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July 10, 2025 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 3

Children Need Parents Recently, I was in DC at a Social Connection Conference. The panelists were so-called subject matter experts on strategies to reduce social isolation and loneliness. They opined that we need more parks and recreation activities, more arts, more hobbies and more government funding for organizations like Meals on Wheels. My heart was pounding out of my chest.

This is not what we need, we need healthy marriages, safe and stable families and most of all parents loving one another and their children.

When the winds of life blow hardest, children look for shelter. They look for arms that protect, eyes that affirm, voices that guide.

Those arms, eyes, and voices ideally belong to a mother and father. Children don’t just need food, shelter, schooling, parks, arts or hobbies, they need roots.

The deepest roots are grown in the soil of a loving, committed marriage and family.

I heard this story about eight-year-old Calvin who was sitting alone on the playground bench. His shoes were worn and his clothes ragged. He was smart, kind, and hopeful, but his eyes held a tiredness no child should carry. His teacher, Mrs. Richardson, noticed he rarely turned in homework and often dozed off in class. One afternoon, she asked him gently, “Calvin, is everything okay at home?” He looked down.

“Mom works a lot. I don’t really see her. And I don’t know where my dad is.”

Mrs. Richardson later learned that Calvin’s father had left when he was two.

His mother juggled two jobs to keep food on the table. No one was abusive.

No one was cruel. But the emotional absence of both parents was a silent thief, stealing Calvin’s confidence, his sense of identity, his foundation. Calvin wasn’t failing because he wasn’t capable. He was failing because he lacked stability, he lacked the deep, grounding love that comes when two parents raise a child together, unified in intention, purpose and presence.

Social science is unequivocal: children raised by their married, biological parents are more likely to thrive academically,

emotionally, socially, and economically. A stable marriage creates a consistent, nurturing environment where children feel safe.

They know who will tuck them in at night, who will show up at their game, who will love them unconditionally, even when they mess up.

Marriage is not merely a contract or a piece of paper, it is a sacred and secular commitment that protects children. Of course, life isn’t perfect, many single parents move heaven and earth for their kids. I know,

I was a single parent for eight years. It was brutal.

So, when I write about the ideal, optimal soil for children to flourish, I am quoting the research about healthy marriage and safe and stable families. We must stop pretending marriage is optional or outdated. It is not. For children, it is the ecosystem in which they learn trust, responsibility, and how to love for generations to succeed, thrive and flourish.

If we want to change the world, we must start at the roots. We must nourish marriage and family and support parents. There is no substitute. Children need parents. joneen@narme.org

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WEEK OF JULY 7

Opinion

PAGE 4 | THE VILLAGER • July 10, 2025

The Villager

Office: 22095 E. Chestnut Place, Aurora 80016 • (303) 773-8313 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Arapahoe County, Colorado. (USPS 431-010) Published weekly by The Villager Publishing Co., Inc. 22095 E. Chestnut Place,

ans and pioneers seeking land for livestock and farming.

This past week we celebrated the founding of our I’ve been fascinated these nation on July 4, 1776, and past several months over Benjamin Franklin advised the letters written to Indian that the founding fathers had Affairs in Washington D.C. created a Republic, if we

by Indian Agent Nathan could keep it. That has been A. Meeker. We still have a easier said than done, but his large Indian population in nation has survived many Southwest Colorado who “clashes” that still continue survived the fighting. The result of reading Meeker’s to this day. This is a troubling letters leads me to be very time, and regardless of politisympathetic to the White cal party feuds, the American River Ute Indians. The Civil Flag is still waving proudly War was ending, victorious across most of America. for the North in 1865, and the Millions of people want 16th President of The United to come to America because States Abraham Lincoln was of opportunity, freedom, and attending “Our American rule of law. Americans have Cousins,” on April 14, 1865, rejected communism, socialat Ford’s Theatre. Lincoln ism, kings and have had dywas shot in the back of the namic success with demochead by John Wilkes Booth. racy and free enterprise, and Lincoln’s untimely death had capitalism based upon skill an unplanned sullen impact and hard work. on reformation of the South, Civility should prevail but fortunately he had deamong us, and we should clared the “Emancipation heed the challenge issued by Proclamation,” prior to his Kansas Territory in search of At this time in history death, freeing the slaves. The gold. The major migration there were many gold camps Benjamin Franklin 249 years Civil War was a violent clash of Americans was very detspread out in Cripple Creek, ago. We can, and we will, meet the challenge for future of civilizations of major rimental to the vast Indian Leadville, Black Hawk and Americans to enjoy the liberproportions resulting in sav- tribes that had inhabited the Central City with 20,000 ty that we celebrated July 4, ing the Union, but with the West for centuries. The Indi- miners in Gilpin and Clear 2025. devastating death of 700,000 ans fought a losing unpopular Creek Counties. Western It’s up to each one of us to Union and Confederate solbattle to stem the flood of Colorado was still the last vote and be good American diers. Untold thousands more immigrants westward. One frontier for the Ute Indians were wounded and crippled, of the most notorious battles with the violent clash of civi- citizens for present and future with extreme suffering with was the death of Lt. George lizations between native Indi- generations.

Clashes of Civilization Cowboys and Indians Part 3: The End.

scant medical Armstrong Custer and facilities and medhis troops at the Battle icines. of Little Big Horn on Many Union the Crow Reservation in Army veterans S.W. Montana Territory spread westward on June 25-26, 1876. with vigor, esThree years later the

BY BOB SWEENEY last war ended at Milk tablishing forts in Indian country. PUBLISHER Creek, 17 miles NorthGold had been discovered in east of Nathan Meeker’s California and the “49ers” White River Indian Agency, had rushed to Sutter’s Mill September 29, resulting in seeking fortunes with some the Ute Indians losing their returning to the (Colorado) lands.

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What the Constitution Suggests about Nationwide Injunctions Apparently this 6-3 decision allows a Federal Judge to issue nationwide injunctions but only within the scope of the plaintiffs “standing.” Class action comes to mind.

I have yet to hear a valid argument for a federal judge to issue orders to the President through a nationwide injunction. But this decision appears to allow some nationwide injunctions, although it rightfully restricts this malfeasance.

Nationwide injunctions by a district judge seems to bestow too much power in a federal judge, since they are appointed by Congress, it concentrates too much power in the legislative branch.

Hand it to the far left as

they attempt to dim our hearing the sacred voice within.

They lost the Executive and Legislative branches to republicans, but that didn’t stop their pursuit for centralizing power.

They expanded lawfare against Trump using federal judges to hinder executive decisions.

When unelected officials (Federal Judges) restrain elected officials (President) it negates the principle on which our nation was founded: One of the greatest safeguards given us in the Constitution is that only those officials who

must regularly stand before the citizenry, in elections, are allowed to assess fines and taxes or issue regulations (laws) that bind citizens and negate their inalienable right to ownership of property.

This lawfare through injunctions is similar to the administrative (deep) state’s control exercised by bureaucrats through regulations. My objection in both instances is concentration of power in an unelected (not accountable to the citizens) government entity that confiscates private property, and individual right to choose, through in-

junction, taxation and regulation, is wrong.

If the executive branch is committing an unconstitutional act, then it is up to the legislative branch to clarify law and the judicial branch to render injunctions and opinions that stop such abuse. The expansion of powers through lawfare is wrong and I appreciate SCOTIS clarifying that point.

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

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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 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!”

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PAGE 6 | THE VILLAGER • July 10, 2025

Yip Foundation hosts annual Sushi Party and Art Show at AMG Dome Artists from the Denver area as well as throughout rural Colorado staged a gallery of their work FLEURISH in the beautiful AMG dome in Greenwood Village. The venue was the site of the Nathan Yip Foundation’s annual fundraiser Sushi Party that drew an even larger crowd this year to enjoy the exceptional cuisine from TOKIO.

Yoshie Hashimoto from TOKIO Kevin and Stephanie Tung with Jimmy and Linda Yip who founded the Nathan Yip Foundation (NYF) in honor of their late son Photos by Scottie Taylor Iverson RIGHT: New NYF Executive Director via Texas - Stacy Vanhoy, who brings a wealth of classroom and advocacy background, entrepreneurship and passion to enhance the mission of the Foundation; Christine Chang (recent interim executive director), sharing longtime, invaluable talent and support to the Foundation - Mike Kalush and his wife Anne Trujillo, artist Nijole Rasmussen with a few of her creations for the show BELOW: Guests enjoyed the music of Quartet Perchance

Cherry Hills Village Art Commission elects new co-chair Artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist Benjamin Ortiz-Hill will co-chair the Cherry Hills Village Art Commission (CHVAC) with current CoChair Christine Fedorowicz.

What began as his parents’ growing concern over his consistently poor grades turned out to be early signs of “creative flow”—or at least that’s how Benjamin Ortiz-Hill likes to spin it. While others called it daydreaming, he saw it as the groundwork for future ideas. Sure, he missed a few assignments, but he was busy envisioning and shaping unseen worlds.

That same imaginative spirit eventually found structure through a career in marketing and web development, where Benjamin honed his skills in storytelling, branding, and user experience.

“What drew me to the Art Commission was the opportunity to support and elevate creativity in the community. I’m especially passionate about creating more access to public art that reflects the energy and spirit of Cherry Hills Village. I love how art can connect people—sparking conversations, building relationships, and creating a shared sense of place.” - Benjamin Ortiz-Hill New CHVAC Co-Chair Benjamin Ortiz-Hill

Courtesy photo

These disciplines now form the backbone of his creative and entrepreneurial ventures—including his nonprofit work, where he applies these tools to foster meaningful impact and lasting community partnerships.

Benjamin has made a lasting mark through his leadership and creative vision, working with organizations that champion youth development and self-expression.

As the founder of BeUncommon, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting underrepresented youth, he has collaborated with and uplifted initiatives like Access Opportunity and Encircle, joining forces with

partners such as Apple and Imagine Dragons.

His work in advocacy and community-building naturally intersects with his identity as an artist. Working across mediums—from immersive projection mapping and largescale installations to intimate canvas pieces—Benjamin uses light, color, and composition to craft emotionally resonant narratives that transform

space. His multidisciplinary practice invites audiences into layered environments where reality and imagination merge.

Through both his artistic and philanthropic efforts, Benjamin continues to inspire and uplift communities— proving those early missed assignments were simply the start of a much bigger vision.

July 10, 2025 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 7

money sense

Three ways trusts can help — even if you are not rich Trusts can be an efficient way to provide a financial legacy to the people and causes you care about.

Plus, there are other benefits you may not have considered, according to Bank of America.

Many people assume that trusts are only for the very wealthy.

That is not the case. “Trusts are tools that give you very specific control over how your wealth is used and protected, no matter how much money you have,” says Kevin Hindman, managing director of Retirement & Personal Wealth Solutions at Bank of America.

Broadly speaking, you can think of a trust as a sort of container that holds your assets — from investments and real estate to even a private business. With the help of a lawyer, accountant and financial advisor, you establish the rules for what happens to the assets in your trust and who will manage it, either during your lifetime or after you die, and name beneficiaries of your choosing. You can set up a trust while you are alive to provide for the management of assets in the event that you or a loved one becomes incapacitated — a valid concern given our increased life spans compared to decades ago and the prevalence of conditions like Alzheimer’s that can require costly long-term care. But trusts are also useful in helping ensure that your money is distributed as you wish after you are gone. Here are three potential benefits to consider.

1. More control. You can use a trust to set rules or conditions about when and how your beneficiaries will receive their inheritance. For instance, if you prefer that your son complete a professional degree or pursue a career rather than buy a sports car, you could establish a trust that sets a specific age or milestone before the money becomes available, such as graduating from law school or turning 30.

Trusts also can help you reach charitable goals or improve tax efficiency. By setting up a charitable trust, for example, you can support philanthropic causes now or in the future while also providing an income stream for you or your heirs and minimizing gift or other potential taxes.

2. A measure of protection.

Trusts can help ensure that your children, grandchildren, cherished friends or other loved ones receive their inheritance if you divorce or remarry. They also can help shield assets if you or your heirs are in professions that come with a high risk of litigation. By making a trust the beneficiary of your life insurance policy — or putting the policy within a trust — you can dictate how the proceeds can be spent, adding another level of protection for your heirs. A trust

can also be used to help keep a business in the family or provide for a child with special healthcare needs.

3. Investment guidance. A trust allows you to designate a professional money manager, so if loved ones are unable to handle investments, family property or a business, they may be protected from costly mistakes. The same goes for heirs who are too young to invest and manage an inheritance. For the beneficiaries of your trust, the financial stewardship you put in place can also help ease the transition to managing the assets.

Trusts are just part of a larger plan you can put in place — and adjust over time — to establish your legacy and help protect the financial future of those you love.

For more information, contact Merrill Financial Advisor Andrew Neal in the Greenwood Village, CO, office at 303.689.8043 or andrew.neal@ml.com.

Neither Bank of America nor any of its affiliates, provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

Investing involves risk. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

This material does not take into account a client’s particular investment objectives, financial situations, or needs and is not intended as a recommendation, offer, or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or investment strategy. Merrill offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory (including financial planning) and other services. There are important differences between brokerage and investment advisory services, including the type of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and the rights and obligations of the parties. It is important to understand the differences, particularly when determining which service or services to select. For more information about these services and their differences, speak with your Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (BofA Corp.)

Bank of America, N.A. makes available The H.S.A. for Life® Health Savings Account.

Bank of America is a marketing name for the Retirement Services business of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp”). Banking activities may be performed by wholly owned banking affiliates of BofA Corp., including Bank of America N.A., Member FDIC. Please consult your tax or legal advisor regarding specific use of Health Savings Accounts. Investments can lose money.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Investment products offered through MLPF&S, and insurance and annuity products offered through MLLA.:

Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Deposits

Are Not Bank Guaranteed Are Not Insured By Any Federal Government Agency

May Lose Value Are Not a Condition to Any Banking Service or Activity

© 2024 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. | MAP6613584 | WP-07-24-0061 | 472503PM-0624 | 07/2024

PAGE 8 | THE VILLAGER • July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 9

fo l l ow F R E DA

BY FREDA MIKLIN

I am passionate about government and giving our readers straightforward information that will help them make informed choices when they vote. I am also a licensed C.P.A. and former Greenwood Village City Council member. Dr. Jerry Miklin and I are the parents of five young adults, including two sets of twins, all of whom graduated from Cherry Creek High School and college.

I am a 9-time Colo. Press Assn. award winner. If you have any questions about local or state politics or government, or something you want to share, email me at fmiklin.villager@gmail.com.

“It’s been a fun, incredible journey.” Deputy City Manager John Sheldon is leaving Greenwood Village to become City Manager of Sterling After 32 years with the City of Greenwood Village, well-liked and highly respected Deputy City Manager John Sheldon is leaving on July 18 to become the new city manager of Sterling, Colorado. He starts that job on July 28.

Last week, Sheldon sat down with The Villager to talk about his career with GV and the future.

Sheldon grew up in Texas and New Mexico, coming to Colorado to attend C.U. Boulder. His first job out of college was with Los Angeles County. During the five years he worked there, he picked up a Master’s Degree in civil engineering with an emphasis on construction management from California State University, Long Beach, returning to Colorado with his wife Becky to accept the position of city engineer with Greenwood Village in 1993.

We wanted to know if Sheldon had planned to have a career in government. He told us, “I graduated as an architectural engineer with an emphasis in structural engineering...I didn’t really know about the government side,” but he was intrigued by the offer from Los Angeles County, having never been to California. It turned out to be a great learning experience. He also discovered that government work was very gratifying when one considered the large number of people who were positively impacted by a job well done in government.

The early years of Sheldon’s career in GV saw lots

wood Village does take advantage of the opportunities they want to take advantage of. The city has been very involved in water quality, for example.” We talked about the Greenwood Gulch project in The Preserve, completed in 2018, as an example. Sheldon pointed out that it was “a great opportunity for me to work with residents,” updating a 20-year old wetlands design that was state-of-the-art when it was built in 1996 but required significant remediation 22 years later, something GV residents brought to the city’s attention.

Although he has enjoyed the breadth of responsibility he has had as GV’s Deputy City Manager, when the position opened up in Sterling that could allow him to move up, Sheldon thought, “You look around the corner and see retirement down the road. I thought to myself, if I retired without trying a city manager job, would I regret it?” After talking it over with his wife and spending some time looking around Sterling, they decided that he would apply for the job.

He looks forward to getting to know the community, its values and hopes for the future. After that, he aims to deliver what it will take to achieve them.

In closing, Sheldon told us that his time at Greenwood Village “has been very meaningful, something I will cherish and never forget.

It’s been an incredible, fun journey.”

At his last GV City Council meeting on July 7, John

Jackson said about Sheldon, “If you drive around this community, you’ll find his fingerprints on everything, from walls to roads to buildings… We are losing a good leader who has provided a tremendous benefit to this city.” Everyone in the room stood up to clap their agreement.

Although Sheldon is too modest to have shared this with us, in a radio interview after Sheldon was announced as the new city manager, interim Sterling City Manager Don Saling, who had retired from the job in 2021 but stepped in to hold the fort down in January when his replacement resigned to move home to Virginia, talked about the process that led to Sheldon’s hiring. The consultant retained by Sterling held 30-minute audio interviews with 23 applicants for the job before whittling the list down to 11, and eventually three finalists. After in-depth interviews with city council and all the department heads, including the presentation of a real-life problem Sterling is facing, asking the candidates how they would approach a solution, Sheldon was the unanimous choice of everyone on city council and all the department heads.

Saling said, “They liked his personality, his answers to questions, how he would address personnel issues, budget issues…John is a great choice, he has great experience…He’s a great addition.”

Douglas County voters overwhelmingly reject home rule status

years as a commissioner, ran for the home rule charter commission from County District 3 and would have been elected, based on the unofficial results from the Douglas County Clerk.

The decision to put the question of home rule status to Douglas County voters was made in a special meeting of the DCC on March 25.

That meeting lasted only five minutes, during which the commissioners also agreed to spend $500,000 on the election.

As of February 2023, the Colorado Municipal League lists 105 cities in Colorado as having home rule status.

Together, those cities are es-

In a June 24 special election called to decide whether Douglas County should take steps toward changing its status from a statutory to a home rule county, the voters spoke loudly and decisively, with 26,987 saying yes and 66,540 saying no, a margin of 71% to 29% against the measure.

Had the voters approved the measure, a 21-member home rule commission would have been needed to craft a home rule charter. Along with a yes or no vote on whether to proceed, the June 24 ballot included a vote for members of the home rule commission, had it been needed, three at-large and six

of growth and, under Dave Hull, mayor from 19931996, Sheldon saw “the foundation of the focus on the quality of life and the quality of service in everything we did in Greenwood Village.” That emphasis continued and grew under Mayors David Phifer, Nancy Sharpe, and Ron Rakowsky, and remains strong under Mayor George Lantz. He told us, “It was a lot of fun, doing the master drainage way stuff, water quality, the pavement, all the projects—doing it right and with quality.”

Sheldon told us about a time when a contract was being awarded for a sidewalk on Belleview Avenue, west of Dayton Street. The city council, he said, “didn’t think it was pretty enough.”

When he explained, “We have some trees along the sidewalk,” they responded, “Not enough trees, so we’re going to give you more money, to make it pretty.”

That gave him a “higher level understanding of why you do the work you do,” he told The Villager, continuing, “That’s when I understood how fortunate I had been to be introduced to the government side, and I have just enjoyed it ever since.”

Sheldon rose to be GV’s Director of Public Works in 2001. He remained in that position until moving up to be GV’s first Deputy City Manager in 2018, under John Jackson, the city’s former police chief, who was promoted to city manager in October 2017 after former City Manager Jim Sander-

John Sheldon

Photo by Freda Miklin

son retired.

Along with the many achievements Sheldon has seen during his 32 years at GV, The Villager wanted to know his perspective on any possible missed opportunities the city had foregone during his time. We reminded him that when he retired, GV Mayor Emeritus Ron Rakowsky had pointed to the failure to annex what is now Belleview Station, then Mountain View Golf Course, as fitting that category. Sheldon recalled, “Because I was part of it, the project I think could have been very good, had we been able to explore the original concept further, was Village Center. The city’s consultant for that area looked at making it a very vibrant, mixed-use development.” Then, he continued, “The 2009 housing bubble burst. Things really slowed down and a lot of momentum was lost. Property ownership started to change.

That was unfortunate, at least partly due to external influences. It could have been really great.”

He went on, “But Green-

Douglas County Commissioners Abe Laydon, George Teal, and Kevin Van Winkle

from each of the County’s three voting districts.

Seven people, including all three current Douglas County Commissioners (DCC), Abe Laydon, George Teal, and Kevin Van Winkle, ran for the three at-large seats

on the would-be home rule commission. The three commissioners came in 4th, 5th, and 6th, out of seven candidates, so, even if the vote for home rule had been positive, none of the county commissioners would have been

members of the group that would have written the home rule charter.

Former Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas, who was publicly criticized and even censured by Laydon and Teal in her final

Continued on page 9

Continued from page 8

timated to account for more than 90% of the state’s population.

Only two counties, Weld and Pitkin, out of the state’s 62 counties that are not also cities, have home rule status.

Together, those two counties account for just over 6% of the total state population.

While governance in Colo-

rado under home rule for cities includes well-established policy-setting authority in significant areas like land use and taxes, the authority for counties under home rule is different, essentially because counties are more like subdivisions of the state than are cities. For example, counties, whose commissioners run with political party affiliation, must draw their commis-

sioner districts according to the statewide anti-gerrymandering rules passed by Colorado voters in 2021, whereas cities, whose mayors and city council members run nonpartisan, are not impacted by anti-gerrymandering rules in drawing their districts.

The impact of homerule authority at the county level has more to do with how county government is

organized than substantive policy-making. Proponents of home rule, including the three sitting Republican commissioners, said it would allow the County to be more independent from the Democratic-controlled state legislature, but multiple residents expressed that they did not understand what that meant in terms of governance.

After the election, Com-

missioner George Teal vowed to continue the effort to change Douglas County to home rule, telling Denver7, “Listen, to the 80% who voted to not move forward on home rule, I would like to still continue the conversation. I didn’t hear from them that they don’t want to have the conversation. I heard they need more time. I heard they need more information.”

Colorado’s seniors are its fastest growing demographic group By 2050, Colorado will be home to nearly 500,000 more residents aged 65 and over than it is today. That is just one finding from a July 1, 2025 report by Dr. Caitlin McKennie, Common Sense Institute’s (CSI) Director of Research. The data used in the study came from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado State Demography Office.

It also revealed, “Between 2010 and 2020, Colorado’s population in the 65+ age group grew at the secondfastest rate in the nation, trailing only Alaska.”

Using another measure, in

2025, seniors comprise 17% of the state’s population. In 2050, that ratio is projected to be 21%.

By the numbers, Dr. McKennie found, “Households led by individuals 65+ will grow by 58%, from 620,981 in 2023 to 979,143 by 2050, representing 41% of all Colorado households.

Impacts of this demographic change, per the study, include: ❏ Beginning in 2030, Colorado will see 40,000 retirees annually, yet labor force participation for the 65–74 age group is projected to remain below

37%, leaving a workforce gap. ❏ Seniors remaining in their homes longer contributes to tighter housing supply, reduced availability for younger families, and rising home prices.

The pressure on the housing supply occurs because, the study reveals, “Many Coloradans tend to stay in their homes after retiring, keeping housing inventory down while raising average prices of homes.

Seniors who stay in their (family) homes after they retire keep those homes from going to younger fami-

lies, clogging up the housing pipeline and contributing to rising prices across segments. These dynamics constrain market supply and intensify competition for available units.” The lack of available, newer, smaller homes, townhomes and condos that would be attractive to seniors in the area looking to downsize has been well known and well documented for years.

Compounding the impact of the burgeoning population of senior citizens is the state’s birth rate, which has been steadily declining since 2005.

Graph from the State Demography Office that shows births peaked in 2005 and have been declining since.

Graph from the State Demography Office illustrates the 48% growth in the number of senior citizens over the next 25 years.

CSI found that Denver Public Schools projects a loss of about 6,338 students, or 8% of its current school population, which is equivalent to the combined enrollment of East High School, South High School, and Northfield High School.

Even more significantly, CSI reports, “Over the next five years, by 2030, Colorado is expected to experience a loss of 15,035 children between the ages of 0 and 17,” with the steepest declines in birth rates in the southwestern region of the state, particularly San Juan, Dolores, and Hinsdale Counties.

PAGE 10 | THE VILLAGER • July 10, 2025

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition shines I have owned and driven a half-dozen VWs of all sorts and sizes. The latest test drive Volkswagen Atlas is the largest in my drives. This special Peak model has “Avocado Green Pearl” exterior paint and a black leather interior with orange stitching

making for a very upscale appearance.

The Atlas Peak Edition is assembled in Chattanooga, TN. With a motor from Mexico and an eight-speed Tiptronic 4Motion transmission made in the USA. The power plant is a 2.0/ 4-cyl-

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There is an assortment of drive modes, and I spent my drives entirely in the sport mode because of the brisk acceleration. Mileage averages 25 mpg. on the freeways and an overall average of 20 mpg. This is a larger vehicle with an enormous trunk area with three row seating with fold up 3rd row seating.

The exterior features 18” painted black alloy wheel

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LED lights all-around with emblem lights on this special outdoor model. A special feature for the LED headlights is a stronger beam in inclement weather. Outside mirrors are large and heated for those winter snowy day drives. The panoramic tilting and sliding sunroof allows for a great view of Colorado mountains. The interior is spacious, a special feature for rear second row seating is exellent heating and ven-

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The Atlas has a perfect five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

An IQ-Safety package includes all of the major safety features such as cross traffic alerts, and special pedestrian and cyclist monitoring.

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July 10, 2025 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 11

Western Welcome Week proudly announces the 2025 Grand Marshals: The Weaver family!

Western Welcome Week (WWW) is honored to recognize Tim and Cathy Weaver, along with their son Jake, as the 2025 Grand Marshals.

Each year, the WWW Board selects Grand Marshals who embody the spirit of the celebration through their service and dedication. Fittingly, this year’s theme is “The Spirit of Generosity” — a quality the Weaver family exemplifies in both action and heart.

As longtime Littleton residents, the Weavers have demonstrated a deep commitment to their community and to Western Welcome Week through decades of involvement.

The Weaver’s all work for the City of Littleton. Tim, a 40year employee of the city, has served in a variety of roles across city departments including Finance, Community Development, and Public Works. For 26 years, he has acted as the city’s liaison to the WWW Board of Directors, a role Tim takes seriously, taking a key role as logistics chair for many of WWW’s flagship events.

He also co-chairs the beloved Taste of WWW.

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Jake, Cathy and Tim Weaver

Courtesy of Western Welcome Week

Cathy Weaver, a dedicated member of the city’s Communications Department, has been volunteering with WWW for over 20 years. She played a crucial role in developing WWW’s database system and currently manages the website, online parade application, and ticketing systems. Since joining the parade committee in 2007, Cathy has contributed her time and talents to learning the ins and outs of parade staging and operations.

Jake Weaver, the city’s Asset Manager for the past

six years, has been involved with WWW nearly his entire life. He started volunteering at the age of 8 and remains a familiar face at many events.

While in college, Jake conducted a project analyzing the Grand Parade’s staging operations. His work led to the creation of a series of parade maps that are still in use today.

Nominated and selected for their dedication, tireless volunteerism, and enduring love for Littleton, the Weaver family truly represents the best of "The Spirit of Generosity".

They look forward to celebrating this special honor with the community they’ve served so faithfully for so many years.

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PAGE 12 | THE VILLAGER • July 10, 2025

The Depot Summer Show at Colorado Gallery of the Arts Photography and Three-D creations will be presented at the Depot Art Gallery during the month of July. A fun-for-everyone summertime art show at the historic Depot Art Gallery. Everyone these days is a photographer but studying work from professional artists will strengthen skills. As an added feature, this show will display 3-D art work (sculpture, cut glass, stained glass, 30D dioramas, pottery, jewelry and more) sure to delight all ages. Take time to visit the 1880 historic train caboose.

Stop by Tuesday through Sunday, 11-4. Reception is open to the public - Friday, July 11, 5-7. 2069 West Powers Ave., Littleton. www.depotartgallery.com Free admission and ample parking. The Depot Summer Show at the Colorado Gallery of Arts is now open through July 24.

5900 S. Santa Fe Drive. Hours: T, W, Th, Sat – 10-3 p.m. Creative efforts by accomplished Littleton artists.

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The Depot Summer Show at the Colorado Gallery of Arts is now open through July 24.

5900 S. Santa Fe Drive.

Hours T, W, Th, Sat – 10-3 p.m.

4th Generation Barbers Semion is the modern, affordable barbershop for men, women and children who want a great look – and a great experience in the chair. From the moment you walk through the door, our goal is to make you feel welcome and appreciated. Let the upbeat music and laid-back atmosphere wash away your cares and restore your energy. Our talented and friendly barbers and stylists are ready to deliver the personal style you crave at an exceptional value. www.semionbarbershop.com • Greenwood Village Location: 5910 S. University Blvd • (720) 531-3998

July 10, 2025 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 13

runs batted in.

Maybe Schaeffer can be 137After hitting .189 in 80 for Tulsa in 2012, he baseball’s next Snitker games became the hitting coach for The All-Star Break, that four-day pause in Major League Baseball’s six-month marathon, starts Monday. The game will be played Tuesday in Atlanta, the intended host of the Midsummer Classic that was moved to Denver in 2021.

When the Rockies resume play on Friday against the Minnesota Twins, they’ll have 66 games left for Warren Schaeffer to convince his many judges that he deserves to have the “interim manager” title changed to simply, “manager.”

The Rockies brain trust— presumably general manager Bill Schmidt, owner Dick Monfort and his son Walker, and maybe others—represents the “judges” who will decide his fate.

But Rockies fans will make themselves heard, even if their collective opinion will just be background noise.

Which way will you vote?

Here’s a status report through 90 games to help you reach a conclusion.

Bud Black was fired as manager on May 11, 40 games into his ninth season in the Rockies’ dugout.

Schaeffer replaced him and completed 50 games in charge last Sunday, when Colorado beat the White Sox 6-4.

In those 40 games under Black, this year’s club struggled to a 7-33 record. That’s a winning percentage of .175.

In their first 50 games under Schaeffer, the players posted a 14-36 record. That’s a winning percentage of .280.

On the face of it, that might not seem like a huge improvement. But dig a little deeper.

In those first 40 games, the offense scored two runs nine times and one run each in six

games, and was shut out five times. That’s fewer than three runs half the time.

In the first 50 under Schaeffer, the Rockies scored fewer than three runs 34% of the time (7-6-4).

To put it another way, Colorado averaged 3.3 runs per game in 40 under Black, and 3.8 per game in the first 50 under Schaeffer.

One conclusion from these numbers is that the manager alone is not the difference between a historic losing team and a contender. It takes sustained performance by players with talent.

But anyone who is still paying attention to the ’25 Rockies should be able to notice some subtle differences in the team’s play—intensity and aggression that the new manager has insisted of his players.

So, does Warren Schaeffer deserve to be designated the man in charge of Colorado’s clubhouse beyond the remainder of this season?

Not yet, in my opinion.

Let’s see how the 66 games unfold following the Atlanta hiatus.

For those who are still getting to know the man who might be the Rockies’ next full-season manager, here’s some background.

The Rockies are his only professional organization. He was drafted in the 38th round the year the Rockies advanced to their only World Series.

A shortstop, he played for Tri-City (A), Casper (Rookie), Asheville (A), Modesto (A), Colorado Springs (AAA) and Tulsa (AA) between 2007 and 2012. In 459 games, his composite batting average was .214 with nine home runs and

the Tri-City Dust Devils. In 2015 the Rockies named him to his first managerial position, Asheville, which he held for three seasons. Then he moved to Hartford for two, and then to Albuquerque.

Schaeffer managed the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League in 2022, his last stop before joining the big club as third base coach in 2023.

If Schaeffer returns as Rockies manager in 2026, there are bound to be complaints and criticism that Colorado once again stayed “in house” instead of hiring a “name” manager with prior major league experience.

But he wouldn’t be the first “lifer” who became a major league club’s manager.

If you’re a baseball fan, you’ve heard of Atlanta’s Brian Snitker.

Snitker had been a part of the Braves organization for 39 years when he was named interim manager after Fredi Gonzalez was fired on May 17, 2016. He’d been a minor league catcher, a roving instructor, the manager of eight teams in the Atlanta farm system, and the Braves third base coach.

Now in his ninth full season as the Braves manager, Snitker has won six National League Eastern Division titles and the 2021 World Series.

There are numerous other examples. Maybe Warren Schaeffer will be next.

________________ Denny Dressman’s 17th book, a collaboration with Kansas City artist Anthony High titled Black Baseball’s Heyday – Capturing An Era in Art and Words, will be published in late summer. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@comcast.net.

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PAGE 14 | THE VILLAGER • July 10, 2025

I’m Not Fanatical. I’m right.

I’ve been convinced plastic is taking over the world ever since a plastic grocery bag got tangled high in my cottonwood tree many years ago. I saw it out my dining room window every time I ate for a month and a half and I eat a lot in a month and a half.

My husband got tired of hearing me complain about it so he climbed the tree and took it down. No he didn’t. But he was as relieved as I was when the bag finally flew off to someone else’s tree.

Unfortunately it was eventually replaced by another one. I’ve lost track of how many plastic bags have come and gone from

our tree since then.

They’re like migrating birds except they’re not as pretty and they don’t sing or eat the grasshoppers. I’m thinking of having the tree cut down.

Not really. But I do use canvas bags when I shop so at least my own grocery bags aren’t winding up in my cottonwood tree. You know what they say: If you’re not part of the solution you’re part of the problem. And if you’re part of the problem, you should learn to climb trees.

If you asked my husband, and I prefer that you don’t, he would probably tell you that I’ve become somewhat fanatical about plastic, and not just bags. I

think fanatical is a strong word. I prefer to say I’m very conscientious about plastic and I happen to think everyone else should be exactly like me.

Sure, I’ve been known to snatch other people’s recyclable plastic right out of their trash cans and carry it home to my recycling bin. But only if I can’t find theirs.

And yes, I occasionally wash and reuse plastic sandwich bags, but only if they didn’t have something gooey in them first.

I wash and reuse plastic cutlery too—gooey or not. I’ve kept every piece of plastic cutlery I’ve acquired since the invention of the spork.

And yes I’ve been using the same plastic straw in my refillable stainless-steel mug since I got it at a fast-food restaurant in 2014. I was thrilled when I finally found a straw-cleaning brush

for it in 2020.

I bring my own containers to restaurants for our leftovers when we eat out too. I think this embarrasses my husband. People do look at us funny sometimes. But I reassure him that it’s probably not because of the containers.

And I admit I occasionally launch into a public tirade about plastic overuse. Once in a department store I saw a display of socks hanging on little Barbie-sized plastic hangers. I must have gotten pretty worked up about it because people were starting to stare. So I quickly wrapped up my rant with, “Thank goodness I won’t have to iron my socks anymore.”

Still I don’t think any of that makes me a fanatic. I think it makes me right. And I’m relieved to know I’m not alone. I’ve found my tribe. More than 150

million people around the globe participate annually in Plastic Free July, an entire month set aside to encourage the reduction of single-use plastic. You know, the kind that’s used just once before it’s tossed into the landfill or the road ditch where it doesn’t actually decompose. It just breaks down into tinier and tinier pieces until plants absorb it and animals eat it and it works its way right up the old food chain and into our poor, unsuspecting bodies and does who knows what to our health. Ya, that stuff. It’s trouble.

But at least we have hangers for our socks.

Dorothy Rosby is the author of I Didn’t Know You Could Make Birthday Cake from Scratch: Parenting Blunders from Cradle to Empty Nest and other books.

Contact her at www.dorothyrosby .com/contact.

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SPECIAL DISTRICTS

COURTS 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: KATINA TERESA IVEONNE DESROSES, Child, and concerning, CARISA DESROSES, JOHN DOE, AND ANGEL LAST NAME UNKNOWN, Respondents, and,

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 #, #).

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 July 2, 2025.

MICHAEL MITCHELL, Special Respondent.

Linda Arnold, Esq., 16764 Assistant County Attorney

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 Tel: 303-636-1882 Fax: 303-636-1889

Published in The Villager Published: July 10, 2025 Legal # 11905

Case No: 25JV161 Division: 23 NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY COURT TRIAL AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT REGARDING RESPONDENTS JOHN DOE AND ANGEL LAST NAME UNKNOWN PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the above captioned matter has been set for an ADJUDICATORY COURT TRIAL AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT REGARDING RESPONDENTS JOHN DOE AND ANGEL LAST NAME UNKNOWN, on July 18, 2025, at 9:00 a.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

GLENDALE CITY OF GLENDALE PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE The following ordinance was passed before the City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado, on the 1st day of July 2025, and was ordered published by said Council: CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO ORDINANCE NO. 1 SERIES OF 2025 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO MODIFYING THE HOURS BY WHICH COMMON CONSUMPTION AREAS CAN SELL AND PATRONS CAN CONSUME ALCHOHOL BEVERAGES AND AMENDING CHAPTER 5.39 OF THE GLENDALE CODE OF ORDINANCES A copy of this ordinance is on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.

Dated the 2nd day of July 2025 City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk Published in The Villager Published: July 10, 2025 Legal # 11906 ___________________________

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION and CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS Devonshire Heights Water and Sanitation District Arapahoe County, Colorado

EXHIBIT A 1.

STATE PARCEL NUMBER: 2075-21-1-04-023; THAT PART OF TRACT 19 SECT 21-5-67 CLARK COLONY DESC AS BEG 33.72 FT W OF THE SE COR OF DD TRACT TH W 146.28 FT TH E 110.34 FT TH SE 94.2 FT TH SW 16.5 FT TH SE 29.81 FT TO BEG SEC 21-5-67 CLARK COLONY, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

2.

LOT 1, GREENWOOD RETAIL PLAZA FILING NO. 4, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICES OF THE CLERK AND RECORDER, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO, CONTAINING 89,571 SQUARE FEET OR 2.056 ACRES.

3.

LOT 1A AND 2A, GREENWOOD RETAIL PLAZA FILING NO. 3, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICES OF THE CLERK AND RECORDER, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO, CONTAINING 261,360 SQUARE FEET OR 5.99 ACRES.

4.

Darcy Beard (DEO’s Printed Name)

LOT 2, GREENWOOD RETAIL PLAZA FILING NO. 3, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICES OF THE CLERK AND RECORDER, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO, CONTAINING 18,000 SQUARE FEET OR 0.413 ACRES.

5.

Contact Person for the District: Darcy Beard, CPA Address of the District: PO Box 531, Parker, CO 80134 Telephone Number of the District:(303) 594-5488 District Email: d.beardcpa@outlook.com

LOT 3 AND LAND TRACT A, GREENWOOD RETAIL PLAZA FILING NO. 3, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICES OF THE CLERK AND RECORDER, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO, CONTAINING 68,695 SQUARE FEET OR 1.577 ACRES.

6.

LOT 4, GREENWOOD RETAIL PLAZA FILING NO. 3, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICES OF THE CLERK AND RECORDER, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO, CONTAINING 61,774 SQUARE FEET OR 1.418 ACRES.

7.

LOT 2, GREENWOOD RETAIL PLAZA FILING NO. 4, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICES OF THE CLERK AND RECORDER, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO, CONTAINING 184,423 SQUARE FEET OR 4.234 ACRES. TRACT A, GREENWOOD RETAIL PLAZA FILING NO. 2, AMENDED, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Devonshire Heights Water and Sanitation District, Arapahoe County, Colorado, that at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there were not more candidates for director than offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates; therefore, the election to be held on May 6, 2025 is hereby cancelled pursuant to Section 1-13.5-513, C.R.S. The following candidates are hereby declared elected for the following terms of office: Name Length of Term Term Expiration Jeffrey Frantz................4 Years ................. May, 2029 Christopher Wilson .......4 Years ................. May, 2029 /s/ Darcy Beard (Signature of Designated Election Official)

Published in The Villager Published: July 10, 2025 Legal # 11907 ___________________________ NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO CREATE A SUBDISTRICT WITHIN THE GREENWOOD CONSOLIDATED METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

8.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 32-1-1101(1.5)(a), C.R.S., that the Board of Directors of the Greenwood Consolidated Metropolitan District of the City of Greenwood Village and County of Arapahoe, Colorado, will hold a public hearing for the purpose of creating a subdistrict for the issuance of bonds and collection of additional property tax levies within the boundaries of the District. The public hearing will be held during the regular meeting of the District’s Board of Directors on July 15, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. or soon thereafter, at 8351 E. Belleview Ave., Denver, Colorado 80237.

LOT 1, GREENWOOD RETAIL PLAZA FILING NO. 5, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICES OF THE CLERK AND RECORDER, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO, CONTAINING 47,055 SQUARE FEET OR 1.080 ACRES.

9.

LOT 2, GREENWOOD RETAIL PLAZA FILING NO. 5, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICES OF THE CLERK AND RECORDER, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO, CONTAINING 35,183 SQUARE FEET OR .808 ACRES.

10.

LOT 1 BLK 1 GREENHOUSE 2 AMENDMENT NO. 1.

The area proposed for the creation of a subdistrict by the District is described in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. At the close of the public hearing, the Board of Directors shall act, by adoption of a resolution, to approve or disapprove the proposed creation of the subdistrict. The Board may change the geographical boundaries of such area(s) at the public hearing.

Published in The Villager Published: July 10, 2025 Legal # 11908 ___________________________ NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Persons having objections to the subdistrict may appear at the public hearing to object to the creation of the proposed subdistrict and proposed additional bonds and levy of additional taxes. Pursuant to Section 32-11101(1.5)(b), C.R.S., any owner(s) of taxable real and personal property that equals more than fifty percent of the total assessed valuation within the proposed area boundaries, may file a petition objecting to the creation of the subdistrict no later than five (5) days prior to the public meeting.

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons to appear at the public hearing and state their objections, if any they have, why such resolution should not be adopted.

GREENWOOD CONSOLIDATED METROPOLITAN DISTRICT By: /s/ Thomas N. George Legal Counsel to the District

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be conducted by the Board of Directors of Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (SEMSWA) at 1:30 p.m. on July 16, 2025, in the office of SEMSWA, 7437 South Fairplay Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112, to consider the adoption of certain regulations as they relate to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Permit.

The hearing shall consider the approval of a revised Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control (GESC) Manual. Any interested elector or property owner within SEMSWA’s boundaries may attend and comment on the proposed standards and regulations which may be inspected at the office of SEMSWA or on its website www.semswa.org.

Published in The Villager Published: July 10, 2025 Legal # 11909 ___________________________

July 10, 2025 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 15

LITTLETON FINE ARTS GUILD ART EXHIBIT JUNE 24-JULY 24. 64th year of creating affordable fine art exhibits. The Depot Summer Show is at the Colorado Gallery of the Arts, Arapahoe Community College.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIR CRAFT BEER EVENT JULY 25, 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall. 15 Breweries, Live Music & Entertainment, Golf Simulator Game and much more.

ART IN THE PARK JUNE 3-JULY 31. Tuesday-Thursday at Westlands Park for ages 6-12. Eight weeks of creative summer fun! New themes and projects each week. Register: greenwoodvillage.com/art ARAPAHOE LIBRARIES SUMMER READING 2025 JUNE-JULY 31. “Spark Your Imagination.”

Ages 0-18. Visit the library and choose a free book while supplies last. Info: arapahoelibraries.org/summer-reading CENTRAL CITY OPERA FESTIVAL JUNE 28-AUG. 3 Seville, The Knock, Once Upon a Mattress, CCO in Concert: Opera’s Greatest hits. Call 303-292-6700 for dates and ticket sales.

MUSEUM OF OUTDOOR ARTS Rock The Block - Happy Hour - Free Live Music JULY 10, Luke Henry; JULY 31 & AUGUST 14, Julie Savannah; AUGUST 6, DJ Duke CHERRY CREEK NORTH EVENTS JULY 10, AUG. 14, & SEPT. 11 Summer Concert Series.

7 AUG. 9-10 Smash Fine Arts Festival JULY 4-JULY 6 Cherry Creek Arts Festival

JULY 11-13 BASTILLE DAY! A French Fest JULY 17-JULY 20 Sidewalk Sale

119TH ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIR JULY 24-27. Details arapahoecountyfair.com

ARAPAHOE COUNTY THRIVING COMMUNITY FAIR JULY 12, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Town Center of Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora.

CHERRY CREEK REPUBLIVC WOMEN GENERAL MEETING/ LUNCHEON TUESDAY, AUGUST 12. Speaker: State GOP Chairman, Brita Horn. Topic: We Are Tired of Being “Blue.”We Want to see (and BE) “RED.”

CITY OF AURORA SUMMER VIBES WED., JULY 16, 5-9 p.m. Free event series for local preteens & teens, 10-17 years old.

Sports Night at Utah Park, 1800 S. Peoria St. Lie DJ, local food trucks, arts & crafts. Info: AuroraGov.org/SummerVibes AURORA REPUBLICAN FORUM JULY 19, 10 a.m. Speaker: Naomi Colwell, serving as Press. of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and on the board of directors of Visit Aurora.

“What’s Happening with Aurora Business?” $5 coffee & donuts. Heather GHardens Clubhouse, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way Aurora Aspen Room.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIR ENTER YOUR BET WORK PUBLIC COMPETITIONS In Person Exhibit Entry JULY 20-21. Entries displayed July 24-27. Info: arapahoecountyfair. com/public competitions BLUE GRASS ON THE GREEN JULY 23, High Lonesome. MOAONLINE.ORG for tickets. Live at Marjorie Park: Located at Fiddler’s Green, 6331 S.Fiddlers Green Cir., Greenwood Village GREENWOOD VILLAGE DAY SAT., JULY 26 at Village Green Park.

Celebrate 75 years of GV with carnival games, rides, food truck, live music and a fireworks show. For GV residents. Get tickets at the City of Greenwood Village.

HOPS, GRAPES & GOURMET BITES SUMMERFEST AUGUST 23, 5-8 p.m. Curtis Park in Greenwood Village. Enjoy a gourmet entree from award-winning chef Jimmy Lambatos of Jimmy’s Jersey Street Cafe. Live music, local food & drinks, games for kids. Annual All Colorado Art Show at the Curtis Center for the Arts & free outdoor movie hosted by the City of Greenwood Village. A Fundraiser for Rotary Denver Southeast.

LITTLETON’S DEPOT ART GALLERY FIBER ARTISTS COMPETITION Show dates: SEPT 9 TO OCT 11. Littleton’s Depot Art Gallery is posting a competition for all fiber artists in Colorado. Check on CaFE (Callforentry.org) for details and the prospectus. The Depot is located at 2069 West Powers, Littleton. For inquiries, contact fiberart@depotartgallery.org OPTIMIST CLUB OF MONACO SOUTH FRIDAYS from 7-8 a.m. for the pasts 49 years.

American Legion Hall, Yale & I-25. Call Frank 303-7s5s9-9232 for a free breakfast. Have fun meeting new friends and an opportunity to give back to the community.

EXPAND YOUR LOVE OF BRIDGE New games specifically for Novice and Intermediate players. Tech Center Bridge is

located at 6161 S. Wabash Way, Greenwood Village. Call 303-915-1229. 1st & 3rd Thursdays 12:30-3:45 p.m. Cost is $8. Need a partner? Check the online list bredgewebs. com/techcenterbridge Also ask about Denver Metro Bridge at 5250 Leetsdale Dr., Denver.

303-757-4774.

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

“WHAT’S NEW?” CENTRAL CITY OPERA IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE PRESTIGIOUS 2025-2026 EQUITY IN ARTS LEARNING FOR COLO YOUTH GRANT Administrated by “Think 360 Arts for Learning.”

Innovative mental health awareness and suicide prevention initiative.

WHAT’S NEW? FIDDLER’S GREEN NOISE COMPLAINT LINE Greenwood Village Police Dept. maintains a dedicated phone to respond to noise complaints related to Fiddler’s Green. To file a complaint, call 303-486-8275.

WHAT’S NEW? EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE NEWS Randy Johnson - Executive Director - has announced that an Apprenticeship Degree is being offered. Info: anna.smith@emilygriffith. edu or call 720-423-4852.

ANNOUNCEMENT: WESTERN CONSERVATIVE SUMMIT TO RETURN Returns July 2026 as they celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 150th Anniversary of Colorado’s Statehood.

ENGLEWOOD LIONS CLUB MEETINGS Meets 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 7:00 p/m. At Mango Tree Coffee, 3498 S. Broadway,Englewood. Info: Gail 720-3777682.

WHAT’S NEW? RENEW YOUR VEHICLE REGISTRATION Renewal kiosks are fast, easy and issue you tags on the spot? Go to COMVExpress.com to find a location near you.

BUSINESS NEWS: ASPENDALE 60+ ACTIVE ADULT APARTMENT COMMUNITY Schedule an appointment at 303-9709514. Located at 13857 E. Arapahoe Place, Centennial.

CHERRY HILLS ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE 6325 S University. Blvd., Centennial. Call for Tour 720-592-0252 FAMILY-OWNED & OPERATED ORGANIC NATURAL MARKET “FRESH MARKET” open at 1500 W. Littleton Blvd., Unit 106 - Woodlawn Shopping Center.

Open 7 days a week. 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION + MORE 5 Star Google Review. Transportation Executive Services LLC. Call 720-969-5386.

ST. ANDREW’S VILLAGE SENIOR LIVING Upscale dining, engaging events and activities. Call 720-684-5913. Located at 133801 E. Yale Ave., Aurora.

TONIGHT WE DINE Fine meats & seafood. Free delivery on $100 or more. Look for The Villager Combo for $100.

Call 303-215-0333.

2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Nightshade is outstanding Toyota is one fine auto company, and they manufacture outstanding vehicles. The latest test drive is a Grand Highlander “Nightshade” Hybrid that is about the best recent drive for price, efficiency, and driving pleasure. With the hybrid option, the Highlander produces an average of 34 mpg with 36 mpg in city driving where friction charges the system. American labor, take a bow; this vehicle is assembled in Princeton, Alabama. Manufacturer’s suggested price is $52,510.

The most expensive options are a panoramic roof at $1,350 and a panoramic view monitor at $500, both desirable, raising the price marginally.

This Highlander has the capacity for a third row of fold down seats flat in the large trunk space.

A special feature on seating, of interest to families with smaller

children, are rear lower latch safety seat anchors with tethers. The power front seats are heated and ventilated, and second row seats are heated. For winter driving the outside mirrors are heated and allaround LED lighting including fog lights.

The hybrid power train works extremely well with the 2.L four cylinder ECVT engine and the versatile transmission with all-wheeldrive and a special trail mode along with sport, normal, and eco modes. The combination of hybrid and gasoline is a perfect blend for short and long drives, no worries about finding busy charge stations somewhere down the road.

The Highlander has the best Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system that includes pre-collision, rear cross traffic alerts, and blind spot monitors. Along with the safety

features, the vehicle rides on 20” alloy wheels that add to the comfort and ride of the vehicle.

A 12.3” screen controls the many driving and audio system, and a center dial provides the mode options. The bucket seats are leather trimmed along with the heated steering wheel.

There are 7 UBS charge ports, but a reminder do not use smart phones while driving. A special feature for outdoor recreation usage are two 120V outlets with 1500W inverter.

This is a fine

all-around versatile vehicle that is a pleasure to drive. Perfect for all occasions.

By H. Throttle

2025 Honda Pilot TrailSport tames mountains The TrailSport is designed for conventional or rugged outdoor recreational usages. Engineered for outdoor mountain trails, the vehicle has a special suspension system to add height to the vehicle for obstacles. Along with this feature there are skid plates to protect the engine, transmission, and fuel tank. The all-wheel drives has multiple drive

modes of normal, econ, tow,

sport, trail and sand. The Trail-

Sport has rugged all-terrain tires along with twowheel or all-wheel drive and an attached tow hitch capable of towing 5000 lbs.

This is a larger SUV with bucket seats and a spacious cabin with orange stitching trim.

(Go Broncos!). There is seating for eight passengers with third row folding seats.

The vehicle’s engine provides 285 hp with a versatile transmission and fuel average of 20 mpg highway and city driving. Along with the power comes a strong list of safety features, so important driving on today’s crowded highways.

By H. Throttle

The vehicle has the Honda Sensing Suite system that includes collision mitigation and braking and road departure system that keeps the vehicle safely on the roadway.

This is a well-engineered vehicle, especially equipped and useful in Colorado terrain and mountain recreational road trips.

Large enough for the family or friends to reach your destination in safety and comfort. And you can take your boat along for the ride.

PAGE 16 | THE VILLAGER • July 10, 2025

Fresh, Local, Organic Produce, and more!

FAMILY OWNED! We appreciate your support!

Chicken Kabob (Boneless)

Tender pieces of chicken breast marinated in saffron, lemon juice, and spices, then grilled for a flavorful, juicy bite.

Beef Gyro

Tender beef served in your choice of a wrap or a platter.

Spring Rolls (3 Pieces)

Crispy, flaky rolls stuffed with a flavorful vegetable filling.

Pick up or order while shopping local and support a family-owned grocery store - Thank You!

Chicken Tikka Masala

Tender chicken cooked in a rich, creamy tomato-based curry. Choose your spice level: mild, medium or spicy.

Samosa (3 Pieces)

Crispy, golden pastry filled with your choice of: cheese, vegetable, meat.

Falafel (3 Pieces)

Crispy chickpea fritters served with a side of hummus.

• community events • catering • all-natural meats & dairy • fresh baked goods • affordable • cooking demos • deli w/local and international cuisine • competitive pricing • tastings/pairings • crafts for kids • grub hub and uber eats delivery available

A FULL SERVICE GROCERY STORE

WOODLAWN SHOPPING CENTER Littleton CO, 1500 W Littleton Blvd Unit 106 • (720) 825-7741 • 7 days a week 7 am - 10 pm