Centennial Citizen October 31, 2024

A table of connection:

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In the large atrium at the EPIC Campus, a giant table spanned from one side of the space to the other. It was covered in white tablecloths and topped with pumpkins and decorative pomegranates and pears. Around it, over a hundred people sat in chairs.

As they passed bread to each other, the people talked — about their childhoods, their histories and their communities. If they were following the rules, they did not mention their jobs. Sharing the potluck food and stories, both strangers and neighbors dove into real conversations.

“ e table doesn’t care what your resume is, what your background is, what neighborhood you grew up in,” said a man named Tim Jones at the front of the

Community group launches Longer Tables Littleton

room. “ is place, this table, re-humanizes us. As we biologically sustain our lives … we reconnect with one another.”

It was the pilot event of what organizers say will hopefully be an even larger event next year — during which many Littleton residents will come together to share a meal and build connections. Lift Up Littleton, a collaborative of community organizations, is hoping to host the larger event in September 2025 — with some of the members dreaming of a table that would span along Littleton Boulevard and Main Street, from Broadway to Santa Fe Drive.

Jones, founder and executive director of an organization called Longer Tables, supported Lift Up Littleton in kicking o the event. In July, Jones and his team helped put on a similar event in Denver, during which 528 people gathered to

share a meal in Civic Center Park.

As an organization, Longer Tables aims to “cultivate humanity through connection and belonging.”

“We’re excited about where this could go,” said Tami Slipher, chair of Longer Tables Littleton 2025, who helped plan the pilot event. “It’s one table, one day, but our hope is that that would be the springboard for new and innovative ways for you to take community and belonging back to your neighborhood, back to your work, back to your community.”

Slipher organized the Longer Tables Littleton pilot event with her co-chair, Jonathan Slater, who passed away in early October. Slater was honored at the event for his work in the community, his generosity and his kindness.

Law firm says tax-funded political signs

were legal

Englewood working to prevent future issues over trust, transparency

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Several weeks after the revelation that Englewood parks and recreation sta spent more than $2,000 of taxpayer money on yard signs urging voters to approve the department’s $41.5 million parks bond in November, the city says an outside law rm that it hired found the actions of city sta fell within the law. e bond, with a repayment cost of $73 million through increased property taxes, would fund improvements and changes at multiple Englewood parks.

“ e law rm of Ho mann Parker Wilson & Carberry PC has issued a legal opinion nding the city has complied with applicable law,” spokesperson Chris Harguth said. However, he said the report would not be released, writing that it “remains protected under attorney-client privilege and is exempt from the Colorado Open Records Act.”

Additionally, Harguth said while the city is satis ed with outside counsel’s ndings, it recognizes the “importance of public trust and transparency.”

Harguth said the city will use this situation as an opportunity to strengthen policies and procedures to prevent something like this from occurring again.

“To prevent this situation in the future, the city will update its ethics policy, provide mandatory training and revise approval processes,” Harguth said. “An ordinance revision is also drafted to ensure public funds are not used for future ballot-related expenses.”

e ndings of the outside counsel came after the city revealed that the city’s marketing division created and ordered the signs at the request of the Parks, Recreation, Library and Golf department. e 250 yard signs cost $2,162.50 and were ordered on July 1. e city received them from the printer on July 19 and handed them over that same day to a private citizen whom the city has not identied. e signs started appearing around

Longer Tables Littleton 2025 Chair Tami Slipher speaks at the event at the EPIC Campus on Oct. 16.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

Readers honor loved ones who have passed for Day of the Dead

BY NINA JOSS

Each year, Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is celebrated to honor and commemorate the lives of loved ones who have passed away.

Often celebrated in Mexico and Central America, the holiday has roots in Indigenous and Spanish Catholic ritual customs, according to the National Museum of the American Latino. It is mostly celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, but celebrations sometimes begin earlier in some countries and communities.

In communities that celebrate the day, families often build altars adorned with owers, candles, photos, the favorite foods of their loved ones and more.

In honor of this holiday, the Littleton Independent asked readers to submit photos and messages about their lost loved ones.

Russ Young, a loyal reader and Littleton resident, said he lost his “beloved bride,” Patricia Young, in January. “I miss her every day,” he wrote. “She made me a better man.”

Reader Chuck Pfae e took the opportunity to honor his late parents, Wilhelmina (Willie) and Charlie Pfae e, who he said “set a high bar for parenting and made it look

easy.”

“Vibrant, talented, thoughtful, caring, funny, great dancers and certainly loving are just a few ways to describe them,” he wrote. “ ey taught us by example the importance of honesty, sharing, having a quiet strength and strong moral character, kindness to animals, a love of nature and being a good friend to others.”

Pfae e said he and his family miss Willie and Charlie terribly, but they “remain everlastingly thankful for how blessed we are to have had them as our parents and all the precious memories they gave us.”

Nina Joss, the Littleton Independent’s local reporter, honored her grandmother, Marlene Joss, who recently passed away.

“She was a force of a woman and an example of how to live a life of deep commitment to the people you love,” Joss wrote. “She taught me so much about love, dreamchasing, con dence, respect, beauty and the importance of family.”

Local reader Jena Dickey re ected on the loss of her dear dog. She said many people think pets are “just pets,” but they are usually a lot more.

“ e unconditional love they give is absolutely amazing,” she said.

Simba, her Pekingese, passed away earlier this fall at

about 12 years old.

“What a little saint,” she wrote. “He sat with me while I had a bad virus and congestion. Honestly, he would do anything just to be with me. Such a love! My life will not be the same without him.”

South metro editor Christy Steadman’s family will be celebrating Dia de los Muertos for the second time this year. Her father, Jody, passed away in August 2023 following a 12-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

“Dia de los Muertos is a beautiful tradition,” Steadman said. “Getting to celebrate my dad’s life in a way that is not sorrowful or morbid helped us cope with the grief from his loss last year. While my dad is in my heart every day of the year, Dia de los Muertos is so special, having a speci c day to honor him and remember him for the loving father he was.”

Although death is often seen as a sad or scary concept in American culture, Dia de los Muertos is “a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory,” according to National Geographic.

“On Dia de Los Muertos, we remember that death is simply a part of life,” said an exhibit description for a Dia de los Muertos exhibit at the

de

in Denver. “It is not to be feared, because it reminds us that life is precious and that our loved ones are always with us.”

Museo

las Americas

Marlene Joss smiles in a kitchen. COURTESY OF NINA JOSS

The Dia de los Muertos altar that Darlene Steadman, editor Christy Steadman’s mom, built last year in honor of Christy’s dad, Jody, who passed away in August 2023. The family is already working on building Jody’s altar for their 2024 Dia de los Muertos celebration.

PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

Patricia Young smiles at the camera. COURTESY OF RUSS YOUNG

Charlie and Wilhelmina (Willie) Pfae e smile with a background of flowers. COURTESY OF CHUCK PFAEFFLE Simba poses for the camera.

COURTESY OF JENA DICKEY

Cooperative Living Presents an Attractive Alternative for Downsizing Seniors

The first time I heard about Village Cooperatives was a few years ago when I listed the Lakewood home of an elderly couple who had a deposit on an apartment at Village Cooperative Lakewood, near Wadsworth and Jewell, which was then under construction. They ended up canceling their reservation, so I didn’t think more of it, including in March 2020 when Rita and I sold our Golden home and moved into a 55+ rental called Avenida. If I had looked into Village Cooperatives, I think Rita and I might have made a different decision.

pro-rated to the portion of the year, so it wouldn’t actually be 9% unless you bought after exactly 3 years.

There are between 50 and 70 apartments in each of the cooperatives. All but this one are 3 stories with a garage in the basement. There are a few 1-bedroom units, but most are 2 bedrooms, and some of those also have a den. They range from under 900 to over 1,700 square feet, and there are over 20 floor plans. During the tour, I got to see all three types.

Two weeks ago, I got an invitation to visit the Village Cooperative building in Centennial from a reader who had moved there from Avenida the same year we moved in. I attended a 2-hour talk and tour of the facility last week, and learned enough to consider getting on a waiting list for a 2-bedroom unit with a den.

Ten of the 45 Village Cooperatives built so far are in Colorado. Five of the 10 are in the Denver metro area, stretching from Longmont to Centennial, and the only ones that aren’t sold out are in the Columbine area of Littleton and in Longmont. All the others have waiting lists. The company that builds them is based in Minnesota.

The details and numbers I’ll quote below are for the Centennial location, but the other locations are probably comparable.

Buying into a cooperative is not at all like buying a condo. You are buying a share in the ownership of the building. The price of the share is set originally and appreciates by 3% per year, without compounding. For example, in the Centennial cooperative, the original prices ranged from about $160,000 to $240,000 when it opened three years ago. If you could purchase a share which had an original price of $200,000, you’d pay $218,000 (3% increase x 3 years). The 3% per year is

Real estate agents play no role in the purchase. You pay a refundable $500 deposit to get on the waiting list, and you will be notified when shares become available. You can pass on any unit that becomes available and not lose your place on the list.

The monthly fees — it’s not considered “rent” — are about $2,000 per month and consist of four components: your pro-rated share of the monthly payment on the building’s 40-year construction mortgage; your share of the property tax on the building, and a management fee, including your share of the building’s contract with Comcast for internet access, cable TV and a landline. The fourth component is contribution to reserves. Gas and electric are individually metered.

The cooperative is managed by a board of directors consisting of your fellow shareholders. Members also are encouraged to join committees focused on finance, maintenance, and social activities.

One parking spot in the secure basement garage is assigned to each unit. There is a high-pressure car wash bay with vacuum, too.

Amenities include a fitness center, a library, storage rooms, a meeting/game room, and two hotel-style guest rooms that residents can reserve for $50/night.

I was impressed by the sizes of the rooms in each of the apartments. In our current apartment, the master bedroom is

Just Listed: 5-Bedroom Brick Ranch in Wheat Ridge

10’ by 11’ — barely big enough for our king-size bed and one dresser. The master bedrooms in the cooperative’s units are more like 12’x15’, and the smallest guest bedrooms are bigger than the master bedroom in our Golden apartment.

A member can sell their share at any time and get back their investment plus the 3% per annum appreciation paid by the replacement member, minus deduction for repairs, etc. Members can pay for upgrades such as better appliances, countertops, backsplashes, fixtures, flooring, etc. and expect an additional direct payment for those upgrades by the buyer, as negotiated between buyer and seller.

A gas forced-air furnace is in a locked closet accessed from each unit’s balcony. Central hot water is included in the monthly fees.

You can’t finance your purchase with a mortgage, because it’s not real estate. It’s a cash purchase, and you have to demonstrate that you can afford the monthly fees. If you are planning to sell your current home when your wait for a unit is up, one strategy is to borrow the $200,000

via a home equity line of credit (HELOC) that is paid off when your home sells.

The purchase price and the monthly fees for a cooperative are roughly half what a comparable condo purchase and dues would be, making the decision an easy one if you have the liquid funds to buy the share.

Village Cooperative only began in 2011 and has grown impressively. You can learn more and see its many locations at www.VillageCooperative.com. In the posting of this article on my blog, http://RealEstateToday.substack.com, I have links to a few YouTube videos I recorded during my tour.

Some Buyers Pay ‘Admin Fees’

A couple weeks ago I wrote that almost no buyers are paying a commission to their agents, despite the recent NAR settlement. Sellers are still paying buyer agents’ commissions. However, many brokerages have a long-standing practice of charging a 3figure “administrative fee” to buyers — usually around $300. Golden Real Estate does not charge buyers such a fee.

Water Cremation: Going Green in the End

$750,000

The seller has owned and loved this brick ranch at 7085 W. 32nd Place for 43 years! The basement, with two doors to the backyard, includes a large wet bar for entertaining plus a sound-proofed musical studio which could be a bedroom with ensuite bathroom. The home has 500-amp electrical service, with 240-volt outlets in the detached garage/ workshop. There are four separate sheds in the backyard. Well water is used for irrigation. The asphalt driveway was recently seal coated. There’s a fenced dog run and pre-wiring for a hot tub. You’ve got to see this home to believe it! Visit www.WheatRidgeHome.info to see lots of interior and exterior photos and to take a narrated video tour. Kathy Jonke will be holding it open this Saturday from 11 to 1, or call her at 303-990-7428 to request a private showing.

Golden Real Estate’s Broker Associates

David Dlugasch

303-908-4835

Joined us in 2014

Licensed in 2001

Jim Swanson

303-929-2727

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303-885-7855

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I don’t recall how I learned about it, but last week Rita and I visited an open house at Be A Tree, a company which offers water cremation as a green alternative to conventional flame cremation. Conventional flame cremation uses natural gas. Water cremation is what it sounds like. Also known as alkaline hydrolysis, it uses a mixture of 95% water and potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide to dissolve fats and tissues in a body, reducing it to components of liquid and bone. The process takes place over 18 hours in a pressure vessel heated to around 200°F.

The bones are then ground into a powder referred to as ashes, although no flame was used. For an extra fee, those ashes can be molded into white stones which can be shared among loved ones.

The 150 gallons of nutrient rich water generated by the process, called Tree Tea, can be used as fertilizer, hence the

name of the company, Be A Tree. Rita and I had always thought that cremation was the best way to go when we die, but we had done no pre-planning and this approach is much more appealing to us, so we have now pre-planned for water cremation with Be A Tree. If this concept appeals to you, learn more at www.BeATreeCremation.com or call 720-782-2782.

Creatively preserving tradition

Littleton’s Main Street to be decorated with new holiday tree program

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With many Littleton residents still mourning the loss of the trees on Main Street last year, a group of downtown leaders has devised a plan to bring a festive forest to town this holiday season. e Littleton Downtown Development Authority will install and light up evergreen trees in planters along Main Street beginning mid-November through much of January. e goal is to bring back some of the festive spirit formerly created by the holiday lights on downtown trees that were removed in 2023 due to disease.

“It was a tradition,” said Krista Falkenstine, a member of the Littleton DDA and local business owner who pitched the tree program idea. “ e part of Littleton that is a small town loves traditions — and outside of Littleton … (People) would come every year from Denver, from Englewood, from Commerce City, to see the downtown lights in Littleton.”

The deadline has passed to sponsor a tree, but anyone interested in supporting the program in other ways can reach out to the Littleton DDA at info@downtownlittleton.org.

East Community Center in Littleton wins regional award, celebrates one year of operation

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Within one year of opening its doors, the East Community Center in Littleton has been recognized for its innovation and service to the community.

e center, located at 5933 S. Fair eld St., recently received a Metro Vision Award from the Denver Regional Council of Governments, commonly known as DRCOG. e award honors local projects, programs and initiatives that enhance place, mobility, environment, livability or vitality.

“We’re very proud of it,” East Community Center Director Jose Cardenas said of the award, which he received in August. “To have been recognized so early into the process has been amazing.”

e East Community Center was one of eight recipients of the award this year. Cardenas said the award gave him the opportunity to re ect on what he and his team have built at the community center since it opened in September 2023.

e center, formerly East Elementary School, is a public facility that hosts a plethora of nonpro ts and programming to support north Littleton families. When Littleton Public Schools merged East Elementary and Ralph Moody Elementary

onto a separate campus — Little Raven Elementary — the district committed to repurposing the East Elementary building into a community center.

e district launched a community engagement initiative to gather community feedback on what residents wanted to see in the building. e process included voices of more than 200 community members and o ered food, childcare and language interpretation at meetings to make the process as accessible as possible.

Charmaine Robledo, a spokesperson for DRCOG, said the selection panel for the award considers “how well the project demonstrates innovation in the development and implementation, serves as a model for other communities and grows out of the vision and needs of a community.”

She said the center’s community engagement process was one reason it won the award.

“ e review panel was particularly impressed with the community-driven model of the East Community Center led by the school district and communitybased organizations,” she said. “In addition, this innovative approach to

This year, Littleton’s Main Street will be lined with potted evergreen trees during the holiday season. The trees pictured are not the exact trees that will line the street. The trees will be a variety of evergreen species and will be about five to six feet tall.

IMAGE

TREES

The Littleton DDA is working with local landscaping company Designs by Sundown to purchase, install and maintain 34 trees lining Main Street, Falkenstine said. Each tree will be about five or six feet tall, according to the city’s website. “We hear a lot about the devastation of the loss of trees, and so I think everybody was trying to think of a creative way … to help light downtown up again,” said Littleton DDA Executive Director Jenny Starkey.

Starkey said the ambiance of the former downtown treescape won’t be fully replicated until new trees are planted someday, but she hopes the temporary holiday tree pro-

AWARD

repurposing a school facility for (a) well-de ned community need was a great match for the award’s criteria.”

Looking back on the past year of the center, Cardenas said he is most proud of the diversity of the programs in the building. e center houses 17 organizations, ranging from a food market to a nonpro t supporting people affected by Parkinson’s disease.

“We have everything from youth services to senior services to food insecurity to mental health,” he said. “I feel like we’ve done a great job of hitting the di erent areas that the community had identi ed as what they wanted to see come out of this location.”

He said the East Community Center has a lot of potential and he is excited to see it keep growing.

“I think one of the next things we would love to do is to ll up almost every hour of us being open

gram can show the community that the Littleton DDA cares about having a vibrant downtown area.

A permanent plan, which is still in conceptual stage, for streetscaping downtown Littleton, including planting new trees, will be part of the city’s long-term Project Downtown plan to redesign downtown Littleton.

Starkey said the Littleton DDA plans to decorate some of the trees with lights, and others may be decorated in other ways due to electrical limitations. Signage at each tree will designate the tree’s sponsor. Some community members sponsored trees in memory of a lost loved one, and that will be on the signage, too.

At the end of the holiday season, the trees will be moved and planted in permanent lo-

with programming,” he said.

Right now, speci c groups have programs happening at di erent times of day, but Cardenas wants to see the center full of even more educational opportunities and activities.

He said he wants the community to know that the center is there to serve the community.

“We want them to come and check out the di erent resources that are here,” he said. “We want them to let us know what we’re missing … We’re ready for individuals to come in and get the resources that they need.”

Cardenas said he hopes the East Community Center can inspire other communities to get creative with vacant school buildings.

“As schools are closing due to low enrollment in di erent areas of the state, I think it serves as a good model of what you can do with a building,” Cardenas said.

“My hope is that we’re creating something that, down the road, people will look at and say, ‘ is was very innovative. is was very visionary.’”

cations around the city. Sponsors will get to choose to plant their tree on their own property or donate it to Arapahoe Community College or the City of Littleton to be planted for public enjoyment, Starkey said.

Falkenstine said she wanted to create a sustainable program that would contribute to the city’s canopy instead of using artificial trees that would end up in a landfill.

“We’re all trying to be greener and more sustainable, and that was a big priority,” she said.

The Littleton DDA worked with the city’s forestry department to select trees that will work well when planted after the holiday season. These include Austrian pines, white firs, Douglas firs and blue spruces.

Former City Forester Mary Danser said Littleton has a goal to increase its overall canopy

at a rate of five percent every 10 years, and this program will contribute to that goal.

“We cannot meet those goals without prioritizing new tree plantings and current tree preservation,” she said. “I hope this program through the Littleton DDA serves as a reminder to the public that planting trees today impacts the sustainability of the city in the future.”

The Littleton DDA surpassed its $10,000 sponsorship goal for the program, raising about $22,000 from sponsors and partners, Starkey said.

The Littleton DDA also contributed $25,000 from its budget and received about $25,000 in grants to support the program, including from a local foundation, Starkey said. She said the program was budgeted to cost about $65,000 excluding lights, and the extra funds will

be used to cover lighting and decorations.

Falkenstine said she is hopeful the trees and lights will be beautiful and will maintain the city’s tradition. She also said she hopes the program shows the Littleton community that the Littleton DDA cares about their needs.

Starkey said she is grateful for the community’s embrace of the program, especially as the Littleton DDA is still pretty new to the community in its second year of operation.

“The community asked for something, and we were able to deliver with a really unique and creative idea,” she said. “To see the community wrap its arms around this program — which is really our first big community type of program — has just been really the most exciting result of this entire thing.”

Denver Regional Council of Governments Board of Directors Vice Chair Colleen Whitlow smiles with Littleton Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services Melissa Cooper and East Community Center Director Jose Cardenas at the awards ceremony on Aug. 28. COURTESY OF DENVER REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

the city in early September and were handed out to members of the issue committee Neighbors for Englewood Parks and Recreation before its formal creation, which occurred on Sept. 18.

After the sign purchase became public knowledge in late September, the city requested that the committee retrieve the signs, which it has been doing for the last several weeks.

“ e committee is actively retrieving the signs, and the majority have already been collected,” Harguth said. “As of the most recent update, 210 of 250 signs have been returned to the city.”

e lone signatory of that issue committee, Bob Stephenson, said the group was actively retrieving signs and distributing new signs funded by former mayor and

paid for by the committee,” Stephenson said. “We are accepting donations to reimburse him. We have also printed and distributed handbills funded by another committee member to explain both the bene ts and the necessity of the bond.”

Harguth said the city is repurposing the old signs and using them for other purposes such as special events.

“Twelve signs were used at the city’s Trunk or Treat event on Saturday,” Harguth said. “Six metal stands have been repurposed for ballot box directional signage.”

Parks and Rec Commission member Chris Lambert said he feels the signs issue and the overall process of creating and placing the bond on the ballot could have been handled better by city sta .

“Simply put, I believe that the city sta should have made more decisions based on citizen feedback,” Lambert said. “As I pointed out in the October 10 commission meeting, the way we are doing surveys is not looking for honest feedback on what projects citizens want to move forward.”

Additionally, Lambert said he felt that although the commission was told it would have time to share its feedback and concerns, it wasn’t given that opportunity.

“We as a commission were told that we would have the opportunity to talk about individual projects before the nal reading in June ve di erent times,” Lambert said. “ ere was never any time given to me or any other member between April 23 and May of this year.”

Lambert said he hopes for “a more ethical city sta .”

“I believe we commission members have a part to play,” Lambert said. “But, Englewood has no ethics committee or board, just attorneys that seem to want to protect the sta .”

Going forward, City Manager Shawn Lewis said the city is taking this situation seriously and working to rectify the issue.

“ e city’s commitment to transparency and responsible governance remains unwavering,” Lewis said. “We look forward to working with the community to continue fostering an environment of open dialogue and trust as we move forward with important initiatives, such as our parks and recreation improvements.”

TABLES

During the Littleton event, Deputy City Manager Mike Gent, who holds a doctorate in social work, shared some insight from his studies of loneliness during his graduate degree program.

“ e thing about loneliness is that it is natural,” he said. “Your body knows what it needs. It needs food and it needs hydration — it also needs social connection.”

He said the U.S. Surgeon General has issued a warning about the loneliness epidemic. According to some research, loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. Being socially connected, on the other hand, can help people survive major health events, he

“ at’s what I want you to leave tonight with — with an idea that you need to be an advocate for yourself and make sure that you’re taking care of this incredible health factor in your own lives,” he said. “Build connections, nurture connections, and then do the same thing with your loved ones.”

Slipher said the goal of the pilot event in Littleton was to bring a diverse group of community leaders together — from

faith, business, nonpro t, governmental, healthcare and other sectors — to introduce the idea and gather support for the larger event next year.

Heidi Taylor, who leads Lift Up Littleton alongside Slipher, said the response was inspiring.

“We’re kind of blown away at all the positive comments,” she said.

Based on surveys completed by attendees after the event, Taylor said 98% of respondents said Littleton needs to be more connected as a community, and 87% said Longer Tables is a good tool for creating that connection.

Slipher and Taylor said they are excited and hopeful about the initiative and they plan to host another pilot event in the spring.

“If we have this contributor mindset of ‘this is my community, and I want people to belong,’ how would that change the way I act? How would that change the way I engage someone on the street? How would that change the way I let someone in in tra c?” Slipher said. “Our hope is that this will empower people to set longer tables wherever they’re at.”

Individuals, businesses or groups that want to support the Longer Tables Littleton 2025 event can email Slipher at longertableslittleton@gmail.com to get involved.

FROM PAGE 1 Guests dine and connect during a Longer Table event in Littleton on Oct. 16.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

A new sign supporting the GO park bond and paid for by former Englewood mayor and city council member Jim Woodward.

PHOTO BY SCOTT GILBERT

was the at98% be and for excited they the of peochange change street? let “Our to that Litat get

Millions of aging Americans face dementia by themselves

BY JUDITH GRAHAM KFF HEALTH NEWS

Sociologist Elena Portacolone was taken aback. Many of the older adults in San Francisco she visited at home for a research project were confused when she came to the door. ey’d forgotten the appointment or couldn’t remember speaking to her.

It seemed clear they had some type of cognitive impairment. Yet they were living alone.

Portacolone, an associate professor at the University of California-San Francisco, wondered how common this was. Had anyone examined this group? How were they managing?

When she reviewed the research literature more than a decade ago, there was little there. “I realized this is a largely invisible population,” she said.

Portacolone got to work and now leads the Living Alone With Cognitive Impairment Project at UCSF. e project estimates that that at least 4.3 million people 55 or older who have cognitive impairment or dementia live alone in the United States.

About half have trouble with daily activities such as bathing, eating, cooking, shopping, taking medications, and managing money, according to their research. But only 1 in 3 received help with at least one such activity.

Compared with other older adults who live by themselves, people living alone with cognitive impairment are older,

P31

Baker, a former CIA analyst, lives alone in a 100-year-old house in

has cognitive problems related to a

28 years ago, Alzheimer’s disease, and serious vision impairment. With help from a few artist friends, she throws ceramic pots about six days a week. “I’m a very independent person and I find that I want to do everything I possibly can for myself,” Baker says. “It makes me feel better about myself.”

Denise

Asheville, North Carolina. She

stroke

PHOTO BY LORENA RUSSELL FOR KFF

How does Colorado keep noncitizens and dead people from voting?

Protections involve everything from the DMV database to what’s known as the ‘death list’

BY CAITLYN KIM CPR NEWS

As the election draws nearer, Coloradans have a lot of questions around voting — about how the process works, and also, what protections are there to ensure ineligible people aren’t casting ballots.

It’s a perennial concern in every election, but one that has heated up this year, that somehow large numbers of non-citizens — and the dead — will manage to cast ballots.

Weld County Clerk and Recorder Carly Koppes has been elding versions of these fears since she rst started working in the o ce in 2004. e Republican, who was rst elected Clerk in 2014, is on her 6th presidential cycle.

“ is isn’t the rst presidential election that we’ve got a lot of voters asking, ‘what about the illegals?’” she said.

Despite no widespread evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 election, an NPR poll shows that a majority of Americans are concerned that there will be fraud this time around, in large part due to former President Donald Trump’s false statements. A majority of respondents in that survey said they believe noncitizens will be able to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

A number of audits, investigations and studies con rmed the results of the 2020 election, which President Joe Biden won.

e checks to ensure only eligible voters end up on the voter rolls start with the rst question asked of anyone registering to vote in Colorado.

“On the form it says, ‘Are you a citizen of the United State? Yes or No?” Koppes said, pointing to a printed copy of Colorado’s o cial voter registration form. Next to the question, the document says, “if you answered No, do not complete this form.”

“So, it’s a self-a rmation. We are hoping that you are answering that question correctly,” Koppes explained. But “when we start registering you to vote in the voter registration system, we do verify and check.”

In other words: trust, but verify.

Clerks and the Secretary of State’s o ce rely on a long list of databases to ensure their voter lists are clean, something even the right wing Heritage Foundation agrees Colorado does a good job on; it ranked the state third in the nation for accuracy of voter registration lists.

When it comes to preventing non-citizens in particular from voting, the veri cation process starts with two other pieces of information on that form – your drivers’ license number or, if you don’t have that, the last four of your Social Security number.

By double-checking those, “we will be able to know if it is a valid U.S. citizen-issued Colorado ID or driver’s license or Social Security number,” Koppes said.

While Colorado is a state that allows non-citizens, including people without legal status, to get a driver’s license, there are guard rails in place for them.

“ ere’s a nice big old black bar that’s actually put onto those issued IDs that clearly states this is not used for federal

identi cation or voting purposes,” she explained. “Because they’re already agged within the Department of Revenue system, if they do try to get used as a voter registration, when we hit that system, it’s going to go ‘nope’ and (that) stops it right there.”

Koppes said with all these di erent checks and veri cations, it’s exceedingly rare for a non-citizen to get onto a voter list. And if a non-citizen does actually manage to vote, the consequences can be severe: a ne, jail time and deportation.

“I’ve known people and I’ve grown up with some people who have not been U.S. citizens and the last thing that they want to do is put that ability to eventually become a U.S. citizen in jeopardy,” Koppes said.

It might not sound sexy, but voter list maintenance is a big part of the job of clerks and the Secretary of State’s o ce. e databases they turn to don’t just allow o cials to check for noncitizens and keep track of deaths, there are many, many more that help clerks, such as ensuring people aren’t voting in two locations and spotting when people move out of state. is work does not just happen in the months leading up to an election, but yearround.

“We update our voter lists daily using information about driver’s license and address updates from the Colorado Department of Revenue. And (we get) incarceration updates from the Colorado Department of Corrections,” explained Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold (Colorado bans people from voting while they’re serving a felony sentence).  e state also gets federal information from the SAVE database to see if someone previously issued a non-citizen driver’s license has obtained their citizenship and is

REVERSE MORTGAGES

‘We actually, in the 2016 election, did catch an ex-husband trying to vote his ex-wife’s ballot.’

Carly Koppes, Weld County clerk and recorder

now eligible to vote.

As for dead people voting, Griswold quipped, “a dead person is dead.”

“But in all seriousness,” she went on, “we get information when Coloradans pass away from two spots… the Department of Public Health and Environment and also the Social Security Administration.”

Clerk Koppes said the Social Security list is aptly named the Death List.

“When I worked in the elections department every day doing data entry, I would always make the joke, I see dead people,” she said, citing the lm “ e Sixth Sense.” And like the movie, the issue of dead people voting comes with a bit of a twist: some of the ballots counted on

SEE

VOTING, P9

Mental health voters guide now available

Publisher said voters need to know how local candidates view mental health issues

BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Colorado o ce seekers routinely make their stances known on issues like the economy, taxes, energy development and gun control.

But as more people struggle with teen suicides, depression and anxiety, the state’s politicians vying for votes on Nov. 5, also should let voters know how they stand on mental health policy, said Renata Hill, publisher of Moodfuel.

“ ere are just so many Coloradans suffering from unmet mental health needs, and there really hasn’t been a focus on mental health and it should be a focus on mental health in the election,” Hill said. e on-line Moodfuel  serves Colora-

VOTING

Election Day may legitimately belong to people who’ve died.

“Under Colorado law, if a voter casts a ballot during the early voting period and then passes away before Election Day, that vote will count,” explained Koppes.

Here again there is a veri cation process — in this case, with the signature on the

dans with unmet mental health needs through inclusive, solutions-based articles, resources and diverse content, according to its website.

To let voters know how local candidates lean on mental health issues, Moodfuel produced the state’s rst-ever Colorado Mental Health Voters’ Guide.

e guide presents fact-checked, nonpartisan information about state legislative candidates and ballot measures through the lens of mental health, according to a Moodfuel news release.

“Now, Colorado voters can better assess the people who will lead and legislate for them and the measures a ecting their ability to achieve mental wellness,” the news release states.

Hill said she sent out 219 emails asking for responses to a three-question survey to all state legislative candidates.  She received 24 responses in all. “I actually thought that wasn’t too bad considering it was out rst time at this,” Hill said.

Responses were split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, she said,

ballot envelope.

Every voter has to sign the envelope when they return their ballot and if you’ve been voting in Colorado for a while, your clerk’s o ce has all those signatures on le.

“It is extremely rare that somebody is going to be – even a family member – is going to able to duplicate your signature,” Koppes said. “Because even if you sat down right now and did your signature ve times in a row, you’re going to notice there’s ve di erent little nuances every

Douglas County school resource o cers train with FBI about online threats

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNTIYMEDIA.COM

When an FBI special agent asked a room full of Douglas County school resource o cers if they had dealt with sextortion, only a couple of them raised their hands.  But it’s not only sextortion that today’s school resource o cers may have to face, there’s also violent extremism and human tra cking.

“ e school system has now become the epicenter of that nationally,” said Mark Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI Denver Field O ce. “Our school resource o cers and our school administrators are on the front lines.”

Sextortion is the solicitation and enticement of someone to engage in photographed sexual acts. Violent extremism involves using violence to support a goal, and human tra cking refers to the buying and selling of people.

e FBI has seen a rise in human trafcking and violent threats involving youth throughout Colorado, mirroring national trends, and is focused on lone o enders and small groups that are “radicalized” online.

In September, roughly 50 school resource o cers got national-level training at the Legacy Campus in Lone Tree on how to recognize signs of vi`olent behavior, sextortion and human tra cking.

Jonny Grusing, the school district’s security director, knows what level of training the FBI o ers, as he was in the

while third-party and una liated candidates also provided plenty of answers.

Moodfuel summarized the recurring themes using symbols for easy skimming and highlighted signi cant comments, Hill said. Verbatim responses are included in additional web pages for state senate candidates and state house candidates.

“I appreciated those who took the time to respond in such thoughtful ways,” Hill said. “Some wrote signi cantly long responses, I really appreciate that,” she said.

George Mumma, retired chief of the Morrison Police Department, is a candidate for House District 25 and told Moodfuel, in part, that he was a founder of the Je erson County Juvenile Assessment Center that provides assessment and referrals to appropriate services to the families of teens struggling with mental health issues.

“As a law enforcement o cial, I know that it is di cult to nd mental health agencies and providers that meet the

single time.”

Elections judges have extensive training on signature veri cation. And here’s the thing, they’ve caught people who tried to cast another person’s ballot.

“We actually, in the 2016 election, did catch an ex-husband trying to vote his exwife’s ballot,” Koppes recalled.

In that case, the o ender, a former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, was sentenced to four years of probation.

Even if you don’t trust traditional media, election o cials urge you not to take your

needs of the diverse populations in Colorado, this should be evaluated and we must work to provide more options for care,” Mumma said.

Cathy Kipp, a Democrat who currently serves as the State House Representative for House District 52, wrote in the survey that she has supported “essentially all legislation to help those living with mental health challenges get the help they need.”

Kipp is seeking a seat in the Colorado Senate representing District 14.

“Mental health has impacted some of my close family members and the families of so many others who live in my community and throughout the state,” Kipp told Moodfuel. “I just know that mental health challenges are real and much more prevalent than I knew.”

Caryn Ann Harlos, the Libertarian Party candidate for Senate District 2, told the survey “ e government should let people try alternative therapies. I am a Libertarian anarchist. Other people’s health and choices are not my business,” Harlos wrote.

questions to Google or social media. Both Koppes and Griswold had the same advice: call your county clerk’s o ce.

“We’re the ones that do this and know and understand the responsibility that we have. It’s a huge responsibility,” said Koppes.

One they take extremely seriously. is article comes courtesy of the Colorado News Collaborative and the statewide project, “Voter Voices,” which Colorado Community Media is a part of.

Jonny Grusing, Douglas County school district security director, speaks about the FBI initiative to engage with more school districts and their school resources o cers to learn more about identifying concerning behaviors that might lead students to violence or become a victim.

PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

FBI for 25 years. He said the partnership for the training provides local school resource o cers with extra tools to recognize concerning behaviors and prevent victimization.

National trends seen at state level From October 2023 to August of this year, Michalek said the national threat operations center had received more than 4,500 threats against schools nationwide,

FBI, P16

Are unchecked opinions in Colorado’s local TABOR books misleading voters?

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As voters sit down to ll out their ballots, they often refer to their local TABOR book, commonly known as the “gray book,” for more information about local ballot initiatives. Whether it’s a school bond measure, like in Douglas and Arapahoe counties, or an elimination of a TABOR limit in Je erson County, the gray book provides voters with information to decide whether to vote for or against a proposal.

However, many may not realize that the public comments included in these guides are not fact-checked, according to the Colorado Legislative Council’s TABOR Blue Book guidelines. ese guidelines note that arguments for and against ballot measures are submitted by proponents and opponents and are not veri ed for accuracy.

is year, a statement opposing proposition 1A in Je erson County claims a “yes” vote would eliminate the property tax cap from TABOR.

However, a “yes” vote would allow the county to keep its share of property tax funds “without increasing any tax rate or mill levy rate,” according to the ballot language.

e mill levy rate, which varies by county, determines the amount taxpayers owe in property taxes.

According to state law, any registered voter within a local jurisdiction can submit comments for or against a ballot issue. However, the government entity is not responsible for fact-checking or verifying the accuracy of the submitted comments.

Local guidebooks explicitly state that comments aren’t veri ed, but readers may skip over this information as they ip to the issues.

“We include an explanation in the packet that my o ce isn’t able to warrant the accuracy or truth of the contents of the notices, but we do provide the contact information for the designated election

According to reporting by Colorado Community Media two years ago, misinformation in Douglas County’s booklet regarding the school district had its administrators up in arms. e district’s Superintendent, Erin Kane, spoke out against comments opposing the district’s mill levy override and bond measures, calling them “untrue” and “misrepresentative.”

o cial,” said Je erson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez. “ is allows voters to reach out if they need more information about the content in their city, county or district booklet.”

Gonzalez said it’s important to remember that the TABOR book is one of many good resources for learning more about what’s on your ballot.

Voters can also look to county election websites, local news reporting or non-

partisan organizations like the League of Women Voters, which produces voter guides without endorsements or political bias.

In a time of heightened awareness of misinformation in our elections, sorting fact from opinion may seem more important than ever. State law makes it clear that the responsibility for evaluating the accuracy of the information ultimately falls on the voters themselves.

What does it mean to have a bond measure on your ballot?

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When voters go to ll out their 2024 ballots, there’s a good chance they’ll be asked to decide on a bond measure, whether for parks, schools or libraries.

In an e ort to help inform voters, Colorado Community Media spoke with Byron Isaak – a bond broker and dealer at Lakewood-based Isaak Bond Investments who has worked in the industry for more than 40 years – about how

bonds work.

Bonds are a way for municipalities or special districts, like school districts or library districts, to take on debt to fund infrastructure and capital investments, such as buildings, sidewalks, roads, parks and water and sewer lines.

A popular kind of bond used by municipalities and special districts is a general obligation bond, which Isaak said works similarly to a homeowner’s mortgage, where debt repayments can be spaced out over a long period of time

with interest.

“ ey can issue a large amount of debt and put it in a ladder form, so there are bonds that will mature from one to 30 years and spread out the payment requirement,” Isaak said.

Municipalities and special districts rely on property taxes to repay their debt in a general obligation bond, and Colorado requires that voters approve that debt.

match up, you don’t have a tax increase.”

Once a general obligation bond is issued, if the municipality or special district doesn’t receive the revenue needed to pay it back, it can raise taxes to make the payment. Isaak said that can happen if the municipality overestimated the growth in its tax base.

“ ey are required and obligated to levy a tax on all taxable property (in the district) in order to make the debt service,” Isaak said.

Sometimes a bond measure will require a tax increase to cover the debt, but not always. Isaak said a bond could be tax neutral if the municipality is getting enough revenue from existing taxes to cover the payments, which might happen when a municipality has paid o older bonds, re nanced debt or grown its tax base.

“What I would look for is what the anticipated annual requirement for the debt service will be and their projected revenue,” Isaak said. “If those numbers

Another type of bond voters might see is a revenue bond, where a municipality or special district is paying o debt with service fees instead of taxes. Isaak said this is a common bond for water and sewage providers.

In general, Isaak said bonds are a very secure way for entities to take on debt to nance infrastructure.

“Municipal bonds as a whole have a great deal of history of very low default ratios,” Isaak said.

Local guidebooks explicitly state that comments aren’t verified. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

Compare hospital costs for specific procedures, insurance plans

BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN

If you have a medical procedure on the horizon in Colorado, there’s a new way to shop around for the best price.

Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday announced a new website —ColoradoHospitalPrices. com— where people can look up various procedures performed at a hospital and see a list of prices based on insurance carrier. e tool, then, potentially allows people with upcoming medical care to shop around and see which hospitals available in their insurance network can o er the lowest price.

At a news conference, Polis said he hopes the website is the rst step in an e ort to apply market pressure to hospitals to reduce their prices. With health insurance premium prices set to rise for many next year, lowering what patients — and insurers — pay for health care is vital to reducing overall health care spending

“One of the key failings of the market is the lack of pricing transparency that doesn’t allow for the competition to work as it does in any normal market, to bring down costs,” he said.

e website was launched in partnership with the national organization PatientRightsAdvocate.org. Colorado’s website is the rst of what the organization hopes will be a nationwide network of price transparency tools for patients.

e new website also adds to the list of local tools in Colorado that give patients the ability to search for hospital prices based on their insurance carrier — that

last part is crucial because the prices that di erent insurers pay at the same hospital for the same procedure can vary widely, while not all hospitals will be covered under a speci c insurance plan.

Just last month, the state Department of Health Care Policy and Financing launched its price-lookup site, which relies on the same data as the website announced Tuesday but o ers a di erent search experience. e data comes from prices that hospitals are required to report under state and federal law. Polis said the connection to a national network of pricetransparency sites made it worthwhile to launch a second website.

“ e more ways to make it easier for people to access that information, the better,” he said.

e Center for Improving Value in Health Care, a nonpro t that administers a state database for insurance claims information in Colorado, also has a shop-for-care tool.

Unlike the other two websites, the CIVHC tool allows users to see quality and patientexperience scores for particular hospitals. But all of these tools — as well as various other e orts to get hospitals to reveal their prices — come with challenges that may limit their value to consumers.

Hospital prices are not a basic menu. ere are thousands of billing codes for various procedures, and some procedures could be billed under di erent codes, depending on the hospital’s operating standards. For instance, there are over 70 di erent billing codes for an X-ray, depending on the body part being scanned and the number of views needed.

Insurance companies, too, o er multiple plans, which may have di erent negotiated prices. So it’s not enough to know your carrier — you have to know the speci c plan name, too.

PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

School board member pleads guilty to criminal mischief

Davon Williams was originally charged with felony car theft

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Englewood Board of Education member Davon Williams pleaded guilty to criminal mischief, resolving his monthslong felony car theft case stemming from a 2019 allegation.

Court documents show Adams County District Court dropped Williams’ original charge of aggravated car theft because of his guilty plea to criminal mischief.

His sentence includes a $250 ne, which was imposed on Williams in court on Oct. 18, according to court documents and Chris Hopper, director of communications for the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s O ce.

Records show the 2019 car theft allegation pertained to an incident in Westminster and led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Williams in 2020. e Glen-

dale Police Department con rmed that Williams turned himself in for the outstanding warrant on Nov. 6 last year.

“Just because someone is charged with something it doesn’t make it true because it’s sensationalized,” Williams said in an Oct. 21 email to the Englewood Herald. “ at’s why people are innocent until proven guilty in our system of justice.”

Williams’ unopposed 2023 candidacy for the school board and subsequent board membership became controversial after the Englewood Herald reported last October that Williams had two previous felony convictions from about 10 years ago and a nding of bad faith in a civil lawsuit.

“ is (car theft) case on its best day was not a theft, which is why both Denver police and Westminster police did not charge me with this per their own reports,” Williams said. “Both departments never came to talk to me, which is why I had no idea about this case until the point it was sensationalized. e district attorneys decided to charge me with this be-

cause of my past and make it an issue.”

Meg Froelich, who represents Englewood in the Colorado House, told the Englewood Herald last December that she believes that a felony conviction that occurs while an elected school board member holds o ce could result in the removal of that person.

“Currently the law states in C.R.S. 2231-129: ‘A school director o ce shall be deemed to be vacant upon the occurrence of any one of the following events prior to the expiration of the term of o ce’ … (which includes) ‘if the person who was duly elected or appointed is found guilty of a felony,”’ Froelich said.

Criminal mischief is a misdemeanor offense.

Williams said he is looking forward to continuing his time on the school board.

“Now that this case is resolved, I look forward to continuing to serve the constituents in my community as I have for the last year, including just being the delegate at (Colorado Association of School Boards’) delegate convention over the weekend,” Williams said.

Man arrested at Englewood City Council meeting

Charged with trespassing, interference on Oct. 21

BY ELISABETH SLAY

Englewood police arrested 50-yearold Zephaniah Pickering and charged him with trespassing and interference in a public building following “a disturbance” during an Oct. 21 Englewood City Council meeting.

In an email to the Englewood Herald on Oct. 24, Englewood police said Pickering was found to be lming out of the designated lming area as declared by the council in their recently changed policy regarding lming and recording.  “(He) was asked by Mayor Othoniel Sierra to go to the designated recording area at the back of the room if he wished to continue recording,” the department said. “Pickering continued to record from his current location, and Sierra

asked Pickering to leave the meeting. Pickering refused to comply with the mayor’s request, stood up, and began to walk towards the podium.”

In their statement, EPD said Sierra called for a ve-minute recess and all except for two council members left the chamber.

“Division Chief Read went to the front of the room hoping that his presence would de-escalate Pickering and that Pickering would leave the council chambers as ordered by Mayor Sierra,” EPD said. “Pickering continued approaching the podium area and began to yell that his constitutional rights were being violated, while continuing his recording.”  e department said after a signi cant amount of time of trying to stop Pickering from lming and getting him to leave, he would not comply.

“Once he sat back down, Read told Pickering he would ask him one more time,” the department said. “At this point, it was very apparent that Pickering was not going to comply and leave

said it’s important to start somewhere in making health care prices more transparent.

council chambers. Pickering was arrested and charged with C.R.S. 18-9-110, public buildings – trespass, interference – penalty, subsection 4, for not leaving when requested by Sierra and Read.”  Pickering is facing an additional charge of C.R.S. 18-9-110 public buildings – trespass, interference – penalty,

subsection 3 for disrupting the council meeting.

“O cers took Pickering to the police department where he was issued a summons and released,” EPD said. “At this time, due to this being an ongoing criminal case, we will not be able to release any additional information.”

And, on top of that, di erent hospitals may use di erent names for things. As a portion of an instructional video Polis showed Tuesday explaining how to use the new website put it: “Remember the descriptions may be di erent as you shop across hospitals, because descriptions vary according to the hospital. Now look for your payer from the list. Payer names can also vary according to the hospital.” Even more confusing, the prices presented for a speci c procedure may not be the “all-in” cost. In other words, there may be other charges for scans, anesthesia, medications and services not included in the procedure price.

Depending on the hospital and how they sta their doctors, patients may also receive a separate bill for physician charges that are not included in the hospital’s posted procedure price.

Polis acknowledged the complexities but

“It starts with saying, ‘Hey, why is my lung X-ray $600 at this hospital and $1,500 at this other hospital? e plan I have is paying twice as much as another plan,’” Polis said. “ at’s the kind of pressure we need to bring down rates.”

Polis said insurance companies may also use the sites to see what their competitors are being charged and then use that as leverage in future negotiations with hospitals.

Cynthia Fisher, the founder of PatientRightsAdvocate.org, echoed Polis, saying the website is a rst step toward “the great reveal of the absurdity of price variation that’s going on across Colorado and across the country.”

“No one should have this level of price variation,” she said.

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

Englewood School Board member Davon Williams pleaded guilty to criminal mischief on Oct. 18. COURTESY OF ENGLEWOOD SCHOOLS

The perfect imperfection of a 5-year-old’s playroom

IWINNING

n today’s world of fastidiousness and perfectionism, it’s easy to get swept up in the idea that every space, even a child’s playroom, should be pristine, everything in its place, every toy neatly stored. For many of us, there’s a sense of satisfaction in organization, a belief that tidy spaces promote tidy minds. But there’s a delicate balance to strike, especially regarding the space of a 5-year-old. Children are naturally chaotic in the best possible way, their creativity and curiosity spilling into their surroundings. As adults, we must ask ourselves: Should their playroom re ect the organized world we strive for, or should it be a canvas for their boundless imagination?

My grandson’s playroom, which we share as part of our “o ce,” is a perfect example of this tension between order and the joy of childhood. Just the other day, as I walked through his side of the room to get to my desk, I noticed a few Hot Wheels cars scattered across the oor. His room wasn’t a mess, not by any stretch, but those minor signs of play, those tiny cars on the ground, warmed my heart. It reminded me of my childhood, the rooms I used to play in, and the way toys seemed to be a part of my world, rather than something to be stored away when I was done. My daughter came down shortly after, concerned by the stray toys, and tried to clean them up quickly. I stopped her. “Leave it,” I said. ere was something so comforting, so genuine about those scattered toys. ey re ected his world, his creativity in action, and his freedom to just be a child. e room wasn’t chaotic; it was alive with the essence of a 5-year-old’s spirit. Of course, we want to instill good habits in children from a young age. We want them to learn the value of cleanliness and to understand that everything has a place. But as I stood in that playroom, looking at the handful of cars and blocks, I realized there is a di erence between fostering good habits and enforcing perfectionism. Kids, especially at the tender age of ve, are just learning about the world around them. eir play is their work, their toys are their tools, and their spaces are an extension of their minds. By expecting rigid tidiness, we risk sti ing that creativity. ere’s a certain magic in a 5-year-old’s playroom. It’s not meant to be a showroom but a space where they can dream, build, and imagine. Sure, they must learn to pick up after themselves, but that doesn’t mean their room must be perfect every moment. Sometimes, those scattered toys tell the story of an adventure in progress, one that will continue when school is over when the day winds down, and when they return to their world of make-believe.

As I sit at my desk, writing this, I can still see those few cars spread out on the oor, waiting for my grandson to return from kindergarten. I know that later, when my workday is done, I’ll lie down on that oor with him, and together, we’ll push those cars around, maybe build a city with his blocks or race the cars along some imaginary track. If you can even call it that, the mess will be part of the joy we share in that moment.

Children need space to express themselves; sometimes, that expression comes in mid-play toys, waiting for the next spark of imagination. e perfectionist in us may want to tidy everything up to create an environment that feels controlled and orderly, but that’s not what childhood is. Childhood is messy, creative, and beautifully imperfect.

Embracing the balance is the key, and I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can remember what Dr. Maryann Rosenthal said, “Strive for excellence and not perfection,” it really will be a better than good life.

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

Do yourself a favor and get a watch that counts your steps

As someone who admittedly hates going to the gym and needs my workouts to be fun, I highly recommend a watch that counts your steps.

After my ance surprised me with one for my birthday in September, I’ve been hooked, and determined to get my daily average up since.

Take advantage of the beautiful Colorado weather and simply take more walks. Whether you step away from your desk for 10 minutes or take the dog out on a longer trek after work, you’ll soon nd chasing those step counts is infectious.

Not only will it boost your mental health (walking has been proven to boost mood by increasing blood ow and circulation to your brain and body), but the physical health e ects can’t be denied. Personally, this bene t has been undeniable for me. I don’t want to preach. Sometimes you just don’t want to do anything. I get it completely. But try taking a brief walk every day for just three days and see how you feel. Plus, get yourself a motivator, like a watch that counts your steps, mileage, calories and more. It’s addicting to try to get to that round number each day and inch your daily average up. Use milestones like 2,000, 4,000 or 10,000 steps per day and you’ll surprise yourself with how much distance you’re tackling.

Getting to 2,000 steps is equal to about a mile. So, 10,000 steps spread throughout the day in varying increments get you to about ve miles per day.

You’ve probably heard the 10,000 steps thing before. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average American walks 3,000 to 4,000 steps per day. But getting closer to 10,000 can help boost your overall physical health, including reducing your risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and depression.

But everyone’s goals shouldn’t be the same. It’s all about nding ways to be more active than you were before. Depending on your age, body type and other factors, 10,000 steps might not make sense for you.

Try setting more achievable goals to start and slowly build from there. Also, keep in mind you’ll need more water per day as you stack your steps.

To increase your step count, try these easy ways:

• Take the stairs — skip the elevator and take the steps more often

• Give the dog a bonus walk - they’ll thank you for it

• Try standing as you work or taking more breaks to get brief walks in during the workday

• Save your favorite podcast, playlist or sports showthis will give you something to look forward to on your next walk

• Park farther away

• Take your phone calls or meetings on your walk if you can

• Schedule a weekly park day or hike

• Before you know it, you’ll be a walking machine. Take my word for it: it’s so satisfying to get that daily average up and it’ll be as big of a mental boost as a physical bene t.

John Renfrow covers sports for Colorado Community Media. Check out his newsletter Sportsland.

5 tips for choosing your health benefits for 2025

AGUEST

COLUMN

s millions of Americans now evaluate their health plan options during this fall’s open enrollment season, a new survey nds that 3 in 5 Americans incorrectly de ned key health care terms. is knowledge gap may result in less-than-ideal selections, which could cause you to miss out on plans that might better suit your needs and o er potential cost savings.

Enrollment timing:

For people with coverage from their employer, open enrollment typically happens during a two- or threeweek period between September and December. For those eligible for Medicare, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. Coverage selections made during the fall will take e ect on Jan. 1, 2025. For people shopping for individual plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace, open enrollment begins Nov. 1, 2024, and ends Jan. 15, 2025, in most states. Enroll by Dec. 15, for active coverage on Jan. 1, 2025.

Here are a few tips to consider when choosing a plan that may help lead you to better health and cost savings: Plan ahead. Take time to understand the bene ts, services and costs of plans available – including what might have changed with your current coverage. Pay attention to more than just the monthly premium, also understanding what outof-pocket costs like deductibles, copays and coinsurance you may be responsible for.

Medicare members and caregivers: As you weigh your options, assess the di erences between  Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Visit MedicareEducation.com to nd answers to questions about eligibility, plan choices,

prescription coverage and more.

Help prevent unexpected costs.Check if your doctor is in your plan’s provider network, since visiting in-network providers can help reduce out-of-pocket costs. Make sure your medications will be covered next year by the plan you choose.And consider lling your prescriptions at an in-network pharmacy or with home delivery – more cost-e cient options.

Medicare members and caregivers: Original Medicare doesn’t generally cover prescription drugs. Consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage to help keep medication costs in check.

Explore mental health coverage.  Beyond in-person mental health care, you may have access to a virtual network of therapists and psychiatrists, along with  advocates to help nd the right behavioral health care or resources.

Medicare members and caregivers: Look for plans that o er virtual mental health care with a $0 copay. Look into specialty bene ts. Additional bene ts, such as dental, vision, hearing, or critical illness insurance, are often available and may contribute to overall well-being.

Medicare members and caregivers: Original Medicare doesn’t cover most dental, vision and hearing services, but many Medicare Advantage plans do. Consider wellness programs. Many health plans o er incentives for taking healthier actions, like completing a health survey or exercising. Others providepersonalized support to those living with common chronic conditions like  Type 2 diabetes.

Medicare members and caregivers: Many Medicare Advantage plans offer gym memberships and wellness programs for members at no additional cost.

Marc Neely is CEO of UnitedHealthcare in Colorado and Wyoming.

DFF47 Is Bigger and More Inviting Than Ever

WCOMING ATTRACTIONS

ith all the streaming options available to modern audiences, it’s easy to think that you can just watch whatever you want at any time and have the same experience as you would at the theater. But that’s just not the case, and in fact, that’s one of the things that makes events like the annual Denver Film Festival so important.

Clarke Reader

“ ere’s a special sauce to a lm festival. You’re not just going to the theater and seeing a lm. You’re part of a communal experience,” said Matthew Campbell, Denver Film artistic director. “You have the opportunity to talk to lmmakers and audience members, and there are few other forums like that anymore. Audience members can go a step beyond having a passive experience and really sink their teeth into the artform.”

e 47th annual Denver Film Festival will be held from Friday, Nov. 1

through Sunday, Nov. 10 at several venues across the metro area, like the Sie FilmCenter, Denver Botanic Gardens and the MCA Denver at the Holiday eater. e festival kicks o on Nov. 1 with “ e Piano Lesson,” an adaptation of an August Wilson play produced by Denzel Washington, featuring Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington. And it closes with on Nov. 9 with “September 5,” a lm that centers on the 1972 Munich Olympics terrorist attacks.

As usual, there will be screenings of lms in all kinds of genres from all over the world, including some major award contenders like “Nickel Boys,”“Emilia Perez,”“Blitz” and “ e Brutalist.” And lm fans can explore all manner of movies, including shorts, animation, and themes like Social Issues/Activism, Asian Diaspora and Colorado Spotlight.

“I think one of the best ways to start for people who have never participated in the festival is to pick a theme that interests you and check out some of those movies,” Campbell said. “I always encourage people to be adventurous, and pick some

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NEWS BRIEFS

Local artist Courtney Cotton announces studio sale

Artist Courtney Cotton is pleased to announce big changes and a studio sale. Having grown up in North Carolina, Cotton will be moving from Englewood and transitioning back to North Carolina to live and create, expanding her art market to the Southeastern United States.

She will be clearing out inventory from her space at Blue Tile Gallery during the Color Pop show through November, culminating in her annual studio sale on Nov. 23 and 24. is is an opportunity to acquire her abstract paintings at a reduced price while the bulk of her pieces are available locally.

Cotton’s art is inspired by mindfulness and re ection, visually expressing these concepts through painting and collage.

As a professional artist for 27 years, she creates and exhibits artwork, curates shows, mentors artists, and runs Blue Tile Art Space. During her time in Colorado, she has collaborated with Denver Public Schools, the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, the Chameleon Art Collective and the Colorado Art Educators.

e Color Pop show was to run 4-8 p.m. Oct. 24 for the opening reception, then 12-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 24.

e moving sale runs 12-4 p.m. on Nov. 23 and 24.

Both events take place at the Blue Tile Gallery at 3944 S. Broadway in Englewood.

Followers can nd her on Instagram @courtneycottonetal and on her website, www.courtneycotton.com.

Parker Rotary Club moving

e Rotary Club of Parker is moving from its current location at the Parker Library to Parker Task Force Food Bank, located at

19105 Longs Way in Parker. e move will be e ective as of Nov. 14. e club meets at 7 a.m. every ursday.

e Parker club is one of 35,000 Rotary clubs across the world that make up Rotary International. With its motto “Service above Self,” club members participate in service projects and take action to create lasting change. e Parker club is involved in both local and international service projects.

To learn more, visit parkerrotary.org.

CSU Global picks leader from Parker area

Colorado State University Global has selected Dr. Audra Spicer of Parker to serve as provost and chief academic o cer e ective Oct. 15.

CSU Global o ers career-relevant bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for working adults and post-traditional learners. It is 100% online and is an institutionally accredited public university.

In her role, Spicer works to support the university’s academic credibility, program administration, and curriculum quality and innovation.

Spicer has served at CSU Global since 2012, stepping in as its provost in June 2023 and as interim chief academic o cer since June 2024.

Among other accomplishments, since serving as provost, Spicer has overseen the development of 11 new industry programs spanning the elds of health care management, information technology, nance, operations and supply chain management, data analytics, and arti cial intelligence to prepare learners for growing and changing job opportunities.

She earned her Ph.D. and MA in English from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, her MA with

distinction in professional writing from Northern Arizona University, and her MBA from Columbia Southern University.

Strikes for Kids to host Orange and Blue Bowling Bash

Hosted by Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto, the event brings a night of bowling, arcade games and silent auction items.

Strikes for Kids is a national organization that has been making a positive impact since its inception in 2012. ey have worked with more than 125 top athletes from various sports to partner with youth organizations in communities nationwide. ey have collaborated with esteemed organizations such as e Boys and Girls Clubs, United Way, Make-AWish, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and other nonpro ts.

e selected children from the bene ting organization will have unlimited access to arcade games, pizza, and soft drinks while you and your team are bowling. e children will also be gifted with brand new toys or bikes during the event. ese children have enjoyed these events at no cost. is organization has provided more than 15,000 backpacks, 2,500 toys and 350 bikes.

Registration is open for $200 per lane, accommodating up to six bowlers. Your registration fee includes two hours of bowling, pizza, soft drinks, an unlimited arcade game card per participant, an event shirt, and a group photo with Bonitto, according to the event website.

e event will take place 5-7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Main Event Entertainment Center, located at 64 Centennial Blvd. in Highlands Ranch.

To register your team, please visit www.orangeandbluebowlingbash.com/register-for-event. html.

ROX

Arts Gallery to hold Autumn Art Show

As autumn unfolds, ROX Arts Gallery embraces the season with a fresh collection of displays. Step into a world of creativity as you explore their selection of ne art, photography, handcrafted pottery, jewelry, glasswork, and art classes.

is event will take place 5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 8 at the ROX Arts Gallery at 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive, Suite 222, in Littleton.

For more information, visit roxartsgallery.com.

Castle Rock church to host Beautiful Endings workshop, holiday grief seminar

New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3737 New Hope Way in Castle Rock, is inviting the community two two upcoming events.

Beautiful Endings, a workshop exploring end-of-life planning and decision making, will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 2. Topics will include how to initiate the sometimes-di cult conversations, as well as estate planning, legal documents,nancial planning and end-of-life challenges and care. Lunch will be served.

e second event, Navigating Grief & the Holidays, will take place from 9-11 a.m. on Nov. 9. is seminar will focus on practical approaches to grief management during the festive season. Participants will learn exercises and practices to manage grief, and explore worksheets and processes to identify, manage and avoid stressful triggers.

Both events are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Visit NewHopePres. org and go to the events page to register. For more information, contact the church o ce at 303660-0057 or email cmurray@newhopepres.com.

including hoax bomb threats, fentanyl cases and swatting, similar to what Colorado is receiving.

Before becoming the school district’s security director, Grusing led lectures on pathways to violence at schools in Douglas County, identifying warning signs of how an individual can escalate to violence and how to stop violence before it happens.

“(Students’) brains are still developing and so they are subject to grooming,” said Michalek. “ ey’re subject to extremist views.”

Violent extremism is on the rise as o enders are targeting and recruiting children and teens online in the county, according to Grusing and Michalek. Michalek cited the teen from Castle Rock who last summer was indicted on charges of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

FROM PAGE 9

Agents from the Denver FBI Division and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Tra cking Task Force spoke to Douglas County school resource o cers at the Legacy Campus in Lone Tree about the dangers of the internet and how it has played a part in the rise of violence and human tra cking.

random lms that they know nothing about and see if they like them.”

Some notable Colorado-based lms that are part of this year’s festival include “Lovers,” which is largely set in the HiDive on South Broadway, and “Half-Life of Memory,” a lm about Rocky Flats. ere will be special post- lm discussions following screenings of this lm, including former Rocky Flatts employees and members of groups like Rocky Flats Downwinders.

Another special aspect of lm festivals are the featured guests and events. is year’s festival features legendary actress and director Joan Chen, screenwriter Virgil Williams, screenwriter and director Malcolm Washington, actors Gabriel LaBelle and Cory Michael Smith, and Academy Award-winner Andrew Wyatt. Add in the opening and closing night parties, as well as numerous lmmaker conversations, and there’s so much to be a part of.

“ e festival is a great opportunity to be taken out of your normal existence and put in a di erent reality for a while,” Campbell said. “ ere’s no better way to be put in another person’s shoes and also learn about a subject you don’t know anything about.

e full schedule and tickets are available at https://denver lmfestival.eventive.org/welcome.

Thornton Hosts 8th Annual Day of the Dead/ Día de los Muertos Cultural Celebration

Get ready to dress up in your nest Día de los Muertos out t and celebrate this important day at McAllister Park Center,

750 W. 96th Ave. in ornton, from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. e event will feature music by Chicano Heat and Mariachi Sangre Mexicana, dancers from Cultural Dance Productions and Fiesta Colorado, along with facepainting, stilt walking and magic-making, ancestor altar, photo booth and local artisan market

For all the details, visit Arts ornton. com.

LUMC Hosts World-Class Classical Concert

e Littleton United Methodist Church’s Fine Arts Series continues with a performance by two stellar musicians, violinist Harumi Rhodes and pianist Tamara Goldstein. Violin Sonatas will be held at the church, 5894 S. Datura St. at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. e duo will be performing music by Mozart, Brahms and others.

More information on the free concert is available at https://littletonumc.church/ fas/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Sabrina Carpenter at Ball Arena

Nobody is having more fun with pop music this year than Sabrina Carpenter Her album “Short N’ Sweet” isn’t just full of bangers, but brims with tongue-incheek jokes and risqué references scienti cally designed to make you smile. It’s a shot of sunshine we could all use.

In support of the album, Carpenter will be performing at Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle in Denver, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. She’ll be joined for the evening by opener Declan McKenna Get tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.

Clarke Reader is an arts and culture columnist. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.

cy, family dysfunction and homelessness.

Other facts:

• e average life expectancy after entry is about seven years.

“We’re not talking about political perspectives or political ideology,” said Douglas County Sheri Darren Weekly. “We’re talking about when that rises to the level of violence and hurting people.”

Hiding in plain sight

Instagram, Snapchat, Google Hangouts, Tik Tok, Roblox and Omegele are some of the ways students are being sexually exploited, according to the FBI.  “It’s something that parents need to be concerned about,” said Weekly.

Sextortion involves coercing a minor by using or threatening to use previously obtained sexualized images or videos. However, it can start by the subject gathering information from public pro les, initiating contact with a simple “hi” and asking for non-graphic images.

e Denver FBI Division saw a large increase in nancially-motivated sextortion reports between 2021 and 2022. ey have also found boys ages 13-17 are most at risk to become victims.

Additionally, sextortion and child exploitation can lead to human tra cking.

In 2023, Colorado had the 10th highest overall number of human tra cking incidents nationwide, according to a recent Common Sense Institute Colorado report. e FBI de nes human tra cking as the illegal exploitation of people, and in the U.S., both residents and foreign nationals are bought and sold.  With an average entry age between 12 and 14, the National Human Tra cking Hotline 2021 polaris review states that becoming a victim stems from factors such as runaways, truancy, delinquen-

• About 82% of victims are physically assaulted.

• About 83% of victims are threatened by a deadly weapon.

• Two percent of victims are recruited from school and 11% are recruited from the street.

• Sixty-seven percent of recruiting comes from social media.

Compared to Arapahoe, Je erson and Adams counties, the Common Sense Institute report indicates Douglas County had the lowest number of victims in 2023.

However, Randy Allen, a detective with the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, said that human tra cking is a crime that hides in plain sight, including in Douglas County.

Craig Tangeman, an Arapahoe County Sheri ’s O ce investigator, added it may not be common to see human trafcking in places like Highlands Ranch.

“But it’s occurring,” he said.

Both Allen and Tangman are part of the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Tra cking Task Force which includes multiple police agencies across the Denver area and the Colorado State Patrol. Since its inception in 2012, the task force has recovered about 700 minors.

While Michalek said this is a government and “all of community response” issue, he and local law enforcement agencies encourage parents to be more involved in what their children are doing online.

“As a parent myself, it’s hard to know what your kids are into,” said Michalek.

“But you’ve got to be engaged.”

us Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. to learn about the 1859 Colorado Gold Rush and how it shaped the local landscape and Colorado maps of today. This is a free event but reservations are required due to limited space. Visit arapahoeco.gov/17milehouse

Dress to e x p r e s s

Denver-area costume shops foster community of creativity

BY ELISABETH SLAY

Acolorful array of Denver-area costume shops intertwines creativity and camaraderie, with each shop revealing its own distinct charm. From elaborate corsetry to an immersive haunted house and engaging games and puzzles, these shops go beyond competition and collaborate to foster a community centered on self-expression and oneof-a-kind experiences.

The Wizard’s Chest: ‘An experience’ Kevin Pohle, co-owner of the Wizard’s Chest in Denver, describes his shop as “an experience.”

Pohle said the store at 451 Broadway, which is decked out from top to bottom with magical trinkets, towering skeletons

and quirky long-bearded wizards, is always changing and has something for everyone.

“It’s not supposed to be a retail store,” Pohle said. “It’s supposed to be a place to come and hang out and see cool things and pick up cool things and then feel the need to take something home that you didn’t know you needed until you saw it.”

For 20 years, Pohle and his partners David Boyce and Brad Brickley have owned and operated Wizard’s Chest, which originally opened in 1983.

Wizard’s Chest is divided into two oors. e rst oor contains costumes, accessories, decorations and more, while the bottom oor provides a plethora of puzzles and games for people of all ages.

Over the years, Pohle said, the store has leaned into providing clothing that people can wear in their regular wardrobe.

“So it’s not just a costume, it’s a piece

that has more than one use,” Pohle said. “It’s a piece that’s versatile.”

When comparing Wizard’s Chest to other local shops, Pohle said his store has its own unique aspects, as do others in the community.

“ e thing about costume stores in Denver is we’re all cooperatively competitive,” Pohle said. “We don’t really compete with each other. We try to send people to each other. Disguises in Lakewood does rentals, which we don’t do. Reinke Brokers in Littleton does a haunted house, which we don’t do.”

It’s their di erences that allow the shops to work together.

“So there’s no need for us to ght with each other,” Pohle said. “We keep it as a local community.”

For more information about the shop, visit wizardschest.com.

Crimson Rose Masquerade: ‘Out of a fairy tale’

Also on Broadway in Denver is Crimson Rose Masquerade, a “high-end costume boutique that treats dressing up as an expression of self-love,” said owner Kitty Krell.

e frocks that her clientele chooses to express themselves look as though they’ve “stepped out of a fairy tale” and include Renaissance dresses, pirate coats and more.

“It’s alternative chic, Ren faire chic … it’s for anyone who ever felt like they didn’t quite t in,” Krell said.

Also among the garments in the shop at 1456 S. Broadway are Krell’s own creations, including intricate corsets for many occasions. She began her craft at the age of 15 after needing a corset for her costume during her rst job at a Renaissance festival.

“So I went, ‘How hard can it be to make one?’” Krell said. “I had just recently started sewing, and I think because I didn’t know what I was trying to do was impossible, I did it, and since then, I’ve continued to make corsets.”

Krell said she also makes corsets for those with certain medical needs after starting to wear them for herself about eight years ago, to address a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

“It’s great for scoliosis, for EhlersDanlos, for anxiety, because it can act as a human thunder jacket,” Krell said. “I do a lot of work with people who have very physical jobs and are constantly lifting and messing up their backs.”

For Krell, one of the best aspects of her job is knowing that her pieces are making people happy.

“It’s one of my favorite feelings to know that I contributed something that makes someone’s quality of life better,” Krell said.

Krell said she enjoys being a part of the costume shop community in Denver because of its collaborative nature.

“It’s a bunch of weirdos who found this world, or found each other in this world that doesn’t really want us to,” Krell said. “Denver is especially great for that because Denver is very live-andlet-live.”

For more information about the shop, visit crimsonrosemasquerade.net.

Photo above: Denver resident Anthony Coularelli tries on a rabbit hat and sunglasses at Wizard’s Chest. Coularelli needed a quick costume for an Alice in Wonderland themed event and said Wizard’s Chest is a great local place for costumes.

PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY

Reinke Brothers Store: A haunted house

From aliens greeting people at the door to skeletons serenading customers, Reinke Brothers Store sells experiences, said Greg Reinke, who co-owns the store with his brother Chris Reinke.

Located at 5663 S. Prince St. in Littleton, Reinke Brothers contains a long and immersive haunted house lled with di erent scenes and animatronics concocted by Greg Reinke and his sta .

Originally, Reinke said his haunted houses — which he and his brother began when they were young — were gory and quite scary for children, but as time went on, he realized that wasn’t the best way to intrigue them.

“People that get the living tar scared out of them when they’re little don’t enjoy my particular venue when they get older,” Reinke said. “So I said, ‘How can we correct this?’ And that’s when we stopped doing chainsaws and knives and blood and guts and torsos ripped in half and we made it more of an entertainment haunted house.”

e Reinke Brothers Store now o ers tours of the house with the lights on for children and others who have a hard time going through the attraction when it’s in full swing.

Along with the haunted house, Reinke’s shop is also jam-packed with wigs, masks, makeup, props, decorations and anything else one might need to create the perfect costume or their own spooky experiences.

While he has a plethora of items, Reinke said his shop also takes part in the camaraderie of similar establishments in the Denver area.

“If we’re out of something, I’ll call over at (Disguises), or I’ll call over at Wizard’s Chest and ask that, and then I send my customers there,” Reinke said. “And I think the customers appreciate that also. ese are local guys. So we protect each other.”

Going forward, Reinke hopes to continue making people happy with costumes and haunted houses for as long as possible.

“I plan to be dead back there someday, just draped over a gravestone or a prop or something,” the 65-yearold said. “A lot of people want to retire to enjoy the end or whatever. What would I retire to? I’d make monsters for a living and most people retire to do what I’m doing.”

For more information on the Reinke Brothers shop visit reinkebrothers.com.

Disguises: ‘Three to four businesses under one roof’ Disguises in Lakewood is another costume shop in the area that o ers a multitude of costume options, including makeup, wigs and more.

“We also have the other side of our retail store, which is our Et Cetera boutique,” co-owner Todd Belanger said. “ is has formal wear, retro dresses, Renaissance dresses, stockings, sexy wear, corsets, shoes, goth clothing, steampunk, clothing, festival and rave wear. Many people in the community shop for everyday clothing here all year.”

Belanger said his store at 10500 W. Colfax Ave. in Lakewood also has one of the largest stocks of rental clothes in the nation.

Belanger owns the store with his wife, Michelle Belanger.

“ e store was started by another individual in the mid-’90s and it was successful and grew out of its original location and moved into a larger location,” Belanger said. “I actually was a nurse by training and so is my wife and we began buying small rental houses, but after owning a few of those, I quickly realized that I wanted to replace my income as a nurse.”

Belanger and his wife were able to purchase their business, which they love.

“We currently have over 200 active vendors that we purchase products from represented in the store. It does make the store very unique and it makes shopping here like a treasure hunt because you’re never quite sure what you’re going to nd,” Belanger said.

Belanger describes the “caddie shack community” in Denver as unique and varied and explained it’s important to have shops such as Disguises because they’re establishments that make “the world a richer and less boring place.”

Going forward, Belanger said he hopes people will continue to visit Disguises throughout the year.

For more information about Disguises, go online to disguisescostumes.com.

Business owner and seamstress Kitty Krell works on a corset in her high-end costuming boutique Crimson Rose Masquerade, located on Broadway in Denver.

PHOTOS BY ELISABETH SLAY

Co-owner of Reinke Brother Store in Littleton Greg Reinke laughs with first-time customers as he shows them one of his favorite animatronics.

Something wicked on Wadsworth

Westminster’s Frightmare Compound continues to scare people after 40 years

Josh Holder doesn’t know exactly how many mutilated, decapitated and mentally diseased bodies are dangling or lurk-

ing inside the Frightmare Compound his family has run for the past 41 years.

His best guess is that about 20 or more poor, tortured souls inhabit the site’s wooden barn and other structures on the four-acre site that squats on 108th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.

“ e bodies are all fake,” the 39-year-old Holder said.

“Mostly,” he added, with a quick smile.

An iconic Westminster landmark, the Frightmare Compound was started by his dad, Brad, a Halloween connoisseur and

lover of horror movies, Holder said. He built Frightmare on old swamp land and began piecing together a haunted house for the metro area.

When his dad died in 1999, the family kept the compound and poured their creative energy into all things wicked to keep the compound and its terrifying attractions fresh and running.

“We always try and do something di erent than last year,” Holder said. “We want to keep things scary and memorable for everyone.”

e family attends Halloween conventions to keep up with the latest costumes and trends. ey also travel, sometimes to Europe, for ideas. e compound’s haunted church which includes a small portal to hell, is a small replica of a church the family inspected on the British Isles. e compound includes rusted pickups, mining equipment and — Holder’s favorite — old shovels that have done their fair share of digging. “I don’t

The Frightmare Compound has terrified people for more than 40 years. Here, a masked driver taunts kids during the 2023 Arvada Harvest Festival FILE PHOTO

Josh Holder checks on some the masks and costumes his actors wear for their roles in the haunted house.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

A 1988 article from the Westminster Window about Frightmare and Josh Holder’s father Brad Holder is proudly displayed among other media coverage.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

A scary skeleton rests somewhere in the Frightmare Compound.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

SEE FRIGHTMARE, P31

Thu 11/07

The Barlow @ 7pm

Taildraggers Showcase @ 9am / $12.95

Sun 11/10

Tue 11/12

Exploration Of Flight - Centennial Airport, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood. info@wingsmu seum.org

Dom Flemons: Swallow Hill BanjoFest 2024 @ 10am

Swallow Hill Music, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

KB ANGEL: CREPES&Queers @ 12pm

Brewability Lab, 3445 S Broadway, Englewood

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Main‐street, Parker

Inline Hockey: Adult- Lower INT Drop In League-Thurs -NOV @ 7:30pm Nov 7th - Nov 21st

Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker

A Tribute to the Music of Jerry Garcia and David Grisman @ 8pm

Swallow Hill Music - Tuft Theatre, 71 East Yale Avenue, Denver

Fri 11/08

Chad Daniels: Comedy Works South7:15PM @ 7:15pm

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl, Greenwood Village

Jay_Martin @ 7:30pm Rocker Spirits, 5587 S Hill St, Littleton

Jay Stott Trio at Englewood Tavern @ 8pm

An Evening with Thomas Austin (House Show) @ 7pm House Show, 6652 E Sage Ln, Parker

Los Primos del Este @ 7pm

Eclipse Event Center, 2155 S Sheridan Blvd, Denver

Angel White @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Moves & Brews at Western Sky Bar & Taproom @ 10am / $25

Western Sky Bar & Taproom, 4361 S BROADWAY, Englewood. westernsky barco@gmail.com

SCFD Free Day at Exploration of Flight @ 11am

Exploration Of Flight - Centennial Air‐port, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood. info@wingsmuseum.org

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden BingoTailgate Tavern & Grill @ 8pm Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker

Mon 11/11

The Englewood Tavern, 4386 S Broad‐way, Englewood

Sat 11/09

Science: Amazing Animal Adaptations (5-12yrs) @ 9am

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Veterans Day at Exploration of Flight @ 9am

Chris Koza @ 7:30pm Rocker Spirits, 5587 S Hill St, Littleton

ZZ Ward @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood

Chad Daniels: Comedy Works South9:45PM @ 9:45pm Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl, Greenwood Village

Exploration Of Flight - Centennial Air‐port, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood. info@wingsmuseum.org

Modern Swing Mondays 2024 @ 7pm / $16.51 Stampede, Aurora

Duster @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood

Dirty Art Club @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Tony Medina Music: The Open Mic Hosted by Tony Medina @ 6:30pm The Alley, 2420 W Main St, Littleton

Wed 11/13

DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo Wednesdays - 'Bout Time Pub & Grub @ 8pm

Bout Time Pub & Grub, 3580 S Platte River Dr A, Sheridan

Thu 11/14

Zikr Dance Ensemble presents "Secrets" at Highland Ranch's Southridge Recreation Center

November 14 @ 6:30pm / $15-$25

Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch. info@zikrdance.com

TRIVIA

1. MOVIES: Who was the only actor to receive an Oscar nomination for work in a “Star Wars” movie?

2. GEOGRAPHY: What is a body of land with water on three sides called?

3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: In 1960, which two candidates participated in the rst televised presidential debate in 1960?

4. FOOD & DRINK: What type of ower produces vanilla bean pods?

5. MUSIC: What was the name of blues musician Stevie Ray Vaughn’s rst Fender Stratocaster?

6. SCIENCE: What type of gas is absorbed by plants?

7. LITERATURE: What is the name of the submarine in “Twenty ousand Leagues Under the Seas”?

8. TELEVISION: What is Clair Huxtable’s profession in “ e Cosby Show”?

9. ANATOMY: What is a more common name for the sternum?

10. ART: Which European city houses the Rijksmuseum?

Answers

1. Alec Guinness.

2. A peninsula.

3. John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.

4. Orchid.

5. Number One.

6. Carbon dioxide.

7. Nautilus.

8. Lawyer.

9. Breastbone.

10. Amsterdam

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

FLASHBACK

1. Which artist released an album titled “Tea for the Tillerman”?

2. Which artist was the rst to release “You’re No Good”? 3. e Swinging Blue Jeans only charted once. What was the song?

4. Which trio released “I’m So Glad at I’m a Woman”?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Strolling along country roads with my baby, It starts to rain, it begins to pour.”

Answers

1. Cat Stevens, in 1970. Stevens, born Steven Demetre Georgiou, changing his name to Yusuf Islam in 1978. In 2006 he began using only Yusuf, and in 2014 began performing as Yusuf / Cat Stevens.

2. Dee Dee Warwick, in 1963. is was followed by several other artists, including Betty Everett and Linda Ronstadt.

3. “Don’t Make Me Over,” in 1966. e song was rst released in 1962 by Dionne Warwick. It was her version that put the

song in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

4. Love Unlimited on their “Love Is Back” album in 1979. Love Unlimited was the backup group for Barry White.

5. “Laughter in the Rain,” by Neil Sedaka, in 1974. e song charted in several places around the globe, including the Netherlands, the U.K., Yugoslavia, Canada, the U.S. and Australia.

(c) 2024 King Features Syndicate

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PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors of the Centennial Urban Redevelopment Authority will conduct public hearings on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Civic Center located at 13133 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial Colorado 80112 (“Civic Center”) regarding adoption of the Centennial Urban Redevelopment Authority 2025/2026 Biennial Budget. Copies of the Centennial Urban Redevelopment Authority 2025/2026 Budget are available for inspection on the website: www.centennialco.gov or at the Civic Center. Any interested elector of the Centennial Urban Redevelopment Authority may file any objections on the proposed Centennial Urban Redevelopment 2025/2026 Budget with the Secretary to the District, in writing at cityclerksoffice@centennialco.gov anytime prior to final adoption on November 19, 2024. /s/ Christina Lovelace, CMC

HEARING

OF

NO LDC24-006, NATURAL MEDICINE LAND USES / LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT

PROPOSAL: Amendment to the Land Development Code to allow natural medicine land uses pursuant to Colorado Proposition 122 in certain zone districts, set operational and location standards, and describe rules for non-commercial cultivation.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 19, 2024, the Arapahoe County Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing at 6:30 P.M., or as soon as possible thereafter at 6954 S Lima St., Arapahoe Room, Centennial, CO 80112; at which, all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the above-described amendments to the Land Development Code, Case No. LDC24-006. The agenda will typically be posted by the Friday afternoon preceding the hearing and can be viewed on our website at https://arapahoe.legistar.com/Calendar. You can also listen to, or speak at, the meeting by calling 1-855-436-3656. To join the speaking queue, press *3 on the telephone keypad.

More information about this proposal is available at the offices of the Arapahoe County Public Works and Development Department, Planning Division, 6924 S Lima St., Centennial CO 80112, by calling 720-874-6650 during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday), or by emailing planning@arapahoegov.com.

Joan Lopez, Clerk to the Board

Legal Notice No. 539955

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Englewood Herald Littleton Independent and the Centennial Citizen Public Notice

WALNUT HILLS GENERAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING 2025/2026 BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors of the Walnut Hills General Improvement District will conduct public hearings on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Civic Center located at 13133 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial Colorado 80112 (“Civic Center”) regarding adoption of the Walnut Hills General Improvement District 2025/2026 Biennial Budget. Copies of the Walnut Hills General Improvement District 2025/2026 Budget are available for inspection on the website: www.centennialco.gov or at the Civic Center. Any interested elector of the Walnut Hills General Improvement District may file any objections on the proposed Walnut Hills General Improvement District 2025/2026 Budget with the Secretary to the District, in writing at cityclerksoffice@centennialco.gov anytime prior to final adoption on November 19, 2024.

/s/ Christina Lovelace, CMC City Clerk

Legal Notice No. 523965

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Public Notice

FOXRIDGE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING 2025/2026 BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors of the Foxridge General Improvement District will conduct public hearings on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Civic Center located at 13133 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial Colorado 80112 (“Civic Center”) regarding adoption of the Foxridge General Improvement District 2025/2026 Biennial Budget. Copies of the Foxridge General Improvement District 2025/2026 Budget are available for inspection on the website: www. centennialco.gov or at the Civic Center. Any interested elector of the Foxridge General Improvement District may file any objections on the proposed Foxridge General Improvement District 2025/2026 Budget with the Secretary to the District, in writing at cityclerksoffice@ centennialco.gov anytime prior to final adoption on November 19, 2024. /s/ Christina Lovelace, CMC City Clerk

Legal Notice No. 523963

First Publication: October 31, 2024 Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent & Centennial Citizen

Public Notice

CHERRY PARK GENERAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING 2025/2026 BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors of the Cherry Park General Improvement District will conduct public hearings on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Civic Center located at 13133 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial Colorado 80112 (“Civic Center”) regarding adoption of the Cherry Park General Improvement District 2025/2026 Biennial Budget. Copies of the Cherry Park General Improvement District 2025/2026 Budget are available for inspection on the website: www.centennialco.gov or at the Civic Center. Any interested elector of the Cherry Park General Improvement District may file any objections on the proposed Cherry Park General Improvement District 2025/2026 Budget with the Secretary to the District, in writing at cityclerksoffice@centennialco.gov anytime prior to final adoption on November 19, 2024.

/s/ Christina Lovelace, CMC City Clerk

Legal Notice No. 523961 First Publication: October 31, 2024 Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent & Centennial Citizen

Public Notice

WILLOW CREEK 1 & 2 GENERAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING 2025/2026 BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors of the Willow Creek 1 & 2 General Improvement District will conduct public hearings on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Civic Center located at 13133 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial Colorado 80112 (“Civic Center”) regarding adoption of the Willow Creek 1 & 2 General Improvement District 2025/2026 Biennial Budget. Copies of the Willow Creek 1 & 2 General Improvement District 2025/2026 Budget are available for inspection on the website: www.centennialco. gov or at the Civic Center. Any interested elector of the Willow Creek 1 & 2 General Improvement District may file any objections on the proposed Willow Creek 1 & 2 General Improvement District 2025/2026 Budget with the Secretary to the District, in writing at cityclerksoffice@centennialco.gov anytime prior to final adoption on November 19, 2024.

/s/ Christina Lovelace, CMC City Clerk

Legal Notice No. 523964

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent & Centennial Citizen

Public Notice

ANTELOPE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING 2025/2026 BUDGET

will conduct public hearings on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the Civic Center located at 13133 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial Colorado 80112 (“Civic Center”) regarding adoption of the City of Centennial 2025/2026 Biennial

with the City Clerk, in writing at cityclerksoffice@centennialco.gov anytime prior to final adoption on November 19, 2024. /s/

Lovelace, CMC

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors of the Antelope General Improvement District will conduct public hearings on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Civic Center located at 13133 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial Colorado 80112 (“Civic Center”) regarding adoption of the Antelope General Improvement District 2025/2026 Biennial Budget. Copies of the Antelope General Improvement District 2025/2026 Budget are available for inspection on the website: www. centennialco.gov or at the Civic Center. Any interested elector of the Antelope General Improvement District may file any objections on the proposed Antelope General Improvement District 2025/2026 Budget with the Secretary to the District, in writing at cityclerksoffice@ centennialco.gov anytime prior to final adoption on November 19, 2024.

/s/ Christina Lovelace, CMC City Clerk

Legal Notice No. 523966

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent & Centennial Citizen

Public Notice

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CASE NO LDC24-008,

COMMERCIAL USE OF PUBLIC WAYS / LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT

PROPOSAL: Amendment to the Land Development Code to restrict the use of public roads and ways for commercial purposes such the storage and off-loading of vehicles, products, or materials.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 19, 2024, the Arapahoe County Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing at 6:30 P.M., or as soon as possible thereafter at 6954 S Lima St., Arapahoe Room, Centennial, CO 80112; at which, all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the above-described amendments to the Land Development Code, Case No. LDC24-008. The agenda will typically be posted by the Friday afternoon preceding the hearing and can be viewed on our website at https://arapahoe.legistar.com/Calendar. You can also listen to, or speak at, the meeting by calling 1-855-436-3656. To join the speaking queue, press *3 on the telephone keypad.

More information about this proposal is available at the offices of the Arapahoe County Public Works and Development Department, Planning Division, 6924 S Lima St., Centennial CO 80112, by calling 720-874-6650 during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday), or by emailing planning@arapahoegov.com.

Joan Lopez, Clerk to the Board

Legal Notice No. 539957

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Englewood Herald Littleton Independent and the Centennial Citizen Metro Districts

Budget Hearings

Public Notice

NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND 2024 BUDGET AMENDMENT OF THE INVERNESS NORTH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the proposed budget for the ensuing year of 2025 has been submitted to the Inverness North Metropolitan District (the “District”). Such proposed budget will be considered at a meeting and public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held at 304 Inverness Way South, #490, Englewood, Colorado, at 2:00 p.m., or shortly thereafter, on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that an amendment to the 2024 budget of the District may also be considered at the above-referenced meeting and public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District. A copy of the proposed 2025 budget and the amended 2024 budget, if required, are available for public inspection at the offices of Simmons & Wheeler, P.C. Please contact Kimberly Johanns by email at kimberly@simmonswheeler.com or by telephone at 303-689-0833 to make arrangements to inspect the budgets prior to visiting the foregoing office. Any interested elector within the district may, at any time prior to final adoption of the 2025 budget and the amended 2024 budget, if required, file or register any objections thereto.

INVERNESS NORTH

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ John O’Leary, President

Legal Notice No. 539681

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE OF 2025 BUDGET HEARING

SHERIDAN SANITATION DISTRICT NO. 1

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to §291-106, C.R.S., as amended, that a proposed Budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Sheridan Sanitation District No. 1, Arapahoe County, Colorado, for calendar year 2024. A copy of said proposed Budget is on file in the office of Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe, PC, 1660 Lincoln Street, Suite 3000, Denver, Colorado; 303-628-3664, where the same is available for inspection by the public, by appointment only, Monday through Friday during normal business hours, (i.e., 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Directors of the Sheridan Sanitation District No. 1 will consider the adoption of the proposed 2025 Budget following a public hearing thereon to be conducted during a special meeting of the District’s Board of Directors to be held in the City of Sheridan Town Hall located at 4101 S Federal Blvd., Englewood, CO 80110 on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

Any interested elector of the Sheridan Sanitation District No. 1 may inspect the proposed Budget for 2025 and file or register any objections or comments thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of said Budgets.

Dated this 21st day of October, 2024.

SHERIDAN SANITATION DISTRICT NO. 1

By: /s/ Jason Patton, President

Legal Notice No. 539952

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Englewood Herald

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT BID PACKAGES #16, 19, 23, 24, & 28

MGC ABATEMENT SERVICES at Euclid MS, Sandburg ES, Heritage MS, East ES, Hopkins ES, Whitman and Education Services Center

Notice is hereby given that Littleton Public Schools in the county of Arapahoe will on December 3, 2024 pay retainage and make final settlement with Earth Services and Abatement, Inc. for BID PACKAGES #16, 19, 23, 24 & 28 CMGC Abatement Services at Euclid MS, Sandburg ES, Heritage MS, East ES, Hopkins ES, Whitman and Education Services Center. Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, material, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by the contractor identified above or any subcontractor thereof in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that has supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work whose claim therefore has not been paid, by the contractor or subcontractor, must file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim, which statement must be filed on December 3, 2024. Claims must be submitted to the Board of Education of Littleton Public Schools at the school district’s Property Management Department, 5776 S. Crocker Street, Littleton, CO. 80120 on December 3, 2024 Final Settlement will be made and verified claims must be timely filed with Littleton Public Schools. Failure on the part of the claimant to file such statement prior to or on the established date will relieve the School District from any and all liability for such claim, Dated: October 31, 2024

Legal Notice No. 539960

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 21, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent

Not consecutive publications

Public Notice

ARAPAHOE COUNTY

NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of County Commissioners of Arapahoe County, Colorado shall make final settlement with Colorado Chiller Services LLC for its work completed for Arapahoe County on the project identified as Centrepoint Plaza Rooftop Units Replacement. The work generally consisted of construction services to remove and replace four rooftop units at Centrepoint Plaza, 14980 E Alameda Avenue. Final Settlement will be made on November 13, 2024.

Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by Colorado Chiller Services LLC or any of its subcontractors, or that has supplied rental machinery, tools or equipment to the extent used by Colorado Chiller Services LLC or any of its subcontractors in or about the performance of the work done for the above-described project whose claim therefore has not been paid by Colorado Chiller Services LLC or any of its subcontractors may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid with the Arapahoe County Attorney's Office (on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners) at 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, CO 80120, at any time up to and including November 12, 2024.

This Notice is published in accordance with Section 38-26-107 of C.R.S., and all claims, if any, shall be filed in accordance with this statutory section. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement and/ or claim prior to the aforementioned date for filing claims shall release Arapahoe County, its officers, agents and employees from any or all liability, claims, and suits for payment due from Colorado Chiller Services LLC.

Joan Lopez, Clerk to the Board

Legal Notice No. 539915

First Publication: October 24, 2024

Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Englewood Herald Littleton Independent and the Centennial Citizen

Summons and Sheriff Sale

Public Notice DISTRICT COURT, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO Case No.: 2022CV30581 Division: 21 Sale No.: ACCIV2406198

Plaintiff: TWIN PINES VILLAGE, INC., a Colorado nonprofit corporation v. Defendants: HUGO BARRIOS VELA; MORTGAGE

SYSTEMS, INC.; CALIBER

LOANS, INC.; COLORADO HOUSING AND FINANCE AUTHORITY; and PUBLIC TRUSTEE FOR ARAPAHOE COUNTY

SHERIFF’S COMBINED NOTICE OF SALE

Under an Order for Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure entered on June 29, 2022, in the above-captioned civil action, I am ordered to sell certain real property as described below.

undersigned Sheriff at 13101 E. Broncos Pkwy., Centennial, CO 80112 or by calling (720) 874-3845.

Legal description of the real property to be sold: Lot 27, Block 1, Twin Pines Village Subdivision – Filing No. 2, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado.

It is also known by street and number as 1545 South Ouray Circle Unit A, Aurora, Colorado 80017.

Record owner(s) of the real property: Hugo Barrios Vela

Holder of Evidence of Debt / Foreclosing Entity / Association: Twin Pines Village, Inc., a Colorado nonprofit corporation

Interest foreclosed: Statutory lien for unpaid assessments per C.R.S. § 38-33.3-316, as perfected by the Amendment and Restatement of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Twin Pines Village, recorded on June 07, 1988, at Reception No. 2977286 in the Clerk & Recorder’s Office for the County of Arapahoe, Colorado (“Declaration”). More accurately defined in the Order for Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure, issued by the Court on June 29, 2022, a certified copy of which was recorded on July 06, 2022, at Reception No. E2072534 in the Clerk & Recorder’s Office for the County of Arapahoe, Colorado (“Order”).

Judgment / Lien Amount: Judgment in the amount of $14,006.30 was entered on June 29, 2022. Post-judgment interest accrues daily at the rate of 18% per annum. The amount of the foreclosed lien is not stagnant. The amount of the foreclosed lien as of August 19, 2022 is $23,515.68.

Attorneys for Association: Moeller Graf, P.C., Attorney David Parker, Reg. No. 35253, DParker@moellergraf.com, 9557 S. Kingston Court, Englewood, CO 80112, Phone: (877) 279-4499.

THE PROPERTY TO BE SOLD AND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN DESCRIBED ABOVE.

THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The covenants of said Declaration have been violated as follows: failure to pay assessments that have come due, more accurately described in the Order for Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure.

NOTICE OF SALE

THEREFORE, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Civil Unit of the Sheriff’s Office for the County of Arapahoe, Colorado, will sell the real property described above and the improvements thereon at 10:00 AM, on the 5th day of December, 2024, at the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, 13101 E. Broncos Pkwy., Centennial, CO 80112, to the highest and best bidder. The Association and its attorney do not make any warranty relating to title, possession, or quiet enjoyment in and to said real property in connection with this sale.

BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CASH OR CERTIFIED FUNDS SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE MINIMUM BID AT THE TIME OF SALE.

Date signed: September 3, 2024

Tyler S. Brown, Sheriff County of Arapahoe, Colorado

By: Sgt. Trent Steffa, Deputy Sheriff

Legal Notice No. 539575

First Publication Date: October 10, 2024

Last Publication Date: November 7, 2024

Published in the: Littleton Independent 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, Colorado, 80110

Public Notice

DISTRICT COURT, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, COLORADO 325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, CO 80112

Plaintiff: Coastal Community Bank

vs. Defendants: Milan Chytil; MV Realty of Colorado, LLC; loanDepot.com, LLC; Lendr.online, LLC; The United States of America, acting by and through the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; The Public Trustee of Arapahoe County, Colorado; Urus Funding, LLC; all unknown persons who may claim an interest in the subject matter of this action

Attorneys for Plaintiff: Amanda Ferguson, #44893 Heather L. Deere, #28597 Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C. 355 Union Blvd., Suite 250 Lakewood, CO 80228 Ph: 303-274-0155 Fx: 303-274-0159

E-mail: infoco@hwmlawfirm.com

File No: CO22500 Case Number: 2024CV31283 Division: 202

SUMMONS

To the Defendant named above: Urus Funding, LLC

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to file with the Clerk of this Court an answer or other response to the Amended Complaint filed in this action. You are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after such service upon you. Your answer or counterclaim must be accompanied with the applicable filing fee. Service of this Summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication.

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the complaint in writing within the applica-

ble time period, judgment by default may be entered

and the recorded Declaration of COUNTRY LANE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION. The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorneys representing the holder of the assessment lien are: Springman, Braden, Wilson & Pontius P.C., (contact Karen Kelly-Braem, #36282) 4175 Harlan St #200 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, telephone number 303-685-4633, ext 117. **BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CASH OR CERTIFIED FUNDS SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE MINIMUM BID AT TIME OF SALE. ** THE LIEN BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN. Judgment is in the amount of $14,834.56. You and each of you are hereby notified that a Sheriff's Sale of the referenced property is to be conducted by the

PUBLIC NOTICES

issue to Defendant, SAMUEL A. NAZARYAN, the “Notice to Show Cause Pursuant to CRCP 354(h)” requiring said Defendant to show cause within 14 (fourteen) days from the service of such Notice, pursuant to CRCP 354(h), if any he has, why the Judgment heretofore entered in this matter on July 1, 2013, revived December 5, 2018, shall not be revived with like force and effect.

WHEREAS, Plaintiff has moved this Court pursuant to CRCP 354(h) to revive the Judgment entered in the instant matter on, July 1, 2013, revived December 5, 2018 NOW THEREFORE

IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED, that Plaintiff, Autovest, L.L.C., shall have and take of defendant, SAMUEL A. NAZARYAN Judgment in the instant matter on this date with like force and effect as on the date the Judgment was entered heretofore on July 1, 2013, revived December 5, 2018.

Defendant shall show cause within fourteen (14) days from the service of this “Notice to Show Cause Pursuant to CRCP 354(h)”, if any the Defendant has, why the Judgment heretofore entered should not be revived with like force and effect.

Attorney for Plaintiff

OF HOMELAND

Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations for the City of Centennial and the Unincorporated Areas of Arapahoe County, Colorado, and Case No. 23-08-0696P. The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) solicits technical information or comments on proposed flood hazard determinations for the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and where applicable, the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report for your community. These flood hazard determinations may include the addition or modification of Base Flood Elevations, base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory floodway. The FIRM and, if applicable, the FIS report have been revised to reflect these flood hazard determinations through issuance of a Letter of Map

more information on the proposed flood hazard determinations and information on the statutory 90-day period provided for appeals, please visit FEMA’s website at https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/BFE_ Status/bfe_main.asp , or call the FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) toll free at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627).

Legal Notice No. 539913

First Publication: October 24, 2024 Last Publication: October 31, 2024 Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

The annual report of the Petty Foundation, Inc. is available for inspection at 7110 Old Farm Road, Littleton - William Petty, President, 303-932-2234

Legal Notice No. 539967

First Publication: October 31, 2024 Last Publication: October 31, 2024 Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

STATE OF COLORADO, DISTRICT COURT, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE CASE NO. 2024JV030085

NOTICE OF HEARING

Auroura Fowler-McBeth, mother of Maverick

John Miller McBeth, is hereby notified that a Hearing has been set for November 25, 2024 at 3:00pm via Webex in District Court Case Number 2024JV030085. A copy of the Notice of Hearing may be obtained from the clerk of the court during regular business hours.

If Auroura Fowler-McBeth seeks to attend this hearing, then she should use the Webex Link or call into the number listed below.

Join from a video conferencing system or application: Or Click on https://judicial.webex.com/meet/D18-ARAPDiv12

Join by phone: Tap to call in from a mobile device (attendees only) +1-720-650-7664

A default judgment may be entered against Auroura Fowler-McBeth if she fails to appear. No oral statement made to the Petitioner, Respondents, or the court relieves Auroura Fowler-McBeth of her obligations under this notice.

This notice complies with C.R.S. §14-10107(4)(a) but does not exhaustively set forth a person’s legal obligations under the Colorado statutes. A person being served this notice should consult the Colorado allocation of parental responsibilities statutes, C.R.S. §14-10-123.

Dated this ___ day of October, 2024.

Attorney for Petitioner: Rachel Lopez

CNL Law Firm, PLLC 6855 South Havana Street, Suite 570 Centennial, CO 80112 (720) 370-2189 Fax (720) 370-2181

Legal Notice No. 539670 First Publication: October 10, 2024

Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Littleton Independent Notice to Creditors

Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Gordon Lee Huntingdale, a/k/a Gordon L. Huntingdale, a/k/a Gordon Huntingdale, Deceased Case Number : 24PR 31086

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

David Vogt, Personal Representative 5697 S. Washington Street Littleton, CO 80211

Legal Notice No. 539947

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Englewood Herald PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Gloria Brannan, aka Gloria Smith, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 511

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Wendy Faustin, Personal Representative 2164 S. Yates Street Denver, Colorado 80219

Legal Notice No. 539945

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of VENKATESH IYER, Deceased Case Number 2024PR031084

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County Court, Colorado on or before February 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Laura and Lonye Buck, Co-Personal Representatives c/o Solem, Woodward & McKinley P.C. 750 W. Hampden Ave, Suite 505 Englewood, Colorado 80110

Legal Notice No. 539910

First Publication: October 24, 2024 Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Daniel Leonard Larson, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR488

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe, County, Colorado on or before March 6, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Eileen P. Larson, Personal Representative 6800 South Steele Street Centennial, CO 80122

Legal Notice No. 539953

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Tammy Sue Tribioli, aka Tammy Tribioli, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30995

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Brian Tribioli , Personal Representative c/o Kokish & Goldmanis, P.C. 316 Wilcox Street Castle Rock, CO 80104

Legal Notice No. 539938

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Anthony Tynan, a/k/a Anthony C. Tynan, a/k/a Anthony Christopher Tynan, Deceased Case Number: 24PR31068

All persons having claims against the above

named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before February 17, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Christopher John Tynan,

Personal Representative PO Box 139, Elm, Springs, AR 72728

Legal Notice No. 539891

First Publication: October 17, 2024

Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Englewood Herald Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of WILLIS LEE SCRIBNER, also known as WILLIS L. SCRIBNER, aka WILLIS SCRIBNER, AND WILLIE SCRIBNER, Deceased Case Number: 24PR490

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before February 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Elizabeth Marie Scribner

Personal Representative 5743 S. Lowell Blvd. Littleton, CO 80123

Legal Notice No. 539917

First Publication: October 24, 2024

Last Publication: November 7, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Deanna Kathleen Trout, Deceased Case Number: 24PR487

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before 02/17/2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Erin Loreen Hansen FKA Erin Winter Personal Representative 120 Pine Arbor, Trinity, TX 75862

Legal Notice No. 539873

First Publication: October 17, 2024

Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Englewood Herald Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of DAVID WAYNE SIMMONS, a/k/a DAVID W. SIMMONS, a/k/a DAVID SIMMONS, a/k/a DAVE WAYNE SIMMONS, a/k/a DAVE W. SIMMONS, a/k/a DAVE SIMMONS, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31103

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Michael Simmons, Personal Representative 6422 East Cornell Ave Denver, Colorado 80222

Legal Notice No. 539956

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of JAMES A. AYERS, also known as JAMES ALAN AYERS, and JAMES AYERS, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31083

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Kathleen Anne Ayers

Personal Representative 20821 E. Hamilton Avenue Aurora, CO 80013

Legal Notice No. 539943

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of John Francis Holthaus Jr,

a/k/a John F. Holthaus Jr

a/k/a John Holthaus Jr

a/k/a John Holthaus, Deceased Case Number:2024PR031066

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Karen Gacioch, Personal Representative 11917 Singing Winds Street Parker, CO 80138

Legal Notice No. 539942

First Publication: October 31, 2024 Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Charlene Lynn Wren, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31082

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Karen Lee Pearce, Personal Representative 10155 W. Iowa Ave Lakewood, CO 80232

Legal Notice No. 539939

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of ELFRIEDE H. SMITH, a/k/a ELFI H. SMITH, a/k/a ELFRIEDE HELMI SMITH, a/k/a ELFI SMITH, a/k/a ELFI NELSON, a/k/a ELFI BRODERSEN, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31089

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 3, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Kari A. Filson, Personal Representative 1502 N. 27th Street Boise, ID 83702

Legal Notice No. 539958

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Englewood Herald Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Michael J. Henderson, Sr., Deceased Case Number 2024PR30835

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 1st, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Michael J. Henderson, Jr., Personal Representative c/o Daniel R. Klein 8310 S. Valley Highway, Suite 300 Englewood, Colorado 80112

Legal Notice No. 539944

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Gareth D. Flora, AKA Gareth Donald Flora, AKA Gareth Flora, AKA Gary D. Flora, AKA Gary Donald Flora, and Gary Flora: Deceased Case Number: 2024PR030970

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before February 17, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Margie Flora and Dawn Goard

Co-Personal Representatives 13951 E Whitaker Drive Aurora, Colorado 80015

Legal Notice No. 539684

First Publication: October 17, 2024 Last Publication: October 31, 2024 Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of LYLE GENE WERTZ, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR031053

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative (CODY GRANT WERTZ) or to ARAPAHOE COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER (7325 SOUTH POTOMAC STREET, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112) on or before FEBRUARY 28, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

/s/ Leona Light

LEONA LIGHT, Esq.

Attorney for Personal Representative 8959 E. 40th Ave, Ste 160, Denver, CO 80238

Legal Notice No. 539924

First Publication: October 24, 2024

Last Publication: November 7, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Mary A. Acker, aka Mary Agnes Acker, aka Mary Acker, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30915

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the co-personal representatives or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Robbin L. Rivera, Co-Personal Representative 925 NE Emily Lane Lees Summit, Missouri 64086

Aaron A. Acker, Co-Personal Representative 2057 E. Otero Lane Centennial, Colorado 80122

Legal Notice No. 539946

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Englewood Herald Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Erin Christie Asborno, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30938

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before February 17, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Deborah E. Mulkey, Personal Representative c/o The Law Office of Jennifer S. Gormley, P.C. 060 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Suite 300 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Legal Notice No. 539685

First Publication: October 17, 2024

Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Louis G. Lamberson, aka Louis George Lamberson, aka Louis Lamberson, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR31011

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of ARAPAHOE County, Colorado on or before February 28, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Ethel Mae Lamberson, Personal Representative c/o Harley K. Look, III, Esq., Reg. No. 39778 KATZ, LOOK & ONORATO, P.C. 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 1100 Denver, Colorado 80203

Legal Notice No. 539968

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent

Public Notice NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Anthony Tynan, a/k/a Anthony C. Tynan, a/k/a Anthony Christopher Tynan, Deceased Case Number: 24PR31068

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Christopher John Tynan, Personal Representative PO Box 139 Elm, Springs, AR 72728

Legal Notice No. 539951

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Englewood Herald

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Irene Holthaus, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR031064

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Karen Gacioch, Personal Representative 11917 Singing Winds Street Parker, CO 80138

Legal Notice No. 539941

First Publication: October 31, 2024 Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Laurie J. Chotena, a/k/a Laurie Joyce Chotena, a/k/a Laurie Chotena, Deceased Case Number: 24PR31048

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before February 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Thomas L. Chotena

Personal Representative 2601 N. Walnut Creek Dr. Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Legal Notice No. 539876

First Publication: October 17, 2024

Last Publication: October 31, 2024

Publisher: Littleton Independent Name Changes PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice of Petition for Change of

FRIGHTMARE

know, I’ve just always liked shovels,” he said. ere is even an old Cessna, dropped into the compound to simulate an airplane crash.

All have been collected over the years by the Holders to add authenticity to every scene at the compound.

“You can’t just rest on your laurels,” Holder said. “ ere is always something new we can bring in to keep people really scared.”

Highly rated terror

Newcomers often join long-time patrons to the Frightmare site which consistently draws top-notch reviews.

A list published by  eScareFactor.com in 2023 highlighted the six great haunted houses around Colorado, which included  e Frightmare Compound.

Rated 8.56 of 10 in e Scare Factor’s 2022 review of the attraction, e Frightmare Compound scored the highest in

DEMENTIA

more likely to be women, and disproportionately Black or Latino, with lower levels of education, wealth, and homeownership. Yet only 21% qualify for publicly funded programs such as Medicaid that pay for aides to provide services in the home.

In a health care system that assumes older adults have family caregivers to help them, “we realized this population is destined to fall through the cracks,” Portacolone said.

Imagine what this means. As memory and thinking problems accelerate, these seniors can lose track of bills, have their electricity shut o , or be threatened with eviction. ey might stop shopping (it’s too overwhelming) or cooking (it’s too hard to follow recipes). Or they might be unable to communicate clearly or navigate automated phone systems.

A variety of other problems can ensue, including social isolation, malnutrition, self-neglect, and susceptibility to scams. Without someone to watch over them, older adults on their own may experience worsening health without anyone noticing or struggle with dementia without ever being diagnosed.

Should vulnerable seniors live this way?

the ‘customer service’ category of criteria, with the sta described as friendly and helpful, according to the Colorado Gazette.

While customer service was a leading factor in the high rating received by e Frightmare Compound, the haunted house scored well across the board — from costuming to entertainment to immersiveness to value, according to the Gazette.

As many as 50 employees dress as ghouls, ax-wielding maniacs or zombies to harass customers, some of whom don’t even make into the compound, Holder said. “ ey get totally psyched out. But we welcome them back if they want to return.”

Frightmare workers, including high school students and retirees, are schooled by an acting coach who teaches them how to be scary while also preserving their voices.

“If you are screaming at someone for more than three hours, that really puts a strain on your voice box,” Holder said.

Holder, his mom and sisters, along with close friends, spend most of the year com-

For years, Portacolone and her collaborators nationwide have followed nearly 100 older adults with cognitive impairment who live alone. She listed some concerns people told researchers they worried most about: “Who do I trust? When is the next time I’m going to forget? If I think I need more help, where do I nd it? How do I hide my forgetfulness?”

Jane Lowers, an assistant professor at the Emory University School of Medicine, has been studying “kinless” adults in the early stages of dementia — those without a live-in partner or children nearby. eir top priority, she told me, is “remaining independent for as long as possible.”

Seeking to learn more about these seniors’ experiences, I contacted the National Council of Dementia Minds. e organization last year started a biweekly online group for people living alone with dementia. Its sta ers arranged a Zoom conversation with ve people, all with early-to-moderate dementia.

One was Kathleen Healy, 60, who has signi cant memory problems and lives alone in Fresno, California.

“One of the biggest challenges is that people don’t really see what’s going on with you,” she said. “Let’s say my house is a mess or I’m sick or I’m losing track of my bills. If I can get myself together, I can walk out the door and nobody knows what’s going on.”

An administrator with the city of Fresno

ing up with new ideas for the compound. ey also add to the site’s Monster Museum which features costumes and artifacts from classic horror movies, including Freddie Krueger and e Predator.

Holder admits he’s riding a popular

for 28 years, Healy said she had to retire in 2019 “because my brain stopped working.” With her pension, she’s able to cover her expenses, but she doesn’t have significant savings or assets.

Healy said she can’t rely on family members who have troubles of their own. (Her 83-year-old mother has dementia and lives with Healy’s sister.) e person who checks on her most frequently is an ex-boyfriend.

“I don’t really have anybody,” she said, choking up.

Denise Baker, 80, a former CIA analyst, lives in a 100-year-old house in Asheville, North Carolina, with her dog, Yolo. She has cognitive problems related to a stroke 28 years ago, Alzheimer’s disease, and serious vision impairment that prevents her from driving. Her adult daughters live in Massachusetts and Colorado.

“I’m a very independent person, and I nd that I want to do everything I possibly can for myself,” Baker told me, months before Asheville was ravaged by severe ooding. “It makes me feel better about myself.”

She was lucky in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene: Baker lives on a hill in West Asheville that was untouched by oodwaters. In the week immediately after the storm, she lled water jugs every day at an old well near her house and brought them back in a wheelbarrow. ough her power was out, she had plenty of food and

wave around Halloween, with booming sales for costumes and scary movies.

“I guess people just like that adrenaline rush of being scared,” Holder said. “It’s just something built inside our brains. It will be with us forever.”

neighbors looked in on her.

“I’m absolutely ne,” she told me on the phone in early October after a member of Dementia Friendly Western North Carolina drove to Baker’s house to check in on her, upon my request. Baker is on the steering committee of that organization. Baker once found it hard to ask for assistance, but these days she relies routinely on friends and hired help.

Her daughter Karen in Boston has the authority to make legal and health care decisions when Baker can no longer do so. When that day comes — and Baker knows it will — she expects her long-term care insurance policy to pay for home aides or memory care. Until then, “I plan to do as much as I can in the state I’m in,” she said.

Much can be done to better assist older adults with dementia who are on their own, said Elizabeth Gould, co-director of the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center at RTI International, a nonpro t research institute. “If health care providers would just ask ‘Who do you live with?’” she said, “that could open the door to identifying who might need more help.”

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

A scary tunnel of bodies hangs along a passageway at Westminster’s Frightmare Compound.

PHOTO BY BELEN WARD

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