Evergreen to star in holiday movie ‘Mocha
Java Groove owner Eric Martinez’s TikTok posts convinced filmmaker to feature the town in a romantic comedy
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When Java Groove owner Eric Martinez and his family moved to Evergreen, they were enchanted — by the creek, the elk, the scenery and the people. Martinez started posting about his new life on TikTok, and followers shared his enthusiasm.
“ ey said, ‘Your town, your story and your shop sounds like the plot of a Christmas Hallmark movie,’” Martinez said. “So I made a video and said, ‘Hey Hallmark, come check out my town.’ Hallmark didn’t see it. But an independent lmmaker did.”
Next month, New York lmmaker Candice “Candy” Cain will shoot the movie Martinez envisioned.
Java Groove will feature heavily in the romantic comedy, “Mocha and Mistletoe,” along with several other Evergreen businesses and sights. Cain, who wrote and will direct the production, said she was drawn to the idea by Martinez’s enthusiasm.
“It’s a beautiful place,” Cain said. “But it was more about Eric’s passion than anything else. He really loves Evergreen and is very proud of his town. I knew working with Eric, I’d be able to get those feelings and a good story from him.”
Cain is no stranger to making movies or nding a hook that connects with viewers. e owner of Gemelli Films, she’s written and directed 21 feature lms, 16 of them with a holiday theme.
“Candy Cain is my real name, so I’m kind of pigeonholed into Christmas movies,” she said. “I pride myself on being able to make really wholesome,
and Mistletoe’
Inter-Canyon Fire Board
approves two exclusions, one required for unification
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A standing-room-only crowd lled Inter-Canyon Fire’s Station 3 meeting room for two public hearings Nov. 13, one that ended with the removal of a neighborhood from its service area and a second that moves Conifer’s three re districts closer to uni cation.
e motion to exclude the district’s residents from Inter-Canyon’s boundaries — the most critical of the two — was required for uni cation with neighboring Elk Creek and North Fork re districts to move forward, and it passed 4-1. Director Jackie White voted against it, emphasizing her vote is not anti-uni cation, but the nancial details tied to it. She feels taxes that would be generated through the current proposal will fall short of what the uni ed district ultimately needs.
“I am not against uni cation,” she said. “I just want to see it be at a budget and mill levy that will allow it to be successful.”
State statute requires agencies undergoing uni cation to adopt the lowest mill levy among them. In this case, that would be North Fork’s at 12 mills.
Elk Creek’s mill levy currently stands at 12.5, and Inter-Canyon’s at about 14.6.
heartfelt movies about Christmas anywhere.”
e plot of “Mocha and Mistletoe” centers around a magical piece of mistletoe that helps people nd true love. e script also includes a secondary storyline about a corporate co ee chain that threatens to take over the small, locally-owned shop.
Martinez will not play the lead but said he has a good role as a line cook and manager in the lm’s ctitious
small-town co ee shop. Auditions are being held for several parts, with lead actors coming from outside Evergreen. And that’s just ne with Martinez.
“It’s been 20 years since I did any acting, and that was in high school,” he said. “I’m happy enough they’re doing it in my town.”
In addition to Java Groove, several other businesses and locations in and
“I think (12 mills) puts us in a position where we’ll be low on resources,” White said. “Why not put our district in a position where we are fully funded … for apparatus and sta ? I would recommend putting it on the 2025 ballot measure at 16 mills.”
A proposal to consolidate the three agencies failed in November 2023, and the Conifer districts are now instead pursuing uni cation. Fire chiefs say it’s the most logical way to cover their combined 400 square mile territory. If the proposal passes, the new agency would be
Eric Martinez, who owns Java Groove co ee shop in downtown Evergreen, posted on TikTok that the town was worthy of a Hallmark movie. An independent filmmaker who saw the post plans to shoot a holiday romantic comedy in Evergreen next month.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAVA GROOVE
known as the Conifer Fire Protection District.
Because property values have increased steeply and uni cation allegedly would cut costs through shared resources, the three re chiefs say the lower mill levy will still generate more tax revenue than in the past — enough to add six paid re ghters to Inter-Canyon’s Turkey Creek Road station, while maintaining sta at Elk Creek Fire’s Blackfoot Road station.
Board member Mary Riley said those reasons were more than enough for her to support the change.
“ is uni cation budget gives us a fully sta ed station that we don’t have and can’t a ord now,” she said. “We’d have two fully sta ed, 24/7 stations.”
Riley added uni cation would eliminate delays that now occur when the three districts ask for mutual aid.
“We don’t have the response times we need,” she said. “ e entire nation is seeing a reduction in volunteerism. We can’t continue to do this with volunteers.”
But Inter-Canyon board members said it won’t be enough to support the uni ed district long-term, and that the proposed Conifer Fire Protection District would eventually need more tax revenue.
“Is the mill going to go up?” Riley said. “You bet. But it’s not going to be this year. ere would be a temporary decrease (in Inter-Canyon and Elk Creek) until you vote in a year or two. If we take you back to (the existing mill levy) in a year, what have you lost? You’ve gained a sta ed station.
“To me, it’s the response to the community. at’s critical. at’s why we’re here.”
Board member Mike Swenson agreed. “We’ve pondered this whole process for a long time,” he said. “I think this is the best way to move forward. We’re not three trying to hold each other together. We’re one, uni ed district.”
Board approves separate exclusion request for neighborhood e board also agreed at its Nov. 13 meeting to let a neighborhood on its eastern boundary leave the Inter-Canyon district and become part of the West Metro Fire Protection District.
White Deer Valley is a neighborhood of 68 properties that abuts West Metro’s service area. Residents say the Conifer re agency’s response times to their neighborhood are delayed by the distance, and a study showed those responses would be faster under West Metro.
“ is is predominantly a community of older adults,” said attorney Gabriella Stockmayer, who represents the neighborhood. “ ey’re very concerned with medical emergency response time. We want to be clear this is in no way an indictment of Inter-Canyon. It’s a small, remote enclave, and a unique situation.
“ ere is a nominal loss in tax revenue,” Stockmayer continued. “At the same time, you will not have to expend resources to serve this remote, aging community. We think there could in the long term be savings, if not a wash.”
Inter-Canyon Fire Chief Skip Shirlaw recommended the board approve the exclusion, though the district will lose tax revenue with their departure.
“It’s a little under $170,000, or about 8% of our Inter-Canyon budget,” he said. “With uni cation, that becomes less than 1% of the Conifer Fire budget.”
Shirlaw said Inter-Canyon’s main concern is that the neighborhood has the best
coverage possible, and said he will work with West Metro during the transition. e motion to grant the exclusion passed with four “yes” votes. Director White abstained, saying she preferred the board delay a decision until the uni cation question is settled. e Elk Creek Fire board will hold its hearing on uni cation Nov. 21. eir board’s approval is needed for the e ort to move forward.
“I think we need to make decisions knowing where we’re going on uni cation,” she said. “We are talking about providing the best service possible to all the residents of our district; that could have a di erent impact to this district. ere’s a budgetary piece as well. If uni cation moves forward, I’m in favor of the exclusion of this area.”
But other board members don’t see it that way, and Shirlaw said his recommendation is the same regardless of uni cation.
“I see a community that has serious concerns, and that will pursue this beyond this evening,” Riley said. “Yes, it has a nancial impact. But I disagree that this is a game-changer for the district. I believe this district has done an outstanding job managing its nances and will continue to. If uni cation fails, we gure it out.”
“I read the letters from the residents,” said Natalie Arnett. “Some of them will pull at your heartstrings. I support this vote.”
“I think the primary concern is the wellbeing of the community,” Swenson said. After the vote, White Deer Valley resident Karen Norrod said she was relieved. She’s among the residents there dealing with serious health concerns.
“I have a son who has a heart problem,” she said. “I have an AED in my house because I’m scared they’re not going to make it in time. I think it’s a good ruling; I feel a lot better now.”
Happy Thanksgiving! This Is When I Like to Share What and Whom I Am Grateful for
Just being healthy is something anyone should be grateful for, especially at my age of 77. I’m doubly blessed, because my wife Rita, 76, is also healthy! Our siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives are healthy, too.
All of us are aware that not everyone is as lucky as we are, so philanthropic giving is a trait I think all of us share, and I know many readers of this column do, too. And our broker associates, who responded as one to sponsoring and providing side dishes for Dignity Tuesday, share that trait, too. Last week, as a group we donated food to Dignity Tuesday for people less fortunate than us . The event took place at Golden Pantry and Thrift, formerly the Christian Action Guild.
this long-running newspaper column. I particularly appreciate those readers who take the time to write to me, suggesting topics they want me to write about or making me aware of an issue that might have escaped my attention. Therefore, I have to say that I’m especially grateful to the publications who have made it possible for me to publish this column so widely.
er demographic that is perfect for this column. Those are my most faithful readers — although some of them object to my progressive views!
stay ahead of the competition.” I couldn’t stay as informed as I am — and keep my readers informed — without Inman in my back pocket. I mean, my inbox!
I’m grateful for Chuck Lontine, the owner of The Cloud, 96.9 FM, who organized Dignity Tuesday, which he started during the pandemic. He is a man with a big heart, and I salute him.
I’m grateful for the community we live in and for the larger metro Denver community. As most of you know, Dec. 10th is Colorado Gives Day, and I recently learned about its origins. It was started in 2010, when it was reported that Colorado was 50th on the list of states when it came to charitable giving. Thanks to the Colorado Gives Foundation, Colorado now ranks at the top of that list.
When thinking about who I’m grateful for, our clients — most of whom came to us from reading this column each week — come to mind immediately. Thank you for calling me, so I don’t have to call you! It is so nice that I don’t have to sell myself to prospective sellers and buyers. They come to me “pre-sold” thanks to
Thank you, Linda Shapley, the publisher of Colorado Community Media, for making it possible for this column to appear is all 24 of your weekly newspapers. And, I should add thanks to the National Trust for Local News and the Colorado Sun, which purchased CCM in 2021 with a commitment to saving community newspapers. If it weren’t for them and their non-profit model, some of those 24 newspapers, including this one, might not be around today.
My first big newspaper contract was with the Rocky Mountain News, when they created the YourHub section in 2005. When the Rocky ceased publishing in 2009, YourHub was the only piece of the Rocky which The Denver Post picked up and promoted. I like to think that my full-page ad 52 times per year might be a factor in justifying YourHub’s continuation. Thank you, The Denver Post, for continuing that publication so that I can continue reaching your readers all across the metro area.
Lastly, in this department, my thanks to Dan Johnson of the Denver Gazette for soliciting my account this October and making an offer I couldn’t refuse to include this full-page ad in your digital newspaper. Typical of printed newspapers, the Gazette has a mature homeown-
Moving, Even Locally, Can Cost You a Lot
At Golden Real Estate, we like to save you money wherever we can. For example, we have a handyman who can help you get your home ready to show or fix inspection issues at the client-only rate of $30/ hour.
We also have a box truck which you can use prior to, during and after closing, not just for moving to your new home, but making those dump runs or runs to Goodwill for donating all that stuff you accumulated over the years!
and packing material, including bubble wrap, so don’t buy any yourself.
We’ve been offering the use of this truck since 2004. In fact, this is our second truck. It’s hard to estimate how much money we have saved our buyers and sellers, but it must be several hundred thousands of dollars.
We also provide free moving boxes
We also make the truck available free to nonprofits and local organizations, such as Family Promise and BGoldN, which uses it to do pickups from Food Bank of the Rockies for local food banks.
I’m also grateful to my professional colleagues, especiallyfellow Realtors, who are among my most regular readers. And the Realtor association itself (the Denver Metro Association of Realtors or DMAR) does important work keeping us up to date on industry developments.
Just as important, in that regard, is the Inman News, which provides an endless stream of important email newsletters keeping me abreast of industry developments, innovations and challenges, which sometimes inspire a topic for this column. It describes itself as “the leading real estate news source for real estate agents, Realtors, brokers, real estate executives and real estate technology leaders who need the latest real estate news, insights and analysis to grow their business and
My broker associates, listed below, play an invaluable role in the day-to-day operation of Golden Real Estate. They are wonderfully diverse in their skills and backgrounds, and they help to staff our storefront office in downtown Golden seven days a week. They get wonderful reviews from the past clients, which you can read by clicking on the “Testimonials” tab at www.GoldenRealEstate.com
Here’s a Holiday Gift Giving Idea
Colorado Giving Foundation sells digital “Giving Cards.” Specify the dollar amount and who to send it to, and the recipient can then go to ColoradoGives.org where they can “spend” it as they wish. Give to clients, friends, children, et al. I’m going to make that my holiday giving! The sellers bought
$650,000
Many Agents Are Taking a Continuing Education Class That Will Be Obsolete on January 1st
All licensed real estate professionals in Colorado are required to take the Annual Commission Update (ACU) class as part of their continuing education requirement to stay licensed.
The class can be taken at any time during the calendar year, with a new version introduced each January.
At Golden Real Estate, I incentivize our broker associates by reimbursing the $40 cost of the 4-hour class if they take it in January. It can be taken either online or in-person. That’s how important I think it is to be current on the everevolving rules that we must comply with and to learn about the latest revisions to the contract forms we must use.
Many licensees, however, don’t take this CE class until the last minute. I asked some of the major providers of the course for their enrollment figures to see how many licensees wait until the 4th quarter to take the class.
One of the biggest providers of CE classes is DMAR’s PEAK program, and Lisa Kallweit, DMAR’s director of member services, couldn’t give me this quarter’s enrollment numbers, but provided these numbers for the 4th quarter of the last three years.
2021 - 429 agents
2022 - 372 agents
2023 - 331 agents
Another big provider is Educated Minds. They have 393 agents enrolled so far this quarter and reported these numbers for the past three years:
2021 - 802 agents
2022 - 719 agents
2023 - 652 agents
It seems such a waste to take the ACU class at the end of the year, when the new ACU class is coming in January. Also, how many things did agents learn in December that they should have known 10 months earlier?
Golden Real Estate’s Broker Associates
David Dlugasch
303-908-4835
Joined us in 2014
Licensed in 2001
Jim Swanson
303-929-2727
Joined us in 2008
Licensed in 2000
Chuck Brown
303-885-7855
Joined us in 2014
Licensed in 2000
53
and it’s
You’ll be impressed by the exterior and interior
made by the seller through the
For example, a sunroom was added over the back of the garage (visible in this picture) which is open to the kitchen and which opens to a deck with stairs down to a wood deck in the backyard. All the rooms have either hardwood or manufactured hardwood floors. The updated kitchen has an 18-inch ceramic tile floor, quartz countertop with undermount stainless steel sink and newer appliances. All the bathrooms have been updated, too. Even the driveway was updated with new concrete in an attractive pattern. You’ll love watching the sunset from the deck outside the front door next to the garage. Video tour and pictures at www.ArvadaHome.info. Open Saturday 11am to 1pm.
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Don’t be misled by our name. Our agents have listed homes throughout the Denver Metro area and helped clients buy homes and other real estate all over Colorado!
MOVIE
around Evergreen will get their moment in the movie spotlight. Cain came to town in mid-November to choose those locations.
Filming is scheduled from Dec 3-18, and part of it will happen during the Dec. 6 Holiday Walk.
“I even wrote the Holiday Walk into the script,” Cain said.
For Martinez, the lm is an unexpected and delightful surprise, the frosting on a life that’s already unbelievably sweet. e New Jersey native, his wife and two children moved to Evergreen in 2020, fullling a long-held wish to live in Colorado. en a manager with Kaiser Permanente, Martinez decided it was time for a career change. With no experience in operating a co ee shop — or even a small business — he bought Java Groove in July 2021.
“I left a pretty lucrative corporate job to be a small business owner, which is not particularly lucrative,” he said. “But what I get from owning a small business in a town like Evergreen is way more than I ever received through a paycheck from
a corporation. We have a collection of eclectic characters that come through the door either as patrons or employees, and I get to share these moments and stories with them. I’m just so grateful for it, this beautiful human experience.”
Martinez said his TikTok account about life in Evergreen focuses on that and has “taken o .” JavaDad has nearly 157,000 followers.
“Some people nd something wonderful and beautiful and say, ‘I want to tell nobody about this amazing place I found,’” he said. “And some people say, ‘I want to tell everybody.’ I’m the latter.
“ ere’s enough anger, outrage, and divisiveness online,” he continued. “I think people really enjoy hearing stories of human connection and kindness. But I didn’t know these other things would come out of sharing those stories. I didn’t expect to be making a movie.”
“Mocha and Mistletoe” is being produced as an independent lm with no set distribution plans.
“It might be one of those things where we share it on our private channels, and it lives on YouTube forever,” Martinez said.
“Or we get a distributor and it winds up on Hallmark or Net ix. We’re making it rst and we’ll see where it lands.”
Martinez posted a TikTok in February asking Hallmark to make a movie in Evergreen.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAVADAD
Evergreen highway project will improve short, critical section of Highway 73
Construction set to begin next spring and continue into fall
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Jefferson County will begin a road project next spring that’s short in distance but expected to have a big, longterm impact on Evergreen.
The construction is designed to improve a busy quarter-mile segment of County Highway 73 between Plettner Lane — near the base of the Evergreen Dam — to just past the highway’s intersection with Little Cub Creek Road.
Project plans call for replacing the aging Little Cub Creek Road bridge, adding a six-foot-wide bicycle lane and a turn lane, adding parking and improving sight distance on the highway’s curves by widening it.
The work is expected to begin in April or May 2025 and wrap up in November. County staff said two-way traffic will continue to flow through the construction area during peak morning and evening hours.
Currently, about 18,000 vehicles use that section of the highway daily. It’s not only access to and from downtown Evergreen, but to Evergreen Library, and roads that connect to Evergreen High School, Wilmot Elementary and Alderfer/Three Sisters park. It’s also a well-used route for drivers traveling to Conifer and U.S. Highway 285. Visitors to Evergreen often park along its shoulders to walk around Evergreen Lake and take pictures of the spillway.
“Improving it any bit helps,” said Erik Turnquist, the county’s civil engineer supervisor. “Any accidents there back up traffic.
“The main issue is sight distance on some of the curves are pretty tight, and the width of the roadway,” Turnquist continued. “The county is also adding some paved widening for pedestrians and bikes on the creek side of the road from near downtown to the library to make it more accessible.”
The stretch of road is also now home to Evergreen Fire/ Rescue’s Station One, but plans call for that station to be demolished and moved to the site of the former Evergreen Mountain Market.
The new station will combine EFR’s Stations 1 and 4 and is expected to be operational by 2027.
Station 1’s move will allow for more parking spaces and a crosswalk.
Turnquist said the county is working with the State Historical Preservation Office to ensure the project doesn’t disturb a historic rock wall that currently extends along Highway 73.
But it will add a separate, 300-foot retaining wall between the highway and the creek to improve sight distance and allow for adding a paved shoulder for pedestrians and bikes.
While the Jefferson County commissioners still need to approve the project contract, Turnquist said it’s expected to pass.
“The board has been briefed multiple times during the life of the project, from applying for the original grant to the changes in the scope of the project,” he said.
Because the project hasn’t yet been put out to bid, the county isn’t yet revealing cost estimates. It’s funded largely by Federal Highway Administration funds, with the county supplying 20% of the cost.
MUST READ. GREAT FOR BOOK CLUBS.
A womanizing US president. Gin-drinking, poker-playing, skirt-chasing Cabinet members. And a plot from the inside to usurp control of the Navy’s oil reserves. Wild and juicy stuff this. And all of it a true chapter of America’s history.
There may not be another US scandal that is so heavy with corruption and criminality that weighs so lightly on our collective consciousness as the Teapot Dome Scandal. From 1920 to 1922, power-hungry politicians and corporate tycoons boldly schemed to steal the nation’s newest energy resourcel. In so doing these crooks put a black mark on the pioneering work of those who gave birth to Wyoming’s incredible bonanza.
With a deft researcher’s hand and the heart and attention of a creative writer, Constance Bierkan has written a rst-of-its-kind ctionalized recounting of what led up to this nearly forgotten nugget from the past, the Teapot Dome Scandal. Like No Place on Earth is a spirited coming-of-age story set in Wyoming at the start of the madcap Roaring Twenties and the birth of the oil industry. As much a love story as it is a historical deep-dive, Like No Place on Earth will be irresistible to book clubs and history buffs alike.
Constance Bierkan grew up in Zürich, Switzerland and London, England. She sat her Ordinary and Advanced Level exams administered by the University of London while in high school at Francis Holland and earned a BA in English Literature with a minor in Semantics from Skidmore College and Goucher College. She also worked toward a Master’s at Fair eld University in Psychology. Bierkan’s debut novel, Alone In A Crowded Room - An Adoption Story, published in 2017, received a Kirkus Star and was named Kirkus Best Book Indie 2018. Free To Breathe is her second outing and it captures one boy’s struggle to emerge from an abusive family and nd authentic loving relationships. Her third, In Spite of It All, is a historical ction piece, wherein the history of Hitler’s propaganda art is married to a race of high jinks to rescue it from the wrong hands. Fluent in French and German, Bierkan loves to read, people watch, work puzzles, travel and off-road in her badass Jeep Wrangler. She and her best friend-husband-Naval-Aviator-veteran-airline-pilotgentlemantree-farmer, live at 8,200 feet in the Rocky Mountains.
A
Evergreen cartographer turns sewing hobby into a thriving business
Je Orlowski’s Evergreen Threadworks will be featured at the upcoming Frostival event
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
One of Je Orlowski’s earliest memories is sitting next to his mother at her sewing machine while she worked on projects. at hobby was largely forgotten as the Wisconsin native became a National Park Service cartographer, moved to Evergreen and started a family.
But when COVID-19 shut the world down in 2020, Orlowski returned to his childhood craft. Today, what started as a pandemic pastime has turned into a thriving small business.
“I like a hobby like sewing where you make something tangible,” Orlowski said. “Now it’s a hobby that’s turned into a side hustle.”
Orlowski sews fanny packs, satchels, biking and ski bags, backpacks and custom truck accessories under the name Evergreen readworks. He’ll have a booth featuring some of his products at the Evergreen Park & Recreation District’s upcoming Frostival, a holiday event set from 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Buchanan Park ball elds.
For Orlowski, his career and hobby give him the best of both worlds. As a Denver-based park service Geographic Information Systems specialist, he travels to national parks across the country to create maps of all kinds.
“I’ve mapped everything from a T-Rex still in the ground and the sprinkler system at the Little Bighorn Battle eld to glaciers at Grand Teton and park visitor maps,” he said. “Parks are basically little cities. You never know what they need.
“It’s so much fun,” he continued. “Even if I won the lottery, I would still keep this job.”
While map making is artistic, sewing lets
him indulge his creativity in a di erent way. It’s also satisfying because Orlowski’s products often provide practical solutions to problems.
“I started sewing masks during the pandemic,” he said. “ en I randomly thought, why not try a bag? People needed a way to carry masks and hand sanitizer, and I’ve always loved bags. A good bag helps you carry your stu and makes your experience in the mountains better.
“I made two fanny packs for my wife and daughter. Someone o ered to buy number three. Now I’m at about 390.”
An avid mountain biker and skier, Orlowski was also frustrated in searching for gear to bike and camp.
“ at’s when I realized there was a need for locally made, custom bike bags,” he said.
His waist bags, sling bags and fanny packs work well for walkers, hikers and bikers, and quickly became his best sellers. But Orlowski also likes the challenge of meeting niche needs.
A friend asked him to make a tailgate extension that would cover his feet while sleeping in his truck bed. Word got out about Orlowski’s practical, but otherwise hard-to- nd product, and he’s made about 75 of them since.
“I like to make the bag work for what somebody needs it for,” he said. “If I say yes to an idea, I gure out how to make it all work.
ere’s geometry behind making the bags or truck products; it takes a blend of math, science and art to make it work.”
at’s proven to be a winning formula, as existing customers have spread the word about his products to others.
“I started a Facebook and Instagram account for Evergreen readworks, but most of my sales have been word-of-mouth,” said Orlowski, who also sells some of his products at Evergreen’s Bivouac Co ee and Black Fox Provisions. “I’ve created items for people in France, Germany, Norway and most of the States.”
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Orlowski also takes pride in making his products not just practical, but fun.
“Most bags you buy tend to be black and kind of boring,” he said. “I like to make it functional and try to add a little style to it. Because I make each item myself, people can always reach out and tell me what colors they want.”
He also sees a crossover in the skills he uses for his full-time job and those needed in sewing.
“Sewing is a lot like cartography,” he said. “Where you create maps data, you may be tracing the edges of a river. It’s similar to sewing along the edges of pattern pieces.”
While Evergreen readworks is gaining a following, Orlowski doesn’t plan to hire help or move beyond his basement workshop.
“Right now, I want to improve my skills and make better bags for people,” he said. “I like the craftsmanship. I like overthinking every stitch. And I don’t really want to give up the hands-on aspect. At the size it is now, I can focus on quality and making bags I’d be interested in using.
“I’m not going to be able to retire o it,” he continued. “It’s just rewarding to see people get excited about a bag they’ve had in their mind for a while and to actually be able to make it for them. I used to wake up early and go skiing and biking; now I wake up early to sew.”
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Evergreen resident Je Orlowski, who started Evergreen Threadworks, sews a bag in his basement workshop. Orlowski will have a booth at the EPRD’s Dec. 1 Frostival at the Buchanan Park ball fields.
PHOTOS BY JANE REUTER
Orlowski sews an Evergreen Threadworks label on one of his bags.
Shift Events donates $20,000 to Evergreen’s INSPIRE program
BY STAFF REPORT
Evergreen Parks & Recreation District’s INSPIRE program recently received a $20,000 grant from Shift Events, formerly Team Evergreen Cycling.
INSPIRE provides social, physical, and inclusive recreational experiences for individuals with disabilities.
“ ank you to the Triple Bypass (Shift Events) for choosing EPRD’s INSPIRE as a recipient of a very generous donation,” said Maren Schreiber, INSPIRE’s executive director.
“ is donation will change the lives
of over 130 people with disabilities in the mountain community and beyond. Everyone can experience the joy and bene t of this generosity; because everyone has something to give.”
Shift Events, a nonpro t dedicated to producing cycling events, has used $252,000 raised from those events to help Colorado nonpro ts in 2024. Since its inception, the organization has donated over $4.5 million to organizations and causes across Colorado, following its mission to make a meaningful di erence in the places it calls home.
Conifer couple found dead in their home died in murder/suicide, sheri ’s o ce confirms
BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Je erson County Sheri ’s Ofce con rmed a couple found dead in their Conifer home Nov. 10 died in a murder/suicide. e Je co coroner’s o ce is not releasing the couple’s names.
e 67-year-old man and woman were found dead in their home on Bear Park Road at about 6:45 p.m. Nov. 10 when their daughter went to
check on them.
e doors were locked, and when the daughter looked through the window, she saw her father lying on the oor and called 911, according to a press release.
When re personnel arrived, they forcibly entered the house and found the daughter’s parents dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Two dogs that lived at the home were also found dead from apparent gunshot wounds.
INSPIRE participants and program leaders accepted a $20,000 donation from Shift Events on Nov. 14. Front row from left, Carley Dorsey, Alex Teleaga and Will McCarthy Back Row from left, Jennifer Barbour, Ryan Lax, Scott Gu ey, Maren Schreiber COURTESY PHOTO
Community gathers for stories, laughter, hugs and a kazoo marching band
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A blanket of snow covered Easter Seals Rocky Mountain Village in Empire as cars lled the parking lots and lined the sides of gravel roads leading to a wooden lodge where more than 100 friends and locals gathered to celebrate the life of Greg Markle.
For many longtime residents of Clear Creek County, KYGT radio pioneer Markle is considered legendary for his resonating commitments and achievements in a county they say he loved.
“He lived a life of adventure and we bene ted,” his lifelong friend Rick Lewis said at the celebration Nov. 16.
Markle moved to Clear Creek County from Pennsylvania in the early ‘70s, starting out his life in Colorado with meager means, according to Lewis.
“He came here as a hippie living in abandoned mining cabins up on ‘Oh-myGod-Road,’ exclaiming, ‘You can live on a dollar a day,’” Lewis said.
In the years that followed, Markle would do much more, including creating KYGT ( e Goat) radio station, becoming a land surveyor for the Federal Bureau of Land Management and Clear Creek/Gilpin counties for more than 30 years, producing and directing several local full-length lms and never missing an opportunity to make people laugh.
needed to break the moment and move on,” his long-time wife Amber Dahlin said.
“If someone was feeling down or there was tension, he would make a joke and sometimes it would fall at, and other times it would be just what everybody
ere were very few tears during the celebration — the tears were expressed in laughter from the crowd of people who transcended generations, social/political ideals and status.
Markle had that e ect on people and the celebration was just a re ection of how he lived his life, according to Dahlin.
“It’s wonderful, it’s marvelous. It would have made him so happy because that was so important to him to be part of the community and have people get together and do something fun,” Dahlin said. “So, to have all these friends and acquaintances from so many years, in a way it’s kind of overwhelming.”
In 1994 Markle had an idea for a local radio station that could provide music, local news and perspectives from busi-
ness and government leaders, according to Lewis.
He applied for and was eventually granted a license from the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast. KYGT or “ e Goat,” as locals know it, has been broadcasting music, local sporting events, interview shows and community news ever since.
A kazoo band marches in Rocky Mountain Village in Empire Nov. 16 to celebrate the life of local legend Greg Markle.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
SEE MARKLE, P17
About seven years ago we adopted a yellow lab, Brooke. We got her when she was somewhere between four and seven years old, no one knows her true age. She has been blind since she was a puppy. e person helping to facilitate her rescue knew little about her beyond the fact she had been kept outside in a small shed with a heat lamp for years. Since joining our family, I am pretty sure that Brooke believes she has died and gone to heaven. From her perspective, living inside, hugs and scratches every day, a favorite chair to sit in when not on the dog bed, and sunny spots in which to bask when the chair and bed get boring…of course this is heaven.
Brooke does not move around a ton. Except for short walks several times a week, her favorite things are all within 30 feet of each other and she only ventures outside a couple times a day. When she does move, she progresses timidly, slowly, cautiously checking with her other senses to see that she will not run into something
Twice a year, I hike a favorite trail in Oregon’s Cascade Range. I have done this for over 20 years, timing my hikes for early spring and fall. e rst hike is for wild owers, the second is for autumn leaves.
In June up high, the forest oor is lit by the spires of owering vanilla-leaf spangled with star owers, along with coralroot orchids. e towering conifers and mountain river lined with vine maples and dogwoods are a world apart from the cottonwood-shaded creeks of my home ground in the valley.
VOICES
Starting each day with a celebration
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
unexpected in her path.
Visiting in fall, it’s a far more colorful spectacle. Down in the valley, the oak leaves manage a rusty orange brown, but up in the mountain forests, trees along the river prepare for winter with a blaze of glory.
e dogwoods now bear leaves tinged with delicate salmon pink, while the wild hazel glows yellow and vine maple leaves ame orange and red. In places, the trail passes through a tunnel of these trees, and I can feel my body soaking up the luminous colors, as if storing light for the dark winter ahead.
Everyone who is attuned to the natural world experiences and anticipates sea-
ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
e one thing that takes Brooke out of her timid motion is food. Mealtimes are the greatest moments in her day. Brooke bounces to life when she hears the bowls being lled for breakfast or dinner. She literally dances when she hears any part of the meal prep routine. e dance looks something like this:
Jim Roome
Dishes clink… she jumps up and moves quickly to the feeding area.
Food is poured in a bowl…she turns two circles (three, if really excited) and laps up a drink.
A spoonful of pumpkin is mixed into the meal… she bounces and wags bringing the dance to a crescendo!
Her dish hits the oor … dancing stops!
Eating commences. You get the picture. If she could talk, I am sure she would say, “Ohhhh man, I love this time, food is coming I am so excited. It is going to be GREAT!”
I love watching Brooke’s dance. Everything else fades away for her, she is just happy food is on the way. Her dinner dance got me thinking about how di erent our lives would be if we started each day with the kind of celebration Brooke has at mealtimes.
Struggles carry with them weight. ey can ll our minds, set our perspective for the day, and make us proceed cautiously. Before our feet even touch the ground, we can nd ourselves seeing the struggles that lay ahead. For me, if I wake up and my right side is super tight, I can nd myself going through a list of things that will be di cult because I am not moving as I would like. Without even getting out of bed, I create a set of hurdles to overcome. It does not need to be that way. If we can nd a reason to celebrate as
Nature is becoming unreliable
WRITERS ON THE RANGE
we start our day, we can turn away from viewing di culties and instead see an exciting moment in our existence. Waking up can be a celebration. We can shape the perspective of our day. Like Brooke, we can leave timid on the sideline and ll our rst steps with joy and excitement. is week I hope you identify your reasons for a wake-up happy dance that shapes your day in wonderful ways. I would appreciate hearing from you as you nd helpful morsels in these columns. is week I would especially love to hear about the things that will make your day start great. I can be contacted at jim.roome@gmail.com.
Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences.
sonal delights. For most of us, these are simply opportunities for appreciating the beauties of nature. But the reliability of nature is something that every living thing depends on and responds to in timeframes both long — evolutionary adaptations — and short — ecological strategies.
is reliability has shaped the owering and fruiting times of plants, the migratory patterns of birds, and the yearly cycles of nomadic people, who knew the seasonal availability of resources in exquisite detail.
But what would it mean if nature were no longer reliable? I’m afraid that we and every organism on Earth are nding that out through much hotter days and more frequent oods. e reason, of course, is global climate change. But that phrase has become so familiar that it has lost much of its power.
It seems to promise some orderly change from one climate to another admittedly less desirable one. But what the
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planet will really be experiencing in the coming decades can better be described as climate chaos.
Climate chaos could manifest in two very di erent ways. e rst, and most terrifying, is that global warming will trigger one or more “climate tipping points” that cause “abrupt, irreversible and dangerous impacts with serious implications for humanity,” reports Science magazine. Its 2022 investigation identi ed no fewer than nine tipping points that could be activated this century, including collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, failure of the Indian summer monsoons, and breakdown of the Atlantic Ocean circulation that delivers the warm Gulf Stream to northern Europe.
e e ects of passing any of these tipping points are almost too momentous to contemplate. Let’s instead focus our attention on the other, seemingly less allencompassing aspect of climate chaos: spring wild owers and autumn leaves.
Even if global warming doesn’t send the planet over a tipping point into an entirely new climate reality, it will a ect the distribution of every organism and the seasonal timing of every natural phenomenon. To quote a report by the Na-
tional Climate Adaptation Science Center, “… not all species are responding at the same speed or in the same ways. is can disrupt the manner in which species interact and the way that ecosystems function overall.”
In other words, the ecological e ects of climate change are chaotic. e reliable pleasure of mountain wild owers may fade as the complex ecology of the forest breaks down in the face of changes in snow cover, spring temperatures and soil moisture. e spectacle of autumn colors may be muted.
To be sure, these are small losses in comparison to, say, the reversal of the Gulf Stream. But as you hike through your corner of the world, or as you tend your home garden, you might spare a moment of gratitude for the reliability of nature that you have experienced in your life.
What’s coming is bound to change everything.
Pepper Trail is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, a nonpro t dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He is a biologist and writer based in Ashland, Oregon.
• 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.
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Pepper Trail
The case for unfiltered
CONIFER – Walter observed his nextdoor neighbor, Smokey, toss a cigarette butt into the street. As he had already and frequently confronted Smokey about the ever-present drifts of cigarette butts in front of his house, Walter called JCSO. Smokey denied throwing cigarette butts into the street, and deputies told Walter they’d done all they could do without some kind of proof. Less than 24 hours later, Walter again called JCSO to report that Smokey had just tossed a cigarette butt into the street, and again Smokey vehemently denied the charge. “ is is b(aseless) s(lander)!” Smokey complained. “I don’t do that because another deputy told me to stop!” Except that Smokey did do that, and Walter had the best kind of proof on videotape. After reviewing crisp, full-color footage of Smokey tossing a cigarette butt into the street, deputies gave him a ticket for littering.
BOLO for Jack Sprat
into the right hands. e case remains open pending additional information.
Relativity principle
EVERGREEN – Neighbors Caelia and Breunor don’t get along. Caelia doesn’t like Breunor because his dogs like to sit in the yard and bark. Breunor doesn’t like Caelia because one of Caelia’s dogs got into Breunor’s yard a while back and “killed some of his animals.” Walking her dog passed Breunor’s house on the evening of Sept. 18, Caelia’s buzz was harshed by his full-throated canine choir, and she resolved to confront him about it right then and there. His own mellow messed by Caelia’s caustic criticisms, Breunor may or may not have said “If you don’t get o of my property, I’ll shoot you.” at’s what Caelia told JCSO deputies, anyway. Breunor, of course, denied threatening to shoot anybody. Deputies told the two to “stay away from each other” in the hope that “time and space will resolve the situation.”
EVERGREEN – e Soda Creek resident reporting mail theft provided a pretty good physical description of the perps. ey were a man and a woman, she told deputies on the morning of Sept. 17, riding tandem on a black “sports bike” motorcycle. e man was light-skinned, had facial hair, wore a white helmet and was “skinny.” e woman behind him wore blue jeans, a black long-sleeved jacket, thick socks that protruded from the tops of her brown boots, and a multi-colored polka-dot backpack. She had bright red hair and was “heavy-set” e couple was busy ri ing her neighbor’s mailbox when she came upon them. Caught in the act, they ed, discarding the looted letters on the street not far away. e witness further turned over three photographs she’d taken of the crime-in-progress, and told deputies she’d see that the mis-directed mail got
Braking bad EVERGREEN – Work Vehicle was heading back to the home o ce along Highway 73 on the afternoon of Sept. 18 when Black Jeep roared passed him and repeatedly “slammed on his brakes,” giving Work Vehicle some very anxious moments. Recognizing Black Jeep as an employee of a “rival company,” and a bit discom ted to nd Black Jeep parked in front of his workplace when he got there, Work Vehicle “parked behind the building” and called JCSO to report a road rage incident. Welcoming the chance to explain his behavior to deputies, Black Jeep said it was Work Vehicle who’d been driving like a maniac, and he’d come to Work Vehicle’s place of employment to “speak with (Work Vehicle’s) boss.” O cers “cautioned both drivers on their driving behavior” and parked the case.
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
Salvation Army bell ringers needed in Evergreen: Now through Dec. 24 @ WalMart, Nov. 25-Dec. 31 @ King Soopers, Now through Nov. 27 & Dec. 9-24 @ Safeway. Register at registertoring.com
Pathways to Coexistence: Safeguarding Wildlife in an Era of Expanding Roads: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Evergreen Fire/Rescue, 1802 Bergen Parkway, 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. downtownev-
ergreen.com
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
Evergreen Chamber’s Santa Breakfast: 9:30-11 a.m. 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.
Christmas in Conifer: 10:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7, Sutton Road, Aspen Park. Live music, Christmas parade. eme is “A Season of Stories” for the new Conifer Library. Information at goconifer. com
EAPL’s annual Pets & Family Photo with Santa: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7, Chow Down Pet Supplies, 1260 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. eapl.com.
Hiwan Museum holiday open house: 4-6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Entertainment, light refreshments, guided house tours . 28473 Meadow Drive, Evergreen.
SEE HAPPENINGS, P16
Tis’ the season
A roundup of local events sure to spread some festive cheer
Celebrating with community makes the magic of the holiday season, and the west metro area certainly has no shortage of festive things to do. Here is a roundup of sta picks to help make your holiday season merry and bright.
Downtown Lakewood Holiday Bazaar
Dec. 7 and 8, Dec. 21 and 22
Belmar Plaza, 439 S. Upham St., Lakewood Denver BAZAAR returns to Belmar District for three weekends this November and December for the Downtown Lakewood Holiday BAZAAR. is indoor marketplace will feature 50+ carefully curated vendors, fashion and food trucks, pop-up bars featuring festive holiday sips, live music, outdoor ice skating rink and more. Visit denverbazaar.com/holidaybazaar2024downtownlakewood for more information.
Frostival
2-6 p.m. Dec. 1
Buchanan Park Field
Local merchants, petting zoo, face painting, photos with Santa and a tree lighting ceremony. Visit evergreenrecreation.com/312/Frostival for more information.
Evergreen Chamber Orchestra Overture to Winter recital
3 p.m. Dec. 1
St. Laurence Episcopal Church, 26812 Barkley Road, Conifer
ECO’s Chamber Recital Series returns for another season of intimate performances by ECO musicians and friends. Get tickets at evergreenchamberorch.org — livestream tickets are available as well.
Olde Golden Candelight Walk
6:30 p.m., Dec. 6
Experience the beauty of the holiday season with a candlelit walk down Washington Avenue in historic Golden, Colorado. Sing carols with neighbors and friends and marvel as the street is illuminated by thousands of glowing candles and the warmth of the festive, small-town holiday atmosphere. Many of the shops along Washington Avenue are open and there are hot cider, cocoa, and outdoor cafes to enjoy along the way.
At the conclusion of the walk, the “switch” for Golden’s 45,000 holiday lights along Clear Creek and throughout downtown will be ipped, marking the o cial start to Golden’s holiday season.
Lakewood Lights Dec. 5
Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park
Gather your friends, family and neighbors for this annual celebration. Join Lakewood Mayor and City Council for a lighting ceremony, then enjoy a stroll among the light displays, listen to festive live music and warm up with hot cocoa. Meet with jolly old Santa Claus or craft an ornament to commemorate this happy holiday. More information can be found at www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Arts-andCulture/Arts-and-Culture-Events/Lakewood-Lights
Aerah Fulton walks through a tunnel of stars during the St. Lucia Children’s Procession at the annual Georgetown Christmas Market. FILE PHOTO
HOLIDAY EVENTS
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. Visit downtownevergreen.com for more information.
Golden High School Holiday Bazaar
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 7
701 24th St., Golden
Come do some holiday shopping at the 10th Annual Golden High School Holiday Bazaar with one-of-a-kind gifts from over 50 di erent local artists. is is a fundraiser for the students at Golden High School, helping with scholarships, the after-prom party, grants and more. Find out more at www.goldendemonspta.org/events/holiday-bazaar.
Soundtrack Chamber Orchestra’s Beauty of December concert
7 p.m. Dec. 12
Wheat Ridge Center for Music and Arts, 7538 W 38th Ave. is holiday concert features an elegant variety of music with a winter theme. Akin to an iPod on “shu e,” the program will feature music from “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence,” “ e Red Skelton Show,” “Star Wars,” “Nutcracker,” “December Wishes” and “An American Christmas.” Admission is free; donations are appreciated.
Winterfest
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 14
Holiday Arts and Pottery Sale
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 14
Center for the Arts Evergreen Center for the Arts Evergreen’s annual Winterfest artisan gift market and holiday festival is a FREE community event for all ages! Held at the Center with both indoor tables and outdoor tents, Winterfest is a celebration of our local artisanal talent and an opportunity to support Colorado artists and small businesses this holiday season. For more information, visit evergreenarts.org/Winterfest/.
Washington Heights Art Center, 6375 W. 1st Ave., Lakewood
Shop beautiful art and pottery made by the students and instructors of Washington Heights Arts Center in December. Items will be across a variety of mediums, but expect to nd lots of mugs, ornaments, paintings, prints, scarves, and other little treasures. ere’s so much to see, so get there early and bring a friend! Purchase unique gifts made by local artists, including mugs, bowls and serving dishes, jewelry, scarves, paintings and more. More information at www. lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Arts-andCulture/Arts-and-Culture-Events/Arts-and-Pottery-Holiday-Sale.
Georgetown Christmas Market
Dec. 7-8, 14-15
Each December the town of Georgetown transforms for two weekends into a bustling Christmas scene reminiscent of Christmas of long ago. ousands come to this tiny mountain town to experience a traditional holiday where Christmas hasn’t changed in 100 years: roasted chestnuts, holiday shopping, horse-drawn wagon rides through historic Georgetown, and wonderful sights and smells. Find out more at www.historicgeorgetown.org/georgetown-christmas-market-2/.
Jingle on the Avenue
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 21
Along Golden’s Washington Avenue from 11th to 13th streets
Return to spend a magical day in Golden meeting and mingling with family favorite holiday characters — classic and new — along Washington Ave.
Winter Solstice Celebration
6-8 p.m. Dec. 21
Bear Creek Lake Park, 15600 W. Morrison Road, Lakewood
Celebrate the rst day of winter with a guided night hike! en gather around the camp re for a marshmallow roast and celebration of the Winter Solstice that includes the traditional burning of the yule log. Bring your own mug to enjoy a hot beverage. Cost is $5 per person. Learn more at www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Parks-Forestry-and-Open-Space/ Park-Programs-and-Events/Winter-Solstice-Celebration.
Ice Fest Dec. 31
Evergreen Lake, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen Ice skating, skate rentals, hockey, broomball, ice carving demonstration, mobile recreation trailer games, repits, DJ. Visit evergreenrecreation.com for more information.
People line up to buy freshly made doughnuts at the tent operated by Boy Scout Troop 888 at a previous holiday walk. FILE PHOTO
The Soundtrack Chamber Orchestra will perform “The Beauty of December” Dec. 12 at Wheat Ridge Center for Music and Arts. COURTESY PHOTO
December 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th 10 am - 5pm
European-Style Outdoor Marketplace
featuring over 30 Artisans, Food and more!
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
Alpine Biergarten
Wine & Wassail Bar
Shop and Dine at over 20 Merchants on Historic 6th Street
Live Entertainment
Santa Lucia Children’s Procession
Christmas at the Hamill House on Saturday December 14th and Saturday December 21st 2024. Tickets available on our website, www.historicgeorgetown.org
Saint Nicholas
Visit Historic Museums decorated in their Holiday Best
Big Horn Book Nook
Children’s Crafts at the John Tomay Library
Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Snetzer
Building
Hot Roasted Chestnuts
Dog Friendly (If your dog is friendly)
Free Parking & Free shuttles available
Featured on the TODAY show.
HISTORIC 6TH STREET
GEORGETOWN, CO 80444
HAPPENINGS
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.
Winterfest 2024: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14. Artisan gift market and holiday festival. Center for the Arts Evergreen, 31880 Rocky Village Drive, Evergreen. evergreenarts.org
EPRD senior excursion Hudson Gardens: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 14. 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, 12-2 p.m. at e ResqRanch, 25871 Duran Ave, Conifer. RSVP 303-8383771 or Help@AspenParkVet.com
Seniors4Wellness Cookie Exchange & Craft Fair: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Christ the King Church, 4291 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen. seniors4wellness. org.
“It’s a Wonderful Life,” Evergreen Players theater production: 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 21, 2 p.m. Dec. 22, Center Stage eatre, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen. Tickets at evergreenplayers.org.
9th annual Conifer Christmas concert: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 21. Stage Door eatre, 25797 Conifer Rd, Conifer. Music of the early 19th century, stories of Old West Christmas celebrations. Featuring Norman Hughes and Dennis Swiftdeer Page. Ticket sales support Mountain Resource Center, Conifer Historical Society, and StageDoor eatre. Tickets at stagedoortheatre.org.
EPRD senior excursion Denver Zoo or Botanic Gardens: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Departing from Buchanan Park Recreation
Center and Rocky Mountain Village Estates. Register by Nov. 29. evergreenrecreation.com.
Evergreen Chamber Orchestra - Colorado Mountain Holiday Concerts: 3 and 6 p.m. Dec. 21, Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 County Hwy 73, Evergreen. Fun and festive family event featuring a 3 p.m. Santa visit. Tickets atevergreenchamberorch.org
Ice Fest: Dec. 31, Evergreen Lake, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen. Ice skating, skate rentals, hockey, broomball, ice carving demonstration, mobile recreation trailer games, repits, DJ. evergreenrecreation.com.
Evergreen Ball: 8 p.m. to midnight, Dec. 31, Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen. Featuring the Michael C Experienceband, catered hors d’oeuvres, desserts, photobooth, cash bar. Limited tickets at evergreenrecreation.com.
2025 Evergreen Pond Hockey Championship: 7 a.m. playtime, Jan. 25 and 26, Evergreen Lake, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Rd. evergreenrecreation.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 e Wild Game, 1204 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen, for annual veterans backpack project. Information at tallgrassspa.com
Conifer Chamber of Commerce member meeting: 7:30 a.m. on second ursdays, Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, 9444 Eagle Cli Road, Conifer. Free for members, $10 for non-members.
Evergreen Nature Center Weekly Preschool Adventures Program: 9 a.m. every ursday, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. Free & no registration required. Programs designed for children ages 2-5 years old. All children must have an adult in attendance. Dress to explore the outdoors. evergreenaudubon.org
Evergreen Nature Center Monthly Family Program: 11 a.m. every last Saturday, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. December’s program is Hibernation Station. evergreenaudubon.org
e American Legion Evergreen Post 2001: Meets every fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m., Evergreen Church of the Transguration, 27640 Highway 74, Evergreen. Serving all military veterans in the foothills communities. Email evergreenpost2001@gmail.com
Evergreen Camera Club: Meets every second Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Evergreen Fire/Rescue auditorium, 1802 Bergen 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: e Evergreen Area Republican Club meets at 6 p.m. the rst Wednesday of the month at the Evergreen Fire/Rescue Administration Building, 1802 Bergen Parkway. Information at evergreenarearepublicanclub.org
Mountain Area Democrats: Mountain Area Democrats meet at 9 a.m. the fourth Saturday of the month January through April at the United Methodist Church of Evergreen, 3757 Ponderosa Drive, Evergreen. For more information, e-mail MountainAreaDems@gmail.com.
Evergreen Sustainability Alliance is looking for 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 land ll 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 Trans guration. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.Ever-
e Bear Creek Cemetery Association board of directors volunteers needed: Members needed to help with operations of the local cemetery on Highway 74, Evergreen. Contact board president, evergreenbearcreekcemetery@gmail.com
Blue Spruce Habitat volunteers needed: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers. A variety of opportunities and exible schedules are available on new construction sites as well as for exterior minor home repairs. No previous construction experience needed. Contact volunteer@bluesprucehabitat. org for information.
EChO needs volunteers: e Evergreen Christian Outreach ReSale Store and food pantry need volunteers. Proceeds from the EChO ReSale Store support the food pantry and programs and services provided by EChO. Many volunteer options available. For more information, call Mary at 720-673-4369 or email mary@evergreenchristianoutreach.org.
LGBTQ+ teen book club: Resilience1220 is o ering an LGBTQ+ teen book club that meets from 4-6 p.m. the fourth Monday at the Resilience1220 ofce next to the Buchanan Park Recreation Center. For more information and to register, visit R1220.org.
ESA EverGREEN Re ll Station: EverGREEN Re ll Station (re ll your laundry detergent, lotions, soaps and more. We have many sustainable products available). e Re ll Station is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 1-4 p.m. in the Habitat Restore, 1232 Bergen Parkway.
Support After Suicide Loss: A safe place to share and learn after losing a loved one to suicide. is group meets every fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 o ce. For ages 14 and up. Suggested donation for this group is $15. Register at resilience1220.org/groups.
Sensitive Collection: Resilience1220 strives to inform and support highly sensi-
SEE HAPPENINGS, P22
MARKLE
“He was a creative thought, he got an object in his mind and he would make it happen… he was very good at bending people’s minds to his line of thought,” Lewis said.
KYGT volunteer and reporter/disc jockey since 1998 Mark Cucinella just smiled and laughed when asked his thoughts about Markle, saying his dream of a local radio station for and about local residents is still live and on the air.
“It’s the gift that’s going to keep on giving to Clear Creek County,” Cucinella said.
Markle was a Philadelphia transplant to Clear Creek but maintained close ties to childhood friends from the city. Lewis said he’s proud to be one of a group of friends coined “ e Seven Idiots from Philadelphia.” eir exploits, some of which probably shouldn’t be mentioned for legal purposes, Lewis laughed, include camping, hiking and shing in the Grand Canyon, until they met the National Park Ranger and the occasional trip hopping a freight train to anywhere.
However, once he grounded himself in Clear Creek
County, Lewis and friends said Markle was home and he loved the residents in it.
“He joked a lot but he was very serious about his passion for the uniqueness of this county, this area in general, and how the people who come here are unusual in so many ways and he liked that, di erent backgrounds and unusual stories,” Dahlin said.
Photographs, dated copies of the Clear Creek Courant with headlines featuring Markle and promotional posters for e Goat lined tables at the back of the lodge where friends gathered, shared stories, laughed and embraced.
As he was in life, Markle continued in his death the role of “Grand Master of the Kazoo Band,” Lewis said.
Well over 100 kazoos were placed under each seat in the lodge and Grandmaster Lewis issued marching orders to kazoo “Roll Out the Barrel” as the song started playing on the speakers.
Once in tune, e group led into a single line and marched outside playing loudly, giving high- ves and laughing, all under a bluebird sky and the bright sunshine of an afternoon in Clear Creek County.
“His nal request; ‘I want a Kazoo Band so everybody walks out of here with a goddamn smile,’ — that was Greg,” Lewis said.
KYGT radio pioneer Greg Markle.
FILE PHOTO
A poster on display at KYGT radio pioneer Greg Markle’s celebration of life.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
The community gathered at Rocky Mountain Village in Empire to celebrate Markle. PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Table of Greg Markle’s memories at his celebration of life. PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Families urge state to support dyslexia screening
BY SUZIE GLASSMAN
“I want to tell you the story of my daughter, Mackenzie,” Parent Bri Luna said, her voice trembling as she stood before Colorado’s Board of Education.
“Mackenzie was a vivacious, bubbly, enthusiastic ve-year-old when I dropped her o at kindergarten,” Luna said. “Her nickname was ‘Little Miss Sunshine.’”
But Makenzie’s early struggles with reading soon spiraled into years of frustration and anxiety, she explained.
Despite pleas and numerous teacher conferences, Mackenzie wasn’t screened for dyslexia. Instead, she received interventions that didn’t address her core needs. By middle school, her anxiety had worsened, requiring medication. In high school, she missed weeks of school due to overwhelming stress, Luna said.
It wasn’t until Mackenzie’s mother pursued a degree in literacy that she recognized her daughter’s symptoms as classic signs of dyslexia. Now 23, Mackenzie still grapples with self-doubt.
“I think about what would have changed if she had been screened in kindergarten,” Luna said.
Mackenzie’s struggle is one of countless stories shared by parents desperate for the state to change its approach to dyslexia screening.
Advocates have pushed for mandatory screening for years, but e orts to pass legislation have failed.
When the Colorado Department of Education recently recommended adding a mandate to the state’s READ Act requiring districts to use early literacy assessments that include dyslexia indicators
in another 2-3 years, many decided they could no longer remain silent.
“ ere are just under 250,000 students in grades K-3 in Colorado,” said co-chair of the statewide dyslexia advocacy group COKID Lindsay Drakos. “KID” stands for “Kids Identi ed with Dyslexia.”
“By not screening for another four years, we will be missing an estimated 120,000 kids in the next few years, using 12% as a conservative estimate of dyslexia occurrence,” Drakos continued.
Calls for immediate action
Colorado remains one of only seven states that does not mandate dyslexia
screening, despite annual recommendations from the Dyslexia Working Group since 2020. e group, formed in 2019, was created to advise the Department of Education on literacy issues and push for better support for students with dyslexia.
“Screening is critical because having our teachers understand what they’re seeing with their students is very important,” said Elisa Sodja, cofounder of Je co KID. “It impacts how they help them, how they support them and how they teach them.”
Sodja’s partner at Je co KID, Jen Halsall, agreed. “It’s critical that the screening occurs. It’s a clarifying lens written for our
teachers. And that’s the piece that I think is critical across the country.”
Yet, each year, their calls for universal screening have gone unanswered. While advocates propose fully-funded screening starting as early as next school year, the Department of Education advocates a slower approach.
ey plan to add dyslexia indicators to the READ Act assessment rubric, a process that would not be implemented until 2027 at the earliest.
e reason for the lack of urgency in the department is unclear. However, Shelbie Konkle, a lobbyist for the Department of Education, suggested budget constraints and opposition to any “new unfunded mandates” could provide a barrier to universal dyslexia screening legislation.
The cost of delayed action
e stakes are high. Research suggests that dyslexia a ects 20% of the population and represents 80–90% of all those with learning disabilities.
Without proper screening and intervention, many will struggle academically, with implications extending well beyond the classroom.
During public comment, one speaker shared a personal story about a relative whose dyslexia went undiagnosed, leading to a lifetime of hardships, including encounters with the criminal justice system.
“He was never identi ed, and it changed the course of his life,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion. “Early identi cation could have made all the di erence.”
Without proper interventions, children
SEE DYSLEXIA, P19
Dyslexia screening advocates argue delaying legislation could result in thousands of children not getting the help they need.
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
with undiagnosed dyslexia often require more intensive and expensive support services later on. Advocates argue that investing in screening and early support now would improve outcomes and reduce long-term costs for schools.
Small changes, big impact
Advocates pointed out that some currently approved assessments used under the READ Act could e ectively screen for dyslexia with minor modi cations.
“ ere are two assessments already in use by roughly 65% of the state,” Drakos said. “By adding a few subtests, we could screen all children for an additional $1 to $1.5 million — a fraction of what we might otherwise spend in remedial e orts.”
Yet even these incremental steps have met resistance. e Department of Education has cited concerns about preparation time and funding availability. For parents, the reluctance to act feels like yet another instance of a system prioritizing red tape over their children’s needs.
“We’ve heard the same excuses for years,” said Amy Dobronyi, another parent advocate who spoke during public comment. “Districts need more time, there’s not enough money, we have to wait for systems to be in place. Meanwhile, other states are acting, and we’re still talking.”
Halsall highlighted the critical need for screening and identi cation: “ ey’re probably doing twice as much work trying to gure out how to help the kid. And if you have the screening and identi cation, that child is not going to be...in the
meetings with teachers asking, ‘How do we help this kid? What’s going on?’ It’s,
‘Here’s the answer. is is why. Now we know how to help them.’”
The human face of dyslexia
For many parents who spoke at the board meeting, the issue of dyslexia screening is deeply personal. ey shared stories of children who had fallen behind their peers, whose self-esteem had plummeted and whose frustration had boiled over into behavioral issues.
One mother spoke of her son, who struggled with reading until a teacher recognized the signs of dyslexia and inter-
vened.
“Once he got the help he needed, he started to thrive,” she said. “But it shouldn’t take a miracle for every child to get what they need.”
One of the most powerful testimonies came from a parent whose child, despite signi cant struggles, was never properly identi ed or supported and took her life, leaving behind a note that she couldn’t face another day of school.
Parents, educators and advocacy groups are not the only ones pushing for change. Some state board members have expressed support for dyslexia screening legislation.
“If we begin by telling ourselves the truth about how big the challenge is, that can be part of the argument for the funding for the services... even if all we get is a successful push for more robust and e ective screening,” said board member Rebecca McClellan. “ e data that comes from that helps to justify and strengthen the argument for resources to help those students.”
Board member Karla Esser acknowledged that dyslexia screening has been a topic for years.
“I really want to solve this issue,” Esser said. “It’s just going to keep bubbling up over and over again if we don’t get to the point where we have a screener.”
For advocates and parents, the stakes are clear.
e longer Colorado waits to implement universal dyslexia screening, the more children will face preventable academic struggles, loss of self-esteem and even more severe outcomes.
Countless families are hoping their years of pleas will nally result in real, tangible change.
One mom shares how she fought for her two sons to receive a dyslexia diagnosis and get the reading intervention they need.
COLORADO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION YOUTUBE
Bri Luna, former Poudre School District teacher and board member of the Rocky Mountain Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, testifies on behalf of her family’s struggle.
EVERGREEN AREA Chamber Of Commerce
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Clear Creek Fire Mitigation
Trevor Fontaine 3719 Evergreen Parkway, Suite A107
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Delilah Collins Evergreen, CO 80439 www.collinsdesignandremodel.com
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Tis the Season to Shop Local...
1. Keep Money Local—Sales taxes fund our communities and provide vital services such as police and re protection, street repairs and open spaces to play in.
2. Local Investment—Local businesses are less susceptible to national downturns and more likely to work harder to stay open.
3. Locally-Made Products—Local business owners often sell local products, which helps preserve the community’s distinction and creates more jobs locally, as well.
4. Support for Nonpro ts—Local businesses support good work in our community. Studies show that nonpro ts receive 250 percent more support from small businesses than large ones.
5. Discover Interesting Things and People—One-of-a-kind shops and restaurants are part of what makes our community a great place to live.
6. Support Future Growth—Shopping locally is the best way to show pride in your community and help protect the businesses that make Evergreen unique.
Judge,
‘The ultimate feel-good event’
Annual Colorado Gives Day takes place on Dec. 10
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Whether a nonpro t organization has participated in Colorado Gives Day for one year or for 10, is large or small, the Colorado Gives Foundation continues to support thousands of nonpro ts across the state in the hopes of connecting people and ideas.
“Colorado Gives Day is really an opportunity to be part of the statewide movement,” said Kelly Dunkin, president and CEO of the Colorado Gives Foundation. “I think of it as the ultimate feel-good event.”
Colorado Gives Day launched in 2010 and has become one of the state’s largest 24-hour giving events. Taking place on the second Tuesday every December, which this year is Dec. 10, Coloradans can use the Colorado Gives Day website to nd a cause they want to support and can donate any amount.
However, early giving kicked o on the
SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS
Here at Colorado Community Media, we take pride in being your local news source and bringing you the stories that matter most. We are participating in Colorado Gives Day this year, and we would be most thankful if you consider donating to us to help keep our newsroom thriving. You can donate at coloradocommunitymedia.com/give-toccm.
rst of November.
While people can donate to Colorado Gives all year long, Dunkin said donations during early giving and on Colorado Giving Day gets a boost from the foundation’s $1 Million + Incentive Fund.
When it comes to volunteering and charitable giving, national trends have indicated that there has been a decline over the years, which can be attributed to economic distress among other factors, according to a 2024 Giving USA report. e report showed that giving by individuals
The Colorado Gives Foundation sees an uptake in the number of donations during the annual Colorado Gives Day fundraising event, which takes place on Dec. 10 this year. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
declined 2.3% in 2023.
Despite national trends, Dunkin said the Colorado Gives Foundation is seeing a di erent trend — a positive and hopeful one at that.
Compared to 2023 numbers, Dunkin said the amount donated so far this year has increased 76%. Additionally, the number of donations increased 46%, the number of nonpro ts that have received a donation went up 22% and the number of donors making donations increased 35%.
“We’re hopeful that it means we’ll see a great response on Colorado Gives Day,” said Dunkin.
Last year, more than $53 million was raised for more than 4,000 nonpro ts. As for early giving, the cumulative total the foundation made between Nov. 1-13 in 2023 was $2.49 million, according to Dunkin. is year, the cumulative total made between Nov. 1-13 was about $3.1 million.
“We’re always amazed and grateful to Colorado donors who step up every year to support their favorite nonpro ts,” said Dunkin.
STREET FAIRE
10:30A. - 4:30P.
Making an impact
Lisa Mendelsberg, who founded Colorado Animal Rescue Express, also known as C.A.R.E., has participated in Colorado Gives Day for 14 years and each year, has seen the impact the fundraising event makes.
Colorado Animal Rescue Express, located in Greenwood Village, works to curb pet homelessness through transportation and veterinary care donations. e nonpro t also works to reduce pet-overpopulation with sponsored programs for spay and neuter procedures.
e rst year that Mendelsberg participated in the event, her nonpro t won an award for being the smallest charity to have the largest number of donors.
“(Colorado Gives Day) gives a platform to tell your story and to be in front of other people, to be in front of a donor audience,” said Mendelsberg.
She added that Colorado Gives Day has been very important to the nonpro t’s success. Ever since it was formed in 2007, about 65,400 homeless pets have been moved to safety and about $398,000 has been donated to shelters, rescue groups and other caregiver organizations, according to the website.
e animal nonpro t is just one of thousands of nonpro ts that bene t from the annual fundraising event. e Aspen Ef-
fect, based in Douglas County, began fundraising through Colorado Gives Day last year.
Acknowledging the prevalence of mental health issues among youth, Jerry Van Leuvan founded the nonpro t to help give youth a place to connect with one another, heal and thrive.
In its third year of operations, e Aspen E ect is a youth program that aims to increase the resilience of youth across the county through the therapeutic relationships they develop with farm animals and adult mentors.
“Being a part of Colorado GIves Day has not only helped us to raise funding for e Aspen E ect, it gives us a strong connection to the bigger community of nonpro t work in Colorado,” said Van Leuvan.
How it works
People can go online to Coloradogives. org and type in a name of the nonpro t they want to support. If they are unsure, they can search by cause or location. e 12 groups of causes range from animals and civil rights to mental health and religion.
Donors can give various amounts to multiple nonpro ts at the same time by adding their donations to a cart. e donor can then check out all at once and receive one receipt.
“Just like shopping online,” said Dunkin. “If you can shop online, you can give online.”
Every donation made and processed between Nov. 1 and Dec. 10 is boosted by the $1 Million + Incentive Fund. e Colorado Gives Foundation puts in $500,000, its partner FirstBank puts in $500,000 and from there, other community sponsors help it grow. e fund boosts every donation made based on a percentage, said Dunkin. All nonpro ts receive a percentage of the fund equal to the percentage it raised for Colorado Gives Day. For example, if a nonpro t raises 10%, it gets 10% of the Incentive Fund.
“All nonpro ts on the website are public charities, therefore, whatever dedication you can take, you’ll need to talk to your tax advisor about that,” said Dunkin. e foundation also has nonpro ts that o er the homeless tax credit, the child care tax credit and the Enterprise Zone tax credit on the website.
She added that a lot of individuals have what are called Donor Advised Funds, and a donor can easily use their Donor Advised Funds to make contributions to nonpro ts on the site.
To learn more or to search for causes and donate, visit coloradogives.org.
41ST ANNUAL PARADE AT 2P.
Mount Evans brings love
tive people to live
and
lives. It meets the third Wednesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom. Register at resilience1220.org/groups.
Caregiver support group: Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice o ers a monthly group to provide emotional support services for caregivers helping ill, disabled or elderly loved ones. An in-person support group meets Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 3081 Bergen Peak Road, Evergreen. For more information, visit mtevans.org/ services/emotional-support/.
Parkinson’s disease support group: A Parkinson’s disease support group meets the rst Friday of the month from 1-3 p.m. at Evergreen Christian Church, 27772 Iris Drive, Evergreen. For more information, email esears@ parkinsonrockies.org.
Mountain Foothills Rotary meetings: Mountain Foothills Rotary meets at 6 p.m. Wednesdays both in person at Mount Vernon Canyon Club, 24933 Club House Circle, Genesee, and via Zoom. Information at 346-248-7799.
Beyond the Rainbow: Resilience1220 o ers Beyond the Rainbow, which is two support groups that meet the second Tuesday of the month. One is a safe group for those 12-20 and the other is a group for parents and caregivers wanting support for raising an LGBTQ+ child. For group location and to RSVP, email heather@resilience1220.org. FROM PAGE 16
A first look at the Arvada Aquatics Center, Je co’s state-of-the-art natatorium
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Swimmers and divers across the Denver metro area are gearing up to practice and compete in a brand new, state-of-the-art natatorium; the Arvada Aquatics Center. Recently completed after the project was approved in 2021 and ground was broken in 2023, the Arvada Aquatics Center held its rst day of programming on Nov. 18 and will be formally ushered in with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 23.
e 50,000-square-foot complex includes a 50-meter pool with adjustable bulkheads for di erent competition congurations, a 25-yard pool for swim lessons and exercise programs, and a diving well that features three 1-meter springboards, three 3-meter springboards, and 3-meter and 5-meter diving platforms.
Project Manager Kim Vagher said the diving platforms will allow divers to have a more local option — previously, the only diving facilities up to par with the AAC’s well are located in Colorado Springs and Laramie, Wyoming — and were not originally part of the plan for the facility.
“( e diving wells were) all donated by Pools for Kids,” Vagher said. “ at was about half a million dollars, and we did not have that in the budget, nor was it planned.”
Pools for Kids is a Colorado-based nonpro t that aims to upgrade swimming and diving facilities across the state. e AAC will be the home to most Jef-
ferson County Public School District swimming competitions, along with other scholastic competitions. e facility was built through an Intergovernmental Agreement between Je co Schools, the City of Arvada and the Apex Parks and Recreation District, allowing Je co school teams to use the facilities for practices as well.
“With the 25-yard pool and the 50-meter pool, we have about a million gallons of water,” Vagher said. “We have two bulkheads here that can be starting blocks. ey can change them depending on the size of the race. e bulkheads move manually.”
Vagher added that the bulkheads are controlled manually to avoid injuries to swimmers or coaches.
e competition pool itself is a stainless steel Myrtha Pool that was shipped from Italy. e pool allows measurements to be made within a 32nd of an inch, which is within certi cation guidelines to allow any state records set at the AAC to be made o cial easily.
Vagher said the process of getting the Myrtha Pool from Italy to Arvada was not a simple one.
“It came on a boat, and it was dropped in Houston, at the dock,” Vagher said. “In Houston, they loaded it up on a train. e train was scheduled to come to Denver, but it missed its stop and so we had to take trucks up to go get the pool in Cheyenne to bring it back down.”
Another design feature that will ensure that records broken at the AAC stand up under scrutiny is the fact that the facility was built on bedrock instead of soil.
“We’re not setting on any dirt,” Vagher said. “We’re setting on bedrock. is whole facility is 426 piers that go
The main pool inside the Arvada Aquatics Center.
PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN
Evergreen boys basketball eyes 2024-25 season with new coach
Head Coach Shane Fox previews the season as practice begins
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Cougars finished 11-12 overall and 6-4 (fifth) in the 5A/4A Jeffco League last season. But there’s a big shakeup heading into 2024-25.
There are five seniors on this year’s squad, and first-year Head Coach Shane
Fox will rely on them and others to lead the Cougars to success on the court. Fox, a longtime assistant coach with the program, took over for Hal Farmwald after seven seasons on the Cougars’ staff.
“It’s a lot of excitement,” Fox said. “I didn’t know how long I was going to stay when I initially started. I just wanted to be around the game and just kind of ended up falling in love with the program and the culture here. I couldn’t be more excited when I got the call and I feel the support from all the alumni and that was the best part about it all.”
Fox is originally from Colorado Springs and played basketball at Doherty High
School. He went on to play at Metropolitian State University of Denver and made the area his permanent home soon after.
He calls basketball the “love of his life” and couldn’t wait to get started with tryouts and practice this week.
According to MaxPreps, the Cougars only lost three seniors to graduation — Hayden Riddle, Logan Mahnken and Theodore Beckley — so there is optimism the team could stack more wins in 2024.
“We’ve got a good amount of returners coming back this year,” Fox said, who has enjoyed having senior-heavy teams in recent years. “It’s nice to have some of our main guys coming back. Four of our five starters are returning, so that’s always nice to have that experience. We’re deeper than we’ve been as well on both JV and varsity levels. So, we’re definitely going to be playing a lot more guys and have a deeper bench this year, which is going to be really fun as well.”
The 2024-25 campaign will be led by senior Rob Beldock, who Fox describes as the “voice of the team” who leads everyone into battle, and senior guards Drew Yager and Eli Beeson.
“I’m definitely expecting a lot out of them,” Fox said. “I was a guard myself, so I take a lot of pride and expect a lot out of my guards, especially in leadership and taking care of the ball and taking care of the team as well.”
Then there’s “Big Lukas” McCanna, a 6-foot-8 junior who is expected to take a big step this season as an upperclassman. McCanna was named an all-state honorable mention last season as a sophomore.
The Cougars began with a rough start at the start of the 2023-24 season.
Evergreen lost eight of its first 10 games last year, but many were onescore losses (a 44-41 loss to Thomas Jefferson, a 49-48 loss to Summit, a 54-51 overtime loss to Bear Creek and a 52-50
loss to Standley Lake). The best stretch of play from the Cougars came a little too late. The team won eight of its last 10 games to make the record look better.
Still, Evergreen wants to compete in the games that matter; the ones at the state tournament. But Fox isn’t slapping any major goals on the board just yet.
“I never really want to set a goal as far as winning and losing,” Fox said. “It’s really just competing every day and taking it game-by-game is how we’re going to look at it this year. Winning (the game where are playing) is going to be our goal each day this year … I want to be the loudest defensive talking team in the league. We want our defense to create a lot of our offense this year as well.”
Though he’s been with the program for several seasons under two different coaching staffs, Fox said he’s a coach who will instill the love of the game into his players.
“A couple staples (for me as a coach) is really just being hard-working, first, is the most important thing,” he said. “I’m teaching these kids, but growing them into hardworking men is kind of our goal as a coaching staff and just playing together. Basketball is the love of my life, so just preaching that into the game is the biggest thing. Obviously, we want to compete and win as much as we can, but just enjoying the journey and having fun with the beautiful game of basketball is kind of the biggest thing my whole staff expresses.”
Evergreen’s season tips off at home against Northglenn on Dec. 2.
Last year, the Cougars beat the Norsemen in a tight 38-36 battle to open the season 1-0. The rematch is sure to be interesting with a new head coach on the Cougars’ sideline.
For more information, including the full season schedule, search “Evergreen boys
basketball” on MaxPreps.com.
The Evergreen High School boys basketball team will have a new head coach in the 2024-25 season. Shane Fox, a longtime assistant coach, is now leading the team and said this year’s squad will be deep, with a lot of young and experienced players contributing. COURTESY PHOTOS
Four starters from last year’s Cougars team are returning in 2024-25, and while first-year Head Coach Shane Fox isn’t setting specific win-loss goals, the team should win a good amount of games this year with the talent on the roster.
about 60 to 80 feet to bedrock, and we have void oors. So, this is a structural slab underneath the poles. (We did this because) we have expansive soils, and you can’t a ord any type of movement in a pool.
“If we swelled and it moved the pool a little bit, then that brings it out of compliance because we have a di erential here,” Vagher continued. “And the worst thing that could happen is if the pool didn’t move, but this building moved because they’re separate — but now they’re all tied together.”
Vagher said another triumph of the pool’s build is the natural light — something that was not present at the AAC’s predecessor, the Meyers Pool.
“I think the biggest feature in this whole building really comes from the lobby,” Vagher said. “it’s the bright light entering into the facility. So, you’ll see it everywhere where daylight was one of the main design intents and goals, and I think we’ve achieved it very well. We’ve also got blinds to help shade the pool or the lob-
by for people who work here.” e AAC is also on track to earn a LEED Silver Certication for energy e ciency, which includes the following assets:
• Water-saving ltration with regenerative media lters for e cient water reuse, reducing indoor water use by approximately 40%.
• Native landscaping and high-e ciency drip irrigation systems are estimated to reduce outdoor water demand by 77%.
• Energy saving measures for HVAC systems, boilers, LED lighting and more with an anticipated reduction of energy costs by 20%.
• Waste diversion during the demolition of the Meyers pool and throughout construction led to 85% of the material being diverted from land lls and recycled.
• Interior nishes, highe ciency air ltration and large ceiling fans help reduce indoor air pollutants and improve air quality.
• A grant-funded partnership with the Colorado Energy O ce will fund the future installation of 10 EV charging stations, promoting greenhouse gas reductions.
HOLIDAY WORSHIP
The seating area at the AAC can hold over 800 spectators. The pool’s
PHOTOS BY RYLEE DUNN
The diving well at the AAC is one of the best in the state.
WORSHIP DIRECTORY
BERGEN PARK CHURCH
Bergen Park Church is a group of regular people who strive to improve ourselves and our community by studying the Bible and sharing our lives with each other.
On Sunday mornings you can expect contemporary live music, Children’s Ministry that seeks to love and care for your kids, teaching from the Bible, and a community of real people who are imperfect, but seek to honor God in their lives. We hope to welcome you soon to either our 9:00AM or 10:30AM Sunday service.
Search Bergen Park Church on YouTube for Livestream service at 9:00am 31919 Rocky Village Dr. 303-674-5484 info@bergenparkchurch.org / www.BergenParkChurch.org
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH SERVICES
28244 Harebell Lane
Sunday Service & Sunday School: 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 • www.evergreenumc.org 3757 Ponderosa Dr. across Hwy 74 from Safeway in Evergreen
Join us in person every Sunday at 10:00am for worship
“Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds”
TRIVIA
1. GEOGRAPHY: In which country would you nd the Angkor Wat temple?
2. SCIENCE: Which vitamin aids in blood clotting?
3. MUSIC: Which pop music icon has a Pantone color named after him?
4. TELEVISION: Which 1990s TV comedy series features the theme song “Cleveland Rocks”?
5. U.S. STATES: Which state is last alphabetically?
6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is an adult female turkey called?
7. MOVIES: Which popular 1994 movie features a character named Red?
8. AD SLOGANS: Which company’s advertising slogan is “Like a Good Neighbor”?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: How long is the Macy’s anksgiving Parade route?
10. ANATOMY: What are beta cells?
Answers
1. Cambodia.
2. Vitamin K.
3. Prince (“Love Symbol #2,” a purple shade).
4. “ e Drew Carey Show.”
5. Wyoming.
6. A hen.
7. “ e Shawshank Redemption.”
8. State Farm.
9. 2.5 miles.
10. Specialized cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
FLASHBACK
1. Name the group that released “Up On the Roof.”
2. Name the singer-songwriter who released “Everything Is Beautiful.”
3. Which artist released “Little Bitty Tear”?
4. What was the subject of “Another Day in Paradise,” by Phil Colling?
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Make me feel that you still love me, If it’s just, if it’s just for one more day.”
Answers
1. e Drifters, in 1962. e song appears on the list of “ e Songs at Shaped Rock and Roll,” created by the curator of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame museum in Cleveland.
2. Ray Stevens, in 1970. e song picked up two Grammy awards and was played on a variety of radio stations, from adult contemporary to country. It was heard around the globe, from Australia to Canada to Belgium.
3. Burl Ives, in 1961.
4. Problems of the homeless. e song was controversial but still topped the charts in several countries.
5. “Break It to Me Gently,” by Brenda Lee, in 1962. e song topped the adult charts in both the U.S. and Canada and was used at the end of season 2 of “Mad Men” in 2008.
(c) 2024 King Features Syndicate
Help Wanted
CITY OF CENTRAL
Public Works Maintenance Worker
City of Central FT Hourly range from $20.54+ per hour DOQ/E
Requirements: High School diploma/GED + 1 year experience as a construction laborer, Class B Colorado Driver’s License or capable of obtaining one within three months of the date of hire. e position is required to perform a wide variety of unskilled and semi-skilled work in maintenance, construction and repair of the City’s infrastructure and facilities including but not limited to highways, roads, bridges, streets, curbs, sidewalks, buildings and other city-owned properties; operates trucks and light equipment incidental to the work. e City provides a comprehensive bene t package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage. 100% of the employee’s and dependent premiums are paid by the City. Paid vacation and sick leave, 401(a) and 457b employer retirement contributions; een paid holidays annually. City paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance.
Apply now: A detailed job description can be found on the City’s website https://centralcity.colorado.gov/. Quali ed applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to the Finance/Human Resources Director at arobbins@ cityofcentral.co or mail to P.O. Box 249 Central City, CO 80427. e position is open until 12/01/2024. EOE.
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EAGLE VIEW METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By /s/David Solin, Secretary
Legal Notice No. CAN 1736 First Publication: November 28, 2024 Last Publication: November 28, 2024 Publisher: Canyon Courier
Notice NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Roxbor-
ough 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., Monday, December 09, 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 WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT
By: Mike Marcum, General Manager
Legal Notice No. CAN 1716 (2)
First Publication: November 28, 2024
Last Publication: November 28, 2024
Publisher: Canyon Courier Public Notice NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT JEFFERSON COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO
Pursuant to C.R.S. Section 38-26-107, notice is hereby given that on the 17th day of December 2024 final settlement will be made by the County of Jefferson, State of Colorado to: DESIGN MECHANICAL INC. 312 CTC BLVD. LOUISVILLE CO 80027
hereinafter called the “Contractor”, for and on account of the contract for the Boiler and Pumps Replacement project in Jefferson County, CO.
1. Any person, co-partnership, association, or corporation who has an unpaid claim against the said project, for or on account of the furnishing of labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender, or other supplies used or consumed by such Contractor or any of said work, may at any time up to and including said time of such final settlement, file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim.
2.All such claims shall be filed with Heather Frizzell, Director of Finance for Jefferson County Colorado, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden CO 80419-4560.
3.Failure on the part of a creditor to file such statement prior to such final settlement will relieve the County of Jefferson, State of Colorado, from any and all liability for such claim.
County of Jefferson, State of Colorado Andy Kerr, Chairman Board of County Commissioners
The sun sets early in the mountains. But Black Hawk lights up. With five distinct dining options. Spy the snowfall from the rooftop spa. Or, feel the heat from the expansive gaming floor, Where there’s no limit on the fun.
The sun may set early, But here, we play bright. Experience the holidays.