BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Georgetown Board of Selectmen chose Daniel Trechter of Manhattan, Kansas to lead the department moving forward as police marshal.
Trechter was among four nalists for the position, including Jon Gaskins who has been acting chief for the town since former Marshal Randy Williams stepped down in March.
In his application, Trechter described himself as having a “solid and progressive background in law enforcement, investigations, re service, emergency medical services and security and public health.”
“I am a con dent, independent self-
6-year-old Henry Goymerac from Lawson climbs a ladder truck at C3 Fest in Idaho Springs Aug. 17.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado
Weather Observations for Georgetown, Colorado
Week of August 12, 2024
Week of August 12, 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 for that speci c date.
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 for that specific date
Day and date of observation (2024)
TRECHTER
starter with a competitive drive, initiative, a sense of urgency and the ability to make decisions and take responsibility for them,” Trechter said in his application to the Board of Selectmen.
Trechter currently heads, what he describes as, the fastest-growing city (Manhattan) in Kansas with a population under 5,000.
In his application, he described his leadership style as one “where I lead from the front.”
Former Marshal Williams and Ocer Tim Collins stepped down simultaneously in March in response to misdemeanor criminal charges they face of Failure to Intervene in association with the shooting death of Christian Glass in 2022, according to Town Ad-
ministrator Rick Keuroglian. Glass died on the night of June 10-11, 2022 when he was stranded in his car near Silver Plume. He had called 911 for help, saying he was trapped, and when o cers arrived, they asked Glass to leave his car. He refused in what turned into a long stando that ended when o cers broke Glass’ car window and used a Taser on him. Buen shot Glass ve times, killing him, according to an indictment.
Former Clear Creek Sheri Deputy Andrew Buen is charged with 2nd-degree murder in the case and trial is set for Feb. of 2025.
Marshal Williams left the department with the equivalent of three months’ salary, or $32,416 as compensation, according to town documents. e Board of Selectmens’ decision to select Trechter as police marshal was unanimous.
Georgetown selects new Police Marshal Daniel Trechter from Manhattan, Kansas.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Historical Society of Idaho Springs celebrates 60th anniversary
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Historical Society and Visitor Center of Idaho Springs celebrated its 60th anniversary of providing information and insight to locals and tourists.
Started in 1964, the Historical Society collects, catalogs, repairs and displays items from Idaho Springs and surrounding areas that date back to the time gold was rst discovered in the small town.
Inside the museum, maps, minerals, miniatures and a history of local gold mining is on display.
In the back rooms, there are rows of ling cabinets cataloging the collection both on display and items in storage, Director Jan Bowland knows where it all is.
“So we are saving and protecting these items as well and we have a very good process of archiving all of the items as well as keeping the records,” Bowland said.
Bowland and her husband Bob have been at the helm of the museum and visitors center from the start of construction on the building in 1964.
More than a million locals and visitors have made their way through the museum over the years to understand the local history of the area or simply to nd out where they’re going, Bowland said.
“As people come to town they don’t know where they’re going and they
don’t know where they want to go and so we direct many, many visitors to where they need to be,” Bowland said.
Most of the artifacts on display have a local origin and directly relate to how Idaho Springs was built after gold was discovered in 1859.
e historical society is also a resource for residents when they nd an item or artifact in or around their home, Bowland said they’ll often bring it in with sometimes a confused look and a lot of questions.
“We just love to talk to locals,” Bowland said. “In fact many locals bring things as they’re cleaning out their attic or they’re cleaning out their garage and they nd fabulous, fabulous things that relate to our history.”
e Historical Society of Idaho Springs is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week and is located at 2060 Miner St. in Idaho Springs.
The Historical Society of Idaho Springs is celebrating its 60th anniversary.
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Rocks and minerals on display at the Historical Society of Idaho Springs.
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
UPCOMING
Immersive Survival Camping: Sept. 6-8 at Tomahawk Ranch in Bailey. e trip includes information on shelter building, plant identi cation, re making and water gathering. Sign up at ticketsignup.io/immersivesurvivalcamping. com or with CCMRD by calling 303-567-4822.
Annual Floyd Hill Neighborhood Picnic: 12-3 p.m. Sept. 14 at Evergreen Park 333 Beaver Brook Canyon Road in Evergreen. Sandwiches, snacks and drinks provided by Neighbors of Floyd Hill.
Clear Creek County Commission: Regularly scheduled meeting of the county commission at 8:30
a.m. Sept 17 at the County Building at 405 Argentine St. in Georgetown.
Devils’ Gate History Club: “Georgetown’s John Tomay Memorial Library: 100 years,” presented by District Library Director Libby Caplan and Archives Research Librarian Sean Babbs. 7 p.m. Friday Sept. 20 Georgetown Community Center, 6th St. and Argentine. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
Georgetown BigHorn Sheep Festival: 10 a.m. Nov. 9. 600 6th St. in Georgetown. Gateway Visitor Center o ers trained volunteers with binoculars and spotting scopes to help viewers locate bighorn sheep and o er a brief lesson on the animals.
ONGOING
CASA of the Continental Divide seeks volunteers: CASACD promotes and protects the best inter-
Firefighters, law enforcement and kids make for many smiles at C3 Fest in Idaho Springs
The annual festival at the ballfields drew at least 100 parents and kids to meet public safety professionals and see the equipment
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A Clear Creek Fire Authority ladder truck was center stage on the ShellyQuinn ballfields in Idaho Springs as members of Alpine Rescue repelled down the rope hanging from it.
The Clear Creek County C3 fest brought out members and equipment from Clear Creek Fire Authority, Evergreen Fire, the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s office, local police and Flight for Life.
The kids were not disappointed climbing into police cars to try the siren or inside a firetruck to feel the seats. Strapped to a firefighter, they also experienced walking up the extended ladder of the firetruck.
“I was halfway up there,” a very excited 6-year-old Henry Goymerac from Lawson told his dad, Nick.
“I know, I saw you,” Nick said smil-
ing.
“He loves the fire department, he thinks they’re absolutely great,” Nick said. “He loves the sheriff’s, he’s a pretty groovy little dude.”
Nick spent 10 years as an ER nurse at Denver Health and said this kind of thing is great for Henry.
“They need to be comfortable with it, they need to know what it is, they need to know that they’re there to help them and the more you get them involved with it young growing up the more comfortable they are around it,” he said.
Henry even waved to his dad from the ladder as he carefully climbed with the firefighter in tow.
“I wasn’t scared and I was halfway up and could see everything,” Henry said with a huge smile across his face.
The Clear Creek Sheriff’s Office, this year’s host, brought its massive tactical rescue vehicle to the fields and explained how it worked to the wide-eyed kids who looked tiny next to the vehicle.
The event is meant to bring awareness to local fire/rescue and law enforcement and it’s a chance for kids and their parents to meet the people in their community who are working to protect their community, according to the sheriff’s department.
A silent auction, food sales and donations will go to benefit Clear Creek County Schools this year.
Back at the firetrucks Molly Gay from Gilpin County was trying to corral her 2-year-old son Summit, ty Paramedic, so they say exposing Summit to it at an event like this is great.
The Station with a Variety of Programming
“I think it’s important that they understand what first responders do and how they help the community,”
Molly Gay from Gilpin County and her 2 year-old son Summit check out the fire truck at C3 Fest in Idaho Springs Aug. 17. PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Flight for Life makes an appearance in its backup chopper at C3 Fest.
Call first: 1630 Miner St., Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Mailing Address:
750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110
Phone: 303-566-4100
Web: ClearCreekCourant.com
To subscribe call 303-566-4100
CURRENTS
A publication of ests 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.
LINDA SHAPLEY
Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com
KRISTEN FIORE West Metro Editor kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com
CHRIS KOEBERL Community Editor ckoeberl@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Test sirens scheduled: In an e ort 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 Wednesday 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 fallrisk 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 clearcreekcounty. us/1388/Community-Outreach.
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-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 720-2821164.
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.
Columnists & Guest Commentaries
Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Courant. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.
Email letters to kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Deadline Tues. for the following week’s paper.
Clear Creek Courant (USPS 52610)
A legal newspaper of general circulation in Idaho Springs, Colorado, the Clear Creek Courant is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 1630 Miner St., Idaho Springs, CO 80452.
PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT Idaho Springs and additional mailing o ces.
POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Clear Creek Courant, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
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
Dental clinics: Cleanings, X-rays, dentures, tooth extractions and more. Most insurances are accepted including Medicaid. Sliding scale/low-cost options are also available. No appointment necessary. is is a mobile dentist that comes once a month. Call program manager Lauralee at 720-205-4449 for questions.
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
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.
Clear Creek County Lookout Alert: e CodeRED alerts have been replaced by the Lookout Alert. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts county-wide by signing up at www.lookoutalert.co. e new site replaces CodeRED following the switch to Je Com911 for emergency dispatch earlier this year.
Isuppose it’s the human thing on a hiking trail to acknowledge one another when passing. But on a well-used trail, the same comments come up time and time again.
“Good Morning.” As an introvert I don’t understand why I have to say “Good Morning” to every member of a 30-person group. Nor does “Good Afternoon” roll o the tongue as nicely. Too many plosives and fricatives. Yesterday I got yelled at for not saying a cheery enough “Good Morning” to a passing hiker. I did not realize I was at a Downton Abbey garden party. en there’s the consoling “You’re Almost ere” hello. For one thing, I am almost never almost there when assured that I am. Volunteers at 10Ks or marathons are warned to never, ever, tell someone they are almost there. Almost there is when you can see the parking lot.
An annoying question is “Everything OK?” Why are they asking this? Admittedly I have more gray hair than brown, but do I look so decrepit that they are concerned about my well being? What would they do if I said, “It would really
With the current ap about Colorado cougar management, Coloradans might be interested in California’s cougar experience.
California did everything wrong. (At least according to a large element of the wildlife management establishment.)
After a series of moratoria on cougar hunting starting in 1972, the state codi ed the ban with the 1990 California Wildlife Protection Act. Managers across the U.S. were aghast: California would be overrun with cougars. Loss of pets, livestock, and wild ungulates would be catastrophic.
In 1990 Dr. Walter Howard, wildlife professor emeritus at UCal Davis, sounded o as follows to e Los
VOICES
Grumpy talk on the trail
WRITERS ON THE RANGE
be OK if you took my pack!”
“How you doing?” Do they really want to know that my trick hip is acting up, and my pack irritates that weird spot on my scapula? Probably not.
out he was the one who was wrong, and he wasn’t happy about nding that out.
“Is it really harder hiking uphill?” Is this a trick question?
“Where are you going?” at seems a deep philosophical question to pose to a complete stranger.
“How was it?” I guess I could answer on a scale of one to ten…
paved road.”
One young man told me, “I hope I can do this.” I said, “It looks as though you are.” “No, I mean when I am as old as you.” I guess I can take that as a compliment. en there is the compliment: “I hope I’m as t as you when I’m your age.” I want to reply: “I might be as t as your age!”
“Good Luck.” Again, why? Is the only thing that will assure my success a whim of fate? I used to answer, “In the words of the immortal solo climber of Mount Everest, Reinhold Messner, ‘I do not believe in luck.’” at usually gets me a blank look.
Marjorie Woodru
“Where did you start and how long did it take you?” People usually ask me this while hiking in Grand Canyon. But why ask a random stranger how they did? I’m not racing. One woman asked me this at Bryce Canyon National Park because she and her boyfriend were attempting a loop. She thought they were on the wrong trail, but her boyfriend thought she was wrong. Turned
“Was it worth it?” I’m always tempted to reply, “No, turn around now.”
“Does this trail go anywhere?” “No,” I want to say, “it just kind of sits there.”
“If I hike down this trail, is there another way out?” Not really: Walk in, walk out, is usually the case.
Sometimes a joker will ask, “Are we there yet?” I sometimes answer, “Buddha would say, ‘We are always there.’ at gets me a laugh now and then.”
Several times I have been asked where the next shuttle bus stop is. If this is asked while on a trail in the Grand Canyon, the answer is “A mile back and a thousand feet up the way you came.” Poleaxed stare. “ e bus doesn’t come down here?” “No,” I want to say, “they tend to stick to the
Cougar lessons from California
Angeles Times: “( e cougar) is a bloody pest… Evolution has demanded that they have a regulatory mortality factor. at’s the balance of nature.” He went on to claim that without hunting, cougars overpopulate, exhaust natural prey, then turn to domestic animals. All incorrect.
I’m a lifelong hunter. And I was part of the wildlife management establishment in the 1970s. For a time, I believed our party line that hunting is a “necessary wildlife management tool.”
But I’ve learned that hunting is only
sometimes such a tool. It certainly is for deer and elk which, in the absence of their natural predators, overpopulate and trash wildlife habitat, including their own. It certainly is not for those natural predators – cougars and wolves.
Unlike traditional game, predators don’t compensate for mortality with fecundity. ey self-regulate. ey don’t require killing by humans.
After not being hunted for 52 years have California cougars overpopulated? Not hardly. In 2024 a UCal Davis study amended the statewide population estimate from 6,000 to 4,500. And the state Fish and Game Commission has ruled that a petition to protect cougars under the California Endangered Species Act in the southern and central-coast areas is warranted. A
A friend who let her hair go gray during COVID told me that she gets a lot more positive comments than she used to: “Young hikers used to mutter under their breath when I passed them. Now they tend to do a thumbs up and say, ‘Good for you.’”
I was hiking one day with a group of women who have hiked the West on trails for years, when a man stepped to the side to let us pass. He beamed at us as he said, “You ladies look radiant.” Now that is the kind of trail talk I like.
Marjorie “Slim” Woodru is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonpro t dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She is an educator at the bottom of Grand Canyon.
decision is pending.
What about all the predicted game depletion and depredations of livestock and pets? Immediately after e Wildlife Protection Act, there was a spike in depredation reports. But this wasn’t because there were more depredations, only because people were required to report them. e state’s deer population has been relatively stable for 35 years. Elk and desert bighorn sheep are increasing. Sierra Nevada bighorns were doing better until they took a hit from heavy snow in 2022. is from Dr. Rick Hopkins who has researched California cougars for 45 years: “For the long-term average, 100 to 120 California cougars have
I though as as comwhen might gray a she mutpassed thumbs of on to at radiant.” conwritindependent lively an Can-
WILLIAMS
been killed annually via depredation permits. at’s a tiny fraction of what sport hunters kill in other states and Canada. California arguably supports more high-quality habitat than most western states (if not all) and Canadian provinces. We also support more people (nearly 40 million) than any other state. And have more cattle and sheep than all western states and Canadian provinces, other than Texas.
“If cougar hunting were a ‘wildlife management tool,’ one would assume that California would have substantially greater human-cougar con icts when compared with other western states and Canadian Provinces that all support aggressive sport hunt seasons. Yet when normalized for cougar habitat in a state (a surrogate for population size), the human population (surrogate for annual recreational visitor days in cougar habitat), and livestock numbers across the western U.S. and Canada, California ranks ninth or tenth out of fteen.”
While the depredation numbers haven’t changed, the state’s approach to them has. In 2020 the “ ree Strikes” law required landowners whose pets or livestock are attacked by cougars to attempt non-lethal deterrence. After
ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules:
• Email your letter to kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line.
• Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in the following week’s newspaper.
• Letters must be no longer than 400 words.
• Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.
the third try, a landowner may request a depredation permit. Last year only ten depredating cougars were killed. Cougars are stable in most of California but hurting in the developed south where habitat fragmentation is causing inbreeding and vehicle trafc is causing road kills. A huge vehicle threat and barrier to cougar connectivity is Highway 101 in and near Los Angeles.
But the state is taking action. e $92 million Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over Highway 101 (near completion) will connect protected lands in the Santa Monica Mountains and the Sierra Madre Range, thereby reducing fragmentation and road-kills.
e main takeaway from California’s cougar experience is this: Cougar hunting isn’t wildlife management; it’s hunter management. ere’s not a shred of evidence that killing cougars creates more game or decreases depredations.
And there is much evidence that, because cougar hunters target large trophies, age structure is disrupted with the result that younger, inexperienced animals, particularly males, disperse to developed areas, causing increased depredations.
Ted Williams writes exclusively about sh and wildlife. He is a former information o cer for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for o ce. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 12 days of an election.
• Publication of any given letter is at our discretion. Letters are published as space is available.
• We will edit letters for clarity, grammar, punctuation and length and write headlines (titles) for letters at our discretion.
• Please don’t send us more than one letter per month. First priority for publication will be given to writers who have not submitted letters to us recently.
Discover More at Your Clear Creek County Library
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
MOUNTAIN JAMS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Enjoy live music on Saturday afternoons through September 14! Just head over to Library Park Stage, located in downtown Georgetown on the southwest corner of Sixth Street and Rose Street (next to the John Tomay Memorial Library). Performances run from 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Upcoming performances: 8/31 – Bittersweet
9/7 – Cowboy Blonde
9/14 – Fiesta Colorado
JOHN TOMAY MEMORIAL LIBRARY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
4:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Hamill House Museum, 305 Argentine Street, Georgetown
Join us for refreshments and more as we toast a century of serving our community at our historical Georgetown library branch!
STORYTIMES
Share stories, play games, and get moving. Storytimes are a great opportunity to connect with other local families with young children!
Parachute & Picnic Storytime
10 a.m. Sept. 6 at Foster’s Place in City Park, Georgetown (at the intersection of Taos Street and Tenth Street)
Bring your favorite small stu ed animal and a not-too-messy snack! Miss Honeybun will provide a special treat.
Stories & Sunshine
10 a.m. Sept.13 at Idaho Springs Public Library
Join us for fun stories and outdoor activities!
Stories & Sunshine
10 a.m. Sept. 20 atJohn Tomay Memorial Library
Join us for fun stories and outdoor activities!
Parachute & Picnic Storytime
10 a.m. Sept. 27 at Idaho Springs Public Library
Bring your favorite small stu ed animal and a not-too-messy snack! Miss Honeybun will provide a special treat.
KIDS’ CRAFTERNOONS
Bring your creativity – we’ll provide the supplies!
Friday the irteenth Good Luck Stones
2 p.m. Sept.13 at Idaho Springs
Public Library
Make your own good luck with this craft!
Autumn Leaf Spray Painting
1 p.m. Sept. 20 at John Tomay Memorial Library
Make beautiful artwork with watercolor spray paints!
FRIDAY VIRTUAL REALITY SESSIONS
Explore new worlds at our virtual reality sessions for young patrons ages 12 years and older. Please email heather@cccld.org to learn more and register.
2-4 p.m. Sept. 13 at John Tomay Memorial Library 2-4 p.m. Sept. 20 at Idaho Springs Public Library
Please note: children under the age of eight years need an adult with them in the library.
FREE ENGLISH LESSONS
5-5:45 p.m. Sept. 5, 12 and 19 at John Tomay Memorial Library
Learn English vocabulary with Jeannette Peterson! Each lesson will cover a unit of practical vocabulary. English experience is not necessary, and registration isn’t required – come when you can!
BOOK GROUPS
Connect with other local readers at our monthly book groups. Email libby@cccld.org for information.
Idaho Springs Book Group: 4 p.m. Sept. 9. “White Horse” by Clear Creek High School Graduate Erika T. Wurth John Tomay Memorial Library Book Group: 3 p.m. Sept. 19. “Poverty, by America”by Matthew Desmond
ADULT CRAFT – MAKERS’ MINGLE
Socialize and get creative at this informal craft evening. Bring your own project from home, and we’ll provide the refreshments!
Idaho Springs Public Library: 5:30 – 7 p.m. Sept. 10 John Tomay Memorial Library: 5:30 – 7 p.m. Sept. 18
CONNECT WITH US
Idaho Springs Public Library: 303567-2020
John Tomay Memorial Library (Georgetown): 303-569-2620
Email us at hello@cccld.org
Visit us at www.cccld.org
request items.
Explore our book and movie collection at www.cccld.org View our Library of ings at https://cccld. org/library-of-things/ Download the Libby App to your smart device to access thousands of e-books and e-audiobooks.
Do you have the Libby App? Download the Libby App by Overdrive to your smart device to access thousands of e-books and audiobooks, available for checkout with your library card. Visit https://cccld.org/ library-resources/ and click on the Overdrive/Libby icon to get started.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Many library resources are available online 24/7. Access young learner resources, academic research databases, digitized history archives, and more with your library card. Find our full catalog of online resources at https://cccld.org/ library-resources/.
HOME DELIVERY
Let us bring the library to you! Call us for details. Home delivery servic-
es are intended for homebound persons and patrons experiencing illness, and availability is determined by weather and sta ng.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Our library sta can assist you with a variety of tasks –– using a tablet or smartphone, navigating the internet, setting up an email account, and more. Call us or email heather@ cccld.org for more information.
PRINTS, COPIES, FAXES
Email printcccld@gmail.com or call your Clear Creek County Library branch to request prints, copies, and faxes — or just come in and use our equipment during our hours of operation!
NOTARY SERVICES
Notary services are FREE! Please contact your Clear Creek County Library branch to book your appointment.
LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES
Help yourself to free, gently-loved books from our Little Free Libraries at numerous Clear Creek locations. Visit our website to learn more.
or visit us to learn more and
HIGH STAKES
What it takes to perform a mountain rescue
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Colorado’s mountains are nature’s playgrounds. Tourists from all over the world and Colorado residents alike escape to the extreme terrain for skiing, hiking, climbing, biking and more — but what happens when something goes wrong?
Several specialized and highly trained mountain emergency response teams — many of them volunteers — constantly work and train together to be ready to perform a mountain rescue.
Alpine Rescue, Central City Fire, Clear Creek EMS, Clear Creek Fire Authority, Flight for Life and Evergreen Fire/Rescue are a few of the agencies that respond when the worst happens in the unforgiving terrain west of Denver.
As a group they must be ready for anything, anywhere, anytime. And they are, according to Field Director for the Alpine Rescue Team Herb Dorn.
the unincorporated lands of Clear Creek
“We love what we do. It’s crazy. Almost half our members are probably tenured for over 20 years. So there’s a deep love for what we do and the mission that we try to accomplish and we’re all volunteers,” Dorn said during a recent multi-jurisdictional exercise in Idaho Springs.
Based in Evergreen, Alpine Rescue has been providing search and rescue to Gilpin, Je erson and Clear Creek County since 1959.
“Search and rescue” is a very simpli ed term for what Alpine’s 50-70 highly trained mountain rescuer volunteers are capable of accomplishing, according to its mission statement.
According to the national Mountain Rescue Association, Alpine is one of 13 state agencies accredited in several rescue types including technical rock, avalanche, technical rope, helicopter and wilderness search.
“We do everything; we do avalanches, we do ski … 14ers, we help with swift water, search and rescue, a little bit of everything,” 15-year veteran/volunteer Dawn Wilson said after assisting in pulling a crash cart and live “victim” from a 500-foot ravine o Center City Parkway during training in Idaho Springs.
At Wilson’s side were several members of the Clear Creek Fire Authority and EMS who routinely train with Alpine and other agencies to draw on each other’s specialties, capabilities and equipment. In the moment, a cohesive response saves seconds and lives, according to CCFA assistant chief Jeremy Jones.
“We gure out what works and what doesn’t in training so we can x it so we don’t experience those hiccups or delays when it’s time critical,” Jones said.
On average, CCFA responds to more than 1,400 emergency calls from eight re stations throughout 347.5 square miles of Clear Creek County every year with 55 volunteers,16 fulltime re ghters and at least four seasonal wildland re ghters, according to department statistics.
It serves the municipalities of Empire, Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Silver Plume and
In a vehicle crash, re or rollover, CCFA members are rst responders and assist EMS with preserving and saving lives.
the responders
It has been providing swift water rescue for 51 years and was one of the rst of its kind in Colorado, according to Jones.
“Life safety is our rst priority; victim life safety and your own,” Clear Creek Training Captain Don Koogle told a training crew in Dumont recently.
CCFA covers the municipalities of Empire, Georgetown, Idaho Springs, and Silver Plume and the unincorporated lands of Clear Creek County.
Helicopters play crucial role
Bright orange and yellow Flight for Life helicopters are often seen at some of the most critical scenes where the helicopter, its onboard paramedic and ight nurse can bring life-saving equipment and supplies to the backcountry or at altitude to e ect rapid extrication, according to parent company Air Methods.
e air crews often work and train side-byside with other mountain rescue teams like CCFA and Alpine, according to Flight Nurse Libby Brewster.
“We participate in the trajectory of care in a di erent way. EMS or Alpine makes contact with the person initially, they call us, we participate in the transport, then they get to the hospital,” Brewster said during a recent training exercise in Clear Creek County.
“We bring critical care to the patient. ere’s a lot of stu we can do that maybe the ambulance can’t, and we’re also able to y in a bunch of stu (equipment) so these guys don’t have to hike in as much stu , I mean they’re still going to because they like it,” Flight for Life Paramedic Jace Mullen said, laughing.
Mullen and Brewster were standing sideby-side with at least four other rescue crews during a recent training exercise. No matter the agency, no matter the speci c skill sets, everyone has a common goal to protect life, Brewster said.
RESCUE
a team into the eld the better because these rescues can last hours. Time is of the essence when they’re in the backcountry whether it’s an avalanche or an injured hiker whatever the case is,” Marquardt said.
e changes in attitude toward multijurisdictional assistance and cooperation between agencies started when incoming Clear Creek County Sheri Matt Harris took o ce in January, according to Marquardt.
Volunteers are the critical key to success
Nearly every area emergency service relies heavily on trained volunteers, as most are manned with signi cantly more volunteers than paid sta , and Evergreen Fire/Rescue is no exception, according to Evergreen Risk Reduction Coordinator Einar Jensen.
“Our volunteer re ghters live in Evergreen,” Einar said.
Evergreen Fire/Rescue covers both Je erson and Clear Creek counties and currently has only 75 of the 100 volunteers needed to run operations eciently, according to Einar.
“When we talk about wanting more volunteer re ghters we also need to make sure the people that are applying know that they will be trained and equipped at a professional level, they just won’t be getting paid for it. at’s the di erence,” Einar said.
will be certi ed as a Level 1 re ghter in Colorado.
“We’re asking you to put yourself at some risk to serve your community, and if that appeals to you, it’s probably one of the most rewarding activities that you’ll ever encounter,” Einar said.
“We are always ready,” Wilson said about volunteering, and “after a while it becomes like a family, you just depend on each other.”
It’s a di cult job to do and see. Rescuers say they see the worst of bad, but at times some good can make it worthwhile.
“It becomes taxing sometimes, (but) the worst of the worst which is o set a little bit by seeing the good things in life,” Jones said.
Relying on and communicating with teammates or other rescue crews who experience and witness the same tragedies is critical for your own mental health, Jones said.
“ ere is a lot of e ort on the part of responders to properly manage those images and experiences to avoid longterm PTSD issues,” Jones said.
Most rescuers said there’s an important reason to do this taxing, dangerous and sometimes ugly job. ey are there to help the injured, the same way they hope someone will be there for the people they love.
“When we have really, really sick patients and we’re all able to take really great care of them and bring them an advanced level of care to the scene and start doing the things a hospital would do in the rst two minutes and the patient has a really good outcome, it’s impactful,” Brewster said.
Relatively new to the “combined e ort approach to recovery/rescue,” the Clear Creek Sheri ’s Department said new agreements with other agencies will change the way the department trains and it expects to be working closely with Alpine Rescue.
“Recently we’ve rewritten our policies and agreements with Alpine, EMS and the re authority. Before they didn’t really work all that well together and weren’t on the same agreement, but now EMS has trained backcountry personnel that they can send in and so we’re all working a lot more cohesive than we did prior,” Special Services Commander Seth Marquardt said.
e sheri ’s department is in charge of overseeing all backcountry rescue operations, including avalanche, search and rescue or injured hikers in the county, according to Seth Marquardt.
“ e sooner we can get on scene and get
Volunteers in Evergreen receive 10 months of training and classroom work, largely on Mondays and Saturdays. After the successful end of training and state testing, the volunteer candidate
“Everybody goes into this eld to help people you’ve never met in your entire life and may never see again because we always hope if it’s someone we love who is in danger or at risk, somebody will come help them,” Jones concluded.
Alpine Rescue’s Dawn Wilson assists in a rescue training exercise in Clear Creek County.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
A gurney waits as rescuers pull a “victim” in a crash cart up the side of a mountain during multi-jurisdictional training in Idaho Springs.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Americans are leery of book bans, survey says
But respondents don’t oppose all restrictions
BY ERICA MELTZER CHALKBEAT COLORADO
A majority of Americans worry more about children losing access to books that could teach them something about the world than they do about children being exposed to potentially inappropriate material.
And most trust teachers and school librarians to make good choices about the books they stock at school.
But they also think age appropriateness is a legitimate reason to restrict book access, especially for elementary students. And there are big di erences on the issue between liberals and conservatives, between LGBTQ adults and others, and between parents and non-parents. at’s all according to new polling from the Knight Foundation that examines public attitudes toward book restrictions in public schools. Knight talked to more than 4,500 adults, including 1,413 parents of children aged 18 or younger, and oversampled parents of color to better cap-
ture their perspectives.
e picture that emerges is “nuanced,” said Kyla Gabriel, director of learning and impact for the Knight Foundation, which has done research on free expression issues for decades.
For example, 88% of parents of public school children say they feel con dent that their local public schools choose appropriate books, compared with 76% of non-parents. But more public school parents say they support some e orts to restrict book access than do non-parents — 40% to 32%. And more than half of parents whose children don’t attend public school support e orts to restrict book access, re ecting the greater representation of religious conservatives among private school and homeschooling parents.
“ is is much more complex than ‘a majority of adults oppose book restrictions’,” Gabriel said. “When they have a child in the public school system, they are not necessarily supportive of book restrictions, but they might see some reasons to restrict books.”
Re ecting similarly con icted views, a survey last year by the Every Library Institute found that large
majorities of parents trust librarians and believe their children are safe using the school library — even as smaller majorities supported the idea of restricting book access in some cases, requiring parents to sign permission slips for library use, and allowing parents to opt their child out of using the school library.
And an Ipsos poll found that Democrats had more concerns about book bans, but voters of both parties said they would be less likely to support a candidate who supported restricting book access. e issue continues to resonate politically: In a July speech shortly after she became the likely Democratic nominee for president, Vice President Kamala Harris contrasted her party with Republicans: “We want to ban assault weapons, and they want to ban books.”
Uncertainty over who should decide on appropriate books
In the Knight survey results released Wednesday, majorities of conservatives, Republicans, and white evangelical Protestants support restricting books in public schools.
But even some conservative re-
spondents worried that works considered classics could be banned in liberal communities because they touch on ideas or use language now considered outmoded or o ensive.
“Books like ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ ‘Catcher in the Rye’ all need to be made available to students,” one respondent told Knight. “Just because the far-left liberals think all things not woke need to be banned, the students will miss out on learning about the culture and history of this country.”
“ ey just better not restrict access to the Bible,” said another.
While most Hispanic respondents did not support restricting books, they were more likely to support some restrictions than other ethnic or racial groups, while Black respondents were the least likely ethnic or racial group to support restrictions.
Just 12% of LGBTQ adults told Knight they support book restrictions in school. Many LGBTQ youth report feeling unsafe at school even as many states have adopted restrictions on talking about gender and sexuality and some schools have removed books that mention LGBTQ
Large majorities said students should have access to books that might contradict their parents’ political, religious, or moral beliefs. Some respondents cast e orts to restrict book access as “censorship.”
“ ese e orts sound like the actions of right-wing extremists who want to restrict education and access to information in order to inhibit students’ critical thinking so they will more easily conform to the extremist ideology,” one respondent said.
Still, 61% said age appropriateness would be a legitimate reason to restrict access to certain books, with some comparing this to TV and
movie ratings systems. ere was less consensus about who should decide whether books were appropriate. About half said they trusted librarians and teachers to make the call, but those school professionals scored higher than other groups. Fewer than a third said the school board should decide, and just 21% said the state government or non-parents in the community could be trusted with the decision. While a majority of respondents said books that portray or discuss racism should be available to all students, fewer than half thought elementary school students should have access to books that mention sexual orientation or the existence of non-traditional gender identities. is aligns with other polls about people’s comfort levels with discus-
BOOK BAN
sions of race and American history at school versus discussions of sexuality or gender in the classroom.
In contrast, 70% of LGBTQ respondents — many of whom were once LGBTQ students themselves — said that books touching on sexuality and gender identity should be available even to elementary students. Many advocates say seeing themselves represented in books and other media is valuable for LGBTQ children who may feel isolated or unsafe in their schools.
Nearly a quarter of respondents
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GEORGETOWN
812 Taos St., Georgetown • 303-569-2360
Serving the community since 1874. Sunday worship 10:00 am. Please join us! FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF IDAHO SPRINGS 100 Colorado Blvd., P.O. Box 840, Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Family worship Sundays at 10 a.m. ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US!
PHOTO BY ELAINE CROMIE/CHALKBEAT
were aware of e orts to restrict books in their community, and of those, more than half said the e orts had been successful. One in ve respondents from the South said they were aware of successful e orts to restrict books in their community, compared with 6% of respondents in the Northeast.
While six in 10 respondents said the issue of book access was important, just 3% said they had gotten involved personally — 2% to prevent a book from being restricted and 1% to restrict a book.
A large majority of respondents said that parents should be able to raise concerns about particular books, but far fewer thought that community members who didn’t
have children in the schools should be able to raise concerns. Respondents also thought that books should not be removed or restricted based on a single complaint.
Studies by PEN America have found that most book bans are instigated by a relatively small number of people. Florida — where a large share of book challenges occur — adopted a law this year that limits people who don’t have children in the school system to one challenge per month.
is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with Chalkbeat Colorado, a nonpro t news site covering educational change in public schools.
TRIVIA
1. TELEVISION: Who was host of the “Good Eats” cooking show?
2. GEOGRAPHY: Which nation’s nickname is “Land of Fire and Ice”?
3. MUSIC: What was the title of Madonna’s rst Top 10 hit?
4. MOVIES: What does the acronym AT-AT refer to in the “Star Wars” movie series?
5. LITERATURE: Which famous entertainer started a children’s book-giving program called the Imagination Library?
6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: Which bird’s eye is larger than its brain?
7. U.S. CITIES: Which U.S. city’s nickname is e District?
8. HISTORY: In which modern country is the ancient civilization of Babylon located?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: How many articles are in the U.S. Constitution?
10. AD SLOGANS: Which rental platform’s slogan is “Belong
anywhere”?
Answers
1. Alton Brown.
2. Iceland.
3. “Borderline.”
4. All Terrain Armored Transport.
5. Dolly Parton.
6. Ostrich.
7. Washington, D.C.
8. Iraq.
9. Seven.
10. Airbnb.
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
FLASHBACK
1. What is the Continental Drift?
2. Which group released “Shout”?
3. Where was “Give Peace a Chance” recorded?
4. Which musician was called Satchmo?
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “I could stay awake just to hear you breathing, Watch you smile while you are sleeping.”
Answers
1. It’s a line dance, aka the Sid Shu e, from the animated
movie “Ice Age.” See YouTube for instructions on the dance.
2. e Isley Brothers, in 1959. It took until 1999 for the song to be admitted to the Grammy Hall of Fame.
3. In a motel room in Montreal in 1969, during the “Bed-In” staged by John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their honeymoon. Recording equipment, including a four-track recorder, was brought in. e small crowd included one of the Smothers Brothers, Timothy Leary of LSD fame and a rabbi.
4. Trumpeter Louis Armstrong was called Satchel Mouth
because of the shape of his mouth from playing trumpet. at was shortened to Satchmo.
5. “I Don’t Want to Miss A ing,” by Aerosmith in 1998. e song was featured in the lm “Armageddon” and topped charts around the world. Mark Chesnutt followed with a cover the next year.
(c) 2024 King Features Syndicate
OFFICER I for Town of Georgetown
Full-time, year-round position. Required quali cations: Colorado P.O.S.T. certi cation, valid driver’s license, ability to pass extensive background check, psychological assessment, and interview. Patrol experience is preferred. The successful candidate must reside within 50 miles of Georgetown. The salary range is $55,000 - $72,500 depending on quali cations. Excellent bene ts including fully paid medical insurance, vision, dental, disability and retirement for employee. Full job description and application form are available at Town Hall, 404 6th Street, Georgetown and online at www.town.georgetown.co.us/employment.htm. For more information call 303-569-2555 x3.
Email Cover Letter, Resume, and completed Application to townadmin@townofgeorgetown.us. Posting will remain open until 5:00 p.m. December 31, 2024, or until lled. Serious applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, and interviews may begin when quali ed applicants are reviewed.
CAREERS MARKETPLACE
CITY OF CENTRAL
Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator. City of Central FTE Hourly range from $25.03 - $29.41 per hour DOQ/E
Requirements: An equivalent combination of education, certi cations, and experience equivalent to graduation from High School/GED equivalent, and one year of experience in water treatment utilities operations. Must possess a valid Colorado driver’s license with safe driving record. Possession of a valid Class “C” Water Treatment License is required and a valid Class “2” Distribution License is required. Under direct supervision of the Water Department Supervisor, this position performs technical duties related to water treatment and distribution. is position is responsible for water sampling and analysis; pump station operation, maintenance scheduling, reservoir operation, and valve vault inspection; water quality monitoring and reporting and providing customer service. Such a position is also responsible for assisting the Water Department Supervisor with billing issues, water rights accounting, and operation of intake diversions. Position performs duties in a manner consistent with the stated values of the organization. e City provides a comprehensive bene t package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage. 100% of the employee’s premiums are paid by the City and approximately 98% of dependent premiums are paid by the City. Paid vacation and sick leave, 401(a) and 457b employer retirement contributions; een paid holidays annually. City paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance.
Water Treatment Plant Operator.
City of Central FTE Hourly range from $21.59 - $25.36 per hour DOQ/E
Requirements: An equivalent combination of education, certi cations, and experience equivalent to graduation from High School/GED equivalent, and one year of experience in water treatment utilities operations. Must possess a valid Colorado driver’s license with safe driving record. Possession of valid Class “D” Water Operator License and a valid Class “1” Distribution License are preferred. Under direct supervision of the Water Department Supervisor, this position performs technical duties related to water treatment and distribution. is position is responsible for water sampling and analysis; pump station, reservoir, and valve vault inspection; water quality monitoring, and providing customer service. Such a position performs duties in a manner consistent with the stated values of the organization. e City provides a comprehensive bene t package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage. 100% of the employee’s premiums are paid by the City and approximately 98% of dependent premiums are paid by the City. Paid vacation and sick leave, 401(a) and 457b employer retirement contributions; een paid holidays annually. City paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance.
Apply now: A detailed job description can be found on the City’s website https://centralcity.colorado.gov/. Quali ed applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to the Finance/Human Resources Director at arobbins@cityofcentral.co or mail to P.O. Box 249 Central City, CO 80427. e position is open until 9/1/2024. EOE.
Garage and Estate Sales
Garage Sales
The famed MOUNTAIN CLUB Labor Day Weekend Flea Market returns Sat 8/31 and Sun 9/1, 9-5. Be there for the fun and "hidden treasures", 12795 US Highway 285, Conifer. 720-326-8037
Merchandise
Lawn & Garden
Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Call now for a free quote. Ask about our first application special! 1-833-606-6777
Health & Beauty
Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-526-1060
www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258
VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS!
50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00
100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928
Hablamos Espanol
Medical
Attention oxygen therapy users! Discover oxygen therapy that moves with you with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Free information kit. 1-866-4779045
Miscellaneous
Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer.) Offer ends 8/25/24. Call 1-844-5013208
Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70¢/day!
1-844-591-7951
Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 833-308-1971
Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable pricesNo payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-543-9189
Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-9486176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
Miscellaneous
Replace your roof w/ the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install (military, health & 1st responders.) 1-833-3701234
Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936
Pets Dogs
SUB AREA MASTER PLAN
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clear Creek County Planning Commission will convene a public hearing to consider certification of the Dumont-Lawson-Downieville Sub Area Master Plan at its regularly scheduled meeting on the 18th day of September, 2024 at 6:30 P.M. The public hearing will be held virtually via an online Zoom internet meeting, where and when all parties may appear and be heard. The Zoom meeting link can be found here:
The draft DLD Sub Area Master Plan is available for review online at https://www.clearcreekcounty.us/477/ActiveCases
Written testimony may be submitted to Amy Saxton, Strategic and Community Planning and Division Director, P.O. Box 2000, Georgetown, CO 80444, or emailed to asaxton@clearcreekcounty.us For more information call Amy Saxton at (303) 679-4238 or email <asaxton@ clearcreekcounty.us >.
All Planning Commission meetings are subject to change, without further notification. Please contact the Planning Department if this case has been continued or the meeting date and/or time has been changed).
George Marlin, Chairman Board of County Commissioners
Legal Notice No. CCC943
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024
Publisher: Clear Creek Courant
Public Notice
The Devil on the Divide 50k/22k trail run takes place on Saturday, Sept 7, 2024. Staging area is at the Empire Ball Field. Course includes Jones Pass, CDT, Herman Gulch, Watrous Gulch and Bard Creek Trail and Road. For more information, visit www.devilonthedivideultra.com or email devilonthedivide@gmail.com.
Legal Notice No. CCC003
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024
Publisher: Clear Creek Courant
Public Notice
Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity (Applicant) will submit an application to the Colorado Division of Housing (DOH). The purpose of this application is to request $100,000 to develop 8 of homes for purchase at 29592 Spruce Road, Evergreen, CO and 2 homes for purchase at 1602,1604 Virginia Street, Idaho Springs, CO. The request of funding from DOH is to benefit persons with low and moderate incomes by increasing the availability of affordable housing in Evergreen, and Idaho Springs. It is not the intent to cause displacement from any existing housing; however, if persons are displaced from their existing residences reasonable housing alternatives shall be offered.
All interested persons are encouraged to contact the applicant for further information. Written comments should be sent to: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 2366, Evergreen, CO 80437
and will be forwarded to DOH for consideration during the application process.
Members of the public may request a public meeting and should arrange a request with the Applicant. Please let applicant know which project you are requesting a public meeting for. Applicant shall post notice of meeting (Date, Time, and Location) to ensure other members of the public are aware of meeting. If reasonable accommodations are needed for persons attending the public meeting, please contact the Applicant.
Legal Notice No. CCC004
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024
Publisher: Clear Creek Courant
Public Notice
CITY OF IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held in accordance with the Idaho Springs Municipal Code commencing at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard on the 23rd of September 2024 before the City Council to consider an ordinance amending Section 21-15 of the Idaho Springs Municipal Code to eliminate occupancy limits based on familial relationships as required by new state law (HB 24-1007).
This hearing will be held at the Idaho Springs City Hall, located at 1711 Miner Street, Idaho Springs, Colorado 80452. A virtual option will be available.
Dated this 29th day of August 2024
Dylan Graves, Community Development Planner
Legal Notice No. CCC942
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024
Publisher: Clear Creek Courant
Public Notice
Notice pursuant to the liquor laws of Colorado, Clear Creek Metro Recreation District for Devil on the Divide has requested the licensing officials of the Town of Empire to Grant a Special Event License at Minton Park Pavilion and Ball Fields on Sep 7, 2024. Hearing on the application to be held at Empire Town Hall, 30 E Park Ave Empire CO 80438. Time and date September 3 2024 at 6:30 PM. Date of application July 31 2024. By the order of the Board of Trustees. Officer: Devil on the Divide Race Director Stacey Todd.
Legal Notice No. CCC941
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024
Publisher: Clear Creek Courant
Bids and Settlements
PUBLIC NOTICE
REQUEST FOR BIDS
CLEAR CREEK COUNTY
CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, COLORADO
RC 24-03 STEEP SLOPE IMPROVEMENTS FOR FALL RIVER ROAD
General Notice
Clear Creek County (Owner) is requesting Bids for the construction of the following Project: Steep Slope Improvements for Fall River Road RC 24-03
All bids must be received as follows no later than Wednesday, September 19, 2024 at 3:00
PM local time:
•Register as a Prospective Bidder via: Email: sstreepey@clearcreekcounty.us, Subject line: RFB RC 24-03
• Upload an electronic copy to an online submittal folder assigned to each Prospective Bidder that registers with the County;
The Project includes the following Work:
Rockfall scaling of approximately 500 LF by 30-foot-high steep slope along the north side of Fall River Road between Rainbow Road and Cumberland Gulch Road.
Obtaining the Bidding Documents
Information and Bidding Documents for the Project can be found at the following designated website: https://www.clearcreekcounty.us/bids.aspx
The RFB may be downloaded from the designated website. The designated website will be updated periodically with addenda and other information relevant to submitting a Bid for the Project. Plans and specifications will be made available to Prospective Bidders who register as described above.
Instructions to Bidders.
For all further requirements regarding bid submittal, qualifications, procedures, and contract award, refer to the Instructions to Bidders that are included in the Bidding Documents.
This Advertisement is issued by: George Marlin, Chair Board of County Commissioners
Legal Notice No. CCC006
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: September 12, 2024
Publisher: Clear Creek Courant
Public Notice
REQUEST FOR BIDS
CLEAR CREEK COUNTY
CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, COLORADO 2024 GUARDRAIL PROJECT
General Notice
Clear Creek County (Owner) is requesting Bids for the construction of the following Project:
Guardrail Project -- PW 24-05
All bids must be received in one of the following ways no later than Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 2:00 PM local time:
•Electronically, via email to pw@clearcreekcounty.us
• Courier service, delivered to the Clear Creek County Road & Bridge Department located at: 3549 Stanley Road (CR 312), Dumont, Colorado 80436
•U.S.P.S. at P.O. Box 362, Dumont CO 80436
At that time the Bids received will be publicly opened and read.
The Project includes the following Work: The 2024 Guardrail Project includes repair of existing, damaged guardrail sections on various roads throughout the county.
Bids are requested for the following Contract: PW 24-05 Contract for Construction of a Small Project
Obtaining the Bidding Documents Information and Bidding Documents for the Project can be found at the following designated website:
Bidding Documents may be downloaded from the designated website. Prospective Bidders are urged to register with the designated website as
a plan holder, even if Bidding Documents are obtained from a plan room or source other than the designated website in either electronic or paper format. The designated website will be updated periodically with addenda, lists of registered plan holders, reports, and other information relevant to submitting a Bid for the Project. All official notifications, addenda, and other Bidding Documents will be offered only through the designated website. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for Bidding Documents, including addenda, if any, obtained from sources other than the designated website.
Instructions to Bidders.
For all further requirements regarding bid submittal, qualifications, procedures, and contract award, refer to the Instructions to Bidders that are included in the Bidding Documents.
This Advertisement is issued by: George Marlin, Chair Board of County Commissioners
Legal Notice No. CCC005
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: September 5, 2024
Publisher: Clear Creek Courant
Summons and Sheriff Sale
Public Notice
DISTRICT COURT, CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO 405 Argentine P.O. Box 367 Georgetown, CO 80444 (303) 569-0820
Case Number: 2023CV30021 Division: C
Plaintiff:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK-MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee for the Certificate holders of the CWABS, Inc., Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-26, v.
Defendants: CHARLES H. HUTAFF a/k/a CHARLES HAMILTON HUTAFF; VIRGINIA K. HUTAFF a/k/a VIRGINIA KATHERINE HUTAFF; CHARLES L. HARMON; MICHAEL W. PHILLIPS; ERIN PHILLIPS; JFQ LENDING, LLC, an Arizona limited liability company; and CAROL LEE, in her capacity as Clear Creek County Public Trustee.
Attorneys for Plaintiff: Nathan G. Osborn, #38951 James C. Taravella, #55179
MONTGOMERY LITTLE & SORAN, PC 5445 DTC Parkway, Suite 800 Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111 Phone Number: (303) 773-8100 Fax Number: (303) 220-0412
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to file with the Clerk of this Court an answer or other response to the attached Complaint. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you within the State of Colorado, you are required to file your answer or other response within 21 days after such service upon you. If service of the Summons and Complaint was made upon you outside of the State of Colorado, you are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after such service upon you. Your answer or counterclaim must be accompanied with the applicable filing fee.
If you fail to file your answer or other response to the Complaint in writing within the applicable time period, the Court may enter judgment by
default against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint without further notice.
The subject matter of this action is as follows:
Property Desc.: 2663 S. SPRING GULCH RD., IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO 80452
Property Desc.: 2597 S. SPRING GULCH RD., IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO 80452
This case is an action to quiet title under C.R.C.P. 105 as to Plaintiff’s property.
Dated: July 24, 2024 s/ Nathan G. Osborn, Esq.
Signature of Attorney for Plaintiff
Montgomery Little & Soran, PC 5445 DTC Parkway, Suite 800 Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111 (303) 773-8100
This Summons is issued pursuant to Rule 4, C.R.C.P., as amended. A copy of the Complaint must be served with this Summons. This form should not be used where service by publication is desired.
WARNING: A valid summons may be issued by a lawyer and it need not contain a court case number, the signature of a court officer, or a court seal. The plaintiff has 14 days from the date this summons was served on you to file the case with the court. You are responsible for contacting the court to find out whether the case has been filed and obtain the case number. If the plaintiff files the case within this time, then you must respond as explained in this summons. If the plaintiff files more than 14 days after the date the summons was served on you, the case may be dismissed upon motion and you may be entitled to seek attorney’s fees from the plaintiff.
TO THE CLERK: If the summons is issued by the clerk of the court, the signature block for the clerk or deputy should be provided by stamp, or typewriter, in the space to the left of the attorney’s name.
Legal Notice No. CCC929
First Publication: August 1, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024 Publisher: Clear Creek Courant
Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name
Public notice is given on July 31, 2024, that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Clear Creek County Court.
The petition requests that the name of Linda Sue Callahan be changed to Donbi Yo Callahan Case No.: 24 C 38
By: Deputy Clerk
Legal Notice No. CCC937
First Publication: August 15, 2024
Last Publication: August 29, 2024
Publisher: Clear Creek Courant
###
Here Are the Work-Arounds That Will Keep Sellers Paying Buyer Agents’ Commission
The biggest work-around is Section 29 of the state-approved (and mandated) Contract to Buy & Sell, shown at right.
As shown below in this week’s (and last week’s) featured new listing, many ads, brochures and websites for listings will now contain the notice that “Seller offers __% compensation to buyer brokers.”
Absent that offer, however, the buyer can use Sec. 29.1 of their purchase contract to specify the compensation paid by the seller to their agent. This is where the offered compensation, such as for the listing below, is to be inserted — or, if none is offered, the buyer’s demand for compensation is inserted.
amendment to their buyer agency agreement setting the commission rate at 2% and writing that amount in Sec. 29.1 of the purchase contract. Or, they could decide to write 2.5% in Sec. 29.1 anyway and see if the seller will sign it. If the seller counters the offer, changing it to 2.0%, if the seller wants to accept the counterproposal, they can still amend the buyer agency agreement before signing the counterproposal.
Of course, the buyer might like his broker so much, that he or she will offer to pay the extra 0.5%, although that would be unusual. As I wrote last week, I’ll be surprised if many (or any) buyers end up paying anything to their broker.
wants to sell her or his home is going to deny any compensation to buyer brokers and that you can defer the conversation about adjusting the buyer compensation until the buyer is ready to make an offer of a house they want.
One complication of this strategy is that the buyer will have already signed a buyer agency agreement with his or her broker, stating the commission amount, if any, that the buyer is willing to pay, and if the seller falls short of that percentage or dollar amount, the buyer must make up the difference.
But, not to worry — there’s a simple workaround for that. At any time during the term of the buyer agent agreement (called the “Exclusive Right-to-Buy Listing Contract”), it can be amended by mutual agreement of the buyer and his or her broker.
Let’s say, for example, that the buyer has signed a buyer agency agreement with 2.5% as the promised compensation to their broker. A seller has offered 2.0%. In discussion prior to writing the offer, the buyer might negotiate an
The opposite scenario could be true. The buyer may have signed a buyer agency agreement in which the rate is 2.5%, but the seller has advertised that they will pay 2.8%. The rule is that the buyer’s broker can’t accept more than is specified in their signed agreement with their buyer. No problem — amend the buyer agency agreement to 2.8% before writing the offer. However, if there’s a bidding war, the buyer and broker might decide to write 2.5% into their offer, hoping that competing offers will include 2.8% for their buyers’ brokers.
Buyers will likely say upfront that they don’t want to pay a dime (or more than a nominal amount) to the broker representing them in their home search.
The smart broker (which, of course, includes all Golden Real Estate brokers) will point out Sec. 29.1 and quote this article saying that it has become a “buyer’s market” and that no seller who
3-BR Patio Home in Lone Tree Golf Community
$695,000
Meanwhile, a broker wanting to represent a buyer needs to be confident enough of the value he or she provides to the buyer to say that they won’t work with that buyer unless they agree to some minimum compensation for that value. For me personally, I would put that minimum at a minimum of 2.0%, given the value every buyer gets from
me — knowledgeable, experienced representation and negotiating skill, use of our free moving truck, free moving boxes and packing materials, and team members at their disposal from our inhouse handyman, cleaning personnel, loan officers, inspectors and more.
All of us at Golden Real Estate are aware of the value we provide to our clients, both buyers and sellers, and we look forward to serving both with the skill that we know we have. If you want proof, click on the “Testimonials” tab at www.GoldenRealEstate.com. We look forward to earning your good review!
Broker Associate Austin Pottorff Specializes in Land
Personally, I prefer to work one-onone with buyers and sellers, as do most of my broker associates. But Austin Pottorff is different. He loves to find owners of larger parcels of land and help them sell to one of his many buyers, some of whom are developers looking for sites to build multi-family neighborhoods.
Earlier this year, with a little help from me, Austin sold a commercial property in Golden (Mountain Muffler, at 2200 Ford Street) to a developer. He currently has three land parcels under contract, one in Pleasant View, and two in Arvada, and he has three
active listings, including a veterinary hospital on three acres at 9251 N. Wadsworth Ave. for $2,490,000, an 8acre parcel on the I-70 south frontage road in Wheat Ridge for $6,000,000, and another land parcel elsewhere in Jefferson County.
If you have land you’d like to sell or are looking to buy land, give Austin a call at 970-281-9071, or email him at Austin@GoldenRealEstate.com. Austin’s fellow associates and I are impressed at the quality of his work identifying such land opportunities and even creating aerial videos of them as part of his marketing strategy.
This Column Is Now Published on Substack
Everything you read in this ad each week is published in blog form (with extra content and active hyperlinks) at http://RealEstateToday.Substack.com and comes to you by email automatically each Wednesday.
I’m also publishing a political column you might like. Find it, too, in blog form at http://TalkingTurkey.Substack.com.
Rita and I are on a transatlantic cruise during August and September. Read my continuing travelogue at http://WhereAreJimandRita.Substack.com.
I have free cell and email throughout, so feel free to reach out to me anytime.
Enjoy maintenance-free living in the quiet community called Masters Park. This townhome at 9444 Southern Hills Circle is being sold by its original owners, who purchased the home 25 years ago. You’ll like the updated kitchen and primary suite with its updated 5-piece bathroom and its spacious deck overlooking the green space behind. As you will see on its website, this home has been tastefully decorated including, for example, the walls of the powder room painted by a local artist in a bamboo theme! It’s a friendly community too, with get-togethers Monday evenings in the gazebo next to this home. The golf course is behind the homes across the street! Some furniture is available for purchase outside of closing. Look for the list with prices on the coffee table. Visit www.LoneTreeHome.info for interior and exterior photos, floor plans, a narrated video walk-through and an aerial video. Greg Kraft will be holding it open on Saturday, Aug. 31st, 11 to 1, or call 720-353-1922 to request a showing. Note: Seller offers 2.8% commission to buyer’s broker.
Jim Smith
Broker/Owner, 303-525-1851
Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com 1214 Washington Ave., Golden 80401
