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The Conversation Dance
Cruising teaches us about building relationships. The ship we are on has over 1200 passengers. When we join others for dinner, formal pleasantries begin: “Where are you from?”
“Have you ever been on a cruise before?” “Are you retired?” The conversation starts, but sometimes it doesn’t progress. As the chatter deepens, the couple begins sharing stories and even takes over the conversation. There is no give and take, no curiosity about others at the table. Knowing how conversations should flow, I get annoyed and shut down, not wanting to share. I find the couple boring and choose to avoid them at future meals. I believe that interesting people are truly interested. If a question isn’t asked within the first five minutes, I prefer to move on.
When I was raising my children, I played a game that illustrates this concept. When they were toddlers, I would sit across from one of them on the floor and roll a ball to them with their legs open. They would roll it back to me, and anticipation and giggling would follow. After a while of this serve-and-return game, I would hold back the ball and not roll it back, which would make them frustrated, confused, and even angry. Several times, I watched them lose interest and stop playing. We continued playing this game into their elementary school years. Now, because they were older and more verbal, when I held back the ball, they would express their frustration and ask me to roll it back. I used this as an example to teach them about the dance of conversation and communication; when you roll the ball, I roll it back, and so on. When they became adolescents and didn’t share how they felt with me, I reminded them of the game we used to play. I told them that when they didn’t share, I felt like they were withholding the ball from me. This example conveyed how I felt when they didn’t share the details of their lives with me.
Many people admire stories and someone’s ability to communicate, but asking
questions and listening for answers is even more impressive. Throwing the ball in a serve-and-return style creates a communication dance full of equality, interest, curiosity, and even elegance.
We can improve our listening skills through practice. The next time you’re with others, focus on listening and asking questions. When someone asks about you, try to respond simply without elaborating or using superlatives. Then, ask them
about themselves. Everyone enjoys talking about themselves. Be curious and intentional about developing the relationship. Once the relationship is developed, more details are often shared, and the conversation goes deeper.
Being a great speaker is a worthwhile goal, but being an active listener is just as important. It connects us through our shared humanity—to be heard, understood, and known. Showing interest in others is caring and compassionate. Remember, to be interesting, you must be interested. Curiosity starts the conversation dance. joneen@narme.org
Cuba: A beautiful island trapped in time – and a chance for change
About 10 years ago, the National Newspaper Association sent a delegation of American publishers to Cuba on what was described as a study mission.
We applied for visas, uncertain whether we would even be accepted. To our surprise, approval came through. Nearly 20 of us traveled first to Cancun, Mexico, spent the night, and then flew to Havana the following day.
the José Martí School of Journalism. About six of us served as guest instructors for several days, speaking with students about free enterprise, a free press and the American system. The students were bright, curious and eager to understand a world beyond their own.
BY BOB SWEENEY PUBLISHER
During the visit, we also met with a high-ranking Communist Party official. Conversations were candid and, at times, surprising.
We stayed in a downtown hotel owned by Spaniards – a reminder that while Cuba remains politically isolated, foreign investment, particularly from Spain, is still very much present. That was striking from a historical standpoint. After all, it was Americans, including Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders, charging up San Juan Hill, who helped drive Spain out of Cuba more than a century ago. Yet today, Spanish influence has returned in a very real economic way.
From there, we traveled across the island.
What we found was a country of sharp contrasts –beautiful, historic and deeply troubled.
One of the most meaningful parts of the trip was our time at
On a bus ride across the countryside, one senior Cuban official shared his belief that the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was tied to lingering anger from the failed Bay of Pigs invasion. Whether one agrees or not, it underscores how deep those events still resonate in Cuba.
We visited the monument to Che Guevara – a large, respected site where visitors are required to remove their shoes. In many ways, Guevara remains even more popular than Fidel Castro among the Cuban people.
But it was not the monuments that left the strongest impression. It was the poverty.
At the time, the average Cuban earned about $15 a month.
We saw people fishing not just for sport, but for survival –and to supply struggling local restaurants. Prostitution was widespread. Pharmacies lacked
even basic medicines. Water ran through broken streets, and once-grand colonial homes stood in decay, their windows shattered and doors hanging open.
And yet, it is a beautiful island.
We passed fertile fields where oranges lay rotting on the ground – not because the land failed, but because there was no incentive to harvest them. No reward for the work. It was one of the clearest illustrations I have ever seen of a system that simply does not function.
Transportation told its own story. Hitchhiking is common – even expected. We saw large trucks, including coal trucks, carrying people as makeshift buses. The cars were another reminder of time standing still –classic American vehicles from the 1950s, carefully maintained and still running decades after the revolution, alongside aging Russian imports.
At the time, Cuba was heavily dependent on oil from Venezuela, though we also saw Canadian-operated oil activity on the western side of the island. Again, foreign players are helping sustain a struggling system.
Despite everything, Cuba projects its influence beyond its borders. We were told the country had sent some 32,000 doctors to nations across Latin America and Africa. It was a striking contrast – Cuba, with
so little, extending its reach globally while the United States often steps back.
That reality gives pause.
Cuba today stands as a powerful example of the failures of centralized economic control. Once a thriving producer of sugar, tobacco and coffee, the island has fallen into hardship since the 1959 revolution.
And yet, the potential remains enormous.
Cuba was the home of Ernest Hemingway – a country of natural beauty, historic architecture and a people full of resilience and pride. With the right changes, Cuba could once again become a vibrant destination for Americans and a strong economic partner.
The United States should not invade Cuba. But it should engage – economically, diplomatically and strategically.
With leaders like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who understands Cuba personally, there may be an opportunity – perhaps the best in decades – to move toward meaningful change.
Even today, with recurring blackouts and ongoing hardship, the need is clear.
Cuba does not need isolation.
It needs a path forward.
And if handled wisely, that path could benefit not only the Cuban people but also the United States.
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
Sharon Sweeney — 303-503-1388 cogambler@mac.com
Gerri Sweeney — 720-313-9751 gerri@villagerpublishing.com
Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS Gerri 303-773-8313
EDITORIAL COLUMNIST Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com
Le Bal de Ballet Committee & Denver Ballet Guild announce honorees
58 Debutantes and Young Men of Distinction (YMD) will
be presented in June
Le Bal de Ballet 2026
Chair Lisa Olson proudly announced that 58 exceptional young women and men will be participating in the 58th year of Le Bal de Ballet program. This year’s honorees are from 18 different high schools across the Denver metro area and two are from out of state high schools. They have been selected for their remarkable accomplishments in academics, leadership, community service and the arts. There are three sets of twins in this class and 18 honorees are legacies. The Announcement Reception was held at Denver Country Club.
Denver Ballet Guild’s 2026
Miss Hayden Agron Daughter of Adam & Katie Agron
Miss Elly Bante Daughter of Greg & Katy Bante
Miss Addy Beals Daughter of Shawn & Danielle Beals
Miss Finley Bell Daughter of Michael & Shannon Bell
Miss Reagan Billows Daughter of Ross & Kristen Billows
Miss Ana Buche Daughter of Peter & Mandi Buche
Miss Caroline Clark Daughter of Craig & Abby Clark
Miss Hadley Corson Daughter of Michael & Erinn Bowden
Miss Clara Cyphers Daughter of Alex & Jennifer Cyphers
Miss Greta Denler Daughter of John & Monica Denler
Miss Lexi Guin Daughter of Fred Guin & Christina Spencer
Miss Caroline Haley Daughter of Andrew & Kelly Haley
Miss Avery Jamison-Macchia Daughter of Matt Macchia & Kerry Jamison
Miss Millie Kelly Daughter of Tom & Cynthia Kelly
Miss Hope Kleinschnitz Daughter of Paul & Callie Kleinschnitz
Miss Emily Lin Daughter of Ted Lin & Deirdre Baggot
Miss Cate McMorrow Daughter of Justin & Caroline McMorrow
Miss Sophie McMorrow Daughter of Justin & Caroline McMorrow
Debutantes & Young Men of Distinction 58th Le Bal de Ballet
Miss Avery McPherson Daughter of Brian & Bobbi McPherson
Miss Brooke Moody Daughter of Troy & Jen Moody
Miss Tessa Morgan Daughter of Brian & Lindsay Morgan
Miss Tinsley Morozs Daughter of Ty & Amie Morozs
Miss Caroline Mulvany Daughter of Scott & Nicole Mulvany
Miss Clare Nelligan Daughter of Jeff Nelligan & Alison Nelligan
Miss Reece Revious Daughter of Darrin Revious & Dayle Cedars
Miss Ryann Revious Daughter of Darrin Revious & Dayle Cedars
Miss Sasha Ruegsegger Daughter of Kurt & Yana Ruegsegger
Miss Talia Satriano Daughter of Anthony & Erin Satriano
Miss Anna Serenyi Daughter of Steve & Christy Serenyi
Miss Audrey Spitzer Daughter of Brett & Anna Spitzer
Miss Josie van Hoeven Daughter of Wim & Angela van Hoeven
Miss Lauren Warot Daughter of Drew & Nicole Warot
Miss Rainey Watson Daughter of Clay & Kay Watson
Miss Kate Whillock Daughter of Mike & Elizabeth Whillock
Miss Jennah Yun Daughter of Tommy & Emily Yun
Mr. Grant Anderson Son of Ryan & Anne Marie Anderson
Mr. Kam Bachus Son of Kyle & Jessica Bachus
Mr. Cameron Bernardi Son of Hugh & Jeannine Bernardi
Mr. Walker Blaustein Son of Andrew & Anne Marie Blaustein
Mr. Andrew Brennick Son of Brandon & Kelly Brennick
Mr. Johnny Eisinger Son of John & Kelly Eisinger
Mr. Michael Gambrill Son of Jon & Mary Gambrill
Mr. Oliver Hatzidakis Son of Armand & Melissa Hatzidakis
Mr. Alex Jablonsky Son of Daniel & Trina Jablonsky
Mr. Sebastian Jurek Son of Ivo & Heather Jurek
Mr. Eli Lipsius Son of Adam Lipsius & Linda Appell Lipsius
Mr. Jace Nakamura Son of Shawn & Krystal Nakamura
Mr. William Perrotto Son of Joe & Emily Perrotto
Mr. Jack Reed Son of Tyler & Katie Reed
Mr. Davis Ritter Son of Matt & Tracy Ritter
Mr. Oliver Rowen Son of Leo & Betsy Rowen
Mr. Michael Shaw Son of Michael & Suzanne Shaw
Mr. Tommy Sitter Son of Jim Sitter & Karen Guzzetta Sitter
Mr. Brady Smith Son of TJ & Kate Smith
Mr. Reid Stemberger Son of Scott & Reese Stemberger
Mr. Henry Truitt Son of Adam & Katy Truitt
Mr. Alex Warot Son of Drew & Nicole Warot
Mr. Pierson Wiedenmayer Son of Chris & Rosie
Wiedenmayer
Debutante Lauren Warot and YMD Alex Warot surround their parents Drew and Nicole Warot Photos by Scottie Iverson
YMD Henry Truitt with his parents Katie (former Le Bal Chair) and Adam Truitt
Debutantes Reece and Ryann Revious with parents Darrin Revious and Dayle Cedars
Le Bal de Ballet 2026 Chair Lisa Olson and husband Andrew Olson, Honorary Chair Judy Weisiger and husband Jon Weisiger, Denver Ballet Guild President Caroline Rodawig and husband Alex Rodawig. Not pictured: 2026 Cochair/2027 Chair Katie Grassby.
YMD Jace Nakamura with his parents Dr. Krystal Nakamura and Dr. Shawn Nakamura
Debutante Hayden Agron and her mom Katie Agron
Moments and meaning Opening Day’s charms
Opening Day is capitalized because, to avid baseball fans everywhere, that day deserves the holiday status of a proper name.
In Cincinnati, for example, the birthplace of professional baseball (and where I was born—with a virtual baseball in my hand—76 years later), Opening Day is cause for a parade, and kids either skip school or are dismissed early. Many workers call in sick, as expected.
For decades—until television overruled tradition—Cincinnati’s historical distinction was accorded the honor of playing the first game of the year (almost always at home), or at least throwing the first pitch unquestionably ahead of any other team that opened on the same day. (Now, at least, they still get a home opener.)
is foretold by the final score of Game One. (The joke in Cincinnati, back when vendors sold beer from bottles they opened upon each sale at a buyer’s row, went, ”They can’t sell beer at Crosley Field this year—they lost the opener.”
home, including the classic that opened not only the 1995 season but also was the first regular-season game at Coors Field.)
That’s the frigid game decided in the 14th inning by Dante Bichette’s three-run home off lefty Mike Remlinger, who five years later picked up a four-out save in relief of Greg Maddux in a 2-0 Atlanta Braves Opening Day shutout of the Rockies.
victory over San Diego propelled the team into its only World Series appearance so far, the 2007 season began with an 8-6 loss at home to Arizona—the team the Rockies swept in the NL Championship Series.
So, will the Rockies’ 2026 Opening Day be a harbinger of this season? And if so, in what way?
In truth, nobody knows.
Of six other 30-plus turnarounds:
After losing 107 games in 1988, (including an 0-21 start) the Orioles were 33 victories better in 1989 and had a chance to win the American League pennant on the last weekend of the season, and they won 31 times more in 2022 than ’21;
When the Rockies begin the 2026 season Friday night in Miami, it will be their unReds-like 25th Opening Day in the other team’s park in the 34 years beginning with the Denver expansion team’s first opener, which was also on the road, a 3-0, four-hit complete-game shutout by Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets.
The Mets were the opponent for that Coors Field inaugural, too, but it was no pitcher’s duel. After four hours and 48 minutes, the final score was11-9. which began the park’s reputation as a hitter’s paradise and gave birth to the Blake Street Bombers.
In the minds and hearts of every team’s most faithful, the outcome of the season commencing on Opening Day
(When it comes to Opening Day “moments,” what can top Eric Young hitting a lead-off home run as the first home-team batter in the first inning of Denver’s first Major League game days later?)
Colorado’s overall record in season openers through last season is 17-16 (5-4 at
The Rockies finished second in the National League West that year with a 77-67 record—their first of nine winning seasons in the franchise’s first 33 years—and earned the National League’s new Wild Card berth.
Colorado has won a NL Wild Card four other times but won on Opening Day only one of them, in 2017.
When that crazy winning streak and heart-pounding Game 163 Wild Card playoff
Five of their nine winning seasons began with an Opening Day loss.
But Friday’s game notwithstanding, after closely following the off-season and Spring Training (also capitalized for reasons Seamheads understand), I’m willing to make one prediction with certainty.
Colorado will lose fewer than 100 games this season— win or lose on Friday.
My prediction is 70-92, a 27-win improvement.
This would represent a noteworthy turnaround in the first year of the Paul DePodesta-Josh Byrnes regime, but believe it or not, there have been several larger in Major League Baseball history.
The 1962 Phillies improved from 47 wins the year before to 81. That’s 34 more.
The 1967 Cubs also won 33 more games than the ’66 version, winning 87 games and finishing third in the NL East;
Two years ago, the Royals went from 54 Ws in 2023 to 86 in 2024, and that 30-game gain was good enough for them to claim an American League Wild Card; and The 1999 Diamondbacks won 65 times in ’98 then added 35—biggest one-year improvement in MLB history— to win exactly100 games the next season, losing to the Mets in the NL Divisional Round. They won the World Series two years later.
As they say throughout baseball: Play Ball!
Denny Dressman writes a weekly sports column for The Villager. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@comcast.net
Who’s on first only one of Schaefer’s decisions
BY DENNY DRESSMAN SCOTTSDALE, AZ—
In the 1930s, Lou Costello asked Bud Abbott, “Who’s on first?” And Abbott answered, ”Yes.”
Decades later that skit earned Abbott & Costello a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
And today, the opening lines describe the decision facing Rockies manager Warren Schaefer as he constructs the roster he’ll take into battle when Colorado starts the 2026 season in Miami next weekend.
T.J. Rumfield? Troy Johnston? Eduard Julien? Charlie Condon?
Somebody has to take Todd Helton’s old place.
My prediction is Rumfield, who was acquired from the Yankees in trade for reliever Angel Chivilli in late January.
I don’t think he’ll hit for high average, but he gives the Rockies more power threat than either Johnston, who seems destined for Albuquerque, or Julien, who came to Denver in a trade with Minnesota and thus is more assured of a place on the team. Condon, a prized prospect, will begin the season at AAA.
Who backs up Hunter Goodman is another interesting decision Schaefer
must make.
It might be Brett Sullivan instead of the seemingly obvious choice of Braxton Fulford—for the unfortunate reason that Fulford is so highly thought of that they want him to play regularly, which he can do at Albuquerque.
Sullivan is a journeyman who might be better-suited to limited, intermittent playing time.
And then there’s the pitching staff.
Ryan Feltner, Chase Dollander and Tanner Gordon are contending for the fifth spot in the rotation. I’d go with Gordon or Dollander, but Feltner, who is coming back from an injury and has the most Major League experience, likely will get first call. The Rockies believe other two will benefit from more time in the minors.
Most of the bullpen spots are claimed. The lone remaining spot will go to either Jaden Hill, John Brebbia, Keegan Thompson or Adam Laskey. I favor Brebbia, who will join Jimmy Herget and Antonio Senzatela in providing some veteran seasoning for a young nucleus, but hard-throwing Hill has a lot of support.
This might be a good year to be a fan in Albuquerque.
Dear Editor:
We are dismayed to read in Freda Miklin’s March 19th article that now with a second horrific death at the Belleview/Franklin intersection in less than two years, there is any hesitancy by Cherry Hills Village to immediately begin working with Greenwood Village to produce a joint staff report to find a solution for improving safety at that intersection. This inaction appears to be rooted in the belief that this intersection issue and the proposal to install a traffic light at that location have been driven primarily by GV, and that (implied) CHV residents don’t support any significant improvement at that intersection, including the installation of a traffic light. How has this conclusion been reached, given that numerous CHV residents signed the Andie’s Light petition and testified at both cities’ council meetings late last year in support of improvements at this intersection? CHV Mayor Katy Brown’s alternative solutions—for GV to install a sidewalk along their (south) side of Belleview and to jointly create a pedestrian underpass at Little Dry Creek--would benefit walkers, runners, and bikers. Both would be welcome improvements, but they would do nothing to improve the dangerous vehicle access issues on Belleview. A traffic light at the Belleview/Franklin intersection, halfway between the lights at University and Clarkson, would slow traffic and best address the issues that face both pedestrians and drivers in both cities. In mid-2024, our daughter, son-inlaw, and three young grandsons moved into their CHV home off Summit Blvd, a short block east of Franklin. Since then, when leaving their home via Summit,
our family members and friends have all experienced the stress involved in attempting to turn left (east) onto Belleview during the several hours of both morning and afternoon rush hour, when dense, speeding traffic affords few safe breaks in both directions for that turn. Our fears were reinforced just four months ago, when a westbound vehicle collided with a Summit resident making that left turn onto Belleview. Having had our own close calls, we now avoid that intersection, especially when driving our grandsons. Instead, we cut through the neighborhood to Franklin, and then either take Layton Ave to the Clarkson light or drive nearly a mile north on Franklin to catch the Quincy/University light. Both routes are significantly less direct but much safer. If a traffic light could be installed at the Belleview/Franklin intersection, traffic would be stopped long enough to safely make that left onto Belleview, avoiding the need to cut through the neighborhood, as probably many CHV residents also do.
We join many others in fearing for the safety of all, especially resident children and grandchildren of both cities, who are now or soon will be new, inexperienced drivers attempting to access Belleview, with many driving to and from Cherry Creek High School during both rush hour intervals. Will it have to take a collision, causing serious injury--or worse--involving CHV residents, for CHV city leaders to begin working collaboratively with GV to find a workable solution for improving safety at this intersection?
Mark & Sue Rosser Centennial, CO
(See Freda Miklin’s clarification of this on page 10)
4 Colorado spots named among America’s top shopping districts
Most people love to shopwhether it’s updating their wardrobe, fixing up the house, or hunting for something unique - but not all shopping experiences are created equal. Some parts of the country are spoiled with iconic shopping districts and bustling main streets, while others rely on long drives to the nearest mall or outlet center.
MarketBeat, a financial media company, carried out a simple poll of 3,026 respondents. Four Colorado spots were voted among the most envied in the country:
#23 Pearl Street Mall (Boulder)
Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall is four blocks of open-air, pedestrian-only shopping in one of America’s most livable cities. Street performers, craft breweries, and locally owned boutiques line the brick pathways, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Flatirons. The vibe is quintessentially Boulder-outdoorsy, creative, and fiercely independent. Visitors come from across the region to wander here.
A local institution is the Boulder Book Store, a multi-story independent landmark on the mall since 1973, where creaky wooden floors and over 100,000 titles capture the town’s literary heart.
#69 Larimer Square (Denver)
Larimer Square is Denver’s oldest block and arguably its most charming. Victorian buildings house independent boutiques, chef-driven restaurants, and shops you won’t find anywhere else. Gas lamps and string lights give the street a timeless feel, especially at night. It’s a place locals take out-of-towners
to show off their city. Don’t miss Rockmount Ranch Wear, a landmark since before the streets were paved-celebrities from Sting to Ralph Lauren have come here for authentic Western shirts with a little pizzazz.
#113 Cherry Creek North (Denver)
Cherry Creek North is Denver’s answer to Rodeo Drive-sixteen treelined blocks packed with over 300 shops, galleries, and restaurants. The mix runs from luxury boutiques to local artisan shops, all within walking distance of each other. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you can spend an entire afternoon browsing and still want to come back. Worth a visit: John Atencio, a Colorado jewelry designer whose bold, angular pieces have attracted a loyal following for over 40 years.
#114 Tennyson Street Cultural District (Denver)
Tennyson Street in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood has emerged as one of the city’s most creative shopping destinations. Art galleries, independent bookshops, and locally owned boutiques fill storefronts along a walkable stretch that feels more neighborhood than commercial district. The vibe is authentically local-these are shops run by people who live nearby and know their customers by name.
First Fridays bring gallery openings and street energy, but the browsing is worthwhile any day. A neighborhood anchor is Tenn Street Coffee & Books, a beloved locally owned cafe and bookseller that hosts live music and art shows in a charming brick storefront.
BY FREDA MIKLIN SENIOR REPORTER
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CSI presents findings and analysis from its 6th Annual Free Enterprise Report
On St. Patrick’s Day, Common Sense Institute
(CSI) presented findings from its annual Free Enterprise Report, followed by comments and analysis by longtime local political analysts.
CSI Executive Director
Kelly Caulfield opened the program by sharing that, “CSI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to the Colorado economy. We believe that economic research is essential to uphold our economy; the vitality, the future, and individual opportunity.”
Pointing to highlights in the Report, Caulfield noted that, “Inflation has declined but affordability issues remain…Colorado is the 9th least affordable state in the U.S.” She noted that the cost of car insurance and child
economy?”
Based on the latest data available, CSI found that Colorado ranked 17th among all states in its Free Enterprise Competitiveness Index, although, he pointed out, “In 2011 and 2013, the state was ranked in the top ten.” He cited our state’s workforce, education level, and healthcare as strengths, relative to other places in the U.S., and housing, crime, and state and local budgets as weaknesses.
He continued, “Today, I think we risk taking that growth for granted…I see Colorado at sort of an inflection point.” He posited the question, “Do we continue to foster the policies that got us where we are today, in
“Look at Palantir that just left Colorado. That tells the story that the regulatory and tax environment has basically caused where we are today.”
– Dick Wadhams, CBS Republican political analyst
care are up over 50%, housing and utilities are up 40%, while household income is up less, at 36%. Caulfield concluded, “While our state is getting less affordable, we are, unfortunately, becoming less competitive.”
Zach Milne, CSI senior economist and research analyst, who holds a master’s degree in economics from Arizona State University and formerly served as chief economist in the Arizona governor’s budget office, explained that, “By a lot of metrics, the economy in Colorado is strong. Colorado is a competitive state. When you look at things like GDP per capita, and income, the state ranks very highly, due in large part to a sustained period of economic growth, going back to the 2010s. I think that the state, years ago, and to some extent today, was seen as a model for pro-growth policy and that led to that economic expansion that we saw.”
terms of our economy and our competitiveness, or are we going to take a different policy route and maybe erode some of those advantages that we’ve seen in our
Pointing to our workforce, Milne cited high labor productivity, the overall high education level of our adult population, and low union representations as factors in making that a strength.
Looking at education, he noted that Colorado 4th and 8th graders performed in the top 15 of all states in math and reading. He also pointed to the fact that we are in the top 10 for choice enrollment in public education, with 15% of all Colorado students enrolled in public charter schools.
Housing is the state’s most significant weakness. The cost to buy or rent a home “has skyrocketed in recent years,” Milne said. Added to that, we have the second largest housing shortage of all states. He also brought up crime in our state, relative to the nation, but the statistic he shared, “police per crime,” which resulted in Colorado being ranked 18th
“By a lot of metrics, the economy in Colorado is strong. Colorado is a competitive state. When you look at things like GDP per capita, and income, the state ranks very highly, due in large part to a sustained period of economic growth, going back to the 2010s.
– Zach Milne, senior economist and research analyst at CSI
in 2011, compared to 47th in 2024, is one that counts the number of police officers working in Colorado cities, not the crime rate itself, overall and for particular types of crimes, which Milne noted has been going down all over the country.
Milne pointed to the “relatively high cost of debt service on state and local budgets” in Colorado. While that might be significant around the state, in our area, Centennial and Greenwood Village have zero debt. Looking at infrastructure, Milne noted that, “Colorado ranks high thanks to broadband and internet access” but its rank in road and bridge conditions has gotten lower.
Regarding energy, accord-
ing to Milne, 43% of Colorado energy comes from renewables, including a tenfold increase in solar since 2015, resulting in our state ranking 7th in the U.S. The topic of net interstate migration to Colorado was noted as being a major concern because our rank has dropped from being in the top five in 2012 to the bottom ten in 2024. Coloradans who recall the days when our state was very popular for in-migration, may also recall that longtime residents thought of that popularity as a negative for our state, as evidenced by a popular bumper sticker that said “Don’t Calfornicate Colorado.” In those years, people were still flocking to California. Although Milne did not spe-
cifically point to the cost of housing as being the most significant contributing factor to the substantial decline in in-migration, multiple previous reports have done so.
Next, Caulfield introduced a panel to discuss the Free Enterprise Report. Veteran CBS 4 political reporter Shaun Boyd moderated a discussion about CSI’s findings, featuring Mike Dino, CBS Democratic political analyst, and Dick Wadhams, CBS Republican political analyst.
Boyd asked the panelists, “What specific policy decisions or economic trends do you believe are most responsible for Colorado’s dip in the competitiveness ranking, as measured by CSI?”
Dino, a Denver native, noted that “Other states are more competitive. They find ways to invest in important things. We’re not going to host World Cup Soccer this year because we got outbid by Missouri and Kansas. They put over $100 million into their bid. We were at about half of that. FIFA wanted to be in Colorado. They wanted to be in Denver. But we weren’t going to put the money out, particularly from our governments. The money that Missouri and Kansas put in was from the state, and Kansas City put in $15 million, alone. So, sometimes other states just outbid us…because of budget constraints and where we decide to put our money. We’ve never put public funding into events like that.”
Wadhams responded, “Yes,” to the question, “Is it policy decisions that have
“Other states are more competitive. They find ways to invest in important things. We’re not going to host World Cup Soccer this year because we got outbid by Missouri and Kansas. FIFA wanted to be in Colorado. They wanted to be in Denver. But we weren’t going to put the money out, particularly from our governments.”
– Mike Dino, CBS Republican political analyst
would require them to offset the electricity they use processing data, with renewable energy. She questioned whether that policy was balanced.
“The chances of a Republican winning the governorship in Colorado are slim because we have a Democratic tilt and Donald Trump is still anathema to most voters in Colorado, which taints every Republican.”
– Dick Wadhams, CBS Republican political analyst
led us to this?” pointing to what Kent Thiry said recently to Jon Caldara of the Independence Institute in an interview. Thiry was president and CEO of Fortune 250 company DaVita from 1999 to 2019 and moved the company here about 16 years ago. Wadhams reported, “Caldara asked Thiry, ‘If the Colorado of today had existed back in 2009, would you have moved DeVita and all those jobs to this state?’ to which Thiry responded, “I don’t know.”
Wadhams continued, “Look at Palantir that just left Colorado. That tells the story that the regulatory and tax environment has basically caused where we are today. The most important question in any poll I’ve ever dealt with running campaigns is, is Colorado or whatever the entity is, on the right track or the wrong track? For the first time in the last 10 or 15 years, you look at any poll in Colorado, and Colorado is on the wrong track, by a majority of voters. That is significant.”
Boyd moved to, “Colorado was once seen as a
model for balancing business growth with quality of life. At what point did the balance tip, and were there warning signs that policymakers should have seen, and missed?”
Wadhams said he believed it started in 2018, when “Democrats took full control of government in Colorado.”
(In November 2018, Democrats won the offices of governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and state treasurer, as well as the majority in the state House and state Senate. They have held all those offices and those majorities every year since.)
He believes full Democratic control led to “overregulation, the undermining of TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights), and crime.”
Dino observed that, “Coloradans have always struggled” with the question of whether we have too many people or too few, but he doesn’t believe we really have a policy imbalance now.
Boyd pointed out that there is one bill pending at the legislature to incentivize data centers to come to Colorado and another that
Dino responded, “We’ve worked hard to increase the renewable energy part of our system. The environment in Washington is changing the way we have to look at it.
Colorado’s competitiveness has been impacted by tariffs, immigration policy, and the politics of Washington. In terms of energy, we have benefited by being on the forefront of renewables…I have solar on my house and it’s made a big difference. We should continue to move down that path, but we are still going to need fossil fuels, now and into the future. I agree we need to do all we can to make sure the fossil fuel industry is not decimated.”
Wadhams answered, “When I hear people talk about affordability and bemoan the fact that people cannot buy homes, it’s because of the regulatory environment that imposes requirements on builders (e.g., EV chargers in garages of new homes) that prices people out of being able to buy a home. We’ve gone way too far to try to destroy the oil and gas industry… Coal is being phased out, but I think we did it much too quickly…without consideration for communities in northwestern Colorado and throughout the western slope. You will never be able to replace those coal jobs on the western slope…despite the fact that the legislature established the “just transition” office.” And it’s making Colorado less competitive and less of a good place to live.”
When Boyd asked the panelists how the trajectory of Colorado’s declining competi-
tiveness could be reversed, Wadhams said, “We need to defeat the ballot measure (that would) kill Tabor.” (The proposal under consideration would “de-Bruce” the state, allowing it to keep more taxes collected under current laws, and use them for education, instead of giving Tabor refunds, but any new or increased taxes would still require a vote of the people.)
Wadhams analyzed, “If you sink $2 billion into education, it allows the rest of the budget to continue to grow without restraint, undermining Tabor.”
Dino noted that “people are attracted to Colorado because we have a quality workforce. We cannot underestimate how much we need to continue to invest in tech-related jobs, the service industry.” He pointed to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal that said retail services now dominate retail goods in the use of commercial real estate. He also noted that New Mexico has committed to providing childcare for all its citizens, something “that would be a big leap for Colorado.”
After expressing heartfelt concern about potential Medicaid cuts negatively impacting our state’s most vulnerable people, Wadhams said that, under the Democrats, the program has been mishandled. Still, Wadhams, a former Republican Party State Chair said, “The chances of a Republican winning the governorship in Colorado are slim because we have a Democratic tilt and Donald Trump is still anathema to most voters in Colorado, which taints every Republican. But that debate is going to seep into every legislative race and every statewide race, come November.”
FOLLOW FREDA Continued on page 10
Colorado Press Association award winner Former Greenwood Village City Council Member GV resident since 1992 Mother of five graduates of Cherry Creek High School and college FMiklin.Villager@gmail.com
Zach Milne, senior economist and research analyst at CSI
From left to right, Mike Dino, Kelly Caulfield, Shaun Boyd, and Dick Wadhams Photo courtesy Common Sense Institute
FOLLOW FREDA
Continued from page 9
follow FREDA
GOP State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer hopes to be Colorado’s next governor
In a presentation to a local Republican group on March 10, state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer talked about her experience as a member of the prestigious Joint Budget Committee (JBC) of the legislature. That six-member group creates a statewide budget every year that it presents to the governor for consideration. She is one of two Republicans on the committee.
A fourth generation native Coloradan, Kirkmeyer shared that she has two daughters and six grandsons. She grew up on a dairy farm in north Jefferson County and owned one in Weld County as an adult. After serving as a Weld County Commissioner from 1993-2000, she told the group, she went to work for Colorado’s last Republican governor, Bill Owens, where she served as acting director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, before returning to Weld County and being elected as a commissioner again, serving a second stint from 2009 to 2020, when she was elected to represent Colorado State Senate District 23. She is currently in her second four-year term in the senate.
In 2022, while in her first term, Kirkmeyer entered the race for the first election for Colorado’s new 8th Congressional District, formed after the 2020 U.S. Census. After beating out three opponents in the Republican primary, Kirkmeyer lost the general election to former Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo by less than one percentage point.
Kirkmeyer told the group that she ran for state senate because she was upset that Governor Jared Polis “went after agriculture and went after oil and gas, two main economies, not only for the State of Colorado, but they’re huge for Weld County,” adding, “I love my job, because I get to serve the people of the State of Colorado…I feel like I get to make a difference. I carried the largest property tax cut in the state’s history, nor once but twice. It was a bipartisan bill. I’m in the minority, so pretty much every bill I
carry is bipartisan because it has to be that way or it doesn’t get through.”
She continued, “I’m running for governor because I’ve had enough. Seven years of one-party control by the Democrats…has made a mess of our state…We are unaffordable, we are unsafe, our roads are crumbling. The state is actually unravelling. Being on the JBC, I’ve seen where the waste is. I’m ready to go on day one as governor. I know I can get that budget in line. We are in what’s called a structural deficit. In other words, last year we started out $1.2 billion in the red. I am not used to that. Coming from Weld County, which has zero debt and lowered property taxes, I’m pretty sure I know the fiscal conservative side of things.”
She went on, “This year, we’re about another billion dollars (behind), starting off our next budget year. Everything they’ve done has broken our state…I love this state. I believe in a state that is affordable, where my grandchildren will be able to buy a home and afford to live here, along with my children, along with all of us. I want a state that stops balancing the budget on the backs of businesses, because that’s what we did in special session. We didn’t cut spending. We spent six days increasing taxes on the backs of business. We need business that can innovate, that can create jobs, that can build and boost our economy…I believe in protecting our children. We have an education system that is broken. Our kids can’t read in the third grade. Our eighth graders can’t do eighth grade math. How do you break the cycle of poverty if we don’t get our children educated and able to read? I’m running for governor to get us back on track.”
She continued, “I have a plan for transportation. I’m working with the former deputy director of the department of transportation. He is a good friend of mine and a council member up in Greeley. Working with him and a former chief engineer and a couple
Clarification from last week’s Villager story
In last week’s Villager, we reported that Cherry Hills Village had said it would not pursue a joint study with Greenwood Village regarding the possible installation of a traffic light at Bel-
of other folks who worked in the department of transportation, we have put together a plan that will invest $6 million into our roads, into our transportation infrastructure, without increasing taxes. They are so mismanaged over there and they’ve actually moved funds around. We know where those dollars are parked. We know how they’re trying to move them around to projects that are not adding capacity or making safety improvements on our transportation system.”
Kirkmeyer shared, “It will take me six months to get the budget in shape and get out of the structural deficit. It’s called stop spending…We are not in a recession. We don’t have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem.”
On the topic of health care, Kirkmeyer said, “We have to fund Medicaid; 25 counties are maternal health care desserts. President Trump didn’t cut Medicaid. That was Jared Polis who did that. In HR1, the Congress said the states are going to have to cough up more money for Medicaid.”
On appointments, she said, “There are 300 board and commission positions that the governor appoints. On day one, I will ask the people who are not like minded to resign, including the PUC (Public Utilities Commission).”
leview Avenue & Franklin Street. We should have said that CHV had stated it would not pursue a joint study “at this time.” CHV has informed The Villager that it “will wait to see the results of (its) updated warrant study before
“I’m running for governor because I’ve had enough. Seven years of oneparty control by the Democrats…has made a mess of our state… We are unaffordable, we are unsafe, our roads are crumbling. The state is actually unravelling. Being on the JBC, I’ve seen where the waste is. I’m ready to go on day one as governor. I know I can get that budget in line. We are in what’s called a structural deficit. In other words, last year we started out $1.2 billion in the red. I am not used to that. Coming from Weld County, which has zero debt and lowered property taxes, I’m pretty sure I know the fiscal conservative side of things.”
– State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer
Kirkmeyer is one of six people listed on the Secretary of State’s campaign finance reporting site as having active campaigns for the Republican nomination for governor of Colorado with at least $1,000 cash on hand. She told The Villager that she plans to get on the June 30 Republican primary ballot via petition. A final determination of which candidates will appear on the June 30 primary ballot will be made at the GOP State Assembly, being held in Pueblo on April 11.
deciding how to proceed. Future action could possibly include a joint study of some kind, but we will not make any decisions about that until we have the data.”
We thank CHV for the clarification.
RE: Police Safety Training on CCHS Campus - March 18-22, 2026
Dear Resident,
As we communicated in February, CCSD staff has vacated the two administrative buildings, the Office of Educational Services (ESC) and the Office of Fiscal Services (OFS), located at the corner of Yosemite and Union.
From Wednesday, March 18th through Sunday, March 22nd, planned police and fire safety trainings will occur at the ESC and OFS buildings. Specific operations include explosive breaching at the
OFS building on Thursday, March 19th by Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office and tree cutting on throughout the week from South Metro Fire Department and Aurora Fire Department as part of their wildland fire operations.
Following this week’s activities, the site will be prepared for demolition in partnership with local police and fire departments. At this time, demolition of ESC and OFS is projected to be complete by the end of April.
Work to relocate the tennis courts to the fields at Belleview Elementary School, including temporary access, is also underway.
A construction fence has been erected around the site and members of the project team have been in communication with neighboring residents. The safety of students, staff, families, and community members is the highest priority. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the following:
• CCSD Communications
Office – (720) 554-4990
• CCSD Emergency Dispatch – (720) 554-4911
• JHL Constructors – (720) 273-6590
As construction begins, it will be isolated to specific parts of the CCHS campus as much as possible, with safe, pedestrian walkways provided throughout the campus during all stages of construction. Students, staff, and community members will be advised of alternative parking sites and that parking in surrounding neighbor-
hoods during construction is prohibited.
Cherry Creek Schools is committed to working with the local community to provide regular updates about this project. Thank you for your partnership as we work to create a safer, more functional, and future-ready school for students, staff, and the greater community for the next 70+ years.
Thank you, Cherry Creek School District
State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer Photo by Freda Miklin
The Dating Decade
Hooking Up, Hanging Out and Swiping
right
“We can be mentors in our culture and community and be Pro Family.” – Hadley Heath Manning
Hadley Heath Manning is Director of the Fellowship for Public Policy and American Exceptionalism at the Steamboat Institute and has been a Tony Blankley Fellow with the Institute since 2016. She is also a senior fellow with Independent Women (IW) and previously worked as its Vice President for Policy. She appears frequently in radio and TV outlets across the country. Her work has been featured in publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal,
Forbes, POLITICO, National Review and more. In 2016, Hadley was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in Law and Policy. In 2015, the Republican National Committee honored her as a Rising Star, and in 2014, she was named to the Red Alert Politics 30 Under 30 list. Hadley also completed the National Review Institute’s Washington Fellowship, class of 2012-2013. She graduated with distinction from the University of North Carolina in 2010 as a Morehead-Cain Scholar with a double major in economics and journalism.
Now, she’s a wife, a mom of four and proudly building a family in Colorado with her physician husband.
Her research continued the report of those born in the 2000s
and the dating culture on college campuses. (a review of choices and behaviors affecting young men and women) The update on the last two decades reveals there is a discrepancy of what people say they want and what they find. The Online affect on the dating world has seen its peak. (The Netflix affect – watching the trailer and never choosing a show. There’s always something better out there.) How about debunking popular dating advice: Casual sex DOES matter, DO talk about religion and politics. Polls show that young people today are lonely. And, 7% want no marriage and 15 % want no children. The idea of interdependency is sold short. People who meet at church are the happiest.
Douglas County Coroner explains the fascinating work of her office
Raeann Brown is a third-generation Coloradan and grew up in Littleton. She served in the U.S. Coast Guard and has a degree in Biology and Criminalistics (the study of physical evidence) . She represents Douglas County as president and past treasurer of the Colorado Coroners Association and has served as chair and vice chair of the Colorado Coroner Standards and Training Board.
The work of the Coroner’s
Office is: determine manner and cause of death, determine jurisdiction CRS, conduct death investigation, make decedent identification, family notification of death, partner with multiple agencies and speak for the decedent. Methods of forensic identification involve: fingerprints, skeletal/partial skeletal, dental and bones. Five of the cases last year involved the use of specialists. It takes a long time to develop a DNA profile. Additional
challenges are as a result of no national database for dental and many bodies are not reported as missing.
“Every death is investigated as a homicide until it’s not.” – Douglas County Coroner Raeann Brown
Most challenging is missing records destroyed in the 1978 Douglas County courthouse fire, making the county at the mercy of the state. Coroner Brown is also a strong advocate for youth exploring careers in forensic science and serves on the Forensic Science Advisory Board for Warren Technical High School.
CCRW President Nancy Sharpe Kennedy and featured speaker Hadley Heath Manning wearing her proud blue in honor of her alma mater - University of North Carolina
Photos by Scottie Iverson
Edie Marks, Dr. Brian Joondeph and fiancée Ellen Graham
Heddy Hennessy, Kendra Rostvedt, Gretchen Swanson
DCRW Board members Cynthia Dalton, Deb Nelson, Cindy Lepzinski
DCRW President Sharise Plescia, featured speaker Douglas County Coroner Raeann Brown
Standing: Lexi Tehven, Loni Snell, Cherie Anttila, Janet Gilliland. Seated: Heidi Ganahl, Nancy Sharpe Kennedy, Gretchen Swanson
Color is more than just pigment; it is emotion, narrative and the very soul of expression … as the current art show at the Depot Art Gallery reveals.
Denver Abstract Artist, Ken Elliott, is the juror of this vivid collection of oil, watercolor, photography, pastel, jewelry and 3-D creations by our artists.
Visit the Depot Art Gallery at 2069 West Powers, just north of the Buck Recreation Center. Show runs until April 19. Hours, Wednesday though Sunday, 11-4. www.depotartgallery.org.
Visit the Depot Art Gallery at 2069 West Powers, just north of the Buck Recreation Center. Show runs until April 19. Hours, Wednesday through Sunday, 11-4. www.depotartgallery.org
That’s Not What I Said Exclamation Point
Technology is changing my behavior in embarrassing ways. More than once I’ve tried swiping photos in a photo album like I do on my phone. It doesn’t work.
And I’ve caught myself wanting to rewind a news story on the radio like I do podcasts and television shows. That doesn’t work either, at least on my radio.
Even more embarrassing, today I left a voicemail message for a friend that went something like this: “Hope you’re having a wonderful day exclamation point. Call me period.” Yes I spoke the punctuation marks on a phone message. And it’s not the first time I’ve done it either.
You understand how that could happen if your phone has voice-to-text capability and you use it as often as I do. If you don’t let me explain. The voice-to-text function is exactly what it sounds like. You say what you want in your text and include the punctuation marks and it types it right up. And before you know it you’re leaving phone messages like the one I left. And you’re running into friends on the street and saying, “Hi exclamation point. How are you question mark
Old-fashioned texting—you know—when we let our thumbs do the talking—is dangerous enough exclamation point. See how I did that question mark.
It relies on that itsy-bitsy, very sensitive keyboard. It’s easy to hit the wrong letters. And even when you hit the right ones, the autocorrect may decide that instead of okey dokey you wanted to say okay donkey and instead of hors d’oeuvres you must mean horse divorce. And it’s embarrassing to thank someone for their friendship and have the text say, “thank you for your fried shrimp.”
But the voice-to-text function is even more dangerous. Maybe it doesn’t understand jargon, accents and dialects or maybe I’m
just marble mouthed. Whatever the case, it misquotes me pretty often. Like when I was voice texting about an upcoming airline flight. I mentioned my “carry on,” as in luggage, but it typed “carrion,” as in the decaying flesh of dead animals. And I don’t think I should take that on the plane.
I once voice texted someone, “I like my way better.” But the message read, “I like my weight better,” which was kind of mean. Also a lie.
And sometimes I use voice-to-text when the news is on, which is why in the middle of a benign text about lunch plans or a birthday party there could be a few words about a political scandal or a measles outbreak.
I’ve also been known to voice a text when someone near me is talking which explains how I can send a text with the words, “get off your phone” in the middle of it.
None of this would be problematic if I read my texts before I hit send. But, whether I text with my thumbs or the voice recognition function, I have a peculiar tendency to read texts after I’ve sent them which is as useful as putting the lid on after you’ve spilled the beans.
On the bright side, the receiver of my message doesn’t have to wait long for me to text my apologies for any swear words or insults I’ve inadvertently texted. Or my corrections of any misinformation I’ve sent them. I won’t repeat the swear words. But as for misinformation, I’ll admit that I once texted someone I’d see her at 2, but the message read “I’ll see you at zoo.” Thank goodness we don’t have a zoo. If we did she might still be waiting for me exclamation point.
Dorothy Rosby is the author of I Used to Think I Was Not That Bad and Then I Got to Know Me Better and other books. Contact her at www.dorothyrosby.com/contact.
Dear Readers,
How do you terminate an Agent under a Power of Attorney?
An Agent appointed under a Power of Attorney must stop acting on behalf of the Principal if the Agent learns of any event that terminates the Power of Attorney or the Agent’s authority. Events that terminate a Power of Attorney or an Agent’s authority to act under a Power of Attorney include:
• Death of the Principal;
• The Principal’s revocation of the Power of Attorney or the Agent’s authority;
• The occurrence of a termination event stated in the Power of Attorney;
• The purpose of the Power of Attorney is fully accomplished; or
• If you are married to the Principal, a legal action is filed with a court to end your marriage, or to seek a
legal separation, unless the special instructions in the Power of Attorney state that such an action will not terminate the Agent’s authority.
How does an Agent resign under a Power of Attorney?
Under Colorado law, unless the Power of Attorney provides a different method for an Agent’s resignation, an Agent may resign by giving notice to the Principal and, if the Principal is incapacitated:
• To the Conservator or Guardian, if one has been appointed for the Principal, and a Co-Agent or Successor Agent; or
• If there is no person described above, then to:
1. The Principal’s caregiver;
2. Another person reasonably believed by the Agent to have sufficient interest in the Princi-
pal’s welfare; or
3. A governmental agency having authority to protect the welfare of the Principal.
An Agent who no longer wishes to serve should formally resign under a written notice sent to the Principal and others, as noted above, in order to establish a clear demonstration of the end of the Agent’s authority and to minimize gaps in fiduciary responsibility before a successor accepts the office.
It is also helpful for the Agent who wishes to resign, to give written notice of such resignation to all others who previously received a copy of the Power of Attorney, such as banks, financial institutions and medical care professionals, etc., to that these people and entities will know of the Agent’s resignation.
What are the four key medical/ estate plan documents you need now?
Many of my clients have asked: “What are the critical estate plan documents to have?” Merely being married does not
give you the legal right to gain access to your spouse’s medical records or make medical decisions on your spouse’s behalf, even in an emergency. To avoid this problem and to help others care for you and to achieve your overall estate planning goals, the following documents create an effective medical/estate plan package:
1. Healthcare Power of Attorney;
2. General Financial Power of Attorney;
3. Advanced Directive for Medical/Surgical Treatment (“Living Will”); and 4. Will (or a Will with a Trust).
Careful medical/estate planning should include preparation and signing of these documents, to accomplish your goals and protect you, both during your lifetime, and at the time of passing. The Power of Attorney documents allow you to designate those agents whom you authorize to help you on your behalf during your lifetime, and the Will/Trust documents allow you to nominate others to help with your estate after your passing, as well as to identify the beneficiaries and the distributions to them, to accomplish your estate planning goals.
A 30% REDUCTION ON ESTATE PLAN DOCUMENTS IS CURRENTLY BEING OFFERED DUE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS! FOR A FREE TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONSULTATION, PLEASE CALL: 5675 DTC Bouldevard, Suite 250 Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Telephone: (303) 758-0999 FAX: (303) 758-1091
E-mail: Donald@PetersonLaw.CO
Website: www.donpetersonlawfirm.com
Lexus RX 450h: Luxury, Performance and Hybrid Efficiency
Spending time behind the wheel of the Lexus RX 450h reminds you quickly why Lexus has built such a strong reputation in the luxury SUV market.
Built in Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan, the RX 450h delivers on the company’s promise to “Experience Amazing,” combining smooth performance with refined comfort and impressive hybrid efficiency.
Under the hood, the RX 450h features a hybrid powertrain that blends a gasoline engine with electric motors, delivering both strong acceleration and excellent fuel economy. The transition between gas and electric power is
seamless, something Lexus has refined over many years of hybrid development.
On the road, the RX 450h is exceptionally quiet. Wheth-
er cruising through city traffic or traveling at highway speeds, the cabin remains calm and composed, giving drivers and passengers a true
of the Kings Point South Metropolitan District No. 1 (the “District”), City of Aurora, Douglas County, Colorado.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 32-1808, C.R.S., that one or more vacancies currently exist on the Board of Directors of the District. Any qualified, eligible elector of the District interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the District should file a Letter of Interest with the Board by 5:00 p.m., on Monday, April 6, 2026.
Letters of Interest should be sent to Kings Point South Metropolitan District No. 1, c/o WBA, PC, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 2000, Centennial, CO 80122.
KINGS POINT SOUTH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1
By: /s/ WBA, PC
at Law
Attorneys
Published in The Villager
Published: March 26, 2026 Legal # 31301
GLENDALE
CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO
alternate audio option of calling in to the number below.
TAKE NOTICE that the above captioned matter has been set for an ADJUDICATORY COURT TRIAL AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT REGARDING RESPONDENT TIFFANY APRIL CARDIN, on APRIL 10, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. (MST) in Division 23 of the Arapahoe District Court. The Arapahoe County District Court is holding hearings via Cisco WebEx Meetings to allow for audiovisual and/or audio participation. 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-Div23
•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
luxury experience. Ride quality is one of the vehicle’s strongest attributes. The suspension absorbs bumps with ease, making longer drives comfortable and relaxed. Steering is responsive without being overly aggressive, which fits well with the vehicle’s luxury focus.
Inside, the RX 450h features a well-appointed interior with high-quality materials throughout. The seating is comfortable and supportive, and the cabin layout is both modern and functional. Lexus continues to excel in fit and finish, giving the vehicle an upscale feel.
Technology is also a strong point, with a large infotainment dis-
NOTICE OF REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Glendale Regular Municipal Election will be held on April 7, 2026. The election shall be conducted as a Polling Place Election at Glendale City Hall, 950 South Birch Street, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Qualified electors are registered voters, who are 18 years of age or older on the date of the election, are citizens of the United States, have resided in the State of Colorado for 22 days immediately preceding the election and are a resident of Glendale. Eligible voters may request an Absentee Ballot in person or in writing by emailing the City Clerk, vmarvin@ glendale.co.us.
Requests must include your name and address as they are listed on the Voter Registry. Absentee Ballots can be received and returned by mail or in person. The last day to request an Absentee Ballot is April 3, 2026. Absentee Ballots must be returned by mail or in person at City Hall by 7:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.
The offices to be elected are: Four (4) Council Members
The names of the candidates, whose nominations have been certified by the City Clerk, shall
COLORADO Petitioner,
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 and enter access code 2598 320 5548 (followed by #, #).
In the event you fail to appear for said hearing at the date and time indicated, the Petitioner 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.
Respectfully submitted on March 18, 2026.
Linda Arnold, Esq., 16764
Assistant County Attorney
Published in The Villager
Published: March 26, 2026 Legal # 31297
DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO 7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF
In the Interest of: OTHELLO MICHAEL COOK, Child, and concerning, SAVANNA SCOTT COOK AND RASHID ABU, Respondents.
Madeline Doerr, Reg. #60483
Assistant County Attorney Office of the County Attorney Arapahoe County Department of Human Services 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 mdoerr@arapahoegov.com
Case No: 2025JV382 Division: 22
NOTICE OF DEFAULT ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND DISPOSITIONAL HEARING CONCERNING RESPONDENT, SAVANNA SCOTT COOK
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudication Hearing and Dispositional Hearing regarding
By H. Throttle
play, premium audio system and a full suite of driver-assist features designed to enhance both safety and convenience.
Fuel economy is where the RX 450h truly shines. As a hybrid SUV, it offers significantly better mileage than many traditional gasoline-powered competitors in its class, making it an appealing choice for drivers who want both luxury and efficiency.
The RX 450h continues to be a strong contender in the midsize luxury SUV segment, offering a balance of performance, comfort and fuel savings that few vehicles can match.
For drivers looking for a refined, reliable and efficient luxury SUV, the Lexus RX 450h is well worth a look.
appear on the Ballot as below:
CITY COUNCIL
Vote for not more than four (4) Elizabeth Bonney Ryan Tuchscherer Dario Katardzic Mark Smiley Kimberly Brokling Umbarger
Questions about this election should be directed to the City Clerk at 303-639-4708.
In witness thereof, the City Clerk of the City of Glendale, Colorado, has caused this Notice to be given as required by law, this 26th day of March, 2026
Veronica Marvin, City Clerk
Published in The Villager Published: March 26, 2026 Legal # 31300
CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE ORDINANCE 2, SERIES 2026
A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, AMENDING THE 2026 BUDGET BY
SAVANNA COOK is set on APRIL 13, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. in Division 22 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 and adopt the prepared treatment plan for you in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code.
The Arapahoe County District Court is holding hearings via Cisco WebEx Meetings to allow for audiovisual and/or audio participation. 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/
•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 887 9073 then press #, # (no
MUSEUM OF OUTDOOR ARTS
MADDEN GALLERY “BEYOND THE WESTERN HORIZON”
MARCH 19-JULY 31. Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.
- 4 p.m. Sat. to be announced. Reception MARCH 19, 5-8 p.m. Free. Featuring 20 artists. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and themed cocktails. Music by Ryan Chrys and the Routh Cuts. Western Attire encouraged. Palazzo Verdi, 1st Floor, 6363 S. Fiddler’s Green Circle, Greenwood Village. Free with registration, free street and lot parking.
CENTRAL CITY OPERA’S
THEATRE OF DREAMS GALA
Celebrating 70th Anniversarycommission of the Ballad of Baby Doe.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10 5:30 PM - Denver
Art Museum cocktails, dinner, live performances. Black-tie fundraiser, gold and silver attire encouraged. RSVP deadline Fri March 20 Buy tickets or sponsor: centralcityopera.org/gala
COLORADO BALLET ONE GALA
THURS., APRIL 16, Denver Center
Performing Arts Complex. Jill Anschutz, chair. 5:00 p.m. cocktail reception - Ellie Caulkins Opera House; 7:00 p.m. dinner, honoring Artistic Director Gil Bogg’s for 20-year anniversary with Colorado Ballet in Seawell Ballroom. 9:00 p.m. performances in Opera House; 10:00 p.m. Dessert, music & dancing.
FRIENDS OF NURSING SPRING LUNCHEON AND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PRESENTATION
On SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026, at 11 am. Please join us as we celebrate our 45th Anniversary, honor our Founder, Great Pollard, bid on Silent Auction items, and award $180,000 in nursing scholarships! This event will be held at Cherry Hills Country Club, 4125 S. University Blvd., Cherry Hills Village, CO, 80113. For information, please call 720-934-6565.
13TH ANNUAL “A PERFECT PAIRING”
APRIL 25 4 p.m. Enjoy unlimited Food & Beer pairings. All proceeds help send children and adults with disabilities to EasterSeals Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Village in Empire, CO. Tickets: aesbid.org/ ELP/ESCANPO 26
CANCER LEAGUE CAR RAFFLE
Win a 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited 4x4. Drawing at the Hope Ball MAY 2, 2026, HyattRegency DTC, 9 p.m. You do not have to be present to win. Donated by Doug Moreland’s Family & Family of Dealerships. Only 3000 tickets sold. Info: www.cancerleague.org
CENTENNIAL FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
MAY 30-31 at the Streets at SouthGlenn. Featuring award-winning regional & national artists. Sponsored by the Centennial Arts & Cultural Foundation. Deadline to submit art is Feb. 28. https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT YOUTH TRAILBLAZER SUMMER CAMP
JUNE 15-19. Helps middle school students develop an understanding of basic business principles & the professional world. Scan the QR code in The Villager March 12 issue, page 14.
WESTERN CONSERVATIVE SUMMIT
JULY 31-AUGUST 1. 250th Anniversary 1776. After a two-year hiatus, this milestone Summit will consider “A New Birth of Freedom: Reigniting the American Dream.”
Learn more: Western Conservative Summit.com
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, 720-3139741.
ENGLEWOOD LIONS CLUB MEETINGS
Meets 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. At Mango Tree Coffee, 3498 S. Broadway,Englewood. Info: Gail 720377-7682.
WHAT’S NEW?
COLORADO REPUBLICANS TO HOLD 2026 STATE ASSEMBLY IN PUEBLO APRIL 11 - CSU Pueble Massari Arena.
SIGN UP FOR JOB ALERTS
Arapahoe County is hiring. Visit jobs. arapahoeco.gov. This is a new site.
“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.
MS. COLORADO SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT
SAT., APRIL 25, 2 p.m. at the Mizel Arts & Cultural Center’s Elaine Wolf Theater, celebrating women 60 and better. Contestants will compete in interview, evening gown, Philosophy of life & talent. Featuring former Colorado. Queens, the Tambourine Group, The Bella Dance Group, and special musical guests. Ms. Colorado Senior America 2026 will be crowned and advance to the national pageant in October. Tickets: 303-3166360.
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.
SECOND ANNUAL AMERICA’S MILITARY HEROES GOLF EVENT
MON., JULY 27, Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Course benefiting Semper Fl and America’s Fund. Be a golfer, non-golfer, sponsor a hole or District Challenge. Call 301-404-2706 or militaryheroesgolf@ gmail.com
BUSINESS NEWS
OLIVER’S “A TOAST TO THE TASSSEL!”
Host a graduation celebration on the full-private terrace. Accommodates
10-15 guests seated or up to 80 guests reception style. RSVP: nicole@ oliversitalian.com
AISLYN DERMATOLOGY
Dr. Aislyn Nelson MD, PhD dermatologist is located in Lincoln Medical Center, 11960 Lioness Way, Ste. 225, Parker. 719-992-0127. www. aislynderm.com “We Do It All.”
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.303-229-8777. www. joshuatreeexperts.com/denver-southco
ROGERS & SONS INC.
- ELEVATED CLIMATE CONTROL
Curated Cooling & A/C Services; Radiant Heating & Snow Melt Integration; Whole-Home Humidification and more. Private Consultations: 720-408-7411. 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
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 303-789-2200.
THE AUDIOLOGY METHOD
Schedule a hearing test. 7180 - E. Orchard Rd., Ste. 302, Centennial. 720457-5113.
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 + MORE5 Star Google Reviews. Transportation Executive Services LLC. Call 720-9695386.
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. rockymntvalet.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
