paint as Regis Jesuit retools after graduating both of its double-digit scorers from last season’s 18-win team.
Aurora Central followed up a postseason appearance last season with a strong start to the new campaign.
Off the jump
Cherokee Trail suffered some significant losses due to graduation, but an infusion of young talent to some core veterans has helped coach Tammi Traylor-Statewright’s team get off to a fast start. The Cougars sit at 3-0 through games of Dec. 9 after they won the Castle View/ThunderRidge Tip-off Classic tournament with a 59-48 defeat of Green Mountain Dec. 6.
BY COURTNEY OAKES Sports Editor
Senior Aaliyah Broadus signed with Wichita State and has done what Division I-caliber players do, as she’s scored in double figures in all three games and senior Karson Chaney had a 29-point game during the tournament to demonstrate her as a threat.
On top of that, sophomore Milania Gutierrez has averaged 12 points per game in the opening tournament and touted freshman Chloe Cain has gotten off to a strong start with the an average of 13.3 points per contest. The Cougars have tough upcoming tests in the Cherry Creek Tournament — in which they’ll face 3-0 Windsor first — and they will later head to Las Vegas to again play in the Tarkanian Classic.
Regis Jesuit is also part of the Cherry Creek tournament and come in with a 2-0 record. Coach Jordan Kasemodel’s team opened with a decisive victory over Doherty, then had to withstand a major challenge from Rangeview before coming away with a 43-28 road win Dec. 5.
Coach Brandon Hammond’s Trojans have won their three contests and have shown an encouraging depth on offense around senior standout Jamaea Johnson-Gonzalez. Johnson-Gonzalez has two 20-plus-point efforts, but Aurora Central handily won its opener against Regis Groff when she sat for long stretches with four trouble.
Infused by the arrival of sisters Kennedy and Kianna Spellman, Eaglecrest posted double-digit victories in its first two contests before it headed out of state. The Raptors — who have also gotten big early contributions from junior Kaydence Waymire —play in the Mariner Mayhem tournament in California.
Smoky Hill opened up with a 3-0 record and a tournament win as coach Shawn Dirden’s team rolled to victory at the Palmer Tournament — as junior Ari Boyd went off offensively — but the Buffaloes finally suffered a defeat when it opened the Centaurus Tournament Dec. 9. Smoky Hill fell to Standley Lake 73-54.
Gateway won its first two games of the season, but also lost Dec. 9 at the Centaurus Tournament with a 74-36 defeat to Greeley West. Overland played just one game in the first week-plus of the season and it was a victory, as coach Wondame Davis’ club — which will head to the Tarkanian Classic before break — rallied to defeat Vista PEAK Prep on the road. Led by junior Devyn Davenport, Rangeview is 1-1 after a win over Bear Creek Dec. 9.
Defending Class 6A state champion Grandview — minus graduated star Sienna Betts — lost to Riverdale Ridge 71-52 Dec. 9 and has a 2-2 record.
PHOTOS BY COURTNEY OAKES/AURORA SENTINEL
FALL STARS, PART II
Standouts abounded for Aurora area programs on the softball diamond, cross country course and flag football field this fall
The winter prep sports season is underway, but there is an enormous amount of successes from the fall season that need to be highlighted.
Multiple Class 5A team state championship trophies were earned for Aurora area squads in addition to an abundance of epic individual performances.
BY COURTNEY OAKES, Sports Editor
On
The Cover: Cherokee Trail junior Sydney Cobb was one of only two Aurora area pitchers to win double-digit games and she struck out 123 hitters in just 76 1/3 innings for the Class 5A state semifinal Cougars on her way to a spot on the 2025 Aurora Sentinel All-Aurora Softball Team.
Above: Cherokee Trail senior outfielder Izzy Becker played spectacular defense and provided plenty of offense near the top of a potent batting order during a 2025 softball season in which she was picked as the Centennial League’s Player of the Year. Becker also earned a spot on the All-Aurora Softball Team.
The AuroraSentinelwill recognize the best of the best in fall prep sports in this and upcoming issues, with expanded coverage at sentinelcolorado.com/preps.
CLASS 5A SEMIFINALIST COUGARS, RAPTORS PREVALENT ON ALL-AURORA SOFTBALL TEAM
The 2025 softball season nearly made history for the area, as two Aurora-area programs — Cherokee Trail and Eaglecrest — came oh-so-close to creating the first-ever all-area Class 5A state championship game.
The Cougars and Raptors — who were were locked in tie games in the 5A semifinals on adjacent fields at the Aurora Sports Park before they lost to Legend and Broomfield, respectively — supply a significant amount of the talent on the 2025 AuroraSentinelAll-Aurora Softball Team, which is picked by the Sentinelin conjuction with balloting of league coaches.
The 5A state runner-up in 2024, Cherokee Trail came into the new season regarded as one of the two primary championship favorites along with Broomfield. Coach Caley Mitchell’s Cougars and the Eagles — who would go on to win the title — held the top spots in the rankings the whole season.
A big reason for belief in Cherokee Trail came with the double-barreled pitching duo of juniors Sydney Cobb and Emma Rice, who lived up to the billing. Cobb earned 5A All-State first team honors with a season in which the right-hander won 11 games, posted a miniscule 2.38 ERA and struck out 123 hitters in 76 1/3 innings, all while hitting a team-best .482 with 37 RBI.
Rice nearly reached double digits in the win column as well, as she collected nine victories, led all Aurora-area starting pitchers with a 2.14 ERA and fanned 65 hitters in 55 2/3 innings. For good measure, Rice led the Cougars with four home runs, hit .433 and drove in 28 runs.
Bolstered by quality starting pitching, Cherokee Trail’s offense has also plenty of firepower and were relentless on the opposition as 10 times it invoked the 10-run mercy rule in victories. The top of the lineup was particularly potent and featured senior center fielder Izzy Becker, whose defensive prowess alone was a huge advantage for the pitching staff. Becker — who was voted as the Centennial League’s Player of the Year — certainly could handle the bat as well and hit .446 and scored 31 runs. In the postseason (two regional games and three in the state tournament), Becker went 9-for-15, scored seven times and drove in three runs.
Eaglecrest went into the state tournament as the No. 11 seed, but coach Yvette Hendrian’s group very nearly toppled Broomfield in the semifinals. Senior right-handed pitcher Zaya Elliott did a masterful job holding the potent Eagles down for 11 innings in a 5-4 loss. With an understanding of situations and the strike zone rather than overwhelming speed, Elliott racked up an Aurora-area best 12 wins and finished with the third-lowest ERA among regular hurdlers in the area at 2.79 to go with 83 strikeouts in 103 innings pitched.
Helping Elliott out was the presence of fellow senior Sybella Trevino behind the plate, though she also got time on the infield. Trevino turned in a quality at-bat just about every time she came to the plate and she hit .402 with 32 RBI.
Elliott’s sister, Haisley, arrived and made a huge impact as a freshman. While she was a very effective No. 2 pitcher (6-2 with a 1.67 ERA), the Raptors were best with her solidifying the defense. Elliott was incredibly clutch with the bat in her
›› See ALL-AURORA, 12
Photo by Courtney Oakes/ Aurora Sentinel
Photo by Courtney Oakes/ Aurora Sentinel
hands and pounded out 45 hits for the season, scored 36 times and drove in 27 runs to go with 17 stolen bases. A lot of pop in the order (which produced the most runs of any Aurora team with 279) came from junior Abby Files, who fills the All-Aurora designated hitter spot after she had five home runs and drove in a team-high 34 runs.
Grandview qualified for the 5A state tournament again despite significant turnover and were one again led by senior Sasha Kennedy, an All-Centennial League first teamer and CHSAA All-State second team pick. The Grand Canyon University signee accrued an absurd 63 base hits (15 more than the next-closest local player and with 26 of them going for extra bases), hit .677 and led the 5A classification in both runs scored (54) and stolen bases (37).
Outgoing Wolves coach Liz Carter had a very talented infield that included senior Maddie Donaldson, another All-Centennial League first team performer who hit a sparkling .514 and led all area players with 38 RBI.
The Aurora area’s leading hitter resided in the lineup at Vista PEAK Prep, where senior Amara Herrera capped a marvelous prep career with a season in which she hit .701 (47for-67) and reached base at a .740 clip. Herrera (who scored 38 runs and stole 12 bases) was an All-City League 5A/4A first team pick.
LEFT: Eaglecrest senior Zaya Elliott (6) led Aurora-area pitchers with 12 victories and helped the Raptors make the Class 5A state semifinals to earn a spot on the All-Aurora Softball Team. ABOVE CENTER: Grandview senior Sasha Kennedy hit a robust .677 with an area-best 26 extra base hits to make the All-Aurora Softball Team. ABOVE RIGHT: Grandview junior Brooke Sullivan accounted for 42 total touchdowns and intercepted 18 passes to earn a spot on the All-Aurora Girls Flag Football Team. RIGHT: Cherokee Trail senior Dylan Smith (309) and Vista PEAK Prep junior Brandon Pearcy (459) hold two spots on the All-Aurora Boys Cross Country Team after they finished 38th and 63rd, respectively, at the 5A state meet. RIGHT CENTER: Regis Jesuit freshman McKenna Groen got onto the medal podium in her 5A girls cross country state debut with a ninth-place individual finish to make the All-Aurora Girls Cross Country Team. FAR RIGHT: Overland senior Sahniya Vaughn earned All-Centennial League honors on both sides of the ball and earned her way onto the All-Aurora Girls Flag Football Team. (Photos by Courtney Oakes/ Aurora Sentinel) VISIT COURTNEYOAKES.SMUGMUG.COM FOR FALL ALL-AURORA PHOTOS
Smoky Hill had two of the area’s top performers in All-Centennial League first team picks in senior Kiley Snyder in the outfield and junior Nikiah Light, who played a key utility role for an eight-win team. Snyder had range and a rocket arm in center field, while she hit .524, smacked four home runs, scored 27 runs and knocked in 20. Light played behind the plate and at times in the infield with a .522 batting average and 27 RBI.
Overland once again played an independent schedule and versatile junior Michaela Halton did damage against every opponent during a 9-7 campaign. Her nine home runs easily led Aurora-area players and helped her to a .694 average and 30 RBI.
FRESHMEN GROEN, LANGE BOOST ALLAURORA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
The 2025 Aurora Sentinel All-Aurora Girls Cross Country Team — as determined by season and Class 5A state meet performance — is devoid of seniors and trending on the younger side as the arrival of a pair of freshmen — McKenna Groen of Regis Jesuit and Madison Lange of Cherokee Trail — significantly boosted the area’s competitive level.
Groen concluded her debut season as Aurora’s top finisher at the 5A state meet with a ninth-place result. A fall in the water before the closing stretch of the race at the Norris Penrose Event Center didn’t keep her off the medal podium, in fact she made up a place.
Groen crossed the finish line in 18 minutes, 8.8 seconds, which was her second-fastest time of the season behind a 17:28.50 at the always-fast Liberty Bell Invitational.
Groen finished in the top 10 of all of her races during the season and she claimed the Continental League championship with a 20-second victory, which bettered runner-up results at the Arapahoe Warrior Invitational, the Dave Sanders Invitational (DI division) and Mead Stampede. She was also fourth in the 5A Region 1 meet and 10th in the loaded Sweepstakes race at Liberty Bell. After state, Groen finished 18th at the Nike Cross Nationals Southwest Regional in Arizona.
Lange arrived at Cherokee Trail and made an immediate impact as she won the Aurora City Championship meet to begin her career and it was the start of outstanding campaign. Lange also won the St. Vrain Invitational and the Pat Amato Classic, while she was the runner up in a trio of meets — the Centennial League Championships and 5A Region 1 meets (where she was behind only Cherry Creek star Emily Cohen) and the Steve Lohman Invitational — and also placed fourth in the DI division at the Dave Sanders Invitational and in the Sweepstakes race of the Liberty Bell Invitational, when she clocked a season-best 16:58.20.
Lange ran 18:37.7 at the state meet to claim 21st and then followed that with a seventh-place showing at the Nike Cross Na-
tionals Southwest Regional to earn a spot in the national race Dec. 6 in Portland, Oregon. Lange finished 25th in a field of 200 national qualifiers in a time of 17:52.1 as she came in before Cohen (30th) and three-time state champion Addy Ritzenheim of Niwot (32nd).
Coach Tristam Winship’s Cherokee Trail had five All-Aurora performers among the area’s top seven, a group that includes experienced juniors Jade McDaniel and Clara Kapfer. McDaniel set the pace for Aurora area qualifiers at the 2024 5A state meet when she placed 66th, but she was fourth among locals across the finish line this time with a 78th place result. Kapfer finished 82nd in 2024 and moved up just one spot to 81st this season, though her time on the same course was a significant 17 seconds faster.
Cherokee Trail is also represented by a pair of sophomores in Elle Van Fossen and Elizabeth Skibitskii, who finished 132nd and 142nd, respectively, at state. Van Fossen shaved 40 seconds off her time from the previous season (with a move up of three places), while Skibitskii ran her fastest time of the year in the Region 1 meet and came just five seconds shy of that at state.
Last season’s Aurora city champion — Jenna Winn of Eaglecrest — took a big step forward in her junior season. In the state meet for the second straight season, Winn ran a whopping 1 minute, 13 seconds, faster than she had in a 2024 and upped her finish from 94th all the way to 40th.
HANDFUL OF COUGARS MAKE ALLAURORA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
Cherokee Trail won the Aurora and Centennial League championships and qualified for the Class 5A boys cross country state meet as a team, which makes it fitting that its members comprise the majority of the 2025 AuroraSentinelAll-Aurora Boys Cross Country Team.
The All-Aurora team — determined primarily by state meet results — includes seniors Dylan Smith, Josh Chadeayne and Carter Getty plus juniors Jaxon Weber and Kenneth English of the Cougars to go with Vista PEAK Prep junior Brandon Pearcy and Regis Jesuit senior Liam Martin.
Cherokee Trail went into the season under the new leadership of Jonathan Dalby, the architect of Mountain Vista’s powerhouse team in recent years. The Cougars adjusted to Dalby’s new style and experienced successes along the way, starting with a victory at the city meet.
That performance was led by Smith — a key member of Cherokee Trail’s third straight 5A boys track & field state championship in the spring — who became the fourth all-time Cherokee Trail boys to win the city championship. He would lead all Aurora area qualifiers at the 5A state meet with a 38th-place showing at the end of a season that included top-five finishes at the Centennial League Championships (2nd), Dave Sanders Invitational (4th in Division I), Liberty Bell Invita-
tional (5th in a season-best time of 15:49.30) and Pat Amato Classic (5th).
Weber finished the season strong as he was fourth at the league championships, ninth in the Region 1 meet (despite losing a shoe) and 58th at the state meet. Chadeayne was the Aurora city runner-up, placed third at the Centennial League meet and grabbed 84th at state, while English came in 96th at state after he was top-10 finisher in the city race (fifth) and league championships (ninth) and Getty was 122nd at state with a similar resume after he took fourth at the city meet and sixth in league.
Pearcy became Vista PEAK Prep’s first-ever state qualifier on the boys side (Grace Dow made it for the girls in 2021) at the end of a breakout season. He had four top-five finishes, led by a second at the Dave Sanders Invitational and he was the first Aurora area runner across the finish line at the Region 1 meet in which he finished fifth, which he followed with a 63rd-place performance in his state meet debut.
Martin had a solid season for Regis Jesuit, as he and freshman Luis Duarte (who also qualified for state), took turns leading the way. Martin’s lone top-10 performance of the season was a seventh at the Northfield Nighthawks Invitational and he rebounded from a 62nd-place finish at the Continental League Championships to take 90th at the state meet.
GRANDVIEW STARS LEAD WAY ON ALLAURORA GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM
Grandview made the best showing of any Aurora area team since girls flag football got sanctioned by the Colorado High School Activities Association and did so with adundant talent and chemistry on both sides of the ball.
Coach Mark Fisher’s Wolves — who won 11 straight games at one point, finished with 12 wins and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state playoffs — have heavy representation on the 2025 Aurora Sentinel All-Aurora Girls Flag Football Team, which is picked by the Sentinel in conjunction with balloting of Aurora coaches.
The city’s top talent was clearly junior Brooke Sullivan, who was the area’s only CHSAA All-State first team pick as well as an All-Centennial League first teamer on both offense and defense. Sullivan’s season saw her account for a total of 42 touchdowns, as she threw for 32, rushed for five and caught five touchdown passes (including two as the Wolves edged Regis Jesuit 13-6 in a tight local matchup early in the season. As a safety, Sullivan was a ballhawk whose 18 interceptions led 5A and tied her for second in all of Colorado regardless of classification, all while she also did the punting.
Senior Abby Kirkpatrick was an offensive force for Grandview as well, as she accounted for more than 1,000 yards of total offense
and contributed 111 points via 16 touchdowns plus passing for five.
While the Grandview offense was prolific, the defense was also outstanding. Sophomore Jayden Schwabauer racked up 38 sacks — including a big one on fourth down late in the Wolves’ playoff win over Douglas County — and also led the team with 83 tackles on her way to second team All-Centennial League accolades. The back end of the defense also included sophomore Meta Wa-Kalonji, who racked up 75 tackles and Eaglecrest got a new addition in the form of state track star Zenobia Witt and the junior made a big impact, primarily as a rusher. She was credited with 71 sacks as part of 122 tackles and also played some offense. Overland had a two-way standout of its own in senior Sahniya Vaughn, who was an All-Centennial League first teamer on offense and also made the all-league second team on defense. Vaughn helped the Trailblazers up their win total from five last season to eight in the debut season for Olando Mason as head coach.
Vista PEAK Prep also changed leadership with Marcus Pinillo taking over and the Bison took a major step forward offensively with the blossoming of sophomore quarterback Rilee Bergquist. The Bison’s most potent offensive weapon was senior wide receiver Goretty Vasquez De Leon, who had 965 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Fiedler takes over Regis Jesuit scoring lead
In the opening game of the season, senior Eric Fiedler became the all-time leading scorer in Regis Jesuit boys basketball history.
Fiedler — who recently signed to play at Colorado State — came into the season 10 points behind former star Josh Perkins for the lead in the recordbooks and got that and then some in the Raiders’ 63-54 win at Eaglecrest.
Fiedler poured in a game-high 28 points to blow past the previous standard of 1,201 established by Perkins, who graduated in 2013. Fiedler followed that up with 34 more in his next outing.
WEEK PAST
The week past in Aurora prep sports
MONDAY, DEC. 8: Ari Gelfand scored two goals and Liam Corcoran also found the back of the net for the Cherry Creek co-op ice hockey team in a 3-1 win over Monarch. Mason Banks stopped 20 of the 21 shots he faced in the net for the Bruins. ...SATURDAY, DEC. 6: The Rangeview boys basketball team finished a short trip to Arizona with a 7365 victory over Ironwood behind a 22-point effort for Archie Weatherspoon V plus 18 from Marceles Duncan Anthony Andrew added 12 and Aidan Perez 12 for the Raiders. ...Eric Fiedler poured in 29 points to lead three players in double figures for the Regis Jesuit boys basketball team in a 68-37 win against Smoky Hill. Joseph Haubert added 12 and August Tregenza chipped in 11. ...The Eaglecrest boys basketball team outlasted Denver South for a 70-68 overtime victory that featured a 28-point performance from Reece Brown, plus 21 from Demari Manns Davis. ...The Cherokee Trail and Grandview boys basketball teams finished the Paul Davis Classic at Green Mountain H.S. with victories as they defeated Longmont (65-39) and Golden (72-55), respectively. Jordan Mitchell paced the Cougars with 16 points, while he was joined in double figures by Anthony Ayon (14) and Caleb Jensen (12). ...The Cherokee Trail girls basketball team claimed the championship of the Castle View/ThunderRidge Tip-Off tournament with a 59-48 defeat of Green Mountain. The Cougars built a double-digit lead after one quarter and scored at least 14 points in every quarter to earn the win. Chloe Cain’s 20 points led the Cougars, while Aaliyah Broadus added 11 and Milania Gutierrez and Hannah Hazim added 10 apiece. Grandview finished fifth in the same tournament after a 71-56 defeat of Chatfield. ...The Smoky Hill girls basketball team finished a 3-0 showing at the Palmer Tournament with a 53-39 defeat of Grand Junction that featured a 30-point effort from Ari Boyd Leilani Gordon added 13 as the Buffaloes improved to 4-0. ...The Grandview boys wrestling team had team and individual success at the Rich Aggen Invitational at Fort Lupton High School with four dual wins to go with eight individual champions. JR Ortega (126 pounds), Kyle Menuez (138), Anthony Segura (144), Braxston Widrikis (150), Jonathan Montes Gonzales (157), Gunner Lopez (165), Christian Skov (175) and Leland Day (285) claimed their their respective brackets. ...The Eaglecrest boys wrestling team accrued 220 points to win the championship of the Arapahoe Warrior Invitational, which also included
ABOVE: Regis Jesuit senior Eric Fiedler scored 28 points during the Raiders’ 63-54 win at Eaglecrest Dec. 2. Among those points were those needed for him to take over the Regis Jesuit boys basketball team’s all-time career scoring lead. ABOVE RIGHT: Aurora Central junior Deon Davis Jr., right, scored 26 points to help the Trojans to a 78-36 win at Hinkley Dec. 5. RIGHT: Grandview senior Gunner Lopez, right, tries to score during his 165-pound victory during the Wolves’ 56-22 boys wrestling dual win over Eaton Dec. 4 at Grandview High School. A two-point decision gave Lopez his 100th career win. (Photos by Courtney Oakes/Aurora Sentinel)
Smoky Hill (9th), Regis Jesuit (10th), Vista PEAK Prep (13th) and Aurora Central (16th) behind 10 top-six placers. Gabriel Delbridge (132 pounds) and Tayte Tahja (165) won their respective brackets for the Raptors, who had runners-up in Aisley Retallack (157) and Nakhai Miller (215) as well. Jovani Galvan won the 138-pound bracket to lead four placers for Smoky Hill, Richard Avila (113) took the lone title among three placers for Regis Jesuit, Adrian Pacheco (106) and Ian Bacon (126) won titles as the only placers for Vista PEAK Prep and Federico Amezquita Lara’s 5th place finish at 175 pounds represented the lone podium spot for Aurora Central. ...The Overland boys wrestling team finished second at the Mike Stanley Invitational at Fairview High School with the top individual performance from 215-pound runner-up Romeo Molina Gateway placed 14th as a team with help of the 126-pound championship from Jakob Peterson. ...The Eaglecrest girls wrestling team finished third behind Garden City (Brown) and host Pine Creek at the Ice Queen Tournament in Colorado Springs. Maxime Lantz placed second at 145 pounds and Parice Jones claimed third at 170 as the top results among eight top-six placers for the Raptors. Regis Jesuit finished 17th as a team with a boost from two bracket champions in Remington Zimmerer (120) and Alexandra Zimmerer (170). Amelia Bacon (125 pounds) and Khloe Yizar (235) won championships for the Vista PEAK Prep girls wrestling team in its fifth-place showing at the Arapahoe Warrior Invitational. Hailey Brown (105) and Idaly Garcia (130) were runners-up for the Bison, while seventh-place Overland (110-pounder Mihret Shimels and 170-pounder Jackelyne Torreblanca Oseguera) and 12th-place Smoky Hill (Maria Pascual Francisco at 115 pounds) also had finalists among the Aurora area teams in the field. Aurora Central finished 15th in its first-ever tournament with a fourth-place finish in the B btacket
from Yasmin Castillo leading the way. ...The Cherry Creek co-op ice hockey team got goals from Sean Badasyan and Ari Gelfand in the second period and held on for a 2-1 road win over Ralston Valley. Mason Banks stopped 23 of the 24 shots he faced. ...FRIDAY, DEC. 5: Archie Weatherspoon V accounted for 34 points and Marceles Duncan added 21 for the Rangeview boys basketball team in its 74-37 road win at Perry (Arizona). ...The Aurora Central boys basketball team got matching 26-point efforts from Alex Flores and Deon Davis Jr. as it rolled to a 78-36 win at Hinkley, which got nine points apiece from Mading Miakol and Davion Nash. ...Six players scored in double figures for the Cherokee Trail boys basketball team in a 97-78 win over Highlands Ranch in a consolation bracket game at the Paul Davis Classic. Jeremiah Shortis led the Cougars with 19 points, followed by Caleb Jensen with 18 and Cameron Hopkins with 16. Grandview also won big with an 80-35 victory over Boulder. ...Demetrius Lambert scored 16 points and Mekhi McNeal added 12 for the Overland boys basketball team, which was unable to keep pace with Duke signee Cameron Williams and St. Mary’s of Arizona in a 76-51 home loss. ...Tiana Rogers scored 15 points and Khloe Miller added 11 as the Regis Jesuit girls basketball team finally gained separation from Rangeview in the final quarter on its way to a 43-28 victory. Rangeview’s lone player in double figures was Devyn Davenport with 10. ... The Eaglecrest girls basketball team rolled past Vista Ridge 52-19 with a trio of
double-digit scorers in Kennedy Spellman (14 points), Kaydence Waymire (11) and Naomi Emecheta (10). ...The Aurora Central girls basketball team extended its unbeaten start to the season with a 54-8 win at Hinkley as Jamaea Johnson-Gonzalez accounted for 21 points. Bella Lumba contributed 14 as well for the Trojans. ...Karson Chaney exploded for 29 points to help the Cherokee Trail girls basketball team to a decisive 76-29 win over Castle View in a championship semifinal at the Castle View/ThunderRidge Tip-Off. Aaliyah Broadus had 14 and Milania Gutierrez 12 for the Cougars. Also a winner at the tournament in the consolation bracket was Grandview, which rolled past Pueblo West 69-39. ...The Smoky Hill girls basketball team got 22 points from Ari Boyd and 10 from Taylor Dirden en route to a 51-22 win over Discovery Canyon at the Palmer Tournament. ...THURSDAY, DEC. 4: Demari Manns Davis tallied 25 points for the Eaglecrest boys basketball team in a 66-56 road win over Legacy that also saw Reese Brown add 17 points. ...The Regis Jesuit boys basketball team scored 22 points or more in two quarters en route to a 84-67 road win at Lewis-Palmer. ...Ari Boyd’s 18 points was plenty for the Smoky Hill girls basketball team in a 47-6 win over Palmer to open the Palmer Tournament. ...The Gateway girls basketball team added another in the win column with a 57-21 defeta of DMLK. ...Despite 23 points from Knakai Starks, the Vista PEAK Prep girls basketball team fell 74-50 at Arapahoe. ...The Grandview boys wrestling
team entertained 3A powerhouse Eaton in an strong dual matchup and prevailed 56-22. JR Ortega, Kyle Menuez, Anthony Segura, Christian Skov and Leland Day won by fall, Gunner Lopez prevailed in a decision for his 100th career win and Braxston Widrikis won by tech fall for the Wolves. ...The Eaglecrest boys wrestling team split two dual matches in a threeteam meet with a 63-17 win after a 39-36 loss to Chatfield. Nakhai Miller and Charles Swick won twice by fall and Franz Marquez-Preza went 2-0. ...Diver Izzy Becker along with Ella Leach (500 yard freestyle) earned event wins for the Cherokee Trail girls swim team in a 188-123 Centennial League loss at Arapahoe. ...WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3: The Vista PEAK Prep boys basketball team defeated Riverdale Ridge 80-72 to open the Fort Collins-Fossil Ridge Tip-Off Classic. Jamaea Johnson-Gonzalez tallied 21 points as the Aurora Central girls basketball team topped DSST:Montview 51-24. ...The Vista PEAK Prep boys wrestling team topped Northfield 48-36 to open the season. ...The Eaglecrest girls wrestling team topped Chatfield 36-35 and Broomfield 72-9 in a threeteam meet. ...The Aurora Central girls swim team scored 77 points to top Hinkley (62) and Adams City (15). ...TUESDAY, DEC. 2: Archie Weatherspoon V scored 33 points to pace the Rangeview boys basketball team to an 89-36 win over Gateway. ...The Overland girls basketball team rallied for a 51-47 win at Vista PEAK Prep. ...The Regis Jesuit girls swim team topped Mountain Vista 132-51.
provided no claims are received.
Any person or firm having debts against the Contractor must file a proper written notice with the Contract Coordinator, City of Aurora, Purchasing and Contract Ser vices Division, 15151 East Alameda Park way Suite 5700, Aurora, Colorado 80012, on or before the above date.
CITY OF AURORA, COLORADO BY: Angie Young Senior Procurement Agent
First Publication: December 4, 2025 Final Publication: December 11, 2025 Sentinel NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT
CITY OF AURORA, COLORADO DATE: December 11, 2025
PURCHASE ORDER NO. 20P0951K
PROJECT NO: 522501
PROJECT TITLE: Design/Build for Sand Creek Water Reuse Facility PLC Conver sion / UPS Improvements
CONTRACTOR: Carollo Engineers 390 Interlocken Crescent, Ste. 800 Broomfield, CO 80021
Notice is hereby given that the City of Au rora intends to start processing the Final Payment to the above named Contractor on December 15, 2025, provided no claims are received.
Any person or firm having debts against the Contractor must file a proper written notice with the Contract Coordinator, City of Aurora, Purchasing and Contract Ser vices Division, 15151 East Alameda Park way Suite 5700, Aurora, Colorado 80012, on or before the above date.
CITY OF AURORA, COLORADO BY: Nathan Jones Procurement Supervisor
First Publication: December 4, 2025
Final Publication: December 11, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT
CITY OF AURORA, COLORADO DATE: December 18, 2025
PURCHASE ORDER NO. 24P0910K
PROJECT NO: 5983A
PROJECT TITLE: Lowry Community Park – Synthetic Turf Field
CONTRACTOR:
ECI Site Construction Management, Inc.
2526 E HWY 402 PO Box 2135 Loveland, CO 80539
Notice is hereby given that the City of Au rora intends to start processing the Final Payment to the above named Contractor on December 29, 2025, provided no claims are received.
Any person or firm having debts against the Contractor must file a proper written notice with the Contract Coordinator, City of Aurora, Purchasing and Contract Ser vices Division, 15151 East Alameda Park way Suite 5700, Aurora, Colorado 80012, on or before the above date.
CITY OF AURORA, COLORADO BY: Angie Young Senior Procurement Agent
First Publication: December 11, 2025
Final Publication: December 18, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT
CITY OF AURORA, COLORADO DATE: December 4, 2025
PURCHASE ORDER NO. 25P0100K
PROJECT NO: 6029A
PROJECT TITLE: MLK CPF Grant Re model Project
CONTRACTOR:
We O’Neil Construction Company 5800 S. Nevada St. Littleton, CO 80120
Notice is hereby given that the City of Au rora intends to start processing the Final Payment to the above named Contractor on December 22, 2025, provided no claims are received.
Any person or firm having debts against the Contractor must file a proper written notice with the Contract Coordinator, City of Aurora, Purchasing and Contract Ser vices Division, 15151 East Alameda Park way Suite 5700, Aurora, Colorado 80012, on or before the above date.
CITY OF AURORA, COLORADO BY: Angie Young Senior Procurement Agent
First Publication: December 4, 2025
Final Publication: December 11, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT
CITY OF AURORA, COLORADO DATE: December 4, 2025
PURCHASE ORDER NO. 20P0951K
PROJECT NO: 522501
PROJECT TITLE: Design/Build for Sand Creek Water Reuse Facility PLC Conver sion / UPS Improvements
CONTRACTOR: Carollo Engineers 390 Interlocken Crescent, Ste. 800 Broomfield, CO 80021
Notice is hereby given that the City of Au rora intends to start processing the Final Payment to the above named Contractor on December 15, 2025, provided no claims are received.
Any person or firm having debts against the Contractor must file a proper written notice with the Contract Coordinator, City of Aurora, Purchasing and Contract Ser vices Division, 15151 East Alameda Park way Suite 5700, Aurora, Colorado 80012, on or before the above date.
CITY OF AURORA, COLORADO BY: Nathan Jones Procurement Super visor
First Publication: December 4, 2025 Final Publication: December 11, 2025 Sentinel
ARAPAHOE COUNTY COMBINED COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-10-401, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR537 In the Interest of: Amanda Renee King
To: Matthew King
Last Known Address, if any: Homeless
A hearing on December 17, 2025 for Guardianship of Amanda King will be held at the following time and location or at a later date to which the hearing may be continued:
Date: December 17, 2025 Time: 3:30 p.m. Courtroom or Division: 12 Address: Webex
The hearing will take approximately 30 minutes.
Terran Panzarella
2370 W. Wesley Ave. Englewood, CO 80110
First Publication: November 27, 2025 Final Publication: December 11, 2025 Sentinel
AURORA CROSSROADS
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1
CROSSROADS ONSITE CIVL
NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Aurora Crossroads Metropolitan District No. 1, Arapahoe County, Colorado (hereinafter called the “District”) will make a final pay ment at the office of Public Alliance LLC, 7555 E. Hampden Avenue, Suite 501, in Denver, Colorado, on or after 3:00 p.m., on Monday, December 29, 2025, to:
SMH West LLC 900 Castleton Road, Suite 125 Castle Rock, Colorado 80109
for all work which has been substantial ly completed by said Contractor for the Crossroads Onsite Civil Project for the Aurora Crossroads Metropolitan District No. 1.
Any person, co partnership, association of persons, company, or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, provisions, team hire, sustenance provender, or other supplies used or consumed by such Con tractor or its Subcontractors or Suppliers in or about the performance of the work con tracted to be done and whose claim there fore has not been paid by the Contractor or its Subcontractors or Suppliers at any time up to and including the time of final settle ment for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a written verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the District, Attention: Justin Janca, 7555 E. Hampden Avenue, Suite 501, in Denver, Colorado 80231 with a copy to Audrey G. Johnson, Esq., WBA P.C., 2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 2000, Centennial, CO 80122, at or before the time and date hereinabove shown. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such written verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release the District, its Board, officers, agents, and employees of and from any and all liability for such claim.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AURORA CROSSROADS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1
By: /s/Justin Janca District Manager
First Publication: December 11, 2025
Final Publication: December 18, 2025 Sentinel BEFORE THE COLORADO ENERGY AND CARBON MANAGEMENT COMMISSION NOTICE AND APPLICATION FOR HEARING DOCKET NO. 251100242
TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES AND TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Pursuant to Rule 523.d, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Com mission Staff has applied to the Commis sion for an Order against K.P. Kauffman Company Inc., (Operator No. 46490), in a application for adjudication of notice of alleged violation (“NOAV”) of NOAV No. 404272686 to KPK for violation of Rule 902.b. of the Commission Rules of Prac tice and Procedure, 2 C.C.R. § 404 1.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to: 1) the general jurisdiction of the Energy and Carbon Management Commission of the State of Colorado under § 34 60 105, C.R.S.; 2) specific powers granted pursu ant to § 34 60 106, C.R.S.; 3) the Colorado Administrative Procedures Act at § 24 4 105, C.R.S.; and 4) the Commission’s Se ries 500 Rules at 2 C.C.R. 404 1, that the Commission has scheduled this matter for hearing before an ECMC Hearing Officer at the following date, time, and location (subject to change):
Date: February 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. Place: Colorado Energy and Carbon Manage ment Commission 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801 Denver, CO 80203
Deadline for Affected Persons to Petition: January 12, 2026
The Notice and documents related to this matter can be found on our “Hearing eFil ing System Document Search” page here https://oitco.hylandcloud.com/DNRCOG PublicAccess/index.html. Select “Search for Docket Related Documents” from the pull down menu, use the above “Docket Number”, and select “Search”.
Publication: December 11, 2025 Sentinel BEFORE THE ENERGY AND CARBON MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
CAUSE NO. 535
DOCKET NO. 250900200 TYPE: POOLING SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
IN THE MATTER OF THE PROMULGATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF FIELD RULES TO GOVERN OPERATIONS FOR THE NIOBRARA FORMATION, DJ HORIZONTAL NIOBRARA FIELD, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COL ORADO
TO THE following interested parties: Beaver Trust Company, Estate of Arthur R. Hoglund, Heirs and/or Devisees of the Estate of Lawrence R. Rydiger, Heirs and/or Devisees of the Estate of Mabel Self, deceased, Heirs and/or Devisees of the Estate of Minnie M. Averill, deceased, Heirs and/or Devisees of the Estate of Oliver McIntosh, deceased,
Heirs and/or Devisees of the Estate of Severn Kittridge, deceased, Heirs and/or Devisees of the Estate of V.O. Lee, deceased, Heirs and/or Devisees of the Estate of Walter James Grund and John L. Chambers
You are hereby summoned and may ap pear and respond to the Application filed with the Commission in this docket. Pursu ant to C.R.S. §§ 34 60 101 – 144, Bison IV Operating, LLC (Operator No. 10670) (“Applicant”), filed an filed an Application for an order to pool all interests within an approximate 5,749.64 acre drilling and spacing unit established by Order No. 535 1559 for the drilling of the following wells (the “Wells”) for the development and op eration of the Niobrara Formation on the following described lands:”
DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
DIVORCE NOTICE Case No. 2025DR31380
In re the Marriage of: Merly M. Utsler, Petitioner, and Jason Lowery Utsler, Respondent.
In the matter of the marriage of Merly Utsler and Jason Utsler, case number 2025DR031380, filed in Arapahoe County District Court.
To Jason Utsler, You are hereby notified that a divorce ac tion has been filed against you. If you do not respond by December 11, 2025, the court may proceed in your absence and grant a divorce.
/s/ Elissa Bercovitz, Esq. Bercovitz Law Firm. P.C. Attorney for Merly Utsler 2373 Central Park Boulevard, Suite 100 Denver, Colorado 80238 Telephone: (303) 803 1678
elissa@bercovitzlaw.com
Attorney Registration No. 30868
First Publication: November 13, 2025
Final Publication: December 11, 2025 Sentinel INVITATION TO BID
Electronic (PDF) Sealed Competitive Pro posals will be received by the East Cherry Creek Valley Water & Sanitation District for the repairs to the ECCV North Booster Pump Station Overflow Channel, by 10:00 a.m., January 8, 2026. Provide sealed pro posals to: QuestCDN virtual bid.
The work consists of erosion repair and re construction of the overflow channel at the North Booster Pump Station. Construction activities will include regrading, soil and rock placement per design plans, berm reconstruction, erosion control measures, and revegetation of disturbed areas.
A pre bid conference will be held at 9:00 a.m. local time on Friday, December 19, 2025, via a Teams meeting. The Teams meeting invitation will be sent to contrac tors on the electronic bid list.
Section
Approximately
acres, Adams County.
Nearby Public Crossroads: C.R. 64 & Jackson Gap St.
The Commission scheduled this matter for hearing on:
Date: February 18, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Place: Colorado Energy and Car bon Management Commission The Chancery Building 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801 Denver, Colorado 80203
To oppose the Application, you must file a written petition with the Commission pur suant to Commission Rule 507. You must file your protest on or before December 19, 2025. Please see Commission Rule 507 at https://ecmc.colorado.gov/, under “Regulation,” then select “Rules.” Please note that, under Commission Rule 510.l, the deadline for petitions may only be con tinued for good cause, even if the hearing is continued beyond the date that is stat ed above. Pursuant to Commission Rule 507, if you do not file a proper petition, the Hearing Officer will not know that you wish to formally participate in this matter and the date and time of the hearing may change without additional notice to you. Parties wishing to file a petition must regis ter online at https://oitco.hylandcloud.com/ DNRCOGExternalAccess/Account/Login. aspx and select “Request Access to Site.” Please refer to our “eFiling Users Guide book” at https://ecmc.state.co.us/docu ments/reg/Hearings/External_EfilingSys temGuidebook_2023_FINAL.pdf for more information. Under Commission Rule 508, if no petition is filed, the Application may be approved administratively without a formal hearing.
If you file a petition, you must be able to participate in a prehearing conference during the week of December 22, 2025, if a prehearing conference is requested by the Applicant or by any person who has filed a petition.
If you fail to file a timely petition, the Com mission may enter an order affecting your interests in the Application Lands without further notice. This matter may be contin ued to a future Commission hearing date, but that does not change your petition deadline. A copy of the Application may be obtained from the Commission’s eFiling system or Applicant’s attorney.
ENERGY AND CARBON MANAGEMENT
COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COL
ORADO
By /s/ Elias Thomas, Commission Secre tary
Dated: November 10, 2025
Energy & Carbon Management Commis sion 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801 Denver, Colorado 80203
Website: https://ecmc.colorado.gov/ Phone: (303) 894 2100 Fax: (303) 894 2109
Attorney for Applicant: Jamie L. Jost Kelsey H. Wasylenky Jost Energy Law, P.C. 3511 Ringsby Court, Unit 103 Denver, CO 80216 720 446 5620
jjost@jostenergylaw.com kwasylenky@jostenergylaw.com
First Publication: November 20, 2025
Final Publication: December 18, 2025 Sentinel
Representatives of the Owner and Engi neer will be present to discuss the Project. Attendance is not mandatory but is recom mended.
Contract Documents may be obtained electronically starting on December 11, 2025, at www.eccv.org under the Resourc es and Information menu by clicking on Request for Bids. The user will then enter the bid number 9945925 into the search field and click the search button to find the project. Download the digital documents for $22. Contact QuestCDN Customer Support at 952 233 1632 or info@quest cdn.com for assistance in membership registration, downloading digital project information and vBid online bid submittal questions. Project bid documents must be downloaded from QuestCDN which will add your company to the Planholder List and allow access to vBid online bidding for the submittal of your bid (which is required for this project). Bidders will be charged a fee of $42 to submit a bid electronically. For this project, bids will only be received and accepted via the online electronic bid ser vice through QuestCDN.com.
The Bidder to whom a contract is awarded will be required to furnish “Performance and Maintenance” and “Labor and Mate rial Payment” bonds to the District. The “Performance and Maintenance” and “La bor and Material Payment” bonds shall be furnished in the amount of 100 percent of the contract, in conformity with the require ments of the Contract Documents.
The District reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals and to award any one or combination of the various bid schedules, which in its sole and absolute judgment will under all circumstances best serve the District’s interest. No proposal will be accepted from any firm, person, or corpo ration, who is a defaulter as to surety or otherwise, or is deemed incompetent, ir responsible, or unreliable by the Board of Directors for the District.
Contractor shall be prepared to participate in an interview if so desired by the Owner as soon as the afternoon of the second business day following the date that bids are due. No proposals will be considered which are received after the time indicated above, and any proposals so received af ter the scheduled closing time shall remain unopened.
East Cherry Creek Valley Water & Sanitation District
First Publication: December 11, 2025
Final Publication: December 18, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Notice is hereby given that PODS Enter prises, LLC, located at 21110 E 31st Circle, Aurora, CO 80011, will sell the contents of certain containers at auction to the highest bidder to satisfy owner’s lien. Auction will be held online at www.StorageTreasures. com starting on December 31, 2025 and ending on January 7, 2026. Contents to be sold may include general household goods, electronics, office & business equipment, furniture, clothing and other miscellaneous personal property.
First Publication: December 11, 2025 Final Publication: December 18, 2025 Sentinel
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR607
Estate of Rachel Taylor, Deceased.
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before April 6, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. Patty Rae Brooks
Personal Representative 1051 Elmira St. Aurora, CO 80010
First Publication: December 4, 2025
Final Publication: December 18, 2025
Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR646
Estate of Theresa Irene Ficca, Deceased.
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before April 15, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. Douglas W Ficca
Personal Representative 8006 S. Shawnee St. Aurora, CO 80016
Representative 6320 E. Costilla Pl. Centennial, CO 80112
First Publication: December 4, 2025
Final Publication: December 18, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR31161 Estate of Leonard Leroy Albrecht aka Leonard L. Albrecht aka Leonard Albrecht, Deceased. All persons having claims against the
2026, or the claims may be forever barred. Anna L. Burr, Esq. 2851 S. Parker Road, Ste. 230 Aurora, CO 80014 First Publication: November 27, 2025
TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR31244
Estate of RayVern Marshall Lee Crook Jr., Deceased.
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe, Colorado, on or before April 11, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred.
Edward Crook
Personal Representative 4302 S. Evanston Ct. Aurora, CO 80015
Attorney for Personal Representative
Jack A. Connors
Atty Reg #: 60691
Spaeth & Doyle, LLP
501 S. Cherry St., Ste. 700 Glendale, CO 80246
Phone: 843-452-8946
First Publication: December 11, 2025
Final Publication: December 25, 2025 Sentinel
First Publication: December 11, 2025
Final Publication: December 25, 2025
Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR31044
Estate of Marilyn Moran Heinle aka Marilyn Heinle aka Marilyn M. Heinle, Deceased.
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before March 11, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred.
O’Rourke Law Firm, LLC
2221 E. Arapahoe Road, #2654 Denver, CO 80161
Attorney for the Estate
First Publication: December 11, 2025
Final Publication: December 25, 2025
Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S.
Estate of Wilma Ann Ruiz, Deceased.
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before April 25, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred. Amanda Swartley
Personal Representative 23501 E. Berry Ave. Aurora, CO 80016
First Publication: December 11, 2025
Final Publication: December 25, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S.
Case No. 2025PR30806
Estate of Mary Carlon Lorz aka Mary C. Lorz aka Mary Lorz, Deceased.
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before April 11, 2026, or the claims may be forever barred.
Thomas A. Lorz
Personal Representative
Attorney for Personal Representative
Daniel C. Mong #38189 8480 E. Orchard Road, Ste. 2500, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: 303-320-0023
First Publication: December 11, 2025
Final Publication: December 25, 2025
Sentinel
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME OF AN ADULT ADAMS COUNTY COURT, COLORADO Case No. 2025C50176
PUBLIC NOTICE is given on December 1, 2025, that a Petition was filed for a Change of Name of an Adult has been filed with the Adams County Court.
The Petition entered that the name of Trajan Manuel Nitura be changed to Trajan Manuel Nakamure.
/s/ Judge
First Publication: December 11, 2025
Final Publication: December 25, 2025 Sentinel
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME OF AN ADULT ADAMS COUNTY COURT, COLORADO Case No. 2025C50175
PUBLIC NOTICE is given on December 1, 2025, that a Petition was filed for a Change of Name of an Adult has been filed with the Adams County Court.
The Petition entered that the name of Toni Maxene Nitura be changed to Toni Maxene Nakamura.
/s/ Judge
First Publication: December 11, 2025
Final Publication: December 25, 2025 Sentinel DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO CONSOLIDATED NOTICE OF PUBLICATION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS FILED IN THIS COURT UNDER THE “UNIFORM DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE” AND “UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION” ACTS, due diligence has been used to obtain personal service within the State of Colorado and further efforts would be to no avail; therefore, publication has been ordered: CASE NUMBER NAME TYPE OF ACTION
2025DR031667 David Bertelsen & Gudurn Bertelsen v Jennifer Bertelsen & John Doe Custody
2025DR031703 Francisca Medina Bonilla v Marisa De Los Angeles Reyes Bustillo & Ramon Antonio Romero Rodriguez (deceased) Custody
2025DR031221 Noemi Benitez Martinez v Juan Manuel Garcia Negrete Dissolution
A copy of the Petition and Summons may be obtained from the Clerk of the above Court between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; failure to
Editorials Sentinel
Cringe and bear it. Polis right to invite federal school tax credits to state
Gov. Jared Polis’ decision to opt Colorado into a new federal tax-credit scholarship program championed by the Trump administration has prompted a wave of criticism from public-school advocates and praise from school-choice supporters. But amid the noise, Polis made the right call for Colorado, and he did so without compromising the state’s commitment to strong public schools.
Under the new federal program, taxpayers can receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit when they donate to so-called certified scholarship-granting organizations. The program allows for up to $1,700 in tax credits, beginning in 2027.
Those organizations award the donations as scholarships and grants to help families pay for a broad array of educational expenses. That includes private school tuition, yes, but also essentials like after-school programming, tutoring, transportation, books, uniforms, and summer programs, at private or public schools.
Families making up to three times the area median income are eligible. In Aurora, where the median income is about $89,000, it means that families with incomes as high as $267,000 could qualify for the program.
The program is, indeed, “voucher-like,” as critics and supporters have both pointed out. But it is not a voucher system. Polis is correct to draw that distinction.
Vouchers use state dollars. These tax-credit scholarships do not. Nor do they reallocate state education funds. They do not divert dollars from the state’s per-pupil funding formula. They do not pull money out of public classrooms.
Donors cannot earmark students as recipients. They can, however, target schools for their donations.
The Sentinel has for decades warned against the danger of voucher programs. A strong public school system is the foundation for a strong Colorado community.
School vouchers, and in some sense even charter schools, detract from the state’s ability to sustain a public schools system that allows everyone to attain their goals through education.
Colorado’s biggest obstacle to creating a better public school system is simply funding. The school system in the state has for generations been short-changed, which only serves to provoke calls for private-school vouchers couched as “school choice.”
In this case, however, this program simply gives Coloradans the option to direct more of their own money toward educational expenses that can benefit both private- and public-school students.
As Polis spokesperson Shelby Wieman put it, according to reporting in Chalkbeat Colorado, opting in prevents Colorado from “leaving hundreds of millions in federal money on the table” that could strengthen after-school programs, summer learning, scholarships, and tutoring.
The program supplements public education. It doesn’t supplant it.
Colorado has rightfully rejected vouchers, repeatedly and firmly. Voters turned down Amendment 80 in 2024, which aimed to enshrine school choice in the state Constitution. They rejected a separate education-funding measure in 2021.
A robust public school system is essential to both academic achievement and a functioning democracy, and real voucher systems are a threat to that foundation. They shift taxpayer dollars into private institutions without the accountability or universal access that public schools guarantee.
Most importantly, the program requires no state financial investment. It is enabling residents to bring new economic resources into the state.
Critics, including organizations like the Colorado Education Association, Colorado PTA, and the Bell Policy Center, raise legitimate concerns about accountability and the mixed national results of voucher programs. These concerns deserve scrutiny and ongoing vigilance. But they should not be misapplied to a program that, by design, operates outside the state’s education budget and opens pathways for public-school students to participate.
Should this Trump administration program change, and especially should it require Colorado to implement a voucher system, there is no question but to pull the plug.
Colorado families enrolled in private schools won’t turn to public schools if Polis snubs this tax-credit program. Improving public schools, through investment, could, however, eventually draw students away from expensive schools. Any and every economic investment in public schools makes that more, not less, possible.
For now, the choice is simple. Policymakers can embrace an opportunity to bring more federal resources into Colorado classrooms or leave those dollars to flow elsewhere.
Polis has taken the pragmatic path. This is not a private-school voucher. It is an opportunity. And Polis is right not to let it slip away.
COUNCILMEMBER ROB ANDREWS, GUEST COLUMNIST
We can and we will shape
Aurora’s new era together
Voters did not just elect me as an at-large council member. You elected a full slate of candidates committed to collaboration and community: Alli Jackson for At-Large, Ruben Medina in Ward 3, Amy Wiles in Ward 2, and Gianina Horton in Ward 1. Together, we represent different lived experiences, backgrounds, and neighborhoods. But we share one core belief: Aurora works best when we work together.
This victory was not inevitable. We were running against powerful incumbents and a status quo backed by more than $1 million in resources. Our slate had a fraction of that – roughly $150,000 across the board. By every traditional metric, we were supposed to be outspent, outgunned, and outmatched.
But Aurora proved that money is not the only measure that matters.
We won because we were a team. Alli, Ruben, Amy, Gianina, and I made the decision early on that we would not run as isolated campaigns. We combined forces, shared resources, and backed each other up at every turn. We knocked doors for each other, made calls for each other, and showed voters a united front around shared values. More importantly, our team was never just the five of us.
Our team was the retiree who knocked doors on a windy Saturday because she believes her grandkids deserve a brighter future. It was the high school student who showed up to the phone bank after practice. It was the small-dollar donors who chipped in $5 or $10 at a time, often with notes that said, “I wish I could do more.” It was parents who brought their kids to canvasses so they could see grassroots democracy in action.
This was a people-powered campaign. And now, it must become a people-powered city government.
As we move from campaigning to governing, my hope is that our approach does not just stay within our slate or our supporters. Aurora is a big, diverse, complicated city. We will not thrive if we stay in our political corners and shout across the divide. We have to build bridges – intentionally, consistently, and with humility.
So here is my commitment: I want to work with you.
You may not have voted for me. You may not agree with me on every issue. That is OK. We do not need unanimity to make progress. What we need is a shared willingness to sit at the same table, listen to each other, and remember that at the end of the day, we are neighbors long before we are partisans.
The problems Aurora face do not check party registration before they show up at your door. Rising rents and home prices do not ask if you lean left or right. The cost of groceries, health care, child care, and transportation impacts all of us. When someone is priced out of their apartment or cannot afford to stay in the commu-
nity they grew up in, that is not a partisan failure – it is a collective one.
Affordability is the challenge that will define this new era for Aurora. Too many families are one emergency away from losing their home. Too many young people who grew up here cannot see a realistic path to owning or even staying in Aurora. The American Dream – the idea that if you work hard, you should be able to live with dignity and build a stable future – is slipping further out of reach for too many of our neighbors.
Our focus must be on making Aurora a place where regular people can afford to live, work, and thrive. That means pushing for more attainable and affordable housing options, working with community partners to support tenants and responsible landlords alike, and making sure growth does not just benefit the few at the top.
It also means looking at affordability more broadly –from utility bills and transportation to access to good jobs and small business opportunities. When we talk about economic development, we cannot just talk about big projects and glossy press releases. We have to talk about whether everyday Aurorans can pay their bills, support their families, and see a future for themselves here.
None of this will be easy. The challenges are complex and the pressures on working families are real. But I believe that Aurora has everything it needs to rise to this moment: a resilient community, a diverse talent pool, and now, a council majority that has pledged to put collaboration over conflict.
To everyone who volunteered, donated, hosted a house party, shared a social media post, or simply had a conversation with a neighbor about this election — thank you. Your efforts did not just help elect a slate of candidates. You helped open the door to a different kind of politics in Aurora.
To everyone in Aurora, whether you were deeply engaged in this election or barely paying attention, whether you are celebrating these results or skeptical of them, I want you to know this: You are part of what comes next. This new era will not be defined by one candidate, one slate, or one election. It will be defined by how we show up for one another in the months and years ahead.
Aurora is at its best when we remember that our strength lies in our diversity, our willingness to listen, and our refusal to give up on each other. That is the spirit that carried this campaign, and it is the spirit I intend to bring with me into City Hall.
The campaign is over. The work is just beginning. Let’s build this future together.
CouncilmemberRobAndrewshaslivedinAurorafor morethanadecade.Heisanonprofitgroupleaderand servedonmultipleboardsandcommissionsinAurora andacrossColorado.
