AURORA THROWS 3 STRIKES
Drivers out hundreds of cars
Economic Factors, Policy Landscape Lead to Budget Shortfall
Fire and medical emergency response services are at risk
South Metro Fire Rescue is facing an immediate budget shortfall due to years of rising costs, consistent increases in demand, and new state legislation. Without new revenue, the organization will not be able to maintain the high level of service for fire and emergency response that residents and businesses deserve, and have come to expect.
The Challenge
There’s been a 20% increase in calls for service since 2019.
This includes structure, vehicle, and wildland fires; explosions and hazmat incidents; water rescues; vehicle crashes; public or police assistance; and medical emergencies.
Emergency medical calls now account for 65% of all response – this is expected to increase with an aging population.
Costs have increased dramatically in six years; for example:
The cost for a fire engine has gone from $725,000 to $1.3 million (79% increase).
The cost for protective bunker gear has gone from $4,321 to $6,047 (40% increase).
To continue providing quality fire and emergency response, South Metro needs an additional $34 million annually.
State legislation that passed during a special session in 2024 reduces property tax revenue South Metro collects by $16 million in 2026 and $270 million over 10 years.
stations across 30 square miles 287 personnel across 800 divisions 8
residents, which will serving 571,500 in grow to 595,000 4 years municipalities and 12 counties 3
Centennial Airport, Lockheed Martin, Highlands Ranch, 4 Square Mile, and The Pinery Including:
The Bottom Line
With $34 million needed to address increased demand for services and rising costs, plus the $16 million shortfall, South Metro needs to identify how it will generate $50 million in additional funding annually.
e wheels of the bus go round and round the world and the community in Aurora
Jingli Mao came to Aurora from China to elevate school bus driving to an art form.
He had no idea that would be the case when he moved to the United States from Beijing in 2016. Mao is an accomplished economics professor at the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing.
After years of teaching there, he left China having authored endless papers focusing on a variety of topics, including children’s education, procurement management and the development of creativity.
The embodiment of enthusiasm for learning, helping and sharing, Mao Mao, his preferred pen and academic name, is not a man of few words nor ideas.
Before leaving China, he wrote a 2-million-word book.
These days, Mao lives in Aurora with his family and drives a school bus for Aurora Public Schools, every weekday morning and every weekday afternoon. He picks up about 40 or so kids every day across Aurora and delivers them to school. He knows the students’ names. He knows their moods, their good days and bad days. He knows their bus buddies and their stresses.
His Mandarin Chinese language and Beijing inflection contrasts sharply not only with APS students who speak English as their first language, but the thousands of Aurora students who speak neither English nor Mandarin at home.
Aurora is the most ethnically and culturally diverse city in Colorado, and Aurora Public Schools illustrates that by teaching kids who speak any of about 130 different languages in their homes, and English at school.
It’s a school district that doesn’t just manage extraordinary diversity, it embraces it and capitalizes on it.
Last year, the school district recruited about 10 school-bus drivers who came from just about as many countries and speak about a dozen different languages, according to Aurora Public Schools Transportation Director Janet Ulrich.
The recruits mainly speak Spanish, but other languages, too. The would-be bus drivers are tested, vetted, and undergo background checks before they meet with a trainer. There, they learn about the 58-steps to use bus air-brakes and what to do if a student seems to be in a crisis.
This is not easy stuff.
For months, this small group of non-native-English speaking recruits were immersed in a unique world that only school bus drivers are privy to, and even aware of.
Does your jaw tighten a little at the thought of parallel parking your Jeep Wagoneer on a busy street while passers by watch you make dozens of turns and jerky movements to squeeze in — cockeyed? Try slipping behind the wheel of a 45-foot-long, 8-foot-wide wheel-bound blimp filled with dozens of kids making that special cacophony that only a busload of kids can make.
Now park that baby against a curb you can’t even begin to see.
In the beginning, Mao says, it was the most challenging thing he’s ever learned.
He credits the patience and wisdom of his APS school bus driver instructor Alice Lepine for guiding, goading and getting Mao and his fellow recruits to pass Colorado Commercial Driver’s License test, qualifying as school bus drivers.
“It was a day of miracles,” Mao said in a long, professorial
essay he wrote about his experience. “Because 9 people come from 7 different countries and speak 7 different native languages. In particular, there are a few people who have poor American English listening and no experience of driving a large car, but they can master driving skills in 3 months and can reach a necessary English listening level.”
More than enamored with the process he, his fellow recruits and APS trainers went through, he was riveted by the science behind driving a bus, and the philosophy of learning and being a part of a community focused on helping kids achieve their dreams, even dreams they’ve yet to have.
At a meeting with Mao, translator Yanmin Huang and several transportation department officials who oversee the unique recruitment program, Mao pulled out a stack of diagrams illustrating the science behind parallel parking a school bus, or stopping one in the snow.
In his essay, he talks about the nearly overwhelming tasks of watching traffic, speed, house addresses, kids in the mirror and then going through the sequences of first the yellow flashing signs and then the red ones and the side sign and the oncoming traffic and narrow streets filled with cars.
Alice and a fellow trainer, Tyson, taught Mao and fellow recruits to be patient and persistent with themselves.
They got this, they learned. And they did.
“First off, we do many videos on how to handle certain situations in training,” Lepine said. “I also go over the facts about certain situations that you might come across with children and how to handle it. But we have a three-step thing on consequences and discipline and stuff.
“ I really just explained to them that if you don’t have patience, compassion and empathy, then you’re in the wrong position.”
These nine recruits found out not only that they were in the “right” business, but that the job of being a chauffeur, ally, comedian, therapist and only adult in the room is hard, but doable.
Months later. Mao rolls through traffic to and from schools and neighborhoods, not only cognizant of his prized cargo, but that he’s a part of the school community, rather than just someone who delivers it.
The kids who are nervous or outright scared? Just the right smile sets them at ease, or maybe a pat on the hand and an easy “good morning.”
Sometimes, it’s an ancient Chinese story about weather gods or a parable about gritting your teeth and toughing it out that keeps the kids engaged with him.
He’s also learned the valuable skill of waving hand signals that all school bus drivers must know to tell that one overly enthusiastic kid to tone it down.
But mostly, Mao says he’s learned to appreciate what he says is a very special APS community of teachers, bus drivers and school personnel who take the time to invest in everyone and every kid.
It’s a philosophy, he says, that led to success for him as a bus driver and that he knows can lead to educational success for kids.
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DAVE PERRY Editor
APS bus driver Jingli Mao poses for a photograph in the driver’s seat of his school bus after running his morning route.
PHOTO BY HEATHER LONGWAY, For the Sentinel
Trump budget cuts threaten Anschutz healthcare,
research and jobs, o cials say
“THIS IS LIFE AND DEATH STUFF FOR AMERICANS AND FOR COLORADANS.” – REP. JASON CROW
BY CASSANDRA BALLARD, Sentinel Staff Writer
Federal funding cuts to medical research could have a devastating impact on Colorado’s healthcare system, economy and global scientific leadership, according to leaders at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Rep. Jason Crow.
During a visit to the campus on Tuesday, Crow met with staff and CU Anschutz Chancellor Don Elliman to discuss how proposed cuts by the Trump administration are already straining the campus and threatening future progress.
“The biggest issue that we have is the uncertainty about future funding,” Elliman said.
The proposed cuts target funding from the National Institutes of Health, which awarded $575 million in grants to Colorado in 2023, supporting more than 7,000 jobs statewide, according to a letter from Crow’s office.
“This is life and death stuff for Americans and for Coloradans,” Crow said.
These funds are essential to groundbreaking research on cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, substance abuse, infectious diseases, Down syndrome and more, according to the letter. The economic impact would be substantial, generating more than $1.5 billion in activity across the state, according to Crow’s letter.
“We’re going to figure out a way to continue to do our mission to the best of our ability,” Elliman told reporters after meeting with Crow. “To think that the current atmosphere is not going to have an impact on how we do what we do, especially in the research arena, would be naive. The level of uncertainty right now is definitely causing us to rethink priorities and how we go about our jobs.’’
The CU Anschutz medical campus is home to the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the university’s nursing and dental schools, as well as University Hospital, the region’s VA Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado. In addition, the campus is the site of a variety of research labs and projects both independent and linked to campus entities.
The campus has already seen impacts with halted research projects, terminated grants, “stop work” orders and increasing
delays in new and renewal funding, Elliman said. Many grant applications have been stalled, and planning for future studies has come to a halt.
With everything changing day to day, it is difficult for the medical campus to give exact numbers or estimates of the changes and impacts they are working with.
“We’ve lost at least a quarter in terms of timing for when those grants are going to be re-awarded,” Elliman said. “It’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty, a lot of anxiety, we’ve had some job eliminations, not a huge number yet, because we’ve increased what we call our bridge programs to carry people over when their grant is not funding their position at that point in time.”
Elliman said that can only help so much, though.
Some job eliminations have occurred, though Elliman said the university has cushioned the impact, so far. Funding from clinical revenue has helped sustain research staff temporarily, but Elliman said that the solution is neither scalable nor sustainable long-term.
Crow said that while talking to Elliman, they talked about the “chilling effect” the administration’s message was having on the talent pipeline.
“We’re already seeing people taking early retirement, people opting to go elsewhere, people not coming to the United States because they’re afraid of the environment here,” Crow said.
The disruption and funding cuts not only risk future breakthroughs but it also endangers current healthcare quality and access, Crow said.
“Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans have been directly impacted in a positive way by what’s happening here on this campus,” Crow said. “Millions of Americans nationwide could be impacted by the cuts to the research that are being proposed to this campus.
Although the Trump administration says proposed budget cuts are needed to enact government reform, they are misguided and dangerous, Crow said.
“I’m all about a bipartisan approach to making things work faster,” Crow said. “The pendulum has swung so far the other
Congressperson Jason Crow tours the University’s BIOElectrics Lab, April 23, 2025, which explores the intersection between technology and the brain as well as the CellSight Program, which is working to develop therapeutics to save and restore sight in patients with blinding diseases.
VIA CROW’S CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE.
way that now we have the opposite problem. We’re just cutting things without thought.”
The danger of the arbitrary cuts is not only to healthcare systems and research, but there’s real danger to the greater local economy, Crow said.
Every dollar that taxpayers spend on the National Institutes of Health, there is a $2.50 return to our economy, he said.
The CU Anschutz Medical Campus includes Aurora’s Fitzsimons Village, which includes some housing and a variety of entities using the remnants of what was once the Fitzsimons Army Base and hospital.
New to the vast assortment of healthcare and research entities is the Fitzsimons Innovation Community, an effort created by the City of Aurora to promote healthcare and bioscience industries and interests on the campus.
The greater Anschutz Medical Campus is touted as the second-largest economic driver in Colorado, according to the Innovation Community, second to Denver International Airport. There are 28,000 people who work at the hospitals, medical schools, research facilities and support businesses, according to the Innovation Community.
The NIH and related cuts won’t just affect Anschutz, officials warned. Other institutions around the state, including Colorado State University, Fort Lewis College, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and National Jewish Health, all face similar issues, according to Crow’s letter.
Research into colon and pancreatic cancer, Down Syndrome, asthma treatments and DNA sequencing could all be scaled back or stopped entirely, according to Crow’s letter.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser joined 21 attorneys general from other states in a lawsuit against the federal government to block the cuts. A federal judge has temporarily suspended them, but the outcome is uncertain.
“This is not just about researchers or labs,” Crow said in a statement. “It’s about jobs. It’s about health. It’s about keeping Colorado on the frontlines of medical science. We can’t afford to fall behind.”
PHOTO
AROUND AURORA
NTSB holds premier summit in Aurora to address statewide transportation safety Legislative officials, state and local lawmakers, and transportation safety advocates and planners gathered for the first-ever National Transportation Safety Board Safety Summit in Aurora to talk about transportation safety issues in Colorado.
“Our mission is clear — to prevent crashes and save lives through action, identified in our safety recommendations, and through a commitment to reach zero road fatalities,” said National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chairman Alvin Brown.
The summit was held April 21 at the Aurora Municipal Center, where Brown was joined by Mayor Mike Coffman and City Councilmember Stephanie Hancock, representatives from Sen. John Hickenlooper’s office, Congressperson Jason Crow’s office and the Colorado Department of Transportation, along with Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties, and Bicycle Colorado, for the discussion, according to a city statement.
“There is no reason that over 40,000 lives should be lost each year on our roads. These tragedies are preventable, and we are committed to making our roads safer for every traveler. We must act now, because every life saved is a step closer to a safer future,” Brown said in the statement.
The discussion focused on bringing awareness to the state’s transportation safety challenges, work being done to implement road safety strategies across disciplines and levels of government and highlighting the safety board’s open safety recommendations related to potential state laws for backseat seatbelts and motorcycle helmets, the statement said.
“There is a lot of work happening at all levels of government, including the City of Aurora, to plan strategically and develop solutions for a safer transportation future for everyone in every community,” Coffman said. “I am grateful to Vice Chairman Brown for bringing this safety summit to Aurora.”
— Sentinel Staff
Aurora police offering free GPS tracking program to curb car thefts
“When thieves see a vehicle is registered and tracked by local law enforcement, they tend to move on in search of an easier target.”
The Aurora Police Department is launching a free program to prevent vehicle thefts with GPS tracking and stickers to act as visible deterrents.
“Although it’s encouraging to see motor vehicle thefts are on the decline in Aurora, it’s still a significant issue plaguing our city and our state,” City Councilmember Curtis Gardner said in a statement.
MetroTrack is an auto-theft deterrent program that enables the Aurora Police to assist in locating stolen vehicles using GPS data provided by the vehicle’s owner.
It begins Thursday and is available to all Aurora residents.
“The goal of MetroTrack is to provide our officers with the technology they need to help victims recover their vehicles as quickly as possible to minimize, or hopefully eliminate, any impact on their daily lives,” Gardner said in the statement.
Residents who already own vehicles with GPS tracking systems through a vehicle assistance program, including OnStar, can also participate in MetroTrack.
By enrolling in the program, residents agree to share their vehicle’s GPS location with Aurora police if it is stolen, officials said. The owners must access their Bluetooth tracking app and provide real-time location data to responding officers. The police cannot access a vehicle’s GPS information
without the owner’s consent.
Based on similar programs in Cook County, Ill., and Denver, MetroTrack features a two-prong strategy to auto theft prevention using visible vehicle stickers in addition to GPS monitoring, the statement said.
“Through our conversations with leadership in Cook County, we learned the stickers they use are a key component for preventing vehicle thefts in the first place,” said Mike Hanifin, commander of the Aurora Police Department Community Engagement Bureau, in the statement. “When thieves see a vehicle is registered and tracked by local law enforcement, they tend to move on in search of an easier target.”
Once registered for MetroTrack, vehicle owners will receive two free stickers to place in the corners of their driver’s and passenger’s windows. The stickers are designed to be visual deterrents, alerting potential thieves that the vehicle can be monitored and located by Aurora police.
Residents driving older model vehicles not already equipped with a GPS monitoring system are eligible to receive a free GPS tracking device to hide in their vehicle. The Aurora police have both AirTags and Chipolo trackers for Apple and Android personal device users.
There is a limit of two free devices per household, and there is no subscription fee for the GPS tracking devices provided by the Aurora Police Department. To receive free tracking devices, vehicle owners must have valid vehicle registration and auto insurance.
The MetroTrack project, sponsored by Gardner, is a priority initiative of the city council in response to several years of steady increases in auto thefts throughout the state. Colorado ranked fifth in 2022 in the total number of auto thefts, but ranked first in 2021 and 2022 in the number of vehicle thefts per capita, according to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center.
Auto-theft numbers have decreased in recent years. In 2024, Aurora police officers responded to 3,545 reports of stolen vehicles, down from 5,223 in 2023 and 6,781 at its recent peak in 2022, according to the statement. As of March 31, the Aurora Police received 596 stolen vehicle reports this year.
For details or to sign up for MetroTrack, visit AuroraGov.org/MetroTrack. Once registered, residents can schedule a date and time to pick up a MetroTrack self-install kit from Aurora police’s District 1 station, 13347 E. Montview Blvd. Self-install kits include a GPS tracking device, window stickers and essential program information.
MetroTrack self-install kits will be available beginning May 5.
— Cassandra Ballard, Sentinel Staff Writer
Trump border czar touts charges against 27 in Tren de Aragua case — including Aurora
President Donald Trump’s border czar joined New York City’s mayor last week to tout new federal charges against 27 people accused of being Tren de Aragua gang members — including a man linked to an Aurora arrest.
The joint announcement is the latest example of the close ties between Mayor Eric Adams and the Trump administration, which recently dropped federal corruption charges against the Democrat so he could better focus on the Republican president’s immigration priorities. Adams is now running for reelection as an independent.
Trump, in his nationwide immigration crackdown, has labeled Tren de Aragua an invading force as he invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a little-used statute from 1798 lets the president deport noncitizens 14 years or older who are from a country the U.S. is at war with.
“Every member of TDA should be on the run,” declared Thomas Homan, Trump’s border czar, referring to the
initials of the gang, which originated in Venezuela more than a decade ago and has been linked to a series of kidnappings, extortion and other crimes throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Among those named in Tuesday’s indictment was Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, 26, who was among those arrested in January in the Bronx during some of the Trump administration’s first efforts to ramp up immigration enforcement in that city, and Aurora.
Authorities say the 26-year-old was part of a group of heavily armed men seen in a now-viral video forcing their way into an apartment in Aurora, raising fears that Tren de Aragua was in control of the rundown complex in the Denver suburbs.
Zambrano-Pacheco’s lawyer didn’t immediately comment last week.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined federal agents in New York City just days after Trump took office to announce the arrests of immigrants wanted on criminal charges, including Zambrano-Pacheco, who is accused of kidnapping and was seen on a viral video entering an Aurora apartment with reputed gang members.
An operation in the Bronx on Jan. 27 snared Zambrano-Pacheco, who authorities said was one of several men, including members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, who
entered an apartment in Aurora, last summer and were recorded on a widely viewed viral video.
The incident caught President Donald Trump’s attention during the presidential campaign, and he announced a plan called “Operation Aurora” to target migrant gangs. The video led Trump to claim that Aurora had been taken over by the gang, which city officials and police have repeatedly denied.
In an arrest warrant, Aurora police said Zambrano-Pacheco was also wanted in a kidnapping in which at least 20 people, some armed, abducted and threatened people in late June. In addition, police said Zambrano-Pacheco was with the group of armed men before a shooting occurred shortly after the apartment incident that was caught on video.
Two arrest warrants accused Zambrano-Pacheco of kidnapping, burglary and felony menacing.
Federal officials have not released any documentation substantiating their claims that Zambrano-Pacheco is a member of Tren de Aragua.
Zambrano-Pacheco was the fifth person to be arrested in connection with the Aurora apartment incident. The video shows six armed men, including at least some members of Tren de Aragua, entering the apartment
shortly before a fatal shooting outside the complex.
Of the 27 charged across the nation, 21 are in custody, including five arrested Monday and Tuesday in operations in New York and elsewhere, they said. Six others remain at large.
The charges are broken out into two separate indictments, one for six alleged members of Tren de Aragua and the other charging 19 alleged members of “Anti-Tren,” a splinter faction made up of former Tren members. Adams rejected the notion that many of those apprehended by immigration and law enforcement officials in recent months are otherwise law-abiding people.
“The American dream is not doing armed robberies. The American dream is not discharging guns. The American dream is not shooting at police officers. The American dream is not going into homeless shelters and taking the documentation from innocent people and forcing them into sex trafficking,” he said. “That’s not the American dream, and we’re not going to be a safe harbor for criminals.”
— PHILIP MARCELO, Associated Press
ARAPAHOE COUNTY
Property tax deadline approaching!
If you owe property taxes in Arapahoe County, the deadline for submitting the full payment is April 30, 2025 For payment information and options, visit: arapahoeco.gov/treasurer
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The Magazine
Never a cross stitch together
BY ELISABETH SLAY, Colorado Community Media
From hand painted cross stitch patterns to intricate knitted designs to textile complex quilts, artists and hobbyists alike are drawn to the array of fiber arts shops and organizations strewn across the metro area.
Owners and employees of these establishments say the metro fiber arts scene is lively and inclusive.
“We all have different vibes,” said Marsha Corn, owner of the Tangled Ball. “We all carry some of the same, some different, we all specialize. (But) we’re in it for the same reason because we all love fiber and we all want to succeed and maybe make our customers love fibers as much as we do.”
The Tangled Ball, located at 5505 W. 20th Ave. in Edgewater, is not just a yarn shop – it’s a vibrant community hub for individuals of all ages and skill levels to come together and engage in the fiber arts.
“We have classes here, we have workshops here, we have events here,” Corn said. “It’s a safe place for people to come and just hang out and create.”
A LOOK INTO METRO AREA THRIVING FIBER ARTS SCENE
Corn said her mother inspired her passion for the fiber arts, and she was inspired to open the Tangled Ball after sitting in a shop with some friends and wishing there was one similar near where she lived.
“So my mom taught me how to knit and crochet (and) do all that kind of stuff,” Corn said. “I’ve always wanted to open my own business, so I proposed the idea to my husband about (opening) a yarn store, and it was one of the few that he was like, ‘yeah, we could do that.”’
The location Corn chose was ideal because it’s within a marketplace that offers food, drink and ample parking – creating a perfect environment for a community-centered store.
The Tangled Ball opened its doors in July 2020, after delays caused by the pandemic, and it has since grown into a space that serves many. For Corn, the best aspect of the Tangled ball is the way it provides support to people.
“We solve each other’s world problems. We get people through divorces. We get people through breakups. We get people through what to make for dinner. It’s just such a great community,” Corn said.
As a lover of the fiber arts, Corn feels different forms – such as needlepoint, knitting, crocheting and more – are both for those searching for a hobby and those skilled in the art of all of it. For Corn, something like a hand-knitted article is a work of art.
“It’s the yarn. The color of the yarn. The texture of the yarn. The composition of the yarn. (It) has linens and silks and rolls blended into it, and it’s just beautiful,” Corn said. “It’s an art form of design patterns. I do say we don’t knit or crochet now out of necessity, we knit out of joy or hobby.”
Corn believes people especially enjoy the fiber arts because it allows them to focus on something other than the stresses and challenges of day-to-day life.
“I’m not thinking about all the junk going on up here in the world,” Corn said. “I’m focused on what I’m doing, even if it’s just 10 minutes. I’m not thinking about what to make for dinner. I’m not thinking about politics. I’m not thinking about religion. I’m just concentrating on what’s in front of me.”
Similar to Corn, Colorado native and co-owner of Diversions Needlepoint, Cari Davis, was inspired by her late mother to practice the art
of needlepoint. It was her passion for the art that eventually led her to pursue it as a career.
“I saw her doing it and wanted to do it,” Davis said. “(I love) the color, the people, the challenge, the creativity, and I love the tactile. I enjoy the kinesthetic.”
Davis and her mother, Mary Lou Kidder, initially opened Diversions in Vail. It is now located at 410 W. Hampden Ave., and for over 50 years, the store has brought fiber arts supplies and knowledge to people throughout Colorado.
Davis now runs the shop with her own daughter, Mandy Adams, who grew up in the fiber business – even making her first project, a belt, at the age of 4.
Adams brought her own artistic talents to the shop, offering custom design services such as hand-painted canvases for needlepoint projects. Her ability to turn a customer’s vision into a unique work of art quickly became a hallmark of the store.
“I was just born artistic,” Adams said. “I always drew and painted and played with color from the time I was just a little one. (I am) awful a548t math and everything else, but I can kind of draw.”
The staff at Diversions, a mix of paid employees and volunteers, is knowledgeable and passionate about needlepoint. Many of the staff members have been with the shop for years, ensuring that customers always receive expert guidance and support.
“We’ve got a great group of women and wonderful people that volunteer here to help people,” Davis said. “Every day is different. You never know what’s going to happen or who’s going to walk in the door, and that makes it fun.”
Adams said she enjoys the challenge and the creative aspect of her art.
“You’re making heirlooms,” Adams said.
As the shop celebrates over five decades of business, it remains committed to providing a welcoming space where people can explore their creativity, build connections and find inspiration.
For Davis and Adams, it’s not just about selling products — it’s about building a community of makers.
“We hope to keep making people happy and inspire future generations and to keep needlework alive,” Davis said.
Another institution that works to educate and foster a community of fiber arts enthusiasts is the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden.
Located at 200 Violet St. this museum is dedicated entirely to the history, teaching and fundamentals of quilting.
“It’s a place where people really find an opportunity to experience what quilts are all about,” said Holly Bailey, the museum’s education manager. “And quilts are all about stories – stories of the people who made the quilts, stories of people who owned the quilts and got to experience the quilts. Even brand new quilts, the makers, almost always have a story of why they made the quilt or things that happened along the way while they were making it.” .
The museum has over 850 quilts in its permanent collection and about 150 quilts in its educational collections.
“(With) the permanent collection, preservation is kind of the primary thing that we’re concerned with, and then exhibiting so that people can see those quilts,” Bailey said.
The education collection contains quilts that don’t make it into the permanent collection.
“They’re still really valuable for education purposes,” Bailey said. “So we use those quilts to be able to bring them out. We take them out in trunk shows around the community and (country). The audience can touch them. So the education collection has the ones that you can get up close and personal with.”
For Bailey, quilting began not as a lifelong passion, but as a deeply personal project.
“I started doing it for kind of a strange reason,” Bailey said. “My sister was a quilter and she was the major caretaker for my parents and lived very close to them. I lived 1,500 miles away.”
Bailey said her mother had Alzheimer’s. So as a way to help her stay engaged in the story of her life, Bailey and her sister decided to make a quilt of their mother’s memories.
“She could talk about it and it didn’t really matter whether she was right or wrong or anything, but it was conversational and it would be something that she would get to enjoy,” Bailey said.
Based on her experience, Bailey believes many people begin quilting due to sentimental purposes and then just fall in love with the sto-
rytelling element of the art.
“I think a lot of people get involved because of friends or family or somebody else,” Bailey said. “Maybe they learn it from their relatives or people they’re around. But it’s very creative. Most of the time it’s very relaxing. Touching fabric has a value in and of itself. It’s almost like giving somebody a hug when you give them a quilt because it’s something that’s going to wrap around them and they’re going to find comfort in it.”
Bailey said many different people – from children to seniors – visit and enjoy all the services the museum has to offer, including its extensive library and classes.
Classes range from beginner quilting to advanced textile arts, with topics like hand-stitching, machine quilting and even digital-to-fabric design. One recent class explored how to turn a photograph into a quilt, using technology to manipulate and print images on fabric.
Another key highlight is the museum’s summer kids’ camp. Running for four weeks in June, the camp offers young artists, ages 8 to 16, the opportunity to design and complete their own quilts.
“They do everything,” Bailey said. “From the design of it through all of the sewing, all of the quilting, the binding.”
The museum also offers free community groups, including hand-stitching circles, study groups and technique-focused clubs.
Despite the richness of the fiber arts scene in the Denver metro area, Bailey feels there’s room for deeper collaboration.
“There’s a lot of variety, but we don’t come together very often and really trade ideas and crossover in our teaching,” Bailey said. “It would be nice if we could maybe be a little more intentional about that.”
One step toward greater unity is an upcoming partnership with the Embroidery Guild of America. The two groups will share knowledge through workshops, such as one on crazy quilts, which often incorporate intricate embroidery.
The team has recently expanded into a third unit of their building, with hopes to eventually occupy the entire space. The overall goal is to create a full-fledged quilting and fiber arts complex and a destination for locals and visitors alike.
Marsha Corn, owner of the Tangled Ball, checks out a customer who purchased yarn for their next project. Corn describes the Tangled Ball as a safe and welcoming community space for lovers of the fiber arts no matter their age or gender.
Photo by Elisabeth Slay
Flower Power on June 24: Flowers are beautiful and serve an important role for the plants they grow on. Join us on the prairie to learn all about flowers from their parts to their pollinators through science and art.
scene & herd
Prairie Pup Adventures offers Preschool Fun at Plains Conservation Center
Preschoolers can explore nature, science and history through handson activities at Prairie Pup Adventures, held at the Plains Conservation Center in southeast Aurora.
Programs run from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and are designed for children ages 3–6 with a caregiver.
Upcoming topics include:
Biomes of the World on May 6: Forests and tundras oh my! Learn about the different biomes around the world through crafts and games, and then create your very own biome diarama to take home.
Cheyenne Native Americans on May 27: Venture to the tipis to learn about the Cheyenne tribe and how they lived for centuries off the natural resources of the prairie. Examine artifacts, listen to Native American stories, play traditional games and taste dried berries and bison jerky to explore the amazing culture and history of the Cheyenne people.
Campfire Safety on June 10: Learn about the science of fire, how to build a safe campfire and how to cook on one. We will work together to assemble the layers of a successful campfire and make edible campfire snacks to munch on while we watch the fire burn, then we’ll roast smores and learn how to prevent wild fires.
Activities at all events include crafts, games, story time, and outdoor exploration.
IF YOU GO
Tickets: The fee is $8 per child; one adult per child is free. Additional adults and non-participating siblings over age 6 are $5. Infants under 18 months attend free.
Details: botanicgardens.org
Venue: Plains Conservation Center 21901 E. Hampden Ave
’Something Rotten!’ in Northglenn at the Parsons Theatre
Northglenn Youth Theatre brings the Broadway hit ‘Something Rotten!’ to life in a laugh-out-loud musical comedy about two playwrights in the 1590s who set out to outshine Shakespeare — by creating the world’s first musical! Packed with witty wordplay, show-stopping numbers, and over-the-top characters, this production is perfect for theater lovers and comedy fans alike.
IF YOU GO
When: April 25–May 4. Curtains vary, 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets:$15–$17
Details: NorthglennARTS.org or 303-450-8888.
Where: Parsons Theatre, One East Memorial Parkway
Really, Really Rembrandt arrives at the Denver Art Museum: Masterpieces from National Gallery Metro residents a rare opportunity to experience the work of one of history’s greatest painters up close. As part of a nationwide initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Denver Art Museum is holding two Rem-
brandt-related masterpieces on loan from the National Gallery of Art.
The featured works — “A Woman Holding a Pink” and “Portrait of Rembrandt,” likely painted by his workshop —w ill be on display in the museum’s European Art Before 1800 galleries through Feb. 6, 2027. The exhibit is part of the National Gallery’s “Across the Nation” program, which brings significant pieces from the national collection to museums across the U.S.
“We are honored to be among the first museums in the country to participate in this initiative,” said Christoph Heinrich, DAM’s director. “It is an incredible moment to carry the talents of Rembrandt at the DAM and offer our visitors the opportunity to interact with his brilliance.”
The exhibition places the Dutch master’s portraits alongside works by Mary Beale, Peter Lely, and Anthony van Dyck, highlighting Rembrandt’s lasting influence on European art.
IF YOU GO
When: Through 2025
Tickets: General admission i ncludes access to the exhibit, and youth under 18 can visit for free.
Details: www.denverartmuseum.org or call 720-865-5000.
Place: Denver Art Museum, 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway
The Life and Art of Tokio Ueyama
The Life and Art of Tokio Ueyama features more than 40 paintings loaned to the museum by the Japanese American National Museum and Ueyama’s family, whose combined efforts to preserve his work have allowed the story of this accomplished and cosmopolitan artist to be told at the Denver Art Museum for the first time.
Born in Japan, Tokio Ueyama moved to the United States in 1908 at age 18, where he made a home until his death in 1954. This exhibition tells the story of Ueyama’s life, including his early days as an art student in San Francisco, Southern California, and Philadelphia; his travels abroad in Europe and Mexico; his
role as artist and community member in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles; and his unconstitutional incarceration during World War II at the Granada Relocation Center, now the Amache National Historic Site, in southeast Colorado.
IF YOU GO Through June 1
Where: Denver Art Museum, 100 W 14th Ave Parkway Tickets: Included in general admission, which is free for members and for all visitors 18 and under.
Details: www.denverartmuseum.org
‘First Date’
Coal Creek Theater of Louisville will present “First Date,” the Broadway musical comedy beginning this week.
Directed by Heather Frost, “First Date” features a book by Austin Winsberg and music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner. The story follows blind-date newbie Aaron and serial-dater Casey as a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant spirals into a lively, highstakes dinner. Their inner critics come alive, with fellow restaurant patrons morphing into friends, exes and family members who sing and dance them through the evening’s emotional pitfalls.
Described by The Hollywood Reporter as “a winning crowd-pleaser delivered with comic verve and charm,” First Date has also been praised as “sassy, madcap fun” by the Associated Press.
IF YOU GO
Tickets: $33 - $35, with Opening Night on May 2 designated as a “Pay what you will” event, with a $10 minimum.
Dates: May 2 – May 17. Fridays, Saturdays and Monday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Sundays, May 4 and May 11 at 2 p.m.
Details: www.cctlouisville.org or 303-665-0955
Venue: Louisville Center for the Arts, 801 Grant Ave.
First Fridays at the Stanley
First Fridays are coming to Stanley! Join us as local artists bring out their best works to show off throughout the halls of the marketplace. Live music will be pumping to liven up the place and shops will be open late! .
IF YOU GO
Tickets: Free
Date: 6 p.m. beginning May 2
Venue: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St.
Immersive Show
‘Remember Me’
“Remember Me,” a new interactive immersive experience from One More Time in collaboration with Two Cent Lion, will debut in Aurora at The People’s Building.
Set in the unfinished “Museum of Obsolete Technology,” “Remember Me” follows Alice as she searches for her missing father, piecing together clues and solving puzzles hidden among relics of the past. The show blends mystery, emotional storytelling and hands-on exploration, inviting audiences to rediscover lost parts of themselves along the way. The performance runs approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Content warnings include strobing or flashing lights and themes related to the loss of a parent.
IF YOU GO:
Dates: Shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. May 1, 2, 3,8,9 and 10. Shows at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. May 11.
Tickets: $17-$25
Venue: The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.
Details: www.thepeoplesbuilding.com
Aurora seized the cars, and that day in battle against traffic scofflaws
Above: An on-line template for a “temporary registration” license plate, which is illegal to create. Police say the fake temporary tags have become a regular feature on Colorado roads. Using the tags, in addition to not having a valid driver’s license or poor of car insurance can result in a driver having their car towed by Aurora police, as part of the city’s Three Strikes measure.
BY CASSANDRA BALLARD, Sentinel Staff Writer
Aurora’s nascent “three-strikes” traffic law resulted in 638 cars being impounded from November to February, according to Aurora police, and at least 38 of the confiscated cars were sold at city auctions so far.
“The Aurora Police Department is committed to stopping the practice of motorists operating vehicles with expired, fictitious and stolen license plates — or driving without a license plate at all — which is a significant issue in the Denver metro area and one of great concern to our community,” police spokesperson, Joe Moylan said in a statement.
Aurora police started enforcing the so-called “threestrikes” Aurora law Nov. 5. The measure requires police to tow and impound vehicles of drivers who are simultaneously committing three traffic offenses behind the wheel: no driver’s license, no proof of insurance and no valid car-license plate.
Councilmember Stephanie Hancock sponsored the measure in 2024, “to address the growing issue of unregistered and uninsured vehicles, something affecting neighborhoods all across our city.”
Since the law was implemented, the number of impounded vehicles monthly has been slightly decreasing, according to police and court records obtained by the Sentinel.
Records show 195 cars were impounded in November, 177 in December, 135 in January and 131 in February. The number of cars impounded in March and April was so far unavailable. Of the cars impounded through February, records show that 38 cars were never retrieved by owners and subsequently were sold at city car auctions. Three of those cars, however, were never bid on.
Motorists suspected of violating the Three Strikes law are required to provide documentation to the city impound lot, proving they have a valid driver’s license, car insurance and car registration, or they can’t retrieve their vehicle. Ticketed drivers must also appear for a county court appearance, bringing the required documents and paying any fines imposed.
City not cashing in on cashing out confiscated cars
While the fines for scofflaws can add up, Aurora currently receives no financial benefit from the new law, according to city officials. That’s because, currently, all tickets for invalid registration or driver’s licenses have to be prosecuted through the county court, not city court. The fines imposed then fill county and state coffers, not those of the city.
A statewide measure currently in the Legislature that would allow city courts to adjudicate drivers-license and license-plate infractions is currently moving through the state House.
Democratic state representatives Eliza Hamrick and Brianna Titone have worked with Hancock, a Republican, to introduce House Bill 1112, which would allow Aurora and other governments the authority to enforce car registration and driver license laws directly in their local courts.
The bill is currently in the state Senate Appropriations committee.
Aurora and some surrounding counties and municipalities have, for the past few years, focused on cracking down on expired and invalid car registrations, police say.
“Many drivers were still on the road with tags that expired as far back as 2019, even before the height of the pandemic,” Hancock said in an email. “This wasn’t just a nuisance — it was a public safety concern that was getting worse by the day.”
City council members critical of the Three Strikes project said the program was too punitive for the offense, and it would affect poorer residents who were offenders, likely because of their lack of money.
Hancock said the important goal is safer roads.
“It wasn’t about punishment — it was about restoring accountability and keeping our roads safe for every-
one,” Hancock said in the email.
Other municipalities, including Colorado Springs and El Paso County, have taken notice of the Three Strikes program and have also begun increasing enforcement, she said.
Impound to auction
The Three Strikes program strictly spells out what happens after suspects are ticketed and their cars are towed to a city impound lot.
If police determine a driver doesn’t have the required documents, everyone inside the car must abandon it, and it’s towed away.
Thirty days after the cars are impounded, the vehicles are permanently seized if not reclaimed by owners and sold at a police auction, according to the ordinance.
City records show Aurora police had 16 vehicles scheduled for auction Feb. 19, 2025, and 23 scheduled for auction April 2, 2025. Owners of vehicles scheduled for the April auction had until March 26 to clear and reclaim their cars, according to city records obtained by the Sentinel. None of those vehicles were retrieved before the auction.
The city does not transparently track how many vehicles are confiscated under the Three Strikes program. To retrieve the number of citations written, cars confiscated and sold at auction, the Sentinel was required to complete a Colorado Opens Records Act request. The city charged the Sentinel $136.13 to provide the numbers from November through February.
In a list of 175 vehicles impounded between Dec. 18 and Jan. 23 for drivers not having a valid license, registration and insurance, 57 of those vehicles did not have any record of being registered ever by the current owner, according to police. That does not include the number of people who had falsified temporary or permanent license plates, which was not detailed by police records analysts.
Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain told Aurora
City Councilmembers during a Public Safety, Courts and Civil Service Policy Committee meeting March 13 that the police department is now collecting more detailed data for crimes in Aurora, including mapping where people were pulled over for the Three Strikes law.
During a presentation, he showed a map of Aurora with red triangles scattered all over the city, especially on East Colfax Avenue and Havana Street, showing people who were pulled over for the “three strikes.”
The map was dated from Jan. 6 to March 2, showing 249 registration summons — just registration violations, not Three Strikes offenses — and where they were pulled over. The red triangles are scattered across the city, showing that there is no specific area in Aurora where people are caught driving without registration.
The location of the violations and demographics of those ticketed are linked to criticism by some council members and the Aurora Police consent decree. Some city lawmakers pushed back on the measure last November, saying it was likely that mostly poor residents and people of color would be most impacted by the bill. Aurora is currently under a consent decree mandated by the Colorado attorney general, in part, because of findings that the city treats different classes of people and races disparately.
Chamberlain revealed the demographics for people ticketed for expired or invalid registration only. He detailed court summons given to drivers for invalid registration between Jan. 6 to March 3, equalling 984 tickets. The demographics for those tickets showed 457 white people ticketed, 236 Hispanic or Latino, 225 Black people and 66 were unknown.
“Impounds would be related to operations conducted periodically throughout the year by the Traffic Section or by officers on routine patrol who encounter unlawful drivers or motorists engaged in other criminal activity,” Moylan said, basically saying that people are being found in violation of the “Three Strikes” law in many different ways, and not specific crack downs.
In the February and April auctions, the car sold for the highest auction price was a 2014 white Subaru
Impreza. The winning bid for the Subaru was $2,700. Three cars had no bids in the April auction.
The average price for impounded vehicles auctioned on that list was $791, and the overall sum was $26,100.
The city sells hundreds of cars per year through the Rollers Auction Site, for a variety of reasons, including stolen cars, abandoned cars and cars confiscated in the commission of crimes. The city does not clearly identify which cars are sold as part of the Three Strikes program
Rollers adds a 13% buyer’s surcharge to each vehicle sold, which is reduced to 10% if the buyer pays cash. The sold cars are also subject to applicable taxes.
Spokespersons from the Aurora Police Department and the city said the proceeds go to the city’s general fund.
For those who retrieve their cars, the fees can add up fast.
Under Three Strikes, the vehicle impoundment fee is $240. The police department administration fee is $47.25, and the tow-lot storage fee is $40 a day. According to Moylan, contract towing companies are also entitled to a one-time $150 fee. This fee applies to vehicles impounded for three or more days. Added together, it means scofflaws face fines that start at more than $400. If the car is left in impound for a month, that could add another $1,200. In addition, those ticketed also face court fines for each traffic infraction: no license, no registration and no insurance.
Multiplying the minimum court fees of $500 by the total cars impounded so far means Aurora’s law has grossed at least $319,000 in impound fees, but Aurora does not receive any of that money. Registration and driver’s licence infractions must be prosecuted in county courts. If one traffic violation is required to go to county court, the whole ticket is written to county court, meaning all “Three Strikes’ violations go to county courts.
If someone can’t afford to get their car out of impound or abandon it, they still have to go to county court and pay fines for driving without insurance, a license and valid registration.
Driving without proof of insurance in Colorado is a minimum fine of $500 unless the person brings proof of insurance when they come to court. Then the minimum fine is half, costing $250. A second conviction for driving without insurance is $1,000 minimum and half if the person brings proof of insurance when they come to court, according to the Aurora municipal code.
State fines for driving without a license are $15$100.
Fines for vehicle registration violations range from $15-$75, according to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles. The fine and surcharge for an expired plate of more than 60 days is $95.50, according to Colorado State Law. Schulte said that Aurora police often issue warning tickets for lack of valid registration and focus on infractions that head to city court. The city currently cannot impose convictions and fines for the car registration infractions, Schulte said.
“It’s a lot quicker for a police officer to write a citation into the municipal court than it is to write to the county court,” Schulte said.
A motorist convicted of having falsified, suspended, altered or stolen license plates and registration can receive a possible sentence ranging from 10 days in jail or a $150 fine or both, up to 90 days in jail or a $300 fine or both, according to the Aurora Police Department.
Three Strikes was the culmination of Aurora’s crackdown on enforcing registration and license plate violators, beginning in 2023. Police and city council proponents stated on social media that they were taking action after “hearing” residents’ complaints.
In January, however, police Sgt. Scott Benedict, a department supervisor, said officers confronting drivers with no license, registration or insurance say they’re aware of state traffic laws, but motorists are shocked when their cars are towed.
“I think a lot of people know that it’s already a possibility, and then when they actually get their car towed because of their status, as far as not having the required documentation, I think the reality of it kind of sinks in,” Benedict said.
A few of the 68 cars sold so far at an Aurora police auction after the cars were confiscated by police. The cars were taken and towed because owners did not have a valid car registration, valid driver’s license and valid proof of insurance, tripping Aurora’s Three Strikes measure. Sentinel Screen Grabs
The Eaglecrest boys volleyball team dropped its last two matches of the regular season, but there’s literally no better preparation for the upcoming postseason.
The Raptors are ranked No. 2 in Class 5A in the latest Colorado High School Activities Association coaches poll and faced off against the two programs they are sandwiched in between — No. 1 Littleton Public Schools and No. 3 Mountain Vista — following another tough one vs. No. 6 Grandview at the Centennial League Challenge.
“I always say ‘iron sharpens iron,’ so being able to play two matches against some of the top teams in the state really gets us better,” Dye said.
The Raptors certainly have talent in players such as Shaw (who has signed at Dominican University in New York to join the same program that his older brother, Ayden, currently plays) as he ranks No. 6 in 5A with 230 kills, while Dye is the fifth-most efficient hitter in terms of percentage in 5A (.393).
Eaglecrest also has strong contributors in senior Ethan Levakin, juniors Ashton Bond and Dillan Ancheta plus sophomore Will George, who has been pressed into duty as setter due to injuries to starter Alex Chen and Ancheta.
Spikes ahead
“I love it,” Eaglecrest coach Chad Bond said. “Playing these high RPI teams is only going to benefit us and only going to benefit them at this tie of year.”
BY COURTNEY OAKES Sports Editor
Indeed, the Raptors should be operating at their peak given the level of competition that has been on the other side of the net from them of late.
Eaglecrest downed Grandview on the road to conclude the Centennial League regular season and one match later faced the Wolves again in the semifinals of the Centennial League Challenge. Playing a high level of defense — especially in the third set — the Raptors (whose libero needed to depart to play in a band concert — held off set point multiple times for the Wolves and eventually held on to complete the sweep.
That earned the Raptors a rematch with the Littleton Public Schools program against which they had played five sets back on April 1. The April 26 rematch was tight in the opening set, but the LPS team earned a 25-23, 25-16, 25-22 victory.
Eaglecrest turned around April 28 and lost a threeset road match against Mountain Vista, last season’s state champions and the only team to defeat Littleton Public Schools to conclude the regular season with 19-4 record. CHSAA is set to issue the seeding for the postseason on April 30 and the strength of the Raptors’ late season schedule should keep them in the No. 2 spot and with a home regional.
Despite the final results, senior Matthew Dye — one of two-four varsity players for Eaglecrest, the other being standout Jackson Shaw — relished the competition that his team got to face.
Bond is proud of how his team plays on the floor, but also of the strengthened mindset with which they have developed that has shown itself in some key situations during the season.
“Players and coaches have made big strides this season in positivity and having that one idea in your mind,” Bond said. “We tell them we’re just trying to get better. We know negative thoughts are going to come in, but let’s worry about us and what we do best.
“You could see that in the third set against Grandview, where we didn’t say anything across the net for the last five points. We just need to play within ourselves, play together and have a point to point mentality.”
Bond’s team is on pace to qualify for the state tournament for the fourth time in as many seasons that the sport has been sanctioned. Eaglecrest is the only local program to make state every season thus far — and made it all the way to the state championship match in 2023, where it lost to Discovery Canyon — while Cherokee Trail and Regis Jesuit have appeared twice and Grandview once.
The Wolves appeared primed to make a repeat state trip of their own as they finished the regular season with a 17-6 record after a road sweep of Rock Canyon April 28.
Coach Scott Nugent’s Grandview team got that win following consecutive Centennial League Challenge losses to Eaglecrest and then to No. 14 Valor Christian in the third-place match April 26.
The Wolves hope to draw on the experience from last season, when they finished 2-2 at the state tournament with largely the same roster. They have a presence at the net in senior Ethan Carroll, offensive
firepower in senior Nick Safray and sophomores Alex Garcia and Connor Deickman plus experience at setter in junior Devan Hall in addition to other strong contributors, which should make them tough to deal with in the postseason.
Garcia has the fourth-most kills in 5A with 244, while Deickman is just shy of 200 kills on the season himself and Hall is seventh in the classification in assists and is one of only two setters in 5A to average more than 10 assists per set (10.2).
Outside of Eaglecrest and Grandview in the top 10, there could be significant Aurora area representation in the regionals, which include the top 24 teams in the CHSAA seeding index.
With a 10-13 record, Cherokee Trail (which has a new coach this season in Abe Cabuag) is No. 19, while coach Diane Swan’s Overland team — fresh off a seventh-place showing at the Centennial League Challenge — is No. 21 with a 15-8 mark and Regis Jesuit is No. 23 with a 11-11 record. Just on the outside of the regional qualifying group at No. 25 with a 1210 mark is Vista PEAK Prep, which features senior Tristan Rowley, who leads all players with 297 kills.
The 4A regional postseason could also include three Aurora area squads, as Aurora West College Prep Academy (No. 13 at 10-8), Hinkley (No. 20 at 9-13) and Gateway (No. 22 at 10-12) all sit in position to qualify.
As a whole, much has changed in boys volleyball this season, including a split into separate classifications for the first time. All teams played for one title in the previous three seasons, but a state winner in 5A and 4A will be crowned this season.
The state tournament will also take place for the first time outside of Aurora, as it shifts from Overland High School — which played host to the inaugural state tournament in 2022 and stayed there through 2024 — to the 4,800-seat Trojan Arena on the campus of Fountain-Fort
Carson High School in Colorado Springs.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ABOVE: Eaglecrest junior Ashton Bond (6) tips a ball over Grandview’s block during the Raptors’ three-set win over the Wolves in a championship semifinal match of the Centennial League Challenge boys volleyball tournament on April 24 at Eaglecrest High School. The Raptors finished as the Centennial League runner-up and is likely to finish as the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Class 5A boys volleyball postseason. BELOW: Grandview sophomore Alex Garcia ranks fourth in 5A in kills and is part of an experienced core for the Wolves, who seek a second straight trip to the state tournament. Photos by Courtney Oakes/Aurora Sentinel
PREPS
GIRLS TENNIS
Regis Jesuit stopped in 5A team quarterfinals
The only Aurora area qualifier for the 16-team Class 5A girls tennis team state tournament — Regis Jesuit — won its first match, but had its run ended in the quarterfinals April 25.
The Raiders earned the highest seed they had in the three-year history of the team dual tournament (which was sixth) and defended their home court against No. 11 Arvada West with a 7-0 first round sweep April 23.
Regis Jesuit’s singles wins came from Madeline Dickey (No. 1), Otylia Martino (No. 2) and Rebecca Helfer (No. 3), while the doubles teams of Lily Beebe and Cait Carolan (No. 1), Helen Adams and Molly Goodwin (No. 2), Abigail Puschaver and Brooklyn Craven (No. 3) and Rachel Osborn and Sophia Simoes (No. 4) all were victorious. Adams and Goodwin at No. 2 and Beebe and Carolan at No. 1 both needed three sets to win, as did Martino.
The Raiders earned a visit to third-seeded Valor Christian for the quarterfinals and lost 6-1, with the only win coming at No. 3 singles from Gelfer, who earned a 6-4, 6-3 victory over the Eagles’ Anna Schouten.
Regis Jesuit returns to its home court April 30 as the host team for the Class 5A Region 8 individual tournament.
GIRLS TENNIS
Aurora teams disperse to multiple 4A/5A regionals
The girls tennis regular season has come to a close and individual state tournament berths in Class 4A and 5A will be on the line at upcoming regional tournaments April 30-May 2.
Nine different regional tournaments will include at least one local team, while only two will feature multiple area entries. Two of the city’s three 4A programs — Aurora Central and Gateway — are both bound for the Region 3 tournament April 30-May 1 at the Denver Tennis Park, while the other regional with two local squads is at Regis Jesuit, where the host Raiders welcome a field for the 5A Region 8 tournament April 30-May 1 that also includes Cherokee Trail.
Vista PEAK Prep (Region 2), Overland (Region 3), Rangeview (Region 4), Smoky Hill (Region 5), Grandview (Region 6) and Eaglecrest (Region 7) will represent the area in 5A play, while Hinkley is part of the 4A Region 3 field. For full schedules and regional fields, visit sentinelcolorado.com/preps.
BOYS SWIMMING
League championship meets end regular season
The boys swimming regular season ends May 3 with the conclusion of the final “A” League championship meets prior to the state meet.
The Centennial “A” League meet is scheduled for May 2-3 at Cherry Creek High School, where Cherokee Trail, Grandview, Overland and Smoky Hill will join the host Bruins plus Arapahoe and Mullen. Swim prelims begin at 5 p.m. May 2, while diving is scheduled for 9 a.m. and swim finals at 2 p.m. Regis Jesuit is part of the Continental “A” League meet with a swimming portion that is set for Heritage High School on May 2 (prelims at 5 p.m.) and May 3 (finals at 1:30 p.m.). The diving competition is scheduled for Grandview at 7 p.m. May 1.
FIELD
TRACK &
Stutler Twilight meet features top showings
The Stutler Twilight track & field meet took place in chilly conditions April. 25 at Stutler Bowl and featured a variety of top performances by local athletes in a loaded field.
The Grandview boys finished as the runner-up behind Niwot with help from victories by Braydon Caldelarie (400 meters), D’Aron Stewart (triple jump) and Derek Williams (discus), which put
the Wolves six points clear of third-place Cherokee Trail. The Cougars had three event winners of their own in the 4x400 meter relay as well as Joshua Stewart in the 110 meter hurdles and Taylor Waters in the pole vault, where his effort of 16 feet, 8 inches, set the meet record. The previous mark was 16-0 by Monarch’s Max Manson in 2019.
Event titles were harder to come by for locals in the girls competition, as only the 4x100 relay team for Eaglecrest and long jumper Kaeli Powe of Cherokee Trail took firsts. The Raptors edged the Cougars by 11 points for sixth place in the team standings.
WEEK PAST
The week past in Aurora prep sports
MONDAY, APRIL 28: The Eaglecrest baseball team won a dramatic 5-4 visit to Cherokee Trail in a game that ended
with a tag out at the plate. Cosme Vera got the win and Brian Moreland the save for the Raptors. ...Emma Foley scored back-to-back goals to break a late tie and Brynn Goodwin’s subsequent goal proved to be the winner for the Grandview girls lacrosse team in a 16-13 win over Eaglecrest SATURDAY, APRIL 26: Behind a solid pitching effort from Justin Dean and Josiah Giron, the Grandview baseball team earned a 5-2 win at Boulder. Kyle Cacciavillani and AJ Maroni had two hits and scored two runs apiece. ...The Vista PEAK Prep baseball team got a complete game three-hitter from Abel Salinas in a 2-1 City League win at George Washington. Karter Robinson and Brody Brancato drove in the Bison’s runs. ... Anthony Rubio earned the win on the pitching mound and drove in two runs for the Gateway baseball team — which also got three hits and 2 RBI from Jakob Petersen — in a 14-4 Colorado League win
ABOVE: Cherokee Trail senior Kaeli Powe, left, and Eaglecrest sophomore Zenobia Witt clear the second-to-last hurdle during the girls 100 meter hurdles at the Stutler Twilight track & field meet April 25 at Stutler Bowl. LEFT: Rangeview’s Darrius Lightner, center, digs for the finish line on his way to winning the boys 200 meter dash final at the Liberty Bell Invitational track meet April 26 at Littleton Public Schools Stadium. BELOW LEFT: Overland senior Jarrius Ward receives his medal after he won the boys discus competition at the Liberty Bell Invitational track meet. BELOW RIGHT: Regis Jesuit senior No. 3 singles player Rebecca Helfer earned the Raiders’ only win in a 6-1 loss to Valor Christian in a Class 5A girls tennis team state tournament quarterfinal match. The sixth-seeded Raiders defeated No. 11 Arvada West in the opening round April 23.
PHOTOS BY COURTNEY OAKES/ AURORA SENTINEL
over Adams City. ... Dulcie Bryant, Sam Garofalo, Gianna Mathenge and Makayla Sellyei all scored goals for the Cherokee Trail girls soccer team in a 4-1 road win over Lakewood. ...The Vista PEAK Prep girls track team finished as the runner-up among 21 scoring teams at the Cowboy Invitational behind wins from the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams along with Aniyah Arellanos’ victory in the 400 meter dash. Maddie Kilmer won the long jump and triple jump for sixth-place Rangeview. The Vista PEAK Prep boys finished fourth as Tyrone Smiley won the 100 and Brandon Pearcy took the 3,200, while a 4x400 meter relay victory helped Rangeview tie for sixth. ...Darrius Lightner (200 meters) and Kimi Bulto (800 meters) earned wins for the Rangeview boys track team as a small group of Raiders finished in a tie for 13th at the Liberty Bell Invitational. Overland placed 20th and got an event title in the discus
from Jarrius Ward, who is the state leader in the event. . ...The Cherokee Trail boys track team finished as the runner-up at the On Ye Bruins Relays meet at Stutler Bowl with six victories, while the Cherokee Trail girls finished third with wins in nine events. ... FRIDAY, APRIL 25: In a matinee played on campus in front of a large crowd of students, the Regis Jesuit baseball team topped visiting Chaparral 2-1 in Continental League play. Hudson Alpert worked out of trouble on a few occassions for a complete game victory with seven strikeouts, while Jacob Olson’s two-run home run — his third in as many games — provided the only runs needed for the Raiders. ...Taylor Allen and Goretty Vasquez De Leon scored goals in the second half for the Vista PEAK Prep girls soccer team in a 2-2 tie with visiting Hinkley. ...The Regis Jesuit boys lacrosse team rolled to a
›› See PREPS, 16
12-2 conference victory over Castle View.
...The Eaglecrest boys lacrosse team rolled to a 20-5 win over Arvada West behind a huge game from Payton Friedel, who scored seven goals and racked up four assists, while Wynston Crampton added three goals and three assists. Mason Kelly and Cameron Festi tallied five goals apiece and Kelly added four assists as the Grandview boys lacrosse team downed Kent Denver 13-11. ...The Regis Jesuit girls lacrosse team extended its winning streak to 10 games with a 16-4 win over Cherry Creek in a game rescheduled multiple times due to weather and availability of officials. ...A six-goal effort from Brynn Goodwin helped the Grandview girls lacrosse team to a 12-10 win over Horizon that snapped a three-game losing streak. The Wolves got two goals apiece from Taylor Contardo and Emma Foley, plus eight saves from Anastasia Rust. ...The Gateway boys volleyball team earned a sweep of visiting Denver West to up its winning streak to four matches.
THURSDAY, APRIL 24: In a game twice delayed due to lightning, the Regis Jesuit girls soccer team got a goal from Annabelle Turner in the first two minutes and got another in the second half from Brooke Metcalfe in a 2-0 Continental League defeat of Heritage. Metcalfe and Kennedy Ranson picked up assists.
Sam Garafalo scored in the second half for the Cherokee Trail girls soccer team to even its game with Mullen and an own goal by the Mustangs late landed the Cougars a 2-1 Centennial League victory. ...A single score from Sa’mya Shazier stood up for the Gateway girls soccer team in a 1-0 Colorado League win over Thornton. ...Three-goal games from Madisyn Jokerst, Addison Kindy and Delaney Sitzmann helped the Regis Jesuit girls lacrosse team to a 22-1 win over Palmer Ridge. ...The Eaglecrest boys volleyball team earned a hardfought 25-21, 25-21, 28-26 win over rival Grandview in a championship semifinal of the Centennial League Challenge. Jackson Shaw’s 10 kills and 15 digs paced the Raptors, while Will George added seven kills and 12 assists.
Jaeden Barnes racked up 16 kills and 16 digs for the Cherokee Trail boys volleyball team in a 25-14, 25-21, 25-23, defeat of Mullen in a Centennial League Challenge consolation semifinal. Forrest Cornett added nine kills and Chase Cabuag had 35 assists. ...The Rangeview boys volleyball team earned a 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 non-league sweep of Highlands Ranch. ...WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23: Three-run rallies in the second and third innings held up for the Regis Jesuit baseball team in a 6-4 non-league home win over Fruita Monument, as Michael Kroll allowed two hits and a single run in five innings. Gavin Cronin and Jace Filleman drove in two runs apiece and Ja-
cob Olson homered for the second straight game for the Raiders, who got two hits apiece from Isak Stevenson and Hudson Alpert. ...The Aurora Central baseball team held off Kennedy for a 10-8 home win that included three-hit performances from Toby Sanchez (who also was the winning pitcher) and Kalai Bentosino along with 3 RBI from Eloy Sifuentes. ...The Hinkley girls soccer team scored multiple goals in both
halves of a 5-0 City League road win over Montbello. ...Yoana Dominguez stopped all seven shots she faced for the Aurora West College Prep Academy girls soccer team in a 0-0 tie with STEM School Highlands Ranch. ...The Cherokee Trail boys lacrosse team stretched its winning streak to three games with a 14-2 road win over Denver South that saw Tanner Calicchia and Bruce Pfeiffer each score three goals and have two
TOP LEFT: Cherokee Trail junior Makayla Sellyei (11) plays a pass with her head during the second half of the Cougars’ 2-1 Centennial League girls soccer win over Mullen April 24 at Legacy Stadium LEFT: Cherokee Trail junior Brinnon Cook watches her tee shot fly on Hole No. 1 during the Centennial League girls golf tournament at Aurora Hills G.C. April 23. Cook shot 77 to tie for fourth individually and help the Cougars to third as a team. TOP RIGHT: Eli Garcia threw four shutout innings and drove in two runs to help the Vista PEAK Prep baseball team to an 11-0 win over Rangeview April 22. ABOVE: Regis Jesuit junior Annabelle Turner, left, celebrates with teammates after her goal in the opening two minute of the Raiders’ 2-0 home girls socer win over Heritage April 24. (Photos by Courtney Oakes/Aurora Sentinel)
assists, while goalie Race Bowen stopped 13 of the 15 shots he faced. Paxton Beecher, Payton Friedel and Spencer Wakefield had three goals apeice for the Eaglecrest boys lacrosse team in a 14-2 victory over Denver North. ...The Gateway boys volleyball team dealt Abraham Lincoln a 3-0 defeat. ...The Grandview girls tennis team swept past Mullen 7-0 in Centennial League dual play as Shriya Ginjupalli (No. 1), Marin Shutter (No. 2) and Ava Stubbs (No. 3) picked up the singles wins for the Wolves. ...The Cherokee Trail girls golf team finished a shot behind Arapahoe for second place at the Centennial League tournament played at Aurora Hills G.C. The Cougars had two players who finished in the top-six in Brinnon Cook, whose plus-5 77 tied her for fourth and Haylee Clark, who shot 79 to tie for sixth. Grandview placed fifth in the team standings. ...TUESDAY, APRIL
22: The Grandview baseball team scored runs in five of the first six innings in an 8-5 Centennial League win at Arapahoe with Nick Martensen and Jax Pfister on the mound. Chase Chapman and Kayden Bohmeyer scored had two hits and scored twice to pace the Wolves. Eli Garcia pitched four shutout innings and also went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI for the Vista PEAK Prep baseball team in an 11-0 City League home win over Rangeview. Eric Houser and Karter Robinson drove in three runs apiece for the Bison. ...The Smoky Hill baseball team scored seven runs in the final two innings of a 10-8 Centennial League win at Mullen on three-hit days for Hudson Roth and Jovani Galvan. Galvan drove in three runs and Eric Aleman knocked in two for the Buffs, while Nolan Beckwith got the win ...The Aurora Central baseball team rolled past Thornton 17-4 in Colorado League play as Toby Sanchez had three
hits, three RBI and scored three runs and German Alejos, Sebastian Castillo and Kalai Bentosino drove in two runs apiece. ...Despite 13 strikeouts from Carter Wilcox, the Cherokee Trail baseball team dropped a 4-1 Centennial League game at Cherry Creek. ... Brooke Metcalfe scored twice, while Elly Bante and Annabelle Turner also had goals as the Regis Jesuit girls soccer team blanked Douglas County 4-0 in Continental League play. ...Sa’mya Shazier scored a goal in each half and Dayanara Vazquez also tallied for the Gateway girls soccer team in a 3-0 Colorado League shutout win over Aurora Central. ...The Smoky Hill boys swim team captured an 89-81 Centennial League win at Arapahoe that saw the Buffaloes win eight events. Mashall Adams, Ian Noffsinger and Cooper Walkup were victorious in two events apiece and the trio teamed with Carl Johnson to win the 400 yard freestyle relay. ...A boys lacrosse showdown between Regis Jesuit and Valor Christian went to the Eagles, who prevailed 12-8. Austin Ryan scored three goals and Marco Walsweer had a pair. Amina Pope’s four goals and two assists paced the Regis Jesuit girls lacrosse team to an 18-3 win over Rock Canyon. Delaney Sitzmann added two goals and three assists. ...The Regis Jesuit boys volleyball team outlasted visiting Bear Creek 33-31, 23-25, 25-21, 27-25. ...Despite wins from Francesca Johnson at No. 1 singles and at No. 1 doubles from Ava and Mady Eltzroth the Vista PEAK Prep girls tennis team had a six-match winning streak come to an end with a 5-2 City League loss to Thomas Jefferson. ...Alexus Lopez finished two shots out of first place individually and helped the Aurora Central girls golf team to a second place finish at the Colorado League minor tournament.
EfilingSystemGuidebook_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. Any Affected Person who files a petition must be able to participate in a virtual prehearing conference during the week of May 27, 2025, if a virtual prehearing conference is requested by the Applicant or by any person who has filed a petition.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For more information, you may review the Application,
state.co.us, prior to the hearing and arrangements will be made.
ENERGY AND CARBON MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
By /s/ Elias J. Thomas, Commission Secretary
Dated:
Phone: 720-853-2487
First
DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-10-401, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR141
In the Interest of: Na’Mari Alayha Serenity Jones
To Demarius Jones
A hearing on Petition for Guardianship for Cassandra Robinson has submitted a petition to file for Guardianship of Na’Mari Alayha Serenity Jones will be held at the following time and location or at a later date to which the hearing may be continued:
Date: May 28, 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Courtroom or Division: 12
Address: Webex
The hearing will take approximately 30 minutes.
Cassandra Robinson 17359 E. E. Warren Pl., DD208 Aurora, CO 80013
First Publication: April 24, 2205 Final Publication: May 8, 2205 Sentinel
District Court, Arapahoe County, Colorado 7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, CO 80112 303-649-6355
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION Case No. 2024CV32197
Plaintiff: PennyMac Loan Services, LLC
Defendants: Brandon Cannon; Capital One Bank (USA), National Association; Adrianne Todman in her Official Capacity as the Acting Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and Michael R. Westerberg in his Official Capacity as the Public Trustee of Arapahoe County, Colorado.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFEN-
DANT(S):
You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the claims of the amended complaint filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to file you answer or other response within 35 days after service of this summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the amended complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.
If you fail to file your answer or other response to the amended complaint in writing within 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be entered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the amended complaint without further notice.
This is a C.R.C.P. 105 action for judicial foreclosure in real property regarding the following real property:
SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE AND STATE OF COLORADO DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: LOT 2, BLOCK 2, BRIARWOOD SUBDIVISION FILING NO. 2, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO. known and numbered as 17633 E. Cornell Dr., Aurora, Colorado 80013.
Dated: February 19, 2025
Attorney for Plaintiff: Randall M. Chin #31149 Barrett Frappier & Weisserman, LLP 1391 Speer Blvd., #700 Denver, CO 80204 Phone: 303-350-3711 Email: randallc@bdfgroup.com First Publication: April 3, 2025 Final Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO DISTRICT COURT CIVIL SUMMONS Case No. 2024CV32405 Plaintiffs: Keith Barnard and Douglas Paul Fougner, Co-Personal Representatives for The Estate of David Alan Fougner aka David A. Fougner aka David Fougner aka Dave Fougner v. OP SPE PHX1, LLC, a Foreign Limited Liability Company; David Chris Fougner, an individual; First American Title Guaranty Company, a Foreign Corporation; First American Title Company, a Foreign Corporation; All Unknown Persons Who Claim Any Interest In The Subject Matter Of This Action. TO ALL THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS:OP SPE PHX1, LLC, a Foreign Limited Liability Company; David Chris Fougner, an individual; First American Title Company, a Foreign Corporation and All Unknown Persons Who Claim Any Interest In The Subject Matter Of This Action.
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to file with the Clerk of this Court an answer or other response to the attached Complaint. If services of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you within the State of Colorado, you are required to file your answer or other response within 21 days after such service upon you. If services of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you outside the State of Colorado, you are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after such service upon you. Your answer or counterclaim must be accompanied with the applicable filing fee. If you fail to file your answer or other response to the Complaint in writing within the applicable time period, the Court may enter judgment by default against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint without further notice.
Dated: November 8, 2024
/s/ Ruth A. Martin, Attorney for the Plaintiffs
FREDRICKSON JOHNSON BELVEAL & TERRY, LLC
831 Royal Gorge Blvd., Ste. 329 Canon City, CO 81212 Phone: 719-275-4161
WARNING: A valid summons may be issued by a lawyer and it need not contain a court case number, the signature of a court officer, or a court seal. The plaintiff has 14 days from the date this summons was served on you to file the case with the court. You are responsible for contacting the court to find out whether the case has been filed and obtain the case number. If the plaintiff files the case within this time, then you must respond as explained in this summons. If the plaintiff files more that 14 days after the date the summons was served on you, the case may be dismissed upon motion and you may be entitled to seek attorney’s fees from the plaintiff.
First Publication: April 17, 2025 Final Publication: May 22, 2025 Sentinel
Housing Choice Voucher 2025 Lottery Opening The Aurora Housing Authority (AHA) is opening the waitlist for the Housing Choice Voucher lottery. Opening the waitlist does not indicate there are program vacancies at this time, the lottery list will be used when and if a vacancy becomes available during the year.
Applications will only be accepted online starting Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT) through Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT). Applying does not guarantee selection in the lottery. To Participate You Must Be: 18 years of age or older; and
A U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and have legal capacity to enter into a lease
Criminal Background checks will be conducted on all persons age 18 years and older
Participants will be required to enter the Social Security Number for the Head of Household and Co-Head/Spouse
Only one computer entry can be submitted per household. If you submit more than one entry, you will be disqualified. Multiple entries will be voided
Lottery entry is not transferable
Lottery entries must be complete. Incomplete entries will be voided
If you believe you/your family meets these criteria, you may apply online at https:// www.aurorahousing.org
To Apply for the Lottery: Applications will not be available at the Aurora Housing Authority. You may apply anywhere where internet access and suitable devices (smart phone, tablet, and computer) are available. The Aurora Housing Authority main office has a computer lab and public computers are available at all Aurora Public Library locations.
Waiting list placement will be based on a computerized random selection (lottery process). Selected applicants will be notified with instructions to begin eligibility. All other qualified applicants will remain in the lottery pool until May 31, 2026.
Equal Housing Opportunity
The AHA does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, familial status or handicap concerning the availability of and the requirements for obtaining assistance administered. Accommodations are available.
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel INVITATION TO BID
Sky Ranch Community Authority Board (the “CAB”) will receive Bids for the Sky Ranch Community Authority Board Filing 6 Fencing Installation Services (the “Project”) via electronic mail to the CAB Engineer: Barrett Marrocco (Marrocco@theconnextiongroup.com). Bids shall be made on the forms furnished by the CAB and shall be delivered to the CAB Engineer no later than 10:00 a.m., on May 15th 2025.
Attention is called to the fact that the Successful Bidder will be required to advance funds to the CAB in an amount equivalent to the amount of the bid submitted in order to fund the Project (the “Project Advance”), and to enter into a capital funding agreement with the CAB to address the CAB’s repayment of the Project Advance to the Successful Bidder.
A description of the Work to be performed is: Fencing material procurement and fencing installation services to the CAB for the Sky Ranch development.
Bid packages will be available upon request to the CAB Engineer for pickup after 10:00 a.m. on May 1st, 2025, via email.
Bids shall be made on the forms furnished by the CAB and endorsed with the name of the Bidder.
Bidders must supply a list of Subcontractors providing Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) or more in labor and/or materials to the Project.
Bidders are hereby advised that the CAB reserves the right to not award a Contract until ten (10) days from the date of the opening of Bids, and Bidders expressly agree to keep their Bids open for the ten (10) day time period. CAB reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive any informality, technicality or irregularity in any Bid, to disregard all non-conforming, non- responsive, conditional or alternate Bids, to negotiate contract terms with the Successful Bidder, to require statements or evidence of Bidders’ qualifications, including financial statements, and to accept the proposal that is in the opinion of the CAB in its best interest. The CAB also reserves the right to extend the Bidding period by Addendum if it appears in its interest to do so.
Any questions concerning this bid shall be directed in writing to: Barrett Marrocco (Marrocco@TheConnextionGroup.com)
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
Liberty View Apartment 2025 Lottery Opening The Aurora Housing Authority
Address 1959 Quentin Street Aurora, CO 80045 1 BR Serves 1-2 person households
Applications will only be accepted online starting Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT) through Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT). Applying does not guarantee selection in the lottery.
This opening is ONLY for individuals and families who have a household member who: Is elderly (62+), AND Is a veteran (DD214 documentation required)
To Participate You Must Be: 18 years of age or older; and A U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and have legal capacity to enter into a lease
Criminal Background checks will be conducted on all persons age 18 years and older
Participants will be required to enter the Social Security Number for the Head of Household and Co-Head/Spouse
Only one computer entry can be submitted per household. If you submit more than one entry, you will be disqualified. Multiple entries will be voided
Lottery entry is not transferable
Lottery entries must be complete.
Incomplete entries will be voided
If you are interested in the property listed above, you may apply online at https:// www.aurorahousing.org
To Apply for the Lottery: Applications will not be available at the Aurora Housing Authority. You may apply anywhere where internet access and suitable devices (smart phone, tablet, and computer) are available. Public computers are available at the Aurora Housing Authority main office and all Public Library locations.
Waiting list placement will be based on a computerized random selection (lottery process). Selected applicants will be notified with instructions to begin eligibility. All other qualified applicants will remain in the lottery pool until May 31, 2026.
Equal Housing Opportunity
The AHA does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, familial status or handicap concerning the availability of and the requirements for obtaining assistance administered. Accommodations are available.
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
Mainstream (Non-Elderly Disabled)
Housing Choice Vouchers 2025 Lottery Opening
The Aurora Housing Authority (AHA) is opening the waitlist for the Mainstream (MS5) Housing Choice Voucher lottery.
Applications will only be accepted online starting Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT) through Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT). Applying does not guarantee selection in the lottery.
This opening is ONLY for individuals and families who have a family member who:
Is non-elderly (between ages 18 and 61), AND
Has a verifiable disability, AND Is either experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness OR is transitioning out of an institution or segregated setting primarily for persons with disabilities
Additional Preference
Additional preference will be awarded to households receiving supportive services with Aurora Mental Health, Atlantis Community or Developmental Pathways. Services will be verified with the provider.
Verification of your age will be requested if your application is selected.
To Participate You Must Be: 18 years of age or older; and
A U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and have legal capacity to enter into a lease
Criminal Background checks will be conducted on all persons age 18 years and older
Participants will be required to enter the Social Security Number for the Head of Household and Co-Head/Spouse
Only one computer entry can be submitted per household. If you submit more than one entry, you will be disqualified. Multiple entries will be voided
Lottery entry is not transferable
Lottery entries must be complete.
Incomplete entries will be voided
If you believe you/your family meets these criteria, you may apply online at https:// www.aurorahousing.org
To Apply for the Lottery:
Applications will not be available at the Aurora Housing Authority. You may apply anywhere where internet access and suitable devices (smart phone, tablet, and computer) are available. The Aurora Housing Au
time, the lottery list will be used when and if a vacancy becomes available during the year.
Applications will only be accepted online starting Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT) through Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT). Applying does not guarantee selection in the lottery.
This opening is ONLY for individuals and families who have a family member who:
Is non-elderly (between ages 18 and 61), AND Has a verifiable disability
Verification of your age and disability will be requested if your application is selected.
To Participate You Must Be:
18 years of age or older; and
A U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and have legal capacity to enter into a lease
Criminal Background checks will be conducted on all persons age 18 years and older
Participants will be required to enter the Social Security
assistance administered. Accommodations are available.
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE CONCERNING PROPOSED INCLUSION INTO THE BOUNDARIES OF THE AEROTROPOLIS REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a request to include certain property into the boundaries of the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority, City of Aurora, County of Adams, State of Colorado (the “Authority”), pursuant to Section 43-4-605, C.R.S., has been made and may be considered by the Board of Directors of the Authority at a meeting and public hearing to be held at 11:00 a.m. on May 28, 2025, which meeting and public hearing will be held by telephone and videoconference only. Information regarding public attendance and participation by telephone and videoconference will be available at least 24 hours prior the meeting and public hearing online at www.aerotropolisrta.org or may be obtained by contacting Anna Jones, Authority Manager, by email at anna.jones@claconnect.com or by telephone at 303-793-1478. All persons having objections to the proposed inclusion may appear at the public hearing by telephone or videoconference to object to the proposed inclusion.
The property proposed to be included into the boundaries of the Authority is described as follows:
EAST 1/2 OF SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 3 SOUTH, RANGE 65 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M.; COUNTY OF ADAMS, STATE OF COLORADO.
NOTICE BY: AEROTROPOLIS REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
By: /s/ Thomas N. George
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF REGULAR ELECTION AND CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS BY THE DESIGNATED ELECTION OFFICIAL
RANGEVIEW METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Sections 1-13.5-513(6) and 32-1-104(1), C.R.S., by the Rangeview Metropolitan District (the “District”) of Arapahoe County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the regular election to be held on May 6, 2025, is hereby canceled and the following candidates are hereby declared elected:
Mark Harding to a 4-year term (2025-2029) Dirk Lashnits to a 4-year term (2025-2029) Scott Lehman to a 4-year term (20252029) Brent Brouillard 2-year term (2025-2027) Contact Person for the District: David S. O’Leary, District Counsel District Address: c/o Spencer Fane LLP 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 2000 Denver, Colorado 80203 District Telephone Number: (303) 839 - 3800 RANGEVIEW METROPOLITAN DISTRICT By: /s/Katie Miller, Designated Election Official Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE AMENDED 2024 BUDGET
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the SADDLE ROCK SOUTH METROPOLI-
2024 budget (the “Amended Budget”). The Amended Budget is available for inspection by the public at the offices of Simmons & Wheeler, 304 Inverness Way S #490, Englewood, CO 80112. Any interested elector of the District may file any objections to the Amended Budget at any time prior to final adoption of the Amended Budget by the Board. The agenda for any meeting may be obtained at: https://saddlerocksouthauthority. colorado.gov/ or by calling (303) 858-1800. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: SADDLE
ANKELE TANAKA & WALDRON Attorneys at Law
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE AMENDED 2025 BUDGETS
The Boards of Directors (collectively the “Boards”) of the COTTONWOOD CREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 3-5 (collectively the “Districts”), will hold a public hearing at 2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 2000, Centennial, Colorado and via teleconference on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., to consider adoption of an amendment to the 2025 budgets (the “Amended Budgets”). The public hearing may be joined using the following teleconference information: https://us06web.zoom.us/ j/87467432276?pwd=UV1sF2q88RCmMwoyYhuz787RQLfIbX.1 Meeting ID: 874 6743 2276 Passcode: 982601 Call-in Number: +1-720-707-2699
The Amended Budgets are available for inspection by the public at the offices of Marchetti & Weaver, 245 Century Circle, Suite 103, Louisville, CO 80027. Any interested elector of the Districts may file any objections to the Amended Budgets at any time prior to the final adoption of the Amended Budgets by the Boards.
The agenda for any meeting may be obtained at https://cottonwoodcreekmetrodistrict.com/ or by calling (303) 858-1800. BY ORDER OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS: COTTONWOOD CREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 3-5, quasi-municipal corporations and political subdivisions of the State of Colorado /s/ WHITE BEAR ANKELE TANAKA & WALDRON Attorneys at Law
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR30403
Estate of Frederick Gray Meyer, 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 September 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Alexander L. Meyer Personal Representative 8944 Quigley St. Westminster, CO 80031
Michael L. Gilbert, Esq. Attorney for Estate 501 South Cherry Street, Suite 660 Glendale, Colorado 80246 Phone: 303-320-4580 First Publication: May 1, 2025 Final Publication: May 15, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR30229 Estate of Sandy T. Shellhamer, Deceased.
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado, the Personal Representative, or the Personal Representative’s attorney:
Taylor G. Minshall, #50478 Relevant Law – Colorado Springs 1311 Interquest Pkwy. Suite 110 Colorado Springs, CO 80921
On or before August 17, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
First Publication: April 24, 2025 Final Publication: May 8, 2025 Sentinel
Paris Apartment 2025 Lottery Opening
The Aurora Housing Authority (AHA) is opening the Project Based Voucher (PBV) lottery list for the following property:
Property Name Paris Family Apartments
Address 1702 Paris St Aurora, CO 80010
2 BR Serves 2-4 person households
3 BR Serves 3-6 person households
Applications will only be accepted online starting Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT) through Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT). Applying does not guarantee selection in the lottery.
To Participate You Must Be: 18 years of age or older; and
A U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and have legal capacity to enter into a lease Criminal Background checks will be conducted on all persons age 18 years and older
Participants will be required to enter the Social Security Number for the Head of Household and Co-Head/Spouse Only one computer entry can be submitted per household. If you submit more than one entry, you will be disqualified. Multiple entries will be voided Lottery entry is not transferable
Lottery entries must be complete.
Incomplete entries will be voided
If you are interested in the property listed above, you may apply online at https:// www.aurorahousing.org/
To Apply for the Lottery: Applications will not be available at the Aurora Housing Authority. You may apply anywhere where internet access and suitable devices (smart phone, tablet, and computer) are available. The Aurora Housing Authority main office has a computer lab and public computers are available at all Aurora Public Library locations. Waiting list placement will be based on a computerized random selection (lottery process). Selected applicants will be notified with instructions to begin eligibility. All other qualified applicants will remain in the lottery pool until May 31, 2026. Equal
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
Peoria
The Aurora Housing Authority (AHA) is opening the Project Based Voucher (PBV) lottery list for the following property:
Property Name Peoria Crossing Apartments
Address 3000 Peoria Street Aurora, CO 80010
2 BR Serves 2-4 person households
3 BR Serves 3-6 person households
Applications will only be accepted online
starting Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT) through Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT). Applying does not guarantee selection in the lottery.
To Participate You Must Be: 18 years of age or older; and
A U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and have legal capacity to enter into a lease
Criminal Background checks will be conducted on all persons age 18 years and older
Participants will be required to enter the Social Security Number for the Head of Household and Co-Head/Spouse
Only one computer entry can be submitted per household. If you submit more than one entry, you will be disqualified. Multiple entries will be voided
Lottery entry is not transferable
Lottery entries must be complete.
Incomplete entries will be voided
If you are interested in the property listed above, you may apply online at https:// www.aurorahousing.org
To Apply for the Lottery:
Applications will not be available at the Aurora Housing Authority. You may apply anywhere where internet access and suitable devices (smart phone, tablet, and computer) are available. The Aurora Housing Authority main office has a computer lab and public computers are available at all Aurora Public Library locations.
Waiting list placement will be based on a computerized random selection (lottery process). Selected applicants will be notified with instructions to begin eligibility. All other qualified applicants will remain in the lottery pool until May 31, 2026.
Equal Housing Opportunity
The AHA does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, familial status or handicap concerning the availability of and the requirements for obtaining assistance administered. Accommodations are available.
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
Peoria Crossing II 2025 Lottery Opening
The Aurora Housing Authority (AHA) is opening the Project Based Voucher (PBV) lottery list for the following property:
Property Name
Peoria Crossing II Apartments
Address 3150 N Peoria Street Aurora, CO 80011
1 BR Serves 1-2 person households
2 BR Serves 2-4 person households
3 BR Serves 3-6 person households
Applications will only be accepted online starting Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT) through Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT). Applying does not guarantee selection in the lottery.
To Participate You Must Be:
18 years of age or older; and
A U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and have legal capacity to enter into a lease
Criminal Background checks will be conducted on all persons age 18 years and older
Participants will be required to enter the Social Security Number for the Head of Household and Co-Head/Spouse
Only one computer entry can be submitted per household. If you submit more than one entry, you will be disqualified. Multiple entries will be voided
Lottery entry is not transferable
Lottery entries must be complete.
Incomplete entries will be voided
If you are interested in the property listed above, you may apply online at https:// www.aurorahousing.org
To Apply for the Lottery:
Applications will not be available at the Aurora Housing Authority. You may apply anywhere where internet access and suitable devices (smart phone, tablet, and computer) are available. The Aurora Housing Authority main office has a computer lab and public computers are available at all Aurora Public Library locations.
Waiting list placement will be based on a computerized random selection (lottery process). Selected applicants will be notified with instructions to begin eligibility.
All other qualified applicants will remain in the lottery pool until May 31, 2026.
Equal Housing Opportunity
The AHA does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, familial status or handicap concerning the availability of and the requirements for obtaining assistance administered. Accommodations are available.
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
PUBLIC NOTICE
ESTRAY: #1649: One Black Holstein Steer with White Spots No Brand. Livestock must be claimed by legal owner within 10 days or will be sold by Colorado Brand Board. For information call 303-503-1848 or 303869-9160.
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
Public Notice of Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
Public notice is given on April 17, 2025 that a Petition for the Allocation of Parental Responsibilities has been filed with the Arapahoe County District Court, Arapahoe County, Colorado 7325 S Potomac St #100 Centennial, CO 80112.
Petitioner: Daizy Trinidad Cardona
Respondent: Jorge Bodden
Case No: 2025DR30495
Attorney for Petitioner: Hannah Jumonville, esq., of the law firm Modern Family Law
Address: 4500 E Cherry Creek S Dr., Suite #700, Denver, CO 80246
Email: hannah.jumonville@modernfamilylaw.com
Phone: (720) 504-3881
PUBLICATION NOTICE TO RESPON-
DENT: Jorge Bodden, you are notified, pursuant to C.R.S. § 14-10-107(4), that an action has been filed Re: Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Petitioner, Daizy Trinidad Cardona, Respondent, Jorge Bodden. You are further notified that a copy of the Petition and Summons may be obtained from the Clerk of the Court during regular business hours. A Default Judgement may be entered against you if you fail to appear or file a response within 35 days after the date of publication.
DATE: April 17, 2025.
By: Daizy Trinidad Cardona
First Publication: April 17, 2025
Last Publication: May 15, 2025 Sentinel
Village at Westerly Creek (VWC) 2025 Lottery Opening
The Aurora Housing Authority (AHA) is opening the waitlist for the VWC lottery.
Property Name Village at Westerly Creek
Address 10827 E Kentucky Ave. Aurora, CO 80012
1 BR Serves 1-2 person households
2 BR Serves 2-4 person households
Applications will only be accepted online
starting Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT) through Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. (MDT). Applying does not guarantee selection in the lottery.
This opening is ONLY for individuals and families who have a family member who: Is elderly (62+)
To Participate You Must Be: 18 years of age or older; and A U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and have legal capacity to enter into a lease
Criminal Background checks will be conducted on all persons age 18 years and older
Participants will be required to enter the Social Security Number for the Head of Household and Co-Head/Spouse
Only one computer entry can be submitted per household. If you submit more than one entry, you will be disqualified. Multiple entries will be voided
Lottery entry is not transferable
Lottery entries must be complete.
Incomplete entries will be voided
If you are interested in the property listed above, you may apply online at https:// www.aurorahousing.org.
To Apply for the Lottery:
Applications will not be available at the Aurora Housing Authority. You may apply anywhere where internet access and suitable devices (smart phone, tablet, and computer) are available. The Aurora Housing Authority main office has a computer lab and public computers are available at all Aurora Public Library locations.
Waiting list placement will be based on a computerized random selection (lottery process). Selected applicants will be notified with instructions to begin eligibility.
All other qualified applicants will remain in the lottery pool until May 31, 2026. Equal Housing Opportunity
The AHA does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, familial status or handicap concerning the availability of and the requirements for obtaining assistance administered. Accommodations are available.
Publication: May 1, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION Case No.2024PR31145
Estate of Debra Lynn Yeager, Deceased. All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Repre- sentative or to the Dis- trict Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before September 1, 2025, or said claims may be for- ever barred.
Randy Yeager Personal Representative c/o Strong Law, PLLC
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR30250
Estate of James Schasteen aka James W. Schasteen aka James Walter Schasteen, 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 August
or the claims may be forever barred. Jay Dee Chatman
Personal Representative 650 S. Cherry St., #710, Denver, CO 80246 (303) 355-8520
First Publication: April 24, 2025
Final Publication: May 8, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2025PR30334
Estate of STEPHEN LEROY LOPEZ, aka STEPHEN L. LOPEZ, aka STEPHEN LOPEZ, 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 August 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Nethaniel Lopez Personal Representative c/o Baker Law Group, LLC 8301 E. Prentice Ave. #405 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Phone: 303-862-4564
First Publication: April 24, 2025
Final Publication: May 8, 2025 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S.
Colorado Senate approves immigration protection bill, limiting ICE access
The Colorado Senate approved a bill April 21 that would put data protections in place for immigrants and limit where federal immigration authorities can physically access without a warrant. The legislation comes in direct response to the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts.
Senate Bill 25-276 passed on a 2213 vote and now heads to the House for consideration in the final weeks of the legislative session.
“The question of who actually gets to be an American, or who actually gets to be protected by the Constitution, is a matter of debate right now in this country and in this state. We’ve had conversations with teachers and with school districts that are concerned about students being too afraid to come to class and about parents being afraid to go to parent teacher conferences. We can do better than that,” said bill sponsor Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat.
The bill would prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from going into non-public spaces in jails, hospitals, schools and child care centers without a signed, valid warrant. An amendment on the Senate floor added libraries to that list of locations. It also clarifies that local law enforcement cannot cooperate with ICE to land a person in custody through a detainer request by holding that person in jail beyond their ordered release without a warrant.
The bill also deals heavily with personally identifiable information, or data about a person that is not publicly available such as birthday, addresses, vehicle registration information and immigration status, which federal authorities might want access to in order to identify people to detain and deport.
Local governments would not be allowed to share that type of information with ICE under the bill.
Additionally, immigrants would not need to sign an affidavit about their intention to pursue legal status in order to get a driver’s license or in-state tuition.
“We’re in unprecedented times, where people are being unjustly targeted, incarcerated, removed and deported, and we sit in a position where we might be able to push back and help out, to provide some sort of protection,” said Sen. Jessie Danielson, a Wheat Ridge Democrat. “It is a terrifying time for a number of people I know, and for a lot of people I don’t, and it doesn’t take much for me to empathize with that.”
The bill comes three months into the second administration of President Donald Trump, who has followed through on a campaign promise to increase efforts to detain and remove immigrants who lack legal status. In Colorado, that has resulted in a series of highly-publicized immigration raids at a party in Adams County and residences in Denver and Aurora and in the detention of immigration rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra.
In addition to Gonzales, the bill is sponsored by Sen. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat, Rep. Lorena Garcia, an Adams County Democrat, and Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, a Glenwood Springs Democrat.
Sen. Kyle Mullica, a Thornton Democrat, joined Republicans in opposition to the bill. Mullica said his vote was in response to a series of amendments offered during the final vote on Monday — usually amendments are considered during the initial debate and preliminary vote on a bill — and that he did not have sufficient time to read the amendments and consider their implications. One amendment on Monday, for example, clarified that SB-276 does not intend to ban the transfer of a person to and from federal custody if there is a valid warrant.
“This isn’t a position in cement
that I’m not willing to move,” he said. “I want the opportunity to digest these amendments and see if there are any amendments that address potential concerns in the second chamber.”
If the House passes a version of the bill with other amendments, the Senate would need to sign off on those changes before the bill heads to the governor’s desk for a signature.
Republicans argued that the bill interferes with federal policy and impedes legal ICE operations, going against the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution. The bill’s passage would likely result in lawsuits, they said.
“This undermines federal immigration enforcement. The bill restricts cooperation between state, local entities and federal immigration authorities, potentially obstructing that of which is the province of the federal government — immigration laws,” said Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a Monument Republican.
Debate on the bill lasted an entire day last week as Republicans offered amendments that ultimately failed to block it. The bill is likely to face a similarly protracted discussion in the House if chamber leadership decides not to limit the length of debate.
— Sara Wilson, Colorado Newsline
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Aurora Public Schools and diabetes association addressing childhood obesity
“To promote healthier lifestyles and curb childhood obesity, Aurora Public Schools and the American Diabetes Association have teamed up to launch the “Project Power” youth initiative.
“Creating healthy habits, both through physical activity and choosing nutritious food, is such an important thing for our students to learn early in their lives,” Lacy Jolly, principal at Jewell Elementary School, said in a statement.
During National Move More Month, students at Jewell Elementary participated in the program during their thirdgrade physical education class, according to a statement from the school district.
When children learn to make healthy choices for their bodies, it helps them focus and perform better in the classroom,” Jolly said in a statement.
The no-cost diabetes risk reduction program, Project Power for youth, is a no-cost health promotion program for ages 5-12. It aims to slow the trajectory of childhood obesity, Type 2 diabetes and related complications, according to the statement.
“Using an outcomes-based curriculum, the program promotes making healthy food choices, increasing physical activity and building family and peer support,” the statement said.
Obesity affects about 125 million people in the United States, including nearly 20% of children and adolescents, the statement said, and obesity accounts for up to 53% of new cases of Type 2 diabetes each year.
Since 2021, Project Power has served more than 50,000 youth nationwide, the statement said.
“Through this partnership, and with the support of the Collaboration for Equitable Health, we are empowering students in Title I elementary schools with Project Power — helping young learners build healthy habits for a lifetime,” said Rene Gonzalez, director of health access and quality community impact at the ADA, in the statement. “Together, we are creating brighter futures and leveling the playing field for every child to thrive.”
Seven Aurora Public schools will receive six whole-child health lessons to be presented during physical education classes or health classes, which will reach approximately 3,200 students, the statement said.
“A 2024 Project Power for youth impact report found that nearly 70% of
participants increased their knowledge around the recommended amount of physical activity and drank water four or more times than previously,” the statement said. “Nearly 80% of participants indicated the ability to exercise at least five times a week, and 75% were confident in their ability to choose fruit as a snack.”
The program includes a host of activities and projects including the “GOSLOW-WHOA” tool.
“GO-SLOW-WHOA” is a tool children and families can use to guide healthy food choices, encouraging more GO foods than SLOW foods, and more SLOW foods than WHOA foods. This helps students understand which foods are best to eat rarely, sometimes, or often.
“GO” foods include whole-grain foods, non-starchy vegetables and fruits
“SLOW” foods include foods made from refined grains and full-fat dairy products
“WHOA: foods include: simple carbohydrates, highly processed foods, candy, and sugar-sweetened beverages
Information can be found online at diabetes.org/Project-Power
— Sentinel Staff
Community
College of Aurora to offer bachelor’s degree in behavioral
health
Touted as an iconic change for Community College of Aurora, the school will begin offering students a bachelor’s degree after gaining approval from state higher education officials.
CCA will grant students who complete the new program with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Health degree. The addition establishes CCA as a four-year-degree institution.
The 120-credit-hour program is aimed at addressing critical workforce needs in the behavioral health sector, school officials said in a statement. It is designed to prepare students for careers in areas such as mental health services, substance abuse counseling, and crisis intervention.
The program also provides a clear path forward for students seeking a bachelor’s degree who have previously earned associate degrees in human services, psychology or related fields.
“This approval marks a transformational step in our mission to serve Aurora and beyond,” said CCA President Mordecai Brownlee. “It strengthens our ability to be responsive to the needs of our community and employers, while creating affordable, accessible academic pathways that unlock opportunity and drive economic mobility.”
Bobby Pace, vice president of academic Success, emphasized the bigger picture behind the decision by the Higher Learning Commission to endorse the new bachelor’s degree program.
“CCA is now a bachelor’s degree granting institution, “Pace said. “We cannot underestimate the impact that offering affordable, high-value bachelor degrees will have for our students and our communities.
The launch of the new program comes at a time of increasing demand for mental health professionals, particularly in under-served communities.
By providing a local and affordable option for advanced education in this field, CCA hopes to better serve the needs of the Aurora region and contribute to building a stronger behavioral health workforce statewide.
The Higher Learning Commission, which oversees college accreditation across the central United States, approved the new program during its March meeting. The change allows CCA to join community colleges across the state in offering a bachelor degrees in a variety of fields.
For details about the new degree and other academic programs offered at the CCA, got to www.ccaurora.edu.
— Sentinel Staff
Pending state budget has more money for schools, but less than was promised
Colorado lawmakers approved a state budget for next year that has more money for colleges, universities, and K-12 schools. But the increase is less than what was promised or requested.
Lawmakers finalized the $43.9 billion spending plan for the 2025-26 year earlier this week after months of debate about how to close a $1.2 billion spending shortfall. The shortfall was caused by increased costs for programs such as Medicaid and voter-approved caps on state spending.
Lawmakers had promised more funding for K-12 schools through a school finance formula rewrite last year. But the shortfall means the increase will be about $16 million less than originally expected.
Colleges and universities will also get far less than higher education leaders requested. Instead, lawmakers will allow them more flexibility in raising tuition rates to cover expenses.
The budget also provides increases for the state’s early childhood initiatives.
Gov. Jared Polis will need to sign the budget bill to give it final approval.
Here’s what’s in the 2025-26 budget:
• The budget will bring total K-12
state and district spending to $10 billion next year and increase spending per student to an average of $11,852, or an increase of $412 over the $11,440 average this year. The budget includes about $256 million more in state spending than last year.
• Almost every school district, except for 21 that have declining enrollment, will get a funding increase. The state funds schools on a per-student basis, but a “hold harmless” provision means the 21 districts with declining enrollment won’t get less funding.
• Colorado will cap the Building Excellent Schools Today grant program, which helps districts fund construction projects, at $150 million, saving $45 million next year.
• The budget and an accompanying bill still under consideration propose to fund the Healthy School Meals for All program, which provides free school lunches for every student, for only half of the 2025-26 school year and decrease the number of eligible schools statewide. Lawmakers want to get a measure before voters in November to increase funding for the program, which would eliminate the need to scale it back.
• Lawmakers made cuts to school grant programs. For instance, the state will save $5 million by reducing high-impact tutoring program grants.
• Colleges and universities will get $38.4 million more next year for operations and student financial aid, bringing higher education general fund spending, which includes museums, to about $1.7 billion. The $38.4 million increase is less than the additional $95 million that school leaders said they need.
• Colleges and universities will be allowed to increase resident tuition by 3% and non-resident tuition by 3.5% next year. Those increases would allow schools to collect about $3 billion total in tuition next year.
• The state will spend about $14 million more on the Department of Early Childhood, bringing total spending to $802 million. That includes $318 million more in general fund spending, or about $24 million more than last year.
• The state’s Universal Preschool Program, which offers free preschool to all 4-year-olds in the state, will get $6 million more next year for its operations.
The budget also increases funding for the state’s Early Intervention program by $12.6 million. The program provides support services for babies and toddlers with disabilities or those at risk of developmental delays.
And lawmakers preserved a pilot program that increases wages for some child care workers across the state. The state will spend $2.9 million to continue the program.
— Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat Colorado
Editorials Sentinel
100 days of Trump corruption and malfeasance that will stand out for another 100 years
This is where everyone gets to, and should, ask themselves, “Are you better off now than you were 100 days ago?”
The turn on the perennial question pitched when presidential races ripen is meaningful now as the nation approaches its time-honored tradition of measuring a new commander in chief after their first 100 days in office.
All this week, Trump officials said the administration will be rolling out events underscoring an alleged catalog of achievements Trump has checked off from what was most likely the longest list of campaign promises ever.
Like a growing number of Americans, we anticipate a week of hype, exaggerations and what has become a regular geyser of misinformation, disinformation and outright lies from Trump and most officials in the White House.
As a nation, the Sentinel can say with certainty that, no, America is not better off. It is far less than it was 100 days ago — and sinking fast.
The strong and stable economy that Trump started with on Jan. 20 is seriously weakened, a victim of Trump’s obsession with tariffs, and his lack of both experience and acumen to successfully undertake such extremely complex changes. All of that is made ever more dangerous by Trump’s arrogance, believing that what he’s doing actually makes sense. It does not. Every credible economic expert on record so far has made clear that Trump’s petulant and arbitrary trade-war scheme will likely do two destructive things: First, Trumponomics will slow the economy, most likely to the point of recession. And his dangerous scheme will cost Americans jobs and reward them higher prices for nearly everything.
What makes Trump 2.0 so treacherous, for not just the nation, but the world, is that Republicans, previously the party of economic belt-and-suspenders conservatism and pragmatism, are deeply frightened of the wrath of Trump and of his sycophant fans and followers. Few Republicans in Congress have had the temerity to publicly push back on Trump’s economic brinkmanship, and even when they do, it’s delivered with diplomatic acquiescence. No, if you buy groceries, you’re no better off than you were 100 days ago. Despite promises of turning around prices, the cost of eggs, insurance, healthcare and essential items have steadily risen, according to a variety of economic and retail dashboards.
If you are deeply worried about the fate of Israelis and Palestinians in a war that has become a global horror, or if you worry about the corrupt Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin, destroying peace in Europe, the last 100 days brought nothing but bluster, embarrassment and deeper concern.
If you work for the military, you’re being threatened by Trump’s pick of a Fox News propaganda host, elevated to the level of Secretary of Defense. In just 100 days, Sec. Pete Hegseth has destroyed what was left of his reputation by first leaking military secrets to a magazine editor, then his wife and family, and consistently, and angrily, trying to defend the absolutely fireable offenses as business as usual. If you work in the military or depend on them for defense, you’re far worse off than you were 100 days ago.
The same goes if you work in a field of science or higher education, or both. Academics and scientists have taken the double whammy from Trump and his White House staff. First, Trump enlisted billionaire Elon Musk to streamline the behemoth federal government, in a move to make it more efficient and to make Americans “rich.” The only movement of wealth is toward the armies of lawyers on both sides, overwhelming the courts with one lurid layoff scheme after the next.
Musk has been called out repeatedly for being factually wrong on multiple accounts regarding his claims of uncovering massive fraud and waste. The nation hasn’t even yet gotten to the point of discovering the unintended, or purposeful, consequences of cuts made by a man suffering from endless cases of conflict of interest.
Not have there been waves of arbitrary cuts putting the nation’s health and warning system at risk, there have been equal waves of cuts and dismissals into the very core of the nation’s preeminent science marrow by one of the nation’s most infamous and dangerous medical quacks and science hucksters, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Elevated by Trump to be secretary of health, he has recently dragged out one of his favorite unscientific obsessions: autism. For years, Kennedy not only made his reputation as being a flagrant anti-vaxxer, riding the debunked and dangerous vaccine-autism hoax, but he made money off of his lies by representing Americans trying to sue vaccine companies linked to his vaccine hoaxes.
All this has been compounded by Trump’s anti-intellectualism and irresistible bent for revenge against universities and organizations that provide the nation, and the world, with honesty, reality and vetted facts. Those are the three things that make up Trump’s virtual kryptonite. Universities across the nation now worry about losing billions of dollars in research monies and grants that lead to the medical cures and treatments we’ve all become accustomed to, and appreciative of.
No, if you are an educator, a scientist or a researcher, or an American that depends on or looks forward to their work, you are far worse off than you were 100 days ago.
If you are a legal, documented immigrant, hard working and deeply appreciative of the opportunity to make a life for yourself in the United States with perseverance and persistence, you are far worse off than you were 100 days ago. Trump has ignored the rule of law on multiple occasions, violating one of the most critical parts of the American government foundation: due process.
Not only has the Trump administration admittedly, and wrongly, deported people or arrested people totally within the law, but they have refused to correct their mistakes. Since the nation was begun, immigration has been its strength. Immigrants not yet granted citizenship are far worse off than they were 100 days ago, and so is all America, losing out on friends, family, opportunities and the richness multiple cultures bring to our communities.
If you are overwhelmed, uninterested or confused by Trump claims, perpetuated by Fox News and similar news propaganda, and then Trump’s claims being countered by vetted and transparent reports from traditional media, you are far worse off than you were 100 days ago. Since sworn into office, Trump has become brazen in dispensing a virtual mythology by himself and his appointees that is regularly, and effectively, proven inaccurate or a lie. Trump’s war on facts makes many Americans turn away from what is regularly becoming critical and unnerving actions by Trump and his administration.
Last week, Trump’s beholden FBI chief bragged about arresting a judge, accusing her of interfering with the arrest of an immigrant — inside a courthouse. On Monday, Trump ruled by fiat that police departments across the nation convicted of regularly abusing people of color, and under federal consent decrees to cease, will be not only released from mandated police reforms, but encouraged to do what they please.
After just 100 days, we, as a nation, and as a community, are economically poorer, academically poorer, culturally poorer, less free and deeply worried about the next 100 days and beyond.
Aconservative judge’s dire alarm
While sunning myself the other day at a Phillies game, I was tempted to pivot to two bros sitting behind me and say: “How about that awesome federal court ruling from J. Harvie Wilkinson! Is that guy eloquent or what?”
The scoreboard said 45,045 fans had flocked to the game. But rest assured that 45,044 didn’t sit there thinking about J. Harvie Wilkinson, the right of due process, the fate of Kilmar Abrego Garcia – nor the fact that an incipient fascist is running amuck like a junkyard dog, gnawing the rule of law like it’s his personal chew toy.
I find it depressingly surreal that we can fill a ballpark on a balmy afternoon, seemingly swaddled in normalcy like it’s any other year while people like Garcia are being disappeared off our streets in defiance of basic human rights and core American principles. It’s all too easy in each ephemeral moment to be deaf, dumb, and blind about what’s going on.
So how fortunate we are that certain members of the federal judiciary – U.S. District judges James Boasberg and Paula Xinis, and even most Supreme Court justices – are confronting Trump and his MAGestapo, most notably on behalf of Garcia. It’s comforting to know that at least one of our venerable institutions refuses to march in goosestep and embrace Selbstgleichschaltung – the Nazi term for “bringing oneself into line.”
But Wilkinson – a federal appeals judge, a Ronald Reagan appointee, a prominent conservative on the bench these past 40 years – tops the list. Having studied all the relevant facts about Garcia (who, unlike Trump, has never been charged or convicted of a crime; who was labeled a terrorist and flown to El Salvador despite a dearth of evidence and despite the MAGA regime’s admission that he was exiled in error), Wilkinson decided last week that enough was enough.
Ruling that the Trump regime should arrange Garcia’s return to the U.S. as soon as possible, Wilkinson scorched the MAGAts with punitive eloquence, warning the administration’s actions “should be shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear.”
Wilkinson freely conceded courts aren’t perfect, but did point out they “instill a fidelity to law that would be sorely missed in their absence.” Then he wrote the passage that should rightly chill Americans:
“The Executive possesses enormous powers to
prosecute and to deport, but with powers come restraints. If today the Executive claims the right to deport without due process and in disregard of court orders, what assurance will there be tomorrow that it will not deport American citizens and then disclaim responsibility to bring them home? And what assurance shall there be that the Executive will not train its broad discretionary powers upon its political enemies? The threat, even if not the actuality, would always be present, and the Executive’s obligation to ‘take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed’ would lose its meaning.”
I question whether finely honed sentences can compete with the brute exercise of power. Trump is defying the courts, refusing to return Garcia to this country where he has long lived (and protected by a 2019 court ruling), because, in Trump’s twisted mind, judges are mere speed bumps for his bulldozer. Wilkinson is wise to the unprecedented danger. He capped his ruling with a wistful plea for peace:
“Now the branches come too close to grinding irrevocably against one another in a conflict that promises to diminish both… We yet cling to the hope that it is not naïve to believe our good brethren in the Executive Branch perceive the rule of law as vital to the American ethos. This case presents their unique chance to vindicate that value and to summon the best that is within us while there is still time.”
We need not ponder whether Trump is capable of summoning whatever passes for the best within him. The time clock is ticking. Most Americans “far removed from courthouses” might not know who Abrego Garcia is, or care a whit what happens to him, but in truth he’s a test case, a way for Trump to determine what he can get away with, a way to potentially stress the courts until they break – and heaven help us if or when that happens.
We already know what could await us at the bottom of the slippery slope. Here’s the bottom: “It is not a judge’s duty to help to enforce a law that’s superior to (the party), or to impose a system of universal values.” Instead, a judge should simply issue rulings “as expressed in the party program.” So said Nazi lawyer Hans Frank, the Reich Commissioner for Justice, in 1936. Ten years later Frank was hanged by the Allies. Good riddance.
DickPolman,aveterannationalpoliticalcolumnist basedinPhiladelphia.Emailhimatdickpolman7@ gmail.com
DICK POLMAN, COTRIBUTING COLUMNIST
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NOTICE OF PROPOSED SCHOOL BUDGET
Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Education of the Joint School District No.28-J of the Counties of Adams and Arapahoe, Colorado (Aurora Public Schools), for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and has been filed in the office of the Superintendent where it is available for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered for adoption at a regular meeting of the Board of Education of said District at the Professional Learning and Conference Center, 15711 E.1st Ave, Aurora, CO 80011, on May 13 2025 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting may also be accessed on the APS website at aurorak12.org/divisions/board_of_education
Any person paying school taxes in said district may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, file or register objection via email to the Assistant to the Board of Education at cpaz@aurorak12.org
¿BEBÉ A BORDO?
Board of Education
Dated May 1, 2025 Joint School District No.28-J of the Counties of Adams and Arapahoe, Colorado Danielle
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• Watch All NFL & MLB Games
• Saturdays:11:30AM-3PM
• Open Stage Every Thursday
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Los chequeos posparto son gratuitos con Medicaid.
Cuidar de usted misma es tan importante como cuidar de su bebé. Health First Colorado (el programa Medicaid de Colorado) y Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) cubren la atención médica posparto (chequeos, anticonceptivos y apoyo a la salud mental) sin costo alguno.
¡Programe su chequeo hoy mismo!
¿Necesita encontrar un médico? Llámenos al 303-368-3313 o visite coaccess.com/findaprovider.
Obtenga más información sobre sus beneficios y los servicios de coordinación de cuidados aquí.
Tomwing BOE Secretary
