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Look what you made us do
SentinelColorado staffers won seven top honors last week competing among the state’s best and largest newspapers during the annual Colorado Press Association newspaper awards.
Competing against TheDenverPost,TheColoradoSpringsGazette, The Colorado Sun and other daily media, TheSentineltook away honors for its investigative work, breaking news coverage, enterprise reporting and more.
“Despite having the smallest newsroom among our peers and competitors, The Sentinelsteadfastly raises a powerful and illuminating voice that’s critical to maintaining reader trust,” said SentinelEditor Dave Perry.
“I’m inspired every day by the talent, dedication and persistence of some of the top journalistsin the state, and we’re endlessly thankful for a community that supports our mission.”
This year’s awards included:
• Second-place honors for breaking news reporting during a volatile Oct. 23, 2023 protest at Aurora city hall over the Israeli-Gaza war, days after it broke out.
• Sentinelreporter Carina Julig won first place in the Best News Story category for her emotional take-out about a former Aurora council member’s journey to recovery after being brutally attacked while walking along an Aurora canal trail.
• A special investigative series among reporters in residence at the Sentinel, staff writers and the Colorado News Collaborative won second place among the state’s largest news organizations for its work about police who are “Undisciplined.” The four-part series focused on officers from Aurora and across the state caught violating police policy and even state law in a variety of instances, but able to avoid firing or serious consequences.
• SentinelEditor Dave Perry was honored for his humorous columns in that category, taking second-place this year. Perry also received second-place honors this year for serious column writing for columns about abuse of force by police and about homelessness.
• The Sentinelwas even honored for crafting headlines “The headlines for SentinelColorado stood out for creative wordsmithing in that their headlines didn’t stray from what the article was about,” judges said. A headline by reporter Max Levy about a pig won the dog in the category. “SWINE OF THE TIMES: Aurora porker heads to the pen after 3 days on the ham,” about a wayward pig in the city.
• The Sentinelalso received second-place honors for the Best News Website among competing news organizations.
We’re able to do this because of you.
It’s your trust, support and generous contributions that allow us to provide you and the region stories, photography, investigations, analyses, editorials, sports and commentary you’ve come to expect.
Trusted, fearless journalism takes resources, and we need your help. Please consider signing up for our free daily E-ditions sent to your email box, subscribing to our print editions or gifting someone a subscription that can’t. Please consider a contribution to the Sentinel, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) news media to ensure vital, local news remains available to you and everyone. Contributing is secure and easy. Just go to SentinelColorado.com and click Donate 4 Sentinel in the navigation bar at the top of the page.
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Amid Venezuelan gang sham, save Aurora from ‘spokesperson’ Danielle Q-rinsky
If there are any adults left on the dais of the Aurora City Council, or anywhere at City Hall, they will stop Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky from pretending in local and national media that she speaks for anyone but herself and her partisan political allies.
Sorry, Aurora, but just when you thought this dangerous, tragic and ridiculous national furor about Venezuelan immigrants and gangsters taking over Aurora could not get any worse, it sure as hell just did.
For weeks, Jurinsky, a right-wing Republican extremist, has been all over Fox News and any other propaganda machine that will hoist her anti-immigrant rhetoric, which she says is a message of care and love.
Jurinsky has been at the forefront of the political Q-Anonish quackery trying to persuade first Aurora, then the state, then the world, that Aurora police and city officials are conspiring to hide what she has claimed — never once with vetted evidence — that Aurora is run amok with Venezuelan prison gang members, part of Tren De Aragua.
Now, she claims you and the rest of the world imagined her prolific propaganda.
Yesterday, the city, reacting to hysterical claims Donald Trump made during the presidential debate, said the former president’s “gang takeover” claims are fiction. Trump was simply mirroring claims made by his political ally, Jurinsky.
“We have millions of people pouring into our country from prisons and jails, from mental institutions and insane asylums,” Trump said. “You look at Aurora in Colorado. They are taking over the towns. They’re taking over buildings. They’re going in violently. … And they’re destroying our country. They’re dangerous. They’re at the highest level of criminality.”
Sound familiar?
Jurinsky’s been singing that off-key anthem for weeks now.
On July 28, a parking lot rave celebrating what should have been the political end of Venezuelan Dictator Nicolás Maduro’s political career spiraled into a flash mob at the Gardens on Havana. Jurinsky was the first to sound not just the false alarm, but to campaign for Trump and other extremist Republicans at the same time on Facebook.
“The police were totally over run (sic), and we’re (sic) forced to get out of the area for their safety. A police car was shot up. This is in the United States of America… this is in YOUR city. Please, please spread the word. This November’s election may, in fact, be the actual most important of your lives, your children’s lives, and your grandchildrens (sic) lives.”
The truth was, the car was not “shot up,” city officials have said.
Police repeatedly said they never lost control of the scene, and no one was ticketed, arrested or hurt.
Jurinsky’s grasp on truth and reality has only slipped away further.
After the city announced it would essentially seize and shut down the Aspen Grove apartment complex on Aug. 13, providing reams of code violations and documentation showing what a dump the complex had become after more than two years of mismanagement and neglect by owners. Jurinsky told city officials and police at a public meeting that she didn’t believe them, and she blamed it on a gang takeover.
“None of us buy that story, that this is based on a code enforcement violation,” Jurinsky said during an Aug. 8 city council public safety committee meeting, referring to her-
self and council members Stephanie Hancock and Steve Sundberg. “Our opinions are not up for debate.”
Smelling Democratic political blood, Fox News leaped at Jurinsky’s political sharkbait
“It’s unreal,” Jurinsky told a Fox Newser interviewing her on Aug. 27.
“They are going block by block. They are taking it over. The city really doesn’t know how to handle it,” she told the Fox personality who was shocked, shocked and dismayed at how immigrants had destroyed a once pristine suburban northwest Aurora neighborhood.
This isn’t “anything other than a complete gang takeover in parts of our city,” Jurinsky said, guaranteeing her return trip to Fox News.
One of those repeat episodes came on Sept. 5 when she told Laura Ingraham that she was insulted by people pointing out the same northwest Aurora buildings and neighborhood had been plagued by Crips and Bloods gangsters, crack houses and relentless poverty for decades.
Not the same, she told Ingraham.
No doubt, the thousands of northwest Aurora and east Denver families who have lost loved ones to gang allegiance, shootings, violence and other crimes would argue, along with the rest of her story.
“The fact is that these folks are a product of our current administration’s failed border policy,” Jurinsky said.
After that came a recent series of political playdates with other Republican icons of facts and veracity, like Congressperson Lauren Boebert and Texas Congressman Chip Roy.
The threesome gathered for a rally at Jurinsky’s Aurora bar to pump up local Republican John Fabbricatore, running against Aurora Congressperson Jason Crow for the 6th Congressional District Seat.
Fabbricatore has apparently joined Club Q-Rinsky, telling Fox News and his X followers that former Interim Police Chief Heather Morris had been part of a conspiracy to cover up Aurora’s Armagangdon.
So after weeks of Jurinsky working overtime to nuke Aurora’s reputation, the city is now quoting her and Coffman as the official voices of the Venezuelan cataclysm.
What could go wrong?
Try this. Yesterday, citing Jurinsky, police, Coffman and city staffers, Aurora issued a formal rebuttal to the part of Trump’s Tuesday tirade that painted Aurora as a cause lost to pillaging Venezuelan immigrants anxious to take over city hall and maybe the local car wash.
Immediately, Crow, who has tried to dispel the mania for the political melodrama that it is, thanked the city for stepping up at last and letting the world know that we’re OK here in Aurora, and we got this.
“Thank you to the City of Aurora for setting the record straight,” Crow said in a tweet. “There is no gang takeover in any part of Aurora. Recent exaggerated claims are simply not true. These claims have led to a narrative that makes it harder for law enforcement to do their job and incited dangerous rhetoric against our immigrant community.”
Less than an hour after being one of the official voices of reason for the city, Jurinsky jumped back.
“The crux folks is that the statement is what I’ve said all along. The entire city of Aurora was not taken over,” she said in volley-tweet to Crow. “Neither Coffman nor myself have ever said that the entire city had been taken over. You either can’t read or flat out, don’t care. …Shut up and show up.”
Jurinsky is one vote among 11 on the city council. The city cites her credentials to speak officially for Aurora on this matter because she is chairperson of the city council public safety committee. It’s nothing more than a pre-clearing house for bills and issues, with no real power, by design. Jurinsky runs the meetings and tells top police officials who show up that she thinks they’re conspiring with gangs or someone to hide their crimes and even existence.
Because of her scheme, Aurora is in danger of having businesses avoid investing in the city or even consider moving away from here. More than 100,000 Aurora homeowners invested in their properties are at risk of seeing their values diminished by Jurinsky’s outlandish and false claims.
And local community leaders in the metro area have already pointed out how Jurinsky’s extremist speech toward Venezuelans endangers every Latino and Hispanic person of color.
Just ask the city’s large Asian American community how life was for them after Trump launched the “China Flu” or Aurora’s burgeoning Muslim population when Trump pushed the “Muslim Ban” across the country and into Aurora.
Talk like this has consequences.
Jurinsky can’t credibly speak for the city to a catastrophe she incited. She speaks only for herself and her partisan allies. Someone unafraid of her needs to make it stop.
Follow @EditorDavePerry on BlueSky, Threads, Mastodon, Twitter and Facebook or reach him at 303-750-7555 or dperry@SentinelColorado.com
DAVE PERRY Editor
Aurora Councilperson Danielle Jurinsky, right, with Texas GOP Gov. Chip Roy on a Fox News TV show, insisting that Venezuelan gangs have overtaken multiple northwest Aurora apartment complexes. Aurora Police and city officials and residents have repeatedly dispute the claims, and no vetted proof has been produced.
SENTINEL SCREEN GRAB
Editorials Sentinel
Aurora and the nation needs crucial facts about Venezuelan gang claims. They can’t come from Trump, Coffman or Jurinsky
Some day in the future, there will be a long list of lessons learned about how Aurora botched the Venezuelan immigrant calamity, but local, state and federal officials can correct course right now to stem the disaster.
Aurora — for generations a bastion of pride and hope for all races and all cultures from people from around the globe — has tragically become ground zero in a dog-whistle race war against immigrants.
For weeks, a growing clan of Republican extremists, led by Republican Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky, have flooded the media with disinformation, exaggerations and fear-mongering, insisting that a notorious Venezuelan gang has overrun parts or all of Aurora.
Credible police, city, state and congressional representatives have repeatedly said, and shown, that it’s a lie.
It’s a lie created and propelled by Republican extremists to advance an anti-immigrant and white-nationalist agenda in hopes of swaying scared or distracted voters with what amounts to domestic terrorism.
Do not be misled nor fooled by this dangerous and cruel partisan scheme by political leaders and complicit or inept media advancing this clear cause.
All residents in Aurora should look to credible media for the facts in a crisis that threatens the lives and the livelihoods of every resident in the city, the region and the state.
All readers should consider these documented facts:
• As many as 40,000 Venezuelan immigrants have come to the Denver metro area over the last two years after the governor of Texas and other officials there contrived a way to bus immigrants coming over the border to targeted large cities across the nation, including Denver.
• Denver was overwhelmed by the wave of mi-
YOUR LETTERS
Prop 127 is bad for Colorado
grants, and while state and federal officials have provided some financial assistance to manage the humanitarian crisis, it has never been and is not now nearly enough. The financial and management burden has fallen primarily on Denver, Aurora and those taxpayers.
• Many of these Venezuelan migrants are here legally under temporary refugee immigration policy, or they could be if the federal government would make current immigration policy workable and navigable.
• A critical, bi-partisan congressional immigration and border policy measure was scuttled in February by Trump and his political allies as a presidential campaign ploy, extending border and immigration chaos.
• A 1-square-mile part of this 170-square-mile city, in northwest Aurora, has struggled with myriad crime, code and poverty issues for decades, beginning in the 1960s when the city abandoned East Colfax Avenue as its downtown.
• Three apartment complexes in the region have long been the subject of tenant and neighborhood complaints. These properties have been the target of city code and health inspectors for more than two years, well before Venezuelan immigrants began arriving in the region. These complexes are held by the same out-of-state company, which has faced similar health and safety complaints in other cities.
• The owner has told media and elected officials — without proof or evidence — that his properties became slums because Venezuelan gang members “took over” the complexes, terrorizing residents and stealing rent payments. Police and city officials have repeatedly disputed the claims, saying current residents and preliminary investigations make it clear there has been criminal activity related to and separate from any gangs, the owner’s claims are false.
• To date, 10 people have been arrested by Aurora or other metro law enforcers and are ac-
EDITOR: Proposition 127 is full of misinformation and those promoting it are lying to the public and misrepresenting hunting and how wildlife is managed in Colorado. Supporters misuse the terms “trophy hunting” which is already illegal in Colorado and is basically the same thing as poaching. When mountain lions are harvested for example, the meat must be kept by law.
Prop. 127 is nothing more than an attempt to uproot science-based conservation strategies in Colorado. It takes away the ability of Colorado Parks and Wildlife to effectively manage mountain lion and bobcat populations in the state, which are currently health and thriving under the existing management plans. Take a look at California, where mountain lion hunting has been banned for years.
There have been several attacks on people just this year in that state. Also, the state still kills at least 300 mountain lions per year (over 3300 lions since the ban) due to conflicts with humans and livestock. Taxpayers fund the killing of these cats and the animals are thrown in the dump and not utilized in any way. This would happen here if this were to pass.
If passed by voters in November, this ballot measure would put people, pets, property, livestock, and other wildlife populations in serious jeopardy.
— Chad Vivian, Aurora
Don’t demonize people who are just people
EDITOR: I lived in a condo complex in Auro-
cused of having ties to Venezuelan gangs and are connected with a wide range of crimes across the metro area.
• A so-called “investigation” into the Whispering Pines apartment complex health and safety issues was conducted by a law firm hired by apartment owner company principals. Touted as an actual investigation by some political officials, as well as some local and national media, it is actually a letter sent to city officials, summarizing similar claims made by owners of the beleaguered apartment complexes previously. City officials said the law firm and other principals continue to be “uncooperative” in allowing police to perform an actual and credible investigation.
• Despite claims by Jurinsky and others, police have never denied Venezuelan gang activity, nor any other gang problem, in the complexes and area. Despite that, Jurisnky has repeatedly, falsely claimed that police and city officials have hidden or pooh-poohed the problem, and that some local media, including the Sentinel, have been complicit.
• On July 28, days before the apartment crisis erupted, Jurinsky claimed a variety of disproven claims on her Facebook page after a massive gathering of people in an Aurora shopping mall parking lot led to a Sunday night conundrum. The flash-mob was the result of Venezuelan immigrants expecting to see Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro ousted from office by voters. Jusinsky claimed police lost control of the event and that a police car was “shot up.” Police have repeatedly denied both claims. Jurinsky said the event was a portent of why the 2024 election was critical to choosing candidates based on border and immigration policy.
• Since then, Jurinsky has been in the forefront of local and national media stories, continually insisting, without fact or merit, that parts of Aurora have been “taken over” by Venezuelan gangs, creating widespread fear among immi-
ra from 2009-2020. It was by no means a slum, but moderately priced and affordable. In just my row of condos there were four immigrant families from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
At that time Mike Coffman, the new mayor in Aurora touted that one in five residents of the city were born outside of the US and the richness that that added to our community.
One of my immigrant neighbors shoveled snow from my walk. One family’s little daughters came and played with my visiting granddaughter.
One of those family’s teenage kids walked my dog for me when I was not well. Another teen weeded my flower bed for me.
They were wonderful neighbors! Now if Donald Trump gets elected he promises to start his hideous plan to deport millions of immigrants right here in Aurora.
It would put at risk all immigrants, not just the undocumented ones. In fact, it puts at risk any person of color in Aurora! And this whole mess began with a Republican Aurora council member and, for a while, the Mayor of Aurora going to a national news source that regularly spreads right-leaning partisan messages and claiming that Aurora has been overrun with Venezuelan gangs.
All in hopes of defeating the current Democratic representative for the district by the implication that this supposed horrible invasion of criminals was facilitated by him.
Didn’t they have the wisdom and foresight to realize what their machinations would bring down on the people of their community, the one they swore to serve?
— Rev. Susan Greenwood, Aurora
grants, Latinos and others as they have become the direct or indirect target of the demonization.
• Trump has capitalized on the scheme and boosted it, falsely claiming now that the entire city is overrun with and paralyzed by Venezuelan gangs.
• Mayor Mike Coffman has both promoted some of the Venezuelan gang fiction and pushed back against it, sometimes on different TV news shows even on the same day, causing confusion among everyone as to what he means and believes.
• Jurinsky has, also, now tried to backpedal on some of her claims, saying that while she maintains, without proof of merit, that “some” areas of the city and “some” apartment complexes have been overrun by gangs and have been and continue to be under their control, she did not go as far as Trump as to say that “all” of Aurora has been overtaken. Her multiple TV appearances with far-right extremist FoxNews news personalities, easily available at FoxNews.com, are unequivocal. The way forward is clear. Neither Coffman nor Jurinsky can be trusted by anyone to act as a credible spokesperson for Aurora. Aurora, just last week, hired a new police chief and, along with a city manager spokesperson, should be the sole official voices in this crisis.
There are 11 voting members on the Aurora City Council, answerable to the city’s nearly 400,000 residents. The city needs only six voices of reason to agree to take control of this self-inflicted catastrophe, allowing Jurinsky and Coffman to say anything they want, but not on behalf of the government of Aurora and the residents. Aurora residents can call Access Aurora at 303-739-7000 and email them at access@auroragov.org to reach their city representatives and push the council in a direction of responsibility and reality.
From four to zero in a day
JUDGE FREES AURORA PARAMEDIC CONVICTED IN DEATH OF ELIJAH MCCLAIN FROM PRISON
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
An Aurora paramedic convicted in the death of Elijah McClain, a Black man whose name became part of the rallying cries for social justice that swept the U.S. in 2020, will be released from prison after a judge reduced his sentence to four years of probation Sept. 13.
Judge Mark Warner said during his ruling that Peter Cichuniec had to make quick decision the night of the arrest as the highest-ranking paramedic at the scene, the Denver Post reported. He also noted a background of no previous criminal history and good character for Cichuniec, who had an 18-year-career as a firefighter and paramedic before he was convicted.
Warner held that the case had “unusual and extenuating circumstances,” in reference to a part of Colorado’s mandatory sentencing law, which allows a court to modify a sentence after a defendant has served at least 119 days in prison if the judge finds such circumstances.
Candice Bailey, a police reform advocate in Aurora who helped raise awareness about McClain’s death and pushed for charges to be brought, called Cichuniec’s sentence reduction “disturbing.”
“When you’re talking about a life being taken and that this individual was found guilty of that, and then we see something like a sentence being vacated and a person being put on probation — put on probation — it is absolutely mind boggling to me,” she said. McClain was walking down the street in
northwest Aurora, just east of I-225 near East Colfax Avenue — in 2019 when police responding to a suspicious person report forcibly restrained him and put him in a neck hold. His final words — “I can’t breathe” — foreshadowed those of George Floyd a year later in Minneapolis.
Cichuniec and a fellow paramedic were convicted in December of criminally negligent homicide for injecting McClain with ketamine, a powerful sedative blamed for killing the 23-year-old massage therapist. Cichuniec also was convicted on a more serious charge of second-degree assault for giving a drug without consent or a legitimate medical purpose.
The other paramedic avoided prison time, sentenced instead to 14 months in jail with work release and probation.
McClain’s death and others have raised questions about the use of ketamine to subdue struggling suspects, and the prosecution sent shock waves through the ranks of paramedics across the U.S.
The case has already achieved a “deterrence effect” to discourage similar crimes, Warner said in the hearing in Denver.
“Pete is coming home!” Cichuniec’s supporters cried out after Warner reduced the sentence at the hearing, according to the Post. They declined to comment to the newspaper.
Colorado Attorney General Philip Weiser said in a statement that he was disappointed in the reduced sentence but respected the court’s decision.
The ruling by Warner, the same judge who
handed down the prison sentence in March, will release Cichuniec from a prison on the northeastern Colorado plains, though exactly when was not immediately clear.
The president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, which had warned that Cichuniec’s conviction would set a chilling precedent for paramedics and firefighters, said it was relieved by the ruling.
“Pete Cichuniec did not belong behind
bars,” Edward Kelly said in a statement. “We will always prioritize and advocate for the public’s safety and our members’ ability to do their jobs without fear of ill-conceived criminal prosecutions.”
McClain’s mother, Sheneen McClain, declined via email to comment. In March she celebrated the original sentence handed down by the judge as she left the courtroom that day, raising her fist in the air.
TOP: Sheneen McClain, back right, is consoled by Omar Montgomery, back left, as Midian Holmes speaks outside the Adams County Colo., Justice Center after verdict rendered Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, in Brighton, Co. AP Photo/David Zalubowski BOTTOM: Lawyers console paramedic Peter Cichuniec after his sentence is read, March 1, 2024, in Brighton, Co. Colorado State Court via AP, Pool
AROUND AURORA
Trump says, if elected, mass deportations would start in Aurora, Springfield
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Sept. 13 he would force mass deportations of immigrants if he wins the presidency, starting in Aurora and Springfield, Ohio, because of recent controversies surrounding immigrant communities in both cities.
“We’re going to have the largest deportation in the history of our country, and we’re going to start with Springfield and Aurora,” Trump said at a campaign event in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, a golf club he owns, according to Associated Press and streamed sources.
For days, Trump and his vice presidential running mate, JD Vance, have repeated debunked stories about immigrants in Springfield eating dogs and cats.
Trump said he and his campaign may come to Aurora and Springfield in the future to bring even more attention to their anti-immigration policies.
Trump has also parroted disputed and unproven claims by Aurora Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky that Venezuelan gangs have taken over apartment complexes and areas of the city.
Trump focused on both refuted controversies during the presidential debate last Tuesday and several times since.
The repeatedly disproven tales about Haitian immigrants in Springfield eating dogs and cats has caused an international uproar, with numerous officials from both parties asking Trump and Vance to stop making the false claims.
Aurora officials pushed back on Trump’s assertions earlier this week, saying that, despite his remarks, the city has not been overrun by Tren de Aragua gang members from Venezuela.
About 40,000 Venezuelan migrants have come to the Denver area over the last two years, many living in Aurora now, according to Venezuelan and immigrant aid agencies.
Aurora police have repeatedly said that the Venezuela street gang has a small presence in the city but has not taken over any of a handful of rundown apartment complexes.
Police announced that 10 people they say are linked to Trens de Aragua gangs have been arrested over the past several months in Aurora and elsewhere in the metro area.
The unproven assertions that they have overcome apartment complexes and even extorted rent payments from tenants was promoted first by Jurinsky and then by Trump.
At a Fox News town hall last week
Trump said Venezuelans were “taking over the whole town.”
He’s made several similar claims since then, prompting repeated rebukes from state and local officials, who say the stories undermine local police and endanger the lives of innocent migrants.
The unsubstantiated Aurora allegations gained momentum following last month’s dissemination of video from a resident in the complex that showed armed men knocking on an apartment door, intensifying fears the Tren de Aragua gang was in control of a six-building complex.
City officials have maintained that the buildings, along with two other apartment complexes, were run down because of neglect by the property manager, CBZ Management.
The city and CBZ principals are now
embroiled in a legal battle. City officials this week said CBZ and its associated legal and financial partners are being uncooperative.
Both Mayor Mike Coffman and former Aurora police chief Heather Morris have recently disputed claims by Jurinsky and others that gang members collected rent from residents.
Despite the denials, Trump and a growing number of Republican officials insist that local police aid federal immigration agencies in enforcing immigration violations, a practice spurned repeatedly by police and made illegal recently under state law.
Aurora officials last week sidestepped the partisan political quagmire Trump set off, but reiterated that local police do not check for citizenship status as they carry out public safety duties.
“It is the responsibility of the appropriate federal authorities to enforce immigration law. APD’s focus is the enforcement of state and local law,” Aurora spokesperson Ryan Luby said in a statement. “Beyond this, we are not in a position to engage in speculation.”
— THE SENTINEL and By The Associated Press
Aurora police officers cleared in May 4 fatal shooting of armed man
The actions of two Aurora police officers involved in the May 4 deadly shooting of an armed man during a chaotic rush of events in an apartment breezeway were justified, and the officers will not face any charges in the case, according to District Attorney John Kellner.
Officers Michael Laurita and Officer Matthew Crewse shot and killed Rodriguez-Balderrama, 28, when he returned to the scene of a shooting minutes after it occurred in the early evening at apartments at 1416 Clinton St., according to investigations by Aurora police and a Critical Incident Response Team made up of outside police agencies and investigators from the 18th Judicial District in Arapahoe County.
The shooting was the subject of a graphic video created by police weeks after the shooting, seeking to shed light on the incident for the public.
The Aurora Police department is currently under a consent decree imposed by the state attorney general to implement a host of police reforms to address what a state investigation determined were “patterns and practices” of widespread abuse of force by police, especially against people of color.
The police shooting incident began at about 7:45 p.m. when multiple people called police dispatch to report gunfire at the apartment complex.
Callers told police that a man had been shot while outside the apartment complex, and that the shooting suspect had driven away in a red Mustang.
En route, police saw a red Mustang in the area and engaged in a brief chase before losing sight of the car.
“Officers located the victim, a 28-year-old Aurora man, who said (Rodriguez-Balderrama) arrived at his apartment earlier that evening,” police spokesperson Joe Moylan said in a statement. The shooting victim told investigators that he knew Rodriguez-Balderrama, and that at one point, he pulled out a handgun.
The video provided by Aurora police offers graphic detail about the incident, highlighting the volatile and chaotic scene.
“The victim told officers he and another resident ran out of the apartment
after the suspect produced the handgun,” police said.
The man said Rodriguez-Balderrama was a friend, and he and his partner were allowing Rodriguez-Balderrama to stay at their apartment.
He “explained that he came home and found Rodriguez with a gun to his head, at which point (the man) called 911,” police and investigators said in a report. “This caused Rodriguez to become angry and chase after (the victim) firing at him both in and around the apartment.”
Rodriguez-Balderrama “fired several shots at him, striking him in the leg.”
While officers were talking with the shooting victim, “several neighbors began yelling that the suspect had returned to the scene,” police said.
Police said Rodriguez-Balderrama was suddenly standing near the shooting victim’s apartment and had a handgun.
“Officers gave the suspect commands to show them his hands, at which point officers fired their handguns,” Moylan said. “The suspect was struck multiple times.”
Rescuers tried to resuscitate Rodriguez-Balderrama at the scene, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators said the .40 caliber Glock handgun carried by Rodriguez-Balderrama had an extended magazine, capable of holding 22 rounds, unlawful in Colorado and was “modified to include an ‘auto-sear,’ which allowed the gun to fire on fully-automatic mode,” according to the the CIRT unit investigation report. “Possession of such a device is illegal. There was no ammunition in the weapon. From the evidence and the officer interviews, it does not appear Rodriguez-Balderrama fired at the officers.”
An autopsy report and other parts of the investigation revealed that the two officers fired 15 rounds at Rodriguez-Balderrama, striking him once in the hand and two times in the back. The two bullet wounds in the back were fatal, according to the report.
“The toxicology report for Mr. Rodriguez-Balderrama was positive for fentanyl and norfentanyl (an analog of fentanyl typically found in illicitly produced fentanyl), methamphetamine, and benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine, generally consistent with very recent use of cocaine)” according to the autopsy report. “The concentration of fentanyl in the blood (13 ng/ml) was high, as was the methamphetamine amount (2,400 ng/ml).”
In late May, Aurora police released the compiled video, which included narration by then interim police Chief Heather Morris.
The video illustrated the same narrative, which the CIRT team and Arapahoe County District Attorney John Kellner said the evidence in the investigation essentially upheld the narrative offered by Aurora police, and that both officers acted appropriately in the case.
“Because each officer’s conduct was legally justified, no charges will be filed against either officer,” Kellner said.
— Sentinel Staff
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Colorado
will temporarily lower SAT math score needed for graduation
Colorado students for the next two years will be able to meet state graduation requirements with a lower score on the SAT math test.
The State Board of Education vot-
ed in favor of the temporary change on Wednesday. Staff from the Colorado Department of Education and many board members said the change isn’t a lowering of standards, but rather a response to changes to the SAT that seem to have been more significant than expected.
“I want to make sure we’re not negatively impacting Colorado students given we had some unusual results — not just in Colorado, but across the country,” said board President Rebecca McClellan.
In past years, students needed a 500 on the math portion to be able to use the math SAT test to meet graduation requirements. Wednesday’s vote will change the score to 480 for students graduating in 2024-25 and 2025-26.
The percentage of 11th graders who scored 500 on the math test dropped from 45% in 2023 to 39% in 2024. With the new score of 480, about 45.5% of the students who took the test in spring 2024 will be able to use the score to meet their graduation requirements in spring 2025, making the percentage comparable to past years.
The concern was that some students may have planned to use their scores from their SAT to meet graduation requirements, and may have unexpectedly gotten lower scores than expected based on taking the PSAT in their ninth and 10th grades. Those students, now as seniors, may have a smaller time frame to find an alternative way to meet state graduation requirements before May.
There were several changes to the SAT test last spring, including a new fully digital format and question and language changes. Joyce Zurkowski, the state department’s chief assessment officer, told the board there is some investigation into whether the questions on this year’s SAT were ultimately more advanced.
In Colorado, all 11th graders take the SAT, and students who meet a certain score can use that score to meet Colorado’s graduation requirement to show competency in math and English. Districts can offer students about a dozen ways to meet that requirement, such as taking advanced courses, concurrent enrollment classes, or industry certificates. While state officials don’t track how many students use each method, they believe the SAT is one of the more popular options.
Using the raw SAT scores, the state of Colorado also calculates how many students met state expectations in math and English language arts. The percentage of Colorado students meeting state expectations on the SAT math test dropped by 4.1 percentage points compared to last year. Similar drops were not seen in the English language arts portion of the test and so the state’s changes to the graduation cut scores are only for the math test.
At the same time, the state will be working with higher education partners to identify what scores on this reformatted SAT actually correlate to postsecondary readiness to recommend the best passing score for the graduation requirement to use long-term.
State Board member Steve Durham said he was already inclined to think that changing the score was appropriate based on last month’s board discussion, but since then he got additional information about the other states that use the SAT for all 11th graders, including Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, and West Virginia. He said he saw that they too reported similar significant decreases in the number of students meeting math expectations.
“Data now confirms the most likely reason for the difference in the outcome is due to a change in the test rather
than a change in student performance,” Durham said. “Re-norming it for this purpose, at least for graduation, for a short period of time, is an appropriate thing to do.”
— By YESENIA ROBLES, Chalkbeat Colorado
COPS AND COURTS
Man, 62, arrested after dispute outside Aurora apartment results in shooting
Police arrested a man they say shot another man during some kind of dispute in front of a northwest Aurora apartment Sept. 15, even after the suspect fled the scene.
Police were called to apartments at 1457 Kenton St. at about 10:30 p.m. after reports of a shooting there.
“They found one adult male suffering from a gunshot wound,” Aurora police spokesperson Sydney Edwards said in a statement. “He was transported to the hospital with serious injuries and is expected to recover.”
A preliminary investigation revealed that 62-year-old Earmon Wildy and another, unidentified man were involved in some kind of altercation outside the apartments.
“It escalated and the suspect pulled out a gun and shot the victim,” Edwards said. Wildy allegedly fled the scene, but was identified and found nearby by police and taken into custody.
The nature of the dispute nor pending charges and jail bond were not immediately available.
— Sentinel Staff
Aurora man, 35, accused of shooting homeless man faces attempted murder charges
An Aurora man is accused of shooting a homeless man he stalked after accusing him of causing damage to trash cans in his central Aurora apartment complex.
Daniel Ryan Shea, 35, faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault with a deadly weapon in the case, according to court records.
Police were called to the Midas shop at 16708 E. Iliff Ave. at about 9:15 a.m. Sept. 9 after reports of a shooting there.
Witnesses said they saw Shea and another man, later identified as a 35-year-old homeless man, arguing in the parking lot outside the muffler shop. At one point, the accused shooter, later identified as Shea, pulled out a gun and shot the other man in the abdomen, according to police accounts of witnesses.
“The shooter left the scene walking north,” police said in a previous statement. “Responding officers were unable to immediately locate the suspect.”
After talking with additional witnesses and reviewing outside video footage of the incident, police were able to identify the alleged gunman, as Shea, who lived across the street from the scene of the shooting in an apartment complex.
Police arrested Shea after a search for him in the area.
While being questioned, Shea spontaneously told police how the shooting unfolded.
“I’m just gonna say exactly what the f*** happened,” Shea told police, according to a district court arrest affidavit.
›› See METRO, 7
Shea said the homeless man had caused some kind of disturbance at the apartment complex in the days leading up to the shooting.
“I live in that apartment complex,” Shea said. “One man, in particular –shirtless, gigantic ogre, tipping trash cans; costing 25 thousand dollars in damage. Right, that alone — I’m in my rights, protecting my property.”
Shea did not detail how or why the homeless man damaged property.
“I beat that mother****** up a few days ago for being an idiot,” Shea told police.
He told police that the homeless man had pulled out a gun, and that Shea “took that s*** out of his hand.”
Police and witness reports indicate Shea pulled the gun he’s accused of shooting the homeless man with from the back of his pants, and then firing at the man.
“Only thing I should be charged for is assault, because I beat the s*** out of the mother****** who ended up at the Midas,” Shea said, according to police. “I’m a ‘grateful dead wrecking crew’ and that’s what we do.”
The allusion is to 1960s recording studio musicians.
Prosecutors in the 18th Judicial District have charged Shea with first-degree attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
Shea is being held at the Arapahoe County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.
— Sentinel Staff
Woman shot, injured outside East Colfax strip mall in Aurora
An unidentified 25-year-old woman was shot and injured Sept. 13 outside an East Colfax strip mall in Aurora, police said Saturday.
Police were called to 9500 E. Colfax Ave. at about 10:30 p.m. after reports of a shooting outside the row of businesses.
“A 25-year-old female was located with multiple gunshot wounds,” police spokesperson agent Matt Longshore said in a statement. “She was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.”
Police said details of the shooting were unclear, and that the initial call indicated the shooting was related to a robbery.
Police said there were no suspects at the time and no arrests have been made.
Police said anyone with information can call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000, police said.
— Sentinel Staff
Panel: Disbar DA who oversaw bungled Salida murder case, racist attack on Aurora students
Colorado state regulators have ruled that a district attorney who brought criminal charges that were ultimately dismissed against a man accused of killing his missing wife should no longer be allowed to work as a lawyer, finding that her management of the high-profile case resulted in the prosecution “running aground.”
The panel issued a 2-1 ruling Tuesday to disbar 11th District Attorney Linda Stanley, who prosecuted Barry Morphew in the death of his wife Suzanne Morphew, who was reported missing on Mother’s Day in 2020. Barry Morphew had posted a video on social me-
dia pleading for his wife’s return soon after she vanished. His arrest a year later prompted widespread media attention.
Stanley was also in charge of a case involving a Park County man accused of attacking a group of Community College of Aurora students in 2022 while they were on a rural mountain road en route to a private cabin.
Stanley’s disbarment was not related to that case, which Stanley asked a judge to dismiss in 2023, causing an uproar from alleged victims.
A representative of Stanley’s office who did not provide her name said Wednesday that Stanley had no comment. Stanley’s lawyer, former prosecutor Steven Jensen, said he and Stanley were considering whether to appeal the ruling to the Colorado Supreme Court, noting that one dissenting member of the panel said Stanley should be suspended rather than disbarred.
As a rural district attorney not accustomed to handling high-profile cases, Stanley did not have as many resources as prosecutors in urban areas and also had difficulty finding attorneys to work on the case, Jensen said.
“She was trying to conduct herself in appropriate fashion under the difficult circumstances she was presented with,” he said, echoing an argument he made before the panel when it held a two-week hearing on Stanley’s conduct in June.
A final order that would prevent Stanley from working as a lawyer is normally issued 35 days after a ruling, but the opinion said that Stanley can ask for a delay to allow her to appeal.
Stanley “…gravely abused her position of trust as a public official and minister of justice,” chief disciplinary judge Bryon M, Large said in his summary and recommendation of disbarrment.
Stanley dropped the charges in Suzanne Morphew’s death in April 2022 after a judge barred prosecutors from calling key witnesses for repeatedly failing to follow rules for turning over evidence to the defense. That included DNA from an unknown male found in Suzanne Morphew’s SUV. The DNA corresponded with partial profiles found in three unsolved sexual assault cases.
Lawyers for the office that oversees attorney conduct, the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel, compared Stanley’s conduct in the case at a June hearing to a ship’s captain who didn’t appear on the boat’s bridge.
The panel agreed, adopting the analogy.
“Respondent’s absence at the helm during key phases of the prosecution — even when she was warned that it faced rough waters — led to a series of events that ended with the first-degree murder case running aground,” it said in its opinion.
Suzanne Morphew’s remains were found in September 2023 in a remote area of central Colorado more than 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of her home in the mountains near Salida, Colorado, as authorities were pursuing a different case. An autopsy report released in April labeled her death a homicide but said she died by “undetermined means.” A cocktail of drugs that are used to tranquilize wildlife was found in one of the 49-year-old woman’s bones, but there was no indication of trauma, the report said.
Charges against the man and his girlfriend were dismissed because of Stanley’s comments.
Stanley was involved with a controversial Aurora case, too.
A Park County judge on Jan. 3, 2023 agreed to dismiss charges against a Bailey resident accused of attacking a
group of Community College of Aurora students the previous March.
Students previously told The Sentinel that Jon Spencer, 29, attacked them while using racially-charged language after one of their cars became stuck on the unpaved, snowy road near Spencer’s home in a rural mountain community. Spencer faced two counts of third-degree assault and five counts of harassment in connection with the incident.
Stanley, acting as a prosecutor, asked Judge Brian Green to dismiss the charges, saying an investigation on behalf of prosecutors turned up inconsistencies between statements given by witnesses. She did not say what those discrepancies were.
“Those inconsistencies are a concern for the people in being able to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt and also a potential self-defense argument for Mr. Spencer,” Stanley said. “I simply cannot proceed if I don’t believe that I have enough evidence to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Students and their families were incredulous, accusing Stanley of not taking the case seriously and asking Green to deny Stanley’s motion to dismiss charges or else appoint a special pros-
ecutor to take over the case. Green refused both requests.
“I’m just in complete shock. I know that I personally don’t agree with it being dismissed,” said Malarie Stafford-Mustacchio, one of the students present during the alleged attack. “I didn’t know about the dismissal until today.”
She said Stanley declined to tell her what the alleged inconsistencies were in
the group’s statements. Stafford-Mustacchio also pointed out that sheriff’s deputies waited until the day after the alleged attack to get statements from the group, which could have impacted students’ recollections.
Deputies also waited until the following day to arrest Spencer, and multiple witnesses told The Sentinel that offi›› See METRO, 19
September is Workforce Development Month! As the local workforce center, Arapahoe/Douglas Works! provides a variety of no-cost services to job seekers and businesses in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. Visit their website at adworks.org to see how they are working to support employers, workers, job seekers, and learners.
The buzz on perfect fuzz
HERE’S WHAT MAKES COLORADO PEACHES THE PICK OF THE PRUNUS PERSICA LITTER
BY GABE ALLEN AND ERIN O’TOOLE/ KUNC and In The NoCo
On a recent day at the Boulder Farmer’s Market, peach fans lined up to buy end-of-season “seconds,” which are fruits with bad spots or blemishes, from Morton’s Organic Orchards. Western Colorado peaches, like the ones Morton’s sells, will only be available for a couple more weeks. Peach season ends when freezing temperatures return.
Any given market day could be your last opportunity to score a fresh local peach.
While peaches from southern California, South Carolina, and Georgia are piled high at grocery stores around the country, Colorado’s peaches are mostly distributed through farmer’s markets, fruit stands, and mail order businesses like the Colorado Peach Company. Among peach fans, they have a reputation for excellence.
“It’s really great agricultural land,” said Topp Fruits market manager Regan Gilmore. “It just makes really sweet fruits.”
KUNC recently sat down with Colorado State University horticulture specialist Jeff Pieper to learn more about the specific conditions that create western Colorado’s peaches, aka prunus persica.
According to Pieper, it all started more than 100 years ago. That’s when farmers decided to divert Colorado River water to grow crops on arid land near the mouth of De Beque Canyon east of Grand Junction. Farmers used a complex irrigation system to convert sparse high-desert plots into verdant orchards.
Although the region was arid, it also had nutrient-rich soil and plentiful sunlight. River water was all it took to turn the area into an agricultural hub.
Today, Palisade, the town that sprung up at the edge of De Beque Canyon, is synonymous with Colorado peaches.
Hot days and cold nights: Perfect for peaches
According to Pieper, western Colorado peaches benefit from the region’s relatively large temperature fluctuations between day and night. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Palisade dropped to 64 degrees Fahrenheit at night and climbed to 90 degrees during the day on average over the past month.
Pieper said that the warm temperatures help the fruit produce sugars, while cold temperatures break the sugars down into other compounds. The result is a flavor that mixes sweet and tart.
“There’s a really nice balance between sugar and acid profiles in our peaches,” he told KUNC.
Aridity
means peach growers use less
pesticides
Palisade’s climate comes with a second benefit. Unlike the muggy peach groves of the southeast U.S., dry desert air blowing through western Colorado. The low humidity, said Pieper, reduces insects and fungi. This, in turn, allows growers to use less pesticides and fungicides.
“We don’t have to spray as much,” Pieper explained. “Colorado is a real sweet spot.”
Market fresh peaches ripen on the tree
A big part of what makes Colorado’s peaches so good is that they’re fresh. While most fruit sold in commercial grocery stores changes hands multiple times and is shipped long distances, Colorado peaches are generally available to customers within days of being picked.
Pieper said that this distribution model allows growers to leave the fruit on the tree for a longer time before picking. Many vendors advertise this as “tree ripening.”
“Our growers tend to be able to allow the fruit to hang on the tree a little bit longer, which increases the flavor profile. It also means less time in the cooler,” said Pieper. “The longer a peach sits in the fridge, the more likely it is to undergo cold storage damage.”
Peach evangelists like Pieper make a compelling argument that western Colorado has the best peaches in America. If the lines at the Boulder Farmers Market are any indication, he may be right.
However, as summer winds down and temperatures fall, the end of peach season is near. Until next summer, Coloradans will have to make do with grocery store peaches and, if they’ve planned accordingly, a few jars of the good stuff.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Peaches from First Fruits Organic Farms in Paonia sit in a bin at the Boulder County Farmers Market on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024.
TOP RIGHT: Customers sift through First Fruits Organic Farms peaches at the Boulder County Farmers Market on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024.
Photos by Gabe Allen
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
Get your ticket to ride on the classical thrilling journey on Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express at the Vintage Theatre.
scene & herd
Maximum fun at Aurora Mini-Con
Aurora Mini-Con returns from Sept. 21 to the Aurora Municipal Campus.
Aurora Mini-Con is a free, family friendly festival featuring comics, cosplay and all things pop culture. All ages and fandoms can create unforgettable memories and experience gaming, superheroes, comic-themed crafts, activities and much more. The event will take place simultaneously within the Aurora Municipal Campus, the Great Lawn, Central Library and the Aurora History Museum.
Attendees can immerse themselves in fascinating panel discussions, such as one moderated by hosts Bryan Kreutz and Lili Fox-Lim of the TV show, “A Captain’s Log,” alongside actor Manu Intiraymi from “Star Trek: Voyager.” Other panel discussions include Rabbit Troop Sucks Podcast, Colorado Cosplay Academy and Aurora History Museum with Friends of Mile HI Con.
Also, eSports will host gaming tournaments and there will be trivia and a costume contest that guests have a chance to win prizes from. Escape puzzles, Super storytime, SuperSHEro magic show and a comic writing workshop will also be available for everyone to enjoy.
Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy outdoor activities and a variety of food available for purchase from food trucks. Guests can also participate in crafts and games as well as shop from a variety of vendors with unique merchandise.
IF YOU GO:
Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: AuroraGov.org/ Mini-Con.
Where: Aurora Municipal Campus, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway
A Journey to our Future at Wings Over the Rockies
Get ready for liftoff. In this immersive exhibit patrons can touch actual rocks from the lunar surface and the red planet, take a spin on a centrifuge, get up-close to artifacts from the space program and much more.
The program is in the Harrison Ford Theater and features a presentation from former NASA Astronaut Steve Lindsey.
IF YOU GO:
Sept. 21 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Speaker program with Steve Lindsey is at 11 a.m.
Tickets: A Journey to our Future is included in the price of museum admission and is presented in collaboration with NASA. The exhibit ends April 13.
Location: Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, 7711 East Academy Blvd.
Details: wingsmuseum.org
Whether you’re new to Agatha Christie or a longtime fan, you won’t want to miss this fantastic show, which boasts these classic lines: “We are losing heat and light, provisions are low, the passengers are angry and we have a dead man rotting in compartment two. How are things with you?” and “Examine your heart and tell us what you want.”
IF YOU GO:
Opens Sept. 20 and runs through Oct, 20. Fridays through Sundays. Curtains vary with weekly matinees available.
Tickets: $20-$36
Details and ticket sales: www.vintagetheatre.org/
The Babi Yar Commemoration and Tribute Concert
Held by the Mizel Museum, the commemoration honors those lost during the massacre at the Babi Yar ravine in Ukraine, as well as all victims and survivors of the Holocaust. This annual ceremony encourages the community to reflect upon the ongoing violence throughout the world and to become educated on the destructive forces of hatred and bigotry through the lessons of the Holocaust. Babi Yar Park is a 27-acre memorial landscape at Parker Road and Havana Stree that provides a place of quiet contemplation to reflect upon crimes against humanity and genocide. Native vegetation and trees encourage solace, and a small grassy amphitheater is available for gatherings and dialogue. In 1969 Mayor William H. McNichols, Jr. designated the land for the purpose of creating “a place that would demonstrate a unified public protest.” Now in the third phase of development, the park’s memorial structures create a symbol of conscience that has become a landmark of national significance.
IF YOU GO: Sept. 25, 3 p.m.
Location: The amphitheater at Babi Yar Memorial Park, 10451 E. Yale Ave.
Details and Tickets: $5 per person at MizelMuseum.org or 720-785-7302
Della Doucet
Opening the Vintage Theatre 20242025 season, Della Doucet a romantic comedy opens Aug. 23.
Written by Kirsten Dahl and directed by Paul Jaquith in the Bond-Trimble Theatre, the world premier promises laughs about love.
On the run from a military marriage, Southern-born Della struggles to find her way in the gritty New York art world of 1981. The romantic comedyis winner of the Vintage 2023 New Play Festival.
IF YOU GO:
Through Sept. 29, Fridays and Saturdays with some matinees. Curtain times vary.
Tickets: $20-$37
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St.
Details: VintageTheater.org 303-856-7830
Discovering Teen Rex
Take an extraordinary journey into our prehistoric past with the arrival of “Discovering Teen Rex” as we unveil a remarkable fossil discovered by a crew of inquisitive young dino hunters in North Dakota. The fossil prep lab will be displayed alongside dinosaur fossils, including Triceratops and Edmontosaurus, from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science collection. The whole family is invited to come experience history in the making as our team of renowned paleontologists clean, preserve and study this rare adolescent T. rex fossil — one of only a handful found worldwide — before the public on the Museum floor.
IF YOU GO:
Free with museum ticket purchase
Daily 9-5
Tickets: $19.95-$25.95
Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd.
Details: 303-370-6000 or at dmns.org
Bright Nights at Four Mile Historic Park
Bright Nights is a collaboration with Tianyu Arts an Culture, Inc., the largest producer of Chinese lantern festivals in North America. This event transforms the Park into a captivating realm with larger-than-life sculptures illuminating the night across its 12 acres. Each year brings a fresh theme, new experiences, and captivating sculptures.
Bright Nights at Four Mile is the only opportunity to experience a Tianyu festival in the Mountain West. The event features art by day and magic by night, and with each new year will come a new theme, a new experience and new sculptures to the festival.
IF YOU GO:
Tickets: $13 - $42
Through Sept. 29, begins at 7 p.m. and runs through 11 p.m. or midnight, schedule varies
Four Mile Historic Park
715 S Forest St.
Tickets and info: www.fourmilepark.org/
Vanity and Vice: American Art Deco
Delve into the vibrant era of 1920–1933 and explore the dynamic designs that emerged during this period of rebellion.
Step into the story of a progressive Prohibition-era woman as you journey through her boudoir and a speakeasy, immersing yourself in the Art Deco objects that defined her world. Experience the freedom and change of the time, as American women embraced independence both at home and in society.
From chic bobs to cocktail parties, this exhibition showcases the evolution of the modern woman through fashionable perfume atomizers, vanity sets, and stylish drinking and smoking accessories. Vanity & Vice: American Art Deco invites you to indulge in the glamour of a bygone era.
This special exhibition is included with admission and does not require a separate ticket.
IF YOU GO:
Through Jan. 12, 2025, opens at 11 a.m.
Kirkland Museum 1201 Bannock St. Info: www.kirklandmuseum.org/ vanity-vice/#
The Power of Poison
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science exhibition provides an interactive experience and incredible way to discover what you’ve always wanted to know about nature’s toxic arsenal. Through a live performance and interactive dioramas, the spellbinding “The Power of Poison” will take Museum visitors into familiar and novel tales of illness, enchantment and death by poison. Journeying through the Colombian forest, they will uncover fascinating secrets about the many plants and animals that wield poison as a potent tool for defense and survival. Finally, the exhibition will uncover how scientists are studying poison’s effects on human cells to protect, repair and heal our own bodies and improve our health.
IF YOU GO: Open every day, 9 a.m-5 p.m., Most Fridays 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Included with museum admission ticket, $19.95-$24.95 2001 Colorado Blvd. Info: 303-370-6000 and www. dmns.org/
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CULTURE TALK
Hispanic Heritage Month puts diversity and culture at the forefront in metro
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND SENTINEL COLORADO
Aurora and Denver will join celebrations across the U.S. commemorating National Hispanic Heritage Month, an annual tradition that showcases the awe-inspiring diversity and culture of Hispanic people.
Celebrated each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the month is a chance for many in the U.S. to learn about and celebrate the contributions of Hispanics, the country’s fastest-growing racial or ethnic minority, according to the census. The group includes people whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America, or who hail from those places themselves.
There are more than 65 million people identified as ethnically Hispanic in the U.S., according to the latest census estimates.
About one-third of Aurora identifies as Hispanic or Latino, according to Aurora and Census reports.
Heritage week embraces the sprawling histories of Latinos
Before there was National Hispanic Heritage Month, there was Hispanic Heritage Week, which was created through legislation sponsored by Mexican American U.S. Rep. Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles and signed into law in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The weeklong commemoration was expanded to a month two decades later, with legislation signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.
“It was clustered around big celebrations for the community,” Alberto Lammers, director of communications at the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute said. “It became a chance for people to know Hispanic cultures, for Latinos to get to know a community better and for the American public to understand a little better the long history of Latinos in the U.S.”
The month is a way for Hispanics to showcase their diversity and culture with the support of the government, said Rachel Gonzalez-Martin, an associate professor of Mexican American and Latino Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point to coincide with the anniversary of “El Grito de Dolores,” or the “Cry of Do-
lores,” which was issued in 1810 from a town in central Mexico that launched that country’s war for independence from Spain.
The Central American nations of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica celebrate their independence on Sept. 15, and Mexico marks its national day on Sept. 16, the day after the cry for independence.
Also during National Hispanic Heritage Month, the South American nation of Chile observes its independence day on Sept. 18. Indigenous Peoples’ Day, previously known as Columbus Day, is observed in the U.S. on the second Monday of October.
Over the past decade, the month has grown due to the larger Latino consumer base in the U.S., Gonzalez-Martin said. Gonzalez-Martin said visible support from the federal government, including celebrations at the White House, has also made it easier for Hispanics to celebrate.
“Hispanic Heritage Month was a way in which to be Hispanic and Latino but with official blessing,” Gonzalez-Martin said. “It was a recognition of belonging and that became really powerful.”
The four-week period is about honoring the way Hispanic populations have shaped the U.S. in the past and present, Lammers said.
“It gives us a chance to acknowledge how Latinos have been part of this nation for so many centuries,” Lammers said. “I think that’s what is great about this. It has allowed us to really dig deeper and a chance to tell our stories.”
Not everyone who is Hispanic uses that label
Hispanic was a term coined by the federal government for people descended from Spanish-speaking cultures. But for some, the label has a connotation of political conservatism and emphasizes a connection to Spain. It sometimes gets mistakenly interchanged with “Latino” or “Latinx.”
For some, Latino reflects their ties to Latin America. So some celebrations are referred to as Latinx or Latin Heritage Month.
Latin Americans are not a monolith. There are several identifiers for Latin Americans, depending largely on personal preference. Mexican Americans who grew up during the 1960s Civil Rights era may identify as Chicano. Others may go by their
family’s nation of origin such as Colombian American or Salvadoran American.
Each culture has unique differences when it comes to music, food, art and other cultural touchstones.
Hispanic and Latino economics
Latinos account for the fastest-growing portion of the national Gross Domestic Product, said Luisa Godinez-Puig, an equity scholar with nonprofit research organization Urban Institute. The GDP of Latinos was an estimated $2.8 trillion in 2020, compared with $2.1 trillion in 2015 and $1.7 trillion in 2010.
It’s a contradiction to the fact that many Latinos still face obstacles with personal finances. Surveys show median wealth is five times lower for Latino families than their white counterparts. Less than half of Hispanic families own their own homes, Godinez-Puig added.
“Their needs are not being met,” Godinez-Puig said. “Not having access to banking products, not having access to investment, not having access to credit — all of these things impact the wealth, building opportunities of families, which are passed from generation to generation.”
Focus on culture
The U.S. Postal Service put its own stamp on the occasion. One year ago, the agency released new Forever stamps featuring piñatas. The handmade party favorites are typically associated with parties where blindfolded guests try to crack one open to get to the candy inside. But their history can be traced to the 16th century.
Corporations also partake in the celebrations. Walt Disney World Resort chose the week last year to debut live-action versions at Magic Kingdom Park of Mirabel and Bruno, two popular characters from the animated hit “Encanto.” The movie, about a family in Colombia with extraordinary abilities, is credited with showing a large audience the nuances of Colombian culture.
“It’s not Mexico and you can see them eating different foods and you can see like the music is different,” said Huízar-Hernández, who is Mexican American. “Movies, TV, that’s the way a lot of people learn.”
metro Aurora
A future source of learning will be the highly anticipated Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall. In 2020, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to establish the museum.
The legislation also called for an American Latino History and Culture grant program. Last summer Urban Institute researchers, like Godinez-Puig, have been working with the Institute of Museum and Library Services on how to dole out federal grants for American Latino museums and their programming. This initiative reflects the growing number of places occupied by Latino culture, she said.
“As s a Latina woman, myself, I’m just very excited to see that we ... not just only talk about where we are lagging, but also celebrate the variety of cultures that we have within our community and celebrate the hard-working people that contribute a lot to the American society,” Godinez-Puig said. “Because they do.”
Hispanic Heritage Month Events in Metro Aurora
Denver hosting “Latin Beats” concert to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
The vibrant sounds of Latin America are slated to fill the Boettcher Concert Hall as the Mexican Cultural Center and the Colorado Symphony present the eighth edition of “Latin Beats: Sonidos de las Americas.”
Scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 26, this free event will feature a wide array of Latin American music and dance, with a special emphasis on the musical traditions of Mexico and the South American Andes.
Touted as a highlight of Denver’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, the concert promises to take audiences on a rich musical journey, blending traditional and contemporary styles. The event will feature lively rhythms, emotional ballads, and regional melodies that reflect the deep cultural heritage of Latin America.
One of the evening’s most anticipated acts is Qhaswa Peru-USA, a cultural association that showcases Peruvian culture through dance, storytelling, and folkloric performances. Qhaswa, which means “joyful and festive dance” in Quechua, will offer audiences a taste of authentic Andean traditions. Ad-
ditionally, acclaimed performers baritone Adan Pérez and mezzo-soprano Oralia Castro López will perform operatic pieces rooted in the rich musical heritage of Sinaloa, Mexico.
The event will also include performances by Denver’s own Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra and Banda La Patrona, a 16-member Regional Mexican band from Zacatecas, as well as folkloric ballet by ArtistiCo. El Sistema, a youth orchestra group, will perform in the lobby prior to the main event.
Rachel Garcia, Executive Director of the Mexican Cultural Center said, “This is a vibrant celebration of Latin America’s rich musical heritage.”
Free tickets are available at the Boettcher Concert Hall Box Office. Tickets are required for admission but do not guarantee entry. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For details, go to coloradosymphony.org.
Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, for a month
The CJRO is set to deliver a month-long celebration of Brazilian jazz, highlighting some of the finest jazz artists in the region. Led by CJRO artistic director Drew Zaremba, these performances are touted as a fusion of Latin rhythms and captivating music that will transport audiences to the vibrant streets of Brazil and beyond.
The CJRO Latin Jazz Ensemble embraces the September through October celebration by featuring some of the best Latin musicians in the region. Events include:
ColoradoBrazilFest2024
The CJRO is proud to be the headlining group for the opening of Colorado Brazil Fest 2024. Guitarist Gabriel Santiago and vocalist Marion Powers will be featured along with the CJRO Latin Jazz Ensemble.
Sept. 19 at 8:45 p.m.
Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St in Boulder
Tickets available online only at www.coloradojazz.org/concerts.
AJourneytoBrazil
From the smooth sounds of bossa nova to the infectious beats of samba, Brazilian music has captivated audiences
around the world with its unique blend of passion, rhythm, and melody. Gabriel Santiago will be featured on guitar along with Marion Powers on vocals and the CJRO Latin Jazz Ensemble. Sept. 29 at 3 p.m.
Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway
Box Office: 303-987-7845
Yo Soy Arte: Calacas y Catrinas
This captivating exhibition celebrates Mexican culture and the artistic traditions of Día de los Muertos. It brings to life the calacas (skeletons) and catrinas (elegant skeletons satirizing high society) found in Mexican traditions. The unique approach Mexicans take toward death—cheerful and festive—is showcased with larger-than-life paper-mâché catrinas created by Los Angeles artist Ricardo Soltero and calacas hand-painted by Colorado Latinx artists. Find calacas on view at Denver Botanic Gardens (included with admission) and catrinas on view at Aurora Public Libraries through October 20.
Heritage at the Stanley in Aurora
The Stanley is offering a vibrant evening filled with culture, music, and community. Slated Sept. 20 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the West Patio and Lawn, highlights include:
• Mariachi Performances with Lucha Libre, Baile Folklórico Dances, artisan crafts and local art and a Lowriders Showcase with live music and entertainment
The family-friendly event is free. Come enjoy a wide variety of Latino foods, and discover unique handmade goods from local artisans. Details at stanleymarketplace.com.
ON THE COVER: Isabel Marie Sanchez performs before an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. AP Photo/Jack Dempsey
TOP LEFT: Johaly Lopez sings during the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Sept. 15 at the Aurora Public Library Central Branch. More than 100 people attended the event which featured dancing and musical performances, and cuisine from several Latin American countries.
Photo by PHILIP B. POSTON/Sentinel Colorado
TOP RIGHT: Catrinas, which are larger than life scaled papier mache traditional Day of the Dead skeletons, are on display in the Central Branch of Aurora Public Library throughout the remainder of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Photo by PHILIP B. POSTON/Sentinel Colorado
her home
Below top: Junior shortstop Sasha Kennedy is tied for the state lead, regardless of classification, with 23 stolen bases as the catalyst for Grandview’s offense.
Below middle: Eaglecrest senior catcher Kaitlyn Hendrian leads Aurora area players in home runs (6) and RBI (24) as she’s helped the Raptors to a 10-5 start.
Below bottom: Vista PEAK Prep players congratulate Nayely Duran (6) after her home run during a loss to
After an exceptionally long week, the Cherokee Trail softball team rested.
The Cougars have a slight lull in their schedule upcoming, which is well deserved after they played four games in five days, which culminated with a showdown at rival Grandview Sept. 14.
Coach Caley Mitchell’s Cherokee Trail team came away with an 11-6 victory that extended its winning streak to seven games and further enhanced its position with the Class 5A state playoffs looming in less than a month.
SOFTBALL
Grandview dropped the contest with Cherokee Trail, but is in the midst of yet another strong season under coach Liz Carter. The Wolves (10-5) graduated a great deal of offense, but Carter has been pleased at how new pieces have fit in with old ones remarkably well in the early going.
The seniors Grandview does have are pivotal, however. Shortstop Sasha Kennedy is the ultimate tablesetter for the lineup, as does nothing but put pressure on defenses. Kennedy is tied for the state lead, regardless of classification (and leads 5A), with 23 stolen bases.
Senior Brooklyn Heil is a varsity veteran who leads the team with three home runs and 15 RBI, while a number of other players have blossomed to create an effective mix.
Diamond days
“We graduated seven seniors from last year, so our theme has been this is the next episode of CT softball,” Mitchell said, referring to big losses from a team that went 20-8 and lost in the second round of the 5A state tournament.
BY COURTNEY OAKES
“We have a lot of new faces and its taking us a little while to figure out all the pieces of the puzzle and where people should be,” she added. “But as we are doing it, things are coming along nicely.”
Indeed, even as it clarifies roles and defines its strengths, Cherokee Trail is off to a 10-2 start, with losses only to 13-1 Windsor (7-6) and 11-3 Columbine. The Cougars sit No. 3 in the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Class 5A coaches poll of Sept. 15 and they occupy the same place in CHSAA’s seeding index, where they trail only No. 1 Columbine and No. 2 Valor Christian.
If anybody knows about building a team to get ready for the postseason, it is Mitchell, who guided the program to a 5A state championship in 2016 along with runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2020.
She has a mix of a small bit of experience in seniors Kennedy Brian, Kylie Twilt and Icela Ciocarlan, along with a strong young nucleus that includes a slew of juniors and sophomores.
Sophomores Sydney Cobb and Emma Rice — who both got good experience on varsity last season — have been outstanding in the circle. Against Grandview, Rice came on in relief of Cobb and tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings to keep the Wolves at bay. While she put up zeroes, Rice homered and Ciocarlan went deep twice, while the Cougars flexed their speed on the bases as well.
“We like to stay we’re going up the gondola and I think we’re making good progress towards going to state,” Ciocarlan said.
In the circle, Grandview’s tandem of seniors Kamaya Soniea-Harris and Leah Graves is one of the best around when they are on.
“We talked about how it doesn’t really matter who the opponent is, we’re playing Grandview,” Carter said. “We find that when we lose, we’ve been the cause of the loss. When we’re on, we’re definitely among the best in the state. We just have to focus on what we can control and play Grandview ball.”
Eaglecrest had a marathon week of its own, as coach Yvette Hendrian’s team followed a fivegame set at the Dave Sanders Tournament with its own run of four games in five days.
The Raptors finished that stretch at 3-1 with lopsided wins over Rock Canyon, ThunderRidge and Smoky Hill mixed around a loss to Grandview. Hendrian’s team — which gets its chance to play Cherokee Trail Sept. 24 — and sits 10-5.
Senior catcher Kaitlyn Hendrian is counted on for leadership behind the plate, but is also adding thump to a scrappy Eaglecrest lineup. A two-run home run Sept. 14 gave Hendrian six, which is tied for the third-most in 5A, while her 24 RBI is tied for sixth in the classification.
“We’re beating the teams we’re supposed to be and we’re beating them handily, but in the games that we’ve lost, we’re making mistakes,” Yvette Hendrian said. “The good news is that this team works well together and stays patient, probably better than some of the other teams I’ve had.”
Vista PEAK Prep has new leadership in John Waller, who took over for longtime coach Eddie Sanchez. Waller has guided the Bison to a 7-4 record and 4-1 mark in the City League, which has them in a three-way tie for first. Dual threat sophomore Michaela Halton has helped Overland to a 4-4 mark in the early going.
Sports Editor
Right: Cherokee Trail sophomore Emma Rice, right, high fives coach Caley Mitchell after
run in the Cougars’ 11-6 softball win at Grandview Sept. 14.
Strasburg Sept. 14. The Bison are tied for first in the City League.
PHOTOS BY COURTNEY OAKES/AURORA SENTINEL
FOOTBALL
Eaglecrest falls for first time, city teams post 2-8 mark in difficult Week 3
Week 3 of the prep football season came with just two victories for Aurora teams, while the only previously unbeaten team went down to defeat.
Vista PEAK Prep won a lopsided contest on the opening night of the week, while Gateway came away with a dramatic victory in a local Friday Nights Lights matchup, while eight other programs will head into Week 4 attempting to stop a losing streak.
Coach Mike Campbell’s Vista PEAK Prep team is now 2-1 after a 49-0 rout of Lakewood Sept. 12 at Aurora Public Schools Stadium, which saw the Bison invoke the mercy rule in the first half. Larry Mosley caught a touchdown pass from Carson Campbell (who had three touchdown passes), then returned an interception and fumble for scores in a span of just over a minute in the first quarter to blow the game open. Tyrone Smiley also rushed for a touchdown and Canaan Barthlow threw one to Joseph McCullers.
Gateway dropped its first two games of the season, but got in the win column for coach Rashad Mason with an 8-7 victory against district rival Aurora Central Sept. 13. Quarterback Westin Rayburn fired a 23-yard touchdown pass sophomore Jeramiah Stark and then dove into the end zone on a keeper for a go-ahead 2-point conversion for the Olys (1-2).
Coach Chris Kelly’s Aurora Central team (1-2) took a first quarter lead on a pass from Darian Fitzgerald to Tayvion Simmons-Adams.
Eaglecrest clashed with Chatfield in a matinee Sept. 13 at Jeffco Stadium in a matchup of teams that were off to 2-0 starts. The Raptors departed the battle 2-1, however, as the Chargers mounted a late drive that produced a go-ahead touchdown with 24.5 seconds left in regulation. Quarterback Joe Steiner rushed for two touchdowns and threw a scoring pass to Logan Robitaille, while Ramadje Owens set up a score with an interception for coach Jesse German’s team.
Grandview played its third straight close contest to and ended up on the short end of a one-score game in every one. This time, coach Tom Doherty’s Wolves (0-3) fell to Legacy 34-27 Sept. 13 at North Stadium despite Blitz McCarty’s two touchdowns and a scoring pass to Xay Neto. Caleb Llamas racked up 121 yards rushing with a touchdown.
Regis Jesuit returned after a trip to Arizona to encounter powerhouse Cherry Creek in a Sept. 12 contest at Stutler Bowl that it dropped 42-0. Coach Danny Filleman’s Raiders (0-3) got a touchdown pass from Luke Rubley to Jace Filleman.
Rangeview got rushing touchdowns from Tyson Tuck and Gyannie Estrada in a 41-21 road loss to Westminster Sept. 13, which puts coach Chris Dixon’s team at 1-2. That’s the same record held by coach Justin Jajczyk’s Cherokee Trail team, which dropped a 42-0 Homecoming contest to undefeated Mountain Vista Sept. 13 at Legacy Stadium, as well as coach Tony Lindsay Sr.’s Overland team after a 34-14 loss to Fountain-Fort Carson Sept. 14 at Stutler Bow. Isaiah Zackery had an interception return touchdown, while Dejay Davenport’s pick turned into Matthew Jimenez-Solis’ 1-yard sneak.
Smoky Hill remains looking for its first win, as coach Brandon Alconcel’s team fell to Douglas County 43-0.
WEEK PAST
The week past in Aurora prep sports
SATURDAY, SEPT. 14: The Eaglecrest girls volleyball team finished in second place at its own Eaglecrest Invitational tournament with a 4-0 record. Jada Bobb of the Raptors made the all-tournament team ...The Regis Jesuit boys soccer team cracked double digits for the second time in a 10-0 win over Douglas County. Jack De Simone scored three goals, while Charles Sharp had a goal and five assists. ...The Gateway boys soccer team rolled to a 5-2 road win against Overland in a crosstown matchup. ... Kaitlyn Hendrian homered and Ryleigh Stufft had three hits and both drove in two runs as the Eaglecrest softball team downed Smoky Hill 13-1. Kiley Snyder and Nikiah Light were 2-for-3 for the Buffs. ... The Overland softball team rolled to a 16-5 win over Skyview. ...Nayely Duran homered for the only run for the Vista PEAK Prep softball team in a 15-1 loss to Strasburg. ...Braeden Focht set the school record for the Regis Jesuit boys cross country team with a time of 14 minutes, 58 seconds, on his way to seventh in the Sweepstakes race at the Liberty Bell Invitational at Heritage H.S. Grandview’s Colton White finished 15th in the 168-runner field, while Cherokee Trail led locals in 14th among 23 teams. Rangeview’s Kimi Bulto placed 12th in the Division 1 boys race. ...Jade McDaniel of the Cherokee Trail girls cross country team finished 10th in the Dvision 1 race at the Liberty Bell Invitational to lead locals, while Aurora city champion Jenna Winn of Eaglecrest placed 30th. McDaniel’s Cougars were fifth out of 23 scoring teams. ... The Vista PEAK Prep girls flag football team split two
For more on these stories visit sentinelcolorado. com/preps
contests with a 20-0 win over Kennedy after a 58-0 loss to Denver South. ...The Eaglecrest girls flag football team topped Legacy 24-12. ...The Rangeview girls flag football team went 1-1 on the day with a 12-6 win over Lincoln along with a 24-7 loss to Denver North. ...The Regis Jesuit boys tennis team finished a close second at the Cherry Creek Invitational. Alec Rodriguez-Fields (No. 1) & Blake Wright (No. 2) won singles titles, while the No. 1 doubles team of Clay Dickey and Vlad Sukhovetskyy also prevailed for the Raiders, who placed third or better in every position. ...The Overland gymnastics team won the 14-team Cherry Creek Invitational with a score of 175.825 points and had the all-around winner in Ainsley Renner (36.350). Renner won the uneven bars and floor exercise, while Maia Howell took the balance beam. ...FRIDAY, SEPT. 13: The Aurora West College Prep Academy boys soccer team edged Lotus School For Excellence 1-0. ...The Eaglecrest softball team had two big innings late in a 12-2 win over ThunderRidge that saw Zaya Elliott throw a complete game three-hitter. Sybella Trevino drove in four runs, while Briahna Gallegos added two RBI. ...THURSDAY, SEPT. 12: The Smoky Hill girls volleyball team swept past Thonrton 25-19, 25-20, 28-26. ...The Cherokee Trail boys soccer team scored twice in the second half of a 3-1 victory over Legend. ...Oscar Castro converted a free kick chance midway through the second half to lift the Smoky Hill boys soccer team into a tie with Gateway in a game that ended 1-1. ...The Aurora Central boys soccer team tallied twice in the second half to win a local matchup with Overland 2-0. Jorge Mata had a goal and assisted on two by Yahir Quintero and Angel Trejo made 15 saves as the Hinkley boys soc-
TOP LEFT: Regis Jesuit’s Alec Rodriguez-Fields returns a shot on his way to victory in the No. 1 singles championship match at the Cherry Creek Invitational Sept. 14 at Cherry Creek High School. LEFT: Vista PEAK Prep’s Larry Mosley races untouched up the sideline on his way to a fumble return touchdown in the Bison’s 49-0 win over Lakewood Sept. 12 at APS Stadium. TOP RIGHT: Overland’s Maia Howell performs her routine on the balance beam during the Cherry Creek Invitational Sept. 14 at Cherry Creek High School as she helped the Trailblazers win the team title. ABOVE: Smoky Hill’s Elliott Kaganer (11) gets his head on a ball in between Gateway’s Emmanuel Kosongo, left and Aron Funez during a 1-1 tie between the Buffaloes and Olys Sept. 12 at Smoky Hill High School. (PHOTOS BY COURTNEY OAKES/AURORA SENTINEL)
cer team edged Adams City 3-2. ...The Vista PEAK Prep softball team scored three times in the bottom of the 7th inning for 12-11 walk-off win over George Washington. Jaya Gray had three hits joined Nayely Duran and Bella Renzi with three RBI apiece, while Amara Herrera got the win in relief. ...Kennedy Brian had three extra base hits — including a home run —and drove in six runs, Icela Ciocarlan homered with three RBI and Tayah Burton Izzy Becker and Emma Rice had three hits as the Cherokee Trail softball team held off Arapahoe 19-18. ...Kamaya Soniea-Harris tossted a five-hitter as the Grandview softball team topped Eaglecrest 8-1. Sasha Kennedy had three hits and four steals, while Brooklyn Heil and Maddie Heinrich homered for the Wolves, while Kaitlyn Hendrian went deep for the Raptors’ lone run. ...Elyse Bailey had a goal and Riley Leeser made three saves as the Smoky Hill field hockey team topped Mountain Vista 1-0. ...The Cherokee Trail boys tennis team topped Smoky Hill 5-2 behind singles wins for Sachin Suresh (No. 2) and Clark Deleeuw (No. 3) plus three doubles wins. ...Justin Son (No. 1) and Kaahan Wani (No. 2) earned singles wins to lead the way for the Grandview boys tennis team in a 5-2 win over Mullen. ...WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11: Kiley Snyder, Lexi Larsen and Nikiah Light drove in three runs apiece to back Ava Matheny as the Smoky Hill softball team downed Rangeview 18-4. Rayyan Balkis scored with an assist to Yaman Khudhair for the Overland boys soccer team, which blanked Chaparral 1-0. ...Luiz Fuentes scored twice to hep the Lotus School For Excellence boys socceer team to a 3-0 win over Sterling. ...Dalton Sisneros of the Cherokee Trail boys golf team shot a 5-under-par 67 to take medalist honors at the final Centennial League tournament played at Saddle Rock G.C. Sisneros won by
a strong over three players who tied at 4-under, which included Grandview’s Michael Rosman and Eaglecrest’s Gregory White. ...The Overland gymnastics team scored 172.800 to win a home meet that also included Northfield (152.175). Ainsley Renner, Audrey Cox and Ali Padgett finished 1-2-3 in the allaround for the Trailblazers. ...TUESDAY, SEPT. 10: The Cherokee Trail girls volleyball team stormed back after it lost the first set to rival Grandview in a 19-25, 25-17, 26-24, 25-13 win. Ella Nothiesen had 14 kills, Kassie Cooley added 10 and Avery Krause amassed 33 assists for the Cougars, while Sajal Glunz had 11 kills for the Wolves. ...Maddie Kilmer’s 11 kills and 13 assists, plus Anika Davison’s seven kills and 12 digs helped the Rangeview girls volleyball team to a 25-19, 25-16, 25-18 win over Standley Lake. Amanni Tisdell had nine kills, five aces and two blocks to help the Vista PEAK Prep girls volleyball team sweep Overland 25-20, 25-15, 25-20. ...Miguel Vazquez converted a penalty kick chance for the goal that gave the Aurora Central boys soccer team a 1-0 win at Gateway Elliott Kaganer, Bryan Ramirez and Kevin Torres scored as the Smoky Hill boys soccer team topped Mountain Range 3-0. ...Justin Son, Kaahan Wani, and Krish Wani swept singles and the No. 1 doubles team of Carter Benton and Blake Hardin prevailed as the Grandview boys tennis team edged Cherokee Trail 4-3. ...MONDAY, SEPT. 9: The Regis Jesuit field hockey team blanked Smoky Hill 2-0 on goals by Macie Parsons and Katie Rasure Anthony Lore of the Regis Jesuit boys golf team shot 1-under-par 71 to tie for first at the Continental League tournament at Heritage Eagle Bend. ...Casey Nesbitt of the Vista PEAK Prep boys golf team shot a season-best 77 to finish fifth in the City League tournament at Willis Case G.C.
which
Parties
Parties
For information on how to participate in e-filing, unrepresented litigants should contact the appropriate clerk in the court where the proceeding was filed or visit www.nycourts.gov/efile- unrepresented. Unrepresented litigants also are encouraged to visit www.nycourthelp.gov or contact the Help Center in the court where the proceeding was filed. An unrepresented litigant who consents to e-filing may cease participation at any time. However, the other parties may continue to e-file their court documents in the proceeding.
For additional information about electronic filing and to create a NYSCEF account, visit the NYSCEF website at www. nycourts.gov/efile or contact the NYSCEF Resource Center (phone: 646- 386-3033; e-mail: nyscef@nycourts.gov).
Dated: August 29, 2024 /s/ Richard M. Ellsworth Balsamo Byrne Cipriani & Ellsworth 16 Chestnut St., Suffern, NY 10901 845-357-2744 rellswoth@bbcelaw.com To:
James Eric Hamilton, Deceased. All persons having claims against the aboved-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado, on or before January 5, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Tina Hamilton Personal Representative 6130 S. Cathay Court Aurora, CO 80016
Attorney for Personal Representative Samantha M. White Atty Reg #: 39182 Baker & Hostetler, LLP 1801 California St., Ste. 4400 Denver, CO 80202 Phone: 303-764-4054 First Publication: September 5, 2024 Final Publication: September 19, 2024 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR30860
Estate of Carl Henry Roath, Jr., aka C. Henry Roath aka Henry Roath, 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 January 12, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Attorney for Personal Representative Hayley M. Lambourn
Atty Reg #: 43766 Wade Ash, LLC 5251 DTC Parkway, Ste. 825 Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: 303-322-8943
First Publication: September 12, 2024 Final Publication: September 26, 2024 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR30894
Estate of Perry Alan Ziegler, 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 January 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Jennifer Sanborn Myers
Personal Representative c/o Steven M. Weiser, Esq. Atty Reg. #: 27535 Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher, LLP 360 S. Garfield St., 6th Floor, Denver, CO 80209 Phone: 303-333-9810
First Publication: September 12, 2024
Final Publication: September 26, 2024
Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR30966
Estate of Roger Kent Leonard aka Kent Leonard, 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 January 19, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Attorney for Personal Representative Catherine A. Silburn, Esq. Atty Reg #: 34669
Rocky Mountain Elder Law 651 Garrison St., Ste. 240 Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: 720-457-4573
First Publication: September 19, 2024
Final Publication: October 3, 2024 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2022PR31328
Estate of William Allen Cox aka William A. Cox aka William Cox, 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 January 5, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Attorney for Personal Representative Jesse Aschenberg Atty Reg #: 33022
6105 S. Main Street, Ste. 200 Aurora, CO 80016
Phone: 720-493-9733
First Publication: September 5, 2024
Final Publication: September 19, 2024 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR243 Estate of Leanne A. Miller, Deceased.
All persons having claims agianst 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 January 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Lezlea Miller-Zessin Personal Representative 11137 W. Marlowe Ave. Littleton, CO 80127
First Publication: September 12, 2024
Final Publication: September 26, 2024 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR244
Estate of Charles Glenn Warden Jr, de-
ceased . All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present present them to Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before January 19, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Mary Catherine Warden, Personal Representative 725 Mockingbird Street, Brighton, CO 80601
First Publication: September 19, 2024
Final Publication: October 3, 2024
Sentinel
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PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR30308
Estate of Bette Jo Evans, 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 Douglas County, Colorado, on or before January 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Attorney for Personal Representative Kristi Radosevich Atty Reg #: 34335 Karnopp, Radosevich & Preston, LLC PO Box 2708 Elizabeth, CO 80107
Phone: 303-646-2763
First Publication: September 12, 2024
Final Publication: September 26, 2024
Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR30343
Estate of Charles Raymond Daum aka Charles R. Daum aka Charles Daum, 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 January 5, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Patty L. Stanley Personal Representative 1631 Northridge Dr. Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Attorney for Personal Representative Richard D. Hughes, Esq. Atty. Reg. #: 1218 THE HUGHES LAW FIRM, P.C. 7807 E. Peakview Ave., #410 Centennial, CO 80111
Phone: 303-758-0680
First Publication: September 5, 2024
Final Publication: September 19, 2024
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR30604
Estate of Jennifer Kay Cordell aka Jennifer K. Cordell aka Jennifer Cordell, Deceased.
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court Adams County, Colorado, on or before January 19, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Kyle Cordell Personal Representative 505 W. 100th South, Apt. 477 Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Stephanie L. Brennan Atty Reg #: 30707 Brennan Law, LLC 1790 38th St., Ste. 106 Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: 303-443-7900
First Publication: September 19, 2024
Final Publication: October 3, 2024
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PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR30812
Estate of Karen S. Tydingco aka Karen Sue Tydingco aka Karen Tydingco, 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 January 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Jacob L. Toy Personal Representative 12213 Dundee Dr., #A Austin, TX 78759
Abigail L. Schwarz, Esq.
Atty Reg #: 59295
Marketplace Tower II 3025 S. Parker Road, Ste. 820 Aurora, CO 80014
Phone: 303-671-7726
First Publication: September 12, 2024
Final Publication: September 26, 2024 Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR30846
Estate of Mary Jeanne Thurman, 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 January 20, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred. Karen L. Thurman
Personal Representative 5725 S. Lakeview St. Littleton, CO 80120
Attorney for Personal Representative David M. Swank
Atty Reg #: 23408
Swank Law Firm, LLC
4600 S. Syracuse St., Ste. 900 Denver, CO 80237
Phone: 303-773-2000
First Publication: September 19, 2024
Final Publication: October 3, 2024
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR30853
Estate of Rosalyn Angela Ciacco aka Rosalyn A. Ciacco, 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 January 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Attorney for Personal Representative Kristi Radosevich
Atty Reg #: 34335 Karnopp, Radosevich & Preston, LLC PO Box 2708 Elizabeth, CO 80107
Phone: 303-646-2763
First Publication: September 12, 2024
Final Publication: September 26, 2024
Sentinel
NOTICE TO CREDITORS BY PUBLICATION
PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR30862
Estate of Renee Marie Gregoire-Davis, 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 January 5, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
John Harold Davis, Jr. Personal Representative 212 Madeline dr. Monrovia, CA 91016
Richard D. Hughes, Esq.
Atty. Reg. #: 1218
THE HUGHES LAW FIRM, P.C. 7807 E. Peakview Ave., Suite 410
Centennial, CO 80111
Phone: 303-758-0680
First Publication: September 5, 2024
Final Publication: September 19, 2024
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PURSUANT TO §15-12-801, C.R.S. Case No. 2024PR30870
Estate of Kenneth McLain Millin, 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 January 5, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Attorney for Personal Representative
Chad P. Hemmat
Atty Reg #: 20845 Anderson Hemmat, LLC 5613 DTC Parkway, Ste. 700 Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: 303-782-9999
First Publication: September 5, 2024
Final Publication: September 19, 2024
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of Esther Ada O’Kane aka Esther A. O’Kane aka Esther O’Kane, 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 January 19, 2025, or the
cers at the scene said they were afraid that Spencer might cause a domestic violence incident if they tried taking him into custody that night.
The incident began when the film students’ car became stuck on a road to a rented cabin and Spencer suddenly appeared on the scene.
Spencer immediately began questioning them about what they were doing there, claiming he owned the road and asking who they knew that lived nearby, the two women told The Sentinel.
“He was like, ‘You need to leave. You’re not where you belong,’” one
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woman said. She and her friend both noted Spencer smelled like he’d been drinking and was slurring his speech.
Soon, Spencer began hurling insults at the group. He singled out the driver for abuse in particular. But unlike the other students, some of whom had also gotten stuck on the same stretch of road earlier, the driver is Black.
“He goes up to the car, and goes up to the window, and was calling her a dumb, Black b – – – h and saying, ‘That’s why you can’t drive,’” another witness said.
“He was calling us c – – – s and b – –– – – s, and saying we were worthless,” the driver said. “He said, ‘You’re a dumb, Black b – – – h.’ … He was insinuating
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that because I had dark skin that I was incompetent.”
One of the students captured part of the confrontation on video using their cell phone — in the video, the man identified as Jon Spencer argues with the driver, telling her “you’re Black, and you’re dumb.”
As more of Malarie’s group gathered around the car, they said they tried to explain to Spencer that the vehicle was stuck and that they were trying to get off the road.
One of the students, who was the director of their film project, at one point shook hands with Spencer, which seemed to de-escalate the situation. But soon, the three said the man resumed
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shouting at them, telling them the county-owned road was private and that they needed to leave.
The driver said she turned to one women to say that Spencer was upsetting her. Then, she said Spencer tried to reach in through the car window and grab her.
The situation escalated quickly. The director who shook hands with Spencer stepped in between the two of them and told him not to touch her. The three women said Spencer grabbed the director and began choking and punching him before taking him down to the ground.
They said that as Spencer pummeled and choked the student on the snow-covered road, shouting that he was going to kill them, other group members tried to pull him away. One student called 911.
“They asked if we were safe, and I said, ‘No, somebody’s beating up my friend,” the woman said.
“I just remember trying to pry his fingers off his throat,” the driver said. “He said, ‘I’m going to kill you guys.’ … It felt like his intent was to murder us.”
At that point, another man, who the students believe was Spencer’s neighbor, approached with what looked like an AR-15 rifle. One sutdent yelled to the others that the man had a gun. Some of them ran down the road.
“My friend was literally about to die in front of my eyes, and I was just terrified,” the driver said.
“I’m still just trying to fathom what happened to this day,” another student said. “My brain wasn’t working at that point.”
But the second man returned to his vehicle and put his rifle away. At that point, the director had gotten the upper hand over Spencer. Malarie said the man who had the rifle walked back toward the stranded Jeep driven by one of the women’s friend. The three women said he made threatening comments about wanting to hurt the director before walking over to Jon and helping him beat the student.
“It was so scary,” the driver said. “I didn’t want to increase their anger any more but I didn’t want to see my friend die in front of me.”
“I really, really did not know what to do,” Kate said.
“I disagree fully that it was self-de-
fense. I mean, we saw our friend get brutally beaten,” she said. “It’s just very baffling to me that he can sit there and just live his life without any repercussions.”
Defense attorney Ehren Penix said the attention generated by the case had led to people leaving negative reviews for Spencer’s business and caused Spencer to put his home in Bailey up for sale.
Penix accused the students of attacking Spencer because “they didn’t want to hear that they shouldn’t be driving two-wheel drive in that weather because they didn’t want to be talked down to as city folks.”
“His life has been completely upended by these falsehoods,” Penix said. “Without even a conviction from the court, they have subjected him to public ridicule and loss of business and property, and all of this because he tried to help these people get their car unstuck.”
While Penix insisted Spencer was not a racist and claimed the allegation that Spencer used racially-charged language was not mentioned by students when deputies arrived on-scene, a video provided by the students shows Spencer telling the driver, “you’re Black, and you’re dumb.”
In a now-deleted Facebook post, the Park County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed the basic facts of the case and said Spencer was “completely out of line and apparently prejudiced.”
Penix said attorneys working on the case were never shown the video footage captured by the group.
Green told those present for the 2023 court hearing that it was the job of Stanley’s office to decide charges for Spencer and other defendants.
“It is extremely unlikely that the court would deny a motion to dismiss. It’s the prosecutor’s job to make that decision. It’s not my job to overrule her in her charging decisions,” he said.
After Green accepted Stanley’s motion to dismiss charges against Spencer, one of the students reacted by saying, “Oh my f – – – – – g God.” Green then threatened to hold the student in contempt of court, warning that “if you’re going to be using profanity on this court line, you may find yourself in contempt, and you may be the one sitting in jail.”
— COLLEEN SLEVIN
Associated Press and BY THE SENTINEL
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