Welcome to the Clear Creek Courant
EDITOR’S
A dark tour through downtown Idaho Springs reveals spooky secrets
Walking ghost tours highlight the creepy history of historic Idaho Springs
Residents of Idaho Springs have experienced raw, rough and violent episodes in the 150 years of the city’s history, and some of those skeletons still lurk in the
closets of original downtown buildings, according to ghost hunters on a tour with the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District.
Jessi Steele with the CCMRD led a group of a dozen curious participants on an informative tour during a recent and chilly night through the streets of downtown Idaho Springs all the way to the Argo Mill and Tunnel.
Along the way, Steele pointed out the lesser-known and eerie details of some of the long-established buildings throughout the historic downtown district.
Repeated claims of hearing clanking dishes and silverware, low voices and “strange misty gures” inside Tommyknocker Brewery are common to employees, Steele told tour-goers.
During one speci c event in the early 2000s, a waitress cleaning the dining area after business hours heard a strange “scratching sound” and eventually narrowed in on a table where a half-empty water glass was located, according to Steele.
Hello! You received this special introductory edition of the Clear Creek Courant because we wanted to give you a taste of what we have to o er. We hope that once you get to know us, you’ll want to join our family of readers.
My name is Kristen Fiore, and I am proud to be the editor of the Clear Creek Courant, a publication that has been covering local news in Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Empire, Silver Plume and more since 1973 — we celebrated our 50th birthday last year!
e Clear Creek Courant aims to capture the charm of daily life in Clear Creek County while keeping readers informed about breaking news, local government and more. We take pride and ownership in the stories we put out from the instant the story idea is discussed to the time it is put on the page. Clear Creek Courant reporter Chris Koeberl lives in Idaho Springs and can often be spotted at events and government meetings. We hope the passion for what we do shines through on each page of every edition.
e Clear Creek Courant covers local news that no other outlets are covering, providing readers with information on the latest events, politics, developments and sports in their towns. But to me, it’s more than just a newspaper. It is a document that is simultaneously historical and living, and it’s a record of the strong sense of community in Clear Creek County. Unfortunately, it’s also part of a dwindling kind of journalism: hyper-local newspapers are becoming rare, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, it shouldn’t be. People deserve to have access to information about what is going on in their local government, what developments are underway, what events are coming up and how the local high school sports teams are doing! I would be honored if you joined us in our e ort to help keep lo-
Kristen Fiore
The Idaho Springs ghost tour revealed creepy secrets about the city’s history.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
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Alpine Rescue volunteers join with four local emergency response agencies for training in Clear Creek County
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A Flight for Life helicopter was on standby at the top of the ridge, more than a dozen emergency vehicles and three times that amount of highly trained rescuers responded to a mock rollover crash o Central City Parkway to evacuate the “injured” from a 500foot ravine.
e scenario was as realistic as possible, according to “victim volunteer” Catie Deluca.
“Five people coming down from Central City lost control,” she said, describing the mock crash. “I was in the backseat with my grandma. My cousin in the car was wandering around aimlessly (after the crash). e other two were in the front seat.”
A red ag at the bottom of the ravine marked the site of where the vehicle landed, o Central City Parkway. Five “victims” were scattered, with various “injuries” at the bottom of the 500foot valley.
Adorned in make-up to simulate real and bloody impact injuries, the ve victims played their part and waited for rescue.
e realistic “rescue” was perhaps
the most dangerous part of the entire joint exercise.
One by one, using rope and pulley systems, the ve victims — tightly strapped in steel baskets — were hauled to the top of the ravine by the combined e orts of Alpine Rescue, Clear Creek Fire Authority and EMS, Je erson County EMS, Colorado State Patrol, Central City Fire/Rescue and
Summit County.
“We’re out here today with everybody working together so we can be ready for an incident when we do have to work together,” Alpine Rescue Team Field Director Herb Dorn said. “It’s just a unique opportunity for us to train and see how each other works, experience each other’s systems, command structures and techniques
for future opportunities.”
e concept of the diverse city, county and state agencies working together is exactly the point according to Assistant Clear Creek Fire Authority Chief Jeremy Jones, “It’s a multifaceted operation to make sure we all agree on what we what to do and how we want to do it, we understand what each agency is capable of and we go to work.”
ese types of exercises are what save seconds on-site of a real emergency, as each department knows its role and every emergency personnel knows their job in the rescue in any terrain, Jones said.
In the mountains, “terrain” can mean anything.
“We run these things full-speed just like a real event because it builds the muscle memory, it builds a team memory, so when we get into a real event at 2 a.m. in a snowstorm everybody knows their job, everybody goes to work and it’s seamless,” Jones said. Even the victims commended their rescue crews.
“My medic was great because she talked to me throughout the whole thing and she explained to me what was going on, which really helped
Idaho Springs launches new board to manage tourism growth
‘Vitality Board’ to replace Chamber of Commerce, aims to build stronger partnerships as tourism grows
BY CHRIS KOEBERL
A new Business Promotion and Vitality Board will take the place of the existing Idaho Springs Chamber of Commerce with the idea of managing sustainable tourism growth to a rapidly growing industry which city planners recognize the need for partnership, according to city council plans.
Longtime Idaho Springs business owner Sadie Schultz has been selected to lead the board through at least the end of the year.
e focus of the board will be “ongoing collaboration and strategic planning with city leadership to foster economic growth and enhance community vitality in Idaho Springs,” said Schultz, who owns e Spice and Tea Exchange.
According to organizational documents submitted to the city, the focus areas of the board will include:
• Promoting business growth: Strategies to support existing businesses and attract new enterprises.
• Enhancing community vitality: Enrich cultural, recreational and economic activities.
• Fostering partnerships: Strengthen ties between city, businesses, nonpro ts and city stakeholders.
• Event planning and coordination: Managing events that attract visitors and enhance the Idaho Springs pro le.
At its regularly scheduled meeting Sept. 9, Idaho Springs City Council members unanimously agreed to the formation of the board with paid leadership approved for Schultz. A nal reading to establish the board is set for the county commission meeting in October.
e Virginia Canyon Mountain Park downhill mountain bike trail system will open soon near the Mighty Argo in east Idaho Springs and was used as an example of how local developments will impact local businesses, according to documents presented to city councilors.
e bottom line, according to Schultz, is Idaho Springs is a tourist-driven
Alpine Rescue volunteer Dawn Wilson (middle) pulls a crash cart during a mock exercise in Clear Creek County.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
tween growth and the needs of our residents… this board will ensure balanced growth.”
The Business Promotion and Vitality Board will take the place of the existing Idaho Springs Chamber of Commerce. PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Arrest a davit: Georgetown man confesses in death of Paul Peavey
Sergio Ferrer admits to investigators he used Peavey’s own 9mm handgun
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
During multiple interviews with investigators, Sergio Ferrer of Georgetown admitted he shot Idaho Springs resident Paul Peavey to death. And, Ferrer used Peavey’s 9mm handgun, according to court documents obtained by the Clear Creek Courant.
In a convoluted arrest a davit, Frerrer told Clear Creek County Sheri ’s O ce investigators a variation of stories, but all ended with him shooting Peavey to death.
Ferrer is being held on·charges of rstdegree murder, felony murder and aggravated robbery in connection with Peavey’s death, according to the Clear Creek County Sheri ’s O ce.
Peavey was well known for breeding Dobermans, according to locals, who said he had a real passion for his puppies, which were missing when his body was found.
“ ose dogs were his life, I mean, his entire world revolved around those dogs of his and those puppies,” Idaho Springs resident Gary Burke said.
Friends of Peavey led a missing person report on Aug. 21 after he had been missing for days.
More than a dozen locals and friends of Peavey organized and executed a search Aug. 24 after what Burke called “inaction” from the sheri ’s department.
“We found his (Peavey’s) body within the rst ve minutes of searching,” he said. He said the body was found about 75 yards from his camper/home and about 25 yards down a hill. e body, Burke said, was partially covered by brush.
On Aug. 25, sheri ’s deputies, the Summit County Sheri ’s O ce and Colorado
Bureau of Investigation searched Ferrer’s home in Georgetown with a warrant.
Inside Ferrer’s home, investigators found a black bag containing jewelry that belonged to Peavey, a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun, four metal detectors that belonged to Peavey and a cellphone with
Paul Peavey’s name on it, according to the a davit.
Several items of clothing with “possible blood” were also seized, according to the a davit.
Investigators told Ferrer the 9mm handgun matched the weapon used to kill
Peavey. Ferrer responded, “ en I took the wrong fu**ing 9mm and I’m really fu**ed,” according to the a davit.
In his changing stories in the a davit, Ferrer claimed to investigators that Peavey shot at him rst in a dispute over drugs. Ferrer also told investigators Peavey kept “18 keys (kilos),” a reference to illegal drugs, on the property for a “cartel,” but the drugs were missing. Ferrer claimed Peavey accused him of stealing the drugs, adding that Peavey told him he had “orders” and pulled out a Derringer pistol and red a single shot at him. A “Derringer pistol” has not been recovered by investigators, according to documents.
Ferrer then told investigators he pulled out Peavey’s 9mm handgun and said he shot Peavey but he “did not know how many times he shot.”
When asked about the Doberman puppies raised by Peavey that were missing when his body was discovered and if they had been taken and sold, Ferrer told investigators, “I didn’t sell nobody a pup.”
Ferrer then told investigators “he covered up Peavey’s body and that he did it ‘out of respect,’” according to documents.
Concern over Peavey prompted concern locally and led to a mea-culpa statement from Clear Creek County Sheri Matt Harris, who apologized for his o ce’s initial response to the missing person report nearly a week before Peavey’s body was
Harris said the sheri ’s department failed to take key steps in the case.
“ ese steps include a more thorough search of Mr. Peavey’s property, sharing his information on our social media sites, and participating in the organized search for Mr. Peavey,” he said.
Harris added: “Unfortunately, during our initial assessment upon the report of a missing person… our response failed to meet our professional standards. How we handled the initial call is not acceptable.” e investigation into Peavey’s death and the missing puppies continues.
Paul Peavey with his prize winning Doberman at the Colorado Kennel Club. FILE PHOTO
In my July 2023 essay “Like I Used To,” I wrote about how even though I can’t do many of the activities like I could when I was a spry 50- or even a 60-something, I still can do them, just not as quickly, as fast or as hard. e point was that we seniors don’t necessarily need to give up the ghost on activities we enjoyed in our younger years. Instead, we just need to acknowledge the vehicle that carried us to where we are now is inexorably wearing out and breaking down.
Twenty- rst-century technological and medical advancements have provided replacement parts and xes for many of the mechanistic aspects of our bodies—e.g., knees, hips, stents, prostheses—but they haven’t produced the elixir for the vital rest. Sclerosis sets in, muscles, even if regularly exercised, lose strength, and the brain’s neuroplasticity declines.
While that’s true overall, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone ages di erently. For some, the mind declines rst, and for others, the body. Regardless, the reality is we all age. ere are no exceptions. No one gets out alive. It’s nature’s way of clearing out the old to make way for the new.
One of my late-life blessings is consorting with active friends who pur-
TExiting with dignity
sue a range of interests and skills. It’s uplifting to see how to a one they don’t lose sight they have plenty of life in them despite their aches and pains. ey don’t need to be exhorted to “carpe diem” because they’ve already seized the day they have. Perhaps it’s because they recognize their remaining days are dwindling and their next one might not only be as good as the day they have now, it might be their last. And it’s inspirational to watch octogenarians and nonagenarians pursuing unrelentingly their life’s work. Warren Bu et and multiple great performers, like the late Betty White, readily come to mind. It’s important to understand, however, their work doesn’t entail life-and-death consequences for the public writ large, like ensuring the security of the nation. en there are those who seemingly believe they’re exceptions to the immutable law of nature that says that which lives must die, and its corollary that says if it’s reached a ripened age, it’ll become feeble. ey muddle on and embarrass themselves by brag-
ging how they can still do something like they used to, like keeping their golf game’s handicap.
e political realm seems to be the major one in which age deniers hang on well past their prime. ey convince themselves they’re indispensable, that no one else can ll their shoes. It’s a form of denialism, delusionary self-aggrandizement, and egocentrism. What’s crazy is that they don’t seem to grasp that at some point in the not-too-distant future they’ll be dead and gone and another will take their place. Nature’s kind of funny that way.
e topic of aging was thrust front and center into our national conversation because of the potential of the two dominant political parties nominating for president two men well into their advanced years. One nally faced reality and exited the race with his dignity intact. e other dodders on.
Acceptance is the nal step in Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s process of coming to terms with loss. She delineated it in relation to the end-of-life scenario, but it’s applicable to much more. Loss involves pretty much every aspect of our lives, from career to physical and mental abilities.
When forced to give something up
or if it’s taken away, a healthy, balanced mind nds and engages in worthwhile, ful lling activities. e less-so clings to whatever they held close or de ned them. ey do so for fear their new garb will pale in comparison to the golden ring, eece, or crown they’re currently wearing and that they’ll no longer be considered relevant and be in the spotlight.
In “As You Like It,” William Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances.” Entrances are the easy part. Exits not so much.
In the theater, there’s a wisecrack line about an actor who refuses to exit the stage: “Get the hook!” It comes to mind when watching and listening to long-in-the-tooth elderlies trumpet they’re as t as the ddles they once were when it’s clearly evident they’re not.
Great character includes a plethora of noble attributes. One is accepting one has aged out and it’s high time to exit the stage while they have their dignity and before the audience yells, “Get the hook!”
Jerry Fabyanic is the author of “Sisyphus Wins” and “Food for ought: Essays on Mind and Spirit.” He lives in Georgetown.
Special session recap: More property tax relief
he Colorado Legislature is not typically in session at the Capitol in late August; yet that’s exactly where we found ourselves. As a result of our special late-summer session, even more property tax relief is coming to every Colorado homeowner and small businesses across the state. And, hopefully, it also marks the end to the years-long property tax battles that have embroiled lawmakers, the Governor, outside political and policy groups, the entities that provide the many crucial services we all rely on every day, and most importantly, you, the taxpayer.
How’d we get here?
FROM YOUR LEGISLATOR
Back in 2020, Colorado voters repealed
ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
the Gallagher Amendment, a 30 year-old constitutional provision that determined the assessment rate of residential and commercial property which was not keeping up with the demands of our modern economy, especially in rural parts of the state. With the repeal, the legislature was given four years to come up with a new system. en, of course, COVID-19 and Colorado’s overall popularity caused home values - especially in our mountain towns - to spike and property taxes bills
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went up with those increased values. After several temporary measures to lower assessment rates, in May the legislature found a long-term solution when we passed the bipartisan SB24-233, which established permanent reduced assessment rates for residential and commercial property, greater initial reductions for homeowners, and nancial certainty for the entities that rely on property taxes to operate and provide services like our schools, re departments, hospitals, and local governments. SB24-233, passed with the support of 92 out of 100 legislators, reduced taxes by more than $1.3 billion per year and protected Coloradans from large spikes in the cost of property taxes while building in
• 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.
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cal journalism alive. A subscription to the Clear Creek Courant gets you full access to the Clear Creek Courant website, which is updated daily, as well as digital access to Colorado Community Media’s two dozen other local newspapers in the metro area including sister paper Canyon Courier. I hope you’ll join us by taking advantage of the special subscription offer elsewhere in the newspaper. Thanks for reading!
Kristen Fiore can be contacted at kfiore@ coloradocommunitymedia.com.
JERRY FABYANIC
Columnist
Dylan Roberts of
Factual Summary of City of Idaho Springs Ballot Question 2A
November 5, 2024 Election
Concerning a Virginia Canyon Mountain Park Land Exchange
Ballot Language:
SHALL THE IDAHO SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL BE AUTHORIZED TO CONVEY 23.35 ACRES OF LAND WITHIN VIRGINIA CANYON MOUNTAIN PARK (VCMP) AND A .01 ACRE PARCEL OUTSIDE THE PARK TO ROBERT YOUNG IN EXCHANGE FOR 23.36 ACRES OF LAND IN THE SURROUNDING AREA ADJACENT TO THE PARK FROM ROBERT YOUNG, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALIGNING THE EASTERN BOUNDARY OF THE VCMP WITH GILSON GULCH, ON THE CONDITION THAT THE ENOUGH LAND RECEIVED BY THE CITY BE ADDED BACK TO THE VCMP TO RESULT IN NO DECREASE IN PARK SIZE?
Factual Summary:
On the ballot is a proposed land exchange between the City of Idaho Springs and an adjacent property owner. The land exchange involves City property dedicated as part of the Virginia Canyon Mountain Park (VCMP) which is zoned Parks & Recreation (P) and the adjacent Young Ranch property, which is located within unincorporated Clear Creek County. See attached Exhibit A for the land survey plat illustrating the parcels included as part of the proposed land exchange.
Approval of the ballot measure would result in an exchange of land equal to 23.36 acres between both parties. Three parcels are proposed to be transferred to the Young Ranch. The remaining four parcels would be transferred to the City of Idaho Springs and incorporated into the VCMP via the City’s annexation process.
The proposed amended boundary line would follow Gilson Gulch, which runs north-south approximately along the boundary of the VCMP. Some portions of VCMP are currently to the east of Gilson Gulch, while portions of the Young Ranch are located west of the gulch. The land exchange would realign the existing eastern boundary of VCMP along the natural border of Gilson Gulch by the City assuming ownership of portions of Young Ranch that are west of the gulch and the Young Ranch assuming ownership of portions of the City land east of the gulch.
If approved, the land exchange would also result in the incorporation of Parcel 1 (depicted on Exhibit A) into the VCMP. Parcel 1 is currently a privately-owned enclave (or island) surrounded by park land. Adding Parcels 3 and 5, along with Parcel 1, to VCMP will allow the construction of additional trails for public use on the east side of Park.
Parcel 6 and Parcel 7 are not adjacent to the VCMP. Parcel 6 – proposed to be transferred to the Young Ranch – is a small portion of City Right-of-Way (ROW) adjacent to the Gilson Gulch entry to the Young Ranch property along Riverside Drive. Parcel 7 is a portion of private property on which Riverside Drive currently encroaches. The inclusion of Parcel 7 in the land swap would remove that encroachment and bring the entirety of Riverside Drive in this area into the existing City ROW.
Finally, if approved, as a part of the land exchange, Mr. Young has pledged to allow the City to use the private road crossing his land along Gilson Gulch from Riverside Drive to access the VCMP for emergency response services and maintenance purposes.
This factual summary was prepared and distributed by the City of Idaho Springs as permitted by § 1-45-117 of the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act, Article 45, Title 1, CRS. This summary provides facts concerning the subject ballot question, but does not contain a conclusion or opinion in favor of or against the ballot question.
Factual questions about the ballot question may be directed to City Hall at 1711 Miner Street, PO Box 907, Idaho Springs, CO, 80452, (303) 567-4421, 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday.
As a dedicated public servant, I am committed to making a positive impact in our community. My focus is on creating opportunities for every individual, improving our education system, and prioritizing public safety and all vital services. I am dedicated to serving the residents of Clear Creek County with integrity, transparency, and a vision for a better future. I believe in open communication and collaboration to address the needs of our community. We can do this together to build a stronger more inclusive Clear Creek County.
LEAP helps eligible Coloradans pay a portion of their winter home heating costs.
LEAP ayuda a los residentes elegibles de Colorado a pagar una parte de sus gastos de calefacciòn de invierno.
‘Well guys, we did it!’: Class of 2024 graduates from Clear Creek High School
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
At least 50 enthusiastic students from the Class of 2024 threw their caps in the air as high school principal Chris Gould proclaimed them graduates of Clear Creek High School in Evergreen.
For many, Friday, May 24 was the start of new beginnings, paths and adventures in a world school leaders hope they have prepared them to enter vigorously.
“They’re the ones who said ‘make school more relevant for me.’ ‘I want to feel when I walk out the door that I know how to manage in the world,’”
Principal Chris Gould said following graduation. “I just listened and tried to bring to the students what they’ve
been asking for.”
The graduation was bittersweet for Gould, as he is stepping down as principal this year. Although, he pledged to remain active in the com-
munity and school.
“I will miss it, there’s no way around it,” Gould said.
Valedictorian Reese Dunbar gave an impassioned speech to her fellow
classmates that was an unusual and cautionary tale.
“I don’t think you should ever stress and sacrifice relationships with people around you and your family for something materialistic,” Dunbar said. “Valedictorian will not matter in two years, it won’t matter in 10-minutes. I’ll have this medal and that’s it.
“Whether I get a job or make money has nothing to do with this title. I’m happy I worked for it and I’m proud that I did it but it’s not something I would ever do again,” Dunbar said laughing. “Find a balance. I didn’t find a balance. I overworked myself.”
School athlete and student body president Collin Hendrickson said he’s heading to the University of California, Berkeley.
Clear Creek School District ends negotiations with Clear Creek Center for Arts & Education
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Years of negotiations between Clear Creek School Board members and the Clear Creek Center for Arts & Education to use the fourth oor of the new Carlson Elementary School building as a rehearsal and performance space ended abruptly in a four-to-one vote by CCSB members.
At a regularly scheduled business meeting for the CCSB Sept. 19 at the high school in Evergreen, board member Kelly Flenniken began speaking on an agenda item including ongoing negotiations with CCCAE.
“I am just going to go ahead and say
that I’ve been struggling with this project for a long time and not because I don’t believe in the arts or because I don’t value partnership but because I have struggled for a very long time to understand nancial viability of this, and I think that was well demonstrated tonight.” Flenniken said. “I’m appreciative of the conversations that we’ve had. ey’ve been hard and they’ve been productive but at this point I would like to move that we cease negotiations with the Clear Creek Center for Arts and Education.”
Four CCSD board members, Kerry Ann McHugh, Erica Haag and Marcie King joined Flenniken in stopping negotiations with CCCAE. School Board
President Jessica North was the only vote against the motion. Flenniken’s statement and the board’s ultimate decision was made in under a minute and 30 seconds during the nearly hourand-a-half-long meeting.
Flenniken simpli ed the implications of the vote during the meeting.
“(It) means we are no longer considering them (CCCAE) as a partner for the fourth oor,” Flenniken told the Courant.
Editor’s note: e school board’s full explanation of the decision to the Courant was published as a Community Voices column in the Oct. 3 paper.
When asked if she was surprised by the statement from Flenniken and the
abrupt decision, North said, “Yes, because my training as board president is to make sure all sides get to be heard and I was surprised when no one listened to the other side and for the community, that happened really fast.
“I have shed so many tears over this,” she continued.
“Transparency” is a term often used by agencies in an e ort to inform the public the reasons by which ruling members or judges are open to the public in meetings, it is, by its very definition, according to the Oxford Dictionary, “the quality of allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen.”
However, transparency is negated
New Clear Creek schools superintendent focuses on communication with community
BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Clear Creek Schools Superintendent Tom Meyer o cially started in his position July 1, but he’s been preparing for the role for more than 25 years in education.
Meyer assumes the role of permanent superintendent succeeding Karen Quanbeck and interim Superintendent Mike Gass for the district.
e previous pair guided schools to an expeditionary learning experience for students, which Gass often commented utilized the “gift of place” in the county.
Meyer told the Courant he has no in-
tention of changing that course.
“A community is as strong, in many ways, as the things around it and one of those things that has to be strong, to make a strong community are the schools and I truly believe that. I’ll tell anybody that anytime,” Meyer said.
Meyer comes from Bellevue, Iowa where he was superintendent since 2014. According to his resume, he earned his Ph.D. in personalized learning at Drake University in 2021.
“What stood out to me was his pretty recent Ph.D. in individualized learning which I really think the United States education system is moving (toward) and I believe is really good for kids because it meets kids where they are and
helps them really explore their passion while learning the critical educational
skills that they need to be successful,” Board of Education member Kelly Flenniken said in a recent interview.
“No two students learn the same.” It’s a common theme in conversations with Meyer..
“I want people to know I care, that I’m not here for a one-year stint, I’m here for the long-term… I’m here to work for our school district and work for our students,” he said.
Community and communication are key to a successful school district and basic education Meyer said but what’s changing, he believes, is how we educate our kids. e traditional model of
Graduation class of 2024 at Clear Creek High School celebrates May 24. PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Clear Creek Superintendent Tom Meyer oversees final construction at Carlson Elementary July 17. PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
SUPER
four walls in a classroom is still relevant but students need to be able to break those walls and nd their own passion.
“Just the way he approaches the delivery of education, I think really ts our community and only builds o the systems we’ve been working hard to put in place going all the way back to ‘Q’ (Karen Quanbeck). It just feels like the next iteration of progress to me,” Flenniken said. Meyer said regular communication with parents and the community will be the usual with newsletters and updates on at least a monthly basis.
“ e whole focus of school revolves around kids and learning… it all comes down to, what are we doing for kids?” Meyer said.
Long-time educator and Executive Director of the Clear Creek Schools Foundation Mitch Houston agreed Meyer is a
Playground equipment in place for start of the school year at remodeled Carlson Elementary in Idaho Springs.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
good t for a very unique school district.
“He values student outcomes, what they learn over how they learn it, and measuring life-skills as opposed to tests,” Houston said.
Meyer spoke with the Clear Creek Courant outside Building 103 in Idaho Springs, which is scheduled to open in August as the new Carlson Elementary School.
Fervent construction continued in the background, but Meyer said he’s condent it will be open and ready for students when school starts Aug. 14. e combined construction crews in their yellow vests and hard hats reminded Meyer of how it takes a team to accomplish a shared goal. He said he recognizes that as superintendent he’s still just one part of the crew.
“Any solution, anything I’ve been involved with, I’ve been involved with other people helping to develop ideas, solutions, programming. It’s not about Tom Meyer, it’s about the people around me,” Meyer said.
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 and 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 and 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.
Box 249 Central City, CO 80427. e position is open until 11/03/2024. EOE.
Guanella Pass o ers spectacular fall colors
Aspen leaves turn brilliant shades as cool weather comes
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e changing temperatures and shorter days in the mountains create a once-a-year spectacular show of colors in the high country.
Colorful leaves of the mountain aspens draw thousands of people from around the world and across the country to Colorado to witness nature in its splendor, and Guanella Pass in Georgetown is its epitome, according to visitors.
“Growing up we spent a lot of time
in the mountains. My grandparents lived in Evergreen so we were up here a lot, we used to sh the creek with my grandpa all the time and he passed away last year so it’s very special to be able to come up here still and have all of the memories,” Colorado native Dru Ogg said while walking with her 2-year-old son Hudson along the trails at Clear Lake o Guanella Pass.
According to the U.S. Forestry Service trees at altitude, especially the aspens, begin a natural cycle in which chlorophyll production slows and eventually stops. Chlorophyll is the pigment that gives leaves their green color, so when it breaks down, the green color disappears.
e technical de nition and explanation of what takes place every fall is one thing, the technicolor results
of the phenomenon are what dazzles visitors every year.
“I love seeing the aspens changing colors like the yellow and the orange. It’s pretty cool mixed in with all the evergreen trees. It’s a pretty cool sight,” Courtney Montgomery of Denver said alongside her husband Alex. e pair shared a day o from their vocation as youth ministers at the Denver Church of Christ to visit the 10,000 foot mountains in Georgetown.
“It’s just nice and peaceful out here,” Alex Montgomery said. “Yeah, it’s a gem.”
Visitors to the mountains of Guanella Pass witnessed the steady and constant rush of tra c heading into altitude to see the show “free of charge” provided by nature and available to all.
“No place else I’d want to be,” said
Colorado native Maureen Blackford with her sister Carol Black.
“ is is a favorite playground, you can’t ask for better nature, wildlife, blue skies,” Black said. “You got such a beautiful palette of greens and yellows and oranges and reds. Not too many states have this array of colors.”
“You gotta get out and enjoy it while you can, you blink and you’ll miss it,” Blackford added.
According to Georgetown o cials, the economic impact of this yearly phenomenon is di cult to quantify but the tra c alone with license plates from California, Texas, New York, Oklahoma and overwhelming Colorado are evident of the tourist dollars owing into the town.
“I just think they’re just breathtaking every year,” Ogg said.
Firefighters, law enforcement and kids make for many smiles at C3 Fest in Idaho Springs
BY CHRIS KOEBERL
A Clear Creek Fire Authority ladder truck was center stage on the ShellyQuinn ball elds in Idaho Springs as members of Alpine Rescue repelled down the rope hanging from it.
e Clear Creek County C3 fest brought out members and equipment from Clear Creek Fire Authority, Evergreen Fire, the Clear Creek County Sheri ’s o ce, local police and Flight for Life.
e kids were not disappointed climbing into police cars to try the siren or inside a retruck to feel the seats. Strapped to a re ghter, they also experienced walking up the extended ladder of the retruck.
“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 smiling.
“He loves the re department, he thinks they’re absolutely great,” Nick said. “He loves the sheri ’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.
“ ey need to be comfortable with
6-yearold Henry Goymerac from Lawson climbs a ladder truck at C3 Fest in Idaho Springs Aug. 17.
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 re ghter in tow.
“I wasn’t scared and I was halfway up and could see everything,” Henry said with a huge smile across his face.
e Clear Creek Sheri ’s O ce, this year’s host, brought its massive tactical rescue vehicle to the elds and explained how it worked to the wideeyed kids who looked tiny next to the vehicle.
e event is meant to bring awareness to local re/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 sheri ’s department.
A silent auction, food sales and donations will go to bene t Clear Creek County Schools this year.
Back at the retrucks Molly Gay from Gilpin County was trying to corral her 2-year-old son Summit, not an easy job.
“He loves the rst responders, he
Dru Ogg walks with her 2-year-old son Hudson along the trails at Clear Lake o Guanella Pass in Georgetown.
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Maureen Blackford and her sister Carol Black at Guanella Pass in Georgetown on Sept. 23.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Hundreds attend 15th year of Rapidgrass music festival
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Rapidgrass music festival returned to Idaho Springs and drew hundreds of bluegrass fans from around the world to the ball elds on the east side of town for what many called a community event.
License plates from Arizona, Texas, Kansas, California and more along the entrance to the bluegrass festival told a story of how widespread the festival’s reputation has reached in its 15 years. One person even traveled from Australia and asked to volunteer, according to festival organizers.
However, organizers of the annual festival on Aug. 2 and 3 said once in Idaho Springs, you’re part of the community.
“People come from all over the planet, volunteer their time or just pay to listen and partake of an amazing weekend,” Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District Director of Special Events Jenn Jordan-Truesdale said.
At least 12 bands, with names like Crossed Eyed Possom and Magoo played the two-day event with Artist at Large Tyler Grant lling in between band sets.
“ is year I nally convinced
e tour was not disappointing, she said.
“I doubt it was planned, but there were de nitely some lights that were ickering and shades that were closing, so that was fun,” Inhofer said.
Mark (Morris) to hire me as an artist at large,” Grant said. “I’m thrilled to be here for the rst time. It’s a beautiful setting, this eld is a wonderful place to be playing music and the sound crew is top-notch.”
Melissa Guthrie and daughter Nera Gomez of Elizabeth and friend Nichole Anderson from Castle Rock agreed it doesn’t get much better than enjoying bluegrass with family and friends.
“ is is what it’s all about, music, scenery and good friends,” Guthrie said.
Nearly two dozen festival goers set up camp in the adjacent ball eld to stay and enjoy the two-day festival.
Flower-adored hats circled the
the Crossed Eyed Possom from Prescott, Arizona perform for Rapidgrass music festival in Idaho Springs Aug. 3.
event thanks to the Marigold Flower Shop in Idaho Springs weaving oral patterns throughout the day on Saturday.
“I think everybody here cares about coming together, I mean this is put on by the Rec Center because they understand this is mental health bringing everyone together listening to music,” Owner of Marigold Flower Shop Tara Worley said.
Even the youngest, like 3-yearold Daisy Podosek and her sister 1-year-old Flynn from Lakewood, danced in the sun while their parents set up camp and shelter from the heat at the festival.
“It’s just a great community event,” Brent Podosek said.
Surprised, since the waitress said she had already cleared the table, she reached to retrieve the glass when it slid away from her grasp and o the end of the table where it shattered on the oor, Steele said.
Beau Jo’s pizza was built in 1881 as a jewelry and sewing machine store before it came to be the well known Idaho Springs restaurant, but the souls of passed employees and visitors may have never left the building, Steele said.
“Employees, both current and former, report a frequent feeling of someone watching them,” Steele told the captivated tour audience. “Not the kind of feeling where you can tell someone is simply looking at you, but rather the heavy sinking feeling you’re being stared at.”
Steele added that there have also been “reports of a guttural growling coming from beneath the oorboards with no plausible explanation.”
A former member of management, Steele said, claimed to see a seven-foot-tall shadow gure in the hallway outside upstairs o ces on multiple occasions.
“I wanted to learn a little bit more about the history and the ghostynist of Idaho Springs,” Dumont resident and tour participant Marissa Inhofer said.
Marcel Sorel from Denver agreed.
“I thought it was really intriguing,” Sorel said. “I learned a lot more about the history up here and I had not a clue about this kind of stu .”
Reports of sounds of footsteps, tap shoes and hearing someone crying date back to the 1940s inside the Idaho Springs Opera House, Steele claimed.
Child-like giggles and repeated “tapping” sounds can be heard from behind stationary objects in the current location of Idaho Springs City Hall, employees reported.
At the Idaho Springs Library, Steele said, “doors and lights seem to be a favorite of whoever continues to reside in the building, lights ickering in unusual patterns, cold spots, the occasional book ying o the shelf and cold hands on patrons’ shoulders have been reported.”
“I tend to be quite a skeptic, so I usually don’t believe in paranormal things,” Jere Sandberg of Idaho Springs said following the tour. “Still, the hair raises above my neck.” e ghost tours continue at 7 p.m. Tuesdays in Idaho Springs through October. Email jsteele@ccmrd.com for tickets and information.
PHOTO BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament draws thousands to Georgetown Lake
At least 300 teams of six players competed on 24 individual rinks over three days
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e annual Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament was held on the ice of Georgetown Lake for the rst time, but it wasn’t supposed to be there.
It was scheduled to take place on Dillon Reservoir.
However, two weeks before the tournament started, Feb. 16 organizers say heavy equipment started falling through the thin ice and into the reservoir.
“Dillon’s ice is way too thin; they unfortunately lost two skid steers in the water,” event coordinator and George-
town public information o cer Jess Jones said.
Georgetown residents and town employees worked together feverishly to set up the two dozen individual hockey rinks and found parking and vendors to welcome the more than 1,800 players, their families and spectators, according to Jones.
Jones said it took “a lot of group e ort.”
“It’s a community event,” Jones said. “Everybody wants to help out one way or another.”
ey pulled it o and teams took to the ice over three days to compete for the championship on Sunday, Feb. 18.
e players came from across the country, and for some of them, the annual tournament is a family tradition.
Ben Anderson and his 22-year-old son traveled to Georgetown from Austin, Texas to compete together with the Anonymous Hockey Club.
“It’s a parent’s dream to be able to participate in any kind of event or
project with your kiddos and see them enjoy it,” Anderson said. “ at’s worth everything right there.”
e 30-minute games included a 10-minute break at halftime and every rink was lled with players competing.
ere were a few ghts and minor brawls, according to tournament volunteer Jen Lofton, but overall she said it was a friendly and family atmosphere.
During breaks between games, even the kids got some time on the ice, preparing to one day compete in the tournament themselves. at included ve-year-old Jake Murphy from Colorado Springs. His dad Jez was competing as his mom Alexa watched while caring for the family’s three year old, Summer.
“Well, we were making him skate on the path and he was mad because it wasn’t the real skating rink, he was also looking for sh under there,” Alexa Murphy said, smiling.
e last minute change gave Georgetown time to shine in the sunny weekend of hockey, Jones said. It also lled hotel rooms and home rentals across the region.
For competitors and their families, a trip to the mountains was a welcome change.
“It’s beautiful,” Anderson said. “We don’t get a lot of snow in Texas, so this is phenomenal.”
Georgetown, Anderson added, was a surprise, but it’s a town he’ll bring his family to again.
“It’s an incredible experience and it’s a beautiful, beautiful city here in Georgetown and you couldn’t ask for better conditions,” he said.
Organizers said it was a challenge putting it all together in two weeks, but it was a great chance to showcase the town and welcome guests.
“You’re a part of it. You don’t have to put yourself out there or try too hard — everyone just welcomes you as you are,” Jones said.
Ben Anderson and his 22-year-old son traveled to Georgetown from Austin, Texas to compete together with the Anonymous Hockey Club.
The annual Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament was held on the ice of Georgetown Lake for the first time. At least 300 teams of six players competed on 24 individual rinks over three days.
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL
Five-year-old Jake Murphy from Colorado Springs gets some ice time during the Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament at Georgetown Lake Feb. 17.
The “Pucking Critters” from Breckenridge, Colorado and Salt Lake, Utah were one of several all-woman teams at the annual Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament Feb. 12 in Georgetown.
Members of the “Bronsons” team from Denver at the annual Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament Feb. 12 In Georgetown.
AJ Williams from San Antonio, Texas holds his son two-year-old, Leon, at the tournament. This is the eighth year Williams has played in the Colorado Ice Hockey tournament.
Midseason check-in: 5 questions for Clear Creek football
BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Clear Creek football moved to an eight-man team this season after three consecutive league changes in three years. But the Golddiggers didn’t miss a beat to start 2024; the team dominated South Park 48-6 to open the season and then poured 60 on Lake County to start 2-0.
Third-year Head Coach Nicholas Isaacson said in the season preview in August that the schedule gets daunting fast. That quickly became a reality and it was a tale of two halves for the season’s first four games.
The Golddiggers went from dominating to being dominated. Byers (still undefeated and atop the A-8 Black Forest League) was too much at home for Clear Creek to handle and beat the Golddiggers 48-18 in Week 3. Then St. Mary’s from Colorado Springs (3-1 in the same league) outlasted Creek in a shootout at home to win 34-28 in Week 4.
Going into A-8 Central League play, Isaacson sat down for a midseason check-in with Colorado Community Media. Check out the Q&A below. Colorado Community Media: How has the transition to eight-man ball been this season so far? What has felt the most different, if anything? Isaacson : I’m glad we did it because I feel we’re competitive in every game,
whereas last year, going against teams that were roughly three times our size. I didn’t feel that we could be competitive in every game that we were in. Every game (this year), I felt we’ve been competitive. And in practice, it’s been good because we can always go at least eight on eight. So that’s been a big positive, versus trying to get 11 on 11, but not being able to do it. Kids are excited. I think they’re having a good time. We’ve been able to have a number of JV games, and we’ll continue to have more JV games. So being able to feel the JV team, I think, is very good in terms of the development of our players, and overall, it’s just been a great experience. I wish we would have done it earlier.
CCM: What are some positives you’ve seen from the team in wins and losses this year?
Isaacson : The positives in terms of the wins, I think, because they were blowout wins, are being able to get the younger players in and develop them at an earlier stage, whereas, a lot of times we’re unable to do that. So although we have a JV team, we’ve only had two or three JV games so far. So they’re accelerating up the learning curve faster. That’s a big positive. The positives in terms of our losses are similar, just for the juniors and seniors accelerating up the learning curve. A lot of these teams that we’re going against have been playing eight-
