Canyon Courier February 6, 2024

West Je erson Middle School celebrates 50 years

that included daily dress-up days representing each decade of the school’s existence.

West Je erson Middle School celebrated its 50-year anniversary Jan. 24 with laughter, shared memories and a reunion of students and sta past and present.

Close to 10,000 students passed through the school’s doors in those ve decades. And some of them, along with many former sta members, were back for the afternoon assembly. It capped a week of events

Principal Kim Halingstad, whose own children attended West Je , rst joined the school sta 14 years ago, then rose to become its leader.

“I was at rst concerned about working at a school in my own community,” she said. “But these kids are really special.

ere’s a sense of innocence and community up here, and that’s created these grounded,

great kids. ey care — a lot.”

Halingstad was among several former sta members and a student who gave brief talks during the assembly. Students loudly cheered former assistant principal Rick Roadruck, who wore a bright yellow suit like those he wore while working at the school.

“What comes to mind about West Je to me is family,” said Roadruck, who said he wore the bright suits to connect with students. “Fifty years of learning, 50

Evergreen Fire/ Rescue approves contract for Station 2 renovation

BY JANE REUTER

e Evergreen Fire/Rescue board recently took another big step toward improving call response times with the approval of a $3.75 million contract to expand and remodel its Bergen Parkway station. e change will allow emergency responders, including the six paid re ghters hired in 2024, to live roundthe-clock where they work, and quickly get vehicles on the road to reach those who need help.

“Our Achilles heel is our response time everywhere,” said EFR board director John Putt. “So this is the rst start at being able to get the trucks out the door almost immediately when you call 911.”

EFR Chief Mike Weege said the change is long overdue.

“We are very excited to be getting this project underway,” said EFR Chief Mike Weege, who expects the new space to be complete in early 2026. “ is building was built in 1978 when there wasn’t much of anything up here at all. ings have changed quite

years of touching lives, 50 years of memories. Here’s to 50 more.”

During a reception after the assembly, former gifted and talented teacher Mary Pond agreed with Roadruck.

“ is is like my family,” said Pond, who taught there from 2001 to 2015. “And it’s good to see my old family members. I loved every minute I was here.”

“In the beginning, it was kind of a wilderness up

Rick Roadruck, who was assistant principal until 2008, told a few colorful stories to match his suit during the Jan. 24 anniversary assembly. PHOTO BY JANE REUTER

SEE WEST JEFF, P2

WEST JEFF

here,” said former coach and science teacher Bob Hokanson, who worked at the school for 30 years. “It was just a general store, gas station and the HiLander restaurant. But I was impressed right away with the parents, a lot of whom were ranchers. They gave us good support. It’s always been a wonderful school.”

“South Park” co-creator Trey Parker attended school at West Jeff.  “Trey was half asleep much of the time,” Hokanson said.

Former librarian Betty Astle credited the Conifer community for the school’s successes.

“The people, the parents, the kids — were just the best,” she said. “This was a great community.”

West Jeff and the area’s other schools are a reliable fixture in an area that’s seen dramatic growth in the past several decades, Halingstad said.

“Conifer has changed so much,” she said. “We’ve gone through so many iterations of restaurants and grocery stores up here. But the schools remain the constant, a common thread through the community. And that’s pretty special.” FROM

a bit.”

e Bergen Parkway EFR o ces serve as the agency’s headquarters, and include Station 2 as well as EFR’s administration, training and maintenance dispatch center. e paid re ghters are based at the site, which in the midst of the district’s densest population and generates the highest call volume of the district’s eight stations.

e renovation will add 3,100 square feet to the structure, increasing it from four bedrooms to 10 and adding a much larger kitchen, day room, o ces and a locker room. at space is needed for all the paid and volunteer sta that call the station their o ce.

“We’ve got three medics running out of there, two re ghters (per shift) which expands to three when volunteers are also shifting,” Weege said. “We sometimes have students who ride along with the medics, so they need a place. Eventually, if we have battalion chiefs, they’ll need bedrooms.”

Signi cant safety upgrades will also be made, including a sprinkler system and structural changes to protect responders from hazardous materials and other chemicals.

“ ere is a big concentration in the re

service on cancer awareness, with a high probability of people in this industry getting cancer with what we deal with,” Weege said. “So there’s been a lot of activity over the last few decades to make it safer for the people working. Isolating the bays and areas where people clean their gear from the living quarters has become a standard.”

Meetings with the architectural team have just begun, and Weege said they haven’t yet determined if sta will stay in the building during the renovation or live in temporary housing that could be placed on site.

Station 2 is the logical choice for the project because of the density of call volume and its existing living quarters, Putt said. But it won’t be the last of the eight stations within the 126-square-mile district to get an upgrade.

“I hope this primes the pump so we can take care of the rest of the re district,” he said. “We need to provide timely response everywhere in the re district, and that requires having stations that are humanfriendly.

“I’m looking forward to the chief’s plan on how we’re going to provide rapid response to all areas of the district, not just north Evergreen,” he continued.

Plans already call for combining two existing stations — 1 in downtown Evergreen and 4 on Highway 73 south of town. at project includes demolishing Station 1 and building a new combined

former Evergreen Mountain Market. It is expected to be operational by 2027.

An EFR master plan adopted in 2024 noted that the con guration of stations without living quarters for sta “may need to change as growth occurs.”

e decision to add some paid reghters in 2024 was also in keeping with the master plan, a change EFR leaders said was needed to counteract attrition

in the department’s volunteer ranks, keep pace with community growth and more closely meet national response time standards.

EFR has operated on an all-volunteer neighborhood response model since 1948.

e six additional sta support EFR’s volunteer force, and work in three teams of two, with each captain and re ghter team taking a 48-hour shift.

station on the site of the

The Evergreen Fire Board approved a contract to expand and remodel its Station 2 on Bergen Parkway. COURTESY EVERGREEN FIRE/RESCUE

A display in the school lobby includes pictures from each year of West Je ’s history.

Principal Kim Halingstad stands with 7th grader Sawyer Jensen, who won a spirit award for his part in helping celebrate the school’s anniversary, during West Je erson Middle School’s 50th anniversary assembly Jan. 24.

Former West Je coach and teacher Bob Hokanson and his wife Alicia came for the Jan. 24 celebration. PHOTOS BY JANE REUTER

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.

Just Listed: 5-Bedroom Brick Ranch in SE Denver

$665,000

Don't miss out on this well maintained brick ranch with finished basement at 2677 S. Newport Street in southeast Denver, with easy access to I-25 and the Denver Tech Center. The 66-acre Bible Park, with its biking and walking trails, including the Highline Canal trail, is a half block away, along with numerous ballfields, tennis courts, exercise stations and a new playground. Inside on the main level there are hardwood floors throughout and a living room with brick fireplace, 3 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms. A sliding patio door takes you outside to the covered patio and a large, dog friendly backyard with artificial turf area. The basement is finished and features 2 more bedrooms, a nicely updated 3/4 bathroom and a recreation room with a second wood-burning brick fireplace. The front yard and backyard are both professionally xeriscaped. The home has an updated kitchen, double-pane windows, a newer roof, and a high efficiency furnace. More information including photos and a narrated video tour are on the MLS and at www.GRElistings.com. Listing agent Chuck Brown will be holding it open this Saturday, Feb. 8th, from 11 am to 1 pm. Or call him at 303-885-7855

Conifer fire unification opponent o ers to drop appeal if district will put issue to a vote

Elk Creek Fire Board

does not respond to Neil Whitehead’s suggestion

BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

One of the men who led an appeal of Elk Creek Fire’s e orts to unify with InterCanyon and North Fork re districts said he and his co- ler will drop their action if the issue is put to a districtwide vote and approved. Neil Whitehead III made the proposal during the re board’s Jan. 23 meeting, adding that the appeal could otherwise “take several years.”

“We believe it would be in the best interests of the electors, residents and the district if a resolution to unify (is) placed on the May 6, 2025 election,” Whitehead said. “If the ballot language is suitable to the appellants, we would agree to a stay in the appeal. If the election results in a yes vote for uni cation, we would drop all appeals. If the election results in a no vote, we would resume our appeal.”

“We believe that this appeal will take several years before a nal decision before the Colorado State Supreme Court,” he continued.

e board did not respond to Whitehead’s public comment. Board president Greg Pixley said such a move would have to be a board decision, but it’s not one he

favors.

“ at’s not my choice,” he said. “Right now, I’m more interested in the outcome of the process already in play.”

Elk Creek, Inter-Canyon and North Fork have been trying for years to merge. A November 2023 consolidation vote failed narrowly. In late 2024, all three re boards agreed to move forward with uni cation, a process outlined under state statutes that does not require a vote or include a mill levy increase. e merged agencies, renamed the Conifer Fire Protection District, would share tax revenue, sta and all other resources.

A Je erson County judge approved the merger of Inter-Canyon and North Fork. ose two agencies are pushing forward with uni cation. Elk Creek’s participation is on hold pending a decision on the appeal, led in December by Whitehead and Elk Creek board member Chuck Newby. Both men also opposed consolidation.

Pixley noted that attorneys from all three re districts have guided the unication process, and said an expected Jefferson County hearing on the appeal will determine if it was done properly.

“ is isn’t something we just did,” he said. “Attorneys from three districts, three chiefs and 13 board members all believe this is the right process to move forward. Being challenged only allows us to conrm the process in terms of legality. I look forward to whatever their decision is.”

He remains rmly convinced uni cation is the right path forward for Conifer’s

dents also criticized Whitehead and Newby’s appeal during the Jan. 23 meeting.

Phil Koch said he submitted open records requests and found Elk Creek Fire’s legal expenses were about $31,500 in 2024. Koch said about $14,400 of those were “directly attributable” to Newby.

“ at’s 45.6% of the ECFPD annual total,” he said. “Adding similar sums for 2023 already reported here, the current running total for legal expenses over these two years due to director Newby are now $29,570.80 — 53.2% of the total legal expenses over this 24-month period.

“Who knows how high these sums will go as director Newby and Dr. Whitehead’s challenges to uni cation work their way through the Je erson County Board of County Commissioners and district court,” Koch continued. “We taxpayers are paying dearly, both nancially and in our own safety, for these men’s ill-informed, misguided, politically slick, but socially inexcusable pursuit of red herrings.”

three re agencies.

“I swore an oath to do what was best for the community, and I will attest to my belief the incorporation of these three departments allows us to do the best we can to reduce any type of catastrophe in the future,” Pixley said. I question those that don’t see the intent here — the bene t of this uni cation would have for my neighbors, my family, my colleagues, the community and those that visit Conifer.”

A couple of Elk Creek re district resi-

(Editor’s note: e Canyon Courier reached out to Elk Creek Fire to con rm the information shared by Koch and had not heard back at the time of print deadlines.)

Al Leo cited numerous bene ts to unication.

“I urge all board members to remove the roadblocks and make this happen for the bene t of the community, not personal agendas,” he said. “Residents are being held hostage by two shortsighted individuals standing on principle.”

CORE invites students in grades 1 through 5 to help us promote electrical safety through our annual Electrical Safety Poster Contest. www.CORE.coop CORE invites students in grades 1 through 5 to help us promote electrical safety through our annual Electrical Safety Poster Contest. www.CORE.coop

Elk Creek Fire’s Blackfoot Road station.

PHOTO BY DEB HURLEY BROBST

BY JANE REUTER

Firefall’s Jock Bartley to perform concert dedicated to suicide prevention in Evergreen

JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Firefall founder Jock Bartley, who was once a national spokesperson for suicide prevention, will do his rst concert dedicated to the cause in more than 20 years on Feb. 13 in Evergreen.

Proceeds from the Westminster resident’s “Call on Me” concert will bene t Resilience 1220, the Wooden Hawk Foundation and Ovation West Performing Arts.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds, according to the World Health Organization, and more than more than 720,000 people die due to suicide every year worldwide.  e upcoming concert will be Bartley’s second gig in Evergreen in less than a year. Firefall headlined the August 2024 Mountain Music Fest, which also was coordinated by the Wooden Hawk Foundation.

Bartley said he’s honored to help the cause again. e concert is named after his song by the same title, which he wrote in 1997 at the request of a then-struggling Colorado Springs suicide prevention hotline.

“ e singer in ‘Call on Me’ is the person manning the hotline telephone, talking to the young person in crisis,” Bartley said. “It was one of those songs that wrote itself real fast.

“And one of the things I’m most proud of with it is that suicide is a terrible subject,” he continued. “It’s a tragedy for those

positive message, basically just telling the person listening to the song, ‘Hang in there, you’re not alone, everything’s going to be OK, you’ll get through this.’”

It also emphasizes that the person in crisis is “a miracle” and a gift to the world, but that in the moment, they themselves can’t see those qualities.

After helping the Colorado Springs hotline, Bartley decided he wanted to do more with the song.

“I thought, I know enough rock stars, I could put on a suicide prevention bene t or two and raise awareness,” he said.

He hosted a 1998 suicide prevention concert in Nashville with Michale McDonald, David Pack from the band Ambrosia and Rusty Young from Poco, and later another with Wynonna Judd.

“Because of that, people got in touch with me from the American Association of Suicidology and others, saying we want to do a lot more of these bene ts,” Bartley

said. “We did another one with Journey in San Francisco. Suddenly, I became kind of a spokesperson for suicide prevention.”

Bartley played many more such concerts and at suicide prevention conferences for about ve years.

“ en it receded,” he said. “But it’s always been in my songbook.”

When Wooden Hawk Foundation president Pam Lush-Lindquist asked Bartley to do a February bene t concert, he gladly accepted.

“ e way I look at it is if these bene ts — and my song — can reach one person, one kid in crisis and bring them back from the edge, that’s a success,” he said.

“A lot of people think in terms of dozens, hundreds. I just know if we even help one kid, that’s a success and I should be doing this.”

A Resilience 1220 spokesperson said she and others at the nonpro t, which provides no-cost therapy to youth, are excited about the concert.

“We are so grateful to Jock for sharing his musical talent and his passion for promoting youth mental health,” said communications manager Cindy Lempke. “He is a genuine advocate for suicide prevention.”

Firefall guitarist and singer Steven Weinmeister will join Bartley on stage in Evergreen.

Bartley’s Feb. 13 concert is at 7:30 p.m. at Center Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen. Tickets are available at ovationwest.org.

Firefall, with Jock Bartley on guitar, plays during the Aug. 3

Mountain Music Fest in Evergreen. COURTESY OF WOODEN HAWK FOUNDATION

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 letterwriting 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 second-largest 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 Jeffco 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 con-

tract 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 the nancial 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.

SUMMER CAMPS

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

Tracy Dorland JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Clear Creek High School students join forces to create a profitable ski and board shop business

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“Creek Craft” is the new name in the ski and snowboarding industry in Clear Creek County and high school students, mentors and teachers aim to make it pro table for Clear Creek High School.

Students in the Clear Creek High School Entrepreneur II class are taking their business education to the next level by creating a sustaining model for manufacturing and marketing, according to Career Connections Coordinator Dacia Kelly.

“ e students in this class are learning how to start a business and they’re doing it through a real-world project rather than a hypothetical,” Kelly said.

When searching for a business idea to engage students, Kelly said they realized there is a great opportunity down the hall and stairs in the high school where Outdoor Rec and Tech Instructor Ben Shay runs the Ski Program.

e goal is to “open a ski room to the general public for students to do some basic maintenance on skis for hands-on experience,” Shay said. “At the same time create a viable cash ow in business that can put money back into programs.”

e ski program and business classes t hand-in-glove as a potential learning experience for business students to the marketing, manufacturing, tuning and repairing of skis and snowboards, according to Executive Director of Clear Creek Schools Foundation Mitch Houston.

“It’s also providing great hands-on skills for the students, you know we’ve always argued that we have the same equipment they have at Loveland Ski Area,” Houston said. “So, the students are getting trained in the fall here and then come ski season they can just plug right into a shop at Loveland.”

Houston serves as a mentor for the students in the Entrepreneur II class working with high school junior Maggie Gothman and senior Asher Isaacson, according to Kelly.

“Eventually we hope to sell skis and boards but for now we’re starting o with maintenance and tuning because it’s simply less time-consuming and easier for students to pull o at the moment,” Isaacson said.

e CCSF also pitched in by funding most of the equipment in the ski tech classroom as well as networking with community business leaders seeking additional funding and partnerships, Houston said.

e rst business to step up as a partner was Loveland Ski Area, Houston said.

PAY RAISE

(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

A publication of

Call first: 3540 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreeen, CO, 80439

“ ey helped us buy all of the hand equipment necessary for the students to learn how to sharpen edges and wax skis and do all of that stu by hand,” Houston said.

e Outdoor Rec and Tech class will perform basic tuning services and is expected to start operations soon like a ski shop.

“So, instead of taking your snowboard or skis to another area business… you can support the school and student learning by taking your equipment to the class,” Kelly said.

Organizers say the eventual goal is to make the operation a self-sustaining business with any pro ts going back to the classroom to supply material and tools to the next set of students.

“If their net pro t is enough to allow us to buy the materials and things like that to teach the kids to do the work it saves the school district money,” Houston said.

“I think I’m taking away how through the process of starting a business, waivers have to be precisely organized in a timely and efcient manner,” Isaacson said while working on a customer satisfaction survey the class plans to distribute.

In addition to hands-on experience in starting and marketing a new business, students in the entrepreneur course are earning college credit simultaneously through Red Rocks Community College course 1002, Kelly said.

“From here we want to open up an opportunity for community members to build custom skis using the building platform we have as another revenue source to sustain the program,” Shay said.

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. “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 ongo-

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: 303-566-4100

Web: CanyonCourier.com

To subscribe call 303-566-4100 or Scan this QR Code

BROOKE WARNER Executive Director brooke@ntln.org

LINDA SHAPLEY Director of Editorial & Audience lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

KRISTEN FIORE West Metro Editor kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

JANE REUTER Community Editor jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com

DONNA REARDON Marketing Consultant dreardon@coloradocommunitymedia.com

RUTH DANIELS Classified Sales rdaniels@coloradocommunitymedia.com

BUSINESS INQUIRIES For advertiser or vendor questions, please email our business department at accounting@ coloradocommunitymedia.com

ing 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.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Courier. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Tues. for the following week’s paper.

Canyon Courier (USPS 88940)

A legal newspaper of general circulation in Evergreen, Colorado, Canyon Courier is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 3540 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen, CO 80439.

PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT Evergreen and additional mailing o ces.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Canyon Courier, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

CORRECTIONS

Colorado Trust for Local News asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.

Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.

Students in the Clear Creek High School Entrepreneur II class have joined forces with students in the ski program to create a ski business. PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL

Ben Shay (left) works with students building snowboards at Clear Creek High School in Evergreen.

The ski program and business classes fit hand-inglove as a potential learning experience for business students to the marketing, manufacturing, tuning and repairing of skis and snowboards, according to Executive Director of Clear Creek Schools Foundation Mitch Houston. PHOTO COURTESY OF DACIA KELLY

Je co Public Library buys future branch location near Chatfield 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

seen here on Jan. 23. The agency recently bought the 64,000-square-foot building near West Chatfield Avenue for $10.7 million.

PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

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 Elementary 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.

9 key takeaways from Je co Public Schools’ financial audit

Audit reveals need for better financial oversight

Earlier this month, Je co Public Schools pulled back the curtain on its 2024 nances, revealing a complex picture of progress and pitfalls in its latest Annual Compre-

hensive Financial Report. From pension liabilities to declining enrollment, the report, paired with an independent audit, spotlighted the district’s biggest challenges and opportunities for growth.

Here are nine key takeaways from the report and audit ndings:

1. Declining enrollment pressures revenue Since 2020, Je co’s enrollment has decreased by 7,874 students, representing a

nearly 10% decline. According to the report, this trend, driven by high housing costs and lower birth rates, has created substantial funding challenges, as state revenue is tied to student numbers.

Auditors noted that the state has mitigated the impact by using a ve-year enrollment average, but this bu er is temporary and will end sooner than the auditors anticipated.

e state’s new school funding for-

mula reduced the average allowance to four years last year. Gov. Jared Polis has proposed dropping it altogether, which would impact declining districts like Jeffco.

Chalkbeat recently reported that many district leaders, including Je co’s school nance o cer, attended a legislative hearing to oppose the proposed measure.

Je erson County Public Library is hosting a Feb. 22 open house at its future South Je co branch location,

2. Pension liabilities drive significant deficit e report states the district’s nancial position is burdened by a $1.66 billion net pension liability tied to the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association. is liability contributed signi cantly to Je co’s net position de cit of $543.3 million.

Auditors emphasized the scale of this challenge, noting that PERA’s underwhelming investment performance in 2022 exacerbated the district’s long-term nancial risks, further complicating its scal outlook.

e report warns that the district’s decit will likely persist without changes to state pension policies.

3. Gaps in internal controls highlighted by audit

Auditors found a signi cant de ciency in Je co’s nancial oversight, particularly in the handling of manual journal entries. ey noted that journal entries are posted without su cient review or documentation, increasing the risk of errors or inconsistencies.

“ e district should install a process to review manual journal entries prior to those entries being posted. Additionally, correcting journal entries should contain appropriate documentation to support the reason for the correcting entry,” auditors stated.

Auditors also recommended exploring a built-in control within the PeopleSoft system to ensure entries are not posted to the general ledger until a separate individual adequately reviews them.

4. Missing approvals in key financial processes

e audit identi ed missing approvals in several essential processes, including year-end closing checklists, bank reconciliations and accounts receivable aging schedules. ese lapses could lead tonancial mismanagement or overlooked errors.

“Approval was noted to be missing in June 2024 bank reconciliations,” the report stated.

Additionally, auditors found “no indication of approval on accounts receivable aging schedules,” underscoring the need for more rigorous review procedures.

Auditors recommended that Je co implement formal approval steps for all nancial processes and document these approvals to ensure accountability.

5. Revenue increases o set by enrollment decline

Despite a 3.4% increase in general fund

revenue, reaching $925.4 million, declining enrollment tempered nancial gains.

e report noted that a 10.4% increase in per-pupil state funding helped bolster revenue, but shrinking student numbers remain a persistent challenge.

“Increased per-pupil funding helped o set revenue losses from declining enrollment, but stabilizing enrollment remains critical to the district’s nancial health,” auditors observed.

6. Capital improvement program nears completion

e report notes that Je co’s $834 million capital improvement program is almost complete.

“ e district remains on track to complete its capital improvement program within budget and timeline,” the report highlighted, noting this as a bright spot in an otherwise challenging nancial landscape.

7. Errors in asset calculations require correction

e audit agged signi cant inaccuracies in the district’s calculation of net investment in capital assets, amounting to $8.9 million in errors. is included misclassi cations related to pension certicates and subscription assets.

“ e district should implement a review and approval process to ensure all components of the calculation are appropriate and supported by the general ledger,” the report advised.

Auditors said these errors had been corrected during the audit process but noted that the issue underscores the need for

better nancial oversight.

8. Rising costs in special education e report highlights that growing special education spending has increased by 10.1% year-over-year, placing additional strain on an already tight budget.

“Increased expenditures in special education re ect the district’s commitment to meeting the needs of students, even amidst scal pressures,” the report stated.

9. Significant deficiencies: new and unresolved issues

One of the most concerning ndings in the audit was the repeated identi cation of a signi cant de ciency from the prior year.

“ e issue of journal entry oversight was identi ed in the prior year’s audit but remains unresolved,” the auditors noted. “Failure to address this de ciency in-

creases the risk of nancial inaccuracies and weakens overall accountability.”

Auditors emphasized that signi cant de ciencies, while not as severe as material weaknesses, require urgent correction to prevent potential nancial mismanagement.

e district’s chief nancial o cer, Brenna Copeland, didn’t address why the district hadn’t xed the issue when speaking to the school board but stressed that while it’s tempting to talk about the audit, the annual report is a more important indicator of how the district is doing.

“What I want our public to know is that if you review our nancial statements, you’ll see that the district is in a very healthy nancial situation,” Copeland said. “We have some reserves to deploy as we need them and I think that comes out in the numbers and in the actual data in the annual report.”

Finding resilience after a stumble

AWORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

short 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 doubleedged 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 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 signicantly 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.

VOICES

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. That 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”

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 Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The show was originally developed for and premiered at the Purple Rose Theatre 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 difficult meeting new people, especially in a romantic way,” Boes said. “The 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.

“The play is about a group of people who never thought they’d be old,” she said. “The

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

COMING ATTRACTIONS

mont-alto-sherlock-jr-1924.

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. There are insights and laughs aplenty for adults of all ages, which might explain why it is one of Crim’s most popular efforts. 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. “This 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

The films of the silent era were some of the most artistically innovative and impactful 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.

Northglenn’s  Parsons Theatre , 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. The movie is full of stunts and filmmaking effects that remain masterful, 100 years later.

Information and tickets are available at https://bit.ly/

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules:

• Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia. com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.

• Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in the following week’s newspaper.

• Letters must be no longer than 400 words.

• Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not 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.

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 finds 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.

The 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 Mini-Lectures with Dr. Paula Cushing, PhD; Chemistry Demos; and more. Head to the events page at www.dmns.org to find 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 first appeared as a purposefully offensive 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.

• 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.

• Publication of any given letter is at our discretion. Letters are published as space is available.

• We will edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length and write headlines (titles) for letters at our discretion.

• Please don’t send us more than one letter per month. First priority for publication will be given to writers who have not submitted letters to us recently.

Jim Roome

Clarke Reader

BY STAVROS KORONEOS

Running into trouble

CONIFER – If this doesn’t put him o jogging, nothing will. Taking his daily trot around the neighborhood on the afternoon of Dec. 2, he heard the sound of repeated, deliberate gun re. He wasn’t particularly alarmed, since several area residents shoot targets on their expansive properties. A few more steps, though, and he heard the unmistakable “whiz” of a ricochet in his immediate vicinity and instinctively lifted his hand to cover his face. A 9mm bullet, most of its force spent, thankfully, struck the back of his uplifted hand causing a painful contusion but no serious injury. He picked up the bullet and called JCSO. He wasn’t interested in pressing charges, he told deputies, only that the careless shooter be ofcially instructed on safe practices in residential areas. A survey of the neighbors narrowed the source of the errant round to the property of Pistol Pete, who assured the o cers that he had not been target shooting that day, had not been at home, in fact. In any case, said Pete, he’d never re any weapon in so cavalier a fashion because of his “military training.” Pete promised to check his game cameras to see if anyone else had been shooting on his property. Without eyewitnesses or a smoking gun, deputies listed the case as administratively open pending additional evidentiary ammunition.

Hostile witness

CONIFER – e house is one of four on the easement, and in need of some work. On Dec. 5, the heavy lifting started before the complainant and his friend actually got there.

It seems a certain neighbor of their long and unfortunate association had plowed all of the snow from his driveway directly onto the roadway, forcing the complainant and his friend to shovel it clear before their workday could begin. At day’s end, just as they were loading up their tools and preparing to leave, Certain Neighbor roared up astride his ATV and started plowing snow directly onto the road in front of their vehicle. According to Complainant’s report to JCSO, Certain Neighbor struck his vehicle with the ATV, causing signi cant damage. Deputies were prepared to move swiftly on what appeared to be a strong case against Certain Neighbor, but were stymied by Complainant himself, who at rst would not provide information on the damaged vehicle’s true ownership, and then started hedging on the actual amount of damage it su ered. Trying a di erent tack, deputies asked Complainant for his own name and place of residence. “Ummm…uh…just hang on a second,” objected Complainant, who complained that the o cers were “leading me on.” Not entirely con dent in the name Complainant eventually provided, o cers said they couldn’t pursue the case until the vehicle’s true owner contacted them. “ at will never happen,” Complainant glowered. at seemed clear enough to the deputies, who deep-sixed Complainant’s complaint.

Sheri ’s Calls is intended as a humorous take on some of the incident call records of the Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce for the mountain communities. Names and identifying details have been changed, including the writer’s name, which is a pseudonym. All individuals are innocent until proven guilty.

BASHORE

OBITUARIES

Julia Ann “Judy” (Murrah) Bashore

With sadness we announce the passing of Julia A Bashore, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, on January 13, 2025 at the age of 77. With family present, Julia departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love

March 1, 1947 - January 13, 2025

Melody Ann Coleman, 73, of Evergreen, Colorado, passed away on January 23, 2025. She was born on October 11, 1951, in Little Sioux, Iowa. Melody was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who brought warmth, joy, and strength to everyone fortunate enough to know her.

A celebration of Julia’s life will be held on February 7, 2025, 1:00 pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery,

with a celebration of life gathering to follow ceremony. Family and friends are invited to gather to honor her memory, share stories, and nd comfort in the legacy of love she

Rest peacefully, Julia. Your love, kindness, and strength will forever guide us. You were, and always will be, the heart of our family.

Melody is survived by her daughter, Teresa (Raul); her granddaughter, Sadie (Dominick); her grandson, Holdon (Caitlin); her great-grandchildren, Rhett, Ryker, and Renli; her brothers, Allen and Je ; and her sister, Ruth.

Known for her remarkable strength, unwavering spirit, and infectious personality, Melody was a guiding light in the lives of her family and friends. She had a rare ability to light up a room with just a few words, and her sharp wit, caring nature, and vibrant presence made her a beloved gure in her community.

Melody’s career was marked by her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication. She opened her own clothing store Girlfriend’s Clothing in 1998, which she ran with great success for over 15 years. rough her business, Melody built lasting relationships and earned the a ection and respect of everyone she

She was preceded in death by her parents, Beatrice and Edward; her sisters, Dorothy, Patsy, Alice, and Lucille; and her brothers, Buck, Eddie, and Chris.

In lieu of owers, the family requests that donations be made to a local domestic violence shelter in Melody’s memory. She was deeply committed to supporting those in need, and her family believes that honoring her legacy through helping women in need would be a beautiful tribute to her caring and compassionate spirit. Melody will be missed beyond measure, but her legacy of love, strength, and kindness will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Melody Ann (Anderson) Coleman October 11, 1951 - January 23, 2025

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

We’d like to know about events or activities of interest to the community. Visitwww.canyoncourier.com/calendar/ and post your event online for free. Email jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com to get items in the newspaper. Items will appear in print on a spaceavailable basis.

UPCOMING

“ e Cottage”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 23, Stage Door eatre, 25797 Conifer Rd, Conifer. Hilarious farce set in the 1920s English countryside. Tickets at stagedoortheatre.org

Mountain Area Land Trust hosting HawkQuest: 3:30 p.m. Feb. 13, Evergreen Country Day, 1036 El Rancho Road, Evergreen. Geared for children 5th grade and up, focusing on the specialized tools of the owl, eagle, falcon and hawk. Free. RSVPs requested at savetheland.org/events/birds-of-prey

Jock Bartley ‘Call on Me’ bene t concert: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, Center Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen. Proceeds bene t Resilience1220, Wooden Hawk Foundation and Ovation West Performing Arts. Tickets at ovationwest.org.

MindFest: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22, Our Lady of the Pines, 9444 Eagle Cli Road, Conifer. Speakers, resources and activities on mental wellness.

Middle School Career Fair: Feb. 25, Evergreen Middle School, 2059 S Hiwan Dr, Evergreen. Including Evergreen Middle, Dunstan, Bell, and West Je schools. Community members interested in showcasing their careers or companies welcome.Contact Miranda Ziegler, Miranda.Ziegler@je co.k12. co.us

Seniors4Wellness Game Day: 12:30 p.m. Feb. 26, Bergen Park Church, 31919 Rocky Village Dr, Evergreen.

Adult Pickup Pond Hockey: 5 to 7 p.m. every ursday through Feb. 13, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen. Helmets mandatory and provided by the participants. Other protective equipment is strongly recommended. evergreenrecreation.com.

Evergreen Players Epic Winter Comedy Improv: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 & 15, Center Stage eatre, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen. Tickets at evergreenplayers.org

Buchanan Park Pool Valentine’s Party: 1:30 Feb. 15, Buchanan Park Rec Center, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. Balloon artist, cookies, crafts, swimming. $16 members, $20 non. evergreenrecreation.com.

Evergreen High School’s “Legally Blonde the Musical”: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 & 28, 1 p.m. March 1, 6:30 p.m. March 1. evergreenhstheatre.org

Seniors4Wellness Friday Cafe: 11:30 a.m. Feb. 28, Christ the King Church, 4291 Evergreen Pkwy, Evergreen. seniors4wellness.org.

Mt Evans Home Health Care & Hospice’s Winter WonderGala: A Frost & Flame Adventure: 5:30 p.m. Feb. 28, Mount Vernon Canyon Club, 24933 Club House Circle, Golden. Dinner, costume contest (frost or ame), live and silent auction, live music and dancing. events@mtevans.org

Conifer Area Council: 7 p.m. Feb. 19, West Je erson Middle School, Conifer. 7 p.m. presentations followed by 8 p.m. meet and greet with Q&A.

Wild Aware Meet & Greet: 6 p.m. Feb. 20, Evergreen Brewery, 2962 Evergreen Pkwy, Evergreen. Meet the Wild Aware crew and make some new friends with other wildlife lovers. info@wildaware. org.

Road, Evergreen. Season and punch passes available. evergreenrecreation. com.

Mountain Women Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): 9 a.m. every Saturday in person and on Zoom, Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 CR-73, Evergreen. Mountain Women also meet via Zoom on Wednesdays at noon. evergreenaa. com/

Wild Aware is actively recruiting volunteers for their Last Friday Co ee. e monthly event is at 9 a.m., the last Friday morning of every month through fall. Evergreen Bread and Cocktail Lounge, 1260 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen, CO 80439.

Conifer Chamber of Commerce member meeting: 7:30 a.m. on second ursdays, Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, 9444 Eagle Cli Road, Conifer. Free for members, $10 for nonmembers.

Evergreen Nature Center Weekly Preschool Adventures Program: 9 a.m. every ursday, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. Free & no registration required. Programs designed for children ages 2-5 years old. All children must have an adult in attendance. Dress to explore the outdoors. evergreenaudubon.org

arearepublicanclub.org

Mountain Area Democrats: Mountain Area Democrats meet at 9 a.m. the fourth Saturday of the month January through April at the United Methodist Church of Evergreen, 3757 Ponderosa Drive, Evergreen. For more information, e-mail MountainAreaDems@ gmail.com.

Evergreen Nature Center: Evergreen Nature Center is open from 10 a.m.4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays next to Church of the Trans guration. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.EvergreenAudubon.org.

Sacred Spaces: Monthly events honoring Evergreen’s Sesquicentennial: Noon-2p.m. March 1, Evergreen Fire/Rescue, 1602 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. Spotlighting North Evergreen, the Anderson Family and EFR with hosts Jennee Hancock and Pete Anderson

Evergreen Chamber Orchestra Prelude to Spring Concert: 3 p.m. March 1, Rockland Community Church, 17 S. Mt. Vernon Country Club Road, Golden. Featuring the Colorado Symphony’s Concertmaster Yumi Hwang-Williams! Tickets at evergreenchamberorch.org

ONGOING

Evergreen Ice Melt tickets available through March 17: $3 each with discounts for multiple purchases. Purchase tickets or nd local businesses selling tickets at evergreenicemelt.com. Proceeds bene t local organizations and nonpro ts.

Evergreen Nature Center Monthly Family Program: 11 a.m. every last Saturday, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. December’s program is Hibernation Station. evergreenaudubon.org

e American Legion Evergreen Post 2001: Meets 4 p.m. Feb. 19, then monthly (March - October) on the 4th Tuesday at 7 p.m., Evergreen Church of the Trans guration, Douglas Hall, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. Serving all military Veterans in the foothills. Email evergreenpost2001@gmail.com.

e Bear Creek Cemetery Association board of directors volunteers needed: Members needed to help with operations of the local cemetery on Highway 74, Evergreen. Contact board president, evergreenbearcreekcemetery@gmail.com

Blue Spruce Habitat volunteers needed: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers. A variety of opportunities and exible schedules are available on new construction sites as well as for exterior minor home repairs. No previous construction experience needed. Contact volunteer@ bluesprucehabitat.org for information.

Evergreen Camera Club: Meets every second Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Evergreen Fire/Rescue auditorium, 1802 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. Club is for people who share a passion for all photography, from beginners to professionals. Attend in person or via ZOOM.

EChO needs volunteers: e Evergreen Christian Outreach ReSale Store and food pantry need volunteers. Proceeds from the EChO ReSale Store support the food pantry and programs and services provided by EChO. Many volunteer options available. For more information, call Mary at 720-673-4369 or email mary@evergreenchristianoutreach.org.

LGBTQ+ teen book club: Resilience1220 is o ering an LGBTQ+ teen book club that meets from 4-6 p.m. the fourth Monday at the Resilience1220 o ce next to the Buchanan Park Recreation Center. For more information and to register, visit R1220.org.

Public ice skating & lessons: Evergreen Lake, 29612 Upper Bear Creek

Evergreen Area Republican Club: e Evergreen Area Republican Club meets at 6 p.m. the rst Wednesday of the month at the Evergreen Fire/Rescue Administration Building, 1802 Bergen Parkway. Information at evergreen-

ESA EverGREEN Re ll Station: EverGREEN Re ll Station (re ll your laundry detergent, lotions, soaps and more. We have many sustainable products available). e Re ll Station is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.5 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 1-4 p.m. in the Habitat Restore, 1232 Bergen Parkway.

SEE HAPPENINGS, P18

Chris Olson: Je co’s jack of all trades

BY DENNIS PLEUSS

JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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 408-2 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.

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-

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

Douglas, Je erson among the top counties for speeders

BEST OF THE BEST VOTING STARTS MARCH 1!

El Paso county tops list for the speeding citations

BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Colorado State Patrol has, once again, pinpointed the state’s ve counties that attracted the most speeding citations in 2024 and two are right here in the Denver-metro area.

Troopers say drivers in El Paso County got the most speeding tickers last year with 2,161. Douglas and Je erson counties are ranked number two and three respectively, with Douglas collecting 862 citations followed by Je erson with 831. Rounding out the top ve is Fremont County with 727 and Mesa County with 684, according to a CSP news release.

El Paso, Douglas and Je erson counties have remained the top ve counties for speeding citations for the past four years, the CSP states. is is the third consecu-

OLSON

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 and love 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.”

The announcer

Announcing high school soccer games in between teaching and coaching started in 2002 at the North Area Athletic Com-

tive time in four years that Fremont County has entered the top ve and this is the rst time in four years for Mesa County. e top ve roadways in 2024 for speeding charges by highest speeding intervals issued by the CSP were:

I-70, I-25 followed by state highways 50, 24 and 285. e top four roadways have held their respective top positions for six consecutive years, the CSP states. Highway 285 broke into the top ve in 2022 and has held that spot for the last two years.

Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the CSP, said drivers in 2025 need to lighten up on the accelerator and be more aware of their speeding habits in the new year. “ e temptation to speed may be all around you, but you won’t get out of a ticket if you violate the law and get pulled over, “ Packard said in a press release.  “Our goal isn’t to go out and ticket everyone; we want drivers to do the right thing and drive like a trooper is a passenger in their vehicle. Citations are meant to correct poor driving choices, and you are literally in the driver’s seat to determine the likelihood of a tra c stop.”

plex 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 gig.

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 years.

Olson has announced over 75 state soccer championship games across all classi cations.

“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

Tra c travels between Frisco and Breckenridge on Colorado Highway 9. FILE PHOTO

FROM PAGE 15

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Idaho Springs police are re-examining every piece of evidence, witness accounts and timelines to answer one question: “What happened to Beth Miller in 1983?”

Sgt. Ryan Frost of the Idaho Springs Police Department has spent hundreds of hours, by his own account, digging through records and evidence to explain why Idaho Springs resident Beth Miller went for a jog in the morning of Aug. 16, 1983 and never came back.

As the Idaho Springs Police department approaches full staffing, Police Chief Nathan Buseck said he saw an opportunity and Frost’s passion to dedicate time to the endless questions still circulating around Miller’s disappearance.

Buseck added that the Idaho Springs police investigation, undertaken early in 2024, has been kept “close to vest” for more than six months as investigators tried to recreate an unbiased timeline of events leading to Miller’s disappearance.

“We wanted to get it to a point, where I think we are now, where it’s organized

Finding Beth Miller

14-year-old

Idaho Springs resident Elisabeth Ann Miller went for a jog in August of 1983 and hasn’t been seen since. Police are asking the public for help. FILE PHOTO

HAPPENINGS

Support After Suicide Loss: A safe place to share and learn after losing a loved one to suicide. is group meets every fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:307:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 o ce. For ages 14 and up. Suggested donation for this group is $15. Register at resilience1220.org/groups.

Sensitive Collection: Resilience1220 strives to inform and support highly sensitive people to live healthy and empowered lives. It meets the third Wednesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom. Register at resilience1220.org/groups.

Caregiver support group: Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice o ers a monthly group to provide emotional support services for caregivers helping ill, disabled or elderly loved ones. An in-person support group meets Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 3081 Bergen Peak Road, Evergreen. For more information, visit mtevans.org/services/emotionalsupport/.

Parkinson’s disease support group: A Parkinson’s disease support group meets the rst Friday of the month from 1-3 p.m. at Evergreen Christian Church, 27772 Iris Drive, Evergreen. For more information, email esears@parkinsonrockies.org.

Mountain Foothills Rotary meetings: Mountain Foothills Rotary meets at 6 p.m. Wednesdays both in person at Mount Vernon Canyon Club, 24933 Club House Circle, Genesee, and via Zoom. Information at 346-248-7799.

Beyond the Rainbow: Resilience1220 o ers Beyond the Rainbow, which is two support groups that meet the second Tuesday of the month. One is a safe group for those 12-20 and the other is a group for parents and caregivers wanting support for raising an LGBTQ+ child. For group location and to RSVP, email heather@ resilience1220.org.

BERGEN PARK CHURCH

COLD CASE

enough that now I need the public’s help,” Frost said.

Miller was eventually reported missing to police by family members at 9 p.m. Aug. 16, according to records.

Investigators say her parents were concerned when she wasn’t home for dinner and asked her brothers and sisters to look for her as she often worked as a babysitter for neighborhood families.

Reports describe Miller as a “loving and outgoing person who liked to go to dances and was very well-liked in the community.”

Almost immediately, Idaho Springs police at the time considered the disappearance to be a “nefarious act,” Frost said.

When Miller left for her jog she was wearing only a T-shirt, jogging shorts and shoes. She left $107 of babysitting money behind, according to Frost.

According to Frost, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintained at least 17 boxes of investigational material collected in the initial and ongoing investigation into the disappearance.

Frost said he is sifting through every page, in every box, looking for that “one thing” that may have been overlooked, disregarded or never mentioned by witnesses, friends or family.

“I try to nd the little thing, maybe something somebody missed, maybe wasn’t investigated thoroughly enough,” Frost said.

Recently the Idaho Springs police

department has taken to social media in an e ort to nd “that needle in the haystack” from someone who knows, heard or thought their information would be “irrelevant,” Frost said.

“If people think the insigni cant stu doesn’t matter, it does,” he said. “All I need is just one little thing to help me.”

An original runaway/missing person report obtained by the Clear Creek Courant details the minimal facts recorded by investigators in the case.

e report states Miller was last seen at 10 a.m. Aug. 16 by her sister when “Beth,” as she was commonly known, asked if she wanted to go for a jog.

According to detectives, Miller was training to join the Clear Creek High School basketball team when she entered the ninth grade later that month.

Investigators say subsequent information indicates Miller was seen one more time by a couple of her friends at the former convenience shop, 7-11, at 23rd and Colorado Boulevard at 10:30 a.m.

After that day and time, Miller became a ghost of speculation, rumors and perpetual innuendo, according to Idaho Springs police.

“ e hard thing with this case is there is no evidence. e only evidence I have are the people who saw her,” Frost said.

Investigators say they’ve spent hundreds of hours trying to separate the trivial from questionable and possibly overlooked tips and information in the thousands of investigation records.

Frost said the CBI o ered to scan and record available information as

a custodian of the case and le them digitally for the Idaho Springs Police Department. e les include detailed maps of areas of interest and scouting areas.

To this date, Buseck said, the department is conducting preliminary scouting of a few areas to identify locations for more extensive searches.

Despite 42 years since Miller’s vanishing, Buseck said the expediency of time is a factor moving forward.

“My fear is 10 years from now, 15-20 years, it becomes exponentially more di cult because you start to lose your witnesses,” Buseck said.

Referencing, cross-checking and repeating is how investigators say this cold case will be resolved.

“Someone knows something,” Buseck said. “I think over time there are instances where people may have information… they’re unsure if they should reach out to law enforcement and I think that publicizing this case is a nal push to see if that one person has that information.”

According to investigators, several persons of interest in the disappearance were brought before a GrandJury in 2008, but no one was ever indicted.

“Closure” is a word with multiple de nitions, explanations and platitudes, according to criminal investigators interviewed through the years by this reporter. is case is personal, based on the tone of local police.

“ at’s our No. 1 goal: Beth needs to have a proper burial,” Frost said. “I say she needs to come home because what happened to her, she didn’t deserve.”

Any information or tips can be sent to rfrost@idahospringsco.com or by calling 303-567-4291.

WORSHIP DIRECTORY

Bergen Park Church is a group of regular people who strive to improve ourselves and our community by studying the Bible and sharing our lives with each other. On Sunday mornings you can expect contemporary live music, Children’s Ministry that seeks to love and care for your kids, teaching from the Bible, and a community of real people who are imperfect, but seek to honor God in their lives. We hope to welcome you soon to either our 9:00AM or 10:30AM Sunday service. Search Bergen Park Church on YouTube for Livestream service at 9:00am 31919 Rocky Village Dr. 303-674-5484 info@bergenparkchurch.org / www.BergenParkChurch.org

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH SERVICES

28244 Harebell Lane

Sunday Service & Sunday School: 10 a.m.

Wednesday evening: 7p.m: (Zoom only Nov.1st-Mar. 31st.)

Visit: www.christianscienceevergreen.com for more information and ZOOM link Reading Room: 4602 Plettner Lane 303-674-5296

OPEN: TUES-SAT 12 p.m.-3 p.m.

CHURCH OF THE HILLS PRESBYTERIAN (USA)

Serving the mountain community from the heart of Evergreen Worship 10:00 a.m.

Reverend Richard Aylor

O ce Hours: Tu-Thur 9:00 - 4:00; Fri 9:00 - noon Bu alo Park Road and Hwy 73 www.churchofthehills.com

CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION EPISCOPAL

In-Church: Sunday Communion Quiet Service 8:00 am & with Music 10:15 am 10:15 am only Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86017266569

In-Meadow: 2nd Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m. --June through September— 27640 Highway 74 – ¼ mile east of downtown Evergreen at the Historic Bell Tower www.transfigurationevergreen.org

CONGREGATION BETH EVERGREEN (SYNAGOGUE)

Reconstructionist Synagogue Rabbi Jamie Arnold www.BethEvergreen.org / (303) 670-4294 2981 Bergen Peak Drive (behind Life Care)

DEER PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Reverend Dr. Knut Heim, pastor, Sunday Worship 10 AM

Located one mile west of Pine Junction just o Rt. 285 966 Rim Rock Road, Bailey (303) 838-6759 deerparkumc.org

All are welcome to our open/inclusive congregation!

EVERGREEN LUTHERAN CHURCH

5980 Highway 73 + 303-674-4654

Rev. Terry Schjang

Join us for worship in person or on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/EvergreenLutheranChurch Sunday Worship held at 9am. www.evergreenlutheran.org + All Are Welcome!

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH – EPC 1036 El Rancho Rd, Evergreen – (303) 526-9287 www.lomcc.org – o ce@lomcc.org Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m., with communion every Sunday “Real Church In An UnReal World”

A community empowered by the Holy Spirit which seeks authentic relationships with God and others to share the good news of Jesus with Evergreen, the Front Range and the world. Come as you are, all are welcome!

PLATTE CANYON COMMUNITY CHURCH

Located: 4954 County Road 64 in Bailey. O ce hours MWF 8am-1pm 303-838-4409, Worship & Children’s Church at 10am

Small group studies for all ages at 9am

Transitional Pastor: Mark Chadwick

Youth Pastor: Jay Vonesh

Other activities: Youth groups, Men’s/Women’s ministries, Bible studies, VBS, MOPS, Cub/Boy Scouts.

ROCKLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH

“Connecting all generations to Jesus” Please check our website, www.Rockland.church, for updated service times ¼ mile north of I-70 at exit 254 17 S Mt. Vernon Country Club Rd., Golden, CO 80401 303-526-0668

SHEPHERD OF THE ROCKIES LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod. 106 Rosalie Road, Bailey, CO 303-838-2161 Pastor John Graham Sunday Worship Service; 9 a.m., Fellowship Time; 10:15 a.m., Sunday School & Bible Class; 10:45 a.m. www.shepherdoftherockies.org

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF EVERGREEN Rev. Sarah Clark • 303.674.4810 • www.evergreenumc.org 3757 Ponderosa Dr. across Hwy 74 from Safeway in Evergreen Join us in person every Sunday at 10:00am for worship “Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds”

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.

Offer up to 50% off

+ Additional 10% off install (military, health & 1st responders.) 1-833-370-1234

Miscellaneous

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 877-305-1535

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/ Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866859-0405

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 3/30/25.) Call 1-844-501-3208

Water damage cleanup: A small amount of water can cause major damage to your home. Our trusted professionals dry out wet areas & repair to protect your family & your home value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809. Have zip code!

Miscellaneous

Aging Roof? New Homeowner? Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-878-9091

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris -blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833610-1936

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70¢/ day! 1-844-591-7951

Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833-3993595

We buy houses for cash as is! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer & get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-844-8775833

Miscellaneous

Consumer Cellular - same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No longterm contract, no hidden fees free activation. All plans feature unlimited talk & text, starting at just $20/mo. Call 1-877-751-0866

!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! GIBSON, FENDER, MARTIN, Etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. TOP DOLLAR PAID. CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-433-8277

MobileHelp America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call 1-888-489-3936

Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 833-308-1971

Become a published author We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author`s guide 1-877-7294998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ ads

Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-5439189

Doodle Puppies Golden Doodles and Bernedoodles Home-Raised Heath Tested and Guaranteed Standard and Mini Size available Schedule a visit today! (970)215-6860 www.puppylovedoodles.com

Wanted

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today!

Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

p.m., Monday through Friday. Self-Nomination and Acceptance Forms are also available online at https:// whitebearankele.com/. The deadline to submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form is the close of business

(5:00 p.m.) on Friday, February 28, 2025. If the DEO determines a Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form is not sufficient, the form may be amended prior to 5:00 p.m. on February 28, 2025. Earlier submittal is encouraged as the deadline will not permit curing of an insufficient form after this date and time. An Affidavit of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate must be submitted to the office of the DEO by the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Monday, March 3, 2025.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that information

Jefferson County Expenditure

PUBLIC NOTICES

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Conifer Fire Protection District of Douglas and Jefferson Counties, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, three (3) directors will be elected to serve a four-year term.

Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Toni McManus, the Designated Election Official for the District, at 7939 South Turkey Creek Road, Morrison, Colorado, or email: tmcmanus@icfpd.net. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above email address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 28, 2025, at 4:00 pm).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above address during normal business hours (8:00 am and 4:00 pm), until the close of business on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election (Tuesday, April 29, 2025).

All absentee ballots must be returned to the Designated Election Official by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

CONIFER FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

By: /s/ Toni McManus, Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. CAN 1820

First Publication: February 6, 2025

Last Publication: February 6, 2025

Publisher: Canyon Courier

Public Notice

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR WEST JEFFERSON COUNTY METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the West Jefferson County Metropolitan District (“District”) of Jefferson County, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

At that time, two (2) directors will be elected to serve a four-year term and two (2) directors will be elected to serve a two-year term.

Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Jennifer Guy, the Designated Election Official for the District, at email: jguy@evergreenmetro.org. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above email address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 28, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.).

L. Mills, the Designated Election Official for the District, via email mmills@cegrlaw.com. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District by 5:00 p.m. at the above email address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 28, 2025).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above email address during normal business hours, until 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday immediately

(Tuesday,

by

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above email address during normal business hours, until 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election (Tuesday, April 29, 2025). All absentee ballots must be returned to the Designated Election Official by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

WEST JEFFERSON COUNTY METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: Jennifer Guy

Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. CAN 1813

First Publication: February 6, 2025

Last Publication: February 6, 2025 Publisher: Canyon Courier Public Notice

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR EVERGREEN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Evergreen Metropolitan District (“District”) of Jefferson and Clear Creek Counties, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

At that time, three (3) directors will be elected to serve a four-year term.

Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are

available from Jennifer Guy, the Designated Election Official for the District, at email: jguy@evergreenmetro.org, or online at www. evergreenmetro.org. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above email address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 28, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above email address during normal business hours, until 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election (Tuesday, April 29, 2025). All absentee ballots must be returned to the Designated Election Official by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

EVERGREEN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: Jennifer Guy

Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. CAN 1812

First Publication: February 6, 2025

Last Publication: February 6, 2025

Publisher: Canyon Courier Public Notice

A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE FOOTHILLS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO 1-13.5-501, 1-13.5-1102(3), 32-1-905(2), C.R.S.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and, particularly, to the electors of the Foothills Fire Protection District of Jefferson County, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election will be held on the 6th day of May, 2025, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

At that time, two (2) directors will be elected to each serve for a four (4) year term. Eligible electors of the Foothills Fire Protection District interested in serving on the Board of Directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District’s Designated Election Official (“DEO”):

John T. Sullivan, DEO c/o Sullivan Green Seavy Jarvis LLC 1790 38th Street, Suite 207 Boulder, Colorado 80301 (303) 440-9101 e-mail: john@sullivangreenseavy.com

The office of the DEO is open on the following days: Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The deadline to submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form is close of business on Friday, February 28, 2025 (by 5:00 p.m.) (not less than 67 days before the election). Earlier submittal of a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form via e-mail is encouraged. If the DEO determines that a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form is not sufficient, the eligible elector who submitted the form may amend the form once, at any time, prior to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025.

Affidavit of Intent To Be A Write-In-Candidate forms must be submitted to the office of the Designated Election Official by the close of business on Monday, March 3, 2025 (by 5:00 p.m.) (the sixty-fourth day before the election).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, if an eligible

elector of the Foothills Fire Protection District wishes to receive an Absentee Ballot by mail for this election, an application shall be filed with the Designated Election Official no later than the close of business on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (by 5:00 p.m.). If an eligible elector of the Foothills Fire Protection District wishes to be a permanent mail-in voter of the District on all future elections, an application for permanent absentee voter status shall be filed with the Designated Election Official no later than the close of business on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (by 5:00 p.m.).

Foothills Fire Protection District

By: /s/ John T. Sullivan Designated Election Official

Legal Notice No. CAN 1810

First Publication: February 6, 2025

Last Publication: February 6, 2025

Publisher: Canyon Courier

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT

JEFFERSON COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO

Pursuant to C.R.S. Section 38-26-107, notice is hereby given that on the 25th day of February 2025 final settlement will be made by the County of Jefferson, State of Colorado to:

ELITE SURFACE INFRASTRUCTURE.

115 INVERNESS DR. EAST SUITE 100 ENGLEWOOD, CO 80112

hereinafter called the “Contractor”, for and on account of the construction contract for the West Bellview Ave. Over Bergen Ditch Culvert Replacement project in Jefferson County, CO.

1. Any person, co-partnership, association or corporation who has an unpaid claim against the said project, for or on account of the furnishing of labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by such Contractor or any of said work, may at any time up to and including said time of such final settlement, file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim.

2.All such claims shall be filed with Heather Frizzell, Director of Finance Jefferson County Colorado, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden CO 80419-4560.

3.Failure on the part of a creditor to file such statement prior to such final settlement will relieve the County of Jefferson, State of Colorado, from any and all liability for such claim.

County of Jefferson, State of Colorado Andy Kerr, Chairman Board of County Commissioners

Legal Notice No. CAN 1821

First Publication: February 6, 2025

Last Publication: February 13, 2025

Publisher: Canyon Courier Public Notice

NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT ACCESS LIMITED CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN OWNER AND CONTRACTOR FOR RC 24-03 STEEP-SLOPE IMPROVEMENTS FOR FALL RIVER ROAD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT (STIPULATED PRICE)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with the notice provisions contained in 38-26107, C.R.S., the CLEAR CREEK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS has established Tuesday, February 18th, 2025, 8:30 am, at the Board of County Commissioners hearing room, located at 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, Colorado, as the date, time and place of final settlement with Access Limited Construction for Agreement Between Owner and Contractor for RC 24-03 SteepSlope Improvements for Fall River Road Construction Contract (Stipulated Price), County of Clear Creek, State of Colorado. Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, sustenance, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or his or her subcontractor in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplied laborers, rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractor or subcontractor, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for work contracted to be done, may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim with the Clear Creek Board of County Commissioners, Clear Creek County, P O Box 2000, 405 Argentine Street, Georgetown, Colorado, 80444-2000. Failure to file such verified statement or claim prior to final settlement will release the County and its employees and agents from any and all liability for such claim and for making final payment to said contractor.

George Marlin, Chair Board of County Commissioners Legal Notice No. CAN 1824

First Publication: February 6, 2025

Last Publication: February 13, 2025 Publisher: Canyon Courier

Public Notice

SECTION 000111

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO ROXBOROUGH LIFT STATION PUMP P-202 REPLACEMENT

Sealed Bids for the

Suite 101 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Phone: (303) 799-5197

Bidding Documents will be available on Thursday, February 6th, 2025, and may be obtained from the Issuing Office on Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Prospective Bidders are required to be listed on the plan holders list to be eligible to bid. The Bidding Documents will be available for download at no cost in PDF format. Bidding Documents download information must be requested by email from Kelli Kavinsky, KKavinsky@TSTInfrastructure.com. Upon TST’s receipt of email requesting Bidding Documents, the Prospective Bidder will be added to the plan holders list and emailed instructions to download Bidding Documents.

Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Issuing Office. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including addenda, if any, obtained from sources other than the Issuing Office.

A mandatory pre-bid conference for the Project will be held on Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 1:00 pm local time at the Roxborough Lift Station, 11290 Caretaker Road, Littleton, CO 80125. Bids will not be accepted from Bidders that do not attend the mandatory pre-bid conference.

Bid security in the amount of five (5) percent of the total Bid Price must accompany each Bid and shall be furnished in accordance with the Instruction to Bidders.

Bidders must be licensed to do business in the State of Colorado. Bids received from Bidders who are not recorded by the Issuing Office as having received the Bidding Documents will not be opened.

The Owner reserves the right to award the contract by sections, or reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informalities and irregularities therein.

For all further requirements regarding bid submittal, qualifications, procedures, and contract award, refer to the Instructions to Bidders that are included in the Bidding Documents.

Owner: Roxborough