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VOLUME 42 • NUMBER 36 • AUGUST 1, 2024

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$950 Million Bond for CCSD? Cherry Creek School Board will decide whether to ask voters to approve a $950 million bond issue on Aug. 12

BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER

At a study session held on July 29, district staff told the Cherry Creek School Board the reasons for and details behind their recommendation that the Board ask voters to approve a $950 million bond issue and a $30 million mill levy increase on November 5.

The School Board will decide whether to put the question to the voters at its regular meeting at West Middle School at 5151 S. Holly Street in Greenwood Village at 7:00 p.m. on August 12. Those who wish to speak at that meeting can sign up via the link on the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) website that will be posted with the meeting agenda on August 8. It will remain open until 12:00 Noon on August 12.

If approved, the bond and mill levy increase will cost taxpayers $3/month for every $100,000 of their home’s actual value, as determined by the Assessor.

That would result in a tax increase of $180/year on a home valued by the County at $500,000.

Staff emphasized that with current construction inflation, “a $950 million bond passed in November 2024 will be worth $1.2 billion in 2028.”

CCSD has a history of successfully passing bond and budget measures every four years, going back to at least 2008. One of the reasons this year’s request is higher than others have been, historically, is that CCSD scaled back its planned request by $150 million in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The costs of those deferred items has since increased substantially. $415 million of the bond request is for beginning

the process of new construction/renovation of these aging school buildings: School Year Built Cherry Creek High School 1953 Belleview Elementary School 1954 Campus Middle School 1971 Holly Hills/Holly Ridge 1958/1962 Laredo Middle School 1974 Also included is the cost of building a swimming pool and an admissions office at Overland High School.

The balance of the $950 Million Bond Package is to include: $300 million - Maintenance of playgrounds, roofs, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, elevators, flooring, etc. $135 million - Adding 130,000 square feet to the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus to accommodate 70% more students and develop or expand pathways in Avionics, Creative (Film, Editing, Sound, Production), EMT, Vet Tech, HVAC, Welding, Events Center, Automotive, Advanced Manufacturing, and Mechatronics; and expanding the Institute of Science & Technology at Overland High School. $80 million - Safety and Security, including ballistic window film, security camera replacement, access control system replacement, and fire alarms $20 million - Technology, including Classroom Display Replacement, Data Center & Network Upgrade, and Fiber Network Implementation.

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The purpose of the $30 million mill levy override, which, unlike the bond package, will be permanent, is to fund additional costs for: • Safety & Security • High-Quality Teachers • Expanding access to specialized training, internships, apprenticeships, etc.

• Student Health, including mental health and whole wellbeing support • Technology that is consistently secure and up-todate Efforts leading up to this recommendation began in January 2022 when the CCSD Long Range Facilities Planning Committee (LRFPC) formed the Building Utilization Subcommittee to start the process of assessing potential 2024 bond projects, reviewing things like building ages and conditions, utilization, and future needs.

The final report of the LRFPC, based on the Subcommittee’s work, resulted in a recommended prioritized project list totaling $1.6 billion that was shared with District Leadership and the School Board in December 2023. That list was used to craft the current bond and mill levy request, which is substantially lower.

If the bond issue and mill levy override are approved by voters in November, CCSD will be ready to put shovels in the dirt in January 2025.

PAGE 2 | THE VILLAGER • August 1, 2024

CCSD plans to rebuild the entire Cherry Creek High School campus in three phases

BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER

As part of its plan to ask voters to approve a $30 million mill levy override and a $950 million bond in November, the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) hopes to construct the first phase of a threephase project to rebuild the 85-acre campus in Greenwood Village that includes Belleview Elementary School, Campus Middle School, and Cherry Creek High School (CCHS). The property also includes Stutler Bowl, a district stadium, a transportation depot, and a district administration building.

The stadium and the transportation depot are expected to remain in their present locations and the administration office is scheduled to be relocated.

The portion of the $950 million allocated to new construction and renovation district-wide is $415 million, which includes the cost of rebuilding Laredo Middle School and Holly Ridge/Holly Hills School, in addition to the CCHS campus, as well as adding a swimming pool and an admissions office at Overland High School.

Scott Smith, CCSD Chief Financial and Operating Officer, accompanied by David Henderson, Deputy Chief of Operations, Derek Molnar, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Operations, and Ashley Verville from the CCSD

communications team, appeared in front of the Greenwood Village City Council on July 15 after being asked by GV Mayor George Lantz to provide an update on their plans.

Two of the three schools on the CCHS campus were built 70 years ago and one was built over 50 years ago, resulting in increasingly costly repairs and maintenance, as well as outdated design and technology, leading CCSD to conclude that the time has come to redesign and rebuild. Safety and security are also of utmost importance today and these buildings were not designed with either purpose in mind, a fact confirmed to the city council

by GV Police Chief Dustin Varney who said they present significant security challenges as presently configured.

The multi-building campus extends from Yosemite Street east to Dayton Street and Belleview Avenue north to Union Avenue.

Addressing the role of how property taxes impact schools in Colorado, Smith explained that schools are funded by a combination of state and local money, and that when the local share goes up because of higher property values, the state share goes down by the same amount, so school districts don’t receive more funding when homeowners’ property taxes increase. All that changes is the mix of state and local funds. Property taxes going up or down has no impact on the amount of revenue each school district receives. As evi-

dence, he pointed out that the State of Colorado “actually reduced their contribution to K-12 schools this year,” when nearly everyone’s property taxes went up.

Another important aspect of school funding in Colorado Smith made clear is that the State provides no funding for capital construction for schools, thus, he told the city council, “Whether you need to build new schools because more kids are moving in or you have to reinvest in old schools, there is no funding from the State of Colorado. It is entirely dependent on every school district to raise that money locally (through bond elections).”

Smith talked about the experience of students attending school in highly outdated buildings compared to those in newer facilities.

He said, “If you look at what our kids experience at Belleview Elementary (opened in 1954) versus what our kids experience at Woodland Elementary (opened in 2022), it is remarkably different how the culture feels and how kids want to be there…. People want to work for companies where they feel invested in, where people take care of the buildings, where they provide a sense of pride… Why isn’t that true of our little humans?”

He emphasized that CCSD is only in the very initial phase of determining how to approach the huge project at CCHS, telling the council, “We’ve hired a master planner to explore how you could

same size as the threeschool K-12 Cherry Creek campus.

Additionally, Grandview has 1,000 fewer students than does Cherry Creek High School. In Smith’s words, “This is difficult. It is delicate,” This preliminary rendering of a future Cherry Creek adding, “We K-12 Master Campus Plan contains a possible layout need to do this that is being considered. In this slide, Cherry Creek High School is represented in pink, Campus Middle right.”

School in blue, and Belleview Elementary in yellow.

The impetus for moving forward at rebuild that campus… We’ve this time, he explained, is, “Every looked at how you could move four years we wait, it costs another the buildings around to impact $250 million, based on construcstudents the least, and that’s as far tion inflation right now.” as we’ve gotten.” He continued, Mayor George Lantz and City “The school board has made two Council Member Dave Ker ber decisions, that Stutler Bowl will thanked the CCSD team for the not be moved and Village Greens presentation. Council Member Park, which is partly owned by Anne Ingebretsen asked questions CCSD, will not be used for perma- about the history of CCSD bond nent construction, though it may be elections. Council Member Donna used temporarily during the conJohnston asked about enrollment struction process.” projections for the campus, which CCSD has been engaging the Scott answered were declining community to ensure the project and expected to continue doing so meets the goals of the communiunless residential development in ty before decisions are finalized the area began to include different regarding building layout, design, types of housing than what exists and traffic flow. currently. According to Redfin, 16 As an example of the chalhomes were sold in Greenwood lenges of this project, Smith told Village in June 2024 at a median the council that Grandview High sales price of $1,720,000, a price level not accessible for many School is the only school on its young families. campus and that campus is the

Follow-up on diversion of $190,000 in Arapahoe County funds

BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER

This photo of Harlequin Plaza at 7600 E. Orchard Road is from loopnet.com.

Another large office building near GV City Hall is facing foreclosure

BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER

On July 12, Wilmington Trust National Bank, Trustee for lender Wells Fargo, filed an action in Arapahoe County District Court requesting a receiver be appointed against Orchard & Greenwood LLC of Seattle, WA, Owner of Harlequin Plaza (Property) at 7600 E. Orchard Road in Greenwood Village due to non-payment of their mortgage.

Harlequin Plaza is next-door to Carson Park. The park is attached to Greenwood Village City Hall

on Quebec Street, just south of Orchard Road.

Public records indicate that Orchard & Greenwood LLC, which bought the Property on October 16, 2012 for $26,550,000, is an entity of Unico Properties.

Unico Properties’ website lists Harlequin Plaza as being comprised of two low-rise office buildings with 327,900 square feet of Class B office space on an 18-acre campus that contains a 46,000-square-foot outdoor plaza and other amenities, including a deli, fitness center, showers, locker room facilities, and covered parking. It was built in 1980.

The complaint states that Wells Fargo loaned Unico $28 million on

May 2, 2014, secured by the Property, and that the entire $28 million plus accrued interest, fees, and other charges provided for in the loan documents are due and owing as of June 13, 2024.

The court is being asked to appoint a Receiver to “take possession of and to operate the Property and to collect the Rents and to otherwise protect and preserve the Property,” because, “the lack of funding (puts) the Property in immediate danger of being materially reduced in value.”

In January, The Villager reported that the Solarium Building at 7400 E. Orchard Road, next to Harlequin Plaza and very near to GV City Hall, was also in foreclosure.

In the last two issues of The Villager, we reported that $190,000 due to Arapahoe County from the Cherry Creek School District for 2023 was diverted to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Foundation.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) under which the money was paid states clearly that the funds are intended to reimburse the Sheriff’s Office for part of its costs for providing school resource officers in Cherry Creek Schools in Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County.

It is also clear that the IGA requires all payments be made directly to the County, not a private foundation, regardless of its purpose. Still, the expectation under the IGA is that this money would be included

by County finance staff in the Sheriff’s Office budget.

It would then be spent using the County’s documented purchasing procedures, which include oversight by County finance department staff. As to the $190,000 diverted to the Foundation in 2023, that did not occur.

The Villager asked the Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners how it planned to resolve the situation. We were directed to District Four Commissioner Leslie Summey, who told us that the BOCC “was given a list of what the funds were used for, but they (the Foundation) didn’t follow the County purchasing process. It is on our radar. We are going to be digging into it. We are just not there yet. We are going to figure out what to do as a board, whether we go back to the Cherry Creek School District because they didn’t write the check to the County as required by the IGA, or unravel the purchasing process utilized by the Foundation.”

Commissioner Summey was not able to say when the BOCC expected to act to either ask that the money be replaced by the school district or obtain verifiable evidence from the Foundation that it was spent consistent with County policy.

She confirmed what we reported earlier, that when the Commissioners discovered the problem in 2024, after an additional $190,000 was diverted to the Foundation, that money was returned before it was spent and placed into the County budget as required.

August 1, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 3

The Fort donates conservation easement to Colorado Historical Foundation Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Fort’s Voluntary Conservation Easement Donation to the CHF Further Ensures Historic Preservation and Protection from Development in Perpetuity The Fort, an award winning and nationally acclaimed “truly Colorado” restaurant located in Morrison, southwest of Denver, is excited to announce it has made a voluntary conservation easement donation to the Colorado Historical Foundation. The easement is intended to protect The Fort and ensure the property’s defining historic characteristics withstand the test of time for current and future generations.

“The Fort has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2006,

and although a great honor, historic designation does not fully protect the property,” said Holly Arnold Kinney, The Fort proprietress and owner. “As an establishment that’s been woven into the fabric of Colorado’s rich culture for more than 60 years, I am immensely grateful to the Colorado Historical Foundation for ensuring The Fort remains a place for locals and

visitors alike to experience authentic Colorado cuisine and learn about the west’s storied history.” The Fort is also home to the Tesoro Cultural Center, an organization committed to protecting and sharing artistic treasures and cultural traditions of the region’s diverse Indigenous and multicultural history.

Like many Colorado communities, Morrison and Jeffer-

son County are experiencing growth. The easement will protect The Fort’s architecture and surrounding land and conserve 8.5 acres of cultural landscape, including open pastures and unimpeded views of the Denver skyline and the Plains in perpetuity. As part of the easement compilation, the Colorado Historical Foundation has recorded archives encompassing The Fort’s architectural history, current and historic photos, and even the recipe for the building’s adobe bricks. The legal easement document includes maintenance terms and specificity regarding future alteration allowed to the property.

“As historic property stewards, the Colorado Historical Foundation staff will visit the site annually,” said Catherine Stroh, Colorado Historical Foundation executive director.

“Collaboration and partnership with current and future

owners are crucial and will ensure The Fort continues to serve future generations while honoring its historical essence. We are honored that Ms. Kinney has trusted the Colorado Historical Foundation with protecting her family’s legacy, and look forward to this partnership.”

Designed by acclaimed architect William Lumpkins, known for his mastery of adobe structures, The Fort was built in 1961 by Sam and Elizabeth Arnold as a scale replica of the historic fur trading post, Bent’s Fort in Colorado’s Otero County. With the help of 22 men, over 80,000 mud and straw bricks – weighing 40 pounds each – were puddled to construct the main building.

With costs for construction exceeding the budget, the Arnolds decided to transform The Fort into a restaurant which opened February 1963, and has operated since.

Invest In Our Community We need to invest in Arapahoe County’s essential services

Jeanne Anne (Losasso) McLaughlin

Jeanne Anne (Losasso) McLaughlin died peacefully at home on July 19, 2024, after suffering a stroke some months earlier. She was born August 30,1941 in Denver, CO. Her parents were George and Stella Losasso. Jeanne graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in 1959, and Colorado State University in 1963 with a major in Nutrition Science.

She is survived by Larry, her husband of 61 years, her sons Scott and Shawn, her daughter Stacy, plus three grandchildren and a great-grandson as well as her brothers Tom and Chuck.

With Larry and family, she lived in many places including Greece, Alaska, California and New York before returning to Colorado. Jeanne loved to read and was active in her church. She was a charter member of the Paul Harris Society of Rotary International and traveled globally while attending nineteen annual conventions.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, August 9 at 2pm at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S. University Blvd, Highlands Ranch, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeanne’s name to St. Andrew UMC endowment fund, or endpolionow.org or a charity of your choice.

Essential services that include:

Road Quality & Safety

Public Safety

These investments have never been more essential ACbudget.com

WEEK OF JULY 29

Opinion

PAGE 4 | THE VILLAGER • August 1, 2024

American Presidents Have Faced Assassins - Part 1 With the shocking assassination attempt on former president Donald J. Trump and current nominee as Republican candidate for the presidency it is interesting to examine some of the other attempts on presidential lives. William McKinley was the 25th president of The United States and was the third American president to be assassinated following Abraham Lincoln and James A. Garfield.

McKinley was shot on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition.

In the Temple of Music in Buffalo, New York, on September 6, 1901. He was six months into his second term of office as a Republican. He has been elected president in 1896 during a serious depression result-

ing from the Panic of 1893 fired the fatal shots. The that resulted in the collapse assassin had lost his job of mining impacting Colduring the economic deorado mines. He pression and turned defeated his Demto anarchism. ocrat rival William McKinley appeared Jennings Bryan in to be recovering famous debates. from his wounds McKinley was but died of ganleading the nation grene at 2:15 am on back to economSeptember 14,1901.

BY BOB SWEENEY ic prosperity and He was succeedto victory in the Spaned by his newly elected ish-American War in 1898 vice-president Theodore taking possession of Span- Roosevelt as the 26th presish colonies in Puerto Rico ident who had only been and the Philippines, Cuba in office for six-months was still to be free under following his career as “Rough Rider” Teddy Governor of New York and Roosevelt who succeeded Assistant Secretary of The McKinley after his death.

Navy.

McKinley was shaking Roosevelt would be hands with the public when shot himself years later the anarchist Leon Czolby assassin John Schrank gosz, with the 32 caliber in front of the Gilpatrick “Iver Johnson” revolver, hotel in Milwaukee on concealed under a cloth rag October 14, 1912. The

bullet struck his suit pocket steel glass case and a thick booklet, the bullet penetrating his chest but not his lungs. Roosevelt shook off the wound and gave a political speech before seeking medical assistance.

Roosevelt’s famous quote is historic, “Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far” Czolgosz was sentenced to death and executed in the electric chair. Newspapers across the country heavily criticized the lack of protection afforded American presidents and in 1906 Congress passed legislation officially designating the Secret Service as the agency in charge of presidential security.

That’s how they got the job.

taxes, federal spending, Free Trade and Individual Freedom tion, and tariffs are all examples of Free trade is really simple: A willing buyer, and a willing seller, agreeing on a price and transaction terms, without outside coercion. This concept is the foundation of capitalism.

Note the bedrock concept in free trade and capitalism is the individual’s right to choose. Not surprisingly, emphasis on the individual is the foundation of our nation.

If we look more closely, free trade mandates individual freedom to choose. And that requires negligible outside forces, coercion in our definition. Since this world is a duality, there is an opposing force and in this definition, it is coercion.

Consider how the “outside force” manifests in the first place. Whenever there are three or more individuals, there is a tendency toward

imbalance: Two individuals decided what is best and force the third to go along. That is democracy.

It’s not individual freedom…

The vast majority of our founding documents attempt to prevent the imbalance inherent in democracy. Hence, our form of government is a Constitutional Republic with an occasional dip into democratic voting. The function of our Constitution is to restrict the natural tendency of one group to control the other.

One might wonder how we got from free trade to the Constitution. There is an innate, and subconscious, desire by individuals to travel in herds. It is safe, the herd rightly believe they are protected. But this safety also comes with a price: Eternal vigilance and representative

governance to prevent one group from subverting the other group’s freedom.

When individuals combine into a group, and eventually a nation, the problem is less the outside threat, like a saber toothed tiger or rival tribe, the real danger comes from within. There has to be a leader, and that leader will coalesce a majority around him to stay in power. Herein lies the problem.

That leader will establish a government to protect his interests, at the expense of the individual. Those governments will also form coalitions to protect themselves like WEF, UN, WHO, WTO, etc. these global governments establish more restrictions on free trade simply to protect their own self-interest. But it’s the individual consumer that ends up paying the tax or tariff.

And we come full circle to free trade, specifically the concept of the individual implied in free trade. Regula-

the manifestation of the threat within, exerting control over the individual.

Our Constitution, when followed, controls the tendency by government to overpower, and it balances the rights of the individual by controlling the government. If left to its own devices government will overpower everyone. Every politician becomes tainted with power. It’s up to us to see that our own government is controlled.

Although our form of governance is not a democracy, we do have a powerful tool through the democracy of voting once every two, four and six years. This is the time to right the wrongs of past and remove those politicians who vote to increase the government’s control though taxation, regulation, laws and especially, federal spending.

Nobody’s perfect, so choose the lesser evil when supporting a politician. Base your decision on which candidate best protects your individual freedom from excessive federal power. After all, you’re not paranoid when they really are out to get you…

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.

The Villager

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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Classified Advertising, noon Monday.

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 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!”

2024 Member

QUOTE of the WEEK The only athletic QUOTE of the WEEK sport I ever mastered was backgammon.

– Douglas William Jerrold

August 1, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 5

3rd Annual Palisade Peaches & Prosecco benefits Denver Rotary AMG National Trust and FANUM host a peachy (think bellinis from PEAK beverages) happy hour at AMG Dome Guests could order Palisade peaches, peach jam flavors from Brad B Jammin, sip bellinis, shop at Threads Worldwide or purchase a coveted cookbook from Junior League of Denver – all benefiting Denver Rotary thanks to promotional partner CSAE.

AMG National Trust Co-Founder and Board Chair Earl Wright, Denver Rotary President Stephanie Foote and Rotary District Governor Jim Johnston

Melly Kinnard (Junior League and Denver Rotary) with AMG’s Senior Relationship Manager Shannon Stone

Representing Junior League of Denver and selling a variety of the organization’s prized cookbooks Cassie Buckner and Rachel PhillipsCox Photos by Scottie Iverson

Colorado Federation of Republican Women Districts IV and VI host annual meeting Colorado Federation of Republican Women (CFRW) is affiliated with the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) – the largest all-women political organization in the world!

District Directors Evie Ashmore and Judy Allen and the host committee are from members of Cherry Creek Republican Women, Douglas County Republican Women and Elbert County Republican Women. Keynote speaker was President of Advance Colorado, Michael Fields whose topic was: HELP RECLAIM OUR STATE. Fields educated the audience on five Ballot initiatives: Prop 50 – Constitutional Tax Cap, Prop 108 Statutory Property Tax Rates|Cuts, Prop 138 Constitutional Right to School Choice, Prop 112 Truth in Sentencing and Prop 157 Back the Blue.

“Liberty cannot flourish when politicians think our money is their money.”

CFRW officers: CFRW District VI Director Evie Ashmore, CFRW 3rd VP Wendy Warner, CFRW District IV Director Judy Allen, CFRW 1st VP Sheri Merz, CFRW President Judith Jorgensen.

Former President Trump (cutout in the middle) made a surprise appearance to be photographed with attendees Photos by Lisa Fertman

Keynote speaker and President Advance Colorado – Michael Fields

August 1, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 7

PAGE 6 | THE VILLAGER • August 1, 2024

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.

Office space in the DTC is still dropping in value at an alarming rate

follow FREDA be in the know

BY FREDA MIKLIN

When the Covid-19 pandemic became less prevalent a few years ago, many believed that office occupancy would return to pre-2020 levels. It is now clear that that will not occur in the foreseeable future.

The Villager has been reporting on buildings in Greenwood Village and the DTC overall in various stages of economic distress for the past two years. This week, we reported that the note holder for Harlequin Plaza, a two-building office property on 18 acres just adjacent to GV City Hall, is suing the property owner for defaulting on the full amount of that mortgage.

More alarming was the data presented by Peter Culshaw, president of the Goldsmith Metropolitan District (GMD), at a recent GV City Council meeting which he attended to get support for a plan devised by GMD to revitalize the area, called, “DTC Forward.”

Culshaw shared an illustrative slide that denoted the composition and timeline of the 22,100,000 square feet of commercial development in GMD (see DTC HISTORY at right), followed by another that showed, as of the end of 2023, consistent negative absorption of office space in southeast metro Denver beginning with the pandemic in 2020 (see SE METRO SUBMARKET at right).

Culshaw described the current situation with office space in the DTC as, “Post-Covid, it’s really gone off a cliff. We are losing office tenants from the GMD at a fairly alarming rate, which is having some compounding effects.”

He continued, “Not surprisingly, that has driven direct vacancies up from 11%-12% that spikes to 18% today. On top of that, there is a shadow vacancy of sub-leased space that is difficult to measure, but it’s probably another 7%-9% on top of that.” He summarized, “We have significant office vacancy within the DTC,” adding, “More alarming still, there is nothing under construction right now.”

He continued, “What’s this done to property values?” He pointed to a chart that showed that 115 office properties were sold between 2014 and 2020 for an average price of $190/square foot, only three properties were sold between 2022 and 2024 for $95/square foot, which is half the previous price, and four properties are currently under contract for an average of $80 per square foot (see SE METRO PROPERTY VALUES chart on page 7.) Culshaw told the council, “It’s a fairly alarming and precipitous drop in office values.”

To demonstrate the impact of falling prices for office buildings on property taxes, Culshaw used the recent sale of two buildings at 8350 E. Crescent Parkway and 8390 E. Crescent Parkway, adja-

This three-dimensional graph shows the types of development in the DTC by decade since 1960. Most of the office buildings were built in the 1980s and 1990s.

This chart shows the rate at which office space has been absorbed in southeast metro Denver during the past decade, which has been “inthe-red” since the pandemic. Source: CBRE

“Post-Covid, it’s really gone off a cliff. We are losing office tenants from the GMD at a fairly alarming rate, which is having some compounding effects.

Not surprisingly, that has driven direct vacancies up from 11%-12% that spikes to 18% today. On top of that, there is a shadow vacancy of subleased space that is difficult to measure, but it’s probably another 7%-9% on top of that. We have significant office vacancy within the DTC. More alarming still, there is nothing under construction right now.”

– Peter Culshaw, President, Goldsmith Metropolitan District This chart shows that the value of office property in DTC has dropped by more than half in the past 10 years.

Source: CBRE

cent to YaYa’s Restaurant, which we reported in The Villager on June 27th. After pointing out that the two buildings recently sold for just under $66/square foot, combined, which he called “a staggering and alarming statistic,” Culshaw shared that his company, Shea Properties, developed the two buildings—at a cost of $125/ square foot nearly 30 years ago, adding, “This is a stunning drop in value. We sold both those buildings for an aggregate of $185/square foot in 1998.” (See 2-BUILDING SALE Sales & Price per Square Foot slide to the right) Culshaw then demonstrated that if the appraised value for assessing property taxes is based on sales price, we can expect that the total property tax for all jurisdictions generated by these two buildings alone will drop from $1,158,477 for 2022 to $366,689 for 2024, a decrease of 68% in two years, which, he said, “is a very significant impact on our school district, our fire district, the city, and the metro district.

If this continues, it will be a compounding thing across the districts.”

Focusing on all DTC office buildings inside Greenwood Village, Culshaw predicted that, if present trends continue, the total estimated property tax revenue from these buildings for all jurisdictions can be expected to drop from $21,711,604 in 2024 to $13,026,902 in the near future.

DTC Forward, said Culshaw, is designed “to attack the major is sues… (including) aging building stock from the 1970s and 1980s that needs to be pulled down or repurposed, aging infrastructure, and changed development context.”

For aging buildings, Culshaw said, “The idea is to foster an environment which will enhance the idea of redevelopment.”

For changed development context, he said, “There is an evolution from office to live/work. Whether we like it or not, people are living close to where they work…

For the first time, we’ve got nearby competition. When we all started down this path with DTC, it was ‘the place.’

Now, there are a lot of developments that compete with DTC. We need to reposition to be relevant.”

He summarized that in addition to modernizing infrastructure and emphasizing energy and people, “We need to encourage redevelopment to some of the older building stock, which I think will raise all boats.”

Culshaw believes design guidelines in the DTC need to be updated to enhance building signage allowances

because, according to his presentation, “Signage guidelines are outdated and uncompetitive with other southeast metro jurisdictions,” leading to the DTC “falling behind our competitors.” He pointed to Cigna having left its GV location and moved to Denver “because they couldn’t get a sign,” and expressed concern that Empower, which has 2,700 employees in its GV headquarters, could possibly do the same.

Culshaw told the GV City Council that GMD “would like to lead the effort in setting a standard for sign quality in multiple ways.” He used the example of DTC’s own sign as one that is outdated, presenting examples of a newly designed updated version that he believes will “identify and rebrand DTC as a place ….that will attract businesses to come and locate here.”

He asked that the city partner with GMD to allow “tasteful parapet signage within the DTC to move DTC Forward” in response to, what was described in his Powerpoint as, “current vacancy, absorption and property value trends (which)

thoroughfare medians in the GMD at a cost of $1.6 million, using what Culshaw all referred to as, “Greenwood Village’s excellent example of what has been done on Belleview Avenue west of I-25.”

GMC also plans to update Orchard Station Park, at the foot of which the Axis Tower building recently acquired by The Goldsmith Metro Koelbel and CompaDistrict is the area ny (see the July 4 isoutlined in green on this map. sue of The Villager) is located. Culshaw described Orchard do not bode well for the fuStation Park as “an underused ture.” The hope, he said, is amenity” that, “If we improve that, “DTC Forward (will) it effectively, will become more renew economic activity and re-establish DTC as a premier useful for the citizens within DTC and close to it.” The park destination.”

GV Council Member Paul is jointly owned by Greenwood Village, GMD, and Arapahoe Wiesner wanted to know County. The plan for improvwhat Culshaw thought made ing it was originally submitted Belleview Station, adjacent to GV in January and resubmitto GV in Denver, successful, ted in late July. GMD expects asking, “What would DTC to spend over $2 million on it, have to do differently to including a sound wall and an attract that type of (developidentity wall, featuring the new ment)?” Culshaw respondDTC design. They also plan to ed, “They (tenants) like the density of the office and they update George Wallace Park, which is in Denver but directly like the signage.” Although adjacent to GV. he believed that it was too In response to questions crowded, tenants went there, said Culshaw, “because that’s from council members about GMD’s request to look at rules the place where they can for signage on buildings in GV, get identification,” adding, Lee Dehmlow, chair of the Ar“And if we don’t mirror that chitectural Control Committee in some tasteful form, they (ACC) for the DTC, explained (businesses) are going to keep going to other places…. that the ACC has “acted as a gatekeeper for 50 years” of (even though) no one likes the density (at Belleview Sta- design guidelines, including rules for signs, noting that, tion).”

“We have a very detailed, As part of its overall efthorough process that’s geared forts to retain the beauty of toward making architecture the the area, GMD has invested central visual standpoint of de$700,000 to date for 220 velopment, and signage that’s new trees and plans to spend $200,000/year going forward complementary to that architecture.” GV Mayor George for maintenance of the tree Lantz noted that CoBank and canopy. It will also update

“There is an evolution from office to live/ work. Whether we like it or not, people are living close to where they work…For the first time, we’ve got nearby competition.

When we all started down this path with DTC, it was ‘the place.’ Now, there are a lot of developments that compete with DTC. We need to reposition to be relevant.”

– Peter Culshaw, President, Goldsmith Metropolitan District Spectrum’s signs on their GV buildings are turned off by 10:00 pm every night.

Culshaw reminded the council that his main concern was “about the economics of the GMD,” adding, “I do know that these large tenants will not lease here without a sign…

That’s a fact.” Council Member Dave Kerber responded, “I understand and that’s something that we have to consider…I think we are going in the same direction.” Mayor Lantz agreed.

Peter Culshaw, a longtime resident of Greenwood Village, is Executive Vice President of Shea Properties, “a diversified real estate company that owns and operates approximately 11,000 apartments and 6,000,000 square feet of office, industrial, and retail space in California, Colorado, and Washington.” Culshaw is responsible for the company’s Colorado portfolio that includes 2,000,000 square feet of commercial space and 750 apartment units. He is considered one of the key people responsible for developing the DTC and Meridian International Business Center.

These are examples presented at the meeting of aging buildings in Greenwood Village that GMD believes should be torn down.

PAGE 8 | THE VILLAGER • August 1, 2024 June 13, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 15

INTERESTINGPLACES

Easter on Easter Island

Where best to spend Easter than on Easter Island? We traveled there for my birthday, which this year happened to fall on Easter Sunday.

Easter Island is known as IN THE EYES OF BRIAN Rapa Nui, a Bio Retinal specialist, writer, small island Greenwood Village resident in the South email: joonbug@mac.com Pacific. It’s 63 square miles and on a map, due south of Colorado but in the Southern Hemisphere.

The only way to get there is via Santiago Chile. Ellen and I flew from Denver to Houston, then a red eye to Santiago. Chris and Steph flew via Atlanta. A day touring Santiago and enjoying the wonderful food is a great way to break up the long trip.

A once daily flight to Rapa Nui departs in the morning, and is a 5 ½ hour, 2300-mile flight due west.

For perspective, Rapa Nui is about a third of the way to French Polynesia, with the final third taking you to New Zealand.

The flight is on LATAM Airlines, and a big plane too, a 787 Dreamliner. The Rapa Nui airport has a surprisingly long runway, 2 ½ miles long. This was built as an emergency landing site for the space shuttle.

The island is triangular with an extinct volcano at each point of the triangle. The terrain reminded me of the Hawaiian Islands, although on a much smaller scale with a population of only 7750.

We stayed in a modest motel in Hanga Roa, the capitol and only city, walking distance to shops and restaurants. There is one resort, in a more remote area of the island. If you want a tropical resort, go to Hawaii or Mexico instead.

Easter Island is famous for statues scattered across the island. They are called Moai and commemorate past leaders and ancestors. There are about 900 Moai, some in rows and others singular. They face inland with their backs to the sea.

Contrary to urban legend, they were not brought by aliens but were instead carved out of a quarry on a mountain side. We saw them in various states of past production in the quarry.

Using ropes and pulling the Moai side to side, they can be made to slowly “walk” from the quarry to their final place on the island. They average 13 feet tall and weigh 14

tons.

They were built by seafaring Polynesians over 1000 years ago.

There is also an Inca aspect to the statues, suggesting an additional influence.

Dutch settlers arrived on Rapa Nui on Easter 1722, hence the island name. The A long row of Moai population suddenly dropped from 3000 to only 111 over the next 150 years.

Reasons for the depopulation include deforestation, famine, war, introduced disease, and slavery.

Another interesting medical tidbit

If only they were that light

about Rapa Nui is Rapamycin, a compound produced by bacteria on the island. It was discovered in 1964

when scientists noted that native people walking barefoot never caught tetanus.

The name comes from the island name of Rapa Nui and the word mycin, which is a compound from fungal-like bacteria in this case streptomyces species.

A partially carved Moai in the mountain quarry Rapamycin is also known as Sirolimus and is an approved With minimal side effects this drug for cancer, organ transplant could be a life lengthening drug. rejection, and drug eluting heart Over 100 clinical trials are under stents. Mice given rapamycin live way. As a physician it was fun nerd60% longer than controls. ing out on another interesting bit This potential miracle drug stimabout Easter Island other than the ulates the mTOR pathway known as Moai statues. the mammalian target of rapamycin.

Who knew that the Moai statues Through a fasting like effect of auto- might be guarding this amazing anphagy, rapamycin may increase lon- ti-aging drug. What an amazing trip gevity in humans, prevent dementia, to this exotic and mysterious paradise, Easter Island on Easter! cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

Our group picture on Easter Sunday

August 1, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 9

FINAL WEEKS CLOSES SEPT. 2

This exhibition is a joint venture between and produced by the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, Canada and MuseumsPartner in Austria.

PAGE 10 | THE VILLAGER • August 1, 2024

Colorado Author Wins #1 in Historical Fantasy Fiction

T

he Secret Hamlet, Dr. Judith Briles’ second book in the Harmonie series was awarded WINNER in the Fantasy Historical Fiction category from the American Fiction Awards. Co-written with Brian Barnes, it is set in the 11th century, the power of Nichol is turned loose with her wolf dog Shadow by her side when she becomes the target of a ruthless priest and an evil half-brother. Her website is www.JudithBrilesBooks. com.

This is not the first award Dr. Briles has garnered.

Since the publication of her bestselling book, The Women’s Guide to Financial Savvy in the eighties, 56 awards have come her way for various books. They have been featured in more than 1,500 print, radio, and television programs. Her book, The Author’s Walk has already earned multiple book awards and was published in 2023. It was written for aspiring authors and authors who need to rediscover their mojo and passion.

She is the host of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It has been ranked in the top 10 podcasts for book marketing

by Feedspot and top 100 by

Goodpods for publishing information. Since first broadcasting, it has received over 18 million downloads.

Dr. Briles will be featured and signing her latest books at several Barnes & Noble bookstores over the summer and fall, including: • August 3 BN Southlands, Aurora • August 4 BN Book Fair Briargate, Colorado Springs, • August 27 BN Denver West Village, Lakewood • October 19 BN Book Fair – Colorado Blvd, Glendale • October 20 BN Book Fair – Southlands, Aurora • November 23 BN Book Fair – Denver West Village, Lakewood

• November 24 BN Book Fair – Lone Tree “Meeting book readers in bookstores is always a highlight of my day. Answering

questions, sharing ideas and experiences is always fun for me. At the events, I always encourage to discover my special book website,

www.JudithBrilesBooks. com. I’m a cook, and one of the giveaways is a short book of my personal recipes.”

Plans announced for 13th Annual Affordable Arts Festival With artwork worth thousands priced at $150 (or less), the popular festival has raised more than $290,000 in scholarship money

T

he Affordable Arts Festival (www.

AffordableArts Festival.com), currently one of the top shows in the country and the fastest growing arts festival in Colorado, will take place on August 25 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Arapahoe Community College, located at 5900 South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.

And art patrons will be pleasantly surprised at the pricing.

Artwork worth thousands of dollars will be priced at $150 (or less), as 165 renowned artists from across the nation are committing their time and art to help support students via the Arapahoe Community College Foundation’s Scholarship Fund. Since its inception, the festival has raised more than $290,000 in scholarship money for the Arapahoe Community College.

All of the artists are now listed online – along with many of the artists’ “Best Deals” – at www.

AffordableArtsFestival. com. Tickets are also

available online (proceeds are donated to the Arapahoe Community College Foundation; tickets cost $12 each and kids 12 and under are free).

The festival’s parking will provide 1,500 free parking spaces on campus, and a team of golf cart drivers to assist patrons in getting their purchases to their cars from the Festival exit.

“People love to come to the festival to purchase incredible artwork from

professional artists for less than $150, while supporting the goals and ambitions of Arapahoe Community College students,” said Jim DeLutes, Founder and Director of the Affordable Arts Festival. “This year’s event will have even more artwork and all of it priced at $150 or less. Plus the patrons who attend can take pride in knowing that their admission fee is supporting students who need some financial help, while also having the opportuni-

ty to purchase high quality art.”

DeLutes continued, “This is artwork that would typically be sold for many-times the amount the artists are asking, and it’s an effective way for them to sell a lot of art in just a few hours, help aspiring students and also connect many people to their artwork for the first time. This is a one-dayonly event, so anyone who loves fine artwork, or wants to experience an arts

festival for the first time, should be sure to visit us in a friendly, unintimidating place to see, experience and buy high quality artwork.”

Some of the state’s and nation’s most outstanding artists will have booths at the Festival, selling their art. The level of activity between the artists and attendees contributes greatly to the highly-energized level of enthusiasm and fun. It’s an experience you do not want to miss.

August 1, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 11

Could Olympic Gold earn Wheaties box?

Winning the gold medal in the heptathlon at the Paris Olympics would be a dream come true for Anna Hall, who grew up in Greenwood Village and whose parents still live here.

It would establish her as the top allaround women’s athlete in the world—the acclaim that typically goes to the multievent winner.

And maybe it would earn her another distinction, a place on the front of a box of Wheaties!

The first four events of this year’s hep will be contested a week from today, with the other three the next day.

Hall’s idol and mentor, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, made the box, though not until 2004—SIXTEEN YEARS AFTER her record-setting performance. Fewer than 900 athletes from all sports, amateur and pro, have graced store shelves this way, over 90 years.

Yes, it’s an exclusive club.

“I remember just standing there, looking at it, and being like, ‘That’s my face!” Denver swimmer Amy Van Dyken said in an interview, referring to the time she saw herself on the box in a grocery store after winning four gold medals at the 1996 Olympics.

“Several people asked me, ‘Can I help you get anything?’

And I was like, ‘Nope, just staring at my mug on this box

right here.’ It was just amazing.”

General Mills adopted the “Breakfast of Champions” marketing slogan in 1933 and began putting photos of star athletes on the back and sides of its Wheaties cereal boxes the next year, starting with Lou Gehrig.

It was 1958 when they moved to the front of the box with Bob Richards, a twotime Olympic gold medalist in the pole vault.

Being pictured on the front of a Wheaties box has since become akin to having your picture on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Folks keep track.

Michael Jordan leads both—18 Wheaties and 49 SI appearances.

If Hall were to score at least 7,292 points, she’d break the 36-year-old world record set by Joyner-Kersee at the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul, South Korea.

Her previous best is 6,988, recorded in May 2023 in Gotsis, Austria. That’s the fifth-highest total in the world—ever—which suggests she’s capable if at full strength.

Coming off knee surgery at the Steadman Clinic in Vail early this year (“A minor procedure,” she called it.), Hall managed to finish first with 6,614 points at the U.S. Olympic Trials at the end of June, her first compet-

itive meet in more than four months.

By the time the Olympic heptathlon commences next Thursday, she will have had 44 days since the Trials to continue her rehab and training.

Can she win the gold medal? Is a record-breaking performance too much to hope for?

There’s a two-minute, 15-second YouTube video on the internet that shows Hall being surprised by Joyner-Kersee during a pre-Olympic interview.

Even though it was a setup, it’s worth noting as something we might see when the heptathlon approaches, or sometime during the seven events.

“Who in your career has been your biggest inspiration?” the interviewer asks, off camera.

“The athlete that’s been my biggest inspiration is definitely Jackie Joyner-Kersee,” Hall answers.

“I grew up hearing stories about her from my dad, who also did track, and she’s known as the best athlete track and field has ever seen . . .”

As Hall is expounding on her idol’s greatness, the video switches to Joyner-Kersee outside the house where the interview is taking place.

She’s listening on headphones to every word Hall is saying.

“So, who better to look up to in the sport?” Hall continues.

And then, while she’s elaborating on Joyner-Kersee’s versatility, guess who sneaks through the doorway behind Hall. When she materializes at Hall’s side. Hall admits she’s at a loss for words.

After a hug, the world record-holder asks if she can watch her protegee’s workout.

And Hall, of course, says: “Of course.”

Joyner-Kersee tells the interviewer, “I believe she’s the best hep-athlete out there, physically and mentally. Anna Hall has it all.”

And Hall says, “If my hero in this sport believes in me and is pushing me on, it makes me believe in myself more and think that maybe my ceiling is higher than I thought.”

The perfect ending would have been a cutaway to a Wheaties box with Hall’s picture already on it. But . . .

We’ll be watching.

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 16 books, nine of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@ comcast.net.

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PAGE 12 | THE VILLAGER • August 1, 2024

This is not a scam: Social Security needs you to update your online account Dear Savvy Senior, I recently received an email that I needed to update my online Social Security account. Is this legit or is it a scam?

Suspicious Susan

Dear Susan, The Social Security Administration did indeed send out a legitimate email last month to notify recipients that they are making changes to the way you access Social Security’s online services, including your personal “my Social Security” account.

The changes will simplify your sign-in experience and align with federal authentication standards, while at the Dear Readers,

Avoiding Vehicle Fraud

The Colorado State Patrol provides the following tips to avoid vehicle fraud when buying a car that is not what it seems. When buying a car, you should consider: • Who is selling it?

• Does the seller appear to be who they say?

• Is the business what the seller says it is?

• What is the fair market value of the vehicle?

• If the vehicle is listed far

same time provide you safe and secure access to your account and other online services.

If you created an online my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, you’ll need to shift to a Login.gov account to be able to continue to access your account.

Online my Social Security accounts enable both beneficiaries and people who are not yet receiving benefits to access services, including requesting Social Security card replacements, estimating future benefits, checking on the status of benefit applications and managing current benefits.

The online services aim to save time for both current and future beneficiaries, as well as the Social Security Administration, as the agency grapples with long wait times for its national 800 phone number. The average speed to answer those calls was about 36 minutes in the second quarter, according to the SSA. The agency is working to bring that average wait time down to 12 minutes by the end of September 2025.

account with Login.gov.

Once you successfully link your personal my Social Security account with your new Login.gov account, you’ll get a confirmation screen and have immediate access to online services. In the future, you’ll sign into your account with Login.gov and not your Social Security username.

If you already have either a Login.gov or ID.me account, you do not have to take any action.

Update Your Account

Beware of Scams

under value, why?

• Where is the vehicle from?

• Out of state titles will require a VIN verification from the Colorado State Patrol.

• A noted rise in fraudulent out of state titles is an important reason

to check first before you buy.

Just as you would take a car to a mechanic to evaluate the condition of the car, you should take a car to the Colorado State Patrol to evaluate the legality of the car.

For used cars being sold online, look for the following red flags in the advertisement: • A private seller lists the vehicle and the advertisement says: “Cash Only”.

• The account listing the vehicle was created recently and has very little content.

• The advertisement makes some appeal to your emotions, such as: “Only selling to pay medical bills”, or “Need to sell quick to due hard times,” etc.

• On popular online websites, such as Facebook marketplace, eBay, Craig-

slist and offer-up, if a seller’s account is nearly blank and has little or no history, this is a good indication the seller is not who they say they are.

• All Colorado Automotive Dealers are licensed and vetted through the Department of Revenue, if they aren’t listed there, they are not legitimate.

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If you already have a my Social Security account, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and sign in with your Social Security username. You’ll then be guided through the process of creating a new

To be sure you’re taking the appropriate steps to update your account, it is important to verify any websites or links leading you to the Social Security website.

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

Many of my clients have asked what are the critical documents needed. 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

ty Administration website link is www.ssa.gov and the agency link to my Social Security account is www.ssa. gov/myaccount.

It’s very important to be mindful of potential scam artists who may send you fraudulent websites pretending to direct you to Social Security. These sites will closely mimic the format of the agency’s links to try to lure you into entering your personal information.

If you see a suspicious email or link, it is best not to respond or click on it. Instead, you can report it to the website of the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General or call the fraud hotline at 800269-0271.

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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.

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August 1, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 13

What Does It Mean to Be Well?

If I asked an audience of 50 people to define “wellness,” I would have 50 different answers, yet there is a multi billion dollar wellness industry in the United States. Harvard University researchers did a deep dive into the literature to define wellness and, after many years, outlined the data in the Harvard Human Flourishing Project at Harvard’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science.

Many topics fundamental to well-being, such as happiness, character, virtue, meaning, and purpose, have traditionally been viewed as falling into the buckets of the humanities, philosophy, religion, or theology. However, a robust empirical body of literature has emerged in sociology, political science, economics, medicine, and public health.

Since 2016, the domains of wellness and human flourishing have been studied. The global research team outlined six domains of human flourishing, which outline vitality, health, and life success.

These domains are Happiness and Life Satisfaction, Mental and Physical Health, Meaning and Purpose, Character and Virtue, Close Social Relationships, and Material and Financial Stability.

Each works gear-like and makes up the engine of human wellness and thriving. To operationalize each domain, researchers asked questions in each category.

In the Happiness and Life Satisfaction domain, the questions are: 1. Overall, how satisfied are you with life these days?

2. In general, how happy or unhappy do you usually feel?

In the Mental and Physical Health domain: 1. In general, how would you rate your physical health?

2. How would you rate your overall mental health?

In the Meaning and Purpose domain: 1. Overall, to what extent do you feel your actions are worthwhile?

2. I understand my purpose in life.

In the Character and Virtue domain: 1. I always act to promote good in all circumstances, even in challenging situations.

2. I can always give up some happiness now for greater happiness later.

In the Close Social Relationships domain: 1. I am content with my friendships and relationships.

2. My relationships are as satisfying as I would want them to be.

In the Financial and Material Stability domain: 1. How often do you worry about being able to meet regular monthly living expenses?

2. How often do you worry about safety, food, or housing?

One can learn how to increase one’s wellness and flourishing score by working toward a high-level answer to each question and answering honestly.

Discovering this Harvard Human Flourishing Study is a game changer for health, wellness, and happiness. The professional team I work with is well-versed in the optimal health model of human thriving. This data augments our work with profound depth, clarity, and intensity.

The words and concepts utilized by the Human Flourishing Project are concrete, understandable, and user-friendly.

If employed by parents, educators, medical professionals, business, and thought leaders, these concepts could increase wellness and the quality of life for all. Let us be committed to teaching these domains and skills to improve wellness and combat the crisis in mental health. joneen@ narme.org

PAGE 14 | THE VILLAGER • August 1, 2024

Sari Mina reasons you need to hire Ross Interior Design

1 You’re going to save money

Ever bought a piece of furniture that looked so good in the store, but was too big once you got it home? Ever painted three or four times trying to find the right color palette? It may seem like like an oxymoron because you’re going to have to pay the additional designer’s fee, but the truth is that hiring a designer can help you avoid costly mistakes and help you make design decisions that will increase the value of your home. And if you’re on a tight budget, a designer is going to know how to get the best value out of what you can spend.

An experienced designer is used to working on a line item budget and will help you understand where every penny is going.

2 You’re going to save time

We’d figure to start off with the two things most people wish they could have more of: time and money. Just like hiring a designer will benefit you financially, a designer will also save you on time. A designer already has a trained sense of what needs to be done and when it needs to be done, and they’ll be able to anticipate any obstacles that may come up.

3 You’re going to get a professional assessment

When you hire a trained designer, you get an immediate plan of action for your space.

Professional interior designers went to school and had several apprenticeships to do what they do. A trained pair of eyes will see things you’re guaranteed to miss. Interior design is a delicate balance of art and science, and good interior designers have studied both, so they know how to put them together.

4 You’re going to have a qualified liaison

A good designer will know how to speak the language when it comes to architects, contractors, and building owners. This is crucial in managing time and money. Strong communication between the interior design and the lighting, furnishing and architecture is absolutely key. For example, proper outlet placement is going to depend on how you want

www.sariminaross.com

your furniture placed. These types of issues should be addressed before any construction, and an interior designer will know exactly which issues need to be brought up.

5 You’re going to have better resources and contacts

Everyone knows it’s difficult to find good resources. But designers already work in the world of home improvement, so they’re going to have reliable connections that you may need.

Hiring a designer will help you easily find an electrician, plumber, and/or contractor that you can trust. You get all the benefits of a professional with a design education–designers and decorators understand how to create a functional space that is also stylish. Designers also have access to tons of product and fabric that is not available to the general public.

With these resources, an interior designer will create a space for you that looks collected and unique (instead of the big box retailer stuff everyone has in their home).

6 You’re going to have wow factor

Interior designers are trained to think creatively and spatially and learn to see an overall picture in an interior space that clients often cannot. Thinking outside of the box when it comes to home decor is what designers do on the regular. Not only will you get a good design sense, but you’ll also get an attention to detail from proper lighting and furniture placement to fabric choices and color palette and fixture options. A professional interior designer will create and interior that is custom-designed pieces to make sure everything fits perfectly and is truly special to your home. Designers can also get you furniture, fabric, and materials that are trade-only and not accessible to everyone else. People notice a well-designed home.

Try to do it by yourself, and you’re stuck juggling the many elements that go into designing that a designer is specifically trained to do so and has the space planning know-how and essential design tools. And when they’re done, not only will your home look beautiful and cohesive, but it’ll be well thought out and highly functional.

sari@sariminaross.com

646.594.3476

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.

Submit your letters by email to:

gerri@villagerpublishing.com 303-773-8313

LEGALS

August 1, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 15

Classified Advertising WHAT’S NEW? JULY 29-AUG. 3. County Line Road evening roadwork.

CENTRAL CITY OPERA STREET SCENE - JULY 20, 26, 28, 30, Aug. 3 THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST - JULY 21, 23, 27, 31, Aug. 3 Tickets 303-292-6700.

DENVER SOUTH PARTNERSHIP MEETING AUG. 1 7:30-9:00 a.m. Centennial Airport & Aviation and Denver South. At ONE flight International, 8208 Interport Blvd., #200 Englewood. RSVP: 303-531-8388.

HISTORY COLORADO CENTENNIAL STATE 148TH BIRTHDAY. AUGUST 3, Free, all day long.

SCOTTISH FESTIVAL AUGUST 3, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. AUGUST 4, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Denver Polo Club, 6359 Airport Rd., Sedalia. Tickets: www.scottishgames. org IRON SHARP COMMUNITY FOUNDATION’S BACK TO SCHOOL HEART-REACH AUGUST 4, 1-6 p.m. Centennial Park (Amphitheatre,) 13050 E. Peakview Ave., Centennial. Back packs, school supplies, resources, food & fun to students & families in need across Cherry Creek School District and Littleton Public Schools. Bring donated school supplies to the event to stuff a school bus with school supplies.

96TH WESTERN WELCOME WEEK AUGUST 9- AUGUST 18.

AUGUST 9, Fiber Art Show - Depot Art Gallery; AUGUST 9, Opening Night Concert & New Drone Show at Sterne Park; AUGUST 10, Bega Park Outdoor Art Show at Depot Art Gallery; AUGUST 10, Gold Panning on the South Platte River at Carson Nature Center, South Platte Park.

CENTENNIAL UNDER THE STARS AUG. 10, CENTENNIAL CENTER PARK The Mural Walk project is the City of Centennial’s first public mural project.

The murals will be at Big Dry Creek under Arapahoe Road and are set to be installed in late August. There are four local artists finalizing original art to be submitted for the second round of judging. The winners will be announced AUG. 10 at Centennial Under the Stars. Upcoming is the Chalk Art Festival Sat., SEPT. 14 at the Streets at Southglenn.

CHERRY CREEK REPUBLICAN WOMEN RESUME THEIR LUNCHEONS ON AUG. 13.

Watch for more information on the speaker and RSVP info.

CANCER LEAGUE 28TH ANNUAL RACE 4 RESEARCH AUGUST 18, 9 -11 a.m. 5K Run & Walk.

Washington Park - Denver. Regular registration ends Aug. 16 at 1:00 p.m. RSVP: 303-281-9864.

CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO RACE FOR RESEARCH LOOKING FOR SPONSORS AUGUST 18. LEARN MORE AT RACE4RESEARCH.COM MORGAN ADAMS CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE AUG. 23-25 AUGUST 24, Signature Aviation North at Centennial Airport 6-10 p.m. Fundraiser with collectible, rare, vintage, and exotic automobiles, aircraft and motorcycles.

Live and silent auction, cocktails & fare from Colorado restaurants. 501(c)(3) organization to support kids and young adults with cancer. Tickets at Morgan Adams Foundation.

13TH ANNUAL AFFORDABLE ARTS FESTIVAL AUG. 25, 9-3 p.m. at Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton. A

Fundraiser for scholarships. 165 Renowned artists from across the nation. Tickets $12.

Kids 12 & under, free.

WINGS OF HOPE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH PRESENTS EVENING OF HOPE SEPT. 6, Presenting Miss America- Madison Marsh at Exploration of Flight Centennial Airport. Benefiting CU Cancer Center. Tickets: www.wingsofhopecr.org MS. COLORADO SENIOR AMERICA - QUEEN’S TEA SUN., SEPT. 22, 2-5 p.m. at Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Course, Antero Ballroom.

It will be a fun afternoon of sipping tea & tasting the delights of an assortment finger sandwiches, canapés, appetizers, and desserts. You will be entertained by the Ms. Colorado Senior America Pageant Queen 2024 Andrea Kehmeier and club members including the dance group, The Bella Donna’s! Bring your girlfriends and have an afternoon of fun. Silent auction and Live auction? This is an annual fundraiser. Tickets: contact Cindy Oberdier at 720-217-3560.

BUTTERFLY BALL COLORADO IS COLORADO’S BIGGEST NIGHT FOR CONSERVATION SAT., SEPT. 28. 6 p.m. Omni Interlocken Hotel, 500 Interlocken Blvd., Broomfield.

Butterfly Inspired Formal Attire. Enjoy a magical stroll through the Monarch Menagerie filled with 400 live monarch butterflies, a champagne welcome, cocktail reception, sit-down dinner, live entertainment and fashion show, and silent and live auctions. See how Butterfly Pavilion embraces the principles of People. Planet.

Promise. Will showcase how we conduct global conservation projects with an equity lens in Tanzania, Mongolia, Sumatra and many other locations around the globe?

For info: Alex Peterson, 720-531-9362. or peterson@butterflies.org or www. butterflies.org

Colorado Classified Advertising Statewide Network To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado Newspapers for only $300, contact The Villager Newspaper at 303-773-8313

DIRECTV

PORTABLE OXYGEN

DIRECTV-All your entertainment.

Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first free months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included.

Choice Package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply.

Call DIRECTV 1-888-725-0897

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May be Covered by Medicare!

Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free Information Kit! Call: 844-823-0293 FREE HIGH SPEED INTERNET

COLORADO PRESS ASSOCIATION NETWORK

To Place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado Newspaper for only $300, contact your local Newspaper or email rtoledo@colopress.net

FREE HIGH SPEED INTERNET Free High Speed Internet for those that qualify.

Goverment program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15GB Internet Service.

Bonus offer: Android Tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free Shipping & Handling.

Call Maxsip Telecom Today: 7-866-654-9429

RODEO ALL-STAR MUTTON BUSTIN COMPETITION OCT. 4 & 5 National Western Complex. For children 5-7 and under 55 pounds. Open to 900 kids. Visit rodeoallstar.com

CLUBS: 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.

MENTAL HEALTH COLORADO 41ST TRIBUTE FUNDRAISING GALA SAT., OCT. 12, Grand Hyatt-Denver 6 p.m.

Tickets aperales@menetalhealthcoloado.org

ENGLEWOOD LIONS CLUB MEETINGS Meets 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 7:00 p/m.

At Mango Tree Coffee, 3498 S. Broadway, Englewood. Info: Gail 720-377-7682.

SOUTH SUBURBAN GOLF COURSE 50TH ANNIVERSARY 7900 S Colo. Blvd., Centennial. Five leagues have joined together to raise funds for “Nourish Meals on Wheels” this month.

Nourish delivered more than 200,000 meals and groceries in 2023 to those in need.

Concerts and karaoke nights throughout the year. Info: 303-70-5500.

GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION “BE BEAUTIFUL BE YOURSELF FASHION SHOW NOV. 16, 5 p.m. Zaya Biel honored as Global Ambassador and Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Awardee, Sofia Sanchez.

Questions: 303-321-6277. Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.

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: MAYSON CHRISTOPHER CINOCCO A/K/A MAYSON CHRISTOPHER TOBIN, Child, and concerning, MADDIE DAPHNE ABELL A/K/A MADDIE DAPHNE WEEMS, ROBERT TOBIN, AND JOHN DOE, Respondents.

Erinn Walz, Esq. #43200 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for Petitioner 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 Tel: (303) 636-1821 Fax: (303) 636-1889 NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT Case No: 24JV92 Division: 22 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Hearing and Default Judgement regarding Respondent, ROBERT TOBIN, is set for August 19, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. in Division 22 at the Arapahoe County District Court, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112. You have the right to be represented by an attorney during these proceedings; if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. In the event you fail to appear for said hearing at the date and

time indicated, the Petitioner, the People of the State of Colorado, will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child dependent and neglected and enter into a treatment plan by default in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code.

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/D18ARAP-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 720650-7664. 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.

Respectfully submitted: July 26, 2024.

Erinn Walz, Esq. #43200 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for Petitioner Published in The Villager Published: August 1 2024 Legal # 11548 ___________________________

PAGE 16 | THE VILLAGER • August 1, 2024

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