Canyon Courier November 7, 2024

Evergreen Fire/Rescue’s new teammates formally join foothills firefighting community

Six paid firefighters and several others were recognized in badge pinning and oath-taking ceremony

In a ceremony that honored the traditions of the re ghter industry and Evergreen Fire/Rescue in particular, EFR formally welcomed its rst paid

re ghters Oct. 25. e event, which included a badge-pinning ceremony and oath, also recognized seven other EFR re ghters who recently earned promotions.

e six men include four former EFR volunteer re ghters and two career re ghters. eir spouses, friends, children and babies gathered around each of them to pin the badge on their EFR uniforms.

e re ghter pinning ceremony is a tradition that introduces new re ghters to their department and community and symbolizes their new roles and responsibilities.

“ e badge is a cornerstone of our existence,” said Kris Kazian, EFR re operations chief. “Our actions can shine that badge or tarnish it.”

e badge is in the shape of a Maltese cross, with each of the eight points representing an occupational commitment, and symbolizes the willingness of re ghters to sacri ce their lives for others.

“We are a family working together to give to this community,” Kazian said. “In people’s worst times, they call 911 and expect us to show up as professionals, as

SEE CEREMONY, P2

Morrison police sergeant’s arrest a davit includes allegations of years of stalking and abuse

BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

An eight-page arrest a davit for Morrison Police Sgt. Richard Norton details years of alleged stalking, murder threats and abuse involving Norton’s rst ex-wife, children and girlfriend. Witnesses interviewed by Longmont Police said Norton repeatedly threatened to kill his ex-wife and her new husband, allegedly saying “he wanted to murder someone so he could see what it felt like,” and reportedly “bragging about breaking into people’s homes before to arrest (them) and that he can delete all footage,” according to Norton’s Oct. 3 arrest a davit.

His children were so scared one of them slept by the back door with a baseball bat in case Norton broke in, according to the a davit. e former Morrison K9 o cer is on unpaid administrative leave after an Oct. 4 arrest by Longmont Police on charges of domestic violence, child abuse and unlawful storage of a rearm.

Before joining Morrison’s police force, Norton worked in Broom eld and was named in a federal lawsuit alleging he and another Broom eld o cer manhandled a disabled 15-year-old girl during a 2017 arrest. An internal Broom eld PD investigation also found Norton sent inappropriate and unwanted sexual messages to four of his female coworkers, creating a hostile and o ensive work environment. He resigned from Broom eld in 2022, while under investigation. e a davit includes stories of incidents with his ex-wife and children that led to his October arrest.

Norton and his rst ex-wife met in college, according to the a davit. She told police he proposed to her while standing near a cli , afterward saying if she hadn’t said yes, “he’d have pushed her o .” During the relationship, the a davit says he made comments “that if he couldn’t have her, no one could.”

Norton’s physical and sexual abuse progressed slowly through the relationship, according to the document. He would reportedly pin his rst ex-

EFR Fire Chief Mike Weege swears in the organization’s new firefighters, including from left, paramedic Joe Black, Joe Rimkus, Nate Perdue, Harrison Leahy, Sean Ender, Joe Galindo and David Hughes.

PHOTO BY JANE REUTER

CEREMONY

experts.

“So when we pin you, I want you to know it’s not just a little ornament we wear on our shirt. Every day when I put this badge on, I remember what my calling is today, what I could be called to do,” Kazian continued. “I’m asking all 13 of you that you share that excitement when you put that badge on.”

EFR Emergency Medical Services Division Chief Dave Montesi spoke about the re ghters’ oath.

“It’s more than a ceremonial promise,” he said. “It’s a powerful commitment. When we pledge to protect life and property, we’re accepting the inherent risks of the job.

“In times of crisis, the oath becomes a source of strength and resilience. It encourages us to push through adversity, knowing we are part of something greater than ourselves. e oath connects all of us to the history and tradition of our profession … and a bond that transforms a job

into a calling.”

Assistant Chief Stacee Martin said the new team members are joining a family.

“We are much more than coworkers,” she said. “We become brothers and sisters, an extended family you can call day or night.

“Who else volunteers to run into a re to help a complete stranger? We do, because this is the best job in the world. We get to laugh together, cry together, and see people during their best and worst times. We’re there to help,” she continued. “We do it as a tight-knit family.”

e ceremony was a signi cant day not just for the re ghters, but the agency itself. EFR decided earlier this year to add paid re ghters, moving away from the all-volunteer neighborhood response model it had used since 1948.

e six additional sta will support EFR’s current volunteer force, ey will work in three teams of two, with each captain and re ghter team taking a 48-hour shift. e paid re ghters will be based at Station 2 on Bergen Parkway.

EFR has about 70 volunteers. Previously, its only paid re ghters were Chief Mike Weege and Kazian.

This edition of the Canyon Courier went to press before the Nov. 5 election, but Colorado Community Media journalists still worked to covered local and state races on election night. Visit canyoncourier.

EFR Fire Operations Chief Kris Kazian talks during the ceremony about the symbolism of the firefighters’ badge.

PHOTOS BY JANE REUTER

Helmets lined up on a table before the ceremony were later distributed to firefighters.

New EFR firefighter David Gutierrez’s wife Haley and daughter Charlee watch the Oct. 25 pinning ceremony.

Emily Pu ett pins a badge on her husband’s shirt. New EFR Wildland Division Chief Jason Puffett was previously chief at Genesee Fire Rescue.

PHOTO BY EINAR JENSEN

EFR firefighter Joe Rimkus is pinned on his shirt by his girlfriend, Kristen Spanley.

We Need to Take Seriously the Pollutants Emitted When Cooking With Gas

Two years ago last week, one of the headlines in my column was, “Evidence Mounts That Gas Stoves Are Harmful to Health.” It cited an article the previous week in the journal Environmental Science and Technology which quoted a study reporting that 12 hazardous pollutants, including benzene, a carcinogen, were detected in the emissions of gas ranges. That study was of 159 homes in 19 California counties.

Last week, The Guardian, a British periodical, published an article with a more damning headline: “Pollutants from gas stoves kill 40,000 Europeans each year, report finds.”

that, “New peer-reviewed research from RMI, the University of Sydney, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, which I co-authored with two epidemiologistsandacolleague,estimated that nearly 13 percent of childhood asthma cases in the United States can be linked to having a gas stove in the home.

According to that article, “The researchers attributed 36,031 early deaths each year to gas cookers in the EU, and a further 3,928 in the UK. They say their estimates are conservative because they only considered the health effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and not other gases such as carbon monoxide and benzene.”

Now, that’s a wake-up call!

I did a web search for “dangers of gas stove emissions” and found that multiple other studies had been conducted from late 2022 through to now reaching similar conclusions but without that large a database of impacted human beings.

On Sept. 7, 2022, Harvard Health reported that, “Gas stoves affect air quality inside and outside your home, circulating pollutants that raise risk for asthma and other illnesses.”

On Jan. 19, 2023, Scientific American wrote that, “Scientists have long known that gas stoves emit pollutants that irritate human airways and can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems.”

On Feb. 15, 2023, Brady Seals of the Rocky Mountain Institute announced

On April 7, 2023, Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health reported, “A recent study suggests that gas stoves contribute to about 13 percent of childhood asthma cases in the U.S. equivalent to the risk of developing asthma due to exposure to secondhand smoke. NO2 can cause respiratory problems, particularly for those with asthma or other respiratory illnesses, and long-term exposure to NO2 from gas stoves has also been linked to an increased risk of developing heart disease.”

On June 21, 2023, Yale Climate Connections reported that, “Cooking with gas emits dangerous levels of benzene, a carcinogen, into household air.”

On May 3, 2024, Stanford University reported that, “A study of air pollution in U.S. homes reveals how much gasand propane stoves increase exposure to nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant linked to childhood asthma.”

This appears to be a problem that disproportionately affects low-income populations for a couple reasons. First, they are more likely to have gas ranges, especially in cities where natural gas is ubiquitous. Second, the problem is exacerbated in smaller kitchens, allowing the emissions to be less dispersed.

Obviously, a large-scale switch from gas ranges to induction or electric ranges is not practical or affordable, especially for low-income populations, but health

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experts have some advice on what to do in the meantime. First of all, ventilate your kitchen when using a gas stove. If you have a vent fan above your range, use it, but only if it vents to the outside. Many vent fans, such as those built into over-the-stove microwave ovens, merely filter the air of particles, blowing it back into the kitchen. To see if your vent fan ventilates to the outside, open the cabinet above it, so see if there’s a flue.

A good short-term solution, if you have $50-100 to spend, would be to purchase a plug-in induction cooktop, as Rita and I have done. Search for “induction burners” and you’ll find many starting as low as $49.99. Because induction is so efficient, most induction burners plug into a standard countertop kitchen outlet.

NOTE: Induction burners only work with ferrous pots and pans, such as cast iron, enameled cast iron and certain stainless steel pots and pans. If a magnet sticks to the pan, it can be used on an induction burner.

Rita and I like to buy live lobsters from

Seafood Landing in northwest Denver and boil them, but it takes forever to heat a pot of water large enough to submerge four 1½-lb. lobsters, so next time we’re going to use our induction burner, because it will heat that much water in less than half the time. (I look forward to timing it!) That’s the thing about induction cooking it’s faster and uses less electricity than a standard electric burner.

NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy Under Attack

“Clear Cooperation” is a policy introduced by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in November 2019 to reduce the use of “pocket listings” by brokers who don’t want to share their high commissions with a buyer’s agent.

Let’s say that a broker lists a home for 6%, to use a round number. (The average has long been between 5% and 5.5%.) The listing contract had a place to designate the percentage of that 6% which the listing broker would share with the broker who produced the buyer. For a $1,000,000 listing, that would be, for example, $30,000 commission to each agent.

You can understand why the listing agent would want to promote that listing off the MLS and hopefully keep the full $60,000. Most Realtors, like myself, would consider that unethical on the face of it but also believe it’s not in the seller’s best interest. The seller wants as many buyers as possible to know about his or her listing so that he/she sells for the highest price.

From a greedy listing broker’s perspec-

tive, getting 6% of $1,000,000 is a whole lot better than only 3% of a higher price.

Enter the Clear Cooperation policy, which pissed off a lot of brokers, including those who aren’t members of NAR, because all MLSs were ordered to enforce it.

CCP, as the policy is called, requires that a listing be entered on the MLS within one business day of it being publicized in any way, whether it be a sign in the ground, a Facebook post, mass email or whatever. And it could only be “Coming Soon” as long as no showings were granted, including by the listing agent, and for a max of 7 days.

The attacks on CCP, mostly by large brokerages, have surged recently, but Zillow’s Susan Daimler, like myself, defends the policyasbeingintheconsumer’s best interest. In fact, she wants to see the policy strengthened by eliminating the “office exclusive” loophole. That loophole discriminates against small brokerages and independent brokers by allowing big brokerages to display MLS listings only to agents within the brokerage. That loophole should be abolished.

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wife in bed until she was on the verge of a panic attack, then release her and laugh, according to the a davit. At one time, she told o cers he held a loaded handgun to her head.

Norton allegedly made death threats throughout the divorce process and hacked his rst ex-wife’s Facebook and email accounts.

Norton reportedly also shared stories with his children about how he had “drowned a cat and shot a dog in the eye with a Taser,” according to the a davit.

Recently, he reportedly moved in with his girlfriend in Longmont. One of the children said Norton left his work vest on the living room oor, including a Taser, gun, bullets, knives and handcu s.

On Sept. 28, the a davit says Norton’s girlfriend allegedly put Norton’s handcu s on his children, “tight enough to cause pinch marks on their wrists as punishment.” According to the document, when Norton heard about it, he “laughed and seemed almost happy about it.” Norton and his girlfriend allegedly also got into a physical ght in front of the children that same day.

Norton was charged with four counts of child abuse, one count each for leaving his vest and rearm accessible to his children and two more counts for telling each child he planned to kill their mother and stepfather.

Morrison Police Chief Bill Vinelli said he was aware of the Broom eld allegations when he hired him.

“We did our background check,” Vinelli said. “I was aware of his past police internal a airs investigation and didn’t nd anything in it that would preclude me from hiring him.”

Vinelli said this week there has been no change to Norton’s status with the town.

issues involve the democratic process, and are larger than survey results

BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

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An informal survey of Conifer-area reghters shows support for a proposal to unify the three, now-separate foothills agencies. Elk Creek re ghter Philip

“Flip” Koch began conducting the survey about a month ago and has so far reached 68 of the 101 career and volunteer reghters at Elk Creek, Inter-Canyon and North Fork re districts; all 68 signed the survey supporting uni cation.

e three re chiefs, who proposed unication, are not included in the survey.

“Without exception, they support it,” Koch said. “ e rank-and- le members who provide the service are behind this, the volunteers as rmly as the career sta .

“It’s a win-win for everybody, the community especially, if this goes through. ere’s no increase to taxes. It’s just combining three departments to provide better service,” Koch continued. Of the 68 he’s surveyed, Koch said 49

Creek, and that’s the only place where there’s any sort of controversy over this,” he said, adding he’s continuing to reach out to the remaining re ghters in the three districts. “I’m not stopping until we either run out of time or I reach insurmountable obstacles.”

But Elk Creek board member Chuck Newby, who opposes uni cation and also opposed a similar November 2023 consolidation e ort, said the concerns with uni cation go beyond the re ghters’ opinions.

“I think it’s always good to know what the re ghters think, but the issues here are far more substantive than an unofcial survey,” he said. “What’s at issue is the fact that the majority of the voters of Elk Creek — in a costly, time-consuming ballot election — voted against consolidation.

“If these three boards want to put the question of consolidation to voters again in a di erent form, I think that’s ne. at’s democracy,” Newby continued. “But when boards of directors of re districts, who are sworn to uphold the Colorado and U.S. Constitution, conspire together behind the citizens’ backs, that’s really contrary to our democracy. How can that be proper?”

e three Conifer-area re districts

a small percentage in Elk Creek — and are now seeking uni cation, a process outlined under state statute that does not require an election.

While the consolidation proposal included a mill levy increase, mill levies would decrease slightly in both the Elk Creek and Inter-Canyon re districts under the uni cation proposal.

Members of the three districts’ boards have voted to move forward with unication, with Newby casting the only dissenting vote among them.

Koch is conducting the six-question survey primarily on paper and online using Survey Monkey. Elk Creek volunteer Ken Shine read a statement about the re ghters’ support for uni cation during Elk Creek Fire’s Oct. 24 board meeting.

“I absolutely signed it,” said Elk Creek training captain Jesse Winefeldt. “I signed it because I feel volunteer re departments can provide a good service to a community. But there is some breakover point where the volunteer re service can’t keep up with what is needed in the community. is uni cation is going to allow us to hire more full-time re ghters, which I believe is best for the com-

Witnesses interviewed by Longmont Police said Morrison Police Sgt. Richard Norton repeatedly threatened to kill his ex-wife and her new husband.

PHOTO BY JANE REUTER

UNIFICATION

munity. It’s going to give us an opportunity to provide better service.”

Winefeldt, a former Arvada re ghter, said he sees issues daily he feels uni cation would improve.

“On the day-to-day, where we’re falling short is the overlapping calls,” he said. “We’re always having to call for mutual aid, which creates a delay. ere are many times where minutes and seconds matter. Uni cation won’t completely do away with the mutual aid requests we have, but it will signi cantly reduce them.

“I care about this community,” Winefeldt continued. “I believe in the re department and the leadership. I just feel this is what is best for the community.”

Elk Creek re ghter and EMT Andrew McManus, who also signed the survey, sees similar issues.

“As Elk Creek, we lean on Inter-Canyon and North Fork both for mutual aid because we get calls happening simultaneously and we don’t always have the sta to go to two to three calls at once,” he said. “With uni cation, we’d all be the same department and everybody could respond to the incidents as they happen. e community will get much speedier service when calls stack up. In a crucial situation, even a few minutes of speeding that up would be a big win for the community.”

Rachel Rush, who works for all three districts as a re marshal, said she also signed the survey.

“Nationally, we’re seeing this trend of volunteerism dying o ,” she said. “And we have higher expectations for our volunteer re ghters. We’re losing volunteers, and we need to nd ways to cover

including Inter-Canyon’s at 6 p.m. Nov. 13 and Elk Creek’s at 6 p.m. Nov. 21. It will also go to Je erson County District Court

Newby, who said he’s heard concerns from people in all three re districts, says

“I will certainly make my objections

When asked if he plans to pursue a lawsuit if uni cation moves forward, Newby said, “We have a game plan. Su ce to If the proposal passes, the three-district

Conifer-area fire districts are moving toward unification after a failed November 2023 consolidation e ort. Above are the three chiefs including, from top left, Inter-Canyon Fire Chief Skip Shirlaw, North Fork Fire Chief Curt Rogers and Elk Creek Fire Chief Jacob Ware. PHOTO BY JANE REUTER

‘Even if my one vote doesn’t matter, it still matters to me’:

Je co inmate votes for the first time thanks to new Colorado law

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As a heavy metal door opened, Jesus Rodriguez walked carefully through the corridors of the Je erson County Detention Center, taking deliberate steps toward a room that would become a temporary polling place to take part in a deeply embedded American right — a right that he said felt distant and, at times, impossible from behind bars.

For the rst time in his life, Rodriguez was about to cast his vote, an act made possible by a new Colorado law aimed at expanding voting access to individuals within the criminal justice system.

SB24-072, passed this spring, mandates that county clerks and sheri s establish at least one day of in-person voting at jails and detention centers for eligible incarcerated voters.

Rodriquez, who woke up that morning unsure if he would even attempt to vote, said he decided, “Why not try?” after a security guard passed through a second time to grab inmates waiting to go to the voter registration room.

“I’m 29 years old, and I’ve never voted because I never thought it would mean that much. But in votes like today, I guess one vote means everything,” Rodriguez said. “It made me feel really good to know that my opinion matters in this situation.”

Rodriguez acknowledged that while he made mistakes in the past, he cares deeply about the community outside.

“People would be surprised to know that those of us who are incarcerated do pay attention to what’s going on out there because while we live every day in here, out there is what really matters,” he said.

A milestone moment for voting access in Colorado

Je erson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez choked up hearing Rodriguez describe his voting experience as one of the top ve in his life.

“Voting is so many things,” Gonzalez, who is also a voting rights attorney, said. “It’s the way we express hope. It’s the way that we express love for our community. It’s the way that we have our voices heard. I ran for o ce because I want to make sure that every eligible voter is able to cast their vote, and we just got one step closer today.”

Gonzalez said that when she was elected in 2022, she discovered that the county

the right to vote.

In Colorado, only those inmates serving time for a felony conviction are ineligible.

“But what we found in 2022 was that out of more than 900 people who were in our jail, only three cast a vote,” Gonzalez said.

“Having the right to vote is fundamentally di erent than being able to exercise it.”

As a result, Gonzalez said her o ce teamed up with several communitybased organizations, including the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, to pass the Voting for Con ned Eligible Electors Act.

“We’re the rst state in the nation that will have that kind of opportunity statewide,” she said.

Gonzalez hopes other states will follow suit. “ is is just one more example of how our democracy should work for everyone. If you are eligible to vote, you should be able to vote. And I hope that we see this throughout the country,” she said.

Ensuring every voice is counted

Gonzalez and Rodriguez weren’t the only two to grasp the moment’s importance.

Je co inmates fill out voter registration forms to receive a ballot and place their vote.

PHOTOS BY SUZIE GLASSMAN

Jesus Rodriguez explains what it meant to him to vote for the first time.

VOTING ACCESS

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Kyle Jennings, an election judge and civic engagement coordinator with the Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, was there to vet the inmates’ registration forms to ensure that no inmates still serving time on a felony charge were passed through to receive a ballot.

But, for him, the job wasn’t just about clearing inmates to receive a ballot.

Ten years ago, almost to the day, Jennings recalled sitting inside that same jail as an inmate having a conversation with a man who thought he’d lost his right to vote forever.

“It started this whole chain of events of having conversations with everyone in the pod,” Jennings said.

“I was running into guys in their 30s, 40s and 50s who had never voted before because of the legacy of Jim Crow, which suppressed voting rights for African Americans. Suddenly, I

was on this whole trajectory of educating folks and helping make sure justice-involved folks know their right to vote.”

It didn’t surprise Jennings in the slightest that so many inmates showed up wanting to receive a ballot.

“ ere are two ballot initiatives (Proposition 128 and Amendment I) that directly impact the criminal justice system,” he said. “So making sure they have access to the ballot and having their voices heard really matters to them.”

To Jennings, this is deeply personal.

“Je co is my home. Colorado is my home. And making sure people have their voices heard in their communities is my life’s work now,” he said.

While it’s too early to know how many Colorado inmates will vote this year, Gonzalez said the numbers in Je co have already exceeded any prior year by the hundreds, if not thousands.

A message from behind bars

Having nally expressed his right to vote,

Rodriguez challenged those on the outside to do the same.

“If I can go through a whole process of leaving from where I’m at through a controlled movement to get there, and you don’t have to do that, and you have the free will to vote, then do it,” he said.

“ e most positive thing I’m going to take from this whole experience is knowing that I didn’t allow another person in my shoes to tell me, ‘Oh, you can’t vote because you’ve got so and so situation going on.’ I took the chance to come and nd out myself,” he continued.

Mostly, Rodriguez felt pride.

“I came to vote today because even if my one vote doesn’t matter, it still matters to me. ere were a couple of issues in these votes that I felt strongly about. No one may ever know what I voted for, but for me to know that I placed my opinion on the matter makes me feel like my voice has meaning now.”

Asked whether he’ll vote again, Rodriguez’s answer was simple.

“Absolutely.”

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CORRECTIONS

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

Ballots were placed in a secure drop box monitored by election workers.

PHOTOS BY SUZIE GLASSMAN

Inmates exercise their right to vote in a temporary polling room inside the Je co Detention Center.

Bandimeres eye Hudson site for new raceway

Weld County property would allow for longer track and other amenities

BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Bandimere Speedway is pursuing a move to Hudson, with its eyes on a piece of land more than seven times bigger than its longtime Morrison site. Hudson is a town of about 1,600 people in Weld County. e prospective 1,100-acre site would allow the development of a mile-long track and many other amenities.

“ e size of the property has made it so we can look at a lot of things we’ve always wanted to do,” John Bandimere Jr. said. “ ere are opportunities for a lot of our sponsors and other people to do things they’ve always wanted to do, too. One simple deal is we de nitely would like to have a go-cart track.”

Morrison’s now-closed Bandimere Speedway had a three-quarter mile track, which Bandimere said is too short for today’s cars.

“ at extra space gives you a quarter mile to race and three-quarters to shut down,” he said. “When I was growing up, there wasn’t anybody that went 200 mph in a quarter mile. Vehicles are so fast today, they just need that extra space for stopping.”

But all those plans are on hold while Bandimere is in due diligence, the process of inspecting the property before closing. Bandimere said there is an issue with a wetland that he described as “ xable.”

Bandimere Speedway is a family-run operation, and Bandimere said they’re excited about the potential move and expansion.

“We really like Hudson and all the people up there,” Bandimere said. “ ey’re very open to dealing with us and are very interested in what we do.”

If all goes smoothly, Bandimere hopes to have the new speedway at least partially open in 2025, with full operations by 2026.

A partial opening “would not make money,” he said. “But that’s not the point,” he said. “It’s

about keeping this racing family together.”

Global auto company Copart plans a vehicle auction center on most of the former speedway site at Morrison Road and C-470.

e town of Morrison agreed to annex the 125-acre site in August in a deal that includes the transfer of 16 acres to the town. at gives Morrison control over future retail or commercial development at its front door.

Copart and Bandimere agreed on that deal, Bandimere said, and shared the expense of giving Morrison the land.

“It was very important we got that done,” Bandimere said.

Bandimere Jr., who is 86, said his son John “Sporty” Bandimere, had been managing operations in Morrison and will do so at the new site.

John Bandimere Sr. bought the 150-acre property on Morrison Road in 1957 — decades before C470 was built — and opened the speedway a year later. Also known as under Mountain, the dragstrip hosted 28,500 spectators at more than 130 events a year. Bandimere Speedway closed at the end of the 2023 season.

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The site of the former Bandimere Speedway, which closed last year, was annexed into the Town of Morrison and is set to become the new home of an auto auction company.

It was the summer of 2015 when the Animas River in southern Colorado turned such a garish orange-gold that it made national news.

e metallic color came from the Gold King Mine, near the town of Silverton in the San Juan Range. e abandoned mine had been plugged by an earthen and rock dam known as a bulkhead, behind which orange, highly acidic drainage water accumulated. But after a federal Environmental Protection Agency employee breached the plug during an unauthorized excavation, 3.5 million gallons of acid runo rushed downstream over three weeks.

e worker and the EPA came in for a slew of outrage and blame. Alarmed Tribal Nations and towns halted drinking water and irrigation operations; tourists ed the region during the height of tourist season.

But here’s the surprising opinion of Ty Churchwell, the mining coordinator for Trout Unlimited: “Looking back, this can be taken as a positive thing because of what happened afterward.” He sits on a community advisory group for the Bonita Peak Mining District, a Superfund site that contains the Gold King mine.

“We’ve got federal Superfund designation, and it’s the only tool at our disposal to x this problem,” he said. e “problem” is unregulated hard-rock mining that began 160 years ago.

“I know this isn’t conventional wisdom,” Churchwell said, “but no sh were killed in Durango (30 miles downstream) because of the spill. It was ugly and shocking, but a lot of that orange was rust, and the acidic water was diluted by the time it hit Durango and downstream.”

EPA’s website points out that over 5.4 million gallons of acid mine runo enters the Animas River daily.

e way Churchwell tells it, water quality and numbers of sh had been declining in the Upper Animas River since the early 2000s. at’s when the last mining

IVOICES

Acidic mine drainage haunts Western rivers

WRITERS ON THE RANGE

operation ended and closed its water treatment plant.

n response to the recent editorial from Chuck Newby crying foul with his opposition to the uni cation of the Elk Creek, Inter-Canyon and North Fork Fire Protection Districts, I would like to clarify several points that he has misrepresented and blatantly ignored.

First, the claim that the uni cation is a mere rebranding of the failed consolidation plan overlooks the critical context in which these discussions are taking place. e decision to pursue uni cation stems from an ongoing assessment of the re districts’ operational e ciencies and service delivery capabilities, not from a desire to circumvent the voters’ wishes. e re chiefs are acting in the best interests of the entire community, aiming to enhance service levels and ensure sustainability. After the questions, comments and concerns that were vocalized on all sides during the election process in November of 2024, and residents’ highest priorities based on feedback obtained during the Strategic Plan process, the Fire Chiefs recognized the need for more clari cation and modi cation of both short term and long term goals.

While the editorial suggests that the uni cation diminishes service levels,

Six months after the news-making spill almost a decade ago, EPA geared up to make sure untreated mine waste would not head for the river again.

Reid Christopher, a 62-year-old former electrician and mountain guide, became the Gold King Mine’s restoration whiz, taking over an old wastewater treatment plant in the area in 2019. Now, he said, only treated water leaves the 11,439-foot elevation mine.

is July, Christopher took me on a tour of the wastewater plant. In a nutshell, cleanup begins when the constantly owing wastewater gets shuttled into settling ponds.

Christopher then pumps hydrated lime into the water, boosting its pH to 9.25. e high pH unlocks the heavy metals from suspension, and an added occulant causes the heavy metals to clump together inside football eld-sized textile ltration bags.

Clear—surprisingly clean—water streams from the bags into Cement Creek, Christopher said, and the process is so e ective he said he’d like to treat the drainage from other major mineshafts in Bonita Peak.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency remains gun-shy about talking to the press. It was deluged with bad publicity following the 2015 blowout, though as Churchwell points out, “it wasn’t the EPA that mined the San Juan Mountains and left their mess behind.”

e messes from abandoned mines, at Gold King and around the entire West, have never received much attention from Congress. Until the Biden administration passed the In ation Reduction Act, the EPA depended on annual appropriations.

at meant for almost four decades, the agency never got enough money to thoroughly clean up the heavy-metal mine waste owing out of hard rock mines like Gold King.

And because the mess was buried deep in the mountains at elevations from 10,500 feet to over 12,500 feet, the agency couldn’t compete for federal dollars until it grabbed all the environmental disaster headlines of summer 2015.

Even now, said Churchill, and despite available funding, “ e EPA has 48 mineimpacted locations in the Upper Animas River and only so many dollars to work with. ey have to get the most bang for their buck.”

Commercial use of metals in the sludge

might possibly make some money for the EPA. e Colorado School of Mines has taken water samples to see what—if anything—can be retrieved from the mine waste. But even if mine sludge is worthless, cleaning acidic water at the top of the watershed is worthwhile for every living thing downstream.

For now, Christopher is always looking to hire locals for dirt work and hauling. He said the jobs could last a lifetime.

Dave Marston is publisher of Writers on the Range, Writersontherange.org, the independent nonpro t dedicated to spurring lively debate about Western issues. He lives in Durango.

Clarifying several points about fire district unification

this assertion lacks any factual basis, let alone evidence. e combined resources and expertise of the three districts will improve emergency response times and service availability. By pooling resources, we can ensure that all residents bene t from a more robust and comprehensive re ghting and emergency medical service.

e argument that uni cation will impose an unreasonable debt burden is equally unfounded. e drum Mr. Newby has been banging hangs on the premise that North Fork will certify the 2025 ballot at the 2024 levels. is is simply a refusal by Mr. Newby to hear what is being said, let alone read what is being presented. At this time the plan is for North Fork to certify at 12.00 mils. Conifer residents will see their current re district presented on their 2025 tax bill. It is not until 2026 that a change will be made to any tax bill. Had Mr. Newby acted in the best interests of all of Elk Creek Fire residents at the ECFPD board meeting on

Oct. 24, he would have learned this and been able to ask his questions of the attorney. Instead, he refused to participate in the executive session.

e restructuring allows for more e ective budgeting and resource allocation. Rather than a costly burden, uni cation presents an opportunity for nancial efciency. e economies of scale achieved through this merger can lead to reduced costs per taxpayer in the long run.

e re service landscape is evolving rapidly, and we must continue to prepare for increased demands. Predicting future needs based solely on historical data ignores emerging trends and the necessity of proactive planning to do anything less is simply irresponsible.

e assertion that three lawyers, three legal o ces, three chiefs, assorted sta and a host of board members would risk their reputation, career, license, or livelihood to make the uni cation a reality is just foolish on Mr. Newby’s part. e claims of unconstitutional and unlawful actions are speculative and unfounded.

e processes outlined in the Colorado Title 32 Special District Act are established for a reason—to allow for necessary adjustments in governance and ser-

vice delivery as community needs evolve. Engaging in this legal framework is not only lawful but also essential for maintaining the integrity of our re protection services.

Mr. Newby cries foul and claims he is not being heard. If you have attended any meeting of Elk Creek Fire recently, you know this is simply untrue. While dissenting voices are vital in any democratic process, it is crucial to recognize the broader context of this uni cation. We must not allow fear of change to overshadow the potential bene ts. I urge residents to remain open to the possibilities that unication presents, engaging in constructive dialogue rather than fear-based opposition. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient re service for our community.

Dominique Devaney is a native Coloradoan and has lived in and around the Conifer area her entire life. Devaney works for various Special Districts across the front range and was elected in 2024 to the Elk Creek Fire Protection District Board of Directors. As a resident of ECFPD and spouse to a volunteer re ghter with over 40 years in service, she is fully in support of the uni cation of the three re districts.

Dave Marston

The abandoned mine had been plugged by an earthen and rock dam known as a bulkhead, behind which orange, highly acidic drainage water accumulated. COURTESY PHOTO

COMMUNITY VOICES

Dominique Devaney

BY STAVROS KORONEOS

deputies didn’t.

Tianan-man

Island madness

PINE JUNCTION – Cartwright and McCain have been at odds regarding property lines for a long time, which isn’t entirely surprising since Cartwright “owns all the land surrounding” McCain’s small spread. Spying a wagon parked on his property on the morning of Sep. 1, Cartwright moseyed across the street to remind McCain of the recent survey he’d commissioned and the limits of his forbearance. According to Cartwright, instead of answering his cordial hail civilly and faceto-face, McCain came out onto his deck and rained abuse and contempt down upon Cartwright’s friendly upturned faced. McCain also demanded that Cartwright “get o my property,” which puzzled Cartwright, whose boots were planted rmly on county pavement. When McCain threatened to “get my gun and remove you,” Cartwright called in sheri ’s deputies. After getting Cartwright’s read on the ruckus, o cers talked to McCain, who said that it was Cartwright who’d come over breathing re, and that the nasty had been ying in both directions. McCain also admitted “letting my anger get the better of me” and making reference to his gun, but said Cartwright had refused to get o of that portion of the public road that runs across his private property, which he considered his own. Deputies advised McCain that county roads belong to the county no matter whose land they cross, and that bringing up rearms during “confrontational situations” is never a good idea. O cers told both men to stay out of each other’s yards and continue their dispute, if continue it they must, through civil channels.

SOUTH JEFFCO – Son said Mother ran over his bare foot. Examining Son’s bare foot, deputies noted it displayed scrapes and black marks consistent with being run over by Mother. Pressed for details, Son explained that Mother doesn’t have a valid driver’s license, which didn’t stop her from trying to drive herself to the airport. As soon as Mother got behind the wheel, Son had stationed himself in the vehicle’s path and told her that if she tried to leave she would surely run him over. Mother threw the car into reverse and tried to leave, running over Son’s bare foot. In pain, but determined, Son told Mother she just ran over his bare foot and then immediately placed the impacted extremity behind the tire again, wagering that she wouldn’t be so heartless as to do it twice. He lost the bet, because Mother de antly compressed his piggies a second time before coolly turning o the engine and marching into the house. Son called JCSO, telling deputies that he didn’t want to press assault charges, but he did want o cers to impress upon Mother the “seriousness of the situation.” Since Mother’s account of the incident differed from Son’s in several key aspects, and since Son steadfastly declined any medical attention, the case went at.

Figuratively speaking

PINE – Summoned to a disturbance on the night of Sep. 5, deputies rst spoke to Brick, who told them he’d been involved in a “shouting match” with his neighbor, Steel, whom he’d overheard telling his beloved, Chi on, “let me out of the house so I can kick (Brick’s) (aft)!” Brick said he and Steel have been butting heads for a while, but it was no big thang. usly informed, o cers turned their attention to Chi on, who said she’d summoned them because Brick had been “throwing rocks and bottles” at her and Steel’s residence. Not nding any rocks and bottles on the property, or any reason to further investigate the squabble,

Hammer time

EL RANCHO – ‘Twere the small hours of Sep. 6 when she was jarred from sound slumber by a “loud bang.” Since there was no subsequent ruckus, she turned over and went back to sleep. e next morning, however, she discovered one of her sturdy doublepaned windows shattered. As she described it to JCSO deputies, a large “crescent-shaped” hole in the outer pane suggested the use of a hammer, which put her in mind of an “unknown woman” who has in the past been given to “banging on my windows” and seemed like a reasonably good suspect. Deputies agreed, but without identifying information on the window-banging woman they could only table the case pending fresh evidence.

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.

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OBITUARIES

Mary Simonich

October 24, 2024

October 24, 2024, with loved ones beside her.

Mary was born on August 11, 1946, in South Dakota to her parents Hiram and Sigrid Ryan.

Mary was an army brat and grew up on various posts in the US and Europe. She graduated from Augustana College and worked for many years as a paralegal at several Denver law rms.

Mary loved volunteering for various organizations such as the Channel Six Auction, the American Association of University Women, Evergreen Christian Outreach, and the Boy Scouts of America (den mother and council member). Mary had a love for travel, and enjoyed meeting new people. She always considered a stranger a friend she had not yet met. She had a passion for poetry and art, especially

• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for o ce. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 12 days of an election.

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

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

water color, and was an active poet

Survived by her husband Ronald Simonich of Evergreen CO, two sons Eric Simonich, Anchorage, AK and omas Simonich, Evergreen, CO, daughter-in-law Beth Simonich, Anchorage, AK, and only grandchild Lilly Simonich, Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO.

Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 County Hwy 73, Evergreen, CO 80439.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Doctors without Borders

https://events.doctorswithoutborders.org/ campaign/Mary-Simonich-Memorial-Fund

Je co’s power couple: Married principals lead with heart and community spirit

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In honor of National Principals Month, the Je erson County school district is celebrating a unique pair of school leaders who share not only a passion for education but also a home. Amanda and John anos, the district’s only married principals, each lead a di erent school with their own distinctive style and dedication.

Amanda heads Westridge Elementary, while John leads Chat eld Senior High. Both are part of Je co Public Schools, yet each has its own rhythm and challenges.

“It’s been great to be married to another person who shares the same passion for education,” Amanda said. “A lot of our values overlap with our family too, like resilience, toughness, positivity and wanting our kids at home and our kids at school to thrive and be adaptable and have some happy memories along the way.”

e pair met as teachers while working in a school serving third through eighth grade. John, who had just moved to the county from Indiana, found himself smitten after Amanda o ered him a ride to lunch during a professional development session held right before school started. Since then, their careers have mirrored each other, as they both knew early on that they were interested in school leadership.

eir youngest daughter took her rst steps at Je co stadium during a Chat eld High School football game.

“It’s a blessing,” John said. “ ey have so many people looking out for them, just like we try to do for every student.”

Celebrating the impact of principals

National Principals Month, which was celebrated each October, aims to highlight the importance of principals in shaping their communities and providing successful pathways for their students and sta .

Research shows that e ective principals profoundly impact the schools they lead, accounting for about 25% of total school e ects on student achievement.

It’s clear the anos family takes this evidence by heart.

“We are setting/role modeling a culture of belonging and love, where there is space for everyone, not only in our schools but our community,” said John.

“We are humbled to be able to do such powerful, impactful work.”

e two became assistant principals around the same time and took the state principal license test on the same day in the same room. Hinting at their competitiveness, Amanda teased John that she nished faster, but they got the same score in the end.

A few months after Amanda became

Westridge’s principal, John became interim principal at Chat eld High School.

For both, the best part of having a spouse serve in the same role is empathy and understanding.

“At critical moments, we can sit down and empathize with each other. We can support each other and say, ‘Hey, we recognize that this is really hard, but also, this is really worth celebrating,’” John said.

Amanda agreed and added that as busy

parents of two young children, it’s great to have a shared lexicon and experience.

“In this phase of life, that’s been pretty great, but in the big picture, it’s just having that shared passion,” she said. Evenings can be a whirlwind, but the couple is dedicated to blending family and school life. eir two young children often tag along to football games and carnivals, becoming part of both school communities.

Amanda echoed her husband’s sentiment saying, “My passion behind my job from recognizing that everyone has a di erent story that they come to school with, and that can be positive or negative. e human experience is probably somewhere in between, and I just want school to be a happy place that prepares kids for their version of happy down the road.” Amanda acknowledges that it’s a job that never stops, so she tells other school leaders, “Don’t forget to have fun. Like I said, we want to create happy memories along the way, and principals can empower others to do that.”

John and Amanda Thanos are “driven to be better together” as principals in the Je co school district.

PHOTO BY SUZIE GLASSMAN

eld have just was highin providstudents principals lead, school this culthere our John. such sentimy has school negative. someschool for job school I memories em-

FRIENDLY LOCAL GAME STORES

3 board game cafes to check out around the Denver Metro Area

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In an era where video games, social media and online chatting have come to the forefront of many gaming circles, a handful of local shops are providing board game enthusiasts with venues to experience a sense of community, new games, campaigns and eats.

For many in the tabletop gaming world, giving folks a place to come together is of the utmost importance. Jessica Willman, the owner of Do Gooder Games in ornton, said that in the modern age, that meeting space has become even more important than ever before.

“In this modern age of technology, it is easy to nd people who share similar interests with you, but they might be in a di erent city, state or even country,” Willman said. “I think it’s very easy to start feeling like you are in the wrong spot and start to feel very isolated. FLGS or Friendly Local Game Stores, are a place to remind you that is not true”

Willman notes that there is a game for everyone — quilt-making enthusiasts can connect around Patchwork, foodies can play Charcuterie, robotics lovers can duke it out in Battletech, basketball lovers in Crunch Time — and FLGS can serve as an important reminder that everyone’s favorite niche interest is also something to connect with others around. For many shopkeepers, creating an inclusive space is step one of owning a board game café.

Elysium Café and Games Owner Chris Martinez said that having a welcoming space for everyone is of

paramount importance, while still recognizing that speci c cafes can cater to speci c groups of gamers — Elysium has a large population of Dungeons and Dragons players, for example.

“Elysium is all about being a community center to all the nerds that have in the past been on the fringes as far as hobbyists go,” Martinez said. “For instance, we have a large group of Dungeons and Dragons players. We provide a welcoming way for folks to come and connect with other players that may have never met.

“Younger kids have a safe place to play as well,” Martinez continued. “It is common to hear someone ask, ‘What is your nerd?’ around here. Inclusivity is our meat and potatoes.”

Willman said that inclusivity extends to people from all walks of life.

“ e FLGS is a place to remind you that the thing you are passionate about is loved by millions, so much so that they made a game out of it; and the people who love it aren’t in some far-o land, they are in your neighborhood,” Willman said. “ ey are waiting at a table for you to come share all the random, zany and even seemingly mundane things that you are passionate about.

“ at’s the amazing thing about FLGS, your age, race, sex, religion, socio-economic state doesn’t matter at the gaming table,” Willman continued. “It’s just people wanting to have fun and play a game.

at’s why the motto of our store is ‘Gaming For All.’”

With that, here are three local board game cafes around the Denver Metro Area that are certainly worth checking out.

Elysium Café and Games — Lakewood

10800 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, CO 80226 | (720)519-0131 |elysium.games

Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through ursday; 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

What was the impetus behind starting a board game café?

Martinez: e original trio were friends that used to play games together. One was mostly an investor that already was running a successful business, one had years of experience with game shops and the community, and the last one had a ton of experience running kitchens and cafes.

What is the story behind the name of the café?

Martinez: e name came from one of the owners and his Greek background. After tossing around ideas the name stuck as it checked all the boxes for theme and menu that they were looking for.

What makes Elysium unique?

Martinez: We provide a large area to meet with friends. We have a cafe that provides food and drinks so everyone can connect and enjoy their games. We have an extensive rental game library in case someone wants to try something out before they buy. All that said, the most unique part of Elysium is what we bring to the community.  It is a community center at its heart that caters to what most of us nerds have been missing, connection with other nerds. ere are other game stores that have larger inventories or even more hosted events. Elysium focuses on the community.

GAME STORES

What are your favorite parts of running a board game café?

Martinez: e community. I love chatting with everyone about what type of games they are into. My team and I have dabbled in most games and are experts in a large number.

Do you accept reservations?

Martinez: Yes! We do not charge for tables/space, per se. We o er open and closed events. Open events are open to the public and anyone can join. Closed events are like birthdays or special occasions for friends and family. If a third-party event organizer wants to use Elysium’s space for a paid event, we do charge a small fee from the organizer.

Thane’s Table — Arvada

7655 W. 88th Ave., Arvada, CO 80005 | (720)-3814200 |thanestable.com

Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through ursday; 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

What is the story behind the name of the café?

Shop owner Abhi ane: “ ane” in Anglo-Saxon England was a title awarded by noblemen, giving someone ranking between a common free person and a hereditary noble.

Given that we also serve the Dungeons & Dragons community, ane’s Table was a catchy, be tting and

What makes ane’s Table unique?

noble ctional name for a town tavern where patrons can play games with their friends and loved ones, purchase local handmade crafts, and join community groups, with the tavern’s purpose being to provide a welcoming space for all its patrons.

ane: ane’s Table o ers two private gaming rooms with custom tables for dungeons and dragons or any tabletop gaming, with the ability to order food and drinks directly from the rooms. All our main area gaming tables are handmade as well and o er pull-out trays to hold food and beverages keeping the tabletop free for gaming.

What are your favorite parts of running a board game café?

ane: As we get close to celebrating our two-year anniversary, we can admit that starting a niche small business like a gaming restaurant has been a challenge overall. And all thanks to our amazing team, we continue to learn to operate e ciently.

Our favorite part is serving the gaming community that has been nothing but kind, patient and supportive in our journey this entire time.

Do you accept reservations?

ane: Yes, we o er online and in-person reservations.

Do Gooder Games Café — Thornton 16639 Washington St., ornton, CO 80023 | (720)432-4155 |dogoodergames.com

Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through ursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; Closed Monday

What was the impetus behind starting a board game café?

Willman: It was an idea that my partner and I had tried about 15 years ago, but decided to not go through with it. After COVID, we decided to actually make it happen.

What is the story behind the name of the café?

Willman: It actually was the idea of a friend of mine. We were throwing around ideas for names and he suggested that we use “Do Gooder.” We absolutely loved it, because not only is it a gaming reference, but it also really sums up what we wanted to do with our store.

What makes Do Gooder Games Café unique?

Willman: ere are a lot of great game stores around Denver, but it can be very intimidating to go into a new store and try to learn a new game, especially if you have two young children with you. I wanted to create a space where you could go and play any type of game, no matter if you are just learning or have been playing for years.

I also wanted to make a place where you could bring your whole family and have a good time.

What is the importance of serving food at Do Gooder Games Café?

Willman: As far as the cafe side goes, I have always loved doing full game days but frequently ran into the problem of what to do when it is time to eat. When playing at a store and you’re in the middle of a game, does someone have to leave to go get food for everyone, or does someone have to stay behind to watch the game and keep the table while everyone else goes and gets food.

Frequently I noticed that we would end up just ending the game so everyone could go get food. I wanted to have a space where it was possible to game all day and be able to get some actual food and drinks without having to leave.

A gaming table at Thane’s Table. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ABHI THANE

Butter beer o ered at Thane’s Table in Arvada.

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.

UPCOMING

Laughs on the Lake - Comedy Night: 7 p.m. Nov. 15, Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen. Tickets: evergreenrecreation.com

Evergreen High School’s “The Curious Savage” theater production: 6 p.m. Nov. 7, 8 & 9, 1 p.m. Nov. 9. Heartwarming comedy and fundraiser for Resilience1220. Tickets: evergreenhstheatre.ticketleap.com

Evergreen monthly Chamber mixer: 5 p.m. Nov. 14, Wild Rabbit Boutique, 28265 CO-74, Evergreen.

Evergreen Chorale Celestial Works: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, Rockland Community Church, 17 S. Mt. Vernon Country Club Road, Golden; 4:30 p.m. Nov. 17, Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd. Featuring space photography by Ross Campbell. Tickets: $22-$32 at ovationwest.org or the door.

Evergreen Newcomers and Neighbors Happy Hour: 4 p.m. Nov. 19, Pho Evergreen, 1193 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. evergreennewcomers.com

Affordable housing crisis workshop: 7 p.m. Nov. 20, Congregation Beth Evergreen, 2981 Bergen Peak Dr. Evergreen. Panelists include Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper; Kristine Disney with the Jeffco Advocacy Network; and Savinay Nathan of Colorado Gives Foundation. Free.

Conifer Area Council: 7 p.m. Nov. 20, West Jefferson Middle School, 9449 Barnes Ave, Conifer. Future CAC meetings set for Feb. 19 & April 16.

Evergreen Christian Outreach 5K Turkey Trot: 8 a.m. Nov. 28, 27888 Meadow Drive. Evergreen. evergreenchristianoutreach.org.

Frostival: 2-6 p.m. Dec. 1, Buchanan Park ball fields, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. Local merchants, petting zoo, face painting, photos with Santa, tree lighting ceremony. evergreenrecreation.com

EPRD Senior Excursion Shop til You Drop @ Colorado Mills: 11:15 a.m. Dec. 2.Register by Nov. 18. Departs from Buchanan Park Recreation Center and Rocky Mountain Village Estates. Register at evergreenrecreation.com.

Christmas in Conifer: 10:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Live music, Christmas parade, ‘80s costume contest. goconifer.com

Pathways to Coexistence: Safeguarding Wildlife in an Era of Expanding Roads: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5,

Evergreen Fire/Rescue, 1802 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen. Featuring speakers Ben Goldfarb and Julia Kintsch. Register at https://pathways-to-coexistence.cheddarup.com.

32nd annual Holiday Walk: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6, downtown Evergreen. Traditional holiday tree lighting at Evergreen Lake House with Santa and Mrs. Claus, photos with Santa, live performances by local music & dance groups downtown. Fire pits, s’mores, shopping, seasonal goodies. downtownevergreen.com

Evergreen Chamber’s Santa Breakfast: 9:30-11 a.m. Nov. 30 at Hiwan Golf Club, Dec. 7 at Lariat Lodge, Dec. 14 at the Woodcellar & Dec. 21 at Wild Game. Breakfast, meeting and photos with Santa. Tickets on sale Nov. 1 at evergreenchamber.org.

EPRD senior excursion Breckenridge snowcat ride: 10 a.m. Dec. 6. Departing from Buchanan Park Recreation Center and Rocky Mountain Village Estates. Register at evergreenrecreation.com

Hiwan Museum holiday open house: 4-6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Entertainment, light refreshments, guided house tours . 28473 Meadow Drive, Evergreen. Sponsored by the Evergreen Mountain Area Historical Society.

EPRD senior excursion Christkindl Market: 4 p.m. Dec 13. Departing from Buchanan Park Recreation Center and Rocky Mountain Village

Estates. Register by Nov. 29. evergreenrecreation.com.

Pet Pictures with Santa: Noon-2 p.m. Dec. 14 at Aspen Park Vet Hospital, 25871 Duran Ave, Conifer, & 12-3 p.m. Dec. 15, Saturday, 12-2pm at The ResqRanch, 25871 Duran Ave, Conifer. RSVP 303-838-3771 or Help@AspenParkVet.com

ONGOING

Evergreen Sustainability Alliance is participating in Colorado Gives Day from now through December 10th. Donate today at www.coloradogives.org/organization/evergreensustainabilityalliance.

Soldier Bags Project 2024: Tallgrass Spa accepting travel-sized toiletries and other donations at The Wild Game, 1204 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen, for annual veterans backpack project. Information at tallgrassspa. com

Conifer Chamber of Commerce member meeting: 7:15 a.m. second Friday each month, Our Lady of Pines Catholic Church, 9444 Eagle Cliff Road, Conifer. $12 members, $18 non-members.

Evergreen Nature Center Monthly Family Program: 11 a.m. to noon, every last Saturday, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. Monthly topics could include native wildflowers and seed bombs, dissecting owl pellets, live animal encounters, and more. everSEE HAPPENINGS, P17

HAPPENINGS

greenaudubon.org

The American Legion Evergreen Post 2001: Meets every fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m., Evergreen Church of the Transfiguration, 27640 Highway 74, Evergreen. Serving all military veterans in the foothills communities. Email evergreenpost2001@gmail.com

Evergreen Nature Center monthly family program: 11 a.m. every last Saturday. Free & no registration required. Monthly topics could include native wildflowers and seed bombs, dissecting owl pellets, live animal encounters, and more! Evergreen Nature Center, 27640 Hwy 74. More info: evergreenaudubon.org.

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

Evergreen Area Republican Club: The Evergreen Area Republican Club meets at 6 p.m. the first 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

BERGEN PARK CHURCH

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 post-holiday volunteers: To help with our holiday tree and block styrofoam recycling event Jan. 4 and Jan 11. Collecting trees and block styrofoam to keep them out of the landfill and support ESA. Contact Wendy at 720-536-0069 or email info@sustainevergreen.org.

Evergreen Sustainability Alliance’s “Let’s Embrace Zero Food Waste” program needs volunteers: Program in local schools and food banks. Volunteers needed for a couple hours. Call 720-536-0069 or email info@sustainevergreen.org for more information.

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

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

Blue Spruce Habitat volunteers needed: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers. A variety of opportunities and flexible sched -

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

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

ESA EverGREEN Refill Station: EverGREEN Refill Station (refill your laundry detergent, lotions, soaps and more. We have many sustainable products available). The Refill 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. This group meets every fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 office. 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 offers 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 first Friday of the month from 1-3 p.m. at Evergreen Christian Church, 27772 Iris Drive, Evergreen. For more information, email esears@ parkinsonrockies.org.

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

Beyond the Rainbow: Resilience1220 offers 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.

WORSHIP DIRECTORY

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

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH SERVICES

28244 Harebell Lane

Sunday Service & Sunday School: 10 a.m.

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

Visit: www.christianscienceevergreen.com for more information and ZOOM link

Reading Room: 4602 Plettner Lane 303-674-5296

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

CHURCH OF THE HILLS PRESBYTERIAN (USA)

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

Reverend Richard Aylor

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

CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION EPISCOPAL

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

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

CONGREGATION BETH EVERGREEN (SYNAGOGUE)

Reconstructionist Synagogue

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

DEER PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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

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

All are welcome to our open/inclusive congregation!

EVERGREEN LUTHERAN CHURCH 5980 Highway 73 + 303-674-4654

Rev. Terry Schjang

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

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH – EPC 1036 El Rancho Rd, Evergreen – (303) 526-9287 www.lomcc.org – o ce@lomcc.org

Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m., with communion every Sunday “Real Church In An UnReal World”

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

PLATTE CANYON COMMUNITY CHURCH

Located: 4954 County Road 64 in Bailey.

O ce hours MWF 8am-1pm 303-838-4409, Worship & Children’s Church at 10am

Small group studies for all ages at 9am

Transitional Pastor: Mark Chadwick

Youth Pastor: Jay Vonesh

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

ROCKLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH

“Connecting all generations to Jesus”

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

SHEPHERD OF THE ROCKIES LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod. 106 Rosalie Road, Bailey, CO 303-838-2161 Pastor 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

BY MARC VARGAS

...be

TRIVIA

1. MOVIES: What was the name of the tournament in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”?

2. GEOGRAPHY: What was the name of the train service that started in 1883 between Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul)?

3. LITERATURE: Who did the pigs represent in the allegorical novel “Animal Farm”?

4. ART: Which European city houses the Reina So a museum?

5. TELEVISION: What is the product that Don Draper makes an ad for in the nal episode of “Mad Men”?

6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of unicorns called?

7. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which presidential retreat is o cially named the “Naval Support Facility urmont”?

8. MUSIC: Which composer is featured in the lm “Immortal Beloved”?

9. HISTORY: e Great Wall of China was mostly built by which

dynasty?

10. FOOD & DRINK: What kind of fruit is also known as the Chinese gooseberry?

Answers

1. e Triwizard Tournament.

2. e Orient Express.

3. e ruling class.

4. Madrid, Spain.

5. Coke.

6. A blessing.

7. Camp David, Maryland.

8. Ludwig van Beethoven.

9. Ming Dynasty.

10. Kiwi.

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

FLASHBACK

1. Name the R&B group who had a hit with “Just to Be Close to You.”

2. Which artist released “I’m Sorry”?

3. Name the duo that released “Yesterday Once More.”

4. Which group released “Surf’s Up,” “Surf Jam” and “Sur n’ Safari”?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Stronger than any mountain cathedral, Truer than any tree ever grew, Deeper than any forest primeval, I am in love with you.”

Answers 1. e Commodores, in 1976. Songwriter Lionel Richie was lead singer until he left the group in 1982. Over the years, Richie has won four Grammys.

2. Brenda Lee, in 1960, at age 15. A singer from the age of 3 when she was known as “Little Miss Dynamite,” Lee was often the sole nancial support for her family while still a child. 3. e Carpenters, in 1973. It was co-written by Richard Carpenter.

4. e Beach Boys, a band formed in 1961. ey were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

5. “Longer,” by Dan Fogelberg, in 1979. e song was Fogelberg’s highest charting song, reaching No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary and Cash Box charts, but only reaching No. 2 on the Hot 100.

(c) 2024 King Features Syndicate

Kraemer North America

CITY OF IDAHO SPRINGS ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK

The Administrative Clerk serves as the primary customer service representative at City Hall and performs a variety of basic bookkeeping and office duties related to areas such as utility billing, personnel timekeeping, accounts payable, cash receipting, accounts receivable, and clerical support to City staff as assigned. This position is part of the administrative support team and interacts with City departments and external stakeholders to assist the public as they access services. High School Diploma or GED required. Knowledge of and experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Caselle financial software. General bookkeeping skills. Full-time, non-exempt position with comprehensive benefits. Hiring Range $19.84-$23.75/hr. DOQ. To apply, email a cover letter, resume and completed City employment application to City Administrator Andrew Marsh at admin@idahospringsco.com by November 25, 2024. An employment application and additional information may be found on the City website at www.idahospringsco.com. The City of Idaho Springs is an equal opportunity employer.

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Attention oxygen therapy users! Discover oxygen therapy that moves with you with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Free information kit. 1-866-4779045

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

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Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855417-1306

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Miscellaneous

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

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

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Please support these amazing local businesses

Miscellaneous

Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable pricesNo payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-5439189

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 12/29/24.) Call 1-844-501-3208

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

We buy houses for cash as is! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer & get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-844-877-5833

MARKETPLACE SERVICE DIRECTORY

Miscellaneous

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

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

Water damage cleanup:

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

Pets

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

Wanted

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800245-0398

The

1962, formerly contained sand filters, piping, and pumps for the original water treatment plant. The filters and associated equipment are no longer used and will be demolished and removed from the building. The remaining space will be converted into offices for the Water Department staff. The chemical building, also built in 1962, will be remodeled to accommodate storage for chemicals used in the water treatment process. The chemical feed systems will be modified and upgraded for added safety and redundancy.

The combined filter effluent piping will be replumbed to improve plant efficiency, reduce wear on equipment, and provide a sampling point to meet State and EPA regulations.

The estimated cost for this project is $4.4 million. Evergreen Metropolitan District is seeking a loan from the State Revolving Fund to reduce the financial burden on the District and its customers. Construction on the project is expected to start in 2026 and conclude in 2028. No

Copies of the PNA and

("District")

water rates and fees at an open public meeting to be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. These meetings will be held via Zoom (See ZOOM details below). NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that any interest party may appear at said time and place for the purpose of providing input, comments or objections to the Board regarding this matter. Information regarding the possible rate increase may be obtained from the District's Administrator at brookforestwaterdistrict@gmail.com, telephone number 800-544-9903.

ZOOM MEETING DETAILS: BFWD is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: BFWD Regular Meeting

- Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7pm

Time: December 10, 2024, 07:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/81082066509?pwd=hkFadDdoeStLCynk8saxkdidO91CHr.1

Meeting ID: 810 8206 6509

Passcode: 508886

Dial by your location • +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Dated: October 31, 2024

BROOK FOREST WATER DISTRICT

By: /s/ Tony Langowski, President

Legal Notice No. CAN 1710

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 7, 2024

Publisher: Canyon Courier

Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2024 AMENDED BUDGETS AND THE 2025 BUDGETS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that amended 2024 and proposed 2025 budgets have been submitted to Timbers Estates Metropolitan District. A copy of such proposed budgets has been filed at the offices of Pinnacle Consulting Group, Inc., 550 West Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, Colorado 80537, where the same is open for public inspection. The Board of Directors will consider the adoption of the proposed budgets of the Districts at a Regular Meeting of the Timbers Estates Metropolitan District to be held at the Gate House 26303 N Turkey Creek Rd, Evergreen, Colorado 80439 and via Zoom on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 6:30 pm. Any interested elector of the Timbers Estates Metropolitan District may inspect the proposed budgets at the offices of Pinnacle Consulting Group, Inc., 550 West Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, CO 80537, and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the budgets. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: TIMBERS ESTATES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ Andrew Kunkel, District Administrator

Legal Notice No. CAN 1649

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Canyon Courier

Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET HEARING FOR PLUM VALLEY HEIGHTS SUBDISTRICT OF THE ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed 2025 Budget has been submitted to the PLUM VALLEY HEIGHTS

SUBDISTRICT OF THE ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT. A copy of the proposed 2025 Budget has been filed in the office of the District Manager at 6222 North Roxborough Park Road, in Littleton, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the PLUM VALLEY HEIGHTS SUBDISTRICT OF THE ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT to be held on November 20, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. at 6222 North Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, Colorado and via ZOOM Meeting ID: 878 7526 3896 Password: 784798. Any interested electors of PLUM VALLEY HEIGHTS SUBDISTRICT OF THE ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to final adoption of the budget.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: PLUM VALLEY HEIGHTS SUBDISTRICT OF THE ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

By: /s/

Last Publication: November 7, 2024

Publisher: Canyon Courier

Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND AMENDMENT OF 2024 BUDGET

GREEN GABLES

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2

JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Sections 29-1-108 and 109, C.R.S., that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Green Gables Metropolitan District No. 2 (the “District”) for the ensuing year of 2025. The necessity may also arise for the amendment of the 2024 budget of the District. Copies of the proposed 2025 budget and 2024 amended budget (if appropriate) are on file in the office of the District’s Accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Pkwy., Ste. 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, where same are available for public inspection. Such proposed 2025 budget and 2024 amended budget will be considered at a regular meeting to be held on November 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. via Teams video/teleconference. Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2025 budget or the 2024 amended budget, inspect the 2025 budget and the 2024 amended budget and file or register any objections thereto.

You can attend the meeting in any of the following ways:

1.To attend via Teams Videoconference, e-mail Sandy.brandenburger@claconnect. com to obtain a link to the videoconference.

2.To attend via telephone, dial 1-720-547-5281 and enter the following additional information: Conference ID: 979 963 477 #

GREEN GABLES

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2

/s/ Stephanie Odewumi, District Manager

Legal Notice No. CAN 1718

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 7, 2024

Publisher: Canyon Courier

Public Notice

NOTICE CONCERNING PROPOSED BUDGET OF INTER-CANYON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District for the ensuing year of 2025; that a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the District at Station 3 located at 8445 S Highway 285, Morrison, Colorado, where the same is open for public inspection; and that such proposed budget will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held at Station 3 located at 8445 S Highway 285, Morrison, Colorado on November, 13, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, inspect the budget and file or register any objections thereto.

INTER-CANYON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

By:/S/Jackie White, Secretary

Legal Notice No. CAN 1715

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 7, 2024

Publisher: Canyon Courier

Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE AMENDED 2024 BUDGET

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the MOUNTAIN WEST METROPOLITAN DISTRICT (the “District”), will hold a public hearing at via teleconference on November 21st, 2024, at 11:00 AM, to consider adoption of the District’s proposed 2025 budget (the “Proposed Budget”), and, if necessary, adoption of an amendment to the 2024 budget (the “Amended Budget”). The public hearing may be joined using the following teleconference information:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89312684968?pwd=e1n5VzAJLSk3DUsbg5o0ikj4ugp7o4.1

Meeting ID: 893 1268 4968 Passcode: 548171

Call In Numbers: 1(720) 707-2699 or 1(719) 359-4580

The Proposed Budget and Amended Budget are available for inspection by the public at the offices of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111.

Any interested elector of the District may file any objections to the Proposed Budget and Amended Budget at any time prior to the

final adoption of the Proposed Budget or the Amended Budget by the Board.

The agenda for any meeting may be obtained by calling (303) 858-1800.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

MOUNTAIN WEST METROPOLITAN DISTRICT, a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado

/s/ WHITE BEAR ANKELE

TANAKA & WALDRON

Attorneys at Law

Legal Notice No. CAN 1717

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 7, 2024

Publisher: Canyon Courier Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET HEARING FOR ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed 2025 Budget has been submitted to the ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT. A copy of the proposed 2025 Budget has been filed in the office of the District Manager at 6222 North Roxborough Park Road, in Littleton, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed Budget will be considered at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT to be held on November 20, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. at 6222 North Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, Colorado and via ZOOM Meeting ID: 878 7526 3896

Password: 784798. Any interested electors of ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to final adoption of the budget.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

By: /s/ ICENOGLE SEAVER POGUE, P.C.

Legal Notice No. CAN 1720

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 7, 2024

Publisher: Canyon Courier Public Notice

KITTREDGE SANITATION & WATER DISTRICT

NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING 2025 BUDGET And NOTICE OF MEETING TO CONSIDER RATE INCREASE

NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed 2025 Budget has been submitted to the Kittredge Sanitation and Water District for the calendar year 2025; that a copy of such proposed 2025 Budget has been filed in the office of the attorney for the District at 18475 W Colfax Avenue, Suite 132-210, Golden, Colorado, 80439, where the same is open for public inspection; and that such proposed budget will be considered at the regular meeting of the Kittredge Sanitation and Water District to be held at 6:30 p.m., on December 10, 2024 at the Evergreen Metropolitan District office at 30920 Stagecoach Blvd., Evergreen, CO 80439. Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the Budget, inspect the Budget and file or register any objections thereto.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors of KITTREDGE SANITATION AND WATER DISTRICT will consider taking action to adjust its rates and fees at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. to be held at Evergreen Metropolitan District office at 30920 Stagecoach Blvd., Evergreen, CO 80439. Any interested elector within the Kittredge Sanitation and Water District may file or register comments via e-mail (nickie@nmholderbiz.com) or postal service to Kittredge Sanitation and Water District, PO Box 7, Kittredge, Colorado, 80457, at any time prior to the meeting.

Dated: October 24, 2024

KITTREDGE SANITATION & WATER DISTRICT

By: /s/ Robert Kellogg, President

Legal Notice No. CAN 1711

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 7,

the office of the District at 11993 Blackfoot Road, Conifer, Colorado 80433, where the same is open for public inspection; and that such proposed budget will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held at Station 1, 11993

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, November 20, 2024, to Redline Pipeline, LLC for all work done by said Contractor on the O-Line Replacement contract, all of said construction located near the streets of Dante Drive and Raphael Lane 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 1722

First Publication: November 7, 2024 Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Canyon Courier

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, November 20, 2024, to GSE Construction Company, Inc. for all work done by said Contractor on the Roxborough Lift Station Pump P-203 Replacement contract, all of said construction located at the Roxborough Water and Sanitation District Lift Station at 11290 Caretaker Rd., Littleton, Colorado, 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

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