Active people don’t stop being active when they become parents; they just become more innovative and e cient.
Whether to keep the step count up, nd a sense of community or not miss a beat while training for health goals, new and experienced parents are strapping the kids in the stroller and hitting the trails.
It’s no secret nding a babysitter can be challenging, but moms and dads grow to rely on the bonding time their new sidecar brings; not just with their kid copilots, but with other parents, too.
Bonding through training
“We have a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old, and over the summer, upgraded and got a double-wide stroller to t both kids in,” said Dan Petty in Littleton. “It’s been great. I’m training for the New York City Marathon right now, and my kids have been companions for much of this summer while I’ve been training up for that.” Petty’s daily treks often take him and his kids on runs beyond 10 miles.
Dougco settles on Meridian for probation services
North county location has transit access, sets stage for new 23rd Judicial District
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITY MEDIA.COM
After hearing loud opposition from Lone Tree residents, Douglas County’s leaders halted a plan to place an o ce that monitors people after they are convicted of crimes near a neighborhood. Now, the county has found a new location.
County Commissioner Abe Laydon, who in May pushed Commissioner George Teal to back o the earlier Lone Tree-area spot, expressed support in October for the new location.
O Meridian Boulevard, south of the E-470 toll highway and east of Interstate 25, the newly selected location will o er probation services.
“It is this perfect combination of a great deal for us scally — it’s in the perfect location right in Meridian,” Laydon said, adding, “ ere’s really no neighbors to complain or be upset
about the adjacency, yet it’s a wonderful facility that will house some really signi cant departments within our county.”
A change in the state’s court system drove the need for a new o ce. Colorado’s court system is made up of 22 judicial districts, and a new district is on the way. Today, the 18th Judicial District includes Douglas, Arapahoe, Elbert and Lincoln counties.
But state lawmakers — driven by population growth and a political split in the region — decided to break up the district, moving Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties into Colorado’s rst new judicial district in decades.
As part of that retooling, Douglas County o cials had been poised to add a probation o ce near the light rail station o Lincoln Avenue near I-25.
Moms in Fit4Mom Castle Rock programs do a slew of workouts involving their little ones in their strollers. Owner Stephanie Holzhauer said not only do the moms get solid workouts, but the kids stay engaged with songs and other active learning forms. COURTESY PHOTO
Castle Rock eyes goal of 100% renewable water
Domestic violence fell in 2023
58
deaths were more in line with pre-pandemic rate
BY
Water partnership sets 40-year plan in motion
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Castle Rock could have a 100% renewable water system by 2065 thanks to a number of recent projects and partnerships.
Castle Rock Water is building reservoirs, expanding the Plum Creek Puri cation Facility and tapping into renewable wells to rely on more sustainable water sources in the future. e town has invested almost $300 million in the projects so far.
Mark Marlowe, the director of Castle Rock Water, said the town’s existing projects will get the system to 75% renewable by 2050, with the chance to get to 100% renewable through a new e ort known as the Platte Valley Water Partnership.
Marlowe said a renewable water system will protect the system from drought and other weather variabilities.
“We need to transition to a renewable water supply to protect the groundwater, because we want to use that groundwater supply in a drought since it’s drought resistant,” Marlowe said.
Castle Rock recently joined the partnership, which in-
cludes the Parker Water and Sanitation District and the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District, in an effort to build reservoirs in eastern Colorado.
If all of the proposed infrastructure is built out, Marlowe said it would get the town to its 100% renewable goal.
“In this project, the really cool thing is it’s a partnership between municipal water providers and agricultural water providers to share infrastructure and develop additional water supply,” he said.
Ron Redd, district manager of Parker Water, said in a news release that the partnership could be a model for other communities to follow.
“We are thrilled to have the trust and support of Castle Rock’s leadership,” Redd said. “ is partnership between two of the largest water providers in Douglas County is a powerful statement about our commitment to regional collaboration and long-term water sustainability.”
While the Platte Valley Water Partnership is in the early stages of the project, Castle Rock Water is further along in other e orts that will contribute to increasing renewable water supplies.
Construction is ongoing on Castle Rock’s reservoir outside of Sedalia, which will expand the existing reservoir and add
KUNC
another. e project will add storage capacity for renewable water and is expected to be complete by the end of next year, Marlowe said.
e town is also working on the expansion of the Plum Creek Puri cation Facility, which will double the capacity of the system to purify water for reuse. e expansion is expected to nish up in 2028.
“Doubling the capacity will allow us to utilize a signi cantly larger portion of the renewable water in the reservoirs, especially when we need it in the summer months,” Marlowe said. “We want to make sure that we have more than adequate capacity to utilize all of that reusable water supply.”
In addition to water storage and puri cation, Castle Rock Water is beginning the Box Elder Project, which will tap into renewable wells in Weld County and build infrastructure to pipe the water to Castle Rock. e project includes, in the short term, leasing the water rights they have to oil and gas companies.
“ e revenue will help o set the capital cost of all of the infrastructure,” Marlowe said. ough the transition to 100% renewable water will take time, Castle Rock is moving to that goal consistently. Marlowe said the system is becoming more reliant on renewable water every year.
New numbers show a drop in Colorado domestic violencerelated deaths in 2023. at’s according to a new report from the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board which released the numbers through the state’s Attorney General’s O ce on Oct. 29.
e report says the state counted 58 individuals who lost their lives in a domestic violence incident. ose deaths accounted for 11% of all homicides in Colorado.
e decrease is a drop from the previous two years and is aligned with a trend of decreasing violent crimes across the state. In the previous year, the state set a grim record of 94 deaths. e new numbers are more aligned with the count before the pandemic.
O cials are happy to see a decline, but they say there is still work to be done.
“Even as we see a decrease in domestic violence fatalities, we cannot be complacent,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “Every life lost is a tragedy, and we must continue our e orts to combat domestic violence with a sense of urgency. It is imperative that we work together to create safer communities and support those a ected by this violence.”
Weiser is the chair of the board, which works each year to collect this data and identify ways to prevent incidents. Colorado’s General Assembly rst established the board in 2017, and in 2022 it was reauthorized for another ve years.
In this year’s report, the board reviewed 47 separate cases. In those cases, a current or former intimate partner killed 30 of the victims. An additional seven people died as “collateral victims.” Children accounted for more than half of the collateral victims.
Crossroads Safehouse, a Fort Collins based organization focused on providing emergency housing and legal advice for victims of domestic violence, says 2024 has been an unfortunately busy year.
“While I may understand that some of the deaths may be decreasing. Which, of course we we want to see that, and that’s that’s good. ese very serious domestic violence cases continue to increase,” said Crossroads Safehouse Executive Director Lori Kempter.
Kempter says they’ve seen a steep increase in lethality cases.
ese are incidents that include serious bodily injury and the victims are assessed as most at risk. In the past, the organization would see about nine of these cases a year, but more recently they’ve seen about two dozen a month.
“ ere’s a lot of research that really looks at what is going on in this relationship that could indicate someone could lose their life,” said Stacie Sutter, the program director of Crossroads. “Our local fatality review board does a really good job looking at what does the research tell us, and how do we look at these cases through that, through that research rens? And we’re seeing an increase in that.”
Sutter says Crossroads is struggling to keep up with demand for their services, sometimes having to turn people away. is comes after federal and state funding resources continue to diminish.
Kari Clark with Alternatives to Violence, a similar organization, says she’s worried about where the funding cuts will lead.
e recent state report shows rural communities continue to have higher rates of domestic violence-related fatalities. It also identi ed pregnancy, especially in adolescent girls, as a signicant risk factor in fatal cases.
Besides sharing new numbers, it’s the job of the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board to recommend ways to help with the issue. According to the press release, the recommendations this year include:
Enhance training for court professionals: Develop comprehensive domestic violence training for Child and Family Investigators and Parental Responsibility Evaluators that addresses risk factors, coercive control, and compassion fatigue.
Expand use of risk assessment tools: Increase the use of risk assessment tools in organizations and systems that work directly with domestic violence survivors, including the increased use of the Lethality Assessment Protocol in law enforcement settings.
Implement victim noti cation system: Establish a system to notify domestic violence victims when the subject of a protection order attempts to purchase a rearm, improving their ability to assess risk and enhance safety planning. Address economic abuse and coerced debt: Provide more protection for domestic violence victims of economic abuse, including coerced debt, to ensure nancial control and exploitation do not prevent survivors from escaping abusive relationships.
is article is reprinted with permission via AP storyshare.
Construction is ongoing to build a second reservoir for Castle Rock Water outside of Sedalia. The reservoir project is one of many that will help get the town to its goal of 75% renewable water supply by 2050. COURTESY CASTLE ROCK WATER
ALEX MURPHY AND BEAU BAKER
We Need to Take Seriously the Pollutants Emitted When Cooking With Gas
Two years ago last week, one of the headlines in my column was, “Evidence Mounts That Gas Stoves Are Harmful to Health.” It cited an article the previous week in the journal Environmental Science and Technology which quoted a study reporting that 12 hazardous pollutants, including benzene, a carcinogen, were detected in the emissions of gas ranges. That study was of 159 homes in 19 California counties.
Last week, The Guardian, a British periodical, published an article with a more damning headline: “Pollutants from gas stoves kill 40,000 Europeans each year, report finds.”
that, “New peer-reviewed research from RMI, the University of Sydney, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, which I co-authored with two epidemiologists and a colleague, estimated that nearly 13 percent of childhood asthma cases in the United States can be linked to having a gas stove in the home.
According to that article, “The researchers attributed 36,031 early deaths each year to gas cookers in the EU, and a further 3,928 in the UK. They say their estimates are conservative because they only considered the health effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and not other gases such as carbon monoxide and benzene.”
Now, that’s a wake-up call!
I did a web search for “dangers of gas stove emissions” and found that multiple other studies had been conducted from late 2022 through to now reaching similar conclusions but without that large a database of impacted human beings.
On Sept. 7, 2022, Harvard Health reported that, “Gas stoves affect air quality inside and outside your home, circulating pollutants that raise risk for asthma and other illnesses.”
On Jan. 19, 2023, Scientific American wrote that, “Scientists have long known that gas stoves emit pollutants that irritate human airways and can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems.”
On Feb. 15, 2023, Brady Seals of the Rocky Mountain Institute announced
On April 7, 2023, Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health reported, “A recent study suggests that gas stoves contribute to about 13 percent of childhood asthma cases in the U.S. equivalent to the risk of developing asthma due to exposure to secondhand smoke. NO2 can cause respiratory problems, particularly for those with asthma or other respiratory illnesses, and long-term exposure to NO2 from gas stoves has also been linked to an increased risk of developing heart disease.”
On June 21, 2023, Yale Climate Connections reported that, “Cooking with gas emits dangerous levels of benzene, a carcinogen, into household air.”
On May 3, 2024, Stanford University reported that, “A study of air pollution in U.S. homes reveals how much gas and propane stoves increase exposure to nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant linked to childhood asthma.”
This appears to be a problem that disproportionately affects low-income populations for a couple reasons. First, they are more likely to have gas ranges, especially in cities where natural gas is ubiquitous. Second, the problem is exacerbated in smaller kitchens, allowing the emissions to be less dispersed.
Obviously, a large-scale switch from gas ranges to induction or electric ranges is not practical or affordable, especially for low-income populations, but health
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experts have some advice on what to do in the meantime. First of all, ventilate your kitchen when using a gas stove. If you have a vent fan above your range, use it, but only if it vents to the outside. Many vent fans, such as those built into over-the-stove microwave ovens, merely filter the air of particles, blowing it back into the kitchen. To see if your vent fan ventilates to the outside, open the cabinet above it, so see if there’s a flue.
A good short-term solution, if you have $50-100 to spend, would be to purchase a plug-in induction cooktop, as Rita and I have done. Search for “induction burners” and you’ll find many starting as low as $49.99. Because induction is so efficient, most induction burners plug into a standard countertop kitchen outlet.
NOTE: Induction burners only work with ferrous pots and pans, such as cast iron, enameled cast iron and certain stainless steel pots and pans. If a magnet sticks to the pan, it can be used on an induction burner.
Rita and I like to buy live lobsters from
Seafood Landing in northwest Denver and boil them, but it takes forever to heat a pot of water large enough to submerge four 1½-lb. lobsters, so next time we’re going to use our induction burner, because it will heat that much water in less than half the time. (I look forward to timing it!) That’s the thing about induction cooking it’s faster and uses less electricity than a standard electric burner.
NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy Under Attack
“Clear Cooperation” is a policy introduced by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in November 2019 to reduce the use of “pocket listings” by brokers who don’t want to share their high commissions with a buyer’s agent.
Let’s say that a broker lists a home for 6%, to use a round number. (The average has long been between 5% and 5.5%.) The listing contract had a place to designate the percentage of that 6% which the listing broker would share with the broker who produced the buyer. For a $1,000,000 listing, that would be, for example, $30,000 commission to each agent.
You can understand why the listing agent would want to promote that listing off the MLS and hopefully keep the full $60,000. Most Realtors, like myself, would consider that unethical on the face of it but also believe it’s not in the seller’s best interest. The seller wants as many buyers as possible to know about his or her listing so that he/she sells for the highest price.
From a greedy listing broker’s perspec-
tive, getting 6% of $1,000,000 is a whole lot better than only 3% of a higher price.
Enter the Clear Cooperation policy, which pissed off a lot of brokers, including those who aren’t members of NAR, because all MLSs were ordered to enforce it.
CCP, as the policy is called, requires that a listing be entered on the MLS within one business day of it being publicized in any way, whether it be a sign in the ground, a Facebook post, mass email or whatever. And it could only be “Coming Soon” as long as no showings were granted, including by the listing agent, and for a max of 7 days.
The attacks on CCP, mostly by large brokerages, have surged recently, but Zillow’s Susan Daimler, like myself, defends the policy as being in the consumer’s best interest. In fact, she wants to see the policy strengthened by eliminating the “office exclusive” loophole. That loophole discriminates against small brokerages and independent brokers by allowing big brokerages to display MLS listings only to agents within the brokerage. That loophole should be abolished.
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Douglas County candidates tout collaboration with Rep. Lauren Boebert
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Republican candidates seeking to represent Castle Rock at the state Capitol held a joint town hall with U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert where they committed to working across all levels of government to find solutions for their constituents.
e town hall, held at the Pegasus restaurant in Castle Rock, featured remarks from Boebert, Colorado Rep. Lisa Frizell, who is running for Colorado Senate District 2; and Max Brooks, a candidate for Colorado House District 45.
Boebert, who currently represents Congressional District 3 on the Western Slope, is now running to represent the 4th Congressional District, which includes Douglas County and the Eastern Plains.
Brooks, Frizell and Boebert pledged to work together should they all be elected, speaking to issues like immigration and water.
“ is is an opportunity to build bridges and I believe that the best way we can serve you is to make sure that we collaborate — from the Castle Rock Town Council to the state of Colorado and the Douglas County government to our federal friends,” Frizell said.
Brooks praised Boebert’s knowledge of local issues and her legislative e orts to address them.
“I’m committed to keeping this line of communication open and I absolutely believe that you’re going to see (Boebert) in Douglas County often, having these discussions,” Brooks said.
One issue the candidates spoke about
coordinating on was immigration. Boebert thanked Douglas County o cials for their lawsuit against the state seeking to repeal laws that limit how law enforcement can work with federal immigration agencies.
Boebert said she would support eliminating all sanctuary policies for undocumented immigrants.
“ ese sanctuary policies are inviting them to come here and get housing o your tax dollars, and food and gift cards and cell phones and health care, education,” Boebert said.
Undocumented immigrants are eligible for public education and emergency health care, as well as some other assistance programs, but they are not eligible for Social Security bene ts and the vast majority of taxpayer-funded welfare programs, including food stamps and cash assistance, according to reporting by NBC News.
Brooks and Boebert also talked about working together on projects to conserve water.
Castle Rock has a goal of getting to 100% renewable water sources by 2060, which is on track to happen thanks to a number of local partnerships. Brooks highlighted one, the Platte Valley Water Partnership project, which involves building reservoirs in northeastern Colorado.
expand ngerprinting requirements in massage parlors to curb human tra cking and the other seeks to address issues with zip codes.
“Putting in a reservoir helps agriculture and it helps Castle Rock,” Brooks said. “(Boebert) can speak to the details of all this and I’m excited for that connection all the way through.”
Boebert added that she has taken inspiration from conversations with Douglas County o cials for two pieces of recently introduced legislation. One bill would
Boebert said the zip code bill, which would establish new zip codes for certain municipalities, like Castle Pines and Lone Tree, would help local governments collect appropriate sales tax revenues and improve way nding for rst responders. She said the bill is a major priority.
“I’m going to work on this so diligently to try my hardest to get it signed into law
this year,” she said.
All three of the speakers emphasized the need for unity in the Republican party so that they can be more successful ghting against Democratic policies, which Boebert said have “destroyed our beautiful state.”
ey encouraged attendees to vote and turn out in force to ip Colorado seats and secure the presidency for Donald Trump.
“We need a uni ed Republican party who can move on behalf of God’s will for our country,” Boebert said.
Law on phone use while driving about to change
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
ects our commitment to protecting all road users, whether in a vehicle, on a bike or walking.”
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Colorado drivers face a new law that prohibits people from using a mobile electronic device — including a cell phone — while driving unless they use a hands-free accessory. e penalties for violating the prohibition include a $75 ne and license suspension points, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
To prepare drivers for the new law, which goes into e ect Jan. 1, 2025, CDOT is launching an awareness campaign over the next several months to ensure all Coloradans know about the law and best practices. e campaign will include outreach e orts through social media, paid ads and collaboration with key stakeholders, according to a CDOT news release.
e goal with the new law is to reduce distractive driving in Colorado, as studies have shown that using a mobile device while driving increases the risk of a crash by two to six times, according to CDOT.
“ is new legislation is a crucial step toward making Colorado’s roads safer for everyone,” Shoshana Lew, executive director of CDOT, said in the news release.
“By encouraging drivers to focus solely on the task of driving, we can reduce the number of distracted driving incidents and prevent crashes that often come with such behavior, Lew states. “ is law aligns with best practices from across the nation and re-
According to CDOT’s 2024 Driver Behavior Report, 77% of Colorado drivers admitted to using their phones while driving, with 45% saying a handsfree feature in their car would stop them from using their phone.
Distracted drivers pose a particularly high risk to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. From 2015 to 2023, deaths among pedestrians and bicyclists increased by 50% and 112.5%, respectively, while Colorado’s population grew by less than 8% during the same period, the news release states.
Colorado joins 29 other states in prohibiting the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving. States with similar laws have reported decreases in distracted driving crashes. In Michigan, a 2023 law banning hand-held cellphone use led to a 12.8% decrease in distracted driving crashes within the rst year, the news release states.
Penalties for violating the new law start with a $75 ne and two license suspension points for the rst o ense. First-time violators can have the charge dismissed if they provide proof of purchasing a hands-free accessory. Repeat o enders face higher nes and more license suspension points, according to CDOT. e law includes exemptions for individuals reporting emergencies, utility workers, code enforcement o cers, animal protection o cers, rst responders and individuals in parked vehicles.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert speaks at a town hall in Castle Rock with Republican candidates Max Brooks and Colorado Rep. Lisa Frizell. Boebert, Brooks and Frizell pledged to work together should they be elected.
PHOTOS BY MCKENNA HARFORD
Max Brooks, the Republican candidate running to represent Castle Rock in Colorado House District 45, speaks at a town hall with U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and Colorado Rep. Lisa Frizell about how the three would partner to tackle issues.
Seeking next generation to help veterans
Highlands Ranch American Legion post calls for younger vets
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNTIYMEDIA.COM
Members of the Highlands Ranch American Legion Post are seen at many events, proudly carrying the American ag.
But according to the commander of the post, the group is so much more than that.
“We’re veterans helping veterans,” said Joe Langran, commander of the post. And this is especially true for recent veteran Michael Matthie.
Earlier this summer, Matthie retired from the Army and moved to Highlands Ranch from Germany with his wife and daughter. He rst joined the Army at 18, and served for 20 years during which he completed four Middle East rotations.
Matthie was on assignment in Germany when the Russian-Ukrainian con ict emerged.
“Next thing you know, I’m on a D17 (aircraft) heading out to southeast Poland for an indeterminate amount of time,” Matthie said.
But once he quali ed for retirement, he did so to be able to be with his family. Seeking out the local legion was a matter of trying to nd a place of camaraderie and people who have had similar experiences, said Matthie.
e American Legion was founded in 1919 and was part of establishing the agency that has become the Federal Department of Veteran A airs. Today, there are thousands of posts across the country. e Highlands Ranch American Legion Post 1260, recently renamed the Christopher M. Falkel American Legion post 1260 of Colorado, has been active for nearly 20 years.
Matthie initially thought the legion consisted of a group of older men who served in the Vietnam and Korean wars. But when the Highlands Ranch legion met him with open arms in late August, he knew he belonged.
“ ey are the same type of breed that I am,” said Matthie.
After only a few months of being retired from the Army, Matthie said having the members of the Highlands Ranch legion to go to has been impactful. He added that they have provided him a sense of grounding as he continues to transition back into civilian life and look for employment.
“What they’re doing for the community, as well as veterans in the community, is pretty signi cant,” said Matthie. “Attempting to raise funds for those in need, and just being a place where other veterans can come and connect.”
A resource for the community
e Highlands Ranch post is a volunteer organization that works to raise funds to assist veterans in times of need.
“We measure everything in (number of) veterans that we can help,” said Langran. “Without the funds, we can’t help the vets.”
While the posts’ annual Veterans Concert in November typically brings in a couple of thousand dollars, Langran said they are hoping to meet businesses that are veteran-friendly and would be willing to help them with their programs.
“A lot of money brought in goes to help homeless veterans through a program with the VA to nd housing, to nd jobs,” said Langran.
It’s called the HUD-Veterans A airs Supportive Housing program. It combines HUD’s Housing Choice Vouchers rental assistance with the Department of Veteran A airs’ case management and clinical services. Langran said they have been able to help about 40 local veterans in the past year through this program.
Other programs they support include the Fisher House Foundation, which provides homes for military and veterans’ families to stay in for free while their loved one is in the hospital; and the Warrior Bon re Program that o ers Purple Heart recipients a community to help heal.
e post also sponsored a local family in August to participate in Project Sanctuary, which is a military family support program.
Additionally, the Highlands Ranch post gives ag etiquette classes to Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops; and has a
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few members in the All Veterans Honor Guard, which is a nonpro t that provides nal honors at the nearby Fort Logan National Cemetery.
And each year, the group gives $1,500 to support the Highlands Ranch Community Association Scholarship, which helps provide high school graduates with their college education.
e Highlands Ranch Hot Rodders have been a tremendous help in raising funds for the post to be able to they can support these various veteran programs, said Langran. e Hot Rodders is a nonpro t dedicated to assisting the community — all of their car shows are fundraisers for the post.
E orts like the Hot Rodders’ car show help support the posts’ community efforts, but the post itself is in need of additional members.
Looking for the next generation Langran, a Vietnam veteran, has been the commander of the Highlands Ranch post for nine years. And he is concerned about the future of the post.
“Our concern is (that) a lot of us are in our 70s,” said Langran. “We want to be able to hand the baton to the next generation to keep things going. We need the
next generation to carry on our legacy of helping veterans in need.”
Currently, the Highlands Ranch post has about 170 members.
Many of them are Vietnam veterans and served between 1964 and 1975. Langran said they need Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq veterans to not only join, but become active members.
“Even if we could get some people that are approaching retirement, that would be great,” said Langran.
inking back to when he was younger, Langran said he remembers how dicult it was to balance a family, work and be part of the community.
Understanding that being active in the organization is easier for those who are retired compared to those who have a young family and a job, Langran said he is just asking for a couple of hours “here and there.”
“I hope that we can really connect with some of the younger guys and let them know this isn’t just a bunch of oldtimers,” said Matthie. “You‘ve got some young guys like myself.”
Visit highlandsranchpost1260.org for information about the monthly meetings of the Highlands Ranch American Legion Post 1260.
A man plays bagpipes at the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument at Civic Green Park during a Memorial Day service.
PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
Colorado rolls out fi rst phase of program for climate-friendly homes
BY SAM BRASCH CPR NEWS
It’s been more than two years since President Biden signed the In ation Reduction Act, a landmark climate law set to allocate $8.8 billion to help residents make their homes more energy-e cient and switch to all-electric appliances.
So where, exactly, is all the federal funding? e main reason for the delay is a lack of state-level programs to administer the wave of federal resources. Colorado took a big step toward overcoming the obstacle on Wednesday by launching the Home Electri cation and Appliance Rebate program, which will o er residents rebates on climate-friendly heat pumps, cooktops or dryers starting at some point in 2025
An initial phase of the program, however, will invest $7.6 million of the new federal money in the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program, an existing set of free services to help low-income residents cut their energy bills and better insulate their homes.
“It really made sense to take a two phase
Ceremony to honor veterans in Douglas County
In honor of the men and women of the armed forces, Douglas County o cials, the Douglas County Veterans Service O ce and the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation invite you to a Veterans Day ceremony to honor American heroes.
e event begins 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at the Veterans Monument Plaza located at 301 Wilcox St. in Castle Rock.
is year, the program will feature Gilbert Espinoza (U.S. Navy), a Vietnam veteran, Navy SEAL and retired Colorado reghter.
approach with the majority of funding going to the direct to consumer rebates, but to start with the weatherization clients where we have an existing program and could get some funding out there faster,” said Will Toor, the director of the Colorado Energy O ce.
e weatherization program is a product of the 1970s energy crisis. Its initial purpose was to lower energy bills by sealing drafts and adding insulation. In the decades since, Colorado has expanded the program’s scope to install all-electric stoves and heating systems to help low-income households take advantage of renewable energy.
e initial investment represents a small portion of a $70 million grant for the program already awarded to the state by the U.S. Department of Energy. $46 million of the funding will go toward rebates for low- and moderate-income consumers set to launch sometime next year. e remainder will cover administrative expenses and contractor training, Toor said.
ose rebates will o er a range of discounts for low- to moderate-income consumers. e program, for example, will provide up
Other speakers include Douglas County Veterans Service ofcers Chris Maes (U.S. Army, retired) and Darcy Ho man (U.S. Air Force), and Douglas County Commissioners George Teal (U.S. Army), Abe Laydon and Lora omas.
e event will also feature music from local musician and 30year Colorado resident Byron Miller.
Douglas County government o ces will be closed Nov. 11 in observance of the o cial federal holiday.
Sponsor a veterans wreath
e public can learn more at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
Parker Arts puts on musical production
e Town of Parker’s arts and culture hub is pleased to announce the opening of Nunsense. e zany, hilarious and wholesome musical revue will play at the Parker Arts Schoolhouse eater from Oct. 25Nov. 17.
Billed as a “divine comedy,” Nunsense follows the Little Sisters of Hoboken as they put on a fundraiser to raise money to bury sisters accidentally poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia (Child of God).
You can also sponsor a wreath now for a Wreaths Across America ceremony to honor veterans. Wreath-laying ceremonies will be held Dec. 14 at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Castle Rock and Fort Logan National Cemetery. Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 states and beyond.
e ceremony at Cedar Hill starts 10 a.m. Dec. 14 and is being organized by American Heritage Girls Troop 8909. Sponsor a wreath using the form at tinyurl.com/WreathSponsorVeterans.
to $8,000 to cut the cost of a cold-climate heat pump o ering an e cient source of allelectric heating and cooling. A resident could claim a discount of up to $840 for electric stoves or clothes dryers.
e exact amount of those discounts is still being nalized, and will depend on the buyer’s income and the total cost of the project, said Ari Rosenblum, a spokesperson for the Colorado Energy O ce.
In addition to the direct-to-consumer rebates, Colorado has received another $70 million for projects to improve home energy e ciency. Toor said the additional funding will target multifamily housing and manufactured housing units.
Colorado isn’t behind other states in launching the federally funded programs, Toor said. Rebates are only available to customers in seven states, and Colorado is among 18 with applications for funding approved by the federal government is story is from CPR News, a nonpro t news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org.
e musical has been updated with new jokes, additional lyrics, two new arrangements, and a brand new song. Featuring Kayleigh Bernier, the star of Parker Arts’ recent production of Legally Blonde, reprising the role of Sister Leo, Nunsense is an homage to musical and theater history before 1980. Audiences are taken on a journey through every decade of theater, music and lm from late Vaudeville through the 1970s.
For information on show dates and times and to purchase tickets visit parkerarts.org or call the box o ce at 303-805-6800.
Nature-focused nonprofit invites public to apply for board
Community organization
South Metro Land Conservancy is inviting quali ed and interested members of the community to serve on its board of directors.
connectivity.
ere are two positions to be lled. Interested candidates should review the board member requirements and submit an application, both of which can be found on the organization’s website at www.smlc.land/ board-application.
To learn more about the nonpro t, visit www.smlc.land/ about-smlc.
Colorado nonprofits and community leaders honored ree nonpro ts and three individuals from around Colorado were honored by El Pomar Foundation during its 2024 Night of Excellence.
For 35 years, El Pomar has recognized extraordinary nonpro ts and community leaders in this awards ceremony, which includes awards for excellence and the Julie Penrose Award.
e trustees of El Pomar established that Award in 2020 in honor of what would have been Penrose’s 150th birthday to connect her legacy of philanthropy and service to other women throughout Colorado committed to the betterment of their communities.
e organizations honored include Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver, Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center in Trinidad and CASA of the 7th Judicial District in Montrose.
Volunteers to participate in the wreath laying are welcome.
A nonpro t in operation for more than 30 years, the conservancy is known for its extensive work purchasing and acquiring open space in the south metro area and its work to increase awareness of the importance of natural areas in neighborhood parks, create opportunities for children to enjoy and learn about nature, and increase trail
e individuals honored for their lifetime achievements and outstanding contributions to the nonpro t sector were Kathleen Merritt, Paul Major and Lucille A. Echohawk.
El Pomar Foundation claims to be one of the largest and oldest private foundations in Colorado. El Pomar contributes about $25 million annually through grants in the areas of arts and culture, civic and community initiatives, education, health, and human services, as well as community engagement and leadership de-
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velopment programs to support Colorado nonpro ts.
e public can learn more at www.elpomar.org.
Submissions open for 2025 Colorado Book Awards
Colorado Humanities and Center for the Book is accepting submissions for the 2025 Colorado Book Awards.
Submission categories include anthology, ction, history, nonction, pictorial, poetry, children’s, juvenile and young adult literature. e deadline is Jan. 3.
Winners will receive a cash prize and an engraved plaque.
Books are reviewed in a twopart process by volunteer selectors and judges from across the state.
In the rst round in February and March, a panel of three selectors receives all books submitted in a category to determine the nalists. In the second round in April and May, a panel of three judges reviews the nalists and selects a winner.
All winners will be announced at the Finalists Celebration and Winners Announcement in July. Winners and nalists will have the opportunity to join the Colorado Center for the Book Author Talks, statewide publicity surrounding announcement of the Colorado Book Awards and branded promotional materials.
MCKENNA HARFORD Community Editor mharford@coloradocommunitymedia.com
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Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the News-Press. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.
Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Deadline Tues. for the following week’s paper.
Douglas County News-Press (ISSN 1067-425X)(USPS 567-060) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Douglas County, Colorado, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 115 Wilcox St., Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104.
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO and additional mailing o ces.
Colorado Humanities and Center for the Book also invites applications for Colorado Book Awards selectors and judges.
Volunteers participate in a twotier review process that includes reading up-and-coming works from Colorado’s literary community and engaging with panels of fellow selectors and judges, including scholars, librarians, booksellers, teachers and writers from across the state.
For more information and opportunity to be considered, email valerie@coloradohumanities.org.
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CORRECTIONS
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Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
Dual enrollment fuels community college gains
Nearly half of students are still in high school
BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT COLORADO
Dual-enrolled high school students are closing in on accounting for nearly half of Colorado’s community college enrollment, according to fall 2024 enrollment data.
Of the 88,118 students enrolled at the two-year level, more than 39,000 students statewide are still in high school, the Colorado Community College System reports. e share of dual-enrolled students has steadily increased each year. Nationally, about 1 in 5 community college students are dual enrolled, according to 2022-23 numbers.
In light of the increases and the variety of the state’s concurrent enrollment system — where high school students enroll in college classes — Colorado lawmakers and other education advocates want more information on the long-term bene t of these programs as well as the overall costs to the state. Lawmakers have passed laws that call for studying how to streamline and improve a system that has been built piecemeal over the years.
In total, high school students accounted for almost 90% of enrollment increases at the community college level this year. Since the pandemic, high school students have become a main driver of community college enrollment in the state.
e numbers were climbing even before 2020 amid greater emphasis on exposing students to college-level work, said Sarah Heath, system vice chancellor of academic and student a airs.
“We really have focused on the value of high school plus,” Heath said. “ at has resonated.”
About 3,100 new students enrolled this year in Colorado community colleges, with a 2,770 increase in high school students, according to October numbers.
Among students who are beyond high school, enrollment ticked up only slightly. ese older adult students traditionally represented the bulk of community college enrollment, but colleges have had more trouble enrolling them since the pandemic.
“We haven’t had much growth” in that segment, Heath said, “except for some online pieces.”
Nationally, community colleges fared better than public four-year universi-
ties in enrollment in part because of the number of high school students who are also enrolled in public two-year colleges.
National numbers show a 7% increase in the number of students under the age of 17 who are dual-enrolled this fall over last year.
Here’s a closer look at the changing face of Colorado’s two-year colleges:
What do we know (and not know) about the students?
e majority of high school students take college classes part-time, or less than 12 credits. is has led to an increase in part-time students at colleges.
Of the 88,118 community college students enrolled this year, including high school students, only 22,715 enrolled full-time.
Many high school students also likely never set foot on a college campus thanks to the increase in high school teachers who are certi ed to teach college-level courses, according to Heath.
By the time students graduate from high school, they’ve typically earned only a few college credits. Still, state leaders have said that this helps o set the overall cost of a college education for them.
A state report estimated from 2020 data that graduates saved about $53 million in tuition through these opportunities.
e new community college enrollment data doesn’t break down gures for overall high school student diversity, but past reports show these programs are mostly representative of the state’s K-12 ethnic and racial makeup. About half of
all students in 2021 were white, a quarter were Hispanic, and about 3.5% were Black.
e report did not include information on how the programs bene t lower-income students in the state, or those students who would bene t the most nancially from these programs.
Where are students dual-enrolled?
Most dual-enrolled high school students live on the Front Range in urban and suburban communities, although many rural districts have a higher percentage of their students participating in programs.
In total, Colorado has 561 cooperative agreements between school districts and two- and four-year colleges. Only two districts in the state do not participate in dual enrollment.
Of the two-year colleges, Front Range and Arapahoe community colleges have some of the highest numbers of district partnerships. ose colleges enroll almost 25,000 high school students, or about 62% of the dual-enrolled student population.
e highest participation rates are in rural districts such as in Crowley, Edison, and Silverton, where more than 70% of high school students are dual enrolled.
Who pays for dual enrollment?
In most cases, the districts and state pay for the cost of o ering these programs. Programs like ASCENT, where students attend college in their fth year of high school but also get support from their dis-
tricts, now require students to ll out the FAFSA so they’re eligible for Pell grants, or federal aid to students from lower-income backgrounds. e Pell grants then o set the cost of college incurred by the state. is year, the state is projected to spend about $17 million to educate about 1,200 ASCENT students.
Most partnerships between the community colleges and districts are structured to be cost neutral, so community colleges only charge for services to support dual enrollment, Heath said. But districts must hire sta , provide classes, and support students.
Nationally, some have wondered whether these programs are the best use of state funds. For example, education advocates have questioned whether states are just subsidizing college for students who would already plan to go.
Research shows that in Colorado, fewer dual-enrolled students — about twothirds of them — end up on a college campus after they graduate from high school, compared with most other states. It’s not entirely clear why, but the number decreases if students are from lowerincome backgrounds, according to the Community College Research Center.
What do lawmakers want to change?
Colorado lawmakers say they recognize the value of dual enrollment, especially because national research shows these programs can help eliminate gaps in who gets to college. But they also want more information on the state’s many programs.
A state task force has called for streamlining what it has described as a fragmented early career and college system built over many years. Colorado has numerous programs, but not every district o ers every program.
Each program has di erent reporting requirements, making it hard to measure how programs are working individually and as a whole. Colorado lawmakers enacted legislation this year that:
• Directs the state to perform a comprehensive nancial study to analyze how much the programs cost the state and districts;
• Compiles long-term data on program outcomes;
• Expands college opportunities for high school students; and
• Seeks to nd a comprehensive direction on college and career education.
Reprinted with permission from Chalkbeat, a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.
Red Rocks Community College President Landon Pirius speaks at an August event in Arvada.
PHOTO BY LILLIAN FUGLEI
Embracing our flaws to find true innovation
Last week, I shared a piece titled “ e Perfect Imperfection of a Five-YearOld,” re ecting on my grandson and how his seemingly chaotic playtime revealed a hidden beauty. His natural ow and spontaneity opened my eyes to how imperfection can be a gateway to creativity and joy. is week, I want to explore that same thought through a wider lens: our human imperfections and how, in striving for perfection, we may unintentionally hinder our creativity, ingenuity and growth.
Whether at home, in our careers, or leading teams, many of us have fallen into the trap of chasing perfection. We set out with grand plans, meticulously crafted strategies and polished expectations. And yet, life has a funny way of reminding us that the best-laid plans often go awry, and more often than not, it’s in those imperfect moments that something new and beautiful emerges. Let’s take a cue from the current football season, where highlight reels capture what seem like perfect plays, the perfect pass, the perfect block, the perfect catch. But often, the plays that truly stand out are the ones that are far from perfect. A missed block or a broken play can end in the most thrilling, unexpected touchdown. ese moments weren’t planned. In fact, they were born out of improvisation, quick thinking, and sometimes just sheer luck.
Much like those broken plays, in life and our work, we often nd ourselves rerouted or delayed from our meticulously planned paths. My wife and I recently took a road trip that GPS perfectly mapped out. Everything was set until we hit a detour because a bridge was closed. Our perfect plan was disrupted. We were
initially frustrated, but as GPS recalibrated, it guided us down a side road we would never have chosen otherwise. at detour brought us through some of the most breathtaking fall foliage I’d ever seen, and in that moment, I was reminded of the value of life’s detours.
We often experience similar detours in our personal and professional lives. Projects don’t go as expected or meetings go o course. But new ideas can be born in those moments of imperfection. Suppose we embrace these broken plays and detours and allow ourselves and our teams the freedom to explore them. As leaders, whether in the workplace or at home, we are often guilty of placing too much emphasis on perfection. We expect awless execution from ourselves and those we lead. e truth is that holding on too tightly to perfectionism can
Isti e creativity and dampen morale. It can create an environment where people are afraid to take risks, an essential part of growth, is avoided at all costs. Even those who seem to have it all together have moments where things don’t go as planned. And that’s OK. It’s better than OK. It’s necessary. A missed deadline or a failed project isn’t the end of the world; it’s an opportunity to learn, recalibrate, and discover a new way forward. Perfection doesn’t leave room for creativity, but imperfection does. e challenge for us as individuals, especially as leaders, is to create spaces where imperfection is embraced. How often has an employee come to you with a broken play of their own, only to nd that a new idea was born in the process of “ xing” the issue? Maybe it’s a suggestion that turns a slight mishap into a break-
through, or perhaps it’s a creative solution to a problem that seemed unsolvable.
Maybe as we move through this football season, let’s not just cheer for the perfect plays but also for the broken ones. In life, let’s embrace the idea that perfection is not the goal. e goal is to learn, grow, and appreciate the perfect imperfection of being human.
As always, I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com. And when we can innovate and improvise in an imperfect world, 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.
To restore faith in democracy, learn about civics
n an era of political polarization and widespread civic illiteracy, an unlikely group is spearheading a movement to reinvigorate American democracy: middle school students.
Over 6,000 students in 28 states devoted countless hours to prepare for the National Civics Bee on Nov. 12 this year. eir enthusiasm highlights a critical gap in our education system and o ers a potential solution.
e stark reality is that civic education in America has been neglected for decades. According to the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, only a third of adults would pass the civics exam required for U.S. citizenship. Even more alarming, the Annenberg Public Policy Center reports that nearly one- fth of Americans can’t name a single branch of government. For the younger generation, the outlook is equally grim. e 2022 Nation’s Report Card revealed that a mere 22% of eighthgraders are pro cient in civics.
GUEST
COLUMN
Hanna Skandera & Michael Carney
ere’s a growing recognition across the country that we’re facing a civic crisis. From local initiatives to national programs, e orts are underway to revitalize civic education and promote essential democratic skills.
e National Civics Bee, launched in 2022 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, is one of the most innovative responses to this challenge. is competition, modeled after the National Spelling Bee, tests middle schoolers on crucial concepts like voting rights, separation of powers, and pivotal moments in American democratic history. What sets the Civics Bee apart is its non-partisan, apolitical approach and ability to scale nationally in partnership with local chambers of commerce. In our divisive times, these competitions o er a refreshing focus on the fundamental
principles that unite us as a nation. Moreover, it’s not just engaging students; entire families are getting involved by attending events and helping children prepare.
e Civics Bee’s impact extends beyond competition day. is knowledge equips them for a lifetime of active citizenship.
“Before the National Civics Bee, I thought that maybe I could do a bit of volunteer work, but other than that, it was mainly the government’s job [to solve problems],” Washington state champion Benjamin Wu said in a 2023 interview. “But now I know that there’s a lot of things that I and other people like me can do to help our community.”
As we approach another fraught election, the importance of civic literacy cannot be overstated. Despite our di erences, we are bound by a shared constitutional framework. It’s crucial that we, as a society, prioritize teaching these fundamentals.
e success of the National Civics Bee
should serve as a call to action. We need to champion similar initiatives, advocate for robust civics programs in our schools, and commit to enhancing our own civic knowledge. Educators, policymakers, and citizens must recognize that a wellinformed populace strengthens and revitalizes our democratic institutions. Our democracy faces numerous challenges, from misinformation to apathy. But if we follow the lead of these civicminded youngsters, we might just secure a brighter future for our republic. After all, an informed and engaged citizenry is the bedrock of a thriving democracy.
Hanna Skandera is the president and CEO of the Daniels Fund and former secretary of public education of New Mexico. Michael Carney is the president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Learn more about the Civics Bee at civics. uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee/
Wife shares memories of late husband’s love for the community
Parker woman honors husband with interactive painting displayed in Parker library
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
It was 1991 when Joanna Kelleher met a man named Mike at a singles dance at Cherry Hills Community Church. Little did she know it at the time, but Joanna had found the love of her life and would spend more than 30 years with Mike by her side.
“We preferred each other’s company,” said Joanna Kelleher. “We both felt this was the love of our life.”
Holding an art degree from the former e Art Institute of Colorado, Joanna lled Mike’s life with art. eir home became their canvas. He would thrift items and she would refurbish them.
Mike passed away earlier this year, and when Joanna no longer had her best friend by her side, she turned to art. She painted “Colorado Critters” in his honor, which will be displayed at the Douglas County Parker Library all November.
“But it was done with love,” said Joanna.
A white chair still remains on the front porch of their house where Mike would sit and admire Parker’s views and wildlife. Humming birds would come right up to him, said Kelleher.
When he passed away, Joanna started painting a scene that included some of his favorite animals, including the state butter y and bird, along with a rabbit, ladybug, snail and a grasshopper to represent the year of the grasshopper.
Painting became therapeutic for Joanna. She would wake up at two or three in the morning and paint until the sun came up, she said.
“For me, the painting took me out of my grieving,” said Joanna. “I would go in and start painting and the hours would go by.”
While showing her paintings to others, she realized younger kids were pointing out the animals. is led her to include an accompanying picture “Can You Find…” to identify the animals in the painting. Joanna hopes the painting will be approved to be displayed at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where her grandson was treated for cancer.
A community man
While serving as a pastor for 35 years, Mike traveled to places like Russia and Ethiopia and was known as the “Bible answer man” on a local radio program due to his extensive knowledge of the gospel, said Joanna.
After he retired, Mike became a volunteer chaplain at the Life Care Center of Stonegate in Parker.
“He was just a remarkable guy,” said Joanna. “He was so incredibly smart.”
In addition to math and chemistry, Mike was a history bu and together, the couple would study everything they could to learn about Parker.
Before Parker’s housing boom, Joanna said they would go on walks and nd arrowheads, spear points and many more artifacts. Wanting to share the history, Mike spoke to children at schools and helped arrange eld trips.
“With him, he was my TMI guy,” said Joanna. “I would ask him a question want-
Joanna Kelleher painted “Colorado Critters” in honor of her husband, who passed away earlier this year. The painting, which includes some of his favorite animals, will be displayed at the Douglas County Parker Library all of November.
ing a little answer and I would get this big answer because he was so brilliant.”
Trips to the Parker library – starting when it was in the old water building –were common for them, even throughout the global pandemic.
When COVID-19 forced everyone into new routines, Joanna and Mike started a new tradition. ey would get their individual chores done in the morning and spend the afternoon playing card games before grabbing a movie from the library to have a movie night.
“ at was life with Mike,” said Joanna.
Now, as Joanna looks around her house, she is reminded of all the good times with Mike, including the couch where he laid when he could no longer make it up the stairs.
On July 25, 2021, Mike su ered a bilateral subdural hematoma, which is when blood collects between the skull and the brain, requiring brain surgery. Two years later, neighbors came to Mike’s aid when he collapsed on the driveway and broke his neck.
He later su ered another brain bleed and developed a serious brain infection.
ere were countless doctor’s appointments, emergency room visits, four different hospitals and three physical rehabilitation centers. rough all of that, Kelleher said her neighbors were always looking out for them and assisting him in and out of the car or bed.
“Our neighbors just picked up the slack,” said Joanna. “I couldn’t have managed without them.”
Mike passed away on Feb. 16 at the age of 74.
Joanna will always remember the man wearing shorts and a casual shirt on the dance oor in 1991. She will remember their shing trips, the New Years Eve when he proposed and how he could let negativity ow o his back.
“He was just such a role model,” said Joanna. “And I just wanted so much to be more like him.”
While celebrating her 80th birthday at the Parker Library on Oct. 19, it was like Mike was still by her side, as her artwork was displayed on the wall paired with artifacts they had found together and their personal photos.
COURTESY PHOTO
FRIENDLY LOCAL GAME STORES
3 board game cafes to check out around the Denver metro area
BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In an era where video games, social media and online chatting have come to the forefront of many gaming circles, a handful of local shops are providing board game enthusiasts with venues to experience a sense of community, new games, campaigns and eats.
For many in the tabletop gaming world, giving folks a place to come together is of the utmost importance. Jessica Willman, the owner of Do Gooder Games in ornton, said that in the modern age, that meeting space has become even more important than ever before.
“In this modern age of technology, it is easy to nd people who share similar interests with you, but they might be in a di erent city, state or even country,” Willman said. “I think it’s very easy to start feeling like you are in the wrong spot and start to feel very isolated. FLGS or Friendly Local Game Stores, are a place to remind you that is not true”
Willman notes that there is a game for everyone — quilt-making enthusiasts can connect around Patchwork, foodies can play Charcuterie, robotics lovers can duke it out in Battletech, basketball lovers in Crunch Time — and FLGS can serve as an important reminder that everyone’s favorite niche interest is also something to connect with others around. For many shopkeepers, creating an inclusive space is step one of owning a board game café.
Elysium Café and Games Owner Chris Martinez said that having a welcoming space for everyone is of
paramount importance, while still recognizing that speci c cafes can cater to speci c groups of gamers — Elysium has a large population of Dungeons and Dragons players, for example.
“Elysium is all about being a community center to all the nerds that have in the past been on the fringes as far as hobbyists go,” Martinez said. “For instance, we have a large group of Dungeons and Dragons players. We provide a welcoming way for folks to come and connect with other players that may have never met.
“Younger kids have a safe place to play as well,” Martinez continued. “It is common to hear someone ask, ‘What is your nerd?’ around here. Inclusivity is our meat and potatoes.”
Willman said that inclusivity extends to people from all walks of life.
“ e FLGS is a place to remind you that the thing you are passionate about is loved by millions, so much so that they made a game out of it; and the people who love it aren’t in some far-o land, they are in your neighborhood,” Willman said. “ ey are waiting at a table for you to come share all the random, zany and even seemingly mundane things that you are passionate about.
“ at’s the amazing thing about FLGS, your age, race, sex, religion, socio-economic state doesn’t matter at the gaming table,” Willman continued. “It’s just people wanting to have fun and play a game.
at’s why the motto of our store is ‘Gaming For All.’”
With that, here are three local board game cafes around the Denver Metro Area that are certainly worth checking out.
Elysium Café and Games — Lakewood
10800 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, CO 80226 | 720519-0131 | elysium.games
Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through ursday; 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
What was the impetus behind starting a board game café?
Martinez: e original trio were friends that used to play games together. One was mostly an investor that already was running a successful business, one had years of experience with game shops and the community, and the last one had a ton of experience running kitchens and cafes.
What is the story behind the name of the café?
Martinez: e name came from one of the owners and his Greek background. After tossing around ideas the name stuck as it checked all the boxes for theme and menu that they were looking for.
What makes Elysium unique?
Martinez: We provide a large area to meet with friends. We have a cafe that provides food and drinks so everyone can connect and enjoy their games. We have an extensive rental game library in case someone wants to try something out before they buy. All that said, the most unique part of Elysium is what we bring to the community. It is a community center at its heart that caters to what most of us nerds have been missing, connection with other nerds. ere are other game stores that have larger inventories or even more hosted events. Elysium focuses on the community.
GAME STORES
What are your favorite parts of running a board game café?
Martinez: e community. I love chatting with everyone about what type of games they are into. My team and I have dabbled in most games and are experts in a large number.
Do you accept reservations?
Martinez: Yes! We do not charge for tables/space, per se. We o er open and closed events. Open events are open to the public and anyone can join. Closed events are like birthdays or special occasions for friends and family. If a third-party event organizer wants to use Elysium’s space for a paid event, we do charge a small fee from the organizer.
Thane’s Table — Arvada
7655 W. 88th Ave., Arvada, CO 80005 | 720-381-4200 | thanestable.com
Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through ursday; 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
What is the story behind the name of the café?
Shop owner Abhi ane: “ ane” in Anglo-Saxon England was a title awarded by noblemen, giving someone ranking between a common free person and a hereditary noble.
Given that we also serve the Dungeons & Dragons community, ane’s Table was a catchy, be tting and
What makes ane’s Table unique?
noble ctional name for a town tavern where patrons can play games with their friends and loved ones, purchase local handmade crafts, and join community groups, with the tavern’s purpose being to provide a welcoming space for all its patrons.
ane: ane’s Table o ers two private gaming rooms with custom tables for dungeons and dragons or any tabletop gaming, with the ability to order food and drinks directly from the rooms. All our main area gaming tables are handmade as well and o er pull-out trays to hold food and beverages keeping the tabletop free for gaming.
What are your favorite parts of running a board game café?
ane: As we get close to celebrating our two-year anniversary, we can admit that starting a niche small business like a gaming restaurant has been a challenge overall. And all thanks to our amazing team, we continue to learn to operate e ciently.
Our favorite part is serving the gaming community that has been nothing but kind, patient and supportive in our journey this entire time.
Do you accept reservations?
ane: Yes, we o er online and in-person reservations.
Do Gooder Games Café — Thornton 16639 Washington St., ornton, CO 80023 | 720432-4155 | dogoodergames.com
Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through ursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; Closed Monday
What was the impetus behind starting a board game café?
Willman: It was an idea that my partner and I had tried about 15 years ago, but decided to not go through with it. After COVID, we decided to actually make it happen.
What is the story behind the name of the café?
Willman: It actually was the idea of a friend of mine. We were throwing around ideas for names and he suggested that we use “Do Gooder.” We absolutely loved it, because not only is it a gaming reference, but it also really sums up what we wanted to do with our store.
What makes Do Gooder Games Café unique?
Willman: ere are a lot of great game stores around Denver, but it can be very intimidating to go into a new store and try to learn a new game, especially if you have two young children with you. I wanted to create a space where you could go and play any type of game, no matter if you are just learning or have been playing for years.
I also wanted to make a place where you could bring your whole family and have a good time.
What is the importance of serving food at Do Gooder Games Café?
Willman: As far as the cafe side goes, I have always loved doing full game days but frequently ran into the problem of what to do when it is time to eat. When playing at a store and you’re in the middle of a game, does someone have to leave to go get food for everyone, or does someone have to stay behind to watch the game and keep the table while everyone else goes and gets food.
Frequently I noticed that we would end up just ending the game so everyone could go get food. I wanted to have a space where it was possible to game all day and be able to get some actual food and drinks without having to leave.
A gaming table at Thane’s Table. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ABHI THANE
Butter beer o ered at Thane’s Table in Arvada.
Step into a rainforest at Denver museum
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science normally uses models, fossils and preserved specimens to bring the dynamic natural world to visitors, but in the new Animals of the Rainforest exhibit, guests have the opportunity to see up-close and personal some of the forest’s most beautiful inhabitants.
“ is exhibit provides the opportunity for people to see something special, something they normally don’t get to see here,” said Dr. Frank Krell, senior curator of entomology at the museum. “We know people love seeing live animals and this is an opportunity to see animals from rainforests from all over the world.”
Animals of the Rainforest is currently on display at the museum, 2001 Colorado Blvd., and is free with a general admission ticket.
e immersive exhibit features a mix of live animal displays and informative content on a range of topics, from how the rainforest ecosystem works, to the many threats these critical places face from humans and technology. ere are also animal sculptures set up throughout the exhibit that are perfect for climbing on and taking a family photo.
But of course, the biggest draw are the many animals that people can meet. Species on display include a sloth, python, iguana, boa constrictors and tortoises, all within intricately designed
COMING ATTRACTIONS
habitats that replicate their natural rainforest environments. e wildlife’s caretakers are also on hand to answer questions and provide more information about the animals.
“Documenting rainforests’ biodiversity is a really important way to preserve it for the future,” Krell said. “And here in Colorado, it provides the opportunity to see animals we normally don’t get to see.”
As is always the case at the museum, curators and have expanded the exhibit by adding features from the museum’s vast collection of preserved specimens.
For this exhibit, the museum showcases a beautiful and bright collection of rainforest butter ies.
e hope is that by learning more about rainforests and the many creatures that call them home, visitors will be inspired to do what they can to help protect them.
e forests face threats from ranching and deforestation, among many other man-made pressures. We can all do our part to aid in rainforest conversation, and the exhibit highlights this fact.
“You can reach people better through their feelings and emotions rather than lecturing them,” Krell said. “If people feel
connected to these places and animals, they may want to do something to preserve them.”
For more details, visit dmns.org/visit/ exhibitions/animals-of-the-rainforest.
Play a ‘Mindgame’ at Wheat Ridge Theatre Company
ere’s still time to catch the last weekend of the Wheat Ridge eatre Company Playhouse’s production of “Mindgame,” written by Anthony Horowitz and directed by Selena A Naumo . e show is a psychological thriller set in a mental hospital and focuses on a true crime writer who hopes to interview a serial killer for a new book he’s working on. e writer doesn’t have a good feeling about the place, and the longer he’s there, the worse it gets.
“Mindgame” runs through Sunday, Nov. 10. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Get tickets at wheatridgetheatre.com.
Schoolhouse Theater Brings ‘Nunsense’ to the Stage
Parker Arts is welcoming autumn with “Nunsense,” a hilarious musical revue that is running at e Schoolhouse eater, 19650 Mainstreet in Parker, through Sunday, Nov. 17. Performances are at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 7:30 p.m. ursday through Saturday. According to provided information, the
show tells the story of a fundraiser put on by the Little Sisters of Hoboken to raise money to bury sisters accidently poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia (Child of God).
“Nunsense” has been updated with new jokes, arrangements and a new song.
You de nitely don’t want to miss this laugh-riot of a musical, so get tickets at parkerarts.org/event/nunsense.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — MICHELLE at Lost Lake Lounge
New York City’s indie rock group MICHELLE specialize in the kind of alt rock that hits you like a dream: quietly and then all at once. ey beautifully use dreampop soundscapes and R&B touches to take listeners on an internal journey that is both enlightening and compelling. e band’s latest album, “Songs About You Speci cally,” might be their strongest yet, showcasing exciting new approaches to their music.
In support of the band’s new release, MICHELLE will be performing at the Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, at 8 p.m. on Nov. 8. ey’ll be joined for the evening by opener ggwendolyn. Get tickets at lost-lake.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
Clarke Reader
Thu 11/14
Zikr Dance Ensemble presents "Secrets" at Highland Ranch's Southridge Recreation Center November 14
@ 6:30pm / $15-$25
Palerider @ 8pm
Moe's Original BBQ, 3295 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Palehorse @ 8pm
Moe's Original BBQ, 3295 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Phat Daddy @ 8pm Q's Pub and Grill, 10133 W Chat�eld Ave, Little‐ton
Sat 11/16
Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch. info@zikrdance.com
Adult Spelling Bee at Western Sky Bar & Taproom @ 7pm
Kids Cooking: Apple & Pumpkin Fun (6-12yrs) @ 9am
PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Av‐enue, Parker
Art: The Day the Crayons Quit (5-10yrs) @ 10am PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker
14U-18U Tryout 11/16 @ 1pm / Free The Island, 2233 S Geneva St, Aurora. 720-5244136
(DENVER) BLESSED AND UNSTOPPABLE: Billy Alsbrooks
Life Changing Seminar @ 1pm
Hilton Denver Inverness, 200 Inverness
Western Sky Bar & Taproom, 4361 S BROADWAY, Englewood. westernsky barco@gmail.com
Fri 11/15
Kids' Zone Event: Princess Ball (211 yrs) FALL24
@ 6:15pm PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Av‐enue, Parker
Live Wire: A Tribute to AC/DC @ 7pm
Dee Lucas @ 7:30pm
Dr W, Englewood
Chasing The Devil: Wild Goose Saloon
@ 6:30pm Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
Shimon Moore: SHIM "Sick Puppies
Original Singer" wsg Shallow Side and Chasing the Devil @ 7pm
Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
Joey Avery @ 7pm
Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl, Greenwood Village
Mon 11/18
Valor Wrestling Club - Elite 24/25
@ 5:30pm / $550
Nov 18th - Mar 31st
Valor Christian High School, 3775 Grace Blvd., Highlands Ranch. 303-471-3000
La Femme @ 8pm
Gothic Theatre, Englewood
Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
Bad Year
@ 8pm
Moe's Original BBQ, 3295 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Tue 11/19
RockStar Music Hall & Event Center, 15755 E Arapahoe Rd, Centennial
Phat Daddy @ 8pm Q's Pub and Grill, 10133 W Chat�eld Ave, Little‐ton
RJD2 @ 9pm
Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood
Sun 11/17
Robotics Studio @ 2:15pm / $316
Nov 17th - Apr 27th
Tony Medina Music: The Open Mic Hosted by Tony Medina @ 6:30pm
The Alley, 2420 W Main St, Littleton
SonReal @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood
Wed 11/20
14-18U Tryout 11/20
@ 4:30pm / Free The Island, 2233 S Geneva St, Aurora. 720-5244136
Ladies Night @ 6pm / $16.51
Stampede, Aurora
Mark Ambor @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood
DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo Wednesdays - 'Bout Time Pub & Grub @ 8pm
After Midnight Jazz Band: Arts in the Afternoon @ 1:30pm Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Com‐mons St, Lone Tree
Sam Wheelock: Koelbel Library (CO) "A STORY AND A SONG"... FREE @ 6:30pm Koelbel Library (Arapahoe Libraries), 5955 S Holly St, Centennial
Thu 11/21
Neil Z @ Earls Kitchen + Bar @ 6pm Earls Kitchen + Bar, 8335 Park Meadows Center Dr, Lone Tree
Korey Foss: Rock Candy @ Q's @ 7pm Q's Pub and Grill, 10133 W Chat�eld Ave, Little‐
In Home Rootics, 12229 s eagle hawk trail, Parker. 515-708-0433
Bout Time Pub & Grub, 3580 S Platte River Dr A, Sheridan
Colorado first responders return from hurricane aid
Colorado Task Force 1 is among several search and rescue teams FEMA oversees
BY LINDSEY TOOMER COLORADO NEWSLINE
e Colorado rst responders whom the federal government deployed to help with Hurricane Helene and Milton recovery e orts on the East Coast have returned home.
Colorado Task Force 1 is a search and rescue team consisting of about 200 trained members from around the state, including re ghters, paramedics, physicians, structural engineers and other specialists. It is one of 28 search and rescue task forces across the country under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Urban Search & Rescue Response System.
FEMA deployed about 80 members of CO-TF1 to parts of Florida and North Carolina over the last few weeks as hurricane destruction stretched local resources thin. First responders from about two dozen organizations around Colorado work with the task force, as well as civilians including physicians, communications specialists, K9 handlers and structural engineers. FEMA funds the task force’s daily operations as well as emergency response efforts, including personnel costs, travel costs and other expenses.
Steve Aseltine is a chief with West Metro Fire Rescue in Lakewood, the sponsoring agency for CO-TF1. He has worked with CO-TF1 for 27 years and is now a task force leader, overseeing operations when the task force is deployed.
“When we go into these environments and we go into these communities when they really need help, I think that’s extremely rewarding because we’re able to provide assistance where other people can’t,” Aseltine said.
Between the task force’s time in Florida and North Carolina, Aseltine said his team searched thousands of structures and six
or seven miles of river bed ood plain, going through banks, debris piles and snags along the river.
Aseltine said one neighborhood in North Carolina was particularly di cult to access because a main access road was washed out. He said his team was able to get a utility terrain vehicle through to check on people in the neighborhood, and they had “full accountability for all the other people and families” in the area.
“ ey were all taking care of each other and helping each other out,” Aseltine said. “Even the local re stations all had a bunch of supplies for the community. If you needed something, you could swing by there to get it.”
Aseltine said task force members, most of whom are re ghters, came across a structure re during their search and rescue efforts. e power in the house came back on, and something was on the stove and ignited the kitchen. ey were able to put the re out with a garden hose from outside and prevent the house from burning down before the local re department arrived.
From Tampa Bay to
Asheville
When the task force is noti ed of a deployment, Aseltine said members have four hours to assemble resources it will need and come together at West Metro’s training center before getting on the road. He said 45 members were initially deployed to the Tampa Bay area in Florida to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. e task force then moved to North Carolina outside of Asheville where members worked for about another week.
Aseltine said FEMA called the task force back to Florida after that to help with Hurricane Milton preparations, requesting closer to 80 members as opposed to the original 45. He said because those members were in the eld for about two weeks already, they decided to do a “complete personnel swap.” Most members of the rst cohort of 45 went home, and 75-80 members ew out to take over in Florida. e second, larger cohort of the task force then again moved to North Carolina after nishing work in Florida.
e 28 search and rescue task forces across the country are trained to the same
duct a variety of searches and structural damage assessments.
“If we do have signs that there may be somebody alive or human remains, then we’ll work to further identify that and … do a more focused search in those areas to see what we nd,” Aseltine said. “We also work very closely with local emergency management teams and emergency operations centers to do intelligence gathering so that we’re making sure we’re searching in the right areas for the right people that are reported missing.”
CO-TF1 also has full-time sta who manage day-to-day operations and support logistics from Colorado when the task force is deployed, Aseltine said, helping manage equipment issues or nding lodging for task force members.
“It’s a lot of sleepless nights and pretty hard work when the team’s deployed, and that means for everybody — back home and when you’re out in the eld as well,” Aseltine said.
Terrorism, hurricanes, wildfires
working with other people from around the state “that you usually don’t have the
Aseltine said no single local emergency response team can be fully prepared to manage high-level disasters like Hurricane Helene or Milton. He remembered when Colorado needed help following the 2013 oods, when torrential rain broke precipitation records across the state and upended multiple communities. FEMA called upon other states’ urban search and rescue teams to come help.
“We needed the help back then,” Aseltine said. “I never would have thought that in Colorado, but it did happen. It happened right here in our backyard. So not only do we do it on the local and state level here, but then we also provide that service out to the rest of the country.”
Power-Quitmeyer said the resources task force is able to bring to communities allows them to accomplish big tasks quickly while allowing local emergency responders to focus on their work.
“I think just the speed with which they can help assess some of that damage, nd individuals for that community and help develop a plan, a roadmap for how to best use resources to help get those communities back on their feet is really impactful,” Power-Quitmeyer said.
Pierce Power-Quitmeyer supports COTF1 as a communications technician, handling radio programming and maintenance, internet connectivity, and the dissemination of communications plans formed at higher levels of the task force. He’s worked as a civilian data engineer at West Metro Fire Rescue for the last three years and joined the task force earlier this year.
“For me, it was really just an opportunity to do something a little bit di erent from my day job and an opportunity to get out in the eld and make an impact to communities in a di erent way, especially ones that have been hit by … something that’s pretty devastating to the community,”PowerQuitmeyer said.
e deployment to Florida and North Carolina was the rst time Power-Quitmeyer was able to use a lot of the skills he learned from joining the task force, which helped build his con dence for supporting future missions, he said. He also enjoyed
In his time with the task force, Aseltine helped respond to disasters including the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Hurricane Katrina. is year, the task force also went to New Mexico to help with search and rescue e orts following Salt and South Fork res.
In all of the deployments he’s been a part of, Aseltine said the gratitude people have for the support the task force provides is consistently the same.
“All the folks up there were just so nice, so positive and so just thankful that we were there,” Aseltine said, “and that’s really one of the things that makes this all just so powerfully rewarding at the end of the day.” is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com
A Colorado Task Force 1 member checks on a family sheltering in place during Hurricane Milton at an apartment complex in Clearwater, Florida. COURTESY OF COLORADO TASK FORCE 1
STROLLERS
ere are no iPads or screen time. Instead, the kids bring a few toys and snacks and enjoy the landscape while they speed down the Mary Carter Greenway Trail, one of Petty’s favorites. Just north of Chat eld Reservoir along the South Platte River, it provides paved and gravel paths (large enough for doublewide strollers) for runners and walkers.
While the kids enjoy a near rst-class riding experience, Dad gets his training in and Mom gets a well-deserved break.
“It’s great because when I take them out for an hour or two hours, or sometimes longer, it gives my wife a break to read or work out, herself,” Petty said. “It’s one of these things where I get exercise, the kids get fresh air, we have some time together and my wife gets a real break from two kids, which is a lot.”
e NYC Marathon on Nov. 2 will be Petty’s second. He was a competitive runner in high school and college but took some time away from the sport. After some friends got back into it a few years ago, Petty did too, not letting his fatherhood get in his way.
In fact, his kids help push him harder. at, and the altitude. Petty has lived in Colorado for 15 years and said training here before running a marathon at sea level certainly helps. ough he’ll drop the stroller weight on race day, Petty knows his kids will be cheering him on. Petty is looking to raise money for the Asian American Journalists Association. To support him in the New York City Marathon, consider donating at www. aaja.org/the-futures-fund/.
Memories through the miles
Another parent in Arvada sets her eyes on a lofty goal, and her daughter is a key piece to the puzzle.
Cassandra Porter is an assistant cross country and track coach for Arvada West High School. As a lifetime runner, she competed in high school for the Early College of Arvada until 2016 before becoming a Roadrunner at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
After becoming a mom and a coach in 2021, Porter continued running, bringing her daughter to Arvada West practices and pushing her along. Last year, around the Fourth of July, Porter learned a new Guinness World Record was set by a woman pushing a pram (stroller) at ve minutes, 24.17 seconds.
e woman’s name was Neely Gracey, and oddly enough, she was from Boulder and set the record in Englewood. “I’m just always up to date on anything in the running world and last summer I think I saw that. Some mom from Colorado actually broke the record, and she
got it down to 5:24,” Porter said. “And so I called my coach and we talked about it and applied for the Guinness record. It takes about three months to get approved for it. So, once we got the approval back, we were going to run it last fall of 2023. But I just had a couple of hiccups in my training. I had an injury and then a medical issue. So we pushed it back until I was t again.”
is past April, Kaitlin Donner from Viera, Florida, broke the record again, bringing the number down to ve minutes, 11.46 seconds.
“I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going to have to train a little bit harder for this now.’” Porter said. “So now I think we are ready. I just think it’d be cool to run it with my daughter and also have my athletes watch and hopefully inspire them. at’s a big motivation for it.”
Porter’s been running with her daughter since she was three months old. She’s now almost 3 and has accompanied Porter on more than 50 runs, whether they’re longer distance runs, sprints or tempo runs.
“She loves it,” she said. “My athletes
love it when she comes to practice and runs with us. We put a speaker in the stroller and we play music, and she gets to ride along and just eat her snacks. It’s the best.”
She doesn’t have an exact date for the record but Porter knows it’s something she wants to tackle soon. It’s been on her mind for a while now. Whether she breaks it or not, the time with her daughter has been invaluable and irreplaceable.
“It would be a huge deal. I’m so goalbased,” Porter said. “ is has just been a goal for a year and I want to check it o the list, hopefully. I’m a really nervous racer so I’m hoping that this will kind of be a breakthrough with racing. I usually am really good with training, but racing is a little bit more nerve-wracking for me. So I think racing with my daughter will kind of calm my nerves. I think it’ll just be something super special between me and her.”
Community in parenthood
For others, becoming a parent could open a door to a more communal and
active lifestyle.
Stephanie Holzhauer is the owner of Fit4Mom Castle Rock. Before moving to Colorado a couple of years ago, she got exposed to the program after becoming a mom herself in San Diego. She started as a member, and after several Fit4Moms experiences across several cities, decided she had to get more involved.
“I immediately fell in love with community tness and just having support from other moms, being a rst-time mom myself,” Holzhauer said. “Just in that community, having that support and then being able to work out with my kid … one of the biggest reasons I joined is as a social person, too. I love to work out outside, and as a mom, I never wanted to put my child in daycare at a gym. It was like a win-win because I was able to work out, I was able to make friends, and I didn’t put my child in childcare.”
Fit4Mom o ers several di erent classes for mothers, including a speci ed prenatal workout for expecting moms, mom-only sessions like body wellness and body boost classes, and the most popular: stroller strides.
As its name suggests, this workout is a full-body strength, cardio and core training class all while engaging their kids in the stroller. And the kids get a lot of the classes as well, she said. Instructors will sing songs to the kids and engage them in physical and active learning exercises.
“I absolutely love it when I have a mom send me little videos of their kids at home, doing lunges with their stroller or singing songs and kind of playing stroller strides,” Holzhauer said. “My girls are now (older), but when they were little, they would play stroller strides all the time … And to this day, they love what I do, and I love to come to classes, and they love tness and the incredible example that moms are setting for their kids just being outside and being active.”
ere’s also a run club, which includes an eight-week guided training program for moms interested in running a 5K or half-marathon, with or without their stroller stragglers.
When she rst got involved working for Fit4Mom, Holzhauer said she gured she could teach a few classes with no problem, but she never expected how much it would give back to her.
“It has been incredibly rewarding,” she said. “You know, when you have someone that shows up and she joins and she’s like, ‘I didn’t know how much I needed this. I was at home, I was alone.’ Or maybe they were struggling with postpartum depression, and they’ll all of a sudden come to class and realize they’re not the only one that’s dealing with this or that. So just seeing the friendships develop within our community and the support that they all have for one another … it’s incredibly rewarding.”
A group of moms at Fit4Mom Castle Rock complete exercises together at a stroller strides event. The program allows for community among fellow moms through mental, physical and emotional well-being and fitness.
COURTESY OF EMILY YOUNG / C&E PHOTOGRAPHY
PROBATION
Residents of the Heritage Hills gated community expressed wide opposition to the plan to place the probation o ce near their neighborhood, including at a community meeting in May with a frustrated crowd of more than 200 people. Area residents expressed fears about safety.
e newly selected location, farther east, sits near Meridian Golf Club and ofce buildings and somewhat near some apartment complexes.
e county had “looked at over 60 properties within Douglas as well as Arapahoe (County) trying to nd a good t,” Tim Hallmark, the county’s director of facilities, said at the October meeting where county commissioners approved the new location.
e Meridian-area spot also “provides a great opportunity for some other county services, such as human services and our Douglas County Health Department,” Hallmark added.
Here’s a look at other information on the new space, the di erence between probation and parole, and what fueled the need for a new location.
Transportation needs
Some people on probation and other court-related services out of Douglas County have been receiving service in Arapahoe County because of a lack of public transportation to the justice center in Castle Rock, according to county o cials.
“We have a transportation problem where it is very di cult for a lot of our clients to get from where they live, north Douglas County, (to) Castle Rock,” Judge
Ryan Stuart told the crowd at the May 30 meeting.
Some may have a driving under the inuence charge and rely on public transit.
e new Meridian-area location is still close to the Lincoln transit station, about a half-mile walk.
e probation o ce at the Robert A. Christensen Justice Center in Castle Rock will continue to operate, and the new location will serve as an additional probation o ce, said Suzanne Karrer, a spokesperson for the Colorado Judicial Branch.
Some other probation o ces are near residential areas or schools in the 18th Judicial District, such as the Littleton ofce along Littleton Boulevard or the Aurora o ce o Chambers Road.
What is probation?
Amid the backlash to the probation o ce’s earlier potential location, area residents expressed worry about crime, and some people referred to a plan for a “parole” o ce.
Some people have confused parole and probation, “and I think that’s just a common misnomer,” Karrer has told Colorado Community Media.
“A parolee is an individual who has been released from prison before completing their full sentence; these persons are managed under the statutory authority of the Colorado Department of Corrections,” a statement from Colorado’s judicial branch said. “People on probation, who (would) be serviced at this location, are individuals who received an alternative sentence for convictions in which they agree to abide by certain terms and conditions in exchange for not serving jail or prison sentences.”
e new Douglas o ce will have checkin appointments with people on proba-
tion. Getting probation means a person is judged to have a low-to-moderate risk of committing the same crime or an additional crime, according to Karrer.
“ ese could include (people convicted of) crimes like driving under the in uence or certain domestic violence charges, for example,” Karrer has said.
Here is a breakdown with numbers, from the state judicial branch, on who receives probation services in Colorado:
• ere are roughly 40,000 adults sentenced to probation each year in Colorado.
• ere are about 70,000 adults on probation at any given time across Colorado.
• Individuals on probation supervision have o enses ranging from petty o enses to misdemeanors and felonies. About one-third of the probation population is on supervision for a felony conviction.
e majority of the probation population has a misdemeanor conviction.
• When ling charges, or accusations, in criminal court, district attorneys select the charges to le, and even inside crimes considered “violent,” there is a wide range of misdemeanor and felony charging options.
• Here are some estimates for those case types for individuals on probation supervision. Of the 70,000 adults on probation across Colorado, 8,500 (12%) were charged with crimes that fell in the assault category, 7,600 (11%) fell in the domestic violence category, 2,900 (4%) fell in the menacing category and 4,000 (6%) fell in the sex o ense category.
ere are circumstances where somebody may be on parole and then on probation after they nish their parole, Karrer said.
Similarly, parole and probation could occur for a person at the same time for di erent o enses, but “that would be
unusual,” Karrer said. “ e majority of these people are going to be on probation for lower o enses, a sentence of ‘here’s your ne and probation,’” Karrer said.
District split e new 23rd Judicial District is set to take e ect January 2025. e 18th Judicial District will then only include Arapahoe County.
In 2020, the bill to create the new district passed with bipartisan support in the state legislature.
omas’ advocacy for breaking up the judicial district stemmed from the budgetary side of the court process, she said during the October meeting where commissioners approved the new o ce location.
“I remember (in) August of 2018, listening to (then-DA) George Brauchler give us a budget request, and I realized that Douglas County was subsidizing the prosecution of crime in Aurora,” omas said, adding: “And I remember after that, speaking with fellow commissioners … about what if Douglas and Elbert and Lincoln just left the 18th and we became our own district attorney’s o ce, our own judicial district?”
Details of the deal
At the October meeting, the commissioners unanimously approved a 15-year lease agreement for space at 11045 E. Lansing Circle in the Meridian area. e annual lease rate starting January 2025 will be $1.7 million for oors two and three, and the 2026 annual lease rate will be $2.7 million for all three oors, according to a county sta summary. e county has a purchase option years three through ve if it wants to eventually buy the building, according to Hallmark.
MARKETPLACE
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CAREERS
Seasonal Tax Preparer (Lone Tree)
Are you a licensed tax preparer looking for a rewarding seasonal opportunity? Join our small business accounting firm for the 2025 tax season!
About Us:
We are a family business and a small business ourselves.
We pride ourselves on being both dog and family friendly.
Help Wanted
Eng 3, SW Dev & Eng – Comcast Cable Comm, LLC, Englewood, CO. Dsgn & dev new sw and web apps; Reqs: Bach or forgn equiv in CS, Eng or rltd; 2 yrs exp dev sw use Python, Scala, LinuxOS, Git, Jenkins, Docker, Terraform, & Ansible. Salary: $94,578 to $140k/yr. Benefits: https://jobs.comcast.com/life-at-co mcast/benefits. Apply to: Job_Candidates@comcast.com
Ref Job ID# 9530. App window: 30 days (+/- depend on # of applicnts).
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Lawn & Garden
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Miscellaneous
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Our firm is dedicated to providing personalized accounting services to individuals and businesses.
Responsibilities:
Preparing individual and business tax returns.
Offering expert tax advice and support.
Ensuring compliance with current tax regulations and laws.
Qualifications:
Must be a licensed tax preparer.
Experience in tax preparation for both individuals and businesses is required.
Strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills.
Compensation: $45+/hr - pay is commission based
If you are experienced, detail-oriented, and ready to join a supportive and friendly team, we would love to hear from you.
Please send resume to sheilat@cbizofdenver.com
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Eng 4, SW Dev & Eng – Comcast Cable Comm, LLC, Englewood, CO. Prov tech ldrshp in dev, maintn, & suprt sw apps use Python and Java; Reqs: Bach or forgn equiv in CS, Eng or rltd; 5 yrs exp create data queries use SQL. Salary: $134,087.00$145k/yr. Benefits: https://jobs.comcast.com/life-at-co mcast/benefits. Apply to: Job_Candidates@comcast.com
Ref Job ID# 6358. App window: 30 days (+/- depend on # of applicnts).
LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust. Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 104, ACRES GREEN FILING NO. 4, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Which has the address of: 256 Dianna Drive, Littleton, CO 80124 NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 10/24/2024
Last Publication: 11/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 8/15/2024
DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of
Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $60,810.69
Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and/or other violations of the terms thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property: SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF DOUGLAS AND STATE OF COLORADO: LOT 8, BLOCK 27, VILLAGES AT CASTLE ROCK, 2ND AMENDMENT - LIBERTY VILLAGE PORTION, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Which has the address of: 6356 Blue Water Cir , Castle Rock, CO 80108
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 10/24/2024
Last Publication: 11/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 8/23/2024
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
ARICYN J. DALL
Colorado Registration #: 51467 216 16TH STREET SUITE 1210, DENVER, COLORADO 80202
Phone #: (720) 259-6714
Fax #: (720) 259-6709
Attorney File #: 24CO00329-1
*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE
DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/
Legal Notice No. 2024-0148
First Publication: 10/24/2024
Last Publication: 11/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
PUBLIC NOTICE
Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2024-0152
To Whom It May Concern: On 8/23/2024
11:40:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.
Original Grantor: CHAD T. GERRY AND JESSI H. GERRY
Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR NBH BANK, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt:
SELENE FINANCE LP
Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 8/16/2021 Recording Date of DOT: 8/20/2021 Reception No. of DOT: 2021098401 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $424,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 2, BLOCK 1, HIGHLANDS RANCH
FILING NO. 19-A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO. APN#: 222911204011 PURSUANT TO CORRECTIVE AFFIDAVIT OF SCRIVENER'S ERROR RECORDED ON AUGUST 13, 2024 AT RECEPTION NO. 2024033968 TO CORRECT LEGAL DESCRIPTION.
Which has the address of: 1270 Ridgeglen Way, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 10/24/2024
Last Publication: 11/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 8/23/2024
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
DAVID R DOUGHTY Colorado Registration #: 40042
9540 MAROON CIRCLE SUITE 320, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112
Phone #: (303) 706-9990
Fax #: (303) 706-9994
Attorney File #: 24-032673
*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE
DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/
Legal Notice No. 2024-0152
First Publication: 10/24/2024
Last Publication: 11/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
PUBLIC NOTICE
Parker NOTICE OF SALE
Public Trustee Sale No. 2024-0145
To Whom It May Concern: On 8/15/2024 10:33:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.
Original Grantor: MICHAEL RYMKIEWICZ
Original Beneficiary: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as beneficiary, as nominee for Celebrity Home Loans, LLC.
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC
Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 1/3/2023
Recording Date of DOT: 1/3/2023
Reception No. of DOT: 2023000236
DOT Recorded in Douglas County.
Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:
$726,750.00
Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $719,285.42
Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and/or other violations of the terms thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property: Lot 51, PINERY WEST FILING NO. 1-F, County of Douglas, State of Colorado.
Which has the address of: 5653 Sawdust Loop, Parker, CO 80134
NOTICE OF SALE
secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 10/24/2024
Last Publication: 11/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 8/15/2024
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
ARICYN J. DALL
Colorado Registration #: 51467 216 16TH STREET SUITE 1210, DENVER, COLORADO 80202
Phone #: (720) 259-6714
Fax #: (720) 259-6709
Attorney File #: 24CO00294-1
*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE
DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/
Legal Notice No. 2024-0145
First Publication: 10/24/2024
Last Publication: 11/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press PUBLIC NOTICE
Parker NOTICE OF SALE
Public Trustee Sale No. 2024-0141
To Whom It May Concern: On 8/6/2024
10:47:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.
Original Grantor: VICTOR OWENS
Original Beneficiary: SECURITY SERVICE
FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt:
Security Service Federal Credit Union
Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 3/18/2022
Recording Date of DOT: 3/23/2022
Reception No. of DOT: 2022020874
DOT Recorded in Douglas County.
Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:
$75,000.00
Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $75,000.00
Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 80, BLOCK 1, TOWN AND COUNTRY
VILLAGE SUBDIVISION, FILING NO. 4, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Which has the address of: 10918 Bayfield Way, Parker, CO 80138
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust. THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
Last Publication: 11/7/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 8/6/2024
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/
Legal Notice No. 2024-0141
First Publication: 10/10/2024
Last Publication: 11/7/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
PUBLIC NOTICE
Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2024-0140
To Whom It May Concern: On 8/6/2024
10:51:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.
Original Grantor: Kevin J. Ciruli
Original Beneficiary: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 4/28/2006
Recording Date of DOT: 5/3/2006
Reception No. of DOT: 2006036930 DOT Recorded in Douglas County.
Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $148,960.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $74,903.65
Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: the failure to make timely payments required under said Deed of Trust and the Evidence of Debt secured thereby.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property: BUILDING 25, UNIT 101, CANYON RANCH CONDOMINIUMS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND SUBJECT TO THE DECLARATION FOR CANYON RANCH CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., RECORDED ON DECEMBER 19, 1995 IN BOOK 1307 AT PAGE 260, ANNEXATION RECORDED SEPTEMBER 25, 1996, IN BOOK 1372 AT PAGE 1048 AND THE CONDOMINIUM MAP RECORDED ON DECEMBER 19, 1995 AS RECEPTION NO. 9560424 IN THE OFFICE OF CLERK AND RECORDER OF DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Which has the address of: 8425 Pebble Creek Way, #101, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust. THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 10/10/2024
Last Publication: 11/7/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 8/6/2024
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust.
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt
First Publication: 10/10/2024
is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 21, FOUNDERS VILLAGE, FILING NO. 21, FIRST AMENDMENT, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Which has the address of: 5395 Canyon View Dr, Castle Rock, CO 80104 NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust. THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 10/10/2024
Last Publication: 11/7/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 8/6/2024
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal
of: 8724 Hilltop Road, Parker, CO 80134
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 10/10/2024
Last Publication: 11/7/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 8/6/2024
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
WILLIAM R. ARANT III
Colorado Registration #: 36864
19751 E. MAINSTREET, SUITE 365 , PARKER, COLORADO 80138
Phone #: (720) 541-7903
Fax #: (720) 638-6246
Attorney File #: 15629-1
*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE
DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/
Legal Notice No. 2024-0143
First Publication: 10/10/2024
Last Publication: 11/7/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
PUBLIC NOTICE
Parker NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2024-0144
To Whom It May Concern: On 8/15/2024
10:32:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.
Original Grantor: TIMOTHY T CRIST AND WENDY CRIST
Original Beneficiary: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 6/25/2010
Recording Date of DOT: 7/6/2010
Reception No. of DOT: 2010041600 DOT Recorded in Douglas County.
Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $586,500.00
Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $408,707.32
Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: failure to pay installments of principal and interest, together with other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 70, THE VILLAGES OF PARKER FILING NO. 24-B, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO
Which has the address of: 12133 Rockdale Street, Parker, CO 80138 NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 10/24/2024
the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
DAVID C. WALKER
Colorado Registration #: 36551
7995 E. Prentice Avenue, Suite 101E , GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLORADO 80111
Phone #: (303) 329-3363
Fax #:
Attorney File #: 3942-036 C
*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE
DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/
Legal Notice No. 2024-0144
First Publication: 10/24/2024
Last Publication: 11/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
PUBLIC NOTICE
Franktown NOTICE OF SALE
Public Trustee Sale No. 2024-0150
To Whom It May Concern: On 8/23/2024
11:40:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.
Original Grantor: Frederick J. McCoy Jr AND Susan M. McCoy
Original Beneficiary:
KeyBank National Association
Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: KeyBank, NA
Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 10/31/2013
Recording Date of DOT: 11/1/2013
Reception No. of DOT: 2013088007
DOT Recorded in Douglas County.
Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:
$495,800.00
Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $385,346.63
Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: the failure to make timely payments required under said Deed of Trust and the Evidence of Debt secured thereby.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 120, RUSSELLVILLE UNIT 6, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Which has the address of: 11274 East Manitou Rd, Franktown, CO 80116
NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 10/24/2024
Last Publication: 11/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 8/23/2024
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
ILENE DELL'ACQUA
Colorado Registration #: 31755
7700 E. ARAPAHOE ROAD, SUITE 230 , CENTENNIAL, COLORADO 80112
Phone #: (877) 369-6122
Fax #:
Attorney File #: CO-24-994792-LL
*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE
DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/
Legal Notice No. 2024-0150
First Publication: 10/24/2024
Last Publication: 11/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
PUBLIC NOTICE
Parker NOTICE OF SALE
Public Trustee Sale No. 2024-0142
To Whom It May Concern: On 8/6/2024
10:52:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.
Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $220,000.00
Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Default under, deed of trust, prior mortgages and deeds of trust; charges; liens, deed of trust or lien encumbering or affecting the Property and other violations of the terms thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is a portion of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 4 IN LEGENDS CLUB SUBDIVISION, RECORDED MARCH 10, 2020 AT RECEPTION NO. 2020016990, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.
Which has the address of: 8630 Legends Club Pt, Parker, CO 80134 NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust. THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
First Publication: 10/10/2024
Last Publication: 11/7/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 8/6/2024
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
WILLIAM R. ARANT III
Colorado Registration #: 36864 19751 E. MAINSTREET, SUITE 365 , PARKER, COLORADO 80138
Phone #: (720) 541-7903
Fax #: (720) 638-6246
Attorney File #: 15629-4
*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE
DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/
Legal Notice No. 2024-0142
First Publication: 10/10/2024
Last Publication: 11/7/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press City and County
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the My Mainstreet General Improvement District shall hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for 2025 and receive public comment pursuant to C.R.S. §29-1-106.
A copy of the proposed budget for 2025 is available for public inspection at the Parker Town Hall, Town Clerk Department, 20120 East Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138.
The public hearing for the My Mainstreet General Improvement District will be held on November 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon as possible thereafter, in the Council Chambers of the Town of Parker Town Hall, 20120 East Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138, or at such other time or place in the event this hearing is adjourned. Further information is available through the Town of Parker Finance Department at (303) 841-0353.
ALL INTERESTED PERSONS MAY ATTEND.
Legal Notice No. 947916
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the Town of Parker Town Council shall hold public hearings on the projected budget for 2025 and receive public comment pursuant to Section 9.3 of the Town of Parker Home Rule Charter.
Copies of the projected budget for 2025 are available to the public at the Parker Town Hall, Town Clerk Department, 20120 East Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138 and online at www.parkerco.gov/budget.
ALL INTERESTED PERSONS MAY ATTEND
Legal Notice No. 947915
First Publication: October 31, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Roxborough Water and Sanitation District of Douglas and Jefferson County, Colorado, will make final payment at the offices of Roxborough Water and Sanitation District, 6222 N. Roxborough Road, Littleton, CO 80125, on or after 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 20, 2024, to Redline Pipeline, LLC for all work done by said Contractor on the O-Line Replacement contract, all of said construction located near the streets of Dante Drive and Raphael Lane in Douglas County, State of Colorado.
Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, provisions, or other supplies used or consumed by such Contractor or his subcontractors in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done and whose claim therefore has not been paid by the Contractor or his Subcontractor, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim to the Roxborough Water and Sanitation District, 6222 N. Roxborough Road, Littleton, CO 80125, at or before the time and date herein above shown. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement will release said Roxborough Water and Sanitation District, its Board of Directors, officers, agents, and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.
ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT
By: Mike Marcum, General Manager
Legal Notice No. 947959
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 14, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the Town of Parker Town Council shall hold a public hearing on the proposed budget revision for 2024 and receive public comment pursuant to Section 9.3 of the Town of Parker Home Rule Charter.
A copy of the proposed budget revision for 2024 is available for public inspection at the Parker Town Hall, Town Clerk Department, 20120 East Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138.
The public hearing for Town Council will be held on November 18, 2024, at 7:00 pm, or as soon as possible thereafter. All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers of the Town of Parker Town Hall, 20120 East Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138, or at such other time or place in the event this hearing is adjourned. Further information is available through the Town of Parker Finance Department at (303) 841-0353.
ALL INTERESTED PERSONS MAY ATTEND.
Legal Notice No. 947914
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Metropolitan Districts
Public Notice
NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET HEARING FOR PLUM VALLEY HEIGHTS SUBDISTRICT OF THE ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed 2025 Budget has been submitted to the PLUM VALLEY HEIGHTS
SUBDISTRICT OF THE ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT. A copy of the proposed 2025 Budget has been filed in the office of the District Manager at 6222 North Roxborough Park Road, in Littleton, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the PLUM VALLEY HEIGHTS SUBDISTRICT OF THE ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT to be held on November 20, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. at 6222 North Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, Colorado and via ZOOM Meeting ID: 878 7526 3896 Password: 784798. Any interested electors of PLUM VALLEY HEIGHTS SUBDISTRICT OF THE ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to final adoption of the budget. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
PLUM VALLEY HEIGHTS SUBDISTRICT OF THE ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT
By: /s/ ICENOGLE SEAVER POGUE, P.C.
Legal Notice No. 947951
Last Publication: 11/21/2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Dated: 8/15/2024
DAVID GILL
DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of
Original Grantor: Adamo Building Company, LLC Original Beneficiary: Nord-Boone, LLC Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: NordBoone, LLC Date of Deed of
The public hearings for Town Council will be held on November 4, 2024, and November 18, 2024, at 7:00 pm, or as soon as possible thereafter. All public hearings will be held in the Council Chambers of the Town of Parker Town Hall, 20120 East Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138, or at such other time or place in the event this hearing is adjourned. Further information is available through the Town of Parker Finance Department at (303) 841-0353.
First Publication: November 7, 2024 Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Public Notice
NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICES
such proposed budget will be considered at a public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held at 1959 North Highway 83, Franktown, Colorado on December 3, 2024, at 7:00p.m. Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget, inspect the budget and file or register any objections thereto.
FRANKTOWN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
By: /s/ Kevin F. Collins, Chair Legal Notice No. 947958 First Publication: November 7, 2024
The Boards of Directors (collectively the “Boards”) of the PINERY COMMERCIAL METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOS. 1 AND 2 (collectively the “Districts”), will hold a public hearing via teleconference on NOVEMBER 8, 2024, at 11:00 A.M., to consider adoption of the Districts’ proposed 2025 budgets (the Proposed Budgets”), and, if necessary, adoption of an amendment to the 2024 budgets (the “Amended Budgets”). This public hearing may be joined using the following teleconference information: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81556526955; Meeting ID: 815 5652 6955; 720-707-2699
The Proposed Budgets and Amended Budgets are available for inspection by the public at the offices of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111.
Any interested elector of the Districts may file any objections to the Proposed Budgets and Amended Budgets at any time prior to the final adoption of the Proposed Budgets or the Amended Budgets by the Boards.
The agenda for any meeting may be obtained at https://pinerycommercialmetrodistricts.com/ or by calling (303) 858-1800. BY ORDER OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS:
PINERY COMMERCIAL METROPOLITAN
DISTRICT NOS. 1 AND 2, quasi-municipal corporations and political subdivisions of the State of Colorado
/s/ WHITE BEAR ANKELE
TANAKA & WALDRON
Legal Notice No. 947920
First Publication: November 7, 2024 Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND 2024 BUDGET AMENDMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the proposed budget for the year of 2025 has been submitted to the Miller’s Landing Business Improvement 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 on November 19, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible via telephone as noted below. To attend and participate by telephone, dial 1/669-254-5252 and enter passcode 588797 Information regarding public participation by videoconference will be available at least 24 hours prior to the meeting and public hearing online at https://millerslandingbid.colorado. gov/ or by contacting Robin A. Navant at rnavant@spencerfane.com .
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 amended 2024 budget, if required, are available for public inspection at the offices of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP at 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village,
By: /s/ Andrew Kunkel, District Administrator
DISTRICT NO. 4
Legal Notice No. 947596
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND NOTICE CONCERNING 2024 AND 2023 BUDGET AMENDMENTS TIMBERS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed budget for the ensuing year of 2025 has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Timbers Metropolitan District and that such proposed budget will be considered for adoption at a public hearing during a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the District to be held Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 2:00 PM via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/ j/85987714455?pwd=78Xl15ZXphKUeZARPMuuo9piAubgnh.1 Meeting ID: 859 8771 4455, Passcode: 570027, One tap mobile +172070726699,,85987714455# US (Denver)
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that amendments to the 2024 and 2023 budgets of the District, if necessary, may also be considered at a public hearing held during the above-referenced special meeting of the Board of Directors.
Copies of the proposed 2025 budget and, if necessary, the proposed amendments of the 2024 and 2023 budgets are on file in the office of the District located at Community Resource Services of Colorado, LLC, 7995 East Prentice Avenue, Suite 103E, Greenwood Village, Colorado and are available for public inspection. Any interested elector of the District may file or register any objections to the proposed 2025 budget and the proposed amendments of the 2024 and 2023 budgets at any time prior to the final adoption of said budget and proposed budget amendment by the governing body of the District.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DISTRICT TIMBERS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT /s/ COMMUNITY RESOURCE SERVICES OFCOLORADO
Legal Notice No. 947769 First Publication: November 7, 2024 Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND NOTICE CONCERNING 2024 BUDGET AMENDMENT OLDE TOWN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed budget for the ensuing year of 2025 has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Olde Town Metropolitan District and that such proposed budget will be considered for adoption at a public hearing during a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the District to be held Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 6:00 PM via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82526682556?pwd=sMs5ew0YjboiCsP5bkLPF3TkK72ghM.1 Meeting ID: 825 2668 2556, Passcode: 086580, Telephone: +17193594580,,82526682556# US
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that an amendment to the 2024 budget of the District, if necessary, may also be considered at a public hearing held during the above-referenced regular meeting of the Board of Directors.
Copies of the proposed 2025 budget and, if necessary, the proposed amendment of the 2024 budgets are on file in the office of the District located at Community Resource Services of Colorado, LLC, 7995 East Prentice Avenue, Suite 103E, Greenwood Village, Colorado and are available for public inspection.
Any interested elector of the District may file or register any objections to the proposed 2025 budget and the proposed amendment of the 2024 budget at any time prior to the final adoption of said budget and proposed budget amendment by the governing body of the District.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE OLDE TOWN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
/s/ COMMUNITY RESOURCE SERVICES OF COLORADO
Legal Notice No. 947831 First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET HEARING FOR ROXBOROUGH WATER
AND SANITATION DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed 2025 Budget has been submitted to the ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION
DISTRICT. A copy of the proposed 2025 Budget has been filed in the office of the District Manager at 6222 North Roxborough Park Road, in Littleton, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed Budget will be considered at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT to be held on November 20, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. at 6222 North Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, Colorado and via ZOOM Meeting ID: 878 7526 3896 Password: 784798. Any interested electors of ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to final adoption of the budget.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
ROXBOROUGH WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT
By: /s/ ICENOGLE SEAVER POGUE, P.C.
Legal Notice No. 947950
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE AMENDED 2024 BUDGET
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the PINERY WEST METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2 (the “District”), will hold a public hearing at Pradera Community Center, 5030 Craftsman Drive, Parker, Colorado on November 9th, 2024, at 8:00 AM, to consider adoption of the District’s proposed 2025 budget (the “Proposed Budget”), and, if necessary, adoption of an amendment to the 2024 budget (the “Amended Budget”).
The Proposed Budget and Amended Budget are available for inspection by the public at the offices of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111.
Any interested elector of the District may file any objections to the Proposed Budget and Amended Budget at any time prior to the final adoption of the Proposed Budget or the Amended Budget by the Board.
The agenda for any meeting may be obtained at https://www.praderacommunitycenter.com/ pinery-west-metropolitan-district-no-2/ or by calling (303) 858-1800.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIREC-
TORS:
PINERY WEST METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NO. 2, a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado /s/ WHITE BEAR ANKELE TANAKA & WALDRON
Attorneys at Law
Legal Notice No. 947944
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE CONCERNING HEARING ON PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET OF REATA NORTH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE is hereby given to all interested parties (i) that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Reata North Metropolitan District (the “District”) for the ensuing year of 2025; (ii) that a copy of such proposed 2025 Budget has been filed in the office of District’s accountant, Simmons & Wheeler, P.C., at 304 Inverness Way South, Suite 490, Englewood, Colorado, where the same is open for public inspection and (iii) that approval of a Resolution to Adopt Budget, Appropriate Funds and Set Mill Levies for 2025 will be considered at a public hearing of the Board to be held at 1:35 p.m. on November 18, 2024 via Zoom teleconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87142828928; Or join by phone: (312) 626-6799; Webinar ID: 871 4282 8928. Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final the approval of the Resolution to Adopt Budget for 2025, inspect the budget and file or register any objections thereto.
REATA NORTH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: /s/ Vincent Rousseu, President
Legal Notice No. 947925
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET
AND AMENDMENT OF 2024 BUDGET
JORDAN CROSSING METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
and 2024 amended budget (if appropriate) are on file in the office of the District’s Accountant, Marchetti & Weaver, LLC, 28 Second Street, Suite 213, Edwards, CO 81632, where same are available for public inspection. Such proposed 2025 budget and 2024 amended budget will be considered at a special meeting to be held on November 20, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom videoconference. Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2025 budget or the 2024 amended budget, inspect the 2025 budget and the 2024 amended budget and file or register any objections thereto.
You can attend the meeting in any of the following ways:
1. To attend via Zoom videoconference, use the following link, or email ljacoby@specialdistrictlaw.com to have the link emailed to you: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84532152275?pwd=enM1Y0hqVGIzRk1sNjljQ1VvZHdXUT09
2. To attend via telephone, dial 1-253-215-8782 and enter the following additional information:
(a) Meeting ID: 845 3215 2275
(b) Passcode: 880361
JORDAN CROSSING
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
/s/ Suzanne M. Meintzer
McGEADY BECHER CORTESE
WILLIAMS P.C.
Attorneys for the District
Legal Notice No. 947948
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
NOTICE AS TO PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PROPOSED 2025 AND AMENDED 2024 BUDGET
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed 2025 budget has been submitted to the PARK MEADOWS BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT for the fiscal year 2025. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the District Accountant, 6901 S. Pierce Street, Suite 200, Littleton, Colorado 80128, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a special meeting of the Park Meadows Business Improvement District to be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. If necessary, an amended 2024 budget will be filed in the office of the accountant and open for inspection for consideration at the meeting of the Board. The meeting will be held at 8401 S. Park Meadows Center Drive, in Lone Tree, Colorado. Any interested elector within the Park Meadows Business Improvement 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 and if necessary, amended 2024 budget.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: PARK MEADOWS BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
By: /s/ SETER, VANDER WALL & MIELKE, P.C.
Attorneys for the District
Legal Notice No. 947754
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AS TO AMENDED 2024 BUDGET AND PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET CHEROKEE RIDGE ESTATES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed 2025 budget has been submitted to the CHEROKEE RIDGE ESTATES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT, for the fiscal year 2025. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the accountant, Novele Community Management, Inc., 5750 DTC Parkway, Suite 101 in Greenwood Village, Colorado, 80111, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a regular meeting of the Cherokee Ridge Estates Metropolitan District to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. If necessary, an amended 2024 budget 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 at 5660 Aspen Leaf Drive, Littleton, CO 80125. Any interested elector of the Cherokee Ridge Estates 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 2024 amended budget.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS:
CHEROKEE RIDGE ESTATES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: /s/ ERB LAW, LLC
Attorneys for the District
Legal Notice No. 947952
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
360, Denver, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such amended budget will be considered at a public hearing at a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the RAVENNA METROPOLITAN DISTRICT to be held on Monday, November 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Club at Ravenna Clubhouse at 8285 Dante Drive, Littleton, Colorado 80125 and via MS Teams at: https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_ NjFmYzYyYzAtMDE0Zi00YmNmLWE4OWEtNTQ4MzA4MmZjNDIx%40thread. v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid %2522%253a%25228e55246b-90b1-4bef9dbd-02c674817a7b%2522%252c%2522O id%2522%253a%2522f5be40d5-7c7c-4df984bd-a0c625da5e4f%2522%257d%26CT%3 D1729876935937%26OR%3DOutlook-Bod y%26CID%3D683E3230-04A3-4672-998DBB0E9306FEA9%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=8332e4f5-2081-4 b4f-93ed-634779332009&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true
Meeting ID: 240 828 357 012
Passcode: 2Emzgn
Any interested electors of the RAVENNA METROPOLITAN DISTRICT may inspect the amended budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to final adoption of the budget.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: RAVENNA METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: /s/ ICENOGLE SEAVER POGUE, P.C
Legal Notice No. 947942
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE AS TO PUBLIC HEARING RE PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND AMENDED 2024 BUDGET
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed 2025 budget has been submitted to the LINCOLN CREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT for the fiscal year 2025. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the accountant, Simmons & Wheeler P.C., 304 Inverness Way South, Suite 490, Englewood, CO, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a special meeting of the Lincoln Creek Metropolitan District to be held at 5:15 p.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024 by Zoom.
If necessary, an amended 2024 budget will be filed with the office of the accountant and open for public inspection for consideration at the special meeting of the Board. Any interested elector within the Lincoln Creek Metropolitan District may inspect the proposed and amended budgets and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the proposed 2025 budget and if necessary, amended 2024 budget.
To access this meeting, visit www.zoom.
us, click the Join the Meeting Link, and use the following information: Meeting ID: 811 0826 1971 Passcode: 225370 Telephone: 1-719-359-4580
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: LINCOLN CREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: /s/ SETER, VANDER WALL & MIELKE, P.C. Attorneys for the District
Legal Notice No. 947956
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the Parker Authority for Reinvestment Board shall hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for 2025 and receive public comment pursuant to C.R.S. §29-1-106.
A copy of the proposed budget for 2025 is available for public inspection at the Parker Town Hall, Town Clerk Department, 20120 East Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138.
The public hearing for the Parker Authority for Reinvestment Board will be held on December 2, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon as possible thereafter, in the Council Chambers of the Town of Parker Town Hall, 20120 East Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138, or at such other time or place in the event this hearing is adjourned. Further information is available through the Town of Parker Finance Department at (303) 841-0353.
ALL INTERESTED PERSONS MAY ATTEND
Legal Notice No. 947917
First Publication: November 7, 2024
Last Publication: November 7, 2024
Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
DOUGLAS 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 Jordan Crossing 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
NOTICE TO AMEND 2023 BUDGET FOR RAVENNA METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an amended budget was submitted to the RAVENNA METROPOLITAN DISTRICT for the year 2023. A copy of the amended budget has been filed in the office of the District’s General Counsel at 4725 South Monaco Street, Suite
Diabetes Awareness Month
BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
For the last few years, Elbert County resident Lainey Quinby has dyed her hair blue during November for Diabetes Awareness.
Quinby’s father, Zach, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 14. His children have a 1 in 17, or 5.8%, chance of developing T1D compared to a .4% chance for those with no family history. Last December, at age 13, Lainey was also diagnosed with the disease. is is the rst year she’ll dye her hair blue for herself.
Zach was diagnosed after a few weeks of intense thirst, frequent urination, weight loss and even bed-wetting. Quinby says his diagnosis was incredibly scary and full of unknowns. ough he’d heard of diabetes before, he thought it was simply “you need to take shots and you can’t eat sugar.” In fact, diabetics sometimes have to eat sugar when the level of sugar in their bloodstream is too low. His diagnosis destroyed his post-high-school plans to become a military pilot.
ere are more than 1.4 million people living with T1D in the United States. e disease impacts a diabetic’s quality of life, as well as that of their family and friends, and comes with a steep economic cost. One study estimated that diabetes-related costs totaled nearly $800 per patient per month.
of taking care of it because you have to,” she explained.
Challenges and hopes mark life with Type 1 diabetes
his son to learn the Rolling Stones song “She’s A Rainbow” in one day, which he
ough most people are familiar with Type 2 diabetes, typically caused by insulin resistance, not as many are familiar with Type 1. Previously called “juvenile diabetes” because it’s often diagnosed in childhood, it’s since become clear that people can develop it at any age. People who develop T1D likely inherit a genetic predisposition to the disease, and then an environmental factor triggers it.
Autoimmune condition
T1D is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the part of the pancreas that produces insulin, a hormone that your body uses constantly to regulate blood sugar levels. Without the ability to produce their own insulin, diabetics must monitor their blood sugar and take insulin or eat sugar in an attempt to keep it stable. Blood sugar is a ected by any number of factors — physical exertion, regular activity, menstrual cycles, stress and more. ere can be serious complications if blood sugar is too high or too low.
An Elbert County mom of four, Colette Smith, was diagnosed with T1D when she was 11. She said that when she was a child, she didn’t know how it would impact her life forever.
When Smith got married, she warned her husband about the nancial burden that comes with having T1D. At the time, insulin and insulin pump supplies were each over $500 a month and blood sugar test strips were $200 a month.
Smith said being pregnant with T1D was the hardest thing she’s ever done in her life. “I saw ve di erent doctors while I was pregnant,” she shared. “By the time I reached 24 weeks I was very insulin resistant and on three times the normal amount of insulin. I could hardly eat any carbs, only protein, the last half of my pregnancy. e last trimester I usually had two to three doctor appointments a week.”
Judgment and guilt
As a Type 1 diabetic, Smith also dealt with her fair share of judgment. “I carried a lot of guilt,” she said. “... if I didn’t take care of my diabetes, it would hurt my baby, and I tried everything I could to keep my blood sugar where it needed to be. Sometimes that was really hard to do.” A high-risk OBGYN once told her she was being irresponsible and reckless by having children.
An amazing doctor gave Smith a mantra: “I control the disease, it doesn’t control me.” She’s tried to live her life with that in mind. Case in point, Smith is going to return to school to help others like herself and hopes to become a diabetes educator. She’s an MSU Denver nurs-
Wanda Mae Rivera’s son Brett was diagnosed at age 4, after doctors initially ignored her concerns and dismissed her as an “over-reactive mother.” Brett had all the classic signs of T1D — extreme thirst, frequent urination and lethargy. It took from the middle of October to the end of December for doctors to take Wanda seriously, when she demanded they check her son more thoroughly.
“When I nally demanded that they see him … they poked his nger and he was above what their meter would show. So they strapped me and him to a gurney, put us in an ambulance and took us to Children’s … he was so frail they had a really hard time getting an IV in him.”
In part due to his mother’s instincts and persistence, Brett is now a healthy, thriving teenager who attends Elizabeth High School.
Disease ended remarkable teen’s
life
Although people with T1D are living longer overall, mortality rates for people with T1D are still higher than the general population. Jim Burdick, who lives just outside of Elizabeth, lost his 18-year-old son Jake to diabetes-related complications.
Jake, diagnosed when he was just a year old, was a senior and valedictorian at EHS with plans to attend Denver Uni-
Burdick called diabetes “brutal,” a disease that changes your entire life. Especially as a young diabetic, Jake relied heavily on his dad to provide a healthy diet and enforce a consistent routine, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels. ey had a deal, Jim said: “If it’s not good for you, it’s not good for me.”
Despite having T1D his entire life, Jake didn’t let diabetes slow him down and always had a good attitude. Despite fracturing his back during a football game a couple years ago, he came back the next season ready to play. “I hit the lottery with that dude,” Jim said. “I was lucky to have him.” Jim is working on organizing a scholarship fund in Jake’s honor.
Jake Burdick’s obituary can be found at tinyurl.com/jakeburdick.
A century ago, a T1D diagnosis was a death sentence. With the development of lab-made insulin in 1921 and ever-developing technology to help monitor blood sugar, managing diabetes has been made signi cantly easier, but the ultimate goal is nding a cure. Despite several promising ideas and studies, T1D remains a lifelong disease.
A trial out of Massachusetts General Hospital is looking at the e ects of the tuberculosis (BCG) vaccine on patients with T1D. Lainey and at least one other Elbert County resident are currently enrolled in this trial. To learn more, visit faustmanlab.org.
For more information on T1D, visit breakthrought1d.org or diabetes.org/ about-diabetes/type-1.
Brett Cook was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 4. Cook is currently a Junior at Elizabeth High School and a member of the EHS marching band. PHOTO COURTESY OF WANDA MAE RIVERA
Jake Burdick’s Elizabeth High School senior photo. Burdick passed away at age 18 due to complications from diabetes just before his graduation. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM BURDICK
Colette Smith lives in Elbert County and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 11. She has four children and hopes to become a diabetes educator one day. PHOTO BY NICKY QUINBY
