6-22-23 Villager

VOLUME 41 • NUMBER 30 • JUNE 22, 2023

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PAGE 2 | THE VILLAGER • June 22, 2023

GV’s 2022 fund balance approaches $71 million, up $9 million from last year

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

On June 6, Shawn Cordsen, finance director of the City of Greenwood Village, presented the 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (2022 Report) to the GV City Council in a study session which was audio-recorded, but for which there are no official minutes, which is GV’s regular practice for study sessions. The presentation was not a part of GV’s official city council meeting.

Cordsen noted that 2022 citywide revenues were approximately $64 million compared to expenditures of $59 million. After a mandatory accounting adjustment to record as an asset and a liability the city’s required payments of $3.3 million through 2027 for photo red-

light enforcement equipment to American Traffic Solutions, Inc. of Mesa, AZ, he explained, “We added almost $8.7 million to fund balance (in 2022), taking it from $62 million to $70.6 million, a substantial increase.”

Fund balance is the amount of money left in the bank after all bills are paid at the end of the year.

The finance director said that 2022 was a year when, “We just kept seeing that revenue coming in,” resulting in income to the general fund alone exceeding the amount budgeted by $7.3 million, even after mid-year amendments increasing that budget, while general fund expenditures came in $2.1 million under the adjusted budgeted amount, for a positive variance of $9.4 million.

Paul Niedermuller, principal at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Broomfield (CLA), GV’s outside auditors, told

the city council that the only change in the city’s financial statements from previous years was the capitalization of leases required by a (2017) rule of the Government Accounting Standards Board, and that his firm had found that all GV’s accounting practices are within allowable standards. He also commended Cordsen’s department with being “extremely forthcoming” in its cooperation with the auditors and noted that no adjustments to management’s financial statements were necessary for CLA to issue a “clean” opinion.

Council Member Paul Wiesner wanted to know how the budgeting process resulted in total tax revenues being nearly $7 million (17.4%) more what was expected.

Cordsen explained that the finance department expected revenues to grow in 2021 after the 2020 COVID-related decline, but thought that, in

2022, “Things would level out. In fact, they have not.

They’ve continued to show growth over what we had prior to the pandemic.”

As well, he noted, “We’re still running (in 2023) 10% to 12% above where we were at the same time last year,” adding that the restaurant industry, once GV’s largest contributor to sales tax, has “backed off,” replaced by technology as the largest generator of sales and use tax.

Cordsen pointed out that the building materials use tax, generated by new construction, is not a contributor to this calculation because it is not a general fund revenue.

No other city council members, all of whom were present in person or by remote connection, asked the finance manager any substantive question. The city manager followed up on what Cordsen had said about 2023 revenue trends. Cordsen told him that, based on current trends, his department estimated that GV sales and use tax collections for 2023 will be 10.5% higher than the

amount that was budgeted when the year began. The starting revenue budget for 2023 was the amount collected in 2022 that exceeded that year’s budget by $7 million.

In total, the 2022 Report states, “The City of Greenwood Village’s overall net position increased $12,275,435 from the prior fiscal year.”

GV’s fund balance has increased steadily during the past six years, despite a short dip in 2020, for which the City received and added to its coffers $4 million in American Rescue Act Funds to make up for the decline in sales tax revenue it experienced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The trend in GV’s total fund balance over the past six years is: Year Fund Balance 2017................... $54,000,000 2018................... $55,000,000 2019................... $56,000,000 2020................... $51,000,000 2021................... $62,000,000 2022................... $71,000,000 fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

Common Sense Institute (CSI) named Dr. Reggie Washington as the 2023 Health & Wellness Fellow

“We anticipate Dr. Washington’s research projects to generate a “We are thrilled to have CSI Fellows have made it tions to the most significant tremendous amount of interest Dr. Washington at CSI,” possible to achieve a signif- issues facing our state and said CSI Executive Director icant increase in research. our nation.” as health care continues to Kelly Caufield. “His exper- “CSI Fellows are experts in “We anticipate Dr. Washtise and broad understandtheir field and come from ington’s research projects be one of the biggest issues ing of health care in Colovaried backgrounds and dif- to generate a tremendous rado and the nation will be ferent political affiliations. amount of interest as health Coloradans face today.” invaluable to our research.” Their work has sparked care continues to be one of According to Caufield,

innovative ideas and solu-

the biggest issues Colora-

CSI Executive Director Kelly Caufield

dans face today,” continued Caufield. “We look forward to the release of our next health care study this fall.”

About Dr. Reggie Washington, 2023 Health & Wellness Fellow: Dr. Washington is a National Consultant for HCA offering expertise in pediatric services to centers across the United States.

Previously, he was the Chief Medical Officer at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children and Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center until 2023.

His experience included 15 years of advancements in quality, physician satisfaction, and employee engagement.

In 2008 he co-founded the Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation to provide support to families whose children were in

need of care or mothers requiring breast milk for their babies.

As a physician and strategic leader he was the Co- Founder and Medical Director of Rocky Mountain Pediatric Cardiology and expanded outreach clinics throughout a fourstate area.

He earned his M.D. in 1977, became Board Certified in Pediatrics in 1980 and Board Certified in Pediatric Cardiology in 1981.

June 22, 2023 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 3

Employment numbers bring good news for Colorado

BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER

In a June 15 press release, the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE) reports that the state’s unemployment rate in May remained at 2.8%, where it has been for the past year, other than three months when it varied to 2.7% or 2.9%.

CDLE noted that, in contrast, “The national unemployment rate increased three-tenths of a percentage point to 3.7% between April and May (2023).”

Labor force participation in Colorado’s rose to 68.7% in May, slightly ahead of April’s rate of 68.6%, while the nationwide quotient held steady at 62.6%, 6.1% beneath that of Colorado, CDLE tells us.

The actual number of Coloradans employed in May was 3,154,500, which approximates the number from January 2020, just before the pandemic.

Colorado Jobs and Labor Force Update, a June 16 report from the Common Sense Institute (CSI), a local nonprofit nonpartisan research group focused on the state’s economy, authored

by CSI Research Analysts Cole Anderson and Erik Gamm, says that, as of May 2023, “Colorado’s leisure and hospitality sector has added the most jobs of any private sector industry, adding 8,600 jobs cumulatively in April and May, and, “With 91,700 jobs added in the 26 months from January 2021 to May 2023, that sector is up 3%, or 10,500 jobs above its January 2020 pre-pandemic level.

Overall, CSI tells us, our state’s, “Total employment level is up 2.41% (78,600 jobs) above the pre-pandemic level,” although even those numbers result in Colorado ranking 20th among all states in terms of May 2023 job levels relative to January 2020. That is good news for our state and even better news

This graphic from the state Department of Labor & Employment shows good news for Colorado.

for our country.

On a less positive note, Anderson and Gamm tell us that, “Since January 2020, employment in the mining and logging sector has decreased by 18.7%, reducing its share of state employment by 20.9%, though this is likely the result of a combi-

nation of global trends and state policy.”

They also share that, as of the end of both April and May, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Bureau of Labor Statistics household survey reports that, overall, “Colorado has recovered to its pre-pandemic

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employment level.”

Finally, it will surprise no one to hear that, “As a share of Colorado’s total employment, the professional and business services sector has grown by almost 7.3% since the start of 2020,” according to the CSI report. In a presentation to CSI’s

Eggs and the Economy Group on June 16, CSI Senior Economist Steve Byers, Ph.D, said that the professional and business services sector, “saw the most job growth (+45,700 jobs) and is equal to 58.14% of Colorado’s total job growth.” fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

ARAPAHOE COUNTY C NVERSATIONS Put some joy back into your commute! Join us for Bike to Work Day on Wednesday, June 28. Arapahoe County is hosting hot breakfast stations at the Arapahoe Road Trailhead in Centennial and along the Mary Carter Greenway in Littleton.

Find out more and plan your route: arapahoegov.com/biketowork

Supporting older adults The Arapahoe County Council on Aging (ACCoA)advocates for the older adults in our community by supporting funding opportunities and promoting programs and services for our residents.

Check out upcoming events and programs at accoa.info.

Serving Arapahoe County for 40 Years Keep up on your city, people, politics & social events

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

The graph from CSI depicts the changes in employment sectors since January 2020.

join us June 30, 2023 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Arapahoe County Fairgrounds East Hall

Veterans and those currently serving in the military, bring your families to the Stand Down event.

There will be food, resources, a job fair, and more. Scan the QR code with your smartphone for details.

Questions?

Call 303-738-7892 or 303-738-8047

arapahoegov.com

Visit arapahoegov.com/osmasterplan to read the DIVE summary report.

WEEK OF JUNE 19

PAGE 4 | THE VILLAGER • June 22, 2023

The Villager

,

I enjoyed visiting to leave the county. The with my three daugh“ancient” documents ters and son on Father’s contain some of the best Day. ! am blessed to history about early-day have four wonderful history when we were children who just a Kansas terhave grown to ritory. Gold was be successful, discovered in talented, and 1859, and miners caring adults. arrived by the All live in the thousands seekarea, and their ing fortunes. Earmother and I ly-day newspaenjoy their com- BY BOB SWEENEY pers flourished, pany, along with but only the Weekly Register-Call keeping track of our two grandchildren, who remains as a historic are super busy building treasure. News reports careers and a third one, last week relate that The Pueblo Chieftain, who will be a senior in the oldest daily newspahigh school next year per in Colorado, started seeking out college opin 1867, was closing portunities. it’s printing plant and While all four of our would print at the Denchildren have been involved in the publishing ver Post plant. They currently print 72 pubbusiness, my grandlications who will have children have “left the to relocate to the few farm,” so to speak and remaining newspaper are pursuing other occupations. One possible print sites. This may impact some of the Colreason for this is that orado Media publicathey witnessed their tions that print in Puebparents and grandparlo. We print our newsents working 7/24 in the newspaper business papers in Berthoud that is the Loveland press and chose to pursue operated by Prairie other careers. Believe Mountain, a division of me, the news business is a demanding lifestyle The Denver Post.

In the old days newsof writing stories, gopapers would run news ing to meetings, taking from the little commumessages, and staynities in the circulation ing abreast of current territory. The news events. Most of our items were sent to the readers have no idea newspaper by rural, what it takes to round resident reporters who up news on a short knew what was happendeadline and publish it ing, who went to town, all correctly on deadline. I’ve loved the busi- who had Sunday dinners, who got married, ness for over 6 decades and who died. These and I like the involveitems were printed unment with people from der the headings, Mayall walks of life. bell News, Lay News, Newspapers record Hamilton News, Baggs and write history as it Wyoming News, et. al. happens, witnessing It all came together the events and writwhen the editor read ing about the people the letters and gave involved. We have them to the linotype bound volumes of all the newspapers that we operator, who would set the stories in lead type have every printed in our long careers. In my and prepared the pages for the newspaper hometown of Craig, the printing press. volumes have been givAfter the Watergate en to the local museum. scandal, and the rise of In Gilpin County, investigative reporting, where we own and opnews focused more on erate the oldest newsgovernment and less paper in Colorado, on Sunday dinners, and started in 1862, the newspaper volumes are who went to town on Saturday afternoons. stored safely in mayor Spellman’s office, never Hungry for local news,

it gave rise to talk radio and eventually the rise of social media that we live with today.

Being somewhat old-fashioned at our newspapers we still like to cover events and report on local people.

Obituaries about friends and neighbors are also appreciated by family and friends. Did you ever think about the fact that newspapers report on your birth and your death? That’s quite a responsibility and it’s been said with some truth “That is the only time you want your name to appear in print.” However, mainly that applies to police reports. Otherwise, our news stories adorn many refrigerator doors and scrapbooks to this day. The printed word lasts forever and is not going away, even with the world of technology.

Some years back a young lady called me to ask not to print her name in the police report on a minor traffic incident. “Please don’t print my name in the paper she said, “my dad doesn’t know about the ticket.” What she didn’t know is that we didn’t print minor’s names anyway, but I agreed to not print her name if she would tell her father about the incident.

She agreed, and her name never appeared.

Another incident occurred in Hayden, Co. where our editor of the Hayden Valley Press went elk hunting out of season with some friends. Back in the 1960s it was not a heinous crime like today.

They were successful and were apprehended by a game warden with a minor fine, but a news story. My guilty editor asked that we leave it out of the newspaper, I responded, “No Nick, not only that, but we’re going to put it on the front page for all to see.

You are not above the law.” Where have we heard that phrase recently?

He was angry about

The contributor’s name, hometown and phone number must accompany all letters to the editor for verification and we reserve the right to edit contributions for space. We attempt to verify all matters of fact but hold contributors liable for the content, accuracy and fairness of their contributions. Letters deadline 10 am Monday. Please limit to 300 words.

the decision, but the story appeared in his hometown paper. He framed the story and placed it on the wall above his desk. Down through the years, when someone didn’t like a story or wanted it out of the newspaper, he would point to the story on the wall and say, “No dice, what was good enough for me is good enough for you.”

He thanked me in time for the decision and the story quickly went away. Transparency in the news business is essential for all. Local newspapers have always been the best source for accurate news reporting because we’re part of the community. Today, with so many sources of information, it is difficult to sort fact from fiction. I worry about what will happen if newspapers disappear and only Facebook, blogs, and social media continue with personal bias and opinions. News sources have become partisan and fragmented.

I had one other experience in my old hometown of Craig, where I cut my teeth in the newspaper world. The week of Christmas, I had a call from a weeping woman. The wife of a male classmate of mine had drifted into alcoholism leaving his wife and two children in poverty. She related that she had been apprehended at the local grocery store stealing toys for her children.

The report arrived from the local police report, but I didn’t print her name. I still feel good about that decision, right or wrong. In small towns one’s name and reputation mean a great deal.

Father’s Day is a time to remember family and friends. It is a great day to honor fathers and share family time together.

Submit your letters by email to: gerri@villagerpublishing.com 303-773-8313

Office: 6972 S. Vine St., Suite 363, Centennial, CO 80122 • (303) 773-8313 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Arapahoe County, Colorado. (USPS 431-010) Published weekly by the Villager Publishing Co., Inc. 6972 S. Vine St., Suite 363, Centennial, CO 80122. Available for home or office delivery by U.S. Mail for $62 per year. Single copies available for $1 per issue.

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PUBLISHER & EDITOR Gerri Sweeney gerri@villagerpublishing.com PUBLISHER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com CREATIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR Susan Sweeney Lanam 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com VICE PRESIDENT/MARKETING Sharon Sweeney sharon@villagerpublishing.com LEGALS Becky Osterwald legal@villagerpublishing.com NEWS EDITOR Gerri Sweeney 303-773-8313 gerri@villagerpublishing.com GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER Freda Miklin fmiklin.villager@gmail.com 303-489-4900 REPORTER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com FASHION & LIFESTYLE Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com DESIGN/PRODUCTION MANAGER Tom McTighe production@villagerpublishing.com ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Susan Lanam — 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com Sharon Sweeney — 303-503-1388 Gerri Sweeney — 720-313-9751 gerri@villagerpublishing.com Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com Linda Kehr — 303-881-9469 linda@villagerpublishing.com Valerie LeVier — 303-773-8313 valerie@villagerpublishing.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Susan 720-270-2018 PHOTOGRAPHER Stefan Krusze — 303-717-8282 octaviangogoI@aol.com EDITORIAL COLUMNIST Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com The Villager is an award-winning, locally owned, independent newspaper. All letters to the editor must be signed. The contributor’s name, hometown and phone number must also accompany all letters to the editor for verification and we reserve the right to edit contributions for space. We attempt to verify all matters of fact but hold contributors liable for the content, accuracy and fairness of their contributions. All submissions become the property of The Villager and may be reused in any medium.

Reverend Martin Niemoller “In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak for me!”

2020 Member

QUOTE of the WEEK A little group of willful QUOTE of the WEEK men, representing no opinion but their own, have rendered the great government of the United States helpless and contemptible.

– Woodrow Wilson

June 22, 2023 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 5

Common Sense Institute meeting looks at a wide range of issues

BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER

On June 13, Common Sense Institute held its regular Eggs & the Economy breakfast meeting, where it delves into topics affecting Colorado businesses. This quarter’s meeting was called, “The Scramble,” because it covered multiple topics, including housing, employment statistics, legislation, and crime.

The event, which featured a panel consisting of Mayors Stephanie Piko of Centennial and Adam Paul of Lakewood, along with CSI Public Safety Fellow and former Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen, drew a full house of over 150 people to the AMG National Trust Bank in Greenwood Village.

Spotted in the crowd were business and non-profit icons Don & Linda Childears, political consultant Dick Wadhams, Mayors Mike Coffman of Aurora and George Lantz of Greenwood Village, Centennial City Council Members Christine Sweetland, Tammy Maurer, Mike Sutherland, Don Sheehan, and Mayor Pro Tem Rick Holt,

This graph from CSI shows that the state’s Labor Force Participation Rate was approaching pre-pandemic levels last year. As of last month, it basically achieved that goal.

Aurora City Council Member Françoise Bergan along with 2023 city council candidates Stephanie Hancock and Jono Scott, Lone Tree City Council Member Wynne Shaw, South Metro Fire Board Member Rich Sokol, CSI Board Members Dave Davia from the Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, and Robin Wise, president and CEO of Junior Achievement-Rocky Moun-

tain Inc. Even Myron Spanier from the Arapahoe County Republican Breakfast Club showed up to listen to the speakers.

CSI Executive Director Kelly Caulfield opened the program by talking about recent legislation, including SB23-303, Reduce Property Taxes and Voter-approved Revenue Change, a method to reduce 2023 residential property taxes due in 2024

and subsequent years, which will require voter approval of Proposition HH in November.

Caulfield said CSI, “will not take a position,” on the ballot issue, but “will educate voters on the complexity of the measure” to help them understand how it will impact their property taxes and future TABOR refunds if approved.

CSI Senior Economist Steven Byers, Ph.D., started off the conversation by asserting

that crime last year cost Coloradans $30 billion in “tangible and intangible” costs, but did not expound on how they were calculated. Byers pointed to increased car insurance premiums, saying he “tried to estimate” how much they had gone up due to widespread car theft and he “came up with around $500 million.”

Byers next presented a chart showing that job growth in Colorado dropped precipitously when the COVID-19 pandemic began in early spring 2020, then picked up by mid-year, and rose steadily at a high rate until early 2022, when the rate tapered off to a slower, but still rising number, through May 2023.

In a separate report, CSI reported that, between June 2022 and May 2023, our state had an unemployment rate of only 2.8%, while the national rate was 3.7% as of May 2023, thus the slower job growth rate appears to coincide with relatively full employment in our state.

Byers pointed out that Colorado’s Labor Force Participation rate (LFPR) of 68.7% is “near pre-pandemic level,” but noted it is “six percent below” what it was in the year 2008, the year with Continued page 6

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PAGE 6 | THE VILLAGER • June 22, 2023

Common Sense Institute meeting This graph from CSI depicts the trends in crime and prison population over the past 15 years.

Continued from page 5

the highest level depicted on a chart he presented that went back 23 years. He attributed the lower LFPR in 2023 compared to 2008 to an aging workforce, “declin-

ing male LFPR,” and “transfer of wealth allowing for fewer workers.”

In the area of housing, Byers said that housing prices have increased 112%, including the cost of interest, during the past

11 years. One reason he pointed to was the lack of new housing being built, noting that, “Denver Metro needs to issue 26,000 to 37,600 building permits (annually) to close the housing deficit… by 2028,” while current projections are that 21,120 permits will be issued in 2023.

Later, on that same topic, Mayor Piko said, “In Arapahoe County alone, there are over 108,000 housing units already approved by local government.

Why aren’t they being built?’”

She noted costs have increased and local governments must be flexible. In Centennial, she said, “I have yet to see us not increase density when it’s been asked of us, in the appropriate locations in our city.” She pointed to Centennial’s ongoing comprehensive housing study that has included significant public input. She also noted that she planned to work with local legislators in the coming months to help craft a plan to be considered in the next session that could be acceptable to cities, unlike SB23-213, which failed, largely under the weight of local opposition.

On the topic of housing, Mayor Paul pointed to Lakewood’s 2019 citizen-passed 1% growth cap that was “punitive to those who want to densify.” He explained that the difficulty in getting anything approved after that passed caused the development community to lose interest in Lakewood, costing local jobs.

HB23-1255, passed this year, removing the growth cap in Lakewood, Golden, and Boulder, was “a double-edged sword,” he said, because, although he did

CSI Executive Director Kelly Caulfield

CSI Senior Economist Steven Byers, Ph.D.

Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko

Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul

not support the growth cap, it was passed by voters, so moving forward will have challenges.

Both Mayor Piko and Mayor Paul said they expect their cities to opt into the affordable housing program outlined in Proposition 123, passed by the voters last year, that will provide state support for more housing.

On the topic of crime, Byers pointed to the inverse relationship, as depicted on the graph above, between the crime rate and the prison population in Colorado, going back to 2008. It shows that the period in which the crime rate began dramatically increasing as the prison population decreased largely coincided with the beginning of the pandemic, when many law enforcement officials attempted to whittle down the number of people incarcerated to minimize the impact of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus. Byers attributed the increase in car thefts, which began to spike in 2019, to a bill passed by the legislature in 2014 that made the theft of a vehicle worth under $2,000 a misdemeanor, compared to the theft of a vehicle worth more than $2,000 a felony. After seeing the rate of motor vehicle theft double between 2020 and 2022, the legislature passed SB23-097 this year, making all motor vehicle thefts, regardless of the value of the vehicle, a felony. Gov. Polis

signed that bill, SB23-097, into law on June 2.

Byers also noted that in migration in Colorado has gone from third in the country in 2015 to 18th in 2022, though the data he presented shows it is still in positive territory.

On the topic of homelessness, no one had a solution and estimated costs varied. Caulfield said that CSI independently calculated that Denver spent $1.4 billion on homelessness between 2021 and 2023. She questioned what the city’s return on investment has been?

A report by the Denver Auditor in April 2023 estimated the city spent $13.7 million on homeless encampment response between January 2019 and June 2022 but noted, significantly, that the total is likely higher because the city doesn’t do a good job of tracking it, which required the Auditor to get information from 10 city agencies to prepare its calculation.

Mayor Paul said that Denver spent $245 million on homelessness last year, which is more than Lakewood’s entire budget. In Jefferson County, he noted, “We pay for a shelter for animals, but we don’t have one for human beings.” Still, he noted, “The option of just living on the street is not an option and we’re not going to allow it.” fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

This graphic from the U.S. Census shows that Colorado’s net migration has declined but is still positive through last month.

June 22, 2023 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 7

Some local government offices open, some closed for Juneteenth

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

Juneteenth was established as a national holiday by President Biden in 2021. It commemorates the day that the words, “All slaves are free,” were posted in an order to the citizenry for the first time in the State of Texas by a Union general, who was accompanied by federal troops.

It happened on June 19, 1865, two and one-half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which was not readily accepted in some places in the South.

Government offices for Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties were closed on June 19, 2023, in observance of the holiday, as were those of the Cities of Aurora, Centennial, and Littleton, along with the City and County of Denver.

A representative of the Englewood City Manager’s office told The Villager that

Englewood city government would definitely observe the holiday beginning in 2024 but could not do so in 2023 because some of its employees are unionized and it required a change to union contracts that could not be accomplished in time this year.

A representative of Greenwood Village told us GV city government did not observe Juneteenth because GV publishes its list of observed holidays each year and Juneteenth was not on the 2023 list of observed holidays. The GV City Council met for a two-hour study session on June 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Cherry Hills Village told The Villager that they do not close for all federal holidays and currently stay open on Juneteenth, however there is no outside construction allowed or inspections performed on Juneteenth.

City Clerk Laura Gillespie also told us, “Office hours and holidays are established through the Employee Handbook which is currently under review, so this status may change in the near future.” fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

PAGE 8 | THE VILLAGER • June 22, 2023

June 22, 2023 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 9

No lack of western grassroots spirit at two-day Western Conservative Summit 2023 Summit returns to downtown at Colorado Convention Center

One of the largest annual gatherings of conservatives outside of Washington, D. C., Western Conservative Summit (WCS) focuses on key issues facing the West and the nation, equips individuals to stand for faith, family and freedom and trains up the next generation of conservatives.

Co-chairs of Western Conservative Summit Chancellor of Colorado Christian University (CCU) Dr. Donald Sweeting and Director of Centennial Institute Jeff Hunt

“We want to inform, educate and embolden you so you leave here Western Strong.”

– Dr. Donald Sweeting

Attendees participated in dozens of unique workshops on various public policy and cultural subjects. In addition to an amazing lineup of speakers too numerous to cover in these pages, there was also entertainment, exhibits, book signings, receptions, award presentations, time to mingle and so much more! www.centennial.ccu.edu

Best-selling author and nationallysyndicated radio host Eric Mataxas was introduced by CU Regent Emeritus and former Republican Governor candidate Heidi Ganahl who has founded the podcast UNLEASED

Colorado Christian University’s Legacy Quartet was part of the patriotic Friday evening tribute to all branches of the U.S. military

A souvenir vendor promoted Trump.

One day after the federal indictment – Trump outpaced DeSantis 40.3% to 35.8% in the WCS straw poll. ”Approval voting” however, had DeSantis scoring 3% more approval than Trump.

Photo by Bob Sweeney

Wil Armstrong (son of the late William L. Armstrong who was president of CCU, a U.S. Senator and founder of WCS) with his wife Kristy

Hon. Hank Brown with speaker Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri (elected in 2018 as the youngest senator in America) at the book signing for his latest best seller MANHOOD

1776 Scholars at CCU with lighted candles during an especially moving song by Coffey Anderson

ABOVE: Americans for Prosperity - Colorado Deputy State Director Antonette Smith with Marcus Lee, director of grassroots operations; Rep. Ty Winter (HD 47 Southeastern Colorado) and Rep. Don Wilson (HD 30 El Paso County) LEFT: Colorado’s U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert flanked by The Villager Publishers Gerri and Bob Sweeney RIGHT: Monica Owens Beauprez,

Deborah Flora and Amy Leake BELOW: Grandparents 4 Kids

exhibitors Kevin Carney, Brenda Skoglund and Linda White surround Heidi Ganahl (in red)

From neighboring Wyoming - Communications Director Chris Berardi and Secretary of State Chuck Gray flank speaker Congresswoman Harriet Hageman Photos by Scottie Iverson

Under 30 Speech Contest winner Emily Kastens of Centennial, Colorado, presented her clever winning essay named “The U.S. Spreading a message of hope and healing, country music Express.” She was introduced by popular star Coffey Anderson was an inspiration on stage Friday Isabel Brown who is known for giving a night and encouraged the audience to support businesses voice to Generation Z Photos by Scottie Iverson with conservative values – making a statement

Kristy and Wil Armstrong visit with William L. Armstrong Award winner (WCS’s highest honor) President, CEO and General Counsel of the Alliance Defending Freedom - Kristen Waggoner Photo by Bob Sweeney

“It’s a two horse race for the Republican nomination for president,” – Jeff Hunt

License plate in nearby parking garage – surely an attendee at WCS

CCU Trustee Dr. Biff Gore on stage with Jeff Hunt

Photo by Bob Sweeney

PAGE 10 | THE VILLAGER • June 22, 2023

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Kitten therapy proves to be a great way to destress

kittens visiting an organization end up finding their family. It’s hard not to fall in love. While The Feline Fix does not adopt out on the spot during these visits, Life can be stressful. We all need a it does begin the conversation with that break at some point to take a few moments potential home. and walk away from that screen at work These kittens have visited colleges or a situation creating stress and anxiety. during finals week, offices around town The Feline Fix, a nonprofit serving Metro as a company benefit, and assisted living Denver has the perfacilities. The posfect solution – kitten sibilities are endless therapy! and the nonprofit A study conductloves hearing from ed by the Cats Proall types of orgatection feline charity nizations inquiring in the United Kingabout kitten therapy. dom found that peo“The Feline Fix is ple who spend time a small organization with cats or kittens doing BIG things report feeling calmfor the community er and less upset. and it is our way As reported in Medof ensuring people ical News Today, of get to know us and the cat owners who become aware of participated in their the resources we survey, 87 percent provide,” says Stabelieved cey Baum, that sharing Director of their lives Developwith a cat ment and improved Markettheir overall ing. “We well-being, have been while 76 around for percent felt that their cats helped them over 20 years and in that time, we have cope with daily stress much better. fixed over 49,000 cats, not only making “Sitting with a relaxed purring cat at the an enormous dent in the feral and stray end of a hectic day is a soothing massage cat populations in Metro Denver and surfor the soul,” explains Beth Skillings, a rounding areas, but also taking thousands clinical veterinary officer at Cats Protecof kittens off the streets that would othtion. She goes on to say, “Perhaps this is erwise be condemned to a very hard life because the reassuring hum is generally and not survive long.” associated with calmness and gentle comTo learn more about The Feline Fix munication, or perhaps it is because the Kitten Therapy program and the work frequency of the vibration is in the range they do, visit TheFelineFix.org or feel that can stimulate healing.” free to attend their upcoming free breakSo where can you hang out, hold, and fast at The Curtis Ballroom in Greencuddle with a small kitten who will give wood Village on Wednesday, June 28th. you some kitten therapy? The Feline Fix You will find more information about offers this to various types of organithat event on their website. zations, schools, and companies across For more than two decades, The FeMetro Denver to educate more people on line Fix has championed the welfare of what they do. While they have a low-cost all cats via four primary focus areas: spay/neuter clinic in Commerce City, Spay/Neuter Services, Wellness Clinics, helping ensure feral, stray, and pet cats get Fostering & Adoption, and a trap-neufixed, the organization also has a foster ter-return (TNR) Program. care and adoption program. This allows The Feline Fix is one of Colorado's The Feline Fix to take in feral and stray leading spay/neuter resources for free kittens, utilize their foster network to care roaming "community" cats and othfor and socialize them, and ultimately en- er vulnerable or under-resourced cats sure they will make great pets when they and kittens. To date they have spayed/ are ready to find their forever home. neutered more than 49,000 cats at their If you’re wondering if these little kitten clinic, preventing the births of hundreds therapists are available for adoption, the of thousands of unwanted cats in Denanswer is a resounding yes! Often, the ver and its surrounding areas.

A local Denver nonprofit brings these kittens to you!

June 22, 2023 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 11

Great Outdoors Colorado GOCO board awards $350K grant to (GOCO) invests a portion of Lottery proceeds permanently conserve the High Line Canal Colorado to help preserve and enhance The Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) board awarded a $350,000 grant to support the High Line Canal Conservancy’s (the Conservancy) work to permanently protect the High Line Canal as a regional open space.

The grant is part of GOCO’s Land Acquisition program, which supports urban and rural landscape, waterway, and habitat protection priorities and improves access to the outdoors.

This 71-mile, 860-acre

corridor provides valuable recreation access for the Denver-metro region, winding through some of its most diverse communities and connecting neighbors to schools, community centers, and over 8,000 acres of parks and open spaces. The Canal spans communities in Denver, Douglas, Adams, and Arapahoe Counties, passing through a diversity of Front Range ecosystems along the way.

The High Line Canal is in a time of transition as its owner,

Serving BOOK Arapahoe REVIEW County for 41 Years Keep up on your city, people, politics & social events

Denver Water, reduces its reliance on the Canal for irrigation delivery. The Conservancy is planning for its future as a recreational, ecological, historical, and stormwater resource.

“Permanent protection of the Canal has been a top-line goal of ou r board and organization since the beginning in 2014. It’s extremely exciting to be actively working with Denver Water, Arapahoe County and other local governmental partners toward a

Villager

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the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces.

GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Created when voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1992, GOCO has since funded more than 5,600 projects in all 64 counties of Colorado without any tax dollar support. Visit GOCO.org for more information.

Villager

BOOK REVIEW

Apples Never Fall

Apples Never Fall was published in 2021 by Liane Moriarty.

I was already a fan of this author from her books Big Little Lies, The Husband’s Secret, and What Alice Forgot. I knew I liked Morairty’s style of writing, and I was not disappointed with her latest book. The author is Australian, and the setting of Apples Never Fall is modern day Sydney. The book begins asking the question, “If your mother was missing, would you tell the police?

Even if the most obvious suspect was your father?”

The four adult Delaney children must figure out what to do when their mum is nowhere to be found.

Their father seems guilty of something. Could the disappearance be linked to a strange visitor to the family home six months prior? Lots of secrets to unravel. Relationships of each sibling and the parents are revealed. This book is part mystery and part comedy that kept me guessing and changing my thought of

permanent protection vehicle,” says Harriet Crittenden LaMair, High Line Canal Conservancy CEO. To date, GOCO has invested $33.6 million in Arapahoe County and partnered to conserve more than 2,200 acres of land there. GOCO funding has supported Cherry Creek State Park, Mary Carter Greenway, South Platte Greenway, Buckley Air Force Buffer, and the Generation Wild community Sheridan Inspire, among other projects.

Running with Sherman

To learn more about Lisa and her books, visit her website, www.LisaJShultz.com.

To read more book reviews, follow her on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ LisaJShultz. Lisa loves speaking to groups, and she would be happy attend your book club.

Call her at 303-881-9338. what happened all the way through.

I really liked listening to the reader on Audible. I was very entertained by this book, and I look forward to more novels by Moriarty.

Published in 2019 by Chris McDougall, this is a book that runners and non-runners will enjoy. McDougall agreed to take care of a donkey rescued from an animal hoarder. He wasn’t sure the donkey, who he named Sherman, would survive initially.

McDougall’s family lived in the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. As they began a rehabilitation program for the sick donkey, many others also became involved within their community. Eventually McDougall set his sights on training Sherman for burro racing in Fairplay, Colorado. This goal involved lots of running and assistance of others to make going to the race in Colorado a reality.

This true story shows the life-changing power of animals when rescued and brought into the fold of our lives. The tale is inspiring, and I learned a lot about

To learn more about Lisa and her books, visit her website, www.LisaJShultz.com.

To read more book reviews, follow her on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ LisaJShultz. Lisa loves speaking to groups, and she would be happy attend your book club.

Call her at 303-881-9338. donkeys, Amish life, burro racing in Fairplay, and the power of community when one sets out to achieve a seemingly impossible goal.

PAGE 12 | THE VILLAGER • June 22, 2023

Health insurance options after a spouse retires

Dear Savvy Senior, My 63-year-old wife, who’s doesn’t work, is on my health insurance plan through my employer. When I retire next month and go on Medicare, what are our options for getting her health coverage until she turns 65? Is there some kind of Medicare coverage for dependent spouses?

Need Insurance

Dear Need, Unfortunately, Medicare does not provide family coverage to younger spouses or dependent children when you qualify for Medicare. Nobody can obtain Medicare benefits before age 65, unless eligible at a younger age because of disability. With that said, here are your best options for covering your wife.

Affordable Care Act

In most cases, your best choice is to get your wife an individual health insurance policy through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance Marketplace (a.k.a. Obamacare). The

BY DONALD PETERSON Dear Readers, Fraud Alert: Don’t be fooled by the recent PayPal and Social Security scams!

EXTORTION SCAMS

Also referred to as imposter scams, scammers will pretend to be someone they are not and their method of extortion is to use scare tactics to get money out of their victims. Two recent imposter scams are the PayPal/Purchase Receipt scam and the Social Security tech support scam.

Pay Pal Purchase Receipt Scam

You receive a letter, a Purchase e-mail Receipt, or a call from a purported merchant (such as “Independence Armory, LLC”) advising that: “$774.40 has successfully been charged against your PayPal account for a Rock Ultra FS 45ACP 8RD Pistol”. The letter or Purchase e-mail Receipt contains an Invoice ID and advises that you should log onto your PayPal account to view the complete invoice details; however there is

Marketplace offers comprehensive health coverage, and she won’t be denied coverage or charged extra for preexisting health conditions.

And thanks to the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act, the Marketplace now provides enhanced subsidies through 2025. If your income falls below the 400 percent poverty level after you retire – anything below $73,240 for a couple or $54,360 for a single in 2023 – your wife will be eligible for a tax credit that will reduce the amount you’ll have to pay for her policy. The Marketplace also ensures that households with incomes above that 400 percent poverty level will not have to pay more than 8.5 percent of their income for a benchmark policy.

To see how much subsidy you may be eligible for, use Kaiser Family Foundation calculator at KFF.org/interactive/

also wording advising: “… this charge might take a few hours to appear on your statement as a payment to Independence Armory, LLC”.

This is followed by a 1-800 Toll Free number for you to call the purported merchant, as well as the merchant’s e-mail address.

You are infuriated to learn about this unauthorized charge against your PayPal account, as you certainly did not purchase a gun and feel this error must be corrected immediately! The letter or Purchase e-mail Receipt further states: “If you have not authorized this purchase, we suggest you contact our dispute team immediately and file a case” by calling the same 1-800 Toll Free number. The letter/Receipt also advises of a short deadline to raise a dispute to the merchant’s Dispute Department, to get refunded.

Do not be fooled. Do not respond or call the merchant’s 1-800 Toll Free number. Otherwise, you are likely to be duped into giving your personal information, in an attempt to rectify the error, only to later learn that your personal information has been fraudulently used to drain your account, or allow others to impersonate you, to obtain loans or credit cards in your name, without your knowledge.

SOCIAL SECURITY TECH SUPPORT SCAM

You get a call from someone who says he’s a computer technician with the Department of Social Security.

subsidy-calculator.

To shop for Marketplace plans in your state, visit HealthCare.gov or call 800-318-2596.

Or, if you want some extra help, contact a Marketplace-certified agent or broker at HealthCare.gov/ find-assistance.

COBRA

Another option is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), which is a federal law that would allow your wife to remain with your company insurance plan for at least 18 months after you make the switch to Medicare. But not every employer plan is COBRA eligible. Contact your employer benefits administrator to find out if yours is one of them.

You also need to be aware that COBRA is not cheap, requiring you to pay the full monthly premium yourself.

But, if you’ve already met or nearly met your employer plan’s He tells you that a virus has affected your Social Security account, including the monthly payments. He says the he can correct the issue now, if you will provide him with your personal information over the phone, or give him access to your computer. These scammers might want to sell you useless services, steal your credit card number, get access to your computer to steal personal files stored on the computer, install malware, or all of the above.

The caller may know some of your Social Security number. And your caller ID might show a Washington, D.C. area code. The real Department of Social Security won’t ask you to resolve alleged issues on your account by having you pay with a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfers. They also won’t ask for a credit card over the phone. And when the Department of Social Security contacts you about your account, they do it by mail, not by phone. Keep in mind that caller ID’s are often faked, a ploy that is known as “spoofing”, to scare you into picking up the receiver.

To prevent being taken in these scams: Never give control of your computer or your personal or credit card information to someone who calls you out of the blue.

Report the scam to the Colorado Consumer Line at (800) 222-4444 or the Federal Trade Commission at (877) 382-4357 or www.ftc.gov.

deductible or out-of-pocket maximum for the year, and don’t want your wife to start over with a new plan; or if you find your employer’s health plan to be more affordable than the Marketplace plans, it makes sense for your wife to keep her current coverage under COBRA.

Healthcare sharing ministries

If you can’t find an affordable Marketplace plan and COBRA is too expensive, the next option is short-term health insurance.

These plans, which are not available in every state, are cheaper, bare-bones health plans that provide coverage for one to 12 months and may be renewed for up to three years in some states.

But be aware that short-term plans don’t comply with the ACA so they can deny sick people coverage, they don’t cover preexisting conditions, and they can exclude coverage essentials like prescription drugs.

To find and compare shortterm health plans, try sites like eHealthInsurance.com or PivotHealth.com.

One other coverage option you should know about is healthcare sharing ministries (HCSM). These are cost-sharing health plans in which members – who typically share a religious belief – make monthly payments to cover expenses of other members, including themselves.

HCSM’s are cheaper than paying full out-of-pocket costs for traditional health insurance but be aware that HCSM’s are not health insurance. They don’t have to comply with the consumer protections of the ACA. They can also reject or limit coverage for having pre-existing health issues and can limit how much you’ll be reimbursed for your medical costs.

To look for HCSM plans, comparison shop at the three largest providers: SamaritanMinistries.org, MyChristianCare.org and Chministries. org.

Never answer the phone.

Instead, let the message roll into voicemail and then delete it.

Never send money, even if you believe it’s a legitimate call. Don’t wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card or gift card, because once you send it, the money is gone. If you have questions regarding your Social Security account, visit www.ssa. gov or call 1 (800) 772-1213.

What are the four key medical/estate plan documents you need now?

Many of my clients have asked what are the critical documents needed, particularly in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simply 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 doc-

uments 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.

Short-Term Health Insurance

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: Donald Glenn Peterson, Esq. Don Peterson Law Firm 4100 E. Mississippi Avenue, Suite 410 Denver, CO 80246

Phone: (303) 758-0999 E-Mail: Donald@PetersonLaw.co Website: www.donpetersonlawfirm.com

June 22, 2023 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 13

‘23 NBA draft tonight recalls ’14 for Nuggets

The 2023 National Basketball Association Draft is tonight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn—the same place the 2014 draft was held.

And the burning question, at least in Denver, is not who will be chosen No. 1, but rather who will be Nos. 37 and 40 in the second round.

Nine years ago in Brooklyn, it was No. 41, and the answer, as Nuggets fans everywhere now know, was Nikola Jokic.

Not even Nuggets scouts could have imagined that their raw 41st pick that night would develop into a two-time league most valuable player, NBA champion and Finals MVP. Tonight (barring a trade), the Nuggets are without a first-round pick but have—not one but two—picks in the second round (No. 37 because of a trade with Oklahoma City during the NBA Finals).

The 2014 draft that improbably produced one of the sport’s greatest players was significant for Denver in another, albeit convoluted, way, too: Aaron Gordon, one of Jokic’s key teammates on this year’s NBA Champions, was the fourth player chosen, by Orlando.

Seven picks later, Doug McDermott of Creighton was Denver’s first choice.

Jusuf Nurkic, from Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Gary Harris (Michigan State) were both chosen by Chicago (16th and 19th, respectively).

McDermott never donned a Nuggets uniform, and neither Nurkic nor Harris ever wore the red and black made famous by Michael Jordan.

The day they were drafted, McDermott, the nation’s leading scorer and College Player of the Year for the 2013-14 season, was traded to Chicago for Nurkic and Harris.

Harris started 325 games for Denver, then the Nuggets and Magic agreed to a multi-player swap that sent Harris to Florida and brought Gordon to Colorado.

And the 6-11 Nurkic started ahead of Jokic until December 15, 2016, when Nuggets coach Mike Malone made a fateful switch. Unhappy with his demotion, Nurkic requested a trade.

The Nuggets obliged, sending Nurkic to Portland, where he has remained as Jokic blossomed.

Since 2014, the 41st player drafted each year has been, at best, a journeyman, which is what you’d expect. (One

played in Israel and Greece; another has yet to make it out of G League.)

Pat Connaughton, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Notre Dame, was taken by the Brooklyn Nets at 41 the year after Jokic. He has had the best career of all the post-Jokic 41s. Traded on Draft Day to Portland, Connaughton played three seasons with the Trailblazers then signed as a free agent with Milwaukee. This season was his fifth with the Bucks.

In succeeding years, the 41st pick has included: 2016—Stephen Zimmerman, a 7-foot center from UNLV, by Orlando; 2017—Tyler Dorsey, a 6-5 shooting guard from Oregon,

by Atlanta (Jamaal Murray was the Nuggets’ choice with the seventh pick.); 2018—Jarred Vanderbilt, a 6-8 forward from Kentucky who started his NBA career with Denver after being traded by Orlando; he played against the Nuggets last month as a member of the Lakers (Denver selected Michael J. Porter Jr. 14th in this draft.); 2019—Eric Paschall, a 6-6 power forward from UConn,

by Golden State; 2020—Tre Jones, a 6-1 point guard from Duke, by San Antonio; 2021—Joe Wieskamp, a 6-6 small forward from Iowa, also by San Antonio; and 2022—E.J. Liddell, a 6-7

power forward from Ohio State by New Orleans. (With the 21st pick, Denver added Christian Braun of Kansas, who became the fifth player in history to play on an NBA champion the year after being a member of an NCAA champion.)

Denver picked seventh the year AFTER Jokic was chosen. That draft is proof that a team can’t always count on Joker-like good fortune, even in the first round.

The Nuggets chose guard Emmanuel Mudiay, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Six slots later, the Phoenix Suns hit on Devin Booker from Kentucky.

Booker has become a dynamic scorer—27.8 points per game this season and 23.9 over eight years in the league. Mudiay was traded by the Nuggets during his third season and last played in the NBA in ‘21-22—a total of 11 minutes for Sacramento, his fourth team.

Because the new NBA champs have not only The Joker but also the rest of the starting five under contract, Nos. 37 and 40 can be long-range prospects (as Jokich was) or spare parts that strengthen the bench (as Braun last year).

Food for thought as the draft unfolds tonight.

Denny Dressman is a veteran of 43 years in the newspaper business, including 25 at the Rocky Mountain News, where he began as executive sports editor. He is the author of 15 books, nine of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@ comcast.net.

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PAGE14 22||THE THEVILLAGER VILLAGER •• June June22, 8, 2023 PAGE 2023

LEGALS

Keith Gardner Appointed to South Suburban Board of Directors The South Suburban Board of Directors appointed Centennial resident Keith Gardner to fill the vacant board seat at their June 14 regular business meeting. Gardner was sworn in at the meeting and will serve the remainder of the vacant term (2025), due to the passing of David Lawful.

Gardner joins current board members Pete Barrett, Pam Eller, Ken Lucas and Susan Pye. “We had several qualified applicants apply,” said Board

Chair Susan Pye. “I feel that Keith’s experience on Centennial city council and goal of financial stability and future planning will contribute to South Suburban’s continued success.”

Gardner has been a District resident for 24 years, serving on the Centennial city council from 2008-2016. Other board experience includes Littleton Fire Protection District (2012-2018), Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority (20162018), and Centennial represen-

tative for Open Space Advisory Board (2015-2016). Gardner is an avid runner, frequenting the High Line Canal trail, while his children have participated in several South Suburban sports camps.

The South Suburban Board of Directors is comprised of five District residents all serving atlarge, who help guide the directions of parks and recreation in the community. Public meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.

FIRST PLACE Best Public Notice Section

2017 FIRST

2018 NNA Better Newspaper

PLACE — Best Section

Advertising Contest Award-winning Newspaper

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:

COURTS DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO 7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112

•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 alternate audio option of calling in to the number below.

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, Petitioner, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE GAREY and KAILEB WISE Children, And concerning AMY WISE and DAWANE GAREY, Respondents.

Linda Arnold, Reg. No. 16764 Office of the Arapahoe County Attorney Attorney for the People Arapahoe County Department of Human Services 14980 East Alameda Drive, Aurora, CO 80012 larnold@arapahoegov.com Tel: 303-636-1882 Fax: 303-6361889 NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY COURT TRIAL AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT REGARDING RESPONDENT FATHER DAWANE GAREY Case No: 23JV42 Division: 23 To The Respondents: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Court Trial regarding RESPONDENT FATHER DAWANE GAREY is set for July 21, 2023 at the hour of 11:45 a.m., in Division 23, at the Arapahoe County District Court. The Arapahoe County District Court is holding hearings via Cisco WebEx Meetings to

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 #, #).

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 will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child(ren), dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code. /s/Linda Arnold Linda Arnold, Reg. No. 16764 Senior Assistant County Attorney Published in The Villager Published: June 22, 2023 Legal # 11242 ___________________________ DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO 7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO,

Petitioner, IN THE INTEREST OF ELIJAH MALAYY Child, and concerning VLADISLAVA MALAYA and JUAN BEAVER Respondents.

Linda Arnold, Reg. No. 16764 Office of the Arapahoe County Attorney Attorney for the People Arapahoe County Department of Human Services 14980 East Alameda Drive, Aurora, CO 80012 larnold@arapahoegov.com Tel: 303-636-1882 Fax: 303-6361889 NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY COURT TRIAL AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT REGARDING RESPONDENT FATHER JUAN BEAVER Case No: 23JV49 Division: 23 To The Respondents: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Court Trial regarding RESPONDENT FATHER JUAN BEAVER is set for July 14, 2023 at the hour of 11:00 a.m., in Division 23, at the Arapahoe County 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

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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 and enter access code 2598 320 5548 (followed by #, #).

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 will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child(ren), dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code. /s/Linda Arnold #16764 Linda Arnold, Reg. No. 16764 Senior Assistant County Attorney Published in The Villager Published: June 22, 2023 Legal # 11243 ___________________________\ DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE STATE OF COLORADO 7325 South Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado (303) 649-6355 Telephone

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO In the Interest of: LUIS RAMIREZ JR., Child, and concerning REBECCA MARTINEZ, LUIS RAMIREZ SR., and ANDRES AYALA, Respondents.

Erinn Walz, Reg. #43200 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for Petitioner 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 Tel: (303) 636-1821 Fax: (303) 636-1889 Case No: 22JV30011 Division: 22 NOTICE OF PATERNITY AND REVIEW HEARING CONCERNING THE MINOR CHILD LUIS RAMIREZ JR. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the above captioned matter has been set for a Paternity Hearing in this action regarding the minor child, LUIS RAMIREZ, JR., on July 11, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. (MST) in Division 22 at the Arapahoe County District Court, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED

that the People of the State of Colorado may request the Court enter an order finding that you are the legal parent of the above named child(ren), entering an order requiring you to pay reasonable and necessary support pursuant to §19-4- 116(6), on a monthly basis on a monthly basis commencing immediately for the support of the child(ren), entering a judgment for child support debt pursuant to §1414-104, C.R.S., medical support, and to grant such further relief as the Court deems proper.

YOU ARE ADVISED, that you have the right to be represented by counsel at every stage of these proceedings. In accordance with C.R.S. §19-4-105.5, you also may have the right to request genetic testing. A request for genetic test shall not prejudice the requesting party in matters concerning allocation of parental responsibilities. If genetic tests are not obtained prior to the legal establishment of paternity and submitted into evidence prior to the entry of the final order establishing paternity, the genetic tests may not be allowed into evidence at a later date.

The Arapahoe County District Court is holding this hearing 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-Div22 • 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 attendee ID is needed).

YOU ARE FURTHER COMMANDED to appear before the Court at said time and place, either in person or by Cisco WebEx Meetings. If you elect to appear in person, you must be at the Courthouse a half hour before the hearing is scheduled to begin.

Date: May 31, 2023 Erinn Walz, Esq. #43200 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for Petitioner Published in The Villager Published: June 22, 2023 Legal # 11245 ___________________________\

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE ORDINANCE 4, SERIES 2023 A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING ARTICLES I THROUGH IX OF CHAPTER 18 OF THE CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING BUILDING AND FIRE REGULATIONS; ADOPTING BY REFERENCE, WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS, THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE, THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE, THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, THE 2021 NATIONAL GREEN BUILDING STANDARD, THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE, THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE, THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE, THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE, THE 2023 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, AND THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF Copies of the Ordinances are on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.

Published in The Villager Published: June 22, 2023 Legal # 11246 __________________________

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Frank L. Watson, a/k/a Frank Watson a/k/a Frank Lewis Watson Deceased Case Number: 2023PR30570 All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe, County, Colorado or on or before October 16, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Gabriel Gelman 8480 E. Orchard Road, Suite 5000 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Published in The Villager First Publication: June 8, 2023 Last Publication: June 22, 2023 Legal # 11235 ___________________________

June 22, 2023 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 15 Colorado Statewide

PARK MEADOWS SUMMER SUNSET SERIES Thursdays, 4- 9 p.m. JUNE 29, JULY 13, JULY 27 AUG. 10, AUG. 24. Enjoy a summer sunset stroll in the Vistas at Park Meadows with a cocktail in hand, live music, shopping, photo ops, activities for kids and a chance to win a summer get away.

TO WORK DAY JUNE 28, BIKETOWORKDAY.co The City will host the morning session from 6:309:00 a.m. and feature bacon & fruit. The Chamber will host the afternoon session from 3-6 p.m. with cookies sponsored by Chik-Fil-A Broadway. To pledge to ride email lindsey@myenglewoodchamber. com

POOL TOURNAMENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ALZHEIMER’S JUNE 24, 10 a.m. at Willowbrook Place, an Anthem Memory Care Community in Littleton- sign up- with the tournament at 12 noon. Funds raised for the Alzheimer’s Assoc. Colorado. Raffle prizes, a silent auction $500 shot game and a player exchange auction. VNEA rules, double elimination and alternate break.

Tournament fee, $30 per player. The player exchange auction is $25. Contact Anna Cusic at 719-640-5532 or acusic@ anthemmemorycare.com

ARAPAHOE COUNTY BIKE TO WORK DAY JUNE 28. Arapahoe County is hosting hot breakfast stations at the Arapahoe Road Trailhead in Centennial and along the Mary Carter Greenway in Littleton. Info: arapahoegov.com/biketowork

CENTRAL CITY OPERA OPENING NIGHT ROMEO & JULIET JUNE 24, 7 p.m. William Shakespeare’s famous love story told through the romantic melodies of Charles Gounod.

Performances June 24, 30, 7 p.m.; July 2, 8, 2 p.m. July 12, 15, 21, 28, 30 at 7 p.m. and Aug. 2, 4 at 7 p.m. Buy tickets from centralcityopera.org ART SMART SUMMER JUNE 26-JULY 24. The Children’s Art School invites young artists to a summer of creative discoveries. Three hour morning and afternoon sessions at 2290 South Clayton St. in the University Park neighborhood. Info: visit www.artcreates. org CITY OF ENGLEWOOD & ENGLEWOOD CHAMBER - BIKE

GREATER ENGLEWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING JUNE 30, Broadway Collective, 4045 S. Broadway, Englewood. Free and open to the public. RSVP: info@ myenglewoodchamber.com VETERANS STAND DOWN JUNE 30, at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. Volunteers are needed to help staff the event. Visit arapahoegov.com/ volunteer for details.

VETERANS STAND DOWN EVENT JUNE 30, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Arapahoe County Fairgrounds East Hall. For Veterans and those currently serving in the military.

Food, resources, a job fair, and more.

Questions? Call 303-738-7892 or 303738-8047 19TH ANNUAL MILE HIGH INTERNATIONAL PASTEL EXHIBITION MAY 12-JULY 1. Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30, Sat. 10-4 Hosted by Curtis Center for the Arts.

Showcasing 85 paintings in a variety of styles and subject matter in partnership with the Pastel Society of Colorado. This year’s juror is Aaron Shue, an accomplished pastel artist from Montana. He chose 85 pieces from 328 entries submitted by 117 artists from across the country. The works are on display and free to view.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIR JULY 27-30. Be a volunteer! Visit arapahoegov.com/volunteer for details.

DENVER LYRIC OPERA GUILD DLOG SUMMER PARTY AUGUST 12. A French-themed Luncheon at Columbine Country Club. Tickets available at the DLOG website in mid-June.

SAVE THE DATE! TAPS: TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS WESTERN-THEMED GALA SEPT. 9 at Wings Over the Rockies.

Founders, Lynne and Bo Cottrell, in 2005 will be honored. The Cottrell’s will be stepping down as directors of the event. The event raises funds for military survivors. Featuring country legend Pam Tillis and singer/songwriter Gary Morris.

Also a special performance by Frank Moscato, an American Idol Gold Ticket winner. INFO: visit TAPS.org/Colorado WHAT’S NEW? DENVER’S WYNAHAM CLARK WINS THE U.S. OPEN This is his first major title, closing with an even-par 70 to beat Rory McElroy by one shot. Clark in a Valor Christian High School graduate and played golf at Cherry Hills County Club. Clark won the Class 4x state title in 2009 and 2011 while at Valor Christian.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE is outstanding I’m in love with the Toyota RAV4 “Prime” Hybrid SUV. It is the XSE, allwheel-drive model, with a 2.5-cylinder engine with EV and HV modes. The combination produces 302 horsepower with a 120V outlet for battery charging.

I didn’t use the charging cable with 38 mpg with the efficient power train engine and transmission. Using EV only rates around 94 mpg from Toyota statistic information. The powertrain is the electronic continuous variable transmission linked to the energy sources of gasoline and battery power. The result is an SUV all-wheel drive with superior performance, instant acceleration, and an assortment of gear choices for mountain drives.

The test model is the top end of the RAV4s with a “Prime” designation because of many luxury features in safety, navigation, and comfort. Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 includes pro-collision and pedestrian detection, further lane departing alerts and steering assist and road sign alerts.

Safety features include 8 airbags with the Star Safety System that has the cross-traffic warning alert and blind spot mirror monitor. The vehicle has not been fully rated for safety but has

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The RAV4 final assembly is in Obu, Aichi, Japan with superior finish on the interior and exterior of this “Prime” SUV model. The vehicle is loaded with navigation, safety, instrument clusters, and

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PAGE 16 | THE VILLAGER • June 22, 2023

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