Work begins on Hilldale Pines
fuel break P2
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e cost for a student to participate in one extra-curricular activity in a season was about $833 in 2022, according to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. For families with annual household incomes of $150,000 or more, that average is $2,068.
e Evergreen-based Wooden Hawk Foundation wants to help, and it’s doing so in a unique way — by helping to coordinate a largely student-run mountain music festival through which students can gain unique experience, and raise money and awareness about their sports and clubs.
“Firefall” will headline the Aug. 3 Mountain Music Fest,
Tobyn Groutas with Mile High Youth Corps works on a fire mitigation project July 15 near Crystal Way in Conifer’s Hilldale Pines neighborhood.
PHOTO BY ROBERT D TONSING
Work begins on Hilldale Pines wildfire fuel break
Planned mile-long mitigation project took four years and help from multiple agencies
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
It took four years and un agging persistence from a property owner, but a project to create a mile-long wild re fuel break near Conifer’s Hilldale Pines neighborhood has broken ground. Work to clear the rst quarter-mile, which includes 10 acres, began July 15 and will continue for the next ve or six weeks.
“We have lots of work to go, but it’s great to have the project underway,” said Ann Imse, a longtime resident who spearheaded the e ort. “ is is what lots of other neighborhoods need to do.”
Hilldale Pines is a densely populated neighborhood of about 300 homes about six miles east of Coni-
fer. It’s one of the highest-risk wildre areas in the state. e break gives re ghters access to slow or stop a re, can extend the time for evacuation and protects Deer Creek, Turkey Creek and the Chat eld Watershed from toxic wild re-related runo .
Imse partnered with multiple state and local agencies, and private property owners, to make the fuel break happen. Adjacent landowner Denver Mountain Parks, whose property makes up a half-mile of the fuel break, is also a critical player.
Imse pursued and won a $94,000 grant from the Colorado Strategic Wild re Action Program, which is covering the cost for a Mile High Youth Corps crew to do the work.
Other partners include project sponsor the Colorado Watershed Association, which is lending its expertise and providing liability insurance, and the Chat eld Watershed Association, which donated $5,000 toward the work.
Denver Mountain Parks also won a state forest service grant in 2020 to mitigate 135 acres near Legault
Mountain, a parcel adjacent to Hilldale Pines. e grant was awarded because of “high re danger and unhealthy forests in the area.”
“Almost all the lodgepole pine on the property was dead and or dying and in dire need of removal,” said Denver Parks & Recreation spokes-
person Stephanie Figueroa. “Hopefully, the work on DMP lands will be completed in the next few weeks/ months.
“ is project will be very important in helping to protect the Hilldale Pines neighborhood in the event of a wild re.”
e Denver Mountain Parks section of the project is about half a mile long, leaving a quarter mile between the two soon-to-be-mitigated parcels that is also slated for re mitigation. e Hilldale Pines community is still raising money for the work in that section, and hopes to do it in 2024-25, Imse said. e Conifer Rotary Foundation is collecting the money in a sequestered account for the project.
Imse said she has steadily been pushing the project toward reality. “I just kept plowing ahead, trying to get it done,” she said. “We denitely need this area thinned out. Lots of people are very happy to see this. I encourage other people to do the same thing. ink about how to protect your own neighborhood, and don’t give up.”
Andrew Ramone of Mile High Youth Corps chips branches collected July 15 as crews worked to create a mile-long wildfire fuel break near Crystal Way in the Hilldale Pines neighborhood.
PHOTO BY ROBERT D TONSING
Many
Homeowners Don’t Understand Title Issues, Which Can Lead to Big Problems Later on
Our office hosted estate lawyer Dan McKenzie at last week’s office meeting, where he shared some horror stories about homeowners who made mistakes in the execution of deeds on their property.
It’s important to understand the difference between “joint tenants” and “tenants in common.” Most married couples hold title to their home as joint tenants, meaning that both of them own the whole house, and if one dies, the surviving spouse still owns the whole house by himself or herself. Tenants in common own part of the house, typically but not necessarily equal parts. When one of them dies, the heirs on the deceased party inherit that part of the house. The problem arises when that new relationship may not be a friendly one.
When a single person owns their home by him/herself (“in severalty”) and wants to add a lover or spouse to the title, a “quitclaim” deed is used to accomplish that, usually with zero dollars exchanged. For example: John Doe quitclaims his home to John Doe and Jane Roe. Dan told us of a case where John Doe mistakenly quitclaimed his home to Jane instead of to both of them, leaving him off title. When she died, her heirs inherited the house, not him. Because they weren’t married and he wasn’t in her will or on good terms with her heirs, it created a real problem reclaiming his former home.
A common mistake is for a homeowner, whether single or a couple, to put their heir(s) on title as joint tenants so they would instantly own the home when they die. The problem with that
North Park Hill Home Listed by David Dlugasch
Welcome to this completely renovated charming brick 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom single-family home at 2690 Ash Street in the heart of original Denver. This home features hardwood floors, new paint, new windows, stainless steel appliances, newer kitchen cabinets, tile backsplash and slate countertops. The bathroom has tile floors and a tiled bath. There is a 3 Season's bonus room (below) at the rear of the home. The yard has a 6’ privacy fence and has a large storage shed. The yard is great for entertaining friends and comes with garden beds to grow your veggies and flowers. Air conditioning, furnace, and water heater were installed in 2020, and there is a whole house fan. It is in walking distance to several coffee shops, City Park, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Denver Zoo — and an Italian grocery store called Spinelli’s. There’s no HOA to deal with, either. Find a narrated video walk-through and interior photos at www.DenverHome.info Then call David at 303-908-4835 to see it!
Price
Reduced on
2 Golden Real Estate Listings
At left is Jim Swanson’s listing at 3600 Miller Street in Wheat Ridge. Listed in late June at $775,000, the price was just reduced to $750,000. It has 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 3 fireplaces and an oversized 2-car attached garage. The front yard is newly xeriscaped and the large backyard has mature trees. The interior is freshly painted throughout with new lighting, ceiling fans, and new oak laminate flooring. Take a video tour at www.WheatRidgeHome.info.
At right is Jim Smith’s listing at 533 High Point Drive in Golden. With 3 bedrooms and 3½ baths, it’s at the mouth of Clear Creek canyon and in walking distance (over a pedestrian bridge) of the Golden Community Center, a dog park, and the Peaks to Plains trail. Downtown Golden and the Colorado School of Mines are a short walk further. The seller has made over $100,000 in improvements, including hardwood flooring, a new full-width cedar deck and an updated kitchen. The price was just reduced to only $698,000. Video tour at www.NorthGoldenHome.com
approach is that the value of the home is not “stepped up” at death. You want to will the home to your heirs or create a “beneficiary deed” so that the value of the home is stepped up to the value at the time of death. Otherwise, the heir could owe a significant amount of capital gains tax. If that heir sells the house soon after inheriting it, the capital gains tax would be close to zero.
In a beneficiary deed, you name the person who is to inherit the home, independent or outside of your will. Thus, the transfer of ownership is automatic at your death without that tax liability.
A “life estate” is a special kind of deed that allows you to sell your home while you’re alive, but not have to vacate it until you die. When my brother died ten years ago, my sister-in-law (his
widow) was able to sell their farm to a buyer who gave her a life estate, allowing her to live free (except for utilities) in the farmhouse until her death many years later. The buyer got full use of the rest of the farm during those years, so it was a win/win.
If you have questions about deeds or other title issues, including how probate works, you can reach Dan McKenzie at The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC. His number is 303-578-2745, and his email is Dan@TheMcKenzieFirm.com
Come to Golden This Weekend!
It’s Buffalo Bill Days, one of Golden’s iconic events, and you’re invited. We’re one of the event’s sponsors, as we have been for over a decade, and I’ll be driving our free moving van in Saturday’s parade.
Greg Kraft was knowledgeable and professional. He was very easy to work with and was super proactive in searching the listings. That was a key in managing to buy the townhome in a very competitive market. He was also very responsive and communicated really well with us and the listing agents. We would recommend him without reservation.
— J. Knight
Jim Swanson was kind and patient while listening to my questions. He helped me to translate the real estate language and manage the sale process. He connected the dots, allowing me to make good decisions, maintain my personal integrity and profit from the sale when a great offer came to the forefront. Jim, thank you for putting communication and community first. — N. W.
Kathleen Jonke is a knowledgeable, efficient and hard working broker. Her availability and response time were exceptional. — K. Wiig
Chuck Brown is a superb Realtor. He is very knowledgeable regarding the market, very proactive and highly professional. Chuck was great at identifying potential properties that met our criteria, he moved very quickly to show us potential properties and his analysis of property values was on point and very thorough. Chuck was extremely proactive and responsive in his communications with us. Chuck went above and beyond our expectations. My wife and I have done six real estate transactions and we think Chuck is the best Realtor ever. We would highly recommend Chuck to other home buyers.
— S. Diamond
Dave Dlugasch did a phenomenal job working with us! We were not easy buyers because of an extensive “wish list” and he did his homework on each property we looked at until we found the right one. He gave us great advice and was very supportive of all our questions throughout the entire process. — M. Madigan
Based on Jim Smith's knowledge, experience, and expertise in the real estate arena, we decided to work with him when it came time to downsize. We used Jim and his real estate firm to both purchase the new home and then sell our existing property. All communication with Jim has been top notch. In addition, he provided all packing materials along with free use of the company's moving truck and labor to make our move. It was a great experience from start to finish! — R. Trujillo
Past Clients Have Left Positive Reviews of Our Agents & Me
$510,000
MUSIC FEST
which will include eight bands playing from noon to 9 p.m. at Evergreen’s Buchanan Park elds.
e lineup includes Non-Prophet, George Gray and the Elvis Experience Band, Jenna Weidner, Trouble Bound, Denver Rock Orchestra and Dirty Snowman Society, Hand Turkey, Steve Knight & Elle Green and headliner Firefall.
Early pricing tickets are $30 through July 27, with discounts for families, military, rst responders, teachers, students and those who have tickets to that morning’s Dam Ducky Derby.
Proceeds from ticket sales will bene t the Wooden Hawk Foundation, while students will earn money through the sale of bottled water and signed Firefall event posters. e foundation’s mission is to support the mountain community school system through charitable and educational initiatives.
“ e foundation wanted to provide students an opportunity to have skin in the game, a large event where they could be in charge of running it and have an opportunity to garner aware-
ness and donations for their clubs,” said foundation president Pam LushLindquist, adding the festival will be an annual event. “We’ve struck a nerve in so many entities. Whether they’re sponsors, people or musicians that understand what our core mission is — which is to support our students where programs have been cut.
“Public education is no longer an equal playing eld. Home economics, woodworking, driving instruction — these programs are long gone. On top of that, it costs you to get on the
SATURDAY, JULY 27
Pat Travis & the Barley Bros.
Vanimal Kingdom
May Be Fern
Stomp Street Heist
Steve Thomas Band
SUNDAY, JULY 28
Till the Moon Public Picasso
Blood Brothers
Grey Rails
Little
bus to go to school. To play a sport, you have to pay for all equipment and transportation. It costs to become a member of the DECA club, and if you go to state or international, it costs much more. We’ve lost public education the way in which we once knew it.”
With the idea of o setting some of those costs, EHS clubs and teams will have booths at the event to showcase their activity.
“ e Mountain Biking Team is going to build a little mountain biking course where people can participate by a suggested donation that goes directly to the team,” Lindquist said. “Each club and sports team is doing
their own rendition of an activity.”
e concert line-up includes local connections. Non-Prophet, winners of Conifer’s Got Talent, features three students from the Morrison-Conifer area. Country singer Jenna Weidner and Hand Turkey Band lead vocalist Andy Seracuse are EHS graduates.
“Every one of our acts has a passion or program for students,” Lindquist said.
e foundation will use its share of the proceeds to help build its planned Future Center and Alumni Center at Evergreen High School.
e Futures Center is planned as a platform to guide students on their future career pathways, o ering resources for those seeking work in trade careers, community college, the military, universities, internships, or other options.
e Alumni Center will be an interactive kiosk near the high school’s main entrance that lets alumni share their experiences as students, and connect with peers from all graduating classes.
e Wooden Hawk Foundation was founded in 2023 by Michele Peeters Vanags, an Evergreen-based insurance agent.
For tickets, visit Mountain Music Fest.
SATURDAY, JULY 27
Adrenalin
Jonny Duran Band Iron Roots
Chaz Depaolo Tyron Benoit Band
SUNDAY, JULY 28
Circus, 2 kidszones, arcade, 3 stages
3
‘Firefall’ founding members looks back at 50 years of music
Westminster’s Jock Bartley will play with ‘Firefall’ during Evergreen’s Mountain Music Fest
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Firefall founder and Westminster resident Jock Bartley is a walking encyclopedia of the best ‘70s rocks bands, many of which he’s played with in a musical career that spans more than 50 years. While those decades are accented with moments he describes as “magical,” Bartley’s career continues to evolve.
e band, which will headline Evergreen’s Aug. 3 Mountain Music Fest, released a new album in September 2023 and is now working on a follow-up album.
“Friends & Family” includes cov-
ers of ‘60s and ‘70s rock bands, many of which Firefall’s original members played in. “Friends and Family 2” will include more covers from the same era.
“Here I am in my 70s, my knees and hips are bad, my body’s falling apart,” he said. “And I’m still in a
band people want to pay good money to come hear. I can still tour, I’m making money, and I’m making my second record in a year and a half. I’m one lucky dude.”
Bartley says many of the moments that led to his musical success were matters of good timing and luck.
As a child living near Manitou Springs, his musician mother wisely denied his request for a $59 Sears guitar, instead introducing him to legendary jazz guitarist Johnny Smith. Smith owned a music store in Colorado Springs and gave 8-yearold Bartley lessons on a Gibson guitar.
“I had exquisite training by one of the best guitar players on the planet,” Bartley said. “I learned to play jazz and Bach fugues. When it came time for me to get into bands in high school and college, I was primed and had my unique style ready to go.”
Bartley was a young teen when another life-de ning moment occurred.
“On Feb. 9, 1964, the Beatles played on ‘Ed Sullivan,’” he recalled. “Everybody across the country was oored. I saw that and said, ‘I want to be in a band.’”
Bartley majored in art at CU-Boul-
SEE FIREFALL, P6
Firefall guitarist Jock Bartley stands in front of gold and platinum albums hanging in his Westminster home from his band’s albums in the 1970s. CAMERA
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The band “Firefall” today includes, from left, Steven Weinmeister on guitar and vocals, Jim Waddell on sax/flute/keys/vocals, founding member and Westminster resident Jock Bartley on lead guitar and vocals, John Bisaha on bass and vocals, and Sandy Ficca on drums.
FIREFALL
der but dropped out after a year to pursue music. He joined the Boulder band Zephyr, which later broke up. Again, fate stepped in.
A Boulder club manager called Bartley to let him know Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels needed a guitar player. Bartley sat in with the band.
“They hired me that night, and said,
‘We leave tomorrow for Texas,’” he said. “I was 23 or 24. Suddenly I’m on the road with Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris.”
Bartley’s life changed overnight.
Neil Young and Linda Ronstadt joined Gram Parsons’ band for a few songs on the tour’s second stop, and members from all three bands hung out together that night.
“We went to Neil’s hotel suite, and were drinking, smoking, carousing and getting to know each other,” he said. “That night was the first night Emmylou Harris met and sang with
Linda Ronstadt. I can still see it in my mind’s eye. They got two chairs, faced each other and blended their amazing voices together in harmony for the first time. It was unbelievable to be there in that room.”
The two women have been close friends since, later collaborating on an album together, and another with Dolly Parton.
Bartley met Boulder musician Rick Roberts on that same tour. Back home in Boulder, the two began play-
PHOTO COURTESY OF FIREFALL
ing together and decided to form a band. With the addition of bassist Mark Andes and singer/guitarist/ composer Larry Burnett, Firefall was born.
The band launched in 1974 —a particularly exciting time to be a musician in Boulder.
James Guercio, producer for the band Chicago, built the Caribou Ranch recording studio in an old barn near Nederland in 1972. It hosted many of the country’s most prominent musical groups of the 1970s and 80s, many of whom moved from Los Angeles to the Colorado mountains.
“I was a Boulder guy, so I was there when all these people moved in,” Bartley said. “The universe came together.”
While the music industry was in its heyday, Bartley said Firefall had some built-in advantages. The country rock/folk sound Firefall adopted was a relatively new genre
that was sweeping the charts, and the band had two high-quality songwriters.
“In our first week of practice, we had 20-25 of Rick and Larry’s original songs to look at right away,” he said, including the singles “Livin’ Ain’t Livin” and “Cinderella.”
“That’s unheard of. We didn’t have a name yet, but we knew where we wanted to go.”
Bartley believes his early instruction with Smith set him up well for Firefall.
“Having been really trained by a world-class jazz guitar player, I knew instinctively the song came first,” he said. “So many guitar players back then were ego-playing at the wrong minutes. I learned early on that being a tasteful soloist really wasn’t so much about what you played, but what you didn’t. The song comes first for the listener.”
When Firefall’s first album was released in 1976, including the hits “Livin’ Ain’t Livin’” and “You are the Woman,” the band took off.
“That album hit so big out of the box we were on the road imme-
diately with the Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker — all the top bands that were playing,” Bartley said. “And we got to be friends with a lot of them.”
One of Bartley’s most memorable moments occurred in 1975 while recording the song “Mexico” in a Miami recording studio. Bartley was deep into the music, unaware that Eric Clapton was listening from the control room.
“I was born to play that song,” he said. “You’re so in the moment, just playing. After I played, I saw him in the control room and I just crumbled. He stood up, shook my head, said ‘Keep playing, man” and walked out. If I’d have known if he was in the control room before I played, I would have sucked.”
Firefall released its last album with the original lineup in 1980, but Bartley has remained.
Two years ago, his manager suggested that the current Firefall band record covers from decades past, leading to “Friends & Family.”
“Really what it is to me is a history lesson of some of the best mu-
sic of the late ‘60s and ‘70s,” Bartley said. “There are a lot of people today that have no idea that that decade of music was very possibly the best musical rock ‘n roll decade ever.”
While Bartley acknowledges most people come to see Firefall for “You are the Woman,” his favorites are those that got less time in the spotlight.
“I’m really happy to have a song like ‘You are the Woman’ be as big a hit as it is,” he said. “It’s a not-too-deep white pop song. But Firefall’s lucky to have a couple of those. And then we have a lot of the darker stuff. I thank my lucky stars most every day. For Firefall to have played even a small part in the music of the 1970s is unbelievable and humbling.”
Bartley, who’s done several shows to support his own personal cause of suicide prevention, said Firefall’s glad to support the Wooden Hawk Foundation and public education.
“We’re down with that big-time; we’re happy to play and help schools,” he said.
WOODRUFF
If you employ a strict diet for reasons of philosophy—meat is murder! —or fad diets—carbohydrates are suicide!—keep it to yourself. Description of a First World resident: We de ne ourselves by what we refuse to eat.
If the guide tells you not to ride past the Burr Trail switchbacks in Utah, do not ride past the Burr Trail switchbacks. If the guide says, “Drink some water,” drink some water.
Be honest about your medical background. Do not, upon arrival at the rst day’s campsite, mention that you have diabetes and did not say anything beforehand because you were afraid they would not allow you on the trip.
Do not lie about your physical abilities. You tell yourself you have six months to get into shape, but we know what the road to hell is paved with. Walking the dog twice a day instead of once is not a strenuous exercise routine.
Be realistic. On the rst morning of a ve-day mountain bike tour, a participant announced that he had never been on a bike in his life. e entire rst day was spent teaching him how to ride and the itinerary readjusted to t his needs.
Do not stop taking your medications. Medicines can have side effects. Stopping a long-term medication may also have side e ects. I did not know that stopping anti-depression meds could cause massive irritation until a non-medicated hiker grabbed their gear and stomped o in a snit.
Don’t be sel sh. I was on a on river trip that eliminated all day hikes because one person threw a hissy about “wasting time” that could better be spent sitting on the beach drinking Mai Tais.
Don’t be a twit. I was busily bisecting bagels one morning to prepare
lunches when a would-be epicurean loftily told me not to touch his bagel. “Bagels should be sliced just prior to eating.”
Everyone began demanding that I stop touching their bagels until the senior leader chimed in. “ ose bagels have been bouncing around in packs for three days! Give us a break!”
Use the equipment you will rely on: Try out that new bicycle. Put up that tent, in ate that air mattress. Carry that backpack with the proposed equipment within. You may decide to abandon those hardback books.
Female guides are every bit as competent as their male counterparts. Resist “mansplaining” or telling them they look so amazing lugging gear or rowing a boat.
Guides will not break the law for you. If there is a ban on res, they will not build a re — even if you promise not to tell.
Every company advertises knowledgeable guides, but I have overheard some outlandish “facts” from outdoor companies. Spoiler: Rocks in the Grand Canyon are not red because they are encrusted with dust from Sedona, Arizona, nor do they attract lightning.
If you want a true educational trip, opt for one o ered by a nonpro t organization.
A guided trip can still lead to frustration. It can rain for days, high winds can make putting up a tent a chore and blisters can manifest. But if you’re prepared to accept some hardship, getting outdoors can also lead to new friendships and a more relaxed approach to adventure.
Maybe, even, it can be the trip of a lifetime.
Marjorie “Slim” Woodru is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonpro t dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She works as an educator at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
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OBITUARIES
CAMERON
cation 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.
Bernard Cameron February 14, 1942 - June 30, 2024
Our father Bernard Cameron left this world on June 30, 2024 at the age of 82. Bernard loved many activities including skiing, hiking, tennis, golf and watching all sports, especially golf. Bernard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn Cameron. He leaves behind his children Wendy, Mark and Greg,
GARVIN
Grandchildren Maggie, Brandon & Bri, Riley, Jasper, & Finley as well as son in law Ray, and daughter in law Chris. No funeral or memorial service will be held at this time. We invite you to share your favorite story or interaction you had with Bernie at: https://www.afterall. com/obituaries/BernardBernard
Viola Hladik “Vi” (Egr) Garvin
January 18, 1927 - June 26, 2024
Viola Hladik Garvin, lovingly known to all as “Vi”, passed away on June 26, 2024 at Life Care Center in Evergreen, Colorado. Vi was born into a farming family on January 18, 1927 in Bruno, Nebraska, to John and Rose Egr. She married Ludvik Hladik in February 1945, their marriage completing a triple alliance of the Egr and Hladik families; all three Egr sisters married Hladik brothers. Vi and Ludvik had three sons together; Dale Leonard, Jerry Lou, and Albin Ludvik. e Hladik family moved to Evergreen in 1961, and owned and operated a bar in Evergreen and Kittredge. Following Lud’s death in 1966, she operated a successful real estate business in Kittredge for many years. After meeting at a dance, Vi married Cli Garvin in 1998 and resided in Erie, creating and selling art pieces at trade shows and roadside stands.
Vi enjoyed dancing, art, gambling and gardening. roughout her 97 years, Vi
left a lasting impression on many people. She was witty, resourceful, independent, and passionate, and will be greatly missed.
Vi was preceded in death by her parents, John and Rose Egr, her sisters, Mildred (Leonard) Hladik and Martha (Frank) Hladik, husbands Ludvik Hladik and Cli Garvin, sons Dale (Karen) Hladik, Jerry (Nancy) Hladik, and Albin (Chris) Hladik, and niece, Kendra Hladik. She is survived by four grandsons, Doran Hladik, Brian (Wendi) Hladik, Kevin Hladik, and Chad (Kim) Hladik, seven great-grandchildren, Lauren (Blake) Meyers, Hannah (Cody) Korsmeyer, Jarek Hladik, Morgan Williams, Haley Hladik, McKenna Hladik, Britton Hladik, and one great-greatgrandson, Kameron.
In lieu of owers, the family requests that donations can be made to Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice.
COYLE
Wendy Allison “Wendell, Wendelina, Axelrod” (Hines) Coyle July 7, 1963 - July 7, 2024
We lost our dear Wendy on her birthday after 18 months of valiant battle against cancer. She’s survived by her sister, Dawn Capps of Indian Hills, Colorado, son, Nick Adams of Conifer, Colorado, daughter, Samantha Ewton of Indian Hills, CO, brothers Je
Noel of Portland, Oregon and Glenn Hines of Sand Point, Idaho. ere are no goodbyes for us, for you’ll be in our hearts forever. If I haven’t told you I loved yet today, I love you yet today!
IN GOOD HANDS
Local single moms use low-cost automotive services to provide for families
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Danicka omas’ car was on its last leg.
For weeks, the Denver resident asked her neighbors for rides or spent hundreds of dollars on rideshares. With six children who all needed to be in di erent places at varying times, omas said public transportation wasn’t a viable option. She needed a car — a real, working car.
Finally, last month, she caught a ride to a concert at Clement Park, and then drove home in a new car.
“It’s been a long time coming,” omas said. “ … I’m beyond words.”
On June 28, Goldenbased nonpro t organization Hands of the Carpenter hosted a bene t concert to help omas and other single moms throughout the Denver area.
e faith-based nonpro t o ers low-cost automotive services, including maintenance and placement, for working single moms. It serves clients in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomeld, Denver, Douglas and Je erson counties.
Hands of the Carpenter started in 2003 and has garages in Golden and Aurora. It plans to open a third in the Federal Heights area this fall, Founder Dan Georgopulos said.
In 2022, it served 355 families. Last year, after opening the Aurora garage, it served 609.
Georgopulos added that Hands of the Carpenter had helped more than 400 fami-
lies so far in 2024, and believed the third garage would enable it to serve even more clients than 2023.
“We know there’s a lot of need in the northern Denver area,” he said, adding that the Federal Heights garage will be the largest of the three, with eight bays total.
As its operations expand, Georgopulos hoped the nonpro t’s clients, volunteers and other supporters would continue to spread the word about Hands of the Carpenter’s mission and services.
“Everybody knows somebody who needs help,” he continued.
‘It’s life-changing’ omas, who heard about Hands of the Carpenter from a coworker, reached out to the nonpro t in October. With her new car, she’ll be participating in the three-year Lift UP Program, which includes low-cost repairs and maintenance. e car itself was 35% of the retail cost under the Lift UP Program.
With her new 2010 Ford Edge Sport, omas said that she’s looking forward to driving herself to and from work, getting her children to all their commitments, and making a road-trip to visit her out-of-state relatives without issue.
“It’s life-changing,” she continued.
She thanked all the Hands of the Carpenter leaders and volunteers, and everyone who helped with the June 28 bene t concert, including musicians Hazel Miller & the Collective.
On June 28, Aurora’s Antoinette Ogunwo drives the car she received from Hands of the Carpenter about two years ago. The nonprofit serves single moms across the seven-county Denver metro area through its Transportation at Low-Cost program, which includes vehicle repairs and placement. PHOTO BY
Priscilla Guerra has her car repaired at Hands of the Carpenter’s Golden-based garage earlier this year. The nonprofit, which helps single moms with their transportation needs, has a second garage in Aurora and is planning to open a third in the Federal Heights area this fall. COURTESY OF HANDS OF THE CARPENTER
GOOD HANDS
“I hope they’re able to bless many more families,” omas said of the nonpro t.
On July 9, Lakewood’s Jasmine Coronado-Lopez took her car to the Golden garage for maintenance. After being referred through Hope House, she’s been in the Lift UP Program since March.
Coronado-Lopez said her car’s been having transmission problems, and Hands of the Carpenter referred her to an outside shop for additional evaluation. She hoped to get it xed soon, saying the nonpro t has been helping her navigate the stressful situation.
“ ey’ve been so helpful and encouraging on my journey to gure out cars and get my kids around safely,” she continued.
As a delivery driver and a relative’s primary care worker, Coronado-Lopez said having a car is crucial for picking up medication, grocery-shopping, and other tasks. She was thankful Hands of the Carpenter has kept her car running “when I thought it was going to break down for good,” she said.
She’s referred other moms, saying she’s learned a lot about cars as the Hands of the Carpenter mechanics walk her through everything her car needs and why. While she believed other shops might talk down to their clients or take advantage of them, Coronado-Lopez felt informed on the process at Hands of the Carpenter.
“It feels home-like,” she said of bringing her car into the Golden garage. “… I’m so thankful for all the work they’ve already done in the last few months.”
Aurora’s Antoinette Ogunwo is starting her third year with the Lift UP Program this August, as Hands of the Carpenter placed her with a 2011 Chevy Malibu a few years ago.
Ogunwo recalled trying to apply for help several years ago, but Hands of the Carpenter wasn’t serving her area yet.
After it expanded, though, she received a yer in the mail and applied that night.
She described how, before getting her current car, Ogunwo “kept driving lemons.” She became trapped in a vicious cycle of needing to x or replace her car on a regular basis. So, after she received her new car at a bene t concert like omas did, Ogunwo said it was “truly a blessing.”
Not only has it helped her family get around town, but Ogunwo said, “I’ve learned to manage my nances and appreciate what I have.”
Overall, she said her experiences with Hands of the Carpenter were reassuring, adding, “You’re in good hands.”
‘They do it with heart’
Along with individual donors, Hands of the Carpenter receives grants and donations from businesses, civic and philanthropic organizations, and faith-based groups.
Nancy Smith of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lakewood said her group has been supporting Hands of the Carpenter’s work for years. She also volunteers at the Golden garage, helping families when they bring their cars in for service.
She said people don’t need to be mechanics to volunteer.
Just welcoming the clients and spreading the word is key, Smith continued, adding, “ ere’s something for everyone (to help with).”
In addition to monetary donations, Hands of the Carpenter also accepts vehicles. Georgopulos said that, depending on its condition, it might be placed with a family or sold to fund additional services.
From her experiences as a volunteer, Smith described just how important having a working and reliable car is for every family the nonpro t helps. She and Georgopulos hoped people would continue to support Hands of the Carpenter as it opens the third garage later this year.
“ ey’re making a di erence in people’s lives,” Smith said, “ … and they do it with heart.”
With a fundraising chart for Hands of the Carpenter in the background, Hazel Miller & the Collective perform at a June 28 benefit concert at Clement Park. The nonprofit serves single moms across the seven-county Denver metro area through its Transportation at Low-Cost program, which includes vehicle repairs and placement.
PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
In March 2024, Solangel Ramos Blanco and her family receive a new car at the Golden-based Hands of the Carpenter garage. The nonprofit, which helps single moms with their transportation needs, placed the family with a donated 2012 Toyota Highlander that was evaluated and prepared by the nonprofit’s mechanics.
HAPPENINGS
We’d like to know about events or activities of interest to the community. Visit www.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 space-available basis.
FRIDAY
Family FInders: 12:30 p.m. July 26, Evergreen Library, 5000 County Hwy 73, Evergreen. Drop in Genealogy, learn to build your family tree. Free access to Ancestry.com. Presented by Mountain Genealogists Society.
Evergreen Jazz Festival: July 26, 27 & 28. Five venues with free shuttle between them. Tickets and information at evergreenjazz.org
SATURDAY
Elevation Celebration: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., July 27 & 28, 25997 Conifer Rd., Conifer. Live music, craft fair, food and drink, kids activities. elevationcelebration.goconifer. com
12th Annual Conifer Elevation Run/ Walk: 7 a.m. July 27. Featuring a 10K, USATF 5K, and 2 Mile Fun Run. 10K at 7:30 a.m., West Je erson Elementary, 26501 Barkley Rd, Conifer.
Evergreen Lutheran Church Grove Sale: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3, 5980 County Hwy 73, Evergreen. Donate gently used items & shop for inexpensive household goods, clothing, books, furniture, crafts, & more. Donations can be dropped o 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 29 through July 31 at Evergreen Lutheran Church. No large appliances, tube televisions, computers, tires, mattresses or entertainment centers .For more information or to volunteer call 303-674-4654.
Morrison’s Sesquicentennial: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3, big parking lot on Bear Creek Avenue, Morrison. Music, historical re-enactments, Model T Ford Club, quilt show, tours of Denver Mountain Parks CCC facilities, free shuttles.
Pickleball tournament fundraiser for Resilience 1220: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 27, Marshdale Park, 6979 S Ocelot Trail, Evergreen. To sponsor or play, go to resilience1220.org.
TUESDAY
Evergreen Chamber Co ee & Connections: 8 a.m. July 30, Java Groove, 28186 CO-74, Evergreen.
Evergreen EverCLEAN parks clean-up: 1-3 p.m. July 30, Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Rd. Evergreen.EPRD Park Ops and community volunteers pick up trash, stir mulch, clear debris and more. EPRD will provide needed supplies. evergreenrecreation.com
UPCOMING
Creativity, Co ee & Conversation for Seniors: 1:30 p.m. Aug. 2, Center for the Arts Evergreen, 31880 Rocky Village Drive Evergreen.
Dam Ducky Derby: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3, downtown Evergreen. downtownevergreen.com
Mountain Music Fest: Noon to 9 p.m. Aug. 3, Buchanan Park, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. Tickets at mountainmusicfest.org
Evergreen Chamber August breakfast: 7:30 a.m.Aug. 7, Fountain Barbecue, 30790 Stagecoach Blvd., Evergreen.
EPRD summer concert series: 4-8 p.m. Aug. 7, Buchanan Park, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. Featuring Mac & the Fac, Reece Maveric and Living Room Band.
Grieving the Death of a Spouse/ Partner Support Group: 3 p.m. Aug. 8, Mt. Evans Home Health Care & Hospice, 3081 Bergen Peak Drive Evergreen.
CAE summer concert series “Rooster Blackspur”: 7 p.m. Aug. 9, 31880 Rocky Village Dr., Evergreen. Tickets $25. evergreenarts. org.
Downtown Evergreen mural dedication: 5 p.m. August 14, Century Link building, east end of Evergreen’s main street (Hwy 74).
Patio Yoga & Wine: 5:30 p.m. Aug. 14, Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Rd, Evergreen. $25 EPRD resident, $28
HAPPENINGS
non-resident. evergreenrecreation. com
Shadow Mountain Gallery sidewalk “Yart” Sale: Aug. 17, 28186 CO74, Evergreen. Bring your extra and unused art supplies to the gallery by Aug, 17; we will distribute them to local elementary school art programs along with a signi cant portion of the ”Yart” sale proceeds.
EPiC (Evergreen Players Improv Comedy): 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23 & 24, Center Stage eatre, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen. evergreenplayers.org.
58th annual Evergreen Fine Arts Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 24 & 25. Buchanan Fields 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. evergreen-
neartsfestival.com
Buchanan Park Family Movie Night “Barbie”: 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 30, Buchanan Park Field, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. evergreenrecreation.com
“Hard Hats & High Heels:” Sept. 18, 6 p.m. Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Rd, Evergreen. Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity fundraiser. bluesprucehabitat.org.
Evergreen’s 24th annual Alternative Gift Fair: Applications due Sept. 1 for the Nov. 9-10 event at Evergreen Lutheran Church. Motto is “Buy Once, Gift Twice” with all proceeds returned to vendor charities selling products at event.
Interested vendors seeking a booth to sell wares that support their non-pro ts must have 501(c)3 status and need to provide IRS qualifying
information. Email: alternativegiftfair2021@gmail.com for an application packet or to volunteer for the fair.
Walk For Alopecia: 8:30 a.m. Sept. 28, Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Rd, Evergreen. Register ahead online and/or donate at https://support.naaf.org/ team/586016.
ONGOING
Evergreen Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday, Hiwan Heritage Park, 28473 Meadow Dr, Evergreen.
Growing Out West Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ursdays through Labor Day. Cactus Jack’s, 4651 County Hwy 73, Evergreen.
Evergreen Cars & Co ee: 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday through Aug. 31, 3639 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen.
Wild Aware volunteer watch program at Evergreen Lake:Fridays 4 pm, to dusk, Saturdays & Sundays 9 am to dusk. Volunteers guide visitors during elk calving season to give protective cows space to avoid negative interactions. wildaware.org.
Evergreen Audubon Weekly Preschool Adventures Program: 9 to 10 a.m. every ursday starting May 16, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. Free & no registration required. Bring your 2-5 year-old to the Nature Center each week for nature exploration. All children must have an adult in attendance. Dress to explore the outdoors. More info at evergreenaudubon.org.
Evergreen Nature Center Monthly Family Program: 11 a.m. to noon, every last Saturday, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. Monthly topics could include native wild owers and seed
REVERSE MORTGAGES MADE EASY
Evergreen Rotary Club’s 2023-2024 Year in Review
Through our ve avenues of service, we continued our involvement in more than thirty local and international programs, helping to make the world a better place
CLUB SERVICE
The goal of Club Service is to enhance each Rotarian’s club experience by creating various opportunities for members to engage in fellowship, personal & professional growth and community building activities.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Charitable – Echo/Rotary Mobile Food Pantry, Mountain Backpack Program, Salvation Army Bell Ringers, Rotary Food Drives, Refugee Support
Cultural – Rotary Musical Park, Rotary’s Lobby at Center Stage
Civic - Rotary Wild re Ready, Home Show, Veterans’ Commemorative Walk Evergreen, Seniors’ Thanksgiving Projects
Environmental - Recycle Day, Road Warriors/Adopt a Highway, TREX Benches
Educational – Mountain Imagination Library, Oktoberfest Kids Corner
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Service Above Self
We are committed to the wellbeing of all people in the world, particularly women and children in developing countries. Areas of focus are clean water/sanitation, health, education, disaster relief, and hunger relief. We have more than twenty projects ongoing in nine countries.
VOCATIONAL SERVICE
Our objective is to promote business associations and networking within the club and to foster high ethical standards in business throughout our community. We do this through a variety of local activities.
YOUTH SERVICE
The objective of the committee is to recognize the positive changes implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities such as RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary Youth Exchange.
• Our meetings, events, location details and speaker schedules can be found at EvergreenRotary.org, along with details about our local and international committees and projects.
• Our membership is open to all people of all ages and all backgrounds. More info at EvergreenRotary.org We are proud to support the mountain community. Please feel free to stop by our o ce at 3112 Evergreen Pkwy to discuss questions you may have regarding your insurance policies.
Our Rotary Wild re Ready program continues to provide a vital service for our community
Sending school students to summer camp.
Annual Seniors Thanksgiving Luncheon
Recycling plastic bags into benches for our local parks
Supporting education programs in Guatemala
Designing and building water treatment systems in Peru
EVERGREEN AREA Chamber Of Commerce
The Stone House • 1524 Belford Court • Evergreen, CO (303)674-3412 | EvergreenChamber.org Welcome New Member!
Morris & Mae
Jen Thoemke
18475 W Colfax Ave, Suite 132 Golden, CO 80401 http://morrisandmae.com
Time for a Taste…
Taste of Evergreen is rapidly approaching. Tuesday, September 17 at the Evergreen Lake House most of the local restaurants, food trucks, and even some of our bakers, will provide a sample of one or more items from their menu. You get to try them all so come enjoy a taste and a sip of so many delicious dishes and desserts. If you are like me and tend to order your “favorites” at our local eateries, this event allows you to spread your wings without fully committing! The event will also include live music, voting for the “best of” in each category and a happy hour to enjoy visiting with friends and neighbors. Early bird tickets are now available at evergreenchamber.org until August 22.
HAPPENINGS
bombs, dissecting owl pellets, live animal encounters, and more. evergreenaudubon.org
e American Legion Evergreen Post 2001: Meets every fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m., Evergreen Church of the Trans guration, 27640 Highway 74, Evergreen. Serving all military veterans in the foothills communities. Email evergreenpost2001@gmail.com
Evergreen Camera Club: Meets every second Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Evergreen Fire/Rescue auditorium, 1802 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen. Club is for people who share a passion for all photography, from beginners to professionals. Attend in person or via ZOOM.
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.
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 Sustainability Alliance is looking for volunteers: Evergreen Sustainability Alliance’s “Let’s Em-
brace Zero Food Waste” program in local schools and food banks needs volunteers. Volunteers are needed for a couple hours. Call 720-536-0069 or email info@sustainevergreen.org for more information.
Evergreen Nature Center: e 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.
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.
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. ere are many volunteer options from which to choose. 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.
support living locally —
The
new
Lutheran Hospital.
We’re here for life.
From new life, through your entire life, the new Lutheran Hospital can now offer better access to more critical treatments, no matter what happens. Our expanded services, advanced technologies, and unsurpassed compassionate care mean that although we’ve moved, we’re still here for you, and we always will be.
New location opening this August at I-70 and Highway 58.
BY STAVROS KORONEOS
SATURDAY AUGUST 24
Let’s come together to celebrate the beauty that our local communities have to offer!
SHARE YOUR TRAIL TALES 5K
is a new event that celebrates Colorado’s walking/running trails within our local communities. Our 5K Run/Walk will mark the culmination of members sharing their stories about the great places they go for a run or a walk.
Take o , hoser!
EVERGREEN – Busily loading her mobile refreshment vehicle on the torrid afternoon of June 12, young Beverly Beveragecart found herself at odds with Grady Groundskeeper. Busily watering the landscaping, Grady complained that Beverly’s drink buggy slightly hindered his access to a single planter and demanded she move it. Beverly said she’d be done “in a minute.” A minute was too long for Grady, who “sprayed (Beverly) and her golf cart with the garden hose” and then jumped behind the wheel, reportedly on top of Beverly, and tried to move the cart himself. Somewhat squashed, but determined to stand her ground, Beverly “turned the cart o ” so it couldn’t be moved without a hook and wrecker. Chagrined, Grady “threatened to spray (Beverly) again” and then gave up. Beverly didn’t give up, however, asking JCSO to charge Grady with harassment. Grady assured deputies that the whole thing was just a light-hearted “conversation” between “two friends,” a mere “joke.” Not getting it, o cers cited Grady for harassment, and Grady’s employer suspended him pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
Open house
REGISTER
NOW!
Lace up your shoes, and after you hit the path, share your story with Colorado Community Media. We will be publishing your fan letters in our local papers.
INDIAN HILLS – Unoccupied for years, the cabin went largely unnoticed in the neighborhood until June 14, when a neighbor noticed its front door standing wide open and noti ed JCSO. Deputies determined that the cabin was supplied with both power and water, and that, while dusty, it appeared to be “frequented.” Summoned to survey the modest mountain manor, its absentee owners found everything within more or less intact with the exception of some chairs arranged in an “upside down” attitude and a loose oorboard. Additionally, a “chain saw and air compressor” appeared to be missing, although they may have been lawfully removed by one of “several family members” possessing keys to the cottage. Deeming a theft investigation premature, deputies suggested they question the clan regarding the absent equipment’s current disposition.
as a random series of odd and unfortunate incidents. Taken together, he told deputies, they added up to danger. Last year, he explained, a guy tried to run him o the road, and when he’d confronted the malicious motorist the man pulled a gun on him. en, about a month ago, he’d gone to fetch supper and a dark pickup truck had followed him home, trailing just beyond license-plate-reading distance and never once using turn signals as it dogged him through the neighborhood. Not long after that, somebody smashed one of his car windows. More recently, he’s noticed a Dodge Durango with a chrome bumper driving suspiciously around the niehgborhood. On multiple occasions he’d observed the Durango drive into the parking lot, park next to his vehicle for a few minutes, then slowly taxi away. In each case the dubious Dodge turns around and pauses brie y next to his car again before at last departing the area. e complainant was starting to feel like he was on somebody’s list, and although he didn’t have any suspects in mind he wanted deputies to track down his chromebumpered bane and make him cease and desist. Deputies asked whether it was remotely possible that he’d unwittingly angered a coworker. Being unemployed, the complainant didn’t think so. Next, and as tactfully as possible, the ofcers asked whether he was in any way a liated with local gangs. Despite his rather suggestively decorated person, he assured deputies that was not the case. e o cers diplomatically observed that certain ungenerous people could conceivably jump to unwarranted and unfavorable conclusions –and perhaps be motivated to antagonistic behaviors – based solely on his somewhat aggressive style of physical self-expression. He allowed that possibility, but said he still couldn’t think of anybody who’d wish him harm. Deputies advised him to keep his eyes open and keep them posted.
Tit for tats
SOUTH JEFFCO – Individually, they could possibly be dismissed
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.
Silverdale Trailhead Three Sisters Trail
Paddle Georgetown Lake: No experience or equipment needed
Local company sets up shop on Georgetown Lake to o er paddle boards, kayaks and safety presence
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Georgetown Lake Paddle set up shop on the lake more than a year ago but now the business is thriving with owners saying safety on the entire lake is part of the job.
Operating out of a trailer next to
Cabin Creek Brewing, the rental company o ers paddle boards and kayaks to anyone who wants to experience Georgetown Lake on the water.
“Felt like there needed to be something for the average folks, somebody coming out not even from Denver, say from Iowa or Texas who wants to enjoy this beautiful place. So, we feel like we’ve created that here,” Georgetown Lake Paddle
Owner Sam Shoyer said.
e operation runs from ursday to Monday during the summer season and o ers special events like the Full Moon paddles.
Owner/operator Shoyer said the
goal is to run a successful business but it’s also an opportunity to open the unique experience of Georgetown Lake to anyone, and local knowledge of the lake is crucial to making it a safe experience.
“It’s a beautiful space, a dynamic space where locals know the wind e ects tremendously and for us to be out here managing that for folks helps keep people safe, helps keep us con dent,” Shoyer said.
Sources from the Clear Creek County Sheri and Fire Authority told the Courant they were aware of the business but had no formal agreement or operational knowledge of it as a “rescue” organization.
Georgetown Lake Paddle Company Owner Sam Shoyer sets up shop for the day July 11.
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Georgetown Lake Paddle Company is open for business.
Colorado’s historic South Platte Hotel gets a new look
As e orts to preserve the hotel continue, volunteers add new window panels to the 111-year-old building
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e historic South Platte Hotel re-
cently got a fresh look, the rst step in what local and state historical groups hope will be a pathway to its full restoration. Volunteers painted and hung window panels on the 111-year-old building near Bu alo Creek. e panels depict black window frames with white curtains, one including a cat that appears to be watching passers-by.
“ ey’re mostly to let other people know that people care about the building, and to help envision a rehabilitation and future use of the building,” said Lee Katherine Goldstein, president of the nonpro t History Je co. “It looks less abandoned because of these beautiful panels.”
Goldstein and History Je co are among many volunteers and historical groups working to give the hotel new life. e building was added to Colorado’s Most Endangered Places list in 2023, which has given a boost to e orts to save it.
e Endangered Places Program, started by the Colorado Preservation, Inc., highlights buildings and locations at risk of loss, then works with communities to save them. ey’re working with Denver Water,
which owns the building,
“Right now, we’re pushing to get the building stabilized,” said Colorado Preservation Inc. President Jennifer Orrigo Charles. “Our biggest concern now is that a tree limb has fallen on the hotel, and there’s a hole in the roof. We’re working with Denver Water to try to gure out a way to remove that branch and close up the hole.”
Beyond that, its future is yet unknown.
“We’re really hoping there’s a positive public response that demonstrates to Denver Water the community really cares about this building, and would like to see something positive happen to it,” Charles said.
e two-story wood hotel was built in 1913 and was a central part of a small community of at least 40 residents who lived at the convergence of the South Platte and the North Fork of the South Platte rivers.
e 14-room hotel that still stands
Volunteers painted and installed new window panels on the historic South Platte Hotel near Bu alo Creek.
today replaced an even older hotel that was built there in 1887 and burned down, according to Colorado Preservation Inc.
e hotel was one of many along the Denver, South Park & Paci c Railroad narrow gauge line that brought tourists to the mountains in the 1900s. e train, along with railroad tourism, stopped in 1937 as automobiles became the preferred mode of travel.
“It’s a landmark and a remnant of historical tourism and railroad tourism in that area,” Goldstein said. “It’s also the last surviving building from a small town that once had a grocery store and a train depot. is is the last building left to tell that story.”
Denver Water bought the hotel and several nearby properties in the 1960s and 1970s during the early planning stages of Two Forks Dam, a project that never came to fruition. If it had, the area would
have been ooded as part of the reservoir.
Denver Water leased the hotel and said its last tenant left in the early 1980s. Since then, the building has been empty. Because it doesn’t serve any purpose for its ratepayers, the utility company hasn’t invested in building repairs and the building is “currently extremely unsafe,” said Denver Water spokesperson Jimmy Luthye. Denver Water erected a fence to keep people out “while we go through the process of determining its future,” he said.
“We understand the importance of the history of the site,” Luthye said. “Given the condition of the building and our role as a water provider, we are committed to working closely with Colorado Preservation Inc., History Colorado, Je erson County Historical Commission and other groups that are interested in examining potentially viable options.
“We also appreciate the e orts of CPI and its volunteers for their recent, creative project to improve the appearance of the South Platte Hotel.”
While the hotel is no longer on a busy rail route, its location along the Colorado Trail and on the river make it a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Preservationists hope they can someday capitalize on that.
“ e hotel is in such a remote area, but at the same time, it’s very heavily tra cked,” said Katie Peterson, program director for Endangered Places. “We haven’t ultimately decided what the future use will be, but there are endless opportunities for that building.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF HISTORY JEFFCO
BERGEN PARK CHURCH
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 10am Wednesday Evening 7:00pm, Zoom options available
Contact: clerk@christianscienceevergreen.com for ZOOM link Reading Room 4602 Pletner Lane, Unit 2E, Evergreen OPEN TUE-SAT 12PM - 3PM
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
WORSHIP DIRECTORY
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
Pastor Joyce Snapp, Sunday Worship 10 AM
Located one mile west of Pine Junction just o Rt. 285 966 Rim Rock Road, Bailey (303) 838-6759
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 Pete Scheele Sunday Worship Service; 9 a.m., Fellowship Time; 10:15 a.m., Sunday School & Bible Class; 10:45 a.m. www.shepherdoftherockies.org
CAREERS
CAREERS
CITY OF CENTRAL
Accounting & HR Clerk/ Administrative Assistant
City of Central FTE Salary range from $43,798 - $51,463 DOQ/E
is position is responsible for providing support and assistance to the Finance/HR Department. Performs a variety of working level, para-professional duties as needed to expedite various day-to-day functions of the Finance/HR Department, including customer service, handling correspondence, cash receipting, accounts payable, utility billing, and xed asset tracking. Maintains the Finance/HR Department’s records in accordance with the City’s records retention policy. Requirements:
Any combination of experience and training equivalent to graduation from High School and two years of progressively responsible work experience in accounting, human resources or le management is desirable. A bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, nance, or related eld is preferred. e City provides a comprehensive bene t package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage. 100% of the employee’s premiums are paid by the City and approximately 98% of dependent premiums are paid by the City. Paid vacation and sick leave, 401(a) and 457b employer retirement contributions; een paid holidays annually. City paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
Apply now: A detailed job description can be found on the City’s website centralcity.colorado.gov
Quali ed applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to the Finance/Human Resources Director at arobbins@cityofcentral.co or mail to P.O. Box 249 Central City, CO 80427. e position is open until 7/21/2024. EOE.
Help Wanted
Adams Natural Meats in Evergreen is looking for a part time Sales Associate. 33850 Hwy 40, Evergreen. Please contact Kristen for job description and details 623-386-1314 .
Lawn & Garden
Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Call now for a free quote. Ask about our first application special! 1-833606-6777
Health & Beauty
VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS!
50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol
Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258
Medical
REAL ESTATE & RENTAL
Attention oxygen therapy users! Discover oxygen therapy that moves with you with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Free information kit. 1-866-4779045
Miscellaneous
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 pricesNo payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-543-9189
Miscellaneous
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 1-866-859-0405
Dogs
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
Autos for Sale Sleek, Black 1988 BMW collectors edition M6 for sale! Very Good condition; low mileage; special features! Call or text Jennifer (973)220-0665.
SERVICE DIRECTORY
PROFESSIONAL
QUISITIVE
RACHELLE
REBECCA
REBECCA P KLYMKOWSKY Mileage 4.29
REBECCA P KLYMKOWSKY Travel 186.47
RECHT & KORNFELD PC Services & Charges (Other) 630.00
REIDY METAL SERVICES INC Maintenance Agreement 166.50
Renee Bruneau Telephone Services
REPUBLIC SERVICES INC Trash Removal Services
RICK A HELLICKSON Telephone Services
Rob Budraitis Telephone Services 88.79
Robby Senser Telephone Services 73.50
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOTTLED WATERServices & Charges (Other) 7.95
ROMANIAN LANGUAGE SERVICES LLCPrograms 1,621.09
RONDA L FRAZIER Telephone Services 88.79
ROOFTECH CONSULTANTS INCBuilding Construction & Design 8,700.00
SANITY SOLUTIONS INC Consultant Services18,600.00
SCL HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP - DENVER LLC Medical Services1,242.00
SEAN MAJOR MCMULLEN Academic Degree Programs2,300.00
SENIORS RESOURCE CENTERDirect Grants - Non Governmental55,500.00
SHAHRABANI & ASSOCIATES LLCSoftware Maintenance Agreement 1,640.00
SHERI L OUELLETTE Telephone Services 88.79
SHRED IT DENVER Miscellaneous Contract Services 23.33
SIRCHIE ACQUISITION COMPANY LLCPolice Supplies & Equipment 814.89
SOURCE OFFICE PRODUCTSCopier Clearing48,781.36
Springman Braden Wilson & Pontius PCService of Process Fee Returns 103.50
STAPLES ADVANTAGE Janitorial Supplies 298.60
STAPLES ADVANTAGE Office Supplies 4,947.48
STERICYCLE INC Medical Services1,180.57
SUMMIT PATHOLOGY
LABORATORIES INC Autopsy Services1,964.45
T MOBILE Telephone Services2,698.02
T MOBILE LAW ENFORCEMENTInvestigation Expense 380.00
TENDER CARE CONSULTING LLCMiscellaneous Contract Services 820.00
THOMSON WEST Software as a Services INFORMATION CHARGES (SaaS) 4,036.00
TINA WISE Telephone Services 155.07 Tony Tochtrop Mileage 43.69
Top Hat File and Serve Inc Service of Process Fee Returns
LITTLETON,
BC
HS-Mileage 85.76 ALTA LANGUAGE SERVICES INCHS-Professional & Technical Services (Other) 121.00 ALTA LANGUAGE SERVICES INCHS-Services & Charges (Other) 66.00 Alyson Allen HS-Mileage 85.22 Angelic Chavarria HS-County Travel 56.21 ANGELINA MAIORCA HS-Mileage 246.69
ARIEL CLINICAL SERVICE HS-Services & Charges (Other)12,873.30 ASPEN COUNSELING LLC HS-Miscellaneous Contract Services 400.00 BOULDER
Jefferson County Warrants
BAKER & TAYLOR COMPANY INCLibrary Books & Materials-Print50,998.45
BANCROFT CLOVER W AND S DISTRICTWater, Irrigation, & Sanitation Services 492.12
BERNADETTE M BERGER Telephone Services 156.69
BRENDA L BROSTROM Telephone Services 156.69 CENTURYLINK Telephone Services1,679.77
CINTAS FIRST AID & SAFETY Safety Supplies 343.94
COCAL LANDSCAPE SERVICES INCLawn & Grounds Maintenance 1,363.21
CONSERVE A WATT LIGHTING INCElectrical Supplies1,041.60
CONSOLIDATED MUTUAL Water, Irrigation, WATER COMPANY & Sanitation Services2,194.80
CREATIVE FINANCIAL STAFFING LLC Temporary Agencies 2,301.23
FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE COMPANY Land Acquisitions 3,600,000.00
GRAINGER Building Supplies 414.77
HAYNES MECHANICAL SYSTEMSHVAC Services 1,758.58 HOT SHOT INFRARED INSPECTIONS INCElectrical Maintenance5,250.00
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICESLibrary Books & Materials-VAS 496.07
INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICESLibrary Books & Materials-Print5,313.41
INTERMOUNTAIN LOCK AND SUPPLYBuilding Supplies 196.50
INTERMOUNTAIN SAFETY SHOESJCSO Uniforms (Goods/Inventory) 392.88
JANELL D KERSKI Mileage 29.48
JULIANNA SIPEKI Mileage 117.25
JULIANNE M RIST Telephone Services 156.69
JULIANNE M RIST Mileage 51.93
KENDRA ROWELL Programs 400.00
KOOPS COMPLETE CONCRETE INCLawn & Grounds Maintenance 30,782.80
KRISTA L KOUNTZ Mileage 26.80
LAKE RIDGE ACE HARDWAREBuilding Supplies 173.67
LINDA K FISHER Telephone Services 156.69
LINKEDIN CORPORATION Library Computer Service Materials27,500.00
Lisa Marie Smith Telephone Services 156.69
Lisa Marie Smith Mileage 12.33
LOWES Building Supplies2,926.20
MANUFACTURERS NEWS INCLibrary Books & Materials-Print 475.50
MARC CALDER Telephone Services 156.69
Matt Griffin Mileage 65.26
Megan Roth Mileage 3.48
MIDWEST TAPE Library Books & Materials-DVD1,512.79
MIDWEST TAPE Library Books & Materials-Audio Book3,706.42
MILE HIGH DRAIN CLEANING INCPlumbing Maintenance 165.00
OCLC INC Library Computer Service Materials28,760.23
OSWEGO CREATIVE INC Advertising & Publishing (Other) 500.00
OVERDRIVE INC Library Books & Materials-Digital 249.45
REPUBLIC SERVICES INC Trash Removal Services2,879.43
REUBEN HOLLENBECK Programs 500.00
Sally Austin Mileage 13.40
SPRINGSHARE LLC Library Computer Service Materials1,499.00
STAT COURIER SERVICE INCDelivery Charges33,722.21
STILES ENVIRONMENTAL Professional AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE LLC& Technical Services (Other)2,589.50
T MOBILE Library Computer Service Materials4,997.38
THE LIGHTHOUSE WRITERS
WORKSHOP INC Programs 1,400.00
ULINE SHIPPING
