Wood was a county commissioner for nearly eight years and a longtime volunteer with Evergreen Fire/Rescue
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COMWarning: is story may be upsetting to some readers. Call 1-844-4938255 or visit coloradocrisisservices. org for 24/7 help.
Clear Creek County Commissioner Sean Wood took his own life, according to an autopsy report released to the Clear Creek Courant on June 3. In the report, Pathologist Daniel Lingamfelter determined Wood’s
May 6 death to be a deliberate and self-in icted act.
Wood served as a county commissioner for nearly eight years.
“Clear Creek County is heartbroken from the unexpected passing of Commissioner Sean Wood,” county o cials said in a statement.
Fellow County Commissioner Randy Wheelock described Wood as a quiet, conscientious man who fought vigorously for what he believed would be of best bene t to the people of Clear Creek County.
Wood had also served as a member of Evergreen Fire/Rescue for more than 20 years.
“His death has been devastating to the Evergreen re ghting community,” Risk Reduction O cer Einar Jensen said.
Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado
Week of 5/27 , and Month of May, 2024
Each day at about 8 a.m. a local National Weather Service volunteer observer makes temperature and precipitation observations at the Georgetown Weather Station and wind observations at Georgetown Lake. “Max” and “Min” temperatures are from an NWS digital “Maximum/Minimum Temperature System.” “Mean daily” temperature is the calculated average of the max and min. “Total Precipitation” is inches of rainfall plus melted snow. “Snowfall” is inches of snow that accumulated. T = Trace of precipitation or snowfall. NR = Not Reported. “Peak wind gust at Georgetown Lake” is the velocity and the time of the maximum wind gust that occurred during the 24 hours preceding the observation time. Historic data are based on the period of record for which statistical data have been compiled (about 55 years within the period 18932023). Any weather records noted are based on a comparison of the observed value with the historical data set.
Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado
Week of5/27, and Month ofMay, 2024
Each day at about 8 a.m. a local National Weather Service volunteer observer makes temperature and precipitation observations at the Georgetown Weather Station and wind observations at Georgetown Lake. “Max” and “Min” temperatures are from an NWS digital “Maximum/Minimum Temperature System.” “Mean daily” temperature is the calculated average of the max and min. “Total Precipitation” is inches of rainfall plus melted snow. “Snowfall” is inches of snow that accumulated. T = Trace of precipitation or snowfall. NR = Not Reported. “Peak wind gust at Georgetown Lake” is the velocity and the time of the maximum wind gust that occurred during the 24 hours preceding the observation time. Historic data are based on the period of record for which statistical data have been compiled (about 55 years within the period 1893-2023). Any weather records noted are based on a comparison of the observed value with the historical data set.
Day and date of observation (2024)
My May 16 column, “A Full-Blown Home Insurance Crisis Is Brewing,” invited readers to share their personal experiences and also any suggestions they had for solving the crisis, which is getting worse by the minute.
There has been some good national coverage of the subject in the press and on television news programs. The bottom line is that even places like Colorado which don’t experience as many disasters as the two coasts and “tornado alley” are subject to increases in insurance premiums due to payouts elsewhere.
er more foothills areas than they do areas in the plains. Those two ZIP codes encompass 184 square miles — bigger than the 64 Zip codes in Denver, including the airport’s 54 square miles!
According to economist Elliot Eisenberg, “In 2013 and 2014, the number of weather/climate disasters exceeding $1 billion inflation-adjusted was 10. In 2017, the number hit 19, in 2020 it was 22, and… the number reached a record 28 in 2023. The years 2020-2023 have been four of the worst five years, with 2017 also in the top five.”
A May 13, 2024, article in the New York Times detailed the increasing losses by insurers in all 50 states. That included Colorado, where insurers have lost money is all but three years since 2013. The article quoted Dave Jones of the Climate Risk Initiative at UC Berkeley as saying, “I believe we’re marching toward an uninsurable future.” I have posted a link to that Times article at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com.
There’s a local problem which we’ve seen here in Golden, where our two main ZIP codes (80401 and 80403) cov-
Some insurance companies are withdrawing not just from individual communities with serious wildfire risk, but from complete ZIP codes containing areas with elevated wildfire risk.
If your home has a mortgage, your lender typically requires insurance, but when there is no mortgage, homeowners can choose not to have insurance, and a growing number of such homeowners are going without coverage — 14 percent according to a March 2024 report from the Consumer Federation of America.
Similarly, if you don’t have a loan on your automobile, you can choose not to have collision, comprehensive or theft insurance on your car, and I’m among those who are taking that risk because of the high cost of those coverages. An article on Forbes.com last week reported that 25% of car owners don’t have collision insurance.
HOAs are being hit especially hard when it comes to master policies. Reader KC Harney wrote me about an HOA in Parker which, following a May 2023 hail claim, raised the premium from $178,000 per year with a $2 million deductible to $337,000 per year with a $4 million deductible. This resulted in a special assessment of $12,000 per HOA member. It should be noted, KC told
Last week the National Association of Realtors (NAR) fleshed out the rules it will enforce regarding the written agreement which a buyer and agent must sign before a buyer can be shown a listing.
On the one hand, NAR says it’s important for the buyer agreement to stress that agent commissions are negotiable, but on the other hand it says that the agreement signed by buyer and agent must spell out a fee/commission that cannot be increased by any source.
In other words, I’m required to have a buyer sign an agreement that they will pay me an acceptable ultimate fee for my efforts on their behalf. But if I agree, say, to a 1% or 2% commission agreement and I help them buy a house from a seller will-
Summer Solstice Party on June 20
If, like me, you support the work of New Energy Colorado, which, among other things, sponsors the annual Green Homes Tour, you’ll want to attend its annual fundraiser on June 20th at Solterra. See www.NewEnergyColorado.org
me, that the May 2023 event cost only $1.9 million to repair, which was less than the $2 million deductible, so the insurance company paid out nothing, yet they raised the premium and the deductible because there was a claim!
Broker associate Chuck Brown told me how insurance costs nearly killed a transaction of his in Evergreen. The buyer was turned down by just about every major insurance carrier before obtaining a policy from Farmers Insurance for $9,000 per year with a $35,000 deductible for fire and hail. The next lowest offer was a $19,000 premium from Highlight.
Last May, Governor Polis signed into law HB23-1288, the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, commonly known as the FAIR Plan. The 9member board of the Plan is still setting up shop and won’t issue insurance policies until early 2025. In essence, the FAIR Plan is an insurer of last resort for homeowners and businesses who cannot get coverage from any insurer operating in Colorado.
Every insurer in Colorado must participate in the Plan. The concept is that all Colorado insurance carriers share the expenses, income and losses, ensuring a fair distribution of costs.
The policies issued under the FAIR
Plan are not subsidized. The premiums are required to be “actuarially sound.” Coverage is limited to $750,000 for homes and $1 million for businesses, which will result in under-insurance for many clients, so it’s not a perfect fix and doesn’t promise seriously lower insurance rates. It only guarantees that homeowners and businesses will be able to obtain insurance.
I’m troubled by the Plan’s requirement that a homeowner or business be unable to obtain insurance. The homeowners and HOA mentioned above were not denied insurance, just overcharged, so they wouldn’t be eligible.
It still runs like new, although it has 102,700 miles on the odometer. I’m letting it go for $20,000. Call me at 303-5251851 for a test drive. You’ll love this car.
$529,000
ing to pay me a much higher co-op commission (because they want their home to sell quickly), I can only accept from the seller the amount in my buyer agreement.
This is madness! What it will do is drive buyers to work only with listing agents, which is not good public policy. Every buyer deserves to have an agent working on his or her behalf.
What’s also being overlooked throughout this months-long discussion of the NAR settlement is that most buyers are hard pressed to come up with their down payment, so how can you expect them to pay thousands in additional dollars for professional representation? They will not get the representation they deserve by working only with the agents representing sellers.
That is why the old system of sellers paying a commission which the listing agent can share with a buyer’s agent is the only and best way of serving both buyers and sellers — but that ship has sailed, unfortunately. It will be interesting to see the chaos resulting from these new rules.
This bi-level home at 11296 W. Kentucky Drive has been well maintained by the seller. It was painted and walkways replaced in 2006, and a new roof & siding were installed in 2017. The garage door was new in 2009. The seller put in a new, energy efficient furnace in 2014 and new acrylic shower & shower doors in 2007. The backyard is mostly flat and completely fenced. There are lilacs on two sides of the house, and an ornamental plum and two purple ash trees are in the backyard. (See photo.) Briarwood Hills is a very quiet, friendly neighborhood. Most of the surrounding homeowners care about their yards, as does this seller. View a narrated video walk-through online at www. GRElistings.com, then call listing agent Jim Swanson at 303-929-2727 to see it.
“Concentrate on giving and the getting will take care of itself.”
The grade school will start the 2024-25 school year in Building 103 and still be known as Carlson Elementary
BY CHRIS KOEBERLFor more than a year, the Clear Creek Board of Education has been preparing to close the existing Carlson Elementary School building in the downtown area of Idaho Springs ahead of the school’s relocation to Building 103.
What’s in store for the building in Idaho Springs is still up in the air, according to BOE members.
“It’s bittersweet. is has been
Thursday, July 4 @ 8 am Evergreen, Colorado
a wonderful home for us. We have helped a lot of kiddos,” Carlson Principal Lorraine Swartz said. “It’s hard to say goodbye but I think we’re looking forward to a new adventure.” Dozens of students and parents showed up for the nal celebration and anticipation of moving forward.
“ is is the end of Carlson as we know it,” PTA president Christopher Hardman said.
However, the Carlson name and cougar mascot will remain the same at the new grade school.
“I will be excited in October. Between now and then we have a lot of moving to do,” Swartz said. “We have a lot of settling-in to do, we have a lot of unpacking to do and new rou-
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Students in the 5th and 6th grades were invited to take a ride on Clear Creek. The trip was a donation to the school district
BY CHRIS KOEBERL
CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COMEmpire’s Downstream Adventures invited instructors and students from Carlson Elementary to take a ride on Clear Creek for the fth year in a row.
e late-May trip was an e ort to get kids involved in the outdoors.
“I think it’s a good thing to show the local kids what kind of outdoor resources they have in their backyard,”
Downstream Adventures co-owner Jonathan Snodgrass said.
e trip consisted of six rafts and six experienced river guides.
e 32 kids and teachers were given a wetsuit, boots, and water-resistant jackets, according to Snodgrass.
e rafting trip, guides, personal protection gear and rafts were donated
to the school district by Downstream Adventures,costing the kids and their parents nothing.
Rafts and children put in on Clear Creek just south of the rst bridge on Hwy.103 to start their adventure.
e trip down the creek took about an hour, and at several points, the students experienced class three rapids.
“I like it because it’s just fun… it gives us something to do,” 6th grade Esi Juenemann said.
e six rafts made their way down the creek with children laughing. On one the rafts, children would start to sing, “Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream” each time they hit white water.
“Sometimes it would be really fast and you would go up like the rollercoaster e ect where you go up, up, up and then straight down and how you got splashed in the face a lot,” 5th grader Standish Kingsbeck said.
Although there were rafts lled with smiles, guides said underneath the fun, there was a job to do. e No. 1 priority is bringing everyone home safely.
“ ere’s tons of responsibility, but we train for that. We go through pretty strenuous training as raft guides and
that sets us up for success on and o the river,” 11-year rafting guide veteran Snodgrass said.
Despite the fact many of the kids live in Clear Creek County, only a handful had ever been rafting on the creek. However, the rafting trip was a small part of a much bigger picture, according to the school board.
For several years the school district and superintendents have been pushing to make Clear Creek schools an expeditionary learning environment, interim Superintendent Mike Gass said. Gass often referred to the Clear Creek schools as having a unique “gift of place.”
Gass will be stepping down as interim superintendent July 1st and said he plans to return to Oregon where he will continue to work in education. Long-time school administrator Tom Meyer will take the reins following Gass’s exit.
“We’re moving more toward an expeditionary learning model at Carlson and throughout the district. Part of that is getting kids out in these handson learning experiences, things that are memorable,” Instructional coach at Carlson Elementary Samantha Kleem said.
tines.
In the captivating world of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, our team of intrepid field biologists is rewriting the narrative of wildlife management. Contrary to the traditional image of scientists in sterile lab coats, our dedicated terrestrial and aquatic biologists venture into the wild, focusing on an eclectic array of species – from majestic deer and elk to elusive trout, warm-water sportfish, and amphibians. These field biologists are the unsung heroes working tirelessly to conserve and understand nature’s intricate dance.
In the vast tapestry of CPW, researchers delve into singular species management, species interactions, habitat utilization, and the ever-complex human dimension. Meanwhile, our district wildlife managers, also known as wildlife officers, equipped with both biological expertise and law enforcement commissions, play multifaceted roles in the field. It’s this biological foundation that empowers CPW to manage all of Colorado’s wildlife based on the best available science, transcending subjective instincts and political whims.
CPW takes pride in its diverse projects, spanning the monitor-
Jacob Sonberg, Scott Murdoch, Philip Sorensen, Mark Lamb, Matt Martinez & Kara VanHoose
ing of mountain plovers, sage grouse lek counts, helicopter classifications, and counts of various wildlife species. From gill net surveys in warm-water lakes to adrenaline-pumping electroshocking surveys in high mountain trout streams, and even quirky toad counts, the breadth of projects reflects the agency’s commitment to understanding and conserving Colorado’s rich biodiversity.
For those immersed in the field, the biological aspect of the job stands out as particularly spectacular. Memories of flying in helicopters, counting and classifying deer amid breathtaking landscapes, evoke a sense of awe.
The work often garners reactions like “That’s work?” or “How can I get that job?” as we recount experiences of solitary sage grouse lek counts, witnessing the fascinating dance of birds, and encountering wildlife untouched by time.
And then there’s the thrilling shock fishing – an activity that might raise eyebrows. Rest as-
sured, it doesn’t harm the fish; instead, it provides crucial data for fisheries management. The day unfolds with the excitement of netting and measuring fish as they dart around in a state of temporary confusion. The collected data influences fishing regulations and guides the strategic placement of nearly 100 million fish stocked by CPW each year. If that’s not enough, gear up for the physically demanding and challenging sheep inventories. Equipping sheep with GPS collars unlocks insights into movement patterns and mortality rates. Data gathered is essential for pinpointing lambing and wintering locations. As summer unfolds, embrace the challenges of hiking, horseback riding, and climbing to track down sheep in high altitudes and rugged terrains. The collected data steers the course for critical habitat projects and shapes the population models. The life of a field biologist is not one of comfort. It involves long, tedious days, often in adverse weather conditions and challenging terrains. While it may not make you rich, the real wealth lies in the satisfaction of dedicating a day to the resources and collecting data for the sake of
conservation. As the sun sets and a massive ram silhouette graces the mountain range, the thought crosses my mind – should I be paying for the privilege of doing what I do?
If you would like to get in touch with your local Wildlife Officer regarding wildlife violations, habitat projects, educational program opportunities, or other wildlife concerns and incidents, please contact CPW’s Northeast Region Service Center during normal business hours at 303-291-7227. If you would like to report a wildlife incident and it is outside of normal business hours, please contact Colorado State Patrol’s Non-Emergency Dispatch at 303239-4501 or *CSP (*277), and a Wildlife Officer will be in touch. If you would like to report a wildlife violation, on record or anonymously, please contact Colorado Operation Game Thief at 1-877-COLO-OGT (1-877-2656648).
C ontributors to this column included Wildlife Officers Jacob Sonberg, Scott Murdoch and Philip Sorensen; Area Wildlife Managers Mark Lamb and Matt Martinez; and CPW NE Region PIO Kara VanHoose.
50 years of Courant headlines not to be confused with news
BY TEDDY JACOBSEN SPECIAL TO THE CLEAR CREEK COURANTBreak-in at Idaho Springs water facility – June 12, 2013
Police were looking for a man who broke into the Idaho Springs water plant and stole many items. While details were withheld
about which items were taken, Police Chief Dave Wohlers said nothing was touched that could have compromised water quality.
Mines Theatre delays cost $70,000 – June 15, 1994
The owners’ inability to get a certificate of occupancy for the Mines Theatre Building had cost them $70,000. Their plan was to convert the building into groundfloor shops and second-floor apartments. They said the delays had cost them three tenets and potentially two more, as well.
Empire may be site of super highway by 2010 – June 14, 1989
State highway officials said a super highway may tear through Empire by 2010. The Empire Board of Trustees learned from three Department of Highways officials that more lanes would have probably been needed on U.S. 40 in the next few years. In 1989, the highway accommodated 4,500 cars a day.
Drug raid nets $4,500 haul and three suspects – June 14, 1974
Georgetown and Clear Creek County officers joined forces in
a drug raid that resulted in three arrests and the recovery of a small suitcase containing suspected LSD and mescaline tablets worth around $4,500 on the street.
The Clear Creek Courant was created in August of 1973. These items come from Courant’s historic archives. As it turns out, previous Courant writers had the same idea for the paper’s 25th anniversary. Their section was dubbed, “Olds: Not to be confused with news.” It lives on for an entire year to celebrate the paper’s 50th birthday.
Don’t let foodborne illness spoil your summer cookouts
When spring gives way to sunny summer days, many of us look forward to attending – or hosting – barbecues and picnics with family and friends.
During this time, it’s important to take precautions when it comes to safe food handling, preparation and cooking, to avoid foodborne illnesses like salmonella and E. coli, which can be serious and, in some cases, life-threatening.
e Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year, 48 million Americans get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases.
Typical food-poisoning symptoms include vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea and fever, all of which may range from mild to serious and can last from a few hours to several days. Health care professionals caution that certain people have an increased risk of becoming very sick from foodborne illness, including pregnant women, older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems.
To stay healthy and protect friends and family from food poisoning, here are some general food and kitchen hygiene tips to guide you in safely preparing and serving your outdoor summer meals.
Foodborne illnesses tend to increase during the summer
months because bacteria multiply faster when it’s warm, so following food safety guidelines is especially critical for raw meats, summer salads, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, which are among the most perishable foods at cookouts.
Clean everything: It’s important for those preparing and handling food to frequently wash their hands before, during and after they start cooking, and to use fresh, clean plates and utensils for serving cooked food.
Do not cross contaminate: Raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs can spread germs to ready-to-eat food unless you keep them separate.
We’d like to know about events or activities of interest to the community. Visit www.clearcreekcourant.com/calendar/ and post your event online for free. Email ckoeberl@coloradocommunitymedia. com to get items in the newspaper. Items will appear in print on a space-available basis.
Cook to the right temperature: e only way to tell if food is safely cooked is to use a food thermometer to make sure meat, poultry and sh are cooked to a safe internal temperature.
Refrigerate perishable food within two hours. When food is left unrefrigerated for more than two hours, bacteria grow rapidly. When temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, food should be refrigerated within an hour. Have fun this summer, but be mindful of food safety to help keep your family healthy.
Dr. Eric Hemler, D.O. New West Physicians, part of Optum, Table Mountain Family Medicine
Silver Plume’s George Rowe Museum grand opening: e grand opening celebration for the George Rowe Museum in Silver Plume will be from 12:30-3:30 p.m. June 15 at the museum, 315 Main St., Silver Plume. In addition to museum tours, there will be a spelling bee, yard games, a bake sale, a live classroom experience
and a scavenger hunt.
Idaho Springs Historical Society Garage Sale: Vendors invited to set up a table or booth for a “garage sale” at the Historical Society and Visitors Center, 2060 Miner St., Idaho Springs. e event will take place on Saturday, June 15. For information about purchasing space for a booth or table, contact the Historical Society at 303-567-4382.
Slacker Half-Marathon: e Slacker Half-Marathon from Loveland Ski Area to Georgetown is June 22. e event includes
CURRENTS, P12
Donald George Reimer Sr. March 14, 1947 - June 3, 2024
Don was born in Brooklyn, NY. He moved with his family to Idaho Springs in 1978. He was devoted to his wife, cultivating a legacy of integrity, dedication, ingenuity and limitless love. Involved in the community, Don served on the City Planning Commission for many years, regularly assembled cooking booths for Gold Rush Days, volunteered at the Slacker half-marathon for over 20 years,
and logged countless hours on the original Carlson wood playground.
Don is survived by his wife, Bonnie; ve children: Don, Jr, Danielle, Nanette, J.J. and Lindsey; ten grandchildren; ve great-grandchildren; and his brother, Kurt.
Celebration of life will be announced.
Draxy Ann “Buckley” (Belsey) Buckley
March 8, 1943 - May 26, 2024
Draxy Buckley of Georgetown Colorado passed away on May 26th, 2024, in Evergreen Colorado after her 40-year Multiple Sclerosis battle with grace, determination and courage. Draxy was born on March 8th, 1943, in La Canada California. She is survived by her son Brent Buckley and daughter Brooke Buckley. In addition to her son and daughter along with their four children and one grandson, Draxy leaves behind her best friend Skip Bennett. eir friendship is testament to the power of true companionship.
the mountains had to o er while actively supporting and volunteering throughout the community.
To all those who were touched by her kindness, she was more than a friend, she was family. Her infectious personality made her a beloved gure within the Loveland ski family, the Georgetown community, and the Life Care Center in Evergreen. For the 12 years at Life Care she was able to share her spirit for life. Her ability to impact those around her in a positive way while battling Multiple Sclerosis was one of her greatest accomplishments.
Born in California, Draxy made her way to Colorado where she attended the Colorado Women’s College in Denver, Colorado. She would eventually make her home in Georgetown, Colorado. Draxy ultimately became a member of the Loveland ski area community which lasted over 40 years. During her spare time Draxy enjoyed all
In lieu of owers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Mt Evans Hospice in memory of Draxy Buckley. Donations can be made online at: mtevans. org
Please join us in celebrating Draxy’s life on June 15th at 11AM at the Presbyterian church in Georgetown, Colorado.
Robert C. (Buddy) Brown
September 20, 1951 - May 6, 2024
Robert C. (Buddy) Brown of Englewood, FL passed away on May 6, 2024 at the age of 72 of heart complications. He was born on September 20, 1951 in Peabody, Massachusetts and grew up between New England and Florida. Buddy was a 1969 graduate of Clearwater Central Catholic High School and graduated from St. Leo College as a proud Sigma Beta fraternity brother in 1973. Buddy married his wife, Judi, in 1981. ey moved to Georgetown, Colorado, where they resided from 1980 until 2008 and raised their three children. Buddy worked as a Driver’s License Examiner in Summit County, Colorado for 25 years.
He is survived by his wife, Judi Brown, of Englewood FL, his step-son Shaun Anna (Krista) and granddaughter Lily of
Tallahassee, FL, his two children Kevin Brown, Nikki Brown, grandchildren Rayén and Aiden of Denver, Colorado and “honorary” granddaughter, Delphine Archambault, Alaska.
Anyone who met Buddy described him as a “gentle giant.” Not only was he an exemplary husband, father and grandfather but he was also patient, kind, compassionate and friendly to everyone he met. ere is no doubt he will be deeply missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Buddy’s memory, July 27th in Englewood, FL. In lieu of owers, please send donations to e Center for Abuse & Rape Assistance (C.A.R.E.) PO Box 510234, Punta Gorda, FL 33951-1234.
Inside the mechanic shop of the Colorado Railroad Museum, the air is thick with smoke and the smell of burning wood and diesel fuel as locomotive #20 prepares to re up its steam engine to burn coal as it rst did in 1899.
e #20 was named “Portland‘’ after a pro table mine in the Cripple Creek District and was built to haul passengers and freight. It was sold to Rio Grande Southern in 1916, according to historians.
It was eventually donated to the Railroad Museum and returned to operation in 2020 following a $2 million,14-year restoration, accord-
ing to CRRM Chief Mechanic Je Taylor.
Taylor was the rst of several working mechanics/historians Colorado Community Media spoke with who made it clear: railroading and its history is not a job or hobby, it’s a passion.
“I like to say I get to play trains and it’s true,” Taylor said. “It sounds like a cliche but people say, ‘Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’ Well, it’s mostly true. I still have hard days at work but I love what I do. It’s been a passion for all of my life. As far back as I remember, I’ve always liked trains. I never grew out of it.”
In 1943, the 43-ton #20 locomotive rolled over and o the tracks on a hill
outside Durango. According to historians, it landed on a rock that dented the thick steel plate of the boiler. e plate was eventually replaced as part of its restoration.
“All of these locomotives and all of these pieces of equipment and cars all have terribly fascinating stories and backgrounds. Almost all of them have been in some sort of derailment or wreck,” Taylor said.
Engine #20 is just one of the meticulously restored locomotives on the 15 acres of the Colorado Railroad Museum at 17155 W 44 Ave. in Golden. e living museum maintainsmore than 100 narrow and standardgauge steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars and cabooses, according to the museum.
Also on-site is locomotive #491, the largest operating narrow gauge steam locomotive in the western hemisphere, according to CRRM historians. Locomotive #491 is truly a “Colorado original,” having been built entirely in Colorado during the spring of 1928.
e largest steam engine at the museum, originally a Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad locomotive #5629, was built in 1940 and was used for fast freight and passenger service. It remained in operation until the early 1960s. No. 5629 is one of only four Burlington locomotives of its type still in existence, according to CRRM historians.
Enthusiasts can still board restored passenger cars for an authentic ride through on the rails powered by coalre steam locomotives, including #20.
Locomotives and railroads critical in the development of mining towns of Colorado
“ e story of Colorado being transformed in the 19th and 20th centuries is pretty much inseparable from the story of the railroad, so it’s hard to imagine Colorado without railroads,”
CRRM Executive Director Paul Hammond said.
e history is well documented in the CRRM library and resource center that spans well over 100 years of historical documents, maps and photographs. It was visited by more than 100,000 people from around the world last year, according to Hammond.
Gold and silver were discovered in Clear Creek County and Idaho Springs in 1859. Railroads didn’t arrive until 1876, according to historian Bob Bowland whose family settled in the mountain area in 1873.
“ e railroads were critical,” Bowland said.
Bowland and his wife Jan operate and maintain the Visitors Center and Historical Society at 2060 Miner St. in Idaho Springs.
“A lot of ore had to go to Denver to be treated after being milled up here and we certainly had mills but thenal smelting and re ning needed to be hauled to Denver,” Bowland said. ”Railroad transportation compared to the old ore wagons, there was really no comparison.”
e Argo Mill, 2350 Riverside Drive in Idaho Springs, would routinely ship up to 300 tons of gold and silver of highgrade ore to Denver smelters for nal processing, according to historical records.
“It’s so common to see mining towns and railroads together; they’re industries that need each other,” Bowland said with a laugh. “I would say, at least in this case, the mining needed the railroad more than the railroad needed the mines.”
Historical black-and-white photos of train cars lled with gold and silver ore heading to Denver ordain the walls of the historical society.
Well-dressed passengers from well over a century ago are also pictured boarding the steam-driven locomotive trains.
“Anytime a railroad arrived in town
back in those days it was a big deal and so it was truly critical,” Bowland said.
Devil’s Gate Station and High-Bridge defined Georgetown Loop railroad in 1883
e Devil’s Gate high bridge in Georgetown was considered to be an engineering feat when it was built in 1883, according to historical documents reviewed by Colorado Community Media.
It allowed trains climbing over steep mountains to switch back as the railroad rose from Georgetown to Silver Plume, according to the National and State Register.
“When it was built there were very few bridges that were curved and on a grade,” Brakeman and Conductor of the Georgetown Loop Railroad Caleb Murphy said. “It was thought that bridges had to be straight and level to be structurally sound but we did it and it was one of four or ve in the world at the time.”
e High-Bridge is approximately 300 feet long and built with an 18.5 degree left hand curve. It’s 100 feet above the Clear Creek bed and was originally constructed of cast and wrought iron, according to Murphy.
“ e old-time railroaders used to say that the bridge used to sway from sideto-side and sag in the middle as trains crossed over, thankfully our bridge does not do that,” Murphy said.
e original iron bridge was dismantled in 1939 and rebuilt in the 1970s.
It’s currently in use as the Georgetown Loop passenger train attracting more than 100,000 locals and visitors each year for historical trips with one of several restored coal- red steam locomotives, according to Murphy.
It’s not a job, it’s a passion e historians, engineers, mechanics and volunteers who spoke with CCM are passionate about the history of railroading in Colorado.
“ is job?” Murphy asked, “It’s just a dream come true.”
e public’s attraction and passion for these historically accurate refurbished coal- red steam locomotives and cars was evident during CRRM’s recent “Colorado Crossings: Making History Today” event.
Locomotives #491 and #20 pulled passengers in original rail cars along the tracks surrounding the museum.
Hundreds of train enthusiasts, many dressed in vintage railroad overalls and hats with children in tow, snapped family pictures with living history as a background.
e existing parking lot over owed across the road, where it tripled in size.
both a half-marathon and a fourmile run/relay. For more information, visit slackerhalfmarathon.com.
Clear Creek County Library District: Summer Reading begins the week of June 10. is year’s theme is“Adventure Begins at Your Library.” Some activities include:
• Friday, June 14, tween & teen evening hike with Georgetown Outdoor Discovery: Participants will learn safety and survival tips and play the popular deduction game “Werewolf in the Woods.”
• ursday, June 27, storytime train excursion: e Library District has reserved a car on the Georgetown Loop Railroad for a special train storytime and ride with Miss Honeybun.
• Saturday, July 13, tween & teen paranormal adventure: Professional paranormalists from Denver are coming up to Georgetown to teach young learners about their paranormal equipment, and to attempt to record paranormal activity at the John Tomay Memorial Library.
CASA of the Continental Divide seeks volunteers: CASACD promotes and protects the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in court proceedings through the advocacy e orts of trained CASA volunteers. Be the di erence and advocate for the youth in our community. e o ce can be reached at 970-513-9390.
Test sirens scheduled: In an effort to notify people in the town of Georgetown of potential ooding due to the unlikely event of a dam failure at Xcel Energy’s Cabin Creek or Georgetown hydroelectric plants, sirens will be tested the rst Wednes-
day of every month.
Clear Creek EMS/Evergreen Fire Rescue Launch Mugs for Rugs Campaign: Bring an old throw rug and you’ll leave with a bright green mug! You can bring them to Station 1A in Dumont, 3400 Stanley Road, or you can email captains@ clearcreekems.com and CCEMS will come to you to make the trade. Clear Creek EMS also o ers fall-risk assessments by bringing someone from the re department to make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. To request a visit, ll out the form at www.clearcreekcounty.us/1388/ Community-Outreach.
Clear Creek Democrats: e
Clear Creek Democrats meet from 5-7 p.m. the third ursday of the month at the Vintage Moose in Idaho Springs. Join them for conversation and social time.
Blue Spruce Habitat volunteers needed: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers. A variety of opportunities and exible schedules are available on new construction sites as well as for exterior minor home repairs. No previous construction experience needed. Contact volunteer@bluesprucehabitat.org for information.
Walk-in vaccine clinics: Walk-in vaccine clinics for adults and children needing u and other vaccines are available from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays at the Clear Creek Health and Wellness Center, 1969 Miner St., Idaho Springs. No appointments required for the vaccines, though you can pre-register by calling 303-670-7528.
Resilience1220 counseling: Young people 12 to 20 can get free counseling through an Evergreen-
Boulder's Espresso! adds a special dimension with their unique combination of gypsy jazz and swing.
By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to LifestylesYour summer is sure to sizzle and hit a high note when you step out with family and friends for a jazzy good time at the Evergreen Jazz Festival (EJF) on Friday/ July 26 (12noon-11:00pm), Saturday/July 27 (10:00am10:00pm), and Sunday/July 28 (11:00am-6:00pm). Jazz originated in the African-American commu-
nities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Nonetheless, every year for the past 21 years, the scenic foothills community of Evergreen, Colorado, located just about 35 minutes southwest of Denver, provides
a beautiful idyllic setting for its “Bourbon Street with Altitude” three-day event that boasts NO big crowds, NO big stages, and NO big sound systems.
“O ering 80 hours of jazz over a three-day period, the 2024 Evergreen Jazz Festival promises to be another outstanding jazz experience, living up to the enthusiastic description once made by a national columnist as
‘the best jazz festival anywhere,’” said Wendy Pottho , 2024 Evergreen Jazz Festival President.
Whether you are a longtime jazz lover or someone who just wants to explore these diverse and multi-faceted sounds, this music-packed weekend of musicians, live musical entertainment, and extraordinary razzmatazz is one that you are de nitely going to enjoy!
e Evergreen Jazz Festival delivers BIG with stellar talent, great seating, and small intimate venues located at Evergreen Elks Lodge #2363 and its Patio, 27972 Iris Drive; Evergreen Christian
Church, 27772 Iris Drive; Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road; and Center Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive. Free parking is available for all sessions at the Elks Lodge and Evergreen Christian Church. Free shuttle service runs every half hour to/from parking lots and all venues. Patrons will also nd opportunities to dance during every music set, interact and talk with the performers, and/or simply nd genuine pleasure in this big jazz extravaganza that is sure to be vividly remembered long a er the music is over.
is year’s Festival features a show bill of top-quality musicians that includes A er Midnight (Denver), Carl Sonny Leyland Trio (So. California), e Chicago Cellar Boys (Chicago), Espresso! (Boulder), Jeremy Mohney & His Band (Boulder), Hal Smith’s El Dorado Jazz Band (Searcy, AR), ), Holland-Coots Swingin’ West (Nashville), e Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra (Denver), Queen City Jazz Band with Wende Harston (Denver), and Your Father’s Mustache Band (Denver).
“Our patrons are going to love this year’s lineup of musicians,” said EJF Music Director Ed Danielson, who stated that in addition to the great bands, the Festival will present Double 88s, several sets of dueling pianos featuring Brian Holland, Carl Sonny Leyland, and Je Barnhart. Also, there will be a special, unrehearsed/unprogrammed, one time only session of the Evergreen Jazz Festival Footwarmers curated by Ed
Danielson from among the outstanding talents performing at this year’s Festival. is will be an “edge of your seat performance of virtuosity on the tightrope of improvisation” in the spirit of old time jam sessions.
e Festival’s Mission Statement includes the words: “Promote jazz music and live performances with educational programs for both listeners and young performers. To satisfy this mission, Evergreen Jazz Festival, funded by its donors and SCFD, provides education events to local schools (elementary grades through high school). e Festival’s Education Committee works with year-round programs o en
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FESTIVAL From Page 2
led by Queen City Jazz Band with Wende Harston and CMDance and designed to build interest among young people and help student musicians.
In the event of a wildfire evacuation, Coloradoans know that time is of the essence. Yet many families remain unprepared for these types of disasters. The new EmGoKit is a simple, easy-to-use, emergency planning and preparedness tool offering homeowners peace of mind when it is needed most.
The EmGoKit features an expandable, 24-tab folder for storing critical documents like home and property insurance, legal and financial statements, medical records, and more. The kit includes FEMA and Red Cross resource guides, an emergency
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“ is year’s Student Musicians Clinic will be held on ursday, July 25 at Evergreen Christian Church, 27772 Iris Drive. e Clinic is scheduled from 10:00am to 5:00pm, with registration check-in beginning at 9:00am,” said Sandi Simons, Education Committee Chair. “As in the past, there will be professional instruction on virtually every instrument and vocal plus ensemble work. e Clinic’s instructors will be past and current Festival Musicians so students will be learning from some of the top talents in the world of jazz.” e $50/per person tuition for the Student Musicians Clinic includes lunch and a full 3-day Festival badge. Payment can be made online at the Tickets Page, by phone (303) 697-5467) or at the clinic. Financial aid is available for the Student Clinic; call via phone for details. Visit the Evergreen Jazz Festival website (www.EvergreenJazz.org.) for more
checklist, and a USB drive for digital and cloud storage.
“Our goal is to empower families by giving them the information and toolset they need to prepare and recover from costly natural disasters,” says EmGoKits co-founder Kevin
Student Clinic information. e actual Festival will launch in the Elks Ballroom at noon on Friday with a special free and open to the public
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“Edutainment” set by piano great and longtime Festival favorite Je Barnhart. Both educational and entertaining, Je will tickle the ivories and take us on a musical journey with composers like Irving Berlin and beyond and also explore Ragtime from composers like Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, and others. rough June 30, a discounted (3-day) weekend pass for the Evergreen Jazz Festival costs $130.00 per person ($165.00 beginning July 1) and can be purchased at the Evergreen Jazz Festival website. e website also details the cost for daily tickets and student, active military, and/or group prices, which can also be purchased online.
Evergreen resident and jazz enthusiast Sterling Nelson (1929-2020) was not a musician, but he loved all music, including jazz. While on a jazz cruise with his wife one year he told himself, Evergreen needs an experience like this—and the idea of an Evergreen Jazz Festival struck a chord with him.
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e convenience cannot be beat.
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Gas re pits are safe to use in almost any back yard, and nearer to houses where wood-burning re pits may not be allowed. ey are also safe to use around your patio furniture or on a wooden or composite deck. ey’re the best way to keep your home, yard, and family safe while enjoying the warmth and ambience of a re.
Gas re pits are o en exempt from some re bans, such as the Stage 1 Burn Restrictions commonly imposed by Je erson and Park Counties. With gas re pits, there are no sparks, embers, or coals to worry about, even on windy evenings. ere’s also no o ensive smoke wa ing into your windows or concerning your neighbors.
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Gas re pits are tested to be safe. ey are Underwriters’ Laboratory tested and listed. You can even have add-on safety features like an electronic ignition system, and a ame detection system that shuts o the gas ow if the ame goes out.
Our products are made of high-quality materials. ey are designed to be more resistant to the wear and tear of the Colorado weather. Some of our re pits use special brass burners that are designed to increase the height of the ame while using less gas.
is summer, turn your backyard into your own personal getaway. We’d love to show you how easy it is to add a re pit to your outdoor space. To see our burning displays of several di erent repits, visit the Mountain Hearth & Patio showroom at 7001 Highway 73 in Evergreen. You can also give us a call at (303) 679-1601 or email O ce@MtnHP.com.
From Page 4
A er that fateful jazz cruise, Sterling pitched his idea to friends, including Jim Reiners who had an advertising background and Ted Mann, who had a
pulse on the community as Community Relations Chairman for the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce. To the amazement of many, that small group of seven dedicated jazz lovers (Sterling Nelson, Jim Reiners, Ted Mann, Dave Burlingame, Hillary Hutson, Wendell Haynes, and Mike Johnson) made Sterling’s dream a reality.
e rst Evergreen Jazz Festival was held in 2001. Ted Mann, the rst president of the Evergreen Jazz Festival (2002-2005), passed away in 2015.
However, he and his wife Jeannie (who likewise served as president in 20082011 and again in 2022) have always been steadfast advocates of the event. Jeannie Mann was also Production Manager from 2004-2023.
Wendy Pottho , EJF President, expressed gratitude to Festival sponsors and over 100 dedicated volunteers who donate their time in positions that range from year-long committee assignments to speci c pre-Festival projects to a variety of up-front and behind-the-scenes slots during the Festival itself.
Sustaining sponsors of the Evergreen Jazz Festival are Denver’s Jazz89 KUVO radio, Jazz93.5 FM in Colorado Springs, Colorado Community Media, and 50Plus Marketplace News. Key nancial support is also derived from grants from the Scienti c & Cultural Facilities District (the Denver-area’s unique organization for support of the arts), and from Colorado Creative Industries, dedicated to the vitality of performing, visual and literary arts.
“ e Evergreen Jazz Festival is always looking for new volunteers who love jazz music and have a willingness to work,” said Wendy. “If that describes you and you would like to learn more, call (303) 697-5467.”
ere are many hotels/motels and B&Bs within 30 minutes of Evergreen. So, mark your calendars for July 26-28 and don’t miss out on a minute of this year’s “jazzy” fun- lled weekend! For comprehensive information about the Evergreen Jazz Festival, featured bands, dueling pianos, tickets, lodging—and more, visit the website www.EvergreenJazz.org.
By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles
Although much research supports the theory that muscular strength underpins many of the bio-motor qualities in uencing athleticism and sports performance; unfortunately, too few young athletes participate in year-round strength and conditioning training to achieve a greater level of physical performance.
However, for middle school, high school, college, or weekend warrior athletes motivated to optimize their potential to run faster, jump higher, and be stronger; Rich Bell of Rich Barbell Fitness & Sports Conditioning located at 30746 Bryant Drive/Unit 403, Evergreen o ers strength/conditioning programs that can help you increase your strength, power, and speed regardless of the sports in which you complete. For more than 29 years, Rich Bell,
a much sought-a er Certi ed High School Strength and Conditioning Coach, has trained over 400 multi-level athletes in various sports backgrounds. His customized strength/conditioning training programs for athletes of all skill levels incorporates scienti cally proven techniques and training methods.
“I use Strength Ratio Testing (the Barbell Bench Press and Barbell Back Squat) to initially test athletes’ upper/ lower body strength, power, performance, and speed,” stated Rich Bell, “and the results of each individual’s testing then become part of their training.”
“Proper strength training/conditioning is important to athletes as it helps reduce the incidence and/or severity of injury. So I even look at the athlete’s feet, which actually can be the most important part of the body when considering human performance,” said
Maximizing strength for athletes from junior high through college to achieve peak off-season conditioning.
Individualized and goal-based regiments designed to reach peak levels in strength, power and endurance customized to each athlete and sport.
Bell who stated he would provide more information about how he measures foot performance in July’s Lifestyles.
Bell’s regime (jumping/hopping/ skipping/li ing weights), a minimum 12-week program, requires drive and perseverance. Because Rich Bell will tell you what it is, not what you want to hear, the rst 6-8 weeks are the most demanding!
For training information, fees, more about Rich Bell, testimonials, and/or to set up your consultation, contact Rich Barbell Fitness
http://richbarbell tness.com
www.Richbarbell tness.com
richbarbell tness@gmail.com Cell: (303) 809-6436
30746 Bryant Dr Unit 403 (Not visible from street. Up Bryant Drive)
in the gym on your own) to ensure his clients’ fast results, better performance, increased stamina, and improved physical appearance.
Based upon results, he customizes his clients’ programs including training, supplements, nutrition options, and a workout schedule (i.e., a minimum of two days a week with Bell, one day
Rich Bell nds that intermediate athletes or weekend warriors in the general population tend to have a greater work capacity through their experience in the weight room. Consequently, he can work them much harder and provides them with more training volume per week. Likewise, Bell can design their programs using body parts splits as opposed to using total body sessions with novice athletes. He also evaluates intermediate athletes during two separate days of testing, Day 1: Upper Body Strength Ratio Testing; Day 2: Lower Body Strength Ratio and Power/ Speed Testing. 139
(StatePoint) Whether you’re day tripping with family, taking a week-long vacation with pals, or doing a cross-country solo drive, summer road trips of all kinds can be long and exhausting. e good news? ere are plenty of ways to improve the experience.
Road trip snacks are non-negotiable! ey make car rides of any length brighter and keep drivers and passengers happy and fueled for the miles ahead.
It’s best to have a mix of snack options that are easy to eat in the car or at roadside stops. Carrot sticks, pretzels and nuts make great savory choices. For an easy, on-the-go, fruity and juicy snack, try Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms. Now juicier, Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms are made in six delicious
fruity avors making them a great road trip snack. Cra ed with care, they are made with real fruit juice, as well as colors and avors from real sources.
Before hitting the road, nd Black Forest at a nearby retailer by visiting blackforestusa.com.
Making great time shouldn’t come at the expense of you or your traveling companions’ comfort. Beyond typical bathroom breaks and pit stops, consider visiting points of interest along the route. Ideally, these detours shouldn’t add too much additional mileage to your odometer or time on the road, but instead, be designed to break up the trip in manageable chunks. From a natural landmark to a beautiful view, the experiences will emotionally and physically rejuvenate your party for the
next leg of the journey.
Entertainment can help the miles pass more quickly. If you’re driving alone, prep a great playlist or download some audiobooks or podcasts in advance of the trip so you aren’t distracted by ipping through your device while driving. Try giving each hour of the journey a di erent theme – such as songs of a speci c genre or from a particular decade, or by letting passengers take turns being the DJ. You can also pass the time playing classic road trip games like “I Spy” and “Twenty Questions.” Keep passengers in the backseat occupied, particularly little ones, by supplying them with portable versions of their favorite board games.
Sustainable Tweaks
It’s easy to reduce your impact on the
environment on road trips, and doing so will make you and your travel companions feel better and more energized about your journey!
Try turning o the AC and feeling the fresh breeze from open windows to reduce your fuel use. When it comes to hydration, bring your own reusable water bottles and re ll them at rest station water fountains. You can also select snacks wisely. Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms, for example, are now available in store drop-o recycle-ready packaging. Help protect the planet by participating in the Store Drop O program, conveniently located at retail stores along your route. With delicious snacks, and fun games and detours, a road trip doesn’t just have to be a means to an end, it can also be a relaxing and fun part of your vacation.
ere is no better way to appreciate the beauty of Colorado than by witnessing all the sights and sounds of the great outdoors.
from walking and/or running along our state’s many wonderful paths and scenic nature trails.
Join Colorado Community Media as we host our rst-ever 5K run on Saturday, Aug. 24, at Clement Park, 7306 W. Bowles Ave. in Littleton.
And, before the run, we want you to submit your own “Trail Tales,” including photos, to your local newspaper (events@coloradocommunitymedia. com). Tell us where you most enjoy going for a walk or a run in your commuor elsewhere in Colorado.
In turn, we will share many of those adventurous tales with the readers of our two dozen community newspapers in the weeks ahead of the run.
ere are no prizes associated with the event and participants will not receive a “standard” T-shirt. Instead, registered participants will receive a pair of custom running socks. e Share Your Trail Tales 5k Run is open to people of all ages. Participants have the option of making it a fun- lled day for the entire family. Registration fees are $35 for adults (ages 17 & up), $15 (ages 5 to 16), and free for children (ages 4 and under ). Parking for run participants and event attendees is available in the west parking lot, which can be reached as you enter Clement Park through the Library entrance on W. Bowles Avenue.
ent Park is currently being rmed up to feature other activities throughout the day including food and beverage purchase options o ered by local food trucks, vendor booths, and live music entertainment.
“Your support of this event as a race participant and/or as an attendee is paramount to the success of our rst Share Your Trail Tales 5k Run and it will help us sustain our ability to support local news,” Scott said. “We encourage the engagement of our readers and future readers to be part of this and future events at Colorado Community Media.”
About the 5k: It is scheduled to loop around Johnston Reservoir from 9:30 a.m. to noon. It will start and end on the bike path near Shelter P. e event is di erent from most 5k runs in many ways. For starters, the sole purpose of this event is to simply provide an opportunity for people across Colorado to come together, interact, and share their personal experiences gained
Colorado Community Media publications span eight counties along Colorado’s majestic Front Range — Weld, Adams, Je co, Clear Creek, Douglas, Elbert, Arapahoe and Denver. As a nonpro t organization, community is important to us and we are eager to reach out and meet members of the communities our news organization serves.
Carlie Scott, Colorado Community Media’s events director, stated that the program for the Aug. 24 run in Clem-
Colorado Community Media could not put on events like this 5k run without the help of its dedicated supporters and sponsors. Sponsorship provides an ideal marketing prospect for your business and positive brand recognition. e organization o ers many levels of sponsorship and opportunities for involvement. As a sponsor, you can be part of a fun community event that promotes health and wellness.
To register for the Share Your Trail Tales 5k please visit our website www.coloradocommunitymedia.com and click on EVENTS/CONTEST tab.
Colorado-born Parker omas Orms always envisioned himself growing up and tackling life head-on as an athlete on a sports eld. So, how did he wind up being a hat shaper and owner of Hats By Parker omas? e answer is… fate! Parker’s father Glenn has been a hat shaper all his life following the tradition set by his own father. Parker’s grandpa Dewey started shaping hats 65 years ago in Texas — and did so until his death in 2022.
Parker inherited his passion for playing sports from his mom and her family. His mother Katherine lettered in softball at Northern Colorado in the 1970s.
Parker omas Orms attended Colorado University Boulder (20102013) on a football scholarship and played defensive back for the Colorado Bu aloes football team. He was an engaging presence on the eld and a fan favorite. Parker was on the path to joining the NFL although football-related injuries (shoulder and hamstring injuries and a torn ACL for which he had to undergo surgery) likely ended that pursuit.
In 2015, Parker traveled to Milan to play semi-pro football as a Free Safety Punt Return Man for the Milano Rhinos, Italy’s professional league. But after playing his last football season in Europe, Parker omas came home to his family and the family traditions that are tightly woven into the fabric of his being. So, it wasn’t just a “hat” trick that led him to become a hat shaper and Parker’s success is proving to be far more rewarding than he could ever have imagined.
“I worked with my father and grandfather for eight years. Traveling around di erent rodeos and western-themed events, I shaped and designed cowboy and fedora hats,” said
Parker who has been adding his own sense of style and creativity to traditional hats while shaping his own destiny in the process.
en he opened Hats By Parker omas (https://www.hatsbyparkerthomas.com/) two years ago at 257 Fillmore St., Unit 110, in the Cherry Creek area of Denver where he meets with his clientele by appointment. Parker and his small team of hat craftsmen also shape and sell his hats nationwide at private home parties (with 5-25 people), weddings, corporate gatherings, and community events. Likewise, sports gures and celebrities like Reba McEntire are now a part of his overall customer base. Most of Parker’s bookings are
made through his business location or through Instagram and TikTok.
e store and private events keep Parker busy these days but he still enjoys opportunities to be part of community events like the June 29 Mile High Hoedown at the Stampede in Aurora.
“I am really looking forward to meeting people at the Mile High Hoedown,” said Parker who explained that he welcomes every opportunity to support Colorado’s lifestyles and interact with athletes/artists, and all others within its many communities.
“Each hat and design depends on the needs of the customer and the customizations they choose,” said Parker. He stated that although he can
shape any type hat he especially enjoys creating cowboy style hats, which are so very popular throughout Colorado.
“Most hats can be done in around 30 minutes and I will make your hat to order right there at the Mile High Hoedown,” said Parker who mentioned that his custom wool or beaver-blend hats range from $200 to $450. For additional fees he also o ers cleaning, reshaping and branding services.
Music lovers won’t want to miss a beat when Boulder’s very own Sun Jr. brings their “Psych Mountain Rock” sounds to the stage. Dancers will love learning the latest line dances taught throughout the day by dance instructor/choreographer Laurie Burkardt. Attendees can visit vendor booths and print their own shirt or tank top with Ink and Drink, obtain a ash tattoo from Ace of MR. ACE Art & Tattoos, and get interactive with some “not permanent but cool” body art/ face painting and/or hair sparkle accents from Little People Face Painting. Enjoy food truck food/beverages, and stop by and meet with hat shaper Parker omas to purchase your custom hat!
Get the “low down” on the Hoedown (tickets and more) at coloradocommunitymedia.com. Mark your calendars for CCM’s Mile High Hoedown on Saturday/June 29 (11:00am-5:00pm) at the Stampede, 2431 S. Havana Street in Aurora. Socialize with friends and/or family, eat/ drink/kick up your heels—and just have a rip-roaring good time! Tickets are $20/per ticket; $25.00 at the door and includes the entry fee only. For a limited time, CCM is running a BOGO promotion on its website; don’t miss out BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
FLASHTATTOOSWITHMR.ACE** MAKECUSTOMHATSWITHPARKERTHOMAS** LEARNPOPULARLINEDANCESWITHLAURIEBURKHARDT BODYART/FACEPAINTING&SPARKLEHAIRWITH LITTLEPEOPLEFACEPAINTING**
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Local rafting expert provides summer safety tips
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COMTake a ride on some Rocky Mountain whitewater between hiking and camping this summer for a refreshing and fun- lled afternoon. But read this article rst.
Whitewater rafting is as notoriously Colorado as green chili, but it can be deadly if you’re not careful. According to stats from the National Institutes of Health in 2018, Colorado has led the nation in whitewater fatalities since 1975.
Fortunately, local experts, like the ones at Liquid Descent Rafting in Idaho Springs and Kremmling, have been leading safe excursions on the water since 2007, and their safety tips can save lives and create lifelong memories for mountain enthusiasts.
“We’ve got it gured out in Colorado,” Liquid Descent Owner Alan Brado said. “Especially on Clear Creek. It snows all winter and we ride Loveland Ski Area and Echo Mountain and enjoy the snow. It melts, and we enjoy it as it runs down the hills on rafts and kayaks. en it ows into Golden and we make a bunch of beer.”
Brado said he’s showing tourists and inexperienced rafters the ropes every day, so he helped us come up with eight things to know before hitting the water this summer.
1. Rafting season tentatively runs from May through August
Generally, May 15 is the target date for rafting season to open up, but it all depends on forces bigger than us. “It just kind of depends on when the creek gets high enough to run; weather determines that,” Brado said. “So, like this year, it’s been a slow build because it’s been colder than it usually is, which is great be-
Whitewater rafting is a favorite outdoor activity for tourists and locals alike, but it can be dangerous if you don’t take the proper safety steps. Here, a group enjoys a rafting adventure with the help of a local guide.
cause the longer the river takes to peak (hit maximum ow) the longer the season is going to last.”
With the strong snowpack this past winter (the best since 2019) along with a cool spring, Brado said it’s shaping up to be a long and successful season.
“Not only is the season going to last longer, but the river is going to provide more excitement and more fun,” he said.
Brado anticipates the season running through August, but it depends on the water and the weather.
2. You technically don’t need to know how to swim, but it’s encouraged
Depending on the adventure option you choose, it’s not necessary to know how to swim. But it’s always encouraged, especially when rafting through Clear Creek, which can be more dangerous than most rafting locations.
At Liquid Descent, the ability to swim is not required on the Upper Colorado, Clear Creek Beginner and Clear Creek Intermediate trips. Participants must know how to swim for the Clear Creek Advanced and Gore Canyon trips.
“We hope that people know how to swim when they do the beginner or
intermediate trips, but we don’t require it,” Brado said.
3. You must sign a waiver before going whitewater rafting
All whitewater rafting participants must sign a waiver. Parents or guardians must sign for individuals under the age of 18.
You can nd the digital waiver on Liquid Descent’s website.
4. Colorado Parks & Wildlife requires 50 hours of on-river training for guides
Guides are required to be seasoned professionals before taking the public on rafting expeditions. Colorado Parks & Wildlife requires 50 full hours of on-river training before being allowed to take customers out on the water.
But Brado requires more.
“If you ask me, that’s nowhere near enough to guide on Clear Creek,” he said. “Because Clear Creek is a little bit steeper and there’s some aggressive sections. So, even on the beginners’ section, we require our guides to have over 100 hours of on-river training before they can even think about taking customers.”
Brado said the state requirement is pretty minimal because, in a lot of cases, raft guides won’t be on
as dangerous water as Clear Creek whitewater. at’s why he doubles the state requirement to ensure optimal training for guides and safety for customers.
5. Show up in street clothes with rafting clothes in hand
Obviously, you’re going to get wet. Because of this, avoid cotton clothes, jeans and other fabrics that absorb or hold a lot of moisture.
e best clothing to wear is quickdrying, synthetic fabrics that are comfortable under your wetsuit, which is required. Bathing suits are ideal choices.
Like most rafting companies, Liquid Descent provides wetsuits, splash jackets, personal oating devices and helmets. You can rent boots for $5 but can also bring any footwear with an ankle strap that remains securely on your feet (no ipops, Crocs, etc.).
6. No drugs or alcohol can be consumed before rafting
With steep rapids, jagged rocks in the water and fast-paced rafting, this rule is self-explanatory. ere is a no-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol (including marijuana) before whitewater rafting.
7. Prepare for a workout
Depending on the level of di culty or experience you choose for your rafting outing, prepare for a workout. Fighting the rapids with your paddle can be a strong exercise for the biceps, shoulders, triceps, quads and more.
Intermediate and advanced trips will be quite the workout, so don’t expect a leisurely trip if you choose a more di cult rafting option. Customers are welcome to bring water on the bus to the raft site but it’s recommended not to bring personal devices on the boat.
8. Rafting is accessible to people of all ages and experience levels
Brado said a popular misconception about whitewater rafting is people might not think it’s accessible to everyone, but the variety of the Colorado landscape provides options
for all.
“What’s awesome about Clear Creek is we have stretches for rsttimers and young kids all the way up to adrenaline-seeking, adventurous people,” Brado said. “So Clear Creek is perfect for that. And we have everything in between. Whether you have small kids (age 5 and up) or someone who has a little bit of trepi-
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dation about rafting and you want to start out at a really mild stretch, we got that.”
Liquid Descent also has options for rst-timers or experienced adrenaline junkies who want the “real, Colorado whitewater experience.” Clear Creek is unlike other rivers because it’s constantly moving with little-to-no at water, making it
a fun time for rafters of all ages and experience levels.
“I couldn’t design a better river to o er to customers,” Brado said. “ e trips are action-packed and fun and perfect for those looking to have some awesome whitewater experiences.”
For more information and FAQs, visit https://coloradorafting.com/.
1. HISTORY: Who was the rst female chancellor of Germany?
2. GEOGRAPHY: Which European capital used to be called Christiania?
3. MOVIES: What are the names of the elderly couple in the animated movie “Up”?
4. ANATOMY: How much blood is in the average human body?
5. SCIENCE: What do ohms measure?
6. TELEVISION: Al Borland is a sidekick in which 1990s TV sitcom?
7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What does an hCG test determine?
8. U.S. STATES: Which state is named after a French king?
9. LITERATURE: Who are Nancy Drew’s best friends in the children’s mystery novel series?
10. FOOD & DRINK: What fruit is used to make Worcestershire sauce?
Answers
1. Angela Merkel.
2. Oslo, Norway.
3. Carl and Ellie Fredricksen.
4. 1.2 to 1.5 gallons.
5. Electrical resistance.
6. “Home Improvement.”
7. Pregnancy.
8. Louisiana (Louis).
9. Bess and George.
10. Tamarind.
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
1. Name the only artist who made it to the top of the charts for both music and vocals.
2. Who wrote and released “Society’s Child”?
3. Which trio released “Nowhere to Run” in 1965?
4. Name the artist who released an album titled “Couldn’t Have Said It Better.”
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Have you seen her? So ne and pretty, Fooled me with her style and ease, And I feel her from across the room.”
Answers
1. Herb Alpert. His instrumental “Rise” (1979) and the song “ is Guy’s in Love With You” (1968) both topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
2. Janis Ian, in 1965. e song was written about interracial dating when Ian was 13 years old. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002.
3. Martha and the Vandellas. e song ended up on e 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
4. Meat Loaf, in 2003. e album includes “Did I say at?” and “Man of Steel.”
5. “Dance the Night Away,” by Van Halen, in 1979. One of the co-writers had wanted to call the song “Dance, Lolita, Dance,” but the idea was nixed. e song appeared on the band’s second album, “Van Halen II.”
(c) 2024 King Features Syndicate
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based organization called Resilience1220. Composed of licensed therapists, Resilience1220 serves individuals and groups in the foothills including Clear Creek County. ey also facilitate school and community groups to build life skills in wellness and resilience among youth. For more information or to schedule a counseling session, visit R1220.org, email Resilience1220@gmail.com or call 720-282-1164.
Clear Creek Rotary 2000 meetings: Clear Creek Rotary 2000 meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Marion’s of the Rockies. 2805 Colorado Blvd., Idaho Springs. For more information, email loe er806@comcast. net.
Support After Suicide Loss: A safe place to share and learn after losing a loved one to suicide. is group meets every fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 o ce. For ages 14 and up. Suggested donation for this group is $15. Register at resilience1220.org/groups.
Storytime with Miss Honeybun: Storytime with Miss Honeybun is at 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays at the Idaho Springs Public Library and at 11:15 a.m. ursdays at the John Tomay Memorial Library in Georgetown.
Sensitive Collection: Resilience1220 strives to inform and support highly sensitive people to live healthy and empowered lives. It meets the third Wednesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. and is o ered via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 o ce. Register at resilience1220.org/groups
Public Health o ering sexual health and family planning: Clear Creek County Public Health is now o ering Sexual Health and Planning Services at the Health and Wellness Center in Idaho Springs. Public Health o ers counseling, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, STI and HIV screenings, basic infertility services and birth control options and referrals. ese services are con dential. Public Health can also now bill Medicaid and most private insurance. However, if you do not have insurance, fees are based on a sliding scale — and no one will be turned away if they are unable to pay.
or before July 15, 2024. All appeals on personal property must be postmarked or delivered on or before July 20, 2024. All hearings must be conducted by close of business on August 5, 2024. Any decision by the Board shall be mailed to the petitioner within five business days of the date on which the decision is rendered. For further information contact Beth Luther, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Equalization, at 303-679-2312 or bluther@ clearcreekcounty.us.
George Marlin, Chairman Board of County Commissioners
Legal Notice No. CCC902
First Publication: June 13, 2024
Last Publication: June 13, 2024
Publisher: Clear Creek Courant
Public Notice
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that adoption of the 2021 International Residential Code, 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021
Energy Compliance Code, and amendments to said Codes was approved by the Board of County Commissioners, Clear Creek County, Colorado at their meeting of Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
The text of the proposed codes may be reviewed at the Clear Creek County Building Department located at the Clear Creek County Annex at 1111 Rose St., Georgetown, CO. The area to be covered under the new codes will include all of unincorporated Clear Creek County effective July 1, 2024. If you have any further questions or comments, please direct them to Chris Hallgren, P.O. Box 2000, Georgetown, Colorado 80444 or call 303-679-2343 or e-mail to challgren@ clearcreekcounty.us .
Legal Notice No. CCC903
First Publication: June 13, 2024
Last Publication: June 20, 2024
Publisher: Clear Creek Courant
NOTICE
TO CREDITORS
Estate of SEAN CHRISTIAN WOOD,
