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Read The Villager sports columnist, Denny Dressman’s take on backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham and the Broncos’ chances for the end of the season and the Super Bowl on page 7. – Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton

Greenwood Vi l lage justgot

It’s healthy food, not “health food,” which means it’s good for you and tastes good, too. It’s homemade recipes that are prepared with warmth, made with care and served with love, so everyone can eat well and be well.

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World travelers may be familiar with the pungent, greasy street foods of Southeast Asia, like laksa and satay Mama Kim takes all of that and elevates it to a new level, reinventing these powerful flavors as clean, shareable dishes for the whole family.

Denver locals starved for something new, add this spot to your musttry list. Mama Kim has something for everyone.

People who are interesting are interested

Lifelong learners and curious people are the engine of relationship development. Beyond asking where you’re from, curiosity leans in, listens, and asks more questions, such as “How are you enjoying the cruise? What is the best part of your recent travels? What is your favorite destination and why?” In a world crowded with noise, curiosity is the signal that says you matter to me. It is astonishing how quickly that signal turns strangers into friends.

for wonder. The ocean was magnificent, but the moment felt small. It wasn’t that this person lacked experiences; it was that they lacked curiosity about anyone else’s. The contrast was stark. Some people leave you enriched, others leave you unchanged.

relationship development and knitting people together.

The people I want to spend time with aren’t necessarily the loudest or the most impressive. They are the ones who ask follow-up questions, who remember details, who make room for your story to breathe. The ones who look at a world brimming with cultures and experiences and say, “Tell me more.”

Curiosity opens the door of your heart that would otherwise remain closed, quietly inviting others to step through and share their worlds. When we pay attention with genuine interest, we create a space where stories unfold naturally, laughter sparks from shared discovery, and barriers dissolve without effort. In these moments, connection weaves itself into the fabric of the encounter, making the ordinary extraordinary. As we listen with intention, we not only learn about others but also find ourselves relating to them, remembering their names and their stories because they have expanded our perspectives and lives that, moments before, were unknown to us.

I witness this daily as we cruise the South Pacific, where the ocean feels endless and the days are stitched together by chance encounters. One evening at dinner, I was seated next to a retired Brazilian teacher and a young South Korean engineer. At first, we exchanged the polite basics: names, where we were from, and how long we’d been traveling. Then the teacher asked the engineer what first made him curious about building things. His face lit up. He talked about dismantling radios with his grandfather, about failure and patience, about pride earned the slow way. The table leaned in. Dessert came and went, and none of us noticed. By the end of the night, we weren’t just fellow passengers; we were co-conspirators in each other’s stories.

A few days later, I met someone else on deck, perfectly pleasant, impeccably dressed, and entirely uninterested in anything beyond their own itinerary. Every conversation circled back to them. There were no questions, no pauses, no space

These moments teach a simple truth: people who are interested are interesting. We are drawn to those who ask, notice, and wonder. Curiosity is not a performance; it is a posture. It says, “I don’t know everything, and I’d love to learn from you.” That humility creates commonality and shared hearts, which are essential to

Relationships don’t grow from being fascinating; they grow from being fascinated. When we cultivate curiosity, we offer others a gift: our attention. And in giving it, we receive something rarer than entertainment; a connection that lingers long after the journey ends.

joneen@narme.org

Holiday feasts are brought to us by bugs

Last week, I was hailing new food standards, and I heard some great advice from a friend. She gave me wise grocery-store advice about highly processed, popular foods. She said, “Always, the processed junk foods are displayed in high-traffic areas of the store, while the good food is not so apparent.” Her advice… “stay away from those special displays in the aisles at the markets.” Good healthy advice!

One of the journalistic pleasures of my career has been participating in the National Newspaper Association.

Gerri and I went on a number of “Study Missions” to foreign countries, including Taiwan, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

I participated in solo exchange missions to the Middle East, Nicaragua, and Cuba with a smaller group, who are now lifetime colleagues and friends. The trips taught me more about

the world, how vast it is, and how less important America is on the world stage. From Taiwan’s 200 mph bullet trains to the opulent wealth of the United Arab Emirates, with its towering skyscrapers and massive malls (one of which houses a ski slope), one thing connected them all: the food was different in each country.

BY BOB SWEENEY PUBLISHER

Food was measured on each plate in China, and we could have only a limited number of Pepsi drinks.

We dined on Peking duck one evening with some Chinese hosts who asked for permission to eat a delicacy; fish head. We were served greasy pigeon in Egypt that was not very good. Vietnam featured many French cultural foods and wines.

In all the countries we visited, we loved the fresh fruit and tuna, which were always good.

The trips will always be among my fondest memories, along with the deep friendships

I made with my newspaper colleagues from across the U.S. We exchange newspapers with friends in Iowa, Arizona, and Kansas.

I especially like The Oberlin Herald in Western Kansas, where they print the price of corn and wheat on the front page. They still cover news from outlying areas, and the town seems to struggle with funding for the hospital and bond issues for the school district.

During the holidays, I was scanning the newspaper when my eyes fell on a headline: “Holiday feast brought to you by bugs,” by Jessica Butters, an Ag and Natural Resource Agent in the area. She made some vital points about food and wrote, “Like it or not, bugs feed us. Beneficial bugs eat crop pests, while pollinating bugs move pollen between flowers, allowing plants to fertilize and produce fruits and seeds.”

She continues… “Pollinators in particular serve up a lot

What does ‘affordability’ really mean?

The “economy” symbolizes survival at its most basic level. It is through an economic system that we gather items for our continued existence and, more importantly, for the continued survival of our loved ones. So yes, it’s always the economy (affordability).

program will solve all our problems. They would have us believe they can create the perfect government solution to affordability. Experience and historical rigor say otherwise.

Since the economy is so important to our basic survival, what economic philosophy best promotes and protects that system? Is it more government? Or more private enterprise? We need to answer this basic question before promoting another “solution.”

Politicians would have you believe that another law or rule or some grand federal

As imperfect and messy as private enterprise, through a free economic system, is, it is infinitely better than any government solution. Here is the crux of the debate on “affordability.”

The way to attain economic success is via the free exchange of goods and services through a stable and independent economic system. Remember, all money the government spends is taken first from the private citizen.

Would it not be more “affordable” if that money were left in the hands of those who actually worked for it?

The choice is binary. There are only two options: more free enterprise or less. More government or less. I submit that no greater power than our Creator opined on this issue when He created the individual and granted us free will — the power to choose, to decide.

This argument crosses all political boundaries. Few politicians have debated the issue at its fundamental level. Therefore, it is extremely confusing to the voter. President Trump is a free enterprise guy...then he promotes tariffs. This is a contradiction, since all tariffs are paid by the consumer — in this case by

of food: one out of every three bites we eat!” And more, “These bugs pollinate our crops for free, saving producers around the world about $57.7 billion each year.” Pollinated crops include coffee beans and cacao, as well as alfalfa hay for dairy cows. Add cranberries and grapes, coffee and vanilla beans, and the list goes on and on. I found the story interesting — one of many in weekly newspapers you won’t read anywhere else.

Maybe writing about bugs helping to feed us doesn’t have the glamor of another shooting or an ICE arrest, but it sure affects our kitchen tables. Thank you, Jessica. Her phone number in Kansas is 785-877-5755. Surprise her with a friendly phone call from Colorado. She will be surprised by the power of the press reaching all the way from Colorado, where we have bugs helping with the vast wheat and corn fields in Eastern Colorado.

the citizen. Where is the free enterprise in that?

Integrity requires rational thought, intellect. Integrity is consistency between word and deed. If we favor free enterprise and our innate gift of free will, then we will never decide in favor of stealing from others (progressive taxation) or imposing our will on others’ free choice (law and regulation).

We can have affordability for all, just not by government imposing its will upon us. This is a universal message that every soul understands.

Jay Davidson is founder and CEO of a commercial bank, a student of the Austrian School of Economics and a dedicated capitalist. There is a direct connection joining individual right and responsibility, our Constitution, capitalism, and the intent of our Creator.

FASHION & LIFESTYLE Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com

DESIGN/PRODUCTION MANAGER Thomas McTighe production@villagerpublishing.com

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Susan Lanam — 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com

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Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Gerri 303-773-8313

EDITORIAL COLUMNIST Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com The

The

“From your living room to our clinic, we’re here for you and your pet,” says Dr. A, who dreamed up MoVET’s hybrid model of both mobile house calls and a warm, welcoming clinic space. This dual approach gives pets the best of both worlds—comfort at home and the resources of a fully equipped clinic—without sacrificing the personal connection that makes veterinary care truly meaningful.

By offering house call appointments, MoVET eliminates the stress of car rides and waiting rooms, providing a calmer, more personalized experience for pets and their families. “Pets feel more at ease in their own space, which lowers their stress. This makes exams smoother, results more reliable, and lets us observe them as they truly are,” Dr. A explains.

Two Doctors, One Approach

While Dr. Lexi Abramson (Dr. A) may have pioneered MoVET’s unique concept, her partner, Dr. Barbara Caldwell (Dr. C), oversees dayto-day veterinary care. With over 24 years of experience, Dr. C is known for her calm, compassionate approach, sharp diagnostic skills, and gentle touch that puts even the most nervous pets at ease.

Dr. A brings 14 years of veterinary expertise and a desire to innovate, ensuring MoVET continually evolves to meet the needs of modern pet owners and blends clinical insight with a passion for client service, business innovation, and creating a community hub for pet lovers. Together, the doctors combine decades of expertise with modern flexibility. They share one vital piece of advice for every pet owner: “Stay ahead on preventative care—it’s the key to a long, happy life for your pet.”

A Family Business in Every Sense

Family is at the heart of MoVET. Dr. A and her husband live in Cherry Hills Village with their two sons, Henry (12) & James (8), a Golden Retriever, Nessie (also MoVET’s mascot @ nessie_themovetpup), a standard poodle, Hubble, and Dr. A’s horse, Rebel. The boys attend Aspen Academy, and the family is active at The Village Club.

It’s not unusual to see Dr. Caldwell’s daughter assisting during appointments or Dr. A’s two boys helping out in the boutique or greeting clients. “We know what it’s like to juggle busy schedules while trying to do what’s best for your pets,” says Dr. A. “That’s why we created a place that feels like home—whether you’re inviting us into your living room or visiting our clinic.”

More Than Medicine

By 2023, MoVET expanded to a full-service boutique clinic in Belleview Station—while maintaining the mobile service that makes it unique. The clinic features a calming, boutique environment, a self-service dog bath, and a pet boutique stocked with veterinarian-approved

food, treats, toys, and supplements. Pets immediately feel at ease—without the typical “vet clinic” smell, a trait dogs quickly appreciate.

“I loved working in traditional clinics,” says Dr. A, “but I often wished I had more time with each family. With MoVET, we can focus on quality over quantity.”

In addition to mobile and in-clinic care, MoVET offers virtual consultations for clients who can’t make it in—answering texts on the go, guiding owners through ER visits, or coordinating specialist care. When pets can’t be treated at the clinic, MoVET remains fully invested in their health. “Just because we can’t treat them at our clinic doesn’t mean we let the ball drop,” says Dr. A. “We’re still invested in their success.”

MoVET provides not only traditional medical services but also preventative and integrative care for owners seeking a proactive, more natural approach to pet wellness. Many clients are interested in supporting wellness without over-relying on pharmaceuticals, similar to how they manage their own health.

MoVET ensures each pet receives a personalized wellness plan that fits their family, lifestyle, and health goals.

What Makes MoVET Different

Flexible care options – House calls, virtual visits, or boutique in-clinic appointments, so care works for your schedule and your pet’s personality.

Personalized, comprehensive care – Longer appointment times, individualized care plans, and a focus on preventative health.

Blend of traditional and integrative care –Routine wellness exams, minor illnesses, chronic disease management, nutritional consultations, supplements such as Standard Process, and Peak Therapeutics (medical-grade hemp products).

One-stop resource – Minor surgical procedures including cryotherapy, skin biopsies, removing stitches, repairing minor lacerations as well as full diagnostics, including X-rays, ultrasound, and bloodwork.

Recognition and Community Involvement

Since opening, MoVET has built a loyal following and a reputation for exceptional service. The clinic participates in local farmers markets, partners with area businesses, and hosts community events, including the annual Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Contest and monthly K-9 Smiles Dental Clinics (sign up at movetcare.com/ smiles).

About MoVET

Founded: 2018

Location: Belleview Station - 4912 S Newport St Website: movetcare.com - Book an Appointment Online!

Dr. Lexi Abramson (Dr. A) and Dr. Barbara Caldwell (Dr. C)

The Right Step, Inc. Announces Transformational Move to a New Facility at the Denver Polo Club

The Right Step, Inc., an adaptive riding and horsemanship nonprofit organization serving children and adults with physical, cognitive, emotional, and developmental disabilities and other special populations, is excited to announce a major milestone in its growth: the relocation to a newly constructed home on the grounds of the Denver Polo Club at 6359 Airport Rd, Sedalia, CO.

Construction is slated to begin mid-December, with an anticipated move-in date of mid-April, marking a significant expansion of the organization’s capacity and impact.

A Purpose-Built Facility Designed for Mission Impact

The new site includes:

• A 20-stall barn dedicated to The Right Step’s beloved herd of working horses

• Both indoor and outdoor arenas for year-round programming

• Turnout pens that allow for improved horse care and scheduling flexibility

• ADA-compliant access to office, viewing, and program areas

• Significantly expanded space to accommodate lessons, volunteers, and community programs

This move will allow The Right Step to serve more participants, including individuals on its 280+ person waitlist, and offer a safer, more accessible, and more comfortable environment for clients, families, volunteers, and supporters.

A Major Leap Forward for the Community

“It will be wonderful to have our program be a part of the vibrant horse community being built on the Denver Polo Club property. Polo, hunter/jumpers, dressage, and adaptive riding all come together and support each other for the love of the horse,” said Christine Remy, Executive Director of The Right Step, Inc. “This new home gives us room to grow, innovate, and meet a level of community demand we've never been able to meet before. It’s a transformative time for our organization. I am thrilled we'll have the opportunity to move people off our waitlist and allow them to experience the immeasurable power of horses!

Fundraising Underway to Support the Transition

While the new facility is being constructed at the Denver Polo Club, The Right Step, Inc. launched a fundraising campaign with a goal of $150,000 for the equipment, furnishings, and operational infrastructure needed to run and maintain its own barn for the first time.

This includes:

• Barn and arena care equipment and vehicles

• Barn furnishing and enhancements

• Arena enhancements

• Accessible program equipment

• Office communications system and furnishings

• Volunteer and client support space furnishings and equipment

Everyone is invited to contribute to this once-in-a-generation transition!

About The Right Step, Inc.

Founded in 2008, The Right Step, Inc. provides equine-assisted services designed to promote physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being. Through adaptive riding lessons and equineassisted learning (non-riding) programs, The Right Step serves hundreds of individuals from across the Denver metro region each year. The Right Step is a PATH, Intl. Premier Accredited Center.

For more information or to support the transition, visit TheRightStepInc.org, Coloradogives.org/organization/ TheRightStep-co, or email Christine Remy at executivedirector@therightstepinc.org.

‘Stiddy’ gets his chance with trip to SB at stake

Stidham shines after Nix struggles . . .

That headline appeared last August 10 on an Associated Press game story about the Broncos’ preseason opening 30-19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

In it, Jarrett Stidham completed 14 of 15 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns and also ran three times for 36 yards, while Bo Nix was 6-for-11 passing for 31 yards and no scores.

everyone in the organization. I couldn’t be more excited to get back and get to work with Bo and . . . the rest of the guys.

time of year, no one fighting for a job.

Doesn’t matter, according to Denver’s head coach.

“Stiddy’s ready,” Payton assured after he announced the news of Nix’s injury on Saturday evening.

“Bo and I have become super close . . . we’re just going to continue to grow together on and off the field.”

The next week, Stidham was 16-for-23 for 240 yards and two more TDs in another warmup win, this one 27-7 0ver Arizona. Nix didn’t take a single snap.

At that point, some in Broncos Country were beginning to wonder if the wrong guy had been designated the No. 1 quarterback.

Stidham had replaced Russell Wilson as Denver’s starter in the final two games of the 2023 season, winning against the Chargers but losing to the Raiders. In those games he completed 40 of 66 passes for 496 yards and two touchdowns.

He was considered the likely starter in 2024 before Sean Payton boldly chose Nix as the 12th player (and sixth quarterback) taken in Round One of the ’24 National Football League Draft.

Payton quickly made Nix the starter, which could have led Stidham to bolt. Instead, he stayed and, after playing only 14 snaps in all of Nix’s rookie season, signed a two-year $12 million contract last March to remain in Denver.

At that time, he presciently told radio station 103.5 The Fox:

“I feel like we’re a team that’s ascending . . . I want to be part of it.”

He also said:

“I’ve loved the time here the last two years, and y’know, I’ve got a great relationship with

The next day he posted on X, “It’s the best (quarterbacks) room I’ve ever been a part of, and I’m looking forward to keeping it that way.”

The deal made Stidham one of the highest-paid backups in the league.

Yet in Year One of it, through last Saturday’s Division Round playoff overtime victory over Buffalo, Stidham’s 2025 participation in games that count totaled four snaps at the end of a blowout victory over Dallas back on October 26.

He hasn’t thrown a pass in a regulation game in two seasons. But he been with the Broncos and Payton long enough to know the playbook, and he’s recognized to be an above-average athlete.

Sunday, against Nix contemporary Drake May and the resurgent New England Patriots, for a trip to Super Bowl LX, we find out if the 2025 preseason had any validity at all in demonstrating his ability to lead Denver in a meaningful game.

Nix will be five days removed from season-ending surgery to fix a broken ankle. Sam Ehlinger will be Stidham’s backup.

If you can believe the preseason, the duo of Stidham and Ehlinger puts the Broncos in capable hands.

Stidham completed 30 of 38 passes for 376 yards and four touchdowns, while Ehlinger went 32-for-57 for 415 yards and two scores.

But there won’t be any third-stringers on defense this

“I said at the beginning of the season: I’ve got a ‘two’ that’s capable of starting for a handful of teams. I know he feels the same way.”

This turn of events rewards both Stidham and Ehlinger for their loyalty in deciding to stick it out in supporting roles behind Nix. Ehlinger even passed up chances to leave Denver’s practice squad during the season for potential playing elsewhere.

It won’t be easy for either to replace Nix, who played his best game to date in the showdown with Allen and Buffalo last Saturday.

As the game approached, I was asked repeatedly which team I thought would win.

What folks were really asking was, “Which quarterback would you take?”

My considered response was that Allen had proven to be one of the best QBs in the NFL, but Bo Nix had demonstrated an uncanny ability to deliver at crunch time.

“Never bet against a guy who knows how to win,” I concluded.

Last Saturday, Bo Nix was spectacular in leading the Broncos to their 12th one-score victory and fourth fourth-quarter/overtime comeback of the season.

He threw 46 passes and ran 12 times—58 of Denver’s 68 official plays from scrimmage. (Five others were nullified by penalties.) He converted third-down-andlong situations, provoked two pivotal pass interference penalties in the winning overtime drive, and was responsible for only one turnover (compared with Allen’s four).

Now we see what we’ve really got with Jarrett Stidham.

Denny Dressman writes a weekly sports column for The Villager. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@comcast.net.

Black Baseball’s Heyday in 3-D At Denver Press Club Feb. 27

Villager sports columnist

Denny Dressman will discuss his new book during a special Black Baseball’s Heyday Black History Month program at the Denver Press Club Friday, February 27.

“Black Baseball’s Heyday in 3-D” looks at the segregated baseball era from 1880 to Jackie Robinson’s Major League debut from three perspectives: the players, art and culture of the era.. The review in the American Library Association’s Booklist publication calls it “highly recommended.”

Vignettes called High-

Lights, a word-play on artist Anthony High’s name, provide High’s thoughts on each

of his more than three dozen pieces in the book.

“I hope that turning the pages of this book will be like walking through an art gallery on a guided tour, viewing paintings that represent different artistic methods and styles,” High says in the book’s Introduction.”

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Admission is $5, and reservations can be made at denverpressclub. org/events. (Press Club members can attend as a benefit of membership.) Copies will be available for purchase.

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2026: A significant election year

Even though the expression “mid-term election” may sound like it’s not very important, that is far from the truth.

On November 3, 2026, Colorado will elect a new governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and state treasurer. All the current officeholders in those positions were elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022 hence are term limited and cannot run again for those offices, so there are no incumbents on the ballot. They are all open seats.

Statewide major party primaries will occur on June 30, 2026, when one Democrat and one Republican will be selected to appear on the November 3 general election ballot for every office up for election across the state, as long as at least one person from each of the major parties has declared their intention to run for each office and met the applicable criteria—residency, age, citizenship, nominating petitions, etc. Third party candidates for state and county elections are chosen by their members in a separate process.

Candidates in municipal elections are not part of this process, because they run on a nonpartisan basis. There are no Ds or Rs after their names on the ballot. Most cities hold their municipal elections in odd-numbered years. In our area, only Cherry Hills Village elects their mayor and city council in even-numbered years. This year, on November 3, three city council positions and the mayor’s office in CHV will be up for election. All current incumbents in the four positions that will be on the ballot are eligible for re-election, but others may challenge them, of course.

In the race for governor, there are 45 people listed as active candidates on the Secretary of State’s official Tracer campaign funding website, though 26 of those have no funds in their campaign accounts, presently. We focused on the 11 candidates who have at least $5,000 on hand in their campaign funds, as of December 31, 2025.

The Republicans in that group, in order of cash on hand at year end, were military veteran Vaughn Victor Marx with $348,000, state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer with $273,000, military veteran Robert Moore with $201,000, business executive Jason Clark with $124,000, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell with $25,000, state Rep. Scott Bottoms with $9,300, and military

veteran Chaz Evanson with $6,000.

On the Democratic side of the gubernatorial ledger, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser had $3.5 million on hand at December 31, 2025, while U.S. Senator Michael Bennet had $1.6 million in his campaign fund, and labor leader Antonio Martinez had $200,000.

Former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez, a Republican who has announced he is running as an unaffiliated candidate for Colorado governor, had $5,000

on hand in campaign funds at year end.

Independent committees, known as Super PACs, that can support candidates, but may not directly affiliate with them, are known to be active in the race for governor, particularly on the Democratic side of the contest. These are always wild cards, because there is no limit on the amount of funds they can raise and spend, and they are not required to disclose their donors.

When you hear the term “dark money,” it’s referring to these Super PACs that began in earnest after the U.S. Supreme Court permitted this type of fundraising and spending by its decision in a case called Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission in 2010. Four Democrats and one Republican are active candidates for Colorado Attorney general on November 3. The Democrats, and their funds on hand in their campaign

accounts, as of year-end, are Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold with $1.1 million, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Hetal Doshi with $585,000, attorney and nonprofit executive David Seligman with $334,000, and Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty with $261,000.

The sole Republican in the race, so far, is 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen, who filed his affidavit stating his intent to run on January 2, 2026, thus has not yet been

required to file any campaign finance reports.

In the race for state treasurer, the Democratic candidates and their funds on hand in their campaign accounts, as of December 31, 2025, are state Sen. Jeff Bridges with $270,000, state Rep. Brianna Titone with $48,000, business consultant John Mikos with $45,000, and Jefferson County Treasurer Jerry Ditullio with $20,000.

The sole Republican who has filed paperwork to run for state treasurer, so far, is Fremont County Commissioner Kevin Grantham, who had $7,000 on hand in his campaign account, as of year-end.

The race for Colorado Secretary of State has drawn two declared candidates, to date. They are state Sen. Jessie Danielson, who had $50,000 on hand as of December 31, and Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez, who had $45,000 in her campaign ac-

count at year-end. Both are Democrats.

Also on the ballot in November will be all eight members of the U.S. House of Representative from Colorado’s eight congressional districts. Although only one district is widely considered a toss-up—CD8, currently held by first-term Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans---there is a long history in this state, and in this country, of “safe” seats in the U.S. Congress flipping unexpectedly, so voters should pay attention to who is running in primaries, particularly from the party that doesn’t

currently hold the seat in their congressional district.

Besides Evans, U.S. Reps. Jeff Hurd (R-CD3), Jeff Crank (R-CD5) and Lauren Boebert (R-CD4) are in their first term in the seat they hold, although Boebert served two terms representing CD3 before being elected in CD4 in 2024.

U.S. Rep. Brittany Petterson (D-CD7) is only in her second term.

U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse (D-CD2) and Jason Crow (D-CD6) were first elected in 2018. U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CD1) is the undisputed veteran of the Colorado delegation, running for her 16th consecutive term in the Congress.

It may seem as though Colorado U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper has been in his position for a long time because U.S. Senate terms are six years and Hickenlooper was mayor of Denver and Colorado governor before being elected to the Senate, but

he is running for re-election for the first time on November 3.

State Senator Julie Gonzales (D-SD34) and attorney and CU Denver political science instructor Karen Breslin have each declared their intention to challenge Hickenlooper in the Democratic primary.

On the Republican side, state Sen. Mark Baisley (R-SD4), former state Rep. Janak Joshi (R-HD16 from 2011-2017), retired Marine Colonel George Markert, who moved to Colorado in 2023, and Montrose County Com-

missioner Sean Pond, who was appointed to his seat last February, have declared their candidacy for the GOP nomination in the race.

In the general assembly, there will be elections in all 65 house districts across the state and in 20 of the 35 senatorial districts. If you aren’t certain of your state house or senate district, you can find that information at https:// leg.colorado.gov/find-mylegislator.

State Board of Education seats representing congressional districts one, three and seven will have elections, as will University of Colorado Board of Regent seats representing congressional districts two, six and seven, in November.

In Arapahoe County, Commissioners Jessica Campbell (D- District 2) and Leslie Summey (D-District 4) are completing their first fouryear terms and have announced they plan to run for re-election. Cherry Creek School Board Member Angela Garland is challenging Campbell for the Democratic nomination in District Two. Nonprofit executive Maya Wheeler is challenging Summey for the Democratic nomination in District Four. No Republicans have filed candidate affidavits yet with the Secretary of State

Tracer website used to register committees and report contributions and expenditures for either of those seats, but it is early.

Also in Arapahoe County, the offices of Assessor, Clerk and Recorder, Sheriff, Treasurer, and Coroner will be elected on November 3. Incumbents Assessor PK Kaiser, Clerk Joan Lopez, Treasurer Michael Westerberg, Coroner Kelly Lear, M.D., and Sheriff Tyler Brown will have served two four-year terms and are eligible for a third. Kaiser, Lopez, Westerberg, and Brown have filed paperwork to run for reelection.

Lear has not announced her

plans publicly, but The Villager was told by an Arapahoe County insider that Lear does not plan to run again. The only person, other than the incumbents, who has filed an affidavit with the Secretary of State’s Tracer website declaring the intent to run for any of these top county offices, as of December 31, 2025, is Republican Lee No Truong, who has indicated he plans to run for Clerk and Recorder. There is still plenty of time for others to enter these races.

Important dates for Democratic and Republican caucuses in Colorado

The process of selecting major party candidates for political offices on the ballot in the November 3, 2026 midterm election begins with precinct caucuses. Those events, set by the parties in each county on dates within a range specified in state law, are held to elect precinct committee people and delegates to county assemblies, where candidates are identified who move on in the process of being nominated for office by their party.

The Arapahoe County Republican Party will hold its precinct caucuses on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 and its county assembly on Saturday, March 21. Locations have not yet

been announced. Their website is arapahoerepublicans.org.

The state assembly for the Colorado Republican Party will be held on Saturday, April 11 at Colorado State University in Pueblo, according to the state GOP Facebook page. The state party’s website is cologop.org.

Arapahoe County Democrats will meet for their precinct caucuses by Zoom on Tuesday, March 3, with checkin at 6:00 pm. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm. Their website is arapahoedems.org.

The Arapahoe County Democratic Assembly will be held on Saturday, March 7, in person, at Hinkley High School at

1250 Chambers Road in Aurora. Check-in will be at 11:00 am. The meeting will begin at 12:00 noon.

The Colorado Democratic Party will also hold its 2026 state assembly in Pueblo. It will be on Saturday, March 28, at Pueblo Memorial Hall, located at 1 City Hall Place, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The party’s website is coloradodems.org.

County assembly delegates must be precinct residents, 18 years old or soon to be 18, and registered party members.

State party assemblies are held to select candidates for statewide offices who will run in the June 30 party primaries. Those primaries are open to party members and unaffiliated voters, though unaffiliated voters can only vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary, not both.

The ability of unaffiliated voters to participate in statewide party primaries was placed into state law by the voters in 2016 through the Unaffiliated Elector Initiative, also known as Proposition

At the county assembly, major party candidates for county offices are selected for the June 30 primary election. Delegates for the Democratic and Republican congressional district assemblies and state assemblies are also selected.

108. It passed by a 53%-47% margin. According to the National Council of State Legislatures, this practice has also been adopted in Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, with others currently considering it, since the number of unaffiliated voters across the country is generally double the number that have expressed a preference for either of the two major parties. In Colorado, as of January 1, 2026, 25% of all active registered voters are Democrats, 23% are Republican, and 50% are unaffiliated. The remaining 2% are affiliated with third parties.

Sheriff Jason Mikesell hopes to be Colorado’s next governor

On January 13, the Conservative Meet-Up provided a forum for one of the morethan-a-dozen people who have announced their intention to compete for the Republican nomination for Colorado governor in 2026.

Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell opened by telling the group, “Colorado has become very unsafe and unaffordable… I’ve been a sheriff in Colorado for almost 30 years but one thing people don’t know about me is that I also own businesses. In 2016, I “retired” from law enforcement. I opened my own companies, (one of) which became an international security company, which I also do inside the State of Colorado and around the United States… During COVID, my wife and I decided we were going to diversify down to small businesses, so now we own two restaurants, apartment buildings, and some commercial buildings.”

He continued, “When we wanted to make that diversification, (we discovered that) in Colorado, for business, it’s really unaffordable…We are one of the highest regulated states in the United States now for building, for work, for jobs, for just about everything you do in Colorado. If you own a business in Colorado, you deal with regulations on a daily basis. If you have to have something transported into Colorado, it costs money to do so. If you look at those bills, you have an energy bill. They put energy on there if it’s something that’s trucked across state lines.”

Pointing to U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a Democratic

candidate for Colorado governor, the sheriff said, “Mr. Bennet is talking about attainable housing…Attainable housing is actually government housing. What he’s trying to do is force municipalities to have to sell off their properties to create more housing, internally, for cities. That’s a problem because those are open spaces locations…I built houses for a while. We would use what’s called a lumber pack. A lumber pack is what you use to identify what the cost of your bill is going to be. Ten years ago…those lumber packs for a 1,200-square-foot home would cost me right around $35,000. That same lumber pack today will cost you $135,000…Think of how much lumber is being trucked into Colorado from Canada…It has to be driven here on trucks. So, you have an energy fee. You have all the fees…all the taxes that come on top of that from companies selling within Colorado. So…that two-by-four that used to be $2.65 is now $$6.65.”

On the topic of regulations, he said, “The other side is the over-regulations in Colorado on buildings…We’re dealing with

water for the building. We’re dealing with septic (systems). The problem is, municipalities, to expand water treatment systems, are having to deal with the State of Colorado, and they’re not giving them their licenses. They want the water to come out cleaner than it went in…

To do that, the technologies that are used today are millions and millions of dollars. For a water treatment center that would normally have cost $12 million to make it bigger, it is now costing $100 million. For your municipalities, that’s why you’re jumping from what used to be a $35 water and sewage tap fee to $65,000, up to $120,000. That’s why we’re seeing a rise in building costs.”

He continued, “We want attainable homes. For a small family, starting out, a 1,200-square-foot home should be right around the $250,000$350,000 mark…Everything now is $450,000 and (that requires) a jumbo loan that people really can’t afford, so that’s a problem…They want to put people into apartments, but that doesn’t get families into where they want to live.”

Moving to public safety, Sheriff Mikesell said, “Colorado is one of the highest rated crime areas in the United States. We are one of the top states for sexual assault on women. We have one of the highest car theft rates in the United States. To reduce costs for our budget, we release somebody who has committed crimes, back out onto the street, multiple times. So, if you’re under probation or parole, so that Colorado doesn’t have to show what’s called recidivism—when

someone recommits a crime that they’re already out on bond for—it used to be, in Colorado, we would take that person back into jail or prison to serve out their sentence. But (now) you may have somebody that was convicted multiple times, and no one ever commits them back to prison for their original parole sentence. So, I can steal another four or five cars before anyone even says anything. And actually, it’s more like eight or nine cars, while I’m on probation or parole for car theft. That’s why crime is rising in the state.”

To “fix these things, a governor can make sure that the parole and probation staff (get a) memo that says, ‘You’re not releasing people under these standards anymore. We’re going to hold people accountable.’ I would venture a guess that I would be able to drop the crime rate in Colorado by 40% within the first six months,” the sheriff said, adding, “I’d bring in the National Guard. We’d use the National Guard to go to the streets…It takes somebody that has experience and understanding of how to put together a coalition of law enforcement. I’ve led three different coalitions in the State of Colorado with other sheriffs and law enforcement members. One was to push a bill that said we could work with ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement).

That bill was to deal with immigration crimes in the State of Colorado, so that people that commit crimes that are from another country would be held accountable.”

He explained that Democrats pushed back on that plan,

adding, “I’m the only sheriff in the State of Colorado to sign a program which said that my deputies were federal agents that would be able to arrest somebody within jails. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) sued me multiple times to stop me from doing it. I’m one of the only people across the United States who actually beat the ACLU every single time and continued that case, until the ACLU got with the legislature and (passed) a new bill that said law enforcement could no longer work with ICE…” After the legislature took that step, he shared, “ICE, under our president, then (designated) every single other federal agency in the United States---FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, all ICE agents. Colorado made it so we cannot talk to any federal agent in the State of Colorado that has anything to do with immigration.”

According to his campaign website, Sheriff Mikesell has “well over 20 years of law enforcement experience” and “has served as a peace officer in two Colorado counties.” He has “personally trained Special Forces teams across all services and in every active-duty Special Forces Group, providing specialized training to the country’s law enforcement officials at every level from local to federal,” and “in the multi-national realm, resulting in increased effectiveness and survivability of the militaries and law enforcement professionals of several allied countries around the world.” He has also “provided personal protection to some of the world’s wealthiest families.”

Vaughn Victor Marx

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser

State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer Robert Moore

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet Jason Clark Antonio Martinez

Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell Photo by Freda Miklin

BY FREDA MIKLIN SENIOR REPORTER

A City Beneath the Floorboards

BY JONEEN MACKENZIE

The stairs gently creak as you descend, and then, suddenly, you are no longer in a basement. You are standing in Chicago.

Miniature trains hum to life, gliding along carefully laid tracks that wind past brick buildings, steel bridges, and familiar city corners. Streetlights glow. Neighborhoods connect. A city breathes. What unfolds below ground is not a hobby casually assembled but a living landscape shaped by patience, memory, and love. This Chicago landscape has been under construction for more than six decades.

The man behind it all began building this magnificent model while in high school. What could have inspired him to spend hours creating it? Richard Flammini, a resident of Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club, and the creator of this cityscape, shares his memory of the train, carefully displayed under his Christmas tree every year. He remembers his fascination with the massive model train layout he saw when he toured the Chicago Museum of Nature and Science as a youngster. Growing up, his family’s home was a half mile from the Grand Trunk Railroad, which ran from Chicago to Port Huron, Michigan. Richard reminisces about the steam train era. He said,” I went to sleep with the train whistle blasting and the sounds of the street crossing gates.” Years later, when Richard and his wife, Mary, went to visit Rich’s parents, Mary had difficulty sleeping due to the noises of the train that were so familiar to the Flammini family.

Back then, the trains were simpler, and the vision was more modest. But even as a teenager, he understood something many never discover: that creating something with your hands can anchor you through life. While trends changed and years passed, he kept returning to the same quiet rhythm: measuring, cutting, improving, adjusting, imagining, and creating. Slowly, faithfully, a city took shape.

According to Richard, trains provide a mission to transport people and goods to connecting communities across the country. Goods arrived from the East Coast via Chicago and were transferred to several stations westbound.

Richard graduated from Lewis College in Lockport, Illinois, and earned his MBA at DePaul University, majoring in marketing. His long career was with 3M, based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. When Richard retired in Colorado, the prerequisite for buying a home was a basement large enough to accommodate his model railroading hobby.

I asked Richard about the design of the Chicago Cityscape. He explained that the era depicted in the buildings, cars, and other work vehicles was set to begin on June 6, 1960, the day he and his best friend graduated from college, and that the design was dedicated to his best friend and close family members who owned businesses in the Chicago area. Richard’s uncle had a roofing business in Port Huron. Richard recreated the roofing company’s building, fostering a bond among family members.

This passion has earned him the nickname “Train Man” from his grandchildren, friends, and neighbors. His grands are always excited to watch Grandpa light up as he shows off his new additions to the collection. This is a special memory for all the children and a legacy they will never forget.

Over the decades, the skills Richard developed while building this massive display included painting, special effects, attention to detail, curiosity, creating vignettes of places around Chicago and the suburbs, and an authentic time frame that tells the human story of a city in motion. What Rich gained by throwing himself into this project was an escape from the noise around him and a sense of his own little world. The satisfaction he has found in this hobby is beyond measure. He has built friendships across the country by meeting with like-minded train aficionados. He has created a time capsule of

happy childhood memories and is nostalgic about his upbringing, when life was simpler and less chaotic. When others see it, they, too, become nostalgic, transported back to a particular time.

Every structure tells a story. Some buildings mirror places long gone from the real Chicago, neighborhoods altered by time, progress, or loss. Others reflect the city as he remembers it most vividly: resilient, hardworking, and alive with possibility. In this basement, Chicago doesn’t rush. It moves at a human pace.

The craftsmanship is striking, but what lingers is the tenderness. His hands still move with intention. He notices details others might miss: the angle of a rooftop, the spacing between tracks, the way light falls across a miniature street. These are the markings of someone who has stayed with a passion long enough for it to become part of who they are. He did not build this fast; he built it faithfully.

Chicago itself has become more than a subject; it is a symbol. A city known for grit and perseverance, recreated by someone who embodies both. The trains loop endlessly, but the work is never finished. There is always a slight improvement to make, a detail to refine, a new idea waiting its turn.

Visitors are often stunned upon first seeing it. The scale. The detail. The time. But what moves people most is not the size of the layout; it is the realization that this entire world exists simply because someone loved it enough to keep it going. This display has forged friendships and sparked unique conversations about their lives, revealing openness and vulnerability. When asked what keeps him coming back downstairs after all these years, he doesn’t hesitate. “It gives me peace,” he says. “I am in my own little world, escaping and creating what matters to me.”

One day, the trains will run without him at the controls. He knows that. But the city he built will remain, a testament to devotion, imagination, and the quiet power of

persistence. In an age of instant results and fleeting attention, his basement offers a countercultural truth: that meaning is often built slowly, in small spaces, over a lifetime. He knows all this work has no monetary value but has served its purpose: to express his passion and creativity.

I asked him what he would say to a high school student who is passionate about something but wonders whether it’s worth sticking with. What he said was so profound. Today, young people can work with technology and see landscapes and details on Google or through AI. They have access to the world at their fingertips. I had to wait with anticipation for my monthly railroading magazine to see what was happening in the model railroading space.

The most significant gift to Richard is the ability to look at this work, find a vignette of the cityscape, and remember in detail the great time he had growing up in such a bustling metropolis. The heritage, nostalgia, and memories are a unique gift as he lives in gratitude for his life, family, friends, and career.

Below ground, the trains continue their steady loops. Above them, a life fully lived. Between the tracks lies a gentle reminder for us all that when we honor what we love, we don’t just pass the time.

We build something that lasts.

*If you are interested in this great model railroading hobby, you can go to NMRA.org. There are local affiliates in Aurora and Littleton. All Aboard! joneen@narme.org

Richard Flammini

Centennial Airport’s New Advanced Snow Removal Equipment Keeps Air Ambulance Services Flying Through Winter Storms

Englewood, CO – Centennial Airport announces the addition of two state-ofthe-art snow removal vehicles to its fleet, significantly enhancing the airport’s ability to maintain clear and safe runways during Colorado’s severe winter weather. This investment is critical in supporting emergency air ambulance services provided by tenants and users such as Children’s Hospital Colorado, Flight for Life Colorado, and iCare Ambulance, ensuring they can operate without interruption when every second counts.

erate during harsh winter conditions. Air ambulance tenants and users depend on the airport’s readiness to support their lifesaving missions:

In 2025, Centennial Airport supported 6,107 lifesaving flights, averaging 16.7 medical evacuation (Medevac) operations per day.

Lifesaving Impact

Centennial Airport plays a vital role in ensuring that emergency medical flights continue to op-

Children’s Hospital Colorado transports approximately 700 to 750 patients annually with their two aircraft based at Centennial Airport, including some as young as 22 weeks old. They average 2-3 departures per day from Centennial Airport alone. The dedicated Children’s One emergency transport teams provide critical care transports to Children’s Hospital Colorado and additional facilities across the region.

Flight for Life Colorado, part of CommonSpirit Health, conducts over 720 fixed-wing arrivals and departures at Centennial Airport annually. Operated by Mayo Aviation, the program utilizes three rotating, medically configured turboprop aircraft –two of which are based at Centennial Airport, with

Littleton Elks Lodge #1650 Donates Backpacks to Unhoused Veterans

Members of the Littleton Elks Lodge #1650 generously donated approximately $1,500 of cold weather items to unhoused veterans. The items included things such as blankets, socks, hats, scarves, gloves, feet and hand warmers, food and toiletries. They were stuffed into 30 backpacks to provide to the vets.

The backpacks go to groups

that help unhoused veterans for them to hand out.

Members of the Veterans Committee with the backpacks are front row, left to right, Darlynn (DD) Donohue, Bob Keyser, Craig Jorgensen, Michelle Kastner and Angie Jackson. Back row from left to right are Mike Hallacy, Bruce Swedal, Mark Vivien, Landrey (LT) Terry, Steve Jackson, Mike Healey and Alan McArthur.

one serving as the active aircraft and the other as backup. Flight for Life Colorado is the nation’s first and one of the most accomplished critical care transport programs.

iCare Ambulance seamlessly transferred over 2,680 patients and organs between Centennial Airport and local hospitals last year (2024). With specialized training for navigating airfields, their team works exclusively for air medical and air ambulance operators, ensuring a smooth handoff for critical patients and organ transplants.

“Centennial Airport plays a vital role in the chain of survival by connecting nearly 16 million people across surrounding states to the expert care provided by Denver’s specialty hospitals” said Ryan Holland, Chief of iCare Ambulance LLC.

About the New Equipment

The airport’s new snow removal vehicles feature advanced technology that combines plowing, sweeping, and blowing capabilities into one unit.

Red Meat Club of Denver Honors Former President

& CEO

Paul Andrews as 2026 Friend of the National Western

The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) and the Red Meat Club of Denver honored longtime leader and former President and CEO Paul Andrews with the distinguished Friend of the National Western award. Across 14 years of dedicated leadership, vision, and service, Andrews has left an enduring mark on the National Western Stock Show, its year-round operations, and its legacy for generations to come.

Paul Andrews assumed the role of President and CEO of the

NWSS on November 1, 2010, taking the helm of one of the nation’s most historic and influential agricultural institutions.

In this role, he managed all day-to-day operations, programming, and administration for the National Western Stock Show, as well as the nearly 200 events held annually at the National Western Complex, including the nation’s premier livestock show.

Andrews’ steady leadership has helped steer the organization into its next chapter. He played a central role in the design,

planning, and development of the National Western Center, serving on the National Western Center Authority Board since its inception. His efforts were instrumental in bringing the Legacy building to life, now the permanent home of the Western Stock Show Association.

The Red Meat Club dinner was January 15, 2026, at The National Western Club at The Legacy building. The evening began with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by a prime rib dinner and program.

Western Stock Show Association Elects

Dr. Kelly B. Tisher, DVM, to Board of Directors

Doug Jones, Chairman of the Board of the Western Stock Show Association (WSSA), announced the election of Dr. Kelly B. Tisher, DVM, to its Board of Directors. The WSSA serves as the governing body responsible for the operations, strategic direction, and mission of the National Western Stock Show.

Dr. Tisher is a highly respected equine veterinarian and long-standing leader within the equestrian and agricultural communities.

Originally from Britton, South Dakota, Dr. Tisher was raised on a farm with beef cattle, cutting horses, and driving

teams. These experiences shaped his lifelong connection to agriculture and the horse industry. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from South Dakota State University and later received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota, graduating with high honors.

Dr. Tisher is the Owner and Managing Partner of Littleton Equine Medical Center, where he has practiced since 1994. Under his

leadership, the practice has grown into a premier equine medical facility in Colorado, specializing in equine and sports medicine while maintaining a strong focus on client service and operational excellence.

In addition to his veterinary career, Dr. Tisher has been actively involved in numerous professional, equestrian, and nonprofit organizations. He currently serves as Vice President and Lifetime Member of Round Up Riders of the Rockies, President of BGOSI 501(c)(3), a nonprofit dedicated to equine education and public outreach for the Bayou Gulch Open Space, and as a member of the NWSS Horse Executive Committee. He also serves as President of the Singletree Equestrian Ownership Group, owners of the Colorado Horse Park and future home of Littleton Equine Medical Center.

Dr. Tisher’s lead-

ership extends to national veterinary organizations, including long-term participation in the Veterinary Management Group and past service with the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

Dr. Tisher lives in Colorado with his wife, Elizabeth, a lifelong equestrian enthusiast and magazine publisher. He is the proud father of Maggie Tisher, a University of Denver graduate and current medical school applicant.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Tisher to the Board of Directors,” said Wes Allison, President & CEO of the National Western Stock Show.

The Stock Show runs from Jan. 10 thru Jan. 25

VALENTINE’S DAY COOKING AT HOME

Skip the crowds and celebrate Valentine’s with a delicious, home-cooked meal! Monica of Kadillak Kitchens will present simple dinner ideas to make your evening special.

Wednesday, February 11, 6:30 pm

For adults. To reserve your spot, visit arapahoelibraries.org/events.

DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE STATE OF COLORADO 7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112 (303) 645-6600

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO Petitioner, In the Interest of:

OZIAS PRINCE ORTEGA, JIMINI MARCIANO AGUINALDO JR., Children, and concerning, AMMORAYLIS NAOMI ROSE GREEN, RANDOLPH ANDREW ORTEGA, AND JIMINI

MARCIANO AGUINALDO, Respondents.

Sylvia B. Geiger, Reg. #49589 Assistant County Attorney 14980 E. Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 SGeiger@arapahoegov.com Case No: 2025JV263 Division: 34

NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT REGARDING RESPONDENT FATHER, RANDOLPH ORTEGA

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Hearing and

Notice is hereby given that at or after 12:00 p.m., January 26, 2026, CHERRY CREEK VALLEY WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT will make final settlement with MID-CITY CORPORATION, located at 6863 East 48th Avenue, Denver CO 80216, in connection with payment for all services rendered, materials furnished, and for all labor performed in and for construction of the EVANS COURT WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT CAPITAL PROJECT.

Any person, co-partnership, association, or corporations who has unpaid claim against the said project or on account of the furnishing of labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provision, provender, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or any of his subcontractors in or about the performance of said work, may at any time up to and including said time of such final settlement file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claims. All such claims shall be filed with the Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District, 2325 S. Wabash Street, Denver, CO 80231, on or before the above-mentioned time and date of final settlement.

Failure on the part of a creditor to file such statement prior to such final settlement will relieve the Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District from any and all liability for such claim.

Default Judgement regarding RESPONDENT FATHER, RANDOLPH ANDREW ORTEGA is set for February 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in Division 34 at the Arapahoe County District Court, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112. You have the right to be represented by an attorney during these proceedings; if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you.

In the event you fail to appear for said hearing at the date and time indicated, the Petitioner, the People of the State of Colorado, will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code.

Participants may use any computer, tablet or smart phone equipped with a camera and microphone for audiovisual participation. Parties should use the following link:

• https://judicial.webex.com/ meet/D18-ARAP-Div34

• Enter your name and email address (so we know who you are). You will then be in the virtual courtroom.

• Select your audio setting. If the audio on your computer or tablet does not work, please use the alternate audio option of calling in to the number below. If you do not have a device that will support a video connection, you may still participate by audio only by calling 720-650-7664. When prompted enter Access code: 2594 408 0614 then press #, # (no attendee ID is needed).

2026

ARAPAHOE LIBRARIES FEBRUARY EVENTS

The Whys and Whens of Car Maintenance. When: Tuesday, February 10, 6–7 p.m. Where: live on Zoom. Who: teens and adults RSVP: arapahoelibraries.org

Learn the basics of car maintenance — oil changes, tire checks and more — with Chaya M. Milchtein, author of Mechanic Shop Femme. This presentation will help you navigate car ownership with confidence. Questions encouraged! Valentine’s Day Cooking at Home

When: Wednesday, February 11, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Where: Koelbel Library (5955 S. Holly St., Centennial) Who: adults RSVP: arapahoelibraries.org

Skip the crowds and celebrate Valentine’s Day with a delicious, home-cooked meal. Monica of Kadillak Kitchens will present simple dinner ideas to help make your evening special.

American Art at 250: Masterworks of a Nation When: Tuesday, February 24, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Where: live on Zoom Who: adults RSVP: arapahoelibraries.org

Celebrate 250 years of American creativity with a curated look at the masterworks that shaped our cultural identity — from the sweeping landscapes of the Hudson River School to the bold innovations of abstract expressionism. Presented by Jane Oneail, founder of Culturally Curious.

SOUTH METRO DENVER CHAMBER ECONOMIC FORECAST BREAKFAST

FRI., JAN. 30, 7:30-10:15 a.m. at DCSD Legacy Campus. Keynote speaker: Rob Cohen, Chairman & CEO of the IMA Financial Group, Inc. and National Women’s Soccer League Controlling Owner. Keystone Speaker: Henry Sobanet, Chief Financial Officer/Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration & Government Relations, Colo. State University. Info@bestchamber.com

APPPLY TO SERVE ON A CENTENNIAL BOARD, COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE

Applictions due at 5 p.m. on Mon., FEB. 2, 2026. Visit Centennial.gov/ boardsandcommissions. Must be a resident of Centennial.

CENTENNIAL INSTITUTE EVENT

FEB. 24 will host Ayaan Hirsi

2026 DENVER REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

TUE., MARCH 3, 7:00 p.m. (check in 6:30 p.m.) Watch for details on location. Elect precinct leaders, choose delegates, etc.

CENTRAL CITY OPERA’S 13TH ANNUAL THEATRE OF DREAMS GALA

APRIL 10/ 5:30 p.m. at the Lanny & Sharon Martin Bldg. at the Denver Art Museum - 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver. Celebrating Colorado’s 150th Anniversary, Central City’s 94th Summer Festival and “The Ballad of Baby Doe.” Early bird pricing thru Jan. 15. Attire: Black Tie- Dress in your finest gold & silver as a tribute to the precious metals that defined Colorado’s Gilded age. RSVP.

CLUB NEWS

OPTIMIST CLUB OF MONACO SOUTH

FRIDAYS from 7-8 a.m. for the pasts 49 years. American Legion Hall, Yale & I-25. Call Frank 303-759-9232 for a free breakfast. Have fun meeting new friends and an opportunity to give back to the community.

DENVER LIONS CLUB MEETINGS

Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 12 noon at the American Legion Hall, I-25 & Yale. Interested in joining? Call Bob, 720-313-9741.

ENGLEWOOD LIONS CLUB MEETINGS

Meets 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. At Mango Tree Coffee, 3498 S. Broadway,Englewood. Info: Gail 720-377-7682.

WHAT’S NEW?

BECOME A CONTESTANT IN THE 2026 MS. COLORADO SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT

If you are 60 or older - you qualify as a contestant for the pageant in April 25, 2026. This is not a beauty contest; contestants will compete in a private interview, evening gown,

SEE

BE SEEN

looking your best!

What’s Happening is sponsored by THE EYEWEAR COLLECTION. Eye exams, chic & designer custom-fit eyeglasses and sunglasses. Located in the ❤ of GREENWOOD VILLAGE. Insurance accepted. Cherry Hills marketplace • www.eyewearcollection.com • (303) 228-5485

philosophy of life, and talent. The winner will appear at community events, parades and represent Colorado at the national pageant in Atlantic City. Every contestant becomes part of the Colorado Cameo Club, joining an incredible sisterhood that performs throughout the community. Contact Pageant Administrator Rene’ Green at 720384-6249 or renemcsap@gmail.com www.coloscramerica.com

Beginning Tue., JAN. 6, at 4 a.m. County Line Road will fully close for approximately 100 days between Clarkson & the U-Haul business access. They are moving large quantities of dirt to Lee Gulch. Detours and access will be set up.

“BLACK BASEBALL’S HEYDAY” Capturing an Era in Art and Words, Written by Villager author Denny Dressman and Art by Anthony High. Pre-Order Now! https://www. mcfarlandbooks.com/product/BlackBaseballs-Heyday/

COLORADO DEMOCRATS TO HOLD 2026 STATE ASSEMBLY IN PUEBLO MARCH 28, 2026 at the Memorial Hall.

RENEW YOUR VEHICLE REGISTRATION

Renewal kiosks are fast, easy and issue you tags on the spot? Go to COMVExpress.com to find a location near you.

BUSINESS NEWS

COLORADO BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE 2026

COBRT STATE OF THE STATE EMPLOYER

PANEL WITH GOV. POLIS: COLORADO’S NEXT 150 YEARS

JAN. 28, 11:30-1:00 p.m. Optional: 11 a.m. networking. At the Denver art Museum/ 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. Lunch event. Featured speakers: David Coors - Molson Coors; George Sparks - Den. Museum of Nature & Science; Erin Waggoner-Verizon; Debbie Brown - Colorado. Business Roundtable. RSVP: $125. www. COBRT.com

COLORADO BUSINESS HALL OF FAME

THURS., FEB. 5 “Igniting the Future.” Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center. 2026 Laureates: The Appel family, Buz Koelbel, Chuck Morris, Blair Richardson,George Solich, Tweet Kimball. RSVP. Coloradobusinesshalloffame.org

SOUTH METRO CHAMBER BUSINESS IN FULL BLOOM ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS SHOW

APRIL 24, 6-10 p.m. Nominations open! Nomination close after Feb. 27. Reservations 303-795-0142.

JOSHUA TREE EXPERTSCERTIFIED ARBORISTS

Schedule a Winter Arborist Inspection to develop a tree care plan for the winter time.303-2298777. www.joshuatreeexperts.com/ denver-south-co

ROGERS & SONS INC. - ELEVATED CLIMATE CONTROL

Curated Cooling & A/C Services; Radiant Heating & Snow Melt Integration; Whole-Home Humidification and more. Private Consultations: 720-4087411. https://rogershvac.com

CARLA’S A CLASSIC DESIGN

From unique gifts to festive decor. Shop small and local at The Streets at Southglenn, 6851 S. Gaylord St., Centennial. 303-683-0372

EDIE MARKS/KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE

Call Edie for for Real Estate Needs. At the top her profession since 1977. 303-905-0744.

GE TREE SERVICE

Trusted & Reliable for 20 years. A Certified Arborist, Licensed & Insured, Family Owned & Operated. Free estimates. Call 303-500-2017. www.coloradotreeremoval.com

THE GARDENS GARDEN CENTER ANNOUNCES NEW OWNERSHIP

Locally family-owned-and operated. 9542 S. Univ. Bvld., Highlands Ranch. Open Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

COWBOY MOVING & STORAGE

Commercial & Residential Moves - Also, load & hold. Call 303-7892200.

GRAND OPENING - MT. FUJI SUSHI-HIBACHI

The Streets of Southglenn - 6850 S. Gaylord, Centennial. 303-997-0888. mtjujisushico.com

THE AUDIOLOGY METHOD

Schedule a hearing test. 7180 - E. Orchard Rd., Ste. 302, Centennial. 720-457-5113.

HOST YOUR EVENT AT THE JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT FREE ENTERPRISE CENTER In Greenwood Village. Events @ JARockyMountain.org

CHERRY HILLS ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

6325 S University. Blvd., Centennial. Call for Tour 720-592-0252

PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION + MORE

5 Star Google Reviews. Transportation Executive Services LLC. Call 720-969-5386.

ST. ANDREW’S VILLAGE SENIOR LIVING

Upscale dining, engaging events and activities. Call 720-684-5913. Located at 133801 E. Yale Ave., Aurora.

SEMION BARBERSHOP FOR ALL -MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN

5910 S. Univeristy Blvd., Greenwood Village. 720-531-3998.

THE EYEWEAR COLLECTION

Owner Aaron Mozes is a CCHS graduate. Comprehensive Eye Exams, Eyeglasses, Contacts. 5910 S. University. Blvd., Unit D4, Greenwood Village.

BKC KITCHEN & BATH

Free consultation & estimate. Visit showroom at 4151 S. Natches Ct., Englewood. 303-761-7477.

FALL PARTIES/EVENTS? BOOK TODAY

Rocky Mountain Valet. Visit www. ROCKYMTNVALET.COM

KIMPTON CLARET HOTEL

Host your next special event at The Kimpton Claret. www.clarethotel. com

OWN YOUR STORAGE OR FLEX WAREHOUSE SPACE

Visit MYDREAMSTORAGECO.COM

PARKSIDE VILLAGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

14501 E. Crestline Drive, Aurora. Lunch is on us - schedule your tour today. 720-315-7778 or visit ParksideVillageRetirement.com