Arvada Chamber of Commerce celebrates 100th anniversary, rebrands to ‘Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce’
BY RYLEE DUNN
In autumn 1924, a group of business owners in the thennascent community of Arvada called for a meeting to form the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, a move they hoped would keep Arvada “in the van of progress.” Shortly after, the rst-ever meeting of the Arvada Chamber was held at the Arvada Lumber Company, from which the chamber’s rst campaign — urging locals to vote with the slogan “Vote As You Please — But Vote” — was born. On Jan. 27, 1925, the chamber was incorporated by the Colorado Secretary of State, and 100 years later, the Arvada Chamber is still going strong. e early days of the chamber
were marked by e orts such as throwing Arvada’s rst Harvest Festival and nancially supporting the installation of the rst tra c light in Arvada (and all of Je erson County, at the intersection of Wadsworth Boulevard and Grandview Avenue).
Some of the chamber’s longstanding traditions are still practiced today; the annual Man and Woman of the Year awards have been doled out since 1955, the chamber’s Annual Golf Tournament has been held since 1967 and local favorite Taste of Arvada has been going strong since 2004. is year, a host of celebrations are planned to commemorate the chamber’s centennial, including an Era’s Tour-themed 100th-anniversary gala and a 100 Members in 100 Days Cam-
paign, along with one fairly noteworthy change: going forward, the chamber will be known as the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce to be “inclusive and representative of all the businesses and non-pro ts we work with and impact across the region,” Chamber CEO Kami Welch said.
“ e desire to update our name to the Greater Arvada Chamber really spurs from our kind of impact regionally that we’ve taken on in recent years,” Welch said. “We certainly serve a lot of businesses and partners and nonpro ts in Arvada, but we’re also working with a lot of people outside our community in order to ensure that our businesses can really thrive.
“It takes a more regional ap-
City Council will no longer turn the Early College of
Arvada
into homeless navigation center
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After east Arvada residents spoke out against the city’s plan to use the former Early College of Arvada building as a homeless navigation center last year, the Arvada City Council reversed course on Monday and unanimously approved a motion to sell the
proach, and so this concept of moving to “Greater (Arvada)” really just embraces this idea of businesses don’t know boundaries, and we want to make sure that as an organization, we’re being open to the partnerships that exist outside of Arvada,” Welch continued.
Some of the chamber’s already-ongoing regional campaigns include the B.O.L.D. 2026 program that seeks to support the regional talent development, housing, childcare and business environment ecosystems; partnerships with Red Rocks Community College, Colorado Succeeds and Colorado rives; and work with the Je erson County Business and Workforce Center.
In July 2024, the council approved the purchase of the building, located at 4905 W. 60th Ave, for $6.3 million, with the plan to use it as a homeless navigation center. At a town hall Sept. 17, residents voiced their displeasure — city documents suggested using the building as “a navigation center, a 24/7 emergency shelter or other similar uses” at the time of the purchase — then many more residents came to the Oct. 7 city council meeting to protest the plan. e council never nalized the plan for the site at the time but planned more community meetings. en, at the Jan. 27 Arvada City Council meeting, councilmembers unanimously approved a motion brought forth by Councilmember Shawna Ambrose to direct the city team to initiate the sale of the building, by a 7-0 vote. About 30 members of the Arlington Meadows homeowners association — located near the proposed homeless
Early members of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce threw the first Arvada Harvest Festival.
PHOTOS COURTESY ARVADA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANNIVERSARY
Membership to the Greater Arvada Chamber is open to any “business or nonpro t organization that would bene t from engaging in our organization and in our community,” Welch said.
Welch said that although the Greater Arvada Chamber is one of the oldest such organizations in the state — Colorado’s rst chamber of commerce, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, was established in 1867, while the Colorado Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1965 — it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
“Our tagline for our 100-year anniversary is ‘We’re just getting started,’” Welch said. “We’ve re ected a lot on the incredible history of our organization, representing a ton of leadership, resilience, advocacy over the many-year history, but we also recognize that we’re in this pivotal moment where there’s a lot of potential moving forward for our community and for our businesses, and we’re just so excited to take what we’ve learned and apply it to the next steps of our organization.”
e chamber’s longest-tenured members, the Apex Park and Recreation District (who have been chamber members since 1973), seem to agree that much more is on the horizon. Katie Groke, Director of Community Services for Apex, echoed Welch’s sentiment.
“Apex and the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce go together like parks and recreation!” Groke said. “Our longstanding partnership has been instrumental over the years, and we are proud to
Some of the other longest-tenured chamber members include Barone Inc, Arvada Rent-Alls, Holloway Insurance Agency and e Arvada Fire Protection District.
Upcoming chamber events
e 100th Annual Dinner is set for Feb. 28 and will feature recognitions of a few di erent award winners along with Taylor Swift-themed fun.
is year’s gala honorees are Balere Goods for Business of the Year; Tom Huseas, CEO of Kratos Industries for Entrepreneur of the Year; e Arvada Center for Nonpro t of the Year; Apex for the Community Champion of the Year and Tracy Kraftarp for Policy Leader of the Year.
More honorees — including Man and Woman of the Year, Rising Star and Young Professional Leadership — will be recognized at the May 7 Annual Awards Luncheon. Nominations for Man and Woman of the Year are still being accepted and can be made atarvadachamber.org/chamberawards.
“ e Man and Woman of the Year Awards, along with other recognitions presented by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, hold signi cant meaning for our community and re ect our commitment to celebrating exceptional individuals who contribute to a thriving Arvada,” Welch said.
Last year’s Man of the Year was Keith Sorci and last year’s Woman of the Year was Karen Miller.
Former Arvada Mayor Ken Fellman presents the commemorative Woman of the Year edition of the Arvada Sentinel, a forerunner to the Arvada Press. That tradition is still going strong!
The chamber’s booth at the first harvest festival. COURTESY
Real Estate Commission Says Clients, Not Their Brokers, Should Choose Settlement Service Providers
The Colorado Real Estate Commission (CREC), whose mandate is to protect consumers, has made it clear in Position Statement #18 that we brokers should not dictate the settlement service providers utilized by buyers and sellers. Instead, the client should make that decision, influenced perhaps but not dictated by their real estate broker. Here’s the verbiage from that position statement: “When assisting a Consumer in finding a settlement service provider, a Broker must ensure the Consumer plays an active role in the process and is ultimately responsible for making the selection.”
A “settlement service provider” is defined as any provider of a service required in the execution of a real estate transaction: lenders, title companies, inspectors, surveyors, appraisers, home warranty providers, and lawyers. Another position statement (#3) echoes a federal law that prohibits us and any of those other service providers from receiving a kickback or “something of value” (such as dinners or even charitable gifts) in return for referring our client to them.
common practice for the buyer to assign that responsibility to the seller and to specify the title company named in the MLS listing — and for the buyer to use the same title company to purchase the “piggyback” title policy for the buyer’s lender. To choose another title company for the lender’s policy would always be more expensive and serve no purpose. Based on the CREC’s position statement, it would seem that we should tell each buyer that they may choose to hire a different title company for the lender’s policy than the one being used by the seller, but doing so would add hundreds of dollars to the cost of closing.
The exception to that is when the buyer is planning to flip the property (with or without making improvements) to another buyer and has an agreement with their preferred title company to “hold open” the policy for the resale, thereby saving the cost of a new title search and title policy.
There is a website to which we refer clients who want to do their own comparison shopping for title companies. I’ve promoted it in the past: www.CompareTitleCompanies.com
There’s another aspect of this matter which I have written about before which deserves repeating, and that’s the topic of “affiliated business arrangements” (ABAs). A service provider is considered an ABA when the brokerage has an ownership or profit-sharing interest in the provider. Virtually all the big brokerages and some smaller ones have their own mortgage companies, title companies and other service providers which bring additional revenue to the brokerage. Their ABAs must be disclosed to their clients, so they are aware that the use of one of the services (which the broker will invariably recommend) benefits the brokerage financially.
Golden Real Estate does not have any affiliated business arrangements, because I feel that having such relationships introduces an
ethical question of whether we are, as required by law and by the Realtor Code of Ethics always to put the client’s interests ahead of our own.
This ethical issue is amplified when the managing broker takes note (as he surely does) of which agents are “playing the company” game by “capturing” clients for their mortgage company and their title company.
Before I launched Golden Real Estate in July 2007, I was with two large brokerages which had those captive service providers, and it was clear to me that the managing broker was favoring associates with high “capture rates” for their affiliated businesses.
That is not only unethical, it constitutes “something of value” given to the associate in return for a service provider referral.
BTW, you’ll notice that we list Wendy Renee below as our “in-house loan officer.” She rents desk space in our storefront, but we earn nothing from the business she does.
In Memoriam: Our Free Moving Truck Has Bit the Dust
That law is the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (RESPA). It was written to penalize persons or entities that are paid a fee (i.e., a kickback) for referring a client to a settlement service provider when the transaction includes a federally backed loan. As a practical matter, it has been assumed to apply to all real estate transactions.
RESPA’s primary focus is on lenders, to prohibit them from paying an “unearned” fee to a real estate broker, for example, in return for referring buyers to them. An “unearned” fee is one paid for doing nothing more than making the referral. If the person performs actual work, such as an attorney assisting on the transaction, that’s not a kickback, because it was earned
In this week’s column, I want to focus on the selection of title companies, since they, unlike those other service providers, are involved in virtually every real estate transaction.
Although the contract to buy and sell real estate allows the buyer to specify whether the seller or the buyer is to select the title company and pay for the owner’s title policy, it is a
I was reminded of this requirement that the seller actively participate in the selection of the title company when I was brought to task for my January 16th column in which I referred to First Integrity Title as our “preferred title company” because of a new service that they offer regarding HOA documents. Indeed, a complaint was filed against me by another service provider for violating the rule that the client, not the broker, must select the title company.
That complaint was dismissed by the Real Estate Commission’s investigator, but it inspired me to remind our readers — which includes real estate brokers and other service providers as well as prospective buyers and sellers — that this rule exists and that we should be diligent about obeying it. It’s not that hard to comply.
Henceforth, we will make it a practice to provide each client with a handout which, in addition to listing two or more lenders, inspectors, title companies and other settlement service providers, states in bold type (as suggested in Position Statement #18), that “the decision to hire a specific settlement service provider is completely at the Consumer’s discretion, and Consumers are not limited to service providers listed by the Broker.”
Back in 2004, I took delivery of our first box truck. After putting 150,000 miles on it, we bought a second truck and put another 100,000 miles on it. For a while, we actually had two trucks, and they got a lot of use, mostly by non-profits like BGoldN, the International Rescue Committee, Golden Chamber of Commerce, and Family Promise of Greater Denver. At right and below are pictures of volunteers from the Golden Relief Group who used the truck to transport donated furniture and furnishings for resettled refugees from Syria, Ukraine and elsewhere.
At right is our final truck, a 2012 Ford E350, which we purchased after it had logged 120,000 miles for Penske. The engine needs to be replaced at a cost of over $10,000, and it also needs a brake job.
We really enjoyed having a free moving truck to offer buyers and sellers, but you will notice in the box at left that now we only
provide free moving boxes and packing materials — still a nice benefit. We have decided not to replace the truck but to rent U-Haul trucks when the need arises. We are sorry that so many worthy nonprofits are losing access to a free box truck, but I’m hopeful they’ll find another company which can lend them one. Many self-storage companies have free box trucks for clients to use. Maybe one of them will do what we did.
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HOMELESSNESS
navigation center site — thanked the council members for listening to their concerns.
Many local residents also urged the city to be considerate of the residents of east Arvada when choosing a buyer for the site.
“For a long time, many of us in east Arvada were feeling unheard, and this decision makes us feel like you’re listening to us,” an Arlington Meadows resident named Monique said. “ e city needs to be thoughtful about who buys the property — not just about doing what’s best for the city, but about what bene ts the community too.”
Arvada Mayor Lauren Simpson opened the council discussion by acknowledging that feedback from the public in uenced the city’s decision on this topic.
“As we work through this process, we do take into consideration neighborhood feedback — it’s central to how we operate here in Arvada,” Simpson said. “We are listening, we are paying attention … . We want to make sure we are following the appropriate community direction.”
Councilmember Randy Moorman also supported Ambrose’s motion, adding that the city is still “committed to nding a site for the navigation center,” even though the former Early College of Arvada site proved to not be that location.
Councilmember Sharon Davis said that the discourse around the building showed her that the city needs to work on how it takes public feedback.
“We learned a lot of lessons here,” Davis said. “We need to improve our public engagement.”
Karen Cowling, director of Mission Arvada, the homeless ministry that operates
accomplish that goal,” Marriott said. “I’m not sure we followed that process clearly enough. A building like this can be a lot of
“It’s extremely disappointing because Je erson County as a whole is in desperate need of 365, 24/7 sheltering for our unhoused neighbors,” Cowling said. “Nonpro ts like Mission Arvada need funding support from our county and municipalities. A community problem needs a community solution.”
In the wake of the shuttering of Severe
individuals dealing with a lack of shelter during extreme weather conditions.
As of Jan. 27, Mission Arvada has been operating its emergency cold weather shelter for 11 straight nights.
Still, recently appointed Councilmember Brad Rupert called the decision a “healthy reset for the property.”
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“ ere’s a lot of users for it, a lot of users that would bring great value to our community,” Marriott continued.
At a study session in December 2024, Arvada’s city council appeared split on their approach to handling homelessness, and failed to adopt language stipulating how the city should handle the issue going forward.
Additionally, Councilmember John Marriott — the lone dissenting vote when council decided to purchase the building last year — said the building remains a “great asset,” and added that the city should have had a completed plan for a navigation center or alternative handling of homelessness before purchasing the property.
“ e way it should work is we should set a goal for the city team to achieve and then cultivate the assets, tools needed to
e former Early College of Arvada building is not the rst real estate transaction the city has engaged in for the purpose of building a homeless navigation center. In 2022, the city spent $2.75 million to purchase a plot of land located at 5045 Marshall St. with the intended purpose of building a navigation center there. at site remains undeveloped and has not been used to provide homeless services as of yet.
Man pronounced dead after o cerinvolved shooting in Arvada
Suspect, 43, reportedly fired at o cers while in a stolen car before o cers shot back
A man has been pronounced dead after a shootout with Arvada police ofcers that began over a reportedly stolen car that the suspect — 43-year-old Phou one Onemanivong — was seen getting into.
Around 3:40 a.m. on Jan. 26, o cers found a car that had been reported stolen in the alleyway between 58th and 59th avenues and Kipling Parkway. While monitoring the car, o cers observed Onemanivong get into the car, upon which they asked him to step out of the car, which Onemanivong refused to do.
After o cers tried to negotiate with Onemanivong, the suspect again refused to get out of the car, and eventually red upon the three responding APD
o cers, according to police information o cer Dave Snelling. e o cers returned re, striking Onemanivong. Onemanivong was then transported to a nearby hospital, but eventually died from his wounds. He was pronounced dead at 3:53 p.m. e three Arvada police o cers involved in the incident have been put on administrative leave as the Je erson County Critical Incident Response Team investigates the incident.
A Colorado Bureau of Investigations background check into Onemanivong reveals that he had a long criminal history dating back to 2000, when he was a juvenile.
Some of Onemanivong’s o enses include forging checks and identi cation documents, theft of an amount between $100,000 and $1 million, driving under the in uence, vehicle theft and racketeering under the Colorado Organized Crime Act, suggesting ties to organized crime.
Arvada’s City Council unanimously agreed to sell the Early College of Arvada building following backlash to the proposed use of the building as a homeless navigation center . PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN
Mission Arvada hosts live music, haircuts, cookie decorating, hot drink station for 2025 Point in Time count
The PIT count helps to determine where funding will be doled out
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
On a cold winter’s day in Arvada, members of the city’s unhoused community came to Mission Arvada, the homeless ministry that operates out of e Rising Church, to make use of the nonpro t’s resources aimed at helping the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative collect accurate data for the 2025 Point in Time count.
For 24 hours between Jan. 27 and 28, volunteers across Je erson County stopped by local nonpro ts and public spaces to try and gauge the size of the county’s unhoused community.
At Mission Arvada, one of the largest providers of homeless services in the area by unique individuals served, incentives such as live music, haircuts, cookie decorating and a hot drink bar served to spread some joy for folks who might be down on their luck and to help MDHI collect an accurate PIT count.
Vera Ananda, Mission Arvada’s enrollment specialist and data administrator, said the PIT count data is utilized when the nonpro t is writing grant requests and also determines where federal funding will go.
“We utilize pet data when we’re submitting grant requests,” Ananda said. “(PIT count data) kind of determines where federal funding will be allocated year by year. We haven’t gotten much nancial support from any local government — we have a grant for about $25,000 for case management for the City of Arvada.”
Ananda said that over the 2024 calendar year, there were 900 unique day shelter clients. e 2024 PIT count surveyed 925 unhoused individuals in Je erson County.
Mission Arvada has one full-time homeless case manager, along with one part-time case manager, both of whom work with the City of Arvada’s two new homeless resolution case managers,
Ananda said. at works out to each case manager having about 80 clients to handle, she said. ose numbers are likely to continue rising.
“(Our clientele numbers) consistently have been increasing over the last ve years,” Ananda said. “Aside from our day shelter and our night shelter, we also run a food pantry, which a lot of people don’t realize. About half of our food pantry shoppers are also people experiencing homelessness, and the other half are low income.”
e nonpro t has been bearing the brunt of cold weather sheltering after the closure of the Severe Weather Shelter Network last year. Mission Arvada averages 50 clients who need overnight sheltering on nights when weather is severe. rough Jan. 28, the cold weather
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
The Rotary Club of Golden is conducting the 20th annual Ethics in Business Awards program in 2025. Each year we seek nominations from the public of those organizations in our community, both for-profit and not-for-profit, that demonstrate the highest standards of ethical business practice, integrity, and civic and social responsibility.
All nominations received by Feb. 28, 2025 will be evaluated by students in the Ethics class at the Colorado School of Mines. They will choose the winners, who, along with all nominees, will be recognized and honored at an Awards luncheon on May 16, 2025 at the Denver Marriott West hotel.
To make a nomination, go to https://ethics.goldenrotary.org/ nomination-form/ This Ethics in Business Awards website also gives more details on the Ethics awards program, which has been an important and popular event since its founding in 2006.
shelter at the church was activated for 11 straight nights. Ananda said the nonpro t gets about
50 people housed per year. In 2024, 53 people got into housing because of
Mission Arvada.
Mission Arvada o ered free haircuts during this year’s PIT count.
PHOTOS BY RYLEE DUNN
Folks line up for lunch during the PIT count at Mission Arvada.
Local musicians stopped by to share some tunes with folks.
Je co Schools superintendent seeking raise amid potential state funding cuts
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Superintendent Tracy Dorland is under scrutiny for requesting that the Je erson County School Board renegotiate her contract years before its 2027 expiration.
Dorland’s current salary for the 2024-25 school year is $300,770. Her total compensation package also includes healthcare bene ts, retirement contributions, a monthly car allowance and technology support that includes a laptop, phone and watch, further adding to the overall value of her contract.
Late last year, the Je erson County Education Association organized a letter-writing campaign to the board, raising questions about the negotiations’ timing, transparency and prioritization, especially as the district faces potential funding cuts from the state.
Colorado is currently contending with a projected budget shortfall of $750 million, driven by rising Medicaid costs, the conclusion of federal COVID-19 relief funds and restrictions imposed by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, according to reporting by the Colorado Sun.
To address this gap, Gov. Jared Polis has proposed a state budget that, while preserving some education funding, introduces signi cant changes to the school nance formula.
Je co Public Schools, Colorado’s secondlargest district, already operates within tight budgetary limits. Paula Reed, a member of the Je co School Board, has repeatedly highlighted the district’s challenges.
“Colorado funds its schools $2,000 to $3,000 less per student than the national average,” Reed said while speaking to Je co Educational Support Professionals Association leaders during a December board meeting. “Eighty-seven percent of the district’s budget is already allocated to salaries and compensation.”
JCEA president Brooke Williams explained that these nancial realities make it di cult for some Je co educators to understand why Dorland’s contract is a matter of concern, especially when the district is considering asking voters to approve a mill levy override and a bond in 2026.
Williams fears this will create a perception issue, as the superintendent’s request for a raise could undermine community trust and complicate e orts to secure taxpayer support for critical funding measures.
“I’m a big believer that people deserve to make a living wage in the Je co area and be able to work in the places they live,” she said. “But many of our teachers can’t a ord that, so I feel like this is a giant PR (public relations) nightmare that will erode trust in our community.
“I’m not saying that Tracy (Dorland) isn’t working hard, but we’re all working hard,” Williams continued. “I think choosing not to ask for a raise now, as a leader, would allow her to gain her employees’ and the community’s respect.”
Je co Public Schools Associate Chief of Communications and Strategic Partnerships Kimberly Mahugh stressed that Dorland and the board began contract discussions in August 2024, and the board has never scheduled a date to vote on the outcome.
“While compensation is a standard and appropriate consideration in any contract negotiation, Superintendent Dorland’s primary motivation is to ensure leadership stability within Je co Public Schools,” Mahugh said.
“As a lifelong resident and parent within the district, she is deeply committed to serving her home community. e initiatives she is
spearheading to improve student outcomes require a long-term strategic approach. e community needs and deserves the continuity and stability that an extended contract term would provide,” Mahugh continued.
Criticism of the superintendent’s compensation
Superintendent Dorland’s 2024-2025 salary of $300,770, which represents a 15% increase from her starting salary, has been a focal point of criticism, according to JCEA. e group states that her total compensation package includes bene ts not available to other district employees, such as the ability to choose any health insurance plan with 100% coverage for herself and her family, along with a generous retirement and auto allowance.
JCEA has also pointed out stark disparities between Dorland’s compensation and thenancial struggles of educators. According to the union, 40% of Je co educators live paycheck to paycheck, and many struggle with rising housing and living costs in Je erson County.
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According to the Colorado Department of Education, the average Je co teacher made $71,972 for the 2022-23 school year.
e union is also raising concerns about the timing and prioritization of the negotiations, as funding for the upcoming year remains uncertain, and union contract negotiations are set to take place in the spring.
“Will this same generosity be extended to us when we go to the bargaining table this spring?” the JCEA wrote to members.
Board member Mary Parker, who emphasized that she was only speaking for herself, said she didn’t understand why the union would think any discussions around Dorland’s contract would mean the board was prioritizing her salary over anything else.
“We were not prioritizing her contract,” Parker said. “I don’t understand where anybody got that impression. Her contract ends in 2027, but superintendents are not on a yearly schedule. ere’s no time where you renegotiate or give raises like we have with our unions or with the associations. So it’s not unusual for a superintendent’s contract to be re-evaluated.”
Parker said she’s also surprised by the union’s strategy regarding employee compensation.
“JCEA has gotten very good raises, certainly since I’ve been on the board,” she said. “I made it clear it was a priority for me to adequately attract and retain the best employees we could, and that we needed to increase compensation. Tracy (Dorland) was right alongside the board in advocating for these substantial raises.”
Calls for transparency
Another major point of contention is how the board has used executive sessions to discuss Dorland’s contract. e JCEA and community members have called for more transparency, arguing that taxpayers deserve to know why these discussions are happening now and what changes are being proposed.
In response, board member Mary Parker defended using executive sessions, explaining that they are standard for discussing individual personnel matters. She emphasized that no nal decisions can be made during these closed-door meetings and that the proposed contract will be published publicly before any vote.
“To date, the board has held three short executive sessions regarding the Superintendent’s contract: approximately 60 minutes on Nov. 1, less than 40 minutes on Nov. 14, and approximately 60 minutes on Dec. 11,” Parker said in an email response to a JCEA member.
Tracy Dorland JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“No nal actions were taken at any of those meetings.”
Parker added that the board is seeking legal counsel to ensure the contract aligns with best practices and comparable compensation packages in similar districts.
“Nothing’s been done, but when and if we do get to that point, it will be in public,” Parker said.
Balancing priorities amid financial uncertainty e controversy comes at a pivotal moment for Je co Public Schools. Declining enrollment, potential state funding cuts and ongoing educator dissatisfaction have created a challenging environment for the district.
e JCEA has argued that the board should focus on addressing systemic issues a ecting students and sta rather than renegotiating the superintendent’s contract. Many educators feel undervalued and overworked, a sentiment exacerbated by the stark contrast between their compensation and bene ts and those of district leadership, the group argues.
Parker, however, emphasized the board’s commitment to fair employee compensation.
“Adequately compensating all Je co sta , from part-time workers all the way up to the Superintendent, has been a high priority for this Board,” she said.
e board had planned another executive session to get legal advice regarding Dorland’s contract on Jan. 12 but delayed the session to allow for further discussion and review.
Mahugh said discussions around Dorland’s contract are ongoing.
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Finding resilience after a stumble
Ashort time ago I fell and skinned my knees. Falling is not particularly unusual for me. Since being diagnosed with MS, I have found my relationship with gravity to be a double-edged sword; I appreciate the fact that this unseen force keeps us from hurtling o into space. But at the same time, gravity can be a pain when I drop item after item and it can be painful when the thing that falls to the ground is not a fork, but me. I fell while walking into a school, and the public nature of that misstep was challenging. As I struggled to get up, three thoughts raced through my mind: “Ouch, my knees hurt,” “I hope my pants didn’t rip,” and “How many people saw me fall?”
While I was not injured beyond a couple of skinned knees in my tumble, it took me time to reach a spot of resilience. Interestingly, as I struggled to recover mentally from the fall, I was embarrassed about the fact that I write so much about resilience but in that moment, could not nd it in myself. I played over and over in my mind the look of the three people who rushed to help me. I perseverated over why I had to fall in that location, why there had been so many people around, and most of all why I could not
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
In a world often characterized by misunderstandings that grow into division, the true strength of a community resides in its capacity for kindness, empathy and collective action. Since September 2024, when the city purchased the Early College of Arvada with unformed plans to turn it into a navigation center or shelter, the Arlington Meadows neighborhood in East Arvada has dealt with more than its share of uncertainty.
Our neighborhood was left feeling that the ECA, once a beacon embodying education and the bright futures of young Arvadans, now symbolized a lack of community engagement and respectful discourse.
e hallways within ECA provided something unique, however: space for change.
On Jan. 27, the Arvada City Council unanimously decided to sell the building. at vote proved the existence of something impactful to society: the space between disagreement and understanding, between setbacks and progress, and between concern and collective action. e council’s choice is a testament to the unwavering dedication of Arlington Meadows residents to unite in the name of promoting compassion while achieving resolve.
Many residents saw the council’s decision and felt pride in the unwavering spirit of their community and the democratic process. Residents rallied together to voice their concerns and advocate for transparency and thoughtful planning by the city. ough carried by optimism, there were concerns; not rooted in fear, misinformation or opposition to helping those in need, but from a deep love for their neighborhood and commitment to thoughtful and thorough engagement. eir concerns about crime, nancial impacts to themselves and Arvadan taxpayers, and neighborhood sanctity were
shake o my feelings of frustration, embarrassment, and defeat surrounding that moment. Eventually, I found my footing, and soon after reached the conclusion that struggling to nd resilience does not make me a hypocrite; it makes me human.
While they were not easy lessons, here is what I learned from that experience:
• Being resilient is not for the vain. After “ouch,” my initial reactions centered around vanity. oughts of how many people saw me fall and how many people would be able to know that something happened, occupied my brain rst. If we are going to be resilient, we must be OK sometimes looking like we have been in a struggle. ere is immense power in embracing our fallibility, our humanity, our stumbles.
• Part of being resilient is accepting help. As I mentioned, there were three people who ran over to support me, and honestly, without their help, standing up could have been a struggle. All of them
asked me if I was OK, and one of them said to me, “ e nurse’s o ce has Advil. I’m sure that will help you.” Before they left my side, each of the three gave kind sentiments of support. In our struggles, part of what we must do is get beyond our embarrassment about needing help and move to see help as a blessing. Too often feeling like a burden is a personal problem not a reality. We are beings that were born to help each other; we do not wander this earth separately like the polar bears of the Arctic; we live in a community so that we can help each other. is is how we were made, embrace it.
• Striving to overcome our struggle leaves us open to scraping our knees and getting bruised. at is not a bad thing, if we are not striving, we are living too safely. To live, to truly live means to step out into the experience. We can sit at home in our chairs watching TV, reading books, doing puzzles, and be safe from scrapes and bruises. To what end?
• Being resilient is signi cantly easier when we spend time striving to help others. When we struggle because we want to make a di erence, our scrapes have a purpose, our bruises have a reason, and our ability to bounce back grows exponentially. We are not wallowing in the di culty of our struggle when
we are striving to make a di erence.
Most importantly, I learned being resilient does not mean instantaneously shaking o the scrapes and bruises we experience, but it does mean striving to move outside of the mindset that will hold us captive, a prisoner afraid to move forward, afraid to strive.
In the struggles you face, whatever the challenge may be, I sincerely hope that when you stumble and cannot nd your resilience, you will re ect on these lessons and rediscover your strength.
I hope my words inspire you, and that you will share them with those who need encouragement. ank you to everyone who has shared their stories with me so far; I truly enjoy hearing how you nd valuable insights in these columns and use them to uplift those around you. You can reach me at jim.roome@gmail.com.
Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences.
Compassion, progress and action of a neighborhood united
passionately expressed not out of sel shness, but of a desire to ensure a sustainable future for all Arvadans, especially our most vulnerable. is is the space where compassion and progress meet, a space where neighborhoods unite not just to raise concerns, but to transform challenges into opportunities.
e decision to sell is not merely a good idea; it recognizes the thoughtful and fact-based advocacy and leadership of Arlington Meadows while highlighting the commitment of the council to address homelessness in an empathetic and community-oriented way. e decision represents a community united through leadership, integrity and a shared vision to grow beyond the status quo.
Beyond vocal advocacy, Arlington Meadows neighbors have proven their dedication to tackling homelessness through direct action and support of local organizations. Neighbors have donated resources to aid individuals experiencing homelessness to Mission Arvada, a champion in providing navigation services. By connecting individuals to training, employment, housing and other essential services, they have continued to be a pillar of generosity and commitment to the livelihoods of all Arvadans. Arlington Meadows residents further support others in need by volunteering their time and energy into initiatives like Hope Connection and Community, which provides healthcare, counseling and housing; and Kutz 4 Kids, an organization that provides free haircuts to children in need. ese e orts are beyond surface-level charity. ey re ect the understanding
that meaningful change requires sustained involvement, collaboration and hope. As a result, Arlington Meadows residents have engaged with city councilmembers, advocating for innovative and inclusive approaches to addressing homelessness. eir continued e orts ensure that solutions will remain balanced and consider the needs of vulnerable populations while protecting and preserving the well-being of residential neighborhoods.
Addressing homelessness with compassion and clarity has become a critical topic for Arvada. is multi-faceted issue demands thoughtful and uni ed solutions supported by a deep understanding of root causes, paired with a commitment to strategic, data-driven action backed by community engagement and support. A strong, collaborative strategy must serve as the foundation of our future deliberations and must be embraced by stakeholders across the city and within areas of implementation. Without this, e orts risk becoming fragmented and ine ective. Arvada can craft practical and compassionate solutions by prioritizing consensus, engaging experts, and ensuring community involvement.
e debate regarding the ECA transcended the speci cs of its potential uses or sale, becoming a catalyst for the evolution of a symbol within Arlington Meadows. e ECA navigated beyond the space of uncertainty, now representative of meeting challenges with vision and grace.
e sale is not the end of a journey for the property or homelessness prevention programs; it is a starting gun, signaling the beginning of our next chapter as a city.
e future of the ECA building remains unsure, and the community’s voice will be critical in shaping its story. Residents have shared inspiring ideas, from creating a vibrant business hub to establish-
ing a community space for childcare, recreation or cultural enrichment. ese visions re ect the values of Arlington Meadows: innovation, inclusivity, diversity, and a commitment to fostering connection and well-being.
Since September, our city has learned valuable lessons in adaptation and growth. e journey has not been without challenges but has strengthened the fabric of both Arlington Meadows and Arvada as a whole. We have witnessed the power of community engagement, the importance of transparency and the value of collaboration. Arlington Meadows hopes to be a role model for Arvada, demonstrating the positive impact of empathetic advocacy with direct action.
Before us lies a resolution following a turbulent journey of a contentious issue; a moment of hope, a testament to the character of Arlington Meadows. Our diverse neighborhood is lled with good people - people who care deeply for their community, who work tirelessly to protect its future and who believe in the power of unity to make a di erence.
As we venture forth, let us carry the lessons of this moment. Let us approach challenges - homelessness and beyondwith compassion, creativity, and resolve, building a future founded on the best of who we are. Together, we can ensure Arvada remains a place of pride, a place of hope, and a shining example of what a community can achieve when we focus on the space beyond.
Karen DeAguero has called the Front Range home for 13 years. A graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, DeAguero specializes in mining reclamation and is focused on advancing environmental stewardship, long-term industry practices and civic engagement both professionally and for her community.
Jim Roome
GUEST COLUMN
Karen DeAguero
Miners Alley finds grace in the morning after
So many stories about people in their later years focus on the dreary and dour aspects of life, but senior living is about so much more than that. at truth was an important one that playwright Carey Crim wanted to get across in her show, “Morning After Grace.”
“I didn’t want to write a play for people of a certain age about maladies and assisted living,” she explained. “I wanted to write something with humor and heart that was about real issues facing real people”
OBITUARIES
Raymond Delmar Printz
December 23, 1931 - December 6, 2024
COMING ATTRACTIONS
pactful ever committed to celluloid. It’s a shame they’re not as celebrated as they should be, but some organizations are working to keep the art alive.
Directed by Abby Apple Boes, “Morning After Grace,” runs at Miners Alley Playhouse, 1100 Miners Alley in Golden, through Sunday, March 2. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on ursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. e show was originally developed for and premiered at the Purple Rose eatre Company in Michigan and focuses on Abigail (Tammy Meneghini) and Angus (Kevin Hart), a duo that meet at a funeral and end up spending the night together. As they try to make sense of the situation, they encounter Ollie (Dwayne Carrington), a neighbor who throws everyone for a loop.
“People go through big changes in their senior years and it can be di cult meeting new people, especially in a romantic way,” Boes said. “ e play pulls out the humor in these situations while holding onto a great heart.”
Crim said she particularly wanted to explore the disconnect between the age one is and the age one feels like they are. As people get older, they are increasingly relegated to the sidelines of life, which can be hurtful.
“ e play is about a group of people who never thought they’d be old,” she said. “ e men are dealing with a loss of virility and women are made to feel invisible.”
“Morning After Grace” isn’t only aimed at senior audiences. ere are insights and laughs aplenty for adults of all ages, which might explain why it is one of Crim’s most popular e orts. At a time when the country is so divided, this kind of play can help people feel connected, she added.
“People can feel cathartic after laughing and crying, which is something they’re longing for these days,” Boes said. “ is is a beautiful play about human connection and audiences will walk away with great feelings from that kind of story.”
For more information and tickets, visit minersalley.com.
Northglenn goes back to the silent film era e lms of the silent era were some of the most artistically innovative and im-
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Northglenn’s Parsons eatre, 1 E. Memorial Parkway, is hosting a screening of Buster Keaton’s immortal “Sherlock Jr” with live music accompaniment from the world-renowned Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra. It will be shown at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, with live music performed before the show. e movie is full of stunts and lmmaking e ects that remain masterful, 100 years later.
Information and tickets are available at https://bit.ly/mont-alto-sherlockjr-1924.
Have a nerdy Valentine’s Day at DMNS Valentine’s Day is a holiday full of traditional and, let’s be honest, often cheesy events. So, it’s always fun when someone nds a new spin on things, just like the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., did with Science Lounge: Love, Lust and Stardust, held at 7 p.m.
e 21-and-older event allows visitors to sip on a specialty cocktail while exploring the museum. Attendees can also attend mini events, like the Party in the Planetarium; Love & Mating MiniLectures with Dr. Paula Cushing, PhD; Chemistry Demos; and more.
Head to the events page at www.dmns. org to nd the details and buy a ticket.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Tyler, the Creator at Ball Arena
Tyler, the Creator has had one of the most interesting careers in modern rap. Few would’ve guessed when he rst appeared as a purposefully o ensive and outlandish member of the Odd Future collective that he’d evolve into one of the most thoughtful and searching voices in the genre. “CHROMAKOPIA,” his 2024 album, is one of his strongest yet and shows he still has boundaries to push.
In support of the record, Tyler is coming to Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle in Denver, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11. He’ll be joined by Lil Yachty, one of the most dynamic voices of his generation, and hip-hop duo Paris Texas
Get tickets for a thrilling night of music at www.ticketmaster.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.
• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for o ce. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 12 days of an election.
Raymond Delmar Printz, 92, of Arvada, Colorado, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2024. Ray was the beloved husband of Sher for 42 years, a father, step-father, grandfather, step-grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will always be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, and love for the outdoors.
Born on December 23, 1931, in Pomona, California, Ray was the youngest of ve children. He spent his early years in Pomona, CA, and Oakridge, OR, where he and his twin brother, Bob, spent countless hours shing and exploring along the Willamette River and the Pengra Pass rail route.
Ray proudly served in the United States Air Force as an Airman 2nd Class at Wright-Patterson AFB from 1954 to 1956. After moving to Colorado and starting a family, he graduated from the University of Colorado in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, focusing on political science, history, and physical education. He taught high school civics and coached swimming at Adams City High School before beginning his career in parks and recreation.
Ray served as Assistant Director of Englewood Parks and Recreation and later as Director of the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District in Littleton, CO. He earned a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Development from the University of Colorado Denver in 1974.
In 1974, Ray became the Open Space Director for Je erson County, overseeing the acquisition, development, and maintenance of natural open spaces, trails, parks, and historic landmarks. is nationally recognized program, funded by a voterapproved sales tax, became a model for open space
initiatives across the country. Ray was a leader in his eld, serving as President of the National Association of Counties, Park and Recreation O cials (NACPRO), and the Colorado Park and Recreation Association (CPRA). He also served on the inaugural board of Greater Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), which allocates lottery revenue to support open space programs statewide. Ray was regularly consulted both locally and nationally as an expert in the creation and funding of open space and parks programs.
Ray was an avid y- sherman. He also enjoyed gol ng, reading, singing in the church choir, and rooting for the Denver Broncos. He cherished time spent outdoors, traveling with Sher, family gatherings, as well as the companionship of their golden retrievers.
Ray is survived by his wife, Sher; his children, Lisa Bashor (Nate), Renee Printz (Peter), and David Printz (Karen); grandchildren Alex Field (Trevor), Lindsey Bashor, Sam Bashor (Taylor), and Ben Bashor; great-grandchildren Jackson, Liam, and Charlie; step-children Matt Nelson (Kristin) and Lara Shea (John); step-grandchildren Elliot, Sierra, Tyler, and Tristan; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.
A service celebrating Ray’s life will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Golden, Colorado, on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM. Faith Lutheran Church is located at 17701 W. 16th Ave., Golden, CO 80401
In lieu of owers, donations may be made to Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies (GRRR). Visit goldenrescue.com to donate.
Jane Ann (Sellards) West Trimm August 19, 1941 - January 16, 2025
Jane West Trimm, 83 years old, of Arvada, Colorado, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 19, 1941, in Ada, Oklahoma to Roland (Rusty) and Florence Sellards.
Jane was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, whose fortitude, kindness and warmth touched everyone she met. She dedicated her life to raising four children, much of that time on her own, with resilience and steadfast determination.
Jane took great pride in her children, often sharing their accomplishments with anyone who would listen.
She is preceded in death by her son, Je rey Roland West, her brother, Terrance Sellards, and her parents Roland and Florence Sellards. She is survived by her former husbands, Jim Trimm, Broom eld, Colorado, and Gary G. West, Eldorado, Kansas; children, Gary W. West (Tammy) Montrose, Colorado, Elizabeth (Bu y)
Prince (Jim), Denver, Colorado, and Carol Ward (Rich), Virginia Beach, Virginia; 8 grandchildren, and 12 greatgrandchildren.
Jane will be remembered for her strength, love, moxie, and sense of humor. Her legacy of love and kindness will continue to inspire all who knew her.
In accordance with her wishes, no formal service will be held, but the family invites you to share memories and celebrate her life – a life well lived!
In lieu of owers, the family requests donations be made to e Alzheimer’s Association in Jane’s honor. https://www.alz.org/
e family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the love and support received during this di cult time and nds comfort in knowing that her legacy lives on through the lessons she taught us, the love she shared (even tough love), and the memories we will cherish forever.
Jane West Trimm will be deeply missed but forever cherished in our hearts.
WEST TRIMM
Clarke Reader
PRESERVING THE MAGIC
BY RYLEE DUNN
Over 50 years since Pong burst onto the gaming scene and 30 years since the Sony PlayStation changed the trajectory of the eld, small independent arcades featuring scores of vintage games continue to thrive throughout the Denver metro area.
In many cases, unassuming exteriors give way to dimly lit interiors with memorabilia-adorned walls, locally sourced libations, and, of course, the ashing lights, exclamative sound e ects and controller clatter of the arcade’s reserve of classic games. ere’s something, perhaps, a bit more impersonal when the venue gets scaled up in a corporate chain setting.
To its credit, many Denver-area locales have managed to preserve the magic of these establishments.
Jason Ungate, owner of e Tabletop Tap in Englewood, credits the
thriving local arcade scene with the renaissance of interest in classic games.
“ e Denver-metro area has a handful of very unique arcades which all o er something a little bit di erent,” Ungate said. “( e) 1Up (Arcade Bar) has a thorough lineup of arcade games that invoke the feeling of the ‘80s via their classic game lineup. Akihabara (Arcade and Bar) gives locals the chance to experience a Japanese-themed spot with candy cabs and other games you’d never see in an American arcade.
“We at Tabletop Tap marry board games with video games and console games, a mishmash of multiple nerdy elements,” Ungate continued. “ ese places and more o er unique experiences, both for the generations that may have grown up with them, and the younger generations who are just encountering them for the rst time.”
While Akihabara and 1Up both keep Westminster’s gaming community satiated, the metro area abounds
with unique shops in other locales as well. Up in the foothills, Wild Game Entertainment Experience in Evergreen has everything from bowling to arcade games, while Blizzard Mountain Pinball specializes in the kind of wizardry e Who immortalized in 1969.
Over in Arvada, dueling Olde Town arcade establishments Secret Level and Super Zoom Bang Bang cater to di erent demographics; the former includes a bar and is generally open a couple of hours later than its counterpart, which primarily caters to younger kids and doubles as a toy story.
Holly Nikolich owns the Colorado Pinball Pub in Littleton (with another location in Monument) and opened the shop with her husband as an outgrowth of sorts of their annual pinball festival, the Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown and Gameroom Expo, which is entering its 21st year this year.
The Tabletop Tap’s decor features nods to the past, like this classic Pizza Hut light fixture. COURTESY OF THE TABLETOP TAP
rado Pinball Pub as a year-long home for the folks who enjoy our annual pinball festival.
“ e once-a-year festival brings together the pinball and gaming community from across Colorado, neighboring states, and beyond,” Nikolich continued.
A longtime love of games seems to be a common thread with shopkeepers.
Ungate said he and his wife, Kristin, had been collecting classic games like Joust, Battlezone and Frogger, and eventually set out to combine their love of classic games with their love of board games in what would become Tabletop Tap.
ARCADES
“We’re long-timers in the pinball and gaming world and are proud to bring the arcade and whiskey community together with the Colorado Pinball Pubs,” Nikolich said. “My husband and I opened Colo-
“We wanted to create a place that was clean and welcoming, but also full of nostalgia for the ‘80s and the ‘90s,” Ungate said. “We o er over 250 board games, a small but rotating collection of arcade games.”
Ungate also said that he, like many other arcade owners, seeks to foster community at the arcade, even going so far as to host community nights such as a monthly Mario Kart tournament, a “nerdy book club,” and a video game book club.
he says caters to both gaming veterans and young people looking for community.
Velasquez also said that the advent of arcade chains — such as Round One in Littleton, Immersive Gamebox in Den-
ver and Main Event in Highlands Ranch, ornton, Colorado Springs and Windsor — has allowed corporations to gain a foothold in the industry, though he posits that these establishments are more focused on alternative revenue streams
“(Arcade) chains are more focused on making money in other ways, like through drinks and food sales,” Velasquez said. “I think local shops put more of an emphasis on the games and keeping up the games over time.”
Nevertheless, the independent arcade scene in Denver seems to be thriving, and hopefully won’t be ceding way to its corporate competition anytime soon.
Channel 3 Retro Gaming Center in Lakewood o ers classic arcade fun for all ages. COURTESY OF CHANNEL
Tetris is just one of the many arcade games o ered at The Tabletop Tap. COURTESY OF THE TABLETOP TAP
COURTESY OF THE TABLETOP TAP
The 1985 arcade classic Gauntlet at The Tabletop Tap. COURTESY OF CHANNEL 3 RETRO GAMING CENTER
Je co clerk’s o ce supports nonbinary and transgender communities amid federal passport directive
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Je erson County clerk’s o ce is taking a stand in support of nonbinary and transgender communities after a federal order paused the processing of passport applications for individuals selecting “X” as their gender.
“We want to be clear: nonbinary, transgender and gender non-conforming people have always been, and will always be, valued members of our community,” said Je erson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez. “We are deeply disheartened by this directive, which sends a message contrary to the inclusive values we hold. But here in Je co, our passport o ce will always remain a place where everyone is treated with kindness and respect.”
BEST OF THE BEST VOTING STARTS MARCH 1!
Gonzalez emphasized that government o ces should be places that serve everyone with dignity, and she sees it as her responsibility to ensure that her o ce remains a welcoming space.
“Fundamentally, government should be about serving the people, and it should be about serving everybody with dignity and respect,” she said.
e federal directive follows a recent executive order mandating the U.S. government to recognize only individuals’ sex assigned at birth, reversing progress made in 2022 when the State Department introduced the “X” gender marker for passports.
Since then, Gonzalez said thousands of applicants have received passports re ecting their identities. She acknowledged the confusion and fear these policy shifts can create for a ected individuals.
“ ese policies don’t exist in a vacuum,” she said. “ ey impact real people and cause real concern. No matter who you are, you should be able to show up and be valued as your full self.”
She also noted that while her o ce must follow federal policies, it remains committed to ensuring applicants have all available information and are treated with respect.
“We may not have the power to override federal decisions, but we can ensure everyone feels welcome when they step through our doors,” Gonzalez said.
How Je co is supporting the community
e Je co clerk’s o ce outlined several ways it will continue to serve residents impacted by the directive:
• Guidance for applicants: Sta are available to answer questions, clarify current requirements and process new passport applications in compliance with federal regulations.
• Timely updates: e o ce will monitor changes in federal policy and share updates with the community to keep residents informed.
• Advocacy for inclusion: While bound by federal laws, the o ce is committed to promoting equality and fairness for all residents.
Gonzalez underscored that her o ce plays a crucial role in how people experience government services in their everyday lives.
“ e clerk’s o ce often is the place where people have the most interaction with government — whether they’re voting, getting the tags for their car, getting married, recording the deed to their
A copy of the passport application form. Digital forms have been changed to reflect only two genders, while printed copies continue to provide boxes for male, female and X.
house or applying for a passport,” she said. “ is is what most people think of when they think about government, and my job is to make sure that everyone feels like they belong here.”
She also explained that inclusivity extends beyond policy statements, including tangible steps like sta training, accessible language options and even considerations for physical spaces.
“We try to think about what are the ways that we can be inclusive, whether that’s around language, training our sta to treat everybody with dignity and respect or even making sure the chairs in our waiting rooms accommodate all body types,” she said.
Implications of the federal directive
e federal order halting the processing of “X” gender marker applications has raised concerns about its broader implications for nonbinary and transgender individuals seeking government recognition of their identities.
e ACLU argues that the recent executive orders restricting gender markers on federal documents, including passports, represent a deliberate e ort to erase recognition of transgender and nonbinary individuals.
ey emphasize that such policies not only violate fundamental rights but also promote systemic discrimination against LGBTQ+ communities by denying accurate identi cation on essential legal documents.
Gonzalez stressed that despite federal changes, her o ce remains committed to inclusion at the local level.
“Yes, the Trump administration may have its policies, but that’s not re ective of government as a whole. It’s not re ective of your community as a whole,” she said.
How to access passport services in Je co
Gonzalez said the clerk’s o ce processes 30-60 passport applications weekly and 200-250 applications at one-day special events held twice a year. Appointments are required for all passport services. Residents can contact the clerk’s o ce at countyclerk@je co.us with questions or for guidance on their passport application.
Thu 2/13
Valentine's Day Comedy Show at Den‐ver Comedy Underground! Free Pizza!
@ 6:30pm / $25 Feb 14th - Feb 15th
Denver Comedy Underground, 675 22nd St., Denver. info@denvercomedyunderground.com
3420: Michal Menert @ Ogden Theatre @ 7pm Ogden Theatre, 935 E Colfax Ave, Den‐ver
Bob Sumner Music @ 7pm Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver
Control Freak
@ 8pm Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Den‐
ver
JME
@ 8pm
Ski House, 2719 Larimer St, Denver
Fri 2/14
Live @ The Rose - Spinphony Electric String Quartet
@ 6pm / $28
The Galentines: Heartache Cabaret @ 7pm Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Den‐ver
Alex Williams @ 7pm Star Bar, 2137 Larimer St, Denver
Mortiz Hofbauer [LIVE] @ 10pm / $24.95
The Basement at Club Vinyl, Denver
Sat 2/15
The Kevin Daniel: Kevin Daniel & The Bottom Line x Star Bar @ 9pm Star Bar, 2137 Larimer St, Denver
Sun 2/16
Live @ The Rose - Sunday Swing @ 3pm / $20
The Plot In You @ 7pm Ogden Theatre, 935 East Colfax, Denver
Holding Absence @ 7pm
Ogden Theatre, 935 E Colfax Ave, Denver
Boundaries @ 7pm Ogden Theater, Denver
9Million @ 8pm
Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver
Bukez Finezt @ 8pm
The Black Box, 314 E 13th Ave, Denver
Hazlett @ 8pm Bluebird Theater, 3317 E Colfax Av, Denver
Wed 2/19
Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Av‐enue, Golden. information@buf falorose.net
The Velveteers: Album Signing and Release Party @ 5pm Twist & Shout Records, 2508 E Colfax Ave, Denver
Christopher Morse @ 6pm Roxy on Broadway, 554 S Broadway, Denver
Noche de Verano Sin Ti: DEBÍ TIRAR MÁS FIESTAS @ 8pm Gasolina Night Club, 1414 Market Street, Den‐
ver
DJ Minx @ 10pm Club Vinyl, 1082 N Broadway, Denver
Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Av‐enue, Golden. information@buf falorose.net
moe. @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood
Mon 2/17
Kerry King @ 7pm Ogden Theatre, 935 East Colfax, Denver
Tue 2/18
Sierra Spirit @ 7pm
Eric McFadden: Sgt. Splendor @ 8pm
Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side, 2637 Welton St, Denver
Alejandra Guzmán @ 8pm
Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre, 1350 Cur‐tis St, Denver
Bellco Theatre, 700 14th St, Denver
BAYNK @ 8pm Ogden Theatre, 935 East Colfax, Denver
National School Choice Week highlights progress and inequities in Denver metro area schools
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Colorado has long been a pioneer in school choice, o ering families various educational options, including public, charter, private and magnet schools, as well as open enrollment across district boundaries since 1994.
According to the Reason Foundation, data from the Colorado Department of Education showed that more than 199,000 students, 28% of those enrolled in traditional public schools statewide, used open enrollment during the 202324 school year.
While National School Choice Week, which was celebrated this year from Jan. 26 – Feb. 1, showcased these opportunities, it also raised questions among some policy advocates about the equity of access to these options.
Director of the National Education Policy Center Kevin Welner, explained that while school choice was initially designed to decouple educational opportunities from residential zip codes, meaning that where you lived no longer had to de ne the quality of your education, that doesn’t always play out in practice.
“Unconstrained school choice programs… often add a layer of strati cation on top of the existing residential stratication,” Welner said. “Parents with more social capital or exible resources are better positioned to research options, meet application deadlines and provide transportation, giving their children a signi cant advantage.” is concept, which Welner called “parental e cacy,” can lead to a system in which the “rich get richer” and the “poor get poorer.”
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“In a fair system, we wouldn’t want to allocate educational opportunities to kids based on parents’ education, wealth or ability to work the system,” he said.
School choice racial diversity across Denverarea districts
Student enrollment in Denver Public Schools and Adams 12 Five Star Schools re ects their communities’ racial and cultural diversity. DPS reports that 74% of its students are from communities of color, and Adams 12 shows a similar trend, with more than 70% identifying as Hispanic, Black, Asian or multiracial.
In contrast, Je erson and Douglas County public schools are far less diverse. In Je erson County, students of color make up just 40% of the population, while in Douglas County, the gure drops to 25%.
ese disparities grow even larger in private schools, where white students account for more than 75% of enrollment in both districts, leaving Hispanic, Black and Asian students signi cantly underrepresented.
Charter schools, intended to be a more accessible alternative to private schools, show mixed results. In Je erson County, some charter schools re ect the diversity of public schools, but in Douglas County, many charter schools have predominantly white student populations, resembling private schools more than the communities they serve.
Yet, Dan Schaller, president of the Colorado League of Charter Schools, said that it’s important to “zoom out” and look at the aggregate picture when analyzing the demographics of charter schools rather than just focusing on individual situations.
According to statewide data, charter schools serve a higher percentage of students of color and English language learners than traditional public schools, Schaller said.
He also referred to a new report from the Keystone Policy Center that highlights the strong academic performance of Colorado charter schools, particularly their ability to support students and recover from pandemic-related challenges.
Barriers to access
Even charter schools, which are publicly funded, sometimes create hurdles for families. Welner points to practices such as narrow enrollment windows, inperson registration requirements or the need for extensive application materials, all of which disproportionately disadvantage lower-income families.
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“Sometimes it’s sneaky; sometimes it’s just careless,” he says of these barriers. “But it does play out in ways that disadvantage some students and advantage others in a way that’s entirely predictable in terms of who’s advantaged and who’s not.
“For students with disabilities, there are a whole host of additional issues about nding a school that has the resources that the child needs and that is willing to accept the child,” he continued. “If you’re talking about voucher systems, private schools have enormous discretion on which students to accept, and we see that with other school choice systems as well. Some schools will provide the resources that a child needs to address the child’s disabilities, and some schools will either deliberately or carelessly, simply not have those resources available.”
Transportation is another critical factor. Private and charter schools rarely provide busing, limiting access for families without exible schedules or reliable vehicles.
Schaller acknowledged but challenged the perception that charter schools lack diversity or focus only on select populations.
“Charter schools are, generally speaking, re ective of the communities in which they are founded,” he said, adding
that they often intentionally serve underserved populations.
Seeking solutions
Welner suggests that addressing inequities in school choice requires thoughtful system design with equity at its core. Federal magnet school programs, he says, are a successful example, promoting socioeconomic and racial diversity through transportation assistance and weighted lotteries.
Charter networks like DSST Public Schools (formerly known as Denver Schools of Science and Technology) are often highlighted for their success in improving academic performance and graduation rates.
According to DSST’s website, its eight campuses, which serve middle and high school students, are committed to “ensuring that the outcomes of DSST students are high-achieving and do not correlate with any predictable social or cultural factors.”
Elena Mascarello, a junior at DSST’s Aurora Science and Technology, said she started attending the school after her parents saw a meeting notice. Her eyes lit up as she talked about her teachers and their dedication to providing whatever resources their students need.
Mascarello also said the school’s diverse group of students is one of her favorite things about it.
“Our school is very diverse, and I think that’s very good for education,” Mascarello said. “I like knowing that every time I go into a DSST school, or when all of the DSST schools meet up, I can meet new people from di erent backgrounds, and they all have di erent stories to tell.”
Aleisha Garcia, a senior at DSST Conservatory Green High School, also loves her charter school’s strong support system, its resources and opportunities and the diverse environment that allows her to learn about di erent cultures.
“I appreciate learning about other cultures,” Garcia said. “I think it’s very important to gain mutual respect for each other and to be more open-minded. It expands our knowledge and lets us see things from a di erent point of view.”
Colorado families have benefited from a diversity of school choice options for more than 30 years.
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
Colorado author gives sports industry tricks and tips in new book
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For students interested in sports management, marketing or just getting their foot in the door of the sports industry, a local author might have the blueprint for you.
Brandon Tosti, who lives with his family in Arvada, is an industry veteran and longtime sports business professional. His new book, “Bright Lights & Long Nights,” provides behind-the-scenes insights into how the sausage is made in the world of sports.
Many don’t want to give up sports when their playing days are done, and Tosti said this book could help them break through into the business side.
“ is is the book I wish I’d had when I was 22,” Tosti said, who has nearly two decades of experience in the sports industry. “ rough this book, I aim to help the next generation of sports management (and marketing) students understand how to break into the sports industry. I also wanted to show diehard fans how everything works with a unique and authentic behind-the-scenes view.”
Tosti has taught sports management and marketing at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, and the University of Colorado-Denver. He also spent eight years in the concert business.
He is originally from Paintsville, Kentucky, and attended the University of Kentucky where he received his master’s degree in sports management.
He’s been in Colorado since 2000 and has been involved in sports and sponsorships since, including managing the opening of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.
Tosti is now the director of sponsor relations for Outside Inc. in Boulder, and
Brandon Tosti, a resident of Arvada, has released a book about breaking into the sports industry. Students of sports management or marketing can find tips and tricks about the business and behind-the-scenes happenings of the industry’s structure.
the founder and executive director of the Denver-based nonpro t Sports for a Cause.
“My book is unique and focuses on the sports industry, not an individual athlete or famous coach,” he said. “ e front ofce is lled with dedicated, hard-working individuals that no one hears about, and I want sports fans to understand the work it takes to make game days happen.”
Search for “Bright Lights & Long Nights” on Amazon, and for more on Tosti, visit www.brandontostiauthor. com.
Chris Olson: Je co’s
jack
of all trades
BY DENNIS PLEUSS
JEFFERSON COUNTY — On the sidelines, on the bench, in the classroom or in the press box … Chris Olson has seemingly done it all during his three decades working for Je co Public Schools.
Olson has taught at three high schools — Green Mountain (1994-1996), Conifer (1996-2004) and Chat eld (2004-present), along with coaching a variety of sports at seven di erent Je co schools since 1994. Not to mention, spending the past 23 years announcing the Colorado High School Activities Association’s boys and girls soccer state championship games.
“Approach each day with gratitude and be appreciative of all the opportunities that you do get to be around sports and impact kids,” Olson said of what advice he would give a young teacher who wants to be also involved in high school athletics.
“Be a positive in uence at your school.”
The coach
e Class of 1989 Arvada West High School graduate played soccer and basketball in high school before going to college at Western Colorado University in Gunnison. Olson quickly returned to Je co to start what is now his 31st year of teaching and coaching in Je co.
Olson’s rst high school coaching job was actually at Gunnison High School as the girls JV basketball coach from 19921994 when he was still going to school at Western to obtain his secondary social studies teaching license.
“I really liked coaching summer camps and stu other (coaching) I’d been doing,” Olson said. “I wanted a job where I could coach.”
Coaching soccer is where Olson started. He played on the men’s club soccer at Western for a year, but ended up coaching the women’s club soccer team at Western his second year in Gunnison.
When he returned to Je co, his rst
coaching job was the Level 3 boys basketball coach at Arvada West in 1994. He was then named the head varsity boys soccer coach at Green Mountain High School in 1995.
During Olson’s 3-year run as the Rams’ soccer coach he complied a 40-8-2 record, including a 5A Je co League championship and advancing to the state semi nals.
“I’m thinking. is is awesome. I’m pretty good at this,” Olson joked after leading Green Mountain’s boys soccer team to the Final 4 and taking 5A Je co Coach of the Year honors. “You just show up, coach and go to the Final 4.”
e opening of Conifer and Dakota Ridge high schools in 1996 eventually landed Olson up at Conifer where he was the varsity girls soccer coach for three years and JV boys basketball coach for seven seasons.
“We weren’t really good,” Olson said of his time at Conifer as the JV boys basketball coach under head coach Michael Deutsch. “We always joked that we might
have done our most amazing coaching jobs. We got to experiment with a lot of things during those seven years. I got a lot of background on trying things, implementing things and how to install things.” Olson actually jumped in to help coach softball and JV volleyball at Conifer. He would eventually head back down the hill to teach at Chat eld, along with coaching at Chat eld and D’Evelyn.
“I’ve been super fortunate to have really good mentors,” Olson said of coaching inuences with the likes of Chris Peterson (A-West), Deutsch (Conifer) and Steve Schimpeler (Chat eld).
Olson was the JV girls soccer coach at D’Evelyn in the early 2000s and when the varsity girls basketball job came open in 2006 he had several of the girls soccer players encourage him to apply for the job. After thinking it over during Spring Break, Olson decided to put his hat into the ring.
Interested readers can find
Colorado local Brandon Tosti’s new book on Amazon. COURTESY PHOTOS
JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
He was hired by out-going D’Evelyn athletic director Kevin Land and incoming athletic director Jerry McWhorter. Over the past 19 season, the Jaguars’ girls basketball program has won six Je co League titles, four Final 4 state appearances and three state runner-up nishes.
“When I got the job in 2006 there weren’t many girls team that pressed and ran. It was a very half-court game,” said Olson, who has 340 career wins and has won the Je co Girls Basketball Coach of the Year six times at D’Evelyn. “ ere wasn’t a lot of girls teams that shot a lot of 3s.”
Olson brought over the Chat eld’s boys hoops philosophy of defensive pressure, running and shooting the 3-ball over to the girls’ side. Olson picked up D’Evelyn’s signature full-court pressing element during his three seasons working with Chat eld’s boys basketball program under Schimpeler.
Olson said he has never got a complaint from a player about the style D’Evelyn has run for nearly 20 seasons.
“My rule about shooting is, ‘Don’t shoot it if you aren’t going to make it.’ If you have any reason why you don’t think you are going to make it don’t shoot it,” Olson said. “If you are catching and shooting it you are telling me you are going to make it. You believe and have the con dence you are going to make it.”
The teacher Olson’s social studies teaching career has included Green Mountain, Conifer and Chat eld.
“It is totally similar,” Olson said of his teaching and coaching styles. “My class-
room has ve groups of six. We call them Mr. O’s teams. We do trivia at the beginning of each class and have a scoreboard in the back of the room to keep score.”
A lot of group work has been a staple in Olson’s classroom. He refers to days in which students give presentations as ‘game-days’.
“I use humor and try to build relationships with kids whether it be the basketball oor, soccer eld or classroom that is why I think I’ve lasted 31 years,” Olson said. “Building good relationships with kids and them knowing I care about them
More proof that Olson loves the classroom, he taught summer school for 18 straight years from 1996-2014.
“I tell people all the time I haven’t had a bad day at work yet in 31 years,” Olson said. “Until I feel like I’m having bad days, I have no reason to not keep doing it.”
Announcing high school soccer games in between teaching and coaching started in 2002 at the North Area Athletic Complex when Olson was in process to get his masters in secondary school counseling. He had a Wednesday night class, so he would announce soccer games at NAAC on Tuesdays and ursdays.
“I wanted to be involved with stu still,” Olson said of picking up the announcing
Also in 2002, CHSAA hosted the 3A state semi nals at NAAC. Olson started his string of announcing the boys and girls state soccer championship games at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park or Weidner Field in Colorado Springs for the past 23
Olson has announced over 75 state soccer championship games across all clas-
“It is funny when you see people, you take pride of knowing them and knowing how to pronounce their names,” Olson said of announcing athletes who are from families that he has known for years. “To be able to work that side of it has been great.”
For the last 16 years, Olson has been one of the primary soccer announcers at Lakewood Memorial Field.
Dennis Pleuss is the sports information director for Je co Public Schools. For more Je co coverage, go to ColoradoPreps.com and CHSAANow.com
The Su ragette’s Murder By Sandy Rustin Directed by Margot Bordelon
Chris Olson has taught social studies at three di erent Je co Public Schools — Green Mountain, Conifer and Chatfield — along with coached a variety of sports at seven Je co schools over the past 31 years.
PHOTO BY DENNIS PLEUSS FOR JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CROWSSUPDRO ELZZ
1. TELEVISION: What is the name of the spaceship on the TV drama “Fire y”?
2. GEOGRAPHY: What is the only tropical rainforest in the United States?
3. LITERATURE: What is the title of author Oscar Wilde’s only complete novel?
4. MOVIES: What is the name of the killer in the movie “Silence of the Lambs”?
5. SCIENCE: What are the three branches of science?
6. AD SLOGANS: Which fast-food chain’s slogan is, “What you crave”?
7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: How many NFL teams are named after animals (including birds)?
8. U.S. STATES: In which state is the U.S. Naval Academy located?
9. ASTRONOMY: How many constellations are visible from Earth?
10. ART: What is the Japanese art of arranging owers called?
TrIVIa
Answers
1. Serenity.
2. El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.
3. “ e Picture of Dorian Gray.”
4. Bu alo Bill.
5. Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Formal Sciences.
6. White Castle.
7. 14 (Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks).
8. Maryland.
9. 88.
10. Ikebana.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
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Je co Public Library buys future branch location near Chatfi eld Avenue
JCPL hosting a Feb. 22 open house at new location
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A former beer distribution center in unincorporated South Je co will, in a few years, be the newest Je erson County Public Library branch.
JCPL has purchased a 40,000-squarefoot building on a 7-acre property at 11100 Bradford Road, which is about a mile west of West Chat eld Avenue and South Kipling Parkway.
After its board approved the purchase in August, the library district closed on the property in January. JCPL bought it for $10.7 million, and plans to spend another $13 million renovating and retro tting it.
e building is scheduled to open as JCPL’s newest library branch in late 2027. Both the purchase and the renovation
project will be fully funded by existing revenues, Executive Director Donna Walker clari ed. e district won’t be seeking a tax increase or taking on debt, she said.
Walker and her colleagues were excited to show people the new site, inviting everyone to attend a Feb. 22 open house.
e event will be from 10-11:30 a.m. at 11100 Bradford Road.
ere will be another open house from 10-11:30 a.m. March 1 at the Columbine branch.
Attendees are encouraged to provide feedback about the new property, Walker and JCPL spokesperson Elise Penington said.
e new Bradford Road location is in the middle of an o ce park along Sha er Parkway. It is a proverbial stone’s throw away from a Je co DMV o ce, a post ofce and the Ken Caryl Ranch Metro District o ce.
ere are some residential neighborhoods within easy walking distance, and it’s about a mile away from Sha er El-
ementary School and Ken Caryl Ranch Community Park.
Now that the purchase is nalized, the library district wants to include public feedback about how to program the space before drafting designs later this year, they said.
Walker said the building also needs general upkeep, such as a new roof, along with covering the concrete oors and changing the o ces into library space.
e new use will also require some trafc mitigation measures, including additional parking spaces. Penington conrmed the site has 102 parking spaces but will need 130 for the nished library location.
Once the designs are nished, JCPL is planning to move into the permitting and construction phases in 2026. Walker hoped the new location would be open by late 2027, but said that schedule is subject to change.
Along with the Feb. 22 open house, JCPL sta are brainstorming whether to host other activities and events there before construction begins, to get patrons used to the new location.
Walker said JCPL had identi ed South Je co’s Ken Caryl area as an underserved
community even before its 2015 mill levy vote. So, when it passed, some of the funds would go toward establishing a new branch in the area.
e Columbine branch is the nextclosest one, and Walker said it was built to serve about 60,000 people. However, it currently serves about 122,000 people.
So, Walker said JCPL needed another branch southwest of Columbine to serve about 60,000 residents in the Ken Caryl and C-470 areas.
However, between addressing other priorities, COVID-19-related delays and lack of available properties, Walker said JCPL and a community advisory board knew it would take time before they found a suitable property.
e project had substantial community support, though, Penington noted. As JCPL worked to buy the Bradford Road property, sta shared details with more than 2,000 people at summer and fall events. e response, Penington said, was “overwhelming excitement.”
Walker felt likewise, saying, “We’re excited about this location. We think it’s going to be a great community amenity.”
For more information, visit je colibrary.org/south-county.
Je erson County Public Library is hosting a Feb. 22 open house at its future South Je co branch location, seen here on Jan. 23. The agency recently bought the 64,000-square-foot building near West Chatfield Avenue for $10.7 million.
Je erson County Public Library has purchased a 64,000-square-foot building, seen here on Jan. 23, for $10.7 million. The building is on a 7-acre property near West Chatfield Avenue and Shaffer Parkway.
PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
