Canyon Courier August 8, 2024

Morrison welcomes its first police K9

BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Morrison Police Department welcomed a new teammate in July. A former Rangely police recruit, Niko’s energy, athleticism and enthusiasm for his job have made him an instant favorite on the town’s force.

Niko is a Belgian Malinois and Morrison’s rst K9. e six-year-old dog is working with Sgt. Richard Norton. Despite Niko’s bite work training, he is social and friendly. Norton said he behaves like a normal dog at his Fort Lupton home.

“He still acts like a puppy,” he said. “He likes to be pet and lay on top of you.”

While Niko is trained in both bite work and narcotics detection, Morrison PD plans only to use his narcotics skills.

Narcotic detection dogs are trained to identify and respond to the odors of illegal substances. During a tra c stop, a K9 alert may establish probable cause for o cers to search without a warrant, Morrison Police Chief Bill Vinelli said.

“It’s just another tool and asset we need,” Norton said. “We have so much tra c with Red Rocks and tourists, and Highway 285 is a drug corridor.”

Norton, who’s worked as a police ofcer for several years, said he’d always wanted a K9, and had spoken with Morrison Chief Bill Vinelli about the idea two days before Vinelli attended a June police chiefs’ conference. While there, Rangely’s chief said they needed a new home for their K9, whose handler had recently retired.

While several agencies expressed interest, Vinelli said his hand was up rst.

“It was a free donation of almost $30,000 including equipment and the dog,” Vinelli said. “We thought it could be a good asset to enhance our police department and the town.”

Morrison is out tting one of its police vehicles with a kennel and a heating and cooling system that will ensure the dog’s safety. e vehicle will also be equipped with a remote-controlled door that will allow Norton to open the door and release the dog at any time.

“It’s instant backup if you need it,” he said.

A K9 also commands attention from criminals, Norton said.

“You pull a taser or even a gun and people don’t always respond,” he said. “As soon as a dog comes out, they’re more compliant.”

Norton plans to attend K9 handler training with Niko. Meanwhile, he’s learned phrases in Dutch and German

— commands under which Niko was trained. While the two were strangers just weeks ago, Niko responds readily to Norton and the two are relaxed and comfortable together,

It’s the partnership Norton has long envisioned, and the start of what likely will be a years-long relationship.

“He’ll work as long as he has the drive to, and I’ll have the option to keep him when he retires,” Norton said.

As much as he enjoys a ection, Niko’s rst love is his job.

“He gets really antsy when he’s not working,” Norton said. “He wants to get in the (police) car.”

PHOTOS

See photos of the newest member of the Morrison Police Department, Niko, on page 20

REVERSE MORTGAGES MADE EASY

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.

THURSDAY

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.

FRIDAY

Summer Classic Car Show: 6-9 p.m. Aug. 9, 27171 Main St., Conifer. Live music from “Timberline.”

CAE summer concert series “Rooster Blackspur”: 7 p.m. Aug. 9, 31880 Rocky Village Dr., Evergreen. Tickets $25. evergreenarts. org.

SATURDAY

Toss for a Cause cornhole tournament: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 10.

Buchanan Park, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. $75 per team. Register at bluesprucekiwanis.org.

WEDNESDAY

Evergreen Chamber’s Co ee & Connections: 8 a.m. Aug. 14, Bread & Lounge, 1260 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen.

Seniors4Wellness class: 12:30 p.m. Aug. 14, Bergen Park Church, 31919 Rocky Village Dr, Evergreen.

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 nonresident. evergreenrecreation.com

UPCOMING

Seniors4Wellness Friday Cafe: 11:30 a.m. Aug. 16, Christ the King Church, 4291 Evergreen Pkwy, Evergreen.

Shadow Mountain Gallery sidewalk “Yart” Sale: Aug. 17, 28186 CO-74, 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.

Evergreen Fire wild re presentation “Wild re & homeowners insurance”: 6 p.m., Aug. 22, 1802 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen.

EPiC (Evergreen Players Improv Comedy): 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23 & 24, Center Stage eatre, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen. evergreenplayers.org.

Evergreen EverCLEAN: 1 p.m., Aug. 29, 26440 CO-74, Kittredge Park. Volunteer cleanup. evergreenreaction.com.

Buchanan Park Family Movie Night “Barbie”: 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 30, Buchanan Park Field, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. evergreenrecreation.com

Speakers for Africa Back to School: Uganda Fundraiser: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31, Cactus Jack’s, 4651 County Hwy 73, Evergreen. Tickets $25. speakersforafrica.com

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

Seniors4Wellness Bingo & Games: 12:30 p.m. Aug. 28, Bergen Park Church, 31919 Rocky Village Dr, Evergreen.

Evergreen Fire wild re presentation “Evacuation planning workshop”: 6 p.m., Sept 5, 1802 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen.

Big Chili Cook-O : 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 7, Buchanan Park, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. Fundraiser for mountain-area re ghters. Music, games, chili tastings, awards. bigchili.org.

Mighty Argo Cable Car Company breaks ground on construction of gondola in Idaho Springs

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Mighty Argo Cable Car Company recently broke ground on a gondola in Idaho Springs expected to draw hundreds of thousands to

NOTICE

This is notice that Comfort Dental Evergreen will be destroying old records of former patients that were last seen in the years 2015 and 2016.

In compliance with state regulations, if you are a former patient that was last seen in those years, you will have until September 20, 2024 to request a copy of these records.

Comfort Dental Evergreen may be reached at 303-674-6070 or via email at evergreen@comfortdental.biz

the area every year when complete.

Developers and investors envision 22 glass cabins/cars hanging from gondola wires with as many as 10 people per cabin traveling 1.2 miles up the mountains to the east of the Mighty Argo gaining 1,300 feet of elevation on the ride, according to plans.

EPRD

FAMILY CAMPOUT

Join Evergreen Park & Recreation District for a Family Campout! This overnight camping event is open to all ages. There will be an outdoor movie, concessions, and food trucks.

AUGUST 30

$58 million in funding for the project is comprised of several sources, mainly international, but all speci cally involved with gondolas and building this unique type of system in the mountains, according to project designs and plans.

Swiss aerial company Doppelmayr will be a major player in the design and funding, according to local developers.

e passengers’ destination at the peak of the mountain is currently called “Miners Point” with respect to the deep mining history of Idaho Springs.

“We’re surrounded by all these historic mines so we’re embracing that heritage and history, that’s a big part of our story,” Developer and General Partner Bryan McFarland said.

A ceremonial groundbreaking and unveiling of the rst cable car attracted developers, investors, city leaders and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to an invitation-only event at the Argo in Idaho Springs July 25.

drive to see it through,” Polis said.

In addition, Polis said he recognized the contribution of a historic landmark/destination like the cable cars would “make sure Idaho Springs is an even better outdoor recreation and tourism destination.”

Buchanan Park Field

Movie: BARBIE

Polis nodded his head to the persistence and determination of key players in the nearly decade-long development of this project and told the crowd he was impressed.

“When there’s an idea like this, there are always 50 reasons why it can’t happen and it takes vision and

An aggressive plan calls for an eventual amphitheater, shopping and restaurants at the top of the gondola as well as hotel space, founding member of the project and Argo owner Mary Jane Loevlie said.

e $58 million in secured funding, Loevlie said, should take the entire project to completion.

“ e idea of the cable car and people aged from 0-to-100 being able to access the outdoors… I think it’s a true Colorado experience and the City of Idaho Springs is a true partner and we’re getting ahead of the future, basically. It’s just going to be stunning,” Loevlie said.

e current plan calls for cable car rides to be priced at approximately $30 per person.

However, as part of an extensive negotiation and deal with the City of Idaho Springs, local residents will

The Mighty Argo Cable Car company broke ground in Idaho Springs July 25.

(Left to Right) Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, developer Mary Jane Loevlie and Idaho Springs Mayor Chuck Harmon.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL

An artist rendition of Miners Point at Mighty Argo Cable Car in Idaho Springs. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIGHTY ARGO

Seniors Over 70 Should Consider Downsizing Into a Rental, Not a Smaller Home

Regular readers know that I’ve written about this topic before, but it bears repeating. Just last week a reader called me about listing their home and helping them to buy a smaller, easier to maintain home.

Most agents would welcome this opportunity to have two paydays from a single client, but I’m different, because Rita and I were in a similar situation two years ago and chose another path, and we’re glad we did.

your “golden years” and travel, there’s the added stress of securing your home and handling yard maintenance and snow removal in your absence, so your home doesn’t look like you are on vacation.

We sold our 4,000-squarefoot home and moved into a 1,200-square-foot apartment. A recent study showed that this is a trend among us Baby Boomers.

Homeownership has a lot of costs, responsibility and tasks. The costs include rising property taxes which you will want to appeal every two years, plus rising insurance costs which can’t be appealed. For many, HOA dues and special assessments are an added burden.

Also, just as you might want to enjoy

Condo ownership at least offers a lock-and-leave situation, but still entails those other expenses. Rental relieves you of all the above.

I still recommend home ownership for non-seniors, because it is a proven strategy for wealth accumulation. Indeed it is the appreciation from our owned real estate which set Rita and me up for retirement far more than our earned income.

As one of my fellow Realtors is fond of saying, “If you have too little real estate or not enough, I’m here to help you!”

Fortunately, most seniors over 70 probably own their home free and clear, which means that selling their home can produce a lot of cash to invest in annui-

Kudos to Wendy Renee, Loan Officer Extraordinaire

Last week, I had a double closing that was only made possible by the diligent work of our in-house lender, Wendy Renee of Fairway Independent Mortgage. I can’t go to press this week without describing her work to you!

As happens now and then, I “doubleended” a listing, selling it to an out-ofstate buyer who was unrepresented. This was an investor who has purchased 18 homes and had her own lender, but that lender couldn’t perform and two subsequent lenders failed her, until the last one said we’d have to move the closing to August 15th instead of July 31st. The problem was that my seller was under contract to buy her replace-

ment home on July 31st, and the seller of that home couldn’t postpone the closing because of the contract they had on their replacement home.

So I introduced the out-of-state buyer by phone to Wendy, who said she could meet the deadline — and she did!

Making that possible was the fact that Fairway has every lending function inhouse. She issued disclosures on day 1, got underwriting approval on day 2, sent the Initial Closing Disclosure on day 3, and got the appraisal transferred and a Clear-to-Close on day 7. The loan proceeds were wired on day 7 so we had them for closing at 8 a.m. on day 8.

Thanks, Wendy. You’re amazing!

List With Me & Get Totally Free Local Moving

It has long been my practice — and that of some of my broker associates — that if you hire me to list your current home and to purchase your replacement home, I will not only reduce my commission for selling your current home but provide totally free local moving using our company moving truck (similar to a large U-Haul) and our own moving personnel. We also provide free moving boxes and packing paper/bubble wrap.

using traditional moving companies, you know that our totally free moving can save you thousands of dollars, even for a move within the metro area.

ties or CDs which could well provide enough monthly income to compensate for paying rent. A quick calculation can tell you whether your money will in fact outlive you, when that invested income is added to your Social Security and other income. That was the calculation that Rita and I made.

The question then arises, where can I rent an apartment that suits my needs? Should I go into a 55+ “independent living” complex or a regular rental?

A 55+ community may suit you, especially if you’re a widow or widower or otherwise single, because it can provide much-wanted companionship with its many activities. Some such communities offer “continuous care,” meaning that if you suffer a health setback, you can switch to assisted living, nursing home care and or even memory care without having to move to another com-

munity. I recommend Jenn Gomer from CarePatrol, 720-675-8308, who will interview you about your needs and wants and help you find the right 55+ community for you. She found the complex that Rita and I selected, although we have since moved to a regular rental closer to my office. You pay nothing for her services. She is compensated by the community which you end up choosing,

Are Real Estate Agents Overpaid?

Here’s some data cited by Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman at a conference last week:

Seventy-seven percent of agents haven’t made a sale this year, slightly worse than the 70 percent average seen in previous years. Of the agents who do make a sale, more than half earn less than $50,000 a year, and nearly a fourth make $100,000. More than a third of agents have to work a second job just to be able to stay in real estate. (from Inman News)

Trusts Are Another Tool for Leaving Home to Heirs

On July 25th, I wrote about title issues, especially when it relates to leaving a home to your heirs. With input from attorney Dan McKenzie, I wrote about the use of beneficiary deeds and life estates.

A reader asked, “what about trusts?”

So I asked Dan to address that topic, and he sent me the following:

Trusts offer several advantages over beneficiary deeds and life estates. Like those two options, a properly funded trust avoids probate. Unlike those two options, however, it also allows your chosen trustee to step in and manage the property during an incapacity event, which is a more significant risk than death at any point in your life. Also, trusts allow you to control things over a few steps and can include instructions on handling things during the various phases of occupancy.

For example, if I want to leave a house to my two kids at my death, I could do that with a beneficiary deed, and that would avoid probate. However, the two kids would become equal co-owners, with no obligation to

each other or any way to resolve disputes about the property. If the property is passed to them through a trust, you can specify as many details as you want in the trust agreement about who is in charge: how costs will be split, decisions will be made, disputes will be resolved, etc.

Similarly, a trust can allow someone to live in the house for some time but ultimately direct where that house goes after a particular event. This is very common when one spouse brings a house into a second marriage. The spouse who does not have an ownership interest often wants assurance that they can stay in the house if they survive the house's owner. But the house's owner wants assurance that, ultimately, this significant asset will pass to their kids, not their step-kids.

A trust can include all the instructions about handling that, such as who is responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, insurance, and taxes during the surviving spouse's occupancy. A life estate doesn't give you a way to provide so much instruction.

Just pack and unpack. We will even pick up your flattened boxes and packing materials after you unpack!

If you have ever priced moving costs

I bought our first moving truck in 2004. We replaced it with a newer truck (above) in 2016. I calculate that we’ve saved clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in moving costs over the years.

A publication of

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Columnists & Guest Commentaries

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The most common causes of death in Colorado in 2023

Cancer returned to the top spot while COVID-19 fell out of the top 10

BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO

Cancer reclaimed the top spot as Colorado’s No.1 killer last year, according to nalized numbers released last month by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

In 2023, 8,411 Coloradans died from what are known in vital statistics records as “malignant neoplasms.” Heart disease, the second-leading cause, claimed 8,071 lives.

ose two causes far exceed any other cause of death in Colorado. Cancer has been No. 1 for most recent years, but heart disease held the top spot in 2021 and 2022.

COVID falls down the list

For the rst time since it appeared in Colorado, COVID-19 didn’t crack the top 10 causes of death last year, though it was close. With 626 deaths in 2023,

ARGO

ride for free (blackout dates excluded), according to Loevlie.

The City of Idaho Springs will also receive 50 cents of every ticket sold to continue building and maintaining a series of bike paths under construction at the Argo that will be considered to be “world-class” when completed, according to planners and local bike enthusiasts.

“It is only for maintenance for the mountain bike park, we’re not spending it on anything else,” Idaho Springs Mayor Chuck Harmon said.

At least 450 acres of hiking and biking will be free for locals to access and enjoy when complete, Harmon said.

Harmon was one of several city leaders at the Argo event and he said he believes this project is a positive step for Idaho Springs.

“It’s a very welcome amenity for our locals and our visitors alike and I think it’s going to be a great shot in

COVID was the 12th-leading cause of death. (In 2020 and 2021, it was the third-leading cause.)

at re ects the waning severity of the pandemic. But, for comparison, inuenza and pneumonia combined last year killed 371 people, ranking 18th, so COVID is still very much a threat, especially to older populations.

e causes and categories in this list follow the methodology of the National Center for Health Statistics, though some of the causes are a bit of a mashup. Accidents, for instance, encompass everything from car crashes to falls to unintentional drug overdoses. Lumping them together like that can obscure some of the underlying trends.

Accidental deaths declined last year, but drug overdose deaths were up — to 1,865, of which 1,097 involved fentanyl. Motor vehicle accidents (785 deaths) and falls (1,064 deaths) were down.

Other notable causes of death: Suicides (1,290 deaths) remained almost exactly the same as in 2022, while homicides (366) dropped by nearly 50.

Deaths dropped overall

Overall, 44,862 Coloradans died last

year. ( e gure includes people who lived here but died elsewhere and not people who died here but lived elsewhere.) at’s roughly 2,000 fewer deaths than in 2022, and it’s nearly 3,500 fewer deaths than in 2021, Colorado’s deadliest year on record.

Relative to population size, Colorado’s death rate fell to something closer to — but still higher than — pre-pandemic levels. e age-adjusted death rate was 681.7 deaths per every 100,000 population in 2023. e three years before that had seen age-adjusted death rates in the 700s. In 2019, the year before the pandemic, the age-adjusted rate was 635.9.

e state compiles these annual death numbers, as well as a host of other vital statistics data, in a system called the Colorado Health Information Dataset. e system has several easy-to-use data dashboards for members of the public interested in more speci c information.

is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

the arm with jobs and money for the city too,” Harmon said.

city, entrepreneur, developer and retailer, a trickle-down of money, be it tourist or local, benefits all with a massive project and ultimate destination location like the Mighty Argo Cable Car promises to provide, according to Idaho Springs Downtown Merchant Association Director Sadie Schultz.

“We’re really starting to recognize ourselves as a recreational and historical hub and it’s really going to make a difference. Especially, in the

Site of the future cable car company at the Mighty Argo in

improvements that this project is going to bring to Idaho Springs,” Schultz

While it may seem dollar signs are the motivating factor in this development, organizers and investors claim respecting and maintaining the history and culture of Idaho Springs will be paramount.

“This is the intersection of heritage tourism and outdoor recreation, you have a great look into the past and we’re promoting the rich history of Idaho Springs, the gold rush in Colorado, while getting people outdoors and into nature,” McFarland said.

Idaho Springs.

PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL

SUN

This summer, take simple steps for be er air

It’s another hot, sunny, bluesky day in Denver. The air is still and looks clear! Despite the beautiful day, you may feel irritation in your throat or a tightness in your chest while out walking the dog, at the park, riding your bike, or on an afternoon run. Your asthma may also be acting up.

This is likely the impact of ground-level ozone: the Front Range’s most pressing air quality problem each summer. We can’t see or smell it, but this pollutant accumulates the most on hot and sunny blue-sky days, reaching its highest levels in the afternoons and evenings.

While ozone serves an important purpose high up in the atmosphere — protecting us from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation — at ground level, high concentrations of ozone are unhealthy. Ozone makes it difficult to breathe, increases our susceptibility to respiratory infections, and exacerbates respiratory ailments such as asthma.

High ozone levels affect all of us. Even if you are healthy, ozone can impact the cells in your lungs during and after exposure, like

sunburn, and repeated exposure over time can lead to reduced lung function. The people at higher risk of exposure or more sensitive to this air pollution include the elderly, those with respiratory conditions, outdoor workers, outdoor athletes, and especially children, whose lungs are still developing.

Where does this air pollution come from? Ground-level ozone is not directly emitted from any source. It forms in the air when two chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), react in the sunshine and heat of summer days. These chemicals are called ozone precursors, and they are released into the air from emissions made by our gaspowered vehicles, gas-powered lawn equipment, and oil and gas production across the Front Range.

Both colorless and odorless, ozone is different than wildfire smoke, tiny particulate matter called PM2.5 or PM10, and the visible Denver “brown cloud” of years past. However, ozone can combine with other air quality issues, and is sometimes referred to as “smog.”

errands, or taking the bus or the light rail to get where you need to go. Don’t forget: youth ride for free on RTD! For shorter distances, leave the car at home and walk, ride a scooter, or your bike or e-bike.

Fuel up your car after 5 p.m. to avoid releasing emissions during the heat of the day. Skip idling your car: instead, roll down the windows and turn off the engine while waiting in parking lots or lines. Consider a low- or zeroemissions vehicle, like an electric vehicle (EV), when it’s time to purchase a new vehicle.

While air quality in the region has greatly improved in the past half century, ozone remains a pressing issue to our health and environment. But as our gas-powered vehicles and gas-powered lawn equipment contribute to its formation, we all have the power to reduce ground-level ozone in the Front Range each summer!

First, sign up for ozone alerts. Visit SimpleStepsBetterAir.org to sign up for emails or text “BetterAirCO” to 21000 to receive air quality alerts on your phone. When the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) forecasts a high ozone day, the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) will send you a timely text or email to let you know.

On high ozone days, protect your health by avoiding outdoor exercise or heavy exertion between noon and 8 p.m. Still want to get outside? Plan ahead and spend time outside in the morning, or later in the evening, when ozone levels will be lower.

Second, reduce your emissions! Take some Simple Steps for Better Air: Skip two car trips per week by carpooling, combining

Mow the lawn after 5 p.m. if you still use gas-powered equipment. Even better, upgrade your old gas lawn mower, trimmer, or leaf blower to a new electric one with a 30% state discount at participating retailers this year!

And if your job can be done remotely, work from home at least one day a week and eliminate your commute altogether.

Taking these timely, simple steps in the summer improves our Front Range air quality, our health, and our ability to enjoy the outdoors! Visit SimpleStepsBetterAir.org for more information about how to reduce your ozone impact this summer and help your community breathe easier.

BY STAVROS KORONEOS

Identity crisis

SOUTH JEFFCO – Awakened by the doorbell at about 8:30 in the morning, Not-Bernard e lurched out of bed, threw on some clothes, strapped a holstered handgun to his waist and stumbled to the door. It was Process Server – again – demanding to see Bernard. “I’m not Bernard,” declared Not-Bernard, for at least the third time in as many months. “Bernard doesn’t live here, and you need to stop bugging us.” A thorough professional, Server stood his ground. “You have been served,” snarled Server, throwing a packet of documents on the ground at Not-Bernard’s feet. Not-Bernard picked up the packet and threw it back, insisting “I’m not Bernard!” e documents traveled back and forth in that fashion for maybe 30 seconds before Not-Bernard’s hand grasped the butt of the holstered gun at his side. Observing that action, Server tossed the packet back one last time and stalked back to his car. Not-Bernard followed , tossing the documents in Server’s back seat and standing by until they’d been driven o of his property. en he called JCSO to see if deputies could convince Server that he is not Bernard. Contacted at work, Server told deputies that Not-Bernard refused to give his

real name, leading him to believe that he actually is Bernard. What’s more, said Server, he’d felt threatened by Not-Bernard’s holstered gun. e o cers assured Server that Not-Bernard actually is not Bernard. ey further explained that Not-Bernard is under no legal obligation to provide his name to obstinate strangers, that he has a perfect legal right to wear a sidearm on his own property if he feels like it, and that Server would be well advised to stop trying to serve NotBernard with Bernard’s papers because he’s about one doorbell away from harassment charges. Deputies shared the details of that interview with Not-Bernard and declared the case not-open.

Party poopers

EVERGREEN – ey just wanted di erent things. On the evening of June 22, Travis told his sometimesgirlfriend Taylor he wanted to go to a bar, and then to a party, and he didn’t want to see her face at either place. Shortly after Travis left for his big night, Taylor decided she wanted to go to the party too, and gured she’d meet Travis at the bar and weasel an invitation. Seeing Taylor’s face at the bar made Travis angry, and he immediately set out for home on foot. With her party connection out on the street somewhere, Taylor also started walking

home, but was quickly o ered a ride by a passing motorist. ey hadn’t gone far before Motorist spied Travis trudging along and o ered him a lift, and the three of them continued to Travis’s house in awkward silence. After ruminating on their relationship overnight, at dawn on the 23rd, Travis gently shook Taylor awake and said he wanted her to leave immediately. Bleary and confused, Taylor said she wanted to keep sleeping. Travis called JCSO and said he wanted Taylor forcibly removed from the premises. Taylor told deputies Travis woke her “aggressively,” even brutally, and she wanted him charged with assault. Because every good breakup is built on mistrust, Travis had recorded his e orts to boost Taylor, and the video didn’t support Taylor’s allegation of manhandling. Taylor said she’d leave as soon as she took a shower. at was soon enough for deputies, who washed their hands of the case.

Chainsaw reaction PINE JUNCTION

– Tenant and Landlord were never a good t, and Tenant was counting the days until his lease was up on June 30. By the 23rd, however, he began to have the distinct feeling that Landlord was trying to nudge him out ahead of schedule. According to Tenant’s statement to JCSO, Landlord “un-

loaded a tractor full of logs” near the rental unit, parked the tractor in such a way as to prevent Tenant from leaving, and then went to work on the logs with a chainsaw “in an intimidating manner.” As if that wasn’t “threatening” enough, Landlord proceeded to spend about half an hour in the woods behind Tenant’s house “shooting rearms.” Tenant also believed that Landlord had the property’s WiFi suspended as part of his nefarious scheme to run him o earl, and he wanted Landlord charged with harassment. In his own defense, Landlord told deputies that he was sawing logs near Tenant’s house because it was convenient to do so, that he would have gladly moved the tractor if Tenant had cared to ask, that he target-shoots on his land legally and safely at least twice a month because it’s fun, and that he probably cut the cable line accidentally while tilling the adjacent horse enclosure. Unable to prove otherwise, deputies deemed Tenant’s complaints unfounded. 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.

HAPPENINGS

Evergreen Fire wild re presentation “Community Wild re Protection Plan”: 6 p.m., Sept 12, 1802 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen.

Taste of Evergreen: 5 p.m.Sept. 17, Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Rd, Evergreen. Food, drinks, music. Tickets: evergreenchamber.org

“Hard Hats & High Heels:” 6 p.m. Sept. 18, 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 nonpro 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.

Morrison Ciderfest: 10 a.m. to dark, Sept. 28,150 Summer Street, Morrison. Live music, beer, hard cider, kids events, silent auction. morrisonciderfest.org.

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.

El Rancho Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday, El Rancho, 29260 US 40, 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.

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 child aged 2-5 years 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 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. Information at evergreenarearepublicanclub.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 Sustainability Alliance is looking for volunteers: Evergreen Sustainability Alliance’s “Let’s Embrace 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 720673-4369 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.

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.

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 5:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 ofce. 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/ emotional-support/.

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. Join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom. us/j/81389224272, meeting ID 813 8922 4272, phone 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.

Car enthusiasts talk about illegal street racing after Bandimere’s closure

BY VICTORIA CALTON

SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

It’s Saturday night on southbound Interstate 25 near Castle Rock. Cars rip through the lanes as drivers build adrenaline for a midnight car meet. A light blue Audi cuts diagonally from the right lane into the far left one. Two white Type R Hondas tail the Audi so close that all three of their taillights merge into a single stream. At about 9 p.m., the cars pull into abandoned parking lots and ll them with the sounds of grumbling engines and spooling turbochargers. ere, car enthusiasts socialize about what is hidden under the hood and who they want to roll race in Mexico. Police roll through the lot, ashing their red and blue lights to signal the high risks of speeding in the streets. ese night scene car enthusiasts, for the most part, shrug it o and make their way back onto the streets, pushing their modi ed cars to the limit. Money, pride and winning fuel their passion to race.

Colorado State Trooper Cody Crowder said the streets are the wrong place for these gatherings.

“Speed is still among the top contributing factors to fatal crashes within our state,” Crowder said. “We have also noticed a rise in rearmsrelated charges associated with the street racers, including multiple shootings occurring during these races and roadway closures.”

After police o cers arrive, these enthusiasts quickly roll out to a new

meet-up location, launching their vehicles from the on ramp back onto I-25. Some chase after each other through pockets in tra c. Others block the lanes by ashing their hazards. Once the highway ahead appears clear, the street racers send a signal ashing their hazards or honking their horns three times. Within seconds, they’re o — foot to the oor, feeling the force of being slammed into their seat.

e night car scene in the Front Range is growing in popularity as the number of drag strips within the metro area drops to zero. Many people who love the rush of speeding down a quarter-mile straight lane used to take their cars to Bandimere Speedway in Morrison.

But following Bandimere Speedway’s 65th anniversary in 2023, the family announced the track’s closure, creating a

for

called the track home and the police o cers who used to encourage street races to take their cars to the track. Last October, Bandimere Speedway hosted its nal Test and Tune event. Supercars, muscle cars, European and Japanese imports, professional dragsters and even family sedans completed their last passes at Bandimere’s under Mountain.

void

racers who

The hand of Debbie Bandimere as she packs up old photos and stories about Bandimere Speedway in preparation for their move to a new track location in April.

PHOTO BY JANE THOMPSON / CU NEWS CORPS

RACING

Police records from the Report Illegal Colorado Street Racing website — which is run by six city and district attorney’s o ces, six county sheri ’s o ces and 26 police departments in Colorado, including the Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Information Analysis Center — show that statewide, from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, there were 325 complaints from Colorado residents alleging illegal street racing.

at’s 73 less than the year before, in 2022, when 398 complaints were led about street racing. Although the overall reports of street racing in Colorado decreased, the number of reports in cities connected to the winding stretch of I-25, including Castle Rock and Colorado Springs, saw an increase.

Legacy of Thunder Mountain

In 1958, John Bandimere Sr. purchased land in Morrison, where he and his family planned to carve a drag strip out of the side of a mountain. For 65 years, the strip was lled with smiling spectators as they watched ashy muscle cars, colorful funny cars, unique imports and stockbody family sedans and SUVs line up in the eight staging lanes preparing to race their vehicles.

Car enthusiasts could not get enough of shrieking tires, burning rubber and the echo of roaring engines bouncing o the mountain rivaling the sound of thunder.

“We would go almost every weekend because it’s so cheap and super, super fun,” said Caden Ellerington, director of the CU Car Club in Boulder. “It’s fun because (I) can bring whatever car I drive to school and go racing.”

Most members of the CU Car Club are current students and alumni of the University of Colorado Boulder, but the club is open to all car enthusiasts who want a fun, safe place to enjoy car culture. Despite the name, CU Car Club, the group is not a liated with the University of Colorado.

Ellerington grew up in a car family that restored classic cars and motorcycles, went on trips o -roading their vehicles and racing their daily drivers and sports cars at Bandimere. Last summer, Ellerington started inviting members of the CU Car Club to Test and Tune Nights at the speedway to share the excitement of rac-

ing at the track before its closure. His biggest regret was not going to the track sooner and more frequently before the announcement.

“I think that the reason why street racing is so popular is because we’re all cheap,” Ellerington said. “We don’t have any money.”

ere are other drag strips in Colorado, but none are close to the metro area. Pueblo Motorsports Park and Julesburg Dragstrip are a long haul away. e money for gas to get to PMP, and another charge on racing fuel, can cost about $114, including racer entry fees, putting it out of reach for many metro-area drivers.

Nightlife:

Colorado car culture

Lamborghini Huracans and Dark Horse Mustangs are rare. at’s because most street racers pick low pro le vehicles with a supercharger that is easy to tune.

“It’s not just turning your carburetor and putting the bolt-on (aftermarket performance parts) that you bought in a magazine anymore. It’s a lot of going through the computer,” said Ellerington.

John Bandimere Jr., owner of Bandimere Speedway, prepares for a meeting in April.

PHOTOS BY JANE THOMPSON / CU NEWS CORPS

Caden Ellerington stands next to his car at a Louisville car meet.

RACING

With many modern vehicles, modifying your car to increase horsepower is a plug and play process. Data mapping is done through tuning companies that have crafted speci c programs to train a car’s electronic control unit into producing the most power with or without the installation of performance parts.

“I’m so intrigued by them and just their intelligence, and their knowledge as technology has changed,” said John “Sporty” Bandimere III, a professional drag racer and executive team member at Bandimere Speedway.

For example, a blacked-out Cadillac street raced fellow enthusiasts a quarter mile at a time from Colorado Springs to a new meet location closer to the Denver area. e car was quick from a rolling start, but if needed, it could blend into tra c even quicker when passing speed traps on the highway.

“ e adrenaline for me… just trying to get that adrenaline rush again,” said Raymond J., a night scene car enthusiast who drives a 2014 Chevrolet SS. “Racing is like one of the closest

things to it.”

Younger car enthusiasts who experiment with the night scene gravitate towards German or Japanese imports because of the speed, they’re easy to work on and quick on the street. Many of the enthusiasts wished to remain anonymous, but were willing to go by their nicknames.

“Rest in peace Bandimere, we need another race track, a better one,” said D Boost.

Some street racers preferred Street Car Takeover events at Bandimere Speedway where they could do what’s called roll racing, rather than begin from a dead stop as seen in traditional drag racing. PMP and Pikes Peak International Raceway host roll racing events, but many street racers prefer a nearby highway rather than traveling to Pueblo or Fountain for a few passes at a crowded track.

“If you’re doing it on the highway, in Mexico, you’re doing it at like 60 miles an hour, and then somebody counts down to three… you’re basically going like 60 to 160, so it’s a little bit of an adrenaline rush,” Raymond said.

Raymond described how the culture has changed as more enthusiasts are interested in producing the most horsepower possible in their vehicles, rather than racing or joining nightlife

activities for the thrill of it. Winning and making money o the nightlife has become more of a regular practice than when Raymond rst got into the night scene.

“ ere’s more of a stigma around that, especially with street racing... People are idiots and cars are dangerous,” Ellerington said. “ ere’s denitely a di erence between the daytime (car meets) and the nighttime ones.”

Day scene: Colorado car culture

e Bandimere family cared about fostering a community-driven track where spectators and drivers could enjoy the speed in a controlled and safe environment. e Bandimeres hosted programs to educate young drivers about the dangers of being behind the wheel, as well as providing them with a track where they can reach high speeds in the manner of seconds.

“ e automobile is the most deadly weapon you can own,” Sporty Bandimere said.

Rather than trying to outlaw racing or bog down the youth with hefty nes, the Bandimere family worked to provide the public with a place to race and enjoy the car scene. Take it to the Track: Test and Tune Nights, with

the assistance of the Colorado State Patrol, created a space for the public to race.

Debbie Bandimere, the Nitro Knockouts crew chief, found it bene cial to host these weekly Wednesday night race days so people would not take their need for speed to the streets.

“We got ahold of the Colorado State Patrol and said, ‘hey do you want to partner with us, and we can create this Take it to the Track program … where we can try and keep the kids o the street,’” she said.

Colorado State Troopers were provided with $5 o coupons for Test and Tune Nights at Bandimere Speedway to give to teens who were stopped because of speeding. State Troopers promoted a safe and controlled environment where people, especially youth, could race their cars rather than having to pay hefty nes for speeding on the highway.

“I’m extremely hopeful they will open again. I think Colorado needs that, especially, the metro area really needs a drag strip,” Ellerington said. is story was created by students at the University of Colorado-Boulder’s News Corps. Colorado Community Media participated in the process that helped bring this story to light.

Experts o er tips to reduce danger of air pollution in Colorado

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Colorado’s breathtaking scenery and high elevation o er both allure and challenges, particularly when it comes to air quality. As the state’s diverse landscapes — from urban areas to remote mountain retreats — face varying levels of pollution, understanding how to keep air quality high, or improve it, becomes crucial.

“Protecting air quality is one of Colorado’s top priorities,” said Leah Schleifer, spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Some of the air pollution issues impacting Colorado are ground-level ozone pollution and particulate matter pollution.”  e department’s Air Pollution Control Division works to inform people about the health dangers of particulate irritant and ozone pollution.

“Particulate matter is a respiratory irritant,” she said. “It can also cause cardiovascular issues due to its extremely small size. When inhaled, ne particulate matter can get deep into the lungs, and in some cases, the bloodstream.”

Schleifer said the smaller the size of the matter the more impactful it can be to someone’s health. Additionally, she explained there are symptoms of short-term exposures to unhealthy levels of ozone pollution, such as coughing and chest pain.

“Long-term exposure has been linked to a variety of poor health outcomes, including lung and cardiovascular disease,” Schleifer said. “Whether a person will experience health impacts from air pollution depends on how much is in the air and how long they breathe it in.”  Schleifer said the division has various programs to address air pollution and help protect the health and safety of Coloradans.  ese actions include the following:

• O ering nancial support for schools, businesses, and local governments to purchase clean vehicles such as electric school buses.

• Adopting a new rule that will expand access to zero-emissions cars.

• Adopting new measures to increase the availability of zero-emission trucks.

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. is year, the division is looking at options to propose more measures to reduce ozone pollution in the state.

“ e division created the Nitrogen Oxide Reduction Steering Committee, which is currently working on recommendations to reduce air pollution emissions from upstream oil and gas operations that form ground-level ozone,” Schleifer said.

Residents can sign up for air quality alerts so they know when air pollution is the highest.

Additionally, there are other sources of information. For example, the Sheridan Library — which is a branch of Arapahoe Libraries — is now o ering air quality monitors known as AirBeam3, which are palm-sized, portable air quality monitors. Patrons can check them out at 3425 W. Oxford Ave.

“Participants can collect air quality data, review ndings and contribute to a crowd-sourced air quality map of the Sheridan community,” said Cameron Bowen, Arapahoe Libraries facilities coordinator. “ ey can also learn how to improve the air quality in their home. For example, they can use an exhaust fan while cooking or learn how to get home weatherization assistance.”

Schleifer said in addition to monitoring the air, people can reduce their contributions to air pollution as well through many di erent ways.  ose methods include “biking, carpooling, or using clean energy sources and electric equipment rather than gas-powered when possible.”

“Our ozone pollution and your health website and the Simple Steps Better Air website provide more details on ways you can take action,” Schleifer said.

More information on the Sheridan Library program can be found at arapahoelibraries.org.

For Keith Garcia, artistic director of Denver Film’s Sie FilmCenter and founder of the CinemaQ LGBTQ+ lm festival, the most rewarding thing about hosting the annual event is every time he thinks the festival might be unnecessary, he’s reminded of its importance to the community.

“People still need to come together, see a lm and talk about it,” he said. “It’s a crucial respite from the daily world to tell stories and have a good time together.”

VOICES

CinemaQ celebrates its sweet 16

COMING ATTRACTIONS

e “sweet 16” of the CinemaQ Film Festival, presented by William LaBahn, runs at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave., from ursday, Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 11. is year’s festival features 14 lms, running the gamut from hilarious comedies like opener “My Old Ass” to incisive documentaries such as “Any Other Way: e Jackie Shane Story.”

“Some of the larger festivals can be really overwhelming, so we like the idea of keeping it light with 14 options,” Garcia said. “ is allows audience members to nd what speaks to them from di erent stories. Not every lm is for everybody, but we make sure there’s a lm for everybody.”

A new feature of the festival this year is the BLQ (Black Lives Queerly) program, a result of a partnership with Black Pride Colorado that aims to produce more screenings

On a crisp, clear morning in a small village nestled at the foot of a grand mountain, a young person stood gazing up at the towering peak. Their eyes sparkled with wonder and ambition. The mountain, majestic and imposing, seemed to whisper promises of adventure, challenge, and triumph. A young person imagined themselves scaling its rocky face, reaching its snow-capped summit, and standing tall against the vast sky. To them, the mountain

of lms that focus on Black queer stories. As part of this programming track, the festival will include an Aug. 10 panel that will feature a discussion and Q&A by creatives from multiple disciplines as they share their experiences navigating a creative world as a Black queer creator, according to provided information. ere will also be a BLQ mixer event following the panel.

Another highlight of the festival is the CinemaQ Marketplace, which will be held at Sie from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11. e market’s aim is to uplift locally-owned queer small businesses, who will be selling everything from handmade art and artisan soap to upcycled clothing and tarot card readings.

No matter what lms audiences decide to explore, they’re certain to leave with new perspectives on the world and a renewed appreciation for the importance of celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

“For all the lms we consider, we look at vision, visibility and voices. We try to select lms for the festival that represent all three in fresh and unique ways,” Garcia said. “ e best part of CinemaQ is that it o ers a platform for people to see them-

selves in lm. I hope audiences identify and are challenged by the characters they see and want to have a conversation afterwards.”

For the full schedule and tickets, visit www.denver lm.org.

A Modern Troubadour Comes to The Alley

Bryan Bielanski, a rising singer/ songwriter based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, writes the kind of tunes that just stick with you. His recently released album, “Bryan’s Super Happy Fun Time 3,” takes inspiration from rock legends like R.E.M. and Tom Petty and creates a style that’s both familiar and uniquely his own.

Bielanski is stopping by e Alley, 2420 W. Main St. in Littleton, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, and it’s a great venue for the warm, welcoming music he specializes in. Find more information at www.littletonalley.com/.

Gossamer Connects at Walker Fine Art e act of artmaking is extremely personal and opens the creator up to share their vulnerabilities and other tender emotions with the public. e openness is the focus of Gossamer, the latest exhibition at the Walker Fine Art gallery, 300 W. 11th Ave., No. A in Denver.

Featuring the work of Brian Comber, Jamie Gray, Gloria Pereyra, Sara Sanderson, Allison Svoboda and Meagan Svendsen, each art-

ist uses their individual media to “expose the fragility in the eeting nature of time and the delicate balance of the natural world,” according to provided information. It’s an exhibition that explores both loneliness and connection, emotions to which everyone can relate.

For more information, visit www. walker neart.com/gossamer.

Clarke’s

Concert of the Week — SiR at Summit Music Hall

Modern R&B is such a great genre because it’s so malleable. ere are so many subgenres within it that you can celebrate both traditionalists and those willing to push the envelope. SiR, who hails from Inglewood, California, is de nitely one of the latter artists, and his progressive, warmly nebulous take on R&B has been earning him fans for nearly a decade. His latest album, “Heavy,” is his richest yet, providing a thrilling soundscape to get lost in.

In support of the album, SiR is bringing his Bad Karma Tour to the Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. in Denver, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13. He’ll be joined by Top Dawg Entertainment label-mate Zacari for a night of great modern R&B. Get tickets at www.livenation. com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.

The climb, the journey, the dream

WINNING WORDS

Michael Norton

was more than just a physical entity; it symbolized all the dreams and goals they hoped to achieve in life. They dreamed of becoming a renowned explorer, a person of wisdom and courage who would travel the world and uncover its hidden secrets. They imagined the moun-

tain as the first of many they would climb, each representing different aspirations: the knowledge they would gain, the skills they would master, and the character they would build. Their heart swelled with anticipation as they pictured themselves standing atop various peaks, looking out over horizons of endless possibilities. Years later, a figure stood at the summit of that very mountain. Their hair was streaked with gray, their face weathered by time and experience. It was that same

young person, now a grown adult, who had indeed climbed many mountains in their life, both literal and metaphorical. They looked down at the village below, where they had once stood as a young child, full of dreams and ambition. The journey from that day to this had been long and arduous, filled with trials, triumphs, and lessons learned.

They remembered the early days of the climb, the initial ex-

Clarke Reader

NORTON

citement mixed with the daunting realization of the challenges ahead. They recalled the steep inclines that tested their endurance and the rocky terrains that required careful navigation. There were times when the path was clear, and progress was swift, but there were also moments of doubt when the way forward seemed obscured by fog and uncertainty.

Along the way, they encountered many fellow climbers. Some became lifelong friends, sharing the journey, offering support during the toughest stretches, and celebrating the victories together. They also met those who chose different paths or gave up on the climb altogether, reminding them of the importance of resilience and the courage to keep moving forward.

Standing there, they understood that life is a continuum of experiences. Some, like their younger self, stand at the base of their mountains, filled with dreams and aspirations. They look up, hopeful and determined, ready to embark on their journeys. Others are in the midst of their climb, navigating the ups and downs, enduring the grind, and pushing through challenges with grit and perseverance. Then there are those who,

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like our young dreamer now, have reached their summits and look back on their paths with gratitude and reflection, appreciating both the struggles and the triumphs that have defined their journeys.

Each stage is vital and valuable. The dreams at the base inspire us to begin our journeys. The challenges in the middle teach us resilience and fortitude. The reflections from the summit offer wisdom and perspective. The only true failure, our dreamer thought, is to look up at the mountain and then walk away, abandoning one’s dreams and goals out of fear or doubt.

Ultimately, life’s mountains are not just about reaching the top. They are about the courage to start, the perseverance to continue, and the wisdom to appreciate the journey. Whether we are at the base, the middle, or the summit, we are all part of this beautiful continuum, each step a testament to our dreams, our efforts, and our triumphs. I would love to hear the story of your climb at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can look back on our own climb with pride and gratitude, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

WRIGHT

OBITUARIES

Keith Clark Wright

October 23, 1958 - June 15, 2024

Keith Clark Wright was born in Windsor, Vermont to Nick and Irene Wright on October 23, 1958. He passed away unexpectedly on June 15, 2024 from emphysema. He leaves behind his sister Sheilagh Bergeron, her husband David (NH) and his niece Shayna (MA) who all loved him so very much. Keith was a wonderful man, son, brother, uncle and friend. He had a huge and kind heart, was

FOWLER

loyal and honest to a fault and will be missed beyond words. Keith moved to Evergreen 34 years ago and was lucky enough to nd amazing friends and a kind and supportive community as he built his successful painting business. ere will be no service but please think of Keith doing what he loved best...riding free and happily on his Harley.

Sheri Lee Fowler August 6, 1962 - June 15, 2024

Sheri Lee Fowler passed away June 15th surrounded by family. She battled cancer until the end. Sheri is survived by her mother, three children, two grandchildren, sister, niece, great niece, two great nephews, and loving pets. She was born August 6th, 1962, in Columbus, Indiana. Sheri moved to Evergreen, Colorado in 1974. Sheri loved riding horses in her youth and was a member of 4H. She rode the grand entry of the Evergreen Rodeo. Sheri graduated from Evergreen High School in 1980. While in school, she was a member of the varsity cheer team. Sheri always wanted

to help others and began working at Mount Evans Hospice. She then completed her bachelor’s degree in healthcare marketing and spent many years working in that eld. Sheri was a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts for America and encouraged her daughters and granddaughters to become members. Sheri enjoyed crafting and spent much of her time creating gifts for her loved ones for every holiday. Sheri was a compassionate woman who was always willing to help others and loved her family ercely. She will be dearly missed.

formation 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.

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Tiny Town: a little time capsule of Denver’s past

A miniature post o ce, library, movie theater — along with a very little newspaper, the Tiny Town Tribune — bring childlike wonder to all

BY RYLEE DUNN

Colorado may not look much like it did in 1915, but on one shady creekside grove in the Denver foothills, replicas of the Centennial State’s bygone landmarks pay tribute to what once was.

Tucked along an unassuming highway exit o US 285, Tiny Town has survived the test of time. Whether by luck, dedication or sheer willpower, the family-friendly outpost harkens back to a simpler time — one of the mountainside mines, universally beloved attractions, a miniature train that travels a circuit around the park, and $5 outings.

e park has had its share of rough patches. Floods, res and nancial turmoil have nearly spelled the end for the beloved roadside stop, but each time, those who love Tiny Town — of whom there are many — have found a way to keep the park alive. “It will always be here for kids,” Park Manager Elvira Nedoma said. “Always.”

How Tiny Town began

e story of Tiny Town begins with George Turner. e founder of a moving company in Denver, Turner bought his family a vacation home just outside the plot of land that Tiny Town occupies today.

In 1915, Turner’s 10-year-old daughter became gravely ill. As she was unable to withstand the pollutants of the outside world, Turner sought to bring the world to his ailing daughter.

At the time, shipping companies relied on wooden crates to transport goods. When Turner and his workers were idle, they would pass the time painting the crates to look like miniature houses and structures. It is from this pastime that Tiny Town

was born.

Originally a small collection of a few miniature buildings — some of Turner’s original houses can still be found at Tiny Town, and are housed in an area of the park known as ‘Turnerville’ — the park has grown into a sprawling collection of more than 150 replicas.

e Arvada Flour Mill, Bent’s Old Fort, White Fence Farm, Meyer Hardware and Robbins Flour Shop are just a few of the many notable Colorado landmarks that dot the park’s landscape.

Turner sold the park in 1927, shortly after his daughter succumbed to her illness. It was purchased by a man named John Ross, who proclaimed in his will that “Tiny Town

is never to be sold; it’s here for the children.” e park has stayed in the Ross family for four generations and isn’t likely to change hands anytime soon.

Seasonal workers and volunteers

Maintenance at the park is undertaken by a loosely organized bunch of seasonal workers — Tiny Town is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day — and a handful of volunteers. Nedoma said all the miniatures are donated, and the folks who donate them are supposed to help with the upkeep, though many simply don’t.

“( e person who donates the miniature is) supposed to maintain them, but they get maintained for two years, and I never see (the person) again,” Nedoma said. “So, I’m stuck with all these houses, you know? I don’t know about people sometimes. If you built something, you think you’d want to maintain it.”

Nedoma — a welcoming presence draped in gold and black jewelry who spends most of her time manning Tiny Town’s concession stand, her sharp blue eyes beaming when little ones shyly request a serving of ice cream — personally oversees the maintenance of the park where she has worked for the past 25 years. Initially drawn in after seeing houses with aging coats of paint, Nedoma said she lives nearby and couldn’t sit idle and allow the park to fall into disrepair. She started out as

O ce of the world’s teeniest, tiniest newspaper: The Tiny Town Tribune. PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN

LIFESTYLES

The 58th Annual Evergreen Fine Arts Festival

‘Art and Soul’ Weekend of Creativity

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

FEATURE OF THE MONTH Highlights an

Spanish painter/sculptor Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), once said,

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

Leave the “dust of everyday life” behind on Saturday/ Sunday, August 24-25 (10:00am-5:00pm) and prepare yourself for an “art and soul” experience. Travel to Buchanan Recreation Center Ball Fields, 32003 Ellingwood Trail at Evergreen Parkway (Highway 74) and Squaw Pass Road (Highway 65) for the 58th Annual Fine Arts Festival in Evergreen, Colorado. Just 35-45 minutes from Denver, the festival site is ve minutes from Evergreen Parkway Exit 252 at I-70.

2023 Best of Show - Gedion Nyanhongo - Sculpture Photo by Ellen Nelson

e Evergreen Fine Arts Festival (EFAF), a juried art show, will feature 100-plus new and returning local and national artists displaying their creativity in varied mediums, including: ceramics/ ber/glass/jewelry/metal/ mixed media/painting/photography/wood, and more! To become part of the festival artists must submit a sampling of their work for judging before a panel of jurors comprised of fellow artists in each category who are specialists in their speci c medium.

“For the past 58 years, Evergreen Fine Arts Festival, sponsored by e Evergreen Artists Association, has held a presence in our mountain community,” said Julie Sims, EFAF Co-Director along with Stephanie Roberts and Board

Members: Jan Hammond, Laura Svigel, Suzette Pell, and intern Grace Gill (University of Northern Colorado Art Education major). Conifer High School graduate Grace Gill was recognized by Evergreen Artists Association as its 2023 High School Scholarship winner.

e Evergreen Artists Association will hold its annual onsite awards dinner for its artists on Saturday evening after the festival closes to the public. Awards will be presented for: Best in Show as well as for each category: 2D (Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media 2D); 3D (Metal, Sculpture, Mixed Media 3D); Clay/Wood/Glass, Fiber/Functional/Leather, Jewelry, and Photography (Photography, Digital Art).

A “People’s Choice Award” will also be presented at the Awards Dinner to a winning artist. People’s Choice cards will be handed out Saturday at the information booth when

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

From Page 1

patrons enter the festival. Attendees are encouraged to visit artists’ booths, ll out a card for their favorite artist, and turn in the card at the festival entrance information booth. e People’s Choice Award winner will also be able to participate in next year’s festival.

Regardless of your artistic tastes, this art festival o ers fun for all family members. Children of every age can enthusiastically engage and participate in face painting and a variety of cra projects available to them in the Children’s Tent located near the entrance of the festival, which will be run by the Conifer High School National Art

Honor Society.

Also, foodies will delight in delicious edible fare and thirst-quenching so drinks from Slife’s Devil Dogs & Sweet Freeze Shave Ice, Alchemy a la Mode, Rocky Mountain Lemonshakers,

Rocky Mountain Wraps, and more to come!

“I think the Evergreen Fine Arts Festival is so popular with everyone near and far because people know our festival features spectacular art in various price ranges,” said Julie Sims. “Novice art collectors as well as seasoned art a cionados are bound to nd art pieces they just can’t live without!”

As you walk the grounds of the

Please see FINE ARTS FESTIVAL, Page 7

Artist Wayne Gao

Photo by Ellen Nelson

Evergreen Bread & Cocktail Lounge Serves Delicious Meals and Food Choice Options for Your Year-Round Enjoyment

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

In the United States, August holds the honor of being “National Sandwich Month.” So, whether you are a devoted sandwich lover or someone who simply enjoys mouthwatering wholesome foods, you can count on Evergreen Bread & Cocktail Lounge (EBCL) in Bergen Village Shopping Center to create delicious and healthy meals that everyone will love!

As soon as you enter the door at 1260 Bergen Parkway (second oor), the smell of freshly made bread created from fermented sour dough starter wa s through the air to greet you. Bread, the staple foundation for the hot and cold sandwiches o ered at the restaurant, is made daily in-house in its open-view

‘A variety of new Sour Dough Bread flavors, including sun-dried tomato basil, are now available Thursday-through-Sunday, and they taste amazing.’

Tyler Butler. General Manager

pastas/house-made sauces, and Detroitstyle Pizza with a thicker crust and several topping options. Evergreen Bread & Cocktail Lounge (303-862-7993) o ers take-out and online ordering. Visit the website (https://evergreenbreadlounge. com/) to view its full menu—and more.

bakery using some of the oldest varieties of wheat (spelt, Kamut™, millet, quinoa, amaranth, and te ).

“A variety of new Sour Dough Bread avors, including sun-dried tomato basil, are now available ursday-throughSunday,” said General Manager Tyler Butler, “and they taste amazing.”

“Also, our ‘To Go’ Program, perfect for

summertime family or company picnics in the park and/or business luncheons/ meetings highlights a Lunch Box Special that includes a hot sandwich, bag of chips and a cookie,” stated Butler. “Further, we are o ering discounts to local Evergreen businesses that place larger catering orders from breakfast favorites and/or sandwich platters to large banquet orders (homemade Chicken Marsala, pasta with Bolognese sauce…) and interested parties can contact me at the restaurant for more information.”

Evergreen Bread and Cocktail Lounge is closed on Mondays. Its friendly sta serves customers from 8:00am-6:00pm Tuesday-through-Saturday (Sunday 8:00am-3:00pm). o ering breakfast favorites and lunch selections; hot/cold sandwiches, soups, salads, breads, pastries, specialty co ees, teas, beer, wine, and cocktails. e restaurant recently elevated its wine portfolio with some new white (prosecco, champagne) and red wines selections. A $30/per bottle dine-in or to-go wine special is now being o ered for a limited time only. Contact EBCL for

Evergreen Bread & Cocktail Lounge celebrates Happy Hour Tuesday-throughSaturday from 2:00-6:00pm and all-day Sunday from 8:00am-3:00pm with a special menu featuring charcuterie boards, small plate items, scratch-made

Centrally located within Evergreen, the eatery boasts ample parking, indoor community room seating where people can come together at two large banquet-style tables with friends and others, and a dog-friendly patio area that is perfectly suited for your summertime breakfast, lunch, or mid-day meal enjoyment.

“All of our menu selections, including meals, European breads, pastries, and desserts are made from scratch using the freshest micro-greens and locally sourced produce and only the nest ingredients,” stated Tyler Butler. He likewise stated that the restaurant partners with many local vendors/companies, including Daddy’s Homemade Syrups, supplier of natural, gut friendly syrups for the restaurant’s co ees and cocktails.  ere is always something tasty, new, and exciting going on at Evergreen Bread and Cocktail Lounge. e menu changes seasonally about three times per year, a current selection of decadent summer desserts are perfect endings to your perfect meal, and live music featured twice per month on either Friday/Saturday will continue through Labor Day. Musicians interested in performing should direct enquiries to Tyler at Evergreen Bread and Cocktail Lounge (303-862-7993).

In addition to a private events space for parties (up to 30 people) or the rental of the entire restaurant (120 people maximum) for corporate meetings/company events, gi cards can be easily purchased in-store or online for birthdays, holidays, and all gi -giving occasions with options to deliver the gi in person or via email.

Are you looking to swap out your boring job for the chance to learn a highly-challenging trade? We’ll give you an opportunity for an entirely new career! Our business is steadily growing and we have positions available immediately to learn a skilled trade from a local veteran-owned Company.

Now’s your chance to utilize your mental and physical abilities by learning about chimney sweeping and appliance servicing/installation in the hearth industry.

Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney, Inc. and Mountain Hearth & Patio are hiring! No experience required.

We have multiple positions available and o er competitive pay , On-the-Job training and a $1000 Sign-on bonus. Our hiring process is simple – ll out an application, complete an in-person interview and then get paid for a 2-Day On-the-Job working interview to determine if we are a good t for what you want in your life.

All positions come with Paid Time O , potential sales commissions, health insurance, Health-and-Wellness Program,

at

by

Trade Ya!

and a Matching 401(k) plan. No need to worry about getting your clothes dirty sweeping chimneys -- we also provide company uniforms. Plus, we provide all tools, vehicles, and have a great company culture!

We are proud of our Company Core Values - Integrity, Heart, Technical Excellence, Unity, and Respect and we use them to guide our business practices and how we help our customers in their own homes. We do what we say we will, when we say we will and for how much we said. We generally show up to get the work done regardless of weather, which is one of the many reasons we have cultivated such an exceptional reputation in the community.

Now is the time to learn a new trade in a fast-paced industry! We have opportunities for advancement and earning industry certi cations in an assortment of specialties. Our company provides the necessary study materials and exams for these certi cations; to set you apart from most others in the replace and chimney industry around the entire Denver Metro area. Our team is always looking for great

individuals who share the mindset of making our customer’s homes safe, warm, and beautiful.

Join our team in maintaining our expert reputation in the community! We have many customers that we have been serving for over 25 years, since the company was founded in 1998. Our company is still managed by the founder, Jake Johnson, who brings his organization, structure, and precision from the Marine Corps into practice every day. e company is locally owned and operated by Jake and his wife, Nita Drolet-Johnson.

If you’re ready for a career in our beautiful foothills communities (the views really are the best from the roof), apply today to be a hearth apprentice! You will work under one of our experienced and certi ed technicians, who will teach you about the industry and you will learn and see something new every day. e primary duties and responsibilities for the hearth apprentice are to:

Assist/perform Chimney Safety Institute of America Certi ed Chimney

Sweep for wood, gas or pellet maintenance operations.

Assist perform National Fireplace Institute Installation Specialist for wood, gas or pellet installation operations

Load/unloading of equipment and materials from/to vehicles

Documentation of completed operations

Assist Operations Manager per daily instructions

You must already have or quickly develop the following knowledge, skills and abilities needed for this position:

Work with/on ladders and roofs

Work outdoors during all seasons

Able to li heavy loads – 80+ lbs – for short periods of time

Following written instructions

Mental exibility

Positive attitude

Check out www.mtnhp.com/jobs for more information and to apply online!

Or drop by our O ce here in Marshdale and talk to Sharon Bailey – our Operations Manager. 770 Highway 73 / 303.679.1601 / O ce @mtnhp.com

“It

impossible to produce superior performance unless you do something different from the majority”

- Sir John Templeton

Rich Bell of Rich Barbell Fitness

Can Help You Get Fit in the Fall

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

Certi ed High School Strength and Conditioning Coach Rich Bell says that whether you are an athlete who wants to gear up for fall and winter sports and/or you simply want to lose some weight before the holidays, the upcoming fall season is the perfect time to focus on getting t.

Rich Bell of Rich Barbell Fitness & Sports Conditioning (30746 Bryant Drive/Unit 403, Evergreen) has trained over 400 multi-level athletes in various sports backgrounds. For more than 29 years, he has incorporated scienti cally proven techniques/training methods into his customized strength/ conditioning training and weight loss programs for middle/high school/ college, weekend warrior athletes, and all others.

bursts of activity with periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise, is one of the most e ective ways to make rapid gains while also reaping the same cardiovascular health/performance bene ts as cardio and intervals. is structure allows you to push your body beyond its comfort zone for brief periods, followed by recovery intervals. Further, it can give you everything you want: strength, size, conditioning, leanness, health—if you can survive the intensity. Circuit training also improves insulin sensitivity, another important variable for health and longevity.

“Strength training is critical to weight loss; it helps with fat loss while maintaining or building muscle strength and size,” said Bell.

Rich Bell believes properly applied circuit training, a form of cardiovascular training that blends short, intense

Rich Bell’s 12-week program encompasses testing, a full assessment, and training tailored to each individual’s needs including supplements and nutrition options. Workout schedules (i.e., a minimum of two days weekly with Bell, one day in the gym on your own) ensure his clients’ fast results, better performance, increased stamina, and improved physical appearance.

Get t in the fall with Rich Barbell Fitness. Visit http://richbarbell tness. com for fees/information, testimonials, and more. Set up your consultation today!

‘Strength training is critical to weight loss; it helps with fat loss while maintaining or building muscle strength and size’

Rich Bell. Owner

Advertising Department

Donna Reardon, 303-566-4114

dreardon@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Ruth Daniels, 303-566-4113

rdaniels@coloradocommunitymedia.com

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

From Page 2

Buchanan Athletic Fields enjoying the artistic sights to behold at the 58th Annual Evergreen Fine Arts Festival, be sure to focus some of your time on the participating talented performers who will make our foothills come alive with the sounds of music.

Andy Potter, EFAF’s Music Coordinator will kick o the festival on Saturday with an acoustic set. Other musicians performing on Saturday include Lalo Hart, Rocky Mountain singer/songwriter with a voice like honey whose music touches deep on the relatable tales of our human experiences; Concrete Feedback, a Colorado folk-rock band with Americana sensibility; and Foothill Flyers, a group that blends traditional Americana, with rootsy folk, bluesy rock, and jammin’ improvisation.

On Sunday, Wife Swap, a Denver folk band, o ers a fresh and harmonious take to the acoustic music that they play, followed by North American guitarist El Javi who blends various music styles and techniques that create a unique eclectic acoustic fusion. e music continues with Family Recipe, a ve-piece group that fuses jazz, bluegrass, and rock music; and Aleik Maddox whose music is colorful and intentional with the drive of rock and the sweetness of soul.

Fronting the baseball eld limited free handicap parking with a state issued placard or license plate is available and easily accessible to the festival. Paid parking spaces are located fronting the baseball eld. e paid parking area is also limited; however, these fees bene t Conifer High School So ball Team and Mountain Backpacks. It is strongly suggested that attendees utilize the designated free parking at Bergen Meadow Elementary, 1928 Hiwan Drive in Evergreen and Evergreen Middle School, 2059 Hiwan Drive. Beginning at 9:50 am, free shuttles run approximately every 20 minutes from these designated parking areas. e nal shuttle will leave the festival grounds at 5:00pm. Parking might be available at the RDT lot to the north, but it is not guaranteed nor is it associated with the festival. Absolutely no parking in the recreation center parking lot! Smoking and/or vaping at the festival site is prohibited.

“It takes lots of people to put on this type of event,” said Festival Co-Chair Julie Sims. “We simply could not produce this event without our dedicated members, countless volunteers, and festival sponsors who have supported art in our foothills over the years and have enabled us to make this annual artful o ering such an enduring community event.”

e Evergreen Fine Arts Festival is again pairing with volunteers from Conifer High School’s National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and DECA. Likewise, the festival partners with local nonpro ts to run the paid parking area and all parking monies they make go directly to their organizations.

“We also want to give a shout out to Ellen Nelson, an amazing photographer, who has taken photographs at our festival since 2022 and whose photographs from last year’s Evergreen Fine Arts Festival are shared within this article,” said Sims.

e Evergreen Artists Association presents one ($1750) scholarship each year to a graduating high school senior studying in the arts, one ($300) grant to an adult artist for supplies or anything that might further his/her artistic career, and one ($300) grant to a local school for use in its art program.

e Evergreen Artists Association’s 2024 winner of its High School Scholarship is Conifer High School graduate Ainsley Claggett who will be studying Costume Design in Film at the State University of New York, New Paltz.

e 58th Annual Evergreen Fine Arts Festival showcases a plethora of artistic works to see, enjoy, and purchase. e expressiveness of each artist’s imagination, vision, and original ideas will be on display at the Evergreen Fine Arts Festival. e holiday/gi giving season will be here sooner than later so browse artists’ booths to discover handmade treasures for everyone on your gi list—and yourself! Visit the Evergreen Fine Arts Festival website (https://www.evergreen neartsfestival. com) for a list of participating artists, and more!

Mark your calendars August 24-25 for the 58th Annual Evergreen Fine Arts Festival at the Buchanan Recreation Center Ball Fields (10:00am-5:00pm). Experience all this free-to-the-public “art and soul” weekend has to o er. Find creations that speak to you and make them your own!

Clay artist Cathra-Anne Barker

Photos by Ellen Nelson

Painter Emily Dwan

the park’s rst-ever female engineer and transitioned to running the concessions and overseeing the park’s general comings and goings three years ago.

“You know the guys; they want to play train all the time,” Nedoma said. “ ey don’t want to x the houses. e houses were getting icky, and I started with painting the caboose. en I put the paintbrush down (to become park manager).”

Nedoma doesn’t seem interested in considering Tiny Town’s place among its fallen comrades in the Denver metro area. She thinks Lakeside and Elitch Gardens cost too much and don’t o er the entertainment value they once did.

In that regard, Tiny Town stands alone — where else can you spend a day with the family for $5 a person?

e concession stand’s prices harken back to a time before in ation made the cost of dining out untenable for most. In many ways, Tiny Town is a portal to a simpler time, while also being an ethereal oasis unto itself.

“It is magical for the kids,” Nedoma said. “Half of them cry when they have to leave. All (kids) need is a train ride and ice cream and they’re happy. It’s magical for me to come here every day. Not one day has been the same.”

The Tiny Town train

Tiny Town’s train is perhaps its best-known attraction. Running seven days a week — with a real coal engine on weekends — the miniature Royal Gorge locomotive is manned by volunteer engineer Brent “Big-

foot” Ohlson, who calls the gig “the best job I ever had.”

“And it’s volunteer work, so there’s no money to screw it up,” Ohlson said through a thick white beard that encircles the majority of his face.

Trains run on their own time — they depart when there are enough folks in line.

“We’re not very punctual in this small town,” Ohlson said. “It’s kinda got that countryside laidbackness.”

e park is now old enough that when three-generation families visit, they all bring their own unique Tiny Town memories.

Nedoma said people who visited the Tiny Town as children now bring their own children or grandchildren.

“I mean, it’s so memorable,” Nedoma said. “ ere isn’t any place like this.”

e park isn’t winding down anytime soon, either. In 2011, a man came forward and said he had a col-

lection of original George Turner miniature houses and wanted to donate them to the park.

Nedoma and her team determined that the miniatures were authentic; they belonged to the original set George Turner built for his daughter. After being refurbished, the houses were added to the Turnerville row.

Family-friendly prices

As for the price of entry, Nedoma said the park remains nancially solvent thanks to the sheer volume of visitors it gets, and has no plans to raise the admission cost anytime soon.

“ at’s what (Tiny Town) was meant to do,” Nedoma said. “So that everyone can enjoy the park. It’s hard to believe (that we can keep the prices so low). But we are busy.”

Even on a day when the Quarry Fire decimated the nearby landscape and lled the air with smoke and particu-

lates, youngsters and their families admired all corners of the park, from the train loop to the playground at the end of the rows of miniatures. ere were no children crying, no adults scolding. Just pure joy and happiness all around, secured by a train ride, an ice cream cone and a miniature world full of wonder and imagination. While Lakeside and Elitch Gardens struggle to stay sta ed and close handfuls of rides every summer, Heritage Square is a fading memory, and Meow Wolf charges 10 times Tiny Town’s entry fee for an out-of-thisworld sensory overload, the small park outside Morrison might just be the most quintessentially “Colorado” attraction the area has left.

Nedoma, Ohlson, and the rest of the Tiny Town team will continue spending their summers ensuring that it stays that way.

Tiny Town Park Manager Elvira Nedoma at the park’s concession stand, which she runs.

PHOTOS BY RYLEE DUNN

White Fence Farm no longer exists, but its replica at Tiny Town is one of the park’s best-known attractions.

A CLEAR MESSAGE

Denver deaf and hearing interpreters explain importance of communication

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Using uid hand gestures, expressive facial expressions and precise body language, sign language interpreters in the Denver metro area facilitate clear communication for individuals uent in American Sign Language.

eir skillful use of visual communication bridges linguistic gaps and enhances accessibility across a wide range of contexts and environments.

“Basically anywhere that a deaf person goes where communication needs to happen and where the ADA protects them from discrimination, I am there,” said Rae Rose, local interpreter and owner of  Rose Sign Language Interpreting.

‘An instrument of fairness’

When Rose was a child she had a conversation with a member of the deaf community that changed her life.

“We were playing and there was a bit of a communication breakdown where she had a great idea but none of us were getting it and this woman, who was studying to be an interpreter came over and…she just interpreted our conversation

and left,” Rose said. “I was like ‘I want to do that.”’

So, Rose became an American Sign Language Interpreter.

It was in college that she interpreted for the rst time and felt she had chosen the right path.

“It was probably two sentences (but) I was like ‘Oh man, oh man,”’ Rose said. “I had put all the pieces together and they had their conversation and I did it and it was nothing to anybody but I was over the moon.”

Rose founded Rose Sign Language in 2009 and it “facilitates communication between people who sign and people who don’t sign.”

Whether at a doctor’s o ce or while riding a pool noodle during a swim lesson, Rose signs in a myriad of environments including medical, education, behavioral and kids sports.

“It takes a lot of creativity and a lot of di erent strategies to make those lessons visually successful but also working with deaf kids I have a lot more options,” Rose said. “I love seeing any of my consumers start at one place and end in a di erent place having achieved a lot. at’s one of the best parts of my job.”

Rose runs the day-to-day operations of her business and helps connect other interpreters with those who need the services.

Colorado native and deaf sign language interpreter Jennifer Salaz with her sister, Victoria Ulibarri, whom she said encouraged her to become an interpreter.

ing excited to have a conversation with each other without…paper,” Salaz said.

In her capacity as a deaf interpreter Salaz said she works directly with deaf students who’ve immigrated from other countries and her work allows “for better access to communication and understanding for these students.”

“It’s my language (and) being able to teach others that have moved from other countries is amazing,” she said. “Watching them nally able to communicate with a language they can use and call their own is very inspiring.”

The

right register

Similar to Rose, Salaz also provides interpreting services in medical settings.

“ is is important because sometimes the hearing interpreter uses the wrong register, not serious or too serious depending on the situation, or uses words that the deaf consumer doesn’t understand,” Salaz said.

MESSAGE

“I am a very big-picture person,” Rose said. “So I love seeing all the pieces t together and I love doing it better. I saw some great things as a new member of the eld but I wanted to reproduce and put my own sparkle on it.”

Along with providing interpreting services, Rose said her company is also big on advocacy and education.   “We’re able to provide members of the hearing company a chance to learn ASL from a deaf person,” Rose said. “ is is a deaf person sharing their culture, their birthright.”

For Rose, the aspect of interpreting that intrigued her was “the fairness of it.”

“As a white woman with my allotted amount of privilege, to be able to be an instrument of fairness is worthwhile and to make it easy for as many people and as many organizations as possible to create fairness and create

equity…that’s important,” Rose said.

Filling in the gaps

For Colorado native and deaf sign language interpreter Jennifer Salaz, one of her favorite and most impactful times signing was when she interpreted for a deaf high school student.

Salaz explained as a deaf interpreter she is able to ll in the gaps and expand on things for those whose native language is American Sign Language.

“ e student was having an indepth conversation about a serious (topic),” Salaz said. “ ey were writing back and forth in the previous class with a di erent interpreter because the student didn’t feel comfortable. at wasn’t successful.”

However, after she began interpreting for the two students, Salaz said the conversation was successful for both parties as they could better communicate.

“ ey were able to have a genuine peer-to-peer conversation with the con dence that their information was safe and both walked away feel-

Rose said the way she interprets ASL depends on her consumer. It’s important to ensure they understand what is being said.

“English has its own variations, its own dialects, its own accents. Everybody’s got their own level of uency with English,” Rose said. “Same with ASL or any sign communication.”

As a deaf woman, Salaz said, she herself relies on interpreting services and has experienced misrepresentation “time and time again” including an experience when her daughter was taken away from her because she was “misrepresented by a ‘skilled’ hearing interpreter.”

“All because the interpreter didn’t understand me or their ego was too big to ask for clari cation,” Salaz said. “Because of this, I want to support the deaf community as they do have to experience the same injustices.”

Salaz said her sister encouraged her to become a deaf interpreter and become involved with the community to help prevent similar issues from happening to others.

The future

Salaz said interpreting in general is important for both hearing and deaf people and she describes the deaf community in Colorado as large.

However, Salaz said many members of the deaf community grow up in hearing families and it can be

isolating because of the communication barrier.

“I am one of six kids, and if my sister, who can uently sign, doesn’t attend a family event, I’m lost,” Salaz said. “I feel like most of my deaf friends have the same experience…I explain this because having the community is like having an additional family that shares the same experiences. Being able to share experiences, talk about life and communicate that is key.”  is is something she thinks interpreters need to carry with them as they venture into the world.

“I hope that interpreters would put their egos aside and realize this is about their work and not them,” she said. “ ey are amazing people and the deaf community welcomes them. We just want a clear message to be produced for all of us.”

Rose said she hopes for increased equity and recognition that everyday people can do something to make a di erence.

She encourages hearing people to see interpreters as an awareness that there are deaf people in the same space as them who need to or enjoy frequenting the same environments as them.

“Everywhere that you see an interpreter there maybe just think ‘I didn’t know there were deaf people in my town. Cool. Maybe I should learn a little ASL,”’ Rose said.

Photo on P20: Owner of Rose Interpreting, Rae Rose, signs “connect,” highlighting the importance of American Sign Language and its ability to connect people. PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY

Deaf sign language interpreter Jennifer Salaz signing at Denver Comic Con. Salaz said in her role as an interpreter she ensures her deaf consumers understand exactly what they’re being told in a conversation with a hearing person. COURTESY OF JENNIFER SALAZ

Let’s come together to celebrate the beauty that our local communities have to o er.

SHARE YOUR TRAIL TALES 5K

is a new event that celebrates Colorado’s walking/running trails within our local communities.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24

Clement Park–Littleton

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.

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. Silverdale Trailhead

Three Sisters Trail

Niko grabs a toy held by Sgt. Norton as the two work together in the field behind the Morrison Police Department. PHOTOS BY JANE REUTER

Morrison police Sgt. Richard Norton poses with his new partner, Niko.

SPORTS

Evergreen High School’s poms and cheerleading teams ready to take on new school year

Groups welcome new coaches and members as both begin a season of rebuilding

BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With new coaches leading the way, Evergreen High School’s poms and cheerleading teams are looking ahead to a year of change and excitement. It’s a rebuilding year for both, with the historically competitive poms team losing ve seniors at the end of the 2023-24 academic year and the cheerleaders continuing to grow a program that was absent from EHS for several years.

Former assistant poms coach Jordan Hoecherl will take over as head coach for the poms team this year, and former assistant cheerleading coach Megan Browning is also taking the lead role on the cheerleading team. Both coaches bring considerable experience to their posts.

While a student at the University of Mississippi, Hoecherl was on the college dance team and competed at the Universal Dance Association’s college nationals.

“I like feeling like an athlete, and that’s something I hope to bring to the Evergreen Poms Team — a touch of competition,” she said. “But also making sure our girls are more involved in the community.”

Several members of this year’s poms team have already competed. e team earned county, regional and state awards in 2023-24, and were National Dance Alliance game day championship nalists.

Browning started competitive cheerleading as a third grader and continued through college at Miami University.

“ e cheerleading program was missing for a while, so we’re still building up the reputation of the team and making themselves

TRYOUTS

The poms team will host tryouts from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at Evergreen High School. For more information, call EHS or visit Ehspoms.weebly.com

known,” Browning said. “One of my goals it to make it to nals at state.”

Last year, the team came razor close to doing so, and Browning is con dent this year’s team can put EHS over the top.

Evergreen spirit

EHS Athletic Director Maddy Hornecker said both teams are a critical part of the school.

“A really good poms team and a really good cheer team is essential for our student section at games,” she said. “It feeds the environment we want to create at Evergreen High School with our student culture. ey really are the middle ground between administration and our school — and they do a ton of community service.”

Further fueling both teams’ incentive to grow and compete, Je co Public Schools last year changed the designation for poms and cheerleading from “activities” to “athletics.”

Team members, who’ve been preparing this summer for the upcoming academic year, are excited to get back to work.

Poms co-captain Avery Schraad, an incoming senior, joined the team as a freshman and said it was an immediate t.

“I’ve met some of my best friends through the team and gotten a lot more connected to the school,” she said. “We’re year-round sports — football, basketball, lacrosse, swimming, wrestling, girls and boys teams. We do all the sports games to show we support them.”

On top of that, the team competes regularly, with events at increasingly tougher levels beginning in November and culminating with nationals in February. Right now, before the

school year begins, that requires 2-3 hours of daily practice, a schedule that will ramp up considerably as sports teams begin playing.

“We also do a lot just for the community,” Schraad said. “We’re doing the Mountain Music Fest, the Big Chili Cook O and a lake concert. We taught line dancing at the Rotary’s Denim and Diamonds last year.

“I get so frustrated when people say you just dance, your practices aren’t hard. It’s hard. We’re pretty respected in school because coaches know how hard we work. And you’ve got to keep your grades up so you’re eligible or you can be benched.”

A comeback season

Like her coach, Schraad is hoping for a comeback season. Due to injuries and other issues, the poms team went from 17 to 7 girls and lost its head coach in the last two years.

“Now we’re at 9 members, and we just got a brand-new head coach who is amazing,” Schraad said. “What we’re really trying to do last year, and this year is rebuild the team.”

On the cheerleading side, incoming sophomore Jenna Co n said she joined the team at the urging of family and friends to get involved in her high school. A former competitive gymnast, she thought her background could work well as a cheerleader.

“I saw the cheer team and thought they seem like a sister team, and they are,” she said. “It’s like your own little family. I also think it’s bene cial because you’re representing your school — whether you’re in your uniform or not. I felt it was important to do something that bene ts you and your school.”

Athleticism and trust

Co n said cheerleading requires not only athleticism but trust.

“ ere’s so much variety in it,” she said. “You have the tumbling, the stunts, the physical cheering, the dancing.

“We have a very close bond, and you really have to trust your team,” Co n continued. “When you’re put-

The EHS cheerleading team includes, front row from left: Maddy Clark, Teaghan Krieg, Brynn Mielke, Elsie Goldstein, Sophia Campbell, Chloe Kienke and Kai Winford. Back row from left: Coach Megan Browning, Jenna Co n, Annie Lynch, Taya Cowden, Charlotte Konigsbauer, Lizzy Perrone, Wilkins Carlson and Linnea Hotopp. Missing from the photo is Bella Clarkson. COURTESY PHOTO

CHEERS

ting a flyer in the air, she has to trust you’re going to catch her. I fly sometimes, and I’ve never had a moment where I didn’t think they were going to catch me.”

Coffin said the team also serves to unify the school.

“When you’re at a football or basketball game, cheerleaders bring the game and the crowd together, and support the team,” she said. “We help them get fired up and ready to win.”

Cheerleaders practice twice weekly now, and likely will do so three times a week when school starts, Coffin said.

“We work hard,” she said. “We want to keep looking good for the school, keep getting people involved, and make sure they’re having fun and engaged with the game.”

For Browning, working with students like Coffin is a long-held dream come true. In the years after college, she looked for ways to come back to cheerleading and finally found it in Evergreen.

“When I was in college, our cheer coach told us we were ambassadors for the university,” she said. “I think it’s important to have ambassadors for your high school too — people that are out there building up and supporting it. It’s

been really fun and rewarding, especially with Evergreen being such a small, tight-knit community. I’ve just met so many wonderful people through it.”

The cheerleaders will host a youth clinic this fall, and a middle school clinic in the spring. Tryouts are also set for spring.

The two teams plan to work more closely together in the coming school year, Hoecherl said, capitalizing on their unifying spirit.

“These teams boost morale, and they make sure the student body feels they’re included — even if they’re not an athlete themselves,” she said.

The EHS poms team includes, from left, Charlie Crittle, Abby Summers, Riley Shaughnessy, Avery Schraad, Sky Vanley, Kate Gallaher, Savy Lott and Peyton Steinberg.

PHOTOS

EHS cheerleading coach Megan Browning

EHS poms coach Jordan Hoecherl.

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!

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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

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

Help Wanted

On Line Bookstore

ChesslerBooks.com is an Evergreen based, 40 year old on-line bookstore offering books related to mountaineering. We are looking for an intelligent, well read, computer literate associate who can wrap and box the books and take them to the Evergreen Post Office. The job may also entail listing books on our website on our computer. Must be able to carry 40 lbs. Over age 50 is okay. Flexible hours 8 to 24 hours a week, depending on how busy we are. Salary competitive. Phone 720 560-4963 or email info@ chesslerbooks.com.

REAL ESTATE & RENTAL

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Seed, Grain and Hay HAY FOR SALE...$9.50/ bale, 65 lbs., irrigated mountain grass, Shawnee area, you pick and carry, 303-838-2923.

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MARTIN MARIETTA MATERIALS INCPavement Mgt Materials74,096.66

OXFORD RECYCLING INC Sand & Gravel 209.72

OXFORD RECYCLING INC Disposal of Construction Spoils 195.00

REPUBLIC SERVICES INC Disposal of Construction Spoils 3,045.95

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UNUM LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA Voluntary Life Insurance 885.51

WEST JEFFERSON COUNTY METROPOLITAN DISTRICTRight-of-Ways & Easements1,600.00

Road & Bridge Fund Total 384,086.25

BILLIE L BAIN

HS-Mileage 106.80

BRITTANY LEIGH VIRKUS HS-Mileage 190.28

CLIENT PAYMENTS

CLIENT PAYMENTS

CLIENT PAYMENTS

HS-Assistance Payments Other147,188.49

HS-Assistance Payments County Paid 672.26

HS-Refund Assistance Payment-State 280.00

CLIENT PAYMENTS HS-Assistance Payments Rent 4,298.20

COLORADO MENTAL

HS-Miscellaneous HEALTH NETWORK Contract Services6,455.00

DSD CIVIL DIVISION

JEFFERSON CENTER

HS-Process Of Service 44.40

HS-Miscellaneous FOR MENTAL HEALTH Contract Services 252.00

Nyriah Kendra Tovar

RAISE THE FUTURE

HS-Mileage 672.88

HS-Miscellaneous Contract Services2,353.00

RANDI AMBER SHAMPINE HS-Mileage 203.01

REBECCA ELAINE HJELLMINGHS-Mileage

Public Notices

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Legals

Metro Districts Budget Hearings

Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED AMENDED 2023 BUDGET AND HEARING BELLEVIEW VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed amended budget will be submitted to the BELLEVIEW VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

(the “District”) for the year of 2023. A copy of such proposed amended budget has been filed in the office of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed amended budget will be considered at a hearing at the meeting of the District to be held at 10:30 A.M., on Friday, August 16, 2024.

The location and additional information regarding the meeting will be available on the meeting notice posted on the District’s website at https:// www.belleviewvillagemd.com/ at least 24-hours in advance of the meeting.

Any interested elector within the District may inspect the proposed amended budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the amended 2023 budget. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DISTRICT:

By: /s/ ICENOGLE | SEAVER | POGUE

Legal Notice No. CAN 1622

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 8, 2024

Publisher: Canyon Courier

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Roxborough Water and Sanitation District of Douglas and Jefferson County, Colorado, will make final payment at the offices of Roxborough Water and Sanitation District, 6222 N. Roxborough Road, Littleton, CO 80125, on or after 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2024, to Studio 7 North, Inc. for all work done by said Contractor on the Valley View Christian Church Waterline contract, all of said construction located near the address of 11004 Wildfield Lane and Tract B of Chatfield East in the community of Chatfield East in Douglas County, State of Colorado.

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, provisions, or other supplies used or consumed by such Contractor or his subcontractors in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done and whose claim therefore has not been paid by the Contractor or his Subcontractor, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim to the Roxborough Water and Sanitation District, 6222 N. Roxborough Road, Littleton, CO 80125, at or before the time and date herein above shown. Failure on the part of any claimant

to file such verified statement will release said Roxborough Water and Sanitation District, its Board of Directors, officers, agents, and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.

ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

By: Mike Marcum, General Manager

Legal Notice No. CAN 1623

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 15, 2024

Publisher: Canyon Courier

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 20th day of August 2024 final settlement will be made by the County of Jefferson, State of Colorado to:

CONCRETE EXPRESS INC.

2027 W. COLFAX AVE. DENVER CO 80204

hereinafter called the “Contractor”, for and on account of the contract for the Construction of Kipling Parkway Sidewalk from W Geddes Ave to W Coal Mine Ave 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 for 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 1618

First Publication: August 1, 2024

Last Publication: August 8, 2024

Publisher: Canyon Courier

Storage Liens/Vehicle Titles

Public Notice

1) For Sale 1990 Toyota 4Runner vin JT3VN39W0L0038224 impounded from 3851 Hwy 74 Evergreen CO, 80439 6/14/24

As is $2000

Legal Notice No. CAN 1624

First Publication: August 8, 2024

Last Publication: August 8, 2024

Publisher: Canyon Courier

Public Notice

Kings Valley Storage 30404 Kings Valley Drive Conifer CO 80470

To be sold or otherwise disposed of

The

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