Castle Rock News Press November 14, 2024

Castle Rock educator repurposes yard signs for IT application and design student projects

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@ COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After the end of an election or a school fundraiser, Castle Rock Middle School teacher

Paula Wills has taken to collecting the plastic corrugated yard signs sporting campaign slogans or school mascots to give them a new life.

Wills and her fellow educator Jacob McMonagle teach the elective IT application and design, where seventh- and eighth-graders get to build functional mechanisms, like mini catapults, wind turbines and bottle rockets. Wills repurposes the signs she collects into materials for her students’ projects.

“(Students) like to use the corrugated plastic more than they like to use cardboard because it’s a little bit more durable and it can get wet without damaging their project,” Wills said.

e class aims to teach students about the design process and introduce them to engineering, McMonagle said.

roughout the semester-long class, students work on four to ve projects, where they design, build and

test their machines.

Past projects have included magnetic levitation cars, DC motor cars, rockets and propellers.

“We use the design thinking process to make our lessons so students rst come up with a problem, they’ll do some research on the problem, then they’ll create some brainstorms about how to solve whichever project we’re working on,” McMonagle said. “ en they’ll actually get to build and test it.”

Wills added that students learn about the process of trial and error, making adjustments to their builds along the way.

“One of the keys that we try to really enforce is that nothing is going to be perfect the rst time, and it’s really OK to fail,” Wills said. “You just go back and you redesign and rebuild, and you try to improve whatever it is that you’re doing.”

Wills, who has been collecting plastic signs for reuse for around a decade, keeps a stockpile of them at the ready. She estimates around 300 students take the design class each year.

GOP wins state Legislature races in Douglas County, with one exception

BY HALEY LENA, MCKENNA HARFORD, ELLIS ARNOLD HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM,

Following months of appearing in ads, speaking with residents and debating at forums, preliminary results show many of the state lawmakers from Douglas County will likely still be Republican, with one exception: Bob Marshall.

With several state House districts in Douglas County, each elected representative serves a two-year term, joining a total of 65 representatives at the Capitol. In the state Senate, members serve four-year terms in the 35-person chamber.

While the preliminary results indicate the makeup of the House will continue to have a Democrat majority, the Douglas County results lean more Republican, following historical trends.

It’s important to note that results have not been made o cial, as the Douglas County elections o ce continued to update results in the days following Nov. 5.

According to the Douglas County elections o ce, there were about 322,000 total registered voters this election season, with about 296,000 active. Of those active voters, nearly half were registered as una liated, while about 32% were Republicans and about 17% were Democrats.

SEE RACES, P9

Castle Rock Middle School student Olly Clarke shows o his catapult made with corrugated plastic from recycled yard signs. Teacher Paula Wills collects signs for her students to turn into design projects.

COURTESY PAULA WILLS

Chronic absenteeism rates reveal stark disparities across metro-area school districts

BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Around 1 in 4 Colorado students miss critical time in the classroom, according to data from the Colorado Department of Education. Chronic absenteeism, de ned as missing more than 10% of school days or around 18 days per year, puts students at greater risk for academic failure, poverty and dropping out of high school, according to Attendance Works, an organization working to reduce chronic absenteeism.

A newly-mandated reporting system required by a 2022 law reveals the issue isn’t just about the number of absences. Rather, it’s about who is missing: students from low-income families, students of color, multilingual learners and those with special needs are the most a ected, facing barriers that go beyond the classroom and into systemic issues like poverty, housing instability and lack of transportation.

At 27.7%, the statewide chronic absenteeism has been dropping since it peaked at 35.5% during the 2021-2022 school year. Yet, rates vary widely across districts and demographics show how some districts struggle with absences far more than others.

“In our statewide data, we see race and ethnicity gaps, but we also see gaps in multilingual learners, students with disabilities and homeless students who qualify for homeless services,” said Johann Liljengren, director of the dropout prevention and student re-engagement o ce in the Colorado Department of Education.

Acknowledging a dire need to address the issue, Colorado’s education leaders joined with 13 other states in a commitment to cut chronic absenteeism by 50% over ve years. Among metro-area districts, Denver, Douglas, Englewood and Je erson County have joined the state’s challenge.

Data reveals disparities across districts and demographics

While all groups of students experience some level of chronic absenteeism, those districts whose minority and low-income students make up a larger portion of the total population have rates far higher than the state average.

In Adams 14, where the absenteeism rate is close to 50%, nearly nine out of 10 students qualify for free or reduced lunch, meaning their family’s income falls below the federal poverty threshold.

Similar trends hold true for Adams 12 and Denver Public Schools, whose absenteeism rates also far exceed the state average. In Adams 12, 47% of their students experience economic hardship. In Denver, it’s 65%.

At around 25%, Cherry Creek, Jeffco and Elizabeth school districts have lower absenteeism rates than the state average. ey also have fewer percentages of non-white and low-income students than the state as a whole.

Douglas County has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate, but the district also has the lowest percentage of minority and low-income students at 32% and 18%, respectively.

Understanding the causes e reasons behind chronic absen-

teeism are complex and often deeply rooted in students’ broader social and economic conditions. Carl Felton, a policy analyst with EdTrust, emphasized that poverty remains one of the strongest predictors of chronic absenteeism, with low-income students two to three times more likely to miss school consistently.

“ ese are high-need populations,” Felton explained, adding that for many of these students, absenteeism re ects obstacles like unstable housing, limited access to transportation and lack of healthcare.

e COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges. For many students, school closures meant the loss of a stable environment, access to meals and vital social interaction. As schools reopened, disengagement became a barrier for students accustomed to an extended absence from formal learning.

Felton noted that this break in routine and support made it di cult for students to readjust to school life.

Liljengren agreed.

“For some students, school was a place where they felt supported and cared for. After a year or more away, they’ve struggled to return to that structure,” he said.

Finding solutions

When it comes to nding a solution, Liljengren and Felton agree that understanding the unique challenges and barriers these speci c student populations face is crucial to developing targeted strategies to improve attendance.

While there is no one-size- ts-all answer, Felton emphasized it’s crucial to start by engaging families.

“All these folks have di erent stories and varying needs, which is why we promote family engagement as one of the top priorities and strategies to address chronic absenteeism,” Felton said. “We can make a lot of assumptions and throw money at programs shown to be e ective through evidence-based data, but we may end up spending money on a program when what we really need is a school bus or to hire a person to conduct home visits.”

He also said that research has shown punitive measures, like truancy court or anything that puts more of a burden on families, break trust with school leaders and make families and students less likely to engage and work on solving the problem.

By shifting away from punitive discipline measures and towards restorative approaches, Felton explained schools can build stronger relationships with students and families, address underlying issues and keep students engaged in the learning process.

Liljengren said the state is focused on providing resources to districts, families and community partners through its “Every School Day Matters” attendance campaign.

e goal is for schools and communities to work together in a holistic, family-centered way to address the complex, multifaceted factors contributing to chronic absenteeism, especially for the most vulnerable student populations.

District leaders also recognize their role in ensuring kids want to attend school.

“When kids are excited about what they’re learning, they go to school, so part of it is connecting and saying, ‘how do we make the educational experience really engaging, fun, exciting and relevant to them,’” said Kim LeBlancEsparza, deputy superintendent of Jeffco Public Schools.

She said it’s also about personalizing the school experience for each student.

“If kids know we miss them, they’re less likely to opt out. Building those personal relationships with kids and having adults who genuinely care about them makes a signi cant di erence,” LeBlanc-Esparza said.

e data shows Je co’s strategies are working. e district went from a chronic absenteeism rate of 37.8% in 2021-2022 to 25.3% in 2023-2024.

Felton acknowledged Colorado’s progress and noted that no amount of improvement is insigni cant.

“Even a 1% decrease or reduction in chronic absenteeism adds up to 100 or more students,” he said.

Colorado rollsout first part of program for climate-friendly home conversions

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 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 to $8,000 to cut the cost of a cold-climate heat pump o ering an e cient source of all-electric 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.

Colorado has committed to cutting chronic absenteeism by 50% over five years, leading district leaders to consider new ways to engage families in attendance. SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE

Reflections on Writing & Publishing My 1,000th ‘Real Estate Today’ Column

Because journalism was my first profession, writing a column about real estate seemed an obvious way to make myself known when I entered the real estate industry in 2003. The first column I published as a paid advertisement was on July 30, 2003, and I estimate that I have published at least 1,000 columns since then — 52 columns per year for most of the last 21 years. And every one was written by me, on a new topic each week.

have never written a column which embarrassed me due to something I wrote. (I still show each column to my wife, Rita, and to my broker associates before sending it for publication.)

From the beginning, I saw this column as “my own continuing education program,” because I had to study each topic before I could write knowledgeably about it. At first, that meant showing the first draft to my managing broker at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, to make sure I had my facts right. Even now, I will often send a first draft to another broker who has expertise I don’t in the topic I chose to write about that week.

You can see the topics of those columns going back to July 2003 at www.JimSmithColumns.com

The links on those original columns don’t all work, but you can at least see the headlines.

cal homeowner, with letters and postcards saying, “I have a buyer for your home” — which may or may not be the truth. I much prefer to spend those hours being of service to the general public, studying every aspect of real estate that I can think of where I myself would like to know more, and then sharing it with you.

tation where the seller mentioned a particular issue of concern to them. “I wrote about that a few years ago,” I said, whereupon the seller opened a manila folder in which that old column was on the top of the pile.

As a result, I can honestly say that I

I don’t know of any real estate agents anywhere in the country who have taken this approach to promoting themselves, but that may be due to the fact that the vast majority of people in any profession other than the writing professions have trouble expressing themselves in writing — and it’s a big commitment of time. If I weren’t writing this column, I’d probably have to spend hours every day or week prospecting — making cold calls or knocking on doors soliciting sellers and buyers. I might have been one of those agents who bombards you, the typi-

We Learned Firsthand About Vacant Land Scams

The Colorado Association of Realtors (CAR) issued a warning last month about scammers trying to sell vacant land that they don’t own in Douglas County, adding that it may be happening in other counties.

One of our broker associates found himself caught up in just such a scam even before that alert was issued. Here is how the scam unfolded and was discovered, so that the property owner and buyer were not victimized.

Via our website, we received an inquiry about listing a parcel of land in Coal Creek Canyon, so I referred the lead to a broker associate who lives nearby. He quickly got a signed listing for the property at $100,000, and I advertised the parcel in that week’s ad. He put a for-sale sign on the parcel and a neighbor quickly snapped it up, going under contract for it below full price.

The scammer said he was in a cancer isolation ward and didn’t have an ID with him. He needed to close quickly so he could pay his medical expenses.

The folks at First Integrity Title, which received the contract for processing, got suspicious because of no ID and sent a FedEx letter to the real owner of the property at his home in Maryland. The owner immediately called our broker associate, incensed that his property was being sold without his knowledge or involvement.

If the title company had not taken that action, it is possible that the transaction might have gone to closing based on forged IDs from the scammer, and the proceeds of the sale would have been wired according to the scammer’s directions.

The sale would ultimately have been voided, but the buyer would have lost his money. The seller would not have suffered loss.

In its October alert, CAR provided some guidance on how to recognize a vacant land scam in the making:

“In these cases, the scammer tries to list vacant land with no mortgage. He wants to sell it at below market prices for a quick sale. The scammer makes it clear there can be no in person communications, and that all communications are to be done by text or email. The scammer tells the real estate agent one of several stories about why he is out of town. He insists on a remote, no-contact closing, typically using a “local” notary of his choosing. He will not accept a local notary selected by the title company.

“The scammer has presented fraudulent driver’s licenses and fraudulent passports as identification. He uses spoofed phone numbers and untraceable email addresses.”

No such scam should be successful so long as the title company does what First Integrity Title did, which was to contact the registered owner of the land to verify the transaction.

In listing any property for sale, it’s a good practice for the listing agent to have the title company run an “ownership and encumbrance” report, which identifies the owner. Then, using an app called Forewarn, which is only available to licensed real estate agents, we can find the phone number(s) of the registered owner and call them to verify that they are indeed who is talking to us.

BTW, once the seller knew we were not scamming him and had foiled the scam attempt, he said he might list his land with us!

Golden Real Estate’s Broker Associates

us in 2008

Licensed in 2000

Chuck Brown

303-885-7855

Joined us in 2014

Licensed in 2000

Don’t be misled by our name. Our agents have listed homes throughout the Denver Metro area and helped clients buy homes and other real estate all over Colorado!

When I ran for political office in 1981, I did exactly the same thing. Before announcing my candidacy I spent several months investigating every aspect of municipal government, speaking to civil servants in each agency and learning everything I could about policing, criminal justice and corrections as well as welfare, housing and economic development. When I announced my campaign, I released a 16-page tabloid spelling out my program for “saving” my city. I referred to it as “the power of the well-printed word.” It helped that I owned a typesetting business at the time, so I knew how to make what I printed look professional.

That effort wasn’t as successful, however, because I was running against seasoned politicians with political clubhouses behind them, not competing with fellow professionals, most of whom had a lot more experience than me but couldn’t demonstrate that experience or knowledge as well as a seasoned journalist like myself.

My training in journalism came from writing and editing my prep school and college newspapers but most especially from winning a summer internship in 1968 at The Washington Post I really love the practice of real estate and the reputation I have built with my readers. I love getting emails and phone calls asking my advice or reacting to something I have written. And when you call me about selling or buying a home, I love to know that the call was based on the trust and reputation I have built over two decades (or less) from my writings. Often, when I go on a listing appointment, I find that the seller has a folder containing clippings of my columns. I love to tell the story of one listing presen-

My first year in this business, I attended a retreat hosted by one of the preeminent real estate coaches. Following that event, I hired that coach’s firm briefly, but the focus was on memorizing scripts and “time blocking” several hours per days for cold-calling. I couldn’t do it.

It just wasn’t my style. I have never memorized a script and never made a cold call — in fact, never prospected at all. This column is what made that approach possible. The hours I could spend prospecting are so much better spent writing and publishing this column.

At first I wrote monthly, then biweekly, and within a couple years I was able to write this column every week. At first I bought a page in a little Golden newspaper because I couldn’t afford the Golden Transcript. When the Denver Post introduced the regionalized “YourHub” section, I jumped on it, limited to the Jefferson County editions.

Then came the Golden Transcript and three other Jeffco papers. When over 20 metro area weeklies were combined under the non-profit ownership of Colorado Community Media, I expanded to include my ad in all of them. That was after I had already expanded to be in all the local editions of YourHub.

A couple months ago, I signed a contract with the Denver Gazette, a digitalonly newspaper with a large readership.

And, of course, I am also online, with over 1,300 email subscribers to our blog at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com For me as a journalist, there is no greater pleasure and satisfaction than what I get from having my writings broadcast so thoroughly around this metro area that I call home. Thank you for letting me take this week off from writing about another real estate topic to share my story with you.

It’s not often that you can buy a duplex where one side is empty and the other side is rented and contributing $1,500 per month to your mortgage costs! That’s the situation with this well-built and well-maintained brick duplex at 12613 W. 8th Ave. in that quiet neighborhood next to Welchester Tree Grant Park called Foothills View Estate. The two sides of this duplex are mirror images of each other and identical in terms of updating, including newer bath fixtures, doublepane windows, and new garage doors. (The two 1-car garages are accessed from an alley.) The vacant half is the one with a 12’x30’ wood deck, from which you can see the foothills to the west. Welchester Tree Grant Park is just a block away, with nature trails, including to the adjoining Welchester Elementary School. A narrated video tour of both sides of this duplex can be viewed at www.GoldenDuplex.online, along with interior photos of the vacant unit. The rented unit is not available to see until you’re under contract, but it is identical in condition to the vacant unit, as you’ll see on the video tour. Open Saturday, Nov. 16th, 11am to 1pm

Movember mustaches bring awareness to men’s mental, physical health

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It could be a normal mustache, a handlebar, pencil or horseshoe. Whatever the style, many men take part in growing a mustache for the month-long campaign, Movember, as a symbol representing the importance of men’s health and reducing the stigma of seeking help.

“In many ways, men represent an underserved minority in plain sight,” said Dr. Je Morrison, a physician at Highlands Ranch UCHealth Hospital. “ at’s why I’m so passionate about Movember and drawing awareness to men’s health.” Morrison is a men’s health specialist and urologist at UCHealth. For years, he has helped men become more comfortable with seeking medical help, and has been an advocate for Movember.

Two campaigns in November raise awareness for men’s health – No Shave November and Movember — but they are di erent. No Shave November encourages participants to raise money to be donated toward a charity of their choice. Movember is an organization that focuses on funding projects that are centered around men’s health and suicide prevention.

Men can often be reluctant to seek medical care, especially preventative care, said Morrison.

“I think we all know many men in our lives who just don’t go to the doctor,” he added.

Having been guilty of it himself at times, Morrison believes there are several reasons why a lot of men don’t go to the doctor. It might be because of their busy work and family schedules or sim-

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, depression, loneliness, a family crisis, substance misuse, and/or concerns for family or friends, you can call or text Colorado Crisis Services for help. Colorado Crisis Services provides free and confidential support from trained professionals, available 24/7/365. Call 844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255.

ply procrastination, he said. But it might also be that they don’t know who to go to when a problem arises.

Morrision said he sees barriers for men to get into the healthcare system. However, it is crucial for men — especially those who are age 40 and up — to stay on top of their health by having routine wellness appointments and screenings, Morrison said.

“How can we work to kind of make it a little easier for these guys to get in, and be the catalysts that get these guys the help that they need,” said Morrison.

One way has been o ering telehealth visits. But Morrison also wants to continue to educate men about risk factors.

Knowing the risk factors

Research over the last couple of decades indicates that women live longer than men. More recently, research by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and UC San Francisco found that the di erence between how long men and women live increased in the U.S.

Movember focuses on the importance of getting screened for chronic conditions such as prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer.

“Chronic, serious health conditions — they’re very prevalent,” said Morrison.

SEE YOURSELF ON STAGE

According to the American Cancer Society, other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the U.S. While it generally grows slowly, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Additionally, it is more likely to develop in men at an average age of 67.

Another common cancer in men is colorectal cancer. It is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the U.S., and diagnosis rates have been increasing in those younger than 55.

While not as common as other cancers, testicular cancer a ects about one in every 250 males, developing in young and middle-aged men.

As a male fertility care and men’s sexual health physician, Morrison said some sexual dysfunction issues that some men experience could be big, independent factors for developing something more serious, like cardiovascular diseases.

For example, Morrision said if a man su ered from impotence, they have a 44% increased risk of being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and about a 60% increased risk of having a heart attack.

Although common, Morrison added that men’s fertility and dysfunction is-

PROJECTS

FROM PAGE 1

So far this year, Wills said, she has already picked up a roughly 3-foot stack of signs from a former candidate for o ce and she can usually count on getting 50-75 signs from the Castle View High School band fundraiser.

“We go through quite a few of them each year,” she said.

sues can also have “devastating psychological rami cations for both the patient and their partner.”

“ ose are big motivators that bring men into the doctor,” said Morrison. “ at gives me a chance to meet these guys, look at their needs that brought them in and try to usher them into the healthcare system and be stewards of their health.”

Movember also aims to spread awareness of how serious mental health issues are among men.

According to Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, which retrieves national statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., and rates are about four times higher in men than women.

Whatever the issue may be, Morrison is passionate about opening up conversations about men’s health.

“When something unexpected happens, it’s all the more reason why it’s important to just try to make it more accessible and break down these barriers to help men get in to see a healthcare provider,” said Morrison. “And to reduce the stigma of mental health issues that so many su er from.”

Corrugated plastic can be di cult to recycle and often ends up in land lls. Waste Management’s curbside recycling program does not accept corrugated plastic, according to a spokesperson.

Wills said she is happy to provide an alternative use for the material.

One other option for sign recycling is o ered by Sustainability Recycling, which has locations for hard-to-recycle items, including corrugated plastic, in Arvada and Westminster.

Photo

UCHealth men’s health physician Dr. Je Morrison, who is passionate about opening up conversations about men’s health, said Movember is a great way to break the stigma of men seeking medical and mental health care. SHUTTERSTOCK

Hollingshead, Cavey, Davis, Dietz likely to serve on Castle Rock council

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Castle Rock voters reelected three of the four council members on the ballot this year, and added one new face to the dais.

Districts 1, 2, 4 and 6 were on the ballot. e districts are currently represented by Councilmembers Ryan Hollingshead, Laura Cavey, Desiree LaFleur and Tim Dietz, respectively.

In District 1, Hollingshead is beating challenger Pam Gillies with 72% of the vote. Cavey is leading over William Tubbs with 68% of the vote in District 2. In District 4, candidate Mark Davis will unseat LaFleur, who is the town’s mayor pro tem, with 55% of the vote. And Diez is leading District 6 with 61% of the vote, over Kevin McHugh and Karen Lindberg Je erson.

Hollingshead, a Douglas County native, is the principal of Ponderosa High School and a former teacher and athletics coach. Hollingshead said his top issues are public safety and open space.

Cavey moved to Castle Rock in 2006 and works as a solutions architect for Verizon.

Davis is a construction manager and business owner who has lived in Castle Rock for nearly 20 years. He said his top issues are sustainable growth and building a ordable housing.

Dietz, a Navy veteran, is an insurance broker and business owner who has lived in Castle Rock since 2005.  e election is nonpartisan and council members are elected to serve four-year terms.

District 1 represents western parts of Castle Rock and the Meadows neighborhood. District 2 covers northeast Castle Rock. District 4 is made up of downtown and the north-central part of town. District 6 represents southern Castle Rock. e recently-elected council members will be sworn in on Dec. 3.

Castle Rock sales tax increase proposal successful

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Castle Rock voters seem likely to approve a proposal to increase sales tax by .2% to fund the town’s police and re departments.

Early results show 56% of voters in favor of the proposal and 44% against.

e sales tax increase will raise an estimated $3.75 million per year, to fund 22 new police employees and 18 additional re department sta , as well as a fourth ambulance, the town said. e increase will cost shoppers 20 cents on every $100.

In a statement to the Castle Rock News-Press, Mayor Jason Gray thanked the voters for passing the sales tax request.

“Voters’ approval means that every taxable purchase made in Castle Rock from 2025 forward will be an investment in a safer community,” Gray said.

Castle Rock’s municipal services, including public safety, road maintenance and parks and recreation, are largely funded through sales tax. However, Castle Rock Town Manager David Corliss has said that sales tax revenue has not kept pace with the budgets needed to match the increasing demand on services.

In order to sta and fund the police and re departments at the levels proposed, department budgets would need to increase by 33% and 37%, respectively, by 2029, but

sales tax growth over the same period is expected to be 27%.

Both the police and re departments have seen an increase in calls for service in recent years. e funding from the tax increase will help provide additional sta to respond to the growing calls.

Chief Jack Cauley said the sales tax increase would help the town maintain its current level of staing of 1.1 o cers per 1,000 residents and allow the department to stay on top of crime.

Fire Chief Norris Croom said the fourth ambulance is crucial to ensuring emergency care is available when it’s needed. Currently, there’s an average of 18 minutes per day where all three of Castle Rock’s ambulances are responding to a call.

Castle Rock voters seem likely to approve a proposal to increase sales tax by .2% to fund the town’s police and re departments.

Early results show 56% of voters in favor of the proposal and 44% against.

e sales tax increase will raise an estimated $3.75 million per year, to fund 22 new police employees and 18 additional re department sta , as well as a fourth ambulance, the town said. e increase will cost shoppers 20 cents on every $100.

In a statement to the Castle Rock News-Press, Mayor Jason Gray thanked the voters for passing the sales tax request.

“Voters’ approval means that

every taxable purchase made in Castle Rock from 2025 forward will be an investment in a safer community,” Gray said.

Castle Rock’s municipal services, including public safety, road maintenance and parks and recreation, are largely funded through sales tax. However, Castle Rock Town Manager David Corliss has said that sales tax revenue has not kept pace with the budgets needed to match the increasing demand on services.

In order to sta and fund the police and re departments at the levels proposed, department budgets would need to increase by 33% and 37%, respectively, by 2029, but sales tax growth over the same period is expected to be 27%.

Both the police and re departments have seen an increase in calls for service in recent years. e funding from the tax increase will help provide additional sta to respond to the growing calls.

Chief Jack Cauley said the sales tax increase would help the town maintain its current level of staing of 1.1 o cers per 1,000 residents and allow the department to stay on top of crime.

Fire Chief Norris Croom said the fourth ambulance is crucial to ensuring emergency care is available when it’s needed. Currently, there’s an average of 18 minutes per day where all three of Castle Rock’s ambulances are responding to a call.

Brauchler is back in the DA business

Republican wins race in new 23rd Judicial District

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e rst-ever district attorney of Colorado’s rst new judicial district in decades will be George Brauchler, a Republican and former DA who wants to send a message to those who would commit crimes.

“I want to tell folks, starting Jan. 1, if you come down here to victimize us, if you come down here to commit crimes against us, you should expect to be incarcerated,” Brauchler told Colorado Community Media.

e former 18th District DA won election by a large margin over Democrat Karen Breslin in the new 23rd District — roughly 23 percentage points as of the afternoon Nov. 7, the most recent update

as of the print deadline for this story. e race encompassed a set of counties that made for a deep-red electorate.

Speaking to CCM, Breslin said she wasn’t able to run as active a campaign as she had hoped.

“I just congratulate Mr. Brauchler on his victory,” Breslin said.

Colorado’s court system is made up of 22 judicial districts, and a new district is on the way. Currently, the 18th Judicial District includes Douglas, Arapahoe, Elbert and Lincoln counties.

But state lawmakers — noting population growth and a political split in the region — decided to break it up, moving Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties into the new 23rd District. e 23rd Judicial District is set to launch in January 2025. e 18th Judicial District will then only include Arapahoe County. Residents of Arapahoe County voted in a separate race to select a new district attorney in the November election as well. A district attorney serves as the head

prosecutor for a region of Colorado’s courts, also leading the prosecutors who work in that DA’s o ce. e o ce is responsible for prosecuting crimes that allegedly occur in the area.

Brauchler, a longtime politician who has appeared on ballots in several elections, served eight years as DA for the 18th district, wrapping up his term in 2021. He lives in Douglas County.

Breslin, who lives in Elbert County, teaches political science at the University of Colorado Denver. She is a practicing attorney with a focus on land use and environmental law, she said.

Brauchler framed the election as about experience, saying Breslin has never been a prosecutor.

If someone allegedly commits mass murder and the case goes to trial, “it won’t be my rst one,” Brauchler has said.

Brauchler’s time as DA for the 18th district was essentially bookended by shootings that horri ed the Denver suburbs:

the 2012 Aurora theater shooting and the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting in 2019.

Brauchler’s successor, John Kellner, asked him to stay on as special prosecutor for the STEM School shooting trial.

Speaking about deterring crime, Brauchler said he’s convinced that it’s the “speed and certainty of consequences that changes behavior, far more than the name and size of the charge.”

People on the political left would say it’s the certainty of being caught that deters crime, Brauchler said.

“But that’s only half of it,” Brauchler said, arguing that it doesn’t help “if all you’re doing is being caught and (let go).”

He said he’s not looking to “just ll up the jails and lock people up and throw away the key.”

But if a person steals, for example, “we’re going to lock you up,” Brauchler said. And “we’re going to try to give you the tools and the incentive when you get out to make better decisions.”

GOP keeps commissioner seats in Douglas County elections

Teal wins reelection to board, other victory goes to Van Winkle

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With decisive wins on the two county commissioner seats up for grabs in the November election, Republicans will keep

full power on Douglas County’s main governing body.

County Commissioner George Teal, a Republican incumbent, won reelection with a large lead over Democratic challenger Angela omas.

“Really honored and privileged to be able to continue to serve,” Teal said in a phone call with Colorado Community Media.

Speaking to CCM, omas thanked her supporters.

“I appreciate the con dence that was placed in me with those votes, and I’m grateful to the people of Douglas County for giving me an opportunity and believing in me,” omas said.

e candidates competed for the commissioner District 2 seat, which formally covers Castle Rock and the southern portion of the county, including much of Douglas County’s rural areas.

velopment in the county, picturing more jobs so more people can work in Douglas as well as live there.

Bring

NOVEMBER

Meanwhile, state Sen. Kevin Van Winkle, a Republican, won by a large margin over Democrat Josh Smith. Neither candidate responded for comment on the results.

It’s a vision to “increase our daytime economy,” Teal said. “Give people the jobs so they don’t have to get on I-25 every morning and every evening to drive to and from work. (Get) to where the business lunch is not necessarily happening in downtown Denver — it’s happening in Douglas County, (and) the run home from work to stop o at a store to get the milk and bread for dinner is more likely to be in Douglas County.”

e race determined who will replace outgoing Commissioner Lora omas, who could not run for reelection because of term limits.

e two candidates competed for the commissioner District 3 seat, which formally covers northwestern Douglas County.

He wants to o er tax incentives for businesses in order to get there.

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e board of commissioners is the county’s policy-making body, approving Douglas County’s annual budget and passing local laws that govern unincorporated areas, or those outside of city and town limits. at includes Highlands Ranch and many other parts of the county.

Douglas commissioners are elected at large from one of three geographic districts. at means commissioners are required to reside in di erent districts, but voters throughout the entire county cast ballots for each seat.

e third seat on the three-member board of county commissioners, representing District 1, is held by Republican Abe Laydon and was not up for election in this cycle.

Looking ahead

Teal points to public safety as a top priority he wants to tackle.

e Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce is focused on having deputies on the street, and sometimes that means giving the budget authorization to hire more deputies for patrol, Teal said.

e sheri is interested in police work that “isn’t just about running from call to call, emergency to emergency,” Teal said, adding: “It’s not just about hiring more police, hiring more sheri ’s deputies. It’s about having them do more proactive police work on the street.”

Teal also wants to push economic de-

“Colorado law has allowed us for several years now to give business personal property tax credits based on the equipment that companies have, and we’ve been very active and very generous in giving those business personal property tax credits,” Teal said. “Recent legislation this year has allowed counties to extend property tax credits.”

He added: “We’re working on crafting policy now to provide that framework to give property tax credits to companies that we do want to attract into the county.”

Teal was ahead in the election over Angela omas by about 12 percentage points, 56-44, according to results posted as of the evening Nov. 6, the most recent numbers as of the print deadline for this story.

Teal was elected as a county commissioner in 2020 and previously served six years on the Castle Rock Town Council. He has worked in the software and information technology eld.

Angela omas spent 20 years as a social worker and is a former chair of the Douglas County Democratic Party.

In District 3

Van Winkle was ahead in the election over Smith by roughly 14 percentage points, 57-43, according to results posted as of the evening Nov. 6.

Van Winkle currently represents the Highlands Ranch area at the state Capitol. Before moving to the state Senate, he served in the state House. According to his campaign website, he is a small-business owner.

Smith works as a freight broker in the trucking industry, helping people nd trucks for their freight. He said he was in the mortgage industry for 18 years before that.

Boebert wins in race to represent 4th District

Margin of Republican’s victory over Democrat was unusually narrow

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert has secured a third term in Congress, this time representing Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, beating out Democratic opponent Trisha Calvarese.

Boebert, who currently represents the 3rd Congressional District, switched districts at the beginning of the year after narrowly being reelected to her seat in 2022. is year, Boebert’s race was not nearly as close, with 53.2% of voters in the 4th district electing her while 42.6% voted for Calvarese.

Boebert said in a statement following the Nov. 5 election that she is honored to serve and will work to uphold the Constitution and advocate for economic policies that bene t Coloradans.

“Let’s build bridges, promote unity, and show that we can work

together for the common good of this district and our nation,” Boebert said.

Despite her win, Boebert’s results aren’t as strong as previous Republicans in the district, which is the most conservative congressional district in Colorado.

In Douglas County, Calvarese’s home county, she only trailed Boebert by 128 votes as of the evening of Nov. 6.

e Colorado Sun reported that Calvarese promised to continue to ght for Douglas County in her concession speech on election night. Despite the outcome of the race, Calvarese said, she is “committed to a Democratic future that belongs to all of us.”

“We were able to shave o 15 (percentage points) in a district where Ken Buck won by 24 (percentage points),” Calvarese said.

Boebert told the Sun that she doesn’t plan to change anything about her politics.

“I’m going to continue to be an e ective legislator,” she said.

At a recent town hall in Castle Rock, Boebert pledged to work with local o cials to implement solutions for their constituents.

Voters approve $490M bond for Douglas County schools

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After two previous attempts to pass school funding in recent years, Douglas County voters seem likely to approve the school district’s $490 million bond proposal to build new schools and address maintenance issues.

Early results show 59% of voters are supporting the bond and 41% are against.

Superintendent Erin Kane told the Douglas County News-Press that she is incredibly grateful to voters and the campaign volunteers.

“I am so grateful for our entire community for shouting loud and clear that they support our schools, our kids, our teachers,” Kane said. “Now, it’s incumbent on us to make sure that we spend this money carefully, exactly as we said we would, transparently and with the oversight of a citizen’s committee.”

e bond plan covers the construction of elementary schools in Sterling Ranch and Ridgegate, the expansion of Sierra Middle School and a majority of maintenance projects across all Douglas County schools through 2026. It will also invest in building security improvements, transportation needs – like buses – and expanding career and technical education.

e district has a growing backlog of about $300 million in building maintenance and hasn’t built a new school since 2010.

Kane said the district will be able to get started on maintenance projects right away and complete all of the projects laid out in the bond plan over four

Early results show 59% of voters are supporting Douglas County School District’s $490 million bond proposal.

years. e two new schools should open in 2027, Kane added.

e district hired former Lone Tree mayor Jackie Millet as bond director to oversee the spending.

e passage of the bond will not increase taxes because previous debt is maturing and can be replaced with the new investments. is was the last year the district could ask for a bond without raising taxes.

e school district has approached voters with similar

funding packages in the past two years and failed. e district hadn’t passed a bond since 2018 and the money from it has since been spent.

School board president Christy Williams echoed Kane’s thanks to voters.

“All students will bene t, and we will be able to provide two new schools in communities that are growing,” Williams said. “I am grateful the voters saw the value in this ballot measure. ird time’s the charm.”

PHOTO BY MCKENNA HARFORD

School board member Brad Geiger said it’s thrilling to be able to invest in the schools.

“It’s not always big stu , it’s new carpets and stages and seating, but it’s about making sure that every time a kid walks into school, they will know we care about the environment they are being educated in,” Geiger said.

A bond plan published by the district lays out how much funding will go to each school, including charters, and what upgrades are being prioritized.

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Lauren Boebert, Republican candidate for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, speaks to supporters at an election watch party on Nov. 5 in Windsor. Boebert will be the next representative of Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. COURTESY AP PHOTO/DAVID ZALUBOWSK

Scientists want your help to digitize historic data on bees

BY RACHEL COHEN MOUNTAIN WEST NEWS BUREAU

Within aisles of cabinets at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Museum of Natural History collections are rows upon rows of wooden display boxes with glass tops. Each box holds dozens to hundreds of bee specimens.

Leafcutter bees with blades on their teeth. Round-bodied Western bumblebees. Metallic green sweat bees.

Details about each specimen, like the species name, who found it, where and when, are pinned down under each bee. Put together, it’s a treasure trove of data about the crucial pollinators. e problem is that it’s analog, on tiny slips of paper, sometimes handwritten in cursive. Now, scientists are pushing to get that information out of the museum cabinets and onto computers. at’s because there’s currently a lack of information about populations of many bee species.

“If we get that data, and we can rebuild those distributions, we can look for how they’re changing over time which could inform something so basic as whether or not we should be concerned that they’re declining,” said Adrian Carper, an entomology curator at the museum.

To digitize their bee collections, researchers at 13 institutions, including CU Boulder, the University of Nevada, Reno, and Arizona State University, formed the “Big Bee Bonanza.”

For example, the note by one mining bee says it was collected near Carbondale, Colo., in 1982. When you’re done with one bee, Notes from Nature prompts you to enter data for another one, like a computer game.

“I nd myself having to set alarms be-

Volunteer citizen scientists can visit an online platform calledNotes from Nature, which gives visitors specimens to transcribe. In dropdown menus and text boxes, the platform asks you to write down the words on labels next to zoomed-in images of bees.

cause I can’t ever stop doing this —- it’s so much fun,” said Virginia Scott, the collections manager.

e team at CU Boulder is hoping to get notes from 50,000 bee specimens transcribed by 2025.

“Participating in this project is one of the biggest ways you can help in bee con-

servation because it gets that data to the conservationists who need it,” Carver said. e Mountain West

is a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, KUNC in Colorado and KANW in New Mexico.

Cloned black-footed ferret gives birth for first time ever

Landmark in Colorado-based reintroduction e orts

BY MICHAEL BOOTH THE COLORADO SUN

A black-footed ferret cloned from DNA of a ferret that lived in the 1980s has birthed two healthy kits, the rst successful live births from a cloned endangered species and another win for a federal ferret recovery program based in northern Colorado.

Antonia, cloned fromfrozen material from long-dead Willa, is helping raise her

now 3-month-old kits as part of an e ort to expand the gene pool of ferrets being reintroduced in Colorado and other states. While thousands of conventionally bred ferrets have been dropped into prairie dog colonies in Western states, they all descend from just seven of theanimals captured in Wyoming in the 1980s.

Antonia’s descendants have three times the genetic diversity of any other living ferrets derived from the original seven parents. An expanded genetic stock could help the highly endangered species — researchers believe only a few hundred reintroduced ferrets survive in North America — speed up recovery from ongoing sylvatic plague and canine distemper.

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Black-footed ferrets were also decimated by development and farming expansion wiping out prairie dogs, which make up 90% of a ferret’s diet.

Paul Marinari, senior curator at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia, said the births are a “major milestone” and will help endangered species partners “continue their innovative and inspirational e orts to save this species.” e cloning program is overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Black-footed Ferret Recovery Program in Wellington. Two of the three ferrets cloned so far from Willa’s DNA live at the Colorado facility.

Antonia is at the Smithsonian facility in Front Royal, Virginia. She mated with a conventionally bred 3-year-old male ferret, Urchin. One of Antonia’s new kits died just after birth. e others, one male and one female, are healthy and will stay with Antonia at the Virginia facility, with no plans for wild release.

colony, and about 24 ferrets considered to be the last in the world. Eighteen of those survived to enter a captive reproduction program set up at the Wellington facility, which also has 40 acres of open space to “train” kits for the wild.

Of those 18, seven ferrets eventually reproduced in captivity. Willa died before producing, but was among those with DNA preserved at the San Diego Zoo; adding her genetic material back into the ferret pool could signal great progress.

“So by doing this, we’ve actually added an eight founder,” said Tina Jackson, black-footed ferret recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in an April interview. “And in some ways that may not sound like a lot, but in this genetic world, that is huge.”

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Another cloned ferret, Noreen, is also a potential mom in the cloningbreeding program. e original cloned ferret,Elizabeth Ann, is in Colorado, but does not have healthyuterine hornsthat would allow for breeding. Elizabeth Ann is healthy, the wildlife service has said previously, and her condition did not appear to be attributed to the cloning process.

Black-footed ferrets were thought extinct for years before a dog dropped a recently-deceased ferret on a home doorstep in Wyoming in 1981. Scientists fanned out to nd the elusive remaining

In September, Colorado wildlife ocials were enthusiastic about reportsof at least two healthy litters of wild-born black-footed ferrets at May Ranch in southeastern Colorado. More than 50 of the endangered ferrets bred in captivity in Wellington havebeen reintroduced at May Ranchnear Lamar in the past few years, but survival is tricky, and spotting the elusive nocturnal critters once released has been an extra challenge.  Systematic state surveys of ferret release sites including May Ranch, employing everything from night spotlights to pet-chip readers, have this year produced proof of surviving released ferrets and new o spring. is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

News Bureau

A bee visits a group of late-summer flowers Aug. 29 outside Colorado School of Mines’ Volk Gymnasium.

PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

RACES

e Parker, Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock areas accounted for the majority of active voters.

House District 39

In the race to decide who will represent the House district that covers most of the Douglas County map, Republican state Rep. Brandi Bradley, an incumbent, won by a large margin over Democratic challenger Eric Brody.

Brody issued a message conceding the race on Nov. 6.

e contest was a rematch. Bradley was rst elected in 2022, beating Brody with 58% of the vote.

is time, Bradley had garnered about 59% of the vote, according to results as of Nov. 6.

District 39 includes Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Larkspur, the Roxborough Park area and part of the south Highlands Ranch area. It also includes much of Douglas’ rural areas.

House District 43

Bob Marshall, the Democratic nominee for House District 43, claimed victory against his opponent Republican Matt Burcham on social media in the evening on Nov. 6 following another round of preliminary election results.

roughout election night, Marshall, who became the Highlands Ranch district representative in 2022, held a slight lead over Burcham. Douglas County ballots continued to be counted the following day.

Another round of preliminary results posted to the Secretary of State’s website at 5:40 p.m. on Nov. 6 showed that of the 52,656 votes cast, more than 27,000 were for Mar-

shall and more than 25,500 for Burcham.

About an hour after those results, Marshall shared on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter: “VICTORY!” He then followed by saying he is on the “Colorado GOP’s most wanted list” and is “Douglas County’s GOP’s number one priority.”

Citing the numerous negative ads against him this election season, Marshall quoted the Elton John song, “I’m Still Standing” song, with, “Well, look at me, I’m a-coming back again,” as well as providing a link to a video of the song.

Just before 1 p.m. on Nov. 7, the Associated Press declared Marshall won the race.

As of Nov. 7, Burcham has not released a statement on social media or to the Highlands Ranch Herald.

House District 44

e race for House District 44, which includes Parker and its surrounding communities, was one that included a rst time candidate and an incumbent.

Alyssa Nilemo, who had been a long time una liated voter, was the Democratic nominee against incumbent Republican Anthony Hartsook. Preliminary results show that Hartsook is likely to become the district’s representative for a second term as he led with a 16 percentage-point lead on election night.

“What we’re looking at, we’re looking at to bring balance to the government right now,” said Hartsook.

Hartsook was rst elected to the seat in 2022 and since then, has said he has fought for bipartisanship. He added that although the Democrats control a lot of levels of power, there are issues such as taxes that still needs to be addressed.

“Even if you’re a Democrat, I believe that people want the government working together,” said Hartsook. “It’s what everybody wants, whether Democrat or Republican. ey all want their kids to

have a better future.”

Hartsook’s opponent, Nilemo, led her campaign with “people before politics” at the forefront. Although she trails behind in the results, she said she feels hopeful for the county with certain ballot measures that have been passed.

Nilemo said her disappointment was paired with some joy as she is proud to have been part of communities as well as bringing attention to issues she is passionate about and how she ran her campaign.

Looking forward, Nilemo encourages people to stay civically engaged.

“I hope folks will remain engaged, plugged in and optimistic about the future,” said Nilemo.

House District 45

Republican Max Brooks beat challenger Chad Cox, a Democrat, to represent House District 45, which covers Castle Rock and the South Pinery area.

Brooks, a current Castle Rock Town Council member, will be a rst time state legislator, who has said he will focus on improving public safety, lowering costs and protecting local control.

Brooks said in a statement that he is incredibly grateful for the voters, his campaign volunteers and the support of his family. He also thanked Cox for being a strong opponent and being dedicated to the community.

“I now welcome in ALL voters as we move forward, together, to bring meaningful solutions to the hardworking families and residents of Castle Rock, Pradera, South Pinery and Colorado,” Brooks said. “I will sincerely endeavor to be your voice and represent your concerns at the state capitol.”

Brooks has lived in Castle Rock since 2006 and has experience on multiple local boards, including the town council and Castle Rock Planning Commission. Brooks

said he ran because he wants to provide a solutions-oriented and pragmatic representation for Castle Rock at the statehouse.

In his time on council, Brooks spearheaded an ongoing e ort to take legal action against Denver for its policies to assist migrants and supported the town’s e orts to secure the Lost Canyon Ranch open space.

Senate District 2

Colorado Rep. Lisa Frizell will move from serving in one chamber of the Legislature to the other with her win in the Senate District 2 election.

Frizell, a Republican, is leading over two challengers — Democrat Jennifer Brady and Libertarian Caryn Ann Harlos. Frizell currently represents House District 45.

“I’m elated to have one, especially by a fairly large margin,” Frizell told the NewsPress. “I’m just excited to get to work. I bring a lot of diverse experience to the role, having served on more committees than anybody else in the house last session.”

Senate District 2, which includes Parker and Castle Rock, is currently represented by Republican Sen. Jim Smallwood, who is term limited.

Frizell served in the Colorado House for one term and previously served as Douglas County’s assessor for eight years.

Frizell told the Douglas County NewsPress that she ran to carry forward the legacy Smallwood leaves behind and to continue her work on tax policy, such as providing property tax relief. During her time in the House, Frizell sat on numerous committees, worked to lower property taxes and supported more access to health care.

As a senator, Frizell said her top priorities will be tax relief, consumer protections and improving public safety.

At a recent town hall with U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, Frizell pledged to work with Boebert and Brooks to implement solutions for their constituents.

Overcoming life’s obstacles and objections

Success often hinges on our ability to identify and overcome obstacles and objections in life and business. e line between the two can sometimes be blurred for many of us. However, understanding the di erence is essential to overcoming barriers in selling and achieving goals. When discussing objections, we’re usually focused on external resistance: reasons someone might say “no” to a product, service, or idea. Obstacles, on the other hand, are often deeper-rooted barriers that stand in the way of progress. ough they may appear di erently, addressing them usually demands similar skills, like empathy, creativity, and a relentless drive to nd solutions.

WINNING

orities, a customer overloaded with competing projects, or the realities of an uncertain economic climate are all obstacles that can stall or derail even the most compelling o er.

Take sales, for example. Salespeople regularly encounter both objections and obstacles. An objection might sound like, “ e price is too high,” “We’re happy with our current vendor,” or “ e timing isn’t right.” ese are the immediate, surface-level reasons a prospect might hesitate. ey’re often rooted in issues like cost concerns, lack of perceived urgency, or trust de cits. Objections can feel like brick walls, but they tell a salesperson where to provide more value, build trust, or reframe the conversation.

Obstacles, in contrast, are often the unseen structural challenges that prevent a decision altogether. Budget limitations, a team’s inability to reach consensus, or organizational overload can all be obstacles. A buying committee that struggles to agree on pri-

At their core, objections and obstacles share common roots: no want, no time, no money, no need, and no trust. If prospects don’t honestly want the product or service, they’ll inevitably voice objections. If time or budget is scarce, the organization may not see a way to address the need. And overcoming objections becomes nearly impossible when trust is missing, whether in the product, the salesperson, or the company.

Consider a family discussion over a major decision, like where to go on vacation, buying a new car, or even contemplating a move. Just as in sales, these conversations often come back to the same core reasons for resistance: no want, no time, no budget, no need, and no trust. A lack of alignment or perceived need can create an obstacle, while objections around cost or timing can hold things up. It’s the same in our careers or personal lives. e obstacles we face can often be attributed to not truly wanting something enough, lacking resources, or feeling uncertain.

SEE NORTON, P31

Thank you, Castle Rock voters

In this season of gratitude, I nd myself thankful for a number of things. Chief among these is my sincere appreciation for the community’s support of the 0.2% sales tax increase the town had requested in this month’s election. Voters’ approval means that every taxable purchase made in Castle Rock from 2025 forward will be an investment in a safer community.

e additional sales tax is expected to generate about $3.75 million annually — the bulk of which would allow for the hiring of 40 additional public safety personnel by 2029:

• 21 personnel will be hired in 2025, including sta for a fourth ambulance and nine additional police o cers.

• 19 additional public safety personnel — for a total of 40 over ve years — will be hired by 2029: 11 police personnel, including ofcers for patrol, schools and trafc enforcement; and eight re personnel, including six to help

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Why politics shifted right

Across the U.S., former Harris supporters are grappling with frustration and disbelief after the election. ey question why groups like Latinos, Gen Xers, and others backed Trump, feeling perplexed by the relief his victory brought. But the real question is whether they can’t understand — or are choosing not to.

TOWN TALK

agreements. By 2020, terms like “fascist” were applied widely by mainstream voices.

From 2016 onward, “woke” ideology entrenched itself in key institutions where deviation could lead to social exile, sparking what some call the “Great Awokening.” ose who once championed tolerance became intolerant, quick to brand others as bigots. is movement wasn’t driven by compassion but by motives like self-righteousness, narcissism and, at times, cruelty. Many factors fueled this shift, from the widening gap between elites and working people to social media’s divisive in uence and establishment backlash against populism worldwide.

adequately sta a new re station in Terrain/Cobblestone Ranch

David L. Corliss

You can learn more about the how the town will put to use the additional resources at CRgov.com/ SupportSafety.

I am also thankful that Castle Rock already shines as a standout community. In October, WalletHub named the town the 15th Best Small City in America. Castle Rock’s score, in the 99th percentile, placed it in the top 1% of small cities in the country. I am thankful to be part of that success, along with everyone on town council and the town’s sta , among others. Additional recent recognition can be found online at CRgov.com/ Recognition.

Over the years, many Americans voiced concerns with progressive politics. ey disliked being labeled as bigots for opposing policies like defunding the police or open borders. Some were called hateful for questioning transgender medicine for children or labeled as conspiracy theorists for challenging COVID policies or social media censorship. ese issues weren’t the only reasons voters turned to Trump, but they were signi cant. Polls show concerns about the economy and immigration led the vote, but many were also alienated by the Democratic Party’s alignment with woke ideology. is election represents a major shift, countering the narrative that Trump’s coalition is rooted in white supremacy or fascism.

Signs now suggest we may be past “peak woke.” is high point likely came in 2020 when public health experts endorsed certain gatherings (BLM protests) while condemning others (Trump rallies), or in 2022, when Barack Obama urged social media censorship. But the structures that allowed censorship and radical agendas remain and will take time to address.

For many, this shift feels like a breath of fresh air, a release from a culture that’s suppressed open discussion. Trump’s opponents have portrayed him as more than a Republican, seeing him as a stand against increasing authoritarianism. Progressive ideology, once mainstream, hardened, stigmatizing even minor dis-

e political landscape has changed. As people tire of ideological narratives, they’re turning back to grounded, common-sense values.

C.J. Garbo, Castle Rock

Headline was inappropriate

I was confused/amused/ curious about the headline on the front page of the Oct. 31, 2024 issue of Highland Ranch Herald.

It read: “How does Colorado keep noncitizens and dead people from voting?” My understanding is that a dead person is “dead” and is unable to do anything including vote. I think I understand the point of the article, however, the headline was not appropriate. anks for your consideration. My dead husband was dead, so unable to vote in this election nor any future election.

Marilyn Binkley, Highlands Ranch

Article omitted much

Regarding the article “How does Colorado keep noncitizens and dead people from voting?” (Colorado Public Radio article reprinted in Highlands Ranch Herald, week of Oct. 31, 2024), it omitted the sending of voter registration notices to 30,000 residents who are not citizens (see cpr. org/2022/10/07/colorado-voter-registration-notices-noncitizens accessed Nov. 1, 2024). Judicial Watch investigated the accuracy of Colorado’s voting rolls and ended up suing the state (October 2022). Colorado’s secretary of state agreed to settle out of court. One article stated, “Since Judicial Watch led its lawsuit, Colorado voter roll removals increased by 78%, from 172,379 to 306,303 per reporting period.” e article can be found at judicialwatch. org/colorado-to-settle-lawsuitover-ineligible-voters/ (accessed Nov. 1, 2024).

e article states “no widespread evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 election ...” How is “widespread” de ned? Does this mean only a few geographic regions experienced fraud? Or that there was fraud, but not enough to matter? And if it is the latter, does this mean fraud is OK if it doesn’t affect the election outcome? And does anyone know whether or how the outcome was a ected? We know of voting problems in Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. We also know that laws were broken regarding the election processes. Under the clarion call of protecting people from COVID, states allowed voting processes that completely went against their written laws. Now, speci c to illegal immigration, certainly you know of the state of Virginia’s desires to make sure only legally quali ed citizens can vote. But when Virginia tried to clean up their voting registration records, our Department of Justice sued Virginia! (see, for example, virginiamercury. com/2024/10/22/youngkin-blasts-dojlawsuit-that-trust-virginias-voter-roll-removals-into-national-spotlight accessed Nov. 1, 2024).

ere were too many irregularities and attempts to investigate were thwarted. And that’s why Americans are leery and untrusting.

Dr. Rick Jory, Highlands Ranch

An OMG moment

During the past 48 years a dozen or so “super kids” have lived on the two blocks where we bought our new Douglas County homes. From kindergartners to an all-star quarterback, and everything in between, these kids were top of the line. Some are even grandparents of their own today.

I didn’t know the politics of most of their respective parents, but our geographic location would shout Republican loud and clear. No biggie, their number one priority was family, country and political party, in that order. Just like me and my late wife. We t right in.

I have three great-granddaughters whose mom and dad live in Adams County. ey can look in the mirror and feel secure that they voted family rst in Tuesday’s election. Can the majority of parents in Douglas County not look in the mirror and say, OMG, what have we done?

Roy Legg, Highlands Ranch

Sign was slap in face

A political sign by four Republican candidates for Parker Town Council is a slap in face to Parker. Parker is a great place to live and o ers many things for the community

other than tra c which others also experience. To state Make Parker Great Again with a phrase from another Republican is telling us Parker isn’t a good place to live and these four can bring it back. Give me a break from the bashing.

Dave Usechek, Parker

Politics and Sheri Weekly

I’m a little dizzy after reading Sheri Weekly’s spin on speaking at a Trump rally.

e sheri stated that “we try to stay away from politics at the sheri ’s o ce” and “the sheri ’s o ce isn’t a political space.” Pretty sure when you stand there in full uniform and praise one candidate and deride the other, your o ce is in a political space.

e sheri states that “Trump will bring law and order back to America.” Really? Trump is a convicted felon awaiting trial on several more felonies. Is he truly the embodiment of law and order?

I served on the Denver Police Department for 33 years and it is beyond my comprehension how anyone wearing a badge can justify the endorsement of someone who sent a mob to attack fellow police ofcers who put their lives on the line for us. One hundred seventy-four of those o cers were injured and four committed suicide within seven months of the attack, while Weekly’s law and order guy sat watching on television doing nothing to help them. We have witnesses and lm, sheri . It’s called evidence and it was enough for a grand jury indictment.

e MAGA whine about immigration is now apparently the Weekly whine. Read the FBI stats, sheri . Crime rates involving immigrants are far lower than among U.S. citizens. Almost all drugs that enter the U.S. are brought in through points of entry by U.S. citizens. e greatest terrorist risk, according to FBI Director Christopher Wray, is from right-wing extremists, not immigrants.

Yes, the border is a human crisis, a crisis of sheer volume. And a bipartisan border bill was drawn up that would have greatly helped alleviate the crisis, but you didn’t mention that Trump had it killed because it would have hurt his chance of reelection. He is so concerned about us.

Sheri Weekly probably left a few things out of his speech. Probably didn’t mention the wall Trump was going to build and have Mexico pay for. Probably didn’t mention Trump giving Steve Bannon a pardon for embezzling millions from the wall fund.

e sheri probably didn’t condemn the lies Trump told about parts of Aurora being taken over by gangs.

Finally sheri , if Trump should o er you a job in his administration for throwing fuel on the ames of his misinformation and bigotry, please, please take it.

Don Zimmerman, Parker

Another reason I’m thankful is that the Crystal Valley interchange project has gotten well underway this year. When it is complete in 2027, it will provide a vital link to southern Castle Rock and Douglas County and will open new opportunities for the town, including a Costco. You can follow our progress and sign up to receive updates at CRgov.com/CVI.

Also on the roads front, the “Four Corners” intersection is nearing completion, and I’m thankful for the community’s patience as improvements were made at that crossing of Fifth Street, Ridge Road, Founders Parkway and State Highway 86. Among the numerous other reasons for which I’m thankful is having acquired the new 681-acre Lost Canyon Open Space —

the Town’s largest one-time acquisition of open space — and opening a refreshed Mitchell Gulch Park and the new Emerald Park. ese spaces provide the community places to play, connect and enjoy all Castle Rock has to o er.

e master planning for Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space is beginning and community input is essential in shaping the open space, which will serve as a haven for people and wildlife for generations to come. Lean more about the planning process and submit your feedback online through Dec. 13 at CRgov.com/LostCanyonRanch.

As we look forward to 2025 and the continued success of our community, I am grateful for the collective e orts that make Castle Rock a great place to live, work, recreate and call home.

is guest column was written by David L. Corliss, the town manager of Castle Rock.

National trend impacting area fire agencies, blood supply, food pantries, senior services

BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When Evergreen Fire/Rescue welcomed its rst six paid re ghters last month, it was hailed as progress for the district’s residents, with the anticipation of faster response times from sta ed re stations. But it was also a sharp turn away from a long-standing tradition: e all-volunteer model it had used for 76 years.

While the area’s aging population, climate change and life in a place ranked in the top 10 nationally for catastrophic wild re were factors in the hiring decision, the decline in volunteerism also played into it.

It’s a trend impacting organizations of all kinds. Volunteering in the United States is at an all-time low, according to IVolunteer International, even as the need for most of the services such agencies supply is increasing. e fallout is far from minor, ranging from such potentially critical issues as delays in re agency response times to a shortage in the national blood supply.

On a societal level, experts say it may be a symptom of, or a factor in, increasing social isolation and political division.

“Volunteers meet critical community needs, and volunteering has the power to heal our societies by creating empathy and equity,” said Jennifer Siranelo, CEO of Points of Light, an international nonpro t dedicated to volunteerism. “It’s imperative that we work together to reverse the downward trend in volunteering.”

While the pandemic exacerbated the issue, it was not the cause. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the volunteer rate in the United States has been steadily declining for more than a decade.

Charitable giving is also down in the U.S., a fact attributed to economic uncertainty, stock market volatility and an increase in smaller and single-parent families.

Volunteering has historically been led by college graduates, married people and parents. But today’s younger generations are strained not just for time but money, and are more likely to not only work several jobs but share housing to make ends meet, according to the Center for the Study of the Individual and Society. at leaves them with little discretionary time. e issue has hit the re service hard. e number of volunteer re ghters has declined for the last three decades, hitting a record low in 2020, according to the National Fire Protection Association. During that same time period, the U.S. population — and demands for emergency services —grew. Among smaller re districts, the average age of a volunteer re ghter is going up, with fewer younger people throwing their hats into the volunteer ring.

Not long ago, Evergreen Fire/Rescue Chief Mike Weege said EFR turned prospective volunteers away.

“We’d get roughly 30 applying and have (volunteer re ghter) academies of 25,” he said. “Eight to 10 years ago, we start-

Volunteers meet critical community needs, and volunteering has the power to heal our societies by creating empathy and equity.”

Jennifer Siranelo, CEO of Points of Light

ed getting far fewer people who could commit the time to do it. Our academies would only be six people, and we had to combine them with Genesee, Foothills and Indian Hills ( re districts).

“Today, both parents working is the norm, and people are working longer hours,” he continued. “I think people’s lives are far too busy for the amount of time and motivation it takes to volunteer for a dangerous activity.”

Nearby Elk Creek Fire is facing the same challenges, which Chief Jacob Ware attributes in part to the foothills’ shifting population.

“ e demographics have changed a lot here,” he said. “Historically, volunteer re departments were made up a lot of blue-collar, often self-employed people — people who had the ability to break away from their jobs in the middle of the day to answer a re call.”

With the escalating cost of housing in the mountains, fewer of those people can a ord to live in Conifer. And those that do are pressed for time.

“You have to hustle to live in the mountains,” Ware said. “Between work, family and everything else, the time you have to volunteer is dwindling.”

Vitalant, which has 10 Colorado blood donation centers and is the primary blood provider for over 95% of Colorado’s hospitals, is seeing far fewer donors than in the past. Vitalant declared an emergency blood shortage in 2024, and it’s not the rst time the nonpro t blood services provider has done so.

“Overall, the number of people donating with Vitalant has dropped about 20% since before the pandemic, while patients’ needs remain strong,” said Brooke Way, Vitalant’s communications manager. “If there’s a shortage and we don’t have the available blood, that’s when hospitals and doctors have to make those impossible choices of whether to postpone a surgery that’s been scheduled, so a trauma (victim) can get that unit. at’s what we try to avoid.”

It’s left local and national organizations scrambling for solutions, and pondering creative new ideas to revitalize volunteering.

“We’ve tried everything under the sun to recruit new volunteers; we just had another meeting about it,” said Kevin Andrezejewski, executive director of BGOLDN, which runs a food pantry and other community food programs. “ ere’s been a huge shift in the demographic here. e younger population doesn’t either have the time or interest in volunteering.”

OPPOSITE PAGE: Volunteer firefighters from Evergreen and Elk Creek fire departments climb onto the roof of a house on fire earlier this year.

LEFT: Teri Crawford, visiting from Virginia, helps her daughter Kimberly Buxton of Golden while volunteering at the BGOLDN food pantry. PHOTO BY JANE

REUTER

RIGHT: Centennial resident Joseph Lothringer recently donated his 70th gallon of blood at Vitalant’s Parker donation center. “It’s an act of gratitude,” he said. “Emotionally, it’s a very satisfying feeling.”

VOLUNTEERS

at’s particularly challenging because the need for BGOLDN’s programs is growing. Demand for its home delivery program, available to people who need supplies from the food pantry but don’t have transportation, has doubled in the last 18 months. But BGOLDN doesn’t have enough drivers to bring food to those homes or pick up food donations from area grocery stores.

“We have more volunteer shifts to ll,” Andrezejewski said. “We don’t want to decrease the number of families we support, and we could grow the program. But with the shortage of volunteers, we have to hold back on expanding it too much.”

A Little Help provides services to seniors throughout the metro area, northern Colorado and Grand Junction that can make the di erence between individuals moving to assisted living or staying in their homes. During the pandemic, the Denver-based nonpro t saw a surge in volunteers. But as life returned to normal, that help faded away.

“A lot of our open requests from seniors are going unful lled,” said Jake Dresden, A Little Help’s metro Denver director. “Rides to the doctor, the bank, the grocery store, tech support requests, companionship requests … we’re not at a healthy level of volunteers to meet those.

“We always feel the sweet spot for us is at least 2-to-1 volunteers to older adult members. And we are not at that number,” Dresden continued. “ e last six months, we’ve been running 2-to-1 members to volunteers. at’s not a recipe for success.”

Not only do seniors often physically need help with such chores and tasks, volunteer assistance can make a critical nancial di erence for them.

“ e big broad piece is helping them stay in their homes,” Dresden said. “A lot of our members are living on very xed incomes. e thought of paying a landscaping crew to rake leaves, or getting an Uber to go to the doctor, that’s money they don’t have budgeted.”

Because Colorado is a popular state for retirees, Dresden doesn’t see the demand for services easing.

A Little Help sends a weekly email to its volunteers and has made volunteering as exible as possible. Volunteers choose the task they want to do and when they’d like to do it. Still, the list of un lled requests hasn’t grown shorter.

“We’re trying all sorts of di erent methodologies to bring new volunteers on, but we’re having to start waiting lists for certain areas and services,” Dresden said.

Solutions

e problem is clear, but solutions are less so. Yet, people across the country are working to nd them, and with good reason.

Volunteering is good for us, on an individual and larger societal level. Research shows links between volunteering and improved physical health, cognitive function, elevated mood, increased social interactions, decreased loneliness and even increased mortality, according to the Stanford Center on Longevity. On a more global scale, volunteerism contributes to social cohesion, community well-being and the economy.  e Generosity Commission, made up of experts across the philanthropic sec-

tor, is dedicated to increasing civic participation. It’s spent the last three years studying the country’s decline in charitable giving and volunteering and mapping a plan to reverse it.

ose include getting public gures to talk about how they bene t from giving and volunteering, reaching out to younger generations and reinforcing the role of businesses in encouraging employee giving. IVolunteer International suggests o ering virtual volunteering options like tutoring, nonpro t tech support or online advocacy as a way to match volunteering opportunities with the shift to remote work and lifestyles.

Evergreen Fire/Rescue is redesigning its volunteer program, using a system of points and small-dollar rewards that allows volunteers exibility in how and when they respond.

“We need to meet people where they are, to allow people to do what they can do versus forcing them to t into our box,” Weege said. “If you want to just do wildland ( res), if you want to just do EMS, there’s a place for you here. So you don’t have to do all the training. We’ve brought in quite a few people by doing that.”

Denver-based Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, which builds trails and improves habitat statewide, said it’s changed its o erings to try to meet its volunteers’ abilities.

“We’re getting more one-o (volunteer stints) than people who’ll come out multiple times a year now,” said VOC’s marketing manager Kim Gagnon. “So we’re trying to broaden the type of work we offer folks. Some people can volunteer on a fourteener with no problem. And some people feel that reward from a threehour harvest in a garden in downtown Denver. ese are interesting trends, and

we’re just trying to problem-solve as we go.”

Vitalant has o ered donor giveaways like the chance to win $5,000 prepaid gift cards, and more recently a $5,000 Halloween jackpot. As the shift to remote work has decreased donations from business blood drives, Vitalant’s now encouraging schools to host blood drives. ose who volunteer regularly see the bene ts clearly.

Conifer resident Peyton omas, who launched the nonpro t Speakers for Africa to help Ugandan schoolchildren, said the work not only broadens his perspective about other cultures, but gives him a fresh outlook on his own life.

“When I start complaining about Wi-Fi speed or my food taking too long to get to me, I think, ‘I need to go back to Uganda and regroup,’ because they know what is real,” he said. “Life is a help-others program. I’m convinced getting outside of ourselves sand helping others is what we’re supposed to do.”

Joseph Lothringer recently donated his 70th gallon of blood at Vitalant’s Parker donation center. He’s enjoyed a lifetime of good health and said donating is a way to share some of that with those who haven’t been as lucky.

“It’s an act of gratitude,” said the 68-year-old Centennial resident. “I won the physiological lottery. I think of people that are ghting for their lives against cancer. To give them a shot of platelets, to use my health to help people that didn’t win the lottery, that’s the least I can do. Emotionally, it’s a very satisfying feeling.” It took Lothringer 40 years of regular donations to reach 70 gallons, and he’s not done yet.

“Absolutely, I’m going to keep doing it,” he said. “My goal now is 100 gallons.”

COURTESY OF EVERGREEN FIRE/RESCUE

COURTESY OF VITALANT

With wetter weather, Douglas County areas loosen fire bans

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Recent and forecasted moisture and colder temperatures have reduced the risk of wildres, leading Castle Rock to lift re restrictions, the town announced in early November.

e Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce also lifted re restrictions in early November for the county’s unincorporated areas — places outside of cities and towns.

“While we have seen an increase in moisture in the last few days, people are encouraged to be vigilant as the danger of re is always present,” the sheri ’s o ce said in a news release. O cials will continue to monitor moisture levels and other conditions and may reinstate re restrictions if dry conditions return and re risk increases, Castle Rock said in a news release.

Fire restrictions typically ban things like open burning, as well as camp res at developed campgrounds or picnic areas.

When the Douglas sheri ’s o ce issues or rescinds re restrictions, that decision also applies to Larkspur and Castle Pines, according to Deborah Takahara, a spokesperson for the o ce. e sheri ’s o ce is the law enforcement agency for those municipalities.

For more information on re restrictions, see dcsheri .net/sheri s-o ce/divisions/ emergency-management/ re-restrictions.

In Castle Rock, see crgov.com/ rebans for current information. Questions about the current status of re restrictions in town can be directed to the re chief’s o ce at 303-6601066.

Polis o ers slimmer state budget for 2025-26

Governor’s proposed Colorado budget cuts personnel funding to prepare for tighter spending

BY LINDSEY TOOMER COLORADO NEWSLINE

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Friday released his 2025-2026 state budget proposal, which prepares for tighter spending given decreasing in ation this year.

Colorado’s budget growth is tied to in ation and population growth under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. While ination peaked around 8% in 2022 and hit 5% last year, an in ation rate of 2.5% in 2024 means the state’s budget increase this year is smaller than in the last two years.

“A lot of what we did this budget is we really tried to drive government e ciency everywhere and anywhere we could nd it,” Polis said. “We challenged our agencies, we went out and we found things that we could cut to make government more e cient.”

e budget proposal comes out to over $46 billion with about $17.8 billion for the general fund. General fund dollars are slightly lower than in last year’s proposal. e proposal maintains a 15% general fund reserve.

Polis proposed a 1% cut for state personnel services across the board, though he would combine the two budget lines personnel funding comes

from to give departments more exibility on where they will make those cuts. e proposal would also adjust various task forces and commissions whose work can be delegated elsewhere. Pinnacol Assurance, the state’s workers compensation insurer of last resort, would be privatized under Polis’ proposal.

For K-12 school funding, Polis proposed implementing 10% of the new school nance formula the Legislatureadopted in the spring, extending the rollout of that program across seven years instead of six while still avoiding the budget stabilization factor — the amount of money the state owes schools based on a formula but chooses to spend on other priorities. e budget also calls for per-pupil funding as opposed to the current system, which bases funding on average enrollment over a few years. Polis called this “sensible, long overdue changes.”

“We’re not just interested in fully funding our schools one year, as an example,” Polis said. “We want to make sure we’re preparing the state budget for delivery on these promises over many years, including implementing the new school nance act to better fund students in need.”

State Minority Leader Rep. Rose Pugliese, a Colorado Springs Republican, criticized the slow rollout of the new school nance formula and said the budget doesn’t have enough funding dedicated to public safety.

“While I appreciate the Governor’s commitment to avoiding the budget stabilization factor, there is still much more work to be done to address Colo-

rado’s education needs fully,” Pugliese said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the school nance reforms we have pushed for will not take e ect soon enough. Colorado families can’t wait seven years for an updated formula to roll out — our students deserve real support now.”

Colorado’s Medicaid caseload has been “higher than expected,” Polis said, with Medicaid costs accounting for 36% of the state’s operating budget and 32% of general fund spending for the 2024-2025 scal year. With more increases expected, Polis proposes maintaining current Medicaid reimbursement rates.

“Over the last few years, we’ve worked hard to build a safe, a ordable, sustainable Colorado, and the focus of this budget is really maintaining the progress we’ve had and making sure that we can tighten our belts and deliver scal responsibility, more government e ciency and meet those commitments around continuing to fully fund our schools and investments in public safety,” Polis said.

e governor can submit a supplemental budget amendment package on Jan. 2, which would include any changes that result from ballot measures voters may pass in the election this week.

State lawmakers are the ones who are ultimately responsible for writing and passing the state budget during next year’s session.

is story is from Colorado Newsline. Used by permission. For more, and to support the news organization, visit coloradonewsline.com.

Thu 11/21

Korey Foss: Rock Candy @ Q's @ 7pm

Q's Pub and Grill, 10133 W Chat�eld Ave, Littleton

CW & Twenty Hands High

@ 7:30pm

Las Migas, RUMBERAS USA TOUR @ 7:30pm Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Com‐mons St, Lone Tree

Zenari LIVE @ Moe's Englewood! @ 9pm Moe's Original BBQ, 3295 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Sun 11/24

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Main‐street, Parker

Molly Sarlé

@ 8pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Blind Pilot

@ 8pm Gothic Theatre, Englewood

Fri 11/22

Inline Hockey: Youth- Recreational Tournament- 12U

@ 7am

Nov 22nd - Nov 24th

Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker

Inline Hockey: Youth- Recreational Tournament- 8U

@ 4pm

Nov 22nd - Nov 24th

Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker

Scott Fowler Music: Scott Fowler @ 2 Penguins Tap & Grill

@ 6pm

2 Penguins Tap and Grill, 13065 E Briarwood Ave, Centennial

6 Million Dollar Band @ 7pm

Pindustry, 7939 E Arapahoe Rd, Centennial

Don Jamieson @ 7pm

Taylor Shines - The Laser Spectacular, featuring Jexxa-live! @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, En‐glewood

Sat 11/23

The Stifftones at Blue Spruce Brewing in Centennial, CO November 23 from 6-9 @ 6pm

Blue Spruce Brewing Company, 4151 E County Line Rd, Centennial

Kate Clover: JD McPherson - Nite Owls Tour 2024 @ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Strange Americans Thanksgiving @ 8pm Swallow Hill Music, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Mat and Savanna Shaw: A Shaw Family Christmas @ 6:30pm Pace Center, Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Wild Goose Saloon, 11160 S. Pikes Peak Drive, Parker

Mon 11/25

Thanksgiving Break Camp @ 7:30am / Free Nov 25th - Nov 27th

Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr., Parker. 303-805-6315

Off Book: The Improvised Musical @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, En‐glewood

Tue 11/26

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

Wed 11/27

Eric Golden @ 7pm Toley’s on the Creek, 16728 E Smoky Hill Rd Suite 11C, Centennial

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

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

Ninety Percent 90s @ 8pm

Studio@Mainstreet, 19604 Mainstreet, Parker

Thu 11/28

Parker Parks and Recreation Turkey Day 5K FUN Run/Walk @ 8am / $34 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker

Regulators eyeing Xcel lobbying, salary costs

Regulators put curbs on investor relations and executive salaries

BY MARK JAFFE THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado utility regulators — using the mandates in a 2023 law — are looking to carve lobbying fees, trade association dues and investor relations costs from Xcel Energy rate requests. In a current gas rate case, more than $775,000 in such costs were disallowed.

e gure in the future could be a lot higher based on the Colorado Public Utilities Commission decision in October ordering Xcel Energy to remove all investor relations costs — including a portion of executive salaries — from its calculations of costs passed on to customers.

“ ere is an inherent tension between customer bene ts and investor bene ts,” said Joseph Pereira, deputy director of the Colorado O ce of the Utility Consumer Advocate, which represents residential and small commercial customers before the PUC. “Customers shouldn’t pay to boost the share price.”

In the wake of soaring utility bills in the 2022-23 winter, when the average gas bill rose 52% for residential customers of Xcel Energy’s subsidiary Public Service Company of Colorado, the legislature convened a special committee to investigate rates.

e result of that inquiry was Senate Bill 291, which aims to avoid the bill shock customers experienced. It also took aim at 15 types of expenses that should not be paid by customers, such as a portion of board of directors’ compensation, travel and entertainment expenses.

e commission is still working on setting the rules to comply with Senate Bill 291. e PUC is using interim rules for the gas rate case.

Xcel Energy was seeking a $172 million increase in gas rates. e PUC granted the company a $130 million increase, with a $15 million adjustment for depreciation expenses, raising the average monthly household bill 7.7% or $4.57 and small commercial bills by $17.49.

Colorado customers like people everywhere in the county are concerned about how high their energy bills have become,” said David Pomerantz, executive director of the nonpro t Energy and Policy Institute. “Underlying a lot of those concerns, is how politically powerful utilities are and how they are paying for that with money that’s not theirs.”

3 other states keep corporate costs from being charged to consumers Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine have passed laws similar to Colorado, and bills have been led in 11 other

states seeking to limit lobbying and other charges, Pomerantz said.

In a recent Xcel Energy gas rate case in Minnesota, the Citizens Utility Board, a nonpro t consumer advocate, challenged the dues paid to the American Gas Association, a trade group, and the Chamber of Commerce, noting that those charges are excluded by statute in Colorado.

In a settlement agreement, Xcel Energy agreed to remove the dues from customer charges.

“Colorado is a little ahead of the game compared to other states,” Pomerantz said. “ ey and Connecticut were the rst states to take a whack at this.”

While there is a long list of costs to be excluded, in the gas rate case, the commission honed in on four: lobbying expenses, investor relations expenses, trade association dues and attorney and consultant fees in rate cases.

Xcel Energy in its lings maintained that many investor costs are required, such as U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission lings, the provision of disclosures to current and potential investors as required by law, and listing fees, including those required by stock exchanges.

“ ese costs for the company are unavoidable costs and are by de nition prudent since they are required by law, regulation, and/or stock exchanges that give the company access to external capital,” Xcel Energy said in a ling.

e PUC, however, said that prohibition in Senate Bill 291 is “unambiguous.”

“We therefore direct Public Service to remove from its revenue requirement calculations all investor relations expenses,” the commission said.

But what that gure is and how to calculate it have yet to be determined since it will rely on computing the time spent and salaries of all employees involved in investor relations, all the way up to top executives and the CEO.

“You know, a big part of their responsibility is investor relations,” Commissioner Tom Plant said during one meeting reviewing the rate case. “It’s maximizing shareholder value. It’s maximizing return to investors.”

“And what we know from the statute is that that is not a role that the legislature has said is attributable to ratepayers,” Plant said. “But we don’t know what that line is, we don’t know where we draw that line.”

In its decision the commission said “the company shall provide a full accounting of time spent by the company’s employees, including executives, in raising capital and any other aspects of investor relations.”

e commission did remove $142,000 in investor-related expenses from the rate case.

Xcel is the top spender on lobbying in Colorado

e decision was similar regarding lobbying. Xcel Energy has consistently been the top spender on lobbying at the Colorado statehouse. In the 12 months ending in July, it spent about $297,000 on lobbying.

ose expenditures for registered lobbyists are not included in charges to customers, but under questioning from Commissioner Megan Gilman, Xcel Energy executives said there is no accounting for the company employees who spend time in lobbying activities.

“From the executive level on down, there are individuals within the organization directing, strategizing, analyzing potential proposed or enacted legislation and trying to in uence those outcomes on behalf of the company,” Gilman said. “And so, it seems to me, we’re likely missing quite a bit of information here that would be helpful and necessary to ensure compliance with 291.”

e PUC ordered Xcel Energy to update its 2023 annual report to show the portion of total compensation for company employee lobbying and to track and report those expenses for 2024 and each year through the next rate case.

Senate Bill 291 noting that “the vast majority of expenses the law required be excluded from rates has historically been excluded from Xcel Energy Colorado customer rates.”

e cost of attorneys and consultants have long been paid for by customers in rate cases. “Such expenses are a legitimate cost of providing utility service,” the commission said.

Xcel Energy sought $1.6 million in legal and consulting fees to be put into rates. e PUC sta in a ling said that was an improvement over the $2.2 million the company requested in its 2022 gas rate case, but the sta recommended a $1.3 million cap on expenses.

e company spent $260,000 on consultants and the commission split that cost between the company and customers with each responsible for half, leaving Xcel Energy able to recover $1.47 million in costs.

While these are small-dollar battles in a $171 million rate case, Pereira, the utility consumer advocate, said they are important in changing the dynamics in the legislature and at the PUC.

Alaska Adventures Await

Finally, the commission told the company to track employee lobbying expenses from Jan. 1, 2024, on in a separate account to determine in the next rate case whether a refund is due to customers.

Xcel Energy also argued that in addition to lobbying and political activities the American Gas Association provides educational and professional activities and that part of its dues to the trade group should be allowed. e commission rejected the argument and the full $503,000 in dues was removed.

Xcel did not comment for this story, but provided a statement it made about the commission’s rulemaking to enact

“Maybe Xcel decides it doesn’t want to pay for 10 people lobbying,” he said. “Maybe it changes how they approach a rate case.”

When it becomes clear how much Xcel Energy is spending stockholders may also have a say. “ ere are monetary savings for customers but also a quanti able way for shareholders to decide if they want to pay for those activities,” Pereira said.

“SB-291 has to be the most in uential customer-focused bill we’ve seen in a decade or more,” Pereira said.

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

Colorado utility regulators are considering exempting Xcel Energy’s lobbying fees, trade association dues and investor relations costs from future rate requests. FILE PHOTO

Federal judges clear Colorado 21-and-older gun law

10th Circuit judges end temporary injunction

BY JOHN INGOLD THE COLORADO SUN

A Colorado law passed last year requiring people to be at least 21 years old before they purchase a rearm — and prohibiting dealers from selling to anyone under 21 — can go into e ect, a panel of federal appellate judges has ruled. e ruling from the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dissolves a temporary hold that a federal district court judge placed on the law in August 2023. But the ruling doesn’t end the legal challenge to the law. Instead, it sends the case back to the lower court for the much more detailed arguments that will ultimately decide whether the law can stand.

e law was challenged by Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, a gun-rights advocacy group, as well as two people who said the law blocked them from buying

a rearm to protect themselves. One of those plainti s has since turned 21. ey argued that the law violates their Second Amendment rights. But the appeals court panel concluded that argument isn’t clear-cut enough to be entitled to a temporary injunction against the law. “ e best reading is that (the law) is presumptively lawful because the aged-based condition or quali cation on the conduct it proscribes falls outside the scope of the plain text of the Second Amendment,” the judges found in their opinion.

In another section, the judges added: “It seems evident that the necessity of some minimum age requirement is widely accepted — after all, no one is reasonably arguing that 8-year-olds should be allowed to purchase guns.”

e case involves a law passed in 2023,Senate Bill 169. e law changes the minimum age to purchase a rearm to 21 from 18 in Colorado. Supporters argue that the law is meant to reduce youth suicides, accidental shootings and gun violence.

BY MONTE WHALEY

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 handsfree 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 said. “ is law aligns with best practices from across

Law on phone use while driving about to change

the nation and re ects our commitment to protecting all road users, whether in a vehicle, on a bike or walking.”

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.

“For a long time, troopers have been

‘This new legislation is a crucial step toward making Colorado’s roads safer for everyone.’

Shoshana Lew, executive director of CDOT

able to detect when someone is driving distracted by a vehicle weaving between lanes, delayed starts at stop signs and lights, not to mention seeing a phone or other device in a driver’s hand,” said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol in the news release.  “ is legislation allows us to address risky and careless behaviors in a proactive way to increase the safety of all roadway users.”

As the January 2025 deadline approaches, CDOT urges all drivers to begin putting down their phones when driving, ensuring they are prepared when the law takes e ect, the news release states. Drivers are encouraged to acquire handsfree accessories such as dashboard mounts and car speakerphone systems to comply with the new law.

Cell phones are being targeted in new law to prevent distracted driving set to begin being enforced next year. State transportation officials are kicking o an awareness campaign now.

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. ese exceptions ensure that critical communications are not hindered in emergency or essential service situations, the news release states.

Demonstrating the use of a cable lock on a handgun. COURTESY OF COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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

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

Parker NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2024-0155

To Whom It May Concern: On 9/5/2024 9:21:00 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: Hayes and Bigbee, LLC

Original Beneficiary: First Financial Bank Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: First Financial Bank

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 5/8/2020

Recording Date of DOT: 2/23/2021

Reception No. of DOT: 2021022484 DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $617,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $471,957.29

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 make payments when due to First Financial Bank pursuant to the terms of the Loans 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: ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT 'A' AND INCORPORATED HEREIN AS THOUGH FULLY SET FORTH.

Which has the address of: 10225 S Parker Rd, 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, January 8, 2025, 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: 11/14/2024

Last Publication: 12/12/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 9/5/2024

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

NICHOLAS A. BUDA Colorado Registration #: 55727 1700 FARNMA ST, SUITE 1500, OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68102

Phone #: 402-636-8330

Fax #: Attorney File #: 6464915.1

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2024-0155

First Publication: 11/14/2024

Last Publication: 12/12/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

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

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 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

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 hereof: $403,432.47

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: Borrower’s failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust.

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. 2024-0158

To Whom It May Concern: On 9/5/2024 9:10:00 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: Hayes and Bigbee, LLC

Original Beneficiary: First Financial Bank

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: First Financial Bank Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 3/30/2021

Recording Date of DOT: 4/1/2021

Reception No. of DOT: 2021043385

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt:

$1,334,900.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $1,272,622.63

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: failure to make payments when due to First Financial Bank pursuant to the terms of the Loans. 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: ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT 'A' AND INCORPORATED HEREIN AS THOUGH FULLY SET FORTH.

Which has the address of: 10225 S. Parker 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, January 8, 2025, 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: 11/14/2024

Last Publication: 12/12/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 9/5/2024

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness

OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68102

Phone #: 402-636-8330

Fax #:

Attorney File #: 6472688.2

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2024-0158

First Publication: 11/14/2024

Last Publication: 12/12/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Castle Rock NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2024-0153

To Whom It May Concern: On 9/3/2024

3:51:00 PM 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 Broker Solutions, Inc., dba New American Funding, its successors and assigns

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: New American Funding LLC f/k/a Broker Solutions, Inc., d/b/a New American Funding Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 12/17/2021

Recording Date of DOT: 12/21/2021

Reception No. of DOT: 2021139539 DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $598,951.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $575,040.86

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 Borrower’s failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust

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 37, Block 11, Crystal Valley Ranch Filing No. 12A, Town of Castle Rock, County of Douglas, State of Colorado

Which has the address of: 1944 Shadow Creek Drive, 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 31, 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: 11/14/2024

Last Publication: 12/12/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 9/3/2024

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: AMANDA FERGUSON Colorado Registration #: 44893 355 UNION BLVD SUITE 250, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228

Phone #: Fax #: Attorney File #: CO23474

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2024-0153

First Publication: 11/14/2024

Last Publication: 12/12/2024

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2024-0156

To Whom It May Concern: On 9/5/2024

9:09:00 AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to

PUBLIC NOTICES

of

designations, or the

The FIRM and, if applicable, the FIS report have been revised to reflect these flood hazard determinations through issuance of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), in accordance with Title 44, Part 65 of the Code of Federal Regulations. These determinations are the basis for the floodplain management measures that your community is required to adopt or show evidence of having in effect to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. For more information on the proposed flood hazard determinations and information on the statutory 90-day period provided for appeals, please visit FEMA’s website at https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/BFE_ Status/bfe_main.asp , or call the FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) toll free at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627).

Legal Notice No. 947991

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 21, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Metropolitan Districts

Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON RATES AND FEES

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 18, 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

100 South Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104 and conference call at 1 (719) 359-4580, meeting ID number is 546 911 9353, and when prompted, dial the passcode: 912873, on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the Resolutions to Amend the 2024 Budget and adopt the 2025 Budget, inspect and file or register any objections thereto.

CASTLEWOOD RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By /s/ David Solin, Secretary

Legal Notice No. 947994

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 19, 2024 beginning at 2:30 p.m or as soon thereafter as possible, in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room, Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Douglas will conduct a public hearing concerning the proposed adoption of a resolution amending the 2024 adopted budget. Any interested elector of Douglas County may file an objection to the proposed amendment to the budget at any time prior to it’s final adoption by the Board of County Commissioners. A copy of said resolution may be obtained for inspection at the offices of the County Commissioners at the above address in Castle Rock, Colorado, or viewed on-line at www.douglas.co.us.

Legal Notice No. 947993

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press PUBLIC NOTICE

A Bill for

ORDINANCE NO. 1.633

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed change in the water and sewer service and usage fees for Cottonwood Water and Sanitation District customers will be considered at a the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors of the Cottonwood Water and Sanitation District that will be conducted on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 6:30 pm. This meeting will be held at the Joint Water Processing Plant (JWPP) at 8051 South Jordan Road, Englewood, CO 80112 and is open to the public. The Board will consider an increase in the water service base and usage rates; the sewer service base and usage rates to be effective January 1, 2025. Details are available for review on the website at www. cottonwoodwater.org and in the office of the District at 58 Inverness Drive East, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80112. Final action will be taken on these proposed fee changes at this time.

COTTONWOOD WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

By: /s/ William Thomas Secretary, Board of Directors

Legal Notice No. 947983

First Publication: November 14, 2024 Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE OF MAIL BALLOT RECALL ELECTION FOR CROWFOOT VALLEY RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN and particularly to the electors of the Crowfoot Valley Ranch Metropolitan District No. 2 (“District”) of Douglas County, Colorado.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special recall election of the District shall be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, during the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The election is being conducted as a mail ballot election. The ballots will be mailed to the eligible electors of the District no earlier than 22 days prior to the election (November 18, 2024) and no later than 15 days prior to the election (November 25, 2024). The drop off location for the delivery of mail ballots and receipt of new or replacement ballots shall be located at the office of the Designated Election Official, 44 Cook Street, Suite 620, Denver, Colorado, 80206, and shall be open Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. beginning at least 22 days prior to the election day and from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on election day. For information regarding the recall election, contact the Designated Election Official at mmills@cegrlaw.com.

At such election, the electors of the District shall vote for or against the recall of Directors Chad Murphy, Richard Cross and Sean Logue, and for candidates to succeed the Directors if recalled. The names of persons nominated and the Director position for which nominated are as follows:

Peter R. Madsen to succeed Chad Murphy, if recalled

Joseph Ryan Burross to succeed Sean Logue, if recalled

David M. Summer to succeed Richard Cross, if recalled

Lucas Kyle Lofman to succeed Richard Cross, if recalled

CROWFOOT VALLEY RANCH

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2

By/s/ Micki L. Mills

Designated

By: /s/ SETER, VANDER WALL & MIELKE, P.C.

Attorneys for the District

Legal Notice No. 947984

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed budget has been submitted to the COTTONWOOD HIGHLANDS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1 for the ensuing year of 2025. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the District at 58 Inverness Drive East, Suite 100, in Englewood, Colorado, where the same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a public hearing and final action taken at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Cottonwood Water and Sanitation District on Thursday, November 19, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. This meeting will be held via Zoom and can be accessed by going to Zoom.us or calling (719) 359-4580 and using the Meeting ID: 851 3535 2916, Passcode: 285279. Any taxpayer within the Cottonwood Highlands Metropolitan District No. 1 may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the resolution, file or register his objections thereto.

Dated: November 4, 2024

COTTONWOOD HIGHLANDS

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1

By:/s/Ryan Foristal

President, Board of Directors

Legal Notice No. 947981

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND AMENDMENT OF 2024 BUDGET

OVERLOOK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

TOWN OF PARKER, 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 Overlook Metropolitan District (the “District”) for the ensuing year of 2025. The necessity may also arise for the amendment of the 2024 budget of the District. Copies of the proposed 2025 budget and the 2024 amended budget (if appropriate) are on file in the office of the District’s Accountant, Simmons & Wheeler, P.C., 304 Inverness Way South, Suite 590, Englewood, Colorado 80112 (phone 303-689-0833), where same are available for public inspection. Such proposed 2025 budget and 2024 amended budget will be considered at a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.

1. To attend via Zoom videoconference, use the following link, or e-mail csorensen@specialdistrictlaw.com to have the link e-mailed to you: https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/83988111867?pwd=U2jY1wWORIub091ruXMov7NUKOBf1f.1

2. To attend via telephone, dial 1-719-359-4580 or 1-253-215-8782 and enter the following additional information: (a) Meeting ID: 839 8811 1867 (b) Passcode: 181141

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.

OVERLOOK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT /s/ Paula J. Williams

McGEADY BECHER CORTESE

WILLIAMS P.C.

Attorneys for the District

Legal Notice No. 947971

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND AMENDED 2024 BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed 2025 budget has been submitted to the HERITAGE HILLS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT, for the fiscal year 2025. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a special meeting of the Heritage Hills Metropolitan District to be held at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, November 22, 2024. If necessary, an amended 2024 budget will be filed in the office of the accountant and open for inspection for consideration at the special meeting of the Board. The meeting will be held via video teleconference. To access the meeting virtually, visit the District’s website at www.heritagehillsmetro.org where the meeting notice with link information will be posted or contact the District’s legal counsel at svw@svwpc.com for a link to be emailed to you. Any interested elector within the Heritage Hills Metropolitan District may inspect the proposed budget and amended budget, if necessary, 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.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

HERITAGE HILLS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ SETER, VANDER WALL & MIELKE, P.C.

Attorneys for the District

Legal Notice No. 947985

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE CONCERNING HEARING ON PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET OF WEST DOUGLAS COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

NOTICE is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of West Douglas County Fire Protection District (the “District”) for the ensuing year of 2025; that a copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the District at 4037 N. Platte Avenue, Sedalia, Colorado, where the same is open for public inspection; and 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 Station 4, 4037 N. Platte Avenue, Sedalia, Colorado on December 11, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Any eligible elector within the District may, at any time prior to the approval of the Resolution to Adopt Budget, Appropriate Funds and Set Mill Levies for 2025, inspect the budget and file or register any objections thereto.

WEST DOUGLAS COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

By: /s/ Mark Adams, President

Legal Notice No. 947937

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND AMENDMENT OF 2024 BUDGET WESTCREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors ("Board") of the WESTCREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2 for fiscal year 2025. A copy of such budget has been duly filed and is open for public inspection in the office of Maynes Bradford Shipps & Sheftel LLP, 600 17th Street, Suite 2150S, Denver, Colorado. The District Board will consider the proposed 2025 Budget, and an Amended 2024 Budget, if necessary, at public hearings to be held during a special meeting scheduled for 9:00 A.M. on Friday, November 22, 2024, at NexGen Properties, LLC, Two Denver Tech Center, 5290 DTC Parkway, Suite 810, Greenwood Village, Colorado.

The Board may take action on the proposed 2025 Budget, and the proposed Amended 2024 Budget, if necessary, during the special meeting following the public hearings. Any interested elector of the District may file or register any objections thereto with the Board during normal business hours prior to the final adoption of the proposed 2025 Budget and Amended 2024 Budget.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: WESTCREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 2

By: /s/ Travis McNeil, Board President

Legal Notice No. 947970

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed budget has been submitted to the COTTONWOOD WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT for the ensuing year of 2025. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the District at 58 Inverness Drive East, Suite 100, in Englewood, Colorado, where the same

is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a public hearing and final action taken at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Cottonwood Water and Sanitation District on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be held at 8051 South Jordan Road, Englewood, CO. Any taxpayer within the Cottonwood Water and Sanitation District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the resolution, file or register his objections thereto.

Dated: November 4, 2024

COTTONWOOD WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

By:/s/ William Thomas Secretary, Board of Directors

Legal Notice No. 947982

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

NOTICE CONCERNING 2024 BUDGET AMENDMENT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all interested parties that the necessity has arisen to amend the Stone Canon Ranch Metropolitan District’s 2024 Budget; that a copy of the proposed Amended 2024 Budget has been filed at 165 S. Union Boulevard, Suite 785, Lakewood, Colorado, where the same is open for public inspection; and that adoption of a Resolution to Amend the 2024 Budget will be considered at a public meeting of the Board of Directors of the District to be held on November 20, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. This public hearing will be held at The Philip & Jerry Miller Library, 100 S Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104. Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the Resolution to Amend the 2024 Budget, inspect and file or register any objections thereto.

STONE CANON RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ Dave Goltermann, Secretary

Legal Notice No. 948001

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING THUNDERBIRD WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 29-1-106, C.R.S., as amended, that a proposed Budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors of the Thunderbird Water and Sanitation District, Douglas County, Colorado for the calendar year 2025. A copy of said proposed Budget is on file in the District’s office located at 5780 W. Sioux Drive, Sedalia, Colorado 80135, where the same is available for inspection by the public, Monday through Friday during normal business hours (i.e., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the Board of Directors of the Thunderbird Water and Sanitation District will consider the adoption of its 2025 Budget after a public hearing on the proposed Budget is conducted during a regular meeting of the District’s Board of Directors to be held at the Indian Creek Ranch Clubhouse, located at 7149 West Cherokee Drive, Sedalia, Colorado 80135 on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Any interested elector of the Thunderbird Water and Sanitation District may inspect the proposed Budget for 2025 and file or register any objections thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the Budget.

THUNDERBIRD WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

By: /s/ Gary Cammarata, Secretary Legal Notice No. 947966 First Publication: November 14, 2024 Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND AMENDMENT OF 2024 BUDGET WESTCREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors ("Board") of the WESTCREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1 for fiscal year 2025. A copy of such budget has been duly filed and is open for public inspection in the office of Maynes Bradford Shipps & Sheftel LLP, 600 17th Street, Suite 2150S, Denver, Colorado. The District Board will consider the proposed 2025 Budget, and an Amended 2024 Budget, if necessary, at public hearings to be held during a special meeting scheduled for 9:00 A.M. on Friday, November 22, 2024, at NexGen Properties, LLC, Two Denver Tech Center, 5290 DTC Parkway, Suite 810, Greenwood Village, Colorado.

The Board may take action on the proposed 2025 Budget, and the proposed Amended 2024 Budget, if necessary, during the special meeting following the public hearings. Any interested elector of the District may file or register any objections thereto with the Board during normal business hours prior to the final adoption of the proposed 2025 Budget and Amended 2024 Budget. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: WESTCREEK METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NO. 1

By: /s/ Travis McNeil, Board President Legal Notice No. 947969

PUBLIC NOTICES

proposed budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2025 budget.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DISTRICT:

By: /s/ ICENOGLE | SEAVER | POGUE

A Professional Corporation

Legal Notice No. 948003

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

NOTICE AS TO PUBLIC H EARING REGARDING PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET AND AMENDED 2024 BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed 2025 budget has been submitted to the NORTHERN DOUGLAS COUNTY WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT, for the fiscal year 2025. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed budget will be considered at a regular meeting of the Northern Douglas County Water and Sanitation District to be held at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. If necessary, an amended 2024 budget will be filed in the office of the accountant and open for inspection for consideration at the regular meeting of the Board. The meeting will be held at 8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 300, Greenwood Village, Colorado. To access meeting, visit the District’s website at www.ndcwater.org where the meeting notice with link information will be posted or contact the District’s legal counsel at svw@svwpc.com for a link to be emailed to you. Any interested elector within the Northern Douglas County Water and Sanitation 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.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: NORTHERN DOUGLAS COUNTY WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT

By: /s/ SETER, VANDER WALL & MIELKE, P.C.

Attorneys for the District

Legal Notice No. 947996

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

INVITATION TO BID

Castle Pines Metropolitan District (the “District”) will receive Bids for the Water Treatment Plant 2 Expansion Project (the “Project”) at the District offices at 5880 Country Club Drive, Castle Rock, Colorado 80108, or electronically by email to Evan Person at eperson@castlepinesmetro.com, until 5:00 p.m. on November 15, 2024.

instructions for bidding, are available electronically by request via email to Evan Person at eperson@castlepinesmetro.com.

The successful bidder for the Project will be required to furnish a performance bond and a labor and materials payment bond in the full amount of the contract price.

The District reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informality, technicality or irregularity in any bid, to disregard all non-conforming, non-responsive, conditional or alternate bids, to negotiate contract terms with the successful bidder, to require statements or evidence of bidders’ qualifications, including financial statements, and to accept the proposal that is in the opinion of the District in its best interest. The District also reserves the right to extend the bidding period if it appears in its interest to do so.

Any questions concerning this bid shall be directed in writing to: Evan Person at eperson@ castlepinesmetro.com.

CASTLE PINES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ Joshua Shackelford, District Manager

Legal Notice No. 947977

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

PUBLIC INVITATION TO BID

Separate sealed bids for 2025 Asphalt Overlay Project, CI 2025-003 will be received by the Owner, Douglas County Government, Department of Public Works Engineering, Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104, until Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. This project consists of placement of hot mix asphalt overlays at various locations throughout Douglas County. Bid items include removal of asphalt mat, hot mix asphalt paving, adjustment of manholes and water valve boxes, replacement of pavement markings, and erosion control.

The Contract Documents will be available after 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024, through Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System Website (www.rockymountainbidsystem.com) or they may be obtained at the above address. Electronic versions of the Plans obtained by any other means than as described above may not be complete or accurate, and it is the Bidder’s responsibility to obtain a complete set of the Project Plans and Specifications. Douglas County will not be held responsible for misinformation received from private plan rooms.

A PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the Department of Public Works Engineering, Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

All questions are due to Project Manager by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. The Bid Opening will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the same address.

The Project includes the following major items and approximate quantities:

• Hot Mix Asphalt – 93,377 Tons

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 special meeting of the Board of Directors.

Copies of the proposed 2025 budget and, if necessary,

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 SOLITUDE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

/s/

The work to be bid consists of constructing improvements associated with the expansion of a water treatment facility. All work is to be performed to the District’s standards and specifications. Bid packages, including specifications for the work and instructions for bidding, are available electronically by request via email to Evan Person at eperson@ castlepinesmetro.com.

The successful bidder for the Project will be required to furnish a performance bond and a labor and materials payment bond in the full amount of the contract price.

The District reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informality, technicality or irregularity in any bid, to disregard all non-conforming, non-responsive, conditional or alternate bids, to negotiate contract terms with the successful bidder, to require statements or evidence of bidders’ qualifications, including financial statements, and to accept the proposal that is in the opinion of the District in its best interest. District also reserves the right to extend the bidding period if it appears in its interest to do so.

Any questions concerning this bid shall be directed in writing to: Evan Person at eperson@ castlepinesmetro.com.

CASTLE PINES

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By: /s/ Joshua Shackelford, District Manager

Legal Notice No. 947954

First Publication: November 7, 2024

DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed budget has been submitted to the PARK MEADOWS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT (the “District”) for the ensuing year of 2025. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of CliftonLarsonAllen

Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

INVITATION TO BID

Castle Pines Metropolitan District (the “District”) will receive Bids for the Water Tank Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Project (the “Project”) at the District offices at 5880 Country Club Drive, Castle Rock, Colorado 80108, or electronically by email to Evan Person at eperson@castlepinesmetro.com, until 5:00 p.m. on November 20, 2024.

The work to be bid consists of constructing improvements associated with a new water tank. All work is to be performed to the District’s standards and specifications. Bid packages, including specifications for the work and

HIGHLANDS RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

Legal No. 947975

First Published November 14, 2024

Last Published November 21, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice INVITATION TO BID

Sealed bids for the Pinery Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Aeration Implementation Project (“Bids”) will be received by the Denver Southeast Suburban Water and Sanitation District, D/B/A Pinery Water and Wastewater District (the “Owner”) until 2:00 PM local time December 9, 2024 (the “Bid Opening”) at 5242 Old Schoolhouse Road, Parker, Colorado 80134. At said time and place, all Bids that have been timely received in compliance with the requirements of this Invitation to Bid and the applicable contract documents (the “Contract Documents”), will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Bids may be submitted to Richard Krulish, Engineering Project Manager, via hard copy to the District office located at 5242 Old Schoolhouse Road, Parker, Colorado 80134.

WORK INCLUDED: The Project generally consists of replacing the mechanical aerating mixers at the Pinery WWTF oxidation ditches. The site (the “Site”) on which all work (the “Work”) on the Project shall occur is located near Parker, Colorado, which is within the boundaries of the Owner and located in Douglas County, Colorado. The Work will be performed under a single contract and shall include furnishing and installation of all materials, labor and equipment as indicated in the Contract Documents and as otherwise required to provide a complete working system for the purpose intended.

DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE: The Contract

Documents will be available to prospective bidders on November 14, 2024 and may be obtained directly from the Owner via email request to RKrulish@pinerywater.com. Contract Documents shall not be redistributed to preserve the integrity of Owner’s list for updates and changes.

INTERPRETATION: Bidders may request interpretations or clarifications of the Contract Documents from the Owner by electronic mail. The Owner will not be bound or responsible for any explanations or interpretations other than those given in writing by the Owner. No oral interpretations shall be binding on the Owner. Bidders may request interpretations or clarifications from the Owner through the following contact:

Katelin Scheuerman Burns & McDonnell Phone: 720-715-7491 email: knscheuerman@burnsmcd.com

The deadline for requesting interpretations or clarifications from the Owner is 5:00 pm local time on November 25, 2024.

• Removal of Asphalt Mat (Planning) –333,617 SY Aggregate Base Course – 2,337 Tons

Prior to submitting a Bid Proposal, Bidders shall have received prequalification status (active status) with the Colorado Department of Transportation to bid on individual projects of the size and kind of work as set forth herein.

Any questions on the bidding process shall be directed to Keith Burke, Project Manager at 303.660.7490.

Plan holder information, can be found on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System Website.

Legal Notice No. 948002

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Second Publication: November 14, 2024 Account Number: 2734

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 38-26-107, C.R.S., that on the 29 of November, 2024 a final settlement with A to Z Recreation will be made by the HIGHLANDS RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT for the 2024 Welte Park Playground Renovation Project, subject to prior satisfactory final inspection and acceptance of said facilities by the HIGHLANDS RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT.

Any person, copartnership, association of persons, company, or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractor or his subcontractor in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplied rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work whose claim therefore has not been paid by the contractor or the subcontractor, may file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim.

All such claims shall be filed with HIGHLANDS RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT, 62 Plaza Drive, Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129, with a copy forwarded to Tim Flynn, Attorney at Law, Ireland Stepleton Pryor & Pascoe, PC, 1660 Lincoln Street, Suite 3000, Denver, Colorado 80264. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such a verified statement or claim prior to such final settlement will release said HIGHLANDS RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT, it's officers, agents and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim and for making payment for the said Contractor.

Separate sealed bids for the Dransfeldt Road Redundant Fiber Interconnect CIP24-015 as described in the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, will be received by electronic bid through Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System: www.bidnetdirect.com//town-of-parker until 10:00 A.M. local time, December 11, 2024 and then publicly opened and read aloud via an online Zoom conference. The Zoom conference information will be added to BidNet Direct via a Communication prior to the bid date.

Electronic construction plans, specifications and forms for preparing bids may be obtained on Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System: www.bidnetdirect.com//town-of-parker on or after 9:00 a.m. on November 13, 2024.

All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Bond in an amount of at least five percent (5%) of the Bid. The vendors can upload their bid bond when responding online. The bond will be retained by the Town as liquidated damages if the successful bidder refuses or fails to enter into a Contract and Performance, Payment and Maintenance bond in accordance with his bid when notified of the award.

The Town shall issue a written addendum if substantial changes which impact the technical submission of Bids are required. Addenda will be posted on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System: www.bidnetdirect.com//townof-parker. Plan Holders are responsible for either revisiting website prior to the due date to ensure that they have any addenda which may have been issued after the initial download.

The Plan Holder shall certify its acknowledgment of the addendum by signing the addendum and returning it with its Bid. In the event of conflict with the original contract documents, addenda shall govern all other contract documents to the extent specified. Subsequent addenda shall govern over prior addenda only to the extent specified.

The extent of the work is approximately as follows:

2,300 linear feet of 2-inch bored conduit and 2,850 linear feet of fiber optic cable installation. Work also includes, but not limited to, pull boxes, concrete sidewalk removal/replacement and traffic control.

Bids may not be withdrawn for a period of forty-five (45) days after the time fixed for closing them. The Owner reserves the right to waive irregularities, to waive technical defects accordingly as the best interest of the Town may be served, may reject any and all bids, and shall award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder as determined by the Owner.

All bidders questions and inquires shall be directed to the Town of Parker’s Project Manager, Eli Vidales, evidales@parkerco.gov.

Tom Williams, PE, Engineering/Public Works Director

This Notice to Bidders is not valid without the above signature.

PRE-BID MEETING: A Pre-Bid meeting will be held on Monday November 18, 2024 @ 1pm at the project site, 6515 N State Highway 83, Parker, CO 80134. This site is difficult to locate on most mapping systems. The site is located by traveling west on North Pinery Parkway from the intersection of State Highway 83 and North Pinery Parkway approximately 1750 feet to the T-intersection and turning north to the end of the road at the treatment plant gate. Please contact Richard Krulish at rkrulish@pinerywater.com or 720-751-2635 to confirm directions.

BONDS AND SECURITY: The successful Bidder will be required to furnish the Performance Bond, Payment Bond and Maintenance Bond, as security for the faithful performance and the payment of all of the successful Bidder’s obligations under the Contract Documents. The requirement that the successful Bidder furnish a Performance Bond, Payment Bond and Maintenance Bond can also be satisfied by furnishing a combined Performance, Payment and Maintenance Bond. All required bonds shall be in a form satisfactory to the Owner.

INSURANCE: The successful Bidder will be required to submit a Certificate of Insurance demonstrating that the Bidder carries insurance coverage with limits of not less than those set forth in the Contract Documents, Worker’s Compensation Insurance, Employer’s Liability Insurance, Commercial General Liability Insurance, Automobile Liability Insurance, Umbrella Liability Insurance, and Builder’s Risk Property Insurance.

WITHDRAWAL OF BIDS: No Bids may be withdrawn for a period of fifty (50) days after the Bid Opening.

SCHEDULE: The Notice of Award will be issued on or about December 19, 2024. Substantial and Final Completion dates, as well as liquidated damages provided for failure to meet the Substantial and Final Completion dates, will be included within the Contract Documents available to potential bidders.

OWNER’S RIGHTS RESERVED: The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all Bids, may choose to award all, none, or any combination of the project schedules, the right to waive any informality or technicality contained in any Bid and the right to waive any formality or technicality in the bidding procedures.

By: Heather Beasley, District Manager

Denver Southeast Suburban Water & Sanitation District Legal Notice No. 947997

NOTICE TO NONRESIDENT BIDDERS

The purpose of this notice is to comply with C.R.S. § 8-19-104(3). If a nonresident bidder is from a state that provides a bidding preference to bidders from that state, then a comparable percentage disadvantage will be applied to the bid of that nonresident bidder. Nonresident bidders may obtain additional information from the Web site for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

Legal Notice No. 947978

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT

Date: 11/05/2024

Project Title: 2024 Slurry Seal Project Town of Castle Rock

Contractor: Vance Brothers, 5201 Brighton Ave Kansas City, MO 64130

Notice is hereby given that the Town of Castle Rock intends to start processing the Final Payment to the above-named contractor on December 2, 2024, provided no claims are received.

Any person or firm having debts against the Contractor must file a proper written notice with the Public Works Director, Town of Castle Rock, 4175 Castleton Court, Castle Rock, CO 80109, on or before December 2, 2024.

TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK

By: Aaron Monks, Engineering Manager

Legal Notice No. No. 947986

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 21, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT

Date: 11/05/2024

Project Title: 2024 Curb, Gutter, Sidewalk Project Town of Castle Rock

Contractor: KRM Concrete LLC, 6900 Fern Drive Denver, CO 80221

Notice is hereby given that the Town of Castle Rock intends to start processing the Final Payment to the above-named contractor on December 2, 2024, provided no claims are received.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Plaintiff:

v. JAMES G. PARK; GORDON L. HIMELEIN AND VIRGINIA D. HIMELEIN

Defendant(s)

Regarding: LOT 38, BLOCK 1, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 50-A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO

ALSO KNOWN AS: 38 FALCON HILLS DRIVE, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80126

also known as: 38 FALCON HILLS DR HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80126 (the “Property”)

Under a Judgement and Decree of Foreclosure entered on May 21, 2024, relating to Transcripts of Judgments recorded in the Douglas County public records the undersigned is ordered to sell certain real property set forth and described above.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS, Please take notice:

You and each of you are hereby notified that a Sheriff's Sale of the referenced property is to be conducted by the Civil Division of the Sheriff's Office of Douglas County, Colorado at 10:00 A.M., on the 2nd day January 2025, at 4000 Justice Way, Suite 2213, Castle Rock, CO 80109, phone number 303-660-7527. At which sale, the above described real property and improvements thereon will be sold to the highest bidder. Plaintiff makes no warranty relating to title, possession, or quiet enjoyment in and to said real property in connection with this sale. All bidders will be required to have in their possession cash or certified funds at least equal to the amount of the judgment creditor’s bid. Please telephone 303-660-7527 prior to the sale to ascertain the amount of this bid. The highest and best bidder will have two hours following the sale to tender

BIDDERS

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE JUDGMENTS

BEING FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. Recorded Transcripts of Judgement are in the amount of $324,951.40

All telephone inquiries for information should be directed to the office of the undersigned Sheriff at 303-660-7527. The name, address and telephone number of the attorney representing the legal owner of the above described lien is William H. Eikenberry # 29565, JONES & KELLER PC, 1675 BROADWAY 26TH FLOOR DENVER, CO 80202, (303) 573-1600.

Dated 11/7/2024, Castle Rock, CO

Darren M. Weekly

Sheriff of Douglas County, Colorado

Kirk Ring, Deputy, Douglas County, Colorado

Legal Notice No. 947857

First Publication: 11/14/2024

Last Publication: 12/12/2024

Published In: Douglas County News Press Public Notice

Family Court, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO

CIVIL ACTION NO. 2024CV30172, Division/Courtroom # 6 SHERIFF’S SALE NO. 24001909

NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

LOANDEPOT.COM LLC, Plaintiff:

v. BURAK SOUKUP YORUMEZ; J ULIE SOUKUP YORUMEZ, Defendant(s)

Regarding: LOT 78, PROVINCE CENTERFILING NO. 1H., COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO

COMMONLY KNOW AS: 9089 RENOIR DR, LITTLETON, CO 80126; also known as: 9089 RENOIR DR LITTLETON, CO 80126 (the “Property”)

Under a Judgement and Decree of Foreclosure entered on September 11, 2024, relating to Transcripts of Judgments recorded in the Douglas County public records the undersigned is ordered to sell certain real property set forth and described above.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS, Please take notice:

You and each of you are hereby notified that a Sheriff's Sale of the referenced property is to be conducted by the Civil Division of the Sheriff's Office of Douglas County, Colorado at 10:00 A.M., on the 26th day December 2024, at 4000 Justice Way, Suite 2213, Castle Rock, CO 80109, phone number 303-660-7527. At which sale, the above described real property and improvements thereon will be sold to the highest bidder. Plaintiff makes no warranty relating to title, possession, or quiet enjoyment in and to said real property in connection with this sale. All bidders will be required to have in their possession cash or certified funds at least equal to the amount of the judgment creditor’s bid. Please telephone 303-660-7527 prior to the sale to ascertain the amount of this bid. The highest and best bidder will have two hours following the sale to tender the full amount of their bid, or they will be deemed to have withdrawn their bid.

BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CASH OR CERTIFIED FUNDS SUFFICIENT TO COVER

FIRST LIEN ON THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. Recorded Transcripts of Judgement are in the amount of $518,539.94

All telephone inquiries for information should be directed to the office of the undersigned Sheriff at 303-660-7527. The name, address and telephone number of the attorney representing the legal owner of the above described lien is Amanda Ferguson #44893, HALLIDAY, WATKINS & MANN, P.C., 355 UNION BLVD SUITE 250 LAKEWOOD, CO 80228, (303)274-0155.

Dated 10/31/2024, Castle Rock, CO

Darren M. Weekly Sheriff of Douglas County, Colorado

Kirk Ring, Deputy Douglas County, Colorado

Legal Notice No. 947813

First Publication: 10/31/2024

Last Publication: 11/28/2024

Published In: Douglas County News Press

Storage Liens/Vehicle Titles

Public Notice

1) 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C BLACK - WDDGF8BB2BR152599

2) 2006 FORD TAURUS GRAY - 1FAFP53UX6A16588

3) 2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER GOLD - 1GNDT13SX62361414

Parker Towing Inc 18800 E. Clarke Road, Parker, CO 80134 303-841-9161

Legal Notice No. 947974

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

1) 2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VIN 1GNKVEED3CJ16828

Villalobos Towing LLC 5161 York Street, Denver, CO 80216 720-299-3456

Legal Notice No. 947998

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

1) 2018 HONDA CRV VIN 2HKRW5H34JH426649

2) 2007 FORD MUSTANG VIN 1ZVFT84N975254337

3) 2010 TOYOTA RAV4 VIN JTMDK4DVXA5097575

4) 2006 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VIN 1J8HR78386C335426

5) 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY VIN 4T1BE46K69U912286

6) 2008 HONDA ACCORD VIN 1HGCP26858A157354

7) 2000 FREIGHTLINER VIN 1FVABPBW41HH59057

8) 2006 GMC SIERRA VIN 3GTEK14Z66G194908

9) 2003 FORD F150 VIN 2FTRF17243CA88048

10) 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML VIN 5JGBB86E98A374581

11) 2015 CHRYSLER 200 VIN 1C3CCCAB3FN546135 REDLINERS INC 2531 W 62ND CT UNIT G DENVER, CO 80221 720-930-8139

Legal Notice No. 947999

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Notice to Creditors

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of JAMES RAY JENNINGS, a/ka JAMES R. JENNINGS, a/k/a JAMES JENNINGS, a/k/a JIM JENNINGS, Deceased Case Number 2024PR030478

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Douglas County, Colorado, located at 4000 Justice Way, Suite 2009, Castle Rock, Colorado 80109, on or before March 3, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Linda Kay Jennings

c/o Kathryn T. James, Esq. Folkestad Fazekas Barrick & Patoile, P.C. 18 South Wilcox Street, Suite 200 Castle Rock, Colorado 80104

Legal Notice No. 947897

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Darlene Mae Anderson, aka Darlene Anderson, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30367

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

Joan Wolner, Personal Representative 13671 Travois Trail

Parker Colorado 80138

Legal Notice No. 947891

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Ralph Eugene Parkhouse, aka Ralph E. Parkhouse, aka Ralph Parkhouse, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30436

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas, County, Colorado on or before March 14, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Joanne E. Parkhouse

Personal Representative

c/o Klein Law Firm, P.C. 8310 S. Valley Highway, STE 300 Englewood, CO 80112

Legal Notice No. 947972

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 28, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Mary Ann Kelley, Deceased Case Number: 24PR30485

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

Tracy Kelley-O’Neill

Personal Representative 3162 South King Way Denver, CO 80236

Legal Notice No. 947886

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Deborah Ann Collette, aka Deborah A. Collette, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30079

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

Laura Noel Donovan

Personal Representative 6030 Belmont Way Parker, Colorado 80138

Legal Notice No. 947890

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of THOMAS L. BAKLEY, aka THOMAS LEE BAKLEY, THOMAS BAKLEY, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30417

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before March 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Michael P. Sasin

Attorney to the Personal Representative Kumpf Charsley & Hansen, LLC 9565 S. Kingston Court, Suite 100

Englewood, CO 80112

Main: 720-473-8000

Legal Notice No. 947919

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 21, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of EVERETT MAJOR JOHNSON, JR., a/k/a EVERETT M. JOHNSON, JR., Deceased Case Number 2024PR30467

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

Diana Jill Sinclair, Personal Representative 16462 E. Otero Ave.

Englewood, CO 80112

Legal Notice No. 947859

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Teresa Rene Enrico, aka Terri Rene Enrico, Deceased Case Number 24PR30483

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before March 15, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Harmon S. Graves Attorney to the Personal Representative

1950 W Littleton Blvd. Suite 113 Littleton, CO 80120

Legal Notice No. 947968

First Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 28, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of MARY ELIZABETH BASTIAN, a/k/a MARYBETH BASTIAN.

a/k/a MARY ELIZABETH GRASSMAN.

a/k/a MARY ELIZABETH LAROSE. a/k/a MARY ELIZABETH RANDOLL, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR030479

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before March 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Laura LaRose, Personal Representative c/o Opfer | Campbell | Beck, P.C. 19751 East Mainstreet, Suite 215 Parker, CO 80138

Legal Notice No. 947929

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 21, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of SANDRA KAYE TAYLOR, AKA SANDRA TAYLOR, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30360

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before March 15, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Jonathan P. Shultz, Attorney for the Personal Representative 19751 E Mainstreet, Suite 200 Parker, CO 80138

Legal Notice No. 947881

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of WILLIAM HAROLD STANGL, a/k/a BILL STANGL, a/k/a WILLIAM H. STANGL, Deceased Case No: 24PR30470

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

Personal Representative: Scott Stangl 7813 Three Forks Trail McKinney, TX 75071

Legal Notice No. 947840

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Second Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Virginia C. Walsh, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30346

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

Maureen A. Jelliffe, Personal Representative c/o Daniel R. Klein 8310 S. Valley Highway, Suite 300 Englewood, Colorado 80112

Legal Notice No. 947866

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last Publication: November 14, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Deborah A. Samuels, a/k/a Deborah Anne Samuels, a/k/a Deborah Samuels, Deceased Case Number: 24PR30476

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before March 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Kurt Krantz, Personal Representative 5425 E. Dry Creek Circle Centennial, CO 80122

Legal Notice No. 947927

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 21, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ROBERT C. HERK, AKA ROBERT HERK, and ROBERT CHRISTOPHER HERK, Deceased Case Number: 24PR30292

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District

Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before March 1, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

BRYAN CHARLES HERK Personal Representative 406 20TH STREET WHEATLAND WY 82201

Legal Notice No. 947885

First Publication: October 31, 2024

Last

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Timothy Michael Reeves, Deceased Case Number: 24PR179

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

Rebekah Reeves Personal Representative 1665 Avery Way Castle Rock, Colorado 80109

Legal Notice No. 947867

First Publication: October 31, 2024 Last Publication: November 14, 2024 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Burton B. Sharoff, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 30448

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

Stanley M. Sharoff, Personal Representative c/o Chayet & Danzo, LLC 650 S. Cherry Street, Suite 710 Denver, CO 80246

Legal Notice No. 947928 First Publication: November 7, 2024 Last Publication: November 21, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of ROBERT MARC MUNOZ, a/k/a, ROBERT M. MUNOZ, a/k/a ROBERT MUNOZ, a/k/a R. MARC MUNOZ, a/k/a MARC MUNOZ, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30466

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas County, Colorado on or before March 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Anthony Teele, Personal Representative c/o 3i Law, LLC 2000 S. Colorado Blvd. Tower 1, Suite 10000 Denver, CO 80222

Legal Notice No. 947924

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Last Publication: November 21, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Jason G. Giordano, a/k/a Jason Giordano, a/k/a Jason Gilbert Giordano, Deceased Case Number 2024PR30490.

All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Douglas, County, Colorado on or before March 7, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.

Donna M. Giordano

Personal Representative c/o Long Reimer Winegar LLP 1800 Glenarm Place, Suite 1202 Denver, CO 80202

Legal Notice No. 947923

First Publication: November 7, 2024

Second Publication: November 14, 2024

Last Publication: November 21, 2024

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of LEE R. JONES, also known as LEE ROY JONES,

Centennial o ers help with home improvements

Centennial’s Home Improvement Program helps qualifying homeowners make the most of their repair and remodel dollars with cash rebates.

e program is o ering homeowners cash rebates for speci c accessibility improvements incorporated into residential projects.

e program will o er up to $300 to quali ed Centennial homeowners based on the value of their project. HIP aims to increase property values, energy e ciency and the vibrancy of Centennial’s neighborhoods.

Applications must be submitted within 90 days of passing your nal inspection. See tinyurl.com/CentennialHomeProgram for more information.

Centennial small-business loan funds available

loans to small-business owners in Centennial.

e community loan fund exists to provide an a ordable, exible loan solution for those unable to obtain traditional loan nancing to start or grow their business.

For information on who can apply, loan amounts, terms and loan uses, the public can visit tinyurl.com/CentennialBusinessLoan.

Depot Art Gallery holiday boutique

e annual Holiday Boutique at the Depot Art Gallery in Littleton is open through Dec. 29.

Forty-four talented local artisans created unique hand-crafted gifts, large and small.

e boutique includes jewelry, cards, cut glass decorations, ornaments, 2-D art and more.

Highlands Ranch put on Veterans Day celebration

Highlands Ranch honored veterans at the Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 11 at the Douglas County Libraries location in Highlands Ranch.

is annual celebration has included patriotic music from the Highlands Ranch Concert Band, a color guard and special readings about Veterans Day.

e guest speaker was to be Lee Frame, a Highlands Ranch resident and 30-year U.S. Navy veteran who served as the commanding o cer of the nuclear powered missile submarine U.S.S. Casimir Pulaski, according to a Highlands Ranch Metro District news release.

Guests were encouraged to arrive early and visit the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument located outside of the library prior to the event.

e City of Centennial has partnered with Colorado Enterprise Fund to o er

NORTON

When we encounter obstacles in our lives, whether physical, mental, or spiritual, the same approach applies. We must ask ourselves: “What’s standing in my way?” And, more importantly, “Why am I allowing it to?” Overcoming these internal obstacles often requires the same determination that a salesperson uses to

LAWS

Purchasers under the age of 21 as well as unlicensed rearm sellers could face a class-2 misdemeanor for violating the law. Licensed rearms dealers who break the law face a class 1 misdemeanor. e law ultimately changes the status quo only when it comes to ri es and shotguns because federal law already bans the purchase of handguns by people under 21. e law does not ban the possession of guns by those under 21, nor does it prohibit people under 21 from acquiring rearms via gifts or inheritance. It also contains exemptions for military and law enforcement members.

Tuesday’s ruling marks a relatively minor procedural step in the long arc of the case. But it also showcases how complicated and hotly contested federal rearm jurisprudence has become in the wake of Supreme Court decisions bolstering gun rights and requiring gun laws to be consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of rearms regulation.

In August 2023, when Chief U.S. District Judge Philip A. Brimmer temporarily blocked the law in a 44-page order, he concluded “the individual plainti s have shown a likelihood of success on

e Depot Art Gallery is located at 2069 W. Powers Ave. and is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday.

address objections. It involves identifying the root of resistance, determining what help we need, and committing to tackle these roadblocks with discipline and purpose.

Sometimes, the obstacles we face are self-imposed, born from a fear of failure, or unwilling to let go of comfort. Other times, they’re rooted in external circumstances beyond our control. In either case, overcoming them requires a willingness to act and an openness to seeking help.

the merits.” Finding such a likelihood is needed for a judge to issue an injunction.

In appealing that order, attorneys for the state led over 1,000 pages of briefs and appendices, including four expert a davits — three of them from historians and another from a neuroscientist.

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia led friend-of-the-court briefs in support of the Colorado law, while eight other organizations led their own friend-of-the-court briefs arguing various positions.

e appeals court ruling, written by U.S. Circuit Judge Richard E.N. Federico, with the support of judges Carolyn Baldwin McHugh and Michael R. Murphy, stretches to 61 pages. A concurrence by McHugh — arguing that one particular issue should have been analyzed during the second step of a process laid out in a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision instead of during the rst step — is another 30 pages. An appendix laying out the history of various state gun laws tacks on another seven pages.

All three judges on the 10th Circuit panel were appointed by Democratic presidents, while Brimmer was appointed by a Republican.

In the end, the appellate judges concluded that the legal issues in the case aren’t as clear as Brimmer saw them.

“Laws imposing conditions and qualications on the sale and purchase of

PUBLIC NOTICES

A focal point of the monument is a special tribute memorial to three special hometown heroes whose names are etched in stone: Sta Sgt. Christopher

Similarly, some obstacles may not be real limitations but a test of our commitment. Are we truly serious about our goals? Do we need to negotiate with ourselves to nd the discipline and courage to overcome what holds us back?

Whether overcoming objections or obstacles, the goal remains to remove what stands in the way of success, growth, and ful llment. By cultivating resilience, seeking support, and staying dedicated to our purpose, we clear the path toward becoming the best versions of ourselves.

arms do not implicate the plain text of the Second Amendment,” Federico wrote in the ruling.

In a post on X, Rocky Mountain Gun Owners said the 10th Circuit judges “recharacterized this law into a mere commercial regulation instead of a constitutional right infringement.”

“ is is a very temporary setback, and we look forward to ghting back against

Falkel, Sgt. Jon Stiles and Cpl. Max Donahue.

Colorado Railroad Museum’s new exhibit highlights women’s contributions to railroad industry

e Golden-area museum recently opened “Hidden from History: A Century of Women in Railroading,” highlighting women’s work in and for the railroad industry from the 1870s to the 1970s. e exhibit, which is in the sublevel of the main depot/ticket o ce building, will be open through August 2025. People from all walks of life helped plan, construct and operate the railroads from the early days of locomotives until now.

Although not every job was historically available to every person due to discrimination or other factors, the Colorado Railroad Museum is working to ensure the Mexican-American traqueros, the Black railroad workers and other communities are remembered.

What are the biggest obstacles holding you back? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can identify what they are and develop a solid plan to overcome them, 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.

this outrageous ruling,” the organization wrote. “ is law very clearly violates both the Second Amendment and the Supreme Court’s precedents, and we look forward to ultimately striking it o the books.”

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