Community leaders celebrated as ‘Las Jefas and Jefes’
Mi Casa Resource Center asks four leaders tough questions
BY JACKIE RAMIRIEZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
On Oct. 17, those interested in community leadership joined Mi Casa Resource Center at Raices Brewery in Denver for their event, “Las Jefas & Jefes,” which was an evening of connection and learning. To Mi Casa Resource Center, this event was for community members to “ask the tough questions that Google can’t answer” when it comes to being a leader in the Latino community.
“A jefa … is a female boss who lives with con dence, strength and grace,” said Virginia Garcia Pivik, who was the moderator for the panel discussion at the event. “A jefa navigates challenges with voice, makes tough decisions and empowers her team to reach their full potential… In essence, a jefa is a trailblazer who leads with integrity and vision, creating a positive and impactful environment.
“A jefe takes charge and makes decisive decisions, guiding the team toward
achieving their goals. e jefe inspires trust and respect, not by imposing power but by demonstrating competence and commitment. Ultimately being a jefe is about fostering an environment where everyone grows and can succeed, driven by a clear purpose and strong leadership.”
e panelists were Andrea Albo, Arnulfo Hernández, Rosemary Rodriguez and Xóchitl Gaytán. All four are community organizers who have shown inclusion, advocacy and unity throughout their work.
Garcia asked the panelists what was the one thing in their life that they chose to bet on. Hernández answered that he chose to bet on education.
“Education helps you nd yourself and navigate your future,” he said. “It helps you overcome challenges.”
Hernández was raised by parents who were entrepreneurs and grew up in the restaurant business. He shared that he wasn’t always the best student in high school, which to him meant that he didn’t have scholarships or grants to help him get through college. However, regardless of the price of education, he would do it all over again.
“If it was $40,000 in debt then so be it.
If that’s the price you have to pay to get a quality education to continue your trajectory, then that’s the price you pay,” Hernández said.
Today, Hernández is a jefe in the Colorado legal community, from his work as a courtroom attorney to being part of Mi Casa’s Legal Nights. His answer echoed Gaytán’s response to the same question, when she mentioned that education is especially important to immigrant families.
“If I’m going to bet on anything, it’s betting on getting that diploma and the degree and whatever else you want to further yourself with because no one can take that from you,” Gaytán said. “Once you’ve earned it, that is yours.”
At the event, Gaytán shared that she came to the United States as a child and lived the undocumented experience until she was 21, when she became a citizen. She has worked as a real estate agent where she helps Latinos and Spanish speakers buy homes and ght discrimination in housing. She is currently the District 2 director for Denver Public Schools Board of Education and was its rst Mexican-born president.
SEE MICASA, P6
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.
From left to right: Arnulfo Hernández, Xóchitl Gáytan, Rosemary Rodriguez and Andrea Albo speak at Mi Casa Resource Center’s event “Las Jefas & Jefes,” where community leaders reflect on their life experiences and o er advice. JACKIE RAMIREZ
BRIEFS
RTD announces Zero Fare to Vote days e Regional Transportation District is o ering one more Zero Fare to Vote days to encourage voter participation in the upcoming general election.
Services were free on Oct. 29, National Vote Early Day. ey will also be free on Nov. 5, Election Day. e move is in collaboration with the Colorado County Clerks Association.
Zero Fare to Vote removes a cost barrier for people who travel on RTD services to cast their ballot. RTD’s Board of Directors approved Zero Fare to Vote as a permanent fare change earlier this year.
Voters can nd their nearest ballot drop box or voting center by visiting GoVoteColorado.gov, and use RTD’s trip planner and click the “Vote” icon to nd the best route to a designated drop box or polling location. Customers can further lter the trip planner results by selecting “Drop Box”, “Early Voting” and “Open Now.” To nd the desired voting or drop box location, customers can then click the “Plan Trip” button. On Nov. 5, transit customers can use
RTD services at no cost to reach their polling location to vote in person or drop their ballots in a drop box. Eligible voters can register and vote up to and including Election Day. In-person voting on Election Day, Nov. 5, will be available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eligible voters must have returned their ballot to a drop box or voting center, or be in line to vote by 7 p.m., for their ballot to be counted.
Seniors could get property tax refund
Seniors at least 62 years who lived within the city limits in 2023 can apply for the city’s property tax refund program, which repays the amount paid to the city out of the total property tax bill. e deadline to apply for the program is Friday, Nov. 1. ose who applied to the program last year will receive a paper application by mail. e printable application is also available online at c3gov.com/Living-In. Select “Taxes & Fees” from the navigation, followed by “Senior Property Tax Refund.”
Refund checks will be mailed between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31. For questions about
the program, contact Misti Sanchez at msanchez@c3gov.com or call 303-2893778.
Snow Trooper helps get you through the storm
When the akes start falling, Commerce City Public Works hits the road to plow nearly 300 lane miles of streets in the city.
To help you prepare for a safe commute, the city’s online Snow Trooper map shows which roads have been plowed and how recently. Visit snowtrooper.c3gov.com to see the treatment map and priority level of streets along your route.
As a reminder, the city does not plow state roads, such as Highway 85, Interstates 270 and 76, and Brighton Boulevard. Learn more about the city’s snow response plan at c3gov.com/Snow.
Legal self-help clinic
e Access to Justice Committee hosts a free, legal self-help clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the rst Tuesday of every
month. e program is for those without legal representation and needing help navigating through legal issues. Volunteer attorneys are available to discuss family law, civil litigation, property, and probate law. Call 303-405-3298 and ask for the Legal Self-Help Clinic at least 24 hours before.
Alliance Business Assistance Center grants available
e Alliance Business Assistance Center is excited to announce that 2024 business grants are now available to support your business endeavors. Sta at the center can assist residents by helping to identify grants that align with their business goals and industry, providing guidance through the application process, ensuring that they have the best chance of success and providing other valuable resources for local business. To get started, visit our website at https://businessinthornton.com/localbusiness/small-business-support-programs/business- nancial-assistance.
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.
303-908-4835
Joined us in 2014
Licensed in 2001
Jim Swanson
303-929-2727
Joined us in 2010
Licensed in 2000
Chuck Brown 303-885-7855
Joined us in 2014 Licensed in 2000
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.
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Challenging the notion of the ‘Latino monolith’
BY ROSSANA LONGO BETTER ROSSANA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Milo Marquez wants to remind everyone who wants to comment on Latino political engagement: Latinos are not a monolith. e director of the Latino Research and Policy Center at the University of Colorado-Denver emphasized the rich diversity within the Latino community.
Marquez noted that distinct political views and voting behaviors are shaped by varied backgrounds and experiences. is interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Colorado Community Media: You grew up in Globeville and Elyria-Swansea. Both communities have rich Latino histories, but they also face challenges. How did your upbringing in these neighborhoods shape your path to joining the Latino Research and Policy Center?
Milo Marquez: We grew up in that kind of environment that was a predominantly Latino community, 93 percent, during the times that I was growing up.
But I think what changed for me was the opportunity to explore all of the parts of Denver.
After graduating from omas Je erson High School in Denver, I (had been) bused — 35 minutes on the bus every morning and then 35 minutes coming home.
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I moved to California and lived in the Bay Area for about 15 years. I went to college and started my career very di erently from the career that I have now, but I got that working for a big Fortune 500 company.
After about 15 years, I wanted to return to Denver, where my family and roots were. So, I returned to the community and saw it still struggling like it was when I left.
ere was this perpetual cycle that they couldn’t get out of. I wanted to give back, so I left working for the big corporations and decided to work as a school teacher. I went back into the schools and started teaching compelling needs. ese were all kids who were on the verge of incarceration.
After doing that for some years, I was elected chair of the Latino Education Coalition, which I still chair today. en, I was recruited to lead the Latino Action Council, a coalition of about 150 Latino-led organizations across Colorado.
CORRECTIONS
Colorado Trust for Local News asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.
Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
CCM: Lately, you have been organizing several forums discussing Latino voting trends. Let’s start with the big picture. What’s driving the need for these discussions? What key insights are you uncovering about Latino voters?
Marquez: So we’re learning a lot. We’ve had two community forums, one completely in Spanish, held directly in the community. We also had a great panel discussion focused on those critical issues: abortion, reproductive rights, economic mobility and education.
So we had all those folks sitting on a panel, discussing how important this election is to our community. We all felt that it was very productive, and we had meaningful dialogue that many people need to hear.
CCM: Surveys are saying that people of color, speci cally Latinos, are the ones who are going to decide who will be the next president of the United States. But despite being one of the fastest-growing voting blocs, Latino voter turnout still lags behind other groups. What’s behind this disconnect, and what role does disenfranchisement play in keeping Latinos away from the polls?
Marquez: Here in Colorado, Latinos make up 22 to 23 percent of the entire population, and we know that by 2050, we will be one-third of the population in the state. Nationally, Latinos make up about 19 percent of the population.
But when you ask, what is holding us back? I talk to Latinos every single day, all day. What I’m hearing is that they don’t feel that their vote really counts. ey don’t feel that their voice is ever really heard and that no one, even the folks who are elected, are not listening to them.
CCM: You have gathered data that shows Latinos aren’t happy with the way their issues are being addressed. Can you tell us what speci c issues are at the forefront of Latino voters’ concerns?
Marquez: is is based on the Latino policy agenda released last month by Voces Unidas de las Montañas, an important organization in our state.
During their research, they found that the economy was the number one issue of concern for Latinos across the state. When Latinos vote, they vote with their pocketbooks. ey vote to make sure that they have enough money in their pockets to do
the things that they have always done or are comfortable doing, such as paying for their bills or just living, putting the roof over their heads, or putting food on their tables.
So, the economy is the number-one issue. All of those other things that we hear in the media, such as immigration and reproductive rights, are important, but again, the economy is number one.
CCM: You have discussed a growing frustration within the Latino community in those panel discussions. Can you please elaborate on what’s fueling that frustration?
Marquez: I think, and I say this often, but we have to know where we come from before we know where we’re going. Last year, we had a Latino summit, and I thought that by hosting this Latino summit, we would be able to handle and talk about a lot of those issues.
We held the summit in Pueblo, Colorado, down south. We spent one day talking about our history, our commonality, where we come from, our language, our food, our music — all of those commonalities. Some of them are di erent; we know that. en we talked about where we need to go to move forward, but we have to understand our history.
And that really comes from our education system here in the state of Colorado. (It) needs to do a better job in educating our community on their history. So that way they understand that they have a place here in Colorado, that they may not have been born here, but this is their home now.
And by teaching that in the schools, by teaching them their own history, whether they’re from South America, Central America, anywhere, teaching that history is very important. Right now, there is a law in place under House Bill 19-1192, and it
mandates that the history, culture and social contributions of Latinos are taught in our public schools.
Now, it’s just a matter of school districts across the state teaching that history to our students to empower them and make sure that they feel proud of who they are.
CCM: at’s extremely important, especially right now, when politics and the agenda are also trying to get our votes and sympathize with us. A di erent identity is being placed in us because they want our vote. Can you elaborate on this?
Marquez: I will say that Latinos just feel taken advantage of. … ey go into our communities, they research our communities, but they don’t really ask our communities: what is important to you? What do you want to be researched in your community? And that’s what the Latino Research and Policy Center is doing di erently. We are doing community-based research. We are going into communities, sitting down and asking them: What do you want to research? What are the critical issues to you? (We are) letting the community voice guide the research so that we can collect that research and then create policies that we can implement at the state or at the national level to better improve the lives of our Latinos.
GET THE WHOLE STORY ONLINE
This story has been edited to fit the space.
To read the full discussion between Rossana Longo Better and Milo Marquez, director of the Latino Research and Policy Center, go to https://coloradocommunitymedia. com/2024/10/24/entrevista-milomarquez-latino-political-unity/ online.
Milo Marquez is director of the Latino Research and Policy Center at the University of Colorado-Denver. ROSSANA LONGO BETTER
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 su ering 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 Coloradans 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, non-
partisan 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, 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 Assess-
ment 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 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.
RTD, county clerks o er two Zero Fare to Vote
days
BY MONTE WHALEY
e Regional Transportation District is o ering free rides to the civic minded during this election season.
e agency, in collaboration with the Colorado County Clerks Association, is o ering Zero Fare to Vote to encourage voter participation in the upcoming general election, according to a RTD news release.
RTD bus and train service was rst available at no cost on Oct. 29, National Vote Early Day. a second free fare day is set for Election Day,Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Zero Fare to Vote removes a cost barrier for people on RTD services who want to cast their ballot, say agency o cials.
RTD’s Board of Directors approved Zero Fare to Vote as a permanent fare change earlier this year, the news release states.
“Providing RTD customers with systemwide zero fare transit to access polling places was well received when introduced in 2022,” General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said. “ is year and in subsequent general election years, registered voters can rely on
RTD to deliver them to any polling place throughout the district to exercise their constitutional right to vote.”
“Colorado does everything we can to make it easy for eligible Coloradans to vote,” Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold adds in the news release. “I’m proud that RTD is o ering zero fare days to encourage people to cast their ballots. is program is another way that Colorado is reducing barriers to the ballot box.”
National Vote Early Day is a nonpartisan day of celebration encouraging voters to cast a ballot. In Colorado, voters in the Denver metro area can use RTD services to vote in person at Vote Centers/ Voter Service and Polling Centers or re-
turn their mail ballot to any o cial drop box. Colorado voters can return their mail ballots to any county clerk drop box or vote center regardless of what county they live in, the news release states. Colorado voters can nd their nearest ballot drop box or voting center by visiting GoVoteColorado.gov, and use RTD’s trip planner and click the “Vote” icon to nd the best route to a designated drop box or polling location, the agency says. ey can lter the trip planner results by selecting “Drop Box”, “Early Voting” and “Open Now.” To nd the desired voting or drop box location, customers can then click the “Plan Trip” button.
Jeanette Larue (Bridgman) Thiesen September 17, 1951 - September 28, 2024
It is with great sadness that the family of Jeanette Larue iesen announces her passing on September 28, 2024 in Summerville, SC at the age of 73.
She is survived by her three daughters: Melanie J. Newton, Adele J. Newton and Ashley B. iesen (Blaine Crevar); her granddaughters Kara Newton, Ava, Anya & Harper Crevar; her sisters Jennifer Daly and Julia Hjelm; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her former husbands: John Newton and Ronald iesen.
Jeanette was born on September 17, 1951 in
Albuquerque, NM to (late) Flora June Kelder and (late) Gene Bridgman. While growing up and as a young adult, she moved all over the United States but settled down and chose to raise her children in Fort Lupton, CO. She moved to the Charleston, SC area to be closer to her youngest daughter, Ashley, and her family, which is where she lived her remaining years. Jeanette will be forever remembered for her kind and gentle nature, her love of children and animals, her passion for justice, her generous heart and her ability to make everyone around her feel seen and special. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
THIESEN
BY LONDON LYLE
Teens to host voting education event
Not quite old enough to cast their own ballots in the November election, a group of North eld, Denver East, and Adams City high schoolers encouraged those who can at an event this Oct. 26, outside of Stanley Marketplace.
e teens are all Civic Service Fellows for Rhizome, a nonpartisan, nonpro t organization that aims to equip America’s youth with basic civic practices such as voter registration, media literacy and voting by mail. Since its start in 2021, the group has grown to 26 chapters in over 250 high schools nationwide, and every fellow is paid.
Civic service can materialize in a number of ways, though, not just through voting. Whether it’s volunteering, getting involved in environmentalism, participating in public demonstrations, not trying to get out of jury duty, hosting educational events, or even using social media to spread awareness about a particular issue, civic service is diverse in practice.
At Saturday’s event, for example, Rhizome fellows intend to give an informational presentation, hand out pamphlets, run trivia games and other activities to help engage folks who are interested in learning more. is opens the opportunity to strike up a conversation about their voter registration status and help them check their status if they’re unsure.
Je rey Camille, co-founder of Rhizome and the regional organizer for Colorado, emphasized that Saturday’s event is nonpartisan.
“We really are committed to civic education, and we’re not doing it for any particular electoral outcome,” he said.
Camille, now a senior in college, was one of 90 Rhizome founders in 2021, during his freshman year. He said they hope to speak to young families and other students who might be interested in joining on Saturday. e event is part of a country-wide voter education campaign, and other Rhizome chapters will also be holding similar events on Saturday.
“ is space is really youth-made and youth-led,” he said. “Our work is about emphasizing that young people have the capacity to do good, and to amplify their voices. at’s what we hope to communicate to people with our events across the country this coming Saturday.”
Charlie Mordecai, a 16-year-old stu-
MICASA
When Garcia asked the panelists if they were intentional with their life choices, Gáytan answered yes. She had to be, especially as a rst-born daughter to a Mexican family.
“You carry the weight of the family on
dent at North eld High School, is one of the students who will participate in Saturday’s event. A Denver native, Mordecai runs track and cross country, and describes his life as “pretty similar to the average high school student.”
If you’re wondering what the life of the average high school student looks like in 2024, it goes a little something like this, according to Mordecai: “I’m constantly stressed by school. I like hanging out with my friends, and everything in my life seems a lot more dramatic than it actually is.”
But from a young age, he expressed an interest in politics and the systems that de ne society. Mordecai attributes a great deal of this interest to his dad, who has been politically active for years.
“My interest in politics has driven me to educate myself and others on the im-
your shoulders,” Gáytan said.
With her family looking to her, Gáytan chose to attend Metropolitan State University of Denver over the University of Colorado-Boulder to be closer to home, and stepped back from pursuing an acting career to get her real estate license in order to support her family.
“I don’t regret it. I think it’s made me become the leader that I am today, la mujer fuerte que soy ahora (the strong
portance of civic engagement and the importance of participation within our legal systems,” he said.
After he spotted a ier about Rhizome that read, “for students interested in political engagement,” Mordecai submitted an application, interviewed and became the youngest member of his chapter. At the time, only one other person from his school had joined the chapter, but they have quickly grown.
“Fast forward to today, and there are four other kids from my school, and we are planning and running our very own voter registration drive with the help of our community organizer, Reese, who I’ve known since I joined. Shoutout to Reese for being the best (organizer) I could’ve asked for and always being there for us no matter what,” he said.
woman that I am today),” Gáytan said. “It’s been a di cult road, but it’s made me who I am today.”
Albo then added to Gáytan’s answer.
“With a strong support system and determination, you can do anything,” Albo said.
Albo was born and raised in Denver and is the deputy chief of sta at the Denver International Airport. To her, leadership is not about a title, but behavior and action. Her response to the question “What instance in your life made you question your surroundings?” Albo re ected on her previous and current work environments which involved taking risks and being reminded how di erent one can be as a Latina and a woman.
“What I learned to really cultivate inside myself is … courage, and that starts with reminding yourself who you are and what you are capable of,” Albo said. “ ere’s so much strength and power in
“What we really want to accomplish at our drive is not only to register people in general but really try to get young adults to register,” Mordecai added. “Young people have always been lacking when it comes to voter turnout and our generation is notorious for it. Cynicism sets us back and it is important to know that you can act. Active participation in civic engagement is the basis of a successful society. Getting just one teen to even think about voting is a success in my book.”
“Our main message for Saturday is no matter who you support or what you believe, it is so important that when the day comes you get out there and vote. Vote, vote, vote. If you choose to vote, someone else you know might as well, and then someone they know. It’s a ripple effect and it starts with one vote.”
being vulnerable and using that as a tool to say, ‘You know what? I don’t know what that is, but I’m willing to roll up my sleeves and learn alongside you.”
Rodriguez, a former state director for U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and a DPS board member, o ered some words of wisdom to the young Latinos. After retiring in 2017, she had founded a nonpro t called Together We Count, which helped increase participation in the 2020 Census.
“I know fear can be real and it can be disabling. It’s something that in order to achieve whatever it is you’re trying to do, whether it’s the lottery or a soccer scholarship, whatever it is, you sometimes have to overcome fear,” Rodriguez said. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support. Whenever you are out there on your own, and I’ve been out there on my own many times, know that there are people behind you.”
Colorado fellows of the group Rhizome partnered with the League of Women voters at Northfield High School in April for a voter registration drive.
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Public Notices call Jean 303.566.4123
Legals
City and County
Public Notice
NOTICE OF SUBDIVISION PLAT APPROVAL COMMERCE
CITY, COLORADO
Notice is hereby given that the following subdivision(s) will be considered for approval by the City of Commerce City Community Development Director on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Z24-0001: Ed Jennings, on behalf of JFW Trucking is requesting approval of a consolidation plat to combine seven parcels into one, approximately 10.8 acre lot and two tracts, for access and drainage, totaling 1.4 acres. The property is generally located at 5400 Forest St and is currently zoned Medium-Intensity Industrial (I-2).
The case file(s) and a copy of the Land Development Code of the City together with the subdivision plat are on file for review by emailing the Community Development Department at cdplanner@ c3gov.com. Any owner of property located within 300 feet of the subject property may invoke the public hearing process by submitting said objections in writing to the Director of Community Development in accordance with Sec. 21-3241 by no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024.
Director of Community Development
Para más información, contacta 303-227-8818
Legal Notice No. CCX1472
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the following public hearing passed on first reading and will be held on second reading by the E-470 Northern Infrastructure General Improvement District (NIGID) Board of Directors, Commerce City Civic Center, Council Chambers 7887 East 60th Ave., Commerce City, CO 80022, on Monday, November 18, 2024, immediately following the Commerce City City Council meeting regarding the following:
NIGID 23-0001: SECOND READING AN ORDINANCE INCLUDING PORTIONS OF CERTAIN LANDS GENERALLY KNOWN AS ANDERSON RANCH GENERALLY LOCATED AT 9901 CHAMBERS
ROAD INTO THE NORTHERN INFRASTRUCTURE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
BY ORDER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NORTHERN INFRASTRUCTURE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT CITY OF COMMERCE CITY
BY: Brittany Rodriguez, Assistant City Clerk
Legal Notice No. CCX1470
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the City Council of Commerce City on November 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m in a hybrid format, or as soon thereafter. Persons wishing to testify in person will need to appear at the Council Chambers, Commerce City Civic Center, 7887 E 60th Avenue. Persons wishing to testify virtually must register in advance. Registration information can be found at https://www.c3gov.com/government/ city-council/virtual-meetings or by phone or email requests submitted to the City Clerk at 303-227-8791 or dgibson@ c3gov.com. The hearing will also be broadcast on Channel 8 in Commerce City and livestreamed at https://www. c3gov.com/video.
Resolution 2024-125 – Allied Waste Systems of Colorado is requesting a Certificate of Designation for solid waster disposal within the existing Tower Land, relocation of the existing site entrance, and an amendment to the engineering design and operations plan. The site is generally located at the Southeast corner of Tower Road and East 88th Avenue, and within 3 miles of Denver International Airport, Rocky Mountain Arsenal, E-470 Tollway, Residential, Commercial and Industrial properties within Commerce City, Denver, and Aurora.
BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY COLORADO
ATTEST: Brittany Rodriguez, Assistant City Clerk
Legal Notice No. CCX1471
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Metropolitan Districts
Public Notice
NOTICE OF VACANCY ON THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF SECOND CREEK FARM METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1, 3 AND 4
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Second Creek Farm Metropolitan District Nos. 1, 3 and 4 of Adams County, Colorado.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 32-1-808, C.R.S., that vacancies currently exist on the boards of directors of the Second Creek Farm Metropolitan District Nos. 1, 3 and 4 (“Districts”). Any qualified, eligible elector of the Districts interested in filling such vacancy and serving on the boards of directors should file a Letter of Interest with the boards of directors of the Districts on or before November 10, 2024, at the Districts’ office.
Forms of Letters of Interest are available and can be obtained from the Districts, c/o Jennifer S. Henry at McGeady Becher Cortese Williams P.C., 450 E. 17th Avenue, Suite 400, Denver, Colorado 80203, (303) 592 4380.
SECOND CREEK FARM METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1, 3 AND 4
By:/s/ Paula Williams Attorney for the Districts
Legal Notice No. CCX1461
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Metro Districts Budget Hearings
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND AMENDED 2024 BUDGET
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed 2025 budget has been submitted to the PRAIRIE FARM METROPOLITAN DISTRICT, for the fiscal year 2025. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a special meeting and public hearing of the Prairie Farm Metropolitan District to be held at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 10326 Walden Street, Commerce City, Colorado. If necessary, an amended 2024 budget will be filed in the office of the accountant and open for public inspection
for consideration at the special meeting of the Board. Any interested elector within the Prairie Farm Metropolitan District may inspect the amended and proposed budgets and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the proposed 2025 budget and the amended 2024 budget.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
PRAIRIE FARM METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: /s/ SETER, VANDER WALL & MIELKE, P.C.
Attorneys for the District
Legal Notice No. CCX1473
First Publication: October 31, 2024 Last Publication: October 31, 2024 Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND 2024 BUDGET AMENDMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the proposed budget for the ensuing year of 2025 has been submitted to the Buffalo Ridge Metropolitan District (“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 6:00 p.m. on November 6, 2024 via Microsoft Teams Videoconference. To attend and participate by telephone, dial 1-720-547-5281 and enter passcode 168 125 778#. Information regarding public participation by videoconference will be available at least 24 hours prior to the meeting and public hearing by contacting Sandy Brandenburger, by email at sandy. brandenburger@claconnect.com or by telephone at 303-265-7883.
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 CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. 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.
BUFFALO RIDGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: /s/ Michaela Smith, President
Legal Notice No. CCX1451
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
PUBLIC NOTICES
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND AMENDMENT OF 2024 BUDGET
DIATC METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
CITY OF COMMERCE CITY, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Sections 29-1-108 and 109, C.R.S., that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the DIATC Metropolitan District (the “District”) for the ensuing year of 2025. The necessity may also arise for the amendment of the 2024 budget of the District. Copies of the proposed 2025 budget and 2024 amended budget (if appropriate) are on file in the office of the District’s Accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Pkwy., Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, where same are available for public inspection. Such proposed 2025 budget and 2024 amended budget will be considered at a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
1. To attend via Zoom videoconference, use the following link, or e-mail csorensen@specialdistrictlaw.com to have the link e-mailed to you: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/829559786 54?pwd=y1UTnSgqAC3XqRTi16GIb4 s8xdRBqC.1
2.To attend via telephone, dial 1-719-359-4580 or 1-253-215-8782 and enter the following additional information: (a)Meeting ID: 829 5597 8654 (b)Passcode: 089308
Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2025 budget or the 2024 amended budget, inspect the 2025 budget and the 2024 amended budget and file or register any objections thereto.
DIATC METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
/s/ Elisabeth A. Cortese
McGEADY BECHER CORTESE WILLIAMS P.C.
Attorneys for the District
Legal Notice No. CCX1462
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND AMENDED 2024 BUDGET
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Proposed 2025 budgets have been submitted to the LEGATO COMMUNITY AUTHORITY AND METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1-7 for the fiscal year 2025. A copy of such proposed budgets have been filed in the office of the accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, in Greenwood Village, Colorado, where same is open for public
inspection. Such proposed budgets will be considered at a regular meeting of the Legato Community Authority and Metropolitan District Nos. 1-7 to be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. If necessary, amended 2024 budgets will be filed in the office of the accountant and open for public inspection for consideration at the regular meeting of the Board. The meeting will be held via Zoom videoconferencing platform. Any interested elector within the Legato Community Authority and Metropolitan District Nos. 1-7 may inspect the amended and proposed budgets and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the amended 2024 budgets and proposed 2025 budgets.
The Board of Directors encourages the Public and others to join the meeting via Zoom. To access meeting, visit www. zoom.us, click the Join Meeting link, and type in the follow Meeting ID and Passcode:
Meeting ID: 845 3528 8724
Passcode: 257368
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
LEGATO COMMUNITY AUTHORITY AND METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1-7
By: /s/ SETER, VANDER WALL & MIELKE, P.C.
Attorneys for the District
Legal Notice No. CCX1464
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE CONCERNING PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET OFSECOND CREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of Second Creek Metropolitan District for the ensuing year of 2025; that a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of Wolfersberger, LLC, 8354 Northfield Blvd, Building G, Suite 3700, Denver, Colorado 80238, where the same is open for public inspection; and that such proposed budget will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District on Monday November 25, 2024. At 6:00 pm at South Adams County Fire Station #8 (10326 Waldon Street, Commerce City, Co 80022) Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, inspect the budget and file or register any objections thereto.
SECOND CREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: Charles Wolfersberger District Manager
Legal Notice No. CCX 4505
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE CONCERNING
PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET OF POTOMAC FARMS
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of Potomac Farms Metropolitan District for the ensuing year of 2025; that a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of Wolfersberger, LLC, 8354 Northfield Blvd, Building G, Suite 3700, Denver, Colorado 80238, where the same is open for public inspection; and that such proposed budget will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held on Tuesday November 19, 2024. at Bison Ridge Recreation Center (13905 E 112th Ave, Commerce City, CO at 6pm Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, inspect the budget and file or register any objections thereto.
POTOMAC FARMS
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: Emmy Montez District Manager
Legal Notice No. CCX 4504
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE OF HEARING ON 2025 BUDGET AND 2024 BUDGET AMENDMENT
SECOND CREEK FARM
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 4 ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Sections 29-1-108 and 109, C.R.S., that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Second Creek Farm Metropolitan District No. 4 (the “District”) for the ensuing year of 2025. The necessity may also arise for the amendment of the 2024 budget of the District. Copies of the proposed 2025 budget and 2024 amended budget (if appropriate) are on file in the office of the District’s Accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, where same are available for public inspection. The proposed 2025 budget and 2024 amended budget will be considered at a regular meeting to be held on November 11, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. via conference call. Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2025 budget or the 2024 amended budget, inspect the 2025 budget and the 2024 amended budget and file or register any objections thereto.
To attend the meeting via conference, dial 720-931-2463; enter code: 2463.
SECOND CREEK FARM METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 4
/s/ Paula J. Williams
McGEADY BECHER CORTESE WILLIAMS P.C.
Attorneys for the District
Legal Notice No. CCX1460
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
NOTICE CONCERNING PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET OFTURNBERRY #1 METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of Turnberry #1 Metropolitan District for the ensuing year of 2025; that a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of Wolfersberger, LLC, 8354 Northfield Blvd, Building G, Suite 3700, Denver, Colorado 80238, where the same is open for public inspection; and that such proposed budget will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held on Wednesday November 20, 2024. at the Bison Ridge Recreation Center (13905 E 112th Ave Commerce City, CO) at 6:00 pm. Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, inspect the budget and file or register any objections thereto.
TURNBERRY #1 METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: Charles Wolfersberger District Manager
Legal Notice No. CCX 4506
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
Public Notice
Legal Notice of Attempt to Settle Unclaimed Capital Credit Retirements
Commencing on October 31, 2024, and continuing through April 30, 2025, UNITED POWER, INC. (hereafter “United Power” or “the cooperative”), will make a final attempt to pay the unclaimed retirements of capital credits to its former members who were served by the cooperative prior to and through December 31, 2020. This notice does not apply to current United Power members. Representatives for the estates of deceased former members may also apply for unclaimed retired capital credits on behalf of the former member. Former members, or their representatives, who may be eligible to receive these unclaimed retired capital credits can access a list of eligible accounts at the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.com, or in person at United Power’s headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way in Brighton, Colorado.
Former members or their representatives who may be eligible to receive a payment
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 ofce 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 noncitizens 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. citizenissued 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 year-round.
“We update our voter lists daily using information about driver’s license and address updates from the Colorado De-
PUBLIC NOTICES
of unclaimed retired capital credits must complete and submit an Unclaimed Retired Capital Credits Refund Request form (available at www.unitedpower.com) and verify all necessary information to ensure their eligibility for payment. A copy of the Unclaimed Retired Capital Credits Refund Request form may also be requested by emailing capitalcredits@unitedpower. com or by calling United Power’s Member Services line at 303-637-1300.
Submitting an Unclaimed Retired Capital Credits Refund Request form does not guarantee a disbursement will be made; proper documentation and valid proof of membership during the applicable time period is required. No refund checks will be issued for unclaimed retirement amounts below $5.00. Unclaimed retired capital credit refunds can be donated to the United Power Round Up Foundation, which provides assistance to community organizations within the cooperative’s service territory. After the notification period closes on April 30, 2025, all unclaimed
retired capital credits for the applicable time period will be considered an assignment and contribution of capital to United Power.
Additional questions about this notice and unclaimed retired capital credit refunds should be directed to United Power Member Services at 303-637-1300 or by email to capitalcredits@unitedpower.com
UNITED POWER, INC.
By: /s/Mark A. Gabriel President & CEO
Legal Notice No. CCX1459
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: October 31, 2024
Publisher: Commerce City Sentinel Express
partment 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 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 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 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 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 ex-wife’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 questions to Google or social media. Both Koppes and Griswold had the same advice: call your county clerk’s ofce.
“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.
Estate of Diane Marie Gutierrez, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 261
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Adams County, Colorado on or before February 24, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Debra Kay Marquez
Personal Representative 16306 E Rice Pl# B Aurora CO 80015
A sign in a room at the Je erson County elections facility says, “Due to building codes and safety concerns, the maximum number of observers allowed in Signature Verification at any one time is 4.”
PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD
Crowds gather as northbound Big Boy roars through again
Historic steam engine finishes final leg of eightweek journey across the midwest United States
BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Trains rumbling through Brighton may be commonplace, but there’s something special each time Union Paci c’s Big Boy No. 4014 roars through.
Louisville resident Dave Finamore said he was in Brighton in 2019 to see Big Boy’s passing on a snowy day in November. e engine is so massive and so loud, it made a huge impact on him.
“You hear a whistle from way down the track and it’s just a low whistle, but it makes you feel that something big is coming,” he said. “And then the ground starts to shake a little bit.”
He said the rst time, he was unprepared for just how big the train is. at’s why he came back this year.
“You start to feel that maybe you ought to back away a little because this thing is so big,” he said. “When it gets there, it completely lls the view nder on your camera and it feels like it’s going 100 miles per hour, but it’s probably only going 35. It’s just so big you get this feeling of speed and power and then, Boom! ere it goes. And you wish you could rewind it and watch it again, like a replay at a sporting event. But you can’t. You have to just enjoy it the instant it goes by. And then you say, ‘ at’s it. I’m coming next year.’ “
steam engine pass. e train is on the nal stretch of its 2024 Heartland tour, which started in Cheyenne on Aug. 28 and took the roaring engine through Illinois then south through Missouri and Arkansas en route to Houston on Oct. 6. From there, it turned back north through Oklahoma and Kansas before crossing into Colorado, spending the night in Denver Oct. 22.
It started the last leg of its journey at about 10:30 a.m. Oct. 23, passing through Denver, Commerce City and then Brighton at 11:15 a.m. before continuing up through Fort Lupton and stopping in Greeley. Its nal stop will be Cheyenne. According to Union Paci c Railroad, twenty- ve Big Boys were built in 1941 to run between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyo. Today, seven Big Boys are at museums in St. Louis, Mo; Dallas, Texas; Omaha, Neb.; Scranton, Penn.; Green Bay, Wis.; Cheyenne, Wyo.; and in Denver. at train is kept at the Forney Museum of Transportation.
Big Boy No. 4014 was purchased by Union Paci c in 1941 and retired in December 1961. According to o cials, it traveled 1,031,205 miles in its 20 years of service.
en, in 2013, Union Paci c reacquired Big Boy No. 4014 from the RailGiants Museum in Pomona, California. It was sent to its homebase in Cheyenne for a few years of restoration, converting from coal to oil.
Big Boy No. 4014 is the only functional Big Boy and was put back into service in May 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.
Finamore was one of the hundreds of people who gathered along the Union
Paci c tracks between Denver and Greeley Oct. 24 to watch the massive, historic
